31 may 2013
Israeli forces demolished 2 houses belonging to al-Salayma family in Beit Hanina
In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 23 - 29 May 2013, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that Israeli forces have continued to use excessive force against peaceful protesters in the West Bank. 3 civilians, including a Palestine TV driver, were wounded during peaceful protests in Bil'in, west of Ramallah, and Kufor Qaddoum, northeast of Qalqilia.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
Israeli forces conducted 73 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 5 limited ones in the Gaza Strip.
41 Palestinian civilians, including 5 children and a woman, were abducted in the West Bank.
In one example of this week's 73 incursions, on Monday May 27th, at approximately 21:00, Israeli forces moved into al-'Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and positioned themselves in the centre of the camp. They also deployed between the houses, stopped some civilians and checked their ID cards. A number of boys gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli forces which in response fired sound bombs, tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets.
As a result, dozens suffered tear gas inhalation. The Israeli forces withdrew later and no abductions were reported.
Israel continued its efforts to create Jewish majority in the occupied East Jerusalem. A house and 5 barracks were demolished in Jerusalem and its suburbs.
The settlers seized 2 commercial stores in the Old Town and punctured tyres of a number of vehicles in al-Sheikh Jarrah area.
Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank. 5 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were arrested at checkpoints in the West Bank.
On Monday, 27 May 2013, Israeli forces bulldozed a house (made of tin, wood and bricks) and two barracks used as a sheep barn in Abu-'Ajaj area in al-Jaftalak village, north of Jericho.
Also on Monday, Israeli forces carried out large-scale bulldozing in Palestinian civilians' lands in al-Hussain valley area, in the east of Hebron. Such bulldozing is part of a plan scheme to establish a new road for settlers that links "Kiryat Arba" settlement, in the east of Hebron, to the Ibrahimi Mosque in the centre of the old city.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli navy forces continued to pursue the Palestinian fishermen in the sea. On 23, 26 and 27 May 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. Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.
Also this week in the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces conducted a limited incursion in the northeast of Khan Yunis, in the south of the Gaza Strip on 24 May 2013, and 2 others in the same area on 26 May 2013. They levelled lands and opened fire, but no casualties were reported.
On 29 May 2013, Israeli forces conducted 2 limited incursions in the central and southern Gaza Strip. They levelled and combed lands and withdrew later.
Israel has continued to impose a total closure and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
During the reporting period, Israeli forces completely closed the commercial border crossings between the Gaza Strip and Israel. They closed Karm Abu Salem crossing for 4 consecutive days because of Jewish holidays. This closure negatively affected the entry of goods, construction materials and medical consignments in the Gaza Strip. It also has a detrimental impact on the living conditions of Palestinian civilians.
As a result, thousands of Palestinian workers were denied access to their work in Israel and occupied East Jerusalem. Moreover, Palestinian traders were denied access to Israel and/or travel via the border crossings between the Gaza Strip and West Bank.
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.
A room, a stockyard and a barrack were demolished in al-Walaja village, west of Bethlehem.
A house and 2 barracks for sheep were demolished in al-Jiftlek village, north of Jericho.
24 dunums were levelled in Hebron to establish a new road for settlers.
The settlers set fire to 3 vehicles and a bus and attempted to burn a tractor in Zbeidat village, north of Jericho.
On 27 May 2013, Israeli settlers seized two shops under the protection of Israeli police in al-Hakari neighbourhood in 'Akabat al-Khaldia in the old city of Jerusalem.
On the same day, Israeli settlers punctured the tires of 15 cars in al-Shaikh Jarrah neighbourhood in the centre of the occupied East Jerusalem.
On 29 May 2013, Israeli forces bulldozed a mechanic's garage in Hazma village, northeast of Jerusalem, under the pretext of not obtaining a license. Also, Israeli forces bulldozed a house in Beit Hanina village under the pretext of not obtaining a license. In Beit Hanina as well, Israeli forces bulldozed 4 barracks that are used as garages under the pretext of not obtaining licenses, and seal waxed and closed 4 warehouses.
Also on 29 May 2012, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians' property again in al-Shaikh Jarrah neighbourhood, puncturing the tires of a number of vehicles belonging to Palestinians.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
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, 3 civilians were wounded; 2 of whom were wounded in Bil'in protest, west of Ramallah, and the third one was wounded in Kufor Qaddoum protest, northeast of Qalqilia.
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 High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions compel Israel, as a High Contracting Party to the Conventions, to apply the Conventions in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
In addition, the PCHR calls upon the Parties to international human rights instruments, especially the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to pressurize Israel to comply with their provisions in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and to compel it to incorporate the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories in its reports submitted to the concerned committees.
For the full text of the report, click on the link
In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 23 - 29 May 2013, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that Israeli forces have continued to use excessive force against peaceful protesters in the West Bank. 3 civilians, including a Palestine TV driver, were wounded during peaceful protests in Bil'in, west of Ramallah, and Kufor Qaddoum, northeast of Qalqilia.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
Israeli forces conducted 73 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 5 limited ones in the Gaza Strip.
41 Palestinian civilians, including 5 children and a woman, were abducted in the West Bank.
In one example of this week's 73 incursions, on Monday May 27th, at approximately 21:00, Israeli forces moved into al-'Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and positioned themselves in the centre of the camp. They also deployed between the houses, stopped some civilians and checked their ID cards. A number of boys gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli forces which in response fired sound bombs, tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets.
As a result, dozens suffered tear gas inhalation. The Israeli forces withdrew later and no abductions were reported.
Israel continued its efforts to create Jewish majority in the occupied East Jerusalem. A house and 5 barracks were demolished in Jerusalem and its suburbs.
The settlers seized 2 commercial stores in the Old Town and punctured tyres of a number of vehicles in al-Sheikh Jarrah area.
Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank. 5 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were arrested at checkpoints in the West Bank.
On Monday, 27 May 2013, Israeli forces bulldozed a house (made of tin, wood and bricks) and two barracks used as a sheep barn in Abu-'Ajaj area in al-Jaftalak village, north of Jericho.
Also on Monday, Israeli forces carried out large-scale bulldozing in Palestinian civilians' lands in al-Hussain valley area, in the east of Hebron. Such bulldozing is part of a plan scheme to establish a new road for settlers that links "Kiryat Arba" settlement, in the east of Hebron, to the Ibrahimi Mosque in the centre of the old city.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli navy forces continued to pursue the Palestinian fishermen in the sea. On 23, 26 and 27 May 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. Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.
Also this week in the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces conducted a limited incursion in the northeast of Khan Yunis, in the south of the Gaza Strip on 24 May 2013, and 2 others in the same area on 26 May 2013. They levelled lands and opened fire, but no casualties were reported.
On 29 May 2013, Israeli forces conducted 2 limited incursions in the central and southern Gaza Strip. They levelled and combed lands and withdrew later.
Israel has continued to impose a total closure and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
During the reporting period, Israeli forces completely closed the commercial border crossings between the Gaza Strip and Israel. They closed Karm Abu Salem crossing for 4 consecutive days because of Jewish holidays. This closure negatively affected the entry of goods, construction materials and medical consignments in the Gaza Strip. It also has a detrimental impact on the living conditions of Palestinian civilians.
As a result, thousands of Palestinian workers were denied access to their work in Israel and occupied East Jerusalem. Moreover, Palestinian traders were denied access to Israel and/or travel via the border crossings between the Gaza Strip and West Bank.
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.
A room, a stockyard and a barrack were demolished in al-Walaja village, west of Bethlehem.
A house and 2 barracks for sheep were demolished in al-Jiftlek village, north of Jericho.
24 dunums were levelled in Hebron to establish a new road for settlers.
The settlers set fire to 3 vehicles and a bus and attempted to burn a tractor in Zbeidat village, north of Jericho.
On 27 May 2013, Israeli settlers seized two shops under the protection of Israeli police in al-Hakari neighbourhood in 'Akabat al-Khaldia in the old city of Jerusalem.
On the same day, Israeli settlers punctured the tires of 15 cars in al-Shaikh Jarrah neighbourhood in the centre of the occupied East Jerusalem.
On 29 May 2013, Israeli forces bulldozed a mechanic's garage in Hazma village, northeast of Jerusalem, under the pretext of not obtaining a license. Also, Israeli forces bulldozed a house in Beit Hanina village under the pretext of not obtaining a license. In Beit Hanina as well, Israeli forces bulldozed 4 barracks that are used as garages under the pretext of not obtaining licenses, and seal waxed and closed 4 warehouses.
Also on 29 May 2012, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians' property again in al-Shaikh Jarrah neighbourhood, puncturing the tires of a number of vehicles belonging to Palestinians.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
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, 3 civilians were wounded; 2 of whom were wounded in Bil'in protest, west of Ramallah, and the third one was wounded in Kufor Qaddoum protest, northeast of Qalqilia.
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 High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions compel Israel, as a High Contracting Party to the Conventions, to apply the Conventions in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
In addition, the PCHR calls upon the Parties to international human rights instruments, especially the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to pressurize Israel to comply with their provisions in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and to compel it to incorporate the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories in its reports submitted to the concerned committees.
For the full text of the report, click on the link
29 may 2013
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In recent months, B’Tselem staff and volunteers have captured on video several incidents in which settlers attacked Palestinians or damaged their property in the presence of security forces. Most of the incidents described here occurred following the stabbing to death of Yitzhar resident Evyatar Borovsky at Tapuach junction, on 30 April 2013. The other two incidents occurred at other times and in different areas in the West Bank.
Description of incidents: Settler attack in Yasuf On 16 March 2013, a B’Tselem volunteer in the village of Yasuf documented settlers throwing stones at Palestinians. In the video footage he filmed, soldiers are seen standing next to the settlers while the latter continue to throw stones unhampered. Throughout the footage, the soldiers are not seen taking any action to stop the settlers from throwing stones or to arrest them. Settler attacks after Tapuach junction attack 2. On 30 April 2013, after the attack in which Yitzhar resident Evyatar Borovsky was stabbed to death, dozens of settlers attacked Palestinians in nearby villages and on main roads in the area. Among other things, they threw stones at Palestinians and at Palestinian vehicles. In addition, settlers are suspected of having started fires at several places in the area that day. B’Tselem volunteers captured video footage of violent incidents that occurred in three places that day, and a B’Tselem field researcher gathered written testimonies regarding an additional incident:
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‘Asira a-Qibliyeh – in footage filmed by a B’Tselem volunteer, a group of masked settlers is seen approaching the outskirts of the village while throwing stones. Some security personnel are seen apparently intervening and trying to stop them, but the settlers ignore them and continue throwing stones. Even when the settlers are finally pushed back by the security forces, they continue to throw stones as they withdraw, while the soldiers are not seen arresting or detaining any of them. Smoke rising from fields nearby raises the suspicion that the settlers also torched them while security forces were present.
Attack on bus near Yitzhar junction
- B’Tselem field researcher Iyad Hadad collected written testimonies concerning another incident, in which settlers threw stones at two buses carrying Palestinian schoolgirls as they drove by the Yitzhar junction. According to a testimony given by one of the bus drivers, the road was blocked by a military vehicle, apparently because the military had anticipated that settlers would attack Palestinian vehicles driving any further along the road. The drivers had no choice but to stop at the junction, where some seventy settlers had gathered. The settlers began throwing stones at the buses in plain sight of the security forces, who did nothing to prevent the attack or to arrest the stone-throwers. One of the bus drivers and two schoolgirls were lightly injured, and many of the schoolgirls suffered anxiety symptoms.
Settler attack at Deir Jarir
On 3 May 2013, B’Tselem’s spokesperson Sarit Michaeli witnessed an incident in which masked settlers attacked Palestinians who were protesting the establishment of an outpost called Netzach Binyamin close to the village of Deir Jarir. During the incident, a group of eleven settlers came from the direction of the Amona outpost and approached the protesting Palestinians, while soldiers at the scene did nothing to stop them. The soldiers fired teargas at the settlers only after the settlers and the Palestinians began throwing stones at each other, an escalation that could have been prevented, protecting both sides from danger. Eventually, the soldiers forced the settlers to go back towards Amona, and policemen who arrived at the scene arrested a minor who was with them.
The responsibility of the security forces
The security forces are bound, both by Israeli law and by international law, to protect Palestinians from attacks by settlers. However, B’Tselem’s documentation of the abovementioned incidents shows that the security forces repeatedly failed to fulfill this duty. Thus, they did not prepare adequately or deploy sufficient forces to prevent the anticipated attacks on Palestinians after the Tapuach junction attack; such preparation would include, for instance, blocking settlers’ access to Palestinian villages. Even in cases where settlers were clearly on their way to attack Palestinians, the security forces in the area did not act to prevent or arrest them. Forces present during the attacks themselves did nothing to stop the violence occurring before their very eyes, and did not detain violent settlers in order to bring them to justice
B’Tselem wrote to the law enforcement authorities demanding investigations of the settlers’ violence and the security forces’ conduct in these incidents. In addition, B’Tselem wrote to OC Central Command demanding that he ensure adequate preparation of the forces for future incidents of settler violence. Accordingly:
Attack on bus near Yitzhar junction
- B’Tselem field researcher Iyad Hadad collected written testimonies concerning another incident, in which settlers threw stones at two buses carrying Palestinian schoolgirls as they drove by the Yitzhar junction. According to a testimony given by one of the bus drivers, the road was blocked by a military vehicle, apparently because the military had anticipated that settlers would attack Palestinian vehicles driving any further along the road. The drivers had no choice but to stop at the junction, where some seventy settlers had gathered. The settlers began throwing stones at the buses in plain sight of the security forces, who did nothing to prevent the attack or to arrest the stone-throwers. One of the bus drivers and two schoolgirls were lightly injured, and many of the schoolgirls suffered anxiety symptoms.
Settler attack at Deir Jarir
On 3 May 2013, B’Tselem’s spokesperson Sarit Michaeli witnessed an incident in which masked settlers attacked Palestinians who were protesting the establishment of an outpost called Netzach Binyamin close to the village of Deir Jarir. During the incident, a group of eleven settlers came from the direction of the Amona outpost and approached the protesting Palestinians, while soldiers at the scene did nothing to stop them. The soldiers fired teargas at the settlers only after the settlers and the Palestinians began throwing stones at each other, an escalation that could have been prevented, protecting both sides from danger. Eventually, the soldiers forced the settlers to go back towards Amona, and policemen who arrived at the scene arrested a minor who was with them.
The responsibility of the security forces
The security forces are bound, both by Israeli law and by international law, to protect Palestinians from attacks by settlers. However, B’Tselem’s documentation of the abovementioned incidents shows that the security forces repeatedly failed to fulfill this duty. Thus, they did not prepare adequately or deploy sufficient forces to prevent the anticipated attacks on Palestinians after the Tapuach junction attack; such preparation would include, for instance, blocking settlers’ access to Palestinian villages. Even in cases where settlers were clearly on their way to attack Palestinians, the security forces in the area did not act to prevent or arrest them. Forces present during the attacks themselves did nothing to stop the violence occurring before their very eyes, and did not detain violent settlers in order to bring them to justice
B’Tselem wrote to the law enforcement authorities demanding investigations of the settlers’ violence and the security forces’ conduct in these incidents. In addition, B’Tselem wrote to OC Central Command demanding that he ensure adequate preparation of the forces for future incidents of settler violence. Accordingly:
- All security forces in the West Bank must be briefed, clearly and unequivocally, that it is their duty to do all that is within their power to prevent settlers from attacking Palestinians or their property. When such violent incidents do occur, it is their duty to identify and detain the attackers until the police arrive, or to arrest them in the absence of available police forces, and to give witness accounts to the police regarding the attacks. They must also be apprised of their basic duty to protect Palestinians, who are a protected population under international law.
- The security forces must prepare in advance to prevent settler attacks that can be anticipated – for instance, after attacks by Palestinians or after the evacuation of outposts and settlements. In such cases, they must, among other things, restrict the movement of settlers who are already on their way to Palestinian communities with a clear intention to act violently.
- Security forces must be deployed regularly in well-known sites of confrontation that are susceptible to attacks by settlers. Accordingly:
- They must prepare to prevent settlers from coming close to communities that are regularly the victims of such attacks. For instance, the ongoing settler violence against the villages close to Yitzhar merits increased and regular presence of security forces in the area.
- In any case, security forces must not deal with settler violence by restricting Palestinians’ freedom of movement. The military used this measure, for instance, in the days after the Tapuach junction attack, by blocking Palestinians’ movement north on Route 60, from Huwara towards Jit. Similarly, the military placed a physical obstacle at the entrance to Deir Jarir, and removed it several days later.
An international study about the forcible deportation of 150 Palestine refugee Bedouin families said that their situation has become socially and economically “non-viable”. The joint UNRWA-Bimkom report analyzed the consequences of the relocation which started in 1997 in order to expand the Ma’ale Adummim illegal settlement built on Palestinian lands.
"The move to one central urban location has deprived these mobile pastoralist communities of social cohesion and is destroying their social fabric and traditional economic base," the study said.
According to UNRWA Spokesperson, Chris Gunness, “the Israeli authorities are currently considering plans to create a second centralized Bedouin village in the occupied West Bank”. “However”, says Gunness “the stark conclusions of this report may lead to a reassessment of this policy”.
The rural communities targeted to be transferred to the second village reject the move, stating it will irreparably damage their social fabric and their traditional economy, as in the case of Al Jabal. If implemented, such a move may amount to individual and mass forcible transfers and forced evictions contrary to international law, the report said.
Planning NGO, BIMKOM confirmed that the type of urban plans developed by the Israeli authorities for Al Jabal is not an appropriate solution: “The allocation of a small parcel for each family and the connection to minimal infrastructure can lead to significant harm to human rights. An appropriate plan should take into account socio-cultural aspects, provide subsistence and development opportunities, be developed with the villagers themselves and must be acceptable to them.”
Al Jabal village is next to the largest rubbish dump in the West Bank, where 700 tons of wastes are disposed of each day. According to recent environmental studies, there are “high levels of toxic gases, which pose an immediate health threat to residents, but also cause internal and surface combustion at the dump site leading to explosions, land subsidence, surface fires and other safety hazards. High numbers of pests thrive on the site and its surroundings include rats, packs of dogs, cockroaches and flies, all of which pose significant health threats to livestock, the young and those of less robust health.
The study warned that if the plan being considered by the Israeli authorities to relocate all remaining rural refugee Bedouin communities from the Jerusalem periphery to a second location - or other sites in the future - goes forward, the number of displaced people would be four times higher than the number relocated to Al Jabal. UNRWA remains concerned that more than six decades after they were first displaced from their homes, Palestine refugees continue to face the threat of displacement and loss of livelihood.
"The move to one central urban location has deprived these mobile pastoralist communities of social cohesion and is destroying their social fabric and traditional economic base," the study said.
According to UNRWA Spokesperson, Chris Gunness, “the Israeli authorities are currently considering plans to create a second centralized Bedouin village in the occupied West Bank”. “However”, says Gunness “the stark conclusions of this report may lead to a reassessment of this policy”.
The rural communities targeted to be transferred to the second village reject the move, stating it will irreparably damage their social fabric and their traditional economy, as in the case of Al Jabal. If implemented, such a move may amount to individual and mass forcible transfers and forced evictions contrary to international law, the report said.
Planning NGO, BIMKOM confirmed that the type of urban plans developed by the Israeli authorities for Al Jabal is not an appropriate solution: “The allocation of a small parcel for each family and the connection to minimal infrastructure can lead to significant harm to human rights. An appropriate plan should take into account socio-cultural aspects, provide subsistence and development opportunities, be developed with the villagers themselves and must be acceptable to them.”
Al Jabal village is next to the largest rubbish dump in the West Bank, where 700 tons of wastes are disposed of each day. According to recent environmental studies, there are “high levels of toxic gases, which pose an immediate health threat to residents, but also cause internal and surface combustion at the dump site leading to explosions, land subsidence, surface fires and other safety hazards. High numbers of pests thrive on the site and its surroundings include rats, packs of dogs, cockroaches and flies, all of which pose significant health threats to livestock, the young and those of less robust health.
The study warned that if the plan being considered by the Israeli authorities to relocate all remaining rural refugee Bedouin communities from the Jerusalem periphery to a second location - or other sites in the future - goes forward, the number of displaced people would be four times higher than the number relocated to Al Jabal. UNRWA remains concerned that more than six decades after they were first displaced from their homes, Palestine refugees continue to face the threat of displacement and loss of livelihood.
28 may 2013
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights - Navanethem Pillay
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanethem Pillay, stated that Israel is committing serious Human Rights violations, and called on Tel Aviv to stop its settlement construction activities, and to release Palestinian political prisoners.
The Radio Bethlehem 2000 has reported that the Permanent Palestinian Observer Commission at the UN in Geneva, and a number of international organizations, are participating in the 23rd session of the Human Rights Council, which started on Monday morning.
In her opening speech, Pillay stated that Israel is conducting serious human rights violations against the Palestinians in the occupied territories, and that Israel must also stop its settlement activities, as they are direct and serious violations of International Law.
She also said that Israel is still holding captive more than 5000 Palestinians under very difficult conditions, and that Israel’s occupation and its practices are illegal.
The Human Rights Council, and various human rights and nongovernmental organizations, will be discussing, over the coming few weeks, various issues regarding human rights in the occupied State of Palestine, especially on Israeli settlements activities, the Palestinian detainees, and will be submitting a report on the Israeli violations.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanethem Pillay, stated that Israel is committing serious Human Rights violations, and called on Tel Aviv to stop its settlement construction activities, and to release Palestinian political prisoners.
The Radio Bethlehem 2000 has reported that the Permanent Palestinian Observer Commission at the UN in Geneva, and a number of international organizations, are participating in the 23rd session of the Human Rights Council, which started on Monday morning.
In her opening speech, Pillay stated that Israel is conducting serious human rights violations against the Palestinians in the occupied territories, and that Israel must also stop its settlement activities, as they are direct and serious violations of International Law.
She also said that Israel is still holding captive more than 5000 Palestinians under very difficult conditions, and that Israel’s occupation and its practices are illegal.
The Human Rights Council, and various human rights and nongovernmental organizations, will be discussing, over the coming few weeks, various issues regarding human rights in the occupied State of Palestine, especially on Israeli settlements activities, the Palestinian detainees, and will be submitting a report on the Israeli violations.
26 may 2013
A UN report said that around 200 Palestinians were wounded in clashes with Israeli occupation forces over three days in which the Palestinians were commemorating the Nakba. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that Palestinians marked the Nakba (usurpation of Palestine) anniversary with three days of activities in the period May 14 – 17.
It also registered nine attacks by Jewish settlers against Palestinians and their property in addition to three stone throwing incidents that damaged six Palestinian vehicles.
OCHA said that the Israeli occupation authorities demolished two Palestinian homes and six buildings and shops in eastern Jerusalem and in area C in the West Bank that is under full Israeli control.
It said that the demolition was at the pretext of lack of construction permit. The report covers the period of those three days.
It also registered nine attacks by Jewish settlers against Palestinians and their property in addition to three stone throwing incidents that damaged six Palestinian vehicles.
OCHA said that the Israeli occupation authorities demolished two Palestinian homes and six buildings and shops in eastern Jerusalem and in area C in the West Bank that is under full Israeli control.
It said that the demolition was at the pretext of lack of construction permit. The report covers the period of those three days.
25 may 2013
The annual BBC World Service poll finds Germany most popular; only countries less popular than Israel are North Korea, Pakistan and Iran.
The world's opinion of Israel has not improved in the last year: According to BBC World Service's annual poll, Israel is one of the least popular countries in the world; the only states less popular are North Korea, Pakistan and Iran.
