MK Elon: High Court one of Israel's existential problems
Left welcomes High Court ruling on Palestinian compensation, right winged MKs criticize ruling. MK Hendel says ‘Palestinian citizens are not innocent as long as they are sheltering the murderers and cooperating with them’
MK Benyamin Elon (National Union) commented on the High Court's ruling on the intifada law saying that "The High Court that cancels laws and doesn’t understand that we are at war is becoming one of the State of Israel's gravest existential problems."
"The system must be changed," said Elon.
MK Zvi Hendel (National Union – National Religious Party) said, "The High Court once again has forgotten thatIsrael is at war and the Palestinian citizens are not innocent as long as they are sheltering the murderers and cooperating with them."
"I suggest the court remember that with all due respect, setting laws in Israel is the Knesset's job, and the High Court cannot change democratic decisions with a single blow," he added.
One of “Land of Israel’s Legal Forum” heads, Attorney Yossi Fuchs, responded negatively to the ruling.
“The ruling is a parting gift from Aharon Barak to Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, a gift that will buy Barak a respected status in the eyes of the international legal community at the expense of the security of Israel’s citizens,” Fuchs said.
‘High Court restoring Israel’s moral image’
On the other hand, the Left was very encouraging of the ruling. MK Chaim Oron (Meretz-Yahad) congratulated Tuesday’s High Court ruling stating that PA residents could sue for compensation for damages caused by IDF operations.
“It’s too bad the coalitional majority in the Knesset leads us to a situation every time in which the High Court is forced to change house decisions,” he said.
“I hope Knesset members honor the court’s decision this time,” he added.
Meretz-Yahad Chairman MK Yossi Beilin said, “The High Court has proved that the Knesset can’t take rampant liberties and ignore Israel’s responsibility for its actions in occupied territories.”
“The High Court is restoring Israel’s moral image which was stolen by the blunt Intifada law,” he said.
MK Zahava Gal-On, chairwoman of the Meretz faction also congratulated the ruling regarding the “Intifada law” and said, “The law provides the country with immunity for unlawful actions.”
“The law is immoral and discriminates between bloods,” she said.
Members of Adalah, the Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, received news of the ruling with satisfaction and said, “The petition is based in technicalities, but leaves an opening for individual claims at civil courts.”
Hadash Chairman MK Mohammad Barakeh said, “The High Court ruling can’t compensate people for the loss of their loved ones, but the decision, though partial, is significant.”
MK Dov Khenin (Hadash) also commented on Tuesday’s ruling and said, “It appears yet aging that the Knesset’s hand is too light on the trigger in rulings that violate human rights.”
“On the day of human rights I call on the Knesset to do some real soul searching regarding its limitations in this area,” he concluded.
Roee Nahmias and Aviram Zino contributed to this article
