Updates

Settler Violence = State Violence

Settlers uproot and break about 190 olive seedlings near Turmusaya – vandalizing grove for second time this year

On Saturday afternoon, 14 May 2022, three masked settlers entered a plot that belongs to Riyad Jbarah (48) and Muhammad Rabi' (45) and lies about five kilometers east of the village of Turmusaya, in Ramallah District. The settlers damaged part of the fence surrounding the plot and uprooted and broke about 190 of the 200 or so olive seedlings there. Rabi' saw the settlers on his security cameras, but as he feared they were armed or escorted by soldiers, he did not go there and was forced to watch from afar as they destroyed his olive grove...

8 June 2022

The Gaza Strip

Israel refusing to allow three ill sisters to leave Gaza for treatment

Suzan (21), Saja (15) and Sama Khatab (10) are three sisters from Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, who have all been diagnosed with conditions that cause irreversible kidney damage. As the healthcare system in Gaza cannot provide the treatment they need, the sisters have to travel to hospitals in the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) to receive it. The family submitted several requests for permits so Saja and Suzan could travel to receive the necessary treatment, but Israel refused to allow their mother to leave the Gaza Strip to go with them, and their condition precludes traveling alone...

31 May 2022

The Supreme Court of the Occupation

Supreme Court rules: Israel above the law

The Supreme Court has ruled Israel can expel some 1,000 Palestinians who live in an area declared a firing zone in the South Hebron Hills. In a judgment filled with lies and errors, the court ignored Israel’s longstanding aim to bring the area under Jewish control, dismissed international law as irrelevant, and ruled the residents had “invaded” the area to “establish facts on the ground” as it is not their real home. In doing so, the justices permitted the state to commit a war crime for which they, too, will bear liability if it is committed.

29 May 2022

Open-Fire Policy

Soldiers unjustifiably shoot “Two-Two” bullets at Palestinian and injure him at Bil’in protest

On Friday, 1 April 2022, at around 1:30 P.M., a procession left the village of Bil'in, west of Ramallah, to mark Land Day, which took place two days earlier. The 150 or so participants, Palestinians and Israeli and international activists, marched about a kilometer and stopped around 100 meters from the Separation Barrier. The protesters waved flags and chanted slogans against the occupation. At least three soldiers were standing on the other side of the barrier, on an elevated, armored military post up against the fence...

29 May 2022

Torture and Abuse

Routine torture: painful binding, isolation from the outside world and deprivation of food, drink, and toilet access: This is what the ISA’s “interrogation system” looks like

Yazan and Muhammad a-Rajbi were arrested in Aug. 2021 and accused of participating in clashes in Silwan in July 2021. For 42 days, they were interrogated under torture, including painful, prolonged restraining, food, water, sleep, and toilet access deprivation, and confinement to a small cell. They were also placed in cells with collaborators who tried to extract confessions.. This torture and abuse are systematically practiced by Israel through ISA interrogators, the IPS and the justice system, which gives interrogators immunity.

23 May 2022

A Routine Founded on Violence

Soldiers handcuff and arrest intellectually disabled teen (13) for two hours, and then arrest two of his relatives and abuse them

On Monday, 28 March 2022, at around 7:00 P.M., a group of about eight Palestinian teens from the village of Ras Karkar, in Ramallah District, used lasers to provoke soldiers and Special Police Unit officers who were at the entrance to the village. The teens fled into the village and the forces chased them in a vehicle, capturing Ragheb Samhan (13), who has an intellectual disability. They assaulted him, tied his hands with pieces of cloth, blindfolded him and took him away on his own, without informing anyone. After about two hours, the officers brought Ragheb back to the entrance to the village and released him there, handcuffed and blindfolded...

17 May 2022

The Gaza Strip

Life in Ruins: Gaza One Year On

For 11 days, Israel relentlessly bombarded the Gaza Strip, one of the most crowded places on earth, killing 232 Palestinians. Almost a quarter of those killed were minors, and more than half were not taking part in the hostilities. Many were killed at home, with nowhere to run or hide. Thousands were injured and thousands lost everything they owned. A year on, B'Tselem's field researchers in Gaza talked to people who lost their loved ones and homes. These are their testimonies:

10 May 2022

The Supreme Court of the Occupation

International community must prevent forcible transfer of Masafer Yatta communities, approved by Israel’s High court of Justice

After more than 20 years of legal proceedings, Israel’s High Court of Justice ruled yesterday (that the forcible transfer of hundreds of Palestinians from their homes and the destruction of their communities – for the clear purpose of taking over their lands in the service of Jewish interests – is legal. The international community must prevent Israel from forcibly transferring the Masafer Yatta communities and make sure, should this crime be committed, that those responsible for it will be held accountable.

5 May 2022

Open-Fire Policy

Border Police lethally shoot Palestinian teen after injuring him with gunfire

B'Tselem's investigation indicates that on 15 March 2022, a Border Police officer shot two 16-year-olds who were fleeing from military vehicles in Nablus, hitting Nader Rayan from behind. Five policemen ran towards the wounded teen and shot him again, fatally. The Border Police claimed that Rayan had aimed a gun at the officers, yet the weapon was not found. This claim cannot justify the shooting and certainly not the "confirmation of killing", which clearly demonstrates Israel's wanton open-fire policy in the Occupied Territories.

2 May 2022

Administrative Detention

Palestinian administrative detainees boycotting court proceedings for 4 months – while Israel continue to uphold them regardless

For four month, all Palestinian administrative detainees have been boycotting the court hearings in their cases. No Israeli official has addressed their concerns and the courts have dealt with dozens of detention orders in the absence of the detainees and their legal counsel. The boycott is meant to unmask this façade of judicial review, in which the detainees merely play the part of silent extras in a proceeding intended to sanction their incarceration. The state’s choice to continue the hearings as usual reinforces this claim.

26 April 2022

The Gaza Strip

Testimony of Sabrin al-Qdeih, from the Gaza Strip, who did not get a chance to say goodbye to her father before he passed away, as Israel refused to let exit

These are Sabrin Qdeih (40), and her father, ‘Abd a-Rahman; photographed separately, as was imposed on them to live, by Israel, for many years – separately. Even after ‘Abd a-Rahman fell ill last February, Israel continued to deny Sabrin the possibility of seeing him and saying goodbye. Even after he passed away, three weeks ago, at the age of 70, Israel still denies Sabrin the possibility of visiting his grave.

25 April 2022

The Gaza Strip

The testimony of Du’aa al-Masri, whose daughter Fatimah died at the age of 19 months after Israel refused to allow her to exit Gaza for medical treatment

For eight long years, Du’aa and Jalal al-Masri unsuccessfully tried to have children. Du’aa underwent multiple miscarriages and many expensive, painful treatments. Until finally, in 2020, their firstborn daughter, Fatimah, came into the world. At nine months old, she needed lifesaving treatment, but Israeli policies have rendered the healthcare system in Gaza unable to provide the care she needed. Israel would even not let her leave Gaza to receive treatment elsewhere. Fatimah passed away on March 25, 2022, at the age of 19 months.

25 April 2022

A Routine Founded on Violence

When guard duty gets boring: Two soldiers smash windows of seven cars in a scrap yard in the village of Sinjil

On Mar. 27, two soldiers smashed car windows in a family-owned scrap yard. When asked by family members about the vandalism, they responded that stone-throwers had fled to the yard the day before. An officer informed about the incident by the family ignored them and drove away with the soldiers. The police told the family they would have to file a complaint at the station. The conduct of all officials involved exemplifies the utter disregard the Israeli authorities have for Palestinians and demonstrates that no one is accountable for harm to Palestinians or their property.

13 April 2022

Open-Fire Policy

A week in Bethlehem District: Soldiers kill 13-year-old and 18-year-old

On 22 Feb. 2022, soldiers killed Muhammad Salah (13) after he threw a Molotov cocktail. A week later, on 1 March, soldiers killed ‘Ammar Abu ‘Afifah (18) as he was strolling with a friend. Despite the different circumstances, both are the victims of the same wanton open-fire policy Israel employs in the West Bank. According to this policy, Palestinians are always “suspicious” and “dangerous,” meaning soldiers will often default to using lethal live fire. Given this policy, no one will be held accountable.

11 April 2022

Open-Fire Policy

Sixth killing in a-Nabi Saleh since village protests began in 2009 – soldiers shoot Nihad Dar al-’Is (19)

On Tuesday. 15 Feb 2022, about 8 soldiers went towards a-Nabi Saleh. A group of young residents threw stones at them from about 100 meters away and some headed towards the soldiers through a sparse olive grove. Two soldiers advanced towards them and unjustifiably shot Nihad Dar al-’Is (Barghuthi) from behind, from about 70 meters away, although he posed no danger to them. They did not help the wounded man and pointed guns at those who did. He is the sixth resident killed since protests against settler takeover of village land began in 2009.

7 April 2022

Open-Fire Policy

Soldiers hiding in house under construction open indiscriminate fire, killing Muhammad Abu Salah (16)

On 13 Feb. 2022, soldiers and Border Police officers entered the town of Silat al-Harithiya to demolish a home as punishment. A few hundred meters away, dozens of Palestinians burned tires and shouted slogans at them. At around, 10:00 P.M., a Palestinian car passed by the area, and the passengers opened fire before driving off. Several seconds later, soldiers hiding in a nearby house opened fire, hitting Muhammad Abu Salah (16) as he was running away. Shooting Abu Salah, who did not endanger the soldiers, was unlawful and unjustified.

5 April 2022

A Routine Founded on Violence

Police detain two minors (9 and 12) in al-‘Esawiyah and take them to police station

On 6 March 2022, Border Police detained two Palestinians (9 and 12) in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of al-‘Esawiyah, despite a local resident’s pleas to release them. They were then taken with their mothers to a police station. The 12-year-old was interrogated alone and released after three hours. The police threatened the 9-year-old’s mother he would be taken from her by welfare services if he threw stones again. The police released a video of children throwing stones at a road, which clearly cannot justify its conduct in this case.

27 March 2022

Open-Fire Policy

Soldiers clashing with Palestinians in al-Mazra’ah al-Qibliyah shoot youth in back with live bullet while retreating from village

On 20 Dec. 2021, two military jeeps and a pickup truck entered the outskirts of al-Mazra’ah al-Qibliyah. About 20 young Palestinian threw stones at the soldiers, who hurled stun grenades and fired tear gas and “rubber” bullets at them. After about 15 minutes, the vehicles left the village as the stone-throwing continued. A jeep bringing up the rear stopped, and a soldier got out and opened live fire at the stone-throwers although the soldiers were not in mortal danger, hitting M.L. (19) in the back as he tried to flee.

21 March 2022

Restrictions on Movement

Israel severely restricts Palestinian freedom of movement in Nablus area for over month following attack in Homesh, disrupting life for tens of thousands

After Yehuda Dimentman (25) was killed by Palestinians near the former settlement of Homesh, settlers attacks on Palestinians in the area spiked, and the military imposed severe restrictions on movement, some lasting for a month. This is the apartheid regime: officially disrupting Palestinian lives with extreme travel restrictions, and unofficially relying on state-backed settler violence.

16 March 2022

Hebron City Center

Occupation routine in Hebron: Military ignores settlers’ repeated stone-throwing at Palestinians and harasses store owners

In Jan. and Feb., B’Tselem documented several incidents in which settlers threw stones at passers-by and shops in central Hebron from rooftops in the settlement of Beit Romano. Soldiers did not intervene until Palestinians tried unsuccessfully to throw stones back. The military forced Palestinians shop owners on the street to close down for four days as punishment for the stone-throwing. These incidents demonstrate how Israel’s apartheid regime operates, and clarify to Palestinians that no one will protect them or their property.

15 March 2022

Open-Fire Policy

Extrajudicial killing in broad daylight – Israeli Special Police Unit shoots and kills three Nablus residents in city center

On Tuesday, 8 Feb. 2022, at 1:15 P.M., two vehicles blocked off a private car in the heart of Nablus. Special Police Unit officers got out of one and fired dozens of shots at the car, killing three Nablus residents who were operatives with the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades – Ashraf Mbaslat, Muhammad Dakhil and Adham Mabroukeh. Although some of the car’s passengers were armed, none of them fired at the police before they were killed. Shooting them seconds after the vehicles stopped was not part of an arrest operation, but an extrajudicial killing.

10 March 2022

Open-Fire Policy

Another victim of Israel’s open-fire policy: Soldiers fire live shots at passing Palestinian car, killing 25-year-old

On 22 Dec. 2021, Muhammad Abbas and two friends saw a military vehicle drive after a Palestinian car and followed it out of curiosity for several hundred meters, in their Mazda. The military vehicle was recorded on security cameras stopping by the roundabout between al-Am’ari Refugee Camp and al-Birah, blocking the road. As the Mazda drove by, soldiers opened fire at it. Abbas was hit in the back and died about an hour later. The soldiers’ shooting at a car that did not endanger them is another expression of Israel’s open-fire policy in the West Bank.

8 March 2022

Settler Violence = State Violence

Al-Qanub, Hebron District: Dozens of settlers attack family tent compound with stones, injuring two family members

On 8 Feb 2022, dozens of settlers attacked the Shalaldeh family’s home in al-Qanub, Hebron District, with stones. When family members came outside to defend it, the settlers badly beat the father, who needed head surgery as a result. Half the community has already left the area due to settler violence. It is highly unlikely that anyone will be held to account for the assault, given Israel’s policy of whitewashing investigations into acts of settler violence, which help the state take over Palestinian land throughout the West Bank.

7 March 2022

A Routine Founded on Violence

“Moral lapse,” feeble reprimand: Soldiers handcuff ‘Omar As’ad (78) and leave him to die in dead of night

On 12 Jan. 2022, soldiers detained Omar As’ad (78), removed him from his car and led him to a nearby house, handcuffed and blindfolded. About an hour later, they abandoned him there along with four other detainees, although he was unconscious and possibly dead. The unusual public attention drawn by the death of As’ad, a US citizen, drove the Chief of Staff to call this conduct a “grave moral lapse.” Yet years of experience show that such statements, and the investigation launched, are merely part of Israel’s whitewashing system.

3 March 2022