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An Israeli court has overturned the criminal conviction of a border police officer who physically assaulted a Palestinian photojournalist during reporting in East Jerusalem, drawing criticism from press freedom groups and rights advocates over accountability for violence against media workers. The decision, issued by the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court, came in a case arising from a December 2023 attack on Anadolu Agency photographer Mustafa Alkharouf while he was covering Palestinian gatherings near the Al-Aqsa Mosque amid heightened tensions and restrictions.
Video footage from the original incident shows the officer, identified as Yitzhak Sofer, and other security personnel drawing weapons, forcing Alkharouf to the ground, and repeatedly beating and kicking him. Alkharouf sustained facial and bodily injuries that required hospital treatment, and his cameraman, Faiz Abu Ramila, was also assaulted during the attack. Police misconduct unit prosecutors earlier recommended community service for Sofer under an assault conviction from September 2024, a ruling that acknowledged the officer’s bodily harm but acquitted him of threats.
In the latest ruling, Judge Amir Shaked accepted the defense’s argument that Sofer’s actions were influenced by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) attributed to his service during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks. The judge noted that Sofer had no prior criminal record and had “devoted his life to Israel’s security,” concluding that maintaining a criminal conviction could result in consequences “disproportionate to the severity of his actions.” The court instead imposed 300 hours of community service, effectively cancelling Sofer’s conviction for assault causing bodily harm.
Press freedom advocates have sharply criticised the outcome, saying it contributes to a broader climate of impunity for violence against journalists, particularly in the context of Israel’s ongoing conflict in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza. Media rights organisations have documented a surge in attacks on journalists in these territories, noting that reporters face physical danger, detentions, and restricted access while covering clashes and military operations.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has previously reported that Israel accounted for a significant share of journalist fatalities worldwide in 2025, identifying “a persistent culture of impunity” for attacks on the press that undermines international norms on press protection. Rights groups argue that meaningful accountability in cases of violence against journalists is essential to uphold freedom of expression and ensure that media workers can operate without fear of reprisals or legal barriers.
Reference –
Israeli court cancels conviction in Palestinian journalist assault case
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