Haifa Police Aiming Firearms at Civilians
ACRI appealed to the commanders of the Coastal District and Carmel Subdistrict of the police and to the police legal adviser on September 9, 2026, following several incidents in which Coastal District police officers were documented covertly aiming firearms at civilians. In July 2024, a police officer stationed on a rooftop in Haifa during a nearby protest was documented holding a firearm aimed at the protesters; in June 2026, a Border Police officer was documented during the city’s Pride March standing on a rooftop and aiming their firearm at the marchers; and recently, a photograph was published on the Haifa police station’s official Facebook page showing teams of marksmen covertly aiming their firearms from behind fences and walls at civilians and vehicles who were being questioned by police.
In the appeal, Attorney Yael Seidemann noted that police orders and procedures forbid aiming a firearm at a person except under exceptional circumstances when there is a real and immediate risk of mortal danger. Aiming firearms at civilians when there is no danger is inappropriate, contrary to law enforcement’s own rules, and needlessly puts people’s lives at risk.
ACRI demanded an investigation into the most recent incident, for disciplinary action to be taken against those responsible for giving the order to aim firearms at civilians, that the rules and procedures governing aiming firearms at civilians be clarified to all police officers.
ACRI's appeal, September 9, 2026 (Heb)
