17/05/2003

Prepared and Submitted By:
Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees
Middle East Council of Churches


Overview

As the International Community awaits the Israeli acceptance of the "Road Map" which has been accepted by the Palestinians, Israeli troops are escalating their attacks against the Palestinians; invading, demolishing, shelling and killing Palestinians throughout the West Bank and Gaza. Since the publication of the 'roadmap' on April 30th, there has been 35 Palestinians and one British journalist killed by Israeli soldiers and settlers living on Palestinian land. A new report has found that a separation barrier Israel is building in the West Bank could cut off 12,000 Palestinians from their land, work and essential social services.

A total of 12,737 people had seen their homes demolished in Gaza and the West Bank since September 2000 until April 30 2003, according to The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees. Thursday 8 May the Israeli Army announced that foreigners crossing into the Gaza Strip, including UN staff and journalists, would be obliged to sign a form absolving the army of any responsibility if they were shot by its soldiers - a move condemned by governments and human rights groups. Further, Monday 12 May, less than 24 hours after Israel lifted travel restrictions on the Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to demonstrate to Colin Powell that it was serious about the peace process, it in effect reversed the decision, slapping its tightest military closure on the Gaza Strip for years. Under the strict new closure, nobody - Palestinian or foreigner - could cross into or out of the Gaza Strip yesterday, except foreign diplomats.

The closure will raise doubts over whether the Israeli government is prepared to implement the road-map. During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas, accompanied by indiscriminate shelling. A number of houses were destroyed in Rafah. Large areas of Palestinian agricultural land in Khan Yunis were razed. Israeli forces continued to use Palestinian civilians as human shields in military operations. And Ambulances continue to be delayed or denied access through checkpoints.

Delays of and firings at Ambulances

During this reporting period, April 18 - May 12, the Israeli military continued to deny freedom of movement to Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) ambulances and its medical teams, who suffered humiliation, physical assaults, arrests, threats, and verbal abuse. Delays, denial of access, invasions, arrests, and arbitrary searches adversely affected the sick and wounded in Bethlehem, Nablus, Tulkarem, Hebron, Qalqiliya, Jenin, Gaza, Bethlehem, and Jericho. The PRCS has reported 25 incidents during the period. Among these are in:

Jenin, 23 April 2003 (03:30): Israeli soldiers, accompanied by three tanks and many jeeps, surrounded the Dr. Khalil Sulieman Hospital. The soldiers invaded the hospital, verbally abusing some patients and staff, and threatening them with their guns. The soldiers arrested a patient and took him with them. Those who remained in the hospital were traumatized, but not injured.

Jenin, 23 April 2003 (04:00): Israeli soldiers invaded The Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza. The soldiers surrounded the building with tanks and jeeps, and broke the main door to the hospital. They searched the hospital thoroughly and arrested a patient. The invasion lasted for approximately 15 minutes.

Nablus, 23 April 2003 (12:40): An ambulance carrying two patients from Nablus to the Jordanian border was stopped at the Ma'ale Adumim checkpoint. The soldiers at the checkpoint argued amongst themselves about whether or not they should remove a stroke victim from the ambulance. The soldiers pushed the driver and verbally abused him. Despite previous coordination with the Israeli Army District Coordination Office (DCO), the soldiers forced the ambulance to wait for half an hour behind some other vehicles that were going through the checkpoint. After an additional search, which took more than fifteen minutes, the patient in critical condition was removed from the ambulance, although it was very hot outside. The ambulance was then permitted to pass.

Gaza, 20 April 2003 (5:30): PRCS ambulance was completely destroyed by an Israeli tank while parked in front of Rafah EMS station (Zurb Area). The Rafah EMS station crew witnessed the Israeli tank as it rolled over the ambulance, and pushing it onto the pavement. The tank then continued on its way.

Jenin, 15 April 2003 (09:10): An ambulance transporting a patient to Nablus was denied permission to pass. When the EMS crew explained that the patient was being transferred to Nablus Hospital for specialized care due to her serious condition, the soldiers replied, "Let the doctors in Jenin treat her". The ambulance was obliged to return to Jenin.

