An Israeli judge’s remarks during a hearing involving Palestinian infiltrators sparked outrage among the Israeli public.
According to i24NEWS, Juvenile Court Judge Noam Shilo presided over a hearing involving two Palestinian minors, both 15, who were caught by police climbing over the security fence into Israel.
During the hearing, Shilo decided to close the case and not convict them, reportedly due to their age, slight build, and the fact that they giggled together during the hearing.
The police representative and prosecutor requested a stay of execution in order to file an appeal, and Shilo responded that the teens “remind me of Jews who stole potatoes during the Holocaust.”
Shilo’s comment triggered a public and media backlash.
The prosecution appealed the ruling, saying it would create a dangerous precedent by weakening deterrence against entering Israel illegally. The district court accepted the state’s position and, overturning Shilo’s ruling, convicted the teens and sentenced them to prison.
Following the uproar, the Judicial Authority spokesperson issued a statement on behalf of Judge Shilo: “The judge’s remarks, made at the conclusion of the hearing during an exchange with the parties, stemmed from a ‘human association’ that arose in light of their young and frail appearance, which reflected their distress, and nothing more.”
The statement added that the minors had entered Israel illegally for the alleged purpose of selling products to support their families. Since the hearing was conducted in juvenile court, it was held behind closed doors, and no further details can be disclosed.
(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)
