21 feb 2017
Mayor of Deir Estia town in Salfit said on Tuesday that Israeli bulldozers from Yakir settlement leveled for the third day in a row large areas of Palestinian lands in Wadi Qana area. Leveling works aimed at expanding Yakir outpost through the construction of 200 new housing units.
For his part, researcher Khaled Ma’ali pointed out that Yakir settlement, which is inhabited by religious Jews, was expanded last year.
Amana extremist settlement movement has been exerting efforts to increase its population, he highlighted.
Yakir settlement was established in 1981 as a military training camp. The Israeli occupation authorities, however, turned it later on into a settlement and kept the camp within the outpost, Ma’ali said.
For his part, researcher Khaled Ma’ali pointed out that Yakir settlement, which is inhabited by religious Jews, was expanded last year.
Amana extremist settlement movement has been exerting efforts to increase its population, he highlighted.
Yakir settlement was established in 1981 as a military training camp. The Israeli occupation authorities, however, turned it later on into a settlement and kept the camp within the outpost, Ma’ali said.
The Israeli government decided on Tuesday to confiscate 250 dunums of Palestinian lands east of occupied Jerusalem that would be allocated for the establishment of a new neighborhood following a long procedural process that lasted for years.
According to the website of the Israeli Channel Seven, the confiscated lands will be allocated for the establishment of a new neighborhood that will include more than 2,000 settlement units.
The website added that the Israeli Jerusalem municipality recently received an official letter from the Israeli Minister of Interior approving the annexation of these lands.
Jerusalem municipality, in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing, will soon start the construction of a new settlement neighborhood called Mordot Arnona on this land.
According to the website of the Israeli Channel Seven, the confiscated lands will be allocated for the establishment of a new neighborhood that will include more than 2,000 settlement units.
The website added that the Israeli Jerusalem municipality recently received an official letter from the Israeli Minister of Interior approving the annexation of these lands.
Jerusalem municipality, in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing, will soon start the construction of a new settlement neighborhood called Mordot Arnona on this land.
20 feb 2017
Israeli Army Minister Avigdor Lieberman launched on Monday morning an incitement campaign against Palestinians in Umm al-Fahm within the Green Line.
In an interview with Israeli radio, Lieberman said “there is no reason whatsoever that the residents of Umm Al-Fahm, who identify as Palestinians, should continue to be citizens of Israel.”
Lieberman emphasized that he was not endorsing the traditional formula of land-for-peace promoted by advocates of a two-state solution.
He also argued that an arrangement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority would only be a small part of a larger regional agreement with moderate Arab states.
Lieberman’s statements came to defend his plan of land exchange which aims at bringing Jewish settlement in occupied West Bank under Israel sovereignty while transferring large Arab population communities within the Green Line to the Palestinian Authority.
In an interview with Israeli radio, Lieberman said “there is no reason whatsoever that the residents of Umm Al-Fahm, who identify as Palestinians, should continue to be citizens of Israel.”
Lieberman emphasized that he was not endorsing the traditional formula of land-for-peace promoted by advocates of a two-state solution.
He also argued that an arrangement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority would only be a small part of a larger regional agreement with moderate Arab states.
Lieberman’s statements came to defend his plan of land exchange which aims at bringing Jewish settlement in occupied West Bank under Israel sovereignty while transferring large Arab population communities within the Green Line to the Palestinian Authority.
Israeli military bulldozers destroyed, Monday, a drinking water pipeline that was funded by The United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in the Central Plains of the occupied West Bank.
Mo’taz Bisharat, a Palestinian official in charge of Israeli colonies’ file at the Palestinian Authority in central West Bank, said many Israeli army jeeps and bulldozers invaded the area, during early morning hours, and destroyed a drinking water pipeline, providing water to Palestinian communities along the al-Hadeediyya and ar-Ras al-Ahmar areas.
Bisharat added that the pipeline provided clean drinking water to 47 families, and extended on 8.5 kilometers.
He also stated that the pipeline’s installation and equipment costs were 12500 euros, provided by the UNICEF to enable access to clean drinking water, and added that the soldiers confiscated large sections of the pipeline.
It is worth mentioning that this destruction is the second of its kind in one month.
