IOA exiles Jerusalem child for throwing stones

[ 17/07/2010 - 04:58 PM ]

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)-- An eleven-year-old boy from Jerusalem was exiled by Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) for throwing stones at Israeli military forces. The committee for defense of land and real estate in Silwan south of the Aqsa Mosque said that an Israeli court in Jerusalem decided to expel 11-year-old Ahmed Gheith from the Batn al-Hawa district of Silwan for two months, also banning Gheith from stepping foot in the ‘Ayn region of the same town and imposing about one thousand dollars fine on his parents. The committee strongly condemned the Israeli decision saying in a press statement that it "confirms that the [Israeli] occupation does not pay any attention at all to the rights of Palestinian citizens, especially children’s rights", drawing attention to the numerous child arrests by Israeli forces in the town of Silwan for participation in clashes against extremist Jewish groups and Israeli occupation forces. The committee explained that elements from an undercover Israeli unit arrested Gheith yesterday and took him to the so-called "border guards" police station on Salahuddin Road opposite Herod's Gate, where he was subjected to questioning and investigation about throwing stones at Jewish extremists in the ‘Ayn area of the city. --------------- Israeli court issues child with restraining order   Published yesterday (updated) 18/07/2010 12:30 Jerusalem - Ma'an - A Jerusalem boy from the Baten Al-Hawa neighborhood of Silwan was issued a restraining order by an Israeli district court on Friday ordering the 12-year-old to stay away from a neighboring area. Identified by the Wadi Hilwa Information Center as Ahmad Gheith, the boy's family had to pay 4,000 shekels ($1,035) in bail to ensure the release of their son, cash that will be remanded if the child enters the Al-Ein area, a neighborhood whose boundaries begin less than 30 meters from the family home. Officials say Ahmad is in all practical terms under house arrest. His family reportedly feared he would be detained by Israeli forces if he left the home since the neighborhood he was prohibited from entering has indistinct boundaries that in some cases come up to points across the street. The information center's director explained that the boy was detained by Israeli police on Thursday and taken to the Salah Ad-Din police station in Jerusalem after settlers in Silwan pointed him out as a stone thrower, charges he denies. The boy's father was summoned by police on Thursday, but Ahmad was not released to his custody. Rather, he was held and transferred to the court where he faced an Israeli judge on Friday. Convicted in a short hearing, the boy must stay away from the area currently inhabited by at least two settler homes for an undetermined period.