7 feb 2014
Israeli forces uprooted, on Thursday, around 120 palm trees in Al-Zubeidat, a town located to the north of Jericho, according to local sources.
Hasan Al-Jarmi, the land owner, said that Israeli bulldozers surrounded the area, in the early morning hours, bulldozing the land and uprooting around 120 palm trees under the pretext they were planted in Area C, under full Israeli control.
He added that the action has sabotaged his efforts, exerted over the past ten years, to reclaim his farmland and has dispelled his hopes to set up an income-generating project on his land, stressing that he would continue to plant his land despite all the Israeli measures.
Hasan Al-Jarmi, the land owner, said that Israeli bulldozers surrounded the area, in the early morning hours, bulldozing the land and uprooting around 120 palm trees under the pretext they were planted in Area C, under full Israeli control.
He added that the action has sabotaged his efforts, exerted over the past ten years, to reclaim his farmland and has dispelled his hopes to set up an income-generating project on his land, stressing that he would continue to plant his land despite all the Israeli measures.
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A group of Palestinian and international activists on Friday afternoon established a new protest village in the Jordan Valley, only hours after Israeli forces raided and destroyed the encampment of Ein Hajla in the region.
The new protest village was set up in al-Joula in the Jiftlik area of the northern Jordan valley on Friday. DFLP central committee member Bassa Maslamani told Ma'an that dozens of activists had established the protest village in al-Jiftlik in order to reiterate that the region is a Palestinian area, referring to Israeli plans to annex the Jordan Valley as part of peace negotiations. |
Maslamani added that the camp is near the site of an Israeli "numbers graveyard," where Israeli authorities keep the remains of a number of Palestinians who were killed by Israeli forces, many during the Second Intifada.
The move came after Israeli soldiers invaded a protest village overnight that had been set up a week before in Ein Hajla in the southern Jordan Valley.
Israeli forces attacked and destroyed the protest village before dawn, injuring at least 35 protesters during the assault.
Ein Hajla was set up last Friday to protest against Israeli confiscation policies in the area, continued Jewish settlement construction on occupied land, and recent proposals to annex the Jordan Valley.
Israeli forces had surrounded the encampment and prevented supplies, as well as other activists, from entering the village for the last week.
Lawmaker Mustafa al-Barghouti said hundreds of Israeli soldiers raided the village on Friday morning firing stun grenades, and beating people there including children. Several suffered fractures after they were struck with batons and rifle butts, he said.
Barghouti, who was at Ein Hajla during the raid, said dozens of military vehicles and prisoner transport vehicles arrived at the village and soldiers and detained a large number of people.
Diana Alzeer from the Ein Hajla media committee told Ma'an that a total of 35 protesters were injured, oh which many were taken to hospital as a result.
She added that several protesters were detained but were released on the spot.
Barghouthi added that a Israeli soldiers threw a journalist from the top of one of the houses, and prevented Palestinian TV cameras from videotaping the incident.
He added that they will return to Ein Hajla, and Bab Shams, and their "will will not be broken," despite the attack.
The official praised protesters who remained at the village and were not intimidated by the brutality of occupation, adding that Ein Hajla was victorious.
An Israeli army statement received by Ma'an said that forces had, "called on the provocateurs to independently evacuate the area," but after they did not heed warnings an "initiated evacuation took place."
The statement added that "agitators were evacuated due to rock hurling earlier this week at the main Jordan Valley route, and other legal considerations."
The protest encampments at Ein Hajla and al-Joula follow similar efforts by Palestinian protesters in the encampments of Bab al-Shams and Ahfad Younis in early 2013 that were dispersed by Israeli forces.
Jewish settlers frequently raid Palestinian lands and set up illegal outposts across the West Bank, usually uninhibited by Israeli authorities and often supported by Israeli military forces.
These outposts are often chosen for their strategic locations between Palestinian villages and atop hills or major roads.
Many of these outposts are eventually developed into permanent settlements, and today nearly 500,000 Israeli Jews live in settlements built across the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
The internationally recognized Palestinian territories of which the West Bank and East Jerusalem form a part have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
The move came after Israeli soldiers invaded a protest village overnight that had been set up a week before in Ein Hajla in the southern Jordan Valley.
Israeli forces attacked and destroyed the protest village before dawn, injuring at least 35 protesters during the assault.
Ein Hajla was set up last Friday to protest against Israeli confiscation policies in the area, continued Jewish settlement construction on occupied land, and recent proposals to annex the Jordan Valley.
Israeli forces had surrounded the encampment and prevented supplies, as well as other activists, from entering the village for the last week.
Lawmaker Mustafa al-Barghouti said hundreds of Israeli soldiers raided the village on Friday morning firing stun grenades, and beating people there including children. Several suffered fractures after they were struck with batons and rifle butts, he said.
Barghouti, who was at Ein Hajla during the raid, said dozens of military vehicles and prisoner transport vehicles arrived at the village and soldiers and detained a large number of people.
Diana Alzeer from the Ein Hajla media committee told Ma'an that a total of 35 protesters were injured, oh which many were taken to hospital as a result.
She added that several protesters were detained but were released on the spot.
Barghouthi added that a Israeli soldiers threw a journalist from the top of one of the houses, and prevented Palestinian TV cameras from videotaping the incident.
He added that they will return to Ein Hajla, and Bab Shams, and their "will will not be broken," despite the attack.
The official praised protesters who remained at the village and were not intimidated by the brutality of occupation, adding that Ein Hajla was victorious.
An Israeli army statement received by Ma'an said that forces had, "called on the provocateurs to independently evacuate the area," but after they did not heed warnings an "initiated evacuation took place."
The statement added that "agitators were evacuated due to rock hurling earlier this week at the main Jordan Valley route, and other legal considerations."
The protest encampments at Ein Hajla and al-Joula follow similar efforts by Palestinian protesters in the encampments of Bab al-Shams and Ahfad Younis in early 2013 that were dispersed by Israeli forces.
