JUSTICE OF ISRAEL
Imran Khan
October 18, 2006
Mr. Moshe Katsav is the president of Israel since 2000 for a seven-year term when he surprisingly defeated Mr. Shimon Peres (ex-Prime Minister of Israel). The president of Israel posses no executive powers and is largely involved in ceremonial activities.
He is in headlines for alleged sexual harassment against his office women. It first came into notice in July, 2006. Since then he has been questioned many times by police officials. Up to ten women have testified against him. On 15th October, 2006, the police recommended persuing rape and sexual harassment charges against him. Charges of breach of trust, fraud and involvement in illegal wiretapping are also included.
One thing which is very clear from this incident and shows the strength of Israel’s Justice System, is that a head of state can also be held liable for any wrong doings. It can be called “exemplary” by many nations in the world. Usually in many poor and developing countries, such a system can never be traced and powerful people involved in many criminal cases often get away easily.
But one thing which is surprising is that such a justice system is always quiet against Israeli atrocities against the Palestinian nation. Thousands of civilians have been killed by Israeli forces. Military actions which are taken by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to kill militants often ends in killing innocent civilians, including women and children.
Palestinians have been living there for centuries and their land has been occupied by Israel. The whole world knows it, Israel knows it, but why can't such a strong justice mechanism see these realities? Is justice only applied for Israelis and Palestinians have no right to it? Or is Israeli law different on the basis of religion?
Mostly Israeli army and security forces enjoy impunity and there are rarely any investigations or prosecutions against their actions. Israeli settlers also enjoy the same treatment for attacks on Palestinians and their property and there are no steps taken by police to prevent such attacks. Israeli soldiers continuously destroy the homes in occupied territories and from many years tens of thousands of Palestinians are left homeless.
There are tough restrictions on the movements of Palestinians. Military checkpoints and blockades prevent access to crucial services including work, education and medical facilities. In many cases even pregnant women in labor are not given permission to reach to medical facilities, resulting in the tragic deaths of their unborn babies. If women in such condition are not permitted to cross the blockades and checkpoints, one can easily guess what the situation would be for others. With such harsh steps, how can someone work? That's the key reason for high unemployment and poverty.
Many would say that these steps are taken to prevent militants from attacking Israelis, but if you put someone in ‘such conditions’ will there be no attacks? These un-justified actions against civilians always increase hate against Israel and many would like to become militants. The more they press, the more powerful the resistance becomes.
Did these illegal tactics make Israel a safer place? The answer is no. Israel can never protect itself by using force only. Indeed, these actions have ignited fury in many Muslim countries. People are justified in asking what are the faults of Palestinian citizens and why are they suffering the last 50 years? Many organizations which are called ‘extremists & terrorists’ by Israel are mostly using Palestinian issues to promote fights against Israel. Suicide bombers, rocket attacks are all the consequences of Israel’s actions.
The only solution is to treat Palestinians as they treat their own people. If laws are there to protect people from criminals than they must be equally applied to everyone. Justice should not be according to religion, race or community.
In a country where a president has to obey the law, why are soldiers who are committing such dreadful actions exempted? Israel needs to change and the day when it provides justice to the Palestinians then they will never see any suicide bombers again. They will not need any boundary wall for protection and no one would ever be able to call to wipe Israel off of the map.
He is in headlines for alleged sexual harassment against his office women. It first came into notice in July, 2006. Since then he has been questioned many times by police officials. Up to ten women have testified against him. On 15th October, 2006, the police recommended persuing rape and sexual harassment charges against him. Charges of breach of trust, fraud and involvement in illegal wiretapping are also included.
One thing which is very clear from this incident and shows the strength of Israel’s Justice System, is that a head of state can also be held liable for any wrong doings. It can be called “exemplary” by many nations in the world. Usually in many poor and developing countries, such a system can never be traced and powerful people involved in many criminal cases often get away easily.
But one thing which is surprising is that such a justice system is always quiet against Israeli atrocities against the Palestinian nation. Thousands of civilians have been killed by Israeli forces. Military actions which are taken by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to kill militants often ends in killing innocent civilians, including women and children.
Palestinians have been living there for centuries and their land has been occupied by Israel. The whole world knows it, Israel knows it, but why can't such a strong justice mechanism see these realities? Is justice only applied for Israelis and Palestinians have no right to it? Or is Israeli law different on the basis of religion?
Mostly Israeli army and security forces enjoy impunity and there are rarely any investigations or prosecutions against their actions. Israeli settlers also enjoy the same treatment for attacks on Palestinians and their property and there are no steps taken by police to prevent such attacks. Israeli soldiers continuously destroy the homes in occupied territories and from many years tens of thousands of Palestinians are left homeless.
There are tough restrictions on the movements of Palestinians. Military checkpoints and blockades prevent access to crucial services including work, education and medical facilities. In many cases even pregnant women in labor are not given permission to reach to medical facilities, resulting in the tragic deaths of their unborn babies. If women in such condition are not permitted to cross the blockades and checkpoints, one can easily guess what the situation would be for others. With such harsh steps, how can someone work? That's the key reason for high unemployment and poverty.
Many would say that these steps are taken to prevent militants from attacking Israelis, but if you put someone in ‘such conditions’ will there be no attacks? These un-justified actions against civilians always increase hate against Israel and many would like to become militants. The more they press, the more powerful the resistance becomes.
Did these illegal tactics make Israel a safer place? The answer is no. Israel can never protect itself by using force only. Indeed, these actions have ignited fury in many Muslim countries. People are justified in asking what are the faults of Palestinian citizens and why are they suffering the last 50 years? Many organizations which are called ‘extremists & terrorists’ by Israel are mostly using Palestinian issues to promote fights against Israel. Suicide bombers, rocket attacks are all the consequences of Israel’s actions.
The only solution is to treat Palestinians as they treat their own people. If laws are there to protect people from criminals than they must be equally applied to everyone. Justice should not be according to religion, race or community.
In a country where a president has to obey the law, why are soldiers who are committing such dreadful actions exempted? Israel needs to change and the day when it provides justice to the Palestinians then they will never see any suicide bombers again. They will not need any boundary wall for protection and no one would ever be able to call to wipe Israel off of the map.