July 12, 2008

 

PCHR Condemns IOF Measures against Nablus Charities

PCHR strongly condemns Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) for closing
several charities and humanitarian organizations in Nablus over the
past two days. The Centre calls upon the international community to
intervene to put an end to these measures.

The Center's preliminary investigation indicates that at
approximately 1:35 on Monday, 7 July, IOF raided the Benevolent
Solidarity Association, the Islamic School for Girls, Benevolent
Solidarity Club, Solidarity Mosque, and Solidarity Medical Center in
Rafedia Quarter west of Nablus. IOF confiscated medical equipment and
computers from the medical center. In addition, IOF issued an order
closing the association for 3 years. The order was signed by the
Israeli army commander in the West Bank.

At approximately 1:00 on Tuesday, 8 July, IOF raided several
organizations affiliated with Hamas. IOF closed 7 organizations for 2
years. IOF claimed that these organizations were used to "finance
terrorist organizations." The organizations that were closed are:
Nablus Mall (owned by the Development, Investment, and Insurance
Company), Nafha Association for Prisoners' Affairs; Federation of
Islamic Trade Unions, Scientific Medical Assocaiton, Yazour
Benevolent Society, Basma Association, and Graduates Cultural Forum.

PCHR's fieldworker obtained a copy of the military order closing the
Nablus Mall that was dated 6 July and signed by Gadi Aluf, Israeli
army commander in the West Bank. The order states, "Based on the
jurisdiction granted to me under articles 120, 84, 129 of the Defense
Regulations (State of Emergency) for the year 1945 … I hereby order
the confiscation of all properties of "Beit El-Mal Arab Palestinian,
LTD that is also known as the Development, Investment, and Insurance
Company, including the real estate known as the Nablus Commercial
Center (Nablus Mall). Ownership of the property and all its equipment
is directly transferred to the Israeli Defense Forces with immediate
effect. The administration offices of the Nablus Commercial Center
and all unrented property is closed for 2 years starting with the
date of receiving this order. Any person wishing to object to t his
order can submit a written complaint through the Legal Advisor for
Judia and Samaria within 14 days from receiving the order."

It is noted that the Defense Minister, Ehud Barak, signed this week
an order closing 36 charities worldwide under the pretext that they
are illegal for being members in the "Zakat Federation" that collects
money for Hamas. The Israeli newspaper of Haaretz indicated yesterday
that Israeli security forces will escalate their war on the Hamas
infrastructure in the West Bank; and that the military leadership
plans to close a large number of associations and charities and
confiscate their property under the pretext that they are affiliated
with Hamas.

PCHR strongly condemns these arbitrary measures that constitute a
form of collective punishment that is banned by International
Humanitarian Law. The Centre calls upon the international community
to intervene and put an end to these measures, especially since the
targeted organizations provide humanitarian assistance to needy
Palestinian families during these times of increased poverty.

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