29 nov 2013
Olive trees uprooted by Israeli troops in Bethlehem
In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 21- 27 Nov. 2013, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that Israeli forces killed 3 Palestinian civilians in Yatta, south of Hebron.
In addition, 12 Palestinians were wounded – including a Palestinian child who was wounded in Qarawet Bani Zaid village, northwest of Ramallah, and 2 Palestinian civilians who were wounded in the northern Gaza Strip.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
In the West Bank, in a new crime of extra-judicial execution, on 26 November 2013, Israeli forces killed 2 Palestinian civilians in Hebron by targeting their vehicle, north of Yatta village, south of the city.
Half an hour later, in an excessive use of force, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian in the south of Hebron. After examination of the crime scene, it was found that Israeli forces had opened fire randomly at the victim while he was walking near a targeted house. He was hit by a number of bullets causing his death before he was taken to the hospital.
According to medical sources at the hospital, al-Najjar was hit by a bullet to the left side of his chest, 3 bullets to chest and a bullet to the right shoulder. In addition, part of his head was taken out as he was pulled by an Israeli robot.
In the same context, on 23 November 2013, 5 civilians, including 2 children, were wounded when dozens of boys gathered at the southern entrance of al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah, and clashed with Israeli forces.
On 23 November 2013, a Palestinian child was wounded by 2 bullets to the left leg when Israeli forces moved into Qarawet Bani Zaid village, northwest of Ramallah.
Israeli forces conducted 64 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. At least 46 Palestinians, including 10 children, were abducted in the West Bank.
Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank. At least 5 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were abducted at checkpoints in the West Bank.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
In the Gaza Strip, on 23 November 2013, Israeli forces abducted 3 Palestinian children from Gaza valley (Johr al-Deek), as they crossed through the border fence. The children were questioned and then released 3 hours later via Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing.
Israeli navy forces have continued targeting Palestinian fishermen in the sea. 2 Palestinian fishermen were abducted off the fishing port in Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip.
Israel has continued to impose a total closure and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world. The illegal closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007 has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli authorities impose measures to undermine the freedom of trade, including the basic needs for the Gaza Strip population and the agricultural and industrial products to be exported.
For 7 consecutive years, Israel has tightened the land and naval closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and other countries around the world. This resulted in a grave violation of the economic, social and cultural rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.7 million people.
The Israeli authorities has established Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order to exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy that has been aggravating for years due to the shortage of imports. They also aim at imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip’s exports.
Israeli settlement activities:
Israeli forces have continued to support settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
On 25 November 2013, Israeli forces bulldozed a 300-square meter tin barrack, west of Ezna village, west of Hebron, belonging to Nader Mohammed Mahmoud Faraj Allah under the pretext of having no license, and he was not allowed to vacate his belongings. Israeli forces also confiscated a 410 Mercedes car loaded with pieces of steel.
On the same day, Israeli forces bulldozed a 40-square meter house comprised of a room, kitchen and bathroom belonging to Ashraf Mohammed Yousif al-Batran in al-Ra’s neighborhood, west of the village, and a 160-squre-meter tin barrack under the pretext of unlicensed construction.
On 23 November 2013, a group of settlers, under heavy guard of Israeli forces, attacked members of ‘Awad Faily and number of Israeli solidarity activists from “Co-existence” and “Yashin Dove” movements, while heading to Qweiwes area, east of Yatta, south of Hebron. As a result, some of them sustained bruises, and 5 of them, including 3 children, were abducted.
On the same day, a large group of settlers from “Beit Eil” settlement, north of al-Birah, threw stones at Palestinian cars. Israeli soldiers then intervened to control settlers and evacuate them from the aforementioned area. Neither injuries nor vehicle damages were reported.
On 24 November 2013, residents of Borqin village, west of Salfit, found out that a group of settlers from “Brokhin” settlement, chopped down 10 olive trees belonging to ‘Abdullah Mohammed ‘Othman Sheikh ‘Omer (65) in Baqdounis Valley area, north of the aforementioned village.
On 25 November 2013, , a group of settlers from “Givat Ranim” outpost extended from “Brakha” settlement, northeast of Bourin village, south of Nablus, attacked a house belonging to the family of Ghassan Mustafa ‘Emran, at which they threw stones and a Molotov cocktail.
On the same day, Israeli forces confiscated 120 square meters of construction bricks of al-Dirat village, northeast of Yata, south of Hebron, under the pretext of building a mosque without a construction permit.
On 26 November 2013, around 30 settlers from “Nokadim” settlement, east of Taqou’a village, southeast of Bethlehem, and “Tekwa’a” settlement, northeast of the aforementioned village, chopped down around 200 olive trees aged between 30 to 60 years under the Israeli forces’ protection.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
Israeli forces have continued to use excessive force against peaceful protesters in the West Bank. 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded in protests in Bil'in village, west of Ramallah, and Kofur Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilia. 5 civilians, including 2 children, were wounded in al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah.
Moreover, Israeli forces continued the systematic use of excessive force against peaceful protests organised by Palestinian, Israeli and international activists against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, 3 civilians, including a child, were wounded.
Two of the civilians were wounded during a protest in Kofur Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilia, while the third was wounded during a protest in Bil'in village, west of Ramallah.
Following the Friday Prayer, 22 November 2013, 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 morning to prevent the 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 in olive fields.
As a result, an 18-year-old civilian was wounded by a bullet to the back. Moreover, dozens of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises due to being beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
On the same day, dozens of Palestinian civilians organised a peaceful demonstration in the middle 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 passing to the land behind it before they responded by throwing stones.
As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and bruises.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities, in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. Demonstrators took the streets raising the Palestinian flags and chanting slogans against the occupation and in support of the Palestinian unity, and they then 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 morning to prevent the Palestinian and international activists and journalists from participating in the demonstration. When they arrived at the land, the 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, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises due to being beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
Following the Friday prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in Ma’sara 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 in attempt to disperse them and prevented the demonstrators from reaching the annexation wall.
A number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.
At approximately 12:30 on the same day, Palestinian civilians and international activists 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. Clashes erupted between the demonstrators and Israeli forces that fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters to prevent them from reaching the aforementioned gate.
As a result, 2 civilians, including a child, were wounded. The 17-year-old civilian was hit by a gas canister to the back and the 20-year-old civilian was hit by a gas canister to the belly.
Recommendations to the international community:
Due to the number and severity of Israeli human rights violations this week, the PCHR made several recommendations to the international community. Among these were a recommendation that the UN General Assembly and Human Rights Council 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.
In addition, the PCHR calls upon the international community, in light of its failure to the stop the aggression on the Palestinian people, to at least fulfill its obligation to reconstruct the Gaza Strip after the series of hostilities launched by Israel which directed targeted the civilian infrastructure
For the full text of the report, click on the link
In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 21- 27 Nov. 2013, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that Israeli forces killed 3 Palestinian civilians in Yatta, south of Hebron.
In addition, 12 Palestinians were wounded – including a Palestinian child who was wounded in Qarawet Bani Zaid village, northwest of Ramallah, and 2 Palestinian civilians who were wounded in the northern Gaza Strip.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
In the West Bank, in a new crime of extra-judicial execution, on 26 November 2013, Israeli forces killed 2 Palestinian civilians in Hebron by targeting their vehicle, north of Yatta village, south of the city.
Half an hour later, in an excessive use of force, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian in the south of Hebron. After examination of the crime scene, it was found that Israeli forces had opened fire randomly at the victim while he was walking near a targeted house. He was hit by a number of bullets causing his death before he was taken to the hospital.
According to medical sources at the hospital, al-Najjar was hit by a bullet to the left side of his chest, 3 bullets to chest and a bullet to the right shoulder. In addition, part of his head was taken out as he was pulled by an Israeli robot.
In the same context, on 23 November 2013, 5 civilians, including 2 children, were wounded when dozens of boys gathered at the southern entrance of al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah, and clashed with Israeli forces.
On 23 November 2013, a Palestinian child was wounded by 2 bullets to the left leg when Israeli forces moved into Qarawet Bani Zaid village, northwest of Ramallah.
Israeli forces conducted 64 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. At least 46 Palestinians, including 10 children, were abducted in the West Bank.
Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank. At least 5 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were abducted at checkpoints in the West Bank.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
In the Gaza Strip, on 23 November 2013, Israeli forces abducted 3 Palestinian children from Gaza valley (Johr al-Deek), as they crossed through the border fence. The children were questioned and then released 3 hours later via Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing.
Israeli navy forces have continued targeting Palestinian fishermen in the sea. 2 Palestinian fishermen were abducted off the fishing port in Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip.
Israel has continued to impose a total closure and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world. The illegal closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007 has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli authorities impose measures to undermine the freedom of trade, including the basic needs for the Gaza Strip population and the agricultural and industrial products to be exported.
For 7 consecutive years, Israel has tightened the land and naval closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and other countries around the world. This resulted in a grave violation of the economic, social and cultural rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.7 million people.
The Israeli authorities has established Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order to exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy that has been aggravating for years due to the shortage of imports. They also aim at imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip’s exports.
Israeli settlement activities:
Israeli forces have continued to support settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
On 25 November 2013, Israeli forces bulldozed a 300-square meter tin barrack, west of Ezna village, west of Hebron, belonging to Nader Mohammed Mahmoud Faraj Allah under the pretext of having no license, and he was not allowed to vacate his belongings. Israeli forces also confiscated a 410 Mercedes car loaded with pieces of steel.
On the same day, Israeli forces bulldozed a 40-square meter house comprised of a room, kitchen and bathroom belonging to Ashraf Mohammed Yousif al-Batran in al-Ra’s neighborhood, west of the village, and a 160-squre-meter tin barrack under the pretext of unlicensed construction.
On 23 November 2013, a group of settlers, under heavy guard of Israeli forces, attacked members of ‘Awad Faily and number of Israeli solidarity activists from “Co-existence” and “Yashin Dove” movements, while heading to Qweiwes area, east of Yatta, south of Hebron. As a result, some of them sustained bruises, and 5 of them, including 3 children, were abducted.
On the same day, a large group of settlers from “Beit Eil” settlement, north of al-Birah, threw stones at Palestinian cars. Israeli soldiers then intervened to control settlers and evacuate them from the aforementioned area. Neither injuries nor vehicle damages were reported.
On 24 November 2013, residents of Borqin village, west of Salfit, found out that a group of settlers from “Brokhin” settlement, chopped down 10 olive trees belonging to ‘Abdullah Mohammed ‘Othman Sheikh ‘Omer (65) in Baqdounis Valley area, north of the aforementioned village.
On 25 November 2013, , a group of settlers from “Givat Ranim” outpost extended from “Brakha” settlement, northeast of Bourin village, south of Nablus, attacked a house belonging to the family of Ghassan Mustafa ‘Emran, at which they threw stones and a Molotov cocktail.
On the same day, Israeli forces confiscated 120 square meters of construction bricks of al-Dirat village, northeast of Yata, south of Hebron, under the pretext of building a mosque without a construction permit.
On 26 November 2013, around 30 settlers from “Nokadim” settlement, east of Taqou’a village, southeast of Bethlehem, and “Tekwa’a” settlement, northeast of the aforementioned village, chopped down around 200 olive trees aged between 30 to 60 years under the Israeli forces’ protection.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
Israeli forces have continued to use excessive force against peaceful protesters in the West Bank. 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded in protests in Bil'in village, west of Ramallah, and Kofur Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilia. 5 civilians, including 2 children, were wounded in al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah.
Moreover, Israeli forces continued the systematic use of excessive force against peaceful protests organised by Palestinian, Israeli and international activists against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, 3 civilians, including a child, were wounded.
Two of the civilians were wounded during a protest in Kofur Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilia, while the third was wounded during a protest in Bil'in village, west of Ramallah.
Following the Friday Prayer, 22 November 2013, 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 morning to prevent the 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 in olive fields.
As a result, an 18-year-old civilian was wounded by a bullet to the back. Moreover, dozens of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises due to being beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
On the same day, dozens of Palestinian civilians organised a peaceful demonstration in the middle 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 passing to the land behind it before they responded by throwing stones.
As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and bruises.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities, in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. Demonstrators took the streets raising the Palestinian flags and chanting slogans against the occupation and in support of the Palestinian unity, and they then 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 morning to prevent the Palestinian and international activists and journalists from participating in the demonstration. When they arrived at the land, the 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, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises due to being beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
Following the Friday prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in Ma’sara 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 in attempt to disperse them and prevented the demonstrators from reaching the annexation wall.
A number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.
At approximately 12:30 on the same day, Palestinian civilians and international activists 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. Clashes erupted between the demonstrators and Israeli forces that fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters to prevent them from reaching the aforementioned gate.
As a result, 2 civilians, including a child, were wounded. The 17-year-old civilian was hit by a gas canister to the back and the 20-year-old civilian was hit by a gas canister to the belly.
Recommendations to the international community:
Due to the number and severity of Israeli human rights violations this week, the PCHR made several recommendations to the international community. Among these were a recommendation that the UN General Assembly and Human Rights Council 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.
In addition, the PCHR calls upon the international community, in light of its failure to the stop the aggression on the Palestinian people, to at least fulfill its obligation to reconstruct the Gaza Strip after the series of hostilities launched by Israel which directed targeted the civilian infrastructure
For the full text of the report, click on the link
26 nov 2013
Haverford College sponsored a leg of the fundraising tour for Anarchists Against the Wall on Nov. 24, 2013
Anarchists Against the Wall, an organization that attacks not only the “Occupation,” but Israel’s very existence, held an event at Haverford College on Sunday, Nov. 24, called “The Soldier and the Refusenik". He said that Israel uses the “West Bank” and Gaza as its own private lab where it experiments on Palestinian Arabs and then sells the weapons it perfects to the “worst dictators in the world, including the United States”.
Israeli soldiers kidnap young Arab children from their homes in the middle of the night. The Israelis then hold those children in military detention centers for one to three days, during which time the children aren’t given any water or allowed to see their parents or a lawyer. The Israelis then coerce the children into lying and saying that certain Arab leaders told the children to throw stones at Israeli soldiers. The Israeli soldiers then release the children and arrest the Arab leaders, one of sponsored speakers said.
They also noted that Israeli soldiers pretend to be Arabs and join the “peaceful, non-violent Palestinian Arab demonstrations.” The soldiers pretending to be Arabs then throw stones at the Israelis, which unleashes the “hundreds of IMF soldiers” with guns and tear gas canisters who were waiting for the legitimacy provided by the undercover IMF to attack the non-violent Arab protesters.
The speakers explained that those underhanded strategies of entrapment and undercover work are essential, because “the IMF can’t have Ghandi types undermining our Occupation." The speakers described the Arab Palestinian leadership who are getting arrested as “Ghandi types.”
Anarchists Against the Wall, an organization that attacks not only the “Occupation,” but Israel’s very existence, held an event at Haverford College on Sunday, Nov. 24, called “The Soldier and the Refusenik". He said that Israel uses the “West Bank” and Gaza as its own private lab where it experiments on Palestinian Arabs and then sells the weapons it perfects to the “worst dictators in the world, including the United States”.
Israeli soldiers kidnap young Arab children from their homes in the middle of the night. The Israelis then hold those children in military detention centers for one to three days, during which time the children aren’t given any water or allowed to see their parents or a lawyer. The Israelis then coerce the children into lying and saying that certain Arab leaders told the children to throw stones at Israeli soldiers. The Israeli soldiers then release the children and arrest the Arab leaders, one of sponsored speakers said.
They also noted that Israeli soldiers pretend to be Arabs and join the “peaceful, non-violent Palestinian Arab demonstrations.” The soldiers pretending to be Arabs then throw stones at the Israelis, which unleashes the “hundreds of IMF soldiers” with guns and tear gas canisters who were waiting for the legitimacy provided by the undercover IMF to attack the non-violent Arab protesters.
The speakers explained that those underhanded strategies of entrapment and undercover work are essential, because “the IMF can’t have Ghandi types undermining our Occupation." The speakers described the Arab Palestinian leadership who are getting arrested as “Ghandi types.”
The report of Euro-Mid Observer for Human Rights, on the European mercenaries serving in the ranks of the occupation army, will reveal the involvement of European criminal gangs in Jewish settlers' attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank. According to the Euro-Mid Observer, Israeli private institutions have been giving European youths, who have extremist inclinations, many privileges to encourage them to join campaigns to support the settlers' operations in the West Bank, which have seen a remarkable increase in recent times, according to reports by the Israeli security services.
It pointed out that the extremist rabbis are playing a pivotal role in the recruitment of members of European gang, especially those with military experience, through the French Jewish Association that offers to these individuals financial compensation for the services they provide to the settlers in their attacks against unarmed Palestinian civilians.
According to a comprehensive report the Euro-Mid Observer is working on; a number of organizations directly related to Jewish and Christian rightist groups in Europe have organized projects and campaigns in Europe to call on Europeans to join and support the Israeli army in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
It pointed out that the extremist rabbis are playing a pivotal role in the recruitment of members of European gang, especially those with military experience, through the French Jewish Association that offers to these individuals financial compensation for the services they provide to the settlers in their attacks against unarmed Palestinian civilians.
According to a comprehensive report the Euro-Mid Observer is working on; a number of organizations directly related to Jewish and Christian rightist groups in Europe have organized projects and campaigns in Europe to call on Europeans to join and support the Israeli army in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
24 nov 2013
A European human rights report revealed that hundreds of European mercenaries, who volunteer for military service in the ranks of the Israeli occupation army, participated in the killing of Palestinian civilians, especially in the Gaza Strip. According to a comprehensive report the Euro-Mid Observer is working on; a number of organizations directly related to Jewish and Christian rightist groups in Europe have organized projects and campaigns in Europe to call on the Europeans to join the Israeli occupation army in the Palestinian territories and to join the campaigns of supporting the settlers' operations against the Palestinians in the West Bank.
Information from the report said that one of these organizations working on recruiting European youths to fight in the ranks of the Israeli army, called Mahal, has an office in London and works on guiding foreigners to join the Israeli army through organizing information and awareness campaigns in European countries.
Thousands of volunteers from about 40 countries, mostly from Europe joined the Israeli army.
The report, to be published later by the Euro-Mediterranean Observer, said that the organization is targeting youth groups, males under the age of 24 and females under 21, through instructive programs that extend for 18 months.
Information from the report said that one of these organizations working on recruiting European youths to fight in the ranks of the Israeli army, called Mahal, has an office in London and works on guiding foreigners to join the Israeli army through organizing information and awareness campaigns in European countries.
Thousands of volunteers from about 40 countries, mostly from Europe joined the Israeli army.
The report, to be published later by the Euro-Mediterranean Observer, said that the organization is targeting youth groups, males under the age of 24 and females under 21, through instructive programs that extend for 18 months.
22 nov 2013
Palestinian home burned by Israeli settlers
In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory for the week of 14- 20 November 2013, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that Israeli forces launched 8 air strikes on the Gaza Strip. 3,500 chicks and 15 sheep died in Israeli raids on poultry and sheep farms in Khan Younis.
Israeli forces have continued to open fire at the border areas in the Gaza Strip, but no casualties were reported. 8 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children, were wounded in the southeast of Nablus. And 7 Palestinian civilians were wounded in protests in Kofur Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilia, and Bil'in village, west of Ramallah.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
Israeli forces conducted 56 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a limited one in the Gaza Strip.
At least 58 Palestinians, including 11 children and a mother of 2 children, were arrested.
Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank. At least 10 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, were arrested at checkpoints in the West Bank.
Israeli has continued efforts to create a Jewish demographic majority in occupied East Jerusalem. Israeli authorities approved the scheme of the (National Park) on the lands of al-Tour and al-'Eisawiya villages.
In an example of one of this week’s invasions, on November 14th, At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Mahmoud Abu Dawood (65) and stationed on top of the house. Mohammed and his family tried to prevented Israeli soldiers from going upstairs, but he and his family were attacked. Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs at the family and attacked them again in front of the house.
As a result, some of the family members sustained bruises and were taken to Hebron Hospital to receive medical treatment.
Mohammed Abu Dawood (65) said to PCHR's fieldworker:
"At approximately 14:15 on Friday, 15 November 2013, I was on the third floor of my 3-storey house. I heard violent knocking on the door leading to the roof. I went downstairs to the door and found 4 Israeli soldiers, including an officer who hit the door with his gun. I realized that the main door of the house was open. I asked them what they were doing. One of them asked me to give them the key, but I refused because a few day earlier some Israeli soldiers went up to the roof and damaged the solar power boards.
The officer hit the door again, so I shouted asking them to stop, but in vain. My sons Yusef (25), Ibrahim (25), daughter Amani (20) and my two wives Nazmiya (58) and Zainab (60) came. A quarrel erupted between me and the soldiers. Ibrahim stood in the middle to prevent them from attacking me.
A soldier held a sound bomb and hit it on Ibrahim's head and then threw it towards Yusef, whose head was injured. Ibrahim got away, as he was bleeding. In the meantime, I stepped back, but a soldier who was one step higher than me, so he strongly kicked me in the left side of my chest. Yusef carried me to a close balcony as I suffered difficulty in breathing. I heard him calling out relatives downstairs to bring an ambulance.
After a while, my sons took me outdoor waiting for the ambulance. There were Israeli soldiers out there, in addition to my brother Ibrahim (50) and his sons. My two wives and daughters stayed inside and closed the door. The Israeli soldiers approached and started hitting the door with their gun butts. I tried to prevent them from doing so, but a soldier broke the glass of the door.
My nephew Mohammed came to get me away fearing that I would be attacked again, but 2 soldiers pulled him back, pushed him to the ground and attacked him. My sons and brother came to help him. In the meanwhile, a soldier stood on the door's step, held his gun crosswise and jumped over them. They all fell to the ground. The soldiers took each one of them and attacked him individually. Once an ambulance of the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) arrived, the Israeli soldiers left. I was taken with 3 members of my family to Hebron Hospital.
Following medical check-up, it was found that I had a fracture in my rib cage, my son Ibrahim sustained a wound in the left side of his head, my nephew Fadi sustained a fracture in the nose and my son Ahmed sustained bruises in the belly. A few minutes later, my brother Ibrahim and my son Yusef arrived were also admitted to the hospital. My brother sustained a fracture in his left hand and my son Yusef had pain in his left side of his head.
Half an hour later, my wife Nazmiya was admitted to the hospital. She had pain in the chest. I learnt later that Israeli soldiers had pushed her while going downstairs. We left the hospital in the evening."
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
Israel has continued to impose a total closure and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
A patient from Rafah was arrested at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip.
Israeli navy forces have continued targeting Palestinian fishermen in the sea.
Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats, arrested fishermen and confiscated fishing boats. Israeli gunboats stationed in the sea opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats twice. The first attack took place on 16 November 2013, but neither casualties nor material damage were reported. On 17 November 2013, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha Resort shore, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at the Palestinian fishing boats sailing nearly 1.5 nautical miles in the sea.
An Israeli gunboat surrounded a boat boarding 2 fishermen; ‘Ammar As’ad ‘Abdel Malek al-Sultan (21) and Muhsin Akram Diab Zayed (24) from al-Salatin neighbourhood in Beit Lahia. Israeli naval soldiers forced fishermen to jump into the water and swim towards the Israeli gunboat while the two fishermen were pulling 10 fishing nets, 1,000 meters long in total, from water. The two fishermen were terrified due to the continued firing at them.
The Israeli soldiers then confiscated their fishing boat and items and took the fishermen to Ashdod Port, where they were arrested and questioned. At Israeli forces released the two fishermen on the following day via Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing.
Israeli settlement activities:
Israeli forces have continued to support settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
Israeli forces erased 100 olive trees in Ya'bad village, southwest of Jenin.
Israeli settlers set fire to 2 vehicles in Fara'ta village, northeast of Qalqilia.
219 olive trees were uprooted and damaged in the northern and southern West Bank.
On Thursday morning, 14 November 2013, Israeli forces, backed with heavy military bulldozers, leveled farmlands, south of Ya’abod village near the main bypass road, which leads to “Movedtan” settlement established on Palestinian lands between Jenin and the northern villages of Tulakrm, southwest of Jenin.
On the same day, 4 Israeli settlers sneaked into a house belonging to the family of Khaled ‘Abdel Rahman Mahmoud Dar Khalil in Sanjal village, north of Ramallah. The settlers poured an incendiary material inside the house balcony, which was closed by glass, put it on fire, and wrote a slogan in Hebrew on the outside wall.
Also on the same day, a group of settlers, escorted by Israeli forces, raided one of the ancient archaeological areas, west of al-Samou’a village, south of Hebron, and perform religious rituals.
Also on the same day, a group of settlers from “Eddy ‘Aad” settlement, which is established on the east of Turmos’ayah lands, north of Ramallah, uprooted 75 seedlings in the al-Sabiha agricultural area, east of the village and 3 kilometers away from the aforementioned settlement.
On 15 November 2013, dozens of settlers, escorted by Israeli forces, obstructed the movement at the entrance of Beit Ummar village, and uprooted 75 seedlings in al-Sbihah agricultural area, east of the village.
On 17 November 2013, a number of settlers from “Afijal” settlement established on Palestinian lands, east of Yata, south of Hebron, cut 106 olive trees belonging to Mos’if family in Mo’in valley, east of Yata, with handsaws.
On 18 November 2013, Israeli forces confiscated 120 square meters of construction bricks of al-Dirat village, northeast of Yata, south of Hebron, under the pretext of building a mosque without a construction permit.
On the same day, civilians were surprised in Qasrah village, southeast of Nablus, with settlers uprooting 38 olive seedlings and tried to demolish an agricultural room belonging to ‘Ali ‘Abdel Hamid Hassan, but they could not.
On 19 November 2013, 3 settlers infiltrated from “Hafa Gel’ad” settlement to Fer’etah village, northeast of Qalqilya, and set a truck and vehicle belonging to Bahjat Mohammed Mahmoud Soliman, on fire.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
Following the Friday Prayer, 15 November 2013, 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. The demonstration was also organized to mark the 25th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the 9th anniversary of the death of the late President Yasser Arafat. 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 morning to prevent the 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 in olive fields.
As a result, a 17-year-old child was wounded by 3 bullets to the back, dozens suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises due to being beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
On the same day, dozens of Palestinian civilians organised a peaceful demonstration in the middle 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 passing to the land behind it before they responded by throwing stones.
As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and bruises due to being 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 protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities, in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. Demonstrators took 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 morning to prevent the Palestinian and international activists and journalists from participating in the demonstration. When they arrived at the land, the 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, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises due to being beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
Following the Friday prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in Ma’sara 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 in attempt to disperse them and prevented the demonstrators from reaching the annexation wall.
A number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.
At approximately 12:30 on the same day, Palestinian civilians and international activists 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. Clashes erupted between the demonstrators and Israeli forces that fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters to prevent them from reaching the aforementioned gate.
As a result, 6 civilians, including an 8-year-old boy, were wounded and others suffered tear gas inhalation.
Moreover, Israeli forces detained and questioned 4 children for an hour. The detained children were: Ahmed Abdul Salam Ishteiwi (6); Malek Hekmat Ishteiwi (7); Tareq Hekmat Ishtiwi (9); and Hosam Khaldoun Abu Khaled (8).
On Friday, 15 November 2013, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international activists gathered in Bethelehm to commemorate the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence at the intersection leading to "Bitar Elite" settlement. They closed the street and raised the Palestinian flags. Israeli forces and police arrived to the area and dispersed the demonstrators.
At approximately 15:00, on the same day, dozens of Palestinian children gathered at the entrance of Selwad village, northeast of Ramallah. They threw stones at a military fence around the village. Israeli forces stationed in the area fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the children. As a result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.
Israeli forces arrested 3 children: Majd Abdul Rahman Hamed (16); Abdullah Khaled Hammad (17); and Mohammed Ziad Hamed (14). The third child was released 2 hours following his arrest, while the other 2 ones were taken to Ofer detention facility, southwest of the city.
Majd's mother said to PCHR's fieldworker that she and her husband Abdullah Saleh had gone at approximately 23:30, on the same day, to "Benjamin" police station, as they received a phone call from an Israeli police officer named Morad, asking them to come to the police station and see their son's statement. The mother added: "When I went in, I saw my son Majd. He sustained wounds in his forehead and bruises around his eyes. His clothes were stained with blood, as he was beaten up."
Recommendations to the international community:
Due to the number and severity of Israeli human rights violations this week, the PCHR made several recommendations to the international community. Among these were a recommendation that the United Nations provide international protection to Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and to ensure the non-recurrence of aggression against the Occupied Palestinian Territories, especially the Gaza Strip
The 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 Occupied Palestinian Territories.
For the full text of the report, click on the link
In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory for the week of 14- 20 November 2013, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that Israeli forces launched 8 air strikes on the Gaza Strip. 3,500 chicks and 15 sheep died in Israeli raids on poultry and sheep farms in Khan Younis.
Israeli forces have continued to open fire at the border areas in the Gaza Strip, but no casualties were reported. 8 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children, were wounded in the southeast of Nablus. And 7 Palestinian civilians were wounded in protests in Kofur Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilia, and Bil'in village, west of Ramallah.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
Israeli forces conducted 56 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a limited one in the Gaza Strip.
At least 58 Palestinians, including 11 children and a mother of 2 children, were arrested.
Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank. At least 10 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, were arrested at checkpoints in the West Bank.
Israeli has continued efforts to create a Jewish demographic majority in occupied East Jerusalem. Israeli authorities approved the scheme of the (National Park) on the lands of al-Tour and al-'Eisawiya villages.
In an example of one of this week’s invasions, on November 14th, At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Mahmoud Abu Dawood (65) and stationed on top of the house. Mohammed and his family tried to prevented Israeli soldiers from going upstairs, but he and his family were attacked. Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs at the family and attacked them again in front of the house.
As a result, some of the family members sustained bruises and were taken to Hebron Hospital to receive medical treatment.
Mohammed Abu Dawood (65) said to PCHR's fieldworker:
"At approximately 14:15 on Friday, 15 November 2013, I was on the third floor of my 3-storey house. I heard violent knocking on the door leading to the roof. I went downstairs to the door and found 4 Israeli soldiers, including an officer who hit the door with his gun. I realized that the main door of the house was open. I asked them what they were doing. One of them asked me to give them the key, but I refused because a few day earlier some Israeli soldiers went up to the roof and damaged the solar power boards.
The officer hit the door again, so I shouted asking them to stop, but in vain. My sons Yusef (25), Ibrahim (25), daughter Amani (20) and my two wives Nazmiya (58) and Zainab (60) came. A quarrel erupted between me and the soldiers. Ibrahim stood in the middle to prevent them from attacking me.
A soldier held a sound bomb and hit it on Ibrahim's head and then threw it towards Yusef, whose head was injured. Ibrahim got away, as he was bleeding. In the meantime, I stepped back, but a soldier who was one step higher than me, so he strongly kicked me in the left side of my chest. Yusef carried me to a close balcony as I suffered difficulty in breathing. I heard him calling out relatives downstairs to bring an ambulance.
After a while, my sons took me outdoor waiting for the ambulance. There were Israeli soldiers out there, in addition to my brother Ibrahim (50) and his sons. My two wives and daughters stayed inside and closed the door. The Israeli soldiers approached and started hitting the door with their gun butts. I tried to prevent them from doing so, but a soldier broke the glass of the door.
My nephew Mohammed came to get me away fearing that I would be attacked again, but 2 soldiers pulled him back, pushed him to the ground and attacked him. My sons and brother came to help him. In the meanwhile, a soldier stood on the door's step, held his gun crosswise and jumped over them. They all fell to the ground. The soldiers took each one of them and attacked him individually. Once an ambulance of the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) arrived, the Israeli soldiers left. I was taken with 3 members of my family to Hebron Hospital.
Following medical check-up, it was found that I had a fracture in my rib cage, my son Ibrahim sustained a wound in the left side of his head, my nephew Fadi sustained a fracture in the nose and my son Ahmed sustained bruises in the belly. A few minutes later, my brother Ibrahim and my son Yusef arrived were also admitted to the hospital. My brother sustained a fracture in his left hand and my son Yusef had pain in his left side of his head.
Half an hour later, my wife Nazmiya was admitted to the hospital. She had pain in the chest. I learnt later that Israeli soldiers had pushed her while going downstairs. We left the hospital in the evening."
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
Israel has continued to impose a total closure and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
A patient from Rafah was arrested at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip.
Israeli navy forces have continued targeting Palestinian fishermen in the sea.
Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats, arrested fishermen and confiscated fishing boats. Israeli gunboats stationed in the sea opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats twice. The first attack took place on 16 November 2013, but neither casualties nor material damage were reported. On 17 November 2013, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha Resort shore, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at the Palestinian fishing boats sailing nearly 1.5 nautical miles in the sea.
An Israeli gunboat surrounded a boat boarding 2 fishermen; ‘Ammar As’ad ‘Abdel Malek al-Sultan (21) and Muhsin Akram Diab Zayed (24) from al-Salatin neighbourhood in Beit Lahia. Israeli naval soldiers forced fishermen to jump into the water and swim towards the Israeli gunboat while the two fishermen were pulling 10 fishing nets, 1,000 meters long in total, from water. The two fishermen were terrified due to the continued firing at them.
The Israeli soldiers then confiscated their fishing boat and items and took the fishermen to Ashdod Port, where they were arrested and questioned. At Israeli forces released the two fishermen on the following day via Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing.
Israeli settlement activities:
Israeli forces have continued to support settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
Israeli forces erased 100 olive trees in Ya'bad village, southwest of Jenin.
Israeli settlers set fire to 2 vehicles in Fara'ta village, northeast of Qalqilia.
219 olive trees were uprooted and damaged in the northern and southern West Bank.
On Thursday morning, 14 November 2013, Israeli forces, backed with heavy military bulldozers, leveled farmlands, south of Ya’abod village near the main bypass road, which leads to “Movedtan” settlement established on Palestinian lands between Jenin and the northern villages of Tulakrm, southwest of Jenin.
On the same day, 4 Israeli settlers sneaked into a house belonging to the family of Khaled ‘Abdel Rahman Mahmoud Dar Khalil in Sanjal village, north of Ramallah. The settlers poured an incendiary material inside the house balcony, which was closed by glass, put it on fire, and wrote a slogan in Hebrew on the outside wall.
Also on the same day, a group of settlers, escorted by Israeli forces, raided one of the ancient archaeological areas, west of al-Samou’a village, south of Hebron, and perform religious rituals.
Also on the same day, a group of settlers from “Eddy ‘Aad” settlement, which is established on the east of Turmos’ayah lands, north of Ramallah, uprooted 75 seedlings in the al-Sabiha agricultural area, east of the village and 3 kilometers away from the aforementioned settlement.
On 15 November 2013, dozens of settlers, escorted by Israeli forces, obstructed the movement at the entrance of Beit Ummar village, and uprooted 75 seedlings in al-Sbihah agricultural area, east of the village.
On 17 November 2013, a number of settlers from “Afijal” settlement established on Palestinian lands, east of Yata, south of Hebron, cut 106 olive trees belonging to Mos’if family in Mo’in valley, east of Yata, with handsaws.
On 18 November 2013, Israeli forces confiscated 120 square meters of construction bricks of al-Dirat village, northeast of Yata, south of Hebron, under the pretext of building a mosque without a construction permit.
On the same day, civilians were surprised in Qasrah village, southeast of Nablus, with settlers uprooting 38 olive seedlings and tried to demolish an agricultural room belonging to ‘Ali ‘Abdel Hamid Hassan, but they could not.
On 19 November 2013, 3 settlers infiltrated from “Hafa Gel’ad” settlement to Fer’etah village, northeast of Qalqilya, and set a truck and vehicle belonging to Bahjat Mohammed Mahmoud Soliman, on fire.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
Following the Friday Prayer, 15 November 2013, 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. The demonstration was also organized to mark the 25th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the 9th anniversary of the death of the late President Yasser Arafat. 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 morning to prevent the 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 in olive fields.
As a result, a 17-year-old child was wounded by 3 bullets to the back, dozens suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises due to being beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
On the same day, dozens of Palestinian civilians organised a peaceful demonstration in the middle 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 passing to the land behind it before they responded by throwing stones.
As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and bruises due to being 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 protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities, in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. Demonstrators took 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 morning to prevent the Palestinian and international activists and journalists from participating in the demonstration. When they arrived at the land, the 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, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises due to being beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
Following the Friday prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in Ma’sara 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 in attempt to disperse them and prevented the demonstrators from reaching the annexation wall.
A number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.
At approximately 12:30 on the same day, Palestinian civilians and international activists 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. Clashes erupted between the demonstrators and Israeli forces that fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters to prevent them from reaching the aforementioned gate.
As a result, 6 civilians, including an 8-year-old boy, were wounded and others suffered tear gas inhalation.
Moreover, Israeli forces detained and questioned 4 children for an hour. The detained children were: Ahmed Abdul Salam Ishteiwi (6); Malek Hekmat Ishteiwi (7); Tareq Hekmat Ishtiwi (9); and Hosam Khaldoun Abu Khaled (8).
On Friday, 15 November 2013, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international activists gathered in Bethelehm to commemorate the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence at the intersection leading to "Bitar Elite" settlement. They closed the street and raised the Palestinian flags. Israeli forces and police arrived to the area and dispersed the demonstrators.
At approximately 15:00, on the same day, dozens of Palestinian children gathered at the entrance of Selwad village, northeast of Ramallah. They threw stones at a military fence around the village. Israeli forces stationed in the area fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the children. As a result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.
Israeli forces arrested 3 children: Majd Abdul Rahman Hamed (16); Abdullah Khaled Hammad (17); and Mohammed Ziad Hamed (14). The third child was released 2 hours following his arrest, while the other 2 ones were taken to Ofer detention facility, southwest of the city.
Majd's mother said to PCHR's fieldworker that she and her husband Abdullah Saleh had gone at approximately 23:30, on the same day, to "Benjamin" police station, as they received a phone call from an Israeli police officer named Morad, asking them to come to the police station and see their son's statement. The mother added: "When I went in, I saw my son Majd. He sustained wounds in his forehead and bruises around his eyes. His clothes were stained with blood, as he was beaten up."
Recommendations to the international community:
Due to the number and severity of Israeli human rights violations this week, the PCHR made several recommendations to the international community. Among these were a recommendation that the United Nations provide international protection to Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and to ensure the non-recurrence of aggression against the Occupied Palestinian Territories, especially the Gaza Strip
The 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 Occupied Palestinian Territories.
For the full text of the report, click on the link
20 nov 2013
Medical and legal sources in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have reported that Israeli soldiers killed 33 Palestinians since the beginning of this year; 23, including four detainees, have been killed in the West Bank and 10 in the Gaza Strip.
Fatalities Among Political Prisoners
Back in January this year, a former political prisoner identified as Ashraf Abu Threi’, from Hebron in the southern part of the West Bank, died of serious injuries.
He was seriously injured after being shot by army fire nearly four months after he was released from an Israeli prison.
He died of his injuries after falling into a coma.
Ahrar added that three Palestinian detainees died this year due to torture, and the lack of adequate medical care and treatment.
Detainee Ashraf Abu Hamdiyya, 64 years of age from Hebron, passed away on April 2 at the Soroka Israeli Hospital shortly after he was hospitalized at an Israeli hospital.
He suffered with throat cancer and other cancers but was not sent to any specialized facility until his health condition became very serious.
In addition, detainee Arafat Jaradat, 30, also from Hebron, died on January 23 only a few days later he was taken prisoner, as he was extremely tortured during interrogation.
On November 4, detainee Hasan Abdul-Halim Toraby, 22 years of age, died at the Al-‘Affoula Israeli Hospital, after being denied essential medical treatment. He was merely moved to a hospital after a severe deterioration in his condition.
Palestinians Killed In The Gaza Strip
On January 11, Anwar Mohammad Al-Mamlouk, 18, was shot and killed by Israeli military fire east of the Jabalia refugee camp, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip. He was hunting birds when the soldiers shot him.
On January 14, soldiers shot and killed Mustafa Abu Jarad, 21, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, as he was working on his land.
On April 30, the Israeli Air Force fired missile into Gaza city killing a Palestinian fighter identified as Haitham Al-Mishal, 29, from the Shaty’ refugee camp, northwest of Gaza city.
He was assassinated when the army fired a missile at his motorcycle while driving in Gaza.
On August 10, the army opened fire at a number of Palestinians gathering east of the Al-Boreij refugee camp, in central Gaza, killing Hussein Awadallah, 30, from the Nuseirat refugee camp.
On August 30, Israeli soldiers shot and killed Hweishel Isamel Abu Hweishel, 36, as he tried to enter Israel illegally searching for work. He is rom the Al-Mighraba in central Gaza.
On October 31, Israeli soldiers invading Khan Younis in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, shot and killed four fighters of the Al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas.
They were identified as Rabee’ Khalil Baraka, 23, Bani Soheila town east of Khan Younis, Khaled Mohammad Abu Bakra, 35, Mohammad Hussein Daoud, 26, and Mohammad Issam Al-Qassas, 23, all of the Khan Younis refugee camp.
Palestinians Killed In The West Bank
On March 7, resident Mohammad Samih Asfour, 22, died due to serious injuries suffered two weeks earlier, during clashes with Israeli soldiers invading ‘Aboud village, west of Ramallah.
He was wounded on February 22 during a protest held in solidarity with hunger striking Palestinian detainees.
On March 12, soldiers shot and killed Mahmoud Adel Teety, 25, and injured several others as the army invaded the Al-Fawwar refugee camp, in Hebron.
On March 15, resident Moayyad Ghazawna, 35, from the Al-Ram town, north of Jerusalem, died of wounds suffered three weeks earlier after he was shot in the head by a high velocity gas bomb fired by an Israeli soldier.
On April 3, soldiers shot and killed two Palestinians identified as Ammar Nassar, 17, and Naji Al-Balbeesy, at the Ennab roadblock, near the northern West Bank city of Tulkarem.
On July 2, resident Mo’taz Sharawna, 19, was killed after being rammed by an Israeli jeep invading Doura town, near Hebron.
On August 20, soldiers killed Majd Lahlouh Abu Shahla, 21, from the Jenin refugee camp, killed during clashes that took place as dozens of Israeli soldiers invaded the Jenin refugee camp. Several Palestinians have been wounded.
On August 25, residents Robin Zayed, 32, and Jihad Aslan, 19, and Younis Jamal Jahjouh, 22, were shot and killed by live rounds fired by the Israeli soldiers, invading the Qalandia refugee camp, north of Jerusalem; dozens have been injured.
On August 31, Karim Abu Sbeih, 17, died of wounds suffered on August 20, after being shot by live ammunition fired by Israeli soldiers invading the Jenin refugee camp.
On September 18, soldiers shot and killed Islam Tubassy, 17, after breaking into his family’s house, and holding his ID card. His family said he was executed in cold blood.
On October 22, soldiers shot and killed Mohammad Waddah ‘Assy, 25, after surrounding him in a cave he took as a hideout. He clashed with the invading soldiers who fired hundreds of rounds of live ammunition and various grenades.
Several Palestinians have been wounded during clashes that took place after his death.
On October 31, Israeli soldiers invading a market near Qabatia town, south of Jenin, shot and killed resident Ahmad Tazaz’a, 20.
On November 7, Fuad al-Atrash, 23 years of age, was shot and killed by Israeli military fire at the Container Roadblock, northeast of the West Bank city of Bethlehem.
Also on November 7, soldiers stationed at the Za’tara roadblock, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, shot and killed Bashir Samer Hananeen, 28, after alleging he tried to attack soldiers in the area using a fireworks gun.
On November 8, soldiers shot and killed Bashir Hananin, 28, a college tutor; he was shot and killed by south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus.
On October 17, 2013, soldiers stationed at a military base close to the Qalandia terminal, north of occupied Jerusalem, shot and killed a Palestinian driving a bulldozer after he allegedly drove into the base to attack soldiers. His family denied the Israeli claims; he was identified as Younis Radayda, 30.
On October 22, resident Abdul-Hafith Tayyem, 76, died of serious injuries suffered after being hit by a speeding settler’s vehicle in the Al-Fondoq town, near the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia.
Head of the Ahrar Center Fuad Al-Khoffash said that the Israeli attacks and violations are ongoing, and that the army is still targeting Palestinian villagers, farmers and fishermen, in addition to targeting students, women, children and elderly in different parts of the occupied West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip.
Fatalities Among Political Prisoners
Back in January this year, a former political prisoner identified as Ashraf Abu Threi’, from Hebron in the southern part of the West Bank, died of serious injuries.
He was seriously injured after being shot by army fire nearly four months after he was released from an Israeli prison.
He died of his injuries after falling into a coma.
Ahrar added that three Palestinian detainees died this year due to torture, and the lack of adequate medical care and treatment.
Detainee Ashraf Abu Hamdiyya, 64 years of age from Hebron, passed away on April 2 at the Soroka Israeli Hospital shortly after he was hospitalized at an Israeli hospital.
He suffered with throat cancer and other cancers but was not sent to any specialized facility until his health condition became very serious.
In addition, detainee Arafat Jaradat, 30, also from Hebron, died on January 23 only a few days later he was taken prisoner, as he was extremely tortured during interrogation.
On November 4, detainee Hasan Abdul-Halim Toraby, 22 years of age, died at the Al-‘Affoula Israeli Hospital, after being denied essential medical treatment. He was merely moved to a hospital after a severe deterioration in his condition.
Palestinians Killed In The Gaza Strip
On January 11, Anwar Mohammad Al-Mamlouk, 18, was shot and killed by Israeli military fire east of the Jabalia refugee camp, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip. He was hunting birds when the soldiers shot him.
On January 14, soldiers shot and killed Mustafa Abu Jarad, 21, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, as he was working on his land.
On April 30, the Israeli Air Force fired missile into Gaza city killing a Palestinian fighter identified as Haitham Al-Mishal, 29, from the Shaty’ refugee camp, northwest of Gaza city.
He was assassinated when the army fired a missile at his motorcycle while driving in Gaza.
On August 10, the army opened fire at a number of Palestinians gathering east of the Al-Boreij refugee camp, in central Gaza, killing Hussein Awadallah, 30, from the Nuseirat refugee camp.
On August 30, Israeli soldiers shot and killed Hweishel Isamel Abu Hweishel, 36, as he tried to enter Israel illegally searching for work. He is rom the Al-Mighraba in central Gaza.
On October 31, Israeli soldiers invading Khan Younis in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, shot and killed four fighters of the Al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas.
They were identified as Rabee’ Khalil Baraka, 23, Bani Soheila town east of Khan Younis, Khaled Mohammad Abu Bakra, 35, Mohammad Hussein Daoud, 26, and Mohammad Issam Al-Qassas, 23, all of the Khan Younis refugee camp.
Palestinians Killed In The West Bank
On March 7, resident Mohammad Samih Asfour, 22, died due to serious injuries suffered two weeks earlier, during clashes with Israeli soldiers invading ‘Aboud village, west of Ramallah.
He was wounded on February 22 during a protest held in solidarity with hunger striking Palestinian detainees.
On March 12, soldiers shot and killed Mahmoud Adel Teety, 25, and injured several others as the army invaded the Al-Fawwar refugee camp, in Hebron.
On March 15, resident Moayyad Ghazawna, 35, from the Al-Ram town, north of Jerusalem, died of wounds suffered three weeks earlier after he was shot in the head by a high velocity gas bomb fired by an Israeli soldier.
On April 3, soldiers shot and killed two Palestinians identified as Ammar Nassar, 17, and Naji Al-Balbeesy, at the Ennab roadblock, near the northern West Bank city of Tulkarem.
On July 2, resident Mo’taz Sharawna, 19, was killed after being rammed by an Israeli jeep invading Doura town, near Hebron.
On August 20, soldiers killed Majd Lahlouh Abu Shahla, 21, from the Jenin refugee camp, killed during clashes that took place as dozens of Israeli soldiers invaded the Jenin refugee camp. Several Palestinians have been wounded.
On August 25, residents Robin Zayed, 32, and Jihad Aslan, 19, and Younis Jamal Jahjouh, 22, were shot and killed by live rounds fired by the Israeli soldiers, invading the Qalandia refugee camp, north of Jerusalem; dozens have been injured.
On August 31, Karim Abu Sbeih, 17, died of wounds suffered on August 20, after being shot by live ammunition fired by Israeli soldiers invading the Jenin refugee camp.
On September 18, soldiers shot and killed Islam Tubassy, 17, after breaking into his family’s house, and holding his ID card. His family said he was executed in cold blood.
On October 22, soldiers shot and killed Mohammad Waddah ‘Assy, 25, after surrounding him in a cave he took as a hideout. He clashed with the invading soldiers who fired hundreds of rounds of live ammunition and various grenades.
Several Palestinians have been wounded during clashes that took place after his death.
On October 31, Israeli soldiers invading a market near Qabatia town, south of Jenin, shot and killed resident Ahmad Tazaz’a, 20.
On November 7, Fuad al-Atrash, 23 years of age, was shot and killed by Israeli military fire at the Container Roadblock, northeast of the West Bank city of Bethlehem.
Also on November 7, soldiers stationed at the Za’tara roadblock, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, shot and killed Bashir Samer Hananeen, 28, after alleging he tried to attack soldiers in the area using a fireworks gun.
On November 8, soldiers shot and killed Bashir Hananin, 28, a college tutor; he was shot and killed by south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus.
On October 17, 2013, soldiers stationed at a military base close to the Qalandia terminal, north of occupied Jerusalem, shot and killed a Palestinian driving a bulldozer after he allegedly drove into the base to attack soldiers. His family denied the Israeli claims; he was identified as Younis Radayda, 30.
On October 22, resident Abdul-Hafith Tayyem, 76, died of serious injuries suffered after being hit by a speeding settler’s vehicle in the Al-Fondoq town, near the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia.
Head of the Ahrar Center Fuad Al-Khoffash said that the Israeli attacks and violations are ongoing, and that the army is still targeting Palestinian villagers, farmers and fishermen, in addition to targeting students, women, children and elderly in different parts of the occupied West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip.
18 nov 2013
Wadi Hilweh Information Center- Silwan monitored the Israeli violations against Jerusalemites in the month of October which witnessed several arrests of children and minors and unprecedented demolition processes in addition to distributing demolition orders to buildings, apartment and commercial establishments in the city of Jerusalem.
Arrests
Wadi Hilweh Information Center monitored the arrest of more than 75 Jerusalemites during last month; among them were 45 children in which 22 were from the town of Silwan and the rest from the old city and Esawyeh. The ages of the detainees ranged between (10-17) years and most of the arrests were executed in the early morning hours as the Israeli forces raided the homes of the children while they’re sleeping and arrested them without telling their parents the reasons of the arrest. The children were taken alone in the police cars and then transferred to the investigation centers. Most of them were released on conditions of open house arrest and financial bails; note that several children were charged of throwing stones over 100 days ago.
During last month, Aida Sidawi was arrested from in front of Al-Aqsa Mosque after she was assaulted and severely beaten. She was detained for 24 hours and was then released on condition of being isolated from Al-Aqsa.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center confirmed the illegality of arresting children –according to the International and Israeli laws- as they are being arrested in the early morning hours from their homes and without allowing their parents to accompany them in the police cars in addition to handcuffing, terrifying and assaulting them during the arrest.
The Center points out that limited clashes broke out between the children and Israeli forces in the city of Jerusalem and especially in Silwan during Al-Adha Eid because of the settlers’ provocative actions while the children were playing with their plastic guns as they followed them and prevented them from playing in the streets and alleys.
Demolition and distributing demolition orders
The last four days of October witnessed the demolition of buildings, residential rooms, barracks and commercial establishments; note that the municipality put the demolition processes and distributing demolition orders on hold during the beginning and the middle of the month because of the “Municipality elections and its advertisement” which was boycotted by most of the Jerusalemites. Few days after Nir Barakat was announced the Mayor of Jerusalem for a second term, the municipality crews continued their raids in the neighbourhoods of East Jerusalem in order to implement their plans and displace Jerusalemites from their homes.
The Jerusalem municipality bulldozers demolished a residential building for Hajj Amin Rushdi Shweiki in the neighbourhood of Al-Ashqaryeh in Beit Hanina north of Jerusalem. The building consisted of 3 floors and had been established for 10 years where 9 individuals lived (Hajj Amin, his wife and 7 children where the oldest is 27 years old and the youngest is 12).
The building was closed in February of 2005 by a decision from the municipality’s court and was reopened in April of 2006 and a building violation fee of 340 thousand NIS was imposed; note that the family has been paying the fee and they only owe 40 thousand NIS.
The Jerusalem municipality bulldozers demolished a residential building that belongs to Qirresh family in the neighbourhood of Beit Hanina. The building consisted of 3 floors where the first floor had 4 commercial stores and 3 apartments. A young man from the family of Abu Sara lives in one of the apartments, the owner of the building and his wife and four children live in another. The second floor has two apartments while the third is still under construction; note that they started building almost a year ago.
The Israeli bulldozers also demolished two rooms in the neighbourhood of Jabal Al-Mukabber that are owned by Hajj Bassam Shkeirat. Three people lived in the two rooms that have an area of 20 square meters. An 80-square meter barracks was also demolished; note that they were built 12 years ago.
The bulldozers also demolished four storages in Beit Hanina that are owned by Nu’man Maswadeh; note that he is going through the final licensing procedures.
Last month witnessed an unprecedented campaign of distributing demolition order for houses and residential buildings all over Jerusalem (Shu’fat refugee camp, Silwan, Beit Hanina, Al-Tur and Al-Sowaneh). The biggest campaign was in Shu’fat refugee camp and affected 200 residential buildings and storages where some of them have been established for 13 years and other are under construction; note that over 16 thousand people live in those buildings.
The Jerusalem municipality court ordered to demolish part of a building owned by the family of Siam located in the neighbourhood of Bi’er Ayoub in Silwan. The building consists of 5 floors where each is 120 square meters (3 bedrooms, a living room and facilities). He pointed out that the first two floors were built before the occupation of Jerusalem and the other three floors were built in 1995. Hammoudeh Siam, his wife and three children (oldest is 15 and youngest is 5) and Arwa Siam along with her six children (oldest is 23 and youngest is 12) live on the fourth floor. Daoud Siam, his wife and their six children (oldest is 19 and youngest is 8) live on the fifth floor. The demolition order targeted the third and fifth floors, while the fifth is at risk of being demolished and there is a court session scheduled in mid December.
Daoud explained that he submitted a request almost 20 years ago (in 1995) the Jerusalem municipality to obtain a license for the third and fourth floors. After completing all the necessary paperwork and procedures to obtain the license, the municipality conditioned to have a parking garage in the building and since the family were unable to do so, the municipality cancelled and denied their request; note that the municipality imposed building violation fees three times on Siam family where the total amount was more than 380 thousand NIS in addition to ordering the owner of the building to do “public service” for 4 months.
The Israeli government lately presented the scheme of “Giv’ati or Kedem parking” in the neighbourhood of Wadi Hilweh in Silwan for public objection, a step in the process of ratifying the project.
Raids
Last month witnessed the raiding of four houses in Silwan in addition to breaking into the neighbourhood of the African Community in the old city and assaulting the residents and spraying them with pepper gas in order to execute some arrests.
The Center also monitored several attacks for the group of “Price Tag”as they attacked the Latin Church in Silwan at the beginning of the month and damaged one gravestone in addition to writing racist slogans on its walla. They also slashe the tires of six cars and attacked a car dealership in Sheikh Jarrah by throwing big stones at the car parked inside. Four other settlers attacked four young men from the neighbourhood of Jabal Al-Mukabber while riding in “Egged” bus and hit them using pipes; the police arrested the four extremists.
Al-Aqsa Mosque…Raids and plans for dividing it
The violation against Al-Aqsa Mosque continued in the month of October when dozens of extremists and Rabbis broke into it on occasion of “ascend to the temple” where they performed their religious ritual in addition to raising the Israeli flag in front of the Dome of the Rock on Arafeh Day.
An Israeli plan to build a synagogue inside Al-Aqsa was revealed. It is a draft to divide Al-Aqsa in terms of time and location and to build a Jewish synagogue on one fifth of the total area of Al-Aqsa Mosque where individual and group Jewish prayers will be held in specific set times during the week and holidays.
The Israeli Religions Ministry also developed a law to allow Jews to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque for the first time since 1967 as the “Jewish Home” initiated this thought were Jews are allowed to go inside Al-Aqsa at certain times during the day.
Tags: Wadi Hilweh Information Center Monthly Report
Arrests
Wadi Hilweh Information Center monitored the arrest of more than 75 Jerusalemites during last month; among them were 45 children in which 22 were from the town of Silwan and the rest from the old city and Esawyeh. The ages of the detainees ranged between (10-17) years and most of the arrests were executed in the early morning hours as the Israeli forces raided the homes of the children while they’re sleeping and arrested them without telling their parents the reasons of the arrest. The children were taken alone in the police cars and then transferred to the investigation centers. Most of them were released on conditions of open house arrest and financial bails; note that several children were charged of throwing stones over 100 days ago.
During last month, Aida Sidawi was arrested from in front of Al-Aqsa Mosque after she was assaulted and severely beaten. She was detained for 24 hours and was then released on condition of being isolated from Al-Aqsa.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center confirmed the illegality of arresting children –according to the International and Israeli laws- as they are being arrested in the early morning hours from their homes and without allowing their parents to accompany them in the police cars in addition to handcuffing, terrifying and assaulting them during the arrest.
The Center points out that limited clashes broke out between the children and Israeli forces in the city of Jerusalem and especially in Silwan during Al-Adha Eid because of the settlers’ provocative actions while the children were playing with their plastic guns as they followed them and prevented them from playing in the streets and alleys.
Demolition and distributing demolition orders
The last four days of October witnessed the demolition of buildings, residential rooms, barracks and commercial establishments; note that the municipality put the demolition processes and distributing demolition orders on hold during the beginning and the middle of the month because of the “Municipality elections and its advertisement” which was boycotted by most of the Jerusalemites. Few days after Nir Barakat was announced the Mayor of Jerusalem for a second term, the municipality crews continued their raids in the neighbourhoods of East Jerusalem in order to implement their plans and displace Jerusalemites from their homes.
The Jerusalem municipality bulldozers demolished a residential building for Hajj Amin Rushdi Shweiki in the neighbourhood of Al-Ashqaryeh in Beit Hanina north of Jerusalem. The building consisted of 3 floors and had been established for 10 years where 9 individuals lived (Hajj Amin, his wife and 7 children where the oldest is 27 years old and the youngest is 12).
The building was closed in February of 2005 by a decision from the municipality’s court and was reopened in April of 2006 and a building violation fee of 340 thousand NIS was imposed; note that the family has been paying the fee and they only owe 40 thousand NIS.
The Jerusalem municipality bulldozers demolished a residential building that belongs to Qirresh family in the neighbourhood of Beit Hanina. The building consisted of 3 floors where the first floor had 4 commercial stores and 3 apartments. A young man from the family of Abu Sara lives in one of the apartments, the owner of the building and his wife and four children live in another. The second floor has two apartments while the third is still under construction; note that they started building almost a year ago.
The Israeli bulldozers also demolished two rooms in the neighbourhood of Jabal Al-Mukabber that are owned by Hajj Bassam Shkeirat. Three people lived in the two rooms that have an area of 20 square meters. An 80-square meter barracks was also demolished; note that they were built 12 years ago.
The bulldozers also demolished four storages in Beit Hanina that are owned by Nu’man Maswadeh; note that he is going through the final licensing procedures.
Last month witnessed an unprecedented campaign of distributing demolition order for houses and residential buildings all over Jerusalem (Shu’fat refugee camp, Silwan, Beit Hanina, Al-Tur and Al-Sowaneh). The biggest campaign was in Shu’fat refugee camp and affected 200 residential buildings and storages where some of them have been established for 13 years and other are under construction; note that over 16 thousand people live in those buildings.
The Jerusalem municipality court ordered to demolish part of a building owned by the family of Siam located in the neighbourhood of Bi’er Ayoub in Silwan. The building consists of 5 floors where each is 120 square meters (3 bedrooms, a living room and facilities). He pointed out that the first two floors were built before the occupation of Jerusalem and the other three floors were built in 1995. Hammoudeh Siam, his wife and three children (oldest is 15 and youngest is 5) and Arwa Siam along with her six children (oldest is 23 and youngest is 12) live on the fourth floor. Daoud Siam, his wife and their six children (oldest is 19 and youngest is 8) live on the fifth floor. The demolition order targeted the third and fifth floors, while the fifth is at risk of being demolished and there is a court session scheduled in mid December.
Daoud explained that he submitted a request almost 20 years ago (in 1995) the Jerusalem municipality to obtain a license for the third and fourth floors. After completing all the necessary paperwork and procedures to obtain the license, the municipality conditioned to have a parking garage in the building and since the family were unable to do so, the municipality cancelled and denied their request; note that the municipality imposed building violation fees three times on Siam family where the total amount was more than 380 thousand NIS in addition to ordering the owner of the building to do “public service” for 4 months.
The Israeli government lately presented the scheme of “Giv’ati or Kedem parking” in the neighbourhood of Wadi Hilweh in Silwan for public objection, a step in the process of ratifying the project.
Raids
Last month witnessed the raiding of four houses in Silwan in addition to breaking into the neighbourhood of the African Community in the old city and assaulting the residents and spraying them with pepper gas in order to execute some arrests.
The Center also monitored several attacks for the group of “Price Tag”as they attacked the Latin Church in Silwan at the beginning of the month and damaged one gravestone in addition to writing racist slogans on its walla. They also slashe the tires of six cars and attacked a car dealership in Sheikh Jarrah by throwing big stones at the car parked inside. Four other settlers attacked four young men from the neighbourhood of Jabal Al-Mukabber while riding in “Egged” bus and hit them using pipes; the police arrested the four extremists.
Al-Aqsa Mosque…Raids and plans for dividing it
The violation against Al-Aqsa Mosque continued in the month of October when dozens of extremists and Rabbis broke into it on occasion of “ascend to the temple” where they performed their religious ritual in addition to raising the Israeli flag in front of the Dome of the Rock on Arafeh Day.
An Israeli plan to build a synagogue inside Al-Aqsa was revealed. It is a draft to divide Al-Aqsa in terms of time and location and to build a Jewish synagogue on one fifth of the total area of Al-Aqsa Mosque where individual and group Jewish prayers will be held in specific set times during the week and holidays.
The Israeli Religions Ministry also developed a law to allow Jews to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque for the first time since 1967 as the “Jewish Home” initiated this thought were Jews are allowed to go inside Al-Aqsa at certain times during the day.
Tags: Wadi Hilweh Information Center Monthly Report
