Amnesty International today warned of a new “zero tolerance” policy by Israeli forces towards Palestinian demonstrators in the occupied Gaza Strip, raising “fears of escalating bloodshed”.
In a statement, the human rights organization urged the Israeli government “to rein in its armed forces, which have routinely used unnecessary or excessive force during Gaza’s weekly ‘Great March of Return’ demonstrations”.
Ahead of protests today in #Gaza, we are repeating our call on #Israeli authorities to put an immediate end to the excessive & lethal force used to suppress #Palestinian demonstrations. https://t.co/oKbRKv2wnQ
— AmnestyInternational (@amnesty) October 19, 2018
Saleh Higazi, Amnesty’s deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa, said:
“Given Israeli forces’ horrific track record of using deadly force against Palestinian demonstrators in Gaza, as well as journalists, medics and others, the announcement of a ‘zero tolerance’ policy is deeply alarming.”
Higazi added:
“There are serious fears that this policy will further sanction the use of deadly force against unarmed protesters during today’s demonstrations, and that Israeli forces will be given carte blanche authorization to carry out large-scale, unlawful killings escalating the bloodshed.”
Since the start of the protests more than 6 months ago, over 150 #Palestinians have been killed (31 of them children.) At least 10,000 others have been injured, including 1,849 children, 424 women, 115 paramedics & 115 journalists. https://t.co/3GVlZy3n5n
— AmnestyInternational (@amnesty) October 19, 2018
Israel has repeatedly used lethal force unnecessarily and excessively against unarmed protesters in shameless violation of international law.
Amnesty’s statement comes in response to a reported new policy agreed on by Israel’s cabinet, instructing Israeli forces to open fire on Palestinians nowhere near Gaza’s perimeter fence.
Can you believe that all this Israeli occupation tanks on the Gaza border , is for today march .
Pray for #Gaza#GreatReturnMarch pic.twitter.com/4EKp0VqJ2Y— Ali abusaad (@alirabusaad) October 19, 2018
Israel’s Housing Minister and former head of the Israeli army’s Southern Command, Yoav Gallant, was quoted in Israeli media stating that “the rules of the game are about to change”.
Higazi said:
“The three armed conflicts between Israel and Hamas have had catastrophic consequences for the population of Gaza, which continues to suffer from 11 years of living under a brutal blockade … It is now time the international community shows ‘zero tolerance’ towards Israel’s flagrant contempt for Palestinian lives and disregard for its obligations under international law.”
(MEMO, PC, Social Media)
