Updates

Restrictions on Movement

Report by B'Tselem and Bimkom: Under the Guise of Security

At a press conference on 21 Feb.2006, B'Tselem and Bimkom are discussing a new report dealing with the route of the separation barrier. The report shows that the route was based on considerations relating to settlement expansion and control of land, and not on security reasons, as the government has continuously claimed.

21 February 2006

Open-Fire Policy

New video - Lethal Ambiguity

A new video by B'Tselem features Israeli combat soldiers talking about the IDF's rules of engagement for using lethal force. The video shows that the orders given to soldiers are vague, and generate a culture of excessive force and little accountability for the many civilian deaths that result.

20 February 2006

The Jordan Valley

Israel has effectively annexed the Jordan Valley

Israel imposes severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinians in the Jordan Valley, which in effect annexes it to Israel. B'Tselem field reserach indicates that, as a rule, the army forbids the entry of Palestinians to the Jordan Valley , and only allows entry of those Palestinians listed as residents of this area.

13 February 2006

Attacks on Israeli Civilians by Palestinians

B'Tselem: Investigate Excessive Force in 'Amona Demolitions

B'Tselem wrote to Israel 's Attorney Generalasking him to order an investigation into the excessive force used by the Israel Police during the dismantling of the permanent houses in the Amona settlement.

2 February 2006

Restrictions on Movement

Video testimony: They separated me from my land

The farmland of 'Abd a-Latif 'Odeh, of D'aba Village, lies adjacent to his home. The separation barrier was built between his home and his parcel of farmland. To get from one to the other, he and his family have to travel 22 kilometers, which they do by donkey-drawn cart. Sometimes, when they get to the crossing gate, soldiers do not let their cart pass.

30 January 2006

Attacks on Israeli Civilians by Palestinians

B'Tselem: Hamas must renounce war crimes

B'Tselem calls on Hamas to renounce the policy of suicide bombings, and refrain from all deliberate attacks on civilians, in both Israel and the Occupied Territories .

26 January 2006

Harassment

Testimony: B'Tselem's intervention stops GSS abuse of Palestinian family

The General Security Service repeatedly ordered a Palestinian family to appear at its offices, held them for hours at a time, and maltreated them. In late November, B'Tselem wrote to the Civil Administration's demanding that the abuse end. B'Tselem did not receive a response to its demand. However, the family reported that the maltreatment had ceased.

5 January 2006

House demolition

B'Tselem to Mazuz: Prevent the renewal of house demolitions

Following the announcement that Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz requested the approval of Attorney General Menachem Mazuz to demolish the homes of suicide-bombers' families, B'Tselem requested the attorney general to prevent the illegal policy from being reinstituted.

6 December 2005

Attacks on Israeli Civilians by Palestinians

Netanya blast kills Israeli civilians

B'Tselem strongly condemns the attack at the Netanya Mall, in which five Israeli civilians were killed and many were injured. Attacks aimed at civilians undermine all rules of morality and law.

5 December 2005

Minors

Soldiers shell house with residents still inside, setting it on fire

On the night of 23 October 2005, soldiers fired gunshots and missiles at a house in the Nur Shams refugee camp, near Tulkarm, without first warning the occupants to leave. The shelling caused a fire to break out, while residents, including small children, were still inside.

21 November 2005