Suspects at arraignment
Suspects at arraignmentIsrael news photo: Flash 90

The State Attorney for Jerusalem District has filed charge sheets accusing nine people of involvement in the beating of an Arab named Jamal Julian in central Jerusalem 12 days ago.

Two charge sheets were filed in the District Court: one against the adult, and the other against seven minors. A third charge sheet, against a female minor, was filed in the Magistrates' Court.

According to the charge sheets, the accused were present alongside numerous other youths at "Kicker HaHatulot" at 10:00 p.m., August 16. At that time, one of the accused – a girl – began telling the others that "there are Arabs sitting in the square and that they must not be allowed to sit there."

The accused then began saying that Arab passersby should be hit, and another person called out, "Whoever is man enough – let him come and beat up Arabs." The female who is accused then began to shout epithets against the Arabs, and chants of "Mohammed is dead" and "death to Arabs."

The accused proceeded to push, kick and drive away Arabs who were sitting in Kicker Hahatulot, or walking by. Around 11:30 p.m., a large group of youths began walking toward Tzion Square, cursing the Arabs and shouting.

After accosting several Arabs, some of them noticed Julian and three other Arabs and began chasing them. Julian was badly pummeled and at a certain point lost consciousness, and his lungs and heart stopped functioning.  

It later turned out he had been suffering from a heart condition.

All eight males accused have been charged with inciting racist violence, inciting to violence, and attacking others out of racist intentions. The minor boys are also accused of aggravated assault.

The girl is charged with inciting racist violence and inciting to violence.