PCHR Palestinian Centre for Human Rights http://www.pchrgaza.org
Weekly Report: On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories	No. 04/2005 27 Jan - 02 Feb. 2005
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Attacks in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)    Anew military checkpoint established by Israeli occupation forces on the coastal road south of Gaza City.

 

 

• 8 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children and 2 mentally handicapped persons, were killed by IOF.

• One of the victim was killed when the tent where he was detained in an Israeli prison burnt.

• IOF conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

• Houses were raided and dozens of Palestinian civilians were arrested.

• Continued shelling of residential areas, and a child was killed when she was at school.

• Construction of the “annexation wall” in the West Bank has continued.

• IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT; IOF have continued to close al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing to the east of Gaza for the 3^rd consecutive week,  Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border was reopened but Palestinians aged 16-35 have been prevented from traveling; and IOF positioned at checkpoints arrested a number of Palestinian civilians.  
   

Introduction

Despite ongoing understandings between the Israeli and Palestinian sides on a ceasefire and the Palestinian commitment to these understandings, Israeli occupation forces (IOF) have launched more attacks against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). This week, 8 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children and 2 mentally handicapped persons, were killed by IOF. Human rights violations perpetrated by IOF included incursions into Palestinian areas, willful killing, indiscriminate shelling, land leveling and total closure imposed on Palestinian communities. IOF have also continued to construct the annexation wall inside the West Bank territory.

In the Gaza Strip, 4 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were killed by IOF, and a child died from a previous injury. On 27 and 28 January 2005, IOF killed 2 mentally handicapped Palestinian civilians near Israeli military checkpoints in Khan Yunis and Gaza. On 29 January 2005, a Palestinian child from Khan Yunis died from a previous injury he had sustained when IOF shelled residential areas in the town.  On 30 January 2005, an old man was killed by IOF near the Egyptian border, south of Rafah.  On 31 January 2005, an 11-year-old Palestinian schoolchild was killed when IOF opened fire at her school in Rafah. Palestinian educational institutions have been frequently attacked by IOF, and PCHR has documented dozens of such attacks, which injured dozens of schoolchildren while they were at school. In two of such attacks in September and October 2004, 2 schoolchildren were killed by IOF in Khan Yunis refugee camp, when the two were sitting on their desks.

This week, IOF moved twice into al-Mawasi area in Khan Yunis, which has been under a strict siege since the beginning of the current Intifada. They raided houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians. 

In the West Bank, on Thursday, 27 January 2005, IOF killed 2 Palestinian civilians, including a child, and a third Palestinian was killed when the tent where he was detained in Mageddo Prison inside Israel burnt. The two civilians were killed by the explosion of 2 mysterious objects believed to be have been left there by the IOF.  Furthermore, IOF also moved into various areas throughout the West Bank, injured a number of Palestinian civilians and arrested dozens of others.  Israeli settlers living in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law have launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians and property. IOF have continued to confiscate areas of Palestinian land for settlement activities. 

IOF have continued to construct the annexation wall inside the West Bank Territory.  For this purpose, they expropriated 2362 donums[1] of Palestinian agricultural land in al-Jeeb village, northwest of Jerusalem.  They also resumed land leveling in the east of al-Ram village, northeast of Jerusalem, and at the main road between al-Ram village and Dahiat al-Barid area, north of Jerusalem.

Contrary to Israeli claims, IOF 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. 

In the Gaza Strip, IOF have continued to completely or partially close all border crossings of the Gaza Strip, and impose severe restrictions on the internal movement of Palestinian civilians.  IOF have continued to prevent Palestinians aged 16-35 from traveling through Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border, even though the crossing point was re-opened on 1 February 2005.  

In the West Bank, IOF have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities. They have also imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They also arrested a number of Palestinian civilians while traveling through military checkpoints.  Furthermore, IOF have continued to impose a strict siege on Saida village, north of Tulkarm.  

