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Last update - 05:22 08/02/2008 Young Arab woman from Ramle feared dead in 'honor killing' By Roni Singer-Heruti Tags: Arab, Israel, violence, Ramle Nothing has been touched in Nadia Abu Amar's room at a Jerusalem halfway house for girls. The down comforter folded atop the sheet remains in slight disarray, and all around are personal effects that seem ready for use at any moment: snuffed-out candles, cosmetics arranged on a shelf, textbooks piled on top of each other, oil paintings and charcoal drawings hanging everywhere. But nearly four months have gone by since Nadia, 22, slept in her bed, lit her favorite scented candles and opened her textbooks. One Saturday night in early November she disappeared, and although her whereabouts remain unknown, police believe that Nadia, like so many women before her, was murdered by family members in the name of so-called family honor. This week the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court extended the remand of seven men from Nadia's family - her father, brother and cousins. Investigators suspect the men kidnapped and murdered the young woman, who tried for years to elude them and build a better life for herself. Advertisement Advertisement Arab women at risk "Arab girls in danger are in a bind. Even if they manage to leave their family, move to a shelter and rebuild their lives - study, make new friends and work - ultimately they have no place to really grow. They can't live alone, Jewish society does not accept them, and they wind up living in danger of their relatives getting to them," says a source who knew Nadia and is familiar with the case. In the past two years, "family honor" has claimed the lives of two other Arab young women who returned home after staying at a shelter, and many others who never fled to shelters were murdered in recent years. A professional woman very familiar with Ramle's Arab society, and who was afraid to reveal her identity like everyone else interviewed for this article, says that "family honor" is a misnomer. "They keep using this term, as though it legitimized the cases of murder and disappearance," she says. "But what should be said is that this is violence pure and simple, directed at women. This is straightforward crime and not some sort of legitimate Arab custom. Femicide exists in many groups, including Arab society." Abu Amar, from a well-known Ramle family of good reputation, encountered hardship from an early age, as described to girlfriends and people who helped her later on. Her father owns a sewing factory and has three wives. She has four full siblings: an older sister and brother, and two younger brothers. At 14 she moved to a shelter for girls, to get away from domestic violence. Police warning After two weeks at the shelter, Ramle police warned her that remaining away from home was more dangerous for her than going back, so she went back. Four years later she moved to a shelter again, after a male friend told police about another violent incident she endured. She was a secular young woman who loved surfing the Web and corresponding with friends online, a hobby her family disapproved of. A short while before she moved to a temporary shelter for girls, her parents forced her to become engaged to a man she did not want. "This was evidently a match made in view of her unusual conduct. It was a sort of solution," says a source who knew her. After six months at the shelter, Nadia was referred to a halfway house in Jerusalem. The place provides a real home for 14 girls and young women between the ages of 17 and 24, mostly Jews, who were victimized by their environments. Nadia blossomed there, finally able to do what she loved best: draw and paint, with great talent. She completed her high school studies and this past year was enrolled in the pre-admission program at Hebrew University. She dreamed of studying art and law. People at her new home described Nadia as intelligent and industrious. By all accounts she studied hard and got good grades, while also thriving at an art class at the Israel Museum and working as a sales clerk in a clothing store. Siblings paid a visit When Nadia arrived at the Jerusalem facility, the directors received a police assessment stating that while Nadia's relatives posed a threat to her, she was safe outside Ramle. Nadia was reportedly homesick and missed her siblings and mother, but did not dare visit them. However, she kept in touch with several relatives, mainly her sister in Haifa. Several months before her disappearance, Nadia revealed her whereabouts to her siblings, who came for a visit. Friends