The survey, conducted among 26,000 people in 25 countries, found Germany to be the most popular country. 59 percent of respondents, who were asked to rate 16 countries according to how positively they impact the world, placed Germany at the top.
Only 21 percent of participants had a positive view on Israel, while 52 percent viewed the country unfavorably. Iran, in comparison, won the favorable opinion of 15 percent of those who answered the survey, while 59 percent viewed it unfavorably.
In this year's poll, Germany took the place of Japan, which was downgraded to fourth place. Canada was ranked second, followed by Britain.
The world's opinion of Israel has not improved in the last year: According to BBC World Service's annual poll, Israel is one of the least popular countries in the world; the only states less popular are North Korea, Pakistan and Iran.
The survey, conducted among 26,000 people in 25 countries, found Germany to be the most popular country. 59 percent of respondents, who were asked to rate 16 countries according to how positively they impact the world, placed Germany at the top.
Only 21 percent of participants had a positive view on Israel, while 52 percent viewed the country unfavorably. Iran, in comparison, won the favorable opinion of 15 percent of those who answered the survey, while 59 percent viewed it unfavorably.
In this year's poll, Germany took the place of Japan, which was downgraded to fourth place. Canada was ranked second, followed by Britain.
The association of civil rights in the occupied Palestinian lands released facts about the life of the Palestinian natives in east Jerusalem showing that 85 percent of east Jerusalem children lives below the poverty line, describing it as the worst rate of all time. According to its figures, there are 371,844 Palestinians comprising 39 percent of the total population in Jerusalem.
79.5 percent of the total Palestinian residents in east Jerusalem lives below the poverty line.
Three social welfare offices in east Jerusalem serve more than one third of the Palestinian population, while 18 such offices operate in west Jerusalem, not to mention the fact that one social worker’s caseloads in east Jerusalem are about double those of west Jerusalem.
Its fact sheet also showed that in 2012, welfare services identified 7,748 at-risk children in east Jerusalem, adding that 86 children, who suffered from violence and neglect, were taken out of their homes over the past three years.
Because of the shortage of welfare workers, not all cases are fully and speedily attended to, the fact sheet noted.
As for education, it said that only 46 percent of east Jerusalem students study in official municipal schools, while there is a chronic shortage of over 1,000 classrooms in east Jerusalem.
79.5 percent of the total Palestinian residents in east Jerusalem lives below the poverty line.
Three social welfare offices in east Jerusalem serve more than one third of the Palestinian population, while 18 such offices operate in west Jerusalem, not to mention the fact that one social worker’s caseloads in east Jerusalem are about double those of west Jerusalem.
Its fact sheet also showed that in 2012, welfare services identified 7,748 at-risk children in east Jerusalem, adding that 86 children, who suffered from violence and neglect, were taken out of their homes over the past three years.
Because of the shortage of welfare workers, not all cases are fully and speedily attended to, the fact sheet noted.
As for education, it said that only 46 percent of east Jerusalem students study in official municipal schools, while there is a chronic shortage of over 1,000 classrooms in east Jerusalem.
24 may 2013
The Israeli stringent restrictions imposed on the movement of Palestinians serve as a "collective punishment" of the population of Gaza and the West Bank in flagrant violation of the international law, an international human rights organization said.
Amnesty International stated in its yearly report that more than 500 Israeli military checkpoints and barriers continued to hinder Palestinian movement, in addition to a 700km fence/wall, mostly on Palestinian land within the West Bank, especially in East Jerusalem and parts of al-Khalil and the Jordan Valley.
The report pointed out that West Bank Palestinians are forced to get Israeli permits while the Israeli settlers are allowed to move freely in those areas.
Movement restrictions compelled some 200,000 Palestinians from 70 villages to take detours between two to five times longer than the direct route to reach the closest city, undermining their access to basic services, the report said.
The human rights organization confirmed that Israeli authorities generally withheld construction permits from Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem and Area C ( which constitutes 60% of the West Bank territories), where Israel retains full authority for planning and zoning, impeding their right to adequate housing.
More than 620 Palestinian houses and other facilities were demolished. Almost 1100 Palestinians were displaced as a result, more than 1400 others were affected by demolitions of 170 animal shelters and 46 cisterns, the report added.
Settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank increased, the organization said, noting the establishment of 14 new settlement outposts for the first time since 7 years.
Regarding Palestinian prisoners, Amnesty confirmed that Israel held more than 4,200 Palestinian prisoners by the end of this year including 178 administrative detainees (held without trial or charge). Reports of torture and other ill-treatment of detainees continued.
The authorities also intensified demolitions of Palestinian homes inside Israel, particularly in officially “unrecognized” villages, where all construction is banned, the report said.
Amnesty yearly report added that "shacks and other structures in al-‘Araqib, an “unrecognized” village in the Negev, were demolished at least 20 times in 2011, following other demolitions in 2010."
Amnesty International stated in its yearly report that more than 500 Israeli military checkpoints and barriers continued to hinder Palestinian movement, in addition to a 700km fence/wall, mostly on Palestinian land within the West Bank, especially in East Jerusalem and parts of al-Khalil and the Jordan Valley.
The report pointed out that West Bank Palestinians are forced to get Israeli permits while the Israeli settlers are allowed to move freely in those areas.
Movement restrictions compelled some 200,000 Palestinians from 70 villages to take detours between two to five times longer than the direct route to reach the closest city, undermining their access to basic services, the report said.
The human rights organization confirmed that Israeli authorities generally withheld construction permits from Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem and Area C ( which constitutes 60% of the West Bank territories), where Israel retains full authority for planning and zoning, impeding their right to adequate housing.
More than 620 Palestinian houses and other facilities were demolished. Almost 1100 Palestinians were displaced as a result, more than 1400 others were affected by demolitions of 170 animal shelters and 46 cisterns, the report added.
Settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank increased, the organization said, noting the establishment of 14 new settlement outposts for the first time since 7 years.
Regarding Palestinian prisoners, Amnesty confirmed that Israel held more than 4,200 Palestinian prisoners by the end of this year including 178 administrative detainees (held without trial or charge). Reports of torture and other ill-treatment of detainees continued.
The authorities also intensified demolitions of Palestinian homes inside Israel, particularly in officially “unrecognized” villages, where all construction is banned, the report said.
Amnesty yearly report added that "shacks and other structures in al-‘Araqib, an “unrecognized” village in the Negev, were demolished at least 20 times in 2011, following other demolitions in 2010."
by The Jerusalem Post
Israel placed near the bottom of a BBC poll released Thursday ranking the world's most positively viewed countries.
Some 26,000 people from 25 countries around the world were asked if they viewed a list of 16 countries and the European Union as having a "mainly positive" or "mainly negative" influence in the world.
Germany topped the list with 59 percent of respondents viewing it positively, followed by Canada (55%), the UK (55%) and Japan (51%). Japan topped the list last year with a 58% positive influence rating.
Only North Korea, Pakistan and Iran had lower positivity scores than Israel. Twenty-one percent of respondents viewed Israel's influence as mainly positive, while 52% saw the Jewish State's influence as mainly negative. Israel's positivity ranking was identical to the score it received in the 2012 BBC poll.
Just 15% of respondents considered Iran's influence as mainly positive, while 59% said the Islamic Republic's influence was mainly negative.
France finished fifth in positive influence (49%), followed by the EU (49%), Brazil (46%), US (45%), China (42%), South Korea (36%), South Africa (35%), India (34%) and Russia (30%).
Israel placed near the bottom of a BBC poll released Thursday ranking the world's most positively viewed countries.
Some 26,000 people from 25 countries around the world were asked if they viewed a list of 16 countries and the European Union as having a "mainly positive" or "mainly negative" influence in the world.
Germany topped the list with 59 percent of respondents viewing it positively, followed by Canada (55%), the UK (55%) and Japan (51%). Japan topped the list last year with a 58% positive influence rating.
Only North Korea, Pakistan and Iran had lower positivity scores than Israel. Twenty-one percent of respondents viewed Israel's influence as mainly positive, while 52% saw the Jewish State's influence as mainly negative. Israel's positivity ranking was identical to the score it received in the 2012 BBC poll.
Just 15% of respondents considered Iran's influence as mainly positive, while 59% said the Islamic Republic's influence was mainly negative.
France finished fifth in positive influence (49%), followed by the EU (49%), Brazil (46%), US (45%), China (42%), South Korea (36%), South Africa (35%), India (34%) and Russia (30%).
Israeli permit approval rate for Gaza patients during April reached 83%, the lowest since January 2011, reflecting a dramatic increase in delays in responding to applications, said the World Health Organization (WHO) in its monthly report on referral of patients from the Gaza Strip for medical treatment abroad published Wednesday. However, it added, no permit denials were issued in April for the first time in the last five years.
The low approval rate was due to delays in response to permit applications causing the patients to miss their hospital appointments. At total of 198 patients, or 17%, including 78 females and 120 males, did not receive a response.
The report said that 17 patients – five females and 12 males - who had applied for permits to cross Beit Hanoun (Erez) checkpoint between Gaza and Israel were requested to appear for Israeli security interviews.
A total of 1,463 patients from Gaza were referred by the Ministry of Health in April, a 12.8% increase over the monthly average in 2013 of 1297, and also higher than averages in 2011 and 2012 with almost a third referred to hospitals in East Jerusalem and one fifth to hospitals in Israel, an increase by 39% over the monthly average in 2013.
The report said that for the past two months there has been a significant decline in the permit approval rate and an increase in delayed responses. The average approval rate from January 2012 – February 2013 was 93% and delayed was 6.65%.
The low approval rate was due to delays in response to permit applications causing the patients to miss their hospital appointments. At total of 198 patients, or 17%, including 78 females and 120 males, did not receive a response.
The report said that 17 patients – five females and 12 males - who had applied for permits to cross Beit Hanoun (Erez) checkpoint between Gaza and Israel were requested to appear for Israeli security interviews.
A total of 1,463 patients from Gaza were referred by the Ministry of Health in April, a 12.8% increase over the monthly average in 2013 of 1297, and also higher than averages in 2011 and 2012 with almost a third referred to hospitals in East Jerusalem and one fifth to hospitals in Israel, an increase by 39% over the monthly average in 2013.
The report said that for the past two months there has been a significant decline in the permit approval rate and an increase in delayed responses. The average approval rate from January 2012 – February 2013 was 93% and delayed was 6.65%.
Abu Sneina home destroyed in Jabal al-Masharef neighborhood in Jerusalem
In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 16 - 22 May 2013, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded during incursions in the West Bank. In addition,14 protesters, including 12 children, were wounded during peaceful protests at the entrance of al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
During the last week, Israeli forces conducted 65 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. 32 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children and 2 women, were abducted in the West Bank.
During the reporting period, Israeli forces wounded 17 Palestinian civilians, including 12 children. 3 civilians were wounded during incursions in the Palestinian communities, while 14 others, including 12 children, were wounded in peaceful protests in al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah.
On 17 May 2012, 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded. The first one was wounded when Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, while the other two ones were wounded by the newly-employed Tutu bullets when Israeli forces moved into al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, as Israeli forces have recently resumed using snipers to disperse Palestinian demonstrations using Tutu rifles, which are sniper rifles with a small barrel.
Israel continued its efforts to create Jewish majority in the occupied East Jerusalem. Israeli forces demolished 8 houses, a man was obliged to demolish his own house and 84 civilians became homeless.
On Saturday, 17 May 2013, Nader al-Sherif destroyed his own house, in the occupied East Jerusalem, in order to avoid being sent to jail or paying the destruction fees and other fines that the Israeli Municipality in Jerusalem would impose on him. The house, made of bricks and tin, is of 45 square metres and is occupied by a family of 11 members.
On Monday, 20 May 2013, Israeli forces demolished a part of Taiser Abdul-Rahman Sabbah Abu-Snaina's (53) house, located in al-Masharef mountain in the northern side of the occupied East Jerusalem, in Karm Louis area near Sho'fat military checkpoint. The house is of 27 square metres in area, established in 1963, and it was occupied by a family of 12.
On the same day, Israeli forces bulldozed the al-Joulani car showroom in al-Shaikh Jarrah neighbourhood.
On Tuesday, 21 May 2013, Israeli forces bulldozed 3 residential buildings and 61 civilians became homeless.
Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank. 3 Palestinian civilians were abducted at checkpoints in the West Bank.
On Thursday, 16 February 2013, Israeli forces razed more than 40 dunums of farmlands which are planted with approximately 700 olive, fig and grape seedlings that are between 1 – 3 years in 'Aqraba village, southeast of Nablus. They also demolished a water well of 200 cubic metres, used to irrigate the crops, and destroyed the fence surrounding the plot of land, which is the property of Ayham Seirya. Israeli forces claimed that these lands are closed military areas.
On Monday, 20 May 2013, Israeli forces moved into al-Buq'a area, east of Hebron, imposed a curfew on Palestinian civilians and opened a dirt road leading to the farmlands of al-Jaber family, uprooted a water irrigation system and confiscated it. The bulldozed lands are property of Mohammed Aref Darwish al-Rajbi and Badawi Fawaz Arief al-Rajbi.
Also on Monday, 20 May 2013, Israeli forces, accompanied by a number of military vehicles and two bulldozers, moved into the eastern Bart'a village, which is isolated from its surroundings because of the annexation wall in the west of Jenin, and destroyed 5 shops. The destroyed shops are 5 barracks used by their owners for business, and they were destroyed under the pretext of being in area (C).
On Monday, Israeli forces, accompanied by 3 military vehicles and a vehicle of the Israeli Civil Administration, moved into Arab al-Hathaleen area, which is adjacent to the Khurbat Uml-Khair, in the east of Yatta, in the south of Hebron and placed notices to halt construction work for 7 establishments.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli navy forces continued to pursue the Palestinian fishermen in the sea. On 19 May 2013, Israeli forces abducted 2 fishermen and confiscated their fishing boat off al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia, in the north of the Gaza Strip. On 20 and 22 May 2013, Israeli gunboats opened fire at the Palestinian fishing boats that were sailing within the 6 nautical mile limit off al-Waha resort, in the north of the Gaza Strip. Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.
On 21 March 2013, the Israeli authorities allowed the Palestinian fishermen to sail up to 6 nautical miles instead of 3 as had been enforced since 21 March 2013 as a form punishment against the Palestinian civilians. This decrease constitutes a violation of the agreement between Hamas and the Israeli authorities following the latest Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip.
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 continued to target Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip sea. 2 fishermen were abducted and their boat was confiscated in the north of the Gaza Strip.
Fishermen were pursued and their fishing equipment was confiscated off Deir al-Balah shore.
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, 17 May 2013, engineering teams coming from "Kiryat Arba" settlement, established on Palestinian civilians' lands in the east of Hebron, under the protection of Israeli forces, surveyed a dirt road that Palestinians use to access their lands in al-Husaine valley area, in the east of the city, to pave the way for establishing a new road for settlers that leads to the Ibrahimi Mosque, in the center of the old city of Hebron.
On Saturday, 18 May 2013, a group of settlers from "Beit El" settlement, in the north of Ramallah, threw stones and Molotov cocktails at Palestinian vehicles while passing through the main road to al-Jazloun refugee camp, which is adjacent to the afore-mentioned settlement. As a result, a 2001 Mercedes taxi burnt out after it was hit by a Molotov cocktail.
On Monday, 21 May 2013, a group of settlers from "Havat Gilad" settlement, north of Qalqilya, set fire to lands which belong to Palestinians from Tal village, southwest of Nablus, near Amateen and Far'ta villages in the north of Qalqilya. Israeli forces also abducted 18-year-old Nash'at Emad Sowan, from Amateen village, while standing near his house and took him to an unknown destination.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
Israeli forces continued the systematic use of excessive force against peaceful protests organised by Palestinian, Israeli and international activists against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, dozens of protesters suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were attacked by Israeli soldiers. Of the wounded was Rasila Mahmoud Awad (60), who fainted and was taken to Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah.
In the same context, the Palestinian civilians organized many peaceful protests in support with the Palestinian prisoners in the Israeli jails, especially those on hunger strike. Israeli forces used excessive force to disperse these protests. As a result, 14 civilians, including 12 children, were wounded.
On 17 May 2013, 9 civilians, including 8 children, were wounded in protests at the southern entrance of al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah.
On 19 May 2013, 3 others, including 2 children, in protests in the same area.
On 21 May 2013, 2 children were wounded during a peaceful protest in the abovementioned area. According to Maariv newspaper, the Israeli army has recently resumed using snipers to disperse Palestinian demonstrations; this technique was used at the end of last week near the settlement of Beit El in eastern Ramallah, using Tutu rifles, which are sniper rifles with a small barrel (0.22 inch caliber bullets).
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 UN General Assembly transfer the Goldstone Report to the UN Security Council in order to refer it to the International Criminal Court in accordance with Article 13(b) of the Rome Statute.
In addition, the PCHR calls upon the United Nations to confirm that holding war criminals in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a precondition to achieve stability and peace in the regions, and that peace cannot be built on the expense of human rights and victims.
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 16 - 22 May 2013, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded during incursions in the West Bank. In addition,14 protesters, including 12 children, were wounded during peaceful protests at the entrance of al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
During the last week, Israeli forces conducted 65 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. 32 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children and 2 women, were abducted in the West Bank.
During the reporting period, Israeli forces wounded 17 Palestinian civilians, including 12 children. 3 civilians were wounded during incursions in the Palestinian communities, while 14 others, including 12 children, were wounded in peaceful protests in al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah.
On 17 May 2012, 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded. The first one was wounded when Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, while the other two ones were wounded by the newly-employed Tutu bullets when Israeli forces moved into al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, as Israeli forces have recently resumed using snipers to disperse Palestinian demonstrations using Tutu rifles, which are sniper rifles with a small barrel.
Israel continued its efforts to create Jewish majority in the occupied East Jerusalem. Israeli forces demolished 8 houses, a man was obliged to demolish his own house and 84 civilians became homeless.
On Saturday, 17 May 2013, Nader al-Sherif destroyed his own house, in the occupied East Jerusalem, in order to avoid being sent to jail or paying the destruction fees and other fines that the Israeli Municipality in Jerusalem would impose on him. The house, made of bricks and tin, is of 45 square metres and is occupied by a family of 11 members.
On Monday, 20 May 2013, Israeli forces demolished a part of Taiser Abdul-Rahman Sabbah Abu-Snaina's (53) house, located in al-Masharef mountain in the northern side of the occupied East Jerusalem, in Karm Louis area near Sho'fat military checkpoint. The house is of 27 square metres in area, established in 1963, and it was occupied by a family of 12.
On the same day, Israeli forces bulldozed the al-Joulani car showroom in al-Shaikh Jarrah neighbourhood.
On Tuesday, 21 May 2013, Israeli forces bulldozed 3 residential buildings and 61 civilians became homeless.
Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank. 3 Palestinian civilians were abducted at checkpoints in the West Bank.
On Thursday, 16 February 2013, Israeli forces razed more than 40 dunums of farmlands which are planted with approximately 700 olive, fig and grape seedlings that are between 1 – 3 years in 'Aqraba village, southeast of Nablus. They also demolished a water well of 200 cubic metres, used to irrigate the crops, and destroyed the fence surrounding the plot of land, which is the property of Ayham Seirya. Israeli forces claimed that these lands are closed military areas.
On Monday, 20 May 2013, Israeli forces moved into al-Buq'a area, east of Hebron, imposed a curfew on Palestinian civilians and opened a dirt road leading to the farmlands of al-Jaber family, uprooted a water irrigation system and confiscated it. The bulldozed lands are property of Mohammed Aref Darwish al-Rajbi and Badawi Fawaz Arief al-Rajbi.
Also on Monday, 20 May 2013, Israeli forces, accompanied by a number of military vehicles and two bulldozers, moved into the eastern Bart'a village, which is isolated from its surroundings because of the annexation wall in the west of Jenin, and destroyed 5 shops. The destroyed shops are 5 barracks used by their owners for business, and they were destroyed under the pretext of being in area (C).
On Monday, Israeli forces, accompanied by 3 military vehicles and a vehicle of the Israeli Civil Administration, moved into Arab al-Hathaleen area, which is adjacent to the Khurbat Uml-Khair, in the east of Yatta, in the south of Hebron and placed notices to halt construction work for 7 establishments.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli navy forces continued to pursue the Palestinian fishermen in the sea. On 19 May 2013, Israeli forces abducted 2 fishermen and confiscated their fishing boat off al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia, in the north of the Gaza Strip. On 20 and 22 May 2013, Israeli gunboats opened fire at the Palestinian fishing boats that were sailing within the 6 nautical mile limit off al-Waha resort, in the north of the Gaza Strip. Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.
On 21 March 2013, the Israeli authorities allowed the Palestinian fishermen to sail up to 6 nautical miles instead of 3 as had been enforced since 21 March 2013 as a form punishment against the Palestinian civilians. This decrease constitutes a violation of the agreement between Hamas and the Israeli authorities following the latest Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip.
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 continued to target Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip sea. 2 fishermen were abducted and their boat was confiscated in the north of the Gaza Strip.
Fishermen were pursued and their fishing equipment was confiscated off Deir al-Balah shore.
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, 17 May 2013, engineering teams coming from "Kiryat Arba" settlement, established on Palestinian civilians' lands in the east of Hebron, under the protection of Israeli forces, surveyed a dirt road that Palestinians use to access their lands in al-Husaine valley area, in the east of the city, to pave the way for establishing a new road for settlers that leads to the Ibrahimi Mosque, in the center of the old city of Hebron.
On Saturday, 18 May 2013, a group of settlers from "Beit El" settlement, in the north of Ramallah, threw stones and Molotov cocktails at Palestinian vehicles while passing through the main road to al-Jazloun refugee camp, which is adjacent to the afore-mentioned settlement. As a result, a 2001 Mercedes taxi burnt out after it was hit by a Molotov cocktail.
On Monday, 21 May 2013, a group of settlers from "Havat Gilad" settlement, north of Qalqilya, set fire to lands which belong to Palestinians from Tal village, southwest of Nablus, near Amateen and Far'ta villages in the north of Qalqilya. Israeli forces also abducted 18-year-old Nash'at Emad Sowan, from Amateen village, while standing near his house and took him to an unknown destination.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
Israeli forces continued the systematic use of excessive force against peaceful protests organised by Palestinian, Israeli and international activists against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, dozens of protesters suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were attacked by Israeli soldiers. Of the wounded was Rasila Mahmoud Awad (60), who fainted and was taken to Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah.
In the same context, the Palestinian civilians organized many peaceful protests in support with the Palestinian prisoners in the Israeli jails, especially those on hunger strike. Israeli forces used excessive force to disperse these protests. As a result, 14 civilians, including 12 children, were wounded.
On 17 May 2013, 9 civilians, including 8 children, were wounded in protests at the southern entrance of al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah.
On 19 May 2013, 3 others, including 2 children, in protests in the same area.
On 21 May 2013, 2 children were wounded during a peaceful protest in the abovementioned area. According to Maariv newspaper, the Israeli army has recently resumed using snipers to disperse Palestinian demonstrations; this technique was used at the end of last week near the settlement of Beit El in eastern Ramallah, using Tutu rifles, which are sniper rifles with a small barrel (0.22 inch caliber bullets).
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 UN General Assembly transfer the Goldstone Report to the UN Security Council in order to refer it to the International Criminal Court in accordance with Article 13(b) of the Rome Statute.
In addition, the PCHR calls upon the United Nations to confirm that holding war criminals in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a precondition to achieve stability and peace in the regions, and that peace cannot be built on the expense of human rights and victims.
For the full text of the report, click on the link
