Lessons from Israel’s Response to Terrorism: Amb. Alan Baker

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The Legal Response | Jerusalem Center For Public Affairs

4/23/17, 9*38 AM

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The Legal Response Amb. Alan Baker The wave of international terror makes no distinction between European and other countries, nor between religions. It cannot be dismissed, justi=ed or addressed through “political correctness” which is interpreted as weakness and encouragement. International law calls for stringent and active measures against terrorists. Today’s massive incitement to terror uses modern technology and means of communication. It is a central component of terror. The international community needs to act to criminalize incitement to terror. These are key legal principles: International terror, by de=nition, openly and overtly undermines and abuses international humanitarian law and norms that bind civilized states and by which they act. Whether it targets one particular country, territory or population, or is directed against Western values, religions, and civilization, international terror has to be addressed seriously and practically. It cannot and should not be minimalized or ignored. International terror has evolved into a rapidly growing virus that affects all of humanity. Attempts to dismiss the terror threat against Israel as a “special case” or “unique circumstances” that cannot serve as a lesson to others are utterly misplaced and deny the potential for a substantive and vital contribution by Israel to other states. “Political correctness,” as a result of exaggerated and often naïve sensitivity to, and fear of Islam, and over-sensitivity to humanitarian considerations, is interpreted by the terror elements as weakness and even sympathy, and hence as a license to continue. Western countries can no longer engage in such political correctness and over-sensitivity. They have no choice but to accept that drastic counter-terror legislation, deterrence, and action, even if it may restrict the enjoyment of civil liberties, in the long run, serve to enable wider enjoyment of such civil liberties and the right to life. Since incitement is one of the major components of terror, the international community at all levels and using all means of modern communications technology has to adapt international law with a view to criminalizing such incitement to terror.

Terror and Humanitarian Norms – The Inherent Dilemma http://jcpa.org/lessons-israels-response-terrorism/the-legal-response/

CONTENTS Executive Summary Is the Terror Against Europe Different from the Terror Against Israel? by Amb. Dore Gold

Resilience, the Israeli People’s Weapon against Terror by Fiamma Nirenstein

The National Security Aspect of Fighting Terror – The Israeli Experience by Brig.-Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser

The History of the West’s Struggle against Terror by Amb. Freddy Eytan

The Legal Response by Amb. Alan Baker

International Legitimization of Terror Groups: Lessons from Israel's Experience by Dan Diker

Democracy Facing Terrorism: Human Rights and Military Ethics by Prof. Asa Kasher

Familiarity Breeds Respect: Awareness of Social Mores as a Factor in the Fight against Terror by Jennifer Roskies Page 1 of 11


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