30 nov 2015
Yosef Ben David
Israel's Jerusalem District Court on Monday convicted two Israelis for the murder of Palestinian teenager Muhammad Abu Khdeir last summer, with a third suspect who admitted to the killing escaping conviction on the grounds of his mental health.
The conviction of Yosef Ben David, the ringleader of the gang that kidnapped, assaulted, and burned Muhammad, 16, to death, was suspended to allow for a last minute psychiatric evaluation, Israeli news site Haaretz reported.
The 31-year-old suspect's lawyer submitted an evaluation last week declaring that he was not responsible for his actions at the time of the murder.
The two Israeli youths found guilty will be sentenced on Jan. 13, according to the AFP news agency, while another hearing for Ben David was set for Dec. 20.
Following the ruling, Abu Khdeir's father Hussein told Ma'an: “I will not accept less than a lifetime prison sentence and demand to demolish their houses”
He added:“I don’t believe in the Israeli judiciary, and I want to see if they will be fair or not. We will go to the International Criminal Court if the Israeli court mitigates their sentence."
All three suspects confessed to the murder during questioning by Israeli police, admitting to beating the Palestinian teenager unconscious before pouring flammable liquid on him and burning him alive.
The suspects said it was revenge for the kidnapping and killing of three Israeli teenagers.
The group drove around for hours to find a suitable victim before kidnapping Abu Khdeir at 4 a.m. after he had decided to pray at the mosque in the Shufat neighborhood of East Jerusalem.
They took him to a forest on the outskirts of Jerusalem and hit the teenager with a crowbar while shouting "this is for the Fogel family" and "this is for Gilad, Naphtali and Eyal," Israeli news site Ynet reported.
They set fire to him and then fled the scene.
The grisly murder sparked shock, disgust and an outpouring of condemnation from both Israeli and Palestinian leaders at the time.
The June 2014 abduction of Naftali Frenkel, Gilad Shaer and Eyal Yifrach from a hitchhiking stop near Hebron sparked a vast Israeli search operation targeting Hamas, who denied involvement in the killings, in which hundreds of Palestinians were arrested and at least five killed.
The brutal revenge killing of Abu Khdeir led to widespread demonstrations and clashes in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem which was followed by an uptick in rocket fire from Gaza, and the launch on July 8 of a full-scale Israeli military operation against the Mediterranean enclave, which killed over 2,200 Palestinians, including 500 children.
Israeli court acquits settler responsible for Abu Khudeir’s murder
Israeli court has found the main suspect in the burning of a Palestinian child to death last year not guilty on the grounds of his mental health.
The conviction of Yosef Ben David, the ringleader of the gang that kidnapped, assaulted, and burned Muhammad Abu Khudeir, 16, to death, was suspended to allow for a last minute psychiatric evaluation, Israeli news site Haaretz reported.
The 31-year-old suspect's lawyer submitted an evaluation last week declaring that “he was not responsible for his actions at the time of the murder.”
However, two Israeli boys aged 14 were found guilty in the crime.
During the investigation, David admitted that he took Abu Khudeir to a forest on the outskirts of occupied Jerusalem and hit the boy with a crowbar before setting fire to him and then fled the scene.
All the Israeli three suspects confessed to the murder during the questioning, admitting to beating the Palestinian boy unconscious before pouring flammable liquid on him and burning him alive.
The father of the Palestinian victim attended the court session along with a number of Palestinian activists.
On July 2, 2014 a group of Israeli settlers kidnapped the Palestinian child Mohamed Abu Khudeir, 16, and burned him alive to death after being severely beaten and tortured.
The crime led to widespread demonstrations and clashes in the occupied West Bank and occupied Jerusalem which was followed by a brutal aggression on Gaza that killed over 2,200 Palestinians, including 500 children.
Israel's Jerusalem District Court on Monday convicted two Israelis for the murder of Palestinian teenager Muhammad Abu Khdeir last summer, with a third suspect who admitted to the killing escaping conviction on the grounds of his mental health.
The conviction of Yosef Ben David, the ringleader of the gang that kidnapped, assaulted, and burned Muhammad, 16, to death, was suspended to allow for a last minute psychiatric evaluation, Israeli news site Haaretz reported.
The 31-year-old suspect's lawyer submitted an evaluation last week declaring that he was not responsible for his actions at the time of the murder.
The two Israeli youths found guilty will be sentenced on Jan. 13, according to the AFP news agency, while another hearing for Ben David was set for Dec. 20.
Following the ruling, Abu Khdeir's father Hussein told Ma'an: “I will not accept less than a lifetime prison sentence and demand to demolish their houses”
He added:“I don’t believe in the Israeli judiciary, and I want to see if they will be fair or not. We will go to the International Criminal Court if the Israeli court mitigates their sentence."
All three suspects confessed to the murder during questioning by Israeli police, admitting to beating the Palestinian teenager unconscious before pouring flammable liquid on him and burning him alive.
The suspects said it was revenge for the kidnapping and killing of three Israeli teenagers.
