The ninth issue of IDI’s Terrorism and Democracy Newsletter includes three short articles. First, we review a report authored by Human Rights Watch, which focuses on seven incidents which occurred during 'Operation Cast Lead' in Gaza (Dec. 2008 – Jan. 2009), in which civilians carrying white flags were allegedly shot at by IDF soldiers. The second article presents an overview of the Fatah sixth conference which took place in Bethlehem last month. The conference adopted certain interesting decisions on the role and nature of the "armed struggle" in Palestinian policies. The third article elaborates on a recent US Federal Court decision in which the Court held that the US Treasury Department's decision to freeze the assets of a potential "Specially Designated Global Terrorist", pending investigation of financial support of Hamas, was unconstitutional.
The monthly IDI 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. 9, September 2009