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PHRMG Hotline Update 7/2001
Jerusalem, December 2, 2001
Update on Mohammed
Maghames
On April 20, 2001, Mohammed Ibrahim Mustafa
Maghames (54) was returning home from work in Pisgat Ze’ev when he
was attacked by two young Jewish settlers (approximately 18 and 20
years of age.) They threatened him with a gun, knocked him to the
ground and hit him in the head with a sharp metal object, severely
injuring his left eye. Maghames was rushed to Makassed Hospital
and then taken to the St. John Eye Hospital in East Jerusalem
where he was operated on. Maghames is now blind in his left eye
with extremely weak vision in his right eye. A week later when
Maghames was released from the hospital he filed a complaint with
the Israeli police, indicating that he could identify his
assailants. The police told him that they would call him, but he
has received no word in the past six months. Two weeks ago, he
called PHRMG to follow up on his complaint. He has engaged a
private lawyer and we will continue to monitor this case.
On November 23, 2001 Gideon Levy wrote about
Maghames’ case in Ha’aretz. Several Israelis were extremely
disturbed by the article, and have written letters and sent
contributions to support Maghames, who has been unable to work
since the attack. The following letter was sent to Maghames from
an Israeli in Tel Aviv with a 1000 shekel donation:
“I read Gideon Levy’s article about the
terrible treatment you got from ‘our’ people. My wife and I
decided at that moment to do something, even if it will look small
and poor in relation to the unforgivable behavior of your
attackers.
We, my wife and
I, are not young anymore and also not rich, but the difference
between being human and being like animals is being able to know
and to feel very well. I am ashamed that you had to suffer
without any reason. We hope that you will feel well very soon and
will be able to look with your better eye at the beauty of this
part of the world where your people and ours both live.
We greet you,
your wife, and your children, and hope that the future will be
better.”
Nablus Murder Ignored by Israeli Police
On 17 October 2000, Farid Nasrasrah (34) was
shot dead and three other Palestinian farmers were injured while
picking olives with on their land near Nablus. Two settlers from
Itamar were arrested shortly after the incident, but were released
five days later with the State Attorney’s Office claiming
“insufficient evidence” and “difficulties formulating an
indictment.” Over a year has now passed, and no legal action has
been taken by the Israeli authorities.
PHRMG sent a letter on 2 February 2001
inquiring into this and other unresolved murder cases. The
response received on 26 March, 2001 from Attorney Rekefet Levin,
Officer of Public Affairs with the Shai Jurisdiction police
indicated that the case was still being investigated at that
time. The State’s Attorney was quoted in Ha’aretz on 11 March,
2001 stating that they were considering closing the investigation
because of “difficulties forming an indictment” despite the fact
that there are several Palestinian witnesses to the murder and
bullets were removed from the victims. We find it astounding that
this is not considered sufficient evidence to prosecute the
suspects.
The PHRMG has sent another letter to Moshe
Ariel, Chief of Investigations with the West Bank Police to
inquire into the investigation. We will continue to follow this
case until the murderers are convicted.
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