Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., July 05, 2007 Tamuz 19, 5767 | | Israel Time: 02:50 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
  Back to Homepage
Print Edition
Diplomacy
Defense Opinion National Arts & Leisure Anglo File Sports Travel  
Magazine Week's End
Q&A
Business Underground Jewish World Real Estate Advertising  
Bookmark to del.icio.us
As Israel negotiates prisoner exchange, group seeks release of Jews who committed terror acts
By Nadav Shragai

An organization that helps Jews in legal difficulties due to right-wing activity is demanding the release of Jewish prisoners if Palestinians are let go in exchange for the kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit.

The organization, Honenu, has submitted to dozens of Knesset members a list of 38 Jewish prisoners it wants pardoned should a deal be reached. Most of the people on the list carried out attacks on Arabs.

Advertisement

These include Jews from the Bat Ayin group, which planned to set off a bomb in the Jerusalem village of A-Tur to avenge the murder of five-year-old Daniel Shefi in the West Bank settlement Adora. They also include David Amoyal of Rishon Letzion, who shot and injured two Arabs after the murder of the baby Shalhevet Pas in Hebron.

Honenu members, whose bid is supported by ministers and MKs from Shas, cite cases in which former president Ezer Weizman commuted the sentences of Jewish terrorists when Arab prisoners were released as part of goodwill gestures during the period of the Oslo Accords.

Among other things, the organization cites a letter by former prime minister Ariel Sharon, written when he served as foreign minister in Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet, supporting the commuting of Jewish terrorists' sentences when Palestinian terrorists were released. Forty-five MKs, including Amram Mitzna (Labor), supported that move.

Honenu says in its letter to the MKs that no Jewish terrorist who was released before serving his term has attacked Arabs again. It also objects to equating the two kinds of terror. Although the organization does not justify "Jewish terror," it says that such acts derived from factors such as erroneous judgment or personal bereavement.

The High Court of Justice rejected a petition submitted some 10 years ago by Jewish prisoners who had carried out terror attacks on Arabs. The petitioners wanted the government to stop releasing Palestinian prisoners without releasing the Jews as well. The right wing lobbied president Weizman, who commuted the sentences of numerous prisoners, including that of Yoram Skolnik, who had murdered a bound Palestinian suspect.

Also on Honenu's current list are four border policemen who sought revenge after losing five colleagues in an alley in Hebron. They were charged with killing an Arab who they claimed had died after he jumped off their jeep.

Others on the list include Ami Popper, who murdered seven Arab laborers and was sentenced to seven life sentences before his term was commuted to 40 years, and Shai Dromi, who killed a Bedouin who broke into his farm.

Bookmark to del.icio.us
Tried and true
This is a restaurant to which one can return and always walk away after a fine meal.
Like Pixar
Jerusalem Venture Partners moves into a new world of computerized filmaking.
 Today Online
11 Palestinians killed, two IDF soldiers wounded in Gaza
Responses: 373
Gideon Levy: Blair is doomed to fail in the Mideast
Responses: 106
Moshe Arens: Time to rethink two-state solution
Responses: 225
Group seeks release of Jewish terrorists if Palestinians freed
Responses: 61


More Headlines
00:43 Hamas: Gazans should fight back against IDF raid
02:22 Barak's popularity as PM candidate nearing Netanyahu's
21:43 Katsav accuser's friend: I heard former president harassing her
00:52 Rights group: Israel, Hamas, Hezbollah must free prisoners
21:22 Egyptian police seize 1,200 kilos of explosives in northern Sinai
20:01 Israeli Arab appointed as a JNF director despite court appeal
23:18 State opposes freeing treason convict fearing will spy for Iran
02:45 New head of Population Directorate worries human rights groups
18:40 Police pursue teen who tried to snatch IDF soldier's weapon
20:42 U.S.: Johnston's release won't change world view of Hamas
Previous Editions
Special Offers
Advertisement
LEUMI
Mortgages in Israel tailor made to your specific needs and currency
Israeli History Documentaries.
Own a piece of Israel?s treasured past.
Skin Care Products
Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off!
JOIN FREE AT JDATE.COM
The most popular online Jewish dating community in the world! Explore the possibilities! Click Here!
Junkyard
Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt.
Holiday Inn and Crown Plaza Israel
Lowest internet rate Guaranteed at ichotelsgroup.com !
Learn Hebrew Online
Learn Hebrew from the best teachers in Israel live over the Internet
Home| Print Edition| Diplomacy| Opinion| Arts & Leisure| Sports| Jewish World| Underground| Site rules|
© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved