Despite the likelihood that settlers would take revenge following the eviction of the new settlement in Hebron last week, security forces did not prepare to protect Palestinian residents of the city. Settlers made incursions into Palestinian neighborhoods, shot a father and son, torched houses, and caused substantial property damage.
On 4 Dec. '08, following the eviction of the settlement in Hebron's a-Ras neighborhood ("the House in Dispute"), settlers attacked a family that lives nearby. In her testimony, Raja Matariyeh describes the attack on her home, which included gunfire, stone throwing, and damage to property.
From 17 December, 10 A.M. (Israel time) to 18 December, 5 P.M. (Israel time), B'Tselem’s entire team will be available to answer questions posted on our Facebook wall and to discuss issues raised by the public.
To mark the anniversary, celebrated today (10 Dec. '08), B'Tselem is airing a video tribute to the ongoing global struggle for the realization of these rights. As many rights continue to be violated worldwide, we must fight together to turn the beautiful words of the Declaration into a living reality.
Despite the likelihood that settlers would take revenge following the eviction of the new settlement in Hebron last week, security forces did not prepare to protect Palestinian residents of in the city. Settlers made incursions into Palestinian neighborhoods, shot a father and son, torched houses, and caused substantial property damage.
Since 5 November, Israel has sharply reduced the entry of goods and supplies into the Gaza Strip. The action, carried out in response to rocket fire into Israel, constitutes collective punishment, which is forbidden and aggravates the already harsh humanitarian situation in Gaza.
On 12 Nov. ‘08, a Palestinian military court in Bethlehem sentenced Ayman Dagharmeh to death, after convicting him of treason for passing information to Israeli security forces. The PA has yet to comply with the clear international trend toward abolishing the death penalty.
On 28 Oct., following a complaint by B'Tselem, the Department for the Investigation of Police filed an indictment against two policemen charged with assaulting Fadi Darabi' and causing severe damage to one of his testicles. The assault took place in April, at a construction site in Israel.
On 5 Nov. '08, the Jerusalem Municipality demolished a house in Silwan, East Jerusalem. While the occupants were being evacuated, a helmeted policeman was filmed head-butting two Palestinians who were at the scene. Following a letter from B’Tselem, the DIP opened an investigation into the incident.
On 10 Sept. '08, seven Gazan fishermen were sailing in the zone permitted for fishing by the Israeli army. With no advance warning, an Israeli naval vessel rammed into their boat and sailed over it. The severe damage to the boat left the fishermen unemployed.
On 20 November '08, Kafa Shtiwi from Kadum was attacked by settlers as she approached her olive grove with international activists. According to her testimony, the settlers kicked and cursed them, and threatened to vandalize their vehicle.
Israel's discriminatory policy in East Jerusalem extends to many aspects of life, including planning and building. On 28 July '08, the municipality demolished a residential building in the Beit-Hanina neighborhood, claiming part of it was built without a permit. During the eviction, Police officers attacked a resident.
Israel’s regime of apartheid and occupation is inextricably bound up in human rights violations. B’Tselem strives to end this regime, as that is the only way forward to a future in which human rights, democracy, liberty and equality are ensured to all people, both Palestinian and Israeli, living between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea.
Since the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023, Israel has acted in a coordinated and deliberate manner to destroy Palestinian society in the Gaza Strip, committing genocide against its residents. In light of Israel’s actions in Gaza, the public statements made by Israeli decision-makers, and the international community’s failure to take effective action, there is a serious risk that the Israeli regime will expand the genocide to other areas under its control—first and foremost, the West Bank.
B’Tselem calls on the Israeli public and the international community to use every tool available under international law to bring an immediate end to Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people.