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Israel
& the
case
against
Saddam
Gary
Fitleberg
Israel
has a very strong case against Iraq and Saddam Hussein for
supporting terrorism against it. The case is twofold. First for the
Scud missiles fired on Israel during Gulf War I. Secondly, for
supporting so-called “suicide bombers” (actually “homicide
bombers”) by paying a reward of $25,000 per bombing to the
families of the bomber.
Attorney General Elyakim Rubinstein asked several government legal
departments to start collecting data on Saddam Hussein's crimes
against Israel to prepare for the trial that is expected to follow
his capture by American forces over the weekend.
Rubinstein convened a special meeting of legal officials to discuss
the issue. The meeting was attended by State Prosecutor Edna Arbel,
the Foreign Ministry's legal advisor and a representative of the
Israel Defense Forces' Judge Advocate General's Office.
Justice Minister Yosef Lapid on said that if Saddam is tried for war
crimes, whether in Baghdad or The Hague, the government intends to
send witnesses and documentary evidence regarding the destruction
that was wreaked on Israel by the Scud missiles Iraq fired at it
during the 1991 Gulf War.
"Firing missiles without provocation at a country that did not
take part in a war is a war crime by every accepted definition in
international law," Lapid said. "It is only just that
Saddam should not be acquitted of this crime."
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz seconded Lapid's view, saying:
"Israel ought to be involved in submitting an international
indictment against Saddam Hussein, due to his firing of Scud
missiles at Israel during the first Gulf War and his support for
Arab “Palestinian” terror organizations that operate against
Israel, including his assistance to a pro-Iraqi terror organization
in the territories."
But a press statement issued by the Justice Ministry took a more
cautious approach to the matter. "The issue is still in its
infancy, and there are many questions about Saddam Hussein's trial,
both procedural and substantive, that have not yet been resolved by
the United States," the statement said, noting that Israel has
been in contact with the U.S. on this matter. "Therefore,
[Israel] will weigh its stance in light of further
developments."
America, Israel and the international community has substantial
documentary evidence to indict and bring Saddam Hussein to justice
for his war crimes against humanity for the 35 years he ruled Iraq
ruthlessly. One hopes that he receives a “fair and speedy” trial
and his sentence be equivalent to his actions and dirty deeds.
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