Should the IDF release the video?
The Foreign Ministry is said to be furious over a report issued by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon that accuses Israel of using excessive force against Lebanese attempting to breach Israel's border on Nakba Day, May 15. Seven Lebanese Arabs were killed in the incident. The secretary general's report, which deals with the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 (ending the Second Lebanon War ), was disseminated several days ago to members of the Security Council, and Haaretz received a copy.I had two thoughts when I saw this report. First, what did they want us to do instead? It's not like we could subdue these people in hand-to-hand combat.
The report mainly deals with the Nakba Day incidents.
In its conclusions the secretary general expresses concern about Nakba Day and notes that IDF soldiers "used direct live fire against unarmed demonstrators" who tried to breach the border fence. He called on the Lebanese Army and the IDF to avoid such incidents from recurring.
"I call on the Israel Defense Forces to refrain from responding with live fire in such situations, except where clearly required in immediate self-defense. Notwithstanding every country's inherent right of self defense, there is a need for the Israel Defense Forces always to apply appropriate operational measures, including crowd control measures, which are commensurate to the imminent threat toward their troops and civilians," the report states.
The report notes that some 8,000-10,000 demonstrators participated in the Nakba Day demonstrations in Lebanon, most of them Palestinian refugees. "Organizers included Palestinian and Lebanese organizations, among them Hebollah," the report said.
About 1,000 protesters broke off from the main demonstration, which took place without disorder, and moved toward the border fence with Israel, throwing stones and firebombs, and removing 23 anti-tank mines, the report notes.
"Following a verbal warning and firing into the air, the Israel Defense Forces then directed live fire at the protesters at the fence," according to the report, "killing seven civilians and injuring 111."
The report is based on the investigation findings of UNIFIL, which note that it was the Palestinian demonstrators who initiated the trouble, were first to use violence, and violated UN Security Council Resolution 1701. However, the majority of the report's criticism is directed at the IDF.
"Other than firing initial warning shots, the Israel Defense Forces did not use conventional crowd control methods or any other method than lethal weapons against the demonstrators," the report states.
Second, I recalled that there is video that shows the Lebanese Armed Forces shooting at these 'demonstrators.' At the time, the IDF did not want to release the video out of fear that the LAF would take no action the next time such an incident occurs. Perhaps that should now be reconsidered.
Labels: Lebanese Armed Forces, Naqba day, UN Security Council Resolution 1701, UNIFIL
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 3:12 PM
5 Comments:
Well if Ban Ki Moon accuses Lebanon of using excessive force they likely won't. What planet is this idiot living on? What is Israel supposed to do? Let 10s of thousands of Arab infiltrators across the border and then somehow find them and round them up? Freaking moron.
Was it you at Israel Matzav who had a post about one of the neighboring countries (Iran? Syria?) paying these people who rushed the border? I don't know why they keep calling them "protestors". If they were paid, then they are a military force.
Has there ever been in history such monstrous hypocrisy?
Disproportionate to other countries like Syria who slaughters their own people - for no reason every day? Israel protects her borders and is condemned..
The Stupid Jews always withhold helpful video - to avoid offending the world. Why are they so surprised when the world condemns them afterwards, the truth be damned?
Lets also remember this is the same border where an IDF commander was killed on Aug. 3 2010. Also another commander was seriously wounded. -- How can anyone expect Israel to just forget about that and the daily calls from muslims for the death of all Jews and Israelis? I don't think the IDF used near enough force that day or the day of this incident.
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