Straight to the Heart Police was born in Jerusalem in 2020.

Just as medical clowning exists, a new movement has emerged: police clowning.

Straight to the Heart Police is a force of clown officers whose mission is to bring love and humor into charged public spaces; to connect with beating hearts, to spread joy and laughter, and to practice listening to the heart amid the actions of everyday life.  

The Beginning

The first shift took place at the height of the COVID-19 period, when Officer policewoman Az-Oolay (in Hebrew: Maybe-Then, last name: It-Will-Be-Better) appeared at demonstrations in Jerusalem. She began her patrols at Balfour Street, through Bar-Ilan Junction, Damascus Gate and Sheikh Jarrah, and continued to the Flag March and Ramadan nights - navigating through different neighbourhoods and populations and hearts in East and West Jerusalem. After October 7, Straight to the Heart Police worked in hotels for evacuees and walked from Jerusalem to the Gaza border with the intention to see the return of all hostages and protect every beating heart. Later, a unit called the Heart Defense Corps was added, operating in the West Bank in areas of communities facing harassment.

What We Do?

Straight to the Heart Police appear in public spaces- demonstrations, house demolitions, marches, community events, and friction points - bringing a playful, gentle, and courageous presence and bearing witness with a kind eye.

Our core practice is simple:

Distributing heart stickers- to every beating heart, unconditionally. Straight to the Heart Police mirrors security forces’ force with the force of love.

Through humor, eye contact, listening, and non-judgment, we create moments of humanity in charged situations. We operate with the belief that radical love - love and recognition that isn’t rooted in religion or identity - can heal deep wounds in the hearts, and between us, people. Straight to the Heart Police opens a space, reminds people of a field of possibilities, and shows that beneath every shell beats a heart.

Join us 

In 2025, the first public-space police clowning training opened within the Theatre Department at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Later, we developed independent trainings under the name “HaMichlalev.” (The Heart Collage) Today, trainings take place at the new heartquarters of Straight to the Heart Police at YMCA Jerusalem, and soon we will expand even to Tel Aviv.  

In addition, we offer “Heartful Training”: one-time customized sessions for groups in Jerusalem and around the world.

Donations  

For donations within Israel: https://bankayma.org/straighttotheheart/ 

US Donations: http://pefisrael.org/charity/bar-kayma-for-culture-art-music-and-peace 

For any donation, please indicate that it is for the Straight to the Heart Police (via Bar Kayma).

PEF Israel Endowment Funds

For bank wires contact info@pefisrael.org  

Please include the ID Number (580450898) for the charity as well.

Canada and England Donations: https://www.jgive.com/new/en/ils/charity-organizations/2910 For any donation, please indicate that it is for the Straight to the Heart Police (via Bar Kayma). http://pefisrael.org/charity/bar-kayma-for-culture-art-music-and-peace 

For any donation, please indicate that it is for the Straight to the Heart Police (via Bar Kayma).

Since:   2020