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Press Release
Ref: 36/2001
Date: June 27, 2001
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights is deeply concerned about a family quarrel which escalated into a series of violent incidents that occurred on Tuesday morning in Khan Yunis in which a 4-month-old infant was killed and 31 citizens were injured, three of whom were injured by live bullets. PCHR calls upon the Palestinian National Authority, political parties and social institutions to take a strict stance towards such violence, to condemn it and to work towards ensuring that such incidents do not occur. PCHR calls upon the PNA to initiate an immediate detailed and thorough inquiry into this incident and to bring to justice those who are found to be responsible for these criminal acts of violence. PCHR also calls upon the PNA to ensure adherence to the rule of law and to maintain stability and internal security. PCHR insists that social and economic frustration and pressure which the Palestinian people suffer under the continued aggression by the Israeli occupation forces must not be allowed to manifest itself in internal violence amongst Palestinians, nor must it ever constitute an excuse for violence.
According to PCHR’s investigations, a family quarrel flared up between two families in Khan Yunis on Monday evening. On Tuesday morning, the quarrel escalated into violent clashes in which stones, Molotov Cocktails and firearms were used. According to eyewitnesses, Palestinian police failed to respond within an appropriate time to this emergency situation. The four-month-old son of Mohammed Ghazi Shurrab was killed when their house was destroyed in an arson attack. A further 31 citizens were injured in these clashes and received medical attention in hospitals in Khan Yunis. PCHR has been informed that these violent clashes re-occurred again on Wednesday morning.
PCHR strongly condemns such violent incidents and calls upon citizens to reconcile all differences through a process of dialogue and the law. Violence can never be used as a means to solve conflict of any kind. Tolerance and respect for the rule of law must be maintained in Palestinian society. PCHR considers the judiciary as the primary body qualified to deal with conflict resolution and arbitration in all cases. PCHR calls upon the PNA to take all necessary legal measures against those who are found to have been involved in such incidents, and to investigate claims by eyewitnesses regarding the failure of the Palestinian police to intervene immediately in this incident.
