14 dec 2015
A delegation from the International Criminal Court (ICC) is expected to visit the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) in February, a Palestinian Authority official said.
A member of a national committee in charge of follow-up with the ICC, Wasel Abu Yusif, told Ma'an News Agency that the visit will include ongoing investigations into cases raised to the international court by Palestinian leadership, against Israel.
The ICC is currently conducting a preliminary probe on possible Israeli war crimes in the region.
The probe, which was opened in January of this year, is not a full investigation, but an examination of available information to be used in deciding whether or not there is a "reasonable basis" to proceed with a full investigation.
The turn to the ICC, by Palestinian leadership, has been referred to as “diplomatic terrorism” by Israeli officials.
Palestinian leadership moved to the ICC amid ongoing violations, carried out by Israel, which international rights group Amnesty International investigations have referred to as "war crimes".
The turn to the ICC was also influenced by the lack of progress made through peace negotiations in creating an independent Palestinian state.
Abu Yusif said that the committee held a meeting, recently, between all of its members in the occupied West Bank and Gaza, headed by PLO chief negotiator Saeb Erekat, to discuss a recent report published by the ICC on Palestine.
He added that the committee had discussed several proposals to hold Israel legally accountable, for its crimes against Palestinians, at the ICC.
A member of a national committee in charge of follow-up with the ICC, Wasel Abu Yusif, told Ma'an News Agency that the visit will include ongoing investigations into cases raised to the international court by Palestinian leadership, against Israel.
The ICC is currently conducting a preliminary probe on possible Israeli war crimes in the region.
The probe, which was opened in January of this year, is not a full investigation, but an examination of available information to be used in deciding whether or not there is a "reasonable basis" to proceed with a full investigation.
The turn to the ICC, by Palestinian leadership, has been referred to as “diplomatic terrorism” by Israeli officials.
Palestinian leadership moved to the ICC amid ongoing violations, carried out by Israel, which international rights group Amnesty International investigations have referred to as "war crimes".
The turn to the ICC was also influenced by the lack of progress made through peace negotiations in creating an independent Palestinian state.
Abu Yusif said that the committee held a meeting, recently, between all of its members in the occupied West Bank and Gaza, headed by PLO chief negotiator Saeb Erekat, to discuss a recent report published by the ICC on Palestine.
He added that the committee had discussed several proposals to hold Israel legally accountable, for its crimes against Palestinians, at the ICC.
23 nov 2015
Palestinian Human Rights organisations have delivered a submission to the International Criminal Court (ICC) on alleged Israeli war crimes and crimes against humanity during the 2014 Gaza offensive.
Today, in a historic moment in Palestinian pursuit of accountability, four Palestinian human rights organisations delivered a confidential communication to Madam Prosecutor Bensouda of the International Criminal Court on behalf of themselves and Palestinian victims of Israel’s “Operation Protective Edge”. The communication, which was submitted by Al-Haq, Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights, Aldameer and the Palestinian Center for Human Rights pursuant to Article 15 of the Rome Statute, contains information on crimes jointly documented during Israel’s 2014 offensive against the Gaza Strip.
“We have become used to Israel killing and injuring Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The 2014 offensive is the third war on our people in about six years. But nothing could have fully prepared me for the devastating loss of my sons, grandsons and granddaughters in an attack against our family home.” said Bouthaineh Al Louh, a Palestinian 57-year old grieving mother. “On 20 August 2014 at 04.45am, Israel attacked our home in Deir al Balah whilst my family was fast asleep. My son and two stepsons were killed in the attack, as well as my nine months pregnant daughter-in-law and her three children. Our family will never again be complete, and our house is in ruins. I hope that the ICC can acknowledge the crimes that we endured and punish those that deprived us of our loved ones”.
Speaking from The Hague, Mr. Shawan Jabarin (Al-Haq Director) said that, “We have provided the Office of the Prosecutor with enough information for it to determine that there is a reasonable basis to believe that senior Israeli military and civilian officials committed crimes against humanity and war crimes during the offensive against Gaza. We are confident that the information now at the disposal of the Office of the Prosecutor is sufficient to open an investigation, and urge her to act quickly to begin a formal investigation.”
Guided by the Court’s mandate to put an end to impunity for war crimes and crimes against humanity, the submitting organisations detailed illustrative instances of murder, persecution, torture and other inhumane acts as well as intentional attacks on civilian persons and objects and the extensive destruction not justified by military necessity. Overall, the Israeli forces killed more than 1,540 Palestinian civilians during the span of 51 days and displaced hundreds of thousands. The high death toll and mass displacement was the direct result of Israeli indiscriminate and direct attacks against Palestinian civilians and civilian objects. The communication addresses specific attacks on Palestinian homes, hospitals, schools and high-rise buildings.
“Based on our long experience in representing Palestinian victims before available Israeli mechanisms, including the High Court of Justice, it is clear that complementarity does not bar the Prosecutor from seeking authorisation to open an investigation. Israel is unwilling and Palestine is unable to domestically hold to account Israeli perpetrators of international crimes,” said Mr. Raji Sourani (PCHR Director). “We need the ICC to break the cycle of impunity.”
The organisations submitted that crimes were committed in the course of a widespread or systematic attack pursuant to or in furtherance of a policy put in place by the highest Israeli civilian and military leadership, including members of the Israeli security cabinet, and qualify as both crimes against humanity and war crimes.
From the Gaza Strip, Mr. Issam Younis (Al Mezan Director) said that “Israel’s occupation, as well as the suffocating closure on the Gaza Strip, has continued for far too long and we do not believe that any people, especially the Palestinian victims, must choose between peace and justice. The ICC has the opportunity to objectively investigate, prosecute and punish Israelis responsible for heinous crimes condemned by the international community. The ICC can also deter the commission of future crimes. As such, Madam Prosecutor must proceed to request authorization to open an investigation”.
In submitting their information, the organisations declared their intention to continue to cooperate with the Court with the aim of ensuring that the victims receive justice and reparation.
Today, in a historic moment in Palestinian pursuit of accountability, four Palestinian human rights organisations delivered a confidential communication to Madam Prosecutor Bensouda of the International Criminal Court on behalf of themselves and Palestinian victims of Israel’s “Operation Protective Edge”. The communication, which was submitted by Al-Haq, Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights, Aldameer and the Palestinian Center for Human Rights pursuant to Article 15 of the Rome Statute, contains information on crimes jointly documented during Israel’s 2014 offensive against the Gaza Strip.
“We have become used to Israel killing and injuring Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The 2014 offensive is the third war on our people in about six years. But nothing could have fully prepared me for the devastating loss of my sons, grandsons and granddaughters in an attack against our family home.” said Bouthaineh Al Louh, a Palestinian 57-year old grieving mother. “On 20 August 2014 at 04.45am, Israel attacked our home in Deir al Balah whilst my family was fast asleep. My son and two stepsons were killed in the attack, as well as my nine months pregnant daughter-in-law and her three children. Our family will never again be complete, and our house is in ruins. I hope that the ICC can acknowledge the crimes that we endured and punish those that deprived us of our loved ones”.
Speaking from The Hague, Mr. Shawan Jabarin (Al-Haq Director) said that, “We have provided the Office of the Prosecutor with enough information for it to determine that there is a reasonable basis to believe that senior Israeli military and civilian officials committed crimes against humanity and war crimes during the offensive against Gaza. We are confident that the information now at the disposal of the Office of the Prosecutor is sufficient to open an investigation, and urge her to act quickly to begin a formal investigation.”
Guided by the Court’s mandate to put an end to impunity for war crimes and crimes against humanity, the submitting organisations detailed illustrative instances of murder, persecution, torture and other inhumane acts as well as intentional attacks on civilian persons and objects and the extensive destruction not justified by military necessity. Overall, the Israeli forces killed more than 1,540 Palestinian civilians during the span of 51 days and displaced hundreds of thousands. The high death toll and mass displacement was the direct result of Israeli indiscriminate and direct attacks against Palestinian civilians and civilian objects. The communication addresses specific attacks on Palestinian homes, hospitals, schools and high-rise buildings.
“Based on our long experience in representing Palestinian victims before available Israeli mechanisms, including the High Court of Justice, it is clear that complementarity does not bar the Prosecutor from seeking authorisation to open an investigation. Israel is unwilling and Palestine is unable to domestically hold to account Israeli perpetrators of international crimes,” said Mr. Raji Sourani (PCHR Director). “We need the ICC to break the cycle of impunity.”
The organisations submitted that crimes were committed in the course of a widespread or systematic attack pursuant to or in furtherance of a policy put in place by the highest Israeli civilian and military leadership, including members of the Israeli security cabinet, and qualify as both crimes against humanity and war crimes.
From the Gaza Strip, Mr. Issam Younis (Al Mezan Director) said that “Israel’s occupation, as well as the suffocating closure on the Gaza Strip, has continued for far too long and we do not believe that any people, especially the Palestinian victims, must choose between peace and justice. The ICC has the opportunity to objectively investigate, prosecute and punish Israelis responsible for heinous crimes condemned by the international community. The ICC can also deter the commission of future crimes. As such, Madam Prosecutor must proceed to request authorization to open an investigation”.
In submitting their information, the organisations declared their intention to continue to cooperate with the Court with the aim of ensuring that the victims receive justice and reparation.
31 aug 2015
File photo of patients rushed to Al-Shifa hospital during last Summer's Israeli offensive on Gaza. It's reported that Israeli soldiers will occupy the hospital during future engagements in order to prevent the broadcast of images of civilian casualties
There is a shortage of intelligence about the Gaza Strip, the Israel Defence Forces have claimed. The shortage, Felesteen reported on Sunday, affects the IDF’s ability to carry out Special Forces operations. The newspaper quoted Israel’s Walla website, which is close to the Israeli intelligence agencies, as saying that senior Israeli military sources believe that the disengagement with the Gaza Strip in August 2005 diminished their abilities to recruit spies in Gaza. Such difficulties were made obvious by the Gilad Shalit affair, said Walla. During the five years of his captivity, the IDF had no intelligence about his whereabouts, even though the Gaza Strip is a relatively small territory.
Online newspaper Today’s Opinion claimed that the lack of information about Shalit proved the failure of Israeli intelligence. It added that a lack of information undermines Israel’s ability to carry out operations in Syria and Lebanon.
Today’s Opinion also said that Israeli naval commandos attempted to carry out a surprise attack against Hamas in the north of the Gaza Strip during last year’s summer offensive. Their failure resulting from Hamas vigilance was considered to be a “resounding failure” by Israel. Indeed, former Chief of Staff Beni Gantz has hinted that carrying out special operations in the heart of Gaza is “impossible” due to Hamas preparations.
Meanwhile, an Israeli military official has said that Israeli will occupy Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City during any future war. The official claimed that the hospital would be under Hamas control and the movement’s command headquarters. The purpose, reported Walla, would be to prevent the broadcast of images of the inevitable civilian casualties and thus reduce the damage to Israel’s reputation in the international arena.
Israel’s strategy in a future war against the people of Gaza, it has been reported recently, will include massive attacks in an attempt to shorten the conflict.
There is a shortage of intelligence about the Gaza Strip, the Israel Defence Forces have claimed. The shortage, Felesteen reported on Sunday, affects the IDF’s ability to carry out Special Forces operations. The newspaper quoted Israel’s Walla website, which is close to the Israeli intelligence agencies, as saying that senior Israeli military sources believe that the disengagement with the Gaza Strip in August 2005 diminished their abilities to recruit spies in Gaza. Such difficulties were made obvious by the Gilad Shalit affair, said Walla. During the five years of his captivity, the IDF had no intelligence about his whereabouts, even though the Gaza Strip is a relatively small territory.
Online newspaper Today’s Opinion claimed that the lack of information about Shalit proved the failure of Israeli intelligence. It added that a lack of information undermines Israel’s ability to carry out operations in Syria and Lebanon.
Today’s Opinion also said that Israeli naval commandos attempted to carry out a surprise attack against Hamas in the north of the Gaza Strip during last year’s summer offensive. Their failure resulting from Hamas vigilance was considered to be a “resounding failure” by Israel. Indeed, former Chief of Staff Beni Gantz has hinted that carrying out special operations in the heart of Gaza is “impossible” due to Hamas preparations.
Meanwhile, an Israeli military official has said that Israeli will occupy Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City during any future war. The official claimed that the hospital would be under Hamas control and the movement’s command headquarters. The purpose, reported Walla, would be to prevent the broadcast of images of the inevitable civilian casualties and thus reduce the damage to Israel’s reputation in the international arena.
Israel’s strategy in a future war against the people of Gaza, it has been reported recently, will include massive attacks in an attempt to shorten the conflict.
28 aug 2015
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said the investigation broadcast by al-Jazeera on Israel’s violations of the truce accord in Rafah is another proof that Israel committed war crimes against Palestinians during last summer’s offensive on Gaza.
Abu Zuhri slammed, in statements posted on his Facebook page, UN’s Ban Ki-moon for having adopted the counterfeit Israeli version legitimizing the murder of over 170 civilians in Rafah.
Abu Zuhri called on UN’s Ki-moon to step down immediately and apologize to the Palestinian people for his involvement in Israel’s war crimes against the Palestinians.
A screened probe aired on al-Jazeera TV Channel on Thursday said Israel discovered the loss of the soldier Hadar Goldin two hours after an ambush was carried out by al-Qassam Brigades, proving that the Israeli army is responsible for breaching the truce.
According to al-Qassam’s version the clashes took place 25 minutes before the truce was put into effect.
The video report said the Israeli occupation army mistook the body of the resistance fighter Walid Tawfiq Mas’oud for that of the Israeli soldier Hadar Goldin during clashes that flared up prior to the violent bombardment of Rafah city.
Abu Zuhri slammed, in statements posted on his Facebook page, UN’s Ban Ki-moon for having adopted the counterfeit Israeli version legitimizing the murder of over 170 civilians in Rafah.
Abu Zuhri called on UN’s Ki-moon to step down immediately and apologize to the Palestinian people for his involvement in Israel’s war crimes against the Palestinians.
A screened probe aired on al-Jazeera TV Channel on Thursday said Israel discovered the loss of the soldier Hadar Goldin two hours after an ambush was carried out by al-Qassam Brigades, proving that the Israeli army is responsible for breaching the truce.
According to al-Qassam’s version the clashes took place 25 minutes before the truce was put into effect.
The video report said the Israeli occupation army mistook the body of the resistance fighter Walid Tawfiq Mas’oud for that of the Israeli soldier Hadar Goldin during clashes that flared up prior to the violent bombardment of Rafah city.
26 aug 2015
Defense for Children International - Palestine (DCIP) revealed on Tuesday that over 1,000 children suffered, as a result of Israel's last summer’s aggression on Gaza, injuries that rendered them permanently disabled, according to OCHA.
The Israeli aggression, which lasted 51 days, claimed the lives of 2,220 Palestinians, including at least 1,492 civilians. 3,374 others were injured including 1,000 children who suffered disabilities, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
DCIP independently verified the deaths of 547 Palestinian children among the killed in Gaza, 535 of them as a direct result of Israeli attacks. Nearly 68 percent of the children killed by Israeli forces were 12 years old or younger.
Evidence and testimonies collected by DCIP showed that there was no safe place for children in Gaza during the Israeli assault. Children were killed in their homes by Israeli missiles, while sheltering in schools by high-explosive Israeli artillery shells, and in the streets by Israeli drone-fired missiles and artillery shells as they attempted to escape the onslaught with their families.
Among those cases was a child from Rafah called Ibrahim Abu Shabab, in the sixth grade. He was wounded by shrapnel in his neck and suffered a fracture in the right thigh bone and shrapnel in other parts of the body leaving him in a very critical situation.
His mother said he underwent several surgeries and was absent of his school for three months which affected his educational progress.
Another child named Bilal al-Sherafi, 11, from Gaza city, was injured by shrapnel all over his body due to Israeli missiles. His mother and brother were killed in the Israeli missile attack.
He stayed for a month at hospital because of the seriousness of his condition at the time, then, was transferred alone to be treated in Germany. He spent 10 months there and lost the opportunity to register in the school year of the fifth grade.
A third child, called Thaer Jodeh, 10, from Jabalya, lost his right leg and was injured with shrapnel in his body and suffered laceration to his hands because of Israeli missiles which killed his mother and four of his siblings.
He was also taken to Germany for treatment and spent ten months there. He was given an artificial limb that needs to be changed as the child is growing up.
The Israeli aggression, which lasted 51 days, claimed the lives of 2,220 Palestinians, including at least 1,492 civilians. 3,374 others were injured including 1,000 children who suffered disabilities, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
DCIP independently verified the deaths of 547 Palestinian children among the killed in Gaza, 535 of them as a direct result of Israeli attacks. Nearly 68 percent of the children killed by Israeli forces were 12 years old or younger.
Evidence and testimonies collected by DCIP showed that there was no safe place for children in Gaza during the Israeli assault. Children were killed in their homes by Israeli missiles, while sheltering in schools by high-explosive Israeli artillery shells, and in the streets by Israeli drone-fired missiles and artillery shells as they attempted to escape the onslaught with their families.
Among those cases was a child from Rafah called Ibrahim Abu Shabab, in the sixth grade. He was wounded by shrapnel in his neck and suffered a fracture in the right thigh bone and shrapnel in other parts of the body leaving him in a very critical situation.
His mother said he underwent several surgeries and was absent of his school for three months which affected his educational progress.
Another child named Bilal al-Sherafi, 11, from Gaza city, was injured by shrapnel all over his body due to Israeli missiles. His mother and brother were killed in the Israeli missile attack.
He stayed for a month at hospital because of the seriousness of his condition at the time, then, was transferred alone to be treated in Germany. He spent 10 months there and lost the opportunity to register in the school year of the fifth grade.
A third child, called Thaer Jodeh, 10, from Jabalya, lost his right leg and was injured with shrapnel in his body and suffered laceration to his hands because of Israeli missiles which killed his mother and four of his siblings.
He was also taken to Germany for treatment and spent ten months there. He was given an artificial limb that needs to be changed as the child is growing up.
25 aug 2015
Two human rights groups working within 1948 occupied territories have appealed the closing of a probe into the killing of four Palestinian children on Gaza beach during Israel’s summer aggression on Gaza.
Al Mizan and Adalah centers said that Israeli army targeted and deliberately killed four Palestinian children while playing in Gaza beach in total violation to international laws.
The two groups condemned the Israeli decision to close the file without taking any legal measures against the responsible for the crime.
Al Mezan and Adalah submitted an urgent letter to the Military Advocate General (MAG) demanding an immediate, independent investigation into suspected war crimes. The human rights organizations reject the Israeli army's closure of the investigation.
On Friday 12 June 2015, the Israeli army announced the closure of the investigation file into the killing of four children of the Bakr family - Ahed (10 years), Zakaria (10 years), Mohammed (11 years) and Ismail (10 years) – by an Israeli military rocket attack, while they were playing on the fishermen's beach in Gaza City, during the Israeli war on Gaza last summer, on 16 July 2014.
Al Mizan and Adalah centers said that Israeli army targeted and deliberately killed four Palestinian children while playing in Gaza beach in total violation to international laws.
The two groups condemned the Israeli decision to close the file without taking any legal measures against the responsible for the crime.
Al Mezan and Adalah submitted an urgent letter to the Military Advocate General (MAG) demanding an immediate, independent investigation into suspected war crimes. The human rights organizations reject the Israeli army's closure of the investigation.
On Friday 12 June 2015, the Israeli army announced the closure of the investigation file into the killing of four children of the Bakr family - Ahed (10 years), Zakaria (10 years), Mohammed (11 years) and Ismail (10 years) – by an Israeli military rocket attack, while they were playing on the fishermen's beach in Gaza City, during the Israeli war on Gaza last summer, on 16 July 2014.
17 aug 2015
Col. Sharon Afek is set to become the IDF's new Military Advocate General in the face of the growing legal threats the IDF's commanders and troops are facing, with ICC investigations presenting a serious challenge
Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon has selected Colonel Sharon Afek as the IDF's new Military Advocate General, replacing Maj.-Gen. Danny Efroni, who is finished his four-year term.
Defense Minister Ya’alon held several consultations as part of the selection process, including meeting with the Attorney General, past and present MAG’s and relevant authorities who knew the candidates on a personal level.
“Col. Afek has a rich and diverse legal experience and background, which will help him command the MAG corps,” Ya’alon said.
Afek is currently serving as the commander of IDF’s “Afek” Staff and Command College. He has also served as the deputy Military Advocate General, the legal advisor to the Judea and Samaria command, the air force judge advocate, and the deputy head of the IDF’s international law division.
He holds an LLB degree with honors and graduated summa cum laude with a master’s degree in law from Tel Aviv University, as well as a master’s degree in national security studies from Haifa University with honors. Afek also attended the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at Harvard University.
Afek’s background in international law is extremely relevant at present due to the growing legal threat posed by pro-Palestinian groups in their attempts to de-legitimize Israel.
The outgoing MAG Efroni is set to leave his post in October, and is currently attempting to see to as many Protective Edge cases as possible, however it is highly likely that Afek will have rule on the remaining cases.
