Weekly report on Israeli human rights violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories 29 Sep - 05 Oct 2005
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Launch More Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
- 7 Palestinians, including a child and a woman, were killed by IOF in Jenin and Nablus.
- IOF conducted 30 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
- Houses were raided and 66 Palestinian civilians, including a woman and 2 children, were arrested by IOF.
- 2 houses in Hebron were seized and transformed into military sites.
- IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT; IOF have continued to close Rafah International Crossing Point and Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing; and IOF arrested 3 Palestinian civilians, including 2 girls, at military checkpoints in the West Bank.
- IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall in the West Bank; IOF constructed a section of the wall around a school near Jerusalem; IOF are establishing new crossings between Jerusalem and Bethlehem; and IOF prevented Palestinian farmers from reaching their agricultural land to cultivate olives.
- Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property in the OPT; Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian civilians and property in Hebron; and settlers uprooted 210 trees in Artas village near Bethlehem.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law continued in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) during the reporting period (29 September -- 5 October 2005):
Willful Killing: During the reported period, IOF killed 7 Palestinians, including a child and a woman, in Nablus and Jenin. On 29 September 2005, IOF killed one Palestinian in Jenin and two others in the neighboring Bourqin village. On 30 September 2005, IOF killed two Palestinians in Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus, and a child in the neighboring 'Askar refugee camp. IOF admitted that killing the child was against instructions. On 4 October 2005, IOF killed a Palestinian woman at a checkpoint near Nablus. Also during the reported period, 3 Palestinians, including a child, were wounded by IOF.
Incursions: IOF conducted 30 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, IOF raided houses and arrested 66 Palestinian civilians, including two children and a woman. IOF also seized two houses in Hebron and transformed them into military sites.
Restrictions on Movement: Even though IOF were redeployed around the Gaza Strip and declared an end for the military government in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli government maintained the occupation of the Gaza Strip though controlling all outlets and crossings. Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border, the sole outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world, has remained closed for the second consecutive week, as no deal has been reached concerning transportation across it. IOF insist to maintain control over the movement of persons and goods through the crossing point, and have actually moved equipment from the crossing point to "Kerem Shalom" area on the Egyptian -- Israeli border. In the meantime, IOF have continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for Palestinian workers and patients for several weeks. With the closure of Rafah International Crossing Point and Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, the Gaza Strip has been transformed into a big jail, as IOF have maintained control over the airspace and other border crossing of the Gaza Strip.
In the West Bank, IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. Since Monday, 3 October 2005, IOF imposed a total closure on the OPT. They have imposed more restrictions on movement. They have also continued to close a number of the main roads in the northern West Bank despite the evacuation of 4 settlements in the area. During the reported period, IOF positioned at various checkpoints arrested 3 Palestinian civilians, including two girls.
Annexation Wall: In a challenge to the international law, the Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Zeev Boim proposed the promulgation of a legislation that legitimizes the construction of the Wall. IOF placed 9-meter-high cement blocks near 'Anata secondary school, isolating the playground from the school. During the reported period, IOF prevented Palestinian farmers from going to their agricultural land behind the Wall to cultivate olives. In Jenin, IOF prevented Palestinian farmers from Ya'bad village, southwest of Jenin, from going to their agricultural land behind the Wall to cultivate olives. IOF have been establishing a crossing point between East Jerusalem and Bethlehem, a gate, nearly 200 meters to the east, and a commercial crossing in Mazmouriya area, east of Bethlehem.
Illegal Settler Activities: Israeli settlers in breach of international humanitarian law continue to reside in the OPT and have launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians and property. During the reported period, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian civilians and property in Hebron. A Palestinian woman was seriously injured. In Bethlehem, settlers uprooted at least 210 trees in Artas village.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (8-14 September 2005)
1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property
Thursday, 29 September 2005
- At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Bourqin village, west of Jenin. They surrounded a number of greenhouses located to the west of al-Shuhada Street, a branch road of Jenin -- Nablus road. They turned off the lights of their vehicles. Soon, sounds of explosions and intense gunfire were heard in the area. An hour later, IOF turned on the lights of their vehicles and moved towards Yahia Saber al-Shalabi's house. They forced the owner's son, 30-year-old Saher, out and took him to the place of the incident, which is 500 meters to the south of the house. They used him as a human shield to search a greenhouse belonging to his family. At approximately 05:20, IOF withdrew from the area and arrested Saher. Soon, a Palestinian ambulance moved towards the area of the greenhouses. The medical crew found two bodies in the area. The two bodies were transferred to Dr. Khalil Suleiman Hospital in Jenin. The victims were identified as:
