PCHR Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (27 October – 02 November 2016)

Israeli violations of international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (27 October – 02 November 2016).

(photo: On Wednesday, Israeli bulldozers demolished a 2-storey building belonging to the family of Thalji Soliman, in the Beit Hanina neighborhood, located at the center of occupied Jerusalem, under the pretext of building without a license.)

Shooting:

Israeli forces have continued to commit crimes, inflicting civilian casualties. They have also continued to use excessive force against Palestinian civilians participating in peaceful protests in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the majority of whom were youngsters. During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed 2 Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and wounded 9 others, including 4 fishermen, in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

In the West Bank, Israeli forces killed two Palestinian civilians, including a police officer and wounded 4 others. On 30 October 2016, Israeli forces killed Khaled Ikhlayel (22) from al-Badan neighbourhood, east of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron when they opened fire at Polo car travelled by Ikhlayel. The Israeli forces claimed that Ikhlayel deliberately ran over a number of Israeli soldiers, wounding one of them. However, Ikhalyel’s father said to PCHR’s fieldworker that his son suffered a bad health condition due to neurological disorders and was released only two days before the incident happened from a Palestinian police prison for his health status.

On 31 October 2016, Israeli soldiers stationed at Beit Eil checkpoint, north of al-Bireh, shot dead Mohammed Turkman (25) from Qabatia village, south of Jenin, after he opened fire from his Kalashnikov at a number of Israeli soldiers stationed at the checkpoint, wounding 3 of them, according to the Israeli forces’ Spokesperson.

In the same context, on 28 October 2016, 3 Palestinians from ‘Aida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem, were hit with metal bullets while participating in a protest in the vicinity of Belal Ben Rabah Mosque, north of the refugee camp. The protesters threw stones and Molotov cocktails at the Israeli soldiers stationed there, so the latter fired rubber-coated metal bullets at them and chased them into the camp. As a result, three of them were wounded.

On 30 October 2016, Israeli soldiers stationed in the vicinity of “‘Ofra” settlement, south of Silwad village, east of Ramallah, opened fire at a civilian car travelled by Ahmed Hamed (19) from the same village. as a result, he was wounded with 3 bullets to the abdomen, arrested and then taken to Hadassa Hospital in occupied Jerusalem. Israeli forces claimed that Hamed had sharp tools with him and intended to attack the Israeli soldiers.

In the Gaza Strip on 28 October 2016, Mohammed Abu ‘Ayadah (28) was hit with 2 bullets to the feet when Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of al-Shuja’iyah neighbourhood, east of Gaza City, opened fire and rubber-coated metal bullets at dozens of youngsters, who headed to Nahal ‘Oz, east of al-Shuja’iyah, to participate in activities in solidarity with Jerusalem.

In the context of targeting Palestinian fishermen offshore, on 29 October 2016, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Wahah shore, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, heavily opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 2 nautical miles. however, no casualties were reported.

On 30 October 2016, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Sudaniyah shore, north of Gaza City, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 2.5 nautical miles. As result, Rami Baker (38) was hit with a bullet to his right foot.

On 01 November 2016, Israeli gunboats Israeli gunboats stationed offshore, northwest of al-Wahah Resort, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats and then surrounded two of them sailing within 4 nautical miles. 6 fishermen who were on the boats were ordered by the Israeli naval soldiers to take off their clothes, jump into the water and swim towards the gunboat. They were then arrested while their boats and 55 nets were kept in custody. at approximately 21:00 on the same day, the Israeli forces released the 6 fishermen through Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing while the two boats are so far kept in custody. Moreover, three of the fishermen were found wounded with rubber-coated metal bullets.

Incursions:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 60 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 11 others in occupied Jerusalem and its suburbs. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 70 Palestinian civilians, including 16 children and a woman. Twenty-two of them, including 13 children and a woman, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces conducted 2 limited incursions into the eastern side of al-Bureij in the central Gaza Strip and into the eastern side of al-Fokhari village, southeast of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. They levelled lands for hours and then redeployed.

Creating Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem:

In the context of house demolitions, on 02 November 2016, Israeli military vehicles demolished a residential building ready for inhabitation belonging to Thalji ‘Abdel ‘Aziz Soliman in Beit Hanina village, north of East Jerusalem, under the pretext of building without a license. The 2-storey building comprised of 4 apartments was established on an area of 200 square meters. The family said that the municipality did not give them any house demolition order or warning to demolish and emphasized that the family’s lawyer had been trying for months to obtain a license but in vain.

