15-07-2013, 01:23 AM
Former military intelligence chief: Israel held a 'Prisoner X' in 1970s
The affair is likely related to an incident that occurred towards the end of the first Rabin government, when a European couple suspected of terror links was arrested in Africa and released years later.
By Amir Oren | Jul.13, 2013 | 5:27 PM
![[Image: 3004040219.jpg]](http://www.haaretz.com/polopoly_fs/1.535612.1373777866!/image/3004040219.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_300x173/3004040219.jpg)
Shlomo Gazit, former MI chief.Photo by IDF Spokesperson's Unit
Israel Defense Forces' intelligence unit held at least one anonymous prisoner during the 1970s, without the public's knowledge, according to Maj. Gen. (res.) Shlomo Gazit who headed the unit from 1974-1979.
In an article he published Saturday morning, Gazit wrote: "Roughly 36 years ago, as director of Military Intelligence, I allowed the detention of aPrisoner X in total solitary confinement. I did it with a clean conscience, and I knew full well the national and security-related ramifications of making that information public. My superiors of course knew of the secret, and authorized my decision. The subject was brought to the attention of the justice system, which dealt with the matter with complete discretion. The whole affair ended long ago - and I'm glad to say without any leaks. Moreover, even though decades have passed since then, if information on the affair came out it could still cause a great deal of damage, even today."
Gazit refused to elaborate, or hint at the identity of the prisoners but he apparently referred to an event during the end of Yitzhak Rabin's first term as prime minister. Shimon Peres was serving as defense minister at the time, Yigal Alon as foreign minister, Aharon Barak as attorney general, and Motta Gur as IDF chief of staff. This group under Rabin presumably authorized the secret detention.
The ordeal began in the 1970s when IDF intelligence discovered that a European terror group, one of several to operate against Israel was working together with a one of the Palestinian terror organizations. They also found out that the two groups met, among other places, in an African country that was friendly to Israel. In order to obtain information about the extent of those ties, and on planned terrorist attacks, it was proposed that two members of the European group be brought in for interrogation. The two were a couple, from a European nation, the friendship of which Israel considered important. Secrecy was necessary in order to avoid harming diplomatic ties with two nations, one in Europe and one in Africa.
After obtaining authorization from Rabin, his senior ministers and the attorney general, the couple was arrested in Africa by the local intelligence services and turned over to Israel. Here in Israel they were placed in a joint cell in the old police station in Gedera, which was used for Military Intelligence's investigations. Once all relevant intelligence was extracted in the investigation, and with the approval of the intelligence services in their European country of origin, the couple was released to go back home. Afterwards they apparently decided to keep mum on the affair of their own volition.
Although Gazit brought the case of the European couple to light in response to the anonymous prisoners in the news the past week, there are significant differences between now and then. The 1970s couple was suspected of terrorism even if they weren't brought to trial, but only held in administrative detention. They were held in conditions similar to captivity more like Guantanamo Bay, and less likewings 13 and 15 of Ayalon Prison.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/for...ign=Buffer
The affair is likely related to an incident that occurred towards the end of the first Rabin government, when a European couple suspected of terror links was arrested in Africa and released years later.
By Amir Oren | Jul.13, 2013 | 5:27 PM
Shlomo Gazit, former MI chief.Photo by IDF Spokesperson's UnitIsrael Defense Forces' intelligence unit held at least one anonymous prisoner during the 1970s, without the public's knowledge, according to Maj. Gen. (res.) Shlomo Gazit who headed the unit from 1974-1979.
In an article he published Saturday morning, Gazit wrote: "Roughly 36 years ago, as director of Military Intelligence, I allowed the detention of aPrisoner X in total solitary confinement. I did it with a clean conscience, and I knew full well the national and security-related ramifications of making that information public. My superiors of course knew of the secret, and authorized my decision. The subject was brought to the attention of the justice system, which dealt with the matter with complete discretion. The whole affair ended long ago - and I'm glad to say without any leaks. Moreover, even though decades have passed since then, if information on the affair came out it could still cause a great deal of damage, even today."
Gazit refused to elaborate, or hint at the identity of the prisoners but he apparently referred to an event during the end of Yitzhak Rabin's first term as prime minister. Shimon Peres was serving as defense minister at the time, Yigal Alon as foreign minister, Aharon Barak as attorney general, and Motta Gur as IDF chief of staff. This group under Rabin presumably authorized the secret detention.
The ordeal began in the 1970s when IDF intelligence discovered that a European terror group, one of several to operate against Israel was working together with a one of the Palestinian terror organizations. They also found out that the two groups met, among other places, in an African country that was friendly to Israel. In order to obtain information about the extent of those ties, and on planned terrorist attacks, it was proposed that two members of the European group be brought in for interrogation. The two were a couple, from a European nation, the friendship of which Israel considered important. Secrecy was necessary in order to avoid harming diplomatic ties with two nations, one in Europe and one in Africa.
After obtaining authorization from Rabin, his senior ministers and the attorney general, the couple was arrested in Africa by the local intelligence services and turned over to Israel. Here in Israel they were placed in a joint cell in the old police station in Gedera, which was used for Military Intelligence's investigations. Once all relevant intelligence was extracted in the investigation, and with the approval of the intelligence services in their European country of origin, the couple was released to go back home. Afterwards they apparently decided to keep mum on the affair of their own volition.
Although Gazit brought the case of the European couple to light in response to the anonymous prisoners in the news the past week, there are significant differences between now and then. The 1970s couple was suspected of terrorism even if they weren't brought to trial, but only held in administrative detention. They were held in conditions similar to captivity more like Guantanamo Bay, and less likewings 13 and 15 of Ayalon Prison.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/for...ign=Buffer
"The philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways. The point, however, is to change it." Karl Marx
"He would, wouldn't he?" Mandy Rice-Davies. When asked in court whether she knew that Lord Astor had denied having sex with her.
“I think it would be a good idea” Ghandi, when asked about Western Civilisation.
"He would, wouldn't he?" Mandy Rice-Davies. When asked in court whether she knew that Lord Astor had denied having sex with her.
“I think it would be a good idea” Ghandi, when asked about Western Civilisation.