Police Updated the Procedure for Using Horses in Protests - The Dangerous Practices Remain | First Publication
The Association for Civil Rights submitted its response today to the Supreme Court regarding the updated police procedure for using horses to disperse protests. The new procedure includes specific changes, but according to the association, the dangerous practices remain: mounting horses on sidewalks, using batons and reins, and deploying stun grenades alongside horses.
The Association for Civil Rights submitted its response today (Thursday) to the Supreme Court regarding the updated procedure of the Israel Police concerning the use of horses to disperse protests. The new procedure, formulated following a petition filed in August 2025, includes several changes: explicit anchoring of the obligation to ensure an escape route for protesters, limiting horse movement on sidewalks to commander approval, and a mechanism for centralizing information on injuries. However, the association argues that the changes do not address the core issues. The procedure continues to rely on general formulas of "operational necessity" and command discretion. Mounting horses on sidewalks is still permitted for operational reasons, the use of batons and reins remains allowed, and the procedure for the first time anchors the possibility of deploying stun grenades alongside horses. Transparency and lesson-learning mechanisms remain partial. The association requests that the Supreme Court issue a conditional order and schedule a hearing on the petition as soon as possible.