2017-01-22 Police commander Barak Mordechai is asked to explain actions against protesters against Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit

Police commander Barak Mordechai is asked to explain actions against protesters against Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit
Conduct of the Petah-Tikvah police regarding protesters against Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit generated substantial public interest, since it was of unusual nature, and it had serious implications regarding fundamental civil rights in Israel.  Moreover, the matter is of unique significance, since already earlier former Justice Minister, Professor Daniel Friedman testified in the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, “It is impossible that the Attorney General would say, the State is me. He cannot make up the law, he cannot shut the mouths of the entire State, not permit anybody to say his opinion...” 
READ MORE: http://inproperinla.blogspot.co.il/2017/01/2017-01-22-police-commander-barak.html

    

Figures: Police commander Barak Mordechai - commander of the Israel Police Petah-Tikvah police station.

____

OccupyTLV, January 22 - in view of police violence against Menny Naftali and others, in view of restrictions on public access to Eliezer Roi Street in Petah-Tikvah, and in view of attempts to prevent any demonstration against Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit on location, request was forwarded to commander Barak Mordechai of the Israel Police- to clarify police conduct.  Copies were forwarded to the Association for Civil Rights in Israel and former Justice Minister Prof Daniel Friedman, and in wide distribution.

Following is the complete letter:

January 22, 2017

Police Commander Barak Mordechai

Petah-Tikvah Station Commander, Israel Police

53 Stemperer Street, Petah Tikvah

Tel:  03-9393444;

By fax: 03-9398702, and by Facebook

RE: Notice and request for clarification in re: Petah-Tikvah police conduct and instructions by the Attorney General regarding demonstrations against the Attorney General in Petah-Tikvah

Your response within 48 hours is kindly requested. Time is of the essence!

Dear Commander Mordechai:

On Saturday night, January 13, 2017, I was “stopped” by the Petah-Tikvah police, under the false claim of “interference with policeman’s performance of his duty”, after I sang in the street, alone, across from the residence of Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit on 6 Eliezer Roi Street, Petah-Tikvah.  Consequently, I was detained for hours as part of an attempt to extort my consent, under threats, to a “Restraining Order”, prohibiting my access to the area.

In the weeks before that, I witnessed determined actions by the Petah-Tikvah Police against demonstrators in the same location, mostly older people, surely non-violent, including the use of unwarranted violence against Mr Menny Naftali and others.

I am also informed:

On Friday, January 20, 2017, the Petah-Tikvah Police acted in an inexplicable manner against 2-3 persons, including taking one of them from his home around 2:00am, after he played on the clarinet a Sabbath song at the same location around 16:00-17:00 in the afternoon.

On Saturday night, January 21, 2017, the Petah-Tikvah Police acted against citizens, who were sitting in the Roladin Cafe’, and threatened them with detention, in order to prevent them from reaching Eliezer Roi Street.

All such incidents were documented in detail, and gained substantial public interest, given their unusual nature and their significance relative to fundamental civil rights in Israel.  Moreover, the matter is of unique significance, since already earlier former Justice Minister, Professor Daniel Friedman testified in the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, “It is impossible that the Attorney General would say, the State is me. He cannot make up the law, he cannot shut the mouths of the entire State, not permit anybody to say his opinion...” [1] 

Therefore:

a. I herein notify you of my intention to arrive at Eliezer Roi Street on Saturday, January 28, 2017, around 19:00, with the intention of singing in the street, alone, or with others.

b. In case the Petah-Tikvah Police intents to detain me again for such conduct, I herein request that you clarify in advance the legal foundation for such conduct by Police.

c. According to the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, the Attorney General may instruct the Israel Police regarding limits on public demonstrations near the residences of public servants. Therefore, in case there are any instructions by the Attorney General to the Petah-Tikvah Police regarding public access to Eliezer Roi Street, and/or regarding demonstrations against the Attorney General near his residence in Petah-Tikvah, I herein request a copy of any such record.

There is no doubt that these matters pertain to the foundations of Civil Rights and material issues regarding the legal foundation of police conduct. Therefore, you should respond on instant inquiry within the time stated above.

Truly,

Joseph Zernik, PhD

Human Rights Alert (NGO)

OccupyTLV

CC: Israeli Association for Civil Rights,  Prof Daniel Friedman, activists, wide distribution

LINKS: 

[1]  2016-06-08 Prof Daniel Friedman: The Attorney General cannot shut the mouths of the entire state, let nobody state their opinions. Committee News, Knesset Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee

http://main.knesset.gov.il/Activity/committees/Huka/News/Pages/08062016.aspx