Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08JERUSALEM1904
2008-10-17 14:48:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:  

THREE PALESTINIANS ARE KILLED IN 48 HOURS; PA

Tags:  KWBG PHUM IS PTER 
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VZCZCXRO8302
OO RUEHROV
DE RUEHJM #1904 2911448
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 171448Z OCT 08
FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3027
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 001904 

SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/PASCUAL/MARCHAND

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/17/2018
TAGS: KWBG PHUM IS PTER
SUBJECT: THREE PALESTINIANS ARE KILLED IN 48 HOURS; PA
COMPLAINS ABOUT IDF USE OF FORCE

Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 001904

SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/PASCUAL/MARCHAND

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/17/2018
TAGS: KWBG PHUM IS PTER
SUBJECT: THREE PALESTINIANS ARE KILLED IN 48 HOURS; PA
COMPLAINS ABOUT IDF USE OF FORCE

Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (SBU) Summary. IDF Kfir Brigade soldiers shot and killed
three Palestinians in separate incidents near Ramallah from
October 14-16. The IDF claimed all three were carrying
Molotov cocktails ("firebombs") when killed, according to
press accounts. PA leaders criticized the shootings as
unjustified, said none of the men killed were carrying out an
attack when shot and no attempts were made to arrest the men
or use less-than-lethal means to subdue them. End summary.

Three Palestinians Killed in
Separate IDF Shootings
--------------


2. (SBU) On October 14, IDF troops in positions near Bet El
settlement shot a 17-year-old Palestinian from Jalazun
Refugee Camp, who died the next day. The IDF told the press
that the Palestinian was carrying a firebomb, a potentially
lethal weapon, and that the IDF followed approved rules of
engagement in killing him.


3. (SBU) At a funeral for the youth in Jalazun Camp late
October 15, mourners reportedly burned tires and threw stones
and firebombs at IDF troops and Border Police in the area.
The IDF shot and killed one of the Palestinians. (Note: The
IDF told Israeli press that the man was holding a firebomb, a
claim denied in Palestinian media by mourners. End note).
On October 16, during an IDF incursion in Kufr Malik (north
of Ramallah),the IDF fired on a group of three Palestinian
men the IDF said were carrying firebombs, killing one
(20-year-old Aziz Arar) and injuring another.


4. (C) PA Information and Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki
told press October 16 that the killings were "unjustified"
and "in cold blood" and claimed that the killings were
related to plans to close off areas around settlements and
"proof of an Israeli policy, whether by the Israeli
government or its settlers, of ethnic cleansing, planning to
remove Palestinians from their homes or lands." PA security
commanders said they were prevented by the IDF from entering
either the camp or the village (both Area B) to restore order
or pay respects to the men's families. They added that no
attempt was made to arrest the men if the IDF believed they
had been involved in illegal activity, and that the IDF
immediately used lethal force in each incident. (Note:
Jalazun Refugee Camp and Bet El settlement are separated by a
narrow wadi. End note).

Comment
--------------


5. (C) While IDF shootings of Palestinians engaged in
suspicious activities or carrying firebombs are not uncommon
in the West Bank, the fact that three were killed in such a
short period has angered Palestinians and caused the PA
leadership to accuse the GOI of adopting a more aggressive
policy. Local NGOs and PA officials frequently complain that
such incidents are the consequence of liberal rules of
engagement that allow IDF soldiers to use lethal force
against Palestinians who pose no imminent danger to the IDF
or other Israelis.
WALLES