20 dec 2013
Indictment filed against man for assault of public servant after spilling scorching-hot liquid on MK Ahmad Tibi. 'He is not of sound mind, not racist, needs mental care' says suspect's brother
Less than 24 hours after throwing scorching-hot tea at Knesset Member Ahmad Tibi, an indictment against a 47-year-old Beersheba resident was filed with the city's Magistrate's Court in an accelerated procedure Friday. The suspect is charged with assaulting a public servant. The incident took place on Thursday during a protest held by dozens of Negev residents against the Prawer Bill in front of the Beersheba Magistrate's Court. The defendant also attempted to set himself on fire in July 2007 in front of the Beersheba Municipality.
The defendant's brother sent a message to MK Tibi: "I turn to Tibi, my brother is not racist and is not a bad man. He is not of sound mind and spent nearly 20 years in prison. He was jailed and released for minor offenses, he is unaware of himself. In the past he harmed himself and tried to set himself on fire in front of Beersheba's municipality, but was stopped. He must be given mental health care. His arrest and prison is not the place for him."
"It is a mistake to arrest him. He is not healthy. He was in prison for a long time and went through difficult times, he must be under supervision. He must be taken care of," the defendant's brother added. The defendant's lawyer, attorney Tal Arad of the Public Defender's Office, claimed that his client is well-known to social services. "He is a sick man and he did not commit the deed from improper or racist motives."
The attorney said that a request to send the suspect to psychiatric observation has been submitted. The Channel 1 documentation of the assault shows the defendant approaching the United Arab List-Ta'al MK and spilling boiling-hot tea on him. Police forces detained the suspect, and Tibi reported a burning sensation in his eyes.
"There is no doubt that the right-wing's incitement against Arab MKs has an effect… The attack on me is the result of rising racism and inciting against Arab MKs specifically because of the Prawer affair. I don't fear death threats, spit, or hot tea, and I will continue to raise my voice in protest. It is severe that a public figure is physically attacked because of their position," said Tibi after the incident.
Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein commented on the event Thursday evening and told MK Tibi that "everyone has right to protest, but no one is allowed to cross the line and take justice into their own hands."
Less than 24 hours after throwing scorching-hot tea at Knesset Member Ahmad Tibi, an indictment against a 47-year-old Beersheba resident was filed with the city's Magistrate's Court in an accelerated procedure Friday. The suspect is charged with assaulting a public servant. The incident took place on Thursday during a protest held by dozens of Negev residents against the Prawer Bill in front of the Beersheba Magistrate's Court. The defendant also attempted to set himself on fire in July 2007 in front of the Beersheba Municipality.
The defendant's brother sent a message to MK Tibi: "I turn to Tibi, my brother is not racist and is not a bad man. He is not of sound mind and spent nearly 20 years in prison. He was jailed and released for minor offenses, he is unaware of himself. In the past he harmed himself and tried to set himself on fire in front of Beersheba's municipality, but was stopped. He must be given mental health care. His arrest and prison is not the place for him."
"It is a mistake to arrest him. He is not healthy. He was in prison for a long time and went through difficult times, he must be under supervision. He must be taken care of," the defendant's brother added. The defendant's lawyer, attorney Tal Arad of the Public Defender's Office, claimed that his client is well-known to social services. "He is a sick man and he did not commit the deed from improper or racist motives."
The attorney said that a request to send the suspect to psychiatric observation has been submitted. The Channel 1 documentation of the assault shows the defendant approaching the United Arab List-Ta'al MK and spilling boiling-hot tea on him. Police forces detained the suspect, and Tibi reported a burning sensation in his eyes.
"There is no doubt that the right-wing's incitement against Arab MKs has an effect… The attack on me is the result of rising racism and inciting against Arab MKs specifically because of the Prawer affair. I don't fear death threats, spit, or hot tea, and I will continue to raise my voice in protest. It is severe that a public figure is physically attacked because of their position," said Tibi after the incident.
Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein commented on the event Thursday evening and told MK Tibi that "everyone has right to protest, but no one is allowed to cross the line and take justice into their own hands."
19 dec 2013
Palestinian security forces detain 2 Israeli drug suspects
Palestinian preventive security forces on Wednesday detained two Israelis for distributing drugs in Qalqiliya, the district's governor said.
Abdullah Kameil told Ma’an that the Israelis would be handed back to Israel.
Kameil said that Palestinian security forces' anti-drug policies had been successful, forcing Israeli dealers to distribute drugs in Palestinian cities themselves.
Palestinian preventive security forces on Wednesday detained two Israelis for distributing drugs in Qalqiliya, the district's governor said.
Abdullah Kameil told Ma’an that the Israelis would be handed back to Israel.
Kameil said that Palestinian security forces' anti-drug policies had been successful, forcing Israeli dealers to distribute drugs in Palestinian cities themselves.
Arab-Israeli legislator approached by man who poured scorching liquid on him at anti-Prawer protest. Tibi had previously symbolically spilled water on Prawer Bill in Knesset
Police arrested a man Thursday morning for spilling hot tea on Knesset Member Ahmad Tibi (United Arab List-Ta'al) at a protest against the Prawer plan held by dozens of Negev residents in front of the Beersheba Magistrate's Court. During the course of the demonstration, a Jewish man in his forties approached Tibi and spilled the scorching-hot liquid on him. A few months ago, MK Tibi had symbolically poured water on the Prawer plan during a discussion of the bill in the Knesset plenum.
It is not clear whether the tea spill was a direct, symbolic retaliation, but police have arrested the suspect; Tibi reported a burning sensation in his eyes.
Dozens of demonstrators – among them Arab MKs and others in the Islamist movement – took part in the protest.
After the incident, MK Tibi said: "There is not doubt that the right-wing's incitement against Arab MKs has an effect… The attack on me is the result of rising racism and inciting against Arab MKs specifically because of the Prawer affair." He added: "I don't fear death threats, spit, or hot tea, and I will continue to raise my voice in protest. It is severe that a public figure is physically attacked because of their position."
One of the protesters explained the reason for the demonstration: "We are still concerned that the Israeli government is trying to execute the Prawer plan. It is endangering our existence on our land. We won't cede easily, even if they'll kill us in our homes."
Another echoed the sentiment: "It is unfortunate that the State of Israel discriminates against her Arab citizens across the country. Instead of a government that protects us, the citizens, it abandons us. It doesn't care about the Negev residents, we are like dogs." The demonstrator testified that the person who spilled the tea acted "in full confidence, because he knew very well that in the end he will be released and not charged with anything.
The government encourages activities against Arab citizens of the State of Israel."
Plan out-of-commission? Last week, former Minister Benny Begin announced a halt of the Prawer plan to resettle Negev Bedouins, but the government has taken no steps regarding the matter – some deny the plan was ever even frozen.
The Prawer outline is a governmental process that will resettle the Bedouin in the Negev. The plan was formed after a slow political process, and it is meant to help solve the land ownership dispute between the State and the Bedouin population in Israel. Due to the government’s intention to pass the bill, there has been a series of riots and protests in the past weeks that both Bedouins and other social activists have started.
Netanyahu initially said – after seeing the protests – that the rioters will be punished and the bill will continue as planned. “There is no, and there will not be any tolerance for those who break the law. We will continue to advance the Prawer Bill. The attempts of a violent and loud minority to prevent a better future for this large and wide-spanning population have been severe.” The controversial plan is still under discussion.
Police arrested a man Thursday morning for spilling hot tea on Knesset Member Ahmad Tibi (United Arab List-Ta'al) at a protest against the Prawer plan held by dozens of Negev residents in front of the Beersheba Magistrate's Court. During the course of the demonstration, a Jewish man in his forties approached Tibi and spilled the scorching-hot liquid on him. A few months ago, MK Tibi had symbolically poured water on the Prawer plan during a discussion of the bill in the Knesset plenum.
It is not clear whether the tea spill was a direct, symbolic retaliation, but police have arrested the suspect; Tibi reported a burning sensation in his eyes.
Dozens of demonstrators – among them Arab MKs and others in the Islamist movement – took part in the protest.
After the incident, MK Tibi said: "There is not doubt that the right-wing's incitement against Arab MKs has an effect… The attack on me is the result of rising racism and inciting against Arab MKs specifically because of the Prawer affair." He added: "I don't fear death threats, spit, or hot tea, and I will continue to raise my voice in protest. It is severe that a public figure is physically attacked because of their position."
One of the protesters explained the reason for the demonstration: "We are still concerned that the Israeli government is trying to execute the Prawer plan. It is endangering our existence on our land. We won't cede easily, even if they'll kill us in our homes."
Another echoed the sentiment: "It is unfortunate that the State of Israel discriminates against her Arab citizens across the country. Instead of a government that protects us, the citizens, it abandons us. It doesn't care about the Negev residents, we are like dogs." The demonstrator testified that the person who spilled the tea acted "in full confidence, because he knew very well that in the end he will be released and not charged with anything.
The government encourages activities against Arab citizens of the State of Israel."
Plan out-of-commission? Last week, former Minister Benny Begin announced a halt of the Prawer plan to resettle Negev Bedouins, but the government has taken no steps regarding the matter – some deny the plan was ever even frozen.
The Prawer outline is a governmental process that will resettle the Bedouin in the Negev. The plan was formed after a slow political process, and it is meant to help solve the land ownership dispute between the State and the Bedouin population in Israel. Due to the government’s intention to pass the bill, there has been a series of riots and protests in the past weeks that both Bedouins and other social activists have started.
Netanyahu initially said – after seeing the protests – that the rioters will be punished and the bill will continue as planned. “There is no, and there will not be any tolerance for those who break the law. We will continue to advance the Prawer Bill. The attempts of a violent and loud minority to prevent a better future for this large and wide-spanning population have been severe.” The controversial plan is still under discussion.
A state of extreme indignation and anger has prevailed among the Palestinians all over the 1948 occupied lands after fans of the Israeli soccer team Beitar Jerusalem burned a copy of the holy Qur'an book and insulted Prophet Muhammad during a Wednesday match. The incident took place at the end of a match between the soccer teams Beitar Jerusalem and Bnei Sakhnin at the Doha stadium in the city of Sakhnin.
The Israeli fans also vandalized the interior of an Arab-owned bus they were aboard on their way back to their homes.
Director of the Aqsa Mosque Sheikh Najeh Bakirat strongly denounced the incident and said that "the Israeli violations against the Muslim religious symbols have gone beyond all red lines."
In turn, the Israeli police said that three fans in their twenties had been briefly detained over the incident.
Arab Knesset member Taleb Abu Arrar also condemned the incident and said that hurting the feelings of the Muslims and provoking their hatred and anger through insulting their prophet and holy book are against the public code of behavior and the religious and cultural values of all nations.
The Israeli fans also vandalized the interior of an Arab-owned bus they were aboard on their way back to their homes.
Director of the Aqsa Mosque Sheikh Najeh Bakirat strongly denounced the incident and said that "the Israeli violations against the Muslim religious symbols have gone beyond all red lines."
In turn, the Israeli police said that three fans in their twenties had been briefly detained over the incident.
Arab Knesset member Taleb Abu Arrar also condemned the incident and said that hurting the feelings of the Muslims and provoking their hatred and anger through insulting their prophet and holy book are against the public code of behavior and the religious and cultural values of all nations.
7 dec 2013
The Palestinian Anti-Narcotics General Administration in Nablus has apprehended two Israeli settlers from nearby Taffuh settlement for selling drugs in Nablus a few days ago, the local director revealed on Saturday.
Shehadeh Amer told Ma'an that the anti-narcotics body detained two settlers in the village of Beta south of Nablus and subsequently turned them over to Israeli police.
The two detained settlers sold drugs primarily in Nablus and Jericho, Amer added.
Amer said that drugs sold in the West Bank primarily come from Israel and are transferred through West Bank laborers who work inside Israel, Palestinians living in Israel, and settlers.
He added that settlers have only recently became active in drug distribution.
Amer added that Nablus has one of the lowest levels of drug usage in the West Bank.
Shehadeh Amer told Ma'an that the anti-narcotics body detained two settlers in the village of Beta south of Nablus and subsequently turned them over to Israeli police.
The two detained settlers sold drugs primarily in Nablus and Jericho, Amer added.
Amer said that drugs sold in the West Bank primarily come from Israel and are transferred through West Bank laborers who work inside Israel, Palestinians living in Israel, and settlers.
He added that settlers have only recently became active in drug distribution.
Amer added that Nablus has one of the lowest levels of drug usage in the West Bank.
