26 jan 2014
A recent poll conducted by the University of Haifa has revealed that the number of Druze refusing to serve in the Israeli army is increasing. It also showed that a growing number of Israeli youth prefer being jailed instead of military service.
Only 36 per cent of the youth who took part in the poll supported obligatory recruitment, while 47 per cent believed military service should be voluntary. 17 per cent believed the current conscription policy should be revoked.
According to the poll, 47 per cent of Druze said there is no difference between them and other Arabs, while 27 per cent claimed their situation is worse than the Arabs in Israel. Moreover, 83 per cent said that their life is worse than the Jews in Israel despite their military service.
90 per cent of Druze polled said they held negative views towards the Israeli establishment because they suffer land confiscation and geographic siege similar to other Arabs. About 75 per cent of them said their negative feelings were because of high rates of unemployment in their community compared to the relatively low rate of unemployment among Jews in Israel.
This latest poll by the University of Haifa affirms the findings of similar surveys; that the rate of recruitment in the Israeli army has sharply declined. While some placed the rate at less than 50 per cent, other found it to be below 48 per cent.
The issue of recruitment of Palestinian Druze into the Israeli military has become a major public debate after the popular youth musician, Omar Sa'ed, publicly declared that he preferred spending time in prison rather than serving in the Israeli army.
Another youth from Druze community issued a public statement explaining the reason for his refusal to in the Israeli army: "Because I am Palestinian, my morals and conscience do not allow me to serve in the Israeli occupation," Orwa Ghalib said in his statement.
A recent poll conducted by the University of Haifa has revealed that the number of Druze refusing to serve in the Israeli army is increasing. It also showed that a growing number of Israeli youth prefer being jailed instead of military service.
Source: Al Ghad
Translated by: Middle East Monitor
Only 36 per cent of the youth who took part in the poll supported obligatory recruitment, while 47 per cent believed military service should be voluntary. 17 per cent believed the current conscription policy should be revoked.
According to the poll, 47 per cent of Druze said there is no difference between them and other Arabs, while 27 per cent claimed their situation is worse than the Arabs in Israel. Moreover, 83 per cent said that their life is worse than the Jews in Israel despite their military service.
90 per cent of Druze polled said they held negative views towards the Israeli establishment because they suffer land confiscation and geographic siege similar to other Arabs. About 75 per cent of them said their negative feelings were because of high rates of unemployment in their community compared to the relatively low rate of unemployment among Jews in Israel.
This latest poll by the University of Haifa affirms the findings of similar surveys; that the rate of recruitment in the Israeli army has sharply declined. While some placed the rate at less than 50 per cent, other found it to be below 48 per cent.
The issue of recruitment of Palestinian Druze into the Israeli military has become a major public debate after the popular youth musician, Omar Sa'ed, publicly declared that he preferred spending time in prison rather than serving in the Israeli army.
Another youth from Druze community issued a public statement explaining the reason for his refusal to in the Israeli army: "Because I am Palestinian, my morals and conscience do not allow me to serve in the Israeli occupation," Orwa Ghalib said in his statement.
A recent poll conducted by the University of Haifa has revealed that the number of Druze refusing to serve in the Israeli army is increasing. It also showed that a growing number of Israeli youth prefer being jailed instead of military service.
Source: Al Ghad
Translated by: Middle East Monitor
25 jan 2014
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the occupied Palestinian territories (OCHA) warned of the seriousness of the Israeli occupation’s recent practices targeting Palestinian children. The UN said in its monthly report issued on Friday that the clashes that took place during demonstrations and military operations with Israeli forces across the West Bank caused the injury of 38 Palestinians, including ten children, this week.
The report said that the process of targeting the children has accelerated pointing out that "six Palestinian children and one adult were injured in four clashes with Israeli forces that erupted during Israeli military operations in the village of Anata and in Al Ezariya (both in Jerusalem), in the village of Silwad (Ramallah), and near Ayda Refugee Camp (Bethlehem)."
It added: "The injury of Palestinian children in clashes with Israeli forces has become a key protection concern during 2013, when the number of such injuries more than doubled compared to the previous year - from 526 to 1,185-."
OCHA said this increase in number of child injuries could be attributed to the increase in number of demonstrations.
It added: "Also of concern during 2013, has been the increase in the proportion of children injured by rubber-coated metal bullets; however, the proportion of those injured by tear gas inhalation has decreased."
OCHA monitored four settler-related incidents that have led to Palestinian injuries or property damage, while one incident led to casualties among the settlers.
It added that 36 Palestinian families, comprising 220 people, half of them children, from the Bedouin communities of Ibziq and Khirbet Yarza (Tubas), were affected by Israeli military training in the area close to their residential structures. During the exercise, Israeli forces fired tank shells and live ammunition, as a result of which the families had no alternative but to confine themselves to their homes for about 10 hours.
In 2013, OCHA has recorded 37 incidents of evacuation of Palestinians from their homes or localities in the West Bank by Israeli forces to make way for Israeli military training.
"As a result, a total of 343 households comprising over 1,700 persons, were temporarily displaced; some of them on several occasions."
In the Gaza Strip, the report stated that the Israeli airstrikes against various targets across Gaza resulted in the injury of five Palestinian civilians, including four children and one woman.
"An additional airstrike carried out on 19 January, targeting an alleged member of an armed group travelling on a motorcycle in Jabaliya, resulted in injury to the man, together with an 11-year-old bystander boy."
