Israel's Ben-Gvir considers authorising police to use live bullets on Palestinian protesters

Israel’s far-right government could use new lethal tactics against Palestinian protesters, including possibly live ammunition. This has prompted new calls by rights groups for international protection.

The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel and the High Follow-up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel, or Adalah, said they will seek protection for Palestinians through the UN and other international bodies in light of the dangerous new Israeli policies.

Rights groups have previously called for international protection of the Palestinians amid ongoing Israeli violence.

Israel’s extremist National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and the Israeli police are looking at whether to allow the use of live ammunition against Palestinian protesters who block roads during emergencies, the Israeli Kan 11 broadcaster reported on Wednesday.

The National Guard – which falls under the National Security Ministry’s authority – has recommended to "relax the police’s open-fire regulations against those who disrupt public order during emergencies, in cases including but not limited to road closures", Kan 11 reported.

Such extreme policies are reportedly to prepare for a scenario in which Palestinian citizens of Israel take to the streets in mass protest, similar to in May 2021 when Israeli forces attacked Palestinian worshippers in occupied East Jerusalem during the holy month of Ramadan, injuring hundreds.

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Soon after, and in retaliation, Palestinian factions from the Gaza Strip fired rockets into Israel, resulting in a nearly two-week Israeli military assault on the besieged coastal enclave, killing hundreds of Palestinians and causing huge destruction.

The May 2021 events were dubbed operation 'Guardian of the Walls' by the Israeli army.

Ben-Gvir – infamous for his inflammatory statements about Palestinians – was quoted by the Palestinian news agency Wafa as saying that "it is imperative that police officers find it easier to respond with force to those who pose a threat to their lives."

The minister, who leads the far-right Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) Party, said that the new authorisation would not be used against Jewish Israeli protesters in Tel Aviv, but rather for what he called a potential  "Guardian of the Walls 2", scenario in an apparent reference to Palestinians with Israeli citizenship protesting.

In August, Ben-Gvir expressed his aim of bringing back Israel's policy of assassinating members of Palestinian factions in the West Bank and Gaza.

"It is no secret that I support a return to assassinations, and not providing money for the Palestinian Authority," he said.