10 may 2016
Several Israeli military vehicles, and bulldozers, invaded on Tuesday at dawn the al-Walaja village, west of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, and demolished an under construction home.
Local sources said the soldiers demolished the under construction home, belonging to Hassan Nasr Abu at-Teen, in Ein Jweiza area, north of the village. The army claims the property was being built without a construction permits.
Secretary of the al-Walaja Village Council, Mohammad Abu at-Teen, said a large Israeli military force invaded the village, after completely isolating it, preventing the Palestinians from entering or leaving it.
He added that the demolished building was 250 square/meters, and that the soldiers also handed several other Palestinians orders to stop the construction of their homes and property.
IOF razes home in Bethlehem, hands over notices to property owners
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Tuesday razed a Palestinian home under construction in al-Weljeh village to the west of Bethlehem and handed over stop of construction notices to owners of five homes in addition to a water line in al-Aqabeh village east of Tubas in the northern Jordan Valley.
Majdi Abu al-Tin, secretary of al-Weljeh village council, revealed that the IOF claimed that the home was demolished because of lacking construction permit. As for Tubas, the official of Jordan Valley’s file Mutaz Bsharat underlined that Israeli forces distributed Tuesday morning notices ordering owners of five homes and a water line to stop the construction processes in their properties.
The 3-kilometer-long water line project was aimed at supplying al-Aqabah village, which lacks water sources, with potable water. The inhabitants of the village transfer water in tanks that cost them a lot of money, he pointed out.
Local sources said the soldiers demolished the under construction home, belonging to Hassan Nasr Abu at-Teen, in Ein Jweiza area, north of the village. The army claims the property was being built without a construction permits.
Secretary of the al-Walaja Village Council, Mohammad Abu at-Teen, said a large Israeli military force invaded the village, after completely isolating it, preventing the Palestinians from entering or leaving it.
He added that the demolished building was 250 square/meters, and that the soldiers also handed several other Palestinians orders to stop the construction of their homes and property.
IOF razes home in Bethlehem, hands over notices to property owners
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Tuesday razed a Palestinian home under construction in al-Weljeh village to the west of Bethlehem and handed over stop of construction notices to owners of five homes in addition to a water line in al-Aqabeh village east of Tubas in the northern Jordan Valley.
Majdi Abu al-Tin, secretary of al-Weljeh village council, revealed that the IOF claimed that the home was demolished because of lacking construction permit. As for Tubas, the official of Jordan Valley’s file Mutaz Bsharat underlined that Israeli forces distributed Tuesday morning notices ordering owners of five homes and a water line to stop the construction processes in their properties.
The 3-kilometer-long water line project was aimed at supplying al-Aqabah village, which lacks water sources, with potable water. The inhabitants of the village transfer water in tanks that cost them a lot of money, he pointed out.
Israeli settlers took over at dawn Monday a big Palestinian home belonging to Elyousbashi Jerusalemite family in al-Saadiya neighborhood in the Old City of Occupied Jerusalem.
Activist Alaa al-Haddad, one of the Old City’s inhabitants, told the PIC reporter that 40 settlers broke into the home and performed Talmudic rituals in its yard.
He added that the house is a huge property consisting of three levels and overlooking the Aqsa Mosque.
The family members were not at home at the moment of the settlers' incursion, he pointed out.
Activist Alaa al-Haddad, one of the Old City’s inhabitants, told the PIC reporter that 40 settlers broke into the home and performed Talmudic rituals in its yard.
He added that the house is a huge property consisting of three levels and overlooking the Aqsa Mosque.
The family members were not at home at the moment of the settlers' incursion, he pointed out.
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) arrested at dawn Tuesday a university student from Kafer Qalil town south of Nablus to the north of occupied Jerusalem.
The Palestinian journalist Nawaf al-Amer told the PIC reporter that Israeli forces stormed and violently searched his house at 2 a.m. before arresting his son.
His 20-year-old son Baraa, a student at al-Najah University, was arrested only one day before the final exams, Al-Amer elaborated.
Mobile phones, laptops, cameras, and an amount of money were stolen during the Israeli raid into the house, he added. The journalist Nawaf al-Amer is a former political detainee who was jailed last year in PA jails.
The Palestinian journalist Nawaf al-Amer told the PIC reporter that Israeli forces stormed and violently searched his house at 2 a.m. before arresting his son.
His 20-year-old son Baraa, a student at al-Najah University, was arrested only one day before the final exams, Al-Amer elaborated.
Mobile phones, laptops, cameras, and an amount of money were stolen during the Israeli raid into the house, he added. The journalist Nawaf al-Amer is a former political detainee who was jailed last year in PA jails.
Israeli bulldozers razed on Monday al-Shati’ park in Jisr al-Zarqa town in addition to a wedding hall in Kabol village in northern 1948 Occupied Palestine for lacking construction permits.
Local sources revealed that Israeli authorities knocked down the hall regardless of the Israeli Supreme Court's decision of freezing demolition since the issuance of the structure's construction permit was under process.
For his part, head of the popular committee and member of Jisr al-Zarqa town’s council Sami al-Ali called for supporting Palestinian families affected by the demolition.
Al-Ali told Quds Press that the Arab towns in the 1948 Occupied Palestine suffer from a land crisis for development construction and lack public halls and parks due to Israeli discrimination, demolition, confiscation, siege and harassment policies.
Local sources revealed that Israeli authorities knocked down the hall regardless of the Israeli Supreme Court's decision of freezing demolition since the issuance of the structure's construction permit was under process.
For his part, head of the popular committee and member of Jisr al-Zarqa town’s council Sami al-Ali called for supporting Palestinian families affected by the demolition.
Al-Ali told Quds Press that the Arab towns in the 1948 Occupied Palestine suffer from a land crisis for development construction and lack public halls and parks due to Israeli discrimination, demolition, confiscation, siege and harassment policies.
9 may 2016
Members of the Abu Ta'ah family at the Amana construction site on their confiscated land
Israeli authorities confiscated a land from a Jerusalemite family, then handed it over to Amana, an organization that works to establish settlements and outposts, Haaretz Hebrew newspaper revealed Monday.
According to the Israeli paper, the confiscation operation took place “without a tender and against the rules.”
Documents submitted by the family for an administrative petition against the land transfer reveals that the state used strenuous bureaucratic acrobatics to deliver land that didn’t belong to it.
The plan was prepared and approved without the family knowing of the expropriation. The property map was redrawn to legitimize the expropriations, and related documents were hidden from the owners, Haaretz added.
However, the Israeli District Court rejected the Palestinian family’s petition, which is being appealed to the Supreme Court.
Amana, founded by the Gush Emunim religious settlement movement in 1979, is the most important private body for establishing and expanding West Bank settlements. The company made headlines last month after two of its executives, secretary general Zeev Hever and treasurer Moshe Yogev, were investigated over alleged corruption.
The company owns Al-Watan, which has been repeatedly involved in deals buying land from Palestinian owners that turned out to be forged. These areas included land belonging to the Abu Ta’ah family, a Palestinian family from Lifta that now resides in occupied Jerusalem.
Over the years, the Abu Ta’ah family tended to the plot and occasionally rented it out. Meanwhile, steps were taken secretly that led to its expropriation for Amana’s benefit.
Israeli authorities confiscated a land from a Jerusalemite family, then handed it over to Amana, an organization that works to establish settlements and outposts, Haaretz Hebrew newspaper revealed Monday.
According to the Israeli paper, the confiscation operation took place “without a tender and against the rules.”
Documents submitted by the family for an administrative petition against the land transfer reveals that the state used strenuous bureaucratic acrobatics to deliver land that didn’t belong to it.
The plan was prepared and approved without the family knowing of the expropriation. The property map was redrawn to legitimize the expropriations, and related documents were hidden from the owners, Haaretz added.
However, the Israeli District Court rejected the Palestinian family’s petition, which is being appealed to the Supreme Court.
Amana, founded by the Gush Emunim religious settlement movement in 1979, is the most important private body for establishing and expanding West Bank settlements. The company made headlines last month after two of its executives, secretary general Zeev Hever and treasurer Moshe Yogev, were investigated over alleged corruption.
The company owns Al-Watan, which has been repeatedly involved in deals buying land from Palestinian owners that turned out to be forged. These areas included land belonging to the Abu Ta’ah family, a Palestinian family from Lifta that now resides in occupied Jerusalem.
Over the years, the Abu Ta’ah family tended to the plot and occasionally rented it out. Meanwhile, steps were taken secretly that led to its expropriation for Amana’s benefit.
The Israeli occupation army on Sunday seized and bulldozed about 50 dunums of cultivated land belonging to Palestinian farmers in Kafr Qaddum village, east of Qalqiliya city.
Coordinator of the popular resistance in the village Murad Shetewi said that Israeli bulldozers leveled 50 dunums of land and uprooted 50 fruitful olive trees belonging to two local residents at the pretext of building a security road for Mitzpe Yishai settlement.
