Collective Punishment in Hebron is a Violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949
On 3 August 1999, following an armed attack by unknown assaillants on two armed Jewish colonists, while in their cars, the Israeli Occupying Authority imposed a strict military closure on the city of Hebron and a complete curfew on the Old City of Hebron, known in Oslo-language as H2.
Following the imposition of closure and curfew, demonstrations erupted in Hebron protesting the measure and harsh living conditions. The Israeli Occupation Authority utilised excessive force against the protestors, including the use of live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas, leading to the severe head injury of 13 year old Fadi Farajallah Mreish, who was taken to Alia Hospital in Hebron and later transferred to al-Maqassad Hospital in Jerusalem as his condition deteriorated into a critical state.
The closure and curfew were lifted on 8 August 1999. The five-day around the clock closure and curfew, in the H2 area, effectively placed the Palestinian population of Hebron under house arrest, while Israeli colonists remained free to move around the city.
This is the second violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention since the convening of the special conference on the High Contracting Parties on 15 July 1999 to discuss the means and measures of the Israeli applicatio of of the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Furthermore, on 20 July 1999, the Israeli Knesset undertook the first reading of the draft law regarding renewal oif the applicability of the British (defunct) Defense (Emergency) Regulations in the Occupied Territoriesm in spite of the fact that these laws reprensent clear violations of the rules and principles of the Convention.
The July Conference of High Contracting Parties "was adjourned on the understanding that it wil convene in the light of consultations on the development of the humanitarian situation in the field". Given continued Israeli violations of the Convention, the HCPs should convene a conference on measures to enforce the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including Jerusalem, and to ensure its respect in accordance with common Article 1.
From AL-HAQ, 9-8-1999