Israeli forces have continued with systematic attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) for the reporting period of 14 – 20 May 2015.Israeli attacks in the West Bank & Gaza:
Shootings
Israeli forces escalated the policy of excessive use of force against Palestinian civilians, including protestors in peaceful protests in the oPt. During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian in occupied East Jerusalem and wounded 40 others, including 11 children and 2 photojournalists; 37 of whom were wounded in the West Bank and the 3 others were wounded in the Gaza Strip. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces continued targeting fishermen and opening fire at border areas along the Gaza Strip.
In the West Bank, on Wednesday morning, 20 May 2015, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian. Israeli soldiers opened fire at the Palestinian when his car deviated in al-Tour neighbourhood intersection, east of the old city in East Jerusalem, and hit 2 policewomen. Israeli forces claimed that the Palestinian attempted to run over the 2 policewomen. PCHR stresses that Israeli forces could have used less lethal force against him.
Additionally, 19 Palestinian civilians, including 8 children, were wounded; 10 of whom sustained live bullet wounds, 7 sustained rubber-coated metal bullet wounds and the 2 others sustained shrapnel wounds. They were wounded when Israeli forces moved into the eastern part of Nablus on Thursday, 14 May 2015, to allow dozens of settlers to enter the area.
Israeli forces continued the use ofexcessive and systematic force against peaceful protests organized by Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international solidarity activists against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank and to mark the 67th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba (catastrophe). As a result, 18 protestors, including 3 children and 2 photojournalists, were wounded.
In the Gaza Strip, on 15 May 2015, 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded, the wound of one of them was serious due to which he was transferred to an Israeli hospital, when Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of al-Shuja’iya neighbourhood, east of Gaza City, opened fire at a group of Palestinian youngsters commemorating the Palestinian Nakba (the uprooting of the Palestinian people from their land in 1948).
Moreover, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of al-Shuhada cemetery, east of Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip, opened sporadic fire twice at the said area, but no casualties were reported.
In the context of targeting fishermen, Israeli forces opened fire 3 times at fishermen sailing in the allowed area, but neither casualties nor material damage were reported.
Incursions
During the reporting period,Israeli forces conducted at least 70 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 9 ones in East Jerusalem.During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 62Palestinians, including 19 children. 18 of these Palestinians, including 8 children, were arrested in East Jerusalem.
In the Gaza Strip, on 20 May 2015, Israeli forces moved into the east of al-Maghazi refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip. They levelled lands along the border fence and withdrew later.
Restrictions on movement
Israel continued to impose a tight closure of the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
The illegal closure of the Gaza Strip, which has been steadily tightened since June 2007 has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli authorities impose measures to undermine the freedom of trade, including the basic needs for the Gaza Strip population and the agricultural and industrial products to be exported. For 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 (KeremShaloum) 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. The Israeli closure raised the rate of poverty to 38.8%, 21.1% of which suffer from extreme poverty. Moreover, the rate of unemployment increased up to 44%, which reflects the unprecedented economic deterioration in the Gaza Strip.
Efforts to create a Jewish majority:
House demolition
On 19 May 2015, Israeli bulldozers demolished 3 commercial stores in Ein al-Louza neighbourhood, in Silwan village, under the pretext of non-licensing.
On 20 May 2015, Israeli bulldozers demolished a residential building in Qaddoum valley area in Ras al-Amoud neighbourhood, under the pretext of non-licensing too.
Settlement activities:
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 14 May 2015, about 15 settlers gathered at the entrance of ‘Ytshar’ settlement, south of Nablus, and threw stones at Palestinian vehicles. As a result, 4 vehicles sustained damage. It should be noted that the settlers used 2 vehicles with Palestinian registration plates from which they were throwing stones.
On 17 May 2015, a number of settlers from ‘Asfar’ settlement cut off 800 olive seedlings from Palestinian lands to the east of al-Shyoukh village, northeast of Hebron.
On 18 May 2015, 5 settlers from ‘Beit Ein’ settlement burnt 16 dunums of olive trees aging over 60 years in HiletQeddis area, east of the village.
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. Moreover, during the reporting period protests were organized to mark the 67th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba. As a result, 18 civilians, including 3 children, a Palestinian photojournalist, an Italian photojournalist and a political activist, were wounded.
