Ref:
96/2003

In
an unprecedented ruling since the beginning of the current Intifada, the compensation
department of the Israeli Ministry of Defense ruled to award two Palestinians
from Deir al-Balah – represented by PCHR – NIS 245,000 (approximately
US$10,200) in compensation for the loss of their boat that was destroyed by
Israeli occupying forces on 18 January 2002.

On
18 January 2002, Israeli occupying forces arrested Mohammed Emtair Khalil
Nassar, 56, and Barham Mohammed al-Qara’an, 41, while they were fishing off the
coast of Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip and towed their boat to the Israeli controlled
Ashdod Harbor.  PCHR represented Nassar
and al- Qara’an and on 24 January 2002, the Israeli military court in Erez
ordered the release of the two Palestinians and their boat. However, while the
two men were eventually released, the boat was not handed over and PCHR
submitted a number of injunctions to petition the court to hand over the boat
to its owners.

On
5 September 2002, PCHR received a response from the Israeli military legal
advisor who stated that the boat had sunk while in Israeli possession.  As a result, the case was then transferred to
the compensation department of the Israeli Ministry of Defense.  PCHR continued to follow up the case in
cooperation with the Israel-based Hamoked Center for
the Defense of the Individual. PCHR is now working on completing the
necessary legal procedures which will result in Nassar and al- Qara’an
receiving approximately NIS 45,000 (US$10,200) in compensation.

Since
the outbreak of al-Aqsa Intifada in September 2000, Israeli occupying forces
have escalated attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property.  In particular, Israeli occupying forces have
attacked Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip and imposed severe
restrictions on their work. PCHR will continue its efforts to ensure that
Palestinian civilians receive the appropriate compensation for losses incurred
by the actions of Israeli occupying forces in the Occupied Palestinian
Territories.