Israeli Prosecutor Blocks Exile Plans

Israeli officials, faced with an international outcry and a definitive ruling by the attorney general, acknowledged Sunday that they couldn’t legally deport relatives of suicide bombers unless they were directly linked to attacks. Meanwhile, a bomb exploded beneath a passenger train in central Israel, injuring the driver.

On Friday, Israeli officials had said they were considering deportation to the Gaza Strip for 21 people arrested in West Bank raids who were relatives of suspects in attacks last week that killed 12 Israelis.

The threat generated international condemnation and cries of collective punishment from the Palestinians.

Amnesty International and Palestinian and Israeli human rights groups said the proposal was a violation of international law. U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said “self-defense cannot justify measures that amount to collective punishments.”

Even Israel’s closest ally, the United States, warned against deporting anyone based solely on their family relations.

On Sunday, Atty. Gen. Elyakim Rubinstein’s office issued a statement saying deportation could be considered only for people “directly involved” in attacks.

The 21 militants’ relatives arrested Friday were being investigated to see if any fit Rubinstein’s criterion.

Police said the bomb planted on the railroad tracks in the central town of Yavne that wounded the driver of a passing train was set off by remote control and weighed about 10 pounds.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.