Inviting the Media to Film the Arrest of Minors, and Other Violations

Illustrative. Photo: Dani Gigi, Stock-SJ

On March 9, 2026, approximately 30 police officers raided an apartment in south Tel Aviv where they suspected members of the “SSQ” gang were present, and detained eight minors aged 16 and 17. The youths were subjected to body searches, some of which were partial strip searches and conducted without adequately protecting the minors’ privacy. The police team was also accompanied by a camera operator from the public broadcaster Kan’s documentary program, whom the police had invited to enter the apartment with them and document the search. The program that was later broadcast showed the youths’ clothing, hairstyles, and even their general facial features (which were only partially blurred), in a manner that enabled people who knew them to identify them. 

The youths were held at the police station for approximately five to six hours while their hands and feet were shackled. Police officers prohibited them from speaking, lying down on the floor, or sleeping, and forced them to sit facing a wall. Their parents were informed of their arrest only in the early hours of the morning. The youths were held in detention cells at the police station until the following evening, at which point they were transferred to prison. During this period, they experienced violence and threats from police officers, and in the months following their release from detention they continued to be subjected to ongoing police harassment. 

On June 16, 2026, ACRI, together with ASSAF – Aid Organization for Refugees and Asylum Seekers, submitted an appeal to the police and to the Police Internal Investigations Department. In the appeal, ACRI Attorney Eden Gilad argued that inviting the media personnel to film the search, detention, and arrest was against the law, particularly when it comes to minors, who have more protections. Moreover, the arrest of the minors and their interrogation without notifying their parents and having them present was also unlawful. The violence, threats, and body searches were also violations of the law. ACRI is demanding an investigation into the incidents, that the law be clarified to police, and that the police immediately stop harassing the youths. 

The police responded on June 28, 2026 and stated that since the incident was under investigation by the Internal Affairs Bureau (Machash), they would not investigate it unless the need arose later. In our response from July 13, 2026 we welcomed the investigation, but argued that the rules regarding inviting the media to operations carried out by law enforcement should be clarified for all police officers. It could be months before the Machash investigation is completed, and we would not want similar incidents to occur in the meantime due to a lack of clarification of the rules.

Appeal by ACRI and ASSAF, June 16, 2026 (Heb) 

Police response, June 28, 2026 (Heb)

ACRI's response, July 13, 2026 (Heb)