Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (29 April – 05 May 2010)
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Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
· 7 Palestinian civilians, including two children and a journalist, were wounded by Israeli gunfire in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
· IOF continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank.
· IOF continued to fire at Palestinian farmers and workers in border areas of the Gaza Strip.
· IOF conducted 23 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and a limited incursion into the Gaza Strip.
· IOF arrested 40 civilians, including 8 children, 3 journalists and two human rights defenders, in the West Bank.
· IOF have continued to impose a total closure on the OPT and have isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
· Israeli troops stationed at military checkpoints in the West Bank arrested two Palestinian civilians.
· IOF have continued the construction of the annexation wall inside West Bank territory.
· IOF demolished a house in al-Khader village, southwest of Bethlehem.
· IOF ordered the demolition of a number of civilian facilities in Ethna village, west of Hebron.
· IOF have continued to take measures aimed at creating a Jewish demographic majority in Jerusalem.
· Israeli settlers seized a Palestinian house in Beit Safafa village, south of Jerusalem.
· Israel has continued its settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
· Israeli settlers uprooted 30 olive trees in Qalqilya and burnt a further 20 in Nablus.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law continued in the OPT during the reporting period (29 April – 05 May 2010):
Shooting: During the reporting period, 7 Palestinian civilians, including two children and a journalist, were wounded by IOF in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
In the West Bank, IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest of the construction of the Wall and settlement activities. At least 6 Palestinian civilians, including two children and a journalist, were wounded, and others sustained bruises or suffered from tear gas inhalation.
In the Gaza Strip, on 02 May 2010, a Palestinian civilian was wounded when IOF moved into the northern Gaza Strip and fired at a number of Palestinian workers who were collecting bricks and construction aggregate.
During the reporting period, Israeli gunboats fired at Palestinian fishing boats in the northern Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported.
On 04 May 2010, Israeli troops stationed in the vicinity of Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip fired sporadically for two hours at Ahmed 'Ouda Abu Shallouf, 42, and Fareed Mohammed Sha'ban, who were stranded at the crossing and protesting their deportation to the Gaza Strip. The two Palestinians demanded that IOF allow them to return to the Israeli town of Be'r al-Saba' in order to join their families there.
Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 23 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. IOF arrested 31 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children. They also arrested 3 journalists, one of them an Irish citizen, and two human rights defenders.
In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted one limited incursion into the northern Gaza Strip and fired at a number of Palestinian workers who were collecting bricks and construction aggregate.
Restrictions on Movement: IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed 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 over two and a half years. The illegal Israeli-imposed siege of Gaza, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.
· On Friday, 01 January 2010, IOF decided to close Nahal Ouz crossing permanently, and to allow the entry of fuels through Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing, southeast of Rafah, claiming security reasons.
· 1.5 million people are being denied their basic rights, including freedom of movement, and their rights to appropriate living conditions, work, health and education.
· The main concern of the population of the Gaza Strip is to obtain their basic needs of food, medicines, water and electricity supplies.
· Israel has continued to prevent the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza Strip for more than two and a half years.
· Israel has not allowed fuel supplies into the Gaza Strip, excluding limited amounts of cooking gas and energy fuel for Gaza Power Plant, since 10 December 2008.
· The Rafah International Crossing Point has been opened for a few days for a number of patients who received medical treatment abroad and needed to return home to the Gaza Strip.
· Israel had continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to Palestinian civilians wishing to travel to the West Bank and Israeli for medical treatment, trade or social visits.
· Israel has imposed additional restrictions on access of international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers to the Gaza Strip. They have prevented representatives of several international humanitarian organizations from entering the Gaza Strip.
· Living conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated; levels of poverty and unemployment have mounted sharply.
· At least 800 Gazan prisoners in Israeli jails have been deprived of family visitation for more than two and a half years.
· IOF have continued to attack Palestinian fishermen along the coast of the Gaza Strip.
West Bank
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.
