PCHR Weekly Report

Israeli Forces 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 continued in the OPT during the reporting period (06 – 12 August 2009):

Shooting: During the reporting period, Israeli forces used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians in protest to the construction of the Annexation Wall in the West Bank. A number of demonstrators also suffered from the inhalation of an unkown substance ell used by Israeli forces in Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah.

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli warplanes bombarded the border strip between the Gaza Strip and Egypt allegedly to destroy smuggling tunnels.

Incursions: During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 17 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. Israeli forces arrested 17 Palestinian civilians, including 7 children. Israeli forces also turned a Palestinian house into a military site.

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces conducted 3 limited incursions into Palestinian communities in the Gaza Strip, during which they razed at least 60 donums of Palestinian agricultural land.

On 06 August 2009, Israeli forces arrested two Palestinian fishers opposite Rafah. They interrogated the two fishers for several hours and released them later.

Israeli forces have continued to close all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for more than two years. The Israeli imposed 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.

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

· Israeli forces 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.

· Israeli forces 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.

· Israeli forces 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.

· Israeli forces 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.

· Israeli forces have continued to attack Palestinian fishera 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.

· During the reporting period, Israeli troops positioned at military checkpoints in the West Bank arrested two Palestinian civilians.

Efforts aimed at establishing a Jewish majority in occupied east Jerusalem: Israeli forces have continued arbitrary measures against Palestinian civilians in East Jerusalem in an attempt to force them to leave the city. On 6 August 2009, Israeli forces forced Mos'ab Abu Khalaf, 30, to demolish a part of his house in the Wdi al-Jouz neighborhood in East Jerusalem. The Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem ordered Abu Khalaf to demolish a 45-square-meter structure added to his house no later than 01 September 2009, claiming that it was built without a license. On 10 August 2009, a road in Silwan village in East Jerusalem collapsed due to Israeli excavations in the area. According to eyewitnesses, the collapse occurred in the center of the Wadi Hilwa area, causing a hole, whose depth was estimated at 4.5 meters, in Wadi Hilwa Street. The place of the hole is only two meters away from excavations carried out by Israeli archaeologists and by Israeli forces. Due to the collapse, the road was closed for several hours. Israeli forces paved over the road to hide what occurred. On 11 August 2009, about 20-30 Israeli settlers broke into the yards of the al-Aqsa Mosque under Israeli police escort, where they conducted religious ceremonies.

Settlement Activities: Israeli forces have continued settlement activities in violation of international humanitarian law and Israeli settlers living in the OPT have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property. Following the Friday Prayer on 07 August 2009, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in the center of Bourin village, southeast of Nablus. They moved towards Wad Suleiman areas between 'Iraq Bourin village and "Brakha" settlement to the north, where Israeli forces were razing large areas of Palestinian land to serve as agricultural fields for the aforementioned settlement. The demonstrators threw stones at an Israeli solider, who fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters. A number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. On 09 August 2009, 3 Israeli settlers attacked Jawad Khader Abu Turki, 37, from Hebron, when he was on his way back home through a bypass road near Qalqis neighborhood. He sustained acute bruises throughout the body. On Monday, 10 August 2009, 3 armed Israeli settlers attacked Jazia Jebril Nawaj'a, 42, when she was grazing animals about 150 meters away from Kherbat Sousia area, south of Hebron. They attempted to steel a number of sheep. When she attempted to stop them and defend herself, they violently beat her. She screamed and some Palestinian civilians arrived at the area and confronted the settlers. The women sustained bruises throughout the body. Another civilian, 27-year-old Nasser Mohammed Nawaj'a, also sustained bruises to the right hand. On the same day, at least 10 Israeli settlers attacked Younis 'Ata Abadat, 48, from 'Awarta village southeast of Nablus, when he was driving his car near Shilu intersection on the Ramallah – Nablus road. They threw stones at the car, smashing the front window and injuring 'Abadat in the neck and the chest.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (06 – 12 August July 2009)

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

· At approximately 06:00, two Israeli naval gunboats got as close as 600 meters away from Rafah beach in the southern Gaza Strip. Israeli naval troop arrested two fishers: Ziad 'Abdul Karim Miqdad, 38; and 'Abdullah 'Abdul Karim Miqdad, 23. They took the two fishers to Ashdod Harbor inside Israel and interrogated them. The two fishers were released at approximately 17:00.

· At approximately 07:00, Israeli forces moved nearly 350 meters into al-Shoja'eya neighborhood near al-Mentar (Karni) crossing, east of Gaza City. By 18:00, they had razed at least 60 donums of agricultural land belonging to the family of Jundiya and 'Ayad. A Palestinian farmers told PCHR that Israeli troops positioned along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israeli have denied them access to their lands located in this area.

· At approximately 20:00, Israeli forces moved into Kufol Hares village, north of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets and closed the three entrances of the village. They forced Palestinian civilians to close their shops and stay at homes. At approximately 23:30, dozens of Israeli settlers moved into the village allegedly to visit historic tombs. They stayed in the village conducted some ceremonies until the following day dawn.

· At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Fourik village, east of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Tamer Kamal Hnaini, 16.

· At approximately 18:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Yamoun village, west of Jenin. They stormed and searched a farm in the village and arrested 3 Palestinian children:

· At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Eyad Yousef Bashir, 24.

· At approximately 10:00, Israeli forces moved nearly 300 meters into al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. They leveled areas of Palestinian land, which they had already razed. This incursion continued until 18:00.

· At approximately 23:30, Israeli forces moved into Kufor Laqef village, northeast of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mamdouh Basheer 'Abdul Hafiz, 22, and arrested him.

· At approximately 00:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians, including two children:

· At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Burj village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Nasser Tawfiq al-Faqeeh, 20, and arrested him.

· Also at approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into 'Arraba village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 01:10, Israeli warplanes bombarded the border strip between the Gaza Strip and Egypt near Block J in Rafah refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip, allegedly to destroy smuggling tunnels. No casualties were reported.

· At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Kufor Dan village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ahmed Nayef Mar'ei, 50. Israeli forces had arrested Mar'ei' son, 28-year-old Ussama, at al-Karama International Crossing Point on the Jordanian border on 09 August 2009.

· Also at approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Hares village, northwest of Salfit. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Usaid Jamal Sultan, 17, and arrested him.

· At approximately 10:00, Israeli forces moved nearly 200 meters into the north of Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip. They leveled areas of Palestinian land they had already razed. Israeli forces withdrew from the area at approximately 22:15.

· At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 04:30, Israeli forces moved into Barta'a village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and shops and arrested Jad Sabri Jad, 37.

· At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Dajan village, east of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ma'rouf Salem Hanani, and turned its roof into a military site.

· At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Zabbouba village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Wissam 'Aabed Khamaisa, 27.

· At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Barta'a village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mo'tassem Mohammed Abu 'Obaid, 19.

Israeli forces 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.

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

· Israeli forces 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.

· Israeli forces 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 stands at approximately 80% and 60% in the Gaza Strip.

· Israeli forces 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.

· 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.

· Israeli forces have continued to attack Palestinian fishers along the Gaza Strip coast.

Date	Details
29 July 2009	125 Palestinian patients and companions were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
30 July 2009	4 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 26 patients and companions were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
31 July 2009	12 Palestinian were allowed to travel to Egypt and 16 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
01 August 2009	23 Palestinians were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
02 August 2009	79 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and another one was allowed into the Gaza Strip.
03 August 2009	870 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 1,727 ones were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
04 August 2009	880 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 1,751 ones were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
05 August 2009	978 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 456 ones were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
06 August 2009	618 persons who have international citizenships were allowed to travel to Egypt and 18 Palestinians were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
07 August 2009	881 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 92 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
08 August 2009	6 members of a Hamas delegation were allowed to travel to Egypt.
09 August 2009	16 Palestinians, including 5 members of a delegation of Islamic Jihad, were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
10 August 2009	4 Palestinians and two Egyptian doctors were allowed to travel to Egypt.
11 August 2009	34 members of an international media delegation and the body of a dead Palestinian were allowed into the Gaza Strip.

Date	Details
29 July 2009	73 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
30 July 2009	88 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
31 July 2009	Closed.
01 August 2009	Closed.
02 August 2009	90 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
03 August 2009	78 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
04 August 2009	78 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
05 August 2009	98 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
06 August 2009	94 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
07 August 2009	Closed.
08 August 2009	Closed.
09 August 2009	105 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
10 August 2009	75 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
11 August 2009	100 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.

Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: Israeli forces 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, Israeli forces have allowed a limited number of patients to pass through the crossing, but under severe restrictions that include prolonged checking.

Date	Cooking Gas (tons)	Energy Fuel (liters)
05 August 2009	230.080	824,270
06 August 2009	50.070	212,410
07 August 2009	Nil	Nil
08 August 2009	Nil	Nil
09 August 2009	Nil	Nil
10 August 2009	256.850	755,060
11 August 2009	267.690	832,030

Date	Patients	Companions	Traders and Businessmen	International Journalists	International Workers	Travelers abroad
Date	Patients	Companions	Traders and Businessmen	International Journalists	International Workers	Travelers abroad
05 August 2009	11	13	Nil	5	12	Nil
06 August 2009	9	11	Nil	Nil	63	1
07 August 2009	Nil	Nil	Nil	3	6	Nil
08 August 2009	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
09 August 2009	38	38	Nil	3	11	3
10 August 2009	38	38	Nil	2	10	3
11 August 2009	37	37	Nil	Nil	29	2

Al-Mentar (Karni) Crossing: Israeli forces partially opened the crossing on Monday, 10 August 2009, and allowed the entry of 2,100 tons of seeds and fodders. They opened it again on Tuesday, 11 August 2009, and allowed the entry of 1,750 tons of seeds and fodders.

Israeli forces have imposed a tightened siege on the West Bank. During the reporting period, I Israeli forces OF 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.

· 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.

· Ramallah: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. During the reporting period, Israeli forces erected more checkpoints on the roads leading to the town. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

· Hebron: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. During the four days of the week, Israeli forces erected a number of checkpoints on roads leading to agricultural areas in Beit Ummar and Safa villages, north of Hebron. They prevented Palestinian farmers from reaching these areas. On Saturday morning, 08 August 2009, Israeli forces closed Khellat al-Natsha and al-Kassara roads, southeast of Hebron, with sand barriers and concrete blocks.

· Bethlehem: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

On Friday evening, 07 August 2009, Israeli troops positioned at the Container checkpoint, northeast of Bethlehem, arrested Mahmoud Tawfiq Ibrahim, 23, from Jericho.

· Al-Karama International Crossing Point: On Sunday morning, 09 August 2009, Israeli troops positioned at al-Karama International Crossing Point on the Jordanian border arrested Ussama Ahmed Mar'ei, 28, from Kufor Dan village west of Jenin.

PCHR strongly condemns harassment and cruel and degrading treatment against Palestinian civilians by Israeli troops positioned at military checkpoint throughout the West Bank.

PCHR field workers documents three cases of harassment against Palestinian civilians in the first three days of the week.

· At approximately 22:00 on Saturday, 08 August 2009, Israeli soldiers harassed Tha'er Bader Jaradat, 20, from Sa'ir village northwest Hebron. They attacked him near the Annexation Wall in al-Ram town, north of Jerusalem. He sustained fractures to the legs.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR and the victim's testimony, at approximately 22:00 on Saturday, 08 August 2009, Israeli soldiers forced him to jump from a height of 4.5 meters, when they caught him and other civilians attempting to climb the Annexation Wall in al-Ram town. He fell onto the ground, so he sustained two fractures to the left leg and one fracture to the right heel. Soon after, Israeli soldiers gathered around him and attempted to force him to stand up and accompany them to a military vehicle. They also released a bloodhound to attack him in order to force him to stand up. When all of these attempts failed, they forced him to creep towards the military vehicle, which was approximately 15 meters away. They handcuffed him and transferred him to the Hamashbir area to the northwest of al-Ram town. Jaradat attempted to go to Jerusalem to work in a boutique.

· On Sunday morning, 09 August 2009, Israeli soldiers positioned at a military crossing established on al-Zahiriya – Bir al-Saba' road, south of Hebron. Harassed Mohammed 'Abdul Hai 'Asafra, 26, from Beit Kahel village northwest of Hebron. They forced him to stop while he was his way to work in a workshop in the area. The detained and violently beat him for more than two hours. He sustained bruises throughout the body.

· At approximately 11:30 on Monday, 10 August 2009, Israeli soldiers patrolling in al-Sahla and Tariq Ben Ziad streets in the south of the old town of Hebron stopped Saleh Mohammed al-Rajabi, 20. They detained and violently beat him for nearly an hour. He sustained bruises throughout the body.

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 07 August 2009, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered in the center of Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah. They moved towards the Wall, and following provocation, 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. Israeli forces also used an unknown substance against the demonstrators.

· Also following the Friday Prayer on 31 July 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. Dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

4. Efforts Intended to Establish a Jewish Majority in occupied East Jerusalem

Israel has recently escalated arbitrary measures against Palestinian civilians in occupied 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 Thursday, 06 August 2009, Israeli forces forced Mos'ab Abu Khalaf, 30, to demolish a part of his house in Wdi al-Jouz neighborhood in East Jerusalem. The Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem ordered Abu Khalaf to demolish a 45-square-meter structure added to his house no later than 01 September 2009, claiming that it was built without a license. The municipality threatened to impose a fine of 10,000 NIS (approximately US$ 2,500) if he did not demolish the structure.

· On Monday midday, 10 August 2009, a road in Sliwan village in East Jerusalem collapsed due to Israeli excavations in the area. According to eyewitnesses, a breakdown occurred in the center of Wadi Hilwa area, causing a hole, whose depth was estimated at 4.5 meters, into Wadi Hilwa Street. The place of the hole is only two meters away from excavations carried out by Israeli archaeologists and by Israeli forces. Due to the collapse, the road was closed for several hours. Israeli forces paved the road to hide what occurred.

· On Tuesday morning, 11 August 2009, about 20-30 Israeli settlers broke into the yards of the al-Aqsa Mosque under Israeli police escort, where they conducted religious ceremonies.

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.

· Following the Friday Prayer on 07 August 2009, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in the center of Bourin village, southeast of Nablus. They moved towards Wad Suleiman areas between 'Iraq Bourin village and "Brakha" settlement to the north, where Israeli forces were razing large areas of Palestinian land to serve as agricultural fields for the aforementioned settlement. The demonstrators threw stones at Israeli solider, who fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters. A number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

· At approximately 20:00 on Sunday, 09 August 2009, 3 Israeli settlers attacked Jawad Khader Abu Turki, 37, from Hebron, when he was on his way back home through a bypass road near Qalqis neighborhood. He sustained acute bruises throughout the body.

· At approximately 07:30 on Monday, 10 August 2009, 3 armed Israeli settlers attacked Jazia Jebril Nawaj'a, 42, when she was grazing animals about 150 meters away from Kherbat Sousia area, south of Hebron. They attempted to steel a number of sheep. When she attempted to stop them and defend herself, they violently beat her. She screamed and some Palestinian civilians arrived at the area and confronted the settlers. The women sustained bruises throughout the body. Another civilian, 27-year-old Nasser Mohammed Nawaj'a, also sustained bruises to the right hand.

· At approximately 21:00 on the same day, at least 10 Israeli settlers attacked Younis 'Ata Abadat, 48, from 'Awarta village southeast of Nablus, when he was driving his car near Shilu intersection on Ramallah – Nablus road. They threw stones at the car, smashing the front window and injuring 'Abadat in the neck and the chest. 'Abadat was able to drive his car a head until he arrived at Za'tara checkpoint, south of Nablus. There, he told Israeli soldiers what happened with him. They offered him first medical aid, and he then traveled to Nablus.

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).

[1] One donum is equal to 1,000 square meters.

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. 32/2009 06 - 12 August 2009

Israeli settlers pointing their guns at Palestinian civilians during a peaceful protest against the expansion of "Brakha" settlement that stands on Palestinian land in Bourin village near Nablus