J'lem protest: Free Jewish security prisoners
In backdrop of Shalit deal, some 60 people including National Union MK, terror victims' relatives gather outside home of justice minister demanding Jewish prisoners who killed Arabs be pardoned
Some 60 people demonstrated outside the home of Justice Minister Yaakov Ne'eman Thursday demanding the release of Jewish security prisoners who hurt Arabs. Among the protesters were relatives of terror victims including those killed by prisoners released as part of the Shalit deal.
The demonstrators carried signs which read "Release Jews, not terrorists." They later gathered outside the prime minister's residence.
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Knesset Member Michael Ben Ari (National Union) who participated in the protest, said: "We demand a certain balance. These prisoners did what they did not out of hatred towards Arabs but out of helplessness. Unlike the Palestinians who were released, these prisoners all regretted their actions. Why do Jews get different treatment than Arabs?"
Protesters demand 'balance' in Jerusalem (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)
Among the protesters was also Ora, mother of Shahar Butbika, who has been jailed for killing a Palestinian. Ora claims her son committed the crime after his friends were murdered and he was sent to clear the body parts.
"He suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder," she said. "If they free terrorists who murdered children, the people who committed the Ramallah lynch, then why not my son?"
David Libman, whose brother Shlomo was murdered by terrorists in Yitzhar in 1998 also attended the demonstration. His brother's murderers were released in the Shalit deal.
"We are still deeply shocked by the release of my brother's killers. It opened the old wounds again and we have a terrible sense of abandonment. Knowing that the murderers were in jail gave us a sense of sanity."
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