7 feb 2015
Research institutions and economists said that "Israel misappropriates at least 6 billion dollars of the West Bank resources; oil, gas, marble, rare minerals from the Dead Sea, as well as agriculture and tourism activity."
In October 2013, a study issued by The World Bank indicated that the Palestinian economy lost about 75 billion dollars throughout 22 years of the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations as a result of preventing the Palestinians from exploiting the lands known as the (C) areas, and that Israel controls 46% of the Palestinian gross domestic product (GDP). According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, the real GDP in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip was 7.3 billion dollars last year.
The World Bank further said that Israel and Jordan together gain about 4.2 billion dollars from the annual sales of the Dead Sea products which comprise 6% of the world's supply of potash and 73% of the world's production of bromine whereas the Palestinians are completely prevented from utilizing their rightful resources, bearing in mind that one-third of the western shore of the Dead Sea lies in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
After Oslo Accords in 1993 between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the West Bank was divided into three areas: A, B and C; the A areas 18% of the West Bank are under full control of the Palestinian Authority (PA), B areas, 20% of the West Bank, are under a joint control of Israel and PA, and the C areas, 60% of the West Bank, are under Israeli security and civil control. 400,000 Israeli settlers live in the (C) areas along with 150,000 Palestinians prevented from building or investing.
Adel Shadid, a researcher in Israeli affairs, said in a statement that "the Israeli negotiator bore in mind the economic considerations when the occupied West Bank areas were divided by Oslo Accords."
Oslo Accords state that by 1998 the (C) areas will have been under a full PA control, but that never happened and the number of settlers in that area has notably increased.
Two years ago, a study by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) estimated the annual loss of the Palestinian economy at 6 billion dollars at the very least.
Sha'wan Jabarin, head of Palestinian al-Haq Foundation, an independent human rights group, said that if the Palestinians were given the chance to utilize the West Bank resources, they would be providing aid to the poor countries instead of depending on foreign and Arab donors to bridge the Palestinian budget deficit which amounted to 1.3 billion dollars last year amid expectations that it will reach 2 billion dollars in 2015.
Dr. Samir Abdullah, the former Palestinian minister of planning, said that the Israeli settlements project is aimed at stealing the Palestinian resources and forcing the indigenous people to migrate other than luring aid from the Zionist groups around the world. He added that settlements’ control over the surface and groundwater aquifers in the West Bank obstructed the development of all the Palestinian economic sectors.
In November 2013, the Palestinian government announced an international tender to explore oil and gas in the West Bank, and re-announced it in March 2014 but the Israeli obstacles prevented the process.
Moreover, the Israeli occupation prevents the Palestinians from opening new quarries and at the same time encourages the Israeli companies to do so, whereas the international law prohibits the occupying power from exploiting the natural resources of the occupied territories.
The harsh living conditions and the high unemployment rates among graduates forced 30,000 Palestinians to work in the industrial and agricultural settlements, according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics.
In October 2013, a study issued by The World Bank indicated that the Palestinian economy lost about 75 billion dollars throughout 22 years of the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations as a result of preventing the Palestinians from exploiting the lands known as the (C) areas, and that Israel controls 46% of the Palestinian gross domestic product (GDP). According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, the real GDP in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip was 7.3 billion dollars last year.
The World Bank further said that Israel and Jordan together gain about 4.2 billion dollars from the annual sales of the Dead Sea products which comprise 6% of the world's supply of potash and 73% of the world's production of bromine whereas the Palestinians are completely prevented from utilizing their rightful resources, bearing in mind that one-third of the western shore of the Dead Sea lies in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
After Oslo Accords in 1993 between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the West Bank was divided into three areas: A, B and C; the A areas 18% of the West Bank are under full control of the Palestinian Authority (PA), B areas, 20% of the West Bank, are under a joint control of Israel and PA, and the C areas, 60% of the West Bank, are under Israeli security and civil control. 400,000 Israeli settlers live in the (C) areas along with 150,000 Palestinians prevented from building or investing.
Adel Shadid, a researcher in Israeli affairs, said in a statement that "the Israeli negotiator bore in mind the economic considerations when the occupied West Bank areas were divided by Oslo Accords."
Oslo Accords state that by 1998 the (C) areas will have been under a full PA control, but that never happened and the number of settlers in that area has notably increased.
Two years ago, a study by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) estimated the annual loss of the Palestinian economy at 6 billion dollars at the very least.
Sha'wan Jabarin, head of Palestinian al-Haq Foundation, an independent human rights group, said that if the Palestinians were given the chance to utilize the West Bank resources, they would be providing aid to the poor countries instead of depending on foreign and Arab donors to bridge the Palestinian budget deficit which amounted to 1.3 billion dollars last year amid expectations that it will reach 2 billion dollars in 2015.
Dr. Samir Abdullah, the former Palestinian minister of planning, said that the Israeli settlements project is aimed at stealing the Palestinian resources and forcing the indigenous people to migrate other than luring aid from the Zionist groups around the world. He added that settlements’ control over the surface and groundwater aquifers in the West Bank obstructed the development of all the Palestinian economic sectors.
In November 2013, the Palestinian government announced an international tender to explore oil and gas in the West Bank, and re-announced it in March 2014 but the Israeli obstacles prevented the process.
Moreover, the Israeli occupation prevents the Palestinians from opening new quarries and at the same time encourages the Israeli companies to do so, whereas the international law prohibits the occupying power from exploiting the natural resources of the occupied territories.
The harsh living conditions and the high unemployment rates among graduates forced 30,000 Palestinians to work in the industrial and agricultural settlements, according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics.
On the morning of February 5, ISM volunteers travelled with around 50 Palestinian activists from the Salfit area to the village of Kafr ad Dik to take part in an olive tree planting action organised by the Joint Council of Salfit (a newly formed coalition which includes a group of municipal councils in the Salfit area and the Palestinian Youth Union).
The mood in the coach travelling over was upbeat and defiant. Local youth and women, who together formed the majority of participants, sang and discussed the importance of the tree-planting.
Ninety per cent of the village land of Kafr ad Dik lies in Area C [PDF] of the West Bank; buildings erected (post-1967) or trees planted are liable to demolition and destruction by Israeli Forces at any time, in contravention of the Fourth Geneva Convention. In an area where the majority of the population are dependent upon agriculture for their livelihood, these illegal acts of destruction and the constant threat of future destruction have a devastating effect on the people´s economic and psychological wellbeing.
The people of Kafr ad Dik also have to contend, as do other villages throughout the Salfit area, with the presence of the illegal Israeli settlements. The Salfit region has a Palestinian population of 60,000, distributed among the 19 villages and one major town, but the aggressive expansion of the illegal settlements in the area means that the indigenous population is now outnumbered by the settlers – one settlement alone, Ariel, has a population of 40,000.
The mayor of Kafr ad Dik told ISM that Salfit is a target for aggressive settlement expansion because of the area´s water resources: it contains the second largest aquifer in historical Palestine. However, the villages have to pay for water to be imported from Israel as they are not allowed to drill wells. The strategic location of Salfit is another factor – the continued expansion of settlements in the region could divide the West Bank, completely isolating the north from the south. Elaborating on the impact which the illegal settlements are having on his and neighbouring villages, the mayor referred to the frequent attacks by settlers who destroy olive trees, and the health problems in the area, which he linked to the pollution from the illegal industrial settlement of Ale Zahav.
120 olive tree saplings, provided by PARC (Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committee), were planted in Area C, were planted in Thursday’s action as an act of agricultural resistance. Fayiq Qeshawe, one of the coordinators, told ISM that this was the first in a planned programme of such activities, all of which are intended to empower local communities and help maintain the indigenous population´s presence on, and ownership of, their land. As Majd, a sixteen-year-old from Salfit town, told ISM on the way back to from the action, ¨Today we have all come to volunteer as the olive is so important for the history of Palestine and to plant the olive is to prove that we are here, that this is our land.¨
The mood in the coach travelling over was upbeat and defiant. Local youth and women, who together formed the majority of participants, sang and discussed the importance of the tree-planting.
Ninety per cent of the village land of Kafr ad Dik lies in Area C [PDF] of the West Bank; buildings erected (post-1967) or trees planted are liable to demolition and destruction by Israeli Forces at any time, in contravention of the Fourth Geneva Convention. In an area where the majority of the population are dependent upon agriculture for their livelihood, these illegal acts of destruction and the constant threat of future destruction have a devastating effect on the people´s economic and psychological wellbeing.
The people of Kafr ad Dik also have to contend, as do other villages throughout the Salfit area, with the presence of the illegal Israeli settlements. The Salfit region has a Palestinian population of 60,000, distributed among the 19 villages and one major town, but the aggressive expansion of the illegal settlements in the area means that the indigenous population is now outnumbered by the settlers – one settlement alone, Ariel, has a population of 40,000.
The mayor of Kafr ad Dik told ISM that Salfit is a target for aggressive settlement expansion because of the area´s water resources: it contains the second largest aquifer in historical Palestine. However, the villages have to pay for water to be imported from Israel as they are not allowed to drill wells. The strategic location of Salfit is another factor – the continued expansion of settlements in the region could divide the West Bank, completely isolating the north from the south. Elaborating on the impact which the illegal settlements are having on his and neighbouring villages, the mayor referred to the frequent attacks by settlers who destroy olive trees, and the health problems in the area, which he linked to the pollution from the illegal industrial settlement of Ale Zahav.
120 olive tree saplings, provided by PARC (Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committee), were planted in Area C, were planted in Thursday’s action as an act of agricultural resistance. Fayiq Qeshawe, one of the coordinators, told ISM that this was the first in a planned programme of such activities, all of which are intended to empower local communities and help maintain the indigenous population´s presence on, and ownership of, their land. As Majd, a sixteen-year-old from Salfit town, told ISM on the way back to from the action, ¨Today we have all come to volunteer as the olive is so important for the history of Palestine and to plant the olive is to prove that we are here, that this is our land.¨
A ministerial delegation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) arrived in Norway as part of a series of visits the ministerial team will embark upon to several influential capital cities to mobilize support for the Palestinian cause.
The delegation, headed by the Egyptian foreign minister Samih Shukry and comprising foreign ministers of Palestine, Guinea, a special envoy from the Azerbaijan foreign ministry, and the Secretary General of the OIC, met Thursday with the Norwegian foreign minister Borge Brende, according to OIC's statement on Friday.
The OIC delegation briefed the Norwegian foreign minister on the Israeli violations and practices that foiled nearly a quarter of a century of peace talks.
The delegation pointed to Israel's successive settlement and separation wall construction, systematic Judaization plans, and doubling the number of illegal settlers in the West Bank to 600,000.
The ministerial delegation stressed the need that any future peace negotiations must be based on a specific time-frame and international guarantees.
The delegation had praised the close links and excellent relations between the Kingdom of Norway and the Muslim world. The delegates expressed appreciation for Norway’s historic stances and earnest efforts in support of Palestinians’ rights and its participation in the international efforts towards a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian question.
The OIC ministerial delegation shed light on Israeli violations to Islamic and Christian holy sites in occupied Jerusalem, warning in the meantime that any Israeli attempt to target al-Aqsa Mosque could ignite a religious war in the area.
For his part, the Norwegian foreign minister expressed his country’s readiness to continue its historic role in support of peace and stability in the region.
He stressed Norway’s support for the two-state solution and the Arab peace initiative, saying that Israeli illegal settlement expansion would never be acceptable and would remain an obstacle to peace.
The delegation’s visit to Norway is part of the plan of action adopted by the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers on the cause of Palestine at the international arena.
The delegation, headed by the Egyptian foreign minister Samih Shukry and comprising foreign ministers of Palestine, Guinea, a special envoy from the Azerbaijan foreign ministry, and the Secretary General of the OIC, met Thursday with the Norwegian foreign minister Borge Brende, according to OIC's statement on Friday.
The OIC delegation briefed the Norwegian foreign minister on the Israeli violations and practices that foiled nearly a quarter of a century of peace talks.
The delegation pointed to Israel's successive settlement and separation wall construction, systematic Judaization plans, and doubling the number of illegal settlers in the West Bank to 600,000.
The ministerial delegation stressed the need that any future peace negotiations must be based on a specific time-frame and international guarantees.
The delegation had praised the close links and excellent relations between the Kingdom of Norway and the Muslim world. The delegates expressed appreciation for Norway’s historic stances and earnest efforts in support of Palestinians’ rights and its participation in the international efforts towards a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian question.
The OIC ministerial delegation shed light on Israeli violations to Islamic and Christian holy sites in occupied Jerusalem, warning in the meantime that any Israeli attempt to target al-Aqsa Mosque could ignite a religious war in the area.
For his part, the Norwegian foreign minister expressed his country’s readiness to continue its historic role in support of peace and stability in the region.
He stressed Norway’s support for the two-state solution and the Arab peace initiative, saying that Israeli illegal settlement expansion would never be acceptable and would remain an obstacle to peace.
The delegation’s visit to Norway is part of the plan of action adopted by the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers on the cause of Palestine at the international arena.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the destruction of some 400 newly-built Palestinian homes in the occupied West Bank, reports say.
The move came after the British newspaper Daily Mail in a report alleged that the European Union (EU) funded the construction of the residences, according to Israeli media.
The Israeli regime claims that the EU should have asked for its permit for the construction of the homes.
On Friday, a spokesman for the EU defended its funding for the homes for Palestinians.
Shadi Othman, a communications officer at the Office of the European Union Representative in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, on Thursday told the Daily Mail that the project “is part of the work done to build the future Palestinian state.”
“Palestinians have a right to live there, build schools there, have economic development,” Othman added.
The development came amid widespread global condemnation of Israel’s land grab policies. Tel Aviv has approved a series of plans for new settler units in East Jerusalem al-Quds in recent months.
The EU has often criticized Israel for building thousands of settlement units in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The presence and continued expansion of Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine has created a major obstacle in the way of efforts to establish peace in the Middle East.
Upwards of half a million Israelis live in more than 120 settlements built since Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank, including East al-Quds, in 1967.
The Israeli settlements are considered to be illegal by the United Nations and most countries because the territories were captured by Israel in a war in 1967 and are thus subject to the Geneva Conventions, which forbid construction on occupied lands.
The move came after the British newspaper Daily Mail in a report alleged that the European Union (EU) funded the construction of the residences, according to Israeli media.
The Israeli regime claims that the EU should have asked for its permit for the construction of the homes.
On Friday, a spokesman for the EU defended its funding for the homes for Palestinians.
Shadi Othman, a communications officer at the Office of the European Union Representative in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, on Thursday told the Daily Mail that the project “is part of the work done to build the future Palestinian state.”
“Palestinians have a right to live there, build schools there, have economic development,” Othman added.
The development came amid widespread global condemnation of Israel’s land grab policies. Tel Aviv has approved a series of plans for new settler units in East Jerusalem al-Quds in recent months.
The EU has often criticized Israel for building thousands of settlement units in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The presence and continued expansion of Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine has created a major obstacle in the way of efforts to establish peace in the Middle East.
Upwards of half a million Israelis live in more than 120 settlements built since Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank, including East al-Quds, in 1967.
The Israeli settlements are considered to be illegal by the United Nations and most countries because the territories were captured by Israel in a war in 1967 and are thus subject to the Geneva Conventions, which forbid construction on occupied lands.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netnyahu has ordered the demolition of Palestinian facilities in occupied Jerusalem and area C which is under full Israeli control.
Netanyahu has issued instructions to his war minister Moshe Ya’alon to immediately implement the demolition orders.
Netanyahu’s instructions came shortly after Israeli Channel 2 published a televised report saying that the European Union (EU) has financed the construction of Palestinian buildings in Isawiya town and area E1.
The Israeli civil administration has declared that those buildings would be soon demolished “for being illegally built.”
In this matter, an EU official said that the buildings were set up to meet the Palestinians' needs, strongly condemning Israel’s E1 settlement plan that would “hinder the future establishment of a Palestinian state.”
Netanyahu has issued instructions to his war minister Moshe Ya’alon to immediately implement the demolition orders.
Netanyahu’s instructions came shortly after Israeli Channel 2 published a televised report saying that the European Union (EU) has financed the construction of Palestinian buildings in Isawiya town and area E1.
The Israeli civil administration has declared that those buildings would be soon demolished “for being illegally built.”
In this matter, an EU official said that the buildings were set up to meet the Palestinians' needs, strongly condemning Israel’s E1 settlement plan that would “hinder the future establishment of a Palestinian state.”
Dozens of Palestinians performed Friday prayers in Jerusalem Gate village which was established on Palestinian-owned land threatened with confiscation in Abu Dis town to the east of occupied Jerusalem.
Activists have rebuilt on Friday the Jerusalem Gate village for the fourth time after being earlier removed and declared a closed military zone for three months by the Israeli occupation forces.
Lawyer Bassam Bahr, head of the Committee for Defending the Land and Resisting Settlement in Abu Dis, said that establishing the make-shift village for the fourth time in a row reflects the people’s total rejection of the E1 settlement plan.
For his part, coordinator of the popular committee against settlement and separation wall Jamil Barghouthi said that the re-establishment of the village reflects the people’s steadfastness in challenge of Israeli confiscation and expansion policy.
Barghouthi stressed the importance of popular committees’ role in reinforcing resistance culture among Palestinian people in face of the systematic Judaization schemes in occupied Jerusalem.
In his turn, Secretary General of the National Initiative Mustafa Barghouti said that the construction of Jerusalem Gate village along with the villages of Ein Hajla and Sun Gate is the best means of popular resistance.
Israel’s plans to isolate occupied Jerusalem and its settlement expansion will never materialize, he added.
Activists have rebuilt on Friday the Jerusalem Gate village for the fourth time after being earlier removed and declared a closed military zone for three months by the Israeli occupation forces.
Lawyer Bassam Bahr, head of the Committee for Defending the Land and Resisting Settlement in Abu Dis, said that establishing the make-shift village for the fourth time in a row reflects the people’s total rejection of the E1 settlement plan.
For his part, coordinator of the popular committee against settlement and separation wall Jamil Barghouthi said that the re-establishment of the village reflects the people’s steadfastness in challenge of Israeli confiscation and expansion policy.
Barghouthi stressed the importance of popular committees’ role in reinforcing resistance culture among Palestinian people in face of the systematic Judaization schemes in occupied Jerusalem.
In his turn, Secretary General of the National Initiative Mustafa Barghouti said that the construction of Jerusalem Gate village along with the villages of Ein Hajla and Sun Gate is the best means of popular resistance.
Israel’s plans to isolate occupied Jerusalem and its settlement expansion will never materialize, he added.
6 feb 2015
The Israeli occupation forces on Thursday afternoon raided, for the third time, Bawabat al-Quds (Jerusalem Gate) protest camp in Khallat al-Rahib area of Abu Dis and forcibly removed young activists and their tent.
The protest camp is intended to oppose an Israeli plan to relocate Palestinian Bedouins as part of the E1 settlement plan.
Spokesman for the popular resistance committees Hani Halabiya said that immediately after the activists finished pitching their tent in the area, Israeli troops stormed the camp, removed the tent and confiscated its contents.
Halabiya noted that the activists erected that tent after the IOF bulldozed at three o'clock in the morning their protest tents in the same area, suppressed them and forced them to leave the place.
He added that the IOF detained the activists until they finished removing everything, asserting that the young men intend to establish another protest camp.
In a related context, the popular resistance committees invited the Palestinians to attend the Friday prayers in Bawabat al-Quds protest camp.
The protest camp is intended to oppose an Israeli plan to relocate Palestinian Bedouins as part of the E1 settlement plan.
Spokesman for the popular resistance committees Hani Halabiya said that immediately after the activists finished pitching their tent in the area, Israeli troops stormed the camp, removed the tent and confiscated its contents.
Halabiya noted that the activists erected that tent after the IOF bulldozed at three o'clock in the morning their protest tents in the same area, suppressed them and forced them to leave the place.
He added that the IOF detained the activists until they finished removing everything, asserting that the young men intend to establish another protest camp.
In a related context, the popular resistance committees invited the Palestinians to attend the Friday prayers in Bawabat al-Quds protest camp.
5 feb 2015
A group of Israeli settlers stormed an outskirt of the northern West Bank village of Beita, to the south of Nablus, on Thursday, where they set up a new illegal settlement outpost, a Palestinian Authority official said.
Ghassan Daghlas told Ma'an News Agency that several settler vehicles arrived at the Jabal Subeih area and set up movable houses and water tanks. The settlers, he added, surrounded the area with a fence.
Extremist settlers have tried to take control of the area in the past. Now they have arrived with their families for the first time, which means they want to settle down and create a new illegal outpost, he added.
The Palestinian Authority's liaison department has asked its Israeli counterpart for an explanation.
Ghassan Daghlas told Ma'an News Agency that several settler vehicles arrived at the Jabal Subeih area and set up movable houses and water tanks. The settlers, he added, surrounded the area with a fence.
Extremist settlers have tried to take control of the area in the past. Now they have arrived with their families for the first time, which means they want to settle down and create a new illegal outpost, he added.
The Palestinian Authority's liaison department has asked its Israeli counterpart for an explanation.
Construction works for Israeli settlement expansion purposes have been progressing in Palestinian lands in northern al-Khalil.
Local sources said on Thursday the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) are working on expanding Kharsina settlement in al-Khalil. More than 15 new units will be established to the north of the settlement, they added.
Meanwhile, the IOF prevents the Palestinians from approaching their lands in the area.
The IOF ordered the transfer of more than 35 thousand dunums confiscated for military purposes for the sake of expanding settlements in the West Bank.
Local sources said on Thursday the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) are working on expanding Kharsina settlement in al-Khalil. More than 15 new units will be established to the north of the settlement, they added.
Meanwhile, the IOF prevents the Palestinians from approaching their lands in the area.
The IOF ordered the transfer of more than 35 thousand dunums confiscated for military purposes for the sake of expanding settlements in the West Bank.
The management of the Cooperative Village, Ahihud, established on the ruins of al-Barweh displaced village in Acre, desecrated the Islamic and Christian cemetery of the village. Ahihud covered the cemetery’s ground with soil in a preparatory step to turn it into a cattle barn.
The Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage warned, in a statement on Thursday, of this dangerous step, describing it as brutally breaching the sacredness of the dead.
Abdulmajid Eghbariyeh, official at the Foundation, strongly denounced turning the cemetery into a cattle barn.
The Cooperative village has been violating the Islamic and Christian holy places in al-Barweh Palestinian village for establishing such projects. Many stockades and barns have been constructed on the remains of dead Muslims and Christians, he said.
The Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage warned, in a statement on Thursday, of this dangerous step, describing it as brutally breaching the sacredness of the dead.
Abdulmajid Eghbariyeh, official at the Foundation, strongly denounced turning the cemetery into a cattle barn.
The Cooperative village has been violating the Islamic and Christian holy places in al-Barweh Palestinian village for establishing such projects. Many stockades and barns have been constructed on the remains of dead Muslims and Christians, he said.
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) demolished at dawn Thursday the ‘Eastern Gate to Jerusalem’ makeshift village for the second time in two days after being established in protest against Israeli confiscation schemes in E1 area.
Local sources said that IOF soldiers stormed the village at 2 a.m. accompanied by a military bulldozer and tore down the tents rebuilt by Palestinian activists.
Early Tuesday, a number of Palestinian activists set up a makeshift village under the name of the "Eastern Gate to Jerusalem” in a Palestinian-owned land threatened with confiscation to the east of occupied Jerusalem.
The protest village was removed Wednesday morning to be then rebuilt in a challenge to the occupation’s confiscation policy.
Local sources said that IOF soldiers stormed the village at 2 a.m. accompanied by a military bulldozer and tore down the tents rebuilt by Palestinian activists.
Early Tuesday, a number of Palestinian activists set up a makeshift village under the name of the "Eastern Gate to Jerusalem” in a Palestinian-owned land threatened with confiscation to the east of occupied Jerusalem.
The protest village was removed Wednesday morning to be then rebuilt in a challenge to the occupation’s confiscation policy.
Activists of the Nonviolent Popular Resistance Movement, national and Islamic factions, rebuilt on Wednesday, the “Jerusalem Gate” protest tent village, on Palestinian lands east of Abu Dis town, near occupied Jerusalem.
Spokesperson of the Popular Resistance Committees Hani Halabiyya said that dozens of Palestinians, and solidarity activists, re-installed the tents and structures, after the Israeli soldiers stormed the area, earlier on Wednesday at dawn, and removed the protest village.
Halabiyya added that the activists, and their supporters, are sending a direct message to Israel that its occupation, colonial activities and its plans to displace the Bedouins from the area, is illegal and immoral.
He said the Israeli plans aim at removing the indigenous Palestinians, so that it can build and expand its illegal colonies in the area.
Spokesperson of the Popular Resistance Committees Hani Halabiyya said that dozens of Palestinians, and solidarity activists, re-installed the tents and structures, after the Israeli soldiers stormed the area, earlier on Wednesday at dawn, and removed the protest village.
Halabiyya added that the activists, and their supporters, are sending a direct message to Israel that its occupation, colonial activities and its plans to displace the Bedouins from the area, is illegal and immoral.
He said the Israeli plans aim at removing the indigenous Palestinians, so that it can build and expand its illegal colonies in the area.
4 feb 2015
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) distributed demolition notices to Palestinians notifying them of destroying water wells in lands of Silwad village near Ramallah.
Deputy Chief of the council of Silwad Agricultural Cooperation Society, Abdurrahman Hammad, told the PIC reporter the IOF notified four Palestinian farmers of destroying wells they use for agricultural purposes. The IOF also summoned the men to attend a trial hearing in Beit Eil court on February 12, 2015.
Hammad said these wells have been established within a project implemented by the Agricultural Relief Company and funded by the European Union.
Deputy Chief of the council of Silwad Agricultural Cooperation Society, Abdurrahman Hammad, told the PIC reporter the IOF notified four Palestinian farmers of destroying wells they use for agricultural purposes. The IOF also summoned the men to attend a trial hearing in Beit Eil court on February 12, 2015.
Hammad said these wells have been established within a project implemented by the Agricultural Relief Company and funded by the European Union.
Dozens of Israeli soldiers stormed the
“Jerusalem Gate” protest tent village in Khallet ar-Raheb area, east of
Abu Dis town, near occupied Jerusalem, removed the tents, and
confiscated property.
Dozens of soldiers, and undercover units, stormed the protest village after completely isolating it, and violently assaulted the activists before forcing them away, and removed the tents.
Coordinator of the Popular Resistance Committee against the Wall and Settlements, Abdullah Abu Rahma, said the soldiers confiscated chairs, food supplies and equipment.
Abu Rahma added that the soldiers brought military bulldozers and trucks, and chased several nonviolent activists.
The soldiers also fired gas bombs and concussion grenades at the nonviolent activists, and the residents of Abu Dis and el-‘Ezariyya towns, in addition to residents of Bedouin communities that Israel wants to displace.
The protest village, composed of three tents, was installed to protest Israel’s plan to remove the al-Jahalin Bedouin tribe, in occupied East Jerusalem, and Israel’s ongoing illegal policies of building and expanding its illegal colonies in different parts of occupied Palestine, including occupied Jerusalem.
Spokesperson of the Popular Resistance Committee, Hani Halabiyya, said the activists will rebuild the village within hours, despite the Israeli aggression and assaults.
Soldiers To Demolish “Jerusalem Gate” Protest Tent Village, East Of Jerusalem
Hani Halabiyya, spokesperson of East Jerusalem Popular Resistance Committees, said Israeli soldiers invaded the “Jerusalem Gate” protest tent village that was installed earlier by nonviolent activists, and informed them the military intends to demolish it.
Halabiyya said that the army has surrounded the village, and pushed more units in the area, adding that the activists do not intend to leave
The activists installed three tents in the protest site they called Jerusalem Gate Village to protest Israel’s plan to illegally confiscate Palestinian lands inhabited by al-Jahalin Bedouin tribe, east of occupied Jerusalem.
Adel Salah, head of the Abu Dis Local Council, said the village was installed to counter the Israeli E1 Plan that aims at expanding the boundaries of Ma’ale Adumim colony, so that Tel Aviv can link it with East Jerusalem, thus, blocking geographical contiguity between the central and southern parts of the occupied West Bank.
He added that the Popular Resistance Movement is protesting the dispossession of the Bedouins living in the area, for the benefit of Israel’s illegal colonies.
Monther ‘Amira, head of the Coordination Committee of the Popular Resistance Movement, told the Maan News Agency that dozens of activists, members of different national and social parties, and the Abu Dis Local Council installed the village.
“We called it Jerusalem Gate to express our rejection to the illegal Israeli plan that aims at removing the Bedouins, demolishing their homes and structures, and relocating them in certain locations,” he said, “This is all part of Israel’s E1 plan. We decided to name our protest village Jerusalem Gate because it is the closest point to Jerusalem, and you can see the city from this location.”
‘Amira also stated the Israeli plan largely aims at removing the Bedouins from the area, Bedouins who have been living there for dozens of years, so that Israel can build its racially segregated illegal colonies.
On his part, Halabiyya said that more than 250 activists, in addition to residents of Abu Dis, Sawahra and al-Ezariyya towns, and Arab al-Jahalin villagers participated in installing the village, and are determined to resist the illegal Israeli plan to remove them, and demolish it.
Dozens of soldiers, and undercover units, stormed the protest village after completely isolating it, and violently assaulted the activists before forcing them away, and removed the tents.
Coordinator of the Popular Resistance Committee against the Wall and Settlements, Abdullah Abu Rahma, said the soldiers confiscated chairs, food supplies and equipment.
Abu Rahma added that the soldiers brought military bulldozers and trucks, and chased several nonviolent activists.
The soldiers also fired gas bombs and concussion grenades at the nonviolent activists, and the residents of Abu Dis and el-‘Ezariyya towns, in addition to residents of Bedouin communities that Israel wants to displace.
The protest village, composed of three tents, was installed to protest Israel’s plan to remove the al-Jahalin Bedouin tribe, in occupied East Jerusalem, and Israel’s ongoing illegal policies of building and expanding its illegal colonies in different parts of occupied Palestine, including occupied Jerusalem.
Spokesperson of the Popular Resistance Committee, Hani Halabiyya, said the activists will rebuild the village within hours, despite the Israeli aggression and assaults.
Soldiers To Demolish “Jerusalem Gate” Protest Tent Village, East Of Jerusalem
Hani Halabiyya, spokesperson of East Jerusalem Popular Resistance Committees, said Israeli soldiers invaded the “Jerusalem Gate” protest tent village that was installed earlier by nonviolent activists, and informed them the military intends to demolish it.
Halabiyya said that the army has surrounded the village, and pushed more units in the area, adding that the activists do not intend to leave
The activists installed three tents in the protest site they called Jerusalem Gate Village to protest Israel’s plan to illegally confiscate Palestinian lands inhabited by al-Jahalin Bedouin tribe, east of occupied Jerusalem.
Adel Salah, head of the Abu Dis Local Council, said the village was installed to counter the Israeli E1 Plan that aims at expanding the boundaries of Ma’ale Adumim colony, so that Tel Aviv can link it with East Jerusalem, thus, blocking geographical contiguity between the central and southern parts of the occupied West Bank.
He added that the Popular Resistance Movement is protesting the dispossession of the Bedouins living in the area, for the benefit of Israel’s illegal colonies.
Monther ‘Amira, head of the Coordination Committee of the Popular Resistance Movement, told the Maan News Agency that dozens of activists, members of different national and social parties, and the Abu Dis Local Council installed the village.
“We called it Jerusalem Gate to express our rejection to the illegal Israeli plan that aims at removing the Bedouins, demolishing their homes and structures, and relocating them in certain locations,” he said, “This is all part of Israel’s E1 plan. We decided to name our protest village Jerusalem Gate because it is the closest point to Jerusalem, and you can see the city from this location.”
‘Amira also stated the Israeli plan largely aims at removing the Bedouins from the area, Bedouins who have been living there for dozens of years, so that Israel can build its racially segregated illegal colonies.
On his part, Halabiyya said that more than 250 activists, in addition to residents of Abu Dis, Sawahra and al-Ezariyya towns, and Arab al-Jahalin villagers participated in installing the village, and are determined to resist the illegal Israeli plan to remove them, and demolish it.
Palestinian activists set up Tuesday evening a makeshift village under the name of “the eastern gate of Jerusalem” in a Palestinian-owned land threatened with confiscation to the east of occupied Jerusalem.
Around 250 Palestinian activists participated in the establishment of the protest village in a Palestinian land located between Ma'ale Adumim and Keidar settlements, spokesperson for the popular resistance committee in Abu Dis town Hani Halabiya told WAFA news agency.
The confiscation order fell as part of Israeli E1 plan which would link between Jerusalem and the illegal Israeli settlement of Ma’ale Adumim, divide the West Bank in two, and isolate occupied Jerusalem.
The village was erected in protest at Israel's plans to drive Bedouins of the al-Jahalin tribe from their lands in order to connect the illegal settlement of Maale Adumim to Jerusalem, Halabiya added.
Similar symbolic villages were earlier erected in protest against Israeli confiscation orders of Palestinian lands. However, the villages were removed by force.
Around 250 Palestinian activists participated in the establishment of the protest village in a Palestinian land located between Ma'ale Adumim and Keidar settlements, spokesperson for the popular resistance committee in Abu Dis town Hani Halabiya told WAFA news agency.
The confiscation order fell as part of Israeli E1 plan which would link between Jerusalem and the illegal Israeli settlement of Ma’ale Adumim, divide the West Bank in two, and isolate occupied Jerusalem.
The village was erected in protest at Israel's plans to drive Bedouins of the al-Jahalin tribe from their lands in order to connect the illegal settlement of Maale Adumim to Jerusalem, Halabiya added.
Similar symbolic villages were earlier erected in protest against Israeli confiscation orders of Palestinian lands. However, the villages were removed by force.
3 feb 2015
Jewish settlers razed on Tuesday more than fifty dunums of Palestinians’ lands in Eskaka village to the east of Salfit governorate.
Local sources said settlers’ bulldozers razed the village lands under Israeli army protection near Zaatarah checkpoint.
Khaled Maalai, Palestinian researcher from Salfit, pointed out that the Israeli occupation has been razing eleven locations in the district. Settlement expansion activities have been unprecedentedly escalated in the governorate, he added.
Maali opined that this action falls in line with Netanyahu’s election campaign.
Local sources said settlers’ bulldozers razed the village lands under Israeli army protection near Zaatarah checkpoint.
Khaled Maalai, Palestinian researcher from Salfit, pointed out that the Israeli occupation has been razing eleven locations in the district. Settlement expansion activities have been unprecedentedly escalated in the governorate, he added.
Maali opined that this action falls in line with Netanyahu’s election campaign.
2 feb 2015
In 2014, Israeli authorities destroyed 590 Palestinian-owned structures in West Bank Area C and occupied East Jerusalem, displacing some 1,177 people, according to OCHA figures.
To be noted, this is the highest level of displacement in the occupied West Bank since OCHA began systematically monitoring the issue in 2008.
According to Al Ray Palestinian Media Agency, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs revealed in a report that, since the 1st of January, Israeli authorities have demolished 77 Palestinian homes and farms in the West Bank and Jerusalem, displacing 110 Palestinians, half of whom are children.
The report further states that Israeli forces demolished 493 homes in West Bank, displacing 960 Palestinians, and 97 homes in occupied Jerusalem, displacing 308 Palestinians.
The planning policies applied by Israel in Area C and East Jerusalem discriminate against Palestinians, making it extremely difficult for them to obtain building permits. As a result, many Palestinians build without permits to meet their housing needs and risk having their structures demolished.
United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, James W. Rawley, expressed concern over Israel’s recent demolitions in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, and has called for an immediate halt to forced displacement in the West Bank.
To be noted, this is the highest level of displacement in the occupied West Bank since OCHA began systematically monitoring the issue in 2008.
According to Al Ray Palestinian Media Agency, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs revealed in a report that, since the 1st of January, Israeli authorities have demolished 77 Palestinian homes and farms in the West Bank and Jerusalem, displacing 110 Palestinians, half of whom are children.
The report further states that Israeli forces demolished 493 homes in West Bank, displacing 960 Palestinians, and 97 homes in occupied Jerusalem, displacing 308 Palestinians.
The planning policies applied by Israel in Area C and East Jerusalem discriminate against Palestinians, making it extremely difficult for them to obtain building permits. As a result, many Palestinians build without permits to meet their housing needs and risk having their structures demolished.
United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, James W. Rawley, expressed concern over Israel’s recent demolitions in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, and has called for an immediate halt to forced displacement in the West Bank.
Israeli navy arrested last month three Palestinian fishermen and confiscated 70 fishing boats (6-7 meter long) along with their equipment off Gaza coast. The Palestinian Center for Studies demanded immediate release of the fishermen and return of the boats.
Rafat Hamdonah, director of the Center, called on the international human rights organizations to intervene to pressure the Israeli occupation to release the three fishermen and to return the seventy fishing boats along with their equipment.
In the same context, the Israeli navy had confiscated five months ago a tugboat belonging to a Palestinian from Gaza. The value of the tugboat was estimated at 150,000 USD.
Rafat Hamdonah, director of the Center, called on the international human rights organizations to intervene to pressure the Israeli occupation to release the three fishermen and to return the seventy fishing boats along with their equipment.
In the same context, the Israeli navy had confiscated five months ago a tugboat belonging to a Palestinian from Gaza. The value of the tugboat was estimated at 150,000 USD.
A drove of Israeli army bulldozers Monday flattened large portions of Palestinians’ cultivated land tracts in Yatta town, south of the West Bank city of al-Khalil.
Coordinator for the anti-settlement committee in Yatta, Rateb al-Jabour, said a flock of bulldozers, escorted by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) and members of the civil administration crews stormed al-Khalil’s town of Yatta and leveled 800-dunum-large land tracts.
The flattening procedure has been carried out under the pretext that the targeted lands make part of an Israeli-run border area.
Meanwhile, the Israeli occupation soldiers knocked down a number of agricultural structures, including 500-meter-long retaining walls, two agricultural grow-rooms, and a water well, in Kasra village, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, on allegations of unlicensed construction.
According to member of the village council Hussein Abu Reida, the demolished structures belong to the Palestinian citizens Akram and Anwar Tayseer, who both corroborated their ownership via a set of legal documents.
Coordinator for the anti-settlement committee in Yatta, Rateb al-Jabour, said a flock of bulldozers, escorted by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) and members of the civil administration crews stormed al-Khalil’s town of Yatta and leveled 800-dunum-large land tracts.
The flattening procedure has been carried out under the pretext that the targeted lands make part of an Israeli-run border area.
Meanwhile, the Israeli occupation soldiers knocked down a number of agricultural structures, including 500-meter-long retaining walls, two agricultural grow-rooms, and a water well, in Kasra village, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, on allegations of unlicensed construction.
According to member of the village council Hussein Abu Reida, the demolished structures belong to the Palestinian citizens Akram and Anwar Tayseer, who both corroborated their ownership via a set of legal documents.
1 feb 2015
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) handed two Palestinian citizens stop notices for house building in Beit Ummar town to the north of al-Khalil. The IOF soldiers also confiscated a tractor and closed two byways near the entrance of the town.
The spokesman of the Popular Anti-Wall and Settlement Committee in Beit Ummar, Mohammad Awad, said the IOF soldiers stormed the town and handed stop notices to both Mustafa and Aref Enjoum to stop the construction of their houses whose areas are 600 and 500 square meters respectively.
Awad said the IOF also confiscated a tractor belonging to Gazi Abu Ayyash from his house, claiming it has been used for constructing a house that had been served a stop notice.
Meanwhile, Awad noted that an Israeli army bulldozer closed two byways by cement blocks and earthworks near the entrance of Beit Ummar town, thus restricting the movement of around 300 Palestinians living near them.
The spokesman of the Popular Anti-Wall and Settlement Committee in Beit Ummar, Mohammad Awad, said the IOF soldiers stormed the town and handed stop notices to both Mustafa and Aref Enjoum to stop the construction of their houses whose areas are 600 and 500 square meters respectively.
Awad said the IOF also confiscated a tractor belonging to Gazi Abu Ayyash from his house, claiming it has been used for constructing a house that had been served a stop notice.
Meanwhile, Awad noted that an Israeli army bulldozer closed two byways by cement blocks and earthworks near the entrance of Beit Ummar town, thus restricting the movement of around 300 Palestinians living near them.