Israeli Violations in Jerusalem

Israeli authorities continued committing more crimes against Palestinian lands and against Palestinian citizens. Israelis persisted on committing severe abuses in the occupied city of Jerusalem against human rights and international law. In this report -which covers the period 1-31 March 2007- CCDPRJ in cooperation with Jerusalem Center for Democracy & Human Rights (JCDHR) and Land Research Center (LRC) monitor these violations. The following is a summary of all Israeli infringements:

1- Confiscating lands, expanding settlements, and further work with the annexation wall in the occupied city of Jerusalem

- Qalandia-airport area: A plan submitted by Jewish religious association to establish 11,000 residential units on Qalandia airport runways was revealed. The plan includes constructing a tunnel links that settling quarter to “Kohav Ya’akov" and “Kohav Hashahar” settlements, which expand on el-Beireh and Kufur Aqab land. If accomplished, this will be the biggest settlement in Jerusalem ever since 1967.

- Al-Mukabber: Jerusalem Center for Economic, social, and confederate rights reported that marketing of tens of residential units in “Nov Zion” settlement has begun in March 2007, the settlement built on lands belong to Zahaykeh and Ubaydat families near “high commissioner” headquarters.

- Hezma: Israeli occupation army resumed since the beginning of March 2007 building annexation wall in the northern west side of Hezma, along main street (150 meters) before heading east.

- Dahyiat al-Bareed: Israeli defense ministry finished with works for infrastructure of annexation wall, particularly the section near Welfare Association and going north (100 meters), Israelis kept a gap in front of Mustaklem building to be the only passageway till construction of western section ends. Israeli occupation installed a gate east of Tahhan taxi company (Jerusalem-Ramallah street) to be used by Israeli troops exclusively, hindering vehicles and pedestrians movement, for example: this gate was opened in 12/3/2007 at 08:30 a.m., but it was suddenly closed at 12:30 p.m.

Israel continued imposing strict closure on Jerusalem, prohibited Palestinians from The West Bank and Gaza Strip and Palestinian products from entering the city, as well as ethnic cleansing against the Jerusalemites.

- Beir Nabala: Israeli occupation army kept going with paving a road for security purposes parallel to road No. 4, from Atarot military gate to Beit Hanina bridge at south (which regarded as a starting point to isolate Beit Hanina village from the new quarter).

- Mount of Olives crossing point: Shahendah Mutamed Halabeih, from Abu Dees, was born in 12/3/2007 at the crossing point to be a live witness on Israeli violations against humans and children rights. The mother, Afaf, was on her way to Maqasid hospital to give birth, she headed to liaison office to get a permission, but the application was refused, then Afaf’s mother took her daughter to the point and asked soldiers to let them pass, but soldiers refused and said she can get back “after 4 months!” consequently, Afaf gave birth at the crossing point, and soldiers allowed an Israeli ambulance to carry her to hospital.

- Beir Nabala: Israeli forces impounded in 2/3/2007 a Volvo trash carrier and a JCB digger belong to Beir Nabala municipal council while carrying out duties near Beit Hanina dumpster, this dumpster serves 14,000 people live in Jedeireh, Beir Nabala, Qalandia, and Beit Hanina.

- Israeli ministry of health banned Arab drugs in Jerusalem pharmacies: The ministry held a campaign all over Palestinian pharmacies in Jerusalem to search for drugs made in the Palestinian territories, government inspectors said selling these drugs and medications is prevented without formal issue.

JCDHR researcher interviewed some pharmacies owners, they all verified that ”Israeli ministry of health considers Palestinian medications companies strong contenders for their Israeli counterparts, the whole campaign is racial, and it came after banning Palestinian meat and dairies products from being sold inside Jerusalem”. Israeli inspectors forced pharmacists to sign a statement to take responsibility if they put such drugs on shelves, meaning that their licenses will not be renewed.

Israeli occupation authorities proceeded with excavations in the old city of Jerusalem, especially at Maghribi gate and beneath al-Aqsa mosque bases. Israel also continued violating scared places in Jerusalem and worship freedom, Report listed the following violations:

- Friday 2/3/2007: excavations at Maghribi gate still progressing and reached its fourth week, occupation authorities insisted imposing tightened procedures on Jerusalem entrances and old city gates.

- Wednesday 7/3/2007: Israeli police arrested Raed Salah, head of Islamic movement northern branch, while participating in protest campaign at Wadi el-Joz (walnuts valley) quarter. Salah was prohibited from getting close to al-Aqsa mosque, and was ordered to be at least 150 meters away from old city wall for 60 days. Occupation authorities released Salah, JCDHR researchers cited that the Israeli court rejected an issue to dispel Salah out of al-Aqsa mosque, but it stated that Salah is not to be in public accompanied by more than 8 persons.

- Thursday 8/3/2007: Israeli occupation authorities banned Emad Zaghal -a teacher- from entering al-Aqsa mosque for 6 months, for “threatening security and public safety”. Tens of Jerusalemites faced the same policy and for the very pretexts. It is worth to mention that this is Zaghal’s third time respectively.

- Friday 9/3/2007: Israeli police increased patrols inside Jerusalem and installed checkpoints during Friday prayer, in case clashes out broke to protest sweeping hill near Maghribi gate for the fifth week.

- Monday 19/3/2007: Israeli bulldozers continued work at Maghribi gate hill, workers moved remains of ruins belong to Mamluki and Fatimyan eras, surrounded by huge troops. Silwan entrance, which is adjacent to Maghribi gate, was subject to harsh constraints made getting in and out very difficult matter. Police officers stopped worshippers at al-Aqsa mosque gates and took ID numbers.

- Tuesday 20/3/2007: A group of extremist Jews irrupted al-Aqsa mosque from Lions Gate, guarded by Israeli forces, but alert Palestinians foiled their attempt which came in company with Maghribi gate excavations.

- Tuesday 27/3/2007: JCDHR researchers declared the tunnel Israel is working on reached al-Aqsa mosque bases, boosting collapse probability. Israeli authorities misled Palestinians by employing workers from Thailand, saying that work is now running beneath al-Aqsa fountain, which is located exactly between al-Aqsa and Dome of the Rock mosques.

4- Demolishing and seizing houses, rejecting constructing permissions, and violating housing right

Since 1967, Israel maintained the policy of destroying houses for several causes. The most prominent cause is "security" or not having a license from occupation authorities, opposing article 53 of Geneva fourth conventions:

- Esaweyyah: Court of Israeli Jerusalem municipality laid down in 2/3/2007 a fine of 120,000 NIS on Naser Muhammad Siam for adding a 168 m² storey without a license, although first one is already licensed. Siam put up his second storey after having a primary building line from the municipality, the late imposed a 50,000 NIS fine then if any structure added or changed.

- Silwan-Shayyah: Court of Israeli Jerusalem municipality issued a house demolish order against Samirah Loot Salaymeh (Abu Rammouz) for “not having a license”. The order was executed in 28/3/2007, municipality has previously stopped construction in 1999, and demolish delayed in 2000 to let the owner get a license, despite municipality court knew that municipality does not give building licenses in the mentioned area, but it considered delay acceptable as house owner still pays. Last delay was in February 28^th 2006, and the house was finally destroyed, Salaymeh denied issuing a cease-demolish order from court since she did not informed about demolish from the first place, and the advocate did not inform her, court decided to delay execution to March 28^th 2007, with confining Salaymeh for “false allegation”. Advocate managed to replace jailing with 5000 NIS fine, the house is 60 m², of 3 rooms, and is occupied by 11 persons, including 6 children.

- Ras el-Amood: Israeli municipality suspended a demolish order against Zahra’a mosque (established in 1997) for it is unlicensed, built on land does not belong to the mosque, and extended into “Jewish cemetery” area, even though mosque is 300 meters away from it’s fence.

- Al-Jeeb-Jahaleen: Once again, Israeli occupation authorities expelled Jahaleen Bedouins from their locations (Kufur Malik north to Ramallah, Bethany, and finally to Raghabneh hill near Ma’alee Adumim settlement). Israeli occupation army formerly attacked them in several locations such as Al-Jeeb, Nabi Samuel, Abu George street, east of Bethany…..to relocate them in area that has no use for livestock for it is rocky, narrow, and already inhabited. Bedouins are not allowed to move freely with their cattle, and Israeli defense ministry is planning to dwell them in an area west to Nabi Mosa shrine and Almuntar (eastern Sawahreh). Bedouins went to court which was supposed to be held in March 18^th 2007, but it did not assemble.

- Attor/Khallet Al-Ein: Israeli municipality handed out demolish orders against houses belong to Sayyad and Edkaidek families for being unlicensed, Along with 120 houses for the same pretext. Head of Attor developing association (a municipality branch) suggested he set a deal with municipality in 2005 to not destroy any existed house till new skeletal plan (1000 acres, 850 for built-up areas) is done. This is to be added to the original plan (2733 acres), knowing that Attor total area is 11500 acres, and population after finishing annexation wall became now 27000 people.

- Sor Baher-Hummus valley: This area is heavily targeted by Israeli municipality in the past 5 years (44 houses demolished and 202 Palestinians ended homeless).

Israeli bulldozers cracked down 5 houses in 14/3/2007 and dispersed 50 Palestinians, and more than 40 houses are to meet the same ending in several spots in Sor Baher: 5 houses belong to Attoun family in Jarba quarter near UNRWA school (Hummus valley, Muntar, and Ba’akoka areas), Israelis said Hummus valley is not included in the skeletal chart, but they refused to consider it as built-up area, municipality denied it allowed Palestinians to set up a chart and promised to not destroy any house till it is finished (the same happened in Attor-mount of olives).

- 14/3/2007: Israeli municipality hit a house owned by Ali Isamel Muhammad Sarhan (38); the house area was 100 m² and consisted of 4 rooms. Sarhan lived in the house with his family (10 including 8 children) since only 4 years.

- Sor Baher: Israeli bulldozers totaled in 14/3/2007 a building of 4 apartments belong to Mosa Shehadeh Atton’s sons, it was constructed in 2003. Family received demolish order in 23/2/2007, the pretext was their building is existed on a street course.

- Sheikh Jarrah-Shurfa: Israelis look forward to seize as much lands as possible in Jerusalem, but they aim for specific locations (near a settlement or exposed spot such as Ubaydat and Zahaykeh lands in al-Mukabber quarter, Summar land in Sheikh Jarrah, where French hill settlement, Frankel school, and a monument were established). Israelis demolished a house belongs to a widow from Lifta (occupied in 1948), the house (150 m²) was completely torn down in 20/3/2007, and the family of deceased Muhammad Shannak (widow, 2 daughters, and 1 son) was thrown at street. The house costs them more than 375,000 $, and inhabited for just 3 years. family paid attorneys Ersheid, Azzam, and Farhoud 7000 $, another 3000 $ for Gheith Qudsi legal firm, 5000 NIS, and 10,000 NIS fine in order to holdup demolish for 2 months, in case Israelis evacuate family.

- Houses demolished, and hundreds on the waiting list for numerous pretexts: Israelis do not lack pretexts: unlicensed, paving a road, outside skeletal chart. Thousands of Palestinians are to be displaced, need for new houses boosts up day after day, and attacking Palestinian houses in Jerusalem increased, as if building is fully banned, this policy is not legalized, but it is rather expressed as facts on ground. Orders, procedures, and laws executed by bulldozers with heavy protection, if a house is not totaled in a campaign, it will be in the next one, And most probably by owner if demolish order stated so, that occurs if owner wants to delay so as to issue a license, or else, municipality will act and forfeit owner to stop execution, and all that take place in few hours.

1- Abu Ghalyyeh family in the Mount of Olives: bulldozers were brought in 6/3/2007 at 09:30 a.m. from nearby checkpoint.

2- Ahmad Khalil Atton: in Sor Baher-Hummus valley, demolish delayed to 1/4/2007.

3- Faoziyeh Taha Abu Sneineh: in Attor/Khallet Al-Ein, her house area is 750 m².

5- Mahmoud Muhammad Atton and brothers Isamel, Ibrahim, and S’aeed: near UNRWA school-Sor Baher.

- Sheikh Jarrah-Shurfa-Bayyad location: Naser Yousif Hussein Siam received in 17/4/2002 a demolish order against an added section (90 m²) to his building, for unlicensed building in non-organized land. Then, Siam issued in 13/3/2007 an order through his attorney to stop demolishing, valid from 17/3/2007 and for 6 months.

- Silwan-Qadaron valley: Israeli municipality handed out Hashim Razem demolish order against his under-construction house, court delayed demolish in 19/3/2007 and for one year till issuing a license.

