Recent documentation and resources related to the contention that Israel “engages in a consistent pattern of gross violations of internationally recognized human rights” — in contravention of the US Foreign Assistance Act. (22 U.S. Code § 2151n)
-August 19, 2014
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
Feb, 2014
“Amnesty International …urges the USA, the European Union and the rest of the international community to suspend all transfers of munitions, weapons and other equipment to Israel.”
?? Report (“Trigger Happy” PDF, 3.6MB) — http://www.amnestyusa.org/
OTHER AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTATION
21 May 2014
Israel/OPT: Footage appears to show deliberate killing of Palestinian children
“Amnesty International has extensively documented the use of unnecessary and excessive force against Palestinians by Israel’s police and military leading to a rising number of unlawful killings, some of which may be willful killings amounting to war crimes.”
30 July 2014
Israel/Gaza: Attack on UN school in Gaza a potential war crime that must be investigated
Israel/Gaza: Attack on UN school in Gaza a potential war crime that must be investigated
“An attack overnight on the Jabaliya elementary school in Gaza, where more than 3,000 displaced civilians had sought refuge, is a possible war crime and should be independently investigated, said Amnesty International today. …The strike on the power plant, which cut off electricity and running water to Gaza’s 1.8 million residents and numerous hospitals has catastrophic humanitarian implications and is very likely to amount to a war crime.”
31 July 2014
USA: Stop arms transfers to Israel amid growing evidence of war crimes in Gaza
USA: Stop arms transfers to Israel amid growing evidence of war crimes in Gaza
“The US government must immediately end its ongoing deliveries of large quantities of arms to Israel, which are providing the tools to commit further serious violations of international law in Gaza, said Amnesty International, as it called for a total arms embargo on all parties to the conflict.”
7 August 2014
Evidence of medical workers and facilities being targeted by Israeli forces in Gaza
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH
August 11, 2014
Suspend Providing Israel with Weapons Documented to Have Been Used to Commission War Crimes
?? Human Rights Watch Letter to US State Secretary
“In many of the cases resulting in civilian casualties that Human Rights Watch has been able to investigate thus far, the Israeli attacks did not appear directed at a legitimate military target… Human Rights Watch and other independent organizations have repeatedly documented such unlawful attacks by Israel causing high civilian casualties. When such attacks are carried out deliberately or recklessly they constitute war crimes…
“To the extent that this blockade [of Gaza] goes beyond justifications of military necessity, it constitutes unlawful collective punishment of the civilian population.
“…we urge… [s]uspending the provision of weapons to Israel that have been documented or credibly alleged to have been used in the commission of war crimes or other serious laws-of-war violations, as well as funding and support for such materiel.”
OTHER HRW DOCUMENTATION
August 10, 2014
Gaza: Widespread Impact of Power Plant Attack
Curtailed Sewage Treatment, Food and Water Supply, Hospital Operations
Curtailed Sewage Treatment, Food and Water Supply, Hospital Operations
“Deliberately attacking the power plant would be a war crime... Damaging or destroying a power plant, even if it also served a military purpose, would be an unlawful disproportionate attack under the laws of war… in 2008, Israel cut its deliveries of electricity and fuel to Gaza for the declared purpose of pressuring armed groups to end their rocket attacks against civilians in Israel, a form of collective punishment in violation of the laws of war.
http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/
08/10/gaza-widespread-impact- power-plant-attack
August 4, 2014
Gaza: Israeli Soldiers Shoot and Kill Fleeing Civilians
Fighting in Khuza’a Shows Grave Dangers to Families Seeking Safety
Fighting in Khuza’a Shows Grave Dangers to Families Seeking Safety
“Deliberate attacks on civilians who are not participating in the fighting are war crimes.“
http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/
08/04/gaza-israeli-soldiers- shoot-and-kill-fleeing- civilians
August 3, 2014
Israel: Shooting Deaths after West Bank Protest
Evidence Points to Unlawful Killings by Israeli Forces
Evidence Points to Unlawful Killings by Israeli Forces
“Some offenses by Israeli forces in the West Bank as part of their occupation could be subject to prosecution as war crimes.”
http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/
08/03/israel-shooting-deaths- after-west-bank-protest-0
July 22, 2014
Gaza: Airstrike Deaths Raise Concerns on Ground Offensive
Unlawful Israeli Attacks Hit Hospital, Kill Children, Other Civilians
Unlawful Israeli Attacks Hit Hospital, Kill Children, Other Civilians
“Human Rights Watch investigated seven Israeli airstrikes that were apparent violations of the laws of war before the ground offensive that began on July 17, 2014.”
http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/
07/22/gaza-airstrike-deaths- raise-concerns-ground- offensive
July 16, 2014
Israel/Palestine: Unlawful Israeli Airstrikes Kill Civilians
Bombings of Civilian Structures Suggest Illegal Policy
Bombings of Civilian Structures Suggest Illegal Policy
“Deliberate or reckless attacks violating the laws of war are war crimes.”
http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/
07/15/israelpalestine- unlawful-israeli-airstrikes- kill-civilians
July 3, 2014
Israel: Serious Violations in West Bank Operations
Death, Destruction, and Massive Arrests
Death, Destruction, and Massive Arrests
“Israel’s military operations in the West Bank following the abduction and killing of three Israeli teenagers have amounted to collective punishment... which the Fourth Geneva Convention prohibits in all circumstances.”
http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/
07/03/israel-serious- violations-west-bank- operations
June 19, 2014
Israel: Stop Threatening Witness to Killings
Forces Target Man Whose Cameras Recorded Deaths
Forces Target Man Whose Cameras Recorded Deaths
“Israel should be investigating these deaths, but instead its forces seem intent on intimidating witnesses and ensuring future abuses won’t be caught on camera.”
