30 jan 2011
Medics: Israeli forces open fire at Gaza workers
Israeli forces on Sunday opened fire on Palestinians working in northern Gaza near the border with Israel, medics said.
Gaza medical services spokesman Adham Abu Selmiya said a 20-year-old identified as MH sustained a gunshot wound and was transferred to hospital.
He was collecting gravel near the border, the official said.
Workers in Gaza frequently head to the border area to collect gravel and other construction scraps to make into cement.
An Israeli military spokesman said he would look into the report.
Palestinian worker shot along Gaza border
A Palestinian man was shot Sunday morning by Israeli soldiers while collecting gravel in northern Gaza.
The 20-year-old man was shot in the left foot while working in Beit Lahia, said Adham Abu Salmiyya, spokesman for the ambulance and emergency committee.
The incident puts the injury count of gravel workers since March of last year at 115, Abu Salmiyya said. Two deaths have also been reported.
Israeli forces target almost daily workers and citizens along the eastern border with Gaza.
Gaza medical services spokesman Adham Abu Selmiya said a 20-year-old identified as MH sustained a gunshot wound and was transferred to hospital.
He was collecting gravel near the border, the official said.
Workers in Gaza frequently head to the border area to collect gravel and other construction scraps to make into cement.
An Israeli military spokesman said he would look into the report.
Palestinian worker shot along Gaza border
A Palestinian man was shot Sunday morning by Israeli soldiers while collecting gravel in northern Gaza.
The 20-year-old man was shot in the left foot while working in Beit Lahia, said Adham Abu Salmiyya, spokesman for the ambulance and emergency committee.
The incident puts the injury count of gravel workers since March of last year at 115, Abu Salmiyya said. Two deaths have also been reported.
Israeli forces target almost daily workers and citizens along the eastern border with Gaza.
29 jan 2011
Israeli forces tear gas funeral of teen shot by settlers
Yousef Ikhleil, 17
Israeli forces on Saturday fired tear gas, sound grenades and rubber-coated steel bullets at the funeral procession of a Palestinian teenager who was shot by settlers in Hebron, witnesses said.
Thousands of mourners attended the funeral of Yousef Ikhleil, 17, who died hours after he was shot in the head by settlers from a nearby illegal settlement north of Hebron on Friday.
Israeli troops fired tear gas at the funeral procession after young men threw stones at a military watch tower, Palestinian Solidarity Project spokesman Mohammad Awad said.
An Israeli military spokeswoman said Palestinians threw a fire bomb at an army post, and that forces responded with riot dispersal means.
Awad said around 50 mourners were injured and transferred to Beit Ummar medical center and several hospitals in Hebron.
He added that forces detained two locals, identified as Saddam Awad, 22, and 35-year-old Ibrahim Bahar. Soldiers also assaulted Saddam Awad and his mother Faten, 45, the PSP official said.
An army spokeswoman said no detentions were made, but that some mourners were taken aside for questioning at the scene.
Hebron governor Kamil Hamid and the heads of security departments attended the funeral, and shops in Beit Ummar closed to mourn the teenager's death.
Ikheil was the second teenager to be killed by settlers in the West Bank two days.
On Thursday, 19-year-old Uday Maher Qadous was shot and killed while working on his land near the northern West Bank village of Iraq Burin.
His cousin, who was with him at the time, said a group of four settlers on a nearby hilltop opened fire on them, hitting Qadous in the chest.
The Israeli military on Friday condemned both events and said settler suspects had been arrested.
"So far, a number of Israeli settlers were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the recent events," it said, and warned both sides to keep the peace. "Action will be taken against all forms of violence on either side."
Palestinian Authority spokesman Ghassan Khatib denounced the killings, and called for the killers to be brought to justice.
"This is the second killing this week of an unarmed Palestinian by settlers, and the sixth killing by settlers this month. The Israeli government cannot evade its responsibility for these cold-blooded crimes. The killers must be brought to justice and punished," he said in a statement.
"Our people need greater protection from armed settlers."
Tens of Palestinians injured in IOF attack on funeral
AL-KHALIL, (PIC)-- Tens of Palestinian citizens were wounded by Israeli occupation forces' shooting north of Al-Khalil on Saturday while taking part in the funeral procession of a Palestinian teen killed at the hands of Jewish settlers.
Witnesses reported that the participants clashed with the IOF soldiers who fired at them injuring 40 civilians.
Yousef Ikhlil, 17, was shot and killed by an Israeli settler in his village in Safa, north of Beit Ummar town in Al-Khalil on Friday.
Israeli forces on Saturday fired tear gas, sound grenades and rubber-coated steel bullets at the funeral procession of a Palestinian teenager who was shot by settlers in Hebron, witnesses said.
Thousands of mourners attended the funeral of Yousef Ikhleil, 17, who died hours after he was shot in the head by settlers from a nearby illegal settlement north of Hebron on Friday.
Israeli troops fired tear gas at the funeral procession after young men threw stones at a military watch tower, Palestinian Solidarity Project spokesman Mohammad Awad said.
An Israeli military spokeswoman said Palestinians threw a fire bomb at an army post, and that forces responded with riot dispersal means.
Awad said around 50 mourners were injured and transferred to Beit Ummar medical center and several hospitals in Hebron.
He added that forces detained two locals, identified as Saddam Awad, 22, and 35-year-old Ibrahim Bahar. Soldiers also assaulted Saddam Awad and his mother Faten, 45, the PSP official said.
An army spokeswoman said no detentions were made, but that some mourners were taken aside for questioning at the scene.
Hebron governor Kamil Hamid and the heads of security departments attended the funeral, and shops in Beit Ummar closed to mourn the teenager's death.
Ikheil was the second teenager to be killed by settlers in the West Bank two days.
On Thursday, 19-year-old Uday Maher Qadous was shot and killed while working on his land near the northern West Bank village of Iraq Burin.
His cousin, who was with him at the time, said a group of four settlers on a nearby hilltop opened fire on them, hitting Qadous in the chest.
The Israeli military on Friday condemned both events and said settler suspects had been arrested.
"So far, a number of Israeli settlers were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the recent events," it said, and warned both sides to keep the peace. "Action will be taken against all forms of violence on either side."
Palestinian Authority spokesman Ghassan Khatib denounced the killings, and called for the killers to be brought to justice.
"This is the second killing this week of an unarmed Palestinian by settlers, and the sixth killing by settlers this month. The Israeli government cannot evade its responsibility for these cold-blooded crimes. The killers must be brought to justice and punished," he said in a statement.
"Our people need greater protection from armed settlers."
Tens of Palestinians injured in IOF attack on funeral
AL-KHALIL, (PIC)-- Tens of Palestinian citizens were wounded by Israeli occupation forces' shooting north of Al-Khalil on Saturday while taking part in the funeral procession of a Palestinian teen killed at the hands of Jewish settlers.
Witnesses reported that the participants clashed with the IOF soldiers who fired at them injuring 40 civilians.
Yousef Ikhlil, 17, was shot and killed by an Israeli settler in his village in Safa, north of Beit Ummar town in Al-Khalil on Friday.
Witnesses: Army fires tear gas at US, PA officials
Israeli forces on Thursday fired tear gas and stun grenades at senior US and Palestinian officials and farmers planting trees near Hebron, witnesses said.
US consulate officials, settlement and wall affairs minister Maher Ghuneim, Hebron governor Kamil Hamid and Beit Ummar mayor Nasri Sabarneh joined farmers in Safa to plant trees on land slated for confiscation by Israel.
The farmers are frequently denied access to their land by settlers and Israeli soldiers.
A US Consulate's political attaché left the scene when Israeli soldiers arrived, onlookers said.
Palestinian Authority security sources said Israeli forces seized a PA car and detained PA officers for 30 minutes.
Soldiers used the PA patrol as a shield to protect them from farmers who were throwing stones toward them, locals said.
Meanwhile, residents of the illegal Susiya settlement south of Hebron assaulted local resident Ibrahim An-Nawajah, while soldiers detained two of his sons, Iyad and Nasir, witnesses said.
In a separate incident, settlers from nearby Beit Hagai attacked Salman Yusef At-Tubasi, 26, and handed him over at gunpoint to Israeli troops who detained him, locals reported.
US consulate officials, settlement and wall affairs minister Maher Ghuneim, Hebron governor Kamil Hamid and Beit Ummar mayor Nasri Sabarneh joined farmers in Safa to plant trees on land slated for confiscation by Israel.
The farmers are frequently denied access to their land by settlers and Israeli soldiers.
A US Consulate's political attaché left the scene when Israeli soldiers arrived, onlookers said.
Palestinian Authority security sources said Israeli forces seized a PA car and detained PA officers for 30 minutes.
Soldiers used the PA patrol as a shield to protect them from farmers who were throwing stones toward them, locals said.
Meanwhile, residents of the illegal Susiya settlement south of Hebron assaulted local resident Ibrahim An-Nawajah, while soldiers detained two of his sons, Iyad and Nasir, witnesses said.
In a separate incident, settlers from nearby Beit Hagai attacked Salman Yusef At-Tubasi, 26, and handed him over at gunpoint to Israeli troops who detained him, locals reported.
27 jan 2011
Palestinians slam Borberg sentence
Shooting victim Ashraf Abu Rahma inveighs against court decision not to demote commander involved in Naalin shooting. 'This soldier committed a crime. The court's decision is unreasonable,' he says.
Lieutenant-Colonol Omri Borberg breathed a sigh of relief Thursday after evading demotion, but residents of Naalin have no plans to let the sentence slide. Ashraf Abu Rahma, the Palestinian who was shot while bound and blindfolded, was extremely upset upon hearing the judges' ruling.
"The officer committed a crime, the court's decision is unreasonable," he told Ynet.
"I can't understand how he can remain in the army after you see him on tape giving an order to shoot me. It's a crime."
The Tel Aviv military court ruled Thursday that Lieutenant-Colonel Omri Borberg, the battalion commander who was involved in the Naalin shooting incident, will not be demoted.
The judges ruled such a punishment "will gravely hurt him" and recommended his promotion be postponed for two years. Borberg broke into tears as the sentence was being read.
Abu Rahma's family also rejected the ruling. "This is the occupation's court, it's illegal. They fired at a blindfolded detainee," Ashraf's cousin said. "They should have put him in jail, it's a war crime."
Muhammad Khatib, member of Bilin's popular committee admitted he did not have his hopes up as far as the sentence was concerned. "We are disappointed with the decision mainly because it will not deter others from doing the same. The Israeli legal system has a different approach when dealing with matters pertaining to Palestinians," he said.
"Our current option is to launch an international campaign. We're looking into the possibility of approaching the International Court of Justice."
Muhammad Knaan, a Naalin resident who claims to have witnessed the shooting said: "It%u2019s illegal to fire at a person when they're bound. We didn't want to see him in jail but we did expect the decision to address his rank and position. The court should not have let him stay in the army."
The shooting incident was filmed by Salam Knaan. Claims were raised against the video suggesting it was doctored. "Professionals checked the tape and came to the conclusion it was authentic. The whole world saw the crime committed in Naalin," Salam said.
Borberg, on the other hand, said he completely agrees with the court's ruling regarding his role in the Naalim shooting affair. "It's hard to describe the heavy load I've been carrying lately. I'm glad it's over," he said.
He added: "All I care about now is to return to my family, to my daughter, and continue contributing to the IDF."
Naalin shooting: Borberg won't be demoted
The Tel Aviv military court ruled that Lieutenant-Colonel Omri Borberg, who was convicted of the Naalin shooting affair, will not be demoted. Instead, his promotion will be delayed for a period of two years.
Lieutenant-Colonel Borberg accepts ruling in Naalim affair
Lieutenant-Colonel Omri Borberg, who was convicted of the Naalin shooting affair by the Tel Aviv military court, said he completely agrees with the court's ruling regarding his role in the Naalim shooting affair. "It's hard to describe the heavy load I've been carrying lately. I'm glad it's over," he said.
He added: "All I care about now is to return to my family, to my daughter, and continue contributing to the IDF."
Palestinian shot in Naalin: How can Borberg remain in IDF?
The Palestinian who was shot in Naalim while bound, responded to the Tel Aviv military court's decision not to impose a prison sentence on the soldier who shot him and to not demote Lieutenant-Colonel Omri Borberg.
"This officer committed a crime. The court's decision is unreasonable," he accused. "I can't understand how he can remain in the army after you see him on tape giving an order to shot at me."
Lieutenant-Colonol Omri Borberg breathed a sigh of relief Thursday after evading demotion, but residents of Naalin have no plans to let the sentence slide. Ashraf Abu Rahma, the Palestinian who was shot while bound and blindfolded, was extremely upset upon hearing the judges' ruling.
"The officer committed a crime, the court's decision is unreasonable," he told Ynet.
"I can't understand how he can remain in the army after you see him on tape giving an order to shoot me. It's a crime."
The Tel Aviv military court ruled Thursday that Lieutenant-Colonel Omri Borberg, the battalion commander who was involved in the Naalin shooting incident, will not be demoted.
The judges ruled such a punishment "will gravely hurt him" and recommended his promotion be postponed for two years. Borberg broke into tears as the sentence was being read.
Abu Rahma's family also rejected the ruling. "This is the occupation's court, it's illegal. They fired at a blindfolded detainee," Ashraf's cousin said. "They should have put him in jail, it's a war crime."
Muhammad Khatib, member of Bilin's popular committee admitted he did not have his hopes up as far as the sentence was concerned. "We are disappointed with the decision mainly because it will not deter others from doing the same. The Israeli legal system has a different approach when dealing with matters pertaining to Palestinians," he said.
"Our current option is to launch an international campaign. We're looking into the possibility of approaching the International Court of Justice."
Muhammad Knaan, a Naalin resident who claims to have witnessed the shooting said: "It%u2019s illegal to fire at a person when they're bound. We didn't want to see him in jail but we did expect the decision to address his rank and position. The court should not have let him stay in the army."
The shooting incident was filmed by Salam Knaan. Claims were raised against the video suggesting it was doctored. "Professionals checked the tape and came to the conclusion it was authentic. The whole world saw the crime committed in Naalin," Salam said.
Borberg, on the other hand, said he completely agrees with the court's ruling regarding his role in the Naalim shooting affair. "It's hard to describe the heavy load I've been carrying lately. I'm glad it's over," he said.
He added: "All I care about now is to return to my family, to my daughter, and continue contributing to the IDF."
Naalin shooting: Borberg won't be demoted
The Tel Aviv military court ruled that Lieutenant-Colonel Omri Borberg, who was convicted of the Naalin shooting affair, will not be demoted. Instead, his promotion will be delayed for a period of two years.
Lieutenant-Colonel Borberg accepts ruling in Naalim affair
Lieutenant-Colonel Omri Borberg, who was convicted of the Naalin shooting affair by the Tel Aviv military court, said he completely agrees with the court's ruling regarding his role in the Naalim shooting affair. "It's hard to describe the heavy load I've been carrying lately. I'm glad it's over," he said.
He added: "All I care about now is to return to my family, to my daughter, and continue contributing to the IDF."
Palestinian shot in Naalin: How can Borberg remain in IDF?
The Palestinian who was shot in Naalim while bound, responded to the Tel Aviv military court's decision not to impose a prison sentence on the soldier who shot him and to not demote Lieutenant-Colonel Omri Borberg.
"This officer committed a crime. The court's decision is unreasonable," he accused. "I can't understand how he can remain in the army after you see him on tape giving an order to shot at me."
Teenager 'arrested' in route to Israeli jail
A Palestinian activist said Wednesday that Israeli forces detained a teenager on his way to visit his brother, who is serving time in Eshel prison in Beer Sheva.
Human rights activist Muhammad Awad said soldiers west of Hebron stopped a bus carrying Palestinian families to visit their children in jail.
The soldiers at Tarqumia checkpoint inspected occupants and detained 14-year-old Hamza Ali Awad and took him to unknown direction, Awad said.
Israel's Ministry of Defense responded: "No such event occurred."
"Moreover, when we turned to the Red Cross to investigate the issue, they, as factors responsible for visits to prisoners, denied the existence of this event and reported that Ali Awad got on the bus and not arrested."
Human rights activist Muhammad Awad said soldiers west of Hebron stopped a bus carrying Palestinian families to visit their children in jail.
The soldiers at Tarqumia checkpoint inspected occupants and detained 14-year-old Hamza Ali Awad and took him to unknown direction, Awad said.
Israel's Ministry of Defense responded: "No such event occurred."
"Moreover, when we turned to the Red Cross to investigate the issue, they, as factors responsible for visits to prisoners, denied the existence of this event and reported that Ali Awad got on the bus and not arrested."
Palestinian families barred from visiting detainees before being strip searched
Some families of Palestinian prisoners said they are deprived of visiting their sons in Israeli jails before they accept to be strip searched by soldiers.
Fatima Mahmoud, a mother of prisoner from Nablus city, said the Israeli soldiers order the visiting mothers, sisters or daughters to enter a room and ask them to remove their clothes if they want to visit their kinsmen.
She added the women always reject the strip search, and thus they have to leave without seeing their relatives.
The families appealed to human rights organizations to pressure the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) to stop the policy of strip search at checkpoints and jails.
In a separate incident, the Palestinian prisoners in Ashkelon jails protested the search raids carried out on a daily basis on their cells by Israeli jailers who deliberately cause damage to their personal belongings at the pretext of looking for hidden cellphones.
The Palestinian prisoner society said that the jailers in this prison ransacked section five days ago and refused to provide the detainees there with food and medication which prompted them take protest steps against the prison administration.
For her part, activist in prisoners' affairs Mayser Ityani said the administration of Damon prison and the Israeli intelligence apparatus renewed the administrative detention of female detainee Linan Abu Gilma.
Ityani stated that detainee Abu Gilma was kidnapped months ago along with her sister Tagreed and went on hunger strike for 22 consecutive days to demand her transfer from Hasharon prison and her solitary confinement.
Fatima Mahmoud, a mother of prisoner from Nablus city, said the Israeli soldiers order the visiting mothers, sisters or daughters to enter a room and ask them to remove their clothes if they want to visit their kinsmen.
She added the women always reject the strip search, and thus they have to leave without seeing their relatives.
The families appealed to human rights organizations to pressure the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) to stop the policy of strip search at checkpoints and jails.
In a separate incident, the Palestinian prisoners in Ashkelon jails protested the search raids carried out on a daily basis on their cells by Israeli jailers who deliberately cause damage to their personal belongings at the pretext of looking for hidden cellphones.
The Palestinian prisoner society said that the jailers in this prison ransacked section five days ago and refused to provide the detainees there with food and medication which prompted them take protest steps against the prison administration.
For her part, activist in prisoners' affairs Mayser Ityani said the administration of Damon prison and the Israeli intelligence apparatus renewed the administrative detention of female detainee Linan Abu Gilma.
Ityani stated that detainee Abu Gilma was kidnapped months ago along with her sister Tagreed and went on hunger strike for 22 consecutive days to demand her transfer from Hasharon prison and her solitary confinement.
26 jan 2011
Expanded Israeli Force Arrests Disabled Man, Child Near Hebron
Hebron PNN - Early morning Israeli raids on Wednesday in the southern West Bank villages of Beit Omar and Dura, near Hebron, resulted in the arrest of two Palestinians.
In Dura, a disabled man named Ahmed Kamil Ibrahim Amro was arrested and taken to an unknown location, while in Beit Omar 14-year-old Hamza Ali Ayad Awda was arrested as he tried to visit his brother in an Israeli prison.
The Red Cross informed Awda's family of his arrest, as they were not present at the checkpoint and Israeli troops do not communicate the news to family members.
Local sources said the Israeli troops set up military checkpoints on the road between Hebron and Bethlehem in the southern West Bank and that the arresting forces were larger than usual.
In Dura, a disabled man named Ahmed Kamil Ibrahim Amro was arrested and taken to an unknown location, while in Beit Omar 14-year-old Hamza Ali Ayad Awda was arrested as he tried to visit his brother in an Israeli prison.
The Red Cross informed Awda's family of his arrest, as they were not present at the checkpoint and Israeli troops do not communicate the news to family members.
Local sources said the Israeli troops set up military checkpoints on the road between Hebron and Bethlehem in the southern West Bank and that the arresting forces were larger than usual.
An-Nabi Saleh residents say local leader detained, threatened
Two hours after his arrest, the coordinator of the popular committee against the wall in the central West Bank village of An-Nabi Saleh was released from Israeli custody.
Basem At-Tamimi, 43, had been taken to the Halmish military camp where he said he was beaten and interrogated on Wednesday.
The official said he was threatened by the military, who allegedly told the activist that he would be detained for any further anti-wall action.
At-Tamimi was detained earlier in the day at a military checkpoint installed at the entrance of the village, witnesses reported at the time, saying he was harshly treated at the scene.
The official was detained along with two village teenagers, identified as Ibrahim At-Tamimi and Belal Jamal At-Tamimi, both are 15.
Each Friday, residents of An-Nabi Saleh gather to protest land confiscations from the nearby settlement of Hallamish, demanding a return of the land to villagers.
Last Friday, Israeli forces arrived at the scene and prevented the protest from taking place. Officials from the Popular Struggle Coordination Committee said pepper spray was used against an 11-year-old demonstrator.
At the time, the Israeli military said a group of approximately 30 gathered at the scene. An army spokesman described the event as a "violent, illegal riot," noting that "riot dispersal means" were used against the group.
Basem At-Tamimi, 43, had been taken to the Halmish military camp where he said he was beaten and interrogated on Wednesday.
The official said he was threatened by the military, who allegedly told the activist that he would be detained for any further anti-wall action.
At-Tamimi was detained earlier in the day at a military checkpoint installed at the entrance of the village, witnesses reported at the time, saying he was harshly treated at the scene.
The official was detained along with two village teenagers, identified as Ibrahim At-Tamimi and Belal Jamal At-Tamimi, both are 15.
Each Friday, residents of An-Nabi Saleh gather to protest land confiscations from the nearby settlement of Hallamish, demanding a return of the land to villagers.
Last Friday, Israeli forces arrived at the scene and prevented the protest from taking place. Officials from the Popular Struggle Coordination Committee said pepper spray was used against an 11-year-old demonstrator.
At the time, the Israeli military said a group of approximately 30 gathered at the scene. An army spokesman described the event as a "violent, illegal riot," noting that "riot dispersal means" were used against the group.
25 jan 2011
10-year-old detained in West Bank village
Israeli forces abducted a 10-year-old Palestinian boy from his home early Monday in the occupied West Bank.
Karim Tamimi's arrest comes two days after his brother, 14-year-old Islam Tamimi, was seized in a similar raid on Nabi Salih village.
The popular resistance movement in the village called upon human rights groups and the International Committee of the Red Cross to make efforts to get the child released.
The younger brother has not been charged with a crime, the Popular Struggle Coordination Committee reported, but both brothers likely stand accused of throwing rocks during anti-wall protests.
Islam's arrest was the second in roughly three weeks. His parents, who have legal right to be present when a child is under investigation, were denied access to their son.
Karim Tamimi's arrest comes two days after his brother, 14-year-old Islam Tamimi, was seized in a similar raid on Nabi Salih village.
The popular resistance movement in the village called upon human rights groups and the International Committee of the Red Cross to make efforts to get the child released.
The younger brother has not been charged with a crime, the Popular Struggle Coordination Committee reported, but both brothers likely stand accused of throwing rocks during anti-wall protests.
Islam's arrest was the second in roughly three weeks. His parents, who have legal right to be present when a child is under investigation, were denied access to their son.
24 jan 2011
11 arrested in Silwan clashes with Israeli troops
Eleven Palestinians, among them seven minors, were beaten and arrested Monday during clashes with Israeli troops in the East Jerusalem district of Silwan.
Soldiers fired tear gas and rubber bullets at civilians, locals said.
They beat a seventy-year-old man sprayed gas in his face during the attack, the Wadi al-Hulwa Information Center said.
They also arrested Silwan activist Moussa Awda, 53, and seven minors ranging from 10 to 14 years, and sprayed gas randomly at civilian homes.
Soldiers fired tear gas and rubber bullets at civilians, locals said.
They beat a seventy-year-old man sprayed gas in his face during the attack, the Wadi al-Hulwa Information Center said.
They also arrested Silwan activist Moussa Awda, 53, and seven minors ranging from 10 to 14 years, and sprayed gas randomly at civilian homes.
22 jan 2011
IOA bars Palestinians from prayers at Ibrahimi mosque
The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) on Saturday closed many gates and entrances leading to Al-Khalil's Old City while forcing the remaining merchants in the area to close down their shops and beat up some of them.
Jewish settlers, emboldened by IOF practices, threw stones and empty bottles at Palestinian pedestrians injuring a number of them while all businesses came to a complete standstill in the vicinity.
The provocations also targeted worshippers heading for noon prayers in the Ibrahimi mosque as soldiers blocked their entry into the shrine, closed all mosque gates, and expelled them, claiming that no Muslim prayer is allowed on Saturdays.
Worshippers denounced the act, affirming that the Ibrahimi mosque is an Islamic holy place and not a Jewish synagogue.
Jewish settlers, emboldened by IOF practices, threw stones and empty bottles at Palestinian pedestrians injuring a number of them while all businesses came to a complete standstill in the vicinity.
The provocations also targeted worshippers heading for noon prayers in the Ibrahimi mosque as soldiers blocked their entry into the shrine, closed all mosque gates, and expelled them, claiming that no Muslim prayer is allowed on Saturdays.
Worshippers denounced the act, affirming that the Ibrahimi mosque is an Islamic holy place and not a Jewish synagogue.
IOF close Shu'fat checkpoint, attack Palestinians
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Saturday closed the military checkpoint of Shu'fat in occupied Jerusalem after a long night of clashes and detentions.
Local sources reported that school students and citizens from Shu'fat refugee camp, Ras Khamis suburb, and Ras Shehadeh neighborhood, Assalam suburb and Anata town in central Jerusalem were not able today to attend their schools and workplaces after the IOF closed the main checkpoint completely.
Israeli soldiers claimed the police obtained a court decision ordering the closure of this checkpoint after its cadres were hurled with stones by local young men.
The violent clashes for the third consecutive day continued on Friday night between Palestinian citizens and Israeli troops. The clashes reportedly broke out after the IOF tightened movement procedures at Shu'fat checkpoint and attacked school boys and girls.
Seven Palestinians reportedly were shot with rubber bullets by Israeli troops during the events.
Citizens from the camp said that the Israeli occupation authority tends not to open the checkpoint once again and isolate the Palestinian residents there from their holy city.
Local sources reported that school students and citizens from Shu'fat refugee camp, Ras Khamis suburb, and Ras Shehadeh neighborhood, Assalam suburb and Anata town in central Jerusalem were not able today to attend their schools and workplaces after the IOF closed the main checkpoint completely.
Israeli soldiers claimed the police obtained a court decision ordering the closure of this checkpoint after its cadres were hurled with stones by local young men.
The violent clashes for the third consecutive day continued on Friday night between Palestinian citizens and Israeli troops. The clashes reportedly broke out after the IOF tightened movement procedures at Shu'fat checkpoint and attacked school boys and girls.
Seven Palestinians reportedly were shot with rubber bullets by Israeli troops during the events.
Citizens from the camp said that the Israeli occupation authority tends not to open the checkpoint once again and isolate the Palestinian residents there from their holy city.
21 jan 2011
Activism roundup: Israeli forces fire at demonstrators
Israeli forces arrest an Israeli activist during a demonstration against the wall and settlements in the occupied West Bank village of al-Masara, 21 January 2010
Israeli forces swept through the occupied East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan today, firing rubber-coated steel bullets and tear gas at Palestinians during public prayer near the al-Bustan protest tent. The tent is a public gathering place and organizing center for residents of the al-Bustan area in Silwan who are faced with imminent home demolitions or settler takeovers of their houses. The invasion resulted in clashes throughout the area.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center reported that a number of Palestinians and a cameraman were injured by tear gas inhalation and rubber bullets during the clashes ("Clashes erupt after Friday prayer in East Jerusalem," 21 January 2011)
Meanwhile, Ma'an News Agency reported that a Palestinian child was pepper sprayed during weekly unarmed protests elsewhere in the occupied West Bank.
In Nabi Saleh, Palestinian and international protesters marched against the ongoing confiscation of village land and the expansion of the nearby Halamish settlement colony. Israeli soldiers attempted to break up the demonstration, and attacked an 11-year-old boy with pepper spray ("Israeli army shuts down West Bank rallies," 21 January 2011). (below)
Protests against Israel's wall and the settlements were also reported in al-Masara village, near Bethlehem; in Bilin; and in Nilin. Ma'an reported that local activist committees documented the Israeli military's use of "riot dispersal means" in Bilin and Nilin, which include the firing of tear gas and spraying protesters with fetid "skunk water." One Israeli solidarity activist was detained in al-Masara.
Beit Ommar
Israeli forces swept through the occupied East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan today, firing rubber-coated steel bullets and tear gas at Palestinians during public prayer near the al-Bustan protest tent. The tent is a public gathering place and organizing center for residents of the al-Bustan area in Silwan who are faced with imminent home demolitions or settler takeovers of their houses. The invasion resulted in clashes throughout the area.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center reported that a number of Palestinians and a cameraman were injured by tear gas inhalation and rubber bullets during the clashes ("Clashes erupt after Friday prayer in East Jerusalem," 21 January 2011)
Meanwhile, Ma'an News Agency reported that a Palestinian child was pepper sprayed during weekly unarmed protests elsewhere in the occupied West Bank.
In Nabi Saleh, Palestinian and international protesters marched against the ongoing confiscation of village land and the expansion of the nearby Halamish settlement colony. Israeli soldiers attempted to break up the demonstration, and attacked an 11-year-old boy with pepper spray ("Israeli army shuts down West Bank rallies," 21 January 2011). (below)
Protests against Israel's wall and the settlements were also reported in al-Masara village, near Bethlehem; in Bilin; and in Nilin. Ma'an reported that local activist committees documented the Israeli military's use of "riot dispersal means" in Bilin and Nilin, which include the firing of tear gas and spraying protesters with fetid "skunk water." One Israeli solidarity activist was detained in al-Masara.
Beit Ommar
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Fourteen-year-old Mohammed Awwad from the West Bank village of Beit Ommar was released from Israeli prison on 7 January after being detained for more than a month and a half.
Awwad was arrested by Israeli soldiers at a weekly demonstration in the village on 20 November 2010, and was charged by the Israeli military with throwing stones, which is punishable up to ten years in prison. The Palestine Solidarity Project (PSP) reported on 9 January that Israel wrongfully charged Awwad with stone throwing, citing numerous eyewitnesses present at the demonstration who claimed that he was not throwing stones "but merely participating in an unarmed demonstration in his own village against the neighboring Israeli settlement of Karmei Tsur ("14-year-old Beit Ommar resident released from Israeli prison," 9 January 2011)." PSP added that five adult solidarity activists were arrested along with Awwad, but they were released later in the day. |
"After his arrest, [Awwad] was first brought to Karmei Tsur settlement by Israeli forces and held there for three hours," PSP stated. "He was then transferred to [a detention facility inside] Kiryat Arba settlement in Hebron for an additional eight hours."
Awwad's parents were not informed of his whereabouts by the Israeli military, PSP added, and he was "repeatedly interrogated" at Kiryat Arba and later during his detention at Ofer prison. Interrogators apparently asked him about the activist committee in the village that plans the weekly demonstrations against the encroaching settlements.
"Despite the fact that [Awwad] is a minor and has a medical condition that chronically affects his skin, the Israeli military courts denied him bail and held him for over a month and a half," PSP stated.
The Electronic Intifada has reported on the Israeli military's ongoing policy of interrogation and detention of Palestinian children from the Hebron area at Kiryat Arba and Ofer prison.
Awwad's parents were not informed of his whereabouts by the Israeli military, PSP added, and he was "repeatedly interrogated" at Kiryat Arba and later during his detention at Ofer prison. Interrogators apparently asked him about the activist committee in the village that plans the weekly demonstrations against the encroaching settlements.
"Despite the fact that [Awwad] is a minor and has a medical condition that chronically affects his skin, the Israeli military courts denied him bail and held him for over a month and a half," PSP stated.
The Electronic Intifada has reported on the Israeli military's ongoing policy of interrogation and detention of Palestinian children from the Hebron area at Kiryat Arba and Ofer prison.
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Amir, 10, and his mother just hours before he was abducted by Israeli soldiers
Meanwhile, on 20 January, PSP reported that the Israeli military arrested four children south of Beit Ommar, after detaining them "in an isolated area out of sight of the road" where they were put into "stress positions" with their hands behind their backs and their heads down. International observers with the Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI), a group that monitors Israeli human rights abuses, took pictures and called the media as well as notified prominent human rights organizations that work in the area. |
"Despite these efforts, after some time, the soldiers forced all four children into a jeep and drove them to an unknown location," PSP reported. "No reason was given for their arrest" ("Israeli forces arrest four children south of Beit Ommar," 20 January 2011).
