israeli war crimes

This is a summary of israeli war crimes committed in Palestine for the week ending 16 Feb 2005.

Not Committing to the Ceasefire, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Launch More Attacks in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)

Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing following claimed facilitations !!
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4 Palestinians, including 2 children, were killed by IOF.
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IOF conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas.
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Houses were raided and at least 10 Palestinian civilians were arrested.
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Continued shelling of residential areas, and a Palestinian child was injured in Khan Yunis.
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Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property in the West Bank.
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Construction of the “annexation wall” in the West Bank has continued and more areas of Palestinian land were confiscated for this purpose in Jerusalem and Jenin.
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IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT; IOF have continued to close a number of roads since the beginning of the current Intifada, Palestinians aged 16-35 have been prevented from traveling through Rafah International Crossing Point, and IOF positioned at checkpoints arrested a number of Palestinian civilians.

Introduction

Despite the ceasefire declared by the Israeli and Palestinian sides in Sharm al-Sheik on 8 February 2005 and the Palestinian commitment to this declaration, Israeli occupation forces (IOF) have launched more attacks against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). This week, 4 Palestinians, including 2 children, were killed by IOF. Human rights violations perpetrated by IOF included incursions into Palestinian areas, indiscriminate shelling and total closure imposed on Palestinian communities contrary to Israeli official claims regarding easing closure measures. IOF have also continued to construct the annexation wall inside the West Bank territory and confiscated more areas of Palestinian land for this purpose.

In the West Bank, IOF killed 4 Palestinians, including 2 children. On 14 February 2005, IOF severely beat a Palestinian child in Hebron for no apparent reason and then fired at him twice from a close range after they had ordered him to leave the area, killing him. On 15 February 2005, IOF killed a child and seriously injured another one for no apparent reason near the annexation wall to the southwest of Bitounia town, south of Ramallah. Also on 15 February 2005, IOF killed 2 Palestinians, claiming that the two were on their way to launch an attack on "Har Barakha" settlement, south of Nablus, but eyewitnesses asserted that the two victims used to be in the area at night to prevent Israeli settlers from attacking Kufor Qalllil village.

IOF conducted 11 incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank, during which they arrested at least 10 Palestinian civilians. Israeli settlers living in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law have launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians and property. IOF have continued to confiscate areas of Palestinian land for settlement activities, especially in Hebron. In the Gaza Strip, IOF and settlers fired live ammunition and sound bombs at Palestinian communities near settlements. A Palestinian child was injured when he was sleeping at home.

IOF have continued to construct the annexation wall inside the West Bank Territory. On 14 February 2005, IOF started to construct huge cement sections of the wall in the villages of Hazma and 'Anata, northeast of Jerusalem. On 10 February 2005, IOF handed military orders to a number of Palestinian civilians from Shu'fat refugee camp, northeast of Jerusalem, confiscating at least 50 donums of land. At the same time, IOF handed a military order to a number of Palestinian civilians from Beit Hanina village, north of Jerusalem, confiscating approximately 150 donums of land in the village for the purpose of the construction of the wall. On 13 February 2005, IOF handed a military order to residents of Toura al-Gharbiya village, west of Jenin, confiscating 301 donums of agricultural land in the village. Also on 12 February 2005, the Israeli High Court issued a temporary injunction stopping the construction of the wall on the land of the villages of Salfit and Eskaka, south of Nablus, for 21 days. This latest decision was one of a series of decisions taken by the court and they were then cancelled.

IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT, including Jerusalem.

In the Gaza Strip, contrary to Israeli official claims regarding easing measures of closure imposed on the Gaza Strip, IOF have continued to completely or partially close all border crossings of the Gaza Strip, and impose severe restrictions on the internal movement of Palestinian civilians. They have also continued to close a number of roads and crossings in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the current Intifada. IOF have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities near Israeli settlements, causing more suffering to Palestinian civilians.

In the West Bank, IOF have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities. They have also imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. This week, they erected a number of military checkpoints and arrested a number of Palestinian civilians.

Shelling of, and Encroachment into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property

Thursday, 10 February 2005

At approximately 02:00, IOF positioned in military posts in the vicinity of "Neve Dekalim" settlement, west of Khan Yunis, and "Gani Tal" settlement, northwest of the town, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Khan Yunis refugee camp and al-Amal neighborhood to the east. A Palestinian child, 12-year-old 'Abdullah Faraj al-Sharif, was injured by shrapnel in the feet, when he was sleeping inside his family home, nearly 900 meters away from the source of fire.

Friday, 11 February 2005

At approximately 19:00, IOF raided two houses belonging to Munther and Nasri Mohammed Da'na in Wad al-Nasara neighborhood near "Kiryat Arba" settlement, southeast of Hebron. They forced the 26 residents of the two houses (2 families) out. According to Munther Da'na, IOF ordered his family and his brother's family to leave the two houses to be used for military purposes. He stated that IOF cut electricity from the two houses to force the families to leave them. IOF have been positioned inside the two houses under the pretext of protecting Israeli settlers passing in the area.

Saturday, 12 February 2005

At approximately 08:00, an infantry unit of IOF moved into Salfit village, south of Nablus. IOF surrounded a site of the Palestinian National Security Force and held the 60 members of the site in one room. Then, they searched the site and checked identity cards of security men, claiming that they were searching for wanted persons. No arrests were reported.

Sunday, 13 February 2005

At approximately 23:00, a number of Israeli settlers from "Neve Dekalim" settlement, west of Khan Yunis, fired a number of sound bombs at houses in Khan Yunis refugee camp. Palestinian civilians living in the area were extremely terrified.

Monday, 14 February 2005

At approximately 12:30, an infantry unit of IOF that accompanied a military bulldozer at al-Sahla Street in the old town of Hebron stopped a passing Palestinian child, 17-year-old Sabri Fayez Younis al-Rajoub, from Dura village, southwest of Hebron. IOF severely beat him for no apparent reason. Then, they ordered him to leave the area. When he was about to leave the area, an Israeli soldier fired at him. He was wounded by a live bullet in the chest. He fell onto the ground, but remained alive. Immediately, the same soldier and 3 of his colleagues moved towards the child and fired at him again from a distance of 10 meters. He was instantly killed. Soon, IOF reinforced their presence and closed the area. They prevented Palestinian civilians and ambulances from reaching the victim's body for one hour. Then, the victim's body was evacuated to the hospital. According to medical sources, the victim was hit by 4 live bullets to the chest, the abdomen, the pelvis and the left leg. IOF claimed that the child attempted to stab an Israeli soldier, but eyewitnesses asserted that the child did not have a knife and did not attempt to stab any soldier.

Tuesday, 15 February 2005

In the evening, IOF killed a Palestinian child and seriously injured another one, when the two children were walking near the annexation wall to the southwest of Bitounia town, south of Ramallah.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 20:00, 15-year-old 'Alaa' Hani Mohammed Dar Khalil and 14-year-old Ussama Bassem Hamdan, both from Bitounia town, were walking on the road that links Qalandya village with "Pisgat Ze'ev" settlement neat the town. The two children came close to the annexation wall in the area. In the meantime, an Israeli military jeep was patrolling in the area. Immediately and without warning, Israeli soldiers opened fire at the two children. Dar Khalil was killed by a live bullet in the neck and Hamdan was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the right shoulder.

Also in the evening, IOF killed 2 Palestinians to the southeast of Nablus. IOF claimed that they shot dead 2 Palestinian gunmen who were on their way to launch an attack on "Har Brakha" settlement, south of Nablus. They further claimed that the victims had been responsible for a number of attacks in the area.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 20:15, residents of Kufor Qallil village, south of Nablus, heard sounds of shooting in al-'Amayer area to the northeast of the village. Immediately, an Israeli military unit arrived at the area and closed it. A Palestinian ambulance moved towards the area, but IOF fired at it to force it to stop. A number of Israeli soldiers moved towards the ambulance and informed its crew that the military operation in the area did not end and that the ambulance would be allowed to enter the area when the operation ends. IOF allowed the ambulance to enter the area at approximately 23:30. The Palestinian medical crew found bodies of 2 Palestinians and evacuated them to Rafidya Hospital in Nablus. According to medical sources, the victims were hit by several live bullets throughout the body. According to eyewitnesses, the victims were members of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the military wing of Fatah movement, and they used to be present in the area at night to prevent settlers from attacking the aforementioned village. The two victims were identified as:

1. 'Essam Hamza 'Ali Mansour, 24, from Balata refugee camp near Nablus; and

2. Mahdi Sati Yousef al-Qanna, 24, from Kufor Qallil village.

At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided a house belonging to Ibrahim Mohammed Salman al-Masharqa in the east of the village. They held residents of the house in one room and prevented their movement. IOF left the house at approximately 06:00 on Wednesday, 16 February 2005, after having terrified children living in the house.

During the day, IOF moved into the villages of Baqat al-Hatab and 'Azzoun near Qalqilya; Nablus; Yatta village near Hebron; and the villages of Kharabtha and Silwad near Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 8 Palestinians.

Continued Siege on the OPT

IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem.

Gaza Strip

Contrary to Israeli official claims regarding easing measures of closure imposed on the Gaza Strip, IOF have continued to completely or partially close all border crossings of the Gaza Strip, and impose severe restrictions on the internal movement of Palestinian civilians.

With regard to internal movement, IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians through al-Matahen and Abu Houli checkpoints on Salah al-Din Street (the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip), even though they have increased the hours of opening the two checkpoints. They often close the two checkpoints and hold and check Palestinian civilians in between. At approximately 10:30 on Friday, 11 February 2005, dozens of Israeli settlers demonstrated between the two checkpoints and prevented Palestinian civilian vehicles from traveling on the road by throwing stones at them. IOF positioned at the two checkpoints fired in the air to disperse the settlers. At approximately 15:00 on Monday, 14 February 2005, IOF closed the two checkpoints. Palestinian civilian vehicles were forced to wait at the two checkpoints under the rain for more than one hour. IOF closed the two checkpoints again on the following day.

IOF have also continued to impose a strict siege on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip. On Thursday morning, 10 February 2005, IOF reopened al-Tuffah checkpoint at the entrance of the area, but under severe conditions. Male Palestinians aged 16-35 have been prohibited from crossing the checkpoint. Only 150 civilians are allowed to exit the area and 25 other to enter it daily, but under severe restrictions. IOF and settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property. With regard to education, 1430 schoolchildren study at one school in the area, which lacks electricity and water. The school also lacks teachers of a number of subjects, such as mathematics, physics and chemistry. Only one teacher from outside the area is allowed to teach at this school, and he is prevented sometimes from entering the area. As a result of such conditions, the school was forces to cancel the scientific section, so students who wish to study science have to go to Khan Yunis. Israeli troops frequently close al-Tuffah checkpoint at the entrance to the area.

IOF have also continued to close a number of roads inside the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the current Intifada, such as the western Rafah – Khan Yunis road in the southern Gaza Strip, Abu al-'Ajeen road between the villages of al-Qarara and Wadi al-Salqa in the central Gaza Strip and Salah al-Din Street at "Netzarim" and "Kfar Darom" junctions in the central Gaza Strip. Furthermore, IOF have continued to prohibit Palestinian civilians from using "Kissufim", "Morag" and al-Mentar roads in the southern and central Gaza Strip, which have been devoted for the movement of IOF and settlers. While Palestinians hope that military checkpoints inside the Gaza Strip will be dismantled, PCHR is concerned that IOF may establish a new military checkpoint on the coastal road, south of Gaza City, as they established a sand hill, which is 6 meters high, only 50 meters away from the coastal road, which may be a prelude for establishing a huge military post in the area similar to an existing one near al-Matahen checkpoint. This new development poses a serious threat to the lives of Palestinian civilians as an Israeli tank is always positioned in the area. Recently, IOF have repeatedly closed the coastal road.

IOF have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities located near Israeli military posts and settlements, particularly al-Sayafa area between "Dogit" and "Elli Sinai" settlements in the northern Gaza Strip. IOF have continued to control the movement of Palestinian civilians through the iron gate established at the entrance to the area. IOF allow only Palestinian civilians who are over 30 to leave the area daily following coordination between 07:00 and 14:30. On 13 February 2005, IOF prevented 26-year-old Aamal Nayef al-Ghoul from leaving the area with her two children to go to a medical center in Beit Lahia, and forced her to go back home under the rain. She and her children fell onto mud. This week, IOF informed residents of the area that they would not allow farmers from outside the area to reach their agricultural land in the area in the coming days.

In the same context, IOF have continued to impose a strict siege on al-Ma'ni area near "Kfar Darom" settlement in the central Gaza Strip. The area has lacked water and telephone networks for 3 years after IOF had destroyed them. According to residents of the area, they obtain water from a well in the area or bring it from Deir al-Balah. IOF do not allow any Palestinian living outside the area from entering the area.

Contrary to Israeli official claims regarding allowing 750 Palestinian workers and dozens of traders to enter Israel through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip, IOF allowed only 500 workers and 65 traders to enter Israel on 13 and 14 February 2005. Workers allowed to enter Israel must be married and over 35 years old. A number of patients who suffer from serious diseases are sometimes allowed to enter Israel, but following prior coordination and under inhuman conditions. Patients have to wait for long hours before they are forced to wall or move on wheel chairs to be checked. Only patients who suffer from very serious diseases are allowed to travel in ambulances, while other patents have to travel in taxis after passing through checking.

Even through IOF reopened al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing, east of Gaza City, on Tuesday, 8 February 2005, they have continued to impose severe restrictions on the flow of goods through the crossing:

· Only 11 routes out of 34 have been reopened, which significantly decreased the number of trucks allowed to pass through the crossing.

· IOF placed cement blocks, nearly 12 meters high, at the crossing.

· Only flowers and tomatoes are allowed to be exported from the Gaza Strip.

· Only medicines and milk products are allowed to be entered into the Gaza Strip, while IOF have continued to prevent other goods, such as construction raw materials and some foodstuffs.

· Palestinian traders and workers have been subject to strict checking by IOF.

Even though IOF reopened Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border, they have continued to impose severe restrictions on travel. The crossing point is opened from 09:00 to 17:00 everyday. Palestinians aged 16-35, including students and patients, have been prevented from traveling through the crossing point. The crossing point has been the only outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world since the beginning of the current Intifada.

The West Bank

IOF have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities. They have also imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians and imposed curfews on a number of Palestinian communities even during Eid al-Adha.

Ramallah

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday morning, 10 February 2005, IOF erected a number of sudden checkpoints at the entrances to Shaqba village, northwest of the twon, Biddu village, southwest of the town, and 'Oyoun al-Haramiya village, north of the town. They stopped and checked many Palestinian civilians and summoned some of them for interrogation.

Hebron

This week, IOF imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the center and south of Hebron. The closed a number of roads and prevented the movement of Palestinian civilians, including students and teachers. They also held and checked dozens of Palestinian civilians under the rain.

Nablus

On Sunday morning, 13 February 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at Jeet crossroads, south of Nablus. They stopped dozens of Palestinian civilian vehicles that were traveling to Ramallah and checked Palestinian civilians. They also erected another checkpoint at the crossroads of "Yitshar" settlement, south of the city. They stopped dozens of Palestinian civilian vehicles and checked Palestinian civilians. Contrary to Israeli official claims, IOF positioned at various checkpoints around the city have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

Tulkram

On Thursday morning, 10 February 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint opposite to Nour Shams refugee camp, east of Tulkarm. On Friday morning, 11 February 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at the northern entrance to Artah village, south of the town. On Saturday noon, 12 February 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint between the villages of 'Attil and Baqa al-Sharqiya, north of the town. On Sunday, 13 February 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint on the road leading to al-Shoufa village, south of the town. On Monday evening, IOF erected a number of checkpoints on the main entrances to the town. They stopped dozens of Palestinian civilian vehicles and checked Palestinian civilians.

Jenin

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. According to eyewitnesses, IOF positioned at Tayaseer checkpoint, southeast of Jenin, stopped Palestinian civilians traveling home in the northern Jordan Valley and prevented some of them from crossing checkpoint due to their lack of checkpoint permits. IOF positioned at al-Hamra checkpoint, southeast of Jenin, conducted prolonged searching of Palestinian civilian vehicles.

Qalqilya

On Thursday, 10 February 2005, IOF closed the entrance to Kufor Qaddoum village, east of Qalqilya, and prohibited movement of Palestinian civilians out and into the village. IOF also imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians traveling from and to 'Azzoun 'Atma village, south of Qalqilya. They checked Palestinian students and teachers.

Arrests at Military Checkpoints

On Sunday evening, 13 February 2005, IOF positioned at a sudden checkpoint at the entrance to Nabi Elias village arrested 3 Palestinians from Qalqilya. One of these Palestinians was identified as 21-year-old Rashid Yousef Hamdan.

On Tuesday morning, 15 February 2005, IOF positioned at a military checkpoint at the entrance to Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, arrested 30-year-old Rayan 'Othman 'Amara. At noon, IOF positioned at Gilo checkpoint, north of Bethlehem, arrested Zakaria Mausallam Baraqa'a, 29, from 'Aaida refugee camp.

Continued Construction of the Annexation Wall

On Thursday morning, 10 February 2005, IOF handed military orders to a number of Palestinian civilians from Shu'fat refugee camp, northeast of Jerusalem, confiscating at least 50 donums of land. According to local sources, the confiscation of these areas of land aims at expanding a military checkpoint at the western entrance of the camp. IOF gave the owners 7 days to appeal against the military orders. IOF had already declared that they would establish a major checkpoint to the northeast of Jerusalem upon the completion of the construction of the wall to separate Palestinians living there from the city.

At the same time, IOF handed a military order to a number of Palestinian civilians from Beit Hanina village, north of Jerusalem, confiscating approximately 150 donums of land in the village for the purpose of the construction of the wall. According to local sources, the construction of a section of the wall in the area will isolate the villages of al-Jeeb, al-Judaira, Bir Nabala and Qalqndya, and will isolated Beit Hanina village from its western land, whose area is estimated at nearly 2400 donums. It will also divide Beit Hanina village into two separate zones.

On Sunday, 13 February 2005, the Israeli High Court issued a temporary injunction stopping the construction of the wall on the land of the villages of Salfit and Eskaka, south of Nablus, for 21 days. This latest decision was one of a series of decisions taken by the court and they were then cancelled. The court had issued a decision on 8 February 2005, allowing the resumption of the construction of the wall in the area, canceling a previous decision to stop this construction.

Also on Sunday, IOF handed a military order to residents of Toura al-Gharbiya village, west of Jenin, confiscating 301 donums of agricultural land in the village. According to local sources, the confiscated land is the most fertile in the village and constitutes the main source of outcome for more than 500 Palestinians. Most agricultural land in the village has been confiscated by IOF for the construction of the wall. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Local Government, IOF have confiscated more than 33000 donums of land and isolated 70000 donums behind the wall since 2002.

On Monday morning, 14 February 2005, IOF started to construct huge cement sections of the wall in the villages of Hazma and 'Anata, northeast of Jerusalem. According to eyewitnesses, the new route of the wall in this area will seize hundreds of donums of land.

Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilian and Property

Israeli settlers living in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law have launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians and property. IOF have continued to confiscate areas of Palestinian land for settlement activities.

On Thursday morning, 10 February 2005, IOF issued a military order seizing a 3-donum area of land in Tal al-Rumiada neighborhood to the east of "Ramat Yishai" settlement in Hebron for "security needs". The real goal for this latest confiscation is to establish a 700-meter-long settler road in the area. For this purpose, a number of houses would be demolished, a number of graves would be destroyed and dozens of olive trees would be uprooted. IOF had established a water pipeline in the area after a number of settlers built 4 tin-made homes on an area of land belonging to Zakaria al-Bakri.

On Monday morning, 14 February 2005, IOF ordered 3 Palestinian families to leave their homes and property in the east of Yatta village, south of Hebron, by 16:00 or they would be expelled by force.

At approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 12 February 2005, an Israeli settler beat two Palestinian women at the entrance of Kufor Qaddoum village when they were waiting for a taxi to travel to Nablus. He also forces the two women - 50-year-old 'Abla Qassem Barham and 45-year-old Kawthar Mohammed Eshtaiwi – to leave the area.

On Monday morning, 14 February 2005, an Israeli settler from "Qidoumim" settlement near Nablus attempted to attack with a sharp tool a number of Palestinian civilians from Kufor Qaddoum village who were waiting at an iron gate established by IOF at the entrance of the village. He also insulted them before the eyes of Israeli soldiers who did not intervene to stop him.

On Wednesday, 16 February 2005, an Israeli settler ran down a Palestinian child on Wadi al-Maleh road in the northern Jordan Valley.

According to investigation conducted by PCHR, at approximately 12:00, 8-year-old Sa'id Bajes Daraghma was going back home from school in Wadi al-Maleh village, southeast of Jenin. When he was walking on the roadside, a civilian vehicle that had an Israeli registration plate traveled fast, ran him down and escaped from the area. A number of Palestinian civilians who witnessed this attack called an ambulance. The child was evacuated to a hospital in Jenin. According to medical sources, he was in a serious condition.

On Wednesday afternoon, a number of armed Israeli settlers coming from "Ma'oun" settlement to the east of Yatta village, south of Hebron, attacked a number of members of an international solidarity group and an American Christian peace team who were escorting Palestinian farmers and shepherds in the area. According to eyewitnesses, the settlers beat them, injuring two. Then, IOF surrounded the area and forced the farmers and shepherds to leave the area. They also arrested 2 farmers: Nasser al-Hadara and Joma'a Reb'ei.

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Recommendations to the International Community

1. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal and moral obligations under article 1 of the Convention to ensure Israel's respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. PCHR believes the conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as a state above law and continue to violate international human rights and humanitarian law.

2. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene a conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel's respect of the Convention in the OPTs and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.

3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with its legal obligations detailed in article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.

4. PCHR recommends international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and solidarity groups to participate in the process of searching for Israeli war criminals and to urge their governments to bring these war criminals to justice.

5. PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate article 2 of the Euro-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel. PCHR further calls upon the EU states to prohibit import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPTs.

6. PCHR calls upon European governments to change their positions towards the Palestinian cause at UN bodies, particularly the General Assembly, Security Council and Commission on Human Rights.

7. PCHR welcomes the UN General Assembly resolution, which referred the issue of the Separation Wall inside the OPTs to International Court of Justice to give its Advisoryt Opinion. There is no doubt that the wall is illegal, which obligates the international community to take steps that amount to the level of the expected decision by the court.

8. In recognition of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPTs, including for facilitating family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

9. PCHR appreciates the efforts of international civil society, including human rights organizations, bar associations, unions and solidarity groups, and urges them to continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel's respect for human rights in the OPTs and to end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.

10. In light of the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupying forces on access of international solidarity groups to the OPTs, PCHR calls upon European countries to deal the same way with Israeli citizens.

11. PCHR reiterates that any political settlement not based on international human rights law and humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of the Palestinian question. Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to further suffering and instability in the region. Any peace agreement or process must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.