Front Line is deeply concerned following reports of the arrest of human rights defender Yehuda Shaul on 10 September in the city of Hebron. Yehuda Shaul is co-founder of 'Breaking the Silence', an organisation of veteran Israeli soldiers which conducts tours of the West Bank and documents human rights violations perpetrated against Palestinian civilians by the Israeli army in the area.
Further Information
On 10 September 2008 Yehuda Shaul was arrested in Hebron by police who requested that he leave the city. His arrest followed declarations in the Israeli media against 'Breaking the Silence' made by the Hebron Police Commander. A leaked official report, which specifically named Yehuda Shaul, also stated that human rights organisations were threatening public peace in Hebron.
The organisation has been subject to harassment from the army and settlers in the area since 2005 when the military began to request 'military zone' warrants to prevent entrance to the area. Since September 2007, the members of 'Breaking the Silence' have been subject to physical attacks by settlers and the filing of police complaints against tour-guides. In March 2008, settlers lay down in front of tour vehicles to prevent the tour taking place and the following month, a tour was ambushed. Israeli authorities subsequently ruled that 'leftist' groups were not to be allowed into Hebron as they constituted a 'threat to public peace'. Upon appeal of the ruling to the Israeli Supreme Court, the authorities reversed their decision and declared that tours would be allowed but that those involving ten or more participants must be conducted in coordination with police. Since then only four of eleven planned tours have taken place. A court hearing in relation to the activities of 'Breaking the Silence' and the organisation's coordination with the police force will be held on 28 October 2008.
Front Line believes that the arrest of Yehuda Shaul is related to his peaceful and legitimate work in defence of human rights. Concern is expressed for the physical and psychological integrity of Yehuda Shaul, as well as that of all members of 'Breaking the Silence'. Front Line is concerned that members of 'Breaking the Silence' who promote respect for human rights in the Occupied Territories are being subjected to harassment and violence.
