IDF: Amnesty Int'l. Report Biased
JERUSALEM, Israel -- The Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson's Unit responded to Amnesty International's annual report harshly criticizing the IDF while soft-peddling acts of terror by Palestinian Arabs.
The report "wholly ignores the substantial increase in Palestinian violence" over the past year and "shows a complete lack of understanding" of the operational challenges Israeli soldiers face every day, the Spokesperson's Office said.
The report notes a sharp increase in rock-throwing incidents in 2013 -- more than 5,000 -- which injured 132 Israelis, some critically. There were also twice as many attacks as the previous year and half occurred on main roads, some causing life-threatening accidents, serious injuries and property damage.
As serious as rock throwing and mob violence are, the statement continued, they're only part of what Israeli soldiers deal with. Drive-by shootings, sniper attacks, Molotov cocktails and pipe bombs, roadside bombs, knife and "blunt weapon" attacks, kidnapping and murder also took place at least 66 times last year.
It also clarified the IDF uses riot-control methods such as loud sirens, water cannons, sound grenades and tear gas first, only resorting to live ammunition "once these tools have been exhausted and human life and safety remains under threat."
"The IDF holds itself to the highest of professional standards and trains and equips itself as such. When there is any suspicion of wrong doing, or breach of discipline, the IDF reviews, investigates and takes action where appropriate," the statement concluded.
