GAZA, September 20, 2005, (WAFA)- Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) condemned sudden Israeli changing position regarding the synagogues in what so called the colonies of Gaza Strip (GS).

In a press release issued Tuesday, PCHR said that prior to this change, the government had called upon the Israeli High Court to issue its order to demolish the structures that had stopped to represent or carry any religious significance.

According to the press release, PCHR expressed concern about the Israeli government's position continued after it changed from that of support for the destruction of the "houses used as synagogues" to rejecting their destruction, as they were deemed religious buildings with untouchable sanctity.

It added that the Israeli government went further and requested international guarantees to protect these structures.

PCHR considered the Israeli colonization activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), including colony areas and the structures included herein, such as colony homes, public buildings, schools, kindergartens, religious buildings and the colony infrastructure, constitute a war crime under international humanitarian law.

"Thus, every element of Israeli colonies built on Palestinian property in the GS is a component of a war crime perpetrated during the years of occupation. Putting an end to the impacts of this crime requires eliminating all its byproducts. IOF already destroyed buildings and structures in these colonies. Therefore, it is natural to destroy the remaining buildings or houses used by Israeli settlers as synagogues," PCHR concluded.

H.M. (21:25 P) (18:25 GMT)