Despite being documented: Court released rock-throwing terrorists to house arrest

The Be'er Sheva Magistrate's Court released three women from the Negev, arrested on suspicion of throwing stones, to house arrest, even though the police presented videos and photographs. Judge Amichai Chavivian ruled there is no evidentiary basis for throwing stones at police officers. Minister Ben Gvir attacked the decision.

The Be'er Sheva Magistrate's Court ordered the release to house arrest of three women from the Negev who were arrested on suspicion of involvement in stone-throwing, even though the police presented the court with video footage and photographs that they claim show the suspects throwing stones at police officers. In a hearing held on October 12, the police argued that officers called to the scene were attacked with stones, and that security camera footage later received showed the suspects throwing stones. The police also presented classified intelligence material and additional documentation. Judge Amichai Chavivian ruled that the documentation and operational reports do not establish an evidentiary basis for throwing stones at police officers, and that at most it involves throwing stones at the other side of the conflict. He ordered the three to be released to house arrest until October 16, subject to financial guarantees of 15,000 shekels and additional restrictive conditions. The police's request to delay the release to file an appeal was denied. The decision raises questions about the handling of stone-throwing incidents, as the article itself notes. Minister Ben Gvir attacked the judge's decision, saying he is fed up with judges with an extreme leftist agenda who have taken over the legal system, and added that in the upcoming elections, if Otzma Yehudit is large, Tali Gottlieb will be Minister of Justice.