The June 2011 issue of IDI’s Terrorism and Democracy Newsletter includes four short articles. The first reviews the High Court of Justice's rejection of a petition by the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights requesting that the Attorney General refrain from using a statute of limitation defense for tort claims related to damage to Palestinian property incurred during "Operation Cast Lead." The second article overviews the Israeli Ministerial Committee on Legislation's decision to support an "anti-revolving door" bill that would transform releases of convicted terrorists by a presidential pardon into conditional releases that can be revoked if the released prisoner returns to engage in hostile activity. The third article summarizes the Supreme Court’s decision to reject an appeal brought by a suspected terrorist from Gaza against a district court’s decision to continue his detention under the Incarceration of Unlawful Combatants Law. The fourth and final article briefly discusses the recent statement by the Israeli prime minister that prison conditions of convicted Palestinian terrorists will be scaled down to the minimum required by domestic and international 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. 30, June 2011