FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
International observers under threats of arrest and death by Israeli
Armys Golani Brigade in AL Khalil (
March 8th, 2012
Christian Peacemaker Teams, Al-Khalil (
Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) has been threatened with arrest and
death by the Israeli armies Golani Brigade since publication of the
CPT report, Under Attack: Golani Brigade's war on the Palestinian
population of Al-Khalil (
escalation of human rights abuse in Al Khalil. These threats are an
attempt to prevent CPT and other international organizations from
continuing to document ongoing human rights abuses, including violence
and harassment, committed by soldiers against the civilian population
of Al Khalil.
According to International law and Israeli law, international
observers have the right to document the actions of soldiers unless
their presence interferes directly with the military. Members of CPT
have made it clear that they are present in Al Khalil merely to
document, but have been told by soldiers that they are subject to
arrest whenever they attempt to follow military patrols through
residential areas, film, or remain present during searches or
interrogations of civilians. Twice in recent weeks soldiers threatened
to shoot or kill a CPT member. In multiple instances soldiers used the
threat of arrest to prevent CPT from observing and documenting
incidents which included the detention or intimidation of children.
Summary of Incidences follows
Incidences when CPT was threaten with arrest while attempting to
observe the Israeli Armys Golani brigade:
On February 14, at around 4:00 PM two people from CPT encountered a
patrol of eight Golani soldiers in the
them that if they attempted to follow the patrol they would be
arrested. The soldiers body searched two men against a wall in Bab al
Baladiya, and then stopped a 12 year old boy, who was headed for the
Ibrahimi mosque and was carrying a large plastic bag of folded
tissues. After being ordered by the Soldiers, the boy opened the top
of the bag. The soldiers then ripped the bag open and then took him by
the coat and lead him out of sight of CPT. The soldiers told CPT
members that if they attempted to follow they would be arrested. The
boy was held for about 15 minutes out of the sight of internationals
and was then released.
On February 18 around 4:00 PM, Golani soldiers in Bab al Baladiya
detained 4 youths, age 12-17, and began to take them through the Old
City. The soldiers wanted to know were the boys lived. Two people from
CPT were present and followed the soldiers, along with the mother of
one of the boys. The soldiers used their rifles to shove the mother
and CPT back, and repeatedly told CPT and the mother that if they
continued to walk with them they would be arrested. The soldiers took
the boys into a nearby settlement and then to the Kyriat Arba police
station. They were later released.
On February 20th at around 8:30 AM, CPT encountered a group of four
Golani soldiers who were stopping people and checking IDs in the
shopping area of the
minutes, the soldiers were joined by four more soldiers and the patrol
moved up into the nearby residential streets. When members of CPT
attempted to follow 20 meters behind the patrol, the soldiers
threatened them with arrest. CPT explained that they were not
intending to interfere with the soldiers and the soldiers told them,
We are the law and we say you cannot follow us.
On February 20th at around 6 PM, soldiers detained a Palestinian
photographer and an international observer at checkpoint 56 for 1 hour
for taking pictures. The soldiers told CPT that if they took photos of
the detention they would be detained and arrested.
On February 26th at around 4 PM a patrol of six Golani soldiers
stopped four young boys above Baba al Baladiya and took them up into
the residential area above the bus station. They told a member of CPT
that he could not follow and would be arrested if he continued. The
soldiers were showing the boys photos on a camera and asking who was
in the photos and where the people lived. Another member of CPT
approached from another direction and met the soldiers and the boys
near the Spanish academy. The soldiers again told that member of CPT
that she would be arrested if she approached them.The children were
then released.
On March 3rd two people from CPT attempted to follow a patrol of 12
Golani soldiers in the old city in the late afternoon but were told if
they continued they would be arrested.
On March 6th at around 3 PM, A Golani patrol took 2 young boys (about
10 years of age) up to the rooftop of a Palestinian home in the old
city to interrogate them. Two CPT members followed them to the roof to
observe the incident. The CPT members were told to go down or they
would be arrested. The boys were released after a few minutes and told
CPT the soldiers wanted to know who was throwing stones at the
soldiers and who was breaking windows at the settlement
Incidences when Israeli Armys Golani Brigade threatened to shoot
and/or kill CPT:
On February 25th at around 3:30 PM during the weekly tour of Israeli
settlers through the
international observers that they had to be back 15 meters from the
soldiers. CPT moved back and continued to observe, whereupon a soldier
ran forward towards CPT and International observers, aimed his rifle
at them, and said, I want to shoot you through the head with a bullet.
On February 5th, around 7:30 AM, a member of CPT stopped to observe a
Golani soldier yelling at two Palestinians from the roof top. When the
CPTer remained to watch, the soldier told CPT to leave. CPT responded
by saying No. The soldier then pulled out his gun, looked through the
scope, and pointed it at the CPT member and told him to leave again
and motioned with his gun. The CPT member left the sight of the
solider and returned with a camera. The soldier then stopped pointing
his gun at the CPT and left the viewing area of the CPT member.
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