In the shadow of war: Wave of violence by security forces against Palestinians in the West Bank

21 August 2006

B'Tselem's research indicates that, since the beginning of Operation Summer Rain in the Gaza Strip, on 25 June 2006, there has been a substantial increase in cases in which soldiers and Border Police officers in the West Bank beat, abuse, and humiliate Palestinians. The increase in incidents has been particularly evident since the outbreak of the war in Lebanon. In six of the especially serious cases that B'Tselem investigation, the Palestinian victims were severely injured and humiliated and required medical treatment.

Most of the cases took place at or near checkpoints, primarily in the northern West Bank, and resulted from the increased severity in restrictions on movement, which aggravated the friction between soldiers and the local population. However, there are indications that the events in Lebanon and Gaza also played a role. Information obtained by B'Tselem indicates that the extensive casualties that Hizbullah caused among Israeli civilians and soldiers aggravated the rage and frustration of security forces, which they released by their aggressive, abusive, and humiliating treatment of Palestinians. Also, with the public's attention almost completely drawn to events in Lebanon, and in Gaza to a lesser extent, the security forces in the West Bank presumably thought they would not be held accountable for violent and abusive treatment of Palestinians.

B'Tselem has written to the judge advocate general and to the Department for the Investigation of Police, in the Ministry of Justice, demanding that they immediately open investigations into these cases. The organization also called on the chief-of-staff and the minister of defense to issue a firm and unambiguous order to soldiers and officers that it is forbidden to beat, abuse, or humiliate Palestinians, and that violators will be severely punished.

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