Since October 2003, Israel has implemented a new permit system in the enclaves it created between the separation barrier and the Green Line. As a result, Palestinians without a permit are denied the right to work their lands to the west of the barrier. A new report published by B’Tselem reveals that only Palestinians require permits. According to Civil Administration directives, Jews can freely enter the Seam Area, even if they are not residents of Israel. Palestinians wanting to obtain a permit face a bureaucratic nightmare. Read more about B'Tselem: "Permit System to Cross Separation Barrier is Racist"
Israeli forces killed two Palestinians in yet another extra-judicial execution, when an Israeli helicopter launched a misile on a taxi near Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. Mohammed Zuhdi ‘Araishi was traveling back to the camp in a taxi driven by ‘Awad Hassan Ahmed Abu Zaid from Askar refugee camp. When they arrived at the northern entrance to the camp, an Israeli helicopter gunship launched a missile at the vehicle. The passenger and the driver were instantly killed. Two bystanders, Bahaa’ Rebhi Mustafa Mawqedi and Mohammed Safwat al-‘Aassi were injured. Read more about Israeli forces kill two Palestinians in another extrajudicial execution
“It has been more than three weeks since the Security Council adopted resolution 1544 (2004), in which the Council, inter alia, called on Israel to respect its obligations under international humanitarian law, and insisted, in particular, on its obligation not to undertake demolition of homes contrary to that law. Yet Israel has not complied with the resolution, responding instead with blatant contempt and disregard for the international community and for the rule of international law”, writes Nasser al-Kidwa, Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations in identical letters addressed to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council. Read more about Israel does not comply with demands of UN Security Council, writes Palestine's observer to the UN
Yakin Ertürk, Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights on violence against women, its causes and consequences, will visit the Occupied Palestinian Territories from 13 to 18 June 2004. Mrs. Ertürk aims to gather first-hand information on the question of violence against women during times of conflict. The Special Rapporteur is scheduled to visit Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza strip. During the visit she will meet with representatives of the Israeli Government, the Palestinian Authority, non-governmental organizations, women’s organizations and individuals engaged in human rights work, as well as with United Nations officials. Read more about Special Rapporteur on violence against women to visit Palestine
This week Israeli forces killed 4 Palestinians, including two handicapped civilians and one child. Israeli forces wounded at least 20 Palestinians, including women and children. Israeli forces invaded a number of areas in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Israeli forces demolished two Palestinian homes and razed 10 donums of agricultural land in Gaza. Israeli forces continue to shell Palestinian residential areas and injured a number of Palestinian civilians. Israel continues the construction of the Separation Barrier on confiscated Palestinian land. Israeli forces have continued to impose a total siege on the occupied Palestinian territories. Read more about Weekly report on human rights violations
The situation on the ground in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem was very bleak, and the overall political situation was very volatile, the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People was told today, as it met to consider recent developments, including in the political arena. The Committee approved the provisional programme of the United Nations African Meeting in Support of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, to be held in Cape Town, South Africa on 29 and 30 June. Read more about Situation on the ground "very bleak", Palestinian rights committee told
Mordechai Vanunu has asked Israel’s top court to lift a ban on him leaving the country, saying he poses no security threat after serving an 18-year prison term for treason. The petition was filed by the Association for Civil Rights in Israel to demand the cancellation of the severe restrictions that were imposed on Vanunu after his release from jail. ACRI is also asking the court to issue a ruling that the 1945 Defense Regulations (State of Emergency), and the 1948 State of Emergency Regulations, which enable the state to prohibit civilians from leaving the country, be cancelled. Read more about Israeli Civil Rights Group Petitions to Cancel Restrictions on Vanunu
Adalah and the Hamoked filed a petition to the Supreme Court on 31 May 2004, to cancel a new order which conditions the issuance and extension of entry permits to the Gaza Strip for citizens and residents of Israel upon their commitment to remain in the Gaza Strip for three consecutive months. The petition was filed on behalf of four families who have been affected by the new order, against IDF Major General, Southern Command. The new order was recently issued with the intent of limiting the use of the Erez checkpoint. Read more about New Order Forcing Israeli Citizens Visiting Gaza Strip to Remain There for Three Months
This week Israeli forces killed six Palestinian civilians. Three of them were killed during an extrajudicial execution. Israeli forces invaded a number of areas in the occupied Palestinian territories. Israeli forces destroyed 39 Palestinian homes in Rafah, leaving at least 485 Palestinian civilians homeless. Israeli forces razed agricultural land and additionally destroyed four homes in the West Bank and 16 homes in the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces continue to shell residential areas, wounding a number of Palestinian civilians. Israel continues the construction of the Apartheid Wall and continues to impose a total siege on the occupied Palestinian territories. Read more about Weekly report on human rights violations
With the construction of the ‘Separation Wall’ in the West Bank being brought before the International Court of Justice in The Hague, for the very first time an aspect of the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been transferred from the usual forums of international debate (the UN Security Council, General Assembly, and subsidiary bodies) to an international judicial body. This novelty raised considerable optimism on some sides. Andreas Mueller, argues however that these expectations have to be closely examined in view of the legal and political limits of the ‘World Court.’ Read more about Crippled Justice: Limping Towards the Wall
