27 nov 2017
Azaria asked President Rivlin to pardon him, saying he had not received a fair trial
Netanyahu, Lieberman, Shaked among senior officials who sign letter beseeching President Rivlin to reconsider pardoning Elor Azaria; 'Pardon requests may only be made by person in question, their attorneys or their family,' President's Residence says, adding additional request may only be made 6 months after previous denial.
Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined a list of MKs in signing a letter appealing to President Reuven Rivlin to reconsider pardoning former soldier Elor Azaria, convicted of manslaughter for shooting a neutralized terrorist and sentenced to 18 months in prison.
In addition to the prime minister, Ministers Avigdor Lieberman, Ayelet Shaked, Ze'ev Elkin and Haim Katz signed the letter as well.
Sources within the President's Residence responded they had yet to receive the letter and vowed it would be given the appropriate reply once reviewed. However, the sources said, "Requests for pardons are only accepted from the person in question, their attorneys or first degree relatives."
"In addition, it's important to remember that according to long-standing policy on pardons, an additional request for pardon may only be made six months after the president's decision on the previous request, unless a significant change in circumstances occurred," the sources clarified.
President Rivlin rejected Azaria's pardon request last week. "The President concluded that taking all considerations into account ... an additional lightening of your sentence would harm the resilience to the Israel Defense Forces and the State of Israel," Rivlin wrote in a letter to Azaria explaining his decision.
"The values of the Israel Defense Forces, and among them the Purity of Arms, are the core foundation of the strength of the Israel Defense Forces, and have always stood strong for us in the just struggle for our right to a safe, national home, and in the building a robust society," the letter continued.
Azaria filed his request a month ago, telling the president: "I unfortunately did not receive a just trial. This is how I feel, and nothing can change it. In any case, I ask for a measure of justice and mercy, the essence of the presidential pardon, from His Excellency the President in this request."
Azaria also referred to claims he had never expressed remorse for his actions. "I've read and heard reactions to my decision to not express remorse for shooting the terrorist. That is not accurate: were I to know with certainty, during those tense second on the scene, that the terrorist was not boobytrapped, I would absolutely not have shot him. Therefore, and in hindsight alone, shooting the terrorist was an operational mistake," Azaria's letter to Rivlin said.
Netanyahu agreeing to sign the letter was not the prime minister's first show of public support for Azaria. After the soldier's appeal was denied, Netanyahu said, "My stance, as I expressed it after the verdict, has remained unchanged regarding pardoning Azaria. When the matter becomes practical, I will forward my recommendation to pardon to the relevant parties."
The prime minister also spoke with Azaria's parents on the phone before he was sentenced.
Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid commented on Netanyahu's signing of the letter, saying his signature constituted a "direct attack on the president of Israel, the chief of staff and the IDF."
Netanyahu, Lieberman, Shaked among senior officials who sign letter beseeching President Rivlin to reconsider pardoning Elor Azaria; 'Pardon requests may only be made by person in question, their attorneys or their family,' President's Residence says, adding additional request may only be made 6 months after previous denial.
Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined a list of MKs in signing a letter appealing to President Reuven Rivlin to reconsider pardoning former soldier Elor Azaria, convicted of manslaughter for shooting a neutralized terrorist and sentenced to 18 months in prison.
In addition to the prime minister, Ministers Avigdor Lieberman, Ayelet Shaked, Ze'ev Elkin and Haim Katz signed the letter as well.
Sources within the President's Residence responded they had yet to receive the letter and vowed it would be given the appropriate reply once reviewed. However, the sources said, "Requests for pardons are only accepted from the person in question, their attorneys or first degree relatives."
"In addition, it's important to remember that according to long-standing policy on pardons, an additional request for pardon may only be made six months after the president's decision on the previous request, unless a significant change in circumstances occurred," the sources clarified.
President Rivlin rejected Azaria's pardon request last week. "The President concluded that taking all considerations into account ... an additional lightening of your sentence would harm the resilience to the Israel Defense Forces and the State of Israel," Rivlin wrote in a letter to Azaria explaining his decision.
"The values of the Israel Defense Forces, and among them the Purity of Arms, are the core foundation of the strength of the Israel Defense Forces, and have always stood strong for us in the just struggle for our right to a safe, national home, and in the building a robust society," the letter continued.
Azaria filed his request a month ago, telling the president: "I unfortunately did not receive a just trial. This is how I feel, and nothing can change it. In any case, I ask for a measure of justice and mercy, the essence of the presidential pardon, from His Excellency the President in this request."
Azaria also referred to claims he had never expressed remorse for his actions. "I've read and heard reactions to my decision to not express remorse for shooting the terrorist. That is not accurate: were I to know with certainty, during those tense second on the scene, that the terrorist was not boobytrapped, I would absolutely not have shot him. Therefore, and in hindsight alone, shooting the terrorist was an operational mistake," Azaria's letter to Rivlin said.
Netanyahu agreeing to sign the letter was not the prime minister's first show of public support for Azaria. After the soldier's appeal was denied, Netanyahu said, "My stance, as I expressed it after the verdict, has remained unchanged regarding pardoning Azaria. When the matter becomes practical, I will forward my recommendation to pardon to the relevant parties."
The prime minister also spoke with Azaria's parents on the phone before he was sentenced.
Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid commented on Netanyahu's signing of the letter, saying his signature constituted a "direct attack on the president of Israel, the chief of staff and the IDF."
Israeli soldiers invaded, Monday, a Palestinian graveyard in Kafr Aqab town, north of occupied East Jerusalem, and surrounded a graveyard before starting digging work in the cemetery and some of its graves.
Media sources in the town said dozens of soldiers surrounded and isolated the graveyard, before sending bulldozers and digging machines into it.
They added that the army prevented the Palestinians, and media outlets, from entering the graveyard, or its surrounded areas.
Israel intends to demolish six residential towers of approximately 140 apartments, in Kafr Aqab; most of the apartments are already inhabited by dozens of families, who are still fighting legal battles in Israeli courts, but the army is now rushing to demolish them, before the appeals are ruled on by Israeli courts.
Media sources in the town said dozens of soldiers surrounded and isolated the graveyard, before sending bulldozers and digging machines into it.
They added that the army prevented the Palestinians, and media outlets, from entering the graveyard, or its surrounded areas.
Israel intends to demolish six residential towers of approximately 140 apartments, in Kafr Aqab; most of the apartments are already inhabited by dozens of families, who are still fighting legal battles in Israeli courts, but the army is now rushing to demolish them, before the appeals are ruled on by Israeli courts.
The Palestinian Commission of Detainees’ and Ex-Detainees’ Affairs has said that dozens of Palestinian citizens have been detained for expressing their opinions on social media pages by Israel since the Jerusalem Intifada (uprising) started over two years ago.
In a press release on Sunday, Abdul-Naser Farwana, director of the documentation unit at the commission, stated that 280 Palestinians, including women, children, journalists and writers, had been arrested since early October 2015 after they had posted remarks, pictures or photos on different social media websites.
Some of them were also arrested for sharing, liking or commenting on postings published by others on Facebook or Twitter pages, or for joining other accounts, Farwana added.
According to him, several of those were indicted for incitement, sentenced to different jails terms with sometimes financial penalties, and others were transferred to administrative detention, with no indictment or trial.
However, some detainees were released on condition of not using Facebook for different periods of time.
Farwana described the detention and punishment of Palestinians because they expressed their own opinions on social media as “arbitrary and a violation of the international law.”
In a press release on Sunday, Abdul-Naser Farwana, director of the documentation unit at the commission, stated that 280 Palestinians, including women, children, journalists and writers, had been arrested since early October 2015 after they had posted remarks, pictures or photos on different social media websites.
Some of them were also arrested for sharing, liking or commenting on postings published by others on Facebook or Twitter pages, or for joining other accounts, Farwana added.
According to him, several of those were indicted for incitement, sentenced to different jails terms with sometimes financial penalties, and others were transferred to administrative detention, with no indictment or trial.
However, some detainees were released on condition of not using Facebook for different periods of time.
Farwana described the detention and punishment of Palestinians because they expressed their own opinions on social media as “arbitrary and a violation of the international law.”
26 nov 2017
Israel’s High Court on Sunday ruled for demolishing the homes of two Palestinian detainees from Jenin’s southern town of Qabatiya, in the northern occupied West Bank.
A PIC news correspondent said the Israeli court turned down an appeal filed by the families of prisoners Youssef Kmeil and Mohamed Abu al-Rub to cancel the demolition verdict.
The court ruled that the prisoners’ family homes be demolished by the end of November.
Earlier this month, Israeli soldiers broke into the prisoners’ homes and handed over demolition orders to their families.
Both Kmeil and Abu al-Rub are charged with carrying out an anti-occupation attack which left an Israeli settler dead in an industrial zone in Kafr Kasem, in 1948 Occupied Palestine (Israel).
A PIC news correspondent said the Israeli court turned down an appeal filed by the families of prisoners Youssef Kmeil and Mohamed Abu al-Rub to cancel the demolition verdict.
The court ruled that the prisoners’ family homes be demolished by the end of November.
Earlier this month, Israeli soldiers broke into the prisoners’ homes and handed over demolition orders to their families.
Both Kmeil and Abu al-Rub are charged with carrying out an anti-occupation attack which left an Israeli settler dead in an industrial zone in Kafr Kasem, in 1948 Occupied Palestine (Israel).
25 nov 2017
A Palestinian citizen on Saturday won a court decision to remove four mobile houses set up by Israeli settlers on his land in al-Khader town to the south of Bethlehem, Palestinian sources reported.
Representative of the Wall and Settlement Resistance Committee, Hasan Breijia, told Quds Press that a group of Jewish settlers a few months ago placed the caravans by force on a land owned by the Palestinian citizen Ibrahim Sbeih in preparation for the establishment of a new settlement outpost in the area.
Breijia said that Sbeih, who had filed a complaint at an Israeli court refusing to give up his land, won a court order to remove the caravans and their infrastructure.
The Palestinian activist affirmed that the court decision does not reflect any decline in Israel's policy of land confiscation, but it seems that the settlers did not coordinate this time with the Israeli authorities in their plan to seize the land.
He noted that the Israeli settlers have recently stepped up their attack on Palestinian lands in al-Khader village, urging the Palestinian citizens to take all necessary legal arrangements to protect their lands.
Representative of the Wall and Settlement Resistance Committee, Hasan Breijia, told Quds Press that a group of Jewish settlers a few months ago placed the caravans by force on a land owned by the Palestinian citizen Ibrahim Sbeih in preparation for the establishment of a new settlement outpost in the area.
Breijia said that Sbeih, who had filed a complaint at an Israeli court refusing to give up his land, won a court order to remove the caravans and their infrastructure.
The Palestinian activist affirmed that the court decision does not reflect any decline in Israel's policy of land confiscation, but it seems that the settlers did not coordinate this time with the Israeli authorities in their plan to seize the land.
He noted that the Israeli settlers have recently stepped up their attack on Palestinian lands in al-Khader village, urging the Palestinian citizens to take all necessary legal arrangements to protect their lands.
24 nov 2017
The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) intends anew to carry out wide demolitions in Susya village, south of al-Khalil, at the pretext they are unlicensed.
According to Haaretz newspaper, the high court of justice is mulling over the approval of a plan to remove large parts of Susya village.
Haaretz said that attorney general Avichai Mandelblit believes that there is no legal obstacle preventing Israel from carrying out demolitions in the village.
It affirmed that the Israeli government would demolish 15 Palestinian homes in the village without waiting for the high court’s verdict.
According to Haaretz newspaper, the high court of justice is mulling over the approval of a plan to remove large parts of Susya village.
Haaretz said that attorney general Avichai Mandelblit believes that there is no legal obstacle preventing Israel from carrying out demolitions in the village.
It affirmed that the Israeli government would demolish 15 Palestinian homes in the village without waiting for the high court’s verdict.
The Israeli Salem Military court, west of Jenin, sentenced on Thursday a Palestinian detainee to two life-terms and 40 years in Israeli prisons.
The Salem court issued two-life sentences and a forty-year prison-term against 43-year-old Mohamed Zakarna, from Jenin’s southern town of Qabatiya. The court also ruled that the detainee pay a bail of up to 300,000 shekels.
His family strongly condemned the verdicts, saying their son was indicted over charges for which he had already been sentenced by Israeli courts.
Prisoner Zakarna was kidnapped by the Israeli occupation forces on May 28, 2012 after he was injured and nabbed in an ambush. The Israeli occupation authorities resentenced him over charges for which he had already been punished at an earlier time.
Sometime earlier, the occupation authorities sentenced Zakarna to life but ended up acquitting him following negotiations with the Palestinian Authority.
The Salem court issued two-life sentences and a forty-year prison-term against 43-year-old Mohamed Zakarna, from Jenin’s southern town of Qabatiya. The court also ruled that the detainee pay a bail of up to 300,000 shekels.
His family strongly condemned the verdicts, saying their son was indicted over charges for which he had already been sentenced by Israeli courts.
Prisoner Zakarna was kidnapped by the Israeli occupation forces on May 28, 2012 after he was injured and nabbed in an ambush. The Israeli occupation authorities resentenced him over charges for which he had already been punished at an earlier time.
Sometime earlier, the occupation authorities sentenced Zakarna to life but ended up acquitting him following negotiations with the Palestinian Authority.
Three human rights organization said, on Thursday, that an Israeli law which allows expropriation of private Palestinian land in the occupied territory violates international law, despite justifications by the Israeli attorney general.
Adalah – The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, the Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center (JLAC), and Al Mezan Center for Human Rights based in Gaza issued a joint statement regarding the Israeli attorney general’s response to the petition against the Settlement Regularization Law that he submitted on Wednesday to the Israeli Supreme Court.
According to the Settlements Regularization Law, West Bank settlements built on privately-owned Palestinian land would be “legalized” by de facto expropriating the land, planning the settlements, and retroactively authorizing the housing already constructed on the land. The law would “regularize” these settlements in the West Bank with territories unilaterally annexed by Israel such as the Golan Heights and East Jerusalem, in direct violation of international law.
“Although Israeli Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit maintains that the law should be repealed, his position is still problematic from the standpoint of international law,” said the three rights groups in a statement.
“In parallel to his opposition to the law, the AG noted that ‘validating’ the settlements is a worthy act and that the State of Israel now has a number of other tools at its disposal that allow it to ‘validate’ Israeli construction on private Palestinian land that was transferred to a settlement “in good faith.”
WAFA further reports that, in the attorney general’s response, he authorizes use of these tools including, amongst other measures, expropriation of Palestinian land for “public needs,” such “regulating” the construction of an access road to an illegal Israeli settlement outpost, said the statement.
“Adalah, JLAC, and Al Mezan emphasize that the AG’s position clashes directly with international law explicitly forbidding the construction of settlements and the transfer of the occupying power’s civilian population into occupied territory – this is considered a war crime.
International law specifically bans harm to Palestinian property in the West Bank for the purposes of development and expansion of settlements.”
Adalah – The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, the Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center (JLAC), and Al Mezan Center for Human Rights based in Gaza issued a joint statement regarding the Israeli attorney general’s response to the petition against the Settlement Regularization Law that he submitted on Wednesday to the Israeli Supreme Court.
According to the Settlements Regularization Law, West Bank settlements built on privately-owned Palestinian land would be “legalized” by de facto expropriating the land, planning the settlements, and retroactively authorizing the housing already constructed on the land. The law would “regularize” these settlements in the West Bank with territories unilaterally annexed by Israel such as the Golan Heights and East Jerusalem, in direct violation of international law.
“Although Israeli Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit maintains that the law should be repealed, his position is still problematic from the standpoint of international law,” said the three rights groups in a statement.
“In parallel to his opposition to the law, the AG noted that ‘validating’ the settlements is a worthy act and that the State of Israel now has a number of other tools at its disposal that allow it to ‘validate’ Israeli construction on private Palestinian land that was transferred to a settlement “in good faith.”
WAFA further reports that, in the attorney general’s response, he authorizes use of these tools including, amongst other measures, expropriation of Palestinian land for “public needs,” such “regulating” the construction of an access road to an illegal Israeli settlement outpost, said the statement.
“Adalah, JLAC, and Al Mezan emphasize that the AG’s position clashes directly with international law explicitly forbidding the construction of settlements and the transfer of the occupying power’s civilian population into occupied territory – this is considered a war crime.
International law specifically bans harm to Palestinian property in the West Bank for the purposes of development and expansion of settlements.”
23 nov 2017
A recently published legal opinion by Israeli Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit will pave the way to the retroactive legalization of 1048 settlement units in the occupied West Bank, Haaretz reports.
According to Haaretz paper, the core of Mandelblit’s opinion “is the finding that land owned by individual Palestinians can be expropriated to create an access road to an outpost even if the road is to be used only by Jewish settlers.”
Although Mandelblit’s opinion only dealt with one specific case – the expropriation of land for an access road to Harsha settlement outpost – according to Haaretz, “there are at least 13 such outposts in a similar situation”, based on official data.
Haaretz noted that “it’s a precedent-setting decision at variance with how Israel has treated private Palestinian land in the West Bank.”
Similar situations to that of Harsha – established by settlers on so-called state-owned land surrounded by privately-owned Palestinian land – exist “at a number of other outposts.”
Mendelblit shifts position based on recent Supreme Court ruling stating that expropriation is acceptable since Israeli settlers are also part of West Bank's ‘local population’
His move followed Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked’s request regarding the paving of a road to the illegal outpost Harasha, without which it would be impossible to “legitimize” it.
According to international law all the West Bank settlements are illegal. However, Israel is acting like a criminal organization that operates according to its own laws.
According to Haaretz paper, the core of Mandelblit’s opinion “is the finding that land owned by individual Palestinians can be expropriated to create an access road to an outpost even if the road is to be used only by Jewish settlers.”
Although Mandelblit’s opinion only dealt with one specific case – the expropriation of land for an access road to Harsha settlement outpost – according to Haaretz, “there are at least 13 such outposts in a similar situation”, based on official data.
Haaretz noted that “it’s a precedent-setting decision at variance with how Israel has treated private Palestinian land in the West Bank.”
Similar situations to that of Harsha – established by settlers on so-called state-owned land surrounded by privately-owned Palestinian land – exist “at a number of other outposts.”
Mendelblit shifts position based on recent Supreme Court ruling stating that expropriation is acceptable since Israeli settlers are also part of West Bank's ‘local population’
His move followed Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked’s request regarding the paving of a road to the illegal outpost Harasha, without which it would be impossible to “legitimize” it.
According to international law all the West Bank settlements are illegal. However, Israel is acting like a criminal organization that operates according to its own laws.
22 nov 2017
Ofer military court on Wednesday handed two life sentences to the Palestinian prisoner Malek Hamed who is a resident of Silwad town to the east of Ramallah.
MivzakLive website said that Hamed was convicted of carrying out a car-ramming attack in which an Israeli soldier was killed and three others were injured near Ofra settlement in April 2017.
The Hebrew website added that Hamed was also ordered to pay a financial compensation worth 280,000 shekels ($800,000) to the family of the dead soldier and to another soldier who sustained moderate injuries in the attack.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) arrested Hamed on 6th April 2017 after he carried out an anti-occupation car-ramming attack near Ofra settlement built by force on Palestinian lands to the northeast of Ramallah.
In August 2017, the IOF demolished Hamed's family's house in a collective punishment campaign launched against the families of the Palestinians accused of carrying out attacks against the Israelis.
MivzakLive website said that Hamed was convicted of carrying out a car-ramming attack in which an Israeli soldier was killed and three others were injured near Ofra settlement in April 2017.
The Hebrew website added that Hamed was also ordered to pay a financial compensation worth 280,000 shekels ($800,000) to the family of the dead soldier and to another soldier who sustained moderate injuries in the attack.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) arrested Hamed on 6th April 2017 after he carried out an anti-occupation car-ramming attack near Ofra settlement built by force on Palestinian lands to the northeast of Ramallah.
In August 2017, the IOF demolished Hamed's family's house in a collective punishment campaign launched against the families of the Palestinians accused of carrying out attacks against the Israelis.
21 nov 2017
Israeli right-wing activist Baruch Marzel called for the execution of all Palestinians who are shot and injured during alleged anti-occupation attacks instead of providing them with medical treatment.
In an interview with Arutz Sheva, Marzel, a rabbi, said, "I've noticed that the State of Israel has been deteriorating since the Elor Azariya affair.
Terrorists are not killed and soldiers do not finish the job and do not make sure that the terrorist is dead. The terrorist is evacuated by MDA to our hospitals and receives treatment for hundreds of thousands of shekels alongside the wounded Jew.”
“The time has come for the Israeli government to stop humiliating its victims and the people of Israel. The terrorist must not be treated. A terrorist must die as soon as he comes to harm Jews," he continued.
“Have we gone crazy? To give treatment to a terrorist instead of killing him - that’s our morality? ‘He who comes to kill you, pamper him first.”
The Israeli soldier Elor Azariya who shot and killed a wounded Palestinian, who was incapacitated having already been shot, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for manslaughter.
The March 24 shooting, in the occupied West Bank city of al-Khalil, was filmed by activists from the Israeli B'Tselem human rights group.
That video shows the young Palestinian lying on the ground while bleeding.
Azariya then delivers the fatal blow, shooting him again in the head without any provocation.
In an interview with Arutz Sheva, Marzel, a rabbi, said, "I've noticed that the State of Israel has been deteriorating since the Elor Azariya affair.
Terrorists are not killed and soldiers do not finish the job and do not make sure that the terrorist is dead. The terrorist is evacuated by MDA to our hospitals and receives treatment for hundreds of thousands of shekels alongside the wounded Jew.”
“The time has come for the Israeli government to stop humiliating its victims and the people of Israel. The terrorist must not be treated. A terrorist must die as soon as he comes to harm Jews," he continued.
“Have we gone crazy? To give treatment to a terrorist instead of killing him - that’s our morality? ‘He who comes to kill you, pamper him first.”
The Israeli soldier Elor Azariya who shot and killed a wounded Palestinian, who was incapacitated having already been shot, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for manslaughter.
The March 24 shooting, in the occupied West Bank city of al-Khalil, was filmed by activists from the Israeli B'Tselem human rights group.
That video shows the young Palestinian lying on the ground while bleeding.
Azariya then delivers the fatal blow, shooting him again in the head without any provocation.
Dozens of Israeli soldiers, and Army Corps of Engineers, invaded on Tuesday at dawn, the al-Matar neighborhood, adjoining Kafr ‘Aqab neighborhood, close to Qalandia terminal, north of occupied East Jerusalem, and broke into apartments in residential towers, slated for demolition for their “proximity to the Annexation Wall,” and for “being built without permits. “
The soldiers invaded many apartments in the residential buildings, and took personal information from the residents, including ID and phone numbers, and told that they would be contacted five days before the demolitions are carried out.
Israel is aiming at demolishing a local mosque, and six residential buildings of approximately 140 apartments, in al-Matar neighborhood; most of the apartments are already inhabited by dozens of families, who are still fighting legal battles in Israeli courts, but the army is now rushing to demolish them, before the appeals are ruled on by Israeli courts.
On Monday, dozens of soldiers, and border Police officers, in addition to engineers of the Jerusalem City Council, invaded the buildings, and took measurements of the six residential buildings in preparation for demolishing them.
The soldiers invaded many apartments in the residential buildings, and took personal information from the residents, including ID and phone numbers, and told that they would be contacted five days before the demolitions are carried out.
Israel is aiming at demolishing a local mosque, and six residential buildings of approximately 140 apartments, in al-Matar neighborhood; most of the apartments are already inhabited by dozens of families, who are still fighting legal battles in Israeli courts, but the army is now rushing to demolish them, before the appeals are ruled on by Israeli courts.
On Monday, dozens of soldiers, and border Police officers, in addition to engineers of the Jerusalem City Council, invaded the buildings, and took measurements of the six residential buildings in preparation for demolishing them.
20 nov 2017
Lawyers representing five teenagers charged with incitement to violence and terrorism have the charges dropped over technical issue; judge doesn't rule out re-filing indictments after corrections are made.
The Jerusalem Magistrate's Court dismissed on Monday five indictments against teenagers who participated in what became known as the "wedding of hate."
Videos filmed at the Jerusalem wedding of Yakir and Ronny Ashbal in December 2015 show guests dancing while brandishing firearms and Molotov cocktails, and mocking the murder of Palestinian baby Ali Dawabshe—who was burned to death along with his parents in an arson attack at his home in Duma—by stabbing a photo of his with a knife and trying to set it on fire
A year ago, the Jerusalem District Attorney charged 13 of the wedding guests, including five minors, with incitement to violence and terrorism and the unlawful possession of weapons.
After the trial had begun, the minors' lawyers learned that when filing the indictments, the District Attorney's Office did not present an authorization from the attorney general—which is necessary for such indictments against minors—and asked to dismiss the case on those grounds.
