GAZA, September 9, 2009 (WAFA) – A human rights organization strongly condemned new Israeli colonial plans in the West Bank.

In a press release, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) reiterated that colonial activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) constitute a war crime.

It called alls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention, individually or collectively, to take their moral and legal responsibilities, fulfill their obligations stipulated in Article 1 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, ensure Israel's respect to the Convention and to ensure the application of the Convention in the OPT.

PCHR also called upon the European Union and/or the EU Member States to activate Article 2 of the EU-Israeli Association Agreement. This Article provides for Israel's respect for human rights in order that the economic cooperation between Israel and the EU continues. PCHR calls upon all the EU States to boycott all the Israeli goods, especially those produced in the Israeli settlements that are established in the OPT.

 It called upon the international community to fulfill their obligations stipulated in Article 1 of the Fourth Geneva Convention to ensure Israel's respect to the Convention and to ensure the application of the Convention in the OPT. “The international community's inaction to take a strict position with respect to the impunity granted to Israel encourages Israel to commit further violations of the International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law.”

According to data collected by PCHR on Jewish colonial activities, on Monday, 7 September 2009, a ceremony was organized to lay the foundation of a new colony neighborhood called 'Mfsarit Adomim' in the 'E1' zone between 'Ma'alleih Adomim' colony  and the eastern city of occupied Jerusalem. This ceremony took place after an agreement between the Israeli police and the municipality of 'Ma'alleih Adomim' colony was approved by the Israeli Supreme Court.

The municipality of 'Ma'alleih Adomim' colony had submitted an appeal to the Israeli Supreme Court as the police had issued an order to prevent the organization of the ceremony. Ministers Daniel Herkovitch and Ozi Landaw, Knesset Members Ori Ariel; Zpholon Orleif; Ori Orbakh; Dani Danoun and Ze'ef Alken, the head of the municipality of 'Ma'alleih Adomim' settlement, Bani Kesrael, and the leaders of the colony  Council in the West Bank attended the ceremony. It is reported that there are plans to establish 3,000 housing units. According to statements by the head of the municipality of 'Ma'alleih Adomim' colony, there are 37,000 settlers in 'Ma'alleih Adomim' colony and that the colony needs 600 new housing units every year.

On 6 September 2009, the Israeli Minister of Army, Ihoud Barak, signed a part of the construction plans that had been announced recently. The Miniature Council of Ministers (the Sixfold Council) met to discuss the distribution of between 450 and 500 housing units that had been approved by the Israeli Prime Minister, Ben Yamin Nataniaho, on 6 September 2009. The establishment of the approved unit was decided to be in different colony, including 'Har Ghilo' in the south of Jerusalem, 'Mode'in 'Elit' in the west of Ramalla city and 'Ariel' in the north of Salfit city.