Residents of the Hebron area were traveling in northern Israel along with their 9-month-old son, near Tzfat. According to the ‘Srugim’ report, they were detained for four hours by authorities, held in the Tzfat police station all because police found a set of flatware among their goods, a set that contained a knife as well. The couple has filed a NIS 30,000 lawsuit against police.
The incident occurred about a half year ago. It was towards evening when the couple parked their car filled with camping equipment and tents in the HaAri parking lot in Tzfat, a place used by visitors to settle down for the night.
Police decided to conduct a search without cause, an illegal search, and they discovered the flatware. It is presumed the search was conducted because the young man appears like one of the so-called hilltop youths. While the young dad explained the knife, fork and spoon were used to eat while traveling, police felt the need to detain the family with the baby for four hours before releasing them with instructions to remain out of Tzfat for 14 days, bringing their vacation to an abrupt end.
The lawsuit was filed against police by Honenu attorney Menashe Yado, accusing police of conducting an illegal search and detention. The lawsuit mentions that during their four-hour stay in the Tzfat police station, the couple was prohibited from removing the baby stroller from their vehicle or to bring clean diapers from the vehicle. Hence, the child was held for four hours and the child missed his meals because they were unable to feed him.
Attorney Yado explains “The picture is witness that police had no reasonable grounds to interrupt the family trip. The plaintiffs were in a vehicle with a baby and luggage. Their entire house was in the car so finding a knife alongside a fork and spoon that were wrapped up is insignificant. Then to take them to the police station where the nightmare began. This is unreasonable and unwarranted abuse and I hope the court will compel police to compensate the family”.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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One Response
While i abhor the general principle of suing for everything, there often is no other recourse. However, in this case, (and generally in Israel), the amounts sued for are so insignificant, it is hard to believe that any change will come about from it. Yes, the family will be compensated for their suffering, but the police will continue to do as they desire and treating Hebron residents (and anyone who may appear to be one) as 3rd class citizens (Arabs are often not treated as badly).