New Israel Fund CEO Daniel Sokatch issued the following statement regarding the shooting of B’Tselem spokesperson Sarit Michaeli at the West Bank village of Nabi Salah on Friday, July 19:

“Our friend and colleague Sarit Michaeli, who for years has ably represented B’Tselem to the international and Israeli media, was shot with a rubber-coated bullet at the regularly-held demonstration at Nabi Saleh on Friday. I am concerned for her wellbeing, and have sent her our best wishes for a complete recovery. I must express our concern at the circumstances of this shooting as Sarit herself reported it, and as her own video documenting the circumstances corroborates. The military must investigate this incident immediately.

B’Tselem and the volunteers it equips with video cameras have documented conflicts between West Bank Palestinians, the IDF, the border police and the settlers for many years. That effort has been invaluable in calling attention to the inevitable violence and human rights violations entailed by a 46-year occupation. And, although high-ranking army officials have themselves depended on B’Tselem’s documentation for evidence, it goes without saying that there are those who would prefer that events on the West Bank remained undocumented and indeed invisible to Israelis and to the rest of the world.

Only a week ago, a B’Tselem video chronicled the detention of a five-year-old boy and his father, in contravention of the army’s own regulations.

The New Israel Fund was one of the founding organizations of B’Tselem many years ago, and we continue to be a funder and partner of B’Tselem now. We are proud of their record, their video documentation project and their personal and professional bravery.

Documenting the human rights environment in the Occupied Territories is absolutely necessary for a democracy that is legally and morally responsible for daily life on the West Bank. B’Tselem’s heroic efforts represent the very best Jewish and universal values, and the very best of Israel.”