24 mar 2016
The graphic video footage shows al-Sharif moving his head with his arms outstretched, surrounded by armed soldiers.
One of them then walks up to al-Sharif and shoots a bullet into his head.
Israeli officers and other armed individuals in the area at the time do not appear to react to the final shot.
Amnesty International called for the incident to be prosecuted as a potential war crime, saying: “The shooting of a wounded and incapacitated person, even if they have been involved in an attack, has absolutely no justification.”
An Israeli army spokesperson confirmed to Ma’an that an investigation had been opened.
“The IDF views this incident as a grave breach of IDF values, conduct, and standards of military operations. A military police investigation has commenced and the soldier involved has been detained," the army said in a statement.
Israel has come under repeated criticism for what many have termed a “shoot-to-kill” policy against Palestinians advocated by Israeli officials since a wave of unrest began last October.
Philip Luther, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Amnesty International, said that Thursday’s incident mirrored a number to take place previously.
“Israeli forces have a long history of carrying out unlawful killings -- including extrajudicial executions -- in the occupied Palestinian territories with impunity," he said.
"While it is encouraging that the soldier in the video has reportedly been suspended and placed under investigation, previous Israeli investigations have failed to hold members of the Israeli forces accountable even when there has been clear evidence of criminal wrongdoing."
He encouraged the Israeli authorities to “use this opportunity to end the culture of impunity that has made such killings increasingly commonplace.”
B’Tselem -- which has recently come under attack by Israel’s right -- has accused Israeli soldiers and police officers of becoming “judge, jury and executioner” during the past few months of violence, blaming official encouragement and effective impunity.
The UN's human rights monitor in the occupied Palestinian territory, Makarim Wibisono, has also slammed what he termed Israel’s “extrajudicial executions,” most recently during an address to the UN Human Rights Council on Monday.
Wibisono also said that while wanton acts of individual violence -- committed by both Palestinians and Israelis -- were unacceptable, the recent surge in violence was "arising in a pre-existing context."
"Tensions have risen against a backdrop of illegal settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the blockade of Gaza, and a general lack of accountability," he said.
Palestinians have in the past voiced strong distrust of Israeli probes into violations carried out in the occupied area, and Amnesty International last summer said Israel’s system of military investigation failed to meet the standard criteria for effective investigations.
One of them then walks up to al-Sharif and shoots a bullet into his head.
Israeli officers and other armed individuals in the area at the time do not appear to react to the final shot.
Amnesty International called for the incident to be prosecuted as a potential war crime, saying: “The shooting of a wounded and incapacitated person, even if they have been involved in an attack, has absolutely no justification.”
An Israeli army spokesperson confirmed to Ma’an that an investigation had been opened.
“The IDF views this incident as a grave breach of IDF values, conduct, and standards of military operations. A military police investigation has commenced and the soldier involved has been detained," the army said in a statement.
Israel has come under repeated criticism for what many have termed a “shoot-to-kill” policy against Palestinians advocated by Israeli officials since a wave of unrest began last October.
Philip Luther, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Amnesty International, said that Thursday’s incident mirrored a number to take place previously.
“Israeli forces have a long history of carrying out unlawful killings -- including extrajudicial executions -- in the occupied Palestinian territories with impunity," he said.
"While it is encouraging that the soldier in the video has reportedly been suspended and placed under investigation, previous Israeli investigations have failed to hold members of the Israeli forces accountable even when there has been clear evidence of criminal wrongdoing."
He encouraged the Israeli authorities to “use this opportunity to end the culture of impunity that has made such killings increasingly commonplace.”
B’Tselem -- which has recently come under attack by Israel’s right -- has accused Israeli soldiers and police officers of becoming “judge, jury and executioner” during the past few months of violence, blaming official encouragement and effective impunity.
The UN's human rights monitor in the occupied Palestinian territory, Makarim Wibisono, has also slammed what he termed Israel’s “extrajudicial executions,” most recently during an address to the UN Human Rights Council on Monday.
Wibisono also said that while wanton acts of individual violence -- committed by both Palestinians and Israelis -- were unacceptable, the recent surge in violence was "arising in a pre-existing context."
"Tensions have risen against a backdrop of illegal settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the blockade of Gaza, and a general lack of accountability," he said.
Palestinians have in the past voiced strong distrust of Israeli probes into violations carried out in the occupied area, and Amnesty International last summer said Israel’s system of military investigation failed to meet the standard criteria for effective investigations.
Israeli soldiers shot and killed, on Thursday morning, two young Palestinian men, in the southern West Bank city of Hebron, allegedly after they attacked Israeli soldiers, mildly wounding one.
According to the army, the soldiers opened fire on the two Palestinians, and killed them, after they stabbed one soldier in Tal Romeida neighborhood.
They have been identified as Ramzi Aziz Qasrawi, 21, and Abdul-Fattah Yosri Sharif, 21.
Eyewitnesses said the soldiers opened fire at random, wounding several Palestinians who were walking in the area during the reported attack.
Talking to Maan News, an eyewitness said he heard the gunshots, stepped out of his home and saw several soldiers surrounding the two wounded Palestinians as they were on the ground, bleeding, before a soldier walked close to one of them, who was still moving, and shot him in the head.
Israeli media sources said the incident took place near a military roadblock in Tal Romeida neighborhood, in Hebron city.
Israeli medics of the Magen David Adom said the soldier was attacked at the entrance of Tal Romeida, and suffered moderate stab wounds in his arm and shoulder, before he was moved to a hospital in a stable condition.
The army closed the Shuhada roadblock, completely sealed the Shuhada Street, and prevented Palestinian medics, who rushed to the scene, from reaching the two Palestinians.
It is worth mentioning that the army has killed 61 Palestinian, in Hebron, since October 1st, 2015.
Earlier on Thursday, the soldiers invaded Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, and kidnapped a former political prisoner, identified as Sufian Zaki Odah Bahar, 44, after breaking into his home and searching it. Bahar is a director of the Beit Ummar Society for Orphans.
The army also summoned Mohammad Mahmoud Awad, 26, Issam Mohammad Bahar, 19, and Mohammad Abdul-Jawad Ekhlayyel, 24, for interrogation in the Etzion military base.
It is worth mentioning that the army has kidnaped fifteen Palestinians, in different parts of the occupied West Bank, on Thursday at dawn; three were kidnapped in Ya’bad near Jenin, one in Nablus, two in Salfit, seven in Ramallah and two in Hebron.
According to the army, the soldiers opened fire on the two Palestinians, and killed them, after they stabbed one soldier in Tal Romeida neighborhood.
They have been identified as Ramzi Aziz Qasrawi, 21, and Abdul-Fattah Yosri Sharif, 21.
Eyewitnesses said the soldiers opened fire at random, wounding several Palestinians who were walking in the area during the reported attack.
Talking to Maan News, an eyewitness said he heard the gunshots, stepped out of his home and saw several soldiers surrounding the two wounded Palestinians as they were on the ground, bleeding, before a soldier walked close to one of them, who was still moving, and shot him in the head.
Israeli media sources said the incident took place near a military roadblock in Tal Romeida neighborhood, in Hebron city.
Israeli medics of the Magen David Adom said the soldier was attacked at the entrance of Tal Romeida, and suffered moderate stab wounds in his arm and shoulder, before he was moved to a hospital in a stable condition.
The army closed the Shuhada roadblock, completely sealed the Shuhada Street, and prevented Palestinian medics, who rushed to the scene, from reaching the two Palestinians.
It is worth mentioning that the army has killed 61 Palestinian, in Hebron, since October 1st, 2015.
Earlier on Thursday, the soldiers invaded Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, and kidnapped a former political prisoner, identified as Sufian Zaki Odah Bahar, 44, after breaking into his home and searching it. Bahar is a director of the Beit Ummar Society for Orphans.
The army also summoned Mohammad Mahmoud Awad, 26, Issam Mohammad Bahar, 19, and Mohammad Abdul-Jawad Ekhlayyel, 24, for interrogation in the Etzion military base.
It is worth mentioning that the army has kidnaped fifteen Palestinians, in different parts of the occupied West Bank, on Thursday at dawn; three were kidnapped in Ya’bad near Jenin, one in Nablus, two in Salfit, seven in Ramallah and two in Hebron.
First Deputy Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) Dr. Ahmad Bahar said the Israeli Knesset's endorsement of a law stipulating the deportation of families of Palestinians who carry out anti-occupation attacks will not stop the Jerusalem Intifada or affect the right of legitimate resistance.
In a statement, Bahar described the law as racist, illegal and not humanitarian. He considered it as a political and a humanitarian crime.
Bahar warned of the seriousness of setting new Israeli laws in light of the fact that these laws are being ignored by the international community and particularly the U.S. administration, which would destroy the international system of justice.
In a statement, Bahar described the law as racist, illegal and not humanitarian. He considered it as a political and a humanitarian crime.
Bahar warned of the seriousness of setting new Israeli laws in light of the fact that these laws are being ignored by the international community and particularly the U.S. administration, which would destroy the international system of justice.
Israeli Knesset passed on Wednesday a bill to deport families of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces and accused of carrying out attacks against Israelis.
The bill was initiated by Israeli Minister of Transport and Exploration Israel Katz and submitted to the Knesset by Deputy David Bitanem.
It was supported by representatives from Likud, the Jewish Home and other parties, including Yish Atid. Israel’s legal adviser has previously rejected the bill, saying: “The deportation of families of attackers to Gaza or Syria might touch Israel’s position and lead to its global isolation.”
Katz also proposed another bill calling for the relocation of the families in the West Bank and putting more restrictions on their movement. Speaking to the Israeli TV Channel 7, Katz said: “The bill got large support from the [ruling] coalition and from the opposition.
We will put the bill for final approval next week. Terrorism will decrease as fast as we can approve this bill.” He added: “This bill is not an alternative to the army, Shabak, police and security activities. It is a complementary measure to control the minors.”
The bill was initiated by Israeli Minister of Transport and Exploration Israel Katz and submitted to the Knesset by Deputy David Bitanem.
It was supported by representatives from Likud, the Jewish Home and other parties, including Yish Atid. Israel’s legal adviser has previously rejected the bill, saying: “The deportation of families of attackers to Gaza or Syria might touch Israel’s position and lead to its global isolation.”
Katz also proposed another bill calling for the relocation of the families in the West Bank and putting more restrictions on their movement. Speaking to the Israeli TV Channel 7, Katz said: “The bill got large support from the [ruling] coalition and from the opposition.
We will put the bill for final approval next week. Terrorism will decrease as fast as we can approve this bill.” He added: “This bill is not an alternative to the army, Shabak, police and security activities. It is a complementary measure to control the minors.”
A former Palestinian ambassador has accused Palestinian Authority (PA) president Mahmoud Abbas of helping Israel bring 19 Yemenite Jews to Palestine in a recent secret operation, and described his behavior as a "serious violation of the national norms."
"Your contribution to the immigration of more invaders to promote the usurpation of our homeland instead of adhering to the principles under which you have become a member of the Fatah Movement is deemed a serious violation against our people and an action that flouts the national, religious and moral taboos," ambassador Khairuddin Abdul-Rahman said on his Facebook page, addressing president Abbas.
Different Israeli news reports stated last Monday that Israel had brought over to Occupied Palestine, in cooperation with the US department of state and an undisclosed third party, 19 Jews from war-torn Yemen in a secret mission.
"Your contribution to the immigration of more invaders to promote the usurpation of our homeland instead of adhering to the principles under which you have become a member of the Fatah Movement is deemed a serious violation against our people and an action that flouts the national, religious and moral taboos," ambassador Khairuddin Abdul-Rahman said on his Facebook page, addressing president Abbas.
Different Israeli news reports stated last Monday that Israel had brought over to Occupied Palestine, in cooperation with the US department of state and an undisclosed third party, 19 Jews from war-torn Yemen in a secret mission.
Hamas will go along the footsteps of Sheikh Yassin until the liberation of the occupied Palestinian territories, senior Hamas leader Ismail Redwan said on Wednesday evening.
Speaking at a rally held by the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, in Gaza to commemorate the 12th anniversary of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin’s assassination, Redwan said: “We are gathering today outside of Sheikh Yassin’s home to prove that we are still tracking his footsteps, 12 years after his assassination.”
Redwan said the al-Qassam Brigades have all the means and potentials to oust the Israeli occupation in case it does not cease its aggressions on the Palestinian people and its holy sites.
The Hamas leader said Palestinians will forever cling to armed resistance as the only path to liberating the occupied Palestinian territories, restoring the prisoners’ freedom, and achieving the Palestinian refugees’ right of return to their native soil.
Speaking at a rally held by the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, in Gaza to commemorate the 12th anniversary of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin’s assassination, Redwan said: “We are gathering today outside of Sheikh Yassin’s home to prove that we are still tracking his footsteps, 12 years after his assassination.”
Redwan said the al-Qassam Brigades have all the means and potentials to oust the Israeli occupation in case it does not cease its aggressions on the Palestinian people and its holy sites.
The Hamas leader said Palestinians will forever cling to armed resistance as the only path to liberating the occupied Palestinian territories, restoring the prisoners’ freedom, and achieving the Palestinian refugees’ right of return to their native soil.
The Hamas Movement has urged the Palestinian people in all areas of the West Bank, Jerusalem and the 1948 occupied lands to rally around the Aqsa Mosque and defend it against mass break-ins to be organized by extremist Jewish groups nowadays.
In a press release, Hamas spokesman Husam Badran stated that "the Aqsa Mosque would remain the destination for the revolutionist youth and their first inspiration in their blessed al-Quds intifada (uprising)."
Badran also warned that the settlers' intended break-ins at the Aqsa Mosque would augment the flames of the intifada and provoke the Palestinian young people into carrying out more painful attacks.
The spokesman called, in particular, on the Palestinians in Jerusalem and the 1948 occupied lands to heed the call of Sheikh Ra'ed Salah for intensifying their presence in the Aqsa Mosque and defending it.
Extremist Jewish groups, including Students for the Temple, have called on their followers to march en masse to the Aqsa Mosque on Wednesday and Thursday to celebrate the Purim holiday.
In a press release, Hamas spokesman Husam Badran stated that "the Aqsa Mosque would remain the destination for the revolutionist youth and their first inspiration in their blessed al-Quds intifada (uprising)."
Badran also warned that the settlers' intended break-ins at the Aqsa Mosque would augment the flames of the intifada and provoke the Palestinian young people into carrying out more painful attacks.
The spokesman called, in particular, on the Palestinians in Jerusalem and the 1948 occupied lands to heed the call of Sheikh Ra'ed Salah for intensifying their presence in the Aqsa Mosque and defending it.
Extremist Jewish groups, including Students for the Temple, have called on their followers to march en masse to the Aqsa Mosque on Wednesday and Thursday to celebrate the Purim holiday.
