Border Police officers assault MK Ofer Cassif yesterday during the memorial service in the Palestinian village of Umm al-Khair for Odeh Hathaleen, who was killed last year by a settler in the Masafer Yatta area at the occupied Palestinian territories, July 28, 2027 (Photo: Wisam Hashlamoun/Flash90)
MK Cassif stated, “A quiet and respectful event in Umm al-Khair in memory of Odeh Hathaleen—a peace activist murdered a year ago by a settler who continues to walk free and armed—was disrupted by dozens of Border Police officers. They declared the area a closed military zone and even violently assaulted me during the memorial service.” He added,”I no longer expect anything from PIBA (the Police Internal Investigations Department). After they closed the assault case against me in Sheikh Jarrah in occupied East Jerusalem —despite clear video evidence and after coordination of testimonies by the officers—it is hard to believe that justice will be served this time, even though this assault was also documented.”
Cassif further emphasized, “But I am not the main issue. The main issue is the cruel reality of the occupation, the ethnic cleansing, and the murder that Palestinians endure daily. Settlers carry out pogroms while the occupation forces enable it, protect them, and sometimes even take an active part. This is a reality that demands an unyielding struggle for justice and peace. This is the truth, and the world must know what is happening beyond the mountains of darkness.”
Later that evening, hundreds of people demonstrated at Habima Square in Central Tel Aviv against settler terror. The protest was organized by a coalition of organizations, including the Peace Partnership, Hadash, Looking the Occupation in the Eye, and Standing Together. During the demonstration, police declared the gathering unlawful, and moved to disperse it, pushing the protesters into the square. Later, police seized additional amplification equipment from protesters and used force.
Similar protests against the occupation and settler terror were held on Saturday evening in Tel Aviv and Haifa, initiated by the Peace Partnership and attended by Hadash MKs and the front’s electoral candidates. The demonstration on Kaplan Street in Tel Aviv ended with the arrest of nine protesters near the Kirya military headquarters. On Sunday, another demonstration was held in Umm al-Fahm by the city’s Popular Committee, with the support of the Peace Partnership. Three residents were arrested after police declared the assembly “unlawful.” The Peace Partnership stated last night that additional protests against occupation are expected across the country this coming Saturday night.
Original article can be found here