Press Briefing
Ramallah, 24-03-07: The Minister of Information and Government Spokesperson, Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi, today told foreign and local journalists that Israeli aggression against a Palestinian woman near Bethlehem and a youth near Nablus was part of ongoing, systematic Israeli violations against Palestinians. Dr. Barghouthi showed and distributed video footage to journalists documenting two incidents of Israeli soldiers attacking a Palestinian woman, Yousra Rabaya, in the Ubaydeyya area near Bethlehem, and Mohammad Jabali at the Huwwara checkpoint near Nablus. Both of the victims were clearly unarmed civilians.
Dr. Barghouthi pointed out that these aggressions are just two examples of systematic attacks committed by Israeli Occupation Forces, who believe in their immunity to any international law or human rights conventions. He called for pressure to be exerted on Israel to implement and respect the Fourth Geneva Convention.
The Minister of Information also called for Israeli officials to be impeached, including Israel’s Prime Minister, Chief of Staff and soldiers guilty of crimes against Palestinian civilians. He pointed out that the Palestinian government will not tolerate any degrading treatment or racial discrimination against Palestinian citizens and added that such incidents shall be exposed to the media. He called on the international community to take a firm stand in denouncing and preventing these racist practices.
In response to questions raised by journalists, Dr. Barghouthi revealed that, contrary to Israeli statements, Israel continues to retain 528 permanent checkpoints and 455 other “flying” mobile checkpoints.
He also pointed out that 61 Palestinian women gave birth while stranded at Israeli checkpoints without any medical care, and 36 Palestinian newborns died at these checkpoints when they were prevented from accessing medical care facilities. Dr. Barghouthi said that over the last six years, Israeli checkpoints have restricted the movement of over 80 percent of the Palestinian people in addition to the total separation imposed between the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem.
Dr. Barghouthi said that most of Israel’s checkpoints and much of the Apartheid Wall do not separate Israelis from Palestinians, but Palestinians from Palestinians. He revealed that the Ministry of Information shall adopt a new approach to disseminating information globally and requested the media’s help in bringing to the world the truth about the reality in Palestine.
Photo: Israeli soldiers try to control an army dog attacking Yusra Rabayaa, a Palestinian woman, during an army raid in the West Bank village of Obadiyah, near Bethlehem, March 21, 2007. The dog was supposed to enter a Palestinian house before Israeli soldiers during a search for a wanted militant, but attacked the female bystander, witnesses said. REUTERS/Nayef Hashlamoun (WEST BANK)