5 dec 2013
Israel's Military Advocate General's Corps said Thursday that it decided to close an investigation into the death of Mustafa Tamimi, who was killed in 2011 after an Israeli soldier fired a tear-gas canister at him from point-blank range.
In a letter to Israeli human rights group B'Tselem, Military Advocate for Operational Matters Lt. Col. Ronen Hirsch said that the canister which killed Tamimi was fired "according to the relevant rules and regulations and did not involve any illegality."
The MAG Corps said it accepted the claim of the soldier that he did not see Tamimi while shooting the canister.
The Israeli body said it also relied on expert opinion which stated that the Israeli soldier could not see the Palestinian activist while firing.
"The decision not to file an indictment against the soldier who killed Mustafa Tamimi, nor against his commanders, conveys the indifference of the military law enforcement system to the lives of Palestinians in the West Bank, and specifically towards Tamimi's death," B'Tselem said.
"This decision sends Israeli soldiers and officers the unequivocal message that, should they kill unarmed civilians, they will not be held accountable."
The rights group said it filed a complaint with Israel's Military Police Investigations Unit hours after Tamimi was shot, and the fact it took two years to reach a decision "demonstrates the failures of the military investigation system."
B'Tselem rejected MAG Corps explanation that the case was a "complicated operational investigation that poses significant challenges", claiming that the killing of Tamimi was "relatively simple" and "visually well-documented."
"Under such circumstances, it is only a matter of time before yet another unarmed Palestinian civilian is killed in this way. For Palestinians in the West Bank, the decision is a clear message that they cannot expect justice from Israel’s legal system," the group said.
In September, Israel's army closed an investigation into the killing of Bassem Abu Rahmeh, 30, who died after being shot in the chest with a tear gas canister at close range.
The Israeli military's prosecutor general decided that there was a lack of evidence in the case, despite video footage from three different angles which showed that Abu Rahmah did not act violently and did not endanger the soldiers in any way.
On Monday, B'Tselem released video footage of an Israeli soldier deliberately firing tear gas canisters at a Palestinian volunteer in Beit Ummar.
B'Tselem volunteer videographer Muhammad Awad was struck in the chest and treated at hospital following the incident.
"The firing of tear gas canisters directly at individuals is a routine practice by soldiers and border police officers in the West Bank," B'Tselem said following the incident.
"It has already claimed the lives of two people and has injured dozens of others in recent years. The military, however, continues to deny such a practice exists and avoids addressing it systematically."
In a letter to Israeli human rights group B'Tselem, Military Advocate for Operational Matters Lt. Col. Ronen Hirsch said that the canister which killed Tamimi was fired "according to the relevant rules and regulations and did not involve any illegality."
The MAG Corps said it accepted the claim of the soldier that he did not see Tamimi while shooting the canister.
The Israeli body said it also relied on expert opinion which stated that the Israeli soldier could not see the Palestinian activist while firing.
"The decision not to file an indictment against the soldier who killed Mustafa Tamimi, nor against his commanders, conveys the indifference of the military law enforcement system to the lives of Palestinians in the West Bank, and specifically towards Tamimi's death," B'Tselem said.
"This decision sends Israeli soldiers and officers the unequivocal message that, should they kill unarmed civilians, they will not be held accountable."
The rights group said it filed a complaint with Israel's Military Police Investigations Unit hours after Tamimi was shot, and the fact it took two years to reach a decision "demonstrates the failures of the military investigation system."
B'Tselem rejected MAG Corps explanation that the case was a "complicated operational investigation that poses significant challenges", claiming that the killing of Tamimi was "relatively simple" and "visually well-documented."
"Under such circumstances, it is only a matter of time before yet another unarmed Palestinian civilian is killed in this way. For Palestinians in the West Bank, the decision is a clear message that they cannot expect justice from Israel’s legal system," the group said.
In September, Israel's army closed an investigation into the killing of Bassem Abu Rahmeh, 30, who died after being shot in the chest with a tear gas canister at close range.
The Israeli military's prosecutor general decided that there was a lack of evidence in the case, despite video footage from three different angles which showed that Abu Rahmah did not act violently and did not endanger the soldiers in any way.
On Monday, B'Tselem released video footage of an Israeli soldier deliberately firing tear gas canisters at a Palestinian volunteer in Beit Ummar.
B'Tselem volunteer videographer Muhammad Awad was struck in the chest and treated at hospital following the incident.
"The firing of tear gas canisters directly at individuals is a routine practice by soldiers and border police officers in the West Bank," B'Tselem said following the incident.
"It has already claimed the lives of two people and has injured dozens of others in recent years. The military, however, continues to deny such a practice exists and avoids addressing it systematically."
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Omar Sa’ad reports to Israeli army induction base and announces his refusal to enlist. He is expected to be sentenced to prison. Sa’ad has declared his refusal to be ‘both nationally and conscientiously motivated.’
“I was raised first and foremost as a human being, and as such I feel that I cannot possibly aim an assault weapon at any other human being, be it Arab, Jewish or whomever, and so it has always been clear to me that I will not be able to join the army,” says Omar Sa’ad, a young Druze viola player from the village of Maghar. Sa’ad is now expected to be sentenced in a disciplinary proceeding to a period of up to one month in military prison for refusing conscription after reporting to an Israeli induction base Wednesday morning. |
While Muslim and Christian Arabs with Israeli citizenship are exempt from military service, Druze men are required to serve for three years.(Druze women, however, are exempt, as are religious Jewish women.)
Sa’ad was accompanied to the Tiberias induction base, where he was ordered to report, by activists from the Communist party (Hadash), of which he is a member, including MK Mohammad Barakeh. He was also joined by activists from New Profile and Yesh Gvul, along with other young conscientious objectors. Supporters held a small vigil and concert at the gates of the induction center. One person was detained at the end of the vigil.
As is the case with most conscientious objectors, Sa’ad is likely to be sentenced, imprisoned and then called for service on the day after his release from prison, whereupon his renewed refusal would lead him back behind bars in a cycle of imprisonment that can go on for an unlimited period of time. Natan Blanc, the last outspoken conscientious objector, had to go through 10 incarcerations and spend half a year in jail before being exempted from military service.
It is known that authorities tend to be harsher with Druze objectors than with Jewish ones. “I know I’m going to prison, and I know there’s no way of telling how long it’ll be, but I am willing to endure this and not be a part of their army,” Sa’ad told +972 on the evening before reporting to refuse duty. His conscientious objection is derived from both a pacifist and humanist agenda, as well as a Palestinian national identity, he explained.
It was over a year ago when Sa’ad was first approached by military authorities and required to report for physical examinations and personal interviews. While Jewish objectors usually show up for these tests and announce their refusal there, it is customary amongst Druze objectors to refuse any kind of cooperation with the army. Such was the case with Sa’ad—instead of showing up he sent the defense minister and prime minister the following letter:
I refuse [the draft] because I am a man of peace who despises violence of all sorts; I think the military is based on both physical and mental violence. Since I got the draft order my life has changed, I became more nervous, my thoughts have become distracted, I remembered thousands of dreadful images, and I couldn’t imagine myself wearing military uniform and participating in the suppression of my Palestinian people or fighting my Arab brothers.
I oppose recruitment to the [IOF] and any other army for conscience and nationalistic reasons. I despise injustice and oppose occupation; I loathe intolerance and restriction of freedoms. I hate those who detain children, the elderly and women.I am a musician, I play the viola, I have preformed in many places and I have musician friends in Ramallah, Jericho, Jerusalem, Hebron, Nablus, Jenin, Shfa’amr, Eilabun, Rome, Athens, Amman, Beirut, Damascus, Oslo, and we all play for freedom, humanity and peace, our weapon is the music and we shall not have any other weapon.
I belong to a sect that suffers discrimination by law. How could I fight those who are closest to us, our family members in Palestine, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon? How could I hold a weapon against my siblings and countrymen in Palestine? How could I be a soldier at Qalandia or any other checkpoint stopping a Ramallah man from entering his city of Jerusalem when I myself have experienced the wrongs of checkpoints? How could I protect the racist separation fence? How could I be a jailer to my own people when I know that most prisoners are prisoners of justice and freedom?
I play music of joy, of freedom and of a just peace that is based on the cessation of settlements, an exit of occupiers from Palestine and the establishment of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, a release of prisoners and a return of refugees to their homes.
