12 sept 2012
House of horrors: 21 years of rape, abuse
Indictment filed Wednesday at Tel Aviv District Court exposes father, mother who abused, sexually assaulted their daughters over 21 year period
According to an indictment filed Wednesday, three sisters were repeatedly raped by their father for the past 21 years. Though the mother knew what the father was doing to three of her four daughters, the indictment stated that not only did she keep silent, but also abused her daughters herself.
The father sexually abused his daughters ever since they were little girls and through to adolescence. When one of the daughters described to her mother what the father was doing to her, confessing it was painful and unpleasant, the mother dismissed her saying: "It's ok, he does that to me too."
The indictment further stated that the mother made a habit of locking her daughters in the bathroom, sticking their heads in the toilet and flushing, and threatened to use an iron on their faces.
Apparently the father also peeped on his daughters in the shower on a regular basis. The State Prosecutor's Office obtained evidence from therapists who have recounted the daughters' testimonies. The prosecution asked that the court extend the remand of the father until legal proceedings against him are completed, and that a restraining order be issued against the mother, keeping her away from her city of residence.
Relating to the father, the indictment noted that "the defendant's actions during the years in question were made by use of force, or threats of force, and in a manner that did not allow the complainants to express any resistance. The defendant executed his assaults while abusing the naivety of the minors, his parental authority, their fear of him, and their trust in him."
As for the mother, the indictment stated that "starting 1989, the mother knew that the father was sexually assaulting the complainants, and assisted him with carrying out his assaults by abandoning her duty to help the complainants, whether by taking them away from the defendant, or by informing the police or the authorities of his abuse so that they can help the complainants; all the while knowing that her actions, or lack there of, are most probably helpful to the father."
Related stories:
According to an indictment filed Wednesday, three sisters were repeatedly raped by their father for the past 21 years. Though the mother knew what the father was doing to three of her four daughters, the indictment stated that not only did she keep silent, but also abused her daughters herself.
The father sexually abused his daughters ever since they were little girls and through to adolescence. When one of the daughters described to her mother what the father was doing to her, confessing it was painful and unpleasant, the mother dismissed her saying: "It's ok, he does that to me too."
The indictment further stated that the mother made a habit of locking her daughters in the bathroom, sticking their heads in the toilet and flushing, and threatened to use an iron on their faces.
Apparently the father also peeped on his daughters in the shower on a regular basis. The State Prosecutor's Office obtained evidence from therapists who have recounted the daughters' testimonies. The prosecution asked that the court extend the remand of the father until legal proceedings against him are completed, and that a restraining order be issued against the mother, keeping her away from her city of residence.
Relating to the father, the indictment noted that "the defendant's actions during the years in question were made by use of force, or threats of force, and in a manner that did not allow the complainants to express any resistance. The defendant executed his assaults while abusing the naivety of the minors, his parental authority, their fear of him, and their trust in him."
As for the mother, the indictment stated that "starting 1989, the mother knew that the father was sexually assaulting the complainants, and assisted him with carrying out his assaults by abandoning her duty to help the complainants, whether by taking them away from the defendant, or by informing the police or the authorities of his abuse so that they can help the complainants; all the while knowing that her actions, or lack there of, are most probably helpful to the father."
Related stories:
9 sept 2012
6 arrested over attack on Palestinian in Jerusalem
Five Israeli teenagers were arrested on Saturday on suspicion of attacking a Palestinian man in Jerusalem, Israeli media reported.
Ibrahim Abu-Taah, 28, from Wadi Joz, was driving home a co-worker to Katamon in south Jerusalem when a group of young Israelis attacked him, breaking his leg in two places with a metal rod.
Israeli police arrested five teenagers on Saturday and expect more arrests, Haaretz said. Another person was arrested on Sunday, news site Ynet said.
Three of the suspects admitted taking part in the beating, and said they did it because they thought "the Arab was exploiting a Jewish girl," according to the Haaretz report.
Ibrahim Abu-Taah, 28, from Wadi Joz, was driving home a co-worker to Katamon in south Jerusalem when a group of young Israelis attacked him, breaking his leg in two places with a metal rod.
Israeli police arrested five teenagers on Saturday and expect more arrests, Haaretz said. Another person was arrested on Sunday, news site Ynet said.
Three of the suspects admitted taking part in the beating, and said they did it because they thought "the Arab was exploiting a Jewish girl," according to the Haaretz report.
7 sept 2012
Extremist Settlers Attack A Palestinian In Jerusalem
A group of Israeli extremists violently attacked, on Thursday at night, a Palestinian young man in Al-Qatamon neighborhood, in occupied Jerusalem; the young man suffered two fractures in his leg. This is the second attack of its kind that takes places in Jerusalem in less than three weeks.
Medical sources identified the victim as Ibrahim Abu Ta’a, 28, from Wad Al-Jouz in Jerusalem; he works at the Mamilla Hotel in the area, Israeli daily, Haaretz, reported.
The Arabs48 news website reported that Abu Ta’a, along with several coworkers to a night club, and before they left the club, he and one of his friends walked a club worker to her apartment.
Once in front of the apartment of the woman, several Israeli extremists, who realized he was an Arab, attacked him and the Taxi driver, who drove, them tried to intervene but was unable to stop the attack.
One of the extremists struck Ta’a with an iron bar on his leg causing two fractures, while the rest started hitting and kicking him.
The attackers then fled the scene as the police was arriving and the victim was moved to an Israeli hospital.
Haaretz said that the Palestinian has been working at the hotel for several years, and that he was hospitalized for further treatment.
Last week, the Israeli Prosecution at the Central Court in Jerusalem filed indictments against eight extremist Israeli settlers who violently attacked a Palestinian in Jerusalem, on August 16, leading to serious injuries.
Another indictment was filed in the District Court in Jerusalem. The Palestinian young man, Jamal Joulani, 17, was attacked a large group of young Israeli extremists and suffered very serious injuries. The attackers left the scene after he fell unconscious.
Palestinian hospitalized after Jerusalem attack
A young Palestinian man from East Jerusalem was hospitalized early on Thursday after he was attacked by a group of young Israelis, a police spokeswoman said.
Israeli police are searching for the assailants, Luba Samari said.
Ibrahim Abu-Taah, 28, from Wadi Joz, was driving home a co-worker to Katamon in south Jerusalem when a group of young Israelis attacked him, hitting him in the leg with a metal rod, Israeli daily Haaretz reported.
His leg was broken in two places and he was taken to Jerusalem's Shaarei Tzedek hospital, the report said.
Medical sources identified the victim as Ibrahim Abu Ta’a, 28, from Wad Al-Jouz in Jerusalem; he works at the Mamilla Hotel in the area, Israeli daily, Haaretz, reported.
The Arabs48 news website reported that Abu Ta’a, along with several coworkers to a night club, and before they left the club, he and one of his friends walked a club worker to her apartment.
Once in front of the apartment of the woman, several Israeli extremists, who realized he was an Arab, attacked him and the Taxi driver, who drove, them tried to intervene but was unable to stop the attack.
One of the extremists struck Ta’a with an iron bar on his leg causing two fractures, while the rest started hitting and kicking him.
The attackers then fled the scene as the police was arriving and the victim was moved to an Israeli hospital.
Haaretz said that the Palestinian has been working at the hotel for several years, and that he was hospitalized for further treatment.
Last week, the Israeli Prosecution at the Central Court in Jerusalem filed indictments against eight extremist Israeli settlers who violently attacked a Palestinian in Jerusalem, on August 16, leading to serious injuries.
Another indictment was filed in the District Court in Jerusalem. The Palestinian young man, Jamal Joulani, 17, was attacked a large group of young Israeli extremists and suffered very serious injuries. The attackers left the scene after he fell unconscious.
Palestinian hospitalized after Jerusalem attack
A young Palestinian man from East Jerusalem was hospitalized early on Thursday after he was attacked by a group of young Israelis, a police spokeswoman said.
Israeli police are searching for the assailants, Luba Samari said.
Ibrahim Abu-Taah, 28, from Wadi Joz, was driving home a co-worker to Katamon in south Jerusalem when a group of young Israelis attacked him, hitting him in the leg with a metal rod, Israeli daily Haaretz reported.
His leg was broken in two places and he was taken to Jerusalem's Shaarei Tzedek hospital, the report said.
30 aug 2012
Settler firebomb attack 'turned our lives upside down'
A Palestinian woman whose husband and two young children were severely injured in an Israeli settler attack says the roadside firebombing had "turned our lives upside down."
On Aug. 16, Israeli settlers firebombed a Palestinian taxi south of Bethlehem, injuring Jamila Hassan, her husband Ayman and their children Iman, 4, and Muhammad, 6, as well as the driver.
"We are lost, our life has turned upside down, the father, son and daughter are each in different worlds, our life is difficult and we’re miserable," Jamila told Ma'an at Haddassah Hospital, where Mohammad and Ayman are being treated.
Muhammad has severe burns on his back, hands, legs and face.
"Yesterday he had an operation and he came out screaming calling me to come in and scratch his back due the severe pain he felt, he screams from the pain a lot," his mother said.
Mohammad was due to start school in the first grade in September, but won't be attending as he'll need to stay in hospital for at least one month, Jamila said. "He will not buy a back pack, notebooks and will not go to school, they killed his dream."
Jamila was not allowed to see her husband in intensive care for several days after the attack. He suffered third degree burns on his face and 30 percent of his body.
She was able to see him when his condition stabilized.
"He spoke really softly, I could barely hear. I got close to him and he asked me about our two children and I reassured him they were fine. He asked me not to allow them in to see him in his condition. He said: 'I am afraid.'"
Four-year-old Iman is staying with her aunt, Fida, who said the girl is constantly in tears.
"Iman is living in constant fear especially at night and can't handle hearing sounds of cars. She refuses to leave the house. She spends most of her time talking about the fire and how the car was burned and asks where her father, mother and brother are … her situation is really difficult," her aunt told Ma'an.
Iman said: "I am afraid and I don’t want to ride the car … I am afraid a fire will start and burn everything."
She remembers seeing a person in "a hat and two braids of hair" throw the firebomb and flee.
Jamila told Ma'an the family was going shopping for the Muslim holiday Eid al-Fitr when the attack happened.
"When we were driving we got near a settlement entrance. We saw a settler looking at us and all of a sudden he threw something at our car which turned into a huge fire and smoke surrounding us for a few minutes until we were able to leave the car," she said.
"We were sitting in the back seat which protected us somehow, because the Molotov hit the front seat where my husband and the driver were sitting. My daughter Iman had the least injuries because she fell between the seats and was protected."
Israeli police have arrested three children from Bat Ayin settlement suspected of carrying out the attack.
On Aug. 16, Israeli settlers firebombed a Palestinian taxi south of Bethlehem, injuring Jamila Hassan, her husband Ayman and their children Iman, 4, and Muhammad, 6, as well as the driver.
"We are lost, our life has turned upside down, the father, son and daughter are each in different worlds, our life is difficult and we’re miserable," Jamila told Ma'an at Haddassah Hospital, where Mohammad and Ayman are being treated.
Muhammad has severe burns on his back, hands, legs and face.
"Yesterday he had an operation and he came out screaming calling me to come in and scratch his back due the severe pain he felt, he screams from the pain a lot," his mother said.
Mohammad was due to start school in the first grade in September, but won't be attending as he'll need to stay in hospital for at least one month, Jamila said. "He will not buy a back pack, notebooks and will not go to school, they killed his dream."
Jamila was not allowed to see her husband in intensive care for several days after the attack. He suffered third degree burns on his face and 30 percent of his body.
She was able to see him when his condition stabilized.
"He spoke really softly, I could barely hear. I got close to him and he asked me about our two children and I reassured him they were fine. He asked me not to allow them in to see him in his condition. He said: 'I am afraid.'"
Four-year-old Iman is staying with her aunt, Fida, who said the girl is constantly in tears.
"Iman is living in constant fear especially at night and can't handle hearing sounds of cars. She refuses to leave the house. She spends most of her time talking about the fire and how the car was burned and asks where her father, mother and brother are … her situation is really difficult," her aunt told Ma'an.
Iman said: "I am afraid and I don’t want to ride the car … I am afraid a fire will start and burn everything."
She remembers seeing a person in "a hat and two braids of hair" throw the firebomb and flee.
Jamila told Ma'an the family was going shopping for the Muslim holiday Eid al-Fitr when the attack happened.
"When we were driving we got near a settlement entrance. We saw a settler looking at us and all of a sudden he threw something at our car which turned into a huge fire and smoke surrounding us for a few minutes until we were able to leave the car," she said.
"We were sitting in the back seat which protected us somehow, because the Molotov hit the front seat where my husband and the driver were sitting. My daughter Iman had the least injuries because she fell between the seats and was protected."
Israeli police have arrested three children from Bat Ayin settlement suspected of carrying out the attack.
21 aug 2012
|
|
A 15-year-old Jewish boy arrested on suspicion of being involved in what police have described as the "lynching" of 17-year-old Jamal Julani admitted to hitting the Palestinian teenager in court on Monday, and said, "For all I care, let him die. He's an Arab."
"He cursed my mother. He can die. A Jew can't go through Damascus Gate without getting stabbed. Everyone hit him, there were some 40 people there and all of them hit him," Israeli newspaper Haaretz reports that the boy said. The 15-year-old is suspected by police to have been the first to strike Julani during the attack last Thursday night, kicking him in the chest and causing him to fall to the ground. When paramedics arrived on the scene shortly after the attackers ran away, Julani had no pulse and CPR and defibrillators had to be used for ten minutes before his heart restarted. |
Advanced Staff Sergeant Shmuel Shenhav said on Sunday, "This was an extremely severe crime. Only a miracle saved him from death."
Two more teenagers were arrested over the incident on Monday, bringing the total number of arrests to seven, with more still expected to follow. The Jewish teenagers are all aged between 13 and 19, and include two girls aged 15 and 17
Jerusalem police official, Ronen Avnieli told Israeli media that police believe that prior to the attack one of the Jewish girls claimed to the rest of the group of teenagers that she had been raped by an Arab several weeks earlier. The boys in the group then decided to look for Arabs to beat up to avenge the girl, who has also been arrested.
Julani and his three cousins happened to be walking through Zion Square at that time.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the group shout insults at the four Palestinians before attacking them. Two of Julani's cousins told Haaretz that they had done nothing to provoke the attack. Police also told Israeli media that hundreds of people had stood by while the attack took place and did nothing to stop it.
Julani is still recovering from the attack in Hadassah University Medical Center, Ein Karem. On Sunday a hospital spokeswoman said that the 17-year-old no longer needed to use a respirator and has been moved out of intensive care.
Two more teenagers were arrested over the incident on Monday, bringing the total number of arrests to seven, with more still expected to follow. The Jewish teenagers are all aged between 13 and 19, and include two girls aged 15 and 17
Jerusalem police official, Ronen Avnieli told Israeli media that police believe that prior to the attack one of the Jewish girls claimed to the rest of the group of teenagers that she had been raped by an Arab several weeks earlier. The boys in the group then decided to look for Arabs to beat up to avenge the girl, who has also been arrested.
Julani and his three cousins happened to be walking through Zion Square at that time.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the group shout insults at the four Palestinians before attacking them. Two of Julani's cousins told Haaretz that they had done nothing to provoke the attack. Police also told Israeli media that hundreds of people had stood by while the attack took place and did nothing to stop it.
Julani is still recovering from the attack in Hadassah University Medical Center, Ein Karem. On Sunday a hospital spokeswoman said that the 17-year-old no longer needed to use a respirator and has been moved out of intensive care.
Palestinian Wounded By Settlers Molotov Bomb Is in Serious Condition
The Palestine News Network (PNN) reported that resident Ayman Hasan Ghayatha, 36, who was wounded along with his family by a firebomb hurled by extremist Israeli settlers at a Palestinian taxi near Bethlehem on Thursday, is now in a serious condition at the Hadassah Israeli hospital in Jerusalem.
Resident Ribhi Ghayatha told the PNN that Ayman was directly hit by the firebomb in his abdomen leading to serious injuries; Mohammad is currently at the Intensive Care Unit in Hadassah Israeli Hospital in Jerusalem.
Ribhi added Ayman suffered several serious injuries, in addition to an injury that led to a hole close to his heart.
Head of the Emergency Department of the Red Crescent in Bethlehem, Abdul-Halim Ja’afra, reported that wounded residents were identified as Bassam (cab driver) Mahmoud Ghayatha, 55, Ayman Hassan Ghayatha, 35, his wife Jamila Abdul-Hai, 28, their children; Mohammad, 5, and Eman, 4, and Hasan Mohammad Hasan Ghayatha, 26.
Resident Ribhi Ghayatha told the PNN that Ayman was directly hit by the firebomb in his abdomen leading to serious injuries; Mohammad is currently at the Intensive Care Unit in Hadassah Israeli Hospital in Jerusalem.
Ribhi added Ayman suffered several serious injuries, in addition to an injury that led to a hole close to his heart.
Head of the Emergency Department of the Red Crescent in Bethlehem, Abdul-Halim Ja’afra, reported that wounded residents were identified as Bassam (cab driver) Mahmoud Ghayatha, 55, Ayman Hassan Ghayatha, 35, his wife Jamila Abdul-Hai, 28, their children; Mohammad, 5, and Eman, 4, and Hasan Mohammad Hasan Ghayatha, 26.
Mohammed Ghayatha 5
|
As for the family members, Ribhi said that their health conditions are gradually deteriorating due to severe injuries and fourth degree burns, the worst degree of burns as the flesh is burnt to the bone.
The settlers who hurled the firebomb apparently mixed it with chemicals to inflict maximum harm, medical sources reported. Jamila Ghayatha, the wife of Ayman, is currently facing several health complications. The Taxi driver, Bassam Mahmoud Ghayatha, is also in a serious condition. |
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, sent letters to Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, and Prime Minister, Salaam Fayyad, informing them that his government will apprehend the assailants.
On Monday, Israel arrested five Israeli teenage settlers who participated in a lynch mob attack against a 17-year-old Palestinian youth, in Jerusalem on Friday, causing serious injuries that landed him at the Intensive Care Unit.
The Israeli Police said that intends to conduct more arrests as the investigation continues.
Chanting 'Death to Arabs', the settlers attacked three young Palestinians, nearly killing one and severely wounding the other two.
PNN reported that resident Jamal Julani was left fighting for his life after being attacked in “Zion Square” in Jerusalem. He was surrounded by approximately a dozen young settlers who kept beating and kicking him even after he fell unconscious.
(On 26 August 2012, three Israeli settler children, aged between 12 and 13 years, were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the attack. One boy was conditionally released by a civilian judge on 29 August, and the other two were conditionally released the following day.
This case highlights the discriminatory nature of the legal systems applied by the Israeli authorities in the West Bank. Whilst settler children are processed through Israel’s juvenile justice system and generally released on bail, Palestinian children accused of similar offences are prosecuted in military courts which deny children bail in at least 87 percent of cases, and have a conviction rate of 99.74 percent.)
On Monday, Israel arrested five Israeli teenage settlers who participated in a lynch mob attack against a 17-year-old Palestinian youth, in Jerusalem on Friday, causing serious injuries that landed him at the Intensive Care Unit.
