Testimony: A.R.A.J.
Name: | A.R.A.J. |
Age: | 14 |
Date: | 11 June 2020 |
Location: | Nablus, West Bank |
Accusation: | Weapon possession |
On 11 June 2020, a 14-year-old minor from Nablus was arrested by Israeli soldiers at 3:00 p.m. and accused of possessing a knife. He reports ill treatment and being denied his basic legal rights under Israeli military law. He reports attempted recruitment. He reports being released 4 days later on payment of NIS 2,000.
![](/files/image/S295-Abdelhamid%20Raed%20Abdelhamid%20Haj.jpg)
Inside the jeep a soldier hit me with the back of his gun and swore at me. The jeep drove to Huwwara military base where I was taken to a shipping container. The soldiers then tuned the air conditioner on very cold and I was freezing. A soldier asked me some questions without informing me of my rights.
The soldier wanted to know what I was doing in the area and how old I was. Then he told me he was Muslim and was surprised when I did not believe him. He told me he could read the Quran for me and then he asked me if I wanted to collaborate with them. He told me I was a courageous boy. I told him I would never collaborate even if he stuck his gun to my head. Then he asked me if I wanted a cigarette and I told him I did not smoke. Then he asked to see my Facebook page. Then the commander came and told the soldier to leave me alone.
About two hours later I was taken outside where I was left in the sun. I asked for some water but the soldiers did not respond. One of them spat at me and I started to shout. Soldiers heard my shouts and came to see what was going on. One of them slapped me and then made fun of me.
About six hours later I was examined by a doctor and then I was taken back to the same place. At around 1:30 a.m. I was taken to a room and then at around 6:00 a.m. I was taken to the police station in Ariel settlement for more interrogation. On the way a soldier struck me with his elbow on my chest and caused me a lot of pain.
At Ariel soldiers stopped to buy some food but did not give me any. When the commander left a soldier accused me of planning to throw Molotov cocktails at soldiers. When I told him I did not understand what he was talking about he grabbed me by the neck and pressed hard and pointed his gun at my head. At around 7:00 a.m. I was taken into the interrogation room.
The interrogator was female and she spoke to me through an interpreter. She removed the blindfold but kept me handcuffed. She told me I had the right to remain silent and the right to consult with a lawyer. I did not speak to a lawyer. She wanted to know why I had a pen knife in my pocket and I told her for self-defense. Then she asked me about the spent bullets in my pockets and I told her the soldiers put them in my pockets. The interrogation lasted for about an hour and I denied all accusations. At the end of the interrogation I was shown documents in Hebrew and asked to sign them. I asked for them to be translated and only then did I sign.
Then I was taken to a cell where I slept on a chair until around noon. Then I was taken back to Huwwara where I was left at the gate in the hot sun for about four hours. Then I was taken to a cell where I was searched in my underwear. I remained in the cell for three days. During this time I had a military court hearing on video.
My lawyer showed the military court medical reports proving I have psychological issues. The judge decided to release me and imposed a fine of NIS 2,000. I was released on 14 June 2020, at around noon. I was dropped off at Huwwara gate and I stopped a taxi which drove me to where my father was waiting for me and then I went home with my father.