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Report: Palestinian Human Rights Activist Saved by Laptop During Stabbing Attack

Palestinian Human Rights Activist Stabbed After Criticizing Terrorists’ Use of Human Shields

Mahmoud Abu Rahma (Photo Courtesy: Ma'an)

Palestinian human rights advocate Mahmoud Abu Rahma was stabbed by unknown assailants in Gaza after penning a scathing editorial criticizing Hamas and other terrorist groups’ use of civilians as human shields.

According to the Ma’an News Agency, Abu Rahma, who heads Al Mezan Center for Human Rights in Gaza, was attacked by masked men who stabbed him multiple times as he was walking home from his brother’s house on Friday night. The Palestinian Center for Human Rights reports:

On his way home three masked persons carrying sharp tools attacked Abu Rahma and stabbed him in his back, leg and shoulders. Abu Rahma sustained a stab wound in his hand as he tried to defend himself from attacks to his chest. Abu Rahma stated that the attackers had tried to stab him in his chest; however his laptop, which blocked a lot of the attacks, saved him.  The attackers then withdrew while shouting death threats and insults.

Ma’an reports that since he published his original article on December 31st, Abu Rahma has received e-mail and telephone threats and was previously assaulted on January 3rd. He told Ma’an:

“They said I am a collaborator and I should wait for my punishment, saying I must revoke what I said or else.”

Abu Rahma’s taking on the terrorist groups was as brave as it was rare. In the editorial, whose English version was published January 5th in Ma’an, Abu Rahma called for legal recourse for Palestinian victims of misfiring and mistakes by “resistance groups” in the West Bank and Gaza.

While Abu Rahma never named Hamas, Islamic Jihad, or other terrorist groups by name, “resistance groups” is common Palestinian parlance for organizations that carry out armed attacks on Israelis.

Though he called the right to “resist” (i.e., fight) Israeli “occupation and injustice” an “inalienable right,” Abu Rahma asked who will protect Palestinian civilians. He detailed numerous examples of terrorist groups’ cynical disregard for the safety of innocent civilians including: live fire training in residential areas, bomb-building in apartment complexes, and rocket-firing near schools (he never used the word “terrorist”). He wrote:

Many citizens also fell victim of the continuous negligence of the resistance groups who show little or no care for people’s life and well being, or, worse, fail to take responsibility for shocking acts by their members.

Numerous people were injured from live fire coming from resistance groups training sites; including children and at least one man who lost his eye.

Those are victims of the irresponsible behavior that seems to continue despite the frequent injuries. There is a training site in the town of Beit Lahiya that threatens people every day, including a girl who was injured inside her school when an explosion occurred in this site on Sep. 20 2011.

Explosions also occur frequently in densely-populated areas around Gaza and have their victims; many of whom are children. Shootings occur by mistake inside homes from weapons owned by the resistance. Military training sites function and are located in places very close to neighborhoods and/or schools, from where acts of resistance; including firing rockets, also occur.

Abu Rahma pointed to something the IDF highlights repeatedly and which The Blaze recently reported, that the positioning of terrorist infrastructures in residential neighborhoods draws innocent civilians into battle as “human shields” when the Israeli Air Force responds. It’s a serious issue Palestinian officials and media rarely address. More from Abu Rahma:

The population of these locations are inevitably vulnerable to Israeli attacks. Hundreds of people have been injured and killed and dozens of homes have been damaged from Israeli missile attacks. But little has been done to ease the pain of the loss of life or residence suffered by these people.

On Dec. 9 2011, an Israeli attack on a training site killed a man and his 11-year-old son in al-Nasser neighborhood in Gaza city. His wife and four children were injured; one of the children is at an Israeli hospital suffering critical wounds.

This man, whose house is near the training site, had complained to the resistance members many times. He explained the family’s fear for their life and house. But he was told the family could move out of the area, even if they had no resources to move. He died the way he feared most: tragically.

Palestinian Human Rights Activist Stabbed After Criticizing Terrorists’ Use of Human Shields

Palestinian Popular Resistance Committees Training (Photo Courtesy Ma'an)

Again, Abu Rahma stated openly what so few Gazans are brave enough to admit, that Hamas, Islamic Jihad and others’ rockets aimed at Israeli communities frequently fall short and strike innocent Palestinians:

The state of carelessness from the part of resistance is also causing continued victims of the misfiring of home-made rockets that fall on houses inside Gaza. Many of the victims are children and all of them are civilians who happen to be in their homes.

There are more victims of shootings from, or explosions in, training sites. Many children are killed or maimed when explosive devices left in the streets or farms explode in their hands. And there is the young man who was shot in the legs for daring to publicly criticize a local resistance leader.

While Abu Rahma wrote that his criticism was aimed at governments in the West Bank and Gaza, based on the examples he provided, it appears the main target of his criticism is the Hamas government in Gaza for doing such a poor job of protecting civilians:

It is clear the government is not willing to take the smallest act. It does not open investigations or even hold talks with the resistance groups to ensure that steps are taken to protect the vulnerable people. It is equally clear that the resistance continues to show the same carelessness towards violations committed by the government against the people.

Welcome to the naked truth: the relationship between the government, the resistance, and the people is moving in one way: the people support, nourish and protect their resistance and government. But the resistance and the government are not in the least bit interested to do the same for the people. This is an untenable situation and a dangerous reality. […]

Relationships go two ways. If the people do not enjoy respect and rule of law from the resistance groups and the government — two political bodies that claim to stand for their rights — they will all go down together. We will go down.

UN Watch — a non-profit dedicated to holding the UN accountable — condemned Abu Rahma’s stabbing:

“The incident raises serious questions about the ability of the Palestinians to create a democratic state where people feel free to question their government without fear of being seriously injured or killed for doing so.”

UN Watch points out Abu Rahma “dared to publish basic facts about Gaza that completely contradict the Hamas narrative, and that of the UN’s Goldstone Report, which repeatedly found ‘no evidence’ that Hamas used civilians as human shields.” It points to the irony that despite the UN’s “massive” resources dedicated to Palestinian rights, “the world body somehow managed to turn a blind eye to the massive violations of Palestinian rights described by Abu Rahma.” It is now calling on the UN to condemn Abu Rahma’s stabbing.

Comments (22)

  • Gravejoke
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 11:39pm

    All any palestinian wants at the end of his day is his dish of couscous. Hamas does not help the situation by threatening other palestinian’s laptops.

    I’m glad he survived.

    Report Post »  
  • gmoneytx
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 1:52pm

    So, what happened to the poor laptop?

    Report Post » gmoneytx  
  • Marsh626
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 1:29pm

    Pretty sad when the most humanity these arab muslim savages can muster is criticism for islamic jihadists getting other muslims killed. They have absolutely zero regard for “infidel” life. Not even their “liberal” “human rights” “activists” care. Their whole religion and race is depraved.

    Report Post »  
  • pta1
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 11:12am

    to thew sad pathetic whiner the_jerk… why are you carrying on about the Israelis when the story was never even about them but the reckless and careless actions of your heroes that has resulted in the deaths of those you are whining about? is it the fact you have a human rights advocatge actually backing up ideas that Israel has been saying for years that has gotten you to wet your pants? is it the fact he has proven evidence of what the world has known about your heroes that has made you foaming at the mouth? here is a Palestinian that was attacked and almost murdered for what? shining light onto the actions of those called heroes by you and your kind? live fire training camps in neighborhoods, launching rockets from school yards KNOWING THE AREA WILL BE SHELLED IN RESPONSE BY ISRAEL, bomb factories in apartment buildings, and on and on.. these are what Israel has been claiming of your heroes for years and a Palestinian finally was brave enough to speak out and acknowledge what your heroes are responsible for, and they attempt to murder him and all you do is blame Israel? pathetic.. the truth is coming out slowly with those brave enough to speak out.

    Report Post » pta1  
    • The_Jerk
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 12:07pm

      Please, don’t listen to my words. Listen to the words of those ethnic Jews, who also happen to be religious Jews: http://www.jewsagainstzionism.com/

      Your argument is more with them, than me. I’m simply an American who has grown tired of American lives and American treasure being squandered for a nation that has adopted the practices of the Third Reich. Seems as though those ethnic Jews have learned their lesson well, most of whom are not the descendents of Abraham… you know, the guy they use to make their land-grab claims.
      Let’s also remember that G-d’s covenant was with the descendents of Abraham, not with those now calling themselves Jews because they follow the religion of Judaism, which was formed between 300-500 AD.
      You have been, and are being, duped.

      Report Post »  
  • Dismayed Veteran
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 10:04am

    Dead man walking.

    Report Post » Dismayed Veteran  
  • The_Jerk
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 8:36am

    This act is no different from those committed by the Belgian, French, or Dutch resistance during their occupation. We just think that we are different.

    Report Post »  
    • Chromo200
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 9:05am

      Did you move your lips while reading the article .. Abu Rahma was criticizing Hama using civilians as human shields. He was not siding with Israel Collaborators in Europe supported the Nazis ..

      Report Post »  
    • The_Jerk
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 9:25am

      Perhaps you missed the History Channel’s program last night? The Belgian Resistance killed the Belgians who were aiding and abetting the enemy, the occupiers. Clearly the case here. Propaganda, controlling the message, is number one in warfare.

      Report Post »  
    • Chromo200
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 9:44am

      Two different issues. One standing up for the rights of people, and the other collaborating with the enemy. No propaganda here. Home made rockets falling on their own people, civilians placed in front of falling bombs, etc etc ..

      Report Post »  
    • The_Jerk
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 10:14am

      No propaganda here:
      -Palestinians being forced from their homes, having those homes destroyed.
      -Palestinian land being taken.
      -Palestinians being placed into ghettos.
      -Palestinian ghettos being walled in.
      -Palestinians being forced to go through checkpoints.
      -Palestinians required to carry ID identifying them as Palestinians.
      -Palestinian vehicles having different colored license plates so as to identify them as Palestinians.
      -All of this done to an indigenous people by others born in America and Europe.

      Sound a little Third Reich-ish to you? Does to me.

      Report Post »  
    • tzion
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 11:13am

      @smack
      He believes Palestinians should attack Israel. He just stated that Hamas doesn’t take care to ensure the safety of civilians. He’s not a collaborator (though they are treated no better), he’s merely offering constructive criticism and being punished for it. Unlike a true resistance movement, Hamas has zero concern for civilian casualties. Why is it Hamas leaders are never the ones fighting? Because they use other people as pawns to wage a war that they profit from. They are true war-mongers; they will never make peace because the moment they do they’ll lose their power over the people.
      And as for these “ghettos” you speak of, I’ve been to Israel and never saw anything of the sort. There are very few wall portions of the separation barrier with the majority being a fence. And as for checkpoints, those checkpoints, along with the fences, have reduced civilian casualties by over 80%. Are they inconvenient? Yes. Do they save lives? By the hundreds.

      Report Post »  
    • Jaycen
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 11:14am

      You’re way out there, man. I won’t bother taking your argument apart point-by-point, because so much of it is blatant falsehood. There’s no point arguing with someone like you. You don’t know history, you don’t care, you just have your agenda and that’s all that matters.

      I hope you wake up some day. Good luck in your life.

      Report Post » Jaycen  
    • The_Jerk
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 12:21pm

      TZion, good to hear from you again.

      Point of fact, Israel doesn’t care much about the number of civilians killed either, be they Palestinians or Lebanese. You know the figures, or can find them, so no need to retrace that path.

      Second, Israel hates its truth tellers just as much. You remember, Mordechai Vanunu, don’t ya?
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mordechai_Vanunu

      Report Post »  
    • The_Jerk
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 12:29pm

      TZion, I’ve also noted that you did not dispute the Reich practices of Israel… you just simply attempted to rationalize them. Israel is at peace with no one. It is the warmonger, and we Americans are paying a heavy price for that barbaric, Irgun/Stern-Gang, founded nation.

      http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2003/nov/02/israel.eu

      Report Post »  
    • tzion
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 1:48pm

      @The Jerk/Smackdown
      I didn’t dispute all your claims because some are just ridiculous. Different license plates? PA and NJ have different plates. And Jews in the Third Reich weren’t allowed to travel period. Also, in case you forgot, Israelis have been forced to leave their homes BY ISRAEL. They have also had their homes destroyed, their restaurants INTENTIONALLY blow up, their schools and buses attacked etc. The Nazis didn‘t have checkpoints for the Jews because they weren’t allowed to travel. And as for the ID issue, if their not Israeli citizens why would they be identified as such. That’s like saying a non-US citizen must have papers that prove they are legal residents or have a visa. The only way for Israel not to give them special IDs would be to make them citizens.
      Also, show me instances of Palestinian land being taken today. And as for your claim that Israel doesn’t care about civilians, why then would Israel ship truckloads of aid into Gaza on daily basis? Why do they use weapons designed to do a little damage as possible when they have a nuclear arsenal? And as for your whole “peace with no one” nonsense, Israel has standing treaties with both Egypt and Jordan and has offered peace to all their enemies repeatedly. Try looking at the whole picture for once instead of focusing on small portions. Facts can be misleading if taken out of context.

      Report Post »  
    • tzion
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 1:57pm

      @Smackthejerkdowm
      Since you accuse me of not refuting your arguments, I feel obligated to point out that you didn’t deny my facts. Instead you dismissed them as though they were unimportant. Context matters. If person A shoots person B in the head, it makes all the difference between murder and killing to know why and how. Was person B armed? Were both soldiers on the battlefield? Or was person B sleeping next to his wife? You continuously quote facts and figures out of context and draw your own conclusions. History has records of what happened, why it happened, and how. It records the motivation for actions taken. Yet you prefer to draw your own conclusions that contradict what is known to have occurred. Your whole “school child” parable is evidence of this as I have repeatedly pointed out.

      Report Post »  
    • Chromo200
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 3:12pm

      To the The_Jerk … You are still mixing apples and oranges .. You’ve hijacked what the article is about. Abu Rahma is talking about Hamas and their lack of human rights .. Your talking about Israel and their actions. POL and Hamas ruined a great Friends school in Ramala and now those people have a poor education, Hezbullah has ruined Lebanon by dragging it into wars that has caused untold human lives. Hamas keeps the Palestinians in poverty by keeping the wars going .. I am not defending Israel for it’s actions, They can be more human and understanding, but if you live under threat every day, you eventually take actions that may not be the best. The stupidity of all of this is that that part of the world would be a great place to live and enjoy, but many leave because of constant fighting. FYI … live in a Barrio or Ghetto for a year or two and then tell us if you still have the same opinion.

      Report Post »  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 8:21am

    .
    If you are so worried about Palestinian Human Rights, and the threat that Hamas, Islamic Jihad and everyother whack job for allah pose to the Palestinian people……

    Why don’t you pick up a gun and Kill them? Lord knows it wouldn’t be that hard to find a weapon over there…………

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 8:07am

    Is this another Steve Jobs was the geatest man who ever lived story? The Apple I-Shield. :-)

    Report Post » Gonzo  

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