- Silwan-Hullwah valley: Akram Hadwan managed to issue an order from municipality court to cancel demolishing a commercial storehouse in Maghribi gate area. Demolish stated in August 2006, judge Bitav decided that municipality order was rushed, does not rely on legal basis, and stands on falsified information.

- Attor/Khallet Al-Ein: Newspapers, Palestinians live on Mount of Olives, and Attor developing association dealt with a promise from the Israeli municipality (engineering department) to not touch any building till the end of 2007, giving a plenty of time to accomplish skeletal chart, number of houses there is estimated of 470, and they belong to many families like Siam, Edkaidek, Gheith, Jubran, Abu Sneineh, Adelah, Ubaydi, and many others. Israeli municipality has formerly given such promises, but it never respected any of them (it demolished a building belongs to Anati family and Syyaed's house too), so this is not to be taken as bluffing acts, for the whole occupation with its establishments are based upon deceit and fooling. Palestinians did the right thing in 22/3/2007 when they worked together to set a chart for their quarters to protect houses from being destroyed, and building without demolish fear.

- Old city-Borj Allaqlaq (stork tower): Israeli municipality issued 4 demolish orders against 3 houses in Borj Allaqlaq inside the old city of Jerusalem, they belong to Tamimi, Gheith, and Ateek families, along with a protest tent in the same quarter. Demolish aimed to enable Jewish settlers, backed up by the Israeli government, to seize that significant location between Lions gate and Zahra gate. Former Israeli minister of infrastructures, Ariel Sharon, tore down in 26/8/1996 a Norwegian club for handicaps financed by the Canadian government, which was the only establishment of this kind in Jerusalem, and settlers with Israeli police torched Borj Allaqlaq foundation, which was a source of entertainment for Jerusalemite kids.

- Silwan-Louzeh fountain: Israeli municipality postponed demolishing Sami Khader Rajabi’s house (180 m²) to 16/4/2007, Rajabi was forfeited by 65,000 NIS in 2005.

- Old city-Qarmi quarter: Scuffles out broke in 26/3/2007 between Palestinians and Jewish settlers from “Ateret Kohanem” group, the late came to seize the house of Ayyeid Castero with Israeli force protection; the owner was injured and hospitalized. “Ateret Leoshnah” (get back sons) Jewish association was digging to open a closed door leads to an estate was formerly seized, an Israeli court was assembled before that attack (25/3/2007) and decided to ban settlers from getting close the house till case is closed, another court was to be held in 1/4/2007, but it was delayed.

Location	Number of houses
Silwan	1
Sor Baher	5
Sheikh Jarrah	1
Total	7

- Sheikh Jarrah: Israeli municipality carried out digging works in Jerusalem-Ramallah main road (road # 1) to widen it to install an electrical tramway in the part between road 16 intersection (Wadi el-Joz, Sheikh Jarrah) and Sheikh Jarrah playing yards, number of olive and yew trees were plucked from the road west side. This project is aimed to serve settlers of “Ramat Ashkol” and “Neve Yakouv” settlements -which they are of course illegal- to facilitate their movement.

- Shufa’at: Israeli archaeology authority launched excavation and sweeping works in the middle of Jerusalem-Ramallah main street, archeologists never spoke about working in the same spot for the third time, and what they are intending to do next. Some Israeli newspapers wrote that excavation led to discover ruins of “ancient Jewish city”, while an Israeli archeologist said three years ago that they found roots of a Roman city that is 1800 years old.

- Silwan-Rababah valley: Israeli archaeology authority continued excavations at Silwan, between Rababah valley and Zion mount on land belongs to Ghalib Sheikh close to Dajani property, both families forced the authority to stop working. Israelis were looking for ruins and planning to establish a public garden, it is supposed to be a part of the national garden according to the Israeli skeletal chart for 2020.

- Mukabber: Israeli municipality is working on widening part of Mukabber street for the use of “Nov Zion” settlers. This very road did not get any attention from the municipality during 40 years of occupation, which is well-known for its danger curves and heavy traffic.

