19 sept 2019
The Israeli government approved a proposal on Sunday to establish a new settlement, Mevo’ot Yeriho, currently an outpost in the Jordan Valley.
The European Union reiterates that all settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, are illegal under international law.
The EU called on Israel to end all settlement activity and to dismantle the outposts erected since March 2001, in line with prior obligations.
This decision follows recent announcements about the possible annexation of the Jordan Valley and the northern Dead Sea area.
Such steps would, if implemented, constitute a serious breach of international law, challenge the viability of the two-state solution and threaten regional stability and the prospects for sustainable peace.
Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Maja Kocijančič said in a statement said that the EU will not recognise any changes to the pre-1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties.
“The EU will continue to monitor the situation closely, including any steps towards possible annexation, and act accordingly. We expect both parties, including any future Israeli government, to act in accordance with international law. ”
The European Union reiterates that all settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, are illegal under international law.
The EU called on Israel to end all settlement activity and to dismantle the outposts erected since March 2001, in line with prior obligations.
This decision follows recent announcements about the possible annexation of the Jordan Valley and the northern Dead Sea area.
Such steps would, if implemented, constitute a serious breach of international law, challenge the viability of the two-state solution and threaten regional stability and the prospects for sustainable peace.
Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Maja Kocijančič said in a statement said that the EU will not recognise any changes to the pre-1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties.
“The EU will continue to monitor the situation closely, including any steps towards possible annexation, and act accordingly. We expect both parties, including any future Israeli government, to act in accordance with international law. ”
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) launched this morning a campaign of arrests against at least 19 Palestinians from different parts of the West Bank, while violent clashes broke out in Ramallah and Nablus due to the raids.
In the center of Ramallah, violent clashes erupted between the youth and the Israeli occupation forces, during which five youths were wounded with rubber-coated metal bullets.
According to local sources, the clashes erupted after the Israeli occupation forces stormed the headquarters of the General Union of Workers in the city, confiscating computers and papers and destroying the contents in the office.
The sources added that the soldiers entered the roofs of some buildings in the streets of Rukab and Al-Bareed in the center of Ramallah. They broke into a number of cafes in that area.
Israeli forces also raided Kafr Na’ma village, west of Ramallah, and arrested four young men after they raided and searched their houses.
Israeli forces also arrested three young men from Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus.
According to local sources, the Israeli occupation forces also stormed the camp at dawn and raided several neighborhoods, leading to clashes between the youths and the Israeli soldiers, who fired rubber-coated metal bullets and threw bombs and tear gas canisters at them. They arrested three young men.
Finally, IOF stormed Qalqilya city, where they arrested four people, and the city of Jenin, where they arrested six people.
In the center of Ramallah, violent clashes erupted between the youth and the Israeli occupation forces, during which five youths were wounded with rubber-coated metal bullets.
According to local sources, the clashes erupted after the Israeli occupation forces stormed the headquarters of the General Union of Workers in the city, confiscating computers and papers and destroying the contents in the office.
The sources added that the soldiers entered the roofs of some buildings in the streets of Rukab and Al-Bareed in the center of Ramallah. They broke into a number of cafes in that area.
Israeli forces also raided Kafr Na’ma village, west of Ramallah, and arrested four young men after they raided and searched their houses.
Israeli forces also arrested three young men from Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus.
According to local sources, the Israeli occupation forces also stormed the camp at dawn and raided several neighborhoods, leading to clashes between the youths and the Israeli soldiers, who fired rubber-coated metal bullets and threw bombs and tear gas canisters at them. They arrested three young men.
Finally, IOF stormed Qalqilya city, where they arrested four people, and the city of Jenin, where they arrested six people.
The Israeli occupation army on Thursday morning cut off water supply to the Palestinian village of Bardala in the northern Jordan Valley.
Local official Derar Sawafta said that Israeli soldiers stormed the village and sealed up water holes that feed the local residents of the village with water, without stating the reason for such action.
The Israeli army had cut off water supply to the village many times before in an attempt to force the local residents to leave the area.
Local official Derar Sawafta said that Israeli soldiers stormed the village and sealed up water holes that feed the local residents of the village with water, without stating the reason for such action.
The Israeli army had cut off water supply to the village many times before in an attempt to force the local residents to leave the area.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Wednesday bulldozed a vast tract of agricultural land in the West Bank village of Hajjah village, east of Qalqilya
According to local officials, IOF bulldozers razed 145 dunums of agricultural land in order to expand the industrial zone of Karnei Shomron settlement.
