The April 2011 issue of IDI’s Terrorism and Democracy Newsletter includes four articles. The first article summarizes the report of the Human Rights Council's committee headed by Judge McGowan-Davis on the internal investigations conducted by Israel, the Palestinian Authority and the Hamas authorities in Gaza following "Operation Cast Lead." The second article discusses the Military Advocate General’s notification of a change in investigation policy in the West Bank, by which any incident resulting in the death of a Palestinian civilian will henceforth be referred for a criminal investigation unless it was the result of a clear act of combat. The third article reviews a recent decision by the High Court of Justice regarding a case of administrative detention, in which the Court reiterated its position that the longer the detention, the stronger the evidence against the detainee must be. The fourth and final article provides a short update on the recent testimony given by IDI researchers before the Turkel Committee, which is currently examining the adequacy of Israeli military investigations into allegations of violations of international humanitarian law.
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. 28, April 2011