19 apr 2016
Investigation into five Jews suspected of hate crimes against Palestinians continues, while their remand was extended.
Significant developments have taken place in the investigation of five Jews suspected of involvement in acts of terrorism against Palestinians, the Petah Tikva Magistrate's Court cleared for publication on Monday.
The group, currently under investigation, has been interrogated by the Shin Bet and the Israel Police over the past two weeks for allegedly committing hate crimes against Palestinians.
The suspects included two minors and a soldier. The court decided to extend their remand by four days due to the evidence gathered against them.
"The investigation is developing and evidence against the minors is being collected. It must be noted that the evidence is in relation to events which could have put peoples' lives in danger," Judge Eliana Danielly said.
The judge also wrote that the suspicions against the second minor have increased.
However, the judge sharply criticized the way the investigation is being handled, and even noted the medical complications that one of the minors experienced, which required emergency care on Friday.
"The parents gave their agreement for medical treatment, but they weren't given updates as to what was going on. It goes without saying that the parents are very worried because they don't know the medical condition of their son," Judge Danielly said.
Pinhas Shandorfy and Schneur Dana, whose names were cleared for publication last week, are suspected of burning a Palestinian vehicle, affiliation with criminal activities and involvement in an illegal organization.
Significant developments have taken place in the investigation of five Jews suspected of involvement in acts of terrorism against Palestinians, the Petah Tikva Magistrate's Court cleared for publication on Monday.
The group, currently under investigation, has been interrogated by the Shin Bet and the Israel Police over the past two weeks for allegedly committing hate crimes against Palestinians.
The suspects included two minors and a soldier. The court decided to extend their remand by four days due to the evidence gathered against them.
"The investigation is developing and evidence against the minors is being collected. It must be noted that the evidence is in relation to events which could have put peoples' lives in danger," Judge Eliana Danielly said.
The judge also wrote that the suspicions against the second minor have increased.
However, the judge sharply criticized the way the investigation is being handled, and even noted the medical complications that one of the minors experienced, which required emergency care on Friday.
"The parents gave their agreement for medical treatment, but they weren't given updates as to what was going on. It goes without saying that the parents are very worried because they don't know the medical condition of their son," Judge Danielly said.
Pinhas Shandorfy and Schneur Dana, whose names were cleared for publication last week, are suspected of burning a Palestinian vehicle, affiliation with criminal activities and involvement in an illegal organization.
Yishai Shlissel, who spent 10 years in jail for stabbing people at the 2005 gay pride parade, convicted of killing Shira Banki at the gay pride parade last July.
Yishai Shlissel was convicted on Tuesday of murdering 16-year-old Shira Banki and stabbing five others at Jerusalem Gay Pride Parade last July.
"It has been proven beyond reasonable doubt that the plaintiff intentionally caused the death of Shira," ruled Judge Nava Ben-Or of the Jerusalem District Court.
The court issued a scathing critique of the police's management of the gay pride parade's security. "The ease with which the plaintiff successfully infiltrated the parade is beyond comprehension. The writing was on the wall."
Two months before the parade, Shlissel had finished serving a ten year sentence for a similar attack at the gay pride parade in 2005. He was originally sentenced to 12 years in prison, but was released early on good behavior.
Ahead of the parade on July 30, 2015, Shlissel expressed on several occasions, both in the media and in ads published in ultra-Orthodox synagogues in Jerusalem and Kiryat Sefer, his opposition to holding the parade.
The court further criticized the police for not restricting Shlissel's movement or sending him to a rehabilitation program after he was released from prison.
"Shira was a young, innocent, and a good-hearted person. She had hopes and dreams. The plaintiff, in his dark and cruel act, ended her life," the court said.
Yishai Shlissel was convicted on Tuesday of murdering 16-year-old Shira Banki and stabbing five others at Jerusalem Gay Pride Parade last July.
"It has been proven beyond reasonable doubt that the plaintiff intentionally caused the death of Shira," ruled Judge Nava Ben-Or of the Jerusalem District Court.
The court issued a scathing critique of the police's management of the gay pride parade's security. "The ease with which the plaintiff successfully infiltrated the parade is beyond comprehension. The writing was on the wall."
Two months before the parade, Shlissel had finished serving a ten year sentence for a similar attack at the gay pride parade in 2005. He was originally sentenced to 12 years in prison, but was released early on good behavior.
Ahead of the parade on July 30, 2015, Shlissel expressed on several occasions, both in the media and in ads published in ultra-Orthodox synagogues in Jerusalem and Kiryat Sefer, his opposition to holding the parade.
The court further criticized the police for not restricting Shlissel's movement or sending him to a rehabilitation program after he was released from prison.
"Shira was a young, innocent, and a good-hearted person. She had hopes and dreams. The plaintiff, in his dark and cruel act, ended her life," the court said.
Yosef Ben-David, 30, convicted of the murder of the Palestinian youth in July 2014; the Jerusalem district psychiatrist stated that Ben-David is an imposter and is responsible for his actions.
Yosef Ben-David, 30, was convicted on Tuesday morning of murdering Palestinian teenager Mohammed Abu Khdeir in July 2014, after the Jerusalem District Court found him responsible for his actions.
In November, the Jerusalem District Court ruled that Ben-David committed the murder, but did not convict him because of a previous psychiatric assessment presented by his attorneys which questioned his sanity.
In February, however, a court-appointed psychiatrist has determined that Ben-David is responsible for his actions and fit to stand trial. Furthermore, the psychiatrist determined that Ben-David's claims were not credible and was only pretending to be insane.
But Ben-David’s defense team filed for further psychiatric evaluation. In a private opinion written by Dr. Yonathan Sirkin, it was determined that he committed the kidnapping and murder during a psychotic episode, and therefore is not responsible for his actions.
The judges, however, determined that Ben-David did not have a psychotic episode, and is responsible for his actions.
Hussein, Abu Kdheir’s father, said at the end of the hearing, "We knew from the beginning that he was not crazy but rather a liar. It hurts us very much. The trial lasted too long, this is the 35th hearing. Every time we see him our blood boils."
Before the hearing, Hussein demanded justice, saying "Their house should be destroyed, as is done to the Arabs. I expect that he will remain in prison for life and that he will not receive a pardon.”
MKs Ahmed Tibi and Osama Saadi (Joint List) attended the hearing.
Abu Khdeir’s murder sparked a wave of terrorism in Jerusalem. Ben-David and two minors, who were both convicted for their role in the murder, abducted the 16-year-old teenager and killed him after the funeral of the three Jewish teens Gil-Ad Shaer, Naftali Frenkel and Eyal Yifrach who were kidnapped and murdered on June 12, 2014.
Yosef Ben-David, 30, was convicted on Tuesday morning of murdering Palestinian teenager Mohammed Abu Khdeir in July 2014, after the Jerusalem District Court found him responsible for his actions.
In November, the Jerusalem District Court ruled that Ben-David committed the murder, but did not convict him because of a previous psychiatric assessment presented by his attorneys which questioned his sanity.
In February, however, a court-appointed psychiatrist has determined that Ben-David is responsible for his actions and fit to stand trial. Furthermore, the psychiatrist determined that Ben-David's claims were not credible and was only pretending to be insane.
But Ben-David’s defense team filed for further psychiatric evaluation. In a private opinion written by Dr. Yonathan Sirkin, it was determined that he committed the kidnapping and murder during a psychotic episode, and therefore is not responsible for his actions.
The judges, however, determined that Ben-David did not have a psychotic episode, and is responsible for his actions.
Hussein, Abu Kdheir’s father, said at the end of the hearing, "We knew from the beginning that he was not crazy but rather a liar. It hurts us very much. The trial lasted too long, this is the 35th hearing. Every time we see him our blood boils."
Before the hearing, Hussein demanded justice, saying "Their house should be destroyed, as is done to the Arabs. I expect that he will remain in prison for life and that he will not receive a pardon.”
MKs Ahmed Tibi and Osama Saadi (Joint List) attended the hearing.
Abu Khdeir’s murder sparked a wave of terrorism in Jerusalem. Ben-David and two minors, who were both convicted for their role in the murder, abducted the 16-year-old teenager and killed him after the funeral of the three Jewish teens Gil-Ad Shaer, Naftali Frenkel and Eyal Yifrach who were kidnapped and murdered on June 12, 2014.
18 apr 2016
The Israeli Magistrate Court in Occupied Jerusalem on Sunday banned four elderly Palestinians from the holy al-Aqsa Mosque, in Occupied Jerusalem, for 15 days.
Lawyer Mufeed al-Haj, from the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS), said in a statement the Israeli court sentenced Marwan al-Hashlamon, 60, Anwar al-Qaq, 63, Jamal al-Akawi, 54, and Jamal al-Natsheh, 42, to house confinement for seven days and a five-hundred-shekel fine.
The court also ordered that the four elderly Palestinians sign a bail of 5,000 shekels. The four Palestinians were accused of involvement in an illegal sit-in group.
A few months earlier the Israeli occupation authorities outlawed Muslim sit-ins at the holy al-Aqsa Mosque, dubbing anti-occupation vigil illegitimate. 80 Palestinian worshipers, men and women, have been banned from al-Aqsa over recent months, 22 among whom banned since the start of April. Meanwhile, the same Israeli court extended the detention of the two Palestinian youths Ahmad al-Joulani and Taqi al-Zugheir to next Thursday.
Earlier in the day, over 40 Israeli fanatics stormed the al-Aqsa Mosque via the Maghareba Gate under heavy police escort.
Lawyer Mufeed al-Haj, from the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS), said in a statement the Israeli court sentenced Marwan al-Hashlamon, 60, Anwar al-Qaq, 63, Jamal al-Akawi, 54, and Jamal al-Natsheh, 42, to house confinement for seven days and a five-hundred-shekel fine.
The court also ordered that the four elderly Palestinians sign a bail of 5,000 shekels. The four Palestinians were accused of involvement in an illegal sit-in group.
A few months earlier the Israeli occupation authorities outlawed Muslim sit-ins at the holy al-Aqsa Mosque, dubbing anti-occupation vigil illegitimate. 80 Palestinian worshipers, men and women, have been banned from al-Aqsa over recent months, 22 among whom banned since the start of April. Meanwhile, the same Israeli court extended the detention of the two Palestinian youths Ahmad al-Joulani and Taqi al-Zugheir to next Thursday.
Earlier in the day, over 40 Israeli fanatics stormed the al-Aqsa Mosque via the Maghareba Gate under heavy police escort.
17 apr 2016
A group of Israeli settlers escorted by policewomen, on Sunday, resumed their provocative tours into annexed East Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa Mosque compound, provoking tension with Palestinian worshipers, who chanted religious slogans to protest their entry, according to witnesses.
During the entry of the settlers, Islamic Waqf personnel and worshipers at the scene prevented an extremist settler from performing rituals and Talmudic prayers at the holy Islamic site.
Last year, according to WAFA, tension ran high throughout the West Bank, including Jerusalem, against the backdrop of Israel’s repeated assaults on the mosque, including attempts to unilaterally enforce of a temporal division at the site between Muslims and Jews.
Prior to the unrest in October 2015, the Euro Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor pointed out, in a report, that Israeli incitement and violations against Arabs in Jerusalem have increased dramatically in 2015.
The report, titled “Fire under the Ashes: Provoking Muslims in Jerusalem,” warned that Israeli incitement against Muslims could trigger a conflict that would likely result in disastrous consequences.
“Among the provocative acts documented by Euro-Med researchers against Palestinians in Jerusalem were performance of Talmudic prayers near Muslim worshippers, beating, throwing rubbish, cursing, death threats and preventing worshippers from reaching the mosque,” the report said.
During the entry of the settlers, Islamic Waqf personnel and worshipers at the scene prevented an extremist settler from performing rituals and Talmudic prayers at the holy Islamic site.
Last year, according to WAFA, tension ran high throughout the West Bank, including Jerusalem, against the backdrop of Israel’s repeated assaults on the mosque, including attempts to unilaterally enforce of a temporal division at the site between Muslims and Jews.
Prior to the unrest in October 2015, the Euro Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor pointed out, in a report, that Israeli incitement and violations against Arabs in Jerusalem have increased dramatically in 2015.
The report, titled “Fire under the Ashes: Provoking Muslims in Jerusalem,” warned that Israeli incitement against Muslims could trigger a conflict that would likely result in disastrous consequences.
“Among the provocative acts documented by Euro-Med researchers against Palestinians in Jerusalem were performance of Talmudic prayers near Muslim worshippers, beating, throwing rubbish, cursing, death threats and preventing worshippers from reaching the mosque,” the report said.
14 apr 2016
Settlers assaulted on Wednesday night an elderly Jerusalemite man while he was at work in West Jerusalem.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center was informed that a group of settlers attacked the 64-year old Zuheir Abu Khdeir while working in West Jerusalem- as explained by Daoud Abu Khdeir (Zuheir’s son).
Abu Khdeir explained that his father suffered fractures in his nose and bruises in the back of head as well as swelling under his eyes after being assaulted by a group of settlers.
Abu Khdeir added that he received a phone call from relatives informing him that a member of Abu Khdeir family had been assaulted. He immediately contacted his father’s supervisor who informed him that his father was injured and was transferred to the hospital for treatment.
Abu Khdeir added that his father received stitches in his nose and underwent necessary x-rays especially that he fainted during the assault and does not remember what happened; necessary check-ups were also conducted and he was released from the hospital on Thursday morning.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center was informed that a group of settlers attacked the 64-year old Zuheir Abu Khdeir while working in West Jerusalem- as explained by Daoud Abu Khdeir (Zuheir’s son).
Abu Khdeir explained that his father suffered fractures in his nose and bruises in the back of head as well as swelling under his eyes after being assaulted by a group of settlers.
Abu Khdeir added that he received a phone call from relatives informing him that a member of Abu Khdeir family had been assaulted. He immediately contacted his father’s supervisor who informed him that his father was injured and was transferred to the hospital for treatment.
Abu Khdeir added that his father received stitches in his nose and underwent necessary x-rays especially that he fainted during the assault and does not remember what happened; necessary check-ups were also conducted and he was released from the hospital on Thursday morning.
Groups of Israeli settlers embarked on desecration tours of the holy Aqsa Mosque’s plazas in the early morning hours of Thursday escorted by special police forces.
The settlers, who entered the holy Islamic site from Maghareba Gate, tried to perform Talmudic rituals but were confronted by chants of Allahu Akbar by Muslim vigilantes.
Israeli policemen, meanwhile, continued to block the entry into the Mosque of Palestinian women, whose names were included in the so-called Golden List of woman banned from entry into the site. The barred women staged a sit-in at the gates of the Aqsa Mosque and recited verses of the holy Quran.
Settlers deliberately enter the holy site as early as 0700 a.m. daily to avoid the gathering of worshippers during prayer at later times.
The settlers, who entered the holy Islamic site from Maghareba Gate, tried to perform Talmudic rituals but were confronted by chants of Allahu Akbar by Muslim vigilantes.
Israeli policemen, meanwhile, continued to block the entry into the Mosque of Palestinian women, whose names were included in the so-called Golden List of woman banned from entry into the site. The barred women staged a sit-in at the gates of the Aqsa Mosque and recited verses of the holy Quran.
Settlers deliberately enter the holy site as early as 0700 a.m. daily to avoid the gathering of worshippers during prayer at later times.
13 apr 2016
The so-called Temple Institute, an Israeli organization which works to "establish the Third Temple" on the ruins of al-Aqsa Mosque, declared that it secretly held a Jewish wedding in the holy shrine few days ago, Yediot Ahranot Hebrew newspaper revealed Wednesday.
The newspaper quoted Rabbi Chaim Richman, who manages the institute's international activity, as saying that he accepted a request by an Israeli couple who asked him to marry them at the Mosque.
He said all those involved were asked to keep the ceremony a secret, the newspaper added, pointing out that the wedding was held according to the law of Moses and Israel.
The paper described the event as an “unusual event that could reignite violence at the sensitive holy site and elsewhere.”
According to the Hebrew newspaper, Israeli police every week detain and at times also arrest right-wing activists on suspicion of praying or violating the rules in another manner.
The Jewish institute said the wedding ceremony in al-Aqsa Mosque is “a great achievement in light of the Waqf and the police's anti-Jewish discrimination, which rejects any Jewish expression at the holy site."
The institute claims that the moment was documented, but the couple has asked that the video would not be released in full. Instead, the institute posted photos of the married couple's ringed-fingers without exposing their identity.