The District Attorney's Office claimed they obtained this authorization, which was sent to them via email.
Judge Shimon Leybo determined there were flaws in the filing of the indictments and that the necessary authorization had not been obtained on time.
The judge did note he would not prevent the prosecution from re-filing the indictments after the necessary corrections are made.
Public Defense lawyer Moriya Sasson, who represents one of the defendants, said in response: "It turns out the filing of the indictment in this case was done in a flawed manner. The District Attorney's Office was more focused on public relations and their image than professional considerations."
Adv. Sinaia Harizi-Moses of the Honenu organization added, "I was happy to hear the court's decision, which brought justice where there was an attempt to allow the harming of minors in hindsight."
The Jerusalem Magistrate's Court dismissed on Monday five indictments against teenagers who participated in what became known as the "wedding of hate."
Videos filmed at the Jerusalem wedding of Yakir and Ronny Ashbal in December 2015 show guests dancing while brandishing firearms and Molotov cocktails, and mocking the murder of Palestinian baby Ali Dawabshe—who was burned to death along with his parents in an arson attack at his home in Duma—by stabbing a photo of his with a knife and trying to set it on fire
A year ago, the Jerusalem District Attorney charged 13 of the wedding guests, including five minors, with incitement to violence and terrorism and the unlawful possession of weapons.
After the trial had begun, the minors' lawyers learned that when filing the indictments, the District Attorney's Office did not present an authorization from the attorney general—which is necessary for such indictments against minors—and asked to dismiss the case on those grounds.
The District Attorney's Office claimed they obtained this authorization, which was sent to them via email.
Judge Shimon Leybo determined there were flaws in the filing of the indictments and that the necessary authorization had not been obtained on time.
The judge did note he would not prevent the prosecution from re-filing the indictments after the necessary corrections are made.
Public Defense lawyer Moriya Sasson, who represents one of the defendants, said in response: "It turns out the filing of the indictment in this case was done in a flawed manner. The District Attorney's Office was more focused on public relations and their image than professional considerations."
Adv. Sinaia Harizi-Moses of the Honenu organization added, "I was happy to hear the court's decision, which brought justice where there was an attempt to allow the harming of minors in hindsight."
An Israeli court recently issued a verdict ordering the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Palestinian prisoners to pay 62 million shekels ($17.6 million) in compensation to the families of Jewish settlers killed in a 2001 shooting attack.
According to Maariv newspaper, the verdict, which was issued by the Israeli district court in Jerusalem last Friday, accused the PA of funding and providing the means for acts of terrorism.
The ruling referred to a shooting attack that was carried out at the start of the second Intifada (uprising) by resistance fighters affiliated with al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades of Fatah.
Such Israeli steps raise a question whether the PA will respond and file compensation lawsuits against Israel with international courts over the death of hundreds of Palestinians at the hands of its troops and settlers in the West Bank and Gaza.
According to Maariv newspaper, the verdict, which was issued by the Israeli district court in Jerusalem last Friday, accused the PA of funding and providing the means for acts of terrorism.
The ruling referred to a shooting attack that was carried out at the start of the second Intifada (uprising) by resistance fighters affiliated with al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades of Fatah.
Such Israeli steps raise a question whether the PA will respond and file compensation lawsuits against Israel with international courts over the death of hundreds of Palestinians at the hands of its troops and settlers in the West Bank and Gaza.
A hearing is expected to be held on Monday by Israel’s Central Court in Occupied Jerusalem to decide on appeals filed by the Wadi Hilweh Committee, in Silwan, over an Israeli settlement project near al-Aqsa Mosque.
A few years ago, the Wadi Hilweh Committee objected Israel’s so-called Kedim settlement project, slated to be carried out in front of holy al-Aqsa Mosque.
In 2015, the bid failed to receive official approbation.
In March 2016 a new committee approved the settlement scheme, turning down all appeals submitted to the Israeli courts and authorities to cancel the plan.
Lawyer Sami Ersheid has proceeded with another objection to Israel’s Central Court. The latter will decide on the case on Monday.
A few years ago, the Wadi Hilweh Committee objected Israel’s so-called Kedim settlement project, slated to be carried out in front of holy al-Aqsa Mosque.
