ADL Condemns Belgian Decision to Pursue 'War Crimes' Charge Against Prime Minister Sharon
New York, NY, February 12, 2003 ... The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today condemned a ruling by the Belgian Supreme Appeals Court stating that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon can be tried for "war crimes" in Belgium once he is no longer in office. A lawsuit has been filed in Belgium by a group of Palestinians for alleged activities during the Lebanon War, but an appeals court had determined that Sharon could not be tried since he did not live in Belgium.
"Outrageously, Belgium has once again cleared the way for the highly political and biased pursuit of Israeli leaders," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "This unacceptable, undue singling out of Israel for censure is not unique to Belgium, but is becoming more acceptable across Europe."
Last month, the Belgian Senate adopted amendments to the country's 1993 war crimes legislation, enabling Belgium the authority to prosecute anyone for war crimes regardless of where the crimes took occurred.
The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.
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