21 may 2014
The 39-year old freed prisoner Rami Kayed Shkeirat passed away due to exposure to a stroke nearly a month after being released.
The freed prisoner had spent 15 months in the prison of Bi’er Sheva as he was arrested on charges of an attempt to run over Israeli soldiers in Jabal Al-Mukabber police station at the end of 2012. The soldiers opened fire at Rami and injured him and he was then transferred to the hospital for treatment while being under arrest; note that he was only released 20 days ago.
The freed prisoner had spent 15 months in the prison of Bi’er Sheva as he was arrested on charges of an attempt to run over Israeli soldiers in Jabal Al-Mukabber police station at the end of 2012. The soldiers opened fire at Rami and injured him and he was then transferred to the hospital for treatment while being under arrest; note that he was only released 20 days ago.
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Wednesday brushed off world criticism and demands for an investigation into the deaths of two Palestinian youths killed by Israeli forces last week.
"I reject any demand" for an international investigation, he told reporters on a tour of the West Bank settlement of Ariel.
"Such an incident will be investigated regardless of any demand," he remarked, denouncing world criticism of the incident as "hypocrisy."
His remarks came a day after calls by Washington and a top UN official for an immediate investigation into the circumstances of the two deaths after video footage emerged which appeared to show the shooting was unprovoked.
The closed-circuit footage, released on Wednesday by the NGOs Defense For Children International and B'Tselem, show separate incidents in which two youngsters were shot as they walked down the same street near Ramallah as Palestinians marked the 66th anniversary of the Nakba or "catastrophe" of being driven from their homes during Israel's creation.
Although clashes were taking place in the area on that day, there is no visible evidence of ongoing unrest in the footage.
The Palestinian leadership accused Israel of their "deliberate execution."
But the Israeli army dismissed the footage as having been "edited," and said it was investigating the incident.
Late on Wednesday, US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Washington expected the Israeli government "to conduct a prompt and transparent investigation to determine the facts surrounding this incident."
And Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, assistant UN secretary general for political affairs, called for an "independent and transparent" probe.
He said it was "of serious concern that initial information appears to indicate that the two Palestinians killed were both unarmed and appeared to pose no direct threat."
But Lieberman brushed off such calls.
"We don't need an American demand" to launch an investigation, he said.
"We will do it as part our commitment to the Israeli army's moral code."
Israel has said that border police were operating in the area at the time to try to quell a violent demonstration by about 150 Palestinians, and denies using live bullets.
But Palestinians say the youths were unarmed and posed no threat, accusing Israel of using "excessive and indiscriminate violence."
In a separate development, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees on Wednesday published figures showing "a sharp increase" in the number of Palestinian refugees killed and injured by Israeli forces since the beginning of 2013.
According to UNRWA, there has also been a big increase in the numbers of those injured by live ammunition in 2014, with 43 wounded this year compared with 10 in the same period in 2013.
Lieberman refuses to probe cold-blooded killing of two Palestinian minors
Israel's prime minister Avigdor Lieberman has refused the US administration's request to investigate into the videotaped cold-blooded killing of two Palestinian minors by Israeli soldiers on May 15 during Nakba Day protests near Ofer prison in Ramallah.
"We have no need for an American demand to investigate what happened," Lieberman said during a visit to Ariel University in the West Bank, describing the Israeli army as the most ethical army in the world.
Lieberman deplored the US request to investigate the incident. "I regret that these demands do not come out in other cases. In Syria, close to 170,000 people have been killed, and I did not see any action by the international community to investigate the murders."
US state department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Tuesday that her office asked the Israeli government for additional information about the videotaped incident and whether the soldiers’ use of lethal force was justifiable.
A video recording of the incident was released recently showing two Palestinian boys were shot dead by Israeli sniper on Thursday near Ofer prison in Beitunia town in occupied West Bank.
"I reject any demand" for an international investigation, he told reporters on a tour of the West Bank settlement of Ariel.
"Such an incident will be investigated regardless of any demand," he remarked, denouncing world criticism of the incident as "hypocrisy."
His remarks came a day after calls by Washington and a top UN official for an immediate investigation into the circumstances of the two deaths after video footage emerged which appeared to show the shooting was unprovoked.
The closed-circuit footage, released on Wednesday by the NGOs Defense For Children International and B'Tselem, show separate incidents in which two youngsters were shot as they walked down the same street near Ramallah as Palestinians marked the 66th anniversary of the Nakba or "catastrophe" of being driven from their homes during Israel's creation.
Although clashes were taking place in the area on that day, there is no visible evidence of ongoing unrest in the footage.
The Palestinian leadership accused Israel of their "deliberate execution."
But the Israeli army dismissed the footage as having been "edited," and said it was investigating the incident.
Late on Wednesday, US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Washington expected the Israeli government "to conduct a prompt and transparent investigation to determine the facts surrounding this incident."
And Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, assistant UN secretary general for political affairs, called for an "independent and transparent" probe.
He said it was "of serious concern that initial information appears to indicate that the two Palestinians killed were both unarmed and appeared to pose no direct threat."
But Lieberman brushed off such calls.
"We don't need an American demand" to launch an investigation, he said.
"We will do it as part our commitment to the Israeli army's moral code."
Israel has said that border police were operating in the area at the time to try to quell a violent demonstration by about 150 Palestinians, and denies using live bullets.
But Palestinians say the youths were unarmed and posed no threat, accusing Israel of using "excessive and indiscriminate violence."
