JERUSALEM (JTA) — An Israeli judge ordered 19 Arab-Israeli demonstrators arrested during protests in Haifa against the deaths of Gazan Palestinians released from custody.
Haifa Magistrate’s Court Judge Amir Salameh ordered 12 of the demonstrators arrested on Friday night released early on Monday. The remaining seven, accused of assaulting police officers, were to be released later in the day.
One of the detained demonstrators, Jafar Farah, the head of the Mossawa Advocacy Center, alleged that a police officer broke his knee after he was taken into custody.
The police internal investigations department of the Justice Ministry opened a preliminary investigation into the allegations of police brutality.
Police said the demonstrators threw stones at officers, damaged property, attempted to block roads and disturbed public order. The protesters also carried Palestinian flags.
Demonstrations continued in Haifa on Sunday evening.