Every once in a while, the Israeli army appropriates and bulldozes vast tracts of Palestinian-owned land in the West Bank under flimsy security reasons.
Coordinator of the popular resistance in the village Murad Shetewi said that Israeli bulldozers leveled 50 dunums of land and uprooted 50 fruitful olive trees belonging to two local residents at the pretext of building a security road for Mitzpe Yishai settlement.
Every once in a while, the Israeli army appropriates and bulldozes vast tracts of Palestinian-owned land in the West Bank under flimsy security reasons.
7 may 2016
Israeli settlers labeled hundreds of Palestinian-owned olive trees in Deir Estia town west of Salfit as a prelude to cut them down.
Local farmers were surprised Saturday morning when they found their olive trees labeled as a prelude to cutting them down to pave the way for expanding nearby settlements.
The local activist Khaled Maali said that Deir Estia town has been for long a victim of numerous settlement expansion plans under flimsy pretexts.
He pointed out that Israeli occupation authorities plan to confiscate Wadi Kana, which covers an area of more than 12,000 acres, for settlement expansion.
Local farmers were surprised Saturday morning when they found their olive trees labeled as a prelude to cutting them down to pave the way for expanding nearby settlements.
The local activist Khaled Maali said that Deir Estia town has been for long a victim of numerous settlement expansion plans under flimsy pretexts.
He pointed out that Israeli occupation authorities plan to confiscate Wadi Kana, which covers an area of more than 12,000 acres, for settlement expansion.
6 may 2016
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) handed a stop of construction notice to the Palestinian Ayed al-Shawahin ordering him to stop the construction process of his home in Yatta town to the south of al-Khalil after storming the structure and confiscating some of the construction materials.
Coordinator of the popular committee against settlement in Yatta, Ratib al-Jabour, told Quds Press that the IOF claims lack of construction permits.
The house owner, however, applied for a permit years ago in vein, Jabour pointed out. Israeli demolition orders last year affected 645 homes and structures in the West Bank and Occupied Jerusalem. While, 780 demolition orders were handed over to Palestinians in the same year.
Coordinator of the popular committee against settlement in Yatta, Ratib al-Jabour, told Quds Press that the IOF claims lack of construction permits.
The house owner, however, applied for a permit years ago in vein, Jabour pointed out. Israeli demolition orders last year affected 645 homes and structures in the West Bank and Occupied Jerusalem. While, 780 demolition orders were handed over to Palestinians in the same year.
The Jerusalemite family of Shafiq al-Khayyat on Thursday regained their home after being taken over for 20 months by Elad settlement society in September, 2014.
Wadi Helweh Information Center quoted the family’s lawyer Medhat Dibe as saying that the decision was taken after several court sessions.
At the end of March, the Israeli Central Court ruled that settlers had to evacuate the house immediately.
The lawyer revealed that the court rejected the appeal of Elad society which means that the evacuation order is a final decision.
Wadi Helweh Information Center quoted the family’s lawyer Medhat Dibe as saying that the decision was taken after several court sessions.
At the end of March, the Israeli Central Court ruled that settlers had to evacuate the house immediately.
The lawyer revealed that the court rejected the appeal of Elad society which means that the evacuation order is a final decision.
The Israeli occupation army on Thursday notified the demolition of five Palestinian homes and a water pipe in al-Aqaba village, in the northern Jordan Valley, to the east of Tubas city, on claims of unlicensed construction.
Head of the Aqaba village council, Sami Sadeq, said the occupation soldiers threatened to knock down five civilian homes and a water pipe on May 30.
The Israeli military forces also attempted to seize a digging machine from the area, Sadeq added.
He further noted that the move has not been the only one of its kind as 95% of Palestinian civilian structures in the village have been the targets of Israeli demolition threats.
Head of the Aqaba village council, Sami Sadeq, said the occupation soldiers threatened to knock down five civilian homes and a water pipe on May 30.
The Israeli military forces also attempted to seize a digging machine from the area, Sadeq added.
He further noted that the move has not been the only one of its kind as 95% of Palestinian civilian structures in the village have been the targets of Israeli demolition threats.
4 may 2016
The Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) on Tuesday evening notified the demolition of nine Palestinian homes in the southern occupied West Bank province of Bethlehem.
Head of the al-Walaja village council, Abdul Rahman Abu al-Teen, said the IOA issued demolition and stop-construction orders targeting nine Palestinian homes.
The house owners were given a period of no more than 24 hours to file an appeal. According to Abu al-Teen two homes have been inhabited by Palestinian families while the other buildings are under construction.
A few weeks earlier, the Israeli occupation bulldozers knocked down three Palestinian family homes in the area, just a few days after they notified the owners.
Head of the al-Walaja village council, Abdul Rahman Abu al-Teen, said the IOA issued demolition and stop-construction orders targeting nine Palestinian homes.
The house owners were given a period of no more than 24 hours to file an appeal. According to Abu al-Teen two homes have been inhabited by Palestinian families while the other buildings are under construction.
A few weeks earlier, the Israeli occupation bulldozers knocked down three Palestinian family homes in the area, just a few days after they notified the owners.
3 may 2016
The Israeli municipality in occupied Jerusalem forced on Tuesday a Jerusalemite citizen to demolish his three stores under the pretext of being built without permit.
Eyewitnesses affirmed that a Jerusalemite man was forced to demolish his three stores in Silwan town south of occupied Jerusalem.
The three demolished stores were built seven years ago over an area of 75 square meters, according to the sources.
On the other hand, Israeli police continued its violent raid campaigns and demolition notifications across Silwan town under flimsy pretexts.
Eyewitnesses affirmed that a Jerusalemite man was forced to demolish his three stores in Silwan town south of occupied Jerusalem.
The three demolished stores were built seven years ago over an area of 75 square meters, according to the sources.
On the other hand, Israeli police continued its violent raid campaigns and demolition notifications across Silwan town under flimsy pretexts.
An anti-Normalization committee in Amman charged Israeli authorities with robbing the petrol of Jordan and demanded the Energy Ministry to explain the discovery of petrol which has recently been declared by Israeli authorities in the Dead Sea.
The head of the committee Manaf Mejli said, in a statement on Monday, that if petrol is found in commercial quantities, it is a Jordanian right which Israel has no right to exploit.
He pointed to previous studies conducted by oil exploration companies affirming the existence of commercial quantities of petrol in the area. He called for revealing the truth and explaining the matter to citizens.
The head of the committee Manaf Mejli said, in a statement on Monday, that if petrol is found in commercial quantities, it is a Jordanian right which Israel has no right to exploit.
He pointed to previous studies conducted by oil exploration companies affirming the existence of commercial quantities of petrol in the area. He called for revealing the truth and explaining the matter to citizens.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) at dawn on Tuesday knocked down the family home of the Palestinian detainee Zaid Amer in Nablus province.
A PIC journalist quoted Zaid’s brother, Ghassan, as saying that several Israeli army vehicles and patrols rolled into the Amman Street at 3 a.m. and broke into Zaid’s home before they reduced it to rubble.
He added that the demolition procedure lasted for three hours and targeted the interior and exterior walls of the building. Zaid’s home was evacuated some few days ago after the family had received a demolition notification a couple of months earlier.
The Israeli Supreme Court turned down an appeal filed by the family to cancel the demolition.
26-year-old Zaid Amer, from Nablus, got married a few months ago. He was arrested by the IOF just a couple of months after his wedding on allegations of his involvement in an anti-occupation shooting attack in early October 2015 near Beit Furik town, in eastern Nablus.
Earlier, the IOF had demolished the homes of four Palestinian detainees who allegedly planned for the anti-occupation attack. Two other demolition orders are also expected to be issued by the Israeli Supreme Court on the same account.
Meanwhile, an undercover Israeli troop kidnapped the Palestinian youth Muhammad Samara from eastern Nablus.
A PIC journalist quoted Zaid’s brother, Ghassan, as saying that several Israeli army vehicles and patrols rolled into the Amman Street at 3 a.m. and broke into Zaid’s home before they reduced it to rubble.
He added that the demolition procedure lasted for three hours and targeted the interior and exterior walls of the building. Zaid’s home was evacuated some few days ago after the family had received a demolition notification a couple of months earlier.
The Israeli Supreme Court turned down an appeal filed by the family to cancel the demolition.
26-year-old Zaid Amer, from Nablus, got married a few months ago. He was arrested by the IOF just a couple of months after his wedding on allegations of his involvement in an anti-occupation shooting attack in early October 2015 near Beit Furik town, in eastern Nablus.
Earlier, the IOF had demolished the homes of four Palestinian detainees who allegedly planned for the anti-occupation attack. Two other demolition orders are also expected to be issued by the Israeli Supreme Court on the same account.
Meanwhile, an undercover Israeli troop kidnapped the Palestinian youth Muhammad Samara from eastern Nablus.
The Palestinian Economic Council for Development and Reconstruction (PECDAR) has demanded Israel to stop any oil drilling operations in the Dead Sea area, which is located within the boundaries of the Palestinian state under the international law.
