26 june 2013
Mr Mahmoud Ahmad Shawa, Chairman of the Petroleum and Gas Owners Association of the Gaza Strip
Israel’s policy of hindering economic development in the Gaza Strip through control of commercial border crossings into the region has come to crisis point recently. Gaza is not only suffering a closure against construction materials and fuel but in the last few months has also been a victim of a chronic cooking gas shortage. The deterioration and breakdown of cooking gas supply in Gaza is compounding an already severe shortage of energy facilitates in the form of gas, electricity and fuel. The problem has manifested itself into a situation in which piles of empty gas cylinders are currently being left at gas stations waiting to be refilled.
Israel exercises complete economic control over the border between it and the Gaza Strip. Through its control over the passage of commercial goods, Israel has a tremendous impact on life in the Gaza Strip, a small and densely populated area which relies on trade with the outside world for obtaining basic products and maintaining a productive economy.
Previously, four commercial crossings operated on the border: Karni Crossing, through which all commercial trucks exited and most trucks entered; Sufa Crossing, through which all humanitarian goods and construction materials were transported; and Nahal Oz, through which fuel and cooking gas were imported. Karni and Sufah crossings were phased out by Israel before the start of 2010. In January 2010 Israeli authorities informed the Palestinian side that the Nahal Oz border crossing, on the northeast of the Gaza Strip, would be permanently closed as a result of “security issues”. This closure had an incomprehensibly detrimental effect on the transport of cooking gas and other fuels into Gaza.
Mr Mahmoud Ahmad Shawa, Chairman of the Petroleum and Gas Owners Association of the Gaza Strip outlines the problems caused by the closure of this crossing: “before the closure of the Nahal Oz crossing the Gaza Strip did not have any issues regarding a cooking gas shortage. The import of cooking gas was not considered a part of the economic blockage programme instigated by Israel as part of the forced economic closure of the Gaza Strip. Restrictions only began to be implemented with the closure of the Nahal Oz crossing point by Israel in 2010, a closure which was part of an Israeli implemented cessation of 5 border crossings to Israel.”
Mr Shawa continues, “the Nahal Oz crossing was solely dedicated to the importation of fuel and gas and as such had infrastructure qualified enough to transport these materials. With the closure of the crossing in 2010, all movement of the fuel and gas was moved to the Karm Abu Salem crossing.” With the Israeli instigated closure of all other economic border crossings to the Gaza Strip, the Karm Abu Salem crossing now caters for the import of all commercial materials entering Gaza, namely building and construction materials, fuel, humanitarian aid and cooking gas. The infrastructure available at the Karm Abu Salem crossing is not sufficient to cater for the required cooking gas supply for the people of Gaza. There is only one pipe available to transfer all cooking gas from Israel to the Gaza Strip. This unsatisfactory infrastructure limits the capabilities and quantities of cooking gas being imported.”
Another detrimental factor which affects supply is that of Karm Abu Salem’s opening times. Mr Shawa further illustrates the problem: “The sole pipeline at Karm Abu Salem is only open from 7:30 until 15:00, five days a week. This timetable also does not take into consideration the large number of Jewish holidays on which the crossing is closed nor the fact that the border is also susceptible to intermittent closure at the whim of Israeli officials. The reasoning for these closures is often cited as “security reasons” by Israeli officials. Other times, closure of the pipeline is blatantly cited by Israel as a punitive measure against the population of Gaza .” We note at PCHR that these actions by Israeli officials clearly constitute collective punishment on the people of the Gaza Strip. As a result of these restrictive factors, Mr Shawa states that currently, “only 130 tonnes of cooking gas is being supplied to Gaza on a daily basis. This constitutes approximately merely 65% of the daily requirement of cooking gas needed by the population of Gaza, namely 200 tonnes. ”
Movement of people and goods also takes place between Egypt and the Gaza Strip through underground tunnels. With the initial restrictions imposed on the import of cooking gas in January 2010 by the closure of the Nahal Oz border crossing and in an attempt to bypass the illegal economic constraints, commercial trade of the product was attempted via this route. This method of transportation was not dependable or safe. Mr Shawa asserts that “the tunnels have not been able to provide a viable method of obtaining cooking gas from Egypt. Some traders attempted to transfer gas via gas cylinders through the tunnels. This method only provided 3 or 4 tonnes of gas to Gaza daily, a mere fraction of the 200 tonnes required. Also, transporting gas from Egypt was also incredibly dangerous. As a result of gas leakages many people were killed in the tunnels while transporting the cylinders. These two factors have dictated that this method is not utilised as a method of transporting gas anymore.”
The Israeli monopoly on the supply of cooking gas to the Gaza Strip and the West Bank means that they can also dictate pricing. The Palestinian Authority subsidises the current price of cooking gas but even with these subsidies “people in the Gaza Strip pay 52 shekels per gas cylinder and persons in the West Bank pay 56 shekels per cylinder. These prices are very expensive for the average citizen of Palestine. Couple the high price with the fact that the gas is such a rare commodity and not even readily available and we have reached the current crisis point.”
For families and private homes in the Gaza Strip, cooking gas is seen as a basic human need. An average family will use one gas cylinder every 20 – 24 days however due to the current cooking gas restrictions families have to wait for an average of 2 -3 months to get a gas cylinder refilled. This means that for approximately two out of every three months families are without cooking gas. The cooking gas shortage affects many sectors of society and industry in the Gaza Strip. Not only are private homes and businesses unable to function but also factories, the agricultural sector, poultry farmers, bakeries, fishermen are all directly affected. The tourist trade in Gaza, namely hotels and restaurants, also depend mainly on cooking gas to function.
Meetings have taken place between members of the Petroleum and Gas Owners Association of the Gaza Strip and the Israeli authorities in which the association has condemned the fuel and gas closure and attempted to come to an agreement on the easing of restrictions. Specifically, a solution has been forwarded to lengthen the daily opening times of the pipe by a mere two hours, an action which would see a dramatic improvement in cooking gas availability. Israel has refused to agree to even implement this simple solution. They have not provided reasons for their lack of action.
Former Prime Minister of the Government of the West Bank, Dr Salam Fayyad, has also met with delegates from the association to discuss the chronic cooking gas shortage in the Gaza Strip. The Prime Minister was informed that if another pipe was not constructed as soon as possible, the region would suffer a serious fuel crisis. As a result of the meeting, Dr Fayyad promised another supply pipe would be constructed, with the Palestinian Authority agreeing to pay all necessary construction expenses. While Israel also agreed on the erection of a second pipe, as of June 2013, they have yet to implement their plans or begin construction on the project. No reasons have been given for the lack of progress.
There are also regular discussions with associations and consulates from the US, Europe and Israel in an attempt to find a solution to the crisis however nothing has ever come of these talks. Mr Shawa explains that “they hear our problem, empathise with our situation and state that they will attempt to exert pressure on Israeli authorities to lift the closure on cooking gas but ultimately nothing is ever done.”
The enforcing of illegal cooking gas restrictions by Israel over the the population of Gaza must come to an end. Mr Shawa states that, “technically, Israel could solve the problem within 24 hours. All that needs to be done is to lengthen the daily time allowance in which gas is imported into the region. Mr Shawa cannot see an end to the restrictions and resulting crisis, “this problem is solely a political issue. As a result, I see it persisting for a long time.” The current restrictions implemented by the Israeli forces are purely to put pressure on and paralyse normal people to surrender and accept Israeli political solutions. “The issue affects peoples’ lives. The gas crisis will increase in coming days. When added with the diesel and fuel crisis the situation is very dangerous. They deny all rights to the general population of Gaza. When Israeli is imposing these restrictions, it is not only Hamas who is punished; it is also the people of Gaza.”
The Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip amounts to a form of collective punishment, which is a violation of article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. As it inflicts great suffering on the civilian population of Gaza, it also amounts to a war crime, for which the Israeli political and military leadership bear individual criminal responsibility.
Israel’s policy of hindering economic development in the Gaza Strip through control of commercial border crossings into the region has come to crisis point recently. Gaza is not only suffering a closure against construction materials and fuel but in the last few months has also been a victim of a chronic cooking gas shortage. The deterioration and breakdown of cooking gas supply in Gaza is compounding an already severe shortage of energy facilitates in the form of gas, electricity and fuel. The problem has manifested itself into a situation in which piles of empty gas cylinders are currently being left at gas stations waiting to be refilled.
Israel exercises complete economic control over the border between it and the Gaza Strip. Through its control over the passage of commercial goods, Israel has a tremendous impact on life in the Gaza Strip, a small and densely populated area which relies on trade with the outside world for obtaining basic products and maintaining a productive economy.
Previously, four commercial crossings operated on the border: Karni Crossing, through which all commercial trucks exited and most trucks entered; Sufa Crossing, through which all humanitarian goods and construction materials were transported; and Nahal Oz, through which fuel and cooking gas were imported. Karni and Sufah crossings were phased out by Israel before the start of 2010. In January 2010 Israeli authorities informed the Palestinian side that the Nahal Oz border crossing, on the northeast of the Gaza Strip, would be permanently closed as a result of “security issues”. This closure had an incomprehensibly detrimental effect on the transport of cooking gas and other fuels into Gaza.
Mr Mahmoud Ahmad Shawa, Chairman of the Petroleum and Gas Owners Association of the Gaza Strip outlines the problems caused by the closure of this crossing: “before the closure of the Nahal Oz crossing the Gaza Strip did not have any issues regarding a cooking gas shortage. The import of cooking gas was not considered a part of the economic blockage programme instigated by Israel as part of the forced economic closure of the Gaza Strip. Restrictions only began to be implemented with the closure of the Nahal Oz crossing point by Israel in 2010, a closure which was part of an Israeli implemented cessation of 5 border crossings to Israel.”
Mr Shawa continues, “the Nahal Oz crossing was solely dedicated to the importation of fuel and gas and as such had infrastructure qualified enough to transport these materials. With the closure of the crossing in 2010, all movement of the fuel and gas was moved to the Karm Abu Salem crossing.” With the Israeli instigated closure of all other economic border crossings to the Gaza Strip, the Karm Abu Salem crossing now caters for the import of all commercial materials entering Gaza, namely building and construction materials, fuel, humanitarian aid and cooking gas. The infrastructure available at the Karm Abu Salem crossing is not sufficient to cater for the required cooking gas supply for the people of Gaza. There is only one pipe available to transfer all cooking gas from Israel to the Gaza Strip. This unsatisfactory infrastructure limits the capabilities and quantities of cooking gas being imported.”
Another detrimental factor which affects supply is that of Karm Abu Salem’s opening times. Mr Shawa further illustrates the problem: “The sole pipeline at Karm Abu Salem is only open from 7:30 until 15:00, five days a week. This timetable also does not take into consideration the large number of Jewish holidays on which the crossing is closed nor the fact that the border is also susceptible to intermittent closure at the whim of Israeli officials. The reasoning for these closures is often cited as “security reasons” by Israeli officials. Other times, closure of the pipeline is blatantly cited by Israel as a punitive measure against the population of Gaza .” We note at PCHR that these actions by Israeli officials clearly constitute collective punishment on the people of the Gaza Strip. As a result of these restrictive factors, Mr Shawa states that currently, “only 130 tonnes of cooking gas is being supplied to Gaza on a daily basis. This constitutes approximately merely 65% of the daily requirement of cooking gas needed by the population of Gaza, namely 200 tonnes. ”
Movement of people and goods also takes place between Egypt and the Gaza Strip through underground tunnels. With the initial restrictions imposed on the import of cooking gas in January 2010 by the closure of the Nahal Oz border crossing and in an attempt to bypass the illegal economic constraints, commercial trade of the product was attempted via this route. This method of transportation was not dependable or safe. Mr Shawa asserts that “the tunnels have not been able to provide a viable method of obtaining cooking gas from Egypt. Some traders attempted to transfer gas via gas cylinders through the tunnels. This method only provided 3 or 4 tonnes of gas to Gaza daily, a mere fraction of the 200 tonnes required. Also, transporting gas from Egypt was also incredibly dangerous. As a result of gas leakages many people were killed in the tunnels while transporting the cylinders. These two factors have dictated that this method is not utilised as a method of transporting gas anymore.”
The Israeli monopoly on the supply of cooking gas to the Gaza Strip and the West Bank means that they can also dictate pricing. The Palestinian Authority subsidises the current price of cooking gas but even with these subsidies “people in the Gaza Strip pay 52 shekels per gas cylinder and persons in the West Bank pay 56 shekels per cylinder. These prices are very expensive for the average citizen of Palestine. Couple the high price with the fact that the gas is such a rare commodity and not even readily available and we have reached the current crisis point.”
For families and private homes in the Gaza Strip, cooking gas is seen as a basic human need. An average family will use one gas cylinder every 20 – 24 days however due to the current cooking gas restrictions families have to wait for an average of 2 -3 months to get a gas cylinder refilled. This means that for approximately two out of every three months families are without cooking gas. The cooking gas shortage affects many sectors of society and industry in the Gaza Strip. Not only are private homes and businesses unable to function but also factories, the agricultural sector, poultry farmers, bakeries, fishermen are all directly affected. The tourist trade in Gaza, namely hotels and restaurants, also depend mainly on cooking gas to function.
Meetings have taken place between members of the Petroleum and Gas Owners Association of the Gaza Strip and the Israeli authorities in which the association has condemned the fuel and gas closure and attempted to come to an agreement on the easing of restrictions. Specifically, a solution has been forwarded to lengthen the daily opening times of the pipe by a mere two hours, an action which would see a dramatic improvement in cooking gas availability. Israel has refused to agree to even implement this simple solution. They have not provided reasons for their lack of action.
Former Prime Minister of the Government of the West Bank, Dr Salam Fayyad, has also met with delegates from the association to discuss the chronic cooking gas shortage in the Gaza Strip. The Prime Minister was informed that if another pipe was not constructed as soon as possible, the region would suffer a serious fuel crisis. As a result of the meeting, Dr Fayyad promised another supply pipe would be constructed, with the Palestinian Authority agreeing to pay all necessary construction expenses. While Israel also agreed on the erection of a second pipe, as of June 2013, they have yet to implement their plans or begin construction on the project. No reasons have been given for the lack of progress.
There are also regular discussions with associations and consulates from the US, Europe and Israel in an attempt to find a solution to the crisis however nothing has ever come of these talks. Mr Shawa explains that “they hear our problem, empathise with our situation and state that they will attempt to exert pressure on Israeli authorities to lift the closure on cooking gas but ultimately nothing is ever done.”
The enforcing of illegal cooking gas restrictions by Israel over the the population of Gaza must come to an end. Mr Shawa states that, “technically, Israel could solve the problem within 24 hours. All that needs to be done is to lengthen the daily time allowance in which gas is imported into the region. Mr Shawa cannot see an end to the restrictions and resulting crisis, “this problem is solely a political issue. As a result, I see it persisting for a long time.” The current restrictions implemented by the Israeli forces are purely to put pressure on and paralyse normal people to surrender and accept Israeli political solutions. “The issue affects peoples’ lives. The gas crisis will increase in coming days. When added with the diesel and fuel crisis the situation is very dangerous. They deny all rights to the general population of Gaza. When Israeli is imposing these restrictions, it is not only Hamas who is punished; it is also the people of Gaza.”
The Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip amounts to a form of collective punishment, which is a violation of article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. As it inflicts great suffering on the civilian population of Gaza, it also amounts to a war crime, for which the Israeli political and military leadership bear individual criminal responsibility.
On Thursday, 20 June 2013, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) submitted a report to the UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights,[PDF] and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food.
This submission was made following a request for further information in response to submissions made on 4 February 2012 - an individual complaint to the UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights on behalf of Ramadan Abdel Bari (51) - and on 15 October 2012 - an individual complaint to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food on behalf of Youssef Abu Mghasib (40).
In this follow-up report [PDF], PCHR wishes to provide the UN Special Rapporteurs with an overview of the Israeli policies and practices severley affecting sources of livelihood in the Gaza Strip. It addresses the situation facing farmers, fishermen, factory workers, and their dependents. Besides presenting individual cases this report outlines how the different industries, which are the main sources of livelihood in Gaza, are affected by the unlawfully imposed travel and import restrictions, the ban on exports, and military unwarranted attacks carried out against civilians and their property. It is noted that these violations under international law take place in the context of many of other rights violations, including, but not limited to, an exclusion zone in the sea and Israel’s closure of the Gaza Strip.
The closure, which constitutes a form of collective punishment of the civilians population, and is a violation of Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, can be regarded as a form of economic warfare waged against the civilians in Gaza. The closure has led to a protracted humanitarian crisis, which is partially compensated by international humanitarian aid. While the closure and unlawful military attacks continue, the Israeli legal system fails to hold accountable perpetrators of these international law violations. The failure of the Israeli legal system is outlined in the final chapter of this report. [PDF]
-----------
Report: Presented to the UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food [PDF]
This submission was made following a request for further information in response to submissions made on 4 February 2012 - an individual complaint to the UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights on behalf of Ramadan Abdel Bari (51) - and on 15 October 2012 - an individual complaint to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food on behalf of Youssef Abu Mghasib (40).
In this follow-up report [PDF], PCHR wishes to provide the UN Special Rapporteurs with an overview of the Israeli policies and practices severley affecting sources of livelihood in the Gaza Strip. It addresses the situation facing farmers, fishermen, factory workers, and their dependents. Besides presenting individual cases this report outlines how the different industries, which are the main sources of livelihood in Gaza, are affected by the unlawfully imposed travel and import restrictions, the ban on exports, and military unwarranted attacks carried out against civilians and their property. It is noted that these violations under international law take place in the context of many of other rights violations, including, but not limited to, an exclusion zone in the sea and Israel’s closure of the Gaza Strip.
The closure, which constitutes a form of collective punishment of the civilians population, and is a violation of Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, can be regarded as a form of economic warfare waged against the civilians in Gaza. The closure has led to a protracted humanitarian crisis, which is partially compensated by international humanitarian aid. While the closure and unlawful military attacks continue, the Israeli legal system fails to hold accountable perpetrators of these international law violations. The failure of the Israeli legal system is outlined in the final chapter of this report. [PDF]
-----------
Report: Presented to the UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food [PDF]
PCHR Asserts its Firm Position Denouncing the Crime of Torture, Demanding Remedy and Justice for Victims and Confirms its Complete Bias to the Victims.
Today, Wednesday 26th June 2013, is the anniversary of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, an anniversary named by the United Nations to support the victims of torture and to bring their torturers justice.
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) asserts its firm position denouncing the crime of torture, particularly those committed by Israeli forces against Palestinians, knowing that these forces have incarcerated more than 4600 Palestinians, including more than 170 children, in Israeli jails in inhumane conditions.
PCHR calls for an immediate intervention of all responsible and international parties to end these crimes and redress the victims.
PCHR also asserts its condemnation towards the escalating crimes of torture in the prisons and detention centers of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA).
Furthermore, PCHR condemns the continued Israeli practices of physical and psychological torture against Palestinian detainees. In spite of the alleged Israeli denouncement of torture as a method of interrogation, human rights organizations' reports continue to provide evidence that torture is systematically being employed in Israeli jails.
These various methods of torture include shackling "Shabeh," muzzling, beatings, humiliation, medical neglect and sleep deprivation.
An international report, issued by the Committee on the Rights of the Child of the United Nations on 20th June 2013, confirmed that Israel also practices imprisonment and torture against Palestinian children, an act in blatant violation of international law.
In this regard, PCHR emphasizes that Israel is a Contracting Party on international conventions against torture, including the Convention against Torture of 1984, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 1966, which criminalized torture in Article 3 and common Article 3 of the 4 Geneva Conventions, which considers torture as a war crime.
The practices of Israeli authorities against Palestinian prisoners are considered in clear violation of all of these international treaties; this holds the international community responsible for putting an end to these violations.
Unfortunately the crime of torture in Palestinian detention facilities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in the past year have also increased.
According to a report issued by PCHR on 20th June 2013 entitled "Torture Crimes in Palestinian Detention Facilities", torture crimes in detention facilities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip are committed in a systematic and organized manner.
Data available reflects that the practice of torture is sometimes used as a political conflict tool based on the political split.
The report also highlights that there are cases of torture based on criminal cases as well.
PCHR stresses that the Palestinian Authority (PA) is obliged to put an end to and criminalize torture, even if the PA has not ratified international agreements that criminalize torture so far.
Moreover, article 13 of the Palestinian Basic Law prohibits torture, as such prohibition is considered a binding international rule because it is part of the international customary law.
The PA by its individual will has repeatedly stressed its commitment to the international human rights agreements in different occasions.
This obliges the PA to put an end to and criminalize the crime of torture and prosecute the perpetrators.
PCHR underscores its complete bias to the victims of torture and:
1. Calls upon the international community, contracting parties to agreements that criminalize torture, to fulfill their international responsibilities and obligations and take immediate action in order to put an end to torture and inhumane practices against the Palestinian prisoners in the Israeli jails;
2. Calls upon the two governments in the West Bank and Gaza Strip to promptly end the practice of torture in the PA's detention facilities and prosecute the perpetrators; and
3. Calls upon the government, community-based organizations and donors to pay more attention to rehabilitation programs for torture victims.
Public Document
**************************************
Follow PCHR on Facebook and Twitter
For more information please call PCHR office in Gaza, Gaza Strip, on +972 8 2824776 - 2825893
PCHR, 29 Omer El Mukhtar St., El Remal, PO Box 1328 Gaza, Gaza Strip.
E-mail: pchr[@]pchrgaza.org, Webpage
Today, Wednesday 26th June 2013, is the anniversary of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, an anniversary named by the United Nations to support the victims of torture and to bring their torturers justice.
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) asserts its firm position denouncing the crime of torture, particularly those committed by Israeli forces against Palestinians, knowing that these forces have incarcerated more than 4600 Palestinians, including more than 170 children, in Israeli jails in inhumane conditions.
PCHR calls for an immediate intervention of all responsible and international parties to end these crimes and redress the victims.
PCHR also asserts its condemnation towards the escalating crimes of torture in the prisons and detention centers of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA).
Furthermore, PCHR condemns the continued Israeli practices of physical and psychological torture against Palestinian detainees. In spite of the alleged Israeli denouncement of torture as a method of interrogation, human rights organizations' reports continue to provide evidence that torture is systematically being employed in Israeli jails.
These various methods of torture include shackling "Shabeh," muzzling, beatings, humiliation, medical neglect and sleep deprivation.
An international report, issued by the Committee on the Rights of the Child of the United Nations on 20th June 2013, confirmed that Israel also practices imprisonment and torture against Palestinian children, an act in blatant violation of international law.
In this regard, PCHR emphasizes that Israel is a Contracting Party on international conventions against torture, including the Convention against Torture of 1984, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 1966, which criminalized torture in Article 3 and common Article 3 of the 4 Geneva Conventions, which considers torture as a war crime.
The practices of Israeli authorities against Palestinian prisoners are considered in clear violation of all of these international treaties; this holds the international community responsible for putting an end to these violations.
Unfortunately the crime of torture in Palestinian detention facilities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in the past year have also increased.
According to a report issued by PCHR on 20th June 2013 entitled "Torture Crimes in Palestinian Detention Facilities", torture crimes in detention facilities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip are committed in a systematic and organized manner.
Data available reflects that the practice of torture is sometimes used as a political conflict tool based on the political split.
The report also highlights that there are cases of torture based on criminal cases as well.
PCHR stresses that the Palestinian Authority (PA) is obliged to put an end to and criminalize torture, even if the PA has not ratified international agreements that criminalize torture so far.
Moreover, article 13 of the Palestinian Basic Law prohibits torture, as such prohibition is considered a binding international rule because it is part of the international customary law.
The PA by its individual will has repeatedly stressed its commitment to the international human rights agreements in different occasions.
This obliges the PA to put an end to and criminalize the crime of torture and prosecute the perpetrators.
PCHR underscores its complete bias to the victims of torture and:
1. Calls upon the international community, contracting parties to agreements that criminalize torture, to fulfill their international responsibilities and obligations and take immediate action in order to put an end to torture and inhumane practices against the Palestinian prisoners in the Israeli jails;
2. Calls upon the two governments in the West Bank and Gaza Strip to promptly end the practice of torture in the PA's detention facilities and prosecute the perpetrators; and
3. Calls upon the government, community-based organizations and donors to pay more attention to rehabilitation programs for torture victims.
Public Document
**************************************
Follow PCHR on Facebook and Twitter
For more information please call PCHR office in Gaza, Gaza Strip, on +972 8 2824776 - 2825893
PCHR, 29 Omer El Mukhtar St., El Remal, PO Box 1328 Gaza, Gaza Strip.
E-mail: pchr[@]pchrgaza.org, Webpage
25 june 2013
Ethiopian soldiers in the Israeli military
Percentage of soldiers from Ethiopian community who are in military prison, absent without leave or have deserted is five times that of the general population, Haaretz reported.
About 37 percent of Ethiopian-Israeli men have been thrown in jail at least once during the course of their military service, according to figures through February 2013.
This is lower than the overall figure through 2011, when 48 percent of male Ethiopian-Israelis were jailed during their military service.
One out of four Ethiopian-Israeli men has been to military jail more than once, according to the 2013 figures.
“Granted, there’s some movement in the numbers, but it isn’t satisfactory,” said Lt. Col. (res.) Issachar Makonin, who is active in the Ethiopian community and gives volunteer lectures at Israel Defense Forces jails for soldiers from this community.
Among their female counterparts, however, the rate of imprisonment has risen. In February 2013 the total number of Ethiopian-Israeli women jailed during their military service stood at 14 percent, compared to 9.4 percent in 2011.
About 2.5 times more men than women from Israel’s Ethiopian community serve in the IDF.
Together, about 30 percent have been imprisoned by the IDF at least once.
The proportion of Ethiopian-Israelis who have been thrown in military jail, or who have failed to report for service or defected is five times higher than among other IDF recruits.
These figures were presented to Knesset members and other public figures during a meeting last week of the State Control Committee.
But specific data about the number of Ethiopian-Israeli men and women who have been jailed during their military service was nor presented, not was information about the overall imprisonment rate among the recruits.
Makonin said community members and activists should step up their own efforts to address this problem. Improvement doesn’t depend on money or resources, he said, but on better cooperation between government agencies and the community itself.
“Over the last two years, there’s been a much greater explanatory effort in the prisons than there was in the past, so that those who are already there won’t come back again,” he said.
“But it’s still far from what should be done. There’s no reason for the numbers to be so much higher than the average for the general population.”
Percentage of soldiers from Ethiopian community who are in military prison, absent without leave or have deserted is five times that of the general population, Haaretz reported.
About 37 percent of Ethiopian-Israeli men have been thrown in jail at least once during the course of their military service, according to figures through February 2013.
This is lower than the overall figure through 2011, when 48 percent of male Ethiopian-Israelis were jailed during their military service.
One out of four Ethiopian-Israeli men has been to military jail more than once, according to the 2013 figures.
“Granted, there’s some movement in the numbers, but it isn’t satisfactory,” said Lt. Col. (res.) Issachar Makonin, who is active in the Ethiopian community and gives volunteer lectures at Israel Defense Forces jails for soldiers from this community.
Among their female counterparts, however, the rate of imprisonment has risen. In February 2013 the total number of Ethiopian-Israeli women jailed during their military service stood at 14 percent, compared to 9.4 percent in 2011.
About 2.5 times more men than women from Israel’s Ethiopian community serve in the IDF.
Together, about 30 percent have been imprisoned by the IDF at least once.
The proportion of Ethiopian-Israelis who have been thrown in military jail, or who have failed to report for service or defected is five times higher than among other IDF recruits.
These figures were presented to Knesset members and other public figures during a meeting last week of the State Control Committee.
But specific data about the number of Ethiopian-Israeli men and women who have been jailed during their military service was nor presented, not was information about the overall imprisonment rate among the recruits.
Makonin said community members and activists should step up their own efforts to address this problem. Improvement doesn’t depend on money or resources, he said, but on better cooperation between government agencies and the community itself.
“Over the last two years, there’s been a much greater explanatory effort in the prisons than there was in the past, so that those who are already there won’t come back again,” he said.
“But it’s still far from what should be done. There’s no reason for the numbers to be so much higher than the average for the general population.”
On Monday, 24 June 2013, the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Unit at the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) organized, in cooperation with Al-Amal Rehabilitation Society – Rafah, a workshop titled: "The Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the Gaza Strip: Reality and Challenges." The workshop was held in the office of al-Amal Society in Rafah, and was attended by more than 120 persons with disabilities and their families, and representatives of rehabilitation centers for disabled persons in Rafah.
Abdallah Tubasy, from al-Amal Society, opened the workshop, thanking PCHR for its efforts in organizing this workshop, which contributes to raising the awareness of the local community on the rights of persons with disabilities. Azzam Shaath, a researcher at PCHR's Economic and Social Rights Unit, thanked al-Amal Society, and noted that this workshop was organized as part of cooperation and coordination between PCHR and rehabilitation organizations in the Gaza Strip, and as part of efforts exerted to enhance the rights of disabled persons in the Gaza Strip and lobby for the application of the Law of the Palestinian Disabled Rights No. 4/1999. Shaath attributed the deterioration of economic and social rights of disabled persons to the non-application of the law of the Palestinian Disabled Rights 4/1999, although it was enacted 14 years ago.
He also addressed the impacts of the ongoing political split in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), which aggravated the suffering of disabled persons in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and the absence of monitoring and follow-up mechanisms for the implementation of the law. He further criticized the Palestinian governments in Ramallah and Gaza for their lack of commitment towards implementing the law through administrative, political and financial measures that would contribute to the promotion of civil and political rights of disabled persons, as well as their economic, social and cultural rights.
For their part, disabled persons and members of their families spoke of their daily suffering, including the disastrous deterioration at the level of their enjoyment of their rights which are ensured under the Palestinian Disabled Law, especially in the areas of health services, rehabilitation and employment, educational services and social allocations which are aimed at protecting these persons against poverty.
At the end of the workshop, participants called upon the Palestinian Authority to immediately enforce the Palestinian Disabled Law, and issue the disabled card as stated in the law. They also called for the development of an enforcement mechanism that can ensure the immediate enforcement of the disabled persons' right to employment. The law requires that at least 5% of employees in government, private and civil society institutions must be from disabled persons. Furthermore, they requested exempting disabled persons and their families from paying for health services they receive, including medicines and medical reports fees. The law requires the provision of free health services to disabled persons and their families.
Abdallah Tubasy, from al-Amal Society, opened the workshop, thanking PCHR for its efforts in organizing this workshop, which contributes to raising the awareness of the local community on the rights of persons with disabilities. Azzam Shaath, a researcher at PCHR's Economic and Social Rights Unit, thanked al-Amal Society, and noted that this workshop was organized as part of cooperation and coordination between PCHR and rehabilitation organizations in the Gaza Strip, and as part of efforts exerted to enhance the rights of disabled persons in the Gaza Strip and lobby for the application of the Law of the Palestinian Disabled Rights No. 4/1999. Shaath attributed the deterioration of economic and social rights of disabled persons to the non-application of the law of the Palestinian Disabled Rights 4/1999, although it was enacted 14 years ago.
He also addressed the impacts of the ongoing political split in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), which aggravated the suffering of disabled persons in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and the absence of monitoring and follow-up mechanisms for the implementation of the law. He further criticized the Palestinian governments in Ramallah and Gaza for their lack of commitment towards implementing the law through administrative, political and financial measures that would contribute to the promotion of civil and political rights of disabled persons, as well as their economic, social and cultural rights.
For their part, disabled persons and members of their families spoke of their daily suffering, including the disastrous deterioration at the level of their enjoyment of their rights which are ensured under the Palestinian Disabled Law, especially in the areas of health services, rehabilitation and employment, educational services and social allocations which are aimed at protecting these persons against poverty.
At the end of the workshop, participants called upon the Palestinian Authority to immediately enforce the Palestinian Disabled Law, and issue the disabled card as stated in the law. They also called for the development of an enforcement mechanism that can ensure the immediate enforcement of the disabled persons' right to employment. The law requires that at least 5% of employees in government, private and civil society institutions must be from disabled persons. Furthermore, they requested exempting disabled persons and their families from paying for health services they receive, including medicines and medical reports fees. The law requires the provision of free health services to disabled persons and their families.
The Palestine prisoners center for studies charged the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) with practicing systematic torture against Palestinian prisoners with full authorization by the judicial system. It said in a statement on Tuesday that the general committee against torture received 900 complaints from liberated prisoners over the past few years detailing their torture at the hands of Israeli jailors, who were not prosecuted or interrogated about such practice.
It also charged the Israeli judiciary with complicity as none of the interrogators was investigated over the use of cruel interrogation means.
The center, in a report on the occasion of the international day against torture, said that the IOA was legalizing torture without any humanitarian consideration.
It said that the practice led to the martyrdom of 71 prisoners the latest being Arafat Jaradat from Al-Khalil.
It also charged the Israeli judiciary with complicity as none of the interrogators was investigated over the use of cruel interrogation means.
The center, in a report on the occasion of the international day against torture, said that the IOA was legalizing torture without any humanitarian consideration.
It said that the practice led to the martyrdom of 71 prisoners the latest being Arafat Jaradat from Al-Khalil.
23 june 2013
A recent report by HaMoked, Israeli Center for the Defence of the Individual, exposes the destructive bureaucratic mechanism which governs the daily lives of Palestinians under the permit regime inside the "seam zone" The report states that ever since 2003, the Israeli military has been implementing a permit regime in the areas of the West Bank trapped between the separation wall and the Green Line, which Israel designates the “seam zone”.
It adds that under this regime every Palestinian who lives in or wishes to enter these areas must first obtain a military-issued permit for that purpose. The permit regime applies to Palestinians only –Israelis and tourists do not need any permit to enter or stay in the “seam zone” areas.
HaMoked asserts that the permit regime violates various human rights of OPT residents from both sides of the separation wall.
"First and foremost, it constitutes a violation of the right to freedom of movement, and in particular, the right to travel freely within one's country; this violation leads to the violation of other human rights: the rights to family life, health and education, the rights to property and a livelihood, and the rights to culture and community-living, all accompanied by a severe violation of the rights to equality and dignity."
The Israeli center said that these violations include dispossession of West-Bank lands under the cover of a bureaucracy which operates pursuant to military law with the approval of the Israeli Supreme Court; nonetheless, this dispossession contradicts many tenets of Israeli and international law.
It adds that under this regime every Palestinian who lives in or wishes to enter these areas must first obtain a military-issued permit for that purpose. The permit regime applies to Palestinians only –Israelis and tourists do not need any permit to enter or stay in the “seam zone” areas.
HaMoked asserts that the permit regime violates various human rights of OPT residents from both sides of the separation wall.
"First and foremost, it constitutes a violation of the right to freedom of movement, and in particular, the right to travel freely within one's country; this violation leads to the violation of other human rights: the rights to family life, health and education, the rights to property and a livelihood, and the rights to culture and community-living, all accompanied by a severe violation of the rights to equality and dignity."
The Israeli center said that these violations include dispossession of West-Bank lands under the cover of a bureaucracy which operates pursuant to military law with the approval of the Israeli Supreme Court; nonetheless, this dispossession contradicts many tenets of Israeli and international law.
A UN report condemns Israel’s use of Palestinian children as human shields and torturing them while in custody.
Israel has criticized a United Nations report that says Israeli forces arrest Palestinian children, torture them, and sometimes use them as human shields.
The report issued by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) said the detained children were also subject to solitary confinement and threats of sexual assault.
The 21-page document also condemned other Israeli violations, including land confiscation, settlement building and the security barrier.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry dismissed the report, saying it was written "in bad faith."
However, CRC chairperson Kirsten Sandberg said the report was based on facts and not on political opinion.
The UN report said that Israel Forces had arrested, interrogated, and detained an estimated 7,000 Palestinian children aged between 12 and 17 in the past three years.
It added that the number of Palestinian minors who were arrested has increased by 73 percent since September 2011.
The report called for an independent investigation into reported cases of torture and ill-treatment of Palestinian children.
Israel has criticized a United Nations report that says Israeli forces arrest Palestinian children, torture them, and sometimes use them as human shields.
The report issued by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) said the detained children were also subject to solitary confinement and threats of sexual assault.
The 21-page document also condemned other Israeli violations, including land confiscation, settlement building and the security barrier.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry dismissed the report, saying it was written "in bad faith."
However, CRC chairperson Kirsten Sandberg said the report was based on facts and not on political opinion.
The UN report said that Israel Forces had arrested, interrogated, and detained an estimated 7,000 Palestinian children aged between 12 and 17 in the past three years.
It added that the number of Palestinian minors who were arrested has increased by 73 percent since September 2011.
The report called for an independent investigation into reported cases of torture and ill-treatment of Palestinian children.
22 june 2013
Hamas has welcomed the UN report issued by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child which has accused the Israeli occupation of committing systematic crimes against Palestinian children. The movement said in a press release on Saturday that the report reaffirms that Israel has been violating the most basic human rights and committing offenses against the imprisoned children.
It said that even though this report came late, it represents a step in the right direction and called on the United Nations to take practical steps to deter the occupation and to prosecute its leaders as war criminals.
Hamas also demanded the Palestinian Authority to stop all forms of security coordination with the occupation, and demanded the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to file lawsuits against the occupation at international courts.
It urged the human rights organizations to adopt effective actions to expose the Israeli crimes against the Palestinian prisoners, and "to put pressure on the occupation to immediately release them and end their suffering."
It said that even though this report came late, it represents a step in the right direction and called on the United Nations to take practical steps to deter the occupation and to prosecute its leaders as war criminals.
Hamas also demanded the Palestinian Authority to stop all forms of security coordination with the occupation, and demanded the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to file lawsuits against the occupation at international courts.
It urged the human rights organizations to adopt effective actions to expose the Israeli crimes against the Palestinian prisoners, and "to put pressure on the occupation to immediately release them and end their suffering."
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) have carried out 7 attacks against Palestinian schools in occupied West Bank and Jerusalem since the beginning of 2013, Palestinian human rights sources said. Tadamun Foundation for Human Rights documented in its report, issued on Friday, seven Israeli attacks against Palestinian schools as part of the Israeli policy that targets the Palestinian educational institutions.
The IOF soldiers razed on Tuesday the garden of Beit Amin secondary school in Azzoun village in Qalqilya northern West Bank, the report stated.
The Israeli bulldozers razed the school garden where more than 100 olive trees were uprooted, in addition to the demolition of the school fences in order to complete the construction of the Apartheid Wall, the report explained.
The human rights organization pointed to several Israeli attacks against Palestinian educational institutions throughout West Bank including break-ins and arrests.
The Israeli occupation systematically targets Palestinian educational process through movement restrictions and simultaneously ensures greater access for Jewish-Israeli education in settlements through settler-only roads and other tools of an apartheid system. Thus, Israeli policies that disrupt Palestinian education actively discriminate against Palestinian students and violate international law.
The IOF soldiers razed on Tuesday the garden of Beit Amin secondary school in Azzoun village in Qalqilya northern West Bank, the report stated.
The Israeli bulldozers razed the school garden where more than 100 olive trees were uprooted, in addition to the demolition of the school fences in order to complete the construction of the Apartheid Wall, the report explained.
The human rights organization pointed to several Israeli attacks against Palestinian educational institutions throughout West Bank including break-ins and arrests.
The Israeli occupation systematically targets Palestinian educational process through movement restrictions and simultaneously ensures greater access for Jewish-Israeli education in settlements through settler-only roads and other tools of an apartheid system. Thus, Israeli policies that disrupt Palestinian education actively discriminate against Palestinian students and violate international law.
21 june 2013
In its monthly report on the Israeli Settlement and Judaization projects in the West Bank, Hamas revealed that 11 apartments were demolished on May 21 in occupied Jerusalem resulting in the displacement of 100 citizens mostly children and women.
The report warned of the seriousness of the Israeli Judaization projects in the vicinity of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the holy city in an attempt to impose a fait accompli in order to pressure any possible negotiation with the Palestinian side.
The report noted that the Israeli demolition policy in occupied Jerusalem and West Bank districts is a part of the Israeli collective punishment.
The report that monitored the Israeli settlement plans between May 16 to June 15, 2013, stated that the Israeli occupation has canceled the visit of UNESCO delegation to document the Israeli violations against the monuments in Jerusalem in an attempt to hide its continued crimes and violations against holy sites.
The monthly report pointed out to the Israeli settlers' attacks and break-ins in al-Aqsa mosque under Israeli forces protection aiming to divide it and to provide Jews with access to the Muslim holy site to perform their rituals and prayers.
The report also documented an escalation in Israeli settlement projects in West Bank including the establishment of a new road to link Kiryat Arba settlement with the Ibrahimi Mosque in al-Khalil, in addition to the approval of the construction of thousands of new housing units in existing settlement and settlement expansion where thousands of dunums of Palestinian lands were confiscated and burned.
Furthermore the report documented the Israeli settlers' attacks against Palestinians and their properties including burning and destroying the agricultural crops, deliberate hit-and-run incidents, uprooting of olive trees, provocative break-ins into al-Aqsa mosque and writing racist graffiti.
The report warned of the seriousness of the Israeli Judaization projects in the vicinity of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the holy city in an attempt to impose a fait accompli in order to pressure any possible negotiation with the Palestinian side.
The report noted that the Israeli demolition policy in occupied Jerusalem and West Bank districts is a part of the Israeli collective punishment.
The report that monitored the Israeli settlement plans between May 16 to June 15, 2013, stated that the Israeli occupation has canceled the visit of UNESCO delegation to document the Israeli violations against the monuments in Jerusalem in an attempt to hide its continued crimes and violations against holy sites.
The monthly report pointed out to the Israeli settlers' attacks and break-ins in al-Aqsa mosque under Israeli forces protection aiming to divide it and to provide Jews with access to the Muslim holy site to perform their rituals and prayers.
The report also documented an escalation in Israeli settlement projects in West Bank including the establishment of a new road to link Kiryat Arba settlement with the Ibrahimi Mosque in al-Khalil, in addition to the approval of the construction of thousands of new housing units in existing settlement and settlement expansion where thousands of dunums of Palestinian lands were confiscated and burned.
Furthermore the report documented the Israeli settlers' attacks against Palestinians and their properties including burning and destroying the agricultural crops, deliberate hit-and-run incidents, uprooting of olive trees, provocative break-ins into al-Aqsa mosque and writing racist graffiti.
Israeli soldiers abduct a Palestinian boy at a checkpoint near Hebron
In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 13 - 19 June 2013, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights found that Israeli forces have continued to open fire at the Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip border area.
A Palestinian farmer was wounded in the east of the central Gaza Strip.
In addition, Israeli forces have continued to use excessive force against peaceful protesters in the West Bank.
2 protesters were wounded during a peaceful protest in Bil'in village, west of Ramallah. A civilian was wounded and 3 vehicles were burnt during the protest of “returning to the destroyed villages” in Ramallah.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
During the past week, Israeli forces conducted 82 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
32 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, were abducted.
Israeli forces harassed a family from al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, and severely attacked a mentally disabled young man.
Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank. 6 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, were abducted at checkpoints in the West Bank.
Israeli forces tortured a young man from al-Aroub refugee camp and dumped him at Kfar Etzion intersection, south of Bethlehem.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
In the Gaza Strip, on 14 June 2013, Israeli forces stationed on watchtowers along the border fence, southeast of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, opened fire at a farmer and wounded him in the thigh.
In the same context, on 13 June 2013, Israeli forces stationed on watchtowers along the border fence, east of Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at al-Sanati area, northeast of the village. As a result, partial damage was caused to a house belonging to Mohammed Hussein Abu Salah.
As part of the Israeli navy forces' attacks on Palestinian fishermen, on 18 June 2013, Israeli gunboats stationed off Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, opened fire at the Palestinian fishing boats that were sailing within the 6 nautical mile limit. As a result, fishermen were forced to sail backwards fearing arrest or injury.
4 civilians were abducted in the Gaza Strip while attempting to cross the border into Israel.
Israel has continued to impose a total closure on the Occupied Palestinian Territories and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
Israeli navy forces have continued to target Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip sea.
Israeli navy forces opened fire at the Palestinian fishing boats off Deir al-Balah shore in the central Gaza Strip.
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.
On Saturday, 15 June 2013, a group of settlers, coming from "Havat Gilad" settlement, which is established on Palestinians' lands in Fara'ta and Imatin villages, northeast of Qalqilia, set fire to 50 dunums of olive trees. As a result, 300 olive trees were damaged.
On Sunday, 16 June 2013, a group of settlers from "Carmiel" settlement, which is established on Palestinian civilians' lands east of Yatta, South of Hebron, moved into lands in the area surrounding Kherbat Um al-Khair area and patrolled them. A number of the settlers started planting olive trees in the lands of the Hathaleen family as a prelude to seize it.
On Tuesday, 18 June 2013, a group of settlers from "Susya" settlement, established on Palestinians' lands in the east of Yatta, south of Hebron, let huge dogs attack farmers and shepherds from Ghaith family while they were working on their lands in between Yatta and al-Samou' villages.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
In the West Bank, 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, 2 civilians were wounded during a peaceful protest in Bil'in village, west of Ramallah.
On 15 June 2013, hundreds of Palestinians and international activists organized peaceful protests titled "Bridge of Return," heading to al-Latroun evacuated villages (Amwas, Beit Nouba and Yalou) that were destroyed by the Israeli forces in 1967. Israeli forces used force to deny the protestors access to these villages.
As a result, a 20-year-old civilian was wounded by a bullet to the chest and a bus and 2 other civilian vehicles were burnt.
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 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 13 - 19 June 2013, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights found that Israeli forces have continued to open fire at the Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip border area.
A Palestinian farmer was wounded in the east of the central Gaza Strip.
In addition, Israeli forces have continued to use excessive force against peaceful protesters in the West Bank.
2 protesters were wounded during a peaceful protest in Bil'in village, west of Ramallah. A civilian was wounded and 3 vehicles were burnt during the protest of “returning to the destroyed villages” in Ramallah.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
During the past week, Israeli forces conducted 82 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
32 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, were abducted.
Israeli forces harassed a family from al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, and severely attacked a mentally disabled young man.
Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank. 6 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, were abducted at checkpoints in the West Bank.
Israeli forces tortured a young man from al-Aroub refugee camp and dumped him at Kfar Etzion intersection, south of Bethlehem.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
In the Gaza Strip, on 14 June 2013, Israeli forces stationed on watchtowers along the border fence, southeast of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, opened fire at a farmer and wounded him in the thigh.
In the same context, on 13 June 2013, Israeli forces stationed on watchtowers along the border fence, east of Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at al-Sanati area, northeast of the village. As a result, partial damage was caused to a house belonging to Mohammed Hussein Abu Salah.
As part of the Israeli navy forces' attacks on Palestinian fishermen, on 18 June 2013, Israeli gunboats stationed off Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, opened fire at the Palestinian fishing boats that were sailing within the 6 nautical mile limit. As a result, fishermen were forced to sail backwards fearing arrest or injury.
4 civilians were abducted in the Gaza Strip while attempting to cross the border into Israel.
Israel has continued to impose a total closure on the Occupied Palestinian Territories and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
Israeli navy forces have continued to target Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip sea.
Israeli navy forces opened fire at the Palestinian fishing boats off Deir al-Balah shore in the central Gaza Strip.
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.
On Saturday, 15 June 2013, a group of settlers, coming from "Havat Gilad" settlement, which is established on Palestinians' lands in Fara'ta and Imatin villages, northeast of Qalqilia, set fire to 50 dunums of olive trees. As a result, 300 olive trees were damaged.
On Sunday, 16 June 2013, a group of settlers from "Carmiel" settlement, which is established on Palestinian civilians' lands east of Yatta, South of Hebron, moved into lands in the area surrounding Kherbat Um al-Khair area and patrolled them. A number of the settlers started planting olive trees in the lands of the Hathaleen family as a prelude to seize it.
On Tuesday, 18 June 2013, a group of settlers from "Susya" settlement, established on Palestinians' lands in the east of Yatta, south of Hebron, let huge dogs attack farmers and shepherds from Ghaith family while they were working on their lands in between Yatta and al-Samou' villages.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
In the West Bank, 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, 2 civilians were wounded during a peaceful protest in Bil'in village, west of Ramallah.
On 15 June 2013, hundreds of Palestinians and international activists organized peaceful protests titled "Bridge of Return," heading to al-Latroun evacuated villages (Amwas, Beit Nouba and Yalou) that were destroyed by the Israeli forces in 1967. Israeli forces used force to deny the protestors access to these villages.
As a result, a 20-year-old civilian was wounded by a bullet to the chest and a bus and 2 other civilian vehicles were burnt.
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 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
20 june 2013
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A UN human rights watchdog on Thursday accused Israel's police and military of abuses against Palestinian children ranging from torture to solitary confinement and threats of death and sexual assault in prisons.
In a report on Israel's record, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child said it expressed its "deepest concern about the reported practice of torture and ill-treatment of Palestinian children arrested, prosecuted and detained by the military and the police". The committee said soldiers arrested Palestinian youngsters regularly during night-time sweeps, tying the kids' hands painfully and blindfolding them, and often transferring them to detention centers without informing their parents. |
It also said that arrested Palestinian children were subjected systematically to physical and verbal abuse, threatened with death, physical violence, and sexual assault against themselves or members of their family, as well as having access restricted to toilets, food and water.
"These crimes are perpetrated from the time of arrest, during transfer and interrogation, to obtain a confession but also on an arbitrary basis as testified by several Israeli soldiers as well as during pre-trial detention," said the committee.
It had obtained its information from other UN rights bodies, military sources and Israeli and Palestinian rights groups. Israel did not cooperate with requests for information on the issue, it said.
Besides spotlighting abuses in Palestinian territories, it also expressed grave concern at the number of Palestinian youngsters who have been held in Israeli jails.
It said that an estimated 7,000 kids aged from 12 to 17 years, but sometimes as young as nine, have been arrested, interrogated and detained since 2002 -- an average of two per day.
Most were taken in after being accused of throwing stones at Israeli forces and settlers, an offence which can carry a 20-year penalty.
In April this year, 236 children were in military detention centers, with dozens aged between 12 and 15, the report said, drawing on data from UNICEF and Israeli rights group B'tselem.
The committee expressed its "deepest concern that children on both sides of the conflict continue to be killed and injured", but underlined that kids in the Palestinian territories were "disproportionately represented among the victims".
In addition, it said, while Palestinian children suffer discrimination in "all aspects" of their life, those from the Israeli Arab, Bedouin and Ethiopian-origin communities also face it.
Palestinian children tortured, used as shields by Israel: U.N
A United Nations human rights body accused Israeli forces on Thursday of mistreating Palestinian children, including by torturing those in custody and using others as human shields.
Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, captured by Israel in the 1967 war, are routinely denied registration of their birth and access to health care, decent schools and clean water, the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child said.
"Palestinian children arrested by (Israeli) military and police are systematically subject to degrading treatment, and often to acts of torture, are interrogated in Hebrew, a language they did not understand, and sign confessions in Hebrew in order to be released," it said in a report.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said it had responded to a report by the U.N. children's agency UNICEF in March on ill-treatment of Palestinian minors and questioned whether the U.N. committee's investigation covered new ground.
"If someone simply wants to magnify their political bias and political bashing of Israel not based on a new report, on work on the ground, but simply recycling old stuff, there is no importance in that," spokesman Yigal Palmor said.
Kirsten Sandberg, a Norwegian expert who chairs the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child, said the report was based on facts, not on the political opinions of its members.
"We look at what violations of children's rights are going on within Israeli jurisdiction," she told Reuters.
She said Israel did not acknowledge that it had jurisdiction in the occupied territories, but the committee believed it does, meaning it has a responsibility to comply with the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The report by its 18 independent experts acknowledged Israel's national security concerns and noted that children on both sides of the conflict continue to be killed and wounded, but that more casualties are Palestinian.
Most Palestinian children arrested are accused of throwing stones, which can carry a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, the committee said.
The watchdog examined Israel's record of compliance with the children's rights convention as part of its regular review of the pact from 1990 signed by 193 countries, including Israel. An Israeli delegation attended the session.
The U.N. committee regretted what it called Israel's persistent refusal to respond to requests for information on children in the Palestinian territories and occupied Syrian Golan Heights since the last review in 2002.
"DISPROPORTIONATE"
"Hundreds of Palestinian children have been killed and thousands injured over the reporting period as a result of (Israeli) military operations, especially in Gaza," the report said.
Israel battled a Palestinian uprising during part of the 10-year period examined by the committee.
It withdrew its troops and settlers from the Gaza Strip in 2005, but still blockades the Hamas-run enclave, from where Palestinian militants have sometimes fired rockets into Israel.
During the 10-year period, an estimated 7,000 Palestinian children aged 12 to 17, but some as young as nine, had been arrested, interrogated and detained, the U.N. report said.
Many are brought in leg chains and shackles before military courts, while youths are held in solitary confinement, sometimes for months, the report said.
It voiced deep concern at the "continuous use of Palestinian children as human shields and informants", saying 14 such cases had been reported between January 2010 and March 2013 alone.
Israeli soldiers had used Palestinian children to enter potentially dangerous buildings before them and to stand in front of military vehicles to deter stone-throwing, it said.
Almost all had remained unpunished or had received lenient sentences, according to the report.
Sandberg, asked about Israeli use of human shields, said: "It has been done more than they would recognize during the dialogue. They say if it happens it is sanctioned. We say it is not harsh enough."
(Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva and Allyn Fisher-Ilan in Jerusalem; editing by Alistair Lyon and Raissa Kasolowsky)
"These crimes are perpetrated from the time of arrest, during transfer and interrogation, to obtain a confession but also on an arbitrary basis as testified by several Israeli soldiers as well as during pre-trial detention," said the committee.
It had obtained its information from other UN rights bodies, military sources and Israeli and Palestinian rights groups. Israel did not cooperate with requests for information on the issue, it said.
Besides spotlighting abuses in Palestinian territories, it also expressed grave concern at the number of Palestinian youngsters who have been held in Israeli jails.
It said that an estimated 7,000 kids aged from 12 to 17 years, but sometimes as young as nine, have been arrested, interrogated and detained since 2002 -- an average of two per day.
Most were taken in after being accused of throwing stones at Israeli forces and settlers, an offence which can carry a 20-year penalty.
In April this year, 236 children were in military detention centers, with dozens aged between 12 and 15, the report said, drawing on data from UNICEF and Israeli rights group B'tselem.
The committee expressed its "deepest concern that children on both sides of the conflict continue to be killed and injured", but underlined that kids in the Palestinian territories were "disproportionately represented among the victims".
In addition, it said, while Palestinian children suffer discrimination in "all aspects" of their life, those from the Israeli Arab, Bedouin and Ethiopian-origin communities also face it.
Palestinian children tortured, used as shields by Israel: U.N
A United Nations human rights body accused Israeli forces on Thursday of mistreating Palestinian children, including by torturing those in custody and using others as human shields.
Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, captured by Israel in the 1967 war, are routinely denied registration of their birth and access to health care, decent schools and clean water, the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child said.
"Palestinian children arrested by (Israeli) military and police are systematically subject to degrading treatment, and often to acts of torture, are interrogated in Hebrew, a language they did not understand, and sign confessions in Hebrew in order to be released," it said in a report.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said it had responded to a report by the U.N. children's agency UNICEF in March on ill-treatment of Palestinian minors and questioned whether the U.N. committee's investigation covered new ground.
"If someone simply wants to magnify their political bias and political bashing of Israel not based on a new report, on work on the ground, but simply recycling old stuff, there is no importance in that," spokesman Yigal Palmor said.
Kirsten Sandberg, a Norwegian expert who chairs the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child, said the report was based on facts, not on the political opinions of its members.
"We look at what violations of children's rights are going on within Israeli jurisdiction," she told Reuters.
She said Israel did not acknowledge that it had jurisdiction in the occupied territories, but the committee believed it does, meaning it has a responsibility to comply with the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The report by its 18 independent experts acknowledged Israel's national security concerns and noted that children on both sides of the conflict continue to be killed and wounded, but that more casualties are Palestinian.
Most Palestinian children arrested are accused of throwing stones, which can carry a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, the committee said.
The watchdog examined Israel's record of compliance with the children's rights convention as part of its regular review of the pact from 1990 signed by 193 countries, including Israel. An Israeli delegation attended the session.
The U.N. committee regretted what it called Israel's persistent refusal to respond to requests for information on children in the Palestinian territories and occupied Syrian Golan Heights since the last review in 2002.
"DISPROPORTIONATE"
"Hundreds of Palestinian children have been killed and thousands injured over the reporting period as a result of (Israeli) military operations, especially in Gaza," the report said.
Israel battled a Palestinian uprising during part of the 10-year period examined by the committee.
It withdrew its troops and settlers from the Gaza Strip in 2005, but still blockades the Hamas-run enclave, from where Palestinian militants have sometimes fired rockets into Israel.
During the 10-year period, an estimated 7,000 Palestinian children aged 12 to 17, but some as young as nine, had been arrested, interrogated and detained, the U.N. report said.
Many are brought in leg chains and shackles before military courts, while youths are held in solitary confinement, sometimes for months, the report said.
It voiced deep concern at the "continuous use of Palestinian children as human shields and informants", saying 14 such cases had been reported between January 2010 and March 2013 alone.
Israeli soldiers had used Palestinian children to enter potentially dangerous buildings before them and to stand in front of military vehicles to deter stone-throwing, it said.
Almost all had remained unpunished or had received lenient sentences, according to the report.
Sandberg, asked about Israeli use of human shields, said: "It has been done more than they would recognize during the dialogue. They say if it happens it is sanctioned. We say it is not harsh enough."
(Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva and Allyn Fisher-Ilan in Jerusalem; editing by Alistair Lyon and Raissa Kasolowsky)
A Report on the Impact of the Israeli Closure on the Gaza Strip (01 January – 31 December 2012)
This report is issued in the context of the closure policy imposed by the Israeli authorities on the Gaza Strip, which has been implemented for six consecutive years, which has affected Palestinians’ lives in a brutal way.
These cruel conditions resulted from the restrictions imposed on the border crossings affecting the economic, social and cultural rights of 1.6 millions in the Gaza Strip and all their basic needs.
This report, that covers the year 2012, documents the state of the Gaza Strip's border crossings used for the movement of persons and goods.
Further, it presents comprehensive statistics on the border crossings showing the latest developments at the crossings and the impacts on the Gaza Strip.
The report also refutes the Israeli claims on the alleged "easing" of the closure imposed on the Gaza Strip.
The reporting period witnessed a large-scale Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip (14 – 21 November 2012) for 8 consecutive days, which caused wide-scale destructions to civilian objects as well as governmental facilities.
The issuance of this report coincides with the fourth anniversary of the latest Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip (27 December 2008 – 18 January 2009).
It documents the impact of denying the entrance of construction materials for the private sector, which is in urgent need for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip in order to rebuild all civilian facilities that were destroyed partially or completely during the mentioned period.
The report presents statistics on the limited quantities of construction materials allowed for international organizations, in addition to statistics on the annual needs and the basic quantities needed to avoid a humanitarian crisis.
The full report [PDF]
This report is issued in the context of the closure policy imposed by the Israeli authorities on the Gaza Strip, which has been implemented for six consecutive years, which has affected Palestinians’ lives in a brutal way.
These cruel conditions resulted from the restrictions imposed on the border crossings affecting the economic, social and cultural rights of 1.6 millions in the Gaza Strip and all their basic needs.
This report, that covers the year 2012, documents the state of the Gaza Strip's border crossings used for the movement of persons and goods.
Further, it presents comprehensive statistics on the border crossings showing the latest developments at the crossings and the impacts on the Gaza Strip.
The report also refutes the Israeli claims on the alleged "easing" of the closure imposed on the Gaza Strip.
The reporting period witnessed a large-scale Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip (14 – 21 November 2012) for 8 consecutive days, which caused wide-scale destructions to civilian objects as well as governmental facilities.
The issuance of this report coincides with the fourth anniversary of the latest Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip (27 December 2008 – 18 January 2009).
It documents the impact of denying the entrance of construction materials for the private sector, which is in urgent need for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip in order to rebuild all civilian facilities that were destroyed partially or completely during the mentioned period.
The report presents statistics on the limited quantities of construction materials allowed for international organizations, in addition to statistics on the annual needs and the basic quantities needed to avoid a humanitarian crisis.
The full report [PDF]
19 june 2013
Dr Kamalian Sha’ath, President of the Islamic University of Gaza, is one of many dedicated academics providing higher education in the Gaza Strip. The Islamic University was one of the sources for the report ‘ Academia Undermined: Israeli Restrictions on Foreign National Academics in Palestinian Higher Education Institutions Field Research by Ruhan Nagra’ published by the ‘Right to Enter’ organisation.
This report highlights that the closure on Gaza is not only on raw materials and freedom of movement but also an academic blockade, and that the prospects of academic enlightenment are under equal threat in the West Bank. The report focuses on one university in Gaza; the Islam University, as well as three in the West Bank; Birzeit, Bethlehem and al-Quds. The report states that the closure is designed to cripple the prospects of university education. Dr Kamalian was more than happy to highlight the struggle he and his colleagues have been engaged in, in an effort to further academia in the Gaza Strip.
Since the State of Israel tightened its closure of the Gaza Strip in 2007, prospects for exchange with academic institutions outside Gaza have been severely restricted. Israel currently limits the ability of international academics to take up lecturing and research positions in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank through a number of different approaches, from denying entry for ‘security reasons’ to issuing visas that only permit the holder to stay for a matter of weeks. The resulting isolation of Palestinian academics has a detrimental effect on higher education institutions in the Gaza Strip, and prospects for good quality higher education are steadily worn away. There are few opportunities for students to obtain a Masters degree, and only one post-doctorate programme is available.
Dr Kamalian provides an insight into how universities are attempting to overcome the obstacles posed by the Israeli-imposed closure: “When we opened the university in 1978, the Israeli occupation forces were still inside the Gaza Strip. The Strip was divided into three parts, with movement between them restricted, causing us tremendous difficulties in teaching the students. For the first few years, we taught them in makeshift tents. Anytime we tried to build educational facilities, the Israeli military would destroy what we had built. I remember once UNESCO wanted to come and visit the university; out of a team of many, only one was allowed to enter Gaza. The rest were prevented for so-called ‘security reasons’. We have come very far since then, and I am proud of the work people here have done, but the struggle is not over yet.”
Israel also imposes confusing guidelines for what constitutes a ‘foreign academic’. “You have many Palestinians who are considered ‘foreign’ so are therefore not allowed back to their homeland to teach. For example, my brother was studying in Egypt during the 1967 War. Because he was not in the country at the time of the war, when he tried to return to Palestine he was prevented from doing so and, since then, he has been categorised as a ‘foreigner’ by the Israelis. It is ridiculous to think that the Israelis can say who is a Palestinian and who is not. We carry Palestinian ID cards that are given to us by the Israelis!”
“Palestine has a wealth of educated Palestinians who were born abroad. For example, we have few thousand doctors in Germany alone. Many have attempted to come home to take up research positions, or even to volunteer in the surgery departments of hospitals, and most have been denied. Palestinian academics who live abroad have a strong desire to return home and bring their knowledge and experience with them.”
By restricting freedom of movement between borders, Israel is, in turn, crippling academic institutions in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. “If mobility is needed for anything, it is needed for education,” Dr Kamalain says. “Universities are like people. They need interaction. They need to socialise to achieve their full potential. Without this, they are nothing. Because of the closure, we lack what many others take for granted – interaction with different schools of thought. It’s as if we are on another planet! We only have one PhD programme available, studies of the Hadith. Though we pride ourselves on the language abilities of our students, we need someone with a post-doctorate who can teach English well. The same goes for a variety of subjects.”
“We have found ways to get around this” Dr Kamalain says, chuckling. “Each course has two video conferences per term with universities around the world and these have proved to be highly effective. However, the closure still causes us incredible inconvenience. For example, in order to meet with my colleagues in Najah University in the West Bank, where I used to teach, we all had to go to Italy to hold a conference. It’s crazy to think that, instead of me being allowed to drive around 90 minutes to Nablus [where Najah National University is located], everyone had to fly to Italy!”
The Islamic University of Gaza has a total of 21,000 students, demonstrating the high demand for university education. When asked what most affects the students’ opportunities to learn, Dr Kamalian replied that both the closure and regular Israeli offensives on the Gaza Strip have a negative impact. “However, the closure affects us most. We and our students share a strong desire for some form of ‘internationalisation’. In academia, it is essential to encounter multiple schools of thought, so that we can improve ourselves and our education techniques.”
This report highlights that the closure on Gaza is not only on raw materials and freedom of movement but also an academic blockade, and that the prospects of academic enlightenment are under equal threat in the West Bank. The report focuses on one university in Gaza; the Islam University, as well as three in the West Bank; Birzeit, Bethlehem and al-Quds. The report states that the closure is designed to cripple the prospects of university education. Dr Kamalian was more than happy to highlight the struggle he and his colleagues have been engaged in, in an effort to further academia in the Gaza Strip.
Since the State of Israel tightened its closure of the Gaza Strip in 2007, prospects for exchange with academic institutions outside Gaza have been severely restricted. Israel currently limits the ability of international academics to take up lecturing and research positions in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank through a number of different approaches, from denying entry for ‘security reasons’ to issuing visas that only permit the holder to stay for a matter of weeks. The resulting isolation of Palestinian academics has a detrimental effect on higher education institutions in the Gaza Strip, and prospects for good quality higher education are steadily worn away. There are few opportunities for students to obtain a Masters degree, and only one post-doctorate programme is available.
Dr Kamalian provides an insight into how universities are attempting to overcome the obstacles posed by the Israeli-imposed closure: “When we opened the university in 1978, the Israeli occupation forces were still inside the Gaza Strip. The Strip was divided into three parts, with movement between them restricted, causing us tremendous difficulties in teaching the students. For the first few years, we taught them in makeshift tents. Anytime we tried to build educational facilities, the Israeli military would destroy what we had built. I remember once UNESCO wanted to come and visit the university; out of a team of many, only one was allowed to enter Gaza. The rest were prevented for so-called ‘security reasons’. We have come very far since then, and I am proud of the work people here have done, but the struggle is not over yet.”
Israel also imposes confusing guidelines for what constitutes a ‘foreign academic’. “You have many Palestinians who are considered ‘foreign’ so are therefore not allowed back to their homeland to teach. For example, my brother was studying in Egypt during the 1967 War. Because he was not in the country at the time of the war, when he tried to return to Palestine he was prevented from doing so and, since then, he has been categorised as a ‘foreigner’ by the Israelis. It is ridiculous to think that the Israelis can say who is a Palestinian and who is not. We carry Palestinian ID cards that are given to us by the Israelis!”
“Palestine has a wealth of educated Palestinians who were born abroad. For example, we have few thousand doctors in Germany alone. Many have attempted to come home to take up research positions, or even to volunteer in the surgery departments of hospitals, and most have been denied. Palestinian academics who live abroad have a strong desire to return home and bring their knowledge and experience with them.”
By restricting freedom of movement between borders, Israel is, in turn, crippling academic institutions in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. “If mobility is needed for anything, it is needed for education,” Dr Kamalain says. “Universities are like people. They need interaction. They need to socialise to achieve their full potential. Without this, they are nothing. Because of the closure, we lack what many others take for granted – interaction with different schools of thought. It’s as if we are on another planet! We only have one PhD programme available, studies of the Hadith. Though we pride ourselves on the language abilities of our students, we need someone with a post-doctorate who can teach English well. The same goes for a variety of subjects.”
“We have found ways to get around this” Dr Kamalain says, chuckling. “Each course has two video conferences per term with universities around the world and these have proved to be highly effective. However, the closure still causes us incredible inconvenience. For example, in order to meet with my colleagues in Najah University in the West Bank, where I used to teach, we all had to go to Italy to hold a conference. It’s crazy to think that, instead of me being allowed to drive around 90 minutes to Nablus [where Najah National University is located], everyone had to fly to Italy!”
The Islamic University of Gaza has a total of 21,000 students, demonstrating the high demand for university education. When asked what most affects the students’ opportunities to learn, Dr Kamalian replied that both the closure and regular Israeli offensives on the Gaza Strip have a negative impact. “However, the closure affects us most. We and our students share a strong desire for some form of ‘internationalisation’. In academia, it is essential to encounter multiple schools of thought, so that we can improve ourselves and our education techniques.”
A photo from the university archives showing the Islamic University of Gaza in 1978
University education in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank is greatly impacted during military escalations: “All universities were closed by Israel for the entire duration of the First Intifada. For four years, we had to hold classes in mosques, in homes, wherever we could find the space. During the last two offensives on Gaza, Israel has systematically targeted the civilian infrastructure of the entire region – roads, schools, hospitals, and even our university. Our entire Science Department was destroyed in an air strike in 2008. Research and equipment, which it had taken us 30 years to accumulate, were destroyed in a matter of minutes. To this day, one of the buildings is still under construction. Other universities in Gaza had to take in the students that were affected by this.”
“Universities in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip are suffering, though in Gaza more so because we are completely cut off. International academics are put off by various factors; even if they somehow manage to obtain entry, they are not allowed to come and go as they please. And the possibility of an unprovoked attack by Israel is also a terrifying thought for many who have not grown up in a conflict zone.”
As unemployment levels in the Gaza Strip are at 40%, job prospects for university graduates are also very limited. “Information Technology is by far the industry our students have had most success in after university. However, there is no denying that unemployment is a serious issue that needs to be addressed fast.” When asked what the future holds for universities in Gaza if the situation does not change, Dr Kamalain smiles: “Life will continue. The struggle will continue. We hope that Israel will soon bow to international pressure and lift the closure, so that life may return to normal. If not, we will have to continue as we have always done.”
Under international law, article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and article 13 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) recognise the right of everyone to education. According to article 13.1 of the ICESCR, this right is directed towards "the full development of the human personality and the sense of its dignity", and enables all persons to participate effectively in society. The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) has made it clear according to a meeting chaired on 8 December 1999 that education is seen both as a human right and as "an indispensable means of realizing other human rights", and so this is one of the longest and most important articles of the Covenant.
Article 12 of the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights also guarantees that “everyone shall be free to leave any country, including his own, and no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of the right to enter his own country.” This includes the right to travel for educational purposes, be it as a student or academic. Moreover, according to the United Nations Human Rights Committee [General Comment No. 27], “The right of a person to enter his or her own country recognizes the special relationship of a person to that country”. Also according to the International Court of Justice, persons who have a genuine and effective link to a country, such as habitual residence, cultural identity, and family ties cannot simply be banned from returning to that country.
The destruction of the medical, engineering and science block of the Islamic University in 2008 constitutes a violation of Article 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. Under this statute, the destruction of private property is prohibited unless rendered absolutely necessary by military operations. Furthermore, according to the second paragraph of Article 8 (b)(i) “intentionally directing attacks against civilian objects, that is, objects which are not military objectives” constitute war crimes.
Finally, the Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip amounts to a form of collective punishment, which is a violation of article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. As it inflicts great suffering on the civilian population of Gaza, it also amounts to a war crime, for which the Israeli political and military leadership bear individual criminal responsibility.
University education in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank is greatly impacted during military escalations: “All universities were closed by Israel for the entire duration of the First Intifada. For four years, we had to hold classes in mosques, in homes, wherever we could find the space. During the last two offensives on Gaza, Israel has systematically targeted the civilian infrastructure of the entire region – roads, schools, hospitals, and even our university. Our entire Science Department was destroyed in an air strike in 2008. Research and equipment, which it had taken us 30 years to accumulate, were destroyed in a matter of minutes. To this day, one of the buildings is still under construction. Other universities in Gaza had to take in the students that were affected by this.”
“Universities in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip are suffering, though in Gaza more so because we are completely cut off. International academics are put off by various factors; even if they somehow manage to obtain entry, they are not allowed to come and go as they please. And the possibility of an unprovoked attack by Israel is also a terrifying thought for many who have not grown up in a conflict zone.”
As unemployment levels in the Gaza Strip are at 40%, job prospects for university graduates are also very limited. “Information Technology is by far the industry our students have had most success in after university. However, there is no denying that unemployment is a serious issue that needs to be addressed fast.” When asked what the future holds for universities in Gaza if the situation does not change, Dr Kamalain smiles: “Life will continue. The struggle will continue. We hope that Israel will soon bow to international pressure and lift the closure, so that life may return to normal. If not, we will have to continue as we have always done.”
Under international law, article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and article 13 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) recognise the right of everyone to education. According to article 13.1 of the ICESCR, this right is directed towards "the full development of the human personality and the sense of its dignity", and enables all persons to participate effectively in society. The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) has made it clear according to a meeting chaired on 8 December 1999 that education is seen both as a human right and as "an indispensable means of realizing other human rights", and so this is one of the longest and most important articles of the Covenant.
Article 12 of the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights also guarantees that “everyone shall be free to leave any country, including his own, and no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of the right to enter his own country.” This includes the right to travel for educational purposes, be it as a student or academic. Moreover, according to the United Nations Human Rights Committee [General Comment No. 27], “The right of a person to enter his or her own country recognizes the special relationship of a person to that country”. Also according to the International Court of Justice, persons who have a genuine and effective link to a country, such as habitual residence, cultural identity, and family ties cannot simply be banned from returning to that country.
The destruction of the medical, engineering and science block of the Islamic University in 2008 constitutes a violation of Article 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. Under this statute, the destruction of private property is prohibited unless rendered absolutely necessary by military operations. Furthermore, according to the second paragraph of Article 8 (b)(i) “intentionally directing attacks against civilian objects, that is, objects which are not military objectives” constitute war crimes.
Finally, the Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip amounts to a form of collective punishment, which is a violation of article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. As it inflicts great suffering on the civilian population of Gaza, it also amounts to a war crime, for which the Israeli political and military leadership bear individual criminal responsibility.
15 june 2013
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned of the serious conditions of around 2,300 Palestinians, two thirds of them children, who reside in about 20 small herding communities in the hills east of Jerusalem, in Area C. Over 80% of the residents are refugees, a status they acquired following their eviction from their place of residence in southern Israel in the early 1950’s where these communities have gradually lost access to much of their grazing land due to settlement expansion, according to OCHA report.
The report pointed out that most of the families have pending demolition orders against their homes, none of the communities have been connected to the electricity network and only half are connected to the water network.
Between 2008 and 2012, over 4,000 Palestinians, mostly from herding communities, were forcibly displaced due to the demolition of their homes on the grounds that they have no building permits, OCHA stated.
The report confirmed that herding communities in Area C are some of the most vulnerable in the West Bank –about 34% are food insecure.
The report pointed out that most of the families have pending demolition orders against their homes, none of the communities have been connected to the electricity network and only half are connected to the water network.
Between 2008 and 2012, over 4,000 Palestinians, mostly from herding communities, were forcibly displaced due to the demolition of their homes on the grounds that they have no building permits, OCHA stated.
The report confirmed that herding communities in Area C are some of the most vulnerable in the West Bank –about 34% are food insecure.
Nearly 30 Israeli violations were carried out by the Israeli naval forces against Palestinian fishermen along the Gaza sea within 3 months, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) reported. The PCHR report has documented the Israeli human rights violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory carried out between March 1st, 2013 and May 31st, 2013
The report documented 29 shooting incidents, which resulted in one injury, two incidents of chasing fishermen leading to two arrests, and the confiscation of one boat and fishing tools.
The report pointed out that the Israeli Navy has imposed restrictions on fishermen at sea, including narrowing the permitted fishing zone for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip from six to three nautical miles during the period between March 21st, 2013 and May 20, 2013, in violation to the cease-fire signed between Hamas and Israeli authorities under Egyptian mediation in Nov. 2012.
On May 21st, 2013 Israel has re-allowed fishermen an increased access to the fishing zone from three to six nautical miles, PCHR stated.
85 percent of the Israeli attacks were reported in areas that fishermen have been allowed to access, the report said, adding that Israel has progressively imposed restrictions on Palestinian fishermen's access to the sea.
“Israel’s acts constitute a flagrant violation of the rules of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Human Rights Law (IHRL) since it systematically prevents the fishermen’s community from their most basic rights, particularly that they are mere civilians who do not pose the least threat to Israeli naval forces,” Khalil Shahin, Director of PCHR’s Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR) Unit, said.
It is worth mentioning that there are more than 70,000 people in Gaza who are dependent on fishing as the main source of income.
The report documented 29 shooting incidents, which resulted in one injury, two incidents of chasing fishermen leading to two arrests, and the confiscation of one boat and fishing tools.
The report pointed out that the Israeli Navy has imposed restrictions on fishermen at sea, including narrowing the permitted fishing zone for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip from six to three nautical miles during the period between March 21st, 2013 and May 20, 2013, in violation to the cease-fire signed between Hamas and Israeli authorities under Egyptian mediation in Nov. 2012.
On May 21st, 2013 Israel has re-allowed fishermen an increased access to the fishing zone from three to six nautical miles, PCHR stated.
85 percent of the Israeli attacks were reported in areas that fishermen have been allowed to access, the report said, adding that Israel has progressively imposed restrictions on Palestinian fishermen's access to the sea.
“Israel’s acts constitute a flagrant violation of the rules of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Human Rights Law (IHRL) since it systematically prevents the fishermen’s community from their most basic rights, particularly that they are mere civilians who do not pose the least threat to Israeli naval forces,” Khalil Shahin, Director of PCHR’s Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR) Unit, said.
It is worth mentioning that there are more than 70,000 people in Gaza who are dependent on fishing as the main source of income.
14 june 2013
Israeli forces demolish protest tent set up in Canaan, near Hebron
In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 05 - 12 June 2013, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that Israeli forces have continued to open fire at the Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip border area. A Palestinian worker was wounded, east of Khan Yunis in the south of the Gaza Strip. 5 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded during an Israeli incursion in al-Far'ah refugee camp, south of Tubas.
In addition, Israeli forces have continued to use excessive force against peaceful protesters in the West Bank. A protester was wounded during a peaceful protest in Bil'in village, west of Ramallah.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
Israeli forces conducted 67 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank this week, in which they abducted 51 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children. Among the abducted is Abdul Jaber Foqaha', Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council for the Change and Reform Bloc.
In one example of this week's 67 incursions, on Wednesday June 5th, at approximately 09:55, Israeli forces moved into al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. They positioned themselves around schools in the Old Town. A number of students gathered and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who in response fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, a number of students suffered tear gas inhalation and were treated on the spot. The Israeli forces abducted the student Hamza Mahmoud al-Wahesh (15) and took him to "Gosh Etzion" settlement, south of the city. When al-Wahesh's father went to ask about his son, the Israeli forces released him after 2 hours.
Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank. 7 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, were abducted at checkpoints in the West Bank. One of the detainees is 12 years old.
On Wednesday, 05 June 2013, Israeli forces moved into al-Thagra area, near "Neve Daniel" settlement, south of al-Khader village, in the south of Bethlehem and destroyed an arbor under the pretext of not obtaining a permit.
On Thursday, 06 June 2013, Israeli forces handed a Yatta municipal employee a notice to halt work in a street that is being paved in Mothalath Zeif area, at the eastern entrance of Yatta, which is linked to Bypass Road (60), south of Hebron.
On Saturday, 08 June 2013, Israeli forces uprooted a tent in al-Jab'a area to the west of Sourif village, northwest of Hebron that was established by Palestinians, member of Popular Committees against the Settlement Activities and a number of international and Israeli human rights activists, under the name Kan'an village. Also on Saturday, Israeli forces bulldozed and closed an agricultural road, which leads to 50 dunums of farmlands in the area of Salem Valley, in the west of the village, with rocks and piles of dirt. The 50-dunum-land is planted with grapevines.
On Sunday, 09 June 2013, Israeli forces chased farmers and shepherds of the Hathaleen family while present in the surroundings of Kherbat Uml-Khair area to the east of Yatta, south of Hebron, under the pretext that these lands are confiscated and are restricted to them. It should be mentioned that the Israeli forces have been trying to evacuate the inhabitants of the area of the Hathaleen family for several years for expansion schemes of "Carmiel" settlement, which is established on the lands of the Uml-Khair.
Also on Sunday, Israeli forces denied farmers from Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, access to their lands, which are located within the security fence of "Kermi Tsour" settlement, which is established on Palestinian civilians' lands in the north of Hebron. The farmers waited for more than an hour before a soldier approached them and ordered them to leave at gunpoint. It should be noted that Israeli forces confiscated many agricultural dunums of Beit Ummar village and Halhoul for the expansion of the afore-mentioned settlement. In al-Buq'a area in the east of Hebron, Israeli forces placed a notice to halt construction works near an under construction water well, which is the property of Atta Abdel-Jawad Mohammed Jaber (44).
On Wednesday, 12 June 2013, Israeli forces bulldozed an occupied house and an under construction barrack in East Barta'a village, which is isolated from its Palestinian surroundings due to the construction of the annexation wall in the west of Jenin. The house is of two floors, each of 170 square metres, and is the property of Ahmed Omar Qubha (29), and the barrack is the property of Ali Mohammed Qubha (47).
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
In the Gaza Strip, on 10 June 2013, Israeli forces stationed on watchtowers along the border fence, east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at 3 brothers working as gravel collectors 80 meters away from the border fence. As a result, Amer Mazen Abu Hadayed (20) was wounded and taken to the European Gaza Hospital in Khan Yunis.
Israeli navy forces continued to pursue Palestinian fishermen in Gaza sea. On 05, 06 and 08 June 2013, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats that were sailing within the 6 nautical mile limit off al-Waha resort in the north of the Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported. However, a fishing boat belonging to Taha Sa'dAllah (30) sustained damage and 2 fishing nets were torn by the Israeli navy forces.
In the same context, on 07 June 2013, Israeli navy forces abducted 2 fishermen from the central Gaza Strip, confiscated their boat and released them later at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing.
Also in the Gaza Strip, on 11 June 2013, Israeli forces conducted a limited incursion in the east of Deir al-Balah in the central the Gaza Strip. They levelled lands and withdrew later. The second incursion was conducted on 12 June 2013, northeast of Gaza valley (Johr al-Deek).
Israel has continued to impose a total closure on the Occupied Palestinian Territories and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world. The illegal closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli authorities impose measures to undermine the freedom of trade, including the basic needs for the Gaza Strip population and the agricultural and industrial products to be exported.
For 7 consecutive years, Israel has tightened the land and naval closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and other countries around the world. This resulted in a grave violation of the economic, social and cultural rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.7 million people.
The Israeli authorities has established Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order to exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy that has been aggravating for years due to the shortage of imports. They also aim at imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip’s exports.
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.
On Thursday, 06 June 2013, a group of settlers from "Bat Ayin" settlement, which is established on Palestinian lands in the west of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, cut and destroyed 20 3-year-old olive trees in Abul-Reish valley area, near the afore-mentioned settlement. It should be mentioned that this attack is the third of its kind to be carried out by settlers in al-Saliby's land in 2013. Also on Thursday, a group of settlers from "Maon" settlement, established on Palestinian land in the east of Yatta attacked a group of farmers from the Awad family while working in their farmlands in Qwayweis and Um al-'Arayes areas, in the east of the afore-mentioned area, and banned from working on their land at gunpoint.
On Thursday as well, dozens of settlers from "Najohout settlement," which is established on Palestinian lands, in the south of Doura, southwest of Hebron, patrolled the streets of Kharsa valley area, under strict protection of the Israeli forces. No incidents were reported. And later on Thursday, a group of settlers, under the protection of Israeli forces, moved into Kufol Hares village, north of Salfit. The settlers chanted anti-Arab slogans and made graffiti in Hebrew inside the historical and religious landmarks, and on the houses of Palestinians as well, such as "Death to Arabs."
On Tuesday, 11 June 2013, a number of settlers' children from "Beitar Illit," established on the lands of Houssan, Nahalin and Fouqin Valley villages, in the western countryside of Bethlehem, set fire in lands in Kherbat al-Deir area in the west of Nahlain village.
As a result, approximately 10 trees and other crops caught on fire. The inhabitants of the village put out the fire.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
In the West Bank, 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, Amr Hesham Bernat (25) was wounded during a peaceful protest in Bil'in village, west of Ramallah, on 07 June 2013. Moreover, dozens suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.
On 12 June 2013, 5 civilians, including a child, sustained bullet wounds when Israeli forces moved into al-Far'ah refugee camp, south of Tubas.
Following the Friday Prayer, 07 June 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 activity and in commemoration of the 1967 war. The demonstrators marched through the streets of the village, chanting slogans calling for national unity, raised Palestinian flags and made their way towards the lands adjacent to the annexation wall. Israeli forces had closed all entrances to the village since the early morning to prevent Palestinians, journalists, and international activists from joining the protest.
The demonstrators walked along the wall and attempted to breach it. Israeli forces stationed behind the western side of the wall, and dozens of soldiers who were deployed along the route of the wall, fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs, tear gas canisters, and waste water at the demonstrators, and chased them across olive fields.
As a result, Amro Hisham Bernat (25) was hit in the right leg by a tear gas canister. Furthermore, the shooting of tear gas canisters at the demonstrators caused fire in a tract of land that is planted with olive trees.
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 barbed wire and, when the demonstrators attempted to access the lands behind the barbed wire, 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 fields of olive trees 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, and Israeli and international human rights activists gathered at the Martyrs Square in 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 from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises. The firing of the tear gas canisters caused a fire in a tract of land which is planted with olive trees.
Also, Israeli forces abducted two brothers, from the neighbouring Deir Nezam village, while they were in a supermarket in al-Khawaja station and took them to Ofer prison in the southwest of Ramallah. At approximatel 00:00 on Monday, 10 June 2013, they were released on a bail of 2000 Israeli shekels each. The abducted persons are: Tamim Ahmed Faraj Mezher (19); and Mo'men Ahmed Faraj Mezher (19).
Following Friday Prayer, dozens of inhabitants of al-Mas'ra village, south of Bethlehem, international and Israeli human rights activists, and activists in the Popular Resistance Committees gathered for the weekly peaceful demonstration against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activity. The demonstration was also organized in protest to the construction of a school for settlers in the south of Bethlehem. It started outside Shomou' Cultural Centre in the centre of the village.
The participants carried Palestinian flags, roamed the streets of the village. Upon their arrival to the village's entrance, Israeli forces, backed-up by Israeli police and border guards, fired tear gas canisters at them in order to disperse them. Many demonstrators suffered due to tear gas inhalation.
At approximately 13:20 on Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in the centre of Kufor Kadoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest at the continuous closure of the eastern entrance of the village which has been ongoing since the outbreak of al-Aqsa Intifada. Israeli soldiers denied them access to the gate and fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters;
as a result, many demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
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 Parties to international human rights instruments, especially the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to pressure 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;
In addition, the PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to fulfil their obligation to ensure the application of the Conventions, including extending the scope of their jurisdiction in order to prosecute suspected war criminals, regardless of the nationality of the perpetrator and the place of a crime, to pave the way for prosecuting suspected Israeli war criminals and end the longstanding impunity they have enjoyed.
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 05 - 12 June 2013, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that Israeli forces have continued to open fire at the Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip border area. A Palestinian worker was wounded, east of Khan Yunis in the south of the Gaza Strip. 5 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded during an Israeli incursion in al-Far'ah refugee camp, south of Tubas.
In addition, Israeli forces have continued to use excessive force against peaceful protesters in the West Bank. A protester was wounded during a peaceful protest in Bil'in village, west of Ramallah.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
Israeli forces conducted 67 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank this week, in which they abducted 51 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children. Among the abducted is Abdul Jaber Foqaha', Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council for the Change and Reform Bloc.
In one example of this week's 67 incursions, on Wednesday June 5th, at approximately 09:55, Israeli forces moved into al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. They positioned themselves around schools in the Old Town. A number of students gathered and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who in response fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, a number of students suffered tear gas inhalation and were treated on the spot. The Israeli forces abducted the student Hamza Mahmoud al-Wahesh (15) and took him to "Gosh Etzion" settlement, south of the city. When al-Wahesh's father went to ask about his son, the Israeli forces released him after 2 hours.
Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank. 7 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, were abducted at checkpoints in the West Bank. One of the detainees is 12 years old.
On Wednesday, 05 June 2013, Israeli forces moved into al-Thagra area, near "Neve Daniel" settlement, south of al-Khader village, in the south of Bethlehem and destroyed an arbor under the pretext of not obtaining a permit.
On Thursday, 06 June 2013, Israeli forces handed a Yatta municipal employee a notice to halt work in a street that is being paved in Mothalath Zeif area, at the eastern entrance of Yatta, which is linked to Bypass Road (60), south of Hebron.
On Saturday, 08 June 2013, Israeli forces uprooted a tent in al-Jab'a area to the west of Sourif village, northwest of Hebron that was established by Palestinians, member of Popular Committees against the Settlement Activities and a number of international and Israeli human rights activists, under the name Kan'an village. Also on Saturday, Israeli forces bulldozed and closed an agricultural road, which leads to 50 dunums of farmlands in the area of Salem Valley, in the west of the village, with rocks and piles of dirt. The 50-dunum-land is planted with grapevines.
On Sunday, 09 June 2013, Israeli forces chased farmers and shepherds of the Hathaleen family while present in the surroundings of Kherbat Uml-Khair area to the east of Yatta, south of Hebron, under the pretext that these lands are confiscated and are restricted to them. It should be mentioned that the Israeli forces have been trying to evacuate the inhabitants of the area of the Hathaleen family for several years for expansion schemes of "Carmiel" settlement, which is established on the lands of the Uml-Khair.
Also on Sunday, Israeli forces denied farmers from Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, access to their lands, which are located within the security fence of "Kermi Tsour" settlement, which is established on Palestinian civilians' lands in the north of Hebron. The farmers waited for more than an hour before a soldier approached them and ordered them to leave at gunpoint. It should be noted that Israeli forces confiscated many agricultural dunums of Beit Ummar village and Halhoul for the expansion of the afore-mentioned settlement. In al-Buq'a area in the east of Hebron, Israeli forces placed a notice to halt construction works near an under construction water well, which is the property of Atta Abdel-Jawad Mohammed Jaber (44).
On Wednesday, 12 June 2013, Israeli forces bulldozed an occupied house and an under construction barrack in East Barta'a village, which is isolated from its Palestinian surroundings due to the construction of the annexation wall in the west of Jenin. The house is of two floors, each of 170 square metres, and is the property of Ahmed Omar Qubha (29), and the barrack is the property of Ali Mohammed Qubha (47).
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
In the Gaza Strip, on 10 June 2013, Israeli forces stationed on watchtowers along the border fence, east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at 3 brothers working as gravel collectors 80 meters away from the border fence. As a result, Amer Mazen Abu Hadayed (20) was wounded and taken to the European Gaza Hospital in Khan Yunis.
Israeli navy forces continued to pursue Palestinian fishermen in Gaza sea. On 05, 06 and 08 June 2013, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats that were sailing within the 6 nautical mile limit off al-Waha resort in the north of the Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported. However, a fishing boat belonging to Taha Sa'dAllah (30) sustained damage and 2 fishing nets were torn by the Israeli navy forces.
In the same context, on 07 June 2013, Israeli navy forces abducted 2 fishermen from the central Gaza Strip, confiscated their boat and released them later at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing.
Also in the Gaza Strip, on 11 June 2013, Israeli forces conducted a limited incursion in the east of Deir al-Balah in the central the Gaza Strip. They levelled lands and withdrew later. The second incursion was conducted on 12 June 2013, northeast of Gaza valley (Johr al-Deek).
Israel has continued to impose a total closure on the Occupied Palestinian Territories and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world. The illegal closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli authorities impose measures to undermine the freedom of trade, including the basic needs for the Gaza Strip population and the agricultural and industrial products to be exported.
For 7 consecutive years, Israel has tightened the land and naval closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and other countries around the world. This resulted in a grave violation of the economic, social and cultural rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.7 million people.
The Israeli authorities has established Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order to exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy that has been aggravating for years due to the shortage of imports. They also aim at imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip’s exports.
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.
On Thursday, 06 June 2013, a group of settlers from "Bat Ayin" settlement, which is established on Palestinian lands in the west of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, cut and destroyed 20 3-year-old olive trees in Abul-Reish valley area, near the afore-mentioned settlement. It should be mentioned that this attack is the third of its kind to be carried out by settlers in al-Saliby's land in 2013. Also on Thursday, a group of settlers from "Maon" settlement, established on Palestinian land in the east of Yatta attacked a group of farmers from the Awad family while working in their farmlands in Qwayweis and Um al-'Arayes areas, in the east of the afore-mentioned area, and banned from working on their land at gunpoint.
On Thursday as well, dozens of settlers from "Najohout settlement," which is established on Palestinian lands, in the south of Doura, southwest of Hebron, patrolled the streets of Kharsa valley area, under strict protection of the Israeli forces. No incidents were reported. And later on Thursday, a group of settlers, under the protection of Israeli forces, moved into Kufol Hares village, north of Salfit. The settlers chanted anti-Arab slogans and made graffiti in Hebrew inside the historical and religious landmarks, and on the houses of Palestinians as well, such as "Death to Arabs."
On Tuesday, 11 June 2013, a number of settlers' children from "Beitar Illit," established on the lands of Houssan, Nahalin and Fouqin Valley villages, in the western countryside of Bethlehem, set fire in lands in Kherbat al-Deir area in the west of Nahlain village.
As a result, approximately 10 trees and other crops caught on fire. The inhabitants of the village put out the fire.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
In the West Bank, 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, Amr Hesham Bernat (25) was wounded during a peaceful protest in Bil'in village, west of Ramallah, on 07 June 2013. Moreover, dozens suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.
On 12 June 2013, 5 civilians, including a child, sustained bullet wounds when Israeli forces moved into al-Far'ah refugee camp, south of Tubas.
Following the Friday Prayer, 07 June 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 activity and in commemoration of the 1967 war. The demonstrators marched through the streets of the village, chanting slogans calling for national unity, raised Palestinian flags and made their way towards the lands adjacent to the annexation wall. Israeli forces had closed all entrances to the village since the early morning to prevent Palestinians, journalists, and international activists from joining the protest.
The demonstrators walked along the wall and attempted to breach it. Israeli forces stationed behind the western side of the wall, and dozens of soldiers who were deployed along the route of the wall, fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs, tear gas canisters, and waste water at the demonstrators, and chased them across olive fields.
As a result, Amro Hisham Bernat (25) was hit in the right leg by a tear gas canister. Furthermore, the shooting of tear gas canisters at the demonstrators caused fire in a tract of land that is planted with olive trees.
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 barbed wire and, when the demonstrators attempted to access the lands behind the barbed wire, 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 fields of olive trees 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, and Israeli and international human rights activists gathered at the Martyrs Square in 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 from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises. The firing of the tear gas canisters caused a fire in a tract of land which is planted with olive trees.
Also, Israeli forces abducted two brothers, from the neighbouring Deir Nezam village, while they were in a supermarket in al-Khawaja station and took them to Ofer prison in the southwest of Ramallah. At approximatel 00:00 on Monday, 10 June 2013, they were released on a bail of 2000 Israeli shekels each. The abducted persons are: Tamim Ahmed Faraj Mezher (19); and Mo'men Ahmed Faraj Mezher (19).
Following Friday Prayer, dozens of inhabitants of al-Mas'ra village, south of Bethlehem, international and Israeli human rights activists, and activists in the Popular Resistance Committees gathered for the weekly peaceful demonstration against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activity. The demonstration was also organized in protest to the construction of a school for settlers in the south of Bethlehem. It started outside Shomou' Cultural Centre in the centre of the village.
The participants carried Palestinian flags, roamed the streets of the village. Upon their arrival to the village's entrance, Israeli forces, backed-up by Israeli police and border guards, fired tear gas canisters at them in order to disperse them. Many demonstrators suffered due to tear gas inhalation.
At approximately 13:20 on Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in the centre of Kufor Kadoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest at the continuous closure of the eastern entrance of the village which has been ongoing since the outbreak of al-Aqsa Intifada. Israeli soldiers denied them access to the gate and fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters;
as a result, many demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
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 Parties to international human rights instruments, especially the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to pressure 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;
In addition, the PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to fulfil their obligation to ensure the application of the Conventions, including extending the scope of their jurisdiction in order to prosecute suspected war criminals, regardless of the nationality of the perpetrator and the place of a crime, to pave the way for prosecuting suspected Israeli war criminals and end the longstanding impunity they have enjoyed.
For the full text of the report, click on the link
13 june 2013
Fact Sheet
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) documented 29 attacks launched by the Israeli forces against Palestinian fishermen during the reporting period (01 March – 31 May 2013),[1] including 29 shooting incidents in which a fisherman was wounded; and 2 chase operations in which 2 fishermen were arrested and their boats and other fishing tools were confiscated.
Israeli forces continued to target Gazan fishermen and banning them from fishing past 3 nautical miles. Israeli forces violated the cease-fire agreement reached between Palestinian armed groups and the Israeli forces, under Egyptian and international auspices on 22 November 2012, in which the allowed fishing area was set to 6 nautical miles; however, they limited it to 3 nautical miles in the period 21 March – 20 May 2013. The 6-nautical-mile limit has reinforced since 21 May 2013.
According to PCHR's follow-ups, 85% of the Israeli attacks took place within the allowed fishing area, which proves that Israeli forces' policies aim to tighten restrictions on the Gaza Strip's fishermen and their means of making livelihood.
Violations of the International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law
Israel’s attacks against Palestinian fishermen, who do not pose any threat to Israeli soldiers, in the Gaza Strip constitute a flagrant violation of international humanitarian and human rights law, relevant to the protection of the civilian population and respect for their rights, including every person's right to work, and the right to life, liberty and security of person, as codified in Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), despite the fact that Israel is a State Party to the Covenant. Furthermore, these attacks occurred in a time where the fishers did not pose any threat to the Israeli naval troops, as they were doing their job to secure a living. Israeli violations in the reporting period were as follows:
First: Firing at Fishing Boats in the Gaza Strip Waters
During the reporting period, PCHR documented 29 cases in which Israeli forces fired at Palestinian fishermen in the sea off the Gaza shore. As a result, a fisherman was wounded in one of the shootings while fishing off the Rafah shore. These attacks took place within the 6 nautical miles allowed for fishermen to sail and fish in, according to the cease fire agreement concluded between Israel and Palestinian armed groups under Egyptian and international auspices.
1 Fisherman Wounded with Israeli Naval Troops' Fires
· On 01 May 2013, at approximately 05:00, Israeli forces opened fire at a Palestinian fishing boat off the Rafah shore in the south of the Gaza Strip. As a result, the boat's mast fell on Adel Abdelkarim Baker's (51) head, a fisherman from Gaza City. Baker suffered from a hemorrhage in the head and was taken to Abu-Youssef al-Najar hospital in Rafah for treatment, but as he was in a serious condition, he was later transferred to the European Gaza Hospital.
Second: Arresting Fishermen
During the reporting period, PCHR documented incidents in which the Israeli forces chased and arrested 2 Palestinian fishermen while fishing at an estimated 70 meters off the shore of al-Waha resort, in the north of Gaza city.
· At approximately 21:30 on 19 May 2013, an Israeli gunboat cordoned a Palestinian fishing boat boarding two fishermen while sailing at approximately 70 meters off the shore of al-Waha resort. The Israeli troops fired in the vicinity of the boat, forced them to take their clothes off, jump into the water and swim towards the gunboats. They were arrested and their fishing boat was confiscated. They were released at 11:30 on Monday, 20 May 2013. The fishermen were identified as: Mahmoud Mohammed Mohammed Zayed (25) and his brother, Khaled (20).
Third: Confiscation of Fishing Boats and Fishing Nets
PCHR has followed up and documented Israel’s violations against Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip sea, particularly the confiscation of fishing boats and fishing equipment for lengthy periods of time. During the reporting period, the Israeli forces confiscated 1 fishing boat and other fishing tools (18 pieces of fishing nets).
· At approximately 21:30 on 19 May 2013, an Israeli gunboat cordoned a Palestinian fishing boat while sailing at approximately 70 meters off the shore of al-Waha resort, north of Gaza City. The Israeli troops fired in the vicinity of the boat, arrested the two fishermen who were on board, and confiscated their boat.
· At approximately 19:00 on 19 May 2013, Israeli gunboats opened fire at a group of fishing boat while sailing at approximately 3 nautical miles off the Deir al-Balah shore in the central Gaza Strip in order to terrify the fishermen and force them to stop working. The Israeli naval soldiers then started confiscating fishing equipment, which belong to 4 fishermen. They confiscated items were 18 pieces of fishing nets.
Table of Israeli Attacks on Palestinian Fishermen in Gaza City within the Past 3 Months (March, April and May 2013)
Diagram of Israeli Violations against Palestinian Fishermen in Gaza City within the Past 3 Months (March – April – May 2013)
[1] This fact sheet issued by PCHR is the fifteenth of its kind. It addresses violations carried out by the Israeli forces against Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip while practicing their work. For more details, see Fact Sheets at: www.pchrgaza.org.
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) documented 29 attacks launched by the Israeli forces against Palestinian fishermen during the reporting period (01 March – 31 May 2013),[1] including 29 shooting incidents in which a fisherman was wounded; and 2 chase operations in which 2 fishermen were arrested and their boats and other fishing tools were confiscated.
Israeli forces continued to target Gazan fishermen and banning them from fishing past 3 nautical miles. Israeli forces violated the cease-fire agreement reached between Palestinian armed groups and the Israeli forces, under Egyptian and international auspices on 22 November 2012, in which the allowed fishing area was set to 6 nautical miles; however, they limited it to 3 nautical miles in the period 21 March – 20 May 2013. The 6-nautical-mile limit has reinforced since 21 May 2013.
According to PCHR's follow-ups, 85% of the Israeli attacks took place within the allowed fishing area, which proves that Israeli forces' policies aim to tighten restrictions on the Gaza Strip's fishermen and their means of making livelihood.
Violations of the International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law
Israel’s attacks against Palestinian fishermen, who do not pose any threat to Israeli soldiers, in the Gaza Strip constitute a flagrant violation of international humanitarian and human rights law, relevant to the protection of the civilian population and respect for their rights, including every person's right to work, and the right to life, liberty and security of person, as codified in Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), despite the fact that Israel is a State Party to the Covenant. Furthermore, these attacks occurred in a time where the fishers did not pose any threat to the Israeli naval troops, as they were doing their job to secure a living. Israeli violations in the reporting period were as follows:
First: Firing at Fishing Boats in the Gaza Strip Waters
During the reporting period, PCHR documented 29 cases in which Israeli forces fired at Palestinian fishermen in the sea off the Gaza shore. As a result, a fisherman was wounded in one of the shootings while fishing off the Rafah shore. These attacks took place within the 6 nautical miles allowed for fishermen to sail and fish in, according to the cease fire agreement concluded between Israel and Palestinian armed groups under Egyptian and international auspices.
1 Fisherman Wounded with Israeli Naval Troops' Fires
· On 01 May 2013, at approximately 05:00, Israeli forces opened fire at a Palestinian fishing boat off the Rafah shore in the south of the Gaza Strip. As a result, the boat's mast fell on Adel Abdelkarim Baker's (51) head, a fisherman from Gaza City. Baker suffered from a hemorrhage in the head and was taken to Abu-Youssef al-Najar hospital in Rafah for treatment, but as he was in a serious condition, he was later transferred to the European Gaza Hospital.
Second: Arresting Fishermen
During the reporting period, PCHR documented incidents in which the Israeli forces chased and arrested 2 Palestinian fishermen while fishing at an estimated 70 meters off the shore of al-Waha resort, in the north of Gaza city.
· At approximately 21:30 on 19 May 2013, an Israeli gunboat cordoned a Palestinian fishing boat boarding two fishermen while sailing at approximately 70 meters off the shore of al-Waha resort. The Israeli troops fired in the vicinity of the boat, forced them to take their clothes off, jump into the water and swim towards the gunboats. They were arrested and their fishing boat was confiscated. They were released at 11:30 on Monday, 20 May 2013. The fishermen were identified as: Mahmoud Mohammed Mohammed Zayed (25) and his brother, Khaled (20).
Third: Confiscation of Fishing Boats and Fishing Nets
PCHR has followed up and documented Israel’s violations against Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip sea, particularly the confiscation of fishing boats and fishing equipment for lengthy periods of time. During the reporting period, the Israeli forces confiscated 1 fishing boat and other fishing tools (18 pieces of fishing nets).
· At approximately 21:30 on 19 May 2013, an Israeli gunboat cordoned a Palestinian fishing boat while sailing at approximately 70 meters off the shore of al-Waha resort, north of Gaza City. The Israeli troops fired in the vicinity of the boat, arrested the two fishermen who were on board, and confiscated their boat.
· At approximately 19:00 on 19 May 2013, Israeli gunboats opened fire at a group of fishing boat while sailing at approximately 3 nautical miles off the Deir al-Balah shore in the central Gaza Strip in order to terrify the fishermen and force them to stop working. The Israeli naval soldiers then started confiscating fishing equipment, which belong to 4 fishermen. They confiscated items were 18 pieces of fishing nets.
Table of Israeli Attacks on Palestinian Fishermen in Gaza City within the Past 3 Months (March, April and May 2013)
Diagram of Israeli Violations against Palestinian Fishermen in Gaza City within the Past 3 Months (March – April – May 2013)
[1] This fact sheet issued by PCHR is the fifteenth of its kind. It addresses violations carried out by the Israeli forces against Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip while practicing their work. For more details, see Fact Sheets at: www.pchrgaza.org.
"A Good Arab Is A Dead Arab - Cahana Lives"
The Israeli Police revealed Wednesday [June 12 2013] that Israeli settlers carried out 165 Price Tag attacks against the Palestinians and their property, in the West Bank, and in the 1948 territories since the beginning of this year.
The statement came during a session that was held by the Interior Committee of the Israeli Knesset to discuss increasing attacks carried out by the settlers.
Arab Member of Knesset (MK) Mohammad Barakeh, Secretary General of the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (Hadash), requested the session.
MK Jamal Zahalka, MK Masud Ghanayim, and representatives of the Israeli Police and prosecutor’s office also attended the Knesset session, in addition to representatives of the Ministry of Interior and several other officials.
Lawyer Nidal Otham, head of the Advocacy Center for Arab Citizens In Israel (Mossawa Center), head of the Coalition Against Racism in Israel, also attended the session, and stated the Legal Advisor of the Israeli government, and the Prosecutor’s Office, are not acting on uprooting racism by “failing to investigate and indict officials who openly incite against the Arabs.”
Othman added that extremist Israelis settler youth groups “translate this incitement into action”, due to the lack of adequate measures by the police.
Meanwhile, the Police claimed that it apprehended 67 suspects, and filed indictments against 31 of them.
Price Tag attacks are carried out by extremist settlers against the Palestinians and their property in different parts of occupied Palestine, and in some cases targeted Israeli peace groups and leftist organizations.
The attacks include burning, attempting to burn and defacing several mosques and churches, in addition to vandalizing Islamic and Christian graveyards, and writing racist graffiti.
Extremist settlers also attacked Palestinian farmers, burnt and uprooted hundreds of Palestinian trees and farmlands.
The most recent attack was carried out on Friday [June 7 2013], when extremist settlers burnt a Palestinian car in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, in occupied East Jerusalem.
The Israeli Police revealed Wednesday [June 12 2013] that Israeli settlers carried out 165 Price Tag attacks against the Palestinians and their property, in the West Bank, and in the 1948 territories since the beginning of this year.
The statement came during a session that was held by the Interior Committee of the Israeli Knesset to discuss increasing attacks carried out by the settlers.
Arab Member of Knesset (MK) Mohammad Barakeh, Secretary General of the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (Hadash), requested the session.
MK Jamal Zahalka, MK Masud Ghanayim, and representatives of the Israeli Police and prosecutor’s office also attended the Knesset session, in addition to representatives of the Ministry of Interior and several other officials.
Lawyer Nidal Otham, head of the Advocacy Center for Arab Citizens In Israel (Mossawa Center), head of the Coalition Against Racism in Israel, also attended the session, and stated the Legal Advisor of the Israeli government, and the Prosecutor’s Office, are not acting on uprooting racism by “failing to investigate and indict officials who openly incite against the Arabs.”
Othman added that extremist Israelis settler youth groups “translate this incitement into action”, due to the lack of adequate measures by the police.
Meanwhile, the Police claimed that it apprehended 67 suspects, and filed indictments against 31 of them.
Price Tag attacks are carried out by extremist settlers against the Palestinians and their property in different parts of occupied Palestine, and in some cases targeted Israeli peace groups and leftist organizations.
The attacks include burning, attempting to burn and defacing several mosques and churches, in addition to vandalizing Islamic and Christian graveyards, and writing racist graffiti.
Extremist settlers also attacked Palestinian farmers, burnt and uprooted hundreds of Palestinian trees and farmlands.
The most recent attack was carried out on Friday [June 7 2013], when extremist settlers burnt a Palestinian car in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, in occupied East Jerusalem.
12 june 2013
An Israeli public opinion survey showed that 85 percent of the Israelis are against the idea of releasing Palestinian prisoners in exchange of resuming the peace talks between the Palestinian authority and Israel. The opinion poll, which was carried out by Smith research center, found that most of the Israelis are opposing any preconditions made by the Palestinian authority for the resumption of the peace talks.
The PA preconditions include a demand that Israel release certain prisoners from its jails if it is serious about conducting peace talks.
Upon being asked if they would support this precondition, 57 percent of Israelis strongly opposed the idea, 28 percent were firmly against it and 13 percent said they would support it. Only two percent said they strongly favored such a move.
The poll, which was conducted last week on a sample of 407 randomly selected individuals, also revealed that 68 percent of Israelis expressed their belief that Israel's withdrawal from the West Bank would harm its security and only 21 believed it would boost its stability.
The PA preconditions include a demand that Israel release certain prisoners from its jails if it is serious about conducting peace talks.
Upon being asked if they would support this precondition, 57 percent of Israelis strongly opposed the idea, 28 percent were firmly against it and 13 percent said they would support it. Only two percent said they strongly favored such a move.
The poll, which was conducted last week on a sample of 407 randomly selected individuals, also revealed that 68 percent of Israelis expressed their belief that Israel's withdrawal from the West Bank would harm its security and only 21 believed it would boost its stability.
11 june 2013
The Campaign for The Right to Enter the oPt issued on Monday 10th June, a recent report on Israel's arbitrary restrictions on entry of foreign academics.
The report is titled "Academia Undermined: Israeli Restrictions on Foreign National Academics in Palestinian Higher Education Institutions". It emphasizes on Israel's unclear and non-transparent policies, processes and procedures for issuing entry visas and residency permits to foreign passport holders for visiting or working in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and examines its impact on the Palestinians' right to education.
The report details the implications of Israeli restrictions on entry and residency for foreign academics wishing to serve at institutes of higher education operating in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) concurs with the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the report.
The report comprehensively details: (a) the impact of the restrictions on the quality of education provided, and (b) the impact of the isolation of Palestinian academia from the broader academic community on the development of their academic institutions and educational development in general. Such restrictions have diminished opportunities for development of faculty, courses, and research programs at Palestinian institutions of higher education.
The report also concludes that these restrictions are arbitrary and indiscriminate, and clearly contravene international law.
PCHR assents with the recommendations of the report and calls for (a) an immediate halt to Israel‟s arbitrary and abusive practice of denying entry to foreign nationals traveling to the oPt to promote educational development and; (b) demands Israel's adoption and implementation of a clear, documented, and transparent policy enabling unhindered access to the oPt by foreign nationals who are coming to educate or promote educational development.
LINK TO FULL REPORT [PDF]
The report is titled "Academia Undermined: Israeli Restrictions on Foreign National Academics in Palestinian Higher Education Institutions". It emphasizes on Israel's unclear and non-transparent policies, processes and procedures for issuing entry visas and residency permits to foreign passport holders for visiting or working in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and examines its impact on the Palestinians' right to education.
The report details the implications of Israeli restrictions on entry and residency for foreign academics wishing to serve at institutes of higher education operating in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) concurs with the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the report.
The report comprehensively details: (a) the impact of the restrictions on the quality of education provided, and (b) the impact of the isolation of Palestinian academia from the broader academic community on the development of their academic institutions and educational development in general. Such restrictions have diminished opportunities for development of faculty, courses, and research programs at Palestinian institutions of higher education.
The report also concludes that these restrictions are arbitrary and indiscriminate, and clearly contravene international law.
PCHR assents with the recommendations of the report and calls for (a) an immediate halt to Israel‟s arbitrary and abusive practice of denying entry to foreign nationals traveling to the oPt to promote educational development and; (b) demands Israel's adoption and implementation of a clear, documented, and transparent policy enabling unhindered access to the oPt by foreign nationals who are coming to educate or promote educational development.
LINK TO FULL REPORT [PDF]
8 june 2013
A UN report said that around 50 Palestinians were injured in the West Bank and Gaza, 1,000 olive trees were damaged, and 30 people were displaced in East Jerusalem as a result of demolitions during the past week. In its weekly report on Israeli human rights violations against Palestinians, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that 50 Palestinians were injured in clashes with Israeli forces, the majority of whom were minors.
The report (from 28 May to 3 June 2013) documented 18 Israeli attacks against Palestinian property and one that led to a Palestinian injury (in Gilo settlement in Jerusalem). “This represents a 50 per cent increase compared to the weekly average of such incidents so far in 2013. No settlers were injured this week.”
The report said that Israeli settlers set fire to or cut down at least 1,220 olive trees and slashed the tires, sprayed graffiti on or set fire to at least 16 cars. Anti-Christian and “price-tag” graffiti was sprayed by Israeli settlers on a church in the Old City of Jerusalem and on several houses and cars in Beitillu village in Ramallah.
The Israeli authorities demolished 4 Palestinian-owned structures in East Jerusalem and Area C on the grounds that they lacked Israeli issued building permits. As a result 13 people, including five children, were displaced and the livelihoods of 34 other people were affected, the UN report documented during the past week.
The weekly report affirmed that a Palestinian farmer was shot and injured in Gaza Strip by Israeli forces while he was approximately “300 meters from the fence between Israel and the Gaza Strip”.
Israeli forces also conducted at least two land leveling operations a few hundred meters on the Gaza side of the fence on 29 May. These incidents took place in the context of access restrictions imposed by the Israeli military in areas near the fence, the report said.
The report (from 28 May to 3 June 2013) documented 18 Israeli attacks against Palestinian property and one that led to a Palestinian injury (in Gilo settlement in Jerusalem). “This represents a 50 per cent increase compared to the weekly average of such incidents so far in 2013. No settlers were injured this week.”
The report said that Israeli settlers set fire to or cut down at least 1,220 olive trees and slashed the tires, sprayed graffiti on or set fire to at least 16 cars. Anti-Christian and “price-tag” graffiti was sprayed by Israeli settlers on a church in the Old City of Jerusalem and on several houses and cars in Beitillu village in Ramallah.
The Israeli authorities demolished 4 Palestinian-owned structures in East Jerusalem and Area C on the grounds that they lacked Israeli issued building permits. As a result 13 people, including five children, were displaced and the livelihoods of 34 other people were affected, the UN report documented during the past week.
The weekly report affirmed that a Palestinian farmer was shot and injured in Gaza Strip by Israeli forces while he was approximately “300 meters from the fence between Israel and the Gaza Strip”.
Israeli forces also conducted at least two land leveling operations a few hundred meters on the Gaza side of the fence on 29 May. These incidents took place in the context of access restrictions imposed by the Israeli military in areas near the fence, the report said.
