Israeli troops used Palestinian as human shield

Explanation of the week
Over the coming weeks, the army gave several versions of the events.

Initially, it said soldiers had found Amira wandering in the streets and escorted him home. After being shown the video, the army said the images “do not appear to indicate any mistreatment” of civilians, but pledged “a thorough inquiry.”

Then, on March 15, after the AP video had been aired worldwide and new human shield allegations emerged, the army announced a formal criminal probe in a one-sentence statement released shortly before midnight. A military official, speaking on condition of anonymity under military rules, said the probe was ordered because of the AP footage.

The army said it is looking into four such complaints, including one from a 15-year-old cousin of Amira and from the family of Jihan, the 11-year-old. Several other Palestinians, including a 47-year-old man and two more members of the Amira family, have approached the AP with similar stories.

Jessica Montell, executive director of the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem, said such complaints rarely lead to punishments.

Few convictions for abuse
For instance, less than 8 percent of military investigations into physical abuse by troops have led to convictions in the past six years, she said, citing army figures. But she said the video is “crucial” evidence that is rarely available.

Montell, whose group is assisting Amira and Dadoush, said the probe could lead to anything from disciplinary measures to criminal indictments. And while it is too early to say whether the use of human shields is pervasive, she said she hopes the probe will determine full responsibility.

“It’s hard to imagine that the individual soldiers took the initiative here. At least at some level, some commander is instructing and training soldiers,” Montell said.

Subdued reaction on Israeli street
In Israel, the video aired on evening newscasts for several days, but reaction was subdued.

After years of Palestinian suicide bombings, the public tends to support the army’s tactics if they keep things quiet. “In order to save Israeli soldiers, I would do it,” said Yitzhak Goren, a 78-year-old Holocaust survivor from the coastal town of Netanya. But, he added, “only when there is no other choice.”

Asaf Abraham, a high school senior from a Jerusalem suburb, said he opposed such tactics. “When you practice immorality on the outside, it’s going to affect the inside,” he said.

Amira, meanwhile, has become something of a hero in Nablus, easily recognized by his boyish face and slick brown hair.

But the young man says the attention has been a curse. Amira said he worked for several years in a nearby Jewish settlement. Since the video aired, he said he has not been able to renew a work permit, and he fears he is being punished by the Israeli authorities.

“I don’t do anything. I hang out, sleep, and walk around. I have nothing to do,” he said.

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