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IDF to probe death of Palestinian protester at West Bank rally

Posted on: July 12, 2010

Anshel Pfeffer | Ha’aretz

12 July 2010

The Military Advocate General on Monday ordered the army’s criminal investigations unit to investigate the death of a Palestinian protester who was killed by a tear gas canister at a demonstration in Bil’in in April 2009.

The Military Advocate General had refused to open a criminal investigation into the death of Bassem Abu-Rahma, but on Monday changed its mind after expert testimony showed that the tear gas canister was aimed directly at Abu-Rahma and was fired in violation of military orders.

The Military Advocate General notified Abu-Rahma’s family and human rights lawyer Michael Sfard, who … Continue reading


Updated on July 13, 2010
Posted under: In the Media
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State won’t prosecute officers filmed beating Palestinians

Posted on: October 21, 2009

Liel Kyzer | Ha’aretz

21 October 2009

Deputy State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan rejected an appeal against the decision not to investigate Border Police officers who documented themselves abusing Palestinians.

The appeal was filed by the Yesh Din human rights group.

Senior deputy to the state prosecutor Nechama Zusman wrote last week on Nitzan’s behalf that “the beating in the case was extremely slight and did not cause any actual damage. Therefore, the deputy state prosecutor did not think it was appropriate to intervene in the decision of the Justice Ministry’s department for the investigation of police officers to transfer the case to the … Continue reading


Updated on October 21, 2009
Posted under: In the Media
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Back to Warsaw 1968

Posted on: September 3, 2009

Michael Sfard | Ha’aretz

3 September 2009

When my father was 21, he was arrested. Secret service agents tailed him everywhere for a few weeks, and the stress over whether and when he’d be shackled ate at him. Above all, it killed his aged parents. Many members of the student union were arrested with him. Each time the heavy iron door of his cell opened everyone’s heart skipped a beat. Who would they summon for interrogation now? Who would be spending the next 10 hours with the good interrogator and the bad interrogator?

During his many interrogations he wasn’t beaten or tortured, … Continue reading


Updated on September 3, 2009
Posted under: In the Media
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Israel declares the shooting of American activist, Tristan Anderson to be an “act of war”

Posted on: August 18, 2009

For Immediate Release

18 August 2009: Israel declares the shooting of American activist, Tristan Anderson to be an “act of war.”

Tristan Anderson, an American national, was critically injured on 13 March 2009 when he was shot with a high velocity tear-gas projectile during an unarmed demonstration against the Wall in the West Bank village of Ni’lin (report and video: http://palsolidarity.org/2009/03/5324).

The Israeli Ministry of Defense has notified the Anderson family’s lawyers that Israel perceives the incident on 13 March 2009 as an “act of war.” This classification was made despite the fact that Anderson’s shooting occurred during a civilian demonstration and … Continue reading


Updated on August 18, 2009
Posted under: Features, Press Releases
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Rights group warns of growing settler violence

Posted on: June 10, 2009

Efrat Weiss | YNet News

10 June 2009

Palestinian farmers in the West Bank are paying the price for the government’s efforts to evacuate illegal outpost in the region, data published by human rights group Yesh Din on Wednesday revealed.

According to the organization, in recent weeks there has been an alarming rise in the number of attempts to uproot or damage trees in villages in the area, and the phenomenon is expected to expand if the security forces do not take action against the perpetrators.

In a letter sent to Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Central Command Chief Gadi Shamni and Judea … Continue reading


Updated on June 10, 2009
Posted under: In the Media
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New Bil’in barrier route reduces Modi’in Illit expansion

Posted on: April 30, 2009

Dan Izenberg | Jerusalem Post

26 April 2009

It took the death of a Palestinian at Bil’in last week and the threat of another contempt of court petition to the High Court of Justice, but the state has finally come up with a new proposal for the route of the West Bank security barrier that apparently complies with the original court decision of 19 months ago, attorney Michael Sfard said on Sunday.

Last week, the state submitted a new proposal to the High Court to change the original route of the fence in the area of Modi’in Illit, which was … Continue reading


Updated on April 30, 2009
Posted under: In the Media
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Demonstrator killed in Bil’in by Israeli forces

Posted on: April 17, 2009
Basem Abu Rahme, killed by Israeli forces

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, 17 April 2009, Bil’in Village: A resident has been killed by Israeli forces during a demonstration. Basem Abu Rahme, 29 years of age, was shot in the chest with a high-velocity tear gas projectile. He was evacuated to Ramallah hospital in critical condition, where he died of his injury. According to eyewitnesses, Basem was on a hill with several journalists to the side of other demonstrators. Soldiers opened fire from 40 meters, aiming directly with the tear-gas projectiles.

The tear-gas projectile, labeled … Continue reading


Updated on April 21, 2009
Posted under: Features, Press Releases
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