Sponge bullet hit a woman in the head - the police officer acquitted: "Acted as expected of him"

A Border Police officer who fired a sponge bullet during riots in Jerusalem, hitting a woman in the head and causing a deep cut, was acquitted by the Rishon LeZion Magistrate's Court. Judge Menachem Mizrahi ruled that criminal negligence was not proven, sharply criticized the Police Internal Investigations Department's investigation, and warned of a "chilling effect" on security forces.

A Border Police officer who was indicted after a sponge bullet he fired hit a woman in the head during riots in the A-Tur neighborhood of Jerusalem was acquitted of all charges. President of the Rishon LeZion Magistrate's Court, Judge Menachem Mizrahi, ruled that it was not proven that the officer acted with criminal negligence. The incident occurred around 18:00, when the officer fired a sponge bullet at rioters who were throwing stones and bottles. The bullet hit A.A. in the head, causing a deep cut that required stitches. The judge sharply criticized the Police Internal Investigations Department's investigation, which he described as "rife with investigative failures," and ruled that sufficient evidence was not collected, no additional witness testimonies were taken, and the weapon was not checked for malfunctions. The judge accepted the officer's version that he checked the range and aimed at a clear target, and that the complainant entered the line of fire during the shooting. The testimony of another female officer who served as number 2 in the team supported his version. The judge warned that such indictments could create a "chilling effect" among security forces.