Eichmann Trial -- Sessions 6, 7 and 8 -- Opening speech of Attorney General

Sessions 6, 7 and 8. The beginning of this tape repeats the contents of Tape 2009 (at 00:33:51) where the Court is in recess. Eichmann enters the glass booth, and passes paper to his attorneys. The Judges enter the courtroom, and Judge Landau opens the sixth session of the trial. Judge Landau announces Decision 3, in which he addresses Dr. Servatius's two preliminary concerns. There is a blip during Landau's opening comments at 00:04:36. Regarding the validity and objectivity of the court, the Judges find: "While on the bench a judge does not cease to be flesh and blood, possessed of emotions and impulses. However, he is required by law to subdue these emotions and impulses when this case is brought before us, we are obliged to overcome emotions while sitting judgment." As to the jurisdiction issue, the Judges find: "We have come to the conclusion that Defense Counsel's objections should be dismissed. The source of our authority to deal with this case is to be found in the [Nazis and Nazi Collaborators (Punishment) Law 5710-1950]." The Judges also dismiss the use of "Acts of State" as it contradicts the Court's jurisdiction. Furthermore, the circumstances of Eichmann's extradition are declared irrelevant as the Court has jurisdiction to try the case. Lastly, the Judges declare it unnecessary to hear either Mr. Zvi Tohar or Mr. Jack Shimoni, two witnesses involved with Eichmann's capture, as the circumstances surrounding Eichmann's extradition were deemed irrelevant. When the recitation is complete, Judge Landau asks the Accused to stand and officially requests Eichmann's plea on all fifteen counts. To each count, Eichmann replies, "In the sense of the indictment, No." There is a blip at the end of the plea hearing at 00:20:10. Attorney General Gideon Hausner begins his opening speech. After an editing blip at 00:35:14, the story jumps forward to Section IV of Hausner's speech. Hausner discusses the Final Solution. He asserts that the Prosecution will prove the "designee [for the 'special handling group'] of the RSHA was Adolf Eichmann, and we shall also prove that the meaning of 'special handling' was-murder." Following another editing blip at 00:37:10, the tape skips to Hausner discussing Eichmann's activities as head of the 'special treatment' division: "He looked on as gold teeth were extracted from the mouths of his dead victims. He inspected the system of extermination by means of cars expelling gas from their exhausts in that early phase of mass killings." There is a blip at 00:40:57 where NBC changes tape reels and an anonymous man states, "at 3:40, we will feed you the second tape."