The Pot Calling the Kettle Black

In the IDF Spokesperson's announcement published today, the IDF claims that a Palestinian wanted for questioning was arrested inside an ambulance while disguised as a doctor. The IDF Spokesperson uses this case to claim that "The IDF sees severely any cynical or false use of humanitarian cases and medical emergencies."

B'Tselem's investigation into the circumstances of the case uncovers a different story altogether.

Dr. 'Abd al-Karim 'Ali 'Abdallah, an anesthesiologist at Rafidia hospital, was arrested yesterday morning by IDF soldiers at a roadblock near Bracha settlement while riding in an ambulance. He was released after being interrogated by the General Security Service for several hours.

Only after B'tselem's appeal, did the IDF Spokesperson amend his announcement and admit that Dr. 'Abdallah is indeed a physician.

B'Tselem regrets that the IDF Spokesperson attempts to make excuses for delaying Palestinian ambulances at roadblocks with a cynical and false announcement.

B'Tselem reiterates that the restrictions of movement imposed on Palestinians in the Occupied Territories constantly prevent patients in need of medical care from receiving it. The IDF, which boasts having directives for allowing free passage to these patients and "humanitarian cases", does nothing to enforce these directives.