Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., January 12, 2009 Tevet 16, 5769 | | Israel Time: 09:14 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 08:36 11/01/2009
Left-wing activists: IDF uses live ammo to break up West Bank protests
By Nir Hasson and Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondents
Tags: West Bank, Security Fence 

Palestinians and Israeli left-wing activists claim that in the wake of Operation Cast Lead, the Israel Defense Forces has reintroduced the use of a semiautomatic rifle that uses live ammunition to disperse crowds that was banned after the second Intifada.

The Ruger .22 rifle was banned following the Al-Aqsa Intifada, in which it was used to break up protests and caused the deaths of a number of Palestinians, including youths and children.

In 2001, the IDF's then-Military Advocate General Menahem Finkelstein ruled that the rifle, used against protesters and stone-throwers, be viewed as a lethal weapon in all senses.

The rifle has been used by snipers to shoot at protesters from the waist down, and last Friday it was used to fire on activists, eight of whom sustained light wounds to the leg.

The .22 rifle fires a small cartridge which has a much lower stopping power than larger caliber rifles in use by Israeli security forces, but can still be lethal at close range. IDF snipers will use the rifle to fire at demonstrators, aiming at the lower half of the body.

The rifle was used by security forces against Palestinian demonstrators in the West Bank last Friday, with 8 demonstrators sustaining light wounds to their legs.

"We have never seen these rifles used before. The soldiers use them to break up demonstrations, not in instances where their lives are in danger. They shoot from long range, far past the range of rock-throwers," left-wing activist Yonatan Pollak said.

A West Bank resident who was wounded by the .22 fire told Haaretz Friday that he and his friends were leaving their village for a demonstration when as they approached the West Bank Security Fence they were fired upon by IDF soldiers.

The man said he was shot three times in the leg and suffers from lingering pain as a result. He said his friend who was also shot in the incident was more severely injured and lost a great deal of blood.

An IDF official said Friday that the rifle is less lethal and causes less damage than a rubber bullet.

"These demonstrations can be very dangerous. Our goal is to cause as little damage as possible in order to calm the situation", the official said.

Related articles:
  • Israelis protest Gaza offensive: Our Zionism does not make us crave blood and war
  • Protesters turn violent, clash with police at anti-Israel rallies in Europe
  • Meshal: No Gaza truce until IDF ends offensive, opens border crossings
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    IDF warns Gazans
    The IDF is making every effort to prevent civilian deaths by warning of impending attacks.
    Pro-Israel rallies
    Thousands attend pro-Israel rallies across Europe, N.Y.
      1.   query 11:01  |  curious 11/01/09
      2.   Unbelievable 08:43  |  Steve Beikirch 12/01/09
     Read & React
    'Hamas: Gilad Shalit's fate is no longer our concern'
    Responses: 45
    IDF investigation shows errant mortar hit UN building in Gaza
    Responses: 31
    Gideon Levy: My Gaza war hero is Al-Jazeera correspondent Ayman Mohyeldin
    Responses: 64
    Medics: Israeli troops edge into Gaza City, killing 14 Palestinians
    Responses: 20
    Editorial: Hamas acts cannot justify Israel's cruel war against Palestinian civilians
    Responses: 69


    More Headlines
    08:25 IDF: Hamas rocket fire down 50% since start of Gaza op
    08:25 ANALYSIS / Perhaps Israel should quit Gaza op while it's still ahead
    08:34 Sources: Hamas leaders hiding in basement of Israel-built hospital in Gaza
    08:28 Barak and Livni disagree with Olmert, want quick end to Gaza fighting
    05:25 Amira Hass / Gazans doing their best to avoid becoming death statistics
    08:27 Legal expert: Rising Gaza death toll doesn't mean IDF acts are disproportionate
    08:36 IDF clips of Gaza offensive are fourth biggest hit on YouTube
    08:12 Israel's 'Waltz with Bashir' wins Golden Globe for best foreign film
    18:20 Get up to the minute coverage of the warfare in Gaza directly to your email
    09:03 U.S. Army: Probe of alleged spy for Israel has nothing to do with his religion
    22:37 WATCH: IDF uncovers booby-trapped school next to Gaza zoo
    07:26 Egypt: Hamas agrees that fighting in Gaza must end
    23:47 IDF begins deploying reservists into Gaza as part of ground op
    22:11 WATCH: IDF drops leaflets over Gaza, warning of impending attack
    19:27 Two Egyptian children among 4 wounded in IAF strike near Gaza
    09:01 Israel arrests 700 people, mostly Arabs, in protests against IDF Gaza op
    01:18 Report: Madonna receives death threats from Muslim extremists
    05:55 Joe the Plumber trades his wrench for a reporter's notepad in Sderot
    03:18 Dead Sea makes candidate list for 'seven natural wonders'
    19:32 Gaza rocket hits playground in Ashdod, amid barrage on Negev
    17:34 IDF soldiers come under fire at Syria border fence
    21:48 Obama: Gaza war underscores need for immediate Mideast solution
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Summer in Israel
    Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009
    Blue And White Forever Israel Army T-shirts
    Wear with Proud Donate the Soldiers Kit
    You can make a direct IMPACT!
    on the life of an Israeli soldier
    State of Israel Bonds
    During this time of market volatility, Israel bonds can help.
    SURF RAMBAM
    Keep current about new-wave medical care, education and research.
    Summer Camp in Israel
    The best place for your children this summer
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
    Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
    birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved