The New York City Police Department recently released bodycam footage in response to allegations made by Nerdeen Kiswani, a vocal anti-Israel activist, claiming that she was brutalized and had her hijab ripped off during a protest. Kiswani accused the NYPD of violence against her, stating that her hijab was forcibly removed without warning.
In the video posted by Kiswani, she alleged that she was mistreated during her arrest, resulting in bruises and pain. However, the NYPD Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtery refuted these claims, emphasizing that the officers displayed professionalism and respect towards Kiswani. The bodycam footage showed an officer gently assisting Kiswani with her hijab, contradicting her accusations of mistreatment.
Furthermore, other users on social media defended the NYPD, suggesting that Kiswani has a history of making false claims. StopAntisemitism labeled Kiswani as a leading antisemite and accused her of being a habitual liar. Despite Kiswani's insistence that the video released by the NYPD did not depict her actual arrest, supporters of law enforcement commended the officers for their conduct.
According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Kiswani is associated with Within Our Lifetime-United for Palestine (WOL), a radical group that advocates for violence against Israel. The ADL highlighted Kiswani's anti-Israel stance and her involvement in organizing protests against Israeli actions in Gaza.
The controversy surrounding Kiswani's allegations and the subsequent release of the bodycam footage have sparked debates on social media, with conflicting narratives emerging from different parties involved. The NYPD's decision to share the video aims to provide transparency and clarity regarding the incident, shedding light on the interactions between law enforcement and activists during protests.
