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 (10 – 15 December 2009):

Shooting: During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian in the Gaza Strip and wounded 3 others in the West Bank.

In the Gaza Strip, on 12 December 2009, Israeli troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian houses located almost 700 meters away from the border. As a result, Sami Shihda Abu Khousa, 48, was seriously wounded by several gunshots to the thighs. He was evacuated to the hospital, but medical efforts to save his life failed and he was pronounced dead two hours later.

In the West Bank, 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded when Israeli forces used force to disperse 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 16 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. Israeli forces arrested 17, including 3 children and one woman. The detainees included 'Abdullah Abu Rahma, 39, Coordinator of the Public Committee against the Wall and Settlement in Bal'ein village. During these incursions, Israeli forces confiscated 4 tractors in Kherbat Tana area, southeast of Nablus.

In the Gaza Strip, on 10 December 2009, Israeli forces moved into al-Sikka Street in the north of Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip. They arrested two Palestinian children, when they were collecting stones and iron from destroyed buildings, nearly 500 meters away from the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. Israeli forces violently beat and interrogated the two children, then released them at approximately 21:30 on the same day.

Restrictions on Movement: IOF Israeli forces 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.

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

· Israel has prevented 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 in the face of Palestinian civilians wishing to travel to the West Bank and Israeli for medical treatment, trade or social visits.

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

· 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 amongst the highest in the world.

· 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 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 carried out more excavations in Wadi Hilwa area in Silwan village to the south of the al-Aqsa Mosque. Many Israeli workers and archaeologists were seen in the area conducting excavations using hand tool and heavy machines. According to Israeli sources, the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem approved the establishment of a Jewish center for education and archaeology in the area.

On 13 December 2009, two Israeli policemen stationed on the yards of the al-Aqsa Mosque in the old town of East Jerusalem violated the sanctity of the site and entered it with their shoes on. When a guard, Samer Siam, attempted to stop them, they insulted and violently beat him. He sustained bruises throughout the body.

On 15 December 2009, extremist Jewish groups organized celebrations throughout East Jerusalem for the Jewish Hanukah. According to eyewitnesses, at least 70 Israeli settlers carrying a candlestick, which is a symbol of the Jewish Hanukah, broke into the yards of the al-Aqsa Mosque and attempted to conduct Jewish rituals. The administration of the al-Aqsa Mosque intervened and requested the Israeli police to take the settlers out. During their celebrations, the settlers attacked a number of Palestinian civilians and shops in the old town.

Settlement Activities: in the area 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 10 December 2009, Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian child from Qarawat Bani Hassan village northwest of Salfit. The child sustained bruises and cuts and he was evacuated to an Israeli hospital.

On 11 December 2009, a number of Israeli settlers launched an arson attack against a mosque in Yasouf village, east of Salfit. As a result, the walls and some contents of the mosque were burnt. While dozens of worshippers were performing the Dawn Prayer in Hassan Khader Mosque in the center of Yasouf village, they smelled fire. When they finished the Prayer, they searched for the source of fire, and they found that it was in the mosque's library. A large part of the library, walls and some carpets of the mosque were burnt. The library included at least 100 copies of the Holy Qur'an and books on Prophet Mohammed.

On 13 December 2009, a number of Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian child in the center of Hebron. He was injured in the left eye, the nose and the right knee, and he was evacuated to Hebron Hospital. Israeli troops were present in the area, but did not intervene to stop the attack.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (10 – 15 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 Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They patrolled in the streets and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Teera neighborhood in Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to 'Abdullah Mohammed Abu Rahma, 39, Coordinator of the Public Committee against the Wall and Settlement in Bal'ein vllahe, and arrested him. Thus, the number of Palestinians arrested by Israeli forces in Bal'ein village since June 2009 has mounted to 34.

· At approximately 06:00, Israeli forces moved into Kherbat Tana village, southeast of Nablus. They raided a number of houses and confiscated 4 tractors, claming that the area is a closed military zone and no Palestinian is allowed to be present there.

· At approximately 11:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Sikka Street in the north of Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip. They arrested Mohammed Hatem al-Kafarna, 16, and Mahmoud Jameel al-Yazji, 16, when they were collecting stones and iron from destroyed buildings, nearly 500 meters away from the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. Israeli forces violently beat and interrogated the two children, then released them at approximately 21:30 on the same day.

· At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Jenin refugee camp. They patrolled in the streets and fired sound bombs. They withdrew as few hours later and no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 06:20, Israeli troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian houses located almost 700 meters away from the border. As a result, Sami Shihda Abu Khousa, 48, was seriously wounded by several gunshots to the thighs. He was evacuated to the hospital, but medical efforts to save his life failed and he was pronounced dead two hours later.

