State Dept implores Israel to hold accountable IDF soldiers who used human shield in Jenin

The IDF should swiftly investigate what happened and hold people accountable, Matthew Miller said. 

 An Israeli military vehicles is seen in Jenin, in the West Bank, May 22, 2024.  (photo credit:  REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta)
An Israeli military vehicles is seen in Jenin, in the West Bank, May 22, 2024.
(photo credit: REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta)

Humans should never be used as human shields, the State Department said on Monday in response to the widespread image of a Palestinian resident of Jenin strapped to the hood of an Israeli military jeep during an arrest raid of the West Bank city. 

Soldiers then violated military protocol, the statement said. "The suspect was taken by the forces while tied on top of a vehicle," it said.

The military said the "conduct of the forces in the video of the incident does not conform to the values" of the Israeli military and that the incident will be investigated and dealt with.

The Israeli military, in a statement, said Israeli forces were fired at and exchanged fire, wounding a suspect and apprehending him.

Activity was 'shocking'

Matthew Miller confirmed he saw the video, and said it was shocking and the practice was absolutely unacceptable.

 Palestinians walk, in Jenin, the West Bank, May 21, 2024. (credit: REUTERS/RANEEN SAWAFTA)
Palestinians walk, in Jenin, the West Bank, May 21, 2024. (credit: REUTERS/RANEEN SAWAFTA)

The IDF should swiftly investigate what happened and hold people accountable, he said. 

"I saw the statement they put out that the actions were inconsistent with the orders those soldiers received, that it is being investigated and the people involved that we're dealt with accordingly," Miller said. "That is absolutely appropriate."