PCHR
 Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

http://www.pchrgaza.org

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

No. 11/2005

17- 23 Mar. 2005

 

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Launch Attacks in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)

Israeli occupation forces continue to confiscate land for the construction of the annexation wall and expansion of settlements.

 

 

 


 

Introduction

Despite the Palestinian commitment to cease hostilities, which was further emphasized by Palestinian resistance groups in Cairo last week, Israeli occupation forces (IOF) have disregarded understandings concluded with the Palestinian side and launched more attacks against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). This week, human rights violations perpetrated by IOF included shooting at Palestinian civilians, incursions into Palestinian areas, house raids and arbitrary arrests. In violation of international law and humanitarian law, IOF have also continued to construct the annexation wall inside the West Bank territory and confiscated more areas of Palestinian land for this purpose. They have continued to expand existing settlements at the expense of Palestinian land, in an attempt to create irreversible facts on the ground that will complicate negotiations on the final status of the OPT. Contrary to Israeli official claims, IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. 

This week, IOF conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank, during which they opened fire at residential areas and raided and searched houses.   Seven Palestinian civilians, including 6 children, were wounded, and 16 others were arrested by IOF. A house was also burnt and a foreign journalist was injured in Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah.  In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted 3 military incursions into Khan Yunis, Gaza City and Wadi al-Salqa village.  They arrested 3 Palestinian children who apparently attempted to infiltrate into Israel to search for jobs.  On 18 March 2005, IOF moved into the Israeli- controlled al-Mawasi area in Khan Yunis and arrested a Palestinian civilian. 

IOF have continued to construct the annexation wall inside the West Bank territory. IOF resumed land leveling in the vicinity of Bilal Ben Rabah Mosque at the northern entrance to Bethlehem, for the purpose of the construction of a section of the wall, which will close the main entrance to the town and separate it from Jerusalem. According to local sources, the construction of this section of the wall will isolate the northern part of the town and will restrict the movement of its residents. They also started to raze more areas of Palestinian agricultural land in Sourif village, northwest of Hebron, for the purpose of the construction of a section of the wall. On 22 March 2005, IOF moved into Dahiat al-Barid area, north of East Jerusalem, and resumed placing signs that determine the route of 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. This week, Israeli sources revealed that the Israeli government approved two plans to build 3500 housing units between East Jerusalem and "Ma'ale Adomim" settlement to the east.  These plans will practically expand the aforementioned settlement towards East Jerusalem and will prevent geographical contiguity of the future Palestinian state.  On 17 and 18 March 2005, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian civilians and injured 4 of them, including 3 workers. 

Contrary to Israeli claims, IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT, including Jerusalem. Since Wednesday morning, 23 March 2005, IOF have imposed a comprehensive closure on the OPT for the Jewish Purim. This closure will continue until Monday morning, 28 March 2005. 

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. 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. On 19 March 2005, IOF informed 16 Palestinian families living near "Kissufim" settler road, northeast of Khan Yunis, that they would establish an electronic gate in the area to control the movement of these families. Since the beginning of this month, IOF has used a special checking machine, which causes health problems, particularly for pregnant women. Although the Palestinian side rejected the use of this machine, IOF have continued to use it. On 22 March 2005, the Palestinian Ministry of Health issued a statement warning of health impacts of this checking set. 

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 sudden military checkpoints. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians and arrested 3 of them. Two Palestinian civilians, including a woman, were also injured by IOF positioned at military checkpoints.

 

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

Thursday, 17 March 2005

At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into 'Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. There were a number of Palestinian boys and young men sitting near a café at the main road. When they saw IOF coming to the area, they escaped.  Immediately, IOF opened fire at them.  Ahmed 'Abdul Rahim Tawfiq E'mar, 17, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the face. He entered a neighboring house and the family called an ambulance which evacuated him to the hospital. IOF also arrested 17-year-old Mohammed Ghaleb Fuqaha. 

At approximately 12:00, dozens of Israeli settlers exited "Halmish" settlement, northwest of Ramallah, and gathered in al-Yanabee' area between the villages of Nabi Saleh and Deir Nizam.  A number of Palestinian civilians from Nabi Saleh village went to the area to drive the settlers away. Immediately, IOF arrived at the area and arrested 4 civilians:

1.     Bilal 'Abdullah al-Tamimi, 22;

2.     Ra'fat Hassan al-Tamimi, 23; and

3.     Munjed Mohammed Hassan, 20. 

At approximately 22:00, IOF raided at least houses in Wad al-Husain neighborhood in the south of Hebron. They forced male residents of these houses out and gathered them at a neighboring school until 03:00 on the following day.  No arrests were reported. 

 

Friday, 18 March 2005

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into the Israeli controlled al-Mawasi area in Khan Yunis, which has been under a strict Israeli siege since the beginning of the current Intifada. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Eshtaiwi 'Aabdin, 27, and arrested him. 

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into the villages of Bardala and Kardala, east of Jenin, and imposed a curfew. They ordered male Palestinian civilians aged 15-60 to gather at a school in Bardala village. They checked the identity cards of these civilians, but no arrests were reported. 

At approximately 10:00, IOF, accompanied by a military bulldozer, moved into Baten al-Samin area in the southwest of Khan Yunis. They leveled areas of Palestinian land they had already razed. A few hours before this incursion, IOF had opened fire at the area, but no casualties were reported. 

At approximately 13:00, following the Friday Prayer, hundreds of Palestinian civilians moved from Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah, to their land which was being razed by IOF for the purpose of the construction of the annexation wall. They organized a peaceful demonstration in protest to the construction of the wall on their land.  When they arrived at the area, IOF fired rubber-coated metal bullets and dozens of tear gas canisters at them. A Palestinian civilian, 21-year-old Tariq Samara, was seriously wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head. A foreign journalist, Ian Rick, of Associated Press, also passed out from tear gas inhalation.   

 

Saturday, 19 March 2005

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into 'Allar village, north of Tulkarm, and imposed a curfew. They raided a female school and 4 houses and transformed them into military sites. Then, they raided dozens and houses, forced many Palestinian civilians out and interrogated them. The curfew continued into effect until Monday morning, 21 March 2005. 

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched dozens of houses, forced dozens of Palestinian civilians out and interrogated them. Then, they arrested Khaled Ahmed Sukkar, 27. 

At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into al-Zahiriya village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched 'Ata Hamad al-Hawarin's house in Douma area in the north of the village and arrested his son, 20-year-old Shadi. 

At approximately 15:40, IOF moved nearly 200 meters into Wadi al-Salqa village, southeast of Deir al-Balah. They informed the 16 families (60 people) living in the village that they would establish an electronic gate at the entrance of the village to control their daily movement from and to the village according to a timetable (from 06:30 to 17:30).  The village has been under a strict siege imposed by IOF since 6 May 2004 following an armed attack that left 5 Israeli settlers dead. IOF established a fence along the neighboring "Kissufim" settler road. 

At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into 'Attil village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed 'Abdul Latif Abu Khalil, 23, and arrested him.    

Also at approximately 19:00, IOF moved into the neighboring Deir al-Ghosoun village.  They raided and searched Tha'er Raja Abu 'Eissa's house and transformed it into a military site. 

At approximately 20:00, IOF moved several meters into al-Mentar area near the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Gaza City.  They arrested 3 Palestinian children who were apparently attempting to infiltrate into Israel to search for jobs:

 

1.     Fares Hussein Abu Humaisa, 17;

2.     Saber Mohammed al-Khaldi, 17; and

3.     Salah al-Din Hassan Abu Maktouma, 17, all from al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. 

 

Sunday, 20 March 2005

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Budros village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinians, including a child:

1.     Hassan Mohammed Khalil, 20;

2.     Ahmed Mohammed Khalil, 18;

3.     Mo'ayad Ahmed 'Abdu, 20;

4.     Eihab Ahmed 'Abdu, 21; and

5.     Ahmed Shukri 'Ali, 17. 

At approximately 06:00, a number of Palestinian workers arrived to "Gilo" checkpoint between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. They attempted to enter Jerusalem through a bypass road to the east of the checkpoint. When IOF positioned on military observation towers saw the workers, they opened fire at them. One of the workers, Maher 'Eissa 'Ali al-Qaimari, 34, from Yatta village near Hebron, was seriously wounded by several live bullet throughout the body. He was evacuated by an Israeli ambulance to an Israeli hospital.  IOF claimed that the worker attempted to seize the riffle of an Israeli soldier, when IOF chased a number of workers who attempted to enter Jerusalem through a bypass road. 

At approximately 13:00, IOF positioned in the area where the construction of a section of the annexation wall in being constructed in the villages of Ba'ein and Safa, west of Ramallah, opened fire at Palestinian schoolchildren who had just left school to go back homes. Three schoolchildren were wounded:

1.     Zaki Mohammed Zaki, 17, seriously wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the eye;

2.     Nayef Ghazi, 16, seriously hit by a tear gas canister to the spinal column; and

3.     Yassin Fares Asha'ab, 16, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head.  

 

Monday, 21 March 2005

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Saida village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Hikmat 'Ouda, 25.

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinians:

1.     Firas Mahmoud Khalifa, 26; and

2.     Nihad Ahmed Harb, 21. 

At approximately 08:30, IOF moved into Burqa village, northwest of Nablus.  They opened fire at houses.  Then, they raided Nidal 'Ezzat's house and transformed it into a military site. 

At approximately 15:00, IOF moved into Housan village, west of Bethlehem. They raided the building of Youth Development Society and held 4 of its board. They searched the building, but no arrests were reported. 

 

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

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip. They 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. Furthermore, the suffering of Palestinian civilians living in areas near Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip has continued.  

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 impose a strict siege on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip. Male Palestinians aged 16-35 have been prohibited from crossing al-Tuffah checkpoint at the entrance to the area. Only 150 civilians are allowed to exit the area and 25 other 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 forces 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.  IOF have continued to close Gaza International Airport for the fourth consecutive year. 

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. At least 180 Palestinian civilians live in the area, including 47 students, one physician, 5 public employees, 50 children and 7 patients. 

The daily suffering of Palestinian civilians living in al-Sayafa area is demonstrated in the following:

1.     Palestinian civilians aged under 30 are prohibited from moving out and into the area without prior coordination. 

2.     A very limited number of farmers are allowed to enter the area, but following coordination. 

3.     University students have been forced to live outside the area due to the prohibition imposed on the movement of those who are under 30. 

4.     The area lack paved roads, which makes transportation extremely difficult, so residents of the area have to move on foot. 

5.     IOF open the iron gate at the entrance of the area from 07:00 to 09:00 and from 14:00 to 17:00. 

6.     The area lacks basic services, such as electricity, as IOF have prevented establishing an electricity network in the area. 

7.     Patients have to walk or transport on animal cart as ambulances are not allowed to enter the area without coordination, which often takes a long time. 

8.     Farmers face extreme difficulties in marketing their products or bringing agricultural equipment into the area. 

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 2400 workers and 200 traders who have valid work permits to enter Israel this week.  Workers who can work in Israel must be over 35, married and approved by Israeli security services.  On 23 March 2005, IOF closed all border crossings of the Gaza Strip with Israel for the Jewish Purim.  This closure is expected to continue until Monday morning, 28 March 2005.    

The daily suffering of Palestinian workers at Erez crossing is demonstrated in the following:

1.     Workers are subject to strict and prolonged checking and humiliation on their way to their work places. 

2.     Some of them are subject to interrogation by Israeli security services.

3.     Many workers are prevented from entering Israel for security claims.

4.     Work permits of workers who do not go to their work for a period that exceeds one week are cancelled.

5.     On 13 March 2005, IOF established a new route equipped with cameras, where workers are checked before reaching the two passage routes at the crossing.

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.    

IOF have continued to impose severe restriction on commercial transactions at al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing, east of Gaza City. Even though, IOF declared last week that they would ease these restrictions, they have allowed only 30-35 trucks to enter Israel through the crossing and 270 one to enter the Gaza Strip from Israel. The crossing has been operated in a very limited capacity, which have damaged goods and caused large losses to Palestinian traders. 

Even though Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border is open, IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on travel. The crossing point is opened from 09:00 to 17:00 everyday.  Even though, IOF have allowed Palestinians aged 16-35 to travel through the crossing since 20 February 2005, they have continued to summon and interrogate a number of these Palestinians. This week, many Palestinian travelers had to wait for several days at the Palestinian side of the crossing point, as IOF allowed only a small number of travelers to travel on each day. Since the beginning of this month, IOF has used a special checking machine, which causes health problems.  Although the Palestinian side rejected the use of this machine, IOF have continued to use it. On 22 March 2005, the Palestinian Ministry of Health issued a statement warning of health impacts of this checking set. 

 

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

IOF imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  They used force to disperse a number of Palestinian women who arrived at a checkpoint at the eastern entrance to East Jerusalem to enter the city for the Friday Prayer. According to eyewitnesses, IOF fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the women. One of the women, Manal Mousa Salem, 28, from Qariout village near Nablus, was injured in the face by a sound bomb. On Monday, 21 March 2005, IOF closed military checkpoints at the entrances to East Jerusalem for several hours and prevented Palestinian civilians from entering the city. 

Ramallah

IOF erected a number of checkpoints on the main roads leading to Ramallah and al-Bireh. On Monday, 21 March 2005, IOF imposed restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians from and to Ramallah and al-Bireh.  At noon, they erected a sudden checkpoint in Surda village, north of Ramallah, and stopped and checked dozens of Palestinian civilians. They erected another checkpoint at Deir Ebzei' crossroads, west of Ramallah. They erected a third checkpoint near Jaba' crossroads, south of the town.  According to eyewitnesses, IOF positioned at Qalandya checkpoint, south of Ramallah, closed the checkpoint at noon, and prohibited movement of Palestinian civilians towards al-Ram village. 

 

Nablus

This week, IOF imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  IOF positioned at various checkpoints around the town conducted prolonged checking for Palestinian civilians. On Monday noon, 20 March 2005, IOF closed the main entrance to Bazaria village, northwest of Nablus with sand barriers. 

 

Tulkarm

On Thursday morning, 17 March 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at the eastern entrance to 'Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. On Friday morning, IOF erected a checkpoint at Far'oun crossroads, south of the town. On Saturday morning, IOF erected a number of checkpoints at the entrances to villages located to the north of the town.  They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians. At approximately 12:30 on Sunday, 20 March 2005, IOF closed Tulkarm – Far'oun road. They stopped Palestinian civilian vehicles and held dozens of young men for several hours. At the same time, IOF erected a checkpoint at al-Jarousha crossroads and imposed restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 07:00 on Monday, 21 March 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at al-Salam Square in the south of Tulkarm. They provoked and insulted Palestinian schoolchildren at a neighboring school by megaphones.

 

Jenin

On Saturday morning, 19 March 2005, moved into Tubas village, southeast of Jenin, and closed its northern entrance. They also erected more checkpoints on the main road between Jenin and Nablus. On Sunday morning, 20 March 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at al-'Aqba crossroads to the north of Tubas village. They stopped dozens of Palestinian civilian vehicles and held dozens of young men for a long time, during which they checked their identity cards.

 

Jericho  

On Sunday, 20 March 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at the northern entrance of Jericho and imposed restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  IOF positioned at the southern entrance of the town also stopped and checked Palestinian civilians. These measures came a few days following handing over security responsibilities in the town to the Palestinian National Authority. 

 

Arrests at Military Checkpoints

On Monday, 21 March 2005, IOF positioned at an iron gate on the annexation wall opposite to Jayous village, northeast of Qalqilya, arrested Baker 'Abdul Ra'ouf Khaled, 20, from Jayous village. 

On Tuesday morning, 22 March 2005, IOF positioned at Farsh al-Hawa road, northwest of Hebron, arrested Lu'ai Hamdi Abu Shukhaidem, 27, from Hebron, when he was on his way to his work. 

