[News] Report on Israeli Human Rights Violations in the occupied Palestinian territories (18 - 25 March 2015)

[Anti-Imperialist News]

  PCHR Report on Israeli Human Rights Violations in the oPt (18 - 25
  March 2015)

author Monday March 30, 2015 00:15author by PCHR-Gaza
*http://www.imemc.org/article/71061*

    Israeli forces have continued with systematic attacks against
    Palestinian civilians and their property in the occupied Palestinian
    territories (oPt) for the reporting period of 18 - 25 March 2015.

*_Israeli attacks in the West Bank & Gaza:_*

_Shootings_

During the reporting period, a Palestinian civilian died of wounds he 
sustained last week. Moreover, Israeli forces wounded 10 Palestinian 
civilians, including five children, in the West Bank and Gaza Strip; 
seven of whom, including the five children, were wounded in the West 
Bank, while the other three ones were in the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces 
also continued to open fire at border areas in the Gaza Strip.

In the West Bank, a Palestinian civilian died of wounds he sustained 
last week, while Israeli forces wounded seven Palestinian civilians, 
including five children. One of the children was wounded during a weekly 
protest against settlement activities and the construction of the 
annexation wall. Furthermore, six civilians, including four children, 
were wounded in other protests in the oPt.

On 25 March 2015, medical sources at Palestine Medical Compound in 
Ramallah pronounced Ali Safi (20), from al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north 
of Ramallah, dead of wounds he sustained earlier.

Israeli forces continued the use of excessive and systematic force 
against peaceful protests organized by Palestinian civilians and Israeli 
and international solidarity activists against the construction of the 
annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, 
a 17-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the left leg during 
Kufor Qaddoum weekly protest, northeast of Qalqilya.

In the same context, six Palestinian civilians, including four children, 
were wounded during other protests organized at the western entrance of 
Selwad village, northeast of Ramallah, the southern entrance of 
al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah, and around Ofer detention 
facility, southwest of Ramallah.

In the Gaza Strip, on 20 March 2015, three Palestinian civilians were 
wounded when Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of 
Khan Yunis, opened fire and fired tear gas canisters at a group of 
Palestinian civilians, who were present 150-500 meters away from the 
said fence. As a result, the three civilians were wounded and were taken 
to Algeria Hospital in Abasan hospital.

In the context of opening fire at border areas, on 19 March 2015, 
Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of al-Shuhada 
cemetery, east of Jabalia in the north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at 
the border area. Israeli forces opened fire also at approximately 13:00 
on Saturday, 21 March 2015, at approximately 16:30 on Sunday, 22 March 
2015, and at approximately 10:15 on Monday, 23 March 2015.

Furthermore, on 22 March 2015, Israeli forces stationed along the border 
fence opened fire at agricultural lands in the east of Abasan village, 
east of Khan Yunis in the south of the Gaza Strip.

On 23 March 2015, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence also 
opened fire and fired tear gas canisters at agricultural lands and 
shepherds, east of Deir al-Balah and al-Bureij refugee camp in the east 
of the central Gaza Strip.

It should be noted that because of the abovementioned shooting 
incidents, farmers were frightened, but neither casualties nor material 
damage were reported.

_Incursions_

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 77 
military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, six 
ones in East Jerusalem and a limited one in the Gaza Strip. During these 
incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 67 Palestinians, including 
22 children and 10 women. Thirty-one of these Palestinians, including 16 
children and 10 women, were arrested in Jerusalem.

_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 8 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.

_*Efforts to create a Jewish demographic majority in East Jerusalem:*_

_Incursions and arrests_

On Sunday, 15 March 2015, Israeli forces moved into al-Eisawiya village, 
north of East Jerusalem. They raided a number of houses from which they 
arrested two civilians.

On the same day, Israeli forces arrested 3 girls and a woman, who were 
present around al-Selsela gate of al-Aqsa Mosque in the old city.