In a separate development, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees on Wednesday published figures showing "a sharp increase" in the number of Palestinian refugees killed and injured by Israeli forces since the beginning of 2013.
According to UNRWA, there has also been a big increase in the numbers of those injured by live ammunition in 2014, with 43 wounded this year compared with 10 in the same period in 2013.
Lieberman refuses to probe cold-blooded killing of two Palestinian minors
Israel's prime minister Avigdor Lieberman has refused the US administration's request to investigate into the videotaped cold-blooded killing of two Palestinian minors by Israeli soldiers on May 15 during Nakba Day protests near Ofer prison in Ramallah.
"We have no need for an American demand to investigate what happened," Lieberman said during a visit to Ariel University in the West Bank, describing the Israeli army as the most ethical army in the world.
Lieberman deplored the US request to investigate the incident. "I regret that these demands do not come out in other cases. In Syria, close to 170,000 people have been killed, and I did not see any action by the international community to investigate the murders."
US state department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Tuesday that her office asked the Israeli government for additional information about the videotaped incident and whether the soldiers’ use of lethal force was justifiable.
A video recording of the incident was released recently showing two Palestinian boys were shot dead by Israeli sniper on Thursday near Ofer prison in Beitunia town in occupied West Bank.
The US State Department on Tuesday called on Israel to investigate the killing of two Palestinian teenagers on May 15.
"We look to the Government of Israel to conduct a prompt and transparent investigation to determine the facts surrounding this incident, including whether or not the use of force was proportional to the threat posed by the demonstrators," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters.
"We express, of course, our condolences to the families of those deceased and urge all parties to exercise restraint," Psaki said during a press briefing in Washington.
The comments come after video footage emerged that seemed to show the deaths of 15-year-old Muhammad Audah Abu al-Thahir and 17-year-old Nadim Siyam Nuwarah during a demonstration near Ramallah on the anniversary of the Nakba.
Rights groups and the PLO have said the boys were killed without posing a threat to the Israeli military, and that their deaths could amount to war crimes.
"We are closely following this incident in the video. We're seeking additional information from the Government of Israel, so we certainly have been in touch," Psaki said.
"We look to the Government of Israel to conduct a prompt and transparent investigation to determine the facts surrounding this incident, including whether or not the use of force was proportional to the threat posed by the demonstrators," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters.
"We express, of course, our condolences to the families of those deceased and urge all parties to exercise restraint," Psaki said during a press briefing in Washington.
The comments come after video footage emerged that seemed to show the deaths of 15-year-old Muhammad Audah Abu al-Thahir and 17-year-old Nadim Siyam Nuwarah during a demonstration near Ramallah on the anniversary of the Nakba.
Rights groups and the PLO have said the boys were killed without posing a threat to the Israeli military, and that their deaths could amount to war crimes.
"We are closely following this incident in the video. We're seeking additional information from the Government of Israel, so we certainly have been in touch," Psaki said.
Israeli border guards fire tear gas canisters during clashes with Palestinian protesters marking the 66th anniversary of the Nakba on May 15, 2014, near the controversial Israeli barrier in the West Bank village of al-Walajah
A senior Palestinian official on Tuesday accused Israel of the "deliberate execution" of two Palestinian teenagers shot dead by border policemen in a clash in the West Bank last week.
"In the strongest possible terms, we condemn the deliberate execution of two Palestinian teenagers who were fatally shot with live ammunition outside Ofer prison last week," the PLO's Hanan Ashrawi said in a statement.
"Both boys were unarmed and posed no direct or immediate threat."
"Israel's use of excessive and indiscriminate violence and live ammunition at non-violent Palestinian demonstrations constitutes war crimes and crimes against humanity under international law," she said.
A senior UN official called on Israel to carry out an "independent and transparent" investigation into the death of the teenagers.
Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, the assistant UN secretary general for political affairs, also urged Israel to ensure that troops "strictly respect" guidelines on the use of force and firearms.
The military said at the time that the border police had used "anti-riot means and rubber bullets" against a violent demonstration by about 150 Palestinians.
Defense for Children International Palestine has released what it said was CCTV footage showing the deaths of 15-year-old Muhammad Audah Abu al-Thahir and 17-year-old Nadim Siyam Nuwarah during Thursday's demonstration near the prison.
The protest was to mark the 66th anniversary of the Nakba -- or "catastrophe" -- that occurred when Zionist militias drove out thousands of Palestinians from their homes and others fled in the conflict surrounding Israel's creation in 1948.
The video is interspersed with an account of events by a Palestinian man.
An Israeli army spokesman told AFP that video footage purporting to show the two being killed without provocation on Thursday had been doctored, a claim shared by the defense minister.
"That film was edited and does not reflect the reality of the day in question; the violence," Major Arye Shalicar, an Israeli army spokesman, told AFP.
The border police contingent was under the army's command at the time.
"As part of our enquiry we have investigated whether there was live fire and we have not found that there was live fire," he said. "We are continuing with our investigation."
Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon also spoke of doctored images and told journalists that Thursday's incident was "violent, during which stones and petrol bombs were thrown at police who, feeling threatened, acted as they should have."
But Israeli rights group B'Tselem rejected the army's version and said late Tuesday that two other Palestinians aged 15 and 23 were also hit by live fire outside Ofer prison and wounded.
'Killing was willful'
B'Tselem said it had obtained video footage from four security cameras in the area showing that four Palestinians were shot last week by Israeli troops.
It said it had "strong evidence that live ammunition was used (by the army) and that the fire hit the upper torsos of all four victims."
"The investigation, compounded by security camera footage of the incident, indicates that the circumstances of the incident in no way justified use of live fire. These findings raise grave suspicion that the killing was willful."
Amnesty International has denounced the army's "excessive" use of force in the Ofer incident.
"The Israeli army and border police used excessive, including lethal, force in response to rock-throwing protesters who could not have posed a threat to the lives of the soldiers and policemen in or near the fortified military camp," the rights watchdog said last week.
A senior Palestinian official on Tuesday accused Israel of the "deliberate execution" of two Palestinian teenagers shot dead by border policemen in a clash in the West Bank last week.
"In the strongest possible terms, we condemn the deliberate execution of two Palestinian teenagers who were fatally shot with live ammunition outside Ofer prison last week," the PLO's Hanan Ashrawi said in a statement.
"Both boys were unarmed and posed no direct or immediate threat."
"Israel's use of excessive and indiscriminate violence and live ammunition at non-violent Palestinian demonstrations constitutes war crimes and crimes against humanity under international law," she said.
A senior UN official called on Israel to carry out an "independent and transparent" investigation into the death of the teenagers.
Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, the assistant UN secretary general for political affairs, also urged Israel to ensure that troops "strictly respect" guidelines on the use of force and firearms.
The military said at the time that the border police had used "anti-riot means and rubber bullets" against a violent demonstration by about 150 Palestinians.
Defense for Children International Palestine has released what it said was CCTV footage showing the deaths of 15-year-old Muhammad Audah Abu al-Thahir and 17-year-old Nadim Siyam Nuwarah during Thursday's demonstration near the prison.
The protest was to mark the 66th anniversary of the Nakba -- or "catastrophe" -- that occurred when Zionist militias drove out thousands of Palestinians from their homes and others fled in the conflict surrounding Israel's creation in 1948.
The video is interspersed with an account of events by a Palestinian man.
An Israeli army spokesman told AFP that video footage purporting to show the two being killed without provocation on Thursday had been doctored, a claim shared by the defense minister.
"That film was edited and does not reflect the reality of the day in question; the violence," Major Arye Shalicar, an Israeli army spokesman, told AFP.
The border police contingent was under the army's command at the time.
"As part of our enquiry we have investigated whether there was live fire and we have not found that there was live fire," he said. "We are continuing with our investigation."
Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon also spoke of doctored images and told journalists that Thursday's incident was "violent, during which stones and petrol bombs were thrown at police who, feeling threatened, acted as they should have."
But Israeli rights group B'Tselem rejected the army's version and said late Tuesday that two other Palestinians aged 15 and 23 were also hit by live fire outside Ofer prison and wounded.
'Killing was willful'
B'Tselem said it had obtained video footage from four security cameras in the area showing that four Palestinians were shot last week by Israeli troops.
It said it had "strong evidence that live ammunition was used (by the army) and that the fire hit the upper torsos of all four victims."
"The investigation, compounded by security camera footage of the incident, indicates that the circumstances of the incident in no way justified use of live fire. These findings raise grave suspicion that the killing was willful."
Amnesty International has denounced the army's "excessive" use of force in the Ofer incident.
"The Israeli army and border police used excessive, including lethal, force in response to rock-throwing protesters who could not have posed a threat to the lives of the soldiers and policemen in or near the fortified military camp," the rights watchdog said last week.
20 may 2014
Ten years ago, the Israeli Shin Bet assassinated a prominent Hamas leader in the West Bank through poisoning his food , two veteran Israeli journalists disclosed. The Israeli radio said Tuesday that the Israeli journalists Yossi Melman, Dan Raviv released , recently, a new book in the US revealing that Israel failed to kill that leader by using heavy guns so it poisoned his food.
The journalists kept the identity of this Palestinian anonymous, explaining that the operation took place after the failed attempt to poison Khaled Meshal, head of Hamas political bureau, back in 1997.
The book is an updated version of their series Shadow Wars issued in 2012.
The journalists kept the identity of this Palestinian anonymous, explaining that the operation took place after the failed attempt to poison Khaled Meshal, head of Hamas political bureau, back in 1997.
The book is an updated version of their series Shadow Wars issued in 2012.
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Image from video showing killing of two youth
A newly-released surveillance video showing the killing of two teenage boys, age 16 and 17, by Israeli troops during a demonstration last week contradicts Israeli accounts of the incident. While the Israeli government claimed that the boys were throwing stones, the video clearly shows that neither they nor any other youth were throwing stones at the time the shots were fired. They were in the same area where a protest had been taking place, outside of Ofer Prison to mark the occasion of the Nakba, or Catastrophe, on May 15th (the day the state of Israel declared independence and |
established itself as a state on what had been Palestine). But at the time of the shooting of the two boys, the protest was in a lull.
The video shows one boy walking slowly, by himself, with no one around him and no protesters nearby, then falling to the ground with a fatal gunshot wound. A few minutes later, the second child is walking slowly, in nearly the same spot, when he , too, falls to the ground from a gunshot wound.
The victims of the shooting were identified as 17-year-old Nadim Siam Nuwara, and 16-year-old Muhammad Mahmoud Odeh Abu al-Thahir.
According to Defence for Children International, which obtained and released the video footage, the CCTV footage was captured by cameras mounted on the building where the incident took place, which is owned by Fakher Zayed.
“The images captured on video show unlawful killings where neither child presented a direct and immediate threat to life at the time of their shooting,” said Rifat Kassis, executive director of DCI-Palestine. “These acts by Israeli soldiers may amount to war crimes, and the Israeli authorities must conduct serious, impartial, and thorough investigations to hold the perpetrators accountable for their crimes.”
Israeli officials made no comment on the new video footage.
The video shows one boy walking slowly, by himself, with no one around him and no protesters nearby, then falling to the ground with a fatal gunshot wound. A few minutes later, the second child is walking slowly, in nearly the same spot, when he , too, falls to the ground from a gunshot wound.
The victims of the shooting were identified as 17-year-old Nadim Siam Nuwara, and 16-year-old Muhammad Mahmoud Odeh Abu al-Thahir.
According to Defence for Children International, which obtained and released the video footage, the CCTV footage was captured by cameras mounted on the building where the incident took place, which is owned by Fakher Zayed.
“The images captured on video show unlawful killings where neither child presented a direct and immediate threat to life at the time of their shooting,” said Rifat Kassis, executive director of DCI-Palestine. “These acts by Israeli soldiers may amount to war crimes, and the Israeli authorities must conduct serious, impartial, and thorough investigations to hold the perpetrators accountable for their crimes.”
Israeli officials made no comment on the new video footage.
17 may 2014
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The friends and classmates of a youth slain by Israeli soldiers during Nakba Day protests earlier this week held vigils to honor his memory in the central West Bank city of Ramallah on Friday.
Crowds gathered to pay tribute to the life of 15-year-old Nadim Siyam Nuwara at Saint George's High School, at the headquarters of the First Ramallah Group scouting organization where he was a member, and at Manara square in the city center. Mourners held up pictures of Nadim in school and scout activities, and lit candles in his memory. Saif Shomali, a friend of Nadim's who took part in a vigil, said that Nadim was a big fan of sports and a top athlete, and that he was a popular gymnast and a basketball player at his school. |
Mohammed Obeido 70
A 70-year-old Palestinian man died of heart attack during an Israeli occupation forces’ raid on his home in al-Khalil city at dawn Saturday. Amjad Obeida, a relative of the old man Mohammed Obeido, 70, told the PIC that IOF soldiers “savagely” broke into the “martyr’s home at 0200 in the morning causing panic amid all those present in the house”.
He said that the soldiers were looking for Mohammed’s son Mazen, adding that a scuffle broke out between the old man and the soldiers causing him a heart attack.
He added that Mohammed fainted as a result then later died.
For her part, Mohammed’s widow said that the soldiers kept on knocking on the door and when they entered they argued with Mohammed then violently pushed him without caring about his old age and health condition, leading to his instant death.
A 70-year-old Palestinian man died of heart attack during an Israeli occupation forces’ raid on his home in al-Khalil city at dawn Saturday. Amjad Obeida, a relative of the old man Mohammed Obeido, 70, told the PIC that IOF soldiers “savagely” broke into the “martyr’s home at 0200 in the morning causing panic amid all those present in the house”.
He said that the soldiers were looking for Mohammed’s son Mazen, adding that a scuffle broke out between the old man and the soldiers causing him a heart attack.
He added that Mohammed fainted as a result then later died.
For her part, Mohammed’s widow said that the soldiers kept on knocking on the door and when they entered they argued with Mohammed then violently pushed him without caring about his old age and health condition, leading to his instant death.
Spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, Mr Iyad Buzum
The interior ministry formed a committee to investigate the border police’s use of force against journalists and citizens who approached the border fence in Nakba protest. Spokesman for the ministry, Mr Iyad Buzum, said Friday in a statement that the committee will start probing into the incident on Saturday to find out what happened and bring the offenders to account.
"We admit when we make mistakes and do not accept injustice whatever its source is; we promise to be always biased to the right and be at your side and live up to your good expectations,” Buzum said.
The interior minister, Dr Fathi Hammad, is a member of the committee, according to the spokesman.
Head of the Border Forces Jamal al-Jarrah said in a facebook post that "there is no justification whatsoever for the assault on journalists," stressing that it is the duty of the security forces to protect journalists, not to attack them.
Palestinian youths of “Intifada Youth Coalition” moved in tens to the eastern border of Gaza City in a protest to commemorate the 66th anniversary of Nakba and were faced by a police crackdown as they approached the fence.
The interior ministry formed a committee to investigate the border police’s use of force against journalists and citizens who approached the border fence in Nakba protest. Spokesman for the ministry, Mr Iyad Buzum, said Friday in a statement that the committee will start probing into the incident on Saturday to find out what happened and bring the offenders to account.
"We admit when we make mistakes and do not accept injustice whatever its source is; we promise to be always biased to the right and be at your side and live up to your good expectations,” Buzum said.
The interior minister, Dr Fathi Hammad, is a member of the committee, according to the spokesman.
Head of the Border Forces Jamal al-Jarrah said in a facebook post that "there is no justification whatsoever for the assault on journalists," stressing that it is the duty of the security forces to protect journalists, not to attack them.
Palestinian youths of “Intifada Youth Coalition” moved in tens to the eastern border of Gaza City in a protest to commemorate the 66th anniversary of Nakba and were faced by a police crackdown as they approached the fence.
16 may 2014
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Thousands of Palestinians turned out on Friday to bury two youths killed by Israeli soldiers a day earlier during protests to commemorate the 66th anniversary of the Nakba, or "catastrophe," of the expulsion of 750,000 Palestinians in 1948.
