State Dept Says Israeli Diplomat's Son Who 'Intentionally Rammed Cop' Cannot Claim Immunity

Attorney David Seltzer released a statement to Local 10 News Thursday afternoon:

"It is critical for a law enforcement officer to identify quickly and accurately the status of any person identifying themselves as part of a diplomatic attachment, which Mr. Gil did several times per procedure. Numerous documents are associated with foreign diplomats which make it difficult without verification to discern a diplomat's status. In the instant matter, Sunny Isle Police Department ("SIPD") failed to follow protocols and procedures in place to identify if Mr. Gil, in fact, had immunity. At the time of the initial bond hearing, it was reported that he had immunity. Per the Department of State guidelines, "...federal registration documents and driver's licenses do not definitively reflect the degree of privileges and immunities of the bearer. They should be relied upon only as an indication that the bearer may enjoy some degree of immunity..." Thus, based on SIPD's failure to follow approved and accepted procedures in place, there was no clarity on his status. As can be seen from the video moments before the incident, Mr. Gil was simply driving and had no intention to hit the police officer, and there is no evidence to the contrary. When all the facts come to light, we are confident Mr. Gil will be exonerated."

David Seltzer, Gil's attorneys