No Consequences for Border Police Reservists Who Beat Chareidim in Meron
More than eighteen months after disturbing footage from Meron shocked the public, the Border Police reservists who were seen violently clashing with mispallelim at the kever of Rabi Shimon bar Yochai will not face any form of punishment, neither criminal nor disciplinary.
According to a report by i24, the disciplinary charges were canceled due to a procedural blunder in the scheduling process by the police’s own disciplinary department.
Videos from that tragic Lag BaOmer pilgrimage captured scenes that left many Yidden deeply pained: officers were seen pushing Rabbi Avraham Kreuzer to the ground, one officer punched a chareidi man and even drew his weapon, firing into the air when there was no clear threat to his life. Another clip showed a female officer striking an elderly woman. All those involved were serving in the reserves at the time.
Although the Police Internal Investigations Department recommended disciplinary proceedings after deciding not to pursue criminal charges, the follow-up collapsed when the disciplinary unit failed to file the indictment within the legally mandated time frame. By law, a reservist can only be brought to a disciplinary hearing within ninety days of the completion of his reserve duty.
The prosecution tried to argue that the ninety-day clock continues to run so long as the individual remains subject to reserve duty. However, the court sided with the defense, ruling that the countdown ends with the conclusion of that specific reserve service during which the alleged offense took place.
In its ruling, the court added that the prosecution’s stance could discourage reservists from volunteering for service in the Border Police. The ruling effectively shuts the case entirely—no criminal record, no disciplinary action, and no further proceedings.
At the time of the incident, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir contacted Border Police Commander Inspector General Yitzchak Brick, and together they agreed that the three officers involved would be suspended until the investigation reached its conclusion.
{Matzav.com}
