Daniel Reisner, Former Head of the International Law Department in the Israel Defense Forces Military Advocate General’s Corps.

DEMOCRATIC RESPONSES TO TERRORISM
16th November

On Wednesday 16th November a New Israel Fund audience listened to Daniel Reisner on “Democratic Response to Terrorism.” Daniel started his talk by stating that terrorism was in fact not a new phenomenon but had simply become far more prominent as a threat to global democracy since September 11.

Today Terrorism is different to the 50’s and 60’s for two main reasons - technology and globalisation (the use of the internet and global travel). Daniel explained that most countries see terrorists as criminals. However this was over simplistic as it ignored one major difference – that being, criminals do things for monetary gain while terrorists act for ideological gain. Only those countries that have suffered under the hands of terrorists are willing to consider terrorism to be a worthwhile legal debate.

Al-Queida has developed a new kind of threat – terror that was not about territories as in the case of the IRA or Palestinian groups but more about a worldwide challenge to Democracy and Western lifestyle.

The issue of targeted killings arose and Daniel mentioned that under current Israeli law strict criteria had to be met before such an action could be ordered.

The talk came to a close with a number of questions from the audience challenging Israeli actions and the effectiveness of the justice system in general. Daniel acknowledged mistakes and problems in ascertaining absolute proof of misconduct. However it was also explained that the Army and the Courts had to constantly adjust to the ever-increasing difficulties of tackling terror whilst maintaining democracy.

At the end of the event Sam Grodzinski of Matrix Chambers and Jonathan Morris of Berwin Leighton Paisner and also representing the British Israel Law Association thanked Daniel for coming.