Statement disseminated on social media calling for resumption of demonstrations following killing of teen in Haifa by off-duty cop; authorities say they are ‘preparing for protests and were calling on demonstrators to maintain law and order’; major march planned to take place in central Tel Aviv
Israel Police was bracing Monday afternoon for fresh protests by the Ethiopian community, after various WhatsApp groups issued a statement that demonstrations would be renewed throughout the country.
The protests against police violence and discrimination began last week after 19-year-old Solomon Tekah was shot dead by an off-duty police officer in the Haifa district.
The protests raged across Israel, which some demonstrations turning violent, while the family of Solomon Tekah called for peaceful protests.
The demonstrations were planned to resume Tuesday to coincide with the end of the week-long Jewish mourning period for Tekah.
The police said in response to the statement Tuesday that they “were preparing for protests and were calling on demonstrators to maintain law and order.”
The police said they would “allow legitimate protest, but will not allow and will take firm action against any riots or violent disturbances directed against policemen or civilians wherever they may be.”
Security cameras were installed at noon on Kaplan Street in Tel Aviv, close to the intersection between a major government compound and the Azrieli Junction that leads to the Ayalon Highway.
According to the announcement distributed by the WhatsApp groups, the demonstrations were to begin at 5pm at the following locations: Azrieli Junction ; the Poleg interchange on Route 2 (the coastal road) near Netanya; the Pat Junction in southern Jerusalem; Petah Tikva municipality building; the corner of Jabotinsky Street and the Geha Junction in Petah Tikva; and opposite Ashkelon municipal sports hall.
In addition, a protest march was planned at 5pm 17:00 from Azrieli Junction to Rabin Square in Tel Aviv. The procession planned to march from Azrieli along Kaplan Street to Ibn Gvirol Street, and then north to Rabin Square.
To secure the procession, the police were expected to block the following routes from 5pm: Kaplan Street from the corner of Begin Street westwards to Ibn Gvirol Street; northwards on Ibn Gvirol from Marmorek Street to Arlozorov Street; Shaul Hamelech Blvd. from Weizmann Street to Ibn Gvirol; King David Blvd. from Weizmann Street to Ibn Gvirol Street; Bloch Street from Arlozorov Street until Ibn Gvirol Street.
These roads will reopen to traffic as the march progresses.
Earlier Monday, a preliminary internal investigation into Tekah’s killing revealed that the police officer who shot him opened fire in the direction of the floor, but the bullet ricocheted and fatally wounded the 19-year-old man.
The Tekah family’s legal team met Monday with the representatives of the Police Internal Investigations Department, who presented them with the findings of the preliminary investigation.
The police representatives did not, however, elaborate on the type of punishment they will be seeking for the officer.
The internal investigation’s department confirmed the meeting, saying the gunfire was indeed aimed at the floor as an act of self-defense.
“The findings of the investigation support the defense’s claims that the officer acted in self-defense without any intention of harming the deceased,” said Yair Nedshi, the officer’s defense attorney.
“So far a series of forensic tests have been conducted as far of the investigation, including pathological analysis, ballistics tests, weapons testing and forensic examination of the scene of the shooting,” said the Police Internal Investigations Department.
As reported by Ynetnews