The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy (MIFTAH) is disgusted by the ruling of Israel's Supreme Court, which has decided to uphold Israel's illegal tactic of demolishing the homes of innocent Palestinian families without notice. Over 40 Palestinian families will lose their homes simply because they are related to Palestinian activists accused of carrying out attacks against Israel's oppressive occupation.

This tactic of collective punishment has become part of Ariel Sharon's government and is an old practice long understood and suffered by the Palestinian people. But the highest law of the land, the Supreme Court of Israel, is supposed to stand tall by practicing fairness and justice. However, the Supreme Court President, Aharon Barak, has demonstrated that the political, rather than legal, issues compromise his Court as he threw out the appeals of 44 Palestinian families, justifying his actions by stating that destroying the homes of innocent Palestinians "is part of the overall war activity."

Destroying the homes of innocent Palestinians who have not been accused of any crime is collective punishment and against international law (as stipulated in the 4th Geneva Convention). The court's flawed decision is another blow to the Palestinian people who continue to struggle under Israel's so called "democracy and legal system," which has long since succumbed to Ariel Sharon's military regime.

MIFTAH urges the international community to take concrete steps in putting an end to Israel's policy of collective punishment against the Palestinians. Criticism of Israel's contaminated policy by the U.S. State Department and U.N. Secretary General is useless without action. Without necessary sanctions placed against Israel, the Palestinian people will never be given the chance for justice.