National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said he will hold an urgent discussion on police use of stun grenades, citing an increase in incidents where they were used against civilians not in accordance with regulations, and warned that if use is not limited to exceptional cases, there will be no stun grenades in the police force. Ben Gvir's statement, reported by Channel 12 journalist Eli Hirshman, follows a series of incidents this week in which officers used stun grenades during protests.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said Wednesday morning that he will convene an urgent discussion on police use of stun grenades, citing an increase in incidents where they were used against civilians not in accordance with regulations. In a statement carried by Channel 12 journalist Eli Hirshman, Ben Gvir warned that if use is not limited to exceptional cases and in line with police protocols, he will remove stun grenades from the police force entirely. This latest threat, reported at 10:14 Jerusalem, echoes — in more direct and personal terms — earlier warnings by Ben Gvir and his associates that were first reported at 10:14 Jerusalem, after a Haredi protest on Highway 4 saw an officer kick a protester in the head.
The sequence of threats has unfolded quickly this morning. At 10:14 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported Ben Gvir's initial warning to police following clashes in Bnei Brak, citing Israeli media; a subsequent bulletin at the same time noted associates of the minister had hinted at a potential ban, saying using batons and stun grenades against those blocking a road made little sense. By 10:19, a video of the Highway 4 incident had circulated and Ben Gvir had promised a discussion. While the earlier reports were sourced to unnamed associates and Israeli media, the new statement is attributed directly to the minister via a named journalist from a major news organization, representing a notable increase in source clarity.
As The Zioneer reported earlier this week on Tue Jun 9, police used stun grenades against protesters. Senior police sources have since defended the use of force, telling commentator Avi Moskov at 10:02 Jerusalem that blocking a major road crossed a red line and that force was applied on a graduated scale. Political opposition has been sharp: opposition Democrats leader Yair Golan said Monday evening that Ben Gvir's police have 'lost restraint' and that his party would take over the ministry.
It remains unclear what concrete steps Ben Gvir will take. The statement is a direct warning to police command but does not specify a timeline or whether the measure requires legislation. Police have not yet issued an official response to the minister's remarks.
7 developments
- DevelopingEli Hirschman calls on Ben-Gvir, Police Commissioner to stop 'police violence'
- StrongIsrael's national security minister backs police who shot suspected car-rammer
- DevelopingYair Golan: summon police official Doron over 'Ben-Gvir police lost restraint'
- StrongIsraeli police fire stun grenades to disperse protesters
Source and signal
- Internal intake