Ze'ev Brauda
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Hebron shooter sent home
Man suspected of shooting Palestinians after eviction of disputed Hebron house placed under house arrest; judge criticizes police's 'double standards' in not arresting Palestinians involved in incident, says police, prosecutors influenced by media
Ze'ev Brauda, the settler from Kiryat Arba who is suspected of shooting at two Palestinians after the eviction of the disputed house in Hebron, was placed under house arrest on Wednesday.
Before issuing her decision, Jerusalem Magistrate's Court's Judge Malka Aviv harshly criticized the police. "The police are being extremely lenient towards the behavior of the Palestinian residents in that incident… We cannot play a part in such outright double standards."
Shooter's Version
Aviad Glickman
Court decides to remand arrest of Ze'ev Brauda, suspected of wounding two Palestinians after eviction of disputed Hebron house in shooting incident caught on tape. But Brauda insists to Ynet he only discharged his weapon in self defense
The judge pointed out that none of the other people involved in the serious incident were arrested by the police and no proceedings were opened against them, when it was clear that Brauda was being lynched.
During the hearing Brauda's lawyer Ariel Atari said his client, who has never been involved in any violent incidents, had gone to the wadi to keep his son away from the disputed house, when he was surrounded by Arabs carrying large stones and feared for his life.
After the judge gave her ruling a police representative asked to postpone Brauda's house arrest in order to examine the possibility of an appeal.
Prosecutor Dan Bahat then claimed he had an indictment against Brauda waiting for approval, and requested a three-hour delay in executing the defendant's house arrest to get the needed approval from a higher judge.
Bahat said that Brauda opened fire and shot a man, therefore, he was still dangerous. The judge rejected the prosecution's request, and the request of the police representative.
Aviv told the police representative she would not hold a discussion without all relevant parties present. "I am not holding this hearing based on the media's reactions," the judge said, adding that she felt the police and prosecution where influenced by the media.
Efrat Weiss contributed to this report