Settlement activities and settlers’ attacks against Palesitnian civilians and their property:

On 31 October 2016, Israeli forces demolished 4 dwelings, 7 sheep barns, 3 fodder stores and 3 toilets in addition to Feedlots, watering machines, tables and miliking machines in Kherbet al-Deir in the Northern Valley, east of Tubas. That property belong to 3 families comprised of 13 members, including 4 children, living in the aforementioned area.

on the same day, Israeli forces demolished 5 tractors in al-Ras al-Ahmar area in the Northern Valley, east of Tubas.

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 9 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. 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.

In the West Bank, Israeli forces continued to suffocate the Palestinian cities and village by imposing military checkpoints around and/or between them. This created “cantons” isolated from each other that hinders the movement of civilians. Moreover, the Palestinian civilians suffering aggravated because of the annexation wall and checkpoints erected on daily basis to catch Palestinians. During the reporting period, Israeli forces arrested 5 Palestinian civilians, including a child, while passing through those checkpoints.

Use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations protesting settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall

West Bank:

At approximately 14:00 on Friday, 28 October 2016, dozens of Palestinian civilians headed to ‘Aida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem, in the vicinity of the eastern camp entrance near “Moftah al-‘Awda” area. They then headed towards Bilal Ben Rabah Mosque and threw stones and Molotov cocktails at Israeli soldiers, who fired rubber-coated metal bullets at them and chased them. Moreover, Israeli forces fired several rubber-coated metal bullets at a house belonging to Kareem Abu ‘Aker. As a result, the house residents suffered tear gas inhalation while three of the protesters were hit with rubber-coated metal bullets. The wounded persons were then taken to Beit Jala Governmental Hospital to receive medical treatment.

Following the Friday prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized protests in Bil’in and Ni’lin villages, west of Ramallah; al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of the city, and Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqiliya. Israeli forces forcibly dispersed the protests, firing live and rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs. They also chased the protesters into olive fields and houses. As a result, some of the protesters suffered tear gas inhalation while others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.

Gaza Strip:

At approximately 14:00 on Friday, 21 October 2016, Israeli forces stationed at the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Shuja’iya, east of Gaza City, fired live bullets and rubber-coated metal bullets at Palestinian young men while they were on their way to Nahal ‘Oz area, east of al-Shuja’iya, participating in activities held in solidarity with Jerusalem. The activities continued until 18:00. As a result, Mohamed ‘Alian Abu ‘Aiyadah (28), was hit with a live bullet that entered and exited the feet. Mohamed was then taken by a PRCS ambulance to al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, where he underwent a surgery. Medical sources classified his wounds as moderate.

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.

Arrests at military checkpoints:

At approximately 11:00 on Saturday, 29 October 2016, Israeli forces deployed in the vicinity of the Ibrahimi Mosque in the centre of Hebron’s Old City arrested Motaz Mohammed al-Fakhuri (22), claiming that he disobeyed the soldiers’ orders.

At approximately, 00:30 on Sunday, 30 October 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to ‘Azoun village, east of Qalqiliyah. They stopped the Palestinian cars, checked thee passengers’ ID cards and questioned them. Before removing the checkpoint, Israeli forces arrested Ramzi Zahran Yusuf Suwaidan (22) from the above-mentioned village.

At approximately 15:00, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the bridge of ‘Atarah at the northern entrance to Birzeit, north of Ramallah. They stopped the cars, checked the civilians’ ID cards and then questioned them. At approximately 16:00, before removing the abovementioned checkpoint, Israeli forces arrested Mos’ab Mahmud Ahmed Abed Rabuh (35) from Tulkarm and took him to an unknown destination.

Efforts to Create Jewish majority

Israeli forces escalated their attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property. They have also continued their raids on al-Aqsa Mosque and denied the Palestinians access to it:

Arrests and Incursions:

At approximately 02:00 on Thursday, 27 October 2016, Israeli forces moved into ‘Ein al-Lawzah neighbourhood in Silwan village, south of Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Abdullah Nedal al-‘Abasi (16). They then arrested him and took him to an unknown destination.

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Isawiya h village, northeast of Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Diaa’ Ayman Obaid (16) and then arrested him.

At approximately 01:30 on Friday, 28 October 2016, Israeli forces moved into Sur Baher village, south of Jerusalem. They raided and searched several houses belonging to ‘Afanah family. They then arrested 3 civilians namely Ishaq ‘Afanah (20), Abdullah ‘Afanah (29) and Suhaib ‘Afanah (29).

At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Mokaber Mount village, southeast of Jerusalem and stationed in the schools street. They claimed that a number of children threw stones towards “Armon Hanatziv” settlement established on the village lands. The soldiers closed the main street with cement cubes and established a number of checkpoints near the above-mentioned settlement. They also prevented the passers-by and cars from approaching the area. However, no arrests were reported.

At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Isawiyah village, northeast of East Jerusalem, through the western entrance in a provocative way. The soldiers deployed in the village neighbourhoods and then raided and searched a number of high buildings in the central side of village while the snipers topped the roofs. Meanwhile, dozens of young men gathered and threw stones at the soldiers, who immediately fired several tear gas canisters at them in response. As a result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. However, no arrests were reported.

At approximately 13:20 on Sunday, 30 October 2016, Israeli forces arrested ‘Adnan Jamal ‘Amr (10), claiming that he threw stones at them after leaving his school in al-Thawri neighbourhood, south of Jerusalem’s Old City. They took him to an empty land in the neighbourhood and attacked him. Adnan’s family said to PCHR’s fieldworker that the Israeli soldiers arrested Adnan after he left school in al-Thawri neighbourhood and then took him to an empty land so that they could attack and harass him. The soldier surrounded the child, pushed him into the ground and pointed their weapons at him. They then handcuffed and pepper-sprayed him. The family emphasized that Adnan’s mother and sister managed to reach where he was detained, but the soldiers denied them access, brandishing weapons at them. ‘Adnan’s family said they will file a complaint to the competent authorities to regarding the attack against their son.

At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces arrested Mustafa Feras ‘Abasi (13) while he was in Silwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem, under the pretext of throwing stones at the Israeli soldiers. The soldiers put the child in of their vehicles for a while and then took him to an unknown destination.

At approximately 01:00 on Monday, 31 October 2016, Israeli forces moved into several neighbourhoods in Silwan village, south of Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched a number of houses and then arrested 5 civilians, including 2 children. The arrested civilians were identified as Mohammed Samir Shuwaiki (15), Mohammed Hashem al-Razem (17), Mohammed Ismail al-Ghoul (21), Mohammed Zeyad al-Qaq (19) and Ahmed Maher al-Razem (24).

At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Tur neighbourhood, east of Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Osama Abu Jom’ah (17). They then arrested him and later withdrew taking him to an unknown destination.

At approximately 10:00, Israeli forces raided Silwan Preparatory School for Males in Ras al-‘Amoud neighbourhood, east of Jerusalem’s Old City, claiming to find stone throwers. They summoned the school principle in addition to Silwan Primary School’s principle to refer to Salah Eden Police Station for investigation.

Esam al-‘Abbasi, Secretary of the Silwan Parents Committee, said to PCHR’s fieldworker that the Israeli forces raided the above-mentioned School, looking for a boy, who threw stones at them. Al-‘Abbasi added that the Israeli police summoned Saleh al-A’awar, the above-mentioned school principle, and Samer al-Ghoul, the principle of Silwan Primary School, to refer to Salah Eden Police Station after raiding the school.

At approximately 23:00 on Tuesday, 01 November 2016, Israeli forces moved into Sur Baher village, south of East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Hani Mohammed Dabash (36). They then arrested his wife Na’elah Haliaqah.

At approximately 02:00 on Wednesday, 02 November 2016, Israeli forces moved into al-Isawiyah village, northeast of Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses and then arrested 6 civilians, including 5 children. The arrested civilians were identified as Mahmud Abu Esnienah (17), Ismail Muhaisen (17), Nadim Zahrah al-Safadi (17), Adam Mustafa (16), Husain Abed Darwish (16) and ‘Odai Dari (18).

At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Sa’diyah neighbourhood in East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched a house belonging to Basam Haitham Hijazi (19) and then arrested him.

Israeli Settlers attacks:

At approximately 16:00 On Sunday, 30 October 2016, an Israeli settler attacked Qusai Jadallah al-Rajabi (6) while being near his house in Butn al-Hawa neighbourhood in Silwan village, south of East Jerusalem’s Old City. As a result, Qusai sustained bruises to the eye.

