DNA of Jewish minor found on rock that killed Palestinian woman

Last week, it was announced that the prosecution was expected to file an indictment by Sunday against the minor in the case of the killing of Palestinian Aysha Rabi.

By YONAH JEREMY BOB
Updated: JANUARY 24, 2019 00:40
Israeli youth at a West Bank outpost. An Israeli youth from a Jerusalem religious institution will be indicted in the case of a killed Palestinian woman, Aysha Rabi. (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)
Israeli youth at a West Bank outpost. An Israeli youth from a Jerusalem religious institution will be indicted in the case of a killed Palestinian woman, Aysha Rabi.
(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)
The rock which killed a Palestinian woman on October 12 contains the main Jewish minor suspect’s DNA, the Rishon Lezion Magistrate’s Court disclosed in a bombshell revelation on Wednesday.
The court also lifted the gag order on the case – other than the minor’s name – and extended his remand an additional day.
In addition, the court said that the state prosecution has one day left to file an indictment against the minor in the killing of Aysha Rabi, or he may be released.
Late Wednesday night, the prosecution sent out a message that it would file an indictment Thursday morning.
The minor suspect’s detention has been extended several times since he was arrested on December 30.
One of the extensions came on Sunday when the prosecution told the court it would file an indictment shortly.
While the defense lawyers of Honenu have said that they hoped the prosecution would back down from its intent to indict the minor, The Jerusalem Post had received indications that an indictment was still set for Thursday.
The delay in the indictment came after the defense asked for a postponement so that the minor could explain away the DNA evidence after having maintained silence up until Sunday.
The court at first viewed the minor’s new testimony to police as a potential basis to immediately release him.
However, after hearing the prosecution’s rebuttal of the minor’s explanations, the court – while still signaling some sympathy with the minor’s narrative – gave the prosecution one day to file an indictment.
Furthermore, the court said that the prosecution still likely had sufficient evidence to indict.
Given that the investigation was concluded, the court permitted publicizing its decision and key details of the incident for the first time, though it maintained the gag order on the minor’s name.
Last week, it was announced that the prosecution was expected to file an indictment by Sunday against the minor for killing of Rabi.
Last week’s statement by police summarizing the expected charges did not go into extensive detail but mentioned grave security offenses, as well as the killing of Rabi.
There were indications that the charge will be manslaughter, which can carry up to a 20-year jail sentence, but a Justice Ministry spokeswoman refused to confirm the charge.
Rabi, a mother of eight, was hit by rocks and killed while being driven in a car by her husband near the Tapuah Junction in the West Bank on October 12.
From the start, there was testimony from the Palestinian side that Jewish rock throwers had been involved.
Four other minors were previously arrested by the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), though they were released weeks ago.
Neither the police nor the Justice Ministry have commented on what charges those four might face, stoking speculation that they may not be charged or may only face very minor charges.
The case has reanimated the debate over the Shin Bet’s aggressive handling of Jews accused of terrorism. Some have said they should be treated the same as Palestinian terrorists while others have said that the agency violated the minor suspects’ civil rights.