On Tuesday noon, IOF positioned at Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested Mahdi al-Hanbali, 40, from Nablus, director of Graduate Cultural Forum. 

 

Continued Construction of the Annexation Wall

IOF have continued to construct the annexation wall inside the West Bank territory, especially around Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Hebron and the western villages of Ramallah. 

On Sunday morning, 20 March 2005, IOF started to raze more areas of Palestinian agricultural land in Sourif village, northwest of Hebron, for the purpose of the construction of a section of the wall.  According to eyewitnesses, Israeli bulldozers razed 22 donums of agricultural land and uprooted hundreds of trees in the area on Sunday and Monday. 

On Monday morning, 21 March 2005, IOF resumed land leveling in the vicinity of Bilal Ben Rabah Mosque at the northern entrance to Bethlehem, for the purpose of the construction of a section of the wall, which will close the main entrance to the town and separate it from Jerusalem.  According to local sources, the construction of this section of the wall will isolate the northern part of the town and will restrict the movement of its residents. 

In the same context, IOF have continued to raze Palestinian agricultural land in Wadi Ahmed area to the north of Beit Jala for the purpose of the construction of a section of the wall, which will seize large areas of Palestinian agricultural land. 

On Tuesday morning, 22 March 2005, IOF moved into Dahiat al-Barid area, north of East Jerusalem, and resumed placing signs that determine the route of the wall. IOF have recently completed the establishment of the infrastructure for the construction of the wall in Wadi 'Ayad area, northeast of al-Ram village, near Dahiat al-Barid area. They have also started to establish a settler road to link "Neve Yaqob" settlement near Dahiat al-Barid area with Israeli settlements established on the land of the villages of Hazma and 'Anata, northeast of Jerusalem. Upon the completion of these projects, al-Ram village and Dahiat al-Barid area will be completely isolated from their surroundings. 

At approximately 10:00 on Friday, 18 March 2005, IOF severely beat a Palestinian farmer, Hassan Khalil Mousa al-Sheikh, 70, from Deir al-'Asal village, south of Hebron, when he was farming his agricultural land to the east of the wall.  He sustained bruises in the limbs and injuries in the face.  

 

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 10:20 on Thursday, 17 March 2005, a number of Israeli settlers from "Kiryat Arba" settlement, southeast of Hebron, attacked a Palestinian civilian, Husni 'Abdul Hai Abu Es'eifan, 38. He sustained bruises in the shoulders and injuries in the face.  This attack took place before the eyes of IOF.

At approximately 07:00 on Friday morning, 18 March 2005, dozens of Israeli settlers armed with iron bars and stones attacked 7 Palestinian workers from Nahalin village, southwest of Bethlehem, who work in "Nehla'il" settlement, south of Bethlehem.  The workers were standing before the security room of the settlement, waiting to be allowed to enter the settlement. Four workers were able to escape, while the other three were attacked and injured by the settlers. On of the workers, 40-year-old Mohye Shakarna, was seriously injured.

At approximately 10:30 on Saturday, 19 March 2005, a number of Israeli settlers from "Ma'oun" settlement, south of Hebron, attacked a number of Palestinian farmers in the neighboring al-Tawani village. A Palestinian woman, 70-year-old Fatema Salama al-Harini, sustained bruises throughout the body and injuries in the left leg. 

This week, Israeli sources revealed that the Israeli government approved two plans to build 3500 housing units between East Jerusalem and "Ma'ale Adomim" settlement to the east.  The Israeli daily Yediot Aharanot reported that the Israeli government approved on 13 March 2005 plans to build 3500 housing units and a police station for the West Bank.  These plans will practically expand the aforementioned settlement towards East Jerusalem and will prevent geographical contiguity of the future Palestinian state. 

On Monday, 21 March 2005, Israeli military bulldozers razed 4 donums of Palestinian agricultural land owned by Mohammed Abu Rajab in Jabal Jouhar area in the east of Hebron to establish a new military post.       

 

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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 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

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