JUDGES BLAST AG FOR CONDEMNING BARGOUTI BEFORE TRIAL’S END

About what went on in today’s trial, read the following detailed Ha’aretz
report. (The last paragraph mentions our protest.)

[Photos of the action will be on www.gush-shalom.org as soon as the
website is repaired. Right
now there is no access at all.]
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/317840.html

*JUDGES BLAST AG FOR CONDEMNING BARGOUTI BEFORE TRIAL’S END

By Assaf Bergerfreund,
Haaretz Correspondent and Haaretz Service

West Bank Fatah Movement secretary general and leader of the Tanzim Marwan
Barghouti refused to testify Monday in his trial in the Tel Aviv District
Court, charging that the outcome of the court case was predetermined.

The District Court in Tel Aviv was hearing defense arguments Monday in the
trial of Barghouti, who is charged with a series of murders and
responsibility for other acts of terror.

Barghouti, who was scheduled to testify Monday, decided not to do so,
saying that the trial is "staged" and its outcome predetermined. Barghouti
claims there is no point in testifying since there is no chance he will
receive a fair trial in Israel.

Backing up his assertion, Barghouti quoted Attorney General Elyakim
Rubinstein, who referred to him two weeks ago as an "architect of
mass-murdering terrorism." He said that Rubinstein’s comments constitute a
"blatant" interference in the legal proceedings against him.

The District Court judges were also critical of Rubinstein’s comments with
Judge Sara Sorota, who presided over the panel of three, saying the comments
constituted subjudice as Barghouti has not yet convicted of involvement in
terrorism.

A statement from Rubinstein’s office said that the attorney general’s
comments were not intended to influence the outcome of the trial, but rather
reflected the general position of the prosecution as appears in the official
charge sheet against Barghouti. In addition,the statement says that
Rubinstein’s comments were made to the prime minister in arguments he
presented against Barghouti’s release - in line with his job.
Rubinstein made the comments following reports that Israel as considering
releasing Barghouti along with other Palestinian prisoners under the U.S.-
backed road map for ast peace.
Barghouti is charged with leading and conducting suicide attacks on
Israeli targets and is accused of murder and attempted murder. Barghouti,
arrested by Israeli commandos in Ramallah in April last year,
however has said he played a part in "legitimate resistance".

Barghouti claims that an Israeli court does not have any jurisdiction over
him nor the right to try him and that he never had a chance at a fair trial.
He quipped that "a political decision to convict me has been made and my
chances of getting off are like [Shinui leader Yosef] Tommy Lapid’s chances
of becoming leader of Shas"

Barghouti declared that "The Israeli occupiers are not prepared to give me
a just trial. We [the Palestinians] will not give up until we have
independence. We will not fear assassinations, closures." He added that the
Israeli government never responds to any Palestinian initiatives to advance
the talks process and does not allow tensions between the sides to calm
down.

Barghouti, who was an instrumental force in getting the Palestinian
militant groups to agree to the hudna, or temporary truce, has also filed a
petition against the conditions in which he has been held for the last 10
months.
He claims that "they are trying to kill me. I do not get medical
equipment," going on to describe the harsh conditions in which he is being
held. He also says that he is being held in solitary confinement and members
of his family are not allowed to visit him.

The court however rejected his petition and remanded him in custody for a
further six months in solitary confinement, saying that there has been no
change in the circumstances which led the court to remand him in solitary
confinement six months ago.

Since Barghouti is refusing to testify at his own trial, the defense has
rested, as has the prosecution. The court thus adjourned Monday until August
24 when the prosecution is set to present its closing arguments.

Before Monday’s court session, Gush Shalom peace activists demonstrated at
the court, calling for Barghouti’s release. Demonstrators held up signs
saying "Barghouti to talks table, not to jail." The protesters had to be
forcibly removed from the court before the hearing could begin.

A map of the separation wall:

http://www.gush-shalom.org/thewall/hebrew.html (òáøéú)
http://www.gush-shalom.org/thewall/index.html (English)

Our site:
http://www.gush-shalom.org/ (òáøéú)
http://www.gush-shalom.org/english/index.html (English)