27 oct 2019
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor on Saturday sent a letter to the UN to call for action against recent measures taken by the Palestinian Authority (PA) that violated freedoms of expression, freedom of the press and digital rights in the occupied Palestinian territories.
“As you know, the PA banned 59 online news websites last week, based on article 39 of the controversial cybercrime law, instated by the PA in 2018,” the Euro-Med’s letter says, which was sent to David Kaye, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
“[article 39 of the cybercrime law] allows the attorney general to flag any online outlets that endanger national security, general order and norms. The 59 websites in question were found to be critical of the PA president Mahmoud Abbas,” the letter stated.
“Earlier, in 2017, the PA also banned around 30 websites that criticized its policies and tightened its grip on many local journalists, some of whom are still undergoing trial until today.”
‘Unfortunately, the cybercrime law’s ambiguous and elusive language enables the PA to take arbitrary measures against critical voices, press serious charges against them and sentence them harshly and disproportionately.”
The Euro-Med emphasized the need for the PA to “unblock access to all banned sites immediately, end the trials of journalists charged with criticizing it and repeal the cybercrime law, or review it to ensure its compatibility with relevant international laws and human rights.”
The Euro-Med said in its letter that the PA must renew its legitimacy through holding general presidential and parliamentary elections to ensure the supremacy of the law and accountability where the judiciary, legislative and executive authorities are separate, impartial and accountable to the Palestinian people.
The Euro-Med concluded its letter by urging Kaye to directly raise the issue and the concerns over the cybercrime law to the PA, and demand immediate clear action from the PA to show genuine compliance with relevant international conventions, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
“As you know, the PA banned 59 online news websites last week, based on article 39 of the controversial cybercrime law, instated by the PA in 2018,” the Euro-Med’s letter says, which was sent to David Kaye, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
“[article 39 of the cybercrime law] allows the attorney general to flag any online outlets that endanger national security, general order and norms. The 59 websites in question were found to be critical of the PA president Mahmoud Abbas,” the letter stated.
“Earlier, in 2017, the PA also banned around 30 websites that criticized its policies and tightened its grip on many local journalists, some of whom are still undergoing trial until today.”
‘Unfortunately, the cybercrime law’s ambiguous and elusive language enables the PA to take arbitrary measures against critical voices, press serious charges against them and sentence them harshly and disproportionately.”
The Euro-Med emphasized the need for the PA to “unblock access to all banned sites immediately, end the trials of journalists charged with criticizing it and repeal the cybercrime law, or review it to ensure its compatibility with relevant international laws and human rights.”
The Euro-Med said in its letter that the PA must renew its legitimacy through holding general presidential and parliamentary elections to ensure the supremacy of the law and accountability where the judiciary, legislative and executive authorities are separate, impartial and accountable to the Palestinian people.
The Euro-Med concluded its letter by urging Kaye to directly raise the issue and the concerns over the cybercrime law to the PA, and demand immediate clear action from the PA to show genuine compliance with relevant international conventions, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
26 oct 2019
At least five Palestinians suffocated, today, as Israeli forces quelled a peaceful protest in al-Humma area, in the northern Jordan Valley, said WAFA correspondence.
The non-violent gathering was called for by the anti-wall and settlement committee and the Fateh movement, in Tubas, to protest against the continued settlement expansion of the northern Jordan Valley area.
Forces fired a barrage of tear gas canisters and stun grenades to disperse protesters, causing at least five people to suffocate due to tear gas inhalation.
An elderly reportedly sustained bruises throughout his body after being physically assaulted by soldiers, which necessitated his transfer to hospital.
Forces also briefly held a number of journalists and prevented them from covering the protest. They further prevented an ambulance from reaching the area and took the key out of the engine and kept it.
To be noted, Palestinians in al-Humma area are subjected to almost daily attacks by Israeli settlers residing in nearby illegal settlements.
The non-violent gathering was called for by the anti-wall and settlement committee and the Fateh movement, in Tubas, to protest against the continued settlement expansion of the northern Jordan Valley area.
Forces fired a barrage of tear gas canisters and stun grenades to disperse protesters, causing at least five people to suffocate due to tear gas inhalation.
An elderly reportedly sustained bruises throughout his body after being physically assaulted by soldiers, which necessitated his transfer to hospital.
