25 may 2014
Hebron- Israeli forces attack a demonstration organized in the commemoration of al-Nakbah anniversary in Beit Ummar village on 17 May 2014
In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 15 – 21 May, 2014, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that Israeli forces killed two Palestinian children and wounded 12 other civilians, including 3 children and a journalist, in the West Bank. They also wounded 4 civilians in the border areas in the Gaza Strip; a child and 2 workers collecting raw materials as well as a farmer. Israeli naval forces fired at and chased Palestinian fishing boats in the Gaza Strip Sea.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank & Gaza:
Shootings:
In the Gaza Strip, on 17 May 2014, a Palestinian child was wounded when Israeli forces stationed along the border, east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at the agricultural lands in the east of ‘Abasan village to the west of the border. The child was collecting grass from an agricultural land near al-Rowwad sport club, which is only 600 meters away from the border.
On 18 May 2014, a worker collecting raw materials was wounded when the Israeli forces stationed in the military watchtowers at Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing, northwest of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of workers collecting raw materials in the destroyed industrial zone to the west of the crossing near the border.
On 19 May 2014, a worker collecting raw materials was wounded when the Israeli forces stationed in the military watchtowers at Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing, northwest of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at a group of workers collecting raw materials in the destroyed industrial zone to the west of the crossing near the border.
On 21 May 2014, a Palestinian farmer was lightly wounded with a bullet to the head when Israeli forces who moved into the east of al-Qararah village, east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, opened fire.
On the same day, Israeli forces stationed along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire and fired smoke shells at the agricultural fields to the southeast of Abu Reidah neighbourhood, east of Khza’ah in the east of Khan Yunis. As a result, 15-dunum fields belonging to Abu T’eimah family were on fire. Those fields were planted with wheat and located 350-400 meters away from the border.
In the same context on 16 May 2014, Israeli forces stationed along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Jabalia in the northern Gaza strip, opened fire at a group of young men who were near the aforementioned border in attempt to throw stones at the Israeli soldiers. No injuries were reported.
In the context of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the sea, on 19 May 2014, Israeli navy forces arrested 2 fishermen; Ayman (43) and Alaa' Khalil al-Bardaweel (41), from al-Mawasi area, west of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip. This happened when Israeli gunboats approached about 30 fishing boats sailing about 1 nautical mile off Rafah shore. Israeli navy soldiers opened fire from a close range at 2 fishing boats boarded by the 2 aforementioned fishermen. In addition, they pulled the 2 fishing boats to an unknown destination.
On 20 May 2014, Israeli Navy forces arrested two fishermen; Ramez Sa’adi Mohammed Jom’aah (29) and ‘Emad al-Din Khalil Ahmed Mansour (42) from Tal al-Sultan neighbourhood in the west of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip and confiscated their two boats.
On the same day, Israeli gunboats stationed off Khan Yunis shore in the southern Gaza Strip opened fire sporadically in the vicinity of the Palestinian fishing boats and chased fishermen. No injuries were reported as the fishermen were forced to flee away for fear of being injured or arrested or their boats being damaged.
In the West Bank, In excessive use of force, on Thursday, 15 May 2014, Israeli forces killed two Palestinian children and wounded 8 civilians, including a child who was in a serious condition, near “’Ofer” Prison, west of Ramallah.
On 16 May 2014, four civilians, including a child and a journalist, were wounded during a demonstration organized by dozens of Palestinian angry young men in the vicinity of ‘Ofer Prison, southwest of Ramallah, after the funeral procession of two children who were killed by the Israeli soldiers on the preceding day.
On the same day, a 14-year-old child was hit by a rubber-coated bullet to the left eye. As a result, he lost his sight. A 20-year-old civilian was hit by two metal bullets to the left knee and testicles when Israeli forces opened fire at a group of Palestinian young men demonstrating in Bab al-Zawiyah area in the centre of Hebron.
In the same context, Israeli forces used excessive force against peaceful protests 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, a 19-year-old demonstrator was hit by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the waist during Kafer Qaddoum protest, northeast of Qalqilya. Dozens of protestors suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
Incursions: During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 86 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 39 Palestinians, including 9 children.
On 20 May 2014, Israeli forces moved into Jenin and its refugee camp and raided and searched a number of houses, from which they arrested many civilians. During the incursion, Israeli forces destroyed the entrance of Jenin Governmental Hospital and fired tear gas canisters inside it.
In the Gaza Strip, on 21 May 2014, Israeli forces backed by 4 military bulldozers from the military Kissufim gate moved 200 meters into the east of al-Qararah village, east of Khan Younis. They levelled parts of the area and fired smoke artillery shells, some of which fell in the east of al-Qararah while others fell on al-Kurd hill, east of al-Salqa valley, east of Deir al-Balah. No injuries were reported. At approximately 09:00, they re-deployed along the border fence and after half an hour moved into east of al-Qararah. They levelled parts of the area along the border fence to the south and to the east of ‘Abasan.
Restrictions on movement:
Israel 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.
The illegal closure of the Gaza Strip, which has been steadily tightened since June 2007 has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli authorities impose measures to undermine the freedom of trade, including the basic needs for the Gaza Strip population and the agricultural and industrial products to be exported. For 7 consecutive years, Israel has tightened the land and naval closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and other countries around the world. This resulted in grave violations of the economic, social and cultural rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.7 million people. The Israeli authorities have established Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order to exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy. They also aim at imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip’s exports.
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip continue to be denied access to Jerusalem.
As part of using military checkpoints and border crossings as traps to arrest Palestinian civilians under the pretext they are wanted, Israeli forces arrested 9 Palestinian civilians, including 7 children, at military checkpoints in the West Bank.
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 19 May 2014, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles and a bulldozer moved into al-Ra’s neighborhood, west of Ezna village, west of Hebron. The Israeli soldiers deployed in the area and prevented civilians’ movement. The Israeli bulldozers then removed a 1.5-kilometer-long network that provides the area with electricity.
On the same day, Israeli forces accompanied a vehicle belonging to the construction and organization department in the Israeli Civil Administration and 4 bulldozers moved into the agricultural lands in the vicinity of Nahalin village, west of Bethlehem in Salem Valley area, east of the village. The Israeli bulldozers leveled lands of an area of 7 dunums planted with different kinds of trees under the pretext that those lands were confiscated. The leveling included burying the trees after uprooting them and confiscating some of them. Around 500 trees aged between 10 to 20 years were uprooted. These lands are located in the vicinity of “Daniel” settlement established on the confiscated lands in the village.
Attacks carried out by settlers
On 15 May 2014, settlers from “Bitar ‘Elit” settlement established on Palestinian lands, south of Bethlehem, chopped and smashed branches of 20 grape vineyards and 10 olive trees in addition to a number of apricot trees, which are less than two years old.
On 18 May 2014, settlers from “Sidi Bou’ez” outpost established on the Palestinian lands, south of al-Khader village, southwest of Bethlehem, stormed the agricultural lands, south of the village, and performed religious rituals near a water spring.
On the same day, a number of settlers stormed an archaeological site in the center of al-Samou’a village and performed their religious rituals. It should be mentioned that the settlers usually roam in the vicinity of the area in the Jewish holidays each year and perform their religious rituals there. They call the aforementioned site “Etshamoa’a”.
On 19 May 2014, a group of settlers from “Rafafa” settlement set fire to lands belonging to the residents of Haris village, northwest of Salfit. As a result, 20 olive, almond, fig and oak trees, which belong to Ma’moun Mohammed Dawoud ‘Abdel Hamid, were damaged in al-Wad al-Shami area. Israeli forces obstructed Palestinian firefighters from extinguishing the fire.
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, a 19-year-old protester sustained a rubber-coated metal bullet wound to the side during Kofur Qaddoum weekly protest, northeast of Qalqilya. Moreover, dozens of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers in different weekly protests throughout the West Bank.
In the same context, in excessive use of force, Israeli forces killed 2 Palestinian children and wounded 9 others, including 2 children and a photojournalist, during 2 protests near Ofer detention facility, west of Ramallah.
(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, 16 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 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 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.
At approximately 13:00, on the same day, a protest organized by Palestinian civilians and international human rights activists started in the centre of Kofur Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya heading to the eastern entrance of the village in protest at closing that entrance with an iron gate since the beginning of al-Aqsa intifada. The protesters threw stones at Israeli soldiers who heavily fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs in response in order to prevent them from approaching the gate. As a result, a 19-year-old protester sustained a rubber-coated metal bullet wound to the side. In addition, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises due to being beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
Other Demonstrations In excessive use of force, on Thursday, 15 May 2014, Israeli forces killed two Palestinian children and wounded 8 civilians, including a child who was in a serious condition, near “’Ofer” Prison, west of Ramallah. The two children were killed while participating in a demonstration organized in commemoration of the 66th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba (the uprooting of the Palestinian people from their lands in 1948) in front of the aforementioned prison.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR and eyewitnesses' accounts, on Thursday morning, 15 May 2014, dozens of Palestinian civilians and students from Ramallah and al-Bireh gathered in the vicinity of Ofer Prison, west of Ramallah, to organize a demonstration commemorating the 66th anniversary of Nakba. The demonstrators headed towards the prison's gate, so Israeli forces closed it and large numbers of them were deployed in the vicinity of the prison. The demonstrators set fire to rubber tires and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli soldiers who immediately fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, two children were killed and 8 civilians, including a child, were wounded. Of those wounded was Mohammed ‘Abdullah ‘Azzah (14) who sustained a serious bullet wound to the back.
The two children who were killed were identified as:
1. Nadim Ahmed Nowarah (17), a student at the Evangelical School in Ramallah, from South Mazra’a village, northwest of Ramallah, hit by a bullet to the chest; he was transferred by the medical crews to Palestine Governmental Medical Complex in the city, where he underwent a surgery, but doctors’ efforts failed to save his life.
2. Mohammed Mahmoud ‘Odah Abu Thaher (17), a student from Abu Shkhaidem village, northwest of Ramallah, hit by a bullet to the heart. The killed was a student at the village school. The other four injured persons were as follows:
1. The first one (28), hit by a metal bullet to the chest;
2. The second one (20, hit by a bullet to the left leg;
3. The third one (18), hit by a bullet to the right thigh; and
4. The fourth one (24), hit by a bullet to the right arm.
(PCHR keeps the names of the four injured persons)
At approximately 10:00, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders as well as the residents of al-Waljah village gathered to organize a peaceful demonstration protesting against the wall and settlements and in commemoration of al-Nakbah. The demonstrators roamed the village streets and raised the Palestinian flags heading towards the agricultural lands threatened with confiscation for the establishment of the annexation wall in ‘Ein Jweizah area. A large Israeli force arrived at the area, where soldiers were deployed in the vicinity of it, fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators and chased them into the olive fields. As a result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation, and others sustained bruises due to being beaten up by the Israeli soldiers. No arrests were reported.
At approximately 11:00, dozens of Palestinian civilians and foreign activists gathered in the south of Bethlehem to organize a peaceful demonstration protesting against the wall and settlements and in commemoration of Palestinian Nakba. The demonstrators roamed the streets of al-Ma’asrah village and then headed towards the annexation wall. Israeli forces arrived and deployed in the area. They prevented the demonstrators from proceeding and beat them up. As a result, a number of them sustained bruises. Meanwhile, other Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, a number of them suffered tear gas inhalation.
Following the Friday Prayer, 16 May 2014, dozens of Palestinian angry young men from all over the West Bank cities fathered in the vicinity of ‘Ofer Prison, southwest of Ramallah, after the funeral procession of Mohammed Salamah Abu Thaher (17) and Nadim Nowarah (17), who both were killed by the Israeli soldiers in the demonstration organized in commemoration of the 66th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba in front of the aforementioned prison. The demonstrators headed towards the prison gate, so the Israeli soldiers closed it and large numbers of them deployed in the vicinity of it. The demonstrators set fire to rubber tires and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli soldiers who immediately fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, 4 civilians, including a child and a journalist, were wounded. 3 of them were taken by the medical staffs to the Palestine Medical Complex in the city. Moreover, a number of the demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation.
