Binyamin Ben-Eliezer
Photo: AFP
Spanish judge asked to suspend Israel probe
Prosecutors say Israel investigating 2002 bombing in Gaza that killed Hamas commander Shehada, 14 others
Spanish prosecutors have asked a Madrid judge to suspend an investigation of seven Israeli officials over a 2002 bombing in Gaza that killed Hamas commander Salah Shehada and 14 others, including nine children.
Defendants
Representatives of seven security officials facing prosecution in Madrid for 'crimes against humanity' to meet with deputy state prosecutor in bid to cause Spanish judge to reconsider decision to approve lawsuit
In a writ issued Thursday, prosecutors at the National Court asked Judge Fernando Andreu to hold off because they said Israel is investigating the attack.
Andreu said in January that one reason he agreed to open the investigation was that Israel had neither responded to a request for information about the bombing nor started legal proceedings against the seven officials.
The probe angered Israeli officials. Following consultations, Israel said Spain had agreed to trim the authority of its courts in cases of so-called universal jurisdiction.
Nearly all heads of Israel's defense establishment at the time of the assassination are included in the list of defendants: Former Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, former IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General (Res.) Moshe Yaalon, former Shin Bet Director Avi Dichter, former Israel Air Force Commander Dan Halutz, former head of the IDF Operation Branch Major-General (Res.) Giora Eiland, and former Southern Command Chief Doron Almog.
Former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is also on the list, despite the fact that he has been in a coma since suffering a stroke two and a half years ago. During his tenure as prime minister, Sharon gave the army the green light to assassinate the leader of Hamas' military wing.
Tova Tzimuki contributed to the report