Jewish settlers frequently raid Palestinian lands and set up illegal outposts across the West Bank, usually uninhibited by Israeli authorities and often supported by Israeli military forces.
These outposts are often chosen for their strategic locations between Palestinian villages and atop hills or major roads.
Many of these outposts are eventually developed into permanent settlements, and today nearly 500,000 Israeli Jews live in settlements built across the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
The internationally recognized Palestinian territories of which the West Bank and East Jerusalem form a part have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
The Red Cross said Thursday it has suspended provision of tents to displaced Palestinians in the Jordan Valley, in a rare protest over Israeli "confiscation" of aid material.
"We're suspending the distribution of tents and shelter materials because we have seen a pattern of obstacles and confiscations since the beginning of 2013," said Jon Martin Larsen, a spokesman for the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Until now, the aid group had been distributing tents to Palestinians left homeless by Israel's ongoing policy of house demolitions.
The Jordan Valley, which runs along the eastern flank of the occupied West Bank, has been particularly affected.
Last month, Israeli authorities demolished 27 homes in the Jordan Valley, leaving 147 people including 63 minors homeless, Israel rights group B'Tselem said.
Throughout 2013, a total of 124 residences were razed in the area, leaving 339 people homeless, 170 of them minors, B'Tselem said.
US Secretary of State John Kerry coaxed Israel and the Palestinians to the negotiating table in late July 2013 for a scheduled nine months of direct talks which will end in April.
A joint statement Thursday from 25 international aid groups, among them Christian Aid and Oxfam, said that during the 2013 months of the talks, figures showed a 43 percent rise in demolitions over the same period in the preceding year and marked a 5-year high.
"In light of the alarming trends, we the undersigned local and international faith, aid, development, and human rights organisations call again for an immediate halt to the demolitions of Palestinian homes, and for Israel to facilitate immediate, full and unimpeded humanitarian access so that aid can reach people in need," it said.
Figures provided by the UN humanitarian agency OCHA show that the total number of structures destroyed in 2013, which includes non-residential buildings, stood at 390, up from 279 a year earlier.
Larsen said the move affects only shelter assistance in the Jordan Valley and not the distribution of other aid.
"We'll continue to distribute aid to people after house demolitions, including hygiene kits, kitchen sets and mattresses," he said.
As an example of the frequency of the problem, Larsen said that in 16 recent missions to help the displaced, the authorities had been involved six times in the "destruction or prevention" of aid distribution, affecting 200 people.
Israel regularly issues demolition orders for fragile tin houses inhabited by the Bedouin living in the Jordan Valley, saying the structures are built illegally.
But the Palestinians claim it is part of a plan to drive out the residents so Israel can annex the land.
In September, Israeli troops manhandled a group of European diplomats as they tried to hand out tents to Bedouins whose West Bank homes had been destroyed by the army.
This is thought to be the first time the Red Cross has suspended tent distribution in the area.
"We're suspending the distribution of tents and shelter materials because we have seen a pattern of obstacles and confiscations since the beginning of 2013," said Jon Martin Larsen, a spokesman for the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Until now, the aid group had been distributing tents to Palestinians left homeless by Israel's ongoing policy of house demolitions.
The Jordan Valley, which runs along the eastern flank of the occupied West Bank, has been particularly affected.
Last month, Israeli authorities demolished 27 homes in the Jordan Valley, leaving 147 people including 63 minors homeless, Israel rights group B'Tselem said.
Throughout 2013, a total of 124 residences were razed in the area, leaving 339 people homeless, 170 of them minors, B'Tselem said.
US Secretary of State John Kerry coaxed Israel and the Palestinians to the negotiating table in late July 2013 for a scheduled nine months of direct talks which will end in April.
A joint statement Thursday from 25 international aid groups, among them Christian Aid and Oxfam, said that during the 2013 months of the talks, figures showed a 43 percent rise in demolitions over the same period in the preceding year and marked a 5-year high.
"In light of the alarming trends, we the undersigned local and international faith, aid, development, and human rights organisations call again for an immediate halt to the demolitions of Palestinian homes, and for Israel to facilitate immediate, full and unimpeded humanitarian access so that aid can reach people in need," it said.
Figures provided by the UN humanitarian agency OCHA show that the total number of structures destroyed in 2013, which includes non-residential buildings, stood at 390, up from 279 a year earlier.
Larsen said the move affects only shelter assistance in the Jordan Valley and not the distribution of other aid.
"We'll continue to distribute aid to people after house demolitions, including hygiene kits, kitchen sets and mattresses," he said.
As an example of the frequency of the problem, Larsen said that in 16 recent missions to help the displaced, the authorities had been involved six times in the "destruction or prevention" of aid distribution, affecting 200 people.
Israel regularly issues demolition orders for fragile tin houses inhabited by the Bedouin living in the Jordan Valley, saying the structures are built illegally.
But the Palestinians claim it is part of a plan to drive out the residents so Israel can annex the land.
In September, Israeli troops manhandled a group of European diplomats as they tried to hand out tents to Bedouins whose West Bank homes had been destroyed by the army.
This is thought to be the first time the Red Cross has suspended tent distribution in the area.
6 feb 2014
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) carried out limited incursion Thursday morning into the Gaza Strip, east of al-Fokhari neighborhood on the eastern of Khan Younis. Local sources reported that four Israeli bulldozers penetrated into the place through (Sofa Israeli military site) after midnight and swept the agricultural lands in the area.
Occupation towers at the borders opened fire at Palestinian houses, eastern Khuza’a town amid intensive flying of helicopters and drones at law levels.
Similar incursions took place almost on a daily basis in the eastern and northern borders of the Gaza Strip in clear violation of the cease-fire- agreement that was signed between Israel and the Palestinian resistance factions brokered by Egypt in November, 2011.
IOF soldiers advance in southern Gaza, bulldoze land
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) advanced in southern Gaza Strip on Thursday morning and escorted bulldozers that leveled land in Fakhari area. Local sources told the PIC reporter that four military bulldozers advanced 150 meters to the south east of Khan Younis city and bulldozed land.
The sources noted the presence of reconnaissance planes over the area during the incursion.
The IOF had recently escalated attacks on eastern areas of the Gaza Strip.
Occupation towers at the borders opened fire at Palestinian houses, eastern Khuza’a town amid intensive flying of helicopters and drones at law levels.
Similar incursions took place almost on a daily basis in the eastern and northern borders of the Gaza Strip in clear violation of the cease-fire- agreement that was signed between Israel and the Palestinian resistance factions brokered by Egypt in November, 2011.
IOF soldiers advance in southern Gaza, bulldoze land
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) advanced in southern Gaza Strip on Thursday morning and escorted bulldozers that leveled land in Fakhari area. Local sources told the PIC reporter that four military bulldozers advanced 150 meters to the south east of Khan Younis city and bulldozed land.
The sources noted the presence of reconnaissance planes over the area during the incursion.
The IOF had recently escalated attacks on eastern areas of the Gaza Strip.
Hatzerim military base in the Negev region
Arab Knesset member Talab El-Sana said on Thursday that the Israeli occupation army intends to annex thousands of dunums of Palestinian land in the Negev region near Bedouin residential areas in order to establish a military base. In a press release, MK Sana added that this Israeli step is part of the Prawer annexation plan which aims to displace the Bedouin natives of the Negev from their villages and prevent any development and natural expansion of their areas.
He affirmed that the Israeli government uses the relocation of its military bases to these areas as a pretext to annex more Palestinian land in the Negev, although there are large tracts of land in in this region that are away from the Palestinian populated areas and could be used as military bases.
The Israeli military base, which the Israeli government intends to establish, would be built on more than 5,000 dunums of Palestinian-owned land within the geographical area between Beersheba and the villages of Laqiya, Umm Butain, and Omer.
A Palestinian popular committee against Israel's plan to build a military base in the Negev has been formed in the 1948 occupied lands, and it will hold a meeting next Saturday to develop mechanisms to confront the plan.
Arab Knesset member Talab El-Sana said on Thursday that the Israeli occupation army intends to annex thousands of dunums of Palestinian land in the Negev region near Bedouin residential areas in order to establish a military base. In a press release, MK Sana added that this Israeli step is part of the Prawer annexation plan which aims to displace the Bedouin natives of the Negev from their villages and prevent any development and natural expansion of their areas.
He affirmed that the Israeli government uses the relocation of its military bases to these areas as a pretext to annex more Palestinian land in the Negev, although there are large tracts of land in in this region that are away from the Palestinian populated areas and could be used as military bases.
The Israeli military base, which the Israeli government intends to establish, would be built on more than 5,000 dunums of Palestinian-owned land within the geographical area between Beersheba and the villages of Laqiya, Umm Butain, and Omer.
A Palestinian popular committee against Israel's plan to build a military base in the Negev has been formed in the 1948 occupied lands, and it will hold a meeting next Saturday to develop mechanisms to confront the plan.
Israeli troops on Thursday morning accompanied bulldozers to the west Bethlehem village of Wadi Fukin where bulldozers destroyed 300 newly planted olive trees, despite locals' attempts to stop them.
Head of Wadi Fukin local council Ahmad Sukkar told Ma'an that 50,000 square meters of land were leveled and ancient dry stone walls were demolished by the Israeli forces.
Clashes broke out between Israel forces and locals as they tried to defend their lands while bulldozers leveled the fields.
Sukkar said that land is private property belonging to Mahmoud Ali Atiyyeh, Ishaq Salih Manasrah, Jamal Mahmoud Atiyyeh and Amin Mousa Atiyyeh.
Head of Wadi Fukin local council Ahmad Sukkar told Ma'an that 50,000 square meters of land were leveled and ancient dry stone walls were demolished by the Israeli forces.
Clashes broke out between Israel forces and locals as they tried to defend their lands while bulldozers leveled the fields.
Sukkar said that land is private property belonging to Mahmoud Ali Atiyyeh, Ishaq Salih Manasrah, Jamal Mahmoud Atiyyeh and Amin Mousa Atiyyeh.
Sukkar added that the Israeli forces had sent warrants to the owners claiming that their private land was Israeli state property.
A representative for the Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories could not be reached for comment.
Israeli authorities regularly declare private Palestinian lands or historically communal lands used by Palestinians in the West Bank as Israeli state land. These lands are frequently confiscated as a result, and portions of these areas are often rezoned later in order to build Jewish-only settlements.
The internationally recognized Palestinian territories of which the West Bank and East Jerusalem form a part have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
A representative for the Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories could not be reached for comment.
Israeli authorities regularly declare private Palestinian lands or historically communal lands used by Palestinians in the West Bank as Israeli state land. These lands are frequently confiscated as a result, and portions of these areas are often rezoned later in order to build Jewish-only settlements.
The internationally recognized Palestinian territories of which the West Bank and East Jerusalem form a part have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
Israeli forces started Thursday morning, to raze an agricultural land in Wadi Fokin, west of Bethlehem.
Head of Wadi Fokin village council, Ahmed Sukar, said that Israeli bulldozers started razing an agricultural land in al-Qisma village, south of the village which is adjacent to the Tzour Hadassah settlement.
He added that the 5-dunums land is planted with Olive and Almond trees and that these lands belong to Mohammed Ali Attiyah, Issac Saleh Manasreh, Jamal Mahmoud Atta and Amin Mussa Attiyeh.
Sukar added that the Israeli forces have previously notified the owners of confiscating their lands for settlement expansion reasons, yet they continued to cultivate their lands. He added that 300 trees will be uprooted during the razing process.
IOF bulldozers level land in Wadi Fukin western Bethlehem
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) began on Thursday morning bulldozing agricultural land in the village of Wadi Fukin to the west of Bethlehem. Eyewitnesses said that IOF bulldozers and settlers, guarded by Israeli soldiers, started since the morning hours razing an agricultural land planted with olive and almond trees, in the south of the village adjacent to the settlement of Tzur Hadassah.
