19 jan 2016
Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a new report issued Tuesday that settlement businesses contribute to and benefit from Israeli violations of Palestinian rights and unlawful confiscation of Palestinian lands and other resources.
The international rights group called on international businesses to withdraw from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Businesses should stop operating in, financing, servicing, or trading with Israeli settlements in order to comply with their human rights responsibilities. Those activities contribute to and benefit from an inherently unlawful and abusive system that violates the rights of Palestinians, HRW said.
“Settlement businesses unavoidably contribute to Israeli policies that dispossess and harshly discriminate against Palestinians, while profiting from Israel’s theft of Palestinian land and other resources,” said Arvind Ganesan, director of the business and human rights division.
“The only way for businesses to comply with their own human rights responsibilities is to stop working with and in Israeli settlements,” he added.
Other countries should ensure that any import of settlement goods into their territory is consistent with their duty under international humanitarian law not to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories, Human Rights Watch said.
This includes prohibiting such goods from being labeled as made in Israel, excluding them from preferential tariff treatment for Israeli products, and refraining from recognizing any certification – such as organic – of settlement goods by Israeli government authorities, the group explained.
The Israeli military’s unlawful transfer of Palestinian land to settlements and settlement-related restrictions are aspects of a broader system of discrimination that benefits settlement businesses while devastating the Palestinian economy, HRW has found.
According to the report, more than half a million Israelis live in 237 settlements across the occupied West Bank.
HRW Sounds International Call for Settlement Withdrawl
Human Rights Watch, on Tuesday, called on Israeli and international businesses to withdraw from Jewish-only settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, saying they "contribute to and benefit from" Israeli violations.
The international rights group said in a statement, according to Ma'an News Agency, that Israel's violations of Palestinian rights -- as well as international humanitarian law -- were "intrinsic to abusive, harmful, and longstanding policies in the West Bank."
The sole way for businesses to avoid contributing to this violation of international law would be to completely withdraw their business activity from the occupied Palestinian territory, HRW said.
The statement was issued following the release of a 162-page report on Israeli and international businesses operating in the occupied Palestinian territory, entitled Occupation Inc.
Studies conducted for the report said settlement businesses contributed to rights violations through the labor abuse of Palestinians, development of Israeli Jewish-only infrastructure in the occupied territory, as well as the confiscation and restriction of Palestinian land.
PLO Secretary-General Saeb Erekat said in response to the report that the findings countered statements made by Israeli leadership that settlement businesses “contributed” to the Palestinian economy.
In a statement, Erekat praised the report, but expressed disappointment that it fell short by "failing to call for a complete ban on trade with Israeli settlements."
Businesses operating in 237 settlements occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank are enabling the settlements -- deemed illegal under international law -- to be economically self-sufficient by providing services and employment for settlers as well as the payment of taxes to settlement municipalities, the report said.
These businesses "depend on and contribute to the unlawful confiscation of Palestinian land and resources by financing, developing, and marketing settlement homes," HRW said, adding that such dependence "inextricably" links businesses to Israel’s discriminatory policies in the occupied territory.
The group documented around 20 settlement industrial zones that hold about 1,000 factories as well as around 9,300 hectares of Palestinian land cultivated by Israeli settlers working for external businesses.
"Settlement manufacturers and agricultural producers export much of these goods, often wrongly labeling them as made in Israel," HRW said.
Companies included in case studies in the HRW report included German multinational Heidelberg Cement, Colorado-based international real estate brokerage franchise, RE/MAX, and the German Bank for Development (KfW).
The rights group said that their call on businesses to halt activity in the occupied territory was not part of the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement, but rather a call on "businesses to comply with their own human rights responsibilities by ceasing settlement-related activities."
HRW also called on all countries to abstain from importing products manufactured in settlements as a part of their "duty under international humanitarian law not to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories."
"Businesses should account for the reality that using Palestinian land, water, minerals, and resources in their settlement operations is unlawful and comes at a great cost to Palestinians," Director of the Business and Human Rights Division of HRW Arvind Ganesan said in a press release.
"But the tide is turning as more and more businesses are waking up to the reality that it is wrong for them to profit from inherently illegal settlements," he said.
The HRW report was released amid ongoing efforts by rights groups and Palestinian leadership to influence the international community to pressure Israel to stop its decades-long military occupation in the occupied West Bank.
Palestinian policy network Al-Shabaka reported last month that the ongoing occupation has stifled Palestinian economic growth while producing billions of dollars in Israeli revenue.
"Every dollar of stone that settlement businesses extract and sell from the West Bank is a dollar taken from Palestinians," HRW’s Ganesan said.
"The bottom line is no settlement business should be operating and profiting from land and resources illegally taken from the Palestinian people," Ganesan added.
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Hotovely: "The whole land of Israel belongs to the Jews”
The international rights group called on international businesses to withdraw from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Businesses should stop operating in, financing, servicing, or trading with Israeli settlements in order to comply with their human rights responsibilities. Those activities contribute to and benefit from an inherently unlawful and abusive system that violates the rights of Palestinians, HRW said.
“Settlement businesses unavoidably contribute to Israeli policies that dispossess and harshly discriminate against Palestinians, while profiting from Israel’s theft of Palestinian land and other resources,” said Arvind Ganesan, director of the business and human rights division.
“The only way for businesses to comply with their own human rights responsibilities is to stop working with and in Israeli settlements,” he added.
Other countries should ensure that any import of settlement goods into their territory is consistent with their duty under international humanitarian law not to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories, Human Rights Watch said.
This includes prohibiting such goods from being labeled as made in Israel, excluding them from preferential tariff treatment for Israeli products, and refraining from recognizing any certification – such as organic – of settlement goods by Israeli government authorities, the group explained.
The Israeli military’s unlawful transfer of Palestinian land to settlements and settlement-related restrictions are aspects of a broader system of discrimination that benefits settlement businesses while devastating the Palestinian economy, HRW has found.
According to the report, more than half a million Israelis live in 237 settlements across the occupied West Bank.
HRW Sounds International Call for Settlement Withdrawl
Human Rights Watch, on Tuesday, called on Israeli and international businesses to withdraw from Jewish-only settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, saying they "contribute to and benefit from" Israeli violations.
The international rights group said in a statement, according to Ma'an News Agency, that Israel's violations of Palestinian rights -- as well as international humanitarian law -- were "intrinsic to abusive, harmful, and longstanding policies in the West Bank."
The sole way for businesses to avoid contributing to this violation of international law would be to completely withdraw their business activity from the occupied Palestinian territory, HRW said.
The statement was issued following the release of a 162-page report on Israeli and international businesses operating in the occupied Palestinian territory, entitled Occupation Inc.
Studies conducted for the report said settlement businesses contributed to rights violations through the labor abuse of Palestinians, development of Israeli Jewish-only infrastructure in the occupied territory, as well as the confiscation and restriction of Palestinian land.
PLO Secretary-General Saeb Erekat said in response to the report that the findings countered statements made by Israeli leadership that settlement businesses “contributed” to the Palestinian economy.
In a statement, Erekat praised the report, but expressed disappointment that it fell short by "failing to call for a complete ban on trade with Israeli settlements."
Businesses operating in 237 settlements occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank are enabling the settlements -- deemed illegal under international law -- to be economically self-sufficient by providing services and employment for settlers as well as the payment of taxes to settlement municipalities, the report said.
These businesses "depend on and contribute to the unlawful confiscation of Palestinian land and resources by financing, developing, and marketing settlement homes," HRW said, adding that such dependence "inextricably" links businesses to Israel’s discriminatory policies in the occupied territory.
The group documented around 20 settlement industrial zones that hold about 1,000 factories as well as around 9,300 hectares of Palestinian land cultivated by Israeli settlers working for external businesses.
"Settlement manufacturers and agricultural producers export much of these goods, often wrongly labeling them as made in Israel," HRW said.
Companies included in case studies in the HRW report included German multinational Heidelberg Cement, Colorado-based international real estate brokerage franchise, RE/MAX, and the German Bank for Development (KfW).
The rights group said that their call on businesses to halt activity in the occupied territory was not part of the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement, but rather a call on "businesses to comply with their own human rights responsibilities by ceasing settlement-related activities."
HRW also called on all countries to abstain from importing products manufactured in settlements as a part of their "duty under international humanitarian law not to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories."
"Businesses should account for the reality that using Palestinian land, water, minerals, and resources in their settlement operations is unlawful and comes at a great cost to Palestinians," Director of the Business and Human Rights Division of HRW Arvind Ganesan said in a press release.
"But the tide is turning as more and more businesses are waking up to the reality that it is wrong for them to profit from inherently illegal settlements," he said.
The HRW report was released amid ongoing efforts by rights groups and Palestinian leadership to influence the international community to pressure Israel to stop its decades-long military occupation in the occupied West Bank.
Palestinian policy network Al-Shabaka reported last month that the ongoing occupation has stifled Palestinian economic growth while producing billions of dollars in Israeli revenue.
"Every dollar of stone that settlement businesses extract and sell from the West Bank is a dollar taken from Palestinians," HRW’s Ganesan said.
"The bottom line is no settlement business should be operating and profiting from land and resources illegally taken from the Palestinian people," Ganesan added.
Archive IMEMC: Bennett Wants to See Palestinians Become "Water Carriers and Wood Hewers" for Jews
Hotovely: "The whole land of Israel belongs to the Jews”
18 jan 2016
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) on Sunday sounded the alarm over the striking surge in Israeli attacks and violations against Palestinian fishermen in the blockaded Gaza Strip.
A report by the PCHR on Israeli violations during the period from November 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 documented 22 shooting attacks by the occupation navy. Two Palestinian fishermen were injured in the attacks and a fishing boat was destroyed.
The center kept record of six incidents of firing shells by the Israeli occupation warships and the confiscation of eight fishing vessels while setting sail off Gaza shores.
29 Palestinian fishermen had also been arrested, including a child.
The report highlighted the striking surge in Israeli violations on Palestinian fishermen during 2015 as a total of 139 shooting attacks were launched by the occupation navy, wounding 24 fishermen and destroying 16 boats.
Six shells were also unleashed by the occupation navy and 22 fishing boats were subjected to confiscation.
The campaign culminated in the abduction of 71 Palestinian fishermen during the same year.
Israeli attacks on Palestinian fishermen stand in sharp contrast to all international laws and treaties and represent a flagrant infringement of Palestinians’ right to work, protection, and safe life.
A report by the PCHR on Israeli violations during the period from November 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 documented 22 shooting attacks by the occupation navy. Two Palestinian fishermen were injured in the attacks and a fishing boat was destroyed.
The center kept record of six incidents of firing shells by the Israeli occupation warships and the confiscation of eight fishing vessels while setting sail off Gaza shores.
29 Palestinian fishermen had also been arrested, including a child.
The report highlighted the striking surge in Israeli violations on Palestinian fishermen during 2015 as a total of 139 shooting attacks were launched by the occupation navy, wounding 24 fishermen and destroying 16 boats.
Six shells were also unleashed by the occupation navy and 22 fishing boats were subjected to confiscation.
The campaign culminated in the abduction of 71 Palestinian fishermen during the same year.
Israeli attacks on Palestinian fishermen stand in sharp contrast to all international laws and treaties and represent a flagrant infringement of Palestinians’ right to work, protection, and safe life.
15 jan 2016
Home demolition in Beit Safafa
In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 07- 13 January 2016, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that Israeli forces continued to use excessive force in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Nine Palestinian civilians, including two children, were killed, and one armed resistance fighter was killed by Israeli troops.
21 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, were wounded in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Israeli forces conducted 72 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a limited one in the southern Gaza Strip. 64 Palestinian civilians, including 8 children, were abducted.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
During the past week, Israeli forces killed nine Palestinians in the West Bank.
In two separate crimes of excessive use of force, on 07 January 2016, Israeli forces killed four civilians, including a child; all of whom are from Sa’ir village, north of Hebron. Israeli forces claimed that the four civilians attempted to stab Israeli soldiers.
According to PCHR’s investigations on the first crime, at approximately 20:00, on the abovementioned day, Israeli forces deployed around “Gosh Etzion” settlement compound, south of Bethlehem, shot dead three Palestinian civilians, from Sa’ir village. The killed civilians were identified as Ahmed Salem Abdul Majid Kawazbah (19), Alaa Abed Mohammed Kawazbah (19) and Mohammed Zeyad Kawazbah (18).
According to PCHR’s investigations on the other crime, at approximately 22:0, on the abovementioned day, Israeli forces deployed at the western entrance to Sa’ir village “Beit Aynoun”, east of Hebron, shot dead Khalil Mohammed Shalaldah (16).
Additionally, in excessive use of force, on 09 January 2016, Israeli forces stationed at al-Hamrah checkpoint, southeast of Tubas, killed two Palestinian civilians claiming that one of them attempted to stab Israeli soldiers searching cars at the aforementioned checkpoint. The killed civilians were identified as Ali Mohammed Hajj Mohammed (21), from al-Jadidah village, southeast of Jenin, a third year student at al-Quds Open University; and Sa’id Jawdat Abu al-Wafa (38), from al-Zawiya village, south of Jenin.
On 12 January 2016, Israeli forces killed Srour Abu Srour (19), a student at al-Quds Open University, from Ayda refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. Israeli soldiers opened fire at dozens of Palestinian civilians after the former moved into Beit Jala. It should be noted that Srour was killed while going back home from university.
On the same day afternoon, Israeli forces stationed at the eastern entrance to Beit Aynoun village that has been closed for a month with an iron gate, killed Adnan Mashni (17), from al-Shyoukh village, east of Hebron, and Mohammed Kawazbah (23), from Sa’ir village, east of the city. Israeli forces claimed that one of the two aforementioned persons attempted to stab an Israeli soldier.
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces a member of a Palestinian armed group and wounded 14 others, including two children and two members of an armed group. The aforementioned person was killed and three others were wounded, one of whom is civilian, when Israeli forces targeted members of an armed group, north of the Gaza Strip. The remaining others were wounded during peaceful protests near the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel.
On 13 January 2016, Israeli forces stationed at the coastal border area, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, fired a shell at members of a Palestinian armed group that was carrying out a combat activity on the beach. As a result, one of them named Mousa Abu Z’aitar, from Jabalia refugee camp, was wounded with many shrapnel to the left side of the chest and was immediately killed. Moreover, two armed members sustained shrapnel wounds throughout their bodies and a fish trader sustained shrapnel wounds to the left side.
As part of Israeli attacks against Palestinian civilians, on 11 January 2016, Israeli gunboats stationed off the west of Beit Lahia village, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire around Palestinian fishing boats sailing within three nautical miles. They also chased some of them and pumped water over them to get them drowned. However, neither casualties nor material damage were reported.
On 08 January 2016, Israeli forces demolished a house belonging to Shafiq Mohammed Halabi in al-Basateen neighbourhood, northwest of Sarda village, north of Rmallah. It should be noted that the son of the aforementioned person named Mohanned (20) carried out a stabbing attack against settlers in the Old City in East Jerusalem on Saturday, 03 October 2015.
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 72 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 6 ones in occupied East Jerusalem. During these incursions, Israeli forces abducted at least 64 Palestinian civilians, including eight children. Twelve of these civilians, including four children, were abducted in East Jerusalem.
During the reporting period, on 11 January 2016, Israeli forces raided Birzeit University, north of Ramallah. They detained the university security officers and then raided the offices of the student blocs and Student Council, from which they confiscated their contents.
In the context of house demolitions and demolition notices issued on grounds of non-licensing construction works, on Thursday, 07 January 2016, bulldozers of the Israeli municipality demolished an under-construction house in Silwan village, south of East Jerusalem, belonging to Nadia Abu Diab under the pretext of building without a licence. Abu Diab said to PCHR’s fieldworker that Israeli forces demolished her house without a prior notice.
Israeli forces moved then into Karm al-Shaikh area in Ein al-Louza neighbourhood. They demolished another 2-storey under-construction house belonging to Suleiman Abu Diab. The building consisted of foundations and pillars for two unroofed floors.
On the same day evening, Israeli forces accompanied by municipality bulldozers raided the Mediterranean Restaurant near Beit Safafa village, west of occupied East Jerusalem. They demolished parts of the Restaurant that were attached by its owner to the main building three months ago.
On Sunday, 10 January 2016, the Israeli municipality officers delivered an administrative demolition order issued against an under-construction residential building in al-Thawri neighbourhood, south of the Old City in East Jerusalem, belonging to Mousa Mohammed al-Abasi under the pretext of non-licensing. Al-Abasi said that the municipality officers handed over to him a demolition order against a 2-storey building. The first floor is a garage that was built four years ago, while the 230-square-meter second floor consists of two apartments.
As part of the punitive measures taken against the city residents, on 10 January 2016, a number of Palestinian civilians residing in East Jerusalem were surprised to find their National Insurance allocations suspended for no legal justification. It should be noted the persons, whose National Insurance was suspended, were abducted by Israeli forces from al-Aqsa Mosque and then deported upon decisions issued by the Israeli police and intelligence service. Israeli forces classified these persons as members of the “Morabetoun and Morabetat” banned organization upon an order from Moshe Yaalon, the Israeli Defence Minister.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
In the Gaza Strip, on 13 January 2016, Israeli forces moved about 100 meters to the east of al-Qararah village, east of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip. They levelled lands that were already levelled previously and withdrew later.
On 11 January, at approximately 22:30, Israeli gunboats stationed off the Equestrian Club, west of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, heavily opened fire and fired shells in the vicinity of Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles. The gunboats also chased and pumped water at the boats in an attempt to sink them. The shooting which continued for 30 minutes caused fear among fishermen who were forced to flee. Neither casualties nor damages were reported.
Israeli settlement activities:
Israeli Settlement activities continued in the West Bank. A plant nursery, south of Nablus, was demolished, and “Mevo Dotan” settlement’s checkpoint, southwest of Jenin, was expanded.
On 12 January 2016, Israeli forces expanded and fortified “Mevo Dotan” military checkpoint that is established on the bypass road between Jenin and the northern villages of Tulkarm, southwest of Jenin, opposite to “Mevo Dotan” settlement. According to PCHR’s investigations, Israeli forces levelled lands around the checkpoint and established fortifications.
On Wednesday, 13 January 2016, Israeli forces moved into al-Saweya village, south of Nablus. The Israeli bulldozers levelled 500 meters of a plant nursery and damaged the plants inside. The overall area of the plant nursery is a dunum[1] and a half.
On Wednesday, 13 January 2016, Israeli forces accompanied by Civil Administration vehicle and a bulldozer moved into Kherbet al-Rahwah, south of al-Daheriya village, south of Hebron. The Civil Administration officers confiscated solar panels used in generating electricity, while the bulldozer demolished a 30-square-meter residential tent and a 50-saure-meter livestock barn belonging to Rajeh Farhan al-Samamrah (40).
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
Israeli troops continued the use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations protesting settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall on their land.
At approximately 13:00 on Friday, 08 January 2016, dozens of Palestinian young men headed to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Shuja’iya neighbourhood, east of the Gaza Strip. A number of protesters approached the fence, set fire to rubber tires and threw stones at the Israeli forces stationed along the fence. Due to this, the Israeli forces sporadically fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at the protesters. As a result, five civilians were wounded. Two of them were hit with live bullets, while the three others were hit with rubber-coated metal bullets.
At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces stationed at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, northwest of Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip, fired live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at dozens of young men, who were on the road between the Palestinian and Israeli sides of the crossing. The protesters threw stones at the soldiers in protest at the Israeli attacks against the Palestinian civilians in Jerusalem and the West Bank. As a result of the clashes which continued until 17:30, three civilians, including a child, were wounded. Two of them were hit with live bullets to the lower limbs, while the third one was hit with a rubber-coated metal bullet to the head.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian young men headed to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Bureij refugee camp, in the centre of the Gaza Strip. The protesters threw stones at the soldiers stationed behind the sand barriers along the fence, due to which, the Israeli soldiers opened fire at them. As a result, two civilians, including a child, were wounded with live bullets. They were then taken to al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah to receive medical treatment. Medical sources at the hospital classified the injury of the child as serious and identified the wounded as: Saif al-Deen Jihad al-Hour (16). He was hit with a live bullet to the lower back; and Jihad ‘Atia al-Qirnawi (22). He was hit with a live bullet to the left thigh.
At approximately 15:00, dozens of young men headed to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Farahin area, east of Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip. A number of protesters approached the border fence, set fire to rubber tire, raised the Palestinian flags and threw stones at the soldiers stationed along the fence. Due to this, the Israeli soldiers sporadically fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at the protesters until the evening. As a result, Farid Shawqi Hussain Abu Ishaq (29), sustained minor wounds to the hand. He was then taken to the European Gaza Hospital to receive medical treatment.
Following the Friday prayer, on 08 January 2016, in spite of the bad weather, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized a demonstration in protest at the Israeli settlement in Bil’in and Ni’lin villages, west of Ramallah. The Israeli forces used force to disperse the protesters by firing live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the protesters and chased them into agricultural fields. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.
At approximately 15:00 on Saturday, 09 January 2016, Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized a protest in the centre of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilia, and made their way to the eastern entrance of the village in protest against closing that entrance since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada with an iron gate. When the protesters approached the entrance, Israeli forces fired live bullets at them. As a result, Maher Mahmoud Suliman (60) was hit with a live bullet to the thigh.
Recommendations to the international community:
Due to the number and severity of Israeli human rights violations this week, the PCHR made several recommendations to the international community. Among these were a recommendation that the international community and the United Nations to use all available means to allow the Palestinian people to enjoy their right to self-determination, through the establishment of the Palestinian State, which was recognized by the UN General Assembly with a vast majority, using all international legal mechanisms, including sanctions to end the occupation of the State of Palestine.
In addition, the PCHR calls upon the United Nations to provide international protection to Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and to ensure the non-recurrence of aggression against the Occupied Palestinian Territories, especially the Gaza Strip.
For the full text of the report, click on the link
In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 07- 13 January 2016, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that Israeli forces continued to use excessive force in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Nine Palestinian civilians, including two children, were killed, and one armed resistance fighter was killed by Israeli troops.
21 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, were wounded in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Israeli forces conducted 72 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a limited one in the southern Gaza Strip. 64 Palestinian civilians, including 8 children, were abducted.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
During the past week, Israeli forces killed nine Palestinians in the West Bank.
In two separate crimes of excessive use of force, on 07 January 2016, Israeli forces killed four civilians, including a child; all of whom are from Sa’ir village, north of Hebron. Israeli forces claimed that the four civilians attempted to stab Israeli soldiers.
According to PCHR’s investigations on the first crime, at approximately 20:00, on the abovementioned day, Israeli forces deployed around “Gosh Etzion” settlement compound, south of Bethlehem, shot dead three Palestinian civilians, from Sa’ir village. The killed civilians were identified as Ahmed Salem Abdul Majid Kawazbah (19), Alaa Abed Mohammed Kawazbah (19) and Mohammed Zeyad Kawazbah (18).
According to PCHR’s investigations on the other crime, at approximately 22:0, on the abovementioned day, Israeli forces deployed at the western entrance to Sa’ir village “Beit Aynoun”, east of Hebron, shot dead Khalil Mohammed Shalaldah (16).
Additionally, in excessive use of force, on 09 January 2016, Israeli forces stationed at al-Hamrah checkpoint, southeast of Tubas, killed two Palestinian civilians claiming that one of them attempted to stab Israeli soldiers searching cars at the aforementioned checkpoint. The killed civilians were identified as Ali Mohammed Hajj Mohammed (21), from al-Jadidah village, southeast of Jenin, a third year student at al-Quds Open University; and Sa’id Jawdat Abu al-Wafa (38), from al-Zawiya village, south of Jenin.
On 12 January 2016, Israeli forces killed Srour Abu Srour (19), a student at al-Quds Open University, from Ayda refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. Israeli soldiers opened fire at dozens of Palestinian civilians after the former moved into Beit Jala. It should be noted that Srour was killed while going back home from university.
On the same day afternoon, Israeli forces stationed at the eastern entrance to Beit Aynoun village that has been closed for a month with an iron gate, killed Adnan Mashni (17), from al-Shyoukh village, east of Hebron, and Mohammed Kawazbah (23), from Sa’ir village, east of the city. Israeli forces claimed that one of the two aforementioned persons attempted to stab an Israeli soldier.
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces a member of a Palestinian armed group and wounded 14 others, including two children and two members of an armed group. The aforementioned person was killed and three others were wounded, one of whom is civilian, when Israeli forces targeted members of an armed group, north of the Gaza Strip. The remaining others were wounded during peaceful protests near the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel.
On 13 January 2016, Israeli forces stationed at the coastal border area, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, fired a shell at members of a Palestinian armed group that was carrying out a combat activity on the beach. As a result, one of them named Mousa Abu Z’aitar, from Jabalia refugee camp, was wounded with many shrapnel to the left side of the chest and was immediately killed. Moreover, two armed members sustained shrapnel wounds throughout their bodies and a fish trader sustained shrapnel wounds to the left side.
As part of Israeli attacks against Palestinian civilians, on 11 January 2016, Israeli gunboats stationed off the west of Beit Lahia village, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire around Palestinian fishing boats sailing within three nautical miles. They also chased some of them and pumped water over them to get them drowned. However, neither casualties nor material damage were reported.
On 08 January 2016, Israeli forces demolished a house belonging to Shafiq Mohammed Halabi in al-Basateen neighbourhood, northwest of Sarda village, north of Rmallah. It should be noted that the son of the aforementioned person named Mohanned (20) carried out a stabbing attack against settlers in the Old City in East Jerusalem on Saturday, 03 October 2015.
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 72 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 6 ones in occupied East Jerusalem. During these incursions, Israeli forces abducted at least 64 Palestinian civilians, including eight children. Twelve of these civilians, including four children, were abducted in East Jerusalem.
During the reporting period, on 11 January 2016, Israeli forces raided Birzeit University, north of Ramallah. They detained the university security officers and then raided the offices of the student blocs and Student Council, from which they confiscated their contents.
In the context of house demolitions and demolition notices issued on grounds of non-licensing construction works, on Thursday, 07 January 2016, bulldozers of the Israeli municipality demolished an under-construction house in Silwan village, south of East Jerusalem, belonging to Nadia Abu Diab under the pretext of building without a licence. Abu Diab said to PCHR’s fieldworker that Israeli forces demolished her house without a prior notice.
Israeli forces moved then into Karm al-Shaikh area in Ein al-Louza neighbourhood. They demolished another 2-storey under-construction house belonging to Suleiman Abu Diab. The building consisted of foundations and pillars for two unroofed floors.
On the same day evening, Israeli forces accompanied by municipality bulldozers raided the Mediterranean Restaurant near Beit Safafa village, west of occupied East Jerusalem. They demolished parts of the Restaurant that were attached by its owner to the main building three months ago.
On Sunday, 10 January 2016, the Israeli municipality officers delivered an administrative demolition order issued against an under-construction residential building in al-Thawri neighbourhood, south of the Old City in East Jerusalem, belonging to Mousa Mohammed al-Abasi under the pretext of non-licensing. Al-Abasi said that the municipality officers handed over to him a demolition order against a 2-storey building. The first floor is a garage that was built four years ago, while the 230-square-meter second floor consists of two apartments.
As part of the punitive measures taken against the city residents, on 10 January 2016, a number of Palestinian civilians residing in East Jerusalem were surprised to find their National Insurance allocations suspended for no legal justification. It should be noted the persons, whose National Insurance was suspended, were abducted by Israeli forces from al-Aqsa Mosque and then deported upon decisions issued by the Israeli police and intelligence service. Israeli forces classified these persons as members of the “Morabetoun and Morabetat” banned organization upon an order from Moshe Yaalon, the Israeli Defence Minister.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
In the Gaza Strip, on 13 January 2016, Israeli forces moved about 100 meters to the east of al-Qararah village, east of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip. They levelled lands that were already levelled previously and withdrew later.
On 11 January, at approximately 22:30, Israeli gunboats stationed off the Equestrian Club, west of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, heavily opened fire and fired shells in the vicinity of Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles. The gunboats also chased and pumped water at the boats in an attempt to sink them. The shooting which continued for 30 minutes caused fear among fishermen who were forced to flee. Neither casualties nor damages were reported.
Israeli settlement activities:
Israeli Settlement activities continued in the West Bank. A plant nursery, south of Nablus, was demolished, and “Mevo Dotan” settlement’s checkpoint, southwest of Jenin, was expanded.
On 12 January 2016, Israeli forces expanded and fortified “Mevo Dotan” military checkpoint that is established on the bypass road between Jenin and the northern villages of Tulkarm, southwest of Jenin, opposite to “Mevo Dotan” settlement. According to PCHR’s investigations, Israeli forces levelled lands around the checkpoint and established fortifications.
On Wednesday, 13 January 2016, Israeli forces moved into al-Saweya village, south of Nablus. The Israeli bulldozers levelled 500 meters of a plant nursery and damaged the plants inside. The overall area of the plant nursery is a dunum[1] and a half.
On Wednesday, 13 January 2016, Israeli forces accompanied by Civil Administration vehicle and a bulldozer moved into Kherbet al-Rahwah, south of al-Daheriya village, south of Hebron. The Civil Administration officers confiscated solar panels used in generating electricity, while the bulldozer demolished a 30-square-meter residential tent and a 50-saure-meter livestock barn belonging to Rajeh Farhan al-Samamrah (40).
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
Israeli troops continued the use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations protesting settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall on their land.
At approximately 13:00 on Friday, 08 January 2016, dozens of Palestinian young men headed to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Shuja’iya neighbourhood, east of the Gaza Strip. A number of protesters approached the fence, set fire to rubber tires and threw stones at the Israeli forces stationed along the fence. Due to this, the Israeli forces sporadically fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at the protesters. As a result, five civilians were wounded. Two of them were hit with live bullets, while the three others were hit with rubber-coated metal bullets.
At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces stationed at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, northwest of Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip, fired live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at dozens of young men, who were on the road between the Palestinian and Israeli sides of the crossing. The protesters threw stones at the soldiers in protest at the Israeli attacks against the Palestinian civilians in Jerusalem and the West Bank. As a result of the clashes which continued until 17:30, three civilians, including a child, were wounded. Two of them were hit with live bullets to the lower limbs, while the third one was hit with a rubber-coated metal bullet to the head.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian young men headed to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Bureij refugee camp, in the centre of the Gaza Strip. The protesters threw stones at the soldiers stationed behind the sand barriers along the fence, due to which, the Israeli soldiers opened fire at them. As a result, two civilians, including a child, were wounded with live bullets. They were then taken to al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah to receive medical treatment. Medical sources at the hospital classified the injury of the child as serious and identified the wounded as: Saif al-Deen Jihad al-Hour (16). He was hit with a live bullet to the lower back; and Jihad ‘Atia al-Qirnawi (22). He was hit with a live bullet to the left thigh.
At approximately 15:00, dozens of young men headed to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Farahin area, east of Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip. A number of protesters approached the border fence, set fire to rubber tire, raised the Palestinian flags and threw stones at the soldiers stationed along the fence. Due to this, the Israeli soldiers sporadically fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at the protesters until the evening. As a result, Farid Shawqi Hussain Abu Ishaq (29), sustained minor wounds to the hand. He was then taken to the European Gaza Hospital to receive medical treatment.
Following the Friday prayer, on 08 January 2016, in spite of the bad weather, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized a demonstration in protest at the Israeli settlement in Bil’in and Ni’lin villages, west of Ramallah. The Israeli forces used force to disperse the protesters by firing live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the protesters and chased them into agricultural fields. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.
At approximately 15:00 on Saturday, 09 January 2016, Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized a protest in the centre of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilia, and made their way to the eastern entrance of the village in protest against closing that entrance since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada with an iron gate. When the protesters approached the entrance, Israeli forces fired live bullets at them. As a result, Maher Mahmoud Suliman (60) was hit with a live bullet to the thigh.
Recommendations to the international community:
Due to the number and severity of Israeli human rights violations this week, the PCHR made several recommendations to the international community. Among these were a recommendation that the international community and the United Nations to use all available means to allow the Palestinian people to enjoy their right to self-determination, through the establishment of the Palestinian State, which was recognized by the UN General Assembly with a vast majority, using all international legal mechanisms, including sanctions to end the occupation of the State of Palestine.
In addition, the PCHR calls upon the United Nations to provide international protection to Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and to ensure the non-recurrence of aggression against the Occupied Palestinian Territories, especially the Gaza Strip.
For the full text of the report, click on the link
14 jan 2016
In an unprecedented step on Tuesday, 12 January 2016, Israeli forces applied the force-feeding law against the administrative detainee, journalist Mohammed al-Qeeq, who has been on a hunger strike for about 50 days. Al-Qeeq was handcuffed and then forcibly administrated intravenous fluids.
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) is gravely concerned over the risks that may result from force-feeding al-Qeeq. Moreover, PCHR calls upon the international community to promptly intervene to save his life and stop force-feeding.
It should be noted that the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) approved on 30 July 2015 in the second and third reading of the amendment to the so-called "Law to Prevent Harm of Hunger Strike", which PCHR warned of its consequences at that time and demanded its immediate annulment.
Many international bodies have also warned of the adoption of such law, which is considered by the United Nations Special Rapporteur against torture as means of torture, and by the Special Rapporteur on the right to health as a serious violation.
Mohammed Usamah al-Qeeq (33) has been on an open hunger strike since 25 November 2015 in protest against placing him under 6-month administrative detention. Al-Qeeq has since refused to eat or undergo medical tests, so his health status deteriorated.
Therefore, Al-Qeeq was taken to al-Afoulah Hospital in Israel and is still there, as his health condition is getting worse. Human rights sources reported that he suffers from permanent headache and pains in the stomach and joints, vomits blood and lost 13 kilograms.
It should be mentioned that on 21 November 2015, Al-Qeeq, Correspondent at al-Majd Saudi Channel, was arrested from his house in Ramallah.
He was then subjected to tough interrogation, during which he was exposed to torture, including shackling (Shabeh), before being placed under administrative detention. Therefore, he started a hunger strike.
PCHR is concerned over the life of Mohammed al-Qeeq, and:
1. Calls upon the international community to pressurize the Israeli forces to stop all attempts to forcibly feed him fearing for his life;
2. Reiterates its call upon the international community to urgently move to stop the Israeli serious and systematic abuses against the Palestinian detainees in the Israeli prisons;
3. Emphasizes that administrative detention is illegal and falls under the category of political arrests, constituting a violation of the detainee’s right to a fair trial, including his right to receive an adequate defense and to be informed of the charges against him; and
4. Stresses that the force-feeding is considered as a form of torture and degrading treatment under the international law.
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) is gravely concerned over the risks that may result from force-feeding al-Qeeq. Moreover, PCHR calls upon the international community to promptly intervene to save his life and stop force-feeding.
It should be noted that the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) approved on 30 July 2015 in the second and third reading of the amendment to the so-called "Law to Prevent Harm of Hunger Strike", which PCHR warned of its consequences at that time and demanded its immediate annulment.
Many international bodies have also warned of the adoption of such law, which is considered by the United Nations Special Rapporteur against torture as means of torture, and by the Special Rapporteur on the right to health as a serious violation.
Mohammed Usamah al-Qeeq (33) has been on an open hunger strike since 25 November 2015 in protest against placing him under 6-month administrative detention. Al-Qeeq has since refused to eat or undergo medical tests, so his health status deteriorated.
Therefore, Al-Qeeq was taken to al-Afoulah Hospital in Israel and is still there, as his health condition is getting worse. Human rights sources reported that he suffers from permanent headache and pains in the stomach and joints, vomits blood and lost 13 kilograms.
It should be mentioned that on 21 November 2015, Al-Qeeq, Correspondent at al-Majd Saudi Channel, was arrested from his house in Ramallah.
He was then subjected to tough interrogation, during which he was exposed to torture, including shackling (Shabeh), before being placed under administrative detention. Therefore, he started a hunger strike.
PCHR is concerned over the life of Mohammed al-Qeeq, and:
1. Calls upon the international community to pressurize the Israeli forces to stop all attempts to forcibly feed him fearing for his life;
2. Reiterates its call upon the international community to urgently move to stop the Israeli serious and systematic abuses against the Palestinian detainees in the Israeli prisons;
3. Emphasizes that administrative detention is illegal and falls under the category of political arrests, constituting a violation of the detainee’s right to a fair trial, including his right to receive an adequate defense and to be informed of the charges against him; and
4. Stresses that the force-feeding is considered as a form of torture and degrading treatment under the international law.