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Days of Palestine
6 days ago
- Politics
- Days of Palestine
Israel Accused of Using Human Shields in Gaza, West Bank. How Common is the Practice?
DayofPal– A recent Associated Press investigation has shed light on the Israeli military's 'systematic' use of Palestinians as human shields. The ractice is illegal under international law but reportedly widespread during the Israeli ongoing 20-month war in Gaza and simultaneous military operations in the occupied West Bank. The AP report includes testimonies from seven Palestinians who said they were used as human shields, with two Israeli military officers confirming that the practice is widespread. The Israeli military responded by stating that the use of civilians as shields is strictly forbidden and that several incidents are currently under investigation. What Human Shields? How Israel Used Them? International humanitarian law (IHL) defines human shields as civilians used, either voluntarily or involuntarily, to shield military targets from attack, a practice that is unequivocally prohibited. Despite the ban, Israeli soldiers have allegedly used human shields regularly during Gaza genocide. In early 2024, Israeli newspaper Haaretz published a soldier's account saying this was done 'six times a day' in his unit, and that it had become 'normalized' within the ranks. A prior Haaretz report evealed that the Palestinians used in this way were mostly young men, sometimes held for up to a week, and were sent into tunnels or buildings, with units expressing pride in locating such detainees. Nicola Perugini, co-author of Human Shields: A History of People in the Line of Fire, said, 'It's become part of [Israel's] military culture', citing a vast collection of documentation not only from human rights groups but also from Israeli soldiers themselves who shared content of these acts on social media with apparent impunity. He added, 'Israeli army investigations have proven throughout the decades to be non-investigations,' pointing out that the practice, banned under Protocol I of the Geneva Conventions, has been documented since the Second Intifada in the early 2000s. 'What we have now in the live-streamed genocide is the most documented archive of human shielding in the history of the different wars between Israel and the Palestinians,' he added. 'What we have discovered is precisely that it is a systematic practice.' How Israel Responded? The Israeli military typically either avoids commenting on allegations, demands more specifics, or opens investigations only when the evidence becomes incontrovertible. In 2023, when Al Jazeera's Investigative Unit presented thousands of images, videos, and testimonies pointing to war crimes, including the use of human shields, Israel did not respond. Among the documented incidents was that of Jamal Abu Al-Ola, a detainee shown in video footage dressed in a hazmat suit, his hands bound and head covered, as he told displaced persons at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis to evacuate. His mother, who followed him out, watched him being shot by a sniper. Rodney Dixon, an expert in international law, described the case as a clear example of someone being used as a 'military asset', saying it matched the 'definition of using persons as a human shield.' Earlier in 2024, the Israeli military resisted calls to investigate the case of an 80-year-old man allegedly forced to act as a shield in Gaza City, claiming more information was needed. However, a joint investigation by The Hottest Place in Hell and +972 Magazine reported that this man had an explosive cord placed around his neck by an officer, who threatened to detonate it if he made a wrong move. After being forced from his home in Zeitoun, the man and his wife were later killed by another Israeli unit. Public outrage also followed a 2023 video that showed a wounded Palestinian man, Mujahed Azmi, tied to the hood of an army jeep during a raid in Jenin, West Bank. UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese called the footage 'human shielding in action.' The military stated that its forces had exchanged fire and apprehended a suspect, and that the actions in the video did not reflect its 'values', promising an investigation. Still, Perugini notes that such promises are not reassuring, explaining that the ICC's arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stem from doubt in Israel's willingness or ability to investigate itself. Who Gives the Orders? Whether the Israeli military will actively work to end the practice remains uncertain. Nevertheless, demand for accountability is increasing. Human rights organizations argue that the use of human shields in the occupied Palestinian territories dates back decades. Breaking the Silence, an organization of former Israeli soldiers, cited a 2002 case where a major admitted using a tactic called the 'neighbor procedure.' According to his testimony, 'You order a Palestinian to accompany you and to open the door of the house you want to enter… if the door blows up, a Palestinian will be blown up, and soldiers won't be blown up.' Although the Israeli Supreme Court outlawed the tactic in 2005, and two soldiers were convicted in 2010 for using a 9-year-old as a shield, the practice has reportedly been normalized again, particularly since the war in Gaza began. Haaretz cited sources who said that former Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi was among the senior figures aware of human shielding being used in Gaza. The AP report also quoted an anonymous officer who said the practice was already widespread by 2004, with infantry units regularly using Palestinians to clear buildings. The phrase 'to bring a mosquito' — referring to human shields — was commonly used over radio communication. Another anonymous Israeli sergeant told the AP that when his unit tried to refuse orders to use human shields in Gaza in 2024, they were told they had no choice, and a high-ranking officer allegedly told them to ignore international humanitarian law. In response, the Israeli army told The Jerusalem Post that it would investigate 'if further details are provided.' It noted that its Military Police Criminal Investigation Division had already launched probes into several incidents, but 'no further details can be provided at this time.' In March, Haaretz reported that six cases were under investigation following a Red Cross report highlighting the abuses. With more than 54,000 Palestinians killed so far and mounting evidence that human shielding is a systematic part of Israeli military operations, pressure is growing for accountability. As Perugini concluded, 'When you are in a genocide, then human shielding becomes a tool for something else. It becomes part of a different kind of crime, of the crime of crimes.' Shortlink for this post:
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
How common is Israel's use of human shields in Gaza and the West Bank?
A recent report by The Associated Press that exposed the Israeli military's 'systematic' use of Palestinians as human shields has shone a light on an illegal practice that has become commonplace over the 19-month war in Gaza and parallel offensives in the West Bank. The report, published on Saturday, featured the testimonies of seven Palestinians who had been used as human shields in Gaza as well as the occupied West Bank, with two Israeli military officers confirming the ubiquity of the practice, which is considered a violation of international law. Responding to the allegations, Israel's military told the news agency that using civilians as shields in its operations was strictly prohibited and that several cases were under investigation. So what are human shields? How widely have they been used by the Israeli military? And is Israel likely to launch a crackdown any time soon? Under international humanitarian law (IHL), the term 'human shields' refers to the use of civilians or other protected persons, whether voluntary or involuntary, in order to shield military targets from attacks. The use of human shields in warfare is prohibited under IHL, but Israeli soldiers have allegedly employed it widely during the Gaza genocide. Earlier this year, Israeli newspaper Haaretz published the first-hand testimony of an Israeli soldier who said that the practice had been used 'six times a day' in his unit and that it had effectively been 'normalised' in military ranks. Back in August, the newspaper had revealed that Palestinians used as human shields in Gaza tended to be in their 20s and were used for periods of up to a week by units, which took pride in 'locating' detainees to send into tunnel shafts and buildings. 'It's become part of [Israel's] military culture,' said Nicola Perugini, co-author of Human Shields: A History of People in the Line of Fire, noting the 'huge archive' of evidence provided, not only by human rights groups, but also by soldiers, who were until recently posting evidence of Palestinians being used as 'fodder' on social media with an apparent sense of total impunity. 'Israeli army investigations have proven throughout the decades to be non-investigations,' Perugini said, noting that documentation of the practice, forbidden by Protocol 1 to the Geneva Conventions, started during the second Intifada of the early 2000s. 'What we have now in the live-streamed genocide is the most documented archive of human shielding in the history of the different wars between Israel and the Palestinians,' he said. 'What we have discovered is precisely that it is a systematic practice.' Throughout the conflict, the Israeli military's response to allegations has been to withhold comment, to point to a lack of details, or, when faced with undeniable proof, to announce a probe. Last year, Israel declined to respond to a range of allegations put to it by Al Jazeera's Investigative Unit, which examined thousands of photos and videos – the bulk of them posted online by Israeli soldiers – and testimonies pointing to a number of potential war crimes, including the use of human shields. Among the atrocities revealed by the team in the resulting documentary was the case of Jamal Abu al-Ola, a detainee forced to act as a messenger by the Israelis. Footage showed the young man dressed in a white hazmat suit, with hands bound and head wrapped in a yellow cloth, telling displaced people at the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis to evacuate. His mother followed him out, and witnessed him being shot dead by a sniper. Commenting on the case for the documentary, Rodney Dixon, an international law expert, said that al-Ola had been used as a 'military asset', which was 'in many ways the definition of using persons as a human shield'. This year, the military pushed back on calls to investigate a report on an 80-year-old man forced to act as a human shield in Gaza City, saying that 'additional details' were needed. The joint report from Israeli outlet The Hottest Place in Hell and +972 Magazine revealed a horrific new dimension of the so-called 'mosquito procedure', with anonymous Israeli soldiers recounting that a senior officer had placed an explosive cord around the man's neck, threatening to blow his head off if he made any false moves. Ordered afterwards to flee his home in Gaza City's Zeitoun neighbourhood, the man was shot dead with his wife by another the military will acknowledge violations when confronted with undeniable evidence provoking widespread outrage, such as last year's video of wounded Palestinian man Mujahed Azmi, strapped to the hood of an army jeep during a raid on the West Bank city of Jenin. That particular case was described as 'human shielding in action' by Francesca Albanese, the United Nations' special rapporteur to the occupied Palestinian territory. In a statement, Israel's military said its forces were fired at and exchanged fire, wounding a suspect and apprehending him. It added that the 'conduct of the forces in the video' did not 'conform to the values' of the military and that the incident would be investigated. However, as Perugini observes, the very reason why the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza is because legal experts doubt Israel's ability to investigate itself. Despite vast evidence, the question of whether the military will be launching a crackdown aimed at banishing the apparently systematic practice is moot. Even so, pressure for accountability is growing. Rights groups say the practice of using human shields has been going on in the occupied Palestinian territories for decades. Breaking the Silence, a whistle-blower group gathering testimonies of former Israeli soldiers, cites evidence of what one high-ranking officer posted to Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank back in 2002 called 'neighbour procedure'. 'You order a Palestinian to accompany you and to open the door of the house you want to enter, to knock on the door and ask to enter, with a very simple objective: if the door blows up, a Palestinian will be blown up, and soldiers won't be blown up,' said the officer, ranked as a major. In 2005, an Israeli Supreme Court ruling explicitly barred the practice. Five years later, two soldiers were convicted of using a nine-year-old boy as a human shield to check suspected booby traps in the Gaza City suburb of Tal al-Hawa. It was reportedly the first such conviction in Israel. But the military's use of human shields appears to have been normalised since then, particularly over the past 19 months of war in Gaza. Indeed, there are indications that orders may be coming from the very top. Haaretz's investigation from last August cited sources as saying that former Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi was among the senior officers aware of the use of Palestinians in Gaza as human shields. And this week's report by the AP cited an anonymous Israeli officer as saying that the practice had become ubiquitous by mid-2004 in Gaza, with every infantry unit using a Palestinian to clear houses by the time he finished his service, and with orders 'to bring a mosquito' often being issued via radio. The report also cited an anonymous Israeli sergeant as saying that his unit had tried to refuse to use human shields in Gaza in 2024, but was told they had no choice, a high-ranking officer telling them they shouldn't worry about international humanitarian law. Responding to claims in the AP report, the Israeli military told The Jerusalem Post on Sunday that it would investigate the claims 'if further details are provided'. 'In several cases, investigations by the Military Police Criminal Investigation Division were opened following suspicions that the military was involving Palestinians in military missions. These investigations are ongoing, and naturally, no further details can be provided at this time,' it said. In March, Haaretz reported that Israel's military police were investigating six cases in which Israeli soldiers were alleged to have used Palestinians as human shields after the publication of a Red Cross report earlier in the year that highlighted the abuses. In the face of growing evidence that Palestinians are systematically being used as fodder for the Israeli military machine, in a war that has already killed more than 54,000 people, the military may find it increasingly difficult to kick the biggest can of all down the road. Said Perugini: 'When you are in a genocide, then human shielding becomes a tool for something else. It becomes part of a different kind of crime, of the crime of crimes.'
