After the boycott announced by the heads of the Haredi authorities against the police: Senior police officials are trying to appease the ultra-Orthodox public and are proposing a change in policy regarding the arrest of 'deserters'.
According to a report this evening (Thursday) by Daniel Grubeis on 'Kan News', the police chief, Deputy Chief of Police Rami Barachihau, has contacted several heads of Haredi authorities in recent days and tried to schedule a joint meeting with them and Commissioner Danny Levy - while promising: "The Commissioner wants to hear and declare a change.".
But the heads of the authorities have so far refused to attend the meeting.
The Israel Police responded to the publication by saying: "The police chief regularly maintains dialogue and working relationships with heads of authorities, community leaders and public figures from all sectors in Israel, as part of the police's activities to strengthen the connection with the community and the public. There is no connection between such and such working meetings and the police's enforcement policy, which is determined and implemented in accordance with the provisions of the law and according to the relevant professional considerations.".
The Forum of Heads of Haredi Authorities announced the boycott a little over two weeks ago.
In a letter sent to Police Commissioner Danny Levy, the mayors and local councils wrote: "We are turning to you, with great sorrow and burning pain, regarding the steps we are currently taking, in order to clarify the situation you have placed us in, with the continued arrest of Torah scholars.".
""The current situation, in which the police have become the enemy of the Haredi sector, and are hunting down yeshiva students on city streets and highways, unfortunately does not allow us to continue municipal cooperation with the police.".
""Accordingly, we intend to announce the cessation of cooperation between the authorities and the Israel Police, up to and including the cancellation of all existing agreements, including the allocation of municipal buildings to police stations, the cancellation of community policing, the cancellation and freezing of all existing collaborations - including a city without violence, welfare, and other important projects. And most importantly, an announcement by the rabbis on a complete prohibition of contact between the police and leaders of the sector.".
Yesterday, the Police Investigations Department announced that it had begun examining footage from the "Herzpnikim" faction demonstration on Highway 4 near Bnei Brak, in which police were recorded beating protesters with shocking violence.
In one of the videos circulated on social media, a police officer was filmed kicking an ultra-Orthodox protester who was lying on the ground. The officer was suspended from duty until the investigation into the incident is complete.
Another video shows the commander of the Bnei Brak station ripping the pants of a protester.
