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 in the OPT continued during the reporting period (13 – 19 August 2009):

Shooting: On 14 August 2009, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats opposite to Rafah beach. As a result, a 12-year-old Palestinian child, who was at the beach, was seriously wounded by a gunshot to the head.

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 unknown substance used by Israeli forces in Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah.

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

Incursions: During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 26 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. Israeli forces arrested 28 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children and one woman. Israeli forces also demolished 5 workshops in Qalqilya.

On 18 August 2009, Israeli forces arrested two Palestinian fishers opposite to Rafah seashore. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

· Israel has imposed 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 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 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 8 Palestinian civilians, including two children and two women.

Efforts intended to establish a Jewish majority in occupied east Jerusalem: Israeli forces have continued arbitrary measures against Palestinian civilians in East Jerusalem to force them to leave the city. On 15 August 2009, Palestinian institutions in Jerusalem organized a peaceful march in solidarity with Palestinians living in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in Jerusalem, whose houses are under threat of confiscation. The Israeli police prevented the march form moving towards the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. On 16 August 2009, dozens of Israeli settlers stormed and seized a 100-square-meter house belonging to 'Imad Daoud Siam in 'Ein Hilwa area in Silwan village to the south of the old town of Jerusalem. The settlers claimed that they have documents proving their ownership of the house. On 17 August 2009, a number of Israeli police officers attacked al-Nazer Gate, one of the gates of the al-Aqsa Mosque, and removed its locks. They replaced the locks with new ones. Soon after, the Palestinian Islamic Endowments Department removed the new lock and put the old ones back. When the police were asked about the incidents, they claimed it happened by mistake. On the same day, Israeli forces conducted a military training to climb fences of the al-Aqsa Mosque using ladders. The training lasted for one hour. Also on the same day, at least 30 Israeli settlers attacked the Hanoun and al-Ghawi families, whose houses in Sheikh Jarrah are under threat of confiscation. When the families and other civilians in the area attempted to stop the attack, Israeli troops attacked them.

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.

On 15 August 2009, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in the north of Safa Village, adjacent to Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They moved towards lands under threat of confiscation in the Abu al-Rish area in order to plough the lands and to pick plums and grapes. Israeli troops used force against the protesters and assaulted some of them. An international human rights defender was injured and two others were arrested by Israeli forces. In Halhoul town, north of Hebron, land owners, the Public Committee Against the Wall and Settlements, and international human rights defenders organized a protest and a voluntary workday on the lands of Kherbet al-Hajj, northwest of Hebron, which are under threat of confiscation. The protesters arrived at the lands adjacent to “Kermi Tsur” settlement, and began to reclaim the lands that were damaged by the Israeli settlers during their latest attacks. Israeli troops chased the protestors and tried to force them to leave the location. They also arrested two international human rights defenders. On 10 August 2009, Israeli forces moved into Salem village, east of Nablus. They handed written notices to the owners of 9 Palestinian houses to refer to "Beit Eil Court" on 10 September 2009; otherwise, the houses would be demolished. On the same day, the Municipality of Ya'bad village, southwest of Jenin, received a fax from the Palestinian civil liaison, which included a copy of a military order issued by Israeli forces confiscating 116 donums of land in the village allegedly for security necessities. These areas of land are planted with olives and belong to a number of Palestinian villagers.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (13 – 19 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 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Deir Estia village, north of Salfit. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ashwas Daoud 'Obaid, 18, and arrested him.

· At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Oula village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ahmed Mahmoud al-Sarahna, 40.

· At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Namrea area in the north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mustafa Khalil Ghaith, 22.

· At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested two Palestinian university students:

· At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Madama village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Leqia village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 18:00, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats opposite to Rafah beach. As a result, a Palestinian child, 12-year-old Mohammed Bassam 'Aashour, who was at the beach, was seriously wounded by a gunshot to the head.

· At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 02:0, Israeli forces moved into Marka village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into 'Aaroura village, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and summoned Nour 'Abdul Rahman al-'Aarouri, 19, for interrogation.

· Also at approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Mazare' al-Noubani village, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and summoned Rashad 'Ali Mesfer, 20, for interrogation.

· At approximately 00:00, Israeli forces moved into Turmo'iya village, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 01:00, 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 ‘Arrana village, northeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Muthllath al-Shuhada’ village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

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

· At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Jayous village, northeast of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ra'ed Mohammed Salim, 23.

· Also at approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into 'Assala village, south of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 'Alaa' Ra'ed Abu Radi, 20.

· At approximately 00:00, Israeli forces moved into Hares village, northwest of Salfit. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian children:

· At approximately 00:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Shaheba village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians (3 brothers and their nephew):

· Also at approximately 0:30, Israeli forces moved into Souba village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 01:0, Israeli forces moved into Sa'ir village, northeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 'Ezzat Shalalda, 48.

· At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Wadi al-Hariya area in the south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed 'Ata Shloudi, 31.

· Also at approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mahmous Yasser Braighaith, 18.

· At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Nisrine 'Aatef Abu Zaina, 25, who has been recently released from Israeli prisons. They confiscated her mobile phone and some photos.

· Also at approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Eyad Mousa Jabarin, 28.

· At approximately 06:00, two Israeli gunboats approached to within 500 meters of Rafah beach and arrested two Palestinian fishers: Mohammed Mahmoud Hassouna, 45; and his son Shihab, 18. They also confiscated the fishing boat. The two fishers were released at approximately 19:00.

· At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into the south of Qalqilya. They demolished a number of car maintenance workshops over their contents causing large losses. The owners of those workshops have been detained by Israeli forces: Mohammed al-Sarrawi; Bassam Zaid; Daoud Baker; and Mohammed Zaid.

The State of 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.

Israel has 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 the population of the Gaza Strip is to obtain their basic needs of food, medicines, water and electricity supplies.

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

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

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

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

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

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

· 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
12 August 2009	A Palestinian patient and his companion were allowed to travel to Egypt and 83 persons, including 4 Canadians, and the body of a dead Palestinian were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
13 August 2009	40 persons, including 6 Canadians, were allowed to travel to Egypt and 31 Palestinians were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
14 August 2009	3 Palestinians were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
15 August 2009	855 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 20 were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
16 August 2009	550 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 20 were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
17 August 2009	825 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 24 were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
18 August 2009	8 Palestinians were allowed into the Gaza Strip.

Date	Details
12 August 2009	85 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
13 August 2009	98 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
14 August 2009	Closed.
15 August 2009	Closed.
16 August 2009	124 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
17 August 2009	112 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
18 August 2009	114 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.

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

Date	Patients	Patients’ Companions	Traders and Businessmen	International Journalists	International Workers	Travelers abroad
Date	Patients	Patients’ Companions	Traders and Businessmen	International Journalists	International Workers	Travelers abroad
12 August 2009	24	23	Nil	2	32	6
13 August 2009	17	15	Nil	10	57	4
14 August 2009	1	1	Nil	3	16	Nil
15 August 2009	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
16 August 2009	25	25	Nil	1	6	14
17 August 2009	22	24	Nil	4	9	5
18 August 2009	42	38	Nil	4	12	2

Al-Mentar (Karni) Crossing: Israel partially opened the crossing on Wednesday, 12 August 2009, and allowed the entry of 2,800 tons of seeds and fodders. They opened it again on Monday, 17 August 2009, and allowed the entry of 3,240 tons of seeds and fodders.

Date	Cooking Gas (tons)	Energy Fuel (liters)
12 August 2009	228.790	694,260
13 August 2009	194.890	Nil
14 August 2009	Nil	Nil
15 August 2009	Nil	Nil
16 August 2009	Nil	Nil
17 August 2009	267.760	756,000
18 August 2009	273	537,000

Israeli forces have imposed a tightened closure 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.

· Nablus: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF 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 afternoon, Israeli troops positioned at various checkpoints around Nablus, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians and forced Palestinian civilian vehicles to wait for a long time before allowing them to cross those checkpoints.

· Jenin: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of the Palestinian civilians in Jenin. At approximately 06:00 on Thursday, 13 August 2009, Israeli forces erected a military checkpoint in the al-Hfeira area near 'Arraba intersection, south of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Saturday morning, 15 July 2009, Israeli forces erected a checkpoint at 'Arraba intersection, south of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

· Hebron: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 19:30 on Thursday, 13 August 2009, Israeli forces suddenly closed the entrances leading to Hebron and to other neighboring villages. They erected temporary and mobile checkpoints at intersections and on roads leading to and from Hebron under the pretext of having information about possible kidnapping of an Israeli soldier. Israeli troops prevented the movement of Palestinian civilian vehicles for several hours.

At approximately 12:20 on Saturday, 15 August 2009, Israeli troops positioned in the vicinity of the Ibrahimi Mosque in the old town of Hebron held and violently bear Hamza Mohammed Abu Khalaf, 24. He sustained bruises throughout the body.

At approximately 15:00 on the same day, Israeli troops positioned at the entrance of al-Shuhada Street in the center of Hebron arrested a Palestinian girl, claiming that she was carrying a knife.

· Bethlehem: At approximately 17:00 on Saturday, 15 August 2009, Israeli troops positioned at the Container checkpoint, northeast of Bethlehem, arrested a Palestinian woman, 'Aaisha Mohammed 'Ebayat, 24, from Bethlehem.

· Qalqilya: At approximately 11:30 on Sunday, 16 August 2009, Israeli troops positioned at Jayous gate, northeast of Qalqilya, arrested 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child: Saleh Ahmed Khraisha, 17; Ahmed Saleh Khraisha, 28; and Khader Mohammed Shamasna, 35.

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 14 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 14 August 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.

· Also following the Friday Prayer on 14 August 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, 3 Palestinian civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation: 'Ali Mousa 'Alaa' al-Din, 23; Eyad Safi Braijiya, 30; and Mahmoud Jom'a Taqatqa, 23.

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.

· On Saturday, 15 August 2009, Palestinian institutions in Jerusalem organized a peaceful march in solidarity with Palestinians living in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in Jerusalem, whose houses are threatened to be confiscated. The Israeli police prevented the march form moving towards Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood.

· On Sunday morning, 16 August 2009, dozens of Israeli settlers stormed and seized a 100-square-meter house belonging to 'Imad Daoud Siam in 'Ein Hilwa area in Silwan village to the south of the old town of Jerusalem. The settlers claimed that they have documents providing their ownership of the house.

· At noon on Monday, 17 August 2009, a number of Israeli police officers attacked al-Nazer Gate, one of the gates of the al-Aqsa Mosque, and removed its locks. They replaced the locks with new ones. Soon after, the Palestinian Islamic Endowments Department removed the new lock and put the old ones back. When the police were asked about the incidents, they claimed it happened by mistake.

· On the same day evening, Israeli forces conducted a military training to climb fences of the al-Aqsa Mosque using ladders. The training lasted for one hour.

· Also on the same day evening, at least 30 Israeli settlers attacked the Hanoun and al-Ghawi families, whose houses are threatened to be confiscated, in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in East Jerusalem. When the families and other civilians in the area attempted to stop the attack, Israeli troops attacked them. They arrested Mohammed Mitwalli, 20, but released him on the following day morning.

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.

· At approximately 11:00 on Saturday, 15 August 2009, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in the north of Safa Village, adjacent to Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They moved towards the lands that are threatened to be confiscated for settlement activities in Abu al-Rish area, in order to plough the lands and pick plums and grapes. Israeli troops deployed in the area, besieged the march and chased the protesters. They fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the protesters and assaulted some of them. They then declared the area a closed military zone. As a result of Israeli harassment and assaults, a female Danish solidarity activist, Sika Enjela, 32, sustained light injuries in the forehead and bruises in the head. Two other solidarity activists, Kresina, 22, from Denmark, and Yola, 22, from Germany, were arrested, but were released later.

· In Halhoul town, north of Hebron, land owners, the Public Committee Against the Wall and Settlements, and international human rights defenders organized a protest and a voluntary workday on the lands of Kherbet al-Hajj, northwest of Hebron, which are under threat of confiscation. The protesters arrived at the mentioned lands, which are adjacent to “Kermi Tsur” settlement, and began to reclaim the lands that were damaged by the Israeli settlers during their latest attacks. Israeli troops chased the protestors and tried to force them to leave the location. They also arrested two international human rights defenders: Dr. Dove Hizohla; and George Adams. Israeli forces declared the area a closed military zone.

· At approximately 07:20 on Monday, 10 August 2009, Israeli forces moved into Salem village, east of Nablus. They handed written notices to the owners of 9 Palestinian houses to refer to "Beit Eil Court" on 10 September 2009; otherwise, the houses would be demolished.

· On the same day, the Municipality of Ya'bad village, southwest of Jenin, received a fax from the Palestinian civil liaison, which included a copy of a military order issued by Israeli forces confiscating 116 donums of land in the village allegedly for security necessities. These areas of land are planted with olives and belong to a number of Palestinian villagers.

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. 33/2009 13 - 19 August 2009

Israeli troops arresting Palestinians in the West Bank