MK Malkieli Pushes Parliamentary Probe Into Police Violence at Haredi Protests
United Torah Judaism lawmaker and faction chairman Uri Maklev is leading an initiative to establish a parliamentary commission of inquiry into police conduct during protests against the military draft order. The proposal is expected to come up for debate in the Knesset plenum next week, and for the first time it may have a realistic path to a majority, including possible support from opposition lawmakers angered by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s handling of the police.
The move follows a series of violent confrontations between police and ultra-Orthodox demonstrators, especially recent incidents in Bnei Brak, where officers were documented tearing protesters’ pants and using what critics describe as severe force. In the explanatory note, Maklev wrote that in recent events “all red lines were crossed” and called the response “harsh, unrestrained and deliberate brutality against civilians.” He wants the inquiry to examine the chain of command, the instructions given to officers in the field, and the policy governing the use of force against protesters.
Maklev also alleges discriminatory enforcement against the Haredi public and says existing oversight mechanisms, especially the Police Internal Investigations Department, do not provide an adequate response. He cited a report in Kikar HaShabbat that said police systematically violated procedures at Haredi demonstrations, including the use of stun grenades in breach of regulations and direct throwing toward protesters.
The initiative is seen as a political test for the coalition. Usually such proposals are automatically rejected by the governing majority, but current anger at police behavior could create an unusual alliance. The Shas party is viewed as especially torn, since its lawmakers face pressure from the ultra-Orthodox street, while public support for the inquiry could deepen tensions with the coalition and Ben Gvir. Maklev’s proposal would also instruct the committee to recommend changes to crowd-control procedures and police oversight.
