US slams Israel’s treatment of Palestinian prisoners

[azurnoir]

The annual US State Department report on human rights violations worldwide contained harsh criticisms for Israel’s alleged institutional discrimination against Palestinians, especially in regard to its treatment of Palestinian prisoners.

In the report released Thursday, titled “Country Reports on the Human Rights Practices for 2014: Israel and the Occupied Territories,” Israel is accused of “excessive use of force against civilians, including killings; abuse of Palestinian detainees, particularly during arrest and interrogation.”

Details of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians included “austere and overcrowded detention facilities; improper use of security detention procedures; demolition and confiscation of Palestinian property; limitations on freedom of expression, assembly, and association; and severe restrictions on Palestinians’ internal and external freedom of movement.”

The report said that Israeli authorities routinely coerced confessions from Palestinian minors suspected of stone-throwing, by using physical violence, long-term handcuffing, threats, intimidation, and solitary confinement. In some cases, the report said, Israeli tactics used against minors amounted to torture.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/us-knocks-israels-treatment-of-palestinian-prisoners/

[azurnoir]

1. For the US to criticize anything Israel does is a huge step

I for one was pleasantly surprised by this

[oberliner]

2. No it's not

Quick sample from 2009-Present:

U.S. criticizes Israel on settlements

U.S. report criticizes Israel's treatment of African migrants

U.S. Criticizes Israel After Yet Another Strike on U.N.

U.S. criticizes Israel over Iran talks leaks

US Criticizes Israel for Demolishing Homes of Terrorists

U.S. criticizes Israel over Jerusalem settlement

US criticizes Israel for freezing Palestinian tax revenue