Rabbi's son plans to sue Israel in ICC
Ami Meshulam seeks refugee status in Canada, claiming he is being persecuted for his involvement in exposing children of Yemen affair, like his father. 'Israel is committing crimes against the people of Israel and a group within it,' he says
Uzi Meshulam led a campaign against the Israeli establishment which demanded an investigation into the disappearance of the children of Yemen in the late 1950s. In May 1994 he entrenched with his followers for a month and a half in his home in the city of Yehud. During a police raid on the house one of his followers was killed in a fire exchange.
Meshulam was sentenced to eight years in prison and his disciples were also given jail time. After five years in prison his sentence was reduced by then-President Ezer Weizman. Meshulam never resumed his public campaign do to his poor health condition.
Ami Meshulam told Ynet, "We will claim that Israel is committing crimes against the people of Israel and a group within it. The Canadians are interested in reviewing the many evidence of the fact that, contrary to common belief, Israel is not a democratic country."
He claims that the State has been persecuting him for wishing to follow in his father's footsteps and expose the children of Yemen affair.
Political asylum
Meshulam left Israel four years ago for Montreal, and his fourth daughter was born there. He is seeking political asylum and the local immigration authorities are currently debating whether he can be regarded as a refugee.
Thus far, six hearings were held during which four witnesses on behalf of Meshulam appeared, including Dr. Shoshana Madmoni-Gerber, a specialist on ethnic discrimination.
The current hearing's second stage will commence in February 2010.
Meshulam's attorney William Sloan noted that his client's main assertion in applying for political asylum is his fear of the Shin Bet and the pressure that has been put on him to leave Israel.
He further estimated that it will not be simple for Meshulam to receive refugee status. "It will not be easy because Israel is a democratic state and in order to receive refugee status in Canada we’ll have to prove that Ami is in danger," Sloan was quoted as saying in a Jewish Canadian website.
