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Sunday 12 August 2018 - 10:20

Israeli soldier attacks anti-occupation activist filming him

Story Code : 744136
Israeli soldiers take part in an army drill in the occupied Golan Heights on August 7, 2018. (Photo by Reuters)
Israeli soldiers take part in an army drill in the occupied Golan Heights on August 7, 2018. (Photo by Reuters)

Israeli rights group B'Tselem released the video showing the soldier taking pictures of the activists who had gathered near the settlement of Pnei Hever to help Palestinians tend to their orchards and plow their land.

The soldier suddenly hit one of the activists who was filming him with his camera.

Another footage of the incident showed the Israeli soldier hitting the activist in the shoulder.

The Israeli army said its preliminary investigation into the incident revealed that the soldier "was operating beyond what's required."
"This incident will be handled by the command chain after the evidence and interrogation of the soldier are reviewed," it added.

In recent months, Israeli troops have, on numerous occasions, been caught on camera brutally killing Palestinians, with the videos going viral online and sparking condemnations.

Back in June, a controversial Israeli bill, which criminalizes any photographing, recording or filming of the regime’s soldiers while on duty, passed its first reading in the Israeli parliament.

Under the measure, those found photographing, recording or filming Israeli troops “with the intention of undermining the spirit” of the army “shall be liable to five years of imprisonment” and those “intending to harm” Israel’s security could be given 10 years in jail.

It also prohibits the publication of photos or video content in the media or social networks.

Critics, however, say the draft law hides military abuses, harms freedom of the press and grants legitimacy to the Israeli occupation to commit more crimes.
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