“The wedding in al-Aqsa Mosque is a unique event in history, since the Temple's destruction 2,000 years ago," the institute claimed in its Facebook page.
The newspaper quoted Rabbi Chaim Richman, who manages the institute's international activity, as saying that he accepted a request by an Israeli couple who asked him to marry them at the Mosque.
He said all those involved were asked to keep the ceremony a secret, the newspaper added, pointing out that the wedding was held according to the law of Moses and Israel.
The paper described the event as an “unusual event that could reignite violence at the sensitive holy site and elsewhere.”
According to the Hebrew newspaper, Israeli police every week detain and at times also arrest right-wing activists on suspicion of praying or violating the rules in another manner.
The Jewish institute said the wedding ceremony in al-Aqsa Mosque is “a great achievement in light of the Waqf and the police's anti-Jewish discrimination, which rejects any Jewish expression at the holy site."
The institute claims that the moment was documented, but the couple has asked that the video would not be released in full. Instead, the institute posted photos of the married couple's ringed-fingers without exposing their identity.
“The wedding in al-Aqsa Mosque is a unique event in history, since the Temple's destruction 2,000 years ago," the institute claimed in its Facebook page.
12 apr 2016
Every early morning during the past three weeks, the Israeli occupation army has blocked before the Palestinians the road that runs between the village of Anata, north of Jerusalem, and the Hizmeh checkpoint, which leads to the holy city.
Palestinian local residents have complained the Israeli measure is aimed to prevent early-morning traffic jams at the checkpoint at a time of day when Jewish residents of West Bank settlements are on their way to work in Occupied Jerusalem.
Because it now takes one and a half hours for the Palestinian residents to get through the checkpoint there, some of them get up earlier at four am to be at work in Jerusalem by seven am.
Palestinian local residents have complained the Israeli measure is aimed to prevent early-morning traffic jams at the checkpoint at a time of day when Jewish residents of West Bank settlements are on their way to work in Occupied Jerusalem.
Because it now takes one and a half hours for the Palestinian residents to get through the checkpoint there, some of them get up earlier at four am to be at work in Jerusalem by seven am.
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) carried out at dawn Tuesday a large-scale raid and arrest campaign across West Bank and occupied Jerusalem.
A child and a photographer were among several detainees reported during the raid.
Israeli Army claimed in a statement issued Tuesday that 12 “wanted” Palestinians were detained for allegedly being involved in anti-occupation attacks.
Three youths were arrested in Tulkarem including a photographer, while an activist in Hamas Movement was detained in Salfit. Four other arrests were reported in occupied Jerusalem.
A second activist in Hamas Movement was arrested in al-Khalil, while three citizens were detained in Bethlehem.
Meanwhile, the PIC reporter in Jenin said that a young man was arrested early this morning after Israeli forces brutally stormed his house.
Israeli forces also deployed in large numbers throughout the city and carried out combing operations. A second youngster was detained at Za'atara checkpoint before being taken to an unknown detention center.
Several Palestinian vehicles were also stopped and searched at the checkpoint.
On the other hand, a group of settlers brutally attacked a number of Palestinian children while on their way to school in al-Khalil. A 10-year-old child suffered several injuries and bruises all over his body during the settlers’ attack.
A 20-year-old young man was detained by Israeli forces as he intervened to protect the children. The detainee was taken to an unknown detention center and charged with attacking the settlers!
Despite living under a brutal military occupation, Palestinian towns and villages located near illegal Israeli settlements are subjected to regular attacks by Israeli settlers.
Army Kidnaps A Young Man In Hebron; Child Injured After Settlers Attacked Him
Israeli soldiers kidnapped, on Tuesday, a young Palestinian man in the southern West Bank city of Hebron, while Israeli colonizers attacked and injured a child in the center of the city.
The Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) has reported that the soldiers invaded and searched a few homes, and kidnapped one Palestinian, identified as Monjed Akram Rajabi, 20.
On Monday evening, a number of fanatic Israeli colonists assaulted a Palestinian child, identified as Farhat Nader Rajabi, 10, in the Sahla neighborhood in the center of Hebron city.
The child suffered various cuts and bruises, and received the needed treatment in a local clinic.
