International Day of Action for the Boycott of Israeli Agricultural Products

PRESENTING THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ACTION FOR THE BOYCOTT OF ISRAELI AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

A Day of Solidarity with Palestinian Farmers and Fishermen

 http://www.facebook.com/events/402542059838944/

On Wednesday 6^th of February at 10 a.m. in the Gaza port, the Union of Agricultural Work Committees and International Action for Palestine, invite you to a press conference announcing the International Day of Action in solidarity with Palestinian farmers and fishermen on Saturday 9th February. The Day of Action, called by Palestinian agricultural organisations and the Palestinian BDS National Committee, will launch worldwide boycott campaigns of Israeli agricultural products and corporations, in light of their deep complicity in Israel’s ongoing violations of international law and Palestinian human rights. Thousands of people around the world in dozens of countries will participate on the 9th February and Gaza will host events to support the campaigns throughout the week. 

At the press conference several organisations, fishermen and farmers will speak first-hand on the impact of the incessant aggression and blockade on the livelihoods of Gazan farmers and fishermen, and ask people of conscience in Gaza and beyond to boycott, divest and sanction from Israeli agricultural products. We´ll also present the events that will be organized in the following days, prior to the International Day of Action on Saturday.

The conference will also include the public presentation of International Action for Palestine, a group formed by international volunteers that works closely with Palestinian organizations and individuals to support the rights of farmers, fishermen and ordinary citizens in the face of Israeli occupation.

After the press conference fishermen and activists will participate in an action in the port. Fishermen and farmers will be also available for interviews after the event is finished.

Events of the Week

Wednesday 6^th February: Press conference in Gaza´s Port. Presentation of International Action for Palestine group to the public, and action with fishermen.
Thursday 7^th February: Rally/march through Gaza City.
Friday 8^th February: Interviews with local media (radio, TV). Any media interested should contact us through the numbers given below.
Saturday 9^th February: March with farmers near the buffer zone, planting of olive trees.

Israeli Attacks on Palestinian Fishermen in the Gaza Sea

PCHR

Tuesday, 05 February 2013 00:00

 Fact Sheet

Israeli Attacks on Fishermen in the Gaza Sea

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) documented 15 attacks launched by the Israeli Occupation Forces against Palestinian fishermen during the reporting period (1– 31 January 2013),[1] including 14 shooting incidents and 1 chase operation which led to the arrest of 3 fishermen and the confiscation of their boat.

Violation of the Right to Life and Security of Persons

Israel’s attacks against Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip constitutes a flagrant violation of international humanitarian and human rights law, especially the right to life and security of the person, in accordance with Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the State of Israel is a party.  Israeli forces perpetrated violations against Palestinian fishermen in the sea when these fishermen did not pose any threat to Israeli naval troops.  The fishermen were practicing their right to work and seeking their livelihood within the territorial waters of the Gaza Strip when the Israeli forces attacked them.

First: Firing at Fishing Boats in the Waters off the Gaza Strip

During the reporting period, PCHR documented 14 cases in which Israeli forces fired at Palestinian fishermen in the sea off the Gaza shore; as a result, a fishing boat was completely damaged, an engine was damaged and 3 boats were partially damaged.  These attacks took place within the 6 nautical miles allowed for fishermen to sail and fish in, according to the ceasefire agreement signed between Israel and Palestinian armed groups under Egyptian and international auspices.

Second: Arresting Fishermen

During the reporting period, PCHR documented incidents in which the Israeli forces arrested 3 Palestinian fishermen while fishing approximately 4 nautical miles off the shore of the Gaza Valley, northwest of Nussirat refugee camp in Central Gaza governorate.

· On 15 January 2013, Israeli forces arrested 3 fishermen, identified as: Mohammed Mattar Baker (49); Hazem Hamdan Baker (40); Mohammed Samir Baker (20), from Gaza City, while fishing approximately 4 nautical miles off the Gaza Valley shore, northwestern of Nussirat refugee camp in the Central Gaza governorate.  They were transported to Ashdod seaport.  The fishermen were subject to investigation before being released at approximately 16:00 on the same day through Beit Hanoun "Erez" crossing point.  The Israeli forces confiscated their fishing boat.  (For more details on the confiscated boat, read below).

