26 june 2016

As the trial for Hebron soldier Sgt. Elor Azaria continues, new testimonies emerge painting a picture of the details and general atmosphere that led up to Azaria shooting a neutralized Palestinian terrorist; 'We frequently saw videos of Arab terrorists blowing themselves up.'
The trial of Hebron soldier Sgt. Elor Azaria was reconvened on Sunday morning, during which more testimonies were heard and more witnesses cross-examined.
During the day, the defense questioned two investigations conducted by the IDF Criminal Investigation Division. One of the investigators, Yair Magen, was asked to verify that he confronted the platoon commander who was at the scene, telling him that “the terrorist was neutralized and that he no longer posed a threat, despite the fact that he stated the opposite.”
The investigator responded by saying, “What I meant by that was to ask how could he (the platoon commander) have said that there was an explosive belt if he (a-Sharif) was neutralized and could not detonate such a belt.”
Dissatisfied with the investigator’s position, the defense sought to discredit it. “Your goal was to bring bout a conviction, rather than getting to the truth. Witnesses told you there was concern over the existence of an explosive device and that the soldier acted correctly, but still you claim otherwise.”
During his testimony, Magen also mentioned Ofer Ohana, the ambulance driver who was filmed kicking the knife toward a-sharif (allegedly to cover up for Azaria shooting an unarmed man). Magen said, “Ohana agreed to let us search his phone, which was how we found a conversation between Ofer Ohana and the defendant’s father.” Magen stated that during the conversation, “Ohana suggested to the defendant’s father that he get a good lawyer.”
The Defense attempted to paint a picture of the de rigueur atmosphere for soldiers serving in the West Bank, in an effort to explain the backdrop that led up to the shooting of the neutralized and unarmed Palestinian terrorist, Abed al Fatah a-Sharif. Cpl. T attempted to depict the general attitude in the area, telling the court, “We would watch videos of Arabs getting blown up.”
So far, the most dramatic testimony in the trial had been that of Maj. Tom Na’aman, Azaria's commander, who spoke against the defendant by detailing his shooting of the unarmed terrorist.
His testimony caused on a backlash on social media, as well as a contradicting account from another soldier who came to Azaria’s defense. Na’aman received the full backing of IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot and former defense minister and IDF chief of staff Moshe “Bogey” Ya’alon, while the newly-appointed Defense minister Avigdor Lieberman said that he opposes attacks against any soldier serving in the IDF.
Over the next month, the prosecution is set to finish calling its witnesses to the stand, after which the defense will begin to summon its own witnesses. The trial is expected to end by the beginning of 2017.
The trial of Hebron soldier Sgt. Elor Azaria was reconvened on Sunday morning, during which more testimonies were heard and more witnesses cross-examined.
During the day, the defense questioned two investigations conducted by the IDF Criminal Investigation Division. One of the investigators, Yair Magen, was asked to verify that he confronted the platoon commander who was at the scene, telling him that “the terrorist was neutralized and that he no longer posed a threat, despite the fact that he stated the opposite.”
The investigator responded by saying, “What I meant by that was to ask how could he (the platoon commander) have said that there was an explosive belt if he (a-Sharif) was neutralized and could not detonate such a belt.”
Dissatisfied with the investigator’s position, the defense sought to discredit it. “Your goal was to bring bout a conviction, rather than getting to the truth. Witnesses told you there was concern over the existence of an explosive device and that the soldier acted correctly, but still you claim otherwise.”
During his testimony, Magen also mentioned Ofer Ohana, the ambulance driver who was filmed kicking the knife toward a-sharif (allegedly to cover up for Azaria shooting an unarmed man). Magen said, “Ohana agreed to let us search his phone, which was how we found a conversation between Ofer Ohana and the defendant’s father.” Magen stated that during the conversation, “Ohana suggested to the defendant’s father that he get a good lawyer.”
The Defense attempted to paint a picture of the de rigueur atmosphere for soldiers serving in the West Bank, in an effort to explain the backdrop that led up to the shooting of the neutralized and unarmed Palestinian terrorist, Abed al Fatah a-Sharif. Cpl. T attempted to depict the general attitude in the area, telling the court, “We would watch videos of Arabs getting blown up.”
So far, the most dramatic testimony in the trial had been that of Maj. Tom Na’aman, Azaria's commander, who spoke against the defendant by detailing his shooting of the unarmed terrorist.
