30 nov 2013
An Israeli court ordered a Jerusalemite citizen to immediately demolish his house, south of the city of Jerusalem, media sources reported. The homeowner Adel Omayra told Quds Press that he will be forced to demolish his house before the first of December, according to the court's ruling.
He pointed out that his two-story home, which is located in the town of Sur Baher south of Jerusalem, was built a year ago to enable his eldest son to live in after getting married, and stressed that the piece of land on which the house was built is owned by his family.
The citizen pointed out that the Israeli occupation authority claimed that the house is built on a plot of land located in area C, where construction is forbidden according to the Oslo agreement.
He added that the IOA threatened to send its bulldozers to demolish the house and force him pay more than 200 thousand shekels as cost of demolition, stressing that his son doesn't have an alternative place to live in.
He pointed out that his two-story home, which is located in the town of Sur Baher south of Jerusalem, was built a year ago to enable his eldest son to live in after getting married, and stressed that the piece of land on which the house was built is owned by his family.
The citizen pointed out that the Israeli occupation authority claimed that the house is built on a plot of land located in area C, where construction is forbidden according to the Oslo agreement.
He added that the IOA threatened to send its bulldozers to demolish the house and force him pay more than 200 thousand shekels as cost of demolition, stressing that his son doesn't have an alternative place to live in.
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) prevented on Saturday Palestinian citizens from entering their lands in Khirbet Um Arayes east of Yatta, south al-Khalil in occupied West Bank. Activist Ratib Jabour confirmed to the PIC reporter that IOF soldiers prevented Palestinian farmers from entering their agricultural lands under the pretext of being under Israeli control, knowing that Israeli settlers have set up earlier mobile homes in that same area.
Israeli occupation has escalated arbitrary practices, demolition streak, and arrest campaigns in the area in order to implement more settlements schemes, Jabour added.
Israeli occupation has escalated arbitrary practices, demolition streak, and arrest campaigns in the area in order to implement more settlements schemes, Jabour added.
The Palestinian factions coordination committee in Nablus organized a sit-in on Saturday in solidary with Palestinians in the Negev against the Israeli Prawer plan. The plan stipulates the destruction of Arab villages and the displacement of 40,000 people.
Dozens participated in the event in downtown Nablus and chanted slogans against the Israeli occupation authority’s decision to displace the Palestinian inhabitants of the Negev, occupied since 1948.
Khaled Mansour, an activist, said that the “Prawer-Begin plan” is a Judaization project that is not different from the IOA settlement activity in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
Dozens participated in the event in downtown Nablus and chanted slogans against the Israeli occupation authority’s decision to displace the Palestinian inhabitants of the Negev, occupied since 1948.
Khaled Mansour, an activist, said that the “Prawer-Begin plan” is a Judaization project that is not different from the IOA settlement activity in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
29 nov 2013
Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) have notified Thursday afternoon ten citizens from Barta'a village southwest of Jenin, of the intended demolition of their 14 homes and facilities. Eyewitnesses confirmed that four Israeli patrols raided the town, and handed ten citizens notifications demolition notices for 6 houses as well as other houses under construction and several other facilities.
On Wednesday the occupation authorities handed notifications to Palestinian citizens informing them of the intended demolition of seven homes and industrial facilities in Barta'a village south west of Jenin.
Israeli authorities have escalated arbitrary measures against 5000 Palestinians in Barta'a village located in area C in order to force them to leave their lands as a prelude to confiscate the village in favor of the Apartheid Wall.
On Wednesday the occupation authorities handed notifications to Palestinian citizens informing them of the intended demolition of seven homes and industrial facilities in Barta'a village south west of Jenin.
Israeli authorities have escalated arbitrary measures against 5000 Palestinians in Barta'a village located in area C in order to force them to leave their lands as a prelude to confiscate the village in favor of the Apartheid Wall.
28 nov 2013
Israeli Occupation Authorities have declared its intention to confiscate about 1500 acres of Palestinian agricultural lands in Aqraba village southeast of Nablus on Thursday. Palestinian farmers have been surprised this morning by Israeli notifications informing them of the Israeli decision to confiscate nearly 1,500 acres of their lands located west of Nablus, a Palestinian activist against settlement confirmed.
The source pointed out that the Israeli occupation authority claimed earlier that only 5 dunums would be confiscated, however it plans to confiscate 1500 dunums.
It is worth mentioning that the occupation authorities declared two weeks ago its decision to seize hundreds of acres of agricultural lands containing hundreds of olives trees south of Nablus.
Meanwhile, eyewitnesses confirmed that Israeli bulldozers began to raze Palestinian agricultural lands in order to create a new settlement road in Aqraba town east of Nablus to link between Itamar and Jeanette settlements.
Israeli settlers have participated in razing the lands, the sources pointed out, stressing that the area was subjected recently to repeated Israeli attacks.
The source pointed out that the Israeli occupation authority claimed earlier that only 5 dunums would be confiscated, however it plans to confiscate 1500 dunums.
It is worth mentioning that the occupation authorities declared two weeks ago its decision to seize hundreds of acres of agricultural lands containing hundreds of olives trees south of Nablus.
Meanwhile, eyewitnesses confirmed that Israeli bulldozers began to raze Palestinian agricultural lands in order to create a new settlement road in Aqraba town east of Nablus to link between Itamar and Jeanette settlements.
Israeli settlers have participated in razing the lands, the sources pointed out, stressing that the area was subjected recently to repeated Israeli attacks.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) stormed at dawn Thursday Deir Ballout town to the west of Salfit city and demolished a Palestinian house under construction at the pretext of building in the area classified as C without a permit. Local sources said that Israeli troops brought with them a military bulldozer and razed the house of Ghanem Abdul-Karim on the outskirts of the town.
They noted that the IOF had already handed the owner three demolition notices ordering him to stop his construction activities on his own land because of its location within the area classified as C.
The sources added that the Israeli army classifies 78 percent of the West Bank territories as a military zone under its control.
They noted that the IOF had already handed the owner three demolition notices ordering him to stop his construction activities on his own land because of its location within the area classified as C.
The sources added that the Israeli army classifies 78 percent of the West Bank territories as a military zone under its control.
26 nov 2013
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Hebron Rehabilitation Committee (HRC) documented with photos a settler stealing stones of a historic building in the Old City of al-Khalil, in the southern occupied West Bank, with the help of an Israeli soldier.
The Committee said in a statement on Monday that "it has documented the Jewish settler while stealing stones of a historic building located near Diwan al-Rajabi in the Old City of al-Khalil, and which dates back thousands of years." The photos also show an Israeli soldier helping the settler to move the stones to her car. |
HRC condemned this "attack on the historic properties and cultural heritage" considering it "a part of an integral colonial project to Judaize the Old City and blur its historic, religious and cultural landmarks."
It added that helping the settler in her crime of stealing Palestinian heritage by the soldier is considered the biggest proof of the Israeli government's policy that supports the illegal settlement activity in al-Khalil.
It added that helping the settler in her crime of stealing Palestinian heritage by the soldier is considered the biggest proof of the Israeli government's policy that supports the illegal settlement activity in al-Khalil.
The Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) have issued on Monday evening a demolition notification against Khirbet al-Tawil's mosque east of Nablus. Local sources revealed that an Israeli patrol stormed the mosque after the Maghrib prayer and informed the worshipers of their intention to demolish the mosque without further details, asking them to evacuate it.
The mosque has been notified before in 2007 with demolition, where the residents have appealed to the Supreme Court against the Israeli decision, the sources added.
The mosque has been established since 2004 in Aqrab village where 80 people live. The occupation authorities seek to deport its residents where 17 demolition notifications have been issued against houses and agricultural facilities in the village as a prelude to confiscate it in favor of settlement construction.
The villagers stressed their steadfastness in face of the Israeli schemes to confiscate their homeland.
The mosque has been notified before in 2007 with demolition, where the residents have appealed to the Supreme Court against the Israeli decision, the sources added.
The mosque has been established since 2004 in Aqrab village where 80 people live. The occupation authorities seek to deport its residents where 17 demolition notifications have been issued against houses and agricultural facilities in the village as a prelude to confiscate it in favor of settlement construction.
The villagers stressed their steadfastness in face of the Israeli schemes to confiscate their homeland.
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) cut down dozens of olive trees at the entrance to Taku village in Bethlehem province on Monday. Eyewitnesses said that IOF soldiers escorted workers in plain clothes and chopped down dozens of fruitful olive trees at the western entrance to Taku and the nearby crossing leading to Saeer village.
They said that the soldiers and the workers were bulldozing cultivated land and cutting down trees.
They said that the soldiers and the workers were bulldozing cultivated land and cutting down trees.
25 nov 2013
The Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) confiscated around 79 dunums (a dunum equals one thousand square meters) of cultivated land in two villages in Tulkarem. Palestinian sources said that farmers in Kafr Jamal and Falamiya villages in Tulkarem found notifications hanging on trees in their land and signed by the Israeli army indicating that their land would be confiscated because of its proximity to the separation wall.
They said that the notifications gave the land owners one month to object to the decision, adding that the notifications were issued in mid October , which meant that time for the objection had elapsed.
Municipal sources said that the procedure pointed to clear intention to confiscate the land without allowing owners to object.
They said that the notifications gave the land owners one month to object to the decision, adding that the notifications were issued in mid October , which meant that time for the objection had elapsed.
Municipal sources said that the procedure pointed to clear intention to confiscate the land without allowing owners to object.
24 nov 2013
The Arab population in the Negev, occupied in 1948, went on general strike on Sunday protesting the so-called Prawer plan that envisages razing hundreds of Bedouin villages and displacing tens of thousands of its inhabitants. The strike, which paralyzed all life activity including schools and public institutions, was meant to coincide with the visit to the Negev by a delegation of the Israeli parliament’s interior affairs committee.
The strike was also in preparation for the expected day of rage on 30th November.
Protest rallies are expected in various crossroads in the Negev to protest the parliamentary visit.
The Arab students in Haifa University organized a demonstration at noon today to protest the plan and to prepare for the day of rage in which rallies and marches would be organized in the Negev, Haifa and Ramallah.
The strike was also in preparation for the expected day of rage on 30th November.
Protest rallies are expected in various crossroads in the Negev to protest the parliamentary visit.
The Arab students in Haifa University organized a demonstration at noon today to protest the plan and to prepare for the day of rage in which rallies and marches would be organized in the Negev, Haifa and Ramallah.
The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) is planning to bulldoze vast tracts of land west of Salfit city, farmers in the area said. An eyewitness said that IOA surveyors came to the area from Ariel settlement and surveyed land in Bir Marj and Khirbat Jalluldin areas.
Khaled Ma’ali, a researcher in Salfit, said that the surveyed area is located near to the industrial area in Ariel settlement.
He added that the IOA was planning to bulldoze this land and to build more factories, which, he said, are harmful to human life and to the environment in general.
Khaled Ma’ali, a researcher in Salfit, said that the surveyed area is located near to the industrial area in Ariel settlement.
He added that the IOA was planning to bulldoze this land and to build more factories, which, he said, are harmful to human life and to the environment in general.
21 nov 2013
Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) have issued a notification to remove the power grid in Idna town in al-Khalil southern West Bank. The mayor confirmed that the network has existed since many years, pointing out to the residents' suffering due to the Israeli confiscation policy and Apartheid Wall.
He pointed out that these notifications came as part of Israeli demolition policy against Palestinian houses, facilities and water wells in the area.
Meanwhile, IOA revealed its intention to create a new large Israeli settlement road in Yatta town in al-Khalil at the expense of Palestinian agricultural lands and houses.
Popular Committees against Settlement and Apartheid Wall confirmed that IOA distributed on Wednesday a map revealing that the new settlement road which would divide al-Dirat village into two parts. As a result, any houses will be demolished.
The Israeli new project would confiscate thousands of dunums of Palestinian agricultural lands in al-Dirat village east of Yatta town.
The Popular Committee denounced the Israeli confiscation policy and called on national and international parties to pressure occupation authorities to put an end to its violations.
He pointed out that these notifications came as part of Israeli demolition policy against Palestinian houses, facilities and water wells in the area.
Meanwhile, IOA revealed its intention to create a new large Israeli settlement road in Yatta town in al-Khalil at the expense of Palestinian agricultural lands and houses.
Popular Committees against Settlement and Apartheid Wall confirmed that IOA distributed on Wednesday a map revealing that the new settlement road which would divide al-Dirat village into two parts. As a result, any houses will be demolished.
The Israeli new project would confiscate thousands of dunums of Palestinian agricultural lands in al-Dirat village east of Yatta town.
The Popular Committee denounced the Israeli confiscation policy and called on national and international parties to pressure occupation authorities to put an end to its violations.
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) demolished on Wednesday the Bedouin village of al-Araqib, in the Negev in the southern 1948 occupied territories, for the 62nd time in a row since 2010. Hundreds of Israeli soldiers accompanied by military bulldozers abruptly raided the unrecognized village and started to demolish and remove hundreds of Palestinian homes and facilities.
Local sources said that IOF removed the demolition wastes and cleaned the area as a prelude to plant it with trees and seedlings, claiming that it belongs to Israeli lands.
Al-Araqib is one of roughly 40 unrecognized Bedouin villages, some of them predating the state itself. Those villages are deprived of basic government services, like running water and electricity; they are not entitled to zoning plans, such that every house built in these villages is at risk of demolition.
It is worth mentioning that the Negev constitutes about 40% of historic Palestine, an area of 12 thousand and 577 km 2, and home to nearly two hundred thousand Palestinians.
The sources added that Israeli forces arrested 4 of the village's residents a few hours after the demolition process.
The village's Sheikh Sayah al-Touri and his three grandsons were arrested and interrogated for establishing houses without permits. The three children were earlier released, while Sheikh al-Touri’s arrest was extended.
The residents protested outside the police station demanding the release of all detainees, stressing their right to live in their village.
Meanwhile, the IOF arrested a young man from the Old City in al-Khalil and took him to Etzion detention center. The IOF also raided Romaneh vilage in Jenin where they erected a military checkpoint. No arrests were reported.
Local sources said that IOF removed the demolition wastes and cleaned the area as a prelude to plant it with trees and seedlings, claiming that it belongs to Israeli lands.
Al-Araqib is one of roughly 40 unrecognized Bedouin villages, some of them predating the state itself. Those villages are deprived of basic government services, like running water and electricity; they are not entitled to zoning plans, such that every house built in these villages is at risk of demolition.
It is worth mentioning that the Negev constitutes about 40% of historic Palestine, an area of 12 thousand and 577 km 2, and home to nearly two hundred thousand Palestinians.
The sources added that Israeli forces arrested 4 of the village's residents a few hours after the demolition process.
The village's Sheikh Sayah al-Touri and his three grandsons were arrested and interrogated for establishing houses without permits. The three children were earlier released, while Sheikh al-Touri’s arrest was extended.
The residents protested outside the police station demanding the release of all detainees, stressing their right to live in their village.
Meanwhile, the IOF arrested a young man from the Old City in al-Khalil and took him to Etzion detention center. The IOF also raided Romaneh vilage in Jenin where they erected a military checkpoint. No arrests were reported.
Dozens of Israeli soldiers invaded the Baten Al-Ma’sy Mountain area, in the Al-Khader town south of the Bethlehem district, and uprooted Palestinians lands, in preparation to use them in the construction of settlement units.
Ahmad Salah, Coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in Al-Khader, said that the soldiers surrounded the area, and invaded it, before uprooting and bulldozing lands.
He stated that the Israeli government wants to turn a small illegal outpost into a settlement, as the government provides services and financial support to settlements not outposts.
Salah added that, six months ago, Israeli settlers built a synagogue on more than 500 square/meters on Palestinian lands in the area.
Settlements, built on Palestinian lands in the occupied territories, are illegitimate under International Law and the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Israeli settlements in different parts of the occupied West Bank, including in and around occupied East Jerusalem, and the Annexation Wall, are completely isolated large areas and communities, and are turning the territories into isolated ghettos.
Ahmad Salah, Coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in Al-Khader, said that the soldiers surrounded the area, and invaded it, before uprooting and bulldozing lands.
He stated that the Israeli government wants to turn a small illegal outpost into a settlement, as the government provides services and financial support to settlements not outposts.
Salah added that, six months ago, Israeli settlers built a synagogue on more than 500 square/meters on Palestinian lands in the area.
Settlements, built on Palestinian lands in the occupied territories, are illegitimate under International Law and the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Israeli settlements in different parts of the occupied West Bank, including in and around occupied East Jerusalem, and the Annexation Wall, are completely isolated large areas and communities, and are turning the territories into isolated ghettos.
Israeli Soldiers invaded on Thursday morning [November 21, 2013] the Deerat village, east of Yatta in the southern West Bank city of Hebron, and illegally confiscated seven Dunams of Palestinian lands in order to pave a road for Jewish settlers.
Coordinator of the Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements in Hebron Rateb Jabour stated that the army carried maps showing the new planned settler-only road that would split the village and lead to the destruction of several houses.
Jabour added that the homes are part of the village, but Israel considers them to be out of the zoning area.
The road would lead to the illegal annexation of thousands of Dunams of Palestinian lands in the region.
Also on Thursday, soldiers kidnapped Mohannad Al-Mohtaseb, 17 years of age, from the Old City of Hebron.
Coordinator of the Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements in Hebron Rateb Jabour stated that the army carried maps showing the new planned settler-only road that would split the village and lead to the destruction of several houses.
Jabour added that the homes are part of the village, but Israel considers them to be out of the zoning area.
The road would lead to the illegal annexation of thousands of Dunams of Palestinian lands in the region.
Also on Thursday, soldiers kidnapped Mohannad Al-Mohtaseb, 17 years of age, from the Old City of Hebron.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Wednesday afternoon handed some Palestinian owners of homes and industrial structures in Barta'a village, southwest of Jenin city, demolition notices. Local sources told the Palestinian information center (PIC) that Israeli troops stormed Khor Dabaa in the village and handed demolition notices to seven Palestinian citizens, one of them was ordered to stop building an extra wall for his home.
The demolition notices were issued against industrial facilities and homes belonging to citizens in the village.
The Palestinian citizens in Barta'a village suffer from inexorable restrictions imposed by the Israeli army on their construction activities.
The Israeli construction restrictions are believed to be aimed at expelling the natives from their village in order to annex it to the other nearby lands controlled fully by the Israeli army.
The demolition notices were issued against industrial facilities and homes belonging to citizens in the village.
The Palestinian citizens in Barta'a village suffer from inexorable restrictions imposed by the Israeli army on their construction activities.
The Israeli construction restrictions are believed to be aimed at expelling the natives from their village in order to annex it to the other nearby lands controlled fully by the Israeli army.
20 nov 2013
The Israeli Sub-Committee for settlement issued a new decision to confiscate lands in Khirbet Deir Samaan, in the town of Kafr a-Dik in Salfit. Mayor of Kafr a-Dik Jamal Dik told PIC's correspondent on Tuesday that the new Israeli announcement includes a detailed planning scheme that aims to confiscate more agricultural lands in Khirbet Deir Samaan.
He added that the occupation has been grabbing the lands, uprooting the trees and constructing bypass roads for settlers, while the structural plans of the towns and villages in the area have not been expanded since the seventies.
The mayor noted that more than 90% of Kafr a-Dik lands are confiscated under different military orders despite the fact that they are owned by the villagers.
He noted that the town is surrounded by a number of settlements and military sites, in addition to Israeli industrial areas.
He added that the occupation has been grabbing the lands, uprooting the trees and constructing bypass roads for settlers, while the structural plans of the towns and villages in the area have not been expanded since the seventies.
The mayor noted that more than 90% of Kafr a-Dik lands are confiscated under different military orders despite the fact that they are owned by the villagers.
He noted that the town is surrounded by a number of settlements and military sites, in addition to Israeli industrial areas.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) stormed on Tuesday Bardala village in the Jordan Valley and ordered its Palestinian natives to evacuate their homes. Local sources reported that Israeli troops raided the tents of the villagers and gave them until the first of December to leave the village.
The sources affirmed that the structures of the village had been built tens of years ago and its lands belong to the natives, adding that the villagers use some of the tents and structures they had built on their own lands for agricultural purposes.
For his part, Aref Daraghmeh, head of the Palestinian municipal council in the Jordan Valley area, appealed to the Palestinian Authority and human rights groups to stand by the Bardala villagers and curb Israel's violations against them.
In a separate incident, dozens of Jewish settlers illegally living in Palestinian-owned areas in the Jordan Valley established a settlement outpost in the same place where an Israeli officer was killed last month.
According to Maariv newspaper on Tuesday, the settlers managed to provide their outpost with electricity and started to connect it with the water and sewage networks in the area.
The sources affirmed that the structures of the village had been built tens of years ago and its lands belong to the natives, adding that the villagers use some of the tents and structures they had built on their own lands for agricultural purposes.
For his part, Aref Daraghmeh, head of the Palestinian municipal council in the Jordan Valley area, appealed to the Palestinian Authority and human rights groups to stand by the Bardala villagers and curb Israel's violations against them.
In a separate incident, dozens of Jewish settlers illegally living in Palestinian-owned areas in the Jordan Valley established a settlement outpost in the same place where an Israeli officer was killed last month.
According to Maariv newspaper on Tuesday, the settlers managed to provide their outpost with electricity and started to connect it with the water and sewage networks in the area.
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) demolished agricultural installations in Khirbat Al-Tawil hamlet, near Nablus, on Wednesday morning. Yousef Diriya, an activist in the hamlet, said that IOF soldiers escorted huge bulldozes that razed a water reservoir used for irrigation and a shed for storing agricultural tools.
He said that the demolition did not stop and could target other installations in the hamlet, which are constantly targeted by the IOF at the pretext of being built in area “c” that is under full Israeli civil and security control according to the Oslo accords.
He said that the demolition did not stop and could target other installations in the hamlet, which are constantly targeted by the IOF at the pretext of being built in area “c” that is under full Israeli civil and security control according to the Oslo accords.
19 nov 2013
General Strike in Negev Sunday protesting Prawer plan
High Steering Committee of the Arabs of the Negev called for a general strike on Sunday protesting the Israeli government's decision to approve Prawer plan. The call for the strike came to coincide with a visit of a delegation of the Internal Affairs Committee of the Knesset to Negev area to convince the Committee's members to vote in favor of the law.
Arab MK Talal Abu Arar, a member of Steering Committee, stated that the strike will also include local authorities, shops, and schools.
Abu Arar confirmed that the Interior Affairs Committee of the Knesset continued to approve Prawer Plan in total disregard of Arab citizens in Negev and the Arab Members of Knesset.
Israel’s Prawer plan aims to forcibly displace up to 50,000 Palestinian Bedouins in the Nagev desert, confiscate 800,000 dunums of land, and confine the Bedouins to one percent of the land. Palestinians across the country are calling for a day of “Anger and Strike” and plan to take to the streets in their thousands.
IOF soldiers raid southern Gaza
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) raided southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday morning and Palestinian resistance fighters fired four mortar shells at them. Local sources told the PIC reporter that an IOF patrol escorted six military bulldozers into eastern Khan Younis, south of the Strip, and leveled land.
They said that the soldiers fired smoke bombs while combing and bulldozing the area.
The IOF said that a projectile slammed into Ashkol area to the east of Gaza Strip but did not cause any casualties or damage.
General Strike in Negev Sunday protesting Prawer plan
High Steering Committee of the Arabs of the Negev called for a general strike on Sunday protesting the Israeli government's decision to approve Prawer plan. The call for the strike came to coincide with a visit of a delegation of the Internal Affairs Committee of the Knesset to Negev area to convince the Committee's members to vote in favor of the law.
Arab MK Talal Abu Arar, a member of Steering Committee, stated that the strike will also include local authorities, shops, and schools.
Abu Arar confirmed that the Interior Affairs Committee of the Knesset continued to approve Prawer Plan in total disregard of Arab citizens in Negev and the Arab Members of Knesset.
Israel’s Prawer plan aims to forcibly displace up to 50,000 Palestinian Bedouins in the Nagev desert, confiscate 800,000 dunums of land, and confine the Bedouins to one percent of the land. Palestinians across the country are calling for a day of “Anger and Strike” and plan to take to the streets in their thousands.
IOF soldiers raid southern Gaza
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) raided southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday morning and Palestinian resistance fighters fired four mortar shells at them. Local sources told the PIC reporter that an IOF patrol escorted six military bulldozers into eastern Khan Younis, south of the Strip, and leveled land.
They said that the soldiers fired smoke bombs while combing and bulldozing the area.
The IOF said that a projectile slammed into Ashkol area to the east of Gaza Strip but did not cause any casualties or damage.
18 nov 2013
IOA confiscates building materials for the restoration of a mosque
Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) confiscated Monday morning building materials dedicated for the restoration of a mosque in Yatta town in al-Khalil, in the southern West Bank. The so-called Israeli Civil Administration crews raided al-Dirat village and confiscated construction materials and took it to an unknown destination, local sources revealed.
The sources added that an Israeli official threatened Palestinian citizens in case they continued to build the mosque.
Land Research Center considered the Israeli measure as part of Israeli displacement policy against Palestinians, condemning Israeli attacks against places of worship.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces assaulted Palestinian students while being in school bus in Yatta town southern al-Khalil.
Local sources revealed that Israeli soldiers stopped the bus and detained the students with the bus-driver and prevented them from reaching their school.
Israeli soldiers used to assault Palestinians from Mssafir area in Yatta town in an attempt to deport them in favor of settlement expansion.
Israeli soldiers also erected a number of checkpoints in different parts in al-Khalil towns and searched Palestinian citizens and their vehicles in light of unjustified Israeli security restrictions in the city.
IOA confiscates building materials for the restoration of a mosque
Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) confiscated Monday morning building materials dedicated for the restoration of a mosque in Yatta town in al-Khalil, in the southern West Bank. The so-called Israeli Civil Administration crews raided al-Dirat village and confiscated construction materials and took it to an unknown destination, local sources revealed.
The sources added that an Israeli official threatened Palestinian citizens in case they continued to build the mosque.
Land Research Center considered the Israeli measure as part of Israeli displacement policy against Palestinians, condemning Israeli attacks against places of worship.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces assaulted Palestinian students while being in school bus in Yatta town southern al-Khalil.
Local sources revealed that Israeli soldiers stopped the bus and detained the students with the bus-driver and prevented them from reaching their school.
Israeli soldiers used to assault Palestinians from Mssafir area in Yatta town in an attempt to deport them in favor of settlement expansion.
Israeli soldiers also erected a number of checkpoints in different parts in al-Khalil towns and searched Palestinian citizens and their vehicles in light of unjustified Israeli security restrictions in the city.
Israeli military forces on Sunday handed confiscation orders to Palestinians in the al-Ka’abna area of Um al-Daraj south of Hebron, officials said. Soldiers told residents that large tracts of their land would be appropriated for an Israeli military base, said Hassan al-Basaita, mayor of the local village council. Al-Basaita said that Israel wanted to confiscate the lands and destroy the barns and pastures in order to restrict local people's lives and eventually to displace them.
He added that the Israeli forces had tried more than once to forcibly displace the people there, and that at that time they demolished houses, agricultural properties, and barns.
They also demolished water wells in order to force people to leave the area by cutting off access to water, he said. He added that Palestinians who live in this area would not leave their houses and lands, even if they were exposed to aggressive violations and practices even worse than these.
Israel has destroyed more than 558 Palestinian properties in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since the beginning of this year, displacing 919 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.
He added that the Israeli forces had tried more than once to forcibly displace the people there, and that at that time they demolished houses, agricultural properties, and barns.
They also demolished water wells in order to force people to leave the area by cutting off access to water, he said. He added that Palestinians who live in this area would not leave their houses and lands, even if they were exposed to aggressive violations and practices even worse than these.
Israel has destroyed more than 558 Palestinian properties in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since the beginning of this year, displacing 919 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.
17 nov 2013
Israeli settlers spray painted the words "price tag" on 13 graves on M’man Allah cemetery in Jerusalem. Headstones were also spray painted with the words "revenge" and "price tag." “The attack on historical Islamic cemetery is unacceptable. The attacks on headstones and graves are a policy aimed to erase the Islamic identity of the cemetery,” said Mostafa Abu Zahra, the Head of the Committee for Protecting Islamic Cemeteries.
Abu Zahra called on UNESCO and international organizations to investigate these crimes which target the Islamic heritage
Al-Aqsa Foundation for Waqf and Heritage said that Israeli occupation is systematically targeting M’man Allah cemetery with different ways to destroy the remaining graves. It added that the area of the cemetery used to be 200 donums of land and it now became only 20 donums.
The Waqf Organization called Islamic and Arab countries to intervene immediately to protect this ancient cemetery which contains graves of many famous Islamic figures.
Last month, it was reported that the Jerusalem District Police Central Unit arrested 14 yeshiva students from Jerusalem, aged 13-16 on suspicion of operating as an organized group that attacked Arabs, vandalized vehicles, spray-painted hate graffiti and threw stones at vehicles with Arab drivers.
Abu Zahra called on UNESCO and international organizations to investigate these crimes which target the Islamic heritage
Al-Aqsa Foundation for Waqf and Heritage said that Israeli occupation is systematically targeting M’man Allah cemetery with different ways to destroy the remaining graves. It added that the area of the cemetery used to be 200 donums of land and it now became only 20 donums.
The Waqf Organization called Islamic and Arab countries to intervene immediately to protect this ancient cemetery which contains graves of many famous Islamic figures.
Last month, it was reported that the Jerusalem District Police Central Unit arrested 14 yeshiva students from Jerusalem, aged 13-16 on suspicion of operating as an organized group that attacked Arabs, vandalized vehicles, spray-painted hate graffiti and threw stones at vehicles with Arab drivers.
The Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) decided on Saturday to confiscate hundreds of cultivated dunums south of Nablus city. Palestinian sources said that the confiscated land extended from Zatara juncture to Osrin village intersection.
They said that the land lots are adjacent to the Trans-Samaria Highway, adding that they are owned by dozens of people of Yitma, Qabalan, Beita, and Osrin villages.
They said that the land lots are adjacent to the Trans-Samaria Highway, adding that they are owned by dozens of people of Yitma, Qabalan, Beita, and Osrin villages.
16 nov 2013
The so-called Israeli District Committee for Planning and Building approved on Friday the establishment of a "National Park" on lands of Tur and Issawiyya villages, Wadi al-Hilweh Information Center said. The center pointed out that the "National Park" project (Plan 11092) will stretch across approximately 738 dunums of land confiscated from Tur and Issawiyya villages.
The initial plan was suggested in 2009 by the Jerusalem Development Authority and the Israel Nature and National Parks. In April 2010 the District Committee for Planning and Building approved the project.
The District Committee held on Thursday a hearing session for two hours dealing with appeals against the project, during which the project was approved.
The initial plan was suggested in 2009 by the Jerusalem Development Authority and the Israel Nature and National Parks. In April 2010 the District Committee for Planning and Building approved the project.
The District Committee held on Thursday a hearing session for two hours dealing with appeals against the project, during which the project was approved.
15 nov 2013
Israel’s embassy to Italy recently announced the city of Bethlehem and other Palestinian sites among its list of Israeli tourist cities. The Israeli Tourism office published an announcement to organize a workshop in collaboration with several Israeli companies for Italian specialists in the field of tourism in Rome, stating that Israel has “a wide range of unique sites, such as the old port of Jaffa, Nazareth, Jerusalem Tiberias, Bethlehem, Capernaum, Masada, the Dead Sea, Fort Herod and the caves near Qumran…”
The director of the Israeli tourism office in the city of Milan, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the opening of the office in Italy, said that "tourism in Israel has become today quite innovative and renewable. It was not easy to imagine that 15 years ago."
The director of the Israeli tourism office in the city of Milan, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the opening of the office in Italy, said that "tourism in Israel has become today quite innovative and renewable. It was not easy to imagine that 15 years ago."
14 nov 2013
Arab member of Knesset Jamal Zahalka called on the Israeli government to refrain from legislating Prawer bill and to talk with the representatives of the Negev residents to find an equitable solution for them. "Negotiating a solution is possible, as shown in the alternative chart prepared by Oren Yiftachel in cooperation with the Regional Council for the Unrecognized Villages of Negev, which meets the demands of Arab Bedouins of the Negev without being prejudicial to or inconsistent with the national and district plans," he said.
Zahalka's comments came during a meeting of the Knesset's Interior Committee on Wednesday which discussed Prawer plan to prepare for its second and third reading.
He stressed that "acting unilaterally with force by expropriating hundreds of thousands of dunums of land and displacing tens of thousands from their homes will inevitably urge popular uprising; the Israeli government shall be held responsible for the consequences of such development, which can be avoided and prevented,"
The MK condemned the Israeli decision to establish Jewish towns in place of the Arab villages "the [Israeli] government demolishes the Arab villages and build others for the Jews; displace the Arab population and place Jews,"
He described the Israeli measures as 'racist and colonial', explaining that "when it comes to land, Israeli citizenship becomes valueless; the Zionist movement takes the stage by force of arms sometimes and sometimes by the force of law."
Zahalka's comments came during a meeting of the Knesset's Interior Committee on Wednesday which discussed Prawer plan to prepare for its second and third reading.
He stressed that "acting unilaterally with force by expropriating hundreds of thousands of dunums of land and displacing tens of thousands from their homes will inevitably urge popular uprising; the Israeli government shall be held responsible for the consequences of such development, which can be avoided and prevented,"
The MK condemned the Israeli decision to establish Jewish towns in place of the Arab villages "the [Israeli] government demolishes the Arab villages and build others for the Jews; displace the Arab population and place Jews,"
He described the Israeli measures as 'racist and colonial', explaining that "when it comes to land, Israeli citizenship becomes valueless; the Zionist movement takes the stage by force of arms sometimes and sometimes by the force of law."
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) entered southern Gaza Strip on Thursday morning and bulldozed land east of Khuza’a town to the east of Khan Younis city. Local sources told the PIC reporter that the soldiers escorted six bulldozers two hundred meters to the east of the town and started bulldozing cultivated land lots.
They said that IOF units had advanced into the same area on Wednesday morning for similar bulldozing of agricultural land, adding that reconnaissance planes were all the time hovering over the town and its vicinity.
They said that IOF units had advanced into the same area on Wednesday morning for similar bulldozing of agricultural land, adding that reconnaissance planes were all the time hovering over the town and its vicinity.
Israeli soldiers cut dozens of Palestinian olive trees close to the main road near Ya’bod village, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin.
The Maan News Agency has reported that the road links between Jenin and Tulkarem, and that the soldiers used chaises in cutting the trees, while dozens of soldiers and military jeeps were deployed in the area.
Residents in the area heard the chainsaws and noticed dozens of military vehicles deployed near the main road, while the army also fired flares that lit the entire area so that the soldiers can cut the trees.
Maan said that dozens of military vehicles were also deployed on the western entrance of Ya’bod, where the army installed an iron gate, a year ago, keeping the road sealed.
The army recently said it would be cutting all trees that are 20 meters close to the main road extending 3 kilometers from the Dotan military roadblock to Jericho area for what it explained as “security considerations”.
The Maan News Agency has reported that the road links between Jenin and Tulkarem, and that the soldiers used chaises in cutting the trees, while dozens of soldiers and military jeeps were deployed in the area.
Residents in the area heard the chainsaws and noticed dozens of military vehicles deployed near the main road, while the army also fired flares that lit the entire area so that the soldiers can cut the trees.
Maan said that dozens of military vehicles were also deployed on the western entrance of Ya’bod, where the army installed an iron gate, a year ago, keeping the road sealed.
The army recently said it would be cutting all trees that are 20 meters close to the main road extending 3 kilometers from the Dotan military roadblock to Jericho area for what it explained as “security considerations”.
12 nov 2013
Israeli Municipal crews have started on Sunday distributing demolition orders in Wadi Hilweh neighborhood south of al-Aqsa mosque as a prelude to implement the project " Kdam complex - Ir David - the old town Basin ", in the courtyard of the Mughrabi Gate entrance to the town of Silwan. The publications show that the project aims to establish a touristic building, which includes a park at the expense of the "national park", and to reveal an archaeological site.
The Local Committee in the Israeli municipality has asked any person affected by the project to appeal against it within 60 days, according to the publication. The appeal will not be accepted unless provided with reasons and attached documents to confirm it has been built with permit.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center confirmed that the project is built on an agricultural land adjacent to al-Aqsa mosque belonging to Silwan town. The land was occupied in 1967 and then confiscated and used as a parking lot in 2003. Elad settlement association has then taken control over it aiming to turn it into a settlement project.
Kdam complex is built on an area under which a number of Israeli tunnels have been dug between Ein Silwan and al-Buraq Wall, the center added.
In a related matter, Hamas movement has warned of implementing Kdam complex project, saying that it aims to confiscate more Palestinian lands adjacent to al-Aqsa mosque as a prelude to Judaize Islamic monuments in the area.
Hamas warned the occupation of implementing the Judaization project, considered it an attack on Islamic historical monuments dating back to the Mamluk and Abbasid era.
The movement stressed that the Israeli schemes will not succeed to blur Islamic monuments in occupied Jerusalem. It called on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and UNESCO to immediately intervene to put an end to Israeli violations against Islamic historical monuments.
It also called on PA to halt security coordination and negotiations as a response to the continued Israeli siege, crimes and attacks against Islamic monuments and holy sites.
The Local Committee in the Israeli municipality has asked any person affected by the project to appeal against it within 60 days, according to the publication. The appeal will not be accepted unless provided with reasons and attached documents to confirm it has been built with permit.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center confirmed that the project is built on an agricultural land adjacent to al-Aqsa mosque belonging to Silwan town. The land was occupied in 1967 and then confiscated and used as a parking lot in 2003. Elad settlement association has then taken control over it aiming to turn it into a settlement project.
Kdam complex is built on an area under which a number of Israeli tunnels have been dug between Ein Silwan and al-Buraq Wall, the center added.
In a related matter, Hamas movement has warned of implementing Kdam complex project, saying that it aims to confiscate more Palestinian lands adjacent to al-Aqsa mosque as a prelude to Judaize Islamic monuments in the area.
Hamas warned the occupation of implementing the Judaization project, considered it an attack on Islamic historical monuments dating back to the Mamluk and Abbasid era.
The movement stressed that the Israeli schemes will not succeed to blur Islamic monuments in occupied Jerusalem. It called on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and UNESCO to immediately intervene to put an end to Israeli violations against Islamic historical monuments.
It also called on PA to halt security coordination and negotiations as a response to the continued Israeli siege, crimes and attacks against Islamic monuments and holy sites.
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A rights organisation based in Israel has accused the government of promoting "racist" policies with its decision to establish a Jewish town in the place of a Bedouin village. The Israeli cabinet on Sunday approved the establishment of "two new communities in the Negev" desert in southern Israel, naming them as Kesif and Hiran.
According to Suhad Bishara, director of the land and planning unit at Israeli Arab rights group Adalah, "in order to build Hiran it will accelerate the demolition of the unrecognised Umm el-Hieran village in the Negev and evict its residents". Bishara charged that establishing new Jewish towns in the Negev while evicting the Bedouin residents showed that the government was motivated primarily by "racist policies" against Arab Bedouin citizens. |
The Israeli housing and construction ministry, which is responsible for implementing the programme, said that the accusations were unfounded.
"So far their claims have been rejected by different court panels and by a number of building and planning committees, each and every one of which ruled that there is nothing to these claims or to (Bedouin) claims of ownership of the land on which Hiran is to be built," ministry spokesman Ariel Rosenberg said in a written response to AFP news agency.
"So any claim of racism should be dismissed out of hand - the law is equal for everyone," he said.
A bill calling for the relocation of 30,000-40,000 Bedouin, the demolition of about 40 villages and confiscation of more than 70,000 hectares of Negev land was approved by the government in January and by parliament in a first reading in June.
The bill has to pass two more readings in parliament before becoming law.
"So far their claims have been rejected by different court panels and by a number of building and planning committees, each and every one of which ruled that there is nothing to these claims or to (Bedouin) claims of ownership of the land on which Hiran is to be built," ministry spokesman Ariel Rosenberg said in a written response to AFP news agency.
"So any claim of racism should be dismissed out of hand - the law is equal for everyone," he said.
A bill calling for the relocation of 30,000-40,000 Bedouin, the demolition of about 40 villages and confiscation of more than 70,000 hectares of Negev land was approved by the government in January and by parliament in a first reading in June.
The bill has to pass two more readings in parliament before becoming law.
The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) razed a number of houses in Beit Hanina town, north of occupied Jerusalem, on Tuesday morning for being built without permit. The Wadi Hilweh information center said in a press release that Israeli municipality bulldozers razed a number of Palestinian tin houses at an early hour on Tuesday morning.
It said that municipality teams had given the Kastero family, owners of the houses, on Monday only one day to evacuate and destroy their homes made of tin and plaster or the municipality bulldozers would do the job and levy its high cost on the family.
The center said that family members started to dismantle their homes yesterday but they were surprised at the presence of the municipality teams on Tuesday morning with police escort to raze their homes.
It said that two families of 17 members used to live in those caravans, adding that they were built at a cost of around 50,000 dollars.
In the same context, the IOA municipality served a demolition notice to a citizen also of the Kastero family in Beit Hanina that he should knock down a newly built 64-square -meter room at the pretext that it was built without permit.
Israeli forces demolish two residential caravans in Jerusalem
The Israeli bulldozers demolished on Tuesday morning two caravans belong to Kastero family in Beit Hanina town in the north of Jerusalem under the pretext of building without permit. Researcher at Wadi Hilwa Information Center Maysa Abu Ghazalah reported that large crews of Jerusalem municipality broke into the area to carry out the demolition order, pointing out that about 30 members live in the caravans.
She noted that the crews attacked the caravans and depicted pictures for them after giving short interval to the family to destroy their houses or they will act.
According to Abu Ghazallah, the occupation destroyed a residential building consisting of two floors, belongs to the same family. Since then, the family has been trying to issue a building permit.
Afif’s caravan was built on an area of 64m2 and cost NIS 100,000, While Ayman’s was built on 36m2 and cost NIS 70,000.
It said that municipality teams had given the Kastero family, owners of the houses, on Monday only one day to evacuate and destroy their homes made of tin and plaster or the municipality bulldozers would do the job and levy its high cost on the family.
The center said that family members started to dismantle their homes yesterday but they were surprised at the presence of the municipality teams on Tuesday morning with police escort to raze their homes.
It said that two families of 17 members used to live in those caravans, adding that they were built at a cost of around 50,000 dollars.
In the same context, the IOA municipality served a demolition notice to a citizen also of the Kastero family in Beit Hanina that he should knock down a newly built 64-square -meter room at the pretext that it was built without permit.
Israeli forces demolish two residential caravans in Jerusalem
The Israeli bulldozers demolished on Tuesday morning two caravans belong to Kastero family in Beit Hanina town in the north of Jerusalem under the pretext of building without permit. Researcher at Wadi Hilwa Information Center Maysa Abu Ghazalah reported that large crews of Jerusalem municipality broke into the area to carry out the demolition order, pointing out that about 30 members live in the caravans.
She noted that the crews attacked the caravans and depicted pictures for them after giving short interval to the family to destroy their houses or they will act.
According to Abu Ghazallah, the occupation destroyed a residential building consisting of two floors, belongs to the same family. Since then, the family has been trying to issue a building permit.
Afif’s caravan was built on an area of 64m2 and cost NIS 100,000, While Ayman’s was built on 36m2 and cost NIS 70,000.
Armed Jewish settlers bulldozed cultivated land lots in Qaryut village, south of Nablus, at noon Monday. Village sources told the PIC that the settlers were paving the way for annexing those land lots to their settlements established on Palestinian land in Qaryut and other nearby villages.
They said that the armed settlers closed the village’s main road and started bulldozing the land while threatening any Palestinian citizen trying to approach the area.
Qaryut is the target of semi daily attacks on the part of settlers under protection of Israeli occupation forces in a bid to annex more of its land to nearby settlements.
They said that the armed settlers closed the village’s main road and started bulldozing the land while threatening any Palestinian citizen trying to approach the area.
Qaryut is the target of semi daily attacks on the part of settlers under protection of Israeli occupation forces in a bid to annex more of its land to nearby settlements.
11 nov 2013
Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) approved the demolition of a Bedouin village Wadi Hayran in Negev, in the southern occupied territories in order to establish a religious Jewish settlement, Hebrew media sources revealed. The government has given the green light for the construction of two new settlements, Kasif and Hiran, at the expense of an Arab village, whose residents appealed to the Supreme Court against their eviction, Haaretz Hebrew newspaper said.
The newspaper pointed out that the Israeli decision to establish Hiran settlement with three other Jewish communities were submitted since 2002.
The settlement is speculated to host religious settlers as well as a number of secular families, according to Haaretz.
The Israeli decision came as part of the Prawer Plan that aims to displace between 30,000 and 50,000 Palestinian Bedouins, destroy approximately 40 villages and confiscate over 850,000 dunums of land.
The newspaper pointed out that the Israeli decision to establish Hiran settlement with three other Jewish communities were submitted since 2002.
The settlement is speculated to host religious settlers as well as a number of secular families, according to Haaretz.
The Israeli decision came as part of the Prawer Plan that aims to displace between 30,000 and 50,000 Palestinian Bedouins, destroy approximately 40 villages and confiscate over 850,000 dunums of land.