In his testimony to PCHR, Maher Hassan Abu Khousa, 36, a victim's cousin, stated:

"At approximately 06:20 on Saturday, 12 December 2009, I was at home, nearly 700 meters away from the border with Israel, east of al-Boreij refugee camp. Suddenly, I heard explosions. Soon after, IOF troops opened fire at our houses. I learnt that resistance activists fired some projectiles at the border, and IOF troops repeated fire. I stepped up on the stairs to see what was going one. I then heard someone screaming: 'Save me Maher.' I looked towards the direction of the voice and saw my cousin Sami Shihda 'Abdullah Abu Khousa, 48, on the ground under an awning between my house and his. I realized that he was wounded. I rushed down and informed my brothers. I turned on my car and my cousin's son carried his father who was bleeding from the thighs. We put him into the car and traveled towards al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, but as he was in a serious condition, he was transferred to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. Two hours later, we were informed the he died of his wound."

· At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Namera neighborhood in Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Eyad Akram Haddad, 23, and arrested him.

· At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Rab'a Fayez Fayez Sa'id, 67, the mother of 5 Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails. She was released on the following day.

· At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces moved into Zaher al-'Abed village, south of Jenin. They searched areas located near the Annexation Wall. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 21:15, two Israeli policemen stationed on the yards of the al-Aqsa Mosque in the old town of East Jerusalem violated the sanctity of the site and entered it with their shoes on. When a guard, Samer Siam, attempted to stop them, they insulted and violently beat him. He sustained bruises throughout the body.

· At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mike Nicola Qanawati, 36, and arrested him.

· At approximately 01:20, Israeli forces moved into Beita village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Jihad Hilal Bani Shamsa, 37, who was not at home at the time. They ordered the family to tell him to turn himself in.

· At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Tubas. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Radwan Daraghma, 27, and arrested him.

· At approximately 00:30, Israeli forces moved into al-'Obaidiya village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Jyous village, northeast of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 9 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children:

· At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Rummana village, west of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into al-'Araqa village, west of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed Salah Nazzal, 22.

· Also at approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into 'Arraba village, south of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 14:30, Israeli gunboats opened fire at a Palestinian fishing boat. They then besieged the boats. They forced 5 Palestinian fishermen who were on the boat to jump into water and arrested them:

The boat was also damaged. Israeli naval troops took the fishermen and the boat to the Israeli Ashdod Harbor. The fishermen were interrogated there and were released at approximately 00:30 on Wednesday, 16 December 2009.

Israel has 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.

· 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.

· 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 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 amongst the highest in the world.

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

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

Date	Details
09 December 2009	3 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt, and 1,044 others, including a number of pilgrims were allowed into the Gaza Strip
10 December 2009	91 Palestinian students and patients were allowed to travel to Egypt, and 615 others, including a number of pilgrims, were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
11 December 2009	3 Palestinians were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
12 December 2009	One Palestinian and the body of another one were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
13 December 2009	3 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt, and 26 others and the body of a dead one were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
14 December 2009	4 persons, including 3 French doctors, were allowed to travel to Egypt and 14 Palestinians were allowed into the Gaza Strip.

Date	Details
09 December 2009	112 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
10 December 2009	110 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
11 December 2009	43.520 tons of cooking gas were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
12 December 2009	Closed.
13 December 2009	120 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
14 December 2009	84 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.

Nahal Ouz Crossing: Israeli forces opened the crossing on Tuesday, 15 December 2009, and allowed limited amounts of cooking gas and energy fuel 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 few number of patients to pass through the crossing, but under severe restrictions that include prolonged checking.

Al-Mentar (Karni) Crossing: Israeli forces partially opened the crossing on Wednesday, 09 December 2009, and allowed the entry of 1,200 tons of wheat and 1,760 tons of fodder. They opened it against on Monday, 14 December 2009, and allowed the entry of 2,240 tons of wheat and 1,840 tons of fodder.

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
09 December	25	25	5	6	8	16	1	6
10 December	25	24	20	29	5	59	6	Nil
11 December	8	8	13	Nil	4	21	Nil	Nil
12 December	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
13 December	36	31	38	Nil	7	27	4	Nil
14 December	30	33	5	2	8	33	6	Nil

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 morning, 10 December 2009, Israeli forces closed Shavi Shomoron checkpoint on the Nablus-Jenin road for no apparent reason. The road is a vital one for the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from Nablus. At approximately 07:30 also on Thursday, Israeli forces established a checkpoint near Beita intersection on Nablus-Rmallah road. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

· 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 Friday and Saturday, 11 and 12 December 2009, Israeli forces prevented the call for Islamic prayers in the Ibrahimi Mosque. On Saturday evening, 12 December 2009, Israeli forces closed a branch road to the north of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, allegedly to allow the passage of a march of Israeli settlers in the area. On Sunday morning, 13 December 2009, Israeli forces established three checkpoints in various areas of Hebron. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

· On Wednesday evening, 09 December 2009, Israeli troops stationed at Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested 3 Palestinian children: Ayman Nihad Masha, 16; Mousa Yousef Abu 'Obaya, 16; and Ameer Fawzi Sawalma, 16, all from Balata refugee camp.

· On Sunday evening, 13 December 2009, Israeli troops stationed at Beit Fourik checkpoint, east of Nablus, arrested two Palestinians claiming that they were carrying a sound bomb and a home-made bomb. Israeli forces did not reveal names of the two Palestinians.

· Also on Sunday evening, Israeli troops stationed at al-Karama International Crossing Point on the Jordanian border arrested Dr. Mohammed 'Ali al-Slaibi, 58, a professor at an-Najah National University in Nablus, when he was on his way back to the West Bank after the pilgrimage. Al-Slaibi suffers from a number of chronic diseases.

· On Monday noon, 14 December 2009, Israeli troops stationed at Qalandya checkpoint, north of Jerusalem, arrested a 14-year-old Palestinian child, claiming that he was carrying a home-made pistol and 4 knives. The child has not been identified.

· On Tuesday evening, 15 December 2009, Israeli troops arrested two Palestinians when they were near the Tunnels Street in Beit Jala town, claiming that there were carrying knives. The two detainees have not been identified.

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

· Following the Friday Prayer on 11 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 11 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, 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded by gunfire:

· 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, Khaled Mohammed Zawahra, 30, and 'Ali Mousa 'Alaa' al-Din, 25, sustained bruises throughout the body.

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.

· During the reporting period, Israeli forces carried out more excavations in Wadi Hilwa area in Silwan village to the south of the al-Aqsa Mosque. Many Israeli workers and archaeologists were seen in the area conducting excavations using hand tool and heavy machines. According to Israeli sources, the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem approved the establishment of a Jewish center in the area for education and archaeology. The work on this project started several months ago. It includes two tunnels, one of which begins from the center of Silwan and ends at al-Buraq Yard to the south of the al-Aqsa Mosque, while the other one goes south beneath 'Ein Silwan Mosque. This project and other similar ones aim at surrounding the al-Aqsa Mosque.

· At approximately 21:15 on Sunday, 13 December 2009, two Israeli policemen stationed on the yards of the al-Aqsa Mosque in the old town of East Jerusalem violated the sanctity of the site and entered it with their shoes on. When a guard, Samer Siam, attempted to stop them, they insulted and violently beat him. He sustained bruises throughout the body.

· On Tuesday, 15 December 2009, extremist Jewish groups organized celebrations throughout East Jerusalem for the Jewish Hanukah. According to eyewitnesses, at least 70 Israeli settlers carrying a candlestick, which is a symbol of the Jewish Hanukah, broke into the yards of the al-Aqsa Mosque and attempt to conduct Jewish rituals. The administration of the al-Aqsa Mosque intervened and requested the Israeli police to take the settlers out. During their celebrations, the settlers attacked a number of Palestinian civilians and shops in the old town. In the same context, Israeli settlers who took over a number of Palestinian houses in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood organized celebrations in the area under the full protection of Israeli forces.

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 10:00 on Thursday, 10 December 2009, Majd Mohammed 'Aziz, 13, from Qarawat Bani Hassan village northwest of Salfit, went out of his house to check his family's land in Wad 'Abbas area in the north of the village. In the evening, his father was surprised that Israeli forces summoned him to "Rafafa" settlement, where he was informed that a number of settlers attacked and violently beat his child. The child sustained bruises and cuts and he was evacuated to an Israeli hospital.

· A number of Israeli settlers launched an arson attack against a mosque in Yasouf village, east of Salfit. As a result, the walls and some contents of the mosque were burnt.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 04:30 on Friday, 11 December 2009, while dozens of worshippers were performing the Dawn Prayer in Hassan Khader Mosque in the center of Yasouf village, they smelled fire. When they finished the Prayer, they searched for the source of fire, and they found that it was in the mosque's library. A large part of the library, walls and some carpets of the mosque were burnt. The library included at least 100 copies of the Holy Qur'an and books on Prophet Mohammed. Soon, an Israeli military jeep arrived at the area. Israeli officers asked about the reason of fire and denied any involvement of settlers in the attack. However, a statement in Hebrew was written on the walls and ground of the mosque saying: "Prepare to pay the price… with regards from Avi."

· At approximately 12:00 on Sunday, 13 December 2009, a number of Israeli settlers who were present near Mafia checkpoint at the entrance of al-Salaima quarters to the southeast of the Ibrahimi Mosque in the old town of Hebron intercepted Nabeel 'Abdul Rahman Abu Rajab, 13, when he was on his way back home from his school. They insulted and attacked him with stones and a stick. He was injured in the left eye, the nose and the right knee, and he was evacuated to Hebron Hospital. Israeli troops were present in the area, but did not intervene to stop the attack.

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. 49/2009 10- 15 Dec 2009

Palestinians inspect the damage to a mosque that was set on fire by Israeli settlers in Yasouf village near Salfit