| Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (01- 07 December 2011) |
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Israeli soldiers arrest a journalists during the weekly protest in Nabi Saleh village near Ramallah Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
A Palestinian resistance activist was killed and 3 others were wounded by Israeli air strikes in the Gaza Strip.
IOF have continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank. 3 Palestinian civilians and an Israeli human rights defender were wounded. IOF arrested 6 civilians, including two journalists and 3 international human rights defenders.
The Israeli Navy has continued to attack Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip.
IOF conducted 61 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a limited one into the Gaza Strip. IOF arrested 43 Palestinians, including 3 children. IOF waged a campaign of arrests against members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and Hamas, and raided the office of Members of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) in Tulkarm.
Israel has continued to impose a total closure on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world. Israeli soldiers arrested 9 Palestinian civilians, including 5 children, at various checkpoints in the West Bank.
Israeli has continued efforts to create a Jewish majority in East Jerusalem. IOF deported PLC Member Ahmed Attoun from Jerusalem to Ramallah. IOF demolished 3 houses and forced two Palestinian civilians to demolish their houses by themselves.
IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property. IOF demolished two houses and a factory in Qalqilya. Israeli settlers attacked an old Palestinian man and fired at a shepherd to the east of Nablus. Israeli settlers set fire at the entrance of a mosque in Brouqin village near Salfit.
Summary Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (01 – 07 December 2011): Shooting: During the reporting period, IOF killed a member of the Palestinian resistance and wounded 3 others seriously on the Gaza Strip. They also wounded 3 Palestinian civilians and an Israeli human rights defender in peaceful protests in the West Bank. In the Gaza Strip, on 07 December 2011, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a number of activists of the al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad) in the east of Gaza City. As a result, an activist was killed and two others were seriously wounded. On the same day, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a 4thactivist in the southeast of Gaza City. He was seriously wounded. During the reporting period, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired at Palestinian workers who were collecting scraps of construction materials, at farmers who were working on their lands and at shepherds in the north and south of the Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported. Israeli gunboats also fired at Palestinian fishing boats, but no casualties were reported. In the West Bank, during the reporting period, IOF used excessive force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to Israeli settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall in the West Bank. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians and an Israeli human rights defender were wounded and dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation. IOF also arrested 6 civilians, including two journalists and 3 international human rights defenders. Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 61 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested 43 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children. During the reporting period, IOF waged an arrest campaign that targeted leaders, activists and supporters of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestinian on the eve of the 44th anniversary of its establishment. IOF also stormed the offices of PLC Members from the Change and Reform Bloc affiliated to Hamas in Tulkarm, and confiscated some of its contents. Restrictions on Movement: Israel had continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Gaza Strip Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for over three years. The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. IOF have tightened the closure of the Gaza Strip and practically made Karm Abu Salem crossing as the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip although it is not proper for commercial purposes in terms of its distance and operational capacity. IOF have continued to apply their policy aimed at tightening the strangulation of the commercial movement in the Gaza Strip, including imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports. The total closure of al-Mentar “Karni” crossing on 02 March 2011 has created a bitter situation that has seriously affected the Gaza Strip. Following this closure, all the economic and commercial establishments in Gaza Commercial Zone were shut off. It should be noted that al-Mentar crossing is the biggest crossing in the Gaza Strip in terms of its operational capacity to absorb the flow of imports and exports. The decision of al-Mentar crossing was the culmination of a series of decisions to totally close Sofa crossing, east of the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2009, and Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza City, which was dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2010. These statistics which were made available to PCHR by the Border and Crossings Department indicate a continued drop in the number of truckloads of Gaza imports and exports. IOF have continued to impose total ban on the delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Stri, except for very limited items and quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip. The cooking gas crisis which has erupted last November has continued to affect the Gaza Strip. This crisis was created when the Israeli occupation authorities totally closed, on 04 January 2010, Nahal Oz crossing, which used to be dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas supplies to Gaza, and shifted fuel and cooking gas supplies to Karm Abu Salem crossing which is not technically equipped to receive Gaza’s needs of fuel. Karm Abu Salem crossing, with its maximum absorptive capacity, can receive only 200 tons of cooking gas per day. Approximately 80% of Gaza civilians have continued to depend on alimentary aid provided by UNRWA and other relief agencies, rates of families who are living below poverty line have continued to be on the rise and approximately 40% of Gaza’s manpower has continued to suffer from permanent unemployment as a result of shutting down the majority of Gaza’s economic establishments. IOF have continued to impose a total ban on the exportation of Gaza’s products, especially industrial products, leading to undermining any real chances to rerun economic establishments. The situation has been aggravated especially after making Karm Abu Salem crossing as Gaza sole commercial crossing and the repeated closure of this crossing which negatively affected the quantity of Gazan products which were allowed to be exported during last April. IOF have continued to prolong the implementation of their decision to allow 60 cars into Gaza weekly although more than 11 months have passed since they announced this decision after three years of ban imposed on the delivery of cars to Gaza. As a result, the prices of cars in Gaza have been on the rise and local markets experience serious shortage in spare parts. For approximately four consecutive years, IOF have continued to ban the delivery of construction materials to Gaza. During the reporting period, IOF approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of international organizations. Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for Palestinian civilians from the Gaza Strip. IOF only allow the movement of limited groups amidst severe restrictions, including long hours of waiting in the majority of cases. IOF have also continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and Jerusalem. IOF denied new categories of Gazan patient permission to have access to hospitals via the crossing. Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip. For approximately 53 months, IOF have continued to deny approximately 700 Palestinian prisoners from Gaza detained in Israeli jails their visitation rights without providing any justification to this measure, which violates the rules of the international humanitarian law. West Bank IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip continue to be denied access to Jerusalem. IOF have established checkpoints in and around Jerusalem, severely restricting Palestinian access to the city. Civilians are frequently prevented from praying in the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. There are approximately 585 permanent roadblocks, and manned and unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank. When complete, the illegal annexation wall will stretch for 724 kilometers around the West Bank, further isolating the entire population. 350 kilometers of the wall have already been constructed. Approximately 99% of the wall has been constructed inside the West Bank itself, confiscating more Palestinian land. At least 65% of the main roads that lead to 18 Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF. There are approximately 500 kilometers of restricted roads across the West Bank. In addition, approximately one third of the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, is inaccessible to Palestinians without permits issued by IOF. Such permits are extremely difficult to obtain. IOF continue to harass and assault demonstrators who hold peaceful protests against the construction of the annexation wall. Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by IOF in Jerusalem, and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped and searched in the streets by IOF. Efforts to Create a Jewish Majority in East Jerusalem During the reporting period, IOF demolished 3 Palestinian houses in East Jerusalem, claiming that they were built without licenses. They also forced two Palestinians to demolish their houses by themselves. On 06 December 2011, IOF deported PLC Member Ahmed Mohammed Attoun, 43, from Jerusalem to Ramallah. PCHR considers that IOF’s decision to deport Attoun amounts to forcible displacement. The deportation of protected persons is prohibited under Article 49 of the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War. PCHR notes that this measure is part of the continued deportation of PLC members who were elected by the Palestinian people in the elections of 2006. Settlement Activities: Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property. On 03 December 2011, Israeli settlers violently beat an old Palestinian civilian near Nablus. He sustained bruises. They also fired at a Palestinian shepherd, but he was not hurt. On 05 December 2011, IOF demolished two houses al-Ramadin village, south of Qalqilya, and a factory in ‘Azzoun village, east of the town. On 07 December 2011, Israeli settlers set fire to the gate of a mosque in Brouqin village. They also burnt a car and a digger in the village. Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (01 – 07 December 2011)
Thursday, 01 December 2011 At approximately 00:45, IOF moved into Marah As’ad neighborhood in the southeast of Jenin. They surrounded a house belonging to ‘Abdul Nasser ‘Abdul ‘Afu ‘Abdul ‘Aziz (Nasser ‘Aziz), 55, Member of the Central Committee of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and Acting Chairman of the General Union of Palestinian Studnets. They knocked the door and ordered residents of the house to get out. When ‘Abdul ‘Aziz opened the door, Israeli soldiers questioned him shortly, and then arrested him. At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-Marah neighborhood. They raided a 3-storey apartment building belonging to the al-Zughaibi family. They then ordered Silah Khalil al-Zughabi, 51, to get down from his flat on the last floor. When he did, they arrested him. IOF raided also a nearby house belonging to ‘Abdullah ‘Afif Zakarna, 48, and arrested him. At the same time, IOF raised a house belonging to Ahmed Yousef Abu al-Haija, 37, in al-Jabriyat neighborhood. His wife opened the door for them and told them that her husband suffers from a 70% physical handicap. They entered his room and ordered his wife to change his clothes. They then arrested him. It should be noted that Abu al-Haija was wounded by an explosive bullet fired by an Israeli tank in 2002, which caused a partial physical handicap to him. At the same time, IOF raided a two-storey apartment building belonging to the Abu Sakha family in Nazareth Street in the north of Jenin, after blowing up its gate. They arrested Zaher Nafez Abu Sakha, 45. Also at the same time, IOF moved into al-Sikka neighborhood in the south of Jenin. They raided a house belonging to Mazen Mohammed al-Zuraiqi, 46, Director of Handicapped Rehabilitation Society in Qabatya village, and arrested him. It should be noted that al-Zuraiqi’s mother had passed away two days earlier. At the same time, IOF moved into al-Bassatin neighborhood in the north of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Zuhair ‘Abdul Ra’ouf Zughaibi, 61, and arrested him. At the same time, IOF moved into the old town of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Fadaa’ ‘Abdul Ra’ouf Zughaibi, 44, and arrested him. At the same time, IOF moved into Kharrouba neighborhood in the north of Jenin. They raided a house belonging to Samah ‘Abdulllah al-Zughaibi, 44, and arrested him. Also at the same time, IOF moved into al-‘Arma neighborhood in the north of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Alam Sami Masad. 42, and arrested him. Also at approximately 00:45, IOF moved into ‘Arbouna village, north of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed Saleh Abu Hassan, 70, and arrested him. At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beit Fourik village, east of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians: 1. Sajed ‘Abdul Latif Mlaitat, 40; 2. Ayman ‘Aaref Hajj Mohammed, 44; and 3. Mohammed Yousef Abu Ghilmi, 38. Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Tubas. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ashraf Mohye al-Din Hamama, 35, and arrested him. Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Bitounia town, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mustafa Kamel Badarna, 47, who was released from Israeli jails in the context of the latest swap deal of prisoners, and summoned him for interrogation. Approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-Doha village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Aatef Abu ‘Aker, and arrested his child, 15-year-old Mohammed. Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Zaid Mohammed al-Harimi, 17, and arrested him. At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Housan village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched house belonging to ‘Abdul Hai ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Shousa, 40, and his brothers, Ibrahim and Mahmoud, 40 and 30 respectively, and arrested the three brothers. At approximately 08:30, IOF moved into Jericho and the neighboring ‘Ein al-Sultan refugee camp. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 08:40, IOF moved into Deir Estia village, north of Salfit. They established a checkpoint at the entrance of the village. They withdrew later, and neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Deir Ghassana village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into Beit Siera village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 13:00, IOF moved into Bidya village, northwest of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 15:00, an IOF undercover unit moved into al-Duhaisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem, traveling in a civilian vehicle. The vehicles stopped near a coffee shop belonging to Shihab Hussein Mizher, 35. Israeli soldiers stepped down and arrested Mizher. Soon after, IOF military vehicles moved into the camp to secure the withdrawal of the undercover unit. At approximately 16:30, IOF moved into ‘Arrana village, north of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into Deir Ballout village, west of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 18:30, IOF moved into al-Mazra’a al-Gharbiya village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 21:00, IOF moved into Seilat al-Harthiya village, north of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Faqqou’a village, northeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. Friday, 02 December 2011 At approximately 00:0, IOF moved into Kufol Hares village, north of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians: 1. Jameel Ibrahim Badrasawi, 64; 2. Haitham Jameel Badrasawi, 25; and 3. Yasser Ibrahim Badrasawi, 47. Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Qadhi area, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Abdul ‘Aadel ‘Awni Abu Mayala, 22, and arrested him. At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Yousef Da’dou’, 21, and arrested him. At approximately 06:30, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahia beach in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach and no casualties were reported. At approximately 09:30, IOF moved into Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. Also at approximately 09:30, IOF moved into Budros village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 14:00, IOF moved into Khrabtha al-Misbah village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 16:30, Israeli soldiers stationed on observation towers near Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at a number of bird hunters nearly 300 meters away. The hunters were forced to leave the area and no casualties were reported. Saturday, 03 December 2011 At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Tirah neighborhood in the southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Shawawra village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mahmoud ‘Eissa Rabai’a, 23, and summoned him for interrogation. At approximately 12:30, IOF moved into Deir Abu Da’if village, east of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. Also at approximately 12:30, IOF moved into Um al-Tout village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 15:00, IOF moved into Saffa village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Beit ‘Aur al-Tahta, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. Also at approximately 17:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of Rafah opened fire at a number of Palestinian fishermen near Gaza International Airport in the southeast of Rafah. No casualties were reported. At approximately 18:30, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahia beach in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach and no casualties were reported. Also at approximately 18:30, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Rafah beach in the southern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach and no casualties were reported. At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into Kufor Dan village, north of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 23:50, IOF moved into Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. Sunday, 04 December 2011
At approximately 00:35, IOF moved into Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 09:30, IOF moved into Jafna village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. Also at approximately 09:30, IOF moved into Zabbouba village, northwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 10:15, IOF moved into Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into Deir Jarir village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 12:30, IOF moved into Nazlat al-Sheikh Zayed village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 14:00, IOF moved into Bal’a village, northeast of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. Also at approximately 14:00, IOF moved into Deir al-Ghossoun village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. Also at approximately 14:00, IOF moved into Nour Shams refugee camp, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into Kufor Malek village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into Kufor al-Labad village, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. Monday, 05 December 2011 At approximately 00:45, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ayman Zuhair Hardan, 26, and arrested him. They released him two hours later. At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine: 1. Maher Maskawi, 37; 2. Hassan Shilbaya, 46; and 3. Hussam al-Ruzza, 54. At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Housan village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Younis Shousha, and arrested his two sons: Fadi, 32; and ‘Alaa’ 24. At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm town and refugee camp. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into Emarin village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 15:00, IOF moved into Zazlat al-Sheikh Zayed village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 22:00, Israeli soldiers positioned on observation towards at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the north of Beit Hanoun town opened fire at space areas located to the south of the agricultural school. The shooting continued for 20 minutes, but no casualties were reported. Also at approximately 22:00, IOF moved into Beer al-Basha village, south of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 23:0, IOF moved into Deir Ghazala village, northeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 23:20, IOF moved into Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. Tuesday, 06 December 2011 At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets. They then raided an apartment building, in which the office of Members of the Palestinian Legislative Council from the Change and Reform Bloc affiliated to Hamas, is based. They broke the door of the office, searched it and damaged the furniture. Before their withdrawal, they confiscated two hard disks, a laptop and some documents. At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians: 1. Anas Waleed Barham, 21; 2. Rif’at Mufeed Barham, 21; 3. ‘Abdullah Rajab Jom’a, 21; and 4. ‘Abdul Hafiz Anwar Jom’a, 23. They also summoned Eihab Mo’ayad Eshtaiwi, 27, for interrogation. At approximately 12:30, IOF moved into al-Zababda village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 15:30, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into the east of al-Shuja’iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. They leveled areas of Palestinian land. During this incursion, IOF clashed with members of the Palestinian resistance, but no casualties were reported. IOF moved back to the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel at approximately 02:30 on the following day. At approximately 17:30, IOF moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into Toura al-Gharbiya village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. Wednesday, 07 December 2011 At approximately 00:30, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a number of activists of the al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad) in al-Mansoura Street in the east of al-Shuja’iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. As a result, an activist, Isma’il Salama Hussein al-‘Ar’eir, 22, was killed and two others were seriously wounded. At the same time, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at an activist of the Palestinian resistance in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the southeast of Gaza City. He was seriously wounded. At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 7 Palestinians, including two university professors: 1. Dr. “Mohammed ‘Azzam” Subhi Ghazal, 54, a leader of Hamas and a professor at an-Najah National University; 2. Dr. Yousef Ibrahim ‘Abdul Haq, 65, a leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and a professor at an Najah National University; 3. Sameeh Suleiman ‘Olaiwi, 46; 4. Bahaa’ al-Din Fat’hi Ya’ish, 53; 5. Sameer Mustafa al-Usta, 54, who was released from Israeli jails 4 months ago; 6. Usayd Hassiba, 17; and 7. Mo’ayad Hassiba, 19. At approximately 07:30, Israeli soldiers stationed on observation towers at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at a number of Palestinian workers who were collecting scraps of construction materials from Erez industrial zone. The worker fled from the area and no casualties were reported.
During the reporting period, IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the Wall and settlement activities in the West Bank, and in protest to the establishment of a buffer zone in the Gaza Strip. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians and an Israeli human rights defender were wounded, and dozens of Palestinian civilians and human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation. IOF also arrested a Palestinian demonstrator, two journalists and 3 international human rights defenders. Following the Friday Prayer on 02 December 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil’ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and support for efforts to achieve national reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah movements. They raised the Palestinian flag and called for ending political division. They then moved towards areas of Palestinian land, which the Israeli High Court ordered to be returned to their Palestinian owners. Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. They also targeted the press car of Associated Press. As a result, 3 Palestinian demonstrators and an Israeli human rights defender were wounded: 1. Salah Hussein Khawaja, 43, hit by a tear gas canister to the right foot; 2. Ahmed ‘Abdul Karim al-Khatib, 35, hit by a tear gas canister to the right foot; 3. Mustafa Shawkat al-Khatib, 22, hit by a tear gas canister to the back; and 4. Shai Bulak, 40, an Israeli human rights defender, hit by a tear gas canister to the chest. A number of demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation. Also following the Friday Prayer on Friday, 02 December 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in the center of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest to continued closure of the eastern entrance of the village. They moved towards the entrance, but IOF stopped them. Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. Also following the Friday Prayer on 02 December 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest against the construction of the annexation wall. They clashed with Israeli troops positioned near the annexation wall. Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. Also following the Friday Prayer on 02 December 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, in protest against land confiscations and settlement activities. They raised the Palestinian flag, chanted slogans calling for ending the occupation. When the demonstrators attempted to reach areas of land seized by Israeli settlers near “Halmish” settlement, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and other sustained bruises. IOF also arrested two Palestinian journalists and 3 international human rights defenders. The two journalists are: 1. Majdi Mohammed Eshtayeh, 29, a cameraman of Associated Press, who was released an hour later; and 2. Mohammed Suleiman Radhi, 27, a cameraman of Palestine Television, who was released at approximately 20:00. On Saturday morning, 03 December 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and a number of International human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Khirbat Sousia area to the southeast of Yatta village, south of Hebron, in protest to Israeli attacks in the area. IOF fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators. As a result, 5 demonstrators, including a Danish human rights defender, were injured: 1. Aida, 30, a Danish human rights defender; 2. Sarah al-Nawaj’a, 62; 3. Nasser al-Nawaj’a, 28; 4. Mohammed al-Nawaj’a; and 5. Hussein al-Shawahin. IOF also arrested Khaled Mohammed al-Hroush, 18, claiming that he attempted to raise the Palestinian flag on an Israeli military jeep.
Israel has continued to impose a tightened closure of the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for over three years. The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The illegal closure has caused not only a humanitarian crisis but a crisis of human rights and human dignity for the population of the Gaza Strip. Measures declared recently to ease the blockade are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to deal with the root causes of the crisis, which can only be addressed by an immediate and complete lifting of the closure, including lifting the travel ban into and out of the Gaza Strip and the ban on exports. PCHR is concerned that the new Israeli policy is simply shifting Gaza to another form of illegal blockade, one that may become internationally accepted and institutionalized. Palestinians in Gaza may no longer suffer from the same shortage of goods, but they will remain economically dependent and unable to care for themselves, and socially, culturally and academically isolated from the rest of the world. Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:
Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point 30 November – 06 December 2011
Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing 30 November – 06 December2011 Imports:
Exports: On Thursday, 01 December 2011, IOF allowed the exportation of 4 tons of strawberries. On Sunday, 04 December 2011, IOF allowed the exportation of 5.4 tons of strawberries. On Monday, 05 December 2011, IOF allowed the exportation of 3.1 tons of strawberries. On Tuesday, 06 December 2011, IOF allowed the exportation of 8 tons of strawberries. Notes: On Wednesday, 30 November 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 40 tons of cement, 490 tons of construction aggregate and 144 tons of construction steel for UNDP. They also allowed the entry of 1,755 tons of fodders. On Thursday, 01 December 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 580 tons of cement and 150 tons of construction steel for UNRWA; and 120 tons of cement and 108 tons of construction steel for UNDP. IOF also allowed the entry of 1,521 tons of wheat. On Sunday, 04 December 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 40 tons of cement, 1,890 tons of construction aggregate and 143 tons of construction steel for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 1,833 tons of fodders. On Monday, 05 December 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 473 tons of cement, 14 tons of construction steel and 2,380tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA; and 24 of construction steel and 144 tons of cement for ANERA. They also allowed the entry of 2,067 tons of wheat. On Tuesday, 06 December 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 2,100 tons of construction aggregate and 290 tons of cement for UNRWA; and 160 tons of cement, 490 tons of construction aggregate and 51 tons of construction steel for the Palestinian US Agency for International Development. They also allowed the entry of 1,872 tons of fodders. Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF have allowed only diplomats, a number of international journalists, employees of international agencies and a limited number of patients who suffer from serious diseases to pass through the crossing. They have continued to prevent Palestinian civilians from visiting their relatives who are detained in Israeli jails. The small number of patients permitted to pass through the crossing is only able to do so under severe restrictions that include prolonged checking. Movement at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing 30 November – 06 December2011
The West Bank Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. Jerusalem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to the city. IOF have established many checkpoints around and inside the city. Restrictions of the movement of Palestinian civilians often escalate on Fridays, preventing Muslim Palestinians from praying at al-Aqsa Mosque. Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 08:45 on Thursday, 01 December 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa intersection, west of Ramallah. At approximately 10:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Liqya village, west of Ramallah. At approximately 11:00 on the same day, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. At approximately 08:00 on Friday, 02 December 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. Also at approximately 08:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Turmos’iya village, northeast of Ramallah. At approximately 09:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint under Kharabtha al-Misbah Bridge, southwest of Ramallah. At approximately 18:00 on Saturday, 03 December 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at Silwad intersection, northeast of Ramallah. At approximately 08:00 on Sunday, 04 December 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa intersection, west of Ramallah. Qalqilya: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 01 December 2011, IOF established 4 checkpoints around the town. At approximately 00:00 on Friday, 02 December 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya. On Saturday, 03 December 2011, IOF established 7 checkpoints around Qalqilya. On Sunday, 04 December 2011, IOF established 4 checkpoints around Qalqilya. Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 10:30 on Saturday, 03 December 2011, Israeli soldiers positioned at Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 20:30 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint on Kufor Sour – Kour road, southeast of Tulkarm. At approximately 09:00 on Sunday, 04 December 2011, IOF established a checkpoint on Tulkarm – Qalqilya road near Jibara Gate, south of Tulkarm. At approximately 15:30 on the same day, Israeli soldiers positioned at Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 22:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm. At approximately 17:00 on Tuesday, 06 December 2011, Israeli soldiers positioned at Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 06:00 on Saturday, 03 December 2011, IOF established a checkpoint on Jenin-Tulkarm road near the entrance of Beer al-Basha village, south of Jenin. At approximately 11:30, Israeli soldiers positioned at Mavo Dutan checkpoint southwest of Jenin, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 06:00 on Sunday, 04 December 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Zabbouba village, northwest of Jenin. At approximately 06:00 on Monday, 05 December 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Zabbouba village, northwest of Jenin. At approximately 19:30 on Tuesday, 06 December 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Zabbouba village, northwest of Jenin.
Salfit: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 11:45 on Saturday, 03 December 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Brouqin village, west of Salfit. At the same time, they established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Bidya village, northwest of Salfit. At approximately 12:30 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the western entrance of Hares village, north of Salfit. At approximately 15:35 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint on Hares – Kufol Hares road, north of Salfit.
Jericho: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 14:00 on Thursday, 01 December 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Ein al-Dyouk village, north of Jericho. At approximately 14:00 on Saturday, 03 December 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fassayel village, north of Jericho. Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday morning, 01 December 2011, IOF prevented Palestinian farmers form working on their lands in Sousia area to the southeast of Yatta village, south of Hebron. According to investigations conducted by PCHR, as Israeli settlers from “Sousia” settlement provoked Palestinian farmers who were working on their lands nearly 300 meters away from the settlement, IOF ordered Palestinian farmers to leave their lands. Arrests at Military Checkpoints At approximately 16:30 on Sunday, 04 December 2011, Israeli soldiers patrolled in the vicinity of “Elli” settlement, south of Nablus, arrested 3 Palestinian children who were cropping olives from their families’ agricultural lands, which are located near the settlement. The children are: Ahmed Sameer ‘Awadh; Habib ‘Abdullah ‘Owais; and Anas Tarqi ‘Owais. At approximately 18:00 on Sunday, 04 December 2011, Israeli soldiers patrolling near al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem, arrested ‘Ali Mustafa Salah, 29, and Ashraf Salah al-Din Salah, 31. At approximately 07:00 on Monday, 05 December 2011, Israeli soldiers positioned at a checkpoint established at the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, arrested Wissam Eyad Tamimi, 16. On Monday evening, 05 December 2011, IOF arrested 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child, in al-Doha village, west of Bethlehem: Mo’taz Khalil ‘Ezziya, 16; Ahmed Mohammed Erdris; and Mos’ab Subhi al-‘Azza, 18.
Israeli occupation authorities have continued to make persistent efforts to create a Jewish majority in East Jerusalem and expel Palestinian civilians in the city. On Sunday morning, 04 December 2011, IOF forced Ussama Hussein al-Shwaiki to demolish his 96-square-meter house in al-Thawri neighborhood in occupied East Jerusalem. Al-Shwaiki built his house in 2005, and in 2009, officials from the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem and a number of Israeli police officers came to the house and photographed it. Later, the municipal court imposed a fine of 96,000 ILS on him allegedly for building the house without a license. According to al-Shwaiki, he appealed the court ruling, but in late November 2011, the court ordered him to demolish his house by himself, or the municipality would demolish it on his own expenses. So, he was forced to demolish his house, in which 6 individuals, including two children, live. Aon the same day, IOF forced Husni Bassam al-Kilani to demolish a 32-square-meter room added to his house in al-Sawana neighborhood in occupied East Jerusalem. Al-Kilani built the room in 2008, and in 2009, officials from the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem and a number of Israeli police officers came to the house and photographed it. Later, the municipal court ordered to demolish the added room, claiming it was built without a license. Al-Kilani appealed the court ruling, but has eventually forced to demolish the room by himself, because of he did not do, he would be forced to pay a fine of 30,000 ILS. On Monday morning, 05 December 2011, IOF, accompanied by officials from the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem, moved into Yassoul quarter in Silwan village to the south of the old town of Jerusalem. They surrounded a house belonging to Burhan Zakria Burqan, 39. They forced the family out without allowing them to vacate their belongings. They then demolished the 150-square-meter house, in which 8 individuals lived. IOF also demolished a barnyards belonging to Burqan. The house was located nearly 800 meters to the south of the al-Aqsa Mosque and only 250 meters away from al-Bustan neighborhood, where IOF plan to establish a biblical garden. On the same day, IOF, accompanied by officials from the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem, surrounded a 50-square-meter house belonging to Majdi Msuatafa al-Salaima, in which 6 individuals live, in al-Ashqariya quarter in Beit Hanina village, north of Jerusalem. They forced the family out without allowing them to vacate their belongings. They then demolished the house. On Tuesday morning, IOF, accompanied by a bulldozer, moved into al-Jeeb village, northwest of Jerusalem. They surrounded a 70-square-meter house belonging to Khamis al-Dadu, in which 9 individuals live. They then demolished the house, claiming that it was built without a license. On Tuesday, 06 December 201, IOF deportedf Ahmed Attoun, Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), from Jerusalem to Ramallah. PCHR considers that IOF’s decision to deport Attoun amounts to forcible displacement. The deportation of protected persons is prohibited under Article 49 of the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War. PCHR notes that this measure is part of the continued deportation of PLC members who were elected by the Palestinian people in the elections of 2006. According to investigations conducted by PCHR, the Israeli Court of Magistrates in Jerusalem decided on Tuesday, 06 December 2011, to deport Ahmed Attoun, 43, PLC Member from the Change and Reform Bloc affiliated to Hamas. A few hours later, Attoun was transferred to an Israeli checkpoint near Ramallah and IOF ordered him to walk towards Ramallah. Attoun and Mohammed Totah, another PLC Member from the Change and Reform Bloc, and former Palestinian Jerusalem Minister, Khaled Abu Arafa, have made a sit-in in the headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Jerusalem since June 2010, in protest against IOF’s decision to confiscate ID cards from PLC Members in Jerusalem and instead give them temporary monthly permits to access Jerusalem, on grounds that they are affiliates of a prohibited organization or participate in the Palestinian elections in the name of Hamas. While Attoun, Totah and Abu Arafa were in their sit-in, IOF arrested PLC member Mohammed Abu Teir and deported him to Ramallah on 08 December 2010. On 06 September 2011, IOF arrested Abu Teir from his home in Kafr Aqab village near Ramallah. On 26 September, an IOF undercover unit kidnapped Attoun from the sit-in tent in the ICRC headquarters in Sheikh Jarrah in Jerusalem. Attoun had been in detention untill he was transferred to Ramallah. This deportation is part of a continued Israeli campaign that has been implemented since June 2006, aimed at arresting members of the Change and Reform Bloc of the PLC, including Palestinian Ministers and members of local councils in the West Bank. This campaign began following the victory of Hamas in the PLC elections of January 2006. There are currently 22 PLC members, mostly from the Change and Reform Bloc of Hamas, detained in Israeli jails.
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property. On Saturday morning, 03 December 2011, after IOF had removed mobile homes placed by Israeli settlers near “Eitamar” settlement, southeast of Nablus, Israeli settlers from “Alon Moreh” settlement, which stands on the lands of Salem and ‘Azmout villages, east of Nablus, attacked Najeh ‘Abdul Qader Eshtayeh, 63. In his testimony to PCHR, Eshtayeh stated: “At approximately 06:00 on Saturday, 03 December 2011, I went to my land located in al-Qum’iya area in the east of Salem village. When I crossed the bypass road in the east of the village, nearly 600 meters from my land, I saw a while jeep with an Israeli plate. When its driver saw me, he drove the jeep towards me and intercepted me. He stepped down carrying a rifle. I stepped down off the donkey I was riding. The settlers attempted to push me into the jeep. When he could not, he beat me by hands, feet and gun butts. He continued to beat me for 15 minutes. Another settler then came and the two beat me. They continued to beat me for one hour. When they left me, I went back home, and my sons transported me to Rafidya Hospital as I sustained bruises.” Also on Saturday morning, two Israeli settlers fired at a Palestinian shepherd, Rami Rasheed Eshtayeh, from Salem village east of Nablus, but he was not hurt. In his testimony to PCHR, Eshtayeh stated: “At approximately 06:30 on Saturday, 03 December 2011, I went out to raze my sheep. When I arrived at the gate established on a bypass road in the village, I was surprised by two armed Israeli settlers. One of them ordered me to stop, but I did not obey the order fearing for my life. I fled to my village leaving the sheep in the area. One of the settlers opened fire at me, but I was not hurt. Residents of the village got up hearing the sounds of shooting. They gathered and threw stones at the settlers and they were able to take the sheep back. Four days earlier, an Israeli settler driving a truck ran down 4 of my sheep.” At approximately 07:00 on Monday, 05 December 2011, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They demolished a factory of bricks belonging to Hussein Mohammed Ghannam at the entrance of the village. According to the owner’s son, Hussein, on Sunday evening, 04 December 2011, the Israeli “Civil Administration” verbally notified them that the factory must be demolished by the following day. It should be noted that the factory was established in 2008. At approximately 07:50 on the same day, IOF, accompanied by two bulldozers, moved into Arab al-Ramadin village, south of Hebron. The demolished two 50-square-meter house belonging to Mohammed Suleiman Sh’our and Mohammed Salama Sh’our, claiming that the two houses are close to a road used by Israeli settlers. At approximately 01:30 on Wednesday, 07 December 2011, a number of Israeli settlers broke into Brouqin village, west of Salfit. They set fire to the entrance of Ali Bin Abi Taleb Mosque, which was closed. They also set fire to tires around the mosque, which was damaged. Soon after, the settlers set fire to a car belonging to Mo’tassem Ibrahim Samara, 34, which was parked near the mosque, causing a loss estimated at 150,000 ILS. The settlers also burnt a digger belonging to ‘Ali Na’el Sabra, 38, causing a loss estimated at 70,000 ILS. ………………………………………………………
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 that 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 their legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes. 4. PCHR calls for the immediate implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal. 5. PCHR recommends that international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs, participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and urge their governments to bring the perpetrators to justice. 6. 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. 7. PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan, which was implemented in September 2005, for what it is – not an end to occupation but a compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. 8. 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 the facilitation of family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. 9. 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 demand Israel end its attacks on Palestinian civilians. 10. PCHR calls upon the international community to pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for international organizations to the OPT. 11. 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 process or agreement must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law. …………………………………………………………
Public Document For further information please visit our website (www.pchrgaza.org) or contact PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email ( [email protected] ) or telephone (+972 (0)8 282 4776 – 282 5893). |
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