In 2015, the bid failed to receive official approbation.
In March 2016 a new committee approved the settlement scheme, turning down all appeals submitted to the Israeli courts and authorities to cancel the plan.
Lawyer Sami Ersheid has proceeded with another objection to Israel’s Central Court. The latter will decide on the case on Monday.
14 nov 2017
Israeli Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan is proposing a new law that would allow Israeli police to hold bodies of Palestinians killed by Israel until families of the deceased agree to police-imposed restrictions on funeral arrangements.
Erdan’s move comes in the wake of a precedent-setting ruling the Israeli Supreme Court made this past July on a petition filed by Adalah – The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel that the Israeli police has no legal authority to hold bodies or condition their return upon a family’s agreement to funeral restrictions.
Adalah issued a statement today, 13 November 2017, in response to Erdan’s proposed law:
“The holding of bodies and prevention of immediate burial is a violation of both Israeli and international law. The Israeli Supreme Court ruled in a precedent-setting decision four months ago that the holding of bodies and conditioning their return constitute a severe insult to human dignity.
“The United Nations Committee Against Torture has ruled that Israel is forbidden to hold and negotiate the terms of the return of bodies of Palestinians. There is nothing in constitutional or human rights law anywhere in the world that resembles Erdan’s proposed legislation.
“The only circumstances in which it is permitted to hold bodies is when the conditions of ongoing warfare do not permit their safe transfer.
However, states are obligated to immediately return the bodies of casualties the moment a cease-fire goes into effect.
Minister Erdan’s proposed law politicizes a humanitarian issue, and Adalah calls on Israeli Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit to vigorously oppose this bill.”
Erdan’s move comes in the wake of a precedent-setting ruling the Israeli Supreme Court made this past July on a petition filed by Adalah – The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel that the Israeli police has no legal authority to hold bodies or condition their return upon a family’s agreement to funeral restrictions.
Adalah issued a statement today, 13 November 2017, in response to Erdan’s proposed law:
“The holding of bodies and prevention of immediate burial is a violation of both Israeli and international law. The Israeli Supreme Court ruled in a precedent-setting decision four months ago that the holding of bodies and conditioning their return constitute a severe insult to human dignity.
“The United Nations Committee Against Torture has ruled that Israel is forbidden to hold and negotiate the terms of the return of bodies of Palestinians. There is nothing in constitutional or human rights law anywhere in the world that resembles Erdan’s proposed legislation.
“The only circumstances in which it is permitted to hold bodies is when the conditions of ongoing warfare do not permit their safe transfer.
However, states are obligated to immediately return the bodies of casualties the moment a cease-fire goes into effect.
Minister Erdan’s proposed law politicizes a humanitarian issue, and Adalah calls on Israeli Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit to vigorously oppose this bill.”
13 nov 2017
Israel’s Internal Security Minister Gilad Erdan has sought to exclude Palestinian prisoners from an order to increase the living area of inmates, ruling that the detainees be rather locked up in underequipped tents.
The proposal comes in response to a court rule handed down by Israel’s High Court in mid-June, and which pronounced that overcrowded Israeli prisons are not fit for human habitation.
The court rule was issued following appeals by human rights groups demanding that prisoners be provided four square meters. The Court said that overcrowded prison cells must be enlarged or else the Israeli authorities must consider reducing the number of inmates.
In European countries, Kenya, Senegal, and Moritius, the average space is much higher, according to a report by Haaretz daily.
According to data by the Prisoners’ and Ex-Prisoners’ Committee, nearly 6,500 Palestinians, among them 57 women and 300 children, are locked up in Israeli jails across the occupied Palestinian territories.
The proposal comes in response to a court rule handed down by Israel’s High Court in mid-June, and which pronounced that overcrowded Israeli prisons are not fit for human habitation.
The court rule was issued following appeals by human rights groups demanding that prisoners be provided four square meters. The Court said that overcrowded prison cells must be enlarged or else the Israeli authorities must consider reducing the number of inmates.
In European countries, Kenya, Senegal, and Moritius, the average space is much higher, according to a report by Haaretz daily.
According to data by the Prisoners’ and Ex-Prisoners’ Committee, nearly 6,500 Palestinians, among them 57 women and 300 children, are locked up in Israeli jails across the occupied Palestinian territories.
