Targeting of the Civilian Population in the West Bank by the Israeli Army

This petition was filed jointly with LAW and ACRI in April 2002 against the Commander of the Israeli Army in the West Bank and the Chief of Staff of the Israeli Army. The petition argues that the army has attacked numerous civilian targets throughout the West Bank, including houses, schools, roads, hospitals, churches, and mosques. These allegations have been confirmed by media reports, eyewitness testimonies, and the army itself. The petition also argues that the assault on the civilian population, infrastructure and property and against the lives and bodies of civilians is unreasonable and disproportionate, and was carried out with excessive force.

The petitioners sought an immediate end to the shelling and striking of civilians and civilian targets, as the army is prohibited from indiscriminately attacking against civilian targets. The Supreme Court accepted the army's response that it was making every effort to prevent and minimize harm to civilians. The petition was dismissed in 4/02.

News Updates:

9 April 2002: Adalah files petition

15 April 2002: Ha'aretz, "Jenin - A Thicket of Human Rights Questions" by Joseph Algazy and Moshe Reinfeld

Related Documents:

Detailed Case Summary (English)
Petition (English, Hebrew)
State's Response (English)
Supreme Court Decision (English,  Hebrew)

H.C. 3022/02, LAW, ACRI, and Adalah v. Commander of the Israeli Army in the West Bank, Yitzhak Eitan, and Chief of Staff of the Israeli Army, Shaul Mofaz