11 may 2014
Hebron – al-'Aroub refugee camp: Israeli forces demolish 2 Palestinian houses belonging to Abu Ghazi family under the pretext of construction with no license in area (C).
In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 24 – 29 April, 2014, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that Israeli forces conducted at least 98 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 44 Palestinians, including 2 children and a woman. Israel also continued to impose a tight closure of the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank & Gaza:
Wednesday, 30 April 2014
At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved into Nablus and Balatah refugee camp, east of the city. They deployed around Joseph's Tomb to secure the settler buses arriving to the area for religious rituals. A number of boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who fired sound bombs, tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets in response. As a result, a 17-year-old Palestinian, from Balatah refugee camp, sustained 2 bullet wounds to the abdomen and right leg. His wound was moderate (PCHR keeps his name).
Around the same time, Israeli forces with infantry units moved into Marah Rabah area, south of Bethlehem. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a number of houses. Some of the raided houses belong to the families of: Khalil Abdul Rahman al-Sheikh; Yusef Abdul Karim al-Sheikh; Hamdan Ahmed al-Sheikh and Samih Mahmoud Thawabtah. Israeli forces arrested Ahmed Nayef al-Sabbah (20) from his house and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron. They patrolled the streets then raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Abdul Rahman al-Tmaizi (21). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Oula village, west of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Yusef Mohammed al-'Okul (29). They arrested the aforementioned person and his sister (31) and took them to an unknown destination.
At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into Jenin refugee camp, adjacent to Jenin city. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Rakan Jamal Abdullah Nasharti (20). They arrested the aforementioned and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 18:30, Israeli forces stationed in watchtowers at and around Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, northwest of Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of stone and gravel collectors, who were present in the destroyed industrial zone, west of the crossing. As a result, Mostafa Adeeb Diab (18), from Ezbet Beit Hanoun, sustained a bullet wound to the right leg. His wound was moderate.
Thursday, 01 May 2014
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into several neighbourhoods, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Ali Abu Turki in Tal'at Abu Hadeed area. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported. Israeli forces also raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mahmoud Sa'id Abu Romouz (18), in Qaytoun neighbourhood. They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Tarqoumia village, west of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Hesham Abu Zalata (29). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 09:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Khalayel area, east of Beit Ommar village, north of Hebron. They deployed in the area, prevented Palestinian civilians from working in their lands and forced them to leave at gunpoint. Some lands belong to Hani Abdullah Ikhlail; Omar Mohammed Ikhlail and Bassam Badawi Ikhlail.
At approximately 20:00, Israeli gunboats chased a number of Palestinian fishing boats and opened fire at them. The fishing boats were sailing about a nautical mile off Rafah shore, in the southern Gaza Strip. Israeli forces confiscated 56 pieces of fishing nets (2,800 meters long) belonging to a number of fishermen. Following is the damage:
1. 12 pieces of fishing nets (600 meters long) belonging to Omar Mohammed al-Bardaweel (51);
2. 6 pieces of fishing nets (300 meters long) belonging to Samir Ali al-Bardaweel;
3. 10 pieces of fishing nets (500 meters lomg) belonging to Khalil Abdullah al-Bardaweel (40);
4. 10 pieces of fishing nets (500 meters long) belonging to Khaled Omar Mesleh (50);
5. 10 pieces of fishing nets (500 meters long) belonging to Mohammed Ibrahim Meqdad (18); and
6. 8 pieces of fishing nets (400 meters long) belonging to Abdul 'Aziz Fayez Soboh (30).
At approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Ja'bari neighbourhood, south of Hebron. They raided a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Bajes al-Ja'bari (38). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
Friday, 02 May 2014
At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Nablus and Balata refugee camp, east of the city. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested 2 civilians from the old town:
1. Mohammed Ahmed 'Akoub (23); and
2. Samer Mahmoud Hanoun (25).
At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Shyoukh al-'Aroub area, northeast of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and deployed between the houses. In addition, they raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Haroun al-Halayqa (52). Israeli forces withdrew later and no arrests were reported. In the meanwhile, Israeli forces raided a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Haroun al-Halayqa (48). They arrested his son Sa'ed (22). At approximately 03:30, a number of youngsters gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli forces during withdrawal. As a result, Israeli forces fired sound bombs. A number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into several neighbourhoods in the centre of Yatta, south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and stationed in al-Baq'a neighbourhood. They also raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Mousa al-Najjar. Israeli forces arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Taqou' village, southeast of Bethlehem. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Amjad Nayef al-Sabbah (29). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Fayez Ahmed al-Tmaizi (29). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into the south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Sa'id Abu Turki (22). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 19:00, Israeli navy forces stationed off Khan Yunis shore, in the southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats for about 2 hours. However, neither casualties nor material damage were reported.
Saturday, 03 May 2014
At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Baita village, southeast of Nablus. They patrolled the streets and raided a number of houses. They arrested Yazan Essa Abdul Mo'ti (18) and took him to an unknown destination.
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Jinsafout village, east of Qalqilia. They raided a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Mahmoud Bashir (22). They handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli intelligence service. Israeli forces withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
Also around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Samer Essa 'Awad (33). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Fahes area, south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and stationed in al-Mahjar area. They raided a house belonging to the family of Yusef Rabah Abu Snaina (19). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Shyoukh al-'Aroub area, northeast of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Haroun Ahmed al-Halayqa (24). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Sheikh neighbourhood, in the centre of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Nabil Mahmoud al-Rajabi (29). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
At around 19:50, Israeli forces moved into Salfit. They patrolled the streets, where a number of boys gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. Furthermore, a vehicle belonging to Na'el Yusef Abdul Hafez sustained damage when a military jeep hit the vehicle that was parked on the side of the street. At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces withdrew later, and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Na'el said to PCHR's fieldworker:
"At approximately 22:45 on Saturday, 03 May 2014, I was sitting with my family in the balcony overlooking the main street. Suddenly, Israeli forces in 2 military jeeps arrived. The first jeep fled away while the second approached my car and hit it deliberately although it was away from it. The car (Opel Corsa 2008) sustained damage in the body and tyres."
At approximately 21:00, Israeli navy forces stationed off Khan Yunis shore, in the southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at and chased Palestinian fishing boats. Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.
Sunday, 04 May 2014
At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Barqa village, northwest of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested 3 civilians:
1. Mo'een Walid Abu Omar (22);
2. Adham Hera' Abu Nafisa (21); and
3. Montaser Mohammed Salah (41).
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-'Asakra village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Yehya Ibrahim al-'Asakra (26). They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Madama village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to journalist Mo'aweya Ya'qoub Nassar (22). They confiscated his camera and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 09:30, Talal Khaled Saif (18), from Barqa village, northwest of Nablus, headed to Hawara detention facility, southeast of the city, upon a summons he received earlier. Saif entered the facility and his father was waiting outside until 16:00, when he received a phone call from his wife. She told him that she received a call from Hawara detention facility informing her that Talal was detained there.
At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces moved into the southwest of al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. A number of youngsters gathered and threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who chased them and fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.
At approximately 17:00, Israeli forces moved into Termis'ya village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets and stationed at the entrance of the village. Israeli forces arrested 2 children and took them to Benjamin police station. The two children were identified as: Yusef Mohammed Jbarah (15); and Mohammed Tha'er Suleiman (16).
Monday, 05 May 2014
At approximately 1:00, Israeli forces moved into Bethlehem. They patrolled the streets and stationed in al-Saff area in the centre of the city. Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Alaa' Khader al-Hraimi (20). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Jenin refugee camp, adjacent to Jenin city. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Jamal Kharyoush (22). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 02:50, Israeli forces moved into 'Aboud, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ibrahim Mahmoud Barghouthi (43). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 19:00, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Sudaniya shore, west of Jabalia, and northwest off Beit Lahia shore in the northern Gaza Strip, chased and opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles.
Israeli navy forces opened fire until at 05:00 on Tuesday, 06 May 2014. The fishermen sailed back fearing of being wounded or arrested. No casualties were reported, but the fisherman Ashraf Sobhi Sa'dAllah (31), from Jabalia refugee camp, lost 5 pieces of fishing nets. Besides, 2 torches attached to the fishing net were damaged due to gunfire. It should be noted that Israeli soldiers on board of gunboats were swearing at fishermen via megaphones.
Wednesday, 07 May 2014
At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Halhoul village, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Ahmed Abu Raya. Israeli forces withdrew later and no arrests were reported. In the meantime, Israeli forces raided and searched 2 other houses from which they arrested 3 civilians: Mohanned Yusef Zama'ra (21); his brother 'Anan (19) and Ahmed Omar Mansour (20).
At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested 7 civilians:
1. 'Awwad Abed Salimiya (40)'
2. His son Ezz al-Din (18);
3. Morshed Abdullah al-Tmaizi (35);
4. Ziad Hassan 'Awwad;
5. Mohammed Ahmed 'Awawda (20);
6. Khalil Mahmoud 'Awawda (23); and
7. Mahmoud Ahmed 'Awawda (22).
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Bani Na'im village, east of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Suleiman 'Eid Abu Jarour (30). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Nahalin village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Abdul Karim Shakarna (20). They kept his family in a room and attacked them. Israeli forces arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 15:40, Israeli forces stationed along the border, east of Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of Palestinian militants who were about 350 meters away from the said fence.
As a result, a militant sustained a bullet wound to the left leg. He was taken to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, where they found his wound moderate.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
During the reporting period, Israeli soldiers used excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organised by Palestinian civilians, international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank.
As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded, dozens of protestors suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers. A 20-year-old male was hit by a tear gas canister to the right thigh during Bil’in weekly protest, west of Ramallah. In addition, two civilians were wounded in Kufor Qaddoum protest, northwest of Qalqilia: the first one (38) sustained a bullet wound to the left leg; and the second one (47) sustained a bullet wound to the right leg.
In the same context, a 23-year-old male sustained a bullet wound to the left leg during a demonstration organized at the western entrance of Selwad village, northeast of Ramallah on the road between Selwad and Yabrod villages near Street (60).
(PCHR keeps the names of the wounded in fear of being arrested by the Israeli forces within its policy to oppress the peaceful protests and prevent Palestinian civilians from participating).
Demonstrations against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activity
Following the Friday Prayer, 02 May 2014, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in Bil’in, west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. Demonstrators took the streets raising the Palestinian flags and headed to the liberated territories near the annexation wall. Israeli forces had closed all the entrances of the village since the morning in order to prevent Palestinian and international activists and journalists from participating in the demonstration. Demonstrators marched adjacent to the cement wall and tried to cross the fence before Israeli forces that are stationed behind the wall, in the western area, and a large number of soldiers deployed along it, fired live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs and skunk water at them and chased them into the olive fields.
As a result, a 20-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the right thigh. Moreover, a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
On the same day, dozens of Palestinian civilians organised a peaceful demonstration in the centre of Ni’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. Demonstrators took the streets and headed to the annexation wall. Israeli forces closed the gates of the wall with barbwires and prevented the demonstrators from crossing to the land behind it before they responded by throwing stones. Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the civilians. They also sprayed waste water at the civilians, and chased them into the village.
As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in Nabi Saleh village, southwest of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. Demonstrators made their way in the streets raising the Palestinian flags and chanting slogans against the occupation and in support of the Palestinian unity resistance, and then they headed to the lands that the settlers are trying to rob by force near “Halmish” settlement. Israeli forces had closed all the entrances of the village since the morning to prevent Palestinian and international activists and journalists from participating in the demonstration. When they arrived at the aforementioned land, demonstrators were met by live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs and skunk water and were chased into the village.
As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises due to being beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
Following the Friday prayer, at approximately 13:35, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in the centre of Kufor Qaddoum village, northwest of Qalqilia, and headed towards the eastern entrance of the village, in protest at the continued closure of the entrance with an iron gate, since the beginning of the Aqsa Intifada (2000). Israeli forces fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters before the demonstrators arrive at the area.
As a result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers. In addition, two civilians were wounded: the first one (38) sustained a bullet wound to the left leg; and the second one (47) sustained a bullet wound to the right leg.
Following the Friday prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in Ma’assara village, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstration started in front of the Candles Cultural Centre in the centre of the village. Demonstrators moved in the streets raising the Palestinian flag. When they arrived at the area where the annexation wall is established, Israeli forces started firing tear gas canisters and sound bombs randomly at the demonstrators.
As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation.
Other Demonstrations
Following the Friday prayer, on 02 May 2014, dozens of Palestinian young men gathered at the western entrance of Selwad village, northeast of Ramallah on the road between Selwad village and Yabrod village near Street (60) to throw stones at the aforementioned street. Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the civilians, and chased them into the village.
As a result, a 23-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the left leg. Moreover, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
At approximately 17:00 on Saturday, 03 May 2014, dozens of Palestinian journalists organized a demonstration on World Press Freedom Day in front of Beit Eil military checkpoint north of al-Birah and Ramallah. The journalists chanted slogans calling for the freedom of movement for Palestinian journalists and all local media institutions, and protecting them from Israeli forces’ attacks. Israeli soldiers started firing tear gas canisters and sound bombs at demonstrators.
As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and they were treated on the spot.
Continued closure of the oPt:
Israel continued to impose a tight closure on the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Gaza Strip
Israeli forces continuously tighten the closure of the Gaza Strip and close all commercial crossings, making the Karm Abu Salem crossing the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip, although it is not suitable for commercial purposes in terms of its operational capacity and distance from markets. Israeli forces have continued to apply the policy, which is aimed to tighten the closure on all commercial crossings, by imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.
The total closure of al-Mentar ("Karni") crossing since 02 March 2011 has seriously affected the economy of the Gaza Strip. Following this closure, all economic and commercial establishments in the Gaza Commercial Zone were shut off. It should be noted that al-Mentar crossing is the biggest crossing in the Gaza Strip, in terms of its capacity to absorb the flow of imports and exports. The decision to close al-Mentar crossing was the culmination of a series of decisions resulting in the complete closure of the Sofa crossing, east of the Gaza Strip in the beginning of 2009, and the Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza City, which were dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2010.
Israeli forces have continued to impose a total ban on the delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Strip, except for very limited items and quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population of the Gaza Strip.
The cooking gas crisis has fluctuated for 9 months due to the closure of Karm Abu Salem for security claims. According to PCHR’s follow-up, Israeli authorities only allow an average of 98 tons of cooking gas into Gaza per day. This limited quantity is less than half of the daily needs, which is 200 tons per day of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip during winter. The crisis has unprecedentedly aggravated for around six weeks due to cold weather and overconsumption in addition to the power outage and using gas as an alternative in many instances of electricity.
The lack of diesel and benzine led to the aggravation of the crisis as a result of using the gas cylinder for cars or as an alternative for benzine to run generators. As a result, the demand for gas further increased.
For almost 6 consecutive years, Israeli forces have continued to prevent the delivery of construction materials to the Gaza Strip. Two years ago, Israeli forces approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of international organizations in the Gaza Strip. On 17 September 2013, they allowed the entry of limited quantities of construction materials for the private sector. However, on 13 October 2013, they re-banned it claiming that these materials are used for constructing tunnels. Last week, Israeli forces allowed the entry of construction materials only for UNRWA and UNDP projects. As a result, construction works have completely stopped impacting all sectors related to construction and an increase in unemployment levels.
Israeli forces also continued to impose an almost total ban on the Gaza Strip exports, including agricultural and industrial products, except for light-weighted products such as flowers, strawberries, and spices.
Israel has continued to close the Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing for the majority of Palestinian citizens from the Gaza Strip. Israel only allows the movement of a limited number of groups, with many hours of waiting in the majority of cases. Israel has continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via the Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel denied permission to access hospitals via the crossing for new categories of patients from the Gaza Strip.
The Egyptian authorities allow the population of the Gaza Strip to travel via Rafah International crossing, which connects the Gaza Strip with the outside world. Only limited and specified categories are allowed, including patients, students, persons that hold residencies in Egypt or abroad, men over 40 years, females in all ages, children under 18, persons who hold Arab and foreign nationalities, and members of Arab and international humanitarian delegations. Supposedly the crossing opens seven days a week. Nowadays, the crossing is overcrowded due to the prolonged procedures from the Egyptian side, particularly after closing it for several days over the past weeks due to Egypt’s security conditions, which has affected the travelers’ movement in both directions.
Settlement activities:
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the oPt, in a direct violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
Attacks carried out by Israeli forces
On 30 April 2014, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles and a vehicle belonging to the Construction and Organization Department in the Civil Administration in addition to a military bulldozer and two diggers moved into al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They stationed in the al-Bus area, southeast of the camp and deployed in the area. The Israeli bulldozer leveled two residential houses under the pretext of building in a “C” area according to Oslo Accords without a prior license from the Israeli authorities.
On the same day, Israeli forces backed by 3 military vehicles and a vehicle belonging to the Construction and Organization Department in the Civil Administration moved into al-Nashash area, south of Bethlehem. They stationed in Um Rokbah area where they deployed, and a Civil Administration officer handed 3 civilians notices to halt construction in civilian facilities under the pretext of the lack of construction licenses. The notices gave the three civilians a period of 45 days to settle their legal affairs before the competent authorities in the Israeli Civil Administration.
On 02 May 2014, Israeli forces chopped down 30 forest and almond trees in al-‘Amayer and al-Rajmat areas in the eastern area of Madma village, south of Nablus. The Israeli soldiers used a machine saw in cutting the trees adjacent to “Yitshar” bypass road between the settlements in south of Nablus and the settlements in the east of Qalqilya. This happened one day after the farmers had found papers, which included cutting trees for security reasons, in the agricultural lands. Moreover, the residents were not allowed to object to the decision.
Attacks carried out by settlers
On 30 April 2014, settlers from “Afrat” settlement established on Palestinian lands, south of Bethlehem, uprooted around 50 olive seedlings, which are less than 2 years old, from the civilian lands in Khelet al-Nahlah area adjacent to Rahal Valley village, south of the city. Those trees belong to ‘Isa ‘Ali al-Ziyadah (50).
On 03 May 2014, settlers from “Beit ‘Ayen” and “Jab’out” settlements established on Palestinian lands, southwest of Bethlehem, cut the branches of 35 olive trees, aged between 20 to 30 years, and wrote racist phrases such as “Arabs are thieves” on some rocks under the sentence of “Price Tag”.
On 04 May 2014, settlers from “Hafal Jal” outpost established on Palestinian lands in Khelket ‘Abdoh area, east of Hebron, stormed the agricultural lands in Jales Mountain area and they were accompanied by a bulldozer and two trucks. The settlers leveled a land belonging to al-Zarou family and uploaded the sand in the two trucks to the aforementioned outpost.
Recommendations to the International Community:
PCHR emphasizes the international community’s position that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are still under Israeli occupation, in spite of Israeli military redeployment outside the Gaza Strip in 2005. PCHR further confirms that Israeli forces continued to impose collective punishment measures on the Gaza Strip, which have escalated since the 2006 Palestinian parliamentary elections, in which Hamas won the majority of seats of the Palestinian Legislative Council.
PCHR stresses that there is international recognition of Israel’s obligation to respect international human rights instruments and the international humanitarian law, especially the Hague Regulations concerning the Laws and Customs of War on Land and the Geneva Conventions. Israel is bound to apply the international human rights law and the law of war sometime reciprocally and other times in parallel in a way that achieves the best protection for civilians and remedy for victims.
In light of continued arbitrary measures, land confiscation and settlement activities in the West Bank, and the continued aggression against civilians in the Gaza Strip, PCHR calls upon the international community, especially the United Nations, the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Convention and the European Union – in the context of their natural obligation to respect and enforce the international law – to cooperate and act according to the following recommendations:
1. PCHR calls upon the international community and the United Nations to use all available means to allow the Palestinian people to enjoy their right to self-determination, through the establishment of the Palestinian State, which was recognized by the UN General Assembly with a vast majority, using all international legal mechanisms, including sanctions to end the occupation of the State of Palestine;
2. PCHR calls upon the United Nations to provide international protection to Palestinians in the oPt, and to ensure the non-recurrence of aggression against the oPt, especially the Gaza Strip;
3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to compel Israel, as a High Contracting Party to the Conventions, to apply the Conventions in the oPt;
4. 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 oPt, and to compel it to incorporate the human rights situation in the oPt in its reports submitted to the concerned committees;
5. 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;
6. PCHR calls on States that apply the principle of universal jurisdiction not to surrender to Israeli pressure to limit universal jurisdiction to perpetuate the impunity enjoyed by suspected Israeli war criminals;
7. PCHR calls upon the international community to act in order to stop all Israeli settlement expansion activities in the oPt through imposing sanctions on Israeli settlements and criminalizing trading with them;
8. PCHR calls upon the UN General Assembly to 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;
9. 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;
10. PCHR calls upon the UN General Assembly and Human Rights Council to explicitly declare that the Israeli closure policy in Gaza and the annexation wall in the West Bank are illegal, and accordingly refer the two issues to the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on Israel to compel it to remove them;
11. PCHR calls upon the international community, in light of its failure to the stop the aggression on the Palestinian people, to at least fulfil its obligation to reconstruct the Gaza Strip after the series of hostilities launched by Israel which directly targeted the civilian infrastructure;
12. PCHR calls upon the United Nations and the European Union to express a clear position towards the annexation wall following the international recognition of the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders, as the annexation wall seizes large parts of the State of Palestine;
13. PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that both sides must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel, and the EU must not ignore Israeli violations and crimes against Palestinian civilians;
14. 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.
Complete document, with charts and full report on Israeli patrols, in its entirety, at the PCHR official site, via link
In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 24 – 29 April, 2014, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that Israeli forces conducted at least 98 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 44 Palestinians, including 2 children and a woman. Israel also continued to impose a tight closure of the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank & Gaza:
Wednesday, 30 April 2014
At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved into Nablus and Balatah refugee camp, east of the city. They deployed around Joseph's Tomb to secure the settler buses arriving to the area for religious rituals. A number of boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who fired sound bombs, tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets in response. As a result, a 17-year-old Palestinian, from Balatah refugee camp, sustained 2 bullet wounds to the abdomen and right leg. His wound was moderate (PCHR keeps his name).
Around the same time, Israeli forces with infantry units moved into Marah Rabah area, south of Bethlehem. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a number of houses. Some of the raided houses belong to the families of: Khalil Abdul Rahman al-Sheikh; Yusef Abdul Karim al-Sheikh; Hamdan Ahmed al-Sheikh and Samih Mahmoud Thawabtah. Israeli forces arrested Ahmed Nayef al-Sabbah (20) from his house and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron. They patrolled the streets then raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Abdul Rahman al-Tmaizi (21). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Oula village, west of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Yusef Mohammed al-'Okul (29). They arrested the aforementioned person and his sister (31) and took them to an unknown destination.
At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into Jenin refugee camp, adjacent to Jenin city. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Rakan Jamal Abdullah Nasharti (20). They arrested the aforementioned and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 18:30, Israeli forces stationed in watchtowers at and around Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, northwest of Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of stone and gravel collectors, who were present in the destroyed industrial zone, west of the crossing. As a result, Mostafa Adeeb Diab (18), from Ezbet Beit Hanoun, sustained a bullet wound to the right leg. His wound was moderate.
Thursday, 01 May 2014
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into several neighbourhoods, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Ali Abu Turki in Tal'at Abu Hadeed area. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported. Israeli forces also raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mahmoud Sa'id Abu Romouz (18), in Qaytoun neighbourhood. They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Tarqoumia village, west of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Hesham Abu Zalata (29). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 09:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Khalayel area, east of Beit Ommar village, north of Hebron. They deployed in the area, prevented Palestinian civilians from working in their lands and forced them to leave at gunpoint. Some lands belong to Hani Abdullah Ikhlail; Omar Mohammed Ikhlail and Bassam Badawi Ikhlail.
At approximately 20:00, Israeli gunboats chased a number of Palestinian fishing boats and opened fire at them. The fishing boats were sailing about a nautical mile off Rafah shore, in the southern Gaza Strip. Israeli forces confiscated 56 pieces of fishing nets (2,800 meters long) belonging to a number of fishermen. Following is the damage:
1. 12 pieces of fishing nets (600 meters long) belonging to Omar Mohammed al-Bardaweel (51);
2. 6 pieces of fishing nets (300 meters long) belonging to Samir Ali al-Bardaweel;
3. 10 pieces of fishing nets (500 meters lomg) belonging to Khalil Abdullah al-Bardaweel (40);
4. 10 pieces of fishing nets (500 meters long) belonging to Khaled Omar Mesleh (50);
5. 10 pieces of fishing nets (500 meters long) belonging to Mohammed Ibrahim Meqdad (18); and
6. 8 pieces of fishing nets (400 meters long) belonging to Abdul 'Aziz Fayez Soboh (30).
At approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Ja'bari neighbourhood, south of Hebron. They raided a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Bajes al-Ja'bari (38). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
Friday, 02 May 2014
At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Nablus and Balata refugee camp, east of the city. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested 2 civilians from the old town:
1. Mohammed Ahmed 'Akoub (23); and
2. Samer Mahmoud Hanoun (25).
At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Shyoukh al-'Aroub area, northeast of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and deployed between the houses. In addition, they raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Haroun al-Halayqa (52). Israeli forces withdrew later and no arrests were reported. In the meanwhile, Israeli forces raided a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Haroun al-Halayqa (48). They arrested his son Sa'ed (22). At approximately 03:30, a number of youngsters gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli forces during withdrawal. As a result, Israeli forces fired sound bombs. A number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into several neighbourhoods in the centre of Yatta, south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and stationed in al-Baq'a neighbourhood. They also raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Mousa al-Najjar. Israeli forces arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Taqou' village, southeast of Bethlehem. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Amjad Nayef al-Sabbah (29). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Fayez Ahmed al-Tmaizi (29). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into the south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Sa'id Abu Turki (22). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 19:00, Israeli navy forces stationed off Khan Yunis shore, in the southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats for about 2 hours. However, neither casualties nor material damage were reported.
Saturday, 03 May 2014
At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Baita village, southeast of Nablus. They patrolled the streets and raided a number of houses. They arrested Yazan Essa Abdul Mo'ti (18) and took him to an unknown destination.
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Jinsafout village, east of Qalqilia. They raided a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Mahmoud Bashir (22). They handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli intelligence service. Israeli forces withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
Also around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Samer Essa 'Awad (33). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Fahes area, south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and stationed in al-Mahjar area. They raided a house belonging to the family of Yusef Rabah Abu Snaina (19). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Shyoukh al-'Aroub area, northeast of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Haroun Ahmed al-Halayqa (24). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Sheikh neighbourhood, in the centre of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Nabil Mahmoud al-Rajabi (29). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
At around 19:50, Israeli forces moved into Salfit. They patrolled the streets, where a number of boys gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. Furthermore, a vehicle belonging to Na'el Yusef Abdul Hafez sustained damage when a military jeep hit the vehicle that was parked on the side of the street. At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces withdrew later, and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Na'el said to PCHR's fieldworker:
"At approximately 22:45 on Saturday, 03 May 2014, I was sitting with my family in the balcony overlooking the main street. Suddenly, Israeli forces in 2 military jeeps arrived. The first jeep fled away while the second approached my car and hit it deliberately although it was away from it. The car (Opel Corsa 2008) sustained damage in the body and tyres."
At approximately 21:00, Israeli navy forces stationed off Khan Yunis shore, in the southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at and chased Palestinian fishing boats. Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.
Sunday, 04 May 2014
At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Barqa village, northwest of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested 3 civilians:
1. Mo'een Walid Abu Omar (22);
2. Adham Hera' Abu Nafisa (21); and
3. Montaser Mohammed Salah (41).
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-'Asakra village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Yehya Ibrahim al-'Asakra (26). They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Madama village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to journalist Mo'aweya Ya'qoub Nassar (22). They confiscated his camera and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 09:30, Talal Khaled Saif (18), from Barqa village, northwest of Nablus, headed to Hawara detention facility, southeast of the city, upon a summons he received earlier. Saif entered the facility and his father was waiting outside until 16:00, when he received a phone call from his wife. She told him that she received a call from Hawara detention facility informing her that Talal was detained there.
At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces moved into the southwest of al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. A number of youngsters gathered and threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who chased them and fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.
At approximately 17:00, Israeli forces moved into Termis'ya village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets and stationed at the entrance of the village. Israeli forces arrested 2 children and took them to Benjamin police station. The two children were identified as: Yusef Mohammed Jbarah (15); and Mohammed Tha'er Suleiman (16).
Monday, 05 May 2014
At approximately 1:00, Israeli forces moved into Bethlehem. They patrolled the streets and stationed in al-Saff area in the centre of the city. Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Alaa' Khader al-Hraimi (20). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Jenin refugee camp, adjacent to Jenin city. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Jamal Kharyoush (22). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 02:50, Israeli forces moved into 'Aboud, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ibrahim Mahmoud Barghouthi (43). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 19:00, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Sudaniya shore, west of Jabalia, and northwest off Beit Lahia shore in the northern Gaza Strip, chased and opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles.
Israeli navy forces opened fire until at 05:00 on Tuesday, 06 May 2014. The fishermen sailed back fearing of being wounded or arrested. No casualties were reported, but the fisherman Ashraf Sobhi Sa'dAllah (31), from Jabalia refugee camp, lost 5 pieces of fishing nets. Besides, 2 torches attached to the fishing net were damaged due to gunfire. It should be noted that Israeli soldiers on board of gunboats were swearing at fishermen via megaphones.
Wednesday, 07 May 2014
At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Halhoul village, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Ahmed Abu Raya. Israeli forces withdrew later and no arrests were reported. In the meantime, Israeli forces raided and searched 2 other houses from which they arrested 3 civilians: Mohanned Yusef Zama'ra (21); his brother 'Anan (19) and Ahmed Omar Mansour (20).
At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested 7 civilians:
1. 'Awwad Abed Salimiya (40)'
2. His son Ezz al-Din (18);
3. Morshed Abdullah al-Tmaizi (35);
4. Ziad Hassan 'Awwad;
5. Mohammed Ahmed 'Awawda (20);
6. Khalil Mahmoud 'Awawda (23); and
7. Mahmoud Ahmed 'Awawda (22).
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Bani Na'im village, east of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Suleiman 'Eid Abu Jarour (30). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Nahalin village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Abdul Karim Shakarna (20). They kept his family in a room and attacked them. Israeli forces arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 15:40, Israeli forces stationed along the border, east of Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of Palestinian militants who were about 350 meters away from the said fence.
As a result, a militant sustained a bullet wound to the left leg. He was taken to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, where they found his wound moderate.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
During the reporting period, Israeli soldiers used excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organised by Palestinian civilians, international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank.
As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded, dozens of protestors suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers. A 20-year-old male was hit by a tear gas canister to the right thigh during Bil’in weekly protest, west of Ramallah. In addition, two civilians were wounded in Kufor Qaddoum protest, northwest of Qalqilia: the first one (38) sustained a bullet wound to the left leg; and the second one (47) sustained a bullet wound to the right leg.
In the same context, a 23-year-old male sustained a bullet wound to the left leg during a demonstration organized at the western entrance of Selwad village, northeast of Ramallah on the road between Selwad and Yabrod villages near Street (60).
(PCHR keeps the names of the wounded in fear of being arrested by the Israeli forces within its policy to oppress the peaceful protests and prevent Palestinian civilians from participating).
Demonstrations against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activity
Following the Friday Prayer, 02 May 2014, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in Bil’in, west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. Demonstrators took the streets raising the Palestinian flags and headed to the liberated territories near the annexation wall. Israeli forces had closed all the entrances of the village since the morning in order to prevent Palestinian and international activists and journalists from participating in the demonstration. Demonstrators marched adjacent to the cement wall and tried to cross the fence before Israeli forces that are stationed behind the wall, in the western area, and a large number of soldiers deployed along it, fired live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs and skunk water at them and chased them into the olive fields.
As a result, a 20-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the right thigh. Moreover, a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
On the same day, dozens of Palestinian civilians organised a peaceful demonstration in the centre of Ni’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. Demonstrators took the streets and headed to the annexation wall. Israeli forces closed the gates of the wall with barbwires and prevented the demonstrators from crossing to the land behind it before they responded by throwing stones. Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the civilians. They also sprayed waste water at the civilians, and chased them into the village.
As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in Nabi Saleh village, southwest of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. Demonstrators made their way in the streets raising the Palestinian flags and chanting slogans against the occupation and in support of the Palestinian unity resistance, and then they headed to the lands that the settlers are trying to rob by force near “Halmish” settlement. Israeli forces had closed all the entrances of the village since the morning to prevent Palestinian and international activists and journalists from participating in the demonstration. When they arrived at the aforementioned land, demonstrators were met by live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs and skunk water and were chased into the village.
As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises due to being beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
Following the Friday prayer, at approximately 13:35, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in the centre of Kufor Qaddoum village, northwest of Qalqilia, and headed towards the eastern entrance of the village, in protest at the continued closure of the entrance with an iron gate, since the beginning of the Aqsa Intifada (2000). Israeli forces fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters before the demonstrators arrive at the area.
As a result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers. In addition, two civilians were wounded: the first one (38) sustained a bullet wound to the left leg; and the second one (47) sustained a bullet wound to the right leg.
Following the Friday prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in Ma’assara village, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstration started in front of the Candles Cultural Centre in the centre of the village. Demonstrators moved in the streets raising the Palestinian flag. When they arrived at the area where the annexation wall is established, Israeli forces started firing tear gas canisters and sound bombs randomly at the demonstrators.
As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation.
Other Demonstrations
Following the Friday prayer, on 02 May 2014, dozens of Palestinian young men gathered at the western entrance of Selwad village, northeast of Ramallah on the road between Selwad village and Yabrod village near Street (60) to throw stones at the aforementioned street. Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the civilians, and chased them into the village.
