Protesting Israeli settlers vs. police: Punching, kicking and whipping

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
27 Jul 2023 12:57

Israeli protesters report being brutally handled by Israeli police after the mass demonstration after approving a bill to restrict the "reasonableness law".

Demonstrators clash with police as they protest against Netanyahu's judicial overhaul, in "Tel Aviv", March 1, 2023 (Israeli media)

Israeli media reported that the number of protesters who were brutally beaten up during Monday's protest after approving a bill to restrict the "reasonableness law" reached dozens.

In their testimonies, the Israeli settler protesters spoke of being subject to punching, suffocating, kicking, and beating with whips. They reported also being verbally harassed and insulted by the police officers themselves, Israeli media reported. One of the demonstrators described the presence of the security forces by saying that they seemed as if they came to war.

After two days of stormy demonstrations that erupted in protest against the repeal of the "reasonableness law", complaints of brutal police violence against demonstrators were reported to occupation authorities, all of whom describe a similar pattern of action, which included disproportionate use of force. Some protesters even reported being whipped by mounted policemen.

The demonstrators also reported, according to Haaretz, that policemen hid their identities throughout the violence. Policemen reportedly put helmets on their heads to prevent them from being recognized and did not wear an identification badge as required by police orders.

According to the testimonies, the main perpetrators of the cruel violence are the Israeli police special unit known as Yasam - "Tel Aviv", commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Yair Hanouna, who himself was filmed punching an 18-year-old demonstrator and insulting his mother.

Earlier, Haaretz described the government's decision to repeal the Reasonableness Law as an "official declaration of internal war."

"The final abolition of the Reasonableness Law undermined the prospect that Israeli democracy can be defended through discussion, dialogue, and consultation, or even with the help of influential public pressure."

Some analysts even described the ministers as "crazy criminals" and that they are "like sewage sewers, headed by a natural liar accused of felonies," in reference to the Prime Minister of the occupation, Benjamin Netanyahu.

On Monday, the Israeli occupation Knesset passed in a final vote a bill to introduce limitations on the "reasonableness law", which prompts the government to sideline the Supreme Court's power to veto or review decisions made by the ruling echelon, represented today by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing coalition.

Protesters opposing the bill, which is a cornerstone of Netanyahu's judicial reform plan, clashed with Israeli police.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu left the room just after casting his vote and ahead of the cabinet announcing its final decision.

Violent clashes broke out between demonstrators against the overhaul and occupation police ahead of the vote and later intensified after the cabinet greenlighted the legislation. Ongoing attempts by settlers to storm the Knesset have been brutally faced by law enforcement using water cannons and mounted officers to disperse the angry crowds.

"Begin Road" in occupied Al-Quds was packed with protesters that blocked traffic on the major thoroughfare, while Israeli police are trying to pull them out of the way, to no avail so far.

According to Israeli media, the Israeli police chief announced his forces' readiness to prevent the scenario of storming the Knesset, announcing that efforts to disperse the gathered demonstrators continue.

Meanwhile, the organizers of the protests declared that the opposition crowds will “fight them [Netanyahu's government] to the very end.”

“We’ve only just begun.”

The opposition coalition, comprising 56 members and mainly represented by former Prime Minister Yair Lapid, boycotted the final vote, resulting in the bill passing with 0 opposition votes and 64 in favor.

For several days, political parties with clashing ideologies have been engaged in intense negotiations, striving to reach a consensus agreement. President Issac Herzog has played a crucial role as the mediator in these talks.