Honenu is representing those who are insisting on the investigation of the death of Ahuvia Sandak, z”l, who was tragically killed in a police car chase on Tevet 6 5781/ December 21, 2020, and defending the many who are being detained while demonstrating for change in police behavior. The car Ahuvia was in with four other boys overturned when the police car collided with it from behind. Please click here for a list of posts connected to the case.
Wednesday, January 26, 2022, 16:20 On Wednesday, January 26, the rabbis of HaAretz HaTova, led by Rabbi Chaim Drukman, Rabbi Dov Lior, and Rabbi Ya’akov Ariel, called for an external committee to investigate the circumstances of the death of Ahuvia Sandak, z”l. Their intent is to cause the police to exercise greater caution in their actions and with regard to the public. The rabbis’ letter, summarized below, was publicized in response to reports that Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit intends to close the investigative case against the policemen involved with Ahuvia’s death. The letter:
The letter
We find it correct to address the painful facts that have been revealed recently. With all due appreciation of the police for their efforts to eradicate crime and maintain public security, a most serious incident occurred this past year.
A youth, Ahuvia Sandak, z”l, was killed in what clearly appears to be an intentional and irresponsible “accident” caused by a police car. Nevertheless, the Police Investigation Unit (PIU) acted to whitewash the incident instead of prosecuting the policemen responsible to the full extent of the law. The PIU preferred to absolve them and to transfer the blame to Ahuvia’s young friends.
An external committee must be formed to completely clarify the matter, and to demand that the police exercise greater caution in their actions and with regard to their responsibility to protect public security, which appears to have weakened following the recent incidents in Lod, Acco, and other locations. The circumstances of the death of Ahuvia, z”l, must be thoroughly investigated.
With hope that the words of the Torah will be fulfilled: “Justice, justice pursue, so that you will live and inherit the Land” (Duet. 16:20)
Among the signatories of the letter are Rabbi Chaim Drukman, Rabbi Dov Lior, Rabbi Ya’akov Ariel, Rabbi Eitan Eisman, Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, Rabbi David Chai HaCohen, Rabbi Uri Cohen, Rabbi Elyakim Levanon, Rabbi Isser Klonsky, Rabbi Aryeh Stern, Rabbi Mordechai Sternberg, and Rabbi Yosef Artziel.
This week, in the name of associates close to Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, announcements were publicized stating his intent to close the investigative case against the policemen involved with the car chase during which Ahuvia Sandak, z”l, was killed. Also, they mentioned the possibility that the youths who were in the car with Ahuvia would be indicted.
In related news, the Sandak family wrote a letter to the Attorney General demanding that he clarify the announcements with regard to closing the case, and if they are correct, to meet with representatives of the family.