B'Tselem

views updated

B'TSELEM

A human rights organization, B'Tselem, or the Israeli Center for Human Rights, was founded in 1989 by a group of academics, journalists, attorneys, and members of the Knesset. In Hebrew, B'Tselem means "in the image of," a reference to the Biblical assertion that humans were created in the image of God. B'Tselem focuses on human rights violations by Israeli authorities in the Occupied Territories, addressing what it calls the "phenomenon of denial prevalent among the Israeli public." It regularly publishes reports on its findings; the reports include allegations of torture, shootings by security forces, restriction on movement, and expropriation of land. B'Tselem distributes printed material to the public, holds press conferences, participates in protests in the occupied territories, and provides information to members of the Knesset.

SEE ALSO Peace Now.