GAZA-JERICHO AGREEMENT
ANNEX III
PROTOCOL CONCERNING LEGAL MATTERS
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Article I
Criminal Jurisdiction
- The criminal jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority covers all offenses
committed in the areas under its territorial jurisdiction (hereinafter,
for the purposes of this Annex, "the Territory") subject to the
provisions of this Article.
- Israel has sole criminal jurisdiction over the following offenses:
- offenses committed in the Settlements and the Military Installation
Area subject to the provisions of this Annex; and
- offenses committed in the Territory by Israelis.
- In exercising their criminal jurisdiction, each side shall have the
power, inter alia, to investigate, arrest, bring to trial and punish offenders.
- In addition, and without derogating from the territorial jurisdiction
of the Palestinian Authority, Israel has the power to arrest and to keep
in custody individuals suspected of having committed offenses which fall
within Israeli criminal jurisdiction as noted in paragraphs 2 and 7 of
this Article, who are present in the Territory, in the following cases:
- The individual is an Israeli, in accordance with Article II of this
Annex; or
- The individual is a non-Israeli suspected of having just committed
an offense in a place where Israeli authorities exercise their security
functions in accordance with Annex I, and is arrested in the vicinity in
which the offense was committed. The arrest shall be with a view to transferring
the suspect, together with all evidence, to the Palestinian Police at the
earliest opportunity.
- In the event that such an individual is suspected of having committed
an offense against Israel or Israelis, and there is a need for further
legal proceedings with respect to that individual, Israel may retain him
or her in custody and the question of the appropriate forum for prosecuting
such a suspect shall be dealt with by the Legal Committee on a case-by-case
basis.
- In the case of an offense committed in the Territory by a non-Israeli
against Israel or an Israeli, the Palestinian Authority shall take measures
to investigate and prosecute the case, and shall report to Israel on the
result of the investigation and any legal proceedings.
- Tourists in transit to or from Israel through the Gaza Strip or the
Jericho Area, who are present on the Lateral Roads or on the main North-South
road crossing the Jericho Area (Route No. 90), may be arrested and questioned
only by the Israeli authorities which shall notify the Palestinian Authority.
Where the Israeli authorities conclude that an offense under the prevailing
law has been committed, and that further legal proceedings in respect of
the tourist are required, such proceedings shall be taken by the Palestinian
Authority.
- Where such a tourist present outside these areas is detained or arrested
by the Palestinian Authority, it shall notify the Israeli authorities immediately
and shall enable them at the earliest opportunity to meet the detainee
and to provide any necessary assistance, including consular notification,
requested by the detainee.
- Nothing in this Article shall derogate from Israel's criminal jurisdiction
in accordance with its domestic laws over offenses committed outside Israel
(including in the Territory) against Israel or an Israeli with due regard
to the principle that no person can be tried twice for the same offense.
The exercise of such jurisdiction shall be subject to the provisions of
this Annex and without prejudice to the criminal jurisdiction of the Palestinian
Authority.
Article II
Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters
- General
- Israel and the Palestinian Authority shall cooperate and provide each
other with legal assistance in criminal matters. Such cooperation shall
include the arrangements detailed in this Article.
- For the purpose of this Article, "Israeli military forces"
may include Israel Police and other Israeli security forces.
- Documents served by one Party in the territory under the responsibility
of the other, shall be accompanied by a certified translation into the
official language of the other Party.
- Cooperation in Criminal Matters
- The Israel Police and the Palestinian Police shall cooperate in the
conduct of investigations. Subject to detailed arrangements to be agreed
upon, such cooperation shall include the exchange of information, records
and fingerprints of criminal suspects, vehicle ownership registration records,
etc.
- Where an offense is committed in the Territory by an Israeli acting
jointly with an individual under Palestinian personal jurisdiction, the
Israeli military forces and the Palestinian Police will cooperate in conducting
an investigation.
- The Palestinian authorities shall not arrest or detain Israelis or
place them in custody. Israelis can identify themselves by presenting Israeli
documentation.
However, where an Israeli commits a crime against a person or property
in the Territory the Palestinian Police upon arrival at the scene of the
offense shall immediately notify the Israeli authorities through the relevant
DCO. Until the arrival of the Israeli military forces the Palestinian Police
may, if necessary, detain the suspect in place while ensuring his protection
and the protection of all those involved and shall prevent interference
with the scene of the offense, collect the necessary evidence and conduct
preliminary questioning.
- Without derogating from the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority
over property located or transported within the Territory, where the property
is being transported or carried by an Israeli, the following procedure
shall apply: The Palestinian authorities have the power to take any measures
necessary in relation to Israeli vehicles or personal belongings where
such vehicle or belongings have been used in commission of a crime and
present an immediate danger to public safety or health. When such measures
are taken the Palestinian authorities shall immediately notify the Israeli
authorities through the relevant DCO, and shall continue to take the necessary
measures until their arrival.