Many in our sect obey the law and enlist—but what has that gotten us? Discrimination on all fronts, poverty in our villages, our lands’ confiscation, a lack of industry. Our villages suffer the lowest rates of university and the highest rates of unemployment. The Security Service Act has detached us from our Arab roots….
I will not be fuel to your fire of war and not a soldier in your army.”
Army regulations allow for conscientious objector status only when a candidate to military service declares that he or she is a “complete and utter pacifist” who resists all kinds of violence and not solely the occupation.
Although Sa’ad’s declaration could qualify under these conditions, he was not summoned to the army’s conscientious committee. The only answer he received to the above initial statement of refusal was a letter saying that it “will be taken into consideration.”
This article was originally posted on +972 Magazine
Sa’ad was accompanied to the Tiberias induction base, where he was ordered to report, by activists from the Communist party (Hadash), of which he is a member, including MK Mohammad Barakeh. He was also joined by activists from New Profile and Yesh Gvul, along with other young conscientious objectors. Supporters held a small vigil and concert at the gates of the induction center. One person was detained at the end of the vigil.
As is the case with most conscientious objectors, Sa’ad is likely to be sentenced, imprisoned and then called for service on the day after his release from prison, whereupon his renewed refusal would lead him back behind bars in a cycle of imprisonment that can go on for an unlimited period of time. Natan Blanc, the last outspoken conscientious objector, had to go through 10 incarcerations and spend half a year in jail before being exempted from military service.
It is known that authorities tend to be harsher with Druze objectors than with Jewish ones. “I know I’m going to prison, and I know there’s no way of telling how long it’ll be, but I am willing to endure this and not be a part of their army,” Sa’ad told +972 on the evening before reporting to refuse duty. His conscientious objection is derived from both a pacifist and humanist agenda, as well as a Palestinian national identity, he explained.
It was over a year ago when Sa’ad was first approached by military authorities and required to report for physical examinations and personal interviews. While Jewish objectors usually show up for these tests and announce their refusal there, it is customary amongst Druze objectors to refuse any kind of cooperation with the army. Such was the case with Sa’ad—instead of showing up he sent the defense minister and prime minister the following letter:
I refuse [the draft] because I am a man of peace who despises violence of all sorts; I think the military is based on both physical and mental violence. Since I got the draft order my life has changed, I became more nervous, my thoughts have become distracted, I remembered thousands of dreadful images, and I couldn’t imagine myself wearing military uniform and participating in the suppression of my Palestinian people or fighting my Arab brothers.
I oppose recruitment to the [IOF] and any other army for conscience and nationalistic reasons. I despise injustice and oppose occupation; I loathe intolerance and restriction of freedoms. I hate those who detain children, the elderly and women.I am a musician, I play the viola, I have preformed in many places and I have musician friends in Ramallah, Jericho, Jerusalem, Hebron, Nablus, Jenin, Shfa’amr, Eilabun, Rome, Athens, Amman, Beirut, Damascus, Oslo, and we all play for freedom, humanity and peace, our weapon is the music and we shall not have any other weapon.
I belong to a sect that suffers discrimination by law. How could I fight those who are closest to us, our family members in Palestine, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon? How could I hold a weapon against my siblings and countrymen in Palestine? How could I be a soldier at Qalandia or any other checkpoint stopping a Ramallah man from entering his city of Jerusalem when I myself have experienced the wrongs of checkpoints? How could I protect the racist separation fence? How could I be a jailer to my own people when I know that most prisoners are prisoners of justice and freedom?
I play music of joy, of freedom and of a just peace that is based on the cessation of settlements, an exit of occupiers from Palestine and the establishment of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, a release of prisoners and a return of refugees to their homes.
Many in our sect obey the law and enlist—but what has that gotten us? Discrimination on all fronts, poverty in our villages, our lands’ confiscation, a lack of industry. Our villages suffer the lowest rates of university and the highest rates of unemployment. The Security Service Act has detached us from our Arab roots….
I will not be fuel to your fire of war and not a soldier in your army.”
Army regulations allow for conscientious objector status only when a candidate to military service declares that he or she is a “complete and utter pacifist” who resists all kinds of violence and not solely the occupation.
Although Sa’ad’s declaration could qualify under these conditions, he was not summoned to the army’s conscientious committee. The only answer he received to the above initial statement of refusal was a letter saying that it “will be taken into consideration.”
This article was originally posted on +972 Magazine
1 dec 2013
The Israeli police released on Saturday evening the Israeli soldier who shot and killed on the same day a Palestinian young man near Tel Aviv in the 1948 occupied lands. The Hebrew radio said that the soldier claimed during interrogation that he had felt at the moment that his life was in danger when the Palestinian young man tried to reach something that seemed to him in the dark like a knife and then he fired one bullet at his chest.
Antar Al-Aqra, who was killed on Saturday morning, was working in the 1948 occupied lands and he was getting prepared for his wedding, which was supposed to be held soon.
However, informed Palestinian sources reported that an Israeli soldier from the border guards deliberately opened fire at the young man, which caused his immediate death.
The sources denied the Israeli police claims that the victim tried to attack the Israeli soldiers and stab him with a sharp blade, affirming that the soldier used his firearm unjustifiably.
Antar Al-Aqra, who was killed on Saturday morning, was working in the 1948 occupied lands and he was getting prepared for his wedding, which was supposed to be held soon.
However, informed Palestinian sources reported that an Israeli soldier from the border guards deliberately opened fire at the young man, which caused his immediate death.
The sources denied the Israeli police claims that the victim tried to attack the Israeli soldiers and stab him with a sharp blade, affirming that the soldier used his firearm unjustifiably.
30 nov 2013
Antar Shalabi Mahmoud al-Aqraa 24
A volunteer for the Israeli border police shot and killed a young Palestinian worker in Petah Tikva early Saturday, Israeli media and a police spokesman said.
According to the Israeli news site Ynet, the volunteer shot the Palestinian in Yarkon Cemetery while conducting a search for "people residing in Israel illegally."
Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld confirmed the incident.
"Border police in the night were searching for illegal Palestinian workers," Rosenfeld told Ma'an via text message.
He said a Palestinian worker "attempted to stab" an Israeli border police volunteer, who shot the worker in response.
A volunteer for the Israeli border police shot and killed a young Palestinian worker in Petah Tikva early Saturday, Israeli media and a police spokesman said.
According to the Israeli news site Ynet, the volunteer shot the Palestinian in Yarkon Cemetery while conducting a search for "people residing in Israel illegally."
Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld confirmed the incident.
"Border police in the night were searching for illegal Palestinian workers," Rosenfeld told Ma'an via text message.
He said a Palestinian worker "attempted to stab" an Israeli border police volunteer, who shot the worker in response.
The worker was "injured critically and died soon after," Rosenfeld said.
Forty undocumented workers were detained during the search, he added.
A Palestinian official identified the body of the worker as 24-year-old Antar Shalabi Mahmoud al-Aqraa from the West Bank village of Qabalan south of Nablus.
Mujahid Abu Dayyah, director of the Palestinian liaison department, said that the Israeli liaison department notified its Palestinian counterpart of the victim's identity.
Locals of Qabalan village denied that al-Aqraa tried to stab the volunteer.
"Israel is ... treating workers in a terroristic, barbarian way," said Shahir Saad, head of Palestinian general federation of workers.
Al-Aqraa "was executed this morning," Saad said.
He was the eldest of his parents' 14 children, al-Aqraa's uncle Aziz told Ma'an.
"Antar has been working in Israel for several years, working day and night in order to save enough money for his wedding, which was scheduled for three weeks from now," his uncle said.
Forty undocumented workers were detained during the search, he added.
A Palestinian official identified the body of the worker as 24-year-old Antar Shalabi Mahmoud al-Aqraa from the West Bank village of Qabalan south of Nablus.
Mujahid Abu Dayyah, director of the Palestinian liaison department, said that the Israeli liaison department notified its Palestinian counterpart of the victim's identity.
Locals of Qabalan village denied that al-Aqraa tried to stab the volunteer.
"Israel is ... treating workers in a terroristic, barbarian way," said Shahir Saad, head of Palestinian general federation of workers.
Al-Aqraa "was executed this morning," Saad said.
He was the eldest of his parents' 14 children, al-Aqraa's uncle Aziz told Ma'an.
"Antar has been working in Israel for several years, working day and night in order to save enough money for his wedding, which was scheduled for three weeks from now," his uncle said.
