Palestinian teenager shot dead by Israeli sniper near Ramallah

[Jefferson23]

RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- A Palestinian teenager was shot dead by Israeli soldiers in al-Jalazun refugee camp near Ramallah on Saturday.

Wajih Wajdi al-Ramahi, 15, was shot with live bullets in the back by an Israeli sniper in front of his school.

Al-Ramahi was taken to the hospital, and placed in the ICU until he died.

Locals told Ma'an that the area where al-Ramahi was shot had no clashes or any kind of rock-throwing incidents that might have provoked the killing.

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=655072

[oberliner]

1. The teenager father's said Israeli soldiers target youths and kill them in order to amuse themselves

That's the very next line of this story.

Do you think that's true?

[oberliner]

8. Of course

Last edited Sat Dec 7, 2013, 08:28 PM - Edit history (1)

I'm just asking the DUer who posted the article if they agree with the sentiments expressed.

[oberliner]

19. Probably not

And I wouldn't believe them if they said it was.

But, as far as I know, none of us are the father of the boy who was killed.

[WatermelonRat]

3. I find that very difficult to believe

It's not out of the question that this was intentional, but if that is the case it woul probably be due to a sudden fit of rage rather than thrill killing. It strikes me as more likely that this was an accident, however, probably resulting from improper firearm handling. This definitely merits an investigation, and even if its concluded that it was simply a matter of incompetence the soldier in question should receive punishment of some sort.

[WatermelonRat]

5. I know it's an unsatisfying explanation, but it's the best I can come up with.

It doesn't strike me as a case of a thrill killer because I can't see him expecting not to be immediately identified as a suspect in those circumstances. With crimes of passion and spree killings the perpetrator might not care about getting away, but that's because of the emotional fervor behind their actions. Someone killing just for fun wouldn't want to do it in a way that resulted in them immediately being caught. I still want to know more about this case, but until further details are out it makes more sense to me that it was a result of a sudden decision or gross breach of firearms safety.

[Jefferson23]

6. Why ask me, you can do your own research. Do you believe there is no basis

for the father to believe it? Is his personal loss so great that he is unreliable to render an objective
opinion? I do not know what he means by his use of the word, amuse. If it means it literally or to suggest
the IDF's contempt for the Palestinians.

One can look at the documentation of the IDF's human rights record and then
make up their own mind...unless of course you already have, decided that is.

Breaking the Silence
Israeli soldiers talk about the occupied territories
http://www.breakingthesilence.org.il/testimonies/database/64572

List of Topics
Accountability

Background
Military Police investigations
Failure to investigate alleged cases of torture
Denial of compensation

Administrative punishment

Administrative detention
House demolitions as punishment
Deportation

Demonstrations

Israeli law
International law
Military law
Demonstrations in Budrus
Demonstrations in Bil'in
Demonstrations in Ni'lin
Demonstrations in a-Nabi Saleh
Demonstrations in Bethlehem district

Destruction of property

Demolition of houses as punishment
Demolition for alleged military purposes
Planning and building

Detainees and prisoners

Administrative detention
Minors in Detention
Torture
Statistics

East Jerusalem

Background
Legal Status
The Separation Barrier in Jerusalem
Family unification and child registration
Revocation of residency
Revocation of social rights
Planning, building and expropriation of land
Neglect of infrastructure and services

Gaza Strip

Background
The scope of Israeli control
Operation Cast Lead
Firing Qassam Rockets
The siege on Gaza
Rafah Crossing
Medical System
Inter-Palestinian clashes
Gilad Shalit

Hebron

Background

International Law

Background
International human rights law
International humanitarian law (Laws of war)

Jordan Valley

Background
Land
Water
Other resources

Land and water

Land expropriation and settlements
The water crisis
The Jordan Valley

Residency rights and deportation

Family separation
Deportation
Revocation of residency of Palestinians in East Jerusalem

Restrictions on movement

Background
Closure
Checkpoints and Forbidden Roads
Curfew
Effect on the economy
Medical treatment

Separation Barrier

Background
Opinion of the International Court of Justice
Israeli High Court of Justice ruling
Jerusalem

Settlements and Israeli civilians

Land expropriation and settlements
Attacks on Israeli civilians by Palestinians
Settler violence
East Jerusalem

South Hebron Hills

South Hebron Hills
Background on the South Hebron Hills
Khirbet Susiya
Firing Zone 918
Khirbet a-Duqaiqah
Khirbet Zanutah
Barrier along Route 317

Use of force

Beating and abuse
Use of firearms
Human shields

Violations by Palestinians

Severe human rights violations in intra-Palestinian clashes
Attacks on Israeli civilians by Palestinians
Harm to Palestinians suspected of collaborating with Israel
Death penalty in the Palestinian Authority and under Hamas in Gaza

Workers from the territories

Background
Social rights

http://www.btselem.org/list_of_topics

There is a recent report by B'tselem, perhaps you've read it already:

Israeli MAG Corps closes file in Mustafa Tamimi killing, stating the tear-gas canister that killed him was fired legally
http://www.btselem.org/press_releases/20131205_mag_closes_file_on_mustafa_tamimi_killing

[oberliner]

7. Waiting on the IDF side of the story

Apparently they are investigating.

[azurnoir]

9. oh they had a cover story going hours ago they fired shots into the air

and one just mysteriously landed in the back of kid

An unnamed Israeli army source told Israeli news site Walla that “a unit from the Givati Brigade was operating in the camp in order to locate stone throwers. During the course of their operations, a violent incident developed while soldiers were attempting to arrest a suspect. They shot in the air and for an unknown reason the youth was shot.”

However, residents of al Jazaloun told Maan that there were no clashes or violence that “might have provoked the killing.”

http://972mag.com/israeli-troops-shoot-palestinian-teen-in-back-near-ramallah/83203/

also more on recent live fire use by IDF as crowd control or dispersal

http://972mag.com/photos-palestinians-shot-by-israeli-sniper-using-silenced-rifle/83164/

[Jefferson23]

10. yea, but you're using 972mag as a source.

[oberliner]

17. Thanks for pointing that out

It is sincerely appreciated.

[Jefferson23]

22. You were slacking a bit..so I helped you out. n/t

[oberliner]

23. Thanks

And if you ever want a job with the hasbarists, I'd be happy to write you a letter of recommendation.

[Jefferson23]

24. Ha ha....thanks! n/t

[shira]

25. Yes, join the dark side. Lots of $$$ involved. I mean LOTS....

And that's nothing compared to all the free brisket and latkes you can eat...

[oberliner]

18. No they haven't

They have said they are investigating and that the circumstances are not clear.

But no surprise that 972mag has jumped in and you are at the ready to post the links!

[oberliner]

16. Why was he shot?

Was it deliberate? Unprovoked? If so, there should be some serious charges.

[CFLDem]

13. Yes

From stories I've heard from my Marine friends, snipers are the most insane people in the military.

Does not surprise me one bit if they shot the kid for a lark.

[oberliner]

15. "Israeli soldiers target youths and kill them in order to amuse themselves"

That was the quote. You are saying this is true? Do American soldiers do the same thing?

[CFLDem]

20. I've only heard about American snipers target practicing on cows.

and amusing themselves by having Iraqi kids fight over crackers and candy.

So I doubt it but it wouldn't surprise me.

[oberliner]

21. Interesting

I appreciate you sharing your insights. Scary stuff.