An
Israeli soldiers points his gun at Palestinians protesting the construction of
the annexation wall in Nabi Saleh village near Ramallah

Israeli Forces Continue
Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the occupied
Palestinian territory (oPt)

 

 

 

 

2 Palestinian
civilians, including a child, were wounded in the West Bank.

 

The
Israeli forces continued to fire at the Palestinian civilians in the border
areas of the Gaza Strip.

 

A
dustman was wounded in the northern Gaza Strip

 

The
Israeli forces conducted 54 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West
Bank. 

At
least 26 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, were arrested.

 

The
Israeli forces continued to use excessive force against peaceful protests in
the West Bank.

4
protesters, including 2 children, were wounded.

A
Palestinian protestor and 2 Israeli human rights defenders, one of whom is from
B’Tselem, were arrested.

 

Israel
has continued to impose a total closure on the oPt and has isolated the Gaza
Strip from the outside world.

The Israeli
forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank.

At
least 3 Palestinian children were arrested at checkpoints.

 

Israel
has continued efforts to create a Jewish majority in East Jerusalem.

A
house was demolished in Silwan village, south of the Old Town of Jerusalem.

The
settlers caused havoc to al-Nabi Dawood Mosque.

 

Israel
has continued settlement activities in the West Bank, and Israeli settlers have
continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.

The
Israeli forces denied farmers access to their lands, south of Hebron.

The
settlers smashed windows of a car in Bethlehem.

 

 

 

 

Summary

 

Israeli
violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt
continued during the reporting period (03– 09 January 2013):

 

Shooting:

 

During the reporting period, the
Israeli forces wounded 7 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children.  6 of the wounded, including 3 children, were
wounded in the West Bank, while the seventh person was wounded in the Gaza
Strip.  

 

In the West Bank, on 03 January 2013,
a Palestinian civilian was wounded when an Israeli undercover unit moved into
the industrial zone, north of Jenin, to arrest a member of the Islamic Jihad.  The Israeli forces then moved into the area
amidst heavy fire.  As a result, Fadi
Ala’ Abdul Latif Ejawi, 24, was wounded by a bullet to the leg.

 

On 07 January 2013, a 17-year old
boy was wounded during clashes in Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron.  The Israeli forces moved into the village, deployed
between the houses and started firing sound bombs and tear gas canisters.  A number of boys gathered and threw stones at
the Israeli soldiers.  Israeli soldiers
in return fired rubber-coated metal bullets. As a result, a child was wounded
by a bullet to the right hand.  

 

In the same context, the Israeli
forces continued to systematically use excessive force against peaceful
protests organized by Palestinians and Israeli and international activists
against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in
the West Bank. As a result, dozens of Palestinians suffered from tear gas
inhalation or sustained bruises.  They
were all treated on the spot.  

 

In the Gaza Strip, on 05 January 2013,
a dustman was wounded when the Israeli Forces stationed at the border fence,
north of the landfill, north of Beit Hanoun, opened fire at a waste truck in
the landfill. The truck was 150 meters away from the border fence between
Israel and the Gaza Strip. Besides, the truck sustained material damage. 

  

Incursions:

 

During
the reporting period, the Israeli forces conducted at least 54 military
incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.  During these incursions, the Israeli forces
arrested at least 26 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children.

 

The
cruelest incursion was conducted on 03 January 2013 in Jenin, when Israeli
undercover units sneaked in to arrest a member of the Islamic Jihad. See the section
 of (Shooting) above.

 

Restrictions
on Movement:

 

Israel
continued to impose a tightened closure of the oPt, imposing severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the
West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. 

 

The illegal Israeli-imposed closure
of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a
disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.  The illegal closure has caused not only a
humanitarian crisis, but a crisis of human rights and human dignity for the
population of the Gaza Strip. 
Recently-declared measures to ease the closure are vague, purely
cosmetic and fail to deal with the root causes of the crisis; the root causes
can only be addressed by an immediate and complete lifting of the closure,
including lifting the travel ban into and out of the Gaza Strip and the ban on
exports.  Palestinians in Gaza may no
longer suffer from the same shortage of goods but, as long as the closure is
allowed to continue, they will remain economically dependent, unable to care
for themselves, and socially, culturally and academically isolated from the
rest of the world. 

 

The 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.

 

Efforts
to create Jewish Majority in Occupied East Jerusalem:

In the context of efforts to create a Jewish Majority in
the Occupied East Jerusalem, the Israeli forces continued to confiscate lands,
demolish houses and built new settlement units. 
PCHR stresses that these measures come in the context of isolating East
Jerusalem and annexing it to Israeli according to the Israeli policy that is in
violation of the international humanitarian law.  PCHR calls upon the international community
to promptly take action and reiterates its call upon the High Contracting
parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their obligations under Article
1 of the Convention.

 

On the level of house demolitions, on 08 January 2013,
the Israeli forces demolished a house belonging to the family of Met’eb in the
Old Town of East Jerusalem. The 3-storey house built on 150 square meters was
still under construction.  Fakhry Abu
Diab, member of the Defence Committe of Silwan Lands, said that the Met’eb
family had been trying for 8 years to obtain a construction license from the
Israeli municipality, but in vain. He added that the extended family, comprised
of 6 small families, was forced to start building the 3-storey house to keep
their ID cards and residency in Jerusalem.  The family rented a 4-room house in an attmept
to find a shelter.      

 

On the level of attacks on religious sites, on 06 January
2012, a group of settlers raided al-Nabi Dawood Mosque, southwest of al-Aqsa
mosque in the Old Town of occupied Jerusalem. The settlers damaged the 3 sides
of the msque that were made of Ottoman ceramic and marble. Additionally, the
house goes back to the 17th century. It should be noted that the Israeli forces
had previously seized the mosque and turned it into a Jewish synagogue.

Settlement
Activities:

 

Israel
has continued its settlement activities in the oPt, in violation of
international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack
Palestinian civilians and property.

 

On 05
January 2013, the Israeli forces denied the Palestinian farmers from the al-Jbouar
family access their lands in the east of Yatta village, south of Hebron.  The farmers were threatened of arrest in case
they violated the military order under the pretext that the area was a closed
military zone for 24 hours.  Rateb
al-Jbour, coordinator of the Popular Committee against Settlement activities in
Yatta, said that the Israeli forces attacked al-Jbour family several times
during last year and denied them access to their lands in an attempt to
confiscate those lands and annex them to “Ovijal” settlement.  

 

On 07
January 2013, Nitzan Alon, the GOC Central Command of the Israeli forces,
signed a military order legitimizing 2 settlement outposts in the northern West
Bank after combining them into 1 settlement named “Rechalim.” The 2 settlement
outposts were established in 1992, south of Nablus. It was posted on the
official website of the regional council that “Yesh Din” Human Right
organization had presented a petition to the Israeli High Court in order not to
recognize the 2 settlement outposts, because they were established on private
property. However, the Israeli government recognized the 2 outposts and
combined them under the name of “Rechalim” settlement.   

 

On 04
January 2013, a group of Israeli settlers moved into al-Manshiya village, south
of Bethlehem.  They smashed the windows
of a Peugeot Station car belonging to Khalil Jom’a Abu Daya, 35.  They also wrote slogans against Arabs such as
“paying the price”.

 

On 05
January 2013, dozens of heavily armed settlers gathered at the eastern entrance
of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, under the protection of the Israeli
forces.  The Israeli forces closed the
entrance of the village and denied the Palestinians access to the village.
Ahmed Abu Hashem, member of the popular committee against settlement
activities, said to a PCHR fieldworker that a large number of settlers gathered
at the entrance of the village, accompanied by the head of settlements’
security and the Israeli Infrastructure Minister. During an interview with the
Israeli TV, the aforementioned minister announced a new plan to establish a
security fence at the entrance of the abovementioned village and areas
surrounding Bethlehem-Hebron road in order to secure the movement of
settlers.   

 

 

Israeli
Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (03 – 09 January 2013)

 

1- Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian
Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip

 

 

Thursday,
03 January 2012

 

At
approximately 00:00, the Israeli forces moved into Beit Luqia, southwest of
Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets and stationed at the main entrance.  They withdrew later and neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 08:00, the Israeli forces moved 200 meters into Wadi Gaza village
(Johr al-Deek) to the west of the border fence.  They leveled lands along the border fence and
withdrew 4 hours later.

 

At
approximately 09:00, an Israeli undercover unit moved into the industrial zone,
north of Jenin. They used a white minibus with a Palestinian registration
plate. The undercover unit raided a bakery, forced everyone there to get down and
started searching the bakery. They then arrested Amjad Khader Tawfiq Ighbariya,
35, a member of the Islamic Jihad.  He
works as a teacher and at the bakery as well.  The Israeli unit shut the bakery down and left
who were inside there.

 

Following that,
the Israeli forces moved into the same area amidst heavy fire and searched the
houses in the vicinity of the bakery using sniffer dogs.  One of the dogs attacked Amna Mahmoud Mohammed
Hethnawi, 84, while searching her house.  Hethnawi was transported by an Israeli
military ambulance to Israel.  Moreover,
Fadi Ala’ Abdul Latif Ejjawi, 24, a car mechanic near the bakery, was wounded
by a bullet to the leg.

 

In the
meanwhile, a number of Palestinian boys gathered, threw stones and Molotov
cocktails at the Israeli soldiers and set fire to tires.  The Israeli soldiers fired bullets, tear gas
canisters and sound bombs in return to disperse the gathering. The Israeli forces
withdrew and transported the arrested person to an unknown destination.

 

Two hours
later, a number of Palestinians gathered in the vicinity of al-Jalama
checkpoint, north of Jenin. They threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli forces
at the checkpoint in response to the Israeli incursion into Jenin and the
detention of the abovementioned person. The Israeli forces closed Nazareth
Street opposite to the checkpoint and fired bullets, tear gas canisters and
sound bombs at the stone throwers. As a result, many civilians suffered from tear
gas inhalation and were transported by the Palestine Red Crescent Society’s
(PRCS) ambulances to Martyr Khalil Suleiman Hospital to receive the necessary
medical treatment.

 

At
approximately 09:30, the Israeli Forces moved into Marj Na’jah village, north
of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for a while and withdrew later. No
arrests were reported.

 

At the same
time, the Israeli forces moved into Bedya village, west of Salfit.  They patrolled in the streets for a while and
withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 10:30, the Israeli forces moved into ‘Aboud village, northwest of
Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets
for a while and withdrew later.

 

At approximately
13:00, the Israeli forces moved into Kfeiret village, southwest of Jenin. They
patrolled in the streets for a while and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately
14:45, the Israeli forces moved into Nazlet al-Sheikh Zaid village, northwest
of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets
for a while and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately
18:30, the Israeli forces moved into Kour village, south of Tulkarm. They
patrolled in the streets for a while and withdrew later. Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 19:30, the Israeli forces moved into Deir Ballout village, west
of Salfit. They raided a house belonging to the family of Khaled Mufid Mostafa,
20, and arrested him.

 

At approximately
21:40, the Israeli forces moved into Ya’bas village, southwest of Jenin, and patrolled
in the streets. A number of boys gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at
the Israeli soldiers, who fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs in return.
As a result, a number of civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation. The
Israeli forces withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 23:30, the Israeli forces moved into Kofur al-Deek village, west
of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for a while and withdrew later.  No arrests were reported.  

 

Friday, 04 January
2013

 

At
approximately 01:30, the Israeli forces moved into Jericho. They patrolled in
the streets for a while and withdrew later.  No arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 02:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-Fahs area, south of
Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Abdul
Fattah al-Rajabi. During this house raid, Israeli soldiers attacked al-Rajabi’s
son, Orabi, 25, and arrested 2 other sons: Mohammed, 23, and Mohanned, 21.

 

At
approximately 09:00, the Israeli forces moved into Kherbatha al-Mesbah village,
southwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in
the streets for a while and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately
18:00, the Israeli forces moved into Far’oun village, south of Tulkarm. They
patrolled in the streets for a while and withdrew later. Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 21:30, the Israeli forces moved into Burham village, northwest of
Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for awhile and withdrew later. No
arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 23:30, the Israeli forces moved into Deir Jarir village,
northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for a while and withdrew later.
No arrests were reported.

 

At the same
time, the Israeli forces moved into Beit ‘Our al-Tahta village, southwest of
Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for a while and withdrew later. No
arrests were reported.

 

Saturday, 05 January
2013

 

At approximately 01:30, the Israeli forces moved into Beit Sahour.  They raided a house belonging to the family of
Khalil Ali Sh’eibat and submitted a notice to his son Khaled, 21, to refer to the
Israeli Intelligence Service at “Kfar Etzion” settlement in the south
of Bethlehem.  The Israeli forces
withdrew later and no more incidents were reported.

 

At the same
time, the Israeli forces moved into ‘Ayda refugee camp, north of Bethlehem.
They raided a house belonging to the family of Ayed Mostafa Abu ‘Akar and
submitted a notice to his son Mohanned, 30, to refer to the Israeli
Intelligence Service at “Kfar Etzion” settlement in the south of
Bethlehem. The Israeli forces withdrew later and no more incidents were
reported.

 

At approximately 02:00, the Israeli forces moved into Ethna refugee
camp, west of Hebron.  They
patrolled in the streets for a while and withdrew later. Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into al-‘Arroub refugee
camp, north of Hebron. They patrolled in the streets for a while and withdrew
later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 03:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-Moreq
village, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled in the streets for a while and
withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into al-Koum village,
southwest of Hebron. They patrolled in the streets for a while and withdrew
later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into al-Shyoukh village,
north of Hebron. They patrolled in the streets for a while and withdrew later.
No house raids were reported.

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into Kerbatha Bani
Hareth village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for a while and
withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 06:30, the Israeli Forces moved into Beit Seera
village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for a while and
withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 10:00, the Israeli forces positioned at the border
fence in the north of the landfill, north of Beit Hanoun, opened fire at a
waste truck in the landfill. The truck was 150 meters away from the border
fence between Israel and the Gaza Strip. As a result, the worker Awad Abdullah
Ali al-Za’anin, 36, from Beit Hanoun, was wounded by shrapnel from a bullet in
the right side of the head.  Moreover,
the truck sustained material damage. 
Al-Za’anin and the truck’s driver Mohammed Nasir hid and called the
administration of the municipality that sent an ambulance of the Ministry of
Health to the area. The wounded man was transported to Beit Hanoun Governmental
Hospital. After he was x-rayed, doctors found superficial shrapnel in the right
side of the head and a shrapnel deep inside.

 

Sources at Beit Hanoun municipality stated that a meeting was held
on Monday, 17 December 2012, between a municipality’s delegation and the
Palestinian Liaison officers of the Ministry of Civil Affairs in Ramallah on
the one hand and the Israeli side on the other hand as the latter objected the
municipality’s trucks’ presence in the border area without prior permission.
Trucks were previously denied access to that area since Hamas had taken over
the Gaza Strip in 2007, but these trucks started entering that area without
obtaining prior permission following the latest Israeli offensive on the Gaza
Strip (14-21 November 2012). They agreed in the meeting on allowing the
municipality trucks in the border area at a distance of 250-300 meters away
from the border fence.  

 

At approximately 11:30, the Israeli forces moved into ‘Ananbta
village, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for a while and
withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported

 

At approximately 15:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-Jiftlek
village, north of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for a while and
withdrew later.  No arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 18:30, the Israeli forces moved into Batin
village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for a while and
withdrew later.  No arrests were
reported.

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into Deir Debwan
village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for a while and
withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Sunday,
06 January 2013

 

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Ethna village, west
of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ibrahim
Isma’il al-Tmeisi, 19, and arrested him. 

 

At the same
time, the Israeli forces moved into Qabatya village, south of Jenin. They patrolled
in the streets, raided a number of houses ad submitted notices to their owners
to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service at Salem camp, northwest of Jenin.
 The Israeli forces withdrew later and no
arrests were reported.  The summoned
persons are:

 

1- Haytham
‘Adnan Ahmed Saba’na, 34, a doctor at the military medical services;

2- Ahmed Khaled
Suleiman Saba’na, 28, works at the Palestinian Civil Defense; and

3- Hassan Abdul
Rahman Abdullah Nazzal, 36.

 

At
approximately 01:30, the Israeli forces moved into al-Bireh.  They patrolled in the streets for a while and
withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately
02:00, the Israeli Forces moved into al-Dyouk village, northwest of Jericho.  They patrolled in the streets for a while and
withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 02:30, the Israeli forces moved into the Old town of Hebron. They
raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Jihad al-Sharbati,
19, and arrested him.  

 

At
approximately 08:30, the Israeli forces moved into al-Jiftlek village, north of
Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for a while and withdrew later.  No arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 15:00, the Israeli forces moved into Fasayel village, northwest
of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for a while and withdrew later. No
arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 20:00, the Israeli forces moved into Sarda village, north of
Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for a while and withdrew later. No
arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 21:15, the Israeli forces moved into Beit Fajjar village, south
of Bethlehem.  They patrolled in the streets
and then stationed at al-‘Aroud area in the center of the city.  The Israeli forces moved then to Jabal
al-Sousa area, raided a house belonging to the family of Jibril Mahmoud Taqatqa,
and arrested his son Jihad, 17.

 

 

 

 

Monday,
07 January 2013

 

At approximately
01:00, the Israeli forces moved into Tubas. 
They patrolled in the streets and raided a number of houses using
sniffer dogs. They detonated an explosive device around a house belonging to
the family of Orwa Daraghma. As a result, the windows of his house and his
uncle’s, Ma’moun Sad Dargham, house were damaged.  The Israeli forces arrested 3 civilians,
including 2 brothers, and transported them to an unknown destination:

 

1- Orwa Ibrahim
Sa’id Abdul Razeq Daraghma, 21, a member of the Palestinian Presidential Guard;

2- ‘Ammar Faleh
Sa’d Abu Nasser, 39; and

3- Otba Faleh
Sa’d Abu Nasser, 33, a member of the Palestinian Civil Police.

 

At the same
time, the Israeli forces moved into Jabal Abu Ruman and Jabal al-Rahma
neighborhoods in the center of Hebron. They patrolled in the streets for a
while and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At the same
time, the Israeli Forces moved into al-Hawooz and Wadi al-Hriya neighborhoods
in the center of Hebron. They patrolled in the streets for a while and withdrew
later.  Neither house raids nor arrests
were reported.

 

At approximately
01:45, the Israeli forces moved into Sora village, southwest of Nablus. They patrolled
in the streets and raided a number of houses. They arrested 3 civilians from
their houses:

 

1- Hassan Abdul
Halim Abdul Qader Turabi, 22, suffers from leukemia;

2- Ali Mahmoud
Tawfiq Hussain, 20; and

3- Mohammed
Fayez Ezzat Turabi, 27.

 

At
approximately 02:00, the Israeli forces moved into Nablus.  They patrolled in the streets and
raided a number of houses using sniffer dogs. They confiscated a PC set and 3 accounting
books from a house belonging to the family of Samer al-Shantir. The
confiscated belongings of Ali al-Shantir, Samer’s brother.  The Israeli forces also confiscated NIS 20000,
JD 10000, a laptop and a PC set from a house belonging to Rashid Lubada.
Moreover, they arrested 3 civilians and transported them to an unknown
destination:

 

1- Samer
Mohammed Fayez Abdul Hadi al-Shantir, 23, was arrested from his house in
al-Sekka Street, northwest o Nablus;

2- Ahmed Abdul
Hakim Kharoub, 18, was arrested from his house on Tunisia Street, west of
Nablus; and

3- Rashid
Zuhair Lubada, 22, was arrested from his house on Tunisia Street, west of
Nablus.

 

At the same
time, the Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They
patrolled in the streets, raided a number of houses and arrested Sadeq Saker
Abu Maria, 15; and Yahia Falah Hamdi Abu Maria, 16.

 

Mohammed Awad,
member of the popular committee against settlement activities in Beit Ummar,
said that the Israeli Forces deployed between houses and fired tear gas
canisters and sound bombs. A number of boys gathered and threw stones at the
military vehicles. As a result, a 17-year old boy was wounded by a bullet to
the right hand.

 

At the same
time, the Israeli forces moved into al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah.
They patrolled in the streets for a while and withdrew later. No arrests were
reported.

 

At
approximately 20:30, the Israeli forces moved into al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem.
They raided a house belonging to the family of Shaher Jamil al-Balboul, 36, and
submitted him a notice to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service at
“Kfar Etzion” complex, south of Ramallah.

 

At
approximately 23:00, the Israeli forces moved into Oqbet Jaber refugee camp,
southwest of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for a while and withdrew
later. No arrests were reported.

 

Tuesday,
08 January 2013

 

At
approximately 02:00, the Israeli forces moved into Marah al-Bqar village, southwest
of Hebron. They patrolled in the streets, raided and searched a house belonging
to the family of Nafez al-Shawamra, 34, and withdrew later.

 

At
approximately 03:30, Israeli infantry units moved into Jabal al-Mawaleh area in
Bethlehem. They raided a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Maher
‘Ebayat, 18, and arrested him. At the same time, the Israeli forces raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Salem al-Hreimi, 23, in
al-Saff Street in Bethlehem, and arrested him.  

 

 Wednesday, 09 January 2013

 

At approximately 01:00, the Israeli forces moved into Beit Fajjar
village, south of Bethlehem.  They patrolled
in the streets for a while and arrested 3 civilians:

 

1- Osama Majid Thawabta, 27;

2- So’ood Faysal Thawabta, 24; and

3- Mohammed Sobhi Thawabta, 18.

 

At approximately 01:30, the Israeli forces moved into Ein Beit
al-Ma’ refugee camp, west of Nablus. They patrolled in the streets, raided a
number of houses and arrested Mahmoud Yusef Mahmoud Khaled, 19.

 

At approximately 02:30, the Israeli forces moved into al-Arroub
refugee camp, north of Hebron.  They
patrolled in the streets and between houses terrorizing residents of the area.
They also arrested Fares Zakariya al-Qiq, 18; and Abdul Qader Zaqout, 19, and
transported them to an unknown destination.  

 

2- Use of
Excessive Force against Peaceful Demonstrations Protesting Settlement
Activities and the Construction of the Annexation Wall

 

During
the reporting period, Israeli forces used force against peaceful demonstrations
organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights
defenders in protest at the construction of the wall and settlement activities
in the West Bank.  As a result, 4
Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were wounded.  Dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear
gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as well.

 

Following the Friday Prayer on 04 January 2013, dozens of
Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders
organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil’ein village, west of Ramallah, in
protest to the construction of the annexation wall.  The demonstrators gathered in the streets of
the village, chanting slogans calling for national unity.  The protesters aimed to stress the need to
adhere to national principles and the right of return, to resist the occupation
and to call for the release of all Palestinian prisoners.  The protesters raised Palestinian flags and
made their way towards the wall.  They
called through megaphones for Israeli settlers in “Mitityahu” settlement to
leave Palestinian land.  Israeli soldiers
stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear
gas canisters at the demonstrators.  As a
result, two Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded.  The first person, an 18 year-old boy sustained
a bullet wound in the neck, and the other one, a 16-year-old boy, sustained a
bullet wound in his right arm.  Also dozens
of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained
bruises.

 

Also following the Friday Prayer on 04 January 2013, dozens of
Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders
organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah, in
protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement
activities.  The demonstrators moved
towards areas of the annexation wall.  Immediately,
Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound
bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators.  As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered
from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.

 

Around the same time on Friday, 28 04 January 2013, dozens of
Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders
gathered in the Martyrs Square in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to
hold a weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall
and settlement activities.  The
protesters walked towards the gate erected by Israeli forces near the entrance
of the village, which leads to Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the
nearby “Halmish” settlement are trying to seize.  Israeli soldiers fired live and rubber-coated
bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protesters.  As a result, two Palestinian civilians, including
a child, sustained wounds and some demonstrators suffered from tear gas
inhalation and others sustained bruises. Three demonstrators were arrested by
Israeli forces; they were identified as: Othman al-Bazzar 24, who was arrested
after being severely beaten; Israeli human rights activists, Maya, 28; and
Serit, 39, Spokesperson of B’Tselem – The Israeli Information Center for
Human Rights in the Occupied Territories.

 

Also following the Friday Prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians
and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in
the center of al-Ma’sara village, south of Bethlehem, in protest at the ongoing
construction of the annexation wall.  As
the protesters moved towards the gate of the village, the Israeli forces closed
it to prevent the demonstration from gaining access to the confiscated land and
attacked the participants; as a result, some demonstrators suffered from tear
gas inhalation  and Mahmoud Hussain
Zawahra, 41, sustained bruises in his right foot.

 

At approximately 12:15 also on Friday, dozens of Palestinian
civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful
demonstration in the center of Kuffor Kadoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in
protest to the continuous closure of the eastern entrance of the village since
the outbreak of al-Aqsa Intifada.  The
demonstrators moved towards the entrance of the village. Immediately, Israeli
forces, stationed in the surroundings of the steel gate established at the
entrance, fired tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets.  As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered
from tear gas inhalation.

 

At approximately 11:00 on Saturday,
05 January 2013, dozens of Palestinian civilians, international and Israeli
human rights defenders, gathered in the center of Bait Ummar village, north of
Hebron, for the weekly peaceful demonstration organized against the settlement
expansion policy, the construction of the annexation wall and the detention of
children.  The demonstrators headed
towards the confiscated farmlands near the security fence of “Kermi
Tsour” settlement, east of the village. 
A group of Israeli soldiers surrounded the demonstrators, fired tear gas
canisters and started a hand fight with them. 
As a result, dozens of participants suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

3- Continued
Closure of the oPt

 

Israel has continued to impose a tightened closure on the oPt,
imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the
Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.

 

Gaza
Strip

 

Israel has
continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for nearly 5 years.  The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the
Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous
impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. 

 

The IOF
have tightened the closure of the Gaza Strip, making Karm Abu Salem crossing the
sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip, although it is not suitable for
commercial purposes, in terms of its distance and operational capacity. 

 

The IOF
have continued to apply their policy aimed at tightening the strangulation of
the commercial movement in the Gaza Strip, including imposing total control
over the flow of imports and exports. 

 

The
total closure of al-Mentar “Karni” crossing on 02 March 2011 has
created a terrible situation that has seriously affected the Gaza Strip.  Following this closure, all economic and
commercial establishments in Gaza Commercial Zone were shut off.  It should be noted that al-Mentar crossing is
the biggest crossing in the Gaza Strip, in terms of its operational capacity to
absorb the flow of imports and exports.  The
decision to close al-Mentar crossing was the culmination of a series of
decisions resulting in the complete closure of the Sofa crossing, east of the
Gaza Strip in the beginning of 2009, and the Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza
City, which was dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to the Gaza
Strip, in the beginning of 2010. 

 

The IOF
have continued to impose a total ban on the delivery of raw materials to the
Gaza Strip, except for very limited items and quantities.  The limited quantities of raw materials
allowed into Gaza
do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip. 

 

The
cooking gas crisis, which erupted last November, has continued to affect the
Gaza Strip.  This crisis was created on
04 January 2010, when Israeli occupation authorities totally closed the Nahal
Oz crossing, which used to be dedicated to the delivery of fuel and cooking gas
supplies to Gaza.  They shifted fuel and
cooking gas supplies to the Karm Abu Salem crossing, which is not equipped to
receive Gaza’s fuel needs.  The Karm Abu
Salem crossing, with its maximum absorptive capacity, can receive only 200 tons
of cooking gas per day. 

 

Approximately
80% of Gaza civilians continue to depend on humanitarian aid provided by UNRWA
and other relief agencies, the number of families who are living below the
poverty line has continued to increase, and approximately 40% of Gaza’s
manpower continues to suffer from permanent unemployment as a result of
shutting down the majority of Gaza’s economic establishments. 

 

The IOF
have continued to impose a total ban on the export of products from Gaza,
especially industrial products, undermining any real chance of reopening economic
establishments.  The situation has been
aggravated since the Karm Abu Salem crossing was designated as Gaza’s sole
commercial crossing; the repeated closure of this crossing negatively affects
the quantity of Gaza products which are allowed to be exported.  

 

For approximately 6 consecutive years, the IOF have continued to
ban the delivery of construction materials to Gaza.  During the reporting period, the IOF approved
the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of
international organizations.

 

Israel has continued to close the Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for
Palestinian civilians from the Gaza Strip. 
The IOF only allow the movement of limited groups amidst severe restrictions,
including long hours of waiting in the majority of cases.  The IOF have also continued to adopt a policy
aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via the
Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in
the West Bank and Jerusalem.  The IOF
denied new categories of Gazan patients permission to access hospitals via the
crossing.   

 

Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on traders,
international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter
the Gaza Strip. 

Movement at
Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:

 

Movement
at Rafah International Crossing Point

02 –
08 January 2013

 

 

 

Movement
at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing

31
December 2012- 07 January 2013

 

Imports:

 

Exports:

On Monday, 31 December 2012, Israeli forces allowed the exportation
of 12.3 tons of strawberries, a truckload containing 4 tons of cherry tomatoes,
210 kilograms of basils, and 90 kilograms of garlic leaves, in addition to 7
truckloads of empty plastic boxes.

On Tuesday, 01 January 2013, Israeli forces allowed the exportation
of 2 tons of strawberry and 50,000 flowers. They also allowed the exportation
of 7 truckloads of empty plastic boxes and a truckload of dairy boxes.

On Wednesday, 02 January 2013, Israeli forces allowed the
exportation of 2.5 tons of strawberries, 7 tons of cherry tomatoes, and 9
truckloads of empty plastic boxes.

On Thursday, 03 January 2013, Israeli forces allowed the
exportation of 7.8 tons of strawberries, 1 truckload carrying 100,000 flowers
and 5 truckloads of empty plastic boxes.

On Sunday, 06 January 2013, Israeli forces allowed the exportation
of 7.5 tons of strawberries, and truckload carrying 4.2 tons of cherry
tomatoes, 54,000 carnation flowers, 400 kilos of basil, 110 kilos of garlic
leaves, and 150 kilos of mint.

Other Imports:

 

On Monday, 31 December 2012, Israeli forces allowed the entry of
296 tons of cement, 38 tons of construction steel and 4060 tons of construction
aggregate for UNRWA; 280 tons of construction aggregate for USAID; and 910 tons
of construction aggregate for the private sector. They also allowed the entry of
663 tons of fodders and 234 tons of wheat.

 

On Tuesday, 01 January 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the entry
of 910 tons of construction aggregate for the private sector. They also allowed
the entry of 546 tons of fodders.

 

On Wednesday, 02 January 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the entry
of 160 tons of cement, 110 tons of construction steel, 3920 tons of
construction aggregate for UNRWA; 1,400 tons of construction aggregate for the
Palestinian Water Authority; and 560 tons of construction aggregate and 77 tons
of construction aggregate for the private sector. They also allowed the entry
of 546 tons of fodders and 39 tons of wheat.

 

On Thursday, 03 January 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the entry
of 400 tons of cement and 3500 tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA and 910
tons of construction aggregate to the private sector.  They also allowed the entry of 546 tons of
fodders and 39 tons of wheat.

 

On Sunday, 06 January 2013, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 320
tons of cement, 104 tons of construction steel and 3360 tons of construction
aggregate for UNRWA; 197 tons of cement, 128 tons of construction steel and
2100 tons of construction aggregate to the German Development Bank (GDB); and
1050 tons of construction aggregate to the private sector.  They also allowed the entry of 390 tons of
fodders and 39 tons of wheat.

 

On Monday, 07 January 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the entry of
60 tons of construction steel and 1260 tons of construction aggregate to the
GDB. They also allowed the entry of 624 tons of fodders.  

 

Note: Beit Hanoun Crossing “Erez,” north of the Gaza Strip,
links the Strip with the West Bank, and it is for the movement of individuals.

 

Movement
at the Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing

02 –
08 January 2013

 

 

 

Note: The Israeli forces allowed 62 relatives of prisoners to visit 41 prisoners
in Israeli jails on Monday, 07 January 2013.

 

Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank.  During the reporting period, IOF imposed
additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians:

 

Ramallah:  Israeli forces have continued to impose
severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately
03:30 on Thursday, 03 January 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on
the road between Beit Loqaya and Beit Sira villages, southwest of Ramallah.  At approximately 04:30, the checkpoint was
removed and no arrests were reported.  At
approximately 09:30, they repositioned at ‘Atarah checkpoint at the northern
gate of Beirzeit, north of Ramallah, and prevented people from leaving or
entering through the aforementioned checkpoint. At 17:00, they established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Lowaya village, southwest of Ramallah.  At approximately 09:00 on Friday, 04 January
2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Nabi Saleh
village, northwest of Ramallah.  At
approximately 10:30, they established a similar checkpoint at the entrance of
Beit Loqaya village, southwest of the city. 
At approximately 20:00, they reestablished.  At approximately 18:00, they established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Beit ‘Aor al-Tahta, southwest of Ramallah.  The checkpoints were later removed and no
arrests were reported.  At approximately
08:00 on Saturday, 05 January 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at
the northern entrance of Beit Loqaya, southwest of Ramallah, and it was later
removed.  At approximately 17:00, they
reestablished the checkpoint in the aforementioned area and prevented vehicles
from passing.  At approximately 14:00 on
Sunday, 06 January 2013, Israeli forces established at the northern gate of
Beit Loqaya village, southwest of Ramallah, and it was later removed.  At approximately 17:00, they reestablished
the checkpoint in the aforementioned area and prevented vehicles from passing.

 

Qalqilya:
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately 10:30, on Thursday, 03 January 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint Jeet village, northeast of
Qalqilya.  At approximately 11:20, they
established a similar checkpoint at the entrance of Kafer Laqef, east of the town.  The two checkpoints were later removed and no
arrests were reported.  At approximately
15:50 on Friday, 04 January 2013, they also established a checkpoint at the
entrance of Qalqilya.  The checkpoint was
later removed and no arrests were reported. 
At approximately 19:15, on Saturday, 05 January 2013, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of ‘Azoun village, northeast
of Qalqilya.  At the same time, they
established a checkpoint at the bridge which leads to Kafer Laqef village, east
of the town.  Simultaneously, they
established a checkpoint on the road between ‘Azoun and Kafer Laqef village,
east of Qalqilya.  On Sunday, 06 January
2013, Israeli forces established 5 checkpoints throughout Qalqilya.  The 4 checkpoints were later removed and no
arrests were reported.

 

Jericho:
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians.  At approximately
08:00 on Thursday, 03 January 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on
al-Mo’arajat Road connecting Jericho and Ramallah. At approximately 09:00, they
established a similar checkpoint near the southern entrance of Jericho and it
was reestablished at approximately 17:00. 
The checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.  At approximately 09:00 on Friday, 04 January
2013, they established a checkpoint near the entrance of Zbeidat village, north
of Jericho. At approximately 16:00, they, they established a checkpoint near the
entrance of Marj Na’ajah village, north of Jericho. At approximately 19:30,
they established a checkpoint near the entrance of Marj Na’aja, north of
Jericho.  The checkpoints were later
removed and no arrests were reported.  At
approximately 09:30 on Saturday, 05 January 2013, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint near the entrance of Fasayel village, north of Jericho.  At approximately 15:30, they established a
similar checkpoint near the southern entrance of the city.  At approximately 17:30, they established
another checkpoint near Fasayel entrance, north of Jericho.  The checkpoints were later removed and no
arrests were reported.  At approximately
10:30 on Sunday, 06 January 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint Jiftlek
entrance, north of Jericho.  The
checkpoint was later removed and no arrests were removed.

Tulkarm:  Israeli forces have continued to impose
severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 13:30
on Thursday, 03 January 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the
main road between Tulkarm and Qalqilya, near the gate of Jbarah village, which
is isolated from its surroundings due to the annexation wall, south of
Tulkarm.  The checkpoint was later
removed and no arrests were reported.  At
approximately 15:00, they established a similar checkpoint on the main road
between Tulkarm and Qalqilya, near the intersection of Kafer Sour village in
“al-Haqlah” area, south of Tulkarm.  At
approximately 15:30 on Friday, 04 January 2013, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint on the road between ‘Aezbet Shofah and Shofah villages, southeast of
Tulkarm.  The checkpoint was later
removed and no arrests were reported.  At
approximately 14:30 on Saturday, 05 January 2013, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint on the main road connecting Tulkarm and Qalqilya, near the jubarah
village gate, south of Tulkarm.  The
checkpoint was later removed and no arrests were reported. 

Hebron:  Israeli forces have continued to impose
severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 16:00 on Friday, 04 January
2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the road between Dora and its
western villages, southwest of Hebron. The checkpoint was later removed and no
arrests were removed.  At approximately 18:30,
they established a similar checkpoint at the entrance of al-jalajel village,
northeast of the town.  At approximately
07:00 on Saturday, 05 January 2013, Israeli forces established near al-Shoyoukh
village, east of Hebron.  At approximately
08:00, they established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit ‘Amra village, south
of Hebron.  The two checkpoints were
later removed and no arrests were reported. 
At approximately 06:00 on Monday, 07 January 2013, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of Yatta, south of Hebron.   At approximately 07:00, they established a
similar checkpoint at the entrance of al-Samou’a village, south of the town.  At the same time, they established another
checkpoint at the entrance of Beit sa’air village, northeast of Hebron.  The checkpoints were later removed and no
arrests were reported.

Bethlehem:  Israeli forces have continued to impose
severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 22:30 on Saturday, 05
January 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the western entrance
of Beit Fajjar village, south of Bethlehem. 
The checkpoint was later removed and no arrests were reported.

Detention at Military Checkpoints

At approximately 15:10 on Sunday, 06
January 2013, Israeli forces stationed at the intersection of (Kfar ‘Atsyon)
settlement, south of Bethlehem, arrested 3 children Beit Fajjar village, south
of the town, and transported them to “Gush Etzion” military complex: Ashraf
Zakia Taqatqa, 15; Ali Shaher Taqatqa, 14; and Mahmoud Ahmed Taqatqa, 15.  Israeli forces claimed that they found knives
with the three children.

 

4- Efforts
to Create a Jewish Majority in Occupied East Jerusalem

 

Bulldozing of Houses

 

On Tuesday, 08 January 2013, the Israeli forces bulldozed a house
belonging to Mit’eb family in al-Sowaih neighborhood in Silwan village, south
of occupied Eastern Jerusalem.

 

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately
05:30 on Tuesday, 08 January 2013, a group of the Israeli “Border
Guards,” Israeli Police and Special Forces, accompanied by officers from
the Israeli Municipality in Jerusalem and a bulldozer, moved into al-Sowaih
neighborhood in Silwan village, south of the occupied Eastern Jerusalem.  The forces surrounded the Mit’eb family
residence and started destroying it.  The
house is of 3 stories, established on an area of 150 square meters and still
under construction.  According to Fakhry
Abu Diab, member of the Committee for the Defense of Silwan lands, the Mit’eb
family has been trying to obtain a construction permit for 8 years; however,
their requests have been denied.  He
added that the Mit’ebs are of 6 families, who had to build the three-storey
building to maintain its Jerusalemite identity and residency, “they live
in a rented house of 4 rooms and they are trying to settle in their own
property.”  He also pointed out that
the house enjoys a strategic spot in the neighborhood, as it is located on a
hill that overlooks the al-Aqsa Mosque.

 

Assaults on Places of Worship

 

On Sunday, 03 January 2013, groups of settlers raided the
historical al-Nabi Daoud Mosque, located in al-Dajani neighborhood, southwest
of the al-Aqsa Mosque in the old city of Jerusalem.  According to journalist Rasem Abdel-Wahed,
the settlers broke and entered the three fronts of the mosque, made of ceramics
and Ottoman marble, goes back to the 17^th century.  He also pointed out that the Israeli forces
had already seized control over the mosque and turned the first floor of it into
a synagogue.  Local sources indicated the
attack took place at night and caused extensive damage to the mosque, without
mentioning the violation of the sanctity of the mosque.  The Supreme Islamic Council, the Department
of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs and al-Dajani family in Jerusalem,
asserted a number of times that the mosque and its attachments are all Islamic Waqf.

 

5. Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against
Palestinian Civilians and Property

 

Israel
has continued its settlement activities in the oPt, in violation of
international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack
Palestinian civilians and property.

 

At
approximately 05:30 on Friday, 04 January 2013, a group of settlers raided
al-Menshya village, south of Bethlehem. 
They broke the glass of a Peugeot, belonging to Khalil Jum’aa Abu Daia, 35,
and wrote anti-Arab slogans, including “Revenge!” According to Hassan Braija,
coordinator of the Popular Committees against Settlement Activity, the
settlers’ attacks have increased against al-Manshya village, located near a
street designed for settlers’ use.

 

At
approximately 09:00 on Saturday, 05 January 2013, Israeli forces prevented
Palestinian farmers of the al-Jabarin family from working in their farmlands,
east of Yatta village, south of Hebron.  They
were threatened of being arrested in case they defied the military order, under
the pretext that it is a closed military zone for 24 hours.  According to Rateb al-Jabour, Coordinator of
the Popular Committee against Settlement Activity in Yatta, the Israeli forces
attacked the al-Jabarin family numerous times during last year, and banned them
from reaching their farmlands, in an attempt to confiscate their lands and annex
them to “Ovigal” settlement.  In his
testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Ali Dieb al-Jabarin said:

 

“At
approximately 09:00 on Saturday, 05 January 2013, I was at my land, along with
a number of my relatives, to plow the land. 
An Israeli force, accompanied by a vehicle of the Israeli Civil
Administration, raided the area.  We
called the Israeli police in order to avoid any clashes with the soldiers.  After the police arrived, we were informed
that those lands were a closed military zone for 24 hours by a military order
and that we ought to leave immediately or we would be subject to arrest for
defying a military order.”

 

At
approximately 17:00 on Saturday, 05 January 2013, dozens of armed Israeli
settlers, protected by Israeli forces, gathered at the eastern entrance of Beit
Ummar village, north of Hebron.  The
Israeli soldiers closed the village entrance and denied Palestinian civilians
access through it, to facilitate the settlers’ movement.  In his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Ahmed
Abu Hashem, member of the Popular Committee against Settlement Activity, said
that a large number of settlers gathered at the entrance of the village,
accompanied by the chief of settlements security and the Israeli Infrastructure
Minister.  The aforementioned minister
announced in a TV interview with the Israeli television a new plan to establish
a security fence at the entrance of the village and the areas surrounding
Bethlehem – Hebron main road, near Beit Ummar village, in order to secure the
settlers’ transportation.

 

On
Sunday, 06 January 2013, the GOC Central Command in the Israeli forces, Major
General Nitzan Alon, signed a military order legitimizing two settlement
outposts in the northern West Bank, after being merged into one settlement, and
called ” Rachelim.” These two outposts were established on the lands
of Yattma and al-Sawya villages, south of Nablus in 1992.  It was posted on the official Samaria
Regional Council website that Yesh Din Volunteers for Human Rights organization
filed a lawsuit at the Israeli Supreme Court against legitimizing the
settlement outposts because they were established on private property; however,
the Israeli government decided to legitimize them after merging them into
“Rachelim” settlement.

 

 

Recommendations to the International
Community

 

 

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
their 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 immediate 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
that international civil society organizations, including human rights
organizations, bar associations and NGOs, participate in the process of
exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and urge their
governments to bring the perpetrators 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 demand Israel 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
process or agreement must be based on respect for international law, including
international human rights and humanitarian law.

 

 

 

…………………………………………………………

Public Document

For further information please visit
our website (www.pchrgaza.org) or contact
PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email ([email protected]) or telephone (+972 (0)8
282 4776 – 282 5893).