Wayne G. Griffith and Stephen C. Kish

“ This airgram deals with the trial in Ramallah, West Bank, of two American and two Palestinian boys. The case involved allegations of mistreatment and physical coercion by the Israeli military authorities. The Consulate General, through the American embassy in Tel Aviv, had formally requested the Israeli Government to investigate these allegations of mis- treatment of U.S. citizens and the Israelis has replied that an investigation would be conducted. This trial, and more specifically, the "mini-trial" which was its major component, constituted the investigation. ”

“ The military judge by this time had become quite annoyed that the defense was continuing to argue the issue of mistreatment. He made several harsh statements to the boy as he was testifying, at time yelling at him loudly enough to cause the boy to cringe. He also made a statement in the middle of the testimony that the boy was not telling the truth, but merely telling stories. After this boy completed his testimony, the other two defendents [sic] , [redaction] testi- fied once again. ”

“ The trial was then adjourned.
Hearings were resumed on the 18th [sic] of September. The second policeman who was alleged to have beaten the boys testi- fied. Each of the four defendants then testified and was cross examined by the prosecutor. After this, the military judge asked the defense attorneys how many more witnesses they planned to present. When they replied four, the judge gave a quite audible sigh and said stern- ly: "We shall continue; we have the time. ”