(January 29, 2020 / JNS) The Hague District Court court dismissed a civil case on Wednesday brought by a Dutch Palestinian man seeking damages from two former Israeli military commanders: former Israeli air-force commander Amir Eshel and former military chief Benny Gantz.
Ismail Zeyada filed the case against the two commanders for a 2014 airstrike on a Gaza house that killed six members of his family, the AP reported.
The court ruled that the case can’t proceed because the commanders have immunity. Gantz is now a politician and a candidate in the upcoming March 2 Israeli election for prime minister.
Neither of the mean were present in the court for the decision.
Presiding judge Larisa Alwin said the commanders “enjoy functional immunity from jurisdiction,” as their actions were part of a state-sanctioned military operation, the report noted.
Israel’s Justice Ministry had asked the court to dismiss the allegations, arguing that an internal Israeli military investigation determined the airstrike killed four militants hiding in the house and therefore was permissible under international law. Gaza’s Hamas rulers have said that two militants were in the building.
The Justice Ministry also argued that the Dutch court does not have jurisdiction.
Zeyada said the decision would be reviewed and the option to appeal left open.
“I owe it to all the Palestinians who have suffered and continue to suffer the same fate, to continue this struggle to achieve what is denied to them: Access to independent justice and accountability for the unspeakable crimes committed against them,” he said, as per the AP.
Support Jewish Journalism
with 2020 Vision
JNS is more than just another news website and syndication service. It is an organization devoted to nonstop reporting, and telling the truth about Israel and Jewish issues unburdened by the biases and institutional blinders that distort so much of what we read, hear and see about these topics elsewhere in the secular and even Jewish press.
At JNS, you get the facts about Israel and Jewish issues without the bias that so often tilts the argument against the Jewish state. JNS articles and columns are republished every week by digital outlets and print newspapers across the globe. But in the age of round-the-clock news coverage, advertising and syndication revenues are not enough to support our continued growth. We need your financial help to keep JNS on target as we continue our fair and accurate reporting.
Please help us take JNS to the next level with a tax-deductible sponsorship, either on a recurring monthly basis. Jewish News Syndicate is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization.