In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (for the two week period of 03 – 16 November 2011, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights found that 4 Palestinians, including a civilian, a member of the Palestinian Marine Police and two resistance fighters, were killed by Israeli air strikes in the Gaza Strip.Israeli forces also wounded 17 civilians, including a child and a pregnant woman, in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The wounded include 14 Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and 3 Palestinians from the West Bank. The wounded also included 9 civilians and 5 members of the Palestinian Marine Police.
Israeli forces have continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. 2 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded in a peaceful demonstration in al-Nabi Saleh village.
The Israeli Navy has continued to attack Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip. Israeli naval troops arrested three Palestinian fishermen and confiscated their fishing boat.
Israeli forces conducted 91 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a limited one into the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces abducted 14 Palestinians. Israeli forces wounded a Palestinian civilian in his house in Hebron city before abducting him. Israeli forces raided the houses of many Palestinians who were released recently from Israeli jails, delivered them notices to appear before the Israeli intelligence and threatened some of them.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed four Palestinians, including a civilian, a member of the Palestinian Marine Police and two resistance fighters, in the Gaza Strip. 14 Palestinians, including 6 civilians and 5 members of the Palestinian Marine Police, were wounded by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip. In addition, the site of the Palestinian Marine Police in al-Soudaneya area, north of the Gaza Strip, was totally destroyed.
In the Gaza Strip, on 03 November 2011, dozens of Israeli soldiers moved approximately 200 meters into the northwest of Abu Nada area, located the northwest of Beit Lahia, in the northern the Gaza Strip. They scanned the area amid sporadic firing. One of the farmers present in the area was wounded and the Palestinians in the area fled as a result. One of the civilians and one of the resistance fighters rushed to a shelter to protect themselves but an Israeli helicopter fired two missiles at the shelter and the two Palestinians were killed immediately.
On 05 November 2011, Israeli warplanes fired 3 missiles and then opened fire at a farm in al-Qarara village in the northeast of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, targeting a group of members of the Palestinian Resistance. As a result, a member of the Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad, was killed. Another three members of the group were wounded.
On 14 November 2011, Israeli forces warplanes fired four missiles at the main site of the Palestinian Marine Police opposite to al-Nawras resort in al-Soudaneya area, southwest of Beit Lahia in the north of the Gaza Strip. As a result, a member of the Palestinian Marine Police was killed and another five members were wounded. In addition, two civilians were wounded and a pregnant woman lost her baby because of the bombardment. The targeted site was totally destroyed. In addition, a blue Magnum jeep and two motorcycles which were inside the site were destroyed. All the windows and internal doors in al-Nawras resort were broken and the windows of some of the surrounding houses were broken.
On 07 November 2011, two Palestinian civilians were wounded when Israeli forces positioned on the border east of Shejaeya, east of Gaza City, fired several shells at farms in the east of Shejaeya.
On 07 November 2011, Israeli forces positioned on the border in the east of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at residential areas and farms in al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Younis. No casualties were reported.
On 09 November 2011, Israeli warplanes fired two missiles at a greenhouse in former settlements in the northwest of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip. The greenhouse was damaged and no casualties were reported.
On 12 November 2011, Israeli forces opened fire from observation towers on the border in the north and northwest of Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip, towards Palestinian farmers who were in their farms. Farmers were forced to flee in fear for their lives. No casualties were reported.
On 16 November 2011, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a group of resistance fighters in the west of al-Twam area, west of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip. This group of resistance fighters escaped and no casualties were reported.
Israel has continued to impose a total closure and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 91 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they abducted 14 Palestinian civilians.
In the West Bank, on 10 November 2011, a Palestinian civilian was wounded when Israeli forces moved into the ‘Jabal Sendas’ neighborhood in the south of Hebron city and raided his house while firing sound bombs at the entrances of the house and bullets at the house and its vicinity. Before withdrawing, Israeli forces arrested the wounded Palestinian and transferred him to ‘Kfar Etzion’ detention center, southwest of Bethlehem.
During the reporting period, Israeli forces raided the houses of a number of Palestinians who were released from Israeli jails in the recent prisoner swap and delivered them notices to appear before the Israeli intelligence. They also threatened some of the former prisoners of being arrested if they pose any threat to what they called ‘the security of the State of Israel’.
Also this week, Israeli soldiers abducted at least one Palestinian civilian at a checkpoint in the West Bank.
Israeli settlement activities:
Israeli forces have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
On 03 November 2011, Israeli forces uprooted and destroyed a number of electricity poles that were lately established between al-Twana village and Kherbet al-Mafqara in the east of Yatta, south of Hebron. Israeli forces destroyed them under the pretext of supplying the area with electricity without obtaining a prior permit from the Israeli ‘Civil Administration’.
On 06 November 2011, a number of Israeli settlers from ‘Yizhar’ settlement, which is established on Madama village in southern Nablus, uprooted 25 olive trees and wrote on the branches of the trees in Hebrew ‘happy Eid’ and ‘revenge’. It should be noted that the age of the uprooted trees ranges between 10 to 20 years and are planted in al-Rasm area in the south of the said village. The trees belong to Mahmoud Ahmed Ziyada and Ameen Fayez Nassar.
On Monday, 07 November 2011, the Israeli troops stormed a farm belonging to a family from Artas village in the south of Bethlehem and arrested the farm’s owner, his wife and her sister while they were farming. They were arrested under the pretext that ‘they were present in a piece of land that is the subject of dispute between the Palestinians and settlers,’ and upon a complaint filed against them by a settler living in ‘Daniel’ settlement.
On 10 November 2011, a number of settlers set fire to three Palestinian vehicles which were parked in front of their owners’ houses in the east of Beit Ommar, north of Hebron. In their testimony, eyewitnesses said that they saw the settlers fleeing towards ‘Kfar Etzion’ settlement after they wrote some slogans on the walls threatening with more attacks.
On 10 November 2011, Israeli forces sent a notice to Ali Saleh Abu Oda Jaber, from Hebron. The notice ordered the bulldozing of Jaber’s farm which is located in al-Baq’a area near bypass road no. 60, west of Hebron. According to investigations conducted by PCHR, Israeli troops arrived at the mentioned area and sent a notice targeting Jaber’s farm , an area of four dunums. The farm is 450 meters away, to the east of the mentioned bypass road. This notice was issued at the a time when Jaber intended to reclaim his farm.
On 13 November 2011, Israeli forces bulldozed lands in ‘Azzoun Etma village in the southeast of Qalqilya to establish a ‘security fence’ that isolates ‘Oranit’ settlement from the lands in the west of the village. As a result, more lands would be confiscated for the interest of the mentioned settlement. Israeli forces also uprooted a number of olive trees.
On 15 November 2011, Israeli forces supported by two bulldozers and officers from the ‘Civil Administration’ broke into al-Qasab neighborhood in the south of al-Dyouk al-Tahta village, northwest of Jericho. At approximately 09:00, two bulldozers started destroying four houses used mainly in winter by their owners, who are originally from Jerusalem and Ramallah.
Israeli Annexation Wall:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces used excessive force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest against Israeli settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall in the West Bank. As a result, 2 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded in a peaceful demonstration in al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. In addition, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation or sustained bruises as they were beaten by Israeli forces soldiers.
During the reporting period, Israeli forces used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the wall and settlement activities in the West Bank, and in protest to the establishment of a buffer zone in the Gaza Strip. As a result, two Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded and dozens of Palestinian civilians and human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.
Following the Friday Prayer on 04 November 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians, international and Israeli human rights defenders, a delegation from the Palestinian Cultural Exchange Foundation, and a Norwegian delegation organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil’ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall. They raised the Palestinian flag and portraits of Basem and Marwan Abu Rahma and released prisoners who were released in the recent prisoner swap. Besides, they chanted ‘194 is the State of Palestine’ and other slogans against the Israeli occupation and the wall. They then moved towards areas of Palestinian land, which the Israeli High Court ordered to be returned to their Palestinian owners. When the demonstrators reached Abu Lemon Nature Reserve, they tried to cross the fence adjacent to the wall and shouted at the settlers available at ‘Mattiaho Mzrah’ settlement. Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 04 November 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest against the construction of the annexation wall. They chanted slogans calling for Palestinian reconciliation, adherence to the Palestinian inalienable rights and resistance of the occupation. Additionally, they raised the Palestinian flag and portraits of the Palestinian released prisoners who were released in the recent prisoner swap. They clashed with Israeli troops positioned near the annexation wall. Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 04 November 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration named ‘The Balfour Declaration died’ in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, in protest against land confiscations and settlement activities. They raised the Palestinian flag and chanted slogans calling for ending the occupation. When the demonstrators attempted to reach areas of land seized by Israeli settlers near ‘Halmish’ settlement, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, Hamza Suliman Yaseen Yaseen, 19, was arrested and transported to Ofer prison in southern Ramallah. It should be noted that Yaseen is a volunteer photographer for the Society of Friends of Freedom and Justice and the Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlement in Bil’ein.
Following the Friday Prayer on 11 November 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians, Israeli and international human rights defenders, a delegation from the Brazilian organization of VIA Compesine (MST) – Brazil, and an Irish delegation organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil’ein village, west of Ramallah, to mark the seventh anniversary of the death of Yasser Arafat. The demonstrators chanted slogans calling for Palestinian reconciliation, adherence to the Palestinian inalienable rights and resistance of the occupation. Besides, they chanted ‘194 is the State of Palestine’. Additionally, they raised the Palestinian and Irish flags and portraits of Yasser Arafat and Marwan al-Barghouthi. They then moved towards areas of Palestinian land, which the Israeli High Court ordered to be returned to their Palestinian owners. When the demonstrators reached Abu Lemon Nature Reserve, they tried to cross the fence adjacent to the wall and shouted at the settlers at ‘Mattiaho Mzrah’ settlement. Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and vomiting, including a Brazilian fighter, Angela, 37.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 11 November 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest against the construction of the annexation wall. They chanted slogans calling for Palestinian reconciliation, adherence to the Palestinian inalienable rights and resistance of the occupation. Additionally, they raised the Palestinian flag and portraits of the Palestinian ex-prisoners. They clashed with Israeli troops positioned near the annexation wall. Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 11 November, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration named ‘The Balfour Declaration died’ in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, in protest against land confiscations and settlement activities. They raised the Palestinian flag, chanted slogans calling for ending the occupation. When the demonstrators attempted to reach areas of land seized by Israeli settlers near ‘Halmish’ settlement, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them, in addition to live ammunition. A 61-year old man was wounded by a live bullet to the head, and a 12-year old child was wounded by a live bullet to the right side.
In addition, a photographer for Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem was abducted and taken to Israeli detention, then released that night.
At approximately 12:00 following the Friday Prayer on 11 November 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international fighters organized a peaceful demonstration in Kufor Qaddoum village, northwest of Qalqilya, in protest to continued closure of the eastern entrance of the village by Israeli forces. Israeli forces intercepted the demonstration and fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. Moreover, Hazem Tayseer Hassan Borhom, 27, from the said village, was arrested and transported to an unknown destination.
Recommendations to the international community:
Due to the number and severity of Israeli human rights violations during this two-week period, the PCHR made several recommendations to the international community. Among these were a recommendation that the European Union 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 Occupied Palestinian Territories.
In addition, the PCHR called 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.
For the full text of the report click on the link below:
