PCHR Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (03 – 09 May 2018)

Israeli forces continued with systematic crimes in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) for the week of 03 – 09 May, 2018.

Israeli forces continued to use lethal force against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip. A Palestinian civilian succumbed to wounds he sustained in the March of Return and Breaking Siege demonstrations. 3 Palestinians were killed in the Gaza Strip, while 189 Palestinian civilians, including 39 children, 3 women, 4 journalists and 4 paramedics, were wounded in peaceful protests.

Shooting:

Israeli forces continued to use excessive lethal force against Palestinian civilians, who participated in peaceful demonstrations organized on the 42^nd anniversary of the Earth Day, particularly in the Gaza Strip, which witnessed peaceful demonstrations along the eastern Gaza Strip border area, where ten thousands of defenseless Palestinian young men, women, children, and elderlies participated. On Friday, 04 May 2018, the Gaza Strip witnessed peaceful demonstrations where ten thousands of Palestinian civilians participated. As a result, 169 Palestinian civilians, including 31 children, 3 women, 4 journalists and 4 paramedics, were wounded on the above-mentioned Friday. During the reporting period, the Israeli forces killed 3 Palestinian civilian in a new crime of excessive use of force while another civilian succumbed to wounds he sustained while participating in the March of Return Demonstrations, which sporadically and peacefully occurred during this week. During the demonstrations, 189 Palestinian civilian, including 38 children, 3 women, 4 journalists and 4 paramedics, were wounded; the injury of 5 of them is serious. In the West Bank, the Israeli forces wounded 11 Palestinian civilians, including 1 child and 1 paramedic, in separate incidents.

In the Gaza Strip, in a new crime of using lethal forces, on 06 May 2018, Israeli forces killed 3 Palestinian civilians and detained the body of one of them. This occurred 10 meters away from the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. One of those killed was attempting to reach two wounded persons when the Israeli soldiers opened fire at him and he fell. Following this, on his twitter account, the spokesperson of the Israeli forces tweeted that “After investigating the attempt to sneak incident, it turned out that a cell comprised of 4 persons arrived at the security fence to sneak into Israel and carry out “a sabotage attack!”” PCHR’s investigations emphasize that those four civilians did not cross the border fence contrary to the spokesperson’s claims and were targeted at least 50 meters away from the border fence. The investigations added that one of those killed came from his house after hearing the gunfire and attempted to rescue and evacuate the targeted civilians. Thus, the Israeli forces could have used a less-lethal force specially that that those civilians were unarmed.

Medical sources at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City declared on 03 May 2018 that Anas Abu ‘Aser (19) from al-Sabrah neighborhood succumbed to wounds he sustained on Friday 27 April 2018, while participating in the March of Return and Breaking Siege demonstrations in eastern al-Zaytoun neighborhood, east of Gaza City.

This high number of casualties in the Gaza Strip proves that the Israeli forces continue to commit crimes and use excessive force against Palestinian civilians in disregard for their lives and upon an official political decision. PCHR indicates that according to Israeli forces’ spokesperson on his Facebook page following the declaration of organizing these demonstrations commemorating the 42^nd anniversary of the Land Day, the Israeli forces prefigured the demonstrations, whose organizers previously declared they would be peaceful, sending threatening messages to intimidate the organizers and Gaza Strip residents and deploying Israeli snipers along the border fence.

According to investigations and field observations by PCHR’s fieldworkers for the Fifth Friday of the March of Return and Breaking Siege demonstrations:

Dozens of Israeli Forces’ snipers continued to position on the hills, behind the sand barriers and in military jeeps along the border fence in front of the peaceful demonstrations in the eastern Gaza Strip.

The number of those participating in the demonstrations decreased in the main 5 points as the Supreme National Authority for the Great March of Return chose not to gather large crowds due to school exams and called this Friday ” Friday of Palestine’s Workers.” However, thousands of civilians, including women, children and elderlies within entire families participated in the demonstrations.

According to observations by PCHR’s fieldworkers, the number of youth gatherings near the border fence augmented to reach dozens who set fire to tires and threw stones at the Israeli forces, east of Khuza’ah village and the northern Gaza Strip, particularly in eastern Abu Safiyah Hill, northeast of Jabalia, adjacent to the Memorial Statute, southeast of Beit Hanoun, and east of the central Gaza Strip. Those gatherings extended to reach the east of al-Buraij refugee camp, east of Juhor al-Deek and to two points in eastern Rafah; one was adjacent to the March of Return encampment and the other was near Karm Abu Salem crossing in addition to the usually organized demonstrations, east of al-Shuja’iya neighborhood in Gaza City.

