A police officer was questioned Thursday by Israel's Police Internal Investigations Department (Mahash) over footage that appears to show him kicking a Haredi protester during last week's demonstration on Highway 4. The questioning follows an earlier suspension order by Police Commissioner Danny Levi.
The officer at the center of the Highway 4 Haredi protest incident was questioned Thursday by the Police Internal Investigations Department (Mahash), after being suspended by Police Commissioner Danny Levi. The questioning follows the circulation of video footage that appears to show the officer kicking a protester in the head during the demonstration last week. Commissioner Levi ordered the suspension on Wednesday, June 17, as The Zioneer reported at 21:47 Jerusalem that evening.
As The Zioneer first reported on Wednesday, June 24 at 10:52 Jerusalem, Mahash had already summoned the officer for a cautionary interrogation, with sources indicating additional officers would be questioned. The latest update confirms that questioning has now taken place, with the officer's suspension preceding it. The evolution of the police response moved from an initial summons to a full investigation, with Commissioner Levi's statement on June 17 acknowledging the footage and vowing to act against any procedural violations.
The context of the incident, as The Zioneer has reported, includes a series of Haredi demonstrations against alleged discrimination. Earlier reports described violence on both sides: on June 17 at 14:41 Jerusalem, a police officer was wounded in clashes at the Geha Interchange, and on June 18 at 11:46 Jerusalem, a female undercover detective was attacked during the protest. Additionally, on June 24 at 22:29 Jerusalem, drivers were reported to have attacked Haredi protesters blocking Highway 1, with onlookers claiming police did not intervene.
It remains unclear whether the questioned officer will face formal charges or disciplinary action, and whether additional officers summoned for questioning have already been interrogated. The Mahash investigation is ongoing.
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