31 mar 2020
In the midst of global preoccupation with combating the outbreak of the Coronavirus COVID19, the Israeli forces continue to storm Palestinian cities, assaulting the civilian population, without taking any preventive measures, and completely ignoring the dangers this behavior might cause in light of the spread of the infection in Israel, the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor (Euro-Med) said in a press statement.
It said it followed with a great concern reports of suspicious behaviors of Israeli soldiers and settlers, during the storming of Palestinian houses, as some of them spat at parked cars, ATMs and shop locks, which raises fears of deliberate attempts to spread the virus and cause panic in the Palestinian society.
Since the Palestinian government has declared a state of emergency in the Palestinian Territories on March 6, as a preventive measure to control the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus, Euro-Med has documented 207 Israeli incursions into Palestinian cities in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
These incursions included the arrest of 191 Palestinians, attacks on dozens of others, and demolishing Palestinian houses. The majority of these operations took place without any preventive measures and without soldiers wearing appropriate masks to prevent the spread of the virus.
During the same period, Israeli settlers carried out 19 infiltrations into Palestinian neighborhoods in the West Bank, along with carrying out attacks on the Palestinian population and their property.
The Euro-Med Monitor said it considers that Israeli practices hinder Palestinian preventive measures to counter the spread of the virus, and a threat of the quarantine measures and social distancing adopted by the Palestinian Authority, in line with instructions issued by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Anas Aljerjawi, the Euro-Med regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, said that the suspicious practices of the Israeli forces during the storming of Palestinian cities would reinforce assumptions of hostility of the Israeli army and settlers against the Palestinian population.
Aljerjawi stressed the need to stop illegal Israeli violations in the Palestinian Territories, especially at a time the world suffers from the novel Corona pandemic, pointing to the dangerous role of the Israeli incursions in raising the possibility of spreading the infection among the Palestinian population in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
The danger of these incursions lies in light of the spread of the Coronavirus in Israel, and the death of 18 Israelis, as 4,800 others tested positive, which means that every incursion of the Israeli forces or settlers represents a potential danger of spreading the virus in the Palestinian areas.
The Euro-Med Monitor indicated that Palestinian detainees face the risk of being infected with the virus as a result of direct contact with Israeli soldiers, or during interrogation, as four detainees were suspected of being infected and were isolated in an Israeli prison.
The Euro-Med Monitor stated that while all countries are trying to ensure security and increase health measures and supplies to prevent the outbreak of the pandemic, the Israeli forces confiscated on March 26 eight tents in the northern Jordan Valley, two of which were set up as health clinics, and four others were built as shelters for citizens in the event of an emergency.
Since 23 March, the Israeli authorities began deporting thousands of Palestinian workers working in Israel to the West Bank cities through checkpoints, after some of them showed fatigue and high temperatures.
Most of the deportations took place without medical examinations or special arrangements with the Palestinian authorities, to ensure that workers are treated and examined upon return to ensure their well-being, which amounts to racial discrimination.
These practices pose a public health threat and makes it easier to spread COVID19 among Palestinians, said Euro-Med.
It is worth noting that the only death because of Coronavirus in the Palestinian Territories was a woman who had been infected by her son, who works in Israel. A large number of the 117 Palestinians infected with Coronavirus got the disease from relatives who work in Israel or Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
The Euro-Med Monitor said it holds Israel, as an occupying Power, fully responsible for these dangerous practices, and demanded an immediate cessation of these practices.
The Geneva-based organization urged the international community to act and shoulder its responsibilities to protect Palestinians and force Israeli forces to stop incursions that threaten preventive measures taken by the Palestinian Authority to control the outbreak of the Coronavirus.
The Euro-Med Monitor called for investigating the suspicious behavior of a number of soldiers and settlers, which appeared to be an attempt to spread the infection and hold those responsible to account.
It said it followed with a great concern reports of suspicious behaviors of Israeli soldiers and settlers, during the storming of Palestinian houses, as some of them spat at parked cars, ATMs and shop locks, which raises fears of deliberate attempts to spread the virus and cause panic in the Palestinian society.
Since the Palestinian government has declared a state of emergency in the Palestinian Territories on March 6, as a preventive measure to control the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus, Euro-Med has documented 207 Israeli incursions into Palestinian cities in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
These incursions included the arrest of 191 Palestinians, attacks on dozens of others, and demolishing Palestinian houses. The majority of these operations took place without any preventive measures and without soldiers wearing appropriate masks to prevent the spread of the virus.
During the same period, Israeli settlers carried out 19 infiltrations into Palestinian neighborhoods in the West Bank, along with carrying out attacks on the Palestinian population and their property.
The Euro-Med Monitor said it considers that Israeli practices hinder Palestinian preventive measures to counter the spread of the virus, and a threat of the quarantine measures and social distancing adopted by the Palestinian Authority, in line with instructions issued by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Anas Aljerjawi, the Euro-Med regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, said that the suspicious practices of the Israeli forces during the storming of Palestinian cities would reinforce assumptions of hostility of the Israeli army and settlers against the Palestinian population.
Aljerjawi stressed the need to stop illegal Israeli violations in the Palestinian Territories, especially at a time the world suffers from the novel Corona pandemic, pointing to the dangerous role of the Israeli incursions in raising the possibility of spreading the infection among the Palestinian population in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
The danger of these incursions lies in light of the spread of the Coronavirus in Israel, and the death of 18 Israelis, as 4,800 others tested positive, which means that every incursion of the Israeli forces or settlers represents a potential danger of spreading the virus in the Palestinian areas.
The Euro-Med Monitor indicated that Palestinian detainees face the risk of being infected with the virus as a result of direct contact with Israeli soldiers, or during interrogation, as four detainees were suspected of being infected and were isolated in an Israeli prison.
The Euro-Med Monitor stated that while all countries are trying to ensure security and increase health measures and supplies to prevent the outbreak of the pandemic, the Israeli forces confiscated on March 26 eight tents in the northern Jordan Valley, two of which were set up as health clinics, and four others were built as shelters for citizens in the event of an emergency.
Since 23 March, the Israeli authorities began deporting thousands of Palestinian workers working in Israel to the West Bank cities through checkpoints, after some of them showed fatigue and high temperatures.
Most of the deportations took place without medical examinations or special arrangements with the Palestinian authorities, to ensure that workers are treated and examined upon return to ensure their well-being, which amounts to racial discrimination.
These practices pose a public health threat and makes it easier to spread COVID19 among Palestinians, said Euro-Med.
It is worth noting that the only death because of Coronavirus in the Palestinian Territories was a woman who had been infected by her son, who works in Israel. A large number of the 117 Palestinians infected with Coronavirus got the disease from relatives who work in Israel or Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
The Euro-Med Monitor said it holds Israel, as an occupying Power, fully responsible for these dangerous practices, and demanded an immediate cessation of these practices.
The Geneva-based organization urged the international community to act and shoulder its responsibilities to protect Palestinians and force Israeli forces to stop incursions that threaten preventive measures taken by the Palestinian Authority to control the outbreak of the Coronavirus.
The Euro-Med Monitor called for investigating the suspicious behavior of a number of soldiers and settlers, which appeared to be an attempt to spread the infection and hold those responsible to account.
Health Ministry says country now has 5,358 confirmed cases of the virus, including 94 people in serious condition, 105 people in moderate condition; 76 patients currently require ventilators
A man in his 90s succumbed to the coronavirus on Tuesday evening, becoming the 20th fatality in Israel and the fifth in 24 hours.
The man, who had underlying health issues, passed away at Wolfson Hospital in Holon, near Tel Aviv, where he had been on a ventilator and in very serious condition.
A 90-year-old woman has died of coronavirus, the third woman to die since the morning hours
Earlier in the day two more deaths were reported, one of a 50-year-old mother of three and the other a 49-year-old widow, the youngest victim so far, who left 4-year-old twins now orphaned after their father passed away from a heart attack
A 90-year-old woman has died on Tuesday from coronavirus bringing the death toll in Israel to 19.
Earlier in the day two more women died, Pazit Babian, A 50-year-old woman Tamar Levy Peretz who was 49-year-old and the youngest Israeli fatality thus far.
