Rights and Accountability 19 November 2012
Video was released today showing a car, presumably driven by an Israeli settler, deliberately hitting a Palestinian protester, identified as Abdallah Abu Rahmeh, during a peaceful demonstration today. The protest took place outside Ofra settlement near Ramallah on Route 60.
Abdallah Abu Rahmeh has served as the media coordinator of the popular committee in Bilin, the West Bank village which became famous for its protests against the wall and occupation, which Israel has attempted to violently crush. In 2009 Abdallah Abu Rahmeh described a late night raid on his home in an interview with The Electronic Intifada contributor Jody McIntyre.
While bombs rain down on Gaza, Israeli forces are brutalizing Palestinians in the West Bank protesting in solidarity with the Gaza Strip, injuring hundreds.
Israeli forces kill Rushdi Tamimi
Ma’an News Agency reported that 28-year-old Rushdi Tamimi of Nabi Saleh village died of his wounds today at a Ramallah hospital after he was shot in the stomach and thigh during a protest against the attacks on Gaza two days ago.
The following video, at four minutes in, shows Tamimi lying on the ground after being shot (off camera) by Israeli soldiers. Israeli soldiers prevent villagers from tending to Tamimi and at one point, a soldier points his gun at the woman recording the video. The video later shows Tamimi receiving and responding to the gentle caresses and words of encouragement from his family before he is wheeled into an operating room.
Ma’an also reported that 21-year-old Ahmad Ismael was in surgery today after he was shot in the head by Israeli forces during a protest in Bethlehem.
Meanwhile in Hebron, Ma’an reports that 21-year-old Wasim Nidal al-Saed is in critical condition after he was shot in the back and foot with live bullets today.
Ma’an’s live coverage of the Gaza attacks also updated today:
Two Palestinians have been seriously wounded at demonstrations around Bethlehem to support Gaza, a Ma’an reporter says.
Mohammad Saeed al-Badan, 17, was hit by a bullet in his abdomen in Tuqu, and has been evacuated to a specialist hospital in Hebron in a critical condition.
Medics also described the condition of 16-year-old Bilal al-Hzaibi, who was hit by a tear gas canister in the right ear in Dar Salah, as very serious.
