In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 09 – 15 Feb. 2012, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that an elderly Palestinian man was killed and his son was wounded, east of Gaza City.In that attack, two sheds were destroyed and two houses were damaged. A large number of animals and birds were killed. Israeli forces have continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank. 6 protesters, including 3 media workers, were wounded.
Israeli forces have used force against protests in support of Palestinian prisoner Adnan Khader. 8 protesters, including 4 media workers and a Palestinian legislator, were wounded. 250 olive trees and 30 fig trees were uprooted in Tormos’aya, northeast of Ramallah.
Israeli settlers attacked 5 Palestinian civilians who were under protection by Israeli forces.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian elderly man, Abdul Karim al-Zaytoona, 71, and wounded his son, Mohammed, 22, when an Israeli F16 aircraft fired a missile on 11 February 2012 at an animal farm. The man and his son were in a shed near the targeted farm.
On 11 February 2012, Israeli warplanes fired at least one missile at the house of Musa Juma’a Eyada al-Teir in al-Shoka village, east of Rafah. The missile hit a tin shed in the yard of the house. The shed was destroyed and set alight but no casualties were reported. Additionally, a neighboring house was damaged.
Twenty five minutes later, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at an agricultural shed in al-Qarara village, north of Khan Yunis. The shed was totally destroyed but no casualties were reported.
Another 20 minutes later, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at an open area in al-Shoka village, east of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip. The targeted area is located around 1,000 meters from the border with Israel. No casualties were reported.
On 13 February 2012, Israeli forces stationed at the border in the east of al-Bureij refugee camp, in the middle of Gaza, opened extensive fire at the border area in the east of the refugee camp. Israeli forces continued firing for around 15 minutes. No casualties were reported.
On 12 February 2012, Israeli forces abducted 2 Palestinian fishermen who were sailing 2 nautical miles off al-Waha resort, in the north of the Gaza Strip.
On 13 February 2012, Israeli forces opened extensive fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing off al-Waha resort, in the north of the Gaza Strip. They surrounded 2 fishing boats and abducted 2 Palestinian fishermen who were on board of the two boats.
On 14 February 2012, Israeli forces opened extensive fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing off al-Waha resort, in the north of the Gaza Strip. They surrounded a fishing boat and abducted a Palestinian fisherman who was on board the boat.
On 14 February 2012, Israeli forces opened extensive fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing 1,500 meters off al-Soudaneya area. They fishermen were forced to sail 5,000 meters to the south and wait in sea to the morning to return and look for their fishing nets. Israeli forces opened fire at the fishermen every time they went to look for their fishing nets. They fishermen were unable to get their nets back.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
Israeli forces conducted 72 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. 3 civilians were wounded when Israeli forces moved into Aqabet Jaber refugee camp, south of Jericho.
Israeli forces abducted 26 Palestinians, including a child and two Palestinians who were recently released from Israeli jails, in the West Bank.
In just one example of this weeks 72 invasions, on Sunday February 12th at approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Jayous village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They raided a number of houses and confiscated mobile phones and computers. Before withdrawing, Israeli forces abducted three Palestinians, including 19-year old Jalal Jaber. While Israeli forces were arresting Jalal Jaber, five of the soldiers beat his brother, Kamal, 21, who is a member of the Palestinian Civil Defense Service. Kamal sustained bruises throughout the body as a soldier kicked him and beat him using his hands and the butt of his gun.
Ma’azouz Qaddoumi, member of Jayous Municipality, told the following to the PCHR fieldworker: ‘At approximately 03:00 on Sunday, 12 February 2012, the Israeli occupation soldiers raided the house of Mohammed Taher Jaber, the President of Jayous Municipality, after blowing up the external Iron Gate. They abducted Jalal, 19, who is Jaber’s son. They searched the house and confiscated 2 computers and 3 mobile phones. When Jaber tried to confront them, one of the soldiers hit him with a rifle butt on his chest. They held him with his wife outside in the yard of their house till 05:00. They also raided the house of Nader Hussam Khreish, 24. They broke a window in Khreisha’s house and climed to the house using a ladder. They abducted Khreisha who was sleeping with his brother. They searched the house and confiscated a computer. Then they raided the house of Umar Abdul Ra’ouf Khaled, 22, and abducted him immediately. They searched Khaled’s house and confiscated a computer. Khaled’s mother, Itaf Mohammed Said Khaled, 62, who suffers from diabetes and blood pressure, was in panic because of this raid. Her condition deteriorated as a result. At around 05:00, the soldiers prevented the locals from going to the mosque to performed the al-Fajr prayers. They declared curfew in the village. They withdrew at around 05:00’.
