The officer who was recorded beating the young woman Yael Reuvani at a demonstration against the judicial reform on the Ayalon highway in Tel Aviv expressed regret for the incident.
The officer claimed initially that "the protester tried to hit the back of the horse with the sign she was holding in her hand. When I feel danger to the horse or to me, I can use a baton. However, I preferred to only use the reins - to deter her and drop the sign she was holding."
"I'm sorry that the girl was hurt - that was not my goal, so I ask for her forgiveness."