In September 2023, the police modified and expanded their procedures regarding the use of mounted police at demonstrations. The revised procedures allow mounted police officers to strike protesters under certain circumstances. They also remove prohibitions against using other methods of crowd dispersal methods (for example: the use of water cannons or stun grenades) along with mounted police at the same event, as well as the requirement to report and record unusual incidents in the unit's log. It is important to note that even before these revisions the procedures did not adequately reflect the need to protect protesters from potential harm to their health and safety; these new revisions put protesters in even more potential danger.
On December 18, 2024, we sent legal correspondence to the Police Commissioner and the Police Legal Advisor demanding an immediate end to the use of mounted police as a means of dispersing demonstrations and protests. Freedom of Protest Department Director Sivan Tahel and Public Inquiries Director Attorney Reut Shaer argued that the use of mounted police is dangerous, unsuitable for mass protests, and inappropriate for citizens nonviolently resisting police orders. They emphasized that the use of mounted police could cause severe injuries and harm to innocent civilians, including the elderly, children, pregnant women, and other vulnerable individuals. Additionally, the communication also pointed out that these are not unreasonable concerns, based on the recent conduct of the police, who have used the horses as physical barriers and as a means of inflicting indiscriminate violence and harm against protesters.
ACRI’s Legal Letter to the Police, December 18, 2024 (Heb)