UNITED NATIONS: Theft Of Palestinian Water

Videos Of Theft Of Palestinian Water

Kawther Salam

March 20, 2012 According to a report released yesterday Monday March 19 2012 by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the occupied Palestinian territory, the zionists jewish colonists have "seized" Palestinian Water Resources (dozens of natural springs) in the occupied West Bank, barring Palestinians and limiting their access to the scarce water in the area. In addition to the zionist crimes and which the UN does not mention in their report, is that the Israeli army and the so-called civil administration, a military branch of the Israeli army, helps the Zionist squatters in their theft by declaring the locations of the Palestinian water sources as "military zones". To this end they have issued hundreds of military orders with the aims of perpetrating genocide and ethnic cleansing against Palestinians by barring them from living in their land or even reaching them, and so subjecting them to conditions which all but ensure their destruction as individuals and as a group. The occupiers have also declared hundreds of thousands of dunums which are rich in water and well supplied with springs as "state-land". A further genocidal measure of the zionist squatters is to drop poison into Palestinian artesian wells at many locations in the occupied territories, wells which are used for drinking water by Palestinians. In Yatta south of Hebron, the colonists poisoned several artesian wells, burnt the fields around them and perpetrated uncounted number of crimes of violence against the owners of these wells and lands. Yearly the military "civil administration" demolishes a number of pools of water which are filled by farmers from springs in order to irrigate their fields and plants. They confiscate the equipment of the farmers and refuse to release it without conditions and until the farmers pay heavy fines and sign extorted non-entry "agreements" to end their presence in their own lands. See the videos of theft of Palestinian water released in the United Nations report published below. See the UN (OCHA)report as (PDF) file. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said it had surveyed 530 springs in the West Bank and found that 30, mostly in areas where Israel retains military control, were taken over by the settlers. Jewish settlers have seized dozens of natural springs in the occupied West Bank, barring Palestinians or limiting their access to scarce water sources, a United Nations report said on Monday. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said it had surveyed 530 springs in the West Bank and found that 30, mostly in areas where Israel retains military control, were taken over by the settlers. There are 56 water springs in the West Bank in the vicinity of Israeli settlements that have become the target of settler activities. Thirty (30) of these springs have been taken over completely by Israeli settlers, while the other 26 are at risk of settler take over, due to regular settler "tours" and patrolling. Click here to see the first video of theft Four of the springs fall within Areas B, close to the boundaries with Area C, and the rest are located within Area C. At least 84 percent of the springs affected by settler activities are located on land recognized by the Israeli Civil Administration (ICA) as privately owned by Palestinians. Click on the small images to enlarge them. In three-quarters of the springs taken-over, Palestinians have been deterred from accessing the area by acts of threat and intimidation, while access to the rest has been prevented by physical obstacles. Click here to see the second video of theft In more than 70 percent of the springs, Israeli settlers have begun to develop the surrounding area into a "tourist attraction". Virtually all of the springs affected by settler activities are, or were in the past, used by Palestinians for irrigation, watering of livestock and/or domestic water consumption. Click here to see the third video of theft Israel uses 86 percent of the water extracted from the Mountain Aquifer, which is a trans-boundary resource that must be shared between both sides in an equitable and reasonable manner. 1. In recent years, Israeli settler activity has significantly impaired Palestinian access to, and use of, a growing number of water springs. The main methods used by settlers to that end have been threats and intimidation, and the erection of fences around the targeted areas. 2. This phenomenon comes in the context of Israel’s longstanding policy of settling its civilian population in the occupied Palestinian territory, in violation of international humanitarian law. Nearly 40 percent of the West Bank has been seized by the Israeli authorities for that purpose. Additional Palestinian properties, including springs, have been taken over by settler groups without formal authorization, but with the acquiescence and often active support of the Israeli authorities. 3. Following the reduction of Palestinian presence, settlers begin developing the springs into tourist attractions, with the support of various Israeli governmental bodies. The ever growing tourism infrastructure of settlements contributes to their entrenchment by adding a source of revenue for the settler population, as well as by "normalizing" settlements in the eyes of larger segments of Israeli society. 4. The inability to access and use springs has significantly undermined the livelihoods and security of Palestinians living in affected communities. Many farmers were forced to either cease cultivating the land or face a reduction in productivity. Herders and households had to increase their expenditures to purchase more expensive piped or tankered water. The presence of armed settlers at the springs and their surroundings also resulted in increased friction and clashes. 5. The practices involved in the takeover and development of springs – including trespass, intimidation, theft, and building without permit – are illegal under both international and Israeli military legislation. Yet, the Israeli authorities have systematically failed to enforce the law on those responsible for these acts and to provide Palestinians with any effective remedy. 6. The encroachment on Palestinian land for the purpose of settlement expansion is a key cause of humanitarian vulnerability of the Palestinian population. Settlement expansion also results in the fragmentation of the West Bank, thus undermining the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination. 7. The Israeli authorities must stop facilitating the transfer of Israeli civilians into the oPt; restore Palestinian access to the water springs taken over by settlers; conduct effective investigations into cases of settler violence and trespass and prosecute those responsible; and prevent ongoing settler "tours" into springs located on private Palestinian land.

Iraq snapshot - March 21, 2012

Iraq snapshot - March 21, 2012

The Common Ills

Wednesday, March 21, 2012.  Chaos and violence continue, Nouri believes if everything comes to a standstill in Baghdad then the Arab Summit can be a 'success,' Senator Patty Murray demands answers on Madigan Army Medical Center reversing 40% of PTSD diagnoses, the Congress hears from veterans groups, and more.     "Another concern I wanted to mention today and one I'm sure everyone in this room is concerned about is mental health," declared Senator Patty Murray this morning. "For service members who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, the VA has now projected an increased demand of over 200% for mental health care by Fiscal Year 2020.  We have got to take a hard look at whether the department's proposed 5% budget increase is enough to meet the projected demand for mental health care.  Not every veteran will be effected by the invisible wounds of war  but when a veteran has the courage to stand up and ask for help the VA has to meet that need every single time.  They have to be there not only with timely access to care but the right type of care.  Challenges like PTSD or depression are natural responses to some of the most stressful events a person can experience and we must do everything we can to ensure those effected by these illnesses can get help, get better and get back to their lives."      She was speaking at the joint-hearing of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.  She is the Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, Senator Richard Burr is the Ranking Member.  US House Rep Jeff Miller is the Chair of the House Veterans Affairs Committee and, while Rep Bob Filner is the Ranking Member, Rep Michael Michaud acted as the Ranking Member for the hearing.  Appearing before them were Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America's Tom Tarantino, the Military Order of the Purple Heart's William R. Hutton, the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs' David Fletcher, the Non-Commissioned Officers Association's H. Gene. Overstreet, the Retired Enlisted Association's John Rowan and Wounded Warrior Project's Dawn Halfaker.     Chair Patty Murray: Let me just say as I continue to sit down with veterans across my home state, I hear many of the same things that those of you who will testify hear from your members: veterans who are concerned that they can't get access to health care including mental health care when they need it, continue to wait for months on a decision claims and are unaware of the services that are available to them.  Veterans tell me about the obstacles to employment that they continue to face and many tell me that they are afraid to write the word "veteran" on their resume. Last year's passage of our VOW To Hire Heroes Act was a great first step in tackling the high rate of unemployment among our veterans but there is a lot of work left to be done.     That's from Senate Committee Chair Murray's opening statements.  House Committee Chair Jeff Miller had his statement entered into the record and briefly noted the following.   Chair Jeff Miller: The one thing I do want to draw attention to is that sequestration does in fact still loom over the VA.  I, too, have asked not only the Secretary [of VA Eric Shinseki] but also the President as well.  I have yet to receive a response and so because of that I have filed a piece of legislation that's very simple. It's a page-and-a-half and it codifies one of the areas that is concurrent law, one of the conflicting statues that says veterans programs -- especially health programs -- are, in fact, not going to be subject to sequestration.  So I look forward to one of two things, either that bill passing and becoming law or secondly getting an answer from the administration as to whether or not we are going to be impacted by that.   Chair Murray had noted that in her statement, that she's repeatedly asked for an answer on this issue.  Sequestration will most likely kick in due to budget issues.  If it does, it will be automatic.  (Automatic cuts to federal programs to lower the budget for the Fiscal Year 2013.)  Is VA effected or not?  This is a question that's been asked and asked again, over and over.  Murray even asked Secretary Shinseki in a February 29th hearing (see the March 1st snapshot):     Chair Patty Murray: [. . .] let me begin the questions by getting this one off the table.  It's on the issue of sequestration and cuts to spending.  Like I said in my opening remarks I believe that all VA programs including medical care are exempt from cuts but there is some ambiguity between the budget act and the existing law. And when I asked the acting OMB director to adress this issue in a budget hearing two weeks ago, he said OMB had yet to make a final determination.  So I am concerned that by not settling this issue now, we are failing to provide our veterans with the clarity they really deserve to have.  And so while you're here, I wanted to ask you: Do you believe that all VA programs -- including medical care -- are exempt from any future cuts?     Secretary Eric Shinseki: I think, Madame Chairman, the answer that the OMB director provided you was the same one that I understand.  They are still addressing the issue. For my purposes, I would tell you I'm not planning on sequestration.  I'mI  addressing my requirements and presenting my budget as  you would expect me to do.  I think sequestration in part or in whole is not necessarily good policy.  And I think the President would argue the best approach here is a balanced deficit reduction and that the budget he has presented does that and I would ask that the Congress look at that budget and favorably consider it.   Chair Patty Murray:  I think we all hope that is the outcome but we want to provide clarity to our veterans. They are very concerned about this issue.      That was 21 days ago.  Murray, Miller, Filner and Burr (among others) had been asking repeatedly for an answer prior to the above exchange.  However, when the Secretary is asked in an open session, with press present, and he doesn't know the answer, you think he would get on the ball to find out.  It's very basic, or should be, for Eric Shinseki: Would sequestration effect my department or not?   It's very basic and you would assume it would be one he would want immediately answered since the budget is being hammered out.    There's no excuse for this non-response and, as Miller points out, he's asked for an answer from President Barack Obama as well and received nothing.  So the point is, it's gone above Shinseki's head and if the administration had wanted the Congress (and the American people) to have an answer, the White House would have already provided one.  There's no excuse for this.  It is a concern to many veterans -- of more than just the current wars -- as to whether or not their benefits or the health care or an education program might be cut.  While supposedly wanting to "honor" veterans of the Iraq War on Monday, Barack refused to do so by answering this very basic question: If sequestration kicks in, will the VA budget be targeted with automatic cuts?     In her opening remarks, one of the topics Dawn Halfaker noted was the Caregiver-Assistance program, the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010.  This allows caregivers access to support services, mental health services, eduaction sessions and counseling among other things.  Although passed and signed into law, the VA, for some reason, decided, "We know what the law says, but let's instead do what we want to."  Dropping back to the July 12, 2011 snapshot:   As Ranking Member Michael Michaud explained, the hearing was a follow up to the March 11th hearing by the Subcommittee.  On the Senate side, the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee March 2nd hearing (covered in that day's snapshot and  Kat covered it in "Burr promises VA 'one hell of a fight'" and Ava covered it at Trina's site with "The VA still can't get it together").  What both Senate and House Committees learned in the two March hearings was that they had passed legislation that was very different from what the VA was implementing.  Senator Patty Murray, Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, noted, "VA's plan on the caregivers issue was overdue and once submitted it hardly resembled the bill that unanimously cleared this Congress.  Three weeks ago, my Committee staff requested information on how that plan was developed and to date no information has been provided.  Rather than following the law, the administration set forth some overly stringent rules, bureaucratic hurdles, that would essentially deny help to caregivers."  Schulz explained she was now rated by the VA for providing 40 hours a week of caregiving.  She probably does a great deal more than that but it's not recognized.  She did want it understood that when a wounded veteran returns, there's nothing so simple as 40 hours a week of care.  She reviewed how, in her case, a great deal of time was taken with reorienting and dealing with confusing on the part of her son as to where he was and what was going on. There were sleep and other issues that had to be addressed including bathroom issues and the first weeks contained a great deal of work on reorientation.  It's an important point but it's sad that she had to underscore it. A veteran with no apparent disabilities or challenges will need time to reorient themselves and they may require help on that.  That a wounded veteran would need it should have been obvious to the VA with no caregiver having to point it out. "I couldn't understand that," Debbie Schulz told the Subcommittee of disparities for caregivers and gave an example of "another caregiver" in Texas who cares for her son suffering from TBI with a spinal cord injury and unable to transfer himself out of his wheel chair is judged of doing only 25 hours of care a week.  "How can that be right?" Schulz wondered.   Schulz is Debbie Schulz, the mother of Iraq War veteran Steven K. Schulz who was severly injured in a Falluja attack on April 19, 2005.  Halfaker called for the Committees to again review VA's performance to ensure that they are indeed following the law that the Congress passed (the law that they refused to follow until the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committee hauled them in for hearings in 2011). We'll note this exchange from today's hearing.   Chair Jeff Miller:  Captain, you talked in your testimony or made reference to VA's resistance to the caregiver law if I runderstood what I read.  Can you kind of expand upon it a little bit for us and let us know what your thoughts are?   Dawn Halfaker: Sure.  Thank you.  Yeah, I think the biggest thing that we're focused on is one of the parts of the program projected, how many cases VA is going to have to address within this caregiver population and originally it was projected to be 3500 cases and we've already reached that caseload.  So I mean in terms of the ability for VA to be prepared for the amount of cases that they're going to have to deal with, we feel that they need to start looking at that and, of course, how effective is the program being? We're very interested to do another survey within our population to start looking at how well the program's being set up and really how effective it's being.  So those are two of the areas that we're highly focused on. And also looking for VA to kind of comprehensively address all facets of the program.   Chair Jeff Miller:  Mr. Cooper, you alluded to something that actually I think everybody talks about, even those of us on the Committee have talked about in the past in regards to how you translate what you did in your time in the service to your civilian life as you transition across.  And we tried in the VOW To Hire Heroes Act to begin to stimulate if you will the states to be able to waive some of their requirements that a truck driver or a combat medic or whatever it may be.  What can the VA, what do you think the VA can do to help the veteran better market themselves or market their skills?   Arthur Cooper:  I think if we were to say to the VA that you need to set up programs by which the service member returning is able to sit down with a counselor or counselors and do a resume that is specific to the job that he/she is trying to apply for.  You have the qualifications from having done the job but you don't have the ability to put the job on paper as a resume.  If we can do something to that effect, have that training process in place, that will do a lot toward helping us as far as getting employment -- meanful employment, I'll say it that way.   Chair Jeff Miller: Anybody else want to comment? Sgt Major?   Sgt Major H. Gene Oversight:  Mr. Chairman, I would comment on that.  Like I said, we put on forty job fairs around the countryside throughout the year and we counsel veterans, service members, young men and women getting out of the service how to write their resume.  As a matter of fact, we have a guy who we used to bring in all the time and he wrote this book Does Your Resume Wear Combat Boots? And basically, we tell people how to make those transitional words from what they do in the military to civilian terminology. So when they build their resume and they put it together, the people that's doing the hiring do understand that and, matter of fact, the people that we bring understand that they're hiring a military person, they know what they get, they know they're going to get somebody that can read and write and that sounds very simple now days but it's not so simple because they can read and write and they can similate what they read -- in other words, they understand it and they can set it to music.  They also realize that they get some leadership with that because they come early, they stay late, they're clean cut.  They're good at all of those sorts of things when they hire a veteran.  And that's the reason that when those companies that hire veterans continue to come back to us because they understand what they did in the military and what they're getting when they bring them on, sir.   Chair Jeff Miller: John? John Rowan: The other issue and the problem is that this is spread across the different states and they all have different laws and applications.  But it would be interesting I think if the DoD people looked at training manuals and things to see that often times they're just missing a little something extra that would give them the certification they need for that particular job.  It's not really analogous but I was a linguist in the military and when I went back to college they gave me some credit for my college but told me I didn't take any reading courses so I couldn't get credit for the whole language.  I mean, it was just something as simple as that.  Now that's a bizarre thing but I'm sure that in some of the medics and things, there's probably just something not quite right that would equate to the equivalent of an education in the private sector and they need to figure that out and add it in.   Chair Jeff Miller:  It's interesting that you would bring up the item of not taking reading courses.  I visited a college that shall remain unnamed and was talking with them about the VOW To Hire Heroes Act and saying, "How in the world can a person who has been in a field hospital, doing all of the things that they do, day in and day out, not transfer those skills into a nursing program or something along those lines?"  And the first response?  "Well they haven't had the humanities, they haven't had the English" -- and I'm like, "We have got to change the culture out there to help put these folks to work."  And, as the Sgt Major said, we have people who know what it's like to get up early, work late, do it when they don't want to do it, do it with a smile on their face and you don't find that a lot of times out in the civilian workforce and we've got to find a way to expand that if we can.   What they need to do is for DoD to offer classes -- along with medic training,  I'm sorry but I don't find, for example US history to be a joke or something to laugh at.  LVNs getting a BSN from a university (as opposed to a diploma mill) are required to have certain courses and US history and US government are part of those requirements.  DoD should be training in those areas and they should be offering humanities courses (one is generally needed in most LVN-BSN programs).  The point of education is to make you a well rounded citizen.  Is that not a goal the military has for veterans?  They can easily put together courses -- courses which could utilize the training and the mission within the course work.  This should be done for every service member.  The military owes it to them.  In most cases, there is a degree of training that already qualifies it's just not structured so that a college will recognize it. This is a DoD issue that needs to be addressed immediately.     Due to floor votes starting on the Senate floor, the Senate members had to leave the hearing after the witnesses delivered their opening remarks. We'll note the following exchange.     Ranking Member Michael Michaud:  You'd mentioned the stateveterans nursing home and the great job that they do.  I really appreciate Mr. Miller's efforts on addressing the issue on reimbursment rates which is extremely important for a lot of veterans around the country -- each one a little differently.  My question is -- because we addressed it back in October,  the Senate hasn't dealt with the legislation as of yet -- what effect is it having for veterans who are 70% or higher in their disabilies throughout some of the nursing homes around the country?       David Fletcher: In cases where we have a large number of -- 70% or higher of veterans in a home, uhm, the cost -- the reimbursement does not give the homes what they -- it doesn't pay for the full cost of care. So the homes actually have to come up with the difference or the veteran.  And then the veteran obviously suffers from that.  I believe in the case especially of a few of the states and in one state in particular, it happened to be Maine, there's a large number of veterans there and the more veterans that you have that are 70% and above that are -- [handed a piece of paper] And of course, the comment I just got is that homes are turning veterans away because they can't match their cost of care.    Ranking Member Michael Michaud:  Thank you and that was the concern that I have.  I know from Maine, you mentioned Maine, Maine veterans nursing homes are going to lose anywhere from $8 to 16 million a year and they can't take that sustainable loss.  I was kind of curious on other states and thank you for that answer.  My next question is for Mr. Tarantino, you talked about education for soldiers coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan.  And have you found problems there in different states as far as higher ed being willing to take into consideration the experience that a soldier might have had whether it's a medic or working on heavy equipment, whereas the higher ed might at ground zero and work up?  Have you found that to be a problem or is it, have most higher eds been taking that into consideration?   Tom Tarantino:  Thank you, Congressman, this is -- this is actually a problem over all.  And this was largely what the VOW To Hire Heroes Act, one of the provisions, was meant to address.  It's less that schools aren't using a veteran's military experience and crediting them for that, it's that professional licenses and certifications that are required to do a lot of vocational jobs -- medics, mechanics, truck drivers -- don't recognize military training experience. There have been a lot of sort of efforts where -- I know ACE has a great way to -- the American Counseling Education, forgive me -- has a great way to translate your military experience into college credit.  But we've never done the math on what a military vocation and a civilian vocation is -- largely because we've never had a generation of business leaders that hadn't served in the military before. This is the first generation where you just don't have very many people who are running the business sector having military experience.  And so now this is one of the things that Congress said last year we're going to need to ramp up quickly is to do the math on the gaps and overlaps between military jobs and vocations and their civilian equivalents so that we can actually have something that the professional sector can say, 'This is what we have, this is what we need.'  And the higher ed sector can follow up with adapting their training to what they need.   Ranking Member Michael Michaud:  My last question, probably quick yes or no answer since I'm running out of time, is the House, little over a month ago, passed legislation that sets up a Brack type process dealing with federal buildings and if you look at the VA facility, they already have a process within the VA facility and a utilization rate of VA facilities actually have increased dramatically.  Unfortunately, VA is covered under this legislation that's over here on this Senate side that once it's in that Brach type process they get rid of the VA facility that money doesn't go back to the VA facility and we have a problem as it is with construction within the VA area. Has your organization looked at that legislation and do you support it or oppose it?  Quick yes-or-no answer starting with Mr. Tarantino?   Tom Tarantino: We have looked at it.  It hasn't been a priority but we do definitely support that concept. And are looking forward to seeing a lot of stuff passed by the Senate that's come out of the House.    Now we'll note another Congressional hearing.  I was not at this hearing.  Wally was and was ready to do a brief synopsis for this snapshot but we've got a press release from Senator Patty Murray's office that we can use instead (and spare Wally the trouble -- thank you, Wally):   Murray Presses Army Secretary on Handling of the Mental Wounds of War   At Hearing of Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, Veterans Chairman Murray pressed Army Secretary John McHugh on troubled PTSD unit at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and whether similar problems exist at other bases   Hearing comes as new information reveals a Madigan Army Medical Center screening team reversed more than 40% of the PTSD diagnoses since 2007   VIDEO: Sen. Murray questions Sec. McHugh   (Washington, D.C.) -- Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee and a senior member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, questioned Army Secretary John McHugh on recent shortcomings in the Army's efforts to properly diagnose and treat the invisible wounds of war.  Specifically, Murray discussed the forensic psychiatry unit at Madigan Army Medical Center on Joint Base Lewis-McChord that is under investigation for changing mental health diagnoses based on the cost of providing care and benefits to servicemembers.  The Army is currently reevaluating nearly 300 service members and veterans who have had their PTSD diagnoses changed by that unit since 2007.   Key excerpt of Sen. Murray's remarks:   "Secretary McHugh, as you and I have discussed, Joint Base Lewis McChord in my home state is facing some very real questions on the way they have diagnosed PTSD and the invisible wounds of war.  And today, unfortunately, we are seeing more information on the extent of those problems.    "Mr. Secretary, this is a copy of today's Seattle Times.  In it is an article based on the most recent review of the Forensice Psychiatry Department at JBLM which -- as you know -- is under investigation for taking the cost of mental health care into account in their decisions. "And what it shows is that since that unit was stood up in 2007 over 40% of those service members who walked int he door with a PTSD diagnosis had their diagnosis changed to something else or overturned entirely.    "What is says is that over 4 in 10 of our service members -- many who were already being treated for PTSD -- and were due the benefits and care that comes with that diagnoses -- had it taken away by this unit.  And that they were then sent back into the force or the local community.   "Now, in light of all the tragedies we have seen that stem from the untreated, invisible wounds of war -- I'm sure that you would agree that this is very concerning.   "Not only is it damaging for these soldiers, but it also furthers the stigma for others that are deciding whether to seek help for behavioral problems."   ### Meghan Roh Deputy Press Secretary | Social Media Director Office of U.S. Senator Patty Murray @PattyMurray 202-224-2834 Get Updates from Senator Murray   The Seattle Times article referred to above is Hal Bernton's "40% of PTSD diagnoses at Madigan were reversed."     Yesterday Iraq was slammed with violence that claimed over fifty lives and left over two hundred injured, "just days before Baghdad hosts a landmark Arab summit," Eleanor Hall observed this morning on The World Today (Australia's ABC, link is text and audio) leading into a report by Meredith Griffiths on the violence. MEREDITH GRIFFITHS: This is despite the fact for the past couple of days intensive searches at checkpoints have ground Baghdad to a halt. Security had been ramped up in preparation for a meeting of the Arab world's top leaders. It's the first time the Arab League have met in Baghdad in 20 years, and the government considers it the most important diplomatic event yet for post-Saddam Iraq. Officials had been hoping to use the summit to showcase the country's improved security since the sectarian fighting a few years ago that almost pulled the country into civil war. Trend News Agency notes, "Holding the next summit of the League of Arab States in Iraq demonstrates the restoration of stability and resumption of its role in the Arab and regional areas, Iraqi ambassador to Kazakhstan, Sabir Abbud Al-Musaui told Trend today." It does no such thing. The Arab League Summit is two days. Al Rafidayn reports that the capital will be closed down for seven days. When you have to shut down the capital for seven days to hold a two day event, that's not a sign of success. Sahar Issa (McClatchy Newspaers) reports, "Only Monday, Iraqi authorities began practicing security procedures for the summit, flooding existing checkpoints with large numbers of special forces troops and setting up new checkpoints, where they searched cars with dogs, looking for explosives." Al Mada notes that, this morning, it might take as much as three hours for someone living in Baghdad to get to their job in Baghdad and that might require them leaving their car at some point and continuing on foot. Does Nouri al-Maliki really think that if these measures are successful it says anything about Baghdad other than that they can put the city on crackdown for seven days? Does this enstill trust in foreign investors? As for the summit, Middle East North Africa Financial Network doesn't expect much from the summit: One thing is certain and that is that the Baghdad summit will be anything but remarkable. Egypt will be busy preparing for its presidential election, the first since the toppling of Hosni Mubarak, Libya, Tunis and Yemen have enough domestic problems of their own. The Gulf countries will find it difficult to demonize Iran when the host has special relations with Tehran, while attempts to discuss the uprising in Bahrain will be foiled by the GCC group. Meanwhile Al Rafidayn reports Nouri has called for all Iraqis to unite. Spreading love apparently means then launching into an attack on Ayad Allawi who, apparently, isn't included included in the call for uniting. Al Mada reports Nouri has declared Allawi is bad for the government of Iraq. Nouri's upset because Allawi's announced if the top four demands for the national conference aren't implemented in 72 hours Iraqiya will consider walking out. This would be highly embarrassing to Nouri with the Arab leaders visiting. Especially since most of the Arab leaders can't stand Nouri. (As most Iraqi press has noted, Saudi Arabia is only participating because the US has badgered and cajoled them non-stop.)   Iraqiya won the 2010 elections.  Ayad Allawi is the leader of Iraqiya.  State of Law came in second, Nouri is the leader of State of Law.  Because Nouri refused to follow or honor the results of the election and because Nouri had the White House backing him, he was able to lead Iraq into an eight month-plus period of political stalemate.  This ended in November 2010 when the US-brokered Erbil Agreement was signed off on by all parties.  Chief among the concessions that allowed Nouri to stay on as prime minister was that Allawi would head an independent security commission.  That never happened, the promised referendum and census on Kirkuk (to please the Kurds) never happened.  He became prime minister and tossed aside the agreement.   Jason Ditz (Antiwar.com) observed yesterday of the ongoing political crisis (from the 2010 elections forward): Since then Iraqiya has been given only a handful of ministries (fewer than promised), but with the largest plurality in parliament could theoretically push through a vote of no confidence, forcing new elections. That is true legally speaking, but Maliki's increased centralization of power under his control, including naming himself as Interior and Defense Minister to keep control of all national troops and police, has many believing that he doesn't intend to allow step down even if he loses his legal mandate.   Peter Van Buren reflects on the nine years of war and occupation at Huffington Post and observes:   Malaki still holds some senior cabinet positions for himself, and still has an arrest warrant out for his own VP, who is in hiding in Kurdistan where Baghdad's law does not apply. On Monday, a million loyalists of cleric Moqtada al-Sadr rallied in south Iraq Monday decrying poor services and rampant graft. Demonstrators shouted: "Yes to rights! Yes to humanity! No to injustice! No to poverty! No to corruption!" Some protesters held aloft electrical cables, water canisters and shovels to symbolise the poor services that plague Iraq. Others carried empty coffins with words plastered on them such as "democracy," "electricity," "education" and "services." Iraq suffers from electricity shortages, with power cuts multiplying during the boiling summer, poor clean water provision, widespread corruption and high unemployment. This is despite the U.S. spending $44 billion on reconstruction in Iraq, the failure of which was the subject of my book, We Meant Well.   On Van Buren's first point, Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi is in the KRG where he is a guest of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and KRG President Massoud Barzani. He has stated he cannot receive a fair trial in Baghdad (Nouri's charged him with terrorism) because Nouri controls the Baghdad courts.  He's asked that the trial be moved to Kirkuk.  His assertion that he would not receive a fair trial was proven correct when, last month, nine Baghdad judges held a press conference to announce he was guilty of terrorism.  That was February 16th and, in that day's snapshot, we offered how the news being reported by AP and Reuters should have been reported:     IRAQI VICE PRESIDENT PROVEN CORRECT After many claims that he could not receive a fair trial, Tareq al-Hashemi's assertions were backed up today by the Iraqi judiciary. BAGHDAD -- Today a nine-member Iraqi judiciary panel released results of an investigation they conducted which found the Sunni Vice President of Iraq was guilty of terrorism.  Monday, December 19th, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki swore out an arrest warrant for Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi who had arrived in the KRG the previous day.  Mr. al-Hashemi refused to return to Baghdad insisting he would not receive a fair trial.  Instead, he was the guest of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and KRG President Massoud Barzani. During the weeks since the arrest warrant was issued, Mr. al-Hashemi has repeatedly attempted to get the trial moved to another venue stating that Prime Minister al-Maliki controlled the Baghdad judiciary.  Mr. al-Maliki insisted that the vice president return and that he would get a fair trial. Today's events demonstrate that Mr. al-Hashemi was correct and there is no chance of a fair trial in Iraq.  This was made clear by the judiciary's announcement today. A judiciary hears charges in a trial and determines guilt; however, what the Baghdad judiciary did today was to declare Tareq al-Hashemi guilt of the charges and to do so before a trial was held.  Not only do the events offer a frightening glimpse at the realities of the Iraqi legal system, they also back up the claims Mr. al-Hashemi has long made.     Had he been tried?  No.  Is the Iraqi Constitution unclear or confusing as to how guilt is determined?  Article 19th's fifth clause is very clear: "The accused is innocent until proven guilty in a fair legal trial.  The accused may not be tried on the same crime fora second time after acquittal unless new evidence is produced."   They may have had an 'investigation' but an 'investigation' does not prove guilt, only a trial does and for judges to hold a press conference and announce that someone is guilty of charges they have not yet been tried for is a huge miscarriage of justice.  The nine should be impeached for misconduct.  And the process was already being criticized prior to that for all the 'confessions' that kept getting aired on television.   Reuters reports today that al-Hashemi has accused the Baghdad government "of torturing to death one of his bodyguards, an accusation that could make it more difficult to resolve a case that has split the country's politics on dangerous sectarian lines."   So Moqtada al-Sadr's followers are protesting (Van Buren's second point), Iraqiya is threatening a walk out and, see yesterday's snapshot, KRG President Massoud Barzani made blistering remarks about a new dictatorship in Iraq (referring to Nouri).  What happens next?  Hiwa Osman (Rudaw) argues nothing happens next:   The reason is simple: although all of Maliki's rivals are "in one box" with Erbil as one Iraqiya MP said, they are only in that box until the moment comes that Maliki is removed and everyone backs off for a different reason. For Maliki, although the conflict between the political groups is reaching a critical point again, just like all the previous times, nothing will happen. Meetings will take place, each bloc cuts a different deal with him and he will continue to stay. He will get a period of calm and then a new crisis starts.   And that may be.  Nouri has demonstrated time and time again that he's happy playing the petulant child and digging his heels in.  Over time, others are encouraged to be the 'grown up' and give in.  Until someone stands up to the spoiled brat Nouri al-Maliki, there's no real reason for him to change or believe anyone could outwait him.     In news of violence, Qassim Abdul-Zahra (AP) notes a Baghdad home invasion in which the throats of the "mother and her three children" were slit. Al Rafidayn notes a tribal sheik was assassinated in Rawa.   We'll close with this appeal for support for Courage to Resist from Michael Thurman:       I applied for a conscientious objection discharge from the US Air Force in 2007. With the help of Courage to Resist, I was able to navigate that process successfully and I received an honorable discharge eight months later. However, today as a counselor to US military objectors, I know that things do not always go as well for others, regardless of the merits of their application. We have a lot of work to do to better support the troops who refuse to fight. It's because of the financial support of thousands of folks like yourself that I'm able to do this work as a Courage to Resist staff member. Donate to Courage to Resist today (More information and options regarding donations) Today, I'm interested in making sure our mission of supporting GI resisters—accused WikiLeaks truth-teller Army PFC Bradley Manning, for example—adapts to and becomes part of the broader forces gathering against US militarism and empire. We have an atrocious and seemingly endless war and uncertain future in Afghanistan. We have not actually "withdrawn" from Iraq. We have covert wars and an expanding military presence all over the world. We have the most significant military whistle-blower of our generation, Bradley Manning, facing life in prison. And every day we're hearing threats of an attack on the nation of Iran—not unlike the propaganda fed us in the lead up to the US invasion of Iraq in 2004. With the backing of thousands of friends like you, Courage to Resist has had a great history of supporting individual military resisters refusing illegal war, occupation and policies of empire—from "all the way back" when Marine L/Cpl Stephen Funk publicly refused to deploy to Iraq in April 2003, to when Army Lt. Ehren Watada became the first officer to refuse to deploy to Iraq in May 2006, to the hundreds of lower profile objectors we've assisted since. We've been able to do this work by collaborating with concerned community members, veterans, military families—and folks like you. Like our mission statement says, I really do believe that by supporting GI resistance, counter recruiting and draft resistance, we can harness "people power" to weaken the pillars that maintain these seemingly endless wars.

