In recent decades, particularly following the events of October 2000, dozens and perhaps hundreds of complaints have been filed by the Mossawa Center (which promotes equality for Arab citizens in Israel) against police officers for using excessive force – sometimes lethal – against Arab citizens. The big question is why there have been so few convictions. Cases such as these appear in the media and spark more empathy among the wider public when the victims are Jews, albeit not always. Two examples – one Jewish and one Arab – which stirred earnest public reaction, were the cases of Ethiopian Israeli Solomon Tekah, and the case of Eyad al-Hallaq, the special needs man from Jerusalem.
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Revelations pertaining to the conduct of former Israel Police Commissioner Roni Alsheikh –whose tenure oversaw the shooting death of Bedouin teacher Yakub Abu al-Kiyan during the evacuation of Umm al-Hiran, in which a police officer was also shot and killed as a result of al-Kiyan losing control of his vehicle – testifies to the close relationship, if not control, between the police and State Attorney's Office, which is the body that oversees the Police Internal Investigations Department.
Alsheikh was an external appointment from the Shin Bet, an agency with the complete and utter trust of the public and political leaders. This is the culture that Alsheikh apparently sought to transplant, whereby no one has the right to disagree, question, demand inquiry – let alone criticize openly and publicly.
Immediately after the Umm al-Hiran incident, after police had assumed control of the crime scene and with al-Kiyan's bullet-riddled body still slumped over in his car, Alsheikh issued a statement to the press to declare him a "terrorist." This triggered an array of responses from then-Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan and other duped politicians who spewed inciting, racist and hurtful comments. That wasn't enough for the police. Contrary to the Shin Bet, which believed al-Kiyan was not a terrorist and did not perpetrate a ramming attack, detectives were sent to search al-Kiyan's home. Afterward, a dramatic statement was issued that "materials of incitement were found in the terrorist's home." Among the confiscated materials were Hebrew-language newspapers, including Israel Hayom.
The public's crisis of faith in the police and State Attorney's Office, specifically the Internal Investigations Department, is nothing new in Arab society. Many Arab citizens don't trust one of the state's most important organs, which beyond its job of punishing wayward cops must also protect the rights of citizens, all citizens, without exception.
After the facts of the case emerged, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was right to publicly apologize and express remorse for the incident and the false accusations. It's disappointing that this was done while, and perhaps for the purpose of settling a personal score with Alsheikh. If only al-Kiyan's widow and orphaned children could be similarly addressed by Erdan – who as stated was public security minister at the time – and even the former police commissioner himself. Expressing remorse and asking for forgiveness in this manner would be a defining moment of justice, reparation and conciliation, which many people are waiting for and need.
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