Israel’s High Court doubles sentence of policeman who killed Palestinian rioter
The policeman, a member of the Border Police, shot and killed an unarmed Palestinian teenager during a Nakba Day riot outside of Ramallah in 2014.
Israel’s High Court has doubled the prison sentence of a border policeman who shot and killed an unarmed Palestinian teenager during a Nakba Day riot outside of Ramallah in 2014, Haaretz reported.
He had previously been sentenced to nine months incarceration and a 50,000 shekel ($13,600) fine under a plea deal.
On May 15, 2014, Ben Dery and other members of his Border Police unit were sent to the Beitunia checkpoint outside Ramallah to contain Palestinian demonstrations. Despite being under orders to use rubber bullets, Dery switched to live rounds and shot 17-year-old stone-thrower Nadim Nuwara in the chest, killing him.
Dery’s “degree of negligence was significant and warranted prison time,” stated Justice Daniel Tepperberg.
The case stands in stark contrast to that of Israeli infantryman Elor Azaria, who was convicted of shooting and killing an injured Palestinian terrorist as he lay on the ground on March 24, 2016. Following a public outcry, Azaria’s 14-month sentence was eventually reduced by one-third and he was released from prison after nine months. The case divided Israeli society on the issues of the Palestinians and the military.
Israeli police rejected Azaria’s request for a gun license last week, stating that he posed a danger to the public, Ynet reported. PJC
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