Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in
the Occupied Palestinian Territory (26 May – 01 June 2011) Thursday, 02 June 2011 00:00
Israeli forces force a Palestinian civilian to demolish his house in
Wad al-Jouz neighborhood in occupied East JerusalemIsraeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic
Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in
the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)· A Palestinian child was wounded in Iraq Bourin village, south of Nablus.
· IOF continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank.
- A Palestinian demonstrator was wounded in Bil'ein, west of Ramallah.
- IOF arrested 15 demonstrators, including a child.
- The arrested persons include 7 Palestinians and 8 international human rights defenders.
· IOF conducted 47 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and one limited incursion into the central Gaza Strip.
- IOF arrested 29 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children and 2 women.
- IOF launched a wide scale campaign against the Islamic Jihad in Jenin and closed 2 charitable associations.
· IOF continued settlement activities and Israeli settlers continued their attacks in the West Bank.
- IOF demolished 8 artisan wells in Jenin and bulldozed a shop of construction materials in Qalqilya.
- Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian shepherd in Madma village, south of Nablus.
- Israeli settlers set fire to 4 donums planted with grains in Madma village, south of Nablus. (One donum is equal to 1,000 square meters.)
· Israel has continued to impose a total siege on the Gaza Strip and tightened the siege on the West Bank.
- IOF arrested at least 4 Palestinians at military checkpoints in the West Bank.
- IOF stopped and held Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) and another 2 PLC members and arrested a third one.
SummaryIsraeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT
continued during the reporting period (26 May – 01 June 2011):
Shooting:
During the reporting period, IOF wounded two Palestinian civilians, including a child, in the West Bank. The child was wounded when IOF moved into Iraq Bourin village, south of Nablus, while the other Palestinian was wounded in a peaceful protest against settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall in the West Bank.
On 30 June 2011, IOF moved into Iraq Bourin village, south of Nablus, amid intensive firing of sound bombs and tear gas canisters. A number of boys gathered and stoned IOF who immediately replied by firing rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters. A 16-year-old child was wounded as a result.
IOF used excessive force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to Israeli settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall in the West Bank. As a result, Ibrahim Abdul Fattah Burnat, 29, was hit by a tear gas canister in the right shoulder and his eye was affected because of the gas. In addition, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders participating in peaceful protests in the West Bank suffered from tear gas inhalation and bruises as they were beaten by IOF.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 47 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested 29 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children and 2 women.
The widest incursion was implemented by IOF on 31 May 2011 into Jenin, during which IOF waged a wide scale campaign against the Islamic Jihad in Jenin. IOF moved into villages in Jenin and arrested 12 members of the Islamic Jihad, including 2 women. They also confiscated the contents of two associations affiliated with the Islamic Jihad, but they failed to arrest Khader Mousa, a political leader of the Islamic Jihad, after raiding his house.
IOF have continued to attempt to crack down peaceful protests and to prevent international human rights defenders from participating in peaceful assemblies against settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall. As part of these attempts, IOF arrested 15 protesters, including a child. The arrested protesters included 7 Palestinian civilians and 8 international human rights defenders.
IOF has also continued to use checkpoints as traps to arrest Palestinians allegedly wanted by IOF. During the reporting period, IOF arrested at least 4 Palestinians at checkpoints in the West Bank including, a PLC Member of the Change and Reform Bloc, Nezar Abdul Aziz Ramadan, 47. Ramadan was with PLC Speaker Dr. Aziz Dweik and PLC members Anwar Zboun, from Bethlehem, and Basem al-Zaarir, from Hebron, when IOF held them for more than 4 hours at an Israeli checkpoint.
In the Gaza Strip, on 31 May 2011, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into the east of al-Bureij refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip. They conducted bulldozing and leveling works until 13:00. They then redeployed beyond the border fence.
Israeli Settlers' Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property:
Israeli settlers living in the OPT in violation of the international humanitarian law have continued to commit systematic crimes against Palestinian civilians and Palestinian property with protection provided by IOF who ignore conducting investigations into complaints submitted by Palestinian civilians against settlers.
On 29 May 2011, IOF moved into the northern plain of Kafr Dan village, northwest of Jenin. IOF soldiers stepped down from vehicles and deployed in Palestinian farms and told Palestinian farmers that they had orders to demolish 12 artisan wells claiming that they were established without licenses. Guarded by soldiers, IOF bulldozers and digging machines started demolishing the wells. Two hours after the start of the demolition works, large numbers of Palestinians from Kafr Dan village and from Jenin arrived at the scene and gathered in farms closed to IOF’s locations. Some of the Palestinians stopped in front of bulldozers trying to stop them. IOF talked with the Palestinians who were protesting in the scene and agreed to stop the demolition works asking Palestinians to withdraw from the scene. At this time, IOF had already completed the demolition works.
On 30 May 2011, IOF moved into Jinsafout village, east of Qaqilya. They raided a shop of construction materials owned by Mahmoud Yousef Mohammed Sukkar, 31. IOF then bulldozed the shop with the materials inside it under the pretext of the lack of license.
On 26 May 2011, a group of settlers from "Yitzhar" settlement which is established on parts of Palestinians' lands in the south of Madma village, south of Nablus, used clubs to beat Hamad Jaber Ahmed al-Qet, 66. Al-Qet sustained wounds, crumple in the head and bruises throughout the body.
On 30 May 2011, nearly 10 settlers from "Yitzhar" settlement which is established on parts of Palestinians' lands in the south of Madma village, south of Nablus, set fire to farms planted with barleys in Ein al-Eshreh and al-Sawawin areas which are located nearly 2 kilometers from "Yitzhar" settlement. The fire destroyed nearly 4 donums of land planted with barleys before the Palestinian villagers manage to extinguish the fire. The damaged farms belong to Hassan Mohammed Zyada, member of the Local Council of Madma village.
Restrictions on Movement:
Israel has continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and has imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza StripIsrael has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for over three years. The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has been steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.
· The cooking gas crisis which has erupted last November has continued to affect the Gaza Strip. This crisis was created when the Israeli occupation authorities totally closed, on 04 January 2010, Nahal Oz crossing, which used to be dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas supplies to Gaza, and shifted fuel and cooking gas supplies to Karm Abu Salem crossing which is not technically equipped to receive Gaza's needs of fuel. Karm Abu Salem crossing, with its maximum absorptive capacity, can receive only 200 tons of cooking gas per day.
It should be noted that the Israeli occupation authorities have worked over the past three years to make Karm Abu Salem crossing, which is not appropriate for commercial purposes, as Gaza's major and sole crossing.
In the beginning of 2010, the Israeli occupation authorities closed Nahal Oz crossing which was dedicated for the supplies of fuel and cooking gas to Gaza, and shifted fuel supplies to Karm Abu Salem crossing. these authorities totally closed Sofa crossing, southeast of Khan Younis, and shifted humanitarian aid and food items which used to be delivered via Sofa crossing to Karm Abu Salem crossing. Lately, they exceptionally open Sofa crossing from time to time to allow the delivery of construction aggregate for UNRWA.
· Approximately 80% of Gaza civilians have continued to depend on alimentary aid provided by UNRWA and other relief agencies, rates of families who are living below poverty line have continued to be on the rise 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 exportation of Gaza's products, especially industrial products, leading to undermining any real chances to rerun economic establishments. Facts on the ground refute IOF's allegation that they daily allow the export of 10 truckloads of agricultural products.
· Recently, IOF allowed the exportation of very limited quantities of Gaza's agricultural products, including flowers and tomatoes, to European markers.
· For approximately four 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 patient permission to have access to hospitals via the crossing.
· Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip.
· For approximately 46 months, IOF have continued to deny approximately 710 Palestinian prisoners from Gaza detained in Israeli jails their visitation rights without providing any justification to this measure, which violates the rules of the international humanitarian law.
West BankIOF 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.
· IOF have established checkpoints in and around Jerusalem, severely restricting Palestinian access to the city. Civilians are frequently prevented from praying in the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
· There are approximately 585 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.
· At least 65% of the main roads that lead to 18 Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF.
· There are approximately 500 kilometers of restricted roads across the West Bank. In addition, approximately one third of the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, is inaccessible to Palestinians without permits issued by IOF. Such permits are extremely difficult to obtain.
· IOF continue to harass and assault demonstrators who hold peaceful protests against the construction of the annexation wall.
· Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by IOF in Jerusalem, and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped and searched in the streets by IOF.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period
(26 May – 01 June 2011) 1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 26 May 2011· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into al-Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched the house of Abdul Aziz Salim Balasi. Before withdrawing, they arrested Balasi's eighteen-year-old son, Umar, and drove him to "Kfar Etzion" detention center, southwest of Bethlehem.
· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Shawawra village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched the house of Muhannad Ahmed Saadad al-Asa, 26. They checked the ID cards of the residents. Before withdrawing, they arrested al-Asa and drove him to "Ras Fredes" detention center, south of Bethlehem. Later, they transferred al-Asa to "Kfar Etzion" detention center, southwest of Bethlehem.
· At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Kafr Zibad village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· Following their withdrawal from Kafr Zibad village, IOF moved to the east into the nearby village of Kafr Abboush. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 10:15, IOF moved into al-Funduq village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 21:30, IOF moved into Beit Leqia village, west of Ramallah, and patrolled in the streets. A number of boys gathered and stoned IOF who immediately responded by firing bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. Many civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation as a result. IOF withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into Jafna village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
Friday, 27 May 2011· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Majd village, west of Dora in the southwest of Hebron. They raided the house of Hamza Ibrahim Amr and arrested his eighteen-year-old son, Abdullah, and drove him to a police station near "Kriat Arba" settlement, southeast of Hebron. Abdullah was arrested for allegedly stoning IOF vehicles near the annexation wall. He was later transferred to "Kfar Etzion" detention center, southwest of Bethlehem.
· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Shawawra village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched the house of Ahmed Issa Mohammed Hamdan, 24. Before withdrawing, they arrested Hamdan and drove him to "Ras Fredes" detention center, south of Bethlehem. Later, they transferred Hamdan to "Kfar Etzion" detention center, southwest of Bethlehem.
· At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Bitonia town, west of Ramallah. They provocatively patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 23:20, IOF moved into Bir Zeit village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
Saturday, 28 May 2011· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Bedia village, northwest of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew at approximately 04:00. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Qarawat Bani Hassan village, northwest of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew at approximately 04:10. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Kafr al-Diq village, west of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time. Before withdrawing at approximately 02:30, they delivered a notice to Samer Anwar Mustafa al-Diq, 35, requiring him to appear before the Israeli intelligence service. No arrests were reported.
Sunday, 29 May 2011· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Bil'ein village, west of Ramallah. They provocatively patrolled in the streets and claxoned now and then to disturb the residents of the village. They later intensively fired tear gas canisters, sound bombs and flash bombs. Children and civilians in the village were in panic as a result. IOF withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Ukbet Jaber refugee camp, south of Jericho. They raided many houses. Before withdrawing, they delivered notices to Khalil Abu al-Asal and Kamal Said al-Lada requiring them to appear before the Israeli intelligence service.
· At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Nour Shams refugee camp, east of Tulkarm. They took position in al-Jame area in the center of Nour Shams refugee camp. They sneaked into a 3-storey house belonging to Umar Tarif Abdullah Ghannam, 57. They destroyed the main gate of the house and went up to the second floor where Shadi, 31, who is Ghannam's son, lives. Shadi was not at home. They destroyed the door of the second floor and questioned Shadi's wife. They then went up to the third floor and destroyed the door. They arrested Fadi, 22, who is Ghannam's son. IOF used sniffer dogs to search the house and withdrew later. Shortly later, they raided and searched the house of Ali Khairi Mohammed Abu Salah, 27, and arrested him. They withdrew in the early morning.
Rasha Ahmed Jamal Ghannam, 26, Shadi's wife, told the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights the following:
"At approximately 03:30 on 29 May 2011, Israeli occupation soldiers raided our 3-storey house in al-Jame area in the center of Nour Shams refugee camp. They destroyed the main door and went up to the bedroom on the second floor where I was with my children. When I heard them destroying the main door of the second floor, I started screaming. After they destroyed the door, they pointed their guns at me. I ran to the room where my children were sleeping. I sat down on the floor. At first, I thought they were thieves. One of the soldiers followed me and pointed his gun at me. He asked me in a low voice 'where is Fadi?' It told him that it was Shadi's house and he left. He talked to another person and then got back to me. He asked me several questions about my husband, Shadi. He was the only soldier who talked in Arabic. The soldiers then went up to the third floor and a soldier remained near the door of the room where I was present. They destroyed the door of the third floor ad arrested my brother-in-law, Fadi. They then brought sniffer dogs and searched the house. My children and I were in total panic. During their withdrawal from the house, one of the soldiers hit my mother-in-law, Nazira Mohammed Issa Ghannam, 51, who was on the first floor, using his gun butt. In the morning, we transferred her to the hospital."
· At approximately 04:10, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time. Before withdrawing, they arrested Mohammed Nasim al-Shanti, 24.
· At approximately 10:30, IOF moved into Shweaka suburb, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into Deir al-Sudan village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into al-Ouja village, north of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
Monday, 30 May 2011· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Duhaisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched many houses in the west and north of the refugee camp. Before withdrawing at approximately 04:30, IOF arrested 4 Palestinians, including 3 children, and drove them to "Kfar Etzion" detention center, southwest of Hebron. They placed them later under interrogation for allegedly "throwing stones and Molotov thingytails" at IOF vehicles. The detainees are:
1. Mufti Maarouf Abdul Hamid Umar, 16;
2. Tamer Harbi Khader Abu Sdoud, 17;
3. Zakareya Mustafa Ibrahim Abu Aysha, 16; and
4. Qusai Mohammed Mahmoud al-Sharif, 18.
According to investigations conducted by Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, IOF deliberately beat Mufti Maarouf Abdul Hamid Umar using their legs while they were driving him to an IOF vehicle. They caused light damages to the house of Qusai Mohammed Mahmoud al-Sharif while searching it and they caused panic to his little siblings because of their actions and screaming. They drove al-Sharif on foot from his house in al-Dheisha refugee camp to "Solomon's Pools" area in the nearby village of al-Khader.
· At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into Seilet al-Daher town, south of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets. IOF soldiers stepped down from vehicles and toured in the alleys with a photographer in civil clothes. The photographer took photos of all the old houses and alleys leading to them. IOF withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 11:30, IOF moved into Shwaika suburb, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 13:30, IOF moved into Iraq Bourin village, south of Nablus, amid intensive firing of sound bombs and tear gas canisters. A number of boys gathered and stoned IOF who immediately responded by firing rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters. Amir Aref Mustafa Qadous, 16, was wounded by a bullet to the face and Sakher Husam Aref al-Faqih, 20, suffered from tear gas inhalation as a result. The wounded were transferred to Rafidia Public Hospital in Nablus for treatment.
· Also at approximately 13:30, an IOF undercover unit sneaked into Um al-Sharayet neighborhood in al-Bireh. They used a white Mercedes truck and a grey Volkswagen Caravelle and stopped near (Abboud Popular Restaurant) in (Abu Ahmed al-Malhi) building near the offices of the Ministry of Economy. Five soldiers stepped down from the vehicles and raided (Abboud Popular Restaurant). Shortly later, several military vehicles arrived at the restaurant and many soldiers raided the restaurant. They searched the restaurant and maltreated the people working in it as well as clients. A few minutes later, they left the restaurant with three Palestinians who were handcuffed and blindfolded. Eyewitnesses told a Palestinian Centre for Human Rights fieldworker that IOF beat the three Palestinians who were arrested and interrogated them and then drove them to "al-Maskoubeyeh" interrogation center in Jerusalem. Two hours later, IOF came back and raided the same restaurant. They were looking for surveillance cameras used in the restaurant, which are installed at the entrance of (Abu Ahmed al-Malhi) building. They also raided and searched a house belonging to Hamza Mohammed Abdul Halim Abdo, 33, who is the owner of the said restaurant, in (Abu Ahmed al-Malhi) building. They confiscated 2 computers and 3 surveillance cameras from the house and from a nearby shop. They drove Abdo to an unknown destination.
The arrested Palestinians are:
1. Hamed Naim Hassoun, 18;
2. Louay Adnan, 22; and
3. Saleh Hamed, 23.
At approximately 19:00 on the same day, IOF released Hamed Naim Hassoun. The following day, they released Saleh Hamed.
· At approximately 14:10, IOF moved into Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets and searched an internet café. They held Ramzi Naim Hussein, 16, but released him later.
· At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into al-Nabi Saleh village, west of Ramallah. They provocatively patrolled in the streets and claxoned now and then to bother Palestinians in the village. A number of boys gathered and stoned IOF who immediately responded by firing bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. Many civilians suffered from gas inhalation as a result. IOF withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 21:30, IOF moved into Beit Leqia village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time. A number of boys gathered and stoned IOF who immediately responded by firing bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. Many civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation as a result. IOF withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
Tuesday, 31 May 20111. Campaign against the Islamic Jihad movement in Jenin· In the dawn of Tuesday, 31 May 2011, IOF launched a wide scale campaign against the Islamic Jihad movement in Jenin. They raided villages and towns in Jenin and arrested 12 members of the Islamic Jihad, including 2 women. They also confiscated the content of two associations affiliated with the Islamic Jihad, but they failed to arrest Khader Mousa, a political leader of the Islamic Jihad, after raiding his house and maltreating his family.
· At approximately 00:45, IOF moved into Arraba village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets and stationed in the center of the town. A force composed of nearly 200 foot soldiers surrounded the house of Khader Adnan Mohammed Mousa, 32, a leader of the Islamic Jihad, and precisely searched the house using sniffer dogs after forcing the residents to leave it. They also maltreated Mousa's family. Before withdrawing, they delivered a notice to Mousa's wife requiring Mousa to turn himself in to IOF in "Salem" District Coordination Office which is built on Palestinian lands in the northwest of Jenin, within 12 hours, otherwise he would be considered 'wanted'.
· At approximately 01: 00, IOF moved into the eastern neighborhood of Arraba village. They stationed near the UNRWA school and raided a house belonging to Jasser Abdul Latif Mohammed Shibani, 43. They forced the residents to leave the house and handcuffed and blindfolded Shibani and his adult sons. They then returned the members of the family to the house and held them in one room and searched the house. Before withdrawing, they arrested Shibani's twenty-three-year-old daughter, Saja, who is an employee of the Islamic Relief Society for Orphans. They confiscated a sum of money from Saja and confiscated documents relating to her work and identification documents belonging to her family.
· Also at approximately 01: 00, IOF raided and searched a house belonging to Muna Hussein Awad Dar Hussein "Qaadan", 40, who is the director of al-Baraa Society for Muslim Girls. They arrested Dar Hussein and confiscated a laptop, a mobile and a computer screen from her house.
· Later, IOF drove to the west of Arraba village. They stationed in al-Mardawi neighborhood and raided a house belonging to Mohammed Azmi Suleiman Mardawi, 30. They destroyed the main door of the house and forced the residents to leave the house and searched it. They then arrested Mardawi. IOF withdrew in the morning with the three Palestinians arrested from Arraba village.
· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Jenin. They stationed in Abu Bakr Street in the center of the town. They deployed in the vicinity of al-Basatin building and occupied roofs of nearby buildings. They surrounded al-Basatin building and raided it. They raided an apartment on the third floor. This apartment includes the offices of the Islamic Relief Society for Orphans and al-Baraa Society for Muslim Girls. Al-Baraa Society for Muslim Girls has its main office in Kafr Qasem inside the Green Line. The main office of the Society has official license from the Israeli authorities. The two societies HAVE a number of Quran schools and kindergartens. They in addition provide help to the poor and to orphans. IOF confiscated the contents of the societies and stuck notices on the doors mentioning that they were closed by orders from the Israeli occupation and they are prohibited to be opened. IOF also raided the offices of the Palestinian People's Party (PPP) on the second floor of al-Basatin building after they destroyed the main door. A PPP member told the censored HR fieldworker that IOF raided the PPP offices to remove a sign belonging to al-Baraa Society for Muslim Girls, which was fixed on the external wall of al-Basatin building.
· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Zababda village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets and stationed in the southern neighborhood. They raided a house belonging to Taha Najeh Lutfi Sharqawi, 24. They searched the house thoroughly using sniffer dogs and confiscated a computer, 5 mobile phones, documents and photos of the family. They arrested Sharqawi and withdrew from the village.
· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved itno Jabaa village, south of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets and stationed in al-Ein al-Sharqeya area, east of the village. They raided a house belonging to Murad Walid Malaysha, 22. They arrested Malaysha. They then raided and searched a house belonging to Ibrahim Asaad Mohammed Baddad, 43. They arrested Baddad and withdrew from the town.
· At approximately 02:20, IOF moved into Kafr Ra'ei, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets and raided a house belonging to Majdi Walid Ibrahim al-Sheikh Ibrahim, 30, who is a contractor. They searched the house and arrested Ibrahim. In addition, they confiscated checks and documents relating to Ibrahim's business. IOF then raided a house belonging to Belal Nabil Said Diab, 27, and searched the house using sniffer dogs. Nearly half an hour later, they arrested Diab. IOF withdrew with the two arrested Palestinians.
· At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Anin village, west of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets and stationed in the northern neighborhood. They raided and searched a house belonging to Jamal Abdul Fattah Asaad Yousef, 33, and arrested him.
· At approximately 03:45, IOF moved into Seilet al-Hartheyeh village, northwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets and stationed in al-Zyoud neighborhood in the center of the village. They raided and searched a house belonging to Usama Mohammed Salim Shalabi, 38, and arrested him. They then drove to the east and stationed in al-Saadeya neighborhood. They raided and searched a house belonging to Fadi Ahmed Abdul Karim Zayoud (al-Saadi), 26, and arrested him. They drove to the south and stationed near Jawwal building in al-Jaradat neighborhood. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Wajih Mefleh Jaradat, 26, and arrested him. IOF withdrew later from the village with the arrested Palestinians.
2. Other incursions on Tuesday, 31 May 2011· At approximately 00: 30, IOF moved into Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets and raided and searched many houses. Before withdrawing, they arrested Mohammed Qaher Abu Haneyeh, 17, and Hadi Anwar Mashaal, 20.
Anwar Mashaal told the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights fieldworker that:
"At approximately 01:30 on Tuesday, 31 May 2011, the Israeli military arrived at the house. They raided all the floors starting from the ground floor to the fourth floor. They jumped from the wall and entered to the courtyard. They destroyed the external gate and entered the house. They severely stroke (sic) the doors. I opened the door and they wanted to enter. I asked them to wait for 5 minutes so women can prepare themselves, but they refused to wait. They entered the house, searched it and damaged its contents. Before that, they forced all of us to leave the house. They wanted the children to leave the house, but I told them that they were children and that there were no reasons to awoke them and force them to leave the house. The officer finally agreed. I told them 'if you want any one of my sons, just take him and do not destroy the house." However, they damaged everything in the house. They then arrested my son, Hadi, who was sleeping with me. Hadi is sick. His leg has been fractured and he has platinum transplanted in it. When they allowed us to enter the house, we found that they damaged everything including sofas, closets, computers and the kitchen. There is a big container which we use to store oil. They overturned it and oil was poured. They destroyed everything they faced."
· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Alar village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 08:30, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into the east of al-Bureij refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip. They conducted bulldozing and leveling works until 13:00. They then redeployed beyond the border fence.
· At approximately 14:00, IOF moved into Khrebtha al-Mesbah village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 14:00, IOF positioned in the south of Hebron raided and searched a house belonging to Said Yaaqoub Abu Rmouz. The checked the ID cards of the residents. Before withdrawing, they arrested Rmouz's twenty-one-year-old son, Attar, and drove him to an Israeli police station near "Kriat Arba" settlement, southeast of Hebron, for allegedly "beating an Israeli soldier." Attar was transferred later to "Kfar Etzion" detention center, southwest of Bethlehem.
It should be noted that Attar was released from the Israeli jails just one day earlier, on Monday, 30 May 2011, after spending 3 months in jail and paying an amount of 3,000 NIS as a fine for the same charge.
· At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
1. Use of Excessive Force against Peaceful Demonstrations Protesting Settlement Activities and the Construction of the Annexation WallDuring the reporting period, IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the Wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation and sustained bruises. Ibrahim Abdul Fattah Birnat, 29, was hit by a tear gas canister to the right shoulder, while 15 demonstrators, including a child, were arrested: 7 Palestinian civilians and 8 international human rights defenders.
· Following the Friday Prayer on 27 May 2011, 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 then walked to the annexation wall. IOF made a barrier of barbed wire approximately 100 meters far from the wall. Before demonstrators' arrival to the barrier, IOF closed the barrier and fired bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators. IOF also sprayed wastewater at the demonstrators and chased them in olive field. As a result, Ibrahim Abdul Fattah Birnat, 29, was hit by a tear gas canister in the right shoulder, while Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation.
· Also following the Friday Prayer on 27 May 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne'lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest against the construction of the annexation wall. They then walked to the wall. IOF closed the gate erupted in the wall with barbed wire. When the demonstrators tried to cross the wall to the land located behind it, IOF prevented them. The demonstrators responded by stoning IOF who responded by firing bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators. IOF also chased demonstrators in olive field. Many demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation as a result.
· Also following the Friday Prayer on the same day, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, in protest against the wall and settlement activities. The demonstrators walked in the streets of the village and chanted national slogans, expressing their refusal to the occupation and its arbitrary actions. They held Palestinian flags. Then they walked to the lands that settlers from "Halmish" settlement try to seize. IOF closed off the southern entrance of the village to prevent Palestinian and international demonstrators from having access to the mentioned lands. As the demonstrators attempted to access the land, IOF prevented them. They also sprayed wastewater at the demonstrators and chased them. As a result, many demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and sustained bruises. IOF fired bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, fire was set to the contents of Abdul Rahman al-Tamimi's house due to firing a tear gas canister inside the house. Besides, olive fields neighboring the village were burnt, due to which, Civil Defense was called to extinguish the fire. Six demonstrators were arrested, including 4 unknown international activists who were transported to an unknown destination. The two others are: Samer 'Atwani, 22, and 'Alaa 'Atwani, 23.
· On Saturday, 28 May 2011, IOF deployed in the farms, north of Beit Ommar and Safa villages north of Hebron, prevented the Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders from cultivating their lands in the areas located near "Bat Ayin" settlement, northwest of Beit Ommar. IOF arrested dozens of Palestinians and released them later on the same day.
According to investigations conducted by Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, the Israeli measures included breaking into farms in "Ein al-Baida", south of "Bat Ayin" settlement, dismissing the farmers and international activists from the lands, detaining approximately 20 persons, including women and children, in the open air under the pretext that "they entered a closed military zone" before arresting 15 Palestinians and international human rights defenders. The detainees were transported to the Israeli police station near "Gush Etzion" settlement complex, north of Hebron. Later in the evening, IOF released 5 Palestinians, while an international activist was kept in detention until the next morning, when he was released on bail.
The detainees, who were released: Majd Isma'il 'Adi, 17; Iyad Bassam Khalil Za'aqiq, 35; Omar Hani Nemer 'Adi, 18; Hatem Khalil Mahmoud Abu Dayya, 38; and Yusef Abdul Hamid Abu Maria, 37.
· At approximately 15:30 on the same day, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Iraq Burin village and the neighboring villages, south of Nablus. They walked to the lands that settlers try to seize in the southern side of the village, west of "Bracha" settlement. Before the demonstrators reach the said lands, IOF fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, the demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. IOF chased the demonstrators and arrested 3 international human rights defenders after entering Nader Ibrahim Qa'dan's house in the west of the village. A Palestinian Centre for Human Rights field worker has not identified the international human rights defenders.
· At approximately 11:30 on Tuesday, 31 May 2011, IOF stationed at the border fence in the vicinity of Erez crossing, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at a peaceful demonstration of about 50 demonstrators after they reached 300 meters far from the border fence. The demonstrators included 15 international solidarity activists. The fire lasted for 15 minutes sporadically, but no injuries were reported. Saber al-Za'anin, the one supervising the demonstration, said to a Palestinian Centre for Human Rights field worker that the demonstration was organized to condemn the Israeli policy of imposing a buffer zone along the border fence with the Gaza Strip, which would seize more lands and property of the Palestinian civilians.
2. Continued Closure of the OPTIsrael has continued to impose a tightened closure of the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza StripIsrael has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for over three 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.
· 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. Measures declared recently to ease the blockade are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to deal with the root causes of the crisis, which 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. Palestinian Centre for Human Rights is concerned that the new Israeli policy is simply shifting Gaza to another form of illegal blockade, one that may become internationally accepted and institutionalized. Palestinians in Gaza may no longer suffer from the same shortage of goods, but they will remain economically dependent and unable to care for themselves, and socially, culturally and academically isolated from the rest of the world.
· Facts on the ground refute Israeli claims with respect to the easing of the closure imposed on the Gaza Strip and the reduction of restrictions imposed on the entry of goods.
· Israeli declaration of allowing new goods to be entered into the Gaza Strip constitutes an attempt to delude the international community, as such goods do not meet the minimal needs of the Gaza Strip.
· IOF have continued to ban the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza Strip.
· IOF have imposed a ban on all exports from the Gaza Strip.
· Israel had continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to Palestinian civilians wishing to travel to the West Bank and Israeli for medical treatment, trade or social visits.
· Living conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated; levels of poverty and unemployment have mounted sharply.
Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:
source: European Union Border Assistance Mission in Rafah
www.eubam-rafah.eu/node/351Rafah International Crossing Point: the Egyptian authorities declared opening Rafah International Crossing Point under new mechanisms from 28 May 2011. Egyptian authorities increased the hours of operation at Rafah International Crossing Point from 09:00 to 17:00 daily, excluding Fridays and official holidays. Under these procedures the following categories are exempted from applying for entry visas: all Palestinian women; male Palestinian aged below 18 and above 40; patients who have medical transfers; children who accompany their parents, who are already exempted from applying for visas; and students on condition that they present what proves so. All travelers have to hold their Palestinian IDs and passports. Border and Crossings Commission in Gaza, which monitors the crossing, replaced the taxis used to drive travelers from the hall to the crossing by buses. It has been allowed for taxi drivers to enter the crossing and pick up the travelers coming to Gaza. Taxi drivers protested against the decision of replacing them.
Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point
25-31 May 2011
Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing
25-31 May 2011
Notes:· On Wednesday, 25 May 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 150 tons of cement, 230 tons of aggregate and 22 tons of iron for UNRWA, 400 tons of cement for Water Authority and 1,330 tons of aggregate for ANERA. They also allowed the entry of 1,365 tons of fodders and 117 tons of wheat into the Gaza Strip.
· On Thursday, 26 May 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 3,430 tons of aggregate and 14 tons of iron for UNRWA. Besides, they allowed the entry of 1,209 tons of fodders and 40 tons of wheat into the Gaza Strip.
· On Sunday, 29 May 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 320 tons of cement and 2,520 tons of aggregate for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 585 tons of wheat into the Gaza Strip.
· On Monday, 30 May 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 200 tons of cement, 7 tons of iron and 1,890 tons of aggregate for UNRWA. 120 tons of cement were allowed for UNDP. In addition, 1,014 tons of wheat and 40 tons of fodders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
· On Tuesday, 31 May 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 418 tons of cement, 30 tons of iron and 1,540 tons of aggregate for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 975 tons of fodders and 78 tons of wheat into the Gaza Strip.
Exports · No exports this week.
Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF have allowed only diplomats, a number of international journalists, employees of international agencies and a limited number of patients who suffer from serious diseases to pass through the crossing. They have continued to prevent Palestinian civilians from visiting their relatives who are detained in Israeli jails. The small number of patients permitted to pass through the crossing is only able to do so under severe restrictions that include prolonged checking.
Movement at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing
25-31 May 2011
The West BankIsrael has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
· Jerusalem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to the city. IOF have established many checkpoints around and inside the city.
· Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 26 May 2011, IOF established 2 checkpoints around the town. At approximately 20:00, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilians vehicles, however, no arrests were reported.
On Friday, 27 May 2011, IOF established 2 checkpoints around the town.
· At approximately 09:30 on Saturday, 28 May 2011, IOF re-established their presence at 'Attarah checkpoint at the northern entrance of Birzeit village, north of Ramalla.
· At approximately 11:30 on Sunday 29 May 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at al-Janiya village, north of Ramallah. At approximately 20:00, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of Beit Reema village, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 20:10, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of 'Aboud village, northwest of Ramallah.
· Qalqilya: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Friday, 27 May 2011, IOF established 6 checkpoints on Qalqilya – Nablus road. On Saturday, 27 May 2011, IOF established 6 checkpoints on Qalqilya – Nablus road as well. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilians vehicles. At approximately 17:45 on Sunday, 29 May 2011, IOF established a checkpoint between 'Azoun and 'Asala villages, east of Qalqilya. At approximately 19:55, IOF established a similar checkpoint at the intersection of Kafr Laqef, east of Qalqilya. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
· Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 21:00 on Thursday, 26 May 2011, IOF established a checkpoint on Tulkarm – Qalqilya road near the gate of Jbarah checkpoint in Mothallath Jbarah area, south of Tulkarm.
On Friday morning, 27 May 2011, IOF stationed at 'Ennab checkpoint on Tulkarm – Nablus road, east of Tulkarm, imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians and vehicles, as forces of the "Border Guard" arrived to the checkpoint. At approximately 08:30, IOF closed the checkpoint preventing the Palestinians from moving outside Tulkarm. The checkpoint was reopened later. No arrests nor other incidents were reported.
· At approximately 20:30, IOF established a checkpoint on Tulkarm – Kafr al-Labad road, east of Tulkarm.
· At approximately 09:00 on Saturday, 28 May 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at Tulkarm – Qalqilya road, south of Tulkarm. At approximately 11:00, IOF established a similar checkpoint at Tulkarm – Qalqilya road, near Far'oun village, south of Tulkarm. Security sources said to Palestinian Centre for Human Rights field worker that the Israeli soldiers stationed at the checkpoint had detained a Palestinian police officer for a while. However, he was released after the intervention of the military liaison.
· At approximately 09:30 on Sunday, 29 May 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at Tulkarm – Qalqilya road in Mothallath Jbarah area, south of Tulkarm.
· Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 11:30 on Saturday, 28 May 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the intersection of Maslia, south of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
· Salfit: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 22:30 on Friday, 27 May 2011, IOF established a checkpoint between Bruqin and Kafr al-Deek villages, west of Salfit. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilians vehicles, however, no arrests were reported. At approximately 20:00 on Saturday, 28 May 2011, IOF established a checkpoint east of Deir Istia village, northwest of Salfit. The checkpoint was removed at 21:00, however, no arrests were reported.
· Jericho: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 10:30 on Friday, 27 May 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of al-Jiftlik, north of Jericho. They stopped and searched the civilian vehicles, however, no arrests were reported.
Arrests at Checkpoints· At approximately 10:00 on Thursday, 26 May 2011, an Israeli force of the "Border Guard" arrested Ahmed Taher Dawood Nasser, 25, from Ezbet al-Jarad, east of Tulkarm, at a checkpoint established on Tulkarm – Qalqilya road near the bridge of a bypass road, which connect al-Taiba inside the Green Line with "Avni Hefetz" settlement, south of Tulkarm. The Israeli force stopped a "Fiat Punto" car rented from "Phoenix" company for car rental. The car was heading to Qalqilya and was driven by Nasser. Ahmed Maher Saleh Yusef, 27, who was in the car with Nasser, said that IOF established a checkpoint at the said area. They allowed the cars to pass, except ours. After checking the driver's ID, they arrested him and directly removed the checkpoint.
· At approximately 17:00 on the same day, IOF patrolling the streets and neighborhoods in the south of Hebron arrested Omar Taha Yassin Abu Snina,18, a worker in a carpentry workshop. He was stopped while he was going home, claiming that they found a knife with him. He was transported to the Israeli police station near " Kiryat Arba" settlement, south of Hebron. He was accused of "the possession of a sharp tool" before he was transported to "Kfar Etzion" settlement, south of Bethlehem.
· At approximately 06:00 on Sunday, 29 May 2011, IOF patrolling the vicinity of "Azar" settlement, southwest of Bethlehem, arrested Mohammed Yusef Ali Safi, 21, from al-'Ebeidiya village, east of Bethlehem. He was arrested after stopping him near the said settlement. Later, he was transported to the Israeli police station in "Kfar Etzion" complex, southwest of Bethlehem. He was accused of attempting to enter the settlement although he had a work permit, which was expired 2 days before his arrest.
· On Tuesday, 31 May 2011, IOF stationed at a checkpoint in the southern West Bank arrested Nizar Abdul Aziz Ramadan, 47, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) for Change and Reform Bloc. Ramadan was arrested after he had been detained with Dr. Aziz Dweik, PLC speaker, Anwar Zaboun, PLC member, from Bethlehem, and Basem al-Za'arir, PLC member, from Hebron, for more than 4 hours.
According to investigations conducted by Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, at approximately 15:00 on the same day, while Dweik and the three PLC members were riding a Mitsubishi Begaro jeep to attend a memorial service of Faisal al-Husseini, they were stopped by the Israeli soldiers at the checkpoint established at the intersection of eastern Sawahra – al-Nar valley road, northeast of Bethlehem "the container checkpoint". After checking their IDs, IOF detained them from 15:00 to 19:30 before Ramadan was arrested and transported to an unknown destination. Dweik, Zaboun and al-Za'arir were released after they were given a military notification to appear before the Israeli Intelligence Service (IIS). Dweik stressed that the Israeli soldiers detained him and the three PLC members for more than 4 hours in a detention room near the checkpoint, which is equipped with barriers and watchtowers. They were informed of arresting the PLC member Ramadan, while the others were given military notifications to refer to IIS before they were released.
Harassments at Checkpoints * On Saturday, 28 May 2011, IOF tortured Mahmoud Mohammed al-Battat, 20, from "Shweika" area, east of al-Dhahirya village south of Hebron. Battat was arrested in the southwest of the village while he was returning from his work in Beersheba.
According to investigations conducted by Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, at approximately 19:00 on that day, al-Battat was returning from his work in Beersheba. The Israeli soldiers patrolling west of the checkpoint in southern al-Dhahirya village, south of Hebron, stopped him. He was detained, beaten and tortured. As a result, he lost his consciousness from 19:40 to 23:00. After he woke up, he called his family. After 2 hours of searching for him, his family found him lying on the ground. He sustained bruises throughout the body.
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights’s investigations confirmed that when the family found its son in a deplorable condition, they transported him to "Doma" medical center, east of al-Dhahirya village, where he received first medical aid. Later, he was transported by a Palestinian Red Crescent Society's ambulance to Hebron Public Hospital at 01:30 on Sunday, 29 May 2011.
Medical sources in the said hospital declared that al-Battat was admitted into the emergency department, as he was suffering from severe pains throughout the body, hemorrhage in the left eye, bruises in the face and back and blue signs throughout the body.
3. Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against
Palestinian Civilians and PropertyIsrael 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 13:30 on Sunday, 29 May 2011, IOF supported by military vehicles, bulldozers and diggers broke into the northern plain of Kafr Dan village, northwest of Jenin. They got out of their vehicles and told the farmers that they had been ordered to demolish 12 artesian wells under the pretext that they had been digged without a license. Afterwards, the bulldozers started demolishing the wells. An hour after demolishing the wells, the area residents and formal and popular figures hurried up and gathered in the fields near the Israeli soldiers. Some of those people stood in front of the bulldozers to stop them. After talking with the demonstrators, the Israeli soldiers stopped demolishing the wells on condition that the residents withdrew from the area. However, IOF had demolished 8 wells and retreated. No arrests were reported. The demolished wells belong to: Mohammed Ahmed Shafi' Jabarin, 40; Sobhi Nemer Yunis Mer'I, 50; Hosam Mahfouz Nemer Mer'I, 50; Baha' Mohammed Ghalib Mer'I, 33; Mostafa Ahmed 'Ashour 'Abed, 69; Sobgi Ahmed Mostafa 'Abed, 70; Omar Saleh Monir 'Abed, 38; and Mohammed Abdul Qader Sa'di, 40.
In his testimony to Palestinian Centre for Human Rights field worker, Mostafa 'Ashour said:
"At approximately 13:30, on 29 May 2011, IOF supported by military vehicles, bulldozers and diggers broke into the northern plain of Kafr Dan village. The Israeli soldiers told the farmers that they were about to demolish the artesian wells in that area, claiming they had been dug without a license. The Israeli soldiers demolished 8 wells, including a well belonging to me. I remember 2 years ago IOF broke into the area, confiscated a water pump and cut off hoses and electricity cables, due to which, the well was disrupted. I dug this well in the early nineties to irrigate my farm, as it irrigates an area estimated at 70 donums, on which 8 greenhouses are established. IOF did not give me any notices regarding not irrigating my farm from the well or not using it. It was a big loss, and the loss had become greater as the timing of demolishing the wells was inappropriate, as the crops need water in this period of blooming. I believe that IOF demolished the wells in such timing to increase losses and damages caused to us".
www.censored hrgaza.org/portal/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7491
("censored" in the above link should be replaced by the letters p and c)
(continues in following post)
FLAG!
snipers (***Brent make no comment here*** ;D) who constantly stream nonsense at Fran in her email - and I am going to say it WITHOUT HOPE those self same individuals will be able to interpret what I write...
...delusion is a sad thing.
so I won't worry too much about it. 
