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

• 6 Palestinian civilians were wounded by Israeli forces in the West Bank.

• 5 of these civilians were wounded when Israeli forces used force against peaceful demonstrations organized to protest the construction of the Annexation Wall in the West Bank.

• Israeli forces conducted 28 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and one into the Gaza Strip.

• Israeli forces arrested 40 Palestinian civilians, including 12 children.

• Israeli naval troops continued to attack Palestinian fishermen and boats in the Gaza Strip.

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

• Israeli troops positioned at military checkpoints and border crossings in the West Bank arrested 8 Palestinian civilians.

• Israel has continued measures aimed at creating a Jewish majority in Jerusalem.

• Israeli forces issued evacuation and demolition orders against 15 houses in the Silwan quarter.

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

• Two Palestinian children were injured as a result of attacks by settlers.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (05 – 11 November 2009):

Shooting: During the reporting period, 6 Palestinian civilians were wounded by Israeli forces in the West Bank.

During the reporting period, 5 Palestinian civilians were wounded when Israeli forces used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians to protest the construction of the Annexation Wall in the West Bank.

On 07 November 2009, a Palestinian civilian was seriously wounded in Hebron, when Israeli troops intentionally fired at his car. 

During the reporting period, Israeli troops violently beat two journalists and fired a tear gas canister at a car belonging to a third one, while they were covering clashes between Palestinian civilians and Israeli settlers in Iraq Bourin village near Nablus. 

Incursions: During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 28 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.  IOF arrested 40 Palestinian civilians, including 12 children.   

Restrictions on Movement: 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

Israeli forces have continued to close all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for more than two years. The illegal Israeli 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 few 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 rates stand at approximately 80% and 60% respectively in the Gaza Strip.

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

·      Israel has imposed additional 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

Israel has 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 IOF 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 the 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.

Measures Aimed at Creating a Jewish Majority in Jerusalem

During the reporting period, the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem issued orders to demolish more houses in Jerusalem and surrounding suburbs.  At approximately 09:00 on Sunday, 09 November 2009, Israeli forces, accompanied by officials from the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem, stormed al-Bsutan, 'Ein al-Louza and Yemen quarters in the south of the old town of Jerusalem.  They stuck copies of demolition orders on the walls of 15 houses.  These orders referred exclusively to house numbers without mentioning the names of the owners.  The orders gave the owners 20 days to appeal, however, the orders were issued 18 days earlier.   It is worth noting that these families had already received demolition orders in the context of a plan for the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem to demolish 88 houses in order to establish a park.

Settlement Activities: Israel has 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 07 November 2009, a number of Israeli settlers form "Brakha" settlement, escorted by Israeli forces, broke into Iraq Bourin village, south of Nablus.  Dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered at the entrances of the village and threw stones at the settlers to stop the raid.  Immediately, Israeli troops fired bullets and tear gas canisters at these civilians and chased them.  On the same day, Israeli settlers organized a provocative march from "Beit Hadasa" settlement outpost in the center of Hebron towards "Kiryat Arba" settlement.  During the march, dozens of settlers attacked Palestinian houses in Wad al-Hussain and Jaber quarter in the southeast of the town using stones.  Israeli forces escorted the settlers and did not intervene to stop such attacks. On 10 November 2009, Israeli settlers from "Kiryat Arba" settlement, southeast of Hebron, attacked Palestinian civilians and houses in Wad al-Nassara neighborhood, using stones and empty bottles.  Israeli troops were present in the area, but did not intervene to stop the attacks.  On the same day, two Palestinian children sustained bruises when they were beaten by 3 Israeli settlers who live in "Ramat Yishai" settlement outpost in Tal al-Rumaida neighborhood in the center of Hebron. 

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (05 – 11 November 2009)

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

Thursday, 05 November 2009

·      At approximately 00:00, Israeli forces moved into the African Colony quarter in the old town of occupied East Jerusalem.  They raided a house belonging to the family of 15-year-old Jihad Nasser Qous and arrested him, claiming that he participated in protests against attempts by Israeli settlers to break into the al-Aqsa Mosque two weeks earlier.

·      At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Nablus.  They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

·      Also at approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Far'a refugee camp, south of Tubas.  They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Beita village, southeast of Nablus.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Merhej Ahmed Hamayel, 25, and arrested him.

·      At approximately 01:45, Israeli forces moved into Jenin town and refugee camp.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 'Alaa' Mohammed Abu Hammad, 27.

·      Also at approximately 01:45, Israeli forces moved into Sirris village, southeast of Jenin.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 'Abdullah Sabri Qtait, 28.

·      At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Nabi Elias village, east of Qalqilya.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Sanad Husni Radwan, 17.

·      Also at approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Sourif village, north of Hebron.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Rafe' Jebril Abu Fara, 23.

Friday, 06 November 2009

·      At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Housan village, west of Bethlehem.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

1.    Ahmed Mahmoud al-Sabatin, 21; and

2.    Mohammed Sabri Shousha, 21.

·      At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Salfit.  They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

Saturday, 07 November 2009

·      At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Battir village, west of Bethlehem.  They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

Sunday, 08 November 2009

·      At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into 'Arraba village, southwest of Bethlehem.  They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

·      Also at approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Kufor Ra'ei village, southwest of Jenin.  They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

Monday, 09 November 2009

·      At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Housan village, west of Bethlehem.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children:

1.    Ahmed Bassam Zaghloul, 16;

2.    Bahaa' Mohammed Zaghloul, 16;

3.    Ahmed Yousef Zaghloul, 15; and

4.    Bashar Ma'moun Zaghloul, 18.

·      Also at approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

1.    Mohammed Ahmed al-Najjar, 23;

2.    'Alaa' al-Sarahna, 24; and

3.    Mo'ayad Durgham al-Muhtasseb, 25.

·      At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Jenin town and refugee camp.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Samer 'Abdullah al-Sanouri, 35.

·      Also at approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Fahma village, southwest of Jenin.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

1.    Eyad Hamdan Nawasra, 26; and

2.    Yazid Jamal Nawasra, 22.

·      At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into 'Awarta village, southeast of Nablus.  They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

·      Also at approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into 'Ainabous village, south of Nablus.  They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

Tuesday, 10 November 2009

·      At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Turmos'eya village, north of Ramallah.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 8 Palestinian civilians:

1.    Hamdan Hisham Rafael, 22;

2.    Mohammed Shaker al-Hazma, 21;

3.    Anas 'Ata Ershid, 21;

4.    'Abed Tawfiq al-Hindi, 22;

5.    Mohammed Fayez Habash, 22;

6.    Fernas Mohammed Abu As'ad, 21;

7.    'Omar Mohammed Hamdan, 22; and

8.    'Izz Ashraf al-Hindi, 22.

·      Also at approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into the old town of Hebron.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 'Othman Taleb Abu Snaina, 17. 

·      At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Kads al-Wad neighborhood in the center of Jericho.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Shadi Nader Mesfer, 28.

·      Also at approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Tubas.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Nasser 'Abdullah Daraghma, 30.

·      At approximately 02:15, Israeli forces moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron.  They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

·      Also at approximately 02:15, Israeli forces moved into Taffouh village, west of Hebron.  They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

Wednesday, 11 November 2009

·      At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into 'Aqraba village, southeast of Nablus.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Amjad Yousef Dairiya, 40.

·      At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Qasra village, southeast of Nablus.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 7 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children:

1.    'Awad 'Anan 'Ouda, 17;

2.    Fekri Jihad 'Ouda, 16;

3.    Mohammed Khaled 'Abdullah, 18;

4.    'Adnan Hani 'Ouda, 16;

5.    Mohammed 'Oqla Sadiq, 16;

6.    Malek Mo'ayad Hassan, 17; and

7.    Burhan Yousef Hassan, 29.

·      At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into al-'Eizariya village, east of Jerusalem.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

1.    Jamal Hussein Far'oun, 48;

2.    Mohammed 'Ayoush, 35; and

3.    Nasser al-Soubani, 32.

·      At approximately 10:30, Israeli forces moved into Kufor Hares village, north of Salfit.  They patrolled in the streets and imposed a curfew.  They disrupted all daily activities of Palestinian civilians living in the village.

2.      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

IOF have continued to close all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for more than two years. The illegal Israeli 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 few 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 form water networks and sewage systems. Losses incurred to this sector are estimated at US$ 6 million.

·      Israel has imposed additional 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 deprived for family visitation 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

04 – 10 November 2009

Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing

04 – 10 November 2009

Nahal Ouz Crossing: During the reporting period, Israel opened the crossing on Tuesday, 10 November 2009, and allowed the entry of 49 tons of cooking gas, and 1,072,260 liters of energy fuel for Gaza Power Plant.

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, Israel has 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

04 – 10 November 2009

Al-Mentar (Karni) Crossing: Israel partially opened the crossing on Wednesday, 04 November 2009, and allowed the entry of 1,260 tons of wheat and 2,640 tons of fodder.  They opened it against on Monday, 09 November 2009, and allowed the entry of 1,440 tons of wheat and 2,280 tons of fodder. 

The West Bank

Israel has 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.   

·      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 Wednesday morning, 11 November 2009, Israeli troops positioned at Za'tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians.        

On Wednesday evening, 11 November 2009, Israeli troops positioned at Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested Ashraf Mohammed Saba'na, 26, from Jenin.

Also on Wednesday evening, Israeli troops positioned at Shavi Shomron checkpoint, northwest of Nablus, arrested 7 Palestinian civilians:

1.    Hassan Hassis, 19;

2.    Tamer Saba'na, 18;

3.    Shadi Jeetawi, 20;

4.    Nasser al-Zar'eini, 19;

5.    Mahmoud al-Zar'eini, 18;

6.    'Abboud Abu al-Fahed, 18; and

7.    'Abed Zakarna, 19.

·      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 Saturday morning, 07 November 2009, Israeli forces closed 'Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah, for some time.    

·      Hebron:  Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians inside and around Hebron.  During the reporting period, Israeli troops positioned in the center of Hebron stopped and checked Palestinian civilians.  On Saturday evening, 07 November 2009, Israeli forces erected a checkpoint at the northeastern entrance of Hebron.  They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles and summoned a number of civilians for interrogation.

On Saturday evening, 07 November 2009, Israeli troops positioned at a military checkpoint at the northern entrance of al-Shuhada Street in the center of Hebron fired at Nassim Isma'il al-Hashlamoun, 30, when he was driving his car back home.  He was seriously wounded by shrapnel from a gunshot.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 22:30, al-Hashlamoun was driving his car together with his wife, who was sitting on the front seat, and his two children, who were sitting on the back seat, towards their home in the center of Hebron.  When he arrived at Bab al-Zawia Square, Israeli troops positioned in the area fired at the car from a range of less than 70 meters for no apparent reason.  A gunshot penetrated the front window of the car, and al-Hashlamoun was seriously wounded by shrapnel to the left eye.

3.     Construction of the Annexation Wall

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

·      Following the Friday Prayer on 06 November 2009, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered in the center of Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah. They moved towards the Wall and following provocation 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 inhalations.

·      Also following the Friday Prayer on 06 November 2009, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and 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.  IOF troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators.  As a result, 5 Palestinian civilians were wounded:

1.    Ahmed Yousef Khawaja, 28, hit by a tear gas canister to the abdomen;

2.    Mohammed Rateb 'Amira, 24, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the face;

3.    Sabti Mohammed Khawaja, 21, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the hand;

4.    Hamed Mohammed 'Amira, 21, hit by a tear gas canister to the right hand; and

5.    Rezeq Khalil Mosleh, 18, hit by a tear gas canister to the back.

·      Also following the Friday Prayer on 06 November 2009, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in protest to the construction of the Annexation Wall in al-Ma'sara village, south of Bethlehem.  Israeli troops closed the entrance of 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, two Palestinian children sustained bruises: Zaid Mahmoud Zawahra, 12; and 'Abada 'Ali Braijiya, 9.  

4.      Measures Aimed at Creating a Jewish Majority in occupied East Jerusalem

Israel has recently escalated arbitrary measures against Palestinian civilians in East Jerusalem to force them to leave the city. PCHR has devoted this section in the Weekly Report to highlight violations of human rights perpetrated by IOF against Palestinian civilians in East Jerusalem.

·      During the reporting period, the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem issued orders to demolish more houses in Jerusalem and suburbs.  At approximately 09:00 on Sunday, 09 November 2009, Israeli forces, accompanied by officials from the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem, stormed al-Bsutan, 'Ein al-Louza and Yemen quarters in the south of the old town of Jerusalem.  They stuck copies of demolition orders on the walls of 15 houses.  These orders exclusively referred to house numbers without mentioning the names of their owners.  The orders gave the owners 20 days to appeal, however the orders were issued 18 days earlier.   It is worth noting that these families had already received demolition orders in the context of a plan for the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem to demolish 88 houses in order to establish a park.

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

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

·      At approximately 16:00 on Saturday, 07 November 2009, a number of Israeli settlers form "Brakha" settlement, escorted by Israeli forces, broke into Iraq Bourin village, south of Nablus.  Dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered at the entrance of the village and threw stones at the settlers to stop the raid.  Immediately, Israeli troops fired bullets and tear gas canisters at these civilians and chased them.  They also fired a tear gas canister at a car belonging to Ashraf Abu Shawish, a cameraman of Reuters, and the gas spread into the car.  Israeli troops also attacked 'Abdul Rahim Mohammed al-Qoussini, 43, a cameraman of Reuters, and 'Aaref Tuffaha, 42, a cameraman of Associated Press, and confiscated their cameras.

·      At approximately 17:00 on Saturday, 07 November 2009, Israeli settlers organized a provocative march from "Beit Hadasa" settlement outpost in the center of Hebron towards "Kiryat Arba" settlement.  During the march, dozens of settlers attacked Palestinian houses in Wad al-Hussain and Jaber quarter in the southeast of the town using stones.  Israeli forces escorted the settlers and did not intervene to stop such attacks.

·      On Tuesday afternoon, 10 November 2009, Israeli settlers from "Kiryat Arba" settlement, southeast of Hebron, attacked Palestinian civilians and houses in Wad al-Nassara neighborhood, using stones and empty bottles.  Israeli troops were present in the area, but did not intervene to stop the attacks.

·      At approximately 20:00 on the same day, Hazem Mofeed al-Sharbati, 16, and his brother Haten, 17, sustained bruises when they were beaten by 3 Israeli settlers who live in "Ramat Yishai" settlement outpose in Tal al-Rumaida neighborhood in the center of Hebron.  

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).