Post by taxed on Oct 7, 2005 8:52:45 GMT -6
ISRAEL'S army must stop using Palestinian civilians as "human shields" in operations against suspected Palestinian militants, the Israeli Supreme Court ruled yesterday.
The court's decision that the practice is illegal under international law, which had been sought by Palestinian and Israeli human rights watchdog groups, hardened a temporary injunction issued in 2002.
Aharon Barak, Supreme Court Justice, wrote in a 20-page judgment: "The army has no right to use civilians as human shields. It is cruel and barbaric."
Israeli troops conducting raids against wanted militants have used Palestinian non-combatants to knock on doors or enter homes of suspects. In several cases, the practice resulted in injury or death of the human shields.
An army spokesman did not comment on the ruling.
The court's decision that the practice is illegal under international law, which had been sought by Palestinian and Israeli human rights watchdog groups, hardened a temporary injunction issued in 2002.
Aharon Barak, Supreme Court Justice, wrote in a 20-page judgment: "The army has no right to use civilians as human shields. It is cruel and barbaric."
Israeli troops conducting raids against wanted militants have used Palestinian non-combatants to knock on doors or enter homes of suspects. In several cases, the practice resulted in injury or death of the human shields.
An army spokesman did not comment on the ruling.