31 dec 2015
A suspect in the deadly arson attack on the Palestinian Dawabsha family is expected to be charged with murder within days, Israeli media reported.
Israeli state prosecutors reportedly notified the Petah Tikva Magistrate’s court on Wednesday that an indictment would be submitted in the following five days, Israeli daily Haaretz reported.
The online daily added that charges against “another minor suspect” involved in the attack have yet to be decided.
Investigations into the Dawabsha arson attack have been followed closely by critics who in the past have criticized Israel for allowing Israelis to carrying out attacks on Palestinians and their property with full impunity.
Suspected Israeli extremists affiliated with a Jewish terror organization on July 31 set a Palestinian home ablaze in the West Bank village of Duma, burning alive an 18-month-old. The infant's parents later died from severe burns, leaving 4-year-old Ahmad Dawabsha the only survivor of the attack.
Local witnesses saw two suspects at the scene at the time of the attack, both of whom fled to a nearby settlement after setting the home ablaze.
Several suspects were detained in November however the majority of information on those arrested still remains under a gag order requested by the Israeli police.
Israel’s internal security agency Shin Bet came under fire earlier this month from far-right groups alleging that the agency used torture during investigations into the suspects.
Israeli leadership has largely defended the agency, who in the wake of the allegations released a statement warning against the growing influence of Jewish extremist groups over the Israeli government.
Haaretz reported that a suspect in the Dawabsha case taken into custody had been released on house arrest earlier this week after their suspected involvement was dropped.
Israeli police reportedly announced an indictment would be file against him for “assaulting Palestinians.” The 18-year-old suspect reportedly assaulted a Palestinian near the illegal Baladim outpost in the occupied West Bank two years ago.
Israeli settlers carried out well over 300 attacks on Palestinians and their property in 2015, according to documentation by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
The oft called “price tag” attacks were labelled as acts of terrorism by the US government in 2013.
The UN reported in September that complaints lodged by Palestinians against settler attacks have a 91 percent chance of being dismissed without effective action, whereas around 95 percent of settler complaints against Palestinians proceed to court.
Israeli state prosecutors reportedly notified the Petah Tikva Magistrate’s court on Wednesday that an indictment would be submitted in the following five days, Israeli daily Haaretz reported.
The online daily added that charges against “another minor suspect” involved in the attack have yet to be decided.
Investigations into the Dawabsha arson attack have been followed closely by critics who in the past have criticized Israel for allowing Israelis to carrying out attacks on Palestinians and their property with full impunity.
Suspected Israeli extremists affiliated with a Jewish terror organization on July 31 set a Palestinian home ablaze in the West Bank village of Duma, burning alive an 18-month-old. The infant's parents later died from severe burns, leaving 4-year-old Ahmad Dawabsha the only survivor of the attack.
Local witnesses saw two suspects at the scene at the time of the attack, both of whom fled to a nearby settlement after setting the home ablaze.
Several suspects were detained in November however the majority of information on those arrested still remains under a gag order requested by the Israeli police.
Israel’s internal security agency Shin Bet came under fire earlier this month from far-right groups alleging that the agency used torture during investigations into the suspects.
Israeli leadership has largely defended the agency, who in the wake of the allegations released a statement warning against the growing influence of Jewish extremist groups over the Israeli government.
Haaretz reported that a suspect in the Dawabsha case taken into custody had been released on house arrest earlier this week after their suspected involvement was dropped.
Israeli police reportedly announced an indictment would be file against him for “assaulting Palestinians.” The 18-year-old suspect reportedly assaulted a Palestinian near the illegal Baladim outpost in the occupied West Bank two years ago.
Israeli settlers carried out well over 300 attacks on Palestinians and their property in 2015, according to documentation by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
The oft called “price tag” attacks were labelled as acts of terrorism by the US government in 2013.
The UN reported in September that complaints lodged by Palestinians against settler attacks have a 91 percent chance of being dismissed without effective action, whereas around 95 percent of settler complaints against Palestinians proceed to court.
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Israeli police have arrested five Israelis involved in a Jerusalem wedding ceremony that incited violence towards Palestinians, Israeli media reported Tuesday.
The groom of the wedding -- reportedly a well-known member of the radical right -- was arrested in addition to an Israeli soldier and two minors, Israeli daily Haaretz said, according to Ma'an. Israeli police also arrested renowned extremist settler Daniel Pinner from the illegal settlement of Tapuah, who was among a number of others seen dancing with a gun in video footage of the wedding ceremony, Haaretz reported, adding that Pinner’s attorney claimed the gun was a toy. |
Israeli police opened an investigation into the wedding last week after video footage aired by Israel’s Channel 10 went viral.
Israeli police spokesperson Luba al-Samri said in a statement at the time that the investigation was opened due to "numerous and serious offenses seen in the video.”
The video shows Israelis present at the wedding dancing and singing songs of revenge while waving knives and guns in the air.
At one point during the ceremony, a masked Israeli youth waves a firebomb while another stabs a photo of Ali Dawabsha, an 18-month-old Palestinian burned alive in an arson attack carried out by Jewish extremists over the summer.
The infant’s parents later died from severe burns, leaving their four-year-old child Ahmad as the sole survivor of the attack.
Controversy over the video erupted as Israel’s right slammed Israel’s internal security agency Shin Bet for its investigation into the Dawabsha murders, which has increased internal tensions within the national religious right. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the wedding video showed "the real face of a group that poses danger to Israeli society and security,” days after the Shin Bet warned that Jewish terror organizations were aiming to “violently overthrow” the Israeli government.
Israeli police spokesperson Luba al-Samri said in a statement at the time that the investigation was opened due to "numerous and serious offenses seen in the video.”
The video shows Israelis present at the wedding dancing and singing songs of revenge while waving knives and guns in the air.
At one point during the ceremony, a masked Israeli youth waves a firebomb while another stabs a photo of Ali Dawabsha, an 18-month-old Palestinian burned alive in an arson attack carried out by Jewish extremists over the summer.
The infant’s parents later died from severe burns, leaving their four-year-old child Ahmad as the sole survivor of the attack.
Controversy over the video erupted as Israel’s right slammed Israel’s internal security agency Shin Bet for its investigation into the Dawabsha murders, which has increased internal tensions within the national religious right. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the wedding video showed "the real face of a group that poses danger to Israeli society and security,” days after the Shin Bet warned that Jewish terror organizations were aiming to “violently overthrow” the Israeli government.
25 dec 2015
The Israeli district court in Occupied Jerusalem on Thursday accepted to discuss the mental status of Yosef Haim Ben-David, the Jewish settler who masterminded the brutal murder of Palestinian teenager Mohamed Abu Khudair, in an attempt to acquit him.
The same court refused last month to condemn Ben-David at the pretext that he could be mentally disordered, although it admitted that he and his accomplices committed the crime.
The court decided to give more time to determine the mental state of Ben-David, the only adult suspect in the murder of Abu Khudair, after the defense submitted a medical report claiming their defendant as mentally ill and thus ineligible to stand trial.
For his part, lawyer Muhannad Jabara, who represents the family of Abu Khudair, said that the court agreed to study the medical report of the accused and listen to the psychiatrist who wrote the report.
Jabara added that a court hearing would be held on January 20 to look into the report.
16-year-old Mohamed Abu Khudair was kidnapped and burned alive in Occupied Jerusalem by Ben-David and two of his followers on July 2, 2014.
The same court refused last month to condemn Ben-David at the pretext that he could be mentally disordered, although it admitted that he and his accomplices committed the crime.
The court decided to give more time to determine the mental state of Ben-David, the only adult suspect in the murder of Abu Khudair, after the defense submitted a medical report claiming their defendant as mentally ill and thus ineligible to stand trial.
For his part, lawyer Muhannad Jabara, who represents the family of Abu Khudair, said that the court agreed to study the medical report of the accused and listen to the psychiatrist who wrote the report.
Jabara added that a court hearing would be held on January 20 to look into the report.
16-year-old Mohamed Abu Khudair was kidnapped and burned alive in Occupied Jerusalem by Ben-David and two of his followers on July 2, 2014.
21 dec 2015
The Israeli Supreme Court is to release, on Monday, two Israelis accused of burning the Dawabsha family in the village of Douma, occupied Nablus, four months ago.
Israeli public radio stated, according to Al Ray, that it is expected to release other detainees accused of the crime this evening, provided that they stay under the house arrest.
In the same context, the Israeli Supreme Court considers, this evening, a petition filed by one of the suspects, demanding to allow him meeting with his lawyer.
The Minister of the Israeli army, Moshe Ya'alon, said in a statement last week, "The perpetrators of the crime of Dawabsheh family's arson attack are identified for us, but there is no evidence to bring them to trial or to charge them."
Israeli public radio stated, according to Al Ray, that it is expected to release other detainees accused of the crime this evening, provided that they stay under the house arrest.
In the same context, the Israeli Supreme Court considers, this evening, a petition filed by one of the suspects, demanding to allow him meeting with his lawyer.
The Minister of the Israeli army, Moshe Ya'alon, said in a statement last week, "The perpetrators of the crime of Dawabsheh family's arson attack are identified for us, but there is no evidence to bring them to trial or to charge them."
Meir Ettinger
In July of 2015, two parents and their 18-month-old son were burned to death when a commando threw firebombs at the Dawabsha family’s home in the village of Douma. A four-year-old child survived the attack, but sustained severe injuries.
At least six Israelis were arrested for the attack as “administrative detainees" after the Shin Bet presented intelligence to Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein. Shin Bet requested permission to interrogate the suspects using “special methods.” This is the first time such measures have been directed at Jewish citizens of Israel.
Four of the six known suspects maintain dual-citizenship with Anglo-Saxon countries.
Three suspects with dual citizenship – Meir Ettinger and Mordechai Meyer and Eviatar Slonim – are not accused of direct involvement in the Douma attack, but are accused of parttaking in a violent underground movement known as “the Revolt.”
Slonim is an Australian citizen. The Sunday Morning Herald reported that he a relative of former Knesset member and right-winger Rabbi Moshe Feiglin. Feiglin recently visited Australia to speak to synagogues in Sydney and Melbourne. Israeli security services allege that Slonim participated in setting fire to a home in the Palestinian town of Khirbet Abu Falah.
Meyer is a U.S. citizen. Shin Bet claims that Mordechai committed arson at Dormition Abbey in Jerusalem.
Ettinger – a U.S. citizen and the grandson of militant Jewish nationalist Rabbi Meir Kahane – allegedly heads an extreme right-wing organization intent on toppling the Israeli government though violent means.
Haaretz reported that there are at least three other Israeli Jews suspected of direct involvement in the Douma killings, but their names are protected by a court-issued gag order.
At least one of these three suspects has dual American-Israeli citizenship. His parents have already spoken with the U.S. State Department and urged them to get involved in his case.
In July of 2015, two parents and their 18-month-old son were burned to death when a commando threw firebombs at the Dawabsha family’s home in the village of Douma. A four-year-old child survived the attack, but sustained severe injuries.
At least six Israelis were arrested for the attack as “administrative detainees" after the Shin Bet presented intelligence to Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein. Shin Bet requested permission to interrogate the suspects using “special methods.” This is the first time such measures have been directed at Jewish citizens of Israel.
Four of the six known suspects maintain dual-citizenship with Anglo-Saxon countries.
Three suspects with dual citizenship – Meir Ettinger and Mordechai Meyer and Eviatar Slonim – are not accused of direct involvement in the Douma attack, but are accused of parttaking in a violent underground movement known as “the Revolt.”
Slonim is an Australian citizen. The Sunday Morning Herald reported that he a relative of former Knesset member and right-winger Rabbi Moshe Feiglin. Feiglin recently visited Australia to speak to synagogues in Sydney and Melbourne. Israeli security services allege that Slonim participated in setting fire to a home in the Palestinian town of Khirbet Abu Falah.
Meyer is a U.S. citizen. Shin Bet claims that Mordechai committed arson at Dormition Abbey in Jerusalem.
Ettinger – a U.S. citizen and the grandson of militant Jewish nationalist Rabbi Meir Kahane – allegedly heads an extreme right-wing organization intent on toppling the Israeli government though violent means.
Haaretz reported that there are at least three other Israeli Jews suspected of direct involvement in the Douma killings, but their names are protected by a court-issued gag order.
At least one of these three suspects has dual American-Israeli citizenship. His parents have already spoken with the U.S. State Department and urged them to get involved in his case.
20 dec 2015
The District judges postponed on Sunday the decision whether to accept or reject the psychological report of the killer of Martyr Mohammad Abu Khdeir to an unspecified date; the report will be sent to the concerned authorities.
A session was held at the District court to discuss the psychological report of the main suspect (Yousef Ben David) in killing Martyr Mohammad Abu Khdeir; the report was submitted at the end of last month.
According to the report, Ben David suffers from psychological disorders making him unfit for a trial.
Lawyer Mohannad Jbara explained that Sunday’s session was focused on the medical report. The suspect’s lawyer said his client suffers from psychological disorders and has the right to defend himself. He also tried to justify the reason behind the delay in submitting the report to the judges (after a year and half of the crime) by saying that he was unable to present his client to a doctor during the previous months.
Lawyer Jbara pointed out that Ben David was presented to a Psychiatrist by the public prosecution after committing the crime and the doctor confirmed in his report that Ben David was sane and does not suffer from any psychological disorders making him fit for a trial.
During the session, the prosecutor stressed on the necessity to reject the psychological report since it does not meet the necessary legal requirements for acceptance.
The prosecutor also revealed that the Psychiatrist is an Israeli doctor living abroad who was able to visit Ben David last June unlike what the lawyer claims regarding the delay of submitting the report to court. The lawyer deliberately delayed submitting the report in an attempt to affect the judge’s decision.
The prosecutor also said that the Supreme Court had issued decisions refusing late claims submitted by the lawyers.
Jbara pointed out that the judges’ commission acknowledged during the session that was held last month Ben David’s full responsibility of the crime of killing Mohammad Abu Khdeir but did not convict him. According to the Israeli law, any suspect cannot be convicted before studying his psychological and mental conditions.
A session was held at the District court to discuss the psychological report of the main suspect (Yousef Ben David) in killing Martyr Mohammad Abu Khdeir; the report was submitted at the end of last month.
According to the report, Ben David suffers from psychological disorders making him unfit for a trial.
Lawyer Mohannad Jbara explained that Sunday’s session was focused on the medical report. The suspect’s lawyer said his client suffers from psychological disorders and has the right to defend himself. He also tried to justify the reason behind the delay in submitting the report to the judges (after a year and half of the crime) by saying that he was unable to present his client to a doctor during the previous months.
Lawyer Jbara pointed out that Ben David was presented to a Psychiatrist by the public prosecution after committing the crime and the doctor confirmed in his report that Ben David was sane and does not suffer from any psychological disorders making him fit for a trial.
During the session, the prosecutor stressed on the necessity to reject the psychological report since it does not meet the necessary legal requirements for acceptance.
The prosecutor also revealed that the Psychiatrist is an Israeli doctor living abroad who was able to visit Ben David last June unlike what the lawyer claims regarding the delay of submitting the report to court. The lawyer deliberately delayed submitting the report in an attempt to affect the judge’s decision.
The prosecutor also said that the Supreme Court had issued decisions refusing late claims submitted by the lawyers.
Jbara pointed out that the judges’ commission acknowledged during the session that was held last month Ben David’s full responsibility of the crime of killing Mohammad Abu Khdeir but did not convict him. According to the Israeli law, any suspect cannot be convicted before studying his psychological and mental conditions.
12 dec 2015
15-year-old from Beit Shemesh arrested after calling in several fake terror incidents, causing police and emergency services to deploy in large forces.
Officers from the Beit Shemesh police station arrested a 15-year-old boy on Friday, for allegedly making calling in several false reports of terror attacks and suspicions individuals in recent weeks. The boy claimed the calls were conducted as a practical joke.
Police received an urgent call regarding a suspected terror attack in Beit Shemesh on Thursday night. Large police forces began searching the suspected scene and found nothing. An initial investigation revealed that the person, who had called in the incident, a young man from the city, had phoned in the attack as a joke.
It was later discovered that this was not the first time he had phoned in false reports, sending officers on wild goose chases. Upon questioning he revealed that he had conducted several calls in recent weeks, all reports of suspicious persons or terror incidents. The calls caused several deployments of police and emergency personal, leading them to prioritize the unknowingly false reports over real emergency incidents.
The police have opened an investigation into the incidents in order to prosecute the young man. The Jerusalem District Police responded saying, "The police call on citizens to act responsibly and avoid prank calls of false reports. Public awareness has proved itself to be life saving in several incidents, and the police treat every call seriously.
Officers from the Beit Shemesh police station arrested a 15-year-old boy on Friday, for allegedly making calling in several false reports of terror attacks and suspicions individuals in recent weeks. The boy claimed the calls were conducted as a practical joke.
Police received an urgent call regarding a suspected terror attack in Beit Shemesh on Thursday night. Large police forces began searching the suspected scene and found nothing. An initial investigation revealed that the person, who had called in the incident, a young man from the city, had phoned in the attack as a joke.
It was later discovered that this was not the first time he had phoned in false reports, sending officers on wild goose chases. Upon questioning he revealed that he had conducted several calls in recent weeks, all reports of suspicious persons or terror incidents. The calls caused several deployments of police and emergency personal, leading them to prioritize the unknowingly false reports over real emergency incidents.
The police have opened an investigation into the incidents in order to prosecute the young man. The Jerusalem District Police responded saying, "The police call on citizens to act responsibly and avoid prank calls of false reports. Public awareness has proved itself to be life saving in several incidents, and the police treat every call seriously.
Hardline Knesset member Bezalel Smotrich has described the Jewish settlers' deadly arson attack on the Palestinian Dawabsheh family in the West Bank village of Duma as "not an act of terror."
In a column published on Thursday by the B'Sheva newspaper, Smotrich, from the Jewish Home party, called for not drawing an analogy between the murder of Jews and Palestinians.
"The murder in Duma, with all its severity, is not an incident of terrorism. Period. Those who call it terror are perverting the truth, unjustifiably inflicting great harm to human and civil rights, making themselves like UN officials, whose job is to maintain order on both sides, and cheapening the concept of terror, and as a result, at the end of the day undermining the effectiveness of the efforts to combat it," he wrote.
The Knesset member also lashed out at the Shin Bet for conducting investigations into the Duma arson attack and interrogating Jewish suspects, accusing it of crossing all the red lines.
In a column published on Thursday by the B'Sheva newspaper, Smotrich, from the Jewish Home party, called for not drawing an analogy between the murder of Jews and Palestinians.
"The murder in Duma, with all its severity, is not an incident of terrorism. Period. Those who call it terror are perverting the truth, unjustifiably inflicting great harm to human and civil rights, making themselves like UN officials, whose job is to maintain order on both sides, and cheapening the concept of terror, and as a result, at the end of the day undermining the effectiveness of the efforts to combat it," he wrote.
The Knesset member also lashed out at the Shin Bet for conducting investigations into the Duma arson attack and interrogating Jewish suspects, accusing it of crossing all the red lines.
11 dec 2015
An Israeli court on Friday released one of the Jewish settlers suspected of carrying out a deadly arson attack in last July on al-Dawabsheh family in Duma village, south of Nablus city.
According to Israel's channel 7, the released settler, who lives in a settlement north of Ramallah city, had been interrogated for two weeks by the police and now he will stay for a while under house arrest.
One week ago, the Shin Bet claimed it had managed to unravel the mastery of the crime that happened to al-Dawabsheh family, without giving further details.
A gang of Jewish settlers in late July 2015 attacked the house of a Palestinian family with Molotov cocktails, killing 18-month-old Ali Dawabsheh, while both his parents died later one after another from their injuries. His 4-year-old brother was also critically injured in the attack.
According to Israel's channel 7, the released settler, who lives in a settlement north of Ramallah city, had been interrogated for two weeks by the police and now he will stay for a while under house arrest.
One week ago, the Shin Bet claimed it had managed to unravel the mastery of the crime that happened to al-Dawabsheh family, without giving further details.
A gang of Jewish settlers in late July 2015 attacked the house of a Palestinian family with Molotov cocktails, killing 18-month-old Ali Dawabsheh, while both his parents died later one after another from their injuries. His 4-year-old brother was also critically injured in the attack.
