PCHR Weekly Report

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

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

Shooting: During the reporting period, one Palestinian civilian was wounded when Israeli forces used force to disperse a peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders to protest the construction of the Annexation Wall in the West Bank.

Incursions: During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 23 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. Israeli forces arrested 36, including 5 children and one woman.

On 07 December 2009, Israeli forces stormed a house in Sa'I village, northeast of Hebron. They violently beat the owner and damaged the house. When Israeli forces left the house, the family discovered that money and some jewelry were stolen. On 08 December 2009, Israeli forces stormed an apartment building in Nablus and blew up the doors of 6 flats, the door of the elevator and some windows. They also arrested a Palestinian from the building.

Restrictions on Movement: Israeli forces 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 occupied East Jerusalem.

Israel has continued to close all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for more than two years. The illegal Israeli imposed blockade 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.

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

· Israel has 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.

· Israel has 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.

· Israel has 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.

· Israel has imposed 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 are among the highest in the world.

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

· IOF have continued to attack Palestinian fishermen along the Gaza Strip coast.

Israeli forces 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.

· Israeli forces 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 Israeli forces 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 Israeli forces (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 Israeli forces. These permits are extremely difficult to obtain.

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

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

Measures Aimed at Creating a Jewish Majority in Jerusalem: During the reporting period, Israeli forces forced Daoud Ahmed al-'Alami to demolish a part of his house in al-Sawana quarters in al-Tour village near Jerusalem. The house is comprised of a wooden room established in 1980. In 1999, al-'Alami reconstructed the room. Five years later, the Israeli police and officials from the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem came to the house and photographed the room. In 2006, the Israeli municipal court ordered the demolition of the room and imposed a fine of 11,000 NIS on al-'Alami.

On 03 December 2009, a number of Israeli settlers stormed the house of Rifqa 'Abdullah al-Kurd, 89, in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in East Jerusalem. Al-Kurd's son, Nabeel, has lived in the house together with his wife and three children since 1956. The family is one of 68 Jerusalemite families living in 28 houses in the area threatened with house confiscation. A Jewish settlement society claimed ownership of the land on which the house stand, and an Israeli court ordered the closure of the house in 2001, claiming that it had been built without a license. The court also ordered al-Kurd to hand in the keys of the house and decided to consider a complaint against her for allegedly attacking one of the police officers who came to implement the court ruling. It is worth noting that Ridqa al-Kurd suffers from several diseases that makes her unable to walk. However, Israeli forces have continued to summon her to court in an attempt to prevent her from confronting the police when confiscating the house.

During the reporting period, a number of Israeli settlers stormed Ard al-Sammar area in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. They cut tires of 19 vehicles belonging to Palestinian families, stuck racist statements on vehicles and wrote threats directed against Arabs on the walls.

Settlement Activities: Israeli forces 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 04 December 2009, a number of Israeli settlers from "Yits'har" settlement, south of Nablus, stormed two houses in Southern 'Assira village.

On December 2009, a number of Israeli settlers from "Efrat" settlement cut and burnt at least 50 olive trees in Um Salamouna village, south of Bethlehem. This attack was launched by settlers one week after the trees were planted by Palestinian civilians and official bodies.

On 07 December 2009, Israeli settlers from "Sham'a" settlement, south of Hebron, escorted by Israeli troops, blocked the main road leading to al-Sammou' village with stones.

On 08 December 2009, Israeli settlers from "Kiryat Arba" settlement, southeast of Hebron, performed prayers opposite to the al-Rajabi building in al-Ras Street, which had been seized by Israeli forces for nearly one year. Israeli troops stationed in the area stopped and checked passing Palestinian civilians.

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

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

· At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched 3 shops of agricultural materials belonging to Maher 'Alawna, 'Ata Abu al-Rub and Mohammed Abu Anas. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians, including two children:

During those raids, Israeli forces damaged the contents of a number of houses, cut a copy of the Holy Qur'an and treaded on portraits of Palestinians killed by Israeli troops.

· At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Deir Abu Da'if village, northeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 6 Palestinian civilians, including 3 brothers:

· At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Jabal Jouhar area in the southeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Sa'id Saleh Narqan, 22.

· At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm. They raided and searched al-Zughol apartment building and arrested Ahmed Mustafa 'Asas, 18.

· At approximately 00:00, Israeli troops stationed in the south of Hebron raided and searched a number of houses in al-Sahla and Wad al-Hussain neighborhoods, but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Tha'er Sa'id Abu 'Ayash, 20, and arrested him.

· At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Yamoun village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 00:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Sahour town. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 01:15, Israeli forces moved into Sa'ir village, north of Hebron. They raided a two-storey house belonging to Ahmed Hussein Shalalda, 70. They held members of the family on the upper floor and violently beat a number of them before forcing them out of the house. The owner of the house sustained bruises and cuts to the face, and his daughter-in-law, 30-year-old Sawsan Nazmi 'Ayaida, who is pregnant, sustained bruises and severe pains to the abdomen. Israeli forces also blew up a nearby cave, which resulted in damages to windows and doors of the house. Additionally, they arrested the owner's son, 31-year-old Ibrahim. According to Sawsan 'Ayaida, the detainee's wife, 25,000 NIS, 500 JD and 250 grams of gold were lost during the house raid.

· At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into al-'Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 00:00, Israeli forces moved into Nablus. They besieged an 11-storey apartment building in al-Sikka Street. They blow up doors of 6 flats on the third floor belonging to Salah Mohammed Hussein al-Baukhari, 35, his brother 'Othman, Ashraf 'Olaiwi, Sami Hamdan, Suleiman 'Abdu and the al-Zagha family. They also blew up the door of the elevator. Some Israeli troops also broke into al-Bukhari's flat through windows using wires and ladders and arrested him, claiming that he had been wanted since 2001.

"At approximately 00:00 on Tuesday, 08 March 2009, I was sitting in the hall of our flat on the third floor of Zeina (Kalbouna) apartment building in al-Sikka Street with my husband, Salah Mohammed al-Bukhari, 35, who came for a short visit to me and our three children who were sleeping in their bedroom. I heard noise of footsteps around the building. Salah asked me to go the children's bedroom to check on them and he stayed in the hall. Less than 5 minutes later, I saw 3 ]Israeli[ soldiers behind the window of the children's bedroom. The broke the window and entered the room. At the same time, I saw other soldiers coming out from our bedroom after they had broke its window. They also blew up the main door of the flat. All soldiers gathered around Salah in the hall. I then heard them shouting while beating Salah. I attempted to get out of the room to check what was going, but they prevented me. My children woke up and they were crying. Soon after, 4 soldiers came to the room, and one of them told me that he is an officer. He pushed my shoulder and ordered me to bring my husband's identity card. I told him that I did not have it. He shouted on me: 'Liar!' He and other soldiers moved to our bedroom and began to search it. They found Salah's passport. The officer shouted: 'He is Salah.' They then thoroughly searched the house and damaged its contents. At approximately 03:00, a soldier called me and asked me to bring Salah's shirt and shoes. I pointed at them in the bedroom and he brought them. I then head Salah calling me: 'Samia, bring my clothes.' I brought them. He was in the kitchen handcuffed and surrounded by 7 soldiers. He was bleeding from his head, left eye and mouth. His lips were blue. At approximately 03:30, they left the house taking Salah with them."

· Also at approximately 00:00, Israeli forces moved into Dura village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Tariq Hassan 'Afifi, 21, and arrested him.

· At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Duhaisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ahmed Fawzi Sajdiya, 22.

· Also at approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Qaizoun neighborhood in the northeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Nasri Hassan Abu Shamsiy, 25, and arrested him.

· At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into 'Allar village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and summoned Nayef Jamal, 18, and Mohammed Kharouf, for interrogation.

· At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into 'Irqa Bourin village, northeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Tal'at Khaled Qadous, 20.

· At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Qarawat Bani Hassan village, north of Salfit. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Nablus and the neighboring 'Ein Beit al-Maa' refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 11 Palestinian civilians, including a woman and 3 children:

· At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into 'Awarta village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Nabeeh 'Abdul 'Aziz 'Awad, 47.

Israeli forces 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 Occupied East Jerusalem.

IOF have continued to close all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for more than two years. The illegal Israeli blockade 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 the population of the Gaza Strip is to obtain their basic needs of food, medicines, water and electricity supplies.

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

· Israel has 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.

· Israel has 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.

· Israel has 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.

· 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 attack Palestinian fishermen along the Gaza Strip coast.

