In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 29 May- 04 June 2014, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian at Za’atrah checkpoint, south of Nablus. Two Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded in occupied Jerusalem.In addition, Israeli forces continued to use excessive force against peaceful protesters in the West Bank. A Danish activist and a Palestinian civilian were wounded.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
Israeli forces conducted 80 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank this week.
40 Palestinian civilians, including 7 children, were abducted.
In the West Bank, Israeli forces stationed at Za’atrah Checkpoint, south of Nablus, killed ‘Alaa’ Mohammed ‘Awad (30) from Howwarah village, south of Nablus. Israeli forces claimed that the victim fired at them and injured a soldier lightly, but no eyewitnesses were in the area at that time to deny or confirm the Israeli claim. A PCHR field worker was able to obtain a testimony from the taxi driver who transported ‘Awadh. The driver confirmed that ‘Awadh was not carrying anything when he transported him to the checkpoint.
In the same context, Israeli forces used excessive force against peaceful protests organised by Palestinian civilians, international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, a Danish activist, Mariah George Soul (24), was hit by a tear gas canister to the right knee during a Nil’in weekly protest. Moreover, a 20-year-old protestor was wounded by a bullet to the right thigh during Nil’in weekly protest, west of Ramallah and al-Bireh. In addition, a number of demonstrators suffer tear gas inhalation and other sustained bruises due to being beaten up by Israeli forces.
On 01 June 2014, two Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded in the Old City in occupied Jerusalem when Israeli forces fired rubber-coated metal bullets at dozens of Palestinian civilians who gathered in al-Wad Quarter to celebrate the release of two prisoners, ‘Ammar al-Hosari and Ahmed Abu Farhah, from the Israeli prisons.
In Jerusalem, Israeli troops bulldozed a house, 4 wash car garages and 2 auto mobile garages in addition to a horse barn.
Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank. At least 8 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were abducted at military checkpoints in the West Bank.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
In the Gaza Strip, on 02 June 2014, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at “Hiteen” training site of an armed group, northwest of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. The missile left a large crater in the area and damaged empty greenhouses. No injuries were reported.
In the Gaza Strip, on 01 June 2014, Israeli forces carried out two limited incursions in the southern Gaza Strip. Israeli forces backed by heavy military vehicles moved around 100 meters into the east of al-Shokah village, east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. They levelled the lands along the border fence for around 4 hours and then re-deployed along the aforementioned border fence. Israeli forces backed by heavy military vehicles moved around 200 meters into al-Fokhari village, southeast of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. They levelled the nearby lands and fired artillery and smoke shells indiscriminately. No injuries were reported.
Israel continued to impose a total closure and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
An international organization worker was abducted at Beit Hanoun “Erez” Crossing in the northern Gaza Strip.
Israeli settlement activities:
Israeli forces continued to support settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
On 01 June 2014, Israeli forces accompanied by a vehicle belonging to the Construction and Organization Department in the Israeli Civil Administration moved into the agricultural lands in the vicinity of Kherbet Um al-Kheir area, east of Yatta, south of Hebron. They deployed in the area and a Construction and Organization officer handed ‘Eid Yamen al-Hathalin a notice to halt construction works, including removing the barbwires which surround his 150-dunum land.
On 02 June 2014, Israeli forces removed arbors used by the residents of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, to sell fruits and vegetables near Jerusalem-Hebron bypass road 60.
On the same day, Israeli forces confiscated a tractor belonging to ‘Ali Dawoud Ghayyad al-‘Allami when he was on his way back from his land in Khelet al-Sheikh area adjacent to Beit Ummat village, north of Hebron. They abducted his son ‘Ammar and took him to “Kermi Tsour” settlement.
Israeli attacks on non-violent protests:
During the reporting period, Israeli soldiers used excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organised by Palestinian civilians, international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, Maria Gorge Soul (24), a Danish solidarity activist, was hit by a tear gas canister to her right knee during Bili’n weekly protests. In addition, a Palestinian protestor sustained a bullet wound to his right thigh during Nili’n weekly protest, west of Ramallah. Several protestors suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
At approximately 10:00 on Friday, 30 May 2014, dozens of Palestinian civilian LGDns and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in the center of al-Ma’sara village, south of Bethlehem, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. Demonstrators took the streets and headed to the annexation wall. Israeli soldiers arrived at the place to prevent the protestors from moving towards the wall. Many civilians sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers. Moreover, Israeli soldiers sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, many protestors suffered tear gas inhalation but no abductions were reported.
