Israeli MK Ofer Cassif Convicted of Assaulting Police Officer
Translated & summarized from Al-Shams by baba
Member of Knesset Ofer Cassif was convicted by a Jerusalem court on Thursday of assaulting a police officer under aggravated circumstances. The conviction relates to a May 2022 incident during protests against the displacement of residents from Masafer Yatta. Cassif's defense that he acted in self-defense was rejected by the court, which cited evidence contradicting his claims. Sentencing will be decided later.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- MK Ofer Cassif was convicted of assaulting a police officer under aggravated circumstances.
- The conviction stems from a May 2022 incident during protests in Masafer Yatta.
- The protests were against potential evictions following an Israeli Supreme Court ruling.
- Cassif claimed self-defense, but the court found evidence contradicted his account.
- Sentencing for the conviction will be determined at a later date.
An Israeli court convicted Member of Knesset Ofer Cassif on Thursday of assaulting a police officer under aggravated circumstances. The conviction stems from an incident that occurred in May 2022 during protests against the displacement of residents from the Masafer Yatta villages, south of Hebron.
The case dates back to May 13, 2022, when Cassif participated in protests following an Israeli Supreme Court decision that rejected petitions from residents against their eviction orders. This ruling paved the way for potential large-scale evictions, raising fears for over a thousand Palestinians, including approximately 500 children, according to the UN.
During the protests, Israeli forces declared parts of the area a closed military zone, restricting movement. Cassif and other demonstrators attempted to reach a protest site near a crossroads in southern Hebron but were initially blocked by security forces. A verbal altercation ensued between Cassif and a border police officer and another policeman.
According to the indictment, Cassif then returned to his vehicle and drove forward, hitting the policeman's leg. He then exited the car and struck the officer on the head. Cassif denied intentionally hitting the officer with his car, claiming he acted in self-defense when he hit the officer. However, the court accepted the prosecution's account, finding that evidence, including visual documentation, contradicted Cassif's claims.
The Jerusalem Magistrate's Court convicted Cassif based on the evidence. Sentencing will be determined at a later stage of the legal proceedings.
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