Legal Group Demands Criminal Probe Into Police Violence During West Bank Outpost Evacuation

The Israeli legal organization Honenu has filed a serious complaint with the Police Investigations Department (Mahash) accusing Border Police officers and commanders of severe violence and theft during the evacuation of the West Bank outpost Givat Tal Talpiot. The complaint, submitted by attorney Eladi Weizel, details multiple incidents including the assault of a minor with a weapon, forcibly throwing him from a vehicle, direct firing of gas canisters, and theft of a credit card.

Video evidence attached to the complaint shows the violent treatment of the minor and the use of the stolen credit card in a supermarket in a nearby Palestinian Authority village just hours after the evacuation. The events occurred when several settlers engaged in passive protest against the confiscation of a security vehicle from the outpost. According to the complaint, excessive force was used against the protesters, including hitting a minor on the head with a rifle butt, throwing him to the ground, firing gas grenades directly at protesters, using pepper spray, and kicking one protester in the groin.

Honenu demands a criminal investigation into the disappearance of the credit card and the overall conduct of the security forces. Attorney Weizel condemned the actions as "criminal bullying," emphasizing that these are not legitimate crowd control measures. He noted that a similar complaint was filed just two months ago after a settler was seriously injured by direct fire at the same outpost. The repetition of such violence, combined with theft and targeted assaults, suggests a troubling pattern and a disregard for settler safety. Honenu calls on Mahash to open a criminal investigation without granting immunity to those acting unlawfully.