16 sept 2018

Israeli bulldozers at dawn Sunday demolished a Palestinian residential building in Ramla city in the 1948 occupied Palestinian territories.
Palestinian local sources said that Israeli bulldozers, accompanied by special police forces, stormed al-Jawarish neighborhood in Ramla city and started to demolish a house owned by Abu Amer family.
The sources said that Israeli police threw a cordon around the area and prevented Palestinian citizens from approaching the house. The police claimed the house was built without an Israeli license.
Local residents said that the house was newly built for a Palestinian young man who is getting married soon.
Palestinians, who make up about 30% of Ramla's population, protested the demolition and accused the Israeli-controlled municipality of racism and of putting obstacles to the Palestinians trying to obtain Israeli building permits.
Palestinian local sources said that Israeli bulldozers, accompanied by special police forces, stormed al-Jawarish neighborhood in Ramla city and started to demolish a house owned by Abu Amer family.
The sources said that Israeli police threw a cordon around the area and prevented Palestinian citizens from approaching the house. The police claimed the house was built without an Israeli license.
Local residents said that the house was newly built for a Palestinian young man who is getting married soon.
Palestinians, who make up about 30% of Ramla's population, protested the demolition and accused the Israeli-controlled municipality of racism and of putting obstacles to the Palestinians trying to obtain Israeli building permits.
14 sept 2018

The European Parliament passed a resolution, on Thursday, warning that Israel's decision to demolish the Bedouin village of Khan al-Ahmar, east of Jerusalem, would constitute a grave violation of international law and threaten peace efforts with the Palestinians.
The European Parliament, in a 320 to 277 vote, passed a resolution against Israel that called for monetary compensation for financial losses should Khan al-Ahmar village be demolished.
The resolution stated that "the status quo in this area is of fundamental importance for the viability of the two-state solution and for the establishment of a contiguous and viable Palestinian state in the future."
The EU called upon Israel to compensate it for the infrastructure it had built in the village "ten EU Member States are supporting humanitarian programs in Khan al-Ahmar, including the construction of a primary school, and an estimated 315,000 Euros worth of EU-funded humanitarian assistance is now at risk."
"Should the demolition and eviction of Khan al-Ahmar take place, the EU's response must be commensurate with the seriousness of this development and consistent with its long-standing support to the community of Khan al-Ahmar."
The resolution added "Israel bears full responsibility for providing the necessary services, including education, healthcare and welfare, for the people living under its occupation, in line with the Fourth Geneva Convention."
Israel claims that Khan al-Ahmar was built illegally and says that it had offered to resettle the residents to an area in the Jordan Valley, about 12 km away, if they evacuate the village peacefully.
However, critics and human rights organizations argue that the demolition is part of an Israeli plan to expand the nearby illegal Israeli settlement of Kfar Adummim and to create a region of contiguous Israeli control from Jerusalem almost to the Dead Sea, which would make a contiguous Palestinian state impossible.
The approval of the EU resolution comes after the Israeli High Court had rejected an appeal against the demolition of the village and approved its demolition and evacuation to take place within the next seven days.
Since July, Khan al-Ahmar has been under threat of demolition by Israeli forces. The residents of the village have been since then subjected to threats, assaults, closures, and other forms of Israeli attempts to displace its residents.
The demolition would leave more than 35 Palestinian families displaced.
On Thursday, Israeli forces demolished five recently built substitute houses, which activists referred to as "Wadi al-Ahmar," as a form of protest against the expected demolition of the village.
It is noteworthy that Israel has been constantly trying to uproot Palestinian Bedouins from the east of Jerusalem area to allow settlement expansion in the area, which would later turn the entire eastern part of the West Bank into a settlement zone.
The European Parliament, in a 320 to 277 vote, passed a resolution against Israel that called for monetary compensation for financial losses should Khan al-Ahmar village be demolished.
The resolution stated that "the status quo in this area is of fundamental importance for the viability of the two-state solution and for the establishment of a contiguous and viable Palestinian state in the future."
The EU called upon Israel to compensate it for the infrastructure it had built in the village "ten EU Member States are supporting humanitarian programs in Khan al-Ahmar, including the construction of a primary school, and an estimated 315,000 Euros worth of EU-funded humanitarian assistance is now at risk."
"Should the demolition and eviction of Khan al-Ahmar take place, the EU's response must be commensurate with the seriousness of this development and consistent with its long-standing support to the community of Khan al-Ahmar."
The resolution added "Israel bears full responsibility for providing the necessary services, including education, healthcare and welfare, for the people living under its occupation, in line with the Fourth Geneva Convention."
Israel claims that Khan al-Ahmar was built illegally and says that it had offered to resettle the residents to an area in the Jordan Valley, about 12 km away, if they evacuate the village peacefully.
However, critics and human rights organizations argue that the demolition is part of an Israeli plan to expand the nearby illegal Israeli settlement of Kfar Adummim and to create a region of contiguous Israeli control from Jerusalem almost to the Dead Sea, which would make a contiguous Palestinian state impossible.
The approval of the EU resolution comes after the Israeli High Court had rejected an appeal against the demolition of the village and approved its demolition and evacuation to take place within the next seven days.
Since July, Khan al-Ahmar has been under threat of demolition by Israeli forces. The residents of the village have been since then subjected to threats, assaults, closures, and other forms of Israeli attempts to displace its residents.
The demolition would leave more than 35 Palestinian families displaced.
On Thursday, Israeli forces demolished five recently built substitute houses, which activists referred to as "Wadi al-Ahmar," as a form of protest against the expected demolition of the village.
It is noteworthy that Israel has been constantly trying to uproot Palestinian Bedouins from the east of Jerusalem area to allow settlement expansion in the area, which would later turn the entire eastern part of the West Bank into a settlement zone.
13 sept 2018

The Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) issued on Thursday a military order to confiscate 1079 dunums in Ras al-Ahmar area, southeast of Tubas for alleged security reasons.
Mutaz Bisharat, a Palestinian official in charge of Jordan Valley's settlement file, said that the notified lands are located in 15 different areas.
Israeli authorities routinely notify Palestinian lands in Ras al-Ahmar under the same security pretexts.
Israel to Seize 267 Acres in Jordan Valley
Israeli authorities delivered confiscation notices for hundreds of dunams of Palestinian-owned lands in the Jordan Valley, in the northern occupied West Bank, Thursday evening.
Mutaz Bisharat, a Palestinian official in charge of Jordan Valley’s Israeli settlements file at the Palestinian Authority (PA), told Ma’an News Agency that Israeli authorities delivered the notices to residents in the al-Ras al-Ahmar area in the Jordan Valley.
Bisharat added that about 1,079 dunams (267 acres) are under threat of seizure, pointing out that the notice did not mention reasons of the action.
The Jordan Valley forms a third of the occupied West Bank, with 88 percent of its land classified as Area C — under full Israeli military control.
International rights organizations consider the continuation of the Israeli campaign which targets Palestinians in the Jordan Valley, whether though confiscations, demolitions or evictions under the pretext of holding military exercises, as a violation of international humanitarian law.
Since the beginning of the 1967 occupation of the West Bank, Israel has taken possession of hundreds of thousands of dunams by declaring it state land.
Israeli authorities, in 1968, banned Palestinians from registering their lands, and subsequently took advantage of previously low rates of land registration to take areas currently or previously in use by locals but not registered as such.
The lands are then used to construct Jewish-only settlements on the land, while further confiscation often uses the pretext of the settlements’ security.
Mutaz Bisharat, a Palestinian official in charge of Jordan Valley's settlement file, said that the notified lands are located in 15 different areas.
Israeli authorities routinely notify Palestinian lands in Ras al-Ahmar under the same security pretexts.
Israel to Seize 267 Acres in Jordan Valley
Israeli authorities delivered confiscation notices for hundreds of dunams of Palestinian-owned lands in the Jordan Valley, in the northern occupied West Bank, Thursday evening.
Mutaz Bisharat, a Palestinian official in charge of Jordan Valley’s Israeli settlements file at the Palestinian Authority (PA), told Ma’an News Agency that Israeli authorities delivered the notices to residents in the al-Ras al-Ahmar area in the Jordan Valley.
Bisharat added that about 1,079 dunams (267 acres) are under threat of seizure, pointing out that the notice did not mention reasons of the action.
The Jordan Valley forms a third of the occupied West Bank, with 88 percent of its land classified as Area C — under full Israeli military control.
International rights organizations consider the continuation of the Israeli campaign which targets Palestinians in the Jordan Valley, whether though confiscations, demolitions or evictions under the pretext of holding military exercises, as a violation of international humanitarian law.
Since the beginning of the 1967 occupation of the West Bank, Israel has taken possession of hundreds of thousands of dunams by declaring it state land.
Israeli authorities, in 1968, banned Palestinians from registering their lands, and subsequently took advantage of previously low rates of land registration to take areas currently or previously in use by locals but not registered as such.
The lands are then used to construct Jewish-only settlements on the land, while further confiscation often uses the pretext of the settlements’ security.

Israeli settlers on Thursday burned dozens of olive trees in Minya town, south of Bethlehem in occupied West Bank.
According to Quds Press, Israeli settlers torched olive trees planted on Palestinian land belonging to Matur family.
The Palestinian locals were shocked as they caught sight of 200 of olive trees reduced to ashes as preparations for olive-picking got underway in the occupied territories.
According to Quds Press, Israeli settlers torched olive trees planted on Palestinian land belonging to Matur family.
The Palestinian locals were shocked as they caught sight of 200 of olive trees reduced to ashes as preparations for olive-picking got underway in the occupied territories.

The Israeli Occupation Authorities issued on Thursday new demolition orders against a number of Palestinian facilities in Laban town, south of the northern West Bank province of Nablus.
According to Quds Press, Israli forces stormed the town early today and handed six local families demolition orders of their homes for allegedly being built without permit.
Stop-work orders were also issued against a number of buildings being built at the main street in the town, the sources added.
According to Quds Press, Israli forces stormed the town early today and handed six local families demolition orders of their homes for allegedly being built without permit.
Stop-work orders were also issued against a number of buildings being built at the main street in the town, the sources added.

Israelis residing in the Atz Afraim outpost continue to level Palestinian lands in Mesha village, west of Salfit, to expand illegal settlement.
Eye-witnesses said Israeli settlers have been bulldozing Palestinian lands to establish new facilities in the area.
The occupation authorities continue to prevent Palestinian farmers from entering their land lots behind the apartheid wall.
Researcher Khaled Maali said four Israeli settlements engulf Mesha village after they were built on private Palestinian land in the area.
Eye-witnesses said Israeli settlers have been bulldozing Palestinian lands to establish new facilities in the area.
The occupation authorities continue to prevent Palestinian farmers from entering their land lots behind the apartheid wall.
Researcher Khaled Maali said four Israeli settlements engulf Mesha village after they were built on private Palestinian land in the area.

Israeli navy ships attacked, Thursday, a Palestinians fishing boat in Gaza territorial waters, abducted three fishermen and confiscated their boat.
Zakariya Bakr, a Palestinian fisherman who witnessed the attack, said the Israeli navy boats chased a small boat with three fishermen on board, near the shore of Gaza Sea, and fired many live rounds at them.
He added that the navy abducted the three fishermen, identified as the boat owner, Mohammad Abdul-Razeq Bakr, in addition Omran Mohammad Bakr, and Mohammad Mohammad Bakr.
The three fishermen, and their boat, were taken to an unknown destination.
The attack is part of ongoing Israeli violations against the Palestinians in the besieged and improvised Gaza Strip.
3 Gaza fishermen detained by Israeli navy, boat seized
The Israeli occupation navy arrested on Thursday three Palestinian fishermen and seized their vessel while sailing off Gaza’s seashore.
Israeli navy chased down a fishing boat before they arrested three fishermen on board and misappropriated the vessel.
The arrestees were identified as: Mohamed Abdul Razaq Bakr, Mohamed Mohamed Bakr, and Omran Bakr.
The occupation navy steered the boat to an unknown destination.
Palestinian fishermen setting sail in Gaza’s seashore have been the permanent targets of shooting attacks and arbitrary arrests carried out by the Israeli navy on a quasi-daily basis.
Zakariya Bakr, a Palestinian fisherman who witnessed the attack, said the Israeli navy boats chased a small boat with three fishermen on board, near the shore of Gaza Sea, and fired many live rounds at them.
He added that the navy abducted the three fishermen, identified as the boat owner, Mohammad Abdul-Razeq Bakr, in addition Omran Mohammad Bakr, and Mohammad Mohammad Bakr.
The three fishermen, and their boat, were taken to an unknown destination.
The attack is part of ongoing Israeli violations against the Palestinians in the besieged and improvised Gaza Strip.
3 Gaza fishermen detained by Israeli navy, boat seized
The Israeli occupation navy arrested on Thursday three Palestinian fishermen and seized their vessel while sailing off Gaza’s seashore.
Israeli navy chased down a fishing boat before they arrested three fishermen on board and misappropriated the vessel.
The arrestees were identified as: Mohamed Abdul Razaq Bakr, Mohamed Mohamed Bakr, and Omran Bakr.
The occupation navy steered the boat to an unknown destination.
Palestinian fishermen setting sail in Gaza’s seashore have been the permanent targets of shooting attacks and arbitrary arrests carried out by the Israeli navy on a quasi-daily basis.

