Knesset Begins Inquiry into Amona Violence

www.arutzsheva.net ^ | 16:58 Feb 27, '06 / 29 Shevat 5766 | Hillel Fendel

[Esther Ruth]

Knesset Begins Inquiry into Amona Violence 16:58 Feb 27, '06 / 29 Shevat 5766 By Hillel Fendel

The Knesset Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry into the violence at Amona has convened for its first meeting. It will call Olmert, Mofaz and others to testify - but cannot force them to appear.

Committee Chairman Yuval Shteinitz (Likud) said that the purpose of today's meeting was to determine the manner in which it would function and how testimonies would be heard. The first testimonies will be heard on Wednesday.

The committee is to investigate the violence at the destruction of nine homes in Amona, near Ofrah, on Feb. 1. Police were filmed using brutal violence against hundreds of youthful protestors, over 200 of whom were injured and taken to hospitals for treatment. The committee will also investigate charges that some protestors themselves used violence, as well as the orders given to the police to employ brutal force, and the government decisions that prevented any form of compromise.

pictured above: Yaakov Tessler, injured at Amona. Read here his letter to IDF Central Commander Maj.-Gen. Yair Naveh.

MK Effie Eitam (National Union), who was hospitalized overnight with head wounds after being injured by police at the Amona destruction, caused a mini-storm this past weekend when he said that parents should share blame for the events of Amona "by sending their children to Amona unsupervised."

Eitam later explained to Arutz-7's Ruti Avraham that he views the youth at Amona as having "wonderful motivation, pure intentions and a feeling of mission, all based on the education that they received... At Amona, we were at the extreme edge of our permitted protest... If, Heaven forbid, someone would have been killed, such as the boy who was in critical condition [and who has since recovered], or a policeman, things would be very different now. In future events of this nature, it would be good if parents, rabbis and politicians would also be there. Even motivation and vitality have to have limits and guidance."

MK Tzvi Hendel, Eitam's party colleague, later said, "Our youth is wonderful, and whoever was in Amona could be a shining example for the entire State of Israel."

Eitam added, "It must be clear that the entire Amona situation was created by the [Acting] Prime Minister who used policemen and youth to advance his personal interests. My main criticism is pointed at him, and I will make this clear at the Parliamentary committee of inquiry."

At last week's session of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Olmert and Eitam exchanged barbs regarding Amona. When Olmert walked in, Eitam said, "I'm surprised you didn't come with police mounted on horses [as in Amona]." Olmert said, "It's because I heard that you were coming without weapons."

Committee members include Danny Yatom (Labor), his brother Ehud Yatom (Likud), Uri Ariel (National Union), Matan Vilnai (Labor), and Shteinitz. However, because Olmert has announced that he will suspend the committee's work the day after the elections, a small four-MK team will hold marathon sessions in order to complete the work before the elections. The four are Shteinitz, Ariel, Vilnai, and MK Ilan Shalgi (formerly of Shinui, now of the Arrow party).

Among the witnesses to be summoned are Olmert, Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz, Public Security Minister Gideon Ezra, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz, and Police Commissioner Moshe Karadi.

The committee does not have the authority to compel witnesses to appear, and can only issue a rebuke to those who refuse to do so.

Published: 16:17 February 27, 2006 Last Update: 16:58 February 27, 2006

[Esther Ruth]

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3221643,00.html

excerpt...

Amona commission to summon Olmert

Parliamentary commission investigating violence that erupted during Amona evacuation summons chief of staff, police chief, Central Command head. Olmert scheduled to testify 10 days before general elections Kadima refuses to send representative on its behalf. Commission head: We may force acting PM to show up

Ilan Marciano


The parliamentary commission investigating the Amona riots held its first meeting on Monday. Four MKs will lead the investigation: Yuval Steinitz (Likud), Matan Vilnai (Labor), Uri Ariel (National Union-National Religious Party), and Ilan Shalgi (Chetz) who will compose the final report and present it to the Knesset for approval.

The Commission decided to summon acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, Attorney General Menachem Mazuz, and others. They also decided to summon Chief of Staff Dan Halutz, Chief of Police Moshe Karadi, Central Command Chief Yair Naveh, and the leaders of Yesha Council.

Olmert is scheduled to testify 10 days prior to the elections. For now, Kadima refuses to send a representative on its behalf.

[Convert from ECUSA]

Ping!

[Alouette]

FRmail me to be added or removed from this Judaic/pro-Israel/Russian Jewry ping list.

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[Alouette]

My son's application for Aliyah has been rejected because he was arrested at Amona and therefore has a "criminal record."

Now he is going to court to have his "criminal" record expunged and his application accepted.

[Ancesthntr]

The butcher Olmert will never appear to testify, all the more so because the election is only 10 days away. Some leader, that one - he has smaller betzim than a mouse.

Oh, and by the way, he is also holding his office illegally - Israel's law states that there must be a new PM appointed from the party of the existing PM if the existing PM dies or is permanently incapacitated. By "party of the existing PM" I mean Likud - because Likud formed the government. Netanyahu should be the PM now - with all of the advantages that this would confer in the election - since it is quite obvious that Sharon is permanently incapacitated. Of course, the Israeli Supreme Court has smaller betzim than Olmert, and refused to hear the case. I sincerely hope and pray that the Israeli public can see through this nonsense.

[Esther Ruth]

I sincerely hope and pray that the Israeli public can see through this nonsense.
***

Oh sure, and I have complete faith and trust in the democratic process - it will all be fine.

[Ancesthntr]

" Oh sure, and I have complete faith and trust in the democratic process - it will all be fine."

That's why I'm praying - because counting on a bunch of people that like their Socialistic benefits isn't exactly reassuring.

[Thinkin' Gal]

My son's application for Aliyah has been rejected because he was arrested at Amona and therefore has a "criminal record."

His right of return would be more secure if his name was Mohammed and his occupation was stoning Jews.

[SJackson]

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