Zeev's Turnips Talk Politics (ZTTP)

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Belgian court paves way for trial of Ariel Sharon
Israel lashes out at Supreme Court ruling, which could also lead to action against others involved in Beirut massacre in 1982

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/world/story/0,4386,171598,00.html

JERUSALEM - Belgium cleared the way on Wednesday for a war crimes prosecution against Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon - a move which has prompted a furious reaction from Israel.

Initially, Belgium's Supreme Court threw out a ruling by a lower court that the case against Mr Sharon could not proceed because it did not refer to Belgian territory.

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But the Supreme Court said that under international law, no such action could be taken against people holding high office. Mr Sharon could therefore become eligible for prosecution only after leaving his current post.

The universal jurisdiction of the country's 1993 anti-genocide law has contributed to a rise in diplomatic tensions between Belgium and other countries, with cases filed against people such as Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

Israel's decision to recall its ambassador for consultation was prompted not only by concern that Mr Sharon could eventually become the target of a legal action, but also because Wednesday's ruling opened the way for proceedings against other Israelis involved in the occupation of Lebanon in 1982.

The case against Mr Sharon has been brought by survivors of the refugee camps in Lebanon who allege that he was involved - charges that Israel has rejected consistently.

The massacre in Beirut saw up to 2,000 Palestinian refugees killed.

In 1983, an Israeli tribunal found Mr Sharon, who was defence minister at the time, to be indirectly responsible for the carnage. He was then forced to resign.

Yesterday, Foreign Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to recall Israel's ambassador to Brussels, Mr Yehuda Keinar, for consultations.

'This decision is a scandal and it legitimises terror and does not help those who fight terrorism.

'Belgium is not only hurting Israel but the entire free world and Israel will respond to it very severely,' Mr Netanyahu said in a statement. --Financial Times, AFP, Reuters