Forces also briefly held a number of journalists and prevented them from covering the protest. They further prevented an ambulance from reaching the area and took the key out of the engine and kept it.
To be noted, Palestinians in al-Humma area are subjected to almost daily attacks by Israeli settlers residing in nearby illegal settlements.
25 oct 2019
Ninety-five Palestinian civilians, including 43 children, a woman, 2 paramedics and a journalist, were shot and injured by Israeli occupation forces (IOF) fire against peaceful protestors at the 80th Great March of Return (GMR), this Friday, 25 October 2019.
IOF continued to use excessive force against protestors, wounding 36 civilians with live bullets and shrapnel in addition to other injuries in the upper body due to direct targeting with rubber bullets and tear gas canisters.
Thousands of civilians took part in this week’s peaceful protests titled: “For our Prisoners in Israeli Jails and al-Aqsa Mosque,” and they raised the Palestinian flag and chanted national slogans.
The protests lasted from 15:00 to 18:30 and involved activities such as speeches and theatrical performances. Hundreds of civilians protested at varied distances from the border fence across the Gaza Strip, where some protestors set tires on fire and a few of them attempted to throw stones, Molotov Cocktails and firecrackers at the Israeli forces, who responded with excessive force.
According to PCHR’s documentation, the number of victims increased to 214 since the outbreak of the protests on 30 March 2018, including 46 children, 2 women, 9 persons with disabilities, 4 paramedics and 2 journalists. Additionally, 14,453 were wounded, including 3,592 children, 383 women, 250 paramedics and 216 journalists, noting that many of those injured had sustained multiple injuries on separate occasions.
The following is a summary of today’s events along the Gaza Strip border:
Northern Gaza Strip:
demonstrations took part adjacent to Abu Safiyah area protests, northeast of Jabalia, and in southeast of Beit Hanoun. Israeli forces’ attacks against protestors resulted in the injury of 43 civilians, including 20 children, a woman and a paramedic: 20 with live bullets and shrapnel, including 11 children; 14 with rubber bullets, including 5 children and a woman; and 9 were hit with tear gas canisters, including 4 children. Mohammed Abdul Hamid Tawfiq Deeb (24), a volunteer paramedic, was hit with a tear gas canister to the right leg. Israeli forces used a military vehicle that emits the sound of heavy gunfire to cause fear among the protestors.
Gaza City:
IOF shot and injured 10 civilians, including 7 children: 3 with live bullets and shrapnel and 7 with rubber bullets.
Central Gaza Strip:
the area witnessed several shows as hundreds of civilians participated in the engagement celebration of a journalist. Dozens gathered adjacent to the border fence at a range varying between 0 – 300 meters and raised the Palestinian flag. A few of them attempted to throw stones at Israeli forces. IOF shot and injured 11 civilians, including 4 children, a photojournalist: 4 with live bullets, 4 with rubber bullets, and 3 were hit with tear gas canisters. Mahmoud Khalid Mohammed Khattab (26), a journalist from Deir al-Balah, was shot with a rubber bullet to the left shoulder and he received medical treatment in the field.
Khan Younis:
IOF shot and injured 12 civilians, including 4 children, and they were transferred to hospitals: 6 shot with live bullets and shrapnel and 5 with rubber bullets. In addition, many civilians sustained superficial rubber bullet wounds and suffocated due to tear gas inhalation; they received treatment on the spot. A number of protestors set tires on fire adjacent to the border fence.
Rafah:
IOF shot and injured 19 civilians, including 8 children and a paramedic: 3 with live bullet and shrapnel, 10 with rubber bullets, and 6 were hit with tear gas canisters. Ibrahim Mazen Abu Telakh (21), a volunteer paramedic, was directly hit with a tear gas canister to the left shoulder.
IOF continued to use excessive force against protestors, wounding 36 civilians with live bullets and shrapnel in addition to other injuries in the upper body due to direct targeting with rubber bullets and tear gas canisters.
Thousands of civilians took part in this week’s peaceful protests titled: “For our Prisoners in Israeli Jails and al-Aqsa Mosque,” and they raised the Palestinian flag and chanted national slogans.
The protests lasted from 15:00 to 18:30 and involved activities such as speeches and theatrical performances. Hundreds of civilians protested at varied distances from the border fence across the Gaza Strip, where some protestors set tires on fire and a few of them attempted to throw stones, Molotov Cocktails and firecrackers at the Israeli forces, who responded with excessive force.
According to PCHR’s documentation, the number of victims increased to 214 since the outbreak of the protests on 30 March 2018, including 46 children, 2 women, 9 persons with disabilities, 4 paramedics and 2 journalists. Additionally, 14,453 were wounded, including 3,592 children, 383 women, 250 paramedics and 216 journalists, noting that many of those injured had sustained multiple injuries on separate occasions.
The following is a summary of today’s events along the Gaza Strip border:
Northern Gaza Strip:
demonstrations took part adjacent to Abu Safiyah area protests, northeast of Jabalia, and in southeast of Beit Hanoun. Israeli forces’ attacks against protestors resulted in the injury of 43 civilians, including 20 children, a woman and a paramedic: 20 with live bullets and shrapnel, including 11 children; 14 with rubber bullets, including 5 children and a woman; and 9 were hit with tear gas canisters, including 4 children. Mohammed Abdul Hamid Tawfiq Deeb (24), a volunteer paramedic, was hit with a tear gas canister to the right leg. Israeli forces used a military vehicle that emits the sound of heavy gunfire to cause fear among the protestors.
Gaza City:
IOF shot and injured 10 civilians, including 7 children: 3 with live bullets and shrapnel and 7 with rubber bullets.
Central Gaza Strip:
the area witnessed several shows as hundreds of civilians participated in the engagement celebration of a journalist. Dozens gathered adjacent to the border fence at a range varying between 0 – 300 meters and raised the Palestinian flag. A few of them attempted to throw stones at Israeli forces. IOF shot and injured 11 civilians, including 4 children, a photojournalist: 4 with live bullets, 4 with rubber bullets, and 3 were hit with tear gas canisters. Mahmoud Khalid Mohammed Khattab (26), a journalist from Deir al-Balah, was shot with a rubber bullet to the left shoulder and he received medical treatment in the field.
Khan Younis:
IOF shot and injured 12 civilians, including 4 children, and they were transferred to hospitals: 6 shot with live bullets and shrapnel and 5 with rubber bullets. In addition, many civilians sustained superficial rubber bullet wounds and suffocated due to tear gas inhalation; they received treatment on the spot. A number of protestors set tires on fire adjacent to the border fence.
Rafah:
IOF shot and injured 19 civilians, including 8 children and a paramedic: 3 with live bullet and shrapnel, 10 with rubber bullets, and 6 were hit with tear gas canisters. Ibrahim Mazen Abu Telakh (21), a volunteer paramedic, was directly hit with a tear gas canister to the left shoulder.
24 oct 2019
Israeli soldiers attacked Thursday, Palestinian farmers and volunteers picking olive trees in orchards owned by the residents in the al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya village, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus.
The WAFA Palestinian News Agency said the soldiers invaded the Palestinian orchards, near the illegal Aliya colony, which was installed on private lands.
It added that the soldiers fired any gas bombs, and concussion grenades, in addition to assaulting several Palestinians with their batons.
The soldiers also detained the Samer ‘Oweiss, the head of al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya Village Council, and Suleiman Oweiss, in addition to confiscating mobile phones carried by Palestinian journalists.
On Wednesday, several colonists attacked many Palestinians picking olive trees in their orchards in Ya’bad town, west of the northern West Bank city of Jenin.
Also Wednesday, the colonists invaded Palestinian orchards in Qaryout village, south Nablus, and forced the residents out, for the fourth consecutive day.
In addition, a group of colonists attacked Palestinian olive orchards near Salfit, in central West Bank, before steeling ladders, olive picking equipment, and mattresses.
The attacks come while groups of illegal Israeli colonialist settlers continue to invade Palestinian olive orchards, cut trees and assault the villagers, in several parts of the occupied West Bank.
The violations always witness a serious escalation every year during the olive harvest season in occupied Palestine.
The WAFA Palestinian News Agency said the soldiers invaded the Palestinian orchards, near the illegal Aliya colony, which was installed on private lands.
It added that the soldiers fired any gas bombs, and concussion grenades, in addition to assaulting several Palestinians with their batons.
The soldiers also detained the Samer ‘Oweiss, the head of al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya Village Council, and Suleiman Oweiss, in addition to confiscating mobile phones carried by Palestinian journalists.
On Wednesday, several colonists attacked many Palestinians picking olive trees in their orchards in Ya’bad town, west of the northern West Bank city of Jenin.
Also Wednesday, the colonists invaded Palestinian orchards in Qaryout village, south Nablus, and forced the residents out, for the fourth consecutive day.
In addition, a group of colonists attacked Palestinian olive orchards near Salfit, in central West Bank, before steeling ladders, olive picking equipment, and mattresses.
The attacks come while groups of illegal Israeli colonialist settlers continue to invade Palestinian olive orchards, cut trees and assault the villagers, in several parts of the occupied West Bank.
The violations always witness a serious escalation every year during the olive harvest season in occupied Palestine.
18 oct 2019
Ninety-seven Palestinian civilians, including 45 children and 2 women, were injured due to Israeli soldiers’ excessive use of force against peaceful protestors at the 79th Great March of Return, this Friday, 18 October 2019.
This week witnessed an increase in injuries, particularly children, comparing with last week; as well as Israeli soldiers’ ongoing use of excessive force against protesters. A young man sustained serious injuries and 35 others were shot with live bullets and their shrapnel in addition to other injuries in the upper body due to direct targeting with rubber bullets and tear gas canisters.
Hundreds of civilians took part in the Great March of Return (GRM) in the five encampments across the Gaza Strip.
Titled this week as “”No to Normalization with Israel,” the protests lasted from 15:00 to 19:00 and involved activities such as speeches and theatrical performances. Hundreds of civilians protested at varied distances from the border fence across the Gaza Strip, where some protestors attempted to throw stones, Molotov Cocktails and firecrackers at the Israeli forces, who responded with excessive force.
PCHR documented 214 killings by Israel since the outbreak of the protests on 30 March 2018, including 46 children, 2 women, 9 persons with disabilities, 4 paramedics and 2 journalists. Additionally, 14,355 were wounded, including 3,549 children, 382 women, 245 paramedics and 215 journalists, noting that many of those injured had sustained multiple injuries on separate occasions.
The following is a summary of today’s events along the Gaza Strip border:
Northern Gaza Strip: Israeli forces’ attacks against protestors resulted in the injury of 23 civilians, including 16 children: 6 were shot with live bullets and shrapnel; 13 were shot with rubber bullets; and 5 were hit with tear gas canisters.
Gaza City: Israeli forces’ attacks against protestors resulted in the injury of 23 civilians, including 10 children: 7 with live bullets and shrapnel; 11 with rubber bullets and 5 with teargas canisters.
Central Gaza Strip: Israeli shooting and firing teargas canisters at protestors resulted in the injury of 21 civilians, including 7 children and 2 women: 10 were shot with live bullets, 10 were hit with teargas canisters and 1 was shot with a rubber bullet.
Khan Younis: Israeli forces fired live and rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at the protestors; some of them burnt tires near the fence. As a result, 5 civilians, including 1 child, were wounded, and all of them were transferred to hospitals. Among those wounded, a civilian sustained shrapnel wounds, and 4 were shot with rubber bullets and hit with teargas canisters. In addition, many civilians sustained superficial rubber bullet wounds and suffocated due to tear gas inhalation; they received treatment on the spot.
Rafah: Israeli shooting and firing teargas canisters at protestors resulted in the injury 25 civilians, including 11 children and a young man sustaining serious wounds. Eleven of those wounded were shot with live bullets and shrapnel, 13 were shot with rubber bullets, and one was directly hit with a tear gas canister. The young man sustaining serious, Iyad Ibrahim Hussein Zanoun (24), was shot with a live bullet to the back.
This week witnessed an increase in injuries, particularly children, comparing with last week; as well as Israeli soldiers’ ongoing use of excessive force against protesters. A young man sustained serious injuries and 35 others were shot with live bullets and their shrapnel in addition to other injuries in the upper body due to direct targeting with rubber bullets and tear gas canisters.
Hundreds of civilians took part in the Great March of Return (GRM) in the five encampments across the Gaza Strip.
Titled this week as “”No to Normalization with Israel,” the protests lasted from 15:00 to 19:00 and involved activities such as speeches and theatrical performances. Hundreds of civilians protested at varied distances from the border fence across the Gaza Strip, where some protestors attempted to throw stones, Molotov Cocktails and firecrackers at the Israeli forces, who responded with excessive force.
PCHR documented 214 killings by Israel since the outbreak of the protests on 30 March 2018, including 46 children, 2 women, 9 persons with disabilities, 4 paramedics and 2 journalists. Additionally, 14,355 were wounded, including 3,549 children, 382 women, 245 paramedics and 215 journalists, noting that many of those injured had sustained multiple injuries on separate occasions.
The following is a summary of today’s events along the Gaza Strip border:
Northern Gaza Strip: Israeli forces’ attacks against protestors resulted in the injury of 23 civilians, including 16 children: 6 were shot with live bullets and shrapnel; 13 were shot with rubber bullets; and 5 were hit with tear gas canisters.
Gaza City: Israeli forces’ attacks against protestors resulted in the injury of 23 civilians, including 10 children: 7 with live bullets and shrapnel; 11 with rubber bullets and 5 with teargas canisters.
Central Gaza Strip: Israeli shooting and firing teargas canisters at protestors resulted in the injury of 21 civilians, including 7 children and 2 women: 10 were shot with live bullets, 10 were hit with teargas canisters and 1 was shot with a rubber bullet.
Khan Younis: Israeli forces fired live and rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at the protestors; some of them burnt tires near the fence. As a result, 5 civilians, including 1 child, were wounded, and all of them were transferred to hospitals. Among those wounded, a civilian sustained shrapnel wounds, and 4 were shot with rubber bullets and hit with teargas canisters. In addition, many civilians sustained superficial rubber bullet wounds and suffocated due to tear gas inhalation; they received treatment on the spot.
Rafah: Israeli shooting and firing teargas canisters at protestors resulted in the injury 25 civilians, including 11 children and a young man sustaining serious wounds. Eleven of those wounded were shot with live bullets and shrapnel, 13 were shot with rubber bullets, and one was directly hit with a tear gas canister. The young man sustaining serious, Iyad Ibrahim Hussein Zanoun (24), was shot with a live bullet to the back.
The Israeli occupation forces conducted night raids on Friday morning before dawn, abducting two young men from Jenin and raiding several houses.
According to local sources, Israeli forces abducted the editor Fuad Aghbarieh, as well as the civilian Marwan Hashash, after storming the city of Jenin and raiding their homes while they were asleep in their beds.
In addition to abducting Fuad from his home, they ordered the journalist to hand over his son Majdi within 74 hours.
The abductions came after the soldiers wreaked havoc and shattered the doors of the houses amid the firing of sound bombs inside.
Earlier that night, Israeli forces raided a wedding party in the town of Sur Baher, southeast of occupied Jerusalem. video
Local sources told the Palestinian Wafa News Agency that the Israeli occupation forces stormed the ceremony, and deliberately terrorized the participants, amid skirmishes with the residents.
Also Friday morning before dawn, Israeli forces closed the Ramallah-Nablus Street to secure a marathon for settlers.
The Israeli army announced Thursday that the closure would continue from five in the morning until 12:30 pm, in order to allow a marathon run by illegal Israeli settlers from the junction of the village of Turmus’aya to the junction of Zaatara village.
According to the Wafa correspondent that the occupation forces closed the main entrance of Salfit (in the northern West Bank) and prevented citizens from using the main roads to secure the marathon settlers.
According to local sources, Israeli forces abducted the editor Fuad Aghbarieh, as well as the civilian Marwan Hashash, after storming the city of Jenin and raiding their homes while they were asleep in their beds.
In addition to abducting Fuad from his home, they ordered the journalist to hand over his son Majdi within 74 hours.
The abductions came after the soldiers wreaked havoc and shattered the doors of the houses amid the firing of sound bombs inside.
Earlier that night, Israeli forces raided a wedding party in the town of Sur Baher, southeast of occupied Jerusalem. video
Local sources told the Palestinian Wafa News Agency that the Israeli occupation forces stormed the ceremony, and deliberately terrorized the participants, amid skirmishes with the residents.
Also Friday morning before dawn, Israeli forces closed the Ramallah-Nablus Street to secure a marathon for settlers.
The Israeli army announced Thursday that the closure would continue from five in the morning until 12:30 pm, in order to allow a marathon run by illegal Israeli settlers from the junction of the village of Turmus’aya to the junction of Zaatara village.
According to the Wafa correspondent that the occupation forces closed the main entrance of Salfit (in the northern West Bank) and prevented citizens from using the main roads to secure the marathon settlers.
