The (Spanish) Audiencia Nacional (National Court dealing with special crimes) will consider for the first time a lawsuit brought against top Israeli military officials in order to determine their liability regarding a bombing incident that killed 15 people and caused injuries to other 150 in Gaza (Palestine).
In recent days, hundreds of thousands of
supporters of the Spanish State’s soccer team have been shouting “Viva España!”
following the well-deserved victory of their team in the European Cup. They
definitely played better than any other team, and were at times even reminiscent
of the unforgettable Dutch team of the 1980’s. I highly enjoyed the Spanish
game and am happy for their victory. This is not, however, sufficient reason to
dedicate my weekly blog to soccer.
Last week I shouted “Viva España” when I received
the following message:
The (Spanish) Audienca Nacional (National Court dealing with special crimes)
will consider for the first time a lawsuit brought against top Israeli military
officials in order to determine their liability regarding a bombing incident
that killed 15 people and caused injuries to other 150 in Gaza (Palestine).
The lawsuit, brought to the court by six
relatives of the victims and survivors of the bombing, requests an investigation
be done into whether this “incident” may be considered a war crime and, as a
result, be brought to a Spanish Court.
The senior military officers are former
chief of staff, General Moshe Yaalon, former chief of the Israeli Air Force,
General Dan Halutz, the Minister of Defense and his deputy, the Chair of the
National Security Council and the head of the Israeli Security Service, as well
as General Doron Almog.
Viva España, because, unlike France, the
Spanish Court is taking seriously the concept of international responsibility in
relation to the perpetrating of suspected war crimes. In a recent article, in
response to the suggestion of French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bernard
Kouchner, to establish a special team aimed at investigating and prosecuting
war criminals, I wrote: “if the French foreign minister is sincere in his will
to enforce international law on earth, he should initiate an international
effort to force Israel to implement the Hague (international court of justice)
ruling.” Of course, the neoconservative French government didn’t do anything in
that direction. On the contrary, on his visit to Israel, French President
Nicolas Sarkozy dared to declare that France and Israel share the same respect
for human rights.
Instead of trying to copy the occupant of
the White House, who is well known for his capacity to call white black and
black white, the French President would do better to instruct the Minister of
Justice to follow the Spanish example, and investigate Israeli officials
suspected of torture practices (on the issue of torture, France does have
international competence). The AIC is ready to provide the needed information
to the French authorities in order to facilitate their international duty to
investigate and prosecute Israeli torturers. I am not sure, however, that
Bernard Kouchner will be pleased by our suggestion and offer of help.
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