The soldiers also installed military roadblocks on the main entrances of Sa’ir and Halhoul town, in addition to Hebron’s northern entrance, before stopping and searching dozens of cars, and questioned many Palestinians while inspecting their ID cards.
A child and a photographer were among several detainees reported during the raid.
Israeli Army claimed in a statement issued Tuesday that 12 “wanted” Palestinians were detained for allegedly being involved in anti-occupation attacks.
Three youths were arrested in Tulkarem including a photographer, while an activist in Hamas Movement was detained in Salfit. Four other arrests were reported in occupied Jerusalem.
A second activist in Hamas Movement was arrested in al-Khalil, while three citizens were detained in Bethlehem.
Meanwhile, the PIC reporter in Jenin said that a young man was arrested early this morning after Israeli forces brutally stormed his house.
Israeli forces also deployed in large numbers throughout the city and carried out combing operations. A second youngster was detained at Za'atara checkpoint before being taken to an unknown detention center.
Several Palestinian vehicles were also stopped and searched at the checkpoint.
On the other hand, a group of settlers brutally attacked a number of Palestinian children while on their way to school in al-Khalil. A 10-year-old child suffered several injuries and bruises all over his body during the settlers’ attack.
A 20-year-old young man was detained by Israeli forces as he intervened to protect the children. The detainee was taken to an unknown detention center and charged with attacking the settlers!
Despite living under a brutal military occupation, Palestinian towns and villages located near illegal Israeli settlements are subjected to regular attacks by Israeli settlers.
Army Kidnaps A Young Man In Hebron; Child Injured After Settlers Attacked Him
Israeli soldiers kidnapped, on Tuesday, a young Palestinian man in the southern West Bank city of Hebron, while Israeli colonizers attacked and injured a child in the center of the city.
The Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) has reported that the soldiers invaded and searched a few homes, and kidnapped one Palestinian, identified as Monjed Akram Rajabi, 20.
On Monday evening, a number of fanatic Israeli colonists assaulted a Palestinian child, identified as Farhat Nader Rajabi, 10, in the Sahla neighborhood in the center of Hebron city.
The child suffered various cuts and bruises, and received the needed treatment in a local clinic.
The soldiers also installed military roadblocks on the main entrances of Sa’ir and Halhoul town, in addition to Hebron’s northern entrance, before stopping and searching dozens of cars, and questioned many Palestinians while inspecting their ID cards.
11 apr 2016
It was released for publication Monday evening that 5 Jews, including a soldier and 3 brothers, were arrested on suspicion of hate crimes against Palestinians.
Five Jewish youths were arrested, two of them aged 16 and 17, on suspicion of security offenses against Palestinians, it was released for publication Monday evening.
One of the boys was arrested a week ago and his detention was extended by a week. Another minor was arrested this morning and his detention was extended by a week. In addition a soldier was arrested. Three of the suspects are brothers.
A week ago another suspect, Schneur Dana, was arrested for burning a Palestinian vehicle, affiliation with criminal activities and involvement in an illegal organization. His detention was prolonged by three days. Another youth, Pinhas Shandorfy, was arrested along with Dana, and is suspected of security offenses. His detention was extended for an additional week for investigation purposes.
Attorney Aaron Rose, who is representing several of the suspects, said after the hearing that "I hope that the investigating authorities come to their senses soon and allow a meeting between myself and my clients for advice, a constitutional right that everyone is entitled to."
The father of one of the suspects said that "it was not explained why we could not attend the hearing, and why they do not have permission to see a lawyer. To arrest someone for ten days is not reasonable. Ten days of arrest is something unreasonable. There is a double standard when it comes to those suspected of certain types of offenses.”
MK Itzik Shmuli (Zionist Union), chairman of the Knesset lobby against "price tag” attacks responded to the arrests stressing that "Israel must deracinate from its midst this scourge of Jewish terrorism directed against innocent people because of their political agenda. The response from the state must be clear and aggressive from the country without a hint of understanding or forgiveness due to circumstances.”
Last October a Palestinian vehicle in the village of Beit llu village near Ramallah, was set on fire, and on the wall of a nearby house the words "revenge Heinkin" were sprayed. (Eitan and Na'ama Heinkin were killed by Palestinian terrorists last October -ed.) That same month stones were thrown at Palestinian homes and vehicles.
