Police Clash With Students During School Year Opening in Gedera

A celebration for the start of the school year at a high school in Gedera escalated into a confrontation between police and 12th-grade students. Parents and witnesses claim police used excessive force, including batons and handcuffs, against students who were reportedly only painting their faces and singing.

School officials allegedly called the police to manage the students' end-of-year celebrations. However, parents argue the students were not engaged in any disruptive behavior beyond typical end-of-year festivities. One witness described the scene as a "war" with officers present with batons and weapons, detaining students for painting faces and singing.

The Ministry of Education stated that a group of students arrived at school after consuming alcohol and behaved inappropriately. They noted that prior discussions had been held with the 12th graders about expected conduct. The school administration, local council, and the "Derech" network are providing educational and disciplinary support to the students involved.

The police, however, maintain that they were called to restore order at the request of the school staff due to intoxicated students attempting to force their way into the school. One student was briefly detained and later released. Parents have expressed anger and demanded a thorough investigation into the police's actions, calling the event a "scar for life."