Prepared by: Field work department

Land Research Center

Jerusalem

October, 2001.

A year of Intifada

A year has elapsed since the beginning of the Israeli armed aggression against the Palestinian people and his Intifada which broke out as a response to the provocative visit of  Eriel Sharon to Al- Haram Al- Sharif on Sep. 28^th, 2000. This Intifada has become the symbol and means of Palestinians’ struggle for an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.

During the course of the year, the Israeli aggression continued unabated against the will of the Palestinian people by using all means of killing, repression and destruction. This aggression has become an open Israeli war against the stone, the primary tool of Palestinian resistance against military occupation. During the on going war, the Israelis found no deterrent to use all means of military power to suppress Intifada, including the nerve gas, live ammunition, tanks, rockets, helicopter gun ships, fighter planes and depleted Uranium bombs. The only weapons, which haven’t been used, are the nuclear, chemical and biological ones.

Up to Sep. 3^rd, 2001, the Israeli aggression caused the death of 685 male and female Palestinians of different ages, the destruction of more than 42000 dunums of cultivated land, the total demolition of 130 houses and 207 agricultural premises in Gaza Strip and the uprooting of at least 385000 fruitful trees.  Another 6000 houses were partially demolished by rocket and shellfire.  Moreover, the Israeli bulldozers destroyed 63 Palestinian houses in Jerusalem under the pretext of un- licensing forcing 400 people to become homeless.  

The Israeli aggression has resulted in the execution without trial of  65 cadres, leaders and ordinary citizens through the policy of assassination. 15 % of the killed were unwanted and were not considered among the targets, according to Israeli officials.

Thousands of Palestinians from the West Bank, Gaza and Israel, including children under the age of 18, women, and youths were thrown in Israeli jails for resisting the occupation.

From the very beginning of Intifada, the Israeli forces imposed closure, seizure and isolation on Palestinian cities, villages and refugee camps. To implement this barbaric policy, more than 120 military barricades were set-up ( all documented by Land Research Center - Arab Studies Society and released on time).

The Israeli policy is an unchangeable aggressive pattern:

It true to say that Israel, in its current aggression, is waging a war not only against Palestinian humans, but also against their economic base. Therefore, Thousands of dunums of agricultural land were either confiscated or devastated by bulldozers and tanks leading to the uprooting of thousands of fruitful trees and destruction of crops. On the other hand, more than 130 laborers are not allowed to reach their work places inside Israel. At least 67 industrial installations have been destroyed.

The Israeli war against Palestinians encompassed the closure of ten Palestinian institutions in Jerusalem, at the top of which was the Orient House which represents the symbol of Palestinian sovereignty in Jerusalem. Among closed institution are the headquarters of Jerusalem governorate in Abu- Diis and  headquarters of the Arab Chamber of Commerce ( See LRC report dated August 15^th, 2001).

In the mean while, the Israeli tax authorities continue to attack Palestinian stores and businesses in Jerusalem using military force. Goods, money and furniture are being confiscated from merchants under the pretext of failing to pay taxes. Furthermore, Palestinian merchants and businessmen are often beaten in the streets of Jerusalem at the hands of Israeli soldiers or armed colonists.

In an unprecedented act of escalation by Sharon government last September, the Israeli security forces arrested and interrogated 4 Palestinian personalities. On 24.9.2001, the Mufti of Palestine, Sheik Ikrima Sabri was arrested from Wadi Al- Juz in Jerusalem and interrogated about his activities. The Minister of Jerusalem affairs in the PNA and member of the Palestinian legislative council Mr. Ziad Abu Ziad was also detained from Al- Hariri street and taken to the Rassian Compound in the western side of the city for questioning.  Two hours later, he was released at Ras Al- Amud checkpoint in the eastern side of the city and asked not to enter Jerusalem again. On 15.9.2001, the same thing happened to Mr. Bishara Daud, member of the Palestinian legislative council, who was on his way to attend the ceremony for the inauguration of a new Orthodox patriarch in Jerusalem. Israeli police expelled Mr. Bishara out of the city. In another development, the Israeli police arrested on 12.9.2001 Mr. Hashim Al- Zugheir, member of the Palestinian Legislative Council from Jerusalem constituency under the pretext of changing the lockers of the Arab Chamber of Commerce and violating the Israeli orders.

Table No. 1

House demolitions in Jerusalem by geographical distribution during the fist year of Intifada

Source: Land Research Center/ Arab Studies Society- Jerusalem.

Note:

-         65 families were made homeless

-          400 people were affected.

-         260 children are among those affected.

Table No. 2

Destruction of other premises

              Source: Land Research Center/ Arab Studies Society- Jerusalem.

Table No. 3

House demolition orders issued by Olmer’s municipality during the year 2001

Note: scores of house demolition orders were issued this year and no one can predict their exact number except those who issued them. In the previous years of occupation, and according to officials in the municipality of occupied Jerusalem, between 1500- 2000 house demolition orders were issued.

 Source: Land Research Center/ Arab Studies Society- Jerusalem.

Table 4

Demolition of houses and premises as a result of Israeli aggression against West Bank and Gaza Strip during the first year of Intifada

Source: The Palestinian Ministry of Housing.

Table 5

 Israeli violations against Palestinian land and agriculture during the first year of Intifada

 Source: Field work by Land Research Center- Arab Studies Society/ Jerusalem/ Nablus/ Ramallah/ Hebron/ Gaza.

Table No. 6

Israeli closures and break ins against Palestinian institutions in Jerusalem during the first year of Intifada

Source: Land Research Center/ Arab Studies Society- Jerusalem.

Note: The above table doesn’t include the Israeli break ins and aggressions against Muslim and Christian holy places in Jerusalem which happens on daily basis in the city.

Table 7

Martyrs of Intifada (28.9.2001-28.9.2001)

  Source: - Land Research Center/ Arab Studies Society- Jerusalem.

                                        - Local newspapers.

Table No. 8

Injured of Intifada

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