CNN report sheds light on controversial Israeli justice system in West Bank

“Israel operates two systems of law in the occupied territories. Palestinians under the military. Israelis under civil law.” A report by CNN’s Nima Elbagir sheds light on the controversial Israeli justice system and how Palestinians in the West Bank are subject to the jurisdiction of Israel’s military courts, while Israeli settlers arrested in the West Bank are tried in civilian courts within Israel. CNN broke down the numbers in a list of 300 Palestinian prisoners identified by Israel as eligible for release. 80% are listed as just detained, which means they have not been formally sentenced. The report talks about Fatima Shahin, who spent seven months in an Israeli prison. She was initially accused of attempting to murder an Israeli in the West Bank. However, she was never formally charged with any crime. And Malak Salman, was arrested in 2016 when she was 16 for an alleged attempted stabbing of an Israeli police officer in Jerusalem. While Israeli officials reported no injuries from the incident, Salman was found guilty of attempted murder and initially received a 10-year sentence in a military prison. However, following an appeal, her sentence was shortened to nine years. The report pointed out that Israeli authorities have prohibited celebrations following the release of prisoners from Israeli jails. This came after Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir stated that expressions of joy are perceived as supporting terrorism and that celebratory gestures of victory empower the very individuals he described as “human scum.“ Subscribe to our channel: Subscribe to MEE Telegram channel to stay up to date: Middle East Eye Website: Follow us on TikTok: @middleeasteye Follow us on Instagram: Like us on Facebook: Follow us on Twitter: