Israeli Lawmakers to Be Investigated for Assaulting Police Officer

Israel's Attorney General and State Prosecutor have decided that Member of Knesset Yitzhak Kroizer of the Otzma Yehudit party will be investigated under caution on suspicion of assaulting a police officer in aggravated circumstances. The decision follows a violent incident approximately two weeks ago, which reportedly involved Kroizer in a confrontation with police officers. According to reports in "Haaretz," the confrontation allegedly resulted in one officer sustaining a broken nose, with Kroizer accused of assaulting the officer. Following the initial reports, Kroizer filed a complaint against the officers with the Police Investigations Department, claiming they assaulted him. However, investigators reportedly declined to take his statement at the time. Kroizer explained his delay in filing the complaint was due to the recent holiday and the demands of his party's election campaign. He also claimed the decision not to take his statement was directed by the Attorney General's office. The Attorney General's office confirmed that Kroizer is expected to be investigated as a suspect in assaulting a police officer. To avoid collecting duplicate or contradictory statements, his complaint was deferred, and his statement will be taken as part of a joint investigation. This joint team will examine both Kroizer's complaint against the officers and the officers' complaint against him, ensuring both sides of the incident are investigated concurrently. The Attorney General and State Prosecutor's offices declined to comment on the matter.