Investigation needed into Israeli army killing of civilians
18 April 2008, 11:00AM
The Israeli government should immediately order a full and independent investigation into killings on 16 April of Palestinian civilians by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip, Amnesty International said.
"These strikes, which the Israeli army launched after the killing of its soldiers in combat, appear to have been carried out with disregard for civilian life," said Amnesty International. "There seems to be a culture of impunity within the Israeli forces which is contributing to routine use of reckless and disproportionate force."
At least 18 Palestinians, including children and other unarmed civilians, were killed. More than 30 others were injured in attacks by Israeli planes and by ground forces using tanks in the Gaza Strip yesterday. Three Israeli soldiers were killed in confrontation with Palestinian militants during an Israeli army attack within the Gaza Strip.
Those killed included Reuters cameraman Fadel Shana, who was struck by fire from an Israeli tank which he was filming. He had travelled to the scene in a car clearly marked "TV-Press". He was killed as he started to film the tank.
"Fadel Shana appears to have been killed deliberately although he was a civilian taking no part in attacks on Israel's forces," said Amnesty International.
Amnesty International has repeatedly condemned and called for an end to rocket and other attacks on Israeli civilians by Palestinian armed groups, and for those who commit such attacks to be brought to justice.
"We condemn all attacks on civilians, including that by Islamic Jihad which killed two Israeli civilians at the Nahal Oz fuel terminal on 9 April," said Amnesty International. "The continuing conflict between Israeli and Palestinian forces is having a disproportionate – and totally unacceptable – impact on civilians, in particular Palestinians in the Gaza Strip."
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Michael Wild Convenor Bunbury Group
2 May 2008, 12:16AM
To Michael Pooley. AI regularly deals with international conflicts. By definition there are 2 sides both of which are prone to respond to criticism by saying it’s biased, what about the other side etc. I can’t give immediate quotes but I can recall several times AI has criticized Palestinian officials, sometimes in isolation. Can you give any specific examples? It’s easy enough to bleat about bias.
In the comments that appear to upset you AI has only asked for an investigation. Does this make it inherently anti Israel?
I don’t know you personally but I note that for some reason Israel has a group of Western Supporters who show all the balance and objectivity of Collingwood football fans.
Simon Sarfaty
22 April 2008, 04:09PM
The situation in the Middle East has been allowed to blow out beyond all sense of human comprehension. The issue that neither side particularly wants to accept is the human toll inflicted upon innocent members of the general public on “the other side”. What really needs to change is the culture of revenge. Is the only way to resolve the issue of death upon death, maiming upon maiming, further death and further maiming? Get the investigation started on ALL SIDES. Why are civilians being targeted at ANY stage on either side of this insane war of peoples and attrition? Why can’t everyone just have a home of their own? Ideally, some sort of truth and reconciliation commission ought to be set up so all concerned can move forward. Do we all only have vested interests or we going to take the matter seriously? If neither side seriously respects the other’s right to exist, then there can be no legitimate resolution to this ongoing and very tragic issue…
michael pooley
19 April 2008, 05:18PM
It seems that AI only issues statments when it wants to critize israel. Only then will it critize the palestinians. even if the palestinian events took place a week or two earlier. It seems that Ai has no intention to critize the Palestians when it has the opportunity to do so.
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