A Palestinian man from the Shuafat refugee camp was brutally beaten by Israeli police officers who then seared the Star of David on his cheek, Ynet news site reported. The Palestinian man, who has not been named publicly, was arrested in occupied East Jerusalem on Wednesday and was suspected by Israeli police of drug trafficking offences.

Sixteen officers took part in the arrest, but none of them had their body cameras on in an effort to avoid showing what transpired afterward, according to Ynet. The officers blindfolded the suspect and allegedly proceeded to rain blows across his entire body, which was covered in bruises. The Star of David branding was still visible on his face at the remand hearing, Ynet said.

The Palestinian detainee branded by Israel Police officers on August 18, 2023. (Photo: Palestinian social media)

The Palestinian detainee was brought to the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court for a remand hearing on Thursday during which his attorney presented the allegations of police brutality. Judge Amir Shaked reportedly expressed his horror over the police’s conduct and directed the case to be brought before the Police Internal Investigations Department over allegations of excessive force.

The suspect’s attorney, Wadim Shub, from the Public Defender’s office, said in a statement that the incident was “a grave case of intentional violence and humiliation of a detainee by police” and demanded an immediate police investigation. “As a law-abiding country, we must not put up with the phenomenon of police brutality. In this case, the nature of the injuries raises a strong suspicion that they were racially motivated.” MK Ahmad Tibi (Hadash-Ta’al) tweeted: “16 Neo-Nazi policemen, one Palestinian, one star of David, many fascist ministers. Israel 2023.”