28 dec 2016
24 Palestinian workers from the occupied West Bank died in 2016 while working in Israeli construction sites in 1948 occupied Palestine.
The Palestinian Ministry of Labor attributed the reasons behind the death incidents of Palestinian workers in the Israeli construction sites to the absence of public safety conditions.
Naser al-Qatami, deputy of the Palestinian labor ministry, said on Wednesday that 24 Palestinian workers were killed in the 1948 occupied territories, while 320 were injured while working at Israeli construction sites.
Al-Qatami stated that most of the death incidents and injuries were because of falling from high places due to the lack of protection and public safety conditions in addition to the Israeli employers' negligence.
The Palestinian official believes such incidents are linked to a racial discrimination policy against the Palestinian workers, due to the negligence in providing safety measures.
In 2015, 27 death incidents in similar circumstances were reported among the Palestinian workers in 1948 occupied Palestine.
The average wage of the Palestinian workers who have work permits is 186 shekels a day (50$) while it is 160 shekels (40$) for those who don't have work permits.
Around 90 thousand Palestinians work in Israeli projects, 50 thousand of whom have work permits. 60% of them work in the building and construction sector, 30% work in agriculture, and 10% work in the services sector.
The Palestinian Ministry of Labor attributed the reasons behind the death incidents of Palestinian workers in the Israeli construction sites to the absence of public safety conditions.
Naser al-Qatami, deputy of the Palestinian labor ministry, said on Wednesday that 24 Palestinian workers were killed in the 1948 occupied territories, while 320 were injured while working at Israeli construction sites.
Al-Qatami stated that most of the death incidents and injuries were because of falling from high places due to the lack of protection and public safety conditions in addition to the Israeli employers' negligence.
The Palestinian official believes such incidents are linked to a racial discrimination policy against the Palestinian workers, due to the negligence in providing safety measures.
In 2015, 27 death incidents in similar circumstances were reported among the Palestinian workers in 1948 occupied Palestine.
The average wage of the Palestinian workers who have work permits is 186 shekels a day (50$) while it is 160 shekels (40$) for those who don't have work permits.
Around 90 thousand Palestinians work in Israeli projects, 50 thousand of whom have work permits. 60% of them work in the building and construction sector, 30% work in agriculture, and 10% work in the services sector.
A total of 584 Israeli violations were monitored by the Palestinian Committee to Support Journalists over 2016 against media freedom.
120 violations against media freedoms were also carried out by Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, according to the monthly report.
The committee called on the international community to work seriously to put an end to press freedom violations in the Palestinian territories and to provide protection for Palestinian journalists.
Most recorded Israeli violations were committed during October 2016 as it marks the first anniversary of the outbreak of Jerusalem Intifada, while the highest recorded Palestinian violations were reported during May 2016.
Journalists and media outlets faced fierce and wide practices of suppression by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) during 2016, the committee pointed out.
The reported Israeli violations include arrests, killing, harassment, ill-treatment, brutal attacks, raids into printing houses and media outlet, searching and confiscating its equipment, targeting right of movement, and travel ban.
The most prominent violation was the killing of the media student Iyad Sajadia, 22, in occupied Jerusalem in March 2016.
The report said that 60 Palestinian journalists were injured during the reported period including four females.
According to the monthly report, 138 journalists were either arrested or summoned for investigation over the past year while 87 raids were committed against journalists’ houses and media outlets.
Four media outlets were also closed by the IOF during 2016 while five others were threatened to be closed under incitement pretexts.
120 violations against media freedoms were also carried out by Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, according to the monthly report.
The committee called on the international community to work seriously to put an end to press freedom violations in the Palestinian territories and to provide protection for Palestinian journalists.
Most recorded Israeli violations were committed during October 2016 as it marks the first anniversary of the outbreak of Jerusalem Intifada, while the highest recorded Palestinian violations were reported during May 2016.
Journalists and media outlets faced fierce and wide practices of suppression by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) during 2016, the committee pointed out.
The reported Israeli violations include arrests, killing, harassment, ill-treatment, brutal attacks, raids into printing houses and media outlet, searching and confiscating its equipment, targeting right of movement, and travel ban.
The most prominent violation was the killing of the media student Iyad Sajadia, 22, in occupied Jerusalem in March 2016.
The report said that 60 Palestinian journalists were injured during the reported period including four females.
According to the monthly report, 138 journalists were either arrested or summoned for investigation over the past year while 87 raids were committed against journalists’ houses and media outlets.
Four media outlets were also closed by the IOF during 2016 while five others were threatened to be closed under incitement pretexts.
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) demolished 1,023 Palestinian facilities in the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem during 2016 , a Palestinian rights group said on Wednesday.
Abd Hurani Center for Studies and Documentation revealed that 4,800 Palestinian houses and 535 other facilities were demolished in the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem over 2016.
302 of those demolished homes were funded by donor countries, the center added.
657 other facilities were also notified with demolition during the reported period.
The Israeli demolition orders have left approximately 1,620 Palestinians homeless.
188 Palestinian homes and 121 commercial and agricultural facilities were demolished in 2016 in occupied Jerusalem, while 227 demolition orders were also issued in the city.
IOF also demolished 200 facilities in Nablus, 158 others in Tubas, 140 in al-Khalil, 86 in Jericho, 48 in Ramallah, 29 in Bethlehem, 12 in Qalqilia, 20 in Tulkarem, two facilities in Salfit, and 16 in Jenin.
Abd Hurani Center for Studies and Documentation revealed that 4,800 Palestinian houses and 535 other facilities were demolished in the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem over 2016.
302 of those demolished homes were funded by donor countries, the center added.
657 other facilities were also notified with demolition during the reported period.
The Israeli demolition orders have left approximately 1,620 Palestinians homeless.
188 Palestinian homes and 121 commercial and agricultural facilities were demolished in 2016 in occupied Jerusalem, while 227 demolition orders were also issued in the city.
IOF also demolished 200 facilities in Nablus, 158 others in Tubas, 140 in al-Khalil, 86 in Jericho, 48 in Ramallah, 29 in Bethlehem, 12 in Qalqilia, 20 in Tulkarem, two facilities in Salfit, and 16 in Jenin.
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) arrested 9,920 Palestinians since October 2015 till December 2016, the PA authority for prisoners’ affairs revealed Wednesday.
2,884 minors aged between 11 and 18 years old and 262 females were among the reported arrests, the sources added.
6,297 of those arrests took place in the West Bank, 3,192 in occupied Jerusalem, 250 in Gaza Strip, and 181 in the Green Line.
The rights activist Abdul Nasser Farwana said that all the detainees were subjected to torture and ill-treatment in Israeli jails and detention centers.
Farwana pointed out that Israeli arrests have notably escalated since the outbreak of Jerusalem Intifada in October 2015.
He called for shedding light on the serious implications of Israeli mass arrests on the Palestinian society.
There are approximately 7,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, including 64 women, 13 of them minor girls. There are approximately 400 children in Megiddo and Ofer prisons and 700 administrative detainees held without charge or trial.
2,884 minors aged between 11 and 18 years old and 262 females were among the reported arrests, the sources added.
6,297 of those arrests took place in the West Bank, 3,192 in occupied Jerusalem, 250 in Gaza Strip, and 181 in the Green Line.
The rights activist Abdul Nasser Farwana said that all the detainees were subjected to torture and ill-treatment in Israeli jails and detention centers.
Farwana pointed out that Israeli arrests have notably escalated since the outbreak of Jerusalem Intifada in October 2015.
He called for shedding light on the serious implications of Israeli mass arrests on the Palestinian society.
There are approximately 7,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, including 64 women, 13 of them minor girls. There are approximately 400 children in Megiddo and Ofer prisons and 700 administrative detainees held without charge or trial.
27 dec 2016
The Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) had approved 35 Palestinian structures in C areas of the West Bank and gave demolition orders to over 2,000 other structures during the past three years, the Israeli daily Haaretz said on Tuesday.
Haaretz said the number of Palestinian structures demolished is 18 times more than those approved.
According to the information from the Civil administration, in 2014, nine building permits were approved. In 2015 seven were approved and in 2016 only 37 were approved. In exchange, 2,000 demolition orders were given, 983 of them have already been carried out.
The Civil Administration said that it has no information on the number of permits given to Israeli settlements because they are not responsible for that issue. However, it said that in 2014, 865 demolition orders have been given to settlement units, and only 438 of them have been demolished.
