The Palestinian government spokesperson has condemned today Israeli occupying forces for shooting a young Palestinian man, and said there is no justification for such a breach of the rule of law.

Bilal Abu Libdeh, 25, from Qalqilya was shot by Israeli soldiers nearby an Israeli settlement, Barkan, located in west Salfit. Israeli soldiers claimed that they had “suspected” him to be armed and shot without confirming whether or not he was actually armed. The young man was unarmed.

Dr. Ghassan Khatib, the Palestinian government spokesperson said: “We condemn and call for an end to the killing of Palestinians and all other violations of the occupation. Israel must hold its soldiers accountable for illegal and unjustified killings.

“The Israeli practice of shooting first and asking questions later has become the norm when dealing with Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. A country which claims to respect the rule of law cannot justify killing people.”

Inappropriate, irresponsible actions by Israeli soldiers and settlers against Palestinians cannot and should not be justified under any circumstances or pretences. In previous similar incidents, the Israeli forces justify the killing of Palestinian civilians based on claims that later prove to be incorrect, even by their own probes and inquires. Thus, this incident follows the same pattern as previous ones.

In March, four Palestinians were killed within two days <http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3865545,00.html> in similar
incidents <http://www.ynet.co.il/english/articles/0,7340,L-3865718,00.html> The Central Command of the Israeli forces inquiries ruled that these deaths could have been prevented
<http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3871823,00.html> by use of better conduct and proceedings by the soldiers. Nevertheless, these practices continue to be committed by the Israeli soldiers and settlers.