Israeli Lawmaker Files Complaint Against Police Officers

Israeli lawmaker Ofer Cassif, a Jewish member of parliament who serves in the predominately Arab Joint List party, filed a complaint with the Israel the Police Internal Investigations Department on Sunday, after he was attacked by police officers on Friday during a demonstration in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in east Jerusalem, against the planned eviction of Palestinian residents.

Police officers can be seen in video taken at the protest tackling Cassif and kicking him. During the incident Cassif’s glasses were broken and his shirt ripped Police claim that they were incited by Cassif, who they said dared them to hit him.

The violence against me is a symptom, Cassif said on Sunday. “The violence directed against me is also a violation of the sovereignty and honor of Knesset,” he added.

Onlookers can be seen in video of the protests telling police that Cassif is a member of Knesset.