A-G may indict MK Ofer Cassif for assaulting police officer last year

Hadash-Ta'al MK Ofer Cassif may be prosecuted for assaulting a police officer during 2022 anti-demolition demonstrations in the south Hebron area, the Attorney-General's Office warned on Wednesday evening.

Attorney Daniel Hacklai said in a statement that he would be representing Cassif in a hearing at the A-G's office on April 30.

Cassif said that the A-G had been pressured by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and that it was an attempt to divert attention from the demolition of Masafer Yatta and Israel's control of the West Bank.

תיעוד: ח"כ עופר כסיף תוקף שוטר pic.twitter.com/gNKZrxzLBY

— ינון מגל (@YinonMagal) May 13, 2022

"I will not be scared!" Cassif said in a statement published on Facebook Wednesday. "I will continue my way in the struggle together with my friends for peace, equality and social justice.

The violent altercation between Cassif and police

In May 2022, protests occurred in the area where the High Court had ruled for the evacuation of villages. Security forces attempted to restrict traffic access to the area, but Cassif attempted to enter with his car to join the demonstration.

According to the A-G's office, when Cassif was denied access, he argued with an officer, leading to Cassif slowly driving his car to push into the leg of the officer blocking his path. When the officer slammed on the hood of the car, Cassif allegedly exited the vehicle and hit the man on the head.

Cassif contended that the video shared by police of the incident only showed part of the incident and was misleading. He said that the police had violated his Knesset immunity and threatened him with a weapon.

The MK noted he had previously been abused by police restraining him in Sheikh Jarrah, and pointed to the actions of the police in their addressing of judicial reform protests in Tel Aviv on Wednesday as evidence of their unacceptable conduct.