The Israeli snipers deliberately and selectively opened fire at the participants in the peaceful demonstrations which included thousands of civilians in 5 areas in the eastern Gaza Strip. As a result, 169 civilians, including 31 children, 3 women, 4 journalists and 3 paramedics, one of them was seriously injured, were wounded with live bullets and direct hits of tear gas canisters, noting that most injuries occur in the demonstrating area that is around 30-300 meters away from the border fence.

The Israeli forces widely used bursts of tear gas canisters targeting the center of the demonstrations and beyond away from the demonstrators near the border fence. As a result, hundreds, including PCHR’s fieldworkers who were documenting the incidents, suffered tear gas inhalation and seizures; some of them were transferred to hospitals as some of them so far receive medical treatment. Teargasing hysterically intensified after the demonstrators dropped 2 small drones flown by the Israeli forces in the sky of the demonstration area, east of Khan Yunis as the 2 drones were flying very low.

The demonstrations were as always fully peaceful, and PCHR’s fieldworkers did not witness weapons or armed persons even dressed in civilian clothes among the demonstrators, who were thousands of elderlies, women, children and entire families. Those demonstrators moved forward until in certain instances, particularly in eastern Gaza City, Jabalia and Khan Younis, reached the border fence raising flags, chanting slogans and national songs, flying kites in high and burning tires and setting fire to tires.

PCHR fieldworker’s observations undoubtedly refute the Israeli government and some media’s claims that children are used as human shields by the demonstrators. This refusal was based on the totally peaceful nature of the demonstrations, participation of entire families, including their children, and some women and children’s offering water for the demonstrators and raising flags with no influence from any political party encouraging them to do so.

A tear gas canister landed on a tent used by volunteer paramedics belonging to Isnad Community in the Return encampment in Khuza’ah village. Dozens of medical crews’ members in Khan Yunis and Rafah suffered tear gas inhalation after Israeli forces heavily fired tear gas canisters in their vicinity or the wind carried the gas towards the medical points though they were hundreds of meters away from the demonstration areas. Moreover, 2 paramedics were wounded, east of Rafah and Jabalia and one of them was seriously wounded, after being directly hit with tear gas canisters while they were offering first aid to and transferring the wounded civilians from the incidents areas, east of Gaza, Khan Yunis and al-Buraij.

Journalists were again directly targeted resulting in the injury of 5 of them (2 in Khan Yunis, 2 in al-Buraij and one in east of Gaza City) as many tear gas canisters fell in the vicinity of the journalists’ encampment in Khuza’ah. As a result, many journalists suffered tear gas inhalation.

The Israeli incitement against the peaceful demonstrations and encampments continues as extension of previous statements by Israeli political and military officials threatening to inflect deaths and injuries among the demonstrators in addition to perceiving the demonstration itself as danger. This hereby violates the right to peaceful assembly codified in all International instruments.

Incursions:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 70 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 12 similar ones into Jerusalem and its suburbs. During those incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 66 Palestinians, including 12 children; (4 of them were arrested while the Israeli forces were protecting the settlers who attacked Madma village, south of Nablus) in the West Bank. Meanwhile, 34 civilians, including 10 children and a woman, were arrested in Jerusalem and its suburbs.

In the Gaza Strip, on 08 May 2018, Israeli forces moved into eastern alBureij in the central Gaza Strip, to level lands and set sand barriers in the lands adjacent to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel before redeploying along the border fence.

On 09 May 2018, Israeli forces moved 70 meters into the area opposite to Abu Reidah neighborhood, east of Khuza’ah, southeast of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. They leveled along the border fence and repaired the malfunction in the border fence. They then moved to the south along the border fence until they reached opposite to the Return encampment and leveled lands there. They then set new barbed wires replacing those parts removed in the previous demonstrations.

