Levinger Trial Begins

Rabbi Moshe Levinger, the militant leader of the Orthodox community of Kiryat Arba near Hebron, went on trial today before a three-man military court in Ramallah on charges of insulting an army officer and interfering with the officer’s performance of his duties. After the charges were read the trial was adjourned until April 22 when the prosecution will call six witnesses.

The army colonel presiding rejected Levinger’s demand for a civil trial on grounds that, as a resident of the administered territories, he was subject to the jurisdiction of the Military Government. Levinger contended that the entire Kiryat Arba community was on trial. He charged that the Jewish settlers there were treated like “step children” because they did not enjoy the protection of regular Israeli law and were denied the normal legal process.

Kiryat Arba had its beginnings several years ago as an illegal squatter’s movement aimed at establishing Jewish settlement rights adjacent to the Arab town of Hebron. After a period of confinement to the local military compound, the government yielded to pressure from religious and nationalist elements and allowed the squatters to establish their own township.

Levinger is specifically accused of insulting and disobeying an israeli officer who ordered him out of Hebron during Arab disturbances there two weeks ago. Levinger may also face prosecution for incitement to violence on a television appearance during the disturbances when he exhorted the Kiryat Arba townspeople to “shoot to kill” if they were menaced by Arabs.

Attorney General Aharon Barak is studying Levinger’s remarks to determine whether formal charges are warranted. Meanwhile. Levinger has been barred by the Military Government from visiting the Machpela Cave in Hebron, the tomb of the Patriarchs which is a sacred shrine to Moslems and to Orthodox Jews.