(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 15May 2015, 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 and in commemoration of the 67th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba. The protestors marched by the annexation wall and tried to cross the fence. Israeli soldiers stationed behind the wall, in the western area, and a large number of soldiers deployed along it, fired live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated metal 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 they were beat up.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians organised a peaceful demonstration in the centre of Ni’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activitiesand in commemoration of the 67th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba. 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 number of protestors suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beat up by Israeli soldiers.
Also following the Friday prayer, 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 activitiesand in commemoration of the 67th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba. They made their way towards Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby ‘Halmish’ settlement are trying to seize. Israeli soldiers closed all the village’s entrances to prevent the Palestinian and international solidarity activists and journalists from participating in the protest. As a result, a number of protestors suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they beat up by Israeli soldiers.
Also following the Friday prayer, there was the weekly protest against the closure of the eastern entrance of KuforQaddoum village, which was closed by Israeli forces since the Intifada. Once the protestors approached the closed entrance, Israeli forces fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs. They also sprayed skunk water other the protestors. As a result, 4 civilians sustained various wounds.
Other demonstrations
Following the Friday prayer, on 15 May 2015, dozens of youngsters gathered from different areas of Ramallah and al-Birehin the vicinity ofOfer detention facility, southwest of Ramallah, to commemorate the 67th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba. They headed towards the facility’s gate that was closed by Israeli soldiers. They set fire to tires and threw stones and empty bottles at the soldiers. Israeli forces deployed around the detention facility and started firing live and rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, 4 Palestinian civilians sustained wounds and were taken to Palestine Medical Compound in Ramallah. A 24-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the right thigh, a 19-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the right knee, a 24-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the left knee and a 22-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the belly.
Also following the Friday prayer, dozens of children and young men gathered at the southern entrance of al-Jalazonerefugee camp, north of Ramallah. They were about 300 meters away from the fence of ‘Beit Eil’ settlement. Israeli forces stationed in the area fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, 5 civilians, including a child, were wounded and then taken to Palestine Medical Compound. A 14-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the right arm, a 21-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the forehead, an 18-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the left leg, an 18-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the left thigh as the bullet exited the left thigh and settled in the right one, and a 24-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the left leg.
Also ffollowing the Friday prayer, dozens of Palestinians gathered at the western entrance of the Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah, on the road between Silwad and Yabroud villages, near Bypass road (60), in protest at the Israeli policies. The protestors set fire to tires and threw stones and Molotov Cocktails at the aforementioned road and Israeli soldiers. In response, Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protestors. As a result, a number of protestors suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beat up by Israeli soldiers.
Other demonstrations marking the Palestinian Nakba
On Thursday, 14 May 2015, dozens of Palestinian youngsters gathered in al-Taweel Mount area adjacent to ‘Psagot’ settlement in al-Bireh city, to commemorate k the 67th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba. They threw stones at the settlement fence. Israeli forces fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters and chased them. As a result, 2 children were wounded and then taken to Palestine Medical Compound. A 15-year-oldchild sustained a bullet wound to the right leg and a 14-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the left thigh.
At approximately 11:00 on Saturday, 16 May 2015, a number of Palestinian civilians gathered at al-Shuhada intersection in the center of Nablus upon an invitation from the national and Islamic factions in the city to commemorate the 67th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba. They raised the Palestinian flag and posters against the Israeli policies. They then headed to Hawarah checkpoint, south of the city, but they were surprised by a big number of Israeli soldiers positioning behind the military vehicles and cement cubes. Once the protest approached, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, a Palestinian photojournalist, an Italian photojournalist and a political activist were wounded. The wounded were identified as:
1. NidalShafiqIshtaya (46), a photojournalist at the Chinese News Agency (Xinhua). He sustained a bullet wound to the left eye, as the bullet penetrated the press helmet and hit him in the eye.
2. SmanthaComizzoli (46), an Italian photojournalist, sustained a bullet wound to the left arm and chest.
3. Khaled Hassan Hamad Soboh (57), a member of the Political Bureau of the Palestinian People Party, sustained 3 bullet wounds to the right shoulder, left knee and right foot.
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.
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.
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. However, they lately allowed the exportation of some vegetables such as cucumber and tomatoes, furniture and fish.