Kuwait Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
KRCS raises awareness on humanitarian law
KUWAIT: Chairman of the Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS), Ambassador Khaled Al-Mughamis, underscored the vital importance of raising awareness on international humanitarian law (IHL) and its role in mitigating human suffering during armed conflicts. In a statement issued Wednesday, Al-Mughamis announced the Society's preparations to host a specialized workshop on IHL from May 26 to 28, in coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The event aims to promote the dissemination of IHL principles and enhance understanding of its humanitarian foundations and applications. Al-Mughamis noted that the workshop will feature a series of expert-led lectures focusing on key aspects of international humanitarian law, particularly those relating to the protection of civilians, the treatment of detainees, the facilitation of humanitarian aid, and the legal framework governing safe access in conflict zones. The agenda will also include discussions on the role of the International Criminal Court. He highlighted the importance of fostering awareness of IHL among young people and professionals in the humanitarian and medical sectors. 'Respecting and implementing the principles of IHL plays a crucial role in reducing violations and alleviating the suffering of affected populations,' he said. The workshop also seeks to familiarize participants with the core humanitarian principles underpinning IHL and its essential legal provisions that guide the conduct of parties during armed conflict. Al-Mughamis pointed out that the program will provide a platform for analyzing legal and practical challenges related to the application of IHL and encourage the dissemination of legal knowledge within local communities. Furthermore, the event will address a range of key topics including an overview of IHL, fundamental principles, the protection of vulnerable groups during conflicts, the role of Red Crescent and Red Cross national societies, and the intersection of IHL with international justice mechanisms. Al-Mughamis affirmed that the workshop aligns with the Society's ongoing commitment to strengthening partnerships with international organizations and reinforcing Kuwait's prominent role in global humanitarian efforts.- KUNA
Associated Press
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Jackson State alums and lawmakers urge transparency with Institutions of Higher Learning board
After Marcus Thompson's resignation last week, Mississippi lawmakers and Jackson State University alumni are calling for more transparency and accountability from the state's governing board that oversees and selects its college presidents. The Institutions of Higher Learning Board met in a closed door executive meeting for two hours last Wednesday to discuss a personnel matter regarding the job performance of an employee at the state's largest historically Black university – the second time in three weeks the board did so. After the meeting, board officials told media there was nothing to report. IHL later released a statement saying Thompson resigned, but provided no information about what happened or why. Mississippi Today asked for a resignation letter but due to state public record laws it cannot be shared publicly. A spokesperson for the board said in an email statement they requested permission from Thompson to release his letter but the request was denied. Thompson's departure officially marks the university's third leadership turnover in ten years. It was deja vu for many who had watched the board let Thompson's predecessor, Thomas Hudson, resign two years ago with no public explanation. The news came as a disappointment to JSU alumni, including Rep. Chris Bell, D-Jackson. Speaking about the repeated resignations creates a double-bind for JSU alums: It can bring unwanted, negative attention to the university, but staying silent could lead to IHL repeating the same mistakes. 'We got a lot of great things going on at Jackson State University,' Bell told Mississippi Today in a phone call this week. 'It just speaks again to the need for transparency and accountability through the presidential selection process and IHL.' In 2020, Bell was one of 10 Democrats who introduced a bill to abolish IHL. The bill would have allowed the state's eight public universities to appoint their own board of trustees to oversee the universities finances and executive leadership. The board is currently appointed by the governor with the advice-and-consent of the Senate. If established, each 12-member board would include three representatives from the following groups associated with the respective university: members of college alumni association, student government and university faculty senate and state residents to serve a five-year term. It would have also established those boards to keep a detailed history of meeting minutes and vote history of potential candidates. The bill was tripled-referred, a rare legislative tactic used by House Speaker Philip Gunn at the time, to ensure the bill's death. A dog and pony show Mississippi Today reached out to Jackson State University National Alumni Association President Patrease Edwards for a comment. Leaders of the group did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication but shared a statement with other publications that in part asked alumni to only speak positively about the university. Mark Dawson, a lifetime member of JSU National Alumni Association, was one of many who sat on an open panel for the university's presidential candidate process in spring 2023, which ultimately resulted in Thompson. Dawson said it did not seem like IHL took the panel's feedback into account. Rather than using alumni on these panels as a 'dog and pony show,' Dawson said, there's a need for a 'unified approach' for stakeholders and supporters of the university to be more involved in the search — so they can help IHL select a president who will last more than a couple years. 