Serious incident at the entrance to the Western Wall plaza: An Arab security guard attacked an elderly Haredi worshipper last night - spraying him with pepper spray for no reason, after he entered the venue's gates and stepped forward.
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The footage caused a stir and the security guard was arrested by the police.
After attacking the worshipper, the security guard stood up with a smile and prevented other worshippers from entering the plaza until Border Police officers and other security guards arrived.
Those present at the scene were furious, and one of them said to the police: "An Arab? Is this guarding the Western Wall? A terrorist.".
Some of those present explained to the police: "They spray pepper spray on a 70-year-old man?""
What is this???!
— Igal Malka - ??????????????????????????? (@igal_malka) May 27, 2025
The day before yesterday we had an Arab security guard at Hadassah who burned his partner to death and now this!
Isn't there some minimum requirement for admission to a security position, like not being a terrorist? pic.twitter.com/D7VsUNMSQG
The police said: "A security guard attacked an elderly man at the entrance to the Western Wall. Upon receiving a report about the incident, police arrived at the scene and arrested the suspect. The circumstances of the incident are under investigation.".
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation responded: "The Western Wall Heritage Foundation expresses deep sorrow and views with great severity the outburst of the security guard towards worshippers last night at the entrance to the Western Wall Plaza. The foundation will contact the Israel Police, which is responsible for securing the entrance gates to the Western Wall Plaza, to investigate the incident.
""The foundation will continue to work dedicatedly for the benefit of the general public and asks all who come through the gates of the place to maintain the dignity of this sacred site, and to conduct themselves there in a spirit of brotherhood, mutual respect, and holiness.".
Despite the uproar - the court released the Arab security guard today. The police requested to extend his detention for the purpose of continuing the investigation - but their request was denied.
The police even managed to locate the Haredi man who was attacked, and he even filed an official complaint, but despite this, the court decided to release the Arab security guard, claiming: "The person who was attacked crossed the checkpoint without being checked. The respondent's claim that he tried to return him to the checkpoint before the gas was used is supported by the video.".
On the other hand, the police claimed: "The respondent attacked a person over the age of 70. The video clearly shows his conduct in which he sprays a person with pepper spray in the face. Even if a person who is 75 or 70 years old bypassed the checkpoint, he should not spray elderly people. The respondent could have held his hand to pull him out so that he would not fall.".
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