Israeli court justifies use of live ammunition by military in border demonstrations

Israel's High Court of Justice rejected two petitions against the Israeli army's use of live ammunition last week to quell a Gaza protest, in which 59 Palestinians died.


The three-judge panel unanimously sided with the army in responding to the petition brought by human rights groups. The court said it does not normally intervene in such cases but concluded that it trusted the government's assurance that live fire is only used as a last resort and in self-defense.

At seven weekly demonstrations beginning on March 30 at the Gaza-Israel border, Israeli troops protecting the border used live ammunition to keep Palestinians from entering Israel though wire fences along the border. Some Palestinians at the demonstration used gasoline bombs, thrown rocks and burning kites against the troops.
 (UPI)
 25/5/18