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 Siege on the Gaza Strip

5 Palestinian civilians, including two chidden, were injured when Israeli forces used force against peaceful protest against the Annexation Wall.

Israeli forces conducted 11 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and two into the Gaza Strip.

Israeli forces arrested 10 Palestinian civilians, including one child, in the West Bank.

Israeli forces have continued to impose a total closure on the oPt and have isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.

Israeli troops positioned at military checkpoints in the West Bank arrested 4 Palestinian civilians, including a woman.

Israel has continued measures aimed at establishing a Jewish majority in occupied east Jerusalem.

Israeli forces removed at least 300 graves in an Islamic cemetery to establish a Jeiwsh museum.

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (09 – 15 July 2009):

Shooting: During the reporting period, 5 Palestinian civilians, including two children, were injured when Israeli forces used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians to protest the construction of the Annexation Wall in the West Bank. A number of demonstrators also suffered from the inhalation of a substance that had a disgusting smell. Israeli forces had used the same substance for the first time on 08 August 2008 against a peaceful demonstration protesting the construction of the Annexation Wall in Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah.

Incursions: During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 11 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. Israeli forces arrested 10 Palestinian civilians, and an American human rights defender. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces conducted two limited incursions into Beit Hanoun town, during which they leveled areas of Palestinian land.

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.

· 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 stands at approximately 80% and unemployment approximately 60% 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 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.

· At least 900 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails have been denied family visitation rights for more than 25 months.

· Israeli forces have continued to attack Palestinian fishers 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 Israel. 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 IOF in Jerusalem, and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped and searched in the streets by IOF.

· During the reporting period, Israeli troops positioned at military checkpoints in the West Bank arrested 4 Palestinian civilians, including a woman.

Efforts intended to establish a Jewish majority in occupied east Jerusalem: Israeli forces have escalated arbitrary measures against Palestinian civilians in East Jerusalem to force them to leave the city. During the reporting period, Israeli forces demolished two houses in Beit Hanina and Silwan villages, claiming that they were built without licenses. During the reporting period, Israeli forces removed at least 300 Islamic graves in Ma'man Allah cemetery near Hebron Gate in Jerusalem. They collated skeletons found in these graves and buried them in one mass grave. The Israeli Municipality plans to establish a museum on the land of the cemetery, which will be named the "Tolerance Museum." The area of the cemetery is approximately 200 donums, and it includes graves of soldiers in Salah al-Din's army that fought Crusaders in the city, as well as some Moslem intellectuals.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (09 – 15 July 2009)

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

· At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into 'Arraba village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into 'Anza village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into 'Aqraba village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

· Also at approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Taybeh village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 01:15, Israeli forces moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses. 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 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child:

· At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into Rummana village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 09:00, Israeli forces moved nearly 200 meters into al-Shoubaki area in the north of Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip. They leveled areas of land, which they had razed during the latest offensive on the Gaza Strip. Israeli troops opened fire indiscriminately, but no casualties were reported.

· At approximately 01:45, Israeli forces moved into Ussarin village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Yahia Saleh al-'Omour, 20.

· At approximately 08:30, Israeli forces moved nearly 150 meters into Wadi al-Daraj area in the east of Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip. They leveled areas of land, which they had already razed during the latest offensive on the Gaza Strip.

· At approximately 20:00, Israeli forces moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

Israel has 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.

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

· 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 stands at approximately 80% and unemployment at 60% 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.

· Living conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated..

· At least 900 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails have been denied family visitation rights for more than 25 months.

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

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 limited number of patients to pass through the crossing, but under severe restrictions that include prolonged checking.

Date	Patients	Companions	Traders and Businessmen	International Journalists	International Workers	Travelers abroad
Date	Patients	Companions	Traders and Businessmen	International Journalists	International Workers	Travelers abroad
08 July 2009	17	14	Nil	5	18	Nil
09 July 2009	22	16	Nil	2	70	42
10 July 2009	4	4	Nil	1	7	Nil
11 July 2009	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
12 July 2009	27	25	Nil	Nil	16	Nil
13 July 2009	30	29	Nil	3	12	1
14 July 2009	44	44	Nil	12	31	Nil

Date	Cooking Gas (tons)	Energy Fuel (liters)
08 July 2009	190.190	473,810
09 July 2009	282.380	370,410
10 July 2009	Nil	Nil
11 July 2009	Nil	Nil
12 July 2009	267.420	411,830
13 July 2009	210.251	613,200
14 July 2009	253.680	399,400

Al-Mentar (Karni) Crossing: Israel partially opened the crossing on Sunday, 12 July 2009, and allowed the entry of 2,050 tons of seeds and fodders. They opened it again on Tuesday, 14 July 2009, and allowed the entry of 1,800 tons of seeds and fodders.

Israel has 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. IOF impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians on Fridays to restrict their access to the al-Aqsa Mosque. On Monday morning, 13 July 2009, Israeli forces held dozens of Palestinian civilians on the road leading to villages located to the northwest of Jerusalem. Israeli forces intelligence officers were present in the area and summoned a number of civilians for interrogation. Israeli forces also erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Eksa village, northwest of Jerusalem.

· 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 have also continued to restrict the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 06:00 on Monday, 13 July 2009, Israeli forces erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Bazaria village, northwest of Nablus. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

· Tulkarm: IO Israeli forces F have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday morning, 09 July 2009, Israeli forces established a checking room near Kherbat Jebara iron gate to search goods transported by Palestinian civilians. On the same day, Israeli forces closed Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, claiming that they arrested a girl who was carrying a knife.

