21 mar 2014
Two Palestinian citizens were wounded afternoon Friday in Israeli army shooting to the north of the Gaza Strip. Dr. Ashraf Al-Qudra, the health ministry spokesman, told the PIC reporter that the two young men were hit with bullets in their limbs.
He said that both young men were taken to Kamal Odwan hospital where their condition was described as moderate.
Israeli occupation forces opened fire at a demonstration to the east f Jabaliya, north of the Strip, that was protesting the buffer zone imposed by the IOF on Gaza residents near the border fence, which prevented farmers from tending to their farmlands.
He said that both young men were taken to Kamal Odwan hospital where their condition was described as moderate.
Israeli occupation forces opened fire at a demonstration to the east f Jabaliya, north of the Strip, that was protesting the buffer zone imposed by the IOF on Gaza residents near the border fence, which prevented farmers from tending to their farmlands.
Israel's air strikes on Syria after a bomb targeted Israeli troops on the occupied Golan Heights was unlikely to spiral into full-scale confrontation, with each side preoccupied elsewhere, commentators said Thursday.
Israeli warplanes attacked Syrian army positions early on Wednesday and the Jewish state issued a stark warning to Damascus just hours after a bomb wounded four Israeli soldiers on the Golan, one severely.
Over the past year, Israel has reportedly carried out a series of raids on Syrian and Hezbollah targets but has not officially acknowledged them.
In a rare departure, the Israel military issued a public statement acknowledging Wednesday's strikes on Syrian army facilities.
Damascus. meanwhile, said one soldier had been killed and seven more wounded in an act of "aggression" that endangered regional stability.
But most commentators agreed that neither Israel nor the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad were seeking a faceoff as each was dealing with threats on other fronts.
Assad has been tied up fighting a three-year civil war against rebels seeking his ouster, while Israel is occupied with the threats of rockets from Gaza in the south, powerful Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah on its northern flank and the perceived threat posed by Iran's nuclear program.
"Assad has no desire to get into a direct confrontation with Israel, which could bring about his end," Syria expert Eyal Zisser told the Jerusalem Post.
Although the targets in Wednesday's raids were Syrian army, it appeared that the bomb was planted by militants from Damascus ally Hezbollah, pundits said.
Syria has long provided arms and other aid to Hezbollah, and served as a conduit for Iranian military aid to the movement, which battled Israel to a bloody stalemate in a 2006 war.
'Hezbollah not seeking escalation'
Israeli public radio quoted Paolo Serra, commander of UN peacekeeping troops in Lebanon, as saying Hezbollah too was unlikely to want a full-scale confrontation.
"Hezbollah and Israel are not interested in escalation after the Golan Heights incident," it quoted him as saying.
Last week, Israel shelled Hezbollah positions after another explosion targeted Israeli troops patrolling the Lebanese border.
And on March 5, troops on the Golan fired on what they said were two Hezbollah members allegedly trying to place an explosive device near the ceasefire line.
Analysts linked the escalation in border tensions to a February 24 air strike on a Hezbollah position in Lebanon, close to the Syrian border, which a security source said had targeted "weapons sent from Syria to Hezbollah".
Hezbollah openly blamed Israel and vowed to respond.
"Hezbollah is the first name that comes to mind when trying to figure out who masterminded (Tuesday's) roadside attack," a Jerusalem Post editorial said, while admitting that nothing was certain in war-torn Syria.
"The country has deteriorated into a free-for-all fire zone the likes of which even this erratic region has never known. It has become an arena for every terrorist group."
Writing in Yediot Aharonot, Middle East expert Guy Bechor said that responsibility for the Golan attack was far from clear, and may not rest with either Hezbollah or the Damascus regime.
"Assad controls approximately a fifth of his country and most of our border is no longer under his control but under that of the various rebels, mostly Sunni jihadists," he wrote.
"Hezbollah, like the Syrian regime, is up to its ears in fighting deep inside Syria. The Israeli border isn't an area that is controlled by Hezbollah, but by Salafist rebels," he said.
Israel, which is technically at war with Syria, seized 1,200 square kilometers (460 square miles) of the Golan Heights plateau during the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed it in a move never recognized by the international community.
The two countries went to war again in 1973.
Since the Syrian civil conflict erupted in 2011, the plateau has been tense, with a growing number of stray projectiles hitting the Israeli side, prompting an occasional armed response.
Israeli warplanes attacked Syrian army positions early on Wednesday and the Jewish state issued a stark warning to Damascus just hours after a bomb wounded four Israeli soldiers on the Golan, one severely.
Over the past year, Israel has reportedly carried out a series of raids on Syrian and Hezbollah targets but has not officially acknowledged them.
In a rare departure, the Israel military issued a public statement acknowledging Wednesday's strikes on Syrian army facilities.
Damascus. meanwhile, said one soldier had been killed and seven more wounded in an act of "aggression" that endangered regional stability.
But most commentators agreed that neither Israel nor the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad were seeking a faceoff as each was dealing with threats on other fronts.
Assad has been tied up fighting a three-year civil war against rebels seeking his ouster, while Israel is occupied with the threats of rockets from Gaza in the south, powerful Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah on its northern flank and the perceived threat posed by Iran's nuclear program.
"Assad has no desire to get into a direct confrontation with Israel, which could bring about his end," Syria expert Eyal Zisser told the Jerusalem Post.
Although the targets in Wednesday's raids were Syrian army, it appeared that the bomb was planted by militants from Damascus ally Hezbollah, pundits said.
Syria has long provided arms and other aid to Hezbollah, and served as a conduit for Iranian military aid to the movement, which battled Israel to a bloody stalemate in a 2006 war.
'Hezbollah not seeking escalation'
Israeli public radio quoted Paolo Serra, commander of UN peacekeeping troops in Lebanon, as saying Hezbollah too was unlikely to want a full-scale confrontation.
"Hezbollah and Israel are not interested in escalation after the Golan Heights incident," it quoted him as saying.
Last week, Israel shelled Hezbollah positions after another explosion targeted Israeli troops patrolling the Lebanese border.
And on March 5, troops on the Golan fired on what they said were two Hezbollah members allegedly trying to place an explosive device near the ceasefire line.
Analysts linked the escalation in border tensions to a February 24 air strike on a Hezbollah position in Lebanon, close to the Syrian border, which a security source said had targeted "weapons sent from Syria to Hezbollah".
Hezbollah openly blamed Israel and vowed to respond.
"Hezbollah is the first name that comes to mind when trying to figure out who masterminded (Tuesday's) roadside attack," a Jerusalem Post editorial said, while admitting that nothing was certain in war-torn Syria.
"The country has deteriorated into a free-for-all fire zone the likes of which even this erratic region has never known. It has become an arena for every terrorist group."
Writing in Yediot Aharonot, Middle East expert Guy Bechor said that responsibility for the Golan attack was far from clear, and may not rest with either Hezbollah or the Damascus regime.
"Assad controls approximately a fifth of his country and most of our border is no longer under his control but under that of the various rebels, mostly Sunni jihadists," he wrote.
"Hezbollah, like the Syrian regime, is up to its ears in fighting deep inside Syria. The Israeli border isn't an area that is controlled by Hezbollah, but by Salafist rebels," he said.
Israel, which is technically at war with Syria, seized 1,200 square kilometers (460 square miles) of the Golan Heights plateau during the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed it in a move never recognized by the international community.
The two countries went to war again in 1973.
Since the Syrian civil conflict erupted in 2011, the plateau has been tense, with a growing number of stray projectiles hitting the Israeli side, prompting an occasional armed response.
Clashes broke out on Friday in the neighbourhood of Al-Ein in Silwan between the young men and the Israeli forces.
Al-Ein neighbourhood turned into a “hit and run” area between the Israeli forces and young men after a Special Forces unit raided the neighbourhood.
Residents suffocated during the clashes because of the random firing of gas bombs towards them
Al-Ein neighbourhood turned into a “hit and run” area between the Israeli forces and young men after a Special Forces unit raided the neighbourhood.
Residents suffocated during the clashes because of the random firing of gas bombs towards them
20 mar 2014
Clashes erupted between the Palestinian worshipers and Israeli forces during clashes that erupted in al-Aqsa mosque's compound.
