Four Israeli soldiers received 63-day prison sentences after confessing to beating a Palestinian at a checkpoint near Nablus, in the West Bank, Ha'aretz reports. In this case, the victim was able to provide direct evidence of the attack; he used the camera on his mobile phone to photograph the crime. There is no doubt in my mind that the checkpoints save the lives of Israeli citizens under the present circumstances, by preventing terrorist attacks. But as long as there are such checkpoints, and as long as Israel maintains its presence in the West Bank, there will be cases of soldiers brutalizing Palestinian civilians. Even if punishment for criminals such as the perpetrators of this attack were increased ten-fold, and even if officers did their utmost to prevent such crimes from taking place, the current climate of war and occupation inexorably brutalizes Israelis and Palestinians. I think most people would agree that such a reality is intolerable. The problem of course is what a proper solution would require.
3 comments:
So what are you trying to say? That it was okay? the sentence too stiff? or was it mininmal?
Basically shit happens?
Hey Halla,
Thanks for reading. I was trying to say that Israel needs to withdraw from the West Bank. Definitely NOT that it was okay or that the sentence was too stiff.
Hope you are well.
Amos, Thanx for clarifying!
I agree about the withdrawal, Israe does need to get out, the people in there just keep getting pissed at having the army in there face all the time and that just does not bode well for the future.
bytw, I have the same arguement with my husband about the abuse some soldiers in Iraq have done. It is not okay and you have to let everyone know that it is not (even though they are in a stressful situation). But if that was there orders, the commanders should be punished and the soldiers are just scapegoats following orders or face courtmartial for disobeying.
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