Thursday, May 21, 1998
details from an LA TIMES /Associated Press report
In a shocking disclosure of police and Israeli Army use of torture, a government lawyer told the Israeli Supreme Court that Israel is at war with Palestinian militants and is justified in using torture during suspect interrogations .
In an appeal brought by four former prisoners and two Israeli human rights groups, human rights activists disagreed with the government, saying that no democracy can sanction torture. Evidence showed Israeli officers tortured their captives by tying them up in painful, contorted positions, shaking them violently and depriving them of sleep. In the opening hearing , the panel of nine justices indicated that it might not render a decision at all. Instead, the court is expected to pass the question on to the legislature. Parliament plans to debate a bill regulating activities by Shin Bet, the internal security service, but there is no indication of any serious effort by the Supreme Court or the Parliment to curb the practices of torture.