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BADILforPalestinianResidencyandRefugeeRightsResourceCenterForcedPopulationTransfer:TheCaseofPalestineWorkingPaperNo.
19December2016SuppressionofResistanceBADILforPalestinianResidencyandRefugeeRightsResourceCenterForcedPoPulationtransFer:thecaseoFPalestineWorkingPaperNo.
19December2016SuppreSSionofreSiStanceReviewandEdit:NidalAlazzaResearchersandAuthors:Amayaal-OrzzaandRachelHallowellReasearchAssistants:LisaAuer,AhmadLahham,MuradOdah,HayaAbuShkhaidemandLanaRamadanCopy-edit:NaomiM.
R.
GrahamandLubnahShomaliDesignandLayout:FidaaIkhlayelandAtallahSalemISBN:978-9950-339-46-0AllrightsreservedBADILResourceCenterforPalestinianResidency&RefugeeRightsForcedPopulationTransfer:TheCaseofPalestine-SuppressionofResistanceDecember2016CreditandNotationsTohonoranonymityandprotectthevictims,insomecasestheirnameshavebeenomittedandinformationregardingtheirlocationshavebeenchanged.
ManythankstoallwhohavesupportedBADILResourceCenterthroughoutthisresearchprojectandinparticulartoallinterviewpartnerswhoprovidedthefoundationforthispublication.
Anyquotationofupto500wordsmaybeusedwithoutpermissionprovidedthatfullattributionisgiven.
Longerquotations,entirechapters,orsectionsofthisstudymaynotbereproducedortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans;electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recording,orotherwise,orstoredinanyretrievalsystemofanynature,withouttheexpresswrittenpermissionofBADILResourceCenterforPalestinianResidencyandRefugeeRights.
BADILResourceCenterforPalestinianResidencyandRefugeeRightsKarkafaSt.
POBox728,Bethlehem,WestBank;PalestineTel.
:+970-2-277-7086;Fax:+970-2-274-7346Website:www.
badil.
orgBADILResourceCenterforPalestinianResidencyandRefugeeRightsisanindependent,non-profithumanrightsorganizationworkingtoprotectandpromotetherightsofPalestinianrefugeesandInternallyDisplacedPersons(IDPs).
Ourvision,mission,programsandrelationshipsaredefinedbyourPalestinianidentityandtheprinciplesofinternationalhumanitarianandhumanrightslaw.
WeseektoadvancetheindividualandcollectiverightsofthePalestinianpeopleonthisbasis.
TableofContentsIntroducingtheSeries5Introduction9OverallLegalFramework11Chapter1PunitiveRetaliationtoPalestinianResistance-ExtrajudicialandTargetedKillings17-SuppressionofProtestsandDemonstrations26-ImpositionofCollectivePunishment36Chapter2ImprisonmentasSuppression-ArbitraryArrestsandAdministrativeDetention49-SolitaryConfinementandIsolation54-TortureandIll-treatment57-DeportationofPrisoners62-ConditionalRelease65-ChildPrisonersandDetainees66-WomenPrisonersandDetainees73Chapter3SuppressionofPalestinianCivilSociety,IdentityandCulture-SuppressionofPalestinianCivilSociety79-SuppressionofIdentityandCulture89Conclusion10145IntroducingtheSeries1Thisseriesofworkingpaperson"ForcedPopulationTransfer:TheCaseofPalestine"constitutesanoverviewoftheforceddisplacementofPalestiniansasahistoricandongoingprocesswhichdetrimentallyaffectsthedailylifeofPalestiniansandthreatenstheirnationalexistence.
HistoricalContext:TheCaseofPalestineAtthebeginningofthe20thcentury,mostPalestinianslivedinsidethebordersofMandatePalestine,nowdividedintothestateofIsrael,andtheoccupiedPalestinianterritory(theWestBank,includingEastJerusalem,andtheGazaStrip).
TheongoingforcibledisplacementpoliciesfollowingtheestablishmentoftheBritishmandateofPalestineinthe1920smadePalestiniansthelargestandlongest-standingunresolvedrefugeecaseintheworldtoday.
Bytheendof2014,anestimated7.
98million(66percent)oftheglobalPalestinianpopulationof12.
1millionareforciblydisplacedpersons.
2TheultimateaimofBADIL'sseriesistoparsethecomplexweboflegislationandpolicieswhichcompriseIsrael'soverallsystemofforcedpopulationtransfertoday.
TheseriesisnotintendedtoproduceacomprehensiveindictmentagainsttheStateofIsrael,buttoillustratehoweachpolicyfulfillsitsgoalintheoverallobjectiveofforciblydisplacingthePalestinianpeoplewhileimplantingJewish-Israelisettlers/colonizersthroughoutMandatePalestine(referringto"historicPalestine",consistingofIsrael,the1967occupiedWestBank,includingEastJerusalem,andtheGazaStrip).
Despiteitsurgency,theforceddisplacementofPalestiniansrarelyreceives1ExtractfromBADILResourceCenterforPalestinianResidencyandRefugeeRights,"IntroductiontoForcedPopulationTransfer:TheCaseofPalestine",March2014.
Availableat:http://www.
badil.
org/phocadownload/Badil_docs/publications/wp15-introduction.
pdf2BADILResourceCenterforPalestinianResidencyandRefugeeRights,"SurveyofPalestinianRefugeesandInternallyDisplacedPersons(VIII)2013-2015",November2015,pagexiii.
Availableat:http://www.
badil.
org/phocadownloadpap/badil-new/publications/survay/Survey2013-2015-en.
pdf6anappropriateresponsefromtheinternationalcommunity.
Thisresponseshouldencompasscondemnationsandurgentinterventionstoproviderelieforhumanitarianassistance,whileaddressingtherootcausesofthisforcedpopulationtransfer.
Short-termresponsefromtheinternationalcommunityisinsufficienttoaddressthisissue,andassuch,long-termresponsesshouldbedevelopedtoputanendtotheongoingdisplacementaswellastoachieveadurablesolution.
Whilemanyindividualsandorganizationshavediscussedthetriggersofforcedpopulationtransfer,civilsocietylacksanoverallanalysisofthesystemofforceddisplacementthatcontinuestooppressanddisenfranchisePalestinianstoday.
BADIL,therefore,spearheadstargetedresearchonforcedpopulationtransferandproducescriticaladvocacyandscholarlymaterialstohelpbridgethisanalyticalgap.
ForcedPopulationTransferTheconceptofforcedpopulationtransfer–andrecognitionoftheneedtotackleitsinherentinjustice–isbynomeansanewphenomenon,norisituniquetoMandatePalestine.
Concertedeffortstocolonizeforeignsoilhaveunderpinneddisplacementformillennia,andthe"unacceptabilityoftheacquisitionofterritorybyforceandtheoftenconcomitantpracticeofpopulationtransfer"3wasidentifiedbythePersianEmperorCyrustheGreat,andsubsequentlycodifiedintheCyrusCylinderin539B.
C.
;thefirstknownhumanrightscharter.
Almosttwothousandyearslater,duringtheChristianepoch,Europeanpowersemployedpopulationtransferasameansofconquest,withpertinentexamplesincludingtheAnglo-SaxondisplacementofindigenousCelticpeoples,andtheSpanishInquisitionforcingthetransferofreligiousminoritiesfromtheirhomesintheearly16thcentury.
Today,theforcibletransferofprotectedpersonsbyphysicalforceorthreatsorcoercionconstitutesagravebreachoftheFourthGenevaConventionandawarcrimeundertheRomeStatuteoftheInternationalCriminalCourt.
Theforcibledisplacementofindividualswithoutgroundspermittedunderinternationallawisaveryseriousviolation,andwhenthoseaffectedbelongtoaminorityorethnicpargroupandthepoliciesofforcibledisplacementaresystematicandwidespread,thesepracticescouldamounttocrimesagainsthumanity.
Internationallawsetsclearrulestoprohibitforcedpopulationtransfer,3JosephSchechla,"Prohibition,ProsecutionandImpunityfortheCrimeofPopulationTransfer",BADILResourceCenterforPalestinianResidencyandRefugeeRights,Spring-Summer2012.
Availableat:http://www.
badil.
org/en/component/k2/item/1764-art4.
html7throughthespecificbranchesofinternationalhumanitarianlaw,internationalhumanrightslaw,internationalcriminallawandinternationalrefugeelaw.
Bothinternal(withinaninternationallyrecognizedborder)andexternaldisplacementareregulated.
BADILpresentsthisseriesofworkingpapersinaconciseandaccessiblemannertoitsdesignatedaudiences:fromacademicsandpolicymakers,toactivistsandthegeneralpublic.
Generally,theseriescontributestoimprovingtheunderstandingoftheongoing'nakba'4ofthePalestinianpeopleandtheneedforarights-basedapproachtoaddressitamonglocal,regionalandinternationalactors.
Wehopethattheserieswillinformstakeholders,andultimatelyenableadvocacywhichwillcontributetothedismantlingofaframeworkthatsystematicallyviolatesPalestinianrightsonadailybasis.
Theseriesisintendedtoencouragedebateandtostimulatediscussionandcriticalcomment.
SinceIsraelipoliciescomprisingforcedpopulationtransferarenotstatic,butever-changinginintensity,formandareaofapplication,thisserieswillrequireperiodicupdates.
TheseriesofworkingpaperswilladdressninemainIsraelipoliciesaimingatforcedpopulationtransferofPalestinians.
Theyare:1.
DenialofResidency2.
DiscriminatoryZoningandPlanning3.
InstallmentofaPermitRegime4.
SuppressionofResistance5.
LandConfiscationandDenialofUse6.
DenialofAccesstoNaturalResourcesandServices7.
InstitutionalizedDiscriminationandSegregation8.
Non-stateActions(withtheimplicitconsentoftheIsraelistate)9.
DenialofReparationsincludingrefugeeandIDPsreturn,propertyrestitution,compensationandnon-repetition.
4ThetermNakba(Arabicfor'Catastrophe')designatesthefirstroundofmassivepopulationtransferundertakenbytheZionistmovementandIsraelintheperiodbetweenNovember1947(UNPalestinePartitionPlan)andthecease-fire(Armistice)agreementswithArabstatesin1949.
TheOngoingNakbadescribestheongoingPalestinianexperienceofforceddisplacement,aswellasIsrael'spoliciesandpracticesthathavegivenrisetooneofthelargestandlongest-standingpopulationsofrefugees,internallydisplacedpersonsandstatelesspersonsworldwide.
MethodologyAllpaperswillconsistofbothfieldanddeskresearch.
FieldresearchwillconsistofcasestudiesdrawnfromindividualandgroupinterviewswithPalestiniansaffectedbyforcedpopulationtransfer,orprofessionals(suchaslawyersoremployeesoforganizations)workingontheissue.
ThegeographicfocusoftheserieswillincludeIsrael,theoccupiedPalestinianterritoryandPalestinianrefugeeslivinginforcedexile.
Mostofthedatausedwillbequalitativeinnature,althoughwherequantitativedataisavailable–orcanbecollected–itwillbeincludedintheresearch.
Desk-basedresearchwillcontextualizepoliciesofforcedpopulationtransferbyfactoringinhistorical,social,politicalandlegalconditionsinordertodelineatetheviolationsofthePalestinianpeoples'rights.
Internationalhumanrightslawandinternationalhumanitarianlawwillplaypivotalroles,andanalysiswillbesupplementedwithsecondarysourcessuchasscholarlyarticlesandreports.
DisclaimerThenamesoftheindividualswhoprovidedtestimoniesinthecourseofresearchingthisworkingpaperarenotincludedduetosecurityconsiderations.
ThisisaresultoffearsoftheparticipantsthattheirinvolvementinthisprojectmightdrawreprisalsbytheIsraeliauthorities.
Wethanktheparticipantsfortheircourage.
9IntroductionSuppressionofresistanceisnotcommonlymentionedwhenanalyzingIsraelipoliciesofforcedpopulationtransfer,yetitisapolicythataffectsallaspectsofPalestinians'livesanddirectlycontributestothecreationofacoerciveenvironmentthatresultsinthedisplacementofPalestinians.
Foracomprehensivestudyofthispolicy,wehaveadoptedabroadinterpretationofresistanceincludingallactsperceivedbyIsraelasathreattoitsdominanceandcontrolofMandatePalestine.
5ThisiswhywehaveincorporatedPalestiniansteadfastnessorresilience,knownas'sumud'inArabic,toourexaminationofsuppressionofresistance.
TheconceptofsumudbroadlyreferstothePalestiniannationalawarenessordeterminationtoremainintheirhomesandhomelanddespitethecoerciveenvironmentimposedonthembyIsrael.
InthefaceofongoingIsraeliattemptstoerasePalestinianhistoryandculture,especiallyinIsraelandEastJerusalem,wehavealsoincludedPalestinianeffortstoretainandstrengthentheireducation,identity,andcultureasaformofresistance.
TheIsraelipolicyofsuppressionofresistanceworksintwoways.
SomeoftheindividualpoliciesofsuppressioninvolvethedirectforcibledisplacementofPalestiniansfromtheirhomes;actionsthatcanamounttothecrimeofforcibletransferand/ordeportationwhenappliedtoPalestinianslivingintheoPt,andforceddisplacementvis-à-visPalestiniancitizensofIsrael.
SendingPalestinianprisonerstotheGazaStriporabroaduponrelease,ortheforciblerelocationofBedouinstotownshipsintheNaqabareinstancesofthiskindofpolicy.
Inothercases,theIsraelipoliciesofsuppressiondisplacePalestiniansindirectly,bycreatinganatmosphereofcoerciveness,duress,andpsychologicaloppressionthatleavesthosesubjectedtothesepolicieswithnooptionbuttoleavetheirhomes.
Furthermore,bysuppressingPalestinianresistance,theimplementationofotherpoliciesofforcedpopulationtransferbecomesmorestraightforward.
5MandateorMandatoryPalestinereferstotheterritorythatwasunderBritishadministrationbetween1920and1948.
ThisterritorytodayencompassestheoPtandIsrael10Withoutstruggleordefiance,Israelcancontinueimplementingitspoliciesofcolonization,apartheid,andforceddisplacementunhindered.
Hence,whilesuppressionofPalestinianresistanceisastandalonemethodofforcedpopulationtransfer,italsofacilitatestheenforcementofotherpolicies,whichemphasizestheneedtodocumentallinstancesofsuppressionandhighlighttheuseofthispolicyasmeanstofurtherdisplacePalestinians.
Followingthelegalanalysiswhichisestablishedthroughtheframeworksofinternationalhumanitarian,humanrights,andcustomarylawinrelationtothesuppressionofresistance,thisworkingpaperisdividedintothreechaptersthatcoverthepredominantformsofIsraelisuppression:punitiveretaliation,imprisonment,andthesuppressionofPalestiniancivilsociety.
Whileaddressinganumberoflaws,practices,andmethodsimplementedbytheIsraeliregimeagainstPalestinianpeople,bothindividuallyandcollectively,thispapershouldnotbeconsideredcomprehensive.
Ithighlightsmanyoftheformsofsuppressioninordertoprovideabroadunderstandingofthesepracticesasmechanismsofforcibletransferand/ordisplacementsuchas;collectivepunishment,deportationofprisoners,thedenialofidentityandculture,andothers.
Themethodsandpracticesdetailedinthepaperarebynomeansexhaustive.
ThispaperconcludesbyaddressingtheconsequencesofIsraelisuppressionastriggerstodirectandindirectforcedpopulationtransferofPalestinianpeople.
Thesetriggersrepresenthumanrightsviolations,withcertaincasesconstitutingwarcrimesandcrimesagainsthumanity.
11OverallLegalFrameworkTheRighttoResistWhenaddressingtheillegalityoftheIsraelipolicyofsuppressionofPalestinianresistance,thelegalframeworkofresistanceitselfmustbeclarifiedbeforeaddressingthelawfulnessofthesuppression.
Palestinians,likeanyoneelse,haveaninalienablerighttoself-determination.
ThisrightwasincorporatedasCommonArticle1inthetwohumanrightscovenants;theInternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights(ICCPR),andtheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights(ICESCR),adoptedin1966.
Later,in1973,theUnitedNationsGeneralAssembly(UNGA)passedaresolutionaddressingthe"Importanceoftheuniversalrealizationoftherightofpeoplestoself-determinationandofthespeedygrantingofindependencetocolonialcountriesandpeoplesfortheeffectiveguaranteeandobservanceofhumanrights,"specificallyreferringtoboththeSouthAfricanandPalestinianpeople.
6InthisresolutiontheUNGAreaffirmed:1.
theinalienablerightofallpeopleundercolonialandforeigndominationandaliensubjugationtoself-determination,freedomandindependenceinaccordancewithGeneralAssemblyresolutions1514(XV)of14December1960,2649(XXV)of30November1970and2787(XXVI)of6December1971;and,2.
thelegitimacyofthepeoples'struggleforliberationfromcolonialandforeigndominationandaliensubjugationbyallavailablemeans,includingarmedstruggle.
6UnitedNationsGeneralAssembly(UNGA)ResolutionA/RES/3070(XXVIII),30November1973,operativepara.
212Forthisstruggleorresistancetobelawful,itmustbeexercisedaccordingtotheprinciplesandnormsofInternationalHumanitarianLaw(IHL)andInternationalHumanRightsLaw(IHRL).
Therighttoresistofpeopleunderforeignandcolonialdomination,includingarmedstruggle,andtheapplicabilityoftheseprovisionstothePalestinianpeoplehasbeenreaffirmedbymanyotherUNGAresolutions.
7AlthoughUNGAresolutionshavenoenforcementpowerperse,however,accordingtointernationallaw,theydoreflectthecommonlegalopinionoftheinternationalcommunity.
Someresolutionsinsomecasessuchasthosedealingwithpeoples'righttoself-determinationarebindingastheyareareproductionofinternationalcustomarylaw.
IllegalityofIsraeliSuppressionofResistanceInthecaseoftheGazaStripandtheWestBank,includingEastJerusalem,thestatusofthatterritoryasoccupiedandthepositionofIsraelastheoccupyingpowerhasbeenclearlyestablishedasamatteroffactandlaw.
8ThelegalityofPalestinianresistancehasbeenstronglydisputedbyIsraelsince1967,whenitoccupiedtheGazaStripandtheWestBank,andillegallyannexedEastJerusalem.
AlthoughEastJerusalemwasunilaterallyannexedbyIsrael,Article47oftheFourthGenevaConventionstatesthat"Protectedpersonswhoareinoccupiedterritoryshallnotbedeprived,inanycaseorinanymannerwhatsoever,ofthebenefitsofthepresentConvention[…]byanyagreementconcludedbetweentheauthoritiesoftheoccupiedterritoriesandtheOccupyingPower,norbyanyannexationbythelatterofthewholeorpartoftheoccupiedterritory,"9andhence,thesamelegalframeworkappliesinEastJerusalemasintherestoftheoPt.
NotonlydoesIsraelrefusetorecognizethelawfulnessofPalestinianresistance,insteaditpenalizesallformsofresistance.
Israel'ssuppressionofthePalestinianstruggleforliberation(resistance)ismostprominentlyjustifiedbyself-defenseandcounterterrorism.
Withregardtothelatter,utilizingafewseparate,occasional,anddisorganizedactions7Someofthemare:UNGAResolutionA/RES/3246(XXIX;29November1974),UNGAResolutionA/RES/33/24(29November1978),UNGAResolutionA/RES/34/44(23November1979),UNGAResolutionA/RES/35/35(14November1980),andUNGAResolutionA/RES/36/9(28October1981)8UnitedNationsSecurityCouncil(UNSC)ResolutionS/RES/242(22November1967);UNSCResolutionS/RES/338(22October1973);InternationalCourtofJustice(ICJ),LegalConsequencesoftheConstructionofaWallintheOccupiedPalestinianTerritory,AdvisoryOpinion,9July2004(hereafter'TheAdvisoryOpinionontheWall'),para.
136.
Seealso:UNHumanRightsCommittee,GeneralComment31:NatureoftheGeneralLegalObligationonStatesPartiestotheCovenant,CCPR/C/21/Rev.
1/Add.
13,2004,page11;andInternationalCourtofJustice,ArmedactivitiesontheterritoryoftheCongo(D.
R.
C.
v.
Uganda),19December20059Convention(IV)relativetotheProtectionofCivilianPersonsinTimeofWar,Geneva(GenevaConventionIV),12August1949,Article4713committedbyPalestinianindividualsthatmightbeinconsistentwithIHLandIHRL,Israelhasconsistentlydefamedandcriminalizedallactsofresistanceinanattempttodelegitimizetherighttoresist,andultimately,therighttoself-determinationofPalestinianpeople.
Equatingallformsofresistancewithterrorismasajustificationforsuppressionlackslegalbasis,asthePalestinianstruggleforliberationislegitimateandallactionscarriedoutagainstIsraelforthatpurposearethereforelawful.
However,theexistenceofactionsthatareinconsistentwithIHLandIHRLdoesnotjustifycategorizationofthewholePalestinianmovementofresistanceasterrorism.
Thus,IsraelcannotinvokethecounterterrorismargumentintermsofdelegitimizingPalestinianresistanceandjustifyingitspolicyofsuppressionaccordingly.
Moreover,breachesorevencriminalactionstakenbyindividualsorbyapartydonotlegalizeactsofsuppressiontakenbytheotherparty,asretaliationactionsareprohibitedunderinternationallaw.
10Moreover,illegalsuppressionofresistanceintheoccupiedPalestinianterritory(oPt)violatesIsrael'sobligationsasanoccupyingpower.
ThelawsregulatingsituationsofoccupationcanbefoundinIHL,abodyoflawthatseekstolimittheeffectsofarmedconflict.
Additionally,theyarefurthercontainedwithinthe1907HagueRegulations,the1949GenevaConventions,anditstwoAdditionalProtocolsof1977.
AccordingtotheFourthGenevaConvention,asanoccupyingpowerandinconsiderationofthe'protectedstatus'ofPalestiniansintheoPt,11IsraelhasanobligationtotreatPalestinianshumanelyandtoensurethattheyare"protectedespeciallyagainstallactsofviolenceorthreatsthereof.
"12TheConventionalsoprohibitstheuseofcollectivepunishmentoranyothermeasureofintimidation.
13The1907HagueRegulationsestablishinArticle43thattheoccupyingpower"shalltakeallthemeasuresinhispowertorestore,andensure,asfaraspossible,publicorderandsafety.
"14Thisprovisioninstitutesanobligationontheoccupyingpowertomaintainlawandorder,andtoprotectthesafetyoftheoccupiedpopulation,whileArticle46establishesanobligationonIsraeltorespect"Familyhonorandrights,thelivesofpersons,andprivateproperty.
"1510AdditionalProtocoltotheGenevaConventionsI(1977),Article20andArticle51(6);ICRC,Rule146ofCustomaryIHL.
Availableat:https://ihl-databases.
icrc.
org/customary-ihl/eng/docs/v1_rul_rule146;OHCHR,BasicHumanRightsReferenceGuide:RighttoaFairTrialandDueProcessintheContextofCounteringTerrorism,October2014,Availableat:http://www.
ohchr.
org/EN/newyork/Documents/FairTrial.
pdf11GenevaConventionIV,Article412Ibid.
,Article2713Ibid.
,Article3314TheHagueRegulationsRespectingtheLawsandCustomsofWaronLand,TheHague,1907(1907TheHagueConvention),Article4315Ibid.
,Article4614AccordingtoIHRL,IsraelmustrespectandprotectthehumanrightsincludedintheUNtreatiesithasratified,suchastheICCPR.
16WhiletheaforementionedlegalframeworkhasbeenreaffirmedasapplicableintheoPtbytheUNGA,theUNHumanRightsCouncil,theInternationalCourtofJustice(ICJ),17amongothers,IsraelhasalwaysdeniedtheirapplicabilitytotheGazaStripandtheWestBankbytryingtoreinterpretandtransformtheseapplicablelaws.
TheICJspecificallyaffirmedthat"theCourtconsidersthattheprotectionofferedbyhumanrightsconventionsdoesnotceaseincaseofarmedconflict,savethroughtheeffectofprovisionsforderogationofthekindtobefoundinArticle4oftheICCPR.
"18IHRLimposesseveralobligationsonIsrael,suchastherespectfortherighttolifeinlawenforcementoperations,followinginternationalpolicingstandardswhichincludeprinciplessuchasonlyusingforceasalastresort,andtherespectfortherightoffreedomofassembly,opinion,andexpression.
Initssuppressionofresistance,IsraelhasnotonlymadeuseofexcessiveforcetostoparmedstrugglebutitgoesasfarastocriminalizeandsuppressdemonstrationsoreventhedevelopmentandpracticeofPalestinianculture.
IsraelipoliciesofimposingitsownlanguageandcultureupontheoccupiedpopulationarenotonlyaviolationoftheICESCR,buttheydirectlyaffectanddenytherighttoself-determinationofPalestinians.
LawEnforcementandHostilitiesParadigmsTherearetwolegalparadigmsderivedfrominternationallawthatregulatetheuseofforceinarmedconflict;thehostilitiesparadigm,andthelawenforcementparadigm.
Determiningtheappropriateparadigmisofextremeimportanceasithasadirectimpactonthelossoflifeandinjurytopersons.
19AlthoughbothmustfollowIHLandIHRL,therelevanceofeachofthesebodiesoflawisdifferentundereachparadigm.
20InIHL,therulesandprinciplesregulatingtheuseofforcearefoundintheaforementionedHagueRegulations,theAdditionalProtocols,andCustomaryIHL.
21ThelegalregimeregardingtheuseofforceinIHRLisderivedfromtherighttolife,16OthertreatiesratifiedbyIsraelincludetheInternationalCovenantonSocial,EconomicandCulturalRights(ICESCR);theConventionagainstTortureandOtherCruel,InhumanorDegradingTreatmentorPunishment(CAT);theConventionontheRightsofaChild(CRC);andtheConventionontheEliminationofallFormsofRacialDiscrimination(ICERD)17ICJ,TheAdvisoryOpinionontheWall,op.
cit.
,200418Ibid.
19Expertmeeting,Theuseofforceinarmedconflicts–Interplaybetweentheconductsofhostilitiesandlawenforcementparadigms,InternationalCommitteeoftheRedCross(ICRC),November2013,pageiv.
Availableat:https://www.
icrc.
org/eng/assets/files/publications/icrc-002-4171.
pdf20Ibid.
,page421Ibid.
15protectedbytheUDHR,ICCPR,andotherhumanrightstreatiesaswellasundercustomarylaw.
22IHRListheapplicableframeworkwithinIsrael,andassuch,PalestiniancitizensofIsraelareentitledtotherightsenshrinedinthisbodyoflaw,includingtheUDHR,ICCPR,andICESCR,towhichIsraelissignatory,aswellasthe1992DeclarationontheRightsofPersonsBelongingtoNationalorEthnic,ReligiousandLinguisticMinorities,fortheyconstituteaminoritygroupinsideIsrael.
TheapplicabilityofthelawenforcementparadigmintheoPthasnotbeenputintoquestionbytheinternationalcommunityorthemajorityofexperts,andtherefore,thelawenforcementparadigmprovidesthelegalframeworkthroughwhichtoexplorethelegalityoftheIsraelipoliciesandpracticesintheWestBank,includingEastJerusalem.
23ThismeansthatwhensuppressingPalestinianresistance,Israelmustfollowthesamerulesassecurityandpoliceforcesanywhereelseintheworld.
24Protests,demonstrations,clashesorotherpublicdisturbances,evenwhenweaponsareused,donotreachthethresholdofhostilities.
25Inthelawenforcementparadigm,bothIHLandIHRLgovernthepolicingoftheterritorybytheoccupyingpower.
AsneitherArticle43oftheHagueRegulationsnorArticle64oftheFourthGenevaConventionprovidespecificdetailsabouttheuseofforce,26measuresofforceusedbytheoccupyingpowerareentirelyregulatedbyIHRL,notwithstandingtheobligationsofIsraeltomaintainpublicorderandsafetyderivedfromIHL.
Underthelawenforcementparadigm,theuseofforceisonlyjustifiedwherethereisaconcreteandimminentrisktolife,meaningthattheuseofforcealwaysneedstobenecessaryandproportional.
Theapplicabilityofthelawenforcementparadigmisputintoquestionwhenthereisasituationofprotractedarmedviolencethathasreachedacertainlevelofintensity.
InthecaseoftheGazaStrip,therearedifferentopinionsregardingwhichparadigmisapplicableinthecaseofthe2008-09,2012and2014warsontheGazaStrip.
Outsidethosearmedconflicts,thelawenforcementparadigmregulatestheuseofforceagainstPalestinianresidentsoftheGazaStrip.
Whileageneralconsensusdoesnotexist,manyexpertsagreethatwhentheviolenceishighandthereisalackofeffective22Ibid.
23DiakonaInternationalHumanitarianLawResourceCentre,LawEnforcementunderOccupation:TheCaseofWillfulKillingsintheWestBank,August2015,page6.
Availableat:https://www.
diakonia.
se/globalassets/blocks-ihl-site/ihl-file-list/ihl---briefs/the-case-of-willful-killings-in-the-west-bank.
pdf24Ibid.
25Ibid.
26Article64oftheFourthGenevaConventionregulatesthepenallegislationoftheoccupiedterritory16controloverthearea,thenthehostilitiesparadigmwouldregulatetheuseofforcebyIsraelagainstlegitimatemilitarytargets,whilethelawenforcementparadigmwouldbeapplicableinallothercircumstances.
27Ininternationallaw,theuseofarmedforceisonlyallowedifitisanactofself-defense(i.
e.
inresponsetoanarmedattackoranimminentthreatofone)28orifitisaChapterVIIactionsanctionedbytheUNSecurityCouncil.
29Whenanoccupationisalreadyinplace,asinthecaseoftheoPt,itisnotpossiblefortheoccupyingpowertoinvokeself-defensetojustifytheuseofforceagainsttheterritoryitoccupiesandthoseitisobligedtoprotect.
WhensecuritythreatsemanatefromtheoPt,theoccupyingforcesmustresorttopolicingmeasuresandonlyexceptionally,usemilitaryforceregulatedbyIHLunderthehostilitiesparadigm.
However,undernocircumstancescanPalestiniansintheoPtbedeprivedfromtheprotectionaffordedtothembyinternationallaworbesubjectedtocollectivepunishment.
30Further,IsraelisstillobligatedbyIHLtospareciviliansasmuchaspossiblefromtheconflict;regardlessoftheapplicableparadigm,thosenotinvolvedinarmedconflictmustneverbesubjectedtoforce.
27Expertmeeting,OccupationandOtherFormsofAdministrationofForeignTerritory,ICRC,June2012.
Availableat:https://www.
icrc.
org/eng/assets/files/publications/icrc-002-4094.
pdf28NouraErakat,No,Israeldoesnothavetherighttoself-defenseininternationallawagainstoccupiedPalestinianterritory,blogleMonde,5December2012.
Availableat:http://tibaert.
blog.
lemonde.
fr/noura-erakat-no-israel-does-not-have-the-right-to-self-defense-in-international-law-against-occupied-palestinian-territory/29ChapterVIIoftheUnitedNationsCharterallowstheSecurityCouncilto"determinetheexistenceofanythreattothepeace,breachofthepeace,oractofaggression"andtotakemeansnecessaryto"maintainorrestoreinternationalpeaceandsecurity".
Inthismatter,theCouncilcanmakerecommendationsorresorttonon-militaryandmilitaryaction30Diakona,LawEnforcementunderOccupation,op.
cit.
,August2015,page717Chapter1PunitiveRetaliationtoPalestinianResistanceExtrajudicialandTargetedKillingsLegalFrameworkRegardingdeliberatekillingsitisveryimportantfirstandforemosttoreaffirmtheapplicabilityofthelawenforcementparadigm.
Althoughthisparadigmortheseoperationsarereferredtoas'lawenforcement'actions,theyarenotonlyapplicabletopoliceforces.
Thelawenforcementregulationsapplytoallgovernmentofficialswhoexercisepolicepowers,whichinthiscasewouldincludetheIsraelimilitaryandsecurityforces.
31Additionally,thelawenforcementparadigmisnotonlyapplicableduringtimesofpeace,butcanalsobeappliedduringtimesofheightenedtensionsorviolence.
Whileincertaincircumstances,bothtermsareused,itisimportanttonotethatextrajudicialkillingsandtargetedkillingsarenotexactlythesame.
Anextrajudicialkillingisthe"unlawfulanddeliberatekillingcarriedoutbyorderofastateactor,orwiththestate'scomplicityoracquiescence.
"32Anextrajudicialkilling,asitsnameindicates,isalwaysillegal.
Atargetedkilling,ontheotherhand,isthe"intentional,premeditatedanddeliberateuseof31CodeofConductforLawEnforcementOfficials,UNGAResolution34/169,17December1979(hereafter'CodeofConduct'),Article1,commentary(a)and(b);BasicPrinciplesontheUseofForceandFirearmsbyLawEnforcementOfficials,EighthUNCongressonPreventionofCrimeandTreatmentofOffenders,Havana,Cuba,27August-27September1990(hereafter'BasicPrinciples'),preamble32AmnestyInternational,Philippines:Over1700killingsbyunknownassassinsandpoliceindicatelawlessness,notcrimecontrol,PressRelease,24August2016.
Availableat:http://www.
amnestyusa.
org/news/press-releases/philippines-over-1700-killings-by-unknown-assassins-and-police-indicate-lawlessness-not-crime-contro18lethalforce,byStatesortheiragentsactingundercoloroflaw,orbyanorganizedarmedgroupinarmedconflict,againstaspecificindividualwhoisnotinthephysicalcustodyoftheperpetrator.
"33Whiletargetedkillingscanbepermittedincertaincircumstancesundertheparadigmofhostilitiesduringarmedconflict,underthelawenforcementparadigmatargetedkillingasdefinedabovecanneverbelawful,askillingsomeonecannotbetheobjectiveofalawenforcementoperation.
34Thisprohibitionstemsfromthenon-derogable35natureofthe'righttolife'asrecognizedbyArticle3oftheUDHRandArticle6oftheICCPR,whichrecognizesthat"Everyhumanbeinghastheinherentrighttolife",addingthatthisright"shallbeprotectedbylaw.
"36Theseprovisionsmakeitthedutyofstatestoprotectandensuretherighttolife37,andtherefore,theuseoflethalforceisonlyallowedifitisabsolutelynecessarytosavelife.
38Ontopoftheaforementionedhumanrightstreaties,lawenforcementactivitiesarealsogovernedbytheUnitedNationsBasicPrinciplesontheUseofForceandFirearmsbyLawEnforcementOfficials(BasicPrinciples)andtheCodeofConductforLawEnforcementOfficials.
Theseareknownas'softlaw'instruments,39buttheirprovisionshavebeenincorporatedtothecustomaryinternationallaw,whichisbinding.
40TheBasicPrinciplesestablishthat"Lawenforcementofficialsshallnotusefirearmsagainstpersonsexceptinself-defenseordefenseofothersagainsttheimminentthreatofdeathorseriousinjury,""onlywhenlessextrememeansareinsufficienttoachievetheseobjectives"andonly"whenstrictlyunavoidableinordertoprotectlife.
"41TheCodeofConductofLawEnforcementOfficialsadoptedbytheUNGAaddsthat"Lawenforcementofficialsmayuseforceonlywhenstrictlynecessaryandtotheextentrequired33UNSpecialRapporteurPhilipAlston,ReportoftheSpecialRapporteuronextrajudicial,summaryorarbitraryexecutions(A/HRC/10/24/Add.
6),UNHumanRightsCouncil,28May2010,page3.
Availableat:http://www2.
ohchr.
org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/14session/A.
HRC.
14.
24.
Add6.
pdf34Ibid.
,page1135Non-derogablerightsarethosethatcanneverbelimitedbystates,evenintimesofpublicemergencythatthreatensthelifeofthenation36ICCPR,Article637Ibid.
,Article(2)(1)38UNSpecialRapporteurPhilipAlston,op.
cit.
(A/HRC/10/24/Add.
6),page1139Theterm"softlaw"referstoquasi-legalinstrumentswhichdonothaveanylegallybindingforce,orwhosebindingforceissomewhat"weaker"thanthebindingforceoftraditionallaw,whichisoftencontrastedwithsoftlawbybeingreferredtoas"hardlaw.
"40Al-Haq,UnlawfulKillingofPalestiniansbyIsraeliOccupyingForces,31October2015.
Availableat:http://www.
alhaq.
org/advocacy/topics/right-to-life-and-body-integrity/982-unlawful-killing-of-palestinians-by-israeli-occupying-forcesformat=pdf41BasicPrinciples,op.
cit.
,GeneralProvisionNo919fortheperformanceoftheirduty,"42whichmeansthattheiruseshouldfollowtheprinciplesofnecessityandproportionality.
Asmentionedabove,alawenforcementofficercanonlykillifitisrequiredtosavelife,whichwouldmaketheuseoflethalforceproportional;andonlyiftherearenoothermeansavailabletopreventthethreattolife,whichmeanslethalforceisnecessary.
43Theprincipleofproportionalityassessestheamountofforcethatispermissibleorreasonabletousefortheobjectivetobeachieved.
Forexample,theauthorizationbytheIsraeliauthoritiesfortheIsraeliforcestouseliveammunitionagainstyouththrowingstonesisnotproportional,astheyarenotposingathreattolifeandthereforelethalforceisnotjustified.
44Thenecessityprinciple,ontheotherhand,establishesanobligationtousetheleastamountofforcenecessarytostopthatthreat,andonlywhenotherkindsofforceareunavailableorhaveprovenineffectiveistheuseoflethalforceallowed.
Thismeansthatlethalforcemustalwaysbeameasurethatisusedasalastresortandabsolutelynecessarytoprotectlife.
Further,theBasicPrincipleslimittheuseoflethalforcetothreecases;self-defenseorthedefenseofothersunderimminentthreatofdeathorseriousinjury,preventionofperpetrationofacrimeinvolvinggravethreattolife,andarrestofsomeonepresentingaseriousdangerandresistingtheauthority,ortopreventtheirescape.
45IsraeliPoliciesandPracticesOctober2015andafterAtthebeginningofOctober2015,Palestinianfrustrationsgrewoverongoingviolationsoftheirfundamentalrights.
ThisfrustrationwasmetwithasharpincreaseintheillegaluseofforceandcollectivepunishmentbyIsrael,46whichclaimedtoberespondingtoallegedattacksandprotestsbyPalestinians.
TheseactionsleadtoanatmosphereofinsecurityandinstabilitythroughoutMandatePalestine.
Asof30September2016,47235PalestinianshadbeenkilledatthehandsoftheIsraeliarmyorJewish-Israeli42Codeofconduct,op.
cit.
,Article343UNSpecialRapporteurPhilipAlston,op.
cit.
A/HRC/10/24/Add.
6,page1144A.
Harel,NetanyahuAsksAttorneyGeneraltoAuthorizeSniperFireAgainstStone-throwers,Haaretz,16September2015.
Availableat:http://www.
haaretz.
com/israel-news/.
premium-1.
67619045Diakona,LawEnforcementunderOccupation,op.
cit.
,August2015,page646"Apunitivesanctioninflictedonagroupofpersonswithoutregardtoindividualresponsibilityforthedeedoreventwhichprovokesthepenalty.
"MaxPlanckInstituteforComparativeandInternationalLaw,EncyclopediaofPublicInternationalLaw,VolumeI,2000,page64547ChloeBenoist,Deathinnumbers:AyearofviolenceintheoccupiedPalestinianterritoryandIsrael,Ma'anNewsAgency,4October2016.
Availableat:http://www.
maannews.
com/Content.
aspxid=77340720citizens.
AsignificantamountofthesedeathsweredeemedextrajudicialkillingsbecausetheIsraelisoldiersmadeuseofexcessiveforcewhenthepersonkilledposednothreattolife,asinthecaseofFadiAllounorAbdelFattahal-Sharif,whereliveammunitionwasneitherproportionalnornecessary.
48Thelargenumberofextrajudicialkillingsandthecircumstancesinwhichthesekillingstookplaceillustratetheexistenceofawidershoot-to-killpolicy.
ThebrutalityandarbitrarinessofmanykillingsandthelargeamountofshootingstakingplaceatcheckpointsorintheOldCitiesofHebronandJerusalem,resultedinthousandsofPalestiniansfearingleavingtheirhomesormovingaroundtheWestBank.
Throughthisshoot-to-killpolicy,IsraelsoughttheconfinementandcontainmentofthePalestinianpeoplebyfurtherlimitingtheiralreadyscarcefreedomofmovement,thusstrengtheningitscontrolmechanisms.
"DuringthefirstmonthsofthelastuprisingIhadtoleaveBethlehemmultipletimesandIwouldbesoscaredandthinkingfortwofulldayshowIwasgoingtocrossaspecificcheckpoint,especiallyifIhadtocrosstheonebetweenHebronandBethlehem,intheEtzioncolonialbloc[southofBethlehem].
Thesituationwassointensethere,andyoufeeltheintensity.
Forexample,iftheywereonlycheckingthecarsitwouldn'tbethathard,butweheardandsawinthenewsthateverysingledaysomeonewasbeingkilledandtheysaidthatitwasbecauseofattemptedattacksagainstsoldiers.
Butinfact,thosepeoplewerelikeus,comingandgoing,crossingcheckpointstorunerrandsorvisitpeople.
Andtheywereaccusedofcarryingweapons.
SoasIsaid,ifthereisnoaccountability,itmeansthosesoldierscandowhatevertheywant.
Duringthatperiodwhenyoucrossedacheckpointyouwouldfind20,oralargenumberofsoldierspointingtheirloadedgunsatyou.
WhatifanyofthemsneezedThebulletwouldbeinmyhead.
Justlikethat.
ThisiswhyIusedtobesotenseinthecar,Iwouldn'tknowwheretoputmyhands,orwhattodo,howfasttodrive…evenifIcoughedinthecaritcouldprovokethemandtheymightshootyoubecauseyoudidsomethingunexpected.
Ortheymighttakeyou,asithappenedmanytimes,behindtheircheckpointanddowhatevertheywantwithyou.
Andtheywouldaccuseyouofwantingtokillthem.
Soyes,itwasveryintense.
Weavoidedcrossingcheckpointsasmuchaspossible.
Evenwithtaxidrivers.
OnceIdidnotwanttotakemycarandgobymyselftothecheckpointsoIaskedataxidrivertotakemetoHebron,becauseatthetimeinourcommunityeveryonewasspeakingandeveryoneknewthatifyouwentbyyourself,asamale,inanormalcar,especiallyintheEtzionarea,youwouldbeatmuchhigherriskthanifyouarewithtwoorthreeotherpeople.
Soatthattimenoone48FadiAllounwaskilledbyIsraelipoliceforceson4October2015whilehewasnotholdinganyweaponsorposinganythreat.
Videoevidenceavailableat:https://www.
youtube.
com/watchv=nj8gXqGh2V0;AbdelFattahal-SharifwasshotdeadbyanIsraelisoldieron24March2016ashewasbadlyinjuredlayingontheground,withnoweapon,andsurroundedbysoldiers.
Videoevidenceavailableat:https://www.
youtube.
com/watchv=x67sNvWAR_w21wasabletoorwillingtogotoHebron,soItookataxiforprotection,becauseIfeltthreatenedgoingbymyself.
Wesawonourwaysomesettlerscrossingthestreetinfrontofusandwestoppedthecarabruptlyandinonesecondwesawatleast10soldierssuddenlypointingtheirgunsatusandloadingthem,itwasveryscary.
Wedidn'tknowifweshouldstopornot.
Andthesoldier,becausehethoughtthatweweretryingtorunthesettlersover,healmostshotatus.
Westayedtwominutesjustfrozeninthatsituation,waitingforthesoldierstoletusgo.
"28-yearoldresidentofDheishehRefugeeCamp,BethlehemInterview:1November2016AccordingtoIsrael,manyofthose235PalestinianswerekilledfollowinganallegedattackagainstIsraelisoldiersorcitizens.
However,inseveralcasesphotoandvideoevidenceprovedthattherehadbeennoattemptedattackbythePalestinianswhowerekilled.
SomeillustrativeexamplesarethekillingsofMohammadYoussefal-Atrash,whowasshotdeadon26October2015asheproceededtotakehisIDfromhispocket,andthekillingof17-yearoldDaniaErshiedthepreviousdayinthesamearea.
49DaniahadjustcrossedacheckpointwithametaldetectorandundergoneinspectionwhenshewascalledforasecondinspectionatanothercheckpointbyfivemembersoftheIsraelioccupyingforces.
50DuringthissearchtheIsraelipoliceofficersshoutedathertoshowthemherknifeandfiredwarningshotsatherforcinghertostepbackandraiseherarms.
Herarmswerestillupwhenshewasshotdead.
51Inothercases,althoughanattackorattemptedattackdidtakeplace,thekillingwasstillextrajudicialastherequirementsofnecessityandproportionalitythatapplytotheuseoflethalforcewerenotmet.
ThePalestinianswhocarriedouttheattackcouldhavebeenstoppedbynon-lethalmeans.
Therefore,liveammunitionwasnotnecessary.
Mostattackswerecarriedoutwithsmallknivesandtheseattackscouldhavebeenstoppedbyusinglessforceand/orothermeansinordertoapprehendtheallegedattacker.
ThekillingsofAbdelFattahal-ShariforMahdiMuhtasib,52bothcapturedonvideo,aretwoadditionalexamplesofextrajudicialkillingsinwhichtheuseofliveammunitionwasunjustified.
49AmnestyInternational,IsraeliforcesinOccupiedPalestinianTerritoriesmustendpatternofunlawfulkillings,27October2015.
Availableat:https://www.
amnesty.
org/en/latest/news/2015/10/israeli-forces-must-end-pattern-of-unlawful-killings-in-west-bank/50Ibid.
51Ibid.
52MahdiMuhtasibwaskilledon29October2016inHebron,afteranallegedstabbingattackagainstanIsraelisoldier.
Videoevidenceavailableat:http://english.
pnn.
ps/2015/10/31/video-young-man-shot-dead-as-he-lay-wounded-on-the-ground/22AlargenumberofPalestinianswerekilledduringclasheswiththeIsraeliarmy.
InthesecasesmanyofthekillingswerealsoextrajudicialbecausethosewhowereshotdidnotposeanyimmediatethreattotheIsraelisoldierswhokilledthem.
SomePalestinianswerekilledinarbitrarykillings,likeAbedal-RahmanShadiObeidallah,13yearsold.
HewaskilledbyasniperinAidaRefugeeCampashewasstandingneartheentranceofthecamp,morethan100metersawayfromthewatchtowerwherethesoldierwhoshothimwaslocated.
53ThisexacerbateduseofliveammunitioncreatedanatmosphereofterrorandfearamongthePalestinianpeople,whichaffectedtheirmovementandsecurityconsiderably.
Thisshot-to-killpolicyandtheexcessiveuseofforcebytheIsraelioccupyingforcesresultedinanenvironmentofcoercivenessthattriggeredtheforcibletransferofmanyfamilies.
SomePalestinianslefttheirhomestemporarily,whileinothercasesthetransferwaspermanent.
"Sincethecurrentuprisingthesoldiershavebeenplacingknivesneartheyoungpeople(14-20yearolds)andshootingthemastheyaccusethemoftheintentiontostab.
Isawvideosinwhichtheyshowhowthey[Israelisoldiers]throwaknifenearthePalestinianstheymurderinordertoterrifytheresidentsandtakecontroloftheneighborhood.
Theydon'twantanyPalestiniantoliveinthearea,theywanttoJudaizeit.
Wewereterrifiedandeverydaywewerewondering:"Who'snext"[Whoisthenextmartyr].
Ourkidsstoppedgoingtoschoolbecausewedidn'twantthemtogetattackedormurderedbythesettlers.
Thus,myhusband'sbrothertoldmetoleavetheareaassoonaspossible,untilthesituationgotbetter.
IleftforthreedaysbutthenwereturnedbecauseIwastrulyagainstleavingmyhome.
IfaceddifficultieswhenIreturnedbecausethesettlerswereveryeagertokill.
Thesoldiersmakeourlifeevenmoredifficult,forexample,ifIwanttogetatissueoutfrommybag,theystopmeandpointtheirweaponsatme.
"ResidentofTelRumeida,HebronInterview:12March2016TargetedKillingsofPalestiniansThetargetedkillingsofwantedPalestinianshavebeenasignatureIsraelipolicysincethe1970s.
54IsraelkilledseveralmembersofPalestinianpolitical53Formoreinformation,see'TheCaseofAidaRefugeeCamp'subsectionbelow54GeorgeBisharat,TimothyCrawley,SarElturk,CareyJames,RoseMishaan,AkilaRadhakrishnan,andAnnaSanders,Israel'sInvasionofGazainInternationalLaw,DenverJournalofInternationalLaw&Policy,Vol.
38,2009,page52.
Availableat:http://repository.
uchastings.
edu/faculty_scholarship/100223leadershipbelongingtodifferentpartiesaimingtoleavethePalestinianresistancebrokenandleaderless.
ThekillingandpersecutionofPalestinianleadershiphadasignificantimpactonPalestinians'capacitytoresisttheIsraelioccupationandcolonizationpractices.
Thekillingof11IsraeliathletesattheMunichOlympicswasthecatalystthatsetoffaseriesoftargetedkillingsthatbecameIsrael'ssignaturepolicy.
55Duringthe1980s,IsraelplannedthetargetedkillingsoftwoimportantPalestinianleaders.
In1982,PLO-leaderYasserArafatmanagedtoavoidaseriesofIsraeliattacksagainsthislifeduringthePLOwithdrawalfromBeirut.
56However,IsraeldidmanagetokillArafat'ssecondincommand,AbuJihad,usingahitsquadinTunisiain1988.
57AtthetimeIsraelsawAbuJihadasoneofthekeyfiguresthatstrengthenedthecohesionofthePLOandoneofthereasonsbehindthesuccessoftheFirstIntifada.
58DuringtheFirstIntifada,between1988and1992,itisestimatedthatundercoverIsraelispecialforceskilledatleast70Palestinians.
59AlthoughallegationsoftargetedkillingsweredeniedbyIsrael,anIsraelitelevisionreportexposedtheseunitsandtheirmission,whichwas"toapprehendwantedPalestiniansfromthehardcoreoftheIntifada,thosewithbloodontheirhands.
"60Theevidencecollectedshowedthatthemajorityofthosekilledwereshotbymorethanonebullet,andoftenintheupperpartsofthebodywhichclearlyputsintoquestiontheexistenceofnecessityinthesekillingsanditleadstotheconclusionthatitwaspossibletoarrestmanyofthemduringtheoperationwithoutresortingtokillingthem.
Thelackofnecessityisfurtherillustratedbythefactthataround50percentofthosekilledwereunarmedatthetimeoftheirkilling,andmanywereshotatcloserange.
Evidencealsoshowsthatthesoldiersintheseunitswereequippedwithliveammunitiononly,whichcontravenestheregulationsofinternationallaw.
61InNovember2000,afterdecadesofdenial,Israelconfirmedtheuseoftargetedkillingsasanofficialpolicy.
62Thisconfirmationwasreinforcedby55StevenR.
David,FatalChoices:Israel'sPolicyofTargetedKilling,MideastSecurityandPolicySecurityno.
51,TheBegin-SadatCenterforStrategicStudies,2002,page3.
Availableat:http://www.
lloydthomas.
org/1-IsraelTimeLine/8-2000/assassinations_david.
pdf56Ibid.
,page457Ibid.
58Ibid.
59B'Tselem,ActivityoftheUndercoverUnitsintheOccupiedTerritories,May1992.
Availableat:http://www.
btselem.
org/publications/summaries/199205_undercover_units60Ibid.
61BasicPrinciples,op.
cit.
,GeneralProvisionNo262UNSpecialRapporteurPhilipAlston,op.
cit.
(A/HRC/10/24/Add.
6),page624anattemptoftheIsraeliDefenseForceJudgeAdvocateGeneraltoprovidealegalframeworkforthesekillingsin2002,clarifyinginalegalopinionunderwhichconditionsIsraelconsideredthetargetedkillingslegal.
63MostofthekillingsoftheSecondIntifadatookplaceinAreaA,64anddifferentmeanswereusedtokillPalestinianssuchas;drones,snipers,missilesshotfromhelicopters,killingsatcloserange,andartillery.
65Itisestimatedthatbetween2002andMay2008atleast387PalestinianswerekilledbyIsraelthroughtargetedkillingoperations;234targets,and153collateralcasualties.
66Severalofthosekilledwerehigh-rankingPalestinians,butthemajorityofthemweremid-levelfighters.
67Manyofthosewhoweretargetedknewthattheywereunderthreatandwouldoftengoontherunorinhiding.
InthefirstmonthsoftheSecondIntifadaIsraelwouldusuallypassalisttothePAwiththenamesofthosewanted,andiftheywerenotarrestedbythePA,Israelwouldproceedtokillthem.
68Oneofthemostwell-knowntargetedkillingswasthatofAbuAliMustafa,theleaderofthePopularFrontfortheLiberationofPalestine(PFLP)on27August2001.
HewaskilledwhenaUS-madeIsraeliarmyApachehelicopterfiredtwomissilesintohisofficeashesatathisdeskinRamallah.
69RegardingtheIsraelipolicyoftargetedkillingsagainstPalestinianleaders,shortlybeforehisdeath,AbuAliMustafasaid:"Weallaretargetedassoonaswebegintobemobilized.
Wedoourbesttoavoidtheirguns,butwearelivingunderthebrutalZionistoccupationofourlands,anditsarmyisonlyafewmetersawayfromus.
Ofcoursewemustbecautious,butwehaveworktodo,andnothingwillstopus.
"7063GideonAlon&AmosHarel,IDFLawyersSet'Conditions'forAssassinationPolicy,Haaretz,2February2002.
Theconditionsarethefollowing:theremustbewell-supportedinformationshowingtheterroristwillplanorcarryoutaterrorattackinthenearfuture;thepolicycanbeenactedonlyafterappealstothePalestinianAuthoritycallingfortheterrorist'sarresthavebeenignored;attemptstoarrestthesuspectbyuseofIDFtroopshavefailed;theassassinationisnottobecarriedoutinretributionforeventsofthepast.
Insteaditcanonlybedonetopreventattacksinthefuturewhichareliabletotollmultiplecasualties.
Availableat:http://www.
haaretz.
com/idf-lawyers-set-conditions-for-assassination-policy-1.
5391164K.
A.
Cavanaugh,SelectiveJustice:TheCaseofIsraelandtheOccupiedTerritories,FordhamInternationalLawJournal,Volume26,Article4,200265UNSpecialRapporteurPhilipAlston,op.
cit.
(A/HRC/10/24/Add.
6),page666Ibid.
67StevenR.
David,FatalChoices:Israel'sPolicyofTargetedKilling,op.
cit.
,page568Ibid.
,page769HaithemEl-Zabri,InMemoriam:AbuAliMustafa(1938-2001).
Availableat:http://abualimustafa.
org/biography/70WorldHeritageEncyclopedia,AbuAliMustafa.
Availableat:http://self.
gutenberg.
org/articles/eng/abu_ali_mustafa25TheactiverolethePFLPleaderplayeddidnotinanywayjustifyhisassassination.
IfIsraelhadevidenceofhisinvolvementinattacks,andinconsiderationofthe'effectivecontrol'IsraelhadoftheoPt,itshouldhavetriedtoapprehendhiminstead.
However,thiskillingexemplifiesIsrael'scontinuedimplementationofitsfierceandconsistentpolicyof'targetedkillings'carriedoutagainstPalestinianpeople.
In2006theIsraeliSupremeCourtdevelopedthelegalunderpinningsofthetargetedkillingspolicy,butindoingsoitadoptedamixedapproach.
Itheldthatthehostilitiesparadigmwastheapplicableframeworkfortargetedkillings,butonlypermittedthetargetingofciviliansifthey"directlyparticipatedinhostilities.
"71Israelhasoftenjustifiedtheuseofthisparadigmontheexistenceofanarmedconflictagainstallegedterrorists.
72ThisisanobviousargumentasthehostilitiesparadigmhaslessrestrictiveregulationsforkillingsomeonethanIHRL,anditusuallyprovidesimmunitytothearmy.
AlthoughIHLalsocontainsrestrictions,suchastherequirementthatlethalforcebenecessaryandproportional,itdoesservetoexpandtheexecutivepowerintermsofdomesticlawanditfacilitatespublicsupport.
73Thisappealhasasignificantpotentialforabusebystatepowers.
Israel,byunilaterallyexpandingtheapplicabilityofthelawsofarmedconflicttocaseswherethelawenforcementparadigmasregulatedbyIHRLshouldbeapplicable,suchasintheoPt,itobscuresthenecessarydistinctionbetweenthedifferentparadigmsthatareinplacetorestrictthepowersofstatestocarryoutarbitraryortargetedkilling.
74However,thelegalityofakillingisgovernedbyhumanrightsstandards,asestablishedbyinternationallawandasmentionedinthelegalframework.
Takingintoconsiderationtherequirementsofproportionalityandnecessity,anintentional,premeditated,anddeliberatekillingisatargetedkilling,andassuch,canneverbelegalasitisneverpermissiblefortheobjectiveofalawenforcementoperationtobekilling.
IsraelhasoftenjustifiedthispolicybyclaimingitwastheonlywaytostopPalestinian'terror'attacks,orthatthekillingswereanactofself-defense.
Aspreviouslyexplained,thisargumentdisregardsIHRL,whichimposesadutyonstatestorespectandensuretherighttolifeandtheobligationtoexercise'duediligence'toprotectthelivesofindividualsfromattacks.
Therefore,accordingtoIHRL,Israelshouldprotectthelivesofitscitizensfromattacks,71IsraelHighCourtofJustice,ThePublicCommitteeAgainstTortureetal.
v.
TheGovernmentofIsrael,etal.
,HCJ769/02,Judgmentof14Dec.
2006(PCATI)72Ibid.
73UNSpecialRapporteurPhilipAlston,op.
cit.
(A/HRC/10/24/Add.
6),page1674Ibid.
26onlyuselethalforceinaproportionalway,andonlywhenitisstrictlyanddirectlynecessarytosavelife.
75Withregardstoself-defense,thisjustificationonlyapplieswhentheactionisadirectresponsetoanattack,asaformofdefense,andonlytowardoffanattackactuallyoccurringinthatmoment.
76Thejustificationofself-defensecannotbeusedforactionsaimedatstoppingafuturedanger,asforceforself-defensecannotbeusedbeforeanattackhashappenedandneitherasrevengeaftertheattack.
77ThepurposefulassassinationofPalestinianleadersviatargetedkillingsisanillegalactbyitself,butthepolicyhasfurtherramifications.
ThispolicyforcesPalestinianleaders,evenmid-levelones,tohideandtobeconstantlyontherun,whichsignificantlyaffectstheircapacitytoplanandorganizeresistance.
Italsoscaresothersfromtakingover.
ThisweakeningoftheresistancethroughillegalmethodsfacilitatestheimplementationofotherpoliciesofforcibledisplacementagainstPalestiniansandthecontrolandsubjugationofthePalestinianpeopletoIsrael.
Thispolicyalsocompletelydisregardsdueprocessandaccesstoafairtrial,asIsraelfavoredtargetedkillingsoverarrests.
78Moreover,thetargetedkillingsoftenincludedthekillingofseveralcivilians.
IsraelattackedPalestinianleadersandactivistsintheirhomeorinpublicspaces,whichbroughtwithittheriskofhavingcivilianskilled.
Theextrajudicialkillingofatleast153PalestiniansbyIsraelbetween2002and2008wastheresultofcollateraldamagethatoccurredwhilecarryingouttargetedkillings.
SuppressionofProtestsandDemonstrationsLegalFrameworkInresponsetotheongoingIsraelipoliciesofcolonization,apartheid,andforcibledisplacement,fordecadesPalestinianshaveresistedagainstthedenialoftheirfundamentalrightsbyIsraelthroughprotestsanddemonstrations.
Whilenottheonlyformofresistance,protestsarecommonthroughouttheoPt,andtosomeextentalsoinsideIsrael.
IntheoPt,themomentademonstrationgetsclosetoanIsraelimilitarybase,Israelisoldiers,oracolony,itissuppressedanddispersedimmediatelybyIsraeliforces.
Bothlethalandnon-lethalweaponsareusedtodispersethecrowdof75Ibid.
page1176B'Tselem,ActivityoftheUndercoverUnitsintheOccupiedTerritories,May1992.
Availableat:http://www.
btselem.
org/publications/summaries/199205_undercover_units77Ibid.
78Ibid.
27civilians.
OftenPalestinianindividualsandcommunitiesarethreatenedwithdeathorinjuryinordertodeterfuturedemonstrations.
Notonlyistheuseofexcessiveforceillegal,butthethreatstocarryoutanactdeemedillegalbyinternationallawisinitselfillegalaswell.
79Whensuppressingthesedemonstrations,Israeliscarryingoutalawenforcementoperationaspartofitspolicingobligationsasanoccupyingpower.
Sincetheapplicableparadigmisthatoflawenforcement,protesterscannotbetreatedascombatantsandtheregulationsregardingtheuseofforcearethoseestablishedbyIHRL.
80Whilethereisnotarecognized'righttoprotest'perseunderIHRL,whenparticipatinginprotestsanddemonstrations,Palestiniansareexercisingtheirrighttofreedomofpeacefulassemblyandassociation,aswellastheirrighttofreedomofopinionandexpression,asenshrinedinArticles19and20oftheUDHR,whichguaranteestherighttoprotest.
Theonlyrestrictionsthatmaybeplacedontheserightsare"thoseimposedinconformitywiththelawandwhicharenecessaryinademocraticsocietyintheinterestsofnationalsecurityorpublicsafety,publicorder,theprotectionofpublichealthormoralsortheprotectionoftherightsandfreedomsofothers.
"81Protestsdonotnecessarilyoralwaysimposeathreattonationalsecurity,theyoftenconstitutepositivesupportforamoredemocraticandjustorder.
TheIsraelimilitaryorderthatregulatesdemonstrationsintheWestBankisthe"OrderRegardingProhibitionofIncitementandHostilePropagandaActions"alsoknownasOrderNo.
101,from1967.
82Accordingtothisorder,anyassembly,demonstrationorvigiloftenormorepeoplerequiresapermitfromtheIsraelioccupyingforces,ifthegatheringcouldbeinterpretedashavinga'political'purpose.
Thisappliestoanygathering,inpublicspacesorinprivatehomes,andtheorderalsoallowsthemilitarycommandertocloseanyspacewhereagatheringishappening.
83ThisMilitaryOrder,therefore,severelyrestrictstheaforementionedrightsofassociationandexpressionthatPalestinianshold.
Moreover,furtherdisregardfortheserightsisillustratedbythe2010militaryordersissuedbytheOfficerCommanding(OC)CentralCommand,imposingasweepingprohibitionondemonstrations79GenevaConventionIV,Article2780Al-Haq,ADemonstrationofPower:Israel'sExcessiveUseofForceresultingintheKillingofNon-ViolentPalestinianProtestorsandDemonstratorsduring2014and2015,May2016.
Availableat:http://www.
alhaq.
org/publications/papers/Excessive.
Use.
of.
Force.
pdf81ICCPR,Article2182IsraelDefenseForces,OrderRegardingProhibitionofIncitementandHostilePropagandaActions,OrderNo.
101.
Availableat:http://www.
btselem.
org/download/19670827_order_regarding_prohibition_of_incitement_and_hostile_propaganda.
pdf83B'Tselem,MilitaryLaw,lastupdate:2January2013.
Availableat:http://www.
btselem.
org/demonstrations/military_law28intheWestBankvillagesofBil'inandNi'linforalengthyperiodoftime.
84Thisprohibitioniscompletelyillegalaccordingtointernationallaw.
IsraeliPoliciesandPracticesOneofthemostcommonwaysthroughwhichIsraeldispersesprotestsanddemonstrationsisusingforceagainstparticipants.
TheBasicPrinciplesestablishintheirsecondGeneralProvisionthatinordertoconductlawenforcementoperations,Israelisresponsiblefordevelopingandequippingitsforceswithdifferentweaponsthatallowforadifferentiateduseofforce.
85Thisincludestheprovisionofawiderangeofnon-lethalweaponsinordertodecreasetheuseofweaponscapableofcausingdeathorinjurytotheprotesters.
86Underinternationalstandards,lawenforcementofficials"arerequiredtobetrainedin,toplanfor,andtotake,less-than-lethalmeasures–includingrestraint,capture,andthegraduateduseofforce".
87Moreover,theIsraeliforcesshouldbeproperlyequippedwithself-defensiveequipmentsuchasshields,bullet-proofvestsandhelmets,andbullet-prooftransportationsoastoincreasethethresholdofnecessitytousemoredangerousweaponsonprotesters.
88TheBasicPrinciplesalsoaddinitsfourthGeneralProvisionthatthoseresponsibleforcarryingoutlawenforcementoperationsshould,asfaraspossible,usenon-violentmeanstostoptheprotestbeforeresortingtotheuseofforce.
Forceandfirearmsmustonlybeusedifothermethodswereprovedineffective.
89TheseprovisionsarerarelyfollowedbyIsrael,neitherwithintheirownregulationsnorinpractice.
Inthemajorityofprotests,stone-throwingisthemostcommonwayofresistance.
Insomeinstances,stone-throwingiscombinedwith'molotovcocktails'orhomemadeexplosivedevices.
InotheroccasionsthedemonstrationsdonotengageinconfrontationswiththeIsraelisoldiers,andarestillsuppressedanddispersedusingforce,oftenlethalinnature.
Althoughstone-throwingbyprotestersrarelyposesanyimminentthreattothelivesofIsraelisoldiersorothers,theIsraeliforcesoftenrespondwithexcessiveuseofforceagainstunarmedprotestorsincluding;teargas,sometimesfiredfromM-16-styleweaponstoreachfurtherdistancesorfired84B'Tselem,Backgroundondemonstrationsintheterritories,lastupdate:2January2013.
Availableat:http://www.
btselem.
org/demonstrations85BasicPrinciples,op.
cit.
,GeneralProvision286Ibid.
87UNSpecialRapporteurPhilipAlston,op.
cit.
(A/HRC/10/24/Add.
6),page2288BasicPrinciples,op.
cit.
,GeneralProvision289Ibid.
,GeneralProvision429directlyatprotestorsorbystanderswiththeintentiontohit,90stungrenades,rubber-coatedbulletsfiredatshortdistancesinwhichtheymightbelethal,andliveammunitionwhichfrequentlyresultsinthekillingandinjuryofcivilians.
91Moreover,theIsraeliarmyoftenuses0.
22caliberbulletsasanon-lethalweaponforcrowddispersion.
92TheRugersniperriflethatisusuallyusedtoshootthese0.
22bullets,popularlyknownas'tutu'bullets,hasrecentlybeenauthorizedtobeusedforriotdispersalbytheIsraelioccupyingforcesintheWestBank,includingEastJerusalem.
93Theresultingongoingviolenceismadepossiblethroughtheimplementationofpoliciesofoppressionofresistancethroughexcessiveandoftenlethaluseofforce,andtheimpunityenjoyedbytheIsraelioccupyingforces.
ThisrealityhasasevereimpactonPalestiniansasitdirectlyviolatesfundamentalrightssuchasthefreedomofassembly,expression,andeventherighttoresistthatisenshrinedinUNGAResolution3070.
94TheCaseofAidaRefugeeCampAidaisaPalestinianrefugeecamplocatedinthenorthofBethlehemintheWestBank.
In2016,around3,100refugeesliveinthecamp.
AnIsraelimilitarybaselocatedapproximately150metersawayfromtherefugeecamphascreatedfrictionintheareainthelastdecades.
ThishasresultedinongoingprotestsbyrefugeesinAidaanditisagainstthisbasethatrefugeesfromAidaprotestmostoften.
The2012warontheGazaStripsparkedastrongreactionfromtheresidentsofthecampagainsttheIsraelioccupyingforces,whichwasmetwithbrutaloppression.
BetweenNovember2012andAugust2016clasheswereverycommonoccurrencesinthecamp,aswerenightincursionsbytheIsraeliarmy,theshootingofteargas,rubberbulletsandliveammunition,theinvasionofhomesandbuildings,andthreats.
Extrajudicialkillings:DuringthisperiodoftimethreePalestinianswerekilledbytheIsraeliforcesinAida,andallthreecasesconstitutedextrajudicialkillings.
SalehAmmarinwasshotintheheadbyadumdumbulleton18January201390B'Tselem,CrowdControl:Israel'sUseofCrowdControlWeaponsintheWestBank,January2013.
Availableat:http://www.
btselem.
org/publications/summaries/201212_crowd_control91Al-Haq,ADemonstrationofPower:Israel'sExcessiveUseofForceResultingintheKillingofNon-ViolentPalestinianProtestorsandDemonstratorsduring2014and2015,May2016.
Availableat:http://www.
alhaq.
org/publications/papers/Excessive.
Use.
of.
Force.
pdf92B'Tselem,CrowdControl:Israel'sUseofCrowdControlWeaponsintheWestBank,op.
cit.
,January201393TimesofIsrael,IDFsaysPalestinianboywaskilledbymistake,6October2015.
Availableat:http://www.
timesofisrael.
com/idf-says-palestinian-boy-was-killed-by-mistake/94UNGA,Resolution3070(XXVIII),A/RES/30/70,30November1973,operativepara.
230whileclashesweretakingplaceinthecamp.
95Atthemomentoftheshooting,Salehwasnottakingpartinconfrontations,butwasshotbyasniperintheforeheadfromadistanceofaround75meters.
96Hediedfivedayslaterfromhiswounds.
Evenifhehadbeeninvolvedintheclashesortryingtothrowstonesatthesoldiers,fromanapproximatedistanceof75metersheposednothreattothelivesoftheIsraelisoldierswhowerebehindthe8-meterhighAnnexationWall.
97InApril2014,NuhaKatamish,a44-yearoldresidentofAida,diedfromteargassuffocationinherownhomeinthecamp,aftertheIsraeliarmyshotteargasthroughouttheentiretyofthecamp.
Katamishsufferedfromasthma98andhadaheartcondition,whichworsenedthechokingeffectsofthegas.
99Shehadnotbeeninvolvedintheclashestakingplaceinthecampthatday,andherhomewaslocatedontheoppositesideofthecamp,farawayfromtheclashesthattakeplacenearthemilitarybase.
However,ateargascanisterwasshottowardsherhomeandenteredinsidethroughanopenwindow.
Katamishfaintedshortlyafterwardsandwasrushedtoanearbyhospitalwhereshewaspronounceddeadbythedoctorswhoconfirmedthatthedeathresultedfromtheteargas.
100InOctober2015,a13-yearoldboy,Abedal-RahmanObeidallah,wasalsokilledinAidacampwhilestandingneartheentranceofthecamp,infrontofanUNRWAbuilding.
SeveraleyewitnessesaffirmedthatObeidallahwassimplystandinginthestreetandnotinvolvedinstone-throwing.
Butevenifhehadbeen,stonesthrownbya13-yearoldboytoawell-securedmilitarybaselocatedmorethan100metersawaywouldposenothreattoinjury,muchlessathreattolifetothesoldiersthatwouldjustifytheuseofliveammunition.
TheIsraelioccupyingforceslaterclaimedhiskillingwasanaccidentstatingthat"thesoldierhadintendedtoshootaprotesterwhowasleadingtheriotandwasstandingnextto[Obeidallah]",101despitethefactthatthe13-yearoldwasstandingnexttootherboyshisageawayfromtheclashesatthetimeofhiskilling.
95JessicaPurkiss,TeenagershotinhisheadinAidarefugeecamp,PalestineMonitor,20January2013.
Availableat:http://palestinemonitor.
org/details.
phpid=43innva2191y4pzkhj46596DefenseforChildrenInternationalPalestine(DCIPalestine),Killed–SalehAmarin,VerifiedReport.
Availableat:http://crowdmap.
dci-palestine.
org/reports/view/2297AmnestyInternational,Trigger-Happy:Israel'sUseOfExcessiveForceintheWestBank,February2014,page17.
Availableat:https://www.
amnesty.
org/en/documents/MDE15/002/2014/en/98RyanRodrickBeiler/Activestills.
org,PHOTOS:Palestiniansmournwomanwhodiedafterinhalingteargas,+972Magazine,15April2014.
Availableat:http://972mag.
com/photos-tear-gas-kills-woman-in-aida-refugee-camp/89713/99GiliCohenandJackKhoury,Palestinians:WestBankWomanDiedAfterInhalingTearGas,Haaretz,16April2014.
Availableat:http://www.
haaretz.
com/israel-news/.
premium-1.
585727100MiddleEastMonitor,IsraeliteargaskillsPalestinianwomaninWestBank,18April2014.
Availableat:https://www.
middleeastmonitor.
com/20140418-israeli-tear-gas-kills-palestinian-woman-in-west-bank/101TheTimesofIsrael,IDFsaysPalestinianboywaskilledbymistake,6October2015.
Availableat:http://www.
timesofisrael.
com/idf-says-palestinian-boy-was-killed-by-mistake/31Excessiveuseofforce:TeargasisoneofthemainweaponsusedbytheIsraeliarmyinAidacamp,andthemainweaponofcrowdcontrolusedbyIsraelthroughouttheoPt.
102Itisachemicalgasthatseverelyirritatestheeyesandtherespiratorysystemofthosewhoareexposedtoit.
103TheexcessiveshootingofteargashascausedatleastonedeathandseveralinjuriesfromsuffocationinthelastfewyearsinAida,ontopofmaterialdamageresultingfromteargascanistersignitingfires.
Teargasissometimesusedtodisperseprotests,butithasoftenbeenusedasaformofcollectivepunishmentforresidentsofAidacamp.
Theexcessiveandillegaluseofteargashasmademanyresidentsofthecampmakealterationstotheirhomesrangingfromchangingtheentranceorcoveringtheirwindowswithwoodorplasticpanels,tokeepingtheirwindowsalwaysclosed,changingthesetupoftheirhomestoputtheirchildreninroomslessaffectedbygas,havingteargasmasksintheirhomes,andsoon.
104Asubstanceknownas'skunkwater'hasalsobeenusedinexcessinAidaRefugeeCampbytheIsraeliarmy.
InAugust2014,followingthesprayingofoneofthemainstreetsofAidawithaconsiderableamountofskunkwater,fourfamilieshadtobetemporarilyrelocatedbecausetheywereunabletoremainintheirhomesduetothepungentchemicalodorthatstemmedfromtheskunkwater.
105Rubberbulletsarealsocommonlyusedagainstprotesters,bystanders,andjournalistsdocumentingtheprotests.
Between2012and2016,severalresidentsofthecamphavebeeninjuredwithrubberbullets,manyofthemgravely.
InOctober2014,12-yearoldTamerAbuSalemwasshotintheheadwitharubberbullet.
Thisinjuryresultedinpermanentbraindamage.
106AjournalistofAidacamp,MohammadAlazza,wasalsoshotwitharubberbulletinthefaceinApril2013whiletakingphotosoftheIsraeliincursion.
Hisjaw,rightcheekboneandrighteyewereseverelydamagedwhichresultedinthreereconstructivesurgeriesfollowingtheshooting.
Theinjuryhascausedpermanenteyeproblemsandfacialscarring.
Threats:TheresidentsofAidahavealsobeenthreatenedonnumerousoccasionsbytheIsraeliarmy.
Inthelateafternoonof29October2015,followingprotestsbyresidentsinsideAida,anIsraelijeepexitedtheadjacent102B'Tselem,CrowdControl:Israel'sUseofCrowdControlWeaponsintheWestBank,op.
cit.
,January2013103Ibid.
104InformationcollectedbyBADILfromresidentsofAidaRefugeeCamp105Ibid.
106Ibid.
32militarybaseandenteredthecamp.
107Throughloudspeakersattachedtothejeep,thefollowingannouncementwasissued,inArabic,tothecamp'sresidents:InhabitantsofAida,wearetheoccupation'sarmy.
Ifyoucontinuetothrowstones,wewillcontinuetoshootgas,untilyoudie;thechildren,theadults,theelderly,thedying.
Everything.
Wedonotwanttoleaveanyofyoualive.
Ihaveoneofyou.
108Yousawhimwithyourowneyes;wetookhimupwithus[tothemilitarybase].
Wewillevenkillhiminfrontofyouifyoucontinuethrowingstones.
Wewillshootgasuntilyoudie:onyourhomes,onyourfamilies,brothers,sons,everything.
Listentome,anadvice;Itellyou:gohome,itisbetterforyou.
109Suchanannouncementisremarkableinitsstatedblatantcontemptforhumanlife,aswellasraisingamultitudeofgraveconcernsaboutthelackofadherencetocentraltenetsofinternationallawonpartoftheIsraeliforces.
Theprohibitiononthreateningtocarryoutaprohibitedactisrecognizedininternationallaw,whilstsuchthreatsweremadeallthemoreseriousbythespateofunlawfulkillingsofPalestiniansbyIsraeliforcesduringthemonthofOctober2015,whenthethreattookplace.
ThisannouncementrepresentsanunequivocalthreattokillPalestiniancivilians,actswhichwouldrepresentextrajudicialexecutionsand,giventheprotectedstatusoftheoccupiedPalestinianpopulation,agravebreachoftheFourthGenevaConvention.
Theannouncementmadefromthejeepalsoincludes,initsreferencetolethalgassingofallofthecamp'sinhabitants,aclearandgravethreattocollectivelypunishthepopulationofAidaCampbywayoflethalforce.
Theissuingofsuchastatementwasanaffronttointernationallaw;astatementintendedonandservingtoterrorizethepopulationofAidaRefugeeCamp.
TheCaseofEastJerusalemEastJerusalemhasbeenincreasinglytargetedbytheIsraelioccupationforcessincetheSecondIntifadawhichstartedinSeptember2000.
DuetotheillegalannexationofEastJerusalem,Israelappliesitscivillawthere.
ThisoftendiffersfromthemilitaryordersintheWestBankalthoughtheconditionsforPalestiniansinEastJerusalemarenolessgrave.
Internationallawdefinesarbitrarydeportationsasthetransferofapersonagainsttheirwilloutside107BADILResourceCenter,BADILcallsforanImmediateandUrgentInvestigationintoThreatsbyIsraeliArmedForcestoexecutePalestinianCiviliansandPrisoners,30October2015.
Availableat:http://www.
badil.
org/en/publication/press-releases/60-2015/4498-pr-en-301015-31.
html108Itreferstoa25year-oldmalefromthecampthatwasarrestedandtransferredtothemilitarybase,wherethedetaineeallegestohavebeenbadlybeatenbybothIsraelsoldiersandIsraelicivilians,shortlybeforetheannouncementwasmade.
HewaslaterreleasedandtreatedinaBethlehemhospital109BADIL,BADILcallsforanImmediateandUrgentInvestigation,op.
cit.
,30October201533thenationalborders,whileforcibletransferoccurswithinthefrontiersofoneandthesameStateorterritory.
110IsraelhasrecentlyimplementedanewpolicyinEastJerusalemwhichordersresidentstovacatetheirhomesandthecityofJerusalem,oftenforcingthemintootherpartsoftheWestBank(arbitraryforcibletransferorders).
111OrdersthatforcePalestinianstomoveoutofEastJerusalemtootherpartsoftheWestBankconstitutearbitraryforcibletransferandarbitrarydeportationiswhentheyareforcedtogotoIsraelorabroad.
112Article9oftheUDHRclearlystatesthat"nooneshallbearrested,detainedorexiledarbitrarily",yetthishasbecomeacommonIsraelipracticeinEastJerusalem,especiallyforactivistsandpublicfiguresagainstwhomtheyhavedifficultyinpresentingchargesfortheirarrest.
113Thepracticeofarbitraryexpulsionsisconsideredawarcrimeandacrimeagainsthumanityaccordingtointernationallaw.
114In2016alone,theIsraeliauthoritiesissuedordersofexpulsionoutofJerusalemtoAnanNajeeb,AkramShurafa,ObadaNajeeb,RaedSalah,MohammadRazem,HijaziAbuSbeihandSamerAbuAisha.
115BothAbuSbeihandAbuAisharejectedtheirorders,remainedinJerusalem,andorganizedprotestsagainstthispolicythattheyconsidertobeintendedtoemptyingJerusalemofPalestiniansandoferasingitsPalestinianidentity.
AbuAisha,forexample,ismainlyknownfororganizingsingingmarchesinEastJerusalem,gatheringyouthtodrinkcoffeeinordertochallengetheerectionofsecuritybarricadesinDamascusGate,andusingcostumesasawaytoprotest.
116ManyotherPalestinianresidentsofJerusalemwerealsogivenexpulsionordersin2015.
Noneoftheseorderswerebasedonajudicialprocess.
Theimplementationofasimilarpolicyknownas'punitiveresidencyrevocation'hasincreasedinrecentyears,sincetheIsraeliMinisterofInteriorin2006wasgivenpermissiontopunitivelyrevoketheresidencystatusofEastJerusalemPalestiniansifthey"breachedtheirdutyofallegiancetothe110InternationalLawCommission,Article18(g)oftheDraftCode;thisapproachwasalsoadoptedbymostoftheICTYjudgments.
Availableat:goo.
gl/9t2IhP111AddameerPrisonerSupportandHumanRightsAssociation,Addameer:IllegalForcibleTransferAimstoEmptyJerusalemofitsPalestinianResidents,29December2015.
Availableat:http://www.
addameer.
org/news/addameer-illegal-forcible-transfer-aims-empty-jerusalem-its-palestinian-residents112Convention(IV)relativetotheProtectionofCivilianPersonsinTimeofWar,Geneva(GenevaConventionIV),12August1949,Article49113Addameer,Addameer:IllegalForcibleTransferAimstoEmptyJerusalemofitsPalestinianResidents,op.
cit.
,29August2015114ICRC,Rule129ofCustomaryIHL.
Availableat:https://ihl-databases.
icrc.
org/customary-ihl/eng/docs/v2_rul_rule129115Addameer,Addameer:IllegalForcibleTransferAimstoEmptyJerusalemofitsPalestinianResidents,op.
cit.
,29August2015116NirHasson,2PalestinianSocialActivistsArrestedAfterBarricadingThemselvesinRedCrossBuilding,Haaretz,6January2016.
Availableathttp://www.
haaretz.
com/israel-news/.
premium-1.
69580534stateofIsrael".
117ItisunclearexactlyhowmanyPalestinianshavehadtheirresidencyrevokedforbreachofallegiancesince2006,buttherehavebeenatleast12.
118InJune2006forexample,threemembersofthePalestinianlegislativecouncilhadtheirresidencyrevoked.
InJanuary2016,fourEastJerusalemPalestiniansalsohadtheirresidencyrevokedforbeingsuspectedofcommittingcriminaloffences.
119"ThesePalestiniansarenotinprison,whichmeansIsraelhasnocriminalchargesagainstthem.
Itdoesn'taccusethemofanycriminalact.
Sotheyarefree,butatthesametimeconsideredtobeindividualswhohavenoallegiancetothestateofIsrael.
Theyhavenowbeenforciblytransferred[theirresidencypermitforJerusalemwaspunitivelyrevoked]andarelivinginRamallahbecauseoftheirbreachofallegiance,accordingtoIsrael.
Andthisisverydangerous.
Theyareindividualswhohavebeenaccusedandpunishedbecauseofwhattheythinkandtheirpoliticalaffiliation.
Now,howdoweknowthefutureofthispolicyIthinkthefactthattheyintroducedacriterionlike'allegiancetothestateofIsrael'asapreconditionforlivinginJerusalem,inourowncity,isverydangerousbecausewedon'tknowhowdifferentitwillbeinthefuture.
WhoknowshowtheIsraeliauthoritieswillbeinterpretingthecriterionofallegianceinthefutureIthinkthisisaverydangerouscriteriontohavebecausewedon'tknowwhatitmeansinthefirstplace,wedon'tknowwhatitwillmeaninthefuture.
Itcouldmeananything;culturalallegiance,political.
.
.
NoPalestinianpledgesallegiancetoIsraelinEastJerusalem.
AllofthemconsiderIsraelanoccupyingpowerthatwillhavetoleaveJerusalemoneday,andtherefore,puttingallegianceasapreconditionforlivinginJerusalemputsthematriskofdisplacement.
"MunirNuseibah,directoroftheCommunityActionCenter,JerusalemInterview:27November2016ThereexistsnoreasonablebasistosuggestthatIsrael'sforceddisplacementofthoseindividualshighlightedabovewasconductedundergroundspermittedbyArticle49oftheFourthGenevaConventionnorhasIsraelmadeanyargumenttothiseffect.
120Suchdisplacementisclearlynotundertakenforthe'securityofthepopulation',understoodasascenariowherebyanareaisindangerasaresultofmilitaryoperationsorisliabletobesubjectto117CommunityActionCenter,PunitiveResidencyRevocation:Themostrecenttoolofforcibletransfer,April2016.
Availableat:http://www.
palestine-studies.
org/sites/default/files/jq-articles/JQ66_Recent%20Documents.
pdf118Ibid.
119Ibid.
120"TheOccupyingPowermayundertaketotalorpartialevacuationofagivenareaifthesecurityofthepopulationorimperativemilitaryreasonssodemand.
Suchevacuationsmaynotinvolvethedisplacementofprotectedpersonsoutsidetheboundsoftheoccupiedterritoryexceptwhenformaterialreasonsitisimpossibletoavoidsuchdisplacement.
Personsthusevacuatedshallbetransferredbacktotheirhomesassoonashostilitiesintheareainquestionhaveceased.
"GenevaConventionIV,Article4935intensebombing.
Nosuchmilitaryoperationsorriskofbombingarepresent,thusalsoprecludinganysuggestionofthedisplacementbeingpermittedonthegroundsof'militaryimperative'.
Noristhereanyindicationthatthedisplacementinquestionwasconducted–orintendedtobeconducted-for'humanitarianreasons'.
Tothecontrary,Israelhasmadeitclearthattheserevocationsofpermanentresidencystatushavebeenconductedasapunitivemeasure,inresponsetotheactionsofindividualsorallegedactionsoftheirfamilymembers.
Additionally,'evacuation'asperArticle49IVGCreferstoatemporaryperiodofdisplacementand,therefore,displacementwhichisnotintendedorlikelytobetemporaryinnaturecannotbeconsideredasfallingwithinthisexemption.
InJuly2015,theIsraeliparliament,knownastheKnesset,passedalawthatimposessentencesofupto20yearsforstonethrowing.
ThisnewlawcameaspartofaseriesofamendmentstotheIsraelipenalcodefortougherrepressionofPalestinianresistance.
Thenewamendmentsincludeamaximum10-yearsentenceforthrowingstonesorotherobjectsattrafficwithouttheintentiontoinjure,whereaswhenitisdeemedthereisintentiontoinjurethesentencecangoupto20years.
Theyalsoaddedonefifthofthemaximumpenaltyasaminimumsentence,whichsettheminimumsentenceatfouryearsforthrowingastoneattrafficwithintentiontoinjure.
121Thesechangesshowasharpincreaseinthelengthandseverityofthesentences,asthepreviousaveragesanctionforthrowingstoneswasbetweentwotofourmonths.
122TheKnessetalsoaddedthatthefamiliesofthoseconvictedforthrowingstoneswilllosetheirnationalinsurancebenefitsasapunishment.
123ThesenewregulationsareclearlydirectedtoPalestinians,asthrowingstoneshasbeenthesymbolofPalestinianresistancefordecades.
ItisameasuretakentodeteractsofresistanceagainsttheIsraelipoliciesofforcibledisplacement,colonization,andapartheid.
TheIsraeliMinisterofJusticestated;"Tolerancetowardterroristsendstoday.
Astone-throwerisaterroristandonlyafittingpunishmentcanserveasadeterrentandjustpunishment.
"124Inthefinalmonthsof2015,IsraelalsostartedtopushforwardtougherlawsforPalestinianchildren.
TheIsraeliMinisterialCommitteeforLegislationapprovedabillthatproposestokeepchildrenconvictedof"nationalistic-121DCIPalestine,EastJerusalemteenshitwithharshsentencesforthrowingstones,20July2016.
Availableat:http://www.
dci-palestine.
org/east_jerusalem_teens_hit_with_harsh_sentences_for_throwing_stones122Ibid.
123Ibid.
124AlJazeera,Palestinianstonethrowersfaceupto20yearsinjail,21July2015.
Availableat:http://www.
aljazeera.
com/news/2015/07/palestinian-stone-throwers-face-20-years-jail-150721182722412.
html36motivated"offencesincustodyfromtheageof12untiltheyturn14,atwhichtimetheycanbegintoservetheirsentenceasanadult.
125ThebillisyettobeapprovedintheIsraeliparliament,butthefirstreadinginNovember2015receivedafavorablevote.
126TheAssociationforCivilRightsinIsrael(ACRI)claimsthattherearealsoplanstoimplementlifesentencingforchildrenundertheageof14.
127ImpositionofCollectivePunishmentLegalFrameworkTheprohibitiononcollectivepunishmentisclear,strict,andunequivocalunderinternationalhumanitarianlaw;ithasbeenprohibitedbyawiderangeofinternationalconventionsandnormsofIHLsince1899.
Article50ofthe1899HagueRegulationsprovidesthat"nogeneralpenalty,pecuniaryorotherwise,canbeinflictedonthepopulationonaccountoftheactsofindividualsforwhichitcannotberegardedascollectivelyresponsible.
"128ThisprohibitionwaslaterincorporatedwithsimilarphrasingintheFourthGenevaConventionanditstwoadditionalprotocols.
129Itisalsoconsideredpartofinternationalcustomarylaw,whichprohibitscollectivepunishmentinbothinternationalandnon-internationalconflicts.
130Therationalebehindthisprovisionisthatindividualsorcollectivesshouldneverbepunishedfortheactionsdonebyanotherpersonorcollective.
ItisconnectedtoRule102ofCustomaryIHL,whichestablishesthat"noonemaybeconvictedofanoffenceexceptonthebasisofindividualcriminalresponsibility.
"Butthisprohibitioniswiderasitcoverscriminalsanctionsaswellas"sanctionsandharassmentofanysort,administrative,bypoliceactionorotherwise".
131TheprohibitionagainstcollectivepunishmentinIHRLcanbefoundintherighttoafairtrial,whichisoneofthemostfundamentalguaranteesofhumanrightsandtheruleoflaw.
125Addameer,IsraeliOccupationTargetsPalestinianChildreninEastJerusalemwithHarshPolicies,28November2015.
Availableat:http://www.
addameer.
org/news/israeli-occupation-targets-palestinian-children-east-jerusalem-harsh-policies126Ibid.
127DCIPalestine,EastJerusalemteenshitwithharshsentencesforthrowingstones,op.
cit.
,20July2016128ICRC,PracticeRelatingtoRule103.
CollectivePunishments.
Availableat:https://ihl-databases.
icrc.
org/customary-ihl/eng/docs/v2_rul_rule103129GenevaConventionIV,Article33;AdditionalProtocoltotheGenevaConventionsI(1977),Article75(2)(d);AdditionalProtocoltotheGenevaConventionsII(1977),Article4(2)(b)130ICRC,Rule103ofCustomaryIHL.
Availableat:https://ihl-databases.
icrc.
org/customary-ihl/eng/docs/v1_rul_rule103131Ibid.
37IsraeliPoliciesandPracticesIsrael'scollectivepunishmentofPalestinianshasbeendenouncednumeroustimesbytheUN,internationalandlocalhumanrightsorganizations,andthemedia.
Thepunitiverevocationofpermit,curfews,thedeliberatedamagetoproperties,administrativeand/orphysicalclosures,and/orrestrictionsonmovementarecommonformsofcollectivepunishmentusedbyIsraelagainstPalestiniansforthepurposeofretaliation.
Recentpoliticaldevelopmentsshowthatpunishingthecollectivemightbecomeevenmorewidespread,whichwasconfirmedinmid-August2016,whentheIsraeliMinisterofDefenseannouncedanewpolicythatwouldincludecolor-codingPalestiniancommunitiesinto'good'and'bad'.
132ThosecommunitiesthatIsraelconsidersbad–eitherbecauseofconfrontationsorbecauseamemberofthecommunitycarriesoutanattackagainstIsrael–willbepunished,whereasthoseconsideredgoodwillreceiveeconomicandotherbenefits.
133Whetherthispolicybecomesofficialornot,thewillofanIsraeliMinistertoimplementsuchapolicyclearlyreflectsthenormalityandwideacceptanceofcollectivepunishmentsagainstPalestinians.
AnotherIsraelipoliticianwhorecentlysupportedtheuseofcollectivepunishmentagainstPalestiniansisNirBarkat,themayorofJerusalem.
Barkatjustifiedthepunishmentofrelativesofthosesuspectedof'terrorattacks',riots,oreventhepunishmentofallresidentsofEastJerusalem,aswellasjustifyingtheuseofconcretebarriersaroundPalestinianneighborhoodsorvillagestorestrictthefreedomofmovement.
134Regardingthelatterhestatedthattheserestrictionswould"pressuretheresidentstoactagainstterror.
"135Thesestatementsshowtheofficialsupportfortheuseofcollectivepunishment,furtherprovingthesystematicnatureofthispolicyagainstPalestinians.
TheCaseoftheGazaStripThemainjustificationusedbyIsraelforthethreewarsitlaunchedontheGazaStrip,in2008-09,2012and2014wasself-defense.
Thisclaimhoweverhasnobasisininternationallaw.
Astheoccupyingpower,IsraelcannotmilitarilyoccupytheGazaStripandatthesametimeclaimthisterritoryisa132AmosHarel,IsraeliCollectivePunishment,LaDefenseMinisterAvigdorLieberman,20August2016.
Availableat:http://www.
haaretz.
com/israel-news/.
premium-1.
737665133Ibid.
134BenWhite,Jerusalemmayorboastsofcollectivepunishmentofcity'sPalestinians,15September2016.
Availableat:https://www.
middleeastmonitor.
com/20160915-jerusalem-mayor-boasts-of-collective-punishment-of-citys-palestinians/135Ibid.
38'foreign'entitythatposesanexternalthreattoitsnationalsecurity.
136Asanoccupyingpower,moreover,Israelhastheobligationtoensurethewellbeingofthepopulationunderoccupationandmaintainpublicorderandsafety.
137The2009UNFact-FindingMissionontheGazaConflict(GoldstoneReport),regardingthe2008-09warontheGazaStrip,concludedthat;"Theexpectedimpact,andtheMissionbelievesprimarypurpose[ofOperationCastLead],138wastobringaboutasituationinwhichthecivilianpopulationwouldfindlifesointolerablethattheywouldleave(ifthatwerepossible)orturnHamasoutofoffice,aswellastocollectivelypunishthecivilianpopulation.
"139Inthecaseoftheattackssufferedbythecivilianpopulationduringthethreewars,andconsideringthelargenumberofcivilianskilledandinjured,itcouldbeconcludedthatthecivilianpopulationoftheGazaStripwastheprimarytargetoftheattack.
140Accordingtointernationallaw,inordertoaffirmanattackwasdirectedagainstacivilianpopulationitisnotnecessaryforanentirepopulationtobetargeted,butrathertoprovethatindividualsweretargetedinawaythatdemonstratestheattackwasinfactdirectedtothegeneralpopulationandnotasmall,specific,andpurposefullyselectedgroupofindividuals.
141Inthe2014warontheGazaStrip,2,251PalestinianswerekilledbyIsrael,551ofwhichwerechildren.
142Moreover,11,231Palestinianswereinjured,including3,436children.
143Fromthoseinjured,899werepermanentlydisabledbytheinjuries.
144Regardingmaterialdamage,over11,000Palestinianhomesweredestroyedbythewarand6,800wereseverelydamaged,resultinginatotal136NouraErakat,No,Israeldoesnothavetherighttoself-defenseininternationallawagainstoccupiedPalestinianterritory,op.
cit.
,5December2012137The1907HagueRegulation,Article43138OperationCastLeadisthemilitarytitlegiventothe2008-2009IsraeliwarontheGazaStrip139UNHumanRightsCouncil,ReportoftheUnitedNationsFact-FindingMissionontheGazaConflict,A/HRC/12/48,25September2009,paragraph1208140InternationalCriminalTribunalfortheformerYugoslavia(ICTY),ProsecutorvKunaracetal,CaseNo.
IT-96-23&IT-96-23/1-A,"AppealsChamberJudgment",12June2002,paras.
91-92;affirmedin:InternationalCriminalCourt(ICC),TheProsecutorvJean-PierreBembaGombo,15June2009,DecisionPursuanttoArticle61(7)(a)and(b)oftheRomeStatuteontheChargesoftheProsecutorAgainstJean-PierreBembaGombo,para.
76141ICTY,ibid,para.
90142OCHAoPt,Keyfiguresonthe2014hostilities,DatafeaturedintheReportoftheIndependentCommissionofInquiryonthe2014GazaConflict,June2015.
Availableat:http://gaza.
ochaopt.
org/2015/06/key-figures-on-the-2014-hostilities/143Ibid.
144EmailupdaterequestedfromDr.
MohammedAlKashif,DirectorGeneralforInternationalCooperation,MinistryofHealthinGaza,providedon23December2014.
MinisterialCommitteefortheReconstructionofGaza,DetailedNeedsAssessment(DNA)andRecoveryFrameworkforGazaReconstruction,August2015.
Availableat:http://www.
lacs.
ps/documentsShow.
aspxATT_ID=2197439of17,800homesthatwererendereduninhabitable.
145Intheheightofthe2014war,nearly500,000(28percentofthetotalpopulation)wereinternallydisplacedinsidetheGazaStrip.
146AsofJune2016,atleast75,000Palestinianswerestilldisplacedasaresultofthewar.
147ThesystematicandwidespreadattacksagainstthegeneralpopulationinallthreewarsontheGazaStripbyIsraelresultedinlargenumbersofPalestinianskilled,injured,severematerialandinfrastructuraldamages,massdisplacementandforcibletransfer.
"Ihavehadmultipleexperiencesofforceddisplacement.
IrememberourdisplacementduringthewaronGazain2012.
IwasdisplacedwithmyfamilyfromourhomeaftertheIsraelimilitarytankswereascloseas150meterstothehouse.
Afraidforthelivesofmyfamilyandmyown,becauseofthebombings,weleftthehouse.
DuringthewaronGazain2014,whentheIsraeligroundincursionstarted,theIsraelimilitarysentvoicemessagesonmobileandlandlinephones,anddistributedleafletsinthearea,requestingtheareatobeclearedofresidentsimmediately.
Theshellingstarted,andmyhousewasthefirstonetogetbombedinBeitHanoun[northeastedgeoftheGazaStrip]area.
Myson'sapartmentwastargetedtoo,anditwasmiraclethathe,hiswifeandsevenchildrensurvived.
Weleftourhomeimmediately,afraidofanothertargetingofthehouse.
Istayedwithmyfamilyforadayinourneighbors'houseandthenwewentbacktoourhousebecauseoftheshortageoffoodandwaterinourneighbors'house.
Westayedinthebasementofthebuilding.
Movinginsidethehousewasdifficultbecausemyhouseisneartheborders.
Whenweranoutoffoodandwaterinthebasement,mysonwenttothefirstfloortobringsomefromthehouse.
Hewashitbyanexplosionthatcausedpartialdestructionofthehouse.
Westayedforanothertwodaysinthehouse,fasting[itwasRamadan]andbreakingthefastwithwater.
TheIsraelimilitarystartedusingpoisonedgasandsoundexplosionstoforceusoutofthehouse.
Theneighborhoodwasempty,exceptforthreefamilies,mineandtwomore,whomIkeptincontactwithsincethebeginningofthewar.
Whentheshellingbecamemoreintenseandthebulletsweretooclosetouswedecidedtoleavethehouse.
Thesecuritysituationwasverydangerous.
Thedecisiontoleavethehousewasverydifficult.
WecontactedtheBeitHanounHospital,requestinganambulancetoremoveusfromthearea,buttheresponsewas:"anyambulancethatmovesgetsbombed".
ThenwecontactedtheRedCross,informingthemofoursituationandaskingforhelp.
Wetoldthemtherewerethreefamiliesinthearea,51peoplefromtheneighborhood,31peopleinmyhouse,including20childrenand7women.
145OCHAoPt,Gaza:Internallydisplacedpersons,April2016.
Availableat:https://www.
ochaopt.
org/content/gaza-internally-displaced-persons-april-2016146Ibid.
147OCHAoPt,Housing,landandpropertyrightsissuesposefurtherchallengestoGazareconstruction,TheMonthlyHumanitarianBulletin,March-April2016.
Availableat:https://www.
ochaopt.
org/content/housing-land-and-property-rights-issues-pose-further-challenges-gaza-reconstruction40But,again,theresponsestressedthedifficultyofreachingthearea,andthelackofcooperationoftheIsraeliMilitaryforces[toensurethesafetyofthosefleeing].
IwasinformedbyanemployeeintheRedCrossthatIhadtoleavethehouseatmyownrisk,assoonaspossible,tosavemyfamily,afterweranoutoffoodandwater.
Itriedcontactingmyneighbors,butallthephonelinesweredown.
Ihadtomakethedifficultdecisiontogoouttothestreet.
IputawhiteclothoutofthewindowandstartedwavingitfortheIsraeliMilitarytoseeit.
Fiveminutesafterwavingthepieceofwhitecloth,ImadesuretheIsraelimilitaryforceshadseenit.
Ileftthehousebarefoot,notholdinganythingandaskedmychildrenandneighborstoleavetheirhousestothestreets.
Weleftthehouseswithnothing,notevenofficialidentificationpapers.
Iwasinfrontofthegroupholdingthewhitecloth,walkingveryslowly,consideringthefactthattherewerechildrenandelderlywithusaswell.
Wewereagroupoffiftypeople.
WetookthemainroadtostayvisiblefortheIsraeliairplanes.
Inthemiddleoftheroadwefoundatankandabulldozernearwherewewere.
Wekeptonwalkingwiththewhiteflagheldhigh.
Wesawfourbodiesonthestreetwhilewewerewalking,andwecouldnothelpthem,giventhedangerandthesecuritythreatwewerefacing.
WearrivedatBeitHanounHospital,andwestayedtherefortwodays.
Afterthebombingsbecamemoreintense,wedecidedtoleavetotheUNRWAsheltercenterinTelAl-Hawaarea,inthemiddleofGazaCity.
Theconditionsintheshelterwereinhumane.
Itwasashelterforwhohasnodignity.
Westayedthereforaweek,andthenIleftwithmywifeandsomeofmychildrentoarentedhouse.
Twoofmychildrenstayedinthesheltercenter.
Itriedtoreachmyhouseduringtheceasefires,butIdidnotdaretoenterit,fearingformylife.
Wereturnedtothehouseafterthefinalannouncementoftheendofthewarandfoundgreatpartsofthehousedestroyed.
"ShehdahAbdal-JawadMohammadAbuzraik,BeitHanoun,GazaStripInterview:3November2014Afteryearsofrestrictionsonthearea,IsraelalsoimposedaclosureontheGazaStrip.
148ThisclosurereflectsapunishmentfortheentirepopulationoftheGazaStripbecauseoftheirpoliticalchoices,andhassignificantlyunderminedthelivingconditionsintheenclave,aswellasdenyingitsPalestinianresidentsaccesstotherestoftheoPt,Israel,andtheoutsideworld.
ThisclosuredoesnotallowfortherealizationofawidespectrumofhumanrightsanditcontravenesArticle33oftheFourthGenevaConventionaswellasRule103ofCustomaryIHLwhichprohibitcollectivepunishment,whichhasbeenreaffirmedbytheSecretaryGeneraloftheUnitedNations.
149BynotallowingthefreeflowofresidentsoftheGazaStripthroughthe148OCHAoPt,GazaBlockade.
Availableat:http://www.
ochaopt.
org/theme/gaza-blockade149OCHAoPt,TheGazaStrip:TheHumanitarianImpactoftheBlockade,July2015.
Availableat:https://www.
ochaopt.
org/documents/ocha_opt_gaza_blockade_factsheet_july_2015_english.
pdf41ErezCrossing(exceptforhumanitariancases)orotherIsraeli-controlledcrossings,150PalestiniansarerestrictedtouseonlytheRafahInternationalCrossingPointwhichiscontrolledbyEgypt.
InMarch2016,forexample,thecrossingwasclosedfor31days,defactodenyingtheresidentsoftheGazaStripfreedomofmovementandtheirrighttoleavetheirowncountry.
151Duringthattimetherewereover25,000PalestiniansregisteredtotravelviaRafahwhowerewaitingfortheirturn,andmanyotherthousandswhowanttotravelbutdidnotregister.
152TheCaseofBaniNaimClosuresarealsoarealityintheWestBankasaformofcollectivepunishmentimplementedbyIsraeleitherto;punishthehometownsofPalestiniansresponsibleforanactionorattackagainstIsraelorIsraelis,preventmovementwhenthereisamilitaryoperationtakingplaceinthearea,orsometimestoprotectJewish-Israelissothattheycancelebratetheirreligiousholidays.
BaniNaimisaPalestiniantownlocatednearHebroninthesouthoftheWestBank.
Thetownwascompletelysealedon30June2016followingthekillingofaJewish-IsraeligirlintheKyriatArbacolonyofHebronbyaPalestinianresidentofBaniNaim.
ThatsamedaytheofficeoftheIsraeliPrimeMinisterannouncedthattheywereplanningtodemolishthehomeofthefamilyoftheallegedattacker,toimposeaclosureonhishometown,andtorevokethepermitsofallhisfamilymembers.
153SeveralareasoftheOldCityofHebronwerealsoclosed,namely;theentrancetotheIbrahimiMosque,TelRumeida,theJabeirandAbuSneinehneighborhoods,andtheareaofal-Sahla154inordertoallowIsraelisettlerstomovefreelythroughtheOldCityofHebronduringthefuneralofthegirlkilled.
155TheseclosuressignificantlyaffectedthedailylivesofthethousandsofPalestiniansthatliveintheHebronarea.
AcompletelockdowntoallvehiculartrafficwasimposedonBaniNaim,closingalltheroadsoutofthetown.
Onlyemergencyhumanitariancaseswereallowedtocrossthecheckpoints,whichpreventedthe20,000residentsof150TheErezcrossingpointistheonlyIsraelicrossingpointopentoPalestiniansfromtheGazaStrip.
Itisonlyaccessibletothosewithpermits,primarilyformedicalandotherhumanitariancases,merchants,andaidworkers.
OCHAoPt,GazaCrossings'OperationsStatus:MonthlyUpdate,July2015.
Availableat:https://www.
ochaopt.
org/documents/GAZA_CROSSINGS_OPERATIONS_STATUS_July_2015.
pdf151ICCPR,Article12.
2152PalestinianCentreforHumanRights(PCHR),StateoftheGazaStrip'sbordercrossings,1-31March2016.
Availableat:http://reliefweb.
int/sites/reliefweb.
int/files/resources/state%20of%20crossing%20%20March%202016_0.
pdf153Ma'an,IsraeliforcessealhometownofPalestinianshotdeadafterstabattackinHebron,1July2016.
Availableat:http://www.
maannews.
com/Content.
aspxid=772070154Maan,IsraelclosesareasofHebron'sOldCity'untilfurthernotice',30June2016.
Availableat:http://www.
maannews.
com/Content.
aspxid=772066155Ibid.
42BaniNaimfromenteringorexitingtheirhometown.
156OthervillagesnearthemainroadthatcrossesthedistrictofHebronwerealsocloseddown,yetBaniNaimhadthemostintensesecurityrestrictions.
BaniNaimremainedunderclosureuntil11August,atwhichtimetheIsraeliforcesliftedtheclosureandpartiallyeasedsecurityrestrictions.
Additionally,by2July2016,over2,700workpermitsofresidentsofBaniNaimhadbeenrevoked.
Whileabouthalfoftheworkpermitsthathadbeenrevokedwerereinstated,asof15October2016,1,500residentsstillhadtheirsrevoked.
157Theclosurehadasignificantimpactonthetown'seconomythatisknownforitsmarbletrade.
Theeconomiclossesforitsresidentswereconsiderableashundredswereunabletogotoworkduetothelackofpermitsorbecauseoftheclosureandrestrictions.
Themostfundamentalrightsofthearound20,000residentsofBaniNaimwereseverelyrestrictedinresponsetotheactionsofanindividual,restrictionsthatamounttocollectivepunishment.
TheCaseofHebron:OperationBrother'sKeeper(2014)FollowingthedisappearanceofthreeIsraelisettlersfromtheoPton12June2014,Israelengagedinlarge-scalesearches,closures,andraidsthroughouttheWestBankunderOperationBrother'sKeeper.
OneofthemostaffectedareaswasthegovernorateofHebron,whichwasputunderclosure.
By23June2014,threeofthemainentrancestothecityofHebronwerecompletelyblockedtovehiculartraffic,andthefreedomofmovementintheotherthreerouteswasseverelyrestrictedbyIsraelicheckpoints.
158Moreover,accesstonearbylocalitiesintheHebronareawasalsointermittentlyclosed.
159TheclosuregravelyaffectedtheaccessofHebronarearesidentstoservices,markets,andworkplaces,whichresultedinsignificanteconomiclosses.
Additionally,itwasimplementedonlyagainstthePalestinianresidentsandnottheJewish-Israelisettlers,illegallylivingthere,whoenjoyedfreedomofmovementthroughouttheclosure.
160156Ma'an,IsraeliforcessealhometownofPalestinianshotdeadafterstabattackinHebron,op.
cit.
,1July2016157AlJazeera,'BadPalestinians'underIsrael'scollectivepunishment,15October2016.
Availableat:http://www.
aljazeera.
com/news/2016/09/palestinians-israel-collective-punishment-160929083644838.
html158OCHAoPt,Protectionofcivilians,Weeklyreport,17-23June2014.
Availableat:https://www.
ochaopt.
org/documents/ocha_opt_protection_of_civilians_weekly_report_2014_6_26_english.
pdf159Ibid.
160WafaPalestinianNewsandInfoAgency,IsraeliForcesMaintainGeneralClosureonHebronDetainSixPalestinians,12July2016.
Availableat:http://english.
wafa.
ps/page.
aspxid=1D7mMTa37790304618a1D7mMT43ThemajorityofHebron'sPalestinianresidentsweresubjectedtofurtherrestrictions,asallmenbetween16and50werepreventedfromcrossingthe'container'checkpoint,whichislocatedontheonlyroadconnectingthesouthwithcentralandnorthernareasoftheWestBank.
161Ontopoftheinternalrestrictionsofmovement,allthemaleresidentsofHebronandallPalestinianswithHebronastheirbirthplaceintheirIDsbetweentheagesof20and50wereprohibitedfromleavingtheoPtviatheAllenbyborderterminalandpreventedfromenteringIsraelforwork.
162TheAllenbyborderterminal,alsoknownastheKingHusseinBridge,istheonlycrossingpointavailableforPalestinianswithaWestbankID.
"I'mnotaresidentofHebron;IhavealwayslivedinBethlehem.
IhaveHebroninmyIDbecauseIwasbornthereinthemainhospitalinHebron.
InJune2014IwascomingfromtheUStoPalestinetoattendmysister'swedding.
Itwasduringthattimethatthekidnappingofthethreesettlershappened.
FourdaysafterthekidnappingIhadtoleavethecountrytogobacktotheUStocontinuewithmystudiesthere.
OnceIgottoAllenbyBridge,IcrossedthePalestinianAuthoritycontrolwithoutproblems.
ButattheIsraelibordercontroltheyaskedeveryonewithaHebronIDtostepasideandeveryoneelsetogotheusualway.
Wesawthattherewasnoinvestigationorchecksforallthosewhodidn'thaveHebronintheirpassportsorID,butwehadtowait.
Iaskedamannexttomehowlonghehadbeenthere,andhesaidsince8am,itwas3-4pmwhenIasked.
AnyonewhoarrivedtotheIsraeliterminalwouldgivethemthepassport,theywouldcheckitandifyouwerefromHebronorhadHebroninthepassportlikeme,theywouldaskyoutowait,ifyoudidn't,youcouldpass.
MybirthplaceisHebroninmypassport,sotheyaskedmetositasidewiththeotherpeoplefromHebron.
IhadmyflighttotheUSthatsamedayandIwasstucktherewitheveryoneelse,notknowingwhatwasgoingtohappen.
TheIsraelisdidnotallowanyonefromHebrontopasstheborderthatday.
Whateverthereasonfortravellingwas,somepeopleweresick,theyhadmedicalsurgeriesbookedinJordan…thereweremanypeoplethathadtocrossurgentlytoJordan.
Inmycase,IhadmyflightatnighttogobacktotheUS.
Whentheborderwasalmostclosed,Italkedtoasoldierandhesaid"Youshouldn'ttalktome,youshouldjuststaywiththeothersandwewillseewhatwewilldowithyou.
"SoIstartedshoutingandIshowedthemmyflightticketandItoldthemIwasn'taresidentofHebron,thatIwasfromBethlehem.
Thentheytookmypassportandmyticket,andafteronehourandahalforso,theyletmepass.
IfIhadbeenaresidentofHebrontheywouldn'thaveletmepass.
IwasoneofthelastpeopleleftatthebridgeandtheyhadaskedeveryonefromHebrontogobackhome.
Isawmanycases,Ispoketoalotofpeople,andtheyallsaidthattheyhadtogotoJordan,butthattheywerenotbeingallowedtopass,andtheIsraelistoldusthateveryonefromHebronshouldtakethebusbacktoPalestine.
161OCHAoPt,Protectionofcivilians,op.
cit.
,17-23June2014162Ibid.
44Thesethingsalwaysremindyouthatyouareathird-classcitizen,andevenless,andtheyalwaysremindyouthatyouhavenocontroloverwhatmighthappen.
Whatevermypositionwasregardingthekidnapping,orwhateverIthinkabouttheseactions,orthekidnappersorthosetaken,thereisnoproportionalityintheIsraelipolicies.
Theygeneralizeeverything,theirpunishmentsarenotproportionaltheyapplytoall.
EveryPalestinianisresponsibleforanythingthathappensinPalestine.
"ResidentofBethlehemwithHebronIDInterview:1November2016TheofficialobjectiveoftheclosurewastofindandreleasethethreekidnappedIsraeliyouthaswellasunderminingHamasinfrastructureinthearea.
163However,thewidespreadrestrictionsimposedonPalestiniansduringthisIsraelimilitaryoperationweredisproportionateandunnecessaryviolationsofthefundamentalrightsofPalestiniansaccordingtointernationallaw,andconstitutecollectivepunishmentagainsttheresidentsofHebron,andtheWestBankmoregenerally.
ThiscollectivepunishmentwasdenouncedbythePalestinianHumanRightsOrganizationsCouncil(PHROC),numerousIsraeliandinternationalhumanrightsorganizations,aswellasUNagencies.
164PunitiveRevocationofPermitsWithmorethan100differenttypesofpermitsin2015,theIsraelipermitregimeinfiltratesallaspectsofPalestinians'lives.
165Theyregulateandinterferewithvariousfacetsoflife,suchas;thefreedomofmovementwithinandoutofPalestine,work,development,andtransportinggoodsandassets.
Assuch,obtainingandkeepingthesepermitsisimportantforPalestinians,andthisiswhyIsraeloftenusestheirrevocationasaformofcollectivepunishmentanddeterrence.
IsraelusesthepermitregimeasameansofcontrolandsubjugationofPalestinians,eitherbyforcingthemtorequestorbythreateningtorevokepermits.
TherevocationfurthersthewiderangeofunbearableanddailyconstraintstargetingPalestinianssuchasthedenialoffreedomofmovement,accesstowork,ortherighttoreligiousfreedom.
163Ibid.
164LawyersforPalestinianhumanrights,LettertoMr.
WilliamHagueMP,UnitedKingdomForeignSecretary,24June2014.
Availableat:http://lphr.
org.
uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/LPHR-letter-to-UK-Foreign-Secretary-Operation-Brothers-Keeper-24-June-20141.
pdf;LettertoMr.
MosgeYa'alon,IsraeliMinisterofDefense,andMr.
YitzhakAharonovich,IsraeliMinisterofPublicSecurity.
Availableat:http://www.
hamoked.
org/files/2014/1158420_eng.
pdf;OCHAoPt,Protectionofcivilians,op.
cit.
,17-23June2014165ChaimLevinson,Israelhas101differenttypesofpermitsgoverningPalestinianmovement,Haaretz,26June2014.
Availableat:www.
haaretz.
com/print-edition/news/israel-has-101-differenttypes-of-permits-governing-palestinian-movement-1.
40303945InJune2016,Israelrevokedthepermitsofover83,000PalestiniansintheWestBanktovisitIsrael.
166ThiscollectiverevocationwasinresponsetoashootinginTelAvivthatkilledfourIsraelis.
TheUNHighCommissionerforHumanRightssaidthisrevocationofpermitscouldamounttocollectivepunishment.
167Therevocationincluded204workpermitsofextendedfamilyoftheallegedattackersandtheclosureoftheirentirehometown.
168Revocationsdonotonlytakeplacefollowingfatalattacks,butoftenhappeninthecontextofarrestsaswell.
ItiscommonforfamilymembersofPalestinianswhoarearrestedbyIsraelforstone-throwingtolosetheirpermitsaswell.
Oftentheserevocationshavewiderangingimplicationsfortherelatives,whoserightsarelimitedorsometimesdeniedfortheactionsorallegedactionsofafamilymember.
Inflictingapenaltyorpunishmentonindividualsfortheactionsofanother,beitafamilymemberornot,fitsperfectlywithintheaforementioneddefinitionofcollectivepunishment,andisthereforeprohibitedaccordingtointernationallaw.
"Iwasbornin1951andI'marefugeefromDeirAbanvillageinJerusalem.
IcurrentlyliveinAidaRefugeeCamp,Bethlehem,withmychildrenandtheirfamilies.
FouryearsagotheIsraeliforcescametomyhomeandarrestedmyyoungestsonat2am.
AtthetimemytwoeldersonshadworkpermitsforIsrael.
Onthesamedaymysonwasarrested,theIsraeliarmyrevokedmyothersons'permitsatthecheckpointat4amwhileontheirwaytowork.
Theywereunabletogotowork.
TheytoldthemthattheythreatenthesecurityofIsrael.
ButlatertheIsraelisconfessedthattheirproblemwaswithmyyoungestson.
Hewasreleasedalmosttwoyearsago;however,thepermitsofmyeldestsonsarestillrevoked.
Allmychildrenwerepunishedbecausetheirbrotherwasarrested.
Idon'tunderstand,it'snottheirproblem.
Oneofmysonswantedtotravelabroad.
[ToJordanthroughtheAllenbyBridge]hecrossedtheIsraeliborder,buthecouldn'tpasstheJordanianborder.
TheJordaniansforcedhimbackbecause"hehadtroubleswithIsrael"andhewassentback.
Mydaughter,wholivesinJerusalem,hasaresidencypermitthere.
Whentheyarrestedherbrother,theyrevokedherresidencyaswell.
Forayearshewasunabletocomevisitusortoleaveherhomeatall.
Shegotherresidencybackayearlateraftershehiredalawyer.
Oneofmyson'sdaughtershadtogoto166AlJazeera,Israel'sWestBankmoves'maybecollectivepunishment',11June2016.
Availableat:http://www.
aljazeera.
com/news/2016/06/israel-west-bank-moves-collective-punishment-160610113345753.
html167Ibid.
168Ibid.
46thehospitalinJerusalemandhermothergotapermittogowithher,butmyson'sapplicationwasrefused.
Revokingmysons'workpermitshadabigfinancialimpactonmyfamily.
Whenmysonsworked[inIsrael],eachoneofthemearnedaround6000shekels[USD1500]monthly.
Now,eachoneofthemearns1500or2000shekels[USD400-500].
Sixthousandshekelspermonthisgoodforpeoplehere,butwhatcanwedowith1500shekelsWehavechildreninschoolsandhomestosustain.
Ifwehadtopayforwaterandelectricity[refugeeslivingincampsdonotpayforwaterorelectricity],wewouldn'tbeabletoliveatall.
Let'sassumethatIhadasecurityissuethatmysonhasnothingtodowith,whyshouldtheypenalizehimOrthatmybrothercausedsometroubles,whyshouldIbepunishedanddevastatedTheydestroyedmyfamily,whichincludes20members,becausemysonsearnourliving,theygivememoneyasIdon'tworkanymore.
Ifeelhumiliated.
Theywanttohumiliateusineverywaypossible.
TheyknowI'mnotathreat,yettheywanttohumiliateme.
"65-yearoldresidentofAidaRefugeeCampInterview:16November2016BecausePalestinianscanbepunishedasaresultoftheactionsofcloserelatives,extendedfamilymembers,oroftenfortheactionsofanotherPalestinian,simplyforsharingthisidentity,theirlifeischaracterizedbyanongoinguncertaintyregardingthestatusoftheirmostfundamentalrights.
ThecollectivepunishmentpolicyofIsraelleavesPalestiniansneverknowingiftheywillhavefreedomofmovementoraccesstotheirworkplacethenextday,astheserightsarenotsimplysubjecttoexceptionalemergencysituations,buttothedecisionsandpoliciesoftheIsraeliauthorities.
Thisrealityalsohaspsychologicalconsequencesandoftenresultsinlong-termtrauma.
"IthinkthemostremarkableandmostharmfulofallIsraelipoliciesofsuppressionisthecollectivepunishment.
Forexample,whenthefamilygetspunished,orinsomeinstancesthewholevillageorwholearea[getspunished].
HowdoesitaffecttheindividualWhenapersonknowsthatthehomeofthefamilywillbepunished,thispolicyisinducingguilt.
It'snotabouttheirpersonalchoicesfortheirlifeandspendingyearsinprisonortheriskofdeath;theyarealsoinfluencingtheirfamilydramaticallybytheiractions.
We'veseeninourclinicalworkthatsomefamilymembersgetangrywiththepeoplewhoparticipateinresistancebecauseitbringsseveredamagetothefamily.
There'ssomethingabouttheIsraeliproceduresthatisindirectlyjeopardizingthesolidarityprocessbetweenPalestinians.
Also,thereisarbitrarinessthatyoucannotplan;youliveatthewillandthewishoftheIsraelisoldiers,andthiscreatesimpotence.
47Itincreasesthesenseofdysfunctionandlackofagencyforpeople.
Thelackofagencycanleadtosubmission,passivityanddepression.
"Palestinianpsychiatristandpsychotherapist,RamallahInterview:8November20164849Chapter2ImprisonmentasSuppressionArbitraryArrestsandAdministrativeDetentionLegalFrameworkThepracticeofarbitraryarrestisexplicitlyprohibitedbyArticle9oftheUDHR,whichmaintainsthat"Nooneshallbesubjectedtoarbitraryarrest,detentionorexile.
"AccordingtotheHumanRightsCommittee,Article9(1)establishesthatanarrestisconsideredtobearbitrarywhenit"include[s]elementsofinappropriateness,injustice,lackofpredictabilityanddueprocessoflaw.
"169Thetermarbitraryarrestisalsousedtodescribeanydetentionsthatfailtobereasonableandnecessaryinallcircumstances.
170FurtherdeclarationsoftheillegalityofarbitraryarrestshavebeensetdownbyArticle9(1)oftheICCPRaffirmingtherighttonotbesubjecttoarbitraryarrestordetentionandtherighttoatrial,andbyArticle5(1)oftheEuropeanConventiononHumanRights.
Withregardtoadministrativedetention,oneofthemostuniversallyaccepteddefinitionsininternationallawis,"[d]etentionisconsideredadministrativedetentionif,dejureand/ordefacto,ithasbeenorderedbytheexecutiveandthepowerofthedecisionrestssolelywiththeadministrativeorministerialauthority.
"171Inotherwords,itisaformofdetentionthatiscarriedoutwithouttrialorevenformalcharge.
Administrativedetentioniscoveredby169UNHumanRightsCommittee,ViewsUnderArticle5,Paragraph4OfTheOptionalProtocolToTheICCPR,Thirty-ninthSessionconcerningCommunicationNo.
305/1988,15August1990170OHCHR,HumanRightsintheAdministrationofJustice:AManualonHumanRightsforJudges,ProsecutorsandLawyers,Chapter5,2002.
Availableat:http://www.
ohchr.
org/Documents/Publications/training9chapter5en.
pdf171UNRapporteuroftheSub-CommissionontheFightagainstDiscriminatoryMeasuresandProtectionofMinoritiesLouisJoinet,ReportonthePracticeofAdministrativeDetention,E/CN.
4/sub.
2/1989/27,1989,para.
1750Article9oftheICCPRaswell,yetitsusecanbelegalwithinstrictparameters.
172AccordingtoArticle4oftheICCPR,statesmayderogatefromtheirobligationstoupholdthoserights"Intimeofpublicemergencywhichthreatensthelifeofthenation,"butonly"totheextentstrictlyrequiredbytheexigenciesofthesituation,providedthatsuchmeasuresarenotinconsistentwiththeirotherobligationsunderinternationallawanddonotinvolvediscriminationsolelyonthegroundofrace,color,sex,language,religionorsocialorigin.
"Article78oftheFourthGenevaConventionalsomaintainstheobligationsofanoccupyingpowertodetainapersononly"forimperativereasonsofsecurity"andupholdstheirrighttoappealthedetentionattheearliestopportunity.
IsraeliPoliciesandPracticesFrequentarrests,particularlymassarrestcampaigns,havebeenoneofthemostprevalenttacticsusedbyIsraeliforcestosuppressPalestinianresistanceandpoliticallife.
Itisestimatedthatbetween1967and2015,800,000PalestiniansintheoPtwerearrested,173approximately10,000ofwhomwerewomenand8,000ofwhomwerechildrenarrestedaftertheyear2000.
Thisnumberisequivalentto20percentofthepopulationintheoPtandupto40percentofthetotalmalepopulation.
174ManymassarrestsintheoPtarenotpromptedbyevidenceofwrongdoingbytheselectedindividualsbutratherduringtimesofheightenedpoliticalactivityorevents.
ThesepracticesamounttoacollectivepunishmentoftheentirePalestinianpopulation175thatleadstowidespreadfear,insecurityandsuppressionoffreeexpressionordissent.
"Theyarrestusbecausewe,asPalestinians,refusetheoccupation.
Thisisthemainreasonwhywearearrested.
Thepurposeforarrestingusistwofold:thefirstistostopthePalestinianresistanceagainsttheoccupation.
TheIsraelisthinkthatdoingthiswillreduceourviolenceagainstthem.
Thesecondreasonistotryandchangeourmindsabouttheoccupation,toemptyourmindsfromeverythingweknowaboutPalestine.
TheIsraelisusetricksanddeceptionthatresultsinourarrestsandkeepsusimprisonedforalongtime.
"PalestinianpoliticalprisonerInterview:January2016172ICCPR,Article9173Addameer,OnAdministrativedetention,December2015.
Availableat:http://www.
addameer.
org/israeli_military_judicial_system/administrative_detention174Addameer,PalestinianPoliticalPrisonersinIsraeliPrisons,January2014.
Availableat:http://www.
addameer.
org/files/Palestinian%20Political%20Prisoners%20in%20Israeli%20Prisons%20(General%20Briefing%20January%202014).
pdf175Addameer,OnHumanRightsDay:IsraeliOccupationContinuestoCarryOutMassArrestsofPalestiniansandSubjectthemtoAbuse,10December2015.
Availableat:http://www.
addameer.
org/news/human-rights-day-israeli-occupation-continues-carry-out-mass-arrests-palestinians-and-subject51"Depression,anxietyandsomatoformdisordersareamongthecommonmentaldisorders,andtheyareaugmentinginPalestine,increasinginreactiontothesituation.
AsIsaidbefore,peopletalkalotofPTSD[post-traumaticstressdisorder],butwhatIseeinmyclinicalpracticeisothertraumaticreactionsandalotofdepressionandcommonmentaldisorders.
RecentlyIreadsomethingaboutexperiencesofhumiliationanddepressionandanxiety,particularlybecausepeopleinternalizetheaggression,theycannotexpressitexternally,soitbecomesdepressionasawayofaggressiontowardstheself.
ImightmakecriticismaboutPTSDbecauseitisbasedontheexperienceofsoldiers,nottheresistingpopulation.
EspeciallyinasituationlikeinPalestinewherethefightischaracterizedbyexacerbation.
Thethreattoberearrested,forexample,isaveryrealthreat.
Icangivetwoexamples:afamilywithmanyyounggirls,theytoldmetheirmotherwasarrested.
Soafterthearrestofthemother,eachnighttheysleepwiththeirheadscarvesonbecausetheyareafraidthattheywillcomeagainandarrestthem.
It'sbeenfouryearsnow,theysleeptogetherinthelivingroomwiththeirheadscarves,scaredthesoldierswillcomeback.
AnotheryoungmanwhowasarrestedbyIsraelistwicesofarsleepseverynightwithhisbagpreparedwithhistowelsandhisclothesincasetheycomebackagain.
There'snotimeforhealing,andit'sacontinuousandrepetitivetrauma.
"Palestinianpsychiatristandpsychotherapist,RamallahInterview:8November2016WidespreadarrestsarealsousedagainstthePalestinianpopulationinsideIsrael,despitetheprotectionsthattheyaresupposedtoreceiveasIsraelicitizenssubjecttocivillaws.
InformationprovidedbyIsrael'spoliceshowsthatoutofthe295,654peoplearrestedinIsraelbetween2011and2015,over60percentwereclassifiedasnon-Jews,despitethefactthat74.
8ofIsrael'spopulationisJewish.
176Adalah,ahumanrightsorganizationfocusingonIsrael'sPalestinianminority,statedthatthesenumbersreflecttheanti-ArabracismwithintheIsraelipolice.
TheyalsonotedthattherearecertainarrestpoliciestheyuseexclusivelyagainstPalestinians,includingarrestingminorsinthemiddleofthenightand'preventativearrests.
'177Israeli'preventativearrests'arecarriedoutmerelyonthesuspicionthatPalestiniancitizensmight"attempttoorganizeanunlawfulgathering"ratherthantheexistenceofevidencethatacrimeisbeingcommitted,renderingthemillegal.
IsraeliforceshavealsotakentoarrestingtheparentsofPalestinianactivistsinIsraelandtellingthemthattheirchildrenaresuspectedofbeinginvolvedinterroristactivities,despitethefactthattheseactivistsreportedthattheywereeitherreleasedfromquestioningortoldtheywerenotundersuspicionbythepolice.
Theonlypurposeof176NoamRotem,60%ofpeoplearrestedbyIsraelipoliceare'non-Jews',+972Magazine,1January2016.
Availableat:http://972mag.
com/60-of-people-arrested-by-israeli-police-are-non-jews/119696/177Ibid.
52thesearrests,therefore,istointimidatetheminordertopreventthemfromexercisingtheirrighttoprotest.
178Inthecaseofadministrativedetentions,intheIsraelilegalcontexttheytakeplacewithoutchargeortrialbasedonundisclosedevidencewhichiskeptfrombothdetaineesandtheirlawyers,179meaning,detaineescannotdiscovertheallegationsagainstthemselvesormountanadequatedefense.
180DetentionordersarecarriedoutunderMilitaryOrder1651,theEmergencyPowers(Detentions)Law,theInternmentofUnlawfulCombatantsLaw,andtheOrderregardingSecurityProvisions,andcanberenewedindefinitely,resultingindetaineesoftenspendingyearsinprisonwithouteverbeingconvictedofacrime.
181Ithasalsobeendemonstratedthatinsteadofbeingappliedtoindividualsposinganimmediatethreat,administrativedetentionordershavebeenusedto"arbitrarilydetainpoliticalprisoners,includingprisonersofconscience,andthatthepracticeisusedtopunishthemfortheirviewsandsuspectedpoliticalaffiliationswhentheyhavenotcommittedanycrime.
"182Thisisinviolationoftheaforementionedinternationallaws,aswellastheobligationofanoccupyingpowertoprotectthefundamentalhumanrightsoftheoccupiedpopulationundertheFourthGenevaConvention.
IsraelijustificationforadministrativedetentionisbasedonaclaimthattheymayderogatefromthearticlesofICCPRbecauseithasexistedinastateofemergencysinceitsfoundingin1948.
However,theHumanRightsCommitteehasstatedthatconditionsallowingthederogationofthesearticlesmustbe"ofanexceptionalandtemporarynature"183andhasregularlydenouncedIsrael'suseofapermanentstateofemergencyforthispurpose.
184TheprofoundeffectadministrativedetentionhashadonPalestiniansocietystemspartiallyfromthefrequencywithwhichitisused.
Anestimated50,000178Adalah,Israelipoliceactingabovethelaw,takingbrutalmeasurestosuppresslegitimateprotestofPalestiniancitizensofIsrael,11October2015.
Availableat:https://www.
adalah.
org/en/content/view/8652179Addameer,OnHumanRightsDay:IsraeliOccupationContinuestoCarryOutMassArrestsofPalestiniansandSubjectthemtoAbuse,op.
cit.
,10December2015180AmnestyInternational,StarvedofJustice:PalestiniansdetainedwithouttrialbyIsrael,2012,page11.
Availableat:https://www.
amnesty.
org/en/documents/MDE15/026/2012/en/181B'Tselem,AdministrativeDetention,lastupdate:21September2014.
Availableat:http://www.
btselem.
org/administrative_detention182AmnestyInternational,StarvedofJustice:PalestiniansdetainedwithouttrialbyIsrael,op.
cit.
,2012,page11183UNHumanRightsCommittee,GeneralComment29:StatesofEmergency(Article4),CCPR/C/21/Rev.
1/Add.
11,31August2001,para.
2184UNHumanRightsCommittee,ConcludingObservationsontheperiodicreviewofIsrael,CCPR/C/ISR/CO/3,3September2010,para.
7;UNHumanRightsCommittee,ConcludingObservationsontheperiodicreviewofIsrael,CCPR/CO/78/ISR,21August2003,para.
12;UNHumanRightsCommittee,ConcludingObservationsontheperiodicreviewofIsrael,CCPR/C/79/Add.
93,18August1998,para.
11and2153PalestiniansintheoPtwereheldthiswaybetween1967andDecember2015,185withatotalof720inOctober2016.
186ThiscanhaveahugelydetrimentaleffectonPalestinians'abilitytomaintainnormalfamilyandsociallives,careersandsenseofstability,especiallygiventhatthesedetaineesandtheirfamilieshavenoideaifandwhentheywillbereleasedorarbitrarilydetainedagaininthefuture,apracticethatamountstothecrimeofcruel,inhuman,anddegradingtreatment.
187"Iwasimprisonedeighttimesandspentalmosttenyearsinjail,thewholetimeunderadministrativedetention.
Administrativedetentionhasabignegativeinfluenceonmepersonallyandonmyfamilybecauseyouseetheinjusticeofgettingimprisonedwithoutknowingthereasonsoftheimprisonmentorhowlongyouwillstay.
IgotusedtotheinstabilityandthefactthatImight,orIwill,beimprisonedwheneveranythinghappens,evenifithappensinHebron.
Forexample,onetimethesoldierswalkedintomyhomeinthemiddleofthenight,sathereinthelivingroomandtoldmetheyweregoingtoarrestme…WhenIaskedaboutthereasons,theysaid"ThreekidswerekidnappedinHebronarea[thekidnappingofthreeIsraeliyouthinJune2014]andthisiswhyyouaregoingtotheprisonnow.
"IamfromNablus,andHebronisfaraway,butIstillgotimprisonedforwhathappenedthere!
SoIknowImightbeimprisonedatanytimeandIkindofgotusedtoit.
However,thefamily,especiallymymother,cannevergetusedtoit,simplybecausewhentheyarepreparedtoseemeandreadyformetobereleased,mydetentiongetsrenewed.
Everytimetheyusedtotakememymotherusedtofeelthatshelostme,andlossisabigthing,anditwashardtoseeherexperiencingtheseemotionseverytimetheytookmeorrenewedmytimeinprison.
Ican'thidethatthisisalsoaproblemfortheprisonerhimself,forme.
Everytimemysixmonthsfinished,Iwouldpreparemyselftogohomebutthengetdisappointedbecausetheywouldgivemeanothersixmonthsinprison.
ItishardtoexplainthehumanandemotionalconsequencesofadministrativedetentionIcannotputinwordswhatIfeltandexperienced.
Iwouldsaythatadministrativedetentionissimilartodeath.
DoesanyoneknowwhentheyaregoingtodieDoyouknowAdministrativedetentionisthesame,youliveeverymomentofyourlifejustasitistheonebeforethedayofimprisonmentbecauseyousimplydon'tknowwhenthatcouldhappen,butyouknowthatitwillhappen.
"FormerPalestinianadministrativedetainee,NablusInterview:24November2016185Addameer,OnHumanRightsDay:IsraeliOccupationContinuestoCarryOutMassArrestsofPalestiniansandSubjectthemtoAbuse,op.
cit.
,10December2015186AddameerStatistics,lastupdate:October2016.
Availableat:http://www.
addameer.
org/statistics187AmnestyInternational,StarvedofJustice:PalestiniansdetainedwithouttrialbyIsrael,op.
cit.
,2012,page4154SolitaryConfinementandIsolationLegalFrameworkSolitaryconfinementisgenerallydefinedasisolationinacellthatlastsatleast22hoursperday,whileprolongedsolitaryconfinementisconsideredtobeisolationofthisnaturethatlastsformorethan15consecutivedays.
188Solitaryconfinementandisolationareamongthemostextrememethodsregularlyusedgloballyagainstdetaineesinprisonsandarethereforecarefullyregulatedbyinternationallaw.
TheStandardMinimumRulesfortheTreatmentofPrisoners,adoptedbytheUNin1955,declaredthatsolitaryconfinementcouldonlybeappropriateinexceptionalcircumstances,189whilein1990,theUNGAcalledforsolitaryconfinementtobeabolishedorusedassparinglyaspossible.
190ThepreciseconditionsinwhichsolitaryconfinementcouldbeconsideredlegalwerefurtherclarifiedintherevisedversionoftheStandardMinimumRulesfortheTreatmentofPrisoners(Rules)thatwasadoptedin2015,whichholdsthat;"Solitaryconfinementshallbeusedonlyinexceptionalcasesasalastresort,forasshortatimeaspossibleandsubjecttoindependentreview,andonlypursuanttotheauthorizationbyacompetentauthority.
"191However,theRulesprohibittheuseofsolitaryconfinementcompletelyagainstprisonerswithdisabilities,womenandchildren,anddenounceprolongedconfinement.
192Itshouldalsobenotedthatageneralprohibitiononsolitaryconfinementhasbeencalledforbynumerousbodies.
TheUNCommitteeAgainstTortureandtheUNHumanRightsCommittee,forexample,considersolitaryconfinementasanactofcruel,inhuman,anddegradingtypeofpunishmentandthereforeitspracticeisinviolationoftheUnitedNationsConventionAgainstTortureandOtherCruel,Inhuman,orDegradingTreatmentorPunishment(CAT)andtheICCPR.
193188UNSecretaryGeneral,NoteonTortureandothercruel,inhumanordegradingtreatmentorpunishment,A/66/268,5August2011189ElizabethVasiliades,SolitaryConfinementandInternationalHumanRights:WhytheU.
S.
PrisonSystemFailsGlobalStandards,AmericanUniversityInternationalLawReview,Volume21,Article5,2005.
Availableat:http://digitalcommons.
wcl.
american.
edu/cgi/viewcontent.
cgiarticle=1045&context=auilr190BasicPrinciplesfortheTreatmentofPrisoners,adoptedandproclaimedbytheUNGAresolutionA/RES/45/111,14December1990,para.
7191UnitedNationsStandardMinimumRulesfortheTreatmentofPrisoners(theNelsonMandelaRules),resolutionadoptedbytheGeneralAssembly70/175,17December2015,rule45(1)192Ibid.
,rule45(2)193SharonShalev,ASourcebookonsolitaryconfinement,MannheimCentreforCriminology,2008.
Availableat:http://solitaryconfinement.
org/uploads/sourcebook_web.
pdf;Adalah,PhysiciansforHumanRightsIsraelandAlMezan,SolidarityConfinementofPrisonersandDetaineesinIsraeliPrisons,June2011.
Availableat:https://www.
adalah.
org/uploads/oldfiles/upfiles/2011/Solitary_confinement_position_paper_English.
pdf55IsraeliPoliciesandPracticesSolitaryconfinementandisolationhaveoftenbeenexcessivelyandinappropriatelyusedagainstPalestinianprisonersinIsraelidetentionfacilities.
AttheendofMarch2016therewere15Palestiniansbeingheldinisolationanduntoldmoreinsolitaryconfinement.
194SolitaryconfinementandisolationareoftenusedtorefertotwodifferentpracticesintheIsraeliprisonsystem.
Solitaryconfinementisgenerallyusedduringtheinterrogationperiodorasacommonpunitivemeasure.
195Prisonersstay24hoursperdayinasmallcellwithonlyamattressandablanket,andmustmakearequesttoaguardinordertobetakentoatoilet.
196Isolation,ontheotherhand,isostensiblyusedtoseparateprisonerswhoareeitherasecuritythreatormentallyill,andcanbeusedtosecludethemforanindefinitelengthoftime.
197Theseprisonersareplacedinacellwithanaveragesizeof1.
5x2metersto3x3.
5metersandallowedtoleaveonlyonehourperday.
198Conditionsinthesecellsaregenerallyappalling,leadingtheIsraeliBarAssociationtoconcludethatconditionsinthecells"inmostofthevariousPrisonsServicefacilitiesdonotmeetminimalstandardsandarenotsuitableforlivingandcertainlynotforanunlimitedperiodoftime.
"199"Intheinvestigationcenters[wheretheykeepprisonersinsolitaryconfinementorisolation],youwillnotknowwhattimeitis,whetheritisdayornightorwhichdayitis.
Thefirsttimeyouarethere,youwillgetlost,butthroughexperienceintheseplacesyoubegintolearnhowtokeeptrack.
Soatfirst,youmightbetherefor5or10daysandhavenoideawhattimeordayitis.
Youmaybeshockedlaterwhenyoudiscoveronlyafewdayshavepassed,likeyoumightfeelasthoughyouhavebeenthereforalongtime.
Youmightthinkyouhavebeenthereforamonthor40days.
Youcan'trecognizeifitisdayornightbecausethereisnonaturallight.
Evenintheinterrogationoffices,thereisnoindicationoftime.
Butyoucandothingslikeglanceatthewatchoftheinterrogatorifyougetthechance.
Buteventhen,youstillwon'tknowifitsdayornight,itcouldsay4butyouwon'tknowifthatisamorpm.
Wemightguessfromourexperience.
Buttheymightdeliberatelyconfuseusaswell.
Sotheymightgiveusbreakfast,andthatwillbeatabout5inthemorning.
You194Addameer,IsolationandsolitaryconfinementofPalestinianPrisoners,February2016.
Availableat:http://www.
addameer.
org/key_issues/isolation195Adalah,PhysiciansforHumanRightsIsraelandAlMezan,SolidarityConfinementofPrisoners,op.
cit.
,June2011,page2-3196Addameer,IsolationandsolitaryconfinementofPalestinianPrisonersop.
cit.
,February2016197Adalah,PhysiciansforHumanRightsIsraelandAlMezan,SolidarityConfinementofPrisoners,op.
cit.
,June2011,page3198Ibid.
,page9199Adalah,PhysiciansforHumanRightsIsraelandAlMezan,SolidarityConfinementofPrisoners,op.
cit.
,June2011,pages9-1056canthentrytorecognizethetimebythemealsyouaregiven.
But,theymightdeliberatelyconfuseusbyswitchingthingsup,likebringingeggsfordinner.
"PalestinianpoliticalprisonerInterview:January2016Numerousstudiesonthepsychologicalimpactofsolitaryconfinementandisolationhaveallshownextremelydamagingeffectsonaprisoner'smentalstate,including:"sleepdisorders,depressionandanxiety,psychoticdisorderssuchasvisualandauditoryhallucinations,paranoia,disorientationintimeandspace,andsevereconfusionandcognitivedisorders.
"200Thosewhosufferfrompre-existingmentalillnessessustainmuchfurtherdamagefromtheseisolatingconditions,meaningthatthepolicyofplacingaprisonerinisolationduetomentalillnessshouldbeofgraveconcern.
201Addameerhasfoundthat;"Whileconfinementisdifficultforpersonswhodonotsufferfrommentalillnesses,itmaybeintolerableforthosewhodosufferfromthem,"andtheEuropeanCourtofHumanRightshasruledthatisolationdoesnotmeetthestandardoftreatmentforthementallyillandthatdoingsoismedicallydangerous.
202Forsomeprisoners,thepsychologicaleffectsreversethemselvesoncesolitaryconfinementisended.
Others,however,arerenderedunabletofunctionsociallyafterreleaseduetopermanentmentaldamage.
203Israelhascontinuedtousesolitaryconfinementasapracticethatisbothwidespreadandcoercive.
Officially,solitaryconfinementisadministeredwithinthestipulationssetdownbyArticle56oftheIsraeliPrisonsOrdinance,whichlistsoffencesthatincurthisformofpunishment.
However,theseoffencesaresogeneralthattheapplicationofArticle56isentirelytheprerogativeofprisonofficials,leavingitopentoabuse.
Theseofficialsmaychoosetoputprisonersinisolationforshortperiods,butcankeepthemthereforsixtotwelvemonthslongerwithcourtapproval.
CourtsandtheIsraeliSecurityAgency(ISA),alsoknownasShinBet,canthenrenewisolationperiodsofupto12monthsindefinitely.
PrisonersaregiventherighttochallengetheirplacementinisolationbutIsraeliauthoritiescanrefusetodiscloseanyofthematerialusedtogiveanisolationorder,thusseverelyrestrictingtheprisoners'abilitytodefendthemselves.
204Solitary200Ibid.
,pages4-5201AddameerPrisonerSupportandHumanRightsAssociation,IsolationandsolitaryconfinementofPalestinianPrisoners,op.
cit.
,February2016202Ibid.
203Adalah,PhysiciansforHumanRightsIsraelandAlMezan,SolidarityConfinementofPrisoners,op.
cit.
,June2011,page5204Addameer,IsolationandSolitaryConfinementofPalestinianPrisonersandDetaineesinIsraeliFacilities,August2009,page8.
Availableat:http://www.
addameer.
org/files/Briefings%20and%20position%20papers/Addameer%20-%20Solitary%20Confinement%20&%20Isolation.
pdf57confinementisalsooftenusedduringtheinterrogationperiod,whichcanlastforupto180days.
205DuringthisperiodvisitsfromlawyersandtheRedCrossareoftendelayedsothattheintensedetachmentcreatedbytheconfinementwouldpressurethemintosigningaconfession.
206Theuseofthistactictofalselyimprisonactivistsandothers,regardlessofwhetherornottheywereinvolvedinillegalactivity,andthendebilitatethemoncetheyareincarcerated,canbeperceivedasapunishmentandadeterrentagainstparticipationinpoliticsand/orprotests.
Itisalsoemployedstrategicallytonotonlysuppresstheactionsofindividualsbutalsowidersocialmovementsandresistancethroughthetargetingofkeyleadersandactivists.
207Throughisolation,Israelhassoughttoneutralizetheseleaders,preventthemfromtakingpartinPalestinianpoliticaldiscoursebothinsideandoutsideprison,andquashcollectiveaction.
Inrecenttimes,forexample,ithasbeenmostcommonlyusedagainstthoseleadinghungerstrikes.
208TortureandIll-treatmentLegalFrameworkUnderinternationallaw,theterms'torture'and'ill-treatment'areconsideredlegallydistinctfromoneanother.
AccordingtotheCAT,foranactiontobeconsideredtortureitmustbeintentional,causeseverepainorsuffering,beusedtoachieveapurposesuchasgaininginformationorpunishment,anddoneby,orwiththepermissionof,apublicofficial.
Treatmentthatiscruel,inhumananddegradingbutdoesnotmeetallfouroftheseconditionsconstitutesill-treatment,accordingtothecriteriaenshrinedwithintheCAT.
209Despitethedifference,however,thereisan"absoluteprohibition"onbothunderinternationallaw,enshrinedspecificallyintheICCPR,theCAT,andtheFourthGenevaConvention.
210Thismeansthattortureandill-treatmentareneverlegallypermissibleandno"exceptionalcircumstances,suchaswar,205Addameer,TortureandIll-Treatment.
Availableat:http://www.
addameer.
org/key_issues/torture-and-ill-treatment206Addameer,IsolationandsolitaryconfinementofPalestinianPrisoners,op.
cit.
,February2016207Ibid.
208Ibid.
209OHCHR,Interpretationoftortureinthelightofthepracticeandjurisprudenceofinternationalbodies,2011.
Availableat:http://www.
ohchr.
org/Documents/Issues/Torture/UNVFVT/Interpretation_torture_2011_EN.
pdf210ICCPR,Article7;CAT;UDHR,Article5;GenevaConvention,commonArticle3;GenevaConventionIV,Article3258terrorismandsimilarpublicemergencythreateningthelifeofthenationcanbeinvokedasajustification.
"211Inthiscontextthelegalframeworkofforce-feedinghungerstrikingprisonersmustalsobementioned.
Giventhedangerousandinvasivenatureofforce-feeding,itisnotsurprisingthattheUNSpecialRapporteursontortureandontherighttohealthhavebothcondemnedIsrael'sforce-feedinglawandstatedthatitwas"tantamounttocruel,inhuman,anddegradingtreatment.
"212Furthermore,therighttobefreeoftortureandnon-consensualmedicaltreatmenthasbeenaffirmedbytheICCPRandICESCR.
213Addameerhasarguedthat"Takingintoconsiderationtheamountofpain,andthepossibilityofdeathandirreversiblephysicaldamagethatresultsfromforce-feeding,thepracticemayamounttoanactoftorture.
"214Ifconsideredanactoftorture,force-feedingwouldbeinviolationoftheGenevaConventionsandcouldbecountedasacrimeagainsthumanityandawarcrimeaccordingtotheRomeStatute.
215IsraeliPoliciesandPracticesOn23FebruaryPalestinianprisonerArafatJaradatdiedinIsraelicustodyduetoAcuteRespiratoryDistressSyndrome.
Anautopsyrevealedthatthiswasnotbroughtonby'naturalcauses,'asIsrael'sofficialpositionstated,butratheritwas"attributabletotorture.
"216Jaradat'sdeathaffirmstheconclusionsofnumerousreportsonIsraeliinterrogationmethodsthatthe"IsraeliSecurityAgency(ISA)stillroutinelyemployspsychologicalandphysicalabuseininterrogations,"apolicyofabusethatisusedsystematicallyagainstPalestinianprisoners.
217211OHCHR,Interpretationoftorture,op.
cit.
,2011212ABillpassedbytheIsraeliparliamentinJuly2015,allowingtheforce-feedingofhunger-strikingprisoners;OHCHR,Force-feedingiscruelandinhuman–UNexpertsurgeIsraelnottomakeitlegal,25June2014.
Availableat:http://www.
ohchr.
org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.
aspxNewsID=14770213ICCPR,Article7;ICESCR,Article12.
2214Addameer,Factsheet:Force-feedingunderInternationalLawandMedicalStandards,16November2015.
Availableat:http://www.
addameer.
org/publications/factsheet-force-feeding-under-international-law-and-medical-standards215Ibid.
216Al-HaqandthePublicCommitteeAgainstTorture,LeadingInternationalForensicPathologist:PalestinianDetaineeArafatJaradatWasTortured,WhichLedtoHisDeathInIsraeliCustody,4April2014.
Availableat:http://www.
alhaq.
org/advocacy/topics/right-to-life-and-body-integrity/794-joint-press-statement-the-public-committee-against-torture-in-israel-and-al-haq217B'Tselem,Tortureandabuseunderinterrogation,lastupdate:29March2016.
Availableat:http://www.
btselem.
org/torture59Tortureandill-treatmentismostoftenusedduringtheinterrogationperiod,whichcanlastforupto180days.
AccordingtoAddameer,themostroutinemethodsofill-treatmentdetaineesaresubjectedtoinclude:"sleepdeprivationbymeansofcontinuousandprolongedinterrogationsessions,excessiveuseofhandcuffsforextensiveperiodsandtheirtighteningtocutoffcirculation;beatings;slapping;kicking;verbalabuseandintentionalhumiliation;andtheuseofthreatsdirectedatthedetaineeorafamilymember,includingthreatsofarrestofafamilymember,threatsofsexualassaultagainstthedetaineeorhis/herfamilymember,threatsofhousedemolitions,andthreatsofkilling.
"'Specialmethods'areusedtoalesserdegreeandofteninclude:"theuseofpainfulstresspositions,wherethedetaineeisbentbackwardsovertheseatofachaircausingbackpain,orforcedtostandforprolongedperiodsagainstawallwithbentknees;pressureondifferentpartsofthebody;strongshakingofthedetainee;strangulationandothermeansofsuffocation.
Insidethecells:longperiodsofsolitaryconfinementinsmall,windowlessand,often,coldcells;sleepdeprivation;deprivationoftherighttobasichygieneproducts.
"218"IwaslastarrestedinApril2016,fortwomonthsduringwhichIwastorturedmultipletimes.
WhathappenedtomeinthemilitarycampwhereIwasdetainedissomethingthatIhaveneverexperiencedbeforeinmylife.
Theywouldleavemenaked,theyonlyallowedmetokeepmyunderwearon[boxers].
Theymademesitonasmallpieceofconcrete,myarmsandlegstiedupandwheneveranyonepassedbymetheyusedtoputtheircigarettesoutonmyarms.
Youcanstillseethescarsfromtheburnsonmyarms.
Butitwasn'tonlymyarms,theystartedwiththearms,butthentheystartedburningmysensitiveparts[genitalia]andthenmylegsandneck.
Theyalsousedreallyhotwateronme,throwingitonmeeveryonceandwhile.
Thentherewerethecoffeecups:theygotmetwocoffeecups[smalltraditionalcoffeecups]andwantedmetoputthemonmykneesandthenkneelonthemwithouttouchingthegroundwithmyfeet.
Theyusedtoleavemebalancingonthosecoffeecupssometimesfortwohours.
Theydidn'ttalktomemuch;theonlythingtheyusedtosaywas''whyareyoucomingtostabus''Theyalsoknewthatthereisapieceofplatinuminmyheadfromapreviousinjuryandtheyusedtohitmeonmyheadalotonpurpose.
In2015IgotimprisonedformonthandahalfandtheyalsohitmeonmyheadandIlosttheabilitytospeakforafewmonths.
Theybroughtmanyspecialistsbuttheycouldn'thelpatthetime.
Idon'tknowwhytheytorturedmelikethatthistime…whatIfeltisthattheyaretryingtosendmeamessagethroughthistorture,anditwasliketheyare218Addameer,TortureandIll-Treatment,op.
cit.
60tellingmewhetheritisyouwhowantedtostabornotthisisalessonforyoutolearnsoyouwon'tdoanythingsimilarinthefuture.
Whathappenedisnotsomethingthatonlyhappenedtome,thisisanIsraelipolicytopunishpeopleandstopthemfromresisting.
Iusedtohearpeople'svoicesinthemilitarycampwhereIwasbeingtorturedaswell,Iwasn'talone.
Whentheyusedtomovemefromsittingontheconcretepiece,theyusedtoputmeinasmallcellwhereIcouldn'tevenstand,andthenwhilesittinginthiscelltheyusedtothrowcoldwateronmeeverytenminutes.
Themilitarycampwasreallycold,theyusedtogivemeonlyonesmallpieceofcakeeverydayandwhenItookashowerthewaterwasmixedwithsaltwhichmadetheburnsevenworse.
Istayedinthatcampfortwelvedays.
IstillsufferfromthetortureIexperienced.
Mywifesuffersfromittoo.
Ican'tsleepatnight,mostofthetimesIgetcrampsandIfeelthatI'mdying.
IstarthittingthewallswithmyhandsandIcan'tremembermostofwhatIdoandsay.
Ievenaskedmywifetomoveawayfrommewheneversheseesmeinthisconditionbecausewedon'tknowexactlywhatmighthappen.
PeoplearoundmetoldmethatwhenIlosecontrolandstarthittingthingsaroundmeIscreamthingslike''don'tputoutthecigarette''soIthinkIrelivethetortureIexperiencedandthisiswhyIlosecontrolanddon'trememberwhatIdoorsay.
IknowthisisallinfluencingmyrelationshipwithmywifeandfamilyandI'malsotryingtolimititasmuchasIcan,Ieventrytojokeaboutitandtrynottothinkaboutitatall.
Myrelationshipwithsocietyhasalsochanged.
NowIthinkofeverystepImakebeforeImakeit,soasnottogobacktotheIsraeliprison.
Ievenstoppedgoingtovisitpeople,Idon'tevengotomyin-lawsandwhenIdoIonlystayforafewminutesandthenjustgobackhome.
Atnight,evenifIhearpeopleyellingorIhearshootingsoranythingIdon'tleavemyhome.
Peopleknowmereallywellinthearea,myhomewasalwaysopen,ifanyonegotinjuredbythesoldierstheyusedtocometome,butnowIrefuseallofthis.
Whatmademechangeisn'tthatIhaveafamilynow;it'sthetortureIexperienced.
IfIwassinglenowIwouldjustleavePalestine,butIcan't,Ihaveawifewhoisexpectinganytimenow.
Onetime,afterIgotreleasedfromprison,Ismuggledmyselfoutofthecountry,IwentthroughIsraeltoJordanandthentoTurkey.
IstayedinTurkeyformorethanthreeyearsandwhenIgotbacktoPalestineIhadmoneywithmeandaTurkishpassport,butnowthepassportisinthedrawer,thereisnouseforit.
"Formerprisonerandvictimoftorture,NablusInterview:24November2016CurrentregulationsontheuseoftheseinterrogationmethodsbyISAinterrogatorswerelaiddownbyIsrael'sHighCourtofJustice(HCJ)in1999.
Theydeclaredthattheseinterrogatorswereauthorizedtousephysicalmethodsininterrogationonlyiftheyare"fairandreasonable.
"219However,219IsraelHighCourtofJustice,ThePublicCommitteeAgainstTortureinIsraeletal.
,vTheStateofIsraeletal.
,HCJ5100/94,Judgmentof6September199961theyalsorelievedISAagentsofanycriminalresponsibilityforunauthorizeduseofthesemethodsaslongasthey"acted'inthepropercircumstances,'"withoutdemarcatingwhatthesecircumstancescouldbe.
220TheresulthasoftenbeenthatISAagentsactwithimpunity–ofthemorethansevenhundredcomplaintsallegingISAabuseofinterrogeesfiledbetween2001and2011,nonehavebeeninvestigated.
221Thewidespreaduseoftortureandill-treatmentduringinterrogationisfacilitatedbythefailureoftheIsraeliHCJtoprohibitanyuseofphysicalpressuretoforceaconfessionandtodisallowinformationextractedthroughtortureadmissibleincourtsandmilitarytribunals.
222Theprevalenceoftortureandill-treatmentasatoolemployedbyIsraeltocurbPalestinianpoliticalparticipationthroughincarceratingorintimidatinglargenumbersofPalestiniansprovidesyetmoreevidencethatitsemploymentisaubiquitousandsystematicstatepolicy.
223Force-feedingForce-feedingisabrutalprocessthatismedicallydangerous.
AccordingtoPhysiciansforHumanRights:"Theprocedureisgenerallydoneusingarubberorplasticfeedingtube,whichisinsertedintothestomachthroughthemouthornose.
Sometimesthefeedingisprovideddirectlyintoaveinorintothestomachviaanopeningcutintotheabdominalwall.
Allthesemethodsareinvasiveandcarryimmediaterisksofmechanicaldamagetosurroundingtissues…Thismechanicaldamagecausespainandbleedingandcanleadtoinfection.
"224Israel'sfirstuseofforce-feedingtobreakprisoners'hungerstrikesoccurredinthe1980s,butwaseventuallystoppedbytheIsraeliHighCourtafterseveralprisonersdiedfromtheprocedure.
In2012,however,amassprisonerhungerstrikepromptedtheIsraeliKnessettoproposelegislationtoonceagainlegalizeforce-feeding.
Thislegislationwasfinallypassedon30July2015.
225220B'Tselem,Tortureandill-treatmentasperceivedbyIsrael'sHighCourtofJustice,1January2011.
Availableat:http://www.
btselem.
org/torture/hcj_ruling221B'Tselem,Tortureandabuseunderinterrogation,Failuretoinvestigateallegedcasesofill-treatmentandtorture,1January2011.
Availableat:http://www.
btselem.
org/torture/impunity222Addameer,TheTortureandIll-treatmentofPalestinianDetainees,31December2009.
Availableat:http://www.
addameer.
org/publications/torture-and-ill-treatment-palestinian-detainees223B'Tselem,Tortureandabuseunderinterrogation,background,lastupdate:29March2016.
Availableat:http://www.
btselem.
org/torture224PhysiciansforHumanRights–Israel,ForcedFeedingFactSheet:thingsyouneedtoknow,27July2015.
Availableat:http://www.
phr.
org.
il/en/forced-feeding-fact-sheet-things-need-know/225Addameer,Factsheet:Force-feedingunderInternationalLawandMedicalStandards,op.
cit.
,16November201562Thepassingoftheforce-feedingbillwasostensiblyjustifiedonthebasisofsavingandpreservinghumanlife.
226Contrarytothepublicjustification,however,seniorgovernmentofficialshaveconsistentlymadeevidentthatthetruepurposeofthebillwasto"preventanypoliticalharm"hungerstrikescouldpotentiallycause,to"avoid'surrendering'to[thedetainees']demands,toavoidthequestioningofabusivepolicies"227and,importantly,to"eliminatePalestinianprisoners'solemeansofpeacefulprotest.
"228Theobjectivesofthebillarethuspoliticalinnature.
Insteadofapproachinghungerstrikesfromaperspectiveofmedicalconcern,prisonofficialshaveapproachedthemasanactofrebellionrequiringpunishment,notjustbyforce-feeding,butalsobymethodsincludingputtinghungerstrikersinsolitaryconfinement,finingthem,andbanningfamilyvisits.
229Thelegalizedactofforce-feedinginIsraelisthereforeapoliticallydriven,extremepolicyusedtooppressresistanceandbreakthosewhoparticipateinresistancebyremovingthelasttacticavailabletoprisonerstoadvocatefortheirrights.
DeportationofPrisonersLegalFrameworkDeportationofprotectedpersonsfromoccupiedterritoryintotheoccupyingstateconstitutesanunlawfuldeportationasperArticle49oftheFourthGenevaConvention,aswellasconstitutingagravebreachofthesameConventionunderArticle147,andisalsorecognizedasawarcrimeunderArticle8oftheRomeStatuteoftheInternationalCriminalCourt.
Morespecifically,Article76oftheFourthGenevaConvention,whichdrawsheavilyfromArticle49,stipulatesthatanoccupyingpowermaynotdetainresidentsoftheoccupiedterritoryinprisonsoutsideoftheoccupiedterritory.
ThoughArticle49oftheFourthGenevaConventiondoesprovidecertain,limitedgroundsunderwhichtemporaryevacuationsofciviliansarepermitted,"[s]uchevacuationsmaynotinvolvethedisplacementofprotectedpersonsoutsidetheboundsoftheoccupiedterritoryexceptwhenformaterialreasonsitisimpossibletoavoidsuchdisplacement.
"Therequirementthat"anysentenceofimprisonmentmustbeservedintheoccupiedterritory226Ibid.
227Ibid.
228Addameer,Factsheet:Force-feedingunderInternationalLawandMedicalStandardsop.
cit.
,16November2015229PhysiciansforHumanRights–Israel,ForcedFeedingFactSheet:thingsyouneedtoknow,op.
cit.
,27July201563itself[asperArticle76]isbasedonthefundamentalprincipleforbiddingdeportationslaiddowninArticle49.
"230IsraeliPoliciesandPracticesDespitetheseunequivocallegalprovisions,IsraelioccupyingforcessystematicallytransferPalestiniandetaineesfrominsidetheoccupiedWestBank,includingEastJerusalem,tolocationsinsideofIsrael.
OftheseventeenprisonsPalestiniansaretakentouponarrest,onlyoneofthemislocatedinsidetheoPt;OferPrison.
IncontradictiontothecircumstancespermittedinArticle49,itcannotbereasonablycontendedthatmaterialreasonsexistwhichrendertheimprisonmentofPalestiniansinsidetheWestBankanimpossibility.
Tothecontrary,Israel'sabilitytodetainPalestinianprisonersinsidetheWestBankisoneclearlydemonstratedbythepresenceanduseofOferPrison,forinstance,forthisprecisepurpose.
ThissystematicandillegaltransferofPalestinianprisonersanddetaineesfromtheoccupiedterritoryalsocarrieswithitahumanimpact;theconsequenceisthatPalestinianrelativesofprisonersanddetaineeswhowouldthereforerequireapermittoenterIsraelareregularlydeniedfamilyvisitationpermits,basedon'securitygrounds'.
Basedonaccountsoffamilymembers,thesepermitsaresystematicallydeniedformalefamilymembersbetweentheageof16and35.
231Overall,theongoingdeportationofPalestiniandetaineespresentsnotjustsignificanthumanimplications,butalsooperatesaspartofawiderIsraelidisregardforinternationallawwhichthreatenstoerodetherelevanceofinternationallawgenerally.
IsraelcommonlyusesthreatsofdeportationduringinterrogationasaformofpressureinordertocoercePalestiniandetaineesintoprovidingaconfession.
DetaineeshavereportedbeingthreatenedwithforcibletransfertotheGazaStripiftheydidnotconfesstoacrime.
ForcibletransfertotheGazaStripisalsousedbyIsraeliforcesasaconditionofrelease.
IyadAbuFannoun,fromBattirvillageinBethlehem,wasarrestedon24April2012,byArticle186ofMilitaryOrder1651,afterhavingbeenreleasedunderthe2011prisonerexchangedeal,followingeightyearsinIsraeliprisons.
232Hewasforciblytransferredon4July2013totheGazaStripafteragreeingtoadealforreleasethatstipulated230ICRC,CommentaryonArticle76ofFourthGenevaConvention,1958.
Availableat:https://www.
icrc.
org/applic/ihl/ihl.
nsf/1a13044f3bbb5b8ec12563fb0066f226/8b92ce0a4577615ac12563cd0042cf18231Addameer,RestrictionsOnFamilyVisits,January2016.
Availableat:http://www.
addameer.
org/key_issues/family_visit232BADIL&Addameer,DeportationAsPolicy:PalestinianPrisoners&DetaineesInIsraeliDetention,17April2016.
Availableat:http://www.
addameer.
org/sites/default/files/publications/addameer_-_badil_factsheet_17_april_2016.
pdf64hisforcibletransfertotheGazaStripfortenyears.
AdministrativedetaineeHanaShalabifromJenin,whowasonhungerstrikefor43daysinprotestofhercontinueddetentionwithoutchargeortrial,wasforciblytransferredon1April2012totheGazaStripasaconditionofherrelease.
Bytheendof2013,occupationforceshadforciblytransferredthefollowingfourPalestinianstotheGazaStrip:HanaShalabi,AymanAl-Sharawneh,IyadAbuFannoun,andAymanAbuDaoud,followinglongperiodsonhungerstrike.
Additionally,theIsraeliKnessethassoughtapprovalforabillthatwouldallowtheforcibletransferoffamilymembersofPalestinianswhoallegedlycommittedattacksagainstIsraelipoliceforces,soldiers,colonizers,orcivilianstotheGazaStrip,incontraventionoftheprohibitionagainsttheforcibletransferofprotectedindividualsasstipulatedinArticle49oftheFourthGenevaConvention.
Thispolicywouldalsoconstituteameasureofcollectivepunishment,whichisprohibitedunderIHRLandIHL.
"I'mahousewife,IwasborninBethlehemin1967andIliveinAidaRefugeeCamp.
I'malsoamothertosixboysandonegirl.
IhavetheGazaID,IusedtohaveaWestBankIDbutthenwhenIgotmarriedIhadtochangetotheGazaIDinordertoregistermychildreninit,asmyhusbandisfromGaza.
AtthetimetherewasnoIntifadaandthesituationwascalmanditwaseasytocomeandvisitmyfamilyhereinBethlehem.
Iusedtoapplyforavisitpermitandtheyalwaysgaveittome.
AftertheFirstIntifada,oursituationdeterioratedinGazasomeandmyhusbanddecidedtomovetotheWestBank,wethoughtwe'llfindbetteropportunitieshereespeciallyformyhusbandintermsoffindingajob.
SowecametotheWestBankin1996andwe'vebeenheresincethattime.
Oneofmysonswasimprisonedin2005andthenreleasedafteroneyearandfewmonths.
Wehadtopay3000shekels[aroundUSD800]finetoreleasehim.
AtthetimeIdidn'thavethemoneysoIhadtoborrowmoneyfromfewpeopletobeabletopayformyson'srelease.
Whenthedaycameforhimtogetreleasedwegotreadytowelcomehim.
IrememberitwasRamadanandIcookedforhimandhissiblingsandmanypeoplecametoourhousetoseehim.
Youknow,whenaprisonerisreleasedallthepeoplecometoseehim.
Andsowewaitedforhim.
Itbecame10pmandhestillhadn'tarrived.
Webrokeourfastandate,andalltheneighborswerestillaroundwaitingforhim.
After10pmaphonecallfrommybrother–in-lawfromGazasurprisedus.
HetoldmyhusbandthattheyhadtakenoursontoGazaandthathewaswiththem.
Idon'tknowwhathappened,allIknowisthattheytoldhimyourIDsaysGazawhichmeanswewilltakeyoutoGaza.
HetoldthemthathelivesinBethlehemandallofhisfamilyisinBethlehembuttheydidn'tlisten.
Wehadbeentothecourts,wevisitedhiminjailandthelawyersdidtoo,buttheIsraelisneversaidanythingaboutGaza.
Ihaveanothersonwhowasimprisonedin2004andheisstillinprison.
Theyaresupposedtoreleasehiminfouryearsbutwestilldon'tknowwherewillhebereleased;BethlehemorGaza.
65NowwearealsoworriedthattheywilltakemyyoungestsontoGaza.
Hewasimprisonedfewmonthsago,inSeptember,andwassentencedtofourmonthsofadministrativedetention.
Wedon'tknowwhethertheywillreleasehimorjustrenewthedetention.
They[theIsraelis]spokeaboutdeportation,theyaskedhimwhyheislivinginBethlehemandtoldhimheisanillegalalien.
HetoldthemhehadbeenlivinginBethlehemsincehewasoneandhalfyearsold.
Ihaveallofhisschoolcertificatestoprovethathehasbeenactuallylivingheresincehewasasmallchild,andIalsohaveofficialpapersfromUNRWAtoprovethatwehavebeenlivingintherefugeecampforalongtime.
TheIsraelijudgesaidtheywillstudyhiscasebuttheydidn'tsayanythingaboutdeportinghimtoGazawhentheyorderedhisadministrativedetention,sowe'rejusthopinghewon'tbe.
HavingmysoninGazaisreallyhard,butit'sreallyhardforhimtoleaveanywhereelse.
IfwehadWestBankIDswewould'vebeenabletoapplyforpermitsandgovisithiminGaza.
WeappliedtochangeourIDsin2011,Igotrejectedbutmyhusbandandkidsarestillonthewaitinglist.
Idon'tknowwhyIgotrejectedeventhoughIwasbornhereinBethlehemandIoriginallyhadaWestBankID.
Therefusalwasforsecurityreasons.
Ithinkthey'rerefusingtochangeourIDsbecausemychildrenareinjail.
Myfamilyisdividedintothreedifferentplaces,onefamilyinthreeparts,Gaza,BethlehemandtheIsraeliprisons.
"MotherofprisonerdeportedtotheGazaStrip,AidaRefugeeCampInterview:28November2016Inresponsetopetitionssubmittedbyhumanrightsgroups,highlightingtheillegalityofIsrael'sdeportationofPalestiniandetainees,theIsraeliSupremeCourthasheldthatsuchdeportationsarelawfulinsofarasIsraelidomesticlaw,whichpermitssuchdeportations,andtakesprimacyoverinternationallawintheeventofanydirectconflictbetweenthetwo.
Suchaposition,however,representsaclearcontraventionofArticle27oftheViennaConventionontheLawofTreaties,whichassertsthatapartymaynotinvoketheprovisionsofitsinternallawasjustificationforafailuretoperformatreatyobligation.
233ConditionalReleaseInordertosuppressanyfutureactionbyprisonersordetaineesupontheirrelease,Israeloftenemploysaconditionalreleasepolicytocontinuetoexertcontrolovertheirmovementsandactivitiesoutsideofprison.
Someprisoners,likeBilalKayedfromNablus,areofferedreleaseonlyontheconditionofdeportationfromtheirplaceoforigin(inKayed'scasetoJordan)233BADILandAddameer,Deportationaspolicy:PalestinianPrisonersandDetaineesinIsraeliDetention,17April2016.
Availableat:http://www.
badil.
org/phocadownloadpap/badil-new/publications/research/in-focus/addameer__badil_factsheet_17_april_2016.
pdf66andtohavenofutureinvolvementinpolitics.
234Othersareconfinedtospecificareas.
HanadiHalawani,ateacherfromJerusalem,wasplacedunderhousearrestuponreleaseandafterwardsrestrictedfromvisitingJerusalem'sOldCityforsixmonthsandfromanytravelfor30days.
235Randaal-Shahatitwasrestrictedfromleavinghertownorparticipatinginanypoliticalactivities,andwasmadetogotoalocalpolicestationeveryThursdaytosignapresencesheet(seetestimonyinWomenprisonersanddetaineessectionbelow).
236Otherconditionalreleasedealsaredesignedtosuppressresistancealreadytakingplaceinprison,forexamplebreakinghungerstrikesbyofferingthoseinvolvedearlyreleaseinreturnforendingtheirstrike.
237ChildPrisonersandDetaineesLegalFrameworkUnderinternationallaw,childrenaregrantedspecialconsiderationsinadditiontotherightsofadultprisoners.
Themostpertinentstipulationsofthetreatmentchildrenincludes:childrenshouldonlybedetainedasalastresort,238childrenshouldbegivenreasonsfortheirdetentionuponbeingarrestedandtheirparentsorguardiansinformedimmediatelyinalanguagetheyunderstand,childrenshouldberestrainedonlyasalastresorttoprotectthemselvesandothers,andonlyforaslongasstrictlynecessary,childrenhavetherighttosilenceandshouldnotbecompelledtoincriminatethemselvesinanyway,childrenshouldbeaccompaniedbyparentsandlegalrepresentationduringinterrogations,whichmustalsoberecorded,andchildrenhavetherighttochallengetheirdetentionandbebroughtbeforeajudgewithin24hoursofbeingdetained.
239234Addameer,HealthConditionofHunger-strikingDetaineeBilalKayedDeterioratesAfterTransfertoAshkelon,4July2016.
Availableat:http://www.
addameer.
org/news/health-condition-hunger-striking-detainee-bilal-kayed-deteriorates-after-transfer-ashkelon235ThePalestinianInformationCenter(PIC),Pro-AqsaactivistHalawanireleasedconditionally,29May2016.
Availableat:https://english.
palinfo.
com/news/2016/5/29/Pro-Aqsa-activist-Halawani-released-conditionally236PIC,IsraelijailersreleaseGazanwomen,16August2016.
Availableat:https://english.
palinfo.
com/news/2016/8/16/Israeli-jailers-release-Gazan-woman237PalestineNewsNetwork,Battlingdeath,Al-Qiqrefusesconditionalrelease,7February2016.
Availableat:http://english.
pnn.
ps/2016/02/07/battling-death-al-qiq-refuses-conditional-release/238DCIPalestine,MilitaryDetention.
Availableat:http://www.
dci-palestine.
org/issues_military_detention239UNICEF,ChildreninIsraeliMilitaryDetention,ObservationsandRecommendations,February2013.
Availableat:http://www.
unicef.
org/oPt/UNICEF_oPt_Children_in_Israeli_Military_Detention_Observations_and_Recommendations_-_6_March_2013.
pdf67IsraeliPoliciesandPracticesInmassarrestcampaignsintheWestBankandEastJerusalem,Palestinianchildren(between12-17yearsold)areoftenthefirsttobearrested.
240Anestimated8,500childrenhavebeenarrestedandprosecutedinIsraelimilitarycourtssince2000.
241In2014,thenumberofchildrenarrestedwas861.
242ThelateststatisticsfromApril2016showedthattherewere414childrenfromtheoPtinmilitaryprisons,24312ofwhomweregirls244,and112ofwhomwerebetween12-15yearsold.
245Anadditional13childrenwerebeingheldinadministrativedetention.
246IsraelhasanobligationtorespecttheaforementionedrightsinconformitywithinternationallawandasasignatoryofboththeConventionontheRightsoftheChild(CRC)andtheCAT.
However,investigationsbytheUN,DefenseforChildrenInternational,B'Tselem,Addameer,andothers,haveallshownthatIsraelsystematicallyviolatestherightsofPalestinianchildren.
Forexample,informationgatheredbytheDefenseforChildrenInternationalPalestinerevealsadisturbingtrendinthefrequencyoftheviolationofchildren'srights,basedon429sworntestimoniescollectedbetweenJanuary2012andDecember2015.
247240Addameer,ImprisonmentofChildren,February2016.
Availableat:http://www.
addameer.
org/the_prisoners/children241DCIPalestineandtheWorldOrganisationAgainstTorture(OMCT),Ill-treatmentandtortureofPalestinianChildreninIsraeliMilitaryDetentionandUseofExcessiveForcebyIsraeliForces,AlternativeReporttotheFifthPeriodicReportofIsraelonitsCompliancewiththeConventionagainstTorture,57thSessionoftheCommitteeAgainstTorture,27March2016,page3.
Availableat:http://tbinternet.
ohchr.
org/Treaties/CAT/Shared%20Documents/ISR/INT_CAT_NGO_ISR_23473_E.
pdf242Ibid.
;ItshouldbenotedthatthesenumbersareprovidedbytheIsraelimilitaryandtheIsraeliPrisonService,whichtendtounderstatethenumbersofdetainedchildrenandgenerallydonotincludethesubstantialnumbersofchildrendetainedforperiodsshorterthanaday243DCIPalestine,NumberofPalestinianChildren(12-17)inIsraeliMilitaryDetention,lastupdate:April2016.
Availableat:http://www.
dci-palestine.
org/children_in_israeli_detention244DCIPalestine,NumberofPalestinianGirlsinIsraeliMilitaryDetention,lastupdate:April2016.
Availableat:http://www.
dci-palestine.
org/palestinian_girls_in_israeli_detention245DCIPalestine,NumberofYoung(12-15)PalestiniansinIsraeliMilitaryDetention,lastupdate:April2016.
Availableat:http://www.
dci-palestine.
org/young_palestinians_in_israeli_detention246DCIPalestine,NumberofPalestinianChildren(12-17)inIsraeliAdministrativeDetention,lastupdate:April2016.
Availableat:http://www.
dci-palestine.
org/children_in_israeli_administrative_detention247DCIPalestine,NoWaytoTreataChild:PalestinianChildrenintheIsraeliMilitaryDetentionSystem,April2016,page22.
Availableat:http://www.
dci-palestine.
org/palestinian_children_in_the_israeli_military_detention_system68Commoncomplaintsandareasofconcernbetween2012and2015Typeofill-treatmentWestBankNumberofcasesPercentageTotalaffidavitscollected429100%1Handties41997.
7%2Nolawyer/familypresentduringinterrogation41697.
0%3Notproperlyinformedofrights36184.
1%4Blindfolds37988.
3%5Notinformedofreasonforarrest37888.
1%6Physicalviolence32475.
5%7Verbalabuse,humiliationandintimidation30671.
3%8Stripsearched29969.
7%9Denialofadequatefoodandwater31172.
5%10Threatsorcoercion19445.
2%11Denialofaccesstotoilet23554.
8%12Nightarrest17941.
7%13Positionabuse11927.
7%14Transferonvehiclefloor19745.
9%15ShownorsigneddocumentsinHebrew14433.
6%16Solitaryconfinementformorethantwodays6615.
4%17Detainedwithadults245.
6%18Attemptedrecruitment71.
6%19Threatofsexualassault102.
3%20Electricshock20.
5%Addameeralsoreportedthatanunknownsmallpercentageofchildrenweresexuallyassaulted.
248Additionally,childrenweresubjectedtohousearrestandthearrestofparentstoputpressureonthechildtoconfess.
249Afterbeingsentenced,60percentofchildrenaretransferredtoprisonsinsideIsrael,whichviolatestheFourthGenevaConvention.
250TheresultisthattheyarerarelyabletoseefamilymembersduetothedifficultyPalestiniansfromtheoPtfaceinobtainingapermittoIsrael.
Onceinprison,femalechildrenarenotgivenaccesstoeducationandmalechildrenaregivenonly248Addameer,ImprisonmentofChildren,February2016.
Availableat:http://www.
addameer.
org/the_prisoners/children249Ibid;AlsotonotethattheuseofhousearrestandarrestofparentsoccurredwithintheWestBankbasedonBADILtestimony250DCIPalestine,MilitaryDetention.
Availableat:http://www.
dci-palestine.
org/issues_military_detention69limitedaccesstoIsraelieducation,whichusesadifferentcurriculumthanthePalestinianAuthorityandthereforeputsthematadistinctdisadvantageuponrelease.
TheseinfringementsuponPalestinianchildren'srightshaveahugelydetrimentalimpactontheirmentalandphysicalhealthandabilitytofunctionafterrelease,oftenleadingtoaninabilitytocontinueschooling.
251ThishaspromptedUNICEFtodeclarethatthisamountstocruel,inhuman,ordegradingtreatmentofPalestinianchildprisoners,whichisprohibitedbytheCRCandtheCAT,252andthatthisill-treatment"appearstobewidespread,systematicandinstitutionalized.
"253.
Palestinianchildrenaretriedinmilitarycourtswheretheyareaffordedfewerrightsandbasicfairtrialguarantees.
254Evidenceorconfessionsextractedthroughtortureareadmissibleincourt,inviolationofArticle15oftheCAT,andindeedprosecutorsoftenrelyontheseconfessionstoconvictthechild.
255Theirappearanceincourtisusuallythefirsttimethesechildrenseelawyersorfamily.
Mostchildrenpleadguiltyinthesecourtsbecauseitresultsinlessprisontime.
256Itisthereforeunsurprisingthat99percentofcasestriedinthemilitarycourtsresultinconviction.
257Finally,until2011,Palestinianchildrenweretriedasadultsatage16,whileIsraelis,inconcordancewithinternationallaw,aretriedasadultsat18.
InSeptember2011MilitaryOrder1676raisedthemajorityageofPalestiniansto18,258yetchildrenof16maystillbeheldwithadults.
259"Iwasimprisonedfor11daysafterbeingarrestedfrommyhomeinthemiddleofthenight.
Iwastakentoadetentioncenterfirst,andthentoOferPrison.
EverysingledayIwassummonedinthemorningforinterrogationtoEtziondetentioncenter[southofBethlehem]andthensentbacktoOferintheevening.
Icouldn'tevenattendmytrialsincourtasIwasininterrogation.
251Addameer,ImprisonmentofChildren,op.
cit.
,February2016252UNICEF,ChildreninIsraeliMilitaryDetention,ObservationsandRecommendations,February2013pages9-10.
Availableat:http://www.
unicef.
org/oPt/UNICEF_oPt_Children_in_Israeli_Military_Detention_Observations_and_Recommendations_-_6_March_2013.
pdf253Ibid,page13254DCIPalestine,NoWaytoTreataChild:PalestinianChildrenintheIsraeliMilitaryDetentionSystem,op.
cit.
,April2016,page17255DCIandOMCT,Ill-treatmentandtortureofPalestinianChildreninIsraeliMilitaryDetentionandUseofExcessiveForcebyIsraeliForces,op.
cit.
,27March2016,page2256DCIPalestine,MilitaryDetention,op.
cit.
257DCIPalestine,NoWaytoTreataChild:PalestinianChildrenintheIsraeliMilitaryDetentionSystem,op.
cit.
,April2016,page1258UNICEF,ChildreninIsraeliMilitaryDetention,ObservationsandRecommendations,February2013page8.
Availableat:https://www.
unicef.
org/oPt/UNICEF_oPt_Children_in_Israeli_Military_Detention_Observations_and_Recommendations_-_6_March_2013.
pdf259Addameer,ImprisonmentofChildren,op.
cit.
,February201670Mylawyermanagedtobringmepermissionfromtheprosecutiontoletmeattendmylasttrialinthemilitarycourt.
HesaidthattherewasapossibilityIwouldgohome.
Myfatherandmyauntwerethere.
ThejudgeaskedthemifIhadschooltoattend.
TheprosecutorsaidthatIdidn't.
MylawyersaidthatIneededtogobacktoschool.
ThejudgeaskedhowmuchtimeIhadtospendeverydayatschool.
MyfathersaidthatIwenttoschoolat7amandarrivedhomefromschoolat2pm.
Thejudgereleasedmeconditionally:Iwouldpaybailof7500shekels[aroundUSD2000]andeverydayafter2pmIwillbeunderhomedetentionuntil1January2017.
MaybeIwillgetanothertrial…Iamjustwaitingathometoseewhatwillhappentome.
EvenifIsitbythedoorofmyhomeafter2pm,theprosecutorcallsmyfathertellinghimtotakemeinside.
Homedetentionhasreallyaffectedme.
NowIcan'tgoanywhere;Ican'tsleepinourotherhome,Ican'tvisitmyfriends,Ican'tvisitmyneighbors…I'mafraidtogoanywhere.
ItevenhasaffectedmystudiesbecauseIcan'talwaysgotoschool.
I'mverysickofmyliferightnowbecauseIcan'tleavemyhome.
Ithurtstoseetheotherpeoplewalkingfreelyaroundthecamp.
[BADILcollectedinformationregardingthetypesofill-treatmentsufferedbytheintervieweebasedontheareasofconcernhighlightedbyDCI,showninthetableabove.
]1.
Wereyouhandcuffedwhiletakingyoufromoneplacetoanother(duringyourimprisonmentperiod)Yes.
2.
DidyouhavealawyerorfamilypresentduringyourinterrogationsWhenIwenttoOferprison,alawyercametoseemeandtoldmehewouldbewithmeuntilmybrother'slawyertookover.
He'stheonewhotoldmetoremainsilentduringtheinterrogations.
Butno,nooneattendedmyinterrogationsessions.
3.
DidyouknowyourrightsbackthenItoldtheinterrogatorIwouldn'tsayanythingbeforeItalktomyfamilyorbeforeIgetalawyer.
IknewmyrightsbutIwasn'tinformedbytheIsraeliarmy.
4.
DidtheyblindfoldyouYes.
ThefirstthreedaysIwasblindfolded.
IgotdizzyallthetimebecauseIwaswalkingusingawalkingstick[duetopreviousleginjury]withmyeyesblindfolded.
Sometimes,Ihadtoholdthesoldier'shandtoavoidfallingdown.
Ionceaccidentallytouchedthesoldier'sM16[rifle],sohepushedmeawayandIfainted.
715.
DidtheytellyouwhytheyarrestedyoufromtheverybeginningOnlywhentheystartedinterrogatingmetheytoldmewhytheyarrestedme,notthefirstday.
Whentheytookmefrommyhome,theydidn'ttellmewhyIwasbeingarrested.
6.
WereyouphysicallytorturedYes.
Theyslappedmeontheface,spitonmeandhumiliatedmeasifIwasatrashbag.
Theywouldn'tletmegototherestroomunlessIsweptitsfloor,eventhoughIwasinjuredandcouldn'twalk.
Theywouldn'tletmeeatunlessIwashedthedishes.
Theywouldn'tletmedrinkwaterunlessIcleanedeverything.
Theywouldn'tletmegetsomesleepunlessIcleanedmyroom.
Thatwasnotonlyaphysicaltorture,butalsopsychologicaltorture.
7.
Didyouexperienceverbalabuse,humiliationandintimidationTheysworeatmeallthetimeusingverybadwords,whichsometimesmademeconfrontthem.
Duringtheinterrogationtheysworeatmyfatherallthetime.
Theywouldcallmesonofaliaroryou'realiarlikeyourdamnedfather.
8.
DidtheystripsearchyouYes.
Everydaytherewassomeonewhoinspectedme.
Hewouldputpressureonmywound[ontheleg]andI'dtellhimnottotouchmywoundbecauseithurtmesomuch,buthewouldn'tlisten.
HewouldfixmybodytothewallandaskmeifIhadcigarettes.
I'dtellhimthatIdidn'tevensmoke.
He'dcallmealiarandaccusemeofsmugglingcigarettestotheotherprisoners.
WheneverIwantedtogosomewhere,hewouldtakeawaymywalkingstick.
9.
DidtheydenyfoodorwaterYes,once.
ItoldthesoldierthatIneededtoeat.
HeyelledatmeandsaidthatIwouldn'tgetfood.
Ikeptsingingfortwohours.
Hewouldscreamatmetoshutup,butIwouldn'tshutupuntilhebroughtmefood.
Thefoodwasdisgusting.
Iusedtoonlyeatvegetables,breadandyogurt.
10.
DidtheythreatenyouYes.
TheythreatenedmesayingthatifIdidn'tconfess,they'dletmerotinprison,farawayfrommymotherandfamily.
HesaidthatIwouldrotandmoldwouldgrowonmyhead.
11.
DidtheydenyyouaccesstotherestroomThetoiletofthecells'restroomwasthesquattingpantypeoftoilet.
Becauseofmyinjury,Icouldn'tusethiskindoftoilet.
Ihadtobegthemoverandoveragaintoletmeuseamoderntoiletwithaseat.
They'dhavemewaitfrom6amto3pmuntiltheyallowedmetousethetoilet.
12.
DidtheymakeyousignanypapersinHebrewTheybroughtapaperinHebrewtosign.
IaskedthemtobringmeaversioninArabic.
Theysaidthattherewasnoneedtobecausethepaperisforthelawyer.
72Irefusedtosignit.
TheinterrogatortriedtomakemesignitthreetimesbutIcompletelyrefusedto.
HegotreallyangryandIgotalittlebitscared.
13.
WereyouplacedinsolitaryconfinementYes,inEtziondetentioncenter.
BecauseIwasateenager,theyputmealoneinacell.
Ibeggedthemtoletmejointheotherprisonersbuttheyrefused.
Isleptaloneinthecellforthreedays.
Cellsareterrible.
However,Iusedtocommunicatewiththeotherprisonersthroughthewindows.
14.
DidtheyblackmailyouinordertoworkwiththemasanagentNo,theydidn't.
Ididn'tletthemtreatmethatwaybecauseIdidn'tsubmittothem.
IknewifIsubmittedtothem,they'duseme.
Forexample,theinterrogatorwoulddrophispentoseeifIwasgoingtoliftitup,butI'dnevereverdothat.
Mygestureshowedconfidence,whichdrovetheinterrogatorcrazytotheextentthatheslappedmeontheface.
"15-yearoldprisonerInterview:11November2016Oneofthereasonsthatchildrenareaprimarytargetduringmassarrestcampaigns,particularlyinareaswherethereismoreresistancetotheoccupation,isthattheirspecialvulnerabilitycanserveseveralstrategicpurposes.
EvidencegatheredbyAddameerpointstothreemainmotivationsonthepartoftheIsraelimilitary:"First,targetingtheyoungestandmostvulnerableisintendedtoexertpressureontheirfamilyandtheentirecommunitytoputanendtoallsocialmobilization.
Second,Israelisoldiersandpoliceoftenarrestchildrenforrecruitmentpurposes.
AddameerhascollectedtestimoniessuggestingthatchildrenfromEastJerusalemandWallandsettlement-affectedcommunitiesareroutinelyaskedtobecomeinformantsandprovideinformationonbothprominentfiguresinvolvedinadvocacyeffortsandotherchildrenparticipatingindemonstrations.
Lastly,arrestisalsousedasastrategytodeterchildrenfromparticipatingindemonstrationsandfromthrowingstonesattheWallorothertargets.
"260Thearrestanddetentionofchildrencanthereforebeinstrumentalinbreakingdownandsuppressingcommunityresistanceandthreateningthenextgenerationtotheextentthattheyarepreventedfromfuturepoliticalorresistanceactivity.
260Addameer,ImprisonmentofChildren,op.
cit.
,February201673WomenPrisonersandDetaineesLegalFrameworkInrecentyearstherehasbeenincreasingattentiontowomenprisonersintheinternationalcommunity,resultingintheadoptionofthe2000ViennaDeclarationonCrimeandJustice,261andUNGeneralAssemblyresolutions58/183in2003and61/143in2006.
In2010,theGeneralAssemblyadoptedTheRulesfortheTreatmentofWomenPrisonersandNon-CustodialMeasuresforWomenOffenders,otherwiseknownastheBangkokRules,tosupplementtheprotectionwomenprisonersarealreadyentitledtoundertheStandardMinimumRulesfortheTreatmentofPrisoners.
SomeoftherightsenshrinedintheBangkokRulesare;therightsofwomenprisonerstobeallocatedtoprisonsascloseaspossibletotheirhomes,tobeprovidedwithfacilitiesandmaterialsthatmeettheirspecifichygieneneeds,tobesearchedexclusivelybyfemalestaffinarespectfulmannerthatprotectstheirdignity,tobegivenadequatepre-andpost-natalhealthcare,tohavecontactwiththeirfamiliesandchildrenencouragedandfacilitated,tohaveaccesstoeducationandtrainingforjuvenilefemaleprisonersequaltothatprovidedtojuvenilemales,and,inthecasesofprisonersfromminorityorindigenousgroups,tobeprovidedwithgender-andculture-relevantprogramsandservices.
262IsraeliPoliciesandPracticesAnestimated10,000PalestinianwomenhavebeenarrestedordetainedbyIsraelinthelast45years.
In2015,106Palestinianwomenandgirlswerearrested,including13underagegirls.
263AsofOctober2016,64arecurrentlyinprison.
264ThesedetaineesareinterrogatedbymaleinterrogatorsinArabicwhileobservedbyfemalesoldierswhogenerallydonotspeak,allwhilebeingshackled,sometimesinstresspositions.
Manyofthesewomen,particularlyminors,areintimidatedbymaleinterrogators,especiallywhilerestrained.
Theyareoftenprohibitedfromgoingtothebathroom,evenwhilemenstruating,andsubjectedtodegradingtreatmentsuchasbeingforced261UNGA,ViennaDeclarationonCrimeandJustice:MeetingtheChallengesoftheTwenty-firstCentury,ResolutionA/RES/55/59,17January2001.
Availableat:https://www.
unodc.
org/documents/commissions/CCPCJ/Crime_Resolutions/2000-2009/2000/General_Assembly/A-RES-55-59.
pdf262UNGA,UnitedNationsRulesfortheTreatmentofWomenPrisonersandNon-custodialMeasuresforWomenOffenders(theBangkokRules),A/C.
3/65/L.
5,6October2010.
Availableat:http://www.
ohchr.
org/Documents/ProfessionalInterest/BangkokRules.
pdf263Addameer,ImprisonmentofWomenandGirls,February2016.
Availableat:http://www.
addameer.
org/the_prisoners/women264Addameer,Statistics,lastupdate:October2016.
Availableat:http://www.
addameer.
org/statistics74toremovetheirveils.
265Duringinterrogationtheyareoftensubjectedtopsychological,physicalandsexualviolence,includingbeatings,insults,bodysearches,rapethreatsandsexuallyexplicitharassment.
266Suchtechniquesaremeanttobothintimidateandforceconfessions.
267ThesetacticsareincontraventiontothestipulationspresentedintheCATandtheICCPR.
Oncetheinterrogationisoverandtheyareinprison,theviolationsofrightsandinternationalstandardscontinue.
PalestinianwomeninIsraeliprisonsfaceterriblelivingconditionsthatfrequentlyleadtohealthandhygieneproblems.
In2012,thePublicCommitteeagainstTortureinIsrael(PCATI)publishedaspecialreportthatfoundthat"neithertheIsraeliPrisonsService(IPS)regulationsnortheconditionsinIsraelidetentionfacilitiesareinaccordwithinternationalstandardswhenitcomestoPalestinianwomenprisoners.
"268Womenwhohaveordevelophealthproblemsexperienceextrememedicalnegligence.
Remediablediseasesgountreated.
Pregnantwomenaren'tprovidedwithpreorpost-natalcare,speciallivingconditions,orpreferentialhospitaltransfer,inviolationofboththeBangkokRulesandtheConventiontoEndallDiscriminationAgainstWomen.
ThereisnocultureorgendersensitivecareforPalestinianwomen,includingArabic-speakingfemalephysiciansorspecializedgynecologicalservices.
InfacilitieshousingbothPalestinianandIsraelifemaleprisoners,Palestinianwomenfacediscriminatorytreatmentsuchasminimalrecreationtime,noaccesstoreadingmaterialormedia,269noaccesstoeducationforminors,andthepreventionoffamilyvisitsbyholdingtheminfacilitieswithinIsraelwhereresidentsoftheoPtarerestrictedfromgoing.
270ThetransferofprisonerstofacilitiesoutsidetheirterritoryoforiginisagainsttheFourthGenevaConvention.
271"ThesecondtimeIwasarrested,Iwasputinaprison[insideIsrael]withIsraelicriminalwomenfor14days.
Duringthosedaysnoonewasallowedtovisitme;neithermyfamilynormylawyer.
Thatwasthelaw,whichthey265Muftah,TrappedBetweenPrisons:PalestinianWomeninDetention,14May2015.
Availableat:http://muftah.
org/trapped-between-prisons-palestinian-women-in-detention/#.
WD6VcrJ96Ul266Addameer,ImprisonmentofWomenandGirls,op.
cit.
,February2016267Ibid.
268Muftah,op.
cit.
,14May2015269Addameer,ImprisonmentofWomenandGirls,op.
cit.
,February2016270TheElectronicIntifada,IsraeliprisonguardsuseviolenceagainstPalestinianfemaleprisoners,13July2003.
Availableat:https://electronicintifada.
net/content/israeli-prison-guards-use-violence-against-palestinian-female-prisoners/1256271GenevaConventionIV,Article7675calledShalitLaw.
272Duringthe14dayswewerenotallowedtohaveanything.
TheIsraeliwomenwereswearingatusallthetime,usingverydirtywords.
Sometimesthey'dbesohigh[loud]thatIfeltlikeIwasinamentalhospital,notinprison.
Wewereinthecriminalwomensection,butwewerenotinthesamecellswiththem.
IwasaloneinmycellbutIwassurroundedbycriminalwomenwhowereyellingallthetime.
Theguardsinthatprisonwerewomen,buttheadministratorsweretwomalesoldiers.
Theyobviouslyusedtodiscriminateagainstus;whiletheIsraelicriminalwomenwerefreetousetheirphonesandfreetowalkaroundallthedaylong.
Wedidn'thaveanythingandwereonlyallowedtogetoutofourcelltowalkaroundforhalf-an-houraday.
Duringthathalf-an-hour,theyusedtoforcetheIsraeliwomeninsidetheircellsinordernottoconfrontus,sotheyhatedusandsworeatusallthetimebecauseofthat.
"Formerfemaleprisoner,Yatta,WestBankInterview:23November2016Palestinianfemaleprisonersarealsosubjectedtosexualharassmentthroughrapethreatsandsexuallydegradinginsults,andtosexualabuseintheformsofregularandinvasivebodysearchesandstripsearches.
273Bodyandstripsearchescanbeparticularlydamagingastheyareoftenperformedinfrontofmaleguardsorinthemiddleofthenightasapunishment.
274Thosewhorefusearefrequentlyputinisolation.
Dr.
MahmoudSaiwail,whodirectsatreatmentandrehabilitationcenterforvictimsoftortureinRamallah,hasdeclaredthatincertaincircumstancesthesesearchescanamounttotorture.
275TheyarealsoinviolationoftheFourthGenevaConvention,whichprohibits"outragesuponpersonaldignity,inparticular,humiliatinganddegradingtreatment,"276andtheRomeStatuteoftheInternationalCourt,whichdeclaressexualviolencetobebothawarcrimeandacrimeagainsthumanity.
277Whencombined,accordingtoAddameer,"TheseoccurrencesareafundamentalpartofPalestinianwomen'sprisonexperienceandshouldbeunderstoodasacommonandsystematicformofracialandgender-basedStateviolence.
"278272Theso-calledShalitLaw"wasapprovedonSunday23May2010,deprivesPalestiniandetaineesofvisitsbylawyersandfamiliesandlimitsthevisitsbyRedCrossrepresentativestooneeverythreemonths.
"AlMezan,AlMezanCondemnstheIsraeliApprovalofthe'ShalitLaw"BillandCallsforIntensifyingInternationalEffortstoAbolishthisRacistLaw,24May2010.
Availableat:goo.
gl/s43zsR273Addameer,ImprisonmentofWomenandGirls,op.
cit.
,February2016274MIFTAH,FactSheet–PalestinianPrisoners,lastupdate:June2012.
Availableat:http://www.
miftah.
org/Doc/Factsheets/Miftah/English/Prisoners.
pdf275Addameer,ImprisonmentofWomenandGirls,op.
cit.
,February2016276GenevaConventionIV,Article3(1)(c)277StatuteoftheInternationalCriminalCourt(RomeStatute,1998),Article7(g)and8278Addameer,ImprisonmentofWomenandGirls,op.
cit.
,February201676"IhavespentsixyearsinIsraeliprisonsandnowI'monprobation.
Iwasarrestedthreetimes;twicebeforeIgotmarried,andonce(recently)afterIgotmarried.
Ihavethreechildren.
ThelasttimeIwasarrested,Ireallydidn'texpectit.
Beforetheyarrestedme,theIsraelicommanderofHebroncalledmyhusbandandtoldhimthathewantedustogoandseehim.
Wedidn'tgobecauseIwaswithmydaughterinthehospital.
Afewdaysafterthecall,IwasonmywaytothehospitalinBethlehemwhenIsraelisoldiersstoppedmeattheentranceofBethlehem.
TheyaskedmetoshowthemmyID,andthentheyorderedmetostepoutofthecar.
IwassurprisedbecauseIdidn'texpectthatthesituationwassoserious.
Mymotherwasinthecarwithme,sotheymadeherstepoutofthecartooandtheytookphotosofhercarryingmydaughter,aswellastakingphotosofmecarryingmydaughtertoo.
Then,thecommanderarrestedmeandforcedmetogivemydaughtertomymother.
Irefusedtoleavemydaughter,sotheystoppedallthecarsenteringandexitingBethlehem,whichcausedahugetrafficjam,untilanIsraelimilitaryjeepwithspecialunitforcesarrived.
Irealizedatthatmomentthatthesituationwasverydangerousformydaughter,soIsurrenderedandIgavehertomymother.
TheyhandcuffedmeandtookmetoamilitarybaseinBeitJala[Bethlehem].
Theywereverycrueltomeandtriedtohumiliateme.
Aftertwohours,thecommanderofHebroncalledasoldier.
Thesoldiertoldmethattherewassomeoneonthephonewhowantedtotalktome,andthatIshouldreplypolitelytohim.
Hetoldme:"Yousee,thisiswhathappenstothosewhoignoremyorders.
"ItoldhimthatIwasn'tignoringhisordersbutthatIwasverybusywithmydaughterwhospentalltheweekinthehospital.
Afterthephoneconversation,theytookmedirectlytotheprisonwithoutanyinterrogation,soIrealizedthatitwasadministrativedetention.
WhenIwenttocourtafter14days,Iaskedthejudgetoallowmetobringmydaughtertostaywithmeintheprison.
Thejudgereplied:"Didn'ttheytellyou""Tellmewhat"Iaskedher.
"TellyouthatIwillreleaseyou"shesaid.
Iremainedsilent.
"Aren'tyouhappytogobackhome"sheasked.
IsaidthatIdidn'tdoanythingtodeservebeingimprisonedandthatitwasmyrighttogobackhome.
Shedidn'tseempleasedwithmyanswerandsaidthatIwouldbereleasedonherterms.
ShedecidedthatIwouldbeconditionallyreleased:she'dletmeoutonbailifIpaid5000shekels[USD1300],I'dbeonprobationuntilmynexttrialandIshouldgothepolicestationinKiryatArba[IsraelicolonyinHebron]onceaweektosignmyattendance.
ShealsotoldmethatifIviolatedthecourt'sconditions,Iwouldbepenalized.
Currently,I'mnotallowedtoleavetheregionofYattaatall.
IfanyIsraelisoldierssawmeoutsideYatta,Iwouldbeimmediatelysentencedtooneandhalfyearimprisonment.
I'monlyallowedtogotoHebrontothepolicestationonceaweektosignapaperasthejudgedecided.
I'vebeenverydepressedrecently.
Ithinkofmyfamily,childrenandthecourt.
Ican'tstopthinkingofwhatwillhappentomychildrenifIgetarrestedagain.
I'mtryingsohardtofinishthiscaseassoonaspossible,butIjustcan't.
The77firsttwotimesIwasimprisoneditdidn'taffectmeatall.
However,thethirdtimeitaffectedmesomuchbecauseitwasthefirsttimeIgotimprisonedafterIwasmarried.
Icouldn'tstopworryingaboutmychildren.
Icouldn'tstopthinkingofhowmuchtheyneededme,especiallymythree-month-olddaughter.
Oneofmysonsnowdoesn'tleavemealoneatallbecausehe'safraidthatIwillgoawayagainandnevercomeback.
I'veseenwomeninprisonwhowereseparatedfromtheirchildrenfortenyears.
IamthankfulIwasseparatedfrommychildrenforonly14days.
Iwasnotphysicallytortured.
ButpsychologicallyIwascompletelydevastated.
"Formerfemaleprisoner,Yatta,WestBankInterview:23November2016Israelhasusedthearrestandincarcerationofwomenasatooltosuppresswiderresistanceintwoways.
First,theyhavedisplayedaninterestin"target[ing]andarrest[ing]womenthatareactiveinhumanrightsissues,particularlyfemaleactivistsonissuesconcernedwithprisonersandfemaleprisonersintheoccupationprison.
"279Thiscanbeseenasatactictodeterwomenfromparticipatinginpoliticalactivityandactivism.
Second,theyhavealsotargetedwomenmarriedtomenthatareinvolvedinpoliticsorresistancepurelyinordertoplacepressureontheirhusbandstocooperatewithIsrael.
Bythreateningtoharmthewomen,Israelhasfoundausefulwaytobreakorcoercemaleactivists.
280279Ibid.
280MIFTAH,FactSheet–PalestinianPrisoners,op.
cit.
,lastupdate:June20127879Chapter3SuppressionofPalestinianCivilSociety,IdentityandCultureSuppressionofPalestinianCivilSocietyLegalFrameworkTheICCPR,towhichIsraelisasignatory,containsprovisionsessentialtotheprotectionofafreecivilsociety.
Articles19,21,and22(1)upholdtherightstoholdopinionswithoutinterference,tofreedomofexpression,peacefulassembly,andfreedomofassociation.
Thesearticlesstipulatethatrestrictionsmaybeplacedontheserightsonlyiftheyarenecessaryfor"nationalsecurityorpublicsafety,publicorder(ordrepublic),theprotectionofpublichealthormoralsortheprotectionoftherightsandfreedomsofothers.
"281Thisstipulation,particularlyinreferencetonationalsecurity,iscommonlyinvokedbyIsraeltojustifyitsviolationoftheaforementionedrights.
However,theinvocationofnationalsecurityitselfissubjecttoheavyrestrictions.
282TheSiracusaPrinciplesthatdefinetheICCPR'slimitationclausesspecificallyemphasizeinArticle32that"Astateresponsiblefor[violationsofhumanrights]shallnotinvokenationalsecurityasajustificationformeasuresaimedatsuppressingoppositiontosuchviolationoratperpetratingrepressivepracticesagainstitspopulation.
"283AnotherjustificationfortheviolationoftheserightsinvokedbyIsraelisthatitiscurrentlyinastateofemergency,andArticle4allowsStatestoderogate281ICCPR,Article22282Novact–InternationalInstituteforNonviolentActions,HumanRightsDefendersinIsraelandPalestine:AGroupinRisk,February2016,pages5-6.
Availableat:http://novact.
org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/The-Right-to-Defend-Human-Rights-in-the-oPt.
pdf283UNCommissiononHumanRights,TheSiracusaPrinciplesontheLimitationandDerogationProvisionsintheInternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights(E/CN.
4/1985/4),28September1984,Article32.
Availableat:http://www.
refworld.
org/docid/4672bc122.
html80fromtheirobligationsundertheICCPRinatimeof"publicemergencywhichthreatensthelifeofthenation.
"However,Israelhascontinuouslyrenewedthisstateofemergencysinceitsestablishmentin1948,andtheHumanRightsCommitteehasmadeclearthatconditionsallowingthederogationofthesearticlesmustbe"ofanexceptionalandtemporarynature,"therebyinvalidatingIsrael'sstateofemergencyasgroundsforderogation.
284Furthermore,theDeclarationontheRightsofPersonsBelongingtoNationalorEthnic,ReligiousandLinguisticMinorities,whichappliestoPalestiniancitizensofIsrael,specificallyprotectstheirrightstofreelyparticipateincivilsociety.
TheDeclarationstatesinArticle2that"Personsbelongingtominoritieshavetherighttoestablishandmaintaintheirownassociations"andto"freeandpeacefulcontactswithothermembersoftheirgroupandwithpersonsbelongingtootherminorities,aswellascontactsacrossfrontierswithcitizensofotherStatestowhomtheyarerelatedbynationalorethnic,religiousorlinguisticties.
"285Finally,theSpecialRapporteurontherightstofreedomofpeacefulassemblyandofassociationemphasizedinhisreporttotheHumanRightsCouncilin2012that:"Membersofassociationsshouldbefreetodeterminetheirstatutes,structureandactivitiesandmakedecisionswithoutStateinterference…Associationspursuingobjectivesandemployingmeansinaccordancewithinternationalhumanrightslawshouldbenefitfrominternationallegalprotection.
Associationsshouldenjoy,interalia,therightstoexpressopinion,disseminateinformation,engagewiththepublicandadvocatebeforeGovernmentsandinternationalbodiesforhumanrights,forthepreservationanddevelopmentofaminority'scultureorforchangesinlaw,includingchangesintheConstitution.
"286IsraeliPolicesandPracticesSuppressionofOrganizationsClosuresofNon-Governmental(NGOs)andCivilSocietyOrganizations(CSOs)representasevereandalmostomnipresentobstacletothose284UNHumanRightsCommittee,GeneralComment29:StatesofEmergency(Article4),CCPR/C/21/Rev.
1/Add.
11,31August2001,para.
2285TheDeclarationontheRightsofPersonsBelongingtoNationalorEthnic,ReligiousandLinguisticMinorities,adoptedbyTheUNGeneralAssembly,ResolutionA/RES/47/135,18December1992286UNSpecialRapporteurMainaKai,ReportoftheSpecialRapporteurontherightstofreedomofpeacefulassemblyandofassociation(A/HRC/20/27),UNHumanRightsCouncil,21May2012,page16.
Availableat:http://www.
ohchr.
org/Documents/HRBodies/HRCouncil/RegularSession/Session20/A-HRC-20-27_en.
pdf81advocatingfororprotectingPalestinianhumanrightsthroughoutMandatePalestine.
WithinIsrael,theStatehasexploiteditsperpetual'stateofemergency'tosuspendtherightsofitsPalestiniancitizensandcriminalizePalestinianinstitutions.
Suchactionshaveonlyincreasedinrecentyears:the55organizationsIsraeldeclared'terrorist'or'unlawful'by2000grewto321by2015.
287BetweenNovember2015andMarch2016alone,theIsraeligovernmentcontinueditsuseofanoldemergencyactfrom1945tooutlawsignificantpoliticalandreligiousmovementsalongwith20NGOs.
288EastJerusalemhasalsowitnessedaconcentratedamountofraidsandclosures.
Between1967and2014therewereover120permanentclosuresofPalestinianinstitutionsdocumented.
AlargenumberofotherPalestinianinstitutionsarealsoraidedandclosedtemporarilyonafrequentbasis.
289In2008,Israeliauthoritiesextendedanorderclosing80Palestinianorganizationsfortheeighthtime.
AstheCivicCoalitionforPalestinianRightsinJerusalemhasreported,theseauthorities"aresurelyawarethattheseorganizationscontinuetofunctioninalimitedcapacity,"andthat:…beingunabletofunctionofficiallycreatesaclimateoffearandareluctancetodoanythingthatmight'drawattention'andresultincompleteclosureoftheorganizationsanddetentionandinterrogationofstaff…Bythesemeans,PalestiniancivilsocietyandpoliticalactivityinEastJerusalemhasbeenlargelyincapacitatedbythepermanentthreatofclosure.
290Asaresult,manyorganizationsandinstitutionshavebeenforcedto"transfertheiroperationselsewhereintheWestBankinordertoavoidcompleteshutdown.
"291ThecreationofaRamallah-basedPalestiniangovernmentintheOsloAccordsandthephysicalseparationofEastJerusalemfromtherestoftheWestBankalsohadanimpactontheoperationalcapacityof287MeezaanOrganizationforHumanRights,Israel'sPerpetual"StateofEmergency",CriminalizingPalestinianCivilSocietyandPoliticalDissent,March2016,page14.
Availableat:http://www.
meezaan.
org/Public/file/draft%203%20-%20final.
pdf288Ibid.
289TheCivicCoalitionforPalestinianRightsinJerusalem(CCPRJ),TheCoalitionforJerusalemandtheSocietyofSt.
YvesCatholicCenterforHumanRights,"De-Palestinian"andForcibleTransferofPalestinians,AsituationofsystematicbreachesofStateobligationsundertheICCPR,JointNGOReporttotheFourthPeriodicReportofIsrael,UNHumanRightsCommittee,9September2014,page28.
Availableat:http://ccprcentre.
org/doc/2014/10/INT_CCPR_CSS_ISR_18169_E1.
pdf290CCPRJ,AlternativeReportonIsraeltotheCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights47thsession,14November–2December2011.
Availableat:http://www.
civiccoalition-jerusalem.
org/uploads/9/3/6/8/93682182/escr_alternative_report_nov_-_dec_2011_47th_session.
pdf291CCPRJ,TheCoalitionforJerusalemandtheSocietyofSt.
YvesCatholicCenterforHumanRights,"De-Palestinian"andForcibleTransferofPalestinians,op.
cit.
,9September2014,page2882PalestinianorganizationsinEastJerusalem,andmanyeventuallymovedtoRamallahorotherWestBankcities.
"IntermsoftheJudaizationofthecity,themigrationofallPalestinianorganizationsoutofJerusalemcreatedasituationthatfacilitatesthedisplacementofPalestinians.
Beforethe[Oslo]peaceprocess,JerusalemwaseffectivelyaPalestiniancapital,itwasthecenterofPalestinianactivities,transportation…itwasthecenterwhereallthehumanrightsandcivilsocietyorganizationswerebased.
Butafterthepeaceprocess,andafterJerusalembecameisolatedphysicallyfromtherestoftheWestBankandtheGazaStrip,alltheorganizationsendedupmigratingtoRamallahandnowmanypeoplefromJerusalemgoandworkinRamallahonacontinuousbasis.
Jerusalemdoesn'tofferjobstoPalestinianJerusalemites.
ThismeansformanyPalestiniansthattheyhavetoeithertravelbackandforthdailytoRamallahthroughtheQalandia[military]checkpoint.
Butsomepeoplemightdecidetogoandmovetotheothersideofthecheckpoint[outsideofEastJerusalem,totherestoftheWestBank]forconvenience,andthisobviouslythreatenstheirresidencypermitthatisgivenbytheIsraelisandtheirabilitytocontinuetoliveinJerusalemafterthatbecauseoftheriskoflosingtheirresidencystatusinJerusalem.
ThismovewasmainlybecauseofthedisconnectfromtheWestBank.
Ifthere'sanorganizationthatismainlystaffedbyPalestinianswithWestBankID,theywillnotbeabletoaccessthisorganizationifitcontinuestobeinJerusalem.
Al-Haqforexample[Palestinianhumanrightsorganization],wasbasedinJerusalembeforeitmovedtoRamallah.
TherearealotofculturalandscientificorganizationsthatmovedtoRamallah.
Soyes,Ithinkthebiggestriskisthemigrationoftheorganizations.
EverythingisfocusedinRamallahandotherpartsoftheWestBank.
Palestinians[Jerusalemites]nowarealienatedfromtherestofthePalestiniancommunity,somehowtheyfeeldifferent.
There'salittlebitofagapfromthefragmentationthatwascausedbytheIsraelioccupationofJerusalem,andcertainlytheseparation.
Wedon'tanymoreseeourfamilymembersinGaza,I'mhalf-Gazanmyselfactually,andwe'retotallydisconnectedwiththeexceptionofthepeoplewhogetmedicaltreatmentinJerusalemandgetpermitstocome.
Sothisphysicaldivisionandfragmentationisindirectlycausingsomeculturaldifferences.
"MunirNuseibah,directoroftheCommunityActionCenter,JerusalemInterview:27November2016InadditiontothetransferofmanyorganizationsoutofJerusalem,theIsraelipoliciesofsuppressionarealsowidespreadelsewhereintheWestBank.
Israelhasmovedtoshutdowninstitutionsbasedonthegroundsofpoliticalaffiliation.
Israelsystematicallytargets"philanthropicandsocialservicenetworks"linkedtoHamasintheoPt.
Relatedorganizationsaretypically83raided,ransackedandarbitrarilyclosed.
TheUNreportedthatIsraeliforceshadclosedover50charitiesinQalqilyaandHebronalonebetween2006and2008.
292ClaiminglinkstothePopularFrontfortheLiberationofPalestine(PFLP)Israelalsoraidedotherassociations,anexamplebeingtheraidingandransackingofAddameer,thePalestinianNGONetworkandtheUnionof"PalestinianWomen'sCommittees"officeson11December2012.
Theseorganizationsreportedtheconfiscationofcomputers,files,harddrives,videoequipmentandmoneybymilitaryforcesduringtheraid.
293Noteveneducationalinstitutionsareexemptfromraids.
In2014IsraeliforcesraidedfiveWestBankuniversitiesinasingleweek-BirzeitUniversity,theArabAmericanUniversityinJenin,Al-QudsUniversity,thePalestineAhliyaUniversityandthePolytechnicUniversityofPalestineinHebron.
294BirzeitUniversityintheWestBank,forexample,hasbeenclosednolessthanfifteentimes.
DuringtheFirstIntifadaitwasclosedforfourandahalfyears,between1988and1992.
TheIntifadayearssawaparticularlyegregiousviolationofPalestinians'righttoeducation,asIsraelimilitaryordersclosedPalestiniankindergartens,schools,anduniversities,effectivelymakingeducationillegal.
295Theclosuresoftheseinstitutionsareindirectviolationofthefundamentalrighttoeducationenshrinedininternationallawbynumerousdeclarationsandtreaties.
296CriminalizationofMovementsIsraeldoesnotrestrictitselftothecriminalizationoforganizationsbutratherextendstheseprohibitionstoentiresocialandpoliticalmovements.
In2011,forexample,theincreasingsuccessandvisibilityoftheBoycottDivestmentandSanctions(BDS)movementpromptedtheKnessettopassan'Anti-Boycott'lawthatprohibits"thepublicpromotionofacademic,economicorculturalboycottbyIsraelicitizensandorganizationsagainstIsraeliinstitutions…orsettlements.
"Italsoallowslawsuitstobefiledagainst292SaraRoy,HamasandCivilSocietyinGaza:EngagingtheIslamistSocialSector,10November2013,PrincetonStudiesinMuslimPolitics,page219.
293ThePalestinianHumanRightsOrganizationsCouncil(PHROC),JointStatement:ThePalestinianHumanRightsOrganizationsCouncilCondemnstheIOFRaidontheOfficesofThreePalestinianNGOsinRamallah,12December2012.
Availableat:https://unispal.
un.
org/DPA/DPR/unispal.
nsf/0/C0DE6D46C013495B85257AD20061F043;NoahBrowning,IsraelraidsPalestinianNGOoffices,Reuters,11December2012.
Availableat:http://www.
reuters.
com/article/us-israel-palestinians-raids-idUSBRE8BA09F20121211294Jadaliyya,LetterConcerningIsraeliRaidsonPalestinianUniversityCampuses,6July2014.
Availableat:http://www.
jadaliyya.
com/pages/index/18381/letter-concerning-israeli-raids-on-palestinian-unin295AlexShams,GlobalPalestinian'RighttoEducationWeek'kicksoffatBirzeit,Ma'an,12November2013.
Availableat:http://www.
maannews.
com/Content.
aspxid=646332296Seespecifically:TheUDHR,theICERDandtheICESRC,amongothers.
84thesecitizensororganizationsandbansanypersoninvolvedwiththemfrom"participatinginanypublictender.
"297ProvisionsforallowingthesuingofthesepeopleandorganizationswithoutshowinganyproofwaseventuallystruckdownbyIsrael'sSupremeCourtin2015,yettheotherprovisionswereallowedtoremain.
Theninejudgeshandingdownthisdecisionadmittedthatthelaw"indeedinfringesonfreedomofexpression,"butunanimouslyruledthatwhenitcomestoboycottsofthestateofIsraeltheinfringementisjustified.
298AnotherexampleofthecriminalizationofmovementsisthebanningoftheNorthernBranchoftheIslamicMovementin2015.
Toaccomplishthis,IsraelusedaBritish-mandateemergencylawfrom1945permittingtheoutlawingofgroupsandorganizationsperceivedtobeathreatnationalsecurity,299namelyunderallegationsthatitcooperateswithPalestiniangroupslikeHamasandisinvolvedwith'incitement'toviolence.
300Upontheadoptionoftheban,Israeliforcesarrestedthreeofthegroup'sleaders,301raidedandseizeddocumentsandcomputersfromassociatedoffices,frozebankaccounts,andclosed17non-profitorganizationsconnectedtothemovement.
302TheIsraeliPrimeMinister'sofficealsoannouncedthat"anyorganizationorindividualbelongingtothenorthernbranchorfoundassistingtheorganizationinanywaywillbecommittingacriminaloffenseandisliableforimprisonment,"andthatalllandbelongingtothemovementcanbesubjecttoconfiscation.
303FundingRestrictionsNGOsandCSOsinIsraelmustalsocontendwithdiscriminatorylawsrestrictingtheirfunding.
PalestinianNGOsorotherNGOsadvocatingforPalestinianrightsrelyheavilyonforeignfunding,astheydonotseekIsraeligovernmentfundingandarelimitedintheiraccesstoprivatefundingdue297Adalah,"Anti-BoycottLaw"–PreventionofDamagetoIsraelthroughBoycott,2011.
Availableat:http://www.
adalah.
org/en/law/view/492298HumanRightsWatch(HRW),Dispatches:IsraeliSupremeCourtUpholds"Anti-BoycottLaw",18April2015.
Availableat:https://www.
hrw.
org/news/2015/04/18/dispatches-israeli-supreme-court-upholds-anti-boycott-law299AliYounes,IslamicMovementrejectsIsraeligovernmentban,AlJazeera,17November2015.
Availableat:http://www.
aljazeera.
com/news/2015/11/islamic-movement-rejects-israeli-ban-151117074806180.
html300BarakRavid,IsraelOutlawsIslamicMovement'sNorthernBranch,Haaretz,17November2015.
Availableat:http://www.
haaretz.
com/israel-news/1.
686521301AliYounes,IslamicMovementrejectsIsraeligovernmentban,op.
cit.
,17November2015302BarakRavid,IsraelOutlawsIslamicMovement'sNorthernBranch,op.
cit,17November2015303Ibid.
85totherestrictionsanddiscriminatoryregulations.
304TheIsraeligovernmenthassubsequentlytargetedthemdirectlythroughlawsdesignedtocutthemofffromforeignfunds.
The'ForeignGovernmentFundingLaw'passedin2011imposesinvasivereportingrequirementssuchasquarterlyreportsonanyforeignfundingtheyreceiveandaccountsofanyoralorwrittenundertakingsinrelationtoforeignfunders.
AseveryNGOinIsraelisalreadycompelledbylawtopubliclydiscloseitssourcesoffunding,thislawisasuperfluousmeasuredesignedtonegativelyimpactNGOsbyimposingadditionalrestrictionsthatcoulddiscourageforeignfunders.
305Furtherproofofitsdiscriminatorynatureisrevealedbythespecificexemptionswrittenintothelawfor"theWorldZionistOrganization,theJewishAgencyforIsrael,theUnitedIsraelAppeal,theJewishNationalFundandtheirsubsidiarycorporationsfromitsprovisions.
"306TheeffectsofthediscriminationwerecompoundedbytheTransparencyBillpassedin2016whichcompelsNGOsreceivingover50percentoftheirfundingfromforeignsources,suchasinternationalaidorganizations,to"indicatethisoneverydocument,website,signorpublicationthattheyissueandinallcommunicationwithofficials.
"307AmnestyInternationaldecriedthestipulationsofthebillasindicating"apolitically-motivatedstigmatizingoforganizationsthatopposeIsraeligovernmentpoliciesandpractices"thatappears"designedtohaveachillingeffectonfreedomofexpressionandassociationinsideIsrael.
"308EvidencetothiseffectwaslaterprovidedbyalistreleasedbytheJusticeMinistryshowingthatofthe27NGOsexplicitlytargetedbythebill,25wereleft-wingandprimarilydistinguishablebytheircriticismofgovernmentpoliciesandadvocacyforhumanrights.
309Otherbillsproposedin2011and2013soughttoseverelyrestrictorheavilytaxinternationalfundingtoorganizationsongroundssuchastheirrefusaltorecognizeIsraelasa'Jewishanddemocraticstate,'supportingboycottsofIsrael,orcallingforprosecutionofofficialsorIsraelisoldiersininternational304Adalah,"ForeignGovernmentFundingLaw"–LawonDisclosureRequirementsforRecipientsofSupportfromaForeignStateEntity,2011.
Availableat:https://www.
adalah.
org/en/law/view/497305Ibid.
306Ibid.
307Civicus,AlertonIsrael:NGO'Transparency'Lawpartofwidertrendtosilencedissent,29July2016.
Availableat:http://www.
civicus.
org/index.
php/media-resources/news/856-alert-on-israel-ngo-transparency-law-part-of-wider-trend-to-silence-dissent308AmnestyInternational,IsraeliGovernmentmustceaseintimidationofhumanrightsdefenders,protectthemfromattacks,12April2016.
Availableat:https://www.
amnesty.
nl/nieuwsportaal/pers/israeli-government-must-cease-intimidation-human-rights-defenders-protect-them-at309YonahJeremyBob,GilHoffman,LahavHarkov,NGOshitback:ImTirzusaysNGOlistshowsEuropeananti-Semitism,TheJerusalemPost,6February2016.
Availableat:http://www.
jpost.
com/Israel-News/Exclusive-Almost-all-organizations-targeted-in-Israeli-NGO-bill-are-left-wing-45575186courts.
310Suppressionofthistypeofpoliticalexpressionalsoextendstolegislationregulatingdomesticfundingorlegitimacy.
AmendmentstotheIsraelibillspassedin2010and2014allowthereductionoffundingordenialofregistrationtoanyentitythatdoesnotrecognizeIsraelasa'Jewishanddemocraticstate'orexpressesfeelingsofmourningonIsrael'sIndependenceDay.
311Thispolicyoffundingrestrictionnotonlyviolatesrightstoexpressionandassembly;itisalsoexpresslydenouncedininternationallaw.
TheSpecialRapporteurontherightstofreedomofpeacefulassemblyandofassociationstressedinhissecondthematicreportfortheHumanRightsCouncilin2013that"fundingrestrictionsthatimpedetheabilityofassociationstopursuetheirstatutoryactivitiesconstituteaninterferencewithArticle22(therighttofreedomofassociation),"312andtheDeclarationonHumanRightsDefendersdeclaresthattheyhavetherightto"solicit,receiveandutilizeresourcesforthepurposeofprotectinghumanrights(includingthereceiptoffundsfromabroad).
"313ObstructionoftheProcessesofInternationalLawandHumanRightsAdvocacyIsraelipoliciesofsuppressionalsoaffectthefunctionalityofinternationalmonitoringandprotectionmechanismsthatareinplacetodocumentanddenouncehumanrightsviolationsandcrimescommittedagainstPalestinians.
Thedenialofentryto,andtherestrictionsofmovementoninternationalandlocalhumanrightsobservers,amongothers,UNSpecialRapporteursandmembersoftheIndependentCommissionofInquiryonthe2014GazaConflict,gravelyimpedestheabilitytodocumentandreportaccurateinformationonthecurrentsituationintheoPt.
ThedirectconsequencesofthesebreachesrestsolelyontheshouldersofPalestinianswhocontinuallyfacehumanrightsviolationsbyIsraelthatgounreportedandarethereforeunabletoaccesstheinternationalprotectiontheyareentitled310Adalah,"BillonForeignFundingofNGOs"–BillonIncomeofPublicInstitutionsReceivingDonationsfromForeignStateEntity(LegislativeAmendments),billproposedinNovember2011andfrozeninDecember2011.
Availableat:http://www.
adalah.
org/en/law/view/557,http://www.
meezaan.
org/Public/file/draft%203%20-%20final.
pdf;CIVICUS,AnotherBlowforCivilSocietyandDissentinIsrael,15August2013.
Availableat:http://www.
civicus.
org/index.
php/media-resources/media-releases/2448-another-blow-for-civil-society-and-dissent-in-israel;TheAssociationforCivilRightsinIsrael,Anti-NGOLegislationintheIsraeliKnesset,updatedFebruary2016.
Availableat:http://www.
acri.
org.
il/en/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Anti-NGO-Bills-Overview-Updated-Febuary-2016.
pdf311CCPRJ,TheCoalitionforJerusalemandtheSocietyofSt.
YvesCatholicCenterforHumanRights,"De-Palestinian"andForcibleTransferofPalestinians,op.
cit.
,9September2014312UNSpecialRapporteurMainaKai,op.
cit.
(A/HRC/20/27),page6313TheDeclarationonHumanRightsDefenders,adoptedbyTheGeneralAssemblyResolutionA/RES/53/144,8March199987tothatisenshrinedwithininternationallaw.
Theindirectconsequencesresultinthesinglingoutofhumanrightsorganizations,UNagencies,andotherinstrumentsmandatedtoprotecthumanrights,aswellasagrowingPalestinianfrustrationanddisillusionmentininternationallawanditsabilitytoimplementeffectiveprotectionmechanisms.
Forinternationallawtobeappliedeffectively,certainmechanismshavebeenestablishedtomonitorandassistintheirimplementationincludingUNSpecialRapporteursandfactfindingmissions.
Asthecooperationofstateswiththesemechanismsisnecessaryforthemtofunctionproperly,thereareseveralstipulationswithininternationallawreferencingtheirobligationstodoso.
FormerUNSpecialRapporteuronthesituationofhumanrightsinthePalestinianterritory,RichardFalk,statedthatIsrael'snon-cooperationrepresents"abreachofthelegaldutyofStatesMembersoftheUnitedNationstofacilitateallofficialundertakingsoftheorganization"anditalso"deprivesthemandateofdirectinteraction,includingthereceiptoftestimonybearingoninternationallawgrievancesfromrepresentativesofthePalestinianpeople.
"314AllUNmemberstatesmustabidebytheCharteroftheUNwhichstatesinArticle105that"RepresentativesoftheMembersoftheUnitedNationsandofficialsoftheOrganizationshallsimilarlyenjoysuchprivilegesandimmunitiesasarenecessaryfortheindependentexerciseoftheirfunctionsinconnectionwiththeOrganization.
"Israel,asamemberstateoftheUN,isthereforeobligatedtocomplywiththisarticle.
Itisalsoobligatedtoupholdtreatiesandcovenantstowhichitisasignatory,suchastheICCPR,andtherefore,tocooperatewithbodiessuchastheUNHumanRightsCouncil.
Israelhasignoredtheseresponsibilitiesbyconsistentlydenyingentrytorepresentativeofficials,whichconstitutesaseriousbreachofinternationallaw.
Forexample,theUNSpecialRapporteuronthesituationofhumanrightsinthePalestinianterritory,RichardFalk,wasdetainedwhenattemptingtoaccesstheoPttofulfillhisdutiesin2008andsubsequentlydeported.
315AllrequeststovisittheoPtmadebyhissuccessorMakarimWibisonofrom2014to2016weredenied.
InJanuary2016Wibisonoresignedhisposition,statingthathewasunabletofulfillhismandatewithoutaccesstotheoPt;"unfortunately,myeffortstohelpimprovethelivesofPalestinianvictimsofviolationsundertheIsraelioccupationhavebeenfrustratedeverystepof314UNSpecialRapporteurRichardFalk,ReportonthesituationofhumanrightsinthePalestinianterritoriesoccupiedsince1967(A/HRC/25/67),UNHumanRightsCouncil,13January2014.
Availableat:https://documents-dds-ny.
un.
org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G14/101/98/pdf/G1410198.
pdfOpenElement315UNNewsCentre,Israel'sdetentionofUNexpert'unprecedented'–rightschief,16December2008.
Availableat:http://www.
un.
org/apps/news/story.
aspNewsID=29326#.
WE_Rw7J96Uk88theway.
"316ThecurrentSpecialRapporteur,MichaelLynk,hasreportedthathehasyettoreceivearesponsefromtheIsraeligovernmentforhisrequesttoaccesstheoPt.
317TheSpecialRapporteuranditsworkareessentialinprovidingtheinternationalcommunitywithachannelthroughwhichtoraiseawarenessaboutthehumanrightssituationintheoPt.
IsraelalsodidnotissuepermissionfortheexpertmembersoftheUNCommissionofInquiryappointedbytheUNHumanRightsCounciltoinvestigatepossiblewarcrimescommittedduring'OperationProtectiveEdge'intheGazaStripin2014,318aswellasfortheSpecialRapporteursonviolenceagainstwomen,319onadequatehousing,andontortureandothercruel,inhuman,ordegradingtreatmentorpunishment,320forUNFact-FindingsMissions,321orforstaffmembersofNGOssuchasAmnestyInternationalorHumanRightsWatchtonameafew.
In2014IsraelstatedthatitwoulddenyentrytoallrepresentativesoftheUNHumanRightsCouncilwhoareinvestigatingpotentialwarcrimescommittedduringthesummer's50-daywar.
322ThenumberofexamplesgivenshowsthatthedenialofentryispartofanongoingIsraelipolicyofnon-cooperation,therefusaltobetransparent,andanunwillingnesstoprosecuteperpetratorsofgrosshumanrightsviolations.
Inaddition,thedenialofentrytoUNrepresentativesreflectsIsrael'sengagementwiththeUNHumanRightsCouncilasawhole,whichhasbeensporadicatbest.
Theyhavenotengagedwiththeroutineproceduresaswell.
316OHCHRNews,SpecialRapporteuronOccupiedPalestinianTerritoryresignsduetocontinuedlackofaccesstoOPT,4January2016.
Availableat:http://www.
ohchr.
org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.
aspxNewsID=16922&LangID=E#sthash.
8AIbcCrj.
dpuf317UNNewsCentre,IsraelisdenyingPalestine'srighttodevelopment,saysUNhumanrightsexpert,28October2016.
Availableat:http://www.
un.
org/apps/news/story.
aspNewsID=55426#.
WBnszC196Uk318Ynetnews,IsraeldeniesentrytomembersofUNinquiryintoallegedwarcrimesinGaza,12November2014.
Availableat:http://www.
ynetnews.
com/articles/0,7340,L-4591481,00.
html319Euro-MediterraneanHumanRightsMonitor,Wibisono'sresignationreflectsUNsystem'sinabilitytopursuejustice,4January2016.
Availableat:http://www.
euromedmonitor.
org/en/article/1082/Wibisono%E2%80%99s-resignation-reflects-UN-system%E2%80%99s-inability-to-pursue-justice320Al-Haq,DenialofentrytoUNSpecialRapporteurdemonstratesonceagainIsrael'sduplicityinitsrelationswiththeUN,17December2008.
Availableat:http://www.
alhaq.
org/advocacy/targets/united-nations/205-denial-of-entry-to-un-special-rapporteur-demonstrates-once-again-israels-duplicity-in-its-relations-with-the-un321TheHumanRightsandInternationalLawSecretariat,TheresignationoftheSpecialRapporteuronthehumanrightssituationinsidetheoccupiedPalestinianterritoryhighlightsthenecessityofendingIsrael'simpunityforgreviousrightsabuses.
Availableat:http://www.
rightsecretariat.
ps/component/content/article/85-our-partners/230-the-resignation-of-the-special-rapporteur-on-the-human-rights-situation-inside-the-occupied-palestinian-territory-highlights-the-necessity-of-ending-israel-s-impunity-for-grievous-rights-abuses322LauraKingandBatshevaSobelman,U.
N.
humanrightsinvestigatorsdeniedentrytoIsraelforGazainquiry,LosAngelesTimes,12November2014.
Availableat:http://www.
latimes.
com/world/middleeast/la-fg-israel-united-nations-20141112-story.
html89ThisdenialandlackofengagementispartoftheIsraelisuppressionregime,asitleavesPalestiniancivilsociety,humanrightsorganizations,andactivistsisolatedandwithoutdueprotection.
SuppressionofPalestinianIdentityandCultureLegalFrameworkCulturalrightsarerecognizedunderInternationalHumanRightsLaw.
TheUDHRestablishesthateveryoneisentitledtorealizetheirculturalrights(Article22)and"participateintheculturallifeofthecommunity"(Article27).
TheserightsweresupplementedbytheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights(ICESCR),whichholdsthatallpeoplehavetherighttopursuesocialandculturaldevelopmentbyvirtueoftheirrighttoself-determination(Article1)andthatStatePartiesmustrespectandencouragepeople'sabilitiestodoso(Article15).
ItshouldbenotedthattheInternationalCourtofJustice(ICJ)hasruledthatIsrael'sobligationsundertheICESCRextendtoPalestiniansintheoPtdespitetheirnotbeingunderthesovereignjurisdictionofthestate,andthattheMaastrichtGuidelinesexplicitlystatethat"Undercircumstancesofaliendomination.
.
.
Thedominatingoroccupyingpowerbearsresponsibilityforviolationsofeconomic,socialandculturalrights.
"323Furthermore,PalestinianswhohaveIsraelicitizenshiphaverecognizedspecialrightsasaminority.
Article27oftheInternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights(ICCPR)statesthatminorities"shallnotbedeniedtheright…toenjoytheirownculture,toprofessandpracticetheirownreligion,ortousetheirownlanguage.
"ThisrightisechoedbytheDeclarationontheRightsofPersonsBelongingtoNationalorEthnic,ReligiousandLinguisticMinorities,whichalsoaddsthatStatesshallencouragethepromotionoftheiridentityand"takemeasuresinthefieldofeducation,inordertoencourageknowledgeofthehistory,traditions,languageandcultureoftheminoritiesexistingwithintheirterritory"(Article4(4)).
IthasalsobeenaffirmedinArticle2coftheInternationalConventionontheSuppressionandPunishmentoftheCrimeofApartheid.
Palestinians'culturalrightsarerecognizedonanindividualbasisaswellasbyvirtueofbeinganindigenousgroup.
TheUNDeclarationontheRightsofIndigenousPeoples(Declaration)upholdsthatindigenousgroupshavetherightto:"maintainandstrengthentheirdistinctpolitical,legal,economic,socialandculturalinstitutions"(Article5),haveanationality(Article6),323TheMaastrichtGuidelinesonViolationsofEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights,22-26January199790"maintain,protectanddevelopthepast,presentandfuturemanifestationsoftheircultures,suchasarchaeologicalandhistoricalsites,artifacts,designs,ceremonies,technologiesandvisualandperformingartsandliterature"(Article11),haveaccesstotheirreligiousandculturalsites(Article12),and"determinetheirownidentityormembership"(Article33).
324Furthermore,Statesmustpreventanyactionthatcould;"depriv[e]themoftheirintegrityasdistinctpeoples,oroftheirculturalvaluesorethnicidentities",or;"[dispossess]themoftheirlands,territoriesorresources,"andmustalsoprevent"Anyformofpropagandadesignedtopromoteorinciteracialorethnicdiscriminationdirectedagainstthem"(Article8).
IsraeliPolicesandPracticesTheimportanceofPalestiniancultureandidentitytothesurvivalofthePalestinianpeopleandcauseisattestedbythelengthsIsraelhasgonetotargetculturalproduction.
Legislationsuchasthe'LoyaltyinCulture'Billandthe'NakbaLaw,'forexample,aimtofineorwithdrawfundingfromanyorganizations,institutions,orculturalactivitiesthatrepresentexperiencesornarrativesthatarealternativeorcontrarytothenarrativesanctionedbyIsrael.
325SpecificallytargetedareanyexpressionsofPalestiniancultureandidentityincluding;art,theatre,literature,orsongsthatareperceivedtobecriticalofthepositionthatIsraelisexclusivelya'Jewishanddemocraticstate,'thatmourntheNakbaorIsrael'sIndependenceDay,orthat'dishonor'symbolsofIsrael.
326This'waragainstculture'hasalsobeenextendedtovisibleaspectsofPalestinianpresencesuchaslanguageandnationalsymbols.
In2014,abillwasproposedintheKnessetthatwouldmakeHebrewtheonlyofficialstatelanguage,327whichcomplementedadecisionmadebyIsrael'sTransport324TheUnitedNationsDeclarationontheRightsofIndigenousPeoplesadoptedbytheGeneralAssemblyresolution61/295,13September2007.
ThisDeclarationisnotlegallybinding.
TheDeclarationstatesthatthedocumentisan:"interpretationofthehumanrightsenshrinedinotherinternationalhumanrightsinstrumentsofuniversalresonance–astheseapplytoindigenouspeoplesandindigenousindividuals.
ItisinthatsensethattheDeclarationhasabindingeffectforthepromotion,respectandfulfillmentoftherightsofindigenouspeoplesworldwide.
"Itisalsoreferredtoasa"considerablemoralforce"325MichaelGriffiths,'What'shappeningisfascism':artistsrespondtoIsrael's'waronculture',TheGuardian,1march2016.
Availableat:https://www.
theguardian.
com/artanddesign/2016/mar/01/israel-loyalty-in-culture-bill-debate-fascism-miri-regev-art-free-speech,TheAssociationforCivilRightsinIsrael,FinalVoteTodayonNakbaLawandAcceptancetoCommunitiesBill,22March2011.
Availableat:http://www.
acri.
org.
il/en/2011/03/22/final-vote-on-nakba-law-and-acceptance-to-communities-bill/326Adalah,"NakbaLaw"–AmendmentNo.
40totheBudgetsFoundationsLaw.
Availableat:https://www.
adalah.
org/en/law/view/496327JonathanLis,'ArabicOut'//Right-wingMKsAimtoMakeHebrewIsrael'sOnlyOfficialLanguage,25August2014.
Availableat:http://www.
haaretz.
com/israel-news/.
premium-1.
61235791Ministerin2009toHebraizeallroadsignsinIsraelbyremovingtheArabicnamesofplaceswhichhaveculturalsignificancetoPalestinians.
328ArabicspeakersinIsraelfaceconstantbarriersproducedbylanguagediscriminationincludingnotbeingabletoreceivehighereducationintheirownlanguageoraccesstoorsubmitionofofficialformsinArabic.
329NationalsymbolssuchasthePalestinianflagalsohavealonghistoryofbeingprohibited,suchasthebanningoftheflagintheoPtfrom1967to1993andcriminalizingthedisplayoftheflag'scolorsinartworkin1980.
330Morerecently,a2014lawmadethewavingoftheflaginprotestsillegalinIsrael.
331SuchlegislationandpoliciesareinclearviolationoftherightsofPalestiniansinIsraeltoexpresstheirdistinctculture,identity,historiesandlanguage.
TheCaseofPalestinianBedouinsintheNaqabTheprotectionsupheldbyinternationallawareparticularlyimportantinthecontextofPalestinianBedouinsintheNaqabduetothespecificchallengestheyfaceinpreservingtheirdistincttraditionalwayoflife.
TheDeclarationandbodiessuchastheCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights(inchargeofimplementingtheICESCR)emphasizetheimportanceoflandandtraditionalcommunallifestylestothemaintenanceoftheirculture.
332Articles26and27upholdindigenouspeoples'rightstotheirterritories,landsandresources;333rightswhicharealsoaffirmedbytheInternationalConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofRacialDiscriminationandtheCommitteeontheEliminationofRacialDiscrimination.
334Inadditiontotheserights,theDeclarationontheRightsofIndigenousPeoplesaffirmstheirrightstolive"inaccordancewiththeircommunityornation'straditionsandcustoms,"tonot"besubjectedtoassimilationordestructionoftheirculture"and"topracticeandrevitalizetheirculturaltraditionsandcustoms.
"335328Adalah,TheInequalityReport,ThePalestinianArabMinorityinIsrael,March2011,page47.
Availableat:https://www.
adalah.
org/uploads/oldfiles/upfiles/2011/Adalah_The_Inequality_Report_March_2011.
pdf329Ibid.
page46330PalestineCenterInterns–SarahDickshinski,AbbyMassell,ZoReinsteinandMirvatSalameh,"ForbiddenColors"ComingtoLight,TheJerusalemFundforEducationandCommunityDevelopment,2016.
Availableat:http://www.
thejerusalemfund.
org/10558/forbidden-colors-coming-light331RobertTait,WhatistheIsraelianti-terrorbill,TheTelegraph,26November2014.
Availableat:http://www.
telegraph.
co.
uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/11254987/What-is-the-Israeli-anti-terror-bill.
html332OHCHR,IndigenousPeoplesandtheUnitedNationHumanRightsSystem,FactSheetNo.
9/Rev.
2,2013,page20.
Availableat:http://www.
ohchr.
org/Documents/Publications/fs9Rev.
2.
pdf333Ibid.
page6334Ibid.
page21335Ibid.
page792EssentialaspectsoftheIsraeliendeavortosuppresstheBedouincultureandwayoflifecanberevealedbytwokeypolicies:theforcibledisplacementofBedouinsfromtheirlandsintotownshipsanddiscriminatorylandallocation.
IsraelbeganmovingBedouinsintogovernment-plannedtownshipsinthe1960s,eventuallybuildingseventownshipsintotal.
Currently,around45percentofallBedouinintheNaqabliveinthesetownships,whileabout25percentliveinvillagesrecentlyrecognizedbythegovernmentandover30percentliveinvillagesthatIsraelrefusestorecognize.
336IsraelhasattemptedtopressureBedouinsinunrecognizedvillagestorelocatetothetownshipsthroughvariousmeansincludingdemolitionsanddenialofbasicservicessuchaswaterandelectricity.
337FortheBedouin,aswithmanyindigenouspeoples,remainingontheirlandisessentialtotheirabilitytomaintaintheircultureandtraditionallifestyles.
ThetransferofBedouinpeopleintotownships,therefore,amountstoa"Forcedurbanizationandproleterianizationthatefface[s]theirnomadictraditionsandtheirruralwayoflife"338andviolatestherightguaranteedbytheICESCRto"housingthatisculturallyadequate.
"339Thedesignofthetownshipsmakesitimpossibletomaintaintraditionalagricultureandherding,340leavinginhabitantswithoutanymeanstocontinuetheirlivelihoods.
341Thishaspromptedtownshipresidentstotrytocreateagriculturallotsandanimalpensclosetowheretheylivewhichhasresultedindireecologicalproblemsinthelocalwaterandsewagesystems.
342336AlthoughmostPalestiniancommunitieswithinthegreenlinein1965hadexistedlongbeforetheestablishmentofIsrael,manyPalestinianvillagesintheGalilee,andatleast50BedouincommunitiesintheNaqab,werenotincludedinthe1965PlanningandBuildingLaw.
Notpartofthenationalmasterplan,theybecame"unrecognized"orillegalunderthelaw.
Formoreinformation,see:http://www.
badil.
org/en/component/k2/item/6-al-naqab-the-ongoing-displacement-of-palestine's-southern-bedouin.
html;FarahMihlar,Israel'sdenialoftheBedouin,Minorityrightsgroupinternational,November2011.
Availableat:http://minorityrights.
org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/MRG_Brief_Bedouin.
pdf337TheAssociationforCivilRightsinIsrael,NegevBedouinsandUnrecognizedVillages.
Availableat:http://www.
acri.
org.
il/en/category/arab-citizens-of-israel/negev-bedouins-and-unrecognized-villages/338TheNegevCoexistenceForumforCivilEquality,theAssociationforSupportandDefenseofBedouinRightsinIsrael,Arab-BedouincoalitionoforganizationsandParentsCommitteesforpromotingeducationandculturalrights,PhysiciansforHumanRights–Israel,andRecognitionForum,TheArab-BedouinintheNegev-NaqabDesertinIsrael,ResponsetotheReportoftheStateofIsraelonImplementingtheCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights(ICESCR),October2010.
Availableat:http://d843006.
bc470.
best-cms.
com/uploaded/Final_Shadow_report_ESCR_1Nov_10.
pdf339UnitedNationsCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights,GeneralCommentNo.
4:TheRighttoAdequateHousing(Art.
11(1)oftheCovenant),E/1992/23,13December1991340TheNegevCoexistenceForumforCivilEquality,theAssociationforSupportandDefenseofBedouinRightsinIsrael,Arab-BedouincoalitionoforganizationsandParentsCommitteesforpromotingeducationandculturalrights,PhysiciansforHumanRights–Israel,andRecognitionForum,TheArab-BedouinintheNegev-NaqabDesertinIsrael,op.
cit.
,October2010341Ibid.
,page19342Ibid.
93Thedesignofthetownshipsalsopreventsthecontinuationoftraditionalsociallife,which"disrupt[s]thesocialfabricandhierarchiesofBedouincommunities.
"343ThetownshipswerepartiallybuiltonlandconfiscatedfromvariousBedouincommunities,creatinginternalcommunalconflicts.
344Itisnotsurprising,therefore,thatoneBedouinmandescribedthetownshipsas"theantithesisofBedouinbeing.
"345"Therewerearound90,000to120,000PalestinianBedouinintheNaqabbefore1948.
Duringthewar,90percentoftheseBedouinswereforciblydisplaced,mostofthemtotheGazaStripandJordan.
Thosewhomanagedtoremain,between12,000and20,000,wereconcentratedinoneareathatmakesonlyfor10percentofthewholeNaqabdesert.
TheseIsraelipoliciestotransferPalestinianBedouinsstillexisttoday,anddidnotjustendin1948.
OnecommonpolicyisthetransferofBedouinsfromonecommunitytoanotherwhichisnottheirs,inanattempttobreaktheconnectionbetweentheBedouinsandtheirland.
TheBedouinscurrentlylivinginthevillagesUmmal-HiranandWadial-Na'am[intheNaqab]wereforciblytransferredfromtheiroriginalvillagestothosevillages.
Now,theIsraelicourtssaythatthesevillagesarenottheirsandsotheyhavetoleavethem[becausetheyarethereillegally].
ThisIsraelimechanismoftransferring,movingandmixingismainlytobreaktheconnectionsthePalestinianBedouinshavetotheland.
Inmyopinion,Bedouinshavethestrongestkindofrelationshipwiththeland,itisnotonlyaphysicalconnection,isitaspiritualconnectionwiththeland.
AnotherIsraelipolicyisforcedgentrificationwhichaffectsallaspectsofBedouinlife;economic,cultural,orsocial.
TheyconcentratetheBedouinpopulationinasmallterritoryinordertoevacuatePalestiniansfromtheirlandtobuildmorecolonies.
OfcoursePalestiniansintheNaqabareastrategicthreattoIsrael,andthus,IsraelusesthispolicytoputBedouinsindenselypopulatedareaswhichwillleadtoseveralconsequencesontheirsociallives,andofcoursethetribalentitywhichwastheregulatorofBedouinslives,andwastheorganizingbodyforpeople'slivesisnowdeclining.
Forexample,Bedouineconomiclifedependedonfarming,especiallyintheWesternpartoftheNaqabwhichwasfamousforwheatproduction.
Now,duetothisIsraelipolicyBedouinagriculturallifeiscompletelydestroyed.
Moreover,thereareseveralIsraelilawsthatlimitranchingwhichisalsooneofthemostimportantelementsinBedouineconomiclife.
343Ibid.
344HRW,OfftheMap–LandandHousingRightsViolationsinIsrael'sUnrecognizedBedouinVillages,30March2008.
Availableat:https://www.
hrw.
org/report/2008/03/30/map/land-and-housing-rights-violations-israels-unrecognized-bedouin-villages345HarrietSherwood,Bedouin'splight:'Wewanttomaintainourtraditions.
Butit'sadreamhere',3November2011.
Availableat:https://www.
theguardian.
com/world/2011/nov/03/bedouin-plight-traditions-threat-israel94NowadaysthereisabigengagementofBedouinsintheIsraelilabormarket,andtheindependentBedouineconomyisfullydestroyedbecauseofthelandconfiscationsandforcibledisplacementoftheBedouinswhichbroughtadeclineintheirculturallifenotonlyinbeinganeconomicentity.
OneoftheIsraelipoliticians,MosheDayan,346oncesaid,WeshouldtransformtheBedouinintoanurbanproletariatinindustry,services,constructionandagriculture.
Eighty-eightpercentoftheIsraelipopulationisnotfarmers;lettheBedouinsbelikethem.
Indeed,thiswillbearadicalmove,whichmeansthattheBedouinwouldnotliveonhislandwithhisherds,butwouldbecomeanurbanpersonwhocomeshomeintheafternoonandputshisslipperson….
Thechildrenwouldgotoschoolwiththeirhairproperlycombed.
Thiswouldbearevolution,anditmaybefixedwithintwogenerations.
Withoutcoercionbutwithgovernmentdirection…thisphenomenonoftheBedouinswilldisappear.
347ThisisacolonialspeechthataimstomakethePalestiniansandespeciallytheBedouinspartoftheIsraelieconomicstructureandtopreventanykindofanindependentPalestinianeconomy.
Bedouinsbynaturearestrongpeople;theyliveinakindofchallengingandtoughenvironmentwhichmadesumud[steadfastness]easierforthem.
Eveninthepasttheyneverobeyedanykindofauthority,theyarepatient,determinedandstubbornpeople.
Forexample,nowwehavearound20Bedouincommunities,mostofthemdonothaveanyrecognitionfromthestate.
Thismeansthatthosecommunitiesdonothaveanykindofbasicservicesandsuitableinfrastructure.
Yet,peopledidnotleavethosecommunitiesandthebuildingofacitynexttothemtoattractBedouinstomovetherewasalsonotsuccessful.
AfterOslo,andspecificallyduringtheSecondIntifada,therewasfearofageographicalexpansionofPalestinianBedouinstothebordersoftheWestBankandtheGazaStrip,sowhatIsraeldidwastobuildaseparationblocbyestablishingIsraelicoloniesaroundthebordersoftheNaqab,inordertoseparatethePalestinianBedouinsfromPalestiniansintheWestBankortheGazaStrip.
InordertoachievethisplanIsraelhadtotransferseveralBedouincommunities.
OneofthemisUmmal-HiranvillagewhichusedtoconnecttheWestBankwiththeNaqabanditspopulationwasforciblydisplaced.
Therearenowalmost250,000BedouinslivingintheNaqabandaround100,000arelivinginvillagesandcommunitiesthatarenotrecognizedbyIsrael.
Moreover,IsraeldoesnotprovidethemwithanyservicesorsuitableinfrastructureandalsothecontinuoushomedemolitionsisoneofthemainpoliciesaffectingthePalestinianBedouinsonalargescale.
346Israelimilitaryleaderandpolitician;heservedasMinisterofAgriculturebetween1949-1964andMinisterofDefensebetween1967and1974,amongotherpositions347T.
J.
Demos,TheMigrantImage:TheArtandPoliticsofDocumentaryDuringGlobalCrisis,DukeUniversityPressBooks,13February2013,page13295Iwanttoendwithanexampleofavillagethatmanagedtogetrecognized,butthenthatrecognitionwasrevoked.
BedouinsfromBeirHadajweredisplacedin1948toWadial-Na'am.
In1994thoseBedouinsdecidedtoreturntoBeirHadajandtheydidreturnbutin2004Israelrevokedtherecognitionofthevillage.
ThisvillageissurroundedbyseveralIsraelisettlementsandIsraelwantstodestroythevillageandtransferitscitizens.
Theydemolished11housesafewmonthsagoinordertoallowmorespacefortheexpansionofthesurroundingsettlements.
"AmirAbuQweder,activistintheNaqabareaInterview:15November2016IsraelipolicyconcerningtheallocationandrevocationoflandandhousingintheNaqabgenerallyreflectstheoverarchingpolicyofestablishingcontrolovermaximumlandwithaminimalamountofPalestiniansonthatland.
However,IsraelappearedtodeviatesomewhatfromthispatternwhenitnotonlyrecognizedseveralBedouinvillagesbutchosevillageswithlargepopulations.
Thismovewouldseemillogical,butinfactthestrategicnatureofitsselectionsshowsanunderlyinglogicthatpointtothetargetingofBedouinculture.
Onereportnotedthat"Onlylargevillageswithoutruralcharacteristicsareeligibletobeconsideredforrecognition.
"348WhenviewedinconjunctionwiththeemphasisonmovingBedouinsintotownships,thisinformationwouldindicatethatStateapprovalofwhereBedouinslivecurrentlyhasmoretodowithallocationofhousingthatinterferesasmuchaspossiblewithatraditionalruralwayoflifethanitdoeswithablanketdenialofresidency.
ThishypothesisissupportedbythestrategicbuildingofIsraelisettlementsinthearea.
IsraelhasarguedthatthetownshipsintheNaqabmustbelargeandurbantobeeconomicallysustainable.
ThepatternofsettlementbuildingintheNaqab,however,showsthatIsrael"doesfavoragriculturalsettlementsandverysmallsettlements–butforJewsonly.
"349ThisdemonstratesthattheproblemforIsraelisnotwithagriculturalsettlements,perse,butratheragriculturalsettlementsthatfacilitateparticularculturalexpressions.
ItcanonlybeconcludedthatthesepoliciesrepresentaconcertedefforttodisrupttraditionalBedouinsocietybyspatialmeansandillustrateIsraeliattemptstoconcentrateBedouinsinspecificareas,whichresultsinthedestructionoftheirtraditionalcommunitiesandseverelyaffectstheirconnectiontotheland,acoreelementofBedouincultureandwayoflife.
348TheNegevCoexistenceForumforCivilEquality,theAssociationforSupportandDefenseofBedouinRightsinIsrael,Arab-BedouincoalitionoforganizationsandParentsCommitteesforpromotingeducationandculturalrights,PhysiciansforHumanRights–Israel,andRecognitionForum,TheArab-BedouinintheNegev-NaqabDesertinIsrael,op.
cit.
,October2010,page13349Ibid.
,page1696TheCaseofEastJerusalemCulturalEventsandActivitiesinEastJerusalem:On24October2010,adraftlawwasunanimouslyapprovedbytheKnesset'sMinisterialCommitteeonLegislativeAffairstomaketheJudaizationofJerusalem"aJewishnationalpriorityareaofthefirstorder.
"350Someoftheeffortsto'de-Palestinianize'JerusalemtaketheformofconstantpolicingofPalestinianculturaleventsandactivities.
Forexample,EastJerusalemwaschosentobetheArabCapitalofCulturefor2009aspartofUNESCO'sCulturalCapitalsProgram.
351Insteadofrespectingthiscelebrationofinternationalimportancewhichoccurredoutsideitsrecognizedborders,theIsraeliarmyreportedthatmunicipalpoliceandborderguardswerebeingdeployedinEastJerusalemandsurroundingvillagestostop"anyeventrelatedtothefestivalfromtakingplace.
"352ActionstakenbytheIsraelisecurityforcesincluded;shuttingdownasoccergameandagatheringofyounggirls,blockingagroupofstudentswithPalestinianflagsfromreachingtheAl-AqsaMosquecompound,confiscatingatorchbroughtfromSyriafortheopeningceremony,anddispersingcrowdsinlocationsthroughoutthecity.
353TheofficialjustificationfortheseactionswasthatanyeventsinsomewayorganizedorfundedbythePalestinianAuthority(PA)areillegalwithinIsraelisovereignjurisdiction,despitethefactthatEastJerusalemisinternationallyrecognizedasoccupiedterritory.
354IsraelipolicehavealsousedallegationsofPAsponsorshiptoshutdowneventsevenwhentheirorganizersattesttotheirindependence,includingachildren'spuppetshowinaPalestiniantheatreinEastJerusalem,355andthePalestinianLiteratureFestivalwhichwassupportedbytheBritishCounciland350CCPRJ,AlternativeReportonIsraeltotheCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights47thsession,14November–2December2011.
Availableat:http://www.
civiccoalition-jerusalem.
org/uploads/9/3/6/8/93682182/escr_alternative_report_nov_-_dec_2011_47th_session.
pdf351RandaAbuShakra,CelebratingJerusalemasthecapitalofArabculture,Menassat,26January2009.
Availableat:http://www.
menassat.
com/q=en/news-articles/5863-celebrating-jerusalem-capital-arab-culture352PhilipWeiss,ArabfestivalshutdowninJerusalemamidfearsofsuppressionofculturalidentity,Mondoweiss,20March2009.
Availableat:http://mondoweiss.
net/2009/03/the-israeli-police-according-to-a-report-in-the-israeli-daily-haaretz-have-pledged-to-prevent-the-al-quds-arab-cultural/353Reuters,JonathanLisandJackKhoury,PoliceDisperse'PalestinianCultureFestival'Events,Haaretz,20March2009.
Availableat:http://www.
haaretz.
com/news/police-disperse-palestinian-culture-festival-events-1.
272577354Ibid.
355HarrietSherwood,Israelstopschildren'spuppettheatreshowoverPAlink,TheGuardian,24June2013.
Availableat:https://www.
theguardian.
com/world/2013/jun/24/israel-cancels-puppet-show-jerusalem97UNESCO.
356Statesuppressionofthesekindsofartisticorculturaldisplaysaresorampantthatsomehavebeenforcedtogo'underground'withPalestiniansstagingplays,musicperformances,orpoetryreadingsinprivatehomesorbakeriesinordertoavoidpoliceintervention.
357ConcomitantwiththesuppressionofPalestinianculturalandnationalactivityisaconstantpromotionofIsraelinationalismandtheJewishheritageofthecity,ofteninwaysthatareantagonistictowardsitsPalestinianresidents.
CelebrationofIsrael'sIndependenceDayandJerusalemDay(commemoratingthe'liberation'ofJerusalembyIsraelin1967)isactivelyencouragedthroughoutthecity,despitethefactthattheyrepresentpainfuleventsforPalestinians.
358TheMarchoftheFlagsthatannuallyaccompaniesJerusalemDayisparticularlydifficulttoendure,asitinvolvesamarchbyZionistreligiousnationaliststhroughtheMuslimQuarterwhoregularlyshoutsloganssuchas'DeathtoArabs'359andphysicallyattackthePalestiniansthattheycomeacross.
360ItisnotthemarchersbutthePalestiniansthatliveandworkinthatareathatpaythepriceforthisbehavior–insteadofhaltingorredirectingthemarchtheIsraelipolicerequestthatPalestiniansclosetheirshopsandremainathomethatdayto"reducepotentialtension.
"361IsraeliControloverEastJerusalemCurriculum:Anothermajorbattlegroundinthe'waronPalestinianculture'isthecurriculumofPalestinianschoolsinEastJerusalem.
The1993OsloAccords,whichgavethePApartialcontrolovertheoPt,werealsomeanttogivethePAcontroloverPalestinianeducationsystemandcurriculum.
362ThePAaccordinglyprepareditsowntextbooks,whichwereintroducedin2000.
However,IsraelhascensoredthecontentofthosebooksusedinEastJerusalem'smunicipalpublicschoolsbyexcisingany356RoryMcCarthy,ArmedIsraelipoliceclosetheatreonfirstnightofPalestinianfestival,24May2009.
Availableat:https://www.
theguardian.
com/world/2009/may/24/israeli-police-close-palestinian-theatre357OmarH.
Rahman,ArtandCulturegoesUndergroundinEastJerusalem,+972Magazine,24October2011.
Availableat:http://972mag.
com/art-and-culture-goes-underground-in-east-jerusalem/26284/;BBCNews,Jerusalemartistsgounderground,3November2009.
Availableat:http://news.
bbc.
co.
uk/2/hi/middle_east/8338316.
stm358AzizAbuSarah,PalestiniansaskedtoclosetheirshopsforJerusalemDay,+972Magazine,20May2012.
Availableat:http://972mag.
com/palestinians-asked-to-close-their-shops-for-jerusalem-day/46355/359DanCohenandDavidSheen,'ConquerorsofJerusalem':MarchcelebratesIsraelioccupationwithmessianicfervor,Mondoweiss,17June2016.
Availableat:http://mondoweiss.
net/2016/06/jerusalem-celebrates-occupation/,MichaelSchaefferOmer-Man,WATCH:Racism-filledmarchcurbsPalestinianmovementinJerusalem,12May2015.
Availableat:http://972mag.
com/watch-racism-filled-march-curbs-palestinian-movement-in-jerusalem/106667/360AzizAbuSarah,PalestiniansaskedtoclosetheirshopsforJerusalemDay,op.
cit.
,20May2012361Ibid.
362FouadMoughrabi,ThePoliticsofPalestinianTextbooks,downloadedinJune2016,page6.
Availableat:https://drive.
google.
com/file/d/0B9F3w57hgHoxNXZmQXEyNUlHTFE/view98materialitdeemscontrarytoitsofficialnarrative.
363In2011,IsraelsoughttoexpanditsinfluenceoverEastJerusalemstudentsbyattemptingtocontrolthecurriculumofPalestinianprivateschoolsaswell,withtheheadoftheKnesset'seducationcommitteedeclaringthatinEastJerusalem"thewholecurriculumshouldandmustbeIsraeli.
"364On7March2011IsraelieducationauthoritiesorderedthatprivateschoolsinJerusalemreceivingallocationsfromIsraelonlypurchasetextbookspreparedincoordinationwiththeIsraeliMinistryofEducation.
365ThesetextbooksweresignificantlyalteredtoremoveanycontentreferencingPalestinianidentity,cultureandhistoryintheland,includinganymentionofPalestiniancities,theoccupation,settlements,thePalestinianflagandnationalanthem,theIntifadas,JerusalemasthecapitalofPalestine,andPalestinianrefugees'rightofreturn.
366In2016,Israel'sMinisterofEducation,NaftaliBennett,statedhisintentionto"provideastrongtailwindtoanyschoolthatchoosestheIsraelicurriculum.
Mypolicyisclear:IwanttoaidtheprocessofIsraelization.
"367Inordertoaccomplishthis,theMinistryisofferingschoolsextrafundingandbenefitsinexchangeforswitchingcompletelytotheIsraelicurriculum.
ThiscurriculumerasesPalestinianidentityandhistoryintheland,referringtothemonlyasminoritiesandreligiousgroups.
WhilePalestinianshaveopposedthisnewpolicytocontroltheidentityformationofPalestinianstudentsandfurthertheannexationofEastJerusalembydisconnectingitevenmorefromtheWestBank,manyschoolsmaynotbeabletorefusetheoffer.
EastJerusalemschoolsstrugglewithlessfundingandresourcesthanJewish-Israeliones,andextramoneyisessentialforthemtoprovidecertainfundamentalclassesandservices.
368ThetimingandscopeofthispolicyispartiallyduetothedesireofIsraeliofficialstocountertheupswinginPalestinianresistancethatbeganinOctober2015.
TheshortschooldayandnationalistideasinthePalestiniancurriculum363TheCivilCampaignforPreservingthePalestinianCurriculuminJerusalem,PalestinianJerusalemitesOpposetheIllegalImpositionofIsraelicurriculuminEastJerusalemSchools.
Availableat:http://jlac.
ps/data_site_files/CCPPC.
pdf,1364JilianKestler-D'Amours,ForcedIsraelicurriculumviolatesPalestinians'educationrights,TheElectronicIntifada,17October2011.
Availableat:https://electronicintifada.
net/content/forced-israeli-curriculum-violates-palestinians-education-rights/10497365TheCivilCampaignforPreservingthePalestinianCurriculuminJerusalem,PalestinianJerusalemitesOpposetheIllegalImpositionofIsraelicurriculuminEastJerusalemSchools,op.
cit.
366Ibid.
;CCPRJ,Educationunderoccupation–ThecaseofJerusalem,page4.
Availableat:http://www.
civiccoalition-jerusalem.
org/uploads/9/3/6/8/93682182/education_under_occupation-_the_case_of_jerusalem.
pdf367JonathanCook,HowIsraelis'turningPalestiniansintoZionists',AlJazeera,18February2016.
Availableat:http://www.
aljazeera.
com/news/2016/02/israel-turning-palestinians-zionists-160218084338003.