The Israeli army has rejected in a detailed rebuttal, a recent Amnesty International report charging Israel with serious violations of human rights in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
The Amnesty report claimed that more than 100 Palestinians have been shot dead by Israeli soldiers since December, more than 30 of them 16 years old or younger.
Amnesty said it believes “many of these killings are absolutely unjustifiable, and that some may amount to extrajudicial killings.”
But the Israel Defense Force rebuttal points out that since the beginning of 1993, 10 Israeli civilians, six members of the security forces and 60 Arabs have been killed in the territories by Arab terrorists and gunmen.
The Palestinian militants who carried out these attacks were all armed and dangerous fugitives wanted by the security forces, the IDF said.
Armed Palestinians also killed six Israeli civilians and four members of the security forces within Israel proper, the IDF said.
The army also responded to Amnesty allega- tions that its soldiers unnecessarily killed innocent bystanders or shot wanted fugitives when they could have been apprehended instead.
“Members of the security forces have often found themselves in life-threatening situations, and have been forced to open fire, in accordance with the IDF’s rules of engagement,” the army said.
The IDF said there was no basis whatsoever to Amnesty’s claim that IDF soldiers opened fire indiscriminately.
“To the IDF’s deep regret, during the course of dispersing violent disturbances and in clashes between security forces and rioters, some children and minors have suffered from measures taken to deal with rioters,” the army statement added.
INVESTIGATING MISCONDUCT CASES
The army also responded to charges that houses of innocent local residents were being destroyed as a form of collective punishment.
“The IDF categorically rejects Amnesty International’s claim that one of the objectives of the IDF, if not its principal one, is to punish those who have allowed fugitives to take refuge in their homes,” the military statement said.
The IDF denied Amnesty’s allegation that the army then used explosives in order to cause extensive damage to these homes.
The army insisted actions taken by the IDF in pursuit of armed fugitives were based solely on military considerations and were recognized and sanctioned by international law.
“These actions are carried out for the sole purpose of apprehending fugitives. Under no circumstances are they designed to punish the owners of the homes where the terrorists have taken refuge,” the army said.
The IDF also noted that in the event of damage to property, residents may apply to the Israeli Civil Administration for compensation.
The IDF said it was investigating cases where misconduct by soldiers may have occurred.
“If the investigation reveals that the personnel responsible have acted contrary to regulations, the military advocate general takes appropriate legal action against the individuals concerned,” the statement said.
Regarding a specific list of incidents forwarded by Amnesty to the army, the IDF said: “Should it be found that any of its personnel acted improperly, they will be court-martialed.”
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