Police chief freezes stun gun use
Following video showing violent arrest of Yitzhar settler, Commissioner Danino bans use of Tasers until team concludes examination of guns' effectiveness
Police Commissioner Yohanan Danino announced on Sunday his decision to temporarily prohibit the use of Taser stun guns by officers, this just two days after the release of a disturbing video documenting the arrest of a right-wing activist from the Yitzhar settlement.
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Israel Police said in a statement that Danino has appointed a special team to examine the effectiveness of stun guns and has banned all officers from using them until the findings are submitted.
Video distributed by Yitzhar spokesperson's office
On Friday Yitzhar settlers distributed a video documenting the violent arrest of Boaz Albert, a local who violated an administrative order banning him from the settlement. In the video, a police officer is seen holding a stun gun threatening to use it against Albert, who is begging not to be Tasered while stating he is not resisting arrest. There is no documentation of what went on prior to the arrest.
The settlers claimed that Albert was Tasered several times even after being removed from the house. Stun gun shots can be heard in the video. Albert's brother was also Tasered and then rushed to hospital.
In response to the video, Israel Police said: "For the third time a person has broken the law. The film is clearly edited in a deliberate way, and even disregarding the editing it can be seen that the officers are acting with determination, without violence and in accordance with procedure."
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