His testimony caused on a backlash on social media, as well as a contradicting account from another soldier who came to Azaria’s defense. Na’aman received the full backing of IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot and former defense minister and IDF chief of staff Moshe “Bogey” Ya’alon, while the newly-appointed Defense minister Avigdor Lieberman said that he opposes attacks against any soldier serving in the IDF.
Over the next month, the prosecution is set to finish calling its witnesses to the stand, after which the defense will begin to summon its own witnesses. The trial is expected to end by the beginning of 2017.

Sgt. D., who was present when Hebron soldier Cpl. Elor Azaria shot Abed al Fatah a-Sharif, a neutralized terrorist, will be put on trial himself for writing a Facebook post accusing Kfir Brigade company commander Tom Na'aman of giving false testimony against Azaria; IDF responded to the accuation, saying Cpl. D. 'did not see the incident.'
Cpl. D., who came out in defense of Sgt. Elor Azaria, the Hebron soldier filmed shooting and killing a neutralized and disarmed Palestinian terrorist, Abed al Fatah a-Sharif after he had already been neutralized and disarmed, is set to stand trial for writing a Facebook post accusing Kfir Brigade company commander, Major Tom Na'aman of providing false testimony during Azaria’s trial.
Na'aman’s said that Azaria had shot a-Sharif in the head after it was clear he was no longer a threat. But while Na'aman claims that at first he did not understand what was going on, Cpl. D. claimed to the contrary, despite an IDF spokesperson having rejected Cpl.D.'s claims.
“You stood 2 – 3 meters from the terrorist. Elor was standing in front of you, saying he’s going to shoot while cocking his gun, aiming, while my platoon commander pulled you back to protect you from getting hurt. But you still didn’t understand that he was shot. Interesting.”
While Na'aman now faces new criticism, he recenty received a great deal of support from top military and political offcials.
Cpl. D also denied Na'aman’s claims that a-Sharif did not pose a threat after being neutralized. Moreover, he cast doubt over previous claims that Azaria ever told Na'aman that, “The terrorist is alive and he should be dead.” Addressing Na'aman, Cpl. D. said, “the video clearly shows that Elor wasn’t near you when you stood next to the terrorist. I have no idea how he could have told you that he needed to die.”
Cpl. D went on to rebut Na'aman’s various claims. “You said you were angry at (Azaria)? That’s strange. You told him to step aside? The way I remember it, after the shooting Elor went into the Palestinian area beyond the blockade with me and the rest of my platoon, to make sure there wasn’t a crowd gathering."
Going directly on the offesnive, Cpl. D said, "You said you weren’t concerned about an explosive device? You didn’t even bother checking for one, despite the fact that civilians and paramedics warned us about it. It’s good that you weren’t concerned, though.”
Cpl. D. concluded his testimony by launching a scathing summary of Na'aman's character. “Every word that left his mouth only highlighted his own self interest, of looking to advance in rank, to the point of praising himself and presenting himself as a responsible, quick-thinking leader, despite the fact that anyone who has seen the video can attest that this just isn’t true. I never imagined he would betray his own soldier like this.”
An IDF spokesperson released a statement, saying that “Cpl. D. gave his testimony during the investigation. He did not see the shooting performed by Elor Azaria, since at the time he was on another mission.”
The IDF rejected Cpl. D.’s request for a military trial, fearing it would draw further media attention. Cpl. D. is due to stand trial before a senior officer, while Azaria’s trial is set to continue on Sunday.
Cpl. D., who came out in defense of Sgt. Elor Azaria, the Hebron soldier filmed shooting and killing a neutralized and disarmed Palestinian terrorist, Abed al Fatah a-Sharif after he had already been neutralized and disarmed, is set to stand trial for writing a Facebook post accusing Kfir Brigade company commander, Major Tom Na'aman of providing false testimony during Azaria’s trial.
Na'aman’s said that Azaria had shot a-Sharif in the head after it was clear he was no longer a threat. But while Na'aman claims that at first he did not understand what was going on, Cpl. D. claimed to the contrary, despite an IDF spokesperson having rejected Cpl.D.'s claims.
“You stood 2 – 3 meters from the terrorist. Elor was standing in front of you, saying he’s going to shoot while cocking his gun, aiming, while my platoon commander pulled you back to protect you from getting hurt. But you still didn’t understand that he was shot. Interesting.”
While Na'aman now faces new criticism, he recenty received a great deal of support from top military and political offcials.
Cpl. D also denied Na'aman’s claims that a-Sharif did not pose a threat after being neutralized. Moreover, he cast doubt over previous claims that Azaria ever told Na'aman that, “The terrorist is alive and he should be dead.” Addressing Na'aman, Cpl. D. said, “the video clearly shows that Elor wasn’t near you when you stood next to the terrorist. I have no idea how he could have told you that he needed to die.”
Cpl. D went on to rebut Na'aman’s various claims. “You said you were angry at (Azaria)? That’s strange. You told him to step aside? The way I remember it, after the shooting Elor went into the Palestinian area beyond the blockade with me and the rest of my platoon, to make sure there wasn’t a crowd gathering."
Going directly on the offesnive, Cpl. D said, "You said you weren’t concerned about an explosive device? You didn’t even bother checking for one, despite the fact that civilians and paramedics warned us about it. It’s good that you weren’t concerned, though.”
Cpl. D. concluded his testimony by launching a scathing summary of Na'aman's character. “Every word that left his mouth only highlighted his own self interest, of looking to advance in rank, to the point of praising himself and presenting himself as a responsible, quick-thinking leader, despite the fact that anyone who has seen the video can attest that this just isn’t true. I never imagined he would betray his own soldier like this.”
An IDF spokesperson released a statement, saying that “Cpl. D. gave his testimony during the investigation. He did not see the shooting performed by Elor Azaria, since at the time he was on another mission.”
The IDF rejected Cpl. D.’s request for a military trial, fearing it would draw further media attention. Cpl. D. is due to stand trial before a senior officer, while Azaria’s trial is set to continue on Sunday.
20 june 2016

Maj. Na'aman and Elor Azaria
Due to incitement and threats against Major Tom Na'aman, Elor Azaria's company commander, names of all witnesses to be withheld during Azaria trial; Netanyahu- 'No room for this kind of belligerence'
The military prosecutor has requested that the names of all witnesses testifying in the Elor Azaria case be withheld due to incitement by far right radicals following the testimony of Azaria's company commander Maj. Tom Na'aman. The request was submitted to the court on Monday.
Prime Minister Netanyahu also spoke about the incitement against the company commander of the solider who shot the neutralized terrorist in Hebron. The prime minister was speaking at a Likud faction meeting on Monday.
After testifying against Elor Azaria's actions during the incident, Azaria's company commander Maj. Tom Na'aman has become a target of far right wing incitement on social media.
The request said, amongst other things, that "following (the company commander's) testimony and throughout the weekend, Maj. Na'aman received threats from different people, directly threatening to attack him due to his testimony. The Major's phone number was published, and he received threatening telephone calls and messages. Due to this intimidation, Maj. Na'aman even submitted a formal complaint to the police."
Maj. Na'aman has been called a "traitor" and "national embarrassment" by people on the extreme right on social media as well.
"In order to protect the safety of future witnesses who appear in front of this court," the request continued, "and in order to enable them to give free testimony, the prosecution requests, with the consent of the defense, that the court will prevent the publication of identifying details (of the witnesses), including their military ID numbers, their names, their pictures, their addresses, and their phone numbers."
This is considered an unusual request. The request will not include battalion commander Lt. Col. David Shapira, who is set to testify on July 12. Nor will does it include Division Commander Col. Yariv Ben Ezra, who is also expected to testify.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu said earlier on Monday "I believe that there is no room for this kind of belligerence. I'll tell you exactly what I told the soldier's father – I trust the IDF, I trust the IDF chief of staff, I trust the commanders and the soldiers, and I one hundred percent trust the legal system. It is serious, real, and fair. "
He also called for "calm discourse from everyone and to keep the IDF outside of politics. We have to protect it like it protects us."
Several members of the highest military and political echelons came to the defense of Maj.Tom Na’aman, including IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot and former defense minister and IDF chief of staff Moshe Ya’alon, amongst others.
Since testifying against Azaria, Na’aman has come under attack from the extreme right which has labelled him a “terrorist” and a “disgrace to the State of Israel.” Na’aman has further been the subject of a shaming campaign on social media.
Na’aman gave his testimony on the matter at a military court last Thursday during which he described the course of events the day of the shooting. “Elor told me, “The terrorist is alive and he should be dead.’ I was angry at him for firing his weapon under my jurisdiction without my approval. I took him aside and told him to stay put. There was no military justification for Elor’s shooting,” Na'aman stated.
