Friday, February 18, 2005
This strikes me as a smart move at this juncture. Not that it matters to me, particularly. Economic sanction against people who send or allow their kids to go blow up buses strikes me as a mild penalty and perfectly within the bounds of acceptable choices. In the US, parents may be financially - or even criminally - responsible for the misdeeds of their kids. This seems to me to be a natural extension of that principle. Still, if they feel - all things considered - that the time has come to put it on hold, then that sounds fine to me. If it's not serving the intended purpose of deterrence, then it ought to stop.
Decision of Defense Minister and Chief of Staff to Change Policy of demolition of terrorists' houses
Following the completion of the committee's examination, the Minister of Defense decided to accept the recommendation of the Chief of Staff to change the policy, and stop exercising the legal right to demolish terrorists' houses as a means of deterrence. In addition, the Chief of Staff clarified that if an extreme change in circumstances takes place, the aforementioned decision regarding the policy will be reexamined.
The IDF has in the past exercised its legal authority to demolish terrorists' houses. This has been done within the framework of the State of Israel's overall effort to defeat Palestinian terror, and as part of the State of Israel's obligation and right to defend itself and to provide security for its citizens.
As a means of deterring potential terrorists from carrying out attacks, the houses of terrorists who have actively participated in terrorist activity have been demolished.
The necessity of this tactic as part of the fight against terror is often reevaluated; it is done in consideration of the circumstances and assessments regarding the extent of the terror threat and the effectiveness of this serious measure, as well as other measures that may be used as part of the fight against terror.
More detail here at the Jerusalem Post.
