'In policing the recent demonstrations, the Israeli security forces tended to use military methods rather than policing methods involving the protection of human lives,' Amnesty International said today, in a report based on the findings of its delegation to Israel and the Occupied Territories.

'The impunity for those who commit human rights violations and the lack of investigations into so many deaths at the hands of security forces has led to a breakdown in the rule of law which has grave consequences for the region.'

The delegation went to Israel and the Occupied Territories to investigate killings carried out by the Israeli security forces since 29 September.

'This report examines the unlawful use of potentially lethal force, as well as the impeding of medical access to the wounded,' said Dr Elizabeth Hodgkin, from the Middle East Program of Amnesty International and a member of the delegation.

The delegation to Israel also included Dr Stephen Males, a former senior UK police officer who has worked extensively training police in dealing sensitively with public order issues. The delegation was sent to research several incidents of killings and to make recommendations to the Israeli government.

In its efforts to uncover the truth behind all the recent events, Amnesty International will send another mission to Israel and the Occupied Territories, including areas under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority. The delegation will monitor and document the latest developments in the region and will depart on the 20th October 2000.

The human rights organisation reiterates its call for a United Nations investigation into the killings and other serious human rights abuses that have taken place in Israel and the Occupied Territories.

For more documentation visit Amnesty International's crisis alert page.