Alenteshar Newspaper: LAPD’s Israel Training and Social Media Posts Draw Scrutiny in Press Conference
Alenteshar Newspaper
January 20th 2024
LOS ANGELES, CA – The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA), alongside the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) and the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California, held a press conference on January 19 to address pressing concerns regarding the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). The focal point of the conference was the controversial social media posts by LAPD officers and their training in Israel.
In a significant event that has drawn attention to the LAPD, allegations surfaced about social media posts by some officers, purportedly showing support for Israel’s military actions in Gaza. These posts have stirred considerable unease among various community groups and civil rights organizations.
The press conference, convened at 9:45 a.m. PST in front of the LAPD Headquarters, offered a platform for discussion on these contentious issues. It featured prominent figures such as Amr Shabaik, Legal and Policy Director of CAIR-LA, Salam Al-Marayati, President of MPAC, Dr. Ahmed Soboh, Chairman of the Islamic Shura Council, and Hedab Tarifi, a spokesperson for the Islamic Center of Southern California.
A central concern raised during the conference was the participation of LAPD officers in training programs in Israel with the Israeli military. This revelation provoked intense debate about the nature of the training and the tactics being adopted by the LAPD, especially against the backdrop of Israel’s documented human rights violations.
Community and civil rights groups sought clarity and accountability from the LAPD, urging a comprehensive examination of how such international training might affect policing practices within Los Angeles’s diverse communities. The conference called for a transparent investigation into these practices.
As the conference unfolded, it highlighted the rising tensions and the urgent need for a response from the LAPD. The event marked a pivotal moment in addressing concerns over police conduct and the influence of international training programs on local law enforcement tactics.
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