http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/
06/19/israel-stop-threatening- witness-killings
June 15, 2014
Israel: Autopsy Confirms Gunshot Killed Boy
Official Efforts to Discredit Evidence Raise Need for Justice
Official Efforts to Discredit Evidence Raise Need for Justice
“The autopsy of Nadim Nuwarah bolsters evidence indicating that Israeli forces unlawfully killed two boys on May 15.”
http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/
06/14/israel-autopsy-confirms- gunshot-killed-boy
June 9, 2014
Israel: Killing of Children Apparent War Crime
Based on Witnesses, Video, Boys Posed No Threat to Soldiers
Based on Witnesses, Video, Boys Posed No Threat to Soldiers
“The willful killing of civilians by Israeli security forces as part of the occupation is a war crime“
http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/
06/09/israel-killing-children- apparent-war-crime
April 25, 2014
Israel: Stop Shooting at Gaza Civilians
Soldiers Kill, Wound Farmers, Demonstrators, Journalists
Soldiers Kill, Wound Farmers, Demonstrators, Journalists
“In violation of international humanitarian law (or the laws of war) which prohibits attacks on civilians, Israeli soldiers have repeatedly shot at civilians near the fence on the Palestinian side.”
http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/
04/24/israel-stop-shooting- gaza-civilians
March 27, 2014
UN Human Rights Council: Adoption of the UPR Outcome of Israel
The forcible transfer of civilians by an occupying power is a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949… The transfer of Israeli civilians to occupied Palestinian territory is also a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/
03/27/un-human-rights-council- adoption-upr-outcome-israel
* EARLIER *
February 8, 2013
Gaza: Airstrikes Violated Laws of War
http://www.hrw.org/features/
gaza-airstrikes-violated-laws- war
April 11, 2010
Impunity for Laws-of-War Violations during the Gaza War
?? Report (“Turning a Blind Eye” PDF, 0.5MB)
August 13, 2009
Killings of Palestinian Civilians during Operation Cast Lead
?? Report (“White Flag Deaths” PDF, 1.6MB)
http://www.hrw.org/sites/
default/files/reports/ ioptwf0809webwcover_2.pdf
INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS (ICRC)
08-08-2014
Gaza-Israel conflict: Disregard for humanitarian law led to unacceptable toll on civilians
“The parties to the conflict have obligations under the laws of war… In Gaza, more than 1,900 people were killed and some 10,000 wounded in 28 days of intense hostilities. At least 400,000 people were displaced and more than 9,000 homes rendered uninhabitable. ‘International humanitarian law is meant to strike a balance between military necessity and humanitarian considerations ...this balance has not been respected. This only underlines the need for the parties to absolutely abide by the law, and for the international community to take all possible measures to ensure that they do so.’ “
Wednesday 30th Jul 2014
Gaza: ICRC calls for the killing to stop
“The ICRC firmly condemns the extremely alarming series of attacks against humanitarian workers, ambulances, and hospitals. Al Aqsa hospital in Deir El Balah, Gaza, came under direct fire at least four times (27 July) killing at least four people and injuring scores of others. …Even in the midst of warfare, people must be able to receive medical care in safety”
25-07-2014
Gaza: ICRC condemns killing of Red Crescent volunteer
“’We condemn in the strongest possible terms the attacks against medical personnel and ambulances which have occurred in Gaza over the past two weeks’…
“The ambulances were clearly marked with the red crescent emblem. ‘Targeting ambulances, hospitals and medical workers is a serious violation of the law of war,’ Mr De Maio said.”
http://www.icrc.org/eng/
resources/documents/news- release/2014/07-25-gaza- volunteer-killed.htm
* EARLIER *
Thursday 04th Jul 2013
ICRC President urges Israel to improve balance between security and humanity
“The ICRC President… saw how the routing of the West Bank barrier has left a community isolated, cut off from sources of education, employment and health care and struggling to stay in touch with friends and family. The President also saw the suffering caused by years of closure of the Gaza strip with limits on what can be imported and who can enter or leave.”
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS/MÉDECINS SANS FRONTIÈRES (MSF)
July 29, 2014
Gaza: MSF Strongly Condemns Attack on Al Shifa Hospital
“Targeting hospitals and their surroundings is completely unacceptable and a serious violation of international humanitarian law...”
“In the Gaza Strip, 1.8 million people, including more than 160,000 displaced people, live in a narrow, densely populated strip of land. “Gazans are hemmed in by the sea and closed borders,” said Marie-Noëlle Rodrigue, MSF’s director of operations. “When the Israeli army orders civilians to evacuate their houses and their neighborhoods, where is there for them to go? Gazans have no freedom of movement and cannot take refuge outside Gaza. They are effectively trapped.”
August 12, 2014
Gaza: Entire Streets Are No More than Piles of Rubble
PHYSICIANS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
07/22/2014
PHR Calls for Protection of Medical Facilities and Personnel in Gaza
Hospitals Have Been Repeatedly Attacked in Violation of Humanitarian Laws
Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) today urgently called on the government of Israel to stop attacking health facilities, ambulances, and health personnel in Gaza… At least 11 health facilities, including a clinic for the disabled, have reportedly been attacked, some repeatedly… PHR expressed concerns that Israeli forces have been regularly violating the fundamental tenet of international humanitarian law that protects medical facilities, personnel, and equipment during times of conflict… PHR said the U.S. government should also officially recognize attacks on civilians, including health workers, as unlawful and use U.S. bilateral relations with Israel to press for an immediate end to such abuses. The United States must also press for a transparent investigation and accountability for attacks on health facilities and personnel.