Jenin, 13 April 2003 (21:00): A man in the village of 'Anin called the dispatch to get an ambulance for his wife, who was ill. At the Ber Sa'edeh checkpoint, Israeli soldiers refused to let them pass. The ambulance crew decided to attempt accessing the patient via a different route. At Barqeen village, the ambulance encountered tanks. The soldiers told them to stop, and shone spotlights on them for half an hour, without giving them any sign to approach. The ambulance crew, thinking that this meant that the soldiers would not let them through, began to drive away. However, the Israeli soldiers opened fire on the ambulance, which immediately stopped. The ambulance crew followed instructions to approach the soldiers. When they exited the vehicle, the crewmembers were made to stand with their hands against the vehicle while they were body-searched by soldiers. The soldiers searched the ambulance, and threw the crewmembers on the ground. A soldier then approached the driver, slammed his head into the side of the ambulance, hit him directly in the face with a military helmet, and kicked him. One of the soldiers also beat a PRCS volunteer who was working in the ambulance, hitting him in the chest and kicking
his legs. The soldiers told the ambulance crew to leave immediately or be killed. The ambulance left the scene without being allowed to access the patient

Source: Palestinian Red Crescent Society. For more information please contact Press Office at: phone: +972 2 240 6515/6/7 E-mail: press office @palestinercs.org

An international report examines effect of West Bank 'wall' on Palestinian

A report by international donors, has found that a separation barrier Israel is building in the West Bank could cut off 12,000 Palestinians from their land, work and essential social services. International donors to the Palestinians commissioned the report because of concern that it could harm Palestinian livelihoods and the viability of local economies, and might negatively affect the delivery of humanitarian aid and damage assistance projects. The report was researched and written by a team of experts under the direction of the Local Aid Coordination Committee's (LACC) Humanitarian and Emergency Policy Group, which includes the European Union, Norway, the United States, and the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, and the World Bank. The report finds that in some places the wall is located as much as six kilometers inside the West Bank. When completed, as many as approximately 12,000 Palestinians could be left on the western, Israel-facing side of the wall, cut-off from their land, workplaces and essential social services. To obtain land on which the wall is being constructed in the West Bank, Israel is requisitioning private property pursuant to military orders. Every landowner appeal to an Israeli military committee, and beyond that to the Israeli High Court has been rejected. The report notes that the 1995 Interim Agreement between the two sides states that neither party "will change the status of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip pending the outcome of the permanent status negotiations" and that "the integrity and status" of the West Bank and Gaza Strip "will be preserved during the interim period." It adds that Israel argues that the wall is a temporary measure and therefore compatible with the Agreement.

Source: Humanitarian and Emergency Policy Group of the Local Aid Coordination Committee. For the full report, see http://reliefweb.int

House demolitions hit 12,700 in West Bank and Gaza Strip

The total number of Palestinians made homeless by Israeli's military demolition campaign climbed above 12,000 this month following a rapid acceleration of the policy in Gaza during the first quarter of this year. Since September 2000 until April 30 2003, a total of 12,737 people had seen their homes demolished in Gaza and the West Bank. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which is responsible for the welfare for almost all of those affected, is trying to raise donor funds to replace the lost shelters in the occupied Palestinian territory. Recent months have seen a sharp increase in house demolitions in the Gaza Strip. At the end of 2002, total and partial demolitions had until then averaged fewer than 30 per month. In the first three months of 2003, 221 shelters were demolished or damaged beyond repair - making an average of 74 per month. These alone housed 401 families (2,273 persons).

Demolitions often occur late at night with little or no warning. Israeli military units - supported by tanks, APCs and helicopters - enter Palestinian areas to destroy a variety of targeted houses. A great many demolitions have occurred near Gaza's border with Egypt where Israel is building a security fence. Houses close to settlements are often also destroyed. In some cases the demolished buildings belong to the families of militants or Palestinians detained in Israeli jails. Increasingly, explosives rather than bulldozers are used to destroy property creating widespread collateral damage.

Source: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). For more information contact: Paul McCann at UNRWA HQ Gaza on 972 (0) 8 677 7526 or 972 (0) 59428008

Israel imposes Gaza waiver on foreigners, bars access to flashpoints

May 9 - Foreign nationals entering the Gaza Strip have to sign a waiver freeing the Israeli army from any responsibility for death or injury incurred as a result of military activity and also banning access to flashpoints, an army spokesman said Friday. The conditions listed stress that "the areas adjacent to the perimeter fence, Israeli settlements, lateral roads" serving settlements and army positions are "strictly out of bounds".

The most direct practical implication of the new measure, which took effect on Thursday night, is a new restriction on the movements of journalists and humanitarian workers in the areas where their presence is the most needed. "The IDF (Israeli army) cannot accept responsibility for death, injury or damage/loss of property incurred as a result of military activity," the waiver also says. In addition, any foreigner wishing to enter the Gaza Strip will also have to certify that he has no links with the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), an organization of foreign volunteers acting as human shields to protect Palestinian civilians from the army. The new travel restriction comes after a string of incidents involving foreigners in the occupied territories, and especially in the southern Gaza Strip of Rafah. A British journalist was shot dead week ago, while an ISM volunteer was crushed to death and another as pronounced clinically dead following incidents involving the army n the past two months.

Source Agene France-Presse (AFP) Telephone: (972 2) 537 3243
Fax: (972 2) 537 3873

Amnesty International delegates denied access to Gaza

Amnesty International today condemned the Israeli authorities' decision requiring foreigners entering Gaza to sign "waivers" that absolve Israel from responsibility should they be killed or injured. "The organization is categorically opposed to any attempt to get people to sign away their rights," Amnesty International said. "The signing of 'waivers' does not absolve the Israeli army of its responsibility in any way, nor the Israeli authorities of their duties to ensure that armed forces respect human rights in all circumstances." The organization is concerned that one aim of these new and drastic restrictions is to prevent outside monitoring and scrutiny of the conduct of the Israeli army. It is also concerned that these restrictions will lead to more killings in Gaza and calls on the army to immediately end the use of excessive and unlawful force. Amnesty International's delegates were denied access to Gaza today. They were required to sign the "waivers" which they refused to do. The organization has repeatedly demanded that international human rights monitors be deployed in Israel and the Occupied Territories to ensure that international standards are abided by

Source: Amnesty International. For more information please call Amnesty International's press office in London, UK, on +44 20 7413 5566: http://www.amnesty.org>http://www.amnesty.org

Israeli army closes off Gaza Strip

May 12 - The Israeli army closed off the Gaza Strip before dawn Monday, only hours after reopening the borders as officials met visiting US Secretary of State Colin Powell on a peace mission.

"Taking into account the security considerations it has been decided to impose a total closure of the Gaza Strip until further notice," the army announced in a statement. The measure in particular will hit 15,000 Palestinian workers who only Sunday had received authorization to return to work in Israel as Powell pressed for an easing of restrictions on the Palestinians.

"As part of the closure, Palestinian and foreign nationals are banned from entering or leaving the Gaza Strip, except diplomats and humanitarian emergencies," the statement said. "We are ready to take goodwill measures for the Palestinians but only as long as they don't threaten our security," Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom told Israeli public radio.

It is the first time Israel has barred access to the Gaza Strip to foreigners. Last week the army slapped tough new curbs on foreigners, including journalists and humanitarian workers, operating in the Gaza Strip. They are barred from flashpoint areas and have to sign a document absolving the army from blame if they are killed or wounded as a result of military activity. Peace activists are effectively banned under the move, which rights groups said was aimed at keeping international witnesses out of areas where its troops are carrying out controversial actions against the Palestinians.

A particular target is the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), which has been monitoring and trying to prevent demolitions of Palestinian houses and other depredations. Press reports have said the Israeli authorities are considering expelling all ISM members from Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Source: Source Agene France-Presse (AFP) Telephone: (972 2) 537 3243
Fax: (972 2) 537 3873

Gaza closure cripples UN relief work

Gaza - A complete closure of the Gaza Strip imposed by Israel on UN international staff has crippled the Gaza operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), the largest aid agency in the Middle East. In violation of the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the UN, Israeli's military imposed a blockade on Gaza at 19:30hrs yesterday (Sunday). UNRWA staff urgently needed by the Agency's operation in the West Bank and other parts of the region have been trapped inside the Strip, while staff normally resident in Gaza and needed on duty there have been stranded in Israel. The UN's diplomatic pouch was also prevented from leaving Gaza this morning. The closure follows two weeks of delays, obstruction and interrogations of UN staff at the Erez crossing point into and out of Gaza. UN staff has been held for up to seven hours at the border while security checks have been carried out. Some have been forced to submit to interviews by Israel's intelligence services to secure passage, while intrusive search procedures have been increased. None of UNRWA's 7,800 Palestinian staff in the Gaza Strip have been able to enter Israel on duty for the Agency since October 2000.

Israel requested that UNRWA continue its operations in Gaza and the West Bank when the Palestinian territory was occupied by Israel in 1967. The Agency and the Government of Israel have a specific legal accord, known as the 1967 Comay-Michelmore Agreement, which sets out Israel's obligations. These include the requirement "to permit international staff of the Agency to move in, out and within Israel and the areas in question" and "to permit the free movement of UNRWA vehicles into, within and out of Israel and the areas in question". UNRWA's protests to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defence have so far had no effect.

Source: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
For more information contact: Paul McCann at UNRWA HQ Gaza on 972 (0) 8 677 7526 or 972 (0) 59428008

Medical Relief Clinics and Training Centers Invaded by Israel “Defense” Forces

May 5, 2003. The Israeli occupying army invaded two medical relief clinics and Training Centers in Nablus and Ramallah. They caused serious damage to the buildings, destroyed computers and furniture as well as breaking doors, and stole equipment. During this attack the Israeli occupying army arrested Dr Mohammed Skafi (43) who is the Head of Emergency Services and First Aid at Medical Relief. Dr Skafi suffers from Diabetes. They also arrested Mr. Massif Al Dike, Coordinator of Community Health Projects and two medical relief volunteers - Shadi Abu Bakr and Ahmed Badwan. All were arrested in their homes.

Source: Palestine monitor on http://www.palestinemonitor.org