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Thursday, 26 November 2009

Weekly report of Jewish atrocities & Human Right violations in Palestine

Weekly Report: On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory No. 46/2009 (19-24 Nov. 2009)


Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR)










46w46-09.jpg




Palestinians check the damage at a workshop that was hit by an Israeli air strike in Gaza City


, November 25, 2009



Israeli Occupation Forces Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt) and Continue to Impose a Total Blockade on the Gaza Strip





  • 9 Palestinian civilians, including two children, were wounded by Israeli forces in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.


  • Israeli warplanes launched 8 strikes on the Gaza Strip.

  • A factory, a workshop and a house were destroyed and a number of other civilian facilities were damaged.

  • Israeli forces conducted 20 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.

  • Israeli forces arrested 19 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children.

  • Israeli forces arrested 8 members of the Palestinian security services.

  • Israel has continued to impose a total siege on the oPt and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.

  • Israel has continued settlement activities in the oPt and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.

  • Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian civilian vehicle traveling on the Nablus-Qalqilya road.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (19 – 24 November 2009):

Shooting: During the reporting period, 9 Palestinian civilians were wounded by Israeli gunfire in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

On 22 November 2009, 6 Palestinian civilians were wounded when Israeli warplanes attacked the Yebna area near the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, targeting tunnels; two of the wounded sustained serious wounds.

In the West Bank, 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded when Israeli forces used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders, to protest the construction of the Annexation Wall in the West Bank.

During the reporting period, Israeli warplanes launched 8 air strikes against targets in the Gaza Strip. Six air strikes targeted tunnels along the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, one targeted a workshop in the central Gaza Strip and one a factory in the northern Gaza Strip.

Incursions: During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 20 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. Israeli forces arrested 19 Palestinians, including 3 children. Israeli forces also arrested 8 Palestinian security officers in the northern West Bank, but released them 24 hours later.

Restrictions on Movement: Israel has continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.

Gaza Strip

Israel has continued to close all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for more than two years. The illegal Israeli-imposed blockade of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.

· 1.5 million people are being denied their basic rights, including freedom of movement, and their rights to appropriate living conditions, work, health and education.


· The main concern of 1.5 million people living in the Gaza Strip is to obtain their basic needs of food, medicines, water and electricity supplies.


· Israel has continued to prevent the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza Strip for more than two years.


· Israel has not allowed fuel supplies into the Gaza Strip, excluding limited amounts of cooking gas, since 10 December 2008.


· The Rafah International Crossing Point has been opened for a few days for a number of patients who received medical treatment abroad and needed to return home to the Gaza Strip.


· Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to Palestinian civilians wishing to travel to the West Bank and Israeli for medical treatment, trade or social visits.


· Poverty and unemployment stand at approximately 80% and 60% respectively in the Gaza Strip.


· Israel has continued to prevent the entry of spare parts for water networks and sewage systems. Losses incurred to this sector are estimated at US$ 6 million.


· Israel continues to impose access restrictions on international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip. They have prevented representatives of several international humanitarian organizations from entering the Gaza Strip.


· Living conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated; levels of poverty and unemployment are among the highest in the world.


· At least 900 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails have been denied family visitation rights for more than two years.


· Israeli forces have continued to attack Palestinian fishermen along the Gaza Strip coast.


West Bank

Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip continue to be denied access to Jerusalem.

· Israeli forces have established checkpoints in and around Jerusalem, severely restricting Palestinian access to the city. Civilians are frequently prevented from praying at the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

· There are approximately permanent 630 roadblocks, and manned and unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank. In addition, there are some 60-80 'flying’ or temporary checkpoints erected across the West Bank by Israeli forces every week.


· When complete, the illegal Annexation Wall will stretch for 724 kilometers around the West Bank, further isolating the entire population. 350 kilometers of the Wall has already been constructed. Approximately 99% of the Wall has been constructed inside the West Bank itself, further confiscating Palestinian land.


· At least 65% of the main roads that leads to 18 Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by Israeli forces (47 out of 72 roads).


