New video shows shamed IDF officer struck several left-wing activists

[Scurrilous]

In clip taken by Palestinian TV, and released by left-wing NGO B'Tselem, Lt. Col. Shalom Eisner seen beating protesters without clear provocation.

<snip>

"Days after Israel Defense Forces chief Benny Gantz opted to dismiss Lt. Col. Shalom Eisner for striking a foreign left-wing protester, new video evidence released by an Israeli NGO pertains to prove the Israeli officer employed brute force unprovoked.

According to a statement, which was attached to the Palestinian television clip, by B'Tselem, Eisner is seen striking five different pro-Palestinian protesters in last Saturday's incident.

In addition, and in an apparent contrast to Eisner's own contention, there seem to be no signs of violence from the protesters toward IDF troops in general, or Eisner in particular."

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/watch-new-video-shows-shamed-idf-officer-struck-several-left-wing-activists-1.425579


“Stupid and Mean and Brutal”

<snip>

"In blood and sweat / A race will arise to us / Proud and generous and brutal…” Thus wrote Vladimir (Ze’ev) Jabotinsky, the founder of extreme right-wing Zionism, who was also a writer and a poet. Present-day Likud leaders see him as their forefather, much as Stalin saw Karl Marx.

The world “brutal” stands out, because it seems implausible that Jabotinsky really meant it. His Hebrew was not very good, and he probably meant something like “hard” or “tough”.

If Jabotinsky saw today’s Likud, he would shudder. His was a 19th century mixture of extreme nationalism, liberalism and humanism.
Paradoxically, brutality is the only one of the three traits that is prominent in our life today, especially in the occupied Palestinian territories. There is nothing there to be proud of, and generosity is something associated with the despised leftists.

THE ROUTINE, everyday brutality that governs the occupied territories was caught on video this week. A searing flash in the darkness."

http://www.avnery-news.co.il/english/index.html

[azurnoir]

1. IDF officer says regrets beating activist 'in front of cameras'

IDF Lt. Col. Shaul Eisner, who was filmed over the weekend hitting a Danish protester with his rifle butt in the Jordan Valley, personally responded to allegations against him on Tuesday.

Eisner, who was suspended from duties following the incident, said that "it could have been a professional mistake to use a weapon in front of the cameras," he told Channel 10. The televised report also showed a document indicating he had broken his finger.

<snip>

"It was a two minute confrontation," he said," so yes, it's true that some pictures look bad, but I used a weapon… in a cold manner, as a stick. I didn't kill anyone and I did not put anyone's life in danger." He added that he believes that thanks to his actions the protesters called off the demonstration.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/idf-officer-says-regrets-beating-activist-in-front-of-cameras-1.424919

[shaayecanaan]

3. That is brilliant...

"it could have been a professional mistake to use a weapon in front of the cameras"

I can't even take the piss out of that. It does all the work for me.

So much for the protesters having broken his finger. Unless of course one of their skulls broke his finger while he was hitting it.

[Scurrilous]

2. For immediate release: Cyclists attacked by soldier in the Jordan Valley seek legal action

<snip>

17 April 2012 | International Solidarity Movement, West Bank

For Immediate Release

April 17, 2012: Cyclists attacked by soldier in the Jordan Valley seek legal action

Danish activist Andreas was attacked by Israeli commander Lt.-Col. Shalom Eisner during an unarmed demonstration in the Jordan Valley on April 14th. (See video). Dutch activist Mira and a Palestinian man also suffered injuries following an assault by Eisner, Swedish activist Alex was handcuffed and detained for over one hour during the incident. The action involved some two hundred people riding bikes along Route-90 which connects Israeli settlements, which are recognized as illegal by the International Court of Justice. Organized by the Sharek Youth Forum, the cycling event was to raise awareness of the restrictions on Palestinian movement and the human rights violations of Palestinians living in the Jordan Valley. According to the organization, Palestinian cars are frequently detained, searched, or refused entry on Route-90 where the event was held.

Andreas, Mira, Alex, and the Palestinian man are working with attorney Meissa Irshaid from the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel to ensure that the testimony of these bike tour participants is represented in the assault case against Lt.-Col Eisner.

“Israeli soldiers blocked the road for all of the cyclists and quickly resorted to violent force to intimidate us from cycling on Route 90. Lt-Col Eisner beat me with his M-16 without provocation,” Andreas stated. Mira was also struck in the face by Eisner’s gun. The two were evacuated to hospital and Andreas received stitches in his lip.

The attack on the cyclists was publicly condemned by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an April 15th news article published in Haaretz. In response to this public action taken by Netanyahu, Andreas says, “this is widespread phenomena across the West Bank. Dozens of protesters have been killed or violently injured for participating in peaceful protests against the theft of their land and the ongoing military occupation.”

Furthermore, Andreas argues, “it isn’t just internationals that deserve human rights in Palestine, all attacks by Israel should be condemned equally.”

The activists will continue work with the International Solidarity Movement in the West Bank while pursuing legal action against the April 14th incident with the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel.

http://palsolidarity.org/2012/04/cyclists-attacked-by-soldier-in-the-jordan-valley-seek-legal-action/