Mo’taz Bisharat, a Palestinian official in charge of Israeli colonies’ file at the Palestinian Authority in central West Bank, said many Israeli army jeeps and bulldozers invaded the area, during early morning hours, and destroyed a drinking water pipeline, providing water to Palestinian communities along the al-Hadeediyya and ar-Ras al-Ahmar areas.
Bisharat added that the pipeline provided clean drinking water to 47 families, and extended on 8.5 kilometers.
He also stated that the pipeline’s installation and equipment costs were 12500 euros, provided by the UNICEF to enable access to clean drinking water, and added that the soldiers confiscated large sections of the pipeline.
It is worth mentioning that this destruction is the second of its kind in one month.
Israeli soldiers have abducted, overnight and at dawn Monday, at least twenty-two Palestinians, from various areas, in the occupied West Bank, and violently searched dozens of homes, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) has reported.
The Hebron office of the PPS, in the southern part of the West Bank, said the soldiers invaded and searched homes in Surif and Beit Awwa towns, and abducted two Palestinians, while a third was taken prisoner at a roadblock in the city.
It stated that the soldiers abducted Ibrahim Mohammad Abu Fara, from Surif town, and Mahmoud Issa Abu Rezeq, from Beit Awwa.
The soldiers also abducted Morad ‘Ashour, after stopping him at a military roadblock, in Abu Sneina neighborhood, in the center of Hebron city.
|Israeli Soldiers Invade Homes In Hebron|
In addition, the soldiers invaded Rommana village, west of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, and abducted a former political prisoner, identified as Mahdi Mirshid Bushnaq, 42.
The soldiers also assaulted a Palestinian journalist, identified as Khaled Mohammad Bushnaq, 39, causing many cuts and bruises, and forced him to remove his clothes in the cold, under the allegation of searching him.
In addition, a large military force invaded Barta’a town, isolated behind the Annexation Wall, southwest of Jenin, and the Industrial Zone, and violently search many stores and buildings, after breaking into them.
Media sources in Jenin said the violent invasions, and searches, were carried out by the soldiers while a military helicopter flew overhead.
The soldiers also invaded Jenin refugee camp, before storming and searching homes, and abducted a young man, identified as Saleh Abu Zeina.
Also at dawn, the soldiers invaded Tal village, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, searched homes and abducted two young Palestinian men, identified as Mahmoud Saqer ‘Aseeda, 29, and Tawfiq al-Hindi, 27.
It is worth mentioning that Aseeda is a former political prisoner, who was frequently abducted and imprisoned by Israel, and was only released from a detention center less than three months ago.
In a statement, the Israeli army said its soldiers have arrested twenty-two Palestinians in the West Bank districts of Nablus, Jenin, Qalqilia, Ramallah and Al-Biereh, Jerusalem and Hebron.
Furthermore, Israeli military bulldozers destroyed a drinking water pipeline, providing the villages of ‘Atouf and al-Hadeediyya, in the West Bank’s northern plains, with the needed water.
Mo’taz Bisharat, a Palestinian official at the governate office in Tubas and the northern Plains, said the Israeli attack left more than 47 families without water.
He added that this was the second attack of its kind, carried out by the soldiers in the area, since the beginning of this year.
In related news, Israeli navy ships opened fire on Palestinian fishing boats Gazan territorial waters in Rafah, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, and near the coast northwest of Gaza city.
The Hebron office of the PPS, in the southern part of the West Bank, said the soldiers invaded and searched homes in Surif and Beit Awwa towns, and abducted two Palestinians, while a third was taken prisoner at a roadblock in the city.
It stated that the soldiers abducted Ibrahim Mohammad Abu Fara, from Surif town, and Mahmoud Issa Abu Rezeq, from Beit Awwa.
The soldiers also abducted Morad ‘Ashour, after stopping him at a military roadblock, in Abu Sneina neighborhood, in the center of Hebron city.
|Israeli Soldiers Invade Homes In Hebron|
In addition, the soldiers invaded Rommana village, west of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, and abducted a former political prisoner, identified as Mahdi Mirshid Bushnaq, 42.
The soldiers also assaulted a Palestinian journalist, identified as Khaled Mohammad Bushnaq, 39, causing many cuts and bruises, and forced him to remove his clothes in the cold, under the allegation of searching him.
