ONE PALESTINIAN PROTESTER KILLED, AT LEAST FOUR

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 000899

SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND IPA. NSC FOR SHAPIRO/KUMAR. JOINT
STAFF FOR LTGEN SELVA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/08/2019
TAGS: PHUM PGOV MOPS KWBG KPAL IS CASC
SUBJECT: ONE PALESTINIAN PROTESTER KILLED, AT LEAST FOUR
WOUNDED, AT SEPARATION BARRIER PROTEST

REF: A. JERUSALEM 691

B. TEL AVIV 779

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

Summary
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1. (C) IDF soldiers and Israeli border police, responding
to a June 5 protest against the separation barrier in Ni'lin,
killed one Palestinian and injured four others, at least one
critically. A 36-year-old Palestinian protester died on the
scene when hit in the chest by live fire, according to
Palestinian medical contacts. A Palestinian Red Crescent
Society (PRCS) paramedic was also injured. End summary.

One Dead, At Least Four Injured in Ni'lin
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2. (C) PRCS Chief of Emergency Medical Services Mohammed
Awadeh told Poloff on June 5 that IDF soldiers and Israeli
police dispersed a weekly demonstration against the
separation barrier with live ammunition, killing 36-year old
Yousif Aqel Srour, and injuring at least four others in
Ni'lin, west of Ramallah. According to Awadeh, three of the
injured Palestinians were hit by live ammunition, with one in
critical condition and paralyzed. A PRCS paramedic was also
injured when struck in the back by a teargas canister while
evacuating wounded protesters. Awadeh added that IDF
soldiers beat a Palestinian civil defense officer.

IDF: Force Used Against Hamas Protest
--------------


3. (C) The IDF released a statement justifying the use of
force, asserting that Srour was a Hamas activist central to
the weekly anti-separation fence protests, and that the
Palestinian protesters were throwing stones at IDF soldiers
and Israeli border police. PA security sources denied to
PolSpec that the protest was organized by Hamas, saying the
June 5 demonstration in Ni'lin was one of several West Bank
demonstrations in villages near the separation barrier
marking the anniversary of the June 5, 1967 occupation of the
West Bank by Israel. They said the demonstrators included
Fatah and Hamas members, as well as Israeli and international
peace activists. Srour was buried in a Hamas flag on June 6.


Comment
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4. (C) This incident is the latest of several instances
(reftels) in West Bank villages near the separation barrier
that have resulted in the death of or serious injury to
protesters, including AmCit Tristan Anderson, who was
wounded by a teargas canister during a barrier protest in a
nearby village. PA Prime Minister Fayyad has, following each
incident, requested USG intervention with the GOI to
encourage restraint by the IDF to avoid fatalities among
unarmed protesters. Fayyad reiterated his concern to the
Consul General following this incident, noting that excessive
use of force by IDF soldiers increases tensions between
Palestinians and Israelis in the West Bank and may lead to
further violence.

WALLES