Third: Confiscation of Fishing Boats

PCHR has followed up Israel’s violations against Palestinian fishermen in the waters off the Gaza Strip, particularly the confiscation of fishing boats.  During the reporting period, the Israeli forces confiscated 1 fishing boat.

· On 15 January 2013, Israeli naval forces, stationed off the Gaza Valley shore, Central Gaza, chased and confiscated a fishing boat belonging to the sons of Hamdan Mattar Baker, from Gaza, while sailing at approximately 4 nautical miles off the Gaza Valley shore.  Onboard the boat was 3 fishermen who were arrested, interrogated and later released.  As of 5 February 2013 their fishing boat was still confiscated

Month	Persons Fired At	Persons Killed	Persons Injured	Arrest Incidents	Number of Detainees	Number of Fishing Boats Confiscated	Fishing Equipment Damaged	Total
January 2013	14	-	-	1	3	1	-	15

Table of Israeli Attacks on Palestinian Fishermen in Gaza City

(1 – 31 January 2013)

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[1] This fact sheet issued by PCHR is the thirteenth of its kind.  It addresses violations carried out by the Israeli forces against Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip while practicing their work.  For more details, see Fact Sheets at: www.pchrgaza.org.

Israeli Gunboats Open Fire at Palestinian Fishermen in North Gaza District

Al Mezan

4-2-2013

At approximately 6:30 am on Monday 4 February 2013, Israeli naval vessels patrolling the Gaza sea opened fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the coast northwest of Al Waha resort—near the maritime border—northwest of Beit Lahiya, North Gaza district.  No casualties or injuries were reported.

PCHR weekly report 23/1 - 30/1/2013: 5 attacks - violations of the ceasefire, against fishermen

extracts from PCHR weekly report 23/1 - 30/1/2013

The Israeli naval forces continued to fire at Palestinian fishing boats in the Gaza Strip. 

During the reporting period, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats in the northern Gaza Strip on 5 occasions.  No casualties were reported. 

Wednesday, 23 January 2013

At approximately 06:15, the Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha resort in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire heavily at Palestinian fishing boats for 15 minutes at a distance of 5 nautical miles off the shore.  As a result, the fishermen were frightened and fled for fear of being arrested or wounded.  Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.

Thursday, 24 January 2013  

At approximately 06:00, the Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha resort in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire heavily at the Palestinian fishing boats for 15 minutes at a distance of 5 nautical miles off the shore.  As a result, the fishermen were frightened and fled for fear of being arrested or wounded.  Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.

Friday, 25 January 2013 

At approximately 06:30, the Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha resort in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire heavily at the Palestinian fishing boats for 20 minutes at a distance of 5 nautical miles off the shore.  As a result, the fishermen were frightened and fled for fear of being arrested or wounded. Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.

Saturday, 26 January 2013  


At approximately 06:30, the Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha resort in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire heavily at the Palestinian fishing boats for 10 minutes at a distance of 5 nautical miles off the shore.  As a result, the fishermen were frightened and fled for fear of being arrested or wounded.  Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.

Sunday, 27 January 2013 

At approximately 07:00, the Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha resort in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire heavily at the Palestinian fishing boats for 20 minutes at a distance of 5 nautical miles off the shore.  As a result, the fishermen were frightened and fled for fear of being arrested or wounded.Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.

Israeli Gunboats Open Fire at Palestinian Fishermen in North Gaza District

Al Mezan

3-2-2013

At approximately 8:45 am on Sunday 3 February 2013, Israeli naval vessels patrolling the Gaza sea opened fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the coast northwest of Al Waha resort—near the maritime border—northwest of Beit Lahiya, North Gaza district.  No casualties or injuries were reported.

Gaza Strip: Attacks in the border areas and their consequences

PCHR

Saturday, 02 February 2013 00:00

 PCHR Fact Sheet  January 2013

Following disengagement from the Gaza Strip in September 2005, Israel unilaterally and illegally established a so-called “buffer zone”, an area prohibited to Palestinians along the land and sea borders of the Gaza Strip. The precise area designated by Israel as a “buffer zone” is not clear and this Israeli policy is typically enforced with live fire. The establishment of the ‘buffer zone’ is illegal under both Israeli and international law.

Preventing Palestinians from accessing their lands and fishing areas violates numerous provisions of international human rights law, including the right to work, the right to an adequate standard of living, and the right to the highest attainable standard of health. Enforcing the “buffer zone” through the use of live fire often results in, inter alia, the direct targeting of civilians and/or indiscriminate attacks, both of which constitute war crimes.

Following the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip in November 2012, a ceasefire agreement was brokered by the Egyptian government. Following this agreement the Israeli-imposed fishing limit was expanded from 3 to 6 nautical miles. There have been conflicting messages about the parameters of the “buffer zone” on land, which has resulted in an increase of risk for the safety of civilians and their property in the border areas.

                                                                                                                                

Dimensions

On land, inside Palestinian territory Distance from the border fence, up to which access is permitted: · Second Intifada (2000): 150 metres · According to Israel (2010) : 300 metres · 22 November 2012: unclear parameters · 25 February 2013: 100 metres · 11 March 2013: 300 metres In reality, attacks against civilians take place anywhere up to approximately 1.5 kilometres inside the border fence. This constitutes approximately 17% of the total territory of the Gaza Strip.

At sea, off the coast of the Gaza Strip Distance from the shore, up to which access is permitted: · Oslo Accords (1994): 20 nautical miles (nm) · Bertini Commitment (2002): 12 nm · October 2006: 6 nm · End of 2007 : 3 nm · 22 November 2012: 6 nm In addition, access is consistently denied in the following areas: · 1.5 nm in the north along the maritime boundary with Israel · 1 nm in the south along the maritime boundary with Egypt

Impact

On land · Approximately 27,000 dunums, 35% of the Gaza Strip's agricultural land, can only be accessed under high personal risk, as Israeli attacks may result in injury or death of civilians. · 95% of the restricted area is arable land. · After the evacuation of settlements (2005) and ‘Operation Cast Lead’ (2008-2009), the majority of Palestinian families living in the border areas abandoned their land and homes.

At sea · Palestinians are completely prevented from accessing 85% of the Palestinian maritime areas recognised in the 1994 Gaza Jericho Agreement. · Approximately 3,700 fishermen work under high personal risk every day at sea. · Approximately 8,200 persons work in the fishing industry. · Approximately 65,000 persons, including individuals who work in the fishing industry and their dependents, are affected by the “buffer zone” restrictions at sea. · The area near the coast is markedly over-fished.

Attacks

January 2013

Attacks	Total	“Buffer zone” on land	“Buffer zone” at sea
Shelling	1	1	0
Shooting	37	24	13
Incursions	3	3	0*
Land levelling	0	0	0
Total incidents	41	28	13

* These numbers do not represent all the incursions into Palestinian waters by Israeli naval forces, only the reported incidents. More often, the reported incidents involve shooting, injury and/or killing.

Consequences of attacks

a. Deaths and injuries

January 2013

Consequences	Total	“Buffer zone” on land	“Buffer zone” at sea
Death of persons	2	2	0
Minors	0	0	0
Women	0	0	0
Injury of persons	11	11	0
Minors	4	4	0
Women	0	0	0

b. Property related violations

January 2013

Consequences	Total	“Buffer zone” on land	“Buffer zone” at sea
Property damaged	1	0	1
Property confiscated	1	0	1
Dunums razed	0	0	0

c. Detention

January 2013

Consequences	Total	“Buffer zone” on land	“Buffer zone” at sea
Detention incidents	6	5	1
Total persons detained	12	9	3
Minors detained	5	5	0
Women detained	0	0	0