24 feb 2016
The Ateret Cohanim settlement organization delivered a judicial ruling to the Palestinian al-Rajabi family to evacuate their homes in Silwan town, in Occupied Jerusalem, at the pretext it was owned by Jews.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center said in a statement the Ateret Cohanim organization ordered the al-Rajabi family to give up a land where two six-storey buildings of the family’s own were built.
The organization said the family has to respond to the lawsuit, which claimed the land had been owned to three Yemenite Jews before 1948, within 30 days.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center said the targeted land makes part of the intent of Ateret Cohanim to confiscate nearly five dunums and 200 square meters under the pretext of being owned by the Jews of Yemen since 1881.
The settlement organization claimed that the Israeli Supreme Court approved the ownership of settlers from Yemen to lands in Batn Al-Hawa.
Wadi Hilweh Center added that the lands at risk of being confiscated currently have 30 to 35 residential apartments that are homes to 80 Palestinian families comprising nearly 436 individuals in total. All the residents have been living in the neighborhood since the 1960’s after they bought the lands and property from the previous owners using official documents.
Palestinian families in Silwan receive evacuation notices
A Palestinian family in the occupied East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan on Tuesday received a court notice for eviction following efforts by right-wing group Ateret Cohanim to take over their land, according to the Wadi Hilweh Information Center.
The Silwan-based center said in a statement that Ateret Cohanim brought to court their claim over land belonging to the Awad Abdul-Fattah al-Rajabi and Abdul-Fattah Jaber al-Rajabi families.
Ateret Cohanim -- an organization that aims to create a Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem at the expense of Palestinian communities -- claims the land was owned by three Yemenite Jews prior to 1948.
The eviction would displace at 28 members of the al-Rajabi family who live in two buildings on the property, located in the Baten al-Hawa area of the neighborhood, including at least 12 children. The buildings stand on a plot just over five dunams (0.296 acres).
Kayed al-Rajabi, member of the neighborhood committee, said the family was given 30 days to provide evidence of their ownership of the land to an Israeli court.
Attempts to take over the property are part of a bigger plan by Ateret Cohanim to seize 5,200 square meters in the central quarter of Baten al-Hawa, the Wadi Hilweh Center said, adding that the move would displace 436 Palestinian residents who legally purchased the land.
Peace Now reported that in 2015, Israeli settlers doubled their presence in Batan al-Hawa, joining around 500 Israeli settlers living in Silwan among a population of 45,000 Palestinians.
Silwan is one of many Palestinian neighborhoods in East Jerusalem to face ongoing state-sanctioned efforts to create a Jewish majority since Israel illegally occupied the city in 1967.
Following a major takeover of Palestinian homes by Ateret Cohanim last year, the PLO slammed what it termed Israel's "systematic ethnic cleansing of Palestinians" in Silwan.
The PLO said that Israeli policies "in Silwan aim not only to alter the historic character of the area and to consolidate Israeli control over the Old City of Jerusalem ... but also contribute to the systematic ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem."
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center said in a statement the Ateret Cohanim organization ordered the al-Rajabi family to give up a land where two six-storey buildings of the family’s own were built.
The organization said the family has to respond to the lawsuit, which claimed the land had been owned to three Yemenite Jews before 1948, within 30 days.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center said the targeted land makes part of the intent of Ateret Cohanim to confiscate nearly five dunums and 200 square meters under the pretext of being owned by the Jews of Yemen since 1881.
The settlement organization claimed that the Israeli Supreme Court approved the ownership of settlers from Yemen to lands in Batn Al-Hawa.
Wadi Hilweh Center added that the lands at risk of being confiscated currently have 30 to 35 residential apartments that are homes to 80 Palestinian families comprising nearly 436 individuals in total. All the residents have been living in the neighborhood since the 1960’s after they bought the lands and property from the previous owners using official documents.
Palestinian families in Silwan receive evacuation notices
A Palestinian family in the occupied East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan on Tuesday received a court notice for eviction following efforts by right-wing group Ateret Cohanim to take over their land, according to the Wadi Hilweh Information Center.
The Silwan-based center said in a statement that Ateret Cohanim brought to court their claim over land belonging to the Awad Abdul-Fattah al-Rajabi and Abdul-Fattah Jaber al-Rajabi families.
Ateret Cohanim -- an organization that aims to create a Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem at the expense of Palestinian communities -- claims the land was owned by three Yemenite Jews prior to 1948.
The eviction would displace at 28 members of the al-Rajabi family who live in two buildings on the property, located in the Baten al-Hawa area of the neighborhood, including at least 12 children. The buildings stand on a plot just over five dunams (0.296 acres).
Kayed al-Rajabi, member of the neighborhood committee, said the family was given 30 days to provide evidence of their ownership of the land to an Israeli court.
Attempts to take over the property are part of a bigger plan by Ateret Cohanim to seize 5,200 square meters in the central quarter of Baten al-Hawa, the Wadi Hilweh Center said, adding that the move would displace 436 Palestinian residents who legally purchased the land.
Peace Now reported that in 2015, Israeli settlers doubled their presence in Batan al-Hawa, joining around 500 Israeli settlers living in Silwan among a population of 45,000 Palestinians.
Silwan is one of many Palestinian neighborhoods in East Jerusalem to face ongoing state-sanctioned efforts to create a Jewish majority since Israel illegally occupied the city in 1967.
Following a major takeover of Palestinian homes by Ateret Cohanim last year, the PLO slammed what it termed Israel's "systematic ethnic cleansing of Palestinians" in Silwan.
The PLO said that Israeli policies "in Silwan aim not only to alter the historic character of the area and to consolidate Israeli control over the Old City of Jerusalem ... but also contribute to the systematic ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem."
Israeli soldiers have kidnapped, earlier on Wednesday, ten Palestinians in different parts of the occupied West Bank, including two in occupied East Jerusalem.
The soldiers invaded various areas in the southern West Bank district of Hebron, violently searched many homes, and kidnapped five Palestinians from Hebron city, Halhoul and Yatta town.
Media sources in Hebron city said the soldiers kidnapped Ammar Othman al-‘Oweiwy, Karim Shahin, Luay Tawil and Tareq Ed’eis.
The soldiers also installed roadblocks in different neighborhoods in Hebron city and Halhoul town, and kidnapped Anan Zama’ra, from his home in Halhoul.
Another Palestinian, identified as Jawhar Azzam Shehada, was kidnapped after the soldiers invaded and searched his home in Yatta city; the army claimed it found a pistol in his home.
In addition, the soldiers invaded Kafr Qaleel village, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, searched a few homes and kidnapped Lu'ay Yasser Hamad, 24.
In Jerusalem, the army kidnapped two Palestinians in Bab as-Sahera area, allegedly after locating homemade explosives in their street vendor stands.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Silwan (Silwanic) said the soldiers closed the entire area, and conducted thorough searches, before explosive experts were called to the scene.
In Qabatia, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, the soldiers searched a few homes and kidnapped a young man, identified as Tawfiq Mahmoud Zakarna, 20.
The soldiers also handed demolition orders to the families of Ahmad Najeh Zakarna, Ahmad Najeh Abu ar-Rob and Mohammad Hilmi Kamil, informing them that their homes will be demolished on January 29.
The three Palestinians were shot dead, earlier this month, after they killed an Israeli police officer and wounded another during an armed attack near Damascus Gate, in Jerusalem’s Old City.
The soldiers invaded various areas in the southern West Bank district of Hebron, violently searched many homes, and kidnapped five Palestinians from Hebron city, Halhoul and Yatta town.
Media sources in Hebron city said the soldiers kidnapped Ammar Othman al-‘Oweiwy, Karim Shahin, Luay Tawil and Tareq Ed’eis.
The soldiers also installed roadblocks in different neighborhoods in Hebron city and Halhoul town, and kidnapped Anan Zama’ra, from his home in Halhoul.
Another Palestinian, identified as Jawhar Azzam Shehada, was kidnapped after the soldiers invaded and searched his home in Yatta city; the army claimed it found a pistol in his home.
In addition, the soldiers invaded Kafr Qaleel village, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, searched a few homes and kidnapped Lu'ay Yasser Hamad, 24.
In Jerusalem, the army kidnapped two Palestinians in Bab as-Sahera area, allegedly after locating homemade explosives in their street vendor stands.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Silwan (Silwanic) said the soldiers closed the entire area, and conducted thorough searches, before explosive experts were called to the scene.
In Qabatia, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, the soldiers searched a few homes and kidnapped a young man, identified as Tawfiq Mahmoud Zakarna, 20.
The soldiers also handed demolition orders to the families of Ahmad Najeh Zakarna, Ahmad Najeh Abu ar-Rob and Mohammad Hilmi Kamil, informing them that their homes will be demolished on January 29.
The three Palestinians were shot dead, earlier this month, after they killed an Israeli police officer and wounded another during an armed attack near Damascus Gate, in Jerusalem’s Old City.
23 feb 2016
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) carried out overnight a large-scale raid and arrest campaign throughout the West Bank.
At least five Palestinians including an ex-detainee were arrested in Nablus, while five others were arrested in Ramallah and Birzeit.
Two similar arrests were carried out in Jenin, while one was reported in al-Khalil. In Ramallah, three detainees including two brothers were arrested after Israeli forces stormed Betin town south of the city.
Two other arrests were carried out in Beitunia town, while two similar arrests were reported in Birzeit including a leader in Hamas Movement. In Jenin, four Palestinians were arrested from their houses after nearly several Israeli military vehicles stormed different parts of the city.
Israeli forces deployed in large numbers in Yabad, Qabatia, and Sanour towns and broke into dozens of homes before investigating their owners. In Nablus, a large-scale military campaign was carried out at dawn Tuesday in three refugee camps.
Hundreds of Israeli forces stormed and deployed throughout different areas of the city, mainly, Askar, Balata, and al-Ein refugee camps. Dozens of homes and stores were violently stormed and searched during the raid, while a number of local youths were arrested.
At least one young man was injured during the violent raid, the PIC news reporter said. In Bethlehem, Israeli forces stationed at the watchtower at the entrance to the Aida refugee camp, opened fire at local youths for allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails at the military tower. No injuries were reported during the Israeli gunfire attack.
In al-Khalil, IOF soldiers demolished at dawn Tuesday two detainees’ homes in Deir Samit and Tarouseh towns east of the city. The demolished two homes belong to the two prisoners Mohamed Haroub and Raed Musalama who were earlier arrested for alleged stabbing and vehicular attacks.
The two prisoners’ families were not even allowed to remove their furniture and belongings before the demolition process. A third home was violently stormed and searched in Samu town before the arrest of its owner.
At least five Palestinians including an ex-detainee were arrested in Nablus, while five others were arrested in Ramallah and Birzeit.
Two similar arrests were carried out in Jenin, while one was reported in al-Khalil. In Ramallah, three detainees including two brothers were arrested after Israeli forces stormed Betin town south of the city.
Two other arrests were carried out in Beitunia town, while two similar arrests were reported in Birzeit including a leader in Hamas Movement. In Jenin, four Palestinians were arrested from their houses after nearly several Israeli military vehicles stormed different parts of the city.
Israeli forces deployed in large numbers in Yabad, Qabatia, and Sanour towns and broke into dozens of homes before investigating their owners. In Nablus, a large-scale military campaign was carried out at dawn Tuesday in three refugee camps.
Hundreds of Israeli forces stormed and deployed throughout different areas of the city, mainly, Askar, Balata, and al-Ein refugee camps. Dozens of homes and stores were violently stormed and searched during the raid, while a number of local youths were arrested.
At least one young man was injured during the violent raid, the PIC news reporter said. In Bethlehem, Israeli forces stationed at the watchtower at the entrance to the Aida refugee camp, opened fire at local youths for allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails at the military tower. No injuries were reported during the Israeli gunfire attack.
In al-Khalil, IOF soldiers demolished at dawn Tuesday two detainees’ homes in Deir Samit and Tarouseh towns east of the city. The demolished two homes belong to the two prisoners Mohamed Haroub and Raed Musalama who were earlier arrested for alleged stabbing and vehicular attacks.
The two prisoners’ families were not even allowed to remove their furniture and belongings before the demolition process. A third home was violently stormed and searched in Samu town before the arrest of its owner.
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) confiscated on Monday Palestinian lands to the east of Ramallah to construct a military watchtower.
The lands confiscated by Israeli forces are located in both Palestinian villages of Bittin and Burqah overlooking Beit El settlement, eyewitnesses said.
