28 aug 2013
The London-based Arab organization for human rights said that Israel commits its violations in the occupied Palestinian territories in coordination with the Palestinian Authority (PA). The organization stated on Tuesday that the annexation of Palestinian lands, the building and expansion of Israeli settlements, the displacement of Palestinian families and the Judaization activities and the arrest of citizens in the West Bank and Jerusalem are all carried out in full coordination with the PA security apparatuses.
The organization called on the PA to stop its security cooperation with the Israeli regime and refrain from covering up its violations against the Palestinian citizens.
The organization appealed to the international community to intervene to end Israel's violations against the Palestinians and their rights, describing what is happening in the occupied lands as crimes against humanity.
In a separate press release on Wednesday, the Arab organization strongly denounced the PA preventive security forces for using deadly force against unarmed citizens in Askar refugee camp in Nablus city, which led to the killing of one young men and the injury of some others.
The incident happened on Tuesday evening when a crowd of Palestinian citizens tried to prevent security forces from the PA preventive apparatus from arresting a citizen.
The organization called on the PA to stop its security cooperation with the Israeli regime and refrain from covering up its violations against the Palestinian citizens.
The organization appealed to the international community to intervene to end Israel's violations against the Palestinians and their rights, describing what is happening in the occupied lands as crimes against humanity.
In a separate press release on Wednesday, the Arab organization strongly denounced the PA preventive security forces for using deadly force against unarmed citizens in Askar refugee camp in Nablus city, which led to the killing of one young men and the injury of some others.
The incident happened on Tuesday evening when a crowd of Palestinian citizens tried to prevent security forces from the PA preventive apparatus from arresting a citizen.
Amira Hass, the Haaretz correspondent in occupied territories, revealed that 3,565 break-ins were carried out by Israeli forces in different cities and villages throughout West Bank since the beginning of 2013, including 297 break-ins during August where 209 Palestinians were arrested. She noted that 3,268 Israeli raids were carried out between January and July 2013 against Palestinian villages in West Bank, while 3,536 Israeli raids were reported during the same period of 2012.
Nearly 6,193 raids took place in West Bank during 2012 while 7,190 raids were reported in 2010, she added.
Has said that 19 Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire since the beginning of the year, most recently was the killing of the three Palestinians in Qalandia refugee camp on Monday.
The Israeli incursions are usually accompanied by violent clashes and gunfire, which resulted in number of injuries and arrests.
Haas noted that the Israeli raids have no boundaries or timing. The raids are carried out at the early morning hours as well as at late hours. They are not limited to specific Palestinian areas but rather target Palestinian big cities as well as villages and towns.
Nearly 6,193 raids took place in West Bank during 2012 while 7,190 raids were reported in 2010, she added.
Has said that 19 Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire since the beginning of the year, most recently was the killing of the three Palestinians in Qalandia refugee camp on Monday.
The Israeli incursions are usually accompanied by violent clashes and gunfire, which resulted in number of injuries and arrests.
Haas noted that the Israeli raids have no boundaries or timing. The raids are carried out at the early morning hours as well as at late hours. They are not limited to specific Palestinian areas but rather target Palestinian big cities as well as villages and towns.
27 aug 2013
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged Israeli forces to immediately end the “unlawful demolition” of homes belonging to Palestinians in the occupied territories.
“When Israeli forces routinely and repeatedly demolish homes in occupied territory without showing that it’s necessary for military operations, it appears that the only purpose is to drive families off their land, which is a war crime,” it said in a statement earlier this week.
The demolitions have displaced nearly 80 people over the past week alone.
Activists say Israel has destroyed hundreds of Palestinian structures, displacing over 700 people in the current year.
On August 20, Israeli bulldozers destroyed three homes and uprooted trees in the East al-Quds [Jerusalem] neighborhood of Silwan.
Israeli forces also razed six residential structures belonging to the al-Ka’abna Bedouin tribe, in Beit Hanina, a day earlier.
In Beit Dajan village, near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, soldiers demolished two hothouses and four rooms.
The Palestinian homes and lands were demolished under the pretext of not having a building permit.
In June, Israeli forces raided the village of Faqeh near the city of Jericho in the Jordan Valley, destroying a number of houses. Nearly 50,000 Palestinians live in this part of the Jordan Valley that lies inside the West Bank.
Meanwhile, the Israeli regime continues its illegal settlements in East al-Quds, despite widespread international criticism of settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The United Nations and most countries regard the Israeli settlements as illegal because the territories were captured by Israel in the Six Day War of 1967 and are hence subject to the Geneva Conventions, which forbid construction on occupied lands. (Video on the link)
“When Israeli forces routinely and repeatedly demolish homes in occupied territory without showing that it’s necessary for military operations, it appears that the only purpose is to drive families off their land, which is a war crime,” it said in a statement earlier this week.
The demolitions have displaced nearly 80 people over the past week alone.
Activists say Israel has destroyed hundreds of Palestinian structures, displacing over 700 people in the current year.
On August 20, Israeli bulldozers destroyed three homes and uprooted trees in the East al-Quds [Jerusalem] neighborhood of Silwan.
Israeli forces also razed six residential structures belonging to the al-Ka’abna Bedouin tribe, in Beit Hanina, a day earlier.
In Beit Dajan village, near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, soldiers demolished two hothouses and four rooms.
The Palestinian homes and lands were demolished under the pretext of not having a building permit.
In June, Israeli forces raided the village of Faqeh near the city of Jericho in the Jordan Valley, destroying a number of houses. Nearly 50,000 Palestinians live in this part of the Jordan Valley that lies inside the West Bank.
Meanwhile, the Israeli regime continues its illegal settlements in East al-Quds, despite widespread international criticism of settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The United Nations and most countries regard the Israeli settlements as illegal because the territories were captured by Israel in the Six Day War of 1967 and are hence subject to the Geneva Conventions, which forbid construction on occupied lands. (Video on the link)
In an excessive use of lethal force, on Monday morning, 26 August 2013, Israeli occupation forces killed 3 Palestinian civilians and wounded 16 others, including 5 children, in Qalandya refugee camp, north of occupied Jerusalem in the central West Bank.
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) denounces this heinous crime, holds Israel fully responsible for the current escalation in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) and demands the international community to assume its responsibilities and provide protection for the Palestinian civilians.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR and statements of eyewitnesses, at approximately 05:00 on Monday, 26 August 2013, Israeli forces in military vehicles and a 20-member infantry unit moved into Qalandya refugee camp, north of occupied Jerusalem. They positioned themselves in the streets and then moved into al-Souq neighborhood in the centre of the refugee camp to carry out an arrest campaign. Israeli forces raided a house belonging to the family of Abdul Rahim al-Khatib near the Grand Mosque to arrest one of the family members. In the meantime, dozens of young men and boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli forces that immediately fired live ammunition, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the stone throwers. Israeli forces received backups that moved into the camp through its entrance and western side. They heavily opened fire at the stone throwers. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians were killed and 16 others were wounded, including 5 children; the majority of them were wounded in the upper part of the body. Moreover, Israeli forces arrested 2 brothers: Yusef Abdul Rahim al-Khatib (24) and Omar al-Khatib (27). Yusef was taken to an unknown destination while Omar was released at Qalandya checkpoint an hour after Israeli forces had withdrawn from the camp at 07:30. .
The civilians who were killed are:
1- Yunis Jamal Jahjouh (23), who was hit by a live bullet to the chest;
2- Jehad Mansour Aslan (21), who was hit by a live bullet to the chest; and
3- Rubin Abdul Rahman Zayed (33), who was hit by several live bullets to the chest as well.
As a result, the number of Palestinian civilians who have been killed in a week has mounted to 4, as Israeli forces killed a civilian in Jenin refugee camp, in the north of the West Bank, when they moved into the said camp on 20 August 2013.
PCHR is strongly concerned over this crime, which further proves the use of excessive force by Israeli forces against the Palestinian civilians in disregard for the civilians' lives. Therefore, PCHR calls upon the international community to take immediate and effective actions to put an end to such crimes and reiterates its call for the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 to fulfill their obligations under Article 1; i.e., to respect and to ensure respect for the Convention in all circumstances, and their obligation under Article 146 to prosecute persons alleged to commit grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention. These grave breaches constitute war crimes under Article 147 of the same Convention and Protocol I Additional to the Geneva Conventions.
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) denounces this heinous crime, holds Israel fully responsible for the current escalation in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) and demands the international community to assume its responsibilities and provide protection for the Palestinian civilians.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR and statements of eyewitnesses, at approximately 05:00 on Monday, 26 August 2013, Israeli forces in military vehicles and a 20-member infantry unit moved into Qalandya refugee camp, north of occupied Jerusalem. They positioned themselves in the streets and then moved into al-Souq neighborhood in the centre of the refugee camp to carry out an arrest campaign. Israeli forces raided a house belonging to the family of Abdul Rahim al-Khatib near the Grand Mosque to arrest one of the family members. In the meantime, dozens of young men and boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli forces that immediately fired live ammunition, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the stone throwers. Israeli forces received backups that moved into the camp through its entrance and western side. They heavily opened fire at the stone throwers. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians were killed and 16 others were wounded, including 5 children; the majority of them were wounded in the upper part of the body. Moreover, Israeli forces arrested 2 brothers: Yusef Abdul Rahim al-Khatib (24) and Omar al-Khatib (27). Yusef was taken to an unknown destination while Omar was released at Qalandya checkpoint an hour after Israeli forces had withdrawn from the camp at 07:30. .
The civilians who were killed are:
1- Yunis Jamal Jahjouh (23), who was hit by a live bullet to the chest;
2- Jehad Mansour Aslan (21), who was hit by a live bullet to the chest; and
3- Rubin Abdul Rahman Zayed (33), who was hit by several live bullets to the chest as well.
As a result, the number of Palestinian civilians who have been killed in a week has mounted to 4, as Israeli forces killed a civilian in Jenin refugee camp, in the north of the West Bank, when they moved into the said camp on 20 August 2013.
PCHR is strongly concerned over this crime, which further proves the use of excessive force by Israeli forces against the Palestinian civilians in disregard for the civilians' lives. Therefore, PCHR calls upon the international community to take immediate and effective actions to put an end to such crimes and reiterates its call for the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 to fulfill their obligations under Article 1; i.e., to respect and to ensure respect for the Convention in all circumstances, and their obligation under Article 146 to prosecute persons alleged to commit grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention. These grave breaches constitute war crimes under Article 147 of the same Convention and Protocol I Additional to the Geneva Conventions.
Israeli soldiers arrest a Palestinian youth in the West Bank's Qalandiya refugee camp, August 26, 2013
An Israeli rights group, B’Tselem, has published a report on the Israeli regime’s violations of the human rights of the Palestinians in the occupied territories, Press TV reports.
The group said in an August 22 report that Palestinians, including children, have been subjected to torture during periods of interrogations or in Israeli jails.
The group received testimonies from 64 Palestinian residents living in Bethlehem and al-Khalil (Hebron) in the occupied West Bank. Fifty-six of them, who were minors at the time of their interrogation, said they were subjected to threats, torture, and violence after being arrested.
“More than 95 percent of prisoners including children are suffering from torture. Israeli doesn’t differentiate between a child and an adult. We have even received testimonies of sexual abuse and threats against minors,” the Palestinian Authority’s Minister of Prisoners Affairs Kaldura Faris told Press TV.
“They are often held for long hours, suffer sleep deprivation before they are tortured into confessing crimes they may have never committed…,” he added.
An Israeli rights group, B’Tselem, has published a report on the Israeli regime’s violations of the human rights of the Palestinians in the occupied territories, Press TV reports.
The group said in an August 22 report that Palestinians, including children, have been subjected to torture during periods of interrogations or in Israeli jails.
The group received testimonies from 64 Palestinian residents living in Bethlehem and al-Khalil (Hebron) in the occupied West Bank. Fifty-six of them, who were minors at the time of their interrogation, said they were subjected to threats, torture, and violence after being arrested.
“More than 95 percent of prisoners including children are suffering from torture. Israeli doesn’t differentiate between a child and an adult. We have even received testimonies of sexual abuse and threats against minors,” the Palestinian Authority’s Minister of Prisoners Affairs Kaldura Faris told Press TV.
“They are often held for long hours, suffer sleep deprivation before they are tortured into confessing crimes they may have never committed…,” he added.
26 aug 2013
B’Tselem’s field researchers have begun investigating the incident that took place this morning (26 August) in which three Palestinians – Rubin Zayed, Yunes Jahjuh and Jihad Aslan – were killed by Israeli security forces’ fire in Qalandiya Refugee Camp, and almost twenty others were injured. According to B’Tselem’s initial investigation, as well as media reports, Israeli security forces comprising soldiers and Border Police entered the refugee camp at approximately 6:00 A.M. today with the intention of arresting a Palestinian recently released from Israeli prison. Residents of the camp responded by throwing stones and other objects at the force that was carrying out the arrest itself – some ten Border Police officers – following which soldiers arrived in four armored jeeps in order to escort the force out of the camp, and fired live ammunition.
Over the years, B’Tselem has documented various incidents in which Israeli military forces entering a Palestinian refugee camp were met with massive stone-throwing and responded with fatal fire. One of them occurred in Qalandiya Refugee Camp itself, some two years ago: On 1 August 2011, soldiers entered the camp in the middle of the night on an arrest mission and were met with stone-throwing by residents; at the end of the mission, the force opened fire, killing two residents – Mu'atasem 'Adwan and ‘Ali Khalifah – and injuring a third.
B’Tselem’s initial investigation indicates that several recent arrest operations in Qalandiya Refugee Camp have ended with stone-throwing by residents, to which the soldiers responded by using crowd control weapons, which did not lead to injury. At this early stage, it appears that the stone-throwing was more massive today as the security forces remained in the camp until around 6:45 A.M., a busy hour on the street as the Palestinian school year started yesterday.
Past experience shows that whenever Israeli security forces enter a densely-populated Palestinian residential area, they are exposed to stone-throwing and to a potential threat to their lives – a predictable situation that must surely be known to the command ranks. Indeed, Israeli daily Ha’aretz quoted a military official today as saying that “in recent months, not a single arrest has occurred without the residents responding – whether it’s youths coming out of their houses and throwing stones at the forces, or the use of live fire”.
Given that commanders are well aware of the danger inherent to these situations, such missions should not end with the killing of three civilians. Today’s harsh consequences cast doubt on their judgment in ordering the mission, and on the degree to which the force was prepared in advance. There is also room for grave suspicion that not all possible measures were taken to prevent this result, including the consideration of alternative modes of operation, and that the forces made excessive use of lethal weapons.
An investigation into the incident must be opened immediately in order to examine these issues, and particularly the command’s decision to carry out the arrest in this manner, and the question whether they forces prepared in advance for the mission in a way that could have prevented the use of lethal arms. B’Tselem has written to the Military Advocate for Operational Matters and to the SHAI [Judea and Samaria] District Police, which is in charge of investigating suspected breaches of shooting protocol by Border Police, demanding that an investigation be opened. Additionally, the military must take action to prevent the recurrence of such incidents, such as establishing clear procedures for arrest missions and for the entry of army forces into densely-populated residential areas.
Over the years, B’Tselem has documented various incidents in which Israeli military forces entering a Palestinian refugee camp were met with massive stone-throwing and responded with fatal fire. One of them occurred in Qalandiya Refugee Camp itself, some two years ago: On 1 August 2011, soldiers entered the camp in the middle of the night on an arrest mission and were met with stone-throwing by residents; at the end of the mission, the force opened fire, killing two residents – Mu'atasem 'Adwan and ‘Ali Khalifah – and injuring a third.
B’Tselem’s initial investigation indicates that several recent arrest operations in Qalandiya Refugee Camp have ended with stone-throwing by residents, to which the soldiers responded by using crowd control weapons, which did not lead to injury. At this early stage, it appears that the stone-throwing was more massive today as the security forces remained in the camp until around 6:45 A.M., a busy hour on the street as the Palestinian school year started yesterday.
Past experience shows that whenever Israeli security forces enter a densely-populated Palestinian residential area, they are exposed to stone-throwing and to a potential threat to their lives – a predictable situation that must surely be known to the command ranks. Indeed, Israeli daily Ha’aretz quoted a military official today as saying that “in recent months, not a single arrest has occurred without the residents responding – whether it’s youths coming out of their houses and throwing stones at the forces, or the use of live fire”.
Given that commanders are well aware of the danger inherent to these situations, such missions should not end with the killing of three civilians. Today’s harsh consequences cast doubt on their judgment in ordering the mission, and on the degree to which the force was prepared in advance. There is also room for grave suspicion that not all possible measures were taken to prevent this result, including the consideration of alternative modes of operation, and that the forces made excessive use of lethal weapons.
An investigation into the incident must be opened immediately in order to examine these issues, and particularly the command’s decision to carry out the arrest in this manner, and the question whether they forces prepared in advance for the mission in a way that could have prevented the use of lethal arms. B’Tselem has written to the Military Advocate for Operational Matters and to the SHAI [Judea and Samaria] District Police, which is in charge of investigating suspected breaches of shooting protocol by Border Police, demanding that an investigation be opened. Additionally, the military must take action to prevent the recurrence of such incidents, such as establishing clear procedures for arrest missions and for the entry of army forces into densely-populated residential areas.
26 aug 2013
Israeli forces demolished every structure in the Bedouin community
Human Rights Watch called on Israel to end immediately the unlawful demolitions of Palestinian homes and other structures in occupied Palestine, noting that it raises war crime concerns. HRW issued a report on Sunday in which it indicated that the Israeli demolitions have displaced 79 Palestinians since August 19, 2013. It considered demolitions of homes and other structures that compel Palestinians to leave their communities may amount to the forcible transfer of residents of an occupied territory, as a war crime.
Human Rights Watch documented demolitions on August 19 in East Jerusalem that displaced 39 people, including 18 children. Israeli human rights groups and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) documented additional demolitions in East Jerusalem and the West Bank on August 20 and 21 that destroyed the homes of 40 people, including 20 children.
Joe Stork, acting Middle East director at Human Rights Watch said " When Israeli forces routinely and repeatedly demolish homes in occupied territory without showing that it’s necessary for military operations, it appears that the only purpose is to drive families off their land, which is a war crime,”.
Human Rights Watch called on Israel to end immediately the unlawful demolitions of Palestinian homes and other structures in occupied Palestine, noting that it raises war crime concerns. HRW issued a report on Sunday in which it indicated that the Israeli demolitions have displaced 79 Palestinians since August 19, 2013. It considered demolitions of homes and other structures that compel Palestinians to leave their communities may amount to the forcible transfer of residents of an occupied territory, as a war crime.
Human Rights Watch documented demolitions on August 19 in East Jerusalem that displaced 39 people, including 18 children. Israeli human rights groups and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) documented additional demolitions in East Jerusalem and the West Bank on August 20 and 21 that destroyed the homes of 40 people, including 20 children.
Joe Stork, acting Middle East director at Human Rights Watch said " When Israeli forces routinely and repeatedly demolish homes in occupied territory without showing that it’s necessary for military operations, it appears that the only purpose is to drive families off their land, which is a war crime,”.
23 aug 2013
Family home near Gaza City, heavily damaged by an Israeli air strike on the next-door house which killed four people and injured dozens on 19 November 2012
In November last year at least 100 Palestinian civilians and four Israeli civilians were killed after the Israeli army launched Operation “Pillar of Defence”. During the conflict unlawful attacks were carried out by Israeli forces - who hit over 1,500 targets throughout the Gaza Strip, and Palestinian armed groups - who fired over 1,500 indiscriminate rockets at Israel. Three years earlier, hundreds of Palestinian civilians and three Israeli civilians were killed in the context of Operation “Cast Lead” - neither side ever took adequate steps to ensure that anyone was held accountable for crimes under international law.
Victims of such crimes deserve justice, and President Abbas has a unique opportunity to do something. Last year Palestine was recognized as a non-member observer state of the United Nations – which means that the government can now ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) that would allow victims of crimes under international law committed by all parties to seek justice.
Sign the petition below to put pressure on President Abbas to ratify the Rome Statute, because no one should enjoy impunity for crimes against civilians.
9 Actions taken Share Take ActionSign the Rome StatuteYour Excellency,
We urge you to ensure that Palestine accedes to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 2013, thereby sending a strong message that crimes against civilians will never be committed with impunity on Palestinian territory, and that Palestinian leaders will not forget human rights and justice while pursuing negotiations.
Acceding to the Rome Statute would mean that in the future, the ICC could investigate and prosecute crimes, if the national authorities are unable or unwilling to do so.
