Jaffa: Closure of investigation into assault on Father Constantine Nassar sparks criticism and fears of impunity
The decision to close the investigation file into the assault on Father Constantine Nassar, the Orthodox Church pastor in Jaffa, has sparked criticism and demands to reopen the case, amid warnings of entrenching a policy of impunity in police assaults on Arab citizens.
The decision to close the investigation file into the assault on Father Constantine Nassar, the Orthodox Church pastor in Jaffa, has sparked widespread criticism and demands to reopen the case. The Musawa Center expressed its objection to the decision, demanding the disclosure of the investigation materials and the reasons on which the closure decision was based, in preparation for filing an appeal and demanding the reopening of the investigation and holding those responsible for the assault accountable. According to the center's statement, Father Nassar was subjected to physical and verbal assault by police officers after he protested their violent treatment of Arab youths and demanded they comply with the law and respect the dignity of citizens. The center explained that the case is not limited to the assault on a clergyman, but raises broader questions about the police's treatment of Arab citizens and the seriousness of investigating complaints filed against its members. The city of Jaffa witnessed a protest movement at the beginning of last October following the assault on Father Constantine and his arrest, where an emergency meeting was held with the participation of religious and political figures who condemned the police's actions and called for confronting the ongoing violations.