- When an Israeli is suspected of committing an offense and is present
in the Territory, the Israeli military forces shall be able to arrest,
search and detain the suspect as required, in the presence of and with
the assistance of the Palestinian Police.
- When an Israeli commits an offense and is present in the Yellow Areas
or on the Lateral Roads and their adjacent sides as defined in Annex I,
the Israeli military forces may, without derogating from the territorial
jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority, arrest, search and detain the
offender and shall notify the Palestinian Police immediately, provide it
with all necessary information, and coordinate wherever possible.
- When an offense is committed inside a Settlement, and all those involved
are Palestinians of the Gaza Strip or the Jericho Area or their visitors,
the Israeli military forces shall notify the Palestinian Police immediately
and shall hand over the offender and the collected evidence to the Palestinian
Police unless the offense is security-related.
- Restraining Orders
Each side shall execute orders issued by the competent organ of the
other side restraining a person under the jurisdiction of that side from
travelling abroad.
- Summons and Questioning of Witnesses
- Where the statement of a witness who is an Israeli or other person
present in Israel is required for a Palestinian investigation, the statement
shall be taken by the Israel Police in the presence of a Palestinian Police
officer in an Israeli facility at an agreed location.
- Where the statement of a non-Israeli witness present in the Territory
is required for an Israeli investigation, the statement shall be taken
by the Palestinian Police in the presence of an Israeli police officer
in a Palestinian facility at an agreed location.
- In exceptional cases, each side may take a statement requested by the
other side itself, without the presence of the requesting side.
- Transfer of Suspects and Defendants
- There a non-Israeli suspected of, charged with or convicted of an offense
that falls within Palestinian criminal jurisdiction is present in Israel,
the Palestinian Authority may request Israel to arrest and transfer the
individual to the Palestinian Authority.
- Where an individual suspected of, charged with or convicted of an offense
that falls within Israeli criminal jurisdiction is present in the Territory,
Israel may request the Palestinian Authority to arrest and transfer the
individual to Israel.
- Requests under subparagraphs a. and b. above shall specify the grounds
for the request and shall be supported by an arrest warrant issued by a
competent court.
- Where the request is for the transfer of a suspect who is not a Palestinian
requested by the Palestinian Authority:
- the arrest warrant shall only be issued pursuant to an application
made by or on behalf of the Attorney-General, confirming that there is
reasonable evidentiary basis that the offense was committed by the suspect;
- the offense must be punishable by not less than 7 years' imprisonment
under the law of the requesting side.
- Individuals suspected of offenses punishable by less than 7 years'
imprisonment shall be interrogated by the investigating side in a facility
of the other side or at an agreed location.
- Interrogation shall take place in the presence of a police officer
of the other side.
- Upon the request of the investigating side the other side may detain
the suspect in custody pending and during the questioning.
- Where the presence of the suspect is required for an objective reason
such as confronting witnesses and identification of site, the suspect shall
be transferred for that purpose only.
- Both sides, upon receipt of a request in accordance with this Article,
shall effect the arrest and transfer requested.
- If the individual requested is detained in custody or is serving a
prison sentence, the side receiving the request may delay the transfer
to the requesting side for the duration of the detention or imprisonment.
- No person shall be transferred in respect of an offense punishable
by capital punishment unless the requesting side undertakes that capital
punishment shall not be imposed in the case.
- Both sides shall take all necessary measures to ensure that the treatment
of individuals transferred under this Article complies with the applicable
legal arrangements in Israel and in the Territory and with internationally-accepted
norms of human rights regarding criminal investigations.
- Suspects transferred under this paragraph shall have the right to be
assisted during the investigation period by an advocate of their own choice.
- Each side may, upon the request of the other side, detain, for no more
than seven days, an individual in respect of whom a request for arrest
and transfer is to be made, pending the submission of such a request.
- The transfer of foreigners by Israel to the Palestinian Authority under
this Article shall be subject to the applicable conventions to which Israel
is a party and in coordination with the foreigner's state of origin.
- Both sides may agree that an individual convicted in the courts of
one side shall serve his sentence in a prison of the other side, subject
to arrangements and conditions to be agreed between the sides.
- Assistance in the Execution of Court Orders for the Purposes of Investigation
- Israel and the Palestinian Authority shall execute orders issued by
each others' courts for the purposes of investigations (e.g., search warrants,
orders for the production of documents and seizure orders), subject to
the provisions of local law.
- Where, for the purposes of an investigation, Israel or the Palestinian
Authority requires that tests or examinations (such as fingerprinting or
blood analysis) be effected in relation to an item situated in territory
under the responsibility of the other side, that side shall effect the
tests or examinations required and transfer the results to the side conducting
the investigation. Where these results are not sufficient for the purposes
of the investigation, arrangements shall be made for the transfer of the
item to the side conducting the investigation.
