Press Release

October 1 2000
Press Release Index
Fourth Consecutive Day of Violence Throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip
Al-Haq views with deep concern the continuous bloodshed throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Today there were six additional deaths as a result of these clashes, and hundreds of injuries, bringing the death toll to 26 Palestinians.

The Israeli forces excessive use of disproportionate force, using live ammunition, deploying snipers, using anti-tank missiles, armored personnel carriers and assault helicopters, to disperse Palestinian demonstrators, exceeds all boundaries of international humanitarian law and the principles of proportionality. Additionally, the Israeli forces have continued their campaign of aggression by deliberately targeting those not directly involved in the clashes, such as medical personnel and journalists. Ambulances are constantly delayed, the roads leading to the hospitals are obstructed and ambulance drivers have been shot. Israel’s excessive and disproportionate response to the demonstrators, further evidenced by the high percentage of gunshot wounds to the head and chest, raises serious questions as to the motives of those Israelis in command.

Under international humanitarian law, specifically Article 46 of the Hague Regulations of 1907, which are considered part of customary international law. “the lives of persons … must be respected.” This is further detailed in Article 27 of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 which states that “Protected persons are entitled, in all circumstances, to respect for their persons ...[and] shall at all times be humanely treated, and shall be protected especially against all acts of violence and threats thereof …” Furthermore, Article 147 defines “willful killing” and “willfully causing great suffering or serious injury to body or health” as grave breaches of the convention.  

Al-Haq reiterates its demands and calls upon:

1.the UN Special Rapporteur for the Occupied Palestinian Territories to consider making an immediate visit to the OPT to monitor and investigate the situation.

2. States Signatories to the Fourth Geneva Convention to implement measures that effectively deter such criminal behavior as causing grave injuries and death by the Israeli forces.

3. States Signatories to the Fourth Geneva Convention to search and prosecute in their domestic courts those who have committed grave breaches or order them to be committed.

4.The international community specifically the Secretary  General of the United Nations to intervene immediately to stop the bloodshed perpetrated by the Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian. 

5. The European Union to force Israel to abide by article 2 of the Euro -Israeli partnership agreement which calls for Israel to respect fully international human rights standards.

6.The High Contracting parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention assume their article 1 responsibilities by convening the adjourned conference since July 15, 1998, to ensure Israel’s compliance with the convention and desist from actions that constitute grave breaches under article 147 of the Convention.