PCHR Weekly Report

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) and Continue to Impose a Total Closure on the Gaza Strip

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (03 – 09 September 2009):

Shooting: During the reporting period, IOF killed a Palestinian child and wounded 6 Palestinian civilian, a resistance activist and an Israeli journalist.

On 04 September 2009, IOF shot dead a Palestinian child in Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip, as he was walking with his family towards their farm in the border area.

On 03 September 2009, a Palestinian resistance activist was wounded in fighting during an Israeli military incursion into the east of Gaza City.

On 09 September 2009, a Palestinian civilian was wounded in Beit Hanoun town, when Israeli troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired at him.

On 03 September 2009, an IOF warplane bombarded a tract of land in 'Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis. The bombardment made a large crater in the area, but no casualties were reported.

In the West Bank, on 03 September 2009, a Palestinian child was injured when a sound bomb left by IOF in Ne'lin village, west of Ramallah, exploded.

IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders to protest the construction of the Annexation Wall in the West Bank; 4 Palestinian civilians, including a journalist and a child, and an Israeli journalist were wounded.

Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 38 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. IOF arrested 22 Palestinian civilians, including two children.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted 5 limited incursions into Palestinian communities, during which they leveled areas of previously razed Palestinian land. They also arrested 5 Palestinian children who were grazing animals.

Restrictions on Movement: IOF have continued to impose a tightened closure on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.

IOF have continued to close all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for more than two years. The illegal IOF closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.

· 1.5 million people are being denied their basic rights, including freedom of movement, and their rights to appropriate living conditions, work, health and education.

· The main concern of 1.5 million people living in the Gaza Strip is to obtain their basic needs of food, medicines, water and electricity supplies.

· IOF have continued to prevent the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza Strip for more than two years.

· IOF have not allowed fuel supplies into the Gaza Strip, excluding limited amounts of cooking gas, since 10 December 2008.

· The Rafah International Crossing Point has been opened for a few days for a number of patients who received medical treatment abroad and needed to return home to the Gaza Strip.

· IOF have continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to Palestinian civilians wishing to travel to the West Bank and Israeli for medical treatment, trade or social visits.

· Poverty and unemployment rates stand at approximately 80% and 60% respectively in the Gaza Strip.

· IOF have continued to prevent the entry of spare parts form water networks and sewage systems. Losses incurred to this sector are estimated at US$ 6 million.

· IOF have imposed additional restrictions on access of international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers to the Gaza Strip. They have prevented representatives of several international humanitarian organizations from entering the Gaza Strip.

· Living conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated; levels of poverty and unemployment have sharply mounted.

· At least 900 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails have been denied family visitation rights for more than two years.

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip continue to be denied access to Jerusalem.

· IOF have established checkpoints in and around Jerusalem, severely restricting Palestinian access to the city. Civilians are frequently prevented from praying at the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

· There are approximately permanent 630 roadblocks, and manned and unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank. In addition, there are some 60-80 ‘flying’ or temporary checkpoints erected across the West Bank by IOF every week.

· When complete, the illegal Annexation Wall will stretch for 724 kilometers around the West Bank, further isolating the entire population. 350 kilometers of the Wall has already been constructed. Approximately 99% of the Wall has been constructed inside the West Bank itself, further confiscating Palestinian land.

· At least 65% of the main roads that leads to 18 Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF (47 out of 72 roads).

· There are around 500 kilometers of restricted roads across the West Bank. In addition, approximately one third of the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, is inaccessible to Palestinians without a permit issued by the IOF. These permits are extremely difficult to obtain.

· IOF continue to harass, and assault demonstrators who hold peaceful protests against the construction of the Annexation Wall.

· Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by IOF in Jerusalem, and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped and searched in the streets by IOF.

