Humanitarian Law Needed in Occupied Israel/Palestine
by Arn Specter, Phila. (Twitter)
As the world community is now considering the Goldstone Report
on Gaza and the difference of opinions it has engendered, including
acceptance by the United Nations Human Rights Council and the
UN General Assembly, with opposition by the United States, a few
other countries and a neutral position by the European Union. with a
three month period given for both Israel and Gaza to make "independent'
investigations into the Gaza conflict, which took place last December
and January in the Palestinian occupied city of Gaza, Israel...
Alexander Higgins, AP, May 20,2009,
Prosecutor: Gaza probe goes on without Israeli OK, says, "where over
1400 Palestinians were killed, including more than 900 civilians, according to Palestinian officials and human rights groups. It also destroyed thousands of homes and heavily damaged Gaza's infastructure."
See: http://www.democracynow.org/2009/9/16/un_inquiry_finds_israel_punished_and
Interview with Norman Finkelstein on the Gaza Report by Judge Richard Goldstone, UN Inquiry Finds Israel "Punished and Terrorized" Palestinian Civilians, Committed War Crimes During Gaza Assault ".
Interview by Amy Goodman, Democracy Now, Independent Public TV,
September 16, 2009.
Israel has continued to harm the Palestinian people by depriving them of basic human necessities while injuring and killing them in various disputes over the last
10 months, in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza regions.
Pressure on the United Nations, Israel and the United States as well as the European Union and the Arab League to take action on seeing that international humanitarian law is upheld now in Israel to aid the Palestinian people may well help to turn the tide and foster humanitarian rights being respected in Gaza,the West Bank and Jeruselem.
I'm submitting this SummationReportof the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Occupied Palestinian Territory, for the
2 1/2 month period between August 19 and October 3, 2009, (see below)
details many of those deprivations inflicted upon the Palestinian peoples
by the Israeli Army and right-wing government, now governed by Benjamin Netanyahu's party.
These reports include Palestinians killed and injured inthe areas
of the West Bank, East Jerusalem. and Gaza; along with those
in tunnels and in fights among settlers.
Palestinian People: 18 killed, 247 injured
In tunnels collapsed: 12 killed, 35 injured.
The following deprivations and punishments have been fostered on
the Palestinian people by Israel. according to the United Nations Reports.
United Nations, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs,
1) Need permit to enter east Jerusalem.
2) Shortage of classrooms in est Jerusalem.
3) Gaza schools damaged, short on supplies and educational materials.
4) Demolished 2 agricultural water ponds affecting tens of families.
5) Denied Muslims access to Friday prayers during the month of Ramadan.
6) Water and sanitation crisis in Gaza.
7) Gaza tunnel collapse deaths and injuries.
8) Power cuts and blackouts in Gaza.
9) Opening of Rafah Crossing limited.
10) Removal/demolition of homes
11) Plans for Israel settlement housing units in Palestinian territory.
12) Fuel imports remain below needs.
13) Settlers violence during the Olive harvest.
14) Trees cut down.
15) Concern over eviction in Sheikh Jerrah
16) Home demolitions in Jericho
17) Students detained from leaving Gaza for studies abroad.
18) Possible reduction in imports of cooking gas.
19) Limited entry of new import items.
20) In Hebron Palestinians movement restricted.
21) In Gaza, Winter brings harsher living conditions.
22) Blockage prevents reconstruction of 6,000 houses damaged
or destroyed during Dec-Jan Cast Lead "carnage" (a.s.)
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The UN Reports:http://www.ochaopt.org/?module=displaysection§ion_id=104&format=html&edition_id=
United Nations, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs,
Occupied Palestinian Territory
This week, 12 Palestinians sustained injuries by Israeli forces throughout the oPt, including 11 in the West Bank; an additional three people killed and six others injured in tunnel-related incidents in Gaza. Settlers attempted to take over two Palestinian houses in East Jerusalem in the context of disputed ownership of property. Also in East Jerusalem, three houses were demolished, which led to the displacement of 42 people. In the Old City of Hebron, orders restricting Palestinian movement extended. In Gaza, residents face harder living conditions with the winter season; the blockade continues to prevent the reconstruction of over 6,000 houses that were destroyed or sustained severe damage during Cast Lead. imports remain below needs
This week, 28 Palestinians sustained injuries by Israeli forces throughout the oPt; including 18 injured in clashes that erupted again in and around Al Aqsa Mosque Compound. Also in East Jerusalem, six Palestinian houses were demolished,
which led to the displacement of 26 people, including 10 children.
Ten demolition and stop work orders issued in Jericho area. Olive harvest continues amidst incidents of settler violence. In Gaza, growing concern over living conditions as winter approaches. Limited entry of new items; Gaza imports increased slightly. Fuel imports remain below needs.
This week, 15 Palestinians sustained injuries by Israeli forces throughout the oPt; an additional Palestinian death and 11 injuries resulted from tunnel collapse. During the Olive harvest, Israeli settlers cut down Palestinian trees and attack harvesters. Concern over possible imminent eviction in Sheikh Jarrah. Nine demolition and stop work orders issued in Jericho area. Over 800 students still waiting to leave Gaza for studies abroad. Growing concern over reduction in imports of cooking gas. Decrease in Gaza imports; from 586 to 453 truckloads.
A 17-year-old boy died from injuries he sustained few months ago and 21 Palestinians wounded by Israeli forces throughout the West Bank. Multiple injuries in clashes in Jerusalem, which subsided on 11 October. Israeli settlers violence remains high with the beginning of Olive harvest; 13 incidents reported, the majority of which erupted in the context of olive harvest. Demolition of houses in East Jerusalem resumed. In Gaza, a week of relative calm; the educational system continues to be disrupted by the ongoing lack of materials; a total of 586 truckloads of goods entered, 23 percent higher than the previous week; no exports allowed; fuel imports remain below estimated needs.
Three Palestinians, inlcuding a 17 year-old boy, were killed and 41 others injured by Israeli forces throughout the oPt; two others killed in Gaza tunnels and four others injured by Israeli settlers. Tensions continued to be high in East Jerusalem, with 18 Palestinians injured in clashes. Rise in West Bank settler violence 13 incidents; four Palestinians injured. OCHA confirms the removal of 35 out of 100 removals announced by the IDF during the previous period. Ongoing settlement expansion; foundations being laid for 800 settlement housing units. In Gaza, a total of 478 truckloads of goods entered, 37 percent higher than the previous week. No exports this week. Fuel imports remain below estimated needs.
During the past two weeks, five Palestinians were killed and two injured, as violence escalates in Gaza; one Palestinian was killed and 50 injured in the West Bank, over half on one day. Settler violence continued in the West Bank. Nearly 60 percent of the Palestinian population denied access to Friday prayers in East Jerusalem, and two comprehensive closures were imposed on the West Bank. Gaza tunnels continued to claim lives; four were killed and 18 injured. Power cuts were slightly reduced, but scheduled blackouts remained in place in Gaza. Ad hoc opening of the Rafah Crossing allowed limited access for people
This week, one Palestinian died in the West Bank and four others were injured throughout the oPt. Further to this, two Palestinians were killed in tunnel collapse. Settlers' violence is on the rise this week; there were 16 reported settler-related incidents, of which four have resulted in 19 Palestinian injuries. Over 60 percent
of Palestinians are denied entry to East Jerusalem on Fridays. Entry of eligible Palestinians proved difficult due to physical obstacles and lack of adequate arrangements on the checkpoints. The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) releases an environmental assessment of the Gaza Strip on the period since the
end of "Cast Lead".
Israeli forces killed one boy near the border fence in Gaza, and injured ten other Palestinians throughout the oPt. In addition, Israeli Civil Administration demolished three agricultural water ponds in Hebron affecting tens of families. Around 60% of Palestinian Muslims are denied access to Friday prayers during the month of Ramadan. Humanitarian organizations raise concerns over the ongoing water and sanitation crisis in Gaza.
This week, two Palestinians were killed, including a 15 year-old boy (Ramallah), and another 12 were injured throughout the oPt. As new school year began, thousands of students affected by a shortage of classrooms in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, while access to schools in Gaza was impeded by a combined problem of lack of building materials to reconstruct and repair damaged schools and a shortage of educational materials. Access for West Bank ID holders to East Jerusalem on the first Friday of Ramadan was reported to be more orderly than in previous years.
The declining trend of West Bank injuries observed since April 2009 continued this week. During Ramadan Palestinian men and women holding West Bank IDs over 50 and 45, respectively, and boys and girls under 12 and 16 respectively, will be allowed entry into East Jerusalem for Friday prayers without a permit. Also married men between 45 and 50 and married women between 30 and 45 are eligible for an entry permit. After four weeks of relative calm and no casualties in Gaza, this week four Palestinian civilians were killed and another 11 were injured. There was a 25 percent increase in the number of truckloads that entered Gaza this week, compared to last week, constituting less than one-quarter of weekly average of truckloads that entered during the first five months of 2007.
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It is obvious that months after January 2009, the end of the Gaza carnage,
that Israel has fostered severe repressions and deprivations upon the
Palestinian peoples; man, women and children all affected, some even losing
their lives. Apparently it wasn't enough for Israel to kill over 1400, injure
5,000 and make 50,000 people homeless.
In addition to directly depriving people of basic needs to live at a level
of subsistence, much less decently, Israel has forbidden and blocked aid
from coming into Gaza. As reported in the Workers World, Aug.13, 2009,
'Mission accomplished' in Gaza' by Delores Cox, Brooklyn, N.Y.
A Viva Palestina U.S. Convoy returned form Gaza city on July 17 and 18.
"The activists were part of a delegation of over 200 people from across the U.S.
on a mission to deliver humanitarian aid to the besieged people of Gaza.
It was organized by British Parliament member George Galloway.
New York city Councilperson Charles Barron said, "since the bombing and invasion of Gaza this past December and January-resulting in the deaths of close to 1500 people-the aggression hasn't ceased." About the children of Gaza, he said, "they have no childhood. Israel destroyed their schools, playgrounds, toys and homes. In addition, many children are dying of starvation, forced upon them by Israel's siege and blockade. The 23-day bombing and invasion of Gaza has left them traumatized."
"Former U.S. Congressperson Cynthia McKinney was among the convoy participants. She had just recently returned to the U.S. after being kidnapped
and jailed in Israel. She, along with other international activists of the Free Gaza Movement had their boat, the 'Spirit of Humanity' hijacked by Israel in international waters during their mission to deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. Their entire precious cargo of building supplies was confiscated.
Both Barron and McKinney were the chief U.S. negotiators with Egyptian officials during the convoy."
Peter Belmont, NY responds to a Christian Science Monitor, Letter to the Editor, "In regard to the March 19 Opinion piece, 'The liability of limbo in Israel'. In this commentary author Bill Glucroft remarks, correctly, that Israel is frozen in a status quo which he calls an 'occupation-sponsored apartheid'.
He says that this is likely to become permanent unless the US steps in to 'push Israel past its comfort zone' by employing 'tough love' and that the US must cease to be 'an enabler of Israel's bad habits.' But how should the US accomplish this?
I think that the US should adopt a duel policy of continuing to promote peacemaking but also, in a 'paradigm shift' in the Palestinian/Israel policy treat the conduct of the occupation by Israel as a primary concern.
The US should insist that Israel comply with international humanitarian law in its occupation practices. this would mean removing the aptly nicknamed 'apartheid wall' from the West Bank and removing all the approximately 500,000 settlers from the West Bank.
At the same time, the US should do all it can to bring about the 'just and lasting peace' called for by UN Security Council Resolution 242 (1987) based on a two-state resolution of the conflict, if this is what the parties agree to, or a one-state resolution, if they agree to that."
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As things stand now both Israel and Hamas are put on notice by the United Nations to hold independent investigations on the Gaza conflict, whereas the Palestinians have agreed to do so while Israel has vociferously rejected the non-binding 'request' by the UN General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council,
along with the original findings and desires by Judge Richard Goldstone and associates for those investigations to occur or the matter be taken to the UN Security Council and then, possibly to the International Criminal Courtfor consideration and trial.
But, for the moment, for the purposes of this communication let us consider the needs of the Palestinian people to be relieved of the repressions and human rights restrictions placed upon them byIsrael. They need, through the cold winter, for Israel to relent, change policies and foster much more humanitarian concerns and actions so they can not only survive but have the opportunity to reconstruct their very damaged lives withoug further repressions and deprivations in their occupied cities.
Pressure on the United Nations, Israel and the United States as well as the European Union and the Arab League to take action on seeing that international humanitarian law is upheld now in Israel to aid the Palestinian people may well help to turn the tide and foster humanitarian rights being respected in Gaza,the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Arn Specter, Phila. (Twitter), arnpeace@yahoo.com
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