Thirsting for Justice Protest on World Water Day

Thirsting for Justice Protest on World Water Day

Ella David for PNN

March 21, 2012 This Thursday, on World Water Day, a protest called 'Thirsting for Justice' will take place in front of the Israeli High Court of Justice, Jerusalem. The demonstration for the Palestinian right to water has been organised by the Society of St. Yves, Catholic Centre for Human Rights who are based in East Jerusalem. The right to water is a universal human right yet Palestinians suffer from a lack of this vital resource. Denying the Palestinian people proper access to water is just another policy of oppression employed by the Israeli authorities. While most West Bankers have access to an average of 73 litres of water per day, Israelis use an average of 300 litres of water per day (Thirsting for Justice). The difference is even starker when comparing the illegal Israeli settlements with West Bank villages. In the Jordan valley, those living in the settlement of R'oi enjoy an average of 431 litres of water per day. Nearby, the Palestinian villagers of Al-Hadidiya have access to just 20 litres of water per day - 20 times less than the R'oi settlers and the UN level for a humanitarian disaster (B'Tselem 2011). This form of apartheid has a catastrophic effect on agriculture and the Palestinian economy as well as on the daily lives of Palestinians. The focus of the Thirsting for Justice Protest is on Israel's increasing use of targeting Palestinian wells and cisterns with demolition orders, for many people who have been cut off from mains water pipes; the water cisterns collect is their only source of non-drinking water. Destroying these cisterns is a human rights violation. The Society of St Yves writes why the demonstration is so important: 'Increasingly since 2010, Israel has disproportionately targeted Palestinian cisterns with demolition orders which are illegal by all standards of Human Rights law, Humanitarian law, Israeli and domestic planning laws. We believe that in the backdrop of World Water Day, March 22, we should bring attention to this very important issue by staging a demonstration in front of the Israeli High Court of Justice. The High Court, in an unprecedented move, will start large-scale responses to the pending petitions and cases linked to planning laws in the West Bank that have accumulated over the years. This remains the ideal time for the Society of St. Yves and other organizations to bring attention to not just individual cases but to the collective Israeli policies of destroying cisterns. We hope to combine our resources in order to argue against the legality of Israel's unfair military orders and their application. As local and international organizations pertaining to water prepare for the World Water Forum in Europe, a domestic campaign must complement their actions. The intention of this demonstration will be to sensitize the public, media, and the judges of the High Court of Justice about the issues involving water structure demolitions, particularly cisterns. We hope that the symbolism related to the date, the setting, and the solidarity between different organizations regularly facing the consequences of demolitions, will have an effect on public opinion and open the way to legal amendments of the planning laws'. The Society of St. Yves is a human rights association that provides legal assistance for Palestinians. the main issues they focus on are Jerusalem Residency, Child Registration, National Insurance, Freedom of Movement, Land Confiscation, House Demolitions, Family Unification and awareness raising. For more information about the protest or the organisation, contact advocacy@styves.org.ilThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or see http://saintyves.org.il/ To find out more about Palestinian rights to water and sanitation see http://www.thirstingforjustice.org/new/

Israel’s national water carrier violates Palestinians right to water

Alternative Water Forum 2012: Israel’s national water carrier violates Palestinians right to water

Alternative Water Forum 2012 - Various undersigned

March 22, 2012 Alternative Water Forum 2012 – The Marseille Declaration 'We commit to take action in solidarity with Palestinian human rights, including the human right to water.' Occupied Palestine – For years, the United Nations Human Rights Committee and other UN bodies have found Israel to be in violation of Palestinians human right to water and sanitation as part of normal reviews of Israel’s compliance with human rights treaties ratified by Israel. In 2010 the UN General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council passed resolutions, which together reaffirm "that governments have the primary responsibility for the realization of all human rights, including the right to water and sanitation." Yet Israel's violations of Palestinians human right to water and sanitation are only increasing. Between 2009 and 2011, Israel demolished 57 rainwater harvesting cisterns and 40 wells Palestinians depend on for their livelihoods. Military destruction of Palestinian water infrastructure is both a direct violation of the human right to water and a war crime under the Fourth Geneva Convention. Average household water consumption of Palestinians connected to a network is less than half the World Health Organization’s minimum recommended daily allowance and 1/6 of average Israeli household consumption. Some of the poorest families are paying half of their income on water. Israel’s obstruction of Palestinian water and sanitation development has prevented Palestinians from developing additional quantities of water agreed upon as part of the Oslo "peace process" and has forced Palestinians into a state of dependence upon purchasing Palestinian water from the Israeli national water company Mekorot. Mekorot cuts supply to Palestinian communities in order to maintain unhindered service to Israeli colonies in the West Bank. Israel’s illegal Wall through internationally recognized Palestinian land stands to cut Palestinians off from areas that would yield an addition 90 million cubic meters annually. Compare this amount to Palestinians total current water supply in the West Bank, which is just 180 million cubic meters, including water purchased from the Israeli national water company. The siege on Gaza prevents the entry of spare parts, materials and energy needed for the day-to-day functioning of the water and wastewater networks, and obstructs much needed development of these systems. The United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict found that Israel intentionally targeted and destroyed wells, pipes, wastewater facilities, water reservoirs and the main power station. More than 90% of water produced from municipal wells in Gaza is unsuitable for human consumption. Since 2005 Israel has damaged or destroyed more than 300 wells in a "buffer zone" unilaterally imposed by Israel inside of the territory of Gaza. According to international water law Gaza has a right to an equitable and reasonable share of water from the Coastal Aquifer, including from those portions within Israel. Israel has only newly begun allowing wastewater treatment projects in occupied Palestinian territory. After years of delays, including the murder of an on duty worker, projects in Gaza are now being implemented since Israel detected untreated and partially treated sewage released into the sea from Gaza at the Ashkelon desalination plant (12.5 kms, or 7.8 miles, directly north of Gaza). For fifteen years following Oslo, Israel directly obstructed the development of wastewater treatment facilities in the West Bank using first bureaucracy and then its military. Israel paid one contractor a 1-million shekel settlement admitting Israel was at fault when the military shut down a wastewater treatment project after it was fully permitted. Neighborhoods of Palestinian citizens of Israel often have poor sewage infrastructure despite paying equal or greater taxes than other Israeli citizens. A number of Israeli colonies release untreated sewage into Palestinian communities. The Israeli regime of institutionalized discrimination of Palestinians in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza constitutes apartheid under the Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid. The Russell Tribunal on Palestine concluded in its most recent session in Cape Town, South Africa, that, "Israel's rule over the Palestinian people, wherever they reside, collectively amounts to a single integrated regime of apartheid." A recent French parliamentary report condemned Israeli policies in withholding water from Palestinians as "apartheid". Israel’s violations must be seen within the context of the 1948 Nakba, the systematic expulsion and denial of the internationally recognized right of return of the majority of Palestinians from their homes. Since the establishment of the state of Israel, thousands of ancient springs, cisterns, wells, wadis and river streams have been illegally appropriated from Palestinians. Israel has also modified the hydrological character of the land it occupied, e.g., the drainage of Buheirat el Huleh (Hula Valley) by the Jewish National Fund (JNF) in the 1950s, and the diversion of the lower Jordan River waters, contributing to the dramatic shrinking of the Dead Sea. Just this month, Israel demolished the Bedouin village of Al Araquib in the Negev Desert a 36th time in order to allow the JNF to plant a forest and "green the desert." We launch this declaration calling upon global citizens of conscience to take action for Palestinian water rights as members of the global water rights movement are organizing to resist the corporatization of our common water heritage. We launch this declaration here in Marseille, France, home to the World Water Council, the corporate think tank and lobby group founded by multinational corporations and the World Bank. As the World Water Council convenes the 6th World Water Forum promoting the privatization of water and sanitation services, we call out the corporate members of this Council for profiting from the privatization of water and sanitation services globally – and in particular we call out the transnational French corporation Veolia for also providing sanitation services to the illegal Israeli settlement of Modin Illit which is colonizing Palestinian land, for illegally dumping garbage from Israel in the occupied Jordan Valley, and for profiting from apartheid transportation services that serve illegal colonies while denying Palestinians service. Our struggles are intricately linked. As we resist corporate and state profiteering from human rights violations in Palestine, we are resisting discrimination in access to water and promoting global water justice. From Cochabamba, Bolivia to Palestine, we affirm the need for popular resistance to hold states and corporations accountable to a respect for human rights. Today as Palestinians are risking what is left of their land and their homes and the trickle of water that they are able to currently access in order to demand that they be recognized as human beings with human rights, we know that we must take concrete action to support the growing movement demanding an end to Israeli impunity for human rights violations, including the human rights to water and sanitation. Given the abject failure of world government to hold Israel accountable for its persistent violations of international law, including the right to water, Palestinians have called for people of conscience around the world to implement boycotts of, divestment from and sanctions (BDS) against Israel, inspired by the international nonviolent struggle that succeeded in ending apartheid in South Africa. The pillars of the movement are based on international law and inalienable rights of the Palestinian people with a goal of achieving freedom, justice and equality for all irrespective of race and creed. As global citizens in an increasingly interconnected world it is imperative that we take action in our communities to protect the human rights of our brothers and sisters globally. With the goal of holding Israel accountable so that Palestinians have their rights to water restituted and achieve self-determination with their full set of rights, we, activists for water justice, declare our support for the Palestinian-led BDS movement. In particular we pledge to: • Oppose the corporate expansion of the Israeli national water company, Mekorot, into international markets, Mekorot being one of the key instruments in denying Palestinians their water rights • Boycott Israeli agricultural produce, campaigning to exclude Israeli agricultural companies (e.g. Mehadrin) from access to foreign markets and expose their role in the takeover of Palestinian land and water resources • Support the Stop the JNF campaign and educate others about JNF’s "greenwashing" of Israeli crimes • Boycott and divest from Veolia, the largest privatizer of public water supply in the world, and a main profiteer of Israeli apartheid • Call for government sanctions on Israel, in particular, the end of all water-related cooperation agreements Organizational Signatures: LifeSource - Palestine Escuela del Pueblo Primero de Mayo - Cochabamba, Bolivia Fundacion Abril - Cochabamba, Bolivia Centre for Civil Society Environmental Justice Project - Durban, South Africa Socio-economic Rights Institute of South Africa Ecological Movement of South Africa Focus on the Global South -Thailand, Philippines, India General Union of Palestine Students, Aix-Marseille Union Démocratique Arabe en France Le Réseau Palestine Bouches-du-Rhône Jordan Valley Solidarity Middle East Children’s Alliance Stop the Jewish National Fund International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network KRuHA, people's coalition for the right to water - Indonesia Individual Signatures: Marcela Olivera - Cochabamba, Bolivia Oscar Olivera - Cochabamba, Bolivia Blaine Grinder - Tsillqot'in Nation Jacki Dugard - visiting senior fellow, School of Law, University of the Witwatersrand Liz Marshall - Toronto, Canada Irene Bonilla - Guadalajara, Mexico Susan Koppelman - United States / Palestine Pilar Esquinas - P.C. Canal Isabel II, Madrid Daniela del Bene - Forum Italiano Movimenti Per L'Aqua and Cevi Italy Marco Iob - Forum Italiano Movimenti Per L'Aqua/Comitato Italiano Contratto Mondialle Del L'Aqua Jon Arrizabalaga - Ingenieria Sin Fronteras, Madrid Steve Fisher - United States / Mexico Pancho Ramos Stierle - Oakland, California, Earth Shir Hever - Germany/Israel Lina Isma'il - Palestine Zayneb Alshalalfeh - Palestine Colin Miller - Oakland, California Prof. Uri Davis –- Jaffa Donna Oakes - New York, United States The Marseille Declaration for Palestinian water rights, it is a LifeSource initiative organized at the Alternative World Water Forum, which took place in Marseille, 2012.

