On Wednedsay, 19-year-old IDF Sgt. Elor Azaria was convicted of
manslaughter after a long and sensationalized trial. On Purim of this past year, two
terrorists attacked a group of soldiers guarding in Hebron, stabbing and wounding one of
them. One terrorist was shot and killed and the other shot and
wounded.
manslaughter after a long and sensationalized trial. On Purim of this past year, two
terrorists attacked a group of soldiers guarding in Hebron, stabbing and wounding one of
them. One terrorist was shot and killed and the other shot and
wounded.
Sgt. Azaria argued that he eliminated the terrorist after he was
incapacitated because he feared the downed terrorist could be hiding explosives that he
could detonate even when wounded.
incapacitated because he feared the downed terrorist could be hiding explosives that he
could detonate even when wounded.
The March 24th
incident was filmed by a resident of the PA who worked for the B’tselem
organization which brought the video to court.
incident was filmed by a resident of the PA who worked for the B’tselem
organization which brought the video to court.
It took place amid a wave of stabbings throughout the country including
one that took the life of area resident Genadi Kaufman who was attacked in
a similar manner near the Tomb of Machpela several months earlier. Many of the
terrorists originated from the
Hebron area and infiltrated into Israeli population
centers.
one that took the life of area resident Genadi Kaufman who was attacked in
a similar manner near the Tomb of Machpela several months earlier. Many of the
terrorists originated from the
Hebron area and infiltrated into Israeli population
centers.
Noam Arnon, Hebron’s Hebrew language spokesperson stated, “the community
expresses concern that this conviction could encourage more terrorist attacks and we
urge the government to understand the implications.”
expresses concern that this conviction could encourage more terrorist attacks and we
urge the government to understand the implications.”
He added that the community will continue friendly relations with the IDF
soldiers who keep a watchful eye on trouble spots in the greater Hebron area and who
enable the 700,000 annual tourists to visit the Tomb of Machpela and other holy sites in
the city.
soldiers who keep a watchful eye on trouble spots in the greater Hebron area and who
enable the 700,000 annual tourists to visit the Tomb of Machpela and other holy sites in
the city.
Yishai Fleisher, international spokesperson for the Jewish Community of
Hebron was interviewed on BBC World Service
about the incident. The following are excerpts:
Hebron was interviewed on BBC World Service
about the incident. The following are excerpts:
Yishai Fleisher: The action of shooting a downed
terrorist may or may not have been the best decision, but to try a soldier publicly, was
a big mistake. We are at war with terror and this soldier was protecting the homeland
from a gigantic Jihad that encircles us. We are sending the wrong signal to our young
soldiers who now may think too many times before shooting somebody who came to kill
Israelis.
terrorist may or may not have been the best decision, but to try a soldier publicly, was
a big mistake. We are at war with terror and this soldier was protecting the homeland
from a gigantic Jihad that encircles us. We are sending the wrong signal to our young
soldiers who now may think too many times before shooting somebody who came to kill
Israelis.
BBC: Israel portrays itself as a democracy, so
the rule of law should be honored.
the rule of law should be honored.
Yishai Fleisher: The question is which rule of
law, criminal justice law or the law of armed conflict? In terms of a war, an enemy
combatant started knifing soldiers and was shot. Then he may have moved and may have
been suspicious and a soldier shot him again. Under the rules of armed conflict that’s
not something you go to trial for. At the end of the day, the soldier shot a terrorist
who came to kill. If he was a police officer in a regular setting, that would have been
different. We’re not talking about criminals who are trying to steal a car, but about
people who are sworn to destroy the Jewish community in Hebron and Israel …every
Jihadist has to know that when they come to face Israel, when they come to kill Jewish
civilians, they will lose their lives.
law, criminal justice law or the law of armed conflict? In terms of a war, an enemy
combatant started knifing soldiers and was shot. Then he may have moved and may have
been suspicious and a soldier shot him again. Under the rules of armed conflict that’s
not something you go to trial for. At the end of the day, the soldier shot a terrorist
who came to kill. If he was a police officer in a regular setting, that would have been
different. We’re not talking about criminals who are trying to steal a car, but about
people who are sworn to destroy the Jewish community in Hebron and Israel …every
Jihadist has to know that when they come to face Israel, when they come to kill Jewish
civilians, they will lose their lives.
For the full interview, click
here and scroll to 8:19.
here and scroll to 8:19.
Plan your visit to Hebron today:
United States contact info:
http://www.hebronfund.com/
1760 Ocean Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11230
718-677-6886
info@hebronfund.org
In Israel contact the offices of the Jewish Community of Hebron at:
http://en.hebron.org.il/
02-996-5333
office@hebron.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hebronofficial
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