Research Journalism Initiative

Video: Israeli forces invade Balata refugee camp



On 24 May 2007 the Israeli Army invaded the Balata refugee camp outside the West Bank city of Nablus. First entering the camp disguised as Palestinian civilians, and later with a number of armored vehicles, the army arrested camp residents and placed the entire population under curfew. This video produced by the Research Journalism Initiative and the Anarchist Film Collective “A-Films” documents the invasion. 

Video: Youth Used as Human Shields in Balata Camp



The Fourth Geneva Convention states that “The presence of a protected person may not be used to render certain points or areas immune from military operations” and in 2005 the Israeli High Court ruled that “You cannot exploit the civilian population for the army’s military needs, and you cannot force them to collaborate with the army.” However, this video shot in Balata Refugee Camp on 11 April 2007 makes it clear that Israeli occupation forces are still employing this illegal tactic, placing the Palestinian civilian population at great risk. 

Video: Nightlife in Balata refugee camp



For the fourth consecutive night the Isaeli Occupation Forces (IOF) invaded Balata Refugee Camp on the outskirts of the West Bank city of Nablus. Israeli jeeps, bulldozers and other vehicles drove around the streets of the camp. Soldiers threw percussion grenades and fired randomly at residents’ homes. During recent years IOF invasions into Balata are a near-nightly occurence. 

Video: Interview with wounded son of man killed in Nablus Invasion



On 26 February 2007, the second day of the Israeli invasion, Anan Tibi was shot and wounded while on the rood of the the family’s home in the Old City of Nablus. Only seconds before, Tibi’s son Ashraf was also shot and wounded. From his hospital bed Tibi describes what happened: “When I went down the stairs that lead from the roof to our home I was shot in the arm. I told my father I was shot. … I sent my brother downstairs to get an ambulance. I reached our home and heard a second shot. When I looked up I saw my father lying on the stairs.” This video-interview was produced by the Research Journalism Initiative and the Anarchist Film Collective “A-Films”. 

Video: Interview with child taken as human shield in Nablus



On 28 February 2007, during the Israeli invasion of Nablus, the IOF kidnapped 11-year-old Jihan Tahdush from her home in the Old City of Nablus. She was used as a human shield while Israeli forces conducted door-to-door searches in the Old City. Jihan says of the incident: “They gave me biscuits to persuade me to talk to them, but I didn’t tell them anything. When I brought them to the house they told me not to be afraid because they were with me. When I asked to go back to my mom, they said, ‘We have to keep you a bit longer.’” This video-interview was produced by the Research Journalism Initiative and the Anarchist Film Collective “A-Films”. 

Video: Nablus Invasion, Day 4



On 25 February 2007 the Israeli Army invaded the West Bank city of Nablus in an operation dubbed “Hot Winter.” Curfew was imposed on Nablus and some surrounding refugee camps and villages and Israeli forces arrested at least 10, injured five and killed one civilian. Palestinian leaders claim this invasion is an attempt to undermine the recent Mecca unity government agreement. This video produced by the Research Journalism Initiative and the Anarchist Film Collective “A-Films” documents the fourth day of the invasion. 

Video: Nablus Invasion, Day 2



On 25 February 2007 the Israeli Army invaded the West Bank city of Nablus in an operation dubbed “Hot Winter.” Curfew was imposed on Nablus and some surrounding refugee camps and villages and Israeli forces arrested at least 10, injured five and killed one civilian. Palestinian leaders claim this invasion is an attempt to undermine the recent Mecca unity government agreement. This video produced by the Research Journalism Initiative and the Anarchist Film Collective “A-Films” documents the second day of the invasion. 

Video: Nablus Invasion, Day 1



On 25 February 2007 the Israeli Army invaded the West Bank city of Nablus in an operation dubbed “Hot Winter.” Curfew was imposed on Nablus and some surrounding refugee camps and villages and Israeli forces arrested at least 10, injured five and killed one civilian. Palestinian leaders claim this invasion is an attempt to undermine the recent Mecca unity government agreement. This video produced by the Research Journalism Initiative and the Anarchist Film Collective “A-Films” documents the first day of the invasion.