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Justice For Israel

Imran Khan - 10/23/2006

Mr. Moshe Katsav is the president of Israel since 2000 for a seven-year term when he surprisingly defeated Mr. Shimon Peres (ex-Prime Minister of Israel). The president of Israel posses no executive powers and is largely involved in ceremonial activities.

He is in headlines for alleged sexual harassment against his office women. It was first came into notice in July 2006. Since then he has been questioned many times by police officials. Up to ten women have been testified against him. On 15th October 2006 police has recommended perusing rape and sexual harassment charges against him. Charges of breach of trust, fraud and involvement in illegal wiretapping are also included.

One thing which is very clear from this incident and shows the strength of Israel's Justice System that a head of state can also be held liable for any wrong doings. It can be called "exemplary" for many nations in the world. Usually in many Poor and developing countries such a system can never be traced and powerful people involved in many criminal cases often get away easily.

But one thing which is surprising that such a justice system is always quiet against Israeli atrocities against Palestinian nation. Thousands of civilians have been killed by Israeli forces. Military actions which are taken by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to kill militants often ends in killing innocent civilians including women and children.

Palestinians are living there for centuries and there land has been occupied by the Israel. The whole world knows it, Israeli knows it but why such a strong justice mechanism can't see these realities? Is justice only applied for Israelis and Palestinians have no right to get it? Or does Israel law is different on the basis of religion?

Mostly Israeli army and security forces enjoy impunity and rarely there are any investigations, prosecutions against their actions. Israeli settlers also enjoy the same treatment for attacks on Palestinians and their property and there are no steps taken by police to prevent such attacks. Israeli soldiers continuously destroying the homes at occupied territories and from many years tens of thousands of Palestinians are homeless.

There are tough restrictions on the movements of Palestinians. Military checkpoints and blockades prevent access to crucial services including work, education and medical facilities. In many cases even pregnant women in labor given no permission to reach to any medical facilitates resulting in the tragic deaths of their unborn babies. If women in such conditions are not permitted to cross the blockades and checkpoints one can easily guess what would be the situation for others. With such harsh steps how can someone work and that's the key reason for high unemployment and poverty.

Many would say that these steps are taken to prevent militants to attack Israelis but if you put someone in 'such conditions' will there be no attacks? These un-justified actions against civilians always increasing hate against Israel and many would like to become militants. The more they press the more resistance becoming powerful.

Did these un-legal tactics have made Israel a safer place? The answer is no. Israel can never protect itself by using force only. Indeed these actions have ignited furry in many Muslim countries. People are justified to ask that what are the faults of Palestinian citizens and why they are suffering from last 50 years? Many organizations which are called 'extremists & terrorists' by Israel are mostly using Palestine issue to promote fight against Israel. Suicide bombers, rocket attacks are all the consequences of Israel 's actions.

The only solution is that to treat Palestinians as they treat there own people. If laws are there to protect people from criminals than they must be equally used for everyone, justice should not be according to religion, race or community.

In a country where a president have to obey the law why soldiers who are committing such dreadful actions are exempted? Israel needs to change it and the day when it will provide justice to the Palestinians than they will never see any suicide bombers again, they will not need any boundary wall for protection and no one would ever be able to call to wipe Israel out of the map.