US accuses Israel of using excessive force against Palestinians

Details

Written by TIMES OF ISRAEL STAFF AND AGENCIES TIMES OF ISRAEL STAFF AND AGENCIES

Published: 16 April 2016 16 April 2016

Annual US report on human rights says nearly half of Palestinians killed by Israel were not carrying out attacks, and many times did not pose a threat to life

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration accused Israel of using excessive force against Palestinians during a wave of deadly violence, in an annual report that pointed to a global decline in human rights.

The annual report by the State Department into human rights abuses around the world accused Israeli forces of “excessive use of force” in the Palestinian territories, and “arbitrary arrest and associated torture and abuse, often with impunity,” by the IDF, the Palestinian Authority and Hamas.

According to numbers cited in the report, 149 Palestinians were killed in 2015 by Israeli security forces, but only 77 were in the course of attacking Israelis.

“There were numerous reports of the ISF (Israel security forces) killing Palestinians during riots, demonstrations, at checkpoints, and during routine operations; in some cases they did not pose a threat to life,” the report read.

Read more: US accuses Israel of using excessive force against Palestinians

ISRAELI GOVERNMENT MUST CEASE INTIMIDATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS, PROTECT THEM FROM ATTACKS

Details

Written by Amnesty International Amnesty International

Published: 16 April 2016 16 April 2016

The Israeli authorities must end their long-standing attacks on Palestinian human rights defenders (HRDs) and halt the climate of intimidation of HRDs in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), Amnesty International said today. Israeli authorities must take immediate steps to provide protection necessary for HRDs in Israel/OPT to carry out their work freely and without fear of attacks and harassment. Attacks and threats against HRDs must be investigated and those responsible must be held to account.

Read Amnesty International's report here!

Dear Unitarian Universalist Association: Thank You!

Details

Written by Friends of Sabeel - North America Friends of Sabeel - North America

Published: 10 April 2016 10 April 2016

We applaud the recent decision of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) to divest from several companies complicit in violations of Palestinian human rights, including Hewlett Packard Enterprise, HP Inc., Motorola Solutions, and Caterpillar. The adoption of the UUA's Human Rights in Conflict Zones investment screen sends a powerful message promoting human rights to companies operating throughout the world. The implementation of the screen also provides an inspiring model for other faith-based communities in the United States. Not only do we thank you for this critical effort, we strongly support the passing of the Proposed Business Resolution: Divestment from Corporations Complicit in the Violation of Palestinian Rights at the Unitarian Universalists 2016 General Assembly

Sign the Thank You Here!

Unitarian Universalists divest from companies profiting from Israel's occupation

Details

Written by Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East

Published: 10 April 2016 10 April 2016

Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East (UUJME) welcomes the recent decision of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) to divest from several companies involved in human rights abuses and environmental degradation.

The UUA has adopted a human rights screen focusing on conflict zones that includes human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territories. The UUA subsequently divested from Hewlett Packard Enterprise, HP Inc., and Motorola Solutions. The UUA has also divested from Caterpillar Inc., due to concerns over its environmental and social practices. These four companies have been the target of boycott and divestment campaigns due to their complicity in violations of Palestinian human rights.

“We are pleased with this decision made by the UUA officials,” said Curtis Bell, a member of the UUJME Board of Directors. “As Unitarian Universalists we want to live by our principles, which include respect for the worth and dignity of every person, upholding justice, equity and compassion in human affairs, and seeking peace and world community. When we refuse to profit from human rights abuses and the suffering of fellow human beings, we are living our principles.”

By divesting from Hewlett Packard Enterprise, HP Inc., Motorola Solutions, and Caterpillar, the UUA is joining other religious denominations such as the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the United Church of Christ, which have voted to divest from these and other companies profiting from Israel’s abuses of Palestinian rights; and the United Methodist Church, which has voted to boycott goods produced in settlements and which recently divested from two Israeli banks and placed three others on a no investing list due to their complicity in the illegal construction of Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land.

UUJME will be working to reinforce and solidify the UUA’s decisions with passage of a Business Resolution by delegates to the UUA General Assembly in Columbus Ohio this coming June. Adoption of this resolution will guide the UUA as it continues to include human rights concerns in the occupied Palestinian territories in its future investment decisions.