Valor in Government Award?!

The Movement for Quality Government will present today its Valor in Government Award. Among the recipients is the Director of the General Security Service, Ami Ayalon.

B'Tselem requested retired Supreme Court Justice Haim Cohen, head of the committee that selected the award recipients, to reconsider the decision to include Ayalon.

As head of the GSS, which has been involved in grave human rights violations, Ayalon is not a suitable candidate for the award. During his tenure, the GSS tortured thousands of Palestinians during interrogations, was responsible for the administrative detention of thousands of Palestinians, instigated arbitrary restriction of movement, and more. Furthermore, Ayalon battled to legally sanction these practices by incorporating them into law.

Under these circumstances, it would be a gross error of judgment to grant the award to Ayalon.