The Israeli Police said that intends to conduct more arrests as the investigation continues.
Chanting 'Death to Arabs', the settlers attacked three young Palestinians, nearly killing one and severely wounding the other two.
PNN reported that resident Jamal Julani was left fighting for his life after being attacked in “Zion Square” in Jerusalem. He was surrounded by approximately a dozen young settlers who kept beating and kicking him even after he fell unconscious.
(On 26 August 2012, three Israeli settler children, aged between 12 and 13 years, were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the attack. One boy was conditionally released by a civilian judge on 29 August, and the other two were conditionally released the following day.
This case highlights the discriminatory nature of the legal systems applied by the Israeli authorities in the West Bank. Whilst settler children are processed through Israel’s juvenile justice system and generally released on bail, Palestinian children accused of similar offences are prosecuted in military courts which deny children bail in at least 87 percent of cases, and have a conviction rate of 99.74 percent.)
20 aug 2012
Lynch suspect: Victim cursed my mother, let him die
One of the suspects in court
Appearing before court, 15-year-old suspected of assaulting Arab youth in Jerusalem lashes out at victim, says 'If I catch him, I'll beat him.
He should die'.
One of the suspects in the Jerusalem lynch case appeared at the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court for a remand hearing on Monday.
Upon his arrival, he effectively confessed to the charges and lashed out at the victim, who is still in hospital. "He can die for all I care, he cursed my mother," he said. "There were 40-50 kids who all beat him."
"I was at the square, I was involved," the 15-year-old admitted. "If I catch him I'll punch him. He should die. He's Arab, if you go the Damascus Gate you get stabbed."
Meanwhile, police continue to investigate the brutal assault. On Sunday, four more suspects were arrested in connection with the case: A 15-year-old girl and three teenage boys aged 13, 15, and 17.
The 13-year-old suspect was remanded in custody for one day on Monday. His family claims that he was buying a water bottle for the victim at the time of the assault. Police said additional suspects are slated to be arrested.
A Jerusalem police official described the course of events. "A girl incited and pushed the others to hurt the Arab youths.
More suspects to be arrested
There was an assault and racist slurs. They (the suspects) claim the main reason for the assault was another criminal event involving the girl and the others which took place prior to Thursday." He noted that more than 10 suspects are involved in the incident.
On Sunday, a police official said in court, "It was a lynch, plain and simple. The victim lost consciousness and was considered dead until medics arrived and performed CPR."
Kfir Brigade hazing suspects reach plea bargain
Nine out of 10 defendants confess to aggravated assault, insist on being demoted to privates, not corporals.
The Jaffa Military Court on Monday approved plea bargains reached between the prosecution and nine of the 10 defendants in the Kfir Brigade hazing case.
Under an amended indictment, the defendants confessed to aggravated assault and will serve 58 days in prison, of which seven will be deducted as part of a "holiday clemency."
The court also discussed the issue of their demotion. The prosecution motioned to demote the combatants to corporals, but the defendants insisted they be demoted to privates. The reason: Combat pride which prevents them from wearing corporal ranks. Their request was accepted.
As part of the plea bargain, the defendants negotiated to have their criminal records expunged after five years. Negotiations with the 10th defendant are ongoing. "We have no intention of imposing a long criminal record," said the military prosecutor who cited the defendants' years of service.
During the hearing, one of the defendants expressed his remorse. "We are aware of the severity of our actions and regret them. The 'seniority trial' was done in good spirits among comrades."
He noted that the victim had played along with the hazing. "Throughout our military service, we received numerous punches from our commanders and other soldiers and were always 'good sports' about it.
"The sadness and pain that we feel is not because of the punishments we will receive but because of the knowledge that we injured a fellow comrade. We ask for his forgiveness even before Yom Kippur."
Attorney Shai Roda, who represents one of the defendants, explained that his client does not feel he should wear a corporal's rank "because combatants don’t wear such ranks. It's humiliating to them."
Israel Police: Hundreds watched attempt to lynch Palestinians in Jerusalem, did not interfere
Four minors, including one girl, arrested in connection with attack at Zion Square in which one victim was seriously injured and three others were slightly hurt.
After initially treating the event as a brawl, police on Sunday for the first time referred to the attack on Palestinian youths by dozens of Jewish teens in Jerusalem early last Friday as a "lynching."
A police representative told the Magistrate's Court that hundreds of people watched the event without helping the victims.
Witnesses say the attack lasted a short while before police arrived and the attackers fled.
Four minors between the ages of 13-15, including one girl, were arrested on Sunday in connection with the attack at Zion Square, in which one victim was seriously injured and three others were slightly hurt.
Earlier, the court extended by four days the detention of the 19-year-old man arrested Friday. Police believe there will be further arrests.
Sergeant First Class Shmuel Shenhav defined the attack as a lynch, and said: "The victim lost his consciousness and was thought to be dead until a Magen David Adom [emergency paramedic] crew arrived and resuscitated him. He was anesthetized and on a respirator in the hospital for days. This was an extremely severe crime. Only a miracle saved him from death."
A 13-year-old suspect brought into court yesterday did not deny he was present at the scene, but said he wasn't involved in the beating. His mother, L., told Haaretz: "They came at noon while he was sleeping. The investigators woke him up and took him to the police car. How can they do such a thing to a young kid?"
The suspect's brother, who was also present at the scene, said outside the court that it was the four Arab youths who had provoked passersby and "made passes at Jewish girls." He added: "Why should an Arab make passes at my sister? They shouldn't be here, it's our area. For what other reason would they come here if not to make passes at Jewish girls?"
The 19-year-old suspect's attorney, Ariel Attari, said that his client wasn't present at the scene and said he had an alibi for the entire time.
Meanwhile, victim Jamal Julani remains in serious condition, according to the authorities. Julani, 17, from Jerusalem's Ras al-Amud neighborhood, was admitted to the intensive care unit at Hadassah University Hospital, Ein Karem in critical condition. His mother told Haaretz that he had regained consciousness but is very confused, did not remember the assault and did not understand why he was in the hospital.
"There were four of us," one of the victim's cousins, Mohammed Mujahad, said Saturday, recalling what happened when he and his three cousins reached Zion Square after midnight Thursday. "Suddenly maybe 50 Jews came toward us shouting, 'Arabs Arabs.' I don't understand what they said. They weren't calling us. They were just generally shouting."
According to an eyewitness, the group of teenagers appeared to be hunting for Arab victims, calling out "Death to Arabs" and other anti-Arab slurs.
"We walked slowly, so there wouldn't be trouble," related Nuaman Julani, another of Jamal's cousins. "Suddenly one said to Jamal, 'What are you doing, you son of a bitch?' Jamal tried to flee, but [the attacker] whacked him in the chest and [Jamal] fell."
The incident was brief, according to Mujahad and Nuaman Julani. One of the cousins says he saw a few attackers hitting and kicking Jamal as he lay on the ground. Both noted that police quickly arrived, after which all the perpetrators dispersed.
Appearing before court, 15-year-old suspected of assaulting Arab youth in Jerusalem lashes out at victim, says 'If I catch him, I'll beat him.
He should die'.
One of the suspects in the Jerusalem lynch case appeared at the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court for a remand hearing on Monday.
Upon his arrival, he effectively confessed to the charges and lashed out at the victim, who is still in hospital. "He can die for all I care, he cursed my mother," he said. "There were 40-50 kids who all beat him."
"I was at the square, I was involved," the 15-year-old admitted. "If I catch him I'll punch him. He should die. He's Arab, if you go the Damascus Gate you get stabbed."
Meanwhile, police continue to investigate the brutal assault. On Sunday, four more suspects were arrested in connection with the case: A 15-year-old girl and three teenage boys aged 13, 15, and 17.
The 13-year-old suspect was remanded in custody for one day on Monday. His family claims that he was buying a water bottle for the victim at the time of the assault. Police said additional suspects are slated to be arrested.
A Jerusalem police official described the course of events. "A girl incited and pushed the others to hurt the Arab youths.
More suspects to be arrested
There was an assault and racist slurs. They (the suspects) claim the main reason for the assault was another criminal event involving the girl and the others which took place prior to Thursday." He noted that more than 10 suspects are involved in the incident.
On Sunday, a police official said in court, "It was a lynch, plain and simple. The victim lost consciousness and was considered dead until medics arrived and performed CPR."
Kfir Brigade hazing suspects reach plea bargain
Nine out of 10 defendants confess to aggravated assault, insist on being demoted to privates, not corporals.
The Jaffa Military Court on Monday approved plea bargains reached between the prosecution and nine of the 10 defendants in the Kfir Brigade hazing case.
Under an amended indictment, the defendants confessed to aggravated assault and will serve 58 days in prison, of which seven will be deducted as part of a "holiday clemency."
The court also discussed the issue of their demotion. The prosecution motioned to demote the combatants to corporals, but the defendants insisted they be demoted to privates. The reason: Combat pride which prevents them from wearing corporal ranks. Their request was accepted.
As part of the plea bargain, the defendants negotiated to have their criminal records expunged after five years. Negotiations with the 10th defendant are ongoing. "We have no intention of imposing a long criminal record," said the military prosecutor who cited the defendants' years of service.
During the hearing, one of the defendants expressed his remorse. "We are aware of the severity of our actions and regret them. The 'seniority trial' was done in good spirits among comrades."
He noted that the victim had played along with the hazing. "Throughout our military service, we received numerous punches from our commanders and other soldiers and were always 'good sports' about it.
"The sadness and pain that we feel is not because of the punishments we will receive but because of the knowledge that we injured a fellow comrade. We ask for his forgiveness even before Yom Kippur."
Attorney Shai Roda, who represents one of the defendants, explained that his client does not feel he should wear a corporal's rank "because combatants don’t wear such ranks. It's humiliating to them."
Israel Police: Hundreds watched attempt to lynch Palestinians in Jerusalem, did not interfere
Four minors, including one girl, arrested in connection with attack at Zion Square in which one victim was seriously injured and three others were slightly hurt.
After initially treating the event as a brawl, police on Sunday for the first time referred to the attack on Palestinian youths by dozens of Jewish teens in Jerusalem early last Friday as a "lynching."
A police representative told the Magistrate's Court that hundreds of people watched the event without helping the victims.
Witnesses say the attack lasted a short while before police arrived and the attackers fled.
Four minors between the ages of 13-15, including one girl, were arrested on Sunday in connection with the attack at Zion Square, in which one victim was seriously injured and three others were slightly hurt.
Earlier, the court extended by four days the detention of the 19-year-old man arrested Friday. Police believe there will be further arrests.
Sergeant First Class Shmuel Shenhav defined the attack as a lynch, and said: "The victim lost his consciousness and was thought to be dead until a Magen David Adom [emergency paramedic] crew arrived and resuscitated him. He was anesthetized and on a respirator in the hospital for days. This was an extremely severe crime. Only a miracle saved him from death."
A 13-year-old suspect brought into court yesterday did not deny he was present at the scene, but said he wasn't involved in the beating. His mother, L., told Haaretz: "They came at noon while he was sleeping. The investigators woke him up and took him to the police car. How can they do such a thing to a young kid?"
The suspect's brother, who was also present at the scene, said outside the court that it was the four Arab youths who had provoked passersby and "made passes at Jewish girls." He added: "Why should an Arab make passes at my sister? They shouldn't be here, it's our area. For what other reason would they come here if not to make passes at Jewish girls?"
The 19-year-old suspect's attorney, Ariel Attari, said that his client wasn't present at the scene and said he had an alibi for the entire time.
Meanwhile, victim Jamal Julani remains in serious condition, according to the authorities. Julani, 17, from Jerusalem's Ras al-Amud neighborhood, was admitted to the intensive care unit at Hadassah University Hospital, Ein Karem in critical condition. His mother told Haaretz that he had regained consciousness but is very confused, did not remember the assault and did not understand why he was in the hospital.
"There were four of us," one of the victim's cousins, Mohammed Mujahad, said Saturday, recalling what happened when he and his three cousins reached Zion Square after midnight Thursday. "Suddenly maybe 50 Jews came toward us shouting, 'Arabs Arabs.' I don't understand what they said. They weren't calling us. They were just generally shouting."
According to an eyewitness, the group of teenagers appeared to be hunting for Arab victims, calling out "Death to Arabs" and other anti-Arab slurs.
"We walked slowly, so there wouldn't be trouble," related Nuaman Julani, another of Jamal's cousins. "Suddenly one said to Jamal, 'What are you doing, you son of a bitch?' Jamal tried to flee, but [the attacker] whacked him in the chest and [Jamal] fell."
The incident was brief, according to Mujahad and Nuaman Julani. One of the cousins says he saw a few attackers hitting and kicking Jamal as he lay on the ground. Both noted that police quickly arrived, after which all the perpetrators dispersed.
18 aug 2012
Jewish teen arrested in connection to Jerusalem 'lynch'
Arab teenager assaulted in capital's Zion square has no recollection of violent incident; suspect, 19, denies involvement in case
Police arrested a Jewish teen aged 19 on suspicion of involvement in a Thursday brawl between Jews and Arabs in Jerusalem. The suspect, a Jerusalem resident, is being questioned by police.
Additional suspects are expected to be arrested later in the week. Police said the suspect denied the allegations against him.
Meanwhile, the victim of the assault, a 17-year-old Arab from east Jerusalem, has woken up from his coma. He could not remember who assaulted him or any other detail relating to the incident. Police said they would check security camera footage as part of their investigation.
"I was surprised to be in the hospital," the victim told Ynet. "I still don't know why I'm here." He added that he does not know whether he was assaulted by Jews.
"I don't remember anything. All I remember is being in Hebron and waking up in the hospital with aches all over my body. I'm constantly shivering."
The victim's mother postulated that the reason her son could not remember anything to do with the assault was the medication he was given.
She noted that the family fears for her son's life. "My son went out with his friends to buy clothes for the holiday and once they arrived on the scene were attacked by racist Jews for no reason," she said.
Police arrested a Jewish teen aged 19 on suspicion of involvement in a Thursday brawl between Jews and Arabs in Jerusalem. The suspect, a Jerusalem resident, is being questioned by police.
Additional suspects are expected to be arrested later in the week. Police said the suspect denied the allegations against him.
Meanwhile, the victim of the assault, a 17-year-old Arab from east Jerusalem, has woken up from his coma. He could not remember who assaulted him or any other detail relating to the incident. Police said they would check security camera footage as part of their investigation.
"I was surprised to be in the hospital," the victim told Ynet. "I still don't know why I'm here." He added that he does not know whether he was assaulted by Jews.
"I don't remember anything. All I remember is being in Hebron and waking up in the hospital with aches all over my body. I'm constantly shivering."
The victim's mother postulated that the reason her son could not remember anything to do with the assault was the medication he was given.
She noted that the family fears for her son's life. "My son went out with his friends to buy clothes for the holiday and once they arrived on the scene were attacked by racist Jews for no reason," she said.
Suspect in Jerusalem lynch
|
"We all know police forces were present near the scene but they did not intervene, despite the fact that if it had been an Arab who slapped a Jew, we would have seen large forces arriving and the whole country flamed against Arabs."
She called on the police to arrest the suspects "and not take the matter lightly." "They should be heavily punished because they caused us suffering. We will take legal action if we don't see results." She noted she was scared to let her kids out on the street. Another family member said that there is a dangerous phenomenon in Jerusalem where "dozens of settlers roam the shops and brutally assault Arabs when they see them." He said the police fail to stop this phenomenon. |
Related stories:
17 aug 2013
J'lem: Man injured in fight between Arabs, Jews
Arab man seriously wounded when brawl breaks out between Jews, Arabs in Jerusalem's Zion Square, he was taken to hospital with serious head injuries
An 18-year-old Arab man was seriously wounded in a fight in Jerusalem's Zion Square between a group of Jews and a group of Arabs on Thursday night. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear. Magen David Adom teams arrived at the scene where they carried out CPR on a man who was suffering from severe head injuries. Paramedics evacuated the young man to the Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital. Others who were involved in the fight have fled the scene, and police are scouring the area to find them.
MDA paramedic Amir Edri said that "When we arrived at the scene we saw a 20 year old man lying on the floor. He was unconscious and paramedics began performing CPR. Passersby said that there was a brawl and that he was hit and collapsed."
According to Edri "After 10 minutes of intense CPR that included electric shock he regained his pulse and was evacuated to the Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center in serious but stable condition." The paramedic added that many people gathered at the scene "but they let us do our job. No one was there with him (the injured man) and no one asked to come with him in the ambulance."
Meanwhile, another brawl broke out in the northern city of Tiberias in which two 21 year olds were injured. The two were attacked with hammers and cudgels and sustained head injuries. They were transferred to the Poria Hospital unconscious. Later they will be transferred to the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa.
Police noted that the reason for the fight was as yet, unclear yet apparently the two young men sought to take part in a party in one of the homes in the area. Police Northern District Spokesman Chief Superintendent Yehuda Maman said both the injured men were Tiberias residents.
An 18-year-old Arab man was seriously wounded in a fight in Jerusalem's Zion Square between a group of Jews and a group of Arabs on Thursday night. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear. Magen David Adom teams arrived at the scene where they carried out CPR on a man who was suffering from severe head injuries. Paramedics evacuated the young man to the Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital. Others who were involved in the fight have fled the scene, and police are scouring the area to find them.
MDA paramedic Amir Edri said that "When we arrived at the scene we saw a 20 year old man lying on the floor. He was unconscious and paramedics began performing CPR. Passersby said that there was a brawl and that he was hit and collapsed."
According to Edri "After 10 minutes of intense CPR that included electric shock he regained his pulse and was evacuated to the Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center in serious but stable condition." The paramedic added that many people gathered at the scene "but they let us do our job. No one was there with him (the injured man) and no one asked to come with him in the ambulance."
Meanwhile, another brawl broke out in the northern city of Tiberias in which two 21 year olds were injured. The two were attacked with hammers and cudgels and sustained head injuries. They were transferred to the Poria Hospital unconscious. Later they will be transferred to the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa.
Police noted that the reason for the fight was as yet, unclear yet apparently the two young men sought to take part in a party in one of the homes in the area. Police Northern District Spokesman Chief Superintendent Yehuda Maman said both the injured men were Tiberias residents.
|
|
Jamila Riada, who was injured along with her husband and three children in what police called a 'Jewish nationalist attack,' says she saw assailant. Netanyahu instructs Shin Bet to bring perpetrators to justice
"We were driving up Gush Etzion's hill, when someone threw a Molotov cocktail at us from a wooded area. I saw his face and clothes. He had side-locks and was wearing a large kippah. When the bottle was thrown there was a big boom, and the car caught fire. I opened the door and pulled the children out," recounted Jamila Riada (30), the Palestinian woman who was injured Thursday evening along with her husband and three children when a firebomb was hurled at the taxi they were travelling in. The taxi driver was also hurt in the attack, which occurred as the cab was travelling between the West Bank settlements Bat Ayin and Gvaot. |
Two of the Palestinians suffered severe injuries; three others sustained moderate wounds, and a young girl was lightly hurt in what a senior police official called a "Jewish nationalist attack."
IDF forces scoured the area and found a second, unlit Molotov cocktail bottle.