· IOF have established checkpoints in and around Jerusalem, severely restricting Palestinian access to the city. Civilians are frequently prevented from praying at al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
· There are approximately 630 permanent roadblocks, manned and unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank. In addition, there are some 60 - 80 ‘flying’ or temporary checkpoints erected across the West Bank by IOF every week.
· When complete, the illegal Annexation Wall will stretch for 724 kilometers around the West Bank, further isolating the entire population. 350 kilometers of the Wall have already been constructed. Approximately 99% of the Wall has been constructed inside the West Bank itself, further confiscating Palestinian land.
· At least 65% of the main roads that lead to 18 Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF (47 out of 72 roads).
· There are around 500 kilometers of restricted roads across the West Bank. In addition, approximately one third of the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, is inaccessible to Palestinians without a permit issued by the IOF. These permits are extremely difficult to obtain.
· IOF continue to harass, and assault demonstrators who hold peaceful protests against the construction of the Annexation Wall.
· Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by IOF in Jerusalem, and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped and searched in the streets by IOF.
· During the reporting period, Israeli troop stationed at military checkpoints in the West Bank arrested 8 Palestinian civilians, including a child and a woman.
Construction of the Annexation Wall: IOF have continued to construct the annexation wall inside West Bank territory. For this purpose, they demolished a house in al-Khader village, southwest of Bethlehem, and ordered the demolition of a number of civilian facilities in Ethna village, west of Hebron.
Measures Aimed at Creating a Jewish Demographic Majority in Jerusalem: IOF have continued to take measures aiming at creating a Jewish demographic majority in Jerusalem. In this context, on 02 May 2010, dozens of Israeli settlers, escorted by IOF, took over a house belonging to 'Ali Ibrahim Salah in Beit Safafa village, south of Jerusalem. They also engaged in disruptive behavior in the area until 21:00. Israeli troops were deployed to the area in order to protect the settlers. It is worth noting that Salah's family had been forced to evacuate their home to make room for Israeli settlers the previous week, following an Israeli court ruling issued on 15 December 2009 which ruled the house would have to be within 120 days. The Israeli High Court claimed that the house and the land on which it is built belong to a number of Israeli settlers, headed by Yitzhak Hershkowitz who lives in "Kiryat Arba" settlement and orchestrates a campaign to expel Palestinians from the area to establish a new settlement outpost.
Settlement Activities: Israel has continued its settlement activities and Israeli settlers living in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
On 29 April 2010, at least 40 Israeli settlers from "Yits'har" settlement, south of Nablus, stormed the western part of Hawara village, south of the city. They threw stones at the municipal park and at 3 uninhabited houses, damaging them. In the meantime, IOF were patrolling in the streets of the village, providing protection for settlers. On 30 April 2010, a number of Israeli settlers from "Givat Gilad" settlement, which was constructed on lands belonging to Kufor Qaddoum village, east of Qalqilya, uprooted at least 30 olive trees. On 04 May 2010, at least 40 Israeli settlers from "Yits'har" settlement, south of Nablus, stormed al-Naqar area in the west of Hawara village. They set fire to a tract of agricultural land belonging to Mohammed Taha Dmaidi. As a result, 20 olive trees were burnt.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (29 April – 05 May 2010)
1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 29 April 2010
· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Jaba' village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed 'Abed 'Alawna, 29.
· Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Bouqin village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:
1. Hussein Ahmed Souman, 24; and
2. Tamer Mustafa Abu Daya, 24.
· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Ne'lin village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian children:
1. Mohammed Talal Sorour, 17; and
2. 'Alaa' 'Ata Qahoush, 16.
· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-Jeftlik village, north of Jericho. They raided and searched a house belonging to Muneer Mahmoud al-'Aaidi, 42, and arrested him.
Friday, 30 April 2010
· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Deir Estia village, west of Salfit. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians, including a child:
1. Jihad Nihad 'Abdullah, 17;
2. 'Aahed 'Ezzat Mansour, 20;
3. Mohammed 'Adnan Diab, 21; and
4. Muntasser Mohammed al-Qaissi, 22.
Sunday, 02 May 2010
· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Beit Reema village, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Fahed al-Barghouthi, and summoned him for interrogation.
· At approximately 01:40, IOF moved into Tubas. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:
1. Jihad Hassan 'Anboussi, 22;
2. Mohammed Ibrahim Daraghma, 29; and
3. Mahmoud Ibrahim Daraghma, 29.
· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Deir Ghazala village, northeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Deir Abu Da'if village, northeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit Qad village, northeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Jalboun village, northeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Faqqou'a village, northeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into 'Arraba village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 06:30, an IOF infantry unit moved nearly 250 meters into al-Sayafa area in the northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip. Israeli troops fired at a number of Palestinian workers who were collecting bricks and stones from a site of the former Israeli settlements "Dogit" and "Elli Sinai". As a result, 'Aayesh As'ad al-Sous, 25, was wounded by a bullet to the right foot and shrapnel to the left foot. Al-Sous was positioned at least 450 meters from the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel when he was wounded.
· At approximately 09:30, Israeli gunboats off the coast of Beit Lahia beach in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats, forcing them to return to the shore. No casualties were reported.
Monday, 03 May 2010
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beit Oula village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians, including a child:
1. 'Aziz Ahmed al-'Adarba, 35;
2. Sa'ed 'Abdul 'Afu al-'Amla, 21;
3. Hussein Tayseer al-Hilali, 16;
4. 'Abdullah Yousef Ershaidat, 19; and
5. Ra'fat Khalil Ershaidat, 19.
· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Kfairet village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· In the morning, Israeli gunboats off the coast of Beit Lahia beach in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats, forcing them to return to the shore. No casualties were reported.
Tuesday, 04 May 2010
· At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into the west of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Wissam 'Essam 'Amru, but no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Isma'il Ahmed Tmaizi, 24, and arrested him.
· Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Sammou' village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of 'Omar 'Abdulllah Abu 'Oqail, 26, and arrested him.
· In the morning, Israeli gunboats off the coast of Beit Lahia beach in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats, forcing them to return to the shore. No casualties were reported.
· At approximately 12:50, Israeli troops stationed in the vicinity of Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip fired sporadically for two hours at Ahmed 'Ouda Abu Shallouf, 42, and Fareed Mohammed Sha'ban, who were stranded at the crossing and protesting their deportation to the Gaza Strip. The two Palestinians demanded that IOF allow them to return to the Israeli town of Be'r al-Saba' to join their families. IOF had deported the two Palestinians because they had allegedly been living in Israel illegally. The two men were forced to move 150 meters from the crossing and at approximately 17:00, were forced to enter Gaza.
Wednesday, 05 May 2010
· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Bourin village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians:
1. Nidal Jameel al-Najjar, 50;
2. Sameh Mohammed Qadous, 20;
3. Muntasser Maher al-Najjar, 20;
4. Mahmoud Waleed al-Najjar, 25; and
5. Ra'ed Rustom al-Tirawi, 24.
· At approximately 02:20, IOF moved into Til village, southwest of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Hussam Ibrahim Eshtayeh, 25, and his brother Mohammed, 23.
· At approximately 05:00, IOF moved into al-Jeftlik village, north of Jericho. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Muneer Mahmoud al-'Aaidi, 42, who had been arrested on 29 April 2010. No arrests were reported.
2. Construction of the Annexation Wall
Israel has continued to construct the annexation wall inside West Bank territory, in violation of international law.
· At approximately 10:00 on Sunday, 02 May 2010, IOF moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron. They handed notices to 'Abdul Hamid Ahmed Abu Zalata, 'Awadh 'Abed Rabbu Abu Zalata and Sa'di Mohammed Abu Zalata, ordering the demolition of two animal sheds. They delivered notices to Nihad and Zaher Mohammed Abu Zalata ordering the demolition of two houses belonging to them and currently under construction. IOF claimed that these buildings were erected without licenses. According to locals, these facilities are located more than one kilometer from the annexation wall. IOF also photographed a number of houses in the area.
· On Monday morning, 03 May 2010, Israeli troops stationed in the vicinity of the annexation wall to the west of Ethna village, west of Hebron, stopped the only garbage disposal truck belonging to the Municipality of Ethna in the southwest of the village, claiming that it was present in a restricted area. They held and questioned the driver and two workers for 4 hours and confiscated the truck.
· At approximately 10:00 on Tuesday, 04 May 2010, IOF moved into the west of al-Khader village, southwest of Bethlehem, near the annexation wall. They surrounded a 160-square-meter house belonging to 'Ali Saleem Mousa, in which 8 people live. They ordered the family to vacate the home with their belongings in 30 minutes, and then demolished the house. IOF claimed that the house had been built without a license. It is worth noting that in 2006 the Israeli High Court overturned the demolition order issued for the house, which is located approximately 150 meters away from the wall.
3. Use of Excessive Force against Peaceful Demonstrations Protesting Settlement Activities and the Construction of the Annexation Wall
During the reporting period, IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest of the construction of the Wall and settlement activities. At least 6 Palestinian civilians, including two children and a journalist, were wounded, and others sustained bruises or suffered from tear gas inhalation.
· Following the Friday Prayer on 30 April 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in protest of the construction of the Annexation Wall in Bil'ein village, west of Ramallah. The demonstrators moved towards the Wall and attempted to access annexed lands behind it. Immediately, Israeli troops 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 some of them sustained bruises. Israeli troops further arrested two staff members of al-Jazeera Satellite Channel and an Irish journalist: Majdi George Bannoura, 40; Nader Helmi Bathri'a, 31; and Tom Donald, 63. They also arrested an unidentified international human rights defender. The detainees were released later.
· Also following the Friday Prayer on 30 April 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne'lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest of the construction of the Annexation Wall. They clashed with IOF troops positioned near the Wall. IOF troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators. Dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation, and others sustained bruises.
· Also following the Friday Prayer on 30 April 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Nabil Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, protesting against land confiscation in the Wad al-Raya area between the villages of Nabi Saleh and Deir Nizam. When the demonstrators attempted to reach areas of land seized by Israeli settlers near "Halmish" settlement, Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. Two Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded
1. Ussama Bilal al-Tamimi, 12, hit by a tear gas canister to the head; and
2. Fadel Tamim al-Tamimi, 45, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the chest.
IOF also arrested 5 demonstrators, including two children and an Israeli human rights defender:
1. 'Odai Ma'zouz Snaif, 19;
2. Rassem 'Abdul Karim Rizqallah, 21;
3. Mohammed Ibrahim Hjaiji, 17;
4. Hamada Ibrahim Hjaiji, 15;
5. Ben, 25, an Israeli human rights defender.
Additionally, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation, and others sustained bruises.
· On Saturday morning, 01 May 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, in protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. They moved towards areas of Palestinian land that are threatened by settlement activities. Israeli troops immediately attacked them, firing tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets. Four Palestinian civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation.
· On Sunday morning, 02 May 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstrated in Beit Jala, west of Bethlehem, in protest of the construction of sections of the annexation wall in the town. They moved towards the Tunnel Road. Israeli troops closed the area and fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators and journalists who were present in the area. As a result, 4 Palestinian civilians, including a journalist and a child, were wounded:
1. Mo'ammar 'Awadh, 23, a photojournalist of APA, hit by a tear gas canister to the head;
2. Mohammed Masalma, 23, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right leg;
3. Suhaib 'Omar Mesleb, 17, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left leg; and
4. Jiryes Batarsa, 23, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right hand.
4. Continued Siege on the OPT
Israel has continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed 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 more than two and a half years. The illegal Israeli-imposed siege of Gaza, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.
· On Friday, 01 January 2010, IOF decided to close Nahal Ouz crossing permanently, and to allow the entry of fuels through Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing, southeast of Rafah, claiming security reasons.
· 1.5 million people are being denied their basic rights, including freedom of movement, and their rights to appropriate living conditions, work, health and education.
· The main concern of the population of the Gaza Strip is to obtain their basic needs of food, medicines, water and electricity supplies.
· Israel has continued to prevent the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza Strip for more than two and a half years.
· Israel has not allowed fuel supplies into the Gaza Strip, excluding limited amounts of cooking gas and energy fuel for Gaza Power Plant, since 10 December 2008.
· The Rafah International Crossing Point has been opened for a few days for a number of patients who received medical treatment abroad and needed to return home to the Gaza Strip.
· Israel had continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to Palestinian civilians wishing to travel to the West Bank and Israeli for medical treatment, trade or social visits.
· Israel has imposed additional restrictions on access of international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers to the Gaza Strip. They have prevented representatives of several international humanitarian organizations from entering the Gaza Strip.
· Living conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated; levels of poverty and unemployment have mounted sharply.
· At least 800 Gazan prisoners in Israeli jails have been deprived of family visitation for more than two and a half years.
· IOF have continued to attack Palestinian fishermen along the coast of the Gaza Strip.
Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:
Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point
28 April – 04 May 2010
Date
Details
28 April 2010
Two Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 145 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
29 April 2010
4 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 151 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
30 April 2010
20 staff members of human rights organizations were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
01 May 2010
A 4-member high-profile South African delegation headed by the Deputy Foreign Minister was allowed to enter and leave the Gaza Strip.
02 May 2010
A 6-member Kuwaiti delegation was allowed into the Gaza Strip.
03 May 2010
One Palestinian and the body of a deceased Palestinian were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
04 May 2010
8 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt.
Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing
27 April – 04 May 2010
Date
Imports
Category
Amount
Tons
Liters
27 April 2010
Foodstuffs
675
Agricultural materials
456
Various goods
370
Cooking gas
175
Industrial fuel
218,000
Humanitarian aids
338
28 April 2010
Foodstuffs
646
Agricultural materials
151
Various goods
1,269
Cooking gas
199
Industrial fuel
307,000
Humanitarian aids
373
29 April 2010
Foodstuffs
861
Agricultural materials
361
Various goods
465
Cooking gas
174
Industrial fuel
364,000
Humanitarian aids
537
02 May 2010
Foodstuffs
986
Agricultural materials
230
Various goods
221
Cooking gas
174
Industrial fuel
393,000
Humanitarian aids
496
03 May 2010
Foodstuffs
663
Agricultural materials
211
Various goods
613
Cooking gas
197
Industrial fuel
312,000
Humanitarian aids
413
04 May 2010
Foodstuffs
653
Agricultural materials
173
Various goods
518
Cooking gas
177
Industrial fuel
224,000
Humanitarian aids
59
Al-Mentar (Karni) Crossing: Israel partially opened the crossing on Wednesday, 28 April 2010, and allowed the entry of 663 tons of wheat and 1,911 tons of fodders. IOF opened it again on Tuesday, 04 May 2010, and permitted the entry of 1,911 tons of wheat and 1,950 tons of fodders.
Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF have allowed only diplomats, a number of international journalists, employees of international agencies and a limited number of patients who suffer from serious diseases to pass through the crossing. They have continued to prevent Palestinian civilians from visiting their relatives who are detained in Israeli jails. The small number of patients permitted to pass through the crossing is only able to do so under severe restrictions that include prolonged checking
Movement at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing
28 April – 04 May 2010
Date
Patients
Companions
Arabs from Israel
Diplomats
International Journalists
International Workers
Travelers abroad
Traders
28 April 2010
25
26
6
4
1
38
3
Nil
29 April 2010
21
22
15
5
7
82
4
5
30 April 2010
3
5
2
Nil
2
11
Nil
Nil
01 May 2010
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
02 May 2010
39
43
19
3
Nil
9
5
2
03 May 2010
50
49
9
2
2
27
3
8
04 May 2010
39
41
17
4
3
Nil
2
5
The West Bank
Israel has imposed a tightened siege on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
· Jerusalem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to the city. IOF have established many checkpoints around and inside the city. Restrictions of the movement of Palestinian civilians often escalate on Fridays, preventing Muslim Palestinians from praying at al-Aqsa Mosque.
· Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of the Palestinian civilians in Ramallah. IOF troops positioned at the Jaba' and Qalandiya checkpoints, southeast of Ramallah, have imposed additional restrictions on movement and conducted prolonged checks of Palestinian civilians. During the reporting period, IOF erected a number of temporary checkpoints, and stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
· Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday at noon, on Sunday morning and Wednesday morning, 29 April and 02 and 05 May 2010, respectively, Israeli troops stationed at Za'tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
· Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 06:00 on Tuesday, 04 May 2010, IOF established two checkpoints at the 'Arraba and Jaba' intersections on the Jenin-Nablus road. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
Arrests at Military Checkpoints
· At approximately 22:00 on Sunday, 02 May 2010, Israeli troops stationed at Jabara checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, arrested Saleh Mohammed Noufal, 25, a member of the Palestinian Preventive Security Service; and Mo'ayad Mohammed Khaled, 30, a member of the National Security Forces.
5. Measures Aimed at Creating a Jewish Demographic Majority in Jerusalem
Israel has recently increased arbitrary measures against Palestinian civilians in East Jerusalem in order to force them to leave the city. PCHR has devoted this section of the Weekly Report to highlighting violations of human rights perpetrated by IOF against Palestinian civilians in East Jerusalem.
On Sunday morning, 02 May 2010, dozens of Israeli settlers, escorted by IOF, took over a house belonging to 'Ali Ibrahim Salah in Beit Safafa village, south of Jerusalem.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 10:30 on Sunday, at least 150 Israeli settlers from settlements in Bethlehem and from "Kiryat Arba" settlement southeast of Hebron, forcibily entered Salah's house. They also engaged in disruptive behavior in the area until 21:00. Israeli troops were deployed to the area in order to protect the settlers. It is worth noting that Salah's family had been forced to evacuate their home to make room for Israeli settlers the previous week, following an Israeli court ruling issued on 15 December 2009 which ruled the house would have to be within 120 days. The Israeli High Court claimed that the house and the land on which it is built belong to a number of Israeli settlers, headed by Yitzhak Hershkowitz, who lives in "Kiryat Arba" settlement and orchestrates a campaign to expel Palestinians from the area to establish a new settlement outpost. The Salah family, which is comprised of 50 individuals, has lived in the 200-square-meter house since 1967. Hershkowitz claims that he purchased the house from the original owner in 1991. Israeli settlers have been attempting to seize the house since the 1990s, and the family was subjected to repeated attacks by Israeli settlers, the most notable of which took place on 20 October 2009, when Israeli settlers burnt an animal farm belonging to the family and IOF confiscated 120 sheep.
6. 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 10:00 on Thursday, 29 April 2010, at least 40 Israeli settlers from "Yits'har" settlement, south of Nablus, stormed the western part of Hawara village, south of the city. They threw stones at the municipal park and 3 uninhabited houses, damaging them. In the meantime, IOF were patrolling in the streets of the village, providing protection for settlers.
· On Friday morning, 30 April 2010, a number of Israeli settlers from "Givat Gilad" settlement, which was constructed on lands belonging to Kufor Qaddoum village, east of Qalqilya, uprooted at least 30 olive trees belonging to Saleh Yousef Eshtaiwi.
· At approximately 10:00 on Tuesday, 04 May 2010, at least 40 Israeli settlers from "Yits'har" settlement, south of Nablus, stormed al-Naqar area in the west of Hawara village, south of the city. They set fire to a tract of agricultural land belonging to Mohammed Taha Dmaidi. As a result, 20 olive trees were burnt.
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.
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Source
Public Document
For further information please visit our website (www.pchrgaza.org) or contact PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email ( pchr@pchrgaza.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or telephone (+972 (0)8 282 4776 – 282 5893).
