In recent years, Israel has openly admitted that ISA (formerly the General Security Service) interrogators employ “exceptional” interrogation methods and “physical pressure” against Palestinian detainees in situations labeled “ticking bombs”. B’Tselem and HaMoked - Center for the Defence of the Individual have examined these interrogation methods and the frequency with which they are used, as well as other harmful practices. The report’s findings are based on the testimonies of 73 Palestinian residents of the West Bank who were arrested between July 2005 and January 2006 and interrogated by the ISA. Read more about Report: Majority of surveyed Palestinian prisoners subjected to ill-treatment
Israel has cut off the Gaza Strip from the rest of the world to such an extent that it is easier for Palestinians in Israel or the West Bank to visit relatives in prison than visit a relative in Gaza. This is one conclusion of the 100-page report that B�Tselem and HaMoked publish today. One Big Prison documents the ongoing violations of human rights and international law resulting from Israel�s restrictions on the movement of people and goods between Gaza and the West Bank, Israel, and the rest of the world. The report also warns against Israel�s attempt to avoid its responsibility toward residents of the Gaza Strip following disengagement. Read more about New Report Warns Against Continued Strangulation of Gaza Strip after Disengagement
The Association for Civil Rights in Israel, Prisoner Association, Arab Association for Human Rights (HRA), Adalah, B'Tselem, Mossawa Center, HaMoked and Public Committee Against Torture in Israel27 August 2004
Nine human rights organizations placed an advertisement in the Israeli daily newspaper Ha’aretz, stating that the rights of thousands of incarcerated Palestinians are being violated and that the Israel Prison Service must respect the basic and universal principals of prisoners’ human rights. Article 10 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights states that all persons deprived of their liberty shall be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent diginity of the human person.The groups include ACRI, The Prisoner Association, The Arab Association for Human Rights, Adalah, B’Tselem, Mossawa, Ha’moked, and the Public Committee Against Torture. Read more about Human Rights groups: "Prisoner Rights are Human Rights"
Adalah and the Hamoked filed a petition to the Supreme Court on 31 May 2004, to cancel a new order which conditions the issuance and extension of entry permits to the Gaza Strip for citizens and residents of Israel upon their commitment to remain in the Gaza Strip for three consecutive months. The petition was filed on behalf of four families who have been affected by the new order, against IDF Major General, Southern Command. The new order was recently issued with the intent of limiting the use of the Erez checkpoint. Read more about New Order Forcing Israeli Citizens Visiting Gaza Strip to Remain There for Three Months
On 31 July 2003, the Knesset enacted the Nationality and Entry into Israel Law, 5763-2003. Today, B’Tselem and HaMoked released a report describing the implications for residents of East Jerusalem of this law, which demonstrates that Israel deliberately misstated the purpose of the law, claiming it was necessary for security reasons, in order to conceal the real basis for the legislation - demographic concerns. The law constitutes a form of discrimination with no legitimate basis. Read more about Forbidden Families: Family Unification and Child Registration in East Jerusalem
Today, the Knesset approved the first reading of a bill submitted by the government that rescinds the right of Israeli residents and citizens who have married residents of the Occupied Territories to establish their home in Israel. Read more about The Knesset: Enshrining Racism in Law