Media sources said that several worshipers were injured and the Palestinians called on Israeli troops stationed at the main entrances of the mosque to allow the ambulance crews to enter the mosque to provide the wounded Palestinians with treatment.
The worshipers protested the raid of Moshe feiglin, a member of the Knesset, and the Israeli police arrested two young Palestinians who were among the protesters.
Injuries and arrests during settlers' break-in into al-Aqsa
Israeli police stormed on Thursday morning al-Aqsa Mosque and attacked Palestinian worshipers. Three youths were arrested under the pretext of throwing stones at Israeli police forces. Five Jerusalemite worshipers were injured after being attacked by Israeli police for confronting settlers' break-in into the mosque’s courtyards.
Dozens of settlers, led by Deputy Speaker of the Knesset MK Moshe Feiglin, stormed Thursday morning al-Aqsa Mosque to perform Talmudic prayers. However, Palestinian worshipers prevented their access to the mosque.
Israeli police brutally intervened and fired tear gas bombs and attacked the worshipers. Many breathing problems were reported among Palestinians after inhaling tear gas.
The sources said that two students of religious schools in al-Aqsa Mosque were arrested and transferred to investigation centers.
A state of tension has prevailed in al-Aqsa Mosque amid an intensive presence of Israeli forces.
Israeli forces and settlers have recently escalated their break-ins and violations in al-Aqsa Mosque in an attempt to impose a fait accompli, and divide the mosque temporally and spatially between Muslims and Jews.
Media sources said that several worshipers were injured and the Palestinians called on Israeli troops stationed at the main entrances of the mosque to allow the ambulance crews to enter the mosque to provide the wounded Palestinians with treatment.
The worshipers protested the raid of Moshe feiglin, a member of the Knesset, and the Israeli police arrested two young Palestinians who were among the protesters.
Injuries and arrests during settlers' break-in into al-Aqsa
Israeli police stormed on Thursday morning al-Aqsa Mosque and attacked Palestinian worshipers. Three youths were arrested under the pretext of throwing stones at Israeli police forces. Five Jerusalemite worshipers were injured after being attacked by Israeli police for confronting settlers' break-in into the mosque’s courtyards.
Dozens of settlers, led by Deputy Speaker of the Knesset MK Moshe Feiglin, stormed Thursday morning al-Aqsa Mosque to perform Talmudic prayers. However, Palestinian worshipers prevented their access to the mosque.
Israeli police brutally intervened and fired tear gas bombs and attacked the worshipers. Many breathing problems were reported among Palestinians after inhaling tear gas.
The sources said that two students of religious schools in al-Aqsa Mosque were arrested and transferred to investigation centers.
A state of tension has prevailed in al-Aqsa Mosque amid an intensive presence of Israeli forces.
Israeli forces and settlers have recently escalated their break-ins and violations in al-Aqsa Mosque in an attempt to impose a fait accompli, and divide the mosque temporally and spatially between Muslims and Jews.
Israeli soldiers invaded the village of Zabbouba, west of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, and clashed with dozens of residents before kidnapping twelve, and wounding dozens.
Medical sources have reported that most wounded residents suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation, and received treatment by local medics.
Several Palestinians were also injured after being attacked and beaten by the invading soldiers.
Eyewitnesses said that several armored Israeli military jeeps invaded the village during evening hours, harassing dozens of residents, which led to clashes with local youth who threw stones and empty bottles at them.
The kidnapped Palestinians have been identified as Ahmad Maher Jaradat, 20, Ali Abdul-Karim Jaradat, 25, Eyad Ahmad Jaradat, 25, Mohammad Yasser Abahra, 22, Rami Assem Sha’ban, 20, (police officer) Rabea’ Bassam Maqalda, 22, Mahmoud Samir Jaradat, 22, Mohammad Taiseer al-‘Anr, Hisham Hilal Abu Libda, Sa’id Saber Jaradat, Nassim Maher Jaradat, and Mohammad Suleiman ‘Amarna.
Soldiers also invaded a barber shop in the village, detained the owner, Mahran Jamal Abu Baker, kidnapped Mothanna Assem Sha’ban, and confiscated the ID card of a police officer identified as Tareq Qan’ir.
In related news, soldiers installed a roadblock at the junction leading to the villages of Rommana and Zabbouba, stopped and searched dozens of Palestinians and interrogated several residents while inspecting their ID cards.
Medical sources have reported that most wounded residents suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation, and received treatment by local medics.
Several Palestinians were also injured after being attacked and beaten by the invading soldiers.
Eyewitnesses said that several armored Israeli military jeeps invaded the village during evening hours, harassing dozens of residents, which led to clashes with local youth who threw stones and empty bottles at them.
The kidnapped Palestinians have been identified as Ahmad Maher Jaradat, 20, Ali Abdul-Karim Jaradat, 25, Eyad Ahmad Jaradat, 25, Mohammad Yasser Abahra, 22, Rami Assem Sha’ban, 20, (police officer) Rabea’ Bassam Maqalda, 22, Mahmoud Samir Jaradat, 22, Mohammad Taiseer al-‘Anr, Hisham Hilal Abu Libda, Sa’id Saber Jaradat, Nassim Maher Jaradat, and Mohammad Suleiman ‘Amarna.
Soldiers also invaded a barber shop in the village, detained the owner, Mahran Jamal Abu Baker, kidnapped Mothanna Assem Sha’ban, and confiscated the ID card of a police officer identified as Tareq Qan’ir.
In related news, soldiers installed a roadblock at the junction leading to the villages of Rommana and Zabbouba, stopped and searched dozens of Palestinians and interrogated several residents while inspecting their ID cards.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon, ordered the army to be ready for a potential strike on Iran this year.
Israeli daily Haaretz has reported that the attack would target what was described as “Iran’s nuclear facilities”, and that the strike would cost Israel more than 10 Billion Israeli Shekels ($2.8 Billion).
Haaretz said the budget carries the same amount allocated last year for a possible war on Iran.
Israeli military officials stated that senior commanders of the Israeli military received a clear message from Ya’alon regarding readiness for a possible unilateral Israeli strike against Iran, regardless of the outcome of international talks with Iran concerning its nuclear program.
Speaking at the Tel Aviv University, Ya’alon said the military option against Iran is still valid.
Israeli daily Haaretz has reported that the attack would target what was described as “Iran’s nuclear facilities”, and that the strike would cost Israel more than 10 Billion Israeli Shekels ($2.8 Billion).
Haaretz said the budget carries the same amount allocated last year for a possible war on Iran.
Israeli military officials stated that senior commanders of the Israeli military received a clear message from Ya’alon regarding readiness for a possible unilateral Israeli strike against Iran, regardless of the outcome of international talks with Iran concerning its nuclear program.
Speaking at the Tel Aviv University, Ya’alon said the military option against Iran is still valid.
19 mar 2014
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) demolished Wednesday morning three homes in Beit Hanina neighborhood in occupied Jerusalem under the pretext of being built without permit. Eyewitnesses said that Israeli bulldozers raided at the early morning hours Ashqariyeh neighborhood in Beit Hanina and started demolishing two caravans and sheds belonging to Shadi Samara family.
The sources added that Israeli soldiers brutally attacked a group of Palestinians who gathered near the demolished homes, injuring a number of them.
Meanwhile, Israeli bulldozers demolished another home belonging to Badwan Salaima in Beit Hanina under the pretext of being built without construction permit. It was established a year ago on the ruins of his parents' home that was also demolished for the same reason.
The sources added that Israeli soldiers brutally attacked a group of Palestinians who gathered near the demolished homes, injuring a number of them.
Meanwhile, Israeli bulldozers demolished another home belonging to Badwan Salaima in Beit Hanina under the pretext of being built without construction permit. It was established a year ago on the ruins of his parents' home that was also demolished for the same reason.
Palestinian medical sources have reported that a young Palestinian man was shot by a live round fired by Israeli soldiers invading Teqoua’ town, east of Bethlehem. Dozens suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation.
