Israeli forces have continued with systematic attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) for the reporting period of 27 November – 03 December 2014.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank & Gaza:
Shootings:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces wounded 20 civilians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, including 8 children, a girl and an Italian solidarity activist. Seventeen of these civilians, including 7 children, the girl and the Italian activist, were wounded in the West Bank, while 3 civilians, including a child, were wounded in the Gaza Strip; 2 of whom were wounded in the border area while the third one was wounded in the sea.
In the West Bank, in excessive use of force, on 01 December 2014, Israeli forces opened fire at a 22-year-old female from Beit Fajjar village, southwest of Bethlehem. As a result, she sustained 4 bullet wounds. Israeli forces claimed the girl attempted to stab a settler, but when the settler suspected her, she ran towards the way leading to her village. In the meantime, Israeli soldiers opened fire at her.
On 03 December 2014, a Palestinian civilian was wounded when Israeli forces moved into Askar refugee camp, northeast 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, 7 civilians, including 5 children and an Italian activist, were wounded.
In the same context, 8 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were wounded during other peaceful protests against Israeli practices in occupied Jerusalem.
In the Gaza Strip, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded; 2 of whom were wounded in the border area while the third one was wounded in the sea.
In the context of targeting fishermen in the Gaza Strip sea, Israeli navy forces opened fire 8 times at fishermen sailing within the fishing limits.
In the West Bank, on 23 November 2014, a landmine of the Israeli forces’ military remnants exploded and killed a 43-year-old shepherd in the northern Jordan valley, east of Tubas.
On 20 November 2014, 4Palestinian civilians were wounded when Israeli forces moved into Askar refugee camp, northeast of Nablus.
On the same day, a Palestinian child sustained a bullet wound to the right leg when Israeli forces moved into Deir al-Hatab village, northeast of Nablus. In addition, a 16-year-old child sustained a fracture in the leg when he fell to the ground while Israeli soldiers were chasing the protestors.
On 22 November 2014, Israeli forces fired a sound bomb at a 45-year-old civilian in Sho’fat neighbourhood, north of East Jerusalem. As a result, he sustained minor wounds to the leg.
On 25 November 2014, Israeli forces fired a gas canister at a 55-year-old civilian and his 18-year-old son while heading to a condolence house, east of the Old City in East Jerusalem. As a result, they sustained shrapnel wounds.
In the same context, Israeli forces used excessive force against peaceful protests organised by Palestinian civilians, international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, 4 civilians, including 2 children and a woman, were wounded in al-Nabi Saleh weekly protest, northwest of Ramallah. In addition, a 17-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the left leg in Kufor Qaddoum weekly protest, northeast of Qalqilya, while 7 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children,were wounded in other protests.
In the Gaza Strip, in excessive use of force, on 23 November 2014, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian, east of Jabalia, while hunting birds.
On 21 November 2014, a Palestinian civilian was wounded when Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of al-Shuhada cemetery, east of Jabalia, opened fire at a group of young men, who threw stones at the mentioned fence.
On 23 November 2014, a 17-year-old child from Rafah sustained a bullet wound to the chest (the bullet entered and exited) while being present with his friends near the Airport Street, southeast of Rafah, 1,500 meters away from the border fence.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 65 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 90 Palestinians, including 21 children and 2 women. Thirty-nine of these civilians, including 10 children and a woman were arrested in Jerusalem.
In the Gaza Strip, on 01 December 2014, Israeli forces stationed along the border, east of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, arrested 17-year-old Palestinian and 21-year-old one while attempting to sneak into Israel through the border.
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.
Attacks by Israeli forces and settlement activities:
In the context of bulldozing activities, on 01 December 2014, the Israeli municipality bulldozers demolished a house in al-Isawiya village, north of Jerusalem under the pretext of having no construction permit.
On 03 December 2014, Israeli forces bulldozed a deserted building and 10 nearby stores at the entrance of Shufat refugee camp, north of Jerusalem, to expand the annexation wall.
In the context of Israeli collective punishment policy, on 30 November 2014, Israeli forces summoned the wife of Ghassan Abu Jamal to al-Maskubya investigation center to formally inform her of the withdrawal of her family reunion document, which enables her to live in Jerusalem.