Efforts intended to establish a Jewish majority in occupied Jerusalem: IOF have escalated arbitrary measures against Palestinian civilians in East Jerusalem in an attempt to force them to leave the city. On 07 September 2009, the Israeli police summoned Hazem Abu Sair, Director of Nidal Center for Community Development in the old town of Jerusalem, and handed to him a decision signed by the chief of Israeli police extending the closure of the center until 11 September 2010. It is worth noting that the Israeli police had closed the center for one month starting from 15 July 2007. On 06 September 2009, a number of Israeli settlers attacked a number of clergymen near the Armenian Monastery. They violently beat the clergymen and broke their crosses. Soon, the Israeli police arrived at the area. The clergymen complained to the police, but the police instead arrested two clergymen. The police detained them for 3 days and wanted to expel them to Armenia, but retreated under media and political pressure.

Settlement Activities: IOF have continued settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law and Israeli settlers living have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property. On Thursday morning, 03 September 2009, IOF moved into al-Baq'a area, east of Hebron. Bulldozers destroyed 4 cement-made water tanks, which are used for irrigation. During this incursion, a number of Palestinian farmers attempted to stop the destruction of the tanks. IOF troops violently beat them. As a result, 3 farmers sustained bruises. On 06 September 2009, Murad Mohammed Abu Haikal, 19, and Labib Mohammed Abu Haikal, 16, from Hebron, were attacked by Israeli settlers living in "Ramat Yishai" settlement outpost in the Tal Rumaida neighborhood, central Hebron. Murad sustained a fracture to the nose and bruises throughout the body.

On 06 September 2009, the Israeli Minister of Defense, Ehud Barak, approved new settlement construction plans. The cabinet (the six-fold Council of ministers) met to discuss the distribution of 450-500 housing units that had been approved by the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, on 6 September 2009. The establishment of the approved units was decided to be distributed accross different settlements, including “Har Gilo” south of Jerusalem, “Mode’in Elite” west of Ramallah and “Ariel” north of Salfit. On 07 September 2009, a ceremony was organized to lay the foundation of a new settlement neighborhood called “Mafsirit Adomim” in the “E1” zone between “Ma’ale Adomim” settlement and the eastern city of occupied Jerusalem. It is reported that there are plans to establish 3,000 housing units. According to statements by the head of the municipality of “Ma’ale Adomim” settlement, there are 37,000 settlers in “Ma’ale Adomim” settlement and that the settlement needs 600 new housing units every year. Israeli Peace Now reported that a few days ago, the Israeli government had finished the preparations to construct dozens of housing units in the northern Jordan Valley in the east of the West Bank. Peace Now stated that there were 100 housing units being constructed. These units had been approved by former Israeli Minister of Defense, Amir Peretz, in 2006 and by Minister of Defense, Ihoud Barak, in 2008. The Israeli government continues to approve the establishment of new housing units in settlements.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (03 – 09 September 2009)

1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip

· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Aibak 'Allam Abu 'Ali, 20.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Bourqin village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed Bassem Khloufm, 19.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mahmoud Nejem, 27.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into 'Aqabet Jaber refugee camp, south of Jericho. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ra'fat 'Abdullah Ka'abna, 24.

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Nahalin village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian children:

· At approximately 10:00, IOF moved nearly 400 meters into the southeast of al-Shoja'eya neighborhood, east of Gaza City. They leveled areas of previously-razed Palestinian land. They also destroyed a number of water heating tanks. Armed clashes erupted between IOF and activists of the Palestinian resistance, during which an activist was wounded.

· At approximately 13:00, Mo'taz Salah Khawaja, 8, from Ne'lin village west of Ramallah, sustained burns to the legs, when a sound bomb left by IOF near the Annexation Wall exploded.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into village, east of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed al-Jermi, 27.

· At approximately 12:00, IOF moved nearly 200 meters into Abu Raida area in the east of Khuza'a village, east of Khan Yunis. They leveled areas of previously-razed Palestinian land.

· In the afternoon, IOF killed a 14-year-old child, Ghazi al-OZa’anin, in Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip. IOF troops shot the child from close range, while he was walking with his family. This child was the second to be killed by IOF in less than a week. PCHR's investigations, and eye-witness testimony, indicates that, at approximately 13:40 on Friday, 4 September 2009, Maher Ghazi al-Za’anin drove his four children, including Ghazi, 14, to their farm, 500 meters away from the border with Israel, in the northeast of Beit Hanoun town. Before arriving at the farm, al-Za’anin and his children stepped down from the car and approached their land on foot. On their way to the farm, they were surprised by an Israeli military jeep that stopped opposite to them. Al-Za’anin and his children were frightened, and ran away. IOF soldiers who were inside the jeep immediately opened fire. Ghazi was wounded by a bullet to the head and fell to the ground. The father carried the child to their car, whereupon IOF soldiers fired at the car, hitting it with two bullets. The father drove to Beit Hanoun Hospital and the child was transferred to al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City as he was in a critical condition. Ghazi was admitted to the intensive care unit, where he was pronounced dead on the following morning, Saturday, 5 September 2009.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire. They withdrew from the village later and no casualties or arrests were reported.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Bal'a village, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Deir al-Ghossoun village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Thinnaba suburb, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit Leqia village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Younis Sa'id Mousa, 22, and summoned him for interrogation.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched houses belonging to the families of Yassin Mohammed Yassin, 21; Hamza Suleiman Bernat, 16; and Mohammed Ahmed Yassin, 20, to arrest them. No arrests were reported as the three persons were not at home.

· Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Fara'a refugee camp, east of Tubas. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Tarqoumia village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Ethna village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Beit 'Awa village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Bitounia village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched the al-Sho'la building. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Ram village, north of Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of 'Abdul Ra'ouf al-Maslamani, and summoned him for interrogation.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Beit Fajjar village near Bethlehem. They raided and searched offices of Beit al-Taqwa Association. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 17:30, IOF troops moved nearly 150 meters into the north of the Bedouin Village in the northern Gaza Strip. They arrested 5 Palestinian children while grazing animals:

· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Far'a refugee camp, south of Tubas. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 'Alaa' Saleh Abu Sharifa, 18.

· Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Safarin village, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Talal Ahmed Saleh, 50.

· At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Rummana village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 20:00, IOF move nearly 300 meters into Hamdoush area in the north of Beit Lahia town in the northern Gaza Strip. They opened fire at Palestinian civilian property, but no casualties were reported. They withdrew from the area at approximately 01:55 on Wednesday, 09 September 2009.

· On Tuesday, an Israeli military court ordered the transfer of 'Abdullah Yassin Fuqaha, 44, from Kufor al-Labad village east of Tulkarm, who had been placed under administrative detention in Israeli jails, to Bethlehem town in the southern West Bank.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Jaba' village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 'Imad Amin Canaan, 40.

· Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Deir al-Ghossoun village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Munawar Lutfi Abu Saa', 42.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Hassan Sami Slaibi, 21.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Sa'ir village, northeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ahmed Sa'di Shalalda, 22, and his brother Mahmoud, 25.

· At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire. They withdrew from the village later and no casualties or arrests were reported.

· At approximately 07:00, Maysara Mohammed Hussein al-Kafarna, 24, from Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip, was admitted into Beit Hanoun Hospital as he was wounded by a gunshot to the right foot. IOF troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired at him when he was approximately 350 meters away from the border.

· At approximately 10:00, IOF moved nearly 700 meters into the north of Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip. They opened fire at Palestinian houses and farms. No casualties were reported.

IOF have continued to impose a tightened closure on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Occupied East Jerusalem.

· 1.5 million people are being denied their basic rights, including freedom of movement, and their rights to appropriate living conditions, work, health and education.

· The main concern of the population of the Gaza Strip is to obtain their basic needs of food, medicines, water and electricity supplies.

· IOF have continued to prevent the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza Strip for more than two years.

· IOF have not allowed fuel supplies into the Gaza Strip, excluding limited amounts of cooking gas, since 10 December 2008.

· The Rafah International Crossing Point has been opened for a few days for a number of patients who received medical treatment abroad and needed to return home to the Gaza Strip.

· IOF have continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to Palestinian civilians wishing to travel to the West Bank and Israeli for medical treatment, trade or social visits.

· Poverty and unemployment rates stand at approximately 80% and 60% respectively in the Gaza Strip.

· IOF have continued to prevent the entry of spare parts form water networks and sewage systems. Losses incurred to this sector are estimated at US$ 6 million.

· IOF have imposed additional access restrictions on international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip. They have prevented representatives of several international humanitarian organizations from entering the Gaza Strip.

· Living conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated; levels of poverty and unemployment have sharply mounted.

· At least 900 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails have been denied family visitation rights for more than two years.

Date	Details
02 September 2009	One Palestinian was allowed to travel to Egypt and 251 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
03 September 2009	28 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 373 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
04 September 2009	24 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 111 Palestinians were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
05 September 2009	4 Palestinians were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
06 September 2009	One Palestinian was allowed to travel to Egypt.
07 September 2009	15 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 10 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
08 September 2009	8 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 193 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.

Date	Details
02 September 2009	97 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
03 September 2009	125 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
04 September 2009	Closed.
05 September 2009	Closed.
06 September 2009	79 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
07 September 2009	81 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
08 September 2009	92 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.

Date	Cooking Gas (tons)	Energy Fuel (liters)
02 September 2009	221	689,000
03 September 2009	Nil	Nil
04 September 2009	Nil	Nil
05 September 2009	Nil	Nil
06 September 2009	Nil	Nil
07 September 2009	218	1,000,433
08 September 2009	272	862,000

Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: IOF have continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have allowed only diplomats, a number of international journalists, workers at international agencies and a few patients who suffer from serious diseases to pass through the crossing. They have continued to prevent Palestinian civilians from visiting their relatives who are detained in Israeli jails. As mentioned above, IOF have allowed a few number of patients to pass through the crossing, but under severe restrictions that include prolonged checking.

Date	Patients	Companions	Arabs from Israel	International Journalists	International Workers	Travelers abroad
Date	Patients	Companions	Arabs from Israel	International Journalists	International Workers	Travelers abroad
02 September 2009	17	17	14	2	26	4
03 September 2009	19	18	8	3	66	9
04 September 2009	1	1	16	6	15	Nil
05 September 2009	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
06 September 2009	16	16	21	1	10	4
07 September 2009	25	24	5	1	7	2
08 September 2009	28	27	14	4	31	30

Al-Mentar (Karni) Crossing: IOF partially opened the crossing on Monday, 07 September 2009, and allowed the entry of 4,320 tons of seeds and fodders.

IOF have imposed a tightened siege on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

· Jerusalem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to the city. IOF have established many checkpoints around and inside the city. Restrictions of the movement of Palestinian civilians often escalate on Fridays to prevent them from praying at the al-Aqsa Mosque. IOF often violently beat Palestinian civilians who attempt to bypass checkpoints and enter the city. IOF impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians on Fridays to restrict their access to the al-Aqsa Mosque. On the second Friday of the Holy Ramadan, IOF declared that they would allow Palestinian civilians from the West Bank aged over 50 to pray in the al-Aqsa Mosque. However, hundreds of civilians were not able to enter the city due to movement restrictions imposed by IOF troops stationed at various checkpoints around the city. IOF also reinforced their presence inside Jerusalem. On Tuesday noon, 08 September 2009, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in Jerusalem. They erected a number checkpoints on the roads leading to the city, and stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

· Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF troops positioned at an iron gate established on Nablus-Tulkarm road have continued to conduct prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians, especially in the morning. IOF troops positioned at Shavi Shomron checkpoint on the Nablus-Jenin road, and at Za'tara checkpoint, south of the city, have also continued to restrict the movement of Palestinian civilians.

On Thursday evening, 03 September 2009, IOF troops positioned at Shavi Shomron checkpoint, northwest of Nablus, arrested Khaled 'Abdullah Zakarna, 19, from Jenin.

· Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of the Palestinian civilians in Jenin. IOF troops positioned at Jaba'-Qalandya checkpoint, southeast of Ramallah, have imposed additional restrictions on movement and conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians. During the reporting period, IOF erected a number of temporary checkpoints, and stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

· Bethlehem: On Saturday evening, 05 September 2009, IOF troops positioned at the Container checkpoint, north of Bethlehem, arrested Mohammed Shareef Jaradat, 31, fromSa'ir village northeast of Hebron.

· Al-Karama International Crossing Point: On Sunday morning, 06 September 2009, IOF troops positioned at al-Karama International Crossing Point on the Jordanian border arrested 3 Palestinian civilians, including two women:

· Qalqilya: On Sunday evening, 06 September 2009, IOF troops positioned at a gate established at the Annexation Wall near Flamia village, north of Qalqilya, arrested Ahmed Saleh Khuraisha, 26, from Jayous village north of Qalqilya.

· During the reporting period, IOF troops positioned at the 109 checkpoint separating Qalqilya from Israel forced Ayman 'Abdul Maqsoud Tibbiya, 41, and his three children to wait in his car under the sun from 10:30 to 17:30, when he was on his way to Habla village. When he was released, he went to submit a complaint at the Israeli District Coordination Office at the entrance of Qqlilya. There, IOF troops violently beat him and poured hot tea on his body.

· At approximately 05:00 on Sunday morning, 06 September 2009, IOF troops stopped Mohammed Mahmoud Dua'is, 27, from Yatta village south of Hebron, when he was transporting 5 Palestinian workers to their work places inside Israel. They pulled him out of the car and violently beat him. He lost consciousness for several minutes. They sprinkled water onto his face and resumed beating him. The workers were held for an hour before being released, but Du'ais remained in custody. They took him in his car towards "Lasiver" checkpoint in Mnaizel area to the east of Yatta village. There, they violently beat him. At approximately 08:15, an Israeli police vehicle arrived at the area, so IOF troops hid Du'ais in a small room at the checkpoint. He noticed that, so he screamed and asked for help. When police officers heard his appeal, they intervened and took Du'ais after warning IOF troops that he might die. The police then contacted Du'ais father, who brought an ambulance and evacuated him to the hospital.

IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside West Bank territory. During the reporting period, IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the Wall.

· Following the Friday Prayer on 04 September 2009, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered in the center of Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah. They moved towards the Wall and, following altercations, threw stones at IOF troops positioned in the area. Immediately, IOF troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. Ahmed Abu Rahma, 16, and Rani 'Abdul Fattah Bernat, 29, were hit by tear gas canisters to the legs.

· Also following the Friday Prayer on 04 September 2009, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne'lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the Annexation Wall. They clashed with IOF troops positioned near the Wall. IOF troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators. Three demonstrators, including an Israeli journalist and a local one, were wounded:

1. Hammouda Sa'id 'Amira, 23, a local journalist, hit by a tear gas canister to the abdomen;

4. Efforts Intended to Establish a Jewish majority in occupied east Jerusalem

IOF has recently escalated arbitrary measures against Palestinian civilians in East Jerusalem to force them to leave the city. PCHR has devoted this section in the Weekly Report to highlight violations of human rights perpetrated by IOF against Palestinian civilians in East Jerusalem.

· On Monday noon, 07 September 2009, the Israeli police summoned Hazem Abu Sair, Director of Nidal Center for Community Development in the old town of Jerusalem, and handed to him a decision signed by the chief of Israeli police extending the closure of the center until 11 September 2010. It is worth noting that the Israeli police had closed the center for one month starting from 15 July 2007.

· On Sunday evening, 06 September 2009, a number of Israeli settlers attacked a number of clergymen near the Armenian Monastery. They violently beat the clergymen and broke their crosses. Soon, the Israeli police arrived at the area. The clergymen complained to the police, who arrested two of them. The police detained them for 3 days and wanted to expel them to Armenia, but retreated under media and political pressure.

5. Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property

IOF have continued settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.

· On Thursday morning, 03 September 2009, IOF moved into al-Baq'a area, east of Hebron. Bulldozers destroyed 4 cement-made, 1,000-cubic-meter water tanks, which are used for irrigation. The tanks belong to the al-Rajabi and Jaber families. During this incursion, a number of Palestinian farmers attempted to stop the destruction of the tanks. IOF troops violently beat them. As a result, 3 farmers sustained bruises: Badawi Fawaz al-Rajabi, 20; 'Ali Saleh Jaber, 55; and Badwan Badawi al-Rajabi, 30. According to Palestinian farmers, IOF damaged at least 12 donums of agricultural land planted with vegetables. This attack is part of efforts made by IOF and settlers to seize 30 donums of land in the area.

· On Saturday, 06 September 2009, Murad Mohammed Abu Haikal, 19, and Labib Mohammed Abu haikal, 16, from Hebron, were attacked by Israeli settlers living in "Ramat Yishai" settlement outpost in Tal Rumaida neighborhood, central Hebron. Murad sustained a fracture to the nose and bruises throughout the body. According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 13:30, while the two civilians were on their way home, two Israeli settlers got close to them. The settlers pushed Murad towards a wall and violently beat him. Labib attempted to help Murad. The quarrel continued for 5 minutes. The two civilians then went to a military checkpoint at the entrance of the neighborhood, where they informed the Israeli police. Dozens of Israeli settlers gathered and attempted to attack the two civilians before the eyes of IOF troops and the police. Later, the two civilians went to an Israeli police station near "Kiryat Arba" settlement, southeast of Hebron, to submit a complaint. The two settlers also submitted a complaint against the two civilians, so the two civilians were detained until 16:40.

· On Sunday, 06 September 2009, the Israeli Minister of Defense, Ehud Barak, signed recently announced construction plans. The cabinet (the six-fold Council of ministers) met to discuss the distribution of 450-500 housing units that had been approved by the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, on 6 September 2009. The establishment of the approved units was decided to be distributed accross different settlements, including “Har Gilo” south of Jerusalem, “Mode’in Elite” west of Ramallah and “Ariel” north of Salfit.

· On Monday, 07 September 2009, a ceremony was organized to lay the foundation of a new settlement neighborhood called “Mafsirit Adomim” in the “E1” zone between “Ma’ale Adomim” settlement and the eastern city of occupied Jerusalem. This ceremony took place after an agreement between the Israeli police and the municipality of “Ma’ale Adomim” settlement was approved by the Israeli Supreme Court. The municipality of “Ma’alleih Adomim” settlement had submitted an appeal to the Israeli Supreme Court as the police had issued an order to prevent the organization of the ceremony. Ministers Daniel Herkovic and Uzi Landau; Knesset Members Uri Ariel, Zvolon Orliv, Uri Urbakh; Danni Danon and Ze’ev Alken; the mayor of “Ma’ale Adomim” settlement, Bani Kesrael; and leaders of the Settlement Council in the West Bank attended the ceremony. It is reported that there are plans to establish 3,000 housing units. According to statements by the head of the municipality of “Ma’ale Adomim” settlement, there are 37,000 settlers in “Ma’ale Adomim” settlement and that the settlement needs 600 new housing units every year.

· The Israeli Peace Now reported that a few days ago, the Israeli government had finished the preparations to construct dozens of housing units in the northern Jordan Valley in the east of the West Bank. Peace Now stated that there were 100 housing units being constructed. These units had been approved by former Israeli Minister of Defense, Amir Peretz, in 2006 and by Minister of Defense, Ihoud Barak, in 2008. The Israeli government continues to approve the establishment of new housing units in settlements.

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 believes that the conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as if it is above the law and encourages Israel 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 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 calls for the immediately implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal.

5. PCHR recommends international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs to participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and to urge their governments to bring these people to justice.

6. 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.

7. PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan, which was implemented in September 2005, for what it is - not an end to occupation but a compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

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 the facilitation of 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. PCHR calls upon the international community to pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for international organizations to the OPT.

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.

For further information please visit our website (http://www.pchrgaza.org) or contact PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email (pchr@pchrgaza.org) or telephone (+972 (0)8 2824776 – 2825893).

PCHR Palestinian Centre for Human Rights LTD (non-profit) http://www.pchrgaza.org
Weekly Report: On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory	No. 36/2009 03 . 09 Sep. 2009
A bulldozer clears rocks at a construction site in the" Har Homa" settlement in east Jerusalem