The wounded persons were identified as follows:
1. Karim Nemer Khalil Abu ‘Eishah (14), hit by a metal bullet to the left side of his chest;
2. ‘Esam Huda Sa’id al-Asmar (al-Rimawi) (30), a photojournalist at al-Hayat al-Jadidah Newspaper, hit by a metal bullet to the left hand and was targeted directly and deliberately;
3. A civilian (21), hit by a metal bullet to the left leg; and
4. A civilian (21), hit by a metal bullet to the right foot.
(PCHR keeps the names of the four injured persons)
At approximately 11:00 on Saturday, 17 May 2014, the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements and international activists organized a peaceful demonstration in solidarity with the prisoners on hunger strike and in commemoration of the Palestinian Nakba a the entrance of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. Israeli military jeeps moved into the area and deployed along the main street in front of the village. They beat the demonstrators up and fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, a number of them suffered tear gas inhalation. The Israeli soldiers also arrested 3 demonstrators and took them to an unknown destination. The detainees were identified as: Ahmed Yousif Abu Hashim (46); Yousif Abu Mariah (40); and an international activist named “Copy”.
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 benzene led to the aggravation of the crisis as a result of using the gas cylinder for cars or as an alternative for benzene 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.
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 15 – 21 May, 2014, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that Israeli forces killed two Palestinian children and wounded 12 other civilians, including 3 children and a journalist, in the West Bank. They also wounded 4 civilians in the border areas in the Gaza Strip; a child and 2 workers collecting raw materials as well as a farmer. Israeli naval forces fired at and chased Palestinian fishing boats in the Gaza Strip Sea.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank & Gaza:
Shootings:
In the Gaza Strip, on 17 May 2014, a Palestinian child was wounded when Israeli forces stationed along the border, east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at the agricultural lands in the east of ‘Abasan village to the west of the border. The child was collecting grass from an agricultural land near al-Rowwad sport club, which is only 600 meters away from the border.
On 18 May 2014, a worker collecting raw materials was wounded when the Israeli forces stationed in the military watchtowers at Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing, northwest of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of workers collecting raw materials in the destroyed industrial zone to the west of the crossing near the border.
On 19 May 2014, a worker collecting raw materials was wounded when the Israeli forces stationed in the military watchtowers at Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing, northwest of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at a group of workers collecting raw materials in the destroyed industrial zone to the west of the crossing near the border.
On 21 May 2014, a Palestinian farmer was lightly wounded with a bullet to the head when Israeli forces who moved into the east of al-Qararah village, east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, opened fire.
On the same day, Israeli forces stationed along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire and fired smoke shells at the agricultural fields to the southeast of Abu Reidah neighbourhood, east of Khza’ah in the east of Khan Yunis. As a result, 15-dunum fields belonging to Abu T’eimah family were on fire. Those fields were planted with wheat and located 350-400 meters away from the border.
In the same context on 16 May 2014, Israeli forces stationed along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Jabalia in the northern Gaza strip, opened fire at a group of young men who were near the aforementioned border in attempt to throw stones at the Israeli soldiers. No injuries were reported.
In the context of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the sea, on 19 May 2014, Israeli navy forces arrested 2 fishermen; Ayman (43) and Alaa' Khalil al-Bardaweel (41), from al-Mawasi area, west of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip. This happened when Israeli gunboats approached about 30 fishing boats sailing about 1 nautical mile off Rafah shore. Israeli navy soldiers opened fire from a close range at 2 fishing boats boarded by the 2 aforementioned fishermen. In addition, they pulled the 2 fishing boats to an unknown destination.
On 20 May 2014, Israeli Navy forces arrested two fishermen; Ramez Sa’adi Mohammed Jom’aah (29) and ‘Emad al-Din Khalil Ahmed Mansour (42) from Tal al-Sultan neighbourhood in the west of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip and confiscated their two boats.
On the same day, Israeli gunboats stationed off Khan Yunis shore in the southern Gaza Strip opened fire sporadically in the vicinity of the Palestinian fishing boats and chased fishermen. No injuries were reported as the fishermen were forced to flee away for fear of being injured or arrested or their boats being damaged.
In the West Bank, In excessive use of force, on Thursday, 15 May 2014, Israeli forces killed two Palestinian children and wounded 8 civilians, including a child who was in a serious condition, near “’Ofer” Prison, west of Ramallah.
