Warning bullet to judge for releasing killer of an Arab
Israel, Judicial, 8/13/1998

The Israeli judge who sent home the suspected killer of an Arab Bedouin in southern Israel received a warning bullet, which she found in her purse, Israeli papers reported.

Presiding over the Magistrate Court in Beer Sheva, the judge, Channi Slutzky, decided last Sunday to release the Nature Reserve's supervisor on US $3,000 bail. The supervisor shot an Arab Bedouin during a routine patrol, and an eyewitness who was with the victim said the shooting was not justifiable at all.

Israel's attorney general, Elyakim Rubinstein, meanwhile, ordered the police to commence a criminal investigation against Knesset member Talab Al Sane', who earlier had called for revenge. Al Sane', also a Bedouin, said that Bedouins have the tradition of avenging their murdered relatives and called on the Israeli government to cease its double standard laws and jurisdictions on Arabs and Jews in Israel.

Responding to the decision, Al Sane' said that if the court fails to defend the Bedouins, they would defend themselves. "The right to self-defense is anchored in the law. I spoke about the judicial system, not about blood vengeance."

He accused influential circles in the government and the Knesset of trying to "divert the argument from the cold-blooded murder." He argued that the alleged killer, the Preservation of Nature Authority supervisor, was not in a life-threatening situation and yet he was released by the court "only after two hours of lockup."

The District Police in the Naqab (Negev) meanwhile, had gone on alert in anticipation of violent demonstrations following Friday prayers.

Previous Stories:
  Israeli judicial system under fire   (8/12/1998)
  Rabbi speaks against immoral Israeli practice, other Israelis help   (8/3/1998)
  Arabs seek medical equality   (12/17/1997)

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