Joint
statement on the humanitarian crisis in the Occupied Territories, from United
Nations organizations, including UNDP, UNFPA, World Health Organization, UN
High Commission for Refugees, International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent and UNWRA, among others. Rome, 10 April 2002**
Introduction..
2
RAMALLAH:
5
I.
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT (PNA) INSTITUTIONS: 5
1.
Ministry of Civil Affairs. 5
2.
Ministry of Education. 6
3.
Palestinian Legislative Council (al-Bireh and Ramallah) 7
4.
Ministry of Finance Central Office. 8
5.
Palestine Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) 9
II.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS: 9
1.
Ramallah Municipality. 10
2.
Al-Bireh Municipality. 10
3.
Al-Bireh Municipal Library. 11
4.
Ramallah Chamber of Commerce (New Building): 11
III.
NON- GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (RAMALLAH) 12
1.
The Health Development Information Policy Unit (HDIP) 12
2.
The Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees, Ramallah. 13
3.
Mandela Institute for Political Prisoners, Ramallah. 13
4.
MATTIN Group (Human Rights) 14
5.
AL – HAQ Human Rights Organization. 14
6.
Ramallah YMCA (Branch of East Jerusalem YMCA) 15
7.
Private Radio and TV Stations. 16
IV.
OTHER TOWNS/ VILLAGES: 17
Bethlehem..
17
1.Municipality
Building. 17
Anabta
Village (Tulkarm District) 18
1.
Anabta Municipality. 18
Tulkarim..
18
1.
General Union of Palestinian Women, Tulkarim.. 18
2.
Rawdat Abna’ Al-Ghad. 19
This
is a very preliminary inventory of damage done to Palestinian public
institutions by the Israeli army in the course of its invasion of Palestinian
cities and villages that began March 29th. The information will undoubtedly be
augmented by reports from throughout the West Bank once more on-the-ground
investigations are possible and when communication systems are working again.
Indeed, this report overwhelmingly focuses on institutions in Ramallah, due to
the fact that temporary liftings of the ongoing curfew have allowed
individuals to make preliminary inspections of institutions once they are no
longer occupied by IDF forces. The main focus here is particularly on
ministries and other institutions of the Palestinian Authority, while ongoing
information is being collected on non-governmental organizations, and the
media. However, even the initial findings indicate several disturbing patterns
with very grave consequences. In particular, institutions of the Palestinian
Authority have been subjected to a consistent pattern of incursions which
focus on seizure of records and financial resources and destruction of
technical infrastructure. There has been a consistent pattern of seizure of
documents, hard disk from computers, paper files as well as widespread
vandalism. In addition, is what we have called- “sanctioned theft”
–seizing of equipment which has no informational or intelligence value, as
well as some theft of money. The private media has also been subject to
extensive and systematic destruction of its technical facilities. The evidence
suggests a policy of de-institutionalizing all Palestinian media – and not
just that of the PNA but Palestine’s vibrant independent TV and radio
sector, as well. The limited data on destruction and theft of non-governmental
organizations, is also reported. Due to the limited data available, it is less
clear if the organizations themselves are specific targets or whether they are
primarily victims of general searches, IDF occupation of buildings for
barracks, sniper positions, or lookouts.
The
interim agreements between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization,
and the fragile, if flawed, peace that ensued, ushered in a period of
Palestinian institution-building that was unprecedented in scale, although
drawing on the rich experience of developing local institutions, particularly
non-governmental organizations, during the period of direct Israeli military
occupation. While the Palestinian Authority admittedly had very limited
sovereignity, powers and territory, for the first time a Palestinian
government authority directed Palestinian education, health, civil affairs and
social services, among other functions and responsibilities, and began to plan
for economic and social development. Elections were held in January 1996 for
the first elected Palestinian parliament which brought into being the
88-member Palestinian Legislative Council and elected Yasser Arafat as
President. When Israeli policy and military action is directed at
“dismantling” the Palestinian Authority, it not only targets political
leaders and institutions of self-rule, but it also targets vital services for
the survival of Palestinian society, un-doing developmental projects and
initiatives crucial to a stable and democratic Palestinian future.
Palestinian
institution-building was strongly supported by the international community;
donor funds to Palestinian governmental and non-governmental institutions in
the 1995-2000 period amounted to 3,313,719,000 USD of which 933,411USD went
for social spending, particularly education and health. Up until October 2000,
the Authority also steadily increased its own revenue collection. Even in the
difficult conditions of siege and closure of the second intifada and the
refusal of the Israeli government to transfer owed revenue clearances to the
Authority (its most important source of revenues), it is vital, as the World
Bank and UNSCO state, “to recognize the essential functions and achievements
of the Palestinian Authority in providing basic essential services under very
adverse conditions during the past five months” (World Bank and UNSCO 4
April 2002). The incursions into the Ministries of Education, Finances and
Civil Affairs, as well as the municipalities, noted below, certainly threaten
these services and should be of great concern.
The
report is based on phone interviews with individuals who were able to make
on-site visits as well as written reports made by institutions, who were able
to make inspections themselves. It includes only those institutions that could
be physically surveyed for damage. Institutions that are still occupied by
Israeli military forces (as stated in the report), are included only if the
external assessment gives some indication of the extent of probable damage.
The ongoing curfew in all of the towns invaded by the IDF has been the main
obstacle to collecting information.
The
detailed report contains the following:
Ramallah
PNA institutions
Ministry
of Civil Affairs
The
Legislative Council (PLC)
Ministry
of Education
Central
Bureau of Statistics
Ministry
of Finance
Ramallah/
El Bireh Local Government
Municipality
of Ramallah
Municipality
of al Bireh
Al
Bireh Municipal Library
Ramallah
District Chamber of Commerce
Ramallah
Non-governmental Institutions
1.
Human Rights Organizations: al
Haq, Mattin Group and Mandela Institute 2.Development and Relief
Organizations: HDIP and Union of Medical Relief Committees, Ramallah branch of
the YMCA,
3.
Private Radio and Television Stations: al Quds University Educational T.V. and
Radio and others in Ramallah
Other
Towns:
Bethlehem
Municipality,
Anabta
Municipality and two community organizations
Tulkarm
General Union of Palestinian Women Office
At
this time there is no further information available on the fate of other
occupied or invaded Ministries in Ramallah which include:
Ministry
of Culture (IDF continues to occupy it since Friday March 29)
Ministry
of Information (IDF continues to occupy it since Friday March 29)
Ministry
of Interior (Inside Presidents Compound: shelled -- amount of destruction
unknown)
Ministry
of Agriculture (occupied by IDF April 12th exited April 13)
Ministry
of Social Affairs (occupied by IDF today April 13)
Health
Secretariat (occupied and exited by IDF April 13th)
General
Personnel Office (occupied and exited by IDF April 13)
At
this time there is no further information on reported damage or IDF occupation
of the following Ramallah-based NGOs:
al
Damir, prisoners rights organization; al Mawarid Educational resource Center;
Law human rights organization, Sakakini Cultural Center (invaded April 13th);
The Young Scientists Club, The Agricultural Relief Committees.
The
following NGOs have been invaded by IDF (and visited by staff when curfew
lifted) but have only suffered mild damage from searches includes: MUWATEN,
Birzeit Continuing Education Program, Birzeit Institute of Music.
RAMALLAH:
I.
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT (PNA) INSTITUTIONS:
This
preliminary report only covers civil institutions of government and has not
attempted to deal with the widespread destruction of Palestinian Police
stations and other security force installations.
RAMALLAH
1.
Ministry of Civil Affairs
Location:
Um al Sharayat
The
Ministry of Civil Affairs is headed by Minister Jamil al Tarifi. It is the
main address for Palestinians living outside the occupied territories who want
to apply for visitor permits, family re-unification and residency permits. It
also handles the customs and other administrative details for Palestinian
returnees. As such, most of its work is done in liason with Israeli officials
who vet every application. The Ministry is housed in five story building and
divided into six departments.
Damage:
Extensive vandalism, some confiscation of materials and some theft.
From
a preliminary on-sight report by Ministry employees the following description
was provided. The main doors to the Ministry were blown open (evidence of a
blast), inside the main entrance reception area were the remains of a large
pile of burnt documents.
Equipment:
Inside the two sections that were visited thus far (there are six sections
altogether), destroyed Xerox copiers (seem to be sledge hammered) as well as
destroyed computers and printers. The central phone exchange taken as well as
a digital receiver in the Ministers office.
Confiscation
of Records: Thus far some missing hard drives, but stolen papers from
especially the Ministers office (neighbors told the employee they saw soldiers
carrying out what seemed to be boxes of papers). Many destroyed documents.
Theft:
Door to Minister's office blown open, the safe inside also blown open and its
contents including documents and Ministry finances missing. Petty cash of
6,000 shekels taken from the finance department.
Other:
The employee stated that the entrance and offices she entered were in complete
disarray and severely vandalized. Besides broken equipment, broken filing
cabinets and papers strewn everywhere -- many internal windows were smashed as
well. Additionally, pictures on walls (especially with Palestinian themes)
were found on the floor smashed. Also graffiti sprayed on walls. The employee
stated that she was so horrified at the extent of the damage and vandalism
that she was unable to visit more of the building and left in tears.
2.
Ministry of Education
Location:
Ramallah / Masyun district
The
Ministry serves about one million children, i.e. a third of the total
Palestinian population of the West Bank and Gaza. It is the main address for
the overall administration of all government primary and secondary schools,
their faculties, as well as archiving of student transcripts. On April 3rd at
approximately 4:00 p.m. 30 APC's and tanks carrying approximately 150 soldiers
broke down the ministry's main gates. Four employees in the Ministry were
taken to open doors, in some cases when they had no keys doors were exploded
open or broken open. Reports suggest that at other times even when staff
offered to open doors they were ignored while soldiers forcibly broke in.
Staff were made to stand outside in the cold for more than six hours while
soldiers were inside the building.
Damage:
Extensive vandalism, theft and confiscation
External
Damage: IDF tanks demolished the main gate to the building and the main doors
of the premises were forced open.
Internal
Damage: The IDF forces vandalized the Ministry's offices, confiscating
computers and educational aids and removing or destroying vital records and
documents. Although it has not
been possible for the Ministry to assess the full damage and destruction
wrought, the following specific damage was noted by Ministry employees who
were able to make a brief room by room survey of the damage when the curfew
was lifted for a few hours.
General:
the Ministry's computer net servers were removed
financial
office: the main safe was blown
open damaging its contents, including dossiers, promissory notes, cash, check
books and vouchers
-central
office: the Israeli forces blew up metal filing cabinets destroying vital
documents.
-
all offices: files have been torn up, and left in huge piles on the floor
-
Storage room: the IDF
confiscated computers, overhead projectors, video sets, and other valuable
educational equipment
-
Central office: The
Israeli forces blew up and destroyed all main doors.
They took away or destroyed records and references that are highly
important for official transcripts.
-
Remaining offices in the Ministry:
The forces seem to have confiscated many floppy disks, CDs, files,
dossiers and documents but more time will be needed to more accurately assess.
Impact
The
Ministry's records, which were confiscated or destroyed, have been built up
over many years. The Ministry hopes it will be able to re-construct destroyed
records for the issuing and certifying of
students' transcripts from regional MOE offices. The MOE is unable to gain
full and clear access to the premises in order to make a comprehensive and
detailed assessment of the damage and losses at this point. However, it
estimates the financial loss merely of equipment, such as computers, videos,
TV sets and overhead projectors, to reach millions of dollars. Most of this
equipment was financed by donor countries and organizations. The main and
direct impact of this destruction, however, is on the one million Palestinian
children who are enrolled in the school system and who constitute the main
resource of Palestinian society in the future.
This
data is based on a fuller report undertaken by the Ministry itself. For the
full text please contact Acting Minister of Education
Dr.
Naim Abu Hommos,
Email
moepalestine@hotmail.com
Fax
+ 970 298 3222
3.
Palestinian Legislative Council (al-Bireh and Ramallah)
The
Palestinian Legislative Council (or parliament) has two main buildings within
el-Bireh/ Ramallah. The al-Bireh building is the main administrative office of
the PLC while the Assembly Chambers are based in Ramallah in the Ministry of
Education.
A.
Main Administrative Building in al- Bireh
Damage:
Vandalism, Confiscation and Sanctioned Theft
Based
on an on-site visit by the PLC director general, and two PLC staff, as well as
witnesses in the neighborhood, the following preliminary report can be made.
Israeli troops broke in late Tuesday night, around 1:00 a.m. on Wednesday,
April 10. The actual break-in was witnessed by neighbors living across the
street from the PLC building.
Destruction:
Soldiers broke into the main entrance and subsequently the door and glass
partition of the Economic Committee, the Budget Committee, the Political
Committee, and the Legal Committee. Most of the damage included breaking and
removal of doors and windows. Some equipment was damaged and broken.
Sanctioned
Theft: A computer and many files were taken from the Speaker’s Office. A
computer was also taken from the technical departments office.
Confiscation:
Files and documents taken from the Speakers office and the Chief Clerks
office. Hard drives taken from computers. All the computers were open in the
personnel department.
Vandalism:
The Library and the Public Relations Unit have suffered extensive vandalism,
books and files were thrown all over the floor. The door of the
"Hansard" (sound and video equipment) office was broken, documents
were thrown on the floor, but the equipment was left intact.
The
IT Unit, Information Department, and Director’s General office did not
sustain any damage. Cars and vehicles parked on the streets were damaged, and
troops took keys of vehicles from the Technical Department. Telephones are
operating at the Council, and the Council has electricity.
(The
above information is based on ARD
report provided by Dr. Mahmoud Labadi, PLC director general, and two PLC staff
Faisal Zakarneh, and Ahmad Abu Dayyeh, along with Amin Sbeih of ARD/PLC2
project)
B..
Legislative Council Chambers in Ramallah Ministry of Education Building
The
Chambers of the Legislative Council are where the 88 members meet when
the PLC is in session. The Chamber auditorium includes not only seating for
the council members but expensive technical equipment for computerized voting,
video coverage of sessions and a closed circuit communications system to link
it with the administrative building in el-Bireh.
Damage:
Destroyed Doors; Confiscation of Video Archive of PLC Sessions
At
approximately 4:00 p.m. on April 3rd, around 150 soldiers, with 30 tanks and
APCs, forced their way into the Ministry of Education’s Compound. The
soldiers detained four employees of the Ministry of Education’s compound,
including Mr. Salah Soubani, and made them walk in front of the soldiers and
open doors.
A
group of about 50 soldiers forced Mr. Soubani to accompany them to the
Legislative Council Chambers, next to the elementary school, on the grounds of
the Ministry compound. They asked several questions about the Chambers: Who
attends the meetings? What do they do in the sessions? Do people work there or
live there?
Any
door that could not be opened with a key, was blown up with an explosive
charge. [Several people living in the neighborhood heard the explosions.] A
door to the school was blown up and the door between the school and the PLC
Chambers was also blown up. The soldiers looked through every room of the PLC
wing. They took all of the video-cassette tapes from the lower video room, at
least a hundred tapes of Council sessions, put them in plastic bags, and
carried them away. As far as Mr. Soubani knows, no equipment was stolen or
damaged in the raid.
The
soldiers did not appear to be from a special unit. They wore basic green army
fatigues. They did not use names when they talked to each other, instead they
called each other by numbers, except for one soldier who was repeatedly
referred to as “Sharon”.
When
the rooms were inspected today, April 4th, Mr. Salah Soubani confirmed that
sound (Hansard) and Video equipment seemed to be in place and intact.
The
above report is based on ARD/PLC2
project interview with Mr. Salah Soubani, director of the Information
Department at the Ministry of Education-Ramallah
4.
Ministry of Finance Central Office
Location:
Sateh Marhaba Area
There
are three buildings of the Finance Ministry in Ramallah. The Central Office in
Suteh Marhaba has been visited by Ministry employees once the curfew was
lifted, the other two (one in the Industrial district and one downtown) are
occupied by the IDF and cannot be visited. The Central Office houses the
Ministers office as well as a number of main departments (Accounts, Payroll,
General administration etc…). It was broken into by a group of soldiers on
approximately the 4th day of the invasion of Ramallah according to neighbors.
Damage:
Broken doors, Extensive Confiscation of Computers and Computer Hard Disks
Destruction:
Broken entrance doors and many internal doors destroyed, as well as windows.
Elevator badly damaged. Destroyed Computers. Destroyed furniture.
Confiscation:
Computer skeletons strewn on the floor, due to many hard disk drives being
taken. The most hard hit section in terms of taken computers and hard disks
seems to be the Payroll department. Documents strewn on the floor suggests
that paper files may have been taken but the employees did not have time to
assess. Other computers were found with their screens on.
Other
comments/ Impact: The general director suggested that the main destruction and
loss was of the Ministry's financial records and accounts. The Ministry is in
charge of disbursing salaries, health and pension payments to all government
employees including teachers, hospital workers, the police as well as
government bureaucrats. The GD says that given the loss of information, public
sector employees face not getting paid in the foreseeable future until the
records can be re-established. In addition, files for back pay and insurance
may have been lost as well.
Information
based on interview with General Director Mr. Sami Ramlawi tel. 059205038
5.
Palestine Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS)
Fieldwork
Administration Section
Location:
Radio Road near Lions Square (al Manara)
The
Central Bureau of Statistics is headed by Dr. Hasan Abu Libdeh. The main
section of PCBS is in Balu'a area
and is where most of the statistical data bases and reports are housed, as
well as administrative records and finances. That building was invaded by IDF
troops during the first re-occupation of Ramallah in October 2001. At that
time soldiers confiscated hard disks and vandalized a number of the offices.
As of this writing (April 13th) the Balu’a office has not been touched.
However, the Fieldwork section in downtown Ramallah which serves as the
administrative center for fieldwork has been invaded on four occasions. The
department is located in a four-storey residential and commercial building and
is composed of four apartments.
Damage:
(Only covers first three invasions – as yet no confirmed information on
damage wrought by April 12th break-in).
Two broken doors, some broken windows -- both in the course of soldiers
entering into the building. Damage is relatively light and there is no
extensive vandalism.
Comment:
The director of the section said that that it has been entered by soldiers on
four occasions; March 30th, April 3rd and April 8th and 12th. Based on
visiting the site after the first three incursions he thinks that they were
most interested in searching since the apartments they entered (two) only saw
light vandalism such as broken cupboards and some strewn papers. Equipment was
not damaged. However, neighbors report that on the most recent incursion into
the building (April 12th) they heard explosives being used.
II.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS:
We
have only been able to gather preliminary information based on on-site visits
about the following:
Ramallah
Muncipality
El-Bireh
Minicipality
Ramallah
Chamber of Commerce
El-Bireh
Municipal Library
1.
Ramallah Municipality
Damage:
Extensive vandalism, potentially some confiscation and theft
Ramallah
Municipality is located near
Clock square, it contains departments of administration, the court room,
engineering, health, sanitation, archives, surveying
and finance.
On
the evening of Saturday, March 30, a contingent of Israeli soldiers forcibly
entered the Municipality and remained inside for approximately 12 hours. The
building was empty when the soldiers entered. The main door was forced open by
spraying it with over fifty bullets of different calibers. The Municipality,
was empty when soldiers broke in, nevertheless they remained there for
approximately 12 hours.. Based on a preliminary site visit, by municipality
staff once the curfew was lifted they report the following.
"Every
department was vandalized,… Furniture was turned over and damaged, paper
files and documents were tampered with, dispersed and thrown to the floor,
surveying plans and building license files were destroyed, office doors were
broken; glass windows, doors and partitions were smashed, and extensive damage
was inflicted on the PCs and computer network. Many of the PCs were damaged;
the CPUs and hard disks either damaged or taken by the soldiers, and so was
the main server. Two steel safes were blown open which contained important
documents pertaining to the work of the Municipality and some petty cash.
Internal concrete block wall partitions were destroyed, and extensive damage
was sustained by the heating, electrical and computer cable systems."
The
Municipality staff has not been able to make a complete assessment of
the damage nor determine the extent of the missing equipment, documents
and other items.
The
forced intrusion into the municipality was witnessed by reporters and guests
staying at a nearby hotel.
2.
Al-Bireh Municipality
Based
data provided by municipal engineers who were able to briefly visit the
building when the curfew was lifted.
Damage:
Destruction of outside walls, doors, furniture, computers, municipal works
jeep destroyed, some confiscation of files and hard disks, extensive
vandalism, theft
Destruction:
An IDF contingent arriving in tanks broke into the building on the second day
of Ramallah’s invasion (Saturday March 30th). The tanks broke down the
outside walls of the municipality and crushed the municipal works jeep parked
outside. Entrance and internal doors broken down. Shattered windows. Broken
furniture. Five computers destroyed (some
for hard disks, others just vandalized).
Fax machine shattered.
Confiscation:
A number of files seemed to be missing and at least two hard disks taken from
computers. The municipality was unable to see what other documents were taken
as yet because of the amount of papers strewn on the floor.
Sanctioned
Theft: $12,000 surveying equipment missing
Vandalism:
A
number of offices were in complete disarray, with overturned furniture and
broken file cabinets. Destroyed files. Computers, central telephone system and
alarm system no longer function.
3.
Al-Bireh Municipal Library
Located
Near al-Bireh Municipality.
The
library building was visited by municipal engineers briefly when the curfew
was lifted. A contingent of soldiers invaded the building on the second day of
the invasion 30th March
Damage:
Primarily vandalism, destruction of computers, broken doors and windows,
Confiscation of books and journal
Destruction:
External doors, shattered windows, 3 computers broken.
Vandalism:
extensive papers and books on the floor
Confiscation:
One computer screen was on suggesting that its hard disk had been taken. A
substantial amount of books and journals seem to be missing although exactly
how many (and what type) cannot as yet be assessed.
4.
Ramallah Chamber of Commerce (New Building):
Location:
(Nazlat Rukab’s across from Ramallah Post office)
Based
on on-site visit when curfew lifted by Director of the Chamber of Commerce,
Mr. Salah Odeh
The
Ramallah Chamber of Commerce serves the whole district of Ramallah. The
Chamber of Commerce owns two attached buildings with the Chamber housed in two
floors in the New main building across from the post office. In the new
building a number of offices were rented out to the private sector (doctor’s
clinic, a development research institute, lawyers office etc…). The private
businesses only had their doors broken open and were searched. The offices of
the municipality were widely vandalized. There are no working offices of the
C.C. in the adjacent (old) building, which is mainly rented out to private
businesses and associations. The old building suffered extensive fire damage
(see below under NGOs the offices of the Palestinian Teachers Union).
Damage:
External doors blasted, internal doors blasted or broken down. Smashed
computers and Xerox copier, extensive vandalism
On
Sunday March 31st a Contingent of soldiers broke into the Chamber of Commerce
building. They blew down the main entrance to the five floor building. The
front entrance was completely blackened by the blast. On the 3rd floor, where
the offices of the Chamber of Commerce are located, they also blew open the
door with explosives. The large brass sign at the entrance with the the
C.C.’s insignia was shattered completely and the stairwell blackened by
explosive blasts. Inside, the first office they entered suffered the most
damage. Four computers were destroyed (thrown on the ground and smashed), the
Xerox copier was also thrown on the ground and broken. There was wide-scale
vandalism throughout the other offices with files and papers strewn on the
floor. Whether hard disks or paper files were taken cannot yet be assessed.
Furniture in the president’s office was vandalized. The door to the 5th
floor conference room was blown open but nothing seems to have been touched
inside. Also the door to the roof was broken open but again there was no other
visible damage. Electricity lines throughout the building were hanging from
the ceiling, there is no electricity functioning in the building.
III.
NON- GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (RAMALLAH)
As
of this writing we have been able to collect briefs on the following:
Human
Rights Organizations: al Haq, Mattin Group and Mandela Institute
Development
and Relief Organizations: HDIP and Union of Medical Relief
Committees
Charitable
Association: Ramallah branch of the YMCA, al Nahda Women’s Society for the
Hearing Impaired
Private
Radio and Television Stations: al Quds University Educational T.V. and Radio
and others
1.
The Health Development Information Policy Unit (HDIP)
Location:
Ramallah Main Street
The
Health, Development, Information and Policy Institute (HDIP) was established
in 1989 by a group of experienced researchers and health practitioners
committed to improving the status of health care for all Palestinians. An
independent, non-profit organization, HDIP specializes in policy research and
planning concerning development issues and health care in Palestine and its
publications are widely used by international and local development agencies
and planners. HDIP also advocates on health care issues relevant to
marginalized groups like women, youth and the disabled. HDIP has served as a
consultant for numerous international organizations, including the World Bank,
the World Health Organization, UNDP, UNICEF and international and local NGOs.
HDIP
is located on Main Street, Ramallah, in the same building complex that houses
the economic development and rights organzations, Mattin Group, and Al Haq,
the West Bank affiliate of the International Commission of Jurists. All are
currently occupied by IDF soldiers who are using the offices as a base, with
tanks stationed in the Al Ahliyyeh Street crossing Main Street, and barbed
wire preventing access.
On
the night of 30 March 2002, a staff member staying in the Al Haq office
reported Israeli soldiers invading the building at 11:20PM and that both Al
Haq and HDIP had been entered by Israeli troops.
Damage:
The extent of the damage cannot be assessed as Israeli troops are currently in
control of HDIP offices and environs. Residents have reported soldiers
removing cartons and other items from the building. HDIP had recently expanded
its offices into a very large space below the current offices of Mattin Group
which HDIP had refurbished and purchased large amounts of new computers,
office equipment and furniture.
2.
The Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees, Ramallah
Location:
Ramouni Building, Ramallah off Main Street
The
Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees is a grassroots community-based
health organization founded in 1979 by a group of Palestinian doctors and
health professionals to address the problems of the decaying and inadequate
health infrastructure in the West Bank and Gaza under Israeli military rule.
Now one of the largest Palestinian non-governmental organization, UPMRC runs
25 permanent primary health care centers, fourteen labs and numerous mobile
health units. Its approach is preventive, with an emphasis on education and
participation. In February 2001, UPMRC won an award from the World Health
Organization.
On
1 April 2002, Israeli tanks shelled the Ramouni Building in downtown Ramallah
and soldiers ordered all the inhabitants out of the building, which houses a
main office and emergency medical center of the Union of Palestinian Medical
Relief Committees (reported on Haaretz web site of the same day) Doctors,
staff and about fourteen Italian volunteers, including Member of the European
Parliament Louisa Morgantini, were detained by soldiers; television footage
showed some staff made to kneel in a nearby parking lot. Soldiers entered the
building and searched offices.
Damage:
At least one shell entered the office of the UPMRC causing a wall to collapse.
The Director of UPMRC, Dr. Mustapha Barghouti, reported that most equipment
was destroyed, including computers and a photocopier. Access to the Ramouni
Building to access damage in more detail is restricted due to continued army
presence in the area. Other UPMRC facilities invaded by the IDF on 31 March
2002 were the UPMRC Youth Club, the UPMRC Optometry Center, and the UPMRC
Technical Aid for the Disabled Center.
3.
Mandela Institute for Political Prisoners, Ramallah
Description:
Mandela Institute for Political Prisoners (named for Nelson Mandela) was
established in 1990 to provide assistance to political prisoners. Its
activities now include the provision of legal and material aid to prisoners
detained by both the Israeli and Palestinian authorities, and to their
families, and the training of Palestinian police forces in human rights
issues.
Type
of Damage The premises of Mandela were occupied for some days by the Israeli
Defense Forces. The following is reported by a member of Mandela's Board of
Directors, who was able to make one visit to the office during the lifting of
curfew.
1.
External damage The external metal doors to the building, in which Mandela's
offices are housed, were blown up and completely destroyed
2.
Internal damage VANDALISM : The
offices were completely vandalized. Computers (3 counted) were thrown on the
floor, broken furniture and files from cabinets strewn across the floor.
Soldiers blocked the toilets leading to sewage over-spilling and ruining
fitted carpets. Soldiers defecated in a number of rooms -- the offices are
filthy.
B.
CONFISCATION: The hard drive of the main computer has been removed. Its
contents include Mandela's data base. Due to the imposition of curfew, it has
not been possible to check whether other files or documents have been
confiscated or destroyed.
C.
STRUCTURAL DAMAGE: The IDF used Mandela's office to fire into other buildings.
As a result 5 office windows were completely destroyed, including the aluminum
frames. All internal doors, which were locked, were broken into and badly
damaged. .
Impact
on work
Mandela
has clearly suffered considerable financial loss due to the destruction or
damage to equipment, furnishings and physical structure. How much data and
documentation has been confiscated or damaged is impossible to determine under
the present curfew.
4.
MATTIN Group (Human Rights)
Location:
Main Street Ramallah
MATTIN
Group is a voluntary partnership specializing in international human rights
and humanitarian law enforcement. It was occupied on March 29th by the same
armored infantry and sniper force that occupied al-Haq and HDIP, which adjoin
it in the same building.
The
main entrance door of the office was torn down on the day after the army had
occupied the premises. Neighbors reported that a large force had entered
MATTIN’s premises and were both carrying in and bringing out a large
quantity of unidentified objects.
During
the lifting of the curfew on Tuesday, April 2, one of the senior staff members
of the organization attempted to gain entry into the office, but was not
permitted to do so. Based on a soldier’s statement, all internal doors, as
well as the internal walls connecting MATTIN’s space with al-Haq and HDIP
appear to have been broken down by the soldiers.
In
addition to records, computers, and office equipment, among the archives the
office contains an irreplaceable collection of unpublished documents,
concerning International Humanitarian Law
related diplomacy and other similarly important unpublished materials
accumulated over a 19-year period.
On
Monday, April 8, another attempt by a staff member to approach the office was
rebuffed by the army. The office building is blocked by barbed wire which
spans the street on which it is located, and always guarded by at least two
army vehicles, including tanks and APC’s. Because nobody has been allowed
inside the premises, it is still unclear just how severe the damage to the
office is, and what has been vandalized, confiscated, and looted by the
occupation forces.
5.
AL – HAQ Human Rights Organization
Location:
Main Street Ramallah
Description:
Founded in 1979, Al -Haq was the first Palestinian human rights organization
to be established in the occupied territories and is the West Bank affiliate
of the International Commission of Jurists. Through activities, such as
monitoring of human rights violations committed by both the Israeli and
Palestinian Authorities, it has a long and internationally recognized role in
promoting respect for human rights within Palestine.
Type
of Damage: This report was given by a staff member of al-Haq. It is based on
two quick visits he made to the offices when the curfew was lifted.
External
Damage: The two front doors broken open and badly damaged.
Internal
Damage:
VANDALISM:
Furniture broken and over-turned such as couch and
filing cabinets. Content of filing cabinets scattered all over the
floor; drawers forced open and contents rummaged through or scattered 3
computers and one printer thrown across floor and broken. Al-Haq has not yet
had the opportunity to inspect their laptops for damage
SANCTIONED
THEFT: As yet, can only confirm1 lap top computer stolen
CONFISCATION:
Computer hard drives removed on a number of computers as well
as
internal electronics likewise taken, leaving only the frame.
STRUCTURAL
DAMAGE: One window smashed; 3 inner doors broken open and damaged. Ceiling in
places has been smashed from inside
Impact
on work
Al
Haq has been working for 24 years and has built up an extensive archive of
documents. The full extent of the impact of this vandalism on their work
depends largely on what can be salvaged from their records and documents.
These are scattered across the floors of their offices. Due to the curfew on
Ramallah, staff have not yet had the chance to see whether any papers or
documents are missing.
6.
Ramallah YMCA (Branch of East Jerusalem YMCA)
The
YMCAs offices in Ramallah serve not only young people in the town but it also
serves young people in the surrounding villages through its extensive field
programs. It runs a number of important programs for youth, including
vocational training for young women, vocational counseling for girls in
schools, and the career guidance for young people going into the workplace.
It also assists in constructing community youth centers in surrounding
villages.
(Based
on preliminary reports issued by the YMCA Main Office in East Jerusalem and
based on accounts of people who either witnessed some of the destruction, and
staff who visited the premises briefly during the lifting of curfew.
It has been impossible to make a full assessment of the damage due to
the ongoing curfew).
The
YMCA's premises in Ramallah comprise three offices.The building is designated
by a large outdoor sign on the building.
On 8 April 2002 a contingent of IDF forces blasted open the main
entrance to YMCA building and the guard's office. They badly destroyed the
elevator and there was extensive vandalism in a number of offices including
destruction of equipment (it seems computers, overheads and other training
aids. Reporters for NBC television living in a neighboring building tried to
prevent the destruction, by repeatedly telling the IDF forces that these were
YWCA premises, funded largely by USAID. The
soldiers ignored them and went on to detonated the garage, destroying also the
vehicles inside: one car and one large van containing valuable educational
material, which was used to tour villages for educational work.
7.
Private Radio and TV Stations
The
following is based on an on-site visit when the curfew lifted and interviews
with station managers undertaken by technical consultant to al Quds
educational Media, Wassim Abdullah and excerpted from an extensive report that
he wrote which is now posted at a website along with pictures of the
destruction. See www.geocities.com/wramallah
There
are 5 private TV stations and 5 private radio stations in Ramallah, as well as
the official Palestinian authority radio and TV stations. Most of these
stations are located in and around the town center, an elevated area suitable
for maximum broadcasting
coverage.
In the totality of the Palestinian Authority areas there are almost 50 TV and
radio stations, more than in any surrounding country. This independent media
was contributing to the building of civil society by fostering an appreciation
of free media, training in technical skills and reporting, creating local
programming, and developing an innovative sector. The stations benefited from
grants and support from the international and local community
.
A.
Al Quds Educational Television
Location:
on the third floor of the College of Nursing in al-Bireh, near the entrance to
Ramallah.
The
TV station is operated by Al Quds University and broadcasts children's
programs in addition to public service announcements, medical information and
emergency services contact information. The institution was open and on air
with a cartoon show when Israeli soldiers broke in. Two staff operators were
held for several hours, eventually released and warned not to return. Tanks
and armored carriers are still on the campus of the college, preventing anyone
from entering. The station has remained off the air since the takeover.
External
destruction: The 40-watt relay TV transmitter and microwave receiver atop the
Bakri building in the Minara of Ramallah was destroyed.
Internal
destruction: It is assumed that the state-of-the-art studio and operations
center have been completely destroyed, since soldiers systematically destroyed
almost all other TV stations in the Ramallah-al-Bireh area. Contents of TV
studio: cold lighting, super quiet air conditioning system, cameras, audio and
video mixers, players/recorders, two AVID suites, a computer lab, microwave
studio link and our new 250 watt TV transmitter, a UPS, a comprehensive
children, social and cultural library of films, computers for the staff
complete with audio, video and data networks, office machines.
B.
Al Nasr TV
Total
destruction of equipment/extensive vandalism: Microphones, tapes, CD's,
monitors, mixers, players/recorders, etc were found spread over the floor of
the station and completely smashed by sledgehammers.
C.
Manara radio station
Total
destruction of equipment, extensive vandalism
D.
Ajyal and Angham FM radio stations
Location:
Bakri building, Ramallah center
The
doorman of the building was forced to open the station door to soldiers who
used
sledgehammers to destroy the two studios, the internet streaming and editing
computers, the 10 Kw and 3 Kw transmitters and the entire music and program
library. Destruction was total.
E.
Love and Peace FM radio station
Total
destruction of equipment/extensive vandalism.
F.
Al Quds FM radio station
The
building in which it is located was bombarded and set ablaze. No one has been
able to enter the building to assess damage.
Also
ceased broadcasting and feared destroyed: Amwaj TV, Amwaj radio and Al-Watan
TV. The buildings where they are situated are still occupied by Israeli
soldiers and no one has been able to enter to assess damage.
IV.
OTHER TOWNS/ VILLAGES:
It
has been extremely difficult to access information from most other towns since
they have remained under curfew without break since they were invaded. Also,
many re-occupied towns (Jenin, Tulkarim, Nablus etc..) have had no electricity
or phone lines for the past week). Below is information on damages to
governmental and non-governmental organizations in areas besides Ramallah. All
of the following information is very preliminary given that it is based on
information from people who have reached sites while the curfew is still on
and thus only a very quick picture could be drawn.
Bethlehem
1.Municipality
Building
Location:
Manger Square
This
report was made by an employee in the emergency services room set up in the
municipality building. He and another 15 emergency workers were in the
building when it was invaded by IDF troops. They were detained for a number of
hours within the building and then taken to a detention center where he and
others were subsequently released. The information he was able to provide was
based on his eyewitness account when the events were underway and is very
preliminary. The IDF continues to occupy the Municipality building as of April
13th.
Destruction:
There has been destruction of many external and internal doors, as well as
many windows smashed. A number of interior walls of the building have been
destroyed.
Destroyed/
vandalized furniture. Approximately twenty mobile stretchers were taken from
the premises; seven of them were returned severely damaged. Also destroyed
were three video cameras and a cassette inside one of them was confiscated.
Anabta
Village (Tulkarm District)
[Employees
could make only an initial assessment of damage, due to the ongoing curfew.]
1.
Anabta Municipality
Number
of staff: 60
External
destruction
The
entrance door was completely destroyed.
Internal
destruction
VANDALISM:
Just before the incursion, the municipality had transferred some archeological
artifacts from Tulkarm fearing that they might be destroyed; half of the
relocated collection was destroyed. The fire-alarm system, the central
telephone system and individual telephones were destroyed. Municipal files
were torn and thrown on the ground. The entire library, book shelves and
books, were thrown on the floor. Some desks were damaged.
SANCTIONED
THEFT: Two municipal computers were taken. In the library, a computer and a
camera were taken.
CONFISCATION:
All of the municipality's floppy disks were removed.
STRUCTURAL
DAMAGE: The windows and doors were broken.
(Information
supplied by Mayor,Hamdallah Hamdallah; there are photos and a detailed report
on the destruction.)
2.
The Anabta Women’s Charitable Organization
This
charitable organization has a staff of 11 and offers health services and
social and cultural activities for women, provides relief for the poor and
outreach for the elderly, in addition to operating a preschool (230 children)
and daycare (10 infants).
External
damage
The
outside wall was blown up with explosives, which also damaged the building.
The gate had several bullet or shrapnel holes in it.
Internal
destruction
VANDALISM:
There was a great deal of superficial damage. All of the glass was found
broken.
(Information
provided by Itaf Al-Qabbaji )
Tulkarim
1.
General Union of Palestinian Women, Tulkarim
The
Tulkarim branch of the GUPW is engaged in promoting and marketing embroidery
and other traditional handicrafts produced by village women in the area.
External
destruction
The
door was blown open with explosives.
Internal
destruction
VANDALISM:
All drawers were apparently searched and all files were opened. The office
equipment appeared to be intact. Embroidery had been strewn all over the floor
and stepped on.
STRUCTURAL
DAMAGE : Windows were broken.
(Information
supplied by Fawziyyeh Yahya Aboud)
2.
Rawdat Abna’ Al-Ghad
This
is a preschool with 6 employees serving 70 children.
External
destruction Main door destroyed.
Internal
destruction
VANDALISM:
All of the children's the toys were thrown on the ground and many smashed. The
wall-to-wall carpeting has been ripped and in some places removed, the small
puppet theater was destroyed.
(Information
supplied by Fawziyyeh Yahya Aboud)
Report
Compiled By:
Dr.
Rema Hammami, Birzeit University
Dr.
Sari Hanafi, Shaml (Refugee and Diaspora Research Center)
Dr.
Elizabeth Taylor