Yoav Goldring
Police question TA man for 'Arab profile'
Tel Aviv City Council member who was stopped on street by policewoman for his 'Arab profile' says action was racist, inappropriate
A Tel Aviv
resident, Yoav Goldring, was stopped for a routine check on Allenby Street two weeks ago by a policewoman. When he asked what the allegations against him were, the policewomen told him cynically that he has a "profile of an Arab." He was released and was on his way shortly.
Goldring, a member of the Tel Aviv-Jaffa City Council, found it troublesome to accept that an Arab appearance would immediately deem someone suspicious in the eyes of the police.
"I told her that I am a member of the Tel Aviv-Jaffa City Council, and that the expression that she used was racist and does not respect the uniform," he wrote in a letter of complaint that he submitted to Tel Aviv District Police Commander Shahar Ayalon. He added that statement was inappropriate, even though another policewoman who was present during the incident explained that the remark was made cynically.
"While it does not warrant a complaint to the Police Investigation Unit, it certainly warrants disciplinary action," he wrote.
The police department's head of operations, Commander Ilan Mor, replied to Goldring's complaint with an apology for the unfortunate statement. He said that the policewoman was reprimanded for her actions.
"The activity of the Israeli police to keep its residents safe is important, but at the same time it is important to protect the dignity of the citizens and the dignity of the police," Goldring told Ynet.
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