Large areas of this land, which belong to five families, are planted with olive trees.
According to local officials, IOF bulldozers razed 145 dunums of agricultural land in order to expand the industrial zone of Karnei Shomron settlement.
Large areas of this land, which belong to five families, are planted with olive trees.
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Wednesday evening, the Ramadin area, southwest of the southern West Bank city of Hebron, and delivered orders halting the construction of the al-Badia Basic School.
Khaled Abu Sharar, the head of the Hebron office of the Education Ministry in southern Hebron, said the soldiers ordered halting the construction of the school, located in the western part of the town.
Abu Sharar added that the school is close to the illegal Annexation Wall, which was built on Palestinian lands in the area.
There are thirty students in this school, and construction was underway to expand it to be able to provide the needed education to more children.
It is one of many Somoud and Tahadi Schools which were recently built by the Palestinian Education Ministry, and a few them have been demolished.
Khaled Abu Sharar, the head of the Hebron office of the Education Ministry in southern Hebron, said the soldiers ordered halting the construction of the school, located in the western part of the town.
Abu Sharar added that the school is close to the illegal Annexation Wall, which was built on Palestinian lands in the area.
There are thirty students in this school, and construction was underway to expand it to be able to provide the needed education to more children.
It is one of many Somoud and Tahadi Schools which were recently built by the Palestinian Education Ministry, and a few them have been demolished.
18 sept 2019
Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) cut off dozens of Palestinian olive trees in Bruqin village to the west of Salfit on Wednesday.
Marwan Abdulrahman, the village’s council head, said that the IOA cut off one hundred olive trees to the north east of the village.
Meanwhile, Israeli occupation soldiers razed a greenhouse in Atuf village to the east of Tamun, in southeastern Tubsa governorate, also on Wednesday.
Locals said that the soldiers drove a bulldozer into the land of Iyad Qalalwa and destroyed his greenhouse.
Marwan Abdulrahman, the village’s council head, said that the IOA cut off one hundred olive trees to the north east of the village.
Meanwhile, Israeli occupation soldiers razed a greenhouse in Atuf village to the east of Tamun, in southeastern Tubsa governorate, also on Wednesday.
Locals said that the soldiers drove a bulldozer into the land of Iyad Qalalwa and destroyed his greenhouse.
Israeli navy ships opened fire, on Wednesday morning, on several Palestinian fishing boats near the shore of Gaza city.
Media sources said the Palestinian fishing boats were less than three nautical miles from the shore of the Sudaniyya area, northwest of Gaza.
They added that the attack did not lead to casualties but forced the fishermen back to the shore in fear of further violations.
In related news, Israeli soldiers invaded ‘Atouf village, east of Tammoun, southeast of the northeastern West Bank city of Tubas, and demolished an agricultural room owned by a Palestinian, identified as Eyad Faisal Qalalwa.
Media sources said the Palestinian fishing boats were less than three nautical miles from the shore of the Sudaniyya area, northwest of Gaza.
They added that the attack did not lead to casualties but forced the fishermen back to the shore in fear of further violations.
In related news, Israeli soldiers invaded ‘Atouf village, east of Tammoun, southeast of the northeastern West Bank city of Tubas, and demolished an agricultural room owned by a Palestinian, identified as Eyad Faisal Qalalwa.
16 sept 2019
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday vowed to annex illegal Jewish settlements in al-Khalil in the West Bank if reelected on Tuesday.
Speaking to Army Radio on Monday morning, with one day left to go until the election, Netanyahu vowed to annex Kiryat Arba settlement and the Jewish community in al-Khalil.
The remarks came a week after Netanyahu visited the Ibrahimi Mosque in al-Khalil and promised that the area will never be "free of Jews".
Observers believe that such statements are part of the competition between the Israeli right-wing parties to win the votes of the West Bank settlers.
Speaking to Army Radio on Monday morning, with one day left to go until the election, Netanyahu vowed to annex Kiryat Arba settlement and the Jewish community in al-Khalil.
The remarks came a week after Netanyahu visited the Ibrahimi Mosque in al-Khalil and promised that the area will never be "free of Jews".
Observers believe that such statements are part of the competition between the Israeli right-wing parties to win the votes of the West Bank settlers.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) at dawn Monday demolished one Palestinian house and two agricultural rooms as well as fences and a road in al-Walaja village, northwest of Bethlehem.
