What if the Israeli Supreme Court ordered illegal 'Palestinian' buildings demolished?
It's been less than two weeks since the Israeli Supreme Court got its first non-Leftist judges in years. And now the court may be called upon to decide that the State of Israel cannot discriminate between Jews and 'Palestinians.' But not in the way you might be thinking: The Court has asked the State of Israel to explain why it demolishes illegal Jewish buildings but not illegal 'Palestinian' buildings. The High Court asked state prosecutors why the state discriminates between illegal Jewish and Palestinian building in the West Bank, citing the lack of enforcement of demolition warrants against illegally-built Palestinian buildings in the area.Well, we already know what the Obama administration thinks of Supreme Court rulings in democratic countries outside the United States. If Israel's Supreme Court orders the demolition of 'Palestinian' homes (something that is apparently going to be prohibited - at least in Jerusalem - should the 'settlement freeze' ever come into effect), this should be interesting.
The High Court hearing on Thursday came after the right-wing "Regavim movement for the protection of national land", called for the court to force Defense Minister Ehud Barak to explain why he hasn't carried out the demolition of illegal buildings in the Palestinian villages of Asaviya and Yitma in the West Bank, which are located next to the settlement of Rahalim.
The state said in response to the petition that since 1996, demolition orders were given against 50 buildings in Asaviya, but only 3 have been carried out.
In the discussion, a justice asked if the enforcement of demolition orders for illegal building by Palestinians is treated equally to demolition orders for illegal building by Jewish settlers in the West Bank. A state prosecutor said that there is a difference in understanding in the Israeli and Palestinian sector.
The picture at the top is newly-appointed Supreme Court Justice Neil Hendel, the court's first American-born justice. I have no idea whether he was on the panel that heard the case.
Hmmm.
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 2:55 AM
1 Comments:
A settlement freeze should apply equally to both sides not just to the Jews. Otherwise its an attempt to prejudge the outcome of negotiations in favor of the Arabs. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for Israel's Supreme Court to apply the law equally to revanants and Palestinians.
Post a Comment
<< Home