Through humiliation and force, Israeli Navy prevents Palestinian fishermen from leaving coast

Date : 26 / 02 / 2007 Time : 16:54

According to the Israeli human rights organisation, B’Tselem, the Israeli Navy has forbidden all boats from moving off the coast of the Gaza Strip since June 2006. In addition, many cases of assault and humiliation at the hands of the Israeli military have been recorded by B’Tselem, including Palestinian fishermen being forced at gunpoint to undress and jump from their boats into the cold sea before swimming to an Israeli military vessel for questioning.

The following press release from B’Tselem was issued on 25 February 2007 and details the case :

Israel prevents all boats and fishing off the Gaza coast

According to new research by the Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem, since June 2006, Israel has forbidden all boats, including the movement of fishing boats, off the coast of the Gaza Strip. The prohibition has seriously harmed the fishing sector, which provides a livelihood for many residents of the Strip. Fishermen who violate the prohibition risk being shot at by Israeli Navy craft.

In addition to the use of gunfire, in recent months, Israeli forces have adopted a practice of harassing and humiliating the fishermen. B’Tselem learned of many cases in which Navy crews stopped fisherman in the open sea, ordered them under gunpoint to undress, jump into the cold water in their underwear, and swim to the Israeli vessel. The crew then took them to Ashdod Port for questioning. Following many hours, and sometime a full day, at the port, they were returned to their boat. In some cases, Israel returned the fisherman to the Gaza Strip via Erez Crossing.

In response to B’Tselem’s inquiry, the IDF Spokesperson’s Office stated that fishing off the coast of the Gaza Strip was restricted to six nautical miles (eleven kilometers) and that the restriction was imposed for security reasons. However, the fishermen who were apprehended by the Navy did not exceed the six-mile limit, and did not enter the northern and southern waters along the Gaza Strip, where Palestinian boats are prohibited.

Israel has the right and duty to protect its citizens from attacks emanating from the Gaza Strip, but its unofficial prohibition on fishing is unlawful inasmuch as it constitutes collective punishment. The prohibition is one more means of exerting pressure on the residents of the Gaza Strip – who are already suffering a grave humanitarian crisis – since the capture of Cpl. Gilad Shalit.