Friday, September 21, 2012

PCHR Weekly Report: 2 Palestinians executed; 3 wounded by Israeli forces this week

 For the full text of the report, click on the link below:
Related Link: http://www.pchrgaza.org/portal/en/index.php?option=com_...d=183

International Middle East Media Center
  by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC News Report post
In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 13- 19 Sep. 2012, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that Israeli forces extra-judicially executed two members of the Palestinian resistance and wounded a third one in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah.
Soldiers abduct Palestinian in the West Bank (PCHR photo)
Soldiers abduct Palestinian in the West Bank (PCHR photo)
In addition, Israeli forces used force to disperse peaceful protest organized by Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. A Palestinian child and an Israeli human rights defender were wounded. Dozens of protesters suffered from tear gas inhalation.

Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:

Israeli forces conducted three incursions into the Gaza Strip. In addition, Israeli gunboats fired at Palestinian fishing boats in the Gaza Strip.

In the Gaza Strip, on 19 September 2012, Israeli forces extra-judicially executed two members of the Palestinian resistance and wounded a third one in Rafah. An Israeli warplane fired a missile at the vehicle in which the three members were traveling. Israeli forces admitted responsibility for the attack and claimed that the targeted persons are members of “Al-Aqsa Guards Group,” which is close to Hamas.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 22:30 on 19 September, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a vehicle (a White Toyota Hilux) that was traveling near Abu Taha fuel station in al-Salam neighborhood in the south of Rafah. Three members of “Al-Aqsa Guards Group,” which is close to Hamas, who work in the Ministry of Interior and National Security of the Gaza government, were traveling in the vehicle. The missile hit the car directly. As a result, two members of the group were instantly killed: Anees Mohammed Abu al-‘Einain, 36; and Ashraf Mahmoud Saleh, 33, both from Rafah. The third one was seriously wounded (PCHR keeps his name). According to Israeli media sources, the Israeli military admitted responsibility for the attack. They reported that an Israeli military source stated that the targeted persons are members of “Al-Aqsa Guards Group,” which is close to Hamas and active in Gaza. The source further claimed that the group “receives financial support from the Minister of Interior in Gaza government, Fathi Hammad.” According to the same sources, one of the targeted persons, Anees Abu al-‘Einain, “was planning for an attack inside Israel, and that he was involved in several attacks against Israelis, smuggling explosives from Gaza to Israel through Egypt and attempting to carry out terrorist attacks in several areas, including the West Bank and Jerusalem.” The source further claimed that Saleh, a former fighter with the Popular Resistance Committees had been abducted and he “confessed that he had transported two terrorists to Egypt to carry out a suicide attack,” and that “he was involved in smuggling weapons to Sinai from Gaza.”

The Israeli military had already admitted in an official statement its responsibility for the attack, and indicated that was carried out in coordination with the Israeli General Security Service (Shabak). It further stated that it “will not be tolerant towards any attempt to harm citizens of the State of Israel, and will continue to act firmly against any attempts to launch terrorist attacks against Israel.” The Israeli military further held Hamas responsible for any attempts to launch attacks from the Gaza Strip.

Israeli forces continued to fire at Palestinian fishing boats in the Gaza Strip. On 17 September 2012, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats in the northern and southern Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported.

During the reporting period, Israeli forces positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel abducted a Palestinian civilian when he attempted to cross the border to find a job in Israel.

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

Israeli attacks in the West Bank:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 23 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, Israeli forces abducted 7 Palestinians, including a university professor. During house raids, a Palestinian child was injured, and Israeli forces harassed Palestinian civilians.

A Palestinian child was wounded during an Israeli incursion into al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron.

Israeli forces abducted at least 3 Palestinian children at military checkpoints in the West Bank.

Israeli settlement activities:

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

On 13 September 2012, three Palestinian civilians were admitted into Rafidya Hospital in Nablus, as they were injured by fragments of glass from the window of a car they had rented. Israeli settlers threw stones at the car while the three civilians were traveling on Nablus-Ramallah road near “Shilo” settlement. The car was also heavily damaged.

On the same day, the Israeli Central Court in occupied Jerusalem ordered handing over al-Rajabi building in the center of Hebron to Israeli settlers. The settlers had been evacuated from the building in 2008 by an order issued by the same court.

On 14 September 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Ma’oun” settlement attacked Khirbat al-Hamra area, south of Hebron, and uprooted at least 15 olive trees.

On the same day, at least 200 Israeli settlers from “Beit Hagai” settlement to the east of Dura village, south of Hebron, stormed Wad Abu al-Qamra area near the settlement. They remained in the area until approximately 09:30.

On 15 September 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Yish Kodesh” settlement outpost in the southeast of Qasra village, southeast of Nablus, attacked a Palestinian family while working on their land. As a result, a member of the family was seriously injured as he was attacked by an Israeli settler using a sharp tool.

On the same day, Israeli forces positioned in al-Mussafer area to the southeast of Yatta village, south of Hebron, prevented Palestinian farmers and international solidarity activists from reaching the area to work on agricultural land, claiming that it was a closed military zone. Israeli forces and Israeli settlers attempt to seize this land in order to expand the nearby “Ma’oun” settlement, which stands on Palestinian land.

On 16 September 2012, Israeli forces issued a notice to ‘Abdullah Mohammed Ghunaim, 75, from al-Khader village south of Bethlehem, ordering him to evacuate his land and destroy what he has planted within 15 days on his own expense. The land is located near Israeli settlements.

On 17 September 2012, 6 Israeli settlers from “Eitamar” settlement, which stands on the lands of ‘Aqraba village, southeast of Nablus, attacked 3 Palestinian civilians when they were on their way back to the village from their land in Karama area, nearly 700 meters away from the village. As a result, the three civilians sustained bruises throughout their bodies.

On 19 September 2012, Israeli forces delivered two notices to Sabri Rashad Manasra and Jom’a Yousef ‘Assaf, confiscating 75 dunums[1] of their agricultural lands at the entrance of Wadi Foukin village, west of Bethlehem. The notices were accompanied by maps and a decision to replant the lands.

On the same day, a number of Israeli settlers from “Abraham Avino” settlement outpost in the center of Hebron raided a house belonging to Nidal al-‘Owaiwi, 42, in the old town. They beat his daughter and his son. They also broke windows and damaged water tanks in house. Israeli soldiers were present in the area, but did not intervene to stop this attack.

Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest of the construction of the annexation wall, settlement activities and other Israeli practices in the West Bank. As a result, a Palestinian child and an Israeli human rights defender were wounded, and dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

Following the Friday Prayer on 14 September 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. 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, Dr. Rubeh, 39, and Israeli human rights defender, was hit by a tear gas canister to the head, and a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

Also following the Friday Prayer on 14 September 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, some demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

Also following the Friday Prayer on 14 August 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, a 16-year-old child was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left hand, and some demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

At approximately 13:15 on Friday, 14 August 2012, Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in the center of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest to the continued closure of the eastern entrance of the village since the beginning of the al-Aqsa Intifada. Once they moved towards the entrance, Israeli forces fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. A number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces also abducted 3 brothers from the Ali family, including a child, and two Israeli human rights defenders, but released them at 17:00 on the following day.

Also on Friday afternoon, Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in the center of al-Ma’sara village, south of Bethlehem, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall. They moved towards the entrance of the village. Immediately, Israeli forces fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. Dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

Recommendations to the international community:

Due to the number and severity of Israeli human rights violations this week, the PCHR made several recommendations to the international community. Among these were a recommendation that the European Union activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel. PCHR further calls upon the EU states to prohibit import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Israeli army says killed 3 militants on Egypt border


Published today (updated) 21/09/2012 14:33
A labourer works on the border fence between Israel and Egypt near the
Israeli village of Beer Milcha Sept. 6, 2012. (Reuters/Nir Elias)
BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Israeli troops killed three militants along the Israel-Egypt border on Friday after an attack was mounted on an Israeli patrol, the army said.

The group had entered Israel through a gap in the border fence when they opened fire on Israeli soldiers, an army spokesman said. The troops returned fire, killing three, and are searching for more suspects, he said.

The identities and nationalities of the militants have not been confirmed, the spokesman said, adding that explosive devices were found on them.

At least two soldiers were wounded, security sources said.

On Aug. 5 militants attacked and killed 16 Egyptian border guards at a post on Sinai's border with Israel.

In June, Israeli troops shot dead two militants who fired on a border crew, and in July killed another man trying to infiltrate the Sinai border.

The open desert border between Israel and Egypt was relatively quiet for three decades after the two countries signed a peace treaty in 1979. But Israel says that since the fall of Mubarak, Cairo has lost its grip on the Sinai.

Israel has been building a fence along the 260 km-long frontier with Egypt's Sinai desert and it is due to be completed by the end of 2012.

Reuters contributed to this report
Maan News Agency

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

WHO Report on Referral of Gaza Patients August 2012

WHO Report on Referral of Gaza Patients August 2012
On Wednesday 19th September, World Health Organisation (WHO) issued a report on referrals of patients from Gaza.
In summary:
· Rafah closure: During August 2012, Egyptian authorities closed Rafah border for 17 days. As a result several hundred patients and their companions were unable to reach their hospital appointments in Egypt.
· Died while waiting for permit: A female patient suffering from breast cancer died while waiting for a permit to cross Erez and access the health care she was referred to.
· Interrogated: 10 patients were reported to have been called for Israeli interrogation (2 females; 8 males).
· Denied: 7 patients (1 female; 6 males) were denied permits to exit Erez crossing for medical treatment.
· Delayed: 35 patients (12 females; 23 males) did not receive a response to their permit applications and missed their hospital appointments.
· MoH referrals requiring permits: The number of referred patients needing access through Erez was 599 (336 to East Jerusalem, 164 to Israel, and 99 to the West Bank). 209 patients were referred to Egypt which requires special clearance at the border.
· Medical reasons: Most August referrals were for: oncology (19%), ophthalmology (11%), nuclear medicine (9%), pediatrics (8%), hematology (7%), neurosurgery (5%), cardiology (5%). The estimated cost for referrals was NIS 8,223,563 about $2,108,389.
· Decreased internal Gaza referrals: Only 28 referrals were made in August by the Ministry of Health to private or non-governmental health facilities in Gaza, compared to 289 internal referrals in January. According to the RAD in Gaza, one explanation for the drop is that both the MRI and cardiac catheterization in Gaza European Hospital began functioning again, replacing the need for outside referrals.
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Palestinians killed in Damascus camp

 Maan News Agency
 
Published today (updated) 19/09/2012 20:02
Yarmouk is the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Syria
BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) – At least 10 Palestinian refugees were killed Wednesday in the Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus, activists posting to a Facebook account for the camp reported.

According to media from the camp, 15-year-old Jalal Yousif Salih was shot dead by a Syrian government sniper near the Palestine Hospital in the camp. Photos of the victim were published before he was identified.

Another victim identified as 10-year-old Fadi Alaa al-Masri was shot dead in the al-Zein neighborhood.

Earlier, a body was found in the Black Stone neighborhood. The victim was later identified as Muhammad Shaaban.

An elderly man was also shot dead in the Deir Yasin neighborhood, according to activists. They identified him as 70-year-old Ahmad Abbas.

Six other bodies were also found in Deir Yasin. Three of them were identified as Nafith Muhammad Abu Hassan, Husam Shihabi and Yasser Lahham.

Several bodies remained unidentified, according to activists, as forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad shelled Yarmouk, the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Syria.

Rebels seize border crossing

Meanwhile rebels seized their third border crossing with Turkey, a Turkish official said, after fierce battles with government troops overnight that sent bullets flying into Syria's northern neighbor.

Television footage showed a rebel tearing down the Syrian flag on top of what appeared to be a customs building at the Tel Abyad frontier gate. Minutes earlier sporadic gunfire could be heard and black smoke rose from parts of the building.

"I can confirm that the gate has fallen. It is under the complete control of the rebels," a Turkish official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

There was no sign of any government troops at the crossing from television pictures broadcast live on CNN Turk.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Teenager Injured by Tear Gas Canister shot at him at close range by Israeli soldiers

Palestine News & Info Agency - WAFA
 HEBRON, September 19, 2012 (WAFA) – A 17-year-old Palestinian Wednesday was severely injured by a gas bomb canister shot at him at close range by Israeli soldiers during confrontations in al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron, according to the injured Palestinian’s father.

The father of Alaa al-Balasi told WAFA that Israeli soldiers stormed the camp, leading to confrontations between them and the residents, during which soldiers fired a tear gas canister directly at al-Balasi from a distance of 5 meters, causing him severe burns.

He was transferred to hospital for treatment.

East Jerusalem Families Ordered to Demolish Homes

Palestine News & Info Agency - WAFA
JERUSALEM, September 19, 2012 (WAFA)– The Israeli West Jerusalem municipality Wednesday handed two Palestinian families in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan notices to demolish their homes and a shop one of the families owns under the pretext they were built without permit, according to the Silwan-based Wadi Hilweh Information Center.

It said Israeli municipal staff and police handed the families the notices in spite of the fact the homes and shop were built more than 10 years ago.

Israel to Seize Land near Bethlehem

Palestine News & Info Agency - WAFA 
 BETHELEHEM, September 19, 2012 (WAFA) – The Israeli authorities Wednesday informed two Palestinian farmers from Wadi Fukin, a village west of the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem, of its intention to take over about 60 dunums of their land, according to a local activist.

Head of Wadi Fukin village council, Ahmed sokar, told WAFA that the two Palestinians found notices on their land informing them of their decision to seize their agricultural land.

The notices, he said, gave the farmers 45 days to file a petition against the order at Israeli courts.

He said Israeli authorities have seized around 200 dunums of the village's land since the beginning of 2012.

#PalHunger | CALL FOR THE LARGEST SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN WITH HUNGER STRIKERS | Occupied Palestine | فلسطين

#PalHunger | CALL FOR THE LARGEST SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN WITH HUNGER STRIKERS | Occupied Palestine 

 September 19, 2012 by occupiedpalestine 0 Comments
Calls for the largest solidarity campaign with hunger strikers
Al Qassam Website | 19-09-2012,08:53
GAZA – Palestinian prisoners’ studies center called on official, popular and human rights organizations and all those interested in the prisoners’ issue to participate in the largest solidarity campaign with the four hunger striking prisoners on Tuesday.The solidarity campaign called for by Palestinian prisoners’ studies center coincides with the hunger strike launched by all prisoners, for one day, to support the four hunger strikers in Israeli jails. The Center’s Media Director, researcher Riyad al-Ashqar, said the conditions of the four prisoners, who have been on hunger strike for a number of weeks, has become extremely serious.
He called on everyone to take a unified stand and a clear strategy to support these prisoners before it is too late and before they die in Israeli jails as a result of the deterioration in their situation, amid the occupation authorities’ negligence to their just demands for freedom and halting their ongoing suffering.
Al-Ashqar noted that there is a dramatic decline in supporting the hunger striking prisoners’ cause in Israeli jails, over the recent period, and that this would prolong the suffering of these prisoners and encourage the occupation to commit more repressive procedures against them.
He also called for considering today, Tuesday, as the national day of solidarity with the hunger striking prisoners, especially that prisoners in all the occupation jails announced their intention to refuse food for today in solidarity with the four hunger striking captives.
Riad al-Ashqar stated that despite the announcement of the release of captive Samer al-Barq and his deportation to Egypt, this decision will not be implemented until Wednesday because of Jewish holidays, while al-Barq has not halted his hunger strike until the moment after 118 days.



LIVE BLOG ▶ DEMAND ISRAEL TO RELEASE #PALHUNGER STRIKERS & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAINEES

A journal published by Adalah, Physicians for Human Rights-Israel and Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights | June 26, 2012

“On Torture” is an edited volume of essays by Palestinian, Israeli and international legal and medical experts and practitioners based on presentations that they gave during a workshop held in Jerusalem in April 2011 entitled, “Securing Accountability for Torture and Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment (CIDT) in Israel: New Trends and Comparative Lessons”.
The essayists explore the history of torture in Israel, the daily challenges that practitioners face in seeking accountability for torture and CIDT in Israel, and the changing face of torture.
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Palestinian Prisoners

Palestine’s Prisoners – Pictures
Palestinian Prisoners Special Topic
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Child Arrests – Topic
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Hana Shalabi

Hana’ Yayha Ash-Shalabi – Action Alert
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Palestinian Hunger Strikers: A History
Palestinian Hungerstrikers -List of all names
For reliable/latest news about hungerstrikers go to Addameer
Khader Adnan

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We will not let you down Khader Adnan! – Photos & Action Alert



Hunger Strikers, Risks for Health & Life


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Socialist MEPs say products from Israeli settlements 'don't comply with EU law'

theparliament.com
By Martin Banks - 19th September 2012

The vote by the international trade committee is inconsistent with EU foreign policy
Vital Moreira
Parliament's Socialist MEPs say the EU "must continue" to object to the "illegal" Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory.

The S&D group, parliament's second biggest political grouping, demanded that the all-party international trade committee delays giving its consent to a protocol in the planned association agreement between the EU and Israel for at least two years.

This is because the S&D say the deal could grant "preferential" access to Israeli industrial products to the EU market regardless of whether they have been produced on Israeli soil or in the occupied territory.

The S&D said it "regrets" that a majority of members of the international trade committee voted on Tuesday in favour of giving consent to such an agreement.

The group said it will request the inclusion of a declaration on this in a legislative report before it is voted by the parliamentary plenary in Strasbourg in October.

This could dictate how the European commission intends to implement the agreement.

Portuguese S&D MEP Vital Moreira, author of the parliamentary proposal to suspend for two years the vote, said, "The vote by the international trade committee is inconsistent with EU foreign policy.

"Enhancing EU's trade partnership with Israel at this time would undermine the Union's firm condemnation of Israeli policy to the Palestinians, particularly the blockade of Gaza. This amounts to a collective punishment of the whole population.

"The continuation of settlements in the occupied territory and the isolation of East Jerusalem cannot continue. We want an end to breaches of fundamental rights of the Palestinians, namely the right to their land, freedom of movement, freedom to work, and, of course, their right to self-determination. Therefore, de facto upgrading relations with Israel at this time is not appropriate.

"Since there are no signs of policy change on Israel's side, we proposed a two year delay before we take a definitive decision on the agreement. In this time we had hoped Israel would change its policy towards Gaza, illegal settlements, and the peace process"

His comments were echoed by French S&D vice-president Véronique de Keyser who said, "We are in favour of strong relations with Israel, but these relations must be based on fairness and on respect for international law.

"We regret that the international trade committee has called for this agreement to be passed.

"The S&D will now call for an interpretative declaration, stating very clearly that products produced in the occupied territory cannot be considered 'lawfully traded' and therefore cannot be part of this trade agreement.

"Anything else would be giving up EU's international obligations and respect for UN resolutions."

