Torture of Palestinian Civilians Continues with the Aid of US Tax Dollars

Day 217 of the Siege of Nablus: "Excuse me, Do you mind walking to your death?"

Amer Abdelhadi, General Manager
Radio Tariq Al Mahabbeh
TMFM 97.7

Nablus, Palestine

Palestinians under curfew did not feel relieved after the Israeli High Court issued a restriction order to ban soldiers from using civilians as human shields unless permission is granted by the person(s) performing the human shield themselves.

The Israeli media never mentioned that the soldiers do not USUALLY seek permission to make people walk in firing lines and enter places that are likely to blow up, either by booby traps made by Palestinians or by the army itself.

"It is like asking a woman if she agrees to be raped before the actual action is made. She can never say no at gun point, nor would she ever grant permission," someone said.

Nonetheless, the use of civilians as human shields continues, business as usual.

Samer Sharif was abducted in the street while trying to reach the nearest shop to buy bread for his family. Samer, just under age twenty, together with a 16-year-old boy, was forced to climb on top of an army jeep hood and hold on tight to the frame of the front windscreen. They were told that they would help to stop stone throwers from aiming at the jeep.

The soldiers then accelerated the jeep to a high speed and started shooting from a small hole made for that purpose, just behind where the boys were hanging.

The boys' screams never slowed down the soldiers, whose loud laughter indicated that they were enjoying the scene.

The boys' nightmare ended as two reporters, preparing to use their cameras to document the ordeal, appeared.

The soldiers beat up the reporters and specifically threatened to take their eyes out if photographs of the scene appeared anywhere in the media.

Samer was then taken to a nearby school and badly beaten on his legs and hands using machine guns butts and sticks before he was released. He walked a few meters before he fell unconscious. He didn't know what happened to the other boy who shared the horrible experience with him or how he got to hospital.

Samer suffered a concussion and contusions all over his body, medical sources said.

The decision by the High Court does not mean much to Palestinians as the death toll of innocent civilians keeps rising. The same court had previously issued a restraining order to stop the army from using civilians as human shields after many international human rights organizations brought the matter to public attention.

"When did they ever ask permission to do anything?" someone asked. "I do not think they need a permission when they are holding you at gun point."

The curfew that started on June 20, 2002 is still enforced on the city of Nablus. The Israeli army has devised new tactics, such as ripping out the nails out of innocent men using pliers. The use of excessive force continues to rise.

The world is watching, yet has done little.

Amer Abdelhadi
Radio Tariq Al Mahabbeh
TMFM 97.7

Nablus Under Siege