There is good news in the civil case of Abir Aramin, a little girl killed in 2007 by an Israeli soldier’s rubber-coated steel bullet just outside her school. On Monday, Aug. 16th, Judge Irit Efal-Gabai issued her ruling on behalf of Israel’s Civil Court. Her decision holds the State of Israel responsible for killing Abir Aramin and orders the State to pay compensation. At the end of this month, by order of the Israeli High Court, the Jerusalem Prosecutor’s Office must present the results of its criminal investigation. Indictments may follow.
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Dear Friends, “You are a beacon to us all” – that is what Roger Waters of Pink Floyd said in his message of solidarity with the Gaza Freedom March. He made me think about the many colleagues in Gaza and in Israel who are my beacons — so I picked-up the phone to ask their thoughts about the march, the New Year, and how they hold on to hope. The candlelight vigil for Gaza in San Francisco’s Union Sqare on Sunday, Dec. 28th, 2009Here are comments from just a few of my “beacons”: Dr. Eyad El Sarraj in Gaza City, Eric Yellin in S’derot, Dr. Samir Nasrallah in Rafah, Shmuel Groag in Jerusalem, Adnan in Rafah, Khaled Nasrallah in Rafah, and Roni Segoly in hmm, West Jerusalem and Bassam Aramin in East Jerusalem. I enclose the English translation of a speech given by Israeli human rights attorney Michael Sfard to Combatants for Peace last week, entitled, Truth Cast in Lead, and close the newsletter with Bassam Aramin’s short holiday message. As thousands take to the streets in solidarity marches around the world today, may their words warm your heart, provide insight, and give you encouragement. In rebuilding peace, On Wednesday, Oct. 14th, the Israeli High Court of Justice heard arguments in an appeal to reopen the investigation in the killing of Abir Aramin. The court did not make a final ruling but instead, as stated in the Jerusalem Post, “The court gave the state 14 days to present it with materials from the investigation and documentation of official police communications from that day.” The court will receive the materials this Wednesday, Oct. 28th. Upon their review, the court will either acknowledge that Yesh Din Attorney Michael Sfard’s arguments are correct and order the state to indict the Border Policemen, order a re-opening of the investigation, or dismiss the petition depite 14 eye-witnesses and independent autopsy. |
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