Facebook photos depicting Israel Defense Forces soldiers pictured alongside handcuffed and blindfolded Palestinian detainees represent the norm, not the exception, in IDF conduct, an Israeli human rights group said on Tuesday, thus refuting an official army statement claiming the opposite.

…

The statement released in a Facebook page called “The Norm that IDF Spokesman Avi Benayahu Denies,” also included several graphic photos depicting soldiers posing next to the bodies of suspected militants as well as next to handcuffed detainees [viewer discretion is advised].

…

“We suggest that the IDF Spokesman not insult the intelligence of the Israeli public, and clarify that it is a widespread phenomenon, not an aberration caused by a single soldier,” the statement said, adding that the enclosed photos were taken at several times during the last ten years and represented only a “preliminary batch.”

Dr Mazin Qumsiyeh detailing his 12 hour of hell, crossing the border between Jordan and Palestine, coming back home from a conference.

Israeli activists said 1,500 police arrived in Al-Arakib village at dawn.

They destroyed 30 to 40 makeshift homes and uprooted hundreds of olive trees belonging to the villagers, they said.

…

The Bedouin say they have lived in the area since before the foundation of the state of Israel.

They resist efforts to re-settle them in towns and villages, saying it goes against their traditional way of life.

A Land Administration official, Shlomo Tziser, told Yediot Ahronot the officers were implementing a final court order for the evacuation of the area.

“Today we shall evacuate them and should they return we’ll do it again,” he said.

For alternative sources see:

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-10777040
• http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jYY3rIMLsvWZkXXc0zwDDUhx-V5A
• http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3925793,00.html