Shurat Hadin head Nitsana Dershan-Leitner could be compelled by a US court to testify that the government broke its promise regarding a terror financing case against the Bank of China.
The Israeli-based civil rights organization combats terrorism through courtroom litigation, aiming to bankrupt terrorist groups by targeting funders.
Darshan-Leitner spoke to The Jerusalem Post about the various scenarios which could occur in the aftermath of recent reports that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has prevented a key Israeli official from testifying in the Bank of China case.
Darshan-Leitner said that while she has “no intent to harm the State of Israel,” at the same time “you can’t put families through five years of litigation where you made a promise and break it.”
According to Darshan-Leitner, she was given no warning by the government that the witness would not testify.
Rather, the Bank of China told the court that it understood that the witness would not testify, leaving Darshan-Leitner to rush and check-in with government officials who told her that the issue is in dispute and has not been finally decided.
Darshan-Leitner then met with several government officials to try to convince them to let the witness testify.
A Justice Ministry official refused to confirm or deny that the ministry was involved in these meetings.
She said, “Who let the Bank of China off the hook? The prime minister made his reputation as an anti-terror person, now the Bank of China might be let off the hook? The Bank of China is responsible for the death of Jews.”
Darshan-Leitner also emphasized that the government’s promise to let the official testify – who already submitted an affidavit in the case – was made to all 22 families they represent and not just the one family which has been mentioned in recent media reports.
If Israel makes a final decision to prevent the witness from testifying, Darshan-Leitner said it was possible that the victims would start a public campaign to get the government to change its mind.
Also, she could be compelled to testify about her meetings with government officials, including naming names and that the government had broken its promise.
This could happen if Darshan- Leitner tries to use the already filed affidavit because of being unable to comply with the court’s order to have the witness deposed.
@ NormanF:
Would you say the same thing if it was your family?
Sometimes it may be better not to comment.
If moral ground matters, BB lost it!
@ NormanF:
Israel is under no obligation to do whatever China wants. But apparently you think it should. Besides, this isn’t a favor to America, China is funding enemies of Israel. How ironic how some here rightfully complain that Israel relinquishes its sovereignty to the US government and the EU. But you are willing to have Israel beholden to a dangerous and ruthless China.
@ Ted Belman:
I agree with Ted. I don’t understand your position on this Norman in willing to allow China to get away with funding the murder of Jews. That isn’t realpolitik, it is suicidal. You are correct that Obama is unreliable, but you are willing to have Israel forgo relations with America in exchange for a far more ruthless power. I’m tired of the apologetic attitude towards China with some of the commenters on Israpundit. Why are you willing to overlook China’s perfidy towards Israel while condemning America at every turn for not being a perfect ally. Obama will be gone in four years.
BB is going to enter the realm of erdogan in terms of clownish behavior. the whole idea of terror against the jews will have a hollow sound in the future. Surely those who sell the truth for perceived gains cannot be given credibility in any other venue. Who will listen in the future to israel’s claims of terrorism? bombings abroad like argentina and burgas will diminish in importance. Israeli presented evidence will have less credibility. Why should argentina prosecute Iran when they can gain oodles of money from iran instead: after all Israel is doing the same with china. Israel has reinforced a precedent. this has got to be one of the dumbest moves I have ever witnessed. I see no redeeming arguement for this idiocy. China will or will not do business with Israel out of self interest and not because israel is her “bitch”. A “bitch” can quickly lose value.
@ NormanF:We cannot turn a blind eye to so-called friends who insist on their right to support our terrorist enemies. We should never condone this.
Its one thing to do business with China when we know what they are doing and its another thing to help them get away with doing so in order to do business with them
Israel’s government has to put realpolitik considerations before everything else. The Obama Administration is an unreliable friend.
Israel is under no obligation to do whatever it wants.
In which U.S. District Court is this case pending?