31 oct 2014
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First comprehensive investigation of latest Israeli assault documents war crimes.
In the wake of the 50-day Israeli assault that devastated the Gaza Strip, reconstruction must not be the only priority, according to the nonprofit organization Euro-Mid Observer for Human Rights. All perpetrators of war crimes must be held to account, and Euro-Mid has taken the initial step by completing the first comprehensive investigation into Israeli actions during “Operation Protective Edge.” “If we want young Palestinians to turn away from violent resistance in the future, they must believe that international law will be respected and enforced,” said Ihsan Adel, legal officer for Euro-Mid, a nongovernmental |
human rights watchdog focusing on the Middle East-North Africa region. “Our investigation documented both indiscriminate attacks on civilians by Israeli forces and their use of captured Palestinians as human shields. When the UN Human Rights Council arrives in the coming days to conducts its own investigation, our reports will already have laid the groundwork. Now it is up to the international community to demonstrate to the youth of today that the rule of law applies to everyone.” The initial fieldwork for the Euro-Mid investigation began on July 10, the second day of the massive Israeli assault on Gaza. Throughout the course of the conflict, 24 Gaza-based researchers, many with legal backgrounds, visited every hot spot that erupted, interviewing more than 432 individuals involved in or eyewitnesses to144 instances in which more than two Palestinians were killed at one time.
The Euro-Mid investigation is summarized in two reports: “Indiscriminate Attacks and Deliberate Killing: Israel Takes Revenge on Gaza by Killing Civilians,” and “Israeli Matrix of Control: Use of Palestinians as Human Shields.”
Indiscriminate Attacks
Between 8 July and 26 August, Israeli forces conducted an estimated 60,664 raids into the Gaza Strip. This report documents that in many cases, the attacks were indiscriminate. Not only did Israeli forces fail to take sufficient measures to protect noncombatants, including children and the disabled, but in a number of instances they deliberately targeted locations with concentrations of civilians. Reports from physicians on the ground strongly suggest that Israel deployed “unconventional weapons” (nail bombs and DIME – “dense inert metal explosive” – munitions), which are designed to cause maximum damage and thus are not considered permissible in densely populated areas – either legally or morally.
Likewise, the investigation showed that the so-called “warnings” issued by the government of Israel, typically in the form of telephone calls or “roof knocks,” were insufficient to offer protection.
Use of Palestinians as Human Shields
Euro-Mid documented use of Palestinian civilians as human shields by Israeli military forces in at least six cases in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. These civilians were held against their will for hours or days to protect Israeli soldiers from fire, and in the meantime were subjected to inhumane and abusive treatment such as beating, humiliation and exposure to the hot sun while naked for long periods of time.
In contrast, the Euro-Mid team did not find any evidence of Palestinians who were forced to stay in their homes or to use their bodies for the protection of Palestinian resistance factions, as charged by the Israeli government.
Call to action
The indiscriminate attacks on noncombatants, deployment of unconventional weapons and the use of Palestinians as human shields are violations of international humanitarian law and constitute war crimes under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
Euro-Mid Observer for Human Rights calls on the Fact Finding Committee on the Gaza Conflict recently established by the UN Human Rights Council, soon to arrive in Gaza, to make every effort to focus international attention and pressure on all parties found to be guilty of these crimes. Likewise, the UN Security Council and General Assembly must back these efforts with their own positions of authority and visibility
“The reconstruction of Gaza is needed for Palestinians to be able to live,” said Ramy Abdu, PhD, Euro-Mid chairman. “However, without accountability for crimes and protection of human rights, it will be a life without dignity or hope.”
To See the report "Indiscriminate Attacks and Deliberate Killing": HereTo See the report "Indiscriminate Attacks and Deliberate Killing": Here
To See the report "Israeli Matrix of Control": HereTo See the report "Israeli Matrix of Control": Here
The Euro-Mid investigation is summarized in two reports: “Indiscriminate Attacks and Deliberate Killing: Israel Takes Revenge on Gaza by Killing Civilians,” and “Israeli Matrix of Control: Use of Palestinians as Human Shields.”
Indiscriminate Attacks
Between 8 July and 26 August, Israeli forces conducted an estimated 60,664 raids into the Gaza Strip. This report documents that in many cases, the attacks were indiscriminate. Not only did Israeli forces fail to take sufficient measures to protect noncombatants, including children and the disabled, but in a number of instances they deliberately targeted locations with concentrations of civilians. Reports from physicians on the ground strongly suggest that Israel deployed “unconventional weapons” (nail bombs and DIME – “dense inert metal explosive” – munitions), which are designed to cause maximum damage and thus are not considered permissible in densely populated areas – either legally or morally.
Likewise, the investigation showed that the so-called “warnings” issued by the government of Israel, typically in the form of telephone calls or “roof knocks,” were insufficient to offer protection.
Use of Palestinians as Human Shields
Euro-Mid documented use of Palestinian civilians as human shields by Israeli military forces in at least six cases in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. These civilians were held against their will for hours or days to protect Israeli soldiers from fire, and in the meantime were subjected to inhumane and abusive treatment such as beating, humiliation and exposure to the hot sun while naked for long periods of time.
In contrast, the Euro-Mid team did not find any evidence of Palestinians who were forced to stay in their homes or to use their bodies for the protection of Palestinian resistance factions, as charged by the Israeli government.
Call to action
The indiscriminate attacks on noncombatants, deployment of unconventional weapons and the use of Palestinians as human shields are violations of international humanitarian law and constitute war crimes under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
Euro-Mid Observer for Human Rights calls on the Fact Finding Committee on the Gaza Conflict recently established by the UN Human Rights Council, soon to arrive in Gaza, to make every effort to focus international attention and pressure on all parties found to be guilty of these crimes. Likewise, the UN Security Council and General Assembly must back these efforts with their own positions of authority and visibility
“The reconstruction of Gaza is needed for Palestinians to be able to live,” said Ramy Abdu, PhD, Euro-Mid chairman. “However, without accountability for crimes and protection of human rights, it will be a life without dignity or hope.”
To See the report "Indiscriminate Attacks and Deliberate Killing": HereTo See the report "Indiscriminate Attacks and Deliberate Killing": Here
To See the report "Israeli Matrix of Control": HereTo See the report "Israeli Matrix of Control": Here
30 oct 2014
A UN human rights watchdog on Thursday urged Israel to respect the rights of Palestinians, and demanded the country probe violations committed during repeated assaults on Gaza.
With tensions soaring in East Jerusalem and months of almost daily clashes, the UN Human Rights Committee published conclusions Thursday from its review earlier this month of Israel's human rights record.
The committee lamented continued punitive demolitions of Palestinian homes in the West Bank, excessive force by the Israeli military and decried reports of the use of torture and ill-treatment of Palestinians, including children, in Israeli detention facilities.
It also slammed the "continuing confiscation and expropriation of Palestinian land and restrictions on access of Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem."
The body, which oversees global rules on civil and political rights, and submits governments to regular reviews, also voiced concern over alleged human rights abuses during three Israeli military operations in Gaza since late 2008, including the nearly two-month war this summer that killed nearly 2,200 mainly civilian Palestinians and 73 people in Israel, mostly soldiers.
Israel "should ensure that all human rights violations committed during its military operations in the Gaza Strip in 2008-2009, 2012 and 2014 are thoroughly, effectively, independently and impartially investigated," the Geneva-based committee said in its conclusions.
It demanded that perpetrators, especially those in positions of command, be "prosecuted and sanctioned" and that the victims and their families be provided "effective remedies."
And it criticised Israel's continuing blockade of Gaza, lamenting that the blockade continues to "negatively impact Palestinians' access to all basic and life-saving services such as food, health, electricity, water and sanitation."
The committee's comments came as tensions raging since the Gaza war started in July swelled after Israeli police shot dead a Palestinian Thursday suspected of an assassination attempt on a hardline campaigner for Jewish prayer rights at Jerusalem's flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque.
In a bid to avoid further tensions, Israel ordered the closure of the Al-Aqsa compound to all visitors, drawing a furious response from Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, who described it as "a declaration of war."
With tensions soaring in East Jerusalem and months of almost daily clashes, the UN Human Rights Committee published conclusions Thursday from its review earlier this month of Israel's human rights record.
The committee lamented continued punitive demolitions of Palestinian homes in the West Bank, excessive force by the Israeli military and decried reports of the use of torture and ill-treatment of Palestinians, including children, in Israeli detention facilities.
It also slammed the "continuing confiscation and expropriation of Palestinian land and restrictions on access of Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem."
The body, which oversees global rules on civil and political rights, and submits governments to regular reviews, also voiced concern over alleged human rights abuses during three Israeli military operations in Gaza since late 2008, including the nearly two-month war this summer that killed nearly 2,200 mainly civilian Palestinians and 73 people in Israel, mostly soldiers.
Israel "should ensure that all human rights violations committed during its military operations in the Gaza Strip in 2008-2009, 2012 and 2014 are thoroughly, effectively, independently and impartially investigated," the Geneva-based committee said in its conclusions.
It demanded that perpetrators, especially those in positions of command, be "prosecuted and sanctioned" and that the victims and their families be provided "effective remedies."
And it criticised Israel's continuing blockade of Gaza, lamenting that the blockade continues to "negatively impact Palestinians' access to all basic and life-saving services such as food, health, electricity, water and sanitation."
The committee's comments came as tensions raging since the Gaza war started in July swelled after Israeli police shot dead a Palestinian Thursday suspected of an assassination attempt on a hardline campaigner for Jewish prayer rights at Jerusalem's flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque.
In a bid to avoid further tensions, Israel ordered the closure of the Al-Aqsa compound to all visitors, drawing a furious response from Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, who described it as "a declaration of war."
Gaza/Stockholm, October 30th 2014
International observers witness the impact of “Operation Protective Edge” and the closure of Gaza on human rights defenders’ work inside Gaza.
On October 28th, a five-member delegation from Europe and Guatemala entered Gaza.
They included the European President of the World Council of Churches and Former Archbishop of Uppsala, Church of Sweden, Archbishop Emeritus Anders Wejryd, Founder and Co-Chair, Right Livelihood Award Foundation Jakob von Uexkull, Guatemalan Right Livelihood Award winner, Helen Mack Chang (RLA 1992) and Deputy Director of the International Legal Assistance Consortium (ILAC) Agneta Johansson.
They went to Gaza to reaffirm their fullest solidarity with Raji Sourani and his colleagues at the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR), and to inquire into the threats and restrictions Raji Sourani and his colleagues face with regards to their security, rights and fundamental freedoms guaranteed under the Universal Declaration for Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders and customary international law.
Jakob von Uexkull said: “Restrictions placed on Raji Sourani’s freedom of movement in and out of Gaza are unacceptable. Raji Sourani advocates against violations of human rights and for the rule of law regardless who the perpetrator is, whether it is Israel, Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.
That he does so while still living in Gaza is admirable and calls for our full support. For all those whose human rights needs defending, it is very important that Raji Sourani can carry out his vital work without obstruction.”
Standing in Gaza, the members of the delegation note:
“Nothing prepared us for the reality. What we have witnessed is the aftermath of a manmade disaster.
‘Operation Protective Edge’ has been the second major offensive on the Gaza Strip in five years and its impact has been devastating. We learned that many people, and particularly children, are severely traumatized after the attacks and are in urgent need of psychological support. Additionally, the physical destruction was absolutely massive and in some areas reminded us of the pictures we have seen from the Second World War.
From the stories we heard and our own observations, many of these attacks were clearly directed towards civilians and civilian property.
They were not collateral damage as a result of attacks against military targets. There is a high likelihood that war crimes have been committed and, to this end we fully support the UN Human Rights Council’s on-going investigation of purported violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law in the latest Gaza conflict.
We hope that the independent Commission of Inquiry will establish responsibility for these crimes and hold those who have committed them to account.
Due to the 7 year closure of the Gaza Strip – recognised as illegal collective punishment by the International Committee of the Red Cross – the sick cannot access appropriate health care, families are kept apart, and the young cannot travel to study.
The continuation of this illegal closure policy, and the repeated commission of war crimes, are only possible because of the continued impunity.
The absence of accountability has fuelled further violations. The people of Gaza have been denied international protection, undermining the very concept of universal human rights.
The closure of Gaza must be lifted. Without reconstruction and movement there is no hope. The current situation can only make future conflicts more likely.
We also express our deepest concerns about the restrictions that Raji Sourani and his fellow human rights defenders in Gaza face in exercising their freedom of movement, unhindered access to and communication with international bodies, and the right to the lawful and peaceful exercise of their profession as guaranteed under international law.
Finally, we express our full support for Sweden’s formal recognition of the state of Palestine today. We, together with Raji Sourani, believe that this decision is very important, and hope that this will lead to a recognition of Palestine by other democratic and free states ”
Background
Raji Sourani received the Right Livelihood Award in 2013 “for his unwavering dedication to the rule of law and human rights under exceptionally difficult circumstances.”
As Director General of the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR), a non-governmental organisation based in Gaza City, Sourani and his colleagues have assiduously documented violations of international humanitarian law during the recent hostilities in the Gaza Strip during “Operation Protective Edge”.
During the conflict, Raji Sourani continuously spoke against human rights violations that were being committed, and also wrote to Palestinian leaders urging them to intervene immediately and decisively to stop Hamas’ from committing extrajudicial executions.
As a result of the closure of the Gaza Strip, Sourani has missed over a dozen international conferences and meetings that he had been invited to in his capacity as Director General of PCHR and President of the Arab Organisation of Human Rights (AOHR).
In July 2014, a declaration signed by 50 Right Livelihood Laureates strongly supported “the outstanding and courageous work, determination and perseverance – under the thunder of bombs – of our fellow recipient Raji Sourani and his colleagues at the Palestinian Center for Human Rights in Gaza.”
During the recent Gaza conflict, 2,191 individuals were killed. Of these, 1,660 - 75.7% - were civilians. 527 of the dead, 24% of the total killed, were children.
Delegates:
Jakob von Uexkull, Founder and Co-Chair, Right Livelihood Award Foundation
Archbishop Emeritus Anders Wejryd, European President, World Council of Churches, Former Archbishop of Uppsala, Church of Sweden
Agneta Johansson, Deputy Director of the International Legal Assistance Consortium (ILAC) and Member, Board of Trustees, Right Livelihood Award Foundation
Helen Mack Chang, Right Livelihood Laureate 1992, Guatemala
Sharan Srinivas, Programme and Research Manager, Right Livelihood Award Foundation, not granted a visa to enter Israel
More information and pictures supporting this press release available at
http://www.rightlivelihood.org/visit-gaza.html
Contact - Stockholm office:
Sharan Srinivas, Programme and Research Manager
[email protected]
International observers witness the impact of “Operation Protective Edge” and the closure of Gaza on human rights defenders’ work inside Gaza.
On October 28th, a five-member delegation from Europe and Guatemala entered Gaza.
They included the European President of the World Council of Churches and Former Archbishop of Uppsala, Church of Sweden, Archbishop Emeritus Anders Wejryd, Founder and Co-Chair, Right Livelihood Award Foundation Jakob von Uexkull, Guatemalan Right Livelihood Award winner, Helen Mack Chang (RLA 1992) and Deputy Director of the International Legal Assistance Consortium (ILAC) Agneta Johansson.
They went to Gaza to reaffirm their fullest solidarity with Raji Sourani and his colleagues at the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR), and to inquire into the threats and restrictions Raji Sourani and his colleagues face with regards to their security, rights and fundamental freedoms guaranteed under the Universal Declaration for Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders and customary international law.
Jakob von Uexkull said: “Restrictions placed on Raji Sourani’s freedom of movement in and out of Gaza are unacceptable. Raji Sourani advocates against violations of human rights and for the rule of law regardless who the perpetrator is, whether it is Israel, Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.
That he does so while still living in Gaza is admirable and calls for our full support. For all those whose human rights needs defending, it is very important that Raji Sourani can carry out his vital work without obstruction.”
Standing in Gaza, the members of the delegation note:
“Nothing prepared us for the reality. What we have witnessed is the aftermath of a manmade disaster.
‘Operation Protective Edge’ has been the second major offensive on the Gaza Strip in five years and its impact has been devastating. We learned that many people, and particularly children, are severely traumatized after the attacks and are in urgent need of psychological support. Additionally, the physical destruction was absolutely massive and in some areas reminded us of the pictures we have seen from the Second World War.
From the stories we heard and our own observations, many of these attacks were clearly directed towards civilians and civilian property.
They were not collateral damage as a result of attacks against military targets. There is a high likelihood that war crimes have been committed and, to this end we fully support the UN Human Rights Council’s on-going investigation of purported violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law in the latest Gaza conflict.
We hope that the independent Commission of Inquiry will establish responsibility for these crimes and hold those who have committed them to account.
Due to the 7 year closure of the Gaza Strip – recognised as illegal collective punishment by the International Committee of the Red Cross – the sick cannot access appropriate health care, families are kept apart, and the young cannot travel to study.
The continuation of this illegal closure policy, and the repeated commission of war crimes, are only possible because of the continued impunity.
The absence of accountability has fuelled further violations. The people of Gaza have been denied international protection, undermining the very concept of universal human rights.
The closure of Gaza must be lifted. Without reconstruction and movement there is no hope. The current situation can only make future conflicts more likely.
We also express our deepest concerns about the restrictions that Raji Sourani and his fellow human rights defenders in Gaza face in exercising their freedom of movement, unhindered access to and communication with international bodies, and the right to the lawful and peaceful exercise of their profession as guaranteed under international law.
Finally, we express our full support for Sweden’s formal recognition of the state of Palestine today. We, together with Raji Sourani, believe that this decision is very important, and hope that this will lead to a recognition of Palestine by other democratic and free states ”
Background
Raji Sourani received the Right Livelihood Award in 2013 “for his unwavering dedication to the rule of law and human rights under exceptionally difficult circumstances.”
As Director General of the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR), a non-governmental organisation based in Gaza City, Sourani and his colleagues have assiduously documented violations of international humanitarian law during the recent hostilities in the Gaza Strip during “Operation Protective Edge”.
During the conflict, Raji Sourani continuously spoke against human rights violations that were being committed, and also wrote to Palestinian leaders urging them to intervene immediately and decisively to stop Hamas’ from committing extrajudicial executions.
As a result of the closure of the Gaza Strip, Sourani has missed over a dozen international conferences and meetings that he had been invited to in his capacity as Director General of PCHR and President of the Arab Organisation of Human Rights (AOHR).
In July 2014, a declaration signed by 50 Right Livelihood Laureates strongly supported “the outstanding and courageous work, determination and perseverance – under the thunder of bombs – of our fellow recipient Raji Sourani and his colleagues at the Palestinian Center for Human Rights in Gaza.”
During the recent Gaza conflict, 2,191 individuals were killed. Of these, 1,660 - 75.7% - were civilians. 527 of the dead, 24% of the total killed, were children.
Delegates:
Jakob von Uexkull, Founder and Co-Chair, Right Livelihood Award Foundation
Archbishop Emeritus Anders Wejryd, European President, World Council of Churches, Former Archbishop of Uppsala, Church of Sweden
Agneta Johansson, Deputy Director of the International Legal Assistance Consortium (ILAC) and Member, Board of Trustees, Right Livelihood Award Foundation
Helen Mack Chang, Right Livelihood Laureate 1992, Guatemala
Sharan Srinivas, Programme and Research Manager, Right Livelihood Award Foundation, not granted a visa to enter Israel
More information and pictures supporting this press release available at
http://www.rightlivelihood.org/visit-gaza.html
Contact - Stockholm office:
Sharan Srinivas, Programme and Research Manager
[email protected]
A press conference held by The Euro-Mid observer for human rights, based in Geneva, is set to kick off Thursday afternoon (at 3 p.m.) to announce the findings of investigations into the latest 51-day Israeli offensive on Gaza.
The report, expected to be presented at the Frontline Club in London, will provide a synopsis on Israel’s arbitrary attacks, mass-genocides, murder of civilians, and use of non-recognized weapons along with attacks against children and disabled civilians.
The conference is labeled under the heading “The reconstruction of Gaza in exchange for immunity?" and "Why should Israel be held accountable for its war crimes?”
Euro-Mid said the upshots of the investigation have been based on 400 sworn affidavits released by eye-witnesses, casualties and war veterans.
The alleged war crimes will be corroborated via verified proofs that require an immediate prosecution of their perpetrators, the observatory further confirmed.
A set of recommendations has also been issued by the report including appeals to the UN and the Security Council to launch a comprehensive probe into the latest Gaza offensive and bring the case to the International Criminal Court so as to bring Israel’s policy of “hit-and-run” to an end and take a tougher line against war criminals.
http://english.palinfo
The report, expected to be presented at the Frontline Club in London, will provide a synopsis on Israel’s arbitrary attacks, mass-genocides, murder of civilians, and use of non-recognized weapons along with attacks against children and disabled civilians.
The conference is labeled under the heading “The reconstruction of Gaza in exchange for immunity?" and "Why should Israel be held accountable for its war crimes?”
Euro-Mid said the upshots of the investigation have been based on 400 sworn affidavits released by eye-witnesses, casualties and war veterans.
The alleged war crimes will be corroborated via verified proofs that require an immediate prosecution of their perpetrators, the observatory further confirmed.
A set of recommendations has also been issued by the report including appeals to the UN and the Security Council to launch a comprehensive probe into the latest Gaza offensive and bring the case to the International Criminal Court so as to bring Israel’s policy of “hit-and-run” to an end and take a tougher line against war criminals.
http://english.palinfo
Makarim Wibisono, UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights in the Palestinian Territories Occupied since 1967, vowed to step down in case his performance of the allotted mission becomes “impossible.”
Addressing an audience in New York during the first conference he held since he took over, Wibisono said he is committed to document human rights affairs and give recommendations to smooth the progress towards resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
“I know well that my role is not to resolve the conflict. But the moment I feel that I am no longer capable of standing by the side of the casualties of human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territories, I will immediately walk out,” he vowed.
The UN official spoke out against Israel’s denial of his access into Gaza for a field visit aimed at assessing the state of affairs in the Strip.
Wibisono voiced his deep concern over the situation of human rights in Gaza, dubbing the tough blockade imposed by the Israeli occupation since 2006 “immoral" siege that denies Palestinians the right to live and gain access to food and health care.
The UN special rapporteur appealed to the Israeli authorities to allow him access into the occupied Palestinian territories to keep tabs on the current course of human rights affairs and document actual violations wrought on Palestinians’ rights.
http://english.palinfo
Addressing an audience in New York during the first conference he held since he took over, Wibisono said he is committed to document human rights affairs and give recommendations to smooth the progress towards resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
“I know well that my role is not to resolve the conflict. But the moment I feel that I am no longer capable of standing by the side of the casualties of human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territories, I will immediately walk out,” he vowed.
The UN official spoke out against Israel’s denial of his access into Gaza for a field visit aimed at assessing the state of affairs in the Strip.
Wibisono voiced his deep concern over the situation of human rights in Gaza, dubbing the tough blockade imposed by the Israeli occupation since 2006 “immoral" siege that denies Palestinians the right to live and gain access to food and health care.
The UN special rapporteur appealed to the Israeli authorities to allow him access into the occupied Palestinian territories to keep tabs on the current course of human rights affairs and document actual violations wrought on Palestinians’ rights.
http://english.palinfo
22 oct 2014
The U.N. Secretary-General has warned that winter is coming while more than 100,000 Palestinians remain homeless in the blockaded Gaza Strip, saying nothing could prepare him for the wholesale destruction he witnessed in Gaza. Ki-moon’s statement was voiced Tuesday during a Security Council briefing on the situation and developments in the Middle East.
“More than 100,000 residents of Gaza remain homeless with over 50,000 still sheltering in UNRWA school buildings. Many still lack access to the municipal water network. Blackouts of up to 18 hours per day are common,” the UN Secretary-General said.
“Meanwhile winter is approaching” Ki-moon warned. ”I urge the international community to move quickly to deliver much needed assistance.”
“Nothing could have prepared me for what I witnessed in Gaza,” he further maintained. ”I saw mile after mile of wholesale destruction. I visited a United Nations school in the Jabalia refugee camp which was shelled during the hostilities. Civilians had sought protection under the UN flag.”
“Parents and children shared heart-wrenching accounts of suffering and pain. I met a young man whose brothers and sisters perished in the blasts. He is now confined to a wheelchair having lost his legs,” Ki-moon added.
The secretary-general said he was anticipating a thorough investigation by the Israeli occupation army of the latest military operation in the besieged Gaza Strip.
He said he was also planning to move forward with an independent board of inquiry to look into the most serious and flagrant cases in which UN facilities and civilian structures sustained rocket-hits and many innocent people were killed.
UN’s Ki-moon hailed the co-chairs of the Gaza’s donors' conference, Cairo and Norway, declaring: “It is important that these promises quickly materialize into concrete assistance on the ground."
“More than 100,000 residents of Gaza remain homeless with over 50,000 still sheltering in UNRWA school buildings. Many still lack access to the municipal water network. Blackouts of up to 18 hours per day are common,” the UN Secretary-General said.
“Meanwhile winter is approaching” Ki-moon warned. ”I urge the international community to move quickly to deliver much needed assistance.”
“Nothing could have prepared me for what I witnessed in Gaza,” he further maintained. ”I saw mile after mile of wholesale destruction. I visited a United Nations school in the Jabalia refugee camp which was shelled during the hostilities. Civilians had sought protection under the UN flag.”
“Parents and children shared heart-wrenching accounts of suffering and pain. I met a young man whose brothers and sisters perished in the blasts. He is now confined to a wheelchair having lost his legs,” Ki-moon added.
The secretary-general said he was anticipating a thorough investigation by the Israeli occupation army of the latest military operation in the besieged Gaza Strip.
He said he was also planning to move forward with an independent board of inquiry to look into the most serious and flagrant cases in which UN facilities and civilian structures sustained rocket-hits and many innocent people were killed.
UN’s Ki-moon hailed the co-chairs of the Gaza’s donors' conference, Cairo and Norway, declaring: “It is important that these promises quickly materialize into concrete assistance on the ground."
21 oct 2014
Professor Hillel Vice, a university lecturer at the Israeli Bar-IIan University, sparked a public outrage after he launched calls for wiping out the Palestinian people. Vice wrote on his Facebook page: “The liquidation of the Palestinian people is an unavoidable undertaking”, and “The Arab movements exist to kill and spread insanity.”
The Israeli Jerusalem Online newspaper on Monday quoted Vice, who did not express any regret, as claiming: “The fact that Abu Mazen (PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas) called us murderers on the UN General Assembly stage stirred up my wrath.”
Vice, currently serving as the chairman of the so-called Friends of the Temple, dubbed the Palestinian people as some insignificant minority.
“You are not a nation. You are an insignificant minority, the faster you leave Israel willingly, the better it will be for you,” Vice’s Facebook statement read verbatim.
The Israeli Jerusalem Online newspaper on Monday quoted Vice, who did not express any regret, as claiming: “The fact that Abu Mazen (PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas) called us murderers on the UN General Assembly stage stirred up my wrath.”
Vice, currently serving as the chairman of the so-called Friends of the Temple, dubbed the Palestinian people as some insignificant minority.
“You are not a nation. You are an insignificant minority, the faster you leave Israel willingly, the better it will be for you,” Vice’s Facebook statement read verbatim.
The UN says it will begin investigating attacks on its facilities during Israel's recent war against Hamas in Gaza, that killed more than 2,100 Palestinians.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Tuesday that the world body was investigating a deadly strike near one of its schools in the Gaza Strip and the alleged use of UN sites to store weapons.
"I am planning to move forward with an independent board of inquiry to look into the most serious cases, as well as instances in which weaponry was found on UN premises," Ban said at a monthly meeting of the UN Security Council.
More than 2,100 Palestinians, most of them civilians, were killed during 50 days of fighting in July-August between Israel and Palestinian groups; while 108,000 people remain homeless.
Ban's spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the inquiry was standard procedure whenever UN facilities are targeted.
In one incident, more than a dozen people were killed at a UN school during Israeli shelling. Israel has cited Hamas' use of UN facilities to store rockets as a reason for targeting them.
The UN Human Rights Council had previously set up a Commission of Inquiry to investigate alleged violations of humanitarian and human rights laws during the conflict.
Israel's military also last month opened five criminal investigations into its Gaza war operations, including attacks that killed four Palestinian children on a beach and 17 people at a UN school.
An estimated 20,000 homes were badly damaged or destroyed in the fighting and Gaza's power station and other major infrastructure were hit, with rebuilding expected to take years.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Tuesday that the world body was investigating a deadly strike near one of its schools in the Gaza Strip and the alleged use of UN sites to store weapons.
"I am planning to move forward with an independent board of inquiry to look into the most serious cases, as well as instances in which weaponry was found on UN premises," Ban said at a monthly meeting of the UN Security Council.
More than 2,100 Palestinians, most of them civilians, were killed during 50 days of fighting in July-August between Israel and Palestinian groups; while 108,000 people remain homeless.
Ban's spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the inquiry was standard procedure whenever UN facilities are targeted.
In one incident, more than a dozen people were killed at a UN school during Israeli shelling. Israel has cited Hamas' use of UN facilities to store rockets as a reason for targeting them.
The UN Human Rights Council had previously set up a Commission of Inquiry to investigate alleged violations of humanitarian and human rights laws during the conflict.
Israel's military also last month opened five criminal investigations into its Gaza war operations, including attacks that killed four Palestinian children on a beach and 17 people at a UN school.
An estimated 20,000 homes were badly damaged or destroyed in the fighting and Gaza's power station and other major infrastructure were hit, with rebuilding expected to take years.
19 oct 2014
A consortium of European pro-Palestine institutions and activists on Saturday called for the need to stand up for Palestinians’ rights, stop Israeli illegal settlement, prosecute Israeli war criminals, and lift the Gaza siege. Addressing a large audience at the European al-Wafaa Conference for the Relief of Gaza, held in the Dutch city of Rotterdam, professor of political science at the University of Amsterdam, Ana Tung, urged the pro-Palestine activists and politicians based in the Netherlands to immediately step in so as to make sure Israel’s terrorism against Palestinians would not re-occur in any form.
Having personally been to Gaza a few years ago, Tung said the situation in Palestine needs serious efforts to work out the tragic state of affairs.
Fridz Idlingz, in charge of the Arab-Austrian Relations Committee, raised alarm bells over the countless hindrances lying ahead of the Gaza reconstruction process particularly Israel’s potential infringement of ceasefire accords during the reconstruction or post-reconstruction phases.
Danish activist Tomi Nelson said the very meaning of a peace process can only see the day when Palestinians restore their rights and freedoms and when the notorious Gaza siege and the Israeli illegal settlement expansion are brought to a standstill.
Jewish-French activist Olivia Zemor drew attention to the need to step up pressure on the Israeli occupation via the so-called Boycott-of-Israel campaigns and the crossing out of all cooperation accords with Israel.
Two Danish female participants, speaking on behalf of a pro-Palestine organization based in Denmark, said they received pledges to donate 15 ambulances and called for urgent intervention to ensure the package be dispatched to the Gaza Strip as soon as possible.
Having personally been to Gaza a few years ago, Tung said the situation in Palestine needs serious efforts to work out the tragic state of affairs.
Fridz Idlingz, in charge of the Arab-Austrian Relations Committee, raised alarm bells over the countless hindrances lying ahead of the Gaza reconstruction process particularly Israel’s potential infringement of ceasefire accords during the reconstruction or post-reconstruction phases.
Danish activist Tomi Nelson said the very meaning of a peace process can only see the day when Palestinians restore their rights and freedoms and when the notorious Gaza siege and the Israeli illegal settlement expansion are brought to a standstill.
Jewish-French activist Olivia Zemor drew attention to the need to step up pressure on the Israeli occupation via the so-called Boycott-of-Israel campaigns and the crossing out of all cooperation accords with Israel.
Two Danish female participants, speaking on behalf of a pro-Palestine organization based in Denmark, said they received pledges to donate 15 ambulances and called for urgent intervention to ensure the package be dispatched to the Gaza Strip as soon as possible.