On Monday, 16 March 2015, Israeli forces moved into al-Eisawiya village, 
north of East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses 
from which they arrested four civilians, including three children.

On the same day, Israeli forces moved into Ras al-Amoud neighborhood, 
east of the old city. They raided and searched a number of houses from 
which they arrested three children.

On Tuesday, 17 March 2015, Israeli forces arrested a woman and three 
young men while being present in the yard of al-Aqsa Mosque in the old 
city under the pretext of participating in riots.

On the same day, Israeli forces arrested Mahdi Hatem Abu Asab (11), 
while he was present in al-Qarmi neighborhood, in the old city.

On Wednesday, 18 March 2015, Israeli forces moved into Beit Hanina 
neighborhood, north of East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number 
of houses from which they arrested three civilians, including a child.

On the same day, Israeli forces raided a house belonging to Mohammed 
Darweesh in al-Eisawiya village, north of East Jerusalem. They searched 
the house and arrested his son Khaled (17).

On the same day, Israeli forces moved into al-Thawri neighborhood, south 
of East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses from 
which they arrested two civilians, including a child.

On the same day, Israeli forces moved into Ras al-Amoud neighborhood, 
east of the old city. They raided and searched a number of houses from 
which they arrested two children.

Also on the same day, Israeli forces arrested Jawad Siyam (42), director 
of the Information Center of Wadi Helwa, in Selwan village, south of the 
old city.

_Settler attacks in the city_

On Friday, 13 March 2015, 2 settlers attacked Ahmed Mohammed Essa Abu 
Ta'ah (19) when he was in al-Masharef Mount area "the French Hill", 
north of the old city. As a result, he sustained wounds in the face and 
bruises in the neck.

At approximately 09:00 on Monday, 16 March 2015, Israeli forces 
surrounded a house belonging to Sab Laban family house in Aqabet 
al-Khalidiya in the old city. They tried to evacuate the house for the 
interest of settlers. Israeli forces brought demolition tools to burst 
out the door and force the family get out of the house. The family 
lawyer intervened and obtained an order to delay the evacuation.

On Wednesday, 18 March 2015, Israeli Elad Association seized by forgery 
a building belonging to al-Malehi family and two tracts of land in Wadi 
Helwa neighborhood, south of the old city.

In the same context, under the protection of Israeli forces, dozens of 
armed settlers seized a 500-square-meter tract of land belonging to 
al-Abasi family in Wadi Helwa neighborhood and established tin-made 
rooms on it. They also seized a 1,200-square-meter tract of land 
belonging to Sh'aban family in the same neighborhood. They cleaned the 
land and placed a caravan on it.

_Restrictions on movement in the city_

On Sunday morning, 15 March 2015, Israeli police denied eight buses from 
Sour Baher, south of East Jerusalem, access to al-Aqsa Mosque.

_*Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian 
civilians and property:*_

On 16 March 2015, Israeli forces noticed Qana Valley farmers, northwest 
of Salfit, that they would uproot 240 olive trees aged six years from 
the lands of al-Tanour lands belonging to Hasan Mustafa Mansour, 
Mohammed 'Abdel Fattah Zidan and Ahmed Khalil Mansour from the village. 
They gave the farmers 48 hours to remove the trees starting from 15 
March 2015 and threatened either to uproot the trees or to subject the 
three aforementioned farmers to trial, harm and detention.

On 18 March 2015, Israeli forces backed by three bulldozers moved into 
Kherbet Makhoul area in the Northern Jordan Valley, east of Tubas. The 
Israeli bulldozers immediately levelled a residential compound for 
Palestinian shepherds.

Israeli forces then headed to the nearby al-Hadideyah area, and their 
bulldozers levelled 60-square-meter barrack belonging to Ahmed 'Abdullah 
Hafez Bani 'Odah. They then went to al-Farisiyah area and confiscated 
two water tanks of a capacity of 12 cubic meters.

At approximately 10:00 on the Wednesday, Israeli forces moved into 
al-Thaheriyah village, south of Hebron. They stationed in Ma'ala Valley 
area in the southeast of the village and then cut down ten almond trees 
and cactus seedlings in addition to confiscating them. The Civil 
Administration officer who accompanied the Israeli soldiers sprayed 
chemicals at the rest of the tree stalks in the land.

On Friday, 13 March 2015, settlers gathered on the main road between 
Jenin, Tulkarm and Nablus near the entrance of Silet al-Thaher village, 
south of Jenin. The settlers fired in the air and threw stones at the 
passing Palestinian vehicles traveling on the aforementioned road.

On Tuesday, 17 March 2015, Israeli settlers gathered on the main road 
between Jenin, Tulkarm and Nablus near the entrance of Silet al-Thaher 
village, south of Jenin. The settlers threw stones at the passing 
Palestinian vehicles traveling on the aforementioned road.

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Um al-Rayhan village, 
which has been isolated from its surroundings by the annexation wall, 
southwest of Jenin. They levelled vacant lands in the vicinity of a 
barrack used to manufacture marble.

*_Use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations protesting 
settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall:_*

During the reporting period, Israeli soldiers used excessive force 
against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians, 
international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest at the 
construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the 
West Bank. As a result, a 17-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to 
the left leg in Kufor Qaddoum weekly protest, northeast of Qalqilya.

In the same context, six Palestinian civilians, including four children, 
were wounded during protests at the southern entrance of al-Jalazoun 
refugee camp, north of Ramallah, the western entrance of Silwad village, 
northeast of the city, and around Ofer detention facility, southwest of 
Ramallah.

*/(PCHR keeps the names of the wounded in fear of being arrested by the 
Israeli forces within its policy to oppress the peaceful protests and 
prevent Palestinian civilians from participating)./*

_Demonstrations against the construction of the annexation wall and 
settlement activity_

Following the Friday prayer, on 20 March 2015, dozens of Palestinian 
civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized 
a peaceful demonstration in Bil’in, west of Ramallah, in protest at the 
construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The 
protestors marched by the annexation wall and tried to cross the fence. 
Israeli soldiers stationed behind the wall, in the western area, and a 
large number of soldiers deployed along it, fired live bullets, tear gas 
canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs and wastewater at 
them and chased them into the olive fields. As a result, a number of 
protestors suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as 
they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.

Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians organised a 
peaceful demonstration in the centre of Ni’lin village, west of 
Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and 
settlement activities. The demonstrators took the streets and headed to 
the annexation wall. Israeli forces closed the gates of the wall with 
barbwires and prevented the demonstrators from crossing to the land 
behind it before they responded by throwing stones. Israeli soldiers 
fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear 
gas canisters at the civilians, and chased them into the village. As a 
result, a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and 
others sustained bruises as they were beaten up.

Also following the Friday Prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians and 
Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in the center 
of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to start the weekly 
peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and 
settlement activities. The protesters walked towards the gate erected by 
Israeli forces near the entrance of the village and leading to 
Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby "Halmish" 
settlement are trying to seize. Israeli soldiers who had been 
extensively deployed in the area and near all the entrances of the 
village since the morning, began to confront the protesters who wanted 
to walk towards the affected lands. Israeli soldiers fired live and 
rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the 
protesters. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas 
inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up.

At approximately 12:20, Palestinian civilians and international 
solidarity activists organized a protest in the center of Kufor Qaddoum 
village, northeast of Qalqilya, heading to the eastern entrance of the 
village in protest against closing that entrance since the beginning of 
al-Aqsa Intifada with an iron gate. The demonstrators threw stones at 
Israeli soldiers, who fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters in 
response. As a result, a 17-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to 
the left leg.

_Other demonstrations_

Following the Friday prayer, 20 March 2015, dozens of Palestinians 
gathered at the western entrance of the Silwad village, northeast of 
Ramallah, on the road between Silwad and Yabroud villages, near Bypass 
road (60), in protest at the Israeli policies. Protestors set fire to 
tires and threw stones and Molotov Cocktails at the aforementioned road 
and Israeli soldiers. In response, Israeli soldiers stationed in the 
area fired live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear 
gas canisters at the protestors. Israeli soldiers raided a house 
belonging to Mo'amer Ayyad (38) and turned it into a military barrack to 
fire at the protestors. As a result, three civilians, including two 
children, were wounded and taken to Palestine Medical Compound in 
Ramallah. A 15-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the left leg, 
a 16-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the right leg and a 
31-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the right knee.

On Friday afternoon, dozens of youngsters gathered from different areas 
of Ramallah and al-Bireh in the vicinity of Ofer detention facility, 
southwest of Ramallah. They headed towards the facility’s gate that was 
closed by Israeli soldiers. They set fire to tires and threw stones and 
empty bottles at the soldiers. Israeli forces deployed around the 
detention facility and started firing live and rubber-coated metal 
bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, two civilians 
were wounded and taken to Palestine Medical Compound in Ramallah. Yousef 
Mohammed Hussein Joreesh (13) sustained a bullet wound to the left leg 
and 19-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the right leg.

Also following the Friday prayer, dozens of children and young men 
gathered at the southern entrance of al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of 
Ramallah. They were about 300 meters away from the fence of "Beit Eil" 
settlement. Israeli forces stationed in the area fired live ammunition, 
rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a 
result, 15-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the head and was 
taken to Palestine Medical Compound in Ramallah.

*_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.

The total closure of al-Mentar ("Karni") crossing since 02 March 2011 
has seriously affected the economy of the Gaza Strip. Following this 
closure, all economic and commercial establishments in the Gaza 
Commercial Zone were shut off. It should be noted that al-Mentar 
crossing is the biggest crossing in the Gaza Strip, in terms of its 
capacity to absorb the flow of imports and exports. The decision to 
close al-Mentar crossing was the culmination of a series of decisions 
resulting in the complete closure of the Sofa crossing, east of the Gaza 
Strip in the beginning of 2009, and the Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza 
City, which were dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to 
the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2010.

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.

The cooking gas crisis has fluctuated due to the closure of Karm Abu 
Salem for security claims. According to PCHR’s follow-up, Israeli 
authorities only allow an average of 98 tons of cooking gas into Gaza 
per day. This limited quantity is less than half of the daily needs, 
which is 200 tons per day of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip 
during winter. The crisis has unprecedentedly aggravated for around six 
weeks due to cold weather and overconsumption in addition to the power 
outage and using gas as an alternative in many instances of electricity. 
The lack of diesel and benzene led to the aggravation of the crisis as a 
result of using the gas cylinder for cars or as an alternative for 
benzene to run generators. As a result, the demand for gas further 
increased.

For almost seven consecutive years, Israeli forces have continued to 
prevent the delivery of construction materials to the Gaza Strip. Two 
years ago, Israeli forces approved the delivery of limited quantities of 
construction materials for a number of international organizations in 
the Gaza Strip. On 17 September 2013, they allowed the entry of limited 
quantities of construction materials for the private sector. However, on 
13 October 2013, they re-banned it claiming that these materials are 
used for constructing tunnels. Last week, Israeli forces allowed the 
entry of construction materials only for UNRWA and UNDP projects. As a 
result, construction works have completely stopped impacting all sectors 
related to construction and an increase in unemployment levels. During 
the 51-day Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip in July and August 2014, 
Israeli authorities did not allow the entry of any construction 
materials. As a result, vital and infrastructure projects have been 
obstructed so far.

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. 
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 denied permission to 
access hospitals via the crossing for new categories of patients from 
the Gaza Strip.

_West Bank_

*Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the 
reporting period, Israeli forces imposed additional restrictions on the 
movement of Palestinian civilians:*

· Hebron: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on 
the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 14:00 on 
Thursday, 19 March 2015, Israeli forces established at the entrance of 
Ethna village, west of the city. At approximately 16:00, another 
checkpoint was established at the entrance of Beit Kahel village, west 
of Hebron. Later, the two checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were 
reported.

At approximately 14:00 on Friday, 20 March 2015, Israeli forces 
established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ethna village, west of 
Hebron. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 07:30 on Saturday, 21 March 2015, Israeli forces 
established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Majd village, west of 
Dura, southwest of Hebron. Later, the checkpoint was removed and no 
arrests were reported.

At approximately 07:00 on Sunday, 22 March 2015, Israeli forces 
established a checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Samit village, west of 
Dura, southwest of Hebron. Meanwhile, another checkpoint was established 
at the entrance of Sa'ir village, east of Hebro. At approximately 07:30, 
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Samou'a 
village, south of the city. At approximately 16:00, another checkpoint 
was established at the southern entrance of Halhoul. Later, all 
checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 08:00 on Tuesday, 24 March 2015, Israeli forces 
established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Samou'a village, south of 
the city. At approximately 15:00, another checkpoint was established at 
the entrance of Beit Ummar village, north of the city. Later, both 
checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 07:00 on Wednesday, 25 March 2015, Israeli forces 
established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Kahel, west of the 
city. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.

· Ramallah: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions 
on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 06:30 on 
Thursday, 19 March 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the 
entrance of N'ilin, west of the city. At approximately 16:30, Israeli 
forces established another checkpoint under the bridge of 'Ein Yabrud 
village, northeast of Ramallah. At approximately 20:00, another 
checkpoint was established between Jericho and Ramallah. Both 
checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 08:30 on Friday, 20 March 2015, Israeli forces 
reestablished 'Atarah checkpoint at the northern entrance of Bir Zeit, 
north of the city. At approximately 09:30, closed the eastern entrance 
of al-Nabi Saleh village, northeast of the city with the iron gate 
established at the aforementioned entrance and prevented civilians from 
entering or leaving through it. At approximately 11:00, a similar 
checkpoint was established at the entrance of N'ilin, west of the city. 
At approximately 15:30, they also established a checkpoint at the 
entrance of Deir Nizam village, northwest of Ramallah. All checkpoints 
were removed and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 10:30 on Saturday, 21 March 2015, Israeli forces 
established a checkpoint under the bridge of 'Ein Yabrud village, 
northeast of Ramallah. Later, the checkpoint was removed and no arrests 
were reported.

At approximately 13:00 on Sunday, 22 March 2015, Israeli forces 
established a checkpoint under the bridge of 'Ein Yabrud village, 
northeast of Ramallah. Meanwhile, another checkpoint was established at 
the entrance of Deir Abu Mash'al village, northwest of the city. At 
approximately 20:30, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the 
entrance of Termes'ayah village, north of Ramallah. Later, all 
checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.

· Jericho: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions 
on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 10:30 on 
Sunday, 22 March 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint near the 
entrance of Fasayel village, north of the city. At approximately 17:00, 
another checkpoint was established at the southern entrance of Jericho. 
Later, both checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.

· Tulkarm: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions 
on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 12:30 on 
Thursday, 19 March 2015, Israeli forces stationed at ‘Annab military 
checkpoint which is established on the road between Tulkarm and Nablus, 
east of the city, tightened their restrictions against civilians and 
obstructed their movement. Later that day, the tightening ended and no 
arrests were reported. The tightening renewed at approximately 08:00 on 
Saturday, 21 March 2015, at approximately 18:30 on Sunday, 22 March 
2015, and at approximately 19:00 on Monday, 23 March 2015.

· Salfit: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on 
the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 17:25 on Sunday, 
22 March 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint near Arayel 
settlement on "'Aaber al-Samerah" main road, north of Salfit. Later, the 
checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 20:00 on Monday, 23 March 2015, Israeli forces 
established a checkpoint under the bridge of Iskaka village, east of 
Salfit. At approximately 02:00 on Tuesday, 24 March 2015, the checkpoint 
was later removed, and no arrests were reported.

· Jenin: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on 
the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 22:00 on Friday, 
20 March 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance 
of al-Jalamah village, north of Jenin. Later, the checkpoint was 
removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 16:00 on Tuesday, 24 March 2015, Israeli forces 
established a checkpoint on the main road between Jenin, Tulkarem and 
Nablus near the intersection of al-Mansourah village, south of Jenin. 
Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.

*_Arrests and Maltreatment at Military Checkpoints_*



On Thursday evening, 19 March 2015, Israeli forces stationed at the 
Western Tourah village, southwest of Jenin, arrested Mo'ataz Mowafaq 
Ahmed Qobaha (20) from Western Tourah village, when he was passing the 
checkpoint. He was taken to an unknown destination.

At approximately 07:00 on Monday, 23 March 2015, Israeli forces arrested 
three civilians from al-Khader village, west of Bethelehm when he was on 
his way to work in Occupied Jerusalem and took them to an unknown 
destination. They were identified as: Karim Adam 'Issa (20); Mohammed 
Ibrahim Mousa (22); and Mohammed 'Adel 'Issa (22).

At approximately 10:00 on the same day, Israeli forces stationed at the 
entrance of "Gosh 'Etzion" settlement, south of Bethlehem, arrested 
'Alaa' Jihad 'Ali Sabarnah (15) and Fadi Mohammed Fawzi al-Ja'ar (14) 
from Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, after they went to the Israeli 
Intelligence in the aforementioned settlement.

At approximately 16:00 on Tuesday, 24 March 2015, Israeli forces 
established a checkpoint at the intersection of al-Zawiyah village, 
south of Jenin. They arrested 'Alaa' 'Omer Zakarnah (20) and 'Adel 
Ghassan 'Adel Qar'awi (24) and took them to an unknown destination.

*_Efforts to create Jewish demographic majority in occupied East Jerusalem_*



_House demolitions and demolition notices_

On Sunday, 22 March 2015, Israeli municipal officers and special police 
units distributed administrative demolition notices to houses in Ein 
al-Louza neighborhood and Beer Ayoub in Silwan village, south of the old 
city in East Jerusalem.

Ana eyewitness said to a PCHR fieldworker that Israeli municipal 
officers moved into Ein al-Louza neighborhood in Silwan village. They 
photographed the entrances, streets and some buildings in the 
neighborhood. In addition, they pinned out fove administrative 
demolition notices on five houses, one of which was under-construction 
and another one has been occupied by Abdul Razeq family since 45 years. 
The other three houses have been occupied since they were built two 
years ago.

_Incursions and arrests_

At approximately 10:00 on Thursday, 19 March 2015, Israeli officers beat 
Jihad Mahmoud Mohammed Shweiki (42) after they raided his house in 
al-Thawri neighborhood, south of East Jerusalem. Jihad Shweiki said to 
PCHR's fieldworker that armed officers raided his house in al-Thawri 
neighborhood to implement the Israeli municipality decision under which 
the house furniture should be seized under the pretext of the 
accumulation of debts "Arnona tax" that reached NIS 50,000. Shweiki said 
to a PCHR filed workers that Israeli officers threatened to forcibly 
seize the house furniture and then attacked him. It developed to a 
quarrel and shouting. As a result, his wife and 3 children were 
frightened. Al-Shweiki added that the Arnona tax was accumulated because 
he was in detention, as he was arrested 17 times and had had no job for 
four years. Moreover, he added that Israeli forces seized his house 
furniture 8 months ago for the same reason.

At approximately 13:00 on the same day, Israeli forces moved into Anabta 
village, north of East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of 
houses from which they arrested two civilians: Mohammed Hani Abu Haniya; 
and Sa'id Anas Ibrahim.

At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces arrested four Palestinian women 
while being present near al-Asbat gate, one of al-Aqsa Mosque gates. 
They took them to the police station to be questioned. The detainee 
were: Ekram Ghazawwi, Mona Abu Esbaitan, Randa Abu al-Hawa and Sana 
al-Rajabi.

At approximately 05:00 on Sunday, 22 March 2015, Israeli forces raided 
al-Thawri neighborhood, south of East Jerusalem. They raided a number of 
houses from which they arrested two children: Ghassan Ahmed Assi (13) 
and Mohammed Amin Abdul Razeq (14).

At approximately 11:00, on the same day, Israeli forces arrested two 
Palestinian civilians when they were present near al-Ghawanma gate, one 
of al-Aqsa Mosque's gates. They took them to Bab al-Selsela police 
station to be questioned. The detainees were: Rebhi Mousa Abu al-Hommos 
(50); and Mohammed Abdul Rahman Abu Ghariba (22).

At approximately 17:00, Israeli special units and intelligence officers 
raided and searched a house belonging to Ali al-Eisawi in al-Mukabber 
Mount neighborhood, southeast of East Jerusalem. Monther al-Eisawi, 
Ali's son, said that his family was surprised when Israeli forces raided 
the house in a provocative manner. He explained that they kept all the 
family members in a room and prevented them from moving or talking. 
Israeli soldiers confiscated also their mobile phones. It should be 
noted that Israeli soldiers thoroughly searched the family 2-storey 
building, the roof, parking and garden. Israeli forces withdrew later 
and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 11:00 on Monday, 23 March 2015, Israeli forces arrested 
Ms. Noura Khalil al-Sa'ou (31) while going out of al-Aqsa Mosque in East 
Jerusalem. They took her to the police station to be questioned.

At approximately 03:00, on the same day, Israeli forces moved into 
al-Eisawiya village, north of East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a 
number of houses from which they arrested Mohammed Amin Abu Romoz (16) 
Mohammed Hassan Sa'ida (16).

At approximately 12:00, Israeli forces arrested two Palestinian children 
while playing around in Beit Hanina neighborhood, north of East 
Jerusalem: Ahmed Sa'id al-Bakry (17); and Mohammed Nasser Baybars (15).

At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Jdeira village, 
northwest of East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses 
from which they arrested four children, the oldest of whom was less than 
16. In the meanwhile, a number of the village residents tried to prevent 
Israeli soldiers from arresting the boy and threw stones at the 
soldiers. However, Israeli soldiers called for backups, fired tear gas 
canisters and sprayed pepper spray over them. As a result, Akram Barjas 
(65) and Sharif Akram (42) sustained burns in the face. The detainees 
were identified as Mohammed Ashraf Akram Barjas (14), Fathi Rebhi Majed 
Barjas (15), Mahmoud Nayef Suleiman (15) and Ouda Mohammed Mostafa (16).

At approximately 15:00, Israeli forces arrested Osama Hassan Hammad 
(21), from Qalandya refugee camp, north of Jerusalem, when he referred 
to the Israeli intelligence upon a summons sent to him earlier.

At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces arrested six Palestinian children 
while playing football in the al-Aqsa mosque yards in East Jerusalem. 
They harshly beat them and took them to the police station to be 
questioned. The children are: Tawfiq Najeeb (13); Abdullah al-Bakry 
(14); Mohammed Zakariya Awad (17); Amir Mohammed al-Maleki (12); Bashar 
Najib (15); and Ayman Hashima (14).

At approximately 11:00 om Tuesday, 24 March 2015, Israeli forces sprayed 
pepper spray over the face of Hesham Harhash (24) while walking in Wadi 
al-Jouz neighborhood, east of the old city in East Jerusalem.

An eyewitness said to PCHR's fieldworker that the Israeli police stopped 
Harhash in a provocative way and without reason in Wadi al-Jouz 
neighborhood in Jerusalem. When they were talking to him, they sprayed 
pepper on his face. He added that Israeli soldiers tried to arrest 
Harhash, but other civilians intervened and a quarrel erupted. The 
eyewitness said also that Israeli forces fired sound bombs to disperse 
the Palestinian civilians. As a result, Mohammed al-Sabbah (25) and 
Mostafa Harhash sustained wounds.

At approximately 13:00, Israeli forces raided a house belonging to the 
family of Ahmed Na'im Ashayer (18) in al-Khelleh area in al-Tour 
neighborhood, east of the old city in East Jerusalem. They handed his 
father a summons for his son to refer to al-Masqoubia detention facility 
to be questioned next Sunday. An eyewitness said that Israeli forces 
raided the house of Ahmed Ashayer while his mother was at home. They 
searched the house, damaged its contents and then handed her a summons 
for her son to be questioned in al-Masqoubia facility. It should be 
noted that Ashayer was arrested three times earlier and was released 2.5 
months ago after he had served a year in an Israeli prison.

At approximately 15:00 on the same day, Israeli forces arrested five 
Palestinian women once they went out of al-Aqsa mosque. They took them 
to the police station to be questioned. The detainees are: Somaya Taha 
(23); Rawand al-Abbasi (22); Wesal Abu al-Hawa (24); Samar al-Sabbagh 
(26); and Maram Jouda (22).

*_Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian 
civilians and property:_*

On Thursday, 19 March 2015, Israeli forces raided al-Farisiya area, 
northern Jordan Valley, east of Tubas. They confiscated two potable 
water tanks belonging to al-Maleh valley council.

On the same day, Israeli forces moved into Kufor Ataya area, in area 
(C), west of Majdal Bani Fadel village, southeast of Nablus. They 
levelled agricultural lands, cut off 300 olive trees aging about four 
years and demolished over 600 meters of retaining walls.

On Monday, 23 March 2015, Israeli forces moved into al-Mantiqa area, 
northeast of Beit Ommar village, north of Hebron. An Israeli Civil 
Administration officer distributed notices to halt construction works in 
three houses and a facility under the pretext of non-licensing.

On Tuesday, 24 March 2015, Israeli forces moved into Ta'nak village, 
west of Jenin. They bridged an artesian well belonging to Suleiman Abdul 
Rahman Sadeq Zayoud (31), demolished a retaining wall and cut off 10 
olive trees belonging to the aforementioned person too.

On Tuesday, 24 March 2015, Israeli forces moved into al-Koum village, 
west of Hebron. An Israeli Civil Administration officer distributed 
three notices to halt construction works in 2 houses and a water well 
under the pretext of non-licensing too.

On Thursday, 19 March 2015, Mohammed Ahmed Hezamah from Termes'yah 
village, north of Ramallah found that 65 olive seedlings from his land 
were uprooted in al-Thahrat area adjacent to "'Aadi 'Aad" settlement 
outpost established in the eastern side of the village.

On Saturday morning, 21 March 2015, around nine masked and armed 
settlers from "'Aadi 'Aad" settlement outpost established in the eastern 
side of Termes'ayah village fired two live bullets at Rabah 'Ali 
Mohammed Hazamah (47), a farmer, who was with four other farmers 
ploughing his land in al-Thahrat area near the aforementioned outpost. 
However, no injuries were reported.

*/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 continued aggression 
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:

1. 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;

2. 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;

3. 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;

4. 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;

5. 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;

6. 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;

7. 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;

8. 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;

9. 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;

10. 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;

11. 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;

12. 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;

13. 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;

14. PCHR calls upon the Palestinian leadership to sign and accede to the 
Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the Geneva 
Conventions, and calls upon the international community, especially the 
United Nations, to encourage the State of Palestine to accede to 
international human rights law and humanitarian law instruments.

/Full, detailed document 
<http://www.pchrgaza.org/portal/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10916:weekly-report-on-israeli-human-rights-violations-in-the-occupied-palestinian-territory-12-18-march-2015&catid=84:weekly-2009&Itemid=183>, 
including info on patrols and border crossings available at the official 
PCHR website./

-- 
Freedom Archives 522 Valencia Street San Francisco, CA 94110 415 
863.9977 www.freedomarchives.org
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