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PHYSICIANS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS-ISRAEL
PRESS RELEASE
29.10.2000
Severe conclusions from the analysis of the injuries sustained by Palestinian citizens of
Israel during the October confrontations
within the ‘Green Line’
Official data from ‘Rambam’ hospital in Haifa – the main hospital in the
north of Israel – regarding Arab citizens of Israel
admitted to the hospital during the October confrontations in the north of Israel, were
analyzed by PHR–Israel expert Dr. Zeev
Wiener:
According to Dr. Wiener, it is surprising that so many of the injuries are in the upper
part of the body. Bullets were extracted
from the bodies of the injured, apparently indicating direct fire, rather than injuries
from ricochets.
32 injured civilians were admitted to the emergency room.
4 were discharged and we have no further information regarding their condition.
28 were hospitalized, with 30 injuries (two had more than one injury).
2 died of their injuries.
Of those admitted, there were:
10 head or face injuries
11 chest injuries
9 arm/leg injuries
Despite the fact that these data are partial, and somewhat biased, since only the most
serious injuries were
sent to Rambam hospital – the large number of seriously injured and the severity of
the injuries suffice to arouse
suspicion, that in many cases there was massive shooting directed toward civilians, and
that possibly sniper
fire was employed – rather than warning fire intended to scatter the demonstrations.
These data correspond to testimonies given by several of the injured to PHR–Israel,
according to which sniper
fire was employed against demonstrators.
In light of the above, Physicians for Human Rights–Israel has sent a message to the
Minister of Internal Security,
Prof. Shlomo Ben-Ami, in which we demand to know:
What were the firing instructions given to Israeli Police and Border Police forces, and
did the forces act
according to these regulations?
Was sniper fire employed? If so, we demand to know why sniper fire was employed against
demonstrating civilians, who are citizens of Israel.
PHR-ISRAEL: PRESS RELEASE
29.10.00
PHYSICIANS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS–ISRAEL condemns an attack by Israeli civilians directed
against a Palestinian hospital, and demands that the Prime Minister publicly call for
respect of
medical institutions and human life.
This morning at 5:30 am a GMC vehicle stopped opposite the gate of ‘Augusta
Victoria’ Hospital in East
Jerusalem. One of its three passengers, identified as Jewish by their clothes, got out of
the vehicle, directed a
gun at the entrance to the hospital, and shot two gunshots at the hospital guard.
PHR–Israel has issued a message to the Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Barak, demanding
that he and his
government publicly call to civilians and military forces alike in Israel, to protect the
neutrality of medical
personnel and institutions, especially at times of tension and conflict, when basic human
principles must be
observed.
We are aware that a police investigation has commenced regarding this event, but in our
opinion this is not
sufficient. In order to ensure that such a case does not repeat itself, there is need of
an unequivocal message
from the Israeli government condemning such conduct and protecting medical institutions
and human life itself.
If even medical institutions are damaged today, what moral values can remain?
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