In 2009, the Palestinian government declared that it recognized the jurisdiction of the ICC. Now is the time to make justice real by signing the Rome Statute.
In November last year at least 100 Palestinian civilians and four Israeli civilians were killed after the Israeli army launched Operation “Pillar of Defence”. During the conflict unlawful attacks were carried out by Israeli forces - who hit over 1,500 targets throughout the Gaza Strip, and Palestinian armed groups - who fired over 1,500 indiscriminate rockets at Israel. Three years earlier, hundreds of Palestinian civilians and three Israeli civilians were killed in the context of Operation “Cast Lead” - neither side ever took adequate steps to ensure that anyone was held accountable for crimes under international law.
Victims of such crimes deserve justice, and President Abbas has a unique opportunity to do something. Last year Palestine was recognized as a non-member observer state of the United Nations – which means that the government can now ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) that would allow victims of crimes under international law committed by all parties to seek justice.
Sign the petition below to put pressure on President Abbas to ratify the Rome Statute, because no one should enjoy impunity for crimes against civilians.
9 Actions taken Share Take ActionSign the Rome StatuteYour Excellency,
We urge you to ensure that Palestine accedes to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 2013, thereby sending a strong message that crimes against civilians will never be committed with impunity on Palestinian territory, and that Palestinian leaders will not forget human rights and justice while pursuing negotiations.
Acceding to the Rome Statute would mean that in the future, the ICC could investigate and prosecute crimes, if the national authorities are unable or unwilling to do so.
In 2009, the Palestinian government declared that it recognized the jurisdiction of the ICC. Now is the time to make justice real by signing the Rome Statute.
The Arab Organisation for Human Rights in UK (AOHR) said that it got credible information that prisoners in Jericho Prison in the West Bank are subjected sever torture. Credible sources visited prisoners and confirmed the information stating that: “Prisoners are strung up on meat hooks like carcasses in a slaughterhouse. They remain hanged, while screaming at the top of their voices, for long hours.” Several sources said that the PA carried out arbitrary mass arrests on the background of the bloody dispersal of protests in Rabaa Al-Adawiya and Al-Nahda Squares in Egypt last week. PA security services kidnapped people from homes and streets; and AOHR’s sources described the situation as a typical copy of what happened in wake of Palestinian division in 2007.
In this context, the family of the prisoner Kanan Mostafa Said Shatat, 34, married and father of four children, said that he was kidnapped from his house on August 17, 2013. The family said that a group of unidentified people broke into the house and took Kanan to an unknown place. Two days later, the family was told that the kidnappers were PA security staff and knew that Kanan was taken to Jericho Prison, where he immediately went on hunger strike.
The Public Prosecutor issued a prison order pending investigation for him but the PA intelligence services kidnapped him from the court and led him to their headquarters in Jericho, where he is being severely tortured.
Kanan and his five brothers have been detained several times by the Israeli occupation and the PA security services. They were severely tortured, but they described torture in PA prisons as being worse than in Israeli jails.
Kanan himself is suffering chondritis and consequences of prison torture as he suffered head fractures during torture sessions inside PA prisons in 2009.
AOHR said that it reaffirms that systematic torture in PA interrogation cells has never stopped and it has been widely used based on unidentified policies.
The organisation emphasized that there is a fierce arrest campaign by the PA against opposition members in the West Bank based on no clear reason. Security services investigate and torture prisoners based on old charges.
AOHR called on EU governments and UN Secretary General to immediately intervene to save the lives of prisoners being currently tortured inside the PA prisons, especially in Jericho Prison.
In this context, the family of the prisoner Kanan Mostafa Said Shatat, 34, married and father of four children, said that he was kidnapped from his house on August 17, 2013. The family said that a group of unidentified people broke into the house and took Kanan to an unknown place. Two days later, the family was told that the kidnappers were PA security staff and knew that Kanan was taken to Jericho Prison, where he immediately went on hunger strike.
The Public Prosecutor issued a prison order pending investigation for him but the PA intelligence services kidnapped him from the court and led him to their headquarters in Jericho, where he is being severely tortured.
Kanan and his five brothers have been detained several times by the Israeli occupation and the PA security services. They were severely tortured, but they described torture in PA prisons as being worse than in Israeli jails.
Kanan himself is suffering chondritis and consequences of prison torture as he suffered head fractures during torture sessions inside PA prisons in 2009.
AOHR said that it reaffirms that systematic torture in PA interrogation cells has never stopped and it has been widely used based on unidentified policies.
The organisation emphasized that there is a fierce arrest campaign by the PA against opposition members in the West Bank based on no clear reason. Security services investigate and torture prisoners based on old charges.
AOHR called on EU governments and UN Secretary General to immediately intervene to save the lives of prisoners being currently tortured inside the PA prisons, especially in Jericho Prison.
On Tuesday, 20 August 2013, a colonel who serves as director of the office of the Palestinian presidency’s secretary general broke into a house in Ramallah and fired inside it allegedly because his child was attacked by another child living in the house. As a result of the indiscriminate shooting, the colonel’s child, who was accompanying him, was injured by a bullet to the foot. This attack constitutes a form of misuse of weapons, a phenomenon which prevails in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt).
According to investigations conducted by the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR), and the testimony of the affected house’s owner, Ms. Hanan Du’ais Abu Kwaik, 44, at approximately 03:00 on Tuesday, 20 August 2013, Colonel Sa’id Ahmed, director of the office Tayeb Abdul al-Rahim, secretary general of the Palestinian presidency, his bodyguard and his child stormed Abu Kwaik’s house in al-Hayat housing community in Baten al-Hawa neighborhood in Ramallah. The colonel and his bodyguard were armed.
Colonel Ahmed searched for Abu Kwaik’s child, 13-year-old Bahaa’, and when he found him, he attempted to force him out of the house claiming that Bahaa’ had attacked the colonel’s child, but Bahaa’ was able to escape. Immediately, the colonel opened fire indiscriminately. As a result, the colonel’s child was injured by a bullet to the foot, and the house was damaged.
PCHR condemns this attack, which constitutes a form of misuse of weapons, a phenomenon which prevails in the oPt. PCHR calls upon the Attorney General’s office to investigate it and bring the perpetrators before justice.
Source: PCHR Gaza
According to investigations conducted by the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR), and the testimony of the affected house’s owner, Ms. Hanan Du’ais Abu Kwaik, 44, at approximately 03:00 on Tuesday, 20 August 2013, Colonel Sa’id Ahmed, director of the office Tayeb Abdul al-Rahim, secretary general of the Palestinian presidency, his bodyguard and his child stormed Abu Kwaik’s house in al-Hayat housing community in Baten al-Hawa neighborhood in Ramallah. The colonel and his bodyguard were armed.
Colonel Ahmed searched for Abu Kwaik’s child, 13-year-old Bahaa’, and when he found him, he attempted to force him out of the house claiming that Bahaa’ had attacked the colonel’s child, but Bahaa’ was able to escape. Immediately, the colonel opened fire indiscriminately. As a result, the colonel’s child was injured by a bullet to the foot, and the house was damaged.
PCHR condemns this attack, which constitutes a form of misuse of weapons, a phenomenon which prevails in the oPt. PCHR calls upon the Attorney General’s office to investigate it and bring the perpetrators before justice.
Source: PCHR Gaza
PLO's Negotiations Affairs Department issued Friday, a new fact sheet entitled "Israeli Home Demolition Policy in Occupied East Jerusalem August 2013."
Between the announcement of resumption of negotiations (July 30th) and the third Israel-Palestine meeting (August 20th), 25 Palestinian homes have been demolished in Occupied East Jerusalem
Since 1967, Israel's stated goal in Jerusalem is to maintain a Jewish demographic majority in the city. Towards this end, Israel has introduced a series of discriminatory policies that specifically target Palestinian residents living in occupied East Jerusalem. These policies are designed to:
a) Reduce the size of the Palestinian population living in occupied East Jerusalem;
b) Facilitate Israeli settlement expansion and the illegal transfer of Israel's own population into occupied East Jerusalem; and
c) Achieve exclusive Israeli control over all of Jerusalem. These policies resulted in population displacement, expulsions and home demolition.
The main purpose of the house demolition policy is to dispossess Palestinian families from East Jerusalem and change the nature of the city. Estimates indicate that since 1967, Israel demolished more than 3,380 homes and other structures in occupied East Jerusalem, including several historic and religious sites, such as the historic Moroccan Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Link to complete Fact Sheet [PDF]
Between the announcement of resumption of negotiations (July 30th) and the third Israel-Palestine meeting (August 20th), 25 Palestinian homes have been demolished in Occupied East Jerusalem
Since 1967, Israel's stated goal in Jerusalem is to maintain a Jewish demographic majority in the city. Towards this end, Israel has introduced a series of discriminatory policies that specifically target Palestinian residents living in occupied East Jerusalem. These policies are designed to:
a) Reduce the size of the Palestinian population living in occupied East Jerusalem;
b) Facilitate Israeli settlement expansion and the illegal transfer of Israel's own population into occupied East Jerusalem; and
c) Achieve exclusive Israeli control over all of Jerusalem. These policies resulted in population displacement, expulsions and home demolition.
The main purpose of the house demolition policy is to dispossess Palestinian families from East Jerusalem and change the nature of the city. Estimates indicate that since 1967, Israel demolished more than 3,380 homes and other structures in occupied East Jerusalem, including several historic and religious sites, such as the historic Moroccan Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Link to complete Fact Sheet [PDF]
Since November 2009, B’Tselem, a non governmental organization, has received testimonies from 64 Palestinian residents of the Bethlehem and Hebron districts, claiming they were subjected to threats, violence, and torture during their interrogation at the Gush Etzion police station. Fifty-six of them were minors at the time of their interrogation.
Interrogators at the police station threaten Palestinians with the hopes of obtaining confessions, which they record and later use to convict them. “The high number of reports B’Tselem has received regarding violent interrogations at the Etzion station, and the fact that they span several years, gives rise to heavy suspicion that this is not a case of a single interrogator who chose to use illegal interrogation methods, but rather an entire apparatus that backs him up and allows such conduct to take place,” B’Tselem spokeswoman, Sarit Michaeli, said.
M.A., a resident of Husan, was 15 years old at the time of his arrest. He recounts his experience at the police station. “The interrogator “Daud” took me outside with a soldier. They blindfolded me. The plastic cable ties were still on my hands. They put me in a car and started driving. I don’t know where they took me. We reached some place outside Etzion and they forced me out of the car. My hands really hurt because of the cable ties. They took off my blindfold. I didn’t know where I was. They tied me to a tree, and then they raised my cuffed hands and tied them to the tree, too. It hurt a lot. “Daud” started punching me. After a few minutes, he took out a gun and said: “I’ll murder you if you don’t confess! Out here, no one will find you. We’ll kill you and leave you here.”
Twelve of the 64 claimed the interrogator threatened them or female relatives with sexual assault, including rape and genital injury. Six were threatened with execution; in another eight cases, the interrogators threatened to harm family members; and in five cases, they threatened to electrocute the interrogatees, including in a way that would permanently damage their fertility.
Out of the 64 cases B’Tselem documented, Michaeli said, 33 families did not want to file complaints, and another 20 dropped their complaints after they were filed. 11 cases have been filed, eight are still under investigation, and three of the cases have been closed.
M.H., another resident of Husan, was 14 years old at the time of his arrest. He recounts his experience at the police station. “The interrogator made me go into a room. He grabbed my head and started banging it against the wall. Then he punched me, slapped me and kicked my legs. The pain was immense, and I felt like I couldn’t stand any longer. Then he started swearing at me. He said filthy things about me and about my mother. He threatened to rape me, or perform sexual acts on me, if I didn’t confess to throwing stones. His threats really scared me, because he was very cruel and it was just the two of us in the room. I remembered what I’d seen on the news, when British and American soldiers raped and took photos of naked Iraqis.
This is not the first account of Israeli officials using torture to convict Palestinians. B’Tselem declared that any confession obtained through illegal methods, including threats, violence and/or torture, are illegitimate and must be declared as mistrials.
Interrogators at the police station threaten Palestinians with the hopes of obtaining confessions, which they record and later use to convict them. “The high number of reports B’Tselem has received regarding violent interrogations at the Etzion station, and the fact that they span several years, gives rise to heavy suspicion that this is not a case of a single interrogator who chose to use illegal interrogation methods, but rather an entire apparatus that backs him up and allows such conduct to take place,” B’Tselem spokeswoman, Sarit Michaeli, said.
M.A., a resident of Husan, was 15 years old at the time of his arrest. He recounts his experience at the police station. “The interrogator “Daud” took me outside with a soldier. They blindfolded me. The plastic cable ties were still on my hands. They put me in a car and started driving. I don’t know where they took me. We reached some place outside Etzion and they forced me out of the car. My hands really hurt because of the cable ties. They took off my blindfold. I didn’t know where I was. They tied me to a tree, and then they raised my cuffed hands and tied them to the tree, too. It hurt a lot. “Daud” started punching me. After a few minutes, he took out a gun and said: “I’ll murder you if you don’t confess! Out here, no one will find you. We’ll kill you and leave you here.”
Twelve of the 64 claimed the interrogator threatened them or female relatives with sexual assault, including rape and genital injury. Six were threatened with execution; in another eight cases, the interrogators threatened to harm family members; and in five cases, they threatened to electrocute the interrogatees, including in a way that would permanently damage their fertility.
Out of the 64 cases B’Tselem documented, Michaeli said, 33 families did not want to file complaints, and another 20 dropped their complaints after they were filed. 11 cases have been filed, eight are still under investigation, and three of the cases have been closed.
M.H., another resident of Husan, was 14 years old at the time of his arrest. He recounts his experience at the police station. “The interrogator made me go into a room. He grabbed my head and started banging it against the wall. Then he punched me, slapped me and kicked my legs. The pain was immense, and I felt like I couldn’t stand any longer. Then he started swearing at me. He said filthy things about me and about my mother. He threatened to rape me, or perform sexual acts on me, if I didn’t confess to throwing stones. His threats really scared me, because he was very cruel and it was just the two of us in the room. I remembered what I’d seen on the news, when British and American soldiers raped and took photos of naked Iraqis.
This is not the first account of Israeli officials using torture to convict Palestinians. B’Tselem declared that any confession obtained through illegal methods, including threats, violence and/or torture, are illegitimate and must be declared as mistrials.
Furniture of Bedouins whose homes were demolished by Israeli troops this week
In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 15 - 21 August 2013, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that a civilian was killed and 3 others were wounded, including 2 children, in an excessive use of lethal force in Jenin refugee camp. 2 civilians sustained bullet wounds during clashes in the West Bank. 2 children were wounded when they were near the border fence in Jabalia village in the northern Gaza Strip.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian and wounded 5 others, including 2 children, in 3 separate incidents in the West Bank.
In the West Bank, on 20 August 2013, in an excessive use of lethal forces, Israeli forces killed Majd Mohammed Lahlouh (al-Shahla) (21) and wounded 3 others, including 2 children, during clashes that erupted in Jenin refugee camp, in the north of the West Bank.
A day before, Shalash Yasser Hamamrah (22) was wounded by a bullet in the left leg during an Israeli incursion into Jaba' village, south of Jenin.
On 22 August 2013, a 21-year-old civilian was wounded by a bullet to the left leg when Israeli forces moved into al-Dhaisha refugee camp in Bethlehem and clashes erupted.
During the reporting period, Israeli forces continued the systematic use of excessive force against peaceful protests organised by Palestinian, Israeli and international activists against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, dozens suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.
Israeli forces conducted 56 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. At least 31 Palestinian civilians, including 2 brothers and 3 children, were abducted.
Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank. A Palestinian civilian was abducted at a checkpoint in the West Bank.
Israel has continued its measures to create Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem. Palestinians were forced to demolish their own houses in Sour Baher and the Old Town.
An image and a stereograph of a synagogue to be established in al-Aqsa mosque was disclosed.
Al-Ka'bnah Bedouin community in Beit Hanina village was demolished under the pretext of not obtaining construction license.
A room of a house, retaining walls and a metal gate in Selwan village, al'Abasiya neighbourhood and Wadi neighbourhood were demolished.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
In the Gaza Strip, on 20 August 2013, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of boys who were about 300 meters away from the fence in between al-Shuhada' cemetery and Abu Safiya area, east of Jabalia. As a result, 2 children from Jabalia refugee camp were wounded. It should be mentioned that area was completely calm when Israeli troops opened fire.
Israeli forces abducted 3 Palestinian civilians while swimming in the sea in the northern Gaza Strip.
Israel has continued to impose a total closure and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
Israeli settlement activities:
Israeli forces have continued to support settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
10 fruitful olive trees (over 30 years old) in al-Hamra area were cut by saws.
On 18 August 2013, 6 masked settlers from "Migron" settlement that is established on lands of Mekhmas village, southeast of Ramallah, attacked Najeh Thalji Abu Ali (47) from Mekhmas. They attacked him harshly while he was grazing the sheep in the area. As a result, he sustained serious wounds in the head, fractures in the hand and bruises throughout his body. Besides, 2 sheep were killed.
On the same day, a group of settlers from "Mitzpe Yair " settlement that is established on lands of Yatta, south of Hebron, closed with rocks and tyres a dirt road leading to Beer al-'Add to deny civilians access to their homes.
On 20 August 2013, Israeli forces demolished a house made of tin and wood belonging to Mahmoud Ali Ka'abna (35) in al-Sanouba area, to the east of al-Jiftlek village, north of Jericho.
Also on the same day, settlers moved into Joseph Tomb area in Nablus in the northern West Bank. They performed Talmudic rituals under the protection of Israeli forces that fired tear gas canisters at the Palestinian young men protesting there against the settler raids.
Israeli attacks against non-violent demonstrations:
Israeli forces have continued to use excessive force against peaceful protesters in the West Bank. Dozens of protesters suffered tear gas inhalation and sustained bruises due to Israeli soldiers' attacks.
Following the Friday Prayer, 16 August 2013, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in Bil'in village, west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities, marking Jerusalem International Day and supporting the Negev residents against Brawer Plan. The demonstrators raised the Palestinian flag and made their way towards the annexation wall. Israeli forces closed the wall gate with barbwire and when the demonstrators attempted to access the lands behind the barbwire, they were stopped by Israeli soldiers. The demonstrators threw stones at the Israeli soldiers who responded with live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs, and tear gas canisters, and chased them across olive fields as far as the outskirts of the village.
As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.
Also, following the Friday Prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in Ni'lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstrators made their way towards the annexation wall. Israeli forces closed the wall gate with barbwire and, when the demonstrators attempted to access the lands behind the barbwire, they were stopped by Israeli soldiers. The demonstrators threw stones at the Israeli soldiers who responded with live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs, and tear gas canisters, and chased them across olive fields as far as the outskirts of the village.
As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.
Around the same time on Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians, Israeli and international human rights activists gathered at the Martyrs Square in al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to hold a weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The protesters walked towards Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby "Halmish" settlement are trying to seize. From the morning, Israeli forces had closed all entrances to the village to prevent Palestinians, international activists, and journalists from joining the demonstration. Upon their arrival in the area, Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs, and tear gas canisters, chased the demonstrators into the village and sprayed them and civilian houses with waste water.
As a result, dozens of Palestinians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.
Also following the Friday prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians from al-Ma'sarah village, south of Bethlehem, and a number of international activists and popular resistance activists organized a peaceful demonstration against the annexation wall and settlement activities. They gathered in front of al-Shomou' Cultural Centre in the centre of the village and made their way through the village streets and closed the bypass road linking "Afrat" settlement and Taqou' village for half an hour. Israeli forces dispersed the demonstration and attacked the protestors.
They also abducted three Palestinian protesters and an Italian activist. Moreover, they detained an al-Quds.com cameraman, for an hour. Hassan Breijah, coordinator of the popular resistance against settlement, said to PCHR's fieldworker that clashes erupted between the village residents and Israeli forces who chased them inside the village in an attempt to arrest and attack them.
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 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 violation and crimes against Palestinian civilians;
In addition, the PCHR calls upon the Palestinian leadership to sign and accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the Geneva Conventions, and calls upon the international community, especially the United Nations, to encourage the State of Palestine to accede to international human rights law and humanitarian law instruments.
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 15 - 21 August 2013, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that a civilian was killed and 3 others were wounded, including 2 children, in an excessive use of lethal force in Jenin refugee camp. 2 civilians sustained bullet wounds during clashes in the West Bank. 2 children were wounded when they were near the border fence in Jabalia village in the northern Gaza Strip.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian and wounded 5 others, including 2 children, in 3 separate incidents in the West Bank.