The Israeli occupation authorities had earlier announced intention to confiscate the citizens' lands.
The soldiers uprooted fruitful trees, and are expected to confiscate five dunums of cultivated land.
In a separate incident, IOF soldiers on Wednesday night stormed and searched citizens’ houses in the town of Silat al-Harithiya, west of Jenin, under the pretext of searching for artesian water wells, local sources reported.
Head of Wadi Fokin village council, Ahmed Sukar, said that Israeli bulldozers started razing an agricultural land in al-Qisma village, south of the village which is adjacent to the Tzour Hadassah settlement.
He added that the 5-dunums land is planted with Olive and Almond trees and that these lands belong to Mohammed Ali Attiyah, Issac Saleh Manasreh, Jamal Mahmoud Atta and Amin Mussa Attiyeh.
Sukar added that the Israeli forces have previously notified the owners of confiscating their lands for settlement expansion reasons, yet they continued to cultivate their lands. He added that 300 trees will be uprooted during the razing process.
IOF bulldozers level land in Wadi Fukin western Bethlehem
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) began on Thursday morning bulldozing agricultural land in the village of Wadi Fukin to the west of Bethlehem. Eyewitnesses said that IOF bulldozers and settlers, guarded by Israeli soldiers, started since the morning hours razing an agricultural land planted with olive and almond trees, in the south of the village adjacent to the settlement of Tzur Hadassah.
The Israeli occupation authorities had earlier announced intention to confiscate the citizens' lands.
The soldiers uprooted fruitful trees, and are expected to confiscate five dunums of cultivated land.
In a separate incident, IOF soldiers on Wednesday night stormed and searched citizens’ houses in the town of Silat al-Harithiya, west of Jenin, under the pretext of searching for artesian water wells, local sources reported.
PLO Executive Committee member, Dr. Hanan Ashrawi Wednesday condemned Israel's latest approval of the construction of 349 settlement units in Occupied Jerusalem and the demolition of Palestinian homes in Beit Hanina and Sur Bahir.
"It is evident that Israel is isolating Jerusalem from its Palestinian environment by means of apartheid walls, checkpoints and rings of settlements. The Palestinian citizens of Jerusalem continue to suffer at the expense of Israel's policies of ethnic cleansing which include home demolitions, annexation of Palestinian land, and the revocation of Jerusalem IDs," said Ashrawi.
Ashrawi added, "Israel is engaging in the deliberate provocation of the Palestinians to drive them to leave the negotiations in protest of Israeli violations, and therefore be blamed for the destruction of the peace process."
"Clearly, it is Israel and its violations of international and humanitarian law that constitute an Israeli attempt to ensure the failure of negotiations and the destruction of the two-state solution. Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is deliberately sending a strong message to the United States, Europe and the rest of the world that it has no intention of adhering to international law and the will of the international community," she elaborated.
"Israel is not only capable of sabotaging the talks, but it is flagrantly destroying the chances of peace and stability throughout the region," concluded Ashrawi.
"It is evident that Israel is isolating Jerusalem from its Palestinian environment by means of apartheid walls, checkpoints and rings of settlements. The Palestinian citizens of Jerusalem continue to suffer at the expense of Israel's policies of ethnic cleansing which include home demolitions, annexation of Palestinian land, and the revocation of Jerusalem IDs," said Ashrawi.
Ashrawi added, "Israel is engaging in the deliberate provocation of the Palestinians to drive them to leave the negotiations in protest of Israeli violations, and therefore be blamed for the destruction of the peace process."
"Clearly, it is Israel and its violations of international and humanitarian law that constitute an Israeli attempt to ensure the failure of negotiations and the destruction of the two-state solution. Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is deliberately sending a strong message to the United States, Europe and the rest of the world that it has no intention of adhering to international law and the will of the international community," she elaborated.
"Israel is not only capable of sabotaging the talks, but it is flagrantly destroying the chances of peace and stability throughout the region," concluded Ashrawi.
MK Miri Regev, the member of “Likud Beitinu” party, suggested a law provided that Israeli colonial settlements in the West Bank to be put under the Israeli occupation control as a step to thwart peace negotiations.
The ministerial committee is scheduled to look into the proposal next Sunday, according to Israeli media.
Israeli newspapers reported that Regev introduced the suggestion to prevent the evacuation of Israeli settlements.
Regve introduced another proposal previously to annex Jordan Valley settlements, but Justice Minister Tzipi Livni blocked the bill and banned voting for it.
Newspapers said, Benyamin Netanyahu will prevent stating this law in the ministerial committee.
The ministerial committee is scheduled to look into the proposal next Sunday, according to Israeli media.
Israeli newspapers reported that Regev introduced the suggestion to prevent the evacuation of Israeli settlements.
Regve introduced another proposal previously to annex Jordan Valley settlements, but Justice Minister Tzipi Livni blocked the bill and banned voting for it.
Newspapers said, Benyamin Netanyahu will prevent stating this law in the ministerial committee.
A Palestinian boy pictured in the Jordan Valley
Israeli forces destroyed 27 homes in the occupied Jordan Valley in January, according to Israeli rights group B'Tselem, leaving 147 people homeless.
Nearly half of those displaced were children and 65 people lived in communities that had been demolished more than once by Israel, B'Tselem said.
On Wednesday, the International Committee of the Red Cross said it would stop providing tents to Palestinians whose homes had been demolished in the Jordan Valley because Israel would often confiscate them.
Last week, the UN humanitarian coordinator for the Palestinian territories criticized Israel's demolition of Palestinian homes in the Jordan Valley.
"I am deeply concerned about the ongoing displacement and dispossession of Palestinians ... along the Jordan Valley where the number of structures demolished more than doubled in the last year," James Rawley said in a statement.
"This activity not only deprives Palestinians of access to shelter and basic services, it also runs counter to international law."
