Once again we see Israel using massive force against a young Palestinian person who posed no threat at all.
This is in the nature of the ‘only democracy in the Middle East’
Maureen Clare Murphy Rights and Accountability 19 February 2016
The
apparent execution of a Palestinian in occupied East Jerusalem was caught on
video by Al Jazeera on Friday.
apparent execution of a Palestinian in occupied East Jerusalem was caught on
video by Al Jazeera on Friday.
Israel
says that the young man was carrying out a stabbing attack on Israeli Border
Police officers when he was killed at the Damascus Gate to Jerusalem’s Old
City.
says that the young man was carrying out a stabbing attack on Israeli Border
Police officers when he was killed at the Damascus Gate to Jerusalem’s Old
City.
But
video
of the incident released by Al Jazeera indicates that the young man did not
pose an immediate threat to anyone’s life when massive lethal force was used
against him.
video
of the incident released by Al Jazeera indicates that the young man did not
pose an immediate threat to anyone’s life when massive lethal force was used
against him.
The
video shows a Border Police officer shooting at the man, who falls to the
ground. Then several other heavily armed officers shoot dozens of bullets into
the body of the man as he lies on the ground and as passersby hurry away from
the scene:
video shows a Border Police officer shooting at the man, who falls to the
ground. Then several other heavily armed officers shoot dozens of bullets into
the body of the man as he lies on the ground and as passersby hurry away from
the scene:
The
video is a shocking display of Israel’s routine and reflexive use of lethal
force, which has resulted in the slaying of approximately 170 Palestinians,
including dozens of children, since a new phase of violence began in October
last year.
video is a shocking display of Israel’s routine and reflexive use of lethal
force, which has resulted in the slaying of approximately 170 Palestinians,
including dozens of children, since a new phase of violence began in October
last year.
Al
Jazeera media workers who were at the scene to film a field report told
the Ma’an News Agency that “six Israeli officers on site surrounded
the Palestinian and ‘fired almost 50 bullets’ after he had already been shot
twice and fallen to the ground.”
Jazeera media workers who were at the scene to film a field report told
the Ma’an News Agency that “six Israeli officers on site surrounded
the Palestinian and ‘fired almost 50 bullets’ after he had already been shot
twice and fallen to the ground.”
An
Israeli police spokesperson told Ma’an that the Israeli forces opened fire on
the young man after he drew a knife on them. Two officers were lightly
wounded after being stabbed in the upper body and taken to hospital.
Israeli police spokesperson told Ma’an that the Israeli forces opened fire on
the young man after he drew a knife on them. Two officers were lightly
wounded after being stabbed in the upper body and taken to hospital.
Palestinian
media reported
that a Palestinian bystander was wounded by shrapnel in her foot and was taken
to hospital for treatment.
media reported
that a Palestinian bystander was wounded by shrapnel in her foot and was taken
to hospital for treatment.
 |
| Muhammad Abu Khalaf (via Quds) |
Israeli
media circulated a photo of the ID belonging to the man killed during the
incident, identifying him as 20-year-old Muhammad Abu Khalaf from the
Jerusalem-area town of Kufr Aqab.
media circulated a photo of the ID belonging to the man killed during the
incident, identifying him as 20-year-old Muhammad Abu Khalaf from the
Jerusalem-area town of Kufr Aqab.
The
Quds news network stated that at least 10 Palestinians have been slain at
Damascus Gate since October, and that 11 alleged attacks have been waged at the
main entrance to the ancient walled city.
Quds news network stated that at least 10 Palestinians have been slain at
Damascus Gate since October, and that 11 alleged attacks have been waged at the
main entrance to the ancient walled city.
Two
Palestinians were shot and killed there on Sunday after an alleged
armed attack on Border Police and three other youths were slain there two weeks earlier during a similar incident.
Palestinians were shot and killed there on Sunday after an alleged
armed attack on Border Police and three other youths were slain there two weeks earlier during a similar incident.
Israeli
forces killed two more Palestinians on Friday.
forces killed two more Palestinians on Friday.
Khaled
Yousif Taqatqa, 21, was shot during confrontations between protesters and the
Israeli military in the village of Beit Fajjar near the West Bank city of
Bethlehem.
Yousif Taqatqa, 21, was shot during confrontations between protesters and the
Israeli military in the village of Beit Fajjar near the West Bank city of
Bethlehem.
The
Palestine Red Crescent Society told
the Ma’an News Agency that medics were prevented from treating the
young man at the scene and that he died of his injuries at a hospital in
Jerusalem.
Palestine Red Crescent Society told
the Ma’an News Agency that medics were prevented from treating the
young man at the scene and that he died of his injuries at a hospital in
Jerusalem.
 |
| An image of Taqatqa circulated on social media after his death: |
And
in the West Bank village of Silwad, near Ramallah, Israeli forces shot
dead a Palestinian man who allegedly attempted to ram them with his
car.
in the West Bank village of Silwad, near Ramallah, Israeli forces shot
dead a Palestinian man who allegedly attempted to ram them with his
car.
No
Israelis were injured during the incident.
Israelis were injured during the incident.
The
slain man was identified by Palestinian media as Abed Raed
Hamad, 22, a student at Birzeit University focusing on journalism and media.
slain man was identified by Palestinian media as Abed Raed
Hamad, 22, a student at Birzeit University focusing on journalism and media.
 |
| Photos of the incident show the man’s car crushed into a military jeep: |
 |
| An image of Hamad circulated on social media after the incident |
Israeli
forces killed two other Palestinians in Silwad last December, both of whom were
allegedly waging car-ramming attacks when they were shot dead.
forces killed two other Palestinians in Silwad last December, both of whom were
allegedly waging car-ramming attacks when they were shot dead.
But
investigations by journalists and a human rights group suggest that one of
those killed, Mahdia Hammad, was not attempting any attack and was trying to
get home to feed her baby when soldiers opened fire at her.
investigations by journalists and a human rights group suggest that one of
those killed, Mahdia Hammad, was not attempting any attack and was trying to
get home to feed her baby when soldiers opened fire at her.
Meanwhile
in Washington on Friday, the State Department condemned a stabbing attack in a West Bank
settlement on Thursday in which a US citizen was fatally wounded.
in Washington on Friday, the State Department condemned a stabbing attack in a West Bank
settlement on Thursday in which a US citizen was fatally wounded.
The
Tel Aviv newspaper Haaretz reported
that Tuvya Weisman, who lived with his wife and infant daughter in Maaleh
Michmash settlement, was a soldier in Israel’s Nahal Brigade and was off duty
when he was stabbed and another Israeli moderately wounded.
Tel Aviv newspaper Haaretz reported
that Tuvya Weisman, who lived with his wife and infant daughter in Maaleh
Michmash settlement, was a soldier in Israel’s Nahal Brigade and was off duty
when he was stabbed and another Israeli moderately wounded.
 |
| An image of Weisman in his uniform circulated after the incident: |
The
two Palestinian attackers, Omar Rimawi and Ayham Subih, both 14, were shot by a
bystander and are reported to be in serious but stable condition in
separate hospitals in Jerusalem.
two Palestinian attackers, Omar Rimawi and Ayham Subih, both 14, were shot by a
bystander and are reported to be in serious but stable condition in
separate hospitals in Jerusalem.
 |
| An image circulated on social media shows Rimawi on the right and Subih on the left: |
 |
| An image of the scene appears to show the two on the ground and bleeding: |
Israeli
media published a video of Israeli soldiers apparently raiding and
documenting the boys’ homes to prepare to demolish them.
media published a video of Israeli soldiers apparently raiding and
documenting the boys’ homes to prepare to demolish them.
The
pair are the youngest to have killed an Israeli since October,
according to Ma’an, referring to data compiled by Israeli intelligence.
pair are the youngest to have killed an Israeli since October,
according to Ma’an, referring to data compiled by Israeli intelligence.
Nearly half of the more than 200 attacks the Shin
Bet says have been waged since October were “committed by assailants aged 20 or
under.”
Bet says have been waged since October were “committed by assailants aged 20 or
under.”
The
alleged attacks, mostly involving knives or car-ramming, have largely taken
place at Israel’s settlements and military checkpoints in the West Bank –
symbols of the occupation.
alleged attacks, mostly involving knives or car-ramming, have largely taken
place at Israel’s settlements and military checkpoints in the West Bank –
symbols of the occupation.
Approximately
30 Israelis and two US citizens have been slain during such attacks.
30 Israelis and two US citizens have been slain during such attacks.
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