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Cohen and Merhavia in 2002
Photo: Miri Tzahi

Yasam officer to face disciplinary trial for kicking settler

Police Investigations Unit recommends to try Refael Cohen for striking female settler during outpost evacuation. Officer probed for past offences, forced to pay compensation for slapping protester in 2002

The Police Investigations Unit decided Monday to put on disciplinary trial Israel Police Special Patrol Unit officer Refael Cohen, who is accused of hitting a female settler during the evacuation of West Bank outpost Ramat Migron last October.

 

Cohen has already had three complaints filed against him in the past, and was forced to pay compensation to a settler whom he beat during an operation in the West Bank.

 

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In footage recorded by Channel 10, Cohan is seen kicking the woman while she is already lying on the ground. Another video shows other officers spraying tear gas at protesters, without any apparent reason.

 

"We got complaints of officers spraying tear gas on passive protesters, grabbing women in their private parts and pulling protesters by their hair," Orit Struck, director of the Judea and Samaria Human Rights Organization wrote in a complaint filed with the Police Investigations Unit, which led to the launching of an investigation against Cohen.

 

Three years ago, while evacuating an outpost in the Binyamin area, Cohen was filmed slapping settler Nahum Greenblum, and was put on disciplinary trial following the incident. Cohen also faced a civil lawsuit, and was forced to pay NIS 4,000 in compensations to Greenblum.

 

In 2002, Cohen was investigated on suspicion that he strangled Amichai Merhavia while evacuating Havat Gilad. Merhavia was killed four years later during the Second Lebanon War. The case was eventually closed.

 

"An officer with such a track record should have been dismissed from police service a long time ago, and especially from field duty that involves contact with protesters," said Struck.

 

"I hope that after three incidents were caught on tape – and who knows how many that weren't – the Police Investigations Unit and the Yasam command will know to draw the conclusions that every person with common sense can draw."

 

Israel Police stated in response: "The disciplinary department of the disciplinary court has filed an indictment for unlawful use of force and will discuss the case next month."

 

 

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 11.21.11, 22:50
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