Israeli AG says East Jerusalem land seizure plan illegal News
Israeli AG says East Jerusalem land seizure plan illegal

[JURIST] Israel's attorney general said Tuesday that he had previously been unaware of the government's secret seizure of Palestinian property in East Jerusalem under a 1950 land law. Attorney General Meni Manuz [official profile] called the plan illegal and ordered the government to halt it, arguing the law did not apply since many Palestinians were being kept from their land due to Israeli security measures. The government, which had indicated it would reconsider [JURIST report] the policy, denied that Manuz had not been informed. Under the Absentee Property Law of 1950, Israel may seize Arab lands without compensation. Israel's Haaretz has more on the government land policy, which was made public last month. Haaretz has local coverage of Manuz's statement, and BBC News has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.