Amona Witness: Police Threw Stones at Roofs
Full Text;
“Anat Roth, a researcher from the Israeli Institute for Democracy, has given the first testimony given before the committee investigating police violence during the recent evacuation of Amona. Ms. Roth came to Amona at that time to compile material for a doctoral assignment. She previously worked as an assistant to MK Matan Vilnai and former Labor party leader Amram Mitzna.”
“Ms. Roth stated that she had been in Amona since the day before the expulsion. She noticed that in their pre-evacuation preparations, residents and demonstrators alike stressed the need to avoid violence. Demonstrators were told many times that the struggle should resemble that of Gush Katif and that protest methods such as sitting on the ground and other forms of passive resistance should be used.”
“Ms. Roth also described the violent behavior that the police exhibited toward the demonstrators. She said that the police threw stones at the roofs, and these same stones were thrown back again by the demonstrators.“
With more background, Ynet’s report;
Amona Witness: Police Stormed Kids With Clubs
Excerpts;
“Eyewitnesses on behalf of Yesha Council tell Amona commission security forces brutally assaulted protesters, molested teen girls.”
“The parliamentary commission of inquiry into the violent clashes during the evacuation of Amona resumed its discussions Tuesday. The commission heard mainly from eyewitnesses on behalf of the Yesha Council, and is expected to also question Attorney General Menachem Mazuz and Shin Bet officials, who will testify in closed doors.”
“The first to testify was Anat Rott, who is currently conducting a study about Yesha and who was present in Amona before and during the evacuation. Rott, who witnessed the briefing to the protesters in the outpost ahead of the arrival of security forces to the place, said the emphasis was put on a non-violent struggle.”
“It was decided that the method of struggle would be the same as in Gush Katif, meaning – to sit on the floor, cross hands and be evacuated by force,’ she described.”
“Rott, who herself sustained a head injury, said that ‘there was no one to talk to.'”
“‘I was beaten and dizzied, I saw policemen hurling stones at the people who blockaded themselves on the rooftops and yelling at them: ‘I am looking you in the eyes, I’m going to remember your face, go up there and kick your ass.’ I was mortified because I realized once they will go up to the roof the situation will be bad,’ Rott recounted.”
“Noga Hacohen, a social worker at the Mateh Binyamin regional council who is counseling the teen girls who took part in the evacuation said some policemen severely molested the young girls.”
“‘This was a mass event during which dozens of sexual, verbal and physical abusive acts took place,’ she said.”
Commentary;
Ah, so now it emerges that when police accused the anti-expulsion groups in Amona of throwing stones at them as quoted here and by The head of the operation, Nitzav Hasin Faris here, they only revealed half of the story. MB