Archive: checkpoint / Reading Palestine Solidarity Campaign

Reading Palestine Solidarity Campaign

Peace, Justice & Dignity for Palestinians.

Posts Tagged ‘checkpoint’

Soldier and Officer Convicted in Ni’lin Shooting

July 16th, 2010 • Awareness, News
Tags: B'Tselem, checkpoint, conviction, human rights, idf, office, palestinian, shooting, soldier

AJE reports on case brought under pressure from B’Tselem and other rights groups:

B’Tselem:

The special military court convicted Lieutenant Col. Omri Borberg, formerly commander of armored battalion 71 of attempt ed threat s and Staff Sergeant Leonardo Corea of unlawful use of firearms . Both were also convicted of conduct unbecoming. The charges carry a maximum sentence of three years imprisonment and a criminal record.

In the judgment, the panel of three judges wrote that Borberg instructed to make Ashraf Abu Rahma, the bound prisoner, think that a soldier would shoot him. “The accused even led his subordinate astray by causing him to shoot towards the blindfolded, bound prisoner.” The judges emphasized that combat is not an excuse to justify criminal action. “The actions of the battalion commander did not take place during a demonstration but rather in an area under complete Israeli control and the threat of shooting was not conducted in the course of combat or police action. It represents a serious blow to fundamental values and a significant erosion of the image of the IDF, his commanders and its soldiers.”

The decision of the military court is important both as measure of justice for the victim, as well as for the deterrent message it sends to soldiers and commanders. The military must embrace the judgment and act decisively and proactively to ensure that the far too common phenomenon of ill treatment of Palestinian detainees is not tolerated.

Jpost: Commander, soldier convicted in shooting of Palestinian

Documentary: Mother Courage

February 22nd, 2010 • Awareness, Film & Documentary
Tags: checkpoint, israel, mother courage, palestine

A powerful and moving documentary about the women of Machsom (Checkpoint) Watch:

A fresh perspective from those who know best: mothers. These Israeli women risk their lives monitoring life at the checkpoints in the West Bank. We see them learn to get to grips with their core beliefs, true motivations and fears, in a bold insight into the troubled Middle East.

Every morning and afternoon, shifts of Israeli women go out to some 30 checkpoints within the West Bank and on the seam-line between Israel and Palestine, to monitor and document IDF and Border Police conduct, whilst attempting to protect basic Palestinian human rights.

Known as Machsom Watch, they are a dedicated group of Jewish mothers focused on monitoring and recording how the Israeli soldiers treat Palestinians and reporting the results of their observations to the widest possible audience, from decision-makers to the general public.

“Our strength is in our weakness. We come unguarded and offer trust and belief in people. We offer some kind of innocence and just want to bring it back to this tormented place” says one member of the activist group.

Shown on Al Jazeera’s Witness. Originally from Journeyman Pictures in 2008.