Police Close Investigation Into Vandalism of Israeli Flags at Binyamin Junction
Police swiftly closed the investigation into the vandalism of Israeli flags at Rawabi Junction within days of a complaint, drawing fierce criticism and an imminent appeal from activists.
Just five days passed from the vandalism of Israeli flags at the Rawabi Junction in the Binyamin region until the police decided to close the investigation file. The incident occurred on August 15, and on August 18, Shay Glick, CEO of the Btselem organization, filed a police complaint. Two days later, the Binyamin-Shomron police station decided to close the case.
The flags had been placed at the roundabout a few months earlier by the Binyamin Regional Council, alongside volunteers and in cooperation with the Im Tirtzu movement. They stood undisturbed until protesters sprayed them with paint and vandalized them, as first reported by Israel Hayom.
At the time, the council linked the incident to the public discourse surrounding events in Qusra and Jewish violence in Judea and Samaria. Binyamin Regional Council head and Yesha Council chairman Israel Ganz warned that "it starts with the vandalism of state symbols and could end in terrorist attacks."
Btselem expressed outrage over the closure of the case and announced plans to file an appeal. "This is absurd," Glick said. "Far-left activists proudly boast on their networks about vandalizing the flags out of clear nationalist motives, and the Israel Police simply closes the case. We will of course file an immediate appeal. This is about governance. Closing the case means greenlighting the next anarchic act, which God forbid could lead to the loss of human life."
Police explained that the investigation had been exhausted. "The Israel Police views any desecration of state symbols with the utmost gravity," the police stated. "Upon receiving the report, an investigation was opened, during which various actions were carried out, including the use of technological means, to locate those involved and bring them to justice. Based on the evidentiary baseline, the case was closed. If new evidence or information is received, the reopening of the case will be considered as customary."