The incident occurred after two Palestinians stabbed an IDF soldier in Hebron. The soldier was moderately wounded and eventually both Palestinians were neutralized. A video of the event that came out shortly after shows that following the attack, one of the terrorists was lying on the ground when Azaria aimed his weapon at him and shot him in the head. A pathologist’s testimony confirmed that the terrorist was alive when Azaria shot him.
Update: Top brass support officer testifying against Elor Azaria
Several high-ranking army and political officials released statements of encouragement and support of Maj. Tom Na’aman, who testified against Sgt. Elor Azaria for shooting an unarmed Palestinian terrorist; Since testifying, Na’aman has received severe criticism and even threats.
Several members of the highest military and political echelons came to the defense of Maj.Tom Na’aman, who in March had served as Company Commander when his soldier, Sgt. Elor Azaria, shot and killed Abed al Fatah a-Sharif, a Palestinian terrorist who had already been neutralized and disarmed.
Among those who showed their support for Na’aman was IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, who met with him on Sunday. Eisenkot expressed his full support and stressed that the IDF expects of all of its soldiers to state the truth.
Eisenkot added that it is essential to allow the military court due process in Azaria’s case without external interference, and to allow witnesses from both the prosecution and defense to speak without fear of repercussions. “Any attempt to apply pressure on those involved in the trial is reprehensible,” he said.
Former defense minister and IDF chief of staff Moshe “Bogey” Ya’alon also condemned the threats Na’aman has received since testifying against Azaria. “The wild incitement against Company Commander (Na’aman) serves as a further transgression that must be stopped. I call on our leadership to stop subtly courting an extremist minority, to unequivocally come out against this occurrence and express basic and moral support for a soldier and commander who has shown courage well beyond the battlefield.”
Since testifying against Azaria, Na’aman has come under attack from the extreme right, which has labelled Na’aman a “terrorist” and a “disgrace to the State of Israel.” Na’aman has further been the subject of a shaming campaign on social media.
Na’aman gave his testimony on the matter at a military court last Thursday during which he described the course of events the day of the shooting. “Elor told me, “The terrorist is alive and he should be dead.’ I was angry at him for firing his weapon under my jurisdiction without my approval. I took him aside and told him to stay put. There was no military justification for Elor’s shooting,” Na'aman stated.
The incident occurred after a-Sharif and another Palestinian stabbed an IDF soldier in Hebron. The soldier was moderately wounded and eventually both Palestinians were neutralized. A video of the event that came out shortly after shows that following the attack, a-Sharif was lying on the ground when Azaria aimed his weapon at him and shot him in the head. A pathologist’s testimony confirmed that a-Sharif was alive when Azaria shot him.
Due to incitement and threats against Major Tom Na'aman, Elor Azaria's company commander, names of all witnesses to be withheld during Azaria trial; Netanyahu- 'No room for this kind of belligerence'
The military prosecutor has requested that the names of all witnesses testifying in the Elor Azaria case be withheld due to incitement by far right radicals following the testimony of Azaria's company commander Maj. Tom Na'aman. The request was submitted to the court on Monday.
Prime Minister Netanyahu also spoke about the incitement against the company commander of the solider who shot the neutralized terrorist in Hebron. The prime minister was speaking at a Likud faction meeting on Monday.
After testifying against Elor Azaria's actions during the incident, Azaria's company commander Maj. Tom Na'aman has become a target of far right wing incitement on social media.
The request said, amongst other things, that "following (the company commander's) testimony and throughout the weekend, Maj. Na'aman received threats from different people, directly threatening to attack him due to his testimony. The Major's phone number was published, and he received threatening telephone calls and messages. Due to this intimidation, Maj. Na'aman even submitted a formal complaint to the police."
Maj. Na'aman has been called a "traitor" and "national embarrassment" by people on the extreme right on social media as well.
"In order to protect the safety of future witnesses who appear in front of this court," the request continued, "and in order to enable them to give free testimony, the prosecution requests, with the consent of the defense, that the court will prevent the publication of identifying details (of the witnesses), including their military ID numbers, their names, their pictures, their addresses, and their phone numbers."