On Monday, 13 February 2012, Israeli forces bulldozed Wadi Helwa playground which measures 700 meters squared; Silwan Creative Forum which is built on Wadi Helwa playground; and a barracks measuring 60 meters squared and belonging to Amin Abdul Razzaq Seyam, all in Wadi Helwa in Silawan village, south of the Occupied City of Jerusalem. They also bulldozed a tin wall of 100 meters in length and a tin shed measuring 6 meters squared belonging to Zeid Zamzam Shweiki in Wadi Yasoul neighborhood in Silwan village.
Also on Monday, 13 February 2012, Israeli forces demolished and leveled to the ground the house of Ahmed Mohammed Nasser al-Baghdadi.
The Israeli Municipality’s District Committee for Planning and Building in Jerusalem approved a plan to construct a large building in the yard of the al-Buraq Wall (the Western Wall) opposite to the western wall of the al-Aqsa Mosque and near the Mughrabi Gate Bridge. The building will be called ‘Beit Halibah’. According to the plan, the building area is estimated at approximately 3,700 meters squared, consists of three floors and two underground floors. The building was prepared for use for the Jewish settlers and foreign tourists, as well as an information center and exhibition grounds.
During the reporting period, many peaceful demonstrations were organized in support of and in solidarity with Adnan Khader, the Palestinian prisoner who has been holding an open-ended hunger strike in an Israeli jail since 17 December 2011. Israeli forces used excessive force against participants in these demonstrations which were called for by the student movement in Birzeit University, in front of ‘Ofer’ prison, southwest of Ramallah. As a result, 8 Palestinian civilians, including 4 media workers and PLC member Dr. Mustafa al-Barghouthi, were wounded.
At approximately 13:00 on Saturday, 11 February 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and families of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails gathered to organize a peaceful demonstration in support of the Palestinian prisoner in Israeli jails Adnan Khader. The demonstration was called for by the student movement in Birzeit University. The demonstrators headed to ‘Ofer’ prison in the southwest of Ramallah, and then they walked to the gate of the prison. Israeli forces closed the gate. Before the demonstrators arrived at the gate, Israeli forces fired rubber-coated metal bullets, metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators who threw stones at Israeli forces. As a result, 4 media workers and another number of demonstrators sustained wounds. The PCHR fieldworker was unable to get information about some of the wounded as they were coming from different locations and no one of them was transferred to receive treatment in a hospital or medical center. Additionally, many participants suffered from tear gas inhalation.
At approximately 12:30 on Monday, 13 February 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and families of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails gathered to organize a peaceful demonstration in support of the Palestinian prisoner in Israeli jails Adnan Khader. The demonstration was called for by the student movement in Birzeit University. The demonstrators headed to ‘Ofer’ prison in the southwest of Ramallah, and then they walked to the gate of the prison. Israeli forces closed the gate. Before the demonstrators arrived at the gate, Israeli forces fired rubber-coated metal bullets, metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators. As a result, 2 demonstrators sustained wounds and were transferred to Palestine Medical Compound in Ramallah. Additionally, many participants suffered from tear gas inhalation.
At approximately 13:00 on Wednesday, 15 February 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and families of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails gathered to organize a peaceful demonstration in support of the Palestinian prisoner in Israeli jails Adnan Khader. The demonstration was called for by the student movement in Birzeit University. The demonstrators headed to ‘Ofer’ prison in the southwest of Ramallah, and then they walked to the gate of the prison. Israeli forces closed the gate. Before the demonstrators arrived at the gate, Israeli forces fired rubber-coated metal bullets, metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators who threw stones at Israeli forces. As a result, 2 demonstrators sustained wounds. Additionally, many participants suffered from tear gas inhalation.
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 13 February 2012 on Monday, Israeli forces demolished a number of tents, stockyards for sheep and stores for fodders in Kherbet al-Rahwa in the south of al-Dahirya village, southwest of Hebron. Besides, Israeli forces confiscated a number of agricultural tools and equipment under the pretext of not obtaining a ‘prior license’ from the Israeli authorities. The attack resulted in the demolition of six tents, eight stockyards and stores, an ancient water well and ten beehives.
On the same day, Israeli forces bulldozed five barracks and four tents in al-Ja’wana area, east of Kherbet Tana, east of Nablus. They belong to Shaher Fa’eq Taher Hanani, ‘Atef Ahmed Hanani and As’ad Mohammed As’ad.
On Wednesday, 15 February 2012, Israeli forces, using three bulldozers, uprooted 250 olive trees and 30 fig trees in Beer al-Hour area, northeast of Ramallah. The area is adjacent to ‘Shilo’ settlement from the northern side. The uprooted trees have been planted for over 15 years in lands belonging to Rabee’ Mohammed As’ad Dar Jbara with an area of approximately 300 dunums. This attack is a part of a series of attacks paving the way to annex the lands of the village to ‘Shilo’ settlement.
In the same context, on 09 February 2012, the Israeli settlers planted forest trees in a land with an area of approximately 15 dunums in al-Dawali area. The land belongs to Hassan Abdullah Ishtiwi, north of Kafr Qaddoum.
