Investigate brutal attacks in Anatot

On Friday, September 30, settlers in Anatot physically attacked a group of non-violent activists. Twenty Israelis were injured in the attacks, including six who required hospitalization and nine who received medical treatment in clinics.According to reports by those present and several media sources, corroborated by videos and photos, settlers attacked the activists with clubs, stones, and fists, splitting one person’s head open, breaking another’s nose, and attempting to strip a woman of her clothes. Observers have reported that uniformed police officers stood by, doing nothing to stop the attacks. Off-duty police officers are reported to have been among the attackers. To date, nobody has been questioned or detained in connection with the attacks, despite the existence of video footage and photographs that clearly show the faces of the perpetrators.

We call on Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation of the role of police officers in allowing and participating in this attack, and to put safeguards in place to ensure that police officers protect non-violent activists from harm in the future.

Subject:

Your Letter:

Dear Attorney General Weinstein:

I am disturbed by reports of the brutal events of September 30, in which residents of Anatot physically attacked non-violent activists, hurting 20 Israelis, including six who required hospitalization. Eyewitness reports, videos, and photos testify to the presence of uniformed police officers who did nothing to stop the violence. To date, no one has been questioned or arrested in connection with the violence. Eyewitnesses also report seeing off-duty police officers and state employees among the attackers.

The Torah commands us to appoint trustworthy shofetim and shoterim--judges and officers charged with protecting all members of society from harm. By allowing this attack to continue, the officers violated their duties toward those they are charged to protect.

We ask you to conduct an immediate and full investigation of this incident, and to establish policies to ensure that police officers will fulfill their duties to protect all members of society from harm.

With best wishes for a Shana Tova,

Yehuda Weinstein

State Attorney of Israel
20 Tzalach A-Din Street
Jerusalem, 91490
IL