Palestinian boy killed by Israeli forces - family is looking for answers

Palestinian boy killed by Israeli forces - family is looking for answers

The Shuafat refugee camp in East Jerusalem was a nightmare for his relatives in the six days after Rami al-Halhouli's fatal shootout. The Israeli authorities held the body of the 12-year-old boy in an unknown place and refused to give him up for the funeral, unless the family agreed to a small, private funeral. This happened out of fear that the funeral service could lead to unrest.

The grief of the al-Halhouli family

"You threatened us that you would take away his body if something happened if there were any arguments," said Cindy al-Halhouli, Ramis older sister. The father, Ali al-Halhouli, confirmed that he finally gave up the pressure because he was afraid to find out what would happen if he refused. Rami was shot on March 12, in the second night of Ramadan, when he and other children from the Shuafat-refugee deposit Fireworks.

The numbers speak a clear language

rami is one of at least 169 children-164 boys and 5 girls-who have been in Israeli and Jewish settlers in occupied Westjordanland and East Jerusalem killed, according to the United Nations. This period of time was the deadliest for Palestinian children in the region.

a lack of responsibility

The UN and several international human rights organizations have claimed that Israeli security forces act in a climate of impunity in the occupied areas. Many deaths remain without an investigation, and there is no responsibility for the perpetrators. The Israeli authorities usually explain such killings to an indefinite threats without providing details about the victims.

The desperate search for answers

More than eight months after Rami's death, his family is still looking for answers. You have not received any information about whether or why it was targeted; They were not allowed to see his body or the autopsy report and were not informed about any investigations.

A look at Rami's room

Ramie's room in the family remains unaffected. A poster of a red audi hangs on the wall, its swimming goggles and a towel hang on the mirror as if it had placed it there. His clothing from this day is on the bed, the white T-shirt has a small, bloody hole in the middle.

events in the refugee camp

A video that was recorded by another child in the parking lot shows that the shot, which was fatally injured by Rami, was fired at a highly militarized checkpoint from the direction of a police watchtower. This structure is in an elevated area about 60 meters away from the place where Rami and his friends played.

The role of the lawyer

The lawyer Leah Tsemel, who is committed to Palestinians under Israeli occupation, told CNN that she attempts to move the Israeli authorities to publish the documents for the murder of Rami. She emphasized the need for an investigation to hold those responsible for accounting.

about the refugee camp

The Shuafat-Fruchtlager Considered in which nobody has control and fundamental resources are in short supply. The support of Unrwa is endangered to a decisive extent because the Israeli Knesset made the application last month to ban the organization.

reality in everyday life

The residents are unsettled and have no security against crime. Criminal gangs and drug dealers frequent the camp, while the Israeli police show no interest in the protection of public order. For fear of violence and oppression, the locals have little trust in the police and often do not look for help.

bargaining chips

The Israeli authorities, as well as some Palestinian militant groups, have long used corpses as a means of pressure. In 2017, the Israeli Supreme Court found that the state had no right to maintain the own name. But shortly afterwards, the Knesset said goodbye to a law that entitles the police to keep the corpse of Palestinians until the approval of the families.

the last rest

The family was able to receive Rami's body on March 18 at 1 a.m. Nevertheless, the funeral was held in an unknown district, far away from home. Despite the modesty of the ceremony, the relatives felt monitored by the Israeli authorities who continued to contact them.