JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Israeli Public Security minister Amir Ohana promised Monday to keep a close tab on police brutality against Chareidim and to take steps to curb it. On the same night a policeman shoved a Chareidi cameraman to the ground while he was taking photographs of the demonstration against the closure of Chareidi neighborhoods in Jerusalem. Footage of the violent attack was taken by another person standing at the scene and the minister saw it and decided to act.
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ככה עוצרים צלם שלא יצליח לתעד לנו מה קורה באמת בהפגנות. pic.twitter.com/2fScgJ2JyC
— אריאל אלחרר (@ariel_elharar_) July 13, 2020
The cameraman, Meir Kakon, was treated at the scene but said the next day that he was still suffering from a headache.
Just minutes after journalist Ariel Elharar posted the clip, the minister tweeted him back:
שלום אריאל.
תודה שהבאת לידיעתנו.
השוטר אותר.
יטופל במלוא חומרת הדין.
אדווח על התוצאה.— אמיר אוחנה (@AmirOhana) July 13, 2020
“Hi Ariel, thanks for bringing to our attention. The policeman has been located. The matter will be treated with the full severity of the law. I will report the conclusion.”
The policeman was later suspended from active duty until the matter has been clarified by the police internal investigations. He is the second policeman to be suspended this week after a policeman punched a protester in the face Saturday night when he was asked why he wasn’t wearing a mask. The protester filed a formal complaint against the policeman Monday. He told Israeli site Kikar Hashabat that “it was such a strong blow that I felt immediate swelling. I’m still suffering from headaches and dizziness. It’s not a nice feeling and I’m also traumatized from the experience.”
Meanwhile on the other side of town…..a 2000-person illegal demonstration outside the prime minister’s residence against the government goes on without any police intervention whatsoever. Minister Ohana still needs to learn the matter of selective enforcement against Chareidim:
גורמים במשטרה מצייינים כי ההפגנה של יותר מאלפיים איש לא ברישיון בכלל pic.twitter.com/pMrJbsUtnp
— Yossi Eli יוסי אלי (@Yossi_eli) July 14, 2020
fff
Israeli police are NOT known for their tact or gentleness…..