The June 2010 issue of IDI’s Terrorism and Democracy Newsletter includes five articles. In the first three articles, we cover different aspects of the Gaza ‘Flotilla Incident’, which raise a variety of questions related to counter-terrorism. The first article addresses the legal framework invoked by Israel in order to justify its operation against the flotilla. The second article summarizes a decision by the Israeli High Court of Justice regarding the treatment of the flotilla's passengers detained by the Israeli authorities. The third article presents a brief update on the formation of investigation committees by the Israeli Defense Forces, the Israeli Government, and the Turkish Government following the events of the flotilla. The fourth article summarizes a recent Human Rights Watch Report that examined the investigations by both Israel and Hamas of alleged violations of international law and war crimes committed during "Operation Cast Lead". The fifth and final article discusses a decision by Judge David Cheshin from the District Court in Nazareth to authorize the continued solitary confinement of the convicted terrorist, Abdullah Barghouti.
IDI’s monthly Terrorism and Democracy Newsletter aims to shed light on some relatively unknown measures and policies adopted by Israel or related to Israel, and to foster discussion on the balance between security interests, on one hand, and democratic principles and human rights, on the other hand. It surveys recent developments in Israeli law and practices that are intended to reduce or repress terrorist threats. IDI believes that a greater knowledge of Israel's experience in this area may be of value to other societies. We also believe that engaging in international and comparative discourse about Israel's experience is valuable to Israeli society.
Terrorism and Democracy Newsletter: Issue No. 18, June 2010