Updates

General

B'Tselem: Achievements and challenges

Marking the bittersweet milestone of twenty years since B'Tselem was established, Executive Director Jessica Montell reviews goals achieved and the challenges that lie ahead.

24 December 2009

Area C

New Report: An annexation foretold

B'Tselem's and Bimkom's new report reveals that as far back as the 1970s, Israel planned to annex Ma’ale Adummim. To do this, it expropriated over the years tens of thousands of dunams of Palestinian land and expelled hundreds of Beduin who were living there. Implementation of plans to expand the settlement will destroy north-south territorial contiguity in the West Bank and impede realization of the Palestinians’ right to self-determination.

23 December 2009

Economic & Social Rights

Testimony: Minor works in Gaza tunnels

'Imad a-Natur, 17, has worked for two years in Rafah tunnels used for smuggling goods from Egypt. A-Natur's father is ill, and he left school to support his parents and seven siblings. He lives in constant fear because of the dangers involved in working in the tunnels.

23 December 2009

Education

Israel expels student to Gaza

Berlanty 'Azzam, 22, was just two months shy of completing her bachelor’s degree in business administration at Bethlehem University when stopped by soldiers at a West Bank checkpoint and expelled to the Gaza Strip. The petition filed on her behalf by Gisha to return to her studies was denied by the High Court of Justice. She gave her testimony to B'Tselem on 8 November.

10 December 2009

Beating and Abuse

Testimony: Soldiers assault elderly farmer

In his testimony to B'Tselem, Ahmad Ghanem, 75, a resident of Deir al-Ghusun, states that while working his land near the Separation Barrier, two soldiers severely beat him and left without giving him first-aid. B'Tselem informed the Military Police Investigation Unit and demanded an investigation.

8 December 2009

Detainees & Prisoners

Israel administratively detains anti-Barrier activist

Muhammad Othman was arrested on 22 Sept. ‘09 and held for two months, during which no indictment was formulated against him. An administrative-detention order was then issued against him for three months. The army’s order in this case is unjustified and a misuse of the administrative-detention procedure.

6 December 2009

General

Zahava Gal-On: B'Tselem after 20 years

The former MK and founding executive director of B'Tselem writes that the organization has won the battle over public awareness in Israel and has inculcated the notion that we all pay the price for human rights violations.

30 November 2009

Restrictions on Movement

Olive harvest 2009: army better prepared

This year, security forces were better prepared to protect farmers from settler violence during the olive harvest in the West Bank. However, they continued to limit Palestinian farmers' access to land lying near settlements or on the other side of the Separation Barrier.

26 November 2009

Open-Fire Policy

Army renews use of live ammunition against demonstrators

Twice this month, soldiers fired 22-caliber bullets at demonstrators against the Separation Barrier in Ni'lin, injuring four. This contradicts the JAG's statement that this potentially lethal ammunition is not a means to disperse demonstrators, and that stringent rules apply to its use.

26 November 2009

Area C

Israel chokes Palestinian construction

The Civil Administration has recently issued demolition orders for structures in several Palestinian villages in Area C. The Administration rarely authorizes Palestinian construction in Area C, which comprises 60 percent of the West Bank.

25 November 2009

Settler Violence = State Violence

Indictment against settlers who assaulted shepherds

On 21 Oct. '09, an indictment was filed against two settlers for the aggravated assault last year of Na'el Abu 'Aram and Khaled Najar while they grazed sheep on their land in the southern Hebron hills.

25 November 2009

Detainees & Prisoners

B'Tselem marks 20th anniversary with heavy heart

B'Tselem has commemorated 20 years since its founding by releasing data on human rights in the Occupied Territories during this period. 7398 Palestinians, 995 Israeli civilians and 488 members of the Israeli security forces were killed in the conflict. At least 10,000 Palestinian homes were demolished for various alleged reasons.

22 November 2009

Agriculture

Testimony: Israel impedes olive harvest in Bethlehem

For six years, Elias Mariyyeh, an 80-year-old resident of Bethlehem, has been unable to pick his olives. Cut off from his grove by the Separation Barrier, Israel makes it hard for him to receive crossing permits.

19 November 2009

Beating and Abuse

Campaign against security forces' violence

B'Tselem has launched a Hebrew internet campaign to raise awareness of security forces' violence in the West Bank, a phenomenon that harms Palestinians and also the fabric of Israeli society.

16 November 2009

Agriculture

Ariel settlement wastewater pollutes Salfit

For years, the town of Salfit has suffered from wastewater channeled its way from Ariel. A video co-produced with "HaYarkon 70 News" portrays the problem, which exists in other places in the West Bank.

11 November 2009

General

B'Tselem offers public tours

To mark 20 years since its founding, B'Tselem is inviting the public to free tours of the West Bank from a human rights perspective.

11 November 2009

The Gaza Strip

Update on Cast Lead investigations

The Military Police are investigating some 21 incidents from Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip. However, these investigations address specific incidents and will not address larger policy questions. They will also not examine the responsibility of civilian leaders, nor of senior military officers for potential war crimes. B'Tselem repeats its demand for Israel to conduct an effective, independent investigation into its conduct in Cast Lead.

11 November 2009

The Gaza Strip

Testimony: ISA exploits illness of Gaza resident

When 'Abd al-Karim al-'Atal, an 18-year-old Gazan, requested to enter Israel for medical treatment, he was arrested and interrogated by the ISA. His testimony indicates that the interrogators used unlawful methods and tried to force him to become a collaborator.

11 November 2009

The Gaza Strip

Update on Cast Lead investigations

The Military Police are investigating some 21 incidents from Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip. However, these investigations address specific incidents and will not address larger policy questions. They will also not examine the responsibility of civilian leaders, nor of senior military officers for potential war crimes. B'Tselem repeats its demand for Israel to conduct an effective, independent investigation into its conduct in Cast Lead.

4 November 2009

East Jerusalem

New settlement planned near Jerusalem

Persons affiliated with settler organizations in East Jerusalem are planning to build a new settlement on lands of the al-Walajah village. The planned section of the Separation Barrier in this area will separate the villagers from most of their farmland and encircle the village.

29 October 2009

Agriculture

Video: 2009 Olive Harvest

In several events filmed by B'Tselem during October, settlers are seen hampering Palestinians from harvesting olives and stealing their crops.

29 October 2009

Restrictions on Movement

Suspicion: soldiers killed driver who did not endanger their lives

On 22 Sept. '09, Rabi’ a-Tawil, from East Jerusalem, entered Israel through the Mevo Beitar checkpoint. At a nearby gas station, soldiers took his identifying documents and went to the checkpoint. A-Tawil continued to a second gas station, some two kilometers from the checkpoint, where soldiers shot and killed him, although he did not endanger them.

29 October 2009

Beating and Abuse

Suspicion: Undercover police assault youth in East J-m

On 9 Oct. '09, Firas al-Atrash stood near his parents' home in East Jerusalem while riots took place. According to his testimony, when he asked Israeli policemen pretending to be stone throwers to leave the area, they beat him severely, breaking his arm and nose.

28 October 2009