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PHRMG Hotline Update #11/2001

Jerusalem, September 13, 2002

Trial Begins in Case of Peace Worker 

Attacked by Settler in Hebron

PHRMG succeeded in reopening the case of British citizen and peacemaker Angie Zelter who was attacked by settler Frank Karmel from Hebron on August 29, 2001.  September 4th was the first hearing.  In brief, Ms. Zelter was attacked by a settler from the infamous Avraha Avino settlement who hit her on the head, wrestled a camera off her neck and smashed it to pieces, spat at her and verbally abused her as she witnessed settlers attacking an elderly Palestinian man and photographed the incident.  Her colleague, Christian Peacemaker Team member Diane Roe, was also present.  This case had previously been closed by the prosecutor on the grounds that Ms. Zelter was a tourist and had left the country.  This despite the fact that Ms. Zelter’s lawyer had written to the prosecutor, assuring that her client would come back to the country anytime her testimony was needed.  PHRMG intervened and got the case reopened.

Both the judge and the prosecuting attorney were surprised to see a courtroom packed full of supporters for Ms. Zelter, including representatives from the British Consulate.  The prosecuting attorney had not contacted Ms. Zelter -or PHRMG- before the hearing in court, and also failed to contact the main witness, fellow peace worker Diane Roe, who she believed to be out of the country.  PHRMG lawyers are observing the trial closely and monitoring the performance of the prosecutor to ensure she represents Ms. Zelter zealously.  The defendant, settler Frank Karmel, sauntered into court forty-five minutes late and is being represented by a public defender.  Although PHRMG has still not received a charge sheet with the indictments, Mr. Karmel pled guilty to the charge of destroying the camera, citing self-defense, and denied the charge of physically hitting Ms. Zelter.

The judge set up the proof hearing to begin at 2 p.m. on New Year’s Eve day, December 31, 2002.  PHRMG finds this questionable, seeing that it is a holiday for many people involved in this case and is concerned that it is a tactic to prevent supporters and witnesses for Ms. Zelter from appearing in the courtroom.  PHRMG will release additional updates on this case as it develops.

Hebron’s Repeat Offenders: Settlers

A new Settler Hotline case similar to Ms. Zelter’s occurred on July 30, when Hebron settlers attacked another peace activist, Le Anne Clausen.  Ms. Clausen was beaten with fists by settler girls, hit with stones, kicked in the head, and had a rock smashed on her face.  She filed a complaint and has many eyewitnesses.  PHRMG will be monitoring this case as well.

Settlers, especially those from Avraha Avino settlement, continually attack Palestinians and international peace supporters.  Groups of young teenage settler girls have become repeat offenders in broad daylight against innocent civilians in Hebron.  PHRMG believes it is the past failure of police to arrest the offenders and prosecute these cases or to even interfere when such assaults take place that encourages such arrogant criminal behavior.  The Israeli military also often stands on the sidelines and watches innocents take abuse from settlers before they reluctantly intercede.  PHRMG will be diligently assisting all victims of these and other settler crimes to try to see that the cases are investigated and prosecuted according to law.