This is considered an unusual request. The request will not include battalion commander Lt. Col. David Shapira, who is set to testify on July 12. Nor will does it include Division Commander Col. Yariv Ben Ezra, who is also expected to testify.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu said earlier on Monday "I believe that there is no room for this kind of belligerence. I'll tell you exactly what I told the soldier's father – I trust the IDF, I trust the IDF chief of staff, I trust the commanders and the soldiers, and I one hundred percent trust the legal system. It is serious, real, and fair. "
He also called for "calm discourse from everyone and to keep the IDF outside of politics. We have to protect it like it protects us."
Several members of the highest military and political echelons came to the defense of Maj.Tom Na’aman, including IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot and former defense minister and IDF chief of staff Moshe Ya’alon, amongst others.
Since testifying against Azaria, Na’aman has come under attack from the extreme right which has labelled him a “terrorist” and a “disgrace to the State of Israel.” Na’aman has further been the subject of a shaming campaign on social media.
Na’aman gave his testimony on the matter at a military court last Thursday during which he described the course of events the day of the shooting. “Elor told me, “The terrorist is alive and he should be dead.’ I was angry at him for firing his weapon under my jurisdiction without my approval. I took him aside and told him to stay put. There was no military justification for Elor’s shooting,” Na'aman stated.
The incident occurred after two Palestinians stabbed an IDF soldier in Hebron. The soldier was moderately wounded and eventually both Palestinians were neutralized. A video of the event that came out shortly after shows that following the attack, one of the terrorists was lying on the ground when Azaria aimed his weapon at him and shot him in the head. A pathologist’s testimony confirmed that the terrorist was alive when Azaria shot him.
Update: Top brass support officer testifying against Elor Azaria
Several high-ranking army and political officials released statements of encouragement and support of Maj. Tom Na’aman, who testified against Sgt. Elor Azaria for shooting an unarmed Palestinian terrorist; Since testifying, Na’aman has received severe criticism and even threats.
Several members of the highest military and political echelons came to the defense of Maj.Tom Na’aman, who in March had served as Company Commander when his soldier, Sgt. Elor Azaria, shot and killed Abed al Fatah a-Sharif, a Palestinian terrorist who had already been neutralized and disarmed.
Among those who showed their support for Na’aman was IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, who met with him on Sunday. Eisenkot expressed his full support and stressed that the IDF expects of all of its soldiers to state the truth.
Eisenkot added that it is essential to allow the military court due process in Azaria’s case without external interference, and to allow witnesses from both the prosecution and defense to speak without fear of repercussions. “Any attempt to apply pressure on those involved in the trial is reprehensible,” he said.
Former defense minister and IDF chief of staff Moshe “Bogey” Ya’alon also condemned the threats Na’aman has received since testifying against Azaria. “The wild incitement against Company Commander (Na’aman) serves as a further transgression that must be stopped. I call on our leadership to stop subtly courting an extremist minority, to unequivocally come out against this occurrence and express basic and moral support for a soldier and commander who has shown courage well beyond the battlefield.”
Since testifying against Azaria, Na’aman has come under attack from the extreme right, which has labelled Na’aman a “terrorist” and a “disgrace to the State of Israel.” Na’aman has further been the subject of a shaming campaign on social media.
Na’aman gave his testimony on the matter at a military court last Thursday during which he described the course of events the day of the shooting. “Elor told me, “The terrorist is alive and he should be dead.’ I was angry at him for firing his weapon under my jurisdiction without my approval. I took him aside and told him to stay put. There was no military justification for Elor’s shooting,” Na'aman stated.
The incident occurred after a-Sharif and another Palestinian stabbed an IDF soldier in Hebron. The soldier was moderately wounded and eventually both Palestinians were neutralized. A video of the event that came out shortly after shows that following the attack, a-Sharif was lying on the ground when Azaria aimed his weapon at him and shot him in the head. A pathologist’s testimony confirmed that a-Sharif was alive when Azaria shot him.

Left to Right: IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot and Maj. Tom Na'aman
Several high-ranking army and political officials released statements of encouragement and support of Maj. Tom Na’aman, who testified against Sgt. Elor Azaria for shooting an unarmed Palestinian terrorist; Since testifying, Na’aman has received severe criticism and even threats.
Several members of the highest military and political echelons came to the defense of Maj.Tom Na’aman, who in March had served as Company Commander when his soldier, Sgt. Elor Azaria, shot and killed Abed al Fatah a-Sharif, a Palestinian terrorist who had already been neutralized and disarmed.
