Jerusalem Report and Analysis of the U.S. Detainees Supreme Court Decision

Yesterday we had an incredible experience with our students at Regent University who are studying in Jerusalem at Hebrew University.  Just as the Supreme Court of the United States announced its decision granting detained foreign terrorists a constitutional right to utilize U.S. District Courts to challenge their status, we witnessed the swearing in of new Israeli Defense Force soldiers at the Western Wall.  Click here to see pictures that some of our students took which captured this incredible moment. 

There is an event that takes place in the induction ceremony of the Israeli soldiers that, were it to happen in the United States, would present a literal constitutional crisis.  When the soldiers sing the Israeli national anthem Hatikva and take their oath of allegiance to the State of Israel, they are handed their weapon and a Bible. 

What is fascinating to me, is that while Israel is in the center of the struggle against Islamic terrorists, the Israeli Supreme Court took a very different approach the same day that the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling on Guantanomo Bay.  The Israeli Supreme Court rejected a petition against Israelis unlawful combatants law that was brought by two Palestinians who were detained as terrorists.  The Israeli law allows the authorities to hold without trial foreign nationals engaged in terrorist activities against Israel.  In other words, the Israeli Supreme Court took the exact opposite position from the U.S. Supreme Court. 

In Justice Scalias dissent, he said America is at war with radical Islamists, and the Courts decision will make the war harder on us.  It will almost certainly cause more Americans to be killed.  Furthermore, Chief Justice John Roberts criticized the majority decision for striking down what he called the most generous set of procedural protections ever afforded aliens detained by this country as enemy combatants.  Justice Scalia and Chief Justice Roberts are absolutely correct. 

The reality of the fight against radical Islam becomes more pronounced in Jerusalem.  In the days ahead, we will be traveling to the border of Lebanon where we will actually see the Hezbollah terrorist organizations flag flying a mere 500 yards from where we will be standing.  Meanwhile, our students at Regent University are having an incredible experience, as the pictures will clearly show you. 

Next week, ACLJ members from around the United States will be joining me in Israel for briefings on the current situation in the Middle East during their 10-day tour throughout Israel.  I will continue to provide updates to this report in the days ahead.  Look for a video from Jerusalem to come out next week via email.