Dim Amor

While the police accuse MK Lazimi of abusing her immunity and obstructing police work, the MK claims she was assaulted by police forces.

The police released a video of the incident, which they claim shows MK Lazimi "forcefully pushing between police officers and preventing them from confiscating a mobile phone from a woman." The police statement reads: "We regret that a public servant behaves provocatively, cynically using parliamentary immunity, misleading the public, and defaming police officers."

On the other hand, MK Lazimi responded sharply to the police accusations. In a post published on her Instagram page, she wrote: "Yesterday, a police officer told a protester that he would rape his mother in Jerusalem, I myself was attacked at a demonstration in Tel Aviv – police violence at demonstrations is extreme and severe, and no less severe is the violence from the police spokesperson's office, which is lying."

This incident raises acute questions about the limits of Knesset members' authority during demonstrations and, on the other hand, about police behavior towards elected public representatives and demonstrators.

The police emphasized in their statement that they will continue to ensure freedom of protest within the law but will not allow public order violations, criminal acts, or attacks on police officers.

Israel Police reports:

Regarding MK Lazimi, who was present at the scene, we want to clarify that contrary to her claims of allegedly being harmed by police actions, and to prevent misleading the public and unjustified defamation of police officers – we explain that in fact, the MK is using her immunity to interfere with police officers performing their duties.

This was also the case in this incident, when MK Lazimi interfered with police officers performing their duties, forcefully pushing between police officers and preventing them from confiscating a mobile phone from a woman, as seen in the attached video.

We regret that a public servant behaves provocatively, cynically using parliamentary immunity, misleading the public, and defaming police officers. We will not allow anyone to interfere with the work of police officers who work day and night for the benefit of the entire society.

We will continue to ensure freedom of protest within the law, but we will not allow public order violations, criminal acts, or attacks on police officers in violation of the law.

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A video documenting the incident with MK Lazimi is attached – this video is an integral part of our response.
Source: Police Spokesperson's Office