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 Closure on the Gaza Strip

Israeli occupation forces used forced to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized to protest the construction of the Annexation Wall in the West Bank.

Israeli forces conducted 20 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.

Israeli naval troops have continued to attack Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip.

Israel has continued to impose a total closure on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.

Israeli troops positioned at military checkpoints in the West Bank arrested 5 Palestinian civilians, including one child.

Israel has continued measures aimed at creating a Jewish demographic majority in occupied East Jerusalem.

Israeli occupation forces ordered the demolition of a mosque and 9 houses in Jabal al-Mukabber village.

Israel has continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.

Israeli violations of international law, and international humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (16 – 22 December 2009):

Shooting: During the reporting period, Israeli occupation forces used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations 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 occupation forces conducted at least 20 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. Israeli forces arrested 23, including 7 children. During the reporting period, Israeli troops stationed in the center and south of Hebron attacked members of the Abu Haikal family in Tal al-Rumaida neighborhood. Five members of the family were injured, and Israeli occupation forces arrested 4 others.

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

Restrictions on Movement: 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 and a half 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 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 Israel for medical treatment, trade or social visits.

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

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

· Israel has imposed access restrictions on international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip. They have prevented representatives of several international humanitarian organizations from entering the Gaza Strip.

· Living conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated; levels of poverty and unemployment are among the highest in the world.

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

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

Israeli occupation 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 occupation 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 occupation 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 occupation forces. These permits are extremely difficult to obtain.

· Israeli occupation 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 occupation forces in Jerusalem, and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped and searched in the streets.

Measures Aimed at Creating a Jewish Demographic Majority in Jerusalem: On 17 December 2009, officials from the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem and Ministry of Interior handed demolition notices to owners of 9 houses in Jabal al-Mukabber neighborhood in the south of Jerusalem. They also posted an order to demolish the neighborhood mosque within 10 days.

On the same day, Israeli occupation forces attacked and violently beat Palestinian civilians participating in a public gathering at Damascus Gate in Jerusalem. Three children and one woman sustained bruises. The gathering marked the conclusion of celebrations for Jerusalem as the capital of Arab culture in 2009. Israeli forces also arrested 6 Palestinian civilians; they were released on the following day. Israeli forces also surrounded the French Cultural Center in Saladin Street. They checked identity cards of people entering and exiting the center, claiming that they were searching for persons responsible fore releasing balloons with the colors of the Palestinian flag. Additionally, Israeli forces handed notices to 6 schools ordering them not to participate in these celebrations.

Settlement Activities: Israel has continued settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.

On 16 December 2009, Israeli settlers from "Shilo" settlement, north of Ramallah, attacked a number of Palestinian farms who were working on their lands. According to eyewitnesses, dozens of Israeli settlers, escorted by Israeli occupation forces, attacked the farmers and prevented them from farming their lands. Israeli forces then forced the farmers away from the area.

On 19 December 2009, dozens of Israeli settlers from "Shilo" settlement, north of Ramallah, gathered at the entrance of the settlement on the Nablus-Ramallah road and threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on the road. Israeli troops were present in the area and did not intervene to stop the attack.

On the same day, an Israeli settler from the "Gush Etzion" settlement bloc, southwest of Bethlehem, fired at 5 Palestinian farmers who were working on their lands in Safa village, north of Hebron. Israeli troops arrived at the area, but did not intervene to stop the settler. It is worth noting that Israeli settlers attempt to seize more areas of Palestinian land in the village to be annexed to nearby Israeli settlements.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (16 – 22 December 2009)

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

· At approximately 00:00, Israeli occupation forces moved into al-'Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They rauded and searched a number of houses and arrested Tariq Khalil Ghawanma, 18.

· At approximately 02:00, Israeli occupation forces moved into N'elin village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Hamed Sa'adat Sorour, 18.

· At approximately 03:00, Israeli occupation forces moved into Burqa village, northwest of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 8 Palestinian civilians, including two children:

Israeli occupation forces also raided a house belonging to Khaled Rushdi Daghlas in order to arrest his child, 17-year-old Rushdi, who was not home. The father was forced to hand his child over to Israeli forces the following morning.

· At approximately 01:00, Israeli occupation forces moved into Jayous village, northeast of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:00, Israeli occupation forces moved into al-Duhaisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· At night, Israeli occupation forces moved into Rummana village, west of Jenin. They patrolled near the Annexation Wall and arrested two Palestinian children who were near the Wall:

· At approximately 02:00, Israeli occupation forces moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ziad Ahmed al-Masri, 23.

