The Division for the Investigation of Officers (DIO – Israeli equivalent to Internal Affairs) for the Israeli police department announced that an officer who hit a Charedi protester in Kikar Shabbos in Jerusalem will be charged and stand trial.

“This will make sure that all police officers know that even Charedi protesters have rights,” said the lawyer representing the Charedi man.

Two months ago, the protester, a minor, submitted a civil suit against the officer, while simultaneously submitting a formal complaint to the DIO.The plaintiff claims that he was walking from his Yeshiva to Meah Shearim to attend a wedding when he ran into the protest in which teenagers were mocking police officers.

The plaintiff further claimed that the officer burst forth and assumed that he was the person who made the mocking statements to the officer. The officer then proceeded to drag him across the street and hit him repeatedly in the face with his fist. The incident was caught on film and publicized at the time by Israeli media.

The youth sustained injuries, his glasses were broken and he was bleeding. The officer continued to hit him and scream at him.

“I am happy with the decision of the DIO. The time has come to hold officers accountable for excessive use of force against protesters. They should know that Charedim have rights as well,” said Attorney Itamar Ben Gvir who is the legal counsel for the plaintiff.

Israel Police spokesperson’s unit issued a statement that said: “Once the continuing investigation by the DIO is completed and all of the information brought to light in the proper way, we will evaluate the procedural and disciplinary measures to be taken against the officer in question. The police will continue to uphold our officers, who are tasked with ensuring the safety of Israel’s citizens o the strict rule of law, especially in cases that outside of the normal operation of our officers.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)