Two members of Rabbi Meir Kahane’s “Kach” group appeared in a Jerusalem district court today to hear charges that they broke into Arab homes in Hebron last May 26 and terrorized the occupants in an act of vengeance for the Arab expulsion of Jews from Hebron 50 years ago. The accused, Avigder Esskin and Eli HaZeev, an American, were remanded in custody pending trial.
According to the charges, the two entered the home of Eita Assa where there were four children. They kicked one of the children and tore the books one girl was holding. They told the occupants that HaZeev’s father was killed in the same house during the Arab uprising in 1929. Later, according to the charges, the pair entered another Arab home, posing as police. They smashed furniture and household articles and beat up two occupants at gun-point. HaZeev denied the charges, claiming he was at Neve Yaacov in Jerusalem at the time. Esskin admitted to every detail but insisted he did not have a pistol in his possession. Police said they have ample evidence for an indictment. HaZeev and Esskin were identified by the victims. Several other Jewish militants were also detained in connection with the May 26 events in Hebron.
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