9 may 2019
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The neighborhood of Salaymeh, next to Salaymeh checkpoint (160), has been the center of tensions between Palestinians and Israelis, in the city of Al-Khalil (Hebron).
This checkpoint cuts off an already poor and struggling neighborhood from the rest of the city. At these checkpoints that are throughout Hebron, Palestinians are stopped, delayed, searched, asked for ID, and sometimes denied passage. The checkpoints are a daily humiliation and intimidation of the local people, by the occupying Israeli army. The checkpoint at Salaymeh is also used every day, by children on their way to and from school,and who are subject to the same treatment by the soldiers. From the moment the children start looking like teenagers, they go from being treated like children to being treated as criminals. In order to cope with this, the children have to learn to handle themselves as adults from a very early age, and, as a result, they are forced to grow up far too quickly. There is massive tension, at the checkpoints, because the children are angry and frustrated, and the soldiers are hostile and confrontational. There are frequent clashes between the children and the soldiers. The soldiers will throw tear gas and stun grenades and, sometimes, even shoot rubber-coated metal bullets at the children, for throwing rocks at the checkpoint. This response, which happens on an almost daily basis, is completely disproportionate – adults using military weapons against children on their way to school. |
In the past week, 2 children have been abducted and illegally detained by soldiers, in Salaymeh. Both of them were 14 years old, from Jerusalem, and were visiting their cousin in Al-Khalil. The children were dragged from school, frisked, forced on their knees and handcuffed by the soldiers. One of them was let go after 2 hours, while the other was taken to a military base, where he was interrogated without his lawyer or parents present.
An international activist who was documenting this incident was also detained by the soldiers, she describes her detention as follows:
“I’ve been at Salaymeh checkpoint every other day for a month and a half, just trying to document the soldier’s harassment of the children, keeping in contact with the UN, so they can hopefully help if children are arrested. I am always mindful not to antagonize the soldiers and try to interact with them as little as possible. My hope is that an international presence will result in less violence, because the soldiers will know they are being watched and may be held accountable.
“On the day that I was detained, I was filming a soldier as normal, who threatened to arrest another activist who I was with. Because I’d witnessed a lot of broken rules and violence by the army, during my time at Salaymeh checkpoint, I knew it was important to keep filming. The commander asked me to move away, and, when I kept filming, she told me that she would have another soldier move me with force.
When I didn’t stop filming, she told me to come with her and that she had the authority to make arrests. I was very unsure of what to do in this situation – I had been told before that soldiers could not make arrests, but I was confused, and I was afraid of what might happen so I complied and went with her. I later found out that what the commander had said was, in fact, a lie and that she had absolutely no legal authority to detain me.
“I was kept at Salaymeh checkpoint for an hour and a half, being told that the police would come, but they never did. I was then put into a military van without being told where I was being taken. They then drove me around the city, back and forth, for half an hour, which was very confusing.
I still don’t know why they did this but I believe now that they were trying to shake off the UN who were trying to find out where I was being held, in order to assist me. Eventually, I was taken to a military base where they were also holding the Palestinian child who had been arrested. We were both held there for over 5 hours.
During this time, I was marshaled around, sporadically questioned, never given any food or water and never having anything explained to me. I was told that I would never be able to return to the country and that I would be deported that day. The whole time, I was denied access to my lawyer and I was never given any reason for why I was being held.
“What struck me the most about being detained with the Palestinian child was that, as an international, I was treated far better. I, an adult, was not handcuffed, and I was allowed to keep my things. He however, a child, was handcuffed, restrained, frisked, and they took his phone and his things.
It was shocking and angering, to me, that this child was treated so much worse than me – it made it very obvious to me that the treatment of Palestinians undoubtedly has its roots in racism.”
An international activist who was documenting this incident was also detained by the soldiers, she describes her detention as follows:
“I’ve been at Salaymeh checkpoint every other day for a month and a half, just trying to document the soldier’s harassment of the children, keeping in contact with the UN, so they can hopefully help if children are arrested. I am always mindful not to antagonize the soldiers and try to interact with them as little as possible. My hope is that an international presence will result in less violence, because the soldiers will know they are being watched and may be held accountable.
“On the day that I was detained, I was filming a soldier as normal, who threatened to arrest another activist who I was with. Because I’d witnessed a lot of broken rules and violence by the army, during my time at Salaymeh checkpoint, I knew it was important to keep filming. The commander asked me to move away, and, when I kept filming, she told me that she would have another soldier move me with force.
When I didn’t stop filming, she told me to come with her and that she had the authority to make arrests. I was very unsure of what to do in this situation – I had been told before that soldiers could not make arrests, but I was confused, and I was afraid of what might happen so I complied and went with her. I later found out that what the commander had said was, in fact, a lie and that she had absolutely no legal authority to detain me.
“I was kept at Salaymeh checkpoint for an hour and a half, being told that the police would come, but they never did. I was then put into a military van without being told where I was being taken. They then drove me around the city, back and forth, for half an hour, which was very confusing.
I still don’t know why they did this but I believe now that they were trying to shake off the UN who were trying to find out where I was being held, in order to assist me. Eventually, I was taken to a military base where they were also holding the Palestinian child who had been arrested. We were both held there for over 5 hours.
During this time, I was marshaled around, sporadically questioned, never given any food or water and never having anything explained to me. I was told that I would never be able to return to the country and that I would be deported that day. The whole time, I was denied access to my lawyer and I was never given any reason for why I was being held.
“What struck me the most about being detained with the Palestinian child was that, as an international, I was treated far better. I, an adult, was not handcuffed, and I was allowed to keep my things. He however, a child, was handcuffed, restrained, frisked, and they took his phone and his things.
It was shocking and angering, to me, that this child was treated so much worse than me – it made it very obvious to me that the treatment of Palestinians undoubtedly has its roots in racism.”
8 may 2019
Israeli soldiers abducted, on Wednesday at dawn, ten Palestinians, including a young woman and two children, from their homes in several parts of the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) has reported.
The PPS said the soldiers abducted Fatima Yahia Suleiman, 19, from her home in Beit Safafa town, near occupied Jerusalem, in addition to one child, who remained unidentified at the time of this report, from Jerusalem.
The soldiers also invaded and searched many homes in the southern West Bank governorate of Hebron, and abducted two Palestinians, identified as Baha’ Thabet Najjar, from Yatta town, and Zakariya Fayeq Nassar, 15, from the al-Fawwar refugee camp.
A third Palestinian, Islam Bassam D’eis, 19, from Hebron, was taken prisoner in nearby Bethlehem.
Furthermore, the soldiers invaded a home, owned by members of Abu Es’eifan family, in Wad al-Hasseen area, in Hebron city, and assaulted the family, causing them to suffer various cuts and bruises.
The soldiers also assaulted Jamal Abu Es’eifan while trying to document the invasion and violation on video, and held the entire family in one room for more than an hour.
In addition, the soldiers invaded Osarin village, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and fired a barrage of gas bombs, many striking homes, during protests the erupted following the invasion.
The soldiers also closed Madama village gate, which links between many villages and towns, south of Nablus.
In Azzoun town, east of the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia, the soldiers searched many homes and abducted Mohammad Monir Mashal, 25, and four former political prisoners, identified as Odai Samir Aby Haniyya, 28, Ja’far Abdul-Karim Salim, 24, Mohammad Nidal Mashal, 24, and Luay Anwar Mashal, 26.
On Tuesday afternoon, the soldiers abducted Salim Ahmad Walad Ali, a former political prisoner from Sanour town, southwest of Jenin, in northern West Bank.
The PPS said the soldiers abducted Fatima Yahia Suleiman, 19, from her home in Beit Safafa town, near occupied Jerusalem, in addition to one child, who remained unidentified at the time of this report, from Jerusalem.
The soldiers also invaded and searched many homes in the southern West Bank governorate of Hebron, and abducted two Palestinians, identified as Baha’ Thabet Najjar, from Yatta town, and Zakariya Fayeq Nassar, 15, from the al-Fawwar refugee camp.
A third Palestinian, Islam Bassam D’eis, 19, from Hebron, was taken prisoner in nearby Bethlehem.
Furthermore, the soldiers invaded a home, owned by members of Abu Es’eifan family, in Wad al-Hasseen area, in Hebron city, and assaulted the family, causing them to suffer various cuts and bruises.
The soldiers also assaulted Jamal Abu Es’eifan while trying to document the invasion and violation on video, and held the entire family in one room for more than an hour.
In addition, the soldiers invaded Osarin village, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and fired a barrage of gas bombs, many striking homes, during protests the erupted following the invasion.
The soldiers also closed Madama village gate, which links between many villages and towns, south of Nablus.
In Azzoun town, east of the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia, the soldiers searched many homes and abducted Mohammad Monir Mashal, 25, and four former political prisoners, identified as Odai Samir Aby Haniyya, 28, Ja’far Abdul-Karim Salim, 24, Mohammad Nidal Mashal, 24, and Luay Anwar Mashal, 26.
On Tuesday afternoon, the soldiers abducted Salim Ahmad Walad Ali, a former political prisoner from Sanour town, southwest of Jenin, in northern West Bank.
Israeli forces detained at least three Palestinians, including a minor, in the southern occupied West Bank, on predawn Wednesday.
Palestine Prisoner’s Society (PPS) confirmed that Israeli forces detained three Palestinians in the southern West Bank district of Hebron.
One Palestinian was detained in Masafer Yatta, in the Hebron district, and identified as Bahaa Thabet al-Najjar.
PPS said a 15-year-old Palestinian was detained in the al-Fawwar refugee camp, also in the Hebron district, and identified as Zakaria Fayeq Nassar.
Another Palestinian was detained in the Hebron district and identified as Islam Bassam Edeis, 19.
According to prisoners rights group Addameer, there are 5,450 Palestinian prisoners being held in Israeli prisons, including 205 minors, 32 of whom under 16 years old.
Palestine Prisoner’s Society (PPS) confirmed that Israeli forces detained three Palestinians in the southern West Bank district of Hebron.
One Palestinian was detained in Masafer Yatta, in the Hebron district, and identified as Bahaa Thabet al-Najjar.
PPS said a 15-year-old Palestinian was detained in the al-Fawwar refugee camp, also in the Hebron district, and identified as Zakaria Fayeq Nassar.
Another Palestinian was detained in the Hebron district and identified as Islam Bassam Edeis, 19.
According to prisoners rights group Addameer, there are 5,450 Palestinian prisoners being held in Israeli prisons, including 205 minors, 32 of whom under 16 years old.
4 may 2019
Israeli soldiers abducted, Saturday, a Palestinian man from the al-Khader town, south of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. On Friday evening, the soldiers abducting two Palestinians near Nablus, in northern West Bank.
Media sources said several army jeeps invaded al-Khader, before storming and searching a few homes, and interrogated a few Palestinians while inspecting their ID cards.
They added that the soldiers abducted Shadi Hussein Ali Salah, 40, and took him to the nearby Etzion military base and security center, south of Bethlehem.
On Friday evening, the soldiers abducted a child, identified as Abdul-Jaber Yassin, 15, in addition to Mahmoud Abu Sabri Zibin, 25, after assaulting and wounding them, in ‘Asira al-Qibliya village, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus.
Also on Friday evening, the soldiers shot a young man with the Toto expanding bullet in his leg, and two others with rubber-coated steel bullets, and caused five to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation, after the army invaded Abu Dis town, east of occupied East Jerusalem, and attacked Palestinian protesters.
Media sources said several army jeeps invaded al-Khader, before storming and searching a few homes, and interrogated a few Palestinians while inspecting their ID cards.
They added that the soldiers abducted Shadi Hussein Ali Salah, 40, and took him to the nearby Etzion military base and security center, south of Bethlehem.
On Friday evening, the soldiers abducted a child, identified as Abdul-Jaber Yassin, 15, in addition to Mahmoud Abu Sabri Zibin, 25, after assaulting and wounding them, in ‘Asira al-Qibliya village, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus.
Also on Friday evening, the soldiers shot a young man with the Toto expanding bullet in his leg, and two others with rubber-coated steel bullets, and caused five to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation, after the army invaded Abu Dis town, east of occupied East Jerusalem, and attacked Palestinian protesters.
3 may 2019
Israeli soldiers invaded, Thursday, Kharrouba neighborhood in Jenin city, in northern West Bank, and abducted a Palestinian teenage boy.
Media sources said the soldiers abducted Rabea’ Allam an-Nourasi, 16, after invading his family’s home and violently searching it.
They added that the soldiers also invaded and ransacked the home of another Palestinian, identified as Mohammad Abu Seriyya, and interrogated him along with his family.
The teenager’s school, Hitteen Secondary School, issued a statement denouncing the abduction of the teen, and said that Rabea’, a student in the eleventh grade, is one of many students who have been abducted and imprisoned by Israel.
It denounced the ongoing Israeli escalation, and serious human rights violations, and called on various legal and human rights organizations to intervene.
Media sources said the soldiers abducted Rabea’ Allam an-Nourasi, 16, after invading his family’s home and violently searching it.
They added that the soldiers also invaded and ransacked the home of another Palestinian, identified as Mohammad Abu Seriyya, and interrogated him along with his family.
The teenager’s school, Hitteen Secondary School, issued a statement denouncing the abduction of the teen, and said that Rabea’, a student in the eleventh grade, is one of many students who have been abducted and imprisoned by Israel.
It denounced the ongoing Israeli escalation, and serious human rights violations, and called on various legal and human rights organizations to intervene.
2 may 2019
U.S. Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) has reintroduced a historic bill to promote the human rights of Palestinian children who face detention, interrogation, abuse and violence by Israel through its military court system in the occupied West Bank.
According to Defense for Children International, the Promoting Human Rights for Palestinian Children Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act, also known as H.R. 2407, seeks to promote justice, equality and human rights by ensuring that U.S. financial assistance provided to the Government of Israel is not used to support widespread and institutionalized ill-treatment against Palestinian children detained by Israeli forces and prosecuted in Israeli military courts lacking basic fair trial protections.
“Israel’s system of military juvenile detention is state-sponsored child abuse designed to intimidate and terrorize Palestinian children and their families,” Congresswoman McCollum said after introducing the bill. “It must be condemned, but it is equally outrageous that U.S. tax dollars in the form of military aid to Israel are permitted to sustain what is clearly a gross human rights violation against children.”
By prohibiting U.S. financial support of abuses against Palestinian children in the Israeli military detention system, H.R. 2407 aligns U.S. policy toward Israel with existing U.S. law and international law, WAFA further reports.
The bill includes a clear statement of policy that Israel’s system of military detention of Palestinian children amounts to gross violations of human rights inconsistent with international humanitarian law and the laws and values of the U.S.
If passed, H.R. 2407 would also authorize the appropriation of funds up to $19 million to monitor human rights abuses and provide treatment to Palestinian child victims of Israeli military detention and torture.
During the Obama administration in 2015 and 2016, Rep. Betty McCollum also led efforts on two letters that raised grave concerns about the conditions of Palestinian children in Israeli military custody.
Each year, the Israeli military detains and prosecutes some 700 Palestinian children.
Israel is the only country in the world to automatically prosecute children in military courts that lack basic safeguards for a fair trial.
According to Defense for Children International, the Promoting Human Rights for Palestinian Children Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act, also known as H.R. 2407, seeks to promote justice, equality and human rights by ensuring that U.S. financial assistance provided to the Government of Israel is not used to support widespread and institutionalized ill-treatment against Palestinian children detained by Israeli forces and prosecuted in Israeli military courts lacking basic fair trial protections.
“Israel’s system of military juvenile detention is state-sponsored child abuse designed to intimidate and terrorize Palestinian children and their families,” Congresswoman McCollum said after introducing the bill. “It must be condemned, but it is equally outrageous that U.S. tax dollars in the form of military aid to Israel are permitted to sustain what is clearly a gross human rights violation against children.”
By prohibiting U.S. financial support of abuses against Palestinian children in the Israeli military detention system, H.R. 2407 aligns U.S. policy toward Israel with existing U.S. law and international law, WAFA further reports.
The bill includes a clear statement of policy that Israel’s system of military detention of Palestinian children amounts to gross violations of human rights inconsistent with international humanitarian law and the laws and values of the U.S.
If passed, H.R. 2407 would also authorize the appropriation of funds up to $19 million to monitor human rights abuses and provide treatment to Palestinian child victims of Israeli military detention and torture.
During the Obama administration in 2015 and 2016, Rep. Betty McCollum also led efforts on two letters that raised grave concerns about the conditions of Palestinian children in Israeli military custody.
Each year, the Israeli military detains and prosecutes some 700 Palestinian children.
Israel is the only country in the world to automatically prosecute children in military courts that lack basic safeguards for a fair trial.
The Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) has reported that Israeli soldiers abducted, on Thursday at dawn, at least seventeen Palestinians, including children, after the army invaded and ransacked dozens of homes across the occupied West Bank, including Jerusalem.
The PPS stated that the soldiers abducted six Palestinians, identified as Mohammad Hazem al-Masri, Ahmad Aladdin Yaghi, Qais Aladdin Yaghi, Ahmad Nasri Sabarna, Hammad Ahmad Abu Mariya, and Karam Ziad Abu Sara, from several parts of the southern West Bank governorate of Hebron.
In Nablus, in northern West Bank, the soldiers abducted Soheib Bishkar, 17, and his brother Abdul-Rahman, 15, in addition to Ziad Abdul-Karim Hanani, Arqam Atef Hanani, and Luay Emad Mohammad.
In Jenin, in northern West Bank, the soldiers abducted Mustafa Qoneiri and Nafe’ Mousa, from their homes.
The soldiers also abducted Mohammad Hazem al-Masri, from his home in Tubas, in northeastern West Bank.
In Ramallah, in central West Bank, the soldiers abducted two Palestinians, identified as Mohammad Majed Karaja and Mahdi Sa’ed Karaja.
In Hizma town, north of occupied East Jerusalem, the soldiers abducted one child, identified as Mahmoud Yasser Khatib, 15.
In addition, one Israeli colonist was mildly injured near Huwwara, south of Nablus, after Palestinian protesters hurled stones at his car.
However, according to Maan News Agency, Israeli sources claimed that the settler was mildly wounded in a “failed stabbing attempt,” and added that the soldiers are looking for a young man, in his twenties, for carrying out the reported attack.
The PPS stated that the soldiers abducted six Palestinians, identified as Mohammad Hazem al-Masri, Ahmad Aladdin Yaghi, Qais Aladdin Yaghi, Ahmad Nasri Sabarna, Hammad Ahmad Abu Mariya, and Karam Ziad Abu Sara, from several parts of the southern West Bank governorate of Hebron.
In Nablus, in northern West Bank, the soldiers abducted Soheib Bishkar, 17, and his brother Abdul-Rahman, 15, in addition to Ziad Abdul-Karim Hanani, Arqam Atef Hanani, and Luay Emad Mohammad.
In Jenin, in northern West Bank, the soldiers abducted Mustafa Qoneiri and Nafe’ Mousa, from their homes.
The soldiers also abducted Mohammad Hazem al-Masri, from his home in Tubas, in northeastern West Bank.
In Ramallah, in central West Bank, the soldiers abducted two Palestinians, identified as Mohammad Majed Karaja and Mahdi Sa’ed Karaja.
In Hizma town, north of occupied East Jerusalem, the soldiers abducted one child, identified as Mahmoud Yasser Khatib, 15.
In addition, one Israeli colonist was mildly injured near Huwwara, south of Nablus, after Palestinian protesters hurled stones at his car.
However, according to Maan News Agency, Israeli sources claimed that the settler was mildly wounded in a “failed stabbing attempt,” and added that the soldiers are looking for a young man, in his twenties, for carrying out the reported attack.
Dozens of Israeli soldiers abducted, on Thursday at dawn, two Palestinians and injured many others, after the army invaded several areas in Jenin governorate in northern West Bank. The soldiers also abducted one child in Jerusalem.
Media sources said the soldiers abducted Ibrahim Mustafa al-Qoneiri, from his home in Jenin refugee camp, after they invaded and violently searched it.
They added that many Palestinians protested the invasion, and hurled stones at the army jeeps, before the soldiers fired live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets and gas bombs, causing many Palestinians to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation.
Furthermore, the soldiers abducted Ali Nafe’ Mousa, from his home in Marka village, south of Jenin, after the army invaded his home and violently searched it.
The soldiers also abducted Ali’s brother, Ahmad, and interrogated him for several at the Salem military base, before releasing him.
It is worth mentioning that the army has abducted, last month, 37 Palestinians, including two children, from Jenin.
In related news, the soldiers abducted a child, identified as Mahmoud Yasser Khatib, 15, from his home in Hizma town, east of Jerusalem, after the soldiers searched his family’s home, and the homes of several Palestinians.
Media sources said the soldiers abducted Ibrahim Mustafa al-Qoneiri, from his home in Jenin refugee camp, after they invaded and violently searched it.
They added that many Palestinians protested the invasion, and hurled stones at the army jeeps, before the soldiers fired live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets and gas bombs, causing many Palestinians to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation.
Furthermore, the soldiers abducted Ali Nafe’ Mousa, from his home in Marka village, south of Jenin, after the army invaded his home and violently searched it.
The soldiers also abducted Ali’s brother, Ahmad, and interrogated him for several at the Salem military base, before releasing him.
It is worth mentioning that the army has abducted, last month, 37 Palestinians, including two children, from Jenin.
In related news, the soldiers abducted a child, identified as Mahmoud Yasser Khatib, 15, from his home in Hizma town, east of Jerusalem, after the soldiers searched his family’s home, and the homes of several Palestinians.
30 apr 2019
Israeli forces detained at least seven Palestinians, including a minor, across the occupied West Bank during predawn raids on Tuesday.
Palestine Prisoner’s Society (PPS) confirmed that Israeli forces detained four Palestinians in the central West Bank district of Ramallah.
They were identified as Yousef Hassan Abu Adi, Ramzi Madhat Abdo, Muhammad Ziyad Hamad, and Ahmad Nazyeh Abu Adi, 14.
In the northern West Bank district of Qalqiliya, one Palestinian was detained and identified as Ali Kamal Shuwahne, 69.
In the northern West Bank district of Jenin, two Palestinians were detained. They were identified as Walid Ghuwarde and a former prisoner Maraei Qabha, who spent 15 years in Israeli prisons.
According to prisoners rights group Addameer, there are 5,450 Palestinian prisoners being held in Israeli prisons, including 205 minors, 32 of whom under 16 years old.
Palestine Prisoner’s Society (PPS) confirmed that Israeli forces detained four Palestinians in the central West Bank district of Ramallah.
They were identified as Yousef Hassan Abu Adi, Ramzi Madhat Abdo, Muhammad Ziyad Hamad, and Ahmad Nazyeh Abu Adi, 14.
In the northern West Bank district of Qalqiliya, one Palestinian was detained and identified as Ali Kamal Shuwahne, 69.
In the northern West Bank district of Jenin, two Palestinians were detained. They were identified as Walid Ghuwarde and a former prisoner Maraei Qabha, who spent 15 years in Israeli prisons.
According to prisoners rights group Addameer, there are 5,450 Palestinian prisoners being held in Israeli prisons, including 205 minors, 32 of whom under 16 years old.
