High Court: Details of Shalit deal to remain undisclosed
Judges reject petition filed by terror victims' relatives calling for publication of list of Palestinian prisoners slated for release in Shalit deal, say 'we were convinced security concerns behind secrecy'
The High Court of Justice on Tuesday rejected a petition filed by bereaved parents and the Almagor - Terror Victims Association, who demanded that the state make public a list of Palestinian prisoners it plans to release exchange for kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit.
The judges explained that they did not have the right to interfere with decisions made by the IDF censor, adding that they were convinced that "obvious security concerns" were behind the decision not to publish the list of prisoners slated for release.
The judges, led by Supreme Court President Dorit Beinish, said in their ruling, "Undoubtedly, the steps being taken to advance Shalit's release present dilemmas that are difficult and complex from the human, moral and security-related aspects.
"(These dilemmas) warrant public debate, but we cannot ignore the unique nature of the process, which still involves some very sensitive issues," said the judges.
During Monday's court hearing, Yossi Mendelevitch, the bereaved parents' representative said, "We do not recognize the (government's) right to withhold information from the public.
"Is the State of Israel, which betrayed us when it failed to protect our children, betraying us once again by not allowing us to know what is going on with those who murdered our children?" he said.
On Sunday the State filed its response to the petition, saying 980 Palestinians are expected to be freed as part of a deal for Shalit's release.
Shalit was captured into Gaza by Palestinian terrorists on June 25, 2006.
