The Police Internal Investigations Department (Mahash) has questioned an officer involved with the Haredi protests held on Geha Highway last week, upon suspicion that the officer assaulted a protester, the Israel Police announced Thursday.
The officer was released without restrictions.
The investigation was initiated last week as several videos were circulated around social media showing the assaults.
In one of the videos, you can see an individual dragging a protester to the ground, punching them in the stomach, kicking them in the head, and then walking away.
There have been several protests this month in Jerusalem, Tel-Aviv, and Ramat Gan, again demonstrating against the IDF haredi draft legislation being pushed through the Knesset.
Physical altercation at haredi draft protest, June 24, 2026. (CREDIT: 27A)
Protestors block highways and railways causing severe traffic and disruptions
Protesters have blocked highways and railways for hours, causing heavy traffic congestion and disruptions to school transportation services, before being dispersed by police. On several occasions, the dispersal has led to violent clashes between protesters and authorities, as well as confrontations with civilians.
Israeli Police has said of the protests, “The Israel Police views the right to protest as a cornerstone of a democratic state and permits protests as long as they are held within the framework of the law. At the same time, the police will not allow riots of any kind, disruptions to freedom of movement, or any behavior that may endanger public safety.”
‘Ben-Gvir, wake up!’ Deri calls police violence unacceptable
Shas Chairman Arye Deri responded to police violence at the protest.
“[National Security Minister] Itamar Ben-Gvir, wake up! It is unacceptable that what the police did not do in Kaplan against anarchists who sought to destroy the country, they are doing right now against citizens crying out that they have been turned into criminals just because they study Torah.”
“You know that we oppose demonstrations, but we cannot stand idly by in the face of this injustice and severe violence. You have proven that when something matters to you, you know how to operate the police. Stand up now and stop the police violence against the Torah students,” Deri added.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid took the opportunity to attack the incumbent government in response to Deri’s statement.
“Arye Deri sits in the cabinet and sends our children to fight and die for the country – and then he walks outside and sends his own children to block roads against drafting into the IDF.
“All of this is happening with the consent of [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu, [Finance Minister Bezalel] Smotrich, and Ben-Gvir. This moral stain will never be washed away from this government. We will return, draft everyone, and bring order to the streets of Israel.”
Jonah Davidov, Hodaya Ran contributed to this report.
Source:
www.jpost.com