· At approximately 14:30, Israeli occupation forces besieged two houses belonging to 'Abdul 'Aziz and 'Imad Rateb Abu Haikal in Tal al-Rumaida neighborhood in the center of Hebron. They raided the house of the latter and violently beat members of the family. When residents of the other house came to check what was going on, they were violently beaten by Israeli troops. Five members of the two families were injured: 'Abdul 'Aziz Rateb Abu Haikal, 66; Samah 'Abdul 'Aziz Abu Haikal, 37; Salam 'Abdul 'Aziz Abu Haikal, 27; Majd 'Abdul 'Aziz Abu Haikal, 22; and Ghadeer 'Imad Abu Haikal, 17. Israeli occupation forces also arrested 4 members of the two families, including one child:

Israeli occupation forces released 3 of the detainees on bail, but kept the fourth, 'Imad Abu Haikal, in custody.

· At approximately 02:00, Israeli occupation forces moved into Tubas town. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 02:00, Israeli occupation forces moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:30, Israeli occupation forces moved into Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah. They raided two houses belonging to Mohammed 'Ali Yassin and 'Abdul Fattah Bernat and forced the two families out. They searched the two houses and asked about Ibrahim Bernat and Yassin Yassin who were not at home at the time. Israeli troops confiscated portraits made by Ibrahim Bernat from rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs used by occupation forces against demonstrations in the village. Israeli forces have been searching for the two civilians for more than 5 months for participating in peaceful demonstrations against the construction of the Annexation Wall.

· At approximately 22:00, Israeli occupation forces moved into al-'Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. Israeli troops chased the children and arrested one of them, 14-year-old Mohammed Yasser Jawabra.

· At approximately 01:00, Israeli occupation forces moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 01:30, Israeli occupation forces moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire. They withdrew later and no casualties or arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:00, Israeli occupation forces moved into Jalboun village, east of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Yousef Tawfiq Abu al-Rub, 45.

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

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

· At approximately 01:00, Israeli occupation forces moved into Qalqilya. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Isma'il 'Abdullah 'Abdul Hafez, 27, and arrested him.

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

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

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

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

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

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

· Living conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated; levels of poverty and unemployment are among the highest in the world.

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

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

Date	Details
15 December 2009	Closed.
16 December 2009	6 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 130 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
17 December 2009	12 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 96 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
18 December 2009	Closed.
19 December 2009	Closed.
20 December 2009	7 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 4 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
21 December 2009	24 Palestinians were allowed into the Gaza Strip.

Date	Details
15 December 2009	83 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
16 December 2009	72 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
17 December 2009	106 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
18 December 2009	Closed.
19 December 2009	Closed.
20 December 2009	86 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
21 December 2009	86 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.

Nahal Ouz Crossing: Israeli occupation forces opened the crossing on Tuesday, 15 December 2009, and allowed 283 tons of cooking gas and 1,187,020 liters of energy fuel into the Gaza Strip.

Al-Mentar (Karni) Crossing: Israeli occupation forces partially opened the crossing on Wednesday, 16 December 2009, and allowed the entry of 1,640 tons of wheat and 1,240 tons of fodder. They opened it against on Monday, 21 December 2009, and allowed the entry of 1,000 tons of wheat and 960 tons of fodder.

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

Date	Patients	Companions	Arabs from Israel	Ambassadors	International Journalists	International Workers	Travelers abroad	Traders
Date	Patients	Companions	Arabs from Israel	Ambassadors	International Journalists	International Workers	Travelers abroad	Traders
15 December	41	39	Nil	3	13	48	Nil	7
16 December	25	23	5	4	8	34	9	4
17 December	21	19	7	12	8	51	Nil	1
18 December	4	4	2	2	9	16	Nil	Nil
19 December	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
20 December	45	40	12	2	5	29	5	Nil
21 December	56	55	7	6	6	24	1	1

Israeli occupation 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 occupation 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 occupation 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 occupation 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 occupation 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 Nablus-Jenin road, and at Za'tara checkpoint, south of the city, have also continued to restrict the movement of Palestinian civilians. Israeli occupation forces have continued to close Shavi Shomron checkpoint on the Nablus-Jenin road since 10 December 2009. The road is a vital one for the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from Nablus. On Saturday morning, 19 December 2009, Israeli troops stationed at Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians. On Tuesday morning, 22 December 2009, Israeli troops stationed at Za'tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians.

· Ramallah: Israeli occupation 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.

· Jenin: Israeli occupation forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Monday morning, 21 December 2009, occupation forces erected a checkpoint at 'Arraba intersection, south of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilians vehicles.