Efforts to Create a Jewish Majority in East Jerusalem:

As part of the Israeli settlement expansion, house demolition notices and demolitions, on 07 May 2018, the family of Rami Yousif ‘Awadallah self-demolished a floor comprised of rooms, a kitchen and bathroom in Qalendia village, north of occupied East Jerusalem upon a decision issued by the Israeli Municipality. The abovementioned civilian established those rooms above his already built house. In the same context, the family of Hasan Shahham self-demolished their warehouses in the above-mentioned village on the same grounds to avoid paying high fines imposed by the Israeli municipality in case its vehicles carried out the demolition.

On the same day, Israeli forces demolished a commercial facility for construction materials in Beit Safafa village, south of East Jeursalem, under the pretext of building without a license. The facility was built on an area of 60 square meters belonged to Ahmed al-‘Abbasi.

On 08 Mary 2018, Israeli municipality vehicles demolished a commercial facility (petrol station) in al-‘Issawiya village, northeast of occupied Jerusalem, under the pretext of illegal construction. Member of the Local Follow-up Committee said that the Israeli forces moved into the village and demolished the facility belonging to Khalil Mahmoud without having a judicial demolition order. They then arrested the owner after he objected to the demolition saying he has legal papers proving the facility is licensed.

As part of seizure of Palestinian civilians’ property in favor of the settlement associations, on 05 May 2018, “‘Atarit Cohanim” settlement association handed the family of Jawad Abu Sneinah a house eviction order in the central neighborhood in Silwan village, south of East Jerusalem’s Old City, claiming their ownership of the building. Zuhair al-Rajabi, Head of the Central Neighbourhood Residents Committee, said that a group of Israeli settlers from “Ateret Cohanim” association raided a house belonging to Jawad Abu Suninah, handed his family an eviction order and gave him until 25 June 2018 to implement the order, in addition to paying NIS 19,000 as a rent allowance for 3 years. He added that Abu Suninah Family house is in a 5-storey building, which was sold to the “Ateret Cohanim” association by Jamal Sarhan in August 2015. At that time, all the building was seized, except the apartment where tenant Abu Suninah lived as he refused to leave. Abu Suninah renewed the rent for a year before the building was seized. Al-Rajbi added that Sarhan Family filed a lawsuit against Jamal Sarhan after selling the building in an attempt to return it. al-Sarhan Family clarified that this building belongs to Jamal’s father, so Jamal does not have the right to sell and buy. At that time, the judge delayed issuing a final decision in this case and the building remained for settlers, except Abu Suninah’s apartment.

As part of restrictions imposed on the Jerusalem-based organizations’ work, on 05 May 2018, the Israeli police confiscated equipment used by al-Aqsa Society in an attempt to obstruct an activity organized by the society to clean al-Aqsa Mosque and Islamic Cemeteries in Jeurslem’s Old City. The police searched the Palestinian civilians at al-Aqsa gates and confiscated the equipment provided by the society for the cleaning. Despite all of this, the Palestinian volunteers cleaned al-Aqsa Mosque yards and al-Yousifiyah and al-Rahmah cemeteries in addition al-Makaqsed Cahrity Hospital.

Settlement Activities, Demolitions, and Settlers’ Attacks against Palestinian civilians and their Property:

As part of the settlement expansion and house demolitions and demolition notices, on 03 May 2018, Israeli forces closed an agricultural road used by Palestinian farmers to access their lands, south of Bethlehem, before detaining them and their vehicles. The Israeli forces also closed with rocks a road leading to al-Shoshhala village, south of al-Khadir village, south of Bethlehem.

On the same day, Israeli forces confiscated a barrack built of tin plates and a 250-square-meter agricultural greenhouse used for selling seedlings and fertilizes, under the pretext of non-licensing in Beit Za’tah area, east of Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron. This property belongs to Ramzi Nabil Abed al-Rahman Abu ‘Ayyiash.

On 04 May 2018, the Israeli authorities notified ‘Isaa al-Atrash to stop the construction works in his 120-square-meter house in ‘Ein Jouwaizah area, northeast of the village, under the pretext of non-licensing and aiming at seizing lands and annexing them to the Municipal boundaries of Jerusalem.

On 08 May 2018, the Israeli forces confiscated heavy construction equipment in al-Balou’a area in al-Khadir village, south of Bethlehem, under the pretext of non-licensing. They also confiscated a concrete mixer and bulldozer in a residential building in al-Balou’a area.

