TEL AVIV, March 22, 2007, (WFA)- MachsomWatch revealed Thursday that the military courts, in Israel, do not operate in accordance with the fundamental principles of the legal and constitutional system in force in the State of Israel.

MachsomWatch (Israeli HR organisation) revealed that the military courts hold deliberations in many places, most of which are within the sovereign area of the State of Israel. It added that the courts operate inside Israeli territory, function within prisons and remand centres, with the exception of Petach Tikva where the court is located in a police station.

In a letter written on behalf of MachsomWatch to it was contended that, regarding hearings in remand centres and prisons, the public access to them is restricted, and accordingly the entry of families, public and journalists is not possible.

Regarding courts located in Israeli territory or the West Bank, the letter stated that there is no lawful basis for the regulations that limit public entry to two close family members solely to the hearings on their kin.

"There is no legal basis for this, which seems purely arbitrary and based solely on the convenience of the courts. Even if these regulations do have some basis in the orders promulgated by the military commander, in the light of the principle of public debate they are illegal, unreasonable and are therefore invalid," it stated.

It concluded by asserting that the manner of application of these procedures is a blatant discrimination against the residents of the territories as compared to Jewish citizens of Israel, tourists and foreigners, and deepens the feeling of apartheid - in other words distinctions on the basis of ethnic origin, and the systematic tightening and deepening of oppression of the members of the ethnic group.

MachsomWatch called upon the Military Judge Advocate General to make fundamental changes in the function of the military courts.

S.A.S. (13:06 P) (11:06 GMT