Police Violence Investigation Launched After 24 Injured at Haredi Protest

The Police Internal Investigations Department (Mahash) has opened an investigation into allegations of police brutality during a protest in Bnei Brak last Thursday, which resulted in 24 reported injuries. Injured individuals began providing testimonies at Mahash offices in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, following the submission of complaints detailing the harm they sustained. The "Fund to Combat the Draft Decree" is supporting the injured in filing their complaints, as the organization leads protests against the arrest of yeshiva students. The fund has provided legal counsel and support to the injured to help them file focused complaints about the incidents.

Mahash officials contacted the injured individuals the day after the first complaint was filed, summoning them to provide testimony. The testimony-taking process began on Tuesday as part of an examination into the circumstances of the events and the conduct of the police during the demonstration. The investigation is being launched in light of serious claims made by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir in a petition to the High Court of Justice. The petition alleges that the Police Commissioner deliberately ordered commanders to use violence against the Haredi protesters, reportedly stating, "I want to see blood."

The events also drew sharp criticism from the newspaper Yated Ne'eman. Its editor, Israel Friedman, wrote in his column that it is impossible not to be filled with rage at the "black uniforms who lost their humanity and acted disproportionately and without mercy simply because those standing before them are Haredi."

A statement from the "Fund to Combat the Draft Decree" said, "We will take all actions to ensure full justice for the police officers who acted violently, and we hope the swift response will continue until justice is served."