Head of the council Mohamed Ashtiya stated on Monday that Israel's extraction of oil from this area would violate international laws and resolutions, warning that the Palestinian Authority would raise the issue legally and diplomatically and demand compensation for any Israeli violation in this regard.
"The Dead Sea is one of the most important natural resources for the Palestinian people, but Israel has been depleting it since 1948, which has led to a decline in its water level," Ashtiya underlined.
He affirmed that Area C, where the oil field was discovered, was supposed to be under Palestinian sovereignty 18 years ago, but Israel's disrespect for the agreements prevented that.
The Palestinian official called for international action to stop Israel from drilling for oil in the Dead Sea area, pointing out that that the revenues from the field might not be big, but it would have a positive impact on the Palestinian economy if the Palestinians were enabled to extract oil from it.
Head of the council Mohamed Ashtiya stated on Monday that Israel's extraction of oil from this area would violate international laws and resolutions, warning that the Palestinian Authority would raise the issue legally and diplomatically and demand compensation for any Israeli violation in this regard.
"The Dead Sea is one of the most important natural resources for the Palestinian people, but Israel has been depleting it since 1948, which has led to a decline in its water level," Ashtiya underlined.
He affirmed that Area C, where the oil field was discovered, was supposed to be under Palestinian sovereignty 18 years ago, but Israel's disrespect for the agreements prevented that.
The Palestinian official called for international action to stop Israel from drilling for oil in the Dead Sea area, pointing out that that the revenues from the field might not be big, but it would have a positive impact on the Palestinian economy if the Palestinians were enabled to extract oil from it.
The Israeli occupation municipality on Monday notified the demolition of Palestinian civilian homes and structures in al-Issawiya town, to the northeast of Occupied Jerusalem.
Member of al-Issawiya Follow-up Committee, Muhammad Abu al-Hums, said Israeli municipal crews stormed al-Issawiya and took pictures of Palestinian buildings and residential neighborhoods.
The Israeli municipal staff pasted demolition notifications on the walls of the targeted Palestinian homes and structures, attributing the move to the unlicensed construction pretext. Most of the targeted buildings have reportedly been homes to native Palestinian families for several years.
The notifications also targeted a gas station and a medical center.
Meanwhile, a hearing is expected to be held by the municipal court to look into the appeals filed by the Palestinians of al-Issawiya against the attempts of the Israeli municipality and Nature Authority to seize a Palestinian cultivated land lot.
The move makes part of an ongoing Israeli policy of collective punishment against the Palestinians.
Earlier, at predawn time, the Israeli occupation troops stormed Palestinian homes in Abu Taya neighborhood, in Silwan, and threatened to arrest a number of Palestinian youths in case of any involvement in anti-occupation activities.
Member of al-Issawiya Follow-up Committee, Muhammad Abu al-Hums, said Israeli municipal crews stormed al-Issawiya and took pictures of Palestinian buildings and residential neighborhoods.
The Israeli municipal staff pasted demolition notifications on the walls of the targeted Palestinian homes and structures, attributing the move to the unlicensed construction pretext. Most of the targeted buildings have reportedly been homes to native Palestinian families for several years.
The notifications also targeted a gas station and a medical center.
Meanwhile, a hearing is expected to be held by the municipal court to look into the appeals filed by the Palestinians of al-Issawiya against the attempts of the Israeli municipality and Nature Authority to seize a Palestinian cultivated land lot.
The move makes part of an ongoing Israeli policy of collective punishment against the Palestinians.
Earlier, at predawn time, the Israeli occupation troops stormed Palestinian homes in Abu Taya neighborhood, in Silwan, and threatened to arrest a number of Palestinian youths in case of any involvement in anti-occupation activities.
Israeli justice minister Ayelet Shaked intends to present a bill at the Israeli Knesset calling for applying the law enforced inside Israel to Israelis in the West Bank settlements.
Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper revealed on Monday that the law proposal demands to annex the West Bank to the occupied territories and setting a law system for settlers along with Palestinians who are currently subjected to Israeli military regulations.
Israeli MKs Orit Struck and Yariv Levin presented the bill to the former government but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to freeze the proposed law which requires a military order by the army region commander in order to be enforced.
Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper revealed on Monday that the law proposal demands to annex the West Bank to the occupied territories and setting a law system for settlers along with Palestinians who are currently subjected to Israeli military regulations.
Israeli MKs Orit Struck and Yariv Levin presented the bill to the former government but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to freeze the proposed law which requires a military order by the army region commander in order to be enforced.