At approximately 14:00 on Thursday, 09 July 2009, Israeli troops positioned at Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, arrested 'Abeer Mohammed 'Ouda, 27, claiming that she was carrying two knives in her bag. The woman had been arrested 3 times before for the same claim. She served at least 6 years of imprisonment by Israeli forces.

· Jenin: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 19:00 on Saturday, 11 July 2009, Israeli forces erected a checkpoint at Zabbbouba intersection, west of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 06:00 on Monday, 13 July 2009, Israeli forces erected a checkpoint at the entrance of 'Anza village, south of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

At approximately 20:30 on Friday, 10 July 2009, Israeli troops positioned at Barta'a gate, southwest of Jenin, which serves as a crossing point through the Annexation Wall, arrested Ramzi Ibrahim Qabaha, 28, when refused to allow soldiers to take his wife to a room designed for physical checking. Israeli troops violently beat him and closed the gate for some time. In the end, they arrested Qabaha and forced his wife to enter the checking room.

· Ramallah: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday morning, 09 July 2009, Israeli forces closed entrances to a number of villages located to the east of Ramallah and prevented Palestinian civilians from traveling to the town. On Tuesday noon, 14 July 2009, Israeli forces erected a checkpoint at Surda intersection, north of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

· Al-Karama International Crossing Point: At approximately 12:00 on Thursday, 09 July 2009, Israeli troops positioned at al-Karama International Crossing Point on the Jordanian border arrested Mohammed Hisham Abu Tabeekh, 23, from Jenin refugee camp.

At approximately 10:00 on Friday, 10 July 2009, Israeli troops positioned at al-Karama International Crossing Point arrested 'Adnan Mohammed al-Hwaiti, 20, from Jenin refugee camp, when he was on his way back to the West Bank.

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 10 July 2009, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders gathered in the center of Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah. They moved towards the area where IOF were razing land to construct a section of the Wall in the village. Immediately, Israeli troops fired at the demonstrators. As a result, 5 Palestinian civilians were wounded:

4. Mohammed Maher 'Amira, 22, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right hand; and

Additionally, an Israeli undercover unit chased the demonstrators and arrested two of them: Bahaa' Mohammed al-Khawaja, 17; and 'Alaa' 'Adnan al-Khawaja, 18.

· Also following the Friday Prayer on 10 July 2009, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered in the center of Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah. They moved towards the Wall and 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 a substance with a disgusting smell against the demonstrators. An Israeli undercover unit also chased the demonstrators and arrested two of them: Adeeb Abu Rahma; and Ronnie, an Israeli human rights defender.

4. Efforts intended to establish a Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem

Israel 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 Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians in East Jerusalem.

· At approximately 12:00 on Thursday, 09 July 2009, the Israeli police stormed the yards of the al-Aqsa Mosque and arrested 'Ali 'Omar al-'Abbassi, 49. They took him to a detention center in the old town allegedly for a short interrogation. As soon as he arrived at the detention center, police officers pushed him into a police vehicle, which traveled towards areas under the Palestinian National Authority's control. They supped him near Hazma checkpoint, claiming that he does not have valid Israeli residence documents to be able to live in Jerusalem, even though he was born in Jerusalem. He has worked as the Imam of the al-Aqsa Mosque for more than 20 years. He lives with his family near the mosque.

· On Monday morning, 13 July 2009, Israeli forces and the Israeli police, accompanied by a bulldozer, stormed al-Ashqariya quarter in Beit Hanina village, north of Jerusalem. They besieged a 120-square-meter house belonging to 'Alaa' 'Abdul Raziq al-Shwaiki, 30, in which 8 people live. They ordered the family to vacate the house in 5 minutes, after which time the bulldozer demolished it. During this operation, Israeli troops violently beat members of the family. The owner's mother, 60, sustained bruises. Four years ago, Israeli forces imposed a fine of 80,000 NIS (approximately US$ 20,000) on the owner, claiming that the house was built without a license. Al-Shwaiki paid 70,000 NIS of the fine.

· On the same day, Israeli forces moved into Wadi Hilwa area in Silwan village to the south of the old town of Jerusalem. They demolished a house belonging to Jameel Hazzaa' Masalma. The Israeli Municipal Court had ordered Masalma to pay a fine of 80,000 NIS (approximately US$ 20,000) to postpone the demolition of his house, but he refused.

· During the reporting period, Israeli forces removed at least 300 Islamic graves in Ma'man Allah cemetery near Hebron Gate in Jerusalem. They collated skeletons found in these graves and buried them in one mass grave. The Israeli Municipality plans to establish a museum on the land of the cemetery, which will be named the "Tolerance Museum." The area of the cemetery is approximately 200 donums, and it includes graves of soldiers in Salah al-Din's army that fought Crusaders in the city, as well as some Moslem intellectuals. The Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem revealed the project's plan a few years ago. A number of petitions were submitted against the project to Israeli courts, which issued decisions obligating the municipality to postpone works, but it did not abide to such decisions.

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. 28/2009 09 - 15 July 2009

Alaa' Shwaiki's house in Beit Hanina village, north of Jerusalem, which was bulldozed by IOF on 13 July 2009 allegedly for being unlicensed.