Family Alleges Police Brutality After Domestic Dispute in Nahariya Home

A routine argument between a mother and daughter in a Nahariya home escalated into a police incident involving force, handcuffing, and detention, according to the family. The incident occurred last Thursday around noon in the Amidar neighborhood. The daughter called the police emergency line, saying "Help," but did not speak further or request police arrival. Officers located the home and arrived shortly after, by which time the family says the argument had ended and tensions had eased.

Yossi Ben Haim, the father and a member of Nahariya's rapid response unit, said the police assumed the dispute was between spouses, not between mother and daughter. When he tried to record the police actions on his phone, officers confiscated the device. The family claims the situation quickly escalated, with the father, mother, and daughter all handcuffed in front of their five children. Ben Haim alleges he was struck twice by an officer even after being handcuffed and that his wife was thrown to the floor, suffering a severe anxiety attack. Their daughter, who has a disability, was also handcuffed.

The family was taken to the police station, where they say they endured verbal abuse and insults. After several hours, a senior investigator apologized and indicated the family would be released. The family has demanded a full review of police body camera footage, station cameras, and operational reports, especially regarding the use of force and the treatment of children present.

Police stated the officers responded to a call about a possible life-threatening situation and encountered violent resistance that hindered their investigation. The case has been forwarded to the Police Investigations Department for review. The family's lawyer described the police conduct as brutal and unjustified, promising to file a formal complaint and pursue all legal avenues to hold the officers accountable.