CPTnet
October 31, 2002
HEBRON: "My name is Richard the Second."

By Mary Yoder

     The Israeli Army beat three Palestinian teen boys and a CPT translator
on Friday, October 25, near the Ibrahimi Mosque. CPTers Mary Yoder and
Christine Caton were waiting for a tour group to arrive around noon, when
they saw a Palestinian woman crying and pleading with soldiers. Next, they
saw the translator who was very pale, shaking, and speaking in low
whispers. Yoder and Caton called more CPTers for back up as a crowd started
forming.

     At 6:30 AM that day, a soldier had detained a boy who was on his way to
harvest olives. After two hours passed, the boy's mother found the
commander-in-charge, who came to the boy's rescue and released him. A
youngster watched from a rooftop as the commander reprimanded the soldier
for unnecessarily detaining the boy.

     After the commander left, the soldier found the "roof top" boy. The
soldier forced the boy to stand at a makeshift checkpoint for an hour.
"This gun is my best friend," the soldier bragged, "When I handcuff you, I
will move up in rank."

     "Please put your gun down!" the boy yelled and immediately more
soldiers arrived. Soldiers took the boy into a room in the alley and beat
him unconscious. The boy's brother arrived on the scene and was also
beaten. Their friend arrived on the scene, called for help and then soldiers
chased him into the house of the CPT translator. The translator cradled the
boy's head in her arms while the soldiers attempted to beat the boy's head
with their guns. They turned on the translator and beat her bent shoulders
as well as her head and back. The boys were then taken to the police station
near the Ibrahimi Mosque.

The translator attempted to file a grievence report at the local police
station. A police officer told her she must go to the Kiryat Arba police
station to file. In extreme pain, she walked the mile, going uphill along
with CPTers Kristin Anderson and Mary Lawrence. On arrival, they were told
no one could see them for one hour. After the hour was up, they inquired
again. "We are very busy. No one can help you," a police officer told
them.

   "What is your name, please," Kristin Anderson inquired of the policeman
in the front office. "I am Richard the Second!" the scowling policeman
said, refusing to give his real name. Two and a half hours later the
translator left without any police officer taking her complaint.

    The translator collapsed and an ambulance took her to Alia hospital.
The next day, the translator told the team that soldiers took the boys to an
area outside the police station and hog-tied them with their hands above
their heads in the sun. Soldiers kicked them in the genitals when they
asked to use the restroom and slapped them in the face numerous times when
they asked for a drink. After five hours of this treatment they were
released.