Testimony: Police abused a beggar at the Western Wall

In recent months, police declared war against the phenomenon of beggars at the Western Wall, but this morning (Sunday), red lines were crossed, when a police officer allegedly activated excessive force and treated brutally an Orthodox beggar.

The officer handcuffed the man's hands, who suffers from medical problems, and picked him up. The man hung on to the chains and screamed in pain, but the officer would not let go.

The known orthodox beggar has visited the Western Wall for a long time - and a restraining order from the site was issued against him. This morning at Shacharit, at about 6:45 one of the officers identified the man and arrested him, while handcuffing his hands.

The beggar's father, a Rabbi who comes to the Wall in the morning and gives over regular classes, explained to the officer that his son came to the wall, to participate in prayer and not to gather funds. But the officer said he noticed him when he tried to raise money.

One of the people at the Wall, who witnessed the incident, told B'Chadrei Charedim, "People praying asked the officer to stop. It was shocking to see. It seemed as abuse to a helpless victim, an unusual scene at this holy place."

Another person, who refused to give his name, sent a letter to Superintendent Yaron Bitton, police commander of the Western Wall, and recounted the incident he had witnessed: "I have no doubt that the judgment of this sort of event should be investigated and if appropriate evidence is found- should be sentenced for trial in court – as a criminal prosecution, "he wrote.

"So I ask, "Wrote the man." That you prosecute the officer, wherever you see fit."

Jerusalem police responded to B'Chadrei Charedim: The suspect was removed by court order for 15 days from the Western Wall area, after asking for donations. This morning the guards identified that he begged for money again, asked him to leave - and he refused. Police tried to arrest him and he resisted, they operated reasonable force and brought the suspect to court, where the judge kept him away for an additional 60 days.

About allegations of excessive use of force, says the speaker that the authority is in the hands of the man to turn to court and complain about the incident.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!