Israeli Violations During the Nine Months Negotiation Process

Media Briefs
April 29, 2014

“The goal is to torpedo any agreement and prevent deterioration to pre 1967 lines.”

Economy Minister Naftali Bennet, January 20th 2014

Introduction:

On July 30th 2013, Israel and Palestine agreed to enter a negotiations process of nine months in order to achieve a final status agreement. With the active sponsorship of the United States and encouragement from the rest of the international community, all final status issues were supposed to be discussed, in order to achieve a two-state solution on the 1967 border. However, rather than achieving a final status agreement, Israeli occupation and colonization policies were increased, advancing settlement units for over 55,000 new settlers during the past Nine Months. In open violation of international law and its own obligations, Israel, the occupying power, continues its policies of aggression against the people of Palestine: killing dozens of Palestinians, injuring and detaining thousands, demolishing hundreds of homes, and carrying out thousands of military incursions within occupied areas.  

At the same time, Israel’s government to incite against the Palestinian people, the Palestinian leadership, the two-state solution and the international efforts made in order to achieve peace.   

This report summarizes the violations committed by the Government of Israel during the past nine months of negotiations.  

Palestinians killed and injured:

“We will continue with one hand to fight terrorism and terrorists, and with the other hand, to strengthen Jewish settlements (in the occupied Palestinian territory)”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, September 23rd, 2013

During the past 9 months, 61 Palestinians died due to the action of Israeli forces and more than 1100 injured by Israeli military and security officials. This includes the killing of a 71 years old woman Amina Abed Rabou  (71 years old), after Israeli forces prevented medical units from reaching her and prevented her from crossing the checkpoint despite the fact she was in critical condition and needed immediate medical assistance after suffering a stroke, Wajih Al-Ramahi a 15-year old boy who was shot in the back and killed by Israeli forces near his school near Al-Jalazoun Refugee camp and Yusef Al-Shawamra (16 years old) near the checkpoint in AlRamadin village in Qalqilia district.

According to Amnesty International, "Israeli forces have repeatedly violated their obligations under international human rights law by using excessive force to stifle dissent and freedom of expression, resulting in a pattern of unlawful killings and injuries to civilians, including children, and have been permitted to do so with virtual impunity due, in no small part, to the authorities’ failure to conduct thorough, impartial and independent investigations"

Settler Attacks:

Since the start of negotiations, there have more than 660 settler attacks on Palestinian civilians and property, including places of worship. Settlers act with impunity, often enjoying the support and protection of Israeli occupation forces. Settlers are rarely arrested, let alone prosecuted or convicted. At the same time, the conviction rate for Palestinians tried by the Israeli justice system is around 99%.

Some of the most common settler attacks have targeted Palestinian rural communities through stone-throwing, burning of Olive trees and destruction of cars. Settler attacks have also targeted mosques and churches, particularly the Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem. Some examples of settlers’ violence are:

  • On August 30th, Israeli settlers stormed Al Mashir’at area, west Jericho, stormed and vandalized Palestinian heritage areas. 
  • On the morning of September 29th, Israeli settlers stormed a Christian Cemetery in Jerusalem, destroying and vandalizing the site.
  • On October 21st, Israeli settlers stormed Al Khader area (Bethlehem) and uprooted 80 trees
  • On November 17th, Israeli settlers stormed agricultural land in Huwwara (Nablus) and uprooted 30 olive trees
  • On December 10th, Israeli settlers stabbed Mr. Mohammad Ewias, a resident of Silwan in occupied East Jerusalem. 
  • On January 22nd, Israeli settlers stormed agricultural land and stole 800 olive grove plants donated by the International Red Cross Society in Sinjil.
  • On March 16th, Israeli settlers sprayed chemicals on 55 olive trees on Al –Bayda area. The same day Israeli settlers stoned several Palestinian cars injuring three Palestinian civilians: Ismail Sudin (66 years), Fathi Ahmad (66 years) and Azam Eshtayyeh (53 years). 
  • On April 16th, Israeli settlers stormed agricultural land in Al Kahder and uprooted 350 grape vines

Settlement Expansion:

“Let everyone know that there will not be two states west of the Jordan River; Israel will build everywhere in the West Bank”
Housing Minister Uri Ariel

Since the resumption of negotiation, construction in settlements has began in more than 14,000 housing units has been advanced. Also Israeli settler group "Ateret Cohanim" announced the acquisition of a “significant portion of a building in the heart of occupied East Jerusalem.

While settlement expansion continued, during the same period of time, Israeli occupation forces escalated their forced displacement campaign against Palestinians. According to OCHA, a total number of 508 Palestinian structures (196 residential and 312 livelihood structures) were demolished by Israeli occupation authorities in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. As a result, 878 persons were forcibly displaced

In the Jordan Valley Israeli occupation forces demolished the entire community of Khirbit Makhoul (home to 120 Palestinians). In this case alone, more than twenty families became homeless as part of an Israeli plan to deport indigenous Palestinians living in the area. Israeli occupation forces also prevented the distribution of humanitarian aid by the government of Palestine and international organizations. The community was surrounded by the illegal settlements of Hmeidat and Roi as well as by an Israeli occupation military camp.  

Raids and Arrests:

Since the resumption of negotiations, Israel conducted 4500 military raids and arrested 3674 Palestinians.

Closure of Jerusalem Institutions:

The Orient House, the Chamber of Commerce and dozens more Palestinian institutions in East Jerusalem continue to be closed by Israel, in defiance of its obligations under the Road Map.

Without being held accountable by the US and the international community, Israel will continue behave as a country above the law. For a just peace to prevail, impunity must be replaced with accountability.
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