Updates

The Gaza Strip

4.5 years after Israel destroyed thousands of homes in Operation Protective Edge: 13,000 Gazans still homeless

Israel’s unlawful shelling and bombing of civilian homes during Operation Protective Edge destroyed or badly damaged some 18,000 homes, leaving about 100,000 people homeless. After the fighting, families received rent subsidies from international agencies, chiefly UNRWA. In 2018, UNRWA had to end aid due to US funding cuts, even though 20% of the homes still need to be restored and some 13,000 are still homeless. Israel has abdicated any responsibility for the destruction it wreaked on Gaza and has never paid a price for it.

3 March 2019

A Routine Founded on Violence

#Occupation365 - Updates from the West Bank routine, 9 Feb. 2019 - 22 Feb. 2019

Every day, Israel determines what the lives of Palestinians in the West Bank will look like – while they, themselves, are barred from taking part in decisions that shape their present and their future. Israel uses its power in a violent, arbitrary fashion, with blatant disregard for the safety, wellbeing and quality of life of the Palestinians who live under its control.

28 February 2019

Settler Violence = State Violence

Al-Mughayir: One dead and nine injured in a an armed settler attack in the presence of security forces

On Sat. Jan. 26, 15-20 armed settlers attacked and fired at residents of al-Mughayir, killing Hamdi Na’asan, 38, and injuring nine others. Security forces were nearby the entire time and did nothing to prevent or stop the attack. This deadly attack, waged in the presence of security forces, is no isolated incident, but part of a policy backed up by the military and the government. The state - through the military and the settlers - works consistently and forcefully to usurp the land of as many Palestinians as possible and encourage them to leave their land "voluntarily."

28 February 2019

Open-Fire Policy

Following UN commission findings: B'Tselem reiterates call on soldiers to not comply with manifestly illegal orders

The UN Commission of Inquiry into the protests held along the perimeter fence in Gaza, stated today that Israel's rules of engagement, which permit firing at unarmed protesters who are not posing a threat to anyone, are unlawful. Throughout nearly a year of demonstrations, this unlawful policy has been upheld by Israel's government and senior military command – and backed by Israel's High Court of Justice – despite 200 protesters killed and more than 6,300 injured by live fire. In coming weeks, the protests are set to continue. B'Tselem reiterates its call to immediately change the rules of engagement. Until such a time, soldiers are duty-bound to refuse to comply with such illegal orders.

28 February 2019

Attacks on Israeli Civilians by Palestinians

B’Tselem saddened and shocked by the death and circumstances of the killing of Ori Ansbacher in Jerusalem

B’Tselem expresses its deep sorrow over the killing of Ori Ansbacher, 19, from the settlement of Tekoa, by a Palestinian resident of Hebron. She was killed on 7 February near Ein Yael in Jerusalem. B’Tselem conveys its deep condolences to the Ansbacher family. One cannot but be shocked by the horrific circumstances of the incident. Assaults on civilians undermine all moral, legal and human principles. B’Tselem strongly condemns any and all such assaults.

20 February 2019

A Routine Founded on Violence

#Occupation365 - Updates from the West Bank routine, 25 Jan. 2019 - 8 Feb. 2019

Every day, Israel determines what the lives of Palestinians in the West Bank will look like – while they, themselves, are barred from taking part in decisions that shape their present and their future. Israel uses its power in a violent, arbitrary fashion, with blatant disregard for the safety, wellbeing and quality of life of the Palestinians who live under its control.

13 February 2019

The Gaza Strip

2018: Plight of Gaza fishermen after Israel’s gradual destruction of their sector

“Since the Israeli navy confiscated my hasake (boat) I’ve been out of work and can’t support my family. Things in the Gaza Strip are very bad because of the blockade, and there are no other jobs available. I used to make about 20 shekels a day fishing. That enabled me to buy food and drink for my family. Now our lives are very hard.” Tamer Zayed, Beit Lahiya, 27 August 2018

11 February 2019

Open-Fire Policy

Israeli forces kill Amal a-Taramsi, 44, and 'Abd a-Ra’uf Salahah, 13, in March of Return protests on 11 Jan. 2019

The death toll from the Israeli military’s unlawful use of live fire against March of Return protestors in Gaza who pose no threat to anyone continues to rise. So far, 195 have been killed, including 35 minors and 2 women. More than 6,000 have been wounded by live fire. The high number of casualties is a direct result of Israel’s criminal open-fire policy along the Gaza fence, which Israel refuses to change despite its lethal outcome. Below is a description of the deadly shooting of a young boy and a woman hit far from the fence, without posing a threat.

7 February 2019

The Supreme Court of the Occupation

New Report: "Fake Justice: The Responsibility Israel’s High Court Justices Bear for the Demolition of Palestinian Homes and the Dispossession of Palestinians"

The report shows how the justices of Israel’s Supreme Court have validated the state’s planning apparatus in the West Bank, enabling it to continue implementing illegal policies. Time and time again, the justices have ignored the fact that the planning apparatus imposes an almost blanket prohibition on Palestinian construction with the object of enabling Israel to take over as much Palestinian land as possible. The report, Fake Justice: The Responsibility Israel’s High Court Justices Bear for the Demolition of Palestinian Homes and the Dispossession of Palestinians, is based on a careful examination of hundreds of High Court cases, judgments and decisions regarding the demolition of Palestinian homes in the West Bank. In none of these cases did the justices accept the arguments of the Palestinian petitioners.

6 February 2019

Open-Fire Policy

Israeli Border Police fire sponge round at 16-year-old from less than 10 meters away, endangering his life and fracturing his skull

On 6 Jan. 2019, after an Israeli bus was fired upon near the Beit El settlement, Israeli security forces went into the nearby town of al-Birah. During the raid, a policeman fired without justification at Fawaz ‘Abed (16) who was peeking out of an alley, fracturing his skull. The forces left without giving him first aid. Firing sponge rounds at minors is completely prohibited, as is firing them at close range at a person’s head, which could prove fatal or cause serious injury. Yet breaches of open-fire regulations go unpunished and the law enforcement system whitewashes such incidents. Just part of the routine of occupation.

4 February 2019

A Routine Founded on Violence

#Occupation365 - Updates from the West Bank routine, 12 Jan. 2019 - 25 Jan. 2019

Every day, Israel determines what the lives of Palestinians in the West Bank will look like – while they, themselves, are barred from taking part in decisions that shape their present and their future. Israel uses its power in a violent, arbitrary fashion, with blatant disregard for the safety, wellbeing and quality of life of the Palestinians who live under its control.

31 January 2019

East Jerusalem

Arbitrary and violent: Israeli police conduct in East Jerusalem

On 10 Jan. 2019, plain-clothed Israeli police arrived at Dr. Karim Hussein’s home in Jabal al-Mukabber, East Jerusalem. They demanded he hand over security camera footage, even though they had explicitly arranged to collect it the next day from his brother’s home. The officers insisted on coming inside, despite refusing to present a search warrant. A confrontation ensued with other family members who arrived on the scene and thought that civilians were assaulting their relatives. One officer beat Dr. Hussein on the head and he lost consciousness. This incident is but another example of the violent, arbitrary police conduct that has long since become part of the daily life in East Jerusalem.

31 January 2019

Open-Fire Policy

Contrary to Shin Bet (ISA) and IDF statements: Saleh Barghouti was shot point-blank in apparent extrajudicial killing

B’Tselem’s investigation found that, contrary to official Israeli statements, Barghouti did not try to flee or run anyone over, nor could he have tried: two security vehicles blocked the taxi he was driving at either end, and he was surrounded by some 10 security personnel who shot him point-blank–an operation resembling an extrajudicial killing. Official attempts to sanction the killing in retrospect ensure no one will be held accountable.

30 January 2019

Open-Fire Policy

Israeli soldiers fatally shoot Mahmoud Nakhleh, 18, in the back from 80 meters away, and deny him medical aid

On 14 Dec. '18, soldiers came to al-Jalazun R.C. after residents threw stones at them and began chasing uninvolved youths. They shot one - Mahmoud Nakhleh, 18 - in the back as he fled from 80 meters away, and then prevented residents from helping him and dragged him around. Only after 15 minutes did they permit his transferal to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. All the military personnel involved, whether the ground soldiers or the officials who issued a falsified statement to justify the shooting, conveyed disrespect for the injured youth's humanity and confidence that this case will be whitewashed like thousands of others.

28 January 2019

Hebron City Center

Routine harassment of minors in Hebron: Security forces detain four children and hold a boy, 13, overnight, beating him and abandoning him far from home

On 5 Dec., at school dismissal, Palestinian children threw stones at Border Police officers in Hebron. Four children were apprehended and dragged to a checkpoint. Three were held at there for about an hour, interrogated and released. A fourth, aged 13, was detained overnight and eventually abandoned at the entrance to another locale. Every aspect of this incident reflects the approach shared by all Israeli authorities that Palestinian minors are entitled to nothing - not even to the basic protections the law gives them as children.

24 January 2019

Restrictions on Movement

Daily life under occupation: Military blocks main road serving more than 20 villages north of Ramallah for over a month

As of 5 Dec. 2018, for more than a month, the military closed off a road that links Ramallah with villages northwest of the city and the entire area with the Ni’lin checkpoint, which thousands of laborers and businesspeople cross daily into Israel. This forced tens of thousands of Palestinians to use a treacherous alternate road. Israel’s arbitrary closure of roads has a particularly disruptive impact on daily life. The closure was unlawful and constituted deliberate collective punishment of residents whose only “crime” was living there.

17 January 2019

A Routine Founded on Violence

#Occupation365 - Updates from the West Bank routine, 29 Dec. 2018 - 11 Jan. 2019

Every day, Israel determines what the lives of Palestinians in the West Bank will look like – while they, themselves, are barred from taking part in decisions that shape their present and their future. Israel uses its power in a violent, arbitrary fashion, with blatant disregard for the safety, wellbeing and quality of life of the Palestinians who live under its control.

17 January 2019

Open-Fire Policy

Israeli security forces killed 290 Palestinians in 2018; most were victims of a reckless open-fire policy

In 2018, Israeli security forces killed 290 Palestinians, including 55 minors. Of the casualties, 254 were killed in the Gaza Strip, 34 in the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and two within Israel. These incidents are a direct result of Israel’s reckless open-fire policy, authorized by the government and the top military command, and backed by the judicial system. As long as Israel adheres to this policy, despite its predictable outcomes, the casualties will continue to amass.

17 January 2019

Settler Violence = State Violence

13 December 2018: Settlers supported by the military riot on West Bank roads and attack Palestinians

On 13 Dec. 2018, a Palestinian opened fire near the settlement of Givat Assaf, killing two soldiers and seriously injuring another soldier and a woman. Following the incident, large numbers of settlers set out to attack Palestinians. These attacks were predictable, yet the security forces did nothing to prevent them. This behavior by the security forces was also predictable. Settler attacks on Palestinians, in the presence and under the protection of the security forces, have long since become routine throughout the West Bank. It is clear to Palestinians today that no-one will protect them and their property and that no-one will be held to account when they are attacked.

14 January 2019

Settler Violence = State Violence

“Price Tag”, November-December 2018: Settlers continue to wreak havoc in Palestinian communities, shielded by military and police.

Yet again, settlers vandalized Palestinian property. Yet again, the military saw nothing. Yet again, the police is having difficulty carrying out an investigation and tracking down the offenders. Yet again - because the perpetrators are settlers and the victims are Palestinians. These are not isolated incidents. They are a reflection of Israel’s policy in the West Bank, which leaves Palestinian homes, fields, vehicles and belongings unprotected and constantly vulnerable to attacks by settlers. View photoblog

6 January 2019

Open-Fire Policy

December 2018: Israeli forces shoot and kill three Palestinians on the grounds that they intentionally ran over Israelis - in incidents that never occurred

Over the course of nine days in December, Israeli security forces shot and killed three Palestinians in the West Bank, alleging that they had attempted to attack Israelis by car - incidents that never occurred. All three victims were shot although they were not endangering the lives of the security forces or of anyone else. Their death is a direct outcome of the reckless and illegal open-fire policy that permits, and retroactively supports, lethal fire in situations that do not justify it.

3 January 2019

Settler Violence = State Violence

Oct.-Nov. 2018: Settler attacks on village of ‘Urif continue

In early September we published a review of attacks carried out by settlers from Yitzhar and its outposts against Palestinians from 'Urif, with the escort or active involvement of soldiers. This intensified in October and November. These are not isolated incidents but part of a deliberate state policy to dispossess as many Palestinians as possible, damage their property and livelihood, and drive them to leave their land as though of their own accord - facilitating a takeover and de facto annexation of the land to settlements.

3 January 2019

General

B’Tselem mourns the passing of distinguished author and intellectual Amos Oz

Along with his towering literary legacy, Oz was a beacon in the struggle against the occupation, courageously and resolutely fighting for a future of human rights, justice and equality for everyone living between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. We are grateful for his longstanding support for B’Tselem and for being part of our public council. May he rest in peace.

28 December 2018

Hebron City Center

Palestinians describe life in center of Hebron under impossible terms imposed by military

40,000 Palestinians and 800 Israeli settlers live in the city center of Hebron, where Israeli authorities impose a regime of legal and physical segregation. While Palestinians are subjected to extreme restrictions on movement by car or on foot, including the closure of main streets, settlers are free to go where they wish. These restrictions impact every aspect of life, preventing Palestinian residents from maintaining a normal routine and making their lives intolerable. Below are testimonies collected by B'Tselem in recent months, in which Hebron residents describe how the checkpoints affect their daily lives:

26 December 2018