Updates

The Gaza Strip

Intended chief-of-staff must be investigated

Maj. Gen. Galant's appointment as IDF chief of staff must be preceded by an investigation of his responsibility for suspected violations of human rights during Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip, which he commanded as GOC Southern Command.

24 August 2010

The Gaza Strip

Gaza water not fit for drinking

Almost 95% of water pumped in Gaza is unfit for drinking, according to international organizations and the Gazan water authorities. Despite years of dangerous over-pumping in Gaza, Israel prohibits entry of materials needed to repair the water and wastewater-treatment systems there.

23 August 2010

Area C

Israel demolishes Bedouin village in Jordan Valley

Last month, the Civil Administration demolished all the structures in al-Farsiya and in other Bedouin farming communities in the northern Jordan Valley, delivered dozens of demolition and eviction orders in additional communities, and confiscated water pumps.

12 August 2010

Beating and Abuse

Personal angle: World Cup quarter-final

A B'Tselem data coordinator describes what the Barakat family underwent as they hurried home from Bethlehem to Jerusalem to watch the Argentina–Germany match, on 3 July '10.

3 August 2010

No Accountability

Multimedia human rights review

Today (26 July '10), is publishing a multimedia review of human rights in the Occupied Territories during 2009-2010, highlighting personal stories and documentary footage.

2 August 2010

Agriculture

Testimony: Settler beats Palestinian shepherd

According to Khaled Najar, 57, on 1 July '10 he was grazing his flock on private Palestinian land in the southern Hebron Hills when a settler who left the Mitzpeh Ya'ir outpost assaulted him, beating him severely. Najar, who has been assaulted before in the area, required hospitalization.

29 July 2010

Deportation

Palestinians' Israeli residence revoked for "disloyalty"

Israel is acting to forcibly transfer four Palestinian politicians affiliated with Hamas from East Jerusalem. Israel revoked their permanent resident status in 2006, for the first time using grounds of disloyalty to the state.

18 July 2010

Freedom of Expression

Position paper: Suppression of demonstrations

The Separation Barrier causes severe violations of human rights, and gave rise to popular Palestinian resistance. In a new position paper, B'Tselem examines the army's increased efforts to quell these demonstrations, in light of the right to demonstrate.

15 July 2010

Open-Fire Policy

Soldier and officer convicted in Ni'lin shooting exposed by B'Tselem

Today (15 July '10), Lt. Col. Omri Borberg, former commander of armored battalion 71, was convicted of attempted threats, and Staff Sergeant Leonardo Corea of unlawful use of firearms. Both were also convicted of conduct unbecoming. The charges carry a maximum sentence of three years imprisonment and a criminal record.

15 July 2010

Open-Fire Policy

Investigation opened into 2009 killing of Bili'n demonstrator

Bassem Abu Rahmeh was killed in April 2009 from a tear gas canister fired at him during a demonstration against the Separation Barrier. The JAG persistently refused to open an investigation into the incident, and did so only after B'Tselem and Att. Michael Sfard submitted an expert opinion that the open-fire regulations had been violated.

12 July 2010

Area C

New report: By Hook and by Crook

Today (6 July 2010), B'Tselem published a new report analyzing the mechanisms Israel uses to gain control of West Bank land for building settlements. The report, which is based on official state information, shows that one-fifth of the settlements' built-up area is private Palestinian land and that the settlements control 42 percent of West Bank land.

5 July 2010

Beating and Abuse

Security forces suspected of abusing 4 Palestinians in recent months

B'Tselem has documented three cases in recent months in which Palestinians suspected of being in Israel without a permit report severe abuse by the Israeli security forces. After B'Tselem submitted a complaint, the Military Police Investigation Unit and the Department for Investigation of Police opened investigations into the incidents.

30 June 2010

The Gaza Strip

Four years since the abduction of Gilad Shalit

On the fourth anniversary of the abduction of Gilad Shalit, B'Tselem again emphasizes that Hamas must release him immediately. Pending his release, those holding Shalit must treat him humanely and allow representatives of the International Red Cross to visit him. The taking of hostages is a war crime, and all those involved bear personal criminal liability.

24 June 2010

Economic & Social Rights

Cabinet Decision on Gaza Siege: Baby Step in Right Direction

The Israeli Security Cabinet's decision to relax some of the stringent restrictions on imports is to be welcome. However, it is only a small step toward the resumption of normal trade and traffic that Gaza so desperately needs.

21 June 2010

The Gaza Strip

Soldier to be charged with killing two Gazan women

Riyeh Abu Hajaj (64) and her daughter, Majda Abu Hajaj (37), were killed in Operation Cast Lead after leaving their home on army orders, waving white flags. Following the event, first reported by B'Tselem, the media now report that the soldier who fired is to be summoned to a hearing, prior to an indictment.

16 June 2010

The Gaza Strip

Soldier to be charged with killing two Gazan women

Riyeh Abu Hajaj (64) and her daughter, Majda Abu Hajaj (37), were killed in Operation Cast Lead after leaving their home on army orders, waving white flags. Following the event, first reported by B'Tselem, the media now report that the soldier who fired is to be summoned to a hearing, prior to an indictment.

16 June 2010

Attacks on Israeli Civilians by Palestinians

Palestinians kill an Israeli police officer and injure two

B'Tselem strongly condemns the shooting attack today that killed an Israeli police officer and wounded two others. Deliberate attacks against civilians are immoral and illegal. Willful killing of civilians is defined as a "grave breach" of international humanitarian law and is a war crime.

14 June 2010

Beating and Abuse

B'Tselem's Annual Report 2009-2010

B'Tselem is today (Monday, 14 June) publishing its annual report on human rights in the Occupied Territories, covering the 16-month period from January 2009 to April 2010. The report surveys the events since the beginning of Operation Cast Lead. One and a half years after the operation, the allegations regarding breaches of international humanitarian law by Israel and Hamas have yet to be properly investigated.

14 June 2010

Economic & Social Rights

Siege on Gaza: 1.5 million imprisoned persons

Since June 2007, when Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip, Israel has imposed a tight blockade on the area. According to Israeli officials, the objective of the siege is to bring down the Hamas government and lead to the release of Gilad Shalit. The siege thus constitutes collective punishment of the civilian population, and as such it is unlawful. The siege has led to the economic collapse of the Gaza Strip; over 70 percent of the population depends on aid from international organizations in order to obtain food.

31 May 2010

The Gaza Strip

Investigate takeover of flotilla to Gaza

B'Tselem demands that Israel immediately open an independent, non-military investigation into the circumstances of the military takeover of the ships, during which dozens of activists were killed or injured.

31 May 2010

Deportation

Testimony: Stuck in Gaza, separated from family

On 21 April '10, Israel deported Ahmad Sabah from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip after he completed a 9-year prison sentence. His wife and 9-year-old son did not get to see him. Sabah, who has no family in Gaza, awaits permission to return to his family.

30 May 2010

Agriculture

Army fires at Palestinians near Gaza-Israel fence

The army has classified the area along Gaza's border with Israel a no-go zone, where anybody entering may be shot. This policy endangers the many farmers who work land there and harms the livelihood of tens of thousands of persons. It has already resulted in the killing and injury of persons who entered the zone, although they endangered nobody.

30 May 2010

Minors

Border Police officer charged with killing boy

Following Yesh Din and B'Tselem's complaint, an indictment for negligent manslaughter was filed on 25 May ‘10 against the border police officer who shot 10 year old Ahmed Musa in the West Bank village of Ni'lin in July 2008.

26 May 2010