On 16 May 2014, four civilians, including a child and a journalist, were wounded during a demonstration organized by dozens of Palestinian angry young men in the vicinity of ‘Ofer Prison, southwest of Ramallah, after the funeral procession of two children who were killed by the Israeli soldiers on the preceding day.
On the same day, a 14-year-old child was hit by a rubber-coated bullet to the left eye. As a result, he lost his sight. A 20-year-old civilian was hit by two metal bullets to the left knee and testicles when Israeli forces opened fire at a group of Palestinian young men demonstrating in Bab al-Zawiyah area in the centre of Hebron.
In the same context, Israeli forces used excessive force against peaceful protests 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, a 19-year-old demonstrator was hit by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the waist during Kafer Qaddoum protest, northeast of Qalqilya. Dozens of protestors suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
Incursions: During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 86 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 39 Palestinians, including 9 children.
On 20 May 2014, Israeli forces moved into Jenin and its refugee camp and raided and searched a number of houses, from which they arrested many civilians. During the incursion, Israeli forces destroyed the entrance of Jenin Governmental Hospital and fired tear gas canisters inside it.
In the Gaza Strip, on 21 May 2014, Israeli forces backed by 4 military bulldozers from the military Kissufim gate moved 200 meters into the east of al-Qararah village, east of Khan Younis. They levelled parts of the area and fired smoke artillery shells, some of which fell in the east of al-Qararah while others fell on al-Kurd hill, east of al-Salqa valley, east of Deir al-Balah. No injuries were reported. At approximately 09:00, they re-deployed along the border fence and after half an hour moved into east of al-Qararah. They levelled parts of the area along the border fence to the south and to the east of ‘Abasan.
Restrictions on movement:
Israel 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.
The illegal closure of the Gaza Strip, which has been steadily tightened since June 2007 has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli authorities impose measures to undermine the freedom of trade, including the basic needs for the Gaza Strip population and the agricultural and industrial products to be exported. For 7 consecutive years, Israel has tightened the land and naval closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and other countries around the world. This resulted in grave violations of the economic, social and cultural rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.7 million people. The Israeli authorities have established Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order to exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy. They also aim at imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip’s exports.
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip continue to be denied access to Jerusalem.
As part of using military checkpoints and border crossings as traps to arrest Palestinian civilians under the pretext they are wanted, Israeli forces arrested 9 Palestinian civilians, including 7 children, at military checkpoints in the West Bank.
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 19 May 2014, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles and a bulldozer moved into al-Ra’s neighborhood, west of Ezna village, west of Hebron. The Israeli soldiers deployed in the area and prevented civilians’ movement. The Israeli bulldozers then removed a 1.5-kilometer-long network that provides the area with electricity.
On the same day, Israeli forces accompanied a vehicle belonging to the construction and organization department in the Israeli Civil Administration and 4 bulldozers moved into the agricultural lands in the vicinity of Nahalin village, west of Bethlehem in Salem Valley area, east of the village. The Israeli bulldozers leveled lands of an area of 7 dunums planted with different kinds of trees under the pretext that those lands were confiscated. The leveling included burying the trees after uprooting them and confiscating some of them. Around 500 trees aged between 10 to 20 years were uprooted. These lands are located in the vicinity of “Daniel” settlement established on the confiscated lands in the village.
Attacks carried out by settlers
On 15 May 2014, settlers from “Bitar ‘Elit” settlement established on Palestinian lands, south of Bethlehem, chopped and smashed branches of 20 grape vineyards and 10 olive trees in addition to a number of apricot trees, which are less than two years old.
On 18 May 2014, settlers from “Sidi Bou’ez” outpost established on the Palestinian lands, south of al-Khader village, southwest of Bethlehem, stormed the agricultural lands, south of the village, and performed religious rituals near a water spring.
On the same day, a number of settlers stormed an archaeological site in the center of al-Samou’a village and performed their religious rituals. It should be mentioned that the settlers usually roam in the vicinity of the area in the Jewish holidays each year and perform their religious rituals there. They call the aforementioned site “Etshamoa’a”.
On 19 May 2014, a group of settlers from “Rafafa” settlement set fire to lands belonging to the residents of Haris village, northwest of Salfit. As a result, 20 olive, almond, fig and oak trees, which belong to Ma’moun Mohammed Dawoud ‘Abdel Hamid, were damaged in al-Wad al-Shami area. Israeli forces obstructed Palestinian firefighters from extinguishing the fire.
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, a 19-year-old protester sustained a rubber-coated metal bullet wound to the side during Kofur Qaddoum weekly protest, northeast of Qalqilya. Moreover, dozens of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers in different weekly protests throughout the West Bank.
In the same context, in excessive use of force, Israeli forces killed 2 Palestinian children and wounded 9 others, including 2 children and a photojournalist, during 2 protests near Ofer detention facility, west of Ramallah.
(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, 16 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 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 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.
At approximately 13:00, on the same day, a protest organized by Palestinian civilians and international human rights activists started in the centre of Kofur Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya heading to the eastern entrance of the village in protest at closing that entrance with an iron gate since the beginning of al-Aqsa intifada. The protesters threw stones at Israeli soldiers who heavily fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs in response in order to prevent them from approaching the gate. As a result, a 19-year-old protester sustained a rubber-coated metal bullet wound to the side. In addition, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises due to being beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
Other Demonstrations In excessive use of force, on Thursday, 15 May 2014, Israeli forces killed two Palestinian children and wounded 8 civilians, including a child who was in a serious condition, near “’Ofer” Prison, west of Ramallah. The two children were killed while participating in a demonstration organized in commemoration of the 66th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba (the uprooting of the Palestinian people from their lands in 1948) in front of the aforementioned prison.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR and eyewitnesses' accounts, on Thursday morning, 15 May 2014, dozens of Palestinian civilians and students from Ramallah and al-Bireh gathered in the vicinity of Ofer Prison, west of Ramallah, to organize a demonstration commemorating the 66th anniversary of Nakba. The demonstrators headed towards the prison's gate, so Israeli forces closed it and large numbers of them were deployed in the vicinity of the prison. The demonstrators set fire to rubber tires and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli soldiers who immediately fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, two children were killed and 8 civilians, including a child, were wounded. Of those wounded was Mohammed ‘Abdullah ‘Azzah (14) who sustained a serious bullet wound to the back.
The two children who were killed were identified as:
1. Nadim Ahmed Nowarah (17), a student at the Evangelical School in Ramallah, from South Mazra’a village, northwest of Ramallah, hit by a bullet to the chest; he was transferred by the medical crews to Palestine Governmental Medical Complex in the city, where he underwent a surgery, but doctors’ efforts failed to save his life.
2. Mohammed Mahmoud ‘Odah Abu Thaher (17), a student from Abu Shkhaidem village, northwest of Ramallah, hit by a bullet to the heart. The killed was a student at the village school. The other four injured persons were as follows:
1. The first one (28), hit by a metal bullet to the chest;
2. The second one (20, hit by a bullet to the left leg;
3. The third one (18), hit by a bullet to the right thigh; and
4. The fourth one (24), hit by a bullet to the right arm.
(PCHR keeps the names of the four injured persons)
At approximately 10:00, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders as well as the residents of al-Waljah village gathered to organize a peaceful demonstration protesting against the wall and settlements and in commemoration of al-Nakbah. The demonstrators roamed the village streets and raised the Palestinian flags heading towards the agricultural lands threatened with confiscation for the establishment of the annexation wall in ‘Ein Jweizah area. A large Israeli force arrived at the area, where soldiers were deployed in the vicinity of it, fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators and chased them into the olive fields. As a result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation, and others sustained bruises due to being beaten up by the Israeli soldiers. No arrests were reported.
At approximately 11:00, dozens of Palestinian civilians and foreign activists gathered in the south of Bethlehem to organize a peaceful demonstration protesting against the wall and settlements and in commemoration of Palestinian Nakba. The demonstrators roamed the streets of al-Ma’asrah village and then headed towards the annexation wall. Israeli forces arrived and deployed in the area. They prevented the demonstrators from proceeding and beat them up. As a result, a number of them sustained bruises. Meanwhile, other Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, a number of them suffered tear gas inhalation.
Following the Friday Prayer, 16 May 2014, dozens of Palestinian angry young men from all over the West Bank cities fathered in the vicinity of ‘Ofer Prison, southwest of Ramallah, after the funeral procession of Mohammed Salamah Abu Thaher (17) and Nadim Nowarah (17), who both were killed by the Israeli soldiers in the demonstration organized in commemoration of the 66th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba in front of the aforementioned prison. The demonstrators headed towards the prison gate, so the Israeli soldiers closed it and large numbers of them deployed in the vicinity of it. The demonstrators set fire to rubber tires and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli soldiers who immediately fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, 4 civilians, including a child and a journalist, were wounded. 3 of them were taken by the medical staffs to the Palestine Medical Complex in the city. Moreover, a number of the demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation.
The wounded persons were identified as follows:
1. Karim Nemer Khalil Abu ‘Eishah (14), hit by a metal bullet to the left side of his chest;
2. ‘Esam Huda Sa’id al-Asmar (al-Rimawi) (30), a photojournalist at al-Hayat al-Jadidah Newspaper, hit by a metal bullet to the left hand and was targeted directly and deliberately;
3. A civilian (21), hit by a metal bullet to the left leg; and
4. A civilian (21), hit by a metal bullet to the right foot.
(PCHR keeps the names of the four injured persons)
At approximately 11:00 on Saturday, 17 May 2014, the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements and international activists organized a peaceful demonstration in solidarity with the prisoners on hunger strike and in commemoration of the Palestinian Nakba a the entrance of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. Israeli military jeeps moved into the area and deployed along the main street in front of the village. They beat the demonstrators up and fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, a number of them suffered tear gas inhalation. The Israeli soldiers also arrested 3 demonstrators and took them to an unknown destination. The detainees were identified as: Ahmed Yousif Abu Hashim (46); Yousif Abu Mariah (40); and an international activist named “Copy”.
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 benzene led to the aggravation of the crisis as a result of using the gas cylinder for cars or as an alternative for benzene 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.
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
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a statement that the Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) launched on May 19 a wave of demolition procedures in six residential communities in “Area C” over the eastern hills of Occupied Jerusalem, within and around the so-called E1 settlement project. According to the statement, the demolition streak covered Nakhila, Ksara, Khan Al-Ahmar, and Al-Aziriya among a series of other Palestinian towns and villages.
13 buildings were demolished under the pretext of illegal construction permits. 37 Palestinian citizens, including 23 children, were displaced as a result, while 50 more natives were harmed in a way or another, OCHA further documented.
The area, historically a home for 18 residential communities, comprising around 2,800 people in toto, has been declared by IOA a priority-zone, paving the way for the execution of an Israeli official scheme to deport most of the native communities in the Area C in favor of Israeli settlement expansions.
The plan includes projected attempts to encircle the area within the Ma’ale Adumim’s wall. E1 is among the largest illegal settlement projects in Occupied West Bank aiming at dividing up the West Bank into two parts and detaching the eastern part of Occupied Jerusalem from the Occupied West Bank, once and for all
On May 18, the IOA confiscated three residential tents, funded by relief volunteers, and a set of construction materials near Nablus. 27 citizens, including 18 children, were forced out of their native soil for the third time within a period of three weeks, OCHA reported.
IOA issued orders to stop construction processes and cut off 15 more buildings, 8 among which were funded by international donors, within the same area during this week. IOA arbitrary orders targeted also 8 sheep sheds in al-Khalil, the statement concluded.
13 buildings were demolished under the pretext of illegal construction permits. 37 Palestinian citizens, including 23 children, were displaced as a result, while 50 more natives were harmed in a way or another, OCHA further documented.
The area, historically a home for 18 residential communities, comprising around 2,800 people in toto, has been declared by IOA a priority-zone, paving the way for the execution of an Israeli official scheme to deport most of the native communities in the Area C in favor of Israeli settlement expansions.
The plan includes projected attempts to encircle the area within the Ma’ale Adumim’s wall. E1 is among the largest illegal settlement projects in Occupied West Bank aiming at dividing up the West Bank into two parts and detaching the eastern part of Occupied Jerusalem from the Occupied West Bank, once and for all
On May 18, the IOA confiscated three residential tents, funded by relief volunteers, and a set of construction materials near Nablus. 27 citizens, including 18 children, were forced out of their native soil for the third time within a period of three weeks, OCHA reported.
IOA issued orders to stop construction processes and cut off 15 more buildings, 8 among which were funded by international donors, within the same area during this week. IOA arbitrary orders targeted also 8 sheep sheds in al-Khalil, the statement concluded.
The Follow-up Committee on Arab Education in the pre-1948 occupied Palestine (Israel) stated that the Arab schools in Israel suffered from the lack of classrooms compared with the Jewish schools.
The committee explained that the Arab schools lack 6500 classrooms, which negatively affected on the educational level of students.
The Israeli authorities refused to give permissions for establishing Arab schools and classrooms. The committee added.
Head of the Mosawa Center for Arab Rights in Israel, Jafar Farah pointed out that the administration of the Arab schools used the schools' laboratories, teachers' rest rooms and public libraries as classrooms to overcome the lack.
''Due to this fact, there are many students who dropped out the schools,'' Farah expressed dismay.
In this respect, the Israeli MP Jamal Zahalka said that the fair investment of the Arab educational institutions would solve the ongoing problem.
Taub Center for Social Policy Studies stated that the Israeli Arabs accounted for 24.2% of all elementary school children in 2000, a figure that grew to 27% in 2013.
The committee explained that the Arab schools lack 6500 classrooms, which negatively affected on the educational level of students.
The Israeli authorities refused to give permissions for establishing Arab schools and classrooms. The committee added.
Head of the Mosawa Center for Arab Rights in Israel, Jafar Farah pointed out that the administration of the Arab schools used the schools' laboratories, teachers' rest rooms and public libraries as classrooms to overcome the lack.
''Due to this fact, there are many students who dropped out the schools,'' Farah expressed dismay.
In this respect, the Israeli MP Jamal Zahalka said that the fair investment of the Arab educational institutions would solve the ongoing problem.
Taub Center for Social Policy Studies stated that the Israeli Arabs accounted for 24.2% of all elementary school children in 2000, a figure that grew to 27% in 2013.
24 may 2014
The UN office for the coordination of humanitarian affairs (OCHA) has called on Israel to end its military escalation in the West Bank and protect Palestinian civilians, warning of relapsing into violence. OCHA said, in a weekly report covering Israeli violations during the periods from 13 to 19 May, that it had documented the killing of two Palestinian boys and the injury of over 60 in clashes with Israeli soldiers across the West Bank, mostly during Nakba Day protests.
The UN organization pointed to Israel's destruction of 22 Palestinian-owned structures in 11 communities in Area C, primarily in and around the E1 area to the east of Jerusalem.
It also touched on Israel's shooting incidents in the Gaza Strip, saying that four Palestinian civilians were shot and injured by Israeli soldiers near the perimeter fence and another two by Egyptian soldiers at sea.
As for settler-related incidents, its report stated that two of the settlers' attacks occurred in the vicinity of the Kokhav Hashahar settlement in Ramallah city, one involved the physical assault and injury of a Palestinian shepherd on13 May, and the other involved the burning of two dunums of wheat fields on 17 May.
Another Palestinian was reportedly injured after Jewish settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles travelling near Nahli’el settlement in Ramallah on 19 May.
A group of settlers also damaged during the reporting week 48 Palestinian-owned olive trees in the vicinity of Beitar Illit settlement in Bethlehem city
The UN organization pointed to Israel's destruction of 22 Palestinian-owned structures in 11 communities in Area C, primarily in and around the E1 area to the east of Jerusalem.
It also touched on Israel's shooting incidents in the Gaza Strip, saying that four Palestinian civilians were shot and injured by Israeli soldiers near the perimeter fence and another two by Egyptian soldiers at sea.
As for settler-related incidents, its report stated that two of the settlers' attacks occurred in the vicinity of the Kokhav Hashahar settlement in Ramallah city, one involved the physical assault and injury of a Palestinian shepherd on13 May, and the other involved the burning of two dunums of wheat fields on 17 May.
Another Palestinian was reportedly injured after Jewish settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles travelling near Nahli’el settlement in Ramallah on 19 May.
A group of settlers also damaged during the reporting week 48 Palestinian-owned olive trees in the vicinity of Beitar Illit settlement in Bethlehem city