· There are around 500 kilometers of restricted roads across the West Bank. In addition, approximately one third of the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, is inaccessible to Palestinians without a permit issued by Israeli forces. These permits are extremely difficult to obtain.


· Israeli forces continue to harass, and assault demonstrators who hold peaceful protests against the construction of the Annexation Wall.


· Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by Israeli forces in Jerusalem, and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped and searched in the streets by Israeli forces.


Settlement Activities: Israel ahs continued settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law and Israeli settlers living have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property. On 20 November 2009, a number of armed Israeli settlers from "Ma'oun" settlement, south of Hebron, attacked 4 Palestinian shepherds in Khellat Um Zaytouna area to the east of the settlement and prevented them from gazing animals in the area. They threw stones at the young shepherds whose ages ranges from 14 and 18. On the same day, Israeli settlers from "Carme'el" settlement, south of Hebron, attacked a tin-made house in Um al-Khair area, in which 'Eida al-Hathalin, 56, who was attacked by the settlers last week, lives. They threw stones at the house in an attempt to force her to leave the area. The house was damaged. On 23 November 2009, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on the Nablus-Qalilya road. According to eyewitnesses, at least 25 settlers threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on the main road near "Havat Gilad" settlement outpost. A number of vehicles were damaged.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (19 – 24 November 2009)

1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip

Thursday, 19 November 2009

· At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to 'Essam Ahmed 'Otaiwi, 35, and arrested him.


· At approximately 01:15, warplanes bombarded the Yebna area near the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, targeting tunnels. At approximately 01:23, they attacked the same area again. Palestinian civilians were extremely terrified. According to medical sources, Mohammed 'Ali Abu al-Khair, 25, who was in a site of the Palestinian National Security Forces, was shocked.


· At approximately 01:27, warplanes bombarded a training site of the 'Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) in Khan Yunis. They attacked the same site again approximately an hour later. Two caravans on the site were destroyed.


· At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Maithaloun village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed Fawzi Rabai'a, 22, and his brother Jihad, 24.


· Also at approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Sanour village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.


· At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into 'Ejja village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.


· Also at approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into Marka village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.


· At approximately 09:00, an Israeli undercover unit moved into Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah, traveling in a civilian vehicle with a Palestinian registration plate. The vehicle stopped near a car maintenance workshop belonging to Mohammed Ahmed Yassin, 20. A number of persons got out of the vehicle and asked for water. When they entered a house located near the workshop, they chased and arrested Yassin. When his brother intervened to help him, those persons threatened him and told him that they were members of a special unit of the Israeli military.


· At approximately 15:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Taybeh village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of shops, but no arrests were reported.


· Also at approximately 15:30, Israeli forces moved into Rummana village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of shops, but no arrests were reported.


· Also at approximately 15:30, Israeli forces moved into 'Aanin village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of shops, but no arrests were reported.


Friday, 20 November 2009

· At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into 'Aqraba village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed 'Abdul Hamid Bani Fadel, 45, deputy chief of the Palestinian intelligence in Salfit, and arrested him. They released him on the following morning

· Also at approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Brouqin village, west of Salfit. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Bader Mahmoud Sabra, 37, and Rami Hatem Khater, 30, intelligence officers, and arrested them. Israeli forces released the two officers on the following morning.


· Also at approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Deir Estia village, northwest of Salfit. They raided and searched two houses belonging to 'Abdul Hamid Mohammed Khatib, 29, and Zaid Ahmed Abu Zaid, 29, intelligence officers, and arrested them. Israeli forces released the two officers on the following morning.


