PRESS RELEASE

Released @ 07.00 hours GMT 17th June 1997

JEWISH SETTLER PROVOCATION RAISE TENSIONS TO A DANGEROUS LEVEL

IN THE GAZA STRIP.

The situation in the Gaza Strip is deteriorating dramatically as Jewish settlers are attempting to take more Palestinian land at locations around this part of the Occupied Palestinian Territories, namely, Netzer Hazani and Morag Settlements.

On the afternoon of 15th June 1997, at Netzer Hazani Settlement near Deir el Balah city in the centre of the Gaza Strip, settlers surrounded about 70 dunams of Palestinian land with barbed wire, and, guarded by around 10 settlers, armed with automatic rifles and pistols, began to flatten it with a bulldozer. At approximately 13.30 (local time) on the 16th June, a number of Palestinian citizens from the surrounding area went to the location. One of the settlers fired a pistol at Mohammed Ismail El Salaqawi, who is 20 years of age, and wounded him in the foot.

At this time the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) is present at the location, and Palestinian citizens are attempting to set up tents in order to stage a peaceful sit-in to protest against the land-grabs by settlers. Palestinian Fieldwork staff report that Israeli soldiers have fired tear gas at the Palestinians to disperse them. Around 15.00 (local time) on 16th June, both Palestinians and Israelis in the DCO (Palestinian Liaison Committee) reached an agreement under which settlers will suspend their work and Palestinians will leave the area. More negotiations will be carried out within the Committee to settle the dispute. As yet there are no further reported developments.

On May 28th IDF forces and a number of Israeli settlers closed off a road with barbed wire near Morag Settlement, (situated to the north-east of Rafah city in the south of the Gaza Strip) and attempted to take the surrounding Palestinian land. Since 1st June 1997, Palestinian citizens, including Palestinian Legislative Council members, have established tents to stage a peaceful sit-in to protest the land-grabs. On Thursday 12th June, Palestinian citizens removed the barbed wire fencing from around their land and began to plant olive trees on it. The situation escalated to clashes between Palestinian civilians, the IDF and Settlers. Two Palestinians were wounded by live ammunition fired by the IDF and an elderly man died from a heart attack brought on by inhaling tear gas fired by the IDF. Palestinian citizens have subsequently resumed their peaceful protest at the location, while settler provocations continue.

On the same day, 12th June, Palestinians demonstrated against the establishment of a monument on Palestinian land, in the centre of the Gaza Strip close to the Gush Qatif Settlement, and a ceremony held by Settlers in the presence of Ariel Sharon to commemorate the death of an Israeli soldier who was killed during the clashes of September 1996. Demonstrations were staged throughout the day from approximately 11.30 local time, and continued until approximately 18.00. By around 17.00, clashes had ensued between Settlers, the IDF and Palestinian citizens. The IDF brought in three tanks and an estimated 15 military jeeps and took sniper positions around the area. One Palestinian labourer was shot by an Israeli settler while coincidentally passing by on a bus on his return from a days work in Israel; one Palestinian who was standing by the side of the road was shot three times in the leg by a settler; and one Palestinian was run over by a settler passing in his car.

The Palestinian Centre believes that the Israeli Government bears complete responsibility for the deterioration of the situation, which has resulted from its provocative practices and policies. It is evident that the activities of the settlers are fully supported by the Israeli Government. Israel’s policy to develop its settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, by which it aims to change the status of the Occupied Palestinian Territories in violation of international law, has accelerated under the Netanyahu administration. The Fieldwork team of the Palestinian Centre is closely monitoring developments in the situation in the Gaza Strip.

The taking of Palestinian land for the development of settlements has dangerous consequences, and will lead the region into a renewed cycle of violence. The Palestinian Centre demands the immediate intervention of the international community to exert pressure on the Israeli Government to stop the confiscation of Palestinian land, as it violates international legal standards and impedes the peace process.