Israeli forces have continued with systematic attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) for the reporting period of 11- 17 December 2014.Israeli attacks in the West Bank & Gaza:
Shootings:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian in excessive use of force in Qalandya refugee camp, north of occupied Jerusalem. They also wounded 9 Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, including 2 children; 5 of whom were wounded in the West Bank and 5 others were wounded in the Gaza Strip. Moreover, 6 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children and 2 women, were wounded due to the explosion of a suspicious object, north of the Gaza Strip.
In the West Bank, in excessive use of force, on 16 December 2014, a Palestinian civilian was killed in Qalandya refugee camp, north of occupied Jerusalem, when Israeli forces moved into the camp to arrest Palestinians.
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 14-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the chest and a 16-year-old one sustained a bullet wound to the leg.
In the Gaza Strip, on 12 December 2014, 4 Palestinian civilians were wounded when Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of Jabalia in the north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of civilians, who were present around.
In the context of explosions of suspicious objects of the Israeli military remnants in the Gaza Strip, 6 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children and 2 women, sustained moderate wounds, due to the explosion of a suspicious object in the north of the Gaza Strip.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 29 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 54 Palestinians, including 8 children and 2 women. Thirty-one of these Palestinians, including 6 children and a woman, were arrested in Jerusalem.
In the Gaza Strip, on 16 December 2014, Israeli forces moved about 150 meters into the east of al-Fokhari village, southeast of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. They levelled lands along the border fence for few hours and withdrew later.
Furthermore, Israeli forces station along the border fence, east of al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, arrested 2 Palestinian children who attempted to sneak into Israel through the border fence.
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 8 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. During the reporting period, Israeli forces arrested a Palestinian patient who obtained a permit to travel to the West Bank for medical treatment, while another civilian accompanying his father was arrested while the father was denied travel for medical treatment.
Efforts to create a Jewish demographic majority in occupied East Jerusalem:
Israeli municipality issued more house demolition notices. On 14 December 2014, they handed notices to demolish a number of houses in Silwan village under the pretext of lacking construction permits. Most of the houses were established 15 years ago. They also handed notices to destroy numerous houses in ‘Ain al-Foqa neighborhood.
Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property:
On 14 December 2014, Israeli forces moved into al-Koum village, south west of Hebron and handed 6 residents notices to demolish their houses under the pretext of illegal construction in Area “C”.
On 15 December 2014, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, and handed two residents notices to demolish their houses under the pretext of illegal construction in Area “C”.
On the aforementioned day, Israeli forces moved into Tqou’ village, southeast of Bethlehem, and handed 4 residents notices to demolish their houses under the pretext of illegal construction in Area “C”.
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 demonstrators were wounded.
In the same context, 2 Palestinian children were wounded during 2 other protests organized against the Israeli forces’ and settlers’ attacks in al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem.
(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 12 December 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 killing of Minister Ziad Abu ‘Ain, Director of the Palestinian Authority Commission against the Annexation Wall and Settlement Activity. 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. 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 wastewater at them and chased them into the olive fields. As a result, a protestor was hit by a gas canister to the head and another was hit by a gas canister to the leg. Moreover, a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.
· On the same day, dozens of Palestinian civilians organised a peaceful demonstration in the centre of Ni’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest at the killing of Minister Ziad Abu ‘Ain, Director of the Palestinian Authority Commission against the Annexation Wall and Settlement Activity. 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, and chased them into the village. As a result, a protestor sustained a bullet wound to the thigh. Moreover, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.
· Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in al-Nabi Saleh village, southwest of Ramallah, in protest at the killing of Minister Ziad Abu ‘Ain, Director of the Palestinian Authority Commission against the Annexation Wall and Settlement Activity. The demonstrators made their way in the streets raising the Palestinian flags and chanting slogans against the occupation and in support of the Palestinian unity resistance, and then they headed to the lands that the settlers are trying to rob by force near “Halmish” settlement. Israeli forces had closed all the entrances of the village since the morning to prevent Palestinian and international activists and journalists from participating in the demonstration. When they arrived at the aforementioned land, demonstrators were met by live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs and skunk water and were chased into the village. As a result, many demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and other sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.
· 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, many demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and other sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.
Other Demonstrations
· On Thursday afternoon, 12 December 2014, dozens of Palestinian young men gathered in the center of Beit Ommar village, north of Hebron, in protest at Israeli policies and the killing of Minister Ziad Abu ‘Ain, Director of the Palestinian Authority Commission against the Annexation Wall and Settlement Activity. They headed to al-Daher and Safa areas near ‘Karmi Tsour’ settlement, west of the village. Once they approached there, Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs, tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets in response. As a result, a 14-year-old child sustained 2 bullet wounds to the chest and leg. He was then taken to the village’s medical compound for medical treatment.
· Also on Friday afternoon, dozens of Palestinian youngsters gathered in the southern neighbourhoods of Hebron to protest at Israeli policies and the killing of Minister Ziad Abu ‘Ain, Director of the Palestinian Authority Commission against the Annexation Wall and Settlement Activity. Israeli forces fired sound bombs, tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets at the demonstrators. As a result, 35-year-old Abdul Razaq Abdul Hay Abu Turky and 15-year-old Taleb Ghaleb Taha were wounded.
· On the same day, 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 Israeli soldiers beat them up.
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 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 7 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
Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, Israeli forces imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians:
· Hebron: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 07:00 on Saturday, 13 December 2014, Israeli forces established two checkpoints: one at the entrance of Halhoul and the other at the entrance of Sa’ir village. The checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 07:00 on Monday, 15 December 2014, Israeli forces established two checkpoints: one at the entrance of Halhoul and the other at the entrance of Sa’ir village, northeast of Hebron. The checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported. At approximately 08:00, another checkpoint was established at the northern entrance of the city. All checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
In the morning hours of Tuesday, 16 December 2014, Israeli forces established a number of checkpoints in different areas: the entrance of Sair, northeast of the city; the northern entrance of Halhoul, north of the city; the northern entrance of the city; and the entrance of al-Fawwar, west of the city. All checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
· Qalqilya: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 15:00 on Sunday, 07 December 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Izbat al-Tabib village.at approximately 15:45, another checkpoint was established at the eastern entrance of the city. All checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
· Tulkarm: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 17:30 on Friday, 12 December 2014, Israeli forces stationed ‘Annab military checkpoint which is established on the road between Tulkarm and Nablus, east of the city, tightened their restriction against civilians and obstructed their movement. Later that day, he tightening ended and no arrests were reported.
· Jenin: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 14:00 on Tuesday, 12 December 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the road between Kufur Dan and al-Yamoun villages, north of the city. Later, the checkpoint was removed and no arrests were reported.
· Salfit: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 17:25 on Thursday, 11 December 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint under Kasaka Bridge, east of the city. Later, the checkpoint was removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 17:30 on Friday, 12 December 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint in the northern entrance of the city. Later, the checkpoint was removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 21:35 on Saturday, 13 December 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Ballout village, west of the city. Later, the checkpoint was removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:00 on Sunday, 14 December 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint under Kasaka Bridge, east of the city. At approximately 23:40, they established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of the city.
Arrests and Maltreatment of Palestinian Civilians at Military Checkpoints:
· On Thursday morning, 11 December 2014, Israeli forces stationed at the Container checkpoint arrested Qutaiba Salah Qassem (28) from Hindaza mountain area in Bethlehem, and Mahmoud Karim Ayyad (30) from al-Dheisha refugee camp, south of the city, and took them to an unknown destination.
· On the aforementioned day, Israeli forces stationed at the Container checkpoint arrested Osama Shahin(26) from Doura, southwest of Hebron, and took him to an unknown destination.
· On aforementioned day, Israeli forces stationed at the entrance of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, arrested Jihad Khalil Hamad al-‘Allami (19) and Bilal Habes Hamdan al-Allami (19) and took them to an unknown destination.
· On Sunday morning, 14 December 2014, Israeli forces arrested Asmaa Jawdat Jamil Balhawi (38) when she was entering “Kisaout” prison in Negev Desert in a visit to her husband Salah Balhawi, who is sentenced to 4 years in Israeli prisons, and took them to an unknown destination.
· On the aforementioned day, Israeli forces stationed at the entrance of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, arrested Rami Fahmi Abdul Latif Bahar (34) and took him to an unknown destination.
· At approximately 23:00, Israeli forces arrested Musab Hasan Balasma (22), from Salfit, when he was crossing Howara checkpoint, south of Nablus and took them to an unknown destination.
Efforts to create Jewish demographic majority in occupied East Jerusalem:
Bulldozing Activities
· At approximately 10:00 on Sunday, 14 December 2014, Israeli municipality staffs, guarded by Israeli special forces, handed notices to demolish residential buildings in Silwan village under the pretext of not having construction permits. According to Hani Gaith, Israeli special forces moved into is older brother’s house, ex-prisoner Adnan Ghaith, the secretary of Fatah movement in Jerusalem, in the central neighborhood in Silwan. They handed the family an administrative order prescribing that their house, which was established 25 years ago, would be destroyed. He added that the Israeli soldiers verbally abused the family, particularly his 65-year-old father. The verbal clash finally led to the arrest of his brother Bilal (37).
Furthermore, Israeli municipality staffs handed Muhammad Tawfiq Ghaith notices to destroy his house in Silwan, where he and his wife reside. They also handed administrative orders to 3 houses belonging to Ahmed al-‘Abbasi and his sons in Ain al-Louza neighborhood. The houses were established on an area of 300 square meters, 20 years ago. The municipality staff also handed notices to destroy houses in Ain al-Foqa neighborhood.
· At approximately 14:00 on Monday, 15 December 2014, Israeli municipality staffs and Israeli special forces moved into a house belonging to Mu’taz Hijazi in al-Thaouri neighborhood in Silwan. They handed the family a notice to destroy their house. It should be noted that Mu’taz Hijazi was killed on 30 October 2014 by Israeli special forces under the pretext of shooting at Rabbi Yehuda Glick.
· At approximately 16:00 on the aforementioned day, Israeli municipality handed Jamal ‘Amro a notice to destroy his house in al-Souana neighborhood in the Old City in Jerusalem under the pretext of not having a construction permit. The aforementioned civilian told PCHR that the house was established in 1945 and it consists of two floors and resided by 19 persons. He added that the decision to destroy the house is purely political aiming to punish the family. The aforementioned person’s wife was arrested more than once, and his eldest son who works in the Islamic Waqf was also arrested.
Arrests and Incursions
· At approximately 04:00 on Thursday, 11 December 2014, Israeli forces moved into al-Thouri neighborhood, east of the Old City in Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 residents: Muhammad Nour al-din al-Tawil (26); Ahmed Amin al-Juba (23); Muhammad Naser ‘Alawat (19); and Ahmed Faraj Taha (19).
· At approximately 09:00 on the aforementioned day, Israeli forces raided a house belonging to al-Shaloudi family the family intends to reconstruct after Israeli forces destroyed it on 19 November 2014 in al-Bustan neighborhood, south of the Old City in Jerusalem. It should be noted that Abdel Rahman al-Shaloudi was killed on 22 October 2014 by the light train guards in al-Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood claiming that he ran down a group of settlers.
· At approximately 04:30, on Friday, 12 December 2014, Israeli forces moved into Jabal al –Mukabber neighborhood, southeast of Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested: Ali Ahmed Oweisat (18); Said Ibrahim Abu Jamal (37); Rifat Muhammad Khaiyat (34); and Younis Samih Eliyan (27).
· At approximately 04:40, on the aforementioned day, Israeli forces moved into a house belonging to Sharif Abdu in Wadi al-Jouz neighborhood. They arrested his son Abdullah (17) and took him to an unknown destination.
· At approximately 05:00, Israeli forces moved into a house belonging to Muhammad Dandis in Ras al-Amoud neighborhood, east of the Old City in Jerusalem. They arrested his son Abdul Rahman (23).
· At approximately 06:00, on the aforementioned day, Israeli forces moved into al-Isawiah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 residents: Ahmed Haid Mahmoud (28); Tareq Ziad Darwich (24); and Ali Muhammad Darwich (22).
· At approximately 13:00, on Saturday, 13 December 2014, Israeli forces moved into al-Tour neighborhood, east of the Old City in Jerusalem after dozens of Palestinians threw stones at an Israeli settler’s vehicle. They fired rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters. They arrested Imran Rabaia (18) and Fadi Talal al-Sayyad (21).
· At approximately 14:00 on Sunday, 14 Decmber 2014, Israeli forces moved into Bab Hatta neighborhood. They raided and searched number of houses and arrested 3 children: Tawfiq Najeeb (16); Zakarya Izz al-Din al-Bakri (16); and Mustafa Isamil Abu Sneina (15).
· At approximately 02:00 on Monday, 15 December 2014, Israeli forces raided a house belonging to Omar Shalabi (30) former secretary of Fatah movement in Jerusalem. They confiscated a number of computers and attacked the family members. They arrested the aforementioned and took him to an unknown destination.
· At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces raided a house belonging to ex-prisoner Fawzi Omar Mheisin (30) in Shufat refugee camp. They arrested him and confiscated his computer and mobile phone.
· At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces arrested Diala Ali (25) when she was leaving through al-Silsila gate in Jerusalem.
· At approximately 21:00, Israeli forces arrested the head of Fatah Youth Movement Ibrahim Abu Ghariba (39) when he was in Beit Hanin village, north of the city. According to Muhammad al-Sharbati, Israeli forces arrested Abu Ghariba after he was stopped at a checkpoint then he was taken Nabi Yaqoub police station.
· At approximately 14:00 on Tuesday, 16 December 2014, Israeli forces arrested Yazan Imad al-‘Abbasi (11) and Ahmed Abdul Hadi al-‘Abbasi (11) in Ain al-Louza neighborhood. According to eyewitness testimonies, the children were arrested when they were heading home from school.
Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property:
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the oPt, a direct violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
· On Sunday morning, 14 December 2014, Israeli forces accompanied by a vehicle belonging to the Construction and Organization Department in the Israeli Civil Administration Department moved into al-Kou village, southwest of Hebron. They stationed at Firjas and Qisteen areas. They handed 6 residents notices to stop construction in their houses under the pretext of not having a construction permit in area C. The residents of the houses were identified as:
– Abdul Rahman Ahmed Ali al-Rujoub, a house under construction with an area of 160 square meters;
– Ismail Ahmed Ali al-Rujoub, a house under construction with an area of 160 square meters;
– Arafat Ahmed Ali al-Rujoub, a house under construction with an area of 160 square meters;
– Muhib Yaqoub Taim al-Rujoub, a house under construction with an area of 130 square meters, and;
– Ramadan Hasan Mustafa al-Rujoub, two houses under construction; each of them has an area of 150 square meters.
· On Monday morning, 15 December 2014, Israeli forces accompanied by a vehicle belonging to the Construction and Organization Department in the Israeli Civil Administration Department moved into Beit Amr village, north of Hebron. They stationed in Taghrat al-Shabak area, north of the village, near “Gosh Etzion” settlement. They handed two residents notices to stop construction in their houses under the pretext of not having a construction permit in area C. They were identified as:
– Bassam Khalil Abdel Muhsen al-‘Allami, an inhabited, one floor house, which was established on an area of 80 square meters 9 years ago, and;
– Khaled Yousif Abdul Majeed Brighith, a house used for agricultural purposes, which was established on an area of 60 square meters 4 years ago.
· In the evening of the aforementioned day, Israeli forces accompanied by a vehicle belonging to the Construction and Organization Department in the Israeli Civil Administration Department moved into Tqou’ village, southeast of Bethlehem. They stationed at Kherbat al-Deir arre, near the municipality intersection and handed 4 notices to stop construction in houses belongin to: Musa Salem Musa; Ahmed Muhammed Suleiman; Saher Ali Hajahija; and Mahmoud ‘Aish Hajahija.
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.
Full, detailed document, including info on patrols and border crossings available at the official PCHR website.
