Settler leader charged with assaulting police officers

Daniela Weiss, the former head of the northern West Bank settlement of Kedumim, was charged Friday with assaulting a police officer, obstruction of justice and obstructing police actions.

The charges, filed with the Kfar Saba Magistrate's Court, also named a second defendant, Kedumim resident Shoshana Shilo. The two were indicted for a clash they had with police officers on Thursday.

According to the indictment, three policemen dispatched to a Palestinian olive grove which was set on fire near Kedumim, spotted three suspects fleeing the scene in a vehicle.

The officers began pursuing the car, which was eventually found in one of Kedumim's streets. The officers began searching the vehicle and lifting fingerprints, at which point Weiss, 63, arrive at the scene, and despite the officers' request to stay away, began placing her hands all over the car, potentially contaminating evidence.

One of the officers, said the indictment, warned Weiss that if she did not comply with their orders, they would have no choice but to detain her. Weiss also apparently claimed to be the owner of the vehicle – a claim which was disproved instantaneously.

Weiss refused to allow the officers to continue their work, at which point she was told she was detained. She then lay down under a nearby vehicle and refused the officers' request to get back on her feet and accompany them to the police station.

The officers then had no choice but to arrest Weiss using reasonable force. According to the indictment, it was then that Shilo, 57, run over to the officer holding Weiss and began hitting him with her fists. Shilo has also been charged with the aggravated assault of a police officer.

Weiss attempted to resist arrest, hitting and kicking the officers, said the indictment.

Weiss arrives at court (Photo: Ido Erez)

The police asked the court to remand both Weiss and Shilo for the duration of the legal proceeding against them. Both women were convicted of assaulting a police officer in the past, and were given a suspended sentence.

"The defendants' behavior demonstrates complete disregard of law enforcement agents and the law. There is reasonable cause to assume that if they were to be set free, they would pose a danger to public safety," said the police in its remand petition.

Attorney Adi Keidar, representing Weiss and Shilo, asked the court to release the two on their own recognizance, adding that "once we receive all the evidence we will decide on how to proceed further."

The Kfar Saba Magistrate's Court placed both Weiss and Shilo under house arrest pending another hearing in their case, scheduled for Sunday.