1. Nidal Mohammed Ibrahim Khallouf, 32, hit by several live bullets to the head and the chest; and
2. Samer Yahia Saber al-Shalabi, 24, hit by several live bullets to the head, the chest and the left hand.
At approximately 07:00, IOF released Saher, who stated that IOF used him as a human shield to discover the destiny of the persons who were inside the greenhouse. One of the victims was his brother.
- At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Saibat neighborhood in the old town of Jenin. A number of Palestinian gunmen clashed with IOF. One of the gunmen was killed during these clashes, Samer Ahmed al-Sa'di, 30, from Jenin refugee camp, who was hit by several live bullets to the head and the chest. IOF also arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:
1. Yousef Ahmed 'Arqawi, 40;
2. Murad Salah Hassanain, 28;
3. Ra'fat 'Azmi Hassaniya, 23; and
4. Murad Fathi Hassaniya, 20.
- At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Taqqou' village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Naji Khalil Suleiman, 30, and arrested him.
- At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into al-Sawana neighborhood in the south of Tulkarm. They raided a 3-storey house belonging to Jaber Subaih. They forced the residents of the house out and searched it. Then, they checked the identity cards of the residents and arrested Sahar Ibrahim Mansi Subaih, 23, who is originally from the Gaza Strip and has been married to the owner's son for 3 months.
- At approximately 06:00, IOF moved into the villages of Madama and South 'Assira, southwest of Nablus. They prohibited the movement from and to the two villages.
Friday, 30 September 2005
- At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into 'Askar refugee camp, northeast of Nablus. A number of Palestinian gunmen exchanged fire with IOF and then withdrew towards the neighboring Balata refugee camp. At approximately 02:00, more enforcements of IOF were brought to the area. They moved into Balata refugee camp. They surprises and opened fire at a number of Palestinian gunmen who were standing near the monument of martyrs at the northern entrance of the camp. Two gunmen were killed:
1. 'Alaa' Yousef Mohammed al-Teerawi, 29, hit by a live bullet to the left thigh, which cut a vein; and
2. Jamal Yousef al-Jermi, 20, hit by two live bullets to the head and the chest.
- At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Duhaisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Muhannad Fathi Makkawi, 16, and arrested him.
- At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit Fourik village, east of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 11 Palestinian civilians. Six of the detainees were released later. The others, who have remained in custody, are:
1. 'Udai Mohammed Abu Samra, 20;
2. 'Udai Najeh al-Saifi, 18;
3. 'Udai Yousef Hanani, 18;
4. Mahmoud Fu'ad Hanani, 17; and
5. Hanzala Sameer Hanani, 21.
- Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into the west of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:
1. Mazen 'Ali Abu Zour, 23; and
2. Wassim Nabhan al-Mallah, 21.
- At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Beit Reema village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:
1. Zaki 'Aadel al-Reemawi, 22; and
2. Mohammed Ahmed al-Reemawi, 26.
- In the afternoon, IOF shot dead a Palestinian child in 'Askar refugee camp, northeast of Nablus. Israeli military sources claimed that IOF fired at the child thinking that he was carrying a weapon and that an initial investigation concluded that IOF did not act in accordance with relevant instructions.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 13:15, a number of Palestinian children gathered on a hill that overlooks a settler bypass road to the east of 'Askar refugee camp, northeast of Nablus. They threw stones at an Israeli military jeep that was traveling on the bypass road. One of the children, 13-year-old 'Udai Khaled Sa'id Tantawi, was carrying a piece of wood linked with wires. As soon as he pointed it at the jeep, IOF fired a live bullet at him. He was wounded to left shoulder. His friends hurried towards the camp asking for help. Soon, a civilian car arrived at the area and evacuated him to Rafidya Hospital in Nablus. Five minutes later, he was pronounced dead.
Saturday, 1 October 2005
- At approximately 01:15, IOF moved into al-Jilda neighborhood in the northwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Haitham Mohammed al-Karaki, 21.
- At approximately 08:00, IOF raided two houses belonging to Ashraf and As'd Mohammed al-Rujbi in Tariq Ben Ziad Street in the south of Hebron. They held the two families in one room in each house and transformed the two houses into military sites.
- At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into Ne'lin village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians. They took these civilians towards a military checkpoint at the entrance of the village. IOF violently beat these civilians for several hours.
Sunday, 2 October 2005
- At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Zahiriya village, west pf Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians, including two brothers:
1. Mohammed Isma'il al-Tal, 36;
2. Bahjat 'Abdul Majeed al-Qaisiya, 28;
3. Bassam Mohammed al-Battat, 30; and
4. Hussein Mohammed al-Battat, 34.
- At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Ne'lin village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed Sorour, 45, and arrested him to force him to hand over his son Mos'ab, 21.
Monday, 3 October 2005
- At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians:
1. Ghassan Ahmed al-Qawasmi 23;
2. Mo'taz Mohammed al-Ja'ba, 22;
3. Hashem 'Ali Abu Turki, 22;
4. 'Ouda 'Omar al-Natsha, 25; and
5. Ahmed Burhan al-Ja'bari, 18.
- At approximately 01:15, IOF moved into Sa'ir village, east of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:
1. Hakeem Mahmoud al-Shalalda, 24;
2. Ussama 'Abdul Mon'em al-Shalalda, 21;
3. Ra'fat Yousef al-Shalalda, 23; and
4. 'Abdul Mahdi al-Shalalda, 20.
- Also at approximately 01:15, IOF moved into al-Shyoukh village, east of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 12 Palestinian civilians.
- At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Kharsa village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:
1. 'Abdul Halim Mahmoud Talahma, 42; and
2. Hatem Ibrahim Shadid, 25.
- At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Malek 'Abdul Halim Salhab, 27.
- At approximately 02:15, IOF moved into al-'Obaidiya village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ghassan Jameel al-'Asa, 28, and arrested him.
- Also at approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Rakhma village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Nasri Ahmed Suleiman, 24, and arrested him.
- At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into 'Attil village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:
1. Eihab Mohammed Ghawi, 20; and
2. Ashraf 'Adnan Abu Khalil, 28.
- Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Saida village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:
1. Fu'ad Taleb Mohammed al-Ashqar, 17;
2. Ma'ath Mohammed Hamad, 26; and
3. Baker Hussein 'Abdul Ghani, 25.
- At approximately 05:00, IOF moved into Tammoun village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 'Omar Bani 'Ouda, 20. A few hours later, a number of Palestinian schoolchildren threw stones at IOF vehicles. Immediately, IOF fired at the children, seriously wounding 13-year-old Mohammed Khaled Fuhaid with a rubber-coated metal bullet to the head.
- At approximately 07:00, IOF moved into Thinnaba suburb, east of Tulkarm. They opened fire at houses. Then, they took position in Hannoun area and stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. No arrests were reported.
- At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into Tubas village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire. No casualties or arrests were reported.
Tuesday, 4 October 2005
- At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Tubas village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Muneer Sawafta, 23, and arrested him.
- At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Shawawra village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mahmoud Mousa al-Khatib, 26, and arrested him.
