A picture of boy tied to a vehicle was taken last week by an Italian journalist from the Alternative Information Centre and released on the internet.

Rabbi Arik Ascherman, leader of an Israeli group called Rabbis for Human Rights, claims he saw the incident, and said that when he attempted to intervene he was beaten and arrested.

He said the child, Mohammed Badwan, was tied to the police car's windshield by one arm and was shivering with cold or fear.

The alleged incident occurred on April 15, when protesters were attempting to prevent Israeli contractors from building a controversial separation barrier through the lands of the Palestinian village of Biddu.

Five Palestinians have died during protests at Biddu, including four stone-throwers who were shot dead and an elderly man who had a heart attack after being tear-gassed. Israel says the barrier is needed to prevent terrorism.

Rabbi Ascherman said he had gone to intervene on the child's behalf after villagers told him they had seen the border officers beating him.

He said that after the officers arrested him he was forced to stand in front of another police car for more than two hours. "They repeatedly replied with orders to shut up, or verbal threats of violence, or derision," he said.

A spokesman for Israeli police said that as soon as complaints were received the incident had been referred to the Ministry of Justice for investigation. It is now up to the ministry to decide whether further action should be taken against those involved.

 http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/04/23/1082616331713.html

Rabbi's For Human Rights -

 http://www.rhr.israel.net/