15 feb 2015
In an investigation conducted by Associated Press, it was revealed that 89% of victims killed in the Israeli offensive conducted in Gaza, this past summer, were civilians.
Al Ray Palestinian Media Agency reports that, according to the investigation, 60% of 844 people killed were children, women and elderly, while only 11% of them were militants.
The investigation reviewed 247 raids out of more than 5,000 raids launched on Gaza, according to witnesses testimonies and field visits to bombed buildings.
The youngest victim was only 4 days old, and the oldest was 95 years. 280 victims were under 16, including 19 infants. 108 children were under 5 years of age.
The investigation also pointed out that 83 raids killed 3 or more members of one family, while only 96 people were armed, 11% of the total number of victims. The other 240 victims were unarmed men aged between 16-59.
Al Ray notes that the investigation did not include the victims who were killed by the artillery shelling, sniping or field operations, as was the case in the eastern areas of Gaza during the ground incursion.
Al Ray Palestinian Media Agency reports that, according to the investigation, 60% of 844 people killed were children, women and elderly, while only 11% of them were militants.
The investigation reviewed 247 raids out of more than 5,000 raids launched on Gaza, according to witnesses testimonies and field visits to bombed buildings.
The youngest victim was only 4 days old, and the oldest was 95 years. 280 victims were under 16, including 19 infants. 108 children were under 5 years of age.
The investigation also pointed out that 83 raids killed 3 or more members of one family, while only 96 people were armed, 11% of the total number of victims. The other 240 victims were unarmed men aged between 16-59.
Al Ray notes that the investigation did not include the victims who were killed by the artillery shelling, sniping or field operations, as was the case in the eastern areas of Gaza during the ground incursion.
Nablus – View of "Qadumim" settlement to be expanded by Israeli authorities
Israeli forces have continued with systematic attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) for the reporting period of 05 - 11 February 2015.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank & Gaza:
Shootings:
During the reporting period, a Palestinian disabled died of wounds he had sustained during the latest Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip, while a farmer was wounded and arrested at the eastern border in the central Gaza Strip. Moreover, Israeli forces wounded 5 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, in the West Bank. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces continued to chase and fire at Palestinian fishing boats.
In the West Bank, on 05 February 2015, 2 Palestinian civilians were wounded when Israeli forces moved into Ya'bad village, southwest of Jenin.
In the same context, Israeli forces continued to use excessive forces against peaceful protests against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers. Moreover, Israeli soldiers and police and an armed settler attacked journalists when Israeli forces supressed an activity to plant trees in Selwad village, northeast of Ramallah. In addition, the crew of the Jordanian Ro'ya satellite channel and a 25-year-old reporter were attacked and 2 other civilians were detained for 2 hours.
Additionally, on 06 February 2015, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded during 2 protests in Ramallah.
In the Gaza Strip, a medical source at the European Gaza Hospital in Khan Yunis in the south of the Gaza Strip pronounced a 31-year-old civilian, from Rafah, dead of wounds he sustained during the latest Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip. It should be noted he was physically disabled.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 67 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 44 Palestinians, including 6 children. Ten of these Palestinians, including 3 children, were arrested in Jerusalem.
During the reporting period, Israeli forces confiscated NIS 50,000 from a house belonging to Abu Aisha family in Hebron; NIS 8,170 from a house belonging to Mallah family in Allar village, northeast of Tulkarm; and NIS 2,260 from a house belonging to Abu 'Oun family in Jaba' family, south of Jenin.
In the Gaza Strip, on 9 February 2015, Israeli forces conducted a limited incursion, southeast of Beit Hanoun village, north of the Gaza Strip. They levelled lands that were already levelled earlier, but no casualties were reported among the farmers who were obliged to leave the area fearing for their lives.
Restrictions on movement:
Israel continued to impose a tight closure of the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
The illegal closure of the Gaza Strip, which has been steadily tightened since June 2007 has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli authorities impose measures to undermine the freedom of trade, including the basic needs for the Gaza Strip population and the agricultural and industrial products to be exported. For 8 consecutive years, Israel has tightened the land and naval closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and other countries around the world. This resulted in grave violations of the economic, social and cultural rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.8 million people. The Israeli authorities have established Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order to exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy. They also aim at imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip’s exports. During the reporting period, Israeli forces arrested a Palestinian patient who obtained a permit to travel to the West Bank for medical treatment, while another civilian accompanying his father was arrested while the father was denied travel for medical treatment.
Efforts to create Jewish majority:
House demolitions
On 05 February 2015, Israeli forces raided Bab al-Quds village that was established by Palestinian activists in Abu Dees village, east of East Jerusalem, in protest at settlement scheme "1". It should be noted this scheme would increasingly isolate East Jerusalem from the West Bank and would separate the north of the West Bank from its south. In addition, dozens of Bedouin families would become homeless.
On 10 February 2015, bulldozers belonging to the Israeli municipality in occupied Jerusalem demolished a house belonging to al-'Abassi family in Selwan village, south of the Old City, under the pretext of non-licensing.
On 11 February 2015, bulldozers belonging to the Israeli municipality demolished 2 barracks for stone manufacturing in al-Tour neighbourhood, east of East Jerusalem, and confiscated their contents. It should be noted the barracks were established 5 years ago and support 6 families.
Settler attacks
On 08 February 2015, a settler attempted to seize a house and a storehouse belonging to a Palestinian family in the Old City.
Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property:
On 05 February 2015, a Palestinian civilian from Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, learnt about an attack on his land, south of the village, by settlers from "Qadumim" settlement. The settlers sprayed the olive trees with chemicals, due to which 5 tress were completely burnt and other trees were partially burnt.
Use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations protesting settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall:
During the reporting period, Israeli soldiers used excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians, international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded during 2 protests in Ramallah and al-Bireh on 06 February 2015.
(PCHR keeps the names of the wounded in fear of being arrested by the Israeli forces within its policy to oppress the peaceful protests and prevent Palestinian civilians from participating).
Demonstrations against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activity
Following the Friday prayer, on 06 February 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 demonstrators took the streets raising the Palestinian flags and headed to the liberated territories near the annexation wall. Early in the morning, Israeli forces closed all entrances to the city to prevent Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders from participating in the protests. Protestors 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 steel bullets, sound bombs and wastewater at them and chased them into the olive fields. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
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. The demonstrators took the streets and headed to the annexation wall. Israeli forces closed the gates of the wall with barbwires and prevented the demonstrators from crossing to the land behind it before they responded by throwing stones. Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the civilians, and chased them into the village. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in al-Nabi Saleh village, southwest of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstrators made their way in the streets raising the Palestinian flags and chanting slogans against the occupation, and then they headed to the lands that the settlers are trying to rob by force near “Halmish” settlement. Israeli forces had closed all the entrances of the village since the morning to prevent Palestinian and international activists and journalists from participating in the demonstration. When they arrived at the aforementioned land, demonstrators were met by live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs and skunk water and were chased into the village. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up.
Also following the Friday prayer, at approximately 12:20, Palestinian civilians and international solidarity activists organized a protest in the center 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 number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up.
At approximately 11:00 on Monday, 09 February 2015, dozens of Palestinian volunteers and farmers gathered at the main entrance of Selwad village, northeast of Ramallah. They made their way to agricultural lands, south of the village, to plant olive trees in lands threatened to be confiscated near "Ofrah" settlement. Israeli soldiers were deployed in that area to prevent the Palestinian volunteers and journalists from participating in that activity. Once the Palestinians reached the area, Israeli soldiers and police fired sound bombs. The demonstrators and Israeli soldiers pushed each other, due to which, a number of demonstrators sustained bruises as they were violently pushed by Israeli soldiers. Moreover, the Israeli soldiers and police with an armed settler pushed and verbally insulted the journalists. Among the journalists was the crew of the Jordanian Ro'ya satellite channel, as a settler tried to pull the camera from the cameraman. In addition, the channel's reporter, 25-year-old Nibal Khaled Farsakh was verbally insulted in Hebrew by an Israeli policewoman. Israeli forces detained also 44-year-old Jamil al-Barghouthi, acting-president of the committee against the annexation wall and settlement activities, and 35-year-old Iyad al-Barghouthi for 2 hours.
Other demonstrations
Also following the Friday prayer, on 06 February 2015, 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). Demonstrators threw stones at the aforementioned road. In response, Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, 38-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the left thigh. He was taken to Palestine Medical Compound in the city. His wound was moderate.
On the same day, 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. As a result, 2 civilians were wounded and then taken to Palestine Medical Compound. A 16-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the knee and a 21-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the right leg.
Continued closure of the oPt:
Israel continued to impose a tight closure on the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
Israeli forces continuously tighten the closure of the Gaza Strip and close all commercial crossings, making the Karm Abu Salem crossing the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip, although it is not suitable for commercial purposes in terms of its operational capacity and distance from markets.
Israeli forces have continued to apply the policy, which is aimed to tighten the closure on all commercial crossings, by imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.
The total closure of al-Mentar ("Karni") crossing since 02 March 2011 has seriously affected the economy of the Gaza Strip. Following this closure, all economic and commercial establishments in the Gaza Commercial Zone were shut off. It should be noted that al-Mentar crossing is the biggest crossing in the Gaza Strip, in terms of its capacity to absorb the flow of imports and exports. The decision to close al-Mentar crossing was the culmination of a series of decisions resulting in the complete closure of the Sofa crossing, east of the Gaza Strip in the beginning of 2009, and the Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza City, which were dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2010.
Israeli forces have continued to impose a total ban on the delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Strip, except for very limited items and quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population of the Gaza Strip.
The cooking gas crisis has fluctuated due to the closure of Karm Abu Salem for security claims. According to PCHR’s follow-up, Israeli authorities only allow an average of 98 tons of cooking gas into Gaza per day. This limited quantity is less than half of the daily needs, which is 200 tons per day of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip during winter. The crisis has unprecedentedly aggravated for around six weeks due to cold weather and overconsumption in addition to the power outage and using gas as an alternative in many instances of electricity. The lack of diesel and benzene led to the aggravation of the crisis as a result of using the gas cylinder for cars or as an alternative for benzene to run generators. As a result, the demand for gas further increased.
For almost 7 consecutive years, Israeli forces have continued to prevent the delivery of construction materials to the Gaza Strip. Two years ago, Israeli forces approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of international organizations in the Gaza Strip. On 17 September 2013, they allowed the entry of limited quantities of construction materials for the private sector. However, on 13 October 2013, they re-banned it claiming that these materials are used for constructing tunnels. Last week, Israeli forces allowed the entry of construction materials only for UNRWA and UNDP projects. As a result, construction works have completely stopped impacting all sectors related to construction and an increase in unemployment levels. During the 51-day Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip in July and August 2014, Israeli authorities did not allow the entry of any construction materials. As a result, vital and infrastructure projects have been obstructed so far.
Israeli forces also continued to impose an almost total ban on the Gaza Strip exports, including agricultural and industrial products, except for light-weighted products such as flowers, strawberries, and spices.
Israel has continued to close the Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing for the majority of Palestinian citizens from the Gaza Strip. Israel only allows the movement of a limited number of groups, with many hours of waiting in the majority of cases. Israel has continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via the Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel denied permission to access hospitals via the crossing for new categories of patients from the Gaza Strip.
West Bank
Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, Israeli forces imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians:
· Hebron: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 06:30 on Thursday, 05 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron. At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces established another checkpoint at the entrance of al-Samou'a village, south of the city. Later, both checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 07:30 on Friday, 06 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ethna village, west of Hebron. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 15:30 on Saturday, 07 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Ummar village, north of the city. At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of Hebron. Later, both checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 15:00 on Monday, 09 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Sa'ir village, east of Hebron. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 08:00 on Tuesday, 10 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Bani Na'im village, east of Hebron. At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-'Aroub refugee camp, north of the city. Later, both checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
· Ramallah: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 10:30 on Thursday, 05 February 2015, Israeli forces established at the entrance of 'Aboud village, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 20:30, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Termes'ayah village, north of the city. Later, both checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:00 on Friday, 06 January 2015, Israeli forces established closed the eastern entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northeast of Ramallah, with an iron gate established at the aforementioned entrance. Israeli forces prevented civilians from leaving or entering via the entrance. Around the same time, Israeli forces established a checkpoint under the bridge of Yabrud village, northeast of the city. At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces established a similar checkpoint at the entrance of Nil’in village, west of Ramallah. At approximately 18:00, Israeli forces established another checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Abu Mesh'aal village, northwest of the city. At approximately 19:30, a similar checkpoint was established near the intersection of Beit 'Oar al-Foqah village, southwest of Ramallah. All checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:30 on Saturday, 07 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ras Karkar village, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 13:30, Israeli forces established another checkpoint at the entrance of Qabya village, west of the city. At approximately 21:30, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Nizam village, northwest of Ramallah. Later, all checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 08:30 on Sunday, 08 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance Deir Abu Mesh'aal village, northwest of the city. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
· Jericho: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 10:30 on Friday, 06 February 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fasayel village, north of Jericho. At approximately 17:00, they established a checkpoint near the southern entrance of the city. Later, both checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.
· Qalqilya: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 09:40 on Friday, 06 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of 'Azoun village, east of the city. At approximately 22:40, they established another at the eastern entrance of the city. Later, both checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 21:00 on Sunday, 08 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of the city. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 13:40 on Monday, 09 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of 'Azoun village, east of the city, while at approximately 18:50 they established another checkpoint between the villages of Jayous and Kafr Jamal, northeast of the city. Later, both checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
· Tulkarm: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 11:00 on Thursday, 05 February 2015, Israeli forces stationed ‘Annab military checkpoint which is established on the road between Tulkarm and Nablus, east of the city, tightened their restrictions against civilians and obstructed their movement. Later that day, the tightening ended and no arrests were reported. The tightening renewed at approximately 20:30 on Friday, 06 February 2015 and at approximately 11:00 on Sunday, 08 February 2015. They re-tightened their restrictions at approximately 10:00 on Monday, 09 February 2015, and at approximately 14:00 on Tuesday, 10 February 2014.
· Jenin: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 09:30 on Thursday, 05 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the intersection of Zaboubah village, northwest of Jenin. The checkpoint was removed later, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 11:00 on Saturday, 07 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the road between the villages of Ya'abod and Zebdah, southwest of Jenin. The checkpoint was removed later, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 11:45 on Tuesday, 10 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the main road between Jenin, Tulkarm and Nablus near the intersection of 'Arabah village, south of Jenin. The checkpoint was removed later, and no arrests were reported.
· Salfit: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 22:30 on Sunday, 08 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Qarawet Bani Hassan village, northwest of Salfit. At approximately 11:30 on Monday, 08 February 2015, the checkpoint was removed, and no further incidents were reported.
Arrests and Maltreatment at Military Checkpoints:
· At approximately 11:00 on Friday, 06 February 2015, Israeli forces arrested Qosay 'Ayed al-Shawahin (12) and Hamzah Ahmed al-Shawahin (12) from Kherbet al-Jawi area, east of Yata, south of Hebron, while grazing sheep in the agricultural lands adjacent to "Ma'oun" settlement and then took them to "Keryat Arba'" settlement, east of Hebron.
· At approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 07 February 2015, Israeli forces stationed at al-Ibrahimi Mosque gates in the center of the Old City arrested 'Abdel Rahman 'Amer Burqan (9) and took him to "Ja'abrah" police station. Israeli forces claimed that Burqan refused to obey the Israeli soldiers' orders.
Israeli forces arrest two Palestinian businessmen on the Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing · On Thursday, 05 December 2015, Israeli forces arrested Naji shehdah Mousa Zo'arub (33) after summoning him to an interview on Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip. According to Zu'arub's family, who is a steel trader, he went to do the interview with the Israeli intelligence upon a summons he received via the civil liaison. He went there at approximately 08:00 on Thursday, 05 February 2015, and we lost contact with him at approximately 14:00. His brother, Tamer, later received a call from a person talking via a private number telling him that his brother was under arrest and he is now in Ashkelon Prison.
· At approximately 19:00 on Monday, 09 February 2015, Israeli forces stationed at Beit Hanoun Erez Crossing arrested Hussam Fo'aad Mahmoud Nour al-Deen (48) from al-Naser neighborhood when he was on his way back from Israel to the Gaza Strip. He works as a trader and owns with his brother Hussam and Merwan Nour al-Deen Company for Transport and General Trade in Yafa Street, east of Gaza City.
His brother Merwan (38) said to a PCHR fieldworker that:
"At approximately 19:00 on Monday, 09 February 2015, my brother, Hussam and I arrived at Erez crossing and the Israeli officer handed my brother identification papers after checking them and asked him to wait. However, he allowed me to leave after checking my identification papers. At approximately 22:30 on the same day, I received a call from a private number on my cell phone telling me that my brother, Hussam, was arrested by the Israeli forces."
Maltreatment at the checkpoints
· At approximately 19:40 on Thursday, 05 February 2015, Israeli forces detained Mohammed 'Abdel Karim Mousa Abu Hamed (13) and Na'im Walid Abu Hamed (13) from Qalqilya near the entrance of "Tsofim" settlement established, north of the aforementioned city while they were collecting steel. They were released at approximately 22:15.
· At approximately 13:05 on Friday, 06 February 2015, Israeli forces detained 3 children from Jayous village, northeast of Qalqilya in Bir Yoboq near the annexation wall established adjacent to the aforementioned village. The children were identified as Mohammed Subhi Mohammed Khaled (15); Feras Khaled Khaled (12); and 'Abed Ahmed 'Abdel Halim Khaled. The aforementioned children were detained while being with one their relative and working in their agricultural land. When the latter went back to the village after performing the Friday prayers, he did not find his relative. A civilian told him that the Israeli soldiers arrived at the area and arrested 3 children taking them to an unknown destination under the pretext of throwing stones at the annexation wall area. At approximately 18:00 after the Palestinian side coordinated with the Israeli Military Liaison, the Israeli soldiers released the children.
Efforts to create Jewish demographic majority in occupied East Jerusalem:
· At approximately 02:00 on Thursday, 05 February 2015, Israeli forces backed by 12 military vehicles, 2 bulldozers and 2 buses, moved into "Bab al-Quds" village established by Palestinian activists in Abu Dis town, east of occupied Jerusalem, in protest against "E1" settlement scheme. Israeli forces closed the main streets to the area and the bulldozers completely demolished the tents established in the village without any prior warning. It should be noted this this scheme would confiscate 167 dunums from the Palestinian lands to expand the Israeli settlements and settle Bedouins in Palestinian lands in the east of the Occupied City, would increasingly isolate East Jerusalem from the West Bank and would separate the north of the West Bank from its south. In addition, dozens of Bedouin families would become homeless.
· At approximately 14:00 on Monday, 09 February 2015, "Nature Authority" officers escorted by Israeli soldiers moved into the lands of Samir Shoqeir in Wadi al-Rababah neighbourhood in Selwan village, south of the Old City in East Occupied Jerusalem.
An eyewitness said to a PCHR fieldworker that the "Nature Authority" officers moved into the land in the vicinity of the house of Dr. Samir Shoqeir and took photos of it and its contents. They then withdrew and left a notice to remove the land contents that was photographed within 24 hours and in case the decision was not obeyed, the Nature Authority staff would apply it and Shoqeir would pay the cost. The Israeli forces claim that Shoqeir changed nature in public parks although Shoqeir previously confirmed that this land belongs to his and he has all the documents that confirm his words. Moreover, his land was planted with trees planted many years ago.
· At approximately 10:00 on Tuesday,10 February 2015, bulldozers belonging to the Israeli municipality in occupied Jerusalem demolished a house belonging to Ahmed Ma'amoun al-'Abassi in Selwan village in al-Sweih neighbourhood, south of the Old City, under the pretext of non-licensing.
Ahmed al-'Abasi said to a PCHR fieldworker that Israeli forces moved into Sweih neighbourhood on the aforementioned day accompanied with 4 bulldozers and demolished his house without any prior warning and without allowing his family to take their contents out of the house. He added that he built the house in February 2014 and recently moved to it with his family comprised of 14 members, including 7 children to live in it. Al-'Abbasi added that his 200-square-meter house cost him 700,000 NIS.
· At approximately 11:00 on Wednesday, 11 February 2015, bulldozers belonging to the Israeli municipality demolished 2 barracks for stone manufacturing in al-Tour neighbourhood, east of East Jerusalem, and confiscated their contents without any prior warning after surrounding the area. It should be noted the barracks were established 5 years ago on an area of 2 dunums and support 6 families.
Nedal Abu Isbeitan, the owner of the barrack, said to a PCHR fieldworker that Israeli special units surrounded his barrack accompanied with trucks and bulldozers and confiscated the goods, including stones and machines. They then demolished the two barracks. Abu Isbeitan added that his lost is around 400,000 NIS.
· At approximately 03:00 on Saturday, 07 February 2015, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ayman 'Amoudi, in Ras al-'Amoud neighborhood, east of occupied East Jerusalem. They arrested his son, Ibrahim (21), and withdrew later taking him to an unknown destination.
· At approximately 01:00 on Sunday, 08 February 2015, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Salim Sharifah in al-Sa'adiyah neighborhood in the Old City in occupied East Jerusalem. They arrested his son, Mohammed (16), and withdrew later taking him to an unknown destination.
· At approximately 04:00 on Monday, 09 February 2015, Israeli forces moved into Ras al-'Amoud neighborhood, east of Old City in occupied East Jerusalem. They then raided and searched a number of houses, from which they arrested 5 civilians:
1. Jamal Yousif al-Za'atari (16);
2. Ibrahim Mohammed Abu Jom'ah (17);
3. Mousa 'Abdullah Abu al-Hawa (18);
4. Mohammed Akram Abu al-Hawa (18); and
5. Mohammed Khaled Abu Ghannam (18).
· At approximately 13:00 on the same Monday, Israeli forces moved into Ras al-'Amoud neighborhood in the east of Old City in Occupied East Jerusalem. They stationed near al-Shamleh School for Boys in Sweih neighborhood when students were coming out of school at the end of the school day. A number of students threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who in response fired gas canisters and chased a number of them. As a result, dozens of students and residents suffered tear gas inhalation, and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 05:00 on Tuesday, 10 February 2015, Israeli forces moved into Jabal al-Mukaber neighborhood, south of East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested 2 civilians: Kazem Ahmed Subeih (21); and Majd Yunis Shuqairat (19).
· At approximately 17:00, on the same day, Israeli forces arrested 23-year-old Attiya Mohammed al-Rajabi at Shu'fat checkpoint, north of East Jerusalem, and took him to an unknown destination.
Settler attacks
· At approximately 12:00 on Monday, 08 February 2015, a settler from "Ateret Cohanim" association accompanied by an officer from the Procedures Department attempted to seize a house and a storehouse belonging to a Palestinian family in Oqbet al-Khalidiya neighborhood, in the Old City of East Jerusalem.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR and statements of eyewitnesses, the abovementioned settler and officer attempted to enter a house belonging to the family of Mostafa Sub-Laban without an order for the family to evacuate the house. After the family confronted them and denied them access, the settler removed the lock of the storehouse and took some items out of it. Once the owner of the house arrived, he and his neighbors prevented him from seizing the property. It should be noted that the abovementioned family rented the house in 1956 from "enemy's property guard" and pays the rent as a protected tenant. However, the settlers filed a case to evacuate the house under the pretext the property is unutilized. The judge of the Magistrates Court decided evacuating the house, but an appeal was presented before the Central Court.
Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property:
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the oPt, a direct violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
· At approximately 09:00 on Wednesday, 11 February 2015, Israeli forces accompanied by a vehicle belonging to the Israeli Civil Administration moved into the eastern side of al-Shyoukh village, east of Hebron. The Civil Administration officer handed a number of notices, including notices to seize 2,000 dunums belonging to a number of families. The notices gave those families a period of 45 days from the delivery date to head to the Israeli courts to prove their ownership.
· At approximately 09:30 on Thursday, 05 February 2015, Abdullah Abdul Rahim Jom'a was told by residents of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, that settlers from "Qadumim" settlement were attacking his land, south of the said village. The settlers sprayed the olive trees with chemicals, due to which 5 tress were completely burnt and other trees were partially burnt. It should be noted that Jom'a was threatened by settlers from the abovementioned settlement to have his trees burnt during the previous harvest season.
Full, detailed document, including info on patrols and border crossings available at the official PCHR website
Israeli forces have continued with systematic attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) for the reporting period of 05 - 11 February 2015.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank & Gaza:
Shootings:
During the reporting period, a Palestinian disabled died of wounds he had sustained during the latest Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip, while a farmer was wounded and arrested at the eastern border in the central Gaza Strip. Moreover, Israeli forces wounded 5 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, in the West Bank. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces continued to chase and fire at Palestinian fishing boats.
In the West Bank, on 05 February 2015, 2 Palestinian civilians were wounded when Israeli forces moved into Ya'bad village, southwest of Jenin.
In the same context, Israeli forces continued to use excessive forces against peaceful protests against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers. Moreover, Israeli soldiers and police and an armed settler attacked journalists when Israeli forces supressed an activity to plant trees in Selwad village, northeast of Ramallah. In addition, the crew of the Jordanian Ro'ya satellite channel and a 25-year-old reporter were attacked and 2 other civilians were detained for 2 hours.
Additionally, on 06 February 2015, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded during 2 protests in Ramallah.
In the Gaza Strip, a medical source at the European Gaza Hospital in Khan Yunis in the south of the Gaza Strip pronounced a 31-year-old civilian, from Rafah, dead of wounds he sustained during the latest Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip. It should be noted he was physically disabled.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 67 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 44 Palestinians, including 6 children. Ten of these Palestinians, including 3 children, were arrested in Jerusalem.
During the reporting period, Israeli forces confiscated NIS 50,000 from a house belonging to Abu Aisha family in Hebron; NIS 8,170 from a house belonging to Mallah family in Allar village, northeast of Tulkarm; and NIS 2,260 from a house belonging to Abu 'Oun family in Jaba' family, south of Jenin.
In the Gaza Strip, on 9 February 2015, Israeli forces conducted a limited incursion, southeast of Beit Hanoun village, north of the Gaza Strip. They levelled lands that were already levelled earlier, but no casualties were reported among the farmers who were obliged to leave the area fearing for their lives.
Restrictions on movement:
Israel continued to impose a tight closure of the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
The illegal closure of the Gaza Strip, which has been steadily tightened since June 2007 has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli authorities impose measures to undermine the freedom of trade, including the basic needs for the Gaza Strip population and the agricultural and industrial products to be exported. For 8 consecutive years, Israel has tightened the land and naval closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and other countries around the world. This resulted in grave violations of the economic, social and cultural rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.8 million people. The Israeli authorities have established Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order to exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy. They also aim at imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip’s exports. During the reporting period, Israeli forces arrested a Palestinian patient who obtained a permit to travel to the West Bank for medical treatment, while another civilian accompanying his father was arrested while the father was denied travel for medical treatment.
Efforts to create Jewish majority:
House demolitions
On 05 February 2015, Israeli forces raided Bab al-Quds village that was established by Palestinian activists in Abu Dees village, east of East Jerusalem, in protest at settlement scheme "1". It should be noted this scheme would increasingly isolate East Jerusalem from the West Bank and would separate the north of the West Bank from its south. In addition, dozens of Bedouin families would become homeless.
On 10 February 2015, bulldozers belonging to the Israeli municipality in occupied Jerusalem demolished a house belonging to al-'Abassi family in Selwan village, south of the Old City, under the pretext of non-licensing.
On 11 February 2015, bulldozers belonging to the Israeli municipality demolished 2 barracks for stone manufacturing in al-Tour neighbourhood, east of East Jerusalem, and confiscated their contents. It should be noted the barracks were established 5 years ago and support 6 families.
Settler attacks
On 08 February 2015, a settler attempted to seize a house and a storehouse belonging to a Palestinian family in the Old City.
Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property:
On 05 February 2015, a Palestinian civilian from Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, learnt about an attack on his land, south of the village, by settlers from "Qadumim" settlement. The settlers sprayed the olive trees with chemicals, due to which 5 tress were completely burnt and other trees were partially burnt.
Use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations protesting settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall:
During the reporting period, Israeli soldiers used excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians, international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded during 2 protests in Ramallah and al-Bireh on 06 February 2015.
(PCHR keeps the names of the wounded in fear of being arrested by the Israeli forces within its policy to oppress the peaceful protests and prevent Palestinian civilians from participating).
Demonstrations against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activity
Following the Friday prayer, on 06 February 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 demonstrators took the streets raising the Palestinian flags and headed to the liberated territories near the annexation wall. Early in the morning, Israeli forces closed all entrances to the city to prevent Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders from participating in the protests. Protestors 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 steel bullets, sound bombs and wastewater at them and chased them into the olive fields. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
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. The demonstrators took the streets and headed to the annexation wall. Israeli forces closed the gates of the wall with barbwires and prevented the demonstrators from crossing to the land behind it before they responded by throwing stones. Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the civilians, and chased them into the village. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in al-Nabi Saleh village, southwest of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstrators made their way in the streets raising the Palestinian flags and chanting slogans against the occupation, and then they headed to the lands that the settlers are trying to rob by force near “Halmish” settlement. Israeli forces had closed all the entrances of the village since the morning to prevent Palestinian and international activists and journalists from participating in the demonstration. When they arrived at the aforementioned land, demonstrators were met by live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs and skunk water and were chased into the village. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up.
Also following the Friday prayer, at approximately 12:20, Palestinian civilians and international solidarity activists organized a protest in the center 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 number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up.
At approximately 11:00 on Monday, 09 February 2015, dozens of Palestinian volunteers and farmers gathered at the main entrance of Selwad village, northeast of Ramallah. They made their way to agricultural lands, south of the village, to plant olive trees in lands threatened to be confiscated near "Ofrah" settlement. Israeli soldiers were deployed in that area to prevent the Palestinian volunteers and journalists from participating in that activity. Once the Palestinians reached the area, Israeli soldiers and police fired sound bombs. The demonstrators and Israeli soldiers pushed each other, due to which, a number of demonstrators sustained bruises as they were violently pushed by Israeli soldiers. Moreover, the Israeli soldiers and police with an armed settler pushed and verbally insulted the journalists. Among the journalists was the crew of the Jordanian Ro'ya satellite channel, as a settler tried to pull the camera from the cameraman. In addition, the channel's reporter, 25-year-old Nibal Khaled Farsakh was verbally insulted in Hebrew by an Israeli policewoman. Israeli forces detained also 44-year-old Jamil al-Barghouthi, acting-president of the committee against the annexation wall and settlement activities, and 35-year-old Iyad al-Barghouthi for 2 hours.
Other demonstrations
Also following the Friday prayer, on 06 February 2015, 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). Demonstrators threw stones at the aforementioned road. In response, Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, 38-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the left thigh. He was taken to Palestine Medical Compound in the city. His wound was moderate.
On the same day, 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. As a result, 2 civilians were wounded and then taken to Palestine Medical Compound. A 16-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the knee and a 21-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the right leg.
Continued closure of the oPt:
Israel continued to impose a tight closure on the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
Israeli forces continuously tighten the closure of the Gaza Strip and close all commercial crossings, making the Karm Abu Salem crossing the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip, although it is not suitable for commercial purposes in terms of its operational capacity and distance from markets.
Israeli forces have continued to apply the policy, which is aimed to tighten the closure on all commercial crossings, by imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.
The total closure of al-Mentar ("Karni") crossing since 02 March 2011 has seriously affected the economy of the Gaza Strip. Following this closure, all economic and commercial establishments in the Gaza Commercial Zone were shut off. It should be noted that al-Mentar crossing is the biggest crossing in the Gaza Strip, in terms of its capacity to absorb the flow of imports and exports. The decision to close al-Mentar crossing was the culmination of a series of decisions resulting in the complete closure of the Sofa crossing, east of the Gaza Strip in the beginning of 2009, and the Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza City, which were dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2010.
Israeli forces have continued to impose a total ban on the delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Strip, except for very limited items and quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population of the Gaza Strip.
The cooking gas crisis has fluctuated due to the closure of Karm Abu Salem for security claims. According to PCHR’s follow-up, Israeli authorities only allow an average of 98 tons of cooking gas into Gaza per day. This limited quantity is less than half of the daily needs, which is 200 tons per day of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip during winter. The crisis has unprecedentedly aggravated for around six weeks due to cold weather and overconsumption in addition to the power outage and using gas as an alternative in many instances of electricity. The lack of diesel and benzene led to the aggravation of the crisis as a result of using the gas cylinder for cars or as an alternative for benzene to run generators. As a result, the demand for gas further increased.
For almost 7 consecutive years, Israeli forces have continued to prevent the delivery of construction materials to the Gaza Strip. Two years ago, Israeli forces approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of international organizations in the Gaza Strip. On 17 September 2013, they allowed the entry of limited quantities of construction materials for the private sector. However, on 13 October 2013, they re-banned it claiming that these materials are used for constructing tunnels. Last week, Israeli forces allowed the entry of construction materials only for UNRWA and UNDP projects. As a result, construction works have completely stopped impacting all sectors related to construction and an increase in unemployment levels. During the 51-day Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip in July and August 2014, Israeli authorities did not allow the entry of any construction materials. As a result, vital and infrastructure projects have been obstructed so far.
Israeli forces also continued to impose an almost total ban on the Gaza Strip exports, including agricultural and industrial products, except for light-weighted products such as flowers, strawberries, and spices.
Israel has continued to close the Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing for the majority of Palestinian citizens from the Gaza Strip. Israel only allows the movement of a limited number of groups, with many hours of waiting in the majority of cases. Israel has continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via the Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel denied permission to access hospitals via the crossing for new categories of patients from the Gaza Strip.
West Bank
Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, Israeli forces imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians:
· Hebron: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 06:30 on Thursday, 05 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron. At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces established another checkpoint at the entrance of al-Samou'a village, south of the city. Later, both checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 07:30 on Friday, 06 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ethna village, west of Hebron. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 15:30 on Saturday, 07 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Ummar village, north of the city. At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of Hebron. Later, both checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 15:00 on Monday, 09 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Sa'ir village, east of Hebron. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 08:00 on Tuesday, 10 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Bani Na'im village, east of Hebron. At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-'Aroub refugee camp, north of the city. Later, both checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
· Ramallah: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 10:30 on Thursday, 05 February 2015, Israeli forces established at the entrance of 'Aboud village, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 20:30, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Termes'ayah village, north of the city. Later, both checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:00 on Friday, 06 January 2015, Israeli forces established closed the eastern entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northeast of Ramallah, with an iron gate established at the aforementioned entrance. Israeli forces prevented civilians from leaving or entering via the entrance. Around the same time, Israeli forces established a checkpoint under the bridge of Yabrud village, northeast of the city. At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces established a similar checkpoint at the entrance of Nil’in village, west of Ramallah. At approximately 18:00, Israeli forces established another checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Abu Mesh'aal village, northwest of the city. At approximately 19:30, a similar checkpoint was established near the intersection of Beit 'Oar al-Foqah village, southwest of Ramallah. All checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:30 on Saturday, 07 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ras Karkar village, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 13:30, Israeli forces established another checkpoint at the entrance of Qabya village, west of the city. At approximately 21:30, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Nizam village, northwest of Ramallah. Later, all checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 08:30 on Sunday, 08 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance Deir Abu Mesh'aal village, northwest of the city. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
· Jericho: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 10:30 on Friday, 06 February 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fasayel village, north of Jericho. At approximately 17:00, they established a checkpoint near the southern entrance of the city. Later, both checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.
· Qalqilya: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 09:40 on Friday, 06 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of 'Azoun village, east of the city. At approximately 22:40, they established another at the eastern entrance of the city. Later, both checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 21:00 on Sunday, 08 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of the city. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 13:40 on Monday, 09 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of 'Azoun village, east of the city, while at approximately 18:50 they established another checkpoint between the villages of Jayous and Kafr Jamal, northeast of the city. Later, both checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
· Tulkarm: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 11:00 on Thursday, 05 February 2015, Israeli forces stationed ‘Annab military checkpoint which is established on the road between Tulkarm and Nablus, east of the city, tightened their restrictions against civilians and obstructed their movement. Later that day, the tightening ended and no arrests were reported. The tightening renewed at approximately 20:30 on Friday, 06 February 2015 and at approximately 11:00 on Sunday, 08 February 2015. They re-tightened their restrictions at approximately 10:00 on Monday, 09 February 2015, and at approximately 14:00 on Tuesday, 10 February 2014.
· Jenin: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 09:30 on Thursday, 05 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the intersection of Zaboubah village, northwest of Jenin. The checkpoint was removed later, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 11:00 on Saturday, 07 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the road between the villages of Ya'abod and Zebdah, southwest of Jenin. The checkpoint was removed later, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 11:45 on Tuesday, 10 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the main road between Jenin, Tulkarm and Nablus near the intersection of 'Arabah village, south of Jenin. The checkpoint was removed later, and no arrests were reported.
· Salfit: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 22:30 on Sunday, 08 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Qarawet Bani Hassan village, northwest of Salfit. At approximately 11:30 on Monday, 08 February 2015, the checkpoint was removed, and no further incidents were reported.
Arrests and Maltreatment at Military Checkpoints:
· At approximately 11:00 on Friday, 06 February 2015, Israeli forces arrested Qosay 'Ayed al-Shawahin (12) and Hamzah Ahmed al-Shawahin (12) from Kherbet al-Jawi area, east of Yata, south of Hebron, while grazing sheep in the agricultural lands adjacent to "Ma'oun" settlement and then took them to "Keryat Arba'" settlement, east of Hebron.
· At approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 07 February 2015, Israeli forces stationed at al-Ibrahimi Mosque gates in the center of the Old City arrested 'Abdel Rahman 'Amer Burqan (9) and took him to "Ja'abrah" police station. Israeli forces claimed that Burqan refused to obey the Israeli soldiers' orders.
Israeli forces arrest two Palestinian businessmen on the Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing · On Thursday, 05 December 2015, Israeli forces arrested Naji shehdah Mousa Zo'arub (33) after summoning him to an interview on Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip. According to Zu'arub's family, who is a steel trader, he went to do the interview with the Israeli intelligence upon a summons he received via the civil liaison. He went there at approximately 08:00 on Thursday, 05 February 2015, and we lost contact with him at approximately 14:00. His brother, Tamer, later received a call from a person talking via a private number telling him that his brother was under arrest and he is now in Ashkelon Prison.
· At approximately 19:00 on Monday, 09 February 2015, Israeli forces stationed at Beit Hanoun Erez Crossing arrested Hussam Fo'aad Mahmoud Nour al-Deen (48) from al-Naser neighborhood when he was on his way back from Israel to the Gaza Strip. He works as a trader and owns with his brother Hussam and Merwan Nour al-Deen Company for Transport and General Trade in Yafa Street, east of Gaza City.
His brother Merwan (38) said to a PCHR fieldworker that:
"At approximately 19:00 on Monday, 09 February 2015, my brother, Hussam and I arrived at Erez crossing and the Israeli officer handed my brother identification papers after checking them and asked him to wait. However, he allowed me to leave after checking my identification papers. At approximately 22:30 on the same day, I received a call from a private number on my cell phone telling me that my brother, Hussam, was arrested by the Israeli forces."
Maltreatment at the checkpoints
· At approximately 19:40 on Thursday, 05 February 2015, Israeli forces detained Mohammed 'Abdel Karim Mousa Abu Hamed (13) and Na'im Walid Abu Hamed (13) from Qalqilya near the entrance of "Tsofim" settlement established, north of the aforementioned city while they were collecting steel. They were released at approximately 22:15.
· At approximately 13:05 on Friday, 06 February 2015, Israeli forces detained 3 children from Jayous village, northeast of Qalqilya in Bir Yoboq near the annexation wall established adjacent to the aforementioned village. The children were identified as Mohammed Subhi Mohammed Khaled (15); Feras Khaled Khaled (12); and 'Abed Ahmed 'Abdel Halim Khaled. The aforementioned children were detained while being with one their relative and working in their agricultural land. When the latter went back to the village after performing the Friday prayers, he did not find his relative. A civilian told him that the Israeli soldiers arrived at the area and arrested 3 children taking them to an unknown destination under the pretext of throwing stones at the annexation wall area. At approximately 18:00 after the Palestinian side coordinated with the Israeli Military Liaison, the Israeli soldiers released the children.
Efforts to create Jewish demographic majority in occupied East Jerusalem:
· At approximately 02:00 on Thursday, 05 February 2015, Israeli forces backed by 12 military vehicles, 2 bulldozers and 2 buses, moved into "Bab al-Quds" village established by Palestinian activists in Abu Dis town, east of occupied Jerusalem, in protest against "E1" settlement scheme. Israeli forces closed the main streets to the area and the bulldozers completely demolished the tents established in the village without any prior warning. It should be noted this this scheme would confiscate 167 dunums from the Palestinian lands to expand the Israeli settlements and settle Bedouins in Palestinian lands in the east of the Occupied City, would increasingly isolate East Jerusalem from the West Bank and would separate the north of the West Bank from its south. In addition, dozens of Bedouin families would become homeless.
· At approximately 14:00 on Monday, 09 February 2015, "Nature Authority" officers escorted by Israeli soldiers moved into the lands of Samir Shoqeir in Wadi al-Rababah neighbourhood in Selwan village, south of the Old City in East Occupied Jerusalem.
An eyewitness said to a PCHR fieldworker that the "Nature Authority" officers moved into the land in the vicinity of the house of Dr. Samir Shoqeir and took photos of it and its contents. They then withdrew and left a notice to remove the land contents that was photographed within 24 hours and in case the decision was not obeyed, the Nature Authority staff would apply it and Shoqeir would pay the cost. The Israeli forces claim that Shoqeir changed nature in public parks although Shoqeir previously confirmed that this land belongs to his and he has all the documents that confirm his words. Moreover, his land was planted with trees planted many years ago.
· At approximately 10:00 on Tuesday,10 February 2015, bulldozers belonging to the Israeli municipality in occupied Jerusalem demolished a house belonging to Ahmed Ma'amoun al-'Abassi in Selwan village in al-Sweih neighbourhood, south of the Old City, under the pretext of non-licensing.
Ahmed al-'Abasi said to a PCHR fieldworker that Israeli forces moved into Sweih neighbourhood on the aforementioned day accompanied with 4 bulldozers and demolished his house without any prior warning and without allowing his family to take their contents out of the house. He added that he built the house in February 2014 and recently moved to it with his family comprised of 14 members, including 7 children to live in it. Al-'Abbasi added that his 200-square-meter house cost him 700,000 NIS.
· At approximately 11:00 on Wednesday, 11 February 2015, bulldozers belonging to the Israeli municipality demolished 2 barracks for stone manufacturing in al-Tour neighbourhood, east of East Jerusalem, and confiscated their contents without any prior warning after surrounding the area. It should be noted the barracks were established 5 years ago on an area of 2 dunums and support 6 families.
Nedal Abu Isbeitan, the owner of the barrack, said to a PCHR fieldworker that Israeli special units surrounded his barrack accompanied with trucks and bulldozers and confiscated the goods, including stones and machines. They then demolished the two barracks. Abu Isbeitan added that his lost is around 400,000 NIS.
· At approximately 03:00 on Saturday, 07 February 2015, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ayman 'Amoudi, in Ras al-'Amoud neighborhood, east of occupied East Jerusalem. They arrested his son, Ibrahim (21), and withdrew later taking him to an unknown destination.
· At approximately 01:00 on Sunday, 08 February 2015, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Salim Sharifah in al-Sa'adiyah neighborhood in the Old City in occupied East Jerusalem. They arrested his son, Mohammed (16), and withdrew later taking him to an unknown destination.
· At approximately 04:00 on Monday, 09 February 2015, Israeli forces moved into Ras al-'Amoud neighborhood, east of Old City in occupied East Jerusalem. They then raided and searched a number of houses, from which they arrested 5 civilians:
1. Jamal Yousif al-Za'atari (16);
2. Ibrahim Mohammed Abu Jom'ah (17);
3. Mousa 'Abdullah Abu al-Hawa (18);
4. Mohammed Akram Abu al-Hawa (18); and
5. Mohammed Khaled Abu Ghannam (18).
· At approximately 13:00 on the same Monday, Israeli forces moved into Ras al-'Amoud neighborhood in the east of Old City in Occupied East Jerusalem. They stationed near al-Shamleh School for Boys in Sweih neighborhood when students were coming out of school at the end of the school day. A number of students threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who in response fired gas canisters and chased a number of them. As a result, dozens of students and residents suffered tear gas inhalation, and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 05:00 on Tuesday, 10 February 2015, Israeli forces moved into Jabal al-Mukaber neighborhood, south of East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested 2 civilians: Kazem Ahmed Subeih (21); and Majd Yunis Shuqairat (19).
· At approximately 17:00, on the same day, Israeli forces arrested 23-year-old Attiya Mohammed al-Rajabi at Shu'fat checkpoint, north of East Jerusalem, and took him to an unknown destination.
Settler attacks
· At approximately 12:00 on Monday, 08 February 2015, a settler from "Ateret Cohanim" association accompanied by an officer from the Procedures Department attempted to seize a house and a storehouse belonging to a Palestinian family in Oqbet al-Khalidiya neighborhood, in the Old City of East Jerusalem.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR and statements of eyewitnesses, the abovementioned settler and officer attempted to enter a house belonging to the family of Mostafa Sub-Laban without an order for the family to evacuate the house. After the family confronted them and denied them access, the settler removed the lock of the storehouse and took some items out of it. Once the owner of the house arrived, he and his neighbors prevented him from seizing the property. It should be noted that the abovementioned family rented the house in 1956 from "enemy's property guard" and pays the rent as a protected tenant. However, the settlers filed a case to evacuate the house under the pretext the property is unutilized. The judge of the Magistrates Court decided evacuating the house, but an appeal was presented before the Central Court.
Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property:
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the oPt, a direct violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
· At approximately 09:00 on Wednesday, 11 February 2015, Israeli forces accompanied by a vehicle belonging to the Israeli Civil Administration moved into the eastern side of al-Shyoukh village, east of Hebron. The Civil Administration officer handed a number of notices, including notices to seize 2,000 dunums belonging to a number of families. The notices gave those families a period of 45 days from the delivery date to head to the Israeli courts to prove their ownership.
· At approximately 09:30 on Thursday, 05 February 2015, Abdullah Abdul Rahim Jom'a was told by residents of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, that settlers from "Qadumim" settlement were attacking his land, south of the said village. The settlers sprayed the olive trees with chemicals, due to which 5 tress were completely burnt and other trees were partially burnt. It should be noted that Jom'a was threatened by settlers from the abovementioned settlement to have his trees burnt during the previous harvest season.
Full, detailed document, including info on patrols and border crossings available at the official PCHR website
11 feb 2015
The latest poll prepared by Dr. Nabil Kukali and conducted by the Palestinian Center for Public Opinion (www.pcpo.org), during the period from January 14 – February 4, 2015 covered a random sample of (1000) Palestinian respondents representing the various demographic specimens of Palestinians (18 years and above) living in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip. It revealed that (60.6 %) of the Palestinian public support the halt of the security coordination with Israel.
The latest PCPO-poll prepared by Dr. Nabil Kukali revealed the following key results:
· (59.9 %) of the Palestinians oppose the dissolution of the Palestinian National Authority.
· (60.6 %) are in favor of halting the security coordination with Israel.
· (56.3 %) support the reintroduction of the Palestinian – Arab draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council.
· (46.3 %) are in favor of halting the communications with the United States, whilst (33.2 %) still oppose such a step.
· (59.2 %) evaluate the position of the UN-Secretary General as "negative".
· (21.1 %) believe that Isaac Herzog will be the next Israeli Prime Minister.
Dr. Nabil Kukali, President and founder of the Palestinian Center for Public Opinion, said in a statement that the majority of the Palestinian public, around (60 %), oppose the dissolution and dismantling of the Palestinian Authority as they still hope that it would pave the way for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and that its dissolution would lead to the loss of the international momentum to the Palestinian issue and lack of interest in creating an independent entity. Furthermore, the dissolution of the Palestinian Authority would leave a national vacuum and conduce to chaos and lawlessness. The unemployment would rapidly rise and tens of thousands of laborers would lose their jobs in its departments and organs.
Dr. Kukali further stated that around (61 %) of the Palestinian public call for the halt of the security coordination with Israel. It seems that this stance came as a response to the repeated Israeli procedures, practices and transgressions such as retaining the Palestinian customs revenues and the refusal to transfer these funds to the Palestinian Authority, which are in dire need thereof. Add thereto the continuation of building settlements, halt of the peace negotiations, tightening the siege on the Gaza Strip, boosting the barriers and check-points and the continuation of the intrusions and arrests.
Dr. Kukali has further shown that the results of this poll indicate that the Palestinian public is convinced there are no differences between the Israeli leaders and political parties when it comes to the issue of the Palestinian state. Thus, they don't see big differences between the still acting Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu from the Likud, and Isaac Herzog from the Labor Party or even Tzipi Livni, Leader of Hatnuah ("The Movement") as they are all sworn not to reach a permanent and just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Dr. Kukali added in his comments that the majority of the Palestinians support the reintroduction of the Palestinian-Arab draft resolution to the UN Security Council for a second ballot despite of the fact that the draft resolution has been initially aborted and got only 8 votes at the UNSC. It seems that the Palestinian people are decisively determined to end the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territories by the beginning of 2017 and, subsequently, to establish their own state on the borders of 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capitol, Dr. Kukali said.
Dr. Kukali pointed out that there is a growing resentment among the Palestinians towards the US position as a result of the US vote at the UNSC against the Palestinian-Arab draft resolution, that calls for the end of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories by the beginning of 2017 and its backing "shoulder to shoulder" the Israeli side to foil the Palestinian-Arab draft resolution. The Palestinian public is convinced that this can only be expected from the American administration that was always biased towards Israel to the detriment of the Palestinian rights and constants. That's the reason why around (73 %) of the Palestinian public believe that the role the US played, and still plays, in the Palestinian-Israeli peace process is not constructive and around (46 %) of them call for the halt of communications with the United States.
Dr. Kukali concluded his comments saying that the publishing of this poll coincides with the 21st anniversary of establishing the Palestinian Center for Public Opinion, which has been founded in Beit Sahour in February 1994. PCPO is now one of the pioneer research centers that are acting in the Palestinian territories not only in the field of the public opinion polls, but also in the fields of economic, marketing, social, educational and health research as well as other fields. PCPO is an independent center that has no any partisan or political preferences or inclinations and conducts public opinion researches and polling activities with utmost neutrality and professionalism. PCPO is committed to provide researchers, research centers, universities, policy makers, the Palestinian political parties, businessmen, the different media and all who are concerned about and interested in the Palestinian issues, as well as the ordinary people, with reliable data and information about the tendencies and inclinations of the Palestinian public opinion on issues and policies of general, public interest. PCPO is a member of many international, renowned associations such as the founding team of the Arab Network for Public Opinion Polls (ANPOP) with head-office in Cairo/Egypt. It is the member representing Palestine in Gallup International Association (GIA) and in the International, Independent Network for Market Researches (WIN) and is also a member of the World Association for Public Opinion Researches (WAPOR) -USA and (ESOMAR). Hereunder are the poll results in details:
Dissolution of the Palestinian Authority:
(59.9 %) of the Palestinian public oppose the dissolution and dismantling of the Palestinian Authority, whilst (32.4 %) support that and (7.7 %) declined to answer the relevant question.
Security Coordination with Israel:
(60.6 %) of the respondents are in favor of halting the security coordination with Israel, whilst (32.3 %) still stick to it, and (7.1 %) were reluctant to answer the relevant question.
The Israeli Elections:
Regarding the question:"Whom do you expect to be the next Prime Minister of Israel ?",
(16.9 %) of the respondents said "Benjamin Netanyahu" (Likud), (21.1 %) "Isaac Herzog" (Labor Party), (15.3 %) "Tzipi Livni" ("Movement" Party), and almost half of the respondents, specifically (46.7 %), answered "I don't know".
In this context, responding to the question:"Whom, do you think, of the Israeli leaders is more committed than the others to the permanent and just two-state solution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict ?", (5.3 %) of the respondents said "Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud)", (14.3 %) said "Tzipi Livni" ("The Movement"), (14.9 %) "Isaac Herzog" (Labor Party), (44.8 %) said "None of them" and (20.7 %) answered "I don't know".
And further to the question:"What would the re-election of Benjamin Netanyahu as the Prime Minister of Israel in the upcoming elections scheduled March 2015 conduce to ?", (28.2 %) of the respondents said: "It would strongly reduce my belief in the perspective of achieving peace", (20.1 %) "It would somehow reduce my belief in the perspective of achieving peace", (10.2 %) "It would somehow boost my belief in the perspective of achieving peace", (7.3 %) said "It would strongly boost my belief in the perspective of achieving peace", (22.9 %) said:"It would have absolutely no impact" and (11.3 %) said "I don't know".
The United Nations:
With respect to the question:"Mr. Khalil al-Hayyeh, a member of Hamas Politburo, accused the United Nations of collusion as to keep the blockade on Gaza and delay the construction works in the Strip. Do you agree with this, his accusation, or not ?" (27.6 %) said:"I strongly agree with it", (35.8 %) said:"I somehow agree with it", (17.2 %) "I somehow oppose to it", (8.6 %) said:"I strongly oppose to it" and (10.8 %) answered "I don't know".
And in this context responding to the question:" How do you evaluate the position of the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, towards the Palestinian-Arab draft resolution that has been aborted by the UNSC ?", (59.2 %) said "negatively", (19.5 %) "positively", (12.3 %) "neither positively, nor negatively" and (9 %) said "I don't know".
The US Administration:
With regard to the question:"How do you evaluate the US position having voted at the UNSC against the Palestinian-Arab draft resolution that stipulates the ending of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories by the beginning of 2017 ?", (63.6 %) said:"negatively", (12.7 %) "positively", (13.6 %) "neither positively, nor negatively" and (10.1 %) said "I don't know".
And in this context responding to the question:"Are you in favor, or not, of halting the communications with the United States after backing "shoulder to shoulder" the Israeli side as to foil the Palestinian-Arab draft resolution that scored only (8) votes at the UN Security Council ?", (46.3 %) said "I'm in favor of that", (33.2 %) "I oppose that", and (20.5 %) said "I don't know".
And further to the question:"How would you evaluate the role the US played, and still plays, in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process ? Was its role constructive or non-constructive ?", (1.6 %) said:"very constructive", (16.7 %) "somewhat constructive", (29.4 %) "somewhat non-constructive", (43.6 %) "strongly non-constructive" and (8.7 %) said "I don't know".
Benjamin Netanyahu and his Government:
With respect to the question:"How would you rate your confidence that Netanyahu's government is committed to the permanent and just two-state solution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict ?", only (2 %) of the respondents said:"very confident", (13.4 %) "are somewhat confident", (29.1 %) "not so much confident", (46.2 %) said:"not confident at all", and (9.3 %) said:"I don't know".
And to the question:" How would you evaluate the role Benjamin Netanyahu played, and still plays, in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process ? Was his role constructive or non-constructive ?", (1.7 %) said:"very constructive", (16.4 %) "somewhat constructive", (25.1 %) "somewhat non-constructive", (47.4 %) "strongly non-constructive" and (8.7 %) said "I don't know".
And to the question in the same context:"Benjamin Netanyahu stated that "the pursuit of the Palestinian Authority to join the International Criminal Court in The Hague should be considered as a clear choice of the PA to indulge in a confrontation with Israel, which will not stand idle. Up to which extent are you concerned about this statement ?", (14.5 %) said:"to a high degree", (26.5 %) "to a mediocre degree", (20.8 %) "to a low degree", (27 %) said:"I'm not concerned", and (11.2 %) said:"I don't know".
Failure of the Palestinian-Arab Draft Resolution:
Responding to the question:"In the light of the failure of the Palestinian-Arab draft resolution on the UNSC, that stipulated the ending of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories by the beginning of 2017, what is the most important measure you would propose to President Mahmoud Abbas to undertake ?" (7.4 %) said:"to internationalize the conflict with all its implications, such as the activation of the diplomatic and legal confrontation, as well as boycott and delegitimization", (10.1 %) said "to seriously adopt the choice of the popular resistance", (22.2 %) "to conduct presidential and parliamentary elections", (16.4 %) "to resign from his post as president of the Palestinian Authority", (17.7 %) "to complete the steps conducing to the national reconciliation", (15.3 %) said:"to resort to the international institutions as to hold Israel accountable for its actions", (5.7 %) "to support a third Intifada in the Palestinian territories" and (5.2 %) said:"I don't know".
Re-introduction of the Palestinian-Arab Draft Resolution to the UN Security Council:
(56.3 %) support the reintroduction of the Palestinian-Arab draft resolution to the UNSC for a second balloting, while (32.4 %) opposed that and (11.3 %) refused to answer the relevant question.
The National Independence:
With regard to the question:"Saeb Iriqat, the Palestinian chief negotiator, once stated:"Either the Palestinian Authority transfers the people to the independence, or Israel should assume its responsibility". Do you support or oppose this statement ?", (67.2 %) said:"I support it",
(22.7 %) of the respondents said:"I oppose it", and (10.1 %) said:" I don't know".
Methodology of the Survey Study:
Mr. Elias Kukali, Head of the Quantitative Researches Department at the PCPO, said that all interviews of this survey were conducted inside the respondents' homes, i.e. face-to-face .The choices were randomly taken in accordance with a long experienced methodology applied by PCPO from a total of (165) sites from the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Mr. Elias Kukali has further established that the margin of error was (±3.09 %) at a significance level of (95.0%). He added that the rate of the female respondents in this survey was (49.8%) against (50.2%) male respondents. The average age of the respondents was (30.4) years.
About PCPO
The Palestinian Center for Public Opinion (PCPO) is a leading full service research institute in Palestine and in a position to organize, implement, handle and conduct national and regional field surveys, studies and researches of any size within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The PCPO is founded in February 1994 in Beit Sahour by Dr. Nabil Kukali, who became the president of this center since that time. After the arrival of the Palestinian Authority (PA), the PCPO was registered as a research center under license number (Am/2). The Palestinian Ministry of information issued the license that permits establishing satellite offices elsewhere in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Furthermore, PCPO is registered as a licensed business at the Ministry of Treasury under number 989326251. In addition, we are a member of WIN/Gallup International, ANPOP, WAPOR and ESOMAR.
Since its foundation, PCPO is dedicated to the following activities:
1) Conducting public opinion surveys.
2) Omnibus polls and services.
3) Market studies on all kinds of trading activities.
4) Surveys of consumer attitudes, consumption habits, and market shares.
5) Pre- and Post-Advertising and Communication Research
6) Pricing.
7) Focus group sessions and workshops on various topics.
8) Rendering services in the field of investment, including feasibility studies.
9) In-depth interviews & brainstorming workshops.
10) Branding and brand tracking.
11) Customer care research.
12) Social and Public Space research.
13) Household consumer survey.
14) Business – to- business survey.
15) Market Appraisal Studies.
16) Media Research.
17) Usage and Attitude.
18) Translation services from Arabic into English, German & Hebrew and vice-versa.
19) Training services that include civic education issues i.e. political systems, democracy and human rights, pluralism, citizenship, gender equality, women rights, conflict resolution, elections, media, leadership, team work, statistical programs, institution management.
PCPO is now a name for reliability, credibility, competence and experience not only in Palestine, but all over the world.
The latest PCPO-poll prepared by Dr. Nabil Kukali revealed the following key results:
· (59.9 %) of the Palestinians oppose the dissolution of the Palestinian National Authority.
· (60.6 %) are in favor of halting the security coordination with Israel.
· (56.3 %) support the reintroduction of the Palestinian – Arab draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council.
· (46.3 %) are in favor of halting the communications with the United States, whilst (33.2 %) still oppose such a step.
· (59.2 %) evaluate the position of the UN-Secretary General as "negative".
· (21.1 %) believe that Isaac Herzog will be the next Israeli Prime Minister.
Dr. Nabil Kukali, President and founder of the Palestinian Center for Public Opinion, said in a statement that the majority of the Palestinian public, around (60 %), oppose the dissolution and dismantling of the Palestinian Authority as they still hope that it would pave the way for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and that its dissolution would lead to the loss of the international momentum to the Palestinian issue and lack of interest in creating an independent entity. Furthermore, the dissolution of the Palestinian Authority would leave a national vacuum and conduce to chaos and lawlessness. The unemployment would rapidly rise and tens of thousands of laborers would lose their jobs in its departments and organs.
Dr. Kukali further stated that around (61 %) of the Palestinian public call for the halt of the security coordination with Israel. It seems that this stance came as a response to the repeated Israeli procedures, practices and transgressions such as retaining the Palestinian customs revenues and the refusal to transfer these funds to the Palestinian Authority, which are in dire need thereof. Add thereto the continuation of building settlements, halt of the peace negotiations, tightening the siege on the Gaza Strip, boosting the barriers and check-points and the continuation of the intrusions and arrests.
Dr. Kukali has further shown that the results of this poll indicate that the Palestinian public is convinced there are no differences between the Israeli leaders and political parties when it comes to the issue of the Palestinian state. Thus, they don't see big differences between the still acting Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu from the Likud, and Isaac Herzog from the Labor Party or even Tzipi Livni, Leader of Hatnuah ("The Movement") as they are all sworn not to reach a permanent and just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Dr. Kukali added in his comments that the majority of the Palestinians support the reintroduction of the Palestinian-Arab draft resolution to the UN Security Council for a second ballot despite of the fact that the draft resolution has been initially aborted and got only 8 votes at the UNSC. It seems that the Palestinian people are decisively determined to end the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territories by the beginning of 2017 and, subsequently, to establish their own state on the borders of 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capitol, Dr. Kukali said.
Dr. Kukali pointed out that there is a growing resentment among the Palestinians towards the US position as a result of the US vote at the UNSC against the Palestinian-Arab draft resolution, that calls for the end of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories by the beginning of 2017 and its backing "shoulder to shoulder" the Israeli side to foil the Palestinian-Arab draft resolution. The Palestinian public is convinced that this can only be expected from the American administration that was always biased towards Israel to the detriment of the Palestinian rights and constants. That's the reason why around (73 %) of the Palestinian public believe that the role the US played, and still plays, in the Palestinian-Israeli peace process is not constructive and around (46 %) of them call for the halt of communications with the United States.
Dr. Kukali concluded his comments saying that the publishing of this poll coincides with the 21st anniversary of establishing the Palestinian Center for Public Opinion, which has been founded in Beit Sahour in February 1994. PCPO is now one of the pioneer research centers that are acting in the Palestinian territories not only in the field of the public opinion polls, but also in the fields of economic, marketing, social, educational and health research as well as other fields. PCPO is an independent center that has no any partisan or political preferences or inclinations and conducts public opinion researches and polling activities with utmost neutrality and professionalism. PCPO is committed to provide researchers, research centers, universities, policy makers, the Palestinian political parties, businessmen, the different media and all who are concerned about and interested in the Palestinian issues, as well as the ordinary people, with reliable data and information about the tendencies and inclinations of the Palestinian public opinion on issues and policies of general, public interest. PCPO is a member of many international, renowned associations such as the founding team of the Arab Network for Public Opinion Polls (ANPOP) with head-office in Cairo/Egypt. It is the member representing Palestine in Gallup International Association (GIA) and in the International, Independent Network for Market Researches (WIN) and is also a member of the World Association for Public Opinion Researches (WAPOR) -USA and (ESOMAR). Hereunder are the poll results in details:
Dissolution of the Palestinian Authority:
(59.9 %) of the Palestinian public oppose the dissolution and dismantling of the Palestinian Authority, whilst (32.4 %) support that and (7.7 %) declined to answer the relevant question.
Security Coordination with Israel:
(60.6 %) of the respondents are in favor of halting the security coordination with Israel, whilst (32.3 %) still stick to it, and (7.1 %) were reluctant to answer the relevant question.
The Israeli Elections:
Regarding the question:"Whom do you expect to be the next Prime Minister of Israel ?",
(16.9 %) of the respondents said "Benjamin Netanyahu" (Likud), (21.1 %) "Isaac Herzog" (Labor Party), (15.3 %) "Tzipi Livni" ("Movement" Party), and almost half of the respondents, specifically (46.7 %), answered "I don't know".
In this context, responding to the question:"Whom, do you think, of the Israeli leaders is more committed than the others to the permanent and just two-state solution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict ?", (5.3 %) of the respondents said "Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud)", (14.3 %) said "Tzipi Livni" ("The Movement"), (14.9 %) "Isaac Herzog" (Labor Party), (44.8 %) said "None of them" and (20.7 %) answered "I don't know".
And further to the question:"What would the re-election of Benjamin Netanyahu as the Prime Minister of Israel in the upcoming elections scheduled March 2015 conduce to ?", (28.2 %) of the respondents said: "It would strongly reduce my belief in the perspective of achieving peace", (20.1 %) "It would somehow reduce my belief in the perspective of achieving peace", (10.2 %) "It would somehow boost my belief in the perspective of achieving peace", (7.3 %) said "It would strongly boost my belief in the perspective of achieving peace", (22.9 %) said:"It would have absolutely no impact" and (11.3 %) said "I don't know".
The United Nations:
With respect to the question:"Mr. Khalil al-Hayyeh, a member of Hamas Politburo, accused the United Nations of collusion as to keep the blockade on Gaza and delay the construction works in the Strip. Do you agree with this, his accusation, or not ?" (27.6 %) said:"I strongly agree with it", (35.8 %) said:"I somehow agree with it", (17.2 %) "I somehow oppose to it", (8.6 %) said:"I strongly oppose to it" and (10.8 %) answered "I don't know".
And in this context responding to the question:" How do you evaluate the position of the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, towards the Palestinian-Arab draft resolution that has been aborted by the UNSC ?", (59.2 %) said "negatively", (19.5 %) "positively", (12.3 %) "neither positively, nor negatively" and (9 %) said "I don't know".
The US Administration:
With regard to the question:"How do you evaluate the US position having voted at the UNSC against the Palestinian-Arab draft resolution that stipulates the ending of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories by the beginning of 2017 ?", (63.6 %) said:"negatively", (12.7 %) "positively", (13.6 %) "neither positively, nor negatively" and (10.1 %) said "I don't know".
And in this context responding to the question:"Are you in favor, or not, of halting the communications with the United States after backing "shoulder to shoulder" the Israeli side as to foil the Palestinian-Arab draft resolution that scored only (8) votes at the UN Security Council ?", (46.3 %) said "I'm in favor of that", (33.2 %) "I oppose that", and (20.5 %) said "I don't know".
And further to the question:"How would you evaluate the role the US played, and still plays, in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process ? Was its role constructive or non-constructive ?", (1.6 %) said:"very constructive", (16.7 %) "somewhat constructive", (29.4 %) "somewhat non-constructive", (43.6 %) "strongly non-constructive" and (8.7 %) said "I don't know".
Benjamin Netanyahu and his Government:
With respect to the question:"How would you rate your confidence that Netanyahu's government is committed to the permanent and just two-state solution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict ?", only (2 %) of the respondents said:"very confident", (13.4 %) "are somewhat confident", (29.1 %) "not so much confident", (46.2 %) said:"not confident at all", and (9.3 %) said:"I don't know".
And to the question:" How would you evaluate the role Benjamin Netanyahu played, and still plays, in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process ? Was his role constructive or non-constructive ?", (1.7 %) said:"very constructive", (16.4 %) "somewhat constructive", (25.1 %) "somewhat non-constructive", (47.4 %) "strongly non-constructive" and (8.7 %) said "I don't know".
And to the question in the same context:"Benjamin Netanyahu stated that "the pursuit of the Palestinian Authority to join the International Criminal Court in The Hague should be considered as a clear choice of the PA to indulge in a confrontation with Israel, which will not stand idle. Up to which extent are you concerned about this statement ?", (14.5 %) said:"to a high degree", (26.5 %) "to a mediocre degree", (20.8 %) "to a low degree", (27 %) said:"I'm not concerned", and (11.2 %) said:"I don't know".
Failure of the Palestinian-Arab Draft Resolution:
Responding to the question:"In the light of the failure of the Palestinian-Arab draft resolution on the UNSC, that stipulated the ending of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories by the beginning of 2017, what is the most important measure you would propose to President Mahmoud Abbas to undertake ?" (7.4 %) said:"to internationalize the conflict with all its implications, such as the activation of the diplomatic and legal confrontation, as well as boycott and delegitimization", (10.1 %) said "to seriously adopt the choice of the popular resistance", (22.2 %) "to conduct presidential and parliamentary elections", (16.4 %) "to resign from his post as president of the Palestinian Authority", (17.7 %) "to complete the steps conducing to the national reconciliation", (15.3 %) said:"to resort to the international institutions as to hold Israel accountable for its actions", (5.7 %) "to support a third Intifada in the Palestinian territories" and (5.2 %) said:"I don't know".
Re-introduction of the Palestinian-Arab Draft Resolution to the UN Security Council:
(56.3 %) support the reintroduction of the Palestinian-Arab draft resolution to the UNSC for a second balloting, while (32.4 %) opposed that and (11.3 %) refused to answer the relevant question.
The National Independence:
With regard to the question:"Saeb Iriqat, the Palestinian chief negotiator, once stated:"Either the Palestinian Authority transfers the people to the independence, or Israel should assume its responsibility". Do you support or oppose this statement ?", (67.2 %) said:"I support it",
(22.7 %) of the respondents said:"I oppose it", and (10.1 %) said:" I don't know".
Methodology of the Survey Study:
Mr. Elias Kukali, Head of the Quantitative Researches Department at the PCPO, said that all interviews of this survey were conducted inside the respondents' homes, i.e. face-to-face .The choices were randomly taken in accordance with a long experienced methodology applied by PCPO from a total of (165) sites from the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Mr. Elias Kukali has further established that the margin of error was (±3.09 %) at a significance level of (95.0%). He added that the rate of the female respondents in this survey was (49.8%) against (50.2%) male respondents. The average age of the respondents was (30.4) years.
About PCPO
The Palestinian Center for Public Opinion (PCPO) is a leading full service research institute in Palestine and in a position to organize, implement, handle and conduct national and regional field surveys, studies and researches of any size within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The PCPO is founded in February 1994 in Beit Sahour by Dr. Nabil Kukali, who became the president of this center since that time. After the arrival of the Palestinian Authority (PA), the PCPO was registered as a research center under license number (Am/2). The Palestinian Ministry of information issued the license that permits establishing satellite offices elsewhere in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Furthermore, PCPO is registered as a licensed business at the Ministry of Treasury under number 989326251. In addition, we are a member of WIN/Gallup International, ANPOP, WAPOR and ESOMAR.
Since its foundation, PCPO is dedicated to the following activities:
1) Conducting public opinion surveys.
2) Omnibus polls and services.
3) Market studies on all kinds of trading activities.
4) Surveys of consumer attitudes, consumption habits, and market shares.
5) Pre- and Post-Advertising and Communication Research
6) Pricing.
7) Focus group sessions and workshops on various topics.
8) Rendering services in the field of investment, including feasibility studies.
9) In-depth interviews & brainstorming workshops.
10) Branding and brand tracking.
11) Customer care research.
12) Social and Public Space research.
13) Household consumer survey.
14) Business – to- business survey.
15) Market Appraisal Studies.
16) Media Research.
17) Usage and Attitude.
18) Translation services from Arabic into English, German & Hebrew and vice-versa.
19) Training services that include civic education issues i.e. political systems, democracy and human rights, pluralism, citizenship, gender equality, women rights, conflict resolution, elections, media, leadership, team work, statistical programs, institution management.
PCPO is now a name for reliability, credibility, competence and experience not only in Palestine, but all over the world.
Palestinian children detained by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank, over 2014, fell victim to a pattern of abuse designed to coerce confessions, according to Defense for Children International-Palestine. (link)
DCI-Palestine stated, according to WAFA correspondence, that among the most troubling experiences were prolonged periods of solitary confinement, a correctional tactic primarily reserved for adult prisoners -- and, even then, only after they are convicted.
In 2014, the average time an individual child spent in solitary confinement for interrogation purposes was 15 days, according to DCIP research. In one case, Israeli authorities kept a child in isolation for 26 days, total.
It said that between 2012 and 2014, Israeli military, police and security agents held 54 children in solitary confinement for interrogation purposes prior to charging them with any offense.
According to UNICEF, “There must be independent scrutiny of the methods of interrogation. This should include the presence of a lawyer and relative or legal guardian and audiovisual recording of all interrogations involving children.”
Data compiled by DCIP from 107 affidavits of Palestinian children, ages between 12 and 17, detained in 2014, showed the vast majority had to fend for themselves.
“Unlike their Israeli counterparts, Palestinian children have no right to be accompanied by a parent during an interrogation. In 93 percent of cases, children were deprived of legal counsel, and rarely informed of their rights, particularly their right against self-incrimination,” said DCIP.
DCIP research additionally revealed that children arrive at Israeli interrogation centers blindfolded, bound and sleep deprived, noting that more than three-quarters of child detainees endure some form of physical violence between the period of their arrest and interrogation, with half of them also strip searched.
UNICEF reports state that detainee children should be restrained only if they “pose an imminent threat to themselves or to others, and all other means have been exhausted, or as a precaution against escape during transfer, but in all cases, only for as long as is strictly necessary.”
“Almost all children confess regardless of guilt to stop further abuse. In more than a quarter of the 2014 cases, children signed statements in Hebrew, a language they do not understand,” said DCIP.
Ayed Abu Eqtaish, Accountability Program director at DCIP, said, “The Israeli military detention system subjects Palestinian children to several days of prolonged interrogation and isolation with the apparent goal of obtaining a confession at all costs.”
“The military courts admit these coerced confessions as evidence to convict these children in a complete mockery of due process and fair trial standards,” he added.
The report confirmed Israel as the only state to automatically and systematically prosecute children in military courts which lack basic standards of due process.
“Around 500 to 700 Palestinian children, some as young as 12, are arrested, detained and prosecuted in the Israeli military detention system each year. The majority of Palestinian child detainees are charged with throwing stones. No Israeli children come into contact with the military court system.”
Related: 3755 Children Kidnapped In Past Four Years, 1266 in 2014 Alone
DCIP demands that Israeli authorities end night arrests, prohibit the use of solitary confinement, and ensure that evidence obtained by force or coercion during interrogations is excluded by the Israeli military courts.
The organization calls on the Israeli authorities to allow access to legal counsel prior to interrogations and the presence of a parent during those interrogations.
“Impunity for violations was a significant obstacle in 2014 as DCIP filed nine complaints with Israeli authorities concerning the ill-treatment and torture of five children while in Israeli military detention. Not a single indictment has been issued against a perpetrator.”
According to DCIP, many Palestinian families refuse to file complaints for fear of retaliation or, simply, because they do not believe the system is fair or impartial.
Recent amendments to Israeli military laws concerning children have had little to no impact on their treatment during the critical 24 to 48 hours after an arrest, where most of the ill-treatment occurs at the hands of soldiers, policemen and interrogators concluded the international group.
DCI-Palestine stated, according to WAFA correspondence, that among the most troubling experiences were prolonged periods of solitary confinement, a correctional tactic primarily reserved for adult prisoners -- and, even then, only after they are convicted.
In 2014, the average time an individual child spent in solitary confinement for interrogation purposes was 15 days, according to DCIP research. In one case, Israeli authorities kept a child in isolation for 26 days, total.
It said that between 2012 and 2014, Israeli military, police and security agents held 54 children in solitary confinement for interrogation purposes prior to charging them with any offense.
According to UNICEF, “There must be independent scrutiny of the methods of interrogation. This should include the presence of a lawyer and relative or legal guardian and audiovisual recording of all interrogations involving children.”
Data compiled by DCIP from 107 affidavits of Palestinian children, ages between 12 and 17, detained in 2014, showed the vast majority had to fend for themselves.
“Unlike their Israeli counterparts, Palestinian children have no right to be accompanied by a parent during an interrogation. In 93 percent of cases, children were deprived of legal counsel, and rarely informed of their rights, particularly their right against self-incrimination,” said DCIP.
DCIP research additionally revealed that children arrive at Israeli interrogation centers blindfolded, bound and sleep deprived, noting that more than three-quarters of child detainees endure some form of physical violence between the period of their arrest and interrogation, with half of them also strip searched.
UNICEF reports state that detainee children should be restrained only if they “pose an imminent threat to themselves or to others, and all other means have been exhausted, or as a precaution against escape during transfer, but in all cases, only for as long as is strictly necessary.”
“Almost all children confess regardless of guilt to stop further abuse. In more than a quarter of the 2014 cases, children signed statements in Hebrew, a language they do not understand,” said DCIP.
Ayed Abu Eqtaish, Accountability Program director at DCIP, said, “The Israeli military detention system subjects Palestinian children to several days of prolonged interrogation and isolation with the apparent goal of obtaining a confession at all costs.”
“The military courts admit these coerced confessions as evidence to convict these children in a complete mockery of due process and fair trial standards,” he added.
The report confirmed Israel as the only state to automatically and systematically prosecute children in military courts which lack basic standards of due process.
“Around 500 to 700 Palestinian children, some as young as 12, are arrested, detained and prosecuted in the Israeli military detention system each year. The majority of Palestinian child detainees are charged with throwing stones. No Israeli children come into contact with the military court system.”
Related: 3755 Children Kidnapped In Past Four Years, 1266 in 2014 Alone
DCIP demands that Israeli authorities end night arrests, prohibit the use of solitary confinement, and ensure that evidence obtained by force or coercion during interrogations is excluded by the Israeli military courts.
The organization calls on the Israeli authorities to allow access to legal counsel prior to interrogations and the presence of a parent during those interrogations.
“Impunity for violations was a significant obstacle in 2014 as DCIP filed nine complaints with Israeli authorities concerning the ill-treatment and torture of five children while in Israeli military detention. Not a single indictment has been issued against a perpetrator.”
According to DCIP, many Palestinian families refuse to file complaints for fear of retaliation or, simply, because they do not believe the system is fair or impartial.
Recent amendments to Israeli military laws concerning children have had little to no impact on their treatment during the critical 24 to 48 hours after an arrest, where most of the ill-treatment occurs at the hands of soldiers, policemen and interrogators concluded the international group.