Thursday, July 10, 2008

Oh, You Mean He Lied

Found this over at IMRA:-

RESPONSE TO ALLEGATIONS REGARDING MOHAMMED OMER AL-MUGHAIER (Communicated by the GPO) 9 July 2008

In regard to recent media reports about Mohammed Omer al-Mughaier, security sources wish to state:

"Mr. Mohammed Omer al-Mughaier (hereinafter "the Complainant") arrived at the Allenby Crossing on Thursday, 26 July 2008. Due to suspicion that he had been in contact with hostile elements and had been asked by them to deliver items to Judea and Samaria, both he and his baggage were searched. In contradiction to his claims, at no time was the Complainant subjected to either physical or mental violence.

The investigation revealed that the search of his baggage was conducted in the presence of four people and not eight, as he noted. The search was conducted, according to regulations, in a public place and in the view and presence of the Complainant.

The body search, which took several minutes, took place in the presence of two security personnel (a policeman and an ISA official) and was conducted according to the relevant regulations. The Complainant's claims to the effect that he was threatened at gunpoint are baseless.

Regarding the Complainant's collapse, as it were, it should be noted that the paramedic who attended to him found no evidence of a physical cause of collapse.

The Complainant's behavior raises doubts as to the sincerity of the situation. In any event, the Complainant was sent to an infirmary and an ambulance was ordered for him.

As to the Complainant's allegation that he was compelled to stand on his feet for twelve hours, we point out that according to our records, the Complainant arrived at the Allenby Crossing at approximately 11:00, and the entire incident ended at approximately 14:00. Thus, this claim is also baseless.

We should point out that there are numerous additional contradictions in the Complainant's allegations. For example, in the media he reported that he was humiliated, stripped and that a gun was held to his head. And yet, in his complaint filed with the IDF Spokesperson, the Complainant claimed that two uniformed personnel sprayed his face.

In conclusion, the Complainant's grievances were investigated and found to be without foundation. At no time was the Complainant subjected to either physical or mental violence; he was treated fairly. We can only regret that his allegations received publicity and a platform without being properly investigated."


The unfortunate thing is that when I googled the guy's name, besides IMRA and Honest Reporting, (here) couldn't find a direct link to the Government Press Office. What, no site?

4 comments:

Peter Drubetskoy said...

Not so fast, Yisrael. Of course, if GPO says so, it must be telling the truth and the guy must be lying, right?
First, see you around the corner when the GPO is going to go against settlers and how you're going to trust it then. Second, sounds absolutely implausible to me that the guy would make up such a story, sorry. If I were to bet without knowing anything else, I'd bet 90% his story is right. Third, see what BBSNews has to say here in his (her?) comments #15, 20, 21 and 24. For example:
"Not only am I in direct contact with the various diplomatic sources involved in Mohammed`s case, I am also directly in contact with Mohammed.
The Israeli denials are untrue.
Shin Bet used Mohammed`s body to mop the floor of his vomit.
I have been asked to keep certain details off the record for now as to the extent of Mohamed`s injuries, but I can forcefully say that he was severely mistreated while in Israeli custody, and right under the nose of the Dutch diplomats who were traveling with Mohammed. They are not letting this go away, nor are the several other countries involved."

and
"I can also assure you, that there is far more to this story that will break over the next day or two, and it is rare that I would ever make such an assertion as the following but I will in this case based on what I now know from various diplomatic sources and Mohammed himself, I believe this particular case may turn out to be very bad for Israeli PR for some time to come."
So, let's stay tuned. And I will repeat the same question some people in the talkback are asking and which is, accidentally, the same I asked a certain IDF brigade commander back in 2002 during Defensive Shield: if Israel is so sure it does right, why not prove it by video evidence? Why aren't Shin Bet interrogations such as the one of Omer filmed so that later Israel can counter allegations of such atrocious behavior? The answer was not given to me back then and it will not be given now, but it is pretty clear: we do have things to hide. Shin Bet most probably did torture the guy. And, funnily, it's the B'Tselem cameras that are now broadcasting the abominations in Israel/territories to the world to its consternation. Israel will have to start mending its ways very soon.

YMedad said...

If you can believe 90% of his crap, not to mention his vomit, good luck to you.

Peter Drubetskoy said...

You're talking from your emotions and not from cool judgment. Give me good reasons to be as sure as you are these are lies. Both you and I weren't there, obviously, so, we don't know what really happened. Whose story sounds more plausible? I think his. I could be wrong, of course.

YMedad said...

Sure you could.