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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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