Illegal and Dangerous Police Conduct Against Ultra-Orthodox Protesters

Illustrative. An ultra-Orthodox protest against the draft. Photo: Yossi Zamir, SJ-STOCK

On June 2, 2026, ACRI appealed to the Commissioner of Police and the Acting Legal Advisor to the Police regarding the dangerous and unlawful use of crowd-control measures during protests by groups from the ultra-Orthodox community. Footage from protest events held the previous day showed police officers throwing stun grenades into a dense crowd of demonstrators, including toward demonstrators sitting on the road and in the vicinity of children. This is contrary to police procedures, which prohibit throwing stun grenades within less than 5 meters (about 16 ft.) of demonstrators and require special caution when children are present. The footage also showed a water cannon spraying foam at demonstrators from close range, including at their heads; the law permits only spraying clean water at demonstrators, and police procedures state that direct spraying should be carried out from a distance of approximately 20 meters (approximately 66 ft.) from demonstrators. 

In the appeal, Attorney Eden Gilad argues that the documented incidents indicate serious violations of the rules and procedures intended to protect demonstrators. The use of these forceful measures could well result in serious injuries and undermines the fundamental right to protest, as well as the police's duty in a democratic state to enable safe protests. ACRI is demanding an investigation into the use of force during these protests and is calling on the police to immediately clarify the legal provisions and procedures governing the use of stun grenades, water cannons, and pepper spray to each and every officer, regardless of rank.  

Maintaining public order does not justify the disproportionate and dangerous use of force, and the police must safeguard the right to freedom of protest by safeguarding demonstrators. 

ACRI’s appeal, June 2, 2026 (Heb)