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by IMEMC Staff

In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 17– 23 May 2012, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that 4 non-violent protesters were wounded, and 30 Palestinians were abducted, including 12 children, by Israeli forces in the past week. In addition, a civilian was seriously wounded by Israeli troops south of Bethlehem, and a civilian was shot and seriously wounded in Gaza.

sraeli attacks in the West Bank:

Over the last week, Israeli forces conducted 90 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they abducted 28 Palestinian civilians, including 12 children, an elderly man, the director of a television channel and an ex-prisoner. In addition, Israeli forces abducted two Palestinian civilians at various checkpoints in the West Bank.

Israeli forces use force to disperse peaceful protest organized by Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. 4 demonstrators, including two children and an international human rights defender, were wounded.

On Friday, 18 May, at approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Marka village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Bahaa’ Khairi Mousa, 28, Director General of Prisoner Television, and abducted him. They confiscated two laptops on which all satellite programs broadcasting of the television are saved, which means that Israeli forces would control everything broadcast on the television. It should be noted that Prisoner Television was established in April 2012, and it completely stopped broadcasting at approximately 17:30 on Sunday, 20 May 2012.

In one example of the week's 90 invasions, in 19 May 2012, at approximately 15:30, Israeli forces moved into ‘Iraq Bourin village, south of Nablus. They patrolled in the streets and provoked Palestinian civilians. Soon, a number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at the boys. As a result, a number of boys suffered from tear gas inhalation.

On 20 May 2012, a Palestinian was seriously wounded near Etzion intersection, south of Bethlehem. Israeli forces claimed that he attempted to stab an Israeli soldier using a sharp tool, and quarrel erupted between him the soldier, as a result of which he fell onto the ground and the sharp tool entered his abdomen. He was evacuated to an Israeli hospital and was put under detention. He told a lawyer who visited him that a number of Israeli soldiers attacked him with a knife and they stabbed him in the abdomen.

Israeli forces have continued efforts to create a Jewish demographic majority in East Jerusalem. The Israeli government allocated new budget to enhance settlement activities in Jerusalem. On 20 May 2012, the Israeli government approved in its meeting that was held in Tallat al-Zakhira rea in Jerusalem a series of programs to promote settlement in Jerusalem. It also allocated 350 million ILS for “the development of public and tourist sites” in Jerusalem in the next 6 years. This amount will be allocated for developing the infrastructure in Jerusalem, expanding “the ageen lung” and repairing central tourist sites.

On 21 May 2012, Israeli forces, accompanied by bulldozers, moved into al-Tour neighborhood in East Jerusalem. They demolished a 110-square-meter house belonging to Sameh Sameeh Edris, 25, which was built recently. According to Edris, he did not receive any notice for demolition. He estimated the cost of building at 80,000 ILS.

Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:

In the Gaza Strip, on 20 May 2012, a Palestinian civilian was wounded when Israeli forces positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire at al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis.

During the reporting period, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats in the northern and central Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported.

Israel has continued to impose a total closure and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.

Israeli settlement activity:

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

On 19 May 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Yits’har” settlement attacked Palestinian agricultural areas in the southeast of Southern ‘Assira village, south of Nablus, and set fire to some of them. A number of Palestinian civilians gathered to extinguish fire. Soon, Israeli settlers threw stones and empty bottles at houses in the village. When Palestinian civilians attempted to stop this attack, an Israeli settler fired at them. As a result, a Palestinian civilian was seriously wounded by a bullet that entered the right eye and exited the left ear. Israeli forces were present in the area and did not intervene to stop the attack. Video clips from the area showed two Israeli soldiers standing near an Israeli settler while he was firing at Palestinian civilians, which indicates that Israeli forces support Israeli settlers in their attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property. Additionally, 5 Palestinian civilians were injured by stones thrown by Israeli settlers.

On 21 May 2012, Israeli forces moved into Qandil Crushing Establishment in Rafat village, north of Jerusalem. They confiscated a bulldozer and a crusher. The owner, Akram Qandil, stated that Israeli forces confiscated the two machines without prior warning. They claimed that the establishment was not licensed.

On the same day, Israeli forces moved into al-Baq’a area, east of Hebron. They destroyed agricultural pools and some agricultural equipment and confiscated some irrigation networks. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli forces damaged plants on 14 dunums of agricultural land belonging to the Jaber family.

On 22 May 2012, dozens of Israeli settlers from “Taqqou” settlement attacked Palestinian houses in Taqqou’ village, southeast of Bethlehem, and closed the main road in the center of the village. They threw stones at shops and houses. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli forces were present at the entrance of the village to protect the settlers.

On 23 May 2012, Israeli forces moved into Khirbat al-Rahwa area to the south of al-Zahiriya village, south of Hebron. They demolished a barnyard belonging to Ahmed Khalil al-Jabarin.

On the same day, Israeli forces moved into Wadi al-Juhaish area to the southeast of Yatta village, south of Hebron. They tore down 6 tents belonging to the al-Nawaj’a family, in which 30 people used to live.

On the same day, Israeli forces moved into Beit Nouba community in the south of Beit Liqya village, southwest of Ramallah. They demolished a 450-square-meter barrack, which is designed for chicken, claiming that it was built without a license. Soon, clashes erupted between Palestinian civilians and Israeli forces, during which Israeli forces fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters. A number of Palestinian civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation.

Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the Wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, 4 demonstrators, including two children and an international human rights defender, were wounded, and dozens of others suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.

Following the Friday Prayer on 18 May 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil'ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and. They raised the Palestinian flag and called for ending political division. They then moved towards areas of annexation wall. They called through megaphones on Israeli settlers in “Mitityahu” settlement to leave Palestinian land. Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, a Palestinian civilian was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left foot and a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

Also following the Friday Prayer on 18 May 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstrators moved towards areas of the annexation wall. Immediately, Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

Also following the Friday prayer on 18 May 2012, 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, two Palestinian children and a Scottish human rights defender were wounded, and some demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. A house belonging to ‘Atallah al-Tamimi was hit by rubber-coated metal bullets.

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 International Committee for the Red Cross increase its staff and activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including the facilitation of family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

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

For the full text of the report, click on the PCHR News Source Link