MK Ofer Cassif Convicted of Assaulting Police Officer

A Jerusalem Magistrate's Court convicted Member of Knesset Ofer Cassif on Thursday of aggravated assault of a police officer, stemming from an incident four years ago during a protest in the southern Hebron hills. Judge Bialin Elazar ruled that Cassif struck a police officer's leg with his vehicle and then hit the officer forcefully on the head.

The incident occurred on May 13, 2022, amid a protest near the junction of roads 317 and the dirt tracks leading to Yatta, following a Supreme Court ruling concerning villages in the Masafer Yatta area. The region was declared a closed military zone.

Cassif arrived at the scene and joined protesters. Security forces stopped his vehicle on a dirt track around noon, preventing him from proceeding due to safety concerns and a prohibition on entering Area A. A heated argument ensued between Cassif and Border Police Commander Dor Amihai and Officer Yitzhak Azulai. Cassif allegedly hurled insults at the officers, calling them "filthy liar," "crook," "criminal," "scum of humanity," and "zero."

Cassif then entered his vehicle, with Officer Azulai standing in front to block its path. Cassif drove backward a few meters, then slowly advanced, hitting Azulai's left leg with the car. The court found this act was intentional, aimed at hindering the officer's duty. Following the impact, Azulai struck the car's hood.

Cassif exited his vehicle, and another verbal confrontation occurred. The officer lightly touched Cassif's face with his finger. In response, Cassif struck the officer forcefully on the left side of his head. The officer reported pain in his head and leg.

During the trial, Cassif denied the charges, asserting his parliamentary immunity granted him free passage and claiming the leg injury was accidental and the head strike was self-defense after the officer allegedly attacked him. He also alleged selective enforcement. The court rejected these defenses, ruling security forces acted lawfully and that Cassif's immunity did not permit him to endanger others or obstruct police.

The judge determined, based on video evidence and testimonies, that Cassif intentionally hit the officer to impede his duty. The self-defense claim was dismissed, with the court finding the officer's touch accidental and Cassif's response disproportionate. The selective enforcement claim was also rejected.

Following the conviction, Cassif stated, "My conviction should surprise no one. It is another step in the ongoing and overt political persecution of anyone who stands fearlessly against the occupation, its crimes and criminals, and for democracy, justice, and true peace for the two peoples of this land. Attempts to remove voices fighting the regime and holding a mirror to its crimes are not a display of the rule of law, but fear of uncomfortable truth. Silencing mouths through the courtroom will not erase the struggle or silence our voices, it only clarifies how biased the system is and enlisted in settling political scores, led by Kahaneists, many of them serial criminals. These are the ones who continue to instill terror against Palestinians in Masafer Yatta and the entire occupied West Bank during the olive harvest season. We will continue to fight and bring light to our bleeding society and peoples. Enough occupation, enough bloodshed, yes to peace!"