Holy Land: Rabbis ask why Ahed Tamimi is still in custody

Source: RHR

In an article entitled: ' The Compromising of Human Rights and Israel's Status in the World', the Israel-based Rabbis for Human Rights (RHR) say:

Last Thursday, Ahed Tamimi's detention was extended, making it appear she will be detained longer than the young man who attacked Rabbi Arik Ascherman in 2015.

Rabbi Ascherman, who was once a member of RHR and served as Rabbis for Human Rights' president and senior rabbi, was attacked by a young man who threw large stones at him, beat him, and threatened him with a knife. 16-year-old Ahed Tamimi attacked an armed Israeli soldier in the yard of her house with her bare hands. In both cases, violent acts by minors occurred, but there is no doubt that attacking an unarmed individual with a knife is more severe than a bare-handed attack on an armed man.

Why then is she still in custody? Does she pose more of a threat to public safety than young man who assaulted Rabbi Ascherman? According to media reports, the military court accepted the military prosecutor's vague justification of " the existence of clear interrogational needs." However, the need for further investigation is questionable, and the judge has stated there is no way to know if she is a further threat to public safety. Since the facts are known and video footage exists, Tamimi's ongoing detention is receiving worldwide attention, damaging Israel's global image. In summary, even when the protection of Palestinian human rights aligns with the interests of Israel, the mark is still missed. It does not have to be this way.

Our sages knew very well that "The sword comes into the world because of justice delayed and justice denied and because of those who misinterpret the Torah." -Pirkei Avot 5:8

Read more about RHR here: http://rhr.org.il/eng/

See a petition calling for Ahed and all child prisoners to be freed, here: https://secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/free_ahed/?fKEUnbb