RN Feature: Under Threat - International Humanitarian Law
Series: RN Focus on Torn Lives - Stories from the Holy Land
From: Radio Netherlands Worldwide
Length: 00:14:58
Since the outbreak of the 2nd Palestinian uprising in the autumn of 2000, Palestinians’ freedom of movement has been severely limited. Throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip, checkpoints and the security fence are cutting off families and friends from each other.
Palestinian ambulances and medical personnel are also suffering from these restrictions. The Israeli authorities say this is because Palestinian ambulances have been used to transport weapons and suspected terrorists. But this is happening in violation of international humanitarian law, to which Israel is a signatory.
For more information, contact: joan@SchardtMEDIA.org
Also in the RN Focus on Torn Lives - Stories from the Holy Land series
RN Documentary: Stories from Behind the Wall
(00:29:30)
From: Radio Netherlands Worldwide
The first in a two-part series about Israel's security fence: Part 1 looks at the dramatic consequences the barrier is having on the daily life of ordinary Palestinians. (29:30)
RN Special 1-hour Documentary: The Barrier
(00:59:29)
From: Radio Netherlands Worldwide
This documentary examines the dramatic consequences Israel's security fence is having on Palestinians and the mixed feelings Israelis have about the structure. (59:29)
RN Documentary: On the Edge of a Volcano
(00:29:34)
From: Radio Netherlands Worldwide
The second in a two-part series about Israel's security fence: this piece looks at the widely diverging opinions in Israeli society about the structure. (29:30)
Voices: A Palestinian Lesbian's Story
(00:11:58)
From: Radio Netherlands Worldwide
The story of Cindy, a Palestinian lesbian living in Israel.
RN Special 1-hour Documentary: Strangers Next Door
(01:00:00)
From: Radio Netherlands Worldwide
A look at the consequences of the conflict in the Holy Land. (1:00:00)
RN Documentary: Illegal in Israel - The Story of Juan and Josie
(00:29:29)
From: Radio Netherlands Worldwide
Israel is deporting all 200,000 of its illegal migrants, including Juan, Josie and their three children from the Philippines. (29:29)
RN Documentary: Troubled Children in a Troubled Land
(00:29:30)
From: Radio Netherlands Worldwide
The upsurge in violence in the Holy Land over the past four years is leaving growing numbers of Israeli and Palestinian children traumatized. (29:30)
A Conversation with Gadi Algazi
(00:29:29)
From: Radio Netherlands Worldwide
A thought-provoking interview with a tireless and eloquent advocate of peace in his country. (29:29)
RN Feature: Reporting on the occupied Palestinian territories
(00:14:47)
From: Radio Netherlands Worldwide
Reporting events in the occupied territories is becoming increasingly difficult for both Palestinian and Israeli journalists. This piece is not self-contained. Please see ...
RN Documentary: Theater in the Rubble
(00:29:29)
From: Radio Netherlands Worldwide
For more than a decade, Dutchman Jan Willems has been staging plays for Palestinian children, providing a much-needed outlet in desperate times. (29:30)
Related Pieces
Piece Description
Since the outbreak of the 2nd Palestinian uprising in the autumn of 2000, Palestinians’ freedom of movement has been severely limited. Throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip, checkpoints and the security fence are cutting off families and friends from each other. Palestinian ambulances and medical personnel are also suffering from these restrictions. The Israeli authorities say this is because Palestinian ambulances have been used to transport weapons and suspected terrorists. But this is happening in violation of international humanitarian law, to which Israel is a signatory. For more information, contact: joan@SchardtMEDIA.org
Transcript
SOUND – AMBULANCE-1
It’s a weekday evening in a suburb of Jerusalem. I’m with a team of paramedics from the Palestine Red Crescent Society. We’re on our way to pick up a pregnant woman in labour.
SOUND – AMBULANCE-2 (CLOSING DOORS)
Two years ago, before Israel built the security fence, it would have taken the woman 5 to 10 minutes to get to a hospital in Jerusalem. Now, the journey takes half an hour or more, depending on delays at Israeli checkpoints.
SOUND – AMBULANCE-3 (CHECKPOINT)
The paramedics run over to the checkpoint with their identification papers as well as those of the pregnant woman and her mother, who is travelling along with us. The woman’s moans are becoming increasingly desperate.
SOUND – AMBULANCE-4
(The Israeli soldiers jot down the names and ID numbers.)
SOUND – AMBULANCE-5 (GETTING BACK IN CAR)
Within about 5 minutes, we’re back in the...
Read the full transcript
Timing and Cues
Begins with a 10 sec. sound bed.
No intro or outro.
Intro:
Since the outbreak of the 2nd Palestinian uprising in the autumn of 2000, Palestinians’ freedom of movement has been severely limited. Throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip, checkpoints and the security fence are cutting off families and friends from each other. Palestinian ambulances and medical personnel are also suffering from these restrictions in violation of international conventions to which Israel is a signatory. The Israeli authorities say this is because Palestinian ambulances have been used to transport weapons and suspected terrorists. Eric Beauchemin reports on the “other” conflict in the Holy Land…the one over international humanitarian law.
Related Website
Of 1 purchasers of this piece...
- 1 also bought:
What is Poetry? (00:03:36) - 1 also bought:
A Cook's Notebook: Peach Pit Jesus (00:02:49) - 1 also bought:
How to Sing the Star-Spangled Banner (00:01:32) - 1 also bought:
The Hula Lesson (00:57:26) - 1 also bought:
Life Stories - Jobs: Women at Work (00:59:07)
Jonathan Goldstein
Posted on December 31, 2004 at 10:14 AM | Permalink
Review of RN Feature: Under Threat - International Humanitarian Law
The piece starts off with an excellent scene that hooks you right in. The reporter is in an ambulance with a Palestinian woman about to deliver as she nears an Israeli checkpoint. Women in the occupied territories suffer such anxiety before delivering—about whether they will make it past the checkpoint to a hospital—that many of them are opting for cesareans in order to pinpoint the exact time of the birth. The story zeroes in on one particular disturbing phenomenon within the greater context of a society driven to a state of constant fear and paranoia. Dealing with the fear of terror attacks—in the form of ambulances or the stranger on the bus beside you—has put humanitarian law in jeopardy. Beauchemin gives you insight into the lives of the victims affected by the absence of these laws. Would be a nice addition to your Middle East coverage.