Tear gas company protested
Tear gas company protested
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Jawaher Abu Rahmah
Protesters held a demonstration outside the corporate headquarters of tear gas manufacturer Combined Systems, Inc. (CSI), in Jamestown, Pennsylvania, on 17 January, demanding the company stop its sales to the Israeli military. The protest, which was held on the birthday of the assassinated American civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., was coordinated by solidarity activists in response to the 1 January death of 36-year-old Jawaher Abu Rahmah, a resident of the West Bank village of Bilin. |
Abu Rahmah participated in a weekly nonviolent protest against Israel's wall and confiscation of village land on 31 December, and was exposed to a lethal amount of tear gas fired by Israeli troops. The gas was later confirmed as being manufactured by CSI.
The Pittsburgh Palestine Solidarity Committee (PPSC) stated on its website on 10 January that the protest was organized "in solidarity with Palestinian nonviolent demonstrations and in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy" ("Regional Palestine solidarity groups to protest PA manufacturer of tear gas on MLK day," 10 January 2011).
Jonas Moffat of PPSC told The Electronic Intifada that approximately forty persons protested outside of CSI's offices on Monday.
"Many of us [activists] living in Pittsburgh have been to occupied Palestine," Moffat said. "And when we found out what was going on at CSI, and that they were in our backyard, we felt we needed to get out there."
Moffat said that their letters, calls and requests for a face-to-face meeting on the day of the protest all went unanswered, but that the solidarity groups are determined to keep protesting outside the CSI offices.
The Jamestown protest followed a similar demonstration on 11 January in New York City, where 35 activists gathered outside the midtown Manhattan offices of Point Lookout Capital Partners, a firm that facilitates investment in CSI.
According to a press release from Adalah-NY: The New York Campaign for the Boycott of Israel, the protesters reenacted scenes from the weekly marches held in Bilin, including a mock tear gassing by an actor dressed as an Israeli soldier. "The protesters then choked and collapsed motionless on the sidewalk outside the office of Point Lookout Capital," Adalah-NY stated ("Protesters tell New York business to stop providing Israel's lethal tear gas," 11 January 2011).
Others held signs with photographs of Palestinian and international solidarity activists who have been killed or severely injured by tear gas canisters fired by the Israeli military during nonviolent protests in the occupied West Bank.
In the press release, Adalah-NY organizer Dave Lippman said that the Israeli military's use of CSI's tear gas -- partially financed by Point Lookout Capital -- is being used "as a weapon to crush the growing unarmed protest movement against Israel's illegal confiscation of Palestinian land for Israeli settlements."
Lippman added that American taxpayers are helping foot the bill for Israel's weapons cache. "The US government needs to stop providing this deadly aid, and CSI and Point Lookout need to end their complicity in Israel's violent repression of legitimate protest," he said. Adalah-NY stated that since it published its recent action alert, nearly nine hundred individuals have emailed CSI, Point Lookout Capital Partners and the asset management firm The Carlyle Group, another CSI investor with ties to the presidential administrations of both George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush.
Another 1,900 persons have signed a similar petition to CSI drafted by the activist group CodePink ("No More Tears: Tell the Profiteers at CSI to Stop Selling Tear Gas to Israel").
Additionally, Adalah-NY reported that hundreds of individuals have emailed the US State Department asking it to stop its provisions of tear gas and military aid to Israel.
Israeli army shuts down West Bank rallies
A child was pepper-sprayed and an Israeli peace activist detained by Israeli forces during weekly protests against illegal land confiscation across the West Bank on Friday, witnesses said.
Residents of An-Nabi Saleh gathered to protest land confiscations from the nearby settlement of Hallamish, demanding a return of the land to villagers. Israeli forces arrived at the scene and prevented the protest from taking place. Officials from the Popular Struggle Coordination Committee said pepper spray was used against an 11-year-old demonstrator.
The military said a group of approximately 30 gathered at the scene. An army spokesman described the event as a "violent, illegal riot," noting that "riot dispersal means" were used against the group.
South of Bethlehem in the village of Al-Ma'sara, protesters gathered on the road to the illegal Israeli settlement of Efrata, demanding an end to the continued construction of settlements in the West Bank, and condemning the arrests of West Bank protest organizers Johnathan Pollock and Abdullah Abu Gheith.
Pollock was sentenced to three months in prison for protesting against Israel's war on Gaza in the winter of 2009, but supporters say the charge was used to deter him from his role as organizer and spokesman for the PSCC.
Abu Gheith, who organized protests in Silwan, was exiled from Jerusalem by an Israeli court order.
During the protest one Israeli peace activist was detained. The military spokesman said the man had violated a closed military zone.
In Bil'in, a group of approximately 60 protesters gathered and marched toward Israel's separation wall, which cuts off a large swath of village land. Appeals to Israel's high court have resulted in orders for the re-routing of the wall, but no changes have been made and villagers continue to protest.
Witnesses said camera crews from Israel's Channel 2 Television were on the scene, and that tear-gas usage was relatively light until the crews left.
Three weeks earlier, a Bil'in resident watching the protest was hospitalized after Israeli fores fired tear-gas canisters toward the outskirts of the village. She was pronounced dead the following day. An Israeli military investigation reportedly found that the death was the result of medical mistakes in a Ramallah hospital. Medics there deny the claim, and PA officials say doctors found the accusation absurd.
Witnesses with the PSCC said soldiers sprayed protesters with skunk water and deployed tear-gas canisters.
Bil'in protesters also called for an end to the detention of Pollock, and for an end to the continued harassment of protest organizers.
A statement by the group following the protest called Pollock's detention a "clear strategy by Israel to silence those speaking out against the occupation."
Witnesses said the military used sound bombs and rubber bullets as well.
When soldiers tried to cross the separation barrier into the village, demonstrators attempted to stop their advance using stones, but were pushed back by the use of the gas, protesters said.
The Israeli military confirmed the use of "riot dispersal means" on the group.
In Ni'lin, the army said 40 activists gathered for a protest against the path of the separation wall, which as in Bil'in, cuts off villagers from their ancestral lands. The military also reported using "riot dispersal means" there. No injuries were reported.
The Pittsburgh Palestine Solidarity Committee (PPSC) stated on its website on 10 January that the protest was organized "in solidarity with Palestinian nonviolent demonstrations and in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy" ("Regional Palestine solidarity groups to protest PA manufacturer of tear gas on MLK day," 10 January 2011).
Jonas Moffat of PPSC told The Electronic Intifada that approximately forty persons protested outside of CSI's offices on Monday.
"Many of us [activists] living in Pittsburgh have been to occupied Palestine," Moffat said. "And when we found out what was going on at CSI, and that they were in our backyard, we felt we needed to get out there."
Moffat said that their letters, calls and requests for a face-to-face meeting on the day of the protest all went unanswered, but that the solidarity groups are determined to keep protesting outside the CSI offices.
The Jamestown protest followed a similar demonstration on 11 January in New York City, where 35 activists gathered outside the midtown Manhattan offices of Point Lookout Capital Partners, a firm that facilitates investment in CSI.
According to a press release from Adalah-NY: The New York Campaign for the Boycott of Israel, the protesters reenacted scenes from the weekly marches held in Bilin, including a mock tear gassing by an actor dressed as an Israeli soldier. "The protesters then choked and collapsed motionless on the sidewalk outside the office of Point Lookout Capital," Adalah-NY stated ("Protesters tell New York business to stop providing Israel's lethal tear gas," 11 January 2011).
Others held signs with photographs of Palestinian and international solidarity activists who have been killed or severely injured by tear gas canisters fired by the Israeli military during nonviolent protests in the occupied West Bank.
In the press release, Adalah-NY organizer Dave Lippman said that the Israeli military's use of CSI's tear gas -- partially financed by Point Lookout Capital -- is being used "as a weapon to crush the growing unarmed protest movement against Israel's illegal confiscation of Palestinian land for Israeli settlements."
Lippman added that American taxpayers are helping foot the bill for Israel's weapons cache. "The US government needs to stop providing this deadly aid, and CSI and Point Lookout need to end their complicity in Israel's violent repression of legitimate protest," he said. Adalah-NY stated that since it published its recent action alert, nearly nine hundred individuals have emailed CSI, Point Lookout Capital Partners and the asset management firm The Carlyle Group, another CSI investor with ties to the presidential administrations of both George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush.
Another 1,900 persons have signed a similar petition to CSI drafted by the activist group CodePink ("No More Tears: Tell the Profiteers at CSI to Stop Selling Tear Gas to Israel").
Additionally, Adalah-NY reported that hundreds of individuals have emailed the US State Department asking it to stop its provisions of tear gas and military aid to Israel.
Israeli army shuts down West Bank rallies
A child was pepper-sprayed and an Israeli peace activist detained by Israeli forces during weekly protests against illegal land confiscation across the West Bank on Friday, witnesses said.
Residents of An-Nabi Saleh gathered to protest land confiscations from the nearby settlement of Hallamish, demanding a return of the land to villagers. Israeli forces arrived at the scene and prevented the protest from taking place. Officials from the Popular Struggle Coordination Committee said pepper spray was used against an 11-year-old demonstrator.
The military said a group of approximately 30 gathered at the scene. An army spokesman described the event as a "violent, illegal riot," noting that "riot dispersal means" were used against the group.
South of Bethlehem in the village of Al-Ma'sara, protesters gathered on the road to the illegal Israeli settlement of Efrata, demanding an end to the continued construction of settlements in the West Bank, and condemning the arrests of West Bank protest organizers Johnathan Pollock and Abdullah Abu Gheith.
Pollock was sentenced to three months in prison for protesting against Israel's war on Gaza in the winter of 2009, but supporters say the charge was used to deter him from his role as organizer and spokesman for the PSCC.
Abu Gheith, who organized protests in Silwan, was exiled from Jerusalem by an Israeli court order.
During the protest one Israeli peace activist was detained. The military spokesman said the man had violated a closed military zone.
In Bil'in, a group of approximately 60 protesters gathered and marched toward Israel's separation wall, which cuts off a large swath of village land. Appeals to Israel's high court have resulted in orders for the re-routing of the wall, but no changes have been made and villagers continue to protest.
Witnesses said camera crews from Israel's Channel 2 Television were on the scene, and that tear-gas usage was relatively light until the crews left.
Three weeks earlier, a Bil'in resident watching the protest was hospitalized after Israeli fores fired tear-gas canisters toward the outskirts of the village. She was pronounced dead the following day. An Israeli military investigation reportedly found that the death was the result of medical mistakes in a Ramallah hospital. Medics there deny the claim, and PA officials say doctors found the accusation absurd.
Witnesses with the PSCC said soldiers sprayed protesters with skunk water and deployed tear-gas canisters.
Bil'in protesters also called for an end to the detention of Pollock, and for an end to the continued harassment of protest organizers.
A statement by the group following the protest called Pollock's detention a "clear strategy by Israel to silence those speaking out against the occupation."
Witnesses said the military used sound bombs and rubber bullets as well.
When soldiers tried to cross the separation barrier into the village, demonstrators attempted to stop their advance using stones, but were pushed back by the use of the gas, protesters said.
The Israeli military confirmed the use of "riot dispersal means" on the group.
In Ni'lin, the army said 40 activists gathered for a protest against the path of the separation wall, which as in Bil'in, cuts off villagers from their ancestral lands. The military also reported using "riot dispersal means" there. No injuries were reported.
