Israel transfer of Hamas men from Jerusalem may be war crime, UN envoy says
UN human rights rapporteur says forcible transfer of four Palestinians from East Jerusalem would break international law.
By Reuters Tags: Israel news East Jerusalem HamasIsrael's intention to expel four Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem to the West Bank could constitute a war crime, a UN human rights expert charged on Tuesday.
Richard Falk, UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, said the move was part of a Israeli push to remove Palestinians from East Jerusalem.
 |
Hamas official Mohammed Abu Tir was released from Israeli prison on Thursday May 19, 2010 |
| Photo by: Lior Mizrachi |
"These actions, if carried out, would violate international law, with certain actions potentially amounting to war crimes under international humanitarian law," Falk said in a statement.
"Forcibly transferring these individuals would constitute serious violations of Israel's legal obligations. At the same time, the current threats should be viewed as part of a larger, extremely worrying pattern of Israeli efforts to drive Palestinians out of East Jerusalem - all of which are illegal under international law," Falk said.
All four are members of the Palestinian Legislative Council and long-time residents of the city, Falk said. But all are also members of Hamas, which has pledged to destroy Israel and is viewed by Israel and the West as a terrorist group.
On September 6, the Israeli High Court of Justice is scheduled to consider their case, according to Falk.
He named them as Muhammad Abu-Teir, Ahmad Attoun, Muhammad Totah and Khaled Abu Arafeh. Araheh is a former Hamas cabinet minister and the other three were lawmakers elected in 2006.
"Israel, as an occupying power, is prohibited from transferring civilian persons from East Jerusalem and is prohibited from forcing Palestinians to swear allegiance or otherwise affirm their loyalty to the State of Israel," he said.
Demolitions
Falk also criticized Israel's plan to demolish some 20 Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem, calling it illegal and saying it reflected its systematic bid to drive Palestinians out of the holy city.
A local planning commission has approved a scheme to destroy the homes, as part of the King's Garden project, but it will need additional ratification which could take months, Israeli officials have said.
City spokesman Stephan Miller has said the project was intended "to improve the quality of life" in Silwan and that a park and public complex slated to be built in the area would be used by Arabs and Jews alike.
"International law does not allow Israel to bulldoze Palestinians homes to make space for the Mayor's project to build a garden, or anything else," said Falk.
Israel drew U.S. anger in March, when it announced during a visit by Vice President Joe Biden a plan to build 1,600 homes for Jews in an area of the occupied West Bank it considers part of Jerusalem. Israel assured Washington building at the Ramat Shlomo settlement site would not begin for at least two years.
In December 2008, Falk, who is Jewish, was detained and turned back from Israel while trying to carry out an official UN mission to Gaza, West Bank and East Jerusalem. The deportation was denounced by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
He has served in the independent post since May 2008, reporting to the UN Human Rights Council. Critics say that the 47-member state forum unfairly singles out Israeli violations.
Why Facebook Connect?
Comment on Haaretz.com articles with your Facebook login, and share your thoughts on your own wall.
- Latest
- Most Viewed
- Most Rated
- Open all
Israel has committed so many war crimes and crimes against humanity that it is hard to keep track of them. A well deserved title for Israel, 'rogue state'.
UN human rights,what about Shallit ?????
moving a person from 1 part of 'palestine' to another part of 'palestine' is not illegal.in addition these persons lost legal residency to be in Israel
We all know Israel is trying to ethnically cleanse E Jerusalem and is frantically coming up with new 'laws' to implement this. These criminals need to be stopped - the Quartet and the EU need to impose sanctions; the EU particularly needs to suspend trade agreements until a Palestinian state is created and the siege of Gaza lifted.
...was put into question years ago. His opinion has ceased to be persuasive to anyone that thinks that Isral has a right to defend itself, and he is now simply preaching to the choir.
If there were people inside any other developed country who were part of a (terrorist) organization bent on the destruction of your country then you can be sure that those people would not stay within your country's borders (or any land it controls) and it would not be a matter of debate and there would be no talk of "war crimes". this is just ridiculous
It is the legitimate repatriation of a political leader to location of most of his constituency. Once there, he can continue to be an inspiration for all his people. (If it were not for sacasm and cynicism, ex-cops would have no sense of humor at all.)
It is the legitimate repatriation of a political leader to location of most of his constituency. Once there, he can continue to be an inspiration for all his people. (If it were not for sacasm and cynicism, ex-cops would have no sense of humor at all.)
Court Jews or court jesters? Hamas is committed to destroying Israel but their leaders can't be moved from East Jerusalem to the West Bank? Whoever said the Law is an Ass must have been thinking of such situations. The idea that East Jerusalem, occupied by Jordan from 1948 to 1967, is a separate entity from West Jerusalem is another example of assinine reasoning.
the useless nations continues to waste precious time and resources attacking Israel for the problems caused by arab neighbors. Apparently the U.N. approves of the criminal terrorist entity named hamas, perhaps someone should investigate conflicts of interest regarding money and the UNWRA.
This is an absurd statement. These men would be deported out of a country. Simple. Any country has the right to deport or expel a citizen with due process. In the US, the actions of these men would be considered treason as they are organizing for the violent overthrow of the Israeli govt. The UN once again shows that it is biased.
This is an absurd statement. These men would be deported out of a country. Simple. Any country has the right to deport or expel a citizen with due process. In the US, the actions of these men would be considered treason as they are organizing for the violent overthrow of the Israeli govt. The UN once again shows that it is biased.
Oh, c'mon now. These four are the representatives of one of the most vicious, anti-human rights, anti-gay rights, anti-feminist, anti-semitic, anti-secular, anti-Christian organizations in the Arab world. They are SWORN enemies of the state that supports them and would gladly expell all Jews if they had the power. Falk is a known rabid anti-Israel man who finds any excuse to make up allegations against Israel. Expell these enemy entities if they want to demolish the state from within.