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'Jewish protesters would have been shot too'

Deputy state prosecutor defends decision to close October 2000 riots case, explains to Knesset committee evidence wasn't enough to substantiate indictments against officers. Arab MKs blame Prosecution for 'cover up campaign'

"The State Prosecution has left no stone unturned in its investigation of the October 2000 riots," Deputy State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan maintained during a special discussion held by the Knesset's Internal Affairs Committee Monday.

 

The committee summoned the meeting following Attorney General Menachem Mazuz's recent decision not to indict the officers involved in the riots, which led to the death of 13 Israeli-Arab citizens.

 

"In some cases, we found that the use of weapons was justified, or at least that the shooters' criminal liability could not be verified," Nitzan explained. "At the Umm al-Fahm Junction for instance, thousands of people rioted. A policeman was seriously wounded and nearly died; a mother and child passing by in their car were injured; Molotov cocktails were hurled and tires were set on fire.

 

Riots in Umm al-Fahm Junction, October 2000 (Photo: Yariv Katz)

 

"Some of the rioters used live bullets, and may I remind you that a Jewish citizen was also killed. We are not talking about a peaceful protest, like the ones the Indians used against the British. I'm sure that had the protesters been Jewish, the police would have shot them as well," he stated.

 

'Protesters weren't killed by UFOs'

Nitzan explained that although some officers were probably guilty of unlawful use of weapons, against their commanders' orders, the Prosecution has been unable to determine who those officers were.

 

The senior attorney also claimed that had the State Prosecution been allowed to perform autopsies on the victims' bodies, it might have had a better chance to form an indictment against the officers.

 

Nitzan's statements were met with harsh criticism by the Arab MKs who attended the discussion. "These people were not shot by UFOs," Labor MK Nadia Hilou said. "The shooters should be held accountable for their actions in order to preserve democracy and coexistence."

 

According to MK Mohammad Barakeh (Hadash), "There has been a cover-up campaign here. The bodies could have been examined while still at the hospital. This wasn't done."

 

MK Jamal Zahalka (Balad) accused the Prosecution of having formed its opinions before it even started investigating the affair.

 


פרסום ראשון: 02.11.08, 15:46
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