Ashrawi slams Netanyahu’s plans for special security court

Member of the PLO Executive Committee Hanan Ashrawi criticised a proposal by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the establishment of a Special Security Court, saying the proposal constitutes a blatant violation of the rule of law.

Netanyahu told Knesset members at a meeting of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee earlier this week that he was considering the establishment of a “special court” to deal with security issues.

The court would likely process cases of punitive house demolitions, administrative detentions, revoking residency from Palestinians involved in attacks and holding the bodies of Palestinians.

Ashrawi accused Netanyahu of following in the footsteps of Arab dictators Muammar Gaddafi and Saddam Hussein if he were to create the court.

“Netanyahu wants with this proposal to evade accountability and responsibility for his actions by referring them to a court that is in itself illegal and undemocratic,” Ashrawi warned.