This piece was reprinted by OpEd News with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.
CL establishes new rules contradicting fundamental criminal law principles. For example, Article 47 permits hearsay exceptions, letting a suspect's alleged statement(s) be submitted as evidence, even if he or she isn't present in court because they reside outside Israel or aren't available for other reasons.
Although CL prohibits convictions this way, it permits hearsay used as corroborating evidence. Note also that most Israeli security cases rely largely on confessions extracted under torture, making them illegitimate in due process proceedings. But not in Israel where it's common practice against Palestinians. CL will allow it against Jews.
In addition, it equates alleged intent with actually committing a crime, imposing the same liability on both in violation of accepted criminal law tenets.
CL's provisions thus "turn law-abiding citizens and organizations (with no connections whatsoever to violent acts) into 'terrorists' " because Israel says so. It also authorizes unchecked, draconian executive powers, based on alleged suspicions, not hard evidence, leaving suspects unable to defend themselves.
As a result, CL effectively annuls due process/judicial fairness protections, leaving everyone potentially vulnerable to police state justice, that, of course, means none whatsoever.
Israel's extremist right-wing Knesset very likely will pass what no legitimate democracy would tolerate. In Israel and America, it's common practice, filling prison cells with innocent victims unjustly.
Against Muslims, Blacks and Latinos in America, as well as Palestinians in Israel, it goes unnoticed. When everyone in both countries is vulnerable, perhaps public awareness will take note and act. The alternative is too dire to imagine, but it's coming unless public outrage prevents it.
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at Email address removed.
Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
2
2
1
