Israel to stop attacks

23 October 2001

AI Index MDE 15/097/2001 - News Service Nr. 187

News Flash

Israel/OT: Amnesty International urges Israel to stop attacks on Palestinian areas

Amnesty International is gravely concerned at recent reports of random shelling and shootings by the Israeli Defence Force in Palestinian residential areas, among them Jenin, Ramallah, Tulkarm, Bethlehem and Beit Jala, which has left at least 25 Palestinians killed, among them several children, and scores of others injured, in retaliation for the killing of the Israeli Minister of Tourism, Rehavam Zeevi on 17 October.

The organization calls on the Israeli government to urgently abide by international human rights standards which state that law enforcement officers may not use firearms except in self-defence or defence of others against death or serious injury.

Amnesty International also calls on Palestinian groups not to fire at Israeli civilians and renews its call on the international community to take immediate steps to introduce international observers with a strong human rights component.

ENDS

Amnesty International, 1 Easton St., London WC1X 0DW

web : http://www.amnesty.org