Video allegedly showing police brutality against MK Odeh published
Joint List chief Odeh claims video published Wednesday provides unequivocal evidence he was pepper sprayed by police, who later threw a stun grenade at him, other activists during protests in Bedouin village of Umm al-Hiran; Internal Affairs to reopen investigation into clashes, purportedly to reexamine car ramming incident that killed police officer.
MK Ayman Odeh (Joint List) said a new video published Wednesday proved his claims of being assaulted by police officers during violent protests in Bedouin community Umm al-Hiran in January of this year.
The video, Odeh alleged, clearly shows how a cop he was confronting sprayed him in the eyes with pepper spray. When Odeh's head was pushed back, an object—appearing to resemble a stun grenade—can be seen thrown at him.
The violent clashes took place at nighttime between police forces and residents on the backdrop of families being evicted from their homes, and included live fire exchanges.
The police force, which arrived at Umm al-Hiran to provide security for the demolition of illegal buildings in the town, opened fire on residents and wounded Yaqoub Abu al-Qiyan.
Al-Qiyan then carried on driving and ran over and killed Sgt.-Maj. Erez Levi, who was part of the security detail. Al-Qiyan later succumbed to his wounds and passed away.
An Internal Affairs inquiry into the incident found serious failings with police's conduct during the clashes, which aroused a claim the incident leading to Levi's death was not an intentional car attack.
One assumption was that after being shot by police, al-Qiyan's foot remained stuck on the gas peddle, leading to his continued driving and eventually, to his hitting Levi with his car.
MK Odeh, who arrived on the scene accompanied by a group of activists, was wounded in the clashes. Immediately after the incident a photo of him severely bleeding surfaced.
The video published Wednesday clearly showed police officers blocking Odeh and other activists from moving forward, pushed them back and, allegedly, spraying them with pepper spray. An objecting similar to a stun grenade could then be seen thrown at the Knesset member with loud explosions audible in the background.
The video was taken by Al-Jazeera cameraman Murad Said. MK Odeh's office noted the video underwent a process to amplify its contrast because the original footage was not clear enough to make out what was going on.
Furthermore, the shooting of sponge bullets, which wounded MK Odeh, took place later and was not captured on film.
'Everything turned out to be true'
When the new footage came to light, Odeh claimed that the "web of lies and incitement by the police and government continues being exposed. Everything we claimed right from the very beginning turned out to be true. Responsibility for the horrible loss suffered by the al-Qiyan and Erez families belongs to (Public Security Minister Gilad) Erdan and (Israel Police Commissioner Roni) Alsheikh, who should have resigned the same day."
"Almost a year has passed, and it seems that instead of uncovering the truth and bringing those responsible to justice Internal Affairs is busier with covering up the affair. We continue demanding an independent committee of inquiry examine the bloody events of Umm al-Hiran from the moment the decision was made to the tragic aftermath. The only justice we can still offer the al-Qiyan family lies in uncovering the truth, recognizing the village of Umm al-Hiran and allowing the residents to stay on their land. We will continue fighting for that," Odeh vowed.
Chairman of the town's committee Raad Abu al-Qiyan said "the video attests to the web of lies in Umm al-Hiran. Junior officers can be clearly seen assaulting the MK. Returning the case file to Internal Affairs speaks for itself. On the one hand they return the case, but on the other they're trying to lull the public to sleep."
Umm al-Hiran's committee chairman referred to State Attorney Shay Nitzan's decision to return the case to Internal Affairs to conclude the investigation.
Odeh's office, meanwhile, claimed that "the video apparently stands at the center of the renewed Internal Affairs investigation of the assault", but according to police sources Nitzan's decision had nothing to do with the video but stemmed from new information received regarding the car ramming incident. The case on Odeh's assault also returned to the force for completion.
Police commented that "Unfortunately, time and time again the Israel Police pays a public price for being the only element meticulous about upholding the law and avoiding leaks and obstructions of justice. The Israel Police has been waiting for many months now on the official summation of an investigation that was shelved and then reopened for examination of specific details. We are forced to withhold further comment until the investigation concludes fully."
