'Police dictatorship': Israeli jailed for throwing sand at Ben-Gvir
3 Min Read
Israeli media say a petition for Noa Goldenberg's release on medical grounds was rejected.
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Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, center, flanked by his security detail, approaches the entrance to the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the Old City of occupied al-Quds, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. (AP)
An Israeli settler in Tel Aviv was arrested on Friday for allegedly throwing wet sand at Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israeli media reported, adding that the 27-year-old was detained overnight at Neve Tirtza Women’s Prison in Ramle.
Noa Goldenberg, identified by a group representing detained anti-government protesters, is being held until at least Saturday night when her case will be heard in court. She denies the accusation.
A petition for her release on medical grounds was rejected, with the court citing concerns about potential interference with the investigation.
תיעוד של בן גביר והחול בחוף בת"א:
— Josh Breiner (@JoshBreiner) September 6, 2024
בן גביר מוקף באבטחה משוחח וחלקי חול רטוב עפים לעברו.
בן גביר לא מהסס ונכנס *לתוך הים* עם הנעליים כשהאבטחים מונעים ממנו ומצביעים על בחורה בבגד ים במים.
ברקע קריאות "לך הביתה יא רוצח".
הצעירה בחקירה כאילן מדובר במחבלת, ייתכן ותיעצר למשך הלילה. https://t.co/UK4q2oq3NN pic.twitter.com/7PSLuh3wkd
Goldenberg's mother shared a photo on social media of her daughter in a cell at Lev Tel Aviv police station, with her hands and feet bound.
"The dictatorship police has decided, without justification, to risk the life of my daughter who suffers from a chronic illness, and is leaving her in detention, which is life-threatening for her," she wrote, emphasizing that her daughter has no prior criminal record.
The Israeli channel Kan reported that Goldenberg suffers from epilepsy, is on medication twice a day, and requires supervision. Despite her health condition, the police requested that she remain in custody overnight.
According to Israeli media, Goldenberg was arrested at a beach in Tel Aviv, where she had been with friends. Ben-Gvir, who oversees the police, passed by the area, prompting an angry reaction from beachgoers. Video footage shared on social media captured some people shouting "murderer" at the extremist minister.
Ben-Gvir has been accused by critics of obstructing a ceasefire agreement aimed at securing the release of the captives held in Gaza.
Kan said that while a young woman is being arrested for throwing a handful of sand from a distance in the direction where Ben-Gvir was standing, no one has been arrested for storming military bases or burning Palestinian homes with residents inside in the village of Jit.
"We have hit rock bottom," it added.
Ben-Gvir, who took office in late 2022, has faced accusations of politicizing the police force. He has reportedly instructed the police to avoid arresting extremist settlers who attacked trucks delivering humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip.
Additionally, police have not made any arrests in several recent incidents of settler violence in the occupied West Bank, nor in the case of settlers that stormed two military bases on July 29 after ten reservists were detained on suspicion of raping a Palestinian detainee.
Read more: Ben-Gvir represents 'terrorists' in Israeli government: Haaretz
