Discrimination in Court

Tomorrow, 13 February, at 8:30 A.M., human rights supporters will hold a demonstration at the Jerusalem District Court in protest against the sentence imposed on Nahum Korman. The demonstration is organized by B'Tselem, The Public Committee Against Torture in Israel, Rabbis for Human Rights and Defense of Children International - Israel.

Nahum Korman killed Hilmi Shusha, a twelve-year-old Palestinian, by kicking him in the head. District Court judge Ruth Orr found him innocent, despite eyewitness testimony and the results of the autopsy performed by Prof. Hiss at Israel's forensic medicine center, in Abu-Kabir. The Supreme Court reversed the lower court decision, convicted Korman of manslaughter, and returned the case to the District Court for sentencing. The State Attorney's Office surprisingly agreed to a plea bargain in which Korman would be sentenced to six months community service, fifteen months' probation, and payment of NIS 70,000 compensation to the victim's family.

Judge Orr's decision to accept this outrageous plea bargain continues Israeli law enforcement policy, which extends from the police and army to the State Attorney's office and courts and the President's office. For many years, these authorities have ignored cases where Israeli have injured innocent Palestinians, and have even justified the perpetrators. This attitude stands in stark contradiction to the authorities' response to cases where Palestinians harm Israelis. In these cases, the system suddenly operates forcefully and efficiently and employs all available means, including flagrant human rights violations.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, at 8:30 A.M., the District Court will convene a hearing on the community service imposed on Korman. At that time, members and supporters of the above-mentioned human rights organizations will demonstrate, in protest of the sentence, opposite the Jerusalem District Court building, located on Salah-a-Din Street.