By arguing for Dr Haled's release on the grounds that he is a respected and privileged law lecturer, and that there had been some basis for the accusation that he really had been a Hamas activist, doesn't this petition seem to imply that it would be ok to abduct, incarcerate, torture, and interrogate unemployed Hamas activists?

Free Dr Hanef and all political prisoners!
Ernie | Homepage | 03.12.08 - 12:01 am | #

I don't see why, Ernie. Firstly, I don't see how they're saying there was any basis for the accusation. in fact they called it "baseless." Why shouldnt they address the reason he was arrested, which they say was bogus?

I also don't see how it implies it's ok to abduct, incarcerate, torture, and interrogate anyone.

as far as the privilege goes, it's right to point out his position since, as they note, Israel's motive for persecuting him may be that they're trying to" crippl[e] the pedestals of the Palestinian society." During the first intifada, the best students were frequently targets for arrest and harrassment, simply because Israel figured out that the smartest and ablest students were often in leadership roles in the uprising.
Hulkagaard | 03.12.08 - 9:03 am | #