Jadallah al-Rajabi, Qusai’s father, said to a PCHR fieldworker that a settler, who was in Butn al-Hawa neighbourhood, pushed Qusai to a wall and punched him in his eyes without a reason while Qusai was playing along with his cousins outside his house. As a result, the abovementioned child suffered pains and redness in his eyes. Jadallah said that Qusai came to the house crying and was afraid as the attack signs on his face were obvious. Jadallah mentioned that his son and friends assured him that the settler attacked Qusai, so he went to the place of attack where the abovementioned settler was with two other settlers. When Jadallah asked the settler why he attacked his son, the latter staryed shouting and pointing his weapon at Jadallah. Meanwhile, an Israeli infantry passed by the area, so Jadalah told him about what happened to his child. the Israeli soldiers detained the settler and took him to Salah Eden Police Station. Jadallah added that he filed a complaint in the abovementioned police station and took his son to a medical centre to make the necessary tests for Qusai. It should be noted that Jadallah had filed a complaint 6 months ago against the same settler, who attacked Qusai, but to no avail.

House demolitions and demolition notices:

At approximately 06:00 on Wednesday, 02 November 2016, Israeli municipality bulldozers demolished an under-construction building in Beit Hanina village, north of East Jerusalem, belonging to Thalji ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Suleiman under the pretext of building without a license.

Riyad Suleiman, son of Thalgi, said to PCHR’s fieldworker that at approximately 04:00, Israeli forces accompanied with two heavy bulldozers surrounded the 2-storey building built on an area of around 200 square meters. At approximately 06:00, they demolished the building. Riyad mentioned that his father established the building comprised of 4 apartments ready for inhabitation for himself and his sons. It should be noted that that the family did not receive any demolition notice or decision from the Israeli municipality. He emphasized that the family’s lawyer had been trying to obtain a construction license for the building for months, but they were surprised with the demolition. He added that the village inhabitants informed them on the abovementioned day evening that the Israeli forces moved into the area surrounding the house and had files and cameras in an attempt to pave the way for the bulldozers to carry out the demolition.

Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property

Israeli Forces attacks:

At approximately 17:00 on Thursday, 27 October 2016, Israeli forces accompanied with several jeeps and a bulldozer moved into an agricultural land (al-Masiaf and al-Marhan), east of Beit Dajan village, east of Nablus. The bulldozer levelled an agricultural road based with base course that was useful for hundreds of other dunums in the village. The Israeli forces closed the road with a sand barrier, despite the lawsuit filed by the inhabitants and the village council before the Israeli courts in order to reopen the abovementioned road.

At approximately 09:00 on Monday, 31 October 2016, Israeli forces accompanied with several military vehicles, a staff from the Israeli Civil Administration and two bulldozers moved into Kherbet al-Deir in the Northern Valley, east of Tubas. They demolished dwellings, sheep barns and fodder stores belonging to three families living in the area. The demolition, which continued until 12:00 on the same day, included 4 dwellings, 7 sheep barns, 3 animal feed stores, 3 public toilets, feedlots, cow milking machines and watering equipment. This property belongs to 3 families comprised of 13 members, including 4 children. The demolition was as follows:

Family of Nedal Ali Zamel Daraghmah comprised of 9 members, including 4 children: 2 dwellings roofed with tin plates, the first of which was 70 square meters while the other was 50 square meters, a 300-square-meter sheep barn, a mobile toilet, 2 tents for sheltering sheep; 15 steel barriers, a fodder store, 8 straw tables, a water tank and 12 watering equipment.
Family of Eyad Hafez Zamel Daraghmah comprised of 2 members: a 60-sqaure-meter residential tent roofed with tin plates, a 100-square-meter sheep barn, 6 feedlots, a cow milking machine, a mobile toilet and 60-sqaure-meter fodder store.
Family of Mahmud Hafez Zamel Darghmah comprised of 2 members: a 60-sqaure-meter residential tent, a 60-sqaure-meter fodder store, a 100-sqaure-meter sheep barrack, 100-sqaure-meter sheep barn and mobile toilet.

Around the same time, Israeli forces accompanied with military jeeps and a car belonging to the Israeli Civil Administration moved into al-Ras al-Ahmer area in the Northern Valley, east of Tubas. They confiscated 5 tractors belonging to Thaer Abdullah Husain Busharat, Rashid Abdullah Husain Busharat, Ali Ezzat Yusuf Bani Oudah, Saqer Ezzat Bani Oudah and Ali Khader Fiyad Bani Oudah.

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 latest 51-day offensive 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:

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;
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;
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;
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;
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;
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;
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;
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;
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;
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;
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;
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;
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;