Wednesday, October 31, 2012

The Palestinian Information Center -News Links

The Palestinian Information Center

IOA plans building two new settlement outposts in WB
An Israeli leftist organization has revealed that the Israeli occupation authority was planning to build two new settlement outposts in the West Bank within the few coming months.Details
MP Hussam al-Tawil dies in Gaza
The presidency of the Legislative Council announced the death of MP Hussam Kamal al-Tawil, who died this morning after a long illness.Details
HR activist confirms deterioration of refugee camps' conditions in Syria
Tarek Hammoud, the coordinator of the international working group for Palestinian refugees in Syria, confirmed that the conditions in the Palestinian camps are getting worse day after day.Details
The Masada breaks into prisoners' rooms in Raymond jail
Sources inside Raymond desert prison told the Ministry of prisoners in Gaza that a force from the Israeli Masada unit broke into the prison's Section 1 on Tuesday, and searched captives' rooms..Details
IOF soldiers delay passage of thousands of citizens at Container barrier
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) closed the Container roadblock on Wednesday morning practically isolating the northern West Bank from its southern areas.Details
Risheq: occupation crimes are not subject to statute of limitations
Ezzat Risheq, member of the Political Bureau of Hamas,stressed on the 56th anniversary of Kafr Kassem massacre that the crimes of the Israeli occupation could not be subject to statute of limitations.Details
A sit-in in Jerusalem in solidarity with hunger striking prisoners
The Islamic and National factions and activists organized on Tuesday evening a sit-in near the Damascus Gate in occupied Jerusalem demanding the release of hunger striking prisoners in Israeli jails.Details
Palestinian detainee launches Hunger Strike protesting administrative detention
The Palestinian prisoner Odai Jihad Mahfouz al-Kilani from Tubas Governorates launched his open hunger strike protesting against the extension of his administrative detention.Details
Israeli soldier who shot dead a Palestinian child acquitted
An Israeli Court acquitted, Tuesday, an Israeli soldier who shot and killed Ahmad Mousa, 10, during a nonviolent protest against the Annexation Wall in Ni’lin village in 2008.Details
Other HeadLines
Occupation devises new ways to punish the Palestinian MPs
31/10/2012 - 12:29 PM
IOA prevents again prisoners' visits from Gaza
31/10/2012 - 11:44 AM
IOF carry out night raids on homes in W. Bank, kidnap citizens
31/10/2012 - 01:19 PM
IOA serves 10 demolition notices in Silwan
31/10/2012 - 01:18 PM
Hamas renews rejection of all forms of normalization with Israel
31/10/2012 - 11:35 AM
IOF assaults prisoners in Raymond prison
31/10/2012 - 08:43 AM
Jewish settlers throw rocks on Palestinian cars
31/10/2012 - 08:28 AM
Haneyya gov’t condemns brutal attacks on Muslims in Myanmar
31/10/2012 - 08:25 AM
Egyptian presidency: supporting Gaza is a national duty
31/10/2012 - 08:22 AM
Nunu: Son of the Bahraini King in Gaza by weekend
31/10/2012 - 08:15 AM

IOF troops shell southern Gaza

IOF troops shell southern Gaza: KHAN YOUNIS, - Israeli occupation forces (IOF) shelled areas to the north east of Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip, on Wednesday morning, local sources said.

They said that Israeli artillery fired two shells at a deserted land lot to the east of Qarara town, north of Khan Younis, with no casualties reported.

The sources pointed out that the IOF troops also opened machinegun fire at Palestinian houses to the east of Rafah and Khan Younis.

Why Why Palestinian prisoners are on hunger strike

Why Why Palestinian prisoners are on hunger strike
Why Why Palestinian prisoners are on hunger strike PDF Print E-mail
Written by Fact sheet   
Thursday, 26 April 2012 20:36
Download Fact SheetFACT SHEET 1.1 - The issue of Palestinian prisoners is one of the worst consequences of the Israeli occupation.  Since 1967, over 700,000 Palestinians, 20% of the population of the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip have been detained. This number represents approximately 40% of the total male Palestinian population in the occupied territories.
1.2 - Today, there are about 6,000 prisoners in 17 Israeli jails and detention centres. They include six women and more than 200 minors.
1.3 - 330 Palestinians are being held in administrative detention with no formal charges having been brought against them in a court of law. 28 elected members of the parliament, and three former ministers fall within this category.
1.4 - Israel is currently holding all these Palestinian prisoners far away from their homes, and outside of the occupied territory. This constitutes a clear violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War. Article 76 of the Convention states:
"Protected persons accused of offences shall be detained in the occupied country, and if convicted they shall serve their sentences therein."
Article 49 also states:
"Individual or mass forcible transfers, as well as deportations of protected persons from occupied territory to the territory of the Occupying Power or to that of any other country, occupied or not, are prohibited, regardless of their motive."
1.5 - Article 32 specifically prohibits "murder, torture, corporal punishments, mutilation and ... any other measures of brutality whether applied by civilian or military agents". Since 1967, 202 Palestinians prisoners have died while being tortured in Israeli jails.
1.6 - Israel routinely tries Palestinians before military courts, none of which meet the most basic standards of international law; particularly the laws relating to the treatment of prisoners of war and people under occupation.
1.7 - In light of the above, there are now calls for the prosecution of Israeli officials at an international tribunal.

Israeli officer acquitted over fatal shooting of Palestinian boy

Maan News Agency

BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- An Israeli court on Tuesday acquitted an Israeli police officer accused of fatally shooting a 10-year-old Palestinian boy.

Israeli border police officer Omri Abu was charged with negligent manslaughter for shooting Ahmad Musa in his forehead, killing him instantly, during a July 2008 demonstration against the separation wall in Nilin.

Abu was acquitted on Tuesday when an Israeli judge ruled that the prosecution had not proved "beyond reasonable doubt" that the bullet he fired hit Abu Musa, the Israeli daily Haaretz reported.

Judge Liora Frenkel also said there were contradictions in evidence presented by the prosecution, including witness statements. She also said Israeli police had submitted evidence without bringing expert testimony to support its claims.

Abu was convicted of misusing his weapon by opening fire even though he was not in danger, Haaretz said. He had also lied to police, initially denying opening fire, and tried to conceal evidence.

The officer insisted that he was in danger when he opened fire because protesters were throwing stones at the bullet-proof army vehicle he was driving.

"Even in a bulletproof car, you have to respond. If they see you don't respond, it can be perceived as weakness," Abu told the court.

At Musa's funeral, Israeli forces opened fire and shot 19-year-old Yousif Amira in the head. He later died in hospital from his injuries.

An investigation by human rights group Al-Haq found that Musa had been hiding in an olive grove when a border police officer saw the 10-year-old, left his vehicle, aimed his rifle and fired at the boy from a distance of 50 meters.

Al-Haq says officers also opened fire on two demonstrators who tried to carry the boy to safety.

The rights group noted that villagers had organized the demonstration in the evening on July 29, 2008, rather than the daytime, because Israeli soldiers would not be present so it would be safe for children to participate. However, the border police force quickly arrived in the village.

Israel rarely indicts members of its armed forces for killing Palestinians.

Between September 2000 and December 2011, B'Tselem reported to Israeli authorities 473 cases of security forces using violence against Palestinians.

Only 19 cases ever led to an indictment, one of which was withdrawn.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Israel attacks the Estelle in International Waters Kidnaps Parliamentarians and activists

Israel attacks the Estelle in International Waters
Kidnaps Parliamentarians and activists

for immediate release

Montreal, 20121020-04h30
Shortly after 4:00AM EDT when the Estelle was in international waters approx. 17 Nautical Miles north of Arish, Egypt (as per the last coordinates we have) Israeli war ships surrounded it and the assault on the peaceful ship started.

Communications were lost at that time and all reports we got from the ship were choppy.

Among others, the following individuals were on board:
Former Member of Parliament Manly James, Canada
Member of Parliament Hagen Aksel, Norway
Member of Parliament Britton Sven, Sweden
Member of Parliament Kodelas Dimitios, Greece
Member of Parliament Sixto Ricardo, Spain
Member of Parliament Diamantopoulos  Evangelos, Greece

See Jim Manly's pre-recorded video message: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8egYBdf-Zo

Our previous releases on the Estelle and Jim Manly can be found here:
http://www.gazaark.org/2012/10/16/release-a-world-parliament-on-its-way-to-gaza/
http://www.gazaark.org/category/statements-releases-2/

Contacts:
Jim Manly  + 8707 76 727 941
(unfortunately Israel now blocked all communication to the ship)
See Jim Manly's pre-recorded video message: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8egYBdf-Zo

Eva Manly 250-616-3166
Ehab Lotayef 514-941-9792
Sandra Ruch 416-716-4010

Nino Pagliccia 604-831-9821

Gaza:
David Heap +972 59 289 3106


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