The sources said that clashes took place between the invading soldiers and dozens of local youths who hurled stones and empty bottles at them.
The wounded Palestinian, Mohammad Sabah, was shot by a live round in his abdomen, and was moved to a hospital in Bethlehem.
Mohammad al-Badan, head of the Teqoua’ village council, told the Radio Bethlehem 2000 that the clashes took place after three Israeli military jeeps invaded the schools area, north of the town.
He added that the soldiers fired rounds of live ammunition, gas bombs, concussion grenades and rubber-coated metal bullets causing several residents to suffer the effects of tear gas inhalation.
Eyewitnesses said a military jeep flipped over while chasing several Palestinians in the town, and that one soldier was injured.
The sources said that clashes took place between the invading soldiers and dozens of local youths who hurled stones and empty bottles at them.
The wounded Palestinian, Mohammad Sabah, was shot by a live round in his abdomen, and was moved to a hospital in Bethlehem.
Mohammad al-Badan, head of the Teqoua’ village council, told the Radio Bethlehem 2000 that the clashes took place after three Israeli military jeeps invaded the schools area, north of the town.
He added that the soldiers fired rounds of live ammunition, gas bombs, concussion grenades and rubber-coated metal bullets causing several residents to suffer the effects of tear gas inhalation.
Eyewitnesses said a military jeep flipped over while chasing several Palestinians in the town, and that one soldier was injured.
Israeli sources have reported that the Israeli Air Force fired, on Wednesday at dawn, several missiles into a number of Syrian army sites, in what Israel claimed to be a retaliation to a Golan Heights bombing that left four Israeli soldiers wounded.
The army said that the attack against its soldiers, that took place on Tuesday, is part of what it called an escalation to the conflict between Israeli and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah party that sides with Syrian President, Bashar Assad.
Israeli Army Arab Media Spokesperson, Avichai Adraee, said the army attacked several targets used by the Syrian Army, and Syrian Intelligence headquarters, in addition to training grounds and missile batteries.
He claimed Syria aided Hezbollah fighters in carrying out their attack against the soldiers in the Golan Heights.
“The Israeli army reserves the right to retaliate at the time and place it sees fit”, Adraee said.
Israeli Ynet News said the attack against the Israeli army near the Syrian border is a serious escalation in the already tense relations between Israel and Hezbollah.
It added that Israel recently established a new combat battalion in the Golan Heights, and that the unit is equipped with advanced observation systems and radars that “managed to prove their effectiveness in recent weeks”.
Syria: Israel strikes kill 1, 'threaten region's security'
Israeli air raids on Syria on Wednesday killed one person and injured seven, Syria's army said, warning that the strikes endangered regional security and stability.
In a statement, the army command warned that "these desperate attempts ... endanger the security and stability of the region."
The army said that the attack against its soldiers, that took place on Tuesday, is part of what it called an escalation to the conflict between Israeli and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah party that sides with Syrian President, Bashar Assad.
Israeli Army Arab Media Spokesperson, Avichai Adraee, said the army attacked several targets used by the Syrian Army, and Syrian Intelligence headquarters, in addition to training grounds and missile batteries.
He claimed Syria aided Hezbollah fighters in carrying out their attack against the soldiers in the Golan Heights.
“The Israeli army reserves the right to retaliate at the time and place it sees fit”, Adraee said.
Israeli Ynet News said the attack against the Israeli army near the Syrian border is a serious escalation in the already tense relations between Israel and Hezbollah.
It added that Israel recently established a new combat battalion in the Golan Heights, and that the unit is equipped with advanced observation systems and radars that “managed to prove their effectiveness in recent weeks”.
Syria: Israel strikes kill 1, 'threaten region's security'
Israeli air raids on Syria on Wednesday killed one person and injured seven, Syria's army said, warning that the strikes endangered regional security and stability.
In a statement, the army command warned that "these desperate attempts ... endanger the security and stability of the region."
Two Palestinian young men were injured with rubber-coated bullets fired by Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Tuesday night to disperse demonstrators at the entrance to Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah. Local sources said that the two young men were in their twenties, adding that dozens of camp inhabitants were treated for gas inhalation after the IOF soldiers showered the camp with teargas canisters.
They said that the confrontations erupted after the soldiers closed the main road leading from the camp to El-Bireh city, adding that the soldiers occupied rooftops of buildings near the main street and fired teargas at the camp.
Similar confrontations were reported at the entrance to Qabatiya village, east of Jenin, afternoon Tuesday after the IOF soldiers set up a roadblock.
Locals said that young men attacked the roadblock with stones and forced the soldiers to withdraw.
In another development, IOF soldiers raided the city of Jenin and closed its eastern entrance, blocking traffic of vehicles and citizens in and out of it.
They said that the confrontations erupted after the soldiers closed the main road leading from the camp to El-Bireh city, adding that the soldiers occupied rooftops of buildings near the main street and fired teargas at the camp.
Similar confrontations were reported at the entrance to Qabatiya village, east of Jenin, afternoon Tuesday after the IOF soldiers set up a roadblock.
Locals said that young men attacked the roadblock with stones and forced the soldiers to withdraw.
In another development, IOF soldiers raided the city of Jenin and closed its eastern entrance, blocking traffic of vehicles and citizens in and out of it.
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) are to conduct large-scale maneuvers to the north of the Gaza Strip on Wednesday with the participation of the air force, Hebrew press reports said.
Yediot Ahronot newspaper quoted security sources as saying that the military exercises will take place north of the Kibbutzim north of Gaza Strip.
Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu had warned on Tuesday night that his government would not tolerate rocket attacks from Gaza and his forces would violently retaliate to any such attack.
Yediot Ahronot newspaper quoted security sources as saying that the military exercises will take place north of the Kibbutzim north of Gaza Strip.
Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu had warned on Tuesday night that his government would not tolerate rocket attacks from Gaza and his forces would violently retaliate to any such attack.
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) torched a Palestinian car in Burj village, in Al-Khalil province, on Tuesday. Eyewitnesses said that four IOF soldiers got out of their army vehicle and started fire in the car of Muhran Sami from Deir Al-Asal village.
They said that Sami was parking his car near the racist, separation wall that ran adjacent to the nearby Burj village.
The witnesses pointed out that the soldiers prevented citizens from extinguishing the fire and only left after it was completely burnt down.
They said that Sami was parking his car near the racist, separation wall that ran adjacent to the nearby Burj village.
The witnesses pointed out that the soldiers prevented citizens from extinguishing the fire and only left after it was completely burnt down.
18 mar 2014
Israeli carriers have unloaded tanks and caterpillars to the area opposite to Beit Hanon crossing, northern Gaza Strip, Palestinian media reported. Gaza-based Safa news agency said dispatching the troop reinforcements coincided with intensive flying of helicopters and drones over the eastern parts of the strip.
The move also came as the Israeli occupation prime minister, Benyamin Netanyahu, vowed ‘a tough response’ to any rockets launched from Gaza in his visit to the southern area of Negev.
A few days ago, Israeli jet fighters carried out a number of raids allegedly on military sites that belong to the Palestinian resistance factions, after Islamic Jihad group fired a volley of crude rockets in retaliation Israeli killing of three of its members the day before.
A recent health ministry report said 18 Gazans have been killed in Israeli fire since early 2014.
The move also came as the Israeli occupation prime minister, Benyamin Netanyahu, vowed ‘a tough response’ to any rockets launched from Gaza in his visit to the southern area of Negev.
A few days ago, Israeli jet fighters carried out a number of raids allegedly on military sites that belong to the Palestinian resistance factions, after Islamic Jihad group fired a volley of crude rockets in retaliation Israeli killing of three of its members the day before.
A recent health ministry report said 18 Gazans have been killed in Israeli fire since early 2014.
Palestinian protesters confront Israeli police outside the entrance to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City
(AFP) - Jordan Monday condemned what it called Israeli "escalation" in the flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem, after a far-right Israeli minister visited the plaza, warning it could cause further violence at the site. Israeli Housing Minister Uri Ariel, deputy leader of the hardline national religious Jewish Home party, briefly visited the plaza in Jerusalem's Old City on Sunday.
After the visit, clashes broke out between stone-throwing Palestinian youths and Israeli police at the site, police spokeswoman Luba Samri told AFP.
"Jordan rejects Israeli escalation in Al-Aqsa as well as measures that allow radicals to violate Al-Aqsa under protection of police and occupation forces," Minister of Information Mohammad Momani said in a statement carried by state-run Petra news agency on Monday.
"These actions will lead to more violence and religious extremism in the region. Jordan warns Israel not to try to impose anything new related to Al-Aqsa."
Known to Jews as the Temple Mount, and to Muslims as the Al-Aqsa compound, the site is considered sacred to both faiths.
By law, Jews are not allowed to pray at the site and although non-Muslim visitors are permitted, such high-profile visits by rightwing government figures are very rare and tend to stoke tensions.
Under the 1994 Israeli-Jordanian peace treaty, the kingdom is the custodian of Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem.
Last month, Jordanian Prime Minister Abdullah Nsur warned Amman might review the peace deal after Israeli MPs debated allowing Jewish prayers at Al-Aqsa mosque compound.
(AFP) - Jordan Monday condemned what it called Israeli "escalation" in the flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem, after a far-right Israeli minister visited the plaza, warning it could cause further violence at the site. Israeli Housing Minister Uri Ariel, deputy leader of the hardline national religious Jewish Home party, briefly visited the plaza in Jerusalem's Old City on Sunday.
After the visit, clashes broke out between stone-throwing Palestinian youths and Israeli police at the site, police spokeswoman Luba Samri told AFP.
"Jordan rejects Israeli escalation in Al-Aqsa as well as measures that allow radicals to violate Al-Aqsa under protection of police and occupation forces," Minister of Information Mohammad Momani said in a statement carried by state-run Petra news agency on Monday.
"These actions will lead to more violence and religious extremism in the region. Jordan warns Israel not to try to impose anything new related to Al-Aqsa."
Known to Jews as the Temple Mount, and to Muslims as the Al-Aqsa compound, the site is considered sacred to both faiths.
By law, Jews are not allowed to pray at the site and although non-Muslim visitors are permitted, such high-profile visits by rightwing government figures are very rare and tend to stoke tensions.
Under the 1994 Israeli-Jordanian peace treaty, the kingdom is the custodian of Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem.
Last month, Jordanian Prime Minister Abdullah Nsur warned Amman might review the peace deal after Israeli MPs debated allowing Jewish prayers at Al-Aqsa mosque compound.
Israeli forces briefly closed a military checkpoint east of Tulkarem on Tuesday due to a military training exercise in the area, Palestinian security officials said.
Palestinians were forbidden from crossing the Enav checkpoint in both directions while dozens of Israeli soldiers and vehicles carried out a short military drill.
Palestinian security officials added that the Israeli military liaison department notified its Palestinian counterpart about the drill, without giving any further details.
An Israeli army spokeswoman did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
Palestinians were forbidden from crossing the Enav checkpoint in both directions while dozens of Israeli soldiers and vehicles carried out a short military drill.
Palestinian security officials added that the Israeli military liaison department notified its Palestinian counterpart about the drill, without giving any further details.
An Israeli army spokeswoman did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
On Sunday March 16, during the Jewish holiday of Purim, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians and Internationals on Palestinian fields near Mitzpe Yair illegal outpost. In the morning, four Palestinian shepherds from the village of Qawawis were grazing their flocks south of the Israeli outpost of Mitzpe Yair, when a settler arrived armed with an iron pipe to threaten them shouting.
At 9:18 am two Internationals arrived together with two further Palestinian shepherds. The armed Israeli settler then left when he saw that they were filming the scene.
At 9:28 am eight settlers arrived from the illegal outpost – one was still armed with the iron pipe – and four of them violently chased away the flocks, pushing them toward the valley underlying the outpost. Palestinian shepherds followed the settlers in order not to lose their flocks accompanied by Internationals. The Palestinians immediately called the Israeli police.
At 9:48 am the settlers came back to the outpost. In the meantime, an additional Internationals and two Palestinian members of the South Hebron Hills Popular Committee arrived at the scene. At 10:00 am one of the settlers tried to chase away one of the newly-arrived Palestinians, a member of the Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem. As this happened, an Israeli policeman and three Israeli soldiers arrived by foot. At 10:20 am, as the policeman began interrogating the attendants, a further three settlers arrived. Those interrogated were the Palestinian shepherd Nail Abuaram (who filmed everything with a B’Tselem camera) and one International.
At 10:45 am, the policeman lead Abuaram and one of the Internationals to Kiryat Arba police station to give testimony of the harassments. They arrived at the station at noon.
The International was asked for the camera footage of the incident, interrogated and finally released at around 2:50 pm. Abuaram was interrogated alone for a couple of hours and was threaten of arrest until he accepted to sign a paper stating that he will not get closer than 450 meters to the area where the harassment took place for a period of 15 days. He was later released around 6:00 pm after signing the paper. The Israeli police forced the settler who attacked the Palestinians with an iron pipe to stay 200 meters far from the spot where the harassment took place for a period of 15 days.
Palestinian communities of the South Hebron Hills area are strongly involved in using nonviolence as a way to resist the Israeli occupation.
Operation Dove has maintained an international presence in At-Tuwani and the South Hebron Hills since 2004.
Source: INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT
At 9:18 am two Internationals arrived together with two further Palestinian shepherds. The armed Israeli settler then left when he saw that they were filming the scene.
At 9:28 am eight settlers arrived from the illegal outpost – one was still armed with the iron pipe – and four of them violently chased away the flocks, pushing them toward the valley underlying the outpost. Palestinian shepherds followed the settlers in order not to lose their flocks accompanied by Internationals. The Palestinians immediately called the Israeli police.
At 9:48 am the settlers came back to the outpost. In the meantime, an additional Internationals and two Palestinian members of the South Hebron Hills Popular Committee arrived at the scene. At 10:00 am one of the settlers tried to chase away one of the newly-arrived Palestinians, a member of the Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem. As this happened, an Israeli policeman and three Israeli soldiers arrived by foot. At 10:20 am, as the policeman began interrogating the attendants, a further three settlers arrived. Those interrogated were the Palestinian shepherd Nail Abuaram (who filmed everything with a B’Tselem camera) and one International.
At 10:45 am, the policeman lead Abuaram and one of the Internationals to Kiryat Arba police station to give testimony of the harassments. They arrived at the station at noon.
The International was asked for the camera footage of the incident, interrogated and finally released at around 2:50 pm. Abuaram was interrogated alone for a couple of hours and was threaten of arrest until he accepted to sign a paper stating that he will not get closer than 450 meters to the area where the harassment took place for a period of 15 days. He was later released around 6:00 pm after signing the paper. The Israeli police forced the settler who attacked the Palestinians with an iron pipe to stay 200 meters far from the spot where the harassment took place for a period of 15 days.
Palestinian communities of the South Hebron Hills area are strongly involved in using nonviolence as a way to resist the Israeli occupation.
Operation Dove has maintained an international presence in At-Tuwani and the South Hebron Hills since 2004.
Source: INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT
Israeli naval forces opened fire Tuesday morning towards Palestinian fishing boats off the coast of Khanyounis in southern Gaza. Dozens of Palestinian boats were targeted but no injuries were reported, according to ALRAY correspondent.
Israeli forces intend to practise unfair measures against Gaza fishermen on a daily basis including arrests and reduction of the fishing zone.
In the Oslo Accords, Israel agreed to a 20-nautical-mile fishing zone off Gaza's coast but it imposed a 3-mile limit for several years, opening fire at fishermen who strayed further.
Israel has controlled Gaza waters since its occupation of the area in 1967, and has kept several warships stationed off the coast since 2008.
Israeli forces intend to practise unfair measures against Gaza fishermen on a daily basis including arrests and reduction of the fishing zone.
In the Oslo Accords, Israel agreed to a 20-nautical-mile fishing zone off Gaza's coast but it imposed a 3-mile limit for several years, opening fire at fishermen who strayed further.
Israel has controlled Gaza waters since its occupation of the area in 1967, and has kept several warships stationed off the coast since 2008.
