Dear Minister of Justice Meir Shetreet

As an American Jewish lawyer, I was disturbed to recently learn that you are determined to put Gush Shalom activists on trial, and if existing legislation will not serve this purpose, you intend to introduce some brand-new bills. Your intention was announced at noon via Y-Net* (the website of Israel's mass distribution daily Yediot Aharonot) and continues to fill news media programs in Israel.

The announcement of your intention to seek new law follows the decision of Attorney General, Elyakim Rubinstein - who was repeatedly pressured by the government to start procedures against Gush Shalom. He was recently quoted as saying that he doesn't see any legal basis for such a step under current law.

I would ask if you are planning a law forbidding Israeli citizens from collecting evidence of violations of International Law? Or are you planning a prohibition on warning officers against the possible consequences of such violations?

I would respectfully ask you to consider that as Minister of Justice in a democratic state your task is to preserve the rule of law, including international law. It should be you who is collecting evidence of such violations and warning officers against possible consequences. If you were performing this task Gush Shalom activists would no longer need to do so. It is unfortunate that instead your seeming support for violation of international law is being broadcast. You are making violating international law the official policy of Israel, and that will surely damage Israel in the minds of millions around the world.

I understand that your view stems from your support for Israeli soldiers.

I believe you would serve their interest better by making sure that they are informed about the international rules which govern wars and behavior in occupied territory, and insisting that they conform to those laws. You should not be lashing out against law abiding peace seekers who try to raise the awareness of their fellow-citizens. The best way to support the soldiers is to demand that they observe the law. In fact, to best protect them from war crimes tribunals, I would urge ending the illegal immoral, and unjust military occupation and bringing the soldiers and settlers home to within Israel's pre-1967 borders now.

James Marc Leas

Law Office of James Marc Leas

www.vermontpatentlawyer.com