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Netanyahu hints at easing rules on firing at Palestinian stone-throwers Netanyahu hints at easing rules on firing at Palestinian stone-throwers
(34 minutes later)
Israel’s prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, has ordered his security officials to examine changing the rules governing when soldiers can shoot young Palestinian stone-throwers.Israel’s prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, has ordered his security officials to examine changing the rules governing when soldiers can shoot young Palestinian stone-throwers.
A statement issued by his office on Wednesday revealed that Netanyahu was considering giving security forces a freer hand to open fire with live ammunition after meeting with his cabinet to discuss a recent increase in the number of incidents involving firebombs and stone-throwing in Jerusalem and on the West Bank. A statement issued by his office on Wednesday revealed Netanyahu was considering giving security forces a freer hand to open fire with live ammunition after meeting with his cabinet to discuss a recent increase in the number of incidents involving firebombs and stone-throwing in Jerusalem and on the West Bank.
Despite rules of engagement that in theory only permit potentially lethal live fire to be used in life-threatening situations, a number of recent incidents have led to young Palestinians being killed by Israeli soldiers – including a brigade commander – while fleeing and posing no immediate threat. Despite rules of engagement that in theory permit potentially lethal live fire to be used only in life-threatening situations, a number of recent incidents have led to young Palestinians being killed by Israeli soldiers – including a brigade commander – while fleeing and posing no immediate threat.
The re-examination of open-fire regulations comes as the Israeli parliament is due to consider sweeping new anti-terrorism legislation, which some have criticised for what they say are draconian new provisions. The re-examination of open-fire regulations comes as the Israeli parliament is due to consider sweeping anti-terrorism legislation, which some have criticised for what they say are draconian new provisions.
Related: Palestinian teenager 'shot in back by senior Israeli soldier while fleeing'Related: Palestinian teenager 'shot in back by senior Israeli soldier while fleeing'
It was unclear from the statement, however, what the new rules might look like or the implications of any new open-fire regulations would be.It was unclear from the statement, however, what the new rules might look like or the implications of any new open-fire regulations would be.
The proposed changes to the open-fire regulations came after a meeting with several cabinet ministers and security chiefs to discuss an increase in stone-throwing in Jerusalem and on a highway in the occupied West Bank.The proposed changes to the open-fire regulations came after a meeting with several cabinet ministers and security chiefs to discuss an increase in stone-throwing in Jerusalem and on a highway in the occupied West Bank.
“Since the justice system finds it difficult to deal with minors who throw rocks, changes to orders on opening fire towards stone- and petrol bomb-throwers will be examined,” the prime minister’s office said in a statement.“Since the justice system finds it difficult to deal with minors who throw rocks, changes to orders on opening fire towards stone- and petrol bomb-throwers will be examined,” the prime minister’s office said in a statement.
Netanyahu was quoted as saying at the session that his government’s policy was one of “zero tolerance towards stone-throwing and zero tolerance towards terror”.Netanyahu was quoted as saying at the session that his government’s policy was one of “zero tolerance towards stone-throwing and zero tolerance towards terror”.
In the same meeting Netanyahu ordered reinforcements along a key road where there have been incidents of stone-throwing – route 443 – be reinforced and the deployment of 400 Israeli police in Jerusalem.In the same meeting Netanyahu ordered reinforcements along a key road where there have been incidents of stone-throwing – route 443 – be reinforced and the deployment of 400 Israeli police in Jerusalem.
Route 443, which runs through the West Bank, is the main road linking Jerusalem and the West Bank settlements with the town of Modi’in, which is also on disputed territory, and the Tel Aviv area in central Israel.Route 443, which runs through the West Bank, is the main road linking Jerusalem and the West Bank settlements with the town of Modi’in, which is also on disputed territory, and the Tel Aviv area in central Israel.
Wasel Abu Youssef, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organisation’s executive committee, criticised the potential new policy.Wasel Abu Youssef, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organisation’s executive committee, criticised the potential new policy.
“This rightist Israeli fanatic government is pursuing its criminal policy to kill Palestinians. The new regulations would mean more escalation, killings and crimes against our people.”“This rightist Israeli fanatic government is pursuing its criminal policy to kill Palestinians. The new regulations would mean more escalation, killings and crimes against our people.”
Sarit Michaeli, of the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem, told the Guardian that while it was hard to comment until new orders had been issued, it seemed to make for a “grim read”.Sarit Michaeli, of the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem, told the Guardian that while it was hard to comment until new orders had been issued, it seemed to make for a “grim read”.
Related: Nabi Saleh images illustrate changing asymmetry of Israeli-Palestinian conflict
“It seems from the wording to suggest that because the justice system can’t deal with stone-throwers, shoot them. Currently, it is prohibited to fire on anyone who is not posing a mortal danger.”“It seems from the wording to suggest that because the justice system can’t deal with stone-throwers, shoot them. Currently, it is prohibited to fire on anyone who is not posing a mortal danger.”
In reality there have been a number of high-profile incidents in recent years –exposed by media and human rights groups – in which Israeli security forces have shot and killed Palestinians even as they were fleeing or walking away from the scene of stone-throwing.In reality there have been a number of high-profile incidents in recent years –exposed by media and human rights groups – in which Israeli security forces have shot and killed Palestinians even as they were fleeing or walking away from the scene of stone-throwing.
In the most recent incident, a Palestinian teenager, Mohammed Kasbeh, was shot and killed by an Israeli brigade commander after the officer’s car was hit by a stone. Medical and eyewitness testimony suggested he had been shot in the back while fleeing. In the most recent incident, a Palestinian teenager, Mohammed Kasbeh, was shot and killed by an Israeli brigade commander after the officer’s car was hit by a stone. Medical and witness testimony suggested he had been shot in the back while fleeing.
Israeli-Palestinian peace talks have been frozen since 2014 and while violence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem has not approached the levels of past Palestinian uprisings, there has been a surge of stone-throwing, long a symbol of resistance to Israeli occupation.Israeli-Palestinian peace talks have been frozen since 2014 and while violence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem has not approached the levels of past Palestinian uprisings, there has been a surge of stone-throwing, long a symbol of resistance to Israeli occupation.
While tougher action against stone-throwers would probably prompt international concern, Netanyahu’s government and the military have been facing calls from Israeli settler leaders in the West Bank for a security crackdown.While tougher action against stone-throwers would probably prompt international concern, Netanyahu’s government and the military have been facing calls from Israeli settler leaders in the West Bank for a security crackdown.
Those demands mounted after a video last week that showed a masked Israeli soldier being hit and bitten by relatives of a Palestinian boy – a suspected rock-thrower whom he had placed in a headlock. Many Israelis asked on social media why the infantryman had not fought back or even used his assault rifle.Those demands mounted after a video last week that showed a masked Israeli soldier being hit and bitten by relatives of a Palestinian boy – a suspected rock-thrower whom he had placed in a headlock. Many Israelis asked on social media why the infantryman had not fought back or even used his assault rifle.
Related: Nabi Saleh images illustrate changing asymmetry of Israeli-Palestinian conflict
In July, Israel’s parliament imposed tougher penalties of up to 20 years in prison for people throwing stones at vehicles, after a wave of Palestinian protests in occupied East Jerusalem.In July, Israel’s parliament imposed tougher penalties of up to 20 years in prison for people throwing stones at vehicles, after a wave of Palestinian protests in occupied East Jerusalem.
But no such punishments have been reported since the new legislation was approved, and the measure does not apply to the occupied West Bank, where Israeli military law is in effect and stone-throwing.But no such punishments have been reported since the new legislation was approved, and the measure does not apply to the occupied West Bank, where Israeli military law is in effect and stone-throwing.
B’Tselem lists 12 Palestinian minors who were shot and killed by Israeli forces during protests and clashes in the West Bank in 2014. In at least four of those incidents, Israel said the youngsters had been throwing stones or petrol bombs, according to B’Tselem.B’Tselem lists 12 Palestinian minors who were shot and killed by Israeli forces during protests and clashes in the West Bank in 2014. In at least four of those incidents, Israel said the youngsters had been throwing stones or petrol bombs, according to B’Tselem.
Since 2011, three Israelis, including a baby and a girl, have been killed in the West Bank after stones were thrown at vehicles they were travelling in.Since 2011, three Israelis, including a baby and a girl, have been killed in the West Bank after stones were thrown at vehicles they were travelling in.