Israel banishes eight Palestinian children from their home town

Israel banishes eight Palestinian children from their home town

Middle East Monitor

March 22, 2012 An Israeli court has banished eight Palestinian minors from their home town of Beit A'mer, north of Hebron in the occupied West Bank). The eight are currently being detained by Israel. Yousef Abu Maria, the Coordinator of the People's Committee in the town, said that the court's decision prohibits the children, the oldest of whom are 16 years, from going within 40 kilometres of the town. Mr. Abu Maria added that the Israeli occupation forces have taken this action after the intervention of human rights associations to defend the children and demand their release. When the judge announced that the deportation would go ahead, chaos erupted in the courtroom before Israeli soldiers attacked the children's parents and threw them outside. The children to be banished are: Zain Hisham Abu Maria (15 years), Basil Ali Abu Maria (15 years), Sa'ed Imad Saleby (16 years), Ahmed Mahmoud Saleby (16 years), Ayesh Khaled Awad (16 years), Samer Amer (age unknown), Abu Jowd (15 years), Mohab Jawad (14 years) and Bilal Mahmoud Awad (15 years). They are accused of throwing stones at Israeli soldiers when the latter stormed the town, and participating in popular resistance activities. According to Mr. Abu Maria, "The Israeli occupation's move towards adopting a policy of deporting children is just the beginning." He called upon all human rights groups to intervene quickly to stop what he described as "Israel's continued violations against the people and children of Beit A'mer, particularly this decision which will have a detrimental effect on the children, deprive them of their education and keep them away from their families."

Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (15 – 21 March 2012)

Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (15 – 21 March 2012)

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR)

A dog accompanying Israeli soldiers attack a demonstrator during the weakly peaceful protest in Kufor Qaddoum village near Qalqilya, 16 March 2012 March 22, 2012 Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)   IOF continued to fire at Palestinian civilians and property in border areas in the Gaza Strip. A Palestinian child was wounded when he was at home in Rafah. IOF opened fire at agricultural areas in Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis. IOF opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. IOF have continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank. Two Palestinian civilians were wounded. IOF arrested two Palestinian civilians, and a dog belonging to IOF violently attacked one of the detainees. IOF attacked a journalist and destroyed his camera in al-Ma’sara village, south of Bethlehem. Dozens of protesters suffered from tear gas inhalation. IOF conducted 56 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a limited one into the Gaza Strip.    IOF arrested 8 Palestinians, including 3 children and a woman. Israel has continued to impose a total closure on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world. Israeli soldiers arrested 5 Palestinian civilians, including a child, at various checkpoints in the West Bank. IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property. IOF destroyed 30 dunums of agricultural land in Nablus and demolished a house and an animal farm in Qalqilya. Israeli settlers uprooted 220 olive trees in Nablus.  Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian civilian in Hebron and injured him. Summary Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (15 – 21 March 2012): Shooting: During the reporting period, IOF wounded 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child, in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.  During the reporting period, IOF used excessive force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to Israeli settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall in the West Bank.  As a result, two Palestinian civilian were wounded, and dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation.  IOF also arrested two Palestinian civilians.  News agencies published a photo that showed a dog belonging to IOF violently attack a Palestinian civilian before IOF arrested him.  Additionally, Israeli soldiers attacked a journalist and destroyed his camera.  In the Gaza Strip, a 6-year-old Palestinian child was wounded by a bullet to the right thigh when he was at home as IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of Rafah opened fire at Palestinian communities.  Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 56 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested 8 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children and a woman.   In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted one limited incursion into the northern Gaza Strip, during which they leveled areas of Palestinian land which they had already razed. Restrictions on Movement: Israel had continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The illegal closure has caused not only a humanitarian crisis but a crisis of human rights and human dignity for the population of the Gaza Strip.  Measures declared recently to ease the blockade are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to deal with the root causes of the crisis, which can only be addressed by an immediate and complete lifting of the closure, including lifting the travel ban into and out of the Gaza Strip and the ban on exports. Palestinians in Gaza may no longer suffer from the same shortage of goods, but they will remain economically dependent and unable to care for themselves, and socially, culturally and academically isolated from the rest of the world. IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip continue to be denied access to Jerusalem. Settlement Activities:   Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.  On 15 March 2012, IOF cut and uprooted almond and olive trees on a 30-dunum agricultural plot belonging to Canaan Jamal Canaan in the east of Beit Dajan village, northeast of Nablus.   The land is located near "Alhamra" settlement.  IOF claim that the land has been confiscated. On the same day, IOF moved into the east of Qalqilya.  They demolished a house and an animal farm.  They claimed that the house and the animal farm were established without licenses. On 16 March 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from "Kodesh" settlement, southeast of Nablus, damaged and uprooted 220 olive trees belonging to the Salawda and Dawabsha families in Douma village.  On 18 March 2012, 3 Israeli settlers from "Ramat Yishai" settlement outpost in Tal Rumaida neighborhood in the center of Hebron stopped and attacked Mustafa 'Adnan Abu Salima, 19, when he was on his way back home.  They violently beat him and spayed a gas into his eyes.  Israeli soldiers were present in the area, but did not intervene to stop the attack.  Abu Salima sustained bruises throughout the body.  The settlers also stole his glasses and mobile phone.     1.  Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip Thursday, 15 March 2012 At approximately 00:00, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a space area in Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis.  No casualties were reported. At approximately 08:00, IOF moved into Ertah suburb, south of Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 09:30, IOF moved into Beit 'Aur al-Tahta village, southwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 09:40, IOF moved into Kufor Ne’ma village, southwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 11:45, IOF moved into 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 21:00, IOF moved into Sinjel village, north of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into Mailthaloun village, south of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. Also at approximately 23:30, IOF moved into Sirris village, south of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. Also at approximately 23:30, IOF moved into al-Judaida village, south of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. Friday, 16 March 2012 At approximately 07:00, IOF moved into the area located between 'Azzoun and 'Assala villages, east of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the area for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 07:30, IOF moved into Kharabtha al-Misbah village, southwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Jafna village, northeast of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 09:30, IOF moved into Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 12:10, IOF moved into Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya.  They raided a house belonging to Bakr 'Adnan 'Ali, a member of the Palestinian National Security Forces, and took the number of mobile phones of all members of the family.  They withdrew later and no arrests were reported. At approximately 15:25, IOF moved into 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 18:30, IOF moved into al-Mantara area in the north of Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron.  They raided a house belonging to Mohammed Ahmed al-'Allami.  They forced the family out and searched the house.  They claimed that they were looking for "a suspect" who was seen in the vicinity of the nearby "Kfar Etzion" settlement. At approximately 21:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into al-'Araqa village, west of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 23:15, IOF moved into Snirya village, southeast of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. Saturday, 17 March 2012   At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron.  They raided and searched two houses and arrested two Palestinian children: 'Alaa’ Anees Abu Maria, 15; and Mohammed No’man al-Za’aqiq, 15.  The two children were released a few hours later. At approximately 06:30, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to the Beit Lahia beach in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats.  Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach, and no casualties were reported.  Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats in the same area at approximately 20:00. At approximately 09:30, IOF moved into Hijja village, east of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Deir Jareer village, northeast of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 18:30, Israeli soldiers positioned in military sites near Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing, southeast of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses and agricultural areas in Rafah.  As a result, Suhaib Majed Sultan, 6, was seriously wounded by a bullet to the right thigh, when he was in his house in al-Salam neighborhood in the southeast of Rafah. At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Deir al-Ghossoun village, north of Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into 'Aanin village, northwest of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. Sunday, 18 March 2012 At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Kufor 'Ain village, northwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 09:30, IOF moved into Ta’nak village, northwest of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Kufor Dan village, northwest of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 15:00, IOF moved into Zabbouba village, northwest of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into Zibda village, southwest of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah.  They raided and searched a house belonging to 'Atallah Tamim Tamimi.  They photographed the house and all members of the family.  They withdrew later and no arrests were reported. Monday, 19 March 2012 At approximately 00:15, IOF moved into Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Salfit.  They raided and searched two house belonging to the Abu Zaher family and arrested two Palestinian civilians: 1. Eyad 'Abdul Jabbar Abu Zaher, 39; and 2. 'Emad 'Abdul Jabbar Abu Zaher, 42. At approximately 02:10, IOF moved into 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya.  They raided and searched two houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians, including a child: 1. Qussai Shaher Saleem, 18; and 2. Ma’awia 'Abdul Latif Saleem, 17. At approximately 08:30, IOF moved into Dura al-Qare’ village, northeast of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Deir Nizam village, northwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into Qabatya village, south of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 11:45, IOF moved into Toura al-Gharbiya village, southwest of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 14:35, IOF moved into 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 14:45, IOF moved into Jayous village, northeast of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 16:00, IOF moved into 'Arraba village, southwest of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into Beit Leed village, east of Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into Shwaika suburb, north of Tulkram.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. Tuesday, 20 March 2012 At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Zawata village, west of Nablus.  They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Amani Saleh al-Khandakji, 26, and arrested her.  They also confiscated the hard desk of her personal computer. At approximately 08:00, IOF moved into Beit Leed village, east of Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Deir Dibwan village, northeast of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Deir Ebzei’ village, west of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. Also at approximately 10:00, IOF moved into 'Allar village, north of Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. Also at approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Saida village, north of Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into Baqa al-Sharqiya village, north of Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into Beit 'Aur al-Tahta village, west of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. Wednesday, 21 March 2012 At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah.  They raided and searched two houses belonging to Bassem al-Tamimi, a Palestinian prisoner in Israeli jails, and Naji al-Tamimi, who has been recently released from Israeli prisons.  They confiscated three computers, a laptop, some documents, books, CDs, a camera and a mobile phone.  They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.   At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into 'Arraba village, southwest of Jenin.  They raided and searched a house belonging to Ja’far Ibrahim 'Izziddin, 40, a leader of Islamic Jihad, and arrested him. At approximately 05:15, IOF moved nearly 150 meters into al-Sayafa area in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia.  They leveled areas of Palestinian land which they had already razed.  At approximately 06:30, IOF opened fire at Palestinian farmers who were on their lands to the south of the affected areas.  IOF withdrew from the area at approximately 09:00 and no casualties were reported. At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets.  A number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles.  IOF withdrew from the town later and no other incidents were reported. 2.  Use of Excessive Force against Peaceful Demonstrations Protesting Settlement Activities and the Construction of the Annexation Wall During the reporting period, IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the Wall and settlement activities in the West Bank, and in protest to the establishment of a buffer zone in the Gaza Strip.  As a result, a number of demonstrators were wounded and dozens of others suffered from tear gas inhalation.  IOF used dogs to attack the demonstrators, and news agency showed footage of a trained dog attacking a demonstrator who was arrested by IOF.    Following the Friday Prayer on 16 March 2012, in spite of the cold weather, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil'ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, especially Hanaa’ Shalabi who has been on a hunger strike.  They raised the Palestinian flag and a portrait of Marawn al-Barghouthi, Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council who has been detained by IOF, and called for ending the political split. They then moved towards areas of annexation wall.  They called through megaphones on Israeli settlers in "Mitityahu" settlement to leave Palestinian land.  Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators.  As a result, two demonstrators were wounded (PCHR keeps their names) and a number of other ones suffered from tear gas inhalation. Also following the Friday Prayer on 16 March 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest to continued closure of the eastern entrance of the village by IOF.  They moved towards the entrance, and there, IOF fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them.  As a result two demonstrators were hit by tear gas canisters: 1. Riad Mohammed Eshtaiwi, 38, hit by a tear gas canister to the left foot; and 2. Waheeb 'Abdul Latif 'Abdullah, 25, hit by a tear gas canister to the right shoulder. A number of demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation.   Additionally, IOF arrested Murad Hussam Eshtaiwi, 42, and Ahmed Shaker Eshtaiwi, 23.  The latter was arrested after a dog used by IOF had attacked him.  Also following the Friday Prayer on 16 March 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in al-Ma’sara village, south of Bethlehem, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and in solidarity with Hana Shalabi, a Palestinian prisoner who has been on a hunger strike.  They moved towards the area of the annexation wall.  IOF stopped and prevented them from moving towards the wall.  They also beat and detained 4 Israeli human rights defenders for about an hour.  IOF also forcibly took a camera from Mousa al-Sha’er, a reporter of France Press, and smashed it.  They further smashed windows of a van belonging to 'Ali Saleem Fawaghra, 28, while he was traveling with wife and children near the demonstration.   On Saturday noon, 17 March 2012, IOF used force to disperse a peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders near the fence of "Karmi Tsur" settlement to the south of Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron.  The demonstration was organized in protest to the expansion of the settlement.  Israeli soldiers attacked the demonstrators and violently beat a number of them using gun butts.  As a result, Ahmed Khalil Abu Hashem, 44, and Younis Mohammed 'Arar, 42, sustained bruises throughout the body.  It is worth noting that "Karmi Tsur" settlement was established between Beit Ummar and Halhoul towns in the 1980s.  It was expanded several times, the latest of which was in 2006, when IOF annexed at least 600 dunums of Palestinian land to the settlement.     A Peaceful Demonstration in Solidarity with Hana Shalabi At approximately 12:30 on Thursday, 15 March 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and families of Palestinian prisoners detained by IOF organized a peaceful demonstration in solidarity with Hana Shalabi, a Palestinian prisoner who has been on hunger strike.  The demonstration was organized near 'Oufar Prison, southwest of Ramallah.  The demonstrators raised the Palestinian flag and portraits of Hana Shalabli.  They called for ending the occupation and releasing all Palestinian prisoners.  They moved towards the gate of the prison, which was closed by IOF.  Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators.  As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.   3. Continued Closure of the OPT Israel has continued to impose a tightened closure of the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Gaza Strip Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for nearly 5 years. The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.   IOF have tightened the closure of the Gaza Strip and practically made Karm Abu Salem crossing as the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip although it is not proper for commercial purposes in terms of its distance and operational capacity. IOF have continued to apply their policy aimed at tightening the strangulation of the commercial movement in the Gaza Strip, including imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports. The total closure of al-Mentar "Karni" crossing on 02 March 2011 has created a bitter situation that has seriously affected the Gaza Strip.  Following this closure, all the economic and commercial establishments in Gaza Commercial Zone were shut off.  It should be noted that al-Mentar crossing is the biggest crossing in the Gaza Strip in terms of its operational capacity to absorb the flow of imports and exports.  The decision of al-Mentar crossing was the culmination of a series of decisions to totally close Sofa crossing, east of the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2009, and Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza City, which was dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2010. IOF have continued to impose total ban on the delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Strip, except for very limited items and quantities.  The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip. The cooking gas crisis which has erupted last November has continued to affect the Gaza Strip.  This crisis was created when the Israeli occupation authorities totally closed, on 04 January 2010, Nahal Oz crossing, which used to be dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas supplies to Gaza, and shifted fuel and cooking gas supplies to Karm Abu Salem crossing which is not technically equipped to receive Gaza's needs of fuel.  Karm Abu Salem crossing, with its maximum absorptive capacity, can receive only 200 tons of cooking gas per day. Approximately 80% of Gaza civilians have continued to depend on alimentary aid provided by UNRWA and other relief agencies, rates of families who are living below poverty line have continued to be on the rise and approximately 40% of Gaza's manpower has continued to suffer from permanent unemployment as a result of shutting down the majority of Gaza's economic establishments. IOF have continued to impose a total ban on the exportation of Gaza's products, especially industrial products, leading to undermining any real chances to rerun economic establishments.  The situation has been aggravated especially after making Karm Abu Salem crossing as Gaza sole commercial crossing and the repeated closure of this crossing which negatively affected the quantity of Gazan products which were allowed to be exported during last April. For approximately four consecutive years, IOF have continued to ban the delivery of construction materials to Gaza. During the reporting period, IOF approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of international organizations. Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for Palestinian civilians from the Gaza Strip.  IOF only allow the movement of limited groups amidst severe restrictions, including long hours of waiting in the majority of cases.  IOF have also continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and Jerusalem.  IOF denied new categories of Gazan patient permission to have access to hospitals via the crossing. Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on traders, international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip.  On Wednesday evening, 14 March 2012, IOF arrested Ahmed Subhi al-Kahlout, 40, a trader from Gaza City, when he was traveling via Beit Hanoun crossing. For approximately 57 months, IOF have continued to deny approximately 700 Palestinian prisoners from Gaza detained in Israeli jails their visitation rights without providing any justification to this measure, which violates the rules of the international humanitarian law. Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period: Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point 14 – 20 March 2012 Day Date Traveling abroad Coming into Gaza Returned into Gaza Wednesday 14 March 2012 432 423 31 Thursday 15 March 2012 866 635 66 Friday 16 March 2012 -- -- -- Saturday 17 March 2012 669 607 48 Sunday 18 March 2012 469 448 31 Monday 19 March 2012 555 423 4 Tuesday 20 March 2012 961 838 1 Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing 13 – 19 March 2012 Imports: Date Imports Category Amount Tons Number Liters 13 March 2012 Foodstuffs 959 Agricultural materials 593 Various goods Cartons of clothes Cartons of shoes Refrigerators Water tanks 653 503 364 238 226 Humanitarian aid 901 Cooking gas 127.120 14 March 2012 Foodstuffs 565 Agricultural materials 1,919 Various goods Cartons of clothes Refrigerators Glass boards Cartoons of shoes Car tires A cake machine Electricity generators 1,218 235 122 520 826 1,378 1 102 Humanitarian aid Electricity towers 675 65 Cooking gas 191.590 15 March 2012 Foodstuffs 726 Agricultural materials 1,909 Various goods Cartons of clothes Cartons of shoes Refrigerators Washing machines Cars Electricity generators Glass boards  1,454 1,104 608 445 204 20 19 1,040 Humanitarian aid 4,591 Cooking gas 160.800 19 March 2012 Foodstuffs 624 Agricultural materials 1,001 Various goods Cartons of clothes Refrigerators Glass boards Washing machines Cars Air conditioners Electricity generators 867 368 295 520 262 20 426 430 Humanitarian aid 3,773 Cooking gas 190.440 Exports: On Wednesday, 14 March 2012, IOF allowed the exportation of 22 tons of biscuits. On Thursday, 15 March 2012, IOF allowed the exportation of 309,000 flowers. On Monday, 19 March 2012, IOF allowed the exportation of 30 tons of biscuits. Notes: On Wednesday, 14 March 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 306 tons of cement and 40 tons of construction steel for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 1,716 tons of fodders. On Thursday, 15 March 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 3,360 tons of construction aggregate, 442 tons of cement and 149 tons of construction steel for UNRWA; and 560 tons of construction aggregate for UNDP.  They also allowed the entry of 1,559 tons of fodders. On Monday, 19 March 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 3,010 tons of construction aggregate, 480 tons of cement and 72 tons of construction steel for UNRWA; and 80 tons of cement for UNDP.  They also allowed the entry of 897 tons of fodders. Movement at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing 14 – 20 March 2012 Date 14 March 15 March 16 March 17 March 18 March 19 March 20 March Patients 24 19 Nil Nil 47 31 41 Companions 25 25 Nil Nil 52 34 40 Arabs from Israel Nil Nil 4 Nil 9 1 1 Diplomats Nil 3 Nil Nil 2 1 Nil International Journalists 1 2 Nil Nil 6 2 1 International Workers 24 53 10 Nil 16 34 18 Travelers abroad Nil Nil 2 Nil 5 Nil Nil Business People 98 60 28 Nil 102 87 84 Economic Meetings Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil 3 1 Security Interviews Nil Nil Nil Nil 2 2 Nil VIP's Nil Nil 1 Nil Nil Nil Nil Ambulances to Israel 1 3 1 Nil 2 3 4 Ambulances from Israel 2 1 2 Nil 2 1 2 The West Bank Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. There are approximately hundreds of permanent roadblocks, and manned and unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank. When complete, the illegal annexation wall will stretch for 724 kilometers around the West Bank, further isolating the entire population. 350 kilometers of the wall have already been constructed. Approximately 99% of the wall has been constructed inside the West Bank itself, confiscating more Palestinian land. Many of the main roads that lead to Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF. IOF have continued to restrict access of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank to East Jerusalem, through a strict system of permits and a network of checkpoints. IOF have completed controlled access to the Jordan Valley through 4 permanent checkpoints established at its entrances.  Palestinians living outside the area are not allowed to enter it without permits. Settlement activities and expansion of settlements impose additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  IOF have continued to restrict access to gunfire areas and natural reserves, which constitute about 26% of the total area of the West Bank. Israeli military checkpoints restrict the movement of goods throughout the West Bank. Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by IOF in Jerusalem, and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped, searched and even arrested in the streets by IOF. Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians: Jerusalem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to the city. IOF have established many checkpoints around and inside the city.  Restrictions of the movement of Palestinian civilians often escalate on Fridays, preventing young Muslim Palestinians from praying at al-Aqsa Mosque.   Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 17:30 on Thursday, 15 March 2012, IOF re-established their presence at 'Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah.  At the same time, IOF established a checkpoint at Beit 'Aur al-Fouqa intersection, southwest of Ramallah.  At approximately 09:30 on Friday, 16 March 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah.   At approximately 10:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Dibwan village, northeast of Ramallah.  At approximately 16:30, IOF established a checkpoint at Beit 'Aur al-Tahta intersection, southwest of Ramallah.  At approximately 11:00 on Saturday, 17 March 2012, IOF established a checkpoint under Kaharabtha al-Misbah Bridge, west of Ramallah.  At approximately 20:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Mazra’a al-Sharqiya village, northeast of Ramallah.  At approximately 09:30 on Sunday, 18 March 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Khirbat Abu Falah village, northeast of Ramallah.  At approximately 17:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah.  At the same time, they established a checkpoint under 'Ein Yabroud Bridge, northeast of Ramallah.  At approximately 16:30, IOF established a checkpoint at Beit 'Aur al-Fouqa intersection, southwest of Ramallah. Qaqlqilya:  IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  On Saturday, 17 March 2012, IOF established 9 checkpoints around the town.  On Monday, 19 March 2012, IOF established 3 checkpoints around the town. Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 14:00 on Thursday, 15 March 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at 'Arraba intersection, southwest of Jenin.  At approximately 14:30 on Saturday, 17 March 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Zabbouba village, northwest of Jenin.  At approximately 13:30 on Sunday, 18 March 2012, IOF established a checkpoint on Sanour-Misliya road, south of Jenin.  They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles and arrested Mahmoud Ahmed al-Hajj Saleh, 30, from Qabatya village south of Jenin.  At approximately 16:00 on Monday, 19 March 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at 'Arraba intersection, south of Jenin.  At approximately 18:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin.     Tulkarm:  IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 08:30 on Saturday, 17 March 2012, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians through Ennab checkpoint on Tulkarm-Nablus road, east of Tulkarm.  At approximately 10:30, IOF established a checkpoint on Tulkarm-Qalailya road near Jibara Gate, south of Tulkarm.  At approximately 22:30, IOF established a checkpoint at Kufor Sour intersection, south of Tulkarm.  At approximately 08:30 on Sunday, 18 March 2012, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians through Ennab checkpoint on Tulkarm-Nablus road, east of Tulkarm. Jericho: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 10:00 on Thursday, 154 March 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fassayel village, north of Jericho.  At approximately 16:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho.  At approximately 11:30 on Sunday, 18 March 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho.  Salfit: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 14:00 on Saturday, 17 March 2012, IOF established a checkpoint near "Elli Zahav" in Salfit.  They detained Mahran Subhi Ahmed, 32, from 4 hours.  They released him after forcing him to pay a fine of 2,000 NIS.     Arrests at Military Checkpoints At approximately 09:00 on Thursday, 15 March 2012, Israeli soldiers positioned at Etzion-Beit Fajjar intersection on Bethlehem-Hebron road arrested Ramzi 'Othman Tafish, 23, from al-'Arroub refugee camp.  At approximately 10:30 on Sunday, 18 March 2012, the Israeli police inside Israel arrested Mohammed Jamal Sa’aira, 28, a worker from Kharas village northwest of Hebron, claiming that he is wanted. At approximately 13:30 on Sunday, 18 March 2012, IOF established a checkpoint on Sanour-Misliya road, south of Jenin.  They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles and arrested Mahmoud Ahmed al-Hajj Saleh, 30, from Qabatya village south of Jenin. 4. Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property. At approximately 08:00 on Thursday, 15 March 2012, IOF cut and uprooted almond and olive trees on a 30-dunum agricultural plot belonging to Canaan Jamal Canaan in the east of Beit Dajan village, northeast of Nablus.   The land is located near "Alhamra" settlement.  IOF claim that the land has been confiscated. At approximately 10:15 on Thursday, 15 March 2012, IOF moved into the east of Qalqilya.  They demolished a house belonging to Majed Zaid Abu Khadija, and an animal farm belonging to Mahmoud 'Abdul Karim Juai’di.  They claimed that the house and the animal farm were established without licenses. On Friday morning, 16 March 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from "Kodesh" settlement, southeast of Nablus, damaged and uprooted 220 olive trees belonging to the Salawda and Dawabsha families in Douma village.  At approximately 20:30 on Sunday, 18 March 2012, 3 Israeli settlers from "Ramat Yishai" settlement outpost in Tal Rumaida neighborhood in the center of Hebron stopped and attacked Mustafa 'Adnan Abu Salima, 19, when he was on his way back home.  They violently beat him and spayed a gas into his eyes.  Israeli soldiers were present in the area, but did not intervene to stop the attack.  Abu Salima sustained bruises throughout the body.  The settlers also stole his glasses and mobile phone.  ……………………………………………………… Recommendations to the International Community 1. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal and moral obligations under Article 1 of the Convention to ensure Israel's respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.  PCHR believes that the conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as if it is above the law and encourages Israel continue to violate international human rights and humanitarian law. 2. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene a conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel's respect of the Convention in the OPT and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians. 3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with their legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes. 4. PCHR calls for the immediate implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal. 5. PCHR recommends that international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs, participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and urge their governments to bring the perpetrators to justice. 6. PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel.  PCHR further calls upon the EU states to prohibit import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPT. 7. PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan, which was implemented in September 2005, for what it is - not an end to occupation but a compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.  8. In recognition of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPT, including the facilitation of family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. 9. PCHR appreciates the efforts of international civil society, including human rights organizations, bar associations, unions and NGOs, and urges them to continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel's respect for human rights in the OPT and to demand Israel end its attacks on Palestinian civilians. 10. PCHR calls upon the international community to pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for international organizations to the OPT. 11. PCHR reiterates that any political settlement not based on international human rights law and humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of the Palestinian question.  Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to further suffering and instability in the region.  Any peace process or agreement must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law. ………………………………………………………… Public Document For further information please visit our website (www.pchrgaza.org) or contact PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email ( pchr@pchrgaza.org ) or telephone (+972 (0)8 282 4776 – 282 5893).