Police beat Haredi demonstrators with batons in Beit Shemesh
One of the police officers was heard saying, "There's approval," before hitting a protester on the head.
A video circulating on social media showed a serious incident of police violence against protesters in Beit Shemesh, in which police beat and kicked Haredi protesters who fell to the ground with batons.
POLICE OFFICERS ATTACK ULTRA-ORTHODOX PROTESTERS IN BEIT SHEMESHUnusual footage from Beit Shemesh shows Israeli police officers attacking ultra-Orthodox protesters with batons.The Police Department has opened an investigation into the incident, following public outcry.… pic.twitter.com/RVgOUw4UrM
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) September 23, 2024
According to Walla, those present were protesting outside a community center where a conference regarding academia and the integration of the Haredi population into the job market was being held.
In the footage, one of the police officers can be heard saying, "There's approval," before hitting one of the protesters on the head.
The Police Internal Investigations Department later informed Walla that an investigation had been opened against the police officers who were filmed hitting the protesters.
Walla reported that prior to police intervention, the protesters broke the doors of the community center, spat on women, and shouted phrases like "Death to the IDF."
Official statements
Commissioner of Police Danny Levy said, "The Israel Police takes seriously the incident that took place this evening in Beit Shemesh, which goes against its values. Therefore, it ordered an immediate investigation of its circumstances, including the conduct of the command and the police officers who were involved in the incident."
The police later announced that the officers seen attacking haredi civilians were suspended from operational duties. In their announcement, the police emphasized that, "From an initial review of the videos, it appears that the conduct of the officers in the incident does not align with what is expected of them as police officers and with the values of the Israel Police."
"Accordingly, and at this stage, the involved officers and commanders will be removed from operational duties until administrative measures are considered regarding them," the police concluded their announcement.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid condemned the "unforgivable footage of police brutality in Beit Shemesh," in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday evening.
תמונות בלתי נסבלות ובלתי נסלחות של אלימות משטרתית בבית שמש. התפרעות ואלימות המשטרה כנגד אזרחים שעולה מדרגה בחודשים לא מבחינה בין קבוצות מחאה שונות. מח״ש צריכה לטפל בחרפה הזו ביסודיות
— יאיר לפיד - Yair Lapid (@yairlapid) September 23, 2024
He further stated that the police's "behavior and violence against civilians has escalated in recent months, indiscriminately affecting different protest groups. The Department for the Investigation of Police must thoroughly address this disgrace."
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