Amnesty International condemns . . . Israel

[trancepriest]

Amnesty International today published findings that point to an Israeli policy of deliberate destruction of Lebanese civilian infrastructure, which included war crimes, during the recent conflict.

The organization's latest publication shows how Israel's destruction of thousands of homes, and strikes on numerous bridges and roads as well as water and fuel storage plants, was an integral part of Israel's military strategy in Lebanon, rather than “collateral damage” resulting from the lawful targeting of military objectives.

The report reinforces the case for an urgent, comprehensive and independent UN inquiry into grave violations of international humanitarian law committed by both Hizbullah and Israel during their month-long conflict.

"Israel’s assertion that the attacks on the infrastructure were lawful is manifestly wrong. Many of the violations identified in our report are war crimes, including indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks. The evidence strongly suggests that the extensive destruction of power and water plants, as well as the transport infrastructure vital for food and other humanitarian relief, was deliberate and an integral part of a military strategy," said Kate Gilmore, Executive Deputy Secretary General of Amnesty International.

The Israeli government has argued that they were targeting Hizbullah positions and support facilities and that other damage done to civilian infrastructure was a result of Hizbullah using the civilian population as a "human shield".

"The pattern, scope and scale of the attacks makes Israel's claim that this was 'collateral damage', simply not credible,” said Kate Gilmore, Executive Deputy Secretary General of Amnesty International.

"Civilian victims on both sides of this conflict deserve justice. The serious nature of violations committed makes an investigation into the conduct of both parties urgent. There must be accountability for the perpetrators of war crimes and reparation for the victims.”

The report, Deliberate destruction or 'collateral damage'? Israeli attacks against civilian infrastructure, is based on first-hand information gathered by recent Amnesty International research missions to Lebanon and Israel, including interviews with dozens of victims, officials from the UN, Israeli Defence Force (IDF) and Lebanese government, as well as official statements and press reports.

The report includes evidence of the following:

Massive destruction by Israeli forces of whole civilian neighbourhoods and villages;
Attacks on bridges in areas of no apparent strategic importance;
Attacks on water pumping stations, water treatment plants and supermarkets despite the prohibition against targeting objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population;
Statements by Israeli military officials indicating that the destruction of civilian infrastructure was indeed a goal of Israel’s military campaign designed to press the Lebanese government and the civilian population to turn against Hizbullah.

The report exposes a pattern of indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks, which resulted in the displacement of twenty-five percent of the civilian population. This pattern, taken together with official statements, indicates that the attacks on infrastucture were deliberate, and not simply incidental to lawful military objectives.

Amnesty International is calling for a comprehensive, independent and impartial inquiry to be urgently established by the UN into violations of international humanitarian law by both sides in the conflict. It should examine in particular the impact of this conflict on the civilian population, and should be undertaken with a view to holding individuals responsible for crimes under international law and ensuring that full reparation is provided to the victims.

Source: Amnesty International

[dahzel]

GOOD!

[endymion]

Silly people, don't you realize that Amnesty International has a liberal bias?

[trancepriest]

I wonder when Israel will stop using the holocaust card ???

[dahzel]

Originally Posted by trancepriest

I wonder when Israel will stop using the holocaust card ???

you know that'll never happen

[slamminshaun]

Originally Posted by trancepriest

I wonder when Israel will stop using the holocaust card ???

As soon as your people quit using the race card.

[trancepriest]

Originally Posted by Slammin'

As soon as your people quit using the race card.

People of Jamaican descent use the race card? ;D



Eternal Father, Bless our Land,
Guide us with thy mighty hand,
Keep us free from evil powers,
Be our light through countless hours,
To our leaders, great defender,
Grant true wisdom from above,
Justice, truth be ours forever,
Jamaica, land we love,
Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica, land we love

Teach us true respect for all,
Stir response to duty's call,
Strengthen us the weak to cherish,
Give us vision lest we perish,
Knowledge send us Heavenly Father,
Grant true wisdom from above,
Justice, truth be ours forever,
Jamaica, land we love,
Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica, land we love



Shaun,

I think Jamaicans are too smart to ever expect 40 acres and a mule from a white man. That's why we killed them and took it. Before black Americans were crying for equality... we were chanting back to Africa. Thats why we sent Marcus Garvey to America. But Edgar Hoover sent him back to Jamaica. Needless to say some people call us a violent people. ;D

[JMT]

you forgot to include those bobsled guys.

[trancepriest]

Originally Posted by JMT

you forgot to include those bobsled guys.

[endymion]

Originally Posted by trancepriest

[quote author=JMT link=board=6;threadid=32004;start=0#msg368663 date=1158343012]
you forgot to include those bobsled guys.

[/quote]

Haha!

Most bizarre thread ever.