An Israeli police officer attacked a Haaretz photographer who was documenting a protest against Environment Minister Idit Silman on Thursday. The incident occurred outside a conference at Haifa University where the minister spoke.
In the footage of the attack, the riot police unit officer is seen forcefully pushing Haaretz photographer Rami Shllush without any provocation on his part. Shllush then fell on the ground, causing damage to his camera. Shllush said the policeman apologized afterward.
“While Silman was leaving the hall, I went towards the exit to photograph her and the protesters,” Shllush said. “One of the police officers told me to move. I replied that I’m a journalist, and then I moved to the area in front of the exit,” he added.
“A security guard from the [minister’s personal security] told me to move away, and I also told him I was a journalist – then he pushed me. Suddenly a riot police unit officer came from the side, threw me to the ground. The lens of my camera was damaged as a result.”
Following the incident, protesters started shouting “shame” at Silman.
Despite the policeman’s apology, Shllush said that he “expects the police to deal with journalists in an appropriate and non-violent manner.” He added that “Police spokesman Eli Levy also called me and said that he apologizes on behalf of the police, while adding that he discussed the case with the police commissioner to ensure that violence against journalists and citizens will not return.”
Alon Mashali, a witness of the attack, said that police officers also attacked protesters. “I saw the police violently pushing protesters – and the Haaretz photographer was also there,” he said. “No one approached the minister threateningly, and we made sure to keep a distance from her.”
The Police spokesperson said that “during the visit of the Environment Minister in University of Haifa police had to make way for her as she exited the hall due to the gathering of protesters. During the operation, one of the police officers pushed away a man who turned out to be a journalist who did not carry any means of identification.”
“The Police Station Commander and the officer met with the photographer and explained what happened. The case was also transferred to the competent authorities for a further review,” the statement read.