Five Jewish youths were arrested, two of them aged 16 and 17, on suspicion of security offenses against Palestinians, it was released for publication Monday evening.
One of the boys was arrested a week ago and his detention was extended by a week. Another minor was arrested this morning and his detention was extended by a week. In addition a soldier was arrested. Three of the suspects are brothers.
A week ago another suspect, Schneur Dana, was arrested for burning a Palestinian vehicle, affiliation with criminal activities and involvement in an illegal organization. His detention was prolonged by three days. Another youth, Pinhas Shandorfy, was arrested along with Dana, and is suspected of security offenses. His detention was extended for an additional week for investigation purposes.
Attorney Aaron Rose, who is representing several of the suspects, said after the hearing that "I hope that the investigating authorities come to their senses soon and allow a meeting between myself and my clients for advice, a constitutional right that everyone is entitled to."
The father of one of the suspects said that "it was not explained why we could not attend the hearing, and why they do not have permission to see a lawyer. To arrest someone for ten days is not reasonable. Ten days of arrest is something unreasonable. There is a double standard when it comes to those suspected of certain types of offenses.”
MK Itzik Shmuli (Zionist Union), chairman of the Knesset lobby against "price tag” attacks responded to the arrests stressing that "Israel must deracinate from its midst this scourge of Jewish terrorism directed against innocent people because of their political agenda. The response from the state must be clear and aggressive from the country without a hint of understanding or forgiveness due to circumstances.”
Last October a Palestinian vehicle in the village of Beit llu village near Ramallah, was set on fire, and on the wall of a nearby house the words "revenge Heinkin" were sprayed. (Eitan and Na'ama Heinkin were killed by Palestinian terrorists last October -ed.) That same month stones were thrown at Palestinian homes and vehicles.
10 apr 2016
A number of Israeli settlers defiled the holy Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem on Sunday morning under tight security measures.
Local sources said that 15 settlers entered the holy Islamic site after Israeli policemen were deployed in all its corners to provide protection for them.
The ongoing Jerusalem Intifada broke out in early October last year in reaction to the escalating Israeli raids into and violations of the Aqsa Mosque.
Local sources said that 15 settlers entered the holy Islamic site after Israeli policemen were deployed in all its corners to provide protection for them.
The ongoing Jerusalem Intifada broke out in early October last year in reaction to the escalating Israeli raids into and violations of the Aqsa Mosque.
A horde of fanatic Jewish settlers on Sunday morning spray-painted anti-Arab graffiti on the walls of a Palestinian Church in Safed city.
As always, the Israeli police claimed they launched an investigation into the incident to arrest the perpetrators, although similar incidents have previously taken place in the city without arresting anyone.
The Palestinian students studying at Safed College are constantly exposed to racist harassment by Jewish extremists and face a problem in finding housing units as a result of religious orders issued by rabbis prohibiting Jews from renting apartments to Arabs.
As always, the Israeli police claimed they launched an investigation into the incident to arrest the perpetrators, although similar incidents have previously taken place in the city without arresting anyone.
The Palestinian students studying at Safed College are constantly exposed to racist harassment by Jewish extremists and face a problem in finding housing units as a result of religious orders issued by rabbis prohibiting Jews from renting apartments to Arabs.
|
|
Despite being documented on video attacking Ezra Nawi, judge clears Benzi Gopstein of charges, accepting his claim that he thought Nawi and other left-wing activists, who were climbing the fence into a Jewish neighborhood in Hebron, were Arabs seeking to harm Jews.
Benzi Gopstein, the head of the anti-assimilation organization Lehava, was acquitted of assault on Sunday, over seven years after he was documented attacking radical left-wing activist Ezra Nawi in Hebron. In August of 2008, several left-wing activists arrived in Hebron and tried to enter the Givat HaAvot neighborhood in Kiryat Arba. Gopstein, a radical right-wing activist, is seen in a video of the incident attacking several of |
the left-wing activists, including Nawi. The video came to light only years later following an investigative report on Channel 2's "Uvda" program.
The video shows Nawi and other left-wing activists climbing the fence alongside Arab residents of Hebron and infiltrating the neighborhood.
