[News] 7 civilians wounded, 51 abducted in 69 Israeli incursions this week

[Anti-Imperialist News]

  PCHR Weekly Report: 7 civilians wounded, 51 abducted in 69 Israeli
  incursions this week

author Friday June 14, 2013 10:18author by PCHR-Gaza
http://www.imemc.org/article/65674

    In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the
    Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 05 - 12 June 2013,
    the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that Israeli
    forces have continued to open fire at the Palestinian civilians in
    the Gaza Strip border area. A Palestinian worker was wounded, east
    of Khan Yunis in the south of the Gaza Strip. 5 Palestinian
    civilians, including a child, were wounded during an Israeli
    incursion in al-Far'ah refugee camp, south of Tubas.

In addition, Israeli forces have continued to use excessive force 
against peaceful protesters in the West Bank. A protester was wounded 
during a peaceful protest in Bil'in village, west of Ramallah.

Israeli attacks in the West Bank:

Israeli forces conducted 67 incursions into Palestinian communities in 
the West Bank this week, in which they abducted 51 Palestinian 
civilians, including 3 children. Among the abducted is Abdul Jaber 
Foqaha', Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council for the Change 
and Reform Bloc.

In one example of this week's 67 incursions, on Wednesday June 5th, at 
approximately 09:55, Israeli forces moved into al-Khader village, south 
of Bethlehem. They positioned themselves around schools in the Old Town. 
A number of students gathered and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, 
who in response fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear 
gas canisters. As a result, a number of students suffered tear gas 
inhalation and were treated on the spot. The Israeli forces abducted the 
student Hamza Mahmoud al-Wahesh (15) and took him to "Gosh Etzion" 
settlement, south of the city. When al-Wahesh's father went to ask about 
his son, the Israeli forces released him after 2 hours.

Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank. 7 
Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, were abducted at 
checkpoints in the West Bank. One of the detainees is 12 years old.

On Wednesday, 05 June 2013, Israeli forces moved into al-Thagra area, 
near "Neve Daniel" settlement, south of al-Khader village, in the south 
of Bethlehem and destroyed an arbor under the pretext of not obtaining a 
permit.

On Thursday, 06 June 2013, Israeli forces handed a Yatta municipal 
employee a notice to halt work in a street that is being paved in 
Mothalath Zeif area, at the eastern entrance of Yatta, which is linked 
to Bypass Road (60), south of Hebron.

On Saturday, 08 June 2013, Israeli forces uprooted a tent in al-Jab'a 
area to the west of Sourif village, northwest of Hebron that was 
established by Palestinians, member of Popular Committees against the 
Settlement Activities and a number of international and Israeli human 
rights activists, under the name Kan'an village. Also on Saturday, 
Israeli forces bulldozed and closed an agricultural road, which leads to 
50 dunums of farmlands in the area of Salem Valley, in the west of the 
village, with rocks and piles of dirt. The 50-dunum-land is planted with 
grapevines.

On Sunday, 09 June 2013, Israeli forces chased farmers and shepherds of 
the Hathaleen family while present in the surroundings of Kherbat 
Uml-Khair area to the east of Yatta, south of Hebron, under the pretext 
that these lands are confiscated and are restricted to them. It should 
be mentioned that the Israeli forces have been trying to evacuate the 
inhabitants of the area of the Hathaleen family for several years for 
expansion schemes of "Carmiel" settlement, which is established on the 
lands of the Uml-Khair.

Also on Sunday, Israeli forces denied farmers from Beit Ummar village, 
north of Hebron, access to their lands, which are located within the 
security fence of "Kermi Tsour" settlement, which is established on 
Palestinian civilians' lands in the north of Hebron. The farmers waited 
for more than an hour before a soldier approached them and ordered them 
to leave at gunpoint. It should be noted that Israeli forces confiscated 
many agricultural dunums of Beit Ummar village and Halhoul for the 
expansion of the afore-mentioned settlement. In al-Buq'a area in the 
east of Hebron, Israeli forces placed a notice to halt construction 
works near an under construction water well, which is the property of 
Atta Abdel-Jawad Mohammed Jaber (44).

On Wednesday, 12 June 2013, Israeli forces bulldozed an occupied house 
and an under construction barrack in East Barta'a village, which is 
isolated from its Palestinian surroundings due to the construction of 
the annexation wall in the west of Jenin. The house is of two floors, 
each of 170 square metres, and is the property of Ahmed Omar Qubha (29), 
and the barrack is the property of Ali Mohammed Qubha (47).

Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:

In the Gaza Strip, on 10 June 2013, Israeli forces stationed on 
watchtowers along the border fence, east of Khan Yunis in the southern 
Gaza Strip, opened fire at 3 brothers working as gravel collectors 80 
meters away from the border fence. As a result, Amer Mazen Abu Hadayed 
(20) was wounded and taken to the European Gaza Hospital in Khan Yunis.

Israeli navy forces continued to pursue Palestinian fishermen in Gaza 
sea. On 05, 06 and 08 June 2013, Israeli forces opened fire at 
Palestinian fishing boats 
<http://rd.bizrate.com/rd?t=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wayfair.com%2FPelican-Bass-Raider-10E-Pontoon-Boat-in-Khaki-BBA10P409-L3470-K%7EPEL1168.html%3Frefid%3DBR49-PEL1168&mid=175917&cat_id=12180101&atom=10471&prod_id=5109756122&oid=4626748472&pos=1&b_id=18&bid_type=0&bamt=0238e138690aac2c&cobrand=1&ppr=af3d66073e8f854c&rf=af1&af_assettype_id=10&af_creative_id=6&af_id=6784> 
that were sailing within the 6 nautical mile limit off al-Waha resort in 
the north of the Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported. However, a 
fishing boat belonging to Taha Sa'dAllah (30) sustained damage and 2 
fishing nets were torn by the Israeli navy forces.

In the same context, on 07 June 2013, Israeli navy forces abducted 2 
fishermen from the central Gaza Strip, confiscated their boat and 
released them later at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing.

Also in the Gaza Strip, on 11 June 2013, Israeli forces conducted a 
limited incursion in the east of Deir al-Balah in the central the Gaza 
Strip. They levelled lands and withdrew later. The second incursion was 
conducted on 12 June 2013, northeast of Gaza valley (Johr al-Deek).

Israel has continued to impose a total closure on the Occupied 
Palestinian Territories and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside 
world. The illegal closure 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. 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 7 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 a grave violation of the economic, social and 
cultural rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.7 million 
people. The Israeli authorities has 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 that has been 
aggravating for years due to the shortage of imports. They also aim at 
imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip's exports.

Israeli settlement activities:

Israeli forces have continued to support settlement activities in the 
West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian 
civilians and property.

On Thursday, 06 June 2013, a group of settlers from "Bat Ayin" 
settlement, which is established on Palestinian lands in the west of 
Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, cut and destroyed 20 3-year-old 
olive trees in Abul-Reish valley area, near the afore-mentioned 
settlement. It should be mentioned that this attack is the third of its 
kind to be carried out by settlers in al-Saliby's land in 2013. Also on 
Thursday, a group of settlers from "Maon" settlement, established on 
Palestinian land in the east of Yatta attacked a group of farmers from 
the Awad family while working in their farmlands in Qwayweis and Um 
al-'Arayes areas, in the east of the afore-mentioned area, and banned 
from working on their land at gunpoint.

On Thursday as well, dozens of settlers from "Najohout settlement," 
which is established on Palestinian lands, in the south of Doura, 
southwest of Hebron, patrolled the streets of Kharsa valley area, under 
strict protection of the Israeli forces. No incidents were reported. And 
later on Thursday, a group of settlers, under the protection of Israeli 
forces, moved into Kufol Hares village, north of Salfit. The settlers 
chanted anti-Arab slogans and made graffiti in Hebrew inside the 
historical and religious landmarks, and on the houses of Palestinians as 
well, such as "Death to Arabs."

On Tuesday, 11 June 2013, a number of settlers' children from "Beitar 
Illit," established on the lands of Houssan, Nahalin and Fouqin Valley 
villages, in the western countryside of Bethlehem, set fire in lands in 
Kherbat al-Deir area in the west of Nahlain village. As a result, 
approximately 10 trees and other crops caught on fire. The inhabitants 
of the village put out the fire.

Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:

In the West Bank, Israeli forces continued the systematic use of 
excessive force against peaceful protests organised by Palestinian, 
Israeli and international activists against the construction of the 
annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, 
Amr Hesham Bernat (25) was wounded during a peaceful protest in Bil'in 
village, west of Ramallah, on 07 June 2013. Moreover, dozens suffered 
tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.

On 12 June 2013, 5 civilians, including a child, sustained bullet wounds 
when Israeli forces moved into al-Far'ah refugee camp, south of Tubas.

Following the Friday Prayer, 07 June 2013, dozens of Palestinian 
civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organised 
a peaceful demonstration in Bil'in village, west of Ramallah, in protest 
at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activity and 
in commemoration of the 1967 war. The demonstrators marched through the 
streets of the village, chanting slogans calling for national unity, 
raised Palestinian flags and made their way towards the lands adjacent 
to the annexation wall. Israeli forces had closed all entrances to the 
village since the early morning to prevent Palestinians, journalists, 
and international activists from joining the protest. The demonstrators 
walked along the wall and attempted to breach it. Israeli forces 
stationed behind the western side of the wall, and dozens of soldiers 
who were deployed along the route of the wall, fired live ammunition, 
rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs, tear gas canisters, and waste 
water at the demonstrators, and chased them across olive fields. As a 
result, Amro Hisham Bernat (25) was hit in the right leg by a tear gas 
canister. Furthermore, the shooting of tear gas canisters at the 
demonstrators caused fire in a tract of land that is planted with olive 
trees.

Also, following the Friday Prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians and 
international and Israeli human rights defenders organised a peaceful 
demonstration in Ni'lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest at the 
construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The 
demonstrators made their way towards the annexation wall. Israeli forces 
closed the wall gate with barbed wire and, when the demonstrators 
attempted to access the lands behind the barbed wire, they were stopped 
by Israeli soldiers. The demonstrators threw stones at the Israeli 
soldiers who responded with live ammunition, rubber-coated metal 
bullets, sound bombs, and tear gas canisters, and chased them across 
fields of olive trees as far as the outskirts of the village. As a 
result, dozens of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others 
sustained bruises.

Around the same time on Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians, and 
Israeli and international human rights activists gathered at the Martyrs 
Square in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to hold a weekly 
peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and 
settlement activities. The protesters walked towards Palestinian lands 
that Israeli settlers from the nearby "Halmish" settlement are trying to 
seize. From the morning, Israeli forces had closed all entrances to the 
village to prevent Palestinians, international activists, and 
journalists from joining the demonstration. Upon their arrival in the 
area, Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, 
sound bombs, and tear gas canisters, chased the demonstrators into the 
village and sprayed them and civilian houses with waste water. As a 
result, dozens of Palestinians suffered from tear gas inhalation and 
others sustained bruises. The firing of the tear gas canisters caused a 
fire in a tract of land which is planted with olive trees. Also, Israeli 
forces abducted two brothers, from the neighbouring Deir Nezam village, 
while they were in a supermarket in al-Khawaja station and took them to 
Ofer prison in the southwest of Ramallah. At approximatel 00:00 on 
Monday, 10 June 2013, they were released on a bail of 2000 Israeli 
shekels each. The abducted persons are: Tamim Ahmed Faraj Mezher (19); 
and Mo'men Ahmed Faraj Mezher (19).

Following Friday Prayer, dozens of inhabitants of al-Mas'ra village, 
south of Bethlehem, international and Israeli human rights activists, 
and activists in the Popular Resistance Committees gathered for the 
weekly peaceful demonstration against the construction of the annexation 
wall and settlement activity. The demonstration was also organized in 
protest to the construction of a school for settlers in the south of 
Bethlehem. It started outside Shomou' Cultural Centre in the centre of 
the village. The participants carried Palestinian flags, roamed the 
streets of the village. Upon their arrival to the village's entrance, 
Israeli forces, backed-up by Israeli police and border guards, fired 
tear gas canisters at them in order to disperse them. Many demonstrators 
suffered due to tear gas inhalation.

At approximately 13:20 on Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians and 
international human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration 
in the centre of Kufor Kadoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest 
at the continuous closure of the eastern entrance of the village which 
has been ongoing since the outbreak of al-Aqsa Intifada. Israeli 
soldiers denied them access to the gate and fired sound bombs and tear 
gas canisters; as a result, many demonstrators suffered from tear gas 
inhalation.

Recommendations to the international community:

Due to the number and severity of Israeli human rights violations this 
week, the PCHR made several recommendations to the international 
community. Among these were a recommendation that 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 pressure Israel to comply with their provisions in the 
Occupied Palestinian Territories, and to compel it to incorporate the 
human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories in its 
reports submitted to the concerned committees;

In addition, the 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.

For the full text of the report, click on the link below:

Related Link(s): 
http://www.pchrgaza.org/portal/en/index.php?option=com_...d=183 
<http://www.pchrgaza.org/portal/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9589:weekly-report-on-israeli-human-rights-violations-in-the-occupied-palestinian-territory-05-12-june-2013&catid=84:weekly-2009&Itemid=183>
-- 
Freedom Archives 522 Valencia Street San Francisco, CA 94110 415 
863.9977 www.freedomarchives.org
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://freedomarchives.org/pipermail/news_freedomarchives.org/attachments/20130614/e4060b75/attachment.htm>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: date.gif
Type: image/gif
Size: 114 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://freedomarchives.org/pipermail/news_freedomarchives.org/attachments/20130614/e4060b75/attachment.gif>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: person.gif
Type: image/gif
Size: 72 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://freedomarchives.org/pipermail/news_freedomarchives.org/attachments/20130614/e4060b75/attachment-0001.gif>