Human Rights Watch reports 'serious violations' in Israel, Palestinian territories
Annual report lists Israel's blockade of Gaza Strip, settlement expansion in West Bank, and home demolitions in East Jerusalem; report also accuses Hamas for carrying out judicial executions and for allegedly torturing detainees.
By DPA Tags: Palestinians Gaza West Bank Israel settlements HamasSerious violations in Israel and the Palestinian territories were ongoing in 2011, Human Rights Watch said in its annual report Sunday.
It listed Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip, ongoing settlement expansion in the West Bank and home demolitions in East Jerusalem.
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East Jerusalem. |
| Photo by: Alex Levac |
But it also noted Palestinian rocket and mortar fire from Gaza at southern Israeli population centers.
And it condemned Hamas, the radical Islamist movement ruling Gaza, for carrying out three judicial executions, and for allegedly torturing scores of Palestinian detainees, some of whom died.
The Palestinian Authority was criticized for its part in arbitrarily detaining hundreds of Hamas supporters.
Israel has eased the entry of goods into Gaza, but continued to block exports, hindering the rebuilding of the coastal enclave's devastated economy. Construction materials are still barred because Israel says they can be used by militants and Gaza still had an estimated shortage of some 250 schools and 100,000 homes.
In the West Bank and East Jerusalem, Israel had demolished (by November 1) some 467 Palestinian homes and other buildings, displacing 869 people, the highest number in five years, the report said.
"Israel usually carries out demolitions on the grounds that the structures were built without permits, but in practice such permits are almost impossible for Palestinians to obtain in Israeli-controlled areas," read the report.
The report also sharply criticized Israel for detaining 164 Palestinian minors. It also mentioned settler violence and vandalism and what it said was lack of action by Israeli authorities against it. The United Nations reported 377 attacks by settlers last year that damaged Palestinian property, including almost 10,000 olive trees.
The report also mentioned new legislation passed by the Israeli parliament, including one law making "calls for boycotts of Israeli settlements" as a civil offense, and another which "penalizes cultural, academic, or other institutions or municipalities that commemorate the Nakba (catastrophe)" - the Palestinian term for the dispersal of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians as refugees in the 1948-49 war that broke out after Israel was established.
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Syria A+ - Knows how treat it's citizens. Egypt A
Let them focus their efforts on establishing human rights in Gaza, Syria and Egypt where Islamists have just gained political control. Leave the only true democracy in the Middle East alone.
Obviously, you neither read the article nor know much about Human Rights Watch. Believe it or not, Israel is not the center of the world - it is just one of many states that ignore human rights. Ignorance is bliss, isn't it?
Denying Palestinians food, water, medicine, medical care, consruction material, free movement, Is inteputed the wrong way. isreal is helping they save money. When civilians including infants, childeren, woman and old man "jump" in fornt of IDF bullets or bombs. Isreal is providing birth control. The French were wrong with their Report of water distribution in the West Bank. Palestinians could get sick if they drink too much or are able to grow food. UN was wrong Human Rights were wrong
That's why nobody takes these people seriously.
Look who's talking ! She/he comes from a criminal surrounding.
For the flood of "Useless body", "anti-Semite", "right to self-defense".
Perhaps the article means to accuse Hamas of EXTRA-judicial executions. But the word "extra" is missing in the two instances the charge is mentioned. If HRW has a problem with "judicial" executions, they should worry about something else. I also find myself unsympathetic to the "torture" charges, until some means of torture are mentioned. They might just refer to "enhance investigation techniques" as are used in the US. Frankly, the charges against Israel are more serious.
whether used by the US military or by Hamas
How about having wrists tied behind your back then being hoisted by said wrists so all your weight is placed on you (nearly dislocated shoulders)...and if that wasn't enough having electric currents applied to your feet? Or being tied to a hot radiator - or a freezer unit. Being kept in a tiny confined space - doubled up until you're in agony. Or being kept awake for days at a time until you don't know whether it's day or night, this week or next? Having your wife / sister / mother assaulted in an adjacent room so you can hear their screams but cannot see what is happening. Or electric currents applied to your genitals... There are many many witness testimonies whose injuries support their stories. And these 'techniques' aren't confined to adults - they are inflicted on minors too.
"...and for allegedly torturing scores of Palestinian detainees, some of whom died." They weren't tickled to death. If you're willing to condemn Israeli violence there is no justification for down-playing Palestinian violence also.
I'm pretty sure that HRW doesn't make the "enhanced interrogation" distinction that the US does. In fact the US is criticized regularly for using torture, under the guise of "enhanced interrogation". I wouldn't take so lightly at the accusations directed at Hamas though, however it does seem reasonable to keep in mind that Israel is supposed to be a responsible and democratic state and as such is expected to play by the rules. It is quite sad if someone expects such a state to be held to the same standards as a terrorist group.
...............and the people who pressed the like button! At least clear you are not living in the Hamas territory!!!
The usual reflexive defense of Israel: not all claims that Israel did anything wrong are anti-semitic. Some claims are true, and the truth is neither pro- or against anything.
As to Hamas committing crimes--at least they are not doing it for the glory of something "greater". By the way---being against Israeli brutality is hardly Anti Semitic.
Maybe you need to spend more time trying to change the Israeli policies that lead to it - instead of whining about people calling them what they ARE
Some progress!
Human rights violators should all be condemned.
it will help to make victory over the state, which calls itself “Israel” but is far away from the one, who others name “God”
End the Occupation and illegal settlements and allow a Palestinian State and the problems will largely dissipate.