19 oct 2017
Eight European Union (EU) states have written an official protest letter to Israel, demanding over €30,000 in compensation for confiscating equipment and demolishing structures and infrastructure funded by their countries for Palestinian communities in Area C of the occupied West Bank, which is under Israeli control.
A senior European diplomat told Haaretz newspaper that the letter, which is the first of its kind, would be delivered to senior foreign ministry officials within a few days.
According to the European diplomat, Belgium was leading the move. The other countries involved in drafting the letter are France, Spain, Sweden, Luxembourg, Italy, Ireland and Denmark. All eight countries are members of the West Bank Protection Consortium, a body through which they coordinate humanitarian assistance for Palestinian natives in Area C.
The countries were protesting the confiscation of solar panels they had installed in Bedouin communities and the demolition of mobile structures that were financed in various Bedouin communities to serve as school classrooms, according to Haaretz.
The protest letter was first disclosed by the French newspaper Le Monde.
The Hebrew newspaper quoted the diplomat as saying that the eight states stressed in their letter that if Israel does not unconditionally return the equipment it seized, they would demand compensation.
“The demolition and seizure of humanitarian equipment, including school infrastructure, and the interference in the transfer of humanitarian assistance contravenes Israel’s obligations under international law and causes suffering to the Palestinian residents,” the letter is expected to emphasize.
The letter is the second step these countries have taken on this issue. A month and a half ago, diplomats from the eight countries came to meet with the head of the Israeli foreign ministry’s Europe desk, Rodica Radian-Gordon, to protest Israel’s violations against Bedouin communities in Area C, Haaretz said.
According to a senior Israeli foreign ministry official, Belgian ambassador to Israel Olivier Belle said during that meeting that if Israel did not return the equipment it had seized, his country would formally demand compensation.
Belle was the only one at that meeting to raise the issue of compensation, but in the ensuing weeks he apparently managed to persuade his European counterparts to turn the demand into a joint position that would be officially conveyed to Israel.
Israel categorically rejects the demand for compensation, according to Haaretz, and claims that the European activity in Area C is not humanitarian assistance but illegal development that is done without coordination and with the aim of strengthening the Palestinians’ hold on Area C.
However, the European position affirms that under the Geneva Convention, Israel is responsible for dealing with the everyday needs of the Palestinian population in Area C, and since it is not doing so, the European states are stepping in with humanitarian aid.
A senior European diplomat told Haaretz newspaper that the letter, which is the first of its kind, would be delivered to senior foreign ministry officials within a few days.
According to the European diplomat, Belgium was leading the move. The other countries involved in drafting the letter are France, Spain, Sweden, Luxembourg, Italy, Ireland and Denmark. All eight countries are members of the West Bank Protection Consortium, a body through which they coordinate humanitarian assistance for Palestinian natives in Area C.
The countries were protesting the confiscation of solar panels they had installed in Bedouin communities and the demolition of mobile structures that were financed in various Bedouin communities to serve as school classrooms, according to Haaretz.
The protest letter was first disclosed by the French newspaper Le Monde.
The Hebrew newspaper quoted the diplomat as saying that the eight states stressed in their letter that if Israel does not unconditionally return the equipment it seized, they would demand compensation.
“The demolition and seizure of humanitarian equipment, including school infrastructure, and the interference in the transfer of humanitarian assistance contravenes Israel’s obligations under international law and causes suffering to the Palestinian residents,” the letter is expected to emphasize.
The letter is the second step these countries have taken on this issue. A month and a half ago, diplomats from the eight countries came to meet with the head of the Israeli foreign ministry’s Europe desk, Rodica Radian-Gordon, to protest Israel’s violations against Bedouin communities in Area C, Haaretz said.
According to a senior Israeli foreign ministry official, Belgian ambassador to Israel Olivier Belle said during that meeting that if Israel did not return the equipment it had seized, his country would formally demand compensation.
Belle was the only one at that meeting to raise the issue of compensation, but in the ensuing weeks he apparently managed to persuade his European counterparts to turn the demand into a joint position that would be officially conveyed to Israel.
Israel categorically rejects the demand for compensation, according to Haaretz, and claims that the European activity in Area C is not humanitarian assistance but illegal development that is done without coordination and with the aim of strengthening the Palestinians’ hold on Area C.
However, the European position affirms that under the Geneva Convention, Israel is responsible for dealing with the everyday needs of the Palestinian population in Area C, and since it is not doing so, the European states are stepping in with humanitarian aid.
The Israeli higher court of justice on Wednesday evening issued a verdict ordering the Israeli police to evacuate a group of Jewish settlers from a Palestinian house belonging to the family of Abu Rajab in the Old City of al-Khalil.
Head of al-Khalil rehabilitation committee Imad Hamdan told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that his committee filed through a lawyer several lawsuits and appeals with the Israeli higher court until it was able to extract a final decision from the Israeli public prosecution ordering the removal of all settlers from the house.
With the help of the Israeli army and police, the settlers forcibly broke into the house on July 25, 2017 and evicted the Palestinian residents (the owners), and they have been staying there illegally since then.
They had already taken over the house in 2012 and 2013, but they were evacuated later.
The home has been the subject of a long-standing legal case, with settlers claiming they legally purchased the property.
However, the Abu Rajab family rejects that claim, and Israel's civil administration has admitted that the settlers have been unable to provide proof of that purchase.
Head of al-Khalil rehabilitation committee Imad Hamdan told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that his committee filed through a lawyer several lawsuits and appeals with the Israeli higher court until it was able to extract a final decision from the Israeli public prosecution ordering the removal of all settlers from the house.
With the help of the Israeli army and police, the settlers forcibly broke into the house on July 25, 2017 and evicted the Palestinian residents (the owners), and they have been staying there illegally since then.
They had already taken over the house in 2012 and 2013, but they were evacuated later.
The home has been the subject of a long-standing legal case, with settlers claiming they legally purchased the property.
However, the Abu Rajab family rejects that claim, and Israel's civil administration has admitted that the settlers have been unable to provide proof of that purchase.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) at dawn Thursday kidnapped two Palestinian young men from their homes in the new Askar refugee camp, east of Nablus, raided the industrial zone in Jenin city and confiscated money from a house in Qabatiya town.
According to local sources, Israeli troops stormed the new Askar camp and kidnapped two young men called Ra’fat Abu Hadib and Sajed Araishi.
The troops also broke into and ransacked several homes in the new and old Askar camps.
In Jenin city, the IOF stormed at dawn the industrial zone, raided installations, confiscated a concrete mixer, and clashed with local young men in the area.
An Israeli military force also stormed Qabatiya town, south of Jenin, violently raided and searched the house of Abdullah Abul-Rub and seized a large sum of money belonging to him.
The force put up a notice on the house’s door, claiming the money was confiscated because it would be used to support "terror activities".
According to local sources, Israeli troops stormed the new Askar camp and kidnapped two young men called Ra’fat Abu Hadib and Sajed Araishi.
The troops also broke into and ransacked several homes in the new and old Askar camps.
In Jenin city, the IOF stormed at dawn the industrial zone, raided installations, confiscated a concrete mixer, and clashed with local young men in the area.
An Israeli military force also stormed Qabatiya town, south of Jenin, violently raided and searched the house of Abdullah Abul-Rub and seized a large sum of money belonging to him.
The force put up a notice on the house’s door, claiming the money was confiscated because it would be used to support "terror activities".
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) demolished Thursday two Palestinian houses east of Yatta town to the east of al-Khalil under the pretext of being built without “Israeli permit.”
The two demolished houses were owned by two brothers, local sources pointed out.
IOF soldiers stormed early today the town accompanied with a military bulldozer and started the demolition process although the houses’ owners had earlier submitted an appeal against the demolition order.
Meanwhile, IOF confiscated late yesterday two Palestinian-owned vehicles after breaking into Yatta town. An amount of money was also confiscated during the raid.
The two demolished houses were owned by two brothers, local sources pointed out.
IOF soldiers stormed early today the town accompanied with a military bulldozer and started the demolition process although the houses’ owners had earlier submitted an appeal against the demolition order.
Meanwhile, IOF confiscated late yesterday two Palestinian-owned vehicles after breaking into Yatta town. An amount of money was also confiscated during the raid.
The Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) has reported that Israeli soldiers have abducted, on Thursday at dawn, seven Palestinians in the West Bank governorates of Ramallah, Nablus and Jericho, in the occupied West Bank.
The PPS stated that the soldiers invaded and searched homes in Ramallah an al-Biereh governorate, abducted Mohammad Jamal ad-Dibsi, Hani Jamal ad-Dibsi, Marcel Faraj Barghouthi and Mahmoud Ma’rouf Dar Yousef.
The soldiers also invaded homes in Askar refugee camp, in the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and abducted Ra’fat Abu Hdeib.
In addition, the soldiers abducted Riyad Jamal Shalalfa, 31, from his home in Jericho.
In related news, the soldiers invaded many homes in Yatta town, south of the southern West Bank city of Hebron, and violently searched them, before confiscating 6000 shekels, and two cars owned by Mohammad Jibril Abu ‘Arram, and his brothers Ahmad and Mahmoud.
The PPS stated that the soldiers invaded and searched homes in Ramallah an al-Biereh governorate, abducted Mohammad Jamal ad-Dibsi, Hani Jamal ad-Dibsi, Marcel Faraj Barghouthi and Mahmoud Ma’rouf Dar Yousef.
The soldiers also invaded homes in Askar refugee camp, in the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and abducted Ra’fat Abu Hdeib.
In addition, the soldiers abducted Riyad Jamal Shalalfa, 31, from his home in Jericho.
In related news, the soldiers invaded many homes in Yatta town, south of the southern West Bank city of Hebron, and violently searched them, before confiscating 6000 shekels, and two cars owned by Mohammad Jibril Abu ‘Arram, and his brothers Ahmad and Mahmoud.
18 oct 2017
Thank you @naftalibennett for good chat today on EU Israel relations: education,security,innovation
On Wednesday morning, Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian-owned building in the occupied East Jerusalem neighborhood of Beit Hanina.
As usual, the pretext was that the owners had failed to obtain a permit – something the occupation municipality almost never grants to Palestinians.
A day earlier, nine Palestinians were made homeless when Israeli forces demolished two houses in the Silwan neighborhood, using the same pretext.
The Palestinian online publication Quds tweeted this video of the demolition in progress:
According to the Wadi Hilweh Information Center, a local organization, among the newly homeless Palestinians are several children.
Speaking amid the ruins of his house, Omar Abu Rajab told Palestinian media that Israeli forces came early in the morning and refused to postpone the destruction despite ongoing court challenges to the demolition order.
Silwan is the target of the most extensive Israeli plan to expel Palestinians in years. The plan paves the way for Jewish settlers.
Last year was a record year for Israeli demolitions in the occupied West Bank, including Jerusalem.
This is all part of Israel’s plan to transform the occupied Palestinian city into a Jewish theme park run by and for settlers.
“Since 1967, the government of Israel has directly engaged in the construction of 55,000 units for Israelis in East Jerusalem; in contrast, fewer than 600 units have been built for Palestinians in East Jerusalem, the last of which were built 40 years ago,” Daniel Seidemann of the nonprofit group Terrestrial Jerusalem, told the Ma’an News Agency in light of Tuesday’s demolitions.
Colonization surge
This week Israel began construction of 1,600 housing units in the so-called Givat Hamatos settlement in the occupied West Bank, south of Jerusalem.
For the first time in years, Israel also gave approval for new settlement construction in the heart of the West Bank city of Hebron.
And why not? Despite the UN Security Council declaring repeatedly – most recently in December – that all of Israel’s settlements are illegal under international law, Israel faces no consequences for its crimes.
On Wednesday, the European Union put out a statement about Israel’s reinvigorated settlement drive, its forced expulsions of Palestinian Bedouins and its evictions of Palestinian families in Jerusalem.
The statement does not clearly condemn Israel’s actions. Instead, it says the EU “has requested clarifications from Israeli authorities and conveyed the expectation that they reconsider these decisions, which are detrimental to ongoing efforts towards meaningful peace talks.”
This is diplomatic speak for: we barely have the courage to even criticize you, let alone to take action.
Meek “demand”
True, the statement does repeat the EU’s lip service that “all settlement activity is illegal under international law.”
But this begs the question: What “clarifications” does the EU still require after five decades of open, aggressive Israeli colonization in the occupied West Bank and elsewhere?
On Wednesday, Israel’s Haaretz newspaper reported that eight European states are about to take the “unprecedented” step of threatening to demand $35,000 in compensation from Israel for the structures and equipment they funded in the West Bank that Israeli forces recently confiscated.
While this move is being marketed as a bold and tough European step, it only underlines how timid the EU really is. The sum in question is a tiny fraction of the at least $74 million in European-funded aid projects that Israel has destroyed with impunity.
EU support for Israel’s crimes
The fact is that the EU is an active enabler of Israel’s crimes.
Despite a growing legal consensus that international law requires countries to ban trade with Israeli settlements outright, the EU looks away as Israel defies its weak and ineffective requirements to label such goods.
Some EU officials even declare that settlement products are “welcome” in European supermarkets.
By contrast to the decades of EU inaction over Israel’s violations, the 28-member bloc was quick to impose sanctions on Russia over its 2014 annexation of Crimea.
As Israeli politicians put forward plans for ethnic cleansing and genocide, the EU refuses to condemn them. Recently, the EU even hired an Israeli genocide advocate to help with its public relations efforts.
While Israel’s biggest arms maker helps Israel evade an international ban on cluster weapons, the EU continues to lavish it with millions of dollars of “research” funds.
That’s in addition to funding Israeli torturers.
And as Israel aims to censor and suppress the Palestine solidarity movement by smearing criticism of its crimes as anti-Semitism, the EU volunteers to help.
On Wednesday morning, Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian-owned building in the occupied East Jerusalem neighborhood of Beit Hanina.
As usual, the pretext was that the owners had failed to obtain a permit – something the occupation municipality almost never grants to Palestinians.
A day earlier, nine Palestinians were made homeless when Israeli forces demolished two houses in the Silwan neighborhood, using the same pretext.
The Palestinian online publication Quds tweeted this video of the demolition in progress:
According to the Wadi Hilweh Information Center, a local organization, among the newly homeless Palestinians are several children.
Speaking amid the ruins of his house, Omar Abu Rajab told Palestinian media that Israeli forces came early in the morning and refused to postpone the destruction despite ongoing court challenges to the demolition order.
Silwan is the target of the most extensive Israeli plan to expel Palestinians in years. The plan paves the way for Jewish settlers.
Last year was a record year for Israeli demolitions in the occupied West Bank, including Jerusalem.
This is all part of Israel’s plan to transform the occupied Palestinian city into a Jewish theme park run by and for settlers.
“Since 1967, the government of Israel has directly engaged in the construction of 55,000 units for Israelis in East Jerusalem; in contrast, fewer than 600 units have been built for Palestinians in East Jerusalem, the last of which were built 40 years ago,” Daniel Seidemann of the nonprofit group Terrestrial Jerusalem, told the Ma’an News Agency in light of Tuesday’s demolitions.
Colonization surge
This week Israel began construction of 1,600 housing units in the so-called Givat Hamatos settlement in the occupied West Bank, south of Jerusalem.
For the first time in years, Israel also gave approval for new settlement construction in the heart of the West Bank city of Hebron.
And why not? Despite the UN Security Council declaring repeatedly – most recently in December – that all of Israel’s settlements are illegal under international law, Israel faces no consequences for its crimes.
On Wednesday, the European Union put out a statement about Israel’s reinvigorated settlement drive, its forced expulsions of Palestinian Bedouins and its evictions of Palestinian families in Jerusalem.
The statement does not clearly condemn Israel’s actions. Instead, it says the EU “has requested clarifications from Israeli authorities and conveyed the expectation that they reconsider these decisions, which are detrimental to ongoing efforts towards meaningful peace talks.”
This is diplomatic speak for: we barely have the courage to even criticize you, let alone to take action.
Meek “demand”
True, the statement does repeat the EU’s lip service that “all settlement activity is illegal under international law.”
But this begs the question: What “clarifications” does the EU still require after five decades of open, aggressive Israeli colonization in the occupied West Bank and elsewhere?
On Wednesday, Israel’s Haaretz newspaper reported that eight European states are about to take the “unprecedented” step of threatening to demand $35,000 in compensation from Israel for the structures and equipment they funded in the West Bank that Israeli forces recently confiscated.
While this move is being marketed as a bold and tough European step, it only underlines how timid the EU really is. The sum in question is a tiny fraction of the at least $74 million in European-funded aid projects that Israel has destroyed with impunity.
EU support for Israel’s crimes
The fact is that the EU is an active enabler of Israel’s crimes.
Despite a growing legal consensus that international law requires countries to ban trade with Israeli settlements outright, the EU looks away as Israel defies its weak and ineffective requirements to label such goods.
Some EU officials even declare that settlement products are “welcome” in European supermarkets.
By contrast to the decades of EU inaction over Israel’s violations, the 28-member bloc was quick to impose sanctions on Russia over its 2014 annexation of Crimea.
As Israeli politicians put forward plans for ethnic cleansing and genocide, the EU refuses to condemn them. Recently, the EU even hired an Israeli genocide advocate to help with its public relations efforts.
While Israel’s biggest arms maker helps Israel evade an international ban on cluster weapons, the EU continues to lavish it with millions of dollars of “research” funds.
That’s in addition to funding Israeli torturers.
And as Israel aims to censor and suppress the Palestine solidarity movement by smearing criticism of its crimes as anti-Semitism, the EU volunteers to help.
Israeli soldiers, and secret security officers, invaded eight media outlets, on Wednesday at dawn, in several parts of the occupied West Bank, and shut them down under direct military orders, in addition to confiscating equipment.
Some of the invaded agencies are Ramsat, Trans Media and Pal Media, which the military confiscated their broadcast equipment and many machines, for providing services to Palestinian TV stations such as Al-Aqsa and Al-Quds.
The Israeli Military Commander of the Central District of the occupied West Bank, said the stations are “unlicensed”, provide services to what he called “terror elements,” and “engage in incitement.”
The soldiers invaded Trans Media in Nablus, in northern West Bank, and confiscated its equipment, before presenting a military order shutting it down for six months.
Many local youngsters hurled stones at the invading soldiers, who fired live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets and gas bombs, leading to several injuries.
The soldiers also invaded the offices of Al-Quds TV, Al-Aqsa TV, Palestine Today, Trans Media and Pal Media, in the southern West Bank city of Hebron, violently searched them and confiscated their equipment, before shutting them down for six months.
In addition, the soldiers abducted Amer al-Ja’bari, the director of Trans Media, and his brother Ibrahim.
In Bethlehem, the soldiers invaded Pal Media offices, in the al-Karkafa area, and confiscated their equipment, before shutting them down for six months.
Some of the invaded agencies are Ramsat, Trans Media and Pal Media, which the military confiscated their broadcast equipment and many machines, for providing services to Palestinian TV stations such as Al-Aqsa and Al-Quds.
The Israeli Military Commander of the Central District of the occupied West Bank, said the stations are “unlicensed”, provide services to what he called “terror elements,” and “engage in incitement.”
The soldiers invaded Trans Media in Nablus, in northern West Bank, and confiscated its equipment, before presenting a military order shutting it down for six months.
Many local youngsters hurled stones at the invading soldiers, who fired live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets and gas bombs, leading to several injuries.
The soldiers also invaded the offices of Al-Quds TV, Al-Aqsa TV, Palestine Today, Trans Media and Pal Media, in the southern West Bank city of Hebron, violently searched them and confiscated their equipment, before shutting them down for six months.
In addition, the soldiers abducted Amer al-Ja’bari, the director of Trans Media, and his brother Ibrahim.
In Bethlehem, the soldiers invaded Pal Media offices, in the al-Karkafa area, and confiscated their equipment, before shutting them down for six months.
17 oct 2017
Israeli navy ships attacked, Tuesday, many fishing boats, in Palestinian territorial waters in the besieged Gaza Strip, and capsized one of them after firing shells and live fire at it.
The WAFA Palestinian News Agency said the navy fired many live rounds at fishing boats in the Sudaniyya Sea area, northwest of Gaza City, and sprayed them concentrated water, causing serious damage.
The boats were in Palestinian territorial waters, less than four miles from the Gaza shore; the fishers jumped into the water and swam to shore in fear of further navy fire and violations.
The attack came shortly after a similar assault targeting a Palestinian fishing boat, west of the Sudaniyya Sea.
The Israeli navy said it fired shells and live rounds at a Palestinian fishing boat that reportedly “raised suspicions, an issue which pushed it to respond.”
The WAFA Palestinian News Agency said the navy fired many live rounds at fishing boats in the Sudaniyya Sea area, northwest of Gaza City, and sprayed them concentrated water, causing serious damage.
The boats were in Palestinian territorial waters, less than four miles from the Gaza shore; the fishers jumped into the water and swam to shore in fear of further navy fire and violations.
The attack came shortly after a similar assault targeting a Palestinian fishing boat, west of the Sudaniyya Sea.
The Israeli navy said it fired shells and live rounds at a Palestinian fishing boat that reportedly “raised suspicions, an issue which pushed it to respond.”
On Tuesday morning, dozens of Israeli soldiers, police officers and personnel of the Jerusalem City Council, invaded Silwan town, south of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, in occupied East Jerusalem, demolished two homes, postponed the demolition of a third home in al-‘Isawiya town, in the center of the city.
The soldiers invaded Wadi Yasoul neighborhood, in Silwan town, imposed a tight siege around two homes, owned by members of Abu Rajab family, and demolished them.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Silwan (Silwanic) said the soldiers invaded the two homes, and forced the families out, after removing most of their furniture.
The soldiers also demolished a home, owned by Sharif Moheisin, in the al-Isawiya town, after forcing him and his family out.
The army said the two homes were built without construction permits; the families have been fighting the demolition in Israeli courts.
The soldiers invaded Wadi Yasoul neighborhood, in Silwan town, imposed a tight siege around two homes, owned by members of Abu Rajab family, and demolished them.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Silwan (Silwanic) said the soldiers invaded the two homes, and forced the families out, after removing most of their furniture.
The soldiers also demolished a home, owned by Sharif Moheisin, in the al-Isawiya town, after forcing him and his family out.
The army said the two homes were built without construction permits; the families have been fighting the demolition in Israeli courts.
Israeli soldiers abducted, Tuesday, four Palestinian farmers, and illegally confiscate a car that was transporting them, in the ar-Ras al-Ahmar area, south of Tubas, in northeastern West Bank.
The soldiers stopped a car transporting farmers to their lands, south of Tubas, abducted four of them, and illegally confiscated the car.
In addition, the soldiers chased many farmers in the area, forcing them out of their lands, and tried to abduct some of them.
The soldiers stopped a car transporting farmers to their lands, south of Tubas, abducted four of them, and illegally confiscated the car.
In addition, the soldiers chased many farmers in the area, forcing them out of their lands, and tried to abduct some of them.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Tuesday morning destroyed walls surrounding cultivated Palestinian lands south of Nablus province, in the northern West Bank.
According to the head of Qasra’s village council, Abdul Adhim al-Wadi, Israeli bulldozers and army jeeps rolled into al-Wa’ar and Ras al-Nakhla, south of Qasra, at the crack of dawn, before they embarked on a large-scale leveling operation.
The occupation soldiers forced the Palestinian locals out of the area and proceeded with the demolition of stone walls recently built to protect cultivated land lots from abrupt assaults by Israeli settlers and untamed animal herds.
Sometime earlier, the Israeli occupation authorities handed over demolition writs to the land lords on account that the targeted tracts are located in the Israeli-run Area C.
According to the head of Qasra’s village council, Abdul Adhim al-Wadi, Israeli bulldozers and army jeeps rolled into al-Wa’ar and Ras al-Nakhla, south of Qasra, at the crack of dawn, before they embarked on a large-scale leveling operation.
The occupation soldiers forced the Palestinian locals out of the area and proceeded with the demolition of stone walls recently built to protect cultivated land lots from abrupt assaults by Israeli settlers and untamed animal herds.
Sometime earlier, the Israeli occupation authorities handed over demolition writs to the land lords on account that the targeted tracts are located in the Israeli-run Area C.
16 oct 2017
Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) on Monday seized three dunums of Palestinian agricultural land in al-Ta'amra area to the east of Bethlehem city.
The Palestinian activist against the wall and settlement, Hasan Breijiyeh, said that the IOA issued a military order to confiscate three dunums and 600 meters of land near Nokdim settlement illegally built on the lands of al-Ta'amra.
Breijiyeh pointed out that based on the military order, Palestinian citizens are not allowed to use the land without a permission from the Israeli army, adding that the order falls in line with an Israeli plan to enable Israeli settlers to take control of the land.
The Palestinian activist against the wall and settlement, Hasan Breijiyeh, said that the IOA issued a military order to confiscate three dunums and 600 meters of land near Nokdim settlement illegally built on the lands of al-Ta'amra.
Breijiyeh pointed out that based on the military order, Palestinian citizens are not allowed to use the land without a permission from the Israeli army, adding that the order falls in line with an Israeli plan to enable Israeli settlers to take control of the land.
Israeli bulldozers on Monday morning demolished a number of mobile houses in the Bedouin community of Jabal al-Baba to the east of Occupied Jerusalem for allegedly being unlicensed.
Representative of the Bedouin community, Atallah Mazar'a, said that the Israeli bulldozers, accompanied by the so-called Civil Administration crews, stormed Jabal al-Baba during the morning hours to prepare for the demolitions.
According to Quds Press, Mazar'a reported that two mobile houses were knocked down and added that the Israeli bulldozers have not left the area yet since more houses are expected to be demolished.
The Palestinian activist condemned the demolitions, noting that the families of Jabal al-Baba were given on Sunday a week-long time limit by the Civil Administration to evacuate their houses, but the Israeli crews suddenly broke into the area on Monday and started the demolitions.
Officials from the Civil Administration, escorted by the Israeli police, on Sunday stormed Jabal al-Baba and notified the demolition of five Palestinian houses that are home for 30 people.
These measures are part of a settlement project called "Greater Jerusalem" or "E1" which is aimed at separating Jerusalem from the West Bank and seizing nearly 12,000 dunums of Palestinian land in favor of launching new projects that serve the Israeli settlers.
Representative of the Bedouin community, Atallah Mazar'a, said that the Israeli bulldozers, accompanied by the so-called Civil Administration crews, stormed Jabal al-Baba during the morning hours to prepare for the demolitions.
According to Quds Press, Mazar'a reported that two mobile houses were knocked down and added that the Israeli bulldozers have not left the area yet since more houses are expected to be demolished.
The Palestinian activist condemned the demolitions, noting that the families of Jabal al-Baba were given on Sunday a week-long time limit by the Civil Administration to evacuate their houses, but the Israeli crews suddenly broke into the area on Monday and started the demolitions.
Officials from the Civil Administration, escorted by the Israeli police, on Sunday stormed Jabal al-Baba and notified the demolition of five Palestinian houses that are home for 30 people.
These measures are part of a settlement project called "Greater Jerusalem" or "E1" which is aimed at separating Jerusalem from the West Bank and seizing nearly 12,000 dunums of Palestinian land in favor of launching new projects that serve the Israeli settlers.
Israeli soldiers carried out, overnight until early morning hours Sunday, frequent invasions into the al-‘Isawiya Hizma towns, in occupied East Jerusalem, and abducted three young Palestinian men, in addition to attacking a father and his daughter. The soldiers also invaded al-‘Ezariyya town, and delivered demolition orders against five homes.
Media sources in Jerusalem said the soldiers imposed a strict siege on al-‘Isawiya town, and installed a roadblock on its main road, preventing the Palestinians from entering or leaving it without a thorough search of them and their vehicles.
They added that the soldiers have been carrying out frequent invasions and provocative acts in many neighborhoods in al-‘Isawiya, including on Sunday evening and at dawn Monday, an issue that led to clashes between the army and local youngsters, who hurled stones at the military jeeps.
Raed Abu Ryala, a member of the Follow-Up Committee in al-‘Isawiya, said the soldiers attacked a celebration, welcoming two political prisoners, identified as Nimir Nasser Mahmoud and Ata Mohammad Dirbas, who were released from Israeli prisons.
The soldiers removed Palestinian flags and posters of the two released detainees, in addition to invading a wedding hall at the main entrance of the town, before attacking a man, identified as Yousef Moheisin, and his daughter, causing various cuts and bruises that landed them at a medical center for treatment.
Furthermore, the soldiers handed demolition orders targeting five homes in Jabal al-Baba area, in the al-‘Ezariyya town, southeast of Jerusalem.
The WAFA Palestinian News Agency said Israel is trying to displace the Palestinians from that area, to prepare for a large colonialist project, which would isolate occupied Jerusalem city from all its surrounding Palestinian communities and towns.
In addition, the soldiers invaded homes in Hizma town, northeast of Jerusalem, and abducted a young man, identified as Ishaq Ahmad Jabr.
In related news, the soldiers abducted, on Sunday evening, a young man, identified as Mahmoud Abu Jom’a, from the at-Tour neighborhood, overlooking Jerusalem’s Old City, reportedly for involvement in hurling Molotov cocktails at military jeeps.
It is worth mentioning that the Israeli army said its soldiers have arrested twelve Palestinians, overnight, in different parts of the West bank, and allegedly located an M16 rifle, near Ramallah, and two pistols near Bethlehem.
The army added that three of the Palestinians are teenagers from Kobar village, near Ramallah, who reportedly hurled stones at military jeeps and colonists’ cars.
30 civilians to go homeless as Israelis order home demolitions
The Israeli occupation authorities on Sunday threatened the impending demolition of five Palestinian homes east of Occupied Jerusalem.
A representative of the Bedouin Jabal al-Baba community, Atallah Muzar’a, said Israeli civil administration crews and army troops stormed the area at noontime on Sunday and handed over demolition writs to civilians.
According to Muzar’a, at least 30 Palestinians, including women and children, will go homeless if the notified demolitions materialize on the ground.
The Israeli authorities ordered the families to evacuate their homes in less than a week’s time.
Home demolition is among the tactics used by the Israeli occupation authorities as part of the so-called E1 project aiming to hold sway over 12,000 dunums of Palestinian lands in Occupied Jerusalem and the West Bank in favor of the internationally-condemned illegal settlement expansion.
Media sources in Jerusalem said the soldiers imposed a strict siege on al-‘Isawiya town, and installed a roadblock on its main road, preventing the Palestinians from entering or leaving it without a thorough search of them and their vehicles.
They added that the soldiers have been carrying out frequent invasions and provocative acts in many neighborhoods in al-‘Isawiya, including on Sunday evening and at dawn Monday, an issue that led to clashes between the army and local youngsters, who hurled stones at the military jeeps.
Raed Abu Ryala, a member of the Follow-Up Committee in al-‘Isawiya, said the soldiers attacked a celebration, welcoming two political prisoners, identified as Nimir Nasser Mahmoud and Ata Mohammad Dirbas, who were released from Israeli prisons.
The soldiers removed Palestinian flags and posters of the two released detainees, in addition to invading a wedding hall at the main entrance of the town, before attacking a man, identified as Yousef Moheisin, and his daughter, causing various cuts and bruises that landed them at a medical center for treatment.
Furthermore, the soldiers handed demolition orders targeting five homes in Jabal al-Baba area, in the al-‘Ezariyya town, southeast of Jerusalem.
The WAFA Palestinian News Agency said Israel is trying to displace the Palestinians from that area, to prepare for a large colonialist project, which would isolate occupied Jerusalem city from all its surrounding Palestinian communities and towns.
In addition, the soldiers invaded homes in Hizma town, northeast of Jerusalem, and abducted a young man, identified as Ishaq Ahmad Jabr.
In related news, the soldiers abducted, on Sunday evening, a young man, identified as Mahmoud Abu Jom’a, from the at-Tour neighborhood, overlooking Jerusalem’s Old City, reportedly for involvement in hurling Molotov cocktails at military jeeps.
It is worth mentioning that the Israeli army said its soldiers have arrested twelve Palestinians, overnight, in different parts of the West bank, and allegedly located an M16 rifle, near Ramallah, and two pistols near Bethlehem.
The army added that three of the Palestinians are teenagers from Kobar village, near Ramallah, who reportedly hurled stones at military jeeps and colonists’ cars.
30 civilians to go homeless as Israelis order home demolitions
The Israeli occupation authorities on Sunday threatened the impending demolition of five Palestinian homes east of Occupied Jerusalem.
A representative of the Bedouin Jabal al-Baba community, Atallah Muzar’a, said Israeli civil administration crews and army troops stormed the area at noontime on Sunday and handed over demolition writs to civilians.
According to Muzar’a, at least 30 Palestinians, including women and children, will go homeless if the notified demolitions materialize on the ground.
The Israeli authorities ordered the families to evacuate their homes in less than a week’s time.
Home demolition is among the tactics used by the Israeli occupation authorities as part of the so-called E1 project aiming to hold sway over 12,000 dunums of Palestinian lands in Occupied Jerusalem and the West Bank in favor of the internationally-condemned illegal settlement expansion.
15 oct 2017
Hebrew-speaking media have unraveled Israeli plans to grab hold of a park in the Palestinian village of Jabal al-Mukabbir, east of Occupied Jerusalem, in favor of Israeli settlers and tourists.
According to Yorshalim weekly, the occupation authorities have set plans to Judaize the High Commissioner’s Palace Park in Jabal al-Mukabbir and turn it into a recreational area for Israeli settlers and visitors.
The move makes part of a so-called al-Tala Plan, aiming to establish over 1,000 hotel rooms. The plan, supervised by the Jerusalem Development Authority, is under study.
Another plan forwarded by Elad settlement organization suggests the renovation of a side area in the park so as to turn it into an attractive site for tourists. The plan received the approbation of the so-called Local Construction and Planning Committee. It is expected to be put into effect sometime soon.
According to Yorshalim weekly, the occupation authorities have set plans to Judaize the High Commissioner’s Palace Park in Jabal al-Mukabbir and turn it into a recreational area for Israeli settlers and visitors.
The move makes part of a so-called al-Tala Plan, aiming to establish over 1,000 hotel rooms. The plan, supervised by the Jerusalem Development Authority, is under study.
Another plan forwarded by Elad settlement organization suggests the renovation of a side area in the park so as to turn it into an attractive site for tourists. The plan received the approbation of the so-called Local Construction and Planning Committee. It is expected to be put into effect sometime soon.