Israel readies for fight against war crime charges

AFP
Friday, January 23, 2009

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has put the justice minister in charge of defending Israel against charges of war crimes during its 22-day Gaza assault, a government source said Friday.

Daniel Friedman will lead an inter-ministerial team to coordinate a legal defence for civilians and the military, the source said.

And Defence Minister Ehud Barak was also due to ask the government to approve on Sunday a bill “offering moral and legal backing to army officers and soldiers following Operation Cast Lead,” his ministry said.

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“The Israeli government bore responsibility for sending the Israel Defence Forces (army) commanders and soldiers to protect its citizens and therefore it is obliged to offer full backing to prevent any harm they might be exposed to in view of their inolvement,” the statement said.

Israel’s military censor has already banned the publication of the identity of the unit leaders who fought against Hamas Islamists in the Gaza Strip for fear they might face war crimes charges.
 

Full story here.

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