Israeli Sniper Shooting of Palestinian Reflects Cruel Mentality, Erekat Says

Ramallah,MINA – Commenting on a video of an Israeli sniper shooting an unarmed Palestinian civilian near the Gaza border and expressing jubilation at the act, Saeb Erekat, secretary general of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), was quoted by WAFA as saying on Tuesday that the incident reflects the cruel mentality of the Israeli military establishment.

“Such hate and contempt for the life of a Palestinian is a reflection of the cruel mentality of Israel’s military occupation and the drive of its systematic shoot-to-kill policy against the Palestinian civilians, in defiance of their very existence on the land of Palestine and in a flagrant violation of all international and humanitarian norms and laws,” said Erekat in a press statement.

“This documented case of extrajudicial killing demands the world to end Israel’s impunity and highlights a further urgency for the International Criminal Court to open an immediate investigation into the war crimes committed by the Israeli occupying power. It’s the responsibility of the international community to hold Israel accountable, to secure international protection to our people and to put an end to Israel’s prolonged occupation of Palestine,” he said.

Israel has faced mounting criticism for shooting dozens of Palestinian, many fatally, during clashes at protests along the border in the past two weeks.

Israel has defended its actions, saying it has only used live fire against individuals trying to breach the border fence, or those using weapons or explosives. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)

M.K.