As part of settlers’ attacks, on 30 November 2014, a group of Israeli settlers attacked a 26-year-old Palestinian civilian near the light train station. As a result, he sustained multiple wounds and was taken to al-Maqased Hospital.
On the same day, the security guards of the light train station attacked a 23-year-old Palestinian civilian in the French Hill area, north of the Old City in Jerusalem. As a result, he sustained bruises to his neck and shoulders.
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, 7 demonstrators, including 5 children and an Italian solidarity activist, were wounded.
In the same context, 8 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were wounded during 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 28 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. 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 number of protestors 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 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, and chased them into the village. As a result, 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 construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. 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, 14-year-old male sustained a bullet wound to the right knee. In addition, 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, 6 demonstrators, including 4 children and an Italian solidarity activist, were wounded. The Italian activist Patrick Kurici sustained a bullet wound to the chest and was taken to Ramallah governmental hospital. His wound was serious but his health condition is stable. Moreover, 4-year-old Abdul Rahman Mohammed Taha sustained a bullet wound to the right leg, a 13-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the chest, a 16-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the chest as well, a 17-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the side and a 23-year-old male sustained a bullet wound to the right arm.
Other Demonstrations
On Friday afternoon, 28 November 2014, dozens of Palestinian young men gathered from different areas in Ramallah and al-Bireh 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, many demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.
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.
Also following the Friday prayer, dozens of Palestinians gathered in front of Qalandya refugee camp, north of Jerusalem, in protest at the Israeli settlers’ and forces’ attacks in al-Aqsa mosque. Israeli heavily armed forces were deployed. 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, 2 civilians were wounded and then taken to Palestine Medical Compound in Ramallah. Besides, a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up. A 23-year-old young man sustained a bullet wound to the left leg and a 19-year-old young man sustained a bullet wound to the lower jaw.
Following the Friday prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered at the eastern entrance of Aboud village, northwest of Ramallah, in protest at the Israeli policies. They threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who fired rubber-coated metal bullets, live ammunition, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, 4 civilians were wounded. Moreover, a number of protestors suffered tear gas inhalation, and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up. A 21-year-old young man sustained a bullet wound to the left ankle, a 19-year-old young man sustained a bullet wound to the right leg, a 21-year-old young man sustained a bullet wound to the right leg and a 26-year-old young man sustained a bullet wound to the left leg.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered at the southern entrance of al-Jalazonerefugee camp, north of Ramallah, about 300 meters away from ‘Beit ‘Eil’ settlement, in protest at Israeli forces’ and settlers’ attacks in al-Aqsa mosque. The demonstrators threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who fired rubber-coated metal bullets, live ammunition, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, 2 children were wounded and then taken to Palestine Medical Compound in the city. A 15-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the right thigh and a 15-year-old child also sustained a bullet wound to the left thigh.
At approximately 11:00 on Saturday, 29 November 2014, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered around the military checkpoint at the entrance of al-Shuhada Street, in the center of Hebron, in protest at closing the aforementioned checkpoint for the 9th consecutive day. Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators, due to which many demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation. A group of young men tried to reach the abovementioned street through bypass roads, where Israeli soldiers stopped them. Settlers insulted and pushed the young men in front of Israeli soldiers, who did nothing to prevent them. It should be noted that Israeli forces closed the checkpoint and denied Palestinian civilians and school students from Tal al-Rumaida movement via the checkpoint under the pretext that a Palestinian set fire to the checkpoint. This checkpoint was established on the main street used daily by hundreds of civilians, due to which they take other long roads to reach their homes and workplaces.
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 8 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 07:30 on Thursday, 27 November 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ezzna village and another on Wad Abu Risha road, west of Ezzna, west of Hebron. At approximately 20:00, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Abu al-‘Asja village, southwest of Doura, south west of the city. The checkpoint was removed and no arrests were reported.
For the seventh consecutive day, Israeli forces have closed the military checkpoint which is established at the entrance of al-Shuhadaa Street, in the center of Hebron. The closure obstructed the movement of the residents of Tal al-Rumeida village, especially the movement of the students to their schools. The aforementioned street is the main pathway for the resident of the village. Its closure causes the residents to take longer roads to reach their houses and workplaces.
At approximately 07:00 on Friday, 29 November 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit ‘Awwa village, southwest of Doura, southwest of the city. The checkpoint was removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 14:00 on Saturday, 29 November 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of Halhoul village, north of the city. The checkpoint was removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 07:30 on Sunday, 30 November 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Kahel village, west of Hebron. The checkpoint was removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 08:00 on Tuesday, 02 December 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ezzna village and another at the entrance of Kharasa village. Both checkpoints were removed later and no arrests were reported.
· Ramallah: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 10:00 on Thursday, 27 November 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint under Kharabtha al-Misbah village, southwest of Ramallah. The checkpoint was removed later and no arrests were reported. At approximately 20:30, Israeli forces reestablished their existence at ‘Attarah military checkpoint at the northern entrance of Beirzeit, north of the city. Later, they withdrew and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:30 on Friday, 28 November 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of the city, and another one under Yabroud Bridge, northeast of the city. Both checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported. At approximately 19:00, Israeli forces closed al-Wad intersection, which is the northern entrance of Bitello village, northwest of the city, with sand barriers.
At approximately 10:30 on Saturday, 29 November 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Nil’in village, west of Ramallah. At approximately 13:00, another checkpoint was established at the entrance of Deir ‘Amar village, northwest of the city. Both checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 06:30 on Monday, 01 December 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Betillo village and another at the entrance of Deir ‘Amar village. At approximately 16:30, another checkpoint was established under Ain Yabrud bridge, north of the city. At approximately 20:00, a similar checkpoint was established on al-Mu’rrajat road between Jericho and Ramallah. At approximately 21:30, Israeli forces reestablished their existence at ‘Attarah military checkpoint at the northern entrance of Beirzeit. All checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
· Jericho: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 20:30 on Thursday, 27 November 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Nuweima village. At approximately 21:30, another checkpoint was established at the southern entrance of the city. At approximately 22:00, Israeli forces established a checkpoint near al-Nabi Musa intersection on the main road between Jericho and Jerusalem. All checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 09:30 on Friday, 28 November 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint near the entrance of Ain al-Diuk village, north of the city. At approximately 20:00, another checkpoint was established at the entrance of al-‘Oja village, northeast of the city. Both checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 19:00 on Saturday, 29 November 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of Jericho. At approximately 20:00, another checkpoint was established at the entrance of al-Nuwima village. At approximately 21:00, Israeli forces established another checkpoint near the entrance of Fassail village. All checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 09:30 on Monday, 01 December 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fassail village. At approximately 20:00, another checkpoint was established at the entrance of al-Nuweima village. Both 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 14:30 on Thursday, 27 November 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Azzoun village, east of the city. They reestablished the checkpoint at approximately 14:00. At approximately 14:30, a similar checkpoint was established between Azzoun and Kufur Thulth villages and another at the entrance of Izbat al-Tabib. At approximately 20:20, they established another checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Assala village, east of the city. All checkpoints were removed an no arrests were reported.
At approximately 16:15 on Saturday, 29 November 2014, Israeli forces stationed at al-Muntar military tower on the main road, north of Azzoun, detained Murad Saqer Ibrahim Salim (19) and Muhammed Mashhour Abudl ‘Azia Salim (18) then released them at approximately 17:15 after the intervention of the Palestinian Liaison.
· Tulkarm: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 15:45 on Monday, 01 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. The tightening renewed at approximately 12:45 on Tuesday, 02 December 2014 and at approximately 17:45 on the same day.
At approximately 09:00 on Tuesday, 02 December 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the main road between Tulkarm and Nablus near Beit Leed intersection. Later, the checkpoint was removed 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 Thursday, 27 November 2014, Israeli forces stationed at “Mafodotan” checkpoint which is established on the bypass road between Jenin and the northern villages of Tulkarm imposed more restrictions on civilians’ movement. Later, the tightening ended and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:00 on Friday, 28 November 2014, Israeli forces stationed at “Mafodotan” checkpoint which is established on the bypass road between Jenin and the northern villages of Tulkarm imposed more restrictions on civilians’ movement. When Muhammad Sahrif Khalil “Zeid al-Kilani” (35) from Yaboud village passed through the checkpoint heading t Tulkarm, Israeli soldiers detained him and investigated with him. Later, they allowed him through. Later, the tightening ended and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 20:30 on Saturday, 29 November 2014, Israeli forces estabslihed a checkpoint on the main road between Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nablus, near ‘Arraba intersection, west of Jenin. Later, the checkpoint was removed and no arrests were reported.
Arrests and Maltreatment of Palestinian Civilians at Military Checkpoints:
· At approximately 10:00 on Friday, 28 November 2014, Israeli forces stationed at the electronic gates at the entrances of the Ibrahimi Mosque in the center of the Old City in Hebron arrested Hala Muslim Abu Sal (17) from al-‘Arroub, north of the city. They claimed that she was carrying a knife. She was taken to “Kiryat Arab” police station for investigation.
· At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces stationed at the entrance of Beit Amr village detained Thaer Khalil Ahmed Abu Hashem (23) for two hours then arrested him and took him to an unknown destination.
· At approximately 16:00 on Monday, 01 December 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Sa’ir village, east of Hebron. They arrested Khalil Khader Shalalda and took him to an unknown destination.
· On Monday evening, 01 December 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the main road between Tulkarm and Nablus and Jenin near ‘Arrab checkpoint. They arrested Nimer Bassam Abdullah Damaj (24) from Jenin refugee camp and took him to an unknown destination.
Efforts to create Jewish demographic majority in occupied East Jerusalem:
Demolition of houses and civilian property and house demolition notices
· At approximately 11:00 on Monday, 01 December 2014, bulldozers belonging to the Israeli municipality demolished a house belonging to Ishaq Mostafa Hamdan in al-‘Eisawiya village, north of occupied East Jerusalem, under the pretext of building without obtaining a license. The 200-square-meter house was built by Hamdan 2 years ago after it was demolished earlier in the same place. However, the Israeli municipality kept chasing him under the pretext of building on green areas, where building is not allowed, although the plot of land belongs to the abovementioned person. It should be noted that Hamdan was arrested by Israeli forces 2 months ago under the pretext of the accumulated building encroachments.
· At approximately 08:00 on Wednesday, 03 December 2014, Israeli bulldozers demolished an abandoned building and 10 commercial stores at the entrance of Shu’fat refugee camp, north of east Jerusalem, to expand the annexation wall in the area.
Local source in the area reported that over 300 soldiers moved into the refugee camp and deployed in the area. Snipers topped a number of high buildings. In the meantime, Israeli forces surrounded an abandoned building and 10 adjacent stores. The bulldozers then started demolishing the building and stores. It should be noted that the stores were established in 2004 and the Israeli high court decided in 2013 to demolish the building, which was built in 1963, and its facilities built on 800 square meters. Israeli forces claimed they demolished them for ‘security reasons’.
A member of al-Dajani family said that Israeli forces have been working on expanding the annexation wall in the area. Therefore, they decided to confiscate the rest of the family’s lands. It should be noted the family owned 11 dunums that had been confiscated at different intervals.
Measures of collective punishment against Palestinian civilians
· At approximately 10:00 on Sunday, 30 November 2014, Israeli forces summoned the wife of Ghassan Abu Jamal at al-Masqoubiya interrogation facility in occupied Jerusalem to officially inform her of the Israeli Interior Minister’s decision to withdraw their family reunion document, which allows her to live in Jerusalem.
Mohammed Mahmoud, lawyer at al-Dhameer institution, said to a PCHR fieldworker that the police had informed him on Thursday, 27 November 2014, that Mrs. Nadya Abu Jamal should refer to the abovementioned facility on Sunday morning to be informed of withdrawing her family reunion. It should be noted that the woman used to live in al-Sawahra village, east of East Jerusalem, before getting married to Ghassan Abu Jamal and used to renew the family reunion document annually to live with her family in Jabal al-Mukaber neighborhood.
It is worth noting that Ghassan Abu Jamal (27) and his relative carried out the attack on a synagogue in Deir Yassin on Tuesday, 18 November 2014.
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.
