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Accountability Now
Israel tortured Arafat Jaradat to death.
by Stephen Lendman
State terrorism is official Israeli policy. Torture and cold-blooded murder define it. Arafat Jaradat is Israel's latest victim. He died wracked in pain Saturday.
Israel attributed it to cardiac arrest. Shin Bet claimed no detectable health problems during interrogation. Accusations of torture were dismissed. Coverup and denial don't wash.
Israel was caught red-handed. Shin Bet interrogators tortured him to death. Autopsy evidence confirmed it. Severe upper body bruising, blisters, and blot clots were visible. Jaradat had multiple broken bones in his neck, spine, arms and legs.
PA Detainee Affairs Minister Issa Qaraqe said:
"The information we have received so far is shocking and painful.""The evidence corroborates our suspicion that Mr. Jaradat died as a result of torture, especially since the autopsy clearly proved that the victim's heart was healthy, which disproves the initial alleged account presented by occupation authorities that he died of a heart attack."
Qaraqe's deputy, Ziyad Au Ain , urged anyone doubting Jaradat's torture death to view his body. It was in Hebron's Al-Ahli Hospital. Monday burial followed. Thousands attended. A fallen martyr was honored. He's one of many.
"Jaradat died due to torture and not a stroke or heart attack," said Au Ain. Responsible interrogators must be held accountable.
Jaradat's last hearing was on February 22. Attorney Kamil Sabbagh represented him.
"When I entered the court room," he said, "I saw (him) sitting on a wooden chair in front of the judge. His back was hunched, and he looked sick and fragile.""When I sat next to him, he told me that he had serious pains in his back and other parts of his body because he was beaten up and hanged for many long hours while being (interrogated)."
"When (he) heard that the judge postponed his hearing, he seemed extremely afraid and asked me if he was going to spend the time left in the cell."
