Harm to palestinians suspected of collaborating with Israel - 1 June 2006: Extra-judicial execution is a war crime

Yesterday, 30 May, members of the al-Aqsa Brigades executed two Palestinians in the Balata refugee camp, Nablus District. The two were suspected of providing information to Israel that was used to attack and kill one of the organization's members. B'Tselem severely condemns the execution. The taking of life on grounds of a suspicion against the person is a violation of basic principles of law and morality. It is a severe breach of the four Geneva conventions and is defined as a war crime by the statute of the International Criminal Court. These principles apply to every country, organization, and person, whether or not they are an official party to these instruments.

Under international law, a person may be punished only after being accused of a recognized criminal offense and following conviction at the culmination of a fair trial, in which the person is given the opportunity to properly defend himself.

B'Tselem urges Palestinian organizations to immediately stop abducting and executing suspected collaborators, and to condemn the actions of those who acted in their names.

B'Tselem urges the Palestinian Authority to ensure the safety of persons who have been detained on suspicion of collaboration with Israel , and to protect them from abduction by unauthorized groups. Where there are grounds to believe that the suspected collaborator committed a crime, the Palestinian Authority has the right to detain and prosecute the suspect, all in accordance with the rules of due process.

Also, B'Tselem urges the Israeli government to refrain from using improper pressure to force Palestinians to collaborate. Israel recruits Palestinian by taking advantage of their financial distress, by promises of favors or immunity from prosecution on criminal offenses. Especially grave is the practice of taking advantage of collaborators to carry out or assist in doing acts forbidden by international law.