The Knesset today approved by massive majority a government statement repudiating charges of torture on the West Bank published last week in the Washington Post. Justice Minister Shmuel Tamir revealed that the State Attorney in person is required, under new regulations issued by Premier Menachem Begin, to investigate each and every case in which an allegation of torture has been made and is not immediately rejected by the International Red Cross (IRC).
Tamir said the IRC had visited in privacy with more than 1000 prisoners who had alleged torture, but in 94 percent of the cases nothing was found to back up even the mere allegation There is no system of torture in Israel , “Tamir declared .” We reject torture as criminal and loathsome, not because of the public relation consideration, but because of the adverse effect it would have on our interrogators and on our entire society of which they are part.”
Tamir rejected calls from Shai, Democratic Movement and Sheli Knesseters for a commission of inquiry , under a Supreme Court Justice , to be set up to investigate the torture charges , Sheli’s Uri Avneri said such a commission would clear the air and disprove the charges once and for all, but Tamir was not impressed by that argument.
Meanwhile , a number of West Bank leaders have sent protest cables to Israeli and world politicians protesting the action taken by the military government against Nablus Mayor Bassam Shakah last week. Shakah was barred from traveling abroad to raise funds for his municipality, and sternly warned not to engage in public political activity.
He had angered the authorities by trying to participate, a week earlier, in a protest press conference and pray in organized by Hebron Mayor Fahed Kawassme, against new praying arrangements instituted at the lamb of Machpela in the town .Shakah, in his own protest cables, argued that the military government was in effect punishing the people of Nablus because of the Mayor’s personal political activities (by forbidding him to go abroad and raise funds).
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