Israeli police under fire after arrest of doctor, allegations of brutality during protest

Israeli police dispersed protests in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening, leading to allegations of excessive violence and brutality after a doctor was arrested while administering first aid to injured protesters.

Several medical groups and politicians have called the police to explain and investigate the arrest of Dr. Udi Baharav.

Doctors group MIRSHAM – Organization of Resident Physicians of Israel, said in a statement that it was “extremely disturbed” after seeing footage of Dr. Baharav “violently taken away while providing medical treatment to an injured protester “.

According to MIRSHAM, this crosses a “red line”.

The head of the Israel Medical Association threatened that the organization would retaliate if the Israeli police did not act.

“I call on Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai to immediately condemn the behavior of police officers on the ground and ensure that such a serious incident does not happen again,” said Professor Zion Hagai.

He called for “an independent investigation into the incident”.

“Until we see a rapid and adequate response, we will not hesitate to take organizational measures.”

Benny Gantz, a member of the war cabinet, said the claims “are alarming and must be examined and investigated.” Despite having “excellent” police officers, the Israeli police “must remember that their job is to protect citizens and allow freedom of protest.”

He pointed the finger at police commanders, saying they “should act according to the law and not according to the minister's mind”, referring to National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid said there was “no explanation” for the footage seen of “police officers brutally beating and dragging away a doctor who was providing treatment in the field, even though he identified himself as a health professional.

He called for an investigation and sanctions against the officers involved. Additionally, Lapid said he would create a center to document police conduct.

“This is not about the Ben Gvir police, but about the citizens of Israel. These protesters are our good citizens and the police conduct crossed all lines,” he added.

Ben Gvir, a controversial figure for his policies and those he defends, has repeatedly called on the police to use more force to disperse the demonstrations.

In 2023, Amichai Eshed, then the Tel Aviv district police chief, resigned after saying he was fired by Ben Gvir for not using enough force against anti-government demonstrators during demonstrations against the government's proposed judicial reform. government.