AMP denounces Israeli soldier’s degrading assault on blindfolded Palestinian woman

(CHICAGO 10/06/2010) – The American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) decry the recent video showing an Israeli soldier dancing and rubbing himself against a blindfolded and handcuffed Palestinian woman. The video is repulsive, degrading to women and smacks of an arrogant occupier mentality that repeatedly tries to crush the Palestinian spirit by the use of humiliating and demeaning tactics.

The video, comes several weeks after another soldier posted pictures of herself posing with blindfolded and handcuffed Palestinian men on Facebook.

(CHICAGO 10/06/2010) – The American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) decry the recent video showing an Israeli soldier dancing and rubbing himself against a blindfolded and handcuffed Palestinian woman. The video is repulsive, degrading to women and smacks of an arrogant occupier mentality that repeatedly tries to crush the Palestinian spirit by the use of humiliating and demeaning tactics.

The video, comes several weeks after another soldier posted pictures of herself posing with blindfolded and handcuffed Palestinian men on Facebook.

In both cases, the Israeli military said these were isolated incidents. AMP rejects this explanation, based upon the testimony of former Israeli soldiers who stated the practice of posing with “trophy” Palestinians was common.

“Under international law Palestinians, as an occupied people, are a protected class. But Israeli occupying forces, Israeli police and illegal colonial settlers prove time and again they are not in the business of protecting Palestinians,” said Dr. Hatem Bazian, AMP chairman and professor of Near Eastern and Ethnic Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. “This video is not an isolated case. There are numerous videos and pictures that prove there is a pervasive culture of humiliation and disregard for Palestinian life in the Israeli military.”

Yet despite this irrefutable proof that Israel continues to violate international law and international humanitarian laws, the United States continues its policy of sending more than $3 billion in unconditional military aid to the occupying country. It is time for the United States to look out for American interests by forcing Israel to comply with international law and to afford Palestinians their basic and inalienable human rights.

AMP calls upon President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and members of Congress to uphold American values of human dignity, justice and liberty by withholding U.S. foreign aid to Israel until it complies with international law and ends the occupation of Palestine and the siege on Gaza.