Ref: 48/2009

Date: 09 April 2009

Time: 11: 30 GMT

PCHR Condemns Attack by Israeli Settlers and Soldiers on Kherbat Safa and Warns of Potential Increase in Attacks under New Israeli Government

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) strongly condemns a combined attack perpetrated by Israeli settlers and Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF), against Palestinian civilians in the Kherbat Safa area, northwest of Hebron. This pre-planned attack resulted in the injury of nine Palestinian civilians. Six civilians were injured by IOF, while three were injured by settlers.

PCHR’s investigations indicate that at 06:10 a.m. on Wednesday, 8 April 2009, approximately 50 settlers from the Gush Etzion and Beit Ayen settlements gathered on the outskirts of Kherbat Safa. They were accompanied by approximately 10 IOF soldiers.

At approximately 08:00 a.m., the settlers – armed with pistols and machine guns – opened fired directly at Palestinian civilians and houses. The settlers and soldiers then advanced towards the houses, firing their weapons and tear gas. The Palestinian civilians responded with stones, in an attempt to prevent the attackers from entering the houses. Soldiers and settlers shot directly at Palestinian civilians, at distances ranging from 2 to 20 metres. The attack lasted for approximately 90 minutes, without interruption.

As a result, nine civilians were wounded by live and rubber bullets. Local witnesses report that three of the wounded were injured by settlers while the others were wounded by IOF soldiers. 26 Palestinians also suffered suffocation due to gas inhalation. The wounded were transferred to Hebron Ahli Hospital and to Hebron Governmental Hospital. Medical sources described the wounds of one civilian as serious. The names of the wounded persons are included in PCHR’s Weakly Report published today, 8 April 2009.

PCHR reiterates its condemnation of this joint attack by Israeli settlers and IOF soldiers against Palestinian civilians in Kherbat Safa, and warns of the potential for increasing settler attacks against Palestinian civilians under the current Israeli government.

PCHR also:

1. Demands that IOF cease the practice of protecting and granting immunity to settlers. This policy encourages crimes against Palestinian civilians;
2. Demands the immediate confiscation of settlers’ weapons. As demonstrated, these weapons pose a serious risk to the lives of Palestinian civilians.
3. Calls upon the international community to intervene immediately in order to ensure the State of Israel’s compliance with international law. All settlements are illegal. Settlement activities must be halted.
4. Reminds the international community that settlements are considered war crimes. Accordingly, all High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions must, individually or collectively, fulfil their obligations under common Article 1 to the Conventions, and take the steps necessary to ensure Israel’s compliance with international humanitarian law.