2. Continued Siege on the OPT
IOF have continued to impose tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
Even though IOF were redeployed around the Gaza Strip, the Israeli government maintained the occupation of the Gaza Strip though controlling or outlets and crossings. Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border, the sole outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world, has remained closed for the fourth consecutive week, as no deal has been reached concerning transportation across it. IOF insist to maintain control over the movement of persons and goods through the crossing point, and have actually moved equipment from the crossing point to "Kerem Shalom" area on the Egyptian -- Israeli border. On 3 October 2005, IOF allowed Palestinians to operate the crossing point from 16:00 until 23:00 to solve the problem of those who had been blocked on both sides of the crossing point. According to the Palestinian travel police, 43 Palestinian civilians who were in the Egyptian travel hall and dozens of others who were in Egyptian cities were allowed to travel back to the Gaza Strip. On 23 September 2005, IOF allowed the Palestinian side to reopen Rafah International Crossing Point for 48 hours to allow Palestinians waiting at the Egyptian side to travel back to the Gaza Strip and to allow patients, students and those who have residence licenses in other countries to travel out of the Gaza Strip. However, the crossing point was closed at 12:00 on Saturday, 24 September 2005, in light of the escalation in the Gaza Strip. IOF have continued close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for the third consecutive week. They have only allowed officials of the Palestinian Authority, internationals and serious cases of patients to travel through the crossing but following prior coordination. On 3 October 2005, IOF totally closed the crossing on the occasion of the Jewish New Year. With the closure of Rafah International Crossing Point and Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, the Gaza Strip remains a big prison, as IOF have continued to maintain control over the airspace and other border crossing of the Gaza Strip. Now no Palestinian can enter or exit the Gaza Strip, with very minor exceptions.
IOF have continued to close al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing, east of Gaza City. Since the evacuation of Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip, IOF have repeatedly closed the crossing. According to Nabil Faraj, director of the crossing, before this latest closure, 40-50 trucks transported exported goods from the Gaza Strip and 250 trucks transported goods imported from Israel and the West Bank. The capacity of the crossing before the current Intifada was the passage of 800 trucks daily, including 150 one that transported exported goods from the Gaza Strip. Since the beginning of the Intifada, IOF have repeatedly closed the crossing to pressure Palestinian civilians.
On 3 October 2005, IOF allowed entering some foodstuffs into the Gaza Strip through Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah, even though the crossing is designated for the transportation of construction raw materials.
The West Bank
IOF have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities in the West Bank Territory. They have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians and imposed curfews on a number of Palestinian communities.
- Jerusalem: Since Monday, 3 October 2005, when they imposed a total closure on the OPT, IOF have imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in East Jerusalem. According to eyewitnesses, IOF have erected several checkpoints around the city and imposed restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. These measures have coincided with the fasting month of Ramadan and prevented dozens of thousand of Palestinian civilians from traveling to al-Aqsa Mosque.
At approximately 12:00 on Thursday, 29 September 2005, IOF patrolling in the streets of Jerusalem arrested a 21-year-old Palestinian girl. They claimed that they found a knife with her, which she intended to use to stab an Israeli soldier.
- Bethlehem: At approximately 19:00 on Thursday, 29 September 2005, IOF positioned at "Kfar Etzion" checkpoint, south of Bethlehem, arrested 'Abdul Karim Sharai'a, 30.
- Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in Hebron. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday 29 and 30 September, and 1 October 2005, IOF positioned in the center and south of Hebron stopped, held and checked many Palestinian civilians, including school children and women, and obstructed their movement in the area. On Saturday, 1 October 2005, IOF erected 3 checkpoints at the entrances of al-Sheikh neighborhood that overlooks the center of Hebron. They stopped, checked and interrogated Palestinian civilians. They also summoned a number of civilians to the Israeli intelligence. At approximately 16:00 on Saturday, IOF erected a checkpoint in 'Ein Sara Street in the center of Hebron and another one at Namera crossroads in the east of the town. They stopped, checked and interrogated a number of Palestinian civilians.
- Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 10:00 on Thursday, 29 September 2005, IOF have closed Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, and Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of the city. They prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians. At the same time, IOF erected a checkpoint on Nabus -- al-Bathan road and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 08:00 on Saturday, 1 October 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at the northern entrance of North 'Assira village, north of Nablus. They held and checked at least 20 university students. At noon, IOF erected a checkpoint on Nabus -- al-Bathan road. They stopped and searched dozens of Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Sunday morning, 2 October 2005, IOF closed all roads that links Bazaria village, west of Nablus, with the villages of Ramin and 'Anata in Tulkarm with sand barriers. Palestinian civilians used to resort to this road to move between Nablus and Tulkarm as IOF have continued to close the main Nablus -- Tulkarm road.
On Thursday evening, 29 September 2005, IOF positioned at Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested Sama' al-Malek Mohammed Suleiman, 21, from Marda village.
At approximately 09:10 on Sunday, 2 October 2005, IOF positioned at Beit Fourik checkpoint, east of Nablus, opened fire at 16-year-old 'Abdul Jalil Hamdi Khatatba. He was seriously wounded by 4 live bullets to the abdomen and the legs. An Israeli ambulance evacuated him to an unknown destination. IOF claimed that they ordered him to stop at a distance of 100 meters, but he disobeyed, so they fired at him. According to eyewitnesses, Khatatba was holding a small knife to cut a fruit he was eating. He was moving towards the checkpoint. IOF ordered him to stop, but he disobeyed. They fired at him at a distance of 10 meters only. The victim is mentally handicapped.
In an excessive use of force, on Tuesday, 4 October 2005, IOF positioned at Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, shot dead a Palestinian woman who suffered from a psychological order. They claimed that she attempted to stab a female Israeli soldier.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 07:10 on Tuesday, Haifaa' Daoud Mohammed Hindiya, 37, left her family home in Nablus towards the east. At approximately 07:55, she arrived at Hawara checkpoint, south of the city. As a female Israeli soldier was checking her, she took out a knife and attempted to stab the soldier. Immediately, another Israeli soldier fired at her form a distance of two meters only. She was wounded by 4 live bullets to the back, the abdomen and the legs. They left her bleeding to death in front of dozens of Palestinian civilians who were waiting at the checkpoint. IOF prevented these civilians and Palestinian ambulances from offering her help. At approximately 08:30, when they were certain that she was dead, IOF allowed a Palestinian ambulance to evacuate her body to Rafidya Hospital in Nablus. According to eyewitnesses, IOF could have arrested her rather than shooting her dead. She was not identified until noon, as she did not have her identity card. The victim was married and a mother of 5 children, the oldest is 12 and youngest is one year old.
- Tulkarm: At approximately 08:00 on Friday, 30 September 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint in al-Sawana neighborhood in the south of Tulkarm. They prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians and forced traders in the area to close their shops until 13:00. At approximately 06:00 on Saturday, 1 October 2005, IOF closed al-Kafriyat checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, and prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the town. This closure continued until 12:00. On Sunday morning, 2 October 2005, IOF closed the dirt road that links between the villages of Ektaba and Bala'a, which is the only road leading to 'Anabta village, east of the town.
- Jenin: On Friday noon, 30 October 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint to the north of 'Aqaba village, southeast of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Monday morning, 3 October 2005, IOF positioned at Tayaseer and al-Hamra checkpoints in the Jordan Valley imposed more restrictions on the moved of Palestinian civilians in the area. They prevented hundreds of Palestinian civilians from reaching their homes and land. On Monday evening, IOF erected two checkpoints at the entrances of Tubas and Tammoun villages, southeast of Jenin.
3. Construction of the Annexation Wall
IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank territory.
- In a challenge to the international law, the Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Zeev Boim proposed the promulgation of legislation that legitimizes the construction of the Wall. He claimed that "the Israeli Attorney General deals, in its discussions over the route of the law, more strictly than the Israeli High Court does, so a law must be promulgated to define 'security necessities.' He further suggested that the sections of the Wall that have already been constructed be considered as "military necessities." Boim's statement violates the Advisory Opinion issued by the International High Court of Justice, which rejects Israel's claims regarding "security necessities" and has declared the construction and existence of the Wall an illegal act which must be terminated by Israel and which the international community has further obligations to terminate.
- On Thursday, 29 September 2005, IOF issued 4 military orders stopping the construction of 4 houses in al-Burj village, southwest of Hebron, claiming that they were being built without licenses. These houses are located near the Wall. They belong to Bassam Yousef al-Masharqa; Majeda Isma'il al-Talahma; 'Abdul Rahim Mohammed al-Talahma; and Jawhar Nassar al-Shahatit.
- On Friday noon, 30 September 2005, IOF prevented dozens of Palestinian farmers and a number of international and Israeli solidarity activists from Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah, from going to their agricultural land behind the Wall to cultivate olives. It is worth noting that the construction of the Wall has isolated at least 2300 donums of the agricultural land of the village.
- On Saturday evening, 1 October 2005, IOF placed 9-meter-high cement blocks near 'Anata secondary school, isolating the playground from the school. Consequently, 860 students have become deprived of practicing sport activities.
- In Jenin, IOF prevented Palestinian farmers from Ya'bad village, southwest of Jenin, from going to their agricultural land behind the Wall to cultivate olives. According to local sources, 245 farmers applied for permits to be able to go to their land, but IOF issued permits for 20 of them only.
- IOF have been establishing a crossing point between East Jerusalem and Bethlehem, a gate, nearly 200 meters to the east, and a commercial crossing in Mazmouriya area, east of Bethlehem. The crossing point will be designated for diplomats and senior clergies, the gate will be designated for ordinary people and the commercial crossing will be designated for the transportation of goods.
4. Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property
Israeli settlers (living in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law) have continued their attacks against Palestinian civilians and property:
- At approximately 14:30 on Thursday, 29 September 2005, a number of Israeli settlers from "Beit Hadasa" settlement post in al-Dabouya neighborhood in the center of Hebron, escorted by IOF attacked a number of Palestinian civilians and houses in al-Shallala Street, using stones, empty bottles and fuel to attack Palestinian civilians. A Palestinian woman, Zohour Mo'ein 'owaidat, 33, from al-Shyoukh village, was injured in the head, and sustained bruises throughout the body.
- At approximately 15:00 on Friday, 30 September 2005, a number of Israeli settlers from "Avraham Avino" settlement post in the old town of Hebron attacked Palestinian houses and shops in al-Qasaba neighborhood, Shahin Khan, al-Qazzazin neighborhood and al-Shahla Square, using stones and empty bottles. A number of houses and shops were damaged.
- On Monday, 3 October 2005, a number of Israeli settlers from "Alon Shivot" settlement, south of Bethlehem, uprooted at least 210 fruitful trees belonging to Salah, 'Ali and Mahmoud Shahin, in Artas village.
Recommendations to the International Community
1. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal and moral obligations under Article 1 of the Convention to ensure Israel's respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. PCHR believes the conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as if it is above the law and encourages Israel continue to violate international human rights and humanitarian law.
2. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene a conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel's respect of the Convention in the OPT and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.
3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with its legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.
4. PCHR recommends international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs to participate in the process of searching for Israeli those accused of grave breaches of international law and to urge their governments to bring these people to justice.
5. PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel. PCHR further calls upon the EU states to prohibit import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPT.
6. PCHR calls upon the member States of the EU, and all other states, to adopt a voting pattern at the UN bodies, particularly the General Assembly, Security Council and Commission on Human Rights which is keeping with international law.
7. PCHR demands that the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion be immediately implemented by the international community.
8. PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the proposed Gaza disengagement plan for what it is - not an end to occupation but compounding the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
9. In recognition of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPT, including for facilitating family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
10. PCHR appreciates the efforts of international civil society, including human rights organizations, bar associations, unions and NGOs, and urges them to continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel's respect for human rights in the OPT and to end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.
11. In light of the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupying forces on access for international organizations to the OPT, PCHR calls upon European countries to deal the same way with Israeli citizens.
12. PCHR reiterates that any political settlement not based on international human rights law and humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of the Palestinian question. Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to further suffering and instability in the region. Any peace agreement or process must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.
For more information please call: +972 (0)- 8 - 2824776 --
2825893.
**Office Hours are between 0800 -- 1600 hours (0500 GMT -- 1300 GMT)
Sun -- Thurs.
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
29 Omer El Mukhtar St., El Remal, PO
Box 1328 Gaza, Gaza Strip
tel/fax: +972 (0)8 282 4776 -- 282 5893
email:
pchr@pchrgaza.org
website: www.pchrgaza.org
| With the exception of public UN sources, reproduction or redistribution of the above text, in whole, part or in any form, requires the prior consent of the original source. |
FIND RELATED DOCUMENTS
By Emergency:
By Country:
By Source:
By Type:
FIND RELATED DOCUMENTS
By Emergency: Occupied Palestinian Territory
By Country: Occupied Palestinian territory; Israel
By Source: Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR)
By Type: Press Releases