On 09 May 2018, Israeli forces demolished a 70-square-meter house, which was comprised of 2 rooms and a living room built of tin plates, in Bab al-Sha’ab area. The house belongs to Mahmoud Ibrahim Mohamed Mahmoud, from al-‘Issawiyia village, northeast of occupied Jerusalem. Mahmoud built the house to live with his wife and two brothers with disabilities after he incurred losses as well shortly before due to the demolition campaign targeting al-‘Issawiyah village.

As part of the Israeli settlers’ attacks against Palestinian civilians and property, on 07 May 2018, a group of Israeli settlers from “Yitzhar “settlement established in the southern side of Madama village, south of Nablus, attacked under the Israeli forces’ protection Palestinian civilian houses. A number of the village residents then confronted the settlers while the Israeli forces arrested 4 children after chasing them in the area. When A ‘Abeer Mousa Abed al-Kareem Ziyada (39) attempted to rescue her son, the Israeli forces pepper-sprayed her face, so she fell on the ground. ‘Abeer was then taken to Rafidia Hospital in Nablus to receive medical treatment.

Use of Force against Demonstrations in Protest against the U.S. President’s Decision to Recognize Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel:

Continuing the demonstrations in protest against the U.S. President Donald Trump’s declaration to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move the U.S. Embassy to it, Palestinian civilians organized protests against the decision throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip. They further organized peaceful demonstrations where ten thousands of civilians participated on the 42^nd Anniversary of the Land Day in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Seizing Palestinian Civilians’ Property in Favor of Settlement Associations

On Saturday, 05 May 2018, “Ateret Cohanim” association handed an eviction order to Jawad Abu Sunuinah Family in al-Westa neighborhood in Silwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, claiming their ownership of the house. Zuhair al-Rajbi, Head of al-Westa neighborhood Family Committee, said that a group of Israeli settlers from “Ateret Cohanim” association raided a house belonging to Jawad Abu Suninah, handed his family an eviction order and gave him until 25 June 2018 to implement the order, in addition to paying NIS 19,000 as a rent allowance for 3 years. He added that Abu Suninah Family house is in a 5-storey building which was sold to the “Ateret Cohanim” association by Jamal Sarhan in August 2015. At that time, all the building was seized, except the apartment of tenant Abu Suninah who refused to leave. Abu Suninah had renewed the rent for a year before the building was seized. Al-Rabjbi clarified that the “Ateret Cohanim” association attempted from 2015 to vacate Abu Suninah apartment and seize it by intimidating him but he stood still while the case is pending. Al-Rajbi added that Sarhan Family filed a lawsuit against Jamal Sarhan after selling the building in an attempt to return it. The al-Sarhan Family clarified that this building belongs to Jamal’s father so he does not have the right to buy or sell. The judge then delayed issuing a final decision in this case and the building remained for settlers, except Abu Suninah’s apartment. Al-Rajbi pointed out that Abu Suninah Family was surprised with a new eviction decision despite not deciding the case, pointing out that the family will head to the competent courts. He added that Abu Suninah Family is comprised of 11 persons, who live in the house, except Jawad that was lately arrested under the pretext of the illegal presence in Jerusalem. Jawad was sentenced for 3 months and prevented from entering Jerusalem for a year and a half. He lives now in Hebron after he was released. Al-Rajabi clarified that the tightening on Abu Suninah started in 2015 when his residency permit in Jerusalem was cancelled and was arrested several times. Moroever, his hosue was raided and searched and given temptations such as money, a house in Israel, or blue ID, in order to leave his house.

Restrictions on Institutions’ Work in Occupied Jerusalem:

On Saturday, 05 May 2018, Israeli police confiscated tools used by al-Aqsa Association as an attempt to obstruct an activity organized by the abovementioned association. This event was organized to clean al-Aqsa Mosque and Islamic cemeteries in occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. Safwat Friaj, the Association Director, said that the Israeli police obstructed the association work in cleaning al-Aqsa Mosque and nearby areas in the Old Camp and confiscated other tools. He added that that association for the 9^th consecutive year sent buses from Israel to the al-Aqsa Mosque in coordination with Endowment (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs Department to clean the al-Aqsa Mosque in preparation for Ramadan. He clarified that the association sent 91 buses carrying thousands of Palestinians from many villages to clean al-Aqsa Mosque, pointing out that the Awqaf Department annually provided them with cleaning tools, but the Israeli police prevented it in this year. Moreover, the Israeli police officers searched Palestinian civilians at al-Aqsa Mosque Gates and confiscated the tools provided by al-Aqsa Association for cleaning. Despite that, the Palestinian volunteers cleaned al-Aqsa Mosque yards without tools. He also clarified that the Palestinians are working in 4 cleaning shifts in al-Aqsa Mosque, al-Yousefiyia and al-Rahma Cemeteries, and al-Maqased Hospital in al-Zaytoun Mount, east of Jerusalem.

Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property

Israeli forces’ attacks

On Thursday, 03 May 2018, Israeli forces closed an agricultural road used by Palestinian farmers to access their lands, south of Bethlehem, before detaining them and their vehicles. Ahmed Salah, the Coordinator of the National Committee against Settlement, said that the Israeli forces closed with rocks a road leading to al-Shoshhala village, south of al-Khadir village, south of Bethlehem. He also stated that the Israeli forces detained a number of Palestinian civilians’ vehicles and their agricultural vehicles and prevented them from entering and exiting the village. Ahmed Salah also considered that the Israeli attack aims at obstructing the farmers work in the village to prevent them from repairing their lands as a prelude to seize them.

At approximately 11:00 on Thursday, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles, a vehicle of the Israeli Civil Administration, and a mounted-crane truck moved into Beit Za’tah area, east of Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron. The Israeli soldiers deployed in the bypass road (60) while the Israeli Civil Administration staff dismantled a barrack built of tin plates and a 250-square-meter agricultural greenhouse used for selling seedlings and fertilizes, under the pretext of non-licensing. After that, the Israeli Civil Administration staff confiscated all the agricultural greenhouse contents, which belong to Ramzi Nabil Abed al-Rahman Abu ‘Ayyiash.

On Friday, 04 May 2018, the Israeli authorities notified to stop constructing a house and demolish a retaining wall in al-Waljah village, west of Bethlehem, under the pretext of non-licensing. Ibrahim ‘Awaddallah, an activist in the village, said that the Israeli authorities notified ‘Isaa al-Atrash to stop constructing his 120-square-meter house in ‘Ein Jouwaizah area, northeast of the village, in addition to demolishing a retaining wall surrounded agricultural lands of Palestinian civilians. He clarified that ‘Ein Jouwaizah area was exposed to the Israeli forces attacks several times, in which they demolished houses, levelled lands, and notified other houses under the pretext of non-licensing and aiming at seizing lands and annexing them to the Municipal boundaries of Jerusalem.

On Monday, 08 May 2018, Israeli forces confiscated construction tools in al-Balou’ area in al-Khadir village, south of Bethlehem, under the pretext of non-licensing. Ahmed Salah, the Coordinator of the National Committee against Settlement, clarified that the Israeli Civil Administration staff confiscated a bulldozers and a concrete mixer while working in a residential building in al-Balou’ area. Ahmed Salah added that Israeli forces prevented conducting works in the area under the pretext that this area belongs to lands, which is classified as area (C) according to the Oslo Accords, and needs an Israeli permit to conduct construction works. It should be noted that the Israeli authorities continued the military orders policy that aims at demolishing Palestinian civilians’ houses in lands classified as area (C), which constitutes 60% of the West Bank lands, in an attempt to evict and deport the residents and impose its control over these lands.
At approximately 16:30 on Wednesday, 09 May 2018, Israeli forces accompanied with a digger and 2 vehicles of the Israeli Civil Administration moved into Bab al-Sha’b area, 150 meters away from the last house in Doma village, which is classified as area (C), southeast of Nablus. The digger demolished a 70-square-meter house, which was comprised of 2 rooms and a living room built of tin plates. The house was built a month ago and belongs to Mahmoud Ibrahim Mohamed Mahmoud, from al-‘Issawiyia village, northeast of occupied Jerusalem. Mahmoud built the house to live in it with her wife and his two sons with special needs.

Israeli Settlers’ Attacks:

At approximately 14:30 on Monday, 07 May 2018, a group of Israeli settlers from “Yitzhar “settlement established in the southern side of Madama village, south of Nablus, attacked under the Israeli forces’ protection Qattan al-Sawanah and Berjes area in thesoutheastern side of the village. The Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian civilians’ houses belonging to Nathmi Mohamed Abed al-Raheem Qatt and his brother Hatem, ‘Emad Ibrahim Sa’ada Ziyadah, and Jalal Mohamed Abu Rowais. A number of the village residents confronted the settlers while the Israeli forces arrested 4 children after chasing them in the area. The children were then taken to Tal Camp in the northern side of the village. The arrested children were identified as Abed al-Kareem ‘Emad Ziyadah (11), Zaid Mostafa Qatt (12), Hussain Diyaa Nassar (14), and Ahmed Mohamed Ziyadah (13). When Abed al-Kareem’s mother ‘Abeer Mousa Abed al-Kareem Ziyada attempted to help her son, the Israeli forces pepper-sprayed at her face, so she fell into the ground. ‘Abeer was then taken to Rafidia Hospital in Nablus to receive medical treatment.

Recommendations to the International Community

PCHR warns of the escalating settlement construction in the West Bank, the attempts to legitimize settlement outposts established on Palestinian lands in the West Bank and the continued summary executions of Palestinian civilians under the pretext that they pose a security threat to the Israeli forces. PCHR reminds the international community that thousands of Palestinian civilians have been rendered homeless and lived in caravans under tragic circumstances due to the latest Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip that has been under a tight closure for almost 11 years. PCHR welcomes the UN Security Council’s Resolution No. 2334, which states that settlements are a blatant violation of the Geneva Conventions and calls upon Israel to stop them and not to recognize any demographic change in the oPt since 1967. PCHR hopes this resolution will pave the way for eliminating the settlement crime and bring to justice those responsible for it. PCHR further reiterates that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are still under Israeli occupation in spite of Israel’s unilateral disengagement plan of 2005. PCHR emphasizes that there is international recognition of Israel’s obligation to respect international human rights instruments and international humanitarian law. Israel is bound to apply international human rights law and the law of war, sometimes reciprocally and other times in parallel, in a way that achieves the best protection for civilians and remedy for the victims.

PCHR calls upon the international community to respect the Security Council’s Resolution No. 2334 and to ensure that Israel respects it as well, in particular point 5 which obliges Israel not to deal with settlements as if they were part of Israel.
PCHR calls upon the ICC this year to open an investigation into Israeli crimes committed in the oPt, particularly the settlement crimes and the 2014 offensive on the Gaza Strip.
PCHR Calls upon the European Union (EU) and all international bodies to boycott settlements and ban working and investing in them in application of their obligations according to international human rights law and international humanitarian law considering settlements as a war crime.
PCHR calls upon the international community 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.
PCHR calls upon the international community and United Nations to take all necessary measures to stop Israeli policies aimed at creating a Jewish demographic majority in Jerusalem and at voiding Palestine from its original inhabitants through deportations and house demolitions as a collective punishment, which violates international humanitarian law, amounting to a crime against humanity.
PCHR calls upon the international community to condemn summary executions carried out by Israeli forces against Palestinians and to pressurize Israel to stop them.
PCHR calls upon the States Parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC to work hard to hold Israeli war criminals accountable.
PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to fulfill their obligations under article (1) of the Convention to ensure respect for the Conventions under all circumstances, and under articles (146) and (147) to search for and prosecute those responsible for committing grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions to ensure justice and remedy for Palestinian victims, especially in light of the almost complete denial of justice for them before the Israeli judiciary.
PCHR calls upon the international community to speed up the reconstruction process necessary because of the destruction inflicted by the Israeli offensive on Gaza.
PCHR calls for a prompt intervention to compel the Israeli authorities to lift the closure that obstructs the freedom of movement of goods and 1.8 million civilians that experience unprecedented economic, social, political and cultural hardships due to collective punishment policies and retaliatory action against civilians.
PCHR calls upon the European Union to apply human rights standards embedded in the EU-Israel Association Agreement and to respect its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights when dealing with Israel.
PCHR calls upon the international community, especially states that import Israeli weapons and military services, to meet their moral and legal responsibility not to allow Israel to use the offensive in Gaza to test new weapons and not accept training services based on the field experience in Gaza in order to avoid turning Palestinian civilians in Gaza into testing objects for Israeli weapons and military tactics.
PCHR calls upon the parties to international human rights instruments, especially the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), to pressurize Israel to comply with its provisions in the oPt and to compel it to incorporate the human rights situation in the oPt in its reports submitted to the relevant committees.
PCHR calls upon the EU and international human rights bodies to pressurize the Israeli forces to stop their attacks against Palestinian fishermen and farmers, mainly in the border area.