Adalah Files Evidence with Israeli Authorities Demonstrating Israeli Police’s Failure to Investigate Attempted Lynch of MK Ayman Odeh
Adalah submitted extensive evidence in a letter to Israeli police commissioner, The Attorney General and State Attorney officials, on behalf of Member of Knesset (MK) Ayman Odeh, the head of the Hadash/Jabha political party, following the attack on MK Odeh and others during a demonstration in Nes Ziona on 19 July 2025, demanding thorough police investigation and for perpetrators to be held to account. The letter Adalah sent included dozens of videos, affidavits, inciting publications, and a forensic opinion, all of which clearly demonstrate that the existing public information which is freely accessible, is sufficient to complete an effective investigation against the perpetrators. Adalah maintains that the incident should be regarded as an “act of terrorism,” according to its definition in Israeli law, and that those responsible for these violent offenses and for incitement should be investigated and prosecuted accordingly.
On Saturday 19 July 2025, local activists invited MK Ayman Odeh to speak at an anti-government, anti-war protest, as part of Israeli weekly demonstrations focused on efforts to secure the return of Israeli hostages held by Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza. He was invited to speak at the protest following the outrageous attempt to expel him from the Knesset, earlier last month. During one of the Knesset House Committee hearings that was addressing the motion to oust him there was clear incitement towards MK Ayman Odeh, Committee Chair MK Ofir Katz (Likud) declared, “While the soldiers are fighting on seven fronts, the eighth front needs to be cleared, and Ayman Odeh is our eighth”.
After the protest organizers announced that MK Ayman Odeh will be speaking at the event, calls began circulating on social media to prevent his participation. The police received reports of such mobilization and suggested to the organizer that they cancel MK Odeh's participation, instead of ensuring that he could attend. Despite the Israeli Police having such information, only a very small police force arrived at the demonstration site and there were no measures taken to protect MK Odeh and the demonstrators, who were attacked early on even before the demonstration had begun. Upon MK Odeh’s arrival, dozens of rioters attacked his car and shouted racist slogans such as “Death to Arabs”. When MK Odeh spoke at the protest, he was attacked yet again, together with the other demonstrators, as various objects were thrown at them.
Following his speech, MK Odeh managed to reach his car, while rioters armed with stones and sticks tried to attack him. At one point, the rioters hurled a large stone that shattered the vehicle’s rear windshield. After these events, the police arrested only three people: one of whom was a demonstrator who had been attacked by the rioters; he was released shortly thereafter at the police station. The court later released the two other individuals who were arrested and detained.
Following these events, right-wing activists uploaded dozens of posts and videos on social media platforms praising, sympathizing and encouraging these assaults; some even explicitly called for repeating such acts in the future. Public figures also posted statements of incitement: for example, MK Tally Gotliv wrote on X that she is proud of the rioters, and Haifa City Council member Zehavit Ben-David stated that it is unfortunate that in her city, where MK Odeh also lives, he does not receive similar treatment. The police’s failure to act on such incitement reflects a broader pattern: while hundreds of Palestinian citizens of Israel have been prosecuted under the Counter-Terrorism Law for social media posts that contain no clear incitement to violence, Jewish Israelis, including public figures, are not held accountable for openly inciting to violence and genocide. Praising prior attacks or calling to repeat them may constitute incitement under Article 24 - Counter-Terrorism Law: a direct call to carry out a terrorist act is prohibited, and praise or support is criminal where, in its context, there is a reasonable possibility it will lead to terrorist violence.
After the attack, other activists began publishing videos that clearly document the incident and identify the rioters. Two investigative media reports also pointed to the identities of potential suspects. Among the individuals identified was the Director of the Municipal Policing Division, according to the Nes Ziona Municipality’s website.
Adalah demanded that the police take all necessary action to ensure an effective and thorough investigation, that will lead to the prosecution of all those involved before, during and after the riot, including the inciting publications that followed. With regard to the police’s failures, Adalah demanded a comprehensive inquiry into the inadequate handling of the incident—from lack of advanced preparations to the failure in restoring order and preventing violence at the scene, apprehending the assailants, and investigating the incident.
Adalah argued that the rioters’ acts amounted to “acts of terror” as defined in the 2016 Counter-Terrorism Law, as these violent offenses were committed with ideological and racist motives and with the declared aim of instilling fear among the demonstrators, MK Odeh and the general public.
To see posts calling to prevent Ayman Odeh’s arrival (pp 15 - 19)
To read inciting publications posted after the incident (pp 60 - 85)
To read the letter to the heads of the law enforcement authorities
In addition, Adalah also provided an expert opinion by criminologist Dr. Ariel Livneh, which analyzed videos from the incident to assess whether the suspects in the shattering of Ayman Odeh’s car window can be identified; and various recommendations for investigative actions that could lead to the prosecution of those responsible.
To read the expert opinion (pp 48 - 56)
Adalah also sent a further request to the Mayor of Nes Ziona and to the Municipality’s Legal Advisor demanding that they examine media reports indicating that municipal employees were involved in the riot, and that they take disciplinary action against those involved. In one of the videos, a person identified as someone who served as the Director of the Municipal Policing Division in the Nes Ziona Municipality is seen spitting at MK Odeh’s car and striking it. Adalah also demanded that the Municipality look into questions regarding the performance of the municipal police forces that operated on site and examine their responsibility for failing to maintain public order. Nes Ziona’s own law enforcement officers had the legal tools to intervene, but they didn’t use them effectively — and that also needs to be investigated, Adalah added. Additionally, according to an Israeli news channel Kan 11, there were not only municipal employees involved in the riot but also educators, including a school teacher and a preschool assistant.
To read the letter to the Nes Ziona Municipality
Adalah commented:
“The racist riot against MK Ayman Odeh in Nes Ziona was carried out in full view of police officers, yet it was met with complete failure to prevent it or contain it. The riot was filmed widely, making the information available and accessible to everyone and it clearly identifies the perpetrators of these acts of violence. If the law enforcement authorities wish to bring those responsible for these serious criminal acts to justice, they can do so with ease. The expressions of incitement against MK Odeh are especially dangerous, as the failure of the police to deal with the assailants and their supporters makes MK Odeh and the demonstrators who were attacked extremely vulnerable for political and racist violence in the future as well.”
MK Ayman Odeh Stated:
“The riot in Nes Ziona was not accidental: it was a planned, political and racist attack, in full view of the police under Minister of National Security Ben-Gvir, who chose not to stop it. The violence begins in the corridors of the Knesset and the government, where elected officials incite violence, and from there it spills into the street with stones and chants of ‘Death to Arabs.’ Both the Prime Minister and the Knesset Speaker chose not to condemn it, because that’s exactly what they want. As long as the police and the State Attorney’s Office remain silent, they legitimize the violence. This is only a preview of what this government wants to see in the next elections. Therefore, we must stand firm and united—Jews and Arabs—against fascism and Kahanism”
Related
CLICK HERE to read more about the Likud’s attempt to oust MK Ayman Odeh from the Knesset
