Activists: Israel State Archives Buries History to Save Government From Shame
Documents that shed light on difficult events in the state’s history are still classified, years after the period of restriction expired, activist group that documents Israeli-Palestinian conflict says.
Ofer Aderet May 22, 2016
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Earlier this year, for example, they say they tried to access files compiled by a committee examining the 1990 riots on the Temple Mount, when 17 Palestinians were killed by Israeli police officers. The archives allegedly refused to provide the documents, giving no reason, even though 25 years had passed since the incidents.
They were also reportedly denied access after requesting documents from 1948-1949 relating to Israeli Arabs, even though restrictions had long been lifted on the files. After the activists insisted, the file was described as classified – although no reason was provided. This also happened when they activists tried to access files labeled “Occupied territories,” from 1967-1968. They were told the files were closed due to security considerations and will only be reopened in 2019.