Local activist Ibrahim Awadallah said that bulldozers escorted by Israeli forces stormed the area of Ein Juwaiza and Khilat al-Hour and demolished a house belonging to a local resident called Mustafa Abd Rabo.
The IOF also knocked down two structures used for agricultural purposes belonging to a woman from the village as well as concrete fences of two homes belonging to other villagers.
A road was also bulldozed in the village by the IOF during the demolition campaign.
Local activist Ibrahim Awadallah said that bulldozers escorted by Israeli forces stormed the area of Ein Juwaiza and Khilat al-Hour and demolished a house belonging to a local resident called Mustafa Abd Rabo.
The IOF also knocked down two structures used for agricultural purposes belonging to a woman from the village as well as concrete fences of two homes belonging to other villagers.
A road was also bulldozed in the village by the IOF during the demolition campaign.
Bishop Atallah Hanna, the archbishop of Sebastian Roman Orthodox, stated Saturday, that the ancient Orthodox real estate in the area of Hebron Gate is under serious threat, and that extremist Jewish settlers may seize these properties at any time.
The archbishop issued the following statements while being hosted by a delegation from the Orthodox parish, from Jerusalem and vicinity.
“We might witness the same scenario of the building of Saint John the Beloved in the Old City, to which the settlers were allowed years ago, again here in Hebron Gate.”
“This is a new and renewed calamity targeting our ancient Orthodox estates in Jerusalem. The seizure of Hebron Gate and its buildings means further weakening, and marginalizing Christian presence in Jerusalem,” he declared.
Bishop Atallah Hanna:“We call on the churches over the world and on the human rights institutions to stand up for the salvation of orthodox real estate in Hebron from the clutches of extremist settlers.”
He added:“We have been addressing appealing letters to the rest of the world over the past months, calling for a move to stop this impending catastrophe threatening us in Hebron, but we have not yet seen any serious action or any initiatives aimed to break this deal, concluded by the unworthy and submitted to the unworthy. ”
Bishop Atallah explained “those allowing these takeovers are betraying the Church and Jerusalem, and are no better than Judas Iscariot, who betrayed his teacher for 30 silver coins. Unfortunately, others betraying their teachers and Christianity for some dollars still exist, and they are becoming tools serving the enemies of Jerusalem, its sanctities and holy, Islamic and Christian endowments.”
“We shall warn again against the danger of the schemes targeting Hebron, for the news reported by media foreshadows the impending disaster. Settlers may storm the ancient Hebron buildings at any time. We may wake up one day to find the settlers in these buildings with the Israeli flag raised on top of them,” he warned.
“We shall reiterate our call to King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, the Hashemite custodian of Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites, as well as the Palestinian president, Abu Mazen, to work to break this deal and preserve the identity and history of Jerusalem, and the Christian presence in this blessed city.
We shall also address all world leaders, Islamic and Christian religious authorities and advocates of justice and human rights around the world, urging them to stop this impending catastrophe threatening Hebron and its ancient Orthodox buildings, the leading gate to the holy sites, monasteries, churches and ancient patriarchates in Jerusalem.”
The Bishop pointed out that “breaking the Hebron deal needs a legal and political effort because this issue is political, being part of the deal of the century and conspiring against Jerusalem, its holy sites and Arab-Palestinian identity. Politicians are quite aware of the moves they should be taking in order to break this deal, in case they are willing to.”
“Take action before it is too late. Do not let Jerusalem bleed alone, its endowments stolen and sanctities targeted. Move before it is too late. Our Christian presence in Jerusalem has become endangered. Targeting us, our holy sites and endowments is targeting all Jerusalem without exception.”
Source: Palestine Chronicle/Middle East Monitor
The archbishop issued the following statements while being hosted by a delegation from the Orthodox parish, from Jerusalem and vicinity.
“We might witness the same scenario of the building of Saint John the Beloved in the Old City, to which the settlers were allowed years ago, again here in Hebron Gate.”
“This is a new and renewed calamity targeting our ancient Orthodox estates in Jerusalem. The seizure of Hebron Gate and its buildings means further weakening, and marginalizing Christian presence in Jerusalem,” he declared.
Bishop Atallah Hanna:“We call on the churches over the world and on the human rights institutions to stand up for the salvation of orthodox real estate in Hebron from the clutches of extremist settlers.”