'It's about the opportunity to come together and get some things right,' Dawson said. 'How can you have a vision for long-term stability for student housing, fundraising, academic programs and a new stadium when you have a new administration every few years. It needs to be corrected.' State Senate Minority Leader, Derrick T. Simmons said the board's lack of diversity hurts JSU. The state's 12-member board currently only includes one alumnus from a Mississippi HBCU. While the state's population is majority African-American, JSU and other universities play a pivotal role in educating Black professionals, many of whom are Mississippi natives, Simmons added. 'This underrepresentation raises concerns about equitable decision-making and inclusivity,' Simmons said. 'By embracing these principles, the IHL can better serve all Mississippians, uphold the legacy of its educational institutions, and ensure a more equitable future for higher education in the state.' Sen. Hillman Frazier, D-Jackson, said he doesn't have confidence with IHL when it comes to selecting the university's presidents. In the last three presidential processes, the board has continued to overlook recommended resumes, stakeholders and supporters choices for president. Hudson's predecessor, William Bynum, was gone after three years following his arrest in a prostitution sting at a Clinton hotel. Bynum was appointed Jackson State's president in 2017 after serving as president of Mississippi Valley State University president for about four years. He was not a popular pick. The board's announcement of his selection inspired several Black lawmakers to file a lawsuit to prevent his appointment. 'They've wasted taxpayers and the JSU family's time, energy and resources,' Frazier said. 'Three strikes and you're out. I have no confidence in this board and its commissioner.' A spokesperson for the board said the trustees have not held any formal discussions regarding a presidential search for Jackson State University. 'The Board of Trustees is committed to a clear and transparent process,' a spokesperson for the board said in an email to Mississippi Today. IHL hired Thompson in November 2023 after Thomas Hudson. The board had placed Hudson on administrative leave, but did not share with the public the reason for the personnel issue that motivated its decision. When the board began its search a few months later, members of the JSU community asked the board to 'stop hiring your friends.' The board conducted a national search, interviewing 79 applicants, but Thompson was the epitome of an internal hire having worked at IHL since 2009. Moving forward Denise Jones Gregory, former provost of vice president of academic affairs at JSU, shared a personal statement on the university's social media this weekend. 'I ask for your patience, your partnership and most of all, your prayers as we move Jackson State University forward together,' Jones-Gregory said. Lisa Ross, a Jackson-area employment attorney and JSU alumnus, said IHL needs to better prepare the presidents to lead a complex organization like a university. She would know: Ross has repeatedly sued IHL and JSU on behalf of female administrators and faculty who have alleged gender discrimination in the workplace from male superiors. Ross, who has sued over Thompson and Hudson's appointments, noted neither man had led a university before IHL selected them. 'It seems like they're sending these people over there and they're just letting these people go,' she said. 'I don't know if they gave Marcus the support that he needed.' Ross cited something Thompson told her soon after he became president, that he had never read 'To Survive and Thrive: The Quest for a True University.' The memoir recounts John Peoples' time leading Jackson State amid civil rights demonstrations and the 1970 shooting, as well as his relationships with the IHL board. Peoples is widely regarded as the university's most renowned president. 'He did tell me 'oh, I went out and bought the book,' but you don't even know the history of the university?' she said. Going forward, the repeated resignations could make it hard for the state Legislature to invest in the university. It could also lead to a less qualified candidate pool, Frazier added. 'This turnover is going to have a chilling effect on someone who wants to apply for the job,' he said. 'It's sabotaging the growth and reputation of my alma mater.' ___ Molly Minta contributed to this report. ___ This story was originally published by Mississippi Today and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
K-Wings Mourn Loss Of Key Visionary And Original Head Coach
