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TITLE: Vigil Against Assassination Policy |
AUTHOR: |
ORG: Peace Now |
DATE: December 8, 2000 |
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Peace Now to Hold Protest Vigil Against Government Assassination Policy Peace Now activists from Jerusalem will hold a protest vigil tomorrow, Tuesday, December 9th at 12:00pm, outside the High Court of Justice, while it hears an appeal against the Government's assassination policy on the West bank and Gaza Strip. Moria Shlomot, Director of Peace Now: "Assassination is wrong, period. A democratic country has to draw limits on its conduct, even in times of war. Would anyone in Israel consider an assassination of an Israeli Defense Ministry official as a legitimate act of war? Politically, the wisdom behind Thabet's killing begs an examination of the capabilities of those who decided upon it. If the decision was made at the political level, how does Barak expect to make any progress on an agreement if he condones a systematic destruction of the only possible partners for it? If the decision was made at the military level, then Israel has joined the ranks of those countries that allow their armed forces independent political agendas and this is a dangerous step undermining Israel's democracy." The appeal was submitted by Adv. Naila Attiya on behalf of Dr. Siham Thabet, widow of Dr. Thabet Thabet, a political leader of the Fatah movement in Tul-Karem, assassinated as he left his home on December 31st. Mrs. Thabet requests that the Court instruct Defense Minister Barak to halt the assassinations, because executions without trial are in direct contradiction to Basic Law: Dignity and Liberty of Man and a plethora of other laws. She states that Thabet's killing cannot be construed to be an act of warfare because he was unarmed and on his way to work and no fighting was taking place in the area at the time. Further, IDF forces could have easily apprehended Thabet and brought him to trial. The High Court of Justice appeal (in Hebrew) Further Information: Didi Remez, Peace Now Spokesperson, 054-302796 or Adv. Naila Attiya: 050-317003 Contact info for actvists (in Hebrew). ***Activists -- please arrive at 11:30am*** Peace Now foreign language press contacts END |