Press Release

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights calls for stopping a shaming phenomenon: a casino in a settlement is frequented by Palestinians

Ref: 102/2000

Date: September 11, 2000

At the time public voices are raising against settlement and the practices of settlers, and in light of the increasing public demands for boycotting products of settlements, the Palestinian Center for Human Right regrets the information it has obtained that tens of Palestinian, including employees in the Palestinian National Authority and the Palestinian security services, go frequently to a settler’s casino on Khanyounis sea shore in the Gush Qatif Settlement Block. It is astonishing that the PNA has not taken measures to put an end to such shaming phenomenon, which represents a provocation for the Palestinian national feelings, and undermines the continuous struggle against the Israeli settlements, which have been established on Palestinian land since 1967.

Such information was revealed after a deplorable event, in which 4 Palestinians, including an officer of one of the security services, were assaulted by settlers while they were at that casino. It is worth mentioning that the casino is administered by the so-called Amos, one of the most major settlers whose names are frequently mentioned for continuous aggressions against Palestinians in Al-Mawasi area. In his testimony to PCHR, one of the assaulted persons said that on September 5, 2000, he was sitting in the casino with his other three colleagues, when more than 15 settlers armed with pistols, cudgels and poniards entered the place and assaulted them. As a result, two of them were severely injured and had breaks in several parts of their bodies. They were moved to Nasser Hospital in Khanyounis. The above-mentioned person added that there were more than 30 Palestinians were in the casino when the assault happened.

According to PCHR’s information, the casino is a place for suspected deals between settlers and some Palestinians of smuggling goods into the PNA areas.

While PCHR calls Palestinian citizens to renounce such action, which in the end serves settlers and Israeli plans only, it calls upon the PNA to investigate the event, and to take appropriate measures to prohibit Palestinian citizens from going to that casino. PCHR also reiterates its call to activate the boycott of settlements’ products on both the official and public levels.