Updates

Attacks on Israeli Civilians by Palestinians

Civilians must be protected from the fighting

Since 27 Dec., Israel has been bombing targets in Gaza that it claims are linked to Hamas. Since the assault began, the international media have reported 383 Palestinian casualties, more than 30 of whom are minors. 3 Israeli civilians have been killed by rockets fired from Gaza by Palestinian militant organizations.

30 December 2008

Attacks on Israeli Civilians by Palestinians

Targeting civilians is forbidden

In light of the recent escalation in violence around the Gaza Strip, and the firing of rockets towards Israeli communities, B'Tselem has repeated its demand that all parties to the hostilities prevent the harming of civilians. The rules of war obligate all parties to a conflict to do their utmost to defend the civilian population.

25 December 2008

Minors

Soldier charged with killing Palestinian child flees Israel

In April 2004, an indictment was filed against a soldier who shot and killed 'Omar Matar in the Qalandia refugee camp in March 2003. In June 2008, following repeated letters from B'Tselem, the IDF Spokesperson responded that, "no verdict has been given in the case, given that the matter is still being heard and the defendant left the country and is staying abroad."

24 December 2008

The Gaza Strip

Electricity blackouts in Gaza endanger child's life

The life of Yasser Sweisi, 11, depends on a respirator. The frequent blackouts resulting from the siege on Gaza forced his parents to buy a generator. When the fuel needed to operate the generator runs out, they use a manual respirator.

24 December 2008

Settlements

Ofra - Illegal outpost

In a new report B'Tselem reveals that, based on the Sasson report criteria that the government adopted, Ofra is an illegal outpost. 58% of the settlement's built-up area is registered under the names of Palestinians in the Land Registrar. Also, no area of jurisdiction has ever been defined for the settlement, and no outline plan has ever been approved for it, making the hundreds of houses built there illegal.

22 December 2008

Settlements

Settler gets 16 months in jail for shooting Palestinian

In September 2007, the settler Ehud Gadot fired at Palestinian shepherds in 'Ein al-Beida, in the northeast West Bank, hitting Muhammad Abu Mutawe'a and paralyzing him. In a plea bargain, Gadot pleaded guilty. On 14 December 2008, the District Court sentenced him to prison for 16 months.

22 December 2008

The Separation Barrier

HCJ voids another route offered by the state in for Bil'in barrier

On 15 December 2008, in a rare decision, the Israeli High Court of Justice ruled that the second amended route of the barrier proposed by the State on the lands of Bil'in is also illegal. The court ruled that the proposed route violates the Court ruling from Sept. '07, and ordered the State to pay the residents of Bil'in legal expenses to the sum of 10,000 NIS.

15 December 2008

Hebron City Center

Hebron: Willful abandonment by security forces

Despite the likelihood that settlers would take revenge following the eviction of the new settlement in Hebron last week, security forces did not prepare to protect Palestinian residents of the city. Settlers made incursions into Palestinian neighborhoods, shot a father and son, torched houses, and caused substantial property damage.

10 December 2008

Settler Violence = State Violence

Testimony: Settlers attack family in Hebron

On 4 Dec. '08, following the eviction of the settlement in Hebron's a-Ras neighborhood ("the House in Dispute"), settlers attacked a family that lives nearby. In her testimony, Raja Matariyeh describes the attack on her home, which included gunfire, stone throwing, and damage to property.

10 December 2008

General

Open discussion with B'Tselem, 17-18 December '08

From 17 December, 10 A.M. (Israel time) to 18 December, 5 P.M. (Israel time), B'Tselem’s entire team will be available to answer questions posted on our Facebook wall and to discuss issues raised by the public.

10 December 2008

General

60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

To mark the anniversary, celebrated today (10 Dec. '08), B'Tselem is airing a video tribute to the ongoing global struggle for the realization of these rights. As many rights continue to be violated worldwide, we must fight together to turn the beautiful words of the Declaration into a living reality.

9 December 2008

Hebron City Center

Hebron: Security forces stand by as settlers riot

Despite the likelihood that settlers would take revenge following the eviction of the new settlement in Hebron last week, security forces did not prepare to protect Palestinian residents of in the city. Settlers made incursions into Palestinian neighborhoods, shot a father and son, torched houses, and caused substantial property damage.

7 December 2008

Economic & Social Rights

Gaza: Power cuts and bread shortage

Since 5 November, Israel has sharply reduced the entry of goods and supplies into the Gaza Strip. The action, carried out in response to rocket fire into Israel, constitutes collective punishment, which is forbidden and aggravates the already harsh humanitarian situation in Gaza.

27 November 2008

Intra-Palestinian Violations

Death sentence for Palestinian convicted of treason

On 12 Nov. ‘08, a Palestinian military court in Bethlehem sentenced Ayman Dagharmeh to death, after convicting him of treason for passing information to Israeli security forces. The PA has yet to comply with the clear international trend toward abolishing the death penalty.

27 November 2008

Beating and Abuse

Indictment filed against policemen who severely injured Palestinian in Israel

On 28 Oct., following a complaint by B'Tselem, the Department for the Investigation of Police filed an indictment against two policemen charged with assaulting Fadi Darabi' and causing severe damage to one of his testicles. The assault took place in April, at a construction site in Israel.

26 November 2008

Beating and Abuse

Policeman head-butts Palestinians in East Jerusalem

On 5 Nov. '08, the Jerusalem Municipality demolished a house in Silwan, East Jerusalem. While the occupants were being evacuated, a helmeted policeman was filmed head-butting two Palestinians who were at the scene. Following a letter from B’Tselem, the DIP opened an investigation into the incident.

25 November 2008

Agriculture

Testimony: Israeli naval vessel rams into Gazan fishing boat

On 10 Sept. '08, seven Gazan fishermen were sailing in the zone permitted for fishing by the Israeli army. With no advance warning, an Israeli naval vessel rammed into their boat and sailed over it. The severe damage to the boat left the fishermen unemployed.

25 November 2008

Settlements

Testimony: Settlers attack olive pickers

On 20 November '08, Kafa Shtiwi from Kadum was attacked by settlers as she approached her olive grove with international activists. According to her testimony, the settlers kicked and cursed them, and threatened to vandalize their vehicle.

13 November 2008

Beating and Abuse

Testimony: Policeman abuses Palestinian during interrogation

On 30 Sept. '08, police arrested Shadi Sabatin and his Israeli employer. An interrogator then severely beat him, trying to force him to confess he worked in Jerusalem without a permit. Sabatin's employer, who heard his cries in the interrogation room, placed a complaint with the Department for Police investigations.

12 November 2008

Beating and Abuse

Testimony: House demolition and police brutality in East Jerusalem

Israel's discriminatory policy in East Jerusalem extends to many aspects of life, including planning and building. On 28 July '08, the municipality demolished a residential building in the Beit-Hanina neighborhood, claiming part of it was built without a permit. During the eviction, Police officers attacked a resident.

12 November 2008

House demolition

Jerusalem municipality demolishes houses in Silwan

In 2005, the Jerusalem municipality issued demolition orders for most homes in the Al-Bustan neighborhood in Silwan, East Jerusalem. This week, it demolished homes in the neighborhood, despite the mayors’ past promise to allow the residents to present a plan reflecting the area's development needs.

12 November 2008

Beating and Abuse

Policeman who killed Palestinian in Tel Aviv sentenced to one year in jail

On 4 Oct. '08, Border Police officer Tomer Avraham killed Iyad Abu-Ra'iyeh, who was found in Tel Aviv without a permit, after severely beating him. Tel Aviv District Court judge Oded Mudrik sentenced Avraham to one year imprisonment for manslaughter, referring to the crime as "a hapless, lethal act incidental to military or police activity."

12 November 2008

Detainees & Prisoners

Army extends administrative detention of two minors

On 2 November, a military court of appeals denied the appeal of Salwa Salah and Sareh a-Siuri to overturn renewal of the administrative detention orders issued against them. B'Tselem calls on the army to release the two girls immediately or, if it has evidence against them, to prosecute them as provided by law.

9 November 2008