“The officer in charge of the operations on the ground has been suspended from operational duty until further notice”, Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner said. The agency said Bernardi was held down on the ground by a soldier, one knee on his chest, until he managed to show his press card. Bernardi suffered bruised ribs and an injury under the eye.

Bernardi decided it was time to leave, he says, and he immediately called the AFP office to let the agency know what happened and the IDF to report the incident.

“Members of the police repeatedly beat, hit, violently shoved and used pepper spray against photographers and cameramen, despite the journalists having clearly identified themselves and not posing any threat to the police’s security operations”, reads a statement from the FPA.

The soldiers also reportedly pointed their weapons at him and his colleague, Palestinian photographer Abbas Momani, bothof whom were wearing body armor marked “Press”.

“The IDF is aware of the incident and is investigating”, the army’s Spokesman’s Unit told the Israeli media. A complaint was filed and the IDF said disciplinary action would be taken.

In the statement, the association said the assault caused several thousand dollars worth of damage.

The military said a preliminary review of the incident indicated “forces operated in contradiction to procedures and in violation of standing orders” regarding how to deal with the press.

In the video the two men can be seen walking down the road towards the demonstration when their equipment is taken by the IDF soldiers and smashed to the ground.

Friday’s clashes between Palestinians and troops at Beit Furik came after the funeral of Ahmed Khatatbeh, 26.