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<h1 class="article-title">PCHR Report on Israeli Human Rights
Violations in the oPt (18 - 25 March 2015)</h1>
<div class="article-subtitledetails">
<span class="article-details">
<span class="article-detail"><img class="icon"
src="cid:part1.00060201.03080808@freedomarchives.org"
alt="author"> Monday March 30, 2015 00:15</span><span
class="article-detail"><img class="icon"
src="cid:part2.02070404.04010606@freedomarchives.org"
alt="author"> by PCHR-Gaza</span></span> <br>
<b><small><small><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.imemc.org/article/71061">http://www.imemc.org/article/71061</a></small></small></b><br>
</div>
<blockquote class="article-intro">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.</blockquote>
<p class="article"><b><u>Israeli attacks in the West Bank &
Gaza:</u></b><br>
<br>
<u>Shootings</u><br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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. <br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
It should be noted that because of the abovementioned shooting
incidents, farmers were frightened, but neither casualties nor
material damage were reported.<br>
<br>
<u>Incursions</u><br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
<u>Restrictions on movement</u><br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
<u><b>Efforts to create a Jewish demographic majority in East
Jerusalem:</b></u><br>
<br>
<u>Incursions and arrests</u><br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
On the same day, Israeli forces arrested Mahdi Hatem Abu Asab
(11), while he was present in al-Qarmi neighborhood, in the old
city.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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).<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
<u>Settler attacks in the city</u><br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
<u>Restrictions on movement in the city</u><br>
<br>
On Sunday morning, 15 March 2015, Israeli police denied eight
buses from Sour Baher, south of East Jerusalem, access to al-Aqsa
Mosque.<br>
<br>
<u><b>Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against
Palestinian civilians and property:</b></u><br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
<b><u>Use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations
protesting settlement activities and the construction of the
annexation wall:</u></b><br>
<br>
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. <br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
<b><i>(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).</i></b><br>
<br>
<u>Demonstrations against the construction of the annexation wall
and settlement activity</u><br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
<u>Other demonstrations</u><br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
<b><u>Continued closure of the oPt:</u></b><br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
<u>Gaza Strip</u><br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
<u>West Bank</u><br>
<br>
<b>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:</b><br>
<br>
· 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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
· 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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
· 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.<br>
<br>
· 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.<br>
<br>
· 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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
· 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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
<b><u>Arrests and Maltreatment at Military Checkpoints</u></b><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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).<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
<b><u>Efforts to create Jewish demographic majority in occupied
East Jerusalem</u></b><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<u>House demolitions and demolition notices</u><br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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. <br>
<br>
<u>Incursions and arrests</u><br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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).<br>
<br>
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).<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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).<br>
<br>
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).<br>
<br>
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).<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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).<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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).<br>
<br>
<b><u>Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against
Palestinian civilians and property:</u></b><br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
<b><i>Recommendations to the International Community:</i></b><br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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:<br>
<br>
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;<br>
<br>
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;<br>
<br>
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;<br>
<br>
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;<br>
<br>
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;<br>
<br>
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;<br>
<br>
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;<br>
<br>
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;<br>
<br>
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;<br>
<br>
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;<br>
<br>
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;<br>
<br>
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;<br>
<br>
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;<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
<i><a
href="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"
target="_blank">Full, detailed document</a>, including info on
patrols and border crossings available at the official PCHR
website.</i> </p>
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San Francisco, CA 94110
415 863.9977
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