Father Accuses Police of Brutality During Son's Mental Health Crisis

In Ashkelon, a father and his son, who suffers from mental health issues, were arrested after police were called to assist during a psychotic episode. Neighbors who witnessed the incident claim that the responding officers used excessive force, beating both the father and son and pinning them to the ground. The father stated that he called the police for help, hoping his son would be hospitalized, but instead, they were subjected to severe violence. He described officers kicking his son in the head "like a ball" and one officer choking him when he intervened. The police, however, stated that "resistance arose" and officers had to use force to control the individuals involved. The incident began in the family's home, where the son, described as mentally unstable and known to mental health services, became agitated, throwing objects and causing a disturbance in the building's courtyard. When the father could not control the situation, he asked neighbors to call the police. Witnesses corroborated the father's account of police brutality, with one neighbor describing the officers' actions as "barbaric" and expressing shock at the violence. She added that the family had been trying to get medical and institutional help for the son prior to the incident. The situation escalated after an MDA medic was reportedly hit by the son, prompting the father to try and restrain him. Neighbors attempted to de-escalate the situation before police arrived, and even managed to calm the son slightly. However, upon the officers' arrival, the situation rapidly deteriorated. One neighbor, who recorded part of the incident, stated that the father and son were beaten while on the ground and unable to move. The neighbor also reported being threatened by an officer after filming. The father and son were eventually arrested and taken to the police station.