Date	Details
02 December 2009	Two Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt, and 189 others, including 185 pilgrims were allowed into the Gaza Strip
03 December 2009	54 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt, and 705 others, including 487 pilgrims, were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
04 December 2009	491 Palestinians, including 487 pilgrims, were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
05 December 2009	10 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 508 pilgrims were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
06 December 2009	10 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt, and 675 others, including 673 pilgrims, were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
07 December 2009	9 Palestinian public figures and a representatives of the Egyptian Red Crescent Society were allowed to travel to Egypt, and 600 pilgrims and the body of a dead Palestinian were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
08 December 2009	11 persons, including a Russian citizen, were allowed to travel to Egypt, and 948 others, including 945 pilgrims, were allowed into the Gaza Strip.

Date	Details
02 December 2009	101 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
03 December 2009	125 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
04 December 2009	63.410 tons of cooking gas were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
05 December 2009	Closed.
06 December 2009	129 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
07 December 2009	130 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
08 December 2009	105 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.

Nahal Ouz Crossing: Israel opened the crossing on Wednesday, 02 December 2009, and allowed 184 tons of cooking gas and 1,034,000 liters of energy fuel into the Gaza Strip. They also opened it on Tuesday, 08 December 2009, and allowed 234 tons of cooking gas and 950,730 liters of energy fuel into the Gaza Strip. Additionally, they allowed 365,000 liters of benzene into the Gaza Strip for the private sector.

Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: Israel has 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, Israeli forces 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	Ambassadors	International Journalists	International Workers	Travelers abroad	Traders
Date	Patients	Companions	Arabs from Israel	Ambassadors	International Journalists	International Workers	Travelers abroad	Traders
02 December	11	10	14	5	9	28	11	Nil
03 December	14	18	26	3	4	34	1	2
04 December	3	3	43	3	1	15	4	1
05 December	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
06 December	36	40	56	4	5	20	4	7
07 December	21	21	18	2	2	30	Nil	3
08 December	37	35	22	5	7	25	17	5

Al-Mentar (Karni) Crossing: Israeli forces partially opened the crossing on Thursday, 03 December 2009, and allowed the entry of 1,680 tons of wheat and 1,640 tons of fodders. They opened it against on Monday, 07 December 2009, and allowed the entry of 720 tons of wheat and 1,480 tons of fodders.

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

· Jerusalem: Israeli forces 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. Israeli forces 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. Israeli forces often violently beat Palestinian civilians who attempt to bypass checkpoints and enter the city. Israeli forces impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians on Fridays to restrict their access to the al-Aqsa Mosque. On Tuesday noon, 24 November 2009, Israeli troops positioned at Jaba' checkpoint, east of Jerusalem, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

· Nablus: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. Israeli troops positioned at an iron gate established on the Nablus-Tulkarm road have continued to conduct prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians, especially in the morning. Israeli 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 noon, 03 December 2009, Israeli troops stationed at Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians passing through the checkpoint. On Sunday morning, 06 December 2009, Israeli troops positioned at Za'tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians.

· Ramallah: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of the Palestinian civilians in Ramallah. Israeli 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, Israeli forces erected a number of temporary checkpoints, and stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

· Hebron: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 03 December 2009, Israeli forces decided to allow Israeli settlers living in "Kiryat Arba" and "Kharsina" settlements, southeast of Hebron, to pass through al-Ja'bari road, which is crowded by Palestinian civilians. Israeli forces started to implement the decision on the following day, and imposed restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the area.

· On Thursday evening, 03 December 2009, Israeli troops stationed at al-Karama International Crossing Point on the Jordanian border arrested Hajj Ahmed Jameel Eshtayeh, 45, from Salem village east of Nablus, when he was on his way to the West Bank from pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

· At approximately 16:00 on Tuesday, 08 December 2009, Israeli troops stationed at Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested Ziad Durgham al-Sal'ous, 48, from Nablus.

· On Wednesday morning, 09 December 2009, Israeli troops stationed at a checkpoint in Abu 'Obaid area in Abu Dis town, southeast of Jerusalem, arrested Waleed Fareed al-Raj'ei, 20, and 'Obaida Khaled Abu 'Arqoub, 21.

· On Friday afternoon, 04 December 2009, Israeli troops stationed at a military checkpoint at al-Ras intersection in the southeast of Hebron stopped, checked and violently beat Tha'er Nassar al-Ja'bari, 20. He sustained bruises to the face and the back.

Israeli forces have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside West Bank territory. During the reporting period, Israeli forces 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 December 2009, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders gathered in the center of Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah. They moved towards the Wall and following altercations threw stones at Israeli troops positioned in the area. Immediately, Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. Dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

· Also following the Friday Prayer on 04 December 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 Israeli troops positioned near the Wall. Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators. As a result, Nasser Hassan Khawaja, 21, was wounded by a gunshot to the abdomen, and dozens of others demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

· Also following the Friday Prayer on 04 December 2009, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in protest to the construction of the Annexation Wall in al-Ma'sara village, south of Bethlehem. Israeli troops closed the entrance of the village and attacked the demonstrators. They fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators and violently beat a number of them. As a result, Rami Mohammed Braijiya, 24, sustained bruises throughout the body, and was arrested by Israeli troops.

Israeli forces have 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 Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians in East Jerusalem.

· During the reporting period, Israeli forces forced Daoud Ahmed al-'Alami to demolish a part of his house in al-Sawana quarters in al-Tour village near Jerusalem. The house is comprised of a wooden room established in 1980. In 1999, al-'Alami reconstructed the room. Five years later, the Israeli police and officials from the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem came to the house and photographed the room. In 2006, the Israeli municipal court ordered the demolition of the room and imposed a fine of 11,000 NIS on al-'Alami. A few days ago, al-'Alami received a notice from the Israeli court, in which he was informed that a bill of indictment would be presented against him because he did not demolish the room. He was forced to demolish the room on Friday and Saturday, 04 and 05 December 2009.

· On Thursday morning, 03 December 2009, a number of Israeli settlers stormed the house of Rifqa 'Abdullah al-Kurd, 89, in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in East Jerusalem. Al-Kurd's son, Nabeel, has lived in the house together with his wife and three children since 1956. The family is one of 68 Jerusalemite families living in 28 houses which are under threat of confiscation. A Jewish settlement society claimed ownership of the land on which the house stand, and an Israeli court ordered the closure of the house in 2001, claiming that it had been built without a license. The court also ordered al-Kurd to hand in the keys of the house and decided to consider a complaint against her for allegedly attacking one of the police officers who came to implement the court ruling. It is worth noting that Ridqa al-Kurd suffers from several diseases that makes her unable to walk. However, Israeli forces have continued to summon her to court in an attempt to prevent her from confronting the police when confiscating the house. On 05 October 2009, the family filed an appeal at an Israeli court against the settlers' claim of the ownership of the land, but the court rejected the appeal. On 03 December 2009, a number of Israeli settlers, escorted by dozens of police officers, broke the lock of the door and replaced it with a new lock. They also attacked members of the family who attempted to stop them. Rifqa al-Kurd was injured. An Israeli family moved to the house, living under full protection of Israeli forces and a private Israeli security company, with a judicial decision to allow them to live in the house being issued.

· During the reporting period, a number of Israeli settlers stormed Ard al-Sammar area in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. They cut tires of 19 vehicles belonging to Palestinian families, stuck racist statements on vehicles and wrote threats directed against Arabs on the walls.

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

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

· At approximately 11:00 on Friday, 04 December 2009, a number of Israeli settlers from "Yits'har" settlement, south of Nablus, stormed two houses belonging to Jamal Yousef Ahmed and Ahmed Mahmous Saleh in Southern 'Assira village. Dozens of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at the settlers to stop the attack against the two houses. Two hours later, the settlers left the area and no casualties were reported.

· On Sunday morning, 06 December 2009, a number of Israeli settlers from "Efrat" settlement cut and burnt at least 50 olive trees in Um Salamouna village, south of Bethlehem. This attack was launched by settlers one week after the trees were planted by Palestinian civilians and official bodies.

· On Monday evening, 07 December 2009, Israeli settlers from "Sham'a" settlement, south of Hebron, escorted by Israeli troops, blocked the main road leading to al-Sammou' village with stones.

· On Tuesday evening, 08 December 2009, Israeli settlers from "Kiryat Arba" settlement, southeast of Hebron, performed prayers opposite to the al-Rajabi building in al-Ras Street, which had been seized by Israeli forces for nearly one year. Israeli troops stationed in the area stopped and checked passing Palestinian civilians.

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. 48/2009 03- 09 Dec 2009

Israeli soldiers fire at demonstrators protesting the construction of the Annexation Wall in Ne'lin village, west of Ramallah