Police open investigation into beating of teenager in Petah Tikva park

Police officers in Petah Tikvah launched an investigation Monday evening after a video circulated on social media, documenting a group of teenagers beating another teenaged male in a public park, according to Hebrew media.

The teens in question were pictured threatening him with sharp objects. In the video, the boys, one of them masked, are seen armed with irons and sticks, resorting to severe physical violence towards their peer, apparently following a social disagreement between the teens.

The teen victim was beaten until he bled, reports said. 

Violence from teen to teen

Israeli media sources reported that the group tried to get the victim to reveal the address of another peer. In the video, you can also hear the boy pleading for the attackers to stop, adding ""stop, my mother is in the hospital," as the boys lash at him.

The victim is yet to be identified and no formal complaints have been filed to Petah Tikvah police. The investigation hopes to identify the victim and may lead to the arrest of the attackers. 

Police estimate that the attack took place last week, after another similar video surfaced. In that video, an attacker is seen using a stun gun against the victim. Additionally, another video reveals a teen pointing an air soft gun directly at the head of another boy, Hebrew media reported.

Locals turned to social media to express their discontent with violence by teenagers in their community. 

Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir responded to the event, commenting that abusive behavior by youths will not be tolerated and urged authorities to identify and arrest them. "My policy for the Israel Police is clear - zero tolerance towards violent and abusive behavior among teenagers," he said in a statement.

Petah Tikvah mayor, Rami Greenberg, also responded to the events. "In the last few hours, a video has been circulating on social media that documents a case of severe violence between teenagers. Authority officials and the police are working to locate the individuals involved," he said.

"Although this is an unusual event that does not characterize the youth of Petah Tikva, it is important for me to emphasize that we condemn, condemn and condemn the use of violence of any kind, and together with the enforcement agencies we will act against it with a strong hand," he added.

The mayor urged for continued investment in education throughout the city and heightened security measures, such as the installation of security cameras throughout the municipality.