Jeremy Sharon is The Times of Israel’s legal affairs and settlements reporter
Flyers urging the release of hostages held by Hamas placed on the seats at a synagogue in Herzliya, September 13, 2024 (Detainee Support Organization)
The police investigation against three women who distributed flyers highlighting the plight of the hostages in Gaza in a synagogue in Herzliya attended by senior Likud MK Yuli Edelstein has been dropped.
Ran Tager, an attorney representing the three women, says the investigation was closed on the grounds of “a lack of culpability” meaning that the investigation will be totally erased from the women’s criminal record.
The three women were arrested in September on suspicion of trespassing after they distributed leaflets urging the release of Hamas hostages at a synagogue in the coastal city where Edelstein prays.
“Their spurious arrest is a mark of shame for the police, and my clients are considering their next steps on the matter,” says Tager, who represented the women on a pro bono basis.
The arrest generated outrage and accusations that the investigation was politically motivated. Police Commissioner Daniel Levy ordered a probe into the arresting officers’ conduct, but that was superseded by an investigation ordered by the Department for Internal Police Investigations of the State Attorney’s Office.
Protesters surround MK Yuli Edelstein as he walks to synagogue in Herzliya the day after three women were arrested for placing hostage flyers in the house of worship, September 14, 2024 (Yair Palti/Pro-Democracy Protest groups)
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From the Liveblog of
Thursday, December 26, 2024
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