In Salfit, a group of settlers seized dozens of dunums of land belonging to Yasouf village. The targeted land is adjacent to the eastern and southern sides of the settlement. The settlers established iron bars using cement to fence the area.
In Nablus, on 09 February 2012, the Israeli settlers moved from ‘Bracha’ settlement, south of Nablus, to houses of Palestinians in al-Batin area, northeast of Burin.
In Hebron, on 10 February 2012, dozens of settlers from ‘Carmiel’ settlement, south of Hebron, moved into 40 dunums of lands belonging to al-Hatheleen family. The settlers planted a number of seedlings in front of the Israeli soldiers. On 11 February 2012, another group of settlers attacked a number of farmers and solidarity activists while, on voluntary basis, they were planting trees in Susia area, east of ‘Susia’ settlement, south of Hebron.
Israeli Annexation Wall:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and internationals and Israeli human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the Wall and settlement activities in the West Bank, and in protest of the establishment of a buffer zone in the Gaza Strip. As a result, 6 Palestinians including 3 media workers and Abdullah Mahmoud Mohammed Abu Rahma, 41, coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements, were wounded. Additionally, dozens of Palestinian civilians and human rights defenders participating in peaceful demonstrations suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Following the Friday Prayer on 10 February 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and internationals and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil’in village, west of Ramallah, protesting the construction of the annexation wall and in support of Khader Adnan Musa, the Palestinian prisoner who has been holding an open-ended hunger strike in an Israeli jail since 17 December 2011. They raised the Palestinian flag and the photos of PLC member in Israeli jails Marwan al-Barghouthi, Palestinian Prisoner Khader Adnan and Ashraf Abu Rahma, a Palestinian prisoner who was active in peaceful demonstrations in Bil’in. They called for ending the political division and for releasing all the Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. They then moved towards areas of Palestinian land, which the Israeli High Court ordered to be returned to their Palestinian owners. Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, Abdullah Mahmoud Mohammed Abu Rahma, 41, coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements, sustained wounds by a bullet in the left leg. Another number of Palestinians sustained bruises as they were beaten by Israeli forces. Issa Halim, 24, sustained fractures in the right arm and was transferred to Palestine Medical Compound.
Also following the Friday prayer on 10 February 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in the center of al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to start the weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities and in support of the Palestinian prisoner Adnan Khader. They raised the Palestinian flag and the photos of Palestinian Prisoner Khader and other prisoners. The protesters walked towards the gate erected by Israeli forces near the entrance of the village and leading to Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby ‘Halmish’ settlement are trying to seize. Israeli soldiers, who had been extensively deployed in the area and near all the entrances of the village since the morning, began to confront the protesters who wanted to walk towards the affected lands. Israeli soldiers fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protesters. As a result, 2 Palestinians (PCHR maintains their names) sustained wounds. In addition, the New York Times’ photographer was hit by a tear gas canister in the right shoulder and the camera man of TRT Turkish channel was hit by a tear gas canister in the back. Additionally, dozens of Palestinian civilians and human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Also following the Friday Prayer, on the same day, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ni’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest against the construction of the annexation wall and in support of the Palestinian prisoner Khader. They chanted slogans calling for Palestinian reconciliation, adherence to the Palestinian inalienable rights and resistance of the occupation. 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, at approximately 12:30 on the same day, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Kafr Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest against closing the eastern entrance of the village. The demonstrators headed towards that entrance. Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, Baker Mohammed Abdul Haq, 21, from Nablus, who is the reporter of the local Nablus TV, was hit by a tear gas canister directly to the abdomen. Additionally, a number of demonstrators, including a French journalist, suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Baker Mohammed Abdul Haq told the PCHR fieldworker the following: ‘As I was on duty covering the peaceful demonstration in Kafr Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in the afternoon of Friday, 10 February 2012, Israeli forces positioning at the eastern entrance of Qaddoum village fired many tear gas canisters at us. As a result, I was hit by a tear gas canister directly to the abdomen. I was wearing a flack-jacket; nevertheless, I lost consciousness. I was transferred to a nearby area and received the necessary treatment in the field. I was provided with oxygen and I restored consciousness and felt better.’
Also at approximately 12:30 on Friday, 10 February 2012, dozens of Palestinians organized a peaceful demonstration in Kafr Addik, west of Salfit. They walked in the streets of the village in protest to Israeli forces measures aimed at defacing Deir Sama’an archeological area, east of Kafr Addik village, in preparation for the confiscation of the area. They then walked to Deir Sama’an area and as they arrived at the area, Israeli forces extensively fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs. As a result, a number of the protesters suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Recommendations to the international community:
Due to the number and severity of Israeli human rights violations this week, the PCHR made several recommendations to the international community. Among these were a recommendation that the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal, be immediately implemented.
In addition, the PCHR recommends that international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs, participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and urge their governments to bring the perpetrators to justice.
For the full text of the report, click on the link below:
