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Last update - 22:49 04/05/2009
Israel urges Spain to halt 'cynical' Gaza war crimes probe
By News Agencies
Tags: Haaretz TV, israel news 

Israel on Monday urged Spain to stop a Spanish judicial investigation into a 2002 bombing on the Gaza Strip, saying it "contravened the clear position of the Spanish government."

Spanish National Court judge Fernando Andreu announced Monday that he will pursue his investigation into a 2002 Israeli bombing in the Gaza Strip, despite contrary advice by prosecutors at the court.

In response to the decision, Israel's Justice Ministry said it was "convinced the Spanish government and judicial system will do their utmost" against a "cynical" attempt by the Palestinian plaintiffs to "exploit the Spanish judicial system in order to advance a political agenda against Israel."
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Defense Minister Ehud Barak said he would call on the Spanish government to prevent the investigation, reiterating Israel's stance that the Israel Defense Forces is the most "moral" army in the world.

"I intend to appeal to the Spanish foreign minister, the Spanish minister of defense and, if need be, the Spanish prime minister, who is a colleague of mine in the Socialist International, to override the decision," said Barak.

"No army is as moral as the Israel Defense Forces and I have no doubt that the people who were involved in eliminating [alleged Hamas member Salah] Shehadeh acted with a clear mind and towards a single goal - to protect the citizens of Israel."

Six senior IDF officers and security officials are the subject of investigation over their involvement in the 2002 bombing in densely populated Gaza City. That attack, using a one-ton bomb dropped from an Israeli F-16, targeted and killed alleged Shehadeh along with 14 other people.

Andreu said the 2002 bombing might constitute a crime against humanity. The suspects named by Andreu include former Defense Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, former Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Dan Halutz and five current or former army officers or security officials.


On Monday, the Spanish judge wrote that Israel's military conducted an
internal investigation but Israeli military and civilian prosecutors declined to open proceedings of their own. He said for this reason Spain has jurisdiction to keep investigating.

"In Israel there has not been, nor is there now under way, any legal
proceedings aimed at investigating the Gaza bombing," the judge wrote.

The National Court has become known for its inquiries into alleged human rights abuses in other countries, ranging from Chile and Argentina to Tibet and Western Sahara.

Andreu's initial decision to investigate infuriated the Israeli government. Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said in response that Spain planned to modify its law to narrow the scope of universal jurisdiction cases to those with a clear link to Spain.

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      1.   Of all the atrocities that took place around the world... 13:50  |  Richard 04/05/09
      2.   Indict Spain for it`s treatment of the Basque`s 13:57  |  J K 04/05/09
      3.   Investigate Spain for ussing barbaric garotte for execution 14:08  |  Absolute Sweden 04/05/09
      4.   Spain trying very hard to be relevent 14:11  |  Lynn 04/05/09
      5.   spain 14:13  |  HOWARD BLADY 04/05/09
      6.   If Israel is blameless or justified... 14:16  |  Esther 04/05/09
      7.   Spanish Probe 14:23  |  Charles 04/05/09
      8.   Bravo! 14:25  |  Ivar 04/05/09
      9.   Jurgen Ruttgers will have to reassess his position 14:27  |  Chris Linthwaite 04/05/09
      10.   "Of all the atrocities" 14:29  |  Eric 04/05/09
      11.   let Israel open an investigation on spanish inquisition 14:31  |  Joey 04/05/09
      12.   Judge yourself first 14:33  |  DISRAELI 04/05/09
      13.   Richard In TA 14:33  |  rich 04/05/09
      14.   STRANGE they never needed to investigate suicide bombings 14:33  |  PETER SM 04/05/09
      15.   Spain? SPAIN?????? LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 14:37  |  Franco.... 04/05/09
      16.   Free Basque from Spanish Occupation! 14:37  |  danny 04/05/09
      17.   Frankly baloney! 14:39  |  Stranger 04/05/09
      18.   Spaniards War Crime probe not Recognized... 14:40  |  The Archives 04/05/09
      19.   the spanish people suffered alone under Franco 14:42  |  Steve 04/05/09
      20.   Will Ben-Eliezer, Halutz + Co. have the courage..... 14:43  |  Swiss (Dino) 04/05/09
      21.   Spains atrocities against the Jewish people. 14:44  |  David Nigel Braham 04/05/09
      22.   Well Done spain 14:45  |  Honest John 04/05/09
      23.   It does have to do with "anti" Richard 14:50  |  john 04/05/09
      24.   Very predected TBs 14:51  |  Indigenous 04/05/09
      25.   # 5 Charles excellent and I agree w/ you. 14:52  |  petra 04/05/09
      26.   Richard and why not? If it can help to avoid another bombing 14:54  |  Roland 04/05/09
      27.   # 6 Ivar what are you 10 years old? 14:56  |  petra 04/05/09
      28.   Lynn, of course they have "jurisdiction" 14:58  |  john 04/05/09
      29.   Charles 15:03  |  A.M. 04/05/09
      30.   Hey Spain investigate America A bomb while your at it. 15:05  |  Petra 04/05/09
      31.   E viva Espana! 15:13  |  ClearCut 04/05/09
      32.   israel probe 15:13  |  gadot 04/05/09
      33.   Probe Israel 15:15  |  Cohen 04/05/09
      34.   forget 100 yo atrocities 15:22  |  boxley 04/05/09
      35.   I used to live in Spain 15:30  |  Isac 04/05/09
      36.   Ivar you mean retaliation for attacks against Israel 15:34  |  European 04/05/09
      37.   Demand compensation for the stolen property 15:37  |  Gene 04/05/09
      38.   Brave decision to take on the might of US/Israel 15:41  |  Roo 04/05/09
      39.   Investigate Spain for using barbaric garrote for execution 15:44  |  Piamonte 04/05/09
      40.   I am amazed. 15:49  |  C.R 04/05/09
      41.   The judge has a point. 15:56  |  Johnboy 04/05/09
      42.   Spain, Gaza and Israel 15:56  |  Avraham 04/05/09
      43.   You`re wrong John, #23 15:57  |  Michael 04/05/09
      44.   Without Hamas the Gaza war crimes probe is manipulated 15:59  |  European 04/05/09
      45.   To Eric and Rich - an Obsessive Focus Proves... 16:01  |  Richard 04/05/09
      46.   I`m American and Israeli 16:01  |  Michael 04/05/09
      47.   To Roland, another boming of Whom? 16:03  |  Richard 04/05/09
      48.   Knesset have to extend jurisdiction 16:08  |  Cyranno de Bergerac 04/05/09
      49.   Gene - Demand compensation? typical 16:10  |  Don 04/05/09
      50.   and what about Darfur Roo? 16:10  |  Meo 04/05/09
      51.   I Wouldn`t Worry Too Much About This... 16:14  |  Yosemite 04/05/09
      52.   Ferdinand kicked my family out of Cordoba. Investigate that pls! 16:16  |  Danny 04/05/09
      53.   Plain and stupid! Just hatred nothing else 16:16  |  Taco Bell 04/05/09
      54.   war crime? 16:23  |  Cesare 04/05/09
      55.   #5 Howard Baldy,Most recent Spanish crimes 16:28  |  Israeli Observer 04/05/09
      56.   The real "crime" of 2002 - Israel failed killing terrorists by... 16:28  |  bat yam 04/05/09
      57.   6 Obviously, naive Esther never heard of a Kangaroo court. 16:30  |  common sense 04/05/09
      58.   Spain 16:31  |  Alain 04/05/09
      59.   AM @29 16:31  |  Charles 04/05/09
      60.   #19 Steve, European countries with murky record of colaborating 16:36  |  Israeli observer 04/05/09
      61.   Swiss (Dino): will they have the courage? 16:38  |  Christopher 04/05/09
      62.   #40 you just don`t get the point! 16:43  |  Isac 04/05/09
      63.   Stop making enemies 16:47  |  Non-Arab Saudi 04/05/09
      64.   Spain has no moral right to judge anything 16:47  |  Andy 04/05/09
      65.   Imagine accusing and prosecuting only one race.... 16:54  |  Howard Friedman 04/05/09
      66.   $wiss (Dino): No Comment? 17:00  |  Christopher 04/05/09
      67.   The Inquisition...what a show! The Inquisition, here we go!!! 17:01  |  Mel Brooks fan 04/05/09
      68.   John Are they innocents 17:11  |  Aby 04/05/09
      69.   #60 Isac 17:17  |  Johnboy 04/05/09
      70.   Ethnic cleansing 17:18  |  Carole 04/05/09
      71.   Gaza War Crimes 17:20  |  Joe Kelsall 04/05/09
      72.   Michael--it is a spanish court -not EU. 17:20  |  Labhras 04/05/09
      73.   IDF is not moral 17:22  |  Marilyn 04/05/09
      74.   Barak is guilty and he`s begging Spanish govt. not to Investigate 17:25  |  Uri Levy 04/05/09
      75.   War 17:26  |  Carole 04/05/09
      76.   let israel bring charges agaisn`t spain for history 17:27  |  david 04/05/09
      77.   Spain 17:29  |  Naim S. Mahlab 04/05/09
      78.   So what is new? 17:36  |  MARK KLEIN, M.D. 04/05/09
      79.   I am proud to be Spanish 17:38  |  AH 04/05/09
      80.   Moral army? 17:46  |  Pablo Luis 04/05/09
      81.   Spains dirty crimes 17:49  |  Big Sur 04/05/09
      82.   #10 Eric and his Zionistic Approach 17:50  |  Big Sur 04/05/09
      83.   #8 Ivar and his stupidity soon over 17:53  |  Big Sur 04/05/09
      84.   I`m an spaniard ashamed 17:57  |  J 04/05/09
      85.   AH the proud Spaniard, 17:57  |  Big Sur 04/05/09
      86.   Not just a regular moral army, no ... 18:01  |  A 04/05/09
      87.   well Mike 18:01  |  john 04/05/09
      88.   MUSLIM WON`T FORGET AND WON`T FORGIVE 18:02  |  indrajaya 04/05/09
      89.   VIVA ESPANA 18:04  |  Alphonso 04/05/09
      90.   #82 Big Sur--is that meant to be a response 18:14  |  Labhras 04/05/09
      91.   Indy as usual incorrect info 18:14  |  Big Sur 04/05/09
      92.   Alphonso I caught that I agree 18:16  |  Big Sur 04/05/09
      93.   Woo Hoo Payback time for Spain 18:17  |  Scott L. Havsy 04/05/09
      94.   Proud Spanish 18:17  |  AH 04/05/09
      95.   SPAINS CRIMINAL WARS AND IMPERIALISM 18:28  |  Alka Seltzer 04/05/09
      96.   my message #93 was for # big sur #84 18:28  |  AH 04/05/09
      97.   gee Lahbrasserie Thaks 18:33  |  Big Sur 04/05/09
      98.   Richard in TA 18:35  |  rich 04/05/09
      99.   AH yep Franco Adored us so much 18:35  |  Big Sur 04/05/09
      100.   #89 Lahbrasserie Nah it was merely an obseration of truth 18:38  |  Big Sur 04/05/09
      101.   AH 18:38  |  rich 04/05/09
      102.   Non-Arab Saudi 18:40  |  rich 04/05/09
      103.   The only Inquisition today 18:42  |  AH 04/05/09
      104.   @Swiss Dino 18:46  |  Ralph 04/05/09
      105.   saying it doesn`t make it so 18:47  |  Janice 04/05/09
      106.   IL should now asasist Basques get justice for their noble cause 18:54  |  Alan SA 04/05/09
      107.   To #87 18:55  |  Col [Res] Cohen 04/05/09
      108.   Basque nationalists support the Palestinian 19:08  |  A 04/05/09
      109.   Sue Spain for damages for Jewish expulsion 19:11  |  Baruch Gold 04/05/09
      110.   I suggest you that you actually read my post Labhras 19:13  |  Michael 04/05/09
      111.   # 65 Christopher and also # 104 Ralphie 19:18  |  Swiss (Dino) 04/05/09
      112.   well John 19:23  |  Michael 04/05/09
      113.   The Spanish National Court judge.... 19:26  |  Ines 04/05/09
      114.   bat yam; "real crime" 19:26  |  Deacon2 04/05/09
      115.   To #101 Rich 19:33  |  AH 04/05/09
      116.   OH Spain 19:37  |  Jose 04/05/09
      117.   #115 AH the Proud Spaniard 19:42  |  Big Sur 04/05/09
      118.   Well John they were at war 19:49  |  Aby 04/05/09
      119.   So, big Sur, do you mean that IDF is lying? 20:14  |  AH 04/05/09
      120.   Can?t pass by this one funny! 20:25  |  Cynic 04/05/09
      121.   Ah that anology is inncorrect however here is something you shou 20:25  |  Big Sur 04/05/09
      122.   go on 20:26  |  imad 04/05/09
      123.   AH in Spain 20:32  |  rich 04/05/09
      124.   Of course Rich 20:42  |  AH 04/05/09
      125.   Spain`s cynical Gaza War Crime`s probe 20:43  |  Lou Kaplan 04/05/09
      126.   Bring Spanish Inquistion to trial for crimes against Humanity 20:45  |  David 04/05/09
      127.   Cancel Palestine. Create Basque. 20:46  |  David 04/05/09
      128.   Swiss (dino): As always double standards 20:47  |  Christopher 04/05/09
      129.   Will the Spaniards dare to respond? 20:48  |  Arie 04/05/09
      130.   Spanish humanity 20:55  |  Jozef 04/05/09
      131.   Very predictable #24, ignore crimes AGAINST Israel 20:56  |  TruthMatters 04/05/09
      132.   If Palestinian cause was the opnly obstacle to peace 21:53  |  Big Sur 04/05/09
      133.   OK.. you can try Queen Isabel - but hang the IDF... 22:02  |  Dolores 04/05/09
      134.   Spain is afraid of the muslims 03:11  |  Ana 05/05/09
      135.   Laws were meant to hunt Nazis 03:39  |  Candida 05/05/09
      136.   TruthMatters? whose truth? 03:40  |  John and the truth 05/05/09
      137.   Inquisition anyone? 04:01  |  IsraelRight 05/05/09
      138.   No One Is Above The Law. 04:08  |  Cool B 05/05/09
      139.   Spain , Gaza, Israel 05:01  |  Al 05/05/09
      140.   Cool B - Sure they Are 05:46  |  Mark of Lewiston 05/05/09
      141.   Gaza war crimes 06:55  |  Chris 05/05/09
      142.   #133 Dolores & her " Impossible Dream" 09:13  |  Don Quixote 05/05/09
      143.   War Crimes 12:07  |  Paul Macdonald 05/05/09
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