RAMALLAH – Israel is breaking its own rules of engagement by using deadly force to disperse unarmed Palestinian protesters in the occupied West Bank, the Israeli rights group B'Tselem reported Monday. Israeli forces have killed 56 people since 2005 in clashes with rock-throwing Palestinians, said B'Tselem, which accused the military of having “extensively and systematically violated” rules barring deadly retaliation for nonlethal assault. “The Israeli military's standing orders explicitly state that live ammunition may not be fired at stone throwers,” it said. “In practice, members of the security forces make almost routine use of these weapons in unlawful, dangerous ways, and the relevant Israeli authorities do too little to prevent the recurrence of this conduct,” the report said. B'Tselem cited two “main problems” with Israeli crowd-control tactics. First, it said the wording of open-fire regulations was “problematic and deficient.” “Second, the regulations are extensively and systematically violated, and the military does not take the necessary action to end these violations,” it said. Israel has developed a number of what it calls “nonlethal” means of crowd control over the past two decades, including the use of tear gas, rubber bullets, paintballs and water cannons. There is also the “scream” — a device that disperses crowds by generating extremely loud sounds — and a foul-smelling spray known as “the skunk.” Israeli security officials say live fire is to be used only in life-threatening situations. But the report said Israel often uses its nonlethal weapons improperly. – Agencies