Following the Friday Prayer on the aforementioned day, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil’in, west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities and in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike. Demonstrators took the streets raising the Palestinian flags and headed to the liberated territories near the annexation wall. Early in the morning, Israeli forces closed all entrances to the village to prevent Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders from participating in the protests. Israeli soldiers stationed behind the wall, in the western area, and a large number of soldiers deployed along it, fired live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs and waste water at them and chased them into the olive fields. As a result, Maria Gorge Soul (24), a Danish solidarity activist, was hit by a tear gas canister to her right knee. In addition, several demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians organized a peaceful demonstration in Nil’in village, west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities and in solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike. The demonstrators made their way towards the annexation wall. Israeli forces closed the wall gate with barbwire and, when the demonstrators attempted to access the lands behind the barbwire, they were stopped by Israeli soldier. The demonstrators threw stones at the Israeli soldier who responded with live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullet, sound bombs, tear gas canisters, and waste water at them and chased them into the village. As a result, one demonstrator (20) sustained a bullet wound to his right thigh. In addition, several demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders gathered at the Martyrs Square in al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to hold a weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activity and in solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike. Protestors made their way in the streets raising the Palestinian flag and chanting slogans against the occupation and in support of the inalienable rights and resistance against the Israeli occupation. The protestors walked towards Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby Halmish settlement are trying to seize. Since the morning, Israeli forces had closed all entrances of the village to prevent Palestinians, international activists, and journalists from joining the demonstration. Upon their arrival at the area, Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs, and tear gas canisters, and chased the demonstrators into the village and sprayed them with waste water. As a result, many demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation, and others sustained bruises due to being beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians organized a peaceful demonstration in the centre of Kafr al-Deek village, west of Salfit, towards Dhaher Sobeh area, which is under the threat of confiscation, in protest at settlement activity and land confiscation. As the protestors arrived in the area, Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation, and no injuries were reported.
At approximately 13:35 on the aforementioned day, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international activists organized a peaceful demonstration in the centre of Kafr Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest at the closure of the eastern entrance of the village with a metal gate since the second Intifada. Protestors threw stones at the Israeli soldiers who fired live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, and sound bombs in response. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises due to being beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
On Friday afternoon, 30 May 2014, dozens of Palestinian young men gathered near gathered at the western entrance of Selwad village, northeast of Ramallah on the road between Selwad village and Yabrod village near Street (60) to throw stones at the aforementioned street. The Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them and chased them into the village. Moreover, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers
At approximately 11:00 on Saturday, 1 June 2014, activists from national forces in cooperation with Hebron Defense Committee in addition to city residents organized a peaceful demonstration at the entrance of al-‘Arroub refugee camp in solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike.
Demonstrators took the streets raising the Palestinian flags and chanting slogans against the occupation. Israeli soldiers moved into the area and deployed in order to distance the demonstrators from the area and stop journalists from covering the event. The Israeli soldiers then fired live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, some of them suffered tear gas inhalation. In addition, Israeli soldiers chased youngsters and abducted Majed Taiseer al-Titi (17) and took him to an unknown destination. They closed the camp’s entrance and searched vehicles.
At approximately 16:30 on Wednesday, 4 June 2014, activists from national and Islamic forces in cooperation with Hebron residents gathered before al-Sharawi Mosque in Ras al-Joura, in the northern area of the city. Demonstrators, who were mostly women, headed towards the northern entrance of the city which is connected to Bypass Road (60) raising the Palestinian flags and chanting slogans against the occupation. Israeli soldiers moved into the area and deployed in order to distance the demonstrators from the area and stop journalists from covering the event. The Israeli soldiers then fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators and sprayed them with waste water. As a result, demonstrators were forced to leave the area.
Recommendations to the international community:
Due to the number and severity of Israeli human rights violations this week, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights made several recommendations to the international community. Among these were a recommendation that the Palestinian leadership sign and accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the Geneva Conventions, and calls upon the international community, especially the United Nations, to encourage the State of Palestine to accede to international human rights law and humanitarian law instruments.
For the full text of the report, click on the link below:
