The year 2006-07 marks the centennial of the founding of the American Jewish Committee. During its long history as the nation's premier human rights organization, AJC has had as one of its bedrock principles a deep commitment to the pursuit of justice. It is therefore not surprising that AJC has also had a long and distinguished history of seeking to protect and preserve the civil and religious rights not only of Jews, but of all Americans, by its presence in the courts.
Whatever the pressing issues of the day have been, AJC has been there to make sure our voice is heard in the legal process. Most recently AJC has been an active participant in the legal debate being waged in the courts as to where to draw the line between the protection of vital national security interests and the rights of individuals in a democratic society. AJC has participated as amicus curiae in three cases before the Supreme Court addressing the treatment of detainees deemed to be enemy combatants, urging that the right to counsel and due process must be preserved to insure that American values do not become casualties of the war on terror.
In honor of our centennial celebration, this edition of AJC in the Courts contains a tribute to our rich history as well as an up-to-date report of AJC's current activities in the courts.