Netanyahu Blackmailing West Over Iran

Useful Idiot Mitt Romney with Psychotic War Criminal Benjamin Netanyahu

 … by  Gordon Duff and Press TV

“The fragile western economy would shatter immediately were Hormuz blockaded due to military action. Netanyahu is blackmailing the west, threatening to “crash” their currencies and destroy their economies.”—

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• ‘Lebanon must hold on to national unity’
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Straits of Hormuz

The US government has intelligence reports that Israel is planning a pre-emptive strike on Iran in order to throw the US presidential election to Mitt Romney.

 

America’s political response is to stage one of the largest naval exercises in history is taking place near the Straits of Hormuz, the “choke point” on the Persian Gulf where Iran is capable of shutting off 35% of the world’s oil.

The fragile western economy would shatter immediately were Hormuz blockaded due to military action.

Netanyahu is blackmailing the west, threatening to “crash” their currencies and destroy their economies.

In addition, it was reported in The Guardian that Britain has denied use of her bases in Cyprus, Diego Garcia and the Ascension Islands along with existing bases in the United Kingdom by the United States if any plan to enter into a pre-emptive attack on Iran is suggested.

Ministry officials have informed Prime Minister Cameron that an attack on Iran would represent a “war crime” and would be inconsistent with International Law. From today’s Guardian: “Military action not right course”, Downing Street says.

Britain has rebuffed US pleas to use military bases in the UK to support the build-up of forces in the Gulf, citing secret legal advice, which states that any pre-emptive strike on Iran could be in breach of international law.

The US approaches are part of contingency planning over the nuclear standoff with Tehran, but British ministers have so far reacted coolly.

They have pointed US officials to legal advice drafted by the attorney general’s office, which has been circulated to Downing Street, the Foreign Office and the Ministry of Defense.

This makes clear that Iran, which has consistently denied it has plans to develop a nuclear weapon, does not currently represent “a clear and present threat”. Providing assistance to forces that could be involved in a pre-emptive strike would be a clear breach of international law, it states.”

“The UK would be in breach of international law if it facilitated what amounted to a pre-emptive strike on Iran,” said a senior Whitehall source. “It is explicit. The government has been using this to push back against the Americans.”

What options are really available?

Similarly, this week, Russia announced that it has found Iran’s nuclear program as entirely peaceful and will block any efforts to authorize the use of force against Iran:

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday that there is “absolutely no evidence” that Iran has decided to include a military component in its nuclear program, RIA Novosti reported.

Speaking during an interview with the Russian daily Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Lavrov also said that his country will scuttle any UN Security Council resolution that could be interpreted as authorizing military action against Iran.

“As the Libyan experience has shown, sadly, a military scenario is possible,” Lavrov stated when asked whether Israel or the United States could start military operations in Iran.

Russia will therefore exercise an extremely cautious approach at the UN Security Council, he added.

“We won’t allow any more such disingenuous interpretations. We will see to it that no resolution is open to interpretation like the one on Libya,” Lavrov stated.

A day later, Lavrov was joined by Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter who indicated that Switzerland opposes sanctions against Iran and is willing to work closely with Russia to prevent an escalation in the region.

“Won’t Get Fooled Again!” – Lavrov

American politics and plans for Israeli expansionism into Syria and Iraq are at the heart of conflict with Iran’s capabilities representing the balance of power in the region. Extremists in Israel believe Obama, in a second term, is unlikely to support Israel despite his recent promises.

Romney has been losing ground in Ohio despite attempts to misrepresent his political strength and without Ohio; Romney stands no chance of winning.
Only a war, perhaps a world war can save Israel and Prime Minister Netanyahu believes Israel is doomed if there is another four years of Obama presidency.

In order to attempt to control Israeli aggression, President Obama has agreed to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu. Britain recently sent Sir John Sawyers, head of MI-6 to try to convince Netanyahu of the futility of his stated objectives.

Iran’s Northern Front – Secured Diplomatically

The Israeli strike had been planned to be launched from Azerbaijan but diplomatic efforts from Tehran have “closed that door” on Israeli aggression. It is said that two squadrons of American built F-15 and F-16’s returned to Israel over Georgia and Turkey, then off the Syrian coast to Israel, being refueled by American air tankers.

A shorter route over Iraq or Armenia, perhaps even Syria may have had serious consequences.

This leaves Israel the only option of flying directly over Saudi Arabia. Any other path, Turkey, Iraq, the 4500-mile “open sea” route are unlikely.

Turkey had recent talks with Iran, has supported Iran in her efforts to end the nuclear stalemate and is unwilling to be seen as a NATO “doormat” for Israel’s expansionism against Islam. Similarly, Iraq has had recent talks with Iran, and has added to her air defense capabilities with a $4 billion order for advanced Russian weaponry, both air defense and advanced combat aircraft.

S400′s in Iran now – But how many?

Though Iran has claimed to have significantly improved her existing air defense system, rumors in the defense community support the supposition that Russia has delivered S400 systems to Iran, though not in significant numbers, enough to down, with absolute certainty, any Israeli or other plane, even ballistic or cruise missiles, that approach Iran though hundreds of miles away.

The critical issue to the current naval exercise which includes three American carrier battle groups is the attempt to impress upon Iran that her anti-ship missile defenses can be overwhelmed by massive airpower.

The issue has nothing to do with Israel, as reports on the attack profile planned by Israel indicate that they have chosen a “soft profile.”

This means that Israel has no plans to attack heavily defended facilities as aircraft and pilot losses are certain. Israel feels its political objective can be accomplished by attacking rural and even abandoned areas with no targets of value and little or no air defense in depth.

This is the same tack that Israel chose in their two attacks on Syria, in 2003 and 2007, attacking open desert and claiming propaganda victories. No actual targets were destroyed as Syria, since 1996 has had a non-export S300 advanced air defense system capable of destroying any missiles or aircraft currently in Israel’s or even America’s inventory.

The September 2007 “missile base attack” is supposed to have taken place in the middle of Turkish sponsored peace talks between Israel and Syria, attacks on a base manned entirely by Russian personnel, and, as such, a totally imaginary attack. This is the nature of “War by Deception.”

As the 25 nation exercise ends, and the thousands of Marines and Special Forces return home, happy they are unlikely to face Iran’s 800,000-man army and 13 million ready reserves, Iran, herself, is planning a naval exercise.

The Iranian exercises will test 3,600 defensive locations in order to test integration capabilities between air defense and the ability to respond to acts of aggression.

A British defense source is quoted:

“If it came to war, there would be carnage. The Iranian casualties would be huge but they would be able to inflict severe blows against the US and British.

The Iranian Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) is well versed in asymmetrical warfare and would use swarm attacks to sink or seriously damage ships. This is a conflict nobody wants, but the rhetoric from Israel is unrelenting.”

It is not just Iran that is concerned about attacks. Military forces within the United States have been on high alert for the past several weeks, though no reasons have been given.

A “9/11” style attack, most likely on Washington, could be expected if a need to blame “Islamic extremists” is seen as the only way to support Israel’s territorial ambitions in the Sinai, West Bank, Syria and Iraq.

Source

Israeli PM praises extremely friendly ties with Saudi Arabia

The relationship between the usurping Zionist entity and the House of Saud has  become so close, one cannot determine where 'Israel' begins and where Saudi Arabia ends.

