8 may 2015
Israeli forces demolish olive trees this week
In its weekly report on Israeli human rights violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights found that in the week of 29 April – 06 May 2015, Israeli forces wounded 5 Palestinian civilians, including a child, in the West Bank and Jerusalem, and abducted 65 Palestinians during 71 separate invasions of Palestinian land.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
Israeli forces conducted 61 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 10 others in East Jerusalem. 65 Palestinian civilians, including five children, were abducted. 18 of these civilians, including six children, were abducted in occupied Jerusalem.
In the West Bank, Israeli forces continued the use of excessive and systematic force against peaceful protests organized by Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international solidarity activists against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, four protesters, including a child, were wounded.
In Jerusalem, on 04 May 2015, a 35-year-old Palestinian was wounded when the light rail guards opened fire at him in the French Hill area, north of the old city in East Jerusalem. He was taken to Hadasa Hospital in Israel to receive medical treatment.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces continued to open fire at border areas in the Gaza Strip and chase fishermen in the sea. Several shooting incidents in the east of Rafah and Jabalia in the south and north of the Gaza Strip respectively. Several shooting incidents at fishermen off the northern and southern shores of the Gaza Strip. Six civilians, including five children, were abducted by Israeli forces at the border fence, east of Khan Yunis, Rafah and Johr al-Deek.
As part of targeting border areas, on 01 May 2015, Israeli forces stationed along the border area opened fire at agricultural lands in al-Shouka village, east of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip, but no casualties were reported. A similar shooting incident occurred on 02 May 2015 at lands to the east of al-Shuhada cemetery in the north of the Gaza Strip, but no casualties were reported too.
In the context of targeting fishermen, on 02 May 2015, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, chased and opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. As a result, fishermen sailed back to the beach fearing for their lives. Similar incidents occurred 3 times in the north of the Gaza Strip, while on 06 May 2015, a shooting incident occurred off Khan Yunis shore in the south of the Gaza Strip.
On 02 May 2015, Israeli forces abducted a Palestinian civilian while attempting to infiltrate into Israel via the border fence, east of Khan Yunis. On the following day, Israeli forces abducted two children at Johr al-Deek area, east of Gaza, but released them the day after. On 04 May 2015, three children were abducted while sneaking into Israel in al-Shouka village, east of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip.
Israeli settlement activities:
On Friday 30 April, at approximately 14:00, Israeli forces abducted three shepherds, including a 13-year old boy, while grazing their sheep near the already evacuated "Homash" settlement on Palestinian lands near Jabe'a village, south of Jenin. The Israeli soldiers questioned the shepherds on the spot and released them after the Palestinian Military Liaison intervened.
Around the same time, Israeli forces deployed in Tal al-Ramidah in the center of Hebron abducted two children, who were taken to "Karayat Arba'a" police station and then to the detention centre in in "Ghosh 'Etzion" settlement, south of Bethlehem.
A PCHR fieldworker said that the family of 'Emad Abu Shamsiyah, who lives in the neighbourhood and whose house is surrounded with barbwires, suffers from the daily violations committed by the Israeli soldiers and settlers as the house is only 50 meters away from the Israeli "Gilbert" checkpoint.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
In the West Bank, Israeli forces continued the use of excessive and systematic force against peaceful protests organized by Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international solidarity activists against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank.
As a result, four protesters, including a child, were wounded.
Israeli forces continued to use excessive force against peaceful protests in the West Bank. Four protesters, including a child, were wounded in protests in Kufor Qaddoum, al-Jalazoun refugee camp, Selwad village and around Ofer detention facility.
Following the Friday prayer, on 01 May 2015, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil’in, west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The rotesters marched by the annexation wall and tried to cross the fence. Israeli soldiers stationed behind the wall, in the western area, and a large number of soldiers deployed along it, fired live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and wastewater at them and chased them into the olive fields.
As a result, a number of rotesters suffered tear gas inhalation.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians organised a peaceful demonstration in the centre of Ni’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. A number of rotesters suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
Also following the Friday prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in the center of al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to start the weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. They made their way towards Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby "Halmish" settlement are trying to seize. Israeli soldiers closed all the village's entrances to prevent the Palestinian and international solidarity activists and journalists from participating in the protest.
As a result, a number of rotesters suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
Following the Friday prayer, on 01 May 2015, dozens of Palestinian civilians organized a protest at the eastern entrance of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, heading to the eastern entrance of the village in protest against closing that entrance since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada with an iron gate. The demonstrators threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response.
As a result, a protestor sustained a bullet wound to the legs, due to which he was taken to Qalqilya Hospital, where his wound was described as moderate.
On Friday afternoon, dozens of youngsters gathered from different areas of Ramallah and al-Bireh in the vicinity of Ofer detention facility, southwest of Ramallah, in protest at Israeli attacks on Palestinian civilians. They headed towards the facility’s gate that was closed by Israeli soldiers. They set fire to tires and threw stones and empty bottles at the soldiers. Israeli forces deployed around the detention facility and started firing live and rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters.
As a result, a 21-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the right thigh, due to which he was taken to Palestine Medical compound in Ramallah. Moreover, a number of rotesters suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
Also following the Friday prayer, dozens of children and young men gathered at the southern entrance of al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah. They were about 300 meters away from the fence of "Beit Eil" settlement. Israeli forces stationed in the area fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. Israeli soldiers topped a house belonging to the family of Mahmoud Dar Shaikha and opened fire at the youngsters.
As a result, 17-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the right thigh, due to which he was taken to Palestine Medical Compound in Ramallah. Moreover, a number of rotesters suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
Also following the Friday prayer, dozens of Palestinians gathered at the western entrance of the Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah, on the road between Silwad and Yabroud villages, near Bypass road (60), in protest at the Israeli policies. The rotesters set fire to tires and threw stones and Molotov Cocktails at the aforementioned road and Israeli soldiers. In response, Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the rotesters.
As a result, a 20-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the left thigh, due to which he was taken to Palestine Medical Compound in Ramallah. Moreover, a number of rotesters suffered tear gas inhalation.
Recommendations to the international community:
Due to the number and severity of Israeli human rights violations this year, the PCHR made several recommendations to the international community. Among these were a recommendation that the United Nations provide international protection to Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and to ensure the non-recurrence of aggression against the Occupied Palestinian Territories, especially the Gaza Strip.
In additionm the PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to compel Israel, as a High Contracting Party to the Conventions, to apply the Conventions in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
For the full text of the report, click on the link
In its weekly report on Israeli human rights violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights found that in the week of 29 April – 06 May 2015, Israeli forces wounded 5 Palestinian civilians, including a child, in the West Bank and Jerusalem, and abducted 65 Palestinians during 71 separate invasions of Palestinian land.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
Israeli forces conducted 61 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 10 others in East Jerusalem. 65 Palestinian civilians, including five children, were abducted. 18 of these civilians, including six children, were abducted in occupied Jerusalem.
In the West Bank, Israeli forces continued the use of excessive and systematic force against peaceful protests organized by Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international solidarity activists against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, four protesters, including a child, were wounded.
In Jerusalem, on 04 May 2015, a 35-year-old Palestinian was wounded when the light rail guards opened fire at him in the French Hill area, north of the old city in East Jerusalem. He was taken to Hadasa Hospital in Israel to receive medical treatment.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces continued to open fire at border areas in the Gaza Strip and chase fishermen in the sea. Several shooting incidents in the east of Rafah and Jabalia in the south and north of the Gaza Strip respectively. Several shooting incidents at fishermen off the northern and southern shores of the Gaza Strip. Six civilians, including five children, were abducted by Israeli forces at the border fence, east of Khan Yunis, Rafah and Johr al-Deek.
As part of targeting border areas, on 01 May 2015, Israeli forces stationed along the border area opened fire at agricultural lands in al-Shouka village, east of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip, but no casualties were reported. A similar shooting incident occurred on 02 May 2015 at lands to the east of al-Shuhada cemetery in the north of the Gaza Strip, but no casualties were reported too.
In the context of targeting fishermen, on 02 May 2015, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, chased and opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. As a result, fishermen sailed back to the beach fearing for their lives. Similar incidents occurred 3 times in the north of the Gaza Strip, while on 06 May 2015, a shooting incident occurred off Khan Yunis shore in the south of the Gaza Strip.
On 02 May 2015, Israeli forces abducted a Palestinian civilian while attempting to infiltrate into Israel via the border fence, east of Khan Yunis. On the following day, Israeli forces abducted two children at Johr al-Deek area, east of Gaza, but released them the day after. On 04 May 2015, three children were abducted while sneaking into Israel in al-Shouka village, east of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip.
Israeli settlement activities:
On Friday 30 April, at approximately 14:00, Israeli forces abducted three shepherds, including a 13-year old boy, while grazing their sheep near the already evacuated "Homash" settlement on Palestinian lands near Jabe'a village, south of Jenin. The Israeli soldiers questioned the shepherds on the spot and released them after the Palestinian Military Liaison intervened.
Around the same time, Israeli forces deployed in Tal al-Ramidah in the center of Hebron abducted two children, who were taken to "Karayat Arba'a" police station and then to the detention centre in in "Ghosh 'Etzion" settlement, south of Bethlehem.
A PCHR fieldworker said that the family of 'Emad Abu Shamsiyah, who lives in the neighbourhood and whose house is surrounded with barbwires, suffers from the daily violations committed by the Israeli soldiers and settlers as the house is only 50 meters away from the Israeli "Gilbert" checkpoint.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
In the West Bank, Israeli forces continued the use of excessive and systematic force against peaceful protests organized by Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international solidarity activists against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank.
As a result, four protesters, including a child, were wounded.
Israeli forces continued to use excessive force against peaceful protests in the West Bank. Four protesters, including a child, were wounded in protests in Kufor Qaddoum, al-Jalazoun refugee camp, Selwad village and around Ofer detention facility.
Following the Friday prayer, on 01 May 2015, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil’in, west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The rotesters marched by the annexation wall and tried to cross the fence. Israeli soldiers stationed behind the wall, in the western area, and a large number of soldiers deployed along it, fired live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and wastewater at them and chased them into the olive fields.
As a result, a number of rotesters suffered tear gas inhalation.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians organised a peaceful demonstration in the centre of Ni’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. A number of rotesters suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
Also following the Friday prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in the center of al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to start the weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. They made their way towards Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby "Halmish" settlement are trying to seize. Israeli soldiers closed all the village's entrances to prevent the Palestinian and international solidarity activists and journalists from participating in the protest.
As a result, a number of rotesters suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
Following the Friday prayer, on 01 May 2015, dozens of Palestinian civilians organized a protest at the eastern entrance of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, heading to the eastern entrance of the village in protest against closing that entrance since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada with an iron gate. The demonstrators threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response.
As a result, a protestor sustained a bullet wound to the legs, due to which he was taken to Qalqilya Hospital, where his wound was described as moderate.
On Friday afternoon, dozens of youngsters gathered from different areas of Ramallah and al-Bireh in the vicinity of Ofer detention facility, southwest of Ramallah, in protest at Israeli attacks on Palestinian civilians. They headed towards the facility’s gate that was closed by Israeli soldiers. They set fire to tires and threw stones and empty bottles at the soldiers. Israeli forces deployed around the detention facility and started firing live and rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters.
As a result, a 21-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the right thigh, due to which he was taken to Palestine Medical compound in Ramallah. Moreover, a number of rotesters suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
Also following the Friday prayer, dozens of children and young men gathered at the southern entrance of al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah. They were about 300 meters away from the fence of "Beit Eil" settlement. Israeli forces stationed in the area fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. Israeli soldiers topped a house belonging to the family of Mahmoud Dar Shaikha and opened fire at the youngsters.
As a result, 17-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the right thigh, due to which he was taken to Palestine Medical Compound in Ramallah. Moreover, a number of rotesters suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
Also following the Friday prayer, dozens of Palestinians gathered at the western entrance of the Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah, on the road between Silwad and Yabroud villages, near Bypass road (60), in protest at the Israeli policies. The rotesters set fire to tires and threw stones and Molotov Cocktails at the aforementioned road and Israeli soldiers. In response, Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the rotesters.
As a result, a 20-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the left thigh, due to which he was taken to Palestine Medical Compound in Ramallah. Moreover, a number of rotesters suffered tear gas inhalation.
Recommendations to the international community:
Due to the number and severity of Israeli human rights violations this year, the PCHR made several recommendations to the international community. Among these were a recommendation that the United Nations provide international protection to Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and to ensure the non-recurrence of aggression against the Occupied Palestinian Territories, especially the Gaza Strip.
In additionm the PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to compel Israel, as a High Contracting Party to the Conventions, to apply the Conventions in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
For the full text of the report, click on the link
13 Palestinian human rights organizations strongly denounced Thursday the Palestinian Authority security forces for carrying out massive arrests and summons among Birzeit University students over their political activities.
In a press release on Thursday, the organizations affirmed that 20 Palestinian students at Birzeit University were either arrested or summoned for their political affiliation.
The recent political arrests came shortly after Islamic Wafaa' Bloc's victory with a majority of 26 out of 51 seats in the Birzeit University Student Council elections held on April 22, 2015, the statement pointed out.
The press release added that the arrested students were subjected to tough investigation about the Islamic bloc's student activities and the reasons behind its winning.
"At least two students were subjected to severe beating and torture for long hours during their investigation process," the statement affirmed.
Since April 26, dozens of Birzeit University students were reportedly summoned for investigation to be then released. Some of them were summoned more than once, while three students remained held in PA detention centers.
The PA political arrests and violations came in total contradiction to freedom of expression and students’ rights of political participation constitutionally guaranteed for Palestinian citizens in accordance with international human rights standards.
The statement demanded the PA and its security forces to immediately end and prohibit the political arrest campaigns in the West Bank and side with the students’ rights to participate in political life.
The statement also called for opening an investigation into the PA security forces’ reported violations during the recent arrests especially that they were carried out illegally and without reason.
In a press release on Thursday, the organizations affirmed that 20 Palestinian students at Birzeit University were either arrested or summoned for their political affiliation.
The recent political arrests came shortly after Islamic Wafaa' Bloc's victory with a majority of 26 out of 51 seats in the Birzeit University Student Council elections held on April 22, 2015, the statement pointed out.
The press release added that the arrested students were subjected to tough investigation about the Islamic bloc's student activities and the reasons behind its winning.
"At least two students were subjected to severe beating and torture for long hours during their investigation process," the statement affirmed.
Since April 26, dozens of Birzeit University students were reportedly summoned for investigation to be then released. Some of them were summoned more than once, while three students remained held in PA detention centers.
The PA political arrests and violations came in total contradiction to freedom of expression and students’ rights of political participation constitutionally guaranteed for Palestinian citizens in accordance with international human rights standards.
The statement demanded the PA and its security forces to immediately end and prohibit the political arrest campaigns in the West Bank and side with the students’ rights to participate in political life.
The statement also called for opening an investigation into the PA security forces’ reported violations during the recent arrests especially that they were carried out illegally and without reason.
7 may 2015
Human Rights Watch on Thursday accused the Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces of arresting West Bank students over their pro-Hamas political affiliations and opinions , saying several had been mistreated.
“It is deeply worrying that students are being held by PA forces for no apparent reason other than their ties with Hamas or their opinions,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa director.
“Palestinians should be able to express critical political opinions without being arrested or beaten,” she added.
On April 25, 2015, PA security officers arrested Jihad Salim, representative of a Hamas-affiliated student group at Birzeit University in Ramallah, following the group’s victory in Birzeit’s student council election, Human Rights Watch reported.
The officers assaulted Salim’s mother and sister shortly before they brutally beat him and held him for about 24 hours, Salim told the organization.
The PA devices further arrested former student at Birzeit University, Ayman Abu Aram, questioned him about his affiliation with Hamas, and held him for 24 hours, his attorney told Human Rights Watch.
The latest case follows the November 2014 arrest, alleged beating, and criminal charges against Ayman Mahariq, a journalism student, for critical postings about Palestinian Authority forces on Facebook. Mahariq was released after 30 days of detention, during which he had reportedly been subjected to severe torture.
“It is deeply worrying that students are being held by PA forces for no apparent reason other than their ties with Hamas or their opinions,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa director.
“Palestinians should be able to express critical political opinions without being arrested or beaten,” she added.
On April 25, 2015, PA security officers arrested Jihad Salim, representative of a Hamas-affiliated student group at Birzeit University in Ramallah, following the group’s victory in Birzeit’s student council election, Human Rights Watch reported.
The officers assaulted Salim’s mother and sister shortly before they brutally beat him and held him for about 24 hours, Salim told the organization.
The PA devices further arrested former student at Birzeit University, Ayman Abu Aram, questioned him about his affiliation with Hamas, and held him for 24 hours, his attorney told Human Rights Watch.
The latest case follows the November 2014 arrest, alleged beating, and criminal charges against Ayman Mahariq, a journalism student, for critical postings about Palestinian Authority forces on Facebook. Mahariq was released after 30 days of detention, during which he had reportedly been subjected to severe torture.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Silwan (Silwanic), in occupied Jerusalem, published a report documenting the Israeli violations against the Jerusalemite Palestinians in April, and revealed that the soldiers killed one teen, kidnapped 120, demolished two structures, and escalated the attacks on the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Silwanic said the soldiers shot and killed, on Saturday April 25, Ali Sa'id Abu Ghannam, 16 years of age, while trying to cross a military roadblock in occupied Jerusalem.
The soldiers claimed he attempted to stab a soldier, but eyewitnesses refuted the allegation.
Israel held the body of the slain teen, and tried to place preconditions by attempting to force the family to pay a high fine, and limit the number of Palestinian who would participate in the funeral ceremony, but the family refused the Israeli demands.
Soldiers also kidnapped, detained, and interrogated the slain child’s father, violently searched their home causing excessive property damage, in addition to attacking several Palestinians, and pepper-sprayed many residents.
Lawyers representing the family demanded Israel to hand them a copy of surveillance tape on the military roadblock, but the army never released the video.
The death of Abu Ghannam led to clashes between the Palestinians and the soldiers in different parts of occupied Jerusalem.
Silwanic reported that the soldiers kidnapped 120 Palestinians in different neighborhoods, villages and towns in Jerusalem, including 14 women, and 40 children; the youngest is Ahmad Ehad az-Za’tary, 7 years of age.
Undercover Soldiers also kidnapped Mohammad Mahdi az-Za’tary, 12; both Ehab and Mohammad were kidnapped near their homes, and were interrogated for extended hours, and were denied access to legal representation, food or water, and were not allowed even to sleep.
Silwanic stated that most of the arrests were carried out by the army in Silwan town, the Old City, at-Tour, al-‘Eesawiyya, Sheikh Jarrah and Jabal al-Mokabber.
Furthermore, fanatic Israeli groups, accompanied by the police, carried out dozens of invasions into the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and conducted repeated violations and attacks against Muslim worshipers, while the police kidnapped and interrogated many Palestinians, including women and children.
The Israeli police also attacked two mosque guards, and issued orders denying 35 Palestinians access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque for periods that range between 10 days and 6 months.
Among the Palestinians who received such orders, after being detained and interrogated, are 10 women, two elderly men, two children, and two employees of the Islamic Waqf Department. Furthermore, the soldiers verbally informed a 10-year-old child that she is denied access to the Mosque.
The soldiers also continued to withhold the ID cards of young men, and women of all ages, before allowing them to enter the mosque.
Also in April, Israeli soldiers demolished a residential shed in Beit Hanina, north of occupied Jerusalem, and an under-construction four-story building in Wad al-Jouz neighborhood.
The soldiers also handed several families demolitions notices of their homes and structures in different parts of occupied Jerusalem.
In addition, Israeli fanatics attacked a child, identified as Sa’id Radi Ad-Doo, 14, while riding his bicycle in the Old City, causing several cuts and bruises to various parts of his body.
Soldiers also closed the Suleiman al-Farsi Street, one of the main roads in at-Tour town, the main entrance to the Suleiman al-Farsi Mosque and the town’s graveyard.
Blocking the road also prevented access to Jabal az-Zeitoun Club, Jabal az-Zeitoun School for Boys, and Jabal az-Zeitoun kindergarten, where 1200 children attend school.
The army also placed concrete blocks on the eastern entrance of the al-‘Eesawiyya town, closed the Za’im roadblock gate, forcing the villagers to take alternate, longer routes, to go to school or work.
Silwanic stated that scores of Palestinians have been shot and injured by Israeli army fire in April, including a young man, identified as Suleiman Tarbi, 20, who lost his left eye after being shot with a rubber-coated metal bullet in the al-‘Eesawiyya town.
Furthermore, soldiers used excessive force against nonviolent protesters in the at-Tour town, and attacked dozens of Palestinians celebrating a sports victory of their local club; the army fired gas bombs and rubber-coated metal bullets.
Army also attacked Palestinians celebrating the release of two political prisoners.
Furthermore, soldiers issued an order denying a young man, identified as Daoud al-Ghoul, access to Jerusalem for four months, issued an arbitrary detention order against Abdul-Rahim Abbassi, and renewed a similar order against Sadeq Gheith.
Related:
Report: 185 Palestinians Abducted, 42 Banned from Al-Aqsa Mosque in March
Silwanic said the soldiers shot and killed, on Saturday April 25, Ali Sa'id Abu Ghannam, 16 years of age, while trying to cross a military roadblock in occupied Jerusalem.
The soldiers claimed he attempted to stab a soldier, but eyewitnesses refuted the allegation.
Israel held the body of the slain teen, and tried to place preconditions by attempting to force the family to pay a high fine, and limit the number of Palestinian who would participate in the funeral ceremony, but the family refused the Israeli demands.
Soldiers also kidnapped, detained, and interrogated the slain child’s father, violently searched their home causing excessive property damage, in addition to attacking several Palestinians, and pepper-sprayed many residents.
Lawyers representing the family demanded Israel to hand them a copy of surveillance tape on the military roadblock, but the army never released the video.
The death of Abu Ghannam led to clashes between the Palestinians and the soldiers in different parts of occupied Jerusalem.
Silwanic reported that the soldiers kidnapped 120 Palestinians in different neighborhoods, villages and towns in Jerusalem, including 14 women, and 40 children; the youngest is Ahmad Ehad az-Za’tary, 7 years of age.
Undercover Soldiers also kidnapped Mohammad Mahdi az-Za’tary, 12; both Ehab and Mohammad were kidnapped near their homes, and were interrogated for extended hours, and were denied access to legal representation, food or water, and were not allowed even to sleep.
Silwanic stated that most of the arrests were carried out by the army in Silwan town, the Old City, at-Tour, al-‘Eesawiyya, Sheikh Jarrah and Jabal al-Mokabber.
Furthermore, fanatic Israeli groups, accompanied by the police, carried out dozens of invasions into the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and conducted repeated violations and attacks against Muslim worshipers, while the police kidnapped and interrogated many Palestinians, including women and children.
The Israeli police also attacked two mosque guards, and issued orders denying 35 Palestinians access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque for periods that range between 10 days and 6 months.
Among the Palestinians who received such orders, after being detained and interrogated, are 10 women, two elderly men, two children, and two employees of the Islamic Waqf Department. Furthermore, the soldiers verbally informed a 10-year-old child that she is denied access to the Mosque.
The soldiers also continued to withhold the ID cards of young men, and women of all ages, before allowing them to enter the mosque.
Also in April, Israeli soldiers demolished a residential shed in Beit Hanina, north of occupied Jerusalem, and an under-construction four-story building in Wad al-Jouz neighborhood.
The soldiers also handed several families demolitions notices of their homes and structures in different parts of occupied Jerusalem.
In addition, Israeli fanatics attacked a child, identified as Sa’id Radi Ad-Doo, 14, while riding his bicycle in the Old City, causing several cuts and bruises to various parts of his body.
Soldiers also closed the Suleiman al-Farsi Street, one of the main roads in at-Tour town, the main entrance to the Suleiman al-Farsi Mosque and the town’s graveyard.
Blocking the road also prevented access to Jabal az-Zeitoun Club, Jabal az-Zeitoun School for Boys, and Jabal az-Zeitoun kindergarten, where 1200 children attend school.
The army also placed concrete blocks on the eastern entrance of the al-‘Eesawiyya town, closed the Za’im roadblock gate, forcing the villagers to take alternate, longer routes, to go to school or work.
Silwanic stated that scores of Palestinians have been shot and injured by Israeli army fire in April, including a young man, identified as Suleiman Tarbi, 20, who lost his left eye after being shot with a rubber-coated metal bullet in the al-‘Eesawiyya town.
Furthermore, soldiers used excessive force against nonviolent protesters in the at-Tour town, and attacked dozens of Palestinians celebrating a sports victory of their local club; the army fired gas bombs and rubber-coated metal bullets.
Army also attacked Palestinians celebrating the release of two political prisoners.
Furthermore, soldiers issued an order denying a young man, identified as Daoud al-Ghoul, access to Jerusalem for four months, issued an arbitrary detention order against Abdul-Rahim Abbassi, and renewed a similar order against Sadeq Gheith.
Related:
Report: 185 Palestinians Abducted, 42 Banned from Al-Aqsa Mosque in March
5 may 2015
The Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) demolished over the past year 493 Palestinian facilities in occupied West Bank for allegedly being built without permit, an Israeli rights group said in Tuesday.
Planners for Planning Rights (Bimkom) affirmed in a press release issued Tuesday that 493 Palestinian facilities were demolished in 2014, forcibly displacing 969 Palestinians.
Meanwhile, settlement construction has notably escalated in occupied West Bank, where settlers’ number has been increasing to reach 400,000 Israelis living illegally in West Bank.
The Israeli human rights organization pointed out that the Israeli Supreme Court is considering a Palestinian appeal demanding the reactivation of local planning committees that were controlling Palestinian construction affairs before being canceled by an Israeli military order in 1971.
"The reactivation of Palestinian planning committees would solve the problem of Palestinian non-permitted construction and would put an end to Israeli demolition policy," Bimkom added.
During 2014, Israeli authorities allowed the construction of one single Palestinian home.
Planners for Planning Rights (Bimkom) affirmed in a press release issued Tuesday that 493 Palestinian facilities were demolished in 2014, forcibly displacing 969 Palestinians.
Meanwhile, settlement construction has notably escalated in occupied West Bank, where settlers’ number has been increasing to reach 400,000 Israelis living illegally in West Bank.
The Israeli human rights organization pointed out that the Israeli Supreme Court is considering a Palestinian appeal demanding the reactivation of local planning committees that were controlling Palestinian construction affairs before being canceled by an Israeli military order in 1971.
"The reactivation of Palestinian planning committees would solve the problem of Palestinian non-permitted construction and would put an end to Israeli demolition policy," Bimkom added.
During 2014, Israeli authorities allowed the construction of one single Palestinian home.
2 may 2015
The Palestinian Radio and Television Union has reported that Israel soldiers kidnapped a Palestinian journalist, shot and injured six others, in April.
In a report on Israeli violations against the media in Palestine in April, the Union said that Israel’s violations against the journalists, and media outlets, aim at silencing them, and preventing them from covering those aggressions.
The Union said the soldiers also detained four journalists in an attempt to prevent them from documenting their violations.
It stated that the recent Israeli attack on Journalists in Nabi Saleh village, near the central West Bank city of Ramallah, is a clear indication of those illegal policies, as in that incident, the soldiers chased the journalists and started throwing stones on them, in addition to trying to run them over with their jeeps.
The soldiers also repeatedly fired rubber-coated metal bullets, and gas bombs, targeting Palestinian journalists while covering clashes between the soldiers and local youths.
In addition, the army kidnapped the head of the Asda Media Center, Journalist Amin Abu Warda, and forced him under arbitrary Administrative Detention, without charges or trial.
The abduction of Abu Warda brings the number of Palestinian journalists, held by Israel, to twenty.
The Union stated that journalist Nidal Eshtayya was also shot by two Israeli rubber-coated metal bullets, from a very close range, while reporting on a peace protest, near the northern West Bank city of Tulkarem.
The Union expressed its deep concern over the escalating Israeli violations and assaults, against the journalists in Palestine.
It managed to document an attempt to ram several journalists with military vehicles, near the Ofer detention center, west of the central West Bank city of Ramallah.
It added that the army frequently resorts to using the journalists as human shields during protests in different parts of the occupied West Bank.
In March, soldiers detained nine Palestinian journalists in the West Bank and the 1948 territories; five of them are employees of the QPress news agency after the army stormed its headquarters in the West Bank city of Bethlehem.
Two of the reporters, who were kidnapped in March, are still imprisoned by Israel.
On Saturday, May 2, Israeli soldiers attacked a peace procession of journalists, marking the “World Press Freedom Day, wounding two.
In a report on Israeli violations against the media in Palestine in April, the Union said that Israel’s violations against the journalists, and media outlets, aim at silencing them, and preventing them from covering those aggressions.
The Union said the soldiers also detained four journalists in an attempt to prevent them from documenting their violations.
It stated that the recent Israeli attack on Journalists in Nabi Saleh village, near the central West Bank city of Ramallah, is a clear indication of those illegal policies, as in that incident, the soldiers chased the journalists and started throwing stones on them, in addition to trying to run them over with their jeeps.
The soldiers also repeatedly fired rubber-coated metal bullets, and gas bombs, targeting Palestinian journalists while covering clashes between the soldiers and local youths.
In addition, the army kidnapped the head of the Asda Media Center, Journalist Amin Abu Warda, and forced him under arbitrary Administrative Detention, without charges or trial.
The abduction of Abu Warda brings the number of Palestinian journalists, held by Israel, to twenty.
The Union stated that journalist Nidal Eshtayya was also shot by two Israeli rubber-coated metal bullets, from a very close range, while reporting on a peace protest, near the northern West Bank city of Tulkarem.
The Union expressed its deep concern over the escalating Israeli violations and assaults, against the journalists in Palestine.
It managed to document an attempt to ram several journalists with military vehicles, near the Ofer detention center, west of the central West Bank city of Ramallah.
