Yesh Atid MK demands probe into police violence at protest

The fallout from violent clashes at a chareidi protest on Thursday at the Geha-Jabotinsky Junction in Bnei Brak continues. Gaby Lasky of The Democrats, a former Meretz MK, has written to Police Commissioner Danny Levi demanding an investigation into officers’ conduct during the dispersal of the demonstration.

In her letter, Lasky said footage from the scene shows severe police violence, including stun grenades thrown directly at concentrations of chareidi protesters, and the use of batons and kicks. She demanded an investigation into the incident and an end to the use of stun grenades against groups of demonstrators.

She noted that protesters, three officers and an i24NEWS crew were injured in the clashes. “Regardless of the content of the protest, police violence damages public trust in the police,” she wrote to the commissioner. “Throwing stun grenades into a concentration of protesters is illegal.”

She added that the methods used to disperse protests must be re-examined to prevent injuries to both protesters and officers, and recalled incidents during the judicial reform protests in March 2023 in which demonstrators were injured by stun grenades.

"Footage has been published showing excessive and illegal police violence against chareidi protesters on Route 4," she wrote. "The footage shows officers throwing stun grenades directly at a concentration of protesters, and severe violence including the use of batons and kicks to disperse the demonstration. According to reports, four protesters, three officers and an i24 news crew were injured in the violent clashes.

"Regardless of the content of the protest, police violence damages public trust in the police. Throwing stun grenades into a concentration of protesters is illegal. One need only look back to March 2023 and see the damage caused by stun grenades thrown at protests against the judicial overhaul, in which protesters were injured by direct hits from the grenades.

"I ask that you investigate the incident and immediately cease the use of stun grenades against concentrations of protesters, and re-examine the methods of dispersing protests in order to avoid intolerable injuries to citizens and officers. I would appreciate your swift response and the necessary steps to prevent injuries in the future."

The letter comes after a series of sharp responses from chareidi public representatives following the events. United Torah Judaism chairman MK Yaakov Asher made clear that he opposes road blockages, but levelled harsh criticism at the conduct of the officers.

Asher referred to footage showing bruised and bloodied protesters, including a bochur with special needs, and called on the commissioner to summon for a hearing the officers who acted violently and in violation of the law.

Shas also issued a sharp statement following the events and demanded an immediate and thorough investigation. The movement said that footage showing protesters evacuated in ambulances after being beaten with batons requires examination, and warned against incitement against the chareidi public.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also joined the attack on the commissioner. Ben-Gvir accused Danny Levy of trying to curry favour with the left following the election results, and attacked the police's handling of the Geha incident. According to him, the commissioner is changing his approach toward the chareidi public and turning them into "his punching bag."