Gopstein, who arrived at the scene, claimed he acted as one should act when hostile elements enter a neighborhood in which many children live.
A complaint was filed against Gopstein with the police following the incident, which led to an indictment.
Jerusalem Magistrate's Court Judge Dov Pollock ruled in Gopstein's favor and cleared him of the charges, noting that "the irony is that the video saved you."
Pollock accepted Gopstein's claim that he thought the left-wing activists were Arabs seeking to harm the Jewish residents of the neighborhood. The judge wrote in his ruling that "the circumstances of the incident justify an acquittal. We must examine whether the incident in question constitutes an assault or self defense."
In his verdict, the judge noted that a particularly acrimonious swear word that Gopstein uttered at Nawi "may not be worthy of being spoken, but does not constitute a threat, and is protected under the freedom of expression given to any man."
Gopstein's lawyer, Yitzhak Bam, welcomed the ruling. "Nawi is a man entirely devoted to provocation, and we're pleased with the decision of the court, which did not buy into (Nawi) and his anarchist friends' provocations," Bam said.
Gosptein himself also welcomed the acquittal. "I'm very glad that after years of drawn out legal proceedings, the court found me not guilty. I shouldn't have been put on trial, I was acting in self defense when I thought Palestinians and anarchists were entering the neighborhood (by climbing) over the fence."
He also added a clear threat: "In hindsight, I should've beaten them harder, but maybe there'll be other chances."
The video shows Nawi and other left-wing activists climbing the fence alongside Arab residents of Hebron and infiltrating the neighborhood.
Gopstein, who arrived at the scene, claimed he acted as one should act when hostile elements enter a neighborhood in which many children live.
A complaint was filed against Gopstein with the police following the incident, which led to an indictment.
Jerusalem Magistrate's Court Judge Dov Pollock ruled in Gopstein's favor and cleared him of the charges, noting that "the irony is that the video saved you."
Pollock accepted Gopstein's claim that he thought the left-wing activists were Arabs seeking to harm the Jewish residents of the neighborhood. The judge wrote in his ruling that "the circumstances of the incident justify an acquittal. We must examine whether the incident in question constitutes an assault or self defense."
In his verdict, the judge noted that a particularly acrimonious swear word that Gopstein uttered at Nawi "may not be worthy of being spoken, but does not constitute a threat, and is protected under the freedom of expression given to any man."
Gopstein's lawyer, Yitzhak Bam, welcomed the ruling. "Nawi is a man entirely devoted to provocation, and we're pleased with the decision of the court, which did not buy into (Nawi) and his anarchist friends' provocations," Bam said.
Gosptein himself also welcomed the acquittal. "I'm very glad that after years of drawn out legal proceedings, the court found me not guilty. I shouldn't have been put on trial, I was acting in self defense when I thought Palestinians and anarchists were entering the neighborhood (by climbing) over the fence."
He also added a clear threat: "In hindsight, I should've beaten them harder, but maybe there'll be other chances."
9 apr 2016
The deadline appointed by an Israeli court on March 09 to evacuate two homes of Totah and Totanji families in al-Suwanneh neighborhood in Occupied Jerusalem for the construction of a national park expired on Saturday.
Talking to the PIC reporter, Aref al-Totanji refuted the Israeli authorities' claim that the land is owned by Israelis, affirming that he possesses documents that prove his ownership of the land of the home to be razed.
The house’s area is estimated at 80 square meters and shelters 16 individuals including children, he pointed out.
Totanji set up a sit-in tent in the yard of his house in order to resist the evacuation process, and said he would stay at the house in case of demolition.
He called on concerned institutions and authorities to support him along with Totah family in their issue which has been tabled with and deliberated at Israeli courts for the past three years.
Talking to the PIC reporter, Aref al-Totanji refuted the Israeli authorities' claim that the land is owned by Israelis, affirming that he possesses documents that prove his ownership of the land of the home to be razed.
The house’s area is estimated at 80 square meters and shelters 16 individuals including children, he pointed out.
Totanji set up a sit-in tent in the yard of his house in order to resist the evacuation process, and said he would stay at the house in case of demolition.
He called on concerned institutions and authorities to support him along with Totah family in their issue which has been tabled with and deliberated at Israeli courts for the past three years.
