GAZA, May 15, 2018 (WAFA) – A joint statement by 27 international organizations called on Tuesday for urgent international action to stop what they said was Israeli “mass murder” of Palestinians in Gaza.
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor (Euro-Med) said at a press conference held at Shifa Medical Compound in Gaza that 27 different international organizations have signed a joint statement calling for a stop to the Israeli killing of Palestinian civilians.
The statement came following Israel’s recent “mass murder of Palestinians resulting from the Israeli army‘s use of excessive force to disperse unarmed demonstrators, killing dozens and wounding over 2,000,” said Euro-Med in its statement.
The organizations that signed the joint statement noted that for the most part, “protests have been peaceful at the Gaza fence, while targeted protesters did not pose a threat to soldiers’ lives that could justify their killing or the use of excessive force against them.”
They added: “It is true that, in some cases, protesters threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, attempted to cross the fence, or used Molotov cocktails. However, compared to vast majority of cases, these were ed. Also, none of them used or carried firearms. Given the large numbers of casualties, Israel’s use of lethal force is in no way justifiable. It is arbitrary and excessive.”
The organizations accused Israel of having “a deliberate intention to further complicate injuries of protesters, causing serious injuries that may lead to permanent disabilities.”
In most of the injuries, according to doctors’ testimonies, explosive bullets expanded as they pierced the body, leaving an even larger exit wound. This has left patients with no choice except to have their lower limbs amputated. “Soldiers seem to have been intent on causing amputations to protesters,” they said.
The international organization also accused Israel of using gas to disperse demonstrators that “contained substances that caused tremor, fainting and hysteria.”
They said doctors are concerned that it can lead to chronic lung infections, nervous system disorders or chronic spasms in the muscles and nerves.
“The use of such types of weapons against civilians who did not pose a real threat to soldiers’ life contradicts the rules set for the use of force to disperse demonstrations. Such excessive and disproportionate use runs contrary to the provisions of the First Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions, which prohibits the use of ‘weapons, projectiles and substances and methods of war that are likely to cause unnecessary suffering’.”
The statement called on the international community, especially the UN to force the Israeli occupation to respect protesters’ right to demonstrate in a peaceful manner in the Gaza Strip, and the Israeli leadership to prevent their soldiers from using force when dealing with peaceful demonstrators.
The Israeli occupation must also conduct an effective and serious investigation regarding the excessive use of force against the demonstrators in the Gaza Strip, and the use of weapons that have caused unjustifiable pain, while holding perpetrator accountable for these crimes, and bringing them to justice.
They also noted the importance of referring these cases to the Courts of Justice of the countries party to the Geneva Conventions, under the principle of universal jurisdiction, to look into the said crimes. They also pointed to the jurisdiction of the International Crime Court, whose Public Prosecutor referred to the incidents on 8 April of this year.
“The Israeli occupation must put an immediate and unconditional end to the blockade on the Gaza Strip, and shall compensate all those who were affected by this blockade over the past years. The Israeli government must work seriously to end its long-term occupation of the Palestinian territories, allow the return of Palestinian refugees to their homes and compensate those who do not wish to return, as stipulated in UN General Assembly Resolution 194,” concluded the statement.
M.K.
