State: Israeli-Palestinian conflict a war

[Scurrilous]

In reply to petition against Damages Law, State Prosecutor's office says if law amendment was now accepted 'it could have led to absurd situation in which Israel, which is being attacked, would be responsible for the war damages, even those of Palestinians'

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3272397,00.html

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"In its reply to a petition filed by human rights organizations against the amendment to the Damages Law that was enacted about a year ago, the State Prosecutor's Office said Thursday that "The war forced Israel to adjust its Damages Laws, which failed to meet the special criteria of the war, in light of the new situation," the State Prosecutor's Office wrote in its reply.

The law prevents Palestinians from suing for compensation in Israeli courts. So far, 553 damage lawsuits were filed for damages caused to Palestinians since September 2000.

The law, which was approved on July 2005, states that "the State is not responsible for damages caused to any citizen of an enemy state, or one who is a member of a terror organization, and for anyone who was harmed while on a mission of any of them, or on his own accord."

The law, in fact, exempts the government from damage lawsuits by Palestinians who were harmed by Israel Defense Forces activities during the intifiada.

Human rights organizations filed an appeal with the High Court of Justice in order to retract the amendment, citing that it prevents Palestinians from suing for damages. The organizations also claimed that the amendment breaches principles of international law, that the law is inhuman and goes against the basic human respect and freedom law."