The seriously injured victim; Photo credit: Free use
Sunday, August 6, 2023, 10:07 On Saturday night, after Shabbat, a hearing was held at the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court for the Oz Tzion residents who were injured, one of them seriously, by dozens of Arab rioters on Shabbat and then detained. The rioters launched fireworks directly at the residents and hurled the rocks at them from point-blank range. It was revealed at a hearing that the police and the GSS had neither detained nor interrogated any of the rioters. The seriously injured resident was not brought to the hearing because of his medical condition.
After the hearing, Honenu Attorney Nati Rom, who is representing the seriously injured resident, gave an update on his medical condition. “After undergoing urgent brain surgery, the injured party is in intensive care. He has a hole in his forehead and the sight of it is very difficult, especially since he is suspected of murder. We are leaving the court now. It turns out that out of the hundreds of Arab rioters who threw rocks and launched fireworks directly at Jews, injuring some of them, not one of them was detained or interrogated.
The seriously injured victim; Photo credit: Free use
“The Yehuda and Shomron Police and the Jewish Department of the GSS have not found the time to genuinely investigate the attack and apprehend the Arab rioters. The Jewish detainee who came to court today is suspected of murder, as is one who is in intensive care, even though he obviously opened fire as a last resort to save his life. We are certain that in the coming days, the suspects will be released. Regrettably, over Shabbat, they were subjected to character assassination when all they had done was defend themselves and others. We hope that such occurrences will not be repeated,” concluded Attorney Rom.
Honenu Attorney Avichai Hajbi, who is representing the other detained resident, added, “Now that the hearing is over, we understand that this investigation has been tainted from the start because of selective law enforcement. The Yehuda and Shomron Police attributed the crime of murder to the suspects when they knew that no murder had been committed. They understand, and they admitted today under questioning, that several residents were attacked with clubs, rocks, and a direct volley of fireworks. But they still accused the residents of murder. I am certain that in the coming days, my client and my colleague’s client will be unconditionally released.”
At the conclusion of the hearing, the court extended the remand of both residents until Wednesday. They are suspected of causing the death of one of the Arab rioters.
Background
On Friday, August 4, shortly before the onset of Shabbat, near Oz Tzion in the Binyamin region, dozens of Arab rioters attacked a Jewish shepherd and local Jewish residents who came to his assistance. The incident began when the Jewish shepherd left Oz Tzion to graze his flock in the area between Oz Tzion and the nearby Arab town of Burqa. Several Arabs approached and threatened him. The shepherd, who felt that he was in danger, summoned other Oz Tzion residents who came to stay with him and prevent the situation from deteriorating.
Dozens of Arabs armed with clubs, fireworks, and large rocks surrounded the Oz Tzion residents. The Arabs launched fireworks directly at the residents and hurled the rocks at them from point-blank range, endangering their lives. The residents called the army and civilian security forces for help. One resident was hit in the head with a rock and seriously injured. With his remaining strength, he opened fire with his legally-owned personal weapon to defend his life. Several other residents were slightly injured. According to media reports, one of the Arab rioters was killed.