Israeli Court Upholds Release Conditions for West Bank Settler Uriah Cohen, Cites Security Context
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
The Lod District Court upheld the release conditions of Uriah Cohen, a West Bank settler involved in a violent incident after livestock theft, citing his role as a moderating factor and the challenging security environment settlers face. The court shortened his driving license suspension and rejected the state’s request to tighten restrictions.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- The Lod District Court rejected the state’s appeal to tighten Uriah Cohen’s release conditions.
- Judge Solkin ruled Cohen acted as a moderating influence during a violent incident in Hawara.
- The court highlighted the severe security threats settlers face in Judea and Samaria.
- Evidence showed Cohen prevented violence and helped disperse the crowd.
- The court shortened Cohen’s driving license suspension and allowed its restoration in 60 days.
- Cohen’s lawyer praised the ruling for recognizing settlers as pioneers, not criminals.
The Lod District Court rejected the state’s appeal to tighten the release conditions of Uriah Cohen from the West Bank settlement of Tzafnat, maintaining the original terms except for shortening his driving license suspension. Judge Ron Solkin ruled that Cohen acted as a moderating influence during a violent incident in the Palestinian village of Hawara, which followed the disappearance of a sheep herd from Cohen’s farm overnight.
The court acknowledged the severity of livestock theft for farmers, noting the need for immediate action to recover stolen animals, especially as insurance no longer covers sheep and cattle. Judge Solkin emphasized the harsh security reality in Judea and Samaria, highlighting daily attacks, infiltration attempts, agricultural thefts, and threats settlers face, which often require heightened vigilance and firm responses that might seem excessive elsewhere.
Evidence showed Cohen prevented violence against a Palestinian resident, dispersed the crowd, and transported some individuals away from the scene. Security officials corroborated that settlers left when Cohen requested. The court also noted that occupants of a vehicle involved fled and did not cooperate with investigations, raising suspicions about their conduct.
Consequently, the court found no grounds to increase Cohen’s restrictions and partially granted his lawyers’ request to restore his driving license within 60 days if no extension is sought. Cohen’s attorney, Adi Kidar, praised the ruling, stressing its recognition of settlers as pioneers rather than criminals and urging law enforcement to heed the court’s findings.
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