Dear friends, I would like to highlight an important issue currently on our agenda: the threatened expulsion of hundreds of Palestinians in the South Hebron Hills where the Israeli military maintains a firing zone. About a month ago, Israel’s Attorney General clarified for the first time the “operational need” for this particular firing zone. However, he has not explained the legal basis for the declaration of Firing Zone 918.
In fact, there is no valid legal basis. Given that we are talking about occupied territory, the Israeli military is only allowed to act on the basis of military necessity or the welfare of the local population. The reasons given for the firing zone do not accord with these parameters.
In his announcement, the Attorney General completely ignores the relevant international legal principles, and instead focuses on the question of whether the residents of the villages within the firing zone are permanent residents – a question that is not relevant given the illegality of the declaration of such a zone to begin with.
This particular case is part of a broader phenomenon of Israel using the resources of the West Bank for its own benefit, and specifically the declaration of large tracts of land as firing zones, in blatant disregard of its international legal obligations. B'Tselem will devote particular attention to this phenomenon over the coming months.
Yael Stein, Attorney Director of Research, B’Tselem | | Susiya demolition orders not simply a law enforcement issue | In an op-ed first published in the Jerusalem Post, Eyal Hareuveni explains why the demolition orders issued by the Civil Administration in May for most of the village of Khirbet Susiya do not serve legitimate planning interests. Rather, they reflect the discriminatory planning regime that Israel imposed in Area C of the West Bank, where Israel has complete control. This regime threatens the continued existence of dozens of Area C Palestinian villages for which Israel has thwarted the preparation of master plans, while preventing the expansion and development of other Palestinian communities in this area. | | READ MORE >> | | Firing zone 918: villages still in the crosshairs |
On 19 July 2012 the State responded to the High Court petition by south Hebron hills residents against expulsion from their homes. For the first time, the state clarified the “operational necessity” for a live firing zone and reiterated its demand to expel most Palestinians from the area. The state’s response ignored the illegality of its actions under international law. Israel must cancel the south Hebron hills live firing zone declaration and allow residents to remain in their homes, work their land and herd their flocks.
| | READ MORE >> | | Disciplinary hearing for Border Police officer who kicked a nine year old boy | The Department for the Investigation of Police, in the Ministry of Justice (DIP) has informed B'Tselem that it decided to initiate disciplinary proceedings for "unlawful use of force" against a border police officer who was filmed kicking a nine year old Palestinian boy. The DIP decided not to file a criminal indictment against the officer. B'Tselem has written to the DIP to obtain the full investigation file to determine whether further steps are warranted. | | READ MORE >> | | Reopen investigation into the killing of Majedah and Rayah Abu Hajaj in operation Cast Lead | Following the signing of a plea bargain with a soldier charged with manslaughter during operation Cast Lead, B'Tselem demands that the Military Police Investigation Unit (MPIU) reopen the file into the killing of Majedah and Rayah Abu Hajaj. If the military prosecution accepted the claim that there is no connection between the shooting he admitted to and the killing of the Palestinian mother and daughter, this means that the investigation into this incident was never completed. The MPIU must therefore solve the case and pursuant to the finding, hold accountable those responsible. | | READ MORE >> | | Video: A nighttime search at the home of a B'Tselem volunteer in Hebron | On the afternoon of 16 January 2012 B'Tselem video volunteer, Diaa al-Hadad, was detained for a few minutes and released in Hebron. That same night, a unit of soldiers commanded by a first lieutenant came to the family's house and conducted a search. During the search, they made Diaa stand against a wall for quite some time .Diaa and his father, 'Abd al-Karim Hadad, documented the incident with their cameras. B'Tselem does not know the reason for the search, but the soldiers did not take anything from the house, and no one in the family was arrested. | | READ MORE >> | |
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