BRUSSELS, 11 June 2003 — A Belgian court ruled yesterday that a case against an Israeli general for alleged crimes against humanity could proceed.
The court decided that an appeal by a group of Palestinians to try former Israeli army commander Amos Yaron over a 1982 massacre in refugee camps in Lebanon was admissible.
The Israeli Embassy immediately called on Belgian authorities to intervene and block the legal action against Yaron.
“This affair is today in the hands of the Belgian government,” said Israeli Embassy counselor Daniel Saada, referring to a recent legal amendment allowing the government to stop politically-motivated lawsuits.
“We expect the Belgian government to resolve this affair by diplomatic means, as the law allows,” he told AFP, adding that there is a “certain urgency” for action to avoid the affair “having a serious impact on relations between the two countries.”
The Israeli general, who is now director general at the Israeli Defense Ministry, was responsible for the Beirut sector at the time of the refugee camp massacre that left hundreds dead.
Yesterday’s ruling allows investigations to continue, leading to the possibility of a trial at a later date.
Earlier this year, the Supreme Court threw out a similar appeal to try Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon even though it left the door open for a new investigation to be opened once Sharon leaves office and loses diplomatic immunity.
Belgian prosecutors opened an inquiry into the refugee massacres in July 2001 following a complaint filed by 23 survivors. The investigation was suspended in September 2001 while Sharon’s lawyers challenged the Belgian jurisdiction.