He added:“We have been addressing appealing letters to the rest of the world over the past months, calling for a move to stop this impending catastrophe threatening us in Hebron, but we have not yet seen any serious action or any initiatives aimed to break this deal, concluded by the unworthy and submitted to the unworthy. ”
Bishop Atallah explained “those allowing these takeovers are betraying the Church and Jerusalem, and are no better than Judas Iscariot, who betrayed his teacher for 30 silver coins. Unfortunately, others betraying their teachers and Christianity for some dollars still exist, and they are becoming tools serving the enemies of Jerusalem, its sanctities and holy, Islamic and Christian endowments.”
“We shall warn again against the danger of the schemes targeting Hebron, for the news reported by media foreshadows the impending disaster. Settlers may storm the ancient Hebron buildings at any time. We may wake up one day to find the settlers in these buildings with the Israeli flag raised on top of them,” he warned.
“We shall reiterate our call to King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, the Hashemite custodian of Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites, as well as the Palestinian president, Abu Mazen, to work to break this deal and preserve the identity and history of Jerusalem, and the Christian presence in this blessed city.
We shall also address all world leaders, Islamic and Christian religious authorities and advocates of justice and human rights around the world, urging them to stop this impending catastrophe threatening Hebron and its ancient Orthodox buildings, the leading gate to the holy sites, monasteries, churches and ancient patriarchates in Jerusalem.”
The Bishop pointed out that “breaking the Hebron deal needs a legal and political effort because this issue is political, being part of the deal of the century and conspiring against Jerusalem, its holy sites and Arab-Palestinian identity. Politicians are quite aware of the moves they should be taking in order to break this deal, in case they are willing to.”
“Take action before it is too late. Do not let Jerusalem bleed alone, its endowments stolen and sanctities targeted. Move before it is too late. Our Christian presence in Jerusalem has become endangered. Targeting us, our holy sites and endowments is targeting all Jerusalem without exception.”
Source: Palestine Chronicle/Middle East Monitor
The Israeli government on Sunday approved its proposal to legalize an outpost in the Jordan Valley two days before the Knesset election after its attorney general agreed to retract his opposition.
However, the final approval for legalizing the outpost will be made by the next government.
"The government will decide on kick-starting the process of establishing the settlement of Mevo'ot Yeriho in the Jordan Valley," said Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu at the cabinet meeting, which was held in the illegal outpost.
"The final approval will of course be given upon the formation of the new government," he said.
During the meeting, Netanyahu said that he had been informed during the past 24 hours that there is high probability that the US administration's Middle East peace plan would be released immediately after Tuesday's election, and therefore the decision to approve the establishment of the outpost was significant.
In response, the government’s attorney general, Avichai Mendelblit, who at first opposed the decision, said he had changed his opinion after being made privy to this "new information."
A few days ago, Netanyahu announced during a news conference that US president Donald Trump's peace plan is expected to be released several days after the election and said he intended to annex the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea if he won the election.
Last week, Netanyahu also announced he intends to approve Mevo'ot Yeriho's legalization. He was later informed by Mendelblit this could not be done with a transitional government.
In his official legal opinion, published Thursday, Mendelblit said there is no urgency to approve the outpost two days before the election, and therefore a transitional government does not have the authority to make such a decision.
Mendelblit added that the timing of the decision "raises concerns that the proposal stems from, or at least appears to stem from, considerations of the upcoming election."
However, the final approval for legalizing the outpost will be made by the next government.
"The government will decide on kick-starting the process of establishing the settlement of Mevo'ot Yeriho in the Jordan Valley," said Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu at the cabinet meeting, which was held in the illegal outpost.
"The final approval will of course be given upon the formation of the new government," he said.
During the meeting, Netanyahu said that he had been informed during the past 24 hours that there is high probability that the US administration's Middle East peace plan would be released immediately after Tuesday's election, and therefore the decision to approve the establishment of the outpost was significant.
In response, the government’s attorney general, Avichai Mendelblit, who at first opposed the decision, said he had changed his opinion after being made privy to this "new information."
A few days ago, Netanyahu announced during a news conference that US president Donald Trump's peace plan is expected to be released several days after the election and said he intended to annex the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea if he won the election.
Last week, Netanyahu also announced he intends to approve Mevo'ot Yeriho's legalization. He was later informed by Mendelblit this could not be done with a transitional government.
In his official legal opinion, published Thursday, Mendelblit said there is no urgency to approve the outpost two days before the election, and therefore a transitional government does not have the authority to make such a decision.
Mendelblit added that the timing of the decision "raises concerns that the proposal stems from, or at least appears to stem from, considerations of the upcoming election."
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