UN reported that the Rafah crossing remained closed during the entire reporting period, while approximately 5,000 people are currently waiting to leave Gaza, including medical and other humanitarian cases.
It stressed that the international organizations implementing projects approved by the Israeli authorities have continued to face restrictions, pointing out that UNRWA, was allowed to import materials for only six out of 14 projects, while other international agencies faced significant delays by the Israeli authorities, citing security reasons.
OCHA: Injuries among Palestinian children more than doubled in 2013
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the injury of Palestinian children in clashes with Israeli forces has become a key protection concern during 2013. The UN body in its weekly Protection of Civilians report said the number of such injuries more than doubled compared to the previous year - from 526 to 1,185- and accounted for 32 percent of all injuries in the West Bank compared to 17 percent in 2012.
The increase “could be attributed to the increase in number of demonstrations, during which most injuries occur, in 2013 compared to 2012 (from 408 in 2012 to 817 in 2013),” according to OCHA.
“Also of concern during 2013, has been the increase in the proportion of children injured by rubber-coated metal bullets; however, the proportion of those injured by tear gas inhalation has decreased,” it added.
In occupied West Bank, multiple clashes in demonstrations and military operations left 38 Palestinians including ten children injured. Almost all of them were injured on 17 January. Seven of this week’s injuries resulted from live ammunition, eight from rubber-coated metal bullets, and 23 by teargas inhalation.
Settler-related incidents
The OCHA report pointed to four settler-related incidents resulting in Palestinian injuries or property damage, and one incident resulting in injuries among settlers.
Also during the week, Israeli settlers cut down, or otherwise damaged, 106 Palestinian-owned olive trees.
In the village of Jalud (Nablus), Israeli settlers from Esh Kodesh settlement outpost leveled 30 dunums of Palestinian-owned land, to which Palestinians have been denied access following the closure of the area by Israeli military order allegedly for security reasons.
In addition, on 15 January, an Israeli woman and her son were injured by shattered glass as a result of stones thrown at their vehicle by Palestinians, while travelling on Road 90 near Al Auja village (Jericho).
Two communities confined due to military training
Israeli forces during a drill fired tank shells and live ammunition, as a result of which the 36 Palestinian families of Bedouin communities of Ibziq and Khirbet Yarza (Tubas), comprising of 220 people, had no alternative but to confine themselves to their homes for about 10 hours.
In 2013, OCHA recorded 37 incidents of evacuation of Palestinians from their homes or localities in the West Bank by Israeli forces to make way for Israeli military training. As a result, a total 343 households comprising over 1,700 persons, were temporarily displaced; some of them on several occasions. The affected communities were from Tubas, Jericho and Bethlehem governorates.
Severe shortage of building materials continues
The Kerem Shalom crossing, the only entry point for goods between Gaza and Israel, has been functioning according to schedule, allowing the entry of nearly 900 truckloads of goods, a slight decrease compared to the previous week.
Although the complete ban on the import of building materials imposed following the discovery of a tunnel into Israel on October 2013 was partially lifted in early December, international organizations implementing projects approved by the Israeli authorities continue to face restrictions.
In the meantime, the full prohibition on the import of building materials for the private sector through the Kerem Shalom crossing remains in place.
Due to the closure of the Rafah crossing, no construction materials for Qatar-funded projects entered during the reporting period from Egypt.
During the period of 14-20 January, some 2.2 million liters of industrial fuel entered via the Kerem Shalom Crossing for the Gaza Power Plant (GPP).
As the amount of fuel entering for the GPP on a daily basis was below actual consumption of the power plant on most days, fuel reserves are being gradually eroded; it is also expected that Qatari funding for the power plant will run out in approximately one month.
It is reported that some 5,000 liters of diesel fuel also entered through the smuggling tunnels per day, compared to over one million liters of fuel (petrol and diesel) prior to June 2013.
Rafah Crossing remained closed
The Rafah crossing remained closed during the entire reporting period. Approximately 5,000 people are currently waiting to leave Gaza, including medical and other humanitarian cases.
The crossing was last opened on 8 January for just two days, after 11 consecutive days of closure, allowing the departure of 900 people to cross into Egypt, and the entry of around 1,000 others.
The report in full [PDF]
The report said that the process of targeting the children has accelerated pointing out that "six Palestinian children and one adult were injured in four clashes with Israeli forces that erupted during Israeli military operations in the village of Anata and in Al Ezariya (both in Jerusalem), in the village of Silwad (Ramallah), and near Ayda Refugee Camp (Bethlehem)."
It added: "The injury of Palestinian children in clashes with Israeli forces has become a key protection concern during 2013, when the number of such injuries more than doubled compared to the previous year - from 526 to 1,185-."
OCHA said this increase in number of child injuries could be attributed to the increase in number of demonstrations.
It added: "Also of concern during 2013, has been the increase in the proportion of children injured by rubber-coated metal bullets; however, the proportion of those injured by tear gas inhalation has decreased."
OCHA monitored four settler-related incidents that have led to Palestinian injuries or property damage, while one incident led to casualties among the settlers.
It added that 36 Palestinian families, comprising 220 people, half of them children, from the Bedouin communities of Ibziq and Khirbet Yarza (Tubas), were affected by Israeli military training in the area close to their residential structures. During the exercise, Israeli forces fired tank shells and live ammunition, as a result of which the families had no alternative but to confine themselves to their homes for about 10 hours.
In 2013, OCHA has recorded 37 incidents of evacuation of Palestinians from their homes or localities in the West Bank by Israeli forces to make way for Israeli military training.
"As a result, a total of 343 households comprising over 1,700 persons, were temporarily displaced; some of them on several occasions."
In the Gaza Strip, the report stated that the Israeli airstrikes against various targets across Gaza resulted in the injury of five Palestinian civilians, including four children and one woman.
"An additional airstrike carried out on 19 January, targeting an alleged member of an armed group travelling on a motorcycle in Jabaliya, resulted in injury to the man, together with an 11-year-old bystander boy."
UN reported that the Rafah crossing remained closed during the entire reporting period, while approximately 5,000 people are currently waiting to leave Gaza, including medical and other humanitarian cases.
It stressed that the international organizations implementing projects approved by the Israeli authorities have continued to face restrictions, pointing out that UNRWA, was allowed to import materials for only six out of 14 projects, while other international agencies faced significant delays by the Israeli authorities, citing security reasons.
OCHA: Injuries among Palestinian children more than doubled in 2013
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the injury of Palestinian children in clashes with Israeli forces has become a key protection concern during 2013. The UN body in its weekly Protection of Civilians report said the number of such injuries more than doubled compared to the previous year - from 526 to 1,185- and accounted for 32 percent of all injuries in the West Bank compared to 17 percent in 2012.
The increase “could be attributed to the increase in number of demonstrations, during which most injuries occur, in 2013 compared to 2012 (from 408 in 2012 to 817 in 2013),” according to OCHA.
“Also of concern during 2013, has been the increase in the proportion of children injured by rubber-coated metal bullets; however, the proportion of those injured by tear gas inhalation has decreased,” it added.
In occupied West Bank, multiple clashes in demonstrations and military operations left 38 Palestinians including ten children injured. Almost all of them were injured on 17 January. Seven of this week’s injuries resulted from live ammunition, eight from rubber-coated metal bullets, and 23 by teargas inhalation.
Settler-related incidents
The OCHA report pointed to four settler-related incidents resulting in Palestinian injuries or property damage, and one incident resulting in injuries among settlers.
Also during the week, Israeli settlers cut down, or otherwise damaged, 106 Palestinian-owned olive trees.
In the village of Jalud (Nablus), Israeli settlers from Esh Kodesh settlement outpost leveled 30 dunums of Palestinian-owned land, to which Palestinians have been denied access following the closure of the area by Israeli military order allegedly for security reasons.
In addition, on 15 January, an Israeli woman and her son were injured by shattered glass as a result of stones thrown at their vehicle by Palestinians, while travelling on Road 90 near Al Auja village (Jericho).
Two communities confined due to military training
Israeli forces during a drill fired tank shells and live ammunition, as a result of which the 36 Palestinian families of Bedouin communities of Ibziq and Khirbet Yarza (Tubas), comprising of 220 people, had no alternative but to confine themselves to their homes for about 10 hours.
In 2013, OCHA recorded 37 incidents of evacuation of Palestinians from their homes or localities in the West Bank by Israeli forces to make way for Israeli military training. As a result, a total 343 households comprising over 1,700 persons, were temporarily displaced; some of them on several occasions. The affected communities were from Tubas, Jericho and Bethlehem governorates.
Severe shortage of building materials continues
The Kerem Shalom crossing, the only entry point for goods between Gaza and Israel, has been functioning according to schedule, allowing the entry of nearly 900 truckloads of goods, a slight decrease compared to the previous week.
Although the complete ban on the import of building materials imposed following the discovery of a tunnel into Israel on October 2013 was partially lifted in early December, international organizations implementing projects approved by the Israeli authorities continue to face restrictions.
In the meantime, the full prohibition on the import of building materials for the private sector through the Kerem Shalom crossing remains in place.
Due to the closure of the Rafah crossing, no construction materials for Qatar-funded projects entered during the reporting period from Egypt.
During the period of 14-20 January, some 2.2 million liters of industrial fuel entered via the Kerem Shalom Crossing for the Gaza Power Plant (GPP).
As the amount of fuel entering for the GPP on a daily basis was below actual consumption of the power plant on most days, fuel reserves are being gradually eroded; it is also expected that Qatari funding for the power plant will run out in approximately one month.
It is reported that some 5,000 liters of diesel fuel also entered through the smuggling tunnels per day, compared to over one million liters of fuel (petrol and diesel) prior to June 2013.
Rafah Crossing remained closed
The Rafah crossing remained closed during the entire reporting period. Approximately 5,000 people are currently waiting to leave Gaza, including medical and other humanitarian cases.
The crossing was last opened on 8 January for just two days, after 11 consecutive days of closure, allowing the departure of 900 people to cross into Egypt, and the entry of around 1,000 others.
The report in full [PDF]
24 jan 2014
Israeli forces detain 4 Palestinian children at the entrance of Halhoul town, north of Hebron
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) issued its weekly report on Israeli violations in the occupied territories, for the period between January 16 – 22, 2014, and said that the army assassinated two Palestinians, conducted 73 invasions, and continued to target the civilian population.
The PCHR said that the, minutes after midnight on Wednesday, January 22, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a Palestinian car, in the Sikka Street, in Beit Hanoun in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, killing two fighters of the Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad.
The two have been identified as Ahmad Mohammad Za’aneen, 21, and his cousin Mohammad Yousef Za’aneen, 21. The bodies of the two fighters were severely mutilated due to the blast.
A child identified as Salah Farid Al-Ghaff, 11, was moderately injured, and resident Ahmad Sa’ad, 22, suffered serious injuries.
The PCHR added that on January 17, two Palestinian civilians were wounded near the eastern border area of the Gaza Strip.
The two were wounded when the soldiers, stationed across the border fence, opened fire at nonviolent protesters demanding their right to enter their lands, close to the border.
On the same say, soldiers stationed across the border east of Jabalia, in northern Gaza, fired rounds of live ammunition, and gas bombs, into an area close to the Shuhada Graveyard after alleging some young Palestinians tried to throw stones at them.
Soldiers also fired rounds of live ammunition, and several gas bombs, into Bouret Abu Samra area, in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza, also after alleging Palestinians approached the border fence.
Furthermore, the Israeli air force carried out more than four air strikes targeting different areas in the coastal region.
The strikes targeted training centers that belong to armed resistance groups, and a farmland. Excessive damage was reported, no injuries.
On January 16, soldiers fired artillery shells into areas near the eastern border between Gaza and Israel, and a shell into the Zeitoun neighborhood, east of Gaza City.
On January 19, soldiers stationed east of Beit Hanoun fired rounds of live ammunition targeting farmers, shepherds and bird hunters, east of the Al-Qotbaniyya area.
On January 22, the army fired rounds of live ammunition into the Wady Salqa area, east of Deir Al-Balah, and into Palestinian agricultural lands, along the Al-Qarara, Al-Faraheen and Abasan Al-Kabeera towns, east of Khan Younis.
The PCHR further stated that, on January 18, Israeli navy ships fired dozens of rounds of live ammunition at Palestinian fishing boats, Palestinian waters, less than two nautical miles off the Gaza shore.
On January 22, the navy also opened fire targeting Palestinian fishing boats, also less than two nautical miles off the shore, and kidnapped two fishermen from Jabalia, in northern Gaza.
The boats were taken to Ashdod Port, and the fishermen were interrogated in a military base at the Erez terminal, and were released before midnight same day.
Furthermore, one Palestinian was kidnapped at the Erez border terminal between Gaza and Israel.
Israel continued its illegitimate siege imposed on Gaza more than seven years ago, in direct violation of International Law.
The PCHR said that Israeli military vehicles, including tanks and military bulldozers carried out, on January 18, a limited invasion into an area east of Jabalia, in northern Gaza, bulldozed and uprooted farmlands, and opened fire at random forcing the farmers to leave.
Israeli Attacks In West Bank
In The West Bank, the soldiers carried out 73 invasions targeting different districts, and kidnapped 44 Palestinians, including 10 minors and 3 women.
Among the kidnapped is Issa Ja’bary, 50, a political leader of Hamas from Hebron, and the former minister of local government.
The PCHR said the soldiers continued to use excessive force against the civilians after violently breaking into their homes and searching them, also causing excessive property damage.
The soldiers also installed dozens of roadblocks in different parts of the occupied West Bank, stopped and searched hundreds of cars, and kidnapped eleven civilians, including five children.
Furthermore, the army continued the use of excessive force against nonviolent protests against the Annexation Wall and settlements in the occupied West Bank, wounding eight Palestinians, including a cameraman, in Bil’in village near Ramallah, in Silwad, north of Ramallah, and in Kufur Qaddoum village, near Qalqilia.
In Hebron, soldiers demolished a shed used for junk recycling, a workshop and a home, while in the Northern Plains of the West Bank the soldiers remove 15 residential tents, 10 sheds, 3 kitchens, and 4 portable toilets.
On January 20, the soldiers demolished a 2900 square/meter recycling workshop, including two brick rooms used as offices, and a bedroom in the Deir Samet village, southwest of Hebron.
On the same day, soldiers demolished a 2.750 meters furniture production store, and a 2100 square/meter office building, in Beit Awwa village, southwest of Hebron.
On January 22, the soldiers invaded various Bedouin communities, and villages, in the West Bank’s Northern Plains, removed 15 residential tents, 10 sheds, 3 kitchens, 4 portable toilets and a room made of bricks and clay.
Extremist Israeli settlers, living in illegitimate settlement that violate International Law, continued their assaults against the Palestinians.
On January 16, dozens of settlers of the Keryat Arba’ settlement, built on Palestinian lands in Hebron, attacked Palestinian farmlands in Al-Kassara area, Jabal Jales, and Khallit Abda, and chanted racist slogans.
On January 17, extremist settlers of the Karmael illegal settlement, built on Palestinian lands east of Yatta, south of Hebron, attacked Palestinian orchards in Um Al-Kheir village, held dozens of Palestinian shepherds, and planted saplings in 150 Dunams of Palestinian lands.
On January 19, settlers of the Naghot illegal settlement built on Palestinian lands south of Doura village, southwest of Hebron, invaded Palestinian lands and prevented local villagers from entering it.
For the full text of the report, click on the link
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) issued its weekly report on Israeli violations in the occupied territories, for the period between January 16 – 22, 2014, and said that the army assassinated two Palestinians, conducted 73 invasions, and continued to target the civilian population.
The PCHR said that the, minutes after midnight on Wednesday, January 22, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a Palestinian car, in the Sikka Street, in Beit Hanoun in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, killing two fighters of the Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad.
The two have been identified as Ahmad Mohammad Za’aneen, 21, and his cousin Mohammad Yousef Za’aneen, 21. The bodies of the two fighters were severely mutilated due to the blast.
A child identified as Salah Farid Al-Ghaff, 11, was moderately injured, and resident Ahmad Sa’ad, 22, suffered serious injuries.