Tawfiq Mousa, member of the village council of Bittin, said the area of lands confiscated are estimated at six dunums of Bittin’s land. They belong to Palestinian families and contain 15 land plots.
He pointed out that the construction of the watchtower will change the area into a military zone and, accordingly, the inhabitants of the village will be deprived of accessing their lands.
The lands confiscated by Israeli forces are located in both Palestinian villages of Bittin and Burqah overlooking Beit El settlement, eyewitnesses said.
Tawfiq Mousa, member of the village council of Bittin, said the area of lands confiscated are estimated at six dunums of Bittin’s land. They belong to Palestinian families and contain 15 land plots.
He pointed out that the construction of the watchtower will change the area into a military zone and, accordingly, the inhabitants of the village will be deprived of accessing their lands.
22 feb 2016
Israeli soldiers invaded, earlier on Monday, several areas in the southern West Bank district of Hebron, violently searched many homes, kidnapped five Palestinians, including an ailing elderly man, and summoned his son for interrogation. The army also kidnapped one Palestinian in Salfit.
The soldiers invaded different neighborhoods in Hebron city, and interrogated many Palestinians while searching their homes, before kidnaping Odai Ma’moun Sharabati, 21, Nour Abdul-Hafith Tamimi, 21, Abdul-Rahman Ramadan, and Khairi Abu Hadeed.
In addition, dozens of soldiers and army vehicles invaded Safa area, north of Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, and searched two homes belonging to Mohammad ‘Aadi, and his brother Ghazi.
The soldiers also kidnapped the former local Imam, identified as Mohammad Ahmad ‘Aadi, 57, who suffers from various chronic health issues, and summoned his son Aseed, 25, for interrogation in the Etzion military base. Aseed is a former political prisoner.
It is worth mentioning that the soldiers also installed roadblocks on the main roads of Sa’ir and Halhoul towns, in addition to Hebron’s northern entrance, before stopping and searching dozens of cars, and interrogated many residents while inspecting their ID cards.
The soldiers also invaded Masafer Yatta Bedouin community and ordered families to demolish their dwellings, two residential tents and three barns in at-Tabban and al-Fakheet areas.
Coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in southern Hebron Rateb al-Jabour, said the soldiers intend to demolish three residential sheds, two tents, and three barns, used by dozens of residents.
Jabour urged international legal and human rights groups, and local organizations, to intervene and stop the escalating Israeli violations against the residents, their homes, lands and their livelihoods.
In addition, the soldiers invaded Salfit city, in central West Bank, searched homes and kidnapped a young man, identified as Ahmad Mohammad Hassan, 25.
The soldiers invaded different neighborhoods in Hebron city, and interrogated many Palestinians while searching their homes, before kidnaping Odai Ma’moun Sharabati, 21, Nour Abdul-Hafith Tamimi, 21, Abdul-Rahman Ramadan, and Khairi Abu Hadeed.
In addition, dozens of soldiers and army vehicles invaded Safa area, north of Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, and searched two homes belonging to Mohammad ‘Aadi, and his brother Ghazi.
The soldiers also kidnapped the former local Imam, identified as Mohammad Ahmad ‘Aadi, 57, who suffers from various chronic health issues, and summoned his son Aseed, 25, for interrogation in the Etzion military base. Aseed is a former political prisoner.
It is worth mentioning that the soldiers also installed roadblocks on the main roads of Sa’ir and Halhoul towns, in addition to Hebron’s northern entrance, before stopping and searching dozens of cars, and interrogated many residents while inspecting their ID cards.
The soldiers also invaded Masafer Yatta Bedouin community and ordered families to demolish their dwellings, two residential tents and three barns in at-Tabban and al-Fakheet areas.
Coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in southern Hebron Rateb al-Jabour, said the soldiers intend to demolish three residential sheds, two tents, and three barns, used by dozens of residents.
Jabour urged international legal and human rights groups, and local organizations, to intervene and stop the escalating Israeli violations against the residents, their homes, lands and their livelihoods.
In addition, the soldiers invaded Salfit city, in central West Bank, searched homes and kidnapped a young man, identified as Ahmad Mohammad Hassan, 25.
The Israeli municipal council in Occupied Jerusalem has annexed vast tracts of Palestinian-owned lands in the towns of Shuafat, Anata, and Walaja to expand the segregation wall and declared a plan to expand Ramot settlement.
