The image of a police officer pressing his knee on the neck of an unarmed, handcuffed black man lying on the ground has rapidly circulated worldwide and has ignited protests and movements advocating for equality of African Americans and growing accountability for the Police. For days now, the media, Internet personalities and celebrities have used their platforms to raise awareness about race injustices that still permeate Western countries in the 21st century.
As a firm believer in equality and justice, I certainly welcome the efforts made to spread knowledge on the issue and I widely support the Black Lives Matter. However I find it appalling that – while everyone has embraced the call for justice for the death of George Floyd – a very similar incident, occurred four days later in Jerusalem and often compared by the media to the Minneapolis case has completely been ignored.
Iyad Halaq, 32 and affected by autism, was walking to reach the special education need school he was attending in Jerusalem. A few meters away from the school entrance he was stopped by a group of police officers accusing him of carrying a weapon. Afraid and not completely aware of the situation, Iyad attempted to escape and was shot. The police immediately closed access to the area and blocked entrance to the ambulance, leaving the man dying.
George Floyd and Iyad Halaq both died by the hand of police officers which abused of their power but while officer Derek Chauvin and his colleagues due to pressure of the public opinion have been arrested and charged with murder, no Israeli policeman will face any charges for the death of Iyad, the two agents who opened fire were interviewed but soon released in restrictive conditions.
And while the Black Lives Matter protests have finally shed a light on a system of injustices and abuses routinely experienced by black people, no one talks about the hundred of people killed every year by Israeli armed forces whose only crime was to be Palestinians which will never receive justice, they are simply some remote images that you see on a screen soon to be forgotten.
thecriminologist.law.blog 