Gaza Ahoy: Chronicling the Freedom Sailors

 FPIF

freedom-sailors-review-gaza-blockade-flotilla
When my copy of Freedom Sailors (Eds. Greta Berlin and Bill Dienst, 2012, Free Gaza Movement) arrived in the mail, I read it all in one sitting. By chance, as I was finishing the book in the early morning hours, the judicial ruling on the Rachel Corrie case was announced in Israel. Impunity continues – the judge found the 23-year-old Corrie responsible for her own death, all evidence to the contrary.
However, justice cannot be forestalled forever. Year by year, the global civil society movement Corrie was part of grows. Corrie’s sacrifice and spirit of solidarity were honored in one of the most exciting manifestations of that global solidarity—the ships to Gaza movement, which christened one of its boats the MV Rachel Corrie.
Freedom Sailors is the story of the birth of that movement with the successful defiance of the Israeli blockade on Gaza in 2008, led by the small boats Liberty and Free Gaza. Within a few short years the effort would focus world attention upon the blockade and compel shifts in government policies as a result of the massacre on the Mavi Marmara. From its inception, the effort was international, involving people around the world in a long and exhausting collaboration to end the blockade. Publication of the book also happens to coincide closely with the release of a new UNRWA report. It warns that if current trends continue, Gaza may not be livable by the year 2020.
Proceeds from the book—which sports endorsements from Noam Chomsky, Alice Walker, and John Pilger, among others—will go to support exactly the sort of work it details so engagingly.
A True Movement Book
Freedom Sailors is a true movement book. It is the story of a project that spanned “two years, 250+ people, thousands of donors,” and hundreds of thousands of dollars. For a full year, the small group of initial organizers was preoccupied with fundraising, emerging with tens of thousands of U.S. dollars – impressive but well short of what would ultimately be needed. Activists would eventually be “paying for fuel on credit cards, most maxed out to get the derelict boats into harbor.”
Over two dozen contributors provide entries, each chronicling some portion of the movement as it develops from an idea tentatively ventured in an email into an ultimately triumphant movement to run the blockade and land on Gaza’s sandy shores. The breadth of writers ensures that the multitude of people and perspectives involved in this massive undertaking are represented. Several contributors were among the 40,000-strong welcoming committee of Gazans on the dock when the two boats arrived. Others were instrumental in shepherding the project through arduous logistical difficulties in Europe. Still others detail the long efforts to raise enormous sums of cash (over $700,000 in the end) when it seemed like the project would always be more fantasy than reality.
Extraordinary Feats by Ordinary People
The book has more than a few similarities with a thriller movie – a noble cause, danger, espionage, attempts to thwart government surveillance, and the inevitable paranoia. Indeed, even before the Israeli executions upon the Mavi Marmara in the 2010 Freedom Flotilla, there was every reason to fear that Israel would not hesitate to use violence against civil society protests. In 1988, the Ship of Return intended to sail with its Palestinian passengers to Haifa. It never made it. A mine exploded under the vessel in Cyprus, crippling the boat and killing three organizers.
None of the cloak-and-dagger escapades detailed in the book should be misconstrued as an indication that the Free Gaza movement’s activities were illegal – to the contrary. Yet the power and influence of Washington-backed Tel Aviv meant that “an absolutely legal action (it is not illegal under international law to sail to Gaza) had to be accomplished in secret, as if it were illegal.” The base of operations in Greece proved to be fortuitous, since Greek organizers were able to work “clandestinely, using methods devised during the fascist dictatorship in Greece” —a fine continuation of an honorable tradition. While organizing the voyage some of the activists were “living in a secret hideaway in a residential apartment in Athens… deep inside an apartment block on the far side of a courtyard from the street, and one must pass through three steel doors to reach it.”
To prepare the boats, a group of Greek participants began “work daily at 6:00 A.M., labored hard in the Greek summer sun, and skipped the afternoon break that’s supposed to prevent you dying of heat exhaustion.”
The book is a testament to the power, indeed the necessity, of the organizing work done by people who lead otherwise ordinary, mundane lives. When news accounts are published and retrospective histories written, a few famous spokespeople are generally emphasized, erasing the source of movements and their power. Vittorio Arrigoni put it well on the day of their arrival in Gaza: “History is made by ordinary people / everyday people, with family at home and a regular job / who are committed to peace as a great ideal / to the rights of all to staying human.” The tale should inspire those who fear that heroism is reserved for those etched in marble – “we truly were amateurs,” the editors acknowledge. “Most of us had never even been on a boat.”
The accounts contained within do not skirt the inevitable interpersonal tensions that had to be navigated while dealing with a multitude of languages, egos, and cultural differences. “Maybe,” one contributor wryly comments, “the gift of language is not always beneficial to the human race.”
Land Ahoy!
The release date of Freedom Sailors on August 23 was not incidental. It marks the fourth year to the day since that first successful voyage touched Gazan sands. For many long torturous hours at sea, the prevailing expectation on the boats remained that Israel would block their path and drag them to Israeli detention facilities – but the moment passed.
“Land Ahoy!” someone shouted on the Liberty as Gaza came into view. When the 44 people aboard the Liberty and the Free Gaza landed, it was the first time such a thing had happened in 41 years. The authorities at Gaza Port did not even know how to guide them in, having not done so since 1967. When the ships arrived, the breakwater was packed with throngs of cheering people. Before they had even reached land, Gazan boats “sidled up to Free Gaza and Liberty and spilled their teary-eyed passengers onto our deck, who then embraced us as if we were liberating soldiers.” Another contributor recalls, “It seemed as though all of Gaza was there. We hugged each other and were hugged by strangers.”
The emotion unleashed by the breaking of the prison wall sequestering an entire people was palpable. “Is there any other port in the world where this could possibly happen?” wondered one contributor who was present. “Where before any formalities or passport checks, customs or officials, we could be embraced as lost relatives might be by whoever was near enough to embrace us? Where we could fish sparkling eyed laughing children out of the water before we had even thrown a rope ashore? I doubt it; it was exhilarating!”
Such descriptions of “a massive celebration of civil resistance” recall the joy East Germans freely expressed when they finally managed to topple the wall cutting them off from the world outside. Only the evil empire differs. An Israeli passenger recounts how Gazans sought him out, “eager to speak Hebrew with an Israeli after years of isolation from Israel.”
The future promises further actions, constantly adapting to meet the shifting geopolitical realities created by governments. In August 2008, on the eve of success, a contributor was able to write that “Greece and Cyprus have stood firm with the majority of their citizens who support Palestinian civil rights.” Israel then made a decision not to intercept the two little boats as they bore down on Gaza, hoping to thereby avoid attracting publicity for the cause. Witnessing the power of these civil society actions, governments would not be so accommodating in the years to come.
Organizers have not been intimidated by the violent repression that has accompanied more recent efforts and have continued to plan new projects. One of the current ongoing initiatives is being called Gaza’s Ark, a project to sail out of Palestine and break the blockade by skirting it in the other direction. Those interested in learning more and contributing to one of the most significant ongoing solidarity movements of our generation can do no better than to read this book.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

European NGOs Urge UN to Save 3 HungerStrikers near Death.