It added that the army frequently resorts to using the journalists as human shields during protests in different parts of the occupied West Bank.
In March, soldiers detained nine Palestinian journalists in the West Bank and the 1948 territories; five of them are employees of the QPress news agency after the army stormed its headquarters in the West Bank city of Bethlehem.
Two of the reporters, who were kidnapped in March, are still imprisoned by Israel.
On Saturday, May 2, Israeli soldiers attacked a peace procession of journalists, marking the “World Press Freedom Day, wounding two.
Israeli forces arrested 114 Palestinians in the Occupied Jerusalem in April, the committee of prisoners’ families in East Jerusalem reported.
The committee revealed, in a statement, that the Israeli forces escalated its arrests in April with 114 cases of arrests including 14 women and 40 minors. The youngest minor is 8-year-old boy Ahmad al-Zaatari who was kidnapped by Israeli Special Forces then questioned and assaulted.
The statement mentioned that the 14 Jerusalemite women who were rounded up by Israeli policemen were arrested for defending the Aqsa Mosque against settlers’ incursions into the holy site. Some of them were banned of accessing the Mosque and some were forced to pay fines.
The statement disclosed that 45 cases of arrests were carried out after the Israeli forces stormed and wreaked havoc in the houses of civilians. 69 other arrests were carried out in the field.
Most of the arrests were performed in Silwan town and the Old City.
In the same context, Himma News revealed, in its monthly report, that it documented 23 cases of arrest in the Aqsa Mosque including 10 men, 11 women and 2 minors.
All of the cases were released after receiving notices of ban of entry into the Aqsa Mosque for various periods ranging from 10 days to 6 months.
The report pointed out that the Israeli policemen rounded up 3 Jerusalemite women in the plazas of the Aqsa Mosque for the first time in 6 months.
The report revealed that 34 people among Jerusalemites and people of 1948 Occupied Palestine including 10 women, 22 men and 2 minors were deported from the Mosque in April.
They were deported during the Jewish Passover to secure settlers’ incursion into the holy site, it elaborated.
It also mentioned that 1326 settlers in addition to 72 members of the Israeli intelligence stormed the plazas of the Aqsa Mosque just in April as they intensified their incursions during the days of the Passover.
The committee revealed, in a statement, that the Israeli forces escalated its arrests in April with 114 cases of arrests including 14 women and 40 minors. The youngest minor is 8-year-old boy Ahmad al-Zaatari who was kidnapped by Israeli Special Forces then questioned and assaulted.
The statement mentioned that the 14 Jerusalemite women who were rounded up by Israeli policemen were arrested for defending the Aqsa Mosque against settlers’ incursions into the holy site. Some of them were banned of accessing the Mosque and some were forced to pay fines.
The statement disclosed that 45 cases of arrests were carried out after the Israeli forces stormed and wreaked havoc in the houses of civilians. 69 other arrests were carried out in the field.
Most of the arrests were performed in Silwan town and the Old City.
In the same context, Himma News revealed, in its monthly report, that it documented 23 cases of arrest in the Aqsa Mosque including 10 men, 11 women and 2 minors.
All of the cases were released after receiving notices of ban of entry into the Aqsa Mosque for various periods ranging from 10 days to 6 months.
The report pointed out that the Israeli policemen rounded up 3 Jerusalemite women in the plazas of the Aqsa Mosque for the first time in 6 months.
The report revealed that 34 people among Jerusalemites and people of 1948 Occupied Palestine including 10 women, 22 men and 2 minors were deported from the Mosque in April.
They were deported during the Jewish Passover to secure settlers’ incursion into the holy site, it elaborated.
It also mentioned that 1326 settlers in addition to 72 members of the Israeli intelligence stormed the plazas of the Aqsa Mosque just in April as they intensified their incursions during the days of the Passover.
Israeli Police Forces have detained last month 21 Palestinian worshippers in al-Aqsa Mosque including 11 women and two minors, a Jerusalem monthly report revealed.
All the detainees were later released and prevented from having access to the Mosque for different periods of time up to six months, according to the sources.
The report pointed out that 34 Jerusalemites have been denied from entering the holy shrine in order to prevent any expected protests against settlers’ presence in al-Aqsa plazas. Ten women, two minors, and 15 youths were among them.
Guards of al-Aqsa and employees of the Islamic Endowment Department were also subjected to Israeli punitive measures and restrictions.
The report stated that 1326 Israeli settlers and 72 military officers stormed al-Aqsa Mosque during April in total provocation to the Palestinian worshippers stationed at the mosque’s gates.
All the detainees were later released and prevented from having access to the Mosque for different periods of time up to six months, according to the sources.
The report pointed out that 34 Jerusalemites have been denied from entering the holy shrine in order to prevent any expected protests against settlers’ presence in al-Aqsa plazas. Ten women, two minors, and 15 youths were among them.
Guards of al-Aqsa and employees of the Islamic Endowment Department were also subjected to Israeli punitive measures and restrictions.
The report stated that 1326 Israeli settlers and 72 military officers stormed al-Aqsa Mosque during April in total provocation to the Palestinian worshippers stationed at the mosque’s gates.
The Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) banned last month at least 171 Palestinians from traveling via al-Karama border crossing that links West Bank to the outside world, Palestinian police said.
171 Palestinian citizens were prevented from passing through al-Karama crossing during April for “security reasons”, the sources affirmed.
The number of West Bankers who have been prevented from traveling has notably increased during April in comparison with March when 130 Palestinians were not allowed to travel.
During the reported period 129,000 persons have managed to pass through al-Karama crossing including 69 patients.
Al-Karama border crossing between occupied Palestine and Jordan, which is controlled by the Israeli occupation, is the West Bank's only exist to the outside world.
These arbitrary travel bans are a clear violation of freedom of movement, a move Israeli employs to silence Palestinian activists, and to blackmail and exploit civilians and businessmen and even sick people seeking medical treatment.
Freedom of Movement Article 12 states that, "Liberty of movement is an indispensable condition for the free development of a person."
171 Palestinian citizens were prevented from passing through al-Karama crossing during April for “security reasons”, the sources affirmed.
The number of West Bankers who have been prevented from traveling has notably increased during April in comparison with March when 130 Palestinians were not allowed to travel.
During the reported period 129,000 persons have managed to pass through al-Karama crossing including 69 patients.
Al-Karama border crossing between occupied Palestine and Jordan, which is controlled by the Israeli occupation, is the West Bank's only exist to the outside world.
These arbitrary travel bans are a clear violation of freedom of movement, a move Israeli employs to silence Palestinian activists, and to blackmail and exploit civilians and businessmen and even sick people seeking medical treatment.
Freedom of Movement Article 12 states that, "Liberty of movement is an indispensable condition for the free development of a person."
1 may 2015
At least six Palestinian civilians were killed and some 375 others were detained by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) during the month of April, a report issued by the Ahrar Center for Prisoner Studies and Human Rights found out.
The report identified five murdered West Bankers as 22-year-old Ja’afar Awad, 27-year-old Ziad Omar Awad, 31-year-old Mohamed Jasem Karakra, 20-year-old Mahmoud Yahya Abu Jheisha, and 21-year-old Mohamed Morad Saleh Yahya.
Meanwhile, Aleiwa Nidhal Aleiwa, 22, succumbed to the wounds he sustained in the latest Israeli offensive on the blockaded Gaza Strip last summer, while the Jerusalemite Ali Mohamed Abu Ghannam, 17, breathed his last after he was shot by the IOF, the report further documented.
The Aharar Center also kept record of the locations and gender of the 375 detainees abducted from different areas across the Occupied Palestinian territories.
19 Palestinian ladies, including MP Khalida Jarrar, were detained by the IOF in April.
The report further documented the abduction of at least 55 Palestinian children and minors, below the age of 18, most remarkably in Occupied Jerusalem and the West Bank cities of al-Khalil and Bethlehem.
Occupied Jerusalem had hit a record high of 113 detainees, followed by 86 from al-Khalil, 54 from Nablus, 40 from Bethlehem, and 29 from Ramallah and al-Bireh.
26 Palestinian citizens were also captured by the Israeli occupation army in Jenin, 11 in Qalqilya, four in Tulkarem, and one in Salfit.
The report pointed out the apprehension of 11 Gazans, 10 among whom as they crept into the strands of barbed wire strung along Gaza’s border fence on their way to the 1948 occupied Palestine.
The other Gazan was rounded up by the IOF as he tried to gain access out of blockaded Gaza via the Beit Hanoun border-crossing to carry out urgent medical check-ups and therapy.
The report identified five murdered West Bankers as 22-year-old Ja’afar Awad, 27-year-old Ziad Omar Awad, 31-year-old Mohamed Jasem Karakra, 20-year-old Mahmoud Yahya Abu Jheisha, and 21-year-old Mohamed Morad Saleh Yahya.
Meanwhile, Aleiwa Nidhal Aleiwa, 22, succumbed to the wounds he sustained in the latest Israeli offensive on the blockaded Gaza Strip last summer, while the Jerusalemite Ali Mohamed Abu Ghannam, 17, breathed his last after he was shot by the IOF, the report further documented.
The Aharar Center also kept record of the locations and gender of the 375 detainees abducted from different areas across the Occupied Palestinian territories.
19 Palestinian ladies, including MP Khalida Jarrar, were detained by the IOF in April.
The report further documented the abduction of at least 55 Palestinian children and minors, below the age of 18, most remarkably in Occupied Jerusalem and the West Bank cities of al-Khalil and Bethlehem.
Occupied Jerusalem had hit a record high of 113 detainees, followed by 86 from al-Khalil, 54 from Nablus, 40 from Bethlehem, and 29 from Ramallah and al-Bireh.
26 Palestinian citizens were also captured by the Israeli occupation army in Jenin, 11 in Qalqilya, four in Tulkarem, and one in Salfit.
The report pointed out the apprehension of 11 Gazans, 10 among whom as they crept into the strands of barbed wire strung along Gaza’s border fence on their way to the 1948 occupied Palestine.
The other Gazan was rounded up by the IOF as he tried to gain access out of blockaded Gaza via the Beit Hanoun border-crossing to carry out urgent medical check-ups and therapy.