The number of structures demolished by the Israeli authorities in the Jordan Valley in 2013 more than doubled, from 192 in 2012 to 393 in 2013
Israel has said in recent negotiations that it is not willing to compromise security in the Jordan Valley, which forms a third of the occupied West Bank.
Over 90 percent of the Jordan Valley is designated as Area C, with illegal settlements controlling up to 50 percent of the land area.
Israeli forces destroyed 27 homes in the occupied Jordan Valley in January, according to Israeli rights group B'Tselem, leaving 147 people homeless.
Nearly half of those displaced were children and 65 people lived in communities that had been demolished more than once by Israel, B'Tselem said.
On Wednesday, the International Committee of the Red Cross said it would stop providing tents to Palestinians whose homes had been demolished in the Jordan Valley because Israel would often confiscate them.
Last week, the UN humanitarian coordinator for the Palestinian territories criticized Israel's demolition of Palestinian homes in the Jordan Valley.
"I am deeply concerned about the ongoing displacement and dispossession of Palestinians ... along the Jordan Valley where the number of structures demolished more than doubled in the last year," James Rawley said in a statement.
"This activity not only deprives Palestinians of access to shelter and basic services, it also runs counter to international law."
The number of structures demolished by the Israeli authorities in the Jordan Valley in 2013 more than doubled, from 192 in 2012 to 393 in 2013
Israel has said in recent negotiations that it is not willing to compromise security in the Jordan Valley, which forms a third of the occupied West Bank.
Over 90 percent of the Jordan Valley is designated as Area C, with illegal settlements controlling up to 50 percent of the land area.
5 feb 2014
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The occupation municipality’s bulldozers carried out a series of demolitions for residential houses in Sur Baher, Jabal Al-Mukabber and Beit Hanina in the city of Jerusalem.
Sur Baher and the displacement of 4 individuals Wadi Hilweh Information Center was informed that the demolished house in Sur Baher- Um Lysoon is owned by Mujahed Abu Sarhan where four individuals lived. Mujahed said that the Israeli forces raided his home around 05:30 a.m. after breaking the glass and damaging the front door. Then they assaulted him and forced him along with his family to evacuate the house and started with the demolition process after taking the furniture out. |
Abu Sarhan said: “the forces assaulted me and damaged out furniture and then demolished the house which is 35 square meters and is built from aluminium and tin plates.” He pointed out that the house has been built since 2008 and he is paying a 13-thousand NIS building violation fee.
Abu Sarhan stressed that the demolition process was carried out without prior notice as he has been trying to obtain a building permit.
Beit Hanina and the displacement of 7 individuals
The forces demolished a house in Beit Hanina- Wad Al-Dam that is owned by Mohammad Sandouka and led to the displacement of 7 Jerusalemites.
Ala’ Sandouka said that the forces raided the house around 05:30 a.m. and forces the family to evacuate the house despite the cold weather and then emptied the house and continued with the demolition process.
Sandouka explained that the house was built 17 years ago and the family has paid a building violation fee of 10 thousand NIS on the 65-square meter house.
Jabal Al-Mukabber…postponing the demolition
The occupation bulldozers were ready to demolish two houses for Hussein Ramadan Shkeirat and his brother Naser in Jabal Al-Mukabber. The municipality crews emptied both houses and assaulted the residents (men and women) and severely beat them and also sprayed them with pepper gas; they also detained five young men.
The houses were built 17 years ago and the family has been trying to obtain a permit throughout all those year but to no avail; note that 14 individuals live in both houses.
After two hours of surrounding the houses, the family was able to get an order from the court to stop the demolition for 7 days after paying a 60-thousand NIS fine. Clashes broke out between the residents and occupation forces which detained 5 young men and released them after detaining them for several hours. Among them were: Ramadan and Odai Naser Shkeirat and Ramadan Shteiwi Shkeirat.
Al-Bashir neighbourhood…demolition and displacement of 8 individuals
The municipality bulldozers demolished the house of Khaled Mahmoud Bashir in the neighbourhood of Al-Bashir in Jabal Al-Mukabber; note that the 85-square meters house was built 5 years ago and consists of 4 rooms and their facilities where 8 individuals live including a child that suffers from a physical disability.
Bashir explained that the occupation municipality imposed a 50-thousdand NIS building violation fee 8 months ago and he is currently paying a 900 NIS monthly payment.
Bashir noted that his lawyer submitted an appeal to the District court’s decision in order to stop the demolition but the municipality crews had already demolished when they received the order.
During the demolition, clashed broke out between the locals and the Israeli forces that assaulted them and sprayed them with pepper gas; they also assaulted the owner’s nephew and arrested him for no reason.
Al-Sal’a neighbourhood and the displacement of 3 individuals
In a related matter, the occupation municipality forced Maher Mashahra on Wednesday to self-demolish his house in the neighbourhood of Al-Sal’a in Jabal Al-Mukabber. Maher said: “a large Israeli force along with a bulldozer raided my house and gave me 4 hours to evacuate and execute the demolition. They threatened me to demolish it on my own expense (45 thousand NIS) which forced me to rent a bulldozer and self-demolish my house. The forces surrounded my houses until the demolition process was completed and imposed a 10-thousand NIS on me for the cost of police individuals that surrounded the location.”
Mashahra pointed out that he has been living in the house for 3 years with his wife and his 3-month daughter.
Abu Sarhan stressed that the demolition process was carried out without prior notice as he has been trying to obtain a building permit.
Beit Hanina and the displacement of 7 individuals
The forces demolished a house in Beit Hanina- Wad Al-Dam that is owned by Mohammad Sandouka and led to the displacement of 7 Jerusalemites.
Ala’ Sandouka said that the forces raided the house around 05:30 a.m. and forces the family to evacuate the house despite the cold weather and then emptied the house and continued with the demolition process.
Sandouka explained that the house was built 17 years ago and the family has paid a building violation fee of 10 thousand NIS on the 65-square meter house.
Jabal Al-Mukabber…postponing the demolition
The occupation bulldozers were ready to demolish two houses for Hussein Ramadan Shkeirat and his brother Naser in Jabal Al-Mukabber. The municipality crews emptied both houses and assaulted the residents (men and women) and severely beat them and also sprayed them with pepper gas; they also detained five young men.
The houses were built 17 years ago and the family has been trying to obtain a permit throughout all those year but to no avail; note that 14 individuals live in both houses.
After two hours of surrounding the houses, the family was able to get an order from the court to stop the demolition for 7 days after paying a 60-thousand NIS fine. Clashes broke out between the residents and occupation forces which detained 5 young men and released them after detaining them for several hours. Among them were: Ramadan and Odai Naser Shkeirat and Ramadan Shteiwi Shkeirat.
Al-Bashir neighbourhood…demolition and displacement of 8 individuals
The municipality bulldozers demolished the house of Khaled Mahmoud Bashir in the neighbourhood of Al-Bashir in Jabal Al-Mukabber; note that the 85-square meters house was built 5 years ago and consists of 4 rooms and their facilities where 8 individuals live including a child that suffers from a physical disability.
Bashir explained that the occupation municipality imposed a 50-thousdand NIS building violation fee 8 months ago and he is currently paying a 900 NIS monthly payment.
Bashir noted that his lawyer submitted an appeal to the District court’s decision in order to stop the demolition but the municipality crews had already demolished when they received the order.
During the demolition, clashed broke out between the locals and the Israeli forces that assaulted them and sprayed them with pepper gas; they also assaulted the owner’s nephew and arrested him for no reason.
Al-Sal’a neighbourhood and the displacement of 3 individuals
In a related matter, the occupation municipality forced Maher Mashahra on Wednesday to self-demolish his house in the neighbourhood of Al-Sal’a in Jabal Al-Mukabber. Maher said: “a large Israeli force along with a bulldozer raided my house and gave me 4 hours to evacuate and execute the demolition. They threatened me to demolish it on my own expense (45 thousand NIS) which forced me to rent a bulldozer and self-demolish my house. The forces surrounded my houses until the demolition process was completed and imposed a 10-thousand NIS on me for the cost of police individuals that surrounded the location.”
Mashahra pointed out that he has been living in the house for 3 years with his wife and his 3-month daughter.
Five families in the Silwan neighborhood of East Jerusalem were give home demolition notices by Jerusalem municipality authorities on Wednesday, including some set to take effect within 48 hours.
Director of the Silwan-based Wadi Hilweh Information Center Jawad Siyam told Ma'an that Khalid al-Zeir and his father received demolition warrants, and three more warrants were delivered to other members of the Siyam family.
Some of the warranted families were notified that their houses would be demolished in 48 hours.
Siyam added that municipality inspectors entered the al-Abbasiyya area of Silwan and delivered a warrant to Khalid al-Zeir notifying him that a six-square-meter brick structure with a tin roof would be demolished.
Siyam added that al-Zeir had built the tin-roofed room after the municipality previously demolished his house.
Also on Wednesday, Israeli authorities demolished three Palestinian homes in different neighborhoods of East Jerusalem, leaving 25 people homeless.
Israel destroyed more than 663 Palestinian properties in the West Bank and East Jerusalem in 2013, displacing 1101 people, according to UNOCHA.
Israel rarely grants Palestinians permits to build in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. It has demolished at least 27,000 Palestinian homes and structures since occupying the West Bank in 1967, according to the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions.
The internationally recognized Palestinian territories of which the West Bank and East Jerusalem form a part have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
Five Eviction Notices Handed Out in Jerusalem
On Wednesday the Israeli municipality of West Jerusalem handed out demolition notices for five houses in East Jerusalem.
The notices were handed out under the pretext that the houses were build without a permit WAFA reports.
Municipality staff handed out notices giving the inhabitants of three of the houses 48 hours before the demolition were to begin.
A man who was living in a cave on his family's land were also arrested as he and his family had nowhere to live, because his house was demolished more than a year ago.
Director of the Silwan-based Wadi Hilweh Information Center Jawad Siyam told Ma'an that Khalid al-Zeir and his father received demolition warrants, and three more warrants were delivered to other members of the Siyam family.
Some of the warranted families were notified that their houses would be demolished in 48 hours.
Siyam added that municipality inspectors entered the al-Abbasiyya area of Silwan and delivered a warrant to Khalid al-Zeir notifying him that a six-square-meter brick structure with a tin roof would be demolished.
Siyam added that al-Zeir had built the tin-roofed room after the municipality previously demolished his house.
Also on Wednesday, Israeli authorities demolished three Palestinian homes in different neighborhoods of East Jerusalem, leaving 25 people homeless.
Israel destroyed more than 663 Palestinian properties in the West Bank and East Jerusalem in 2013, displacing 1101 people, according to UNOCHA.
Israel rarely grants Palestinians permits to build in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. It has demolished at least 27,000 Palestinian homes and structures since occupying the West Bank in 1967, according to the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions.
The internationally recognized Palestinian territories of which the West Bank and East Jerusalem form a part have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
Five Eviction Notices Handed Out in Jerusalem
On Wednesday the Israeli municipality of West Jerusalem handed out demolition notices for five houses in East Jerusalem.
The notices were handed out under the pretext that the houses were build without a permit WAFA reports.
Municipality staff handed out notices giving the inhabitants of three of the houses 48 hours before the demolition were to begin.
A man who was living in a cave on his family's land were also arrested as he and his family had nowhere to live, because his house was demolished more than a year ago.
Bulldozers and tractors sent by the Israel Land Authority on Wednesday morning destroyed fields of wheat, barley and other cereal grains planted by Palestinian Bedouins in the Negev.
Residents told a Ma'an reporter in the southern Israeli region that tractors plowed and destroyed crops that had been planted on lands belonging to the Huzayyil tribe, before moving to the area of the nearby Awajan Bedouin village.
Israeli authorities said that Negev Bedouins have taken control of state lands which they could have instead leased on a yearly basis at cheap rates.
The Bedouins said they refused to sign any lease because if they do it would constitute approving Israeli claims that their private lands are state properties.
The Bedouin Negev-based Al-Naqab Association for Land and Human Beings denounced the Israeli assault on vast areas of lands, calling them an "attempt to make the lives of the people of the Negev people very difficult and force them to evacuate their land to be confiscated for Jewish settlements, farms and military bases."
Residents told a Ma'an reporter in the southern Israeli region that tractors plowed and destroyed crops that had been planted on lands belonging to the Huzayyil tribe, before moving to the area of the nearby Awajan Bedouin village.
Israeli authorities said that Negev Bedouins have taken control of state lands which they could have instead leased on a yearly basis at cheap rates.
The Bedouins said they refused to sign any lease because if they do it would constitute approving Israeli claims that their private lands are state properties.
The Bedouin Negev-based Al-Naqab Association for Land and Human Beings denounced the Israeli assault on vast areas of lands, calling them an "attempt to make the lives of the people of the Negev people very difficult and force them to evacuate their land to be confiscated for Jewish settlements, farms and military bases."
The Israeli occupation authorities served notifications on Wednesday for the demolition of 26 houses in Deir Samet village, west of Al-Khalil. Eyewitnesses said that Israeli occupation forces (IOF) stormed the village and delivered the notifications for the destruction of 26 houses, some of which are still under construction, at the pretext of lack of permit and that the area is under full Israeli control according to the Oslo accords.
IOF soldiers had razed four installations and shops last month in the same village and nearby Beit Uwa village and served dozens of similar notifications for the demolition of houses in both villages at the pretext of their proximity to the racist, separation wall that separates the West Bank from Palestinian land occupied in 1948.
IOF soldiers had razed four installations and shops last month in the same village and nearby Beit Uwa village and served dozens of similar notifications for the demolition of houses in both villages at the pretext of their proximity to the racist, separation wall that separates the West Bank from Palestinian land occupied in 1948.
Israeli bulldozers started since the early morning hours Wednesday a large demolition campaign against Jerusalemites' homes in Sur Baher, Jabal Makbir, and Beit Hanina. Wadi al-Hilweh Information Center confirmed that Israeli bulldozers demolished two houses in Sur Baher and Beit Hanina towns in Jerusalem.
Israeli bulldozers have surrounded Alguenbr neighborhood in Jabal Makbir, in order to demolish two apartments where 15 persons live, the center added.
Meanwhile, Israeli Supreme Court refused an appeal filed by two Jerusalemite youths against their 4-year sentence.
The families of the two detainees Basil Abbasi, 21, and Tariq Abbasi, 21, had submitted an appeal against the District Court's order to sentence them for 4 years.
Supreme Court rejected the families' appeal under the pretext of "posing a dangerous threat to the Israeli state."
The District Court had sentenced the two youths for 4 years last May on charges of setting fire in Beit Jonathan settlement in Silwan.
Bassil Abbasi's mother charged that her son's charges were fabricated lies especially that he was under house arrest at that time.
During the court session, many youths, convicted in starting the fire, denied Bassil's involvement; however, the Israeli prosecution insisted on its position.
Israeli bulldozers have surrounded Alguenbr neighborhood in Jabal Makbir, in order to demolish two apartments where 15 persons live, the center added.
Meanwhile, Israeli Supreme Court refused an appeal filed by two Jerusalemite youths against their 4-year sentence.
The families of the two detainees Basil Abbasi, 21, and Tariq Abbasi, 21, had submitted an appeal against the District Court's order to sentence them for 4 years.
Supreme Court rejected the families' appeal under the pretext of "posing a dangerous threat to the Israeli state."
The District Court had sentenced the two youths for 4 years last May on charges of setting fire in Beit Jonathan settlement in Silwan.
Bassil Abbasi's mother charged that her son's charges were fabricated lies especially that he was under house arrest at that time.
During the court session, many youths, convicted in starting the fire, denied Bassil's involvement; however, the Israeli prosecution insisted on its position.
The Israeli Authorities decided to illegally confiscate around 20 Dunams of Palestinian lands belonging to a resident of Ertas village, south of Bethlehem.
Hasan Breijiyya, coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in Bethlehem, have reported that resident Kawkab Mousa Ayesh, found the order placed on her land, located in Khallit al-Qotn close to Wad Rahhal village, south of Bethlehem.
Breijiyya said the land is close to the Efrat illegal settlement, and that the order states the 20 Dunams are “state property”.
He further stated that, two months ago, Israeli settlers installed two tents in the same area, and last week, they bulldozed and uprooted Palestinian lands.
Khallit al-Qotn residents own around 1000 Dunams threatened by Israel’s ongoing illegitimate settlement activities, and Israel’s military violations.
Hasan Breijiyya, coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in Bethlehem, have reported that resident Kawkab Mousa Ayesh, found the order placed on her land, located in Khallit al-Qotn close to Wad Rahhal village, south of Bethlehem.
Breijiyya said the land is close to the Efrat illegal settlement, and that the order states the 20 Dunams are “state property”.
He further stated that, two months ago, Israeli settlers installed two tents in the same area, and last week, they bulldozed and uprooted Palestinian lands.
Khallit al-Qotn residents own around 1000 Dunams threatened by Israel’s ongoing illegitimate settlement activities, and Israel’s military violations.
According to Red Cross, Israeli civil and military officials tore down tents it provided to residents after the IDF demolished their homes
The International Committe of the Red Cross has stopped providing tents for Palestinian residents in the Jordan Valley whose houses were demolished by the IDF after the Israeli military destroyed them too.
The decision came after the IDF tore down the tents and also prevented the organization from taking tents into villages in the area, as part of a humanitarian aid supply.
The houses, which were built without permits, were destroyed several months ago by the IDF, in line with a court ruling.
Illegal temporary structures located in the Jordan Valley, a location source of conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, are frequently removed by the IDF and personnel from the Civil Administration, the Defense Ministry-controlled department responsible for the civilian population in the West Bank. The army says that structures are usually located within military firing ranges.
In certain incidents, the IDF decided in advance to restrict Red Cross initiatives to bring in tents to the area by setting up roadblocks at entrances to villages.
The organization informed the Palestinians of the decision, and stressed that they would continue to provide tents to residents from other areas of the West Bank and East Jerusalem whose houses had been destroyed by the army. They also reassured the residents of the area that they would continue to receive other forms of aid. In December 2013, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) condemned Israeli demolitions of Palestinian structures in the West Bank, and called on Israel to halt them "immediately".
According to the UN, more than 630 Palestinian structures were demolished in 2013 in Area C, the 60% of the West Bank that is under full Israeli military control. Some 1,035 Palestinians have been displaced by the demolitions, the UN said, adding that more than 80 percent of the displacement occurred in the Jordan Valley.
The International Committe of the Red Cross has stopped providing tents for Palestinian residents in the Jordan Valley whose houses were demolished by the IDF after the Israeli military destroyed them too.
The decision came after the IDF tore down the tents and also prevented the organization from taking tents into villages in the area, as part of a humanitarian aid supply.
The houses, which were built without permits, were destroyed several months ago by the IDF, in line with a court ruling.
Illegal temporary structures located in the Jordan Valley, a location source of conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, are frequently removed by the IDF and personnel from the Civil Administration, the Defense Ministry-controlled department responsible for the civilian population in the West Bank. The army says that structures are usually located within military firing ranges.
In certain incidents, the IDF decided in advance to restrict Red Cross initiatives to bring in tents to the area by setting up roadblocks at entrances to villages.
The organization informed the Palestinians of the decision, and stressed that they would continue to provide tents to residents from other areas of the West Bank and East Jerusalem whose houses had been destroyed by the army. They also reassured the residents of the area that they would continue to receive other forms of aid. In December 2013, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) condemned Israeli demolitions of Palestinian structures in the West Bank, and called on Israel to halt them "immediately".
According to the UN, more than 630 Palestinian structures were demolished in 2013 in Area C, the 60% of the West Bank that is under full Israeli military control. Some 1,035 Palestinians have been displaced by the demolitions, the UN said, adding that more than 80 percent of the displacement occurred in the Jordan Valley.
Israeli bulldozers of the Israeli municipality of the West Jerusalem Wednesday demolished a house in Sur Baher village, south of occupied Jerusalem, and another in Wad al-Dam neighborhood in the village of Beit Hanina, under the pretext of "building without permit".
Israeli forces demolished part of a house belonging to Mujahed Attiya Abu Sarhan, 28, in Sur Baher and another house belonging to Mohammed Jabarin Sandouka, 37, in Beit Hanina north of occupied Jerusalem.
A number of Palestinian residents suffered suffocation injuries after Israeli forces surrounded two houses belonging to the brothers Hussain and Nasser Ramadan Shukerat in Jabl al-Mukaber neighborhood, south of the old city and started firing tear gas canisters in preparation for their demolition.
In a different context, five young Palestinians from the old city of Jerusalem were severely wounded after Israeli forces assaulted them. The five were arrested and taken to an Israeli interrogation center.
Israeli forces demolished part of a house belonging to Mujahed Attiya Abu Sarhan, 28, in Sur Baher and another house belonging to Mohammed Jabarin Sandouka, 37, in Beit Hanina north of occupied Jerusalem.
A number of Palestinian residents suffered suffocation injuries after Israeli forces surrounded two houses belonging to the brothers Hussain and Nasser Ramadan Shukerat in Jabl al-Mukaber neighborhood, south of the old city and started firing tear gas canisters in preparation for their demolition.
In a different context, five young Palestinians from the old city of Jerusalem were severely wounded after Israeli forces assaulted them. The five were arrested and taken to an Israeli interrogation center.
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“Either you issue an Israeli construction license before Feb. 19, or your houses will be demolished,” Israeli forces have warned Palestinian residents in a village southwest of Hebron.
Ribhi al-Hroub, his brother, and other residents live in the part of the village Deir Samit in the West Bank's Area C, a designation according to the Oslo Accord of 1994 which places it under full Israeli rule. Al-Hroub told Ma’an Monday that Israeli officers told him that he should obtain a construction license for the house his family already lives in or it will be demolished. |
“He (an Israeli officer) notified me that I should obtain an Israeli license, and when I asked where I could get it from, he said from the Civil Administration department.
“Then I asked him if they agree to give me a license, and he immediately said no.
“'On what basis do you give me a warrant asking to get a license if you know that I can’t get it?' I asked. 'This is my business,' he said. This area “C” is Israeli land and you are not allowed to build on it.'”
Commenting on the situation, the mayor of Deir Samit says the village can expand only to the east to meet its natural growth. To the west, he said, there is Israel’s separation wall, to the south there is the Israeli bypass road, and to the north there is the town of Idhna which is densely populated and surrounded by bypass roads and the separation wall.
“Every day or every week, Israeli forces arrive and deliver demolition and stop-work warrants. Two weeks ago, they demolished houses in Beit Awwa and Deir Samit,” the mayor said.
The only possible recourse is for powerless Palestinian residents to appeal to the Palestinian Authority and president.
“Then I asked him if they agree to give me a license, and he immediately said no.
“'On what basis do you give me a warrant asking to get a license if you know that I can’t get it?' I asked. 'This is my business,' he said. This area “C” is Israeli land and you are not allowed to build on it.'”
Commenting on the situation, the mayor of Deir Samit says the village can expand only to the east to meet its natural growth. To the west, he said, there is Israel’s separation wall, to the south there is the Israeli bypass road, and to the north there is the town of Idhna which is densely populated and surrounded by bypass roads and the separation wall.
“Every day or every week, Israeli forces arrive and deliver demolition and stop-work warrants. Two weeks ago, they demolished houses in Beit Awwa and Deir Samit,” the mayor said.
The only possible recourse is for powerless Palestinian residents to appeal to the Palestinian Authority and president.