In addition, a large military force invaded Barta’a town, isolated behind the Annexation Wall, southwest of Jenin, and the Industrial Zone, and violently search many stores and buildings, after breaking into them.
Media sources in Jenin said the violent invasions, and searches, were carried out by the soldiers while a military helicopter flew overhead.
The soldiers also invaded Jenin refugee camp, before storming and searching homes, and abducted a young man, identified as Saleh Abu Zeina.
Also at dawn, the soldiers invaded Tal village, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, searched homes and abducted two young Palestinian men, identified as Mahmoud Saqer ‘Aseeda, 29, and Tawfiq al-Hindi, 27.
It is worth mentioning that Aseeda is a former political prisoner, who was frequently abducted and imprisoned by Israel, and was only released from a detention center less than three months ago.
In a statement, the Israeli army said its soldiers have arrested twenty-two Palestinians in the West Bank districts of Nablus, Jenin, Qalqilia, Ramallah and Al-Biereh, Jerusalem and Hebron.
Furthermore, Israeli military bulldozers destroyed a drinking water pipeline, providing the villages of ‘Atouf and al-Hadeediyya, in the West Bank’s northern plains, with the needed water.
Mo’taz Bisharat, a Palestinian official at the governate office in Tubas and the northern Plains, said the Israeli attack left more than 47 families without water.
He added that this was the second attack of its kind, carried out by the soldiers in the area, since the beginning of this year.
In related news, Israeli navy ships opened fire on Palestinian fishing boats Gazan territorial waters in Rafah, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, and near the coast northwest of Gaza city.
19 feb 2017
Israeli municipality forced the Jerusalemite man Salah Shwaiki on Sunday to raze his own home in Silwan town, east of Occupied Jerusalem, after the claim of lacking construction permit.
Shwaiki told Quds Press that an Israeli prosecutor ordered him, in a court session last Thursday, to knock down his home and threatened him to bear too expensive costs if demolition was made by the municipality crews. He pointed out that his 80 square meters house dates back to 1990.
According to Quds Press, home demolition operations that were carried out by Jerusalemite families in 2016 reached 26 of housing and commercial structures. Since the beginning of 2017, however, four structures have been demolished so far by Jerusalemite people.
Shwaiki told Quds Press that an Israeli prosecutor ordered him, in a court session last Thursday, to knock down his home and threatened him to bear too expensive costs if demolition was made by the municipality crews. He pointed out that his 80 square meters house dates back to 1990.
According to Quds Press, home demolition operations that were carried out by Jerusalemite families in 2016 reached 26 of housing and commercial structures. Since the beginning of 2017, however, four structures have been demolished so far by Jerusalemite people.
The Israeli-controlled Jerusalem Municipality confiscated the lands owned by Sheikh Abdel Muti al-Ansari’s heirs near the foothills of Mount of Olives to be included in the so-called biblical gardens.
Khalil Tufkaji, the land and occupation expert, told the PIC on Sunday that the Israeli project includes the establishment of commercial buildings, parking lots, and biblical gardens.
This, according to Tufkaji, falls in line with the Israeli policy of uprooting Palestinians and Judaization schemes.
Khalil Tufkaji, the land and occupation expert, told the PIC on Sunday that the Israeli project includes the establishment of commercial buildings, parking lots, and biblical gardens.
This, according to Tufkaji, falls in line with the Israeli policy of uprooting Palestinians and Judaization schemes.
The Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) notified on Sunday the demolition and evacuation of about 40 Palestinian Bedouin facilities east of occupied Jerusalem.
Jamil Hamadein told al-Quds Press news agency that a number of military vehicles as well as crews from the Israeli "Civil Administration" broke into Khan al-Ahmar Bedouin village in the early morning hours and announced it a closed military zone.
Hamadein said that the Civil Administration crews handed the Palestinian families living in the village 40 demolition notices for residential facilities, sheep barns, a school and a mosque under the pretext of being unlicensed.
For its part, the Palestinian Authority's Ministry of Education and Higher Education warned of demolishing the school of Khan al-Ahmar which serves a number of Bedouin communities in the outskirts of occupied Jerusalem.
The Minister of Education and Higher Education, Sabri Saydam, said in a press release issued by the ministry that IOA officials broke into the school, threatened to demolish it or remove some of its rooms, and blocked entry of teachers and students. He added that this procedure falls in line with a series of systematic and regular attacks against the school.
Saydam called on all international institutions and organizations to "immediately intervene to stop these inhumane practices, protect the educational process, ensure the students' right of safe education, and put a limit to the Israeli racist policies and arbitrary decisions."
He stressed that the Palestinian children's right of education is stronger than the Israeli tyranny, adding, "We will maintain the educational process and our students will learn in caravans, tents and under trees. Nations of the free world and international institutions must support them to get this right."
The IOA seeks to displace dozens of Palestinian families from the Bedouin communities east of occupied Jerusalem in a prelude to expand the Israeli settlements in the region especially Ma'ale Adumim which is built on the lands of al-Eizariya and Abu Dis towns.
Jamil Hamadein told al-Quds Press news agency that a number of military vehicles as well as crews from the Israeli "Civil Administration" broke into Khan al-Ahmar Bedouin village in the early morning hours and announced it a closed military zone.
Hamadein said that the Civil Administration crews handed the Palestinian families living in the village 40 demolition notices for residential facilities, sheep barns, a school and a mosque under the pretext of being unlicensed.
For its part, the Palestinian Authority's Ministry of Education and Higher Education warned of demolishing the school of Khan al-Ahmar which serves a number of Bedouin communities in the outskirts of occupied Jerusalem.
The Minister of Education and Higher Education, Sabri Saydam, said in a press release issued by the ministry that IOA officials broke into the school, threatened to demolish it or remove some of its rooms, and blocked entry of teachers and students. He added that this procedure falls in line with a series of systematic and regular attacks against the school.
Saydam called on all international institutions and organizations to "immediately intervene to stop these inhumane practices, protect the educational process, ensure the students' right of safe education, and put a limit to the Israeli racist policies and arbitrary decisions."
He stressed that the Palestinian children's right of education is stronger than the Israeli tyranny, adding, "We will maintain the educational process and our students will learn in caravans, tents and under trees. Nations of the free world and international institutions must support them to get this right."
The IOA seeks to displace dozens of Palestinian families from the Bedouin communities east of occupied Jerusalem in a prelude to expand the Israeli settlements in the region especially Ma'ale Adumim which is built on the lands of al-Eizariya and Abu Dis towns.
Israeli forces have leveled Palestinian lands in Mesha village, to the west of Salfit province, in favor of illegal settlement expansion.
Speaking with PIC, head of Mesha village council, Sabah Amer, said Palestinian lands have been increasingly seized and leveled by the Israeli occupation forces and authorities as part of underway endeavors to expand the Qana and She’ari Tekva illegal outposts.
Researcher Khaled Maali also said Palestinian lands in the area have been confiscated to establish an Israeli university at the expense of Palestinian lands, referring to the establishment of an Israeli university in Ariel outpost, at which nearly 25,000 Israeli settlers have been enrolled, as another case in point.
According to Maali, such moves contravene international humanitarian law, the Fourth Geneva Convention, and the Hague Convention, which prohibit the establishment of government institutions on occupied land.
Maali added that the swift pace of illegal settlement construction led to the dismemberment of over 90% of Palestinian lands in Mesha village and the isolation of Palestinian communities behind the apartheid fence. Serious damage has also been wrought on olive trees grown by Palestinian farmers in the area.
Mesha is surrounded by three illegal Israeli settlement outposts, including Qana and She’ari Tekva.
Speaking with PIC, head of Mesha village council, Sabah Amer, said Palestinian lands have been increasingly seized and leveled by the Israeli occupation forces and authorities as part of underway endeavors to expand the Qana and She’ari Tekva illegal outposts.
Researcher Khaled Maali also said Palestinian lands in the area have been confiscated to establish an Israeli university at the expense of Palestinian lands, referring to the establishment of an Israeli university in Ariel outpost, at which nearly 25,000 Israeli settlers have been enrolled, as another case in point.
According to Maali, such moves contravene international humanitarian law, the Fourth Geneva Convention, and the Hague Convention, which prohibit the establishment of government institutions on occupied land.
Maali added that the swift pace of illegal settlement construction led to the dismemberment of over 90% of Palestinian lands in Mesha village and the isolation of Palestinian communities behind the apartheid fence. Serious damage has also been wrought on olive trees grown by Palestinian farmers in the area.
Mesha is surrounded by three illegal Israeli settlement outposts, including Qana and She’ari Tekva.
17 feb 2017
The Jaloud Village Council, in southern Nablus, revealed on Friday morning an Israeli plan to seize Palestinian cultivated lands in the area in favor of illegal settlement expansion.
The Council referred to an announcement issued by Israel’s Civil Administration to confiscate Palestinian land in the area in order to develop infrastructure for Israeli settlers.
According to the announcement, the Israeli occupation authorities endorsed a bid to alter the status of the cultivated lands so as to construct commercial buildings, open areas, and a network of access roads leading to Israeli settlement outposts.
As figures in the announcement, land owners can read the bid but are not entitled to file an appeal against it.
The Jaloud Village Council said the bid is the third of its kind over the past three months.
It added that the new scheme will grab hold of large Palestinian tracts of land in favor of illegal settlement expansion.
The Council referred to an announcement issued by Israel’s Civil Administration to confiscate Palestinian land in the area in order to develop infrastructure for Israeli settlers.
According to the announcement, the Israeli occupation authorities endorsed a bid to alter the status of the cultivated lands so as to construct commercial buildings, open areas, and a network of access roads leading to Israeli settlement outposts.
As figures in the announcement, land owners can read the bid but are not entitled to file an appeal against it.
The Jaloud Village Council said the bid is the third of its kind over the past three months.
It added that the new scheme will grab hold of large Palestinian tracts of land in favor of illegal settlement expansion.
The Jerusalem City Council has decided to take over and confiscate a privately-owned Palestinian land in the al-Ein Street in Silwan town, in occupied East Jerusalem, to turn it into a “public usage property.”
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Silwan (Silwanic) has reported that the soldiers and City Council employees, invaded the town, and posted a sign with maps in Arabic and Hebrew, stating that the “vacant land will be used for gardening, and a playground.”
Silwanic added that the land in question is 300 Square/meters, owned by Palestinians from Ghozlan family in Silwan, and that the land was first designated by the City Council as a “Green Area,” before it was illegally confiscated.
The order to take over the land is valid for five years, based on a law authoring the city to “temporarily use vacant lands.” The City Council intends to install irrigation systems, a garden and a play area.
Mohammad Ghozlan, one of the owners, said he will submit an appeal against the confiscation of the family’s land, as the law allows the residents to file appeals within the first 90 days.
“Even if the claim is true about using our land for recreation for the residents of the area, such as playgrounds and slides, we are the owners, and we are the ones who will plant it and establish this garden and recreation area,” Mohammad stated, “This is our land, not a land owned by the City Council or the state; we are the rightful, legal owners.”
It is worth mentioning that Silwan is just south of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, in occupied East Jerusalem, and is considered one of the biggest and oldest Palestinian towns, and the closest to Al-Aqsa, and is subject to frequent Israeli violations, including ongoing illegal confiscation of lands and property to be used by Israeli colonizers.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Silwan (Silwanic) has reported that the soldiers and City Council employees, invaded the town, and posted a sign with maps in Arabic and Hebrew, stating that the “vacant land will be used for gardening, and a playground.”
Silwanic added that the land in question is 300 Square/meters, owned by Palestinians from Ghozlan family in Silwan, and that the land was first designated by the City Council as a “Green Area,” before it was illegally confiscated.
The order to take over the land is valid for five years, based on a law authoring the city to “temporarily use vacant lands.” The City Council intends to install irrigation systems, a garden and a play area.
Mohammad Ghozlan, one of the owners, said he will submit an appeal against the confiscation of the family’s land, as the law allows the residents to file appeals within the first 90 days.
“Even if the claim is true about using our land for recreation for the residents of the area, such as playgrounds and slides, we are the owners, and we are the ones who will plant it and establish this garden and recreation area,” Mohammad stated, “This is our land, not a land owned by the City Council or the state; we are the rightful, legal owners.”
It is worth mentioning that Silwan is just south of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, in occupied East Jerusalem, and is considered one of the biggest and oldest Palestinian towns, and the closest to Al-Aqsa, and is subject to frequent Israeli violations, including ongoing illegal confiscation of lands and property to be used by Israeli colonizers.
