"Who will save me from the police": The volunteer who claims he was beaten and handcuffed in front of his children

Yossi Ben Haim, a resident of Nahariya and a police volunteer, claims that a routine family conversation in his home turned into a violent confrontation with police officers. According to him, he and his wife were handcuffed, beaten, and humiliated in front of their children, with the mistreatment continuing at the police station. Ben Haim insists that when the officers arrived at his home, there was no emergency occurring.

The police present a different version of events. According to an official statement, the patrol was dispatched by the 100 emergency center following a report of a threat to human life inside the apartment. Upon arrival, officers encountered a "violent disturbance" that prevented them from carrying out their duties.

Timeline of the Conflict

The incident occurred on Wednesday around 12:00 PM. Ben Haim recounts that after his wife opened the door, the officers entered the house. He claims one of them recognized him as a volunteer, but an argument ensued when Ben Haim questioned the officers' aggressive entry. "I asked him why the brutal knocking. I told him, 'You are a public representative, there are children here,'" he recalled.

The situation escalated when Ben Haim attempted to record the incident on his mobile phone. He claims an officer tried to seize the device, leading to a confrontation with his wife. Ben Haim alleges that the officer pulled off her head covering and pushed her. Attempting to protect his family, he offered to be arrested if it would end the scene in front of the children.

Detention and Interrogation

Ben Haim claims he was taken out of the house in handcuffs, laid on the ground, and punched in the back. "I am screaming in the street, 'Help, help. Who will save me from the police?'" he said. He further alleges that his wife was also handcuffed and subjected to force.

At the police station, Ben Haim claims the humiliation continued. He remained handcuffed with his hands behind his back and his legs tied for several hours. It was only after a senior investigator, who knew him, arrived that the treatment changed, and the couple was released following questioning.

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Positions of the Parties

For Ben Haim, this incident was a breaking point. The following day, he returned his weapon and equipment to the station, announcing he would no longer serve as a volunteer. "What they did to my wife and children in front of their eyes is what is hardest for me," he stated.

The Israel Police emphasized that the officers were equipped with body cameras, which documented the incident. "A report from the police station was proactively transferred to Mahash, as is customary in any such incident. We will not be able to comment beyond what is stated until the completion of their review and in accordance with the findings," the police stated.