In the West Bank, on 20 August 2013, in an excessive use of lethal forces, Israeli forces killed Majd Mohammed Lahlouh (al-Shahla) (21) and wounded 3 others, including 2 children, during clashes that erupted in Jenin refugee camp, in the north of the West Bank.
A day before, Shalash Yasser Hamamrah (22) was wounded by a bullet in the left leg during an Israeli incursion into Jaba' village, south of Jenin.
On 22 August 2013, a 21-year-old civilian was wounded by a bullet to the left leg when Israeli forces moved into al-Dhaisha refugee camp in Bethlehem and clashes erupted.
During the reporting period, Israeli forces continued the systematic use of excessive force against peaceful protests organised by Palestinian, Israeli and international activists against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, dozens suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.
Israeli forces conducted 56 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. At least 31 Palestinian civilians, including 2 brothers and 3 children, were abducted.
Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank. A Palestinian civilian was abducted at a checkpoint in the West Bank.
Israel has continued its measures to create Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem. Palestinians were forced to demolish their own houses in Sour Baher and the Old Town.
An image and a stereograph of a synagogue to be established in al-Aqsa mosque was disclosed.
Al-Ka'bnah Bedouin community in Beit Hanina village was demolished under the pretext of not obtaining construction license.
A room of a house, retaining walls and a metal gate in Selwan village, al'Abasiya neighbourhood and Wadi neighbourhood were demolished.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
In the Gaza Strip, on 20 August 2013, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of boys who were about 300 meters away from the fence in between al-Shuhada' cemetery and Abu Safiya area, east of Jabalia. As a result, 2 children from Jabalia refugee camp were wounded. It should be mentioned that area was completely calm when Israeli troops opened fire.
Israeli forces abducted 3 Palestinian civilians while swimming in the sea in the northern Gaza Strip.
Israel has continued to impose a total closure and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
Israeli settlement activities:
Israeli forces have continued to support settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
10 fruitful olive trees (over 30 years old) in al-Hamra area were cut by saws.
On 18 August 2013, 6 masked settlers from "Migron" settlement that is established on lands of Mekhmas village, southeast of Ramallah, attacked Najeh Thalji Abu Ali (47) from Mekhmas. They attacked him harshly while he was grazing the sheep in the area. As a result, he sustained serious wounds in the head, fractures in the hand and bruises throughout his body. Besides, 2 sheep were killed.
On the same day, a group of settlers from "Mitzpe Yair " settlement that is established on lands of Yatta, south of Hebron, closed with rocks and tyres a dirt road leading to Beer al-'Add to deny civilians access to their homes.
On 20 August 2013, Israeli forces demolished a house made of tin and wood belonging to Mahmoud Ali Ka'abna (35) in al-Sanouba area, to the east of al-Jiftlek village, north of Jericho.
Also on the same day, settlers moved into Joseph Tomb area in Nablus in the northern West Bank. They performed Talmudic rituals under the protection of Israeli forces that fired tear gas canisters at the Palestinian young men protesting there against the settler raids.
Israeli attacks against non-violent demonstrations:
Israeli forces have continued to use excessive force against peaceful protesters in the West Bank. Dozens of protesters suffered tear gas inhalation and sustained bruises due to Israeli soldiers' attacks.
Following the Friday Prayer, 16 August 2013, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in Bil'in village, west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities, marking Jerusalem International Day and supporting the Negev residents against Brawer Plan. The demonstrators raised the Palestinian flag and made their way towards the annexation wall. Israeli forces closed the wall gate with barbwire and when the demonstrators attempted to access the lands behind the barbwire, they were stopped by Israeli soldiers. The demonstrators threw stones at the Israeli soldiers who responded with live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs, and tear gas canisters, and chased them across olive fields as far as the outskirts of the village.
As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.
Also, following the Friday Prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in Ni'lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstrators made their way towards the annexation wall. Israeli forces closed the wall gate with barbwire and, when the demonstrators attempted to access the lands behind the barbwire, they were stopped by Israeli soldiers. The demonstrators threw stones at the Israeli soldiers who responded with live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs, and tear gas canisters, and chased them across olive fields as far as the outskirts of the village.
As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.
Around the same time on Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians, Israeli and international human rights activists gathered at the Martyrs Square in al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to hold a weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The protesters walked towards Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby "Halmish" settlement are trying to seize. From the morning, Israeli forces had closed all entrances to the village to prevent Palestinians, international activists, and journalists from joining the demonstration. Upon their arrival in the area, Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs, and tear gas canisters, chased the demonstrators into the village and sprayed them and civilian houses with waste water.
As a result, dozens of Palestinians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.
Also following the Friday prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians from al-Ma'sarah village, south of Bethlehem, and a number of international activists and popular resistance activists organized a peaceful demonstration against the annexation wall and settlement activities. They gathered in front of al-Shomou' Cultural Centre in the centre of the village and made their way through the village streets and closed the bypass road linking "Afrat" settlement and Taqou' village for half an hour. Israeli forces dispersed the demonstration and attacked the protestors.
They also abducted three Palestinian protesters and an Italian activist. Moreover, they detained an al-Quds.com cameraman, for an hour. Hassan Breijah, coordinator of the popular resistance against settlement, said to PCHR's fieldworker that clashes erupted between the village residents and Israeli forces who chased them inside the village in an attempt to arrest and attack them.
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 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 violation and crimes against Palestinian civilians;
In addition, the PCHR calls upon the Palestinian leadership to sign and accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the Geneva Conventions, and calls upon the international community, especially the United Nations, to encourage the State of Palestine to accede to international human rights law and humanitarian law instruments.
For the full text of the report, click on the link
22 aug 2013
M.H. 14
Since November 2009, B’Tselem has received testimonies from dozens of Palestinian residents of the Bethlehem and Hebron districts, most of them minors, alleging that they were subjected to threats and violence, sometimes amounting to torture, during their interrogation at the police station at Gush Etzion.
The station is located within the jurisdiction of the SHAI (Judea and Samaria) District of the Israel Police. The testimonies describe interrogations in which the minors were forced to confess to alleged offenses, mostly stone-throwing. In almost all cases, the interrogators stopped using violence against the interrogatees once they confessed.
The right of every person not to be subjected to ill-treatment or torture (whether physical or mental) is one of the few human rights that are considered absolute. As an absolute right, it may never be "balanced" against other rights and values, nor suspended or limited, even in difficult circumstances such as war or fighting terrorism. This right now holds the highest and most binding status in international law. A confession obtained through violation of this right can certainly not serve as the basis for a conviction.
The interrogator made me go into a room. He grabbed my head and started banging it against the wall. Then he punched me, slapped me and kicked my legs. The pain was immense, and I felt like I couldn’t stand any longer. Then he started swearing at me. He said filthy things about me and about my mother. He threatened to rape me, or perform sexual acts on me, if I didn’t confess to throwing stones. His threats really scared me, because he was very cruel and it was just the two of us in the room. I remembered what I’d seen on the news, when British and American soldiers raped and took photos of naked Iraqis (from the testimony of M.H., resident of Husan, 14 at the time of his arrest).
Since November 2009, B’Tselem has received testimonies from dozens of Palestinian residents of the Bethlehem and Hebron districts, most of them minors, alleging that they were subjected to threats and violence, sometimes amounting to torture, during their interrogation at the police station at Gush Etzion.
The station is located within the jurisdiction of the SHAI (Judea and Samaria) District of the Israel Police. The testimonies describe interrogations in which the minors were forced to confess to alleged offenses, mostly stone-throwing. In almost all cases, the interrogators stopped using violence against the interrogatees once they confessed.
The right of every person not to be subjected to ill-treatment or torture (whether physical or mental) is one of the few human rights that are considered absolute. As an absolute right, it may never be "balanced" against other rights and values, nor suspended or limited, even in difficult circumstances such as war or fighting terrorism. This right now holds the highest and most binding status in international law. A confession obtained through violation of this right can certainly not serve as the basis for a conviction.
The interrogator made me go into a room. He grabbed my head and started banging it against the wall. Then he punched me, slapped me and kicked my legs. The pain was immense, and I felt like I couldn’t stand any longer. Then he started swearing at me. He said filthy things about me and about my mother. He threatened to rape me, or perform sexual acts on me, if I didn’t confess to throwing stones. His threats really scared me, because he was very cruel and it was just the two of us in the room. I remembered what I’d seen on the news, when British and American soldiers raped and took photos of naked Iraqis (from the testimony of M.H., resident of Husan, 14 at the time of his arrest).
M.A. 15
The interrogations
In November 2009, B'Tselem began receiving reports of violence against Palestinian minors during interrogation at the Etzion police station.
Until July 2013, B'Tselem field researchers collected 64 testimonies from residents of eight communities in the southern West Bank who reported such incidents. Fifty-six of them were minors at the time of their interrogation. The testimonies described severe physical violence during the interrogation or preliminary questioning, which, in some cases, amounted to torture. The violence included slaps, punches and kicks to all parts of the body, and blows with objects, such as a gun or a stick. Some of the former interrogatees also reported threats: in twelve cases, they claimed that the interrogator had threatened them or female relatives with sexual assault, such as rape and genital injury. In six cases, the interrogatees claimed that the interrogators had threatened to execute them; in eight cases, the interrogators allegedly threatened to harm family members; and in five other cases, they allegedly threatened to electrocute the interrogatees, including in a way that would damage their fertility.
In addition, twelve interrogatees stated that their initial confession had been taken by an interrogator in civilian clothes and that, to the best of their knowledge, at that stage, it had not been recorded. Only after they confessed to stone-throwing, they were transferred to another room, where an interrogator in police uniform asked them to repeat their confession, this time recording them. Later, the interrogators told them to sign a document in Hebrew, a language they do not understand, without knowing what they were signing.
The interrogator “Daud” took me outside with a soldier. They blindfolded me. The plastic cable ties were still on my hands. They put me in a car and started driving. I don’t know where they took me. We reached some place outside Etzion and they forced me out of the car. My hands really hurt because of the cable ties. They took off my blindfold. I didn’t know where I was. They tied me to a tree, and then they raised my cuffed hands and tied them to the tree, too. It hurt a lot. “Daud” started punching me. After a few minutes, he took out a gun and said: “I’ll murder you if you don’t confess! Out here, no one will find you. We’ll kill you and leave you here (M.A., resident of Husan, 15 at the time of his arrest).