It's with great sadness that the Kalamazoo Wings mourn the loss of Bob Lemieux, one of the franchise's key visionary members and the team's first Head Coach (1974-77) and General Manager (1974-79). Lemieux passed away late last week in Kalamazoo, surrounded by family at the age of 80. Lemieux was instrumental in the creation of the Kalamazoo Wings and the building of Wings Stadium (now Wings Event Center) in 1974. Lemieux not only coached the team for their first three seasons, but stayed on as the team's GM for five. Lemieux also delivered on his promise of a Kalamazoo Wings championship in his final season with the K-Wings as General Manager in 1978-79 (IHL/Turner Cup). Lemieux is currently No. 5 on the K-Wings all-time games coached list and was inducted into the inaugural class of the Kalamazoo Wings Wall of Honor as a 'Builder' in October 2024. 'We are deeply saddened by the passing of Bob Lemieux,' Kalamazoo Wings General Manager and Governor Toni Will said in a statement. 'During his tenure of leadership, Bob was able to establish a legacy that will never be forgotten by our organization. Our hearts go out to the entire Lemieux family.' Born in Rochester, NY, Lemieux moved to New Brunswick, Canada, at nine months old and later to Montréal. A consummate athlete, Lemieux could have chosen any sport to play, but hockey fulfilled his grandfather's dream. Lemieux's grandfather played for the Montreal Canadiens and left pro hockey to serve in World War I, but was unable to continue playing post-war due to being wounded in action. Lemieux excelled at the game and played four years (1962-65) of Junior Hockey for the Montréal Jr. Canadians (OHA-Jr.), growing to a 6-foot 1-inch, 194 lbs stature. While with the Jr. Canadians, Lemieux earned the team captainship before moving on to the IHL with the Muskegon Mohawks in 1965-66. With the Mohawks, Lemieux amassed 58 points (14g-44a) and 199 penalty minutes in 70 games played in 1965-66, earning two league awards as the IHL's Best Defenseman and an IHL First All-Star Team selection. Lemieux then joined the Seattle Totems (WHL-Sr.) in 1966-67, scoring 23 points (10g-13a) with 117 penalty minutes in 72 games played. For his performance, Lemieux was drafted 59th overall by the California / Oakland Seals in the 1967 NHL Expansion Draft. In 1967-68, Lemieux played 19 NHL games with one assist, before returning to the WHL that season with the Vancouver Canucks. Lemieux then played an integral role in Vancouver winning two consecutive WHL championships in 1968-69 & 1969-70. Lemieux then retired from playing at age 25, following the 1969-70 season. Lemieux immediately moved into a head coaching position with the Fort Worth Wings (CHL) in 1970-71, after being hired by the Detroit Red Wings (NHL) to help manage their farm system. He coached Fort Worth for three seasons, before moving to coach the Virginia Wings (AHL) for the 1973-74 season. Lemieux also allegedly created the 'Hockeytown' moniker in Fort Worth, as a marketing initiative and brought it to Kalamazoo, which has since been adopted and copyrighted by the Detroit Red Wings. Lemieux was then instrumental in the standing up of the Kalamazoo Wings (IHL) franchise and Wings Stadium in 1974, in conjunction with Ted Parfet and the Detroit Red Wings. Lemieux then coached the K-Wings for the next three seasons before stepping down early in the 1977-78 season to manage Wings Stadium, while staying onboard as the General Manager of the team. In 245 games coached, Lemieux (84-130-31) quickly turned the franchise from formative to championship contenders, as the team went from 17 wins in their first season (1974-75) to 38 wins in his third (1976-77) and final full season as coach. After moving on from the Wings following the Turner Cup Championship in 1978-79, Lemieux served as GM for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1977-80) and helped assemble the team that finished as the 1980 Soccer Bowl runner-up. The Strikers played the 1980 Soccer Bowl Championship at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., in front of 50,768 in attendance. Lemieux then moved his family back to Kalamazoo upon his daughter's leukemia diagnosis for treatment, assisted by the Parfet family. His daughter survived and is now a teacher in the Portage Public Schools system. Lemieux went on to establish the National Professional Soccer League in Kalamazoo in 1983, later known as the American Indoor Soccer League, as the group's president and commissioner. This brought to life the Kalamazoo Kangaroos (1984-86) and eventually well-known teams like the Detroit Rockers (1990-01). In totality, the league stood up from 1984 to 2001 and welcomed 30 teams across the United States in that span. Upon retirement, Lemieux took on a new role as an avid wildlife photographer until he passed, once quoted as saying, 'I went from one animal kingdom to another.' 'Losing Bob is very tough news for our organization and fans,' Kalamazoo Wings Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Joel Martin said. 'Bob paved the way for this organization and every coach who has had the privilege to stand behind the bench. My thoughts and prayers are with the Lemieux family. We all are mourning his passing.' The Kalamazoo Wings are eternally grateful to the Lemieux family, especially Bob, for his accomplishments and contributions to the organization and the City of Kalamazoo. The Wings will always recognize him as a pillar, contributing to the organization's longevity as the fourth-oldest minor professional hockey franchise in existence across 50 seasons in Kalamazoo. Lemieux spent the remainder of his years living in Kalamazoo, and is survived by his wife, Mariette, two children, Annick 'Nikki' and Daniel, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
