MK Ofer Kasif Appeals to Israeli Supreme Court Over Police Violence Case Delay
MK Ofer Kasif of the Hadash party has petitioned Israel's Supreme Court demanding a ruling on a four-year-old appeal regarding the closure of a police violence investigation against him. The case dates back to 2021 during protests against Palestinian evictions in Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, where Kasif alleges he was violently attacked by four Border Police officers. Video evidence supports his claim that police used excessive force without justification, including physical assault during his arrest despite his identification as a Knesset member.
Police officers involved denied knowledge of Kasif's parliamentary status and claimed he was the aggressor. One female officer initially denied kicking Kasif but later admitted her leg made contact to restrain him, describing it as a non-aggressive move to stop his resistance. Kasif accuses the officers of falsifying investigation reports and obstructing justice. Conversely, police investigations concluded with the Police Investigations Department deciding not to press charges due to insufficient evidence and low chances of conviction, a decision supported by the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General.
The investigation report acknowledged that the use of force was reasonable given the clashes between protesters and police and that the arrest's initiation was proper. However, two officers who continued Kasif's detention after learning of his Knesset membership were recommended for disciplinary action. Kasif filed an appeal in April 2022 demanding criminal prosecution of four officers for aggravated assault and obstruction of justice. Authorities promised a decision by March 2023 but have yet to respond.
Kasif's current Supreme Court petition requests a conditional order compelling the Attorney General's office to explain the delay and issue a decision on his appeal within a short, defined timeframe. The Attorney General has not yet responded to the petition or media inquiries. This case highlights ongoing tensions over police conduct during protests and the legal protections afforded to lawmakers in Israel.
