Ben Gvir calls probing of Israeli officer who killed Jerusalem teen 'a disgrace'

Israel's far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, headed to the country's Department of Internal Police Investigations (DIPI) to express his support for the police officer accused of shooting and killing a Palestinian teenager during clashes in East Jerusalem last night.

The police claimed that Rami Hamdan al-Halhouli shot fireworks "directly" at security forces in the area, but video footage shows him shooting in the air.

Ben Gvir lambasted the DIPI's questioning of the officer.

“It is outrageous to me that the Department of Internal Police Investigations even dared to invite the fighter here for questioning, it is shameful and disgraceful,” he said, accompanied by the officer's lawyers.

He added that he has previously reinstated police officers suspended by the DIPI, and that he will give his support to the questioned officer, claiming he and his colleagues were “doing exceptional work”.

In response, Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara ordered Ben Gvir to cease his involvement in the case, warning that his actions constitute “illegal interference”.