Palestinian girl, 14, in Israel prison for throwing rocks

[webfact]

Palestinian girl, 14, in Israel prison for throwing rocks
By MOHAMMED DARAGHMEH

BETIN, West Bank (AP) — The fate of a 14-year-old Palestinian girl, tried before an Israeli military court for hurling rocks at passing cars in the West Bank and sentenced to two months in prison, has gripped Palestinians who say her treatment demonstrates Israel's excessive measures against stone-throwing youth.

Malak al-Khatib, arrested last month, is one of only a rare few female Palestinian minors who have ever faced arrest and sentencing by Israeli authorities.

"A 14-year-old girl won't pose any threat to soldiers' lives," said her father, Ali al-Khatib. "They are well equipped and well trained so what kind of threat could she have posed to them?"

The Israeli military said al-Khatib was charged with stone-throwing, attempted stone-throwing and possession of a knife and that under a plea bargain, she was sentenced to two months in prison and a $1,500 fine.

Having spent four weeks in detention, al-Khatib has another four left weeks left at a central Israeli prison for women.

Out of a total of more than 5,500 Palestinians held by Israel, about 150 are minors, the vast majority of them male, according to official figures from November, provided by Israeli human rights group B'Tselem.

Malak al-Khatib is among a handful of female minors ever held by Israel. Palestinian officials say she is the youngest girl ever detained and sentenced by Israel — a claim Israeli officials and rights groups said they were not able to confirm.

Palestinians and rights groups criticize Israel for its response to rock-throwing, either directed at its forces or civilians. Israel views rock-throwing as a dangerous tactic and at times a life-threatening attack, and claims it can be the first step toward militancy. Palestinians see it as a legitimate way to resist Israel's occupation.

Israel was hit by a wave of riots by Palestinians in east Jerusalem last year, following the killing of a 16-year-old Palestinian boy by Jewish extremists in revenge for the abduction and murder of three Israeli teens.

Up to 1,000 protesters were arrested, many of them for stone-throwing. Israeli police said many of those arrested were minors. Some of them, schoolbags strapped to their backs, hurled stones at security forces on their way to or from school.

Protests in the West Bank since then have been more subdued, but still occur frequently, with Palestinian protesters clashing with Israeli troops — incidents that often end in arrests.

Stones and small rocks have become an iconic weapon in the West Bank. In the past six years, more than half of all arrests of Palestinian youth have been over stone-throwing.

On Dec. 31, al-Khatib walked to a West Bank road used by both Israelis and Palestinians, and began throwing stones at passing cars, Palestinian officials told her parents.

Israeli security forces later arrested her and said they found a knife in her possession.

"These kids grow up with news about clashes, about oppression of Palestinian people in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and they go to express themselves," Ali al-Khatib said.

The girl's parents, who appeared with her in court, said her feet were shackled and she was handcuffed.

Since her arrest, the case has received constant media attention in the West Bank and spawned countless memes and caricatures, some showing al-Khatib, full-cheeked and pouty-lipped, behind bars and holding a teddy bear. One drawing shows a cherubic al-Khatib — whose first name means angel in Arabic — tied to shackles held by an Israeli soldier.

At her home, al-Khatib's bedroom shows the interests of a 14-year-old girl steeped in the realities of day-to-day life in the West Bank.

Bracelets and necklaces bearing the colors of the Palestinian flag and a poster of a Palestinian man from her village killed in clashes with Israeli forces lie near a picture of Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

Sarit Michaeli from B'Tselem said that under Israel's military justice system, al-Khatib will not be afforded the same rights and protections as Israeli minors under Israel's legal system.

"An Israeli child will not be held in detention for three weeks, even a boy, let alone a girl, because of these protections provided to children by the Israeli youth law," she said.

Israel captured the West Bank, along with east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, in the 1967 Mideast war, territories the Palestinians claim for their hoped-for state. Palestinians living in the West Bank are subject to Israel's military justice system, whereas Jewish settlers and Israelis fall under a separate legal system.

Issa Karake, head of the Palestinian government's Prisoner Affairs Department, said al-Khatib's case is just another in a policy meant to break the spirits of young people resisting the Israeli occupation.

"The Israelis show no tolerance with the Palestinian children," Karake said. "The Israelis are crushing a whole generation."
___

Associated Press writer Tia Goldenberg in Jerusalem contributed to this report.


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-01-28

[Credo]

She's probably just practicing for the next adulterer who needs to be stoned.

[dexterm]

Par for the course for 67 years of occupation by the so called “most moral army in the world”.

Another aspect of Israeli apartheid...Jewish children of fanatical religious illegal colonists in the West Bank can throw rocks at Palestinians and vandalize their property...Google Hebron settler violence youtube...you’ll find heaps of it.... and they will receive not even a slap on the wrist but more a pat on the back.

Palestinian children in the West Bank are subject to military law and get shackled and jailed.

Does it ever occur to the IDF dummkopfs that they are encouraging future militants with their harsh treatment rather than deterring it.

Palestinians have a right to self determination and to resist occupation.

[dexterm]

She's probably just practicing for the next adulterer who needs to be stoned.

Racist bigotry. Take note folks of the Zionist mentality delighting in the shackling and incarceration of a 14 year old girl.

[Jingthing]

Rock throwing should be illegal for all ... boy / girl / Arab / Jew.

I get the "Palestinian resistance" thing, even though, rocks are not always thrown at armed soldiers, they are also thrown at unarmed civilians and cars causing deaths of civilians, and I get the "double standard" argument as far as enforcement Arabs vs. Jews ... but I don't get the complaint about why a girl should expect special treatment.

[Chwooly]

She's probably just practicing for the next adulterer who needs to be stoned.

Racist bigotry. Take note folks of the Zionist mentality delighting in the shackling and incarceration of a 14 year old girl.

Do you realize by using the term Zionist, you have shown you are just as much if not more of a bigot? Don't bother to reply, I will just be ignoring your ignorance anyway.

[arjunadawn]

Often an apologist for Israel, I find this current news sickening. I get it that a line must be drawn. Or, more importantly, an established line in the sand of what is acceptable or not must be maintained; but this is plain dumbass. The PR consequences alone demand judicial discretion. I have done bad things when the same age. No, I was not led astray by adults brainwashing me. I know many people 14 or younger who were really, really very dangerous. Having said that, the majority of kids who do stuff like this, in context, are motivated by others, social acceptance, a place amongst peers, and other impetus. Israel is making a dumbass error on multiple calculations to put a child in prison for such a thing. I strongly disapprove of this; a girl no less. The stigma and dangers to her are significantly greater. Thus the results of this action are grossly out of proportion to what she has done. Kinda makes me a bit sick.

[Jingthing]

She's probably just practicing for the next adulterer who needs to be stoned.

Racist bigotry. Take note folks of the Zionist mentality delighting in the shackling and incarceration of a 14 year old girl.

Do you realize by using the term Zionist, you have shown you are just as much if not more of a bigot? Don't bother to reply, I will just be ignoring your ignorance anyway.

Oh, no, you've misunderstood. Not antisemitism, it's anti-Zionism. Jews are wonderful but they're not quite wonderful enough to deserve to be the majority in ONE state when Arabs and Muslims have SEVERAL!

[h90]

Rock throwing should be illegal for all ... boy / girl / Arab / Jew.

I get the "Palestinian resistance" thing, even though, rocks are not always thrown at armed soldiers, they are also thrown at unarmed civilians and cars causing deaths of civilians, and I get the "double standard" argument as far as enforcement Arabs vs. Jews ... but I don't get the complaint about why a girl should expect special treatment.

So you think an Israel girl throwing stones at Palestinian would be in jail as well? A German girl in Germany throwing stones would be in jail?

And no it is not causing deaths, she didn't throw stones from the bridge over the highway...In this case they would have shot her and any bystander.

And possession of a knife!!! Can it be more ridiculous?

[Eliot Rosewater]

Take note; if you have been to the area you will know that there are golf ball and baseball sized rocks everywhere

For you doubters; I suggest you let someone stand 15 feet away from you and hurl them at your head!

What would be the treatment of a 14 year old girl who was chucking fist sized rocks at passing cars in your country?

[Chwooly]

Rock throwing should be illegal for all ... boy / girl / Arab / Jew.

I get the "Palestinian resistance" thing, even though, rocks are not always thrown at armed soldiers, they are also thrown at unarmed civilians and cars causing deaths of civilians, and I get the "double standard" argument as far as enforcement Arabs vs. Jews ... but I don't get the complaint about why a girl should expect special treatment.

So you think an Israel girl throwing stones at Palestinian would be in jail as well? A German girl in Germany throwing stones would be in jail?

And no it is not causing deaths, she didn't throw stones from the bridge over the highway...In this case they would have shot her and any bystander.

And possession of a knife!!! Can it be more ridiculous?

Yes, I do think that anyone throwing stones with the intent to do harm should be punished. Girl, Boy, Woman, or Man.

[ezzra]

Today it's a rock, tomorrow it's a Molotov cocktail or a grenade... young girls and boys have

no place in being at the confrontation points, they should be at school, where are the parents

of these young kids? I know.. they're wishing for their kids to die and become martyrs...

[Clutch]

I recall throwing rocks as a 13/14 yo at the other kids up the street when I was growing up. My Mum would just yell out the window to get back inside. Thankfully those kids Dads didn't point guns at me or throw me in Jail, otherwise I might have grown up with a huge grudge.

[Jingthing]

I recall throwing rocks as a 13/14 yo at the other kids up the street when I was growing up. My Mum would just yell out the window to get back inside. Thankfully those kids Dads didn't point guns at me or throw me in Jail, otherwise I might have grown up with a huge grudge.

This has nothing do with childish games. Yes the rock throwing is part of a resistance movement and it's very messy. But it has nothing at all to do with your memories.

[Felipesed]

It sounds like her parents are the ones who should be in jail.

Why did they allow her to throw stones?

What happened to parental responsibility?

[Jingthing]

It seems to me that the focus here is incorrectly on the sex of the offender. There is no reason she should get a pass for a violent act that a boy wouldn't.

As far as West Bank and Gaza Arabs right to NONVIOLENT protest Israeli policies (and also the policies of their own governments) of course, they should have that right. Ever wonder what happens to Arabs in Gaza who protest the government policies of HAMAS? Don't wonder ... bodies dragged in the streets and stuff like that. Anyway, rock throwing is violence.

Edited January 28, 2015 by Jingthing

[Clutch]

I recall throwing rocks as a 13/14 yo at the other kids up the street when I was growing up. My Mum would just yell out the window to get back inside. Thankfully those kids Dads didn't point guns at me or throw me in Jail, otherwise I might have grown up with a huge grudge.

This has nothing do with childish games. Yes the rock throwing is part of a resistance movement and it's very messy. But it has nothing at all to do with your memories.

I think you just missed my point.

[Jingthing]

I recall throwing rocks as a 13/14 yo at the other kids up the street when I was growing up. My Mum would just yell out the window to get back inside. Thankfully those kids Dads didn't point guns at me or throw me in Jail, otherwise I might have grown up with a huge grudge.

This has nothing do with childish games. Yes the rock throwing is part of a resistance movement and it's very messy. But it has nothing at all to do with your memories.

I think you just missed my point.

I got the point you were trying to make and rejected it.

[midas]

As usual terribly one-sided Where is the justice in this?

WATCH: Israeli police let stone-throwing settlers walk away

http://972mag.com/watch-israeli-police-let-stone-throwing-settlers-walk-away/99740/

Edited January 28, 2015 by midas

[Seastallion]

She's probably just practicing for the next adulterer who needs to be stoned.

Racist bigotry. Take note folks of the Zionist mentality delighting in the shackling and incarceration of a 14 year old girl.

Do you realize by using the term Zionist, you have shown you are just as much if not more of a bigot? Don't bother to reply, I will just be ignoring your ignorance anyway.

So, only Zionists are allowed to call themselves Zionists, and if they do, are they then bigots?

[Basil B]

Rock throwing should be illegal for all ... boy / girl / Arab / Jew.

I get the "Palestinian resistance" thing, even though, rocks are not always thrown at armed soldiers, they are also thrown at unarmed civilians and cars causing deaths of civilians, and I get the "double standard" argument as far as enforcement Arabs vs. Jews ... but I don't get the complaint about why a girl should expect special treatment.

So should launching missiles on civilians Arabs or Jews...

[Chwooly]

She's probably just practicing for the next adulterer who needs to be stoned.

Racist bigotry. Take note folks of the Zionist mentality delighting in the shackling and incarceration of a 14 year old girl.

Do you realize by using the term Zionist, you have shown you are just as much if not more of a bigot? Don't bother to reply, I will just be ignoring your ignorance anyway.

So, only Zionists are allowed to call themselves Zionists, and if they do, are they then bigots?

Yes

[Chwooly]

As usual terribly one-sided Where is the justice in this?