· At approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into Jayous village, northeast of Qalqilya. They raided a number of coffee shops and arrested 6 Palestinians, including two children and 3 security officers:


1. Ayoub Mohammed Khaled, 18, a security officer;

2. Mohammed Fayez Shamasna, 20, a security officer;

3. Anwar 'Aziz Mustafa, 18, a security officer;

4. Jihad 'Abdul Halim Shamasna, 17;

5. Nour 'Aziz Baida, 22; and

6. Anwar Rassem Khaled, 14.


Sunday, 22 November 2009

· At approximately 00:20, Israeli warplanes bombarded a 400-square-meter smith workshop at Saladin Street opposite to al-Zawaida village in the central Gaza Strip. The workshop was completely destroyed and a nearby fodder factory belonging to Khader Hassan Aby 'Ajwa was damaged.


· At approximately 00:25, warplanes bombarded a 600-square-meter factory of washing machines belonging to Mohsen Fua'd Qazqaz in Jabalya town in the northern Gaza Strip. The factory was completely destroyed. Additionally, a nearby brick factory belonging to Sa'ad Mohammed al-Sultan and 4 houses belonging to Yousef Mohammed al-Najjar, Eyad Ahmed al-Sultan, Riad Ahmed al-Sultan, and Hatem Ahmed al-Sultan, were damaged. Three children from the al-Najjar family also sustained bruises.


· At approximately 00:50, warplanes bombarded Yebna area near the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, targeting tunnels. As a result, 6 Palestinian civilians working in tunnels were wounded:

1. Husni Suleiman al-Riati, 21, from Rafah, seriously wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;

2. Hassan Ameen Shaheen, 17, from Rafah, seriously wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;

3. Khaled Rasheed Braika, 26, from Khan Yunis, moderately wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;

4. Ibrahim Jalal Kaware', 22, from Khan Yunis, sustained bruises to the back;

5. Jihad Khaled Saleh, 20, from Jabalya, sustained fractures to the left elbow and knee; and

6. Ahmed Tawfiq Abu Daf, 22, from Gaza City, suffered from shock.

· At approximately 20:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Leqia village, west of Ramallah, and patrolled in the streets. A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. Immediately, Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at the children, but no casualties were reported.


Monday, 23 November 2009

· At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Rummana village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to the Sbaihat family, but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Fadi Zahran Saleem, 25.


Tuesday, 24 November 2009

  • At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Jayous village, northeast of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Hassan Saleem, 68, and arrested him.
  • At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into the south of Jenin. They patrolled in the streetsfor some time. No arrests were reported.
  • At approximately 02:50, Israeli warplanes bombarded the Saladin Gate area on the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, allegedly to destroy tunnels. Ten minutes later, they bombarded Yebna area on the border. Fire broke out in tunnels, but no casualties were reported.

. Continued Siege on the OPT

Israeli forces have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Occupied East Jerusalem.

Gaza Strip

Israel has continued to close all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for more than two years. The illegal Israeli-imposed blockade of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.

· 1.5 million people are being denied their basic rights, including freedom of movement, and their rights to appropriate living conditions, work, health and education.


· The main concern of the population of the Gaza Strip is to obtain their basic needs of food, medicines, water and electricity supplies.

· Israel has continued to prevent the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza Strip for more than two years.

· Israel has not allowed fuel supplies into the Gaza Strip, excluding limited amounts of cooking gas, since 10 December 2008.

· The Rafah International Crossing Point has been opened for a few days for a number of patients who received medical treatment abroad and needed to return home to the Gaza Strip.

· Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to Palestinian civilians wishing to travel to the West Bank and Israeli for medical treatment, trade or social visits.

· Israel has continued to prevent the entry of spare parts for water networks and sewage systems. Losses incurred to this sector are estimated at US$ 6 million.

· Israel continues to impose access restrictions on international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip. They have prevented representatives of several international humanitarian organizations from entering the Gaza Strip.

· Living conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated; levels of poverty and unemployment are among the highest in the world.

· At least 900 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails have been denied family visitation rights for more than two years.

· Israeli forces have continued to attack Palestinian fishermen along the Gaza Strip coast.

Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:

Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point

18 – 23 November 2009

















Date


Details


18 November 2009


5 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 271 others and the body of a dead


one were allowed into the Gaza Strip.


19 November 2009


4 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 183 others were allowed into the


Gaza Strip.