The group drove around for hours to find a suitable victim before kidnapping Abu Khdeir at 4 a.m. after he had decided to pray at the mosque in the Shufat neighborhood of East Jerusalem.
They took him to a forest on the outskirts of Jerusalem and hit the teenager with a crowbar while shouting "this is for the Fogel family" and "this is for Gilad, Naphtali and Eyal," Israeli news site Ynet reported.
They set fire to him and then fled the scene.
The grisly murder sparked shock, disgust and an outpouring of condemnation from both Israeli and Palestinian leaders at the time.
The June 2014 abduction of Naftali Frenkel, Gilad Shaer and Eyal Yifrach from a hitchhiking stop near Hebron sparked a vast Israeli search operation targeting Hamas, who denied involvement in the killings, in which hundreds of Palestinians were arrested and at least five killed.
The brutal revenge killing of Abu Khdeir led to widespread demonstrations and clashes in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem which was followed by an uptick in rocket fire from Gaza, and the launch on July 8 of a full-scale Israeli military operation against the Mediterranean enclave, which killed over 2,200 Palestinians, including 500 children.
Israeli court acquits settler responsible for Abu Khudeir’s murder
Israeli court has found the main suspect in the burning of a Palestinian child to death last year not guilty on the grounds of his mental health.
The conviction of Yosef Ben David, the ringleader of the gang that kidnapped, assaulted, and burned Muhammad Abu Khudeir, 16, to death, was suspended to allow for a last minute psychiatric evaluation, Israeli news site Haaretz reported.
The 31-year-old suspect's lawyer submitted an evaluation last week declaring that “he was not responsible for his actions at the time of the murder.”
However, two Israeli boys aged 14 were found guilty in the crime.
During the investigation, David admitted that he took Abu Khudeir to a forest on the outskirts of occupied Jerusalem and hit the boy with a crowbar before setting fire to him and then fled the scene.
All the Israeli three suspects confessed to the murder during the questioning, admitting to beating the Palestinian boy unconscious before pouring flammable liquid on him and burning him alive.
The father of the Palestinian victim attended the court session along with a number of Palestinian activists.
On July 2, 2014 a group of Israeli settlers kidnapped the Palestinian child Mohamed Abu Khudeir, 16, and burned him alive to death after being severely beaten and tortured.
The crime led to widespread demonstrations and clashes in the occupied West Bank and occupied Jerusalem which was followed by a brutal aggression on Gaza that killed over 2,200 Palestinians, including 500 children.
25 nov 2015
About 15 members of the Knesset from hardline parties have submitted a draft law demanding the closure of Palestinian mosques which incite violence against Israelis.
The bill was introduced Tuesday by MK Bezalel Smotrich, from the Jewish Home, and signed by MKs from his party as well as Likud, Kulanu and Yisrael Beytenu.
"While this behavior (incitement) was banned many years ago in the penal code, no legislation has been made against the places where incitement to violence occur," the bill read.
The bill, however, did not talk about the incitement against the Palestinians that is preached on a daily basis by rabbis at synagogues and religious institutes.
The Knesset recently approved multiple racist bills aimed at punishing the Palestinians for defending themselves against Israeli violations.
If the bill is sanctioned, dozens of mosques in the 1948 occupied lands as well as in the West Bank and Jerusalem will be closed.
The bill was introduced Tuesday by MK Bezalel Smotrich, from the Jewish Home, and signed by MKs from his party as well as Likud, Kulanu and Yisrael Beytenu.
"While this behavior (incitement) was banned many years ago in the penal code, no legislation has been made against the places where incitement to violence occur," the bill read.
The bill, however, did not talk about the incitement against the Palestinians that is preached on a daily basis by rabbis at synagogues and religious institutes.
The Knesset recently approved multiple racist bills aimed at punishing the Palestinians for defending themselves against Israeli violations.
If the bill is sanctioned, dozens of mosques in the 1948 occupied lands as well as in the West Bank and Jerusalem will be closed.
Nael Barghouthi
Court hearings are due to be held on Wednesday to look into appeals filed by four Palestinian prisoners, who were rejailed in 2014 by Israel after their release as part of its 2011 swap deal with the Palestinian resistance in Gaza.
According to the Palestinian Prisoner Society, the Israeli judges at the Ofer military court will listen to appeals filed over renewed Israeli prison verdicts issued against Nael Barghouthi, Mahdi Asi, Zuhair Iskafi, and Samer Isawi.
Nael Barghouthi, from Ramallah, was sent to jail again in June 2014 and received a 30-month prison term after he enjoyed freedom for some years following his release in 2011 as part of the Palestinian-Israeli swap deal.
Barghouthi had spent 34 years of his life prison term before his release.
The other three prisoners were also rejailed last year and given their previous prison terms, which range between 20 to 30 years.
Court hearings are due to be held on Wednesday to look into appeals filed by four Palestinian prisoners, who were rejailed in 2014 by Israel after their release as part of its 2011 swap deal with the Palestinian resistance in Gaza.
According to the Palestinian Prisoner Society, the Israeli judges at the Ofer military court will listen to appeals filed over renewed Israeli prison verdicts issued against Nael Barghouthi, Mahdi Asi, Zuhair Iskafi, and Samer Isawi.
Nael Barghouthi, from Ramallah, was sent to jail again in June 2014 and received a 30-month prison term after he enjoyed freedom for some years following his release in 2011 as part of the Palestinian-Israeli swap deal.
Barghouthi had spent 34 years of his life prison term before his release.
The other three prisoners were also rejailed last year and given their previous prison terms, which range between 20 to 30 years.
18 nov 2015
The Nazareth District Court issued, Wednesday, a 30-day Administrative Detention order against a young Palestinian citizen for a Facebook post that appeared to be suicidal, but explained by Israel as an "intent to carry out an attack."
The District Court, following an order from Israel’s Internal Security Minister Gilad Erdan, issued a 30-day Administrative Detention order against the young man, identified as Ahmad Jawamees, on suspicion that he "is thinking about harming Jewish citizens."
The Court said "there is no sufficient evidence that he intended to harm anybody," and that he expressed sorrow for his post; therefore "a decision was made to hold him imprisoned for thirty days under Administrative Detention." (without charges)
The Israeli Internal Security claims the young man intended to harm Jewish Israelis, without offering him any psychological support, although he could be facing issues or certain conditions that might make him suicidal.
Last Thursday, November 12, the Israeli army kidnapped Tamara Abu Laban, only 14 years of age, from her family home in the at-Tour town in occupied Jerusalem, for Facebook posts that Israeli considered to be "incitement."
On October 18, and on October 10, the Israeli Police abducted Anas al-Khatib, in addition to an activist and poet, Darin Tatour, both members of the National Democratic Assembly, for writing social media posts that was also regarded to be "incitement."
The District Court, following an order from Israel’s Internal Security Minister Gilad Erdan, issued a 30-day Administrative Detention order against the young man, identified as Ahmad Jawamees, on suspicion that he "is thinking about harming Jewish citizens."
The Court said "there is no sufficient evidence that he intended to harm anybody," and that he expressed sorrow for his post; therefore "a decision was made to hold him imprisoned for thirty days under Administrative Detention." (without charges)
The Israeli Internal Security claims the young man intended to harm Jewish Israelis, without offering him any psychological support, although he could be facing issues or certain conditions that might make him suicidal.
Last Thursday, November 12, the Israeli army kidnapped Tamara Abu Laban, only 14 years of age, from her family home in the at-Tour town in occupied Jerusalem, for Facebook posts that Israeli considered to be "incitement."
On October 18, and on October 10, the Israeli Police abducted Anas al-Khatib, in addition to an activist and poet, Darin Tatour, both members of the National Democratic Assembly, for writing social media posts that was also regarded to be "incitement."
11 nov 2015
Israel's Justice Ministry has finished drafting a bill that would allow children under 14 to be sentenced to jail, Israeli sources reported.
Under the bill, which was drawn up by Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, jail sentences could be handed down to children as young as 12, though the offender would start serving the sentence only when he turned 14.
Prison sentences could be imposed on children younger than 14 only if they are convicted of murder, attempted murder or manslaughter, the draft bill states, according to Al Ray.
Israeli sources reported that, if the bill is passed into law, Israel would become one of only a few Western countries which allow prison sentences for children under 14.
The Justice Ministry started drafting the bill after the arrest of 13-year-old Ahmad Manasra, who was convicted of an alleged stabbing attempt, last month.
Under Israeli law, Manasra could not be sentenced to jail, but it allows his detention, interrogation and, then, a stint in a closed treatment facility until the age of 14.
Under currentl Israeli law, children below age 12 are considered below the age of criminal responsibility and cannot be subjected to criminal proceedings at all. Children aged 12 or 13 can be arrested and tried, but they can’t be sentenced to jail unless they have turned 14 by the time the sentence is handed down. Instead, they can be sent to closed treatment facilities and kept there until age 20.
Under the bill now being drafted, a judge could instead sentence the child to jail, though he or she would be kept in a closed treatment facility until the age of 14. At that point, he would be sent to prison to serve out his sentence, but only after a hearing at which the judge would have to confirm the decision to transfer him to jail.
The bill makes no distinction between juveniles convicted of a terror-motivated crime and those convicted of other crimes.
Israeli MK Anat Berko submitted a bill of her own on the issue. Her bill, too, provides for the incarceration of 12 and 13-year-old offenders in a closed treatment facility until the age of 14. However, it differs from the government bill in that it allows children under 14 to be given prison sentences only if convicted of terrorist crimes.
Yitzhak Kadman, executive director of the Israel National Council for the Child, said he opposes both bills.
“Hard cases don’t make good law,” he said. “As a result of the situation and the terrible incidents that have occurred, there’s pressure to find quick solutions. But restraint in legislation is strength, not weakness. We need to consider the ultimate ramifications of this.”
Under the bill, which was drawn up by Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, jail sentences could be handed down to children as young as 12, though the offender would start serving the sentence only when he turned 14.
Prison sentences could be imposed on children younger than 14 only if they are convicted of murder, attempted murder or manslaughter, the draft bill states, according to Al Ray.
Israeli sources reported that, if the bill is passed into law, Israel would become one of only a few Western countries which allow prison sentences for children under 14.
The Justice Ministry started drafting the bill after the arrest of 13-year-old Ahmad Manasra, who was convicted of an alleged stabbing attempt, last month.
Under Israeli law, Manasra could not be sentenced to jail, but it allows his detention, interrogation and, then, a stint in a closed treatment facility until the age of 14.
Under currentl Israeli law, children below age 12 are considered below the age of criminal responsibility and cannot be subjected to criminal proceedings at all. Children aged 12 or 13 can be arrested and tried, but they can’t be sentenced to jail unless they have turned 14 by the time the sentence is handed down. Instead, they can be sent to closed treatment facilities and kept there until age 20.
Under the bill now being drafted, a judge could instead sentence the child to jail, though he or she would be kept in a closed treatment facility until the age of 14. At that point, he would be sent to prison to serve out his sentence, but only after a hearing at which the judge would have to confirm the decision to transfer him to jail.
The bill makes no distinction between juveniles convicted of a terror-motivated crime and those convicted of other crimes.
Israeli MK Anat Berko submitted a bill of her own on the issue. Her bill, too, provides for the incarceration of 12 and 13-year-old offenders in a closed treatment facility until the age of 14. However, it differs from the government bill in that it allows children under 14 to be given prison sentences only if convicted of terrorist crimes.
Yitzhak Kadman, executive director of the Israel National Council for the Child, said he opposes both bills.
“Hard cases don’t make good law,” he said. “As a result of the situation and the terrible incidents that have occurred, there’s pressure to find quick solutions. But restraint in legislation is strength, not weakness. We need to consider the ultimate ramifications of this.”
4 nov 2015
The Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) on Tuesday threatened to knock down the al-Qaaqaa Mosque, in Jerusalem’s town of Silwan, under the pretext of unlicensed construction.
Member of the mosque’s supervision personnel, Sheikh Hani Abu Tayeh, said the objection to the demolition order, issued on October 7, expires by November 7.
He said the mosque’s committee will appeal to the Israeli court to nullify the order, but a lawyer should be appointed to that very end.
He urged the Islamic Waqf (Endowment) Department, in its status as the guardian of Islamic mosques, to appoint a lawyer to contest the demolition order.
Abu Tayeh added that the committee received a similar order on August 20.
The mosque’s committee has paid all electricity and water dues and is ready to pay all the fees emanating from any projected legal procedures, he further stated.
Member of the mosque’s supervision personnel, Sheikh Hani Abu Tayeh, said the objection to the demolition order, issued on October 7, expires by November 7.
He said the mosque’s committee will appeal to the Israeli court to nullify the order, but a lawyer should be appointed to that very end.
He urged the Islamic Waqf (Endowment) Department, in its status as the guardian of Islamic mosques, to appoint a lawyer to contest the demolition order.
Abu Tayeh added that the committee received a similar order on August 20.
The mosque’s committee has paid all electricity and water dues and is ready to pay all the fees emanating from any projected legal procedures, he further stated.
3 nov 2015
The Israeli Knesset approved, by second and third reading, minimum prison terms for stone-throwing attacks against vehicles or pedestrians.
In a vote of 51 to 17, lawmakers approved a series of amendments to Israel’s Criminal Law, raising the minimum prison sentence for stone-throwing to three years.
The law also strips parents of a minor imprisoned for stone throwing of welfare grants and other benefits linked to the minor for the duration of the incarceration.
The law was passed as a “temporary provision” that must be renewed by the Knesset in three years’ time, according to Al Ray.
In July, the Knesset passed a law allowing for prison sentences of up to 10 years for anyone convicted of throwing rocks at a vehicle, without the need to prove intent to damage the vehicle or hurt its occupants.
The minimum sentences are meant “to create deterrence,” said Jewish Home MK Nissan Slomiansky, chair of the Knesset’s Constitution Law and Justice Committee.
In a vote of 51 to 17, lawmakers approved a series of amendments to Israel’s Criminal Law, raising the minimum prison sentence for stone-throwing to three years.
The law also strips parents of a minor imprisoned for stone throwing of welfare grants and other benefits linked to the minor for the duration of the incarceration.
The law was passed as a “temporary provision” that must be renewed by the Knesset in three years’ time, according to Al Ray.
In July, the Knesset passed a law allowing for prison sentences of up to 10 years for anyone convicted of throwing rocks at a vehicle, without the need to prove intent to damage the vehicle or hurt its occupants.
The minimum sentences are meant “to create deterrence,” said Jewish Home MK Nissan Slomiansky, chair of the Knesset’s Constitution Law and Justice Committee.
