28 oct 2013
The Israeli ministry of construction and housing revealed that it was planning to build five new settlements in the Negev area between Beersheba and Dimona. The ministry said on Monday that the plan would be tabled with the government within the few coming days for endorsement.
It said that the plan falls in line with a bigger scheme to upgrade districts, noting that the five settlements were named although the government did not yet endorse the plan.
The Israeli parliament has passed the Prawer law in its first reading stipulating, among other things, the displacement of 40,000 Arab Bedouins from the Negev, the demolition of dozens of Arab villages, and the confiscation of 800,000 dunums of Arab land.
It said that the plan falls in line with a bigger scheme to upgrade districts, noting that the five settlements were named although the government did not yet endorse the plan.
The Israeli parliament has passed the Prawer law in its first reading stipulating, among other things, the displacement of 40,000 Arab Bedouins from the Negev, the demolition of dozens of Arab villages, and the confiscation of 800,000 dunums of Arab land.
Israeli soldiers invaded Jabal Al-Mokabber area, south of occupied East Jerusalem, and demolished two rooms and a shed that belongs to a Palestinian resident.
The Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA) has reported that the two demolished rooms were approximately 100 square/meters, topped with tin roofs, and have been inhabited by Mousa Shqeirat, and his four family members since the year 2000.
WAFA added that dozens of soldiers invaded the area after declaring it a closed military zone, and demolished the two rooms and a shed.
The family said they will remain in their land, despite the ongoing Israeli aggression and attempts to remove them, and that they intend to install a tent to shelter themselves during the upcoming winter season.
Israel’s home demolition policies targeted dozens of thousands of homes and property in different parts of occupied Palestine, including in occupied Jerusalem, since Israel illegally occupied the rest of Palestine in 1967.
Home demolition is illegal under International Law as they are forms of collective punishment that affects the Palestinian families, especially the children.
Israel demolished more than 27.000 Palestinian homes in the occupied territories since 1967.
Israeli soldiers destroyed and demolished some 4.170 Palestinian homes in the period between September 2000, when the Second Palestinian Intifada started, and November of 2004.
The Israeli Committee Against Home Demolitions (ICAHD) has reported that following the six-day war in June 1967, Israel started practicing a range of policies leading to the displacement of more than 160.000 Palestinians, in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
The year 2011 witnessed the largest number of home demolitions as Israeli soldiers demolished nearly 622 structures, leaving at least 222 families (roughly 1094 Palestinians) homeless.
The Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA) has reported that the two demolished rooms were approximately 100 square/meters, topped with tin roofs, and have been inhabited by Mousa Shqeirat, and his four family members since the year 2000.
WAFA added that dozens of soldiers invaded the area after declaring it a closed military zone, and demolished the two rooms and a shed.
The family said they will remain in their land, despite the ongoing Israeli aggression and attempts to remove them, and that they intend to install a tent to shelter themselves during the upcoming winter season.
Israel’s home demolition policies targeted dozens of thousands of homes and property in different parts of occupied Palestine, including in occupied Jerusalem, since Israel illegally occupied the rest of Palestine in 1967.
Home demolition is illegal under International Law as they are forms of collective punishment that affects the Palestinian families, especially the children.
Israel demolished more than 27.000 Palestinian homes in the occupied territories since 1967.
Israeli soldiers destroyed and demolished some 4.170 Palestinian homes in the period between September 2000, when the Second Palestinian Intifada started, and November of 2004.
The Israeli Committee Against Home Demolitions (ICAHD) has reported that following the six-day war in June 1967, Israel started practicing a range of policies leading to the displacement of more than 160.000 Palestinians, in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
The year 2011 witnessed the largest number of home demolitions as Israeli soldiers demolished nearly 622 structures, leaving at least 222 families (roughly 1094 Palestinians) homeless.
27 oct 2013
Israeli forces and municipality personnel stormed on Sunday Silwan town in Jerusalem and handed over four demolishing orders to four Palestinian families under the pretext of building without permit. According to Wadi Hilweh Information Center, the Israeli troops handed over the demolishing orders to the families of : Syiam, Ghaith, Awidah, and al-Taweel.
Siyam family said that their 50m² -house was built in 1990s while seven members are living in it. Ghaith family said their house, which is only 65m² inhabited by seven persons, was also built in 1990s.
Al-Taweel family were delivered the demolishing order because they added two meters to their shop which was built in 1970s.
Locals said that the municipality personnel took photos for several houses in the neighborhood in addition to entrances of the town.
Siyam family said that their 50m² -house was built in 1990s while seven members are living in it. Ghaith family said their house, which is only 65m² inhabited by seven persons, was also built in 1990s.
Al-Taweel family were delivered the demolishing order because they added two meters to their shop which was built in 1970s.
Locals said that the municipality personnel took photos for several houses in the neighborhood in addition to entrances of the town.
Israeli bulldozers razed Palestinian agricultural lands in the village of Jalud south of Nablus on Sunday morning, a Palestinian official said.
Ghassan Daghlas, who monitors settler activities in the northern West Bank, said that Israeli forces bulldozed the land due to their proximity to the two Israeli settlements of Shiloh and Shvut Rachel.
Settlers had been bulldozing lands in the Ras Mwaies area south of Jalud village since the early morning, Daghlas said.
The Israeli forces plan to expand the nearby Israeli settlements on the destroyed Palestinian fields, he added.
The razed lands belong to the Palestinian villagers of Tawfiq Abdullah al-Haj Mohammad as well as Mohammad and Ahmad Abed al-Rahim Hajj Mohammad.
An Israeli army spokeswoman did not return calls seeking comment.
The internationally recognized Palestinian territories of which the West Bank forms a part have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
More than 500,000 Israeli settlers live in settlements across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, in contravention of international law.
Ghassan Daghlas, who monitors settler activities in the northern West Bank, said that Israeli forces bulldozed the land due to their proximity to the two Israeli settlements of Shiloh and Shvut Rachel.
Settlers had been bulldozing lands in the Ras Mwaies area south of Jalud village since the early morning, Daghlas said.
The Israeli forces plan to expand the nearby Israeli settlements on the destroyed Palestinian fields, he added.
The razed lands belong to the Palestinian villagers of Tawfiq Abdullah al-Haj Mohammad as well as Mohammad and Ahmad Abed al-Rahim Hajj Mohammad.
An Israeli army spokeswoman did not return calls seeking comment.
The internationally recognized Palestinian territories of which the West Bank forms a part have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
More than 500,000 Israeli settlers live in settlements across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, in contravention of international law.
24 oct 2013
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) nabbed two Palestinians from villages east of Bethlehem on Thursday and served demolition notifications in Al-Khalil. Local sources told the PIC reporter that IOF soldiers arrested a 23-year-old youth in Obaidiya village after searching many homes.
IOF patrols in nearby Taku village arrested another young man after searching his family home.
Meanwhile, citizens in Shuyukh village, east of Al-Khalil city, said that IOF soldiers served demolition notifications to a number of houses that are still under construction.
The notifications said that a court hearing would be held on 10 November to decide on the case as the houses were built without permit in areas under Israel’s full control as stipulated in the Olso accords.
Citizens said that IOF had already served demolition notices to dozens of homes built on the outskirts of the village.
IOF patrols in nearby Taku village arrested another young man after searching his family home.
Meanwhile, citizens in Shuyukh village, east of Al-Khalil city, said that IOF soldiers served demolition notifications to a number of houses that are still under construction.
The notifications said that a court hearing would be held on 10 November to decide on the case as the houses were built without permit in areas under Israel’s full control as stipulated in the Olso accords.
Citizens said that IOF had already served demolition notices to dozens of homes built on the outskirts of the village.
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) escorted four huge bulldozers into eastern Breij refugee camp in central Gaza Strip on Thursday morning and damaged land adjacent to the border fence. Palestinian security sources told the PIC reporter that the IOF-escorted bulldozers advanced 150 meters from the borderline.
They said that the bulldozers leveled land north and south of an adjacent Israeli army position before evacuating the site.
They said that the bulldozers leveled land north and south of an adjacent Israeli army position before evacuating the site.
22 oct 2013
Israeli forces temporarily displaced 17 Palestinian families from their dwellings in Burj al-Mayta and al-Baziq neighborhoods in the northern Jordan Valley late Monday night and Tuesday morning for military drills in the area, a local official said.
The mayor of al-Malih and the Bedouin dwellings in the northern Jordan Valley, Aref Daraghmeh, said that eight families were evacuated Monday night in al-Baziq and nine families were evacuated Tuesday morning in Burj al-Mayta.
He explained that the residents and their livestock were left homeless for the period of the evacuation.
Israeli forces, added Daraghmah, started a military drill in Burj al-Mayta early Tuesday which will last until the evening.
Large numbers of military tanks and armored vehicles partook in the maneuvers using live ammunition.
Around 94 percent of the Jordan Valley and Dead Sea area is off limits to Palestinian use and development. More than 500,000 Israeli settlers live in settlements across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, in contravention of international law.
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 mayor of al-Malih and the Bedouin dwellings in the northern Jordan Valley, Aref Daraghmeh, said that eight families were evacuated Monday night in al-Baziq and nine families were evacuated Tuesday morning in Burj al-Mayta.
He explained that the residents and their livestock were left homeless for the period of the evacuation.
Israeli forces, added Daraghmah, started a military drill in Burj al-Mayta early Tuesday which will last until the evening.
Large numbers of military tanks and armored vehicles partook in the maneuvers using live ammunition.
Around 94 percent of the Jordan Valley and Dead Sea area is off limits to Palestinian use and development. More than 500,000 Israeli settlers live in settlements across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, in contravention of international law.
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.
Palestinian sources have reported that several Palestinians have been injured by Israeli army fire, on Monday night after midnight, while others have been kidnapped, after Israeli soldiers invaded Abu Dis town, east of occupied Jerusalem, and demolished an under construction building.
The sources said that the soldiers kidnapped several Palestinian youths, including a number of students of the Al-Quds University, while dozens have been treated for the effects of teargas inhalation, in addition to several residents who were shot by rubber-coated metal bullets.
Hani Halabiyya, spokesperson of the Popular Resistance Committee, told the Maan News Agency that several Israeli military jeeps and armored bulldozers invaded Abu Dis and started demolishing an under construction building that belong to residents Ashraf Abu Sneina and Mo’taz Bader.
The destruction of the property led to clashes with dozens of local youths near the demolished building located close to the campus of the Al-Quds University. The clashes lasted until early morning hours.
Halabiyya said that the demolished structure is a two-story building, one residential and one commercial, and that the owners received a warning last June, in which Israel alleged the construction was not licensed.
He added that the army also demolished a wall surrounding the home of resident Ammar Salama, in the same area.
Maan said that two of the kidnapped Palestinians have been identified as Amro Erekat and Ismael Halabiyya. The kidnapped residents are from Abu Dis and Al-Ezariyya.
It added that, driving a Palestinian car, undercover soldiers of the Israeli army infiltrated the area where clashes took place with the army, and kidnapped the Palestinians after violently beating them.
Soldiers fired several gas bombs, rubber-coated metal bullets, and concussion grenades, targeting the protesters, homes and the University campus causing fires in several trees.
Clashes in Abu Dis following Israeli house demolition
Clashes broke out overnight Monday and continued into Tuesday morning after Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian home in the Jerusalem town of Abu Dis, locals said.
Israeli bulldozers accompanied by over 30 military vehicles surrounded the home, located near Al-Quds University, before demolishing the two-story property on the pretext that it was unlicensed.
The home belonged to the Abu Snainah and Bader families.
Israeli forces issued a demolition order for the property in June, locals said.
Palestinian youths clashed with Israeli forces following the demolition, with soldiers firing tear gas and rubber-coated steel bullets.
The clashes continued into Tuesday morning, with Israeli forces closing the main roads leading to the demolished property and declaring it a closed military zone.
The administration of Al-Quds University suspended classes on Tuesday after Israeli forces closed off the area. Another two schools in Abu Dis were also forced to suspend classes due to the presence of Israeli military forces.
Israeli forces detained at least four people during the clashes, locals said. Amro Erekat and Ismael Halbiya were detained and assaulted by Israeli undercover officers, witnesses said.
Israel has destroyed more than 500 Palestinian properties in the West Bank and mostly East Jerusalem since the beginning of this year, displacing 862 people, according to OCHA.
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 sources said that the soldiers kidnapped several Palestinian youths, including a number of students of the Al-Quds University, while dozens have been treated for the effects of teargas inhalation, in addition to several residents who were shot by rubber-coated metal bullets.
Hani Halabiyya, spokesperson of the Popular Resistance Committee, told the Maan News Agency that several Israeli military jeeps and armored bulldozers invaded Abu Dis and started demolishing an under construction building that belong to residents Ashraf Abu Sneina and Mo’taz Bader.
The destruction of the property led to clashes with dozens of local youths near the demolished building located close to the campus of the Al-Quds University. The clashes lasted until early morning hours.
Halabiyya said that the demolished structure is a two-story building, one residential and one commercial, and that the owners received a warning last June, in which Israel alleged the construction was not licensed.
He added that the army also demolished a wall surrounding the home of resident Ammar Salama, in the same area.
Maan said that two of the kidnapped Palestinians have been identified as Amro Erekat and Ismael Halabiyya. The kidnapped residents are from Abu Dis and Al-Ezariyya.
It added that, driving a Palestinian car, undercover soldiers of the Israeli army infiltrated the area where clashes took place with the army, and kidnapped the Palestinians after violently beating them.
Soldiers fired several gas bombs, rubber-coated metal bullets, and concussion grenades, targeting the protesters, homes and the University campus causing fires in several trees.
Clashes in Abu Dis following Israeli house demolition
Clashes broke out overnight Monday and continued into Tuesday morning after Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian home in the Jerusalem town of Abu Dis, locals said.
Israeli bulldozers accompanied by over 30 military vehicles surrounded the home, located near Al-Quds University, before demolishing the two-story property on the pretext that it was unlicensed.
The home belonged to the Abu Snainah and Bader families.
Israeli forces issued a demolition order for the property in June, locals said.
Palestinian youths clashed with Israeli forces following the demolition, with soldiers firing tear gas and rubber-coated steel bullets.
The clashes continued into Tuesday morning, with Israeli forces closing the main roads leading to the demolished property and declaring it a closed military zone.
The administration of Al-Quds University suspended classes on Tuesday after Israeli forces closed off the area. Another two schools in Abu Dis were also forced to suspend classes due to the presence of Israeli military forces.
Israeli forces detained at least four people during the clashes, locals said. Amro Erekat and Ismael Halbiya were detained and assaulted by Israeli undercover officers, witnesses said.
Israel has destroyed more than 500 Palestinian properties in the West Bank and mostly East Jerusalem since the beginning of this year, displacing 862 people, according to OCHA.
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 number of armored Israeli military vehicles invaded areas in the northern and central parts of the besieged Gaza Strip, and fired dozens of rounds of live ammunition before uprooting Palestinian farmlands.
Local sources have reported that two armored military bulldozers, and two tanks, advanced dozens of meters into Palestinian farmlands close to the border fence, bulldozed them, and set grass ablaze to clear the area.
Furthermore, three armored military vehicles invaded an area east of Deir Al-Balah, in central Gaza, bulldozed and uprooted farmlands also close to the border fence.
The invasion is part of a series of limited invasion carried out by the military, especially after the army uncovered a tunnel connecting Gaza with a settlement across the border area.
Earlier on Tuesday, soldiers shot and dead a Palestinian fighter of the Islamic Jihad, after surrounding him in a cave near the central West Bank city of Ramallah. The fighter was killed after a gun battle with the soldiers.
Israel claimed the fighter is behind an attack in Tel Aviv that led to the injury of 29 Israelis.
The Israeli Internal Security Service said that the fighter, Mohammad Al-‘Aasy, was repeated imprisoned, and was released later on, but remained “a person of interest”.
Local sources in the nearby Kufur Ni’ma and Ni’lin villages, have reported that the army invaded the two villages and completely sealed the area.
Clashes have been reported, while several residents, including a four-month old infant, have been treated for the effects of teargas inhalation after the army fired gas bombs at random, hitting several homes.
Local sources have reported that two armored military bulldozers, and two tanks, advanced dozens of meters into Palestinian farmlands close to the border fence, bulldozed them, and set grass ablaze to clear the area.
Furthermore, three armored military vehicles invaded an area east of Deir Al-Balah, in central Gaza, bulldozed and uprooted farmlands also close to the border fence.
The invasion is part of a series of limited invasion carried out by the military, especially after the army uncovered a tunnel connecting Gaza with a settlement across the border area.
Earlier on Tuesday, soldiers shot and dead a Palestinian fighter of the Islamic Jihad, after surrounding him in a cave near the central West Bank city of Ramallah. The fighter was killed after a gun battle with the soldiers.
Israel claimed the fighter is behind an attack in Tel Aviv that led to the injury of 29 Israelis.
The Israeli Internal Security Service said that the fighter, Mohammad Al-‘Aasy, was repeated imprisoned, and was released later on, but remained “a person of interest”.
Local sources in the nearby Kufur Ni’ma and Ni’lin villages, have reported that the army invaded the two villages and completely sealed the area.
Clashes have been reported, while several residents, including a four-month old infant, have been treated for the effects of teargas inhalation after the army fired gas bombs at random, hitting several homes.
21 oct 2013
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Monday morning carried out a small-scale incursion into the eastern area of Deir Al-Balah district in the central Gaza Strip and bulldozed agricultural lands. Local sources told the Palestinian information center (PIC) that some Israeli military vehicles and bulldozers moved out of Kissufim military post and advanced towards Wadi Al-Salqa to the east of Deir Al-Balah.
They added that the invading troops fired smoke projectiles before embarking on leveling vast tracts of agricultural land.
They added that the invading troops fired smoke projectiles before embarking on leveling vast tracts of agricultural land.
19 oct 2013
A group of armed extremist Israeli settlers illegally occupied 20 Dunams (4.94 Acres) of Palestinian lands that belong to residents of Aseera Al-Qebliyya village, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus. Ghassan Daghlas, in charge of Israeli Settlements File at the Palestinian Authority in the northern part of the West Bank, has reported that the settlers fenced the lands and started leveling and bulldozing them.
He added that the settlers also installed a number of electric poles. The lands belong to residents Issa Suleiman Makhlouf, and Mohammad Suleiman Makhlouf.
On Friday evening, Israeli soldiers kidnapped one resident identified as Mustafa Saleh Qabha, 43, from Toura Al-Gharbiyya village, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin.
His family said that the soldiers invaded their orchard, near the Annexation Wall, as family members were picking their olive trees, and kidnapped him before taking him to an unknown destination.
He added that the settlers also installed a number of electric poles. The lands belong to residents Issa Suleiman Makhlouf, and Mohammad Suleiman Makhlouf.
On Friday evening, Israeli soldiers kidnapped one resident identified as Mustafa Saleh Qabha, 43, from Toura Al-Gharbiyya village, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin.
His family said that the soldiers invaded their orchard, near the Annexation Wall, as family members were picking their olive trees, and kidnapped him before taking him to an unknown destination.
15 oct 2013
Israeli occupation forces stormed on Monday afternoon Wadi Maleh in the Northern Jordan Valley, and notified 9 Bedouin families to evacuate their homes on Tuesday, first day of Eid al-Adha, under the pretext of military exercises. Council of Wadi al-Maleh village and Bedouin community denounced such notifications that target the citizens in the Jordan Valley.
Head of the council Aref Daraghmeh said in a press statement that the occupation notified nine families from the areas of al-Borj and al-Maita to leave their tents and homes on Tuesday before midday.
Under the notifications, 70 people, including 35 children, will be displaced from their lands.
Head of the council Aref Daraghmeh said in a press statement that the occupation notified nine families from the areas of al-Borj and al-Maita to leave their tents and homes on Tuesday before midday.
Under the notifications, 70 people, including 35 children, will be displaced from their lands.
14 oct 2013
Israel refuses to evacuate the illegal settlement of Amoneh, which was constructed on a private land belonging to residents from Silwad village, east of Ramallah.
Following an appeal submitted by the Palestinian land's owners, the Israeli court ruled for the evacuation of the settlement in 2008. Five years later, the Israeli government still refuses to evacuate it.
Israeli prosecution claimed that evacuation in this period might negatively affect Israel's political interests.
Following an appeal submitted by the Palestinian land's owners, the Israeli court ruled for the evacuation of the settlement in 2008. Five years later, the Israeli government still refuses to evacuate it.
Israeli prosecution claimed that evacuation in this period might negatively affect Israel's political interests.
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Villagers in Khirbat Zanuta
The Israeli High Court is set to rule on the forced expulsion of all of the residents of the village of Khirbat Zanuta, southwest of Hebron in the southern West Bank on Monday. The decision comes five years after the initial order was made by the court to demolish the village. That decision was put on hold when an appeal was filed on behalf of the villagers by the Association for Civil Rights in Israel. According to the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, “Last year, a Jewish expansionist organization named Regavim succeeded in reviving the case by filing an amicus-curia request; soon thereafter, the state submitted its |
full response to the petition. In April 2012, the Civil Administration issued additional demolition orders for new structures in the village, including several cisterns (ACRI is arguing that objections to the new orders should be joined to the original petition, but the Civil Administration disagrees). The Supreme Court heard additional arguments on July 30, 2012. During the hearing, the justices delivered harsh criticism of the State for its intent to demolish the village without suggesting a solution for its residents.”
But the decision on Monday is expected to result in the forced expulsion of all of the village's inhabitants, who have lived on the land of their ancestors for as long as they can remember. They consider themselves stewards of the ancient archaeological site on which they live and tend their sheep, and have prevented any looting or destruction of artifacts on the site.
The Zionist organization Regavim that managed to revive the demolition order on the village had a quick response time from the court. The Israeli daily Ha'aretz reports that the organization has a “cozy relationship with the authorities”, according to its Director Bezalel Smotrich, who told the settler website Hakol Hayehudi on July 31, 2012, “Another parameter of the success of Regavim's activities is the treatment by authorities in the establishment. Among the ranks in the field and in a lot of departments of the Interior Ministry, Israel Land Administration, the Justice Ministry and more, they view Regavim as a positive factor that is coming to their aid to steel them against the pressure they receive from the left. Most of them are good people, idealistic people... happy for the counter-pressure we exercise after years in which they absorbed so much heat in the form of pressure and letters from left-wing organizations.”
The inhabitants of Khirbat Zanuta are shepherds, who have traditionally lived in caves and structures around the cave entrances. The village is located in what Israel calls 'Area C', a designation created under the Oslo Accords in 1993 for land that was to temporarily remain under Israeli civil administration control, but should have been transitioned to Palestinian rule within five years. That never happened, and all of the areas designated as 'Area C' in 1993 remain under full Israeli control today – most of the 500,000 Israeli settlers that have taken over land in the West Bank in the twenty years since that designation have moved into 'Area C'.
According to the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, “
The case of Zanuta is demonstrative of the Israeli government’s planning policy as it relates to the Palestinians in Area C, in which actions as severe as the destruction of basic humanitarian structures are justified by an absurd Catch 22 that penalizes residents for failing to apply for a permit they could never have been granted. If these demolition orders are carried out, the residents of Zanuta will be stripped of their most basic humanitarian rights: shelter, water, and livelihood, not to mention dignity, culture, and way of life. As an occupying power in Area C, Israel is bound by international law to protect the indigenous community. The case exemplifies a policy of demolishing buildings in Palestinian villages that removes indigenous peoples from their lands in absolute violation of the international law which protects them.”
But the decision on Monday is expected to result in the forced expulsion of all of the village's inhabitants, who have lived on the land of their ancestors for as long as they can remember. They consider themselves stewards of the ancient archaeological site on which they live and tend their sheep, and have prevented any looting or destruction of artifacts on the site.
The Zionist organization Regavim that managed to revive the demolition order on the village had a quick response time from the court. The Israeli daily Ha'aretz reports that the organization has a “cozy relationship with the authorities”, according to its Director Bezalel Smotrich, who told the settler website Hakol Hayehudi on July 31, 2012, “Another parameter of the success of Regavim's activities is the treatment by authorities in the establishment. Among the ranks in the field and in a lot of departments of the Interior Ministry, Israel Land Administration, the Justice Ministry and more, they view Regavim as a positive factor that is coming to their aid to steel them against the pressure they receive from the left. Most of them are good people, idealistic people... happy for the counter-pressure we exercise after years in which they absorbed so much heat in the form of pressure and letters from left-wing organizations.”
The inhabitants of Khirbat Zanuta are shepherds, who have traditionally lived in caves and structures around the cave entrances. The village is located in what Israel calls 'Area C', a designation created under the Oslo Accords in 1993 for land that was to temporarily remain under Israeli civil administration control, but should have been transitioned to Palestinian rule within five years. That never happened, and all of the areas designated as 'Area C' in 1993 remain under full Israeli control today – most of the 500,000 Israeli settlers that have taken over land in the West Bank in the twenty years since that designation have moved into 'Area C'.
According to the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, “
The case of Zanuta is demonstrative of the Israeli government’s planning policy as it relates to the Palestinians in Area C, in which actions as severe as the destruction of basic humanitarian structures are justified by an absurd Catch 22 that penalizes residents for failing to apply for a permit they could never have been granted. If these demolition orders are carried out, the residents of Zanuta will be stripped of their most basic humanitarian rights: shelter, water, and livelihood, not to mention dignity, culture, and way of life. As an occupying power in Area C, Israel is bound by international law to protect the indigenous community. The case exemplifies a policy of demolishing buildings in Palestinian villages that removes indigenous peoples from their lands in absolute violation of the international law which protects them.”
13 oct 2013
Israeli forces told seven families in the Tubas district village of al-Malih in the Northern West Bank that they would have to evacuate their homes on Monday, the first day of Eid al-Adha, a local official told Ma'an Sunday.
Israeli soldiers notified the families that the army would be conducting military drills in the area from 5 p.m. Monday to 3 p.m. Tuesday, al-Malih mayor Arif Daraghmeh said.
A spokesperson for the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories could not be reached for comment.
Daraghmeh said that the Israeli occupation had "spoiled the families' plans to celebrate Eid al-Adha," remarking that the families would be "homeless" on the first day of the holiday.
Eid al-Adha - literally, Feast of the Sacrifice - is one of the most important holidays on the Muslim calender. It is traditionally marked by slaughtering sheep and other animals, commemorating Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God's will.
Israeli soldiers notified the families that the army would be conducting military drills in the area from 5 p.m. Monday to 3 p.m. Tuesday, al-Malih mayor Arif Daraghmeh said.
A spokesperson for the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories could not be reached for comment.
Daraghmeh said that the Israeli occupation had "spoiled the families' plans to celebrate Eid al-Adha," remarking that the families would be "homeless" on the first day of the holiday.
Eid al-Adha - literally, Feast of the Sacrifice - is one of the most important holidays on the Muslim calender. It is traditionally marked by slaughtering sheep and other animals, commemorating Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God's will.
The Israeli forces handed over ,on Sunday morning, seven eviction notices to Palestinian families in Wadi Bazeeq in the Jordan Valley under the pretext of holding military maneuver . Aref Daraghmah, the head of Bedouin community council, said that Israeli troops stormed the citizen’s tents and informed them to evacuate the tents starting from Monday.
“The occupation used false pretences to deport Palestinians from their lands and to erase the Palestinian existence in the Jordan Valley,” he added.
Palestinians in the Jordan Valley were subject to several vicious campaigns by Israeli forces, the most recent is the demolishing of Khirbet Makhoul for four times in one month.
“The occupation used false pretences to deport Palestinians from their lands and to erase the Palestinian existence in the Jordan Valley,” he added.
Palestinians in the Jordan Valley were subject to several vicious campaigns by Israeli forces, the most recent is the demolishing of Khirbet Makhoul for four times in one month.
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Palestinians face losing their home because of Israel's tunnelling in Jerusalem's Old City. Israeli authorities released order to destroy the homes because of the danger of collapse.
But the Palestinians, who do not have any alternative accommodation, are remaining in their homes in the fear that they will be left homeless. |
9 oct 2013
Landowners from Zaatara village east of Bethlehem entered their lands in Jab al-Theeb area for the first time in 13 years after it was closed by the Israeli army, a human rights organization said.
Yesh Din lawyer Mohammad Shqeir told Ma’an that the Israeli civil administration declared last week that landowners could enter into the 10 dunams of their 500-dunam lands that are planted with olive trees.
However, farmers and volunteers managed to enter into all the land and plant seeds there, Shqeir said.
The land was fenced off by settlers but Yesh Din made an appeal to Israeli authorities in 2009 to remove the fence and allow its owners in, Shqeir added.
Yesh Din lawyer Mohammad Shqeir told Ma’an that the Israeli civil administration declared last week that landowners could enter into the 10 dunams of their 500-dunam lands that are planted with olive trees.
However, farmers and volunteers managed to enter into all the land and plant seeds there, Shqeir said.
The land was fenced off by settlers but Yesh Din made an appeal to Israeli authorities in 2009 to remove the fence and allow its owners in, Shqeir added.
8 oct 2013
The Israeli civil administration of the West Bank was planning the expropriation of hundreds of dunums of Palestinian land in Al-Khalil to expand a settlement outpost. Hebrew daily Ha’aretz said on Tuesday that the civil administration was planning to curtail the area of a natural sanctuary south of Al-Khalil mountain and award hundreds of dunums to a small settlement outpost that was built there in 1998.
The paper said that the outpost is inhabited by 30 Jewish families and was not recognized before as a settlement until a number of rightist leaders started last year to pressure the government to legitimize it.
It recalled that the commander of the Israeli army’s central region Nitzan Alon signed a military order allowing the outpost to annex 240 dunums of that sanctuary’s land.
It said that the administration’s planning and construction committee was waiting for the Israeli cabinet approval in order to start implementing the order.
West Bank nature reserve to be reduced to expand settlement
The Israeli Civil Administration is going to reduce the size of a nature reserve in the South Hebron Hills in he West Bank to enable the expansion of the settlement of Negohot and the legalization of a nearby outpost, Israeli Haaretz newspaper reported. Negohot was established in 1998, and for years it had no authorized master plan that would enable legal construction. Nevertheless, houses were built there, and the settlement is currently home to some 30 families.
Later an outpost was built on a nearby hill, and even though it has been served with an order that would enable its immediate evacuation, a few more families are living there.
Another outpost was built across the road, in the Nahal Negohot nature reserve, consisting of one house and a few grapevines. The Civil Administration razed the house in 2009, but it has since been rebuilt and the administration has taken no further action.
Over the past year, due to political pressure from the right, work has begun to legalize Negohot and its outposts. In May, Central Command chief Nitzan Alon signed an order that defined the settlement’s boundaries for the first time; these boundaries include 240 dunams (59 acres) of the nature reserve.
Negohot is now working on a master plan that would legalize its existing houses and allow additional units to be built, both in the main settlement and in the nature reserve.
Documents and testimony obtained by Haaretz show that the Civil Administration is seriously considering this plan, which would effectively shrink the nature reserve to permit construction. The plan was recently presented to planning professionals at a meeting convened by the administration’s planning office, and the experts are now studying it. Once they issue their recommendation, the matter will be forwarded to senior administration officials for a decision.
The paper said that the outpost is inhabited by 30 Jewish families and was not recognized before as a settlement until a number of rightist leaders started last year to pressure the government to legitimize it.
It recalled that the commander of the Israeli army’s central region Nitzan Alon signed a military order allowing the outpost to annex 240 dunums of that sanctuary’s land.
It said that the administration’s planning and construction committee was waiting for the Israeli cabinet approval in order to start implementing the order.
West Bank nature reserve to be reduced to expand settlement
The Israeli Civil Administration is going to reduce the size of a nature reserve in the South Hebron Hills in he West Bank to enable the expansion of the settlement of Negohot and the legalization of a nearby outpost, Israeli Haaretz newspaper reported. Negohot was established in 1998, and for years it had no authorized master plan that would enable legal construction. Nevertheless, houses were built there, and the settlement is currently home to some 30 families.
Later an outpost was built on a nearby hill, and even though it has been served with an order that would enable its immediate evacuation, a few more families are living there.
Another outpost was built across the road, in the Nahal Negohot nature reserve, consisting of one house and a few grapevines. The Civil Administration razed the house in 2009, but it has since been rebuilt and the administration has taken no further action.
Over the past year, due to political pressure from the right, work has begun to legalize Negohot and its outposts. In May, Central Command chief Nitzan Alon signed an order that defined the settlement’s boundaries for the first time; these boundaries include 240 dunams (59 acres) of the nature reserve.
Negohot is now working on a master plan that would legalize its existing houses and allow additional units to be built, both in the main settlement and in the nature reserve.
Documents and testimony obtained by Haaretz show that the Civil Administration is seriously considering this plan, which would effectively shrink the nature reserve to permit construction. The plan was recently presented to planning professionals at a meeting convened by the administration’s planning office, and the experts are now studying it. Once they issue their recommendation, the matter will be forwarded to senior administration officials for a decision.
The Israeli occupation forces notified, on Tuesday, citizens in the district of Shweikeh north of Tulkarem to stop the construction work in seven houses, under the pretext of their proximity to the Israeli Apartheid wall built on the town lands since 2003.
The citizen Ayman Mahdawi, owner of one of these houses, told PIC's correspondent: "I received this morning a notice to stop the construction of my house." He said he has started building the house since 2010 and he was surprised by the decision of the occupation forces that claimed that his house will form a danger to the region. The notifications include seven houses, and come in an attempt to prevent the citizens from reaching their lands located behind the Apartheid wall.
The citizen Ayman Mahdawi, owner of one of these houses, told PIC's correspondent: "I received this morning a notice to stop the construction of my house." He said he has started building the house since 2010 and he was surprised by the decision of the occupation forces that claimed that his house will form a danger to the region. The notifications include seven houses, and come in an attempt to prevent the citizens from reaching their lands located behind the Apartheid wall.
Al-Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and heritage revealed that the Israeli authority is preparing to launch a new Judaization project by digging tunnels near Buraq Square west of Al-Aqsa Mosque, aiming to establish new facilities on an area of 1444 square meters. The foundation said that the occupation planned to approve in the coming days the establishment of the Judaization facilities three years after freezing its construction. The Judaization project's cost is estimated at $10 million funded by the Jewish millionaire Baruch Klein.
Al-Aqsa Foundation pointed out that the project aims at increasing the number of settlers and foreign tourists in the Old City and occupied Jerusalem and al-Aqsa mosque particularly though establishing elevators and underground corridors to facilitate the arrival of the Jewish visitors as part of the Israeli policy to Judaize al-Buraq area and to blur the Islamic and Arab monuments in the area.
The foundation confirmed that it has charts and maps related to the mentioned project showing two tunnels to be drilled to link between Sharaf neighborhood and al-Buraq square through establishing a large elevator with a capacity for 24 passengers.
The project includes the construction of a visitor center, and public baths, stores, shops, and rooms for different uses. The foundation stated that it would publish the documents in the coming days.
Al-Aqsa Foundation pointed out that the project aims at increasing the number of settlers and foreign tourists in the Old City and occupied Jerusalem and al-Aqsa mosque particularly though establishing elevators and underground corridors to facilitate the arrival of the Jewish visitors as part of the Israeli policy to Judaize al-Buraq area and to blur the Islamic and Arab monuments in the area.
The foundation confirmed that it has charts and maps related to the mentioned project showing two tunnels to be drilled to link between Sharaf neighborhood and al-Buraq square through establishing a large elevator with a capacity for 24 passengers.
The project includes the construction of a visitor center, and public baths, stores, shops, and rooms for different uses. The foundation stated that it would publish the documents in the coming days.
More than half the land in the West Bank, much of it agricultural and resource rich, is inaccessible to Palestinians, The World Bank revealed in a report on Tuesday.
The is the first comprehensive study of the potential impact of this 'withheld land,' on the Palestinian economy. The currents loss to the Palestinian economy at about US $3.4 billion, annually.
Area C constitutes 61% of the West Bank and is the only contiguous land connecting 227 smaller separate and heavily residential areas.
The 1993 Oslo Peace Accords stipulated that Area C be gradually transferred to the Palestinian Authority (PA) by 1998. This transfer has never taken place.
"The densely populated urban areas of the West Bank usually command the most attention," said Mariam Sherman, outgoing Country Director for the West Bank and Gaza. "But unleashing the potential from that 'withheld land' -- access to which is currently constrained by layers of restrictions -- and allowing Palestinians to put these resources to work, would provide whole new areas of economic activity and set the economy on the path to sustainable growth."
With growth of approximately 6% annually needed to absorb new entrants to the labor market, let alone making a dent in the soaring rate of youth unemployment, urgent attention is needed to find ways to grow the economy and create jobs. A vital economy is essential for citizen well-being, social stability and building confidence to underpin the challenging political negotiations. However, the Palestinian economy, which currently relies on donor financed consumption and suffers from ongoing stagnation of the private sector, is unsustainable. The report estimates that if businesses and farms were permitted to develop in Area C, this would add as much as 35% to the Palestinian GDP.
Freeing economic activity in Area C would have a particularly high impact on the development of businesses in agriculture and Dead Sea minerals exploitation, stone mining and quarrying, construction, tourism, and telecommunications. Other sectors would be able to benefit from improvements in the quality and cost of infrastructure and increased demand for goods and services.
The volume of increased economic activity would greatly improve the PA's fiscal position. It is estimated that government revenues would increase by US $800 million, which would cut the fiscal deficit by half, hence reduce the need for donor support, and reduce unemployment and poverty rates.
"Access to Area C will go a long way to solving Palestinian economic problems," said Sherman. "The alternative is bleak. Without the ability to utilize the potential of Area C, the economic space will remain fragmented and stunted. Lifting multiple restrictions could transform the economy and substantially improve prospects for sustained growth."
The is the first comprehensive study of the potential impact of this 'withheld land,' on the Palestinian economy. The currents loss to the Palestinian economy at about US $3.4 billion, annually.
Area C constitutes 61% of the West Bank and is the only contiguous land connecting 227 smaller separate and heavily residential areas.
The 1993 Oslo Peace Accords stipulated that Area C be gradually transferred to the Palestinian Authority (PA) by 1998. This transfer has never taken place.
"The densely populated urban areas of the West Bank usually command the most attention," said Mariam Sherman, outgoing Country Director for the West Bank and Gaza. "But unleashing the potential from that 'withheld land' -- access to which is currently constrained by layers of restrictions -- and allowing Palestinians to put these resources to work, would provide whole new areas of economic activity and set the economy on the path to sustainable growth."
With growth of approximately 6% annually needed to absorb new entrants to the labor market, let alone making a dent in the soaring rate of youth unemployment, urgent attention is needed to find ways to grow the economy and create jobs. A vital economy is essential for citizen well-being, social stability and building confidence to underpin the challenging political negotiations. However, the Palestinian economy, which currently relies on donor financed consumption and suffers from ongoing stagnation of the private sector, is unsustainable. The report estimates that if businesses and farms were permitted to develop in Area C, this would add as much as 35% to the Palestinian GDP.
Freeing economic activity in Area C would have a particularly high impact on the development of businesses in agriculture and Dead Sea minerals exploitation, stone mining and quarrying, construction, tourism, and telecommunications. Other sectors would be able to benefit from improvements in the quality and cost of infrastructure and increased demand for goods and services.
The volume of increased economic activity would greatly improve the PA's fiscal position. It is estimated that government revenues would increase by US $800 million, which would cut the fiscal deficit by half, hence reduce the need for donor support, and reduce unemployment and poverty rates.
"Access to Area C will go a long way to solving Palestinian economic problems," said Sherman. "The alternative is bleak. Without the ability to utilize the potential of Area C, the economic space will remain fragmented and stunted. Lifting multiple restrictions could transform the economy and substantially improve prospects for sustained growth."
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) withdrew from northern Gaza Strip before dawn Tuesday after a large-scale bulldozing operation near Beit Hanun town. Local sources said that the soldiers advanced one hundred meters late last night and bulldozed vast tracts of land to the east of Beit Hanun.
They said that the soldiers opened fire at civilian homes and nearby lands during the operation.
Palestinian security sources noted that the IOF switched off all lights in its nearby military position, adding that sounds of explosions and gunshots were heard in its vicinity.
They said that the soldiers opened fire at civilian homes and nearby lands during the operation.
Palestinian security sources noted that the IOF switched off all lights in its nearby military position, adding that sounds of explosions and gunshots were heard in its vicinity.