 

 

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

Thursday, 27 January 2005

At approximately 00:10, IOF positioned in military posts at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Rafah refugee camp. Two Palestinian civilians were injured:

1.     Hazem Ishaq Abu Rezeq, 21, injured by shrapnel in the buttocks; and

2.     Mohammed 'Ouda Abu Tiour, 39, injured by shrapnel in the back. 

In the early morning, IOF moved into al-Mawasi area in Khan Yunis, which has been under a strict siege since the beginning of the current Intifada. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians, including 2 brothers:

1.     Faisal Hussein al-Agha, 35;

2.     Mohammed Hussein al-Agha, 25; and

3.     Muneer 'Aayesh al-Agha, 25. 

In the morning, medical sources at Sheikh Zayed Hospital in Ramallah declared that a Palestinian child died from an injury he had sustained on Tuesday, 25 January 2005, from an explosion of a mysterious object believed to be left by IOF. According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 12:00 on Tuesday, 25 January 2005, residents of Deir Jareer village, east of Ramallah, heard a sound of a heavy explosion at hills located to the north of the village.  A number of these residents immediately went to the area, where they found 13-year-old Marwan Ghaleb Abu 'Alawi and 11-year-old Saleh Daoud Abu 'Alawi on the ground bleeding. They called for an ambulance and the two children were evacuated to Sheikh Zayed Hospital in Ramallah.  Medical sources described their condition as serious. The two received medical treatment at the hospital until the first one died. It is worth noting that IOF has a military post on al-'Aasour Mountain and the explosion took place near the mountain, which may indicate that the object that exploded was a remainders of an IOF operation. 

In the afternoon, a Palestinian civilian was killed by the explosion of a mysterious object in 'Aatouf village, southeast of Jenin, a few hours following training conducted by IOF in the area. 

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 15:00, Mustafa Khader Mustafa Bisharat, 32, the mayor of 'Aatouf village, southeast of Jenin, left his house towards al-Buqai'a area in the east of the village.  Nearly 30 minutes later, a heavy explosion was heard in the area. A number of residents of the village hurried to the area, where they found Bisharat dead. According to eyewitnesses, IOF had repeatedly conducted training using live ammunition in the area in the past years, and at least 20 Palestinian civilians were killed in similar circumstances.

At approximately 16:30, IOF positioned in a military post at al-Shuhada junction to the east of "Netzarim" settlement, south of Gaza City, opened fired at al-Sayed 'Abdul Mo'ti al-Sayed Zaker, 33, from al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, when he was nearly 50 meters to the west. He was wounded by a live bullet in the feet. Then, IOF fired at him again.  He was instantly killed by a live bullet in the head. According to eyewitnesses, the victim was suffering from a psychological disorder. 

During the day, IOF moved into the villages of al-Zahiriya and al-Burj near Hebron; Housan village near Bethlehem; and 'Ein Beit al-Maa' refugee camp near Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 12 Palestinians. 

   

Friday, 28 January 2005

At noon, dozens of Palestinian civilians organized a peaceful demonstration on land threatened to be expropriated for the purpose of the construction of the annexation wall in Eskaka village, south of Nablus. IOF fired live bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs. A Palestinian child, 15-year-old Bilal 'Abdul Rahim Harb, was hit by a sound bomb in the right hand. 

Late at night, IOF positioned at the eastern border of the Gaza Strip, east of Khan Yunis, fired at a Palestinian civilian who was on a field in al-Sanati area in Khuza'a village, nearly 250 meters away from the border.  He was wounded by several live bullets.  He bled to death.  Residents of the village found his body on the following day morning.  His body was evacuated to Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, where he was identified as Ibrahim Suleiman Khalil al-Shawaf, 38, from 'Abasan village.  According to medical sources, the victim was hit by 3 live bullets to the head and the chest and that had died at least 12 hours before the evacuation of his body to the hospital.  The victim's brother stated that he was suffering from a psychological disorder. 

During the day, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron, and 'Ein Beit al-Maa' refugee camp in Nablus.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinians.

 

Saturday, 29 January 2005

At approximately 12:00, an infantry unit of IOF moved into al-Masharqa neighborhood in the southeast of Hebron.  A number of children gathered and threw stones at IOF.  Immediately, IOF chased the children and captured 15-year-old Sufian al-Ja'bari.  They severely beat him.  He sustained bruises and injuries in the face, the back and the shoulders.  IOF also arrested 2 Palestinian civilians, including a child, who intervened to save al-Ja'bari: 20-yearold Ashraf Hijazi al-Ja'bari, 20; and Mohammed Hisham al-Ja'bari, 15. 

At approximately 13:00, medical sources at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City declared that 16-year-old Ahmed Mousa al-Sayed Abu Mustafa, from Khan Yunis, died from an injury he had sustained when IOF shelled residential areas in the town last December.  According to PCHR's documentation, at approximately 15:30 on Tuesday, 21 December 2004, IOF opened fire at Khan Yunis refugee camp.  Three Palestinian civilians were wounded, including Abu Mustafa who was hit by a live bullet to the head.  He had received medical treatment at the hospital until his death.

  

Sunday, 30 January 2005

In the early morning, IOF positioned in a military post near Salah al-Din Gate on the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at 'Eid 'Ouda Abu Jarbou', 60, when he was nearly 300 meters away from the gate.  He was wounded by a live bullet in the back and bled to death.  Later, IOF informed the Palestinian side that there was a body in the area.  A Palestinian ambulance went to the area and evacuated the body to the hospital.  According to the victim's family, he was supposed to undergo a surgery in the eye and he had left the hospital for unknown reasons. 

 

Monday, 31 January 2005

At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into al-Mawasi area in Khan Yunis.  They raided and searched a house belonging to Mousa Mohammed al-Lahham, 41, and arrested him and his brother Mohammed.  In the evening, the brother was released, but Mousa remained in custody. 

At noon, IOF opened fire at an elementary school in Rafah, Killing an 11-year-old schoolchild and injuring a second one when the two were in the schoolyard.  PCHR is increasingly concerned for attacks by IOF on educational institutions, threatening the lives and safety of children, even in places where full protection is supposed to be offered to them in all circumstances. This latest attacks refutes Israeli official claims regarding commitment to a ceasefire according to ongoing understandings with the Palestinian side. 

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 12:00, IOF positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at an UNRWA elementary school in al-Brazil neighborhood, nearly 600 meters away from the border. Two Palestinian schoolchildren were wounded: 11-year-old Nouran Eyad Deeb was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the head; and 8-year-old 'Aaesha 'Essam al-Khatib, was wounded by a live bullet in the right hand, while the two were about to enter their classrooms.  The two children were evacuated to Abu Yousef al-Najjar Hospital in Rafah, but the first child died a few minutes later.  According to a teacher at school, the area was completely quiet when IOF opened fire which absolutely terrified the schoolchildren. 

 

A Palestinian Prisoner Killed in Mageddo Prison

On Thursday morning, a Palestinian prisoner was killed in Mageddo Prison when fire broke out in a detention tent due to an electrical failure.  The administration of the prison was very slow in calling fire engines.  

According to information available to PCHR, on Thursday morning, fire broke out in a detention tent in Mageddo Prison in the north of Israel while prisoners were sleeping.  Three out of four prisoners who were in the tent woke up and tried to awake their fourth colleague and save him, but they could not as fire spread inside the tent.  The fourth prisoner, Rasem Ghunaimat, 26, from Kufor Malek village east of Ramallah, was burnit to death.  Ghunimat had been detained by IOF since 26 January 2004.  He had been serving a 5-year imprisonment sentence. 

    

Continued Siege on the OPT

IOF 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

Contrary to Israeli official claims regarding easing measures of closure imposed on the Gaza Strip, Israeli occupation forces (IOF) have continued to completely or partially close all border crossings of the Gaza Strip, and impose severe restrictions on the internal movement of Palestinian civilians. 

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, IOF have continued to close al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing, east of Gaza City, since 14 January 2005. It is the sole commercial crossing between the Gaza Strip and Israel and from there to the West Bank. Many foodstuffs have started to disappear in the local markets, many industrial facilities have stopped their work due to the lack of raw materials imported from Israel and many farmers and traders have suffered from losses as they have not been able to export their products. 

Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip has been closed for 6 months.  A number of patients who suffer from serious diseases are sometimes allowed to enter Israel but following prior coordination and under inhuman conditions. Traders and workers have been prohibited from traveling through the crossing. Erez industrial zone has also been closed, and only 40 Palestinians, who own factories in the area, are allowed to enter it. 

With regard to internal movement, IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians through al-Matahen and Abu Houli checkpoints on Salah al-Din Street (the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip), even though they have increased the hours of opening the two checkpoints. They often close the two checkpoints and hold and check Palestinian civilians in between. IOF have also continued to close al-Tuffah checkpoint at the entrance to al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip in the face of Palestinian civilians wishing to enter the area. They have allowed Palestinian civilians to leave the area since 28 January 2005, excluding males aged between 16 and 35. Al-Tuffah checkpoint has been the sole entrance to the area after IOF had closed Tal al-Sultan checkpoint in Rafah more than one year ago.  On 2 February 2005, IOF positioned at al-Tuffah checkpoint, arrested Sumaya 'Ouda al-Sha'er, 42, when she was traveling to Khan Yunis.   

IOF have also continued to close a number of roads inside the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the current Intifada, such as the western Rafah – Khan Yunis road in the southern Gaza Strip, Abu al-'Ajeen road between the villages of al-Qarara and Wadi al-Salqa in the central Gaza Strip and Salah al-Din Street at "Netzarim" and "Kfar Darom" junctions in the central Gaza Strip. Furthermore, IOF have continued to prohibit Palestinian civilians from using "Kissufim", "Morag" and al-Mentar roads in the southern and central Gaza Strip, which have been devoted for the movement of IOF and settlers.  While Palestinians hopes that military checkpoints inside the Gaza Strip will be dismantled, PCHR is concerned that IOF may establish a new military checkpoint on the coastal road, south of Gaza City, as they established a sand hill, which is 6 meters high, only 50 meters away from the coastal road, which may be a prelude for establishing a huge military post in the area similar to an existing one near al-Matahen checkpoint. This new development poses a serious threat to the lives of Palestinian civilians as an Israeli tank is always positioned in the area.  Recently, IOF have repeatedly closed the coastal road. 

IOF have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities located near Israeli military posts and settlements, particularly al-Sayafa area between "Dogit" and "Elli Sinai" settlements in the northern Gaza Strip and al-Ma'ni area near "Kfar Darom" settlement in the central Gaza Strip.  IOF have continued to control the movement of Palestinian civilians through two iron gates established at the entrances to the two areas.  IOF allow only 4-5 persons to leave these areas daily following coordination between 07:00 and 14:30. 

On 1 February 2005, IOF reopened Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border for departing travelers.  The crossing had been totally closed since 12 December 2004, but has been reopened for entry of arriving travelers since 21 January 2005.  The closure of the crossing has impacted the economic, social and cultural rights of Palestinian civilians.  Palestinians aged 16-35 have been prevented from traveling through the crossing point.   

 

The West Bank

IOF have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities.  They have also imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians and imposed curfews on a number of Palestinian communities even during Eid al-Adha.

 

Ramallah

IOF positioned at 'Atara checkpint at the entrance to Bir Zeit village, north of Ramallah, have continued to stop and search Palestinian civilian vehicles, especially in the morning and the afternoon. According to eyewitnesses, IOF positioned at an iron gate at the entrance of "Halmish" settlement, northeast of Ramallah, have continued to repeatedly close the gate. Israeli intelligence officers were present at the gate this week and summoned at least 40 Palestinian civilians from Deir Ghassana village for interrogation.  The gate is located on the road that links Ramallah with villages located to the northwest. 

 

Bethlehem

On Saturday morning, 29 January 2005, IOF erected two checkpoints on the road leading to the center of al-Khader village, southwest of the town, and in 'Ein Hilwa area in the east of Beit Sahour. They stopped dozens of Palestinian civilian vehicles and forced Palestinian civilians to get out of them and wait for long hours. On Monday morning, 31 January 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint near al-Khader gate on the road between Hebron and Bethlehem and disrupted traffic in the area. 

 

Hebron

On the first day of the second term of the current school year, 29 January 2005, IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  IOF stopped and checked Palestinian civilians, including teachers and students, inside the town, especially in the old town; al-Karantina, al-Zahed and Bab al-Zawia neighborhoods; and al-Shuhda, al-Sahla and al-Shallala streets.    

 

Nablus

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  On Saturday morning, 29 January 2005, IOF erected a number of checkpoints at the junctions of Surra, west of the city, and "Yitshar" settlement and al-Lubban, south of the city.  According to eyewitnesses, IOF stopped and checked Palestinian civilians.  They held hundreds of civilians, especially students and employees, for several hours.   

 

Tulkarm

On Thursday morning, 27 January 2005, IOF erected at Far'oun crossroads, south of Tulkarm.  On Friday, 28 January 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint between the villages of Kufor al-Labad and Shoufa, east of the town. On Saturday, 29 January 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint near Bala'a crossroads on the main road between Nablus and Tulakrm.  They also placed sand barriers at the entrance to Saida village, north of the town, and prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians in the area. On Sunday, 30 January 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint near Far'oun junction, south of the two. They prohibited any movement from and into the village. 

 

Qalqilya

On Thursday morning, 27 January 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance to 'Azzoun village, east of the town.  on Saturday, 29 January 2005, IOF closed the iron gate established at the entrance to 'Azzoun 'Atma village, south of the town, prohibiting movement of Palestinian civilians on the first day of the second term of the current school year.  IOF also placed a mobile home near the gate to use it in checking civilians. 

 

Jenin

 

IOF positioned at Tayaseer checkpoint, southeast of Jenin, held a number of tractors and denied access of farmers to the neighboring al-Buqai'a area.  Each evening, IOF erected a checkpoint at Fahma crossroads on the road that links Jenin with Nablus. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.  

 

Curfews on Palestinian Communities

By the middle of this week, IOF had continued to impose a curfew on Saida village, north of Tulkarm, since Tuesday, 25 January 2005, conducting military activities inside the village.   

 

Arrests at Military Checkpoints

On Thursday morning, 27 January 2005, IOF positioned Wad al-Nar checkpoint, northeast of Bethlehem, arrested Khader Abu 'Abara, 37, director of the Orthodox Club in Beit Jala. 

On Thursday evening, 27 January 2005, IOF positioned at al-Karama International Crossing Point on the Jordanian border, arrested 3 Palestinian pilgrims from Tulkarm:

1.     Ra'ed 'Abdullah Zaidan, 32;

2.     Jamal Abu Shihab, 42; and

3.     Hashem al-Sayed, 39.

On Tuesday morning, 1 February 2005, IOF positioned at a military checkpoint at the entrance to 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya, arrested 2 Palestinian civilians: Mahmoud Haroun, 25; and Mohammed Yousef, 25. 

 

Continued Construction of the Annexation Wall

IOF have continued to construct the annexation wall inside the West Bank Territory.  For this purpose, they resumed land leveling to the east of al-Ram village, northeast of Jerusalem, and on the road that links between al-Ram village and Dahiat al-Barid area to the north of Jerusalem. 

On Sunday, 30 January 2005, IOF handed notices to a number of residents of al-Jeeb village, northwest of Jerusalem, informing them that 2362 donums of land would be confiscated for the purpose of the construction of the wall in the area. The confiscation entered into force on the following day. 

On Monday morning, 31 January 2005, IOF started to raze areas of Palestinian land in Wadi 'Ayad area in al-Ram village, northeast of Jerusalem. According to eyewitnesses, IOF will establish a new settler road to the northeast of Jerusalem, when the construction of section of the wall in the area is completed.  IOF had already confiscated large areas of land in Wadi 'Ayad area for this purpose. 

In the meantime, Israeli sources declared that the Israeli government would discuss the new route of the annexation wall near "Gush Etzion" settlement bloc, southwest of Bethlehem, next week. According to the new route, the villages of Housan, Batteer, Nahalin and Wadi Foukin and large areas of Palestinian land will be isolated behind the wall. 

 

Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilian and Property

Israeli settlers living in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law have launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians and property.  IOF have continued to confiscate areas of Palestinian land for settlement activities. 

On Sunday morning, 30 January 2005, IOF seized at least 50 donums of Palestinian agricultural land in Khellat al-Furon and Sha'b Hemar areas to the south of Hebron.  IOF had razed at least 90 donums of agricultural land in the neighboring Khalyel al-Mughrabi area last week. According to the owners of land in Khellat al-Furon and Sha'b Hemar areas, Israeli bulldozers razed their agricultural land, planted with almonds, olives and winter crops. 

In the evening, a number of Israeli settlers from "Susia" settlement, south of Hebron, uprooted 300 olive trees in the neighboring al-Mo'in area belonging to Sa'ad Ibrahim Jabarin, Radi Ibrahim Jabarin and Suleiman Abu Tuhfa. 

On Tuesday afternoon, IOF damaged hundreds of donums of Palestinian agricultural land planted with winter crops in the southeast of Yatta village, south of Hebron, apparently to forces their owners to leave them and then confiscate them.  According to information available to PCHR, at approximately 13:00, a number of members of the Israeli "Nature Guards" and "Green Patrols", escorted by IOF, arrived at the area and started to destroy areas of Palestinian agricultural land using tractors.  At least 800 donums of agricultural land planted with wheat, parley and beans were destroyed.  

          
 

***

 

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 Advisoryt 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”

 

 

 

Public Document