State won't prosecute officers filmed beating Palestinians

[Donald Ian Rankin]

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1122549.html#

Deputy State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan rejected an appeal against the decision not to investigate Border Police officers who documented themselves abusing Palestinians.

The appeal was filed by the Yesh Din human rights group.

Senior deputy to the state prosecutor Nechama Zusman wrote last week on Nitzan's behalf that "the beating in the case was extremely slight and did not cause any actual damage. Therefore, the deputy state prosecutor did not think it was appropriate to intervene in the decision of the Justice Ministry's department for the investigation of police officers to transfer the case to the care of the Israel Police disciplinary department, along with a recommendation to discipline the officers in question."

Yesh Din issued a sharp response on Tuesday. The organization's legal adviser, Michael Sfard, wrote to Zusman that, "Your position demonstrates unprecedented tolerance of abuse of people in custody by a person of authority, through the use of violence and humiliation."

"The question of damage suffered is completely irrelevant, as criminal law prohibits assault and without qualifying it by the gravity of the damage caused," the letter continued. "The argument that beating a prisoner is not a criminal act is even worse than the beating itself, and amounts to a dangerous move by the prosecution."

....

More at link.

[ixion]

1. they only beat them a little bit, so it's okay.

:eyes:

[ProgressiveMuslim]

5. ... and they're not really human beings, so it's double-OK.

[Howardx]

2. why doesnt anyone trust israel to investigate themselves?

could this be why?

[Larkspur]

3. Israel had to beat the anti-Semitism out of the Palestinians

There can be no other reason why the Palestinians hate Israel. :sarcasm:

[Scurrilous]

4. Meanwhile...

Leftist gets month in jail for assault

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3793133,00.html

Ezra Nawi, member of Ta'ayush organization, is sentenced to 30-days in prison after being convicted of assaulting Border Guard officers, rioting during demolition of illegal Bedouin structures near South Mount Hebron

<snip>

"The Jerusalem Magistrate's Court sentenced left-wing activist Ezra Nawi to one month in prison, after convicting him of assaulting police officers and rioting during the demolition of illegal structures near South Mount Hebron in July 2007.

Nawi was also ordered to pay a fine of NIS 750 (roughly $202), and an additional NIS 500 ($135) compensation to each officer he assaulted."

<snip>

"After the sentencing Nawi told Ynet, "The judge would rather take the word of two Border Guard officers who lied and coordinated their testimonies. The entire system wants to see me in jail.

"The court has been permitting the occupation for years, they are trying to stop me at all costs. The judge doesn't scare me, and neither does the 30-day sentence. This is testimonium paupertatis to the court, I tried to stop criminal activity, and I ended up having to pay two officers who acted brutally. This is the Israeli reality."

Nawi, a leftist and member of the Ta'ayush organization, was arrested after he objected to the demolition of illegal structures and tin huts of Bedouin residents of Umm al-Kher and was convicted of inciting the residents of the area and causing riots.

In his verdict, the judge accepts the officer's claims and ruled that Nawi hit one of them in the face."

[azurnoir]

6. Could this be evidence of some sort of

double standard?

[Scurrilous]

7. Two Border Policeman charged with beating Arab youth

<snip>

"The Jerusalem Magistrate's Court on Monday charged two Border Police officers with grievously attacking an Arab youth passing by them near the Old City of Jerusalem.

The officers, Ma'or Melianker and Yosef Dahan, were detained 10 days ago and have been under house arrest since.

Melianker has also been charged in two other incidents of assault, causing grievous bodily harm, obstructing legal proceedings, providing false testimony.

Discussion of Israeli forces suspected of attacking Arabs has centered around the Border Police of late, following the release of a damning video clip on YouTube in which officers filmed themselves verbally and physically abusing Palestinians.

Deputy State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan last month rejected an appeal against the decision not to investigate Border Police officers who documented themselves abusing Palestinians."

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1131710.html


Border Guard officers indicted for assaulting Arab

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3812910,00.html

According to indictment Maor Malianker, Yossi Dahan approached east Jerusalem resident, requested an ID. After Arab man asked officers not to shout, two proceeded to beat him using baton, rifle

<snip>

"An east Jerusalem resident who pleaded with two Border Guard officers not to shout at him and speak appropriately was beaten by the two at a cemetery in the Old City, an Indictment filed with the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court Monday suggests.

The indictment, filed by attorney Emil Levinsky, indicates that Yossi Dahan and Maor Malianker asked Muhtaseb Muqtada for his ID on November 17. After Muqtada asked the two officers not to shout at him they grabbed him by the hand and dragged him to a dark location claiming they intended to search him.

Muqtada asked the officers to search him at the nearby police checkpoint at the Lions' Gate, but they ignored his plea and proceeded to drag him to a cemetery. At one point Muqtada attempted to escape, however the officers managed to catch him.

According to the indictment, once the three arrived at the cemetery the officers began abusing the Arab using a baton. They hit him in the head with the baton and used the edge of their weapon to beat him in his chest and waste. Muqtada begged for his life, but the officers did not relent. Both were charged with aggravated assault."