PCHR Palestinian Centre for Human Rights http://www.pchrgaza.org
Weekly Report: On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories	No. 07/2005 17 - 23 Feb. 2005
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Launch More Attacks in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)   Construction of the annexation wall continues.

 

 

 

• A Palestinian civilian died from a previous injury he had sustained by IOF.

• Continued shelling of residential areas in the Gaza Strip; 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were seriously injured.

• Construction of the “annexation wall” in the West Bank has continued and more areas of Palestinian land were confiscated for this purpose.

• IOF conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas.

• Houses were raided and a number of Palestinian civilians were arrested.

• Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property in the West Bank.

• IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT; IOF have continued to close a number of roads since the beginning of the current Intifada, IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions at Rafah International Crossing Point, and IOF positioned at checkpoints arrested a number of Palestinian civilians.
   

Introduction

Despite the ceasefire declared by the Israeli and Palestinian sides in Sharm al-Sheik on 8 February 2005 and the Palestinian commitment to this declaration, Israeli occupation forces (IOF) have launched more attacks against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT).  This week, human rights violations perpetrated by IOF included incursions into Palestinian areas, indiscriminate shelling and total closure imposed on Palestinian communities contrary to Israeli official claims regarding easing closure measures.  IOF have also continued to construct the annexation wall inside the West Bank Territory and confiscated more areas of Palestinian land for this purpose.

On 22 February 2005, the Israeli military prosecutor admitted before the Israeli Parliamentary Constitution Committee that "the real reason for stopping the demolition of houses of those who carry armed attacks is that this policy has proved to be ineffective."  This admission came following a decision taken by the Israeli military chief of staff two weeks ago stopping this policy.  These developments prove that this policy is a retaliatory one and does not serve as a deterrent.  PCHR has always emphasized this fact and considered this policy as a war crime against innocent civilians and their property. 

On 19 February 2005, Ja'far 'Aboud, 19, from Nablus, died from an injury he had sustained on 19 November 2004, when IOF moved into the city and opened fire at shops and markets in its center.  This week, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were seriously injured when IOF opened fire at Palestinian residential areas in the Gaza Strip.  IOF also conducted 6 incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank, during which they raided and searched houses and arrested 7 Palestinian civilian civilians.  They also arrested 2 other civilians in al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip. 

IOF have continued to construct the annexation wall inside the West Bank Territory.  In violation of international humanitarian law and the advisory opinion issued by International Court of Justice, the Israeli cabinet approved new plans for the routes of the wall.  According to Israeli sources, the new plans will annex major settlements such as "Gush Etzion" settlement block, southwest of Bethlehem, and "Ma'le Admomim" settlement bloc, east of Jerusalem, to Israel.  This week, the Israeli High Court issued 2 temporary injunctions freezing the construction of the wall near the villages of 'Olayan and Safa, west of Ramallah.  The court will likely cancel these injunctions as it did in the past to follow the IOF's decision to construct the wall.  

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 impose a tightened siege on the OPT, including Jerusalem. 

In the Gaza Strip, contrary to Israeli official claims regarding easing measures of closure imposed on 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 impose severe restrictions on the travel of Palestinian civilians through Rafah International Crossing Point.  They have also continued to close a number of roads and crossings in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the current Intifada.  IOF have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities near Israeli settlements, causing more suffering to Palestinian civilians.    

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.  This week, they erected a number of military checkpoints and arrested a number of Palestinian civilians.  They also beat a number of civilians and imposed restrictions on journalists. 

 

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

Thursday, 17 February 2005

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Hasayen neighborhood in the south of Qalqilya.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinians:

1.     Mohammed Fathi al-Harsi, 20; and

2.     'Emad Houtari, 20.

 

Saturday, 19 February 2005

At approximately 17:00, medical sources at al-Maqassed Hospital in East Jerusalem declared that Ja'far Mohammed 'Abed al-'Aboud, 19, from Nablus, died from a previous injury he had sustained in November 2004.  According to PCHR's documentation, at approximately 16:45 on Tuesday, 19 November 2004, IOF moved into Nablus.  They took position at al-Shuhada Square and at the entrances of the old town.  They opened fire at markets and shops.  Three Palestinian civilians were wounded.  One of these civilians, 24-year-old Qadri Fayez 'Abdullah 'Aashour, died from his wound a few hours later.  Al-'Aboud was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen.  He had been transferred to a Jordanian Hospital, before he was later brought to al-Maqassed Hospital, where he died.     

At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into the old part of al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem.  They surrounded a number of shops in al-Birka area and forced the owners of 4 shops to close them.  According to eyewitnesses, IOF severely beat the owner of one shop, 33-year-old Bassem Na'im Subaih, after he refused to close his shop. 

 

Sunday, 20 February 2005

At approximately 01:30, IOF positioned in military posts at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Salam neighborhood near the border.  A Palestinian civilian, 28-year-old Jamal Talab al-Shawi, was wounded by a live bullet in the right shoulder.

At approximately 02:30, IOF positioned in a military post in Tal Za'orob area in the southwest of Rafah opened fire at Zor'ob neighborhood.  The Israeli gunfire continued sporadically until 05:30, during which Hamed Mohammed Khalil al-Dabbas, 29, was seriously wounded by several live bullets to the body.  He remained in the area bleeding until 10:30, when IOF informed the Palestinian side that there was a body and a wounded man in the area.  A Palestinian ambulance evacuated al-Dabbas to a hospital.  According to the ambulance driver, the medical crew did not find any body in the area.  Al-Dabbas and another person had apparently attempted to infiltrate through the Egyptian border. 

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah.  They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mustafa 'Ali 'Ayad, 20, and arrested him.

At approximately 10:00, IOF positioned in the vicinity of "Neve Dekalim" settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at a number of Palestinian children who were playing on the ruins of houses already demolished in Block I in Khan Yunis refugee camp.  One of the children, 17-year-old Ahmed Mo'in 'Ali Sikkina, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the back. 

 

Monday, 14 February 2005

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into the Israeli controlled al-Mawasi area in Khan Yunis.  They raided and searched a number of house belonging to the families of Hannoun and al-Najjar, and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

1.     'Abdul Karim Fa'eq 'Abdul 'Aal, 20; and

2.     Manar Na'im Hannoun, 25. 

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata and 'Askar refugee camps.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Sa'id al-Akhras, 32, from Nablus.  IOF claimed that al-Akhras is a prominent member of Hamas. 

 

Tuesday, 15 February 2005

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron.  They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Riad Braighaith, 54, and Anwar Braighaith, 53, and arrested them together with Sa'ed Anwar Braighaith, 24. 

 

Wednesday, 16 February 2005

At approximately 01:00, IOF positioned in military posts in the vicinity of "Neve Dekalim" settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Khan Yunis refugee camp and the cemeteries area.  No casualties were reported, but a number of houses were damaged. 

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron.  They raided Mohammed Ibrahim Jabarin's house in the northeast of the village.  They held the 20 residents of the house in one room and transformed the house into a military site. 

At approximately 12:00, IOF in an Israeli military jeep opened fire for no apparent at a number of Palestinian civilians who were waiting at the entrance of 'Awarta village, south of Nablus.  One of these civilians, 37-year-old No'man Salim Hassan 'Awad, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen. 

  

 

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, 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. 

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.  Furthermore, IOF have continued to prevent private cars and the Palestinian National Authority vehicles from crossing the two checkpoints.

IOF have also continued to impose a strict siege on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip.  Male Palestinians aged 16-35 have been prohibited from crossing the checkpoint.  Only 150 civilians are allowed to exit the area, while 25 others are allowed to enter it daily, but under severe restrictions.  IOF and settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.  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 forced to cancel the scientific section, so students who wish to study science have to go to Khan Yunis.  Israeli troops frequently close al-Tuffah checkpoint at the entrance to the area. 

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 hope 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.  IOF have continued to control the movement of Palestinian civilians through the iron gate established at the entrance to the area.  IOF allow only Palestinian civilians who are over 30 to leave the area daily following coordination between 07:00 and 14:30.  The area lacks basic educational and health services.  On 20 February 2005, IOF opened fire at some sheep, killing a number of them, this amounts to a substantial and serious attack on the right to food and livelihood of the Palestinian owners of the sheep. 

In the same context, IOF have continued to impose a strict siege on al-Ma'ni area near "Kfar Darom" settlement in the central Gaza Strip.  The area has lacked water and telephone networks for 3 years after IOF had destroyed them.  According to residents of the area, they obtain water from a well in the area or bring it from Deir al-Balah.  IOF do not allow any Palestinian living outside the area from entering the area.     

Contrary to Israeli official claims regarding allowing Palestinian workers to enter Israel through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip, IOF allowed only 873 out of 1046 workers who have valid work permits to enter Israel on this week.  Workers allowed to enter Israel must be married and over 35 years old.  They are subject to strict checking and humiliation on their way to their work places.  A number of patients who suffer from serious diseases are sometimes allowed to enter Israel, but following prior coordination and under inhuman conditions.  Patients have to wait for long hours before they are forced to wall or move on wheel chairs to be checked.  Only patients who suffer from serious diseases are allowed to travel in ambulances, while other patients have to travel in taxis after passing through checking.  On Tuesday, 22 February 2005, IOF did not allow patients to enter Israel until 13:00.  This week, IOF allowed a number of members of the Palestinian Legislative Council to travel to the West Bank following several months of prohibition.   

Even through IOF reopened al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing, east of Gaza City, on Tuesday, 8 February 2005, they have continued to impose severe restrictions on the flow of goods through the crossing:

·        Only 11 routes out of 34 have been reopened, which significantly decreased the number of trucks allowed to pass through the crossing. 

·        IOF placed cement blocks, nearly 12 meters high, at the crossing. 

·        Only flowers and tomatoes are allowed to be exported from the Gaza Strip. 

·        Only medicines and milk products are allowed to be entered into the Gaza Strip, while IOF have continued to prevent access for other goods, such as construction raw materials and some foodstuffs. 

·        Palestinian traders and workers have been subject to strict checking by IOF. 

On 20 February 2005, IOF closed the crossing for one day for no apparent reason. 

Even though IOF reopened Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border, they have continued to impose severe restrictions on travel.  The crossing point is opened from 09:00 to 15:00 everyday.   On 20 February 2005, IOF started to allow Palestinians aged 16-35 to travel through the crossing following nearly one year of preventing them.  This week, many Palestinian travelers had to wait for several days at the Palestinian side of the crossing point, as IOF allowed a small number of travelers to travel on each day. For instance, a Palestinian girl from the northern Gaza Strip has waited for 5 days in order to travel to the UAE for her wedding and she has renewed her ticket more than once. Many travelers aged 16-35 are often summoned and interrogated by the Israeli intelligence services.  On Saturday, 19 February 2005, IOF arrested Zuahir Jamil Hassouna, 57, from Rafah, at the crossing point.  The crossing point has been the only outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world since the beginning of the current Intifada.

 

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.

 

Jerusalem

On Thursday morning, 17 February 2005, IOF closed the checkpoints erected at the main entrances to east Jerusalem.  They searched Palestinian vehicles and registered names of Palestinian civilians entering the city.  IOF also chased Palestinian civilians who resorted to branch roads. On Monday morning, 21 February 2005, IOF closed a number of the entrances to the north of the city with huge cement blocks.  According to eyewitnesses, IOF reinforced their presence at the western entrance to al-Ram village, north of the city.  A number of IOF vehicles also closed al-Ram – Dahiat al-Barid road, al-Ram – Qalandya road, the western entrance to al-Ram village, and al-Ram – Bir Nabla road.  These measures prevented movement of Palestinian civilians in the northern and northwestern villages of Jerusalem, and between these villages and Ramallah. 

 

Ramallah

On Thursday morning, 17 February 2005, IOF closed Qalandya checkpoint, south of Ramallah, and prohibited movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the town.  On Sunday morning, 20 February 2005, IOF closed a number of roads to the south of the town.  According to eyewitnesses, IOF closed "Atarot" and Ramot" checkpoints between Ramallah and Jerusalem, preventing access to Ramallah from the villages located to the northwest of Jerusalem.  On Monday morning, 21 February 2005, IOF closed Qalandya checkpoint again and prevented movement of Palestinian civilians.

 

Hebron 

This week, IOF imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the old town and near the Ibrahimi Mosque.  On Friday and Saturday, 18 and 19 February 2005, IOF prevented Palestinian civilians from reaching the mosque for prayers.  They stopped and checked these civilians.  They also prevented calling for the prayers through megaphones.  This week, IOF imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in neighborhoods located in the center of the town, such as Tal al-Rumaida and Jabal al-Rahma.  They stopped and held Palestinian civilians for long hours.    

 

Nablus

IOF imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  They erected a number of sudden checkpoints around the city.  They stopped and searched Palestinian vehicles and forced Palestinian civilians to wait for long hours.  According to eyewitnesses, due to these measures, traveling between Nablus and Ramallah took several hours. 

 

Jenin

On Thursday, 17 February 2005, IOF imposed more restrictions at military checkpoint to the southeast of Jenin.  According to eyewitnesses, IOF imposed severe restrictions at Tayaseer and al-Hamra checkpoints and prevented Palestinian civilians who do not have checkpoint permits to cross the two checkpoints.  On Saturday and Sunday, 19 and 20 February 2005, IOF erected a number of checkpoints on Nablus –Jenin road.  They checked Palestinian civilians and held them for a long time.    

 

Tulkram

On Thursday morning, 17 February 2005, IOF closed Jebara Gate, south of Tulkarm.  They held and interrogated a number of Palestinian civilians for long hours.  They also held a number of workers who were on their way to their work places in Israel.  On Friday morning, 18 February 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at Far'oun crossroads, south of the town, and prevented movement of Palestinian civilian vehicles for several hours.  On Saturday morning, 19 February 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at Bala'a crossroads, east of the town, and prevented the movement of Palestinian vehicles for approximately 3 hours.

       

Qalqilya

IOF have continued to impose a strict siege on Kufor Qaddoum village for the second consecutive week, prohibiting movement of Palestinian civilians in and out of the village. On Saturday morning, 19 February 2005, IOF positioned at an iron gate at the entrance to 'Azzoun 'Atma village, south of Qalqilya, prevented dozens of school children from Beit Amin village from reaching the joint school of the two villages.  'Azzoun 'Atma village has been isolated by the annexation wall from the rest of Qalqilya district.  IOF established this iron gate 3 years earlier to control the movement of Palestinian civilians in and out of the village.  On Sunday morning, 20 February 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance to Jayous village, northeast of Qalqilya, and stopped dozens of Palestinian civilians for several hours. 

 

Bethlehem

On Tuesday evening, IOF erected a checkpoint in al-Bawaba area in al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem.  They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles and checked Palestinian civilians.  They also held dozens of these civilians for a long time. 

 

Restrictions on Journalists

At approximately 10:00 on Monday, 22 February 2005, a number of Palestinian journalists were filming the release of a number of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, nearly one kilometre away from Tarqoumia crossing, west of Hebron.  IOF chased and expelled these journalists from the area.  When the journalists decided to resume their work, IOF detained 3 of them for nearly an hour.  The three journalists are: Yusri al-Jamal; Ma'moun Wazwaz; and Hussam Abu 'Allan, cameramen of Reuters and ABC.  

 

Attacks on Civilians While Crossing Military Checkpoints

On Thursday noon, 17 February 2005, IOF positioned at Surra checkpoint, west of Nablus, beat and arrested Eyad Ibrahim Ahmed al-Qadi, 23, a university student from Til village.

On Saturday, 19 February 2005, IOF positioned at the entrance to Til village, southwest of Nablus, severely beat two teachers when they were on their way to schools in Til village, where they work.  One of the teachers was identified as Tariq Salahat, 55, from Tallouza village, north of Nablus. 

On Sunday morning, 20 February 2005, IOF positioned at the entrance to Til village, southwest of Nablus, severely beat Mohammed Yousef Ramadan, 25.  He was injured in the face and the right eye.  At noon, IOF severely beat Sa'id Qassem, 55, from Iraq Bourin village, south of Nablus.  He sustained a fracture in the hand and bruises throughout the body. 

On Monday morning, 21 February 2005, IOF intercepted a Palestinian taxi that was traveling on the road that links Iraq Bourin village with Til village near Nablus.  They forced the driver and passengers out of the taxi and damaged its tires with knives for no apparent reason. 

 

Continued Construction of the Annexation Wall

IOF have continued to construct the annexation wall inside the West Bank territory.  They have confiscated more areas of Palestinian land for this purpose.  This week, the Israeli government approved the new route of the wall, which will annex large areas of the West Bank to Israel, in violation of international law.

On Thursday morning, 17 February 2005, IOF started to raze areas of Palestinian land in Beit Sourik village, northwest of Jerusalem, from the purpose of the construction of the wall. 

Also on Thursday morning, IOF issued a military order confiscating more areas of Palestinian agricultural land in 'Akaba village, north of Tulkarm.  The owners were summoned by IOF to receive an explanation of the order.  Israeli officers claimed that they would confiscate only 250 square meters to establish an observation tower near the annexation wall.  However, residents of the villages were suspicious regarding the area to be confiscated, as IOF will need to establish a road leading to the tower, which means confiscating more areas of land.  The construction of the wall has isolated nearly 1500 donums[1] of agricultural land in the village. 

On Saturday morning, 20 February 2005, IOF handed notices to 16 Palestinian civilians in Wad Foukin village, west of Bethlehem, to vacate 775 donums of their agricultural land, which would be confiscated for the purpose of the construction of the wall.  Under this confiscation, 7 wells will be destroyed as well as hundreds of fruitful trees. 

On Sunday morning, 20 February 2005, IOF started to construct new sections of the wall to the north of East Jerusalem, opposite to al-Ram village.  IOF have already completed the construction of the section of the wall between Dahiat al-Barid and Qalandya checkpoints, north of Jerusalem. 

In violation of international humanitarian law, and the advisory opinion issued by International Court of Justice, on 20 February 2005, the Israeli cabinet approved new plans for the routes of the wall.  According to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the new plans will result in the annexation of only 3.3% of the West Bank territory to Israel, not including East Jerusalem, which had been already annexed.  Major settlements, where most of the 240,000 settlers live, will be annexed to Israel, such as "Gush Etzion" settlement block, southwest of Bethlehem, and "Ma'le Admomim" settlement bloc, east of Jerusalem.  Israeli academic sources refuted Israeli official claims regarding the area of the West Bank territory to be annexed to Israel, asserting that nearly 10% of the West Bank territory has been annexed and that media reports on land confiscation are not true, since they do not take into consideration East Jerusalem and the Dead Sea.   

However, Palestinian sources indicate that the Wall will still annex approximately 50% of the west Bank territory, this will result in dividing the West Bank into three Bantustans, separating villages and towns.  It is imperative, despite the official Israeli position, that the ICJ advisory Opinion on this matter be fully implemented in the context of the annexation wall.

A few hours following this approval, IOF started to construct a new section of the wall on the land of the villages of al-Judiara, Bir Nabala, al-Jeeb, Qalandya and Beit Hanina.  According to eyewitnesses, Israeli bulldozers started to destroy the main road leading to Bir Nabala village.  Thus these villages have become isolated from their surroundings, as IOF have already closed all of their entrances. 

On Monday, 21 February 2005, the Israeli High Court issued a temporary injunction freezing the construction of the wall near 'Olayan village, west of Ramallah.  On Tuesday, 22 February 2005, the court issued another temporary injunction stopping the construction of the wall near Safa village, west of Ramallah.  The court also gave the state 5 days to consider the possibility of freezing the construction in the area, and one month to provide security considerations for the construction of 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. 

At approximately 17:00 on Saturday, 20 February 2005, 5 armed settlers from "Mitsbi Lakhish" settlement to the West of Dura village, severely beat Mahmoud Hussein Abu al-Ghalasi, 17, from Beit 'Awa village southwest of Hebron.  The child sustained serious injuries in the head and several bruises throughout the body.  According to eyewitnesses, the child was grazing animals on his family's land near the aforementioned settlement. 

In the meantime, dozens of settlers living in settlements in Hebron and the neighboring "Kiryat Arba" settlement moved into the streets of Hebron and launched a series of attacks on Palestinian civilians in the old town.  They threw stones at houses and beat 8 Palestinian civilians. 

On Sunday evening, 21 February 2005, IOF placed 5 mobile homes on the land of al-Rashaida village, south of Bethlehem, as a prelude to establish a settlement post in the area.

 

***

  

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 Territory.  PCHR calls on the international community to immediately “ensure respect” for the Convention.

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 OPT 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 NGOs 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 OPT. PCHR also requests the application of the EU Guidelines on Arms Sales and requests that EU Missions and Embassies in Israel and the OPT press the Israeli government to apply and implement in full the recently agreed EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders.

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 requests that the international community follow the advisory opinion of the ICJ which called on the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Convention, through the UNGA and UNSC, to take effective measures to stop the construction of the annexation wall in the West Bank and to immediately dismantle it and its associated regime.

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 OPT, 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 NGOs, and urges them to continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel's respect for human rights in the OPT 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 OPT, 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