29 oct 2015
The Israeli Prosecutor’s Office stated, Wednesday, that the young Palestinian woman who was shot and wounded in Affoula (near Nazareth), on October 10, did not intend to carry out a stabbing attack.
Israeli Channel 2 said that the investigation revealed that young woman, Israa’ ‘Aabed never intended to carry out an attack, and that the Israeli Security Services also agree with the same conclusion.
The young woman was surrounded by Israeli soldiers, who shot repeatedly shot her, although she was surrounded, and had both of her hands raised, in clear sight of the soldiers.
Channel Two said the young woman “was facing certain conditions that caused her to act in a suspicious manner,” and “that is why she carried a knife, but never intended to carry out an attack.”
It added that the Israeli officers who shot and wounded the young woman will not be facing any charges.
According to the Israeli report, the investigation revealed that ‘Aabed went to the Central Bus Station in Affoula, and although she carried a knife in her bag, she never attempted to use it, even when she stood next to a young Jewish man and had the opportunity to do so.”
It also said that the young man walked towards Israeli soldiers and shouted “terrorist” at them to try “to get them to shoot and kill her, but they shot her in her legs, inflicting moderate wounds.”
The Israeli Prosecutors decided to that the Aabed will not be facing charges for attempting an attack for “nationalistic motives,” but will later be facing a criminal indictment.
Arab Members of Knesset expressed their rejection to Israeli decision not to indict any of the soldiers who shot the young woman, although she never posed any threat to them or anybody else. The legislators condemned the police and the army for indiscriminately shooting Palestinians, killing and wounding them, just for suspecting they intend to carry out an attack.
The woman’s father, Sheikh Zeidan Aabed, said the Police informed him dis daughter will be indicted Thursday, and they will be releasing her soon after.
“My daughter never intended to attack anybody,” he said, “The latest developments disprove all previous Israeli allegations.”
Israeli Channel 2 said that the investigation revealed that young woman, Israa’ ‘Aabed never intended to carry out an attack, and that the Israeli Security Services also agree with the same conclusion.
The young woman was surrounded by Israeli soldiers, who shot repeatedly shot her, although she was surrounded, and had both of her hands raised, in clear sight of the soldiers.
Channel Two said the young woman “was facing certain conditions that caused her to act in a suspicious manner,” and “that is why she carried a knife, but never intended to carry out an attack.”
It added that the Israeli officers who shot and wounded the young woman will not be facing any charges.
According to the Israeli report, the investigation revealed that ‘Aabed went to the Central Bus Station in Affoula, and although she carried a knife in her bag, she never attempted to use it, even when she stood next to a young Jewish man and had the opportunity to do so.”
It also said that the young man walked towards Israeli soldiers and shouted “terrorist” at them to try “to get them to shoot and kill her, but they shot her in her legs, inflicting moderate wounds.”
The Israeli Prosecutors decided to that the Aabed will not be facing charges for attempting an attack for “nationalistic motives,” but will later be facing a criminal indictment.
Arab Members of Knesset expressed their rejection to Israeli decision not to indict any of the soldiers who shot the young woman, although she never posed any threat to them or anybody else. The legislators condemned the police and the army for indiscriminately shooting Palestinians, killing and wounding them, just for suspecting they intend to carry out an attack.
The woman’s father, Sheikh Zeidan Aabed, said the Police informed him dis daughter will be indicted Thursday, and they will be releasing her soon after.
“My daughter never intended to attack anybody,” he said, “The latest developments disprove all previous Israeli allegations.”
19 oct 2015
The Aqsa Foundation for Endowments and Heritage has warned of the repercussions of the recent Israeli court decision to authorize the Zionist settler society Elad to operate the Umayyad Palaces area at the southern wall of the Aqsa Mosque.
In a press release on Sunday, the foundation said that this Israeli decision would increase the risks threatening the Aqsa Mosque and the Islamic sites around it.
It noted that Elad society has been embarking for years on carrying out excavations and diggings beneath the Aqsa Mosque and the neighborhoods around it.
The areas adjacent to the southern and western walls of the Aqsa Mosque have been vulnerable, since the Old City was occupied in 1967, to dozens of Israeli violations and diggings.
Many Arab and Islamic antiquities and ancient structures have also been destroyed since then, including the Umayyad Palaces, which was turned into Jewish sites.
In a press release on Sunday, the foundation said that this Israeli decision would increase the risks threatening the Aqsa Mosque and the Islamic sites around it.
It noted that Elad society has been embarking for years on carrying out excavations and diggings beneath the Aqsa Mosque and the neighborhoods around it.
The areas adjacent to the southern and western walls of the Aqsa Mosque have been vulnerable, since the Old City was occupied in 1967, to dozens of Israeli violations and diggings.
Many Arab and Islamic antiquities and ancient structures have also been destroyed since then, including the Umayyad Palaces, which was turned into Jewish sites.
13 oct 2015
After talks for plea bargain fall through, attorney general files serious indictment against Metzger, including counts of fraud, theft, breach of trust, money laundering and tax offenses.
A serious indictment against former Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger, who is suspected of abusing his position and accepting NIS 7 million (about $1.8 million) in bribes, was filed Tuesday by Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein after talks between the State Prosecutor's Office and the rabbi's attorneys fell through.
The Jerusalem District Court charged Metzger with fraud, breach of trust, receiving a bribe, theft, conspiring to commit a crime, money laundering and tax offenses. The offenses were allegedly committed during his term as Israel's Ashkenazi chief rabbi.
According to the State Prosecutor's Office, during and as a result of the offenses Metzger accepted an estimated amount of NIS 10 million in bribes, of which he pocketed about NIS 7 million.
Talks for a plea bargain between Metzger and the State Prosecutor's Office ended without any agreements, following the testimony of his former driver, who turned state's evidence, who allegedly served as his messenger and received the funds on his behalf. Due to their close relationship the associate's part in the offenses, Rabbi Metzger allegedly divided the money between himself and his driver.
According to the draft indictment, Metzger allegedly received benefits from a rabbi residing abroad after referring wealthy foreign residents interested in conversion processes to the rabbi. For every such referral, Metzger received half of the sum the rabbi received from the foreign resident.
In some cases, Metzger allegedly received the funds while ensuring that his name would not be registered as a beneficiary, in a bid to hide the source of the funds, their location and the people who have a right to them. In one case, in 2011, Metzger referred a businessman who immigrated from Russia to the rabbi in order to convert the man's son and daughter. After the conversion, the rabbi received a total sum of $360,000, half of which he handed over to Metzger.
The indictment describes Metzger's method for receiving a cut from funds allotted for donation. Along with his driver, he worked to recruit donors to different associations whose workers agreed to give the rabbi a share from the donations they would receive following his mediation.
In one case, the two raised funds for a yeshiva operating in Metzger's synagogue. According to suspicions, the driver received a $28,000 donation, handed it over to Metzger, and it was divided between the two of them without being transferred to the yeshiva. Another donation of NIS 72,000 was given by an Israeli businessman to an association providing food to the needy. After receiving the funds, the association's director allegedly gave Metzger 30 percent of the donation, about NIS 22,500, without informing the donor. According to the indictment, this was repeated many times.
During Metzger's term as chief rabbi from 2003 to 2013, he allegedly received financial benefits from private people for activities related to his position. These benefits were received on many opportunities, both during private events and as a payment for the rabbi's participation in events held by the people who provided the benefits.
One incident took place when Metzger's son got married in July 2010. In a conversation between the driver and two of the wedding guests, the two agreed to give the rabbi a valuable benefit as a "wedding gift." Following the agreement, the rabbi received NIS 500,000 in 10 cash transactions.
Metzger is also suspected of receiving NIS 70,000 in exchange for crowning the associate of a rich Jew from Moscow as the Caucasian community's rabbi in Israel and of omitting profits from his annual income tax reports. In addition, he allegedly asked his driver to provide a false version of the events and promised to "continue to watch out for him" during the investigation.
A serious indictment against former Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger, who is suspected of abusing his position and accepting NIS 7 million (about $1.8 million) in bribes, was filed Tuesday by Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein after talks between the State Prosecutor's Office and the rabbi's attorneys fell through.
The Jerusalem District Court charged Metzger with fraud, breach of trust, receiving a bribe, theft, conspiring to commit a crime, money laundering and tax offenses. The offenses were allegedly committed during his term as Israel's Ashkenazi chief rabbi.
According to the State Prosecutor's Office, during and as a result of the offenses Metzger accepted an estimated amount of NIS 10 million in bribes, of which he pocketed about NIS 7 million.
Talks for a plea bargain between Metzger and the State Prosecutor's Office ended without any agreements, following the testimony of his former driver, who turned state's evidence, who allegedly served as his messenger and received the funds on his behalf. Due to their close relationship the associate's part in the offenses, Rabbi Metzger allegedly divided the money between himself and his driver.
According to the draft indictment, Metzger allegedly received benefits from a rabbi residing abroad after referring wealthy foreign residents interested in conversion processes to the rabbi. For every such referral, Metzger received half of the sum the rabbi received from the foreign resident.
In some cases, Metzger allegedly received the funds while ensuring that his name would not be registered as a beneficiary, in a bid to hide the source of the funds, their location and the people who have a right to them. In one case, in 2011, Metzger referred a businessman who immigrated from Russia to the rabbi in order to convert the man's son and daughter. After the conversion, the rabbi received a total sum of $360,000, half of which he handed over to Metzger.
The indictment describes Metzger's method for receiving a cut from funds allotted for donation. Along with his driver, he worked to recruit donors to different associations whose workers agreed to give the rabbi a share from the donations they would receive following his mediation.
In one case, the two raised funds for a yeshiva operating in Metzger's synagogue. According to suspicions, the driver received a $28,000 donation, handed it over to Metzger, and it was divided between the two of them without being transferred to the yeshiva. Another donation of NIS 72,000 was given by an Israeli businessman to an association providing food to the needy. After receiving the funds, the association's director allegedly gave Metzger 30 percent of the donation, about NIS 22,500, without informing the donor. According to the indictment, this was repeated many times.
During Metzger's term as chief rabbi from 2003 to 2013, he allegedly received financial benefits from private people for activities related to his position. These benefits were received on many opportunities, both during private events and as a payment for the rabbi's participation in events held by the people who provided the benefits.
One incident took place when Metzger's son got married in July 2010. In a conversation between the driver and two of the wedding guests, the two agreed to give the rabbi a valuable benefit as a "wedding gift." Following the agreement, the rabbi received NIS 500,000 in 10 cash transactions.
Metzger is also suspected of receiving NIS 70,000 in exchange for crowning the associate of a rich Jew from Moscow as the Caucasian community's rabbi in Israel and of omitting profits from his annual income tax reports. In addition, he allegedly asked his driver to provide a false version of the events and promised to "continue to watch out for him" during the investigation.
12 oct 2015
The Israeli occupation government on Sunday approved a bill toughening penalties for Palestinian protesters who react to the occupation soldiers by throwing stones.
The Israeli government unanimously endorsed a four-year sentence against Palestinians charged with throwing stones or Molotov cocktails.
Among the steps that the occupation government further approved was taking away the drivers' licenses and forbidding licenses to those that throw stones.
In addition, the Israeli occupation approved a law that includes a minimum punishment of four years imprisonment for throwing stones as well as taking away the allowance rights of parents of children that throw stones.
The Israeli occupation authorities are also to impose a fine on minors and the parents of children that throw stones, including payments to the person that was injured.
Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, claimed on the sidelines of the government meeting that the aim of such tough penalties is to try out their efficiency on the ground.
The Israeli government unanimously endorsed a four-year sentence against Palestinians charged with throwing stones or Molotov cocktails.
Among the steps that the occupation government further approved was taking away the drivers' licenses and forbidding licenses to those that throw stones.
In addition, the Israeli occupation approved a law that includes a minimum punishment of four years imprisonment for throwing stones as well as taking away the allowance rights of parents of children that throw stones.
The Israeli occupation authorities are also to impose a fine on minors and the parents of children that throw stones, including payments to the person that was injured.
Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, claimed on the sidelines of the government meeting that the aim of such tough penalties is to try out their efficiency on the ground.
5 oct 2015
Mahmoud and his wife Sireen, married just three months at the time of Mahmoud’s arrest in Jordan by Israeli authorities.
Sireen Frarjarh and her husband Mahmoud Abujoad Frarjah met eyes numerous times during this past Tuesday’s trial in an Ofer military court hearing. The trial was to determine if the young, newly married Palestinian man from the Deishah refugee camp in Bethlehem, would be held in detention until the conclusion of his court proceedings. The judgement, to continue Mahmoud’s detention was passed down by the blind eyes of the Israeli ‘justice’ system for an alleged crime over a year old.
On September 9th, Mahmoud was arrested whilst traveling to Jordan on a family holiday. He was blindfolded and detained for 8 hours, during which he was denied water, food and toilet facilities. He was charged with throwing stones at a demonstration a year ago near Rachel’s tomb in Bethlehem. Mahmoud had his initial hearing on Wednesday 16th September, which was then postponed until Sunday, September 20th. And although the judge ruled that Mahmoud should be released on September 29th, he subsequently refused his release.
The backdrop of this case is key. Minimization: Israel committed a human rights atrocity, an international law destroying massacre which claimed the lives of nearly 2,200 Palestinians, nearly a quarter of them innocent children during a military operation handily termed Protective Edge. (To date, no Israeli military or governmental personnel have sat in a courtroom, legs in chains, as were Mahmoud’s, and faced a judge for these heinous, reprehensible acts.) Maximization: Thanks to new legislation which perpetuates the critically and intentionally lopsided imbalance in Israeli courts for those on the wrong end of the class divide, Palestinian (alleged) stone throwers are more likely to face detention without bail until the end of their court proceedings. These regulations are applicable to Palestinian children as young as 12 years old.
Collective punishment was the overall tone of Military Judge Lt. Colonol Shmuel Keidar in his decision in this past Tuesday’s trial to accept the appeal of the military prosecution against the decision to release Mahmoud on bail, “With the security reality that to my sorrow exists in the area, I believe that the court can deviate from the micro-considerations regarding the defendant himself and yes to considerations of general deterrent, the touch considering the wide population in the area. Because of these things I believe it is not wrong to use the the reason of general deterrent straightaway or for detention and should express it as much as the situation needs. For all of these reasons I accept to keep him until the end of proceedings.”
The micro-considerations Keider is so cavalierly referring to here is that the alleged witness to the stone throwing was one man who was arrested and during interrogation gave twenty Palestinian’s names to investigators, Mahmoud’s being one of them. With such baseless evidence, the Keider is willing to continue Mahmoud’s imprisonment until the trial’s conclusion; likely a considerable amount of time.
The micro-considerations being that Mahmoud is of no security risk and is being held and tried on a basis so flimsy it wouldn’t get so much as a peek inside a courtroom in most places the globe over. In the end, Mahmoud is yet another young Palestinian who will fall under the weight of the broken wheel of the Israeli ‘justice’ system.
The fact alone that Israeli lawmakers can seriously argue for harsh sentence structures for Palestinian stone throwers, this is an act of resistance to an internationally noted criminal six decade military occupation, whilst silently they make space between each passing day and the dark hallway of massacre and subjugation left in their wake, is an utter absurdity.
In the end Mahmoud will possibly face the same road most Palestinians in Israeli courts face. In order to avoid languishing in Israeli prison for up to two years while court proceedings drag on to the punchline crescendo of a trial which ends, almost across the board, badly for every Palestinian enduring it- Mahmoud can plead guilty and take a deal giving him several months imprisonment. And it makes it that much easier the next time Mahmoud, or any Palestinian for that matter, is arrested to show a history of supposed criminal behavior with previous guilty pleas and sentences served.
The case of Mahmoud Abujoad Frarjah is another sounding of the death knell for any kind of justice being seen for the Palestinian people.
Sireen Frarjarh and her husband Mahmoud Abujoad Frarjah met eyes numerous times during this past Tuesday’s trial in an Ofer military court hearing. The trial was to determine if the young, newly married Palestinian man from the Deishah refugee camp in Bethlehem, would be held in detention until the conclusion of his court proceedings. The judgement, to continue Mahmoud’s detention was passed down by the blind eyes of the Israeli ‘justice’ system for an alleged crime over a year old.
On September 9th, Mahmoud was arrested whilst traveling to Jordan on a family holiday. He was blindfolded and detained for 8 hours, during which he was denied water, food and toilet facilities. He was charged with throwing stones at a demonstration a year ago near Rachel’s tomb in Bethlehem. Mahmoud had his initial hearing on Wednesday 16th September, which was then postponed until Sunday, September 20th. And although the judge ruled that Mahmoud should be released on September 29th, he subsequently refused his release.
The backdrop of this case is key. Minimization: Israel committed a human rights atrocity, an international law destroying massacre which claimed the lives of nearly 2,200 Palestinians, nearly a quarter of them innocent children during a military operation handily termed Protective Edge. (To date, no Israeli military or governmental personnel have sat in a courtroom, legs in chains, as were Mahmoud’s, and faced a judge for these heinous, reprehensible acts.) Maximization: Thanks to new legislation which perpetuates the critically and intentionally lopsided imbalance in Israeli courts for those on the wrong end of the class divide, Palestinian (alleged) stone throwers are more likely to face detention without bail until the end of their court proceedings. These regulations are applicable to Palestinian children as young as 12 years old.
Collective punishment was the overall tone of Military Judge Lt. Colonol Shmuel Keidar in his decision in this past Tuesday’s trial to accept the appeal of the military prosecution against the decision to release Mahmoud on bail, “With the security reality that to my sorrow exists in the area, I believe that the court can deviate from the micro-considerations regarding the defendant himself and yes to considerations of general deterrent, the touch considering the wide population in the area. Because of these things I believe it is not wrong to use the the reason of general deterrent straightaway or for detention and should express it as much as the situation needs. For all of these reasons I accept to keep him until the end of proceedings.”
The micro-considerations Keider is so cavalierly referring to here is that the alleged witness to the stone throwing was one man who was arrested and during interrogation gave twenty Palestinian’s names to investigators, Mahmoud’s being one of them. With such baseless evidence, the Keider is willing to continue Mahmoud’s imprisonment until the trial’s conclusion; likely a considerable amount of time.
The micro-considerations being that Mahmoud is of no security risk and is being held and tried on a basis so flimsy it wouldn’t get so much as a peek inside a courtroom in most places the globe over. In the end, Mahmoud is yet another young Palestinian who will fall under the weight of the broken wheel of the Israeli ‘justice’ system.
The fact alone that Israeli lawmakers can seriously argue for harsh sentence structures for Palestinian stone throwers, this is an act of resistance to an internationally noted criminal six decade military occupation, whilst silently they make space between each passing day and the dark hallway of massacre and subjugation left in their wake, is an utter absurdity.
In the end Mahmoud will possibly face the same road most Palestinians in Israeli courts face. In order to avoid languishing in Israeli prison for up to two years while court proceedings drag on to the punchline crescendo of a trial which ends, almost across the board, badly for every Palestinian enduring it- Mahmoud can plead guilty and take a deal giving him several months imprisonment. And it makes it that much easier the next time Mahmoud, or any Palestinian for that matter, is arrested to show a history of supposed criminal behavior with previous guilty pleas and sentences served.
The case of Mahmoud Abujoad Frarjah is another sounding of the death knell for any kind of justice being seen for the Palestinian people.
