The number of indictments against Palestinians reached an all time high in 2006, according to data recently presented by the West Bank Military Prosecution. Similarly, there was a steep rise in the number of administrative injunctions presented to Palestinians by the IDF. The data showed that 3,523 indictments were filed against Palestinians in West Bank military courts. The indictments ranged from charges of stone throwing organized by terror groups, to attempted murder and murder. Sixty-seven indictments were for murder, and 330 for attempted murder.
In 2000, a total of 560 Palestinians were indicted. In 2002, when IDF forces carried out Operation Defensive Shield, 2,135 indictments were filed against Palestinians. The numbers continued to climb, and reached 3,000 by 2004. Although a decline in indictments against Palestinians was seen in 2005, the numbers shot up again in 2006 and broke all records.
The data also showed a rise in administrative injunctions filed against Palestinians, which are considered an alternative to arrests and legal procedures when there is a risk of revealing intelligence sources.
A mere 26 administrative injunctions were filed in 2000, but by 2002, the number had reached to 3,045. The numbers began falling slightly until 2006, when they rose again to 2,983. Over 1,000 Palestinians have been presented with administrative injunctions, as it is common that several injunctions are issued against the same person.
A senior source in the West Bank prosecution said that efforts were being made to issue the lowest number of injunctions possible, although there are many situations that did not allow for any other alternative. “The reality in the West Bank doesn’t allow for the arrest of a suspect and regular legal proceedings against them in every situation, so this is the alternative,” he said.
The source emphasized that five percent of administrative injunctions were cancelled, and over half were altered. Even so, the Supreme Court rejected all 190 appeals filed in 2006. “Administrative injunctions are used only when there is a threat posed by the suspect and there is no other way to prevent their actions. Sometimes it seems unthinkable, but not only is it accepted by international law and appears in the Geneva Convention, it is also the only way to prevent a terror attack tomorrow,” the source said.
I wonder why they are catching more? Better intelligence? Better operations? More Paleo terrorists? Hamas grassing out Fatah? Fatah grassing out Hamas? All of the above?