MK Ofer Cassif indicted for assaulting police officer during South Hebron Hills protest

MK Ofer Cassif was convicted of assaulting a police officer during a protest in Mount Hebron four years ago, the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court announced on Thursday.

According to the indictment, Cassif had attempted to drive towards the protest, but was prevented from doing so by police. After an argument ensued, Cassif drove his vehicle backward several meters, and then drove towards one of the officers, hitting him in the leg, after which he exited the vehicle and hit the officer in the head with his hand as he approached.

Cassif claimed that hitting the officer with his vehicle had been an accident, and that hitting him with his hand had been an instinctive reaction in self-defense.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir reacted to Cassif's conviction, calling out the court system for taking four years to indict him.

"This says it all about the legal system, which defends the Joint List and its members as much as it can," Ben-Gvir claimed.

"Anyone who raises a hand against a police officer will encounter a determined and uncompromising police force, just as the police officer conducted himself, no matter who he is or what his role is."