Civilians must be protected at all times – CIDSE press release/Non-UN document

Civilians must be protected at all times

19 June 2006

Brussels – As development organisations with partners in both Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), CIDSE member organisations call for the protection of civilians. We are deeply concerned about the worsening security situation in the OPT, the attacks against Palestinian civilians by the Israeli army and the attacks against Israeli civilians by the Palestinian armed groups.

We are particularly worried about the intensification of Israeli attacks on Palestinian civilians, especially in the Gaza Strip, where more than 20 civilians have been killed in the last week. Furthermore, Hamas has indicated that it will end its 18 month ceasefire and resume attacks against Israeli civilians.

The Fourth Geneva Convention sets out standards of conduct applicable to both state forces and armed groups. A fundamental principle is that parties involved in a conflict must at all times distinguish between civilians and combatants, and between civilian targets and military objectives. Civilians should at all times be protected from the consequences of warfare and it is not permitted to target them. The intentional killing of civilians is considered a grave breach of international humanitarian law. The Convention also insists that parties respond to any threat faced by them in a proportionate manner. While Israel has a duty to protect its citizens it must do so within internationally accepted legal parameters.

As an occupying power, Israel is bound by international humanitarian and human rights law and therefore it has the responsibility to protect civilians in the OPT. It must refrain from actions such as indiscriminate attacks which target civilian areas, extra-judicial executions, the destruction of houses and other property. Palestinian armed groups are also bound by the principles of international humanitarian law. Indiscriminate attacks, such as bomb attacks against Israeli civilians are absolutely and unconditionally prohibited.

The signatories to the Fourth Geneva Convention have clear responsibilities to ensure respect for the rules of international humanitarian law. We call on our governments, as member states of the European Union, to place substantial and even-handed pressure on both Israel and the Palestinian armed groups to adhere to these principles.