Abir Aramin (Arabic: عبير عرامين, 1997–2007) was a Palestinian girl who was shot and killed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in January 2007.[1] Her death gained attention because her father, Bassam Aramin, had been a Fatah militant that subsequently embraced a peaceful resolution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict through Combatants for Peace.[2][3][4]
Abir Aramin عبير عرامين | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1997 |
| Died | 18 January 2007 (aged 10) |
| Cause of death | Rubber bullet shot by Israel Defense Forces |
Life
editAramin was born in 1997 and went to school in 'Anata, north of Jerusalem.[5][6][7]
Shooting
editOn January 16, 2007, Aramin left school with her sister and some friends.[3][8] On their way home, she stopped at a candy store.[9] While there, a group of Israeli border officers drove onto the street, attracting the attention of a group of youths, who began throwing rocks at them.[10] During this altercation, one of the border officers fired their gun, hitting Aramin in the head with a rubber bullet; she had not been involved in the rock-throwing.[11][10] According to witnesses, Aramin collapsed, bleeding profusely from the wound.[12][13] She was rushed to the Hadassah Medical Center, where she underwent surgery for several hours.[12] Aramin succumbed to her injuries within two days.[12][14]
In the wake of Aramin's death, the Israeli authorities alleged that Aramin had died after being hit by a stone.[10][15] The authorities closed the investigation in the same year.[16]
Aftermath
editIn the wake of Aramin's death, her father, Bassam Aramin, wrote an article in The Palestine Chronicle, emphasizing his commitment to nonviolence and criticizing the IDF's reaction to her death.[17] Bassam brought a civil case, seeking compensation from the Israeli government.[10] The Israeli government refused to order a criminal investigation in February 2008.[7]
In 2010, Jerusalem District Court Judge Orit Efaal-Gabay determined that Israel was liable for Aramin's death.[7][18][19]
On July 10, 2011, the Israeli High Court of Justice ruled that two officers suspected of killing Aramin would not stand trial.[20] In September of the same year, Aramin's family was awarded $430,000 in compensation.[10]
References
edit- ^ Moorhead, Joanna (2013-08-03). "'Why are men so angry that they kill children to get what they want?'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
- ^ Macintyre, Donald (January 20, 2007). "The tragic death of an activist's daughter". The Independent.
- ^ a b The Associated Press (2010-08-18). "Jerusalem Court Rules Israel Was Responsible for Death of a Palestinian Girl". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ Bassam Aramin once declared:'I've given up wanting to throw Jews into the sea because I discovered that they know how to swim. And I know they will come back.' Gad Lerner, Gaza, Feltrinelli 2024 p.83.
- ^ Harris, Emily (March 22, 2016). "A Palestinian Takes A Different Road In His Fight". National Public Radio.
- ^ "'Circle of blood': The club no Israeli or Palestinian wants to be in. Yet, they urge peace". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
- ^ a b c Izenberg, Dan (2010-08-16). "'Compensate killed girl's family'". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
- ^ Greenberg, Jo (2007-02-11). "A father's plea: 'Stop the killing'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
- ^ "Israel ruled responsible for death of Palestinian girl". BBC News. 2010-08-16. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
- ^ a b c d e Sherwood, Harriet (2011-09-26). "Israel to pay family compensation over killing of Palestinian girl". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
- ^ Harris, Emily (March 22, 2016). "A Palestinian Takes a Different Road in His Fight". National Public Radio. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Turning the other cheek". The Guardian. 2007-11-07. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
- ^ Peled-Elhanan, Nurit (2007-01-21). "Let our children live". The Electronic Intifada. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
- ^ "What Happened to Abir?". Rebuilding Alliance. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
- ^ Sherwood, Harriet (2010-08-17). "Palestinian girl was killed by border guards' rubber bullet, judge rules". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
- ^ Baranski-Walker, Donna (2010-08-27). "Will the Aramin Civil Trial Lead to Indictments in Israel's Criminal Court?". HuffPost. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
- ^ Bassam, Aramin (2007-02-09). "Bassam Aramin: A Plea for Peace from a Palestinian Father". Palestine Chronicle. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ Waked, Ali (2010-08-17). "Killed Palestinian girl's father: Soldiers are victims too". Ynetnews. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
- ^ "Israel ruled responsible for death of Palestinian girl". BBC News. 2010-08-16. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
- ^ Zarchin, Tomer (July 11, 2011). "No Trial for Cops Suspected in Death of Palestinian Girl, 10". Haaretz. Retrieved February 6, 2024.