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Racist Israeli Court Convicts Palestinian Boy of Attempted Murder
Stephen Lendman\
Ahmad Salih Manasra was aged-13 when accused of attempted murder involving an alleged stabbing attack.
Israel is a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It states adulthood begins at age 18. “(C)hildren are entitled to special care and assistance…including appropriate legal protection.” Israel tries Palestinians aged 14 or older as adults, denying them legal protection international law requires.Ahmad was aged 13 at the time of the alleged attack - seriously injured after an Israeli driver ran him over with his car, unaccountable attempted murder, no charges filed.
Video footage went viral, showing him lying helpless on the ground in pain, an Israeli bystander shouting: “Die, you son of a whore.” Another urged police to kill him. Others spat on him.
The incident claimed the life of Ahmad’s cousin, 15-year-old Hassan Manasra, murdered in cold blood by Israeli security forces.
Last November, leaked video of Ahmad’s interrogation showed him harshly treated, screamed at, intimidated, terrorized, accused of attempted murder, his legal rights as a child ignored.
Israel’s justice ministry wants legislation enacted, allowing (Palestinian) children young as 12 to be tried and imprisoned if convicted of murder, attempted murder or manslaughter.
Israel already treats Palestinian children like adults, denying them rights afforded Jews.
Last October, a Jerusalem district court charged Ahmad with two counts of attempted murder. He denied involvement in what happened.
Israeli law stipulates children under age 14 can’t be imprisoned. Trial proceedings were delayed until after Ahmad’s 14th birthday.
Palestinian Committee of Prisoners’ Affairs lawyer Tariq Barghouth called convicting him “contestable,” saying the ruling will likely be appealed, adding:
“We hope the Supreme Court will view this humanitarian case differently” from the district one, Ahmad’s wrongful conviction more evidence of “double standard” justice.
Sentencing hasn’t so far been announced. Ahmad faces up to 20 years in prison for a crime he insists he didn’t commit.
Guilt by accusation is automatic in how justice is dispensed for Palestinians. Institutionalized racism denies them all rights.
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Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.
His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks World War III
http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html
Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.
Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.
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