Area C constitutes over 60% of the occupied West Bank, and falls under Israeli Civil and Military control. Israel continues to demolish Palestinians homes in the area in favor of Israeli illegal settlements that are deemed illegitimate under international law.
Haaretz said the number of Palestinian structures demolished is 18 times more than those approved.
According to the information from the Civil administration, in 2014, nine building permits were approved. In 2015 seven were approved and in 2016 only 37 were approved. In exchange, 2,000 demolition orders were given, 983 of them have already been carried out.
The Civil Administration said that it has no information on the number of permits given to Israeli settlements because they are not responsible for that issue. However, it said that in 2014, 865 demolition orders have been given to settlement units, and only 438 of them have been demolished.
Area C constitutes over 60% of the occupied West Bank, and falls under Israeli Civil and Military control. Israel continues to demolish Palestinians homes in the area in favor of Israeli illegal settlements that are deemed illegitimate under international law.
26 dec 2016
The year of 2016 witnessed a noticeable growth in the number of settlements in Occupied Jerusalem.
Haaretz said, in a report on Monday, that 2016 witnessed a sharp increase in settlement schemes in Occupied Jerusalem.
“Since the beginning of the current year, 1,506 housing units were ratified, in comparison with 775 units in 2014 and 395 in 2015,” the report added.
“In 2015 and 2014 there was an obvious slowdown in the number of approved schemes in Jerusalem after municipality officials accused the office of the prime minister of hindering settlement projects describing them as diplomatically sensitive,” the report revealed.
In the same context, Haaretz said that the settlement schemes in Jerusalem increased after Donald Trump was elected as the coming president of the US.
Israeli officials saw Trump's victory in the US presidential elections as a green light to unleash the settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territories including Jerusalem given the fact that Trump does not oppose settlements and considers Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
According to the newspaper, the Jerusalem District Planning and Building Committee is expected to authorize the construction of 618 new housing units in Occupied Jerusalem on Wednesday.
The Committee would also endorse the construction of 140 units in the settlement of Pisgat Ze'ev, 262 units in the settlement of Ramat Shlomo, and 216 units in the settlement of Ramot.
“Building in Jerusalem is important and will continue so as to enable youths to live there and strengthen the capital of Israel,” according to the Israeli municipality.
Haaretz said, in a report on Monday, that 2016 witnessed a sharp increase in settlement schemes in Occupied Jerusalem.
“Since the beginning of the current year, 1,506 housing units were ratified, in comparison with 775 units in 2014 and 395 in 2015,” the report added.
“In 2015 and 2014 there was an obvious slowdown in the number of approved schemes in Jerusalem after municipality officials accused the office of the prime minister of hindering settlement projects describing them as diplomatically sensitive,” the report revealed.
In the same context, Haaretz said that the settlement schemes in Jerusalem increased after Donald Trump was elected as the coming president of the US.
Israeli officials saw Trump's victory in the US presidential elections as a green light to unleash the settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territories including Jerusalem given the fact that Trump does not oppose settlements and considers Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
According to the newspaper, the Jerusalem District Planning and Building Committee is expected to authorize the construction of 618 new housing units in Occupied Jerusalem on Wednesday.
The Committee would also endorse the construction of 140 units in the settlement of Pisgat Ze'ev, 262 units in the settlement of Ramat Shlomo, and 216 units in the settlement of Ramot.
“Building in Jerusalem is important and will continue so as to enable youths to live there and strengthen the capital of Israel,” according to the Israeli municipality.
23 dec 2016
In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 15 – 21 December 2016, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that Israeli forces continued systematic crimes in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. A Palestinian child was killed and another was wounded in Beit Rima village, northwest of Ramallah. A Palestinian civilian was wounded in Silwan village, south of occupied Jerusalem.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
In the West Bank, in excessive use of deadly force, on 18 December 2016, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian child in Beit Rima village, northwest of Ramallah, when the latter was participating in a protest against the Israeli forces that moved into the village. The protest did not pose any threats to the life of soldiers. During the shooting, a 19-year-old civilian was wounded with a bullet to the shoulder.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR’s fieldworkers, at approximately 22:00 on Saturday, 17 December 2016, Israeli forces accompanied with 19 military jeeps moved into Beit Rima village from the south-eastern side of the village where they patrolled in the streets. A number of young men gathered adjacent to Abu Baker Mosque in the central city. They closed the roads by stones and containers and set fire to the tires. The Israeli soldiers immediately fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at the protesters in response. In the midnight, about 25 soldiers patrolled and moved into the center of the village, so the protesters threw stones at them.
At approximately 01:10 on Sunday 18 December 2016, the soldiers heavily and randomly fired live bullets at them. As a result, Ahmed Hazem Zaidan (17) sustained a live bullet wound in the left side of the chest. He was transferred via a civilian car to Martyr Yasser Arafat Hospital to receive medical treatment, but he died upon arrival. It should be noted that the abovementioned child is the son of Hazem ‘Ata Zaidan, who served a 15-year sentence in the Israeli jails and was released only3 months ago. The shooting also resulted in the injury of a 19-year-old civilian with a live bullet in the shoulder.
Israeli forces conducted 54 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 9 ones in occupied Jerusalem. 78 civilians, including 28 children and 2 women, were abducted. Forty of them, including 18 children and the 2 women, were abducted in occupied Jerusalem.
Israeli forces continued their efforts to create Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem. In the context of house demolitions, on 19 December 2016, Israeli municipality bulldozers demolished a car shop belonging to ‘Adnan Harhash in al-Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood. The shop established in 2006 is comprised of a 50-square-meter hall and a 110-square-meter office in the second floor. Moreover, two cars were confiscated.
The Israeli Nature Authority staffs accompanied with Israeli forces fixed 10 banners in different parts of al-Rahmah Gate Cemetery adjacent to al-Aqsa Mosque to prevent burials in parts of the cemetery under the pretext that they are “national gardens.”
Also in the West Bank, Israeli forces continued to isolate Palestinian cities and village by imposing military checkpoints around and/or between them. This created “cantons” isolated from each other that hinders the movement of civilians.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
In the Gaza Strip, in the context of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the sea, on 18 December 2016, Israeli gunboats stationed off Khan Younis shore in the southern Gaza Strip heavily opened fire in the vicinity of Palestinian fishing boats sailing within the allowed fishing area. A similar attacked occurred on the same day off Jabalaia shore in the northern Gaza Strip. The fishermen sailed back fearing for their lives. Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.
In the context of targeting the border areas, Israeli forces stationed in the eastern side of al-Bureij in the central Gaza Strip fired 3 artillery shells at a Palestinian checkpoint belonging to Palestinian armed groups. However, no casualties were reported, but the checkpoint sustained damages.
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 9 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 2 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. The Israeli closure raised the rate of poverty to 65%. Moreover, the rate of unemployment increased up to 47% and youth constitutes 65% of the unemployed persons. Moreover, 80% of the Gaza Strip population depends on international aid to secure their minimum daily needs. These rates indicate the unprecedented economic deterioration in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli settlement activities:
On 17 December 2016, Israeli soldiers protecting settlers, who raided Baten al-Hawa neighbourhood in Silwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem, wounded a Palestinian civilian. Altercations erupted between Palestinian children and young men from one side and a number of settlers from the other side.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
Israeli troops engaged in an excessive use of force against peaceful demonstrations protesting settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall
Following the Friday prayer on Friday, 16 December 2016, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized demonstrations in Bil’in and Ni’lin villages, west of Ramallah; al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of the city; and Kafer Qadoum village, northeast of Qalqiliyah, protesting against the annexation wall and settlement activities.
Israeli forces forcibly dispersed the protests, firing live and metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs. They also chased the protesters into olive fields and between the houses. As a result, many of the protesters suffered tear gas inhalation while others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.
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 United Nations and the European Union express a clear position towards the annexation wall following the international recognition of the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders, as the annexation wall seizes large parts of the State of Palestine.
In addition, PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that both sides must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel, and the EU must not ignore Israeli violations and crimes against Palestinian civilians.
For the full text of the report, click here.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
In the West Bank, in excessive use of deadly force, on 18 December 2016, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian child in Beit Rima village, northwest of Ramallah, when the latter was participating in a protest against the Israeli forces that moved into the village. The protest did not pose any threats to the life of soldiers. During the shooting, a 19-year-old civilian was wounded with a bullet to the shoulder.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR’s fieldworkers, at approximately 22:00 on Saturday, 17 December 2016, Israeli forces accompanied with 19 military jeeps moved into Beit Rima village from the south-eastern side of the village where they patrolled in the streets. A number of young men gathered adjacent to Abu Baker Mosque in the central city. They closed the roads by stones and containers and set fire to the tires. The Israeli soldiers immediately fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at the protesters in response. In the midnight, about 25 soldiers patrolled and moved into the center of the village, so the protesters threw stones at them.
At approximately 01:10 on Sunday 18 December 2016, the soldiers heavily and randomly fired live bullets at them. As a result, Ahmed Hazem Zaidan (17) sustained a live bullet wound in the left side of the chest. He was transferred via a civilian car to Martyr Yasser Arafat Hospital to receive medical treatment, but he died upon arrival. It should be noted that the abovementioned child is the son of Hazem ‘Ata Zaidan, who served a 15-year sentence in the Israeli jails and was released only3 months ago. The shooting also resulted in the injury of a 19-year-old civilian with a live bullet in the shoulder.
Israeli forces conducted 54 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 9 ones in occupied Jerusalem. 78 civilians, including 28 children and 2 women, were abducted. Forty of them, including 18 children and the 2 women, were abducted in occupied Jerusalem.
Israeli forces continued their efforts to create Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem. In the context of house demolitions, on 19 December 2016, Israeli municipality bulldozers demolished a car shop belonging to ‘Adnan Harhash in al-Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood. The shop established in 2006 is comprised of a 50-square-meter hall and a 110-square-meter office in the second floor. Moreover, two cars were confiscated.
The Israeli Nature Authority staffs accompanied with Israeli forces fixed 10 banners in different parts of al-Rahmah Gate Cemetery adjacent to al-Aqsa Mosque to prevent burials in parts of the cemetery under the pretext that they are “national gardens.”
Also in the West Bank, Israeli forces continued to isolate Palestinian cities and village by imposing military checkpoints around and/or between them. This created “cantons” isolated from each other that hinders the movement of civilians.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
In the Gaza Strip, in the context of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the sea, on 18 December 2016, Israeli gunboats stationed off Khan Younis shore in the southern Gaza Strip heavily opened fire in the vicinity of Palestinian fishing boats sailing within the allowed fishing area. A similar attacked occurred on the same day off Jabalaia shore in the northern Gaza Strip. The fishermen sailed back fearing for their lives. Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.
In the context of targeting the border areas, Israeli forces stationed in the eastern side of al-Bureij in the central Gaza Strip fired 3 artillery shells at a Palestinian checkpoint belonging to Palestinian armed groups. However, no casualties were reported, but the checkpoint sustained damages.
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 9 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 2 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. The Israeli closure raised the rate of poverty to 65%. Moreover, the rate of unemployment increased up to 47% and youth constitutes 65% of the unemployed persons. Moreover, 80% of the Gaza Strip population depends on international aid to secure their minimum daily needs. These rates indicate the unprecedented economic deterioration in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli settlement activities:
On 17 December 2016, Israeli soldiers protecting settlers, who raided Baten al-Hawa neighbourhood in Silwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem, wounded a Palestinian civilian. Altercations erupted between Palestinian children and young men from one side and a number of settlers from the other side.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
Israeli troops engaged in an excessive use of force against peaceful demonstrations protesting settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall
Following the Friday prayer on Friday, 16 December 2016, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized demonstrations in Bil’in and Ni’lin villages, west of Ramallah; al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of the city; and Kafer Qadoum village, northeast of Qalqiliyah, protesting against the annexation wall and settlement activities.
Israeli forces forcibly dispersed the protests, firing live and metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs. They also chased the protesters into olive fields and between the houses. As a result, many of the protesters suffered tear gas inhalation while others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.
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 United Nations and the European Union express a clear position towards the annexation wall following the international recognition of the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders, as the annexation wall seizes large parts of the State of Palestine.
In addition, PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that both sides must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel, and the EU must not ignore Israeli violations and crimes against Palestinian civilians.
For the full text of the report, click here.
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