Israel Matzav

Will 'Palestinians' bring real charges against shooters?

The 'Palestinian Authority' has captured the two terrorists who shot Rabbi Moshe Moreno and his wife Shira on September 2 after the IDF's investigation hit a dead end. Now, the IDF wants to see what charges are brought against the terrorists.

Several days after the Morenos were shot, Palestinian security forces claimed to have arrested two suspects, both Hamas operatives, from Silwad, a Hamas stronghold about 9 km. northwest of the Rimonim junction and the birthplace of the terrorist group’s Damascus-based leader, Khaled Mashaal.

The arrests were carried out by the PA, The Jerusalem Post has learned, after the IDF and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) hit a dead end in their investigation.

“The question now is how the PA will charge the shooters,” one defense official said on Monday. “We would like to see them charged with attempted murder, and this will be a real test of the PA and its reformed legal system.”

In the past, the PA has indicted perpetrators of terrorist attacks against Israel for “harming national interests” but has mostly refrained from pressing serious charges. Two Palestinians who shot and killed two off-duty IDF soldiers near Hebron in 2007 were sentenced by the PA to 15 years in prison after they surrendered because they feared capture by Israel.

According to defense officials, the PA has made significant progress in recent years, particularly with its security forces, which have cracked down on Hamas and other terrorist organizations in the West Bank. This has led to a dramatic drop in IDF operations inside Palestinian cities, the officials said.

I don't believe they'll be charged with attempted murder. If they're charged, they won't be convicted. If they're convicted, they'll get off with a light sentence. And if they get a heavy sentence, they'll be freed as soon as it can be done quietly.

What could go wrong?

Labels: Khaled Meshaal, Palestinian Authority, Rabbi Moshe Moreno, Rimonim, terrorism

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 6:43 AM