Updates

The Gaza Strip

Israel must investigate army's conduct in Operation Cast Lead

B'Tselem is persistently advocating for Israel to implement the principal recommendation of the Goldstone report and mount an independent investigation into suspicions that Israeli forces breached international humanitarian law in Operation Cast Lead.

19 October 2009

Harassment

Officers suspended on suspicion they vandalized cars

Following B'Tselem's intervention, the army opened a military police investigation into the vandalizing of cars in the southern Hebron hills and suspended two officers suspected of involvement. On 12-13th of October, B'Tselem documented 8 cars used to transport Palestinian workers that were vandalized, allegedly by soldiers.

15 October 2009

Beating and Abuse

Soldiers suspected of abusing Palestinian laborers

Following testimonies given to B'Tselem, the Military Police is investigating several cases of alleged severe abuse of laborers, who were caught by soldiers trying to enter Israel through a gap in the Separation Barrier.

15 October 2009

Detainees & Prisoners

Policy of detention without trial is illegal

A new report by B'Tselem and HaMoked states that Israel is holding 335 Palestinians in lengthy administrative detention. Nine Gazans are being held pursuant to the Internment of Unlawful Combatants Law. The organizations call on Israel to release the administrative detainees or prosecute them in accord with due process.

14 October 2009

Settlements

Re-open investigation of Susiya assault

On 30 Sept. '09, B'Tselem appealed the decision to close the investigation into the assault of Palestinian shepherds near the Susiya settlement in June '08, which was filmed on B'Tselem's cameras. The investigation was closed in June '09 on grounds of 'offender unknown.'

12 October 2009

Hebron City Center

Testimony: Settlers assault Palestinian in Hebron

According to a testimony given to B'Tselem by Nizam al-'Azazmeh, on 1 Aug. '09, settlers assaulted him on his way home, beating him severely. When police arrived, they fled. According to al-'Azazmeh, the police did not give him first-aid or chase the assailants.

12 October 2009

Beating and Abuse

Testimony: Soldiers severely beat Muhammad Id'is

On 6 Sept. '09, soldiers attacked Id'is as he prepared to drive Palestinian workers toward the entrance to Israel. They cuffed him, beat him senseless and refused to order an ambulance. After police intervened, he was hospitalized for damage to the stomach and intestine. B'Tselem requested the JAG to open an investigation into the event.

24 September 2009

Beating and Abuse

Border policeman to be jailed for assaulting Palestinians

In March 2005, B'Tselem reported to the DIP that three garage owners in Baka a-Sharqiya claimed to have been assaulted by border policemen. In 2009, one of the policemen was convicted in two of the cases and was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment, a fine, and a compensatory payment to the victims.

24 September 2009

East Jerusalem

Construction of Barrier frozen in Ma'ale Adumim

In June '09, the state informed the Israeli High Court of Justice that it had frozen construction of the Separation Barrier in this area. The planned route would cut off the northern West Bank from the south and severely infringe the Palestinians' right to self-determination.

23 September 2009

The Gaza Strip

Israel must investigate Operation Cast Lead

With the publication of the Goldstone Committee report today, human rights organizations in Israel are studying the report and its conclusions, and they call upon the Israeli Government to take the report seriously and to refrain from automatically rejecting its findings or denying its legitimacy.

16 September 2009

Settler Violence = State Violence

Testimony: Settlers assault Palestinian shepherds

On 4 July '09, near the Avigail outpost, settlers assaulted two shepherds from Shu'b al-Buttom, attacked their sheep and destroyed property. Police arrived only hours later and believed the victims only when shown a cell-phone video of the assault.

27 August 2009

Settler Violence = State Violence

Testimonies: Settlers filmed attacking shepherd near Susiya

On 10 Aug.'09, settlers attacked a Palestinian shepherd from Khirbet Susiya and stabbed a B'Tselem worker who photographed them. The victims identified the assailants and filed a complaint with police, who were given all the footage of the event.

27 August 2009

Demonstrations

Night arrests in Bil'in demonstrations

Weekly demonstrations against construction of the Separation Barrier on Bil'in village land have been held for several years. Since June '09, the army has been carrying out night arrests in the village, apparently as part of a policy to stop the demonstrations

18 August 2009

East Jerusalem

Settlers take over East J-m homes

On 2 Aug. '09, police evacuated 46 Palestinians from their homes in Sheikh Jarah. Settlers immediately moved in to the houses. The evacuees are descendants of 1948 refugees who were settled in the neighborhood by the Jordanian government and UNRWA

6 August 2009

Restrictions on Movement

Israeli-only road in Hebron area

Route 3265, a major traffic artery southwest of Hebron, has been closed to all Palestinians since 2001, when Palestinians shot and killed a settler driving on it. In a video, the Jadallah family relates how this collective punishment has severely harmed their lives.

6 August 2009

The Gaza Strip

Don't silence "Breaking the Silence"

Ten Israeli human rights and social change organizations have written to the prime minister protesting the government's attack on "Breaking the Silence", which escalated with the government's attempt to thwart funding for the group.

2 August 2009

Settlements

B'Tselem to Landau: Wastewater knows no borders

Following the harsh comments made by Infrastructures Minister Uzi Landau in the Knesset in a debate regarding B'Tselem's report on wastewater from settlements, B'Tselem called on the minister to set politics aside and treat the problem at hand.

26 July 2009

Communities Facing Expulsion

Possible eviction of 'Arab a-Ramadin

'Arab a-Ramadin al-Janubi is isolated in a Separation Barrier enclave that annexes a nearby settlement to Israel. Residents claim they have again been informed that they must relocate, although such a move contradicts Israel's explicit undertaking before the High Court.

15 July 2009

Beating and Abuse

Police severely beat Palestinian in Tel Aviv

On 12 June '09, Malak Abu Gharbiya, a resident of East Jerusalem, went to the beach with his friends. After he helped break up a fight there, police officers severely beat him and arrested him. Abu Gharbiya was released on bond 8 days later, still bearing marked signs of the abuse

15 July 2009

The Gaza Strip

Military avoids investigating soldiers' testimonies

While the military has attacked the credibility of soldiers' testimonies regarding Operation Cast Lead, it has failed to open a single serious investigation into events detailed by Palestinian witnesses to B'Tselem.

15 July 2009