Are settlers’ rights being trampled on?
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Report criticizes Israeli actions
Photo: AFP
Settlers get unexpected boost
Human rights group B’tselem, known for its harsh criticism of government’s treatment of Palestinians, says Gaza evacuees’ rights may be undermined. New report focuses on violation of Palestinian rights in Strip
TEL AVIV - Human rights group B’tselem, known as an outspoken critic of Israeli actions in the West Bank and Gaza, says the disengagement plan could potentially undermine the rights of settlers.
The group’s report, prepared in conjunction with the Center for the Defense of the Individual, focuses on Palestinian freedom of movement, but devotes a whole section to would-be evacuees’ rights.
The report’s author, Yehezkel Lein, told Ynet the value of protecting human rights is universal, regardless of the victim’s identity and nationality.
“That’s why we dedicated a chapter to the serious undermining of freedom of expression, as is happening in the case of the settlers,” he said.
On the Palestinian front, the report notes that despite the recently declared easing of restrictions on Palestinian Gaza residents, there has been very little improvement in the ability to travel to and from Gaza.
The document says the forced isolation of Gaza serves to tear many Palestinians from their families, and in some cases even separates spouses.
‘Israel must protect settlers’ lives’
The settlement enterprise is not a result of private initiative, but rather, stems from massive government intervention, the reports says.
“As a result, Israel faces heavy legal and moral responsibility in ensuring the human rights of settlers are being protected,” it says.
Since the beginning of the intifada, settlers have been a regular target for Palestinian attacks, the report says, and adds that the terror strikes constitute a blatant violation of the right to life and are defined as a war crime under humanitarian law.
“The Israeli government must adopt all legal means at its disposal to prevent harm to settlers,” the report says.
It adds that although the pullout plan is a significant step in protecting settlers’ lives, the scheme also presents considerable challenges regarding the safeguarding of other rights.
Concern about administrative detentions
The report makes note of the serious harm to evacuees’ property and assets and says the government must offer compensation.
Moreover, the document warns of the possibility of undermining the settlers’ freedom of expression in the framework of the pullout plan.
“Against the backdrop of existing and expected anti-pullout protests, the Justice Ministry plans to introduce significant legal changes aimed at restricting freedom of speech,” the report says.
It also adds that the government may resort to administrative detention of Jews in an effort to curb resistance to the pullout.
“The attorney general recently declared his willingness to approve security establishment requests for administrative detention of right-wingers,” the report says, and adds the measure could threaten the right to a fair trial.
