The first issue of IDI’s Terrorism and Democracy Newsletter for 2012 includes four articles. The first reviews a decision by the High Court of Justice to approve the route of a segment of the separation barrier within the municipal borders of Jerusalem. The second article discusses a Supreme Court decision relating to a tort claim for damages filed by a Palestinian who had been injured as a child during a targeted killing operation; the Court ruled that the State enjoys combat immunity in this case, and cannot be held liable in tort claims. The third article provides an overview of the Justice Ministry's periodic report to the Knesset on the implementation of the Security Detention Order, which permits deviation from ordinary detention standards in terrorism cases. In the fourth and final article, we note the IDF's issuance of administrative orders restricting the movement of a dozen extremist West Bank settlers connected with "Price Tag" activities against Palestinians and the Israel Defense Forces.
On January 11, 2012 the High Court of Justice published a major decision affirming the constitutionality of Israel’s Citizenship Law, which prevents Palestinians from acquiring Israeli citizenship through marriage to Israeli Arabs, because of security concerns. An article summarizing and analyzing this decision will appear in next month's issue.
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.