The authorities' action on the issue:
From 2009 to 2013, B'Tselem sent 31 complaints to the Department for Investigation of Police (DIP) on behalf of Palestinians who reported they had been subjected to violence and threats by interrogators at the Etzion station. In the rest of the cases that B'Tselem documented, the interrogatees or their families chose not to file a complaint with the DIP, for fear that this would result in harm to members of the family who had already been interrogated or to other relatives, or because of a general lack of trust in the Israeli justice system.
Of the 31 interogatees in whose name B'Tselem complained to the DIP, 20 eventually withdrew from their intention to file a formal complaint and give testimony to DIP investigators, for the reasons stated above. The DIP decided not to investigate any complaints in which the complainant had not personally testified before investigators. Based on replies given to B'Tselem, none of the information sent to the DIP regarding those cases was checked, although this could have helped investigate the systemic practice.
The DIP only opened investigations into the eleven cases in which the complainants had personally given testimony. Three of the case files were closed and the investigation of eight, all opened in June 2012 or later, is still under way.
In its correspondence with the DIP, B'Tselem demanded that the issue of violent interrogations at the Etzion station be handled systemically, and not just through the investigation of each individual complaint. B'Tselem representatives also presented this demand to officials in the Israel Police and the Ministry of Justice. The DIP replied that a systemic investigation of the matter was under way.
Although B'Tselem contacted the Israel Police on this matter repeatedly, no official answer was given to the question whether any steps had been taken to address the phenomenon and, if so, what they were. All our communications with the police on the matter were met with denial. For example, in a meeting held on 7 January 2013, between B'Tselem representatives and the commander of the Hebron Police Division, the police officials denied the phenomenon existed. They refused to comment on the complaints themselves, claiming they could not verify the details of the cases since they were under ongoing investigation by the DIP, and there was a concern of obstructing the investigation. At the meeting, B'Tselem was also informed that the interrogation officer at the Etzion station had been replaced, although it was emphasized that this was unrelated to the complaints made by B'Tselem.
The high number of reports B'Tselem has received regarding violent interrogations at the Etzion station, and the fact that they span several years, gives rise to heavy suspicion that this is not a case of a single interrogator who chose to use illegal interrogation methods, but rather an entire apparatus that backs him up and allows such conduct to take place. Yet, to the best of B'Tselem's knowledge, no real effort has been made to date to discontinue the abuse, and no systemic investigation has taken place. The only action that has been taken was the investigation of individual complaints, which, more than a year later, have not concluded. Law enforcement agencies are allowing this reality to continue, despite the fact that all the relevant officials know that the claims relate to violence against minors under interrogation, and that, in some cases, the violence has amounted to torture.
Given the severity and scope of the suspicions raised, the DIP and the Israel Police must examine the issue systemically. If the claims are substantiated, they must take immediate action to stop the illegal conduct and take legal and administrative measures against those responsible, including officials who are aware of this conduct and are allowing it to continue. Also, the existence of efficient oversight mechanisms must be ensured, so as to prevent similar cases in the future.
The DIP must immediately conclude its investigation of the individual complaints, which has been under way for more than a year. If the claims are substantiated, those responsible must be brought to justice.
Finally, if it is discovered that forced confessions have served as central evidence in the trials of the interrogatees or other individuals, mistrials must be declared, and all the necessary steps that follow as a result must be taken.
The interrogations
In November 2009, B'Tselem began receiving reports of violence against Palestinian minors during interrogation at the Etzion police station.
Until July 2013, B'Tselem field researchers collected 64 testimonies from residents of eight communities in the southern West Bank who reported such incidents. Fifty-six of them were minors at the time of their interrogation. The testimonies described severe physical violence during the interrogation or preliminary questioning, which, in some cases, amounted to torture. The violence included slaps, punches and kicks to all parts of the body, and blows with objects, such as a gun or a stick. Some of the former interrogatees also reported threats: in twelve cases, they claimed that the interrogator had threatened them or female relatives with sexual assault, such as rape and genital injury. In six cases, the interrogatees claimed that the interrogators had threatened to execute them; in eight cases, the interrogators allegedly threatened to harm family members; and in five other cases, they allegedly threatened to electrocute the interrogatees, including in a way that would damage their fertility.
In addition, twelve interrogatees stated that their initial confession had been taken by an interrogator in civilian clothes and that, to the best of their knowledge, at that stage, it had not been recorded. Only after they confessed to stone-throwing, they were transferred to another room, where an interrogator in police uniform asked them to repeat their confession, this time recording them. Later, the interrogators told them to sign a document in Hebrew, a language they do not understand, without knowing what they were signing.
The interrogator “Daud” took me outside with a soldier. They blindfolded me. The plastic cable ties were still on my hands. They put me in a car and started driving. I don’t know where they took me. We reached some place outside Etzion and they forced me out of the car. My hands really hurt because of the cable ties. They took off my blindfold. I didn’t know where I was. They tied me to a tree, and then they raised my cuffed hands and tied them to the tree, too. It hurt a lot. “Daud” started punching me. After a few minutes, he took out a gun and said: “I’ll murder you if you don’t confess! Out here, no one will find you. We’ll kill you and leave you here (M.A., resident of Husan, 15 at the time of his arrest).
The authorities' action on the issue:
From 2009 to 2013, B'Tselem sent 31 complaints to the Department for Investigation of Police (DIP) on behalf of Palestinians who reported they had been subjected to violence and threats by interrogators at the Etzion station. In the rest of the cases that B'Tselem documented, the interrogatees or their families chose not to file a complaint with the DIP, for fear that this would result in harm to members of the family who had already been interrogated or to other relatives, or because of a general lack of trust in the Israeli justice system.
Of the 31 interogatees in whose name B'Tselem complained to the DIP, 20 eventually withdrew from their intention to file a formal complaint and give testimony to DIP investigators, for the reasons stated above. The DIP decided not to investigate any complaints in which the complainant had not personally testified before investigators. Based on replies given to B'Tselem, none of the information sent to the DIP regarding those cases was checked, although this could have helped investigate the systemic practice.
The DIP only opened investigations into the eleven cases in which the complainants had personally given testimony. Three of the case files were closed and the investigation of eight, all opened in June 2012 or later, is still under way.
In its correspondence with the DIP, B'Tselem demanded that the issue of violent interrogations at the Etzion station be handled systemically, and not just through the investigation of each individual complaint. B'Tselem representatives also presented this demand to officials in the Israel Police and the Ministry of Justice. The DIP replied that a systemic investigation of the matter was under way.
Although B'Tselem contacted the Israel Police on this matter repeatedly, no official answer was given to the question whether any steps had been taken to address the phenomenon and, if so, what they were. All our communications with the police on the matter were met with denial. For example, in a meeting held on 7 January 2013, between B'Tselem representatives and the commander of the Hebron Police Division, the police officials denied the phenomenon existed. They refused to comment on the complaints themselves, claiming they could not verify the details of the cases since they were under ongoing investigation by the DIP, and there was a concern of obstructing the investigation. At the meeting, B'Tselem was also informed that the interrogation officer at the Etzion station had been replaced, although it was emphasized that this was unrelated to the complaints made by B'Tselem.
The high number of reports B'Tselem has received regarding violent interrogations at the Etzion station, and the fact that they span several years, gives rise to heavy suspicion that this is not a case of a single interrogator who chose to use illegal interrogation methods, but rather an entire apparatus that backs him up and allows such conduct to take place. Yet, to the best of B'Tselem's knowledge, no real effort has been made to date to discontinue the abuse, and no systemic investigation has taken place. The only action that has been taken was the investigation of individual complaints, which, more than a year later, have not concluded. Law enforcement agencies are allowing this reality to continue, despite the fact that all the relevant officials know that the claims relate to violence against minors under interrogation, and that, in some cases, the violence has amounted to torture.
Given the severity and scope of the suspicions raised, the DIP and the Israel Police must examine the issue systemically. If the claims are substantiated, they must take immediate action to stop the illegal conduct and take legal and administrative measures against those responsible, including officials who are aware of this conduct and are allowing it to continue. Also, the existence of efficient oversight mechanisms must be ensured, so as to prevent similar cases in the future.
The DIP must immediately conclude its investigation of the individual complaints, which has been under way for more than a year. If the claims are substantiated, those responsible must be brought to justice.
Finally, if it is discovered that forced confessions have served as central evidence in the trials of the interrogatees or other individuals, mistrials must be declared, and all the necessary steps that follow as a result must be taken.
A human rights group said that the Israeli occupation authority was holding 125 Palestinians in administrative detention, without trial or charge. Ahrar center for prisoners’ studies and human rights said in a statement that most of those detainees were liberated prisoners.
The center said that most of the detainees are held in the Negev desert prison while 39 are held in Ofer jail and a few in Megiddo.
It pointed out that most of the detainees are from Al-Khalil including MP Hatem Qufaisha and Sheikh Adel Shanyur who have spent the longest years in administrative custody.
Ahrar center asked human rights groups, official circles, and the media to shed light on the suffering of those detainees and to demand an end to their suffering in administrative detention.
The center said that most of the detainees are held in the Negev desert prison while 39 are held in Ofer jail and a few in Megiddo.
It pointed out that most of the detainees are from Al-Khalil including MP Hatem Qufaisha and Sheikh Adel Shanyur who have spent the longest years in administrative custody.
Ahrar center asked human rights groups, official circles, and the media to shed light on the suffering of those detainees and to demand an end to their suffering in administrative detention.
21 aug 2013
A crowd gathers on Tuesday during the funeral of Majd Lahlouh, 22, in the West Bank city of Jenin
Israeli forces shot and seriously injured a Palestinian teen with live ammunition early Tuesday morning during a night raid on Jenin refugee camp in the northern West Bank. The victim, identified as Karim Abu Isbeah, 17, sustained a gunshot wound to his lower torso and remained in critical condition at Arab Specialist Hospital in Nablus, according to DCI-Palestine sources. The bullet struck Karim on his right side in the waist, causing damage to his right kidney, right lung, pancreas and large and small intestines. Karim underwent emergency surgery to remove his kidney and lung, and shrapnel from his chest, according to hospital sources.
“This shooting is tragic, yet all too predictable,” said Ayed Abu Eqtaish, Accountability Program director at DCI-Palestine. “Israeli forces operate with impunity which allows shootings like this to become a somewhat regular occurrence.”
