Yesh Din
Volunteers for Human Rights
Investigation File: Cattle Belonging to Palestinians in the Jordan Valley Shot and Killed
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
The incident occurred on the afternoon of 22nd June, 2010, when the cattle of Mohammed Aldajna were grazing by the water pool in Wadi Fazael. Aldajna’s son and nephew, watching over the herd, remained at a distance of 150-200 meters from the cattle. The two cattle herders, who remained at a distance of 150-200 meters from the cattle, noticed that a gray vehicle had arrived from the direction of the settlement Fazael and was approaching the herd. Shortly afterward, they heard the sound of gunshots, which eventually caused the death of two of the cows.
Police scans of the crime scene resulted in the discovery that the shooter used an M16 type army weapon, leading the investigators to the home of the suspect in the Fazael settlement. According to one of the investigators, the suspect told him that they could cut the process short, admitting that he had shot the cattle because they cause damage. When he was asked if he had made the statement seriously or in jest, the suspect replied “in jest.”
Furthermore, an expert report prepared by the Police forensic department’s weapon laboratory determined that the rifle shells collected at the scene of the crime were fired from the suspect’s M16 rifle. Despite the clear evidence, the Police decided at the end of investigation and closed the case on the grounds of “insufficient evidence.” Yesh Din appealed the Prosecution’s decision to close the case without indicting the suspect, but the appeal was not accepted.
Yesh din accompanies Palestinian crime victims to receive redress from the Israeli criminal justice system. However, many of the investigations fail due to the incompetence of the Samaria and Judea District of the Israel Police. This incident demonstrates how little motivation there is to indict Israeli civilians who commit crimes against Palestinians and their property.
Click here to read the full case brief
Police scans of the crime scene resulted in the discovery that the shooter used an M16 type army weapon, leading the investigators to the home of the suspect in the Fazael settlement. According to one of the investigators, the suspect told him that they could cut the process short, admitting that he had shot the cattle because they cause damage. When he was asked if he had made the statement seriously or in jest, the suspect replied “in jest.”
Furthermore, an expert report prepared by the Police forensic department’s weapon laboratory determined that the rifle shells collected at the scene of the crime were fired from the suspect’s M16 rifle. Despite the clear evidence, the Police decided at the end of investigation and closed the case on the grounds of “insufficient evidence.” Yesh Din appealed the Prosecution’s decision to close the case without indicting the suspect, but the appeal was not accepted.
Yesh din accompanies Palestinian crime victims to receive redress from the Israeli criminal justice system. However, many of the investigations fail due to the incompetence of the Samaria and Judea District of the Israel Police. This incident demonstrates how little motivation there is to indict Israeli civilians who commit crimes against Palestinians and their property.
Click here to read the full case brief