Accountability

Accountability

Every country must investigate alleged violations of human rights committed in its jurisdiction by persons acting on its authority. It must prosecute the offenders and compensate the injured parties. These actions are crucial both to provide justice to victims and as a deterrent to such violations in the future. Israel has not fulfilled its responsibilities in this regard. For over a decade, the Military Police Investigations Unit did not conduct investigations of Palestinians killed by Israeli soldiers. Investigations were only resumed in April 2011. Although instances of beatings and abuse have been investigated, they are not fully prosecuted. A new law passed by the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, makes it almost impossible for Palestinians wronged by Israeli security forces to claim compensation.

Accountability for the violation of human rights in the Occupied Territories

Featured update

16 Nov 2016

The whitewash continues: The response of the security establishment to the killing of two Palestinians and the injuring of another in October 2016

On 25 Oct. 2016, a military inquiry stated security forces “could have acted differently in recent incidents involving the shooting of Palestinians – and in some cases could [have] even avoided opening fire”. B'Tselem’s investigation shows that security forces killed two Palestinians, one aged 15, and injured another Palestinian aged 15 without justification. The security establishment’s response to the incidents prevents real change on the ground or steps against those responsible. Accordingly, it will not prevent similar incidents in the future.

Featured video

Suspicion: Soldiers fired without justification at car, killing the driver

At 3:00 A.M. on 13 July 2016 Border Police fired at a car in the center of a-Ram. The shooting - captured on a security camera - killed the driver, Anwar a-Salaimeh, and injured a passenger. While Israeli media reported the officers feared an attempted ramming attack, B’Tselem’s inquiry raises serious concerns that the gunfire was unjustified. The car did not swerve from its course; the officers were concealed by a parked car; and the driver had way of knowing they were there or that he should slow down. This incident must be seen in the context of a public mood that justifies the killing of Palestinians.

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