‘Violent and baseless raid’: Human rights group demands probe of police over Umm el-Fahm wedding

The Mossawa Center for Arab Citizens in Israel has demanded an immediate investigation into police conduct during a raid on a private wedding in Umm al-Fahm on Saturday night. The organization appealed to the Israel Police Commissioner and the Police Internal Investigations Department (PIID), alleging that police used disproportionate force, violated fundamental rights, and damaged property. Attorney Kamal Khoury stated that officers entered the compound, threw stun grenades, and ordered guests to lie on the ground, with footage reportedly showing an officer using a taser on a young man already held by police. The raid, conducted due to suspicions of weapons, concluded without any weapons being found or arrests made. The Mossawa Center called for the preservation of all evidence and a detailed response within seven days, threatening legal action if a satisfactory answer is not provided. Israel Police maintained that the raid was justified due to suspicions of weapons use, stating, "Israel Police will continue to act resolutely and uncompromisingly against the phenomenon of gunfire at weddings."