May These Nazis Burn in Hell! 
Razan Najjar, a 21 year old Palestinian nurse
in Gaza was shot in the middle of her
chest yesterday by an Israeli sniper as she was running towards the wounded. Israel’s army has promised an investigation. No one will be holding their breath after all
previous ‘investigations’ have explained away small matters like the murder in
2014 of 4 young children playing on the beach.
If all else fails, the IDF will say that it was a ‘tragic accident.’
Perhaps Israel will find some ‘evidence’ to ‘explain’
why Razan was a terrorist threat. Maybe
she was even a supporter of Hamas, who knows. Norman Finkelstein’s tweet sums
it up
May These Nazis Burn in Hell!
This is one more reason why the Labour
Friends of Israel and its supporters such as its Chair Joan Ryan and Peter Kyle MP should be put in quarantine
by all decent people. Those MPs who support
the LFI should be deselected. Condemnation of Israel’s barbarities is not
enough. Their political apologists should
be rooted out of a party that lays claim to be a socialist.
But the blame is not only with Israel but
its supporter in the United States and its allies in the Middle East. Whilst Israel has a de facto alliance with Saudi
Arabia and the Gulf Arab regimes it can act with impunity. The lesson is clear. The road to liberation lies through the
overthrow of the regimes in Cairo, Riyadh, Baghdad and Amman
Tony Greenstein
Authorities
in Gaza: Slain Medic’s Teams’ Hands Were Raised as They Approached Israeli
Border
A New York Times interview with Razan Najjar. New York Times
Head of Gaza’s health
services says tear gas grenade hit a colleague of medic Razan Najjar. A friend
says they returned to treat wounded when they came under fire
services says tear gas grenade hit a colleague of medic Razan Najjar. A friend
says they returned to treat wounded when they came under fire
Jack Khoury and Yaniv
Kubovich Jun 02, 2018
The medical team that included Palestinian
medic who was shot dead on Friday had approached the Gaza border fence
with their arms raised shortly before the shooting, authorities in Gaza said
Saturday. Authorities in Gaza released a video that it said showed the team,
wearing white, walking towards the fence before Razan Najjar, 21, was shot.
medic who was shot dead on Friday had approached the Gaza border fence
with their arms raised shortly before the shooting, authorities in Gaza said
Saturday. Authorities in Gaza released a video that it said showed the team,
wearing white, walking towards the fence before Razan Najjar, 21, was shot.
 |
| mass funeral processions |
Dr. Yossef Abu Arrish, the head of Gaza’s health services, said that
“the paramedics approached the border with raised hands and while they
were in their white uniforms and still the army fired tear gas grenades at
them.”
“the paramedics approached the border with raised hands and while they
were in their white uniforms and still the army fired tear gas grenades at
them.”
He said that one of the grenades hit one of the medic’s legs. A friend
of Najjar said the team returned to the border to take care of the wounded –
including their fellow medics – when they came under fire. It was at this
point, they claim, that Najjar was critically wounded from a gunshot wound to the
chest.
of Najjar said the team returned to the border to take care of the wounded –
including their fellow medics – when they came under fire. It was at this
point, they claim, that Najjar was critically wounded from a gunshot wound to the
chest.
In a video released by the health ministry and allegedly recorded
minutes before Najjar was shot, the team of paramedics can be seen approaching
the border in white coats and with their hands in the air. Najjar was also
photographed wearing a white coat during attempts to resuscitate her.
minutes before Najjar was shot, the team of paramedics can be seen approaching
the border in white coats and with their hands in the air. Najjar was also
photographed wearing a white coat during attempts to resuscitate her.
Najjar gave an interview in which she took pride in the aid she was
providing for the wounded, Palestinian officials said.
providing for the wounded, Palestinian officials said.
An interview with Razan Najjar on Palestinian satellite channel Al-Quds
TV.
TV.
Earlier, the Israel Defense Forces
said that it would probe her death, saying in a statement that “cases in
which there are claims that a civilian was killed by IDF fire we investigate
thoroughly and that is what will be done in regards to these claims.” The
army said it would use the same “operational probe” used in previous
cases.
said that it would probe her death, saying in a statement that “cases in
which there are claims that a civilian was killed by IDF fire we investigate
thoroughly and that is what will be done in regards to these claims.” The
army said it would use the same “operational probe” used in previous
cases.
Also Saturday, the UN envoy for the Middle East, Nickolay Mladenov, said
in a tweet that “Medical workers are #NotATarget!” and that
“Israel needs to calibrate its use of force and Hamas need to prevent
incidents at the fence.”
in a tweet that “Medical workers are #NotATarget!” and that
“Israel needs to calibrate its use of force and Hamas need to prevent
incidents at the fence.”
Tweet by Nickolay Mladenov. Twitter
Thousands of Palestinians
attended Najjar’s funeral in a cemetery in Khan Yunis.
attended Najjar’s funeral in a cemetery in Khan Yunis.
Speaking at a convention in Wadi Ara on Saturday, Israeli-Arab lawmaker
Ahmad Tibi (Joint List) called Najjar’s killing “a heinous war
crime,” adding that the U.S. and its envoy to the UN, Nikki Haley, who vetoed
the Security Council resolution for “international protection”
for the Palestinians, bear responsibility for Najjar’s death.
Ahmad Tibi (Joint List) called Najjar’s killing “a heinous war
crime,” adding that the U.S. and its envoy to the UN, Nikki Haley, who vetoed
the Security Council resolution for “international protection”
for the Palestinians, bear responsibility for Najjar’s death.
Another 40 people were reported wounded during Friday’s protest along the Gaza
border. Since the confrontations along the border of May 14, the number
of participants has fallen dramatically, and Hamas and other Palestinian
factions have set June 5 as the date for a march by tens of thousands to mark
51 years since the Six-Day War, known as Nakba Day by the
Palestinians.
The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza has updated its figures and says 118
people have died in the marches, after a 23-year-old Gaza resident succumbed
Thursday to the gunshot wounds he suffered on May 14.
Gaza
medic killed by Israel was shot in the back
Ali
Abunimah Rights
and Accountability 2 June 2018
 |
| A photo taken on 1 April shows Palestinian medic Razan al-Najjar treating injured persons at an emergency medical tent during protests in Gaza near the boundary with Israel. Al-Najjar was fatally shot by an Israeli sniper as she was helping injured protesters near Khan Younis on 1 June. Ashraf Amra APA images |
Israeli occupation forces shot
dead a volunteer medic and injured dozens of people as they continued their
indiscriminate attacks on Palestinians taking part in Great March of
Return protests in Gaza for the 10th consecutive Friday.
dead a volunteer medic and injured dozens of people as they continued their
indiscriminate attacks on Palestinians taking part in Great March of
Return protests in Gaza for the 10th consecutive Friday.
Razan Ashraf Abdul Qadir
al-Najjar, 21, was helping treat and evacuate wounded protesters east of Khan
Younis when she was fatally shot on Friday evening.
al-Najjar, 21, was helping treat and evacuate wounded protesters east of Khan
Younis when she was fatally shot on Friday evening.
 |
| Funeral Procession |
She was about 100 meters away from
the boundary fence with Israel at the moment she was shot and was wearing
clothing clearly identifying her as a medic, the human rights group Al Mezan stated, citing eyewitnesses and its
investigations. Al Mezan stated that al-Najjar was shot in the back.
the boundary fence with Israel at the moment she was shot and was wearing
clothing clearly identifying her as a medic, the human rights group Al Mezan stated, citing eyewitnesses and its
investigations. Al Mezan stated that al-Najjar was shot in the back.
Al-Najjar had become known for her
bravery and insistence on carrying out her medical rescue work despite the
obvious danger.
bravery and insistence on carrying out her medical rescue work despite the
obvious danger.
She had previously been injured by
tear gas inhalation, and on 13 April broke her wrist while running to attend to
a wounded person. But al-Najjar refused to go to the hospital that day and
continued working in the field.
tear gas inhalation, and on 13 April broke her wrist while running to attend to
a wounded person. But al-Najjar refused to go to the hospital that day and
continued working in the field.
“It’s my duty and responsibility
to be there and aid those injured,” she
told Al Jazeera.
to be there and aid those injured,” she
told Al Jazeera.
She also bore witness to the final
moments of some of those fatally wounded before her.
moments of some of those fatally wounded before her.
 |
| Razan’s family’s reaction |
“It breaks my heart that some of
the young men who were injured or killed made their wills in front of me,” she
told Al Jazeera. “Some even gave me their accessories [as gifts] before they
died.”
the young men who were injured or killed made their wills in front of me,” she
told Al Jazeera. “Some even gave me their accessories [as gifts] before they
died.”
Al-Najjar spoke about her work in
an earlier TV interview that was shared widely on social media following the
news of her death:
an earlier TV interview that was shared widely on social media following the
news of her death:
Many Twitter users, especially from Gaza, paid tribute to al-Najjar:
Palestinian media shared images of al-Najjar’s family and colleagues mourning
her death:
Dr. Ashraf
al-Qedra, the spokesperson for Gaza’s health ministry, paid
tribute to al-Najjar as a dedicated humanitarian volunteer who did not
leave her post until she “gave herself as a martyr.”
Hands in the air
The medical vest al-Najjar was
wearing, displayed by her mother in this video, shows a hole in the back of the
garment:
wearing, displayed by her mother in this video, shows a hole in the back of the
garment:
A statement
released by the health ministry in Gaza on Saturday said that al-Najjar was
part of a team of paramedics who “went to evacuate the wounded, raising both
hands, as an affirmation of not posing any danger to the heavily armed
occupation forces.”
“The Israeli occupation forces
fired live bullets directly at Razan’s chest and wounded several other
paramedics,” the health ministry added.
fired live bullets directly at Razan’s chest and wounded several other
paramedics,” the health ministry added.
 |
| Razan at work |
It is unclear from the health
ministry statement how many times al-Najjar was hit or exactly where on her
upper body. The ministry also released a video it said showed al-Najjar and
colleagues walking towards the boundary fence with their hands in the air
shortly before al-Najjar was shot:
ministry statement how many times al-Najjar was hit or exactly where on her
upper body. The ministry also released a video it said showed al-Najjar and
colleagues walking towards the boundary fence with their hands in the air
shortly before al-Najjar was shot:
On Saturday the UN special representative for the Middle East peace process,
Nickolay Mladenov, tweeted that “medical workers are not a target. My thoughts
and prayers go out to the family of Razan al-Najjar.”
However Mladenov failed to condemn Israel’s actions, calling on it instead to
“calibrate its use of force.”
On Saturday, thousands marched in
al-Najjar’s funeral, as colleagues carried her body, draped with the
Palestinian flag and the blood-drenched medical vest she was wearing when she
was shot:
al-Najjar’s funeral, as colleagues carried her body, draped with the
Palestinian flag and the blood-drenched medical vest she was wearing when she
was shot:
Attacks on medics
Al-Najjar is the second rescue
worker to be killed by Israeli forces since the Great March of Return protests
began on 30 March. According to the health ministry in Gaza, more than 200
others have been injured and 37 ambulances have been damaged.
worker to be killed by Israeli forces since the Great March of Return protests
began on 30 March. According to the health ministry in Gaza, more than 200
others have been injured and 37 ambulances have been damaged.
Two weeks ago, Israeli snipers fatally
shot paramedic Mousa
Jaber Abu Hassanein.
shot paramedic Mousa
Jaber Abu Hassanein.
About an hour before he was shot,
Abu Hassanein had helped rescue one of his colleagues, the Canadian doctor
Tarek Loubani who had been injured by an Israeli bullet.
Abu Hassanein had helped rescue one of his colleagues, the Canadian doctor
Tarek Loubani who had been injured by an Israeli bullet.
Loubani later told
The Electronic Intifada Podcast how he was shot in the leg when everything
was quiet around him: “No burning tires, no smoke, no tear gas, nobody messing
around in front of the buffer zone. Just a clearly marked medical team well
away from everybody else.”
The Electronic Intifada Podcast how he was shot in the leg when everything
was quiet around him: “No burning tires, no smoke, no tear gas, nobody messing
around in front of the buffer zone. Just a clearly marked medical team well
away from everybody else.”
War surgeons
This Friday, as they have every
week, Israeli forces fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets and
tear gas at Palestinians along Gaza’s eastern boundary, injuring almost 100
people, more than 30 of them with live bullets, according to Al Mezan.
week, Israeli forces fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets and
tear gas at Palestinians along Gaza’s eastern boundary, injuring almost 100
people, more than 30 of them with live bullets, according to Al Mezan.
“Protesters presented no danger or threat to the safety of the soldiers, which
confirms that the violations committed by these forces are grave and systematic
and amount to war crimes,” the human rights group stated.
Since the end of March, Israeli
forces have killed 129 people in Gaza including 15 children, 98 of them during
protests, according to Al Mezan.
forces have killed 129 people in Gaza including 15 children, 98 of them during
protests, according to Al Mezan.
As Israel continued to add to the
staggering toll on Friday, the health system in Gaza was already beyond coping
with the accumulation of people injured by the apparent use of fragmenting
ammunition that causes horrifying
injuries
requiring intensive and complex treatment and often leaving victims with
permanent disabilities.
staggering toll on Friday, the health system in Gaza was already beyond coping
with the accumulation of people injured by the apparent use of fragmenting
ammunition that causes horrifying
injuries
requiring intensive and complex treatment and often leaving victims with
permanent disabilities.
More
than 13,000 people have been injured since the start of the protests,
including those who suffered due to tear gas inhalation. Of the more than 7,000
people who suffered injuries other than by tear gas, more than half were shot
with live ammunition.
than 13,000 people have been injured since the start of the protests,
including those who suffered due to tear gas inhalation. Of the more than 7,000
people who suffered injuries other than by tear gas, more than half were shot
with live ammunition.
On Thursday, the International Committee of the Red Cross announced it was
dispatching two teams of war
surgeons and medical supplies to Gaza to shore up a healthcare system it said
was on the “brink of collapse.”
The ICRC said
the priority for its six-month mission will be to treat gunshot wound victims,
among them about 1,350 patients who will need three to five operations each.
“Such a caseload would overwhelm any health system,” the ICRC stated.
“In Gaza, the situation is worsened by chronic shortages of drugs, equipment
and electricity.”
“Toxic slum”
The sustained protests in Gaza are
to call for the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and
lands now in Israel, and to demand an end to Israel’s more than decade-long siege of the
territory.
to call for the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and
lands now in Israel, and to demand an end to Israel’s more than decade-long siege of the
territory.
Gaza’s two million residents are
being “caged in a toxic slum from birth to death,” United Nations human rights
chief Zeid
Ra’ad al-Hussein told
a special session of the UN Human
Rights Council on Friday.
being “caged in a toxic slum from birth to death,” United Nations human rights
chief Zeid
Ra’ad al-Hussein told
a special session of the UN Human
Rights Council on Friday.
Zeid also told the council that
there is “little evidence” that Israel is doing anything to minimize
casualties.
there is “little evidence” that Israel is doing anything to minimize
casualties.
He confirmed that protesters’
“actions alone do not appear to constitute the imminent threat to life or
deadly injury which could justify the use of lethal force.”
“actions alone do not appear to constitute the imminent threat to life or
deadly injury which could justify the use of lethal force.”
Zeid spoke to the council as it
was considering a draft resolution on sending an international war crimes probe
to Gaza.
was considering a draft resolution on sending an international war crimes probe
to Gaza.
Last week, the Human Rights
Council voted
by 29-2 to establish an independent inquiry into the violence in Gaza.
Council voted
by 29-2 to establish an independent inquiry into the violence in Gaza.
Only the United States and Australia
voted against an inquiry, but several European Union governments including the
UK and Germany were among the 14 that abstained.
voted against an inquiry, but several European Union governments including the
UK and Germany were among the 14 that abstained.
Medical Aid for Palestinians, a
charity that has been providing emergency assistance amid the growing calamity,
and a dozen other organizations, have criticized
the British government’s refusal to support an inquiry “to assess violations of
international law in the context of large-scale civilian protests in Gaza.”
charity that has been providing emergency assistance amid the growing calamity,
and a dozen other organizations, have criticized
the British government’s refusal to support an inquiry “to assess violations of
international law in the context of large-scale civilian protests in Gaza.”
But attempts to hold Israel accountable continue amid the intransigent
opposition of Israel’s backers.
On Friday evening, the UN Security
Council voted
on a draft
resolution put forward by Kuwait, deploring “excessive, disproportionate
and indiscriminate force by the Israeli forces” and calling for “measures to
guarantee the safety and protection” of Palestinian civilians.
Council voted
on a draft
resolution put forward by Kuwait, deploring “excessive, disproportionate
and indiscriminate force by the Israeli forces” and calling for “measures to
guarantee the safety and protection” of Palestinian civilians.
It also called for an end to the
blockade of Gaza and deplored “the firing of rockets from the Gaza Strip
against Israeli civilian areas.”
blockade of Gaza and deplored “the firing of rockets from the Gaza Strip
against Israeli civilian areas.”
Ten countries, including permanent
members Russia and France, voted in favor. Four, including Britain, abstained.
members Russia and France, voted in favor. Four, including Britain, abstained.
Despite having enough votes to
pass, the resolution was killed by US ambassador Nikki Haley, who –
as she had promised
to do – cast her country’s veto.
pass, the resolution was killed by US ambassador Nikki Haley, who –
as she had promised
to do – cast her country’s veto.
Haley then put forward her own
draft resolution absolving Israel of any responsibility for the violence in
Gaza and laying all blame for the situation on Hamas.
draft resolution absolving Israel of any responsibility for the violence in
Gaza and laying all blame for the situation on Hamas.
The United States was the only
country to vote in favor.
country to vote in favor.
Posted in Blog
