Palestine Liberation Organization Negotiations Affairs Department July 2013

WHILE ISRAEL IS TALKING ABOUT PEACE

Construction in Judea and Samaria1 will continue, and is continuing still today, but we must be aware of what is happening around us (Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, June 30th 2013).

Since January 2013, US President Obama and Secretary of State Kerry have led a new effort in order to resume negotiations between Israel and Palestine. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that he is willing to negotiate without preconditions. Such an Israeli approach, illustrated by Israeli facts on the ground, is an Israeli attempt at normalizing daily agression, oppression, discrimination and attacks against the occupied people of Palestine. It shows once again that Israel is not interested about reaching a just and lasting peace but rather in maintaining the status quo while resisting international pressure. An Israeli commitment to the two-state solution in line with the vision of Palestine and the rest of the international community would be a positive step. Unfortunately, statements and actions made by prominent members of the Israeli government prove that there is a clear rift within the Israeli government on the issue of the peace process, while Palestine and the international community is exerting effort to resume meaningful negotiations. Many prominent figures of the ruling Israeli coalition are publicly opposing the two-state solution. At the same time, continued actions on the ground, many of which fall under the banner of Israels illegal settlement enterprise, demonstrate a clear intention to destroy the possibility of two states living side by side. This report summarizes Israeli attacks and other acts of aggression committed by the Israeli Occupation Authorities, military forces and settlers against the people of Palestine in the recent period when Israeli officials have been talking about talking.

Biblical name for the West Bank.

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SURGE IN ISRAELI VIOLATIONS (January - June 2013)

Event Type Assassinations January 0 7 Deaths Injuries Attacks Raids Arrests (per person) Attacks on Property House Occupation Curfews Flying Checkpoints Settler Violence 74 210 513 384 84 4 1 357 67 210 321 465 474 71 12 0 416 69 127 462 354 347 59 12 0 462 99 172 307 529 397 105 8 0 391 123 135 289 535 396 149 13 0 144 127 56 189 545 374 128 8 1 440 79 774 1778 2941 2372 596 57 2 2210 564 February 0 3 March 0 4 April 1 3 May 0 0 June 0 1 TOTAL 1 18

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Summary of Home Demolitions2 :

STRUCTURES DEMOLISHED Res Other Total PEOPLE DISPLACED Adults Children Unknown Total Adults PEOPLE AFFECTED Children Unknown Total

131

206
Adults

337

275

307
Children

582

528

580

100

1208
Total

TOTAL PEOPLE DISPLACED AND AFFECTED Unknown

803

887

100

1794

Since Secretary Kerry began his efforts to resume negotiations, Israel has forcibly displaced 582 people, including 307 children, through demolishing their homes. The main concentration of home

Data collected by UN OCHA.

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demolitions is in Occupied East Jerusalem and the Jordan Valley. This is an average of 22 people forced from their homes every week since Secretary Kerry assumed his current position.

Eviction and forced displacement: Palestinian families of Shamasna and Kiswani, are on the verge of displacement and eviction in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. An Israeli settler organization active in the neighborhood was pressing for the eviction. Land Confiscation: Israeli authorities are in the process of approving the confiscation of 1200 dunums of land in Walajeh village, West of the town of Beit Jala, for the future expansion of Gilo settlement and others. The Israeli government has also decided to build the annexation Wall in the Cremisan Area of Beit Jala which will leave the predominantly Christian community of Beit Jala and the rest of the Bethlehem district disconnected from one of their last green areas. Israel plans to link the settlements of Gilo and Har Gilo. Excavation in the Magharbeh Neighborhood: There are three new sites undergoing extensive construction in the southern part of the old city. Expansive excavation work is also taking place at Magharbeh gate in three locations: 1. Underneath the bridge, 2. South of Aqsa mosque by the Marwani Mosque and 3. In Wadi Hilweh, the valley which runs through Silwan.

Other Violations:
On May 08, 2013, Israeli Occupation Forces illegally detained the highest Muslim religious authority Mufti of Jerusalem and Palestine Mohammad Hussein. On May 04, Israeli occupation forces repressed and physically assaulted Palestinian Christians, including priests, preventing them from celebrating the important spiritual occasion of Holy Fire Saturday. On June 21, Israeli Occupation Forces shut down the Palestinian National Theater, Al Hakawati, in Occupied East Jerusalem, preventing a childrens festival from taking place.

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Calendar of Israeli Aggressions

The Jewish people are not settlers in the West Bank, but Israel will make the Palestinians settlers and Jordan will be the one taking control over Palestinians and thats it (Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon) SELECTION OF CASES: JANUARY 2013 JUNE 2013 Deaths
15 January: Samir Awad (16 years old) was killed when Israeli forces opened fire and launched tear gas grenades towards the residents near a military post in Budrus village. 23 February: Arafat Jaradat, a resident of Hebron, died in Migdo prison after being seized from his home on February 18 2013.

Injuries
13 January: Three residents of Qusra village (Nablus) were injured, including a child and a journalist, when Israeli forces raided the village and clashed with its residents. 24 February: Israeli forces opened fire towards demonstrators who were protesting the death of Arafat Jaradat while in Israeli custody, and demonstrating in solidarity with the Palestinians. 09 April: 3 residents of Bethlehem were injured, including a child, when Israeli forces fired rubber coated steel bullets towards several residents for allegedly stone throwing near Al-Ayda camp. 11 April: Israeli forces opened fire towards Mutaz Obeido (a medically handicapped gentleman) as they detained him at his home, injuring his hand.

Settlers Violence
02 January: Several Palestinian homes were stoned by an Israeli settler in Jalud village in Nablus, causing serious head injuries to 3 residents, including 3 year old Farah Obada. 20 January: An Israeli settler vehicle ran over Rizq Jubran along the main road near Marj AlGhazal village, leaving him hospitalized with contusions.

Attacks on Property
28 January: Israeli forces demolished a section of a home built in 1959, which is owned by Faraj Shaker, in Silwan neighborhood of East Jerusalem. 3 March: Israeli settlers stormed agricultural land in the Wadi Jumjum area in Nihalin village and damaged 60 olive trees owned by Taha Funoun.

12 March: Israeli forces fired rubber coated steel bullets and tear gas grenades towards residents as they raided AlFuwar camp in Hebron, killing Mohammad Al-Titi and injuring 8 others including 2 children 11 June: Khalid Khurish , a 27 years old resident of Tulkarem, died of injuries sustained from Israeli forces gunfire on April 4 2004. In 2004 Khalid was paralysed by the gunfire and had been receiving treatment in Italy, Russia, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan

31 March: Israeli settlers stoned 2 buses carrying school girls as they were returning to Ramallah from a field trip, injuring 7 students and damaging the 2 buses.

7 April: Israeli forces ordered 8 residents of Hamsa village in the northern Jordan valley to abandon their homes until April 9 2013 in order for Israeli forces to conduct military training. 21 May: Israeli forces demolished a 27 m2 portion of a home owned by Taysir Al-Sabah in the area between the French Hill and Shufat camp in Jerusalem for allegedly being built without proper licencing.

29 April: An Israeli settler ran over Yusef Muhtasib (5 years old) near Al-Ibrahimi mosque in the old city of Hebron, leaving him hospitalized with contusions

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Focus on June: Details of Israeli violations awaiting Secretary Kerry

Were running out of time. If we do not succeed now, we may not get another chance, (Secretary John Kerry, June 3). June brought serious efforts conducted by the US administration in order to resume negotiations between Israel and Palestine. While the Palestinian side has worked in close coordination with Secretary Kerry and his team, in order to create the right environment for meaningful negotiations, the Israeli side has continued its occupation and colonization activities, further closing the window of opportunity for the establishment of a free and sovereign Palestinian State and the two-state solution. Some of the Israeli policies conducted during the month of June resulted in the death of one Palestinian and another 56 injured, meaning that almost two Palestinians were injured on a daily basis either by Israeli Occupation Forces or settlers. During the same period of time, 371 Palestinians were arrested (on average 12 arrested daily). Regarding settlement construction, Israel approved the construction of 1169 units during June, including the settlement of Burchin (Salfit Area), settlements in the so-called Gush Etzion area (Bethlehem Hebron) and the illegal settlement of Har Homa (between Bethlehem and Jerusalem). That is equivalent to 39 units per day, or more than the average number of daily units built by PM Netanyahus government during his 2009 2013 term of office (24 units per day). While continuing settlement construction all over the Occupied State of Palestine, Israel demolished 10 Palestinian homes as well as occupying another 8 Palestinian homes. Israeli military raids and attacks against Palestinians and their property continued during June. Israeli occupation forces conducted 536 raids within the Occupied State of Palestine (an average of 18 daily raids) as well as imposing 430 flying checkpoints Israeli settlers continued to attack Palestinians with impunity, carrying out 76 attacks on defenseless Palestinian communities (an average of 2.5 attacks per day). The combined number of attacks conducted by settlers and Israeli Occupation Forces against Palestinian people reached 185 (6 per day on average), while combined attacks against Palestinian property reached 121 (an average of 4 daily attacks).

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ISRAELI RING ROAD AROUND OCCUPIED EAST JERUSALEM ( JULY 2013 )

1967 Boundary (Green Line) Palestinian city, town, village or neighborhood Israeli settlement built-up area Palestinian territory west / east of the Wall Israeli military base The Wall - constructed or under construction - approved or planned Israeli ring road - existing - planned or under construction Israeli road Israeli-proposed alternative Palestinian road link Israeli checkpoint

Rafat
Qalandia 443

Kafr Aqab Ql.R.C.

KOCHAV YA'ACOV 60

MA'ALE MIKHMAS Mikhmas

RAMA

Judeira

ATAROT

Jaba Al Ram

SHA'AR BINYAMIN

Al Jib

Bir Nabala
Beit Hanina BH Balad
20 4 21

N.YA'ACOV Hizma P.ZE'EV

GEVA BINYAMIN

ALMON
ANATOT
45

RAMOT R.SHLOMO

Shuafat

R.C. FR.HILL

Anata

R.ESHKOL
1

Al Q u d s
OLD CITY

'Isawiya Sh. Jarrah 9 Wadi Joz 1 Tur

E1 Plan
Za'im
1

2.5 km
NAD-NSU

MA'ALE ADUMIM

W e s t

E a s t Silwan
J.Mukabir
NOF ZION

Azarya Abu Dis

Jerusalem
Beit Safafa
4

Ras al Thuri Amud

Sawahra East West

Ar.Jahalin

EAST TALPIOT

G.HAMATOS HAR HOMA

GILO
60

Sur Baher

Um Leisun

Sh. Sa'ad
Wadi Hummus

Beit Jala

Bethlehem

An Numan

Ubaydiya
Al Khas Kh.Juhzum

Beit Sahur

Um Qassis

ISRAELS WALL & SETTLEMENTS (COLONIES) (JULY 2013)

Palestinian Land Restricted by Israeli Settlements and the Wall
West Bank area west of the Wall* Settlement-controlled areas east of the Wall Jordan Valley settlement control Areas remaining for Palestinians

86

Rehan Mevo Dotan

Jenin

9.0 % 8.0 % 28.5% 54.5 %

Qalqilya
A.Menashe Kedumim

Mehola

Tulkarm
Avne Hefez

Tubas

170

Rotem

Nablus
Yizhar

Elon Moreh Itamar

675

Hamra

Settler Population Growth Doubled Since 1995

600,000 433,700 400,000 229,500 200,000 1995 2000 2005 2012 371,500 544,000

Elkana Ariel
694 550

Massua
620

Salt

Eli Shilo

Ma'ale Efrayim

JORDAN

Bet Arieh

Nili
732

Talmon

90

255

Bet El

Ofra

Modi'in Illit

Ramallah Jericho
G.Ze'ev
625 300

West Bank Population Directly Affected by the Wall

Palestinians separated from arable land
12.4%

Latrun Valley

G.Binyamin Ma'ale Adumim

112

Jerusalem
797 50 942

Palestinians isolated west 10.6% of the Wall

Betar Etzion

H.Gilo
154

Bethlehem
Efrat Tekoa

Wall completed (~ 64%) Wall under construction (~ 6%) Wall route approved by Israels cabinet as of 30 April 2006 (~ 714 km) 1967 Boundary (Green Line) (~ 320 km) Settlement areas east of Wall Jordan Valley areas under Israeli settlement control Israeli settlement built-up areas (~ 1.25% - 544,000 settlers)
* Figure includes the Israeli-occupied areas of East Jerusalem and the Latrun Valley

DEAD
K.Zur Asfar
84

SEA

Adora

Hebron

Kiryat Arba

Otniel

Tene

10 Km

NAD-NSU

Focus on settlements: A clear increase during 2013.

The idea of a Palestinian state reached a dead end. There has never been so much time invested in something so pointless we should build, build, build (Israeli Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor Naftali Bennet). The Israeli government's commitment to settlement expansion has been fully upheld during the second term of Prime Minister Netanyahu. Official Israeli government statistics revealed that during the first quarter of 2013, construction in the West Bank increased by 335% in comparison to the last quarter of 2012 - reaching the highest level in seven years.

Settlement Activity
New settlement units:
Between January and June 2013, construction of 1000 new housing units began in the West Bank, which includes Occupied East Jerusalem. Many of the construction sites are located deep inside the West Bank. In addition, since January, there have been 15800 SETTLEMENT housing units in various stages of planning, approval and development in the Occupied State of Palestine3. On January 15, tenders were issued for 84 units in Kiryat Arba settlement in Hebron and 154 units in Efrat settlement in Bethlehem. On January 16 and February 18, publication of depositing4 for 255 units in Ofra settlement and 620 in Eli Settlement in Ramallah. In February, publication of validation before issuing tenders for 90 units in Bet El in Ramallah, and 86 units in Tal Meashe in Jenin In April, discussion for validation before publication for 112 units in Maale Adumim settlement in Jerusalem and 170 units in Rotem settlement in Tubas In May, publication of depositing for 694 units in Alei Zahav settlement and 732 units in Modi'in Illit settlement in Ramallah. Ongoing preparation for the infrastructure for 625 units in Pizgat Zeev and 942 units in Har Homa settlements. Also the approval of 8 units in Beit Orot in Occupied East Jerusalem . On June 26, construction permits were approved for 69 units in Har Homa C by the Israeli Municipality in East Jerusalem On June 9, a settlement plan was advanced by the Israeli government for the approval 550 units in Burchin settlement.

3 4

IRAMIM & Peace Now A technical stage of the settlement building process

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On June 6, a plan was advanced for the approval of 675 units in the settlement of Itamar. This settlement is located deep inside the West Bank (28 kilometers from the Green Line, East of Nablus District. On May 14, the Government announced its intention to establish 4 new settlements of: Mitzpe Lachish, Givat Assaf, Maale Rehavam, and Haroe. In late May, 1000 new housing units were approved: 300 homes in Ramot settlement and 797 in Gilo settlement, aimed at further severing Bethlehem from East Jerusalem On April, 25th, a Plan for 11 units in East Talpiyot was deposited for approval (plan no. 12989A). In addition the Israel Minister of Housing declared he plans to expand a hostel for the Elderly in East Talpiyot with another 50 units.

Other settlement activities:

Approval for the new cable car connecting the Mount of Olives with the old city of occupied East Jerusalem. Approval of a new dumpsite near Shufat and Anata village, threatening Palestinians living in that area with eviction and forced displacement.

Settlement Road Network:

Road #4: ongoing construction in Beit Safafa, south of Jerusalem Road #20: In May, the Israeli PM officially opened a settler road which was built on lands belong to Palestinians from Hizma and Beit Hanina. The road connects the settlements of the West Bank with West Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Road #21: ongoing construction between Shufat and Beit Hanina to be connected with road #20 and to advance the approval for the expansion of Ramot Shlomo settlement. East Ring Road: approval of the new road to connect the settlements in the south such as Har Homa, North and with West Jerusalem. A plan for a ramp to Jerusalem from Maale Adumim settlement road was approved for validation in May 2013.

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Conclusion: End Israels Impunity, Protect Palestine and its People

Settlement activity embodies the core of the policy of colonial military occupation of the land of the Palestinian people and all of the brutality of aggression and racial discrimination against our people that this policy entails (President Mahmoud Abbas). In the short period during which Israel has talked about peace, as a response to US efforts to resume negotiations, the Palestinian people have been subjected to numerous and appalling violations at the hands of their supposed partner in those talks. These are not merely violations which prejudice the outcome of the two-state solution, not merely violations which make the prospect of meaningful negotiations incredibly difficult, not merely violations which breach international law and almost every basic human right, but violations which are physically and continuously harming the lives and livelihoods of normal people. Palestinians face daily terror attacks and violence from the Israeli military and settlers who are granted full support from the Israeli government and its officials. What is most shocking is that these policies and violations are carried out with a complete lack of accountability. This impunity that Israel currently enjoys is not the right environment for meaningful negotiations. The only way to open a door for credible negotiations is for Israel to implement previous agreements and respect international law. The only party able to ensure this environment is the international community. The facts are clear. For peace to prevail, Israels impunity must end.

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