Two Israeli human rights groups say they documented 22 cases of prisoners being shot with rubber bullets by guards. One inmate was Israeli and the others were Palestinian, according to the groups, which say nearly all the incidents occurred since last autumn.
The groups, Physicians for Human Rights Israel and the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel, say the shootings were often carried out at close range and were not justified as a last resort. They sent the Israel Prison Service a letter in August asking it to end what they described as widespread and unlawful conduct. The total is based on the groups’ documentation and has not been independently confirmed in full.
One of the most serious cases involved a 45-year-old prisoner who was struck in the testicle in June. A hospital report said the injury was so severe that the testicle had to be surgically removed. Other prisoners were reportedly hit in the legs, stomach and pelvic area, and some said they did not receive medical care afterward.
The prison service’s legal adviser said there was no reason to stop using rubber bullets when used in a measured and appropriate way. The service did not respond to questions about close-range firing or the cases described.
