The criticism came after footage from the Haredi protests showed officers using disproportionate force, including water cannons and stun grenades, against demonstrators on Route 4. Images circulated on social media sparked public outrage, with reports of police ripping protesters' pants during the clashes. The officers’ anger was summed up in another remark attributed to them, "For us, let them shut down the country," and, "When it comes to Haredim, you cannot use batons, mounted police, or stun grenades."
Ben Gvir responded shortly after the protest began and said that in recent days there had been an increase in cases where stun grenades were used against civilians outside procedure. He said he would hold an urgent meeting to ensure they are used only in exceptional cases and in accordance with police rules. "If their use is not limited to those cases, there will be no stun grenades in the police," he said.
The controversy comes amid growing criticism in recent days of police conduct during Haredi protests. MK Uri Maklev of United Torah Judaism has initiated the creation of a parliamentary commission of inquiry into police handling of demonstrations against the draft decree, and the proposal is expected to come to a Knesset plenum debate next week.
