Ref: 27/2009

Date: 10 February 2009

Time: 13:00 GMT  

Family of Sayed Abu Safra to Receive Settlement of NIS 200,000 in PCHR Lawsuit  Against Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF)

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) Legal Aid Unit has won a settlement for the family of Sayed Saleh Abu Safra, from Um al-Nasser village in the northern Gaza Strip, who was willfully killed by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) in December 2003. The Unit has reached a settlement with the Israeli military prosecution, and the sum of NIS 200,000 NIS (approximately US$ 50,000) will be paid to the Abu Safra family in exchange for the case being closed.  

Sayed Saleh Abu Safra was killed in December 2003 by IOF troops positioned near “Nissanit” settlement, who shot him in the head. On 11 December 2003, the family of Sayed Abu Safra authorized PCHR to take legal action regarding his death. On 23 December 2003, PCHR submitted a complaint to the Israeli Defense Ministry, demanding an investigation into the case, prosecution of all those responsible, and reparation for the Abu Safra family.

On 2 March 2004, PCHR received a response from the Israeli military police interrogator, who demanded that the bullets from Abu Safra’s body be extracted. The interrogator claimed this was necessary in order to identify exactly who had shot and killed Sayed Abu Safra. The family refused to have the bullets extracted. On 6 March 2004, PCHR sent medical reports relating to Abu Safra’s death to the Israeli military police interrogator, stating the reports provided sufficient evidence for the case to proceed.

On 9 June 2005, PCHR received a response from the Israeli Compensation Office, which stated a settlement could be negotiated. In August 2005, as the case remained outstanding with the Israeli Defense Ministry, and as the period for suing before the Israeli courts was about to expire, PCHR submitted an application for compensation to Gudaira District Court. On 21 June 2006, the Israeli prosecution submitted its response to the PCHR application.  

The court in Israel subsequently held several sessions to consider the case, and a settlement was finally reached, and formally approved by the court on 2 February, 2009. According to the settlement, the Abu Safra family will receive NIS 200,000 in exchange for the case being closed.    

PCHR lawyer Eyad Alami, Director of the Legal Aid Unit, stated the settlement constitutes an achievement in the face of systematic war crimes perpetrated by IOF against Palestinian civilians and civilian objects. Alami added that PCHR would continue to make use of all available judiciary mechanisms, at both national and international level, to ensure prosecution of those suspected of committing crimes, including war crimes, against Palestinian civilians, and to secure reparation for the victims and survivors.