25 aug 2018
After 3 Arabs from Shfaram were attacked at Kiryat Haim beach, police detain 29-year-old man on suspicion of involvement in crime; two suspects detained so far, with one of them being released to 3-day house arrest; victims say racism led to attack.
The Police detained Saturday a 29-year-old from Nesher on suspicion of involvement in the beating of three Arabs from Shfaram at the Kiryat Haim beach in Haifa on Monday.
The victims—a doctor from Ichilov Hospital at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, a 28-year-old nurse and a 20-year-old man—described the chain of events leading to their attack.
“We were sitting on on the beach for about half an hour when a Jewish man walked up to us and asked if we were Arabs. We said ‘yes, what do you want?’, and he just left. We thought that he might be drunk.
"The man returned shortly, this time accompanied by many others," the victims elaborated.
“After two minutes he came back with nine other people with knives, metal chains and bars and just started to beat us,” they recalled.
“They started hitting us with no mercy, in all parts of our body, when we were sitting down. They wanted to kill us, just because we are Arabs,” they added, and mentioned they were hit in the head, upper limbs, knees and back.
“Two Jewish men passed by, pushed them back from us and called the police and Magen David Adom (MDA). The two Jewish men gave us water and helped us," they added.
One of the men who were attacked said, “It hurts my heart, because in my profession I treat Jews. I have never looked at a man’s origin. I also have Jewish friends and I live among Jews.”
The men also said that the attackers swore at them and said “you are Arab dogs, don’t stay here.”
A police statement said that the three were sitting on a beach in Kiryat Haim, when the first suspect, a 23-year-old from Kiryat Haim, came up to talk to the victims. He later returned with his friends and together they attacked the three.
Following the attack the three men were sent to the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa for medical care, where they filed a complaint over the attack.
“We didn’t hurt anyone,” they told Ynet on Friday. “They just started beating us with no reason. They almost killed us. We asked them to stop but they kept going. They were only pushed away when other people arrived. We hope the police will apprehend them,” they concluded.
The Haifa Magistrate's Court ordered the release of one of the suspects in the attack who was detained earlier Saturday, a 23-year-old from Kiryat Haim. He was released to a three-day house arrest.
Judge Gil Karseboom decided on the release due to lack of evidence linking the suspect to the attack, and the fact that police did not examine his alibi claims during the first 24 since his arrest as well as not performing a suspects line up.
The police asked for the decision to be delayed until Sunday morning. However, the judge delayed his decision to 11pm on Saturday — merely an hour and a half after the decision was made.
The police can now appeal to the District Court.
Attorney Lior Bar-Zohar who is representing the suspect said that his remand was based on information given by the complainants rather than evidence, asking to release the suspect immediately.
The Police detained Saturday a 29-year-old from Nesher on suspicion of involvement in the beating of three Arabs from Shfaram at the Kiryat Haim beach in Haifa on Monday.
The victims—a doctor from Ichilov Hospital at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, a 28-year-old nurse and a 20-year-old man—described the chain of events leading to their attack.
“We were sitting on on the beach for about half an hour when a Jewish man walked up to us and asked if we were Arabs. We said ‘yes, what do you want?’, and he just left. We thought that he might be drunk.
"The man returned shortly, this time accompanied by many others," the victims elaborated.
“After two minutes he came back with nine other people with knives, metal chains and bars and just started to beat us,” they recalled.
“They started hitting us with no mercy, in all parts of our body, when we were sitting down. They wanted to kill us, just because we are Arabs,” they added, and mentioned they were hit in the head, upper limbs, knees and back.
“Two Jewish men passed by, pushed them back from us and called the police and Magen David Adom (MDA). The two Jewish men gave us water and helped us," they added.
One of the men who were attacked said, “It hurts my heart, because in my profession I treat Jews. I have never looked at a man’s origin. I also have Jewish friends and I live among Jews.”
The men also said that the attackers swore at them and said “you are Arab dogs, don’t stay here.”
A police statement said that the three were sitting on a beach in Kiryat Haim, when the first suspect, a 23-year-old from Kiryat Haim, came up to talk to the victims. He later returned with his friends and together they attacked the three.
Following the attack the three men were sent to the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa for medical care, where they filed a complaint over the attack.
“We didn’t hurt anyone,” they told Ynet on Friday. “They just started beating us with no reason. They almost killed us. We asked them to stop but they kept going. They were only pushed away when other people arrived. We hope the police will apprehend them,” they concluded.
The Haifa Magistrate's Court ordered the release of one of the suspects in the attack who was detained earlier Saturday, a 23-year-old from Kiryat Haim. He was released to a three-day house arrest.
Judge Gil Karseboom decided on the release due to lack of evidence linking the suspect to the attack, and the fact that police did not examine his alibi claims during the first 24 since his arrest as well as not performing a suspects line up.
The police asked for the decision to be delayed until Sunday morning. However, the judge delayed his decision to 11pm on Saturday — merely an hour and a half after the decision was made.
The police can now appeal to the District Court.
Attorney Lior Bar-Zohar who is representing the suspect said that his remand was based on information given by the complainants rather than evidence, asking to release the suspect immediately.
On the backdrop of the #MeToo campaign, women say they don't feel safe when going to the beach alone; Adi, 25, says 'when I get to the beach I rather not be on my own, especially because I’m a woman.'
Just a short while after the #MeToo campaign had swept the world into a social outrage and denounced sexual harrasment, Israeli women reveal that they do not feel safe at the beach.
“I think twice before I change into a bathing suit in the beach,” said a young woman who was visiting Tel Aviv shores this week, and added that “There is a lot of staring.”
Many women testify that they do not feel safe at the beach, and that they had gotten used to both staring and inappropriate comments.
Adi, a 25-year-old who visited the Jerusalem Beach in Tel Aviv this week, told Ynet that “when I get to the beach I rather not be on my own, especially because I’m a woman. The bathing suit makes all the difference in the way people treat you, even though it shouldn’t. Obviously men don’t experience this feeling when they wear a bathing suit.”
Adi continued to say that “I have many friends that choose to go to the beach with non-revealing clothes, or with a more modest looking bathing suit in order to feel more comfortable.It shouldn't be that way! Every woman should wear whatever she wants,” she concludes.
Ofir, Adi’s friend added, “That’s exactly the feeling. When you wear a bathing suit, you’re automatically feel exposed— both physically and mentally. It’s not very pleasant.”
"I think twice before I take my shirt of at the beach. I’ll only do it if I’m with friends, not if I’m alone. There’s a lot of staring and there’s also the chance of someone just deciding to come and sit next to me, and I prefer to avoid that. Actually, the fact that a woman is more exposed seems to give men legitimacy to behave differently,” Ofir lamented.
Some women even said they had to change plans after relentless remarks from men.
“I went bathing and a group of three men approached me. One of them said that his friend wants me to join them, and I said that I’m not interested and swam away from them. Then they followed me and surrounded me. I then went out of the water and had to go somewhere else,” 21-year-old Gili told Ynet.
Gili siad she “is not at all surprised by this, which is sad, as it shows how common it is. With time you develop thick skin. I don’t think that things should be like this. But also, I don’t want to stop going to the beach.”
Gilli’s sister, Galin, said that “When I was 17, I took the train home. I was sitting in an empty train car and listening to music. During the ride, a guy came up and set next to me. He then showed me his phone screen, where he wrote that he wants to have sex with me and would pay me NIS 50,000.”
“I was very young and I froze. I just waited for the first chance I had to get off the train. I’ll never forget it," she explained.
Adar, a 21-year-old man who lives in the Netanya area, feels that staring and inappropriate comments originate in misunderstandings and naivety.
“Most Israeli men were never taught how to approach a girl who they are interested in. So they will give her odd looks and maybe say something embracing. They only seek to get the girl’s attention and to get to know her,” Adar argued.
Hillel who came to the beach with his girlfriend opined that “There’s a code, and there have to be boundaries. Men and women are attracted to each other and that’s natural, it’s not wrong. Some things are plain and obvious harassment, but some are just natural— a man trying to meet a woman."
Shlomo, 75, has been visiting the beach daily for the past 30 years. He said that men today let themselves go with the way they treat women.
“Some men blurt out things, like real indecent proposals, saying ‘do you want to go to a hotel with me?' I do what I can to shut them up and calm them down,” Amiram told us.
"In my time it wasn’t like this at all. We didn’t talk dirty and there wasn’t such sexual openness. Today’s youth are not what they used to be. I recommend men who want to impress a woman to speak respectfully, gently and with honor.”
Just a short while after the #MeToo campaign had swept the world into a social outrage and denounced sexual harrasment, Israeli women reveal that they do not feel safe at the beach.
“I think twice before I change into a bathing suit in the beach,” said a young woman who was visiting Tel Aviv shores this week, and added that “There is a lot of staring.”
Many women testify that they do not feel safe at the beach, and that they had gotten used to both staring and inappropriate comments.
Adi, a 25-year-old who visited the Jerusalem Beach in Tel Aviv this week, told Ynet that “when I get to the beach I rather not be on my own, especially because I’m a woman. The bathing suit makes all the difference in the way people treat you, even though it shouldn’t. Obviously men don’t experience this feeling when they wear a bathing suit.”
Adi continued to say that “I have many friends that choose to go to the beach with non-revealing clothes, or with a more modest looking bathing suit in order to feel more comfortable.It shouldn't be that way! Every woman should wear whatever she wants,” she concludes.
Ofir, Adi’s friend added, “That’s exactly the feeling. When you wear a bathing suit, you’re automatically feel exposed— both physically and mentally. It’s not very pleasant.”
"I think twice before I take my shirt of at the beach. I’ll only do it if I’m with friends, not if I’m alone. There’s a lot of staring and there’s also the chance of someone just deciding to come and sit next to me, and I prefer to avoid that. Actually, the fact that a woman is more exposed seems to give men legitimacy to behave differently,” Ofir lamented.
Some women even said they had to change plans after relentless remarks from men.
“I went bathing and a group of three men approached me. One of them said that his friend wants me to join them, and I said that I’m not interested and swam away from them. Then they followed me and surrounded me. I then went out of the water and had to go somewhere else,” 21-year-old Gili told Ynet.
Gili siad she “is not at all surprised by this, which is sad, as it shows how common it is. With time you develop thick skin. I don’t think that things should be like this. But also, I don’t want to stop going to the beach.”
Gilli’s sister, Galin, said that “When I was 17, I took the train home. I was sitting in an empty train car and listening to music. During the ride, a guy came up and set next to me. He then showed me his phone screen, where he wrote that he wants to have sex with me and would pay me NIS 50,000.”
“I was very young and I froze. I just waited for the first chance I had to get off the train. I’ll never forget it," she explained.
Adar, a 21-year-old man who lives in the Netanya area, feels that staring and inappropriate comments originate in misunderstandings and naivety.
“Most Israeli men were never taught how to approach a girl who they are interested in. So they will give her odd looks and maybe say something embracing. They only seek to get the girl’s attention and to get to know her,” Adar argued.
Hillel who came to the beach with his girlfriend opined that “There’s a code, and there have to be boundaries. Men and women are attracted to each other and that’s natural, it’s not wrong. Some things are plain and obvious harassment, but some are just natural— a man trying to meet a woman."
Shlomo, 75, has been visiting the beach daily for the past 30 years. He said that men today let themselves go with the way they treat women.
“Some men blurt out things, like real indecent proposals, saying ‘do you want to go to a hotel with me?' I do what I can to shut them up and calm them down,” Amiram told us.
"In my time it wasn’t like this at all. We didn’t talk dirty and there wasn’t such sexual openness. Today’s youth are not what they used to be. I recommend men who want to impress a woman to speak respectfully, gently and with honor.”
Left-wing activists wounded in Mitzpe Yair
Ta’ayush organization's member were evacuated to Soroka University Medical Center in Be’er Sheva after being attacked by several of the settlement's residents, according to the activists; IDF says activists arrived to Mitzpe Yair 'in order to create provocation'; No suspects were detained yet.
Four left-wing activist from the Ta’ayush organization were attacked and wounded Saturday in the settlement of Mitzpe Yair in the Mount Hebron area.
According to the activists, several masked Mitzpe Yair residents hurled stones at them.
The Ta’ayush organization's members were lightly wounded and taken to the Soroka University Medical Center in Be’er Sheva. suspects are yet to be detained.
The police said that according to a report they had received earlier from the IDF, four Israelis had arrived to Mitzpe Yair to take pictures.
"At some point, as reported by the activists, several masked young men arrived and began throwing stones at them and wounding them," the police said.
"A police force that was called to the scene launched an investigation into the matter," the police statement added.
The IDF said that "several Ta'ayush activists arrived this morning to the area near Mitzpeh Yair where illegal Palestinian construction is taking place."
"After the security forces had confiscated the tools used for the illegal construction, the activists went up to Mitzpeh Yair in order to create a provocation, which led to a violent clash between them and the area's residents," the IDF elaborated.
"IDF soldiers who were at the scene, announced it as a closed military zone in order to prevent further violence . However, some of the organization's activists refused to leave the premises in violation of the order applied to the area.
"After a while the activists agreed to leave the area, ending the skirmishes," the IDF concluded.
The Ta’ayush organization issued a statement on its Facebook page saying that "Jewish terrorists from the Mitzpe Yair settlement attacked four members of our organization by throwing stones and sticks at them.
"The soldiers present at the scene were scared to intervene. We are afraid to think what would have happened if the activists were Palestinians," the statement added.
Ta’ayush organization's member were evacuated to Soroka University Medical Center in Be’er Sheva after being attacked by several of the settlement's residents, according to the activists; IDF says activists arrived to Mitzpe Yair 'in order to create provocation'; No suspects were detained yet.
Four left-wing activist from the Ta’ayush organization were attacked and wounded Saturday in the settlement of Mitzpe Yair in the Mount Hebron area.
According to the activists, several masked Mitzpe Yair residents hurled stones at them.
The Ta’ayush organization's members were lightly wounded and taken to the Soroka University Medical Center in Be’er Sheva. suspects are yet to be detained.
The police said that according to a report they had received earlier from the IDF, four Israelis had arrived to Mitzpe Yair to take pictures.
"At some point, as reported by the activists, several masked young men arrived and began throwing stones at them and wounding them," the police said.
"A police force that was called to the scene launched an investigation into the matter," the police statement added.
The IDF said that "several Ta'ayush activists arrived this morning to the area near Mitzpeh Yair where illegal Palestinian construction is taking place."
"After the security forces had confiscated the tools used for the illegal construction, the activists went up to Mitzpeh Yair in order to create a provocation, which led to a violent clash between them and the area's residents," the IDF elaborated.
"IDF soldiers who were at the scene, announced it as a closed military zone in order to prevent further violence . However, some of the organization's activists refused to leave the premises in violation of the order applied to the area.
"After a while the activists agreed to leave the area, ending the skirmishes," the IDF concluded.
The Ta’ayush organization issued a statement on its Facebook page saying that "Jewish terrorists from the Mitzpe Yair settlement attacked four members of our organization by throwing stones and sticks at them.
"The soldiers present at the scene were scared to intervene. We are afraid to think what would have happened if the activists were Palestinians," the statement added.
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Three men from the northern city of Shfaram file a police report after they had been attacked by a group of young Jews at the beach. 'They told us: You are Arab dogs, do not stay here. We asked them to stop— but they went on.'; Police opened an investigation.
Three men in their 30's from the northern city of Shfaram filed a police report on Thursday, claiming they were attacked at Kiryat Haim beach in Haifa on Monday. The motive, they claim, was nationalist. Two of the complainants, a doctor and nurse (28) and a friend (20) said that while sitting on the beach, "a few young Jews passed by and asked us if we were Arabs." |
Then, allegedly, the party left the place, only to