20 November 2009


Closed.


21 November 2009


3 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 15 others were allowed into the


Gaza Strip.


22 November 2009


22 persons, including 12 Syrian artists and 5 Swiss nationals, were allowed into the


Gaza Strip.


23 November 2009


15 persons, including 12 Syrian artists and a delegation of Hamas headed by


Mahmoud al-Zahhar, were allowed to travel to Egypt, and two Palestinians were


allowed into the Gaza Strip.



Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing


18 – 23 November 2009


























Date


Details


18 November 2009


90 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.


19 November 2009


140 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.


20 November 2009

Closed.


21 November 2009

Closed.


22 November 2009


157 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.


23 November 2009


128 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.


Nahal Ouz Crossing: Israel opened the crossing on Wednesday, 18 November 2009, and allowed 256 tons of cooking gas and 467,000 liters of fuel were allowed into the Gaza Strip. Israel also allowed the entry of 400,000 liters of diesel and 40,000 liters of benzene for UNRWA.

Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have allowed only diplomats, a number of international journalists, workers at international agencies and a few patients who suffer from serious diseases to pass through the crossing. They have continued to prevent Palestinian civilians from visiting their relatives who are detained in Israeli jails. As mentioned above, Israeli forces have allowed a few number of patients to pass through the crossing, but under severe restrictions that include prolonged checking.


Movement at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing

18 - 23 November 2009






























































































Date


Patients


Companions


Arabs from Israel


Ambassadors


International Journalists


International Workers


Travelers abroad


Traders


18 November


33


33


15


5


8


27


1


16


19 November


38


30


7


12


4


43


Nil


Nil


20 November


6


6


3


2


2


27


4


Nil


21 November


Nil


Nil


Nil


Nil


Nil


Nil


Nil


Nil


22 November


26


24


30


3


13


17


6


5


23 November


36


31


14


5


5


15


Nil


2


24 November


22


21


1


6


1


24


3


Nil


Al-Mentar (Karni) Crossing: Israeli partially opened the crossing on Thursday, 19 November 2009, and allowed the entry of 1,120 tons of wheat and 2,080 tons of fodder. They opened it against on Monday, 23 November 2009, and allowed the entry of 1,360 tons of wheat and 2,000 tons of fodder, and 160 tons of aggregate for the Palestinian Water Authority.

The West Bank

Israeli forces have imposed a tightened siege on the West Bank. During the reporting period, Israeli forces imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

· Jerusalem: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to the city. Israeli forces have established many checkpoints around and inside the city. Restrictions of the movement of Palestinian civilians often escalate on Fridays to prevent them from praying at the al-Aqsa Mosque. Israeli forces often violently beat Palestinian civilians who attempt to bypass checkpoints and enter the city. Israeli forces impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians on Fridays to restrict their access to the al-Aqsa Mosque. On Tuesday noon, 24 November 2009, Israeli troops positioned at Jaba' checkpoint, east of Jerusalem, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.


· Nablus: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. Israeli troops positioned at an iron gate established on the Nablus-Tulkarm road have continued to conduct prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians, especially in the morning. Israeli troops positioned at Shavi Shomron checkpoint on the Nablus-Jenin road, and at Za'tara checkpoint, south of the city, have also continued to restrict the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Monday morning, 16 November 2009, Israeli troops positioned at Za'tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians.


· Ramallah: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of the Palestinian civilians in Ramallah. Israeli troops positioned at Jaba'-Qalandya checkpoint, southeast of Ramallah, have imposed additional restrictions on movement and conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians. During the reporting period, Israeli forces erected a number of temporary checkpoints, and stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Sunday morning, 22 November 2009, Israeli forces positioned at various checkpoints around Nablus imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians, and conducted prolonged checking on them.

Jenin: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday morning, 19 November 2009, Israeli forces erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Jaba' village and another one at 'Arraba intersection, south of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Tuesday morning, 24 November 2009, Israeli forces erected a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.


· Hebron: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 10:00 on Monday, 23 November 2009, Israeli forces positioned in the center and south of Hebron prevented Palestinian garbage gathering trucks from entering Qaitoun neighborhood to gather garbage. On Tuesday noon, 24 November 2009, Israeli forces erected two checkpoints in the north and south of Hebron. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilians vehicles.



3. Construction of the Annexation Wall


Israeli forces have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside West Bank territory. During the reporting period, Israeli troops used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the Wall.



· Following the Friday Prayer on 20 November 2009, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders gathered in the center of Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah. They moved towards the Wall and following altercations, threw stones at Israeli troops positioned in the area. Immediately, Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. Dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.



· Also following the Friday Prayer on 20 November 2009, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne'lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the Annexation Wall. They clashed with Israeli troops positioned near the Wall. Israeli forces fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians, were wounded:



1. Mohammed Ibrahim 'Amira, 18, wounded by a gunshot to the left leg;


2. Sa'id 'Atallah 'Amira, 19, wounded by a gunshot to the right hand; and


3. Mo'taz Taleb Nafe', 23, wounded by a gunshot to the left leg.



· Also following the Friday Prayer on 20 November 2009, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration to protest the construction of the Annexation Wall in al-Ma'sara village, south of Bethlehem. Israeli troops closed the entrance to the village and attacked the demonstrators. They fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators and violently beat a number of them. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians (two women and a child) sustained bruises: Fatema Mohammed Braijiya, 54; Su'ad 'Ali Fawaghra, 53; and Usaid Braijiya, 9.



4. Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property


Israeli forces have continued settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.


· On Friday morning, 20 November 2009, a number of armed Israeli settlers from "Ma'oun" settlement, south of Hebron, attacked 4 Palestinian shepherds in Khellat Um Zaytouna area to the east of the settlement and prevented them from gazing animals in the area. They threw stones at the young shepherds whose ages ranges from 14 and 18. The shepherds are: Yahia Jamal 'Awadh; Tariq Slem Hathalin; Anees Yasser Hathalin; and Zayed Suleiman Hathalin.



· On Friday evening, Israeli settlers from "Carme'el" settlement, south of Hebron, attacked a tin-made house in Um al-Khair area, in which 'Eida al-Hathalin, 56, who was attacked by the settlers last week, lives. They threw stones at the house in an attempt to force her to leave the area. The house was damaged.



· At approximately 10:00 on Monday, 23 November 2009, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on the Nablus-Qalilya road. According to eyewitnesses, at least 25 settlers threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on the main road near "Havat Gilad" settlement outpost. A number of vehicles were damaged.



…………………………………………………………



Recommendations to the International Community


1. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal and moral obligations under Article 1 of the Convention to ensure Israel's respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. PCHR believes that the conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as if it is above the law and encourages Israel continue to violate international human rights and humanitarian law.



2. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene a conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel's respect of the Convention in the OPT and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.



3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with its legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.



4. PCHR calls for the immediately implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal.



5. PCHR recommends international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs to participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and to urge their governments to bring these people to justice.



6. PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel. PCHR further calls upon the EU states to prohibit import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPT.



7. PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan, which was implemented in September 2005, for what it is - not an end to occupation but a compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.



8. In recognition of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPT, including the facilitation of family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.



9. PCHR appreciates the efforts of international civil society, including human rights organizations, bar associations, unions and NGOs, and urges them to continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel's respect for human rights in the OPT and to end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.



10. PCHR calls upon the international community to pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for international organizations to the OPT.



11. PCHR reiterates that any political settlement not based on international human rights law and humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of the Palestinian question. Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to further suffering and instability in the region. Any peace agreement or process must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.



…………………………………………………………



Public Document


For further information please visit our website (http://www.pchrgaza.org/) or contact PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email (pchr@pchrgaza.org) or telephone (+972 (0)8 2824776 – 2825893).





:: Article nr. 60464 sent on 25-nov-2009 16:34 ECT

http://www.uruknet.info/index.php?p=60464

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