Police officer filmed kicking Haredi protester’s head is questioned by internal affairs

A police officer seen in video footage apparently kicking a Haredi protester in the head during an incident on Geha Highway was questioned on Thursday by the Police Internal Investigations Department, known in Hebrew as Mahash. The officer is suspected of assaulting the protester in last week’s event.

According to the report, this is not being treated as an isolated case. Mahash is also preparing to summon additional officers suspected of violence during recent Haredi demonstrations.

The outlet C14 reported that an internal Mahash discussion was held about complaints and documentation concerning police conduct at protests against Haredi demonstrators. Participants in that meeting reportedly agreed that what appeared in the recordings had no place in the Israel Police.

Sources familiar with the matter said investigators believe officers suspected of using excessive force and what was described as “motivation excess” should be fully prosecuted. The checks are still ongoing, and further interrogations in the coming days are expected to clarify the events now under Mahash review and the conduct of the officers involved.