A major case which has yet to be ruled on is the investigation into the events of "Black Friday” in Rafah during Operation Protective Edge, which saw the death of 40 Palestinians, some of whom were civilians, as a result of heavy IDF fire during the attempt to rescue Sec-Lt. Hadar Goldin, whose body was snatched by Hamas.
The question still remains whether or not a criminal investigation will be opened into the matter, and if so what indictments will be handed down.
The current MAG has also yet to decide whether to draft an indictment for an armored battalion commander Lt.-Col Neria Yeshurun, who is currently under criminal investigation for ordering his unit to fire on Palestinian medical clinic after one of his officers, Major Dima Levitas, was killed by a sniper firing from the clinic on the previous day.
According to Ya’alon, “The international legal-military arena has become hugely important in recent years, it is a complicated arena, full of challenges, and requiring a deep and thorough understanding of international law. The importance of the arena becomes central due to the need for legal justification for IDF actions against terrorist organizations – and the need to provide legal protection for IDF commanders and troops from prosecution abroad.”
This sentiment was echoed by former justice minister Tzipi Livni, who has led the establishment of a Knesset sub-committee within the Foreign affairs Defense.
Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon has selected Colonel Sharon Afek as the IDF's new Military Advocate General, replacing Maj.-Gen. Danny Efroni, who is finished his four-year term.
Defense Minister Ya’alon held several consultations as part of the selection process, including meeting with the Attorney General, past and present MAG’s and relevant authorities who knew the candidates on a personal level.
“Col. Afek has a rich and diverse legal experience and background, which will help him command the MAG corps,” Ya’alon said.
Afek is currently serving as the commander of IDF’s “Afek” Staff and Command College. He has also served as the deputy Military Advocate General, the legal advisor to the Judea and Samaria command, the air force judge advocate, and the deputy head of the IDF’s international law division.
He holds an LLB degree with honors and graduated summa cum laude with a master’s degree in law from Tel Aviv University, as well as a master’s degree in national security studies from Haifa University with honors. Afek also attended the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at Harvard University.
Afek’s background in international law is extremely relevant at present due to the growing legal threat posed by pro-Palestinian groups in their attempts to de-legitimize Israel.
The outgoing MAG Efroni is set to leave his post in October, and is currently attempting to see to as many Protective Edge cases as possible, however it is highly likely that Afek will have rule on the remaining cases.
A major case which has yet to be ruled on is the investigation into the events of "Black Friday” in Rafah during Operation Protective Edge, which saw the death of 40 Palestinians, some of whom were civilians, as a result of heavy IDF fire during the attempt to rescue Sec-Lt. Hadar Goldin, whose body was snatched by Hamas.
The question still remains whether or not a criminal investigation will be opened into the matter, and if so what indictments will be handed down.
The current MAG has also yet to decide whether to draft an indictment for an armored battalion commander Lt.-Col Neria Yeshurun, who is currently under criminal investigation for ordering his unit to fire on Palestinian medical clinic after one of his officers, Major Dima Levitas, was killed by a sniper firing from the clinic on the previous day.
According to Ya’alon, “The international legal-military arena has become hugely important in recent years, it is a complicated arena, full of challenges, and requiring a deep and thorough understanding of international law. The importance of the arena becomes central due to the need for legal justification for IDF actions against terrorist organizations – and the need to provide legal protection for IDF commanders and troops from prosecution abroad.”
This sentiment was echoed by former justice minister Tzipi Livni, who has led the establishment of a Knesset sub-committee within the Foreign affairs Defense.
5 aug 2015
Amnesty International said on Tuesday that its staff have received threats from extremist Jewish settlers, Israel Radio has reported.
The threats include an attack on Amnesty's offices in Israel. Palestinian news agency Safa said that the human rights organisation is planning to strengthen security around its office. Amnesty has also filed a complaint with the Israeli police.
The group has accused the Israeli authorities of committing war crimes during last year's offensive against the Gaza Strip. At least 2,260 Palestinians were killed by Israeli troops and 11,000 more were wounded during the seven-week attack.
The threats include an attack on Amnesty's offices in Israel. Palestinian news agency Safa said that the human rights organisation is planning to strengthen security around its office. Amnesty has also filed a complaint with the Israeli police.
The group has accused the Israeli authorities of committing war crimes during last year's offensive against the Gaza Strip. At least 2,260 Palestinians were killed by Israeli troops and 11,000 more were wounded during the seven-week attack.