- Israeli policy goes after Arab dead people as after life ones: During the first week of March 2007, Israeli government assigned an amount of 100 million NIS for renovation of the Jewish cemetery in Ras el-Amood (paving roads, building walls, digging graves, and establishing data center for the Jewish public). That occurred while part of a Muslim graveyard (Rahma gate) was swept to enlarge a road for settlers, and walls collapsed and graves exposed at Lions gate graveyard, in addition to install a watching point to prevent Muslims from using it, besides sweeping Mamillah cemetery and unearthing graves.

- Unlicensed Jewish buildings remain untouchable: i.e.: unlicensed housing compound and the 5 storey building in the middle of Silwan. With those cases, bulldozers never brought, fines weren’t imposed, and no jailing or insulting, for the owner is Jewish, but the non Jews do not get the same privileges.

- Dahyiat al-Bareed is dying from garbage and absence of infrastructure: roads are full of ditches and garbage, making vehicles and pedestrians’ movement impossible, and Israelis pass with armored vehicles or bulldozers.

Israeli forces executed incursions in Palestinians quarters and homes in Jerusalem, along with arresting, torturing, and insulting Palestinians, opposing articles 83-96 of Geneva fourth conventions. Report lists the following:

- Thursday 8/3/2007: Israeli occupation forces arrested minors from Bethany, east of Jerusalem. Intelligence and border guard invaded a house where Muzaffar Hasan Muhammad Abu Romee (16) lives, along with house of Abdullah Jamal Khalid Mubarak Khalaf (15), beaten harshly in front family members’ sight. Both minors were taken to unknown destination, and witnesses confirmed they were assaulted down the street.

- Friday 9/3/2007: Israeli occupation forces arrested 6 youngsters from the old city of Jerusalem: Rami Yasini, Hammodeh Yasini, Muhammad Yasini, Abdullah Mubarak, Bassam Hamed, and Mustafa Abu Romee. Witnesses told JCDHR researcher that Israelis fired tear gas at Palestinians while breaking into the old city.

- Wednesday 14/3/2007: Israeli occupation forces irrupted Abu Dees and arrested 3 minors: Mustafa Jamal Muhsen (17), Ghassan Hasan, Lafi (18), and Saif Eddin Khalil Dawod Abu Hilal (18).

- Tuesday 20/3/2007: An Israeli force raided Arram suburb north of Jerusalem, broke into houses, and detained Omar Rimawi (22) and Azzam Rimawi (23) from Beit Rima, north of Ramallah, and were moved to unknown destination. Samer Abu Quayder and Tarek Hashlamon were arrested while being in al-Aqsa mosque yards, protesting against the irruption of a settlers group protected by Israeli soldiers.

Israeli occupation forces continued to violate Palestinians' right of living and personal safety, against additional protocols of 1977, annexed to Geneva fourth conventions (article 48 of the first protocol) and article 13 of the second protocol, that emphasized respecting right of living. The report filed following violations:

- Saturday 10/3/2007: Wael Yousif Karawi, (35) from Mount of Olives, was murdered in Israeli police station at Saladin Street in eastern Jerusalem. JCDHR researchers reported that Karawi -taxicab driver- was stopped by a checkpoint at Swanneh (Mount of Olives) quarter while driving his Ford Transit van; soldiers took passengers’ IDs, along with Karawi’s ID, and told him to head to Saladin Street police station in order to retrieve it. Karawi’s father, after being informed about the incident, reported that he “rushed to police station, accompanied by his sons, to figure out what happened there, but they were told that Wael died because of a heart attack after falling on the ground, which turned out to be an bare decoy”. Karawi's father added: "The Israelis told us that his body in Maskoubiyyah detention center, but officers there refused to hand him, moreover, they attacked and insulted us, waited the whole day till we took him at 18,00 p.m.”. Karawi’s wife negated Israeli police allegations about her husband’s health, and family insists that his killing took place in police station, besides he didn’t suffer any sickness, and traumas were inspected on his body.

- Sunday 11/3/2007: Basem Muhammad Jabren Wareidat, (22) from Daheryyah south of Hebron, was seriously wounded after being shot by Israeli soldiers in Abu Dees (a Jerusalem suburb). Eyewitnesses reported that: “Wareidat left bleeding on the ground for about 30 minutes, and soldiers did not let any body to help him”. Wareidat was carried to Haddasah hospital in Jerusalem, his condition was specified as “extremely bad”.

- Thursday 29/3/2007: Muhammad Uyyaidah, 17 from Umm al-Sharyyet quarter near el-Beireh, died after being shot close to annexation wall section at Qalandia airport. Witnesses told JCDHR researcher that the young boy got many bullets while clashing with Israeli troops, and number of Palestinians met the very end, except Uyyaidah fatally wounded, and doctors in Maqased hospital said he got a bullet in his eye, so they did not manage to safe him.

Israel continued applying its policy of banning families from reuniting and depriving Palestinians from citizenship rights, causing Palestinian families to disperse. Report listed the following violations:

- Tuesday 27/3/2007: Israeli occupation authorities exiled Ebrahim Ali Ubaydat, (45) from al-Mukabber quarter, from his house to The West Bank. Ubaydat gave an affidavit to JCDHR, in which he recited: “An Israeli police force broke into his house, took him to police station, then the Israelis drove him to Rachel tomb checkpoint near Bethlehem. Police station commander told him this is meant to execute a resolution of Israeli interior ministry that stated to move him out Jerusalem, their pretext was the illegal residency”. Ubaydat is married to a Palestinian woman whom got an Israeli ID and has 7 children; he inhabited his house for 15 years, and holds documents prove house ownership. Israeli police forced him to sign an obligation to not enter Jerusalem by all means; otherwise, he will be jailed.

- Friday 23/3/2007: Israeli intelligence and border guard shut down the Commodore hotel in the Mount of Olives, banning a press conference by al-Aqsa association for rehabilitating Islamic holy sites, the conference was meant to reveal many serious facts that UNESCO report mentioned regarding excavations near Maghribi gate in the old city. Organizers held the conference at the sidewalk outside hotel, surrounded by huge Israeli forces. D. Ekremah Sabri stated that the most dangerous fact in UNESCO report is the affirmation of the Israeli dominion on the mentioned area, even though the Israeli are asked to stop work there. Sabri insisted that no Israeli authority has any right to rule Maghribi gate arena, recalling it is an occupation authority, and the whole area is completely Islamic. Sabri cited excavations are illegal for they are carried out in Islamic properties, they are undermining al-Aqsa mosque bases, and UNESCO is supposed to call works off. Sheikh Mustafa Abu Zahra affirmed that Maghribi quarter was occupied by about 5,000 Moroccans, and it was wholly brought to dust after Israel seized Jerusalem in 1967, the hill near Maghribi gate is the only part remained from that quarter, and now Israeli want to sweep it, along with ancient Islamic ruins.

Israel is committed -since it is an occupation force- to respect its commitments stated in Geneva conventions of 1949 about protecting civilians. For this, CCDPRJ is calling for:

1- Asking Israel (occupation force) to put an end to its violations against international and humanitarian law that are being practiced in the Palestinian territories and Jerusalem.

2- Calling upon Israel to hold the construction of the annexation wall at once, to dismantle any sectors already built, and to void all related acts, according to articles 133, 152, and 153 of the consultative resolution of Hague court, issued in 9/7/2004.

3- Calling PLA to present The Hague Court resolution before UN general assembly and Security Council, so as to put it in action.

4- Calling upon Israel to halt exiling and Hebraizing procedures against Jerusalem and its citizens, in addition to call off closure around the city, splitting families, enabling them to get-together, and ending all illegal procedures practiced against Palestinian families. Israel must not prevent Palestinians from free moving and settling in their territories, including Jerusalem.

5- Asking Israel to stop incursions into Palestinian towns, quarters, and establishments, and to allow teachers and students to get access into Jerusalem with no obstacles, never mind the arresting campaigns against civilians and officials.

6- Calling on Israel to stop excavations and construction works at Arab and Islamic historical sites in the old city, beneath and around al-Aqsa mosque, and holding plans for a Jewish synagogue adjacent to the mosque, besides ending all kinds of abuse against sacred places and worshipers in the occupied Palestinian territories, including Jerusalem.

7-Calling on the members states that have signed on Geneva Convention to take their moral and legal responsibilities in obliging Israel to respect the convention and implement it in the occupied Palestinian territories, and in providing protection for civilians.

8- Encouraging the member states of Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal commitments stated in article 146 of special accord concerned with pursuing any person who is responsible of extreme violations (war crimes), especially Israeli officials who are blamed for such crimes against Palestinians.