Police officer filmed beating Ethiopian soldier not to face criminal charges

JERUSALEM POST – Attorney-general Yehuda Weinstein has decided to close the criminal case against a police officer who was filmed beating an Ethiopnian IDF soldier in April.

The video, which appeared to show an unprovoked attack against the soldier, Damas Pakadeh, sparked weeks of protests among the Ethiopian community in Israel.

In lieu of criminal charges, the Israel Police will decide what disciplinary measures the officer will face.

The Justice Ministry stated that close inspection of the video shows that the soldier refused to leave the scene when told repeatedly by the officer that there was a suspicious package in the area. The soldier then, according to the Justice Ministry, pushed the officer, prompting the officer to use force to remove him from the area.

The soldier then punched the officer, prompting the officer to punch him in return, the statement added.

The Justice Ministry added that the officer could have handled the situation in a “more professional manner.”

The proper course, given the facts, is for the officer to be disciplined by the Israel Police Internal Affairs Department, and not face criminal charges, the Justice Ministry said.

The Ministry added that there was no proof that the officer acted out of racism, or hit the soldier because he is Ethiopian.

Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiwxiFOkndA