The United States is “deeply concerned” by footage of Border Patrol agents beating a defenseless Palestinian photojournalist in East Jerusalem on Friday, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said, according to the Times of Israel.

Palestinians in Jerusalem pray outside Al-Aqsa after the Israeli army denied them access to the mosque during the Gaza war. Al-Aqsa is the third most important site for Muslims in the world Photo: AA/ABACA / Abaca Press / Profimedia

“We are deeply concerned about the disturbing images of the use of force against a journalist that were shown in these videos, and we believe it is appropriate that … the videos be investigated and, if the facts support it, that the people involved be brought to justice,” said Miller during a press conference, answering questions about this.

Mustafa Harouf was hospitalized with head injuries and said he was attacked for no reason after he left a prayer protest that was broken up by Israeli security forces in the Wadi Yoz area.

The footage shows a border guard approaching Haruf and hitting him with the barrel of a rifle. The policeman then throws him to the floor and kicks him repeatedly in the head and body as he lies on the ground screaming in pain.

The Border Police later announced that they had suspended the two officers involved in the incident and that the police’s Internal Investigations Department had opened an investigation.

An earlier police statement said the journalists tried to obstruct their operations in the area and refused to leave the premises.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who oversees the police, issued a statement at the end of the week expressing support for the police and calling for them to be allowed to return to their duties.