 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has revealed the existence of “friendly and strong” relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, a report says.

In an interview published on YouTube, Netanyahu said there were friendly and strong relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia in different fields.

The Israeli premier added that Tel Aviv and Riyadh have common economic and political interests in the Middle East.

In May, a report by Tel Aviv University said Saudi Arabia was Israel’s last hope and defense line, describing the Saudis as Tel Aviv’s last chance to protect its political interests in the Arab world.

The report said most of Israel’s allies in the region have collapsed and cannot play a significant role in the Arab world, adding that Saudi Arabia is the only country that stands against the Islamic Republic of Iran and thus it is Tel Aviv’s last line of defense against Tehran.

The report noted that the Al Saud family is very important to Israel because Saudi Arabia is very actively working in countries such as Yemen, Egypt, Iraq, and Lebanon to reduce Iran's influence in those countries.

Moreover, in emails leaked by WikiLeaks and obtained by the Beirut-based newspaper Al-Akhbar, it was revealed that Saudi Arabia had reached out to the Mossad, which assisted the kingdom with "intelligence collection and advice on Iran."

According to a source quoted in the emails, "Several enterprising Mossad officers, both past and present, are making a bundle selling the Saudis everything from security equipment (to) intelligence and consultation."



Source

I am not anti-Semitic, claims Vincent Browne

Vincent Browne Speaks the Truth

Editor’s note: First, criticism of the fabricated regime of “Israel” does not make one anti-Semitic. Second, Jews are simply a people that belong to a religion called Judaism, there is no Jewish race. Third, most Jews today have converted to Judaism at one time in their family or community history and are not a Semitic people.

TV3 broadcaster Vincent Browne insists he is not anti-Semitic after branding Israel a "cancer" in foreign affairs.

But Israel's deputy ambassador to Ireland said she never believed the day would come when an Irish TV presenter would make "racist, anti-Semitic remarks".

Mr Browne, pictured, had been complaining on his show about the lack of discussion of Israel during the last US presidential debate between Republican nominee Mitt Romney and US President Barack Obama.

"Israel is the cancer in foreign affairs. It polarises the Islamic community of the world against the rest of the world," he said.

"Unless you deal with the problem of Israel and the Palestinians in that part of the world, there's going to be conflict and disharmony. It's a massive injustice -- they stole the land from the Arabs."

Mr Browne admitted that his choice of language could have been better but insisted that the criticism was justified.

"What I resent is the suggestion that because you're critical of Israel, you're automatically anti-Semitic. I don't think that's acceptable," he said.

Mr Browne refused to apologise for his remarks, saying that Israel was founded in 1948 by taking land from the Arabs.

He said it was "blackmail" to try to brand everyone who was critical of Israel as anti-Semitic. "I don't think I differ too much from Irish or European foreign policy," he said.

But his remarks drew a strong reaction from Israel's deputy ambassador to Ireland Nurit Tinari-Modai, who said her grandparents were brutally murdered during the Holocaust.

"I would have never believed that the day would come when a presenter on an Irish TV station would make racist, anti-Semitic remarks," she said.

She made her comments to the 'Jewish Chronicle' newspaper, the most widely read Jewish newspaper in Britain.

A TV3 spokeswoman said she was not aware of any complaints being made about Mr Browne's remarks.

- Michael Brennan Deputy Political Editor

Source

Jew-Ish

By Gilad Atzmon

 

Just as we were learning about ‘anti’ Zionist  Mondoweiss’ decision to revise its comment policy to exclude discussion of  the true nature of the Jewish State, the openly pro Zionist Haaretz paper published a news item about the Israeli poet, singer songwriter Zeev Tene.

Tene’s new song is called ‘Jew-Ish’ and as you may guess, is actually very critical of the Jew, Jewishness, The Jewish State and Jewish Identity in general. On the pages of Haaretz, an Israeli paper, Tene tells the truth that Mondoweiss and other AZZ (Anti Zionists Zionists) are determined to suppress.

Is it a coincidence that our leading ‘pro’-Palestinian Jews are so determined to stifle any critical discourse to do with the Jewish State and Jewish identity? Not at all. Philip Weiss, the founder of the ‘progressive’ Jewish website admitted to me in an interview that Jewish-self interests are at the centre of his activism. “I believe all people act out of self-interest. And Jews who define themselves at some level as Jews — like myself for instance — are concerned with a Jewish self-interest. Which in my case is: an end to Zionism,” said Weiss.

Unlike Philip Weiss, Zeev Tene, is a proud self-hater. He calls a spade a spade, he says what he means and he means what he says.

Watch and read Zeev Tene new poem.

Jew ish! by Zeev Tene

How do you live with it

How do you remain indifferent

You lock an entire nation behind a fence

Just because it wants from you to be free

You stand and sing about being free

Yet, you forgets what humanity is

You forget that only yesterday you were the Other

You forget that just yesterday it was you there behind the fence

Jew ish!
How do you live with it

How do you remain indifferent

You who were pushed down

The scent of your burnt flesh is still in the air

You’ve seen how in split second

A man can become a beast

Jew ish! Wake up!

It’s only yourself whom you lock behind the fence

Jew ish! Wake up!

It’s only yourself whom you lock behind a fence

The Wandering Who? A Study Of Jewish Identity Politics, Jewish political interest and Jewish hegemony within the Palestinian Solidarity Movement and the left in general..


The book can be  ordered  on Amazon.com  or Amazon.co.uk

 Source

Occupied Lives: There was no reason for my son’s death

Fahmi’s wife, son, brother and mother at their home in Salatin area

On 28 September 2012, Israel’s forces shot and killed Fahmi Abu Riash (22), a Palestinian fisherman, and wounded his brother Youssef (19), while they and a group of other fishermen were pulling out their fishing nets a few meters from the shore in the northern Gaza Strip.  According to investigations conducted by the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR), an Israeli infantry unit crossed the northwestern border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, and moved nearly 20 meters into Palestinian territory, along the beach area of the northwestern town of Beit Lahia.  Israeli soldiers took position behind a hill at the beach, facing a number of Palestinian fishermen who were fishing a few meters offshore, and opened fire at the fishermen.  The majority of the fishermen were able to flee.  However, two fishermen, who were located nearly 15 meters away from the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, were unable to escape.  According to fishermen present in the area, Israeli soldiers fired directly at the two fishermen, wounding them.  One of the men, Fahmi Abu Riash, died of his wounds later on the same day. 

Fahmi’s brother, Youssef, was also shot.  He gives the following account: “We left the house at around 5am and went down to the sea.  I was with my 2 brothers, Fahmi and Ahmed, and 2 of my cousins.  We were not out on a boat that day.  We just had our nets and we were fishing near the shore.  It was at around 9.30am, when I heard someone screaming.  I then realized that it was my brother, Fahmi, and he had been shot in his left leg.  I remember seeing about 10 soldiers standing on an elevated piece of land and there were many more mobilized behind them.  I rushed to help Fahmi and started shouting for help from the other fishermen on the shore.  I carried my brother, and then they shot at us again.  They were firing from behind and I also got hit on my arms and legs.  I carried Fahmi, and then walked about 30 meters before I fainted.”

The fishermen on the shore called an ambulance and the 2 brothers were rushed to Kamal Adwan Hospital.  Youssef had sustained several injuries but was in a stable condition.  He recalls: “When I finally came to, I was in hospital.  I was treated for my wounds and discharged. I had been shot in the left arm and I developed partial paralysis as a result of damage to my nervous system.  I also had shrapnel lodged in my arms and legs.  Some of the shrapnel was removed but some of it requires surgery.”  Youssef’s brother Fahmi, however, died of his injuries some hours later.

As she remembers the incident, Mariam recounts what had become a tradition for the family.  Most days, from 11am until 6pm, she used to accompany them to the beach and make them lunch as they worked: “On that day, I did not go with them.  I was at home making them lunch when the incident happened.  My sister came and told me that Fahmi and Youssef had been taken to Kamal Adwan Hospital and I rushed there.  I never expected this to happen.  I would have never sent my sons to fish if I had known it was dangerous.  We used to go to that same place all the time and the soldiers used to watch us.  My whole family used to swim, cook and have fun there over the weekends.  They knew who we were.  I never let my sons go beyond the fence.  I would never put my children in danger.  It was normal to fish there and there had never been any threat, yet on that day they decided to shoot at my sons for no reason.”

Fahmi’s mother, Mariam Abu Riash

The Abu Riaj family was fully dependent on fishing as a means of income before the death of Fahmi.  Since the attack, the family is facing hard times financially, as Marjam explains: “Fishing was the only thing sustaining my family.  It is the only thing my sons knew how to do.  Fahmi had been fishing since he was 10 years old.  He had been arrested twice by the Israeli Forces while he was fishing and released at Erez on the same day.  They only used to question him and release him afterwards.  My sons had a boat but it was damaged in a previous incident and can no longer be used.  Now Fahmi is dead, Youssef is wounded and I will not send Ahmed back there to be killed.  My husband was injured in the First Intifada and he is in no condition to work.  Ahmed has now taken up temporary work at a construction site and his income is what the family is living on.  Fahmi was the first born son and he was responsible for the family.  We do not know what to do without him.”

The death of Fahmi has been particularly hard for his mother.  She goes quiet then breaks down in tears as she speaks of him: “My son was so close to my heart and they killed him.  Everything was destroyed by his death.  I was proud of how good he was at sports, such as volleyball, football and swimming.  He always promised me that when he got enough money, he would take me to have surgery to correct a problem with my eyes.  He had only been married for two years and he has left behind a 1-year-old son.  This little child lost his father and he will never know how it feels to have one.  Fahmi’s wife is still young, only 22.  She stays at home mourning her husband.  What does the future hold for her?  All my hope in life is lost.  I do not know how to move on without my son.  In the past, we were a bit hopeful that everything would be okay but now we know that nothing is ever going to change.  The Israeli occupation is full of liars and criminals.  They claimed that Fahmi had gone beyond the border fence.  I never allowed my sons to do that.  They have never done that.  There was no reason for my son’s death.”

The targeting and killing of a civilian, a protected person, is a war crime, as codified in Articles 8(2)(a)(i) and 8(2)(b)(i) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.  Similarly, under Article 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, the destruction of private property is prohibited unless rendered absolutely necessary by military operations. 

In addition, the destruction of fishing equipment such as boats, which are private property, results in Palestinians being unable to use the property necessary for the production of food, violating numerous human rights provisions, including the right to adequate food contained in Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.  Israel’s actions against the fishermen is also a violation of their right to an adequate standard of living, as codified in Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Source

Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (18- 23 Oct. 2012)

Construction Works Continue in "Gilo" Illegal Settlement, as Criminal Israeli Government Approved Building 800 New Units

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)

      

 

4 members of Palestinian resistance groups were killed and 9 others were wounded in the northern Gaza Strip.

IOF continued to target fishermen in the Gaza Strip.

PCHR documented 4 attacks on Palestinian fishing boats.

4 fishermen were arrested and their fishing boats were confiscated off al-Sudaniya shore, north of Gaza City.

IOF used force to disperse peaceful protests organized by Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.

Dozens of protestors sustained bruising and suffered from tear gas inhalation.

IOF conducted 40 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 3 limited incursions in the northern Gaza Strip. 

IOF arrested 5 Palestinians in the West Bank.

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

IOF established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank.

At least 1 Palestinian was arrested at military checkpoints in the West Bank.

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

A water well was demolished in Wadi al-Hsein area, east of Hebron.

Israeli settlers set fire to a civilian vehicle south of Dora and continued their attacks against the Palestinian farmers.

IOF arrested 2 Palestinians and an international activist while they were documenting attacks settlers in the center of Hebron. 

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (18 - 23 October 2012):

Shooting:

During the reporting period, IOF killed 4 members of Palestinian resistance groups and wounded 9 others in the Gaza Strip.  Dozens of protestors suffered from tear gas inhalation and sustained bruises during demonstrations organized against the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank.

In the Gaza Strip, on 22 October 2012, IOF killed 1 Palestinian man and wounded 2 others, when an Israeli warplane launched a missile on a group of members of the al-Qassam Brigades, military wing of the Hamas movement.  The group was on Qleibo Hill, east of Sheikh Zayed city, south of Beit Lahia in the north of the Gaza Strip.

On the same day, IOF killed 1 member of a Palestinian resistance group and wounded a second, when an Israeli warplane launched a missile on a group of members of the Salah Eddin Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committee.  The group was on al-Ashqar land on Sultan Abdul Hamid Street, northwest of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip.

On 23 October 2012, IOF killed 1 member of a Palestinian resistance group and wounded 4 others, whose injuries ranged from moderate to serious.  Israeli soldiers positioned at the northeastern border of the Gaza Strip launched a ground-to-ground missile on a group of members of the al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas movement.  The group was launching rockets towards Israeli towns from farming land to the east of al-Salateen Square in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip.

On the same day, another member of al-Qassam Brigades was killed and 2 others were seriously wounded by an Israeli airstrike.  The al-Qassam Brigades were launching home-made rockets towards Israeli towns from Beit Lahia in the north of the Gaza Strip.

In the context of shooting incidents, on 19 October 2012, IOF positioned along the border fence, east of al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of volunteers from the Local Initiative and a number of Popular Resistance activists.  The volunteers and activists were on farming land belonging to the al-Tartouri family, supporting the family as they attempted to harvest olives.  As a result, the volunteers and residents of the area were terrified and fled fearing for their lives.

On 22 October 2012, IOF stationed inside watchtowers at the border fence, north of the Agriculture School, north of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at the farming lands and houses adjacent to the border.  Neither casualties nor damage to property were reported. 

In the context of targeting fishermen, on 19 October 2012, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia in the north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire sporadically at Palestinian fishing boats.  As a result, fishermen were terrified and fled fearing for their lives.  On 20 and 22 October 2012, IOF again opened fire on fishermen. 

On 22 October 2012, Israeli navy forces arrested 4 fishermen 2 kilometers off al-Sudaniya shore, north of Gaza City.  Additionally, their fishing boat was confiscated. 

In the West Bank, IOF continued the use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human right defenders against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank.  As a result, dozens of protestors sustained bruises and suffered from tear gas inhalation.

Incursions:

During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 40 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.  During these incursions, IOF arrested at least 5 Palestinians. 

In the Gaza Strip, on 22 October 2012, IOF conducted 3 limited incursions into the north and south of the Gaza Strip.  The first incursion was conducted at approximately 08:10, as 7 military vehicles moved 500 meters into the northeast of Beit Lahia in the north of the Gaza Strip.  IOF began leveling lands and sporadically opened fire in the area.  20 minutes later, the military vehicles moved to the west and stationed at Khayal land, north of the Agriculture School, while warplanes were flying in the sky.  Neither casualties nor damage were reported.  The second incursion was conducted at approximately 09:25 when 3 tanks and 2 bulldozers moved 400 meters into Abu al-Kas, east of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip.  IOF began leveling lands in the area.

On 23 October 2012, IOF supported by military vehicles moved approximately 300 meters from al-Sreij Gate into al-Qarara, northeast of Khan Yunis in the south of the Gaza Strip.  Leveling and bulldozing acts were conducted and fire was opened sporadically before IOF withdrew at 11:00.  No casualties were reported. 

Restrictions on Movement:

Israel continued to impose a tightened closure of the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. 

The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.  The illegal closure has caused not only a humanitarian crisis but a crisis of human rights and human dignity for the population of the Gaza Strip.  Recently-declared measures to ease the closure are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to deal with the root causes of the crisis; the root causes can only be addressed by an immediate and complete lifting of the closure, including lifting the travel ban into and out of the Gaza Strip and the ban on exports.  Palestinians in Gaza may no longer suffer from the same shortage of goods but, as long as the closure is allowed to continue, they will remain economically dependent, unable to care for themselves, and socially, culturally and academically isolated from the rest of the world. 

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.  Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip continue to be denied access to Jerusalem.

Settlement Activities:

Israel has continued its settlement activities in the oPt, in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.

On Friday, 19 October 2012, a group of settlers from "Carmel" settlement, attacked civilians from Kharbet Um al-Khair near the aforementioned settlement, southeast of Yatta, west of Hebron.  In his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Ibrahim al-Hathalin said that at least 3 settlers began throwing rocks at civilian houses and uttering abusive words against the Prophet Mohammed, while another settler stripped completely in front of the civilians.  In a separate testimony, Rateb al-Jabour, coordinator of the Popular Committee in Yatta, said that Yamina al-Hathalin (67), sustained bruises after settlers threw rocks at her near the village.

On Monday, 22 October 2012, IOF supported by military vehicles and a bulldozer, and accompanied by members of the police force and an officer from the Israeli Civil Administration, stormed the al-Hsain valley area, east of Hebron.  They surrounded the houses in the area; a number of soldiers stationed themselves on the roofs of some houses and prevented civilians from leaving their homes.  The military bulldozer demolished a 250-cubic-meter water well belonging to Mohammed Yousif al-Ja'bari (44).  In his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Mohammed al-Ja'bari said that the officer from the Israeli Civil Administration told him that the notice, which is in place restricting infrastructural changes in the area, is not time-specific and can be implemented at any time, as the area is under complete Israeli control and falls under Area C in accordance with the Oslo Accords.  Therefore, it is forbidden for Palestinians to make any infrastructural changes in the area without the permission of concerned Israeli authorities.

On Monday, 22 October 2012, a group of settlers attacked Abu al-'Asja village, south of Doura, southwest of Hebron, and set alight a Skoda car belonging to Ibrahim Ahmed al-Shawamra (39) while it was parked in front of his house.  The settlers wrote racist slogans on the walls, such as "Vengeance… Sousia."

On Monday, a group of settlers from the settlement outpost "Ramat Yashay," which is established on lands inside Hebron, attacked farmers with rocks while they were harvesting olives in the al-Rmida Hill neighborhood.  As a result, a number of farmers sustained bruising.  IOF surrounded the place and arrested Imad Nazmei al-Atrash (21), Jawad Thabet Abu-'Aisha (36), and the international solidarity activist known as "Abu-Sarah" (50) while they were videotaping the attack. 

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (18 – 23 October 2012)

1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip

Thursday, 18 October 2012

At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into the Safa area, west of Beit Amr, north of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets for some time and positioned in Safa area, west of the village.  They raided a house belonging to the family of Ibrahim Khalil Mahmoud Abu Dayya, 20.  Before their withdrawal, IOF arrested the aforementioned civilian and took him to an unknown destination.

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Dora, southwest of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets for some time and positioned in the center of the village.  They arrested 3 civilians: Mohammed Rezeq Baryoush, 21, Ali Mohammed Amr, 22, and Zaid Mojahed ‘Awawda, 20, and took them to an unknown destination.  IOF later withdrew.

Around the same time, IOF moved into al-Moghir village, southeast of Jenin.  They patrolled the streets and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. 

At approximately 08:30, IOF moved into ‘Azoun village, east of Qalqilya.  They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 09:30, IOF moved into Deir Daboun, southeast of Ramallah.  They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  No arrests were reported.

At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into Shaqba village, west of Ramallah.  They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  No arrests were reported.

Around the same time, IOF moved into Beitllo village, southwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 12:45, IOF moved into al-Matala village, southeast of Jenin.  They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Around the same time, IOF moved into al-Mogheir village, southeast of Jenin.  They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into al-‘Aoja village, southeast of Jericho.  They patrolled the streets for some time and, at approximately 07:00 the following morning, they withdrew.  No arrests were reported.

At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into al-Nwei’ama village, south of Jericho.  They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  No arrests were reported.

Around the same time, IOF moved into Raboud village, southwest of Dora, south of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets and later withdrew to reposition at the road between the villages of south of Dora and Bypass No. 60.  They later withdrew and no arrests were reported.

Around the same time, IOF moved into Abu al-Ghozlan village, southwest of Dora, south of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew from the village to reposition at the road between the villages of south of Dora and Bypass No. 60.  They later withdrew and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into Ezna village, west of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets for some time.  A number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at the tanks in which the soldiers were fortified.  The soldiers fired stun grenades in response, as well as tear gas bombs aimed at dispersing the stone-throwers.  IOF later withdrew and neither injuries nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Jericho.  They patrolled the streets and later withdrew.  No arrests were reported.

At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Beit Marsam village, west of Dora, southwest of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 23:15, IOF moved into Kafr Qadoum village, northeast of Jenin.  They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Friday, 19 October 2012

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Jericho.  They patrolled the streets and later withdrew.  Later on, they moved south into ‘Aqabet Jabr refugee camp.  They later withdrew and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Bireh.  They patrolled the streets and positioned at al-Bareed Street in the center of the city.  They later withdrew and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 06:30, IOF gunboats positioned in the sea near the former Al-Wahah Tourism Resource, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, fired sporadically at the boats of Palestinian fishermen.  The shooting continued for about 10 minutes and terrorized the fishermen, who were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded.  Neither injuries nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 09:30, IOF moved into Kherbet Abu Falah village, southeast of Ramallah.  They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Beit ‘Aor al-Tahta, west of Ramallah.  They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  No arrests were reported.

At approximately 12:30, IOF positioned at the border with Israel, east of al-Breij refugee camp in the center of the Gaza strip, opened fire at a group of volunteers from the Local Initiative and a number of Popular Resistance activists while they were on farmland belonging to the al-Tartouri Family, supporting the family as they attempted to harvest olives.  The shooting terrified the local people and the volunteers and forced them to flee under fire for fear of their lives.

Saturday, 20 October 2012

At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Ramin village, east of Tulkarm.  They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  No arrests were reported.

At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into Beit ‘Aor al-Tahta, west of Ramallah.  They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into al-Nabi Saleh village, southwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 21:00, IOF moved into al-‘Aerqa village, west of Jenin.  They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Also at approximately 22:30, IOF gunboats positioned in the sea near the former Al-Wahah Tourism Resource, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, fired sporadically at the boats of Palestinian fishermen.  The soldiers used loudspeakers to shout orders at the fishermen.  The shooting continued sporadically for 15 minutes, and terrorized the fishermen, who were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded.  The fishermen did not report any damage to their boats, and neither injuries nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Beitounia village, west of Ramallah.  They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  No arrests were reported.

Sunday 21 October 2012

At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Koubar village, northwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  No arrests were reported.

At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Selwad village, northeast of Ramallah.  They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  No arrests were reported.

At approximately 19:20, IOF moved into ‘Azoun village, east of Qalqilya.  They patrolled the streets and imposed a curfew on the village inhabitants.  They raided commercial stores and cafés, turned the café tables over and ordering civilians to leave.  IOF fired stun grenades at them, closed all the entrances to the village, and prevented civilians from walking in the streets.  The curfew continued until late at night.  Before their withdrawal, IOF handed Wasef Abdel Fatah Hasan Abu Hania, 58, a notice to appear before the Israeli Intelligence.  No arrests were reported.

At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into al-Jaftalak village, north of Ramallah.  They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  No arrests were reported.

At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into al-Laban West village, northwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  No arrests were reported.

Monday, 22 October 2012

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Yatta, south of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets and positioned in the center of the village.  They raided a house belonging to Mahmoud Mohammed Shehada, 50, and handed him a notice to appear before the Israeli Intelligence (Shin Bet) in Ghosh ‘Atsyon settlement, south of Bethlehem.  They later withdrew and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into al-Dahiya area, south of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets, raided a house belonging to the family of Murad Nayef Amr, 29, and handed him a notice to appear before the Israeli Intelligence (Shin Bet) in Ghosh ‘Atsyon settlement, south of Bethlehem.  At approximately 04:30, IOF withdrew and repositioned on the road between Hebron and Dora.  They later withdrew and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 06:10, IOF positioned inside the watchtowers on the border between Israel and Beit Hanoun crossing (Erez), north of al-Zera’aa school, north of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip, fired intensively at agricultural areas and civilian houses corresponding to the border area.  IOF continued to fire for about 1 hour.  Neither damages nor injuries were reported.  At approximately 07:40, Israeli warplanes, flying over the same area, began the shooting at the same area.  Neither injuries nor damages were reported.

At approximately 07:15, an Israeli warplane launched 1 missile at a group of members of the al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas movement, who were in Qleibo hill, east of al-Sheikh Zayed, southeast of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip.  The shelling resulted in the injury of 3 members of this group who then were taken to Martyr Kamal ‘Aodwan hospital in the same village.  At approximately 07:45, due to the severity of their injuries, 2 of the injured men were transferred to receive treatment in al-Shifaa hospital in Gaza.  At approximately 10:05, medical sources confirmed that one of the injured men had died of his wounds.  The deceased man is Abdel Rahman Darwish Abu Jalala, 24, from Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip.

At approximately 08:00, IOF moved 500 meters into the southeast of Beit Lahia and leveled the area, and also fired sporadically.  After about 20 minutes, they moved west and positioned in al-Khayal farmland, north of al-Zera’a school, in the north of the same village, while warplanes continued to fly over the area.  Neither injuries nor damages were reported.  The incursion is still ongoing.  It should be noted that these incidents resultedin the closure of several schools, interrupting the education process.  Students of Hayel Abdel Hamid High School for Boys A, Hayel Abdel Hamid High School for Girls, and al-Zera’a School were forced to flee out of fear and panic due to the intensive shooting in the area.  These schools are 1,800 meters away from the border, north of Beit Lahia.

At approximately 09:25, IOF moved 400 meters into Abu al-Kas hill in the Abu Safiya area in eastern Jabalya in the south of the Gaza Strip.  Israeli military vehicles began combing lands that had been leveled earlier, while also shooting sporadically in the area.  This resulted in a state of fear and panic among the farmers whose farmlands are near the incursion area, forcing them to flee for fear of injury.  At approximately 16:00 on the same day, IOF withdrew and repositioned behind the border.  Neither damage to property nor injuries were reported.

At approximately 09:30, an Israeli warplane launched 1 missile at a group of resistance members of the al-Naser Salah al-Deen Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committee.  They were carrying out military activities in al-Ashqar farmland at the end of al-Soltan Abdel Hamid Street in the southwest of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip.  The shelling resulted in the immediate death of one member of the group.  Yasser Khaled JKheideb al-Tarabin, 34, from Sho’asha’a area in the northeast of Jabalia, died of shrapnel wounds he had sustained throughout his body.  Another member of the resistance group (PCHR keeps his name) sustained shrapnel wounds in the lower extremities of his body.  The wounded were transferred to the governmental Beit Hanoun hospital to receive treatment.  At approximately 10:10, he was transferred into al-Shifaa hospital in Gaza.  His wounds were described as between moderate and serious.

At approximately 10:00, Israeli naval forces arrested 4 Palestinian fishermen off al-Soudania beach in the north of Gaza, arresting them and confiscating the fishing boat they were on.  The fishermen were arrested while sailing 2 kilometers offshore.  The arrested were: Ramez ‘Aezat Baker, 41; Khamis Subhi Baker, 43; ‘Arafat Mohammed Najib Baker, 20; and Bayan Khamis Baker, 17.

At approximately 22:00, IOF gunboats positioned in the sea near the former Al-Wahah Tourism Resource, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, fired at the boats of Palestinian fishermen.  The shooting continued sporadically for 5 minutes, and terrorized the fishermen, who were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded.  The fishermen did not report any damage to their boats, and neither injuries nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Zeita village, north of Tulkarm.  They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Tuesday, 23 October 2012

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Baqa East village, north of Tulkarm.  They patrolled the streets for some time.  They later raided Four Diver café and one of the soldiers questioned the young men in the café on the spot.  The interrogation questions concerned the current economic situation and the local elections which were held on Saturday, 20 October.  IOF later withdrew and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into ‘Anbata village, east of Tulkarm.  They patrolled the streets for some time.  They raided a house belonging to the family of Marwan Ahmed Abdel Dayem and questioned him on the spot.  They later withdrew and no further incidents or arrests were reported.

At the same time, IOF moved into Tulkarm, coming from different directions.  They patrolled the streets in the Zenaba suburb, east of the city.  They raided a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Mostafa Mohammed al-Madani and handed him a notice to appear in the Liaison Office of the Israeli Intelligence, west of Tulkarm.  Additional forces positioned themselves on Nablus Street, near al-Quds Open University, north of the city.  IOF raided a café and one of the soldiers questioned the young men there.  The interrogation questions concerned the current economic situation and the local elections which were held on Saturday, 20 October.  In the meantime, a third group of soldiers patrolled the streets in the center of the city.  A number of boys gathered and threw stones at the IOF vehicles, in which the soldiers were fortified.  The soldiers fired tear gas bombs in response, in an effort to separate the stone-throwers.  A Palestinian security source told a PCHR field worker that one of the tear gas bombs exploded near the eastern gate of the Moqat’aa, the Tulkarm municipality security compound where the Reform and Rehabilitation Center is located, an gas diffused throughout the area.  IOF later withdrew and no further incidents or arrests were reported.

At approximately 23:55, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at members of the al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas Movement, while they were firing home-made rockets at Israeli towns from farmland, north of Moss'ab Bin Omair mosque in the al-Manshia area, north of Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip.  As a result, a member of the group, Loai Abdel-Hakim Mustafa Abu-Jarad (25), was killed immediately, after sustaining shrapnel wounds throughout his body.  The other two men sustained critical wounds and were transferred to al-Shifaa hospital in Gaza due to the seriousness of their condition.

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Bal’aa village, north of Tulkarm.  They patrolled the streets, raided a house belonging to the family of Mahdi Mohammed Rajeh Shahrour, 20, and arrested him.  They later withdrew and took the arrested man to an unknown destination.

At approximately 05:00, IOF moved from al-Sreij Gate 300 meters into al-Qararah, northeast of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.  IOF carried out leveling and bulldozing of land in the area, randomly shooting.  They repositioned at the border at approximately 11:00.  No injuries were reported.

At approximately 09:40, IOF positioned at the northeastern border of the Gaza Strip launched one ground-to-ground missile at a group of members of al-Qassam Brigades, th military wing of the Hamas Movement, who were launching shells at Israeli towns.  The group was on farmland in the east of al-Salatin square in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip.  The shelling resulted in the immediate death of one member of the group.  The deceased man is Ismail Issa Matter al-Tali, 27, from the al-Twam area in the west of Jabalia whose body was dismembered.  Another 4 men sustained injuries which ranged from moderate to serious.  Immediately after the incident, all five men were transferred by ambulances from the Palestinian Red Crescent and the Ministry of Health to Martyr Kamal ‘Aodwan hospital.  The injured men received treatment for their injuries and the deceased man was brought to the morgue.  At approximately 22:40, one of the wounded men was transferred to al-Shifaa hospital in Gaza to receive treatment where he underwent surgery and entered the intensive care department.  His wounds were described as moderate.  Note: PCHR kept the names of the injured.

2. Use of Excessive Force against Peaceful Demonstrations Protesting Settlement Activities and the Construction of the Annexation Wall

During the reporting period, IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest at the construction of the wall and settlement activities in the West Bank.  As a result, an Israeli human rights defender and a Palestinian child were wounded, and dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. 

Following the Friday Prayer, 19 October 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.  The demonstrators gathered in the streets of the village, chanting slogans calling for national unity.  The protesters aimed to stress the need to adhere to national principles and the right of return, to resist the occupation and to call for the release of all Palestinian prisoners.  The protesters raised Palestinian flags and made their way towards the wall.  They called through megaphones for 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 and others sustained bruises; the wounded were treated in the field.

Also following the Friday Prayer on 19 October 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 at 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 and others sustained bruises; the wounded were treated in the field. 

Around the same time that Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in Martyrs Square in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to hold a weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities.  The protesters walked towards the gate erected by IOF near the entrance of the village, which lead 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 and others sustained bruises.

Following the Friday Prayer, Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders, including Ms Luisa Morgantini, former Vice President of the European Parliament, organized a peaceful demonstration in the center of al-Ma’sara village, south of Bethlehem, in protest at the ongoing construction of the annexation wall.  As the protestors moved towards the gate of the village, IOF closed it to prevent the demonstration from gaining access to the confiscated lands.  In his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Jawad Alaadin, a member of the Public Movement in Bethlehem, said, "IOF stopped the crowd from reaching the lands threatened with confiscation.  IOF soldiers and demonstrators engaged in a skirmish after IOF closed the main road."

3. Continued Closure of the oPt

Israel has continued to impose a tightened 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.

Gaza Strip

Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for nearly 5 years.  The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. 

IOF have tightened the closure of the Gaza Strip, practically making Karm Abu Salem crossing the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip, although it is not suitable for commercial purposes in terms of its distance and operational capacity. 

IOF have continued to apply their policy aimed at tightening the strangulation of the commercial movement in the Gaza Strip, including imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports. 

The total closure of al-Mentar "Karni" crossing on 02 March 2011 has created a terrible situation that has seriously affected the Gaza Strip.  Following this closure, all economic and commercial establishments in 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 operational 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 Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza City, which was dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2010. 

IOF 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 in the Gaza Strip. 

The cooking gas crisis, which erupted last November, has continued to affect the Gaza Strip.  This crisis was created on 04 January 2010, when Israeli occupation authorities totally closed Nahal Oz crossing, which used to be dedicated to the delivery of fuel and cooking gas supplies to Gaza.  They shifted fuel and cooking gas supplies to the Karm Abu Salem crossing, which is not equipped to receive Gaza's fuel needs.  Karm Abu Salem crossing, with its maximum absorptive capacity, can receive only 200 tons of cooking gas per day. 

Approximately 80% of Gaza civilians have continued to depend on humanitarian aid provided by UNRWA and other relief agencies, the number of families who are living below the poverty line has continued to increase, and approximately 40% of Gaza's manpower has continued to suffer from permanent unemployment as a result of shutting down the majority of Gaza's economic establishments. 

IOF have continued to impose a total ban on the export of products from Gaza, especially industrial products, undermining any real chance of reopening economic establishments.  The situation has been aggravated since Karm Abu Salem crossing was designated as Gaza’s sole commercial crossing; the repeated closure of this crossing negatively affects the quantity of Gaza products which were allowed to be exported during last April. 

For approximately six consecutive years, IOF have continued to ban the delivery of construction materials to Gaza.  During the reporting period, IOF approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of international organizations.

Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for Palestinian civilians from the Gaza Strip.  IOF only allow the movement of limited groups amidst severe restrictions, including long hours of waiting in the majority of cases.  IOF have also continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and Jerusalem.  IOF denied new categories of Gazan patients permission to access hospitals via the crossing. 

Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on traders, international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip. 

Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:

Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point

17– 22 October 2012

Day	Date	Traveling abroad	Coming into Gaza	Returned into Gaza
Wednesday	17 October 2012	399	690	22
Thursday	18 October 2012	686	938	55
Friday	19 October 2012	416	488	60
Saturday	20 October 2012	977 including 956 pilgrims	631	5
Sunday	21 October 2012	641	419	61
Monday	22 October 2012	476	888	73

Notes: on Saturday, 20 October 2012, 956 pilgrims traveled via Rafah crossing as pilgrims who were offered the award of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing

16– 21 October 2012

Imports:

	Date		Imports
			Category		Amount
					Tons	Number		Liters
	16 October 2012		Foodstuffs		769
			Agricultural materials		1,255
			Various goods Cartons of clothes Refrigerators Cartons of shoes Cars Glass boards Water tanks Cows		2,461	5,853 103 2,860 31 1,060 176 309
			Humanitarian aid		7,302
			Cooking gas		151.300
			Diesel					151.000 to UNRWA
17 October 2012		Foodstuffs		892
		Agricultural materials		779
		Various goods Cartons of clothes Refrigerators Glass boards Cows Carpentry machines Cartons of shoes Cars		1,370		4548 341 520 205 12 3,682 30
		Humanitarian aid		7,759
		Cooking gas		147.550
18 October 2012		Foodstuffs		943
		Agricultural materials		1,002
		Various goods Cartons of clothes Refrigerators Cartons of shoes Glass boards Cows Cars		1,586		4,140 134 3,448 520 380 30
		Humanitarian aid		6,616
		Cooking gas		125.690
21 October 2012		Foodstuffs		934
		Agricultural materials		1,140
		Various goods Cartons of clothes Cartons of shoes Refrigerators Car tires Washing machines		1,367		2,773 2,915 165 512 112
		Humanitarian aid		8.014
		Cooking gas		169.000

Exports:

On Tuesday, 16 October 2012, IOF allowed the export of 3 truckloads of empty plastic cans and 3 truckloads of biscuits.

On Wednesday, 17 October 2012, IOF allowed the export of 5 truckloads of empty plastic cans and 3 truckloads of biscuits.

On Thursday, 18 October 2012, IOF allowed the export of 3 truckloads of empty plastic cans.

On Sunday, 21 October 2012, IOF allowed the export of 5 truckloads of empty plastic cans and a truckload of basil. 

Imports:

On Tuesday, 16 October 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 360 tons of cement and 2,520 tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA, in addition to 1,120 tons of construction aggregate and 80 tons of cement for ICRC.  They also allowed the entry of 741 tons of fodders and 234 tons of wheat.

On Wednesday, 17 October 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 200 tons of cement and 2,590 tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA, in addition to 2,870 tons of construction aggregate and 38 tons of construction steel for UNDP.  They also allowed the entry of 1,400 tons of construction aggregate and 50 tons of cement for ICRC, 312 tons of fodders and 156 tons of wheat. 

On Thursday, 18 October 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 248 tons of cement, 32 tons of construction steel and 910 tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA, in addition to 1,960 tons of construction aggregate to the Water Authority.  They also allowed the entry of 1,330 tons of construction aggregate and 32 tons of construction steel to ICRC, 234 tons of fodders and 312 tons of wheat.

On Sunday, 21 October 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 120 tons of cement and 420 tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA, in addition to 2,660 tons of construction aggregate and 280 tons of cement for the Water Authority.  They also allowed the entry of 390 tons of fodders and 234 tons of wheat. 

IOF closed the crossing on 07 October and 08 October 2012, because of Jewish holidays.

Movement at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing

17– 22 October 2012

Date	17 October	18 October	19 October	20 October	21 October	22 October
Patients	33	Nil	8	Nil	29	26
Companions	31	Nil	8	Nil	31	26
Personal needs	38	Nil	9	Nil	25	37
Arabs from Israel	3	Nil	4	Nil	30	4
Diplomats	7	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
International Journalists	4	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
International Workers	47	Nil	15	Nil	8	20
UN Workers	8	Nil	3	Nil	Nil	Nil
Travelers abroad	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	1
Business People	60	Nil	Nil	Nil	102	78
Economic Meetings	4	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
Security Interviews	3	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	4
VIPs	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	1	5
Ambulances to Israel	1	Nil	3	1	1	Nil
Ambulances from Israel	1	Nil	Nil	Nil	2	Nil

It should be noted that IOF allowed 37 Palestinians to visit their sons who are in detention inside Israeli prisons on 22 October 2012.

Note: the statistics for Thursday, 18 October 2012 were not registered by the Palestinian Liaison office, as the documents were transferred to the Ministry of Civil Affairs in Ramallah.

The West Bank

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

It is approximated that there are hundreds of permanent roadblocks, and manned and unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank. 

When complete, the illegal annexation wall will stretch for 724 kilometers around the West Bank, further isolating the entire population.  350 kilometers of the wall have already been constructed.  Approximately 99% of the wall has been constructed inside the West Bank itself, confiscating more Palestinian land. 

Many of the main roads that lead to Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF.

IOF have continued to restrict access of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank to East Jerusalem, through a strict system of permits and a network of checkpoints. 

IOF have completed controlled access to the Jordan Valley through 4 permanent checkpoints established at its entrances.  Palestinians living outside the area are not allowed to enter it without permits.

Settlement activities and expansion of settlements impose additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. 

IOF have continued to restrict access to gunfire areas and natural reserves, which constitute about 26% of the total area of the West Bank. 

Israeli military checkpoints restrict the movement of goods throughout the West Bank. 

Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by IOF in Jerusalem, and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped in the streets, searched and even arrested by IOF.

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

Ramallah and al-Bireh: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. 

At approximately 10:00 on Thursday, 18 October 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah.

At approximately 15:00, IOF re-established its presence at 'Attara checkpoint at the northern entrance of Birzeit, north of Ramallah.

At approximately 09:30 on Friday, 19 October 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah.

At approximately 16:00, IOF established a checkpoint near Beit 'Our al-Foqa intersection, southwest of Ramallah.

All checkpoints were later removed; no arrests were reported.

Jericho: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

At approximately 08:30 on Thursday, 18 October 2012, IOF established a checkpoint near the southern entrance of Jericho.  The checkpoint was later removed with no reports of arrests.  However, it was re-established at approximately 18:30.

At approximately 19:00, IOF established a checkpoint near Fassayel village entrance, north of Jericho.

At approximately 11:11 on Friday, 19 October 2012, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of al-Noway'ma village, north of Jericho.

Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

At approximately 10:00 on Sunday, 21 October 2012m IOF established a military checkpoint on the main road between Tulkarm and Qalqilya, near the gate of Jabara village, which is isolated from its Palestinian surroundings due to the annexation wall south of Tulkarm.  Vehicles were stopped on their way in or out of the village, and some civilians were investigated in the field by an intelligence officer.  The checkpoint was removed three hours later; no arrests were reported.  It should be mentioned that, during the Second Intifada, IOF had a permanent checkpoint with a watchtower in the area but was removed in what the Israeli government called a "good-will initiative" towards the Palestinian Authority at that time.  However, since the removal of the checkpoint, IOF re-establishes a temporary checkpoint in the area almost on a daily basis. 

Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

At approximately 19:30 on Thursday, 18 October 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at Kharsa village intersection, which links Doura city with its western villages, southwest of Hebron.

At approximately 20:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the main entrance of al-Jalajel village, east of Hebron.  The checkpoints were later removed.  No arrests were reported.

Also at approximately 08:00 on Saturday, 20 October 2012, IOF established a checkpoint on the road separating Halhoul from Hebron.  The checkpoint was later removed.  No arrests were reported.

At approximately 09:30, IOF established a checkpoint on Abu-Reisha valley road, linking between Ethna and Deir Sammet villages, west of Hebron.  The checkpoint was later removed.  No arrests were reported.

