The Public Committee Against Torture in Israel's staff decided that PCATI will participate in a general strike for social justice to take place on 1 August.

The office will be closed. PCATI is a human rights and social change organization confronting the ongoing deterioration in respect for civil, political and social rights that the current Israeli Government and Knesset lead. We therefore see it as an obligation to participate in this protest.

We are part of the protest and social change camp and call on all members of civil society to join this action. It is important to take a clear stand against anti-democratic governmental decisions and legislation which leave Israeli citizens with no protection of their social rights.

We are proud to be a part of the struggle against discrimination, oppression and disempowerment in Israel and the OPT and to promote participatory democracy, social justice and civil/human rights for all.

For PCATI,

Dr. Ishai Menuchin

Executive Director

The letter is based on 11 cases in which soldiers sent a dog inside a house without supervision and the dog has bitten family members, or cases where the soldiers have used the dogs in humiliating and abusing ways towards the detainee.

From the complaint it becomes clear that the use of military dogs is unnecessary and a form of abuse. Instead of using the trained dog to assist soldiers protect themselves and prevent harm in dangerous operations the soldier takes advantage of the nature of the dog's training and sends it to attack and/or humiliate detainees and/or civilians. This, in our opinion amounts to the commission of a criminal offense towards the person deprived of his freedom and others by the military.