A profile of Israeli Violations in Jerusalem during the month of October 2007

INTRODUCTION  
Israeli occupation authorities continued to commit more war crimes against the occupied Palestinian territories and against the Palestinian civilians in the Jerusalem Governorate, which are considered serious and gross violations of human rights, incompatible with the provisions of international law, rules of international humanitarian law, and the International Bill of Human Rights. In this report a summary of these violations during the month of October 2007 will be given. The following are highlights of these violations:

 

FIRST: LAND CONFISCATION, LAND BULLDOZING, SETTLEMENT EXPANSION, AND CONTINUOUS BUILDING OF THE APARTHEID WALL IN OCCUPIED JERUSALEM

 

The occupation authorities continued to confiscate and seize Palestinian land and property, to demolish Palestinian homes in Jerusalem contrary to international law and international humanitarian law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949. The seizure of Palestinian property constitutes a violation of article 52 of the Hague Regulations of 1907. The construction of the Segregation wall causing massive destruction of Palestinian property, is a blatant violation of article 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 on the protection of civilians under occupation.

• Land Confiscation

Road No. 80 eats more lands in the east of Jerusalem

 

On 24 September 2007 the Israeli military commander of the West Bank signed a land expropriation order number 19/07  targeting Palestinian land to the east of Jerusalem, in the West Bank. The immediate aim of these expropriations is to begin the construction of a road, for Palestinian use, linking the southern, eastern and northern areas of the West Bank at the expense of Palestinian property rights and territorial contiguity.

(Map 1: alternative road plan number 80)

 

According to the map attached to the military expropriation order, the new road which carries the number of 80 will circumvent  the Israeli settlement of Maâ��ale Adumim and other adjacent settlements, and run near the southern and eastern edge of the planned route of the Annexation Wall surrounding these settlements. The recent confiscations cannot therefore be viewed in isolation, but must be seen as forming an integral part of both the Wallâ��s associated infrastructure and Israelâ��s territorial ambitions around occupied East Jerusalem. Once constructed, the wall around the â��Adumim blocâ�� will enclose some 61 square kilometers of the occupied West Bank, and jut across some 45% of the width of the West Bank at its narrowest point. Under a longstanding Israeli development plan, the land  between Maâ��ale Adumim and occupied East Jerusalem, an area referred to by the Israeli authorities as â��E-1,â�� will be used for the construction of some 3,500 Israeli housing units, driving a contiguous wedge of illegal settlements and their associated infrastructure through the centre of the West Bank. The primary road arteries used by Palestinians to access East Jerusalem and to travel between the north, south and east of the West Bank currently run in close proximity to the â��E-1â�³ area. The recent confiscation of land and planned road represent a clear intention to limit and prevent Palestinian access to this area, further consolidating Israelâ��s control over East Jerusalemâ��s immediate surroundings and fracturing the West Bank.

 

These intended developments and the settlements already present stand in clear violation of international humanitarian law. Article 49(6) of the Fourth Geneva Convention states that an occupying power 'shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies.'

 

Road No. 21: a new colonial route through Beit Hanina

Israeli municipality of Jerusalem continued construction works of a colonial road to link the colonies of Neve Yacoub with Bisqat Ze'ev. It starts at Neve' Ya'kouv – Beit Hanina intersection (road No.1) and heads west to cross the old Jerusalem-Ramallah road before it continues in the west direction towards Bisqat Ze'ev. To make room for the construction of this road a number of buildings were demolished in Beit Hanina.

 

 

(Photo 1: colonial road number 21 cutting through Beit Hanina residential area)

 

Segregation Wall

 

New gates installed:

• Shu'fat: Israeli occupation army is 'redecorating' Ras Khamis barrier in front of JDECO (Jerusalem District Electricity Company) generators so as to resemble international crossing points, and this whole process will cause full isolation of this area.

 

(Photo 2: The Shu'fat checkpoint , an obstacle in the face of Palestinians)

 

• Beit Hanina: although they live inside Israeli municipality boundaries and hold Israeli IDs, apartheid wall separated school children who live in Tel Addas location from their school, and, therefore, their right of having free education is lost.

 

SECOND: CLOSURE, SIEGE, AND SYSTEMATIC POLICY OF ETHNIC CLEANSING AND RACIAL DISCRIMINATION AGAINST JERUSALEMITES

Occupation authorities maintained the policy of closures and siege in Jerusalem and the surrounding areas, violating the right of Palestinians of movement and residence, and is pursuing a policy of ethnic cleansing and racial discrimination in all aspects of life, contrary to Article 13 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 12 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Barriers and blockade

 

Monday, 1 October 2007: Tens of Jewish extremists arranged crowded and provocative parades. Marchers took off from Jerusalem's west side and headed to the Old City, and particularly to the Al-Aqsa Mosque's Western Wall 'Alburaq'. Once arrived,they started performing a holiday rituals called 'Brolly', accompanied by police forces. Israelis occupation army intensified deployment at Jerusalem's entrances, blocked all roads and passageways that links the city to its environs. Eyewitnesses told us that Jewish settlers attacked Arab stores in the Old City, insulted owners, threw water bottles, and exclaimed offensive plaudits.

 

Tuesday, 16 October 2007: Israeli occupation authorities imposed strict procedures at barriers located at Jerusalem's entrances, negating Israeli alleged facilitations. In this context, all the barriers and road blockades, which Israelis moved away at the beginning of Ramadan, were reinstalled, along with flying checkpoints at roads between Palestinian towns.

 

Wednesday, 17 October 2007:  Israeli occupation forces closed subsidiary road that links Al-Sawahreh ash Sharqiyeh to Bethlehem, under the pretext that Palestinian workers who come all the way from Bethlehem and Hebron use it to enter Jerusalem.

 

Shu'fat Israeli gates�..the fatal repress tools

 

In a field visit to Shu'fat refugee camp, Marwan Fuad Salameh's family gave the following affidavit, 'it was 5:45 a.m., the whole family was sleeping, when a child (aged 2.5 years) woke up and started playing with his father's lighter, in consequence, a sofa in the living room was sat in flames. A neighbor noticed columns of smoke coming out of the windows and brick ceiling and called fire department at once. However, Israeli soldiers at Shu'fat checkpoint forced fire squad to backtrack, and all attempts to convince soldiers that squad is on way to a burning house failed'.

 

The father managed to evacuate his 6-member-family (including 4 children, the biggest is 4 and the youngest is just 20 days) unlike Omar Malhee's fate who died on 12/5/2007 at that unfortunate checkpoint, which knew a couple of incidents on 3/6/2007 and 29/7/2007 respectively. In addition, two pregnant Palestinian ladies who were prevented from entering Jerusalem to give birth at hospital, gave birth at this checkpoint and their babies survived.

 

Medical nigligance: Israeli soldiers prevented Mr. Issa Muhammad Abu Romee (aged 75) from making his way to Augusta Victoria Hospital in Jerusalem. LRC field worker has learned that Abu Romee was trying uselessly to get permission, with no consideration of his age or deteriorated health.

 

His son, Munkez, confirmed that his father has medical reports proving that he suffered 80% cirrhosis, plus troubled heart and nerves'.

 

Discriminatory fines and taxes: Israelis Central Court had issued a ruling that forced Mr. Ayyeid Kastero to pay 117,000 NIS to the settlers' foundation 'Ateirit Leshonah', under the pretext of closing a door beneath Kastero's house basis that the settlers' foundation had opened. The foundation has also dug a door in June for a celebration hall under Kastero's house in the Old City neighborhood of Qarmi. Kastero used the mentioned hall as storehouse since 1965, and it is leased from the Jerusalemite's Nussaibeh family. Kastero said he was surprised with the court's decision, as the same judge has issued an order 4 months ago to shut down that door for endangering Kastero family's safety.

 

Kastero said that setters' groups sued him several times; one of them was because his house obscured vision of the Dome of the Rock. Settlers are asking him now for 250,000 NIS recovering for the duration the door remained unopened, in addition to another lawsuit demanding him to pay a 600,000 NIS Arnona tax ( property tax) for his sealed storehouse. Judicial dispute between Kastero and settlers' group started in 1987, when he was sued for overtaking storehouse by force.

 

Attacking Palestinian minors under arrest at detention centers

 

Israeli courthouses were scenes of repeated assaults committed by court guards against detainees and their parents; this sometimes took place in front of judges who did not even blink. If a Palestinian complains, he is to be faced with direct or indirect threatening, and to be sued with attacking guards or police personnel while on duty, which forces victims to withdraw complaints. In a field visit, one father stated that 'Boys gathered to protest Israelis attacks against Palestinian children at Shu'fat checkpoint, They used fireworks, which surprised soldiers and made them flee, but Israeli intelligence irrupted houses on 18/9/2007 and arrested many children and young men, one of them is my son Dia'a (aged 18). The next day Dia'a was taken to the court, when his young brother Ehab (14) tried to shake hands with him, guards jumped on and kicked him with feet and fists, this scene provoked Dia'a who tried to defend his brother, resulting beating party to include him as well. Their mother Ola (40) protected her own sons, and attackers turned to her, the whole thing ended with arresting the family. The father added, 'It was 4:00 p.m. but my wife and sons did not show up, so I decided to go and look for them, but my son gave me a call, and told me to head to court in order to bail his mother and brothers out. My son Ehab remained in custody for another 4 days, while Dia'a received 10 days. They suffered pains all over their bodies, but the beating left no traumas, and it seemed that Israelis intended not to be caught with any evidence'.

 

Israeli border guard personnel attacked women and children with batons in Tal Adas quarter of Beit Hanina on 18/9/2007:

 

An Israeli force broke into Umm Farid Al-Malhee's house in Silwan, Nada the mother said, 'I did not care about any of house's belongings, which soldiers scattered and smashed, but I did care about my young girls (aged 2-10), who were terrified by the police dog they brought, and what made me really angry is searching my girls with no clothes on' (ALQUDS Newspaper, 5/10/2007).

 

THIRD: ATTACKS ON RELIGIOUS SHRINES AND VIOLATIONS OF FREEDOM OF WORSHIP AND THE EXERCISE OF RELIGIOUS RITES

The Israeli occupation authorities continue to carry out excavations in the Old City of Jerusalem, under Al-Aqsa Mosque, and near a building adjacent to Al-Aqsa Wall in violation of the sanctities of religious sites; and maintains closures that violate Palestinians� freedom of worship and access to the holy places, which constitute a serious violation of their religious freedoms guaranteed under all international laws and conventions, especially the International Bill of Human Rights, article (53) of the Geneva Protocol I of 1977, and article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In this respect LRC's monitoring unit reports the following violations:

 

Wednesday, 3 October 2007: Israeli occupation forces destroyed a wall adjacent to 'Suleiman's Fountain' outside Hebron gate in the Old City, which forms a chain of a long series meant to eliminate Islamic ancient sites. LRC's monitoring unit learned that the demolished wall was built in the Hijri year of 937, with Arabic words engraved on it, and it was used to supply travelers from Hebron and Bethlehem with water. Sheikh Muhammad Hussein, Mufti of Jerusalem, condemned such actions, and added that placing non-Islamic stones by the Israelis came in the context of a frantic campaign to Judaize Jerusalem, and to get rid of its Islamic ruins and history. Sheikh Hussein also said that demolition is an Israeli policy that targets any historical and ancient evidence that asserts Jerusalem's Arab identity.

 

Friday, 5 October 2007: scattered groups of extremist Jews invaded Al-Aqsa mosque, roamed its yards carrying maps for alleged temple, and performed Jewish rituals. Eyewitnesses told our center that this invasion was followed by police forces storming in order to protect those groups, Al-Aqsa mosque was overwhelmed by worshippers' tension and rage for the blatancy of settlers and police personnel. LRC knew that those groups broke into the mosque in the early morning through the Magharbeh ( Moroccan) Gate, which Israelis seized its key since 1967 occupation.

 

Friday, 6 October 2007: it as Ramadan's fourth Friday, and Israeli police imposed tightened procedures on worshippers' access to Jerusalem. 3,000 policemen were deployed all around the city since morning, and men under 45 were driven back.

drive back'.

 

Monday, 16 October 2007: Israeli tourism and antiquities authority issued an order that allows the resumption of excavations at the Magharbeh ( Moroccan) Gate area. This order coincides with preparations of peace summit in the United States at the end of this month and confirms Israeli occupation pursuing to foil peace efforts.

 

Commenting on this development Sheikh Tayseer Tamimi, Chief Justice and Head of the Supreme Judicial Shari�a Council, stated that 'Israel persists on encumbering peace process, as ongoing excavations revealed that obviously. Likewise, Israelis kept provoking Palestinians by all means possible, denying their acquired rights in Jerusalem, and fulfilling their plans of building the alleged Temple'. Tamimi added that Israeli occupation authorities interfered in every single detail of sacred places affairs, in addition to excavations at Al-Magharbeh Gate which undermines Al-Aqsa Mosque structure, and caused cracks in its walls. Tamimi said he handed a note to Condoleezza Rice, US Secretary of State, while she was on her peace tours, asking her to bring Israeli provocations and violations in Jerusalem to an end.

 

FOURTH: DEMOLITION AND SEIZURE OF HOUSES, DENIAL OF BUILDING PERMITS, AND RIGHT TO HOUSING VIOLATIONS

 

Destruction of property and demolition of Palestinian homes in occupied Jerusalem by the occupation authorities is contrary to international humanitarian law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, and incompatible with article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The following violations were reported

 

The right to housing violations

Israeli municipality of Jerusalem never stopped going after Palestinian buildings, for penalties of demolition and fines are ready to be implemented, even on registered and licensed buildings. From the Israeli view, exceeding permit limits or adding a storey will make an entire building illegal, and they are to be fined accordingly. The municipality has escalated its procedures, and imposed penalties on any alleged encroachment, whether by totaling buildings or forcing possessors to do so with their own hands. There are many demolition occasions in which buildings were damaged, especially when eliminating unlicensed storey, and this is mostly done by bulldozers, not manually. The municipality often took over parts of buildings for issuing a license, which was rejected by court as Waleed Abu Tayyeh case in Beit Hanina (June 2007), and there are many instances of destroying buildings partly or completely. The last ones were the demolition of a fifth storey of Skafi's building in Beit Hanina, and the third storey of Shuweiki's building in Qadaron valley, Silwan.

 

On 30/11/2005, the municipality destroyed a 4-storey-building in Beit Hanina owned by sons of Muhammad Abdul-Muhsen Hasan, in which their families dwelled, along with several buildings on Mount of Olives owned by Herheshes, Sayyads, and other families. When it comes to Arab buildings, persistence to demolish is clearly seen, the target now is Majed Abu Eisheh's licensed building near Dajani hospital in Beit Hanina, which is the domicile of 8 families, 6 of them had already purchased apartments there, together with Abu Sneineh residence south of Mount of Olives.

 

(Photo 3: Majed Abu Eisheh's threatened residential building in Beit Hanina)

 

Demolition & Dredging

 

– Anata and Shu'fat

Israeli occupation forces went on with digging and dredging Wall work south east of Anata, south west of Assalam suburb, down Shu'fat-Bethany road, and finally ends at a wall gate near former JDECO's warehouse.

 

The wall isolates thousands of houses; most of their residents hold Israeli IDs and their lives depend entirely on Jerusalem. A children garden faces leveling threat, and it is part of 'Sawa Rbenah' kindergarten's premises in Ras Shehadeh quarter-Shu'fat, which serves 130 children.

 

(Photo 4: The Wall route approaching a children kindergarten,
on the right hand side, in Ras Shehadeh quarter of Shu'fat )

 

 

FIFTH: INCURSIONS, RAIDS, AND ARREST CAMPAIFNS AGAINST TOWNS, NEIGHBORHOODS AND HOMES AROUND JERUSALEM

 

Occupation authorities continue to raid towns and neighborhoods of Jerusalem, incursions and raids on homes, arrest campaigns against citizens, in contravention of international humanitarian law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention, and the principles of the International Bill of Human Rights, and contrary to Article 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

 

Raids, arrests, torture, and Kangaroo trials

Monday, 22 October 2007: Israeli occupation troops broke into Bethany and arrested two Palestinians brothers: Ehab Aslan and Luwai Aslan Far'oon. Mr. Aslan, detainees' father, said to LRC field worker: 'Israeli soldiers stormed the family's house lately at night and moved all the family members to the street. Then, they conducted inspection all over the house, and did not let Ehab to use the bathroom unless he is accompanied by a soldier, then the two detained young men were taken by a military vehicle to unknown destination. Ehab was wounded by a bullet in his stomach 3 years ago, and this injury made him unable to work, as well as to participate in any political or national activity'.

: Israeli occupation troops broke into Bethany and arrested two Palestinians brothers: Ehab Aslan and Luwai Aslan Far'oon. Mr. Aslan, detainees' father, said to LRC field worker:

 

Tuesday, 23 October 2007: Israeli troops invaded the town of Abu Dis, and assaulted Palestinians abruptly under the pretext of throwing stones at soldiers. Troops closed Abu Dis's eastern entrance, and arrested two Palestinians: Muhammad Hamed Muhsen (aged 60) and Haitham Oraykat. Both were moved to detention center at the settlement of Maale Adumim.

 

SIXTH: ASSAULT ON THE RIGHT TO LIFE AND PHYSICAL INTEGRITY

Israeli occupation authorities attacks on the right to life, and physical integrity did not stop or slow down recently, and torture and assault on people under occupation routinely continue; contrary to article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states that �Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.' Contrary to this, the following violations were reported:

 

Tuesday, 30 October 2007: Two explosive devices blown up near a petrol station in Nablus Street with no injuries reported. Israeli police and border guard secured the area and detained number of Palestinians. Suspicion rose about the responsibility of extremist Jewish group, and there was fear that Arab bystanders and school children are targeted by such actions. Shereen Abbasi said in an interview with LRC filed worker: 'The sound of a strong blast rocked Jerusalem in the afternoon, while hundreds of Arabs were on their way to home, afterward, huge Israeli forces rushed, imposed a blockade, and did not let anyone to pass till investigation ended, which turned out to be just an unintentional accident'.

• The penalty of house arrest rises again

Wednesday, 18 October 2007: Israeli police imposed house arrest on Luwai Mosa Hdeib (aged 17), resident of Al-wad street (the Old City), for 15 days in his aunts' house in Beit Hanina. Hdeib was banned from getting into the old city till his court is set, and LRC has learned that the Israeli police arrested him at Eid Al-Futr feast's eve ( feast of the breaking of fasting at the end of Ramadan) in Al-Aqsa mosque, and charged with holding Palestinian flags and a portrait for the late president Yaser Arafat, as well as participating in Ramadan festivals. Talking to LRC field worker, Mr. Mosa Hdeib, Luwai's father stated the following: 'His son was viciously beaten for two days at Maskobia detention center ( Russian Compound Prison in west Jerusalem) and then he was banned from reaching his own house, and fined with 5,000 NIS'. Hdeib faced a similar procedure earlier, by which he was detained in house for two months'.

 

 

Prepared by
The Land Research Center – Jerusalem
LRC

 

 

: Israeli occupation troops broke into Bethany and arrested two Palestinians brothers: Ehab Aslan and Luwai Aslan Far'oon. Mr. Aslan, detainees' father, said to LRC field worker:

 

: Israeli occupation troops broke into Bethany and arrested two Palestinians brothers: Ehab Aslan and Luwai Aslan Far'oon. Mr. Aslan, detainees' father, said to LRC field worker: