Police Arrest Teen in Netanya After Reported Assault; Youth Alleges Racial Profiling

On Wednesday, police in Netanya responded to a call reporting a fight near the Tapuz gas station in the industrial area. A woman driving by witnessed two older boys allegedly assaulting a younger child and called emergency services, expressing concern about approaching the scene due to potential danger. Upon arrival, officers investigated an incident involving a 15-year-old suspected of attacking a 12-year-old. The teen denied any assault, claiming the youths were only joking around. When police requested identification, the 15-year-old refused to provide his ID number, leading to a confrontation and his subsequent arrest and transfer to the police station. He was later released after questioning.

Video footage of the arrest circulated on social media, showing the teen confronting officers and accusing them of targeting him because of his skin color, saying, "There are two white kids here, but you’re only stopping me." The clip begins after police arrived and does not include the initial report or events leading to the arrest. The police stated the video presents a partial and misleading picture by omitting the context and the original complaint.

This incident occurred at the same location where a separate youth violence case took place just a week earlier, involving a 14-year-old found with a knife during a fight. The police emphasized their commitment to preventing youth violence and maintaining public safety, cautioning against misrepresenting police actions based on incomplete footage.