PCHR
 Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

http://www.pchrgaza.org

Weekly Report: On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories

No. 48/2004

02  - 08 Dec.  2004

 

 

Israeli Troops Continue Attacks in the OPT

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

Introduction

Israeli occupying troops have launched more attacks against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT).  This week, 8 Palestinians were killed and a number of others were injured by Israeli troops.  Human rights violations perpetrated by Israeli occupying troops included willful killings, incursions into Palestinian areas, indiscriminate shelling, land leveling and total closure imposed on Palestinian communities.

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli troops killed 7 Palestinians.  They killed 2 members of the Palestinian resistance with missiles during an incursion into al-Shojaeya neighborhood in Gaza City on 7 December 2004.  The other five victims were killed by Israeli troops at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, on 8 December 2004, as they attempted to infiltrate through the border, apparently to smuggle weapons.  Israeli troops could have arrested the victims as they were unarmed.  Two other Palestinians were injured and arrested. 

This week, Israeli troops conducted 2 incursions into Palestinian areas in the Gaza Strip.  On 7 December 2004, Israeli troops moved into Gaza City.  They killed 2 members of the Palestinian resistance with missiles, injured 10 civilians, razed at least 30 donums of agricultural land and destroyed 4 bird farms.  On 5 December 2004, Israeli troops moved into al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis.  They razed at least 30 donums of agricultural land. 

In the West Bank, an undercover unit of Israeli troops extra-judicially killed a member of the Islamic Jihad in Jenin.  Israeli troops admitted responsibility for this attack, but claimed that the victim was holding a pistol and attempted to escape, so Israeli troops shot him dead.  Investigations conducted by PCHR indicate that Israeli troops arrested the victim and then killed him.  Israeli military sources claimed that the Israeli military decided to form an external committee to investigate the attack.  PCHR believes that similar few investigations conducted by the Israeli military were not serious and did not impose deterring punishments, so they encouraged Israeli troops to perpetrate more of such attacks.  This week, Israeli troops moved into various areas throughout the West Bank, injured a number of Palestinian civilians and arrested dozens of others.  In addition, they raided offices of a number of civil societies and confiscated some of their contents. 

Israeli troops have continued to construct the annexation wall inside the West Bank territory, especially around East Jerusalem.  They have continued to build cement walls near al-Quds University in Abu Dis village, east of the city.  Israeli military bulldozers continued to raze more areas of Palestinian agricultural land in Beit Oula village, northwest of Hebron.  On Sunday, 5 December 2004, Israeli troops used excessive force against hundreds of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli peace activists who organized a demonstration in Beit Oula village in protest to the construction of the wall.  They beat a number of demonstrators and a Palestinian journalist.   

Israeli troops have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and have imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem. 

Israeli troops have continued to impose a tightened siege on the Gaza Strip.  They have imposed severe restrictions on internal movement.  They have continued to isolate some areas since the beginning of the current Intifada, which has caused extreme suffering for the Palestinian civilian population.  They have also continued to close all border crossings of the Gaza Strip either partially or completely.  These measures violate the Palestinian economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights. 

In the West Bank, despite Israeli claims that Israeli troops would ease the siege imposed on Palestinian communities to facilitate the Palestinian presidential election, Israeli troops imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  They stopped, checked and humiliated Palestinian civilians while crossing military checkpoints throughout the West Bank.  They also established a new iron gate at the southern entrance of Tulkarm, thus making the town surrounded by iron gates from all directions.   

 

 

Shelling of, and Encroachment into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property

 

Thursday, 2 December 2004

At approximately 02:00, Israeli troops moved into Qalqilya.  They raided and searched offices of Qalqilya Handicapped Rehabilitation Society.  They confiscated some of the offices' contents and closed them.  According to the society's director, Nassim Mohammed al-Shanti, he was phoned by a person who introduced himself as an Israeli intelligence officer and asked him to go to the society's offices and open them or the doors would be blown up.  The director went to the offices and opened them.  Immediately, dozens of Israeli troops broke into the offices and searched them.  They confiscated 3 computer sets, a number of files, stereo cassettes and documents and an amount of money devoted for an orphan.  Then, Israeli troops closed the offices and informed the director that the society would be closed for 2 years according to an Israeli military order. 

At approximately 02:30, Israeli troops moved into Tulkarm and the neighboring villages of 'Allar and 'Attil.  They raided and searched a motel and a number of houses and arrested 19 Palestinians, including a man and his 3 sons; 4 brothers; 2 other brothers; and 5 college students. 

At approximately 05:00, an infantry unit of Israeli troops moved into al-Ma'ni neighborhood to the east of "Kfar Darom" settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah.  Israeli troops raided and searched a number of houses.  They forced residents of these houses to get out.  Then, they arrested and interrogated 17 Palestinian civilians.  These civilians were released at 14:30. 

 In the morning, Israeli troops positioned at 'Awarta commercial crossing, south of Nablus, opened fire at Palestinian porters, wounding 2:

1.     Ahmed 'Ali Qara'an, 20, from Balata refugee camp, wounded by a live bullet in the left foot; and

2.     Ahmed Mustafa al-Masri, 20, from Nablus, wounded by a live bullet in the right hand. 

 At approximately 16:30, Israeli troops positioned in a military post in Tal Zo'rob area in the southwest of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Zo'rob neighborhood.  A Palestinian child, 8-year-old Khalil Hisham Buraika, was injured by shrapnel in the head when he was near his house. 

 At approximately 17:10, Israeli troops positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Salam neighborhood near the border.  A Palestinian woman, Fathiya Mohammed al-Akhras, 52, was wounded by a live bullet in the right hand when she was inside her house. 

 

Friday, 3 December 2004

 At approximately 12:00, Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of "Morag" settlement, north of Rafah, opened fire at Musabbeh neighborhood.  A Palestinian woman, Raiqa Mansour Tabasi, 60, was wounded by a live bullet in the left shoulder when she was inside her house. 

 At approximately 18:30, Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of "Netzarim" settlement, south of Gaza City, opened fire at apartment buildings in al-Zahraa' town to the south.  A number of live bullets hit a flat owned by Mohammed Hassan al-Majdalawi on the fourth floor of building number 20.  Fire broke out in the flat and most of its furniture was destroyed. 

 

Saturday, 4 December 2004

 At approximately 18:00, Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the west of Rafah opened fire at Palestinian houses in Tal al-Sultan neighborhood to the east.  A Palestinian child, 15-year-old Nidal Mohammed Abu Hilal, was wounded by a live bullet in the left leg when he was near his house.

 In the evening, Israeli troops moved into Hebron.  They raided and searched offices of the Cultural Cooperation Society in the old town and confiscated some of its contents.  According to the society's director, Israeli troops forced the staff of the society and 15 children, who were in the offices, to get out.  Then, they searched the offices and confiscated dozens of photographs and paintings of the old town, and a number of documents and files. 

 At approximately 19:45, Israeli troops positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Salam neighborhood near the border.  A Palestinian civilian, 20-year-old Mohammed Mahmoud Abu Hassanain, was wounded by a live bullet in the buttocks when he was inside his house. 

 During the day, Israeli troops moved into al-Khader village near Bethlehem and Tulkarm.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 7 Palestinians, including 2 children. 

 

Sunday, 5 December 2004

 At approximately 08:00, Israeli troops, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved nearly 300 meters into Abu Zaher and al-Sumairi neighborhoods in al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis.  They raided Jaber Zayed al-'Emawi's 3-storey house and held its 12 residents in one room.  They searched the house and transformed it into a military post.  Then, they raided and searched a number of houses and forced their residents out.  During this incursion, which continued until 17:00, Israeli troops razed 30 donums of agricultural land planted with olives and destroyed a tin-made room and a number of irrigation networks belonging to the families of al-Sumairi, Abu Zaher and Sheikh Ahmed. 

 At noon, Israeli troops positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Brazil neighborhood near the border.  Two Palestinian civilians, including a schoolchild, were wounded:

1.     Mohammed 'Abdul Fattah Mansour, 11, wounded by shrapnel in the head; and

2.     'Abdul 'Aziz Farraj Abu Mour, 40, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the chest.

 Also at noon, Israeli troops positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at residential areas in the town.  A Palestinian physician, Mohammed 'Ata Hamed Hamad, 30, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the chest, when he was nearly 900 meters away from the border. 

 At approximately 14:30, Israeli troops positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Block J in Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the border.  A Palestinian child, 13-year-old Bustan Mufid Sha'at, was wounded by a live bullet in the left leg. 

 

Monday, 6 December 2004

 At approximately 13:30, Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of "Gadid" settlement, southwest of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Baten al-Samin area to the east.  A Palestinian child, 5-year-old Ahmed Mohammed al-Bashiti, was seriously wounded by a live bullet that entered the back and settled in the chest when he was on the roof of his house. 

 At approximately 20:00, Israeli troops moved into Beit Sahour town.  They surrounded Sameer al-Sahouri's house in the west of town.  They also opened fire at neighboring houses.  A Palestinian civilian, 21-year-old Nizar Faraj, was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the chest.  Israeli troops also arrested 3 Palestinians. 

 During the day, Israeli troops moved into Nablus; the villages of al-Khader and Taqqou' and Beit Sahour town near Bethlehem; and Hebron and the neighboring villages of Beit Kahel and Ethna.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 25 Palestinians, including 5 children. 

 

Tuesday, 7 December 2004

 At approximately 01:30, Israeli troops, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved dozens of meters forward to the east of al-Shojaeya neighborhood in Gaza City.  Under the cover of indiscriminate shelling, they started to search for members of 'Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas movement.  An exchange of fire erupted between the two sides.  Two members of 'Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades and one Israeli soldier were killed.  A few hours later, Israeli troops started to raze areas of Palestinian agricultural land.  A number of members of the Palestinian resistance clashed with Israeli troops, and an Israeli drone fired 2 missiles at them.  Two members of the resistance were killed:

1.     Isma'il Ahmed al-Sawarka, 24, from Jabalya refugee camp; and

2.     'Aamer 'Abdullah Esleem, 20, from al-Shojaeya neighborhood in Gaza City. 

 Two other members of the resistance were wounded.  Also as a result of the indiscriminate Israeli shelling, 10 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were wounded.  By 19:00, Israeli troops had razed at least 30 donums of agricultural land planted with olives and wheat and destroyed 4 bird farms owned by the Helles family. 

 At approximately 02:00, Israeli troops moved into Bani Na'im village, east of Hebron.  They raided and searched offices in the Islamic Charitable Society and its orphan house and school.  They confiscated a number of files and computer sets, and closed 3 offices according to an Israeli military order until March 2005. 

 At approximately 09:40, Israeli troops positioned near Salah al-Dain Gate on the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at residential areas in the town. A Palestinian civilian, 25-year-old Sa'id Yousef al-Najjar, was seriously wounded by 2 live bullets in the pelvis. 

 At approximately 10:10, Israeli troops positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Brazil neighborhood, adjacent to the border.  A Palestinian civilian, 25-year-old Mohammed 'Abdul Karim Qeshta, was wounded by a live bullet in the left knee as he was on duty as a traffic man. 

 At approximately 14:30, Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of "Neve Dekalim" settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Nimsawi neighborhood and Khan Yunis refugee camp.  A number of live bullets hit the buildings of Nasser Hospital, nearly 700 meters away from the source of fire.  A Palestinian woman, 50-year-old Fatema Khamis 'Ennaba, was injured by shrapnel from a live bullet in the left shoulder. 

 During the day, Israeli troops moved into Hebron and the neighboring Beit 'Awa village; Taqqou' village near Bethlehem; Qalqilya and the neighboring villages of Jayous and 'Azzoun; Zabbouba village near Jenin; and Balata refugee camp near Nablus.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 20 Palestinians, including 10 children and 2 brothers. 

 

Wednesday, 8 December 2004

 At approximately 02:00, Israeli troops moved into Hebron.  They raided and searched offices of Prisoners' Supporters Society.  The confiscated a computer set and a number of files. 

 At approximately 17:00, Israeli troops on a tank positioned near "Morag" settlement, south of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Gizan al-Najjar area to the north.  A Palestinian civilian, 20-year-old Mohammed Hassan al-Najjar, was wounded by a live bullet in the neck. 

 Also at approximately 17:00, Israeli troops positioned near Rafah Terminal on the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, fired a number of artillery shells an live bullets at a number of young men who were attempting to infiltrate through the border near al-Salam neighborhood.  A number of these young men were killed and 2 others were arrested.  At approximately 21:00, Israeli troops informed the Palestinian liaison that a number of bodies were in the area.  Immediately, a Palestinian ambulance moved towards the area and found 3 bodies.  The victims were identified as:

1.     Eyad Suleiman Ghayad, 20;

2.     Walid Mosa'ed al-Tarabin, 24; and

3.     Rashad Ibrahim Abu Sunaima, 23. 

 According to medical sources, the victims were hit by shrapnel and live bullets throughout the body.  At approximately 02:00 on Thursday, 9 December 2004, the local hospital of Rafah was informed that a fourth body was in the area.  An ambulance traveled to the area and transferred the body.  The victim was identified as 'Abdul 'Aati Salama Abu Suhaiban, 20, who was hit by several live bullets to the abdomen, the chest and the buttocks.  Later, the Israeli radio quoted an Israeli military spokesman as claiming that Israeli troops killed 4 Palestinians near the Egyptian border and arrested 2 others, one of whom died at an Israeli hospital.  The fifth victim had not been so far identified. 

 During the hours of the day, Israeli troops moved into Bourqin village near Jenin, and the villages Qarawat Bani Zaid and Beit Reema near Ramallah.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 8 Palestinians, including a girl, 2 children and 2 brothers. 

 

Extra-Judicial Killing

In a continuation of the policy of extra-judicial killing officially adopted by the Israeli political and military establishments, on Friday morning, 3 December 2004, an undercover unit of Israeli troops, whose members disguised as Palestinian civilians, extra-judicially killed a member of al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad, in Jenin.  Israeli troops admitted responsibility for this attack, but claimed that the victim was holding a pistol and attempted to escape, so Israeli troops shot him dead.  They did not mention whether the victim fired at Israeli troops.  Investigations conducted by PCHR indicate that Israeli troops arrested the victim and then killed him. 

 According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 04:00 on Friday, 3 December 2004, an undercover unit of Israeli troops moved into Raba village, northeast of Jenin.  Members of the unit surrounded Tayel Mohammed Bazour.  Soon, more Israeli troops were brought to the area.  Israeli troops called through megaphones on residents of the house to get out with their hand up.  When the residents of the house got out, Israeli troops interrogated them whether wanted Palestinians were inside the house and the residents negated this.  In the meantime, Mahmoud 'Abdul Rahman Hamdan Kumayel, 28, attempted to escape from the house, but Israeli troops fired at him.  He was wounded by 2 live bullets in the legs.  A number of Israeli troops moved towards him and checked him.  They found that he had a pistol.  An Israeli soldier pointed his gun at Kumayel, who begged him not to fire, but the soldier fired 3 live bullets at him from a very close range.  He was instantly killed as the bullets hit him to the head and the abdomen. 

 Later, Israeli military sources claimed that the Israeli military decided to form an external committee to investigate the attack.  The Israeli military spokesman claimed that "according to initial investigation, there was a deficiency in the performance of the unit, so Head of the Central Command decided to form an investigation committee to be headed by Brigadier Ya'ir Golan, and the unit was dismissed from any military activities pending the conclusion of the investigation."  PCHR believes that similar few investigations conducted by the Israeli military were not serious and did not impose deterring punishments, so they encouraged Israeli troops to perpetrate more of such attacks. 

          

Continued Siege on the OPT

This week, Israeli troops have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem. 

 

Gaza Strip

Israeli troops have continued to impose a tighten siege on the Gaza Strip.  They have imposed severe restrictions on internal movement.  They have continued to isolate some areas since the beginning of the current Intifada, which has caused extreme suffering for the Palestinian civilian population.  They have also continued to close all border crossings of the Gaza Strip either partially or completely.  These measures violate the Palestinian economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights. 

 Israeli troops positioned at al-Matahen and Abu Houli checkpoints on Salah al-Din Street (the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip) imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  The two checkpoints are opened between 06:00 and 20:00 everyday.  On Saturday morning, 4 December 2004, Israeli troops held and searched a number of Palestinian vehicles between the two checkpoints.  The same happened on Monday and Tuesday also.  They interrogated a number of Palestinian civilians. 

 Israeli troops have continued to impose a strict siege on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip.  They have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of 8000 Palestinian civilians living in the area to and from the area, which have caused extreme suffering for these civilians.  On Friday, 3 December 2004, Israeli troops closed Tuffah checkpoint, the sole outlet of the area, in the face of Palestinian civilians wishing to enter the area.  On the following days, dozens of civilians waited at the checkpoint to be allowed to go back home in the area, but Israeli troops fired at them.  At approximately 11:20 on Sunday, 5 December 2004, Israeli troops fired at dozens of civilians who were waiting at the checkpoint.  One civilian, Tala'at 'Abed Abu Shallouf, 33, from Rafah, was injured by shrapnel from a live bullet in the back.  Israeli troops and settlers also attacked Palestinian agricultural property in the area.  With regard to education, 1430 schoolchildren study at one school in the area, which lacks electricity and water.  The school also lacks teachers of a number of subjects, such as mathematics, physics and chemistry.  Only one teacher from outside the area is allowed to teach at this school, and he is prevented sometimes from entering the area.  As a result of such conditions, the school was forces to cancel the scientific section, so students who wish to study science have to go to Khan Yunis.  Israeli troops have continued to prevent female Palestinians whose ages are between 16 and 25, and male ones whose ages are between 16 and 30 from crossing al-Tuffah checkpoint when it is open, without prior coordination.  Tal al-Sultan checkpoint at the entrance of al-Mawasi area in Rafah has been closed for more than one year and entry into the area has been limited to al-Tuffah checkpoint in Khan Yunis. 

 Israeli troops have also continued to impose a tightened siege on al-Sayafa area in the northern Gaza Strip.  Israeli troops continue to control the only gate in and out of the area.  They allow only 4-5 people to pass through each day to buy basic provisions.  These people are only allowed to pass through at certain specified hours and they are subject to humiliation and degrading treatment during the security check process.

 In the same context, Israeli troops have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians living in al-Ma’ni area near “Kfar Darom” settlement in the central Gaza Strip.  At approximately 05:00, an infantry unit of Israeli troops moved into the area.  They raided and searched a number of houses.  They forced residents of these houses to get out.  Then, they arrested and interrogated 17 Palestinian civilians.  These civilians were released at 14:30. 

 Israeli troops have continued to close Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip for the 4th consecutive month. They only allow patients to travel through the crossing, but under severe conditions and following coordination.  On 7 December 2004, Israeli troops allowed 65 Palestinian workers to travel to their work places in Israel through the crossing, but under new conditions.  Although Israeli troops have partially operated al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing to the east of Gaza City, they have imposed severe restrictions on the flow of goods through the two crossings.  As a result, the Palestinian market has lacked several basic goods.  Israeli troops partially opened Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah, and allowed the entry of construction raw materials, but the crossing has remained closed in the face of Palestinian workers for the 3rd consecutive month.   

 Israeli troops have continued to impose severe restrictions on the travel of Palestinian civilians through Rafah Terminal on the Egyptian border, which have sharply decreased the number of travelers.  Israeli troops often closed the terminal under security claims. The number of Palestinians allowed to travel through the terminal daily is very limited. 

 

The West Bank

 Israeli troops have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities.  They have also imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. 

 

Ramallah

 Israeli troops imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  According to eyewitnesses, on Saturday morning, 4 December 2004, Israeli troops erected a number of temporary checkpoints near Palestinian villages located to the west of the town, and forced many Palestinian civilians to wait for long hours.  Israeli troops also reinforced their presence at 'Atara Bridge checkpoint at the northern entrance to Bir Zeit village, north of Ramallah, which serves as an outlet for the town to other Palestinian communities in the West Bank. 

 

Bethlehem

 On Saturday morning, 4 December 2004, Israeli troops closed the entrances to al-Khader village, south of the town.  According to eyewitnesses, Israeli troops erected a number of checkpoints on the main road leading to the village and prevented hundreds of Palestinian civilians from traveling to Bethlehem.

 

Nablus

 Israeli troops imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  On Saturday, 4 December 2004, Israeli troops positioned at Za'tara checkpoint, south of the city, stopped Palestinian civilians, including patients, who were traveling from the north of the West Bank to its south for at least 3 hours for no apparent reason.  This week, Israeli troops erected a number of sudden checkpoints around the city. 

 

Tulkarm

 On Thursday morning, 2 December 2004, Israeli troops started to establish an iron gate on a bypass road in front of al-Kafriyat checkpoint at the southern entrance of the town, which would impose more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  With the establishment of this gate, the town would be surrounded by Israeli iron gates from all directions.  On Saturday, 4 December 2004, Israeli troops erected a checkpoint at Artah junction, south of the town, and stopped and checked dozens of Palestinian civilians.  On Sunday noon, 5 December 2004, Israeli troops erected a checkpoint opposite to al-Fardous mosque on Nablus – Tulkarm road. On Monday, 6 December 2004, Israeli troops closed the iron gate they had established at al-Kafriyat checkpoint for several hours. 

 

Curfews

 On Thursday morning, 2 December 2004, Israeli troops imposed a curfew on Hawara village, south of Nablus.  The curfew was lifted on Sunday morning, 5 December 2004. 

 On Monday evening, 6 December 2004, Israeli troops imposed a curfew on al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. 

 

Arrests at Military Checkpoints

 On Thursday, 2 December 2004, Israeli troops positioned at sudden military checkpoint in the west of Hebron arrested 3 Palestinians, including 2 brothers.

 

Continued Construction of the Annexation Wall

 Israeli troops have continued to construct the annexation wall inside the West Bank territory, especially around East Jerusalem.  They have continued to build cement walls near al-Quds University in Abu Dis village, east of the city.  When the construction of these walls is finished, the area will be totally isolated.

 In Hebron, Israeli military bulldozers continued to raze more areas of Palestinian agricultural land in Beit Oula village, northwest of Hebron.  On Sunday morning, 5 December 2004, hundreds of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli peace activists organized a peaceful demonstration on the land of Beit Oula village.  At noon, Israeli troops attacked the demonstrators and severely beat them.  A number of demonstrators sustained bruises and injuries.  Israeli troops also beat a Palestinian journalist, Yusri Mohammed al-Jamal, 30, a cameraman of Reuters from Hebron. 

 On Monday morning, 7 December 2004, Israeli troops started to raze large areas of Palestinian agricultural land in al-Jaba'a village near the Green Line, northwest of Hebron, for the purpose of the construction of a section of the wall.  They uprooted dozens of trees and prevented Palestinian farmers from reaching their land.

 On Wednesday morning, 8 December 2004, Israeli troops bulldozed a number of tents and barracks of the al-Ka'abna tribe in Bir Nabala area, northwest of Jerusalem, for the purpose of the construction of the wall.  As a result, 30 individuals (5 families) have become homeless.

 According to a recent report published by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, Israeli troops have forced 2173 Palestinian families (11461 individuals – 6379 males and 5082 females) to leave their properties in Palestinian towns and villages for the purpose of the construction of the wall.  Also according to the report, Jerusalem witnessed the largest campaign of expulsion, as 1150 families (5920 individuals) have been forced to leave their properties.  The construction of the wall has isolated 21958 individuals behind it and 41774 individuals in communities near the wall.  It has also portioned a number of communities where 14949 individuals live.  The number of Palestinian communities, which lack elementary schools is 14 out of 19 communities located to the west of the wall, while 17 communities lack secondary schools.       

         

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Recommendations to the International Community

1.     PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal and moral obligations under article 1 of the Convention to ensure Israel's respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.  PCHR believes the conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as a state above law and continue to violate international human rights and humanitarian law.

2.     PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene a conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel's respect of the Convention in the OPTs and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.

3.     PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with its legal obligations detailed in article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.

4.     PCHR recommends international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and solidarity groups to participate in the process of searching for Israeli war criminals and to urge their governments to bring these war criminals to justice.

5.     PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate article 2 of the Euro-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel.  PCHR further calls upon the EU states to prohibit import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPTs.

6.     PCHR calls upon European governments to change their positions towards the Palestinian cause at UN bodies, particularly the General Assembly, Security Council and Commission on Human Rights. 

7.     PCHR welcomes the UN General Assembly resolution, which referred the issue of the Separation Wall inside the OPTs to International Court of Justice to give its Advisory Opinion.  There is no doubt that the wall is illegal, which obligates the international community to take steps that amount to the level of the expected decision by the court.

8.     In recognition of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPTs, including for facilitating family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

9.     PCHR appreciates the efforts of international civil society, including human rights organizations, bar associations, unions and solidarity groups, and urges them to continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel's respect for human rights in the OPTs and to end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.

10. In light of the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupying forces on access of international solidarity groups to the OPTs, PCHR calls upon European countries to deal the same way with Israeli citizens. 

11. PCHR reiterates that any political settlement not based on international human rights law and humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of the Palestinian question. Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to further suffering and instability in the region. Any peace agreement or process must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.

 

“END”

 

 

 


 


 

[1] 1 donum is equal to 1000 square meters.

 

Public Document

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