The Palestinian Authority is gloating over footage of soldiers apparently beating an innocent man, but soldiers said that the video does not show a prior scene of the man trying to snatch on their rifles.
The IDF said it the apparent behavior of the soldiers, seen kicking him while he was pinned to the ground, does not “match expectations” of the military.
The incident took place neat Beit El and Ramallah, as it does every Friday. Dozens of people, including children, hurl rocks at soldiers and often cause injuries. Soldiers said that the man shown in the film is a constant thorn in their side and always incites others.
It is not easy being an Israeli soldier in Judea and Samaria. Troops are forbidden to shoot bullets at rock thrower. They are constantly filmed by Arab media who are waiting for a chance to show the soldiers as thugs.
This time they succeeded. Even if the video left out the attempted rifle-snatching and assault of a soldier, the “disproportionate” response darkens Israel’s image that is never going to be positive in the eyes of the media and political leaders.
Below is the video as filmed and edited by Arab media.