Updates

Open-Fire Policy

Lethal “warning”: 2 Palestinian teens killed on rooftop in Gaza by Israeli “warning missile”

On 14 July 2018, the Israeli military carried out an airstrike on a building in Gaza which it claimed the Hamas used for training purposes. A joint investigation by B’Tselem and Forensic Architecture found that the strike began with the launching of four missiles the military termed “warning missiles.” The first killed two 14-year-olds who were sitting on the rooftop at the time. The investigation also found that the video clip the military released of the attack omits footage of the strike in which the two boys were killed while the impact of the third missile is shown twice. The firing of lethal missiles as a means of warning is unlawful and, for all intents and purposes, constitutes an attack. As such, the action must abide by the applicable rules set out in international law, including adhering to the principle of proportionality and the duty to provide effective warning. None of this was done in the case at hand.

19 December 2018

Hebron City Center

Settlers, in view of Israeli soldiers, stone ambulance en route to Palestinian patient in Tel Rumeidah, Hebron, Nov. 2018

On 17 Nov. 2018, a 72-year-old resident of Tel Rumeidah, Hebron, called an ambulance when she did not feel well. After coordination with the military, the ambulance set out, but was attacked by 15 settlers. They threw stones at the ambulance, penetrating the back windows, and verbally abused the crew. Settler violence against Palestinians in Hebron is routine. It is part of Israel’s discriminatory regime of separation in the city and is rarely investigated. Without deterrence, these attacks are bound to recur.

17 December 2018

A Routine Founded on Violence

#Occupation365 - Updates from the West Bank routine, 24 Nov. 2018 - 7 Dec. 2018

Every day, Israel determines what the lives of Palestinians in the West Bank will look like – while they, themselves, are barred from taking part in decisions that shape their present and their future. Israel uses its power in a violent, arbitrary fashion, with blatant disregard for the safety, wellbeing and quality of life of the Palestinians who live under its control.

13 December 2018

Attacks on Israeli Civilians by Palestinians

B'Tselem mourns death of newborn baby delivered after mother seriously injured in shooting attack near Ofra

B'Tselem expresses its deepest sorrow over the death of the newborn son of Shira and Amichai Ish-Ran, who was delivered in his mother's seventh month of pregnancy after she was gravely injured in a shooting attack carried out by a Palestinian near the settlement of Ofra. The father and five other people were also injured. B'Tselem sends its deepest condolences to the family and wishes the injured a full and speedy recovery. Deliberate attacks against civilians undermine basic human, moral and legal rules and are acts of abominable, deplorable and despicable nature.

12 December 2018

Hebron City Center

Israeli Border Police seize 6-year-old in Hebron, drag him to a checkpoint, and hold him for an hour

"The policemen took me into Abu a-Rish Checkpoint (the Pharmacy Checkpoint) and kept me shut in a room there for about an hour. I cried and the soldiers cursed me. Then they put me into a white car. I heard the other boy who was arrested with me asking a woman soldier where they were taking us, and she answered, ‘To prison.” From the testimony of Zeid Taha, 6 years old, who was detained in Hebron by Border Police.

12 December 2018

Open-Fire Policy

Lethal shooting in Tulkarm: Israeli soldiers fatally shoot Muhammad Habali (22) in the head from 80 meters away

On the night of 4 Dec. 2018, some 100 soldiers invaded Tulkarm. At 2:25 A.M., three Israeli soldiers headed towards some young Palestinians who were standing by a restaurant. At 80 meters away they stopped and opened fire, fatally hitting Muhammad Habali (22) in the head – from behind ­­– and injuring another man. Testimonies and CCTV footage from four cameras show that, contrary to the military’s claim, the area was peaceful at the time. While the military announced it would investigate, this usually serves appearances and to silence criticism, so use of lethal force can continue unchecked.

11 December 2018

A Routine Founded on Violence

Violence not limited to settlers: Israeli military raids Palestinian village of ‘Urif 3 nights in a row

About a month ago, soldiers raided ‘Urif for 3 nights in a row. For years, the village has suffered attacks by settlers with the backing, and at times active support, of the military. The soldiers entered 14 homes, kept the inhabitants confined, ransacked the houses and intimated residents. Soldiers invading Palestinians’ homes in the dead of night, waking entire families, has long since become part of the routine imposed by the occupation regime in the West Bank. These actions, clearly intended to intimidate the population, are unjustified and are but one more example of the military’s arbitrary abuse of its power.

10 December 2018

Open-Fire Policy

Border Police escorting settlers invading al-Mazra'ah al-Qibliyah land fire at residents who clashed with them, killing two and wounding seven

On Friday, 26 Oct, 2018, dozens of settlers tried yet again to invade an archeological site on land belonging to the village of al-Mazra'ah al-Qibliyah, escorted by security forces, as they have done over the last few months. They soon retreated, but clashes between the forces and residents continued. Later, when the forces began to leave, several dozen young men from the village ran after them. When they got close, at least one Border Police officer fired at them, wounding nine, two of whom died afterwards. Settlers frequently invade Palestinian-owned land with security forces’ backup. Yet the lethal outcome of this incident is unusual and defies every letter of the open fire regulations.

6 December 2018

Settler Violence = State Violence

Olive harvest, 2018: Israeli settlers injure Palestinian farmers, harm trees and steal olives

The olive harvest was once a joyful time for Palestinian families. Yet for many years now, it has been taking place under the shadow of landgrab, restrictions on access to land, attacks on harvesters and vandalization of trees. This reality, which forces farmers to abandon their lands, is no accident. It is the outcome of Israeli policy, facilitating the takeover of land to expand settlements or advance other Israeli interests. This year, B’Tselem recorded 2 physical assaults on harvesters and 9 cases of vandalization or crop theft in the Nablus and Ramallah Districts.

6 December 2018

General

Human Rights groups Al-Haq and B’Tselem to receive the French Republic 2018 Human Rights Award

Palestinian and Israeli human rights groups al-Haq and B’Tselem, both of whom advocate an end to the Israeli occupation, are among five laureates of the 2018 Human Rights Prize of the French Republic, endowed by the French Prime Minister. This year’s prize is awarded to organizations that are being harassed or pressured for defending and promoting human rights.

5 December 2018

A Routine Founded on Violence

#Occupation365 - Updates from the West Bank routine, 10 Nov. 2018 - 23 Nov. 2018

Every day, Israel determines what the lives of Palestinians in the West Bank will look like – while they, themselves, are barred from taking part in decisions that shape their present and their future. Israel uses its power in a violent, arbitrary fashion, with blatant disregard for the safety, wellbeing and quality of life of the Palestinians who live under its control.

29 November 2018

Open-Fire Policy

Palestinian minors killed by Israeli troops at Gaza protests: B’Tselem reports on four cases

Since the Return Protests began along the Gaza fence, Israeli forces have killed at least 31 Palestinian minors - 21 of them under the age of 16, and three only 11 years old. In October we published the findings of our investigation into the killing of 4 minors; we now report our findings regarding another 4. None of them posed a danger to security forces; the killing of all was a direct result of the unlawful open-fire policy that Israel is applying in the area.

28 November 2018

Open-Fire Policy

Seven months of protests by Gaza fence: Over 5,800 Palestinians wounded by live Israeli gunfire

Since 30 March 2018, Israeli security forces have fatally shot over 180 demonstrators – including 31 minors – and injured over 5,800 demonstrators with live gunfire. The vast majority of casualties were unarmed, and were fatally shot from a distance while in the Gaza Strip itself. As a general rule, the protectively clad troops sniping at them from other side of the fence were not in any real danger. Israel is responsible for this reality: giving manifestly unlawful open-fire orders; causing the collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system; denying the wounded the care they need. Below is an analysis of figures B’Tselem compiled over the past few months, and the stories of four individuals injured at the protests.

22 November 2018

The Supreme Court of the Occupation

High Court of Justice paves way for cleansing of Palestinians from Silwan

Yesterday, Israeli High Court justices Barak-Erez, Baron and Elron rejected an appeal filed by 104 residents of Silwan to overturn a September 2002 decision by the Custodian of Absentee Property to "free" the land on which they have lived for decades. The land was "freed" by three people - all closely affiliated with Ateret Cohanim, a settler association that works to Judaize East Jerusalem. In the judgment, written by Justice Barak-Erez, the Court's role is narrowed down to examining several questions relating to administrative law. In choosing this avenue, the Court sent the residents back to fight, against all odds, the civil proceedings that Ateret Cohanim has undertaken in order to evict them from their homes.

22 November 2018

A Routine Founded on Violence

#Occupation365 - Updates from the West Bank routine, 27 Oct. 2018 - 9 Nov. 2018

Every day, Israel determines what the lives of Palestinians in the West Bank will look like – while they, themselves, are barred from taking part in decisions that shape their present and their future. Israel uses its power in a violent, arbitrary fashion, with blatant disregard for the safety, wellbeing and quality of life of the Palestinians who live under its control.

15 November 2018

A Routine Founded on Violence

Israeli security forces arrest Palestinians to pressure their relatives to turn themselves in

In Aug. and Sept. B’Tselem investigated 3 cases in which Israeli security forces arrested 4 Palestinians, incl. a minor, in order to force their relatives to turn themselves in: police came to a home in the middle of the night, searched it and then randomly arrested other family members, making it clear they would be released only once the wanted individual turned himself in. It is unacceptable and unlawful to arrest individuals suspected of no wrongdoing in order to pressure others to turn themselves in. The number of cases and the number of officers involved indicate the incidents are not some individual officer’s whim. Instead, they demonstrate the intolerable ease with which Israeli security forces violate Palestinians’ rights, disrupt their lives and undermine their safety.

12 November 2018

A Routine Founded on Violence

#Occupation365 - Updates from the West Bank routine, 13 Oct. 2018 - 26 Oct. 2018

Every day, Israel determines what the lives of Palestinians in the West Bank will look like – while they, themselves, are barred from taking part in decisions that shape their present and their future. Israel uses its power in a violent, arbitrary fashion, with blatant disregard for the safety, wellbeing and quality of life of the Palestinians who live under its control.

7 November 2018

A Routine Founded on Violence

Video: Israeli military violently harasses Palestinian family at home, in area of Hebron ostensibly under PA control

Hanaa and Jamal Karamah live with their six children Area H1, Hebron. In Aug.-Sept. 2018, soldiers came to their home in the middle of the night four times. First, they demanded that the parents come in for an ISA investigation. After they did not, the soldiers returned and arrested them, employing unwarranted violence against several family members. These night raids, which take place also in areas ostensibly under full PA control, have become routine across the West Bank. They are carried out with no need for a search warrant, whenever and wherever the military chooses. These actions, which are clearly designed to intimidate the residents, are completely unjustifiable.

31 October 2018

Restrictions on Movement

Israeli military block roads, collectively punishing residents of three Palestinian West Bank communities, Sept.-Oct. 2018

In Sept. and Oct. the Israeli military blocked the entrances to three Palestinian communities (Kafr a-Dik, ‘Azzun, al-Jalazun R.C.) for 11-24 days, citing the throwing of stones or Molotov cocktails on nearby roads. Blocking roads on this pretext is unlawful and constitutes collective punishment of people whose only “crime” is that they happen to live nearby. The roadblocks severely disrupt residents’ lives, harming their ability to simply maintain a normal routine. There is absolutely no moral or legal justification for inflicting this harm.

25 October 2018

Open-Fire Policy

Israeli security forces fatally shoot Muhammad Shaqurah although he was endangering no one, shortly after he pulled on a bit of wire he attached to the Gaza fence

On 14 Sept. 2018, at a Return Protest east of al-Bureij R.C., Muhammad Shaqurah (20) torched a tire near the fence, tied a bit of wire to the fence, tugged it and let go. After rejoining other protesters about 20 meters away, he was shot and killed by Israeli troops on the other side of the fence, although he was endangering no one at the time. The killing of Shaqurah and 170 other Palestinians, incl. 31 minors, is the direct and predictable outcome of the policy to open lethal fire at protesters near the fence, evincing the disregard of Israeli authorities for the lives of Palestinians.

23 October 2018

A Routine Founded on Violence

Israeli soldiers raid Palestinian village of ‘Azzun at night, entering homes, threatening and intimidating families and their children

On 15 Aug. 2018, at about 2:00 A.M., soldiers with dogs entered 10 homes in the village of ‘Azzun. They woke the inhabitants, kept some confined to rooms in their homes, intimidated children and conducted violent searches. Raids on homes in the dead of night, in which soldiers wake families and ransack their houses, are by now a routine part of the occupation in the West Bank. These actions, which are clearly intended to intimidate the population, are unjustified. This is yet another example of daily Palestinian life under occupation.

22 October 2018