World Jewish News

Israeli army Lt. Col. Shalom Eisner hits an unidentified activist with an M-16 rifle, April 14, 2012. Photo by: AP / ISM

Denmark asks Israel for clarifications over beating of activist by IDF officer

The Danish ambassador to Israel Liselotte Plesner asked Israeli authorities on Monday for clarifications over the beating of a pro-Palestinian activist by a senior Israel Defense Forces officer which took place on Saturday.
During the incident, Andreas Ias, a Danish activist, was hit in the face with an M-16 rifle by senior IDF officer Lt.-Col. Shalom Eisner.
Liselotte met with Rafi Shotz, Deputy Director-General for Europe in Israel's Foreign Ministry. She asked him for detailed information of the incident and requested updates on the investigation once it is complete.
Denmark's Foreign Minister Villy Sovndal said in a statement that Denmark is still unaware of all of the circumstances surrounding the event, which is why the ambassador has asked for details. The minister added that the Danish citizen will receive all necessary consular assistance if he so wishes.
The minister added in the statement that he was aware that the officer had been suspended and that an investigation had been launched, and said he agreed with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that violence against protesters must be condemned.
The beating of the pro-Palestinian activist was seen in a film posted on YouTube on Sunday.
An IDF spokesman told Army Radio on Monday morning that there was no justification for the behavior of the officer, and that it was against IDF principles, but said there was violence on the part of Palestinian and foreign protesters, and that the video does not present the full picture of Saturday's events.
Following that, Ias told Haaretz that the IDF spokesman's claim that the protesters were violent was "a complete lie," adding, "We just wanted to enjoy the bike tour and the view."
President Shimon Peres on Monday said he was "shocked" by the incident, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday condemned the incident.

Haaretz.com