Israel virus death toll reaches 18; 4,831 cases in all
A 50-year-old woman has died at the Sheba Medical Center and a 49-year-old has passed away at the Assaf Harofeh Hospital from coronavirus on Tuesday, bringing the tally of deaths related to the virus to 18.
The women are the youngest reported to have died from the virus so far.
Both had been suffering from underlying health conditions according to the hospitals and one and had been in the ICU for 10 days as hospital staff was fighting for her life.
On Tuesday, the Health Ministry confirmed 4,831cases of coronavirus.
There are 83 patients described to be in serious condition, another 95 people are in moderate condition and the rest of the cases are showing mild symptoms. more...
A man in his 90s succumbed to the coronavirus on Tuesday evening, becoming the 20th fatality in Israel and the fifth in 24 hours.
The man, who had underlying health issues, passed away at Wolfson Hospital in Holon, near Tel Aviv, where he had been on a ventilator and in very serious condition.
A 90-year-old woman has died of coronavirus, the third woman to die since the morning hours
Earlier in the day two more deaths were reported, one of a 50-year-old mother of three and the other a 49-year-old widow, the youngest victim so far, who left 4-year-old twins now orphaned after their father passed away from a heart attack
A 90-year-old woman has died on Tuesday from coronavirus bringing the death toll in Israel to 19.
Earlier in the day two more women died, Pazit Babian, A 50-year-old woman Tamar Levy Peretz who was 49-year-old and the youngest Israeli fatality thus far.
Israel virus death toll reaches 18; 4,831 cases in all
A 50-year-old woman has died at the Sheba Medical Center and a 49-year-old has passed away at the Assaf Harofeh Hospital from coronavirus on Tuesday, bringing the tally of deaths related to the virus to 18.
The women are the youngest reported to have died from the virus so far.
Both had been suffering from underlying health conditions according to the hospitals and one and had been in the ICU for 10 days as hospital staff was fighting for her life.
On Tuesday, the Health Ministry confirmed 4,831cases of coronavirus.
There are 83 patients described to be in serious condition, another 95 people are in moderate condition and the rest of the cases are showing mild symptoms. more...
30 mar 2020
Rise of 348 cases since Monday morning; 79 people in serious condition, with 66 on respirators; 161 have now recovered, including 38-year-old bus driver previously in very serious condition but who has now been allowed home
Israel's death toll from the coronavirus rose from 15 to 16 on Monday evening, with 4,695 confirmed cases. The numbers mark a rise of 348 in cases since Monday morning.
Of the number of confirmed cases, 79 people are in serious condition, with 66 people on respirators.
Another 90 people are in moderate condition and the rest of the cases are showing mild symptoms.
Since the start of the outbreak in Israel, 161 people have recovered from the virus and sent home. Among them is a 38-year-old from East Jerusalem, who had been hospitalized in very serious condition in Tiberias and was released Monday. He is believed to have been infected when driving a group of South Korean pilgrims who also had the virus.
Hospitals are treating 527 people, 2,107 are being treated at home, and 586 are in hotels dedicated to people confirmed with the disease.
There are 1,269 are awaiting a decision regarding their treatment.
Health Ministry officials warn of a shortage in ventilators following their estimates that up to 5,000 people will be in need of respiratory assistance as a result of the disease.
Many of the seriously ill come from ultra-Orthodox communities, prompting police to announce they will increase enforcement of government's regulations in the affected areas.
On Monday, police conducted raids on dozens of synagogues in the ultra-Orthodox quarter of Mea Shearim in Jerusalem, arresting three people for violating government directives.
Israel's death toll from the coronavirus rose from 15 to 16 on Monday evening, with 4,695 confirmed cases. The numbers mark a rise of 348 in cases since Monday morning.
Of the number of confirmed cases, 79 people are in serious condition, with 66 people on respirators.
Another 90 people are in moderate condition and the rest of the cases are showing mild symptoms.
Since the start of the outbreak in Israel, 161 people have recovered from the virus and sent home. Among them is a 38-year-old from East Jerusalem, who had been hospitalized in very serious condition in Tiberias and was released Monday. He is believed to have been infected when driving a group of South Korean pilgrims who also had the virus.
Hospitals are treating 527 people, 2,107 are being treated at home, and 586 are in hotels dedicated to people confirmed with the disease.
There are 1,269 are awaiting a decision regarding their treatment.
Health Ministry officials warn of a shortage in ventilators following their estimates that up to 5,000 people will be in need of respiratory assistance as a result of the disease.
Many of the seriously ill come from ultra-Orthodox communities, prompting police to announce they will increase enforcement of government's regulations in the affected areas.
On Monday, police conducted raids on dozens of synagogues in the ultra-Orthodox quarter of Mea Shearim in Jerusalem, arresting three people for violating government directives.
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While most of Jerusalem's ultra-Orthodox community is slowly implementing measures to halt the spread of the outbreak, some are refusing to listen to their rabbis and react with hostility to any attempt to crack down on their movements
Police officers trying to enforce measures to counter coronavirus in ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods of Jerusalem have come under attack from local residents hurling stones and insults. Most of the insular community are beginning to obey the ban on mass gatherings and non-essential trips out of the home, but some members of an extreme ultra-Orthodox sect clashed with police Monday as they moved to close down the dozens of synagogues that remained open in the capital. The clashes erupted when members of the community refused to identify themselves to police who were handing out fines for violating the guidelines. Police arrested at least 10 people and handed out 25 fines of NIS 5,000 and five for NIS 500. Officers used tear gas to disperse the crowd, who called them "Nazis" and hurled stones. A Magen David Adom paramedic also came under attack and was wounded by stones hurled at him as he was preparing to enter a home in Jerusalem to administer a test for the coronavirus. |
The ultra-Orthodox health minister Yaakov Litzman condemned what he said was the act of a fringe group against someone "who is protecting lives at great risk to his own."
Roadblocks have been set up in and around the Haredi neighborhood of Mea Shearim, with those found to be in violation of restrictions receiving fines.
Images of the Haredi community routinely violating increasingly stringent regulations sparked anger in other sectors who have been abiding by the directives in an effort to stem the spread of the virus.
Since the Jerusalem police force has increased its enforcement of the regulations in the ultra-Orthodox area, they have reported a decline in violations. Even so, extreme factions in the community persist in their opposition.
On Sunday, Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, considered a major figure of authority in the Haredi world, called on his flock to adhere to directives and remain at home. Kanievsky also ruled synagogues should remain closed to prevent further spread of coronavirus among the ultra-Orthodox.
Two weeks ago he had opposed government guidelines insisting that the study of the Torah must not be interrupted and that religious seminaries must remain open.
Alarming numbers of infections among ultra-Orthodox communities around the world and in Israel might be behind the rabbi's decision to rule that the sanctity of life must be observed.
Using the strongest possible terms, Kanievsky ruled that each Jew should pray at home in private and not congregate even in groups of 10 as permitted by the Health Ministry guidelines.
His authority is respected by many ultra-Orthodox Jews but not by the extreme factions that are continuing to violate directives.
On Saturday, hundreds participated in a funeral procession for a local rabbi while police failed to disperse the mourners, causing much anger among neighbors who fear for their lives.
Among Israel's coronavirus cases, 29% were infected in synagogues or at a religious event.
Authorities are considering imposing closures on the areas most affected by the virus in order to prevent further spread and contamination.
Update 30 mar: Watch religious Jews celebrate the release of their comrades after they were arrested by the occupation police in Jerusalem because of the gathering
Roadblocks have been set up in and around the Haredi neighborhood of Mea Shearim, with those found to be in violation of restrictions receiving fines.
Images of the Haredi community routinely violating increasingly stringent regulations sparked anger in other sectors who have been abiding by the directives in an effort to stem the spread of the virus.
Since the Jerusalem police force has increased its enforcement of the regulations in the ultra-Orthodox area, they have reported a decline in violations. Even so, extreme factions in the community persist in their opposition.
On Sunday, Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, considered a major figure of authority in the Haredi world, called on his flock to adhere to directives and remain at home. Kanievsky also ruled synagogues should remain closed to prevent further spread of coronavirus among the ultra-Orthodox.
Two weeks ago he had opposed government guidelines insisting that the study of the Torah must not be interrupted and that religious seminaries must remain open.
Alarming numbers of infections among ultra-Orthodox communities around the world and in Israel might be behind the rabbi's decision to rule that the sanctity of life must be observed.
Using the strongest possible terms, Kanievsky ruled that each Jew should pray at home in private and not congregate even in groups of 10 as permitted by the Health Ministry guidelines.
His authority is respected by many ultra-Orthodox Jews but not by the extreme factions that are continuing to violate directives.
On Saturday, hundreds participated in a funeral procession for a local rabbi while police failed to disperse the mourners, causing much anger among neighbors who fear for their lives.
Among Israel's coronavirus cases, 29% were infected in synagogues or at a religious event.
Authorities are considering imposing closures on the areas most affected by the virus in order to prevent further spread and contamination.
Update 30 mar: Watch religious Jews celebrate the release of their comrades after they were arrested by the occupation police in Jerusalem because of the gathering
The Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission have accused the Israeli occupation army of attempting to spread coronavirus in the Palestinian Authority areas of the West Bank after allowing dozens of Palestinian workers to return from Israeli areas without informing the Palestinian side or taking anti-coronavirus measures.
The Commission, an affiliate of the Palestinian Authority, said that the Israeli occupation army facilitated the return of Palestinian workers, who were infected with the virus in Israel, to their villages and towns in the West Bank without going through emergency, medical examination and quarantine committees.
The Israeli occupation forces at dawn Sunday unlocked some gates and barriers at separation walls and fences in Qalqilya and Tulkarem and allowed dozens of Palestinians who work in Israeli areas to return to their homes.
Such Israeli step has created confusion among the Palestinian security and medical crews, who are keen to receive workers coming from Israeli areas to ensure they are not infected with coronavirus.
The Commission, an affiliate of the Palestinian Authority, said that the Israeli occupation army facilitated the return of Palestinian workers, who were infected with the virus in Israel, to their villages and towns in the West Bank without going through emergency, medical examination and quarantine committees.
The Israeli occupation forces at dawn Sunday unlocked some gates and barriers at separation walls and fences in Qalqilya and Tulkarem and allowed dozens of Palestinians who work in Israeli areas to return to their homes.
Such Israeli step has created confusion among the Palestinian security and medical crews, who are keen to receive workers coming from Israeli areas to ensure they are not infected with coronavirus.
The number of patients in need of ventilators has seen a 46% increase adding to concerns that up to 5,000 people will be requiring respiratory support while the number of existing ventilators cannot support the expected need
The Health Ministry on Monday released the latest tally of confirmed coronavirus cases which on 4,347.
There are 80 people are described to be in a serious condition of which 69 require the help of ventilators.
Hospitals are treating 543 people, 2,107 are being treated at home, and 586 are in hotels dedicated to people confirmed with the disease.
There are 962 are awaiting a decision regarding their treatment and 139 people have so far recovered and 15 people have died as a result of the virus.
Health Ministry officials warn of a shortage in ventilators following their estimates that up to 5,000 people will be in need of respiratory assistance as a result of the disease.
There has been a 46% increase in severe cases needing ventilators in the past 24 hours.
Many of the seriously ill come from ultra-Orthodox communities, prompting police to announce they will increase enforcement of government's regulations in the affected areas.
On Monday police conducted raids on dozens of Synagogues in the ultra-Orthodox quarter of Mea Shearim in Jerusalem, arresting three people for violating government directives. video
The Health Ministry on Monday released the latest tally of confirmed coronavirus cases which on 4,347.
There are 80 people are described to be in a serious condition of which 69 require the help of ventilators.
Hospitals are treating 543 people, 2,107 are being treated at home, and 586 are in hotels dedicated to people confirmed with the disease.
There are 962 are awaiting a decision regarding their treatment and 139 people have so far recovered and 15 people have died as a result of the virus.
Health Ministry officials warn of a shortage in ventilators following their estimates that up to 5,000 people will be in need of respiratory assistance as a result of the disease.
There has been a 46% increase in severe cases needing ventilators in the past 24 hours.
Many of the seriously ill come from ultra-Orthodox communities, prompting police to announce they will increase enforcement of government's regulations in the affected areas.
On Monday police conducted raids on dozens of Synagogues in the ultra-Orthodox quarter of Mea Shearim in Jerusalem, arresting three people for violating government directives. video
