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Asla: Asil was no regular kid
Photo: Zoom 77
Reproduction Photo: Yedioth Ahronoth Archives
Asil wanted to believe in peace
Reproduction Photo: Yedioth Ahronoth Archives
Photo:  Erez Ehrlichman
Tibi suggests turning to international courts for justice
Photo: Erez Ehrlichman

Father: We feel lifeless since losing Asil

Police set to announce whether indictment will be filed against those responsible for killing 13 Israeli Arabs during October 2000 riots

The police investigation unit it set to convene a press conference Sunday, to announce its decision of whether to file an indictment against policemen responsible for killing 13 Israeli Arabs during the October 2000 riots, where dozens protested in support of West Bank and Gaza Palestinians at the beginning of the al-Aqsa Intifada.  

 

  A second press conference is to be held one hour later by the victims' parents and the Adalah organization in response to the decision.

 

Hassan Asla, father of Asil who was killed in the riots, told Ynet about his feelings prior to the announcement.

 

"We have felt lifeless after losing Asil, because Asil was not a regular child for us. I dreamt he would go far in life and fulfill all the things I had wanted achieve between Jews and Arabs," he said. "Instead of living in hope, we live in complete darkness because of the pain and suffering of our loss."

 

"His brothers especially miss him. Sometimes when I return home I see the screen saver on the computer with the words 'Asil, when are you returning.'

 

"When I see people his age already finishing university it breaks my heart. When I asked him once what he wanted to do when he grows up, he told me he wanted to reach the stars. I never thought I'd see him fall," he said.

 

Israeli-Arab Committee may turn to international courts

 

Several reports have already circulated regarding the expected police decision.

 

"Now they are telling me that they will probably not file indictments. Even the enlightened commander Ehud Barak will not be affected. He is not innocent, the Or Commission determined that the use of fire was not justified, but I guess that isn't enough," he said.

 

Asla said Justice Minister Tzipi Livni told him one month ago that "we cannot file indictments against innocent people."

 

"From this (answer) I realized they will probably not file indictments," he said. "I will have to deal with a situation which the murderers do not deserve, and punishing them will not bring me any consolation," he said.

 

Meanwhile, the Arab-Israeli Supreme Monitoring Committee convened Saturday to decide on the character of this year's memorial ceremonies in honor of the 13 victims. They decided to wait for the police decision before making a decision.

 

During the meeting Knesset member Ahmad Tibi (Hadash-Ta'al) suggested turning to international war crime courts, should the police investigation prove unsatisfactory.

 

"The police investigation unit plans to clear the murderers and once again will blame the victims. It will be a severe statement with political and legal aspects," he said. "These people must not be allowed to walk free; some of them were promoted following the murders of the innocent," Tibi said.

 

Leader of the Islamic Movement in Israel Sheikh Raad Salah also expressed his support for the decision. 

 


פרסום ראשון: 09.18.05, 10:13
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