· Hebron: Israeli occupation forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Monday morning, 21 December 2009, Israeli forces erected a checkpoint at the northern entrance of al-Zahiriya village, south of Hebron. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Tuesday noon, 22 December 2009, Israeli occupation forces erected a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Hebron.

· At approximately 15:00 on Friday, 18 December 2009, Israeli troops stationed at Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested 'Izzat Khaled Suleiman, 22, from Marda village north of Salfit.

· On Saturday morning, 19 December 2009, Israeli troops stationed at Tayseer checkpoint, east of Tubas, arrested Mobeen Jamal Salahat, 16, from al-Fara'a refugee camp south of Tubas.

· On Sunday evening, 20 December 2009, Israeli troops stationed at Tayaseer checkpoint, east of Tubas, arrested two Palestinians, claiming that they were carrying explosives. The two Palestinians have not been identified.

· Also on Sunday evening, Israeli troops stationed at the entrances to the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron arrested Hussam Fadel al-'Odara, 22, from Yatta village south of Hebron.

Israel has continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside West Bank territory. During the reporting period, Israeli occupation 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 18 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 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.

· Also following the Friday Prayer on 18 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. Dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

· Also following the Friday Prayer on 18 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, Mahmoud 'Alaa' al-Din, 24, 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 occupation forces against Palestinian civilians in East Jerusalem.

· On Thursday, 17 December 2009, officials from the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem and Ministry of Interior handed demolition notices to owners of 9 houses in Jabal al-Mukabber neighborhood in the south of Jerusalem. They also posted an order to demolish the mosque of the neighborhood within 10 days. Demolition orders were issued for property as follows:

1. A 45-square-meter house and a 50-square-meter one belonging to Sa'id Jom'a, in addition to the imposition of a fine of 8,000 NIS (approximately US$ 2,000).

2. A 110-square-meter house belonging to 'Ali Mohammed Jom'a, which had been demolished twice in 2004 and 2008, in addition to the imposition of a fine of 32,000 NIS (approximately US$ 8,000).

3. A 45-square-meter house belonging to Mnawar Mohammed Jom'a, in addition to the imposition of a fine of 20,000 NIS (approximately US$ 5,000).

4. A house belonging to Shaker Mohammed Jom'a, who had been forced to pay a fine of 50,000 NIS (approximately US$ 12,500).

7. A 100-square-meter house belonging to 'Alya Hafez Khalaila, who had been forced to pay several times, the last of which was 6,000 NIS (US$ 15,000).

8. A 100-square-meter house belonging to Yasser 'Awad Khalaila, in addition to the imposition of a fine of 60,000 NIS (approximately US$ 15,000).

· On Thursday noon, 17 December 2009, Israeli occupation forces attacked Palestinian civilians participating in a public gathering at Damascus Gate in Jerusalem in the conclusion of the celebration of Jerusalem as the capital of Arab culture in 2009. They violently beat the participants. Three children and one woman sustained bruises. Israeli occupation forces also arrested 6 Palestinian civilians: 'Omar Shalabi; Saleh Na'im; Malek Haddad; Mousa al-'Abbassi; and 'Omar al-Barqaqi. They released the detainees on the following day. In the same context, Israeli occupation forces surrounded the French Cultural Center in Saladin Street. They checked identity cards of people entering and exiting the center, claiming that they were searching for persons who released balloons in the colors of the Palestinian flag. Additionally, Israeli occupation forces handed notices to 6 schools ordering them not to participate in these celebrations.

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

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

· On Wednesday, 16 December 2009, a number of Israeli settlers from "Shilo" settlement, north of Ramallah, attacked a number of Palestinian farms who were working on their lands. According to eyewitnesses, dozens of Israeli settlers, escorted by Israeli occupation forces, attacked the farmers and prevented them from farming their lands. Israeli troops then forced the farmers away from the area.

· On Sunday afternoon, 19 December 2009, dozens of Israeli settlers from "Shilo" settlement, north of Ramallah, gathered at the intersection of the settlement on the Nablus-Ramallah road and threw stones towards Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on the road. Israeli troops were present in the area and did not intervene to stop the attack.

· At approximately 16:00 also on Sunday, an Israeli settler from "Gush Etzion" settlement bloc, southwest of Bethlehem, fired at 5 Palestinian farmers who were working on their lands in Safa village, north of Hebron. Israeli troops arrived at the area, but did not intervene to stop the settler. It is worth noting that Israeli settlers attempt to seize more areas of Palestinian land in the village to be annexed to nearby Israeli settlements.

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. 50/2009 16- 22 Dec 2009

An Israeli soldier prevent a number of Palestinian civilians from going homes in the center of Hebron