In the retrial a year later, the US government secured the convictions it sought thanks to testimony from “Avi” and a series of controversial documents provided by the IDF.

During cross-examination in the retrial, Holy Land counsel Joshua Dratel challenged “Avi”: And there is no way that we could do any research on you or your writings, or your work, or who you are, or your credentials. Right? Because we don’t know your real name.”

“Avi” responded, “Only what you heard here, yes. You cannot research me. That is correct.”

The unconstitutional Israeli tactics helped send all five defendants away on long prison terms. Two of the defendants, Shukri Baker and Ghassan Elashi, received 65 year sentences.

Now, in the Muhtadi case, a judge has authorized the ploy all over again to convict a Palestinian in a US court.