Report: Legal Advisors Block Deportation Of Israeli Citizen Terrorists, Citing Odd Issues

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — While the National Security Committee discussed yesterday (Monday) implementing the death penalty for terrorists, it was reported last Thursday by Channel 14 that out of the 850 terrorists who receive salaries from the Palestinian Authority and live in Israel, not even one terrorist has been deported so far.

This raises serious questions about how a harsher penalty could be promoted when the bureaucratic establishment is able to thwart the government’s policy and intentions on much less extreme matters. Despite the law passing unanimously in the Knesset three years ago with a 94-10 majority, not a single terrorist’s residency has been revoked.

According to the law, and in order for it to withstand scrutiny by the High Court of Justice, two conditions must be met: first, the terrorist must be convicted of an act of terror; and second, he must receive terror funds. But here began the blame-shifting between the security agencies — Military Intelligence, the Shin Bet, etc. — which are supposed to provide the information, and this process was blocked by the Attorney General’s office with unfounded excuses.

Channel 14 revealed quotes from a classified discussion that took place last week in a Knesset committee, and the legal advisors’ far-fetched arguments used to obstruct the law are worth reading.

The legal advisors were asked:“Why isn’t Military Intelligence providing information on the terrorists?”

The representatives of the Attorney General’s office, the staff of Gil Limon, replied:
“The IDF cannot deal with Israeli citizens.”

MK Amit Halevi immediately responded: “Interesting. That didn’t bother you when you sent Lieutenant Colonel G. for hours to a court hearing when it involved the Israeli citizen Ari Rosenfeld.”

They were then asked:“And what about revoking residency?”

The legal advisors answered:“The reason we did not allow the transfer of information is because we wanted to conduct a dialogue; information was missing.”

Coalition chair Ofir Katz replied:“Fine, let us help you and have a dialogue. What information was missing?”

The legal advisor stunned those present with his answer:“Whether the terrorists received the money in dollars or in shekels.”

Members of the committee were shocked:“What difference does that make?”

A representative of LOTAR (Counter-Terrorism Unit) added: “There is nothing to investigate. It’s all in shekels.”

Tomer Rosner, the legal advisor to the Internal Affairs Committee, asked:“Where is that written in the law? How are you adding requirements like these?”

The Attorney-General’s representatives added another condition:“We also need to know the extent, whether the terrorists received a continuous salary or not.”

One of the participants responded: “What does it matter? Even if it was partial, depending on how much the terrorist murdered and how many years he’s been imprisoned, in the end they receive a salary from the PA!”

MK Tzvi Sukkot (Son Har-Melech) protested:“You are endangering Jewish lives. Your conduct is meant to sabotage this law. We will pay in blood.”

MK Halevi added “This is criminal. You are unfit to be public servants. We are living by a miracle.”

MK Ofir Katz laughed bitterly and said with pained sarcasm:“This is unbelievable. You are simply making a mockery of the law.”

Even Sagit Afik, the Knesset’s Chief Legal Advisor, criticized the Attorney General’s position: “This is not written in the law. You cannot go against the law.”