An officer who was filmed kicking a protester during a demonstration on Route 4 near Bnei Brak was immediately suspended from operational duty pending a full review of the incident. The Israel Police said the decision was made under the instruction of Tel Aviv District Commander, Chief Supt. Haim Sargaroff, after videos from the protest spread on social media.
The demonstration was held this morning by members of the Jerusalem Faction against the arrest of yeshiva students. Hundreds of protesters blocked the highway near the entrance to Bnei Brak, and large police forces were dispatched to clear them and reopen the road to traffic. During the evacuation, unusually violent clashes broke out and drew widespread public criticism.
Footage circulated throughout the day showed officers using force against protesters, and in one video a police officer is seen kicking a protester lying on the ground. Photos also showed injured yeshiva students with torn pants on the road. The images sparked anger among the public and political figures, and prompted calls to examine how police handled the event.
Police Commissioner Danny Levy said the force would review all the material from the incident. “If, after reviewing the videos from the protest at the Bnei Brak junction, we learn that commanders and officers acted against procedure, we will not hesitate to deal with it harshly and suspend them from operational activity,” he said. Levy added, “There were senior commanders at the protest, and I expect them to control the event.”
