Newsletter 01 Apr. 2014

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	NEWSLETTER 01 Apr. 2014 B'Tselem - The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories

Yusef a-Shawamreh, killed by IDF gunfire on 19 March 2014. Photo: 'Abed Al-Hashlamoun, EPA, October 2013.

Dear Friends,

As B’Tselem’s casualty data coordinator, I deal with cases in which Israeli security forces injure or kill Palestinians. Last month I handled four incidents in the West Bank in which a total of six Palestinians were killed, a six-year high. In two incidents soldiers fired live ammunition from ambush: at a youth throwing stones at a road and at a 14-year-old who crossed the Separation Barrier to harvest plants. Earlier this week we appealed to the High Court of Justice demanding it end the procrastination in the investigation of the Jan. 2013 death of Samir ‘Awad, a teenager also shot from ambush.

Recent months have seen more cases of soldiers firing live ammunition at people who did not pose any real danger, including fatal gunfire from ambush at individuals throwing stones or trying to enter Israel without permits. There has been a similar increase in the number of unarmed Palestinian civilians killed near the Gaza perimeter fence.

Notwithstanding the gravity of these incidents, the Israeli security establishment justifies the soldiers’ actions. In response to my letters to the MAG Corps, I’ve been informed that the MPIU is investigating the incidents. Yet, not only are such investigations ineffective, it takes the MAG Corps months and even years to make a decision regarding filing charges. Of even greater concern is that investigative authorities rarely address the responsibility of commanding officers nor do they examine the lawfulness of the orders given to the soldiers on the ground.

Sincerely yours,

Itamar Barak

Father of Palestinian youth killed by soldiers in Budrus petitions High Court to end delay in investigation

Samir ‘Awad being evacuated from the scene after being shot. Photo: 'Abd a-Nasser Murar

Ahmad ‘Awad, whose son Samir was killed by soldiers near the Separation Barrier in Budrus, petitioned the High Court of Justice together with B’Tselem to oblige the MAG to decide whether to prosecute the soldiers who killed his son. The petitioners said that every day that goes by without a decision reduces the chance of effective criminal procedures and increases harm to the rule of law and public interest in bringing offenders to justice.

On 19 Mar. 2014 soldiers killed 14-year-old Yusef a-Shawamreh as he crossed a breach in the Separation Barrier to gather plants. Security forces are well-aware that Palestinians cross at that spot for harvest purposes. B’Tselem calls on the military to bring to justice the commanders who ordered the highly questionable armed ambush.

In view of recent escalation on the Gaza-Israel border, B’Tselem reiterates that targeting civilians is prohibited and constitutes a war crime. B’Tselem demands that all parties involved in the hostilities take measures to prevent harm to civilians.

On 8 Mar. 2014 B’Tselem volunteer Shadi Sidr filmed a settler trying to take down a Palestinian flag from Sidr’s own roof. Soldiers then arrived, demanding Sidr satisfy the settler’s whim of removing the flag. B'Tselem: soldiers must safeguard Palestinians, a protected population, and most certainly not assist trespassing settlers.

International Women's Day 2014

In honor of International Women’s Day, we launched a project to highlight women’s unique perspective on human right violations in the West Bank and Gaza.

B’Tselem recorded 5 recent fatalities and 55 injuries near the Gaza perimeter fence, all of Palestinians uninvolved in hostilities. As Gazans use the area near the fence for various civilian needs, it cannot be regarded exclusively as a combat zone. The military must institute open-fire regulations that take this reality into account.