Jerusalem, Israel - Chareidim Protests For Arresting One Of Them

Jerusalem, Israel - Hundreds of Jerusalem’s Chareidi-religious community took to the streets on Friday morning in a violent protest, demanding community member Yisrael Valis to be released from jail.

Valis was placed under arrest, allegedly for beating his three-month-old son. When the infant died of his massive injuries in Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in the capital, police charged him with manslaughter.

Leading rabbis of the Eida H'chareidis Rabbinical Court are accusing authorities of using the case to target them unjustifiably, stating with absolute certainty that the young father did not cause the death of his infant son.

Protestors hurled rocks at cars and city inspectors and closed the area of Kikar H'Shabbas, which borders on the Geula and Meah Shearim neighborhoods. Leaders vow the protests will continue until such time Valis is released from custody.

Some rabbi's who visited the 19-year-old father charged with manslaughter say they are convinced he is not guilty of the murder. "It's impossible that the father would kill his son. If he indeed did it, it's a sign he's sick," Rabbi Moshe Shternbuch said after visiting Valas.
 
After the visit, Rabbi Shternbuch said: "We still cannot determine whether he confessed or not. It certainly wasn't a murder. The question is whether this was a case of carelessness or negligence. We'll figure out this matter. We reject the possibility he did it maliciously."

Meanwhile, leading Orthodox figures have been in close touch with police officials, and have demanded Valas' release to house arrest. "I spoke with the police chief in Jerusalem. I told him that for now we're against the protests. If he was a murderer, than obviously he should not be released for the safety of the public, but that's not the case," Rabbi Shternbuch said.
 
When asked about biting signs on the infant's body, the rabbi said: "The bite wasn't something that endangered the child."
 
The infant's grandmother on the mother's side, Liba Weinstock, said. "It's very difficult for the mother to handle this alone without her husband. They didn't let him out for the Seder…we're certain he's innocent."
 
On Sunday, a large, official ultra-Orthodox protest is planned to express support for the father. In the past week, leading figures in the Orthodox community have been trying to enlist the support of the entire Orthodox community, and have been meeting with influential rabbis to that end.

U/D: 04/16/06 14:39
The Eda H'Charedis has cancelled the upcoming pro-Valis protest.