23 mar 2016
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The Israeli “Regional Planning and Construction Council” approved, on Wednesday, the so-called “Kedem – City of David” colonialist project that would be undertaken at the main entrances of the Wadi Hilweh Palestinian neighborhood, in Silwan town, south of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center, in Silwan (Silwanic), said the approval came during a brief meeting held on Tuesday. It added that Palestinians from Wadi Hilweh attended the session, but had to withdraw after being constantly interrupted whenever they testified about the devastating outcome of such a project occurring on their lands. The residents also complained that they were denied the right to Arabic interpretation during the council meeting. Lawyer Sami Ersheid said that the Regional Council denied, Tuesday, all |
appeals filed against the Kedem project, and canceled the 2014 decision of the “Appeals Committee” of the “Higher Planning Council,” to completely void the project.
Ersheid added that the decision of the Appeals Council was very brief, barely two pages, in which it voided the 140-page decision of the appeals committee, issued in June of 2014, and never provided any justification for the legal, planning and construction reasons that pushed it for approval in the first place.
“The hearing at the Regional Council meeting demanding discussing all appeals against the project in just four hours, this is not enough because each section of the project needs at least 15 minutes”, Ersheid said, “Such deliberations in the previous session lasted for two days, each day for eight hours.”
He added that Wadi Hilweh residents, Ir Amim and Emek Shaveh organizations, along with several Israeli academics, have all filed appeals against the 2014 decision of the Regional Committee approving the project in 2014, and that the entire colonialist project was voided by the Appeals Committee in 2015.
“The decision of the Regional Committee is merely political,” he stated, “it is not legal, it was pushed by pressures from the higher political leadership; the Regional Council was just talking about the touristic importance of this project, and completely ignoring the harm and suffering that would be inflicted on the Palestinians in Silwan. We will file appeals and demand voiding the Regional Council’s decision; we will demand approving the decision of the Appeals Committee.”
He also stated that Israel wants to build a six-story building on 12.000 square/meters, for the use of the Israeli archeology department, in addition to a conference hall, educations rooms, parking lots for tourists and settlements, commercial stores, and offices run by the Elad colonialist organization, largely funded by millionaires from the United States.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center and Committee issues a joint statement denouncing the approval of the colonialist project, originally submitted by Elad, and said that this approval just goes to serve the illegitimate plans in replacing the indigenous Palestinians with colonialist settlers, and colonialist projects.
They said that the approval of this project, originally voided nine months ago, “came in a racist session, that was merely for show,” and denied the residents the right to present their case, or to present the devastating outcome of this colonialist project.
They added that its approval will be the gateway for the addition of many more colonialist projects on Palestinian lands in Silwan, and demanded the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to immediately intervene, especially since this project aims at destroying Arab and Palestinian heritage and archeology, and demanded the International Community to act in helping the residents to counter this illegal project.
The “Kedem” project aims at the illegal annexation of large areas of lands in Wadi Hilweh -- lands that, until Israel annexed East Jerusalem in 1967 -- were used for agriculture, before Israel illegally confiscated them, demolished a room owned by the Abda family, and turned the grounds into a parking lot.
In 2003, the Elad colonialist organization managed to gain control over the lands, and started planning before actually digging in al-Magharba Square, in addition to destroying Ottoman, Byzantine and Roman sites, and left just a few of them as an “archeological proof of the second temple.”
Ersheid added that the decision of the Appeals Council was very brief, barely two pages, in which it voided the 140-page decision of the appeals committee, issued in June of 2014, and never provided any justification for the legal, planning and construction reasons that pushed it for approval in the first place.
“The hearing at the Regional Council meeting demanding discussing all appeals against the project in just four hours, this is not enough because each section of the project needs at least 15 minutes”, Ersheid said, “Such deliberations in the previous session lasted for two days, each day for eight hours.”
He added that Wadi Hilweh residents, Ir Amim and Emek Shaveh organizations, along with several Israeli academics, have all filed appeals against the 2014 decision of the Regional Committee approving the project in 2014, and that the entire colonialist project was voided by the Appeals Committee in 2015.
“The decision of the Regional Committee is merely political,” he stated, “it is not legal, it was pushed by pressures from the higher political leadership; the Regional Council was just talking about the touristic importance of this project, and completely ignoring the harm and suffering that would be inflicted on the Palestinians in Silwan. We will file appeals and demand voiding the Regional Council’s decision; we will demand approving the decision of the Appeals Committee.”
He also stated that Israel wants to build a six-story building on 12.000 square/meters, for the use of the Israeli archeology department, in addition to a conference hall, educations rooms, parking lots for tourists and settlements, commercial stores, and offices run by the Elad colonialist organization, largely funded by millionaires from the United States.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center and Committee issues a joint statement denouncing the approval of the colonialist project, originally submitted by Elad, and said that this approval just goes to serve the illegitimate plans in replacing the indigenous Palestinians with colonialist settlers, and colonialist projects.
They said that the approval of this project, originally voided nine months ago, “came in a racist session, that was merely for show,” and denied the residents the right to present their case, or to present the devastating outcome of this colonialist project.
They added that its approval will be the gateway for the addition of many more colonialist projects on Palestinian lands in Silwan, and demanded the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to immediately intervene, especially since this project aims at destroying Arab and Palestinian heritage and archeology, and demanded the International Community to act in helping the residents to counter this illegal project.
The “Kedem” project aims at the illegal annexation of large areas of lands in Wadi Hilweh -- lands that, until Israel annexed East Jerusalem in 1967 -- were used for agriculture, before Israel illegally confiscated them, demolished a room owned by the Abda family, and turned the grounds into a parking lot.
In 2003, the Elad colonialist organization managed to gain control over the lands, and started planning before actually digging in al-Magharba Square, in addition to destroying Ottoman, Byzantine and Roman sites, and left just a few of them as an “archeological proof of the second temple.”
A senior UN rights official says that the continued development of illegal Israeli settlements is the root cause of a broad spectrum of human rights abuses across the occupied Palestinian territories.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Zeid al-Hussein made the remarks in a statement at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), on Tuesday.
He noted that settlements only prolong the occupation and undermine the future of Palestinians. “The presence and continued development of Israeli settlements lie at the root of a broad spectrum of human rights violations in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem (al-Quds),” al-Hussein said.
Al-Hussein also called on UN member states to end their businesses in illegal Israeli settlements and not to facilitate Israel’s violations of international law.
He urged all states, according to Press TV/Al Ray, “to ensure that they are not taking actions that either recognize or assist the expansion of settlements or construction of the wall in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem (al-Quds).”
UN urges probe into Israeli killing of Palestinians
Elsewhere in his remarks, the UN rights chief called for an immediate investigation into what he called Israel's unlawful killings of Palestinians in the occupied territories.
“Some of these responses strongly suggest unlawful killings, including possible extrajudicial executions and willful killings. Prompt, independent, impartial thorough and effective investigations should be carried out into all allegations of excessive use of force,” al-Hussein stated.
He also called on violators of international humanitarian law to be held accountable.
On March 21, Makarim Wibisono, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories, stepped down, citing the Tel Aviv regime's refusal to let him into areas he was meant to investigate.
Since August 2015, the occupied Palestinian lands have been the scene of tensions after Israel’s imposition of restrictions on the entry of Palestinian worshipers into the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East al-Quds (Jerusalem).
At least 206 Palestinians, including children and women, have lost their lives at the hands of Israeli forces since October 1, 2015.
Buying settlement products abets an act of war
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Ambassador to the UN Human Rights Council, Ibrahim Khraishi, said those who purchase settlement products from Israel are an accomplice to its acts of war.
“Settlements only prolong the occupation and undermine the future of the Palestinians,” Khraishi said, adding, “Anyone who buys products of the settlements are accomplices to the Israeli authority and to acts which constitute acts of war.”
“The Israeli occupation has lasted almost 50 years. This has only generated violence and instability in the region. It must be ended if we are going to have human rights prevail in the region,” he said. In January, the New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report that businesses should stop operating in, financing, servicing, or trading with settlement-related “activities that contribute to and benefit from an inherently unlawful and abusive system that violates the rights of Palestinians.” Arvind Ganesan, the director of the business and human rights division of HRW, said such businesses play a critical role in expanding settlements and encourage the Israeli authorities’ unlawful confiscation of Palestinian land and other resources.
“Settlement businesses unavoidably contribute to Israeli policies that dispossess and harshly discriminate against Palestinians, while profiting from Israel’s theft of Palestinian land and other resources,” Ganesan said, adding, “The only way for businesses to comply with their own human rights responsibilities is to stop working with and in Israeli settlements.”
More than half a million Israelis live in 237 settlements throughout the Israeli-occupied West Bank, including in East al-Quds.
The United Nations and most countries regard the Israeli settlements as illegal because the territories were captured by Israel in a war in 1967 and are hence subject to the Geneva Convention, which forbids construction on occupied lands.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Zeid al-Hussein made the remarks in a statement at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), on Tuesday.
He noted that settlements only prolong the occupation and undermine the future of Palestinians. “The presence and continued development of Israeli settlements lie at the root of a broad spectrum of human rights violations in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem (al-Quds),” al-Hussein said.
Al-Hussein also called on UN member states to end their businesses in illegal Israeli settlements and not to facilitate Israel’s violations of international law.
He urged all states, according to Press TV/Al Ray, “to ensure that they are not taking actions that either recognize or assist the expansion of settlements or construction of the wall in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem (al-Quds).”
UN urges probe into Israeli killing of Palestinians
Elsewhere in his remarks, the UN rights chief called for an immediate investigation into what he called Israel's unlawful killings of Palestinians in the occupied territories.
“Some of these responses strongly suggest unlawful killings, including possible extrajudicial executions and willful killings. Prompt, independent, impartial thorough and effective investigations should be carried out into all allegations of excessive use of force,” al-Hussein stated.
He also called on violators of international humanitarian law to be held accountable.
On March 21, Makarim Wibisono, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories, stepped down, citing the Tel Aviv regime's refusal to let him into areas he was meant to investigate.
Since August 2015, the occupied Palestinian lands have been the scene of tensions after Israel’s imposition of restrictions on the entry of Palestinian worshipers into the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East al-Quds (Jerusalem).
At least 206 Palestinians, including children and women, have lost their lives at the hands of Israeli forces since October 1, 2015.
Buying settlement products abets an act of war
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Ambassador to the UN Human Rights Council, Ibrahim Khraishi, said those who purchase settlement products from Israel are an accomplice to its acts of war.
“Settlements only prolong the occupation and undermine the future of the Palestinians,” Khraishi said, adding, “Anyone who buys products of the settlements are accomplices to the Israeli authority and to acts which constitute acts of war.”
“The Israeli occupation has lasted almost 50 years. This has only generated violence and instability in the region. It must be ended if we are going to have human rights prevail in the region,” he said. In January, the New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report that businesses should stop operating in, financing, servicing, or trading with settlement-related “activities that contribute to and benefit from an inherently unlawful and abusive system that violates the rights of Palestinians.” Arvind Ganesan, the director of the business and human rights division of HRW, said such businesses play a critical role in expanding settlements and encourage the Israeli authorities’ unlawful confiscation of Palestinian land and other resources.
“Settlement businesses unavoidably contribute to Israeli policies that dispossess and harshly discriminate against Palestinians, while profiting from Israel’s theft of Palestinian land and other resources,” Ganesan said, adding, “The only way for businesses to comply with their own human rights responsibilities is to stop working with and in Israeli settlements.”
More than half a million Israelis live in 237 settlements throughout the Israeli-occupied West Bank, including in East al-Quds.
The United Nations and most countries regard the Israeli settlements as illegal because the territories were captured by Israel in a war in 1967 and are hence subject to the Geneva Convention, which forbids construction on occupied lands.
Hamas on Wednesday condemned US presidential candidates for their unabashedly pro-Israel speeches before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee this week.
Hamas condemns the racist statements made by American presidential candidates that sanctify the Israeli occupation at the expense of Palestinian rights, the group’s spokesman, Sami Abu Zuhri, said in a statement.
“The state of frantic competition between the American candidates supports the occupation and the enemies of the Palestinian people, and represents a true disgrace for the American political system and a provocation against the feelings of our Palestinian people and our Arab and Islamic nations,” he added.
Republican front-runner Donald Trump said he is Israel’s first ally and that there is nobody more pro-Israel than he is. He added that in case he is elected he will move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Occupied Jerusalem.
Earlier Monday, Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton slammed Trump's position on Israel.
He came under fire for previously saying he is "neutral" in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, though he has repeatedly said he supports Israel. "We need steady minds and hands.
Not a president who says he is neutral on Monday, pro-Israel on Tuesday and who knows what on Wednesday because everything is negotiable," Clinton said in a clear shot at the Republican front-runner.
Republican candidate Marco Rubio also lashed out at Trump before he withdrew from the electoral race. Rubio is notorious for his pro-Israel position.
Upon more than one occasion he dubbed the Palestinians terrorists and murderers in an attempt to gain Israeli support in the electoral race.
Hamas condemns the racist statements made by American presidential candidates that sanctify the Israeli occupation at the expense of Palestinian rights, the group’s spokesman, Sami Abu Zuhri, said in a statement.
“The state of frantic competition between the American candidates supports the occupation and the enemies of the Palestinian people, and represents a true disgrace for the American political system and a provocation against the feelings of our Palestinian people and our Arab and Islamic nations,” he added.
Republican front-runner Donald Trump said he is Israel’s first ally and that there is nobody more pro-Israel than he is. He added that in case he is elected he will move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Occupied Jerusalem.
Earlier Monday, Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton slammed Trump's position on Israel.
He came under fire for previously saying he is "neutral" in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, though he has repeatedly said he supports Israel. "We need steady minds and hands.
Not a president who says he is neutral on Monday, pro-Israel on Tuesday and who knows what on Wednesday because everything is negotiable," Clinton said in a clear shot at the Republican front-runner.
Republican candidate Marco Rubio also lashed out at Trump before he withdrew from the electoral race. Rubio is notorious for his pro-Israel position.
Upon more than one occasion he dubbed the Palestinians terrorists and murderers in an attempt to gain Israeli support in the electoral race.
Hundreds of Israelis, including large numbers of settlers, converged on religious sites across the occupied West Bank on Wednesday morning ahead of the Jewish holiday of Purim, in visits Palestinians condemned as "provocative."
In the southern West Bank city of Hebron, Israeli settlers as well as other right-wing Israelis held celebrations in the Old City's Ibrahimi Mosque.
Locals told Ma'an that during the celebrations, which began late Tuesday, the settlers "provocatively" used the mosque's loudspeakers "to sing racist songs that call for the expulsion of 'Arabs' from Hebron."
The settlers were under the heavy protection of Israeli forces, who closed off the premises, preventing Palestinians from entering the mosque, and restricted access to the surrounding area.
Some Israeli media sites reported that as many 7,000 Israelis celebrated at the holy site, known to Jews as the Tomb of the Patriarchs.
The site has long been a flashpoint, and was split into a synagogue and a mosque following a 1994 attack by an Israeli settler who opened fire on Muslim worshipers, killing 29 and injuring more than 100 Palestinians.
Separately on Wednesday, clashes broke out as hundreds of Israelis, including settlers, visited Joseph's Tomb near Balata refugee camp east of Nablus under military escort, Palestinian security sources said.
As many as 500 Israelis arrived in 10 buses at the holy site at dawn, the sources told Ma'an.
Large numbers of Israeli forces accompanied the Israelis to the site, and clashes quickly erupted, with local youths from Balata hurling stones at Israeli military jeeps, and soldiers firing tear gas canisters in return.
A number of protesters reportedly suffered excessive tear gas inhalation, although no other injuries were reported.
An Israeli army spokesperson had no immediate information on the reports.
Joseph's Tomb -- revered by Jews, Muslims, Christians and Samaritans -- is the site of regular visits by Israelis, who are escorted by Israeli military forces to the area, often leading to clashes with local Palestinians.
Under the 1993 Oslo Accords, Joseph's Tomb was to remain under Israeli control, but the Palestinian Authority took over the site after the Israeli army withdrew during the Second Intifada.
As part of security cooperation with the PA, the Israeli army allows Jewish worshipers to make monthly pilgrimages to the site.
The Jewish holiday of Purim, which commemorates the Biblical account of the saving of the Jewish people from Haman, an ancient Persian vizier, begins Wednesday evening and ends late Thursday.
Israeli forces have put in place stringent restrictions on Palestinians' movement ahead of the holiday.
In the southern West Bank city of Hebron, Israeli settlers as well as other right-wing Israelis held celebrations in the Old City's Ibrahimi Mosque.
Locals told Ma'an that during the celebrations, which began late Tuesday, the settlers "provocatively" used the mosque's loudspeakers "to sing racist songs that call for the expulsion of 'Arabs' from Hebron."
The settlers were under the heavy protection of Israeli forces, who closed off the premises, preventing Palestinians from entering the mosque, and restricted access to the surrounding area.
Some Israeli media sites reported that as many 7,000 Israelis celebrated at the holy site, known to Jews as the Tomb of the Patriarchs.
The site has long been a flashpoint, and was split into a synagogue and a mosque following a 1994 attack by an Israeli settler who opened fire on Muslim worshipers, killing 29 and injuring more than 100 Palestinians.
Separately on Wednesday, clashes broke out as hundreds of Israelis, including settlers, visited Joseph's Tomb near Balata refugee camp east of Nablus under military escort, Palestinian security sources said.
As many as 500 Israelis arrived in 10 buses at the holy site at dawn, the sources told Ma'an.
Large numbers of Israeli forces accompanied the Israelis to the site, and clashes quickly erupted, with local youths from Balata hurling stones at Israeli military jeeps, and soldiers firing tear gas canisters in return.
A number of protesters reportedly suffered excessive tear gas inhalation, although no other injuries were reported.
An Israeli army spokesperson had no immediate information on the reports.
Joseph's Tomb -- revered by Jews, Muslims, Christians and Samaritans -- is the site of regular visits by Israelis, who are escorted by Israeli military forces to the area, often leading to clashes with local Palestinians.
Under the 1993 Oslo Accords, Joseph's Tomb was to remain under Israeli control, but the Palestinian Authority took over the site after the Israeli army withdrew during the Second Intifada.
As part of security cooperation with the PA, the Israeli army allows Jewish worshipers to make monthly pilgrimages to the site.
The Jewish holiday of Purim, which commemorates the Biblical account of the saving of the Jewish people from Haman, an ancient Persian vizier, begins Wednesday evening and ends late Thursday.
Israeli forces have put in place stringent restrictions on Palestinians' movement ahead of the holiday.
The UN's human rights monitor in the occupied Palestinian territory ended his two-year term Monday by slamming Israel for preventing him from fulfilling his duties, as well as the international community for failing to hold Israel accountable for its rights violations.
Addressing the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Special Rapporteur Makarim Wibisono said that since he took up his post in June 2014, Israel had not allowed him direct access to victims in parts of the occupied Palestinian territory, despite repeated requests.
The official said he sought access to the blockaded Gaza Strip four times in writing, in addition to during meetings with Israeli officials, but received no formal response to any written requests while meetings “proved fruitless.”
"This lack of cooperation regrettably seems to signal the continuation of a situation under which Palestinians suffer daily human rights violations under the Israeli occupation."
Wibisono said that while wanton acts of individual violence -- committed by both Palestinians and Israelis -- were unacceptable, the recent surge in violence was "arising in a pre-existing context."
"Tensions have risen against a backdrop of illegal settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the blockade of Gaza, and a general lack of accountability," the UN official said.
"As frustration at the untenable situation created by the decades-long occupation grows, both parties resort to more desperate actions, often putting civilians in harm's way. Anyone seeking to quell the unrest would need to look to the root causes of the overall heightened tensions.
"To simply condemn individual attacks does not offer any viable way out of the violence rolling over the occupied Palestinian territory."
The human rights expert emphasized the "desperate need" for effective protection of Palestinians living under Israeli military occupation, and castigated Israel for its many failures as an occupying power and the international community for offering no protection.
"I have been struck by the abundance of information documenting violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, and the seeming inability of the international community to match what is known of the situation with more effective protection of Palestinians."
The Special Rapporteur in particular highlighted the excessive use of force by the Israeli authorities against Palestinians, demanding that Israel comply with international legal standards for the use of force and firearms.
Wibisono also slammed Israel's detention of hundreds of Palestinian children -- the number of which has tripled since last summer, according to prisoners' rights group Addameer.
"I am astounded at the openly discriminatory approach signaled by Israel's rejection of the recommendation to take all steps necessary to ensure that Palestinian children in military custody receive the same level of care and have the same rights as those provided under Israeli criminal law to youth offenders," he said.
Wibisono's remarks come two months after he tendered his resignation from his position because Israel reneged on promises to allow him full access to the occupied Palestinian territory. His resignation comes into full effect at the end of this month.
Addressing the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Special Rapporteur Makarim Wibisono said that since he took up his post in June 2014, Israel had not allowed him direct access to victims in parts of the occupied Palestinian territory, despite repeated requests.
The official said he sought access to the blockaded Gaza Strip four times in writing, in addition to during meetings with Israeli officials, but received no formal response to any written requests while meetings “proved fruitless.”
"This lack of cooperation regrettably seems to signal the continuation of a situation under which Palestinians suffer daily human rights violations under the Israeli occupation."
Wibisono said that while wanton acts of individual violence -- committed by both Palestinians and Israelis -- were unacceptable, the recent surge in violence was "arising in a pre-existing context."
"Tensions have risen against a backdrop of illegal settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the blockade of Gaza, and a general lack of accountability," the UN official said.
"As frustration at the untenable situation created by the decades-long occupation grows, both parties resort to more desperate actions, often putting civilians in harm's way. Anyone seeking to quell the unrest would need to look to the root causes of the overall heightened tensions.
"To simply condemn individual attacks does not offer any viable way out of the violence rolling over the occupied Palestinian territory."
The human rights expert emphasized the "desperate need" for effective protection of Palestinians living under Israeli military occupation, and castigated Israel for its many failures as an occupying power and the international community for offering no protection.
"I have been struck by the abundance of information documenting violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, and the seeming inability of the international community to match what is known of the situation with more effective protection of Palestinians."
The Special Rapporteur in particular highlighted the excessive use of force by the Israeli authorities against Palestinians, demanding that Israel comply with international legal standards for the use of force and firearms.
Wibisono also slammed Israel's detention of hundreds of Palestinian children -- the number of which has tripled since last summer, according to prisoners' rights group Addameer.
"I am astounded at the openly discriminatory approach signaled by Israel's rejection of the recommendation to take all steps necessary to ensure that Palestinian children in military custody receive the same level of care and have the same rights as those provided under Israeli criminal law to youth offenders," he said.
Wibisono's remarks come two months after he tendered his resignation from his position because Israel reneged on promises to allow him full access to the occupied Palestinian territory. His resignation comes into full effect at the end of this month.
Sheikh Ra'ed Salah, head of the Islamic Movement in the 1948 occupied lands, has expressed his fears that the Israeli occupation would have a hand in utilizing and exploiting the security camera system to be installed by Jordan at the Aqsa Mosque.
In press remarks to Qpress, Sheikh Salah called on the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and Sites to reconsider the installation of security cameras at the Aqsa Mosque.
"I expressed my belief in the past few days, and I still say that if we are certain that these cameras will remain under the control of the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf alone, then we could say it is a good project, but what will happen, unfortunately, that the Israeli occupation will insert its finger into the cameras, which will be under its control and turn into 55 eyes for it," he stated.
For his part, Sheikh Ikrima Sabri, head of the Supreme Muslim Council in Jerusalem, told Arabi 21 news website that the recent agreement to deploy surveillance cameras at the Aqsa Mosque is considered a gain for Israel only. He warned Jordan of giving Israel what he described as a license of partnership in running the Aqsa Mosque.
In press remarks to Qpress, Sheikh Salah called on the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and Sites to reconsider the installation of security cameras at the Aqsa Mosque.
"I expressed my belief in the past few days, and I still say that if we are certain that these cameras will remain under the control of the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf alone, then we could say it is a good project, but what will happen, unfortunately, that the Israeli occupation will insert its finger into the cameras, which will be under its control and turn into 55 eyes for it," he stated.
For his part, Sheikh Ikrima Sabri, head of the Supreme Muslim Council in Jerusalem, told Arabi 21 news website that the recent agreement to deploy surveillance cameras at the Aqsa Mosque is considered a gain for Israel only. He warned Jordan of giving Israel what he described as a license of partnership in running the Aqsa Mosque.