Qalqilya: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

On Thursday, 18 October 2012, IOF established 3 checkpoints throughout the city.  The first checkpoint was established at approximately 06:30 on the entrance on 'Azoun village, the second was established at approximately 10:00 on the entrance of Hajja village, while the third checkpoint was established on the entrance of Izzbat al-Tabib village at approximately 10:20.  The three checkpoints were established on Nablus-Qalqilya road, east of Qalqilya.  The checkpoints were later removed.  No arrests were reported.

On Friday, 19 October 2012, IOF established 3 checkpoints throughout the city.  The first checkpoint was established at approximately 01:45 on the entrance of Izzbat al-Tabib village, the second was established at approximately 16:00 on the entrance of 'Azoun village, while the third checkpoint was established under 'Azzoun village bridge, at approximately 16:30.  The three checkpoints were established on Nablus-Qalqilya road, east of Qalqilya.  The checkpoints were later removed.  No arrests were reported.

On Saturday, 20 October 2012, IOF established 3 checkpoints throughout the city.  The first checkpoint was established at approximately 01:00 on the entrance of Hajja village, the second was established at approximately 10:20 on the entrance of Izzbat al-Tabib village, at the same time a third checkpoint was established on the entrance of 'Azoun village.  The three checkpoints were established on Nablus-Qalqilya road, east of Qalqilya.  The checkpoints were later removed.  No arrests were reported.

On Sunday, 21 October 2012, IOF established 4 checkpoints throughout the city.  The first checkpoint was established at approximately 08:00 on the entrance of Hajja village, the second was established at approximately 10:00 on the entrance of 'Azoun village, at the same time a third checkpoint was established on the entrance of Jinsafout village, and a fourth was established on the entrance of Kuffer Lakef village at approximately 10:15.  The four checkpoints were established on Nablus-Qalqilya road, east of Qalqilya.  The checkpoints were later removed.  No arrests were reported.

Selfit: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

At approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 20 October 2012, IOF established a checkpoint near Eskaka village bridge, east of Selfit.  The checkpoint was later removed.  No arrests were reported.

Arrests at Military Checkpoints

At approximately 08:00 on Sunday, 21 October 2012, IOF established a checkpoint on the entrance of Hajja village, east of Qalqilya.  Ahmed Mohammad Ahmed Hamad (25) was detained; he was released 3 hours later.

4. Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property

Israel has continued its settlement activities in the oPt, in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.

At approximately 10:00 on Friday, 19 October 2012, a group of settlers from "Carmel" settlement attacked civilians from Kharbet Um al-Khair near the aforementioned settlement, southeast of Yatta, west of Hebron.  In his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Ibrahim al-Hathalin said that at least 3 settlers began throwing rocks at civilian houses and uttering abusive words against the Prophet Mohammed, while another settler stripped completely in front of the civilians.  He added that the civilians called the Israeli police in "Kiryat Arba" settlement, who came to investigate the incident and took a number of civilians to the police station to take their testimonies and file complaints against the settlers.  In a separate testimony, Rateb al-Jabour, Coordinator of the Popular Committee in Yatta, said that Ms Yamina al-Hathalin (67)sustained bruises after settlers threw rocks at her near the village.  He also added that the settlers organized a demonstration on the main road next to Kharbet Sousia, east of Yatta, and chanted anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian slogans, such as "Death to the Arabs, leave our lands."

At approximately 08:00 on Monday, 22 October 2012, IOF supported by military vehicles and a bulldozer, and accompanied by members of the police force and an officer from the Israeli Civil Administration, stormed the al-Hsain valley area, east of Hebron.  They surrounded the houses in the area; a number of soldiers stationed themselves on the roofs of some houses and prevented civilians from leaving their homes.  The military bulldozer demolished a 250-cubic-meter water well belonging to Mohammed Yousif al-Ja'bari (44).  In his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Mohammed al-Ja'bari said that forces from the Israeli police and army surrounded the area and began demolishing the water-well, which is considered the main source of water in the village as it supplies over 40 individuals in the family with water.  Construction on the water well finished two days before the incident.  Al-Ja’bari added that IOF gave him a notice to stop the construction of the well in 2009.  This is the second time the water well has been bulldozed; it was previously bulldozed in 2010.  He said that the officer from the Israeli Civil Administration told him that the notice, which is in place restricting infrastructural changes in the area, is not time-specific and can be implemented at any time, as the area is under complete Israeli control and falls under Area C in accordance with the Oslo Accords.  Therefore, it is forbidden for Palestinians to make any infrastructural changes in the area without the permission of concerned Israeli authorities.

At approximately 2:30 on Monday, 22 October 2012, a group of settlers attacked Abu al-'Asja village, south of Doura, southwest of Hebron, and set alight a Skoda car belonging to Ibrahim Ahmed al-Shawamra (39) while it was parked in front of his house.  They also wrote racist slogans on the walls, such as "Vengeance… Sousia." In his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Ibrahim al-Shawamra said,"At early dawn hours on Monday, 22 October 2012, we heard a sound outside, as we went outside we saw a car, Subaru, storming out, and found the car blazing with fire.  We also saw writings in Hebrew on the walls, "Vengeance… Sousia." We called the concerned Palestinian authorities and the Israeli police who came to the scene and investigated the incident." It should be mentioned that the settlers began forming gangs in "Sousia" settlement, east of Yatta, and have carried out several attacks on Palestinian farmers in villages southeast of Yatta.  These settlers had expanded their activities, reaching villages by Bypass No. 60, south of Doura.

At approximately 11:00 on Monday, a group of settlers from the settlement outpost "Ramat Yashay," established on lands inside Hebron, attacked farmers with rocks while they were harvesting olives in the al-Rmida Hill neighborhood.  As a result, a number of farmers sustained bruises.  IOF surrounded the place and arrested Imad Nazmei al-Atrash (21), Jawad Thabet Abu-'Aisha (36), and the international solidarity activist known as "Abu-Sarah" (50) who had been videotaping the attack.  In his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Issa Amro, spokesperson of Youth Against Settlement Activity, said that a large number of settlers from the settlement outpost "Ramat Yashay" attacked the civilians while they were harvesting the olive trees in their lands, located near the aforementioned settlement, without any interference from IOF to stop them.  Furthermore, they arrested 3 civilians.  He explained that IOF had given the Palestinian Liaison a permit for civilians from the Abu-'Aisha and al-Jabali families, allowing them to harvest the olives in their lands.

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Recommendations to the International Community

1. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal and moral obligations under Article 1 of the Convention to ensure Israel's respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.  PCHR believes that the conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as if it is above the law and encourages Israel continue to violate international human rights and humanitarian law.

2. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene a conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel's respect of the Convention in the OPT and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.

3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with their legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.

4. PCHR calls for the immediate implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal.

5. PCHR recommends that international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs, participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and urge their governments to bring the perpetrators to justice. 

6. PCHR calls upon the European Union to 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 OPT. 

7. PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan, which was implemented in September 2005, for what it is - not an end to occupation but a compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. 

8. In recognition of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPT, including the facilitation of family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

9. 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 OPT and to demand Israel end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.

10. PCHR calls upon the international community to pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for international organizations to the OPT.

11. PCHR reiterates 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.

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Public Document

For further information please visit our website (www.pchrgaza.org) or contact PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email ( pchr@pchrgaza.org ) or telephone (+972 (0)8 282 4776 – 282 5893).