Israel begins probe into shooting of paraplegic Palestinian; UN to vote on outlawing Jerusalem status change
The Israeli military has opened an investigation into the fatal shooting of a paraplegic Palestinian man who was shot in the head during a violent demonstration in the Gaza Strip last week.
Palestinian health officials said Ibrahim Abu Thraya was shot while demonstrating along Gaza’s border with Israel.
IDF investigating shooting of paraplegic man in Gaza clashes https://t.co/H7RJ3DMI0I pic.twitter.com/xMwzORUBKl
— The Times of Israel (@TimesofIsrael) December 17, 2017
The area has experienced continued unrest since President Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital earlier this month.
Jonathan Conricus, a military spokesman, blamed Gaza’s Hamas rulers for instigating violent demonstrations that posed a "significant threat" to soldiers and justified the use of live fire.
But he said "allegations of the killing of a paraplegic Palestinian rioter are under investigation". He says the probe is expected to take several days.
The moves comes as the UN Security Council are expected to vote today on a resolution confirming the international status of Jerusalem and outlawing any changes to it.
The resolution is widely expected to face a US veto, which would block it from passing. https://t.co/JqCYvncNNQ
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) December 18, 2017
The text of the document which was seen by Reuters, says that “any decisions and actions which purport to have altered the character, status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded in compliance with relevant resolutions of the Security Council.”
Accoridng to Russia Today the document does not specifically mention the US or its recent decision to officially recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, but it implies a call on Washington to withdraw it. The text also mentions “deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem.”
The one-page resolution circulated to members of the UN Security Council (UNSC) on Saturday also urges all countries to refrain from establishing diplomatic missions in Jerusalem in what would appear to be a message to US President Donald Trump.