WATCH: Israeli police let stone-throwing settlers walk away

http://972mag.com/watch-israeli-police-let-stone-throwing-settlers-walk-away/99740/

So you completely ignore the fact that they were attacked first? Or is that ok? It is just Israelis that are not allowed to defend themselves?

[Seastallion]

As usual terribly one-sided Where is the justice in this?

WATCH: Israeli police let stone-throwing settlers walk away

http://972mag.com/watch-israeli-police-let-stone-throwing-settlers-walk-away/99740/

What was significant, I thought, about the video was that the egg delivery guy complained but didn't dare take any action. Neither did others. It says a lot about the subjugation of these people. In any other place in the world with racial/religious/cultural tensions, the stone-throwers would have been attacked. The Palestinians didn't dare. Very sad when you don't dare protect your property from thugs because you know the police will arrest you for violence but allow the perpetrators to walk.

[Seastallion]

As usual terribly one-sided Where is the justice in this?

WATCH: Israeli police let stone-throwing settlers walk away

http://972mag.com/watch-israeli-police-let-stone-throwing-settlers-walk-away/99740/

So you completely ignore the fact that they were attacked first? Or is that ok? It is just Israelis that are not allowed to defend themselves?

Did the egg guy attack first? Did the owner of the car with the smashed windscreen attack first?

NO they did not.

And whatsmore, the egg guy did not retaliate to his produce being destroyed and his van damaged.

The Israelis were not defending themselves, they were angrily attacking.

[pattayasnowman]

What is so sad and pathetic is that the Palestinian people have only Rocks to throw at one of the most Sophisticated and modern armies in the world.

Israel has made a systematic land grab of Palestinian land since UN declaration in 1947. The zionist jews continue build more illegal Jewish Settlements on Palestinian land. This shameful practice will continue along with their policy of Apartheid. It has been their poilcy from the beginning and will continue so long as it supported by the US.

If you want the truth about Israel I suggest you watch:

An honest Israeli Jew tells the Real Truth about Israel

[Seastallion]

Racist bigotry. Take note folks of the Zionist mentality delighting in the shackling and incarceration of a 14 year old girl.

Do you realize by using the term Zionist, you have shown you are just as much if not more of a bigot? Don't bother to reply, I will just be ignoring your ignorance anyway.

So, only Zionists are allowed to call themselves Zionists, and if they do, are they then bigots?

Yes

Great answer....not worth arguing with and duly noted the ridiculous .....no, I won't get personal.

[midas]

As usual terribly one-sided Where is the justice in this?

WATCH: Israeli police let stone-throwing settlers walk away

http://972mag.com/watch-israeli-police-let-stone-throwing-settlers-walk-away/99740/

So you completely ignore the fact that they were attacked first? Or is that ok? It is just Israelis that are not allowed to defend themselves?

Oh come on! You can try your best to argue about this incident on video but you can't ignore the fact that there is a terribly biased approach by the Israeli police in dealing with these issues when Israelis are involved. From the article

According to human rights organizations that collect data on such incidents, Israeli police have an abysmal record in holding settlers accountable for violence against Palestinians. Yesh Din released information about such investigations last month.

[Chwooly]

Do you realize by using the term Zionist, you have shown you are just as much if not more of a bigot? Don't bother to reply, I will just be ignoring your ignorance anyway.

So, only Zionists are allowed to call themselves Zionists, and if they do, are they then bigots?

Yes

Great answer....not worth arguing with and duly noted the ridiculous .....no, I won't get personal.

The fact that you mention you want to get personal tells me the type of person you are,

Nothing you say will have any effect on me either way. So give it your best shot, I will still enjoy myself tonight and have a good nights sleep.

[Chwooly]

As usual terribly one-sided Where is the justice in this?

WATCH: Israeli police let stone-throwing settlers walk away

http://972mag.com/watch-israeli-police-let-stone-throwing-settlers-walk-away/99740/

So you completely ignore the fact that they were attacked first? Or is that ok? It is just Israelis that are not allowed to defend themselves?

Oh come on! You can try your best to argue about this incident on video but you can't ignore the fact that there is a terribly biased approach by the Israeli police in dealing with these issues when Israelis are involved. From the article

According to human rights organizations that collect data on such incidents, Israeli police have an abysmal record in holding settlers accountable for violence against Palestinians. Yesh Din released information about such investigations last month.

Actually, I don't care what the Israeli's do, I think it is way past time for people to start dealing with terrorists the same way they are dealt with. Yes I am calling Palestinians terrorists.