Khalil Tafakaji, head of maps department at the Arab Studies Society, said that the Israeli minister of finance had issued decrees to seize Palestinian lands in different areas around Jerusalem, including 45 dunums of land in the towns of Shuafat, Anata, and Walaja.
The Israeli minister justified his annexation orders by claiming some of the lands would be seized for security reasons and others would be used for public interest purposes, according to Tafakaji.
The annexed lands in Walaja, south of Jerusalem, would be used to expand the segregation wall and build a new crossing, according to the Israeli minister's claims. Tafakaji expressed his strong belief that the annexation of lands in Walaja town in particular is aimed at isolating Jerusalem from the West Bank.
He also affirmed that the Israeli occupation authority in Jerusalem intends to expand Ramot settlement on more than 419 dunums of Palestinian land in the towns of Lifta, Beit Hanina, and Beit Iksa in Jerusalem. According to the plan, 1,435 new housing units and 240 separate houses (villas) as well as public facilities will be built in the settlement.
Khalil Tafakaji, head of maps department at the Arab Studies Society, said that the Israeli minister of finance had issued decrees to seize Palestinian lands in different areas around Jerusalem, including 45 dunums of land in the towns of Shuafat, Anata, and Walaja.
The Israeli minister justified his annexation orders by claiming some of the lands would be seized for security reasons and others would be used for public interest purposes, according to Tafakaji.
The annexed lands in Walaja, south of Jerusalem, would be used to expand the segregation wall and build a new crossing, according to the Israeli minister's claims. Tafakaji expressed his strong belief that the annexation of lands in Walaja town in particular is aimed at isolating Jerusalem from the West Bank.
He also affirmed that the Israeli occupation authority in Jerusalem intends to expand Ramot settlement on more than 419 dunums of Palestinian land in the towns of Lifta, Beit Hanina, and Beit Iksa in Jerusalem. According to the plan, 1,435 new housing units and 240 separate houses (villas) as well as public facilities will be built in the settlement.
Kusay Abu al-Rub 17
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Monday morning rolled into the family homes of slain Palestinian youths and kidnapped several civilians in a mass abduction sweep launched across the occupied West Bank.
Sources based in Jenin province said the IOF stormed the family home of the slain Palestinian anti-occupation youth Kusay Abu al-Rub, 17, before they interrogated inhabitants and took measurements of the building.
The IOF further sealed off all the main entrances to Qabatiya town and summoned several Palestinians for interrogation in the Salem military camp.
The IOF soldiers broke into several civilian homes and cracked down on the native inhabitants before they subjected them to exhaustive questioning.
The occupation troops also kidnapped two Palestinians from al-Khalil city, in the southern occupied West Bank, and demolished the memorial statute of the slain Palestinian girl, Hadeel al-Hashlamun, on the entrance to al-Shuhadaa Street.
Another Palestinian civilian was kidnapped by the IOF from Salfit and two others were kidnapped from Bethlehem city. The IOF reportedly summoned the parents of the slain Palestinians Saad and Reham Dawabsheh, from Nablus’ southern town of Duma, for questioning.
The campaign culminated in the abduction of five Palestinians from the northern Jericho province. According to a statement by the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS), the number of arrestees on Monday has hit 17.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Monday morning rolled into the family homes of slain Palestinian youths and kidnapped several civilians in a mass abduction sweep launched across the occupied West Bank.
Sources based in Jenin province said the IOF stormed the family home of the slain Palestinian anti-occupation youth Kusay Abu al-Rub, 17, before they interrogated inhabitants and took measurements of the building.
The IOF further sealed off all the main entrances to Qabatiya town and summoned several Palestinians for interrogation in the Salem military camp.
The IOF soldiers broke into several civilian homes and cracked down on the native inhabitants before they subjected them to exhaustive questioning.
The occupation troops also kidnapped two Palestinians from al-Khalil city, in the southern occupied West Bank, and demolished the memorial statute of the slain Palestinian girl, Hadeel al-Hashlamun, on the entrance to al-Shuhadaa Street.
Another Palestinian civilian was kidnapped by the IOF from Salfit and two others were kidnapped from Bethlehem city. The IOF reportedly summoned the parents of the slain Palestinians Saad and Reham Dawabsheh, from Nablus’ southern town of Duma, for questioning.
The campaign culminated in the abduction of five Palestinians from the northern Jericho province. According to a statement by the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS), the number of arrestees on Monday has hit 17.
21 feb 2016
Several Israeli military vehicles and bulldozers invaded, on Sunday at dawn, the Abu an-Nawwar Bedouin community, east of occupied Jerusalem, and demolished a small school for children.
The WAFA Palestinian News Agency has reported that at least 30 military vehicles, carrying dozens of soldiers, invaded the community, and demolished the six-room school after completely confiscating all of its properties.
WAFA added that the school was built after all of its costs were donated by the French government.
It was the only school in the Bedouin community, and provided education to students in the first and second grades.
Resident Abu Emad al-Jahalin said the area is frequently targeted by Israel, since the government is attempting to remove all Palestinian communities from the area, as part of the E1 project that aims at completely surrounding occupied Jerusalem with a chain of colonies.
The WAFA Palestinian News Agency has reported that at least 30 military vehicles, carrying dozens of soldiers, invaded the community, and demolished the six-room school after completely confiscating all of its properties.
WAFA added that the school was built after all of its costs were donated by the French government.
It was the only school in the Bedouin community, and provided education to students in the first and second grades.
Resident Abu Emad al-Jahalin said the area is frequently targeted by Israel, since the government is attempting to remove all Palestinian communities from the area, as part of the E1 project that aims at completely surrounding occupied Jerusalem with a chain of colonies.
20 feb 2016
Israeli soldiers on Saturday expelled Palestinian farmers at gunpoint from their private agricultural land in the outskirts of the town of Beit Ummar in the southern occupied West Bank, locals said.
Muhammad Abd al-Hamid Sleibi and his family were pruning trees in their field in Wadi Abu al-Reish area when Israeli soldiers approached them, local activist and committee spokesman Muhammad Ayyad Awad told Ma’an.
The soldiers pointed their guns at Sleibi and his family members, forcing them to take their things and leave their land.
Sleibi told Awad he had previously obtained an order from Israel’s High Court allowing him full access to his land, but Israeli Civil Administration officers who arrived with the armed soldiers told Sleibi that only one person could stay on the land at a time.
Sleibi then left alongside his family members, who he said fled the area “fearing for their lives.”
An Israeli army spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.
Much of the outskirts of Beit Ummar village -- located around 10 kilometers north of the city of Hebron -- were designated as Area C following the Oslo Accords, and are under full civil and military control of Israel.
Palestinians must first receive permission from Israel’s Civil Administration before carrying out activity on land in Area C, which is rarely granted.
Over 4,000 dunams (988 acres) of private Palestinian land in Beit Ummar has been reappropriated for the construction of illegal Israeli settlements and bypass roads.
Such confiscation has taken a heavy toll on the community, 60 percent of which make their livelihood working in agriculture.
Muhammad Abd al-Hamid Sleibi and his family were pruning trees in their field in Wadi Abu al-Reish area when Israeli soldiers approached them, local activist and committee spokesman Muhammad Ayyad Awad told Ma’an.
The soldiers pointed their guns at Sleibi and his family members, forcing them to take their things and leave their land.
Sleibi told Awad he had previously obtained an order from Israel’s High Court allowing him full access to his land, but Israeli Civil Administration officers who arrived with the armed soldiers told Sleibi that only one person could stay on the land at a time.
Sleibi then left alongside his family members, who he said fled the area “fearing for their lives.”
An Israeli army spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.
Much of the outskirts of Beit Ummar village -- located around 10 kilometers north of the city of Hebron -- were designated as Area C following the Oslo Accords, and are under full civil and military control of Israel.
Palestinians must first receive permission from Israel’s Civil Administration before carrying out activity on land in Area C, which is rarely granted.
Over 4,000 dunams (988 acres) of private Palestinian land in Beit Ummar has been reappropriated for the construction of illegal Israeli settlements and bypass roads.
Such confiscation has taken a heavy toll on the community, 60 percent of which make their livelihood working in agriculture.
19 feb 2016
Israeli forces, on Thursday, demolished a home in the Bedouin village of Wadi al-Niam in the Negev, locals said.
Village resident Rafat abu Ayesh told Ma’an that the forces, along with Israeli excavators, closed the area surrounding the village before tearing down the home.
Residents added that Israeli excavators, two days prior, had destroyed agricultural crops belonging to the al-Farawna family, in the Bedouin village of Shaqib al-Salam, also located in the Negev.
Shaqib al-Salam is one of a number of towns created by the Israeli government in the Negev, in an effort to to permanently settle nomadic Bedouin communities that lived across the Negev prior to the establishment of Israel.
Wadi al-Niam, where Thursday’s demolition was carried out, is one of at least 35 Bedouin communities never recognized by Israel and, as a result, denied basic services and rights, despite being citizens of Israel.
Tens of thousands of Bedouins living in the Negev face ongoing displacement.
While a plan to forcibly resettle the Bedouin population -- the Prawer Plan -- was shelved in 2014, Israel’s Habayit Hayehudi party joined Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyhau’s coalition, on the condition the plan was reinstated.
Israeli authorities, last summer, began plans to build a Jewish-only town on the land of the Negev village of Umm al-Hiran, in what Knesset member Taleb Abu Arar described as a racist move by the state.
While Bedouin villages are often targeted for demolition by Israeli authorities, demolitions have been largely focused on the occupied West Bank, since the beginning of 2016.
On Thursday, Coordinator for Humanitarian and UN Development Activities for the occupied Palestinian territory Robert Piper called on Israel to halt all demolition orders in the occupied West Bank.
“The number of demolitions for just the first six weeks of 2016 is greatly alarming,” Piper said. “Over 400 Palestinians have been displaced from their homes – equivalent to over half the total number of Palestinians displaced in all of 2015.”
Village resident Rafat abu Ayesh told Ma’an that the forces, along with Israeli excavators, closed the area surrounding the village before tearing down the home.
Residents added that Israeli excavators, two days prior, had destroyed agricultural crops belonging to the al-Farawna family, in the Bedouin village of Shaqib al-Salam, also located in the Negev.
Shaqib al-Salam is one of a number of towns created by the Israeli government in the Negev, in an effort to to permanently settle nomadic Bedouin communities that lived across the Negev prior to the establishment of Israel.
Wadi al-Niam, where Thursday’s demolition was carried out, is one of at least 35 Bedouin communities never recognized by Israel and, as a result, denied basic services and rights, despite being citizens of Israel.
Tens of thousands of Bedouins living in the Negev face ongoing displacement.
While a plan to forcibly resettle the Bedouin population -- the Prawer Plan -- was shelved in 2014, Israel’s Habayit Hayehudi party joined Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyhau’s coalition, on the condition the plan was reinstated.
Israeli authorities, last summer, began plans to build a Jewish-only town on the land of the Negev village of Umm al-Hiran, in what Knesset member Taleb Abu Arar described as a racist move by the state.
While Bedouin villages are often targeted for demolition by Israeli authorities, demolitions have been largely focused on the occupied West Bank, since the beginning of 2016.
On Thursday, Coordinator for Humanitarian and UN Development Activities for the occupied Palestinian territory Robert Piper called on Israel to halt all demolition orders in the occupied West Bank.
“The number of demolitions for just the first six weeks of 2016 is greatly alarming,” Piper said. “Over 400 Palestinians have been displaced from their homes – equivalent to over half the total number of Palestinians displaced in all of 2015.”
Demolitions illegal under international law, says UN official
Over 400 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank have been displaced due to Israeli demolitions during the first six weeks of, this year, a senior UN official said, Wednesday.
Coordinator for Humanitarian and UN Development Activities for the occupied Palestinian territory, Robert Piper, in a statement, called the number of demolitions “alarming.”
The number of Palestinians displaced in 2016 is already equivalent to over half of the total number displaced in all of 2015, the official said.
According to Ma'an, Piper called on Israel to immediately halt all demolitions in the occupied West Bank, which he said were in violation of international law.
“Most of the demolitions in the West Bank take place on the spurious legal grounds that Palestinians do not possess building permits,” Piper said.
“But, in Area C, official Israeli figures indicate only 1.5 percent of Palestinian permit applications are approved in any case. So what legal options are left for a law-abiding Palestinian?”
The UN documented 283 homes and other structures destroyed, dismantled, or confiscated between Jan. 1 and Feb. 15, many of which were located in the Jordan Valley.
The measures displaced 404 Palestinians, including 219 children. Another 1,150 Palestinians were also affected after losing structures related to their source of income, according to the UN.
The destruction was focused in 41 locations, many in Palestinian Bedouin or herder communities in Area C, the over 60 percent of the West Bank under full Israeli military control.
A number of demolitions carried out took place in Palestinian communities whose lands have been designated by Israel as “closed military zones,” where military exercises have historically been carried out in effort to drive Palestinians from their land.
Piper highlighted previous statements by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon that Israeli zoning and planning policies are “restrictive and highly discriminatory.”
“International law is clear -- Palestinians in the West Bank have the right to adequate housing and the right to receive humanitarian assistance,” said Piper.
“As the occupying power, Israel is obliged to respect these rights," the UN official said.
Repeated calls by international bodies for Israel to cease the displacement of Palestinians living in the occupied Palestinian territory have done little in the past to stop ongoing demolitions or settlement expansion onto Palestinian land.
The EU, earlier this week, condemned Israeli policy regarding demolition and settlement expansion that the body said made the possibility for an independent Palestinian state impossible.
Over 400 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank have been displaced due to Israeli demolitions during the first six weeks of, this year, a senior UN official said, Wednesday.
Coordinator for Humanitarian and UN Development Activities for the occupied Palestinian territory, Robert Piper, in a statement, called the number of demolitions “alarming.”
The number of Palestinians displaced in 2016 is already equivalent to over half of the total number displaced in all of 2015, the official said.
According to Ma'an, Piper called on Israel to immediately halt all demolitions in the occupied West Bank, which he said were in violation of international law.
“Most of the demolitions in the West Bank take place on the spurious legal grounds that Palestinians do not possess building permits,” Piper said.
“But, in Area C, official Israeli figures indicate only 1.5 percent of Palestinian permit applications are approved in any case. So what legal options are left for a law-abiding Palestinian?”
The UN documented 283 homes and other structures destroyed, dismantled, or confiscated between Jan. 1 and Feb. 15, many of which were located in the Jordan Valley.
The measures displaced 404 Palestinians, including 219 children. Another 1,150 Palestinians were also affected after losing structures related to their source of income, according to the UN.
The destruction was focused in 41 locations, many in Palestinian Bedouin or herder communities in Area C, the over 60 percent of the West Bank under full Israeli military control.
A number of demolitions carried out took place in Palestinian communities whose lands have been designated by Israel as “closed military zones,” where military exercises have historically been carried out in effort to drive Palestinians from their land.
Piper highlighted previous statements by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon that Israeli zoning and planning policies are “restrictive and highly discriminatory.”
“International law is clear -- Palestinians in the West Bank have the right to adequate housing and the right to receive humanitarian assistance,” said Piper.
“As the occupying power, Israel is obliged to respect these rights," the UN official said.
Repeated calls by international bodies for Israel to cease the displacement of Palestinians living in the occupied Palestinian territory have done little in the past to stop ongoing demolitions or settlement expansion onto Palestinian land.
The EU, earlier this week, condemned Israeli policy regarding demolition and settlement expansion that the body said made the possibility for an independent Palestinian state impossible.
Israeli bulldozers demolished Thursday afternoon the Araqib village in the Negev to the south of 1948 occupied Palestine for the 94th time since 2010.
The activist Salim al-Araqib revealed that “Israeli military bulldozers escorted by police forces demolished the village again and left us homeless”.
The demolition of Araqib village along with many other areas in the Negev is part of the Israeli plan to expel more than 120 thousand Palestinians from their homes to establish new Jewish settlements on the ruins of the so-called unrecognized 51 Palestinian villages.
Villages in the Negev are usually exposed to demolition campaigns that have already affected hundreds of Palestinians’ homes under the pretext of lacking construction permits.
The activist Salim al-Araqib revealed that “Israeli military bulldozers escorted by police forces demolished the village again and left us homeless”.
The demolition of Araqib village along with many other areas in the Negev is part of the Israeli plan to expel more than 120 thousand Palestinians from their homes to establish new Jewish settlements on the ruins of the so-called unrecognized 51 Palestinian villages.
Villages in the Negev are usually exposed to demolition campaigns that have already affected hundreds of Palestinians’ homes under the pretext of lacking construction permits.
