Prominent American lawyer Alan Dershowitz in a special interview with i24NEWS today criticized the controversial initiative by far-right Israeli lawmaker Itamar Ben-Gvir to change the rules of engagement for Israeli soldiers.
Ben-Gvir, who is likely to become Israel’s national security minister following his party’s coalition agreement with incoming prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is pushing for open-fire regulations to be relaxed to allow them to shoot anyone representing a “potential threat,” including those holding stones or Molotov cocktails.
Speaking to Army Radio last week, the firebrand politician said that “whoever throws a Molotov cocktail needs to be shot,” adding that a” stone is murderous” too.
“If Ben-Gvir’s rule ever came into effect, Israel would be indicted and convicted, and its soldiers would be indicted and convicted by the international court for applying a different set of standards and principles based on race and ethnicity. Very few people can defend that argument, I can certainly not defend that argument,” Dershowitz told i24NEWS.
“It’s just basically wrong,” he stressed, echoing fears of Israel’s left-wing politicians that the initiative will be used mostly against Palestinians attacking Israeli soldiers, as the number of such attacks has risen in recent months.
The current open-fire rules in Israel are strict, stipulating that there must be a clear and immediate danger to the officer before they can shoot. Ben-Gvir’s initiatives seem to put out even his allies. Last week, reports emerged claiming that Netanyahu said during “closed conversations” that Ben-Gvir “needs to calm down.” – i24 News
“If Ben-Gvir’s rule ever came into effect, Israel would be indicted…, its soldiers would be indicted…by the ICC…. Very few people can defend that argument, I can certainly not defend that argument,” Dershowitz told i24NEWS.
When informed of Mr. Dershowitz’s remarks, Ben Gvir told reporters, “Very few people can defend the argument of forbidding soldiers from shooting anyone representing a “potential threat,” including murderers who throw Molotov cocktails in the hope of killing or maiming Israeli soldiers.”
“And while it’s true that the soldiers who fire upon these killers might be indicted by the ICC,” Ben Gvir said, “better to be indicted than to be murdered in cold blood.”
“So, I’m not sure I quite understand Mr. Dershowitz’s logic,” Ben Gvir said, “but I invite him to patrol the dangerous areas where the soldiers are stationed. Perhaps when a Molotv cocktail is thrown at him, he’ll understand the simple logic of my request.”
“I can also take him to the homes of Israelis who’ve managed to survive Moltov cocktail explosions,” Ben Gvir added. “Perhaps when he sees the permanent damage inflicted upon their bodies, he’ll understand the simplicity of my request. It’s really not that complicated at all.”
Ben-Gvir is, of course, right.
Any person using ANY item intentionally, that MAY cause death, should be shot on the spot.
Where is this sick idea that someone who wants to kill you should be given the opportunity come from?
And what does it have to do with race?
If you dershowitz don’t like outcome of Israel’s election, make Aliya and vote for someone of your liking:- Short of that, don’t mix into internal Israeli matters!!
Israel has enough warped-minded liberal leftists. They don’t need more. He should please stay in the US and mind his own business.
Professor Dershowitz seems to be arguing that Ben Gvirs new rule only applies to Arabs or Palestinians. Whereas reading the article Mr Ben Gvir clearly says anyone!
Ben Gvir:
“anyone representing a “potential threat,””
“whoever throws a Molotov cocktail needs to be shot,”
Prof Dershowitz:
“for applying a different set of standards and principles based on race and ethnicity.”
Confusing!
Dershowitz, SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!!
I TOTALLY AGREE! American Far-Left Dershowitz who consents with Israel’s Far-Left Supreme Court should mind his own business. Ben Gvir was elected precisely for this reason to put fear into the Arabs. Go Ben Gvir Go. Israelis are with you.
Who is this Dershowitz shaigitz to comment on Israeli policy?
He’s not a shaigitz. He’s a frum yid.
Does he keep Shabbos and Kashrus?
Frum? Really?
Shooting someone holding a Molotov cocktail or even a sling shot makes perfect sense. Shooting someone holding just a rock is harder to defend. Did any soldier wearing the standard protective gear ever get killed by a rock thrown at him? Would you want people in MS getting shot for holding stones during an hafganas?
yes. a soldier was in fact killed by a rock hurled at him in a Palestinian town.
I don’t think this is legally accurate. They need to prove reasonable cause to assume they were endangered and deadly force was necessary. Context can be used to make a case for reasonable cause.
Dershowitz is saying;we have to accept terrorists and we can’t do them anything till they kill someone. Well the Arabs think like that too!
Mr Dershowitz;
You think too much of yourself and not at all about the life of Israeli Jews.
Well I have news for you.
You are not so great or so smart.
And the lives of Jews are the first priority of the Jewish people, not your suicidal liberal agenda.
with due respect, why does he keep mixing in?
Interesting that Professor Dershowitz, in this very day, had I ly this to say and nary a comment about the new UN resolution!
HE DOESN’T LIVE IN ISRAEL AND DOESN’T UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION.
With all respect to Al Dershowitz and I really admire his intellect, but decisions made by the incoming Israeli government is really none of his darn business. Amazing how they all – and by all I mean Biden and the rest of the putzes that work in his administration, think they have the right to tell the Israeli government how and what they should be doing!!!
Can you imagine if Ari Deri told Biden a thing or two, the Biden administration would be mortified, well no difference…
Or Biden sending his FBI into Israel to “investigate” the policies of the IDF, thereby undermining a foreign government.
in new york and all cities when someone throws a stone or molotov cocktail at a Law enforcement officer they should be shot this is what common sense dictates I guess Dershowitz has no common sense
the only reason to agree with Dershowitz is if we aspire that the cities of the world should look like Wahington DC
Mr. Dershowitz forgot that little Duvid killed the giant Golius with a rock. Rocks are dangerous weapons.