Around 2:30 am, while Karim was on the roof of a house with two other youths, Israeli forces below on the street fired live ammunition toward them from a distance of 50-60 meters (165-195 feet), according to an eyewitness. The two other youths also sustained injuries, with one transferred to Al Maqasid hospital in Jerusalem. Majd Lahlouh, 22, was killed during the incursion, according to news sources.
Israeli officials said the shooting occurred as Israeli forces encountered and responded to violent protesters after they entered Jenin refugee camp to arrest a suspected member of Islamic Jihad, according to news sources.
At least 22 children have been shot and injured by live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets or tear-gas canisters since January 2013, according to evidence collected by DCI-Palestine. During the same period, two Palestinian teens have been killed by live ammunition.
In July 2013, Jihad Hamad, 14, was injured when two bullets struck him in the neck and right shoulder as he walked with friends near the main road in the West Bank town of Silwad. In June 2013, Mohammad Khader, 17, was shot in the chest with live ammunition and seriously injured when Israeli forces conducted a night raid on Qalandia refugee camp near Ramallah.
In May 2013, Atta Sabbah, 12, from Jalazoun refugee camp near Ramallah was shot by an Israeli soldier while trying to retrieve his school bag from another soldier nearby, according to DCI-Palestine documentation. The live bullet struck Atta in the stomach and exited through his back, severing his spinal cord and causing paralysis from the waist down.
Israeli forces shot and seriously injured a Palestinian teen with live ammunition early Tuesday morning during a night raid on Jenin refugee camp in the northern West Bank. The victim, identified as Karim Abu Isbeah, 17, sustained a gunshot wound to his lower torso and remained in critical condition at Arab Specialist Hospital in Nablus, according to DCI-Palestine sources. The bullet struck Karim on his right side in the waist, causing damage to his right kidney, right lung, pancreas and large and small intestines. Karim underwent emergency surgery to remove his kidney and lung, and shrapnel from his chest, according to hospital sources.
“This shooting is tragic, yet all too predictable,” said Ayed Abu Eqtaish, Accountability Program director at DCI-Palestine. “Israeli forces operate with impunity which allows shootings like this to become a somewhat regular occurrence.”
Around 2:30 am, while Karim was on the roof of a house with two other youths, Israeli forces below on the street fired live ammunition toward them from a distance of 50-60 meters (165-195 feet), according to an eyewitness. The two other youths also sustained injuries, with one transferred to Al Maqasid hospital in Jerusalem. Majd Lahlouh, 22, was killed during the incursion, according to news sources.
Israeli officials said the shooting occurred as Israeli forces encountered and responded to violent protesters after they entered Jenin refugee camp to arrest a suspected member of Islamic Jihad, according to news sources.
At least 22 children have been shot and injured by live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets or tear-gas canisters since January 2013, according to evidence collected by DCI-Palestine. During the same period, two Palestinian teens have been killed by live ammunition.
In July 2013, Jihad Hamad, 14, was injured when two bullets struck him in the neck and right shoulder as he walked with friends near the main road in the West Bank town of Silwad. In June 2013, Mohammad Khader, 17, was shot in the chest with live ammunition and seriously injured when Israeli forces conducted a night raid on Qalandia refugee camp near Ramallah.
In May 2013, Atta Sabbah, 12, from Jalazoun refugee camp near Ramallah was shot by an Israeli soldier while trying to retrieve his school bag from another soldier nearby, according to DCI-Palestine documentation. The live bullet struck Atta in the stomach and exited through his back, severing his spinal cord and causing paralysis from the waist down.
In an excessive use of lethal force, on Tuesday morning, 20 August 2013, Israeli occupation forces killed a Palestinian civilian and wounded 3 others, including 2 children, in Jenin refugee camp in the northern West Bank, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) said in a press statement.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 04:30 on Tuesday, 20 August 2013, Israeli forces in 12 military vehicles moved into Jenin refugee camp. They patrolled the streets and surrounded a house belonging to the family of Bassm al-Sa'di, a leader of Islamic Jihad. They then raided and searched the house. In the meantime, a number of Palestinian children and young men gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli forces. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the stone throwers.
As a result, Majd Mohammed Lahlouh al-Shahla, 21, was seriously wounded by a live bullet to the chest. He was evacuated to Dr. Khalil Suleiman Hospital in Jenin, but medical efforts to save his life failed. According to medical sources, the bullet entered al-Shahla's right armpit and settled in his heart. Additionally, another 3 civilians, including 2 children, were wounded:
1- 'Alaa' Jamal Abu Khalifa, 17, wounded by a live bullet to the side;
2- Kareem Subhi Abu Sbaih, 17, wounded by a live bullet to the side; and
3- Hadi Jamal Lahlouh, 23, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the chest.
PCHR expresses deep concern for this crime which reflects the continued use of excessive force by Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians in disregard for their lives.
PCHR calls upon the international community to take immediate and effective actions to put an end to such crimes and reiterates its call for the parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention 1949 to fulfill their obligations under Common Article 1; i.e., to respect and to ensure respect for the Convention in all circumstances, and their obligation under Article 146 to prosecute persons alleged to commit grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention. These grave breaches constitute war crimes under Article 147 of the same Convention and Article 85 of Protocol I Additional to the Geneva Conventions.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 04:30 on Tuesday, 20 August 2013, Israeli forces in 12 military vehicles moved into Jenin refugee camp. They patrolled the streets and surrounded a house belonging to the family of Bassm al-Sa'di, a leader of Islamic Jihad. They then raided and searched the house. In the meantime, a number of Palestinian children and young men gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli forces. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the stone throwers.
As a result, Majd Mohammed Lahlouh al-Shahla, 21, was seriously wounded by a live bullet to the chest. He was evacuated to Dr. Khalil Suleiman Hospital in Jenin, but medical efforts to save his life failed. According to medical sources, the bullet entered al-Shahla's right armpit and settled in his heart. Additionally, another 3 civilians, including 2 children, were wounded:
1- 'Alaa' Jamal Abu Khalifa, 17, wounded by a live bullet to the side;
2- Kareem Subhi Abu Sbaih, 17, wounded by a live bullet to the side; and
3- Hadi Jamal Lahlouh, 23, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the chest.
PCHR expresses deep concern for this crime which reflects the continued use of excessive force by Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians in disregard for their lives.
PCHR calls upon the international community to take immediate and effective actions to put an end to such crimes and reiterates its call for the parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention 1949 to fulfill their obligations under Common Article 1; i.e., to respect and to ensure respect for the Convention in all circumstances, and their obligation under Article 146 to prosecute persons alleged to commit grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention. These grave breaches constitute war crimes under Article 147 of the same Convention and Article 85 of Protocol I Additional to the Geneva Conventions.
18 aug 2013
Israeli Military Forces(IMF) detained 206 Palestinians since the beginning of August, said Palestinian Detainees’ Center. “After the release of 26 Palestinian detainees, Israel will try to compensate by arresting dozens or hundreds of Palestinians to keep its prisons full of prisoners,” said Riyad Al-ashqar, Media Director of Palestinian Detainees’ Center.
He added that Israel tries to satisfy the Israeli public, who get upset after each prisoners swap deal, by increasing the arrest cases among Palestinians.
According to the center, 56 Palestinians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip were arrested since last Tuesday.
Al-ashqar said that since the beginning of 2013, IMF arrested 2506 Palestinians including 425 children and 39 women.
He added that Israel tries to satisfy the Israeli public, who get upset after each prisoners swap deal, by increasing the arrest cases among Palestinians.
According to the center, 56 Palestinians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip were arrested since last Tuesday.
Al-ashqar said that since the beginning of 2013, IMF arrested 2506 Palestinians including 425 children and 39 women.
17 aug 2013
Israeli troops abduct civilian from Beit Ummar
In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the two week period of 01 - 14 August 2013, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that Israeli forces killed a civilian in the east of al-Bureij refugee camp in an excessive use of force.
In addition, Israeli forces wounded a Palestinian farmer while working on his farmland, east of Gaza City. A Palestinian civilian was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet during an Israeli incursion into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron.
Israeli forces bombarded open land in the northern Gaza Strip. A child sustained scratches and bruises as window fragments scattered over him due to the bombing. Israeli forces have continued to use excessive force against peaceful protesters in the West Bank. Dozens of protestors suffered tear gas inhalation and sustained bruises due to Israeli soldiers' attacks.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
In the West Bank, on 07 August 2013, a 21-year-old Palestinian was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left shoulder during an Israeli incursion into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron.
Israeli forces conducted 62 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, abducting at least 54 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children and 2 photojournalists.
Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank. At least 6 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, were abducted by Israeli forces at checkpoints in Hebron.
On 02 August 2013, an Israeli infantry unit moved into farmlands around Kherbet Um al-Khair, to the east of Yatta, south of Hebron. They denied members of al-Hatheleen family access to the lands and a water well used by the residents for them and their livestock. Israeli soldiers declared the area as a closed military zone. Besides, the residents were threatened to leave the area, otherwise, they would be abducted. An Israeli officer showed a detailed plan about schemes to build 60 settlement units in the abovementioned area.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
During the reporting period, using lethal force, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian who attempted to cross the border fence into Israel in the east of the Gaza Strip. A Palestinian farmer was also wounded when Israeli forces opened fire at him on his farmland, east of Gaza City, while another civilian was wounded during an Israeli incursion into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. Moreover, many protestors suffered tear gas inhalation during peaceful protests against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. Besides, dozens sustained bruises due to Israeli soldiers' attacks.
On 10 August 2013, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of al-Bureij refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip, killed Hussein AwadAllah (al-Nouri) (34), from al-Nusairat refugee camp. They targeted him directly when he attempted to cross the border fence into Israel. The aforementioned person sustained a bullet wound to the right shoulder, as the bullet settled in the belly and caused his death. Israeli forces kept his body for a few hours and then delivered him to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.
On 11 August 2013, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of Gaza City, opened fire at Hamada Jneid (21) and wounded him in the left leg (the bullet entered and exited) while he was working on a farmland 400 meters away from the border.
Israeli navy forces continued to attack Palestinian fishermen in Gaza sea. On 11 August 2013, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishermen who were sailing 3 nautical miles off al-Waha resort, in the northern Gaza Strip. However, no casualties were reported. On 13 August 2013, a Palestinian fishing boat sailing 7 nautical miles off Gaza valley shore was fired at.
As a result, 3 fishermen were wounded and abducted for a few hours at Ashdod Seaport in Israel. In addition, their boat was confiscated.
On 14 August 2013, Israeli warplanes bombarded an open land in the northern Gaza Strip. As a result, material damage was caused to a nearby house, where a child sustained scratches and bruises because of window fragments that scattered due to the explosion.
In the Gaza Strip, on 22 July 2013, Israeli forces moved nearly 300 meters into the east of al-Bureij refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip. They levelled areas of land along the border fence while warplanes were hovering overheads.
Israeli settlement activities:
Israeli forces have continued to support settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
Restrictions over the Palestinian farmers, who were denied access to their lands south of Hebron, continued.
Israeli attacks on non-violent protests:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces continued the systematic use of excessive force against peaceful protests organised by Palestinian, Israeli and international activists against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank.
As a result, dozens suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises due to Israeli soldiers' attack on them.
Recommendations to the international community:
Due to the number and severity of Israeli attacks over the last two weeks, the PCHR made several recommendations to the international community. Among these were a recommendation that the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions compel Israel, as a High Contracting Party to the Conventions, to apply the Conventions in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
In addition, the PCHR calls upon the Parties to international human rights instruments, especially the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to pressurize Israel to comply with their provisions in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and to compel it to incorporate the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories in its reports submitted to the concerned committees.
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 two week period of 01 - 14 August 2013, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that Israeli forces killed a civilian in the east of al-Bureij refugee camp in an excessive use of force.
In addition, Israeli forces wounded a Palestinian farmer while working on his farmland, east of Gaza City. A Palestinian civilian was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet during an Israeli incursion into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron.
Israeli forces bombarded open land in the northern Gaza Strip. A child sustained scratches and bruises as window fragments scattered over him due to the bombing. Israeli forces have continued to use excessive force against peaceful protesters in the West Bank. Dozens of protestors suffered tear gas inhalation and sustained bruises due to Israeli soldiers' attacks.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
In the West Bank, on 07 August 2013, a 21-year-old Palestinian was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left shoulder during an Israeli incursion into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron.
Israeli forces conducted 62 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, abducting at least 54 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children and 2 photojournalists.
Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank. At least 6 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, were abducted by Israeli forces at checkpoints in Hebron.
On 02 August 2013, an Israeli infantry unit moved into farmlands around Kherbet Um al-Khair, to the east of Yatta, south of Hebron. They denied members of al-Hatheleen family access to the lands and a water well used by the residents for them and their livestock. Israeli soldiers declared the area as a closed military zone. Besides, the residents were threatened to leave the area, otherwise, they would be abducted. An Israeli officer showed a detailed plan about schemes to build 60 settlement units in the abovementioned area.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
During the reporting period, using lethal force, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian who attempted to cross the border fence into Israel in the east of the Gaza Strip. A Palestinian farmer was also wounded when Israeli forces opened fire at him on his farmland, east of Gaza City, while another civilian was wounded during an Israeli incursion into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. Moreover, many protestors suffered tear gas inhalation during peaceful protests against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. Besides, dozens sustained bruises due to Israeli soldiers' attacks.
On 10 August 2013, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of al-Bureij refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip, killed Hussein AwadAllah (al-Nouri) (34), from al-Nusairat refugee camp. They targeted him directly when he attempted to cross the border fence into Israel. The aforementioned person sustained a bullet wound to the right shoulder, as the bullet settled in the belly and caused his death. Israeli forces kept his body for a few hours and then delivered him to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.
On 11 August 2013, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of Gaza City, opened fire at Hamada Jneid (21) and wounded him in the left leg (the bullet entered and exited) while he was working on a farmland 400 meters away from the border.
Israeli navy forces continued to attack Palestinian fishermen in Gaza sea. On 11 August 2013, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishermen who were sailing 3 nautical miles off al-Waha resort, in the northern Gaza Strip. However, no casualties were reported. On 13 August 2013, a Palestinian fishing boat sailing 7 nautical miles off Gaza valley shore was fired at.
As a result, 3 fishermen were wounded and abducted for a few hours at Ashdod Seaport in Israel. In addition, their boat was confiscated.
On 14 August 2013, Israeli warplanes bombarded an open land in the northern Gaza Strip. As a result, material damage was caused to a nearby house, where a child sustained scratches and bruises because of window fragments that scattered due to the explosion.
In the Gaza Strip, on 22 July 2013, Israeli forces moved nearly 300 meters into the east of al-Bureij refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip. They levelled areas of land along the border fence while warplanes were hovering overheads.
Israeli settlement activities:
Israeli forces have continued to support settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
Restrictions over the Palestinian farmers, who were denied access to their lands south of Hebron, continued.
Israeli attacks on non-violent protests:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces continued the systematic use of excessive force against peaceful protests organised by Palestinian, Israeli and international activists against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank.
As a result, dozens suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises due to Israeli soldiers' attack on them.
Recommendations to the international community:
Due to the number and severity of Israeli attacks over the last two weeks, the PCHR made several recommendations to the international community. Among these were a recommendation that the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions compel Israel, as a High Contracting Party to the Conventions, to apply the Conventions in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
In addition, the PCHR calls upon the Parties to international human rights instruments, especially the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to pressurize Israel to comply with their provisions in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and to compel it to incorporate the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories in its reports submitted to the concerned committees.
For the full text of the report, click on the link
16 aug 2013
Maariv poll revealed on Friday that 53% of Israelis are not in favor of an agreement that includes a withdrawal from the West Bank, even if the Palestinians would recognize Israel as a Jewish state and give up the right of return.
The survey also revealed that 57% of Israelis believe that the Oslo agreements negatively impacted Israel's security, politics, and economy.
These study was conducted two decades after the signing of Oslo agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
The survey also revealed that 57% of Israelis believe that the Oslo agreements negatively impacted Israel's security, politics, and economy.
These study was conducted two decades after the signing of Oslo agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
15 aug 2013
The Palestinian Census Bureau has reported that Israel built four new illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank in 2012, raising the number of Jewish settlements to 144 comparing to 140 by the end of 2011.
In its Wednesday reported, the Bureau said Israel’s settlements in occupied Palestine are illegal and violate International Law in addition to violating the Fourth Geneva Convention, as they are illegally built in occupied territories.
The Bureau added that most of the settlements are concentrated in occupied Jerusalem, as there are 26 official settlements in the city, followed by the central West Bank district of Ramallah and Al-Biereh (24 settlements).
Hebron comes in third with 19 illegal settlements, followed by 17 more settlements in the Palestinian Plains area. The northern West Bank district of Qalqilia has three settlements, the lowest number of settlements in all of the West Bank.
The Census Bureau added that, by the end of 2012, the number of Jewish settlers in the West Bank reached approximately (563.546) settlers, comparing to (538.781) settlers in 2011. This shows a %4.6 increase in the number of settlers.
It further stated that the number of settlers increased 40 fold between the years of 1972 and 2013.
In addition, the number of settlers increased by %2.8 since the beginning of this year until the end of July, due to the illegal expansion of Jewish settlements in occupied Palestine.
The number of settlers in occupied Jerusalem is (203.176) settlers, (%49.2) of the entire settler population, while the number of settlers in the Ramallah and Al-Biereh District is (107.586), in addition to (66.392) settlers in Bethlehem, and (35.138) settlers in Salfit.
Tubas central West Bank district has the lowest number of settlers comparing to the rest of Palestine as 1.452 settlers live in the district.
As efforts to maintain direct peace talks with the Palestinian Authority, Israel still insists on constructing thousands of units of Jewish settlers in different settlements in the occupied West Bank, including in and around occupied East Jerusalem.
Two days ago, the Israeli government of Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, approved the construction of additional 890 units for Jewish settlers in the Gilo illegal settlement, southwest of occupied East Jerusalem.
The decision came after Tel Aviv approved the construction of 1200 units in West Bank and Jerusalem settlements.
On Sunday, Israeli “Housing Minister”, Uri Ariel, and the Jerusalem City Council head, Nir Barkat, placed the cornerstone of a new settlement, meant for Haredi Jews, on Palestinian lands in Jabal Al-Mokabbir Palestinian town, south of occupied East Jerusalem.
This came after the government on Netanyahu approved the construction of 1200 units in West Bank and Jerusalem settlements.
In its Wednesday reported, the Bureau said Israel’s settlements in occupied Palestine are illegal and violate International Law in addition to violating the Fourth Geneva Convention, as they are illegally built in occupied territories.
The Bureau added that most of the settlements are concentrated in occupied Jerusalem, as there are 26 official settlements in the city, followed by the central West Bank district of Ramallah and Al-Biereh (24 settlements).
Hebron comes in third with 19 illegal settlements, followed by 17 more settlements in the Palestinian Plains area. The northern West Bank district of Qalqilia has three settlements, the lowest number of settlements in all of the West Bank.
The Census Bureau added that, by the end of 2012, the number of Jewish settlers in the West Bank reached approximately (563.546) settlers, comparing to (538.781) settlers in 2011. This shows a %4.6 increase in the number of settlers.
It further stated that the number of settlers increased 40 fold between the years of 1972 and 2013.
In addition, the number of settlers increased by %2.8 since the beginning of this year until the end of July, due to the illegal expansion of Jewish settlements in occupied Palestine.
The number of settlers in occupied Jerusalem is (203.176) settlers, (%49.2) of the entire settler population, while the number of settlers in the Ramallah and Al-Biereh District is (107.586), in addition to (66.392) settlers in Bethlehem, and (35.138) settlers in Salfit.
Tubas central West Bank district has the lowest number of settlers comparing to the rest of Palestine as 1.452 settlers live in the district.
As efforts to maintain direct peace talks with the Palestinian Authority, Israel still insists on constructing thousands of units of Jewish settlers in different settlements in the occupied West Bank, including in and around occupied East Jerusalem.
Two days ago, the Israeli government of Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, approved the construction of additional 890 units for Jewish settlers in the Gilo illegal settlement, southwest of occupied East Jerusalem.
The decision came after Tel Aviv approved the construction of 1200 units in West Bank and Jerusalem settlements.
On Sunday, Israeli “Housing Minister”, Uri Ariel, and the Jerusalem City Council head, Nir Barkat, placed the cornerstone of a new settlement, meant for Haredi Jews, on Palestinian lands in Jabal Al-Mokabbir Palestinian town, south of occupied East Jerusalem.
This came after the government on Netanyahu approved the construction of 1200 units in West Bank and Jerusalem settlements.