The PCHR added that on January 17, two Palestinian civilians were wounded near the eastern border area of the Gaza Strip.
The two were wounded when the soldiers, stationed across the border fence, opened fire at nonviolent protesters demanding their right to enter their lands, close to the border.
On the same say, soldiers stationed across the border east of Jabalia, in northern Gaza, fired rounds of live ammunition, and gas bombs, into an area close to the Shuhada Graveyard after alleging some young Palestinians tried to throw stones at them.
Soldiers also fired rounds of live ammunition, and several gas bombs, into Bouret Abu Samra area, in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza, also after alleging Palestinians approached the border fence.
Furthermore, the Israeli air force carried out more than four air strikes targeting different areas in the coastal region.
The strikes targeted training centers that belong to armed resistance groups, and a farmland. Excessive damage was reported, no injuries.
On January 16, soldiers fired artillery shells into areas near the eastern border between Gaza and Israel, and a shell into the Zeitoun neighborhood, east of Gaza City.
On January 19, soldiers stationed east of Beit Hanoun fired rounds of live ammunition targeting farmers, shepherds and bird hunters, east of the Al-Qotbaniyya area.
On January 22, the army fired rounds of live ammunition into the Wady Salqa area, east of Deir Al-Balah, and into Palestinian agricultural lands, along the Al-Qarara, Al-Faraheen and Abasan Al-Kabeera towns, east of Khan Younis.
The PCHR further stated that, on January 18, Israeli navy ships fired dozens of rounds of live ammunition at Palestinian fishing boats, Palestinian waters, less than two nautical miles off the Gaza shore.
On January 22, the navy also opened fire targeting Palestinian fishing boats, also less than two nautical miles off the shore, and kidnapped two fishermen from Jabalia, in northern Gaza.
The boats were taken to Ashdod Port, and the fishermen were interrogated in a military base at the Erez terminal, and were released before midnight same day.
Furthermore, one Palestinian was kidnapped at the Erez border terminal between Gaza and Israel.
Israel continued its illegitimate siege imposed on Gaza more than seven years ago, in direct violation of International Law.
The PCHR said that Israeli military vehicles, including tanks and military bulldozers carried out, on January 18, a limited invasion into an area east of Jabalia, in northern Gaza, bulldozed and uprooted farmlands, and opened fire at random forcing the farmers to leave.
Israeli Attacks In West Bank
In The West Bank, the soldiers carried out 73 invasions targeting different districts, and kidnapped 44 Palestinians, including 10 minors and 3 women.
Among the kidnapped is Issa Ja’bary, 50, a political leader of Hamas from Hebron, and the former minister of local government.
The PCHR said the soldiers continued to use excessive force against the civilians after violently breaking into their homes and searching them, also causing excessive property damage.
The soldiers also installed dozens of roadblocks in different parts of the occupied West Bank, stopped and searched hundreds of cars, and kidnapped eleven civilians, including five children.
Furthermore, the army continued the use of excessive force against nonviolent protests against the Annexation Wall and settlements in the occupied West Bank, wounding eight Palestinians, including a cameraman, in Bil’in village near Ramallah, in Silwad, north of Ramallah, and in Kufur Qaddoum village, near Qalqilia.
In Hebron, soldiers demolished a shed used for junk recycling, a workshop and a home, while in the Northern Plains of the West Bank the soldiers remove 15 residential tents, 10 sheds, 3 kitchens, and 4 portable toilets.
On January 20, the soldiers demolished a 2900 square/meter recycling workshop, including two brick rooms used as offices, and a bedroom in the Deir Samet village, southwest of Hebron.
On the same day, soldiers demolished a 2.750 meters furniture production store, and a 2100 square/meter office building, in Beit Awwa village, southwest of Hebron.
On January 22, the soldiers invaded various Bedouin communities, and villages, in the West Bank’s Northern Plains, removed 15 residential tents, 10 sheds, 3 kitchens, 4 portable toilets and a room made of bricks and clay.
Extremist Israeli settlers, living in illegitimate settlement that violate International Law, continued their assaults against the Palestinians.
On January 16, dozens of settlers of the Keryat Arba’ settlement, built on Palestinian lands in Hebron, attacked Palestinian farmlands in Al-Kassara area, Jabal Jales, and Khallit Abda, and chanted racist slogans.
On January 17, extremist settlers of the Karmael illegal settlement, built on Palestinian lands east of Yatta, south of Hebron, attacked Palestinian orchards in Um Al-Kheir village, held dozens of Palestinian shepherds, and planted saplings in 150 Dunams of Palestinian lands.
On January 19, settlers of the Naghot illegal settlement built on Palestinian lands south of Doura village, southwest of Hebron, invaded Palestinian lands and prevented local villagers from entering it.
For the full text of the report, click on the link
23 jan 2014
74% of young Israelis see Israel as a racist society that discriminates between its citizens and deepens hatred of non Israelis, according to the Israeli radio. The radio reported the results of the annual survey issued by Mas’a Institute in a study to what is called the Holocaust, young Israelis were questioned about the existence of racism and xenophobia within the Israeli society.
The majority of them confirmed the existence of racism while a small percentage said racism never exists.
“Students from primary and secondary schools in Israel participated in the poll,” it said, pointing out that the data which would raise fear related to incitement and racism in the Israeli society.
The rate of discrimination against non Israelis has increased significantly in the recent times.
The poll indicated that In 2008, 39% assured that Israel is racist.
The majority of them confirmed the existence of racism while a small percentage said racism never exists.
“Students from primary and secondary schools in Israel participated in the poll,” it said, pointing out that the data which would raise fear related to incitement and racism in the Israeli society.
The rate of discrimination against non Israelis has increased significantly in the recent times.
The poll indicated that In 2008, 39% assured that Israel is racist.
22 jan 2014
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Mariam Nabil/PNN Exclusive
Palestine, which has been under the Israeli occupation and aggression for over 60 years has become the focus of attention for the world, which seeks to see and understand the reality of the occupation and its impact on the life of the Palestinians. Clashes that usually erupt between the Palestinians and the Israeli forces have had the attention in the world press. The Israeli occupation uses various weapons against the Palestinians that usually result in casualties or injuries. Yet, one of the slow deadly weapons that Israeli forces are using in targeting the Palestinians is tear gas. So what is the tear gas and what is its impact on the lives of the people? |
Wandering around the streets of Bethlehem, especially inside the refugee camps, one can easily witness the remnants of these grenades. Most of the time, these canisters can also be found in the homes of the Palestinians after children have collected them as play toys from the Israeli occupation during or after riots. One can also observe the impact of the tear gas on the health of the Palestinians, especially the children who can develop violent and possibly fatal illnesses such as cancer, asthma, allergies and many more.
Tear gas is a non-lethal chemical weapon that stimulates the corneal nerves in the eyes to cause tears, pain, and even blindness. The contents that are used as chemical warfare agents are prohibited by various international treaties.
Salah Ajarmeh, Director of the Lajee Center in the Aida Camp, talked about the tear gas and its major impact on the Palestinians in general and children in particular.
He said, "Recently the Aida Camp has become a center of violent clashes. Israeli soldiers shoot a lot of tear gas that creeps into the centers and houses of the Camp, as well as the hospitals that are near the camp. The soldiers are shooting more than 300 tear gas grenades each day.
He elaborated, "We can't prevent children from playing ....we try to create a safe place for them to play, but when Israeli soldiers start attacking the civilians without warning, it leaves us no chance to live in a peaceful and safe area."
Ajarmeh said that the tear gas grenades the Israelis are using to target the Palestinians are made by factories in the United States. Thus, he calls on the US to stop providing the Israelis with these deadly and prohibited weapons.
"We call on the International Community and the International Court of Justice to exert pressure on the Israeli occupation to stop using the tear gas and halt their shooting against the civilians," Ajarmeh concluded.
Dr. Hiyam Marzouqa, head Physician at Caritas Baby Hospital talked about two incidents that occurred in the hospital. Both resulted from the tear gas being fired inside the Aida Camp as well as the Rachel's Tomb area near the hospital.
She said, "We have preterm infants and others babies who suffer from shortness of breath and tear gas inhalation could lead to their death."
"The tear gas enters the hospital through air conditioners and this is a dangerous issue that may lead to serious health problems," she added.
Palestinian civilians have told PNN their own experiences about the tear gas and how it has affected their lives as well as health conditions.
An elderly Palestinian named Abbas Thaher, refugee from Deirabann village inside the occupied 1948 territories, said, "We have a lot of kids here in the camp, and in my house there are six of them. The tear gas affects us, especially the children, as it is impossible to prevent."
He continued, "The situation in the camp is abysmal, they {the soldiers} fire gas everywhere without taking into consideration that there are people living in the camp. They just want to hurt us."
Thaher added, "Our suffering has extended for over 66 years, and everyone knows about it. We have been suffering since 1948, since we were deported from our land....we respect all the world's nations, but we reject the policies of the governments."
Manal Hassanat, a woman living in the camp talked about her experience saying, "the camp is always exposed to confrontations. One day, we were sitting in the house when a tear gas grenade broke the glass and entered our home. The children were affected by the tear gas and they started to throw up, we evacuated the house immediately."
"We call on all the concerned parties and we call the human rights and child institutions to interfere because tear gas affects the lives of the people and in the long term the tear gas inhalation leaves negative impact on the health of the people."
The mother continued to say, "My kids, due to tear gas inhalation, are now suffering from shortness of breath and eye allergy.
One of the young boys living in the camp, said "every time clashes erupt, Israeli soldiers fire tear gas. Once, I inhaled tear gas and I felt dizzy and an ambulance transferred me to a hospital. Tear gas inhalation affects my health a lot because I suffer from Asthma."
When asked about the situation and what he wants to say to the world he said, "I don't want to live anymore, it's a difficult and unstable situation we are living in. Two days ago, a Palestinian kid was injured just before my eyes."
The Palestinians continue to suffer due to the Israeli occupation and its illegal policies and attacks. The living situation in Palestine is difficult and Palestinians; elders, women and children, are calling upon the international community to hold Israel accountable for its crimes and violations committed against them and their land. One message the Palestinians want to spread: "We just want to live in peace on our land."
Tear gas is a non-lethal chemical weapon that stimulates the corneal nerves in the eyes to cause tears, pain, and even blindness. The contents that are used as chemical warfare agents are prohibited by various international treaties.
Salah Ajarmeh, Director of the Lajee Center in the Aida Camp, talked about the tear gas and its major impact on the Palestinians in general and children in particular.
He said, "Recently the Aida Camp has become a center of violent clashes. Israeli soldiers shoot a lot of tear gas that creeps into the centers and houses of the Camp, as well as the hospitals that are near the camp. The soldiers are shooting more than 300 tear gas grenades each day.
He elaborated, "We can't prevent children from playing ....we try to create a safe place for them to play, but when Israeli soldiers start attacking the civilians without warning, it leaves us no chance to live in a peaceful and safe area."
Ajarmeh said that the tear gas grenades the Israelis are using to target the Palestinians are made by factories in the United States. Thus, he calls on the US to stop providing the Israelis with these deadly and prohibited weapons.
"We call on the International Community and the International Court of Justice to exert pressure on the Israeli occupation to stop using the tear gas and halt their shooting against the civilians," Ajarmeh concluded.
Dr. Hiyam Marzouqa, head Physician at Caritas Baby Hospital talked about two incidents that occurred in the hospital. Both resulted from the tear gas being fired inside the Aida Camp as well as the Rachel's Tomb area near the hospital.
She said, "We have preterm infants and others babies who suffer from shortness of breath and tear gas inhalation could lead to their death."
"The tear gas enters the hospital through air conditioners and this is a dangerous issue that may lead to serious health problems," she added.
Palestinian civilians have told PNN their own experiences about the tear gas and how it has affected their lives as well as health conditions.
An elderly Palestinian named Abbas Thaher, refugee from Deirabann village inside the occupied 1948 territories, said, "We have a lot of kids here in the camp, and in my house there are six of them. The tear gas affects us, especially the children, as it is impossible to prevent."
He continued, "The situation in the camp is abysmal, they {the soldiers} fire gas everywhere without taking into consideration that there are people living in the camp. They just want to hurt us."
Thaher added, "Our suffering has extended for over 66 years, and everyone knows about it. We have been suffering since 1948, since we were deported from our land....we respect all the world's nations, but we reject the policies of the governments."
Manal Hassanat, a woman living in the camp talked about her experience saying, "the camp is always exposed to confrontations. One day, we were sitting in the house when a tear gas grenade broke the glass and entered our home. The children were affected by the tear gas and they started to throw up, we evacuated the house immediately."
"We call on all the concerned parties and we call the human rights and child institutions to interfere because tear gas affects the lives of the people and in the long term the tear gas inhalation leaves negative impact on the health of the people."
The mother continued to say, "My kids, due to tear gas inhalation, are now suffering from shortness of breath and eye allergy.
One of the young boys living in the camp, said "every time clashes erupt, Israeli soldiers fire tear gas. Once, I inhaled tear gas and I felt dizzy and an ambulance transferred me to a hospital. Tear gas inhalation affects my health a lot because I suffer from Asthma."
When asked about the situation and what he wants to say to the world he said, "I don't want to live anymore, it's a difficult and unstable situation we are living in. Two days ago, a Palestinian kid was injured just before my eyes."
The Palestinians continue to suffer due to the Israeli occupation and its illegal policies and attacks. The living situation in Palestine is difficult and Palestinians; elders, women and children, are calling upon the international community to hold Israel accountable for its crimes and violations committed against them and their land. One message the Palestinians want to spread: "We just want to live in peace on our land."
21 jan 2014
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A Palestinian family warm themselves by a a fire next their shop on a rainy day in Al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City on Dec. 11, 2013
Israel's restrictions on Palestinian movement between Gaza and the West Bank is separating relatives and making family life impossible for tens of thousands of people, an Israeli human rights report said Monday. Jointly published by rights watchdogs B'Tselem and HaMoked, the 42-page report documents the impact of Israel's policy of tightly restricting Palestinian movement into and out of the Hamas-run Gaza Strip. "Israel’s declared policy of isolating the Gaza Strip severely violates the |
right to family life of tens of thousands of Palestinians living in split families, divided between Gaza and Israel, or between Gaza and the West Bank," it said.
Current Israeli policy bars Gazans from traveling to the West Bank except in extremely rare circumstances. And although West Bank residents are permitted to go to Gaza, they have to commit to stay there, the report said.
"Israel prohibits all passage between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, except in very few exceptional humanitarian cases of first-degree relatives involving serious illness, death or a wedding," it said.
Even then, not all requests are accepted, or are granted too late.
After the 1967 Six Day War when Israel seized Gaza and the West Bank, it allowed Palestinians relative freedom of movement between the two territories, but during the first uprising (1987-1993), restrictions were stepped up, ostensibly for security reasons.
The policy changed in 2006 when Israel first imposed a blockade on Gaza after militants there seized an Israeli soldier, and was tightened again a year later after Hamas forcibly took control.
Women were particularly affected, the report said, noting that marriage meant a woman was expected to leave her family and move into her husband's home.
"Israel's policy ... is especially detrimental to women ... as the restrictions on their freedom of movement effectively sever them from their families of origin," the organizations said.
The report urged the Israeli government to "respect the rights of all Palestinian residents to family life and freedom of movement."
In response, Israel's justice ministry acknowledged the "hardship" the policy was causing, but said it was necessary for security reasons.
The Gaza Strip is "a hostile territory controlled by a murderous terrorist organization (Hamas) that routinely operates against a civilian population and whose self-declared goal is the annihilation of the State of Israel," it said.
"Permitting passage between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank would entail a substantial security risk," the ministry said, insisting the policy was "a regretful side effect" of the "strategy of terrorism and violence" pursued by Palestinian militants.
Download the full report as PDF
Current Israeli policy bars Gazans from traveling to the West Bank except in extremely rare circumstances. And although West Bank residents are permitted to go to Gaza, they have to commit to stay there, the report said.
"Israel prohibits all passage between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, except in very few exceptional humanitarian cases of first-degree relatives involving serious illness, death or a wedding," it said.
Even then, not all requests are accepted, or are granted too late.
