Oriah Pass, wife of one, told Arutz-7 that she's certain her husband is innocent: "If he has blood on his hands, it's only that of our baby daughter Shalhevet," who was murdered practically in his arms. The father of the murdered infant Shalhevet Pass and his brother-in-law were arrested on Thursday night on suspicion of "security crimes," and have not been allowed to meet with their lawyer. Nothing further is permitted for publication at this time.
Yitzchak Pass and Mati Shabo "might not even know that they have a lawyer representing them," said this morning Atty. Naftali Wurtzberger, who has in fact been hired to represent them. "It is very difficult for people who have absolutely no contact with the outside world except through those who are interrogating them." They were not permitted to sleep all Thursday night, and their interrogation resumed last night. The decision not to interrogate them on the Sabbath was made at the hearing on Friday - at which Wurtzberger and his clients were not allowed even to see each other - when the Shabak, in response to a plea by Wurtzberger, said that he would "guarantee" that the interrogation not take place on the holy day.
Oriah Pass, Itzik's wife, told Arutz-7 today that she is certain her husband was not involved in trying to harm Arabs: "If he has blood on his hands," she said, "it is only that of our baby daughter Shalhevet," who was murdered practically in his arms.
Several dozen people protested this afternoon against the arrests outside the Jewish Department of the Shabak this afternoon. Chana Gofer of Kedumim said, "It is unbelievable that for seven unsolved Arab murders, the GSS devotes so much effort into finding those responsible. But regarding the close to 1,000 murders of Jews of this period, 95% of the murderers have not been found - yet the Shabak puts hardly any effort into finding them!" The protestors also cited the "physical and psychological pressure" the GSS is exerting upon Pass and Shabo.
Shabo has been placed in custody for eight days, and Pass for six. Atty. Wurtzberger said that the GSS is utilizing "moderate physical pressure" upon the two.
Wurtzberger has appealed to the Supreme Court the GSS decision not to allow them to meet with their lawyers. He said that the GSS is permitted to utilize this clause, "but it appears to be doing so too easily. The Court will decide if this is justified. He noted that Eli Pimstein, who cold-bloodedly murdered his own daughter several months ago and sent police on a wild goose chase for several days, was allowed to meet with his lawyer, while Pass, whose daughter was murdered by terrorists, is not being allowed to meet with a lawyer.
Pass' daughter Shalhevet was ten months old when she was shot in the head and killed by an Arab sniper over two years ago. Itzik, who was standing next to his daughter at the time of the killing, was hit in the leg and wounded. His brother-in-law, Mati Shabu, is married to Itzik's wife's twin sister, who was also stabbed and wounded in a terror attack some years ago. The sisters' father, Avraham Zarbiv, was axed in the head and critically wounded by two Arab terrorists over 10 years ago.
A Hevron spokesman said,
"The path of Israeli justice continues to be a mystery. On the one hand, Israel is preparing to release hundreds of terrorists within the next days and weeks. These terrorists are responsible, directly and/or indirectly, for the murder and wounding of thousands of Israelis. Yet, on the other hand, Israel continues to persecute citizens living in Judea, Samaria and Gaza, with a stress on Jews living in Hebron.
"The last time Itzik Pass was arrested, his car was forcibly broken into and he was dragged off, only to be told a short time later that 'an error had been made,' and that the arrest was a mistake.
"Hasn't the Pass/Zarbiv family suffered enough? Why is the Israeli prosecutor's office, together with the Shabak [GSS], continuing to batter a bereaved family? Why should Itzik Pass be held without sleep? Why shouldn't Itzik Pass be allowed to meet with his attorney? Why isn't the public being told the reason Itzik Pass is in custody? The Shabak and the prosecutor's office have been known to bring trumped-up charges against residents of Yesha. It would not be a surprise if again, we are facing another round of 'witch hunt'"
Oriah Pass, Itzik's wife, told Arutz-7 today that she is certain her husband was not involved in trying to harm Arabs: "If he has blood on his hands," she said, "it is only that of our baby daughter Shalhevet," who was murdered practically in his arms.
Several dozen people protested this afternoon against the arrests outside the Jewish Department of the Shabak this afternoon. Chana Gofer of Kedumim said, "It is unbelievable that for seven unsolved Arab murders, the GSS devotes so much effort into finding those responsible. But regarding the close to 1,000 murders of Jews of this period, 95% of the murderers have not been found - yet the Shabak puts hardly any effort into finding them!" The protestors also cited the "physical and psychological pressure" the GSS is exerting upon Pass and Shabo.
Shabo has been placed in custody for eight days, and Pass for six. Atty. Wurtzberger said that the GSS is utilizing "moderate physical pressure" upon the two.
Wurtzberger has appealed to the Supreme Court the GSS decision not to allow them to meet with their lawyers. He said that the GSS is permitted to utilize this clause, "but it appears to be doing so too easily. The Court will decide if this is justified. He noted that Eli Pimstein, who cold-bloodedly murdered his own daughter several months ago and sent police on a wild goose chase for several days, was allowed to meet with his lawyer, while Pass, whose daughter was murdered by terrorists, is not being allowed to meet with a lawyer.
Pass' daughter Shalhevet was ten months old when she was shot in the head and killed by an Arab sniper over two years ago. Itzik, who was standing next to his daughter at the time of the killing, was hit in the leg and wounded. His brother-in-law, Mati Shabu, is married to Itzik's wife's twin sister, who was also stabbed and wounded in a terror attack some years ago. The sisters' father, Avraham Zarbiv, was axed in the head and critically wounded by two Arab terrorists over 10 years ago.
A Hevron spokesman said,
"The path of Israeli justice continues to be a mystery. On the one hand, Israel is preparing to release hundreds of terrorists within the next days and weeks. These terrorists are responsible, directly and/or indirectly, for the murder and wounding of thousands of Israelis. Yet, on the other hand, Israel continues to persecute citizens living in Judea, Samaria and Gaza, with a stress on Jews living in Hebron.
"The last time Itzik Pass was arrested, his car was forcibly broken into and he was dragged off, only to be told a short time later that 'an error had been made,' and that the arrest was a mistake.
"Hasn't the Pass/Zarbiv family suffered enough? Why is the Israeli prosecutor's office, together with the Shabak [GSS], continuing to batter a bereaved family? Why should Itzik Pass be held without sleep? Why shouldn't Itzik Pass be allowed to meet with his attorney? Why isn't the public being told the reason Itzik Pass is in custody? The Shabak and the prosecutor's office have been known to bring trumped-up charges against residents of Yesha. It would not be a surprise if again, we are facing another round of 'witch hunt'"