Israel Matzav

Where were they when the anti-expulsion protesters were being beaten in the streets

The hypocrites at Amnesty International woke up and noticed the police in Tel Aviv on Saturday night. Amnesty has condemned the police for the manner in which they put down a violent demonstration that included blocking a major highway and severe property damage.

The letter, signed by Amnesty Israel's director Yonatan Gher, said the organization condemned violence "of all types," and criticized vandalism on the part of social justice protesters.

"However, there is much evidence that... serious violence used by police on Friday and Saturday night went beyond 'reasonable use of force,' especially in cases when it was directed... indiscriminately," the letter continued.

"In addition, despite the unfortunate violence on the part of protesters, violence by police officers should not be seen in an equal light, since the former constitutes a breaking of the law, while the latter constitutes a violation of human rights," Gher said.

He called on the public security minister to swiftly formulate instructions to police to ensure that basic human rights of protesters are safeguarded.

Yarkon police sub-district commander Yoram Ohayon on Sunday denied reports that police used excessive violence in dealing with protesters. "Police brutality is not a term in our lexicon," he said. Responding to activists' complaints that the authorizes have decided to silence the movement, Ohayon says: "There is no change in policy in dealing with the protest."

Tel Aviv police spokesman Moshe Katz said Sunday that demonstrators ignored police calls to disperse the marches and continued to block the roads and confront police officers. By the end of the night police announced the arrests of 85 protesters, including over 30 who were seen being driven away from the City Hall in a Dan bus that had been commandeered by police. On Sunday afternoon, 15 suspects were to be brought before a court for a remand hearing.

Let's go to the videotape.



It seems like the protesters are giving as well as they are getting, doesn't it? (At least if the video works - I had a lot of trouble getting this one to play).

Where was Amnesty when the anti-expulsion protesters were being beaten in the street? They had nothing to say about this.

Let's go to the videotape.

Labels: Amnesty International, hypocrisy, police brutality

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 11:08 PM