After the 1967 Six Day War when Israel seized Gaza and the West Bank, it allowed Palestinians relative freedom of movement between the two territories, but during the first uprising (1987-1993), restrictions were stepped up, ostensibly for security reasons.
The policy changed in 2006 when Israel first imposed a blockade on Gaza after militants there seized an Israeli soldier, and was tightened again a year later after Hamas forcibly took control.
Women were particularly affected, the report said, noting that marriage meant a woman was expected to leave her family and move into her husband's home.
"Israel's policy ... is especially detrimental to women ... as the restrictions on their freedom of movement effectively sever them from their families of origin," the organizations said.
The report urged the Israeli government to "respect the rights of all Palestinian residents to family life and freedom of movement."
In response, Israel's justice ministry acknowledged the "hardship" the policy was causing, but said it was necessary for security reasons.
The Gaza Strip is "a hostile territory controlled by a murderous terrorist organization (Hamas) that routinely operates against a civilian population and whose self-declared goal is the annihilation of the State of Israel," it said.
"Permitting passage between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank would entail a substantial security risk," the ministry said, insisting the policy was "a regretful side effect" of the "strategy of terrorism and violence" pursued by Palestinian militants.
Download the full report as PDF
19 jan 2014
A Palestinian human rights organization on Sunday condemned what it called an "extra-judicial execution attempt" by Israeli forces on the same day.
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights said in a statement that an Israeli airstrike that targeted a member of a Palestinian militant group serves "to escalate tension in the region and (threatens) the lives of Palestinian civilians."
The statement said that an Israeli drone strike seriously injured al-Quds Brigades member Ahmad Saad while he was riding his motorcycle in northern Gaza.
"Additionally, a passing child, 11-year-old Salah Fareed al-Ghuf, was injured by shrapnel to the right foot," the statement said.
The strike also damaged a Palestinian family's house and two buses, the PCHR statement said.
It said the attack was the first of its kind in 2014, and the second since April 2013.
"On 30 April 2013, an Israeli drone targeted and killed Hiatham al-Mis’hal, from Gaza City," the PCHR said.
"Since 2004, 636 Palestinians, including 392 civilians (this number includes 184 children and 14 women), have been killed and 438 others, including 401 civilians (this number includes 364 children and 4 women) have been wounded in attacks launched by Israeli drones."
The PCHR was "deeply concerned" about the attacks, saying they reflected "Israel's disregard for the lives of Palestinian civilians," and calling upon the international community to pressure Israel to stop them.
The Israeli army said in a statement that Sunday's strikes "successfully targeted a terrorist operative" named Ahmad Saad, who it described as "a senior operative in the 'Palestinian Islamic Jihad'" organization.
The statement added that Saad was a specialist "in rocket launching" and is "personally responsible for the launching of 5 rockets towards Ashkelon" on Thursday.
An Israeli military spokesperson said the attacks came after a homemade shell fired from the Gaza Strip landed in the Western Negev.
The airstrikes come days after four Palestinian children and a woman were injured in an Israeli bombing on Gaza early Thursday, and a day after after Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian protesters near the border, injuring two.
An Egyptian-mediated ceasefire agreement was reached in November 2012 between Palestinian factions and Israel to end over a week of fighting which left over 170 Palestinians dead and thousands injured. Six Israelis were also killed during the fighting.
Since the agreement, Israeli forces have shot dozens of Gazans in border areas, and have launched frequent incursions.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel since 2006.
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights said in a statement that an Israeli airstrike that targeted a member of a Palestinian militant group serves "to escalate tension in the region and (threatens) the lives of Palestinian civilians."
The statement said that an Israeli drone strike seriously injured al-Quds Brigades member Ahmad Saad while he was riding his motorcycle in northern Gaza.
"Additionally, a passing child, 11-year-old Salah Fareed al-Ghuf, was injured by shrapnel to the right foot," the statement said.
The strike also damaged a Palestinian family's house and two buses, the PCHR statement said.
It said the attack was the first of its kind in 2014, and the second since April 2013.
"On 30 April 2013, an Israeli drone targeted and killed Hiatham al-Mis’hal, from Gaza City," the PCHR said.
"Since 2004, 636 Palestinians, including 392 civilians (this number includes 184 children and 14 women), have been killed and 438 others, including 401 civilians (this number includes 364 children and 4 women) have been wounded in attacks launched by Israeli drones."
The PCHR was "deeply concerned" about the attacks, saying they reflected "Israel's disregard for the lives of Palestinian civilians," and calling upon the international community to pressure Israel to stop them.
The Israeli army said in a statement that Sunday's strikes "successfully targeted a terrorist operative" named Ahmad Saad, who it described as "a senior operative in the 'Palestinian Islamic Jihad'" organization.
The statement added that Saad was a specialist "in rocket launching" and is "personally responsible for the launching of 5 rockets towards Ashkelon" on Thursday.
An Israeli military spokesperson said the attacks came after a homemade shell fired from the Gaza Strip landed in the Western Negev.
The airstrikes come days after four Palestinian children and a woman were injured in an Israeli bombing on Gaza early Thursday, and a day after after Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian protesters near the border, injuring two.
An Egyptian-mediated ceasefire agreement was reached in November 2012 between Palestinian factions and Israel to end over a week of fighting which left over 170 Palestinians dead and thousands injured. Six Israelis were also killed during the fighting.
Since the agreement, Israeli forces have shot dozens of Gazans in border areas, and have launched frequent incursions.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel since 2006.