Israeli soldiers invaded, on Thursday at dawn, the newly established al-Wadi al-Ahmar Palestinian village, which was built for the Palestinian Bedouin families next to the al-Khan al-Ahmar village, threatened with pending Israeli demolition, east of occupied Jerusalem.
Dozens of soldiers invaded the area after completely surrounding an isolating it, while the protesters started chanting “Allahu Akbar” (God is the Greatest), in addition to chanting for the liberation of Palestinian by ending the illegal Israeli occupation, and its apartheid colonialist policies. video
The soldiers dismantled and removed the newly installed homes, and prevented the protesters from reaching them.
Palestinian Minister Waleed Assaf called on the residents, and peace activists, to hold massive nonviolent protests in al-Khan al-Ahmar to protect the families from displacement as Israel intends to go ahead with its illegal decision to demolish it, despite international condemnation.
IRCS: “Israel Must Abide by International Humanitarian Law”
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) issued a statement, Thursday, calling in Israel to abide by International Humanitarian Law, and expressing concern about Israel’s plan to demolish al-Khan al-Ahmar Bedouin community in the occupied West Bank.
David Quesne, the head of the ICRC Mission in occupied Jerusalem, said the planned demolition on the community will dramatically affect the lives and dignity of the inhabitants.
He added that Israel’s zoning and planning policies in the West Bank fail to serve the Palestinians, living under Israeli occupation, and cannot be used to justify the destruction of civilian property.
The ICRC Statement:
Jerusalem/Tel Aviv (ICRC) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is deeply concerned by Israel’s decision to demolish private houses and other structures in Khan al Ahmar village in Area C of the West Bank.
“The planned demolitions will dramatically affect the lives and dignity of this community,” said David Quesne, Head of ICRC Mission in Jerusalem. “As long as zoning and planning policies in the West Bank fail to serve the population living under occupation, they cannot be used as justification for destruction of property.”
As the Occupying Power in the West Bank, Israel is bound by the International Humanitarian Law. It has a duty to ensure the protection, security, and welfare of the people living under occupation and to guarantee that they can live as normal a life as possible, in accordance with their own laws, culture, and traditions.
Related:|Israeli Soldiers Demolish Al-Wadi Al-Ahmar Village|
Dozens of soldiers invaded the area after completely surrounding an isolating it, while the protesters started chanting “Allahu Akbar” (God is the Greatest), in addition to chanting for the liberation of Palestinian by ending the illegal Israeli occupation, and its apartheid colonialist policies. video
The soldiers dismantled and removed the newly installed homes, and prevented the protesters from reaching them.
Palestinian Minister Waleed Assaf called on the residents, and peace activists, to hold massive nonviolent protests in al-Khan al-Ahmar to protect the families from displacement as Israel intends to go ahead with its illegal decision to demolish it, despite international condemnation.
IRCS: “Israel Must Abide by International Humanitarian Law”
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) issued a statement, Thursday, calling in Israel to abide by International Humanitarian Law, and expressing concern about Israel’s plan to demolish al-Khan al-Ahmar Bedouin community in the occupied West Bank.
David Quesne, the head of the ICRC Mission in occupied Jerusalem, said the planned demolition on the community will dramatically affect the lives and dignity of the inhabitants.
He added that Israel’s zoning and planning policies in the West Bank fail to serve the Palestinians, living under Israeli occupation, and cannot be used to justify the destruction of civilian property.
The ICRC Statement:
Jerusalem/Tel Aviv (ICRC) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is deeply concerned by Israel’s decision to demolish private houses and other structures in Khan al Ahmar village in Area C of the West Bank.
“The planned demolitions will dramatically affect the lives and dignity of this community,” said David Quesne, Head of ICRC Mission in Jerusalem. “As long as zoning and planning policies in the West Bank fail to serve the population living under occupation, they cannot be used as justification for destruction of property.”
As the Occupying Power in the West Bank, Israel is bound by the International Humanitarian Law. It has a duty to ensure the protection, security, and welfare of the people living under occupation and to guarantee that they can live as normal a life as possible, in accordance with their own laws, culture, and traditions.
Related:|Israeli Soldiers Demolish Al-Wadi Al-Ahmar Village|
12 sept 2018

Israeli bulldozers continue to level Palestinian lands across Salfit province to expand nearby illegal settlement outposts.
Speaking with a PIC news correspondent, eye-witnesses said Israeli bulldozers razed Palestinian lands near Leshem settlement, west of Salfit, and in Deir Balout, Kafr al-Dick, Rafat, and al-Zawiya, among other areas.
Expert in settlement affairs Khaled Maali said Israeli bulldozers continue to level Palestinian lands across Salfit around the clock for the benefit of illegal settlement expansion and infrastructure development.
Maali said such activities contravene international humanitarian law and the Fourth Geneva Convention.
He added that since the swearing-in of the new US administration, Israel’s illegal settlement activity has seen a striking upsurge, in violation of international laws and treaties.
Speaking with a PIC news correspondent, eye-witnesses said Israeli bulldozers razed Palestinian lands near Leshem settlement, west of Salfit, and in Deir Balout, Kafr al-Dick, Rafat, and al-Zawiya, among other areas.
Expert in settlement affairs Khaled Maali said Israeli bulldozers continue to level Palestinian lands across Salfit around the clock for the benefit of illegal settlement expansion and infrastructure development.
Maali said such activities contravene international humanitarian law and the Fourth Geneva Convention.
He added that since the swearing-in of the new US administration, Israel’s illegal settlement activity has seen a striking upsurge, in violation of international laws and treaties.

Israeli forces are scheduled Wednesday to demolish Khan al-Ahmar Bedouin village after an Israeli court gave the green light for its demolition, forcibly evicting its 180 residents.
Late Tuesday, Israeli army closed all roads leading to Khan al-Ahmar village and prevented access to it as a prelude to evacuating and demolishing it today.
Last week, the Israeli high court of justice rejected a petition against the demolition of Khan al-Ahmar and said a temporary injunction that had put a hold on the move would lapse in a week.
Khan al-Ahmar is situated a few kilometres from Jerusalem between two major illegal Israeli settlements, Maale Adumim and Kfar Adumim, which the Israeli government wants to expand. The removal of the Bedouin village enables the Israeli government to cut the West Bank in two.
The small community of 40 families lives in tents and shacks on what is classified by the 1993 Oslo Accords as Area C, which accounts for 60 percent of the West Bank and is under total Israeli administrative and security control.
The court's decision was largely based on the premise that the village was built without Israeli permission, which Palestinians say is impossible to obtain because of the expansion of illegal Jewish-only Israeli settlements there.
The UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain issued a joint statement on Monday opposing the proposed demolition of Khan al-Ahmar, while UN officials Michael Lynk and Leilani Farha said: “This appalling decision could trigger the evacuation of 180 inhabitants, including more than 90 children, putting them at immediate risk of forcible transfer.”
Late Tuesday, Israeli army closed all roads leading to Khan al-Ahmar village and prevented access to it as a prelude to evacuating and demolishing it today.
Last week, the Israeli high court of justice rejected a petition against the demolition of Khan al-Ahmar and said a temporary injunction that had put a hold on the move would lapse in a week.
Khan al-Ahmar is situated a few kilometres from Jerusalem between two major illegal Israeli settlements, Maale Adumim and Kfar Adumim, which the Israeli government wants to expand. The removal of the Bedouin village enables the Israeli government to cut the West Bank in two.
The small community of 40 families lives in tents and shacks on what is classified by the 1993 Oslo Accords as Area C, which accounts for 60 percent of the West Bank and is under total Israeli administrative and security control.
The court's decision was largely based on the premise that the village was built without Israeli permission, which Palestinians say is impossible to obtain because of the expansion of illegal Jewish-only Israeli settlements there.
The UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain issued a joint statement on Monday opposing the proposed demolition of Khan al-Ahmar, while UN officials Michael Lynk and Leilani Farha said: “This appalling decision could trigger the evacuation of 180 inhabitants, including more than 90 children, putting them at immediate risk of forcible transfer.”

The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Tuesday night closed all roads leading to Khan al-Ahmar village in east Jerusalem as a prelude to evacuating and demolishing it on Wednesday.
According to local sources, Israeli troops blocked all entrances to the village and prevented all vehicles carrying activists from entering the area to participate in the solidarity sit-in.
Last Wednesday, the Israeli high court of justice rejected a petition against the demolition of Khan al-Ahmar and said a temporary injunction that had put a hold on the move would lapse in a week.
The court allowed the army to evacuate the village located near the illegal settlement of Kfar Adumim on September 12.
The village is inhabited by around 35 families, who live in tents and huts.
The population there is mainly from Arab Jahalin Bedouins, who came to the area after they were displaced by Israel during the Nakba in 1948.
The number of Bedouins living east of Jerusalem today is about 7,000 people, and the occupation authority refuses to recognize their existence and seek to expel them from their areas in order to expand settlements for Jewish settlers.
According to local sources, Israeli troops blocked all entrances to the village and prevented all vehicles carrying activists from entering the area to participate in the solidarity sit-in.
Last Wednesday, the Israeli high court of justice rejected a petition against the demolition of Khan al-Ahmar and said a temporary injunction that had put a hold on the move would lapse in a week.
The court allowed the army to evacuate the village located near the illegal settlement of Kfar Adumim on September 12.
The village is inhabited by around 35 families, who live in tents and huts.
The population there is mainly from Arab Jahalin Bedouins, who came to the area after they were displaced by Israel during the Nakba in 1948.
The number of Bedouins living east of Jerusalem today is about 7,000 people, and the occupation authority refuses to recognize their existence and seek to expel them from their areas in order to expand settlements for Jewish settlers.
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