Swastika, attorney general’s name daubed on building site

Police opened an investigation into an incident of anti-Semitic graffiti Sunday, after swastikas spray-painted alongside the name of Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein were discovered on the fence of a Rehovot construction site.

The police reportedly suspect members of the Ethiopian-Israeli community for the defacement, in a possible response to Weinstein’s decision not to pursue an investigation into the case of a police officer caught on camera beating an Ethiopian soldier in the Israel Defense Forces in April.

Last week, the attorney general announced that the investigation into the incident would be dropped — on the grounds that it was the soldier who had provoked the clash. He also cleared the IDF officer of having any racist motive for his actions.

The video clip sparked a wave of protests from members of the Ethiopian-Israeli community and revived long-dormant accusations of ongoing institutional racism.

Weinstein announced that the police officer who assaulted Damas Pakada wouldn’t be charged and that his case would be left in the hands of the Israel Police disciplinary board.

Pakada rejected the decision to drop the charges, calling it “bizarre” and “full of internal contradictions.”

He vowed to appeal, and, last month filed a lawsuit against the Israel Police “and its institutionalized racism and violence” at the Tel Aviv magistrate’s court. Pakada sued for NIS 390,000 ($100,000) in damages and compensation for legal fees.

Since Weinstein’s announcement, members of the Ethiopian-Israeli community have called for additional protests against police brutality and the perceived discrimination against Israelis of Ethiopian descent.

According to a report on Channel 2, Weinstein said he understood that his decision could re-spark racial tension and asked to meet members of the Ethiopian-Israeli community to explain his decision.

Marissa Newman and Stuart Winer contributed to this report.