PCHR Weekly Report

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) and Continue to Impose a Total Siege of the Gaza Strip

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law escalated in the OPT during the reporting period (18 – 24 June 2009):

Shooting: During the reporting period, five Palestinian civilians, including a journalist, and an international human rights defender were wounded when IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians to protest the construction of the Annexation Wall in the West Bank.

Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 19 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. IOF arrested 22 Palestinian civilians, including two children.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF naval troops continued to chase and fire at Palestinian fishers. During the reporting period, they detained two fishers for several hours.

IOF have continued to close all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for more than two years. The IOF siege of Gaza, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.

· 1.5 million people are being denied their basic rights, including freedom of movement, and their rights to appropriate living conditions, work, health and education.

· The main concern of 1.5 million people living in the Gaza Strip is to obtain their basic needs of food, medicines, water and electricity supplies.

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

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

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

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

· Poverty and unemployment levels are currently at approximately 80% and 60% respectively in the Gaza Strip.

· IOF 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.

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

· Living conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated; levels of poverty and unemployment have sharply mounted.

· At least 900 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails have been denied family visitation rights for more than 24 months.

IOF 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.

· IOF 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 IOF 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 IOF (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 IOF. These permits are extremely difficult to obtain.

· IOF continue to harass, and assault demonstrators who hold peaceful protests against the construction of the Annexation Wall.

· Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by IOF in Jerusalem, and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped and searched in the streets by IOF.

Settlement Activities: IOF 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. During the reporting period, IOF uprooted at least 150 trees and razed donums of agricultural land. Three Palestinian farmers were injured when Israeli settlers set fire to their tent.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (18 – 24 June 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, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses. During these house raids, IOF troops detonated sound bombs inside and around a house belonging to the family of Yahia Nidal al-Aghbar, in which six people live, including a blind father and two children. As a result, a fire broke out and the house was burnt. IOF troops arrested al-Aghbar. They also arrested Sa'ed Sami Hamdan, 19, from the south of the city.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into 'Aanin village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-'Araqa village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into 'Anza village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Yamoun village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Kufor Dan village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Kafrit village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Ertah suburb, south of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Diaa' Jom'a Abu Rabee', 18, and arrested him.

· At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into the old town of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested three Palestinian civilians:

· Also at approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Nour Shams refugee camp, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and summoned five Palestinian civilians for interrogation.

· At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into Safa village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested seven Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into al-Bireh town. They raided and searched a house belonging to Dr. Miriam Saleh, Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council form the Change and Reform Bloc affiliated to Hamas. They arrested her son, 21-year-old Salah Mosleh, and confiscated Saleh's mobile phone and some documents.

· Also at approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Deir al-'Assal village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested five Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into the northwestern part of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Shyoukh village, northeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into al-Shuhada Triangle village, south of Jenin. They raided a number of brick factories and checked workers. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian children:

· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Ethna village, northwest of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mo'taz Mohammed al-Tmaizi, 28.

· At approximately 08:00, IOF moved into Beit Fajjar village, southwest of Bethlehem. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire. They withdrew from the village later and neither casualties nor arrests were reported.

IOF have 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 1.5 million people living in the Gaza Strip is to obtain their basic needs of food, medicines, water and electricity supplies.

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

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

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

· IOF have continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing 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 levels are currently at approximately 80% and 60% respectively in the Gaza Strip.

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

· Living conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated; levels of poverty and unemployment have sharply mounted.

· At least 900 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails have been denied family visitation rights for more than 24 months.

Date	Details
17 June 2009	123 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
18 June 2009	116 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
19 June 2009	115 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
20 June 2009	Closed.
21 June 2009	62 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
22 June 2009	Closed.
23 June 2009	Closed.

Date	Details
17 June 2009	On Palestinian was allowed to travel to Egypt and 60 patients and a 5-member delegation of Organization of the Islamic Conference were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
18 June 2009	23 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 25 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
19 June 2009	A Syrian citizen was allowed to travel to Egypt and 5 Palestinians were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
20 June 2009	4 members of a delegation of Organization of the Islamic Conference, two internationals and 4 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 4 Palestinians were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
21 June 2009	One Palestinian was allowed to travel to Egypt and another one was allowed into the Gaza Strip.
22 June 2009	Closed.
23 June 2009	A 6-member fact-finding mission and 10 Palestinians were allowed into the Gaza Strip.

