Israel will allow police to open fire on Palestinian protestersSeptember 26, 2015 - 14:42 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Israel's security cabinet has approved measures that allow police to open fire with live ammunition at Palestinian protesters throwing stones when officers believe that lives are in danger, Los Angeles Times reports. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet late Thursday, September 24 that police can and should open fire at stone-throwers in such circumstances, Israeli media reported. "Until recently, police officers would open fire when their own lives were at risk," Netanyahu told a cabinet meeting held to discuss how to confront the increase in stone-throwing incidents in mostly Arab East Jerusalem, according to the reports. "From now on, they will be allowed to open fire — and they will know they have a right to do so — when anyone's life is in danger," he said. Police reportedly would be able to fire relatively small-caliber rounds from Ruger rifles at people hurling stones, firebombs or fireworks. The measures extending the circumstances under which police can fire live ammunition had drawn criticism in advance, with the Israeli human rights group B'Tselem warning in a recent report that easing the policy would only exacerbate the violence in East Jerusalem and have lethal consequences. "The government is bent on continuing to address the situation in East Jerusalem only by force," B'Tselem said. The policy shift follows the death last week of an Israeli motorist in a crash after his car was struck by stones. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |