HCJ 5100/94 - Public Committee Against Torture in Israel et al. v. Government of Israel et al. Judgment

The HCJ ruled that the Israel Security Agency [ISA, formerly known as GSS] was not authorized to employ physical means of pressure during an interrogation of a person suspected of violent activity against the state. The HCJ banned the use of various torture methods such as "shaking", holding in the "shabah" position and "frog crouch". It further ruled that the “necessity” exception in the Penal Law does not authorize the use of such interrogation methods, but can be open to interrogators indicted for using them if the circumstances of the case meet the requirements of the exception. It was ruled that a reasonable interrogation is one without torture, cruel or inhuman or humiliating treatment of the interrogee.