MK Ofer Cassif's Trial for Assaulting Officer Concludes

The Jerusalem Magistrate's Court is set to sentence Member of Knesset Ofer Cassif today, who is accused of assaulting a police officer under aggravated circumstances. According to the indictment, Cassif's vehicle struck the officer's leg, and he subsequently hit the officer on the head. The incident occurred near the junction of road 317 and dirt roads leading to the town of Yatta and the village of a-Tuwani, which had been declared a closed military zone. Cassif arrived at the scene with approximately 80 demonstrators. Security forces informed the protesters, including Cassif, that the area was a closed military zone and presented the order to Cassif. Protesters were contained in a designated area to prevent traffic obstruction. Despite Cassif's Knesset immunity, he was permitted to move freely on foot to the protest area and its surroundings.

When Cassif's parliamentary aide attempted to bring his vehicle into the designated protest area, security forces stopped him. Cassif then approached the vehicle to drive it himself. A Border Police officer informed Cassif that he could not proceed by car due to concerns for the protesters' safety and because the route led to Area A, which is off-limits to Israelis. Cassif asserted his immunity allowed him free passage with the vehicle, and the officers lacked the authority to prevent him from driving where he wished. A dispute ensued, with each accusing the other of making threats.

Cassif then entered his vehicle. An officer stood in front of it to block its movement. Cassif allegedly drove backward a few meters and then slowly moved forward. The indictment claims Cassif saw Officer Azulai, who was still in the path of the vehicle, before the car struck the officer's left leg and stopped. The prosecution alleges this was done intentionally to obstruct the officer. Following the vehicle contact, Cassif exited the car. The officer lightly touched Cassif's face with his finger, warning him it was the last time he would be so close. In response, Cassif allegedly struck the officer forcefully on the left side of his head with an open palm. The officer reported pain in his head and left leg. Cassif, represented by attorney Daniel Haklai, denies the charges, stating he did not assault the officer and merely pushed the officer's hand away.