The recent shocking admission by Israel that it has taken organs from Palestinian bodies without the permission of the families of the deceased comes as a reminder of Israel's disregard for basic human rights. Israel should not get away with this crime and it should not be allowed to escape the responsibility to rectify the situation.
A recent report said that the practice was widely followed in the 1990s, when many corneas, heart valves, skin and bones were taken from bodies at various Israeli hospitals. This was done informally and without seeking the permission of the families concerned. Einav Shimron-Grinboim, an Israeli Ministry of Health spokeswoman, has confirmed the issue saying that it took place years earlier. The recent revelation confirms earlier Swedish media reports that said the Israeli army kidnapped and killed young Palestinians to harvest their organs.
Yet the issue here is not of the admission of Israeli officials to the crime. Instead, it is one of holding these officials accountable to the crimes they have committed. Hence, the next step to be taken should be to initiate the process through which Israel is punished for its crimes within the jurisdiction of international law.
