Settler Violence Case Goes to Court, The Palestinian Human Right Monitoring Group

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PHRMG Hotline Update # 2/2002

Jerusalem, January 31, 2002

Hebron Settler Violence Case Goes to Court

Although numerous cases of settler violence against Palestinian residents of Hebron have been reported to the Israeli police, to the knowledge of PHRMG, only one has been brought to trial. Unfortunately, this case was poorly prepared and poorly presented by the prosecutor, and revealed a disturbing bias against Palestinian victims by the Israeli police.

On 22 January, 12-year-old Ahmed al-Khateb testified before the Jerusalem Magistrate Court against Anna Schwartzboim, a young Israeli settler who attacked him (see Hotline Update #4/2001.) Ahmed was walking home on 12 July 2001, when he was attacked by a young woman who beat him over the head with an iron bar, causing injuries that required hospitalization. Following his release from the hospital, Ahmed filed a complaint with the Israeli police. The suspect was apprehended and brought to the police station, where Ahmed positively identified Schwartzboim as the woman who had attacked him.

Judge Amnon Cohen presided over the case, hearing the testimonies of Ahmed al-Khateb, two Israeli soldiers and three Israeli policemen. Unfortunately, none of the witnesses, including Ahmed, were able to correctly identify the suspect, as she was sitting among thirty other young women of the same age, dressed in similar clothing. The suspect had been previously identified by Ahmed, as well as several other witnesses to the attack including two of the Israeli soldiers who testified at the trial. The prosecutor neglected to call a second witness who was with Ahmed at the time of the attack to identify the woman.

Perhaps the most disturbing element of this case was that the police failed to obtain fingerprints from the weapon used to attack Ahmed, despite the fact that they had the weapon in their possession. The failure of the Israeli police to adequately investigate this case and collect appropriate evidence and the failure of the prosecutor to properly prepare the case for trial is completely unacceptable, and merely demonstrates that their commitment to protect the citizens of Hebron does not extend to the Palestinian population.

On 3 January 2002, PHRMG conducted a workshop in Hebron to introduce the “Know Your Rights” handbook (see Hotline Update #1/2002) and to create momentum for the Hotline. More than 50 Hebron residents attended the workshop, and many expressed reservations about filing complaints with the Israeli police. PHRMG staff provided guidance and explained the importance of filing complaints following settler attacks. In the three weeks following the workshop, the Hotline has received a wave of new complaints of settler violence, many from the Old City of Hebron. Below are the details of three such cases.

On 5 January 2002, Dr. Tayseer Rasmi Zahdeh reported a settler attack to the Hotline. At approximately 6:30 p.m. on 5 November 2001, Dr. Zahdeh went out to a shop near his home with his 14-month-old son. Three settlers passed by and began to beat him and his child. His wife ran out into the street and took the little boy as the settlers continued to beat Dr. Zahdeh. Israeli soldiers positioned on the roof of his house did nothing to stop the attack. Finally the police arrived and apprehended one of the settlers, releasing him later that day. Dr. Zahdeh was extremely reluctant to pursue this case, as his previous experiences working with human rights organizations on cases of settler violence have been negative. PHRMG has contacted the Hebron police to follow up on this case.

On 6 January 2002, Khalil Ahmad Dandees contacted the Hotline to report an incident that occurred on 11 July 2001 in which four young Israeli settlers approached his blacksmith shop and tried to force him to leave. Dandees refused, and they vandalized the shop, writing death threats on the walls. Dandees recognized one of the four, and has indicated that he would be able to identify him in court. The Hebron police have been contacted and we are awaiting a response.

On the same day, Ragheb Jawdat al-Salaymeh reported an arson attack on his shop in the Old City of Hebron. The incident had taken place months earlier, in September 2001. A group of settlers who study at the religious institute in Hebron set fire to al-Salaymeh’s sewing shop, burning the building and all equipment inside, including ten sewing machines. PHRMG has contacted the Israeli police in Hebron to determine the status of this case.

We are preparing to host a second workshop in Hebron for women, as few were in attendance at the first gathering. Although women are frequently targets of settler violence, few file complaints with the police.