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

Date	Patients	Companions	Traders and Businessmen	International Journalists	International Workers	Travelers abroad
Date	Patients	Companions	Traders and Businessmen	International Journalists	International Workers	Travelers abroad
17 June 2009	14	11	Nil	12	35	2
18 June 2009	25	26	Nil	10	66	13
19 June 2009	1	1	Nil	3	16	2
20 June 2009	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
21 June 2009	22	25	Nil	1	8	2
22 June 2009	23	20	Nil	3	25	3
23 June 2009	28	28	3	6	17	2

Date	Cooking Gas (tons)	Energy Fuel (liters)
17 June 2009	20.760	422,400
18 June 2009	131.160	475,200
19 June 2009	Nil	Nil
20 June 2009	Nil	Nil
21 June 2009	134.800	424,800
22 June 2009	89.800	466,400
23 June 2009	89.490	431,420

Al-Mentar (Karni) Crossing: IOF partially opened the crossing on Sunday, 21 June 2009, and allowed the entry of 1,800 tons of seeds and fodders. They opened it again on Monday, 22 June 2009, and allowed the entry of 2,350 tons of seeds and fodders.

IOF have imposed a tightened siege on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

· Jerusalem: IOF 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. IOF 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. IOF often violently beat Palestinian civilians who attempt to bypass checkpoints and enter the city. IOF impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians on Fridays to restrict their access to the al-Aqsa Mosque.

· Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Sunday and Monday, 21 and 22 June 2009, IOF troops positioned at: Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus; the 17 checkpoint, north of the city; and Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of the city, imposed additional restrictions on Palestinian civilians and conducted prolonged checking. Additionally, IOF have continued to erect checkpoints on roads leading to the city. In this context, on Sunday morning, 21 June 2009, IOF erected a checkpoint at Jeet intersection They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

· Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 06:00 on Saturday, 20 June 2009, IOF erected a checkpoint at Jaba' intersection on the Jenin-Nablus road. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 07:00 on the same day, IOF erected a checkpoint at Bazaria intersection on the Jenin-Nablus road. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

· Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians inside and around the town. On Saturday morning, 20 June 2009, IOF closed Wadi al-Quf road, which leads to villages located to the northwest of Hebron, with concrete blocks and sand barriers. On Sunday, 21 June 2009, IOF troops positioned at al-Baq'a checkpoint, northeast of Hebron, conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians.

· Bethlehem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. During the reporting period, IOF troops positioned at various checkpoints, especially the Container checkpoint northeast of the town, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Monday evening, 20 June 2009, IOF erected a checkpoint at Za'tara intersection and another one at Taqqou' intersection on the Bethlehem-Hebron road. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

· Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. During the reporting period, IOF troops positioned at various checkpoints around the town conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians. On Sunday morning, 21 June 2009, IOF closed 'Attara checkpoint at the northern entrance of Ramallah for two hours.

On Sunday evening, 21 June 2009, IOF troops positioned at gates on the Annexation Wall, southeast of Qalqilya, beat violently, detained and interrogated 'Odai Zaki al-Sheikh, 26, when he was on his way back home to 'Azzoun 'Atma village. He sustained bruises and cuts to the head and the right side.

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

· At approximately 10:00 on Thursday, 18 June 2009, IOF, accompanied by a jeep of the so-called Civil Administration, moved into 'Azzoun 'Atma village, which is isolated by the Wall, southeast of Qalqilya. They handed noticed to 'Abdul Mon'em Sa'id Saleh and Ghareeb Ibrahim 'Ali that a shed used for raising animals, an old house and a water tank belonging to them would be demolished. It is worth noting that IOF impose severe restrictions on daily activities of Palestinians who live in areas isolated by the Wall.

· Following the Friday Prayer on 19 June 2009, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in protest to the construction of the Wall in al-Ma'sara village, south of Bethlehem. IOF troops positioned at the main entrance of the village near "Efrat" settlement fired tear gas canisters at the demonstrators, and then chased and violently beat a number of demonstrators. As a result, two demonstrators sustained bruises: Yousef Yahia Zawahra, 31; and 'Ali Mousa Berjiya, 25.

· At approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 20 June 2009, dozens of Palestinian farmers and Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered near areas of lands threatened to be confiscated by IOF in Wad Abu al-Reesh area in the north of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. IOF troops fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators and violently beat a number of them. A number of Israeli settlers also threw stones at the demonstrators and journalists. As a result, a Palestinian farmer, a journalist and an international human rights defender were injured:

1. 'Aamer Mohye 'Aabdin, 28, a photographer for Palmedia news agency, sustained bruises and cuts to the right foot;

2. Mohammed 'Abdullah al-Slaibi, 47, a farmer, sustained bruises to the face and the back; and

3. Chris, an international human rights defender, sustained bruises throughout the body.

IOF has recently escalated arbitrary measures against Palestinian civilians in occupied East Jerusalem to force them to leave the city. PCHR has devoted this section in the Weekly Report to highlight violations of human rights perpetrated by IOF against Palestinian civilians in East Jerusalem.

· On Thursday, 18 June 2009, IOF forced Khaled Sorour Sorour, 45, and his brother Tariq, 43, to demolish a structure added to their house in al-Mukabber village, south of Jerusalem. The family had added this structure to the house in 2003. Three months ago, the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem handed a notice to the family ordering the demolition of the house no later than 24 June 2009; otherwise, the municipality would demolish it and force the family to pay the costs and a heavy fine. The area of the added structure was less than 50 square meters distributed into two floors. The family's loss is estimated at more than 35,000 NIS (approximately US$ 8,700).

· On the same day, IOF forced Basehir Mahmoud Bashir, 37, from Jabal al-Mukabber village, south of Jerusalem, to demolish a 35-square-meter structure added to his house. The Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem had ordered the family to demolish the added structure no later than 21 June 2009; otherwise, the municipality would demolish it and force the family to pay the costs and a heavy fine. The family's loss is estimated at more than 20,000 NIS (approximately US$ 5,000).

· At approximately 08:30 on the same day, IOF, accompanied by officials of the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem, stormed al-Bustan quarter in Silwan village, south of Jerusalem. They handed ordered of demolition to owners of eight Palestinian houses. According to these orders, the families themselves must demolish their houses or refer to the municipality to appeal against the orders. The orders did not include the owners' names, rather they listed ambiguous numbers. It is worth noting that IOF declared earlier this year that they would demolish 88 Palestinian houses in the quarter to establish what they call "David Town".

· On Sunday evening, 21 June 2009, IOF, accompanied by officials of the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem, stormed Beit Hanina and Shu'fat villages, north of Jerusalem, and al-'Abbasiya quarter in Silwan village, east of the city. They stuck demolition orders on the walls of several houses in these areas. According to these orders, the families themselves must demolish their houses; otherwise, the municipality would do it and the families must then pay the costs and additional fines.

· At approximately 08:00 on Tuesday, 23 June 2009, IOF raids Ras Tamim and al-Maisha quarters in the south of al-'Eissawiya village, east of Jerusalem. They razed at least 500 donums of Palestinian land, claiming that they seek to preserve "the natural beauty of the city." According the owners of these lands, these measures aim at expanding settlement areas near the Hebrew University. Although the owners appealed against orders to raze their lands, IOF razed the land without presenting any written official orders.

4. 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.

· On Saturday morning, 20 June 2009, Palestinian farmers were shocked to have dozens of trees cut on their lands located near "Beit Ain" settlement, north of Hebron. According to investigations conducted by PCHR, Israeli settlers living in the aforementioned settlement uprooted at least 150 trees on lands belonging to Fahed 'Abdullah al-Slaibi and Hammad Jaber al-Slaibi. Such action came following threats vowed by Israeli settlers a week earlier to prevent Palestinian farmers from farming their lands.

· At approximately 04:00 on Sunday morning, 21 June 2009, Israeli settlers set fire to a tent, in which three Palestinian farmers were sleeping, in Kherbat Sousia area to the east of Yatta village, south of Hebron. The farmers woke up suffering from the inhalation of smoke. When they got out, they saw a number of Israeli settlers running away towards a nearby settlement. The farmers were evacuated to the hospital due to the inhalation of smoke. They were identified as: 'Abdul Rahman Mohammed Nawaj'a, 22; Yahia Khaled Nawaj'a, 21; and Ibrahim Mohammed Nawaj'a, 22.

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. 525/2009 18 - 24 June 2009

Israeli Occupation Forces prevent Palestinian civilians from reaching their lands near the Annexation Wall in al-Ma'sara village, south of Bethlehem.