A police officer who was caught on video kicking a Chareidi protester during Wednesday’s anti-draft demonstration on Route 4 near Bnei Brak has been suspended from operational duty pending an investigation, Israel Police announced.

The decision was made by Tel Aviv District Commander Chaim Sargarof following the circulation of videos showing violent confrontations between police and demonstrators protesting the arrests of bnei yeshiva.

Police Commissioner Danny Levy said the force will review all footage from the incident and promised that any officer found to have violated police procedures will face disciplinary action.

“If, after reviewing the videos from the protest near Bnei Brak, we determine that commanders or officers acted contrary to regulations, we will not hesitate to deal with it severely and suspend them from operational duty,” Levy said.

He added that senior commanders were present at the demonstration and said he expects them to maintain control over such incidents.

Hundreds of protesters from the Yerushalmi faction blocked Route 4 Wednesday morning in protest of the arrests of yeshiva bochurim, prompting a large police response to clear the roadway.

Videos from the scene showed several physical confrontations between police and demonstrators, including one clip appearing to show an officer kicking a protester who was lying on the ground. The footage sparked widespread public criticism and calls for a full investigation.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)