Gaming the Hebron Soldier Trial: Human Rights Watch Tries to Score

NGO Monitor
January 2, 2017

Gaming the Hebron Soldier Trial: Human Rights Watch Tries to Score Cheap
Points

Today, January 2, 2017, Human Rights Watch (HRW) issued a press statement
promoting the false claim that senior Israeli security officials support a
policy of illegal killings of Palestinian terror suspects. This campaign is
another example of HRW’s long-established biased, disproportionate obsession
with Israel and systematic prejudice, stated Jerusalem-based research
institute NGO Monitor.

As NGO Monitor research has shown, HRW has a consistent history of hiring
supporters of a one-state framework that advocate for BDS (boycotts,
divestment, sanctions) for key positions relating to Israel, including their
hiring of an anti-Israel activist as “Israel and Palestine Country
Director.”

Publications such as today’s media statement reveal a pattern that
patronizingly minimizes Palestinian crimes, while artificially inflating
alleged “violations” committed by Israeli government and security personnel
in response to such crimes.

According to Prof. Gerald Steinberg, President of NGO Monitor: “The fact
that an IDF soldier is currently on trial for allegedly shooting a
Palestinian terrorist who had already been neutralized gives the lie to this
latest HRW campaign. Indeed, the trial of Elor Azaria has not been stopped
despite public criticism and claims that the trial undermines IDF morale.

As reflected in this latest publication, HRW continues to demonize Israelis
and to single out Israel for attack by cherry picking a few outdated and
emotional statements made by Israelis in the turmoil of Palestinian murder
and incitement. In contrast to the distorted headline, buried in the middle
of the text is the fact that senior officials including the Defense
Minister, the IDF Chief of Staff, and Prime Minister Netanyahu all condemned
illegal uses of force.

Recently, the terrorist who carried out the horrendous Berlin truck attack
was killed by Italian police. But HRW has not launched a campaign in that
case, highlighting the immoral double standards.”

NGO Monitor provides information and analysis, promotes accountability, and
supports discussion on the reports and activities of NGOs (non-governmental
organizations) claiming to advance human rights and humanitarian agendas.