Palestinians have been critical of the Palestinian Authority's rule and, at times, its close cooperation with the Israel Defense Forces. But footage released on Friday sparked a new kind of outrage, and an investigation.
The video showed PA officers detaining three teens, hitting one with clubs and kicking him while he's on the ground. The incident, caught on video by Middle East Eye, happened when the PA dispersed a rally near al-Azza refugee camp in the West Bank's Bethlehem and fired up social media users.
@AaronMagid Oh boy, how they'll miss The IDF when they have their own state
— Martina (@martina__1974) September 19, 2015Here's the video:
On Sunday the Palestinian Independent Commission for Human Rights, which investigated the attack, ruled it excessive use of force. Nine officers would face serious disciplinary action, a security forces commander said, while five other officers were sent to jail for three months, according to state-owned Ma'an News Agency.
"It was an evident use of excessive force against a peaceful gathering during which participants were attacked with stun grenades and rods," ICHR West Bank Director Farid al-Atrash told Ma'an.
By Hayat Norimine
