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Arab liaison appointed by Israel is accused torturer
Jerusalem's police have tapped a controversial figure who had been accused of torturing an Arab detainee and threatening East Jerusalem activists as its new adviser on Arab affairs, drawing condemnation from Israeli-Palestinian legislators and human-rights groups.
The position of Doron Zehavi, a former interrogator for the Israeli military, is considered among the most sensitive on the Jerusalem police force because he will oversee the police's often tense relationship with the city's Palestinian residents.
A spokeswoman for the Jerusalem police confirmed the appointment but refused to divulge further details on his duties. Israeli media, which is being officially censored from publishing Zehavi's name because of his former army position, has referred to him as "Captain George", a nickname from his time as an interrogator.
The appointment has already attracted criticism because Zehavi gained notoriety after a Lebanese militia leader who had been captured by Israel accused him in 2004 of systematic torture and sexual abuse. Furthermore, he has been charged by Israel's biggest civil-rights group with threatening to take action against Palestinian activists protesting against the expansion of Jewish settlers in East Jerusalem.