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 also continued applying the policy of making certain civilian traveling via the crossing interviewed by the Israeli intelligence service to be questioned, blackmailed or arrested.
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 16:30 on Thursday, 14 May 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ethna village, west of Hebron. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 07:00 on Saturday, 06 May 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Sa’ir village, east of Hebron, and another checkpoint at the entrance of al-Shyoukh village, northeast of the city. No arrests were reported.
At approximately 07:30 on Sunday, 17 May 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint, at the northern entrance of Hebron. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 06:30 on Monday, 18 May 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Ramadin village, south of Hebron. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 07:00 on Tuesday, 19 May 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at al-NabiYounis entrance, north of Halhoul, north of Hebron. Around the same time another checkpoint was established at the entrance of al-Jalajel village, east of Hebron. No arrests were reported.
· Ramallah: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 11:00 on Thursday, 14 May 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘EinSinia village, north of the city, and another one at the entrance of Deir Abu Mesh’al village, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 17:30, they re-established at ‘Atara checkpoint at the northern entrance of BirZeit, northwest of the city.
At approximately 09:30 on Friday, 15 May 2015, Israeli forces closed the eastern entrance of al-Nabi Saleh village, northeast of Ramallah. At approximately 20:00two checkpoints were established at the entrance of Senjelvillafe, north of the city, and under the bridge of Yabrud village, northeast of the city.
At approximately 18:30 on Saturday, 16 May 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit ‘Oar al-Foqa, southwest of Ramallah.
At approximately 08:30 on Sunday, 17 May 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Abu Mesh’al village, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 11:30, another checkpoint was established at the entrance of N’lin village, west of the city. At approximately 17:30, a similar checkpoint was established under the bridge of Yabrud village, northeast of the city.
· Qalqilya: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 23:30 on Thursday, 14 May 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya. At approximately 11:00 on Saturday, 16 May 2015, they re-established the same checkpoint.
At approximately 22:30 on Sunday, 17 May 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at between the villages of Hejah and al-Fondq, southwest of Qalqilya.
At approximately 19:00 on Monday, 18 May 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Azoun Village, southwest of Qalqilya.
· Jenin: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 09:30 on Sunday, 17 May 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpointon the main road between Jenin, Tulkarm and Nablus near Jannat Park. At approximately 10:30, another checkpoint was established at the intersection of Qabatia village, south of the city.
At approximately 21:00 on Monday, 18 May 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpointon the main road between Jenin, Tulkarm and Nablus near the entrance of Silet al-Thaer village, south of Jenin.
At approximately 15:00 on Tuesday, 19 May 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the road between al-Zababdah and the American Arab University Campus, southeast of Jenin. A t approximately 20:30, another checkpoint was established on the road between the villages of al-Taram and Kafiret, southwest of the city.
· Jericho: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.At approximately 09:30 on Friday, 15 May 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint near the entrance of Fasayel village, north of the city. At approximately 20:00, another checkpoint was establishedat the entrance of al-Zbeidatvillage, north of the city. Later, both checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 17:30 on Sunday, 17 May 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho.
· Tulkarm: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 11:30 on Thursday, 14 May 2015 Israeli forces stationed at ‘Annab military checkpoint which is established on the road between Tulkarm and Nablus, east of the city, tightened their restrictions against civilians and obstructed their movement. the tightening recurred at approximately 12:30 and 17:30 on Friday, 15 May 2015, at approximately 21:00 on Sunday, 17 May 2015 and atapproximately 13:30 on Monday, 18 May 2015.
At approximately 08:30on Sunday, 17 May 2015, Israeli stationed at the Gate No. (708) of the annexation wall near Far’on village, south of Tulkarm. Local sources said to a PCHR fieldworker that the Israeli forces closed the gate in front of persons who hold permits for unknown reasons. As a result, farmers gathered in front of the gate waiting for it to open so they can reach their agricultural lands behind the wall. Israeli forces then fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the farmers to disperse them. The gate was later re-opened as usual was later removed, and no arrests were reported.
Note: all the aforementioned checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.