Brigadier General Hagai Mordechai, commander of the IDF's Judea and Samaria Division, has ordered army and Border Guard forces in the area boost their presence along main roads in the area and in known points of friction between Israelis and Palestinians. He said the incident could potentially undermine stability in the region.
The members of the Palestinian family who were injured in the attack were treated at Jerusalem's Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital. Yusuf, a relative, said "this was an attempt to murder little children. Had it been the other way around, and the attack would have targeted Israelis, they would have sealed off the entire area and not allowed Palestinian vehicles to pass."
Yusuf, who drove behind the taxi, said "at first I thought it was an accident, but then the driver told me someone hurled a Molotov cocktail and fled the scene. They were hysterical. It was a miracle they got out of it alive. The road was empty. I immediately called the rescue services, and Magen David Adom ambulances arrived, as did IDF forces."
The taxi driver's brother also arrived at the hospital. "He suffered injuries to his hands and back and is in terrible pain," the brother said.
Another family member said, "This is not the first time Palestinians are attacked. We believe the (authorities) know exactly who was behind the attack."
IDF forces scoured the area and found a second, unlit Molotov cocktail bottle.
Brigadier General Hagai Mordechai, commander of the IDF's Judea and Samaria Division, has ordered army and Border Guard forces in the area boost their presence along main roads in the area and in known points of friction between Israelis and Palestinians. He said the incident could potentially undermine stability in the region.
The members of the Palestinian family who were injured in the attack were treated at Jerusalem's Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital. Yusuf, a relative, said "this was an attempt to murder little children. Had it been the other way around, and the attack would have targeted Israelis, they would have sealed off the entire area and not allowed Palestinian vehicles to pass."
Yusuf, who drove behind the taxi, said "at first I thought it was an accident, but then the driver told me someone hurled a Molotov cocktail and fled the scene. They were hysterical. It was a miracle they got out of it alive. The road was empty. I immediately called the rescue services, and Magen David Adom ambulances arrived, as did IDF forces."
The taxi driver's brother also arrived at the hospital. "He suffered injuries to his hands and back and is in terrible pain," the brother said.
Another family member said, "This is not the first time Palestinians are attacked. We believe the (authorities) know exactly who was behind the attack."
16 aug 2012
Firebomb injures 5 Palestinians; police say Jews behind attack
Vehicle travelling in West Bank catches fire after being hit by Molotov cocktail; parents, children, driver suffer moderate to serious wounds. Police: Jews behind attack
Five Palestinians sustained moderate to serious injuries Thursday evening when the taxi they were travelling in was hit by a Molotov cocktail and caught fire.
The vehicle was struck as it was travelling between the West Bank settlements of Bat Ayin and Gvaot, in the Gush Etzion region, and overturned. The injured Palestinians were evacuated to Jerusalem's Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital for treatment.
A police official said the attack was carried out by Jews and was nationalistically-motivated.
IDF forces were scouring the area in search of the assailants, whose identity remains unclear. During the search, another firebomb was found, but it was not lit.
Most of the wounded Palestinians are members of the same family from the Nahalin village, near Bethlehem. Red Cross officials in Bethlehem identified the injured Palestinians as a 35-year-old man, his wife, 27, and their children, aged four and five. The driver was also hurt.
The parents are suffering from second and third-degree burns, while the children are suffering from first-degree burns, the Red Cross said.
Osama Shakarneh, head of the Nahalin council, told Ynet that village residents travelling to Bethlehem along the same road are frequently attacked with stones
Five Palestinians sustained moderate to serious injuries Thursday evening when the taxi they were travelling in was hit by a Molotov cocktail and caught fire.
The vehicle was struck as it was travelling between the West Bank settlements of Bat Ayin and Gvaot, in the Gush Etzion region, and overturned. The injured Palestinians were evacuated to Jerusalem's Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital for treatment.
A police official said the attack was carried out by Jews and was nationalistically-motivated.
IDF forces were scouring the area in search of the assailants, whose identity remains unclear. During the search, another firebomb was found, but it was not lit.
Most of the wounded Palestinians are members of the same family from the Nahalin village, near Bethlehem. Red Cross officials in Bethlehem identified the injured Palestinians as a 35-year-old man, his wife, 27, and their children, aged four and five. The driver was also hurt.
The parents are suffering from second and third-degree burns, while the children are suffering from first-degree burns, the Red Cross said.
Osama Shakarneh, head of the Nahalin council, told Ynet that village residents travelling to Bethlehem along the same road are frequently attacked with stones
13 aug 2012
Sentence of man who abused Palestinian youth exacerbated
Zvi Stroke
Court adds one year to sentence of Zvi Stroke, who abused bounded teen; Stroke maintains police prevented him from presenting alibi
Zvi Stroke, who was convicted of the abuse of a 15-year-old Palestinian boy will serve 2.5 years in jail, not 18 months, the Supreme Court ruled Monday.
The court thus accepted the state's appeal on Stroke's original sentence, rendered by the Jerusalem District Court.
Stroke was convicted of the 2007 abduction and abuse of a Palestinian boy. According to the case file, Stroke, and another man, abducted the boy, took him to an abandoned field, stripped him naked and beat him severely.
Once done, they abandoned him – bound and blindfolded – on the side of the road. He was eventually able to get loose and made his way to a nearby village from where he was rushed to a Nablus hospital. Stroke, 29, a resident of the West Bank settlement of Shilo, appealed his conviction, saying that the police prevented him from presenting his alibi and that the State ignored exculpatory evidence, prompting his wrongful conviction.
The State argued that the punishment should befit the heinous nature of his acts. The Supreme Court ruled that the original trial was fair and that there were no grounds to overturn the verdict.
Related stories:
Court adds one year to sentence of Zvi Stroke, who abused bounded teen; Stroke maintains police prevented him from presenting alibi
Zvi Stroke, who was convicted of the abuse of a 15-year-old Palestinian boy will serve 2.5 years in jail, not 18 months, the Supreme Court ruled Monday.
The court thus accepted the state's appeal on Stroke's original sentence, rendered by the Jerusalem District Court.
Stroke was convicted of the 2007 abduction and abuse of a Palestinian boy. According to the case file, Stroke, and another man, abducted the boy, took him to an abandoned field, stripped him naked and beat him severely.
Once done, they abandoned him – bound and blindfolded – on the side of the road. He was eventually able to get loose and made his way to a nearby village from where he was rushed to a Nablus hospital. Stroke, 29, a resident of the West Bank settlement of Shilo, appealed his conviction, saying that the police prevented him from presenting his alibi and that the State ignored exculpatory evidence, prompting his wrongful conviction.
The State argued that the punishment should befit the heinous nature of his acts. The Supreme Court ruled that the original trial was fair and that there were no grounds to overturn the verdict.
Related stories:
12 aug 2012
IOF soldier sentenced to 45 days for killing Palestinian mother, her daughter
Rayya Abu Hajjaj, 64, and her daughter, Majida, 35
A Jaffa military court approved a plea bargain reached between the prosecution and Staff Sgt. S., a Givati Brigade soldier who was indicted in 2010 for shooting a 64-year-old Palestinian woman and her 35-year-old daughter to death.
The plea bargain included reducing the charges against the former soldier from manslaughter to illegal use of firearms. S. received a reduced sentence of 45 days in prison after pleading guilty.
The incident was recalled in the United Nations-initiated Goldstone Report into Israel’s crimes during the 2008-2009 aggression on Gaza Strip.
The court approved the defense team's claims that there was no evidence that the women died in this incident.
The Goldstone Report, issued in September 2009, accused Israel of deliberately targeting civilians in Gaza during its aggression. However, Goldstone retracted this accusation in April 2011.
45 Days for Israeli Soldier Accused of Shooting Palestinian Mother and Daughter in Cast Lead
An Israeli soldier accused of shooting a Palestinian mother and daughter who were holding a white flag during the 'Cast Lead' operation in the Gaza war in 2009 has been sentenced to just 45 days in jail, after reaching a plea bargain with Israel's Military Advocate General (MAG), Israeli media and human rights groups reported on Sunday.
Raya Abu Hajaj, 64, and her daughter Majda, 37, were killed while in a group of Palestinian civillians carrying white flags, in the Gazan village of Juhor al-Dik, on January 4th 2009, the first day of Israel's ground invasion of Gaza during Operation Cast Lead.
The civillians were obeying soldiers' calls to leave their homes, which followed the shelling of the Abu Hajaj family home, Israeli human rights group B'Tselem said. The family told B'Tselem that they were not able to remove the women's bodies until 19th January, due to the shelling of the area.
The Israeli soldier was originally indicted for killing an unidentified individual by the Israeli MAG, but will be charged with the lesser offense of "illegal use of weapons", following the plea bargain reached between the MAG and the soldier's lawyers.
Evidence presented in the case proved that the Soldier, known as S', had shot at the civilians, in contradiction of orders. However, his lawyers argued that there was no evidence linking the death of the two women and the soldier's shooting, and stated that the two events occurred at different times, according to Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
An IDF spokesperson told Haaretz that "after examining all the evidence and circumstances, and following the military court's recommendation, both sides reached a plea bargain that would see the indictment corrected to illegal use of weapons."
Following the decision, B'Tselem has demanded that an investigation into the deaths of Raya and Majda Abu Hajaj be reopened. In a statement released on their website on Sunday, they said that if the military prosecutors had accepted S's lawyers' claims that his shooting and the deaths were not connected, then the investigation into the two deaths had never been completed.
B'Tselem, who investigated the event and collected witness testimonies, had previously warned the MAG's office in July 2010 that the decision to indict S' for killing an unknown person was "problematic".
The incident is one of the most significant and controversial ones mentioned in the UN-commissioned Goldstone Report, a 575 page report authored by South African Judge Richard Goldstone that was released in 2009.
The report caused controversy in Israel when it was released, and concluded that Israel committed "grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention in respect of willful killings and willfully causing great suffering to protected persons."
A Jaffa military court approved a plea bargain reached between the prosecution and Staff Sgt. S., a Givati Brigade soldier who was indicted in 2010 for shooting a 64-year-old Palestinian woman and her 35-year-old daughter to death.
The plea bargain included reducing the charges against the former soldier from manslaughter to illegal use of firearms. S. received a reduced sentence of 45 days in prison after pleading guilty.
The incident was recalled in the United Nations-initiated Goldstone Report into Israel’s crimes during the 2008-2009 aggression on Gaza Strip.
The court approved the defense team's claims that there was no evidence that the women died in this incident.
The Goldstone Report, issued in September 2009, accused Israel of deliberately targeting civilians in Gaza during its aggression. However, Goldstone retracted this accusation in April 2011.
45 Days for Israeli Soldier Accused of Shooting Palestinian Mother and Daughter in Cast Lead
An Israeli soldier accused of shooting a Palestinian mother and daughter who were holding a white flag during the 'Cast Lead' operation in the Gaza war in 2009 has been sentenced to just 45 days in jail, after reaching a plea bargain with Israel's Military Advocate General (MAG), Israeli media and human rights groups reported on Sunday.
Raya Abu Hajaj, 64, and her daughter Majda, 37, were killed while in a group of Palestinian civillians carrying white flags, in the Gazan village of Juhor al-Dik, on January 4th 2009, the first day of Israel's ground invasion of Gaza during Operation Cast Lead.
The civillians were obeying soldiers' calls to leave their homes, which followed the shelling of the Abu Hajaj family home, Israeli human rights group B'Tselem said. The family told B'Tselem that they were not able to remove the women's bodies until 19th January, due to the shelling of the area.
The Israeli soldier was originally indicted for killing an unidentified individual by the Israeli MAG, but will be charged with the lesser offense of "illegal use of weapons", following the plea bargain reached between the MAG and the soldier's lawyers.
Evidence presented in the case proved that the Soldier, known as S', had shot at the civilians, in contradiction of orders. However, his lawyers argued that there was no evidence linking the death of the two women and the soldier's shooting, and stated that the two events occurred at different times, according to Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
An IDF spokesperson told Haaretz that "after examining all the evidence and circumstances, and following the military court's recommendation, both sides reached a plea bargain that would see the indictment corrected to illegal use of weapons."
Following the decision, B'Tselem has demanded that an investigation into the deaths of Raya and Majda Abu Hajaj be reopened. In a statement released on their website on Sunday, they said that if the military prosecutors had accepted S's lawyers' claims that his shooting and the deaths were not connected, then the investigation into the two deaths had never been completed.
B'Tselem, who investigated the event and collected witness testimonies, had previously warned the MAG's office in July 2010 that the decision to indict S' for killing an unknown person was "problematic".
The incident is one of the most significant and controversial ones mentioned in the UN-commissioned Goldstone Report, a 575 page report authored by South African Judge Richard Goldstone that was released in 2009.
The report caused controversy in Israel when it was released, and concluded that Israel committed "grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention in respect of willful killings and willfully causing great suffering to protected persons."
