B'TSELEM ISRAELI PEACE ACTIVISTS

NEWSLETTER 02 Dec. 2014 B'Tselem - The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories
	Al-Bustan Neighborhood, Silwan, East Jerusalem. Photo: Keren Manor, Activestills.org
	Dear Friends,  Recent months have seen many violent clashes in East Jerusalem. They began in July, after 16-year-old Muhammad Abu Khdeir of East Jerusalem was killed, and persisted as tension over the Temple Mount increased and settlers continued to take over houses in Palestinian neighborhoods. Locals have thrown stones, hurled Molotov cocktails, and shot firecrackers at Israeli civilians and security forces. Violence peaked in several brutal attacks by Palestinians, which killed nine Israelis. B’Tselem condemns these actions. They can have no possible justification.  Israeli authorities responded with violence, dispersing Palestinian protests with sponge rounds, teargas and the foul-smelling liquid dubbed The Skunk. Human rights organizations received many reports of police violence against residents. Entire neighborhoods, home to tens of thousands of residents, were closed off. Israeli officials made increasingly inflammatory statements as incidents carried on, and the media reported daily on “perfect, magic solutions” proposed by a host of key figures, including the mayor of Jerusalem, the prime minister, and MKs. Suggestions included demolishing the homes of Palestinians who perpetrate attacks against Israelis, revoking the Israeli residency of any Palestinian who lobs a Molotov cocktail, and cutting the social benefits of children convicted of stone-throwing. Some suggestions have already been implemented. Some suggested measures harm innocent persons; others disproportionately and arbitrarily violate a person’s rights and deny due process.  All are unlawful and all rely heavily on authorities’ willful disregard of the harsh reality in East Jerusalem – the outcome of decades of occupation, dispossession and discrimination – and its ramifications. Needless to say, this reality in no way justifies the recent attacks against civilians in Jerusalem or their horrific consequences to life and limb. Yet choosing to disregard this state of affairs is unjust, immoral, and highly unlikely to stave off the next attack.  Sincerely, Hagai El-AdExecutive Director Israel's National Parks, East Jerusalem East Jerusalem Palestinians, comprising more than a third of Jerusalem’s population, have endured decades of discrimination and restrictions under Israeli occupation. The declaration of so many national parks in East Jerusalem, often on land devoid of significant archeological findings or natural treasures, indicates immaterial objectives such as maintaining a Jewish majority in the city. Virtually barring construction or urban development in East Jerusalem, national parks serve these political goals far more effectively than municipal planning and building restrictions. See photo blog. 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The award has been given annually since 2009 by the International Bar Association, the International Legal Assistance Consortium and the Swedish Bar Association to an individual or an institution for outstanding contributions to the rule of law and the promotion and protection of human rights. B’Tselem Executive Director Hagai El-Ad was recently selected by Foreign Policy magazine for this year’s prestigious 100 Leading Global Thinkers. READ MORE >>