IN THE SPOTLIGHT
THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN THE
AREA OF HEBRON CITY H2FINDINGS OF NEEDS ASSESSMENT APRIL 2019
Israel exercises direct control over the 20 per cent of Hebron City, known as H2, which is home to some 33,000 Palestinians and a few hundred Israeli settlers. This area has witnessed multiple cycles of violence in the context of continuing settlement activities, which are in contravention of international law. The latest escalation erupted in October 2015, following which, Israel tightened the access restrictions it imposes on Palestinians living in the vicinity of the settlement compounds. To better understand the specific vulnerabilities of this coercive environment on the protection, services, livelihoods and social life of affected residents, OCHA, along with humanitarian partners, conducted an inter-cluster needs assessment in summer 2018. This consisted of a survey carried out of a representative sample of 280 families living in the most affected areas of H2. The findings presented here have been used to prioritize humanitarian interventions that were subsequently incorporated into the 2019 Humanitarian OCHA by © Photo Response Plan (HRP).
H2 area of Hebron City. February 2018.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
BACKGROUND ON H2...... 2
COVERAGE AND METHODOLOGY OF THE INTER-CLUSTER NEEDS ASSESSMENT...... 3
ACCESS RESTRICTIONS...... 5
IMPACT OF ISRAELI MILITARY OPERATIONS...... 6
SETTLER VIOLENCE...... 7
SOCIAL ISOLATION...... 9
ACCESS TO EDUCATION...... 10
ACCESS TO HEALTH SERVICES...... 11
INCOME AND FOOD INSECURITY...... 12
WATER AND SANITATION...... 14
SHELTER...... 15
CONCERN OVER FORCIBLE TRANSFER...... 16
THE CASE OF ABU TALAL AL HADDAD AND HIS FAMILY ...... 17
HEBRON TIMELINE
19 19 8 19 19 9 Israel occupies the Israeli settlers take Israeli parliament Israeli settlers take West Bank. over the Park Hotel’ approves the over the Beit in Hebron city. establishment of Hadassa’ compound iryat Arba settlement in Hebron city next to Hebron city.
1981 Avraham Avinu’ settlement compound is established.
199 199 198 198 Israeli settler kills 29 Israel and the PLO The first Palestinian A settlement area is Muslim worshipers at sign the Declaration uprising (Intifada) established in the Tel the Ibrahimi Mosque. of Principles. begins. Rumeida The Temporary neighborhood. International Presence in Hebron (TIPH) is established.
199 Hebron Protocol’ Israel hands over control over 80 of Hebron city (H1) to the Palestinian Authority.
2 2 1 2 2 2 1 The second Part of Ash-Shuhada Operation Defensive Israel declares the Palestinian uprising Street is closed to Shield’ Israeli forces Cave of Patriarchs’ (Intifada) begins Palestinian take control of part of to be an Israeli extensive curfews pedestrians. H1 for over a year. national heritage imposed in the city site. until 2004.
2 1 Ra abi house’ building is occupied by settlers.
2 19 2 18 2 1 2 1 TIPH mandate is 31 new settlement A new municipal Wave of Palestinian terminated by Israel. housing units entity is established stabbing attacks approved in the H2 to administer the settlement area of the area. settlements in the city declared a closed city. military area’.
1 BACKGROUND ON H2
With a population of over 200,000, Hebron is the second largest Palestinian city in the West Bank.1 Unlike all other Palestinian localities (except East Jerusalem), Hebron has been the target of intense settlement activity in Both sides reiterate their commitment to the unity of the City the heart of the city, where its commercial centre was once located. Such of Hebron, and their understanding activities, which started just a few months after the beginning of Israel’s that the division of security occupation of the West Bank,2 have included the establishment of five responsibility will not divide the city […] both sides share the mutual settlement residential compounds with a population of several hundred.3 goal that movement of people, Some of these compounds were owned by Jews who lived in the city prior goods and vehicles within and in to the establishment of the State of Israel.4 and out of the city will be smooth and normal, without obstacles or Due to this settler presence, Hebron was one of only two major cities (together barriers. with East Jerusalem, which is a “final status’ issue), where Israeli forces did 1997 Hebron Redeployment not redeploy in the context of the 1995 Interim (‘Oslo’) Agreement. Two years Agreement, Article 9 later, about 80 per cent of the city, designated ‘H1’, was handed over to the Palestinian Authority (PA), pursuant to a separate agreement (the Protocol Concerning the Redeployment in Hebron). Israel continues to maintain direct control in the remaining 20 per cent of Hebron, an area designated ‘H2’, which includes the settlement compounds and extensive surrounding areas, containing about 33,000 Palestinian residents.5
From its earliest days, the settlement process within the city has triggered a cycle of violent attacks and retaliations between Israeli settlers and local Palestinian residents, which has resulted in large numbers of casualties on both sides.6 Citing the need to prevent friction between the two populations, the Israeli authorities have gradually isolated the centre of Hebron from the rest of the city, cutting the contiguity between its southern and northern areas (see map on page 4). This policy has been guided by what the Israeli authorities referred to as the ‘principle of separation’.7
The origins of this policy can be traced back to 1994 when, following a massacre of Muslim worshipers by an Israeli settler, Israel introduced a system to regulate separated access to the Ibrahimi Mosque/ Cave of the Patriarchs. However, it was only following the start of the second Intifada in 2000, and the rise in attacks and casualties on both sides, when the separation of the settlement areas and its surrounds from the rest of the city was implemented in a systematic manner. This was effected through the deployment of additional checkpoints and other obstacles, along with the imposition of access restrictions on the movement of Palestinians and on the operation of businesses.
In addition to settler violence and access restrictions, the lives of Palestinians in H2 have been severely affected by constant raids and incursions into their homes by Israeli forces, which often include the temporary takeover of parts of the homes. These policies and practices have generated a coercive environment, which has undermined the living conditions of Palestinians, including their security, sources of livelihoods, access to services, and family and social life. Thousands have been forced to leave the affected area. © Photo by OCHA by © Photo
2 H2 area of Hebron City. February 2018. COVERAGE AND METHODOLOGY OF THE INTER-CLUSTER NEEDS ASSESSMENT
The inter-cluster needs assessment focused on the area of H2 most affected by settlement activities and access restrictions. These include two sub-areas (see map): one that was designated in 2015 as a ‘closed military zone’8, where only Palestinians registered as residents of this area are allowed to enter (hereafter: the prohibited area); and another where pedestrian access is controlled by a checkpoint, and/or vehicular access is blocked, and/or Palestinian houses are located immediately adjacent to one of the settlement compounds (hereafter: the restricted area).
According to the 2017 PCBS census, a total of 6,920 Palestinians reside in the prohibited and restricted areas of Hebron city combined. Assuming an average family size of five, this is equivalent to 1,384 2 households (typically a nuclear family), of which 202 are in the prohibited area and 1,1827 in theAt least once a week Once since Oct 2015 restricted area. 12 At least once a year The survey targeted a representative sample of these two sub-areas, comprising 280 randomlyCREDIT selected households. To better assess the impact of the most severe restrictions, the number of selected 79 No child arrested households in the prohibited area (100 households) is proportionally higher than in the restricted area (180 households).9 A representative of each of the selected households was administered a questionnaire with closed-ended questions, which was prepared in consultation with the relevant cluster coordinators for protection, food security, water and sanitation, education and shelter.
Approximately two months after the conclusion of the survey, OCHA conducted ten in-depth interviews with a sample of the selected families, aimed at clarifying and illustrating some of the survey’s findings.
PROFILE OF RESPONDENTS AND HOUSEHOLDS HH IN THE SAMPLE
GENDER OF RESPONDENTS AGE DISTRIBUTION REFUGEE NON REFUGEE
52 Male
CREDIT CREDIT2 % 10 69 21 REFUGEES 4 Female 1 -25 26-55 56 AND OLDER
HOUSING ARRANGEMENTS SCHOOL PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN HH MEMBER REGULAR CRUTCHES WHEELCHAIRS MEDICAL REHAB TREATMENT 5 Other
33 CREDIT CREDIT CREDIT Rent 1% % 11%
61 Own their houses 3 t THE HUMANITARIAN IMPACT OF ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS IN HEBRON CITY ¥
Wadi Al Ghrous Checkpoint ¹º» ¹º»¹º» ¹º» ¹º»¹º»
Kiryat Arba E P Givat H2 A T P Closed 1,022 Ha'avot Restricted 6,025 Rest of H2 26,702 Total 33,749
O T N . O Ar Ras a Checkpoints n 20 nd Partial Checkpoints 8 Ar Rajabi Road Blocks n 40 Road Gates H1 8 RESTRICTED Other Obstacles 45 n Total 121 n n ¹º» n AshShuhada St. n H2 ¹º» Wadi Al (Checkpoint 56) Hussain Beit n ¹º» n ¹º»¹º» ¹º» n n n Hadassah ¹º» As n ¹º» h S n ¹º» hoh ¹º» ¹º»¹º» ¹º» St ad¹º» ree a ¹º» ¹º» Al Ja'abari ¹º» ¹º» ¹º» t ¹º» ¹º» ¹º» ¹º» ¹º» ¹º» Old S ¹º» ¹º» ¹º» ouq ¹º» ¹º» Qafisheh Mashhad ¹º» ¹º» Checkpoin¹º»t ¹º» n Beit ¹º» Al-Arba’in ¹º» ¹º» Al Ibrahimi Mosque / Checkpoint ¹º» ¹º»¹º» ¹º»¹º»¹º» Tel Rumeida Roma¹º»no ¹º» ¹º» ¹º»¹º» ¹º»Cave of Patriarchs ¹º»¹º» ¹º» Avraham ¹º» ¹º» ¹º» ¹º» ¹º» ¹º» ¹º» As Salaymeh ¹º» ¹º» ¹º» ¹º» Hebron City Tel Rumeida ¹º» A¹º»vinu ¹º»¹º» ¹º» (C¹º»heckpoint 160) ¹º»¹º» ¹º»¹º» ¹º» ¹º» ¹º» ¹º» ¹º»¹º» Ce ¹º» ¹º» ¹º» metery ¹º»As Sahleh¹º» Prohibited area ¹º» ¹º» n ¹º» ¹º» ¹º» ¹º» ¹º» ¹º» n ¹º» As Salaymeh ¹º» » ¹º ¹º» ¹º»¹º» n Ghaith ¹º» ¹º» »¹º» ¹º» ¹º¹º» » Palestinian Neighbourhood ¹º H1 H2 ¹º» Closed Area Abu Ar Reesh ¹º» ¹º» Fortified Checkpoint Checkpoint Restricted Area ¹º» Movement Obstacle 0 50 100 200 Israeli Settlement n School Metres
1. In 1 , pursuant to an agreement with the P O, Israel handed control over 80 of the city (H1) to the Palestinian Authority. 4 ACCESS RESTRICTIONS LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
The centre of Hebron has been physically separated from the rest of the city Since early 2019, about 35 through the deployment of physical obstacles, among other means. Currently families residing in Ar Ras and Haret Jaber in the restricted there are 121 such obstacles, including 21 permanently-staffed checkpoints. area have been allowed to According to the findings, some 5,600 Palestinians in the affected areas access their homes by vehicle must cross a checkpoint on foot to reach their homes, including virtually through one of the checkpoints and leave the area through all those residing in the prohibited area and two thirds of the population in another.HOUSE SEARCHED ROOF OTHER PART OF HOUSE the restricted area. In total, nearly 90 per cent of households, representing at least once since Oct. 2015 TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED approximately 6,200 people, reported that they cannot reach their homes by vehicle.
In the last quarter of 2015, following an escalation which included a wave of Palestinian attacks (mostly stabbing), Israel declared an area encompassing four of the five settlement compounds as a ‘closed military zone’, where only CREDIT % CREDIT % those Palestinians registered as residents of this area are allowed to enter. Access restrictions to neighbourhoods between the prohibited area and the fifth settlement compound, Giv’at Ha’avot, including the Ibrahimi Mosque/ Cave of the Patriarchs, were also tightened. During religious celebrations by Israeli settlers, the prohibited area is sealed off to Palestinians, leaving some locked in their homes and others unable to return for the duration of FRE UENCY OF ARREST E PERIENCE DURING HOUSE SEARCHES the events. of HH children since Oct. 2015 Intimidation and threatening behaviour Since end-2015, six of the checkpoints controlling access to both these areas 2 97 7 At least once a week have been fortified with towers, turnstiles, revolving doors and metal Once since Oct. 2015 detectors. Palestinians crossing some of these checkpoints are photographed, 12 Physical assault by hands, clubs or sharp ob ects and cameras for face recognition have been introduced to control movement. At least once a year 33 Access constraints have had a pervasive impact on all aspects of life in these CREDIT areas, as illustrated by the survey’s findings. This impact is particularly Shooting of live ammunition, tear gas, sound bombs inside/near house severe for persons with disabilities (PwD), the elderly and parents with 79 OCHA by © Photo No child 15 young children, who often must walk hundreds of metres, and undergo arrested Elderly Palestinian man accessing Abu Ar Rish checkpoint searches, before they can leave the area. Checkpoint, H2. August 2017
CHECKPOINT RESTRICTIONS Must cross checkpoint to 1 Palestinian with 81% access house on foot special permit 5 No vehicles allowed
Cannot access house 7 Only 89% by vehicle Military/settler use Only military use
5 IMPACT OF ISRAELI MILITARY OPERATIONS
Settlement activities in Hebron city have involved the deployment of Israeli military and police forces. These forces are responsible not only for Israeli forces raid our the enforcement of the ‘separation principle’, but also for a range of other house continuously… In 2008 activities, such as the conduct of street patrols, arrest operations, seizure of the soldiers took over the roof roofs for observation purposes, and house searches and ‘mappings’.10 Among of the house and stayed there for more than 15 days. We were those being regularly detained are Palestinian children, mostly on suspicion of in constant fear. My children stone-throwing. were very young and suffered sleep disruptions, anxiety and The survey’s findings indicate that 75 per cent of the households inthe incontinence.
affected areas have been searched by Umm Yassin, 46 years old, Old Israeli forces at least once since October City, November 2018 Since 2015, soldiers have been 2015. In 97 per cent of these cases, the raiding my house twice a month… family representative reported that the During one of the raids, they locked searches involved intimidation and threats, and a third reported that a us in one room for four hours and didn’t allow anybody to use the member of the family was physically assaulted. Moreover, 44 per cent of bathroom. the respondents, or the equivalent of over 600 households, reported that the roof or another part of their home was temporarily occupied at least once Abdel Kareem Al Jaabari, 59 years old, Wadi Hussein neighborhood, during this period. Finally, one in every five families reported that they November 2018 have a child who was arrested at least once since October 2015.
Reports by the UN Secretary General and by human rights organizations HOUSE SEARCHED ROOF OTHER PART OF HOUSE at least once since Oct. 2015 indicateTEMPORARILY that military OCCUPIED activities in H2 often involve various forms of harassment and abuse, constituting a key component of the prevailing coercive environment.11 The vulnerability and insecurity faced by Palestinians through their daily friction with Israeli soldiers appear to CREDIT % have increasedCREDIT %following the escalation that erupted in October 2015. Between that date and end-January 2019, 31 Palestinians were killed by HOUSE SEARCHED IsraeliROOF OTHER forces in H2, PART including OF HOUSE 23 during attacks and alleged attacks in at least once since Oct. 2015 TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED HOUSE SEARCHED ROOF OTHERwhich they PART were OF involved.HOUSE Another 743 Palestinians were injured, mostly HOUSE SEARCHED ROOF OTHER PART OF HOUSE at least once since Oct. 2015 TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED at least once since Oct. 2015 TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED during demonstrations and clashes. Many of these incidents have raised FRE UENCY OF ARREST concern of excessive use E PERIENCEof force, alongside DURING serious HOUSE gaps SEARCHES in accountability of HH children since Oct. 2015 12 for violationsIntimidation reportedly and threatening committed. behaviour During the same period, one Israeli CREDIT % settler was killedCREDIT % and 17 other Israelis were injured by Palestinians in H2. CREDIT 2 CREDIT 97 %7 At least once a week % CREDIT % Once since Oct.CREDIT 2015 % 12 Physical assault by hands, clubs or sharp ob ects At least once a year 33 CREDIT FRE UENCY OF ARREST E PERIENCE DURING HOUSE SEARCHES FRE UENCYof HH children OF ARREST since Oct. 2015 ShootingE PERIENCE of live ammunition, DURING tear HOUSE gas, sound SEARCHES bombs inside/near house of HH children since Oct. 2015 79 No child Intimidation15 and threatening behaviour FRE UENCY OF ARREST E PERIENCEarrested Intimidation DURING HOUSE and threatening SEARCHES behaviour of HH children since Oct. 2015 2 97 Intimidation2 andAt least threatening once a week behaviour 97 7 At 7 least once a week Once sinceOnce Oct. 2015since Oct. 2015 2 Physical assault by hands, clubs or sharp97 ob ects 7 At least once a week 12 12 CHECKPOINT Physical assault by hands, clubs or sharp ob ects Once since Oct. 2015 At least onceAt least once a year a year PhysicalRESTRICTIONS assault by hands, clubs or sharp ob ects 33 33 12 CREDIT CREDIT At least once 1 a year Palestinian with 33 special permit Shooting of Shooting live ammunition, of live ammunition, tear gas, sound tear bombs gas, soundinside/near bombs house inside/near house CREDIT 79 No child 579 No child 15 15 arrested Noarrested vehicles 6 Shooting of live ammunition,allowed tear gas, sound bombs inside/near house 79 No child 15 arrested 7 Only Military/settlerCHECKPOINT use CHECKPOINT RESTRICTIONS Only RESTRICTIONSmilitary 1 use CHECKPOINT Palestinian with 1 special permitPalestinian with RESTRICTIONS special permit 5 No vehicles 1 allowed 5 Palestinian with No vehicles special permit allowed 5 7 No vehicles Only allowed Military/settler 7 use Only Military/settler Only use military 7 use Only Only military Military/settler use use Only military use SETTLER VIOLENCE
Attacks and intimidation by Israeli settlers, many of whom are armed, have been key components of the coercive environment faced by Palestinians who live in the vicinity of the settlement compounds. The frequency and severity of settler violence has been mitigated in recent years by various factors. These include the decline in Palestinian access to the area; a protective presence by humanitarian and human rights organizations, and preventive and law enforcement measures adopted by the Israeli authorities themselves. Despite these factors, the systematic harassment of Palestinians living in the affected area of the city by Israeli settlers has continued, along with concerns about a lack of accountability, including the closure of cases of settler violence without indictment.13
Nearly 70 per cent of the respondents, equivalent to 955 families, reported that at least one member of their household has experienced an incident of settler violence or harassment since October 2015. Almost 20 per cent (equivalent to 263 families) indicated that these incidents have occurred on a weekly basis. Among the household affected by settler violence, the most common type of incident was intimidation and threats (almost 80 per cent), followed by physical assault (48 per cent) and stoning (33 per cent). In terms of impact, more than 80 per cent of affected households reported psychological distress, 25 per cent property damage, and 18 per cent physical injury.
AT LEAST ONE HH MEMBER TYPE OF SETTLER VIOLENCE E PERIENCED experienced settler violence/harassment by at least one HH member since Oct. 2015 since Oct. 2015 Intimidation 79 and threats
31 Physical assault 48 No
Stoning 33 CREDIT 9% YES Access prevention 12
Shooting 5
FRE UENCY OF SETTLER IMPACT OF SETTLER VIOLENCE E PERIENCED VIOLENCE INCIDENTS by HH member since Oct. 2015 Since Oct. 2015 Psychological 81 6 4 daily distress Once a year 31 Property damage 25 11 Never Once a month Physical in ury (inc. disability) 18 19 Weekly 29 Arrest of Once every 15 few months affected member
7 AT LEAST ONE HH MEMBER TYPE OF SETTLER VIOLENCE E PERIENCED experienced settler violence/harassment by at least one HH member since Oct. 2015 since Oct. 2015 Intimidation 79 and threats
31 Physical assault 48 No
Stoning 33 CREDIT 9% YES Access prevention 12
Shooting 5
AT LEAST ONE HH MEMBER FRE UENCY OF SETTLERTYPE OF SETTLER VIOLENCEI own 30 dunums E PERIENCED ofIMPACT land OF SETTLER VIOLENCE E PERIENCED experienced settler violence/harassment VIOLENCE INCIDENTS by at least one HH member since Oct. 2015 by HH member since Oct. 2015 since Oct. 2015 between the Kiryat Arba and Since Oct. 2015 Givat Ha’avot settlements… I Intimidation Psychological try to continue cultivating it, so 79 81 and threats6 4 daily distress Once a year the settlers don’t take it over. 31 Physical assault 48 No 31 PropertyI damagecan reach most of this land25 11 Never Once a only during the olive harvest monthStoning 33 CREDIT 9% Physicalafter in ury requesting coordination YES (inc. disability)from the Israelis. I have18 been Access prevention19 12 Weekly 29 attacked by settlers so many Arrest of Once every times! On five occasions15 since few months affected member Shooting 5 2008, settlers from Kiryat Arba opened fire towards me while I FRE UENCY OF SETTLER IMPACT OF SETTLERwas working VIOLENCE on the E PERIENCEDland. Stone- In JanuaryVIOLENCE 2019, INCIDENTS the Israeli authorities announced that the mandate of by HHthrowing member since happens Oct. 2015 much more Since Oct. 2015 frequently. the Temporary International Presence Psychologicalin Hebron (TIPH), would not be 81 4 daily distress renewed.6 TIPH was the only organization documenting incidents and Abdel Kareem Al Jaabari, 59 years Once a year providing a protective presence that was authorized to access any part old, Wadi Hussein neighborhood, 31 Property damage 25 11 Never November 2018 of theOnce city a on foot and by vehicle, at any time. Another organization, month The Ecumenical Accompaniment ProgrammePhysical in ury in Palestine and Israel (inc. disability) 18 (EAPPI),19 also temporarily discontinued its protective presence in H2, Weekly 29 Arrest of reportedly following settlerOnce every pressure . These developments15 may increase few months affected member the vulnerability of Palestinians in H2 to settler violence. © Photo by OCHA by © Photo
8 Abdel Kareem Al Jaabari, November 2018. Graphics PIE CHART FRE UENCY OF VISITS from outside the neighborhoods since October 2015 65 decreased 20 increased 15 no change DESCENDING HORI ONTAL BAR CHART . Fear of harassment at checkpoints (82 ) Fear from settlers (70 ) Access prohibition (52 )
SOCIAL ISOLATION
The separation of the historical centre of Hebron from the rest of the city has FRE UENCY OF VISITORS REASON FOR DECREASE IN VISITORS since Oct. 2015 severely disrupted the family and social 15 fabric of Palestinians, with significant no change Fear of harassment at checkpoints 82 impact on those living in H2, whose My daughter got engaged dignity and psychosocial well-being is 65 and marriedFear recently.of settlers Contrary to 70 20 CREDIT Decreased the local tradition of having the undermined. increased future in-laws come to ask for the 52 daughter’sAccess hand prohibition in her parents’ The situation is most acute for those house, we had to do it at a relative’s Graphics residing in the prohibited area, who are house in H1. Her wedding also PIE CHART FRE UENCY OF VISITS from outside the neighborhoods since October 2015 took place outside of our house in principle prevented from receiving visitors from outside this area. Although 65 decreased as relatives and friends, including ad-hoc20 increasedexceptions can be made, depending on the level of tension, there is no the groom and his family, do not mechanism15 no change in place to authorize the entry of non-residents. While access to the have the special numbered IDs and cannot cross the checkpoint. Her restricted DESCENDING area is somewhatHORI ONTAL more BAR predictable, CHART . the need to cross checkpoints and the Fear of harassment at checkpoints (82 ) husband is still unable to visit us inabilityFear from to reach settlers most (70 ) homes by vehicle, strongly discourage visitors. for the same reason. Closures have Access prohibition (52 ) put an end to any normal life. Of the households surveyed, 65 per cent, or the equivalent of 900 households, Imad Abu Shamsiya, 48 years old, reported a reduction in the frequency of visits from outside their neighbourhood Tel Rumeida, March 2017 since October 2015. Respondents attribute this trend to access restrictions and the fear of harassment of visitors by soldiers or settlers. On the other hand, 20 per cent of households indicated that the visits have actually increased during this period, which may be attributed to expressions of solidarity with families facing difficult circumstances, despite the access constraints. We are isolated and because of that we face a social stigma in Palestinian society. Our daughters In follow-up interviews, respondents indicated that families residing in H2 are and sons can’t get married easily often branded “hardship cases” by the broader Palestinian society, encouraging to people not living in the old city. some to leave, so that their sons and daughters have a better chance to marry. This We are paying a huge price but I’m is particularly acute in the case of families with young men, who are concerned unable to do anything about it. that prospective parents-in-law will refuse to allow their daughters to move to an Umm Ahmad Jaber, 53 years old, isolated area as, customarily, new wives move in with their husbands’ families. Old City, November 2018
FRE UENCY OF VISITORS REASON FOR DECREASE IN VISITORS since Oct. 2015 15 no change Fear of harassment at checkpoints 82
65 Fear of settlers 70 20 CREDIT Decreased increased Access prohibition 52
9 ACCESS TO EDUCATION
According to the survey, 88 per cent of school children residing in the affected area, or the equivalent of 2,200 children, must cross a checkpoint to Twice a day I have to go through the Bab Az Zawiya checkpoint to reach reach school. This entails daily friction with soldiers: almost 90 per cent of the Graphics school and return home again. This Graphics DESCENDING HORI ONTAL BAR CHART surveyed Main concerns households regarding with education school-age among HH children with school reported children that their children is because we are not allowed to DESCENDINGSoldiers’ harassment HORI ONTAL at checkpoints BAR CHART 86 Main concerns regarding education among HH with school children Soldiers’ harassment at checkpoints 86 have faced at least one incident of delay, physical search, harassment or walk on Ash Shohada Street, which Settler harassment 84 is the direct route to my school. Settler iolence harassment in school by84 peer children 21 detention on their way to school in the previous six months. During Jewish holidays and when iolencePoor quality in school of teachers/curriculum by peer children 21 15 Poor quality of teachers/curriculum 15 BUBBLES the security situation is tense, I also BUBBLES Children attending schools located in the vicinity of checkpoints, oron 89 of households reported delays, physical searches, harassment or detention on their children’s way to school. get searched at the checkpoint. 89 of households reported delays, physical searches, harassment or detention on their children’s way to school. 10 of children dropped out of school.streets regularly patrolled by Israeli forces, are also affected, even if they do Soldiers ask me to empty my bag 10 of children dropped out of school. 70 of children do not have access to extracurricular activities. 70 of children do not have access to extracurricularnot need to activities. cross a checkpoint to reach school. This is due to the regular and show them my books. clashes, search operations, and arrests taking place in or around schools, 13-year-old girl from Tel Rumeida, March 201815 which usually follow stone-throwing by Palestinian students at the soldiers. Most of the clashes involve the shooting of large amounts of tear gas, and often also rubber bullets.14
Overall, about 85 per cent of the households surveyed identified harassment by Israeli soldiers and Israeli settlers
Soldiers’Soldiers’ harassment harassment at at checkpoints checkpoints as 86 major86 concerns affecting the access of their children to education. Child-friendly spaces in the H2 area are also SettlerSettler harassment harassment 84 84 iolence iolence in in school school by by peer peer children children limited, 21 21 with 70 per cent of surveyed households stating that their children do not have access to extracurricular PoorPoor quality quality of of teachers/curriculum teachers/curriculum 15 15 child-friendly spaces and/or activities. According to the survey, 10 per cent of children between the ages of six and 16 have dropped out of school, attributed to security concerns, financial constraints or under-performance.
ofof HH HH reported reported delays, delays, physical physical MAINMAIN CONCERNS CONCERNS REGARDING REGARDING EDUCATION EDUCATION searches,searches, harassment harassment or ordetention detention 8 %8 % onon children’s children’s way way to toschool. school.
Soldiers’Soldiers’ harassment harassment at at 86 checkpointscheckpoints 86 ofof children children dropped dropped 1 %1 % outout of of school. school. SettlerSettler harassment harassment 84 84