Chapter 1
Punitive Retaliation to Palestinian
Resistance
Extrajudicial and Targeted Killings
Legal Framework
Regarding deliberate killings it is very important first and foremost to reaffirm
the applicability of the law enforcement paradigm. Although this paradigm
or these operations are referred to as ‘law enforcement’ actions, they are
not only applicable to police forces. The law enforcement regulations apply
to all government officials who exercise police powers, which in this case
would include the Israeli military and security forces.31 Additionally, the law
enforcement paradigm is not only applicable during times of peace, but can
also be applied during times of heightened tensions or violence.
While in certain circumstances, both terms are used, it is important to note
that extrajudicial killings and targeted killings are not exactly the same. An
extrajudicial killing is the “unlawful and deliberate killing carried out by
order of a state actor, or with the state’s complicity or acquiescence.”32 An
extrajudicial killing, as its name indicates, is always illegal. A targeted killing,
on the other hand, is the “intentional, premeditated and deliberate use of
31 Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials, UNGA Resolution 34/169, 17 December 1979
(hereafter ‘Code of Conduct’), Article 1, commentary (a) and (b); Basic Principles on the Use of
Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, Eighth UN Congress on Prevention of Crime and
Treatment of Offenders, Havana, Cuba, 27 August- 27 September 1990 (hereafter ‘Basic Principles’),
preamble
32 Amnesty International, Philippines: Over 1700 killings by unknown assassins and police indicate
lawlessness, not crime control, Press Release, 24 August 2016. Available at: http://www.amnestyusa.
org/news/press-releases/philippines-over-1700-killings-by-unknown-assassins-and-police-indicatelawlessness-not-crime-contro
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