Cast Lead War Crime Museum in Gaza

Cast Lead War Crime Museum in Gaza:


WHYNotNews

Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Amira vs. Israel at the ICC

Amira versus Israel:

"Vidéo : 5 minutes en anglais soustitrée en français
Soustitrée par la COBI (Belgique) et EuroPalestine (France)

On August 31st this year, a 15 year-old girl from Gaza made history by filing a law suit against Israel at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Amira Alquerem lost her father, brother and sister during the 22-day Israeli war on Gaza at the turn of the year. She's accusing Israel of homicides against members of her family, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Le 31 août 2009, une jeune fille de 15 ans de Gaza est entrée dans l'histoire en déposant une plainte contre Israël devant la Cour pénale internationale à la Haye. Amira Alquerem a perdu son père, son frère et sa soeur pendant la guerre israélienne de 22 jours contre Gaza, au tournant de lannée. Elle accuse Israël d'homicides contre les membres de sa famille, de crimes de guerre, et de crimes contre l'humanité."



I'm adding this second video in case YouTube deletes the one above under the pretext of copyright. It is the same video as above with an added segment by a PressTV reporter at the start


Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Prosecuting Israel for war crimes

Prosecuting Israel for war crimes:

"Deputy Prosecutor of Int'l Criminal Court discusses the Palestinian Authority appeal to join the court"



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

10 Y.O. Gaza child: What did I do to them?

Lamont Carolina, Member of the Viva Palestina U.S. Convoy and Staff member of Councilman Charles Barron recorded these videos in Gaza. Visit his YouTube Channel to see the many videos of the Viva Palestina U.S. lamontcarolina

"These little girls explain finding their families dead after Israeli bombs destroyed their home."
Brave little girls without families:
"From Gaza City"



Brave little girl from Gaza:



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Dr. Mads Gilbert: A Physician in Gaza

Dr. Mads Gilbert: A Physician in Gaza:

"Dr. Mads Gilbert has worked and practiced medicine in Gaza for more than thirty years. One of the few western observers on the ground during Israel?s January bombardment, Gilbert's testimony during the offensive was a critical source of information. On January 3, after an Israeli strike on a Gaza vegetable market, Gilbert sent a text message to his Norwegian and International contacts: ?From doctor Mads Gilbert in Gaza: Thanks for your support,? it read. ?They bombed the central vegetable market in Gaza city two hours ago. 80 injured, 20 killed. All came here to Shifa. Hades! We wade in death, blood and amputees. Many children. Pregnant woman. I have never experienced anything this horrible. Now we hear tanks. Tell it, pass it on, shout it. Anything. DO SOMETHING! DO MORE! We're living in the history books now, all of us!? We spoke with Gilbert recently as he embarked on a speaking tour in the United States."



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

AI: Investigate misuse of US Weapons in Gaza

Investigate misuse of US Weapons in Gaza:

"http://www.amnestyusa.org/gaza

Chris Cobb-Smith, member of Amnesty International's recent fact-finding mission to Gaza and former British artillery commander, speaks on the misuse of white phosphorus in Gaza."



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

SEVEN JEWISH CHILDREN a play for Gaza PART ONE - Official ROOMS PRODUCTIONS Documentation

SEVEN JEWISH CHILDREN a play for Gaza PART ONE - Official ROOMS PRODUCTIONS Documentation:

Comment: You can watch the Guardian's video (9m 24sec) version of the play here

"This is ROOMS Productions' official video documentation of Caryl Churchill's SEVEN JEWISH CHILDREN a play for Gaza presented at ROOMS Gallery in Chicago, Illinois (Recorded March 14, 2009). SEVEN JEWISH CHILDREN's script contains only 7 blocks of text - leaving the staging up to the those groups producing the work. ROOMS Productions presented the Chicago premiere of Ms. Churchill's script as a three hour looped performance installation (shown on March 12, 14 and 15 of 2009. At the request of Ms. Chruchill, donations for the charity Medical Aid for Palestinians were taken at the door. http://www.map-uk.org/ Go to ROOMSGallery.com for more info about ROOMS Productions."

Part 1


Part 2


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Israeli army inquires "brush off" charges against Israeli soldiers Al Jazeera TV, Qatar

IDF investigation 'not credible':

Israeli army inquires "brush off" charges against Israeli soldiers
Al Jazeera TV, Qatar

[LinkTV/Mosaic]



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Inside Story - Israel rejects alleged war crimes - 23 Apr 09

Inside Story - Israel rejects alleged war crimes - 23 Apr 09:

"The Israeli army on Wednesday defended its conduct during the military offensive against Hamas in Gaza, rejecting claims it had violated international law. Inside story asks: How credible is the probe? And who will this internal investigation satisfy?"



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

DN! Israeli Military Finds No Fault in Gaza Attack

DN! Israeli Military Finds No Fault in Gaza Attack:

April 23, 2009

"Israeli Military Finds No Fault in Gaza Attack

The Israeli military says its concluded an investigation absolving its forces of committing any crimes during the three-week assault on the Gaza Strip beginning late last year. Israeli military deputy chief of staff General Dan Harel said Israels lone mistakes came down to intelligence and operational errors. General Dan Harel: We found out that the IDF operated under the international law and according to a very high standard of professionalism and moral standards. Saying that, we found out several mistakes, intelligence and operational mistakes we made, and we are dealing with them. Ayman Taha Bill Van Esveld"



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Riz Khan - Gaza's unending nightmare - 15 April 09 - Part 1

Riz Khan - Gaza's unending nightmare - 15 April 09 - Part 1:

"Riz speaks with Mahmoud Daher (WHO) in Gaza and Norwegian doctor Mads Gilbert, who was in Gaza in January to provide medical care, and described what he saw as 'nightmarish havoc'."

Part 1


Part 2


Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

DN! HRW Accuses Israel of War Crimes in Phosphorus Attacks

DN! HRW Accuses Israel of War Crimes in Phosphorus Attacks:

"HRW Accuses Israel of War Crimes in Phosphorus Attacks

In Israel and the Occupied Territories, Human Rights Watch has accused Israel of unlawfully attacking densely populated civilian areas with white phosphorus during its three-week attack on Gaza. In a new report, Human Rights Watch says the white phosphorus killed at least twelve Palestinian civilians and destroyed millions of dollars worth of property. Bill Van Esveld of Human Rights Watch says the phosphorus use likely amounts to a war crime. Bill Van Esveld: It looks like that evidence is consistent with war crimes being committed. A war crime is when there is either intent or recklessness with regard to targeting civilians or civilian institutions. What weve got here is a lot of different civilian institutions being burned down, a lot of different civilians being injured, and it continued to happen for no apparent justification. Thats why were concerned."



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Debate at UN SC meeting

UN meeting blemishes Israels image - denounces war on Gaza:

"Press Tv Report"



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

What is Ban Ki-Moon waiting for?

New law to throw the book at Israel:

"UN human rights investigator Richard Falk explains why Israeli conduct in the Gaza Strip necessitates the world to introduce a new law."



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

HRW - Rain of Fire: Israel's Unlawful Use of White Phosphorous in Gaza

Rain of Fire: Israel's Unlawful Use of White Phosphorous in Gaza:

"During Israel's 22-day military operations in Gaza, from December 27, 2008 to January 18, 2009, the IDF repeatedly exploded white phosphorus munitions in the air over populated areas, killing and injuring civilians, and damaging civilian structures, including a school, a market, a humanitarian aid warehouse and a hospital. Senior Military Analyst Marc Garlasco discusses Human Rights Watch's on the ground investigation and findings. For more, visit: http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/03/25..."



Human Rights Watch
Israel: White Phosphorus Use Evidence of War Crimes
Indiscriminate Attacks Caused Needless Civilian Suffering
March 25, 2009

(Jerusalem) - Israel's repeated firing of white phosphorus shells over densely populated areas of Gaza during its recent military campaign was indiscriminate and is evidence of war crimes, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.

The 71-page report, "Rain of Fire: Israel's Unlawful Use of White Phosphorus in Gaza," provides witness accounts of the devastating effects that white phosphorus munitions had on civilians and civilian property in Gaza. Human Rights Watch researchers in Gaza immediately after hostilities ended found spent shells, canister liners, and dozens of burnt felt wedges containing white phosphorus on city streets, apartment roofs, residential courtyards, and at a United Nations school. The report also presents ballistics evidence, photographs, and satellite imagery, as well as documents from the Israeli military and government.

Militaries use white phosphorus primarily to obscure their operations on the ground by creating thick smoke. It can also be used as an incendiary weapon.

"In Gaza, the Israeli military didn't just use white phosphorus in open areas as a screen for its troops," said Fred Abrahams, senior emergencies researcher at Human Rights Watch and co-author of the report. "It fired white phosphorus repeatedly over densely populated areas, even when its troops weren't in the area and safer smoke shells were available. As a result, civilians needlessly suffered and died."

The report documents a pattern or policy of white phosphorus use that Human Rights Watch says must have required the approval of senior military officers.

"For the needless civilian deaths caused by white phosphorus, senior commanders should be held to account," Abrahams said.

On February 1, Human Rights Watch submitted detailed questions to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) about its white phosphorus use in Gaza. The IDF did not provide responses, citing an internal inquiry being conducted by the Southern Command.

In the recent Gaza operations, Israeli forces frequently air-burst white phosphorus in 155mm artillery shells in and near populated areas. Each air-burst shell spreads 116 burning white phosphorus wedges in a radius extending up to 125 meters from the blast point. White phosphorus ignites and burns on contact with oxygen, and continues burning at up to 1500 degrees Fahrenheit (816 degrees Celsius) until nothing is left or the oxygen supply is cut. When white phosphorus comes into contact with skin it creates intense and persistent burns.

When used properly in open areas, white phosphorus munitions are not illegal, but the Human Rights Watch report concludes that the IDF repeatedly exploded it unlawfully over populated neighborhoods, killing and wounding civilians and damaging civilian structures, including a school, a market, a humanitarian aid warehouse, and a hospital.

Israel at first denied it was using white phosphorus in Gaza but, facing mounting evidence to the contrary, said that it was using all weapons in compliance with international law. Later it announced an internal investigation into possible improper white phosphorus use.

"Past IDF investigations into allegations of wrongdoing suggest that this inquiry will be neither thorough nor impartial," Abrahams said. "That's why an international investigation is required into serious laws of war violations by all parties."

The IDF knew that white phosphorus poses life-threatening dangers to civilians, Human Rights Watch said. A medical report prepared during the recent hostilities by the Israeli ministry of health said that white phosphorus "can cause serious injury and death when it comes into contact with the skin, is inhaled or is swallowed." Burns on less than 10 percent of the body can be fatal because of damage to the liver, kidneys, and heart, the ministry report says. Infection is common and the body's absorption of the chemical can cause serious damage to internal organs, as well as death.

If the IDF intended to use white phosphorus as a smokescreen for its forces, it had a readily available non-lethal alternative to white phosphorus - smoke shells produced by an Israeli company, Human Rights Watch concluded.

All of the white phosphorus shells that Human Rights Watch found were manufactured in the United States in 1989 by Thiokol Aerospace, which was running the Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant at the time. On January 4, Reuters photographed IDF artillery units handling projectiles whose markings indicate that they were produced in the United States at the Pine Bluff Arsenal in September 1991.

To explain the high number of civilian casualties in Gaza, Israeli officials have repeatedly blamed Hamas for using civilians as "human shields" and for fighting from civilian sites. In the cases documented in the report, Human Rights Watch found no evidence of Hamas using human shields in the vicinity at the time of the attacks. In some areas Palestinian fighters appear to have been present, but this does not justify the indiscriminate use of white phosphorus in a populated area.

Human Rights Watch said that for multiple reasons it concluded that the IDF had deliberately or recklessly used white phosphorus munitions in violation of the laws of war. First, the repeated use of air-burst white phosphorus in populated areas until the last days of the operation reveals a pattern or policy of conduct rather than incidental or accidental usage. Second, the IDF was well aware of the effects of white phosphorus and the dangers it poses to civilians. Third, the IDF failed to use safer available alternatives for smokescreens.

The laws of war obligate states to investigate impartially allegations of war crimes. The evidence available demands that Israel investigate and prosecute as appropriate those who ordered or carried out unlawful attacks using white phosphorus munitions, Human Rights Watch said.

The United States government, which supplied Israel with its white phosphorus munitions, should also conduct an investigation to determine whether Israel used it in violation of the laws of war, Human Rights Watch said.


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Gazan speaks of white phosphorus use - 26 Mar 09

Gazan speaks of white phosphorus use - 26 Mar 09:

"According to Human Rights Watch Israels use of white phosphorus in their offensive on the Gaza Strip constitutes a war crime', which Israel strenuously denies. Phosphorus ignites in oxygen in temperatures of more than 30 degrees Celsius and daily temperatures were much hotter than that when the war was carried out in Gaza in January. It is almost impossible to put out, and if it comes into contact with human flesh it can burn to the bone. Sabah Abu Halima who lost her husband and four of her children in the war, tells her story."



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Small town's controversial role in War on Gaza - 26 Mar 09

Small town's controversial role in War on Gaza - 26 Mar 09:

"Al Jazeera has tracked down the origin of the white phosphorus used by Israel in the war on Gaza.

It comes from an army arsenal in a small US town called Pine Bluff, Arkansas, home to 50,000 people.

Mike Kirsch travelled to Pine Bluff to discover what its residents and leaders thought of their town's role in the war on Gaza."



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Guardian uncovers evidence of Israeli war crimes in Gaza Part 3

Guardian investigation uncovers evidence of alleged Israeli war crimes in Gaza Part 3:

"Part 3 of 3 deals with the drones targeting civilians

Palestinians claim children were used as human shields and hospitals targeted during 23-day conflict

The Guardian gathered testimony of missile attacks by Israeli drones on clearly distinguishable civilian targets. In one case a family of six was killed when a missile hit the courtyard of their house. Israel has not admitted to the use of drones but military experts say their optical equipment is good enough to clearly identify individual items of clothing worn by targets."



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Guardian uncovers evidence of Israeli war crimes in Gaza Part 2

Guardian investigation uncovers evidence of alleged Israeli war crimes in Gaza Part 2:

"Part 2 deals with the targetting of medics and medical facilities

Palestinians claim children were used as human shields and hospitals targeted during 23-day conflict

Medics and ambulance drivers said they were targeted when they tried to tend to the wounded. Sixteen of them were killed. According to the World Health Organisation, more than half of Gaza's 27 hospitals and 44 clinics were da More..maged by Israeli bombs. Two clinics were destroyed. In one incident, paramedics were fired on by a tank using a shell filled with 8,000 lethal metal darts as they were carrying a wounded man to an ambulance.

In a report released today, doctors for Human Rights Israel said there was 'certainty' that Israel violated international humanitarian law during the three-week war in January, with attacks on medics, damage to medical buildings, indiscriminate attacks on civilians and delays in medical treatment for the injured.

'We have noticed a stark decline in IDF [Israeli Defence Forces] morals concerning the Palestinian population of Gaza, which in reality amounts to a contempt for Palestinian lives,' said Dani Filc, chairman of Physicians for Human Rights Israel.

The Guardian gathered testimony of missile attacks by Israeli drones on clearly distinguishable civilian targets. In one case a family of six was killed when a missile hit the courtyard of their house. Israel has not admitted to the use of drones but military experts say their optical equipment is good enough to clearly identify individual items of clothing worn by targets.

The Israeli military issued a statement in response to the allegations saying: "The IDF operated in accordance with the rules of war and did the utmost to minimise harm to civilians uninvolved in combat. The IDF's use of weapons conforms to international law."

The IDF said an investigation was under way into allegations that hospitals were targeted. A statement said Israeli soldiers were under standing orders to avoid harming medics, but added: "However, in light of the difficult reality of warfare in the Gaza Strip carried out in urban and densely populated areas, medics who operate in the area take the risk upon themselves."

The use of human shields was outlawed by Israel's supreme court in 2005 after a string of incidents. The IDF said only Hamas used human shields by launching attacks from civilian areas.

An Israeli embassy spokesman said any allegations from Gaza were suspect because of Hamas pressure on witnesses. "Anyone who understands the realities of Gaza will know that these people are not free to speak the truth. Those that wish to speak out cannot for fear of beatings, torture or execution at the hands of Hamas," the spokesman said in a written statement.

However, the accounts gathered by the Guardian are supported by the findings of human rights organisations and soldiers' testimony published in the Israeli press.

An IDF squad leader is quoted in the daily newspaper Ha'aretz as saying his soldiers interpreted the rules to mean "we should kill everyone there [in the centre of Gaza]. Everyone there is a terrorist.

"To write 'death to the Arabs' on the walls, to take family pictures and spit on them, just because you can," the squad leader said. "I think this is the main thing: To understand how much the IDF has fallen in the realm of ethics, really. It's what I'll remember the most."

Last week, a group of 16 of the world's leading war crimes investigators and judges called on the UN to launch a full inquiry into "alleged gross violations of the laws of war committed by both sides during the recent conflict in Gaza and southern Israel". "



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Guardian uncovers evidence of Israeli war crimes in Gaza Part 1

Guardian investigation uncovers evidence of alleged Israeli war crimes in Gaza Part 1:

"Part 1 of 3 deals with the human shield allegations

Palestinians claim children were used as human shields and hospitals targeted during 23-day conflict

The Guardian has compiled detailed evidence of alleged war crimes committed by Israel during the 23-day offensive against Gaza earlier this year, involving the use of Palestinian children as human shields, the targeting of medics and hospita More..ls, and drone aircraft firing on civilians.

Three Guardian films based on a month-long investigation, add weight to calls this week for a full inquiry into the events surrounding Operation Cast Lead, which was aimed at Hamas but left about 1,400 Palestinians dead, including up to 300 children.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) refused to respond directly to the allegations made against its troops, but issued statements denying the charges, and insisted international law had been observed.

The Guardian's investigation follows soldiers' evidence published in the Israeli press about the killing of Palestinian civilians and complaints by colleagues involved in the military operation that the rules of engagement were too lax.

Amnesty International has said Hamas should be investigated for executing at least two dozen Palestinian men in an apparent bout of score-settling with rivals and alleged collaborators while Operation Cast Lead was under way.

Human rights groups say the vast majority of offences were committed by Israel, and that the Gaza offensive was a disproportionate response to Hamas rocket attacks. Since 2002, there have been 21 Israeli deaths from Hamas rockets fired from Gaza and during Operation Cast Lead there were three Israeli civilian deaths, six Israeli soldiers killed by Palestinian fire and four killed by friendly fire.

"Only an investigation mandated by the UN security council can ensure Israel's co-operation and it's the only body that can secure some kind of prosecution," said Amnesty's Donatella Rovera, who spent two weeks in Gaza investigating war crimes allegations. "Without a proper investigation there is no deterrent. The message remains the same: 'It's OK to do these things there won't be any real consequences.'"

Some of the most dramatic testimony gathered by the Guardian came from three teenage brothers in the al-Attar family. The trio describe how they were taken from their home at gunpoint, made to kneel in front of tanks to deter Hamas fighters from firing at them and sent by Israeli soldiers into Palestinian houses to clear them.

"They would make us go first so if any fighters shot at them the bullets would hit us not them,"



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog