Ref: 23/2015
Date: 21 May 2015
Time: 10:28 GMT

On Wednesday, 20 May 2015, in excessive use of force, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian when his car deviated at al-Tour neighbourhood intersection, east of the old city in East Jerusalem and hit 2 policewomen. The Palestinian sustained several bullet wounds from a close range, due to which he was taken to “Cha’riTsedeq” Hospital in West Jerusalem to receive the necessary medical treatment. However, he passed away few hours after he was admitted to the hospital. Israeli forces claimed that Abu Dhaim deliberately ran down the 2 policewomen, but eyewitnesses who were present in the place confirmed that Abu Dhaim was trying to drive through the intersection. Israeli forces could have used less lethal force to arrest and question him.

According to investigations conducted by the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) and statements of eyewitnesses, at approximately 09:30, on the abovementioned day, Omran Omer Abu Dhaim (41), from Jabalal-Mukaber area, east of East Jerusalem, was driving his Land Cruiser vehicle in al-Tour neighbourhood. When he tried to drive through the intersection, his vehicle hit 2 policewomen from the (border guards), who were present there. Israeli forces immediately opened fire at him from a close range, due to which he sustained serious wounds. In spite of his serious health condition, Israeli forces kept him for a while and then transported him to “Cha’ariTsedeq” Hospital in West Jerusalem to receive the necessary medical treatment. Israeli forces also prevented anybody from approaching him. A medical source at the hospital announced later that Abu Dhaim died of his serious wounds. It should be noted that the 2 policewomen who were hit by the vehicle sustained minor wounds according to the Israeli authorities.

PCHR condemns this crime, which further proves the use of excessive force by Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians, in disregard for the civilians’ lives. Therefore, PCHR calls upon the international community to take immediate and effective actions and reiterates its call for the High Contracting Parties to the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their obligations under Article 1; i.e., to respect and to ensure respect for the Convention in all circumstances, and their obligation under Article 146 to prosecute persons alleged to commit grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention. These grave breaches constitute war crimes under Article 147 of the same Convention and Protocol (I) Additional to the Geneva Conventions.