Among those who showed their support for Na’aman was IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, who met with him on Sunday. Eisenkot expressed his full support and stressed that the IDF expects of all of its soldiers to state the truth.
Eisenkot added that it is essential to allow the military court due process in Azaria’s case without external interference, and to allow witnesses from both the prosecution and defense to speak without fear of repercussions. “Any attempt to apply pressure on those involved in the trial is reprehensible,” he said.
Former defense minister and IDF chief of staff Moshe “Bogey” Ya’alon also condemned the threats Na’aman has received since testifying against Azaria. “The wild incitement against Company Commander (Na’aman) serves as a further transgression that must be stopped. I call on our leadership to stop subtly courting an extremist minority, to unequivocally come out against this occurrence and express basic and moral support for a soldier and commander who has shown courage well beyond the battlefield.”
Since testifying against Azaria, Na’aman has come under attack from the extreme right, which has labelled Na’aman a “terrorist” and a “disgrace to the State of Israel.” Na’aman has further been the subject of a shaming campaign on social media.
Na’aman gave his testimony on the matter at a military court last Thursday during which he described the course of events the day of the shooting. “Elor told me, “The terrorist is alive and he should be dead.’ I was angry at him for firing his weapon under my jurisdiction without my approval. I took him aside and told him to stay put. There was no military justification for Elor’s shooting,” Na'aman stated.
The incident occurred after a-Sharif and another Palestinian stabbed an IDF soldier in Hebron. The soldier was moderately wounded and eventually both Palestinians were neutralized. A video of the event that came out shortly after shows that following the attack, a-Sharif was lying on the ground when Azaria aimed his weapon at him and shot him in the head. A pathologist’s testimony confirmed that a-Sharif was alive when Azaria shot him.
Several high-ranking army and political officials released statements of encouragement and support of Maj. Tom Na’aman, who testified against Sgt. Elor Azaria for shooting an unarmed Palestinian terrorist; Since testifying, Na’aman has received severe criticism and even threats.
Several members of the highest military and political echelons came to the defense of Maj.Tom Na’aman, who in March had served as Company Commander when his soldier, Sgt. Elor Azaria, shot and killed Abed al Fatah a-Sharif, a Palestinian terrorist who had already been neutralized and disarmed.
Among those who showed their support for Na’aman was IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, who met with him on Sunday. Eisenkot expressed his full support and stressed that the IDF expects of all of its soldiers to state the truth.
Eisenkot added that it is essential to allow the military court due process in Azaria’s case without external interference, and to allow witnesses from both the prosecution and defense to speak without fear of repercussions. “Any attempt to apply pressure on those involved in the trial is reprehensible,” he said.
Former defense minister and IDF chief of staff Moshe “Bogey” Ya’alon also condemned the threats Na’aman has received since testifying against Azaria. “The wild incitement against Company Commander (Na’aman) serves as a further transgression that must be stopped. I call on our leadership to stop subtly courting an extremist minority, to unequivocally come out against this occurrence and express basic and moral support for a soldier and commander who has shown courage well beyond the battlefield.”
Since testifying against Azaria, Na’aman has come under attack from the extreme right, which has labelled Na’aman a “terrorist” and a “disgrace to the State of Israel.” Na’aman has further been the subject of a shaming campaign on social media.
Na’aman gave his testimony on the matter at a military court last Thursday during which he described the course of events the day of the shooting. “Elor told me, “The terrorist is alive and he should be dead.’ I was angry at him for firing his weapon under my jurisdiction without my approval. I took him aside and told him to stay put. There was no military justification for Elor’s shooting,” Na'aman stated.
The incident occurred after a-Sharif and another Palestinian stabbed an IDF soldier in Hebron. The soldier was moderately wounded and eventually both Palestinians were neutralized. A video of the event that came out shortly after shows that following the attack, a-Sharif was lying on the ground when Azaria aimed his weapon at him and shot him in the head. A pathologist’s testimony confirmed that a-Sharif was alive when Azaria shot him.
18 june 2016
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Human Rights Defenders (HRD) in Palestine released a video last week showing an Israeli soldier kicking a knife toward the body of Abd al-Fattah al-Sharif — who was shot point-blank in the head, by an Israeli soldier, in March — an action the group said represents a clear violation of international law.
The video shows an Israeli soldier casually kicking a knife — allegedly used by al-Sharif during an attempted stabbing attack — to the other side of the road in the town of Tel Rumeida in the southern occupied West Bank district of Hebron, as al-Sharif’s body lay a few meters away. The footage was taken before al-Sharif was shot execution-style in the head by an Israeli soldier, a graphic video of which was released in March, leading to widespread condemnation by rights groups and the UN demanding an investigation into the apparent “extrajudicial execution.” Badi Dweik, an activist from HRD, said in a statement released Saturday that the group decided to make the video public in order to challenge current narratives unfolding at the ongoing military trial of Elor Azaria — the Israeli soldier charged with manslaughter after killing al-Sharif. Azaria has claimed that he shot the immobilized Palestinian because he saw al-Sharif reaching for the knife, or feared he had explosives strapped to his chest. However Azaria’s commander testified in court on Thursday that al-Sharif posed no threat before he was shot dead, and when asked why he shot al-Sharif, Azaria answered: ‘This terrorist was alive, and he needs to die.'” An additional video surfaced at the start of June, showing an Israeli ambulance driver kicking the same knife near to al-Sharif’s body after he was killed. According to Ma’an News Agency, the video footage, obtained by Israel’s Channel Two, was expected to be shown to an Israeli military court to disprove claims by the Israeli soldier who killed al-Sharif that he shot the young Palestinian point-blank in the head after al-Sharif moved to grab a knife, according to the Israeli media outlet Ynet. The footage shows that the knife allegedly used in the attack was far from al-Sharif when he was shot, notably showing an ambulance driving over the knife before it was kicked closer to al-Sharif’s body. |
The Israeli military prosecutor reportedly said that an Israeli ambulance driver, Ofer Ohanna, who was near the scene kicked the knife towards al-Sharif’s body following his murder, according to Hebrew-language news outlet Maariv.
The new video that has surfaced reveals that the ambulance driver was not the only one to tamper with evidence at the crime scene, but that an Israeli soldier also manipulated a piece of key evidence by moving the knife, which Dweik emphasized was a violation of international law.
Al-Sharif was shot alongside Ramzi Aziz al-Qasrawi after the two Palestinians allegedly stabbed and moderately wounded an Israeli soldier at a military checkpoint in the Tel Rumeida area of Hebron on March 24.
Although it was widely believed that Al-Qasrawi was killed immediately, new witness accounts documented by Israeli human rights group B’Tselem have since emerged that “raise concerns that al-Qasrawi was also executed with a shot to the head, as he lay injured on the ground after having been hit by gunfire elsewhere in his body.”
Al-Sharif, meanwhile, was left severely wounded for several minutes without treatment, before Azaria stepped forward and put a bullet through his head, killing him.Azaria was charged with manslaughter, rather than murder as had initially been expected, and is being held on a military base in “open detention” where he is free to roam and has received visits from his family.
His trial opened in early May.
Palestinians have long held fears that Israeli soldiers and settlers tamper with crime scenes involving Palestinians, with human rights groups accusing Israel of practicing a policy of extrajudicial executions since a wave of violence erupted in October, leaving more than 200 Palestinians and some 30 Israelis killed.
The new video that has surfaced reveals that the ambulance driver was not the only one to tamper with evidence at the crime scene, but that an Israeli soldier also manipulated a piece of key evidence by moving the knife, which Dweik emphasized was a violation of international law.
Al-Sharif was shot alongside Ramzi Aziz al-Qasrawi after the two Palestinians allegedly stabbed and moderately wounded an Israeli soldier at a military checkpoint in the Tel Rumeida area of Hebron on March 24.
Although it was widely believed that Al-Qasrawi was killed immediately, new witness accounts documented by Israeli human rights group B’Tselem have since emerged that “raise concerns that al-Qasrawi was also executed with a shot to the head, as he lay injured on the ground after having been hit by gunfire elsewhere in his body.”
Al-Sharif, meanwhile, was left severely wounded for several minutes without treatment, before Azaria stepped forward and put a bullet through his head, killing him.Azaria was charged with manslaughter, rather than murder as had initially been expected, and is being held on a military base in “open detention” where he is free to roam and has received visits from his family.
His trial opened in early May.
Palestinians have long held fears that Israeli soldiers and settlers tamper with crime scenes involving Palestinians, with human rights groups accusing Israel of practicing a policy of extrajudicial executions since a wave of violence erupted in October, leaving more than 200 Palestinians and some 30 Israelis killed.