recall they brought cookies from home, and that Nadia was delighted with the visit. The first weekend in November, Nadia visited her sister in Haifa, telling friends she would return Saturday night. She never did. The directors of the Jerusalem house called Nadia's sister, who said she drove her to the Haifa bus station to catch a bus to Jerusalem, but knew nothing more. Her friends contacted the police, who concluded that Nadia was abducted and perhaps murdered by relatives. Many have been questioned in the past two weeks, and some arrested, as noted above. The case remains under investigation. Bookmark to del.icio.us   All in the family Tel Aviv municipality moves to retain contract with Gaza City as 'twin city.' Pining for a leader A documentary examines Ariel Sharon's motive for the Gaza disengagement.   1.   honor killing 05:45  |  Nancy Hartevelt Kobr 08/02/08   2.   honor killing 05:45  |  Nancy Hartevelt Kobr 08/02/08   3.   Honor Killing 05:49  |  Nancy Hartevelt Kobr 08/02/08   4.   Oi Natalie Durston where are you??? 06:29  |  Adrian de Klerk 08/02/08   5.   A Muslim Commandment 06:36  |  leo 08/02/08   6.   Religion of Peace in action 06:52  |  fiona 08/02/08   7.   Arabs behave like cave men ! 08:09  |  Sara 08/02/08   8.   Jewish society rejects her? But the shelter, job, university... 08:30  |  Alain 08/02/08   9.   More and more this is practiced around the world by adherents of 08:38  |  honor above all 08/02/08   10.   animals, animals, animals 08:56  |  vladimir 08/02/08   11.   One more victim of Israeli opression of the arabs 09:36  |  Absolute Sweden 08/02/08   12.   Proof is in the poisonous pudding 09:54  |  La Boheme 08/02/08   13.   honor killing?? 10:49  |  wisam 08/02/08   14.   The religion of peace strikes again. 11:31  |  Steven 08/02/08   15.   Cultural Refugee 11:39  |  Michael J 08/02/08   16.   Plo state = more honor killings 11:49  |  fred 08/02/08   17.   Muslim Women and Honour Killings. 12:45  |  Stephen. 08/02/08   18.   Terrible 13:09  |  Murray 08/02/08   19.   #6, Wisam 13:16  |  Wolf 08/02/08   20.   Mz Amira Hass and Gideon forgot your last name 13:33  |  bytheway 08/02/08   21.   Wisem Syrian Only an Arab would justify murdering a defenseless 13:41  |  Petra 08/02/08   22.   # 7 ABSOLUTE NUT CASE 13:46  |  Petra 08/02/08   23.   # 15 Wolf AMEN YOU SAID IT WELL 13:49  |  Petra 08/02/08   24.   # 13 Stephen...it`s unacceptable 13:51  |  Lynn 08/02/08   25.   # 13 Steven Crap! 13:52  |  Petra 08/02/08   26.   Muslim `Honor killings` 13:55  |  Nechama 08/02/08   27.   #25. Petra, wherever you are, go and get an education. 15:07  |  Stephen. 08/02/08   28.   # 24 Lynn. You are quite right. 15:15  |  Stephen. 08/02/08   29.   # 13 wisam of Syria I take it you are a man 15:21  |  Lynn 08/02/08   30.   a dilemna 15:54  |  natan 08/02/08   31.   # 18 Murray of Milan...the government is not 15:59  |  Lynn 08/02/08   32.   Leo #5 doesn`t get it 16:50  |  Rory 08/02/08   33.   it not part of islam, yazidi kurds do it most 17:08  |  (* 08/02/08   34.   Responsibilities, Lynn 17:17  |  Murray 08/02/08   35.   Stephen, Swiss stoned their women 3,000 years ago like Jews did 17:20  |  Genuine Tosefta 08/02/08   36.   Islam drives its followers insane 17:24  |  Genuine Tosefta 08/02/08   37.   Wisam it seems acceptable in Syria. 17:24  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 08/02/08   38.   Ignorance of some people...Nadia is a common Arab woman`s name 17:58  |  Genuine Tosefta 08/02/08   39.   murry #34 it is the arabs fault,you dumbass,and nobody elses 18:38  |  terrornator 08/02/08   40.   Honour Killing is legal in Moslem countries 19:46  |  AliciaYasmeen 08/02/08   41.   A 16 year old thrown out of the 4th floor balcony last Sunday 19:55  |  in Sweden/Malmo 08/02/08   42.   Dishonor Killings 20:30  |  ERS 08/02/08   43.   Let Arabs kill their women, less Arab wombs = less terrorists 22:38  |  Genuine Tosefta 08/02/08   44.   Interesting, terromator 23:11  |  Murray 08/02/08   45.   # 35 Genuine Tosefta. Since when are we...... 23:39  |  Stephen. 08/02/08   46.   Deuteronomy 22.20 / 22.21/ 22.22 / 22.24 03:05  |  Stephen 09/02/08   47.   #40 Thank G`d I was NOT born in an arab country 10:22  |  Sara 09/02/08   48.   Natallie Durson speaks on women in Islam 17:19  |  Joe Sittizen 09/02/08   49.   Can anyone think of a more appropriate name for this? 17:27  |  newageblues 09/02/08   50.   Murray the Italian expert on foreign cultures 20:52  |  Joe Sittizen 09/02/08   51.   Murray: a question to you 22:29  |  AliciaYasmeen 09/02/08   52.   Responsibilities 11:45  |  Muray 11/02/08

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