Euro-mid Observer For Human Rights



Press Release           18 Sep 2012     Palestine
 Update:  After Euro-Mid and 4 other European human rights organizations called on the UN to take immediate action for saving the lives of the three Palestinian hunger strikers, Israel agrees to release Samer Albarq and decides to banish him to Egypt.
However, fellow hunger strikers Hassan Safadi (on his 88th day) and Ayman Sharawni ( on his 79th day) are still in a grave danger as their health continues to deteriorate. Sharawni's family has confirmed that their son has lost all feeling in his left leg and hand, and lost vision in his left eye. Euro-Mid Observer for Human Rights, therefore, is gravely concerned over the failure in the left part of the prisoner's body and fears this could be a result of critical damage to brain cells that may develop to partial paralysis.  

Five European and Mideast human rights organizations have warned that three Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails are near death after a hunger strike that lasted for over three months.
The five organizations demanded the UN to live up to responsibility by moving immediately to save the lives of the Palestinian hunger strikers ( Samer Albarq on his 117th day, Hassan Safadi on his 87th day, and Ayman Sharawni on his 77th day facing critical and life threatening health problems.
A joint statement issued Sunday, September 16 by the five organizations said "The three prisoners, particularly Albarq, are under threats of brain cells damages that could seriously cripple the brain from functioning properly and prevent it from healing". "Alarming Medical reports from Assaf Harofeh hospital, where the prisoners are staying, indicate that the prisoners could face death or incurable diseases "the statement added
The three hunger strikers are utterly unable to perform any physical activity, while Safadi has lost feelings in his limbs, the statement pointed according to a recent report by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Euro-Mid Observer for Human Rights-Geneva, Friends of Humanity International-Vienna, Rights for All-Geneva, Houraia Wa Insaf( Liberty and Equality)- Tunisia, and Palestinian Justice Center- Stockholm urged the relevant human rights commissions to use their legal powers to  pressure Israel to stop its illegal detention terms against the hunger strikers and to find an urgent settlement to save their lives.
The aforementioned human rights bodies called for an immediate end to Israel's torture policy against the three hunger strikers laying on their death beds in Assaf Harofeh hospital warning that this policy will prompt the prisoners to carry on in their strike. Let alone that such a policy violates the right of patients to enjoy psychological care and safety.
The human rights organizations made clear that Israel turns a blind eye to the UN's condemnation of arbitrary detention without a trial practiced by Israel against Palestinians. In fact, Israel continues to ignore appeals made by European officials to put an immediate end for arbitrary detention.

Estelle is loaded with cement for Gaza

In 2012 the siege of Gaza will come to an end. The 12th of september Estelle was loaded with 41 tons of Cement in Alicante.
click here for video

Detainee Al-Barq Moved To Hospital

International Middle East Media Center
by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies 
Head of the Legal Unit at the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS), Jawad Boulos, stated on Monday evening that hunger striking detainee, Samer Al-Barq, was moved to the Intensive Care Unit at the Israeli Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, after suffering a sharp deterioration in his health condition.
Samer Al-Barq - Ahrar.ps
Samer Al-Barq - Ahrar.ps
Boulos said that Al-Barq suffered a sharp decrease in his blood sugar level, and that his general health condition is gradually collapsing.

He further stated the Prison Administration, and the staff of the Ramla Prison Clinic, had to move Al-Barq by ambulance to Assaf Harofeh due to the seriousness of his health condition especially since the latest collapse in Al-Barq’s health condition took place shortly after he slightly recovered from a serious health complication.

Furthermore, hunger striking detainee, Hasan Safady, is also in a serious health condition at the Assaf Harofeh Hospital. Safady has been on hunger strike since June 21st; he resumed his hunger strike when he was not released as promised.

The PPS held Israel responsible for the lives of the hunger striking detainees, and all detainees imprisoned in its different prisons and interrogation centers, as Tel Aviv continues to impose harsh restrictions on the detainees, and continues its violations against them despite its continuous vows to improve the their living conditions, and to end the illegal Administrative detention policies that allow it to imprison political prisoners without charges or trial for extended periods.

Last Thursday, detainee Hasan Safady was moved to the Assaf Harofeh Israeli hospital after his health condition witnessed a sharp deterioration following 85 days of continuous hunger strike.

Ending the illegal Administrative detention policies was one of the conditions that led to an agreement between the detained leaders and the Israeli Prison Administration back in May this year, ending the massive hunger strike that was held by thousands of detainees demanding. The agreement also included an end to all violations practiced against the detainees and their visiting family members. Israel backed out on most of it promises an issue that pushed dozens of detainees to resume their strike.

On Thursday, August 9, Palestinian political prisoner, Bilal Thiab was released after Israel ended his Administrative Detention as part of an agreement that followed 79 days of ongoing hunger strike.

Earlier in June, Israel released Palestinian detainee Thaer Halahla, 32, ending his illegal Administrative Detention, without charges or trial, starting when he was kidnapped by the army on June 26, 2010. Halahla was released after conducting a 79-day hunger strike.

Back in April, Adnan Khader, a leader of the Islamic Jihad who went on hunger-strike for 66 consecutive days demanding an end to his illegal detention without charges or trial, was released by the Israeli Prison Authorities.

There are 250 Palestinians who are currently imprisoned under administrative detention orders, without charges or trial.

Palestinian researcher and former political prisoners, Abdul-Nasser Farawna, reported last month that Israel is currently holding captive 4550 Palestinians, held in 17 prisons, detention and interrogation centers, and added that 220 Palestinian children are still imprisoned by Israel. Israel soldiers conduct arrests in the occupied territories nearly on a daily basis.

Detainees held under Administrative Detention are imprisoned under direct military orders usually for 3, 4 or 6 months; Israel usually renews these orders days, hours or even minutes before the detainees are supposed to be released.

Prisoners go on Hunger Strike in Support of Striking Mates

Palestine News & Info Agency - WAFA
RAMALLAH, September 18, 2012 (WAFA) – Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails Tuesday went on a one-day hunger strike in support of four prisoners who have been on hunger strike for more than two months, according to head of the Palestinian Prisoner’s Club (PPC) Qaddoura Faris.

Mohammad al-Barq has been on hunger strike for 118 days, Hassan Safadi for 88 days, Ayman Sharawneh for 80 days and Samir Issawi for 60 days. All four are protesting their administrative detention without charge or trial.

Faris said Barq and Safadi are both in critical condition; Barq was transferred to a hospital on Monday in a very critical condition while Safadi is still in the hospital bed also in a very difficult condition.

Head of the PPC said an Israeli court is supposed to hold a session on Wednesday to discuss Safadi’s case, expressing hope that the court will take a stand in favor of the striking prisoners.

Minister of Prisoners Issa Qaraqi has called to consider Tuesday a national day in support of prisoners following medical reports by Physicians for Human Rights and the Red Crescent which stressed the critical condition of the four prisoners.

Erdogan renews his rejection to restore relations with Israel

Erdogan renews his rejection to restore relations with Israel
 
ISTANBUL, (PIC)-- Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan renewed his rejection to restore his country's relations with the Zionist entity, refusing mediation by a U.S. businessman in this regard.
Turkish newspaper "al-Shafak al-Jadid" reported that Erdogan met, in the capital Ankara, Ronald Lauder, a Jewish-American businessman who offered "to defuse the crisis between Turkey and the Zionist entity."
The paper stated that Erdogan said Turkey had three conditions for restoring ties with Israel, namely, that it apologizes for the 2010 Mavi Marmara raid that killed nine Turkish activists, pays compensation to the families of the victims and lifts the blockade on Gaza.
“They sent the richest Jewish man in the world [to us] a couple of months ago. What was the reason? He was supposed to be intercessor,” said Erdogan, stressing that simply apologizing is not enough for normalization with Israel.
The Turkish Prime Minister noted that Israeli occupation is currently feeling isolated. He stated that he had emphasized on the three conditions while speaking to leaders of America, Russia and United Kingdom, who tried to mediate to resolve the issue, mentioning that the former Italian leader Silvio Berlusconi was the first to intervene in this regard.

Gaza court convicts 4 men in murder of Vittori Arrigoni

Maan News Agency

Published yesterday (updated) 17/09/2012 20:37
News of the Italian activist's murder was greeted with widespread
condemnation, and demonstrations and vigils were held across the
West Bank in his memory.
GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- An appeals court in the Gaza Strip on Monday convicted four Palestinians of the killing of Italian peace activist Vittori Arrigoni in 2011.

The court sentenced Mahmoud Salfiti, 23, and Tamer Hasasna, 25, to life imprisonment plus 10 years for kidnap and murder, while Khader Ajram, 26, was sentenced to 10 years for abduction.

The three defendants were identified by the Hamas-run court as Hamas security men who had been working for a Salafi group for ideological reasons.

Amer Abu Ghula, a 25-year-old fisherman, fled Gaza after the killing and was sentenced in absentia to 12 months for harboring a fugitive.

The men flashed defiant smiles as the sentences were handed down.

"They will find justice with God and not with this court," a relative of the one of the defendants muttered.

Lawyers said Arrigoni's family had written to the court to oppose imposing the death penalty.

Hamas forces killed two men accused of the murder when clashes erupted during a raid in Nuseirat refugee camp three days after Arrigoni was killed. A third was injured and a fourth detained.

Arrigoni, a long-time member of the International Solidarity Movement, was kidnapped on April 14, 2011.

Shortly after his disappearance, a previously unknown Salafist group released a YouTube video showing a bruised and bloodied Arrigoni and threatened to kill him within 30 hours if Hamas failed to release a group of jihadist prisoners.

Security forces found Arrigoni's body shortly afterward, ahead of the stated deadline, in an abandoned house in northern Gaza.

News of the Italian activist's murder was greeted with widespread condemnation, and demonstrations and vigils were held across the West Bank in his memory.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Red Cross: Three Palestinian hunger strikers near death

 International Middle East Media Center
by IMEMC Staff 
Three men on hunger strike to protest the conditions of their imprisonment by Israel are near death, according to a Red Cross spokesman who spoke with Agence France Presse on Friday.
International Committee of the Red Cross logo
International Committee of the Red Cross logo
Although the International Committee of the Red Cross has not issued an official statement on these cases, the committee is in close contact with all of the hunger striking detainees, and has been monitoring their conditions since hunger strikes began last December.

Among the detainees near death is Hasan Safady, who was just transferred to the prison hospital after 85 days on hunger strike. The other two are Samer Barq and Ayman Sharawneh, who have both refused all food since June.

Juan Pedro Schaerer, the head of the Red Cross delegation to Israel and the Occupied Territories, stated, “ These people are going to die unless the detaining authorities find a prompt solution.” In addition, he challenged Israeli authorities on their force-feeding of other hunger strikers in the past. Schaerer said, “ It is essential that their choice be respected and their dignity preserved”, and noted that force-feeding hunger strikers is a violation of World Medical Association resolutions.

A mass hunger strike involving over 2,000 imprisoned Palestinians was ended in May after an agreement was made with Israeli authorities to release all prisoners being held without charge. Safadi resumed his hunger strike when he was not released as promised.

The other two are also demanding an end to the Israeli practice of 'administrative detention', in which they hold Palestinians without charge for renewable six month terms. They are also protesting the conditions in Israeli detention, which include solitary confinement and torture.

Since the hunger striking campaigns began last December, a number of detainees have come close to death, including Khader Adnan, who began the firat long term hunger strike and agreed to end it after 62 days when Israeli authorities promised his release.

The three men now near death have been on hunger strike far longer than Adnan, who was near death at 62 days. Safady has been on strike 85 days, consuming only liquid since his strike began.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Hunger Striking Detainee Moved To Hospital

 International Middle East Media Center
 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies Report post
The Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPPS) reported, Thursday, that detainee Hasan Safady was moved to the Assaf Harofeh Israeli hospital after his health condition witnessed a sharp deterioration following 85 days of continuous hunger strike.
Detainee Hasan Safady - Palinfo
Detainee Hasan Safady - Palinfo
Amani Sarahna, spokesperson of the PPS, stated that the health condition of Safady is dangerously deteriorating, and added that the Prison Administration called his lawyer after he refused to talk vitamins and even liquids.

She added that Sarahna agreed, on Thursday, to take liquids, but refused medications and vitamins.

Safady was kidnapped by the army more than six months ago, and was placed until solitary confinement without any charges. He also predicated in the previous massive hunger strike conducting by the detainee in July this year, and Israel promised to release him when his six-month administrative detention order ends.

But when the order expired, the Israeli Authorities issued four additional months of Administrative detention instead of releasing him as promised.

He is one of four Palestinian political prisoners who are currently holding open-ended hunger strikes; one of them is identified as Samer Al-Barq, 38; he also holds Jordanian citizenship and is married to a woman from Pakistan. He has been held under administrative detention orders, without charges or trial, since more than 18 months.

The PPS said that Al-Barq started his hunger strike more than 100 days ago, and that he only takes vitamins and drinks water.

Detainees Ayman Sharawna and Samer Al-Eesawy started their hunger strike more than 40 days ago; they were both released under the Shalit prisoner swap deal, but the army rearrested them and placed them under Administrative Detention orders without charges or trial.

Ending the illegal Administrative detention policies was one of the conditions that led to an agreement between the detained leaders and the Israeli Prison Administration back in May this year, ending the massive hunger strike that was held by thousands of detainees demanding an end to all violations against them and their visiting family members.

Earlier in June, Israel released Palestinian detainee Thaer Halahla, 32, ending his illegal Administrative Detention, without charges or trial, starting when he was kidnapped by the army on June 26, 2010. Halahla was released after conducting 79 of hunger strike.

There are 250 Palestinians who are currently imprisoned under administrative detention orders, without charges or trial.

Palestinian researcher and former political prisoners, Abdul-Nasser Farawna, reported last month that Israel is currently holding captive 4550 Palestinians, held in 17 prisons, detention and interrogation centers, and added that 220 Palestinian children are still imprisoned by Israel. Israel soldiers conduct arrests in the occupied territories nearly on a daily basis.

The ongoing violations against the detainees do not only violate International Law and the Fourth Geneva Convention, but also violate Israel’s own vows to end these violations.

Related

Israel Agrees to Most of Hunger-Striking Detainees’ Demands
Related Link(s): http://www.imemc.org/article/63489

Protests in Gaza, Jerusalem against anti-Islam video

Maan News Agency
Published today (updated) 14/09/2012 16:50
Israeli police stand behind shields during clashes with stone-throwing
Palestinian protesters at a demonstration denouncing a film that mocks
Prophet Mohammed, in Jerusalem's Old City on Sept. 14.
(Reuters/Ammar Awad)
BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Hundreds of protesters gathered in Jerusalem's Old City and the Gaza Strip on Friday, as regional protests continued against an anti-Islam video produced in the US.

Around 400 protesters left Friday prayers in Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque and tried to march towards the US consulate, Israeli police spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld said.

Israeli forces prevented protesters reaching the consulate, blocking the rally at Damascus Gate using stun grenades. Four people were detained, Rosenfeld told Ma'an.

Hundreds gathered in cities across the Gaza Strip on Friday, after Hamas and Islamic Jihad called for demonstrations against the video for its insult to the prophet.

Jihad leader Abu Tariq al-Mdalal said the protests "send a message to the whole world condemning this attack against our prophet... we call on the Arab world to use all its abilities to respond to this attack, and to close the (Israeli) and US embassies."

Hamas Minister of Religious Affairs Ismail Radwan called on the Arab and Islamic world "to continue peaceful protest and rejection (of the video)."

"We should boycott all US products as the US was involved in this attack," he added.

Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh called for the US administration to apologize to the Arab and Muslim world in his Friday sermon.

US-based Egyptian Coptic activists and American evangelical Christians have been linked to production and promotion of the film, which portrays the Prophet as a womanizer, a homosexual and a child abuser.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has condemned the film as "disgusting and reprehensible," adding that the US government had "absolutely nothing to do with (it)."

Apparently produced in California, the video sparked an attack on a US mission in Libya on Tuesday that killed the ambassador and three other Americans.

One demonstrator was killed and two others were wounded in clashes with security forces in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli on Friday in protests over the production and against the pope's visit to Lebanon.

Protesters also clashed with police near the US embassy in Cairo on Friday before a nationwide protest called by the Muslim Brotherhood.

Marches sparked clashes with police in Yemen, where one person died and 15 were injured on Thursday when the US embassy compound was stormed, and crowds gathered against video in Malaysia, Bangladesh and Iraq.

Palestinians talk about this week's protests in the West Bank;

http://youtu.be/sTeOi_8Rg2o

Images: 1000+ Protest Gaza Assault In Wellington

Scoop News

1000+ Protest Against Gaza Assault In Wellington


The Scoop Team
A protest organized by the Wellington Palestine Group against the Israeli assault on Gaza drew a crowd of more than 1000 people on an otherwise very quiet day in the capital.
The group started its protest outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Panama Street, where an open letter was delivered to Murray McCully. The group then moved down to the Yitzhak Rabin peace memorial adjacent to the Library in Civic Square.
At the Rabin memorial, Catholic priest Fr Gerard Burns mixed some of his blood with red paint and smeared it on the memorial plaque to mourn the killing and oppression of thousands of Palestinians and the seizure of their land.
The memorial celebrates the life of former Israeli Prime Minister Rabin who was assassinated as he worked to bring about a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinian people.
Images of today's protest in Wellington by George McLellan follow:

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ENDS
© Scoop Media

Israeli court rules settlers own Hebron building

Maan News Agency

Published today 13:06
TEL AVIV, Israel (Ma’an) -- An Israel court ruled on Thursday that settlers had legally purchased a Palestinian home in the center of Hebron, and it should be handed over to them within 30 days, Israeli press said.

Beit Hameriva (the House of Contention) was built in 1995 in the al-Ras neighborhood which links Israeli settlement Kiryat Arba to the Ibrahimi Mosque.

Israeli settlers took over the building in 2007 saying they had purchased it from Palestinians, but the sale was disputed in Israel's Hgh Court High Court, and in 2008 the settlers were evacuated.

The Jerusalem District Court on Thursday said the settlers legally purchased the building from the 'Tal Building and Investments Karnei Shomron' Israeli daily Haaretz reported.

Around 800 Jewish settlers live in Hebron's Old City, among 30,000 Palestinians in the parts of the ancient city that are under Israeli control.

PCHR Weekly Report: 3 killed, 11 wounded by Israeli forces this week

PCHR Weekly Report: 3 killed, 11 wounded by Israeli forces this week 
by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC News

For the full text of the report, click on the link below:
http://www.pchrgaza.org/portal/en/index.php?option=com_...d=183
In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 06- 12 Sep. 2012, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that 3 members of the Palestinian resistance were killed in the northern Gaza Strip. In addition, 9 Palestinian civilians, including 5 children and 3 women, were injured by Israeli air strikes.
Child wounded by Israeli air strike in Gaza (PCHR photo)
Child wounded by Israeli air strike in Gaza (PCHR photo)
In addition, Two Palestinian civilians were wounded by Israeli forces in the West Bank. During the Israeli air strikes, two sheds and a shop were destroyed and 26 houses were damaged.

Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:

In the Gaza Strip, on 06 September 2012, Israeli forces positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip killed 3 members of the Palestinian resistance, including two brothers, in the northern Gaza Strip. According to medical crews of the Palestine Red Crescent Society, they received information that there were wounded people in the area, so they immediately went there. Once they got as close as to 350 meters from the border, Israeli forces opened fire at them, so they were forced to move back. Later, several women and young men went to the location of the incident in an attempt to evacuate the bodies and the wounded young man, but Israeli forces fired at them. An hour and a half later, they were able to reach the bodies and the wounded young man. They took them to ambulances that were nearly 1,000 meters away from the border, which transported them to Beit Hanoun Hospitals. There, medical efforts to save al-Kafarna’s life failed.

On the same day, a Palestinian civilian was wounded at approximately 14:10 on 06 September, Israeli forces positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip to the east of Jabalya opened fire at a number of young men who got close to the border. As a result, Mohammed Haidar Abu Khater, 20, from al-Shuja’iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City, was wounded by a bullet to the left arm. According to investigations conducted by PCHR, around 20 young men participating in the funeral procession of 3 Palestinians who had been killed by Israeli forces got close to the border and threw stones at Israeli forces.

On 10 September 2012, Israeli warplanes launched 4 air strikes on targets in the Gaza Strip. As a result, two sheds and a shop were destroyed, 26 houses were damaged and 7 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children and two women, were lightly injured.

Israeli forces continued to fire at Palestinian fishing boats in the Gaza Strip. On 10 and 11 September 2012, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats in the northern Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported.

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces conducted 3 limited incursions into Palestinian areas, during which they leveled areas of Palestinian land.

On 07 September 2012, Israeli forces positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel abducted a Palestinian civilian when he attempted to cross the border to find a job in Israel.

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

Israeli attacks in the West Bank:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 53 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, Israeli forces abducted 25 Palestinians, including a child.

Israeli forces abducted at least 5 Palestinian children at military checkpoints in the West Bank.

In the West Bank, on 10 September 2012, a Palestinian civilian was wounded and abducted by Israeli forces in the center of Hebron. Israeli forces claimed that he threw a Molotov cocktail at them.

On the same day, a Palestinian civilian was wounded and abducted by Israeli forces in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, during clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian boys.

Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest of the construction of the annexation wall, settlement activities and other Israeli practices in the West Bank. As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

Following the Friday Prayer on 07 September 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 settlement activities and the trial of Mohammed Baraka, an Arab member of the Israeli Knesset. They moved towards areas of the 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 number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

Also following the Friday Prayer on 07 September 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, some demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

Also following the Friday Prayer on 07 August 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, some demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

At approximately 12:00 on Saturday, 08 September 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in the center of Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, in protest to the confiscation of land and settlement activities in the town. The demonstrators moved towards Khillat al-Kutla area near “Karmi Tsur” settlement to the northeast of the town. Before reaching the area, Israeli soldier fired at the demonstrators and beat a number of them. As a result, Hamza Ahmed Abu Hashem, 13, sustained fractures to his feet.

Israeli settlement activities:

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

On 07 September 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Emanuel” settlement set fire to olive trees in Ematin village, northeast of Qalqilya. As a result, at least 100 olive trees were burnt.

On 08 September 2012, Israeli forces moved into al-Mussafer area in the southeast of Yatta village, south of Hebron. They delivered a notice to Ahmed Isma’il al-‘Odara, 40, ordering demolition of his 150-square-meter, two-storey house.

On 10 September 2012, Israeli forces, accompanied by bulldozers, moved into Jourish villag, southeast of Nablus. The bulldozers destroyed a 30-dunum area of land, demolished a 1,500-meter-long fence and uprooted dozens of trees that were planted in March 2011 by the Union of Agricultural Work Committees.

On 11 September 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Talmoun” settlement outpost, which stands on the lands of al-Mazra’a al-Qibliya village, northwest of Ramallah, threw stones at a number of Palestinian houses in the village. Dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered and clashed with the settlers, which left the area. As a result of the attack, a number of houses were damaged.

On 11 September 2012, Israeli forces blocked an entrance that leads to several houses in Jaber quarter in the old town of Hebron, allegedly in application of a decision issued by the Israeli High Court.

On 12 September 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Etani’el” settlement, south of Hebron, stormed Meesh village. They wrote racist slogans on the walls of Salman al-Faresi Mosque, such as “Death for Arabs,” and “You will pay a heavy price.”

On the same day, a female Israeli settler ran down Hayat Mohammed Sobeh, 8, from Taqqou’a village southeast of Bethlehem, at the main road near an elementary school. The settler was traveling very fast when she ran down the child. The child was injured and her condition was described as stable.

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 any political settlement not based on international human rights law and humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of the Palestinian question. Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to further suffering and instability in the region. Any peace process or agreement must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

#PalHunger | @PALHUNGER’s URGENT CALL TO ALL TWITTER/FACEBOOK ACTIVISTS / BLOGGERS / PRESS AND MEDIA v. @occpal

#PalHunger | @PALHUNGER’s URGENT CALL TO ALL TWITTER/FACEBOOK ACTIVISTS / BLOGGERS / PRESS AND MEDIA | Occupied Palestine
by occpal

 
@PalHunger, the official spokesaccount for the #PalHunger strike issued an urgent request for our help to disseminate news and raise awareness for the prisoners on hunger strike’s plight.
About 121 Old Prisoners are about to start an open end hungerstrike to demand human inalienable rights and release of those arbitrary detained, abused, denied medical or all imaginable rights.




Follow @Palhunger at twitter:



@PalHunger asks you to support them in publishing the prisoners’ news, and send them what you have of news to palhunger [at ] gmail.com
Ask your followers to follow and disseminate @PalHunger’s updates to raise the awareness and expand the reach of verified news.
It takes just a little effort to send updates to your local newspaper or media outlets on twitter or social networks, with huge impact if we all work together to bring forth a change to this inhumane and intolerable situation.
Don’t let the hunger strikers down and help their action and sacrifice turn into a success by disseminating all news available.
(This blog will (re)blog and list all available news about the hungerstrikers as usual in the category Hungerstrike, RSS feed available here)



LIVE BLOG ▶ DEMAND ISRAEL TO RELEASE #PALHUNGER STRIKERS & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAINEES

A journal published by Adalah, Physicians for Human Rights-Israel and Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights | June 26, 2012

 
“On Torture” is an edited volume of essays by Palestinian, Israeli and international legal and medical experts and practitioners based on presentations that they gave during a workshop held in Jerusalem in April 2011 entitled, “Securing Accountability for Torture and Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment (CIDT) in Israel: New Trends and Comparative Lessons”.
The essayists explore the history of torture in Israel, the daily challenges that practitioners face in seeking accountability for torture and CIDT in Israel, and the changing face of torture.
DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT