Updates

Attacks on Israeli Civilians by Palestinians

Israeli civilian killed by Palestinian shots fired at Gaza perimeter fence by Kibbutz Nahal Oz

B’Tselem strongly condemns the killing today, 24 December, of Salah Abu Ltayef, 22, resident of the Bedouin community of Rahat,an Israeli civilian who worked as a contractor for the Construction Branch of the Ministry of Defense by Palestinian gunfire. There is absolutely no moral or legal justification for attacks that deliberately target civilians. Civilians must be kept separate from the fighting. This applies to countries, organizations and individuals.

24 December 2013

General

Lives Change in 60 Seconds

Please take sixty seconds to watch this video, then share it with your community. Together we can bear witness and work to end human rights violations. If you haven't already done so, please consider a year-end donation to B'Tselem.

22 December 2013

Beating and Abuse

Night-time raid: Military and ISA take over home of Burin principal, convert it to interrogation center

13 Nov. 2013, Burin: 11 villagers were taken from their beds and brought to the home of the high-school principal, which was converted into a makeshift interrogation center. The questioned men related that no charges were brought against them, and that the “interrogation” was meant to get them to prevent stone-throwing in the village. This severe infringement of civilians’ rights can hardly be justified. B’Tselem wrote to the relevant authorities inquiring whether the raid was part of official policy and, if so, what its legal grounds are.

19 December 2013

Beating and Abuse

A Note from Ruth Dayan

The well-known public figure from Israel's pioneer generation explains why support for B'Tselem is so important: "B’Tselem does extraordinary work to protect the human rights of those living under occupation and to steer Israel to a path of justice and peace. To me, B’Tselem represents the Israeli heroism needed in this historical moment."

16 December 2013

No Accountability

Israeli MAG Corps closes file in Mustafa Tamimi killing, stating the tear-gas canister that killed him was fired legally

On 5 Dec. 2013, the MAG Corps notified B’Tselem of its decision to close the investigation into the killing of Mustafa Tamimi by a tear-gas canister fired at him in Dec. 2011. The Corps claimed that the firing was done "according to the relevant rules and regulations and did not involve any illegality." The decision, two years after the incident, conveys the military’s indifference to the lives of Palestinians in the West Bank, and sends Israeli soldiers and officers the message that they will not be held accountable for killing unarmed civilians. In the meantime, this type of firing continues, and it is only a matter of time before yet another unarmed Palestinian civilian is killed in this way. B’Tselem will demand to see all the investigation material.

5 December 2013

Harassment

Soldiers detained 4 children ages six to nine, handcuffed 3 of them in Kafr Qadum

On 15 Nov. 2013, the weekly Kafr Qadum protest against the closure of the road connecting the village to Nablus took place. Before it started, tires were set on fire on the road, and 4 children played with them. Soldiers detained the four, ages 6 to 9, handcuffed the 3 older ones and threatened them with arrest if caught again. The soldiers released the children a few minutes later. The age of criminal responsibility In the Occupied Territories is 12. Law enforcement officials are prohibited from detaining or arresting children under this age. B'Tselem contacted the military demanding to clarify the legal requirements to soldiers operating on the ground.

4 December 2013

Demonstrations

Video: Officer fires tear gas canister at B'Tselem videographer, causing injures.

On 27 Nov. B'Tselem volunteer videographer Abu Ahmad documented clashes between Palestinian youth and soldiers in Beit Ummar. An officer fired a canister that hit him in the chest, while he filmed. Abu Ahmad was bruised and required medical treatment. The firing of tear gas canisters directly at individuals is a routine practice by security forces and has already claimed the lives of two people and injured dozens. The military continues to deny the existence of the practice and avoids addressing it systematically. B'Tselem will send the footage to the Military Advocate and demand an investigation by the Military Police Investigation Unit (MPIU) and held accountable.

2 December 2013

East Jerusalem

New project by The Guardian: “Walled World”

The Guardian’s recently introduced interactive site “Walled World” presents walls around the world through images, first-hand accounts and videos. It shows the effect that walls have on the people around them, whether they are being left out or locked in. One section of Walled World deals with the Separation Barrier in the West Bank. It includes three videos by B’Tselem, some produced specifically for this project.

25 November 2013

General

Jessica Montell on her decision to leave B'Tselem

After twelve years as Executive Director, I have decided to step down. I first joined B'Tselem 18 years ago as Development Director. This was basically my first job in Israel, after immigrating from the United States. Six years later, I was appointed Executive Director, a position I have filled until today. These were very challenging years, replete with periods of severe violations of human rights in the Occupied Territories and in Israel. They were also exciting and meaningful years. It was not easy to decide to leave this organization, which is so important and central to my life. Click to read full letter

12 November 2013

No Accountability

B'Tselem investigation: grave suspicion Ahmad Tazaz’ah was killed by Israeli soldiers using unlawful lethal force

On 31 October 2013, Ahmad Tazaz’ah, 20, was killed in a market near Qabatiya, in the northern West Bank. According to B’Tselem’s inquiry, Tazaz’ah was killed by live ammunition fired by Israeli soldiers, and not in intra-Palestinian violence. According to the investigation, Palestinian youths threw stones at Israeli troops returning from an arrest operation in Qabatiya. The troops stopped near the market and responded with crowd control weapons and live fire. Tazaz’ah was hit by a live round in the chest. B’Tselem’s inquiry shows the soldiers were not in any real danger, raising a grave suspicion they breached open-fire regulations. B'Tselem conveyed its findings to the MAG Corps, which announced the opening of a "limited investigation," in light of the suspicions regarding the involvement of Israeli soldiers in the incident.

11 November 2013

Agriculture

Masked settlers assault and injure B'Tselem camera volunteer harvesting olives

On 26 October 2013, the Na’asan family of the village of al-Mughayir, Ramallah District, went to harvest their olives. Several masked settlers arrived at the grove and began attacking the family with stones. The family responded by throwing stones back. The settlers then assaulted 75-year-old Ghatib Na’asan and his nephew, Yasser Na’asan, who tried to protect him. The latter, a volunteer in B'Tselem's camera distribution project, was hit with an iron bar and broken glass. Other family members called for the Israeli security forces, who arrived while the settlers were retreating but made no attempt to apprehend or detain them until police arrived.

30 October 2013

Agriculture

Military carries on firing at Palestinian farmers by Israel-Gaza border

After Operation Pillar of Defense (Nov. 2012), an understanding was reached whereby Israel would ease restrictions on Palestinian access to farmland near the border. Previously, access to those areas–a third of Gaza Strip farmland–was strictly restricted, including by the use of live fire. B'Tselem has found that the military still limits access and does so with live fire. Israel must lift these restrictions, enabling farmers to work their land. As long as the restrictions remain, the military must refrain from using live fire to enforce them.

29 October 2013

Economic & Social Rights

My own private Gaza - Bummer Generation

Khaled al-‘Azayzeh, a B’Tselem field researcher in the Gaza Strip, continues to bring us his personal Gaza: Last episode, I turned the camera inwards and looked at my home, my family, my local coffee shop. This time, we’ll go outside for a bit and visit my nephew Muamen. He and his friends are recent university graduates, but instead of finding jobs and joining the workforce, they’ve joined the most frustrated class of people in Gaza, the unemployed. Unemployment in Gaza among people under 30 is as high as 45%. Or as Muamen calls them, the “bummer generation”.

27 October 2013

Agriculture

Settlers harass Palestinian family in Hebron; vandalize crops while soldiers and police stand by

The Jabers live about 300 meters south of the entrance to the settlement of Kiryat Arba. The family make a living from growing vegetables near their home. In July 2013, one of the family’s daughters, a volunteer in B'Tselem's camera distribution project, filmed two incidents in which settlers uprooted the family's crops and planted others in their place. The footage shows security forces standing by and taking no action to stop the vandalism. B'Tselem wrote to the military demanding an examination of the soldiers' conduct in both incidents.

22 October 2013

Restrictions on Movement

Video: Harsh conditions persist at checkpoints where Palestinian laborers enter Israel

In June 2013 B'Tselem filmed long lines and overcrowding at Tarqumya and Eyal Checkpoints. B'Tselem reported its findings to the Land Crossings Authority, the Ministry of Defense, which rejected the claims. In Sept., B'Tselem visited Tarqumya and Sh’ar Efrayim Checkpoints: laborers must still arrive in the middle of the night to cross by morning and report harsh conditions. The Ministry of Defense must urgently modify conditions to accommodate the number of work entry permits issued and ensure that workers can enter Israel with dignity.

21 October 2013

Area C

Israel agrees to mediation in firing zone, the South Hebron Hills

Israel plans to expel 1,000 residents of the South Hebron Hills, arguing they are living in a military training firing zone. International law prohibits use of occupied lands for routine military training, and obviously prohibits expulsion of residents to that end. Last month, further to High Court petitions by the villagers, filed by ACRI and Att. Shlomo Lecker, the justices proposed a meditation process to achieve a joint compromise. The villagers’ agreed to the proposed mediation immediately. The State announced its agreement today.

21 October 2013

Economic & Social Rights

Disruptions at Rafah Crossing highlight Israel’s duty to enable Gazans’ travel abroad

Since the Disengagement, Israel has retained control over all access points to and from Gaza, with the exception of Rafah Crossing. Israel prohibits air or sea travel to and from Gaza, and prohibits Palestinian travel from Israeli airports. The disruption of the right of movement of Gazans has worsened since July due to restrictions imposed by Egypt at Rafah. Israel’s control over most access to Gaza means it is responsible for enabling Gazans to fulfill their right to freedom of movement, subject to individualized security inspections.

15 October 2013

Area C

Civil Administration demolishes all homes of Khallet Makhul community in Jordan Valley

On 16 Sept. 2013 the Civil Admin. demolished all structures of Khallet Makhul, a Bedouin community. For over a week, the military kept the residents from erecting any shelter. On 24 Sept. Adv. Tawfiq Jabareen applied on behalf of the residents to the HCJ, which issued an interim injunction on expulsion or demolition of homes, pending a ruling. The residents have since erected tents, some which the military has demolished–contrary to the injunction, leading Adv. Jabareen to apply to the State Attorney’s Office. On 6 Oct., 11 tents were on-site.

7 October 2013

The Gaza Strip

Hamas authorities execute a man in Gaza

On Wednesday, 2 Oct. 2013, Hamas authorities in the Gaza Strip executed Hani 'Alayan, 27. 'Alayan was sentenced to death in 2012 for two counts of murder, one of them committed while he was a minor. His sentence was upheld in appeal on 12 July 2013. Since Hamas seized control of Gaza, 16 people have been executed. B’Tselem condemns the use of capital punishment, which is both immoral and a grave violation of human rights. The state may not take a person’s life and violate that person’s right to life as a punitive measure, even if it is ostensibly for the purpose of law enforcement.

3 October 2013

No Accountability

MAG closes file in 2009 killing of Bassem Abu Rahmeh

4 and 1/2 years after Bassem Abu Rahmeh, 30, was killed when struck in the chest by a tear-gas grenade fired directly at him from close range, the state announced it is closing the case for lack of evidence. The announcement was made further to a High Court petition by Bassem’s mother, demanding an investigation into the killing of her son in April 2009 during a demonstration against the Separation Barrier in Bil’in. Three video segments prove that Abu Rahmeh was east of the barrier, did not act violently, and did not endanger the soldiers.

10 September 2013

Agriculture

13 years of closure: Once a vibrant commercial center, Beitin near Ramallah has become a ghost village

Until the second intifada, Beitin was a thriving commercial center because of its proximity to al-Birah and Ramallah. But economic and social activity in the village has declined after the military blocked off its main entrances, leaving only a long and winding access road open. In April 2013, Israeli human rights organization HaMoked requested that the military open the DCO checkpoint on the road between Beitin and al-Birah, which serves only VIP pass holders and members of international organizations to all Palestinians. No response has been received to date.

9 September 2013

Area C

High Court Justices to State: We Expect You to Agree to Mediation on ‘Firing Zone 918′

On September 2, 2013 the High Court of Justice (Court President Asher Grunis and Justices Hanan Meltzer and Daphne Barak-Erez) held the first hearing in the renewed petitions against the forced eviction of 1,000 residents of the area known as Firing Zone 918 in the South Hebron Hills. At the close of the hearing the Justices suggested that the parties enter a mediation process in order to reach a mutually agreeable settlement. Read more on ACRI's website.

3 September 2013

East Jerusalem

The Ministry of the Interior expels Bedouin community living decades in Jerusalem area

On 19 Aug. 2013, Israeli authorities demolished all the homes of the Bedouin community of Tal ‘Adasa, north of Jerusalem, and gave them ten days to leave the spot. The community is being forced to relocate elsewhere in the West Bank, outside the municipal boundaries of Jerusalem, although they have lived in the area since the 1950s, albeit never registering as East Jerusalem residents. As no housing alternative has been found for the entire community, its 40-odd members and their flocks will have to split up for the near future.

26 August 2013

Open-Fire Policy

Military force that killed three Palestinians stayed in Qalandia Camp until almost 7am

According to B’Tselem’s initial investigation into the incident that took place this morning (26 August) in which three Palestinians were killed by Israeli security forces’ fire in Qalandia Refugee Camp, it appears that the stone-throwing was more massive today as the security forces remained in the camp until around 6:45 A.M., a busy hour on the street as the Palestinian school year started yesterday. Today’s harsh consequences cast doubt on their judgment in ordering the mission, and on the degree to which the force was prepared in advance. An investigation into the incident must be opened immediately to examine these issues.

26 August 2013