31 aug 2016
Four years after the incident, the now-21-year-old woman must complete 60 hours of community service, though the court refrained from convicting her 'out of concern for her future.'
The woman who spat on MK Ahmad Tibi four years at a conference has been sentenced to 60 hours community service, though the court has refrained from entering a conviction on her record "out of concern for her future."
The Magistrates' Court for Youth in Tel Aviv made the judgment a few weeks ago, though it was only recently cleared for publication. The offending incident took place in 2012 at Bar Ilan University when the then-17-year-old offender spit on the MK as he exited the conference hall.
She was tried for attempting to attack a civil servant. After undergoing an evaluation and expressing remorse for her actions, the probation service and the police recommended community service. Tibi did not file a complaint against her.
The girl, who was familiar to the Hilltop Youth in the West Bank, has participated in various activities against African infiltrators and the evacuation of settler outposts. "(Tibi) should say thank you; he deserves much worse; he deserves a death sentence. There have to be people who give the enemies of Israel what they deserve." she told Ynet shortly after the incident.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, the woman's lawyer, commented, "From the beginning, it seemed to me that filing an indictment was a superfluous step by the police. Ahmad Tibi is a provocateur who provokes and incites and creates disturbances, and (that's proven by) the fact that the police prosecutor believed that she should scrap the case. However, I think that the result reached by the court is balanced and correct, and there's a concern here for a minor's future."
At the time, Tibi said in response to the incident, "I will not be daunted and will go anywhere, even if there are racists there. I will make my voice and that of the Arab public be heard with my head held high."
The woman who spat on MK Ahmad Tibi four years at a conference has been sentenced to 60 hours community service, though the court has refrained from entering a conviction on her record "out of concern for her future."
The Magistrates' Court for Youth in Tel Aviv made the judgment a few weeks ago, though it was only recently cleared for publication. The offending incident took place in 2012 at Bar Ilan University when the then-17-year-old offender spit on the MK as he exited the conference hall.
She was tried for attempting to attack a civil servant. After undergoing an evaluation and expressing remorse for her actions, the probation service and the police recommended community service. Tibi did not file a complaint against her.
The girl, who was familiar to the Hilltop Youth in the West Bank, has participated in various activities against African infiltrators and the evacuation of settler outposts. "(Tibi) should say thank you; he deserves much worse; he deserves a death sentence. There have to be people who give the enemies of Israel what they deserve." she told Ynet shortly after the incident.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, the woman's lawyer, commented, "From the beginning, it seemed to me that filing an indictment was a superfluous step by the police. Ahmad Tibi is a provocateur who provokes and incites and creates disturbances, and (that's proven by) the fact that the police prosecutor believed that she should scrap the case. However, I think that the result reached by the court is balanced and correct, and there's a concern here for a minor's future."
At the time, Tibi said in response to the incident, "I will not be daunted and will go anywhere, even if there are racists there. I will make my voice and that of the Arab public be heard with my head held high."
A video appears to show two Border Police officers striking and breaking the mirrors of a parked scooter; the incident is being investigated, and the Border Police claim to be taking it 'seriously.'
A video filmed overnight Tuesday by a resident of Jerusalem's Old City allegedly shows two Border Police officers striking a scooter and breaking its mirrors.
The Border Police have stated that they "take this incident seriously and are distressed by it." They related that the footage was transferred to the Police Investigation Division (PID) to be checked. The Jerusalem District Commander of the Israel Police, Yoram Halevy, ordered that the scooter's owner, Kamal Jamal, be compensated for damages, depending on the results of this check.
The video shows the vandalism and plays the sound of breaking glass, but the Border Policemen are not seen actually striking the scooter. As evidence, residents presented photographs of the scooter as they found it in the morning with its mirrors broken.
Jamal's brother, Najib Jamal, said that he saw what happened but didn't file a complaint with the PID because "I don't believe that it'll help."
The Border Police were on a widespread operation in the Old City that night to prevent stone-throwing.
A video filmed overnight Tuesday by a resident of Jerusalem's Old City allegedly shows two Border Police officers striking a scooter and breaking its mirrors.
The Border Police have stated that they "take this incident seriously and are distressed by it." They related that the footage was transferred to the Police Investigation Division (PID) to be checked. The Jerusalem District Commander of the Israel Police, Yoram Halevy, ordered that the scooter's owner, Kamal Jamal, be compensated for damages, depending on the results of this check.
The video shows the vandalism and plays the sound of breaking glass, but the Border Policemen are not seen actually striking the scooter. As evidence, residents presented photographs of the scooter as they found it in the morning with its mirrors broken.
Jamal's brother, Najib Jamal, said that he saw what happened but didn't file a complaint with the PID because "I don't believe that it'll help."
The Border Police were on a widespread operation in the Old City that night to prevent stone-throwing.
29 aug 2016
Former Minister Ben-Eleizer was in the middle of bribery and fraud hearings when he passed away; now, the prosecution has to give back all of the evidence they collected - including cash and houses - back to Ben-Eliezer's estate.
Benjamin Ben-Eliezer quit the race to become President of Israel and the last minute two years ago following an investigation being opened up against him on charges of bribery to the tune of millions of shekels from various Israeli businessmen, fraud, and breach of trust.
This investigation led to an indictment against him and the people close to him, including businessmen Avraham Nanikashvili, Djeki ben-Zaken and Roy Motzpi. According to the indictment, from 2007-2014, Ben-Eliezer received large sums of money from these businessmen while he was a minister in the Knesset.
He obtained the money in order to buy homes, including a large home in Jaffa with a seaside view which is worth millions of shekels.
Ben-Eliezer claimed that he couldn't stand trial due to his poor health and requested to delay the trial. The Attorney General denied the request, but Ben-Eliezer still didn't go to any of his trial dates, each time blaming his deteriorating health.
In the end, it was decided that Ben-Eliezer could not stand trial and could not testify. Fuad's prosecutors claimed on Sunday that the prosecutors must return everything they took from Ben-Eliezer's estate, including hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and various real estate assets.
Benjamin Ben-Eliezer quit the race to become President of Israel and the last minute two years ago following an investigation being opened up against him on charges of bribery to the tune of millions of shekels from various Israeli businessmen, fraud, and breach of trust.
This investigation led to an indictment against him and the people close to him, including businessmen Avraham Nanikashvili, Djeki ben-Zaken and Roy Motzpi. According to the indictment, from 2007-2014, Ben-Eliezer received large sums of money from these businessmen while he was a minister in the Knesset.
He obtained the money in order to buy homes, including a large home in Jaffa with a seaside view which is worth millions of shekels.
Ben-Eliezer claimed that he couldn't stand trial due to his poor health and requested to delay the trial. The Attorney General denied the request, but Ben-Eliezer still didn't go to any of his trial dates, each time blaming his deteriorating health.
In the end, it was decided that Ben-Eliezer could not stand trial and could not testify. Fuad's prosecutors claimed on Sunday that the prosecutors must return everything they took from Ben-Eliezer's estate, including hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and various real estate assets.
28 aug 2016
Legal proceedings in the trial of the retired IDF Brig. Gen. Ofek Buchris are set to begin Sunday, dealing mainly with trial's technical details rather than allegations; Buchris has publicly claimed innocence.
The trial of retired IDF Brig. Gen. Ofek Buchris, who is facing charges of rape, is set to begin Sunday at the special military court in the Kirya base in Tel Aviv.
The Sunday proceedings are expected to mainly deal with technical details such as determining the panel of judges and matters of scheduling.
Channel 10 News reported Saturday night that the IDF will likely appoint a former senior judge to head the complex case. The Israeli military is also looking to find another senior IDF judge who does not know Buchris personally.
The decision to indict Buchris came while he was still an active-duty IDF officer. He retired shortly after it was announced that he was indicted for rape, so that he would be able to stand trial as a civilian.
He stands accused of raping his subordinate officers on three different occasions, in addition to sexual abuse of one other woman.
In total, 17 allegations were leveled against him in the indictment for incidents that allegedly took place in the period between July 2010 and September 2013.
According to the indictment, some of the incidents occurred in Buchris' military barracks room, his office, and his vehicle.
He has denied the claims against him. "I am innocent and will fight for my good name and innocence," he wrote in his statement upon retiring from the IDF.
Even though he has retired from the military, he will be provided with a defense by the IDF public defender's office.
The trial of retired IDF Brig. Gen. Ofek Buchris, who is facing charges of rape, is set to begin Sunday at the special military court in the Kirya base in Tel Aviv.
The Sunday proceedings are expected to mainly deal with technical details such as determining the panel of judges and matters of scheduling.
Channel 10 News reported Saturday night that the IDF will likely appoint a former senior judge to head the complex case. The Israeli military is also looking to find another senior IDF judge who does not know Buchris personally.
The decision to indict Buchris came while he was still an active-duty IDF officer. He retired shortly after it was announced that he was indicted for rape, so that he would be able to stand trial as a civilian.
He stands accused of raping his subordinate officers on three different occasions, in addition to sexual abuse of one other woman.
In total, 17 allegations were leveled against him in the indictment for incidents that allegedly took place in the period between July 2010 and September 2013.
According to the indictment, some of the incidents occurred in Buchris' military barracks room, his office, and his vehicle.
He has denied the claims against him. "I am innocent and will fight for my good name and innocence," he wrote in his statement upon retiring from the IDF.
Even though he has retired from the military, he will be provided with a defense by the IDF public defender's office.
18 aug 2016
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Following the release of a video that apparently shows three IDF soldiers hurling a stun grenade at Palestinian men and driving off, the military has said that it disciplined the soldiers involved; reportedly, a platoon sergeant was sent to jail for 10 days and two other soldiers were also disciplined for acting 'contrary to military standards.'
The Israeli military said Thursday it has disciplined three soldiers after a video emerged that seemed to show them hurling a stun grenade at Palestinian men smoking a water pipe in the northern West Bank. In the video, captured by a surveillance camera, an Israeli military jeep pulls up to the four Palestinians, stops briefly, then drives away as a stun grenade explodes in the frame, sending the Palestinians fleeing. |
The military said a platoon sergeant was sent to jail for 10 days and two other soldiers were also disciplined for acting "contrary to military standards."
The video was the latest footage filmed during a recent wave of violence that has been widely circulated in both Israeli and Palestinian media.
Since mid-September, Palestinians have killed 34 Israelis and two visiting Americans in stabbing and shooting attacks, as well as attack in which cars were used to ram into Israeli troops and civilians. At least 206 Palestinians have died by Israeli fire in that period, most said by Israel to be attackers. The attacks have tapered off in recent weeks.
Palestinians have accused Israelis of using excessive force against assailants who have already been wounded or stopped, and quickly circulate videos which they say back up their claims.
The Israeli watchdog group Yesh Din said that between 2010 and 2013, only 1.4 percent of Palestinian complaints led to indictments against soldiers. The military insists its justice system works, saying the low indictment rate does not signal lack of effort. They say the system is independent and that proper measures are taken if there are legal grounds to try and punish a soldier.
The video was the latest footage filmed during a recent wave of violence that has been widely circulated in both Israeli and Palestinian media.
Since mid-September, Palestinians have killed 34 Israelis and two visiting Americans in stabbing and shooting attacks, as well as attack in which cars were used to ram into Israeli troops and civilians. At least 206 Palestinians have died by Israeli fire in that period, most said by Israel to be attackers. The attacks have tapered off in recent weeks.
Palestinians have accused Israelis of using excessive force against assailants who have already been wounded or stopped, and quickly circulate videos which they say back up their claims.
The Israeli watchdog group Yesh Din said that between 2010 and 2013, only 1.4 percent of Palestinian complaints led to indictments against soldiers. The military insists its justice system works, saying the low indictment rate does not signal lack of effort. They say the system is independent and that proper measures are taken if there are legal grounds to try and punish a soldier.
15 aug 2016
Despite Police Investigation Unit statement saying footage 'appears to show abnormal and unprofessional conduct,' matter will not be investigated as criminal; possible disciplinary action to be examined.
The Police Investigation Unit released a statement on Monday saying that the two Israel Border policemen filmed in Hebron taking a bicycle from an 8-year-old Palestinian girl and throwing it into the bushes will not be brought before a criminal hearing.
It also said that the matter would be transferred for examination for possible disciplinary action within the police.
The statement made by the Police Investigation Unit said, “The investigative department for police and the State Attorney’s Office have decided to transfer the matter of the policemen who were filmed taking a bike from an 8-year-old girl in Hebron to the Command Disciplinary Department for professional officials authorized to examine such matters in the Israel Police.”
“Following the conclusion of the investigation,” the statement continued, “it was decided that the evidence seems to indicate abnormal and unprofessional conduct by the policemen. However, having examined all the circumstances surrounding the incident, it has been determined that there is no room for continuing to look into the matter through criminal channels.”
At the end of July Anwar Burqan, from the a-Salaimeh neighborhood in Hebron, near the Cave of the Patriarchs, was playing with her younger siblings in the street when she entered a road not far from her home which Palestinians are barred from entering.
Raed Abu Ramileh, who lives nearby, documented the incident for B'Tselem. Two-and-a-half weeks ago the two border policemen were investigated by the Police Investigation Unit under caution on suspicion of abusing their power. The Border Police also announced the suspension of soldier filmed throwing the bike.
The lawyers representing the two soldiers commented on the footage saying: “What is seen in the video appears to be the mistreatment of a defenseless girl but is actually a case of protecting the girl who asked to cross into the Jewish quarter in the city. When the policemen realized that she was endangering herself and that they were not succeeding in communicating with her in her language, they took the bike from her to prevent the danger.”
The Police Investigation Unit released a statement on Monday saying that the two Israel Border policemen filmed in Hebron taking a bicycle from an 8-year-old Palestinian girl and throwing it into the bushes will not be brought before a criminal hearing.
It also said that the matter would be transferred for examination for possible disciplinary action within the police.
The statement made by the Police Investigation Unit said, “The investigative department for police and the State Attorney’s Office have decided to transfer the matter of the policemen who were filmed taking a bike from an 8-year-old girl in Hebron to the Command Disciplinary Department for professional officials authorized to examine such matters in the Israel Police.”
“Following the conclusion of the investigation,” the statement continued, “it was decided that the evidence seems to indicate abnormal and unprofessional conduct by the policemen. However, having examined all the circumstances surrounding the incident, it has been determined that there is no room for continuing to look into the matter through criminal channels.”
At the end of July Anwar Burqan, from the a-Salaimeh neighborhood in Hebron, near the Cave of the Patriarchs, was playing with her younger siblings in the street when she entered a road not far from her home which Palestinians are barred from entering.
Raed Abu Ramileh, who lives nearby, documented the incident for B'Tselem. Two-and-a-half weeks ago the two border policemen were investigated by the Police Investigation Unit under caution on suspicion of abusing their power. The Border Police also announced the suspension of soldier filmed throwing the bike.
The lawyers representing the two soldiers commented on the footage saying: “What is seen in the video appears to be the mistreatment of a defenseless girl but is actually a case of protecting the girl who asked to cross into the Jewish quarter in the city. When the policemen realized that she was endangering herself and that they were not succeeding in communicating with her in her language, they took the bike from her to prevent the danger.”
14 aug 2016
Police forensics at the field where the body was found
64-year-old driver hears suspicious noises outside his home early Sunday, leading him to confront three Arabic-speaking men suspected of trying to steal his truck; body found in field near his home, but driver says he only shot into the air.
A truck driver was questioned by police on Sunday on suspicion he fatally shot a man who allegedly tried to steal his vehicle.
The 64-year-old driver recounted the incident that happened in the early hours of Sunday outside his home in Moshav Beit Elazari in central Israel, saying he came out of his house after hearing suspicion noises.
"I saw three figures and I shouted at them to leave. Instead they started talking in Arabic and then approached me and threatened me. I ran away and tripped as a result. I then fired several shots into the air and they ran away. I went back into the house and immediately called the police," he said.
The driver claimed the three, who are suspected of trying to steal his truck, also threatened him with a crowbar.
A trail of blood led police to finding a man's body in a nearby field, but the driver said he was not aware of having hit any of them. Police suspect that the dead man, around 30 years old, was one of the would-be thieves.
The driver's lawyer, Ben-Zion Kevlar, said that "This is a peaceful and law abiding citizen who is going through the scariest and most Kafkaesque scenario possible. In the dead of night, someone tried to take his property and then tried to hurt him, and he defended himself. I'm sure the police will do their work well and see there is no room to suspect him of anything." Kevlar stressed the gun was licensed.
Doron Shidlov, the head of the Brenner Regional Council where the incident occurred, said "residents in the regional council have to deal with burglary of their homes, their warehouses and their farmlands every day—whether by themselves or as part of an organized independent group. The residents risk their lives and stand as a human shield to protect their homes and property. The overall feeling is that of a lack of personal security. I call on the police to do everything in its power to protect the residents of Brener on a daily basis."
The truck driver might be able to use the "Dromi Law" in his defense. The law, passed in 2008, considers opposition to intruders as self-defense. The law does not apply, however, when this opposition was "patently unreasonable, under the circumstances, to stopping the intruder," or if one caused the intruders to enter the house.
The law was passed after an Israeli farmer, Shai Dromi, in an act of self-defense, shot and killed and intruder and wounded another in January 2007.
64-year-old driver hears suspicious noises outside his home early Sunday, leading him to confront three Arabic-speaking men suspected of trying to steal his truck; body found in field near his home, but driver says he only shot into the air.
A truck driver was questioned by police on Sunday on suspicion he fatally shot a man who allegedly tried to steal his vehicle.
The 64-year-old driver recounted the incident that happened in the early hours of Sunday outside his home in Moshav Beit Elazari in central Israel, saying he came out of his house after hearing suspicion noises.
"I saw three figures and I shouted at them to leave. Instead they started talking in Arabic and then approached me and threatened me. I ran away and tripped as a result. I then fired several shots into the air and they ran away. I went back into the house and immediately called the police," he said.
The driver claimed the three, who are suspected of trying to steal his truck, also threatened him with a crowbar.
A trail of blood led police to finding a man's body in a nearby field, but the driver said he was not aware of having hit any of them. Police suspect that the dead man, around 30 years old, was one of the would-be thieves.
The driver's lawyer, Ben-Zion Kevlar, said that "This is a peaceful and law abiding citizen who is going through the scariest and most Kafkaesque scenario possible. In the dead of night, someone tried to take his property and then tried to hurt him, and he defended himself. I'm sure the police will do their work well and see there is no room to suspect him of anything." Kevlar stressed the gun was licensed.
Doron Shidlov, the head of the Brenner Regional Council where the incident occurred, said "residents in the regional council have to deal with burglary of their homes, their warehouses and their farmlands every day—whether by themselves or as part of an organized independent group. The residents risk their lives and stand as a human shield to protect their homes and property. The overall feeling is that of a lack of personal security. I call on the police to do everything in its power to protect the residents of Brener on a daily basis."
The truck driver might be able to use the "Dromi Law" in his defense. The law, passed in 2008, considers opposition to intruders as self-defense. The law does not apply, however, when this opposition was "patently unreasonable, under the circumstances, to stopping the intruder," or if one caused the intruders to enter the house.
The law was passed after an Israeli farmer, Shai Dromi, in an act of self-defense, shot and killed and intruder and wounded another in January 2007.
12 aug 2016
Police made the arrest Friday morning, following public efforts in search for the ultra-Orthodox suspect, who is believed to have sexually assaulted a minor in Bnei Brak.
Security camera footage recorded in a store in Bnei Brak three weeks ago shows an ultra-Orthodox man sexually assaulting a 7 year-old girl. The video clip shows an ultra-Orthodox man following the child the moment she entered the store and as she passed between aisles.
After several minutes in the store, as the girl was putting markers in her basket, the man appeared behind her and pressed himself closely against her. Immediately following the assault, the girl left the store in a panic and informed her family of the incident. The family duly filed a criminal complaint with police in the Dan District. The police immediately began investigating the case.
Since the incident, which occurred three weeks ago, police have been attempting to locate the suspect, who was eventually identified by acquaintances who recognized him from the security footage and reported him to the police. Police then arrested the suspect Friday morning. During his interrogation, the 23 year-old man admitted to the charges against him.
A hearing was held this morning at the in Tel Aviv Magistrate Court where police requested the judge extend the suspect's remand by an additional 5 days. Judge Ronit Poznanski-Katz decided to release the suspect to house arrest under restricted conditions.
A segment of the security footage of the incident was published on the Facebook page of Lo Lishtok (Don't Be Silent), a group that deals with sexual harassment and assault in the ultra-Orthodox sector, in an attempt to locate and identify the suspect within the community. "There has been significant progress against sexual abuse in the (ultra-Orthodox) sector, but there is still fear of reporting and turning in offenders," said Rachel Roshgold, a social activist and director of the organization.
"There is fear stemming from blasphemy and defamation against people, but it is important to understand that reporting something like this is a sacred duty," she added. "Criminals like these don't just harm once, and therefore there is an obligation to uphold the verse 'purge the evil from your midst,' just like we would turn in a terrorist who was running through the street with a knife, without thinking twice," Roshgold added.
Security camera footage recorded in a store in Bnei Brak three weeks ago shows an ultra-Orthodox man sexually assaulting a 7 year-old girl. The video clip shows an ultra-Orthodox man following the child the moment she entered the store and as she passed between aisles.
After several minutes in the store, as the girl was putting markers in her basket, the man appeared behind her and pressed himself closely against her. Immediately following the assault, the girl left the store in a panic and informed her family of the incident. The family duly filed a criminal complaint with police in the Dan District. The police immediately began investigating the case.
Since the incident, which occurred three weeks ago, police have been attempting to locate the suspect, who was eventually identified by acquaintances who recognized him from the security footage and reported him to the police. Police then arrested the suspect Friday morning. During his interrogation, the 23 year-old man admitted to the charges against him.
A hearing was held this morning at the in Tel Aviv Magistrate Court where police requested the judge extend the suspect's remand by an additional 5 days. Judge Ronit Poznanski-Katz decided to release the suspect to house arrest under restricted conditions.
A segment of the security footage of the incident was published on the Facebook page of Lo Lishtok (Don't Be Silent), a group that deals with sexual harassment and assault in the ultra-Orthodox sector, in an attempt to locate and identify the suspect within the community. "There has been significant progress against sexual abuse in the (ultra-Orthodox) sector, but there is still fear of reporting and turning in offenders," said Rachel Roshgold, a social activist and director of the organization.
"There is fear stemming from blasphemy and defamation against people, but it is important to understand that reporting something like this is a sacred duty," she added. "Criminals like these don't just harm once, and therefore there is an obligation to uphold the verse 'purge the evil from your midst,' just like we would turn in a terrorist who was running through the street with a knife, without thinking twice," Roshgold added.
