Israeli Police Face Disciplinary Hearing Over Lawyer Assault in Beersheba

The Israeli Police Investigations Department (Mahash) announced on Sunday that it has summoned four police officers for disciplinary hearings regarding their involvement in the assault of lawyer Salah Naama at his home in Beersheba in May 2024. Mahash is considering criminal charges against two of the officers for assault and causing serious injury. Additionally, three officers may face charges related to obstruction of justice, pending the outcome of the hearings.

The incident occurred on May 2 in the Ramot neighborhood of Beersheba, where police were called due to a noise complaint at the apartment where Naama was with his family. Salah Naama, a prosecutor in the Southern District, was reportedly attacked during the police intervention. Following the event, his father, Khalil Naama, who serves as the legal advisor for the local council of Deir al-Asad, posted that his son was beaten while handcuffed and accused the police of providing false testimonies and conflicting accounts.

Khalil Naama further claimed that the police station handling the case failed to act as a lawful authority and instead attempted to protect its officers by coordinating their statements. He also noted that the police told the court there was no video evidence of the incident, despite its existence. The disciplinary hearings and potential prosecutions mark a significant development in the case, with further legal proceedings expected to follow.