Palestinian boy 'hanged for collaboration'

[cali]

Palestinian police say a 15-year-old boy has been found hanged near the town of Qalqilya in the West Bank.

They said several family members had confessed to involvement in the killing, accusing the boy of collaborating with the Israeli army.

Collaboration is viewed as a serious offence in Palestinian society. Suspects are often summarily killed.

However, police said it was unlikely that such a young boy would have been recruited as an informer.

He has been named in the Palestinian press as Raed Sawalha.

Palestinian police spokesman Adnan Damiri said those responsible for the boy's death would be brought to justice.

He said the boy's father, uncle and cousin confessed to the killing, but that police were also investigating other motives for the killing, the Associated Press reported.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8096742.stm

[cali]

1. this is so horrible and sad.

it brought to mind this by E.M. Forster: "If I had to choose between betraying my friend or my country, I hope I'd have the courage to betray my country."

[LaurenG]

2. Ugh.

The world is mad. :(

[Chulanowa]

3. Other motives? Bet your ass there are other motives

"Collaborator!" seems like a CYA excuse, sort of like a Russian claiming the guy he just shot was a "counterrevolutionary"

[cali]

4. I hope there's more to it as well- not that that would make his death less tragic.

[Behind the Aegis]

5. I don't know why but the first time I read this I had my own theory.

It popped in my head, no reason, no proof, but I wonder if this kid was gay. I know honor killings cover that, but in the West Bank, honor killings aren't regarded like they are in many other places. However, collaborating with Israel, that charge will place the victim on trial and the actual perps would be seen as working in the best interest of an entire people.

[timeforpeace]

6. Killing a gay boy

is called an honor killing? By who?

[RaleighNCDUer]

7. For fundies, who see it as a stain on the family honor.

Who do you think?

[azurnoir]

8. More details on this terrible crime

On Friday, however, it became clear that the incident, which made headlines in Palestine, Israel and abroad, was actually a domestic violence assault on the part of a mentally disabled relative, according to shocked family members.

Palestinian police said that the boy's mentally ill uncle confessed to the crime, while officials and members of the family condemned the act, both denying allegations that the boy was involved with Israeli forces or that they would kill him if he were. They said that despite the allegations, the boy's murder was unjustified.

Choking back tears, Mufeed Masalha, Ra’ad’s grandfather, said "My grandson is innocent; he had no involvement with what was claimed against him." "My grandson died after a harsh beating by his uncle," who police are saying has now confessed to the crime.

Masalha added that "on the day the crime was committed against Ra'ed, I had just met him and he helped me with some errands, so I was surprised hours later when I heard the news of this crime."

http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=38519

[GoesTo11]

9. Would it be ok if he really did collaborate?

If he didn't, then this is obviously a heinous act.