As a result, a 23-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the left leg. Moreover, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
At approximately 17:00 on Saturday, 03 May 2014, dozens of Palestinian journalists organized a demonstration on World Press Freedom Day in front of Beit Eil military checkpoint north of al-Birah and Ramallah. The journalists chanted slogans calling for the freedom of movement for Palestinian journalists and all local media institutions, and protecting them from Israeli forces’ attacks. Israeli soldiers started firing tear gas canisters and sound bombs at demonstrators.
As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and they were treated on the spot.
Continued closure of the oPt:
Israel continued to impose a tight closure on the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Gaza Strip
Israeli forces continuously tighten the closure of the Gaza Strip and close all commercial crossings, making the Karm Abu Salem crossing the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip, although it is not suitable for commercial purposes in terms of its operational capacity and distance from markets. Israeli forces have continued to apply the policy, which is aimed to tighten the closure on all commercial crossings, by imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.
The total closure of al-Mentar ("Karni") crossing since 02 March 2011 has seriously affected the economy of the Gaza Strip. Following this closure, all economic and commercial establishments in the Gaza Commercial Zone were shut off. It should be noted that al-Mentar crossing is the biggest crossing in the Gaza Strip, in terms of its capacity to absorb the flow of imports and exports. The decision to close al-Mentar crossing was the culmination of a series of decisions resulting in the complete closure of the Sofa crossing, east of the Gaza Strip in the beginning of 2009, and the Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza City, which were dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2010.
Israeli forces have continued to impose a total ban on the delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Strip, except for very limited items and quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population of the Gaza Strip.
The cooking gas crisis has fluctuated for 9 months due to the closure of Karm Abu Salem for security claims. According to PCHR’s follow-up, Israeli authorities only allow an average of 98 tons of cooking gas into Gaza per day. This limited quantity is less than half of the daily needs, which is 200 tons per day of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip during winter. The crisis has unprecedentedly aggravated for around six weeks due to cold weather and overconsumption in addition to the power outage and using gas as an alternative in many instances of electricity.
The lack of diesel and benzine led to the aggravation of the crisis as a result of using the gas cylinder for cars or as an alternative for benzine to run generators. As a result, the demand for gas further increased.
For almost 6 consecutive years, Israeli forces have continued to prevent the delivery of construction materials to the Gaza Strip. Two years ago, Israeli forces approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of international organizations in the Gaza Strip. On 17 September 2013, they allowed the entry of limited quantities of construction materials for the private sector. However, on 13 October 2013, they re-banned it claiming that these materials are used for constructing tunnels. Last week, Israeli forces allowed the entry of construction materials only for UNRWA and UNDP projects. As a result, construction works have completely stopped impacting all sectors related to construction and an increase in unemployment levels.
Israeli forces also continued to impose an almost total ban on the Gaza Strip exports, including agricultural and industrial products, except for light-weighted products such as flowers, strawberries, and spices.
Israel has continued to close the Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing for the majority of Palestinian citizens from the Gaza Strip. Israel only allows the movement of a limited number of groups, with many hours of waiting in the majority of cases. Israel has continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via the Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel denied permission to access hospitals via the crossing for new categories of patients from the Gaza Strip.
The Egyptian authorities allow the population of the Gaza Strip to travel via Rafah International crossing, which connects the Gaza Strip with the outside world. Only limited and specified categories are allowed, including patients, students, persons that hold residencies in Egypt or abroad, men over 40 years, females in all ages, children under 18, persons who hold Arab and foreign nationalities, and members of Arab and international humanitarian delegations. Supposedly the crossing opens seven days a week. Nowadays, the crossing is overcrowded due to the prolonged procedures from the Egyptian side, particularly after closing it for several days over the past weeks due to Egypt’s security conditions, which has affected the travelers’ movement in both directions.
Settlement activities:
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the oPt, in a direct violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
Attacks carried out by Israeli forces
On 30 April 2014, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles and a vehicle belonging to the Construction and Organization Department in the Civil Administration in addition to a military bulldozer and two diggers moved into al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They stationed in the al-Bus area, southeast of the camp and deployed in the area. The Israeli bulldozer leveled two residential houses under the pretext of building in a “C” area according to Oslo Accords without a prior license from the Israeli authorities.
On the same day, Israeli forces backed by 3 military vehicles and a vehicle belonging to the Construction and Organization Department in the Civil Administration moved into al-Nashash area, south of Bethlehem. They stationed in Um Rokbah area where they deployed, and a Civil Administration officer handed 3 civilians notices to halt construction in civilian facilities under the pretext of the lack of construction licenses. The notices gave the three civilians a period of 45 days to settle their legal affairs before the competent authorities in the Israeli Civil Administration.
On 02 May 2014, Israeli forces chopped down 30 forest and almond trees in al-‘Amayer and al-Rajmat areas in the eastern area of Madma village, south of Nablus. The Israeli soldiers used a machine saw in cutting the trees adjacent to “Yitshar” bypass road between the settlements in south of Nablus and the settlements in the east of Qalqilya. This happened one day after the farmers had found papers, which included cutting trees for security reasons, in the agricultural lands. Moreover, the residents were not allowed to object to the decision.
Attacks carried out by settlers
On 30 April 2014, settlers from “Afrat” settlement established on Palestinian lands, south of Bethlehem, uprooted around 50 olive seedlings, which are less than 2 years old, from the civilian lands in Khelet al-Nahlah area adjacent to Rahal Valley village, south of the city. Those trees belong to ‘Isa ‘Ali al-Ziyadah (50).
On 03 May 2014, settlers from “Beit ‘Ayen” and “Jab’out” settlements established on Palestinian lands, southwest of Bethlehem, cut the branches of 35 olive trees, aged between 20 to 30 years, and wrote racist phrases such as “Arabs are thieves” on some rocks under the sentence of “Price Tag”.
On 04 May 2014, settlers from “Hafal Jal” outpost established on Palestinian lands in Khelket ‘Abdoh area, east of Hebron, stormed the agricultural lands in Jales Mountain area and they were accompanied by a bulldozer and two trucks. The settlers leveled a land belonging to al-Zarou family and uploaded the sand in the two trucks to the aforementioned outpost.
Recommendations to the International Community:
PCHR emphasizes the international community’s position that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are still under Israeli occupation, in spite of Israeli military redeployment outside the Gaza Strip in 2005. PCHR further confirms that Israeli forces continued to impose collective punishment measures on the Gaza Strip, which have escalated since the 2006 Palestinian parliamentary elections, in which Hamas won the majority of seats of the Palestinian Legislative Council.
PCHR stresses that there is international recognition of Israel’s obligation to respect international human rights instruments and the international humanitarian law, especially the Hague Regulations concerning the Laws and Customs of War on Land and the Geneva Conventions. Israel is bound to apply the international human rights law and the law of war sometime reciprocally and other times in parallel in a way that achieves the best protection for civilians and remedy for victims.
In light of continued arbitrary measures, land confiscation and settlement activities in the West Bank, and the continued aggression against civilians in the Gaza Strip, PCHR calls upon the international community, especially the United Nations, the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Convention and the European Union – in the context of their natural obligation to respect and enforce the international law – to cooperate and act according to the following recommendations:
1. PCHR calls upon the international community and the United Nations to use all available means to allow the Palestinian people to enjoy their right to self-determination, through the establishment of the Palestinian State, which was recognized by the UN General Assembly with a vast majority, using all international legal mechanisms, including sanctions to end the occupation of the State of Palestine;
2. PCHR calls upon the United Nations to provide international protection to Palestinians in the oPt, and to ensure the non-recurrence of aggression against the oPt, especially the Gaza Strip;
3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to compel Israel, as a High Contracting Party to the Conventions, to apply the Conventions in the oPt;
4. 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 oPt, and to compel it to incorporate the human rights situation in the oPt in its reports submitted to the concerned committees;
5. 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;
6. PCHR calls on States that apply the principle of universal jurisdiction not to surrender to Israeli pressure to limit universal jurisdiction to perpetuate the impunity enjoyed by suspected Israeli war criminals;
7. PCHR calls upon the international community to act in order to stop all Israeli settlement expansion activities in the oPt through imposing sanctions on Israeli settlements and criminalizing trading with them;
8. PCHR calls upon the UN General Assembly to 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;
9. 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;
10. PCHR calls upon the UN General Assembly and Human Rights Council to explicitly declare that the Israeli closure policy in Gaza and the annexation wall in the West Bank are illegal, and accordingly refer the two issues to the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on Israel to compel it to remove them;
11. PCHR calls upon the international community, in light of its failure to the stop the aggression on the Palestinian people, to at least fulfil its obligation to reconstruct the Gaza Strip after the series of hostilities launched by Israel which directly targeted the civilian infrastructure;
12. PCHR calls upon the United Nations and the European Union to express a clear position towards the annexation wall following the international recognition of the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders, as the annexation wall seizes large parts of the State of Palestine;
13. PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that both sides must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel, and the EU must not ignore Israeli violations and crimes against Palestinian civilians;
14. 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.
Complete document, with charts and full report on Israeli patrols, in its entirety, at the PCHR official site, via link
The Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) have never ceased to take Palestinian children and minors away from their mothers’ arms to detention centers where they have been subject to the most atrocious torture and interrogation procedures ever. A group of children from Occupied Jerusalem and different West Bank areas on Saturday revealed shocking testimonies to the lawyer of the Ministry of Prisoners.
The ministry’s lawyer quoted prisoner Ayman Samih Al-Abassi, 17, from Silwan and sentenced to 18 months and a 3-thousand-shekel-fine, as saying: “I was interrogated while being chained hand and foot and tied to a small iron chair, while my back was bent.”
Abassi recalled being heavily beaten on September 18 after he protested being incarcerated in a solitary cell in freezing weather conditions. The soldiers forced him into a bathroom and stripped him off from head to toe.
Detainee Khaled Jamal Husseini, 16, from Shaafat camp in Occupied Jerusalem and sentenced to 9 months, said he was arrested at his own home at dawn and led, chained and blindfolded, into an Israeli military jeep, the lawyer further reported.
On their way to Mascoubiya detention center prison, Khaled was made to lie on the jeep’s floor and was brutally attacked by the Israeli soldiers. When Khaled asked for water, the soldiers sprayed him with water-drops on his face.
Khaled further confirmed having been interrogated for long hours after being locked up in solitary confinement for 9 days and beaten in different parts of his body.
Ahmed Ghazi Hafedh Adili, 17, from Nablus, said he was taken handcuffed and blindfolded to Hawara detention center, where he was callously assaulted by Israeli prison guards. One of the soldiers kept on beating him with a stick on his head and ears, leading to a severe hemorrhage and hearing impairment.
The Israeli Prison Service (IPA) has been dragging its feet vis-à-vis Adili, still denied the medical check-ups and therapies he has been promised.
Another scandalous testimony was revealed by Khalil Ayman Abu Sanad, 17, from Silwan and sentenced to 28 months. Khalil recalled being arrested on 5 January 2003 after a number of Israeli settlers and Special Forces violently attacked him.
"My glasses were broken and a piece of glass penetrated my eyes due to their inconsiderate assaults. The tears my eyes were shedding were mixed with blood drops covering my entire face."
"But the undercover soldiers never ceased to hit my entire body with their sticks while I was made to lie down on the ground, leading to painful wounds above the eyebrows and my head."
“Afterwards I was locked up in a solitary cell for more than 27 hours, during which IPS kept on interrogating me day and night, never allowing me a moment’s rest or a little lie-down,” Khalil said.
The ministry’s lawyer quoted prisoner Ayman Samih Al-Abassi, 17, from Silwan and sentenced to 18 months and a 3-thousand-shekel-fine, as saying: “I was interrogated while being chained hand and foot and tied to a small iron chair, while my back was bent.”
Abassi recalled being heavily beaten on September 18 after he protested being incarcerated in a solitary cell in freezing weather conditions. The soldiers forced him into a bathroom and stripped him off from head to toe.
Detainee Khaled Jamal Husseini, 16, from Shaafat camp in Occupied Jerusalem and sentenced to 9 months, said he was arrested at his own home at dawn and led, chained and blindfolded, into an Israeli military jeep, the lawyer further reported.
On their way to Mascoubiya detention center prison, Khaled was made to lie on the jeep’s floor and was brutally attacked by the Israeli soldiers. When Khaled asked for water, the soldiers sprayed him with water-drops on his face.
Khaled further confirmed having been interrogated for long hours after being locked up in solitary confinement for 9 days and beaten in different parts of his body.
Ahmed Ghazi Hafedh Adili, 17, from Nablus, said he was taken handcuffed and blindfolded to Hawara detention center, where he was callously assaulted by Israeli prison guards. One of the soldiers kept on beating him with a stick on his head and ears, leading to a severe hemorrhage and hearing impairment.
The Israeli Prison Service (IPA) has been dragging its feet vis-à-vis Adili, still denied the medical check-ups and therapies he has been promised.
Another scandalous testimony was revealed by Khalil Ayman Abu Sanad, 17, from Silwan and sentenced to 28 months. Khalil recalled being arrested on 5 January 2003 after a number of Israeli settlers and Special Forces violently attacked him.
"My glasses were broken and a piece of glass penetrated my eyes due to their inconsiderate assaults. The tears my eyes were shedding were mixed with blood drops covering my entire face."
"But the undercover soldiers never ceased to hit my entire body with their sticks while I was made to lie down on the ground, leading to painful wounds above the eyebrows and my head."
“Afterwards I was locked up in a solitary cell for more than 27 hours, during which IPS kept on interrogating me day and night, never allowing me a moment’s rest or a little lie-down,” Khalil said.
10 may 2014
Wadi Hilweh Information Center- Silwan warned against the unprecedented Israeli escalation in Al-Aqsa Mosque during the month of April where there were many violations at the Mosque using several methods at the governmental level and through occupation forces and settlers.
The Information Center monitored the serious violations especially in the so-called “Passover” holiday which witnessed the most violent weeks towards Al-Aqsa. Few days before the holiday, extremist Jewish groups called to break-into Al-Aqsa throughout the whole week of the Passover holiday prompting dozens of young men to moor and stay at Al-Aqsa in order to defend it and protect it against the Jewish extremists’ break-ins at times when Al-Aqsa was closed in front of Muslim worshippers.
Israeli politicians call to change the current situation in Al-Aqsa
The Center touched on the meetings and conferences held by officials, Knesset members and Rabbis during last month to discuss ways and methods to protect the groups breaking into Al-Aqsa during Passover, and discuss the occupation police’s role in dealing with the so-called “administration of issues at the Temple Mount”. They requested to allow religious and unreligious Jews to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque and practice the “freedom of worship”, and requested the head of the Israeli government, Benyamin Netanyahu, to open Al-Aqsa for non-Muslims and change the current situation and fully transfer the sovereignty of Al-Aqsa to the Israeli government.
The Deputy Israeli Minister of Religious Affairs “Eli Ben Dahan” announced the end of the development of regulations for the legal order of Jewish prayers at Al-Aqsa, and remained only on Netanyahu to sign in order for the change to take effect.
Several other Rabbis requested to change the “fatwa” and allow the Israeli community to pray inside Al-Aqsa and to completely intervene to change the current situation in favor of the Jews and quickly impose the Israeli sovereignty on it.
Breaking into Al-Aqsa Mosque…
The Information Center explained that the occupation forces who were equipped with weapons broke into Al-Aqsa Mosque during the month of April three times (13th, 16th, 20th) and included forces from the police, Special Forces, borders police, Intelligence, Musta’ribeen and snipers and got engaged in violent clashes with the Palestinians where they used bullets, sound and gas grenades and pepper gas and directly assaulted the Muslims who were present in Al-Aqsa courtyards; note that more than 70 minor to moderate injuries were recorded in those three days.
Among the weapons used was a new Sulfuric type of rubber bullets that causes stains and burns on the body and the forces managed to injure the young men using this type of bullets.
The forces also deliberately damaged the facilities of Al-Aqsa during the break-ins as they damaged the windows of Al-Qibli Mosque using the butts of their guns in addition to burning the carpets and damaging the marble poles with the grenades and bullets. Officials at the Islamic Awqaf confirmed that the clashes that broke out in Al-Aqsa in the month of April were the most violent since the 1990’s.
During the above mentioned dates, clashes broke out at the open gates of Al-Aqsa (Hutta, Al-Silsileh and Al-Majles) where the Israeli forces established iron barriers and assaulted all citizens from all ages with batons in addition to using sound grenades and pepper gas to disperse them and prevent them from entering Al-Aqsa where they plan to stay and confront the settlers’ break-ins.
The Center added that on the 21st and 22nd of the month, a unit from the Special Forces broke into Al-Aqsa Mosque and verbally assaulted the Marabouts when they were chanting “God is Great” as another group of extremists had broken into Al-Aqsa and were carrying out a tour inside its courtyards.
In terms of restrictions and preventing Muslims from reaching inside Al-Aqsa, the forces prevented praying in Al-Aqsa on the 13th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 19th and 20th of the month. On the 13th, they prevented the Night Prayer and the prevention lasted until the morning of the 14th where the Morning Prayer was banned as well. On the 16th, the Morning and Noon Prayers were prevented from being held and the Friday Prayer on the 18th. They also banned the Afternoon Prayer up until the Night Prayer on the 19th and the Morning Prayer on the 20th.
During the days of restriction, the Israeli occupation forces prevented the young men and women from entering Al-Aqsa and only allowed small numbers of men who are above the age 55 to enter on condition of leaving their IDs at Al-Aqsa gates to be detained by the police. On April 20th, Al-Aqsa Mosque was completely closed and the forces assaulted all worshippers (young men, women and the elderly) while they attempted to enter and perform the Morning Prayer; note that few minutes before the “Athan” (call for prayer) the forces only permitted the elderly to enter.
The police stationed at Al-Aqsa Gate started new procedures during the month of April in which they detained the IDs of all Marabouts that were entering Al-Aqsa and turned them in to Al-Qishleh police center in the Old City of Jerusalem. They also forced the worshippers to head to Al-Qishleh in order to take their IDs where they would be detained for long hours. Several worshippers were not given their IDs under the pretext of “not finding them”, and the next day they would be prevented from entering Al-Aqsa because they don’t have an ID.
The occupation authorities obstructed the education at Al-Aqsa Schools located in the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque in order to protect and secure the Jewish break-ins. They prevented the entrance of nearly 500 students on the above mentioned dates and arrested several students and assaulted others; note that they were allowed to go to their schools after delaying and detaining them which at time lasted for more than three hours.
Among the serious incidents was the break-in of an extremist settler who was wearing the Arabic traditional garb. Another settler tried to break-in through Hutta Gate and a female settler was wearing the Islamic garb and tried to break-in through Al-Qataneen Gate. Extremist settlers practiced their religious rituals near Al-Aqsa Gates especially at night times near Al-Qataneen, Lions and Al-Silsileh Gates and followers of the “Alleged Temple” group hung a flyer on one of Al-Aqsa Gates that said: “you are required to evacuate the Temple Mount area before 7:00 p.m. on the 13th of April, 2014 due to the construction works related to the rebuilding of the Temple and on occasion of the upcoming Jewish Passover Holiday.”
Settlers’ break-ins
During the month of April, more than 1300 extremists and Israeli Intelligence personnel broke into Al-Aqsa. Among them was Moshe Feiglin, Deputy Speaker of the Israeli Knesset, who broke into Al-Aqsa twice on the 7th and 20th of the month.
Isolating 70 Palestinian from Al-Aqsa
The Center touched on the Israeli escalation of isolating Palestinians from Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Old City of Jerusalem. The Center monitored the isolation of 70 Palestinians for durations that varied between one week and six months. Among the people isolated were two women, more than 20 children where the youngest was 13-year old Malek Assaileh who was isolated for two weeks. Dozens of young men from the Old City were isolated for 90 days after they were exposed to harsh interrogation in Al-Maskobyeh cells; note that several young men from the 1948 lands (green line) were also isolated.
Arresting 135 Palestinians
The Center monitored the arrest of 135 Palestinians (from Jerusalem and the 1948 lands) including two women (Um Tarek Hashlamon and Sameeha Shahin) and Farah Bayadseh who is a student at the Hebrew University and 25 children where the youngest was 9-year old Majd Ahmad Alino who was arrested from Al-Aqsa courtyards and was detained for two hours.
The arrests mostly took place in the Old City and the village of Esawyeh when the Israeli forces raided the houses of the detainees but most of the arrests occurred at Al-Aqsa Gates.
Settlers’ assaults
Wadi Hilweh Information Center mentioned that the assaults of settlers and the extremist “Price Tag” group continued in the month of April in the city of Jerusalem. At the beginning of the month, settlers assaulted “Ra’fat Monastery, Our Lady of Palestine” west of Jerusalem and sprayed racist slogans on its walls in addition to slashing the tires of three cars and a truck.
Dozens of settlers assaulted the residents of Sheikh Jarrah last month by throwing stones at their houses and vehicles. When the residents went outside to check the matter, they were severely beat and sprayed with pepper gas which led to the injury of 4 citizens including a woman. The police arrived and provided the settlers with full protection and evacuated them from the area and arrested one young Jerusalemite man and his brother.
Settlers from the settlement of Pisgat Zeev also assaulted three young men, they are: 21-year old Abdullah Al-Jibrin, 20-year old Ehab Al-Jibrin and 20-year old Ghaleb Al-Waa’ri. Abdullah Jibrin was injured with a deep cut in his forehead which required 15 stitches in addition to wounds in his back and the rest of his body as he was attacked with a knife. Al-Waa’ri was injured in the cheek bone and Ehab was injured with several wounds and bruises; note that they were all assaulted and beaten with knives, sharp tools and batons when they went to withdraw money from the ATM machine located in the settlement of Pisgat Zeev that is established on the lands of Beit Hanina. During the attack, a police car that was passing-by in the area dispersed the settlers using force and arrested three of them.
Limited but almost daily clashes break out between the residents of Silwan and then settlers living in the settlement outposts in the town.
Suppression of freedom…
The occupation forces suppressed last month a peaceful demonstration in front of the Hebrew University that was organized to condemn the orders to recruit Christian Arab young men.
The Israeli police assaulted two Jerusalemites last month, they are: Musa Talhami who was injured with broken bones, wounds and bruises all over his body while he was working in Al-Basheer restaurant in Beit Hanina north of Jerusalem; and 26-year old Majdi Madbouh who suffered from a dislocated shoulder in addition to bruises in several parts of his body; note that the police refused to provide him with medical treatment despite the severe pain he was feeling in his shoulder.
Demolition operations…
Last month, the occupation municipality’s bulldozers demolished a residential barracks owned by Abu Omar Maslamani in the neighbourhood of Al-Hardoub in Al-Tur. The barracks is 60-square meters and was built since April of 2013 and is made from aluminum, gypsum and tin. A large Israeli force and Special Forces raided the neighbourhood of Al-Hardoub and completely surrounded the barracks to execute the demolition operation and prevented the Maslamani family from emptying the barracks and clashes broke out between the two sides in which the Israeli forces assaulted the family members without excluding the elderly and the women and then arrested one of the family members and his friend.
Settlement scheme…
At the beginning of April, the District Committee for Planning and Construction ratified the settlement project entitled ““Kadam Complex- City of David- Old City” which will be implemented in the courtyard of Dung Gate south of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
At the end of the month, it was revealed that the occupation forces ratified the funding of building a suspended bridge that will connect Al-Thori with the neighbourhood of Wadi Al-Rababeh southwest of the Old City of Jerusalem. The project includes the building and renovation of dozens of phantom Jewish graves in Wadi Al-Rababeh and name it “Sambosky Cemetery” and claim it as an ancient Jewish cemetery. It also includes opening tracks between the Old City of Jerusalem and the area mentioned above, and connect them with several other tracks in the future in the area of Al-Bustan in Silwan in addition to establishing a tourist park and biblical trails, as well as the establishment of a suspension bridge in the area mentioned above with a length of more than 120 meters.
The Information Center monitored the serious violations especially in the so-called “Passover” holiday which witnessed the most violent weeks towards Al-Aqsa. Few days before the holiday, extremist Jewish groups called to break-into Al-Aqsa throughout the whole week of the Passover holiday prompting dozens of young men to moor and stay at Al-Aqsa in order to defend it and protect it against the Jewish extremists’ break-ins at times when Al-Aqsa was closed in front of Muslim worshippers.
Israeli politicians call to change the current situation in Al-Aqsa
The Center touched on the meetings and conferences held by officials, Knesset members and Rabbis during last month to discuss ways and methods to protect the groups breaking into Al-Aqsa during Passover, and discuss the occupation police’s role in dealing with the so-called “administration of issues at the Temple Mount”. They requested to allow religious and unreligious Jews to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque and practice the “freedom of worship”, and requested the head of the Israeli government, Benyamin Netanyahu, to open Al-Aqsa for non-Muslims and change the current situation and fully transfer the sovereignty of Al-Aqsa to the Israeli government.
The Deputy Israeli Minister of Religious Affairs “Eli Ben Dahan” announced the end of the development of regulations for the legal order of Jewish prayers at Al-Aqsa, and remained only on Netanyahu to sign in order for the change to take effect.
Several other Rabbis requested to change the “fatwa” and allow the Israeli community to pray inside Al-Aqsa and to completely intervene to change the current situation in favor of the Jews and quickly impose the Israeli sovereignty on it.
Breaking into Al-Aqsa Mosque…
The Information Center explained that the occupation forces who were equipped with weapons broke into Al-Aqsa Mosque during the month of April three times (13th, 16th, 20th) and included forces from the police, Special Forces, borders police, Intelligence, Musta’ribeen and snipers and got engaged in violent clashes with the Palestinians where they used bullets, sound and gas grenades and pepper gas and directly assaulted the Muslims who were present in Al-Aqsa courtyards; note that more than 70 minor to moderate injuries were recorded in those three days.
Among the weapons used was a new Sulfuric type of rubber bullets that causes stains and burns on the body and the forces managed to injure the young men using this type of bullets.
The forces also deliberately damaged the facilities of Al-Aqsa during the break-ins as they damaged the windows of Al-Qibli Mosque using the butts of their guns in addition to burning the carpets and damaging the marble poles with the grenades and bullets. Officials at the Islamic Awqaf confirmed that the clashes that broke out in Al-Aqsa in the month of April were the most violent since the 1990’s.
During the above mentioned dates, clashes broke out at the open gates of Al-Aqsa (Hutta, Al-Silsileh and Al-Majles) where the Israeli forces established iron barriers and assaulted all citizens from all ages with batons in addition to using sound grenades and pepper gas to disperse them and prevent them from entering Al-Aqsa where they plan to stay and confront the settlers’ break-ins.
The Center added that on the 21st and 22nd of the month, a unit from the Special Forces broke into Al-Aqsa Mosque and verbally assaulted the Marabouts when they were chanting “God is Great” as another group of extremists had broken into Al-Aqsa and were carrying out a tour inside its courtyards.
In terms of restrictions and preventing Muslims from reaching inside Al-Aqsa, the forces prevented praying in Al-Aqsa on the 13th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 19th and 20th of the month. On the 13th, they prevented the Night Prayer and the prevention lasted until the morning of the 14th where the Morning Prayer was banned as well. On the 16th, the Morning and Noon Prayers were prevented from being held and the Friday Prayer on the 18th. They also banned the Afternoon Prayer up until the Night Prayer on the 19th and the Morning Prayer on the 20th.
During the days of restriction, the Israeli occupation forces prevented the young men and women from entering Al-Aqsa and only allowed small numbers of men who are above the age 55 to enter on condition of leaving their IDs at Al-Aqsa gates to be detained by the police. On April 20th, Al-Aqsa Mosque was completely closed and the forces assaulted all worshippers (young men, women and the elderly) while they attempted to enter and perform the Morning Prayer; note that few minutes before the “Athan” (call for prayer) the forces only permitted the elderly to enter.
The police stationed at Al-Aqsa Gate started new procedures during the month of April in which they detained the IDs of all Marabouts that were entering Al-Aqsa and turned them in to Al-Qishleh police center in the Old City of Jerusalem. They also forced the worshippers to head to Al-Qishleh in order to take their IDs where they would be detained for long hours. Several worshippers were not given their IDs under the pretext of “not finding them”, and the next day they would be prevented from entering Al-Aqsa because they don’t have an ID.
The occupation authorities obstructed the education at Al-Aqsa Schools located in the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque in order to protect and secure the Jewish break-ins. They prevented the entrance of nearly 500 students on the above mentioned dates and arrested several students and assaulted others; note that they were allowed to go to their schools after delaying and detaining them which at time lasted for more than three hours.
Among the serious incidents was the break-in of an extremist settler who was wearing the Arabic traditional garb. Another settler tried to break-in through Hutta Gate and a female settler was wearing the Islamic garb and tried to break-in through Al-Qataneen Gate. Extremist settlers practiced their religious rituals near Al-Aqsa Gates especially at night times near Al-Qataneen, Lions and Al-Silsileh Gates and followers of the “Alleged Temple” group hung a flyer on one of Al-Aqsa Gates that said: “you are required to evacuate the Temple Mount area before 7:00 p.m. on the 13th of April, 2014 due to the construction works related to the rebuilding of the Temple and on occasion of the upcoming Jewish Passover Holiday.”
Settlers’ break-ins
During the month of April, more than 1300 extremists and Israeli Intelligence personnel broke into Al-Aqsa. Among them was Moshe Feiglin, Deputy Speaker of the Israeli Knesset, who broke into Al-Aqsa twice on the 7th and 20th of the month.
Isolating 70 Palestinian from Al-Aqsa
The Center touched on the Israeli escalation of isolating Palestinians from Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Old City of Jerusalem. The Center monitored the isolation of 70 Palestinians for durations that varied between one week and six months. Among the people isolated were two women, more than 20 children where the youngest was 13-year old Malek Assaileh who was isolated for two weeks. Dozens of young men from the Old City were isolated for 90 days after they were exposed to harsh interrogation in Al-Maskobyeh cells; note that several young men from the 1948 lands (green line) were also isolated.
Arresting 135 Palestinians
The Center monitored the arrest of 135 Palestinians (from Jerusalem and the 1948 lands) including two women (Um Tarek Hashlamon and Sameeha Shahin) and Farah Bayadseh who is a student at the Hebrew University and 25 children where the youngest was 9-year old Majd Ahmad Alino who was arrested from Al-Aqsa courtyards and was detained for two hours.
The arrests mostly took place in the Old City and the village of Esawyeh when the Israeli forces raided the houses of the detainees but most of the arrests occurred at Al-Aqsa Gates.
Settlers’ assaults
Wadi Hilweh Information Center mentioned that the assaults of settlers and the extremist “Price Tag” group continued in the month of April in the city of Jerusalem. At the beginning of the month, settlers assaulted “Ra’fat Monastery, Our Lady of Palestine” west of Jerusalem and sprayed racist slogans on its walls in addition to slashing the tires of three cars and a truck.
Dozens of settlers assaulted the residents of Sheikh Jarrah last month by throwing stones at their houses and vehicles. When the residents went outside to check the matter, they were severely beat and sprayed with pepper gas which led to the injury of 4 citizens including a woman. The police arrived and provided the settlers with full protection and evacuated them from the area and arrested one young Jerusalemite man and his brother.
Settlers from the settlement of Pisgat Zeev also assaulted three young men, they are: 21-year old Abdullah Al-Jibrin, 20-year old Ehab Al-Jibrin and 20-year old Ghaleb Al-Waa’ri. Abdullah Jibrin was injured with a deep cut in his forehead which required 15 stitches in addition to wounds in his back and the rest of his body as he was attacked with a knife. Al-Waa’ri was injured in the cheek bone and Ehab was injured with several wounds and bruises; note that they were all assaulted and beaten with knives, sharp tools and batons when they went to withdraw money from the ATM machine located in the settlement of Pisgat Zeev that is established on the lands of Beit Hanina. During the attack, a police car that was passing-by in the area dispersed the settlers using force and arrested three of them.
Limited but almost daily clashes break out between the residents of Silwan and then settlers living in the settlement outposts in the town.
Suppression of freedom…
The occupation forces suppressed last month a peaceful demonstration in front of the Hebrew University that was organized to condemn the orders to recruit Christian Arab young men.
The Israeli police assaulted two Jerusalemites last month, they are: Musa Talhami who was injured with broken bones, wounds and bruises all over his body while he was working in Al-Basheer restaurant in Beit Hanina north of Jerusalem; and 26-year old Majdi Madbouh who suffered from a dislocated shoulder in addition to bruises in several parts of his body; note that the police refused to provide him with medical treatment despite the severe pain he was feeling in his shoulder.
Demolition operations…
Last month, the occupation municipality’s bulldozers demolished a residential barracks owned by Abu Omar Maslamani in the neighbourhood of Al-Hardoub in Al-Tur. The barracks is 60-square meters and was built since April of 2013 and is made from aluminum, gypsum and tin. A large Israeli force and Special Forces raided the neighbourhood of Al-Hardoub and completely surrounded the barracks to execute the demolition operation and prevented the Maslamani family from emptying the barracks and clashes broke out between the two sides in which the Israeli forces assaulted the family members without excluding the elderly and the women and then arrested one of the family members and his friend.
Settlement scheme…
At the beginning of April, the District Committee for Planning and Construction ratified the settlement project entitled ““Kadam Complex- City of David- Old City” which will be implemented in the courtyard of Dung Gate south of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
At the end of the month, it was revealed that the occupation forces ratified the funding of building a suspended bridge that will connect Al-Thori with the neighbourhood of Wadi Al-Rababeh southwest of the Old City of Jerusalem. The project includes the building and renovation of dozens of phantom Jewish graves in Wadi Al-Rababeh and name it “Sambosky Cemetery” and claim it as an ancient Jewish cemetery. It also includes opening tracks between the Old City of Jerusalem and the area mentioned above, and connect them with several other tracks in the future in the area of Al-Bustan in Silwan in addition to establishing a tourist park and biblical trails, as well as the establishment of a suspension bridge in the area mentioned above with a length of more than 120 meters.