Source: Ynetnews, 12-12-2006
Palestinian human rights groups estimate that following High Court's decision hundreds of family members of Palestinians who were injured or killed during "Israeli" Army activity in the West Bank and Gaza will file compensation claims in "Israel"
Ali Waked
Beit Hanoun resident Salman Salman, whose nine-year-old son was recently killed by "Israeli" Army fire in the north Gaza town, said on Tuesday that "The "Israeli" High Court ruling brings renewed hope that we will be able to sue the murderers."
Palestinian human rights organizations estimate that following the court's decision hundreds of family members of Palestinians who were injured or killed during "Israeli" Army activity in the West Bank and Gaza will file compensation claims in "Israel".
Some 550 damage claims filed by Palestinians are already pending in "Israeli" courts.
Salman said that on November 24 his son Abed el-Aziz and his friends went to buy candy at a neighborhood grocery store near their Beit Hanoun home "when an "Israeli" sniper shot them. Salman was struck in the heart, face and legs and died instantly."
Salman said that in the days following his son's death he collected documentation, including medical reports and testimonies on order to sue the ""Israeli"" Army. He said that a Palestinian human rights group he turned to for assistance said it is awaiting the High Court ruling regarding the Palestinian compensations.
"No payments will make up for our great loss, but at least they will get us closer to justice; bringing those who shot my son to justice without justification is more important than the compensation," Salman added.
MK Michael Eitan (Likud) filed an urgent petition to Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik calling for an urgent assembly on the High Court`s ruling on the intifada law which states that residents of the Palestinian Authority can claim compensation for damage caused by the "Israeli" Army.
Eitan said that if revocation of Knesset law continues, the High Court will eliminate "Israel's" democracy and "Israeli" Army`s defense ability.
MK Benyamin Elon (National Union) also criticized the High Court`s ruling on the intifada law, saying that "The High Court that cancels laws and doesn't understand that we are at war is becoming one of the State of "Israel's" gravest existential problems."
"The system must be changed," he said.