Arrests and Maltreatment at Military Checkpoints
· At approximately 09:30 on Thursday, 14 May 2015, Israeli forces stationed in the military tower at the western entrance of Selwad village, northeast of Ramallah adjacent to the bridge of Yabrud village, arrested 6 Palestinian children aged 11 years old. They detained them for three hours and then released them. The children were identified as Mohammed Ahmed ‘Ammar; Salman Salim ‘Abdel Rahman; Mohammed Ayman Hamed; Hamzah Saleh Hamed; NemerRa’edHamed and AnasYehia.
Efforts to create a Jewish majority:
Israeli forces killed Palestinian civilian
On Wednesday, 20 May 2015, in excessive use of force, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian when his car deviated at al-Tour neighbourhood intersection, east of the old city in East Jerusalem and hit 2 policewomen. The Palestinian sustained several bullet wounds from a close range, due to which he was taken to ‘Cha’riTsedeq’ Hospital in West Jerusalem to receive the necessary medical treatment. However, he passed away few hours after he was admitted to the hospital. Israeli forces claimed that Abu Dhaim deliberately ran over the 2policewomen, but eyewitnesses who were present in the place confirmed that Abu Dhaim was trying to drive through the intersection. Israeli forces could have used less lethal force to arrest and question him.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR and statements of eyewitnesses, at approximately 09:30, on the abovementioned day, Omran Omer Abu Dhaim (41), from al-Mukaber Mount area, east of East Jerusalem, was driving his Land Cruiser vehicle in al-Tour neighbourhood. When he tried to drive through the intersection, his vehicle hit 2 policewomen from the (border guards), who were present there. Israeli forces immediately opened fire at him from a close range, due to which he sustained serious wounds. In spite of his serious health condition, Israeli forces kept him for a while and then transported him to ‘Cha’ariTsedeq’ Hospital in West Jerusalem to receive the necessary medical treatment. Israeli forces also prevented anybody from approaching him. A medical source at the hospital announced later that Abu Dhaim died of his serious wounds. It should be noted that the 2 policewomen who were hit by the vehicle sustained minor wounds according to the Israeli authorities.
House demolitions
· At approximately 04:00 on Tuesday, 19 May 2015, Israeli bulldozers demolished3 commercial stores in Ein al-Louza neighbourhood, south of the old city in East Jerusalem, under the pretext of non-licensing.Owner of the stores, AnisKaramah, said to a PCHRfieldworker that Israeli forces accompanied by bulldozers moved into Silwan village. They surrounded and closed Abu Tayeh area in the above-mentioned neighbourhood. Then, bulldozers started demolishing the stores. Karamah said that he finished building the 200-square-meter stores 2 months ago and has not used them yet. He added that Israeli bulldozers demolished the stores over equipment and bricks inside them.
· On the same day, Israeli municipality officers of Jerusalem and Israeli forces raided a number of houses belonging to the family of Abu Khaled in Helwa valley neighbourhood, in Silwan village, south of the old city in East Jerusalem. They wanted to demolish 2 under-construction houses under the pretext they were not licensed. Emad Abu Khaled said to a PCHR fieldworker that Israeli forces surrounded his family house at approximately 06:30. The municipality officers could enter the bulldozer into the house yard to demolish the house because they did not want to damage a retaining wall built by the municipality. They threatened to return the following week and removed a metal fence around the house garden.
· At approximately 07:00 on Wednesday, 20 May 2015, Israeli bulldozers demolished a residential building in Qaddoum valley area in Ras al-Amoud neighbourhood, east of the old city in East Jerusalem, belonging to Ahmed Fahmi Abu Snaina under the pretext of non-licensing. Abu Snaina said to a PCHR fieldworker that Israeli bulldozers demolished the building without prior notice or warning. He added that the 650-square-meter building includes 8 apartments. Some of the apartments are inhabited and the others were under-construction. The 3 storey-building also includes commercial stores. He said that he started building it about a year ago and has been trying to obtain a construction license, but could not for the complicated procedures imposed by Israeli municipality.
Incursions and house raids
· At approximately 04:30 on Thursday, 14 May 2015, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to Ibrahim Ramiya in al-Ram village, north of East Jerusalem. They arrested his son Jehad (26) and took him to an unknown destination.
· At approximately 01:00 on Sunday, 17 May 2015, Israeli forces moved into al-Eisawiya village, north of East Jerusalem. They raided a number of houses from which they arrested ShadiElayan al-Sahouri (23) and Mohammed Saleh Mahmoud (21).
· At approximately 10:00 on Sunday, 17 May 2015, Israeli forces arrested Mohammed Ibrahim (36) while being present in al-Aqsa mosque in the old city in East Jerusalem. They took him to al-Qashala police station to be questioned. Ibrahim and dozens of Palestinian worshipers were confronting settlers who stormed al-Aqsa yards and started dancing and singing in the anniversary of the Israeli occupation of the western part of Jerusalem.
· At approximately 21:30, on the same day, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to Mahmoud al-Karaki in Silwan village, south of the old city in East Jerusalem. They arrested his son Ameer (16) and took him to an unknown destination.
· At approximately 23:00, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to Hassan al-Sayyad in al-Tour neighbourhood, east of the old city in East Jerusalem. They arrested his son Basel (16) and took him to an unknown destination.
· At approximately 04:00 on Monday, 18 May 2015, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Asma al-Shyoukhi (48) in Silwan village, south of the old city in East Jerusalem. They arrested her 2 sons: Mos’ab (25) and Mansour (23) and took them to an unknown destination.
· At approximately 04:30, on the same day, Israeli forces raided a house belonging to RamziSyouri in Ras al-Amoud neighbourhood, east of the old city in East Jerusalem. They arrested his 2 sons: Omer (14) and Mohammed (16) and took them to an unknown destination.
· At approximately 05:00, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ahmed al-Atrash in Sour Baher village, south of the old city in East Jerusalem. They arrested his son Yaseen (16) and took him to an unknown destination.
· At approximately 16:00 on Tuesday, 19 May 2015, Israeli forces moved into al-Tour neighbourhood, east of East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested 3 children to be questioned Mohammed Naji Abu Jom’a (14); Sultan Adel al-Sayyad (14); and Ahmed Ibrahim Radayda (14).
· At approximately 19:00, on the same day, Israeli undercover units raided a commercial store belonging to Abed Rabbu family in Beit Safafa village, south of East Jerusalem. They attacked and arrested 3 brothers and attacked their mother too. The detainees are: Talal (26), Abdullah (24) and Belal (23).
Settler attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property
· At approximately 15:30 on Thursday, 14 May 2015, after Israeli forces announced that settlers were run over near ‘Etzion’ settlement compound, south of Bethlehem, about 15 settlers gathered at the entrance of ‘Yitzhar’ settlement, south of Nablus. They rioted in the street and threw stones at Palestinian vehicles in the street. As a result, 4 Palestinian vehicles sustained damage. Eyewitnesses said to a PCHR fieldworker that the settlers used 2 Skoda vehicles with Palestinian registration plates to throw stones at the passing vehicles.
The damage included the following:
1. The windshield of a vehicle belonging to Satco Electrical Company;
2. The left front light and body of a vehicle belonging to the abovementioned company;
3. The right back window of a vehicle belonging to HananRajehAdili, a school headmistress; and
4. The right front window, left back window, right mirror and body of a vehicle belonging to Alaa Mohammed Deiriya.
· On Sunday morning, 17 May 2015, a number of settlers from ‘Asfar’ settlement and ‘BaniKidam’ settlement outpost cut off 800 olive seedlings from Palestinian lands to the east of al-Shyoukh village, northeast of Hebron. The attacked lands belong to the heirs of Mousa and Abdul Qader Mohammed al-Aidiya. It should be noted that on 26 March 2015, settlers damaged and cut off 1,200 olive seedlings that were planted in a piece of that land.
· At approximately 08:00 on the same day, a young settler from ‘Ramat Yshai’ settlement outpost in the center of Tal al-Rumaida neighborhood, in the center of Hebron, attacked MirvatSa’di Mahmoud Abu Rmailah (34), from the said neighborhood. Abu Rmailah went out of her house that was 10 meters away from the entrance of the outpost to throw garbage away. As a result, she suffered severe bleeding and was taken to Hebron Hospital.
· At approximately 13:00 on Monday, 18 May 2015, 5 settlers from ‘Beit Ein’ settlement, south of al-Jaba’a village, west of Bethlehem, burnt 16 dunums planted with olives aging over 60 years, east of the village. The olive field belongs to Na’imHamdan.
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;
Full, detailed document, including info on patrols and border crossings available at the official PCHR website.
