Father of Fallen Soldier Claims Police Brutality During Traffic Stop

An incident involving the alleged excessive force used by police during the arrest of Yaniv Parizat, the father of a soldier killed in Gaza, was discussed on Israel's Channel 12 News. The event occurred several days prior when Parizat and his 84-year-old father were stopped by a female police officer on Kibbutz Galuyot Street in Tel Aviv for a traffic violation. Parizat stated that poor road markings due to temporary construction made the violation unclear and that he was issued a ticket.

Parizat attempted to photograph the intersection to contest the ticket, but the officer prohibited him from filming and declared him under arrest for insubordination. Bystander video footage shows four female officers pushing Parizat, who claims he was not resisting and was trying to retrieve dropped credit cards. He alleges one officer knocked his phone from his hand, causing his bank cards to fall onto the asphalt.

A male officer then arrived, grabbed Parizat by the neck, and threw him to the ground, pressing his knee on his neck and forcing his face into the hot asphalt. Parizat reported difficulty breathing and nearly losing consciousness. His pants were pulled down during the arrest, and he was escorted to a police vehicle in his underwear in front of passersby. He was later treated for severe bruises, abrasions to his head and face, and hematomas on his arms.

Parizat, whose son Itai Parizat, a soldier in the Givati Brigade, was killed in Gaza in November 2024, expressed shock at the police's actions, emphasizing he is a law-abiding citizen with no criminal record who did not resist or insult the officers. He described the experience as unjustified brutality and humiliation.

The police press office offered a different account, stating that the social media footage showed only part of the incident. They claimed the driver created a dangerous situation and refused to present documents. Due to his alleged lack of cooperation and resistance, officers required backup and had to use physical force. After processing at the station, Parizat was released, and the Ministry of Justice has launched an internal investigation into the officers' conduct.