- Legal Assistance in the Conduct of Judicial Proceedings
- Summons and subpoenas issued by an Israeli court in respect of defendants
and witnesses present in the Territory, shall be effected through the Palestinian
Authority which shall be responsible for the service of summons, and the
execution of subpoenas by the Palestinian Police. Subpoenas issued in respect
of an Israeli defendant or witness shall be executed by the Israeli military
forces in the presence of and with the assistance of the Palestinian Police.
- Summons or subpoenas issued by a Palestinian court in respect of defendants
and witnesses present in Israel shall be effected through the Israel Police
who shall be responsible for the service of summons and the execution of
subpoenas.
- Where the evidence of an Israeli witness is required in connection
with proceedings conducted by a Palestinian court, the evidence of the
witness shall be taken at a Palestinian court situated at an agreed location
close to one of the crossing points, and the witness shall be accompanied
by representatives of the Israeli military forces together with the Palestinian
Police.
- Where the evidence of a witness is required in connection with proceedings
conducted by a court of one side, such a request will be notified to the
authorities of the other side to summon the witness.
Article III
Civil Jurisdiction
- The Palestinian courts and judicial authorities have jurisdiction in
all civil matters, subject to this Agreement.
- Israelis conducting commercial activity in the Territory are subject
to the prevailing civil law in the Territory relating to that activity.
Nevertheless, any enforcement of judicial and administrative judgments
and orders issued against Israelis and their property shall be effected
by Israel. Israel undertakes to execute such judgments and orders within
a reasonable time.
- The Palestinian courts and judicial authorities have no jurisdiction
over civil actions in which an Israeli is a party, except for the following
cases:
- the subject matter of the action is an ongoing Israeli business situated
in the Territory (the registration of an Israeli company as a foreign company
in the Territory being evidence of the fact that it has an ongoing business
situated in the Territory);
- the subject matter of the action is real property located in the Territory;
- the Israeli party is a defendant in the action and has consented to
such jurisdiction by notice in writing to the Palestinian court or judicial
authority;
- the Israeli party is a defendant in an action the subject matter of
which is a written agreement, and the Israeli party has consented to such
jurisdiction by a specific provision in this agreement;
- the Israeli party is a plaintiff who has filed an action in the Territory.
If the defendant in the action is an Israeli, his consent to such jurisdiction
in accordance with subparagraphs c. or d. above shall be required; or
- actions concerning other matters as agreed between the Parties.
- The jurisdiction of the Palestinian courts and judicial authorities
does not cover actions against the State of Israel including its statutory
entities, organs and agents.
Article IV
Legal Assistance in Civil Matters
- Service of Legal Documents Israel and the Palestinian Authority will
be responsible, in the areas under their respective territorial responsibility,
for the service of legal documents, including subpoenas, issued by the
judicial organs under the responsibility of the other Party.
- Interim Orders
- Interim orders (e.g., temporary orders of attachment, the appointment
of a receiver, restraining orders) issued by judicial organs under the
responsibility of either Party will not have effect in the areas under
the territorial responsibility of the other Party.
- Judicial organs under the responsibility of both Parties will be authorized
to issue interim orders which shall apply in the areas under their territorial
responsibility, even in cases in which the primary action was filed with
the judicial organs under the responsibility of the other Party.
- The judicial organs of each side may issue orders restraining an individual
from travelling abroad when the order relates to a matter being tried by
that organ, subject to the relevant provisions of the domestic laws.
- Taking of evidence
Israel and the Palestinian Authority will make arrangements for taking
evidence from witnesses, when necessary, within the areas under their territorial
responsibility, when such evidence is sought in connection with proceedings
conducted by the judicial organs under the responsibility of the other
side.
- Enforcement of judgements
- Israel and the Palestinian Authority will enforce judgements rendered
by the judicial organs under the responsibility of the other Party, provided
that the judicial organ concerned had the jurisdiction to render the judgement
and further provided that the enforcement is not contrary to public policy.
The execution office under the responsibility of Israel and the Palestinian
Authority shall execute such judgements as if rendered by their own judicial
organs.
- In executing any judgement against Israelis the Palestinian execution
offices will be authorized to issue orders (e.g., attachments, receivership,
eviction) against Israeli property within the Territory.
- Orders against the freedom of Israelis (e.g., imprisonment orders,
restraining orders) shall only be issued by Israeli execution offices.
- All orders issued by execution offices against Israelis or Israeli
property within the Territory will be executed by the Israel Police with
the assistance of the Palestinian Authority, or where the Israel Police
notifies the Palestinian Authority that it has no objection, by the Palestinian
Police.
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