Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (06 -12 November 2014).Israeli attacks in the West Bank & Gaza:
Shootings
During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian in al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They wounded 26 civilians, including 10 children, in the West Bank. Five of these civilians were wounded during Israeli incursions, including 3 children, and one of them was arrested. Moreover, 3 civilians, including an international human rights activist, were wounded in Bil’in weekly protest, west of Ramallah, while 17 others, including 7 children, were wounded in other peaceful protests. A civilian was also wounded by settlement guards as he ran down and stabbed Israeli soldiers at ‘Kfar Etzion’ settlement, south of Bethlehem. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli navy forces opened fire 3 times at Palestinian fishing boats. As a result, 2 fishermen were wounded and 2 boats were burnt.
In the West Bank, in excessive use of force, on 11 November 2014, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian in al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron.
On 09 November 2014, a Palestinian civilian was wounded during an Israeli incursion in Saida village, northeast of Tulkarm.
On 10 November 2014, guards of ‘Gosh Etzion’ settlement opened fire at a Palestinian civilian, who drove his car into a bus station, south of occupied Jerusalem, and stabbed 3 settlers there. As a result, the Palestinian civilian was wounded from a close range and was then taken to Hadassah Hospital for medical treatment.
On 11 November 2014, a 17-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the right thigh when Israeli forces moved into Mothallath al-Aqaba, south of Doura, southwest of Hebron. Israeli forces also arrested the boy.
On the same day, 2 Palestinian children sustained bullet wounds when Israeli forces moved into Beit Foreek village, east of Nablus.
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, 3 protestors were wounded, including 22-year-old Camellia who sustained a bullet wound to the left leg during Bil’in weekly protest, west of Ramallah. Moreover, a 33-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the back, while a 19-year-old one sustained a bullet wound to the right arm.
In the same context, 17 Palestinian civilians, including 7 children, were wounded during other protests against Israeli soldiers’ and settlers’ practices in al-Aqsa mosque. On 06 November 2014, 3 students at Bir Zeit University were wounded during a protest in the vicinity of Ofer detention facility, southwest of Ramallah. On 07 November 2014, 3 civilians were wounded in a similar protest around Ofer detention facility as well, while 3 others, including 2 children, were wounded in a protest around Qalandia checkpoint, north of Jerusalem. Moreover, a child was wounded during a protest at Hawwara checkpoint at the southern entrance of Nablus. On 11 November 2014, 7 Palestinian civilians were wounded during protests marking the 10th anniversary of the death of Yasser Arafat. In the vicinity of Ofer detention facility, 3 civilians, including 2 children, were wounded. In addition, 2 others, including a child, were wounded in Jabal al-Taweel area adjacent to ‘Psagot’ settlement in al-Bireh. Two other civilians, including a child, were wounded in a protest around Qalandia checkpoint between Jerusalem and Ramallah.
On 12 November 2014, a Palestinian civilian sustained 3 bullet wounds when Israeli forces moved into Beitounya village, west of Ramallah.
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli navy forces opened fire 3 times at fishermen. On 09 November 2014, Israeli gunboats stationed off Rafah shore opened fire at a fishing boat sailing within 200 meters near the naval borders between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. As a result, the boat was burnt and 2 fishermen on board sustained shrapnel wounds. On the same day, Israeli gunboats opened fire at a fishing boat sailing within 800 meters off the fishermen harbour in Rafah. As a result, the boat was burnt and no casualties were reported.
On 11 November 2014, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Sudanya shore, west of Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles. Fishermen sailed back leaving their fishing nets behind, but no casualties were reported.
Incursions
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 45 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 80 Palestinians, including 13 children. Fifty-one of these civlians, including 11 children, were arrested in Jerusalem.
In the Gaza Strip, on 10 November 2014, Israeli forces moved about 200 meters into the east of al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis in the south of the Gaza Strip. On 11 November 2014, Israeli forces moved into the east of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. In the 2 incursions, Israeli forces levelled lands along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel and withdrew later.
Restrictions on movement
Israel continued to impose a tight 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 closure of the Gaza Strip, which has been steadily tightened since June 2007 has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli authorities impose measures to undermine the freedom of trade, including the basic needs for the Gaza Strip population and the agricultural and industrial products to be exported. For 7 consecutive years, Israel has tightened the land and naval closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and other countries around the world. This resulted in grave violations of the economic, social and cultural rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.8 million people. The Israeli authorities have established Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order to exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy. They also aim at imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip’s exports.
Israeli forces 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.
Israeli Settlement activities
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the oPt, in a direct violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
Attacks carried out by Israeli forces
On Sunday, 09 November 2014, Israeli bulldozers expanded ‘Ariel’ settlement and added lands from Brouqin village, west of Salfit, to the Israeli industrial area.
On the same day, Israeli forces moved into Iqbat Hassna, north of al-Khader area, south of Bethlehem. They handed Sami and Samih Mahmoud al-Shouli notices to destroy their houses under the pretext of not having a construction permit.
On Monday, 10 November 2014, Israeli forces moved into Ma’in village, near Yatta, south of Hebron. They handed 4 notices to stop construction of 3 houses in the pretext of not having a construction permit:
Around the same time, Israeli Construction and Organization Department in the Israeli Civilian Administration handed Saed Shinran and Ihsan Shinran two notices to destroy two tents in which they live with their families in the pretext of not having a construction permit.
On the same day, Israeli soldiers handed 4 ntoices to destroy 4 houses under the pretext of not having a construction permit in area “C” in Hijja area, in Qalqilya.
Attacks carried out by settlers
On Thursday, 07 November 2014, Israeli settlers moved into the eastern area of Nablus and headed to Joseph Tomb. Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into the city and stationed in the eastern side area to secure the settlers.
On Sunday, 09 November 2014, dozens of settlers from “Adoura” settlement which is established on confiscated lands, west of Hebron threw stones at Palestinian vehicles passing across bypass road (60). As a result, a vehicle was damaged.
On Monday, 10 November 2014, Israeli settlers moved from ‘Arail’ settlement near al-Samera intersection and tried to attack the Palestinian workers who were waiting at the intersection for Palestinian vehicles heading towards their villages. Israeli forces arrived at the area and prevented the settlers from attacking the workers.
On the evening of the aforementioned day, dozens of settlers gathered near Howara checkpoint and attacked Palestinian vehicles and stone saws, and then destroyed the blocks that were prepared for construction purposes.
On the same day, Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian civilian and his wife while traveling from Nablus to Talfit village.
On Wednesday, 12 November 2014, fire was set into Othaman Bin Affan Mosque in the western neighborhood of al-Mughir village, north of Ramallah.
Use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations protesting settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall
During the reporting period, Israeli soldiers used excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organized 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, 3 civilians, including solidarity activist, Kamilia (22), were wounded during Bil’in weekly village, west of Ramallah.
In the same context, 17 Palestinian civilians, including 7 children, were wounded during a protest that was organized against the violations and attacks by Israeli forces and settlers in al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem and protest organized in the 10th anniversary of the death of President Yasser ‘Arafat.
(PCHR keeps the names of the wounded in fear of being arrested by the Israeli forces within its policy to oppress the peaceful protests and prevent Palestinian civilians from participating).
Demonstrations against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activity
· Following the Friday Prayer on 07 November 2014, 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. The 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 city to prevent Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders from participating in the protests. The protestors marched by the annexation wall and tried to cross the fence. 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, 3 civilians were wounded. Kamilia (22), a solidarity activist, was hit by a bullet to the left leg; a 33-year-old civilian was hit by a bullet to the back; and a 19-year-old was hit by a bullet to the right arm.
· Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians organised a peaceful demonstration in the centre of Ni’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstrators took the streets and headed to the annexation wall. Israeli forces closed the gates of the wall with barbwires and prevented the demonstrators from crossing to the land behind it before they responded by throwing stones. Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the civilians. They also sprayed waste water at the civilians, and chased them into the village. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
· Also at approximately 13:20, Palestinian civilians and international solidarity activists organized a protest in the center of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, heading to the eastern entrance of the village in protest against closing that entrance since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada with an iron gate. The demonstrators threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, several protestors suffered tear gas inhalation.
Other Demonstrations
· On Friday afternoon, 06 November 2014, dozens of Palestinian young men from Bir Zeit University gathered around Ofer detention facility, southwest of Ramallah, in support for Palestinian administrative detainees in Israeli prisons. The demonstrators made their way to the prison’s gate, which was closed by Israeli soldiers. The demonstrators set fire to tires and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, 3 students were wounded. Moreover, dozens of other protestors suffered tear gas inhalation. The wounded students were: a 20-year-old male, who sustained a bullet wound to the right ankle; an 18-year-old male who sustained a bullet wound to the left ankle; and a 20-year-old male who sustained a bullet wound to the left leg.
· On the same day, dozens of Palestinian young men gathered around Ofer detention facility, southwest of Ramallah, to support administrative detainees in Israeli prisons. The demonstrators made their way to the prison’s gate, which was closed by Israeli soldiers. The demonstrators set fire to tires and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, 3 students were wounded. Moreover, dozens of other protestors suffered tear gas inhalation. The wounded students were: a 21-year-old male, who sustained a bullet wound to the right ankle; a 20-year-old male who was hit by a gas canister to the right wrist; and a 19-year-old male who was hit by a bullet to the mouth.
· Around the same time, dozens of Palestinians gathered at theentrances of Qalandya refugee camp, north of occupied Jerusalem, to organize a protest at the Israeli forces’ and settlers’ attacks in al-Aqsa Mosque. Israeli heavily armed forces were deployed in the area. The protestors set fire to tires and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, 3 civilians, including 2 children, were wounded. A 16-year-old child was hit by a bullet to head, while a 17-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the right knee, and a 21-year-old male sustained a bullet wound to the right leg.
· Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered at the western entrance of Selwad village, northeast of Ramallah, on Selwad-Yabroud road near street (60) to organize a protest against Israeli policies. The protestors set fire to tires and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, a number of protestors suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
· At approximately 14:00, dozens of Palestinian boys and children headed to Hawarah checkpoint at the southern entrance of Nablus to organize a protest against the Israeli attacks on al-Aqsa Mosque and threw stones at the stationed Israeli forces. Israeli forces immediately fired tear gas canisters, sound bombs, and live bullets at the demonstrators. As a result, a 17-year-old child from Rafidia neighbourhood in Nablus was wounded by a bullet to the left knee. The aforementioned child was taken to Rafidia Surgical Hospital to receive medical treatment and his injury was described as minor.
· At approximately 10:00 on Tuesday, 11 November 2014, a peaceful protest organized by students in Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, commemorating the anniversary of the death of President Yasser ‘Arafat. The students raised Palestinian flags and chanted national slogans. Israeli forces deployed at the entrance of the village while some military vehicles were stationed in ‘Asidah area. When the students arrived, a number of whom threw stones at the soldiers, who were deployed among the houses and on the roofs. The Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs, tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets at the boys. As a result, a number of them suffered from tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces later withdrew and re-stationed at the eastern entrance after the news about the killing of one civilians spread in al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of the city.
· Also on Tuesday afternoon, dozens of Palestinian young men gathered from different areas to commemorate the 10th anniversary of President Yasser ‘Arafat around Ofer detention facility, southwest of Ramallah. They made their way towards the facility’s gate, which was closed by Israeli soldiers. The protestors set fire to tires and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, 3 civilians were wounded, including two children. A 16-year-old child was hit by a bullet to the right leg, while a 17-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the left thigh, and a 20-year-old male sustained a bullet wound to the left leg.
· Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian boys and children gathered in al-Tawil Mountain area adjacent to ‘Psagot’ settlement established on Palestinian lands in al-Bireh and threw stones at the stationed Israeli forces. Israeli forces immediately fired tear gas canisters, sound bombs, and live bullets at the demonstrators. As a result, a 14-year-old child was wounded by a bullet to the left knee while a 20-year-old civilian was hit by a bullet to the face.
· At approximately 15:00, dozens of Palestinians gathered at the entrances of Qalandya refugee camp, north of occupied Jerusalem, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the death of President Yasser ‘Arafat. Israeli forces were deployed in the area. The protestors set fire to tires and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, a 15-year-old child was wounded by a bullet to head while a 20-year-old civilian was hit by a bullet to the left thigh. They were both taken to Palestine Medical Complex to receive medical treatment.
Continued closure of the oPt
Israel continued to impose a tight 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
Israeli forces continuously tighten the closure of the Gaza Strip and close all commercial crossings, making the Karm Abu Salem crossing the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip, although it is not suitable for commercial purposes in terms of its operational capacity and distance from markets.
Israeli forces have continued to apply the policy, which is aimed to tighten the closure on all commercial crossings, by imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.
The total closure of al-Mentar (‘Karni’) crossing since 02 March 2011 has seriously affected the economy of the Gaza Strip. Following this closure, all economic and commercial establishments in the 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 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 were dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2010.
Israeli forces 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 of the Gaza Strip.
The cooking gas crisis has fluctuated for 9 months due to the closure of Karm Abu Salem for security claims. According to PCHR’s follow-up, Israeli authorities only allow an average of 98 tons of cooking gas into Gaza per day. This limited quantity is less than half of the daily needs, which is 200 tons per day of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip during winter. The crisis has unprecedentedly aggravated for around six weeks due to cold weather and overconsumption in addition to the power outage and using gas as an alternative in many instances of electricity. The lack of diesel and benzene led to the aggravation of the crisis as a result of using the gas cylinder for cars or as an alternative for benzene to run generators. As a result, the demand for gas further increased.
For almost 6 consecutive years, Israeli forces have continued to prevent the delivery of construction materials to the Gaza Strip. Two years ago, Israeli forces approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of international organizations in the Gaza Strip. On 17 September 2013, they allowed the entry of limited quantities of construction materials for the private sector. However, on 13 October 2013, they re-banned it claiming that these materials are used for constructing tunnels. Last week, Israeli forces allowed the entry of construction materials only for UNRWA and UNDP projects. As a result, construction works have completely stopped impacting all sectors related to construction and an increase in unemployment levels. During the 51-day Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip in July and August 2014, Israeli authorities did not allow the entry of any construction materials. As a result, vital and infrastructure projects have been obstructed so far.
Israeli forces also continued to impose an almost total ban on the Gaza Strip exports, including agricultural and industrial products, except for light-weighted products such as flowers, strawberries, and spices.
Israel has continued to close the Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing for the majority of Palestinian citizens from the Gaza Strip. Israel only allows the movement of a limited number of groups, with many hours of waiting in the majority of cases. Israel has 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 East Jerusalem. Israel denied permission to access hospitals via the crossing for new categories of patients from the Gaza Strip.
West Bank
· Hebron: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 06:30 on Thursday, 06 November 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit ‘Awwa village. The checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 07:30 on Friday, 07 November 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Burj village, south of Doura, southwest of Hebron. At approximately 08:30, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-‘Arroub refugee camp. All checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 08:00 on Saturday, 08 November 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of Hebron. The checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 07:00 on Monday, 10 November 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Sa’ir village, east of Hebron. At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Halhoul village. At approximately 08:30, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Fawwar refugee camp. All checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 07:00 on Tuesday, 11 November 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of Halhoul village, north of Hebron, and another one at t he entrance of Kharsa village, south of Doura, southwest of the city. At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of al-Fawwar refugee camp. All checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:00 on Wednesday, 12 November 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Arroub refugee camp. Ata approximately 15:00, they established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Amr village. All checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.
· Ramallah: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 10:30 on Thursday, 07 November 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Aboud village and another one at the entrance of Deir Abu Mesh’el village. At approximately 20:30, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Termisia village, north of the city. All checkpoints were removed later, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 00:30 on Friday, 07 November 2014, another checkpoint was established at the entrance of ‘Aboud village, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 13:00, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northeast of the city. At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Senjel village, north of Ramallah. Around the same time, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Nil’in village and another one under Kharbtha al-Misbah Bridge. At approximately 19:30, a similar checkpoint was established near the intersection of Beit ‘Ore al-Foqa village. The checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:30 on Saturday, 08 November 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ras Karkar village, northwest of Ramallah, and another one under Kharbtha al-Misbah Bridge. At approximately 13:30, they established a similar checkpoint at the entrance of Qibya village, west of the city. At approximately 21:30, they established a similar checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Nizam village, northwest of the city. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
· Jericho: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 10:30 on Friday, 07 November 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fasayel village, north of Jericho. At approximately 20:00, they established a similar checkpoint at the southern entrance of the city. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
· Jenin: at approximately 11:30 on Monday, 10 November 2014, Israeli forces closed al-Jalama checkpoint between the city and Israel. An hour later, they re-opned the checkpoint without stating the reason.
· Qalqilya: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 10:30 on Thursday, 06 November 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. At approximately 23:30, they withdrew and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:30 on Friday, 07 November 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of the city.
At approximately 19:20 on Saturday, 08 November 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Azzoun village. They detained Ahmed Radwan and Rami Sukkkar then released them after the Palestinian liaison intervened. The aforementioned persons are officers in the Palestinian intelligentsia.
At approximately 07:20 on Sunday, Israeli forces established another checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Azzoun village. They stopped and searched vehicles and detained Abdel Naser Qaddoumi (51), the director of the Military Academy in Jericho, and released him after the Palestinian liaison intervened. It should be noted that the aforementioned was distained despite showing his VIP card to the soldiers. At approximately 20:35, two more checkpoints were established: one at the entrance of Asala village and the other at the entrance of Izabt al-Tabib village.
At approximately 14:00 on Monday, 10 November 2014, Israeli soldiers established a checkpoint at the intersection of Jeet village. At approximately 19:10, another checkpoint was established at the entrance of ‘Azoun village.
· Tulkarm: at approximately 17:010 on Thursday, 06 November 2014, Israeli forces stationed at ‘Annab checkpoint, which is established at the road between Tulkarm and Nablus, tightened their restrictions. Later, the tightening ended and no arrests were made. The tightening repeated on Saturday, 08 November 2014, Sunday, 09 November 2014, and Monday, 10 November 2014.
Arrests and Maltreatment at Military Checkpoints
· At approximately 10:00 on Monday, 11 November 2014, Israeli forces deployed in the Old City in Hebron arrested Kamel Muhammad Jineid (22) under the pretext of not obeying the soldiers. He was taken to Jabara police station. Later, he was released and handed to the Palestinian liaison.
· At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces stationed at the entrance if “Gosh Itsion” settlement arrested Bilail Talal Abu Aeisha (20) when he headed to meet Israeli intelligentsia then took him to an unknown destination.
· At approximately 16:00 on Tuesday, 11 November 2014, Israeli infantry force moving form Beit Amr village, arrested Abd Raed Alqam (13) in Asida village. They were moved to the military tower at the entrance of the village. He was taken to an unknown destination.
· At approximately 16:00 on Wednesday, 12 November 2014, Israeli forces deployed at the entrance of Beit Ainoun, east of Hebron, arrested Aida Ahmed Jabarin then took her to an unknown destination.
Recommendations to the International Community:
PCHR emphasizes the international community’s position that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are still under Israeli occupation, in spite of Israeli military redeployment outside the Gaza Strip in 2005. PCHR further confirms that Israeli forces continued to impose collective punishment measures on the Gaza Strip, which have escalated since the 2006 Palestinian parliamentary elections, in which Hamas won the majority of seats of the Palestinian Legislative Council. PCHR stresses that there is international recognition of Israel’s obligation to respect international human rights instruments and the international humanitarian law, especially the Hague Regulations concerning the Laws and Customs of War on Land and the Geneva Conventions. Israel is bound to apply the international human rights law and the law of war sometime reciprocally and other times in parallel in a way that achieves the best protection for civilians and remedy for victims.
In light of continued arbitrary measures, land confiscation and settlement activities in the West Bank, and the continued aggression against civilians in the Gaza Strip, PCHR calls upon the international community, especially the United Nations, the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Convention and the European Union – in the context of their natural obligation to respect and enforce the international law – to cooperate and act according to the following recommendations:
1. PCHR calls upon the international community and the United Nations to use all available means to allow the Palestinian people to enjoy their right to self-determination, through the establishment of the Palestinian State, which was recognized by the UN General Assembly with a vast majority, using all international legal mechanisms, including sanctions to end the occupation of the State of Palestine;
2. PCHR calls upon the United Nations to provide international protection to Palestinians in the oPt, and to ensure the non-recurrence of aggression against the oPt, especially the Gaza Strip;
3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to compel Israel, as a High Contracting Party to the Conventions, to apply the Conventions in the oPt;
4. PCHR calls upon the Parties to international human rights instruments, especially the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to pressurize Israel to comply with their provisions in the oPt, and to compel it to incorporate the human rights situation in the oPt in its reports submitted to the concerned committees;
5. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to fulfil their obligation to ensure the application of the Conventions, including extending the scope of their jurisdiction in order to prosecute suspected war criminals, regardless of the nationality of the perpetrator and the place of a crime, to pave the way for prosecuting suspected Israeli war criminals and end the longstanding impunity they have enjoyed;
6. PCHR calls on States that apply the principle of universal jurisdiction not to surrender to Israeli pressure to limit universal jurisdiction to perpetuate the impunity enjoyed by suspected Israeli war criminals;
7. PCHR calls upon the international community to act in order to stop all Israeli settlement expansion activities in the oPt through imposing sanctions on Israeli settlements and criminalizing trading with them;
8. PCHR calls upon the UN General Assembly to transfer the Goldstone Report to the UN Security Council in order to refer it to the International Criminal Court in accordance with Article 13(b) of the Rome Statute;
9. PCHR calls upon the United Nations to confirm that holding war criminals in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a precondition to achieve stability and peace in the regions, and that peace cannot be built on the expense of human rights;
10. PCHR calls upon the UN General Assembly and Human Rights Council to explicitly declare that the Israeli closure policy in Gaza and the annexation wall in the West Bank are illegal, and accordingly refer the two issues to the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on Israel to compel it to remove them;
11. PCHR calls upon the international community, in light of its failure to the stop the aggression on the Palestinian people, to at least fulfil its obligation to reconstruct the Gaza Strip after the series of hostilities launched by Israel which directly targeted the civilian infrastructure;
12. PCHR calls upon the United Nations and the European Union to express a clear position towards the annexation wall following the international recognition of the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders, as the annexation wall seizes large parts of the State of Palestine;
13. PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that both sides must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel, and the EU must not ignore Israeli violations and crimes against Palestinian civilians;
14. PCHR calls upon the Palestinian leadership to 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.
Complete document at the official PCHR website, via link below.