The bodies of Nadim Siyam Nuwara, 15, and Muhammad Audah Abu al-Thahir, 17, were brought to their final resting place in the villages of Abu Shukheidim and al-Mazraa al-Qibliya in the hills north of Ramallah. The two youths were shot directly in the chest while protesting near Israel's Ofer prison, located in the central West Bank near Ramallah. The funeral ceremony for the pair was held in the Petrol neighborhood between the two villages, where thousands prayed beside their bodies. |
The funeral march began at the Palestine Medical Complex where the two were pronounced dead by medical officials the day before.
Thousands attended the march waving flags for both Hamas and Fatah, the two largest Palestinian political parties, and calling for "revenge for the blood of the martyrs."
Following prayers, funeral processions set forth towards the youths' respective hometowns, where they were laid to rest in burial plots.
As their bodies were lowered into the ground, a speaker called upon the crowd to ensure that the "blood of the youths not be wasted," and stressing the need for national unity to "respond to the crimes of the Israeli occupation."
Speakers at the funeral called for the "need to expand the scope of the Palestinian resistance" in response to the "assassination of these two young boys" and calling for the "world to intervene by condemning the crimes of the Israeli occupation.
Nuwara and al-Thahir were shot dead during clashes that broke out near Ofer prison on Thursday, following protests in commemoration of the displacement by Zionist militias of the majority of Palestinians from their homes in what became Israel in 1948.
Earlier reports gave older ages for the slain protesters, but Dr. Samir Saliba, head of the emergency department at Ramallah Hospital, told AP on Thursday evening that the two were younger than earlier reported.
Israel has killed over 60 Palestinians since last July.
Thousands attended the march waving flags for both Hamas and Fatah, the two largest Palestinian political parties, and calling for "revenge for the blood of the martyrs."
Following prayers, funeral processions set forth towards the youths' respective hometowns, where they were laid to rest in burial plots.
As their bodies were lowered into the ground, a speaker called upon the crowd to ensure that the "blood of the youths not be wasted," and stressing the need for national unity to "respond to the crimes of the Israeli occupation."
Speakers at the funeral called for the "need to expand the scope of the Palestinian resistance" in response to the "assassination of these two young boys" and calling for the "world to intervene by condemning the crimes of the Israeli occupation.
Nuwara and al-Thahir were shot dead during clashes that broke out near Ofer prison on Thursday, following protests in commemoration of the displacement by Zionist militias of the majority of Palestinians from their homes in what became Israel in 1948.
Earlier reports gave older ages for the slain protesters, but Dr. Samir Saliba, head of the emergency department at Ramallah Hospital, told AP on Thursday evening that the two were younger than earlier reported.
Israel has killed over 60 Palestinians since last July.
Israeli forces have displayed continuing recklessness in their use of force against Palestinian protesters when they killed a young man and a teenager, and injured others, during a crackdown on demonstrations to commemorate the Nakba in the occupied West Bank today, said Amnesty International.
The killings occurred in a demonstration outside Ofer military camp. As well as commemorating the Nakba (the dispossession of Palestinians in 1948), the demonstrators were expressing solidarity with around 125 Palestinian detainees who are being held by Israel without charge and have been on hunger strike for 22 days to protest their detention conditions.
The Israeli army and border police used excessive, including lethal, force in response to rock-throwing protesters who could not have posed a threat to the lives of the soldiers and policemen in or near the fortified military camp.
"The news that two Palestinians were killed during today's demonstrations is alarming. Israeli forces have repeatedly resorted to extreme violence to respond to Palestinian protests against Israel's occupation, discriminatory policies, confiscation of land and construction of unlawful settlements. The use of unnecessary and excessive force by Israeli forces against protesters in the occupied Palestinian territories, and in Israel, is unacceptable and must be stopped immediately," said Philip Luther, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Amnesty International.
"The Israeli authorities must ensure that their forces act in a manner that respects and upholds human rights. Amnesty International is calling for a prompt, independent, and transparent investigation into these deaths and injuries."
Amnesty International documented the repeated use of excessive force and unlawful killings of dozens of Palestinian civilians, including children, in the occupied West Bank over the past three years in its report Trigger Happy: Israel's excessive use of force in the West Bank, released in February 2014.
Israel must uphold its obligations under international law to respect the right to life by adhering strictly to international standards on the use of force by law enforcement officials, and guarantee the right of Palestinians to peaceful assembly. They must also ensure the rights of victims of human rights violations, and their families, to full reparation.
The killings occurred in a demonstration outside Ofer military camp. As well as commemorating the Nakba (the dispossession of Palestinians in 1948), the demonstrators were expressing solidarity with around 125 Palestinian detainees who are being held by Israel without charge and have been on hunger strike for 22 days to protest their detention conditions.
The Israeli army and border police used excessive, including lethal, force in response to rock-throwing protesters who could not have posed a threat to the lives of the soldiers and policemen in or near the fortified military camp.
"The news that two Palestinians were killed during today's demonstrations is alarming. Israeli forces have repeatedly resorted to extreme violence to respond to Palestinian protests against Israel's occupation, discriminatory policies, confiscation of land and construction of unlawful settlements. The use of unnecessary and excessive force by Israeli forces against protesters in the occupied Palestinian territories, and in Israel, is unacceptable and must be stopped immediately," said Philip Luther, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Amnesty International.
"The Israeli authorities must ensure that their forces act in a manner that respects and upholds human rights. Amnesty International is calling for a prompt, independent, and transparent investigation into these deaths and injuries."
Amnesty International documented the repeated use of excessive force and unlawful killings of dozens of Palestinian civilians, including children, in the occupied West Bank over the past three years in its report Trigger Happy: Israel's excessive use of force in the West Bank, released in February 2014.
Israel must uphold its obligations under international law to respect the right to life by adhering strictly to international standards on the use of force by law enforcement officials, and guarantee the right of Palestinians to peaceful assembly. They must also ensure the rights of victims of human rights violations, and their families, to full reparation.
US Secretary of State John Kerry Thursday met with Israel's chief peace negotiator Tzipi Livni in London, just weeks after his relentless bid to broker a treaty with the Palestinians came screeching to a halt.
US officials confirmed that the top American diplomat had held surprise talks with Israeli Justice Minister Livni, as they took advantage of both being in London at the same time for different meetings.
Kerry voiced concern after two Palestinians were shot dead by Israeli forces Thursday during a protest outside the Ofer prison near Ramallah, on the West Bank.
Kerry "again urges both sides to refrain from unhelpful steps," a senior State Department official said in a statement.
"He is concerned about the violent incident that took place today outside the Ofer prison and calls upon both sides to exercise maximum restraint."
Kerry met Livni after holding talks on Wednesday in the British capital with Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas in the wake of the collapse last month of the peace process.
The State Department official said he and Livni both happened to be in London "and it provided an opportunity for them to catch up since the pause in the negotiations."
Kerry gave Livni the same message as he had stressed to Abbas -- that the fate of the talks lies in the hands of the Israelis and Palestinians.
"While the door remains open to peace, the parties must determine whether they are willing to take the steps necessary to resume negotiations," the US official said.
Kerry had also reiterated to Abbas on Wednesday that any Palestinian government must recognize Israel and commit to non-violence.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague later tweeted to confirm he had also met with Livni for talks on the peace process, urging that the "opportunity for peace must be seized."
Kerry coaxed the Israelis and the Palestinians back to the negotiating table in July 2013 after a three-year hiatus, and both sides agreed to keep talking for nine months.
But the April 29 deadline expired with the peace process in disarray, forcing Kerry and his team to declare a "pause" in the negotiations.
In more violence in the region, Israeli border police shot dead two Palestinians on Thursday during a demonstration in the West Bank marking the 66th anniversary of the Nakba, or "catastrophe" of Israel's creation in 1948 and the expulsion of 750,000 Palestinians it entailed.
The shooting triggered a warning from the Palestinians that they may "seriously consider a halt to security coordination with the Israeli side," Palestinian security spokesman Adnan al-Damiri told AFP.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meanwhile on Thursday accused the Palestinians of teaching their children that Israel "should be made to disappear."
The Israeli answer was to "continue building our country and our unified capital, Jerusalem," said the right-wing premier.
Jerusalem has been under Israeli occupation since 1967, along with the rest of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
US officials confirmed that the top American diplomat had held surprise talks with Israeli Justice Minister Livni, as they took advantage of both being in London at the same time for different meetings.
Kerry voiced concern after two Palestinians were shot dead by Israeli forces Thursday during a protest outside the Ofer prison near Ramallah, on the West Bank.
Kerry "again urges both sides to refrain from unhelpful steps," a senior State Department official said in a statement.
"He is concerned about the violent incident that took place today outside the Ofer prison and calls upon both sides to exercise maximum restraint."
Kerry met Livni after holding talks on Wednesday in the British capital with Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas in the wake of the collapse last month of the peace process.
The State Department official said he and Livni both happened to be in London "and it provided an opportunity for them to catch up since the pause in the negotiations."
Kerry gave Livni the same message as he had stressed to Abbas -- that the fate of the talks lies in the hands of the Israelis and Palestinians.
"While the door remains open to peace, the parties must determine whether they are willing to take the steps necessary to resume negotiations," the US official said.
Kerry had also reiterated to Abbas on Wednesday that any Palestinian government must recognize Israel and commit to non-violence.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague later tweeted to confirm he had also met with Livni for talks on the peace process, urging that the "opportunity for peace must be seized."
Kerry coaxed the Israelis and the Palestinians back to the negotiating table in July 2013 after a three-year hiatus, and both sides agreed to keep talking for nine months.
But the April 29 deadline expired with the peace process in disarray, forcing Kerry and his team to declare a "pause" in the negotiations.
In more violence in the region, Israeli border police shot dead two Palestinians on Thursday during a demonstration in the West Bank marking the 66th anniversary of the Nakba, or "catastrophe" of Israel's creation in 1948 and the expulsion of 750,000 Palestinians it entailed.
The shooting triggered a warning from the Palestinians that they may "seriously consider a halt to security coordination with the Israeli side," Palestinian security spokesman Adnan al-Damiri told AFP.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meanwhile on Thursday accused the Palestinians of teaching their children that Israel "should be made to disappear."
The Israeli answer was to "continue building our country and our unified capital, Jerusalem," said the right-wing premier.
Jerusalem has been under Israeli occupation since 1967, along with the rest of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
15 may 2014
A high-ranking security official told Ma'an that the Palestinian Authority is considering ceasing security contact with Israel after the killing of two young Palestinians earlier on Thursday in Ramallah.
The official said that the Israeli escalation on Thursday which led to the deadly shooting of two Palestinians, and the critical injury of another in Ramallah, is ignoring international laws, and the Palestinian people's right to self-determination.
This, in addition to the continued settlement activity and other daily violations to Palestinians, their property and land, led the Palestinian leadership to consider this step, he added.
The Palestinian Authority and Israel currently maintain extensive security coordination, largely targeting what Israel determines to be anti-Israel militant activity.
The official said that the Israeli escalation on Thursday which led to the deadly shooting of two Palestinians, and the critical injury of another in Ramallah, is ignoring international laws, and the Palestinian people's right to self-determination.
This, in addition to the continued settlement activity and other daily violations to Palestinians, their property and land, led the Palestinian leadership to consider this step, he added.
The Palestinian Authority and Israel currently maintain extensive security coordination, largely targeting what Israel determines to be anti-Israel militant activity.
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Nadim Siyam Nuwarah 15
Muhammad Audah Abu al-Thahir 17 Israeli forces shot and killed a young Palestinian man and a teenage boy Thursday during a protest rally marking the 66th anniversary of the Nakba west of Ramallah in the central West Bank. Witnesses and medical sources identified the victims as 22-year-old Muhammad Audah Abu al-Thahir from the Ramallah-area village of Abu Shukheidim and 17-year-old Nadim Siyam Nuwarah from al-Mazraa al-Qibliyya village in Ramallah district. |
The last moments of the martyr Muhammad Audah Abu al-Thahir 17
The victims, according to medical sources, were shot by live ammunition in the chest. Their bodies were evacuated to Ramallah Medical Complex.
Medics said three teenagers were also injured by live bullets. One was struck in the chest, one in the foot, and one in the leg. Doctors say they are in stable condition.
An Israeli military spokeswoman did not immediately return calls.
The victims, according to medical sources, were shot by live ammunition in the chest. Their bodies were evacuated to Ramallah Medical Complex.
Medics said three teenagers were also injured by live bullets. One was struck in the chest, one in the foot, and one in the leg. Doctors say they are in stable condition.
An Israeli military spokeswoman did not immediately return calls.
Nadim Siyam Nuwarah 15
Participants in the rally near Ofer detention center said they also wanted to show solidarity with Palestinian prisoners held without trial who have been on hunger strike for 22 days.
Palestinians across the occupied territories and elsewhere were commemorating the Nakba, or catastrophe, of the founding of the State of Israel on Thursday.
During the Nakba, more than 760,000 Palestinians -- estimated today to number more than 5 million with their descendants -- fled or were driven from their homes in 1948.
Two Killed, Several Wounded, Near Ramallah
Participants in the rally near Ofer detention center said they also wanted to show solidarity with Palestinian prisoners held without trial who have been on hunger strike for 22 days.
Palestinians across the occupied territories and elsewhere were commemorating the Nakba, or catastrophe, of the founding of the State of Israel on Thursday.
During the Nakba, more than 760,000 Palestinians -- estimated today to number more than 5 million with their descendants -- fled or were driven from their homes in 1948.
Two Killed, Several Wounded, Near Ramallah
Muhammad Audah Abu al-Thahir 17
Palestinian medical sources have reported that two Palestinians have been killed, and several others were injured, by Israeli army fire after the soldiers attacked a nonviolent protest near the Ofer Prison, west of the central West Bank city of Ramallah. At least eleven Palestinians injured in Hebron.
The Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA) has reported that dozens of Palestinians held a nonviolent protest near the prison compound, and that the soldiers attacked them by firing rounds of live ammunition.
The Israeli military attack against the nonviolent protesters led to clashes between the soldiers and the unarmed Palestinians.
The two slain Palestinians have been identified as Nadim Nuwwara, 17, from the al-Mazra’a al-Gharbiyya village, northwest of Ramallah, and Mohammad Abu Thaher, 20, from Ramallah.
Palestinian medical sources have reported that two Palestinians have been killed, and several others were injured, by Israeli army fire after the soldiers attacked a nonviolent protest near the Ofer Prison, west of the central West Bank city of Ramallah. At least eleven Palestinians injured in Hebron.
The Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA) has reported that dozens of Palestinians held a nonviolent protest near the prison compound, and that the soldiers attacked them by firing rounds of live ammunition.
The Israeli military attack against the nonviolent protesters led to clashes between the soldiers and the unarmed Palestinians.
The two slain Palestinians have been identified as Nadim Nuwwara, 17, from the al-Mazra’a al-Gharbiyya village, northwest of Ramallah, and Mohammad Abu Thaher, 20, from Ramallah.
Nadim Siyam Nuwarah 15
WAFA said that Israeli army sharpshooters targeted the protesters killing the two Palestinians and wounding several others.
Most of the wounded Palestinians were shot in the upper parts of their bodies.
The Palestinian were protesting the ongoing illegitimate Israeli occupation of Palestine, and marking the 66th anniversary of the Nakba (Catastrophe) when Israel was created in the historic land of Palestine, by displacing an attire nation, and destroying hundreds of villages and towns, turning the vast majority of the Palestinians into a nation of refugees.
On Thursday at noon, at least eleven Palestinians have been shot and injured by Israeli army fire, and dozens suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation, after Israeli soldiers attacked Palestinian protesters, marking the Nakba, in the Bab az-Zaweya and the ash-Shallala Streets, in Hebron city, in the southern part of the occupied West Bank.
Medical sources said the eleven Palestinians were shot by rubber-coated metal bullets, while one of them, identified as Ali Abu Hamdiyya Gheith, 17, was moderately injured after being shot in his eye, and was moved to the Al-Ahly Hospital in the city.
Several residents were moved to the Hebron Governmental Hospital due to the severe effects of tear gas inhalation, while the rest received treatment by local medics.
WAFA said that Israeli army sharpshooters targeted the protesters killing the two Palestinians and wounding several others.
Most of the wounded Palestinians were shot in the upper parts of their bodies.
The Palestinian were protesting the ongoing illegitimate Israeli occupation of Palestine, and marking the 66th anniversary of the Nakba (Catastrophe) when Israel was created in the historic land of Palestine, by displacing an attire nation, and destroying hundreds of villages and towns, turning the vast majority of the Palestinians into a nation of refugees.
On Thursday at noon, at least eleven Palestinians have been shot and injured by Israeli army fire, and dozens suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation, after Israeli soldiers attacked Palestinian protesters, marking the Nakba, in the Bab az-Zaweya and the ash-Shallala Streets, in Hebron city, in the southern part of the occupied West Bank.
Medical sources said the eleven Palestinians were shot by rubber-coated metal bullets, while one of them, identified as Ali Abu Hamdiyya Gheith, 17, was moderately injured after being shot in his eye, and was moved to the Al-Ahly Hospital in the city.
Several residents were moved to the Hebron Governmental Hospital due to the severe effects of tear gas inhalation, while the rest received treatment by local medics.
29 apr 2014
Amjad al-Safadi 39
A Palestinian lawyer was found dead in his apartment, on Tuesday, after being tortured during a 45-day detention by Israeli forces, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society.
Amjad al-Safadi, aged 39, was beaten, shocked and put under continuous observation, leading to extreme psychological distress, ultimately pushing him to commit suicide, a statement by the organization said.
Head of the Committee of Jerusalem Prisoners' Families Amjad Abu Asab said, in March, that Israeli forces took al-Safadi into custody as he was visiting Hadarim prison, adding that they also raided al-Safadi's house, where they confiscated a computer and several documents.
He was released from jail just five days ago, on bail of 20,000 shekels, upon which he was put under house arrest.
He was found hanging in his Jerusalem apartment, early Tuesday.
Israel is holding captive more than 5,000 Palestinians, including 19 women and 200 children; around 567 of the detainees have been sentenced to at least one life term.
At Least 200 detainees are currently held under Administrative Detention orders.
See related link:
Special Report: “800,000 Palestinians Imprisoned By Israel Since 1967”
A Palestinian lawyer was found dead in his apartment, on Tuesday, after being tortured during a 45-day detention by Israeli forces, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society.
Amjad al-Safadi, aged 39, was beaten, shocked and put under continuous observation, leading to extreme psychological distress, ultimately pushing him to commit suicide, a statement by the organization said.
Head of the Committee of Jerusalem Prisoners' Families Amjad Abu Asab said, in March, that Israeli forces took al-Safadi into custody as he was visiting Hadarim prison, adding that they also raided al-Safadi's house, where they confiscated a computer and several documents.
He was released from jail just five days ago, on bail of 20,000 shekels, upon which he was put under house arrest.
He was found hanging in his Jerusalem apartment, early Tuesday.
Israel is holding captive more than 5,000 Palestinians, including 19 women and 200 children; around 567 of the detainees have been sentenced to at least one life term.
At Least 200 detainees are currently held under Administrative Detention orders.
See related link:
Special Report: “800,000 Palestinians Imprisoned By Israel Since 1967”
17 apr 2014
Palestinians across the globe would never forget the anniversary of Hamas's political leader Abdul Aziz al-Rantisi's assassination on 17 April 2004 in an Israeli airstrike. Palestinians on social media networks have revived the tenth anniversary of Abdul Aziz al-Rantisi's assassination by sharing his sayings and positions, where his pictures are still held in Palestinian universities, refugee camps and streets.
Sondos Mustafa, a student at Birzeit University, told PIC reporter that despite his martyrdom yet al-Rantisi's resistance path and valuable lessons are still inherited from one generation to another.
As all of Hamas's leaders, al-Rantisi was a good example of great leadership and sacrifice for the sake of Palestine, MP Mona Mansour said.
He lived as a leader and died as a leader as he always wished, she added.
He was a nightmare for the Israeli occupation, the citizen Zaid Abu Wahid said, recalling al-Rantisi's statements in which he stressed the effectiveness of armed resistance as the only option to liberate Palestine.
Despite PA and Israeli security coordination, al-Rantisi's pictures are still held throughout West Bank villages, homes, and mosques along with pictures of great leaders such as the martyr Ahmed Yassin Yahya Ayyash, and Ahmed Jabari.
The university student Khaled Mahdi, in his turn, confirmed that al-Rantisi's anniversary will always represent a source of hope and aspiration for Palestinian generations.
Sondos Mustafa, a student at Birzeit University, told PIC reporter that despite his martyrdom yet al-Rantisi's resistance path and valuable lessons are still inherited from one generation to another.
As all of Hamas's leaders, al-Rantisi was a good example of great leadership and sacrifice for the sake of Palestine, MP Mona Mansour said.
He lived as a leader and died as a leader as he always wished, she added.
He was a nightmare for the Israeli occupation, the citizen Zaid Abu Wahid said, recalling al-Rantisi's statements in which he stressed the effectiveness of armed resistance as the only option to liberate Palestine.
Despite PA and Israeli security coordination, al-Rantisi's pictures are still held throughout West Bank villages, homes, and mosques along with pictures of great leaders such as the martyr Ahmed Yassin Yahya Ayyash, and Ahmed Jabari.
The university student Khaled Mahdi, in his turn, confirmed that al-Rantisi's anniversary will always represent a source of hope and aspiration for Palestinian generations.