(haipo) Dozens of Jewish and Arab lawyers participated this morning (Monday, 11/5/26) in a protest held in the courthouse plaza in Haifa under the slogan "Enough with the violence," following a series of cases of violence against lawyers and in the wake of the severe attack on attorney Saleh Naama, who was violently beaten by police officers inside his home in Be'er Sheva.
The participants sought to convey an unequivocal message against violence against lawyers and against police violence in general, emphasizing that lawyers are an integral part of the legal system and the rule of law. During the protest, the participants called on law enforcement authorities and the legal system to act decisively to eradicate violence and ensure the safety of lawyers while performing their duties.
Chairman of the Haifa District Bar Association, Attorney Shadi Saroji ◄ View
Attorney Shadi Srouji: "We have come to say in a clear voice, enough is enough for violence against lawyers. Jews and Arabs in the Haifa District stand together and say enough. The Haifa District is a special district, a district that cares for all its members, and it is impossible for a lawyer to be afraid to go out to work and do his job. A lawyer is an integral part of the legal system and the rule of law, and therefore harming him is harming the entire system. These words are also said in protest of the severe attack that our friend, Saleh Khalil, suffered in Beersheba, after he was attacked by police officers. It is important to emphasize that not all police officers behave this way, and therefore the Israel Police is expected to denounce from within its ranks those police officers who act violently and harm the public's trust.".
Yosef Weizmann, Deputy Head of the Bar Association ► View
Joseph Weizmann: "I came here to deliver one clear message: Enough with the violence. It is unthinkable that lawyers would be subjected to violence inside and outside their workplace. We are the emissaries of the court and provide a service to the public, and we are here to say unequivocally that it is not permissible under any circumstances for lawyers to be harmed or injured. The Bar Association has drafted a bill that would make an assault on a lawyer in the course of his duties an assault on a public servant, an offense with a minimum sentence of five years in prison. The sentence imposed on the attackers of Attorney Ronen Ben Zvi, who is in a coma following a serious assault, It was less than a year of imprisonment. All of us here, Jews and Arabs, have united to say in a clear voice: Enough of the violence.".
Attorney Tami Ullman, M.M.U."The National Bar Association ► View
Attorney Tami Ullman: "My message is unequivocal: Enough with the violence. Enough with the violence of police against citizens, enough with the violence between citizens, enough with the violence against lawyers, and enough with the violence within the home. The case in which a lawyer was attacked in his home by police, while he was bound by his hands and feet and beaten until he bled, is an unthinkable case. Following that brutal attack, he required surgery at Rambam Hospital, which is unthinkable. The phenomenon of violence in all its forms must be eradicated.".
Ullman also shared a personal case: “I have an adopted child of Ethiopian origin, who was also beaten by police officers when he was arrested without any wrongdoing. He came to the police station to complain about an assault, and found himself attacked and arrested by the police.” According to her, these cases horrify her and illustrate how urgent it is to act to eradicate violence from society.
Attorney Khalil Naama, The father of the lawyer who was attacked and the legal advisor of the Deir al-Assad local council ► View
Attorney Khalil Naama said that he felt that a great injustice had been done to his son, and emphasized that if this pain leads to change, it would be meaningful.We need to ensure that the Israel Police is the warm and beloved home of the country's citizens, and not a place that people are afraid to enter. My son's cry should be the cry of every person who has experienced police violence. Today it is my son, and tomorrow it could be your son. My son did not come to the police station to attack anyone, a militia from the station came and attacked him in his home. Anyone who watches the footage of the incident will be shocked by what happened in my son's home. I am sure that the Police Investigation Department will do its job. I did not sleep for nine days, and only yesterday was I able to sleep after I learned that the police officers were suspended. I hope that the indictments will be filed later.".
Attorney Ron Aviv ◄ View
Attorney Ron Aviv (also serves as Haifa's legal advisor), He said that behind him stood a building that had suffered a direct hit, and on its walls were visible signs of the violence inflicted against the country by enemy states.We can deal with violence from outside. We have the IDF and all the technological means, but it is much more difficult to deal with violence from within. Internal violence is directed against many citizens, and unfortunately, when it comes to Arab citizens, the risk of being attacked, humiliated, or excluded is greater. A situation of severe racism and violence on all sides has been created here.".
Ron also mentioned cases of violence on the streets, in which people come out of their homes carrying knives, and warned that anyone who comes out with a knife intends to use it. He also criticized cases in which, he said, police officers forget that they represent the rule of law and act out of a sense of unlimited power.This is a very dangerous situation.. I hope that the way and the people will be found who can stop the deterioration and return the country to the values of mutual responsibility, respect for others, and respect for those who are different from you.".
Ahmed Dabah, Head of the Deir al-Assad Local Council ► View
Ahmed Dabah: "The police's behavior was unacceptable. We are not satisfied with the performance of these police officers. We stand with the young people and the family, and on the other hand, we are against all violence and ask those responsible and the police to take responsibility, and whoever did this act will pay the price.".
Attorney Matlak Badran ► Watch
Attorney Matlak Badran said that Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir himself was once a lawyer and was intimately familiar with the work of lawyers within the walls of the courts. According to him, just as ministers and members of Knesset have various protections within the framework of their duties, so too are lawyers entitled to protection when fulfilling their professional mission.We are not asking for immunity.", he emphasized, "We demand protection, and that any incident of harm or violence against a lawyer be thoroughly and fully investigated.".
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