Dear Minister of Justice Meir Shetreet
As an American Jewish lawyer, I was disturbed to recently learn that youare determined to put Gush Shalom activists on trial, and if existinglegislation will not serve this purpose, you intend to introduce somebrand-new bills. Your intention was announced at noon via Y-Net* (thewebsite of Israel’s mass distribution daily Yediot Aharonot) andcontinues to fill news media programs in Israel.
The announcement of your intention to seek new law follows the decisionof Attorney General, Elyakim Rubinstein – who was repeatedly pressured bythe government to start procedures against Gush Shalom. He was recentlyquoted as saying that he doesn’t see any legal basis for such a stepunder current law.
I would ask if you are planning a law forbidding Israeli citizens fromcollecting evidence of violations of International Law? Or are youplanning a prohibition on warning officers against the possibleconsequences of such violations?
I would respectfully ask you to consider that as Minister of Justice in ademocratic state your task is to preserve the rule of law, includinginternational law. It should be you who is collecting evidence of suchviolations and warning officers against possible consequences. If youwere performing this task Gush Shalom activists would no longer need todo so. It is unfortunate that instead your seeming support for violationof international law is being broadcast. You are making violatinginternational law the official policy of Israel, and that will surelydamage Israel in the minds of millions around the world.
I understand that your view stems from your support for Israeli soldiers.
I believe you would serve their interest better by making sure that theyare informed about the international rules which govern wars and behaviorin occupied territory, and insisting that they conform to those laws. Youshould not be lashing out against law abiding peace seekers who try toraise the awareness of their fellow-citizens. The best way to support thesoldiers is to demand that they observe the law. In fact, to best protectthem from war crimes tribunals, I would urge ending the illegal immoral,and unjust military occupation and bringing the soldiers and settlershome to within Israel’s pre-1967 borders now.
James Marc Leas
Law Office of James Marc Leas
www.vermontpatentlawyer.com