Last update - 00:00 01/02/2007
Man charged in farm burglary in which accomplice was killed
By Mijal Grinberg, Haaretz Correspondent
A man suspected of trying to break into a Negev farm whose owner shot dead one of his alleged accomplices was charged Thursday at the Be'er Sheva Magistrates' Court.
Ayoub al-Hawashleh was arrested for questioning last week after being released from the Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva, where he was hospitalized after being shot by Shai Dromi, the farm's owner.
The indictment states that al-Hawashleh conspired to break into the farm in order to steal cattle. It also states that al-Hawashleh poisoned Dromi's dog and was in possession of a burglary tool. He was remanded until the end of criminal proceedings.
Dromi shot al-Hawashleh on the night of January 13. With him was his alleged accomplice, Khaled al-Atrash, who died from Dromi's gunfire. Dromi was charged last week with manslaughter for al-Atrash's killing.
Dromi's supporters to plant trees at his farm to mark holiday
The Negev communities' organization, Israel's Farmers Association and the Beef Cattle Breeders' Association have organized a tree-planting event at Dromi's farm, scheduled to take place on Friday, to mark Tu Bishva. According to the organizers, the planting event, in whihch 1,000 different trees are to be planted, aims to show their support for Dromi.
Dromi's farm currently has a 350-tree olive grove. The aim of the event is to expand the olive grove and plant a 450-vine grape vineyard.
Dromi's friend, Muki Azulai, said the ranch will stay operative until Dromi is released. Haim Dayan, chair of the Beef Cattle Breeders' Association, said the event "represents the grasping onto and protecting the land."
A discussion of Dromi's remand conditions is scheduled for February 11. Dromi is slated to stand trial in front of a three-judge panel.