Israeli forces have continued with systematic attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) for the reporting period of 18- 24 June 2015.Israeli attacks in the West Bank & Gaza:
Shootings
Israeli forces continued to use force against Palestinian civilians participating in peaceful protests in the oPt and against civilians approaching the border fence along the Gaza Strip. They also continued to chase and open fire at fishermen sailing within the allowed area in the Gaza Strip sea. In addition, Israeli forces launched an air strike in the northern Gaza Strip, but no casualties were reported. During the reporting period, Israeli forces wounded 9 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, in the West Bank, while a child was wounded as settlers fired at him in al-Bireh.
In the West Bank, on 18 June 2015, 2 civilians were wounded in Nablus when Israeli forces moved into the eastern area to protect dozens of settlers, who went to Joseph Tomb to perform Talmudic rituals.
On 20 June 2015, a settler from ‘Psagot’ settlement, east of al-Bireh, opened fire at 15-year-old child from al-Tawil Mount area near the aforementioned settlement. As a result, the child sustained 2 bullet wounds to the right leg.
Israeli forces continued to use excessive and systematic force against peaceful protests organized by Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights activists in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli policies in the oPt. As a result, 3 civilians were wounded in Kufor Qaddoum protest, northeast of Qalqilya. Moreover, Israeli officers maltreated a Palestinian civilian suffering from epilepsy, from al-Jalazonerefugee camp north of Ramallah.
In occupied East Jerusalem, on 21 June 2015, a Palestinian youngster from Sa’ir village, east of Hebron, sustained 6 bullet wounds as he was fired at by an Israeli border guard officer from a close range, after the youngster had stabbed another Israeli soldier in Bab al-Amoud area in Jerusalem.
In the Gaza Strip, 3 civilians, including 2 children, were wounded; wounds of one of whom were serious. On 19 June 2015, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence opened fire at 3 civilians, who were 200 meters to the east of al-Fokhari area, southeast of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip.
On 22 June 2015, 2 children were wounded in the east of Khauza’a village, south of the Gaza Strip, when Israeli forces stationed along the border fence opened fire at 4 children, who were present 30 meters away from the said fence. As a result, 2 children were wounded; one of whom sustained serious wounds.
Furthermore, on 23 June 2015, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands, east of Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis in the south of the Gaza Strip, but no casualties were reported.
In the context of targeting fishermen, on 23 June 2015, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia in the north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire sporadically around Palestinian fishing boats. As a result, fishermen were frightened and sailed back to the shore, but no casualties were reported.
On 24 June 2015, an Israeli drone fired a missile at an agricultural land belonging to Hamdan family, east of Beit Hanoun in the north of the Gaza Strip, but neither casualties were reported.
Incursions
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 40 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 5 ones in East Jerusalem. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 37 Palestinians, including 11 children and 6 women. Twenty of these Palestinians, including the 11 children and 5 women, were arrested in East Jerusalem.
Restrictions on movement
Israel continued to impose a tight closure of the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
The illegal closure of the Gaza Strip, which has been steadily tightened since June 2007 has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli authorities impose measures to undermine the freedom of trade, including the basic needs for the Gaza Strip population and the agricultural and industrial products to be exported. For 8 consecutive years, Israel has tightened the land and naval closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and other countries around the world. This resulted in grave violations of the economic, social and cultural rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.8 million people. The Israeli authorities have established Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order to exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy. They also aim at imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip’s exports. The Israeli closure raised the rate of poverty to 38.8%, 21.1% of which suffer from extreme poverty. Moreover, the rate of unemployment increased up to 44%, which reflects the unprecedented economic deterioration in the Gaza Strip.
Settlement Activities
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the oPt, a direct violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
On 19 June 2015, a group of settlers from ‘Beit El’ settlement threw stones at Palestinian vehicles passing on Ramallah-Nablus road adjacent to the aforementioned settlement. As a result, the glass of a vehicle was smashed.
On 21 June 2015, a group of settlers from ‘Tafouh’ settlement between Jama’in and Yasouf settlement, south of Nablus, cut off 70 olive trees with using chainsaws.
On 22 June 2015, Israeli forces confiscated and damaged grocery stalls that were established by Beit Ommar residents, north of Hebron, to sell their products.
Use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations protesting settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall:
During the reporting period, Israeli soldiers used excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians, international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, 3 civilians were wounded in Kufor Qaddoum protest, northeast of Qalqilya.
(PCHR keeps the names of the wounded in fear of being arrested by the Israeli forces within its policy to oppress the peaceful protests and prevent Palestinian civilians from participating).
Demonstrations against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activity
Following the Friday prayer, on 19 June 2015, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil’in, west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The protestors marched by the annexation wall and tried to cross the fence. Israeli soldiers stationed behind the wall, in the western area, and a large number of soldiers deployed along it, fired live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and wastewater at them and chased them into the olive fields. As a result, a number of protestors suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beat up.
Also following the Friday prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians organised a peaceful demonstration in the centre of Ni’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstrators took the streets and headed to the annexation wall. Israeli forces closed the gates of the wall with barbwires and prevented the demonstrators from crossing to the land behind it before they responded by throwing stones. Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the civilians, and chased them into the village. As a result, a number of protestors suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beat up by Israeli soldiers.
Also following the Friday prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in the center of al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to start the weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. They made their way towards Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby ‘Halmish’ settlement are trying to seize. Israeli soldiers closed all the village’s entrances to prevent the Palestinian and international solidarity activists and journalists from participating in the protest. As a result, a number of protestors suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they beat up by Israeli soldiers.
Also following the Friday prayer, there was the weekly protest against the closure of the eastern entrance of Kufor Qaddoum village, which was closed by Israeli forces since the Intifada. Once the protestors approached the closed entrance, Israeli forces fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs. They also sprayed skunk water over the protestors. As a result, 3 civilians were wounded. An 18-year-old civilian sustained 2 bullet wounds to the right leg, a 23-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the right thigh and a 30-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the right leg.
Continued closure of the oPt:
Israel continued to impose a tight closure on the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
Israeli forces continuously tighten the closure of the Gaza Strip and close all commercial crossings, making the Karm Abu Salem crossing the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip, although it is not suitable for commercial purposes in terms of its operational capacity and distance from markets.
Israeli forces have continued to apply the policy, which is aimed to tighten the closure on all commercial crossings, by imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.
Israeli forces have continued to impose a total ban on the delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Strip, except for very limited items and quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population of the Gaza Strip.
Israeli forces also continued to impose an almost total ban on the Gaza Strip exports, including agricultural and industrial products, except for light-weighted products such as flowers, strawberries, and spices. However, they lately allowed the exportation of some vegetables such as cucumber and tomatoes, furniture and fish.
Israel has continued to close the Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing for the majority of Palestinian citizens from the Gaza Strip. Israel only allows the movement of a limited number of groups, with many hours of waiting in the majority of cases. Israel has continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via the Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel also continued applying the policy of making certain civilian traveling via the crossing interviewed by the Israeli intelligence service to be questioned, blackmailed or arrested.
West Bank
Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, Israeli forces imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians:
· Hebron: Israeli forces established 10 checkpoints all over the city. On Thursday, 18 June 2015, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the entrance of Beit Kahel village, northwest of Hebron, and at the entrance of al-Deir Samit village, west of Dura, southwest of Hebron.
On Saturday, 20 June 2015, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the entrance of Beit ‘Awa village, south of Dura, southwest of the city, and at the entrance of Rabud village, southeast of Dura.
On Sunday, 21 June 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron.
On Monday, 22 June 2015, Israeli forces established two checkpoints at the northern entrance of Yata, south of the city and at the entrance of Beit Kahel village, west of Hebron.
On Tuesday, 23 June 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Samou’a village, south of Hebron.
On Wednesday, 24 June 2015, Israeli forces established two checkpoints at the southern entrance of Hebron and the entrance of Bani Na’im village, east of the city.
· Ramallah: Israeli forces established 12 checkpoints all over the city. On Thursday, 18 June 2015, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints under the bridge of Yabrud village, northeast of the city; at the entrance of Deir Qeddis village, northwest of the city; and on al-Mo’arajat road between Jericho and Ramallah.
On Friday, 19 June 2015, Israeli forces established 8 checkpoints at the northern entrance of Birzeir, at the eastern entrance of al-Nabi Saleh village; the entrance of Ni’lin village; at the intersection of Beit ‘Oar al-Foqa; Deir Abzigh village; on the road between the villages of Kafr Ne’amah and Ras Karkar; on the road between the villages of Deir Abzigh and Ras Karkar and at the entrance of ‘Aboud village.
On Saturday, 20 June 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint under the bridge of Yabrud village, northeast of the city.
· Qalqilya: Israeli forces established 5 checkpoints all over the city. On Friday, 19 June 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Kafr Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya.
On Saturday, 20 June 2015, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the entrance of Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya; on the road between ‘Azoun and Jayous villages, east of the city and at the entrance of Kafr Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya.
On Tuesday, 22 June 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Kafr Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya.
· Jericho: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Friday, 19 June 2015, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the entrance of Fasayel village, north of the city, and at the southern entrance of Jericho.
On Sunday, 14 June 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho.
Note: all the aforementioned checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.
Arrests and Maltreatment at Military Checkpoints:
At approximately 15:30 on Thursday, 18 June 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Kafr Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya. They arrested 3 civilians from Baqet al-Hatab village while passing via the checkpoint and took them to an unknown destination. The arrested civilians were identified as Jom’ah Merwan Farid Barghouth (26); Mohammed Wasfi Rashid Barghuth (25); and Suhaib Nael Zaki Barghutth (22).
On the same day afternoon, Israeli forces stationed at al-Taibah crossing between Tulkarm and Israel arrested Ahmed Basem Jamil Soliman (26), from Bal’ah village, north of the city and took him to an unknown destination. The aforementioned civilian was arrested when he was on his way back from his work in Israel to his home in Bal’ah village.
At approximately 23:30, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Qalqilya. They arrested Bashar Mohammed Amin ‘Abdel Rahim Dawoud (25), from Qalqilya. They later removed the checkpoint and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 20:00 on Saturday, 20 June 2015, Israeli forces stationed at the western entrance of Tal al-Ramidah neighborhood in the center of Hebron arrested Fadi Nader al-Natshah (15) and Mahmoud Sa’id al-Rajabi (18) and took them to an unknown destination.
At approximately 22:30 on the same day, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Ein Ayoub area, west of Ras Karkar village, northwest of Ramallah. When Fayez Hussein Sabri Anjas (25). from Kherbtha Bani Hareth village was passing via the checkpoint, the Israeli soldiers arrested him. He was released on the following day.
On Monday afternoon, 22 June 2015, Israeli forces arrested Saddam Shehadah Salim Dar Khalil (25), from al-Jalazonerefugee camp, north of Ramallah, when he was near Qalendia checkpoint, north of occupied Jerusalem.
At approximately 15:00 on Tuesday, 23 June 2015, Israeli forces stationed at al-Container checkpoint, northeast of Bethlehem, arrested Hatem Ibrahim ‘Abdel Majeed Shadid (24), from Kharsa village, south of Dura, southwest of Hebron, and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 18:00 on Wednesday, 25 June 2015, Israeli forces arrested two Palestinian civilians from Bethlehem and took them to an unknown destination as they were heading to occupied East Jerusalem to perform Tarawih prayers in al-Aqsa Mosque. The two arrested civilians were identified as ‘Ali Mohammed Hammad (22) and ‘Omer Ibrahim al-Badawnah (18).
Efforts to create a Jewish majority:
Shooting incidents
On Sunday, 21 June 2015, an Israeli border guard officer opened fire at Yasser Yasin Tarwah (18), from Sa’ir village east of Hebron, after the latter stabbed an Israeli soldier in Bab al-Amoud area in East Jerusalem. As a result, Tarwah sustained 6 bullet wounds from a close range, due to which he was taken to Hadasa Hospital in West Jerusalem to receive the necessary medical treatment.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR and the statement of an eyewitness, at approximately 11:10 on the abovementioned day, Yasser Tarwah stabbed an Israeli border guard officer with a sharp tool in the head and neck while another officer was in company with the attacked officer in Bab al-Amoud area near al-Mesrara intersection. The other officer immediately opened fire at Tarwah, due to which he sustained 6 bullet wounds, 3 of which were in the chest, one in the side, one in the left thigh and one in the right leg. Israeli forces surrounded the scene and fired tear gas canisters to get those who tried to rescue Tarwah away. Israeli soldiers prevented them from approaching the scene while Tarwa continued to bleed on the ground until an ambulance arrived and transported him to Hadasa Ein Karem Hospital. His health condition was serious. According to a medical source in the Hospital, Tarwah underwent several operations that took hours and his health condition ranged between serious and unstable.
Incursions & house raids
At approximately 03:00 on Sunday, 21 June 2015, Israeli forces moved into al-Eisawiya village, north of East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested 2 civilians: Adham Mahmoud Moheisen (21) and Atta Ebeid (21).
At approximately 21:00, on the same day, Israeli forces moved into Silwan village, south of the old city in East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested 2 civilians, including a child: Mohammed Eyad Abdul Razeq (15) and Tawfiq Ahmed Shweiki (19).
At approximately 22:00, on the same day, Israeli forces moved into al-Mukaber Mount area, southeast of East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses using sniffer dogs. Of the raided houses were the house of Ashraf Ewisat and the house of Sa’id Abu Jamal. Ashraf Eweisat said to a PCHR fieldworker that Israeli forces suddenly raided his house. They took him and his family outdoors and started searching the house thoroughly. He added that it took them about an hour to search the house, pointing that Israeli forces told him that they were allegedly searching for weapons and fireworks, but Eweisat completely denied it.
At approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Eisawiya village, north of East Jerusalem, for the second time in hours. They raided and searched the house of Wa’el Nathir Mahmoud (38). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 10:00, on Monday, 22 June 2015, Israeli forces arrested 5 Palestinian women while being al-Aqsa mosque yards. The women were crying ‘Allah Akbar’ when a number of settlers stormed al-Aqsa mosque. The 5 women were taken to ‘Beit Elyahou’ police station to be questioned. The arrested women were identified as: Sana’ al-Rajabi, Samah Ghazawi, Amani al-Taweel, Nojood Abu Snaina and Fatina Hussein.
At approximately 22:00 on the same day, Israeli forces moved into al-Sowana neighbourhood in East Jerusalem. They stationed at the neighbourhood’s intersection and erected a military checkpoint. Dozens of Palestinian youngsters gathered and threw stones and fireworks at Israeli soldiers, who fired tear gas canisters in response and chased them. In the meantime, Israeli forces arrested 3 children and took them to an unknown destination: Mohammed Nader Shaheen (15), Mohammed Ra’ouf al-Moghrabi (17) and Mousa Mohammed Abu al-Hawa (16).
At approximately 11:00 on Tuesday, 23 June 2015, undercover units arrested 7 Palestinian children when they got out of Shouman Mosque in Beit Hanina neighbourhood, north of East Jerusalem. They attacked them with gun butts and took them to an interrogation facility. The children were identified as: Mohammed Fo’ad Jaber (13), Morad Aziz Alqam (14), Nour al-Din Omer Abu Hadwan (15), Omer Khaled al-Taweel (14), Omer Yasin (14), Mohammed Tayeh (15) and Saleh Ishtaiya (15).
Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property:
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the oPt, a direct violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
At approximately 09:00 on Monday, 22 June 2015, Israeli forces accompanied by a Civil Administration vehicle moved into al-Jowaya area, east of Yatta, south of Hebron. They deployed between the houses and handed Amir Mohammed Hammad al-Shamesti (40) a notice to halt construction works in his one-storey house under the pretext of non-licensing.
At approximately 11:00 on the same day, Israeli forces accompanied by a Civil Administration vehicle moved into Kherbet al-Mafqara, southeast of Yatta, south of Hebron. They deployed between the houses and handed notices to halt construction works in 2 residential tents under the pretext of non-licensing. The notices included:
1. A 50-square-meter residential tent belonging to Qasem Mohammed Hamamra; and
2. A 50-sqaure-meter residential tent belonging to Yasser Salem al-‘Adra.
At approximately 15:00 on the same day, Israeli forces accompanied by 2 Civil Administration vehicles confiscated and damaged grocery and fruit stalls established by residents of Beit Ommar village, north of Hebron along bypass road (60) to sell their products. They damaged 10 stalls, due to which Palestinians using these stalls to sell their products sustained financial losses.
Ayman Sabarna (22), an owner of a stall, said to a PCHR fieldworker that:
‘Every year in the beginning of summer, we establish stalls on the sides of bypass road (60) adjacent to Beit Ommar village to sell fruits including plums, peaches and other fruits we grow. We usually get vegetables and fruits from traders to meet the needs of customers. In the beginning of this summer, specifically, on Monday and Tuesday, 15 and 16 June 2015, Israeli forces accompanied by a GMC vehicle and two Toyota vehicles came to the place where stalls were established. Israeli soldiers deployed in the place, while the Civil Administration officers and ‘Etzion’ Municipality officers damaged some fruits and confiscated others to the vehicles. This included dozens of stalls owned by a number of residents in the village. On the next day, a bulldozer was brought to the place. It removed and confiscated the stalls. On Monday, 22 June 2015, two military vehicles accompanied by two Toyota vehicles arrived at the place. A number of workers confiscated vegetables and fruits, took them to their vehicles and left. Every time this happens, we sustain a financial loss estimated at NIS 1,000 for each stall, which aggravates the living conditions of some families that depend entirely on this season for living.’
At approximately 08:00 on Tuesday, 23 June 2015, Israeli forces accompanied by Civil Administration vehicles moved into Kherbet Menaizel, east of Yatta, south of Hebron. They deployed between the houses and handed civilians a notice to halt works in an under construction water well that was being dug to collect rainwater to be used as potable water. It should be noted that the well was funded by the USAID.
At approximately 22:00 on Friday, 19 June 2015, a group of settlers from ‘Beit El’ settlement threw stones at Palestinian vehicles on Ramallah-Nablus road near the said settlement. As a result, glass of a vehicle was smashed. This attack occurred under the protection and in presence of Israeli soldiers, who did not intervene.
At approximately 22:30 on Saturday, 20 June 2015, a settler from ‘Psagot’ settlement, east of al-Bireh City, opened fire at Bassam Taher Abdul Men’em Sarsour (15), from al-Taweel Mount area. As a result, he sustained 2 bullet wounds to the right leg. He was taken to Palestine Medical Compound in Ramallah. An eyewitness said to a PCHR fieldworker that 4 settlers were present by the settlement gate near the Palestinian houses. He added that fire was opened at the child from the said place while the boy was 60 meters away from the gate.
On Sunday, 21 June 2015, a group of settlers from ‘Tafouh’ settlement between Jama’in and Yasouf villages, south of Nablus, cut off 70 olive trees with chainsaws. The land in which the olive trees were planted belong to Mahmoud Zaidan Mahmoud Hajj Ali from Jama’in village.
Recommendations to the International Community:
PCHR emphasizes the international community’s position that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are still under Israeli occupation, in spite of Israeli military redeployment outside the Gaza Strip in 2005. PCHR further confirms that Israeli forces continued to impose collective punishment measures on the Gaza Strip, which have escalated since the 2006 Palestinian parliamentary elections, in which Hamas won the majority of seats of the Palestinian Legislative Council. PCHR stresses that there is international recognition of Israel’s obligation to respect international human rights instruments and the international humanitarian law, especially the Hague Regulations concerning the Laws and Customs of War on Land and the Geneva Conventions. Israel is bound to apply the international human rights law and the law of war sometime reciprocally and other times in parallel in a way that achieves the best protection for civilians and remedy for victims.
In light of continued arbitrary measures, land confiscation and settlement activities in the West Bank, and the latest 51-day offensive against civilians in the Gaza Strip, PCHR calls upon the international community, especially the United Nations, the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Convention and the European Union – in the context of their natural obligation to respect and enforce the international law – to cooperate and act according to the following recommendations:
1. PCHR calls upon the international community and the United Nations to use all available means to allow the Palestinian people to enjoy their right to self-determination, through the establishment of the Palestinian State, which was recognized by the UN General Assembly with a vast majority, using all international legal mechanisms, including sanctions to end the occupation of the State of Palestine;
2. PCHR calls upon the United Nations to provide international protection to Palestinians in the oPt, and to ensure the non-recurrence of aggression against the oPt, especially the Gaza Strip;
3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to compel Israel, as a High Contracting Party to the Conventions, to apply the Conventions in the oPt;
4. PCHR calls upon the Parties to international human rights instruments, especially the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to pressurize Israel to comply with their provisions in the oPt, and to compel it to incorporate the human rights situation in the oPt in its reports submitted to the concerned committees;
5. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to fulfil their obligation to ensure the application of the Conventions, including extending the scope of their jurisdiction in order to prosecute suspected war criminals, regardless of the nationality of the perpetrator and the place of a crime, to pave the way for prosecuting suspected Israeli war criminals and end the longstanding impunity they have enjoyed;
6. PCHR calls on States that apply the principle of universal jurisdiction not to surrender to Israeli pressure to limit universal jurisdiction to perpetuate the impunity enjoyed by suspected Israeli war criminals;
7. PCHR calls upon the international community to act in order to stop all Israeli settlement expansion activities in the oPt through imposing sanctions on Israeli settlements and criminalizing trading with them;
8. PCHR calls upon the UN General Assembly to transfer the Goldstone Report to the UN Security Council in order to refer it to the International Criminal Court in accordance with Article 13(b) of the Rome Statute;
9. PCHR calls upon the United Nations to confirm that holding war criminals in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a precondition to achieve stability and peace in the regions, and that peace cannot be built on the expense of human rights;
10. PCHR calls upon the UN General Assembly and Human Rights Council to explicitly declare that the Israeli closure policy in Gaza and the annexation wall in the West Bank are illegal, and accordingly refer the two issues to the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on Israel to compel it to remove them;
11. PCHR calls upon the international community, in light of its failure to the stop the aggression on the Palestinian people, to at least fulfil its obligation to reconstruct the Gaza Strip after the series of hostilities launched by Israel which directly targeted the civilian infrastructure;
12. PCHR calls upon the United Nations and the European Union to express a clear position towards the annexation wall following the international recognition of the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders, as the annexation wall seizes large parts of the State of Palestine;
13. PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that both sides must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel, and the EU must not ignore Israeli violations and crimes against Palestinian civilians;
Full, detailed document, including info on patrols and border crossings available at the official PCHR website.
