Haroon Siddiqui, al-Haq and Btselem's Double Standards

Haroon SiddiquiPic: Haroon Siddiqui

Its own statements demonstrate the paradox deeply rooted in Btselem’s approach. Btselem argues that the Hamas terrorist government should investigate war crimes even though it cannot be trusted to conduct a reliable investigation. On the other hand, the government of the democratic State of Israel does not deserve confidence for launching an effective and impartial investigation and therefore it is essential to assemble an independent investigative committee which will include an international legal expert and will also probe the military and political high rank echelons.

Query sent to Btselem

The following query was sent on February 24, 2010 to Btselem’s executive director, Jessica Montell and Btselem’s spokesperson, Sarit Michaeli:

Btselem contends that Hamas government is capable of launching an independent and impartial investigation. However, Btselem’s executive director, Jessica Montell, stresses that she does not have any illusions that Hamas will seriously and honestly investigate war crimes committed by its people. How does Btselem settle the contradiction between the two opposite positions?

Btselem demands that Israel establish an independent investigative committee which will include an international legal expert. Why Btselem does not raise similar demands regarding war crimes committed by the Palestinians and feels comfortable with the demand that Hamas government investigates its war crimes against Israel?

Btselem demands that the Israel’s political echelon also be investigated with regard to Operation Cast Lead. Why does Btselem refrain for posing a similar demand to investigate the political echelon in the Gaza Strip, particularly the Hamas government?

Btselem chose not to answer this query for its own considerations. The right of response is kept and will be kept for Btselem.

Jonathan Dahoah-Halevi serves as director of research for the Orient Research Group Ltd., a strategic and private information services company, and as a senior researcher of the Middle East and Radical Islam at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs headed by former Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Dr. Dore Gold. Mr.Halevi is also a special consultant to the Terror Victims Litigation Project which represents US citizens harmed by terrorist actions in the Middle East. Lt. Col. (Ret.) Halevi is a retired career Intelligence officer who specialized in research on Palestinian and Islamic affairs. Between 2003-2004, Mr. Halevi served as senior advisor for policy planning in the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. jdhalevi@rogers.com

[1] http://www.thestar.com/opinion/article/757981--how-the-harperites-ambushed-the-rights-agency

[2] http://dkaken.blogspot.com/2008/01/blog-post.html

[3] http://www.btselem.org/English/Israeli_Civilians/20100224_Hamas_Report.asp

[4] http://news.walla.co.il/?w=/2971/1636844

[5] The article was also published at http://www.bitterlemons.org/previous/bl230209ed8.html

[6] http://web.archive.org/web/20071121222113/http://www.omedia.co.il/Show_Article.asp?DynamicContentID=12616&MenuID=833&ThreadID=1014020

[7] http://www.btselem.org/english/press_releases/20100126.asp