JERUSALEM: Israeli police downgraded a homicide charge on Friday against a Jewish settler suspected of killing a Palestinian in what the United States has described as a “terror attack.”
A new remand request filed by police, a copy of which was obtained by Haaretz and shared with Reuters, showed Yehiel Indore was accused of “deliberate or depraved-indifference homicide” in the Aug. 4 shooting of 19-year-old Qusai Maatan.
But unlike in previous remand requests in the case, he was no longer accused of acting out of “racist motivation” — an addendum which, under Israeli law, gives courts latitude to impose harsher punishment in the event of a conviction.
Washington, whose traditionally close ties with Israel have become strained, has described the incident as a “terror attack by Israeli extremist settlers.”
There was no immediate confirmation of the amended charge from police, headed by far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Police detained two settlers in last Friday’s incident near Burqa village and said an investigation of the case was ongoing, though there has been no formal indictment.
Palestinians said the suspects were part of a group of some 150-200 settlers who threw rocks, torched cars and, when confronted by villagers, shot dead Maatan and wounded several others.
A defense lawyer said the settlers — including Indore, who remains in hospital due to a head injury he says was caused by a rock thrown at him — acted in self-defense.
On Thursday, a military court ordered a Palestinian father and three of his sons who were detained over the settler raid to be released on bail.
Israel captured the West Bank, which Palestinians want as the core of an independent state, in a 1967 war. As it continues to expand settlements that most countries deem illegal, settler violence has risen.
The expansion has strained US-Israeli relations, as has a judicial overhaul drafted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s religious-nationalist coalition that has sparked nationwide protests.
The United Nations recorded 591 settler-related incidents that led to Palestinian casualties, property damage or both in the first six months of 2023, the highest daily average since 2006.
Israel cites biblical and historical ties to the West Bank, which ministers in Netanyahu’s coalition have said they want to annex.
The US Embassy in Israel had no immediate comment on Friday’s development.
Israel downgrades homicide charge in settler case watched by Washington
https://arab.news/n4rp8
Israel downgrades homicide charge in settler case watched by Washington
- Washington describes the incident as “terror attack”
- No immediate confirmation of the amended charge from police
Palestinians have right to live in peace in ‘own land’: pope
- The two-state solution “remains the institutional framework that addresses the legitimate aspirations of both peoples. Instead, we unfortunately see escalating violence in the West Bank against Palestinian civilians, who have the right to live in peace on
VATICAN CITY: Pope Leo XIV has lamented rising violence in the occupied West Bank and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, saying Palestinians had the right to live peacefully in their “own land.”
“Sadly, there has been an increase in violence in the West Bank against the Palestinian civilian population, which has the right to live in peace in its own land,” said the US pope, adding that civilians in Gaza also should be assured “a future of lasting peace and justice in their own land.”
During his annual meeting with diplomats accredited to the Vatican to exchange New Year greetings, the Pope said the “humanitarian suffering of civilians continues despite the ceasefire announced in October, adding to the hardships they have already endured.”
He added: The Holy See closely follows every diplomatic initiative aimed at ensuring a future of lasting peace and justice for Palestinians in Gaza, for all Palestinians, and for all Israelis.”
The two-state solution “remains the institutional framework that addresses the legitimate aspirations of both peoples. Instead, we unfortunately see escalating violence in the West Bank against Palestinian civilians, who have the right to live in peace on their land,” he said.
“War is back in vogue, and a zeal for war is spreading,” Pope Leo said, warning that the “weakness of multilateralism is a particular cause for concern.”
“A diplomacy that promotes dialogue and seeks consensus among all parties is being replaced by a diplomacy based on force, by either individuals or groups of allies,” the pope said.
