A harrowing video has surfaced showing a man in military fatigues shooting a Palestinian who is mentally disabled in the West Bank.
The footage, which was taken in June 2017, was made public by the Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem and swiftly sparked condemnation from various human rights groups around the world.
In the video, the disabled Palestinian, identified as M’, is seen walking through a village in the northern West Bank, while a man in military fatigues follows him. The man stops and shoots M’ in the leg from a distance of about 10 meters. The man then walks up to M’, kicks him and then runs away.
The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) has confirmed that the incident happened and that the alleged perpetrator was an IDF soldier, though the military has yet to name him. Israeli authorities have reportedly opened an investigation into the incident and have yet to take any action against the shooter.
The incident has been heavily condemned by a number of human rights groups, including Amnesty International, who called the incident “a blatant disregard for both international law, as well as essential human decency.”
The incident has also called into question the IDF’s alleged policy of using live fire against unarmed civilians and the incidents have sparked widespread protests for accountability and justice.
The incident is a stark reminder of the human rights violations that continue to occur in the region, and the need for better oversight and accountability from the Israeli government and military. In the meantime, it is hoped that the video will provide a measure of justice for the victim and his family and serve as a reminder of the urgent need to address the ongoing human rights abuses in the region.
