20 jan 2020
Madeeha Araj/PNN
The National Bureau for Defending Land and Resisting Settlements stated, in its latest weekly report , that the far-right Israeli Defense Minister, Naftali Bennett announced, last week, the approval of seven nature reserves in the West Bank, with an area of 130,000-State dunams — 20,000 of which ones belong to Palestinian citizens.
Bennett’s announcement also included approval for expansion of 12 already existing and approved by the Civil Administration in 2008.
The announcement included Wadi Al-Malha Reserve, 14,236 dunams; Wadi Tireza Reserve, 200 dunams; and Wadi Ogh Reserve, 5,700 dunams — all private Palestinian lands.
Bennett claimed that his ministry continues to develop the Jewish settlement in Area C “with actions, but not with words,” adding that, in Judea and Samaria, there are picturesque natural sites to be expanded and new ones be established, soon.
In his announcement, Bennett also called on Civil Administration to transfer the new nature reserves’ responsibility to the Nature and Gardens’ Authority, so that it can be opened before the public. Bennett’s announcement mentioned a large number of sites, including the Surek Cave, also known as the High Halimat Cave or the Candles Cave, near Beit Sorek; Wadi al-Muqlaq, on the eastern slopes of the Mount of Olives, in Jerusalem; Wadi-Malha, to the southern Jordan River; and Wadi Al-Far’a, the gateway to the northern Jordan Valley.
Moreover, Bennett also announced the expansion of 12 existing natural reserves, namely the mountain peaks located west of the Dead Sea; Fsayil & Um Zoka, in the Jordan Valley; Ein al-Fashkhah, adjacent to the Dead Sea; Kharouba village, east of Ramla and inside the West Bank; Wadi Silvadora, north of the Dead Sea; Ghadir Mountain, east of Tubas; Eioun Kana, north of the Dead Sea; Wadi Al-Malha, in the middle of the Jordan Valley; and Qumran, in the Jericho area — which means placing a hand on large areas of Palestinian land classified as Area C.
According to B’Tselem’s data, Israel announced that about 20% of the Jordan Valley has become “natural reserves, and national parks.”
In general, there are 700 km2 in the West Bank that have been declared natural reserves, in addition to 78 km2 as forests, so that the percentage of those lands reaches 13.7% of the total area of the West Bank. This is to say 59 nature reserves, most of which are located in Area C, according to the Oslo Agreement, but under Israeli control, which is subject to use for the benefit of settlements in the northern Jordan Valley — areas that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is promoting for his plan to impose Israeli sovereignty, there, if he wins the elections — the nature reserves in Wadi Qana, Salfit, and others in the Bethlehem and Hebron governorates.
With this in mind, the matter is clearly not limited to nature reserves, but also includes military bases or state lands.
Within the context of settlement projects, Israeli occupation authorities issued military orders to seize 350 dunams of agricultural land from Al-Khader and Artas villages, to the south of Bethlehem and specifically in the Bakush, Dhahr Ein, Hammad, Al-Shagv, Zakandah, Ein Al-Qasis, Shushahla, and Rajm areas, with the aim of expanding the bypass settlement road n. 60.
This means razing and rubbering more land, as well as adding 150-meter recoil, preventing farmers from accessing their lands.
Israeli authorities seized 127 dunams of land in Burqin and Kafr al-Dik, to the west of Salfit, under the pretext of it being state property. Israeli forces began implementing the second stage of establishing a new water line on the lands of the Qalqila Governorate, which extends from the 1948 line to Nablus, for the purpose of watering settlements.
This seven-kilometer project was announced in 2018, and entails the destruction of more than 1,000 olive trees and the confiscation of one hundred dunams of lands.
In Nablus, groups of settlers gathered on a number of roads, especially the Hawara and Yitzhar roads, and in the Orif lands, disrupting study at Orif Secondary School. At the same time, settlers attacked residential houses with stones, in the Madama village, and tried to climb their roofs, but people from around the villages came to help.
In Salfit, occupation authorities announced, earlier, the expansion of the Bruakhin settlement by adding hundreds of new settlement units. This prompted the settlers, there, to bulldoze 127 dunams in the Thahr Subh area, on the northern side of Hajah town, classified as a state land located in Areas B & C, although its owners possess documents which prove their ownership.
The National Bureau for Defending Land and Resisting Settlements stated, in its latest weekly report , that the far-right Israeli Defense Minister, Naftali Bennett announced, last week, the approval of seven nature reserves in the West Bank, with an area of 130,000-State dunams — 20,000 of which ones belong to Palestinian citizens.
Bennett’s announcement also included approval for expansion of 12 already existing and approved by the Civil Administration in 2008.
The announcement included Wadi Al-Malha Reserve, 14,236 dunams; Wadi Tireza Reserve, 200 dunams; and Wadi Ogh Reserve, 5,700 dunams — all private Palestinian lands.
Bennett claimed that his ministry continues to develop the Jewish settlement in Area C “with actions, but not with words,” adding that, in Judea and Samaria, there are picturesque natural sites to be expanded and new ones be established, soon.
In his announcement, Bennett also called on Civil Administration to transfer the new nature reserves’ responsibility to the Nature and Gardens’ Authority, so that it can be opened before the public. Bennett’s announcement mentioned a large number of sites, including the Surek Cave, also known as the High Halimat Cave or the Candles Cave, near Beit Sorek; Wadi al-Muqlaq, on the eastern slopes of the Mount of Olives, in Jerusalem; Wadi-Malha, to the southern Jordan River; and Wadi Al-Far’a, the gateway to the northern Jordan Valley.
Moreover, Bennett also announced the expansion of 12 existing natural reserves, namely the mountain peaks located west of the Dead Sea; Fsayil & Um Zoka, in the Jordan Valley; Ein al-Fashkhah, adjacent to the Dead Sea; Kharouba village, east of Ramla and inside the West Bank; Wadi Silvadora, north of the Dead Sea; Ghadir Mountain, east of Tubas; Eioun Kana, north of the Dead Sea; Wadi Al-Malha, in the middle of the Jordan Valley; and Qumran, in the Jericho area — which means placing a hand on large areas of Palestinian land classified as Area C.
According to B’Tselem’s data, Israel announced that about 20% of the Jordan Valley has become “natural reserves, and national parks.”
In general, there are 700 km2 in the West Bank that have been declared natural reserves, in addition to 78 km2 as forests, so that the percentage of those lands reaches 13.7% of the total area of the West Bank. This is to say 59 nature reserves, most of which are located in Area C, according to the Oslo Agreement, but under Israeli control, which is subject to use for the benefit of settlements in the northern Jordan Valley — areas that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is promoting for his plan to impose Israeli sovereignty, there, if he wins the elections — the nature reserves in Wadi Qana, Salfit, and others in the Bethlehem and Hebron governorates.
With this in mind, the matter is clearly not limited to nature reserves, but also includes military bases or state lands.
Within the context of settlement projects, Israeli occupation authorities issued military orders to seize 350 dunams of agricultural land from Al-Khader and Artas villages, to the south of Bethlehem and specifically in the Bakush, Dhahr Ein, Hammad, Al-Shagv, Zakandah, Ein Al-Qasis, Shushahla, and Rajm areas, with the aim of expanding the bypass settlement road n. 60.
This means razing and rubbering more land, as well as adding 150-meter recoil, preventing farmers from accessing their lands.
Israeli authorities seized 127 dunams of land in Burqin and Kafr al-Dik, to the west of Salfit, under the pretext of it being state property. Israeli forces began implementing the second stage of establishing a new water line on the lands of the Qalqila Governorate, which extends from the 1948 line to Nablus, for the purpose of watering settlements.
This seven-kilometer project was announced in 2018, and entails the destruction of more than 1,000 olive trees and the confiscation of one hundred dunams of lands.
In Nablus, groups of settlers gathered on a number of roads, especially the Hawara and Yitzhar roads, and in the Orif lands, disrupting study at Orif Secondary School. At the same time, settlers attacked residential houses with stones, in the Madama village, and tried to climb their roofs, but people from around the villages came to help.
In Salfit, occupation authorities announced, earlier, the expansion of the Bruakhin settlement by adding hundreds of new settlement units. This prompted the settlers, there, to bulldoze 127 dunams in the Thahr Subh area, on the northern side of Hajah town, classified as a state land located in Areas B & C, although its owners possess documents which prove their ownership.
Israeli forces today handed notices to demolish 18 Palestinian structures in Umm al-Khair village in Masafer Yatta in the Hebron hills in the south of the West Bank.
Fouad Amour, a local activist, said that Israeli forces stormed the village and delivered demolition notices to eight villagers, identified as members of the Hathalin, al-Masri, al-Tibneh and al-Faqir families purportedly for being built without licenses.
Umm al-Khair is the largest Palestinian community in Masafer Yatta, a collection of almost 19 hamlets which rely heavily on animal husbandry as the main source of livelihood.
It is located in Area C of the West Bank, under full Israeli administrative and military control.
Fouad Amour, a local activist, said that Israeli forces stormed the village and delivered demolition notices to eight villagers, identified as members of the Hathalin, al-Masri, al-Tibneh and al-Faqir families purportedly for being built without licenses.
Umm al-Khair is the largest Palestinian community in Masafer Yatta, a collection of almost 19 hamlets which rely heavily on animal husbandry as the main source of livelihood.
It is located in Area C of the West Bank, under full Israeli administrative and military control.
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The City Council in occupied Jerusalem issued orders, on Sunday evening, instructing seven Palestinian families in Bab as-Silsila (Chain Gate) neighborhood to leave their homes due to ongoing Israeli excavations under them, rendering the properties unsafe.
Jerusalem Governor Adnan Gheith told the Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA) that the excavations are carried out by the municipality of the occupied city and various colonialist organizations and aim at forcing the Palestinians out of their homes. Gheith Added that this has been happening for years, especially in Bab as-Silsila (Chain Gate), Silwan town, and the Old City, and stated that this is all part of Israel’s illegal policies targeting the existence of the indigenous Palestinian population in the occupied city, in direct violation of all related international laws and agreements. |
Resident Rashid Zahda from Bab al-Silsila area, said that twenty-two Palestinian families would lose their homes, especially after Israel already handed eviction notices to seven families, while the remaining orders will be handed Monday.
“The Israeli excavations in Bab as-Silsila, adjacent to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, are also threatening the homes of around 200 Palestinians, after the ongoing digging resulting in cracks and serious damage to their foundations,” Zahda stated, “We are appealing to the International Community to act and save not only our homes, but the entire historic area.”
“The Israeli excavations in Bab as-Silsila, adjacent to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, are also threatening the homes of around 200 Palestinians, after the ongoing digging resulting in cracks and serious damage to their foundations,” Zahda stated, “We are appealing to the International Community to act and save not only our homes, but the entire historic area.”
An Israeli court ruled, Sunday, in favor of the demolition of four Palestinian homes in Wad al-Hummus neighborhood, in Sur Baher town, southeast of occupied East Jerusalem.
The homes are owned by Na’im Oleywa, Osama Hamad, Mohammad Abu Teir, and Na’im al-Atrash.
The only building that is not inhabited yet, and is still under construction, is a three-story home, owned by Na’im al-Atrash.
On July 22 of the year 2019, Israel demolished 11 buildings consisting of more than 70 apartments in Wad al-Hummus.
Israel claims that the buildings were constructed without permits from the City Council, in occupied Jerusalem.
The homes are owned by Na’im Oleywa, Osama Hamad, Mohammad Abu Teir, and Na’im al-Atrash.
The only building that is not inhabited yet, and is still under construction, is a three-story home, owned by Na’im al-Atrash.
On July 22 of the year 2019, Israel demolished 11 buildings consisting of more than 70 apartments in Wad al-Hummus.
Israel claims that the buildings were constructed without permits from the City Council, in occupied Jerusalem.
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The Israeli District Court in occupied Jerusalem has ordered the removal of a Palestinian family from their residential building in Batn al-Hawa neighborhood, in Silwan town, to replace them with colonialist settlers.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Silwan (Silwanic) has reported that the court ruled in favor of Ateret Cohanim colonialist organization, that claims ownership of the land. Silwanic stated that the Rajabi family filed appeals with the court after receiving eviction orders in the year 2016 and has been trying to prove its ownership of the land and the building. The building is a three-story structure, with three apartments and houses |
sixteen Palestinians, including children, seniors and persons with special needs.
It is worth mentioning that, in the year 2015, 84 Palestinian families in Batn al-Hawa neighborhood were informed by the District Court of several lawsuits filed on behalf of Ateret Cohanim, demanding their removal from their building and lands.
Silwanic stated that Rajabi family has several residential buildings on more than five Dunams of privately-owned lands in Batn al-Hawa, located on basins #97, 76, 95, 88, 75 and 72.
Ateret Cohanim is claiming the lands are owned by Jewish settlers, living in Batn al-Hawa, while the families, living in 35 buildings have official deeds of ownership of the lands that were purchased from their owners dozens of years ago.
The colonialist organization claims that the Israeli High Court has ruled in favor of Jewish colonialist settlers from Yemen, granting them ownership. The court claims the lands were owned by the illegal colonists before the year 1948.
It is worth mentioning that, in the year 2015, 84 Palestinian families in Batn al-Hawa neighborhood were informed by the District Court of several lawsuits filed on behalf of Ateret Cohanim, demanding their removal from their building and lands.
Silwanic stated that Rajabi family has several residential buildings on more than five Dunams of privately-owned lands in Batn al-Hawa, located on basins #97, 76, 95, 88, 75 and 72.
Ateret Cohanim is claiming the lands are owned by Jewish settlers, living in Batn al-Hawa, while the families, living in 35 buildings have official deeds of ownership of the lands that were purchased from their owners dozens of years ago.
The colonialist organization claims that the Israeli High Court has ruled in favor of Jewish colonialist settlers from Yemen, granting them ownership. The court claims the lands were owned by the illegal colonists before the year 1948.
18 jan 2020
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The Israeli occupation municipality on Friday forced a Jerusalemite citizen to demolish his own house in Jabel al-Mukaber neighborhood at the pretext of unlicensed construction.
Ammar Nassar, the homeowner, had to demolish the house after the municipality gave him until next Tuesday to raze it, or else he would have paid exorbitant money to the Israeli occupation authority if it had carried out the demolition. A family of six individuals, including four children, was living in the house and they have no other place to live in. The municipality had already forced Ammar’s brothers, Maher and |
Mohamed, to demolish their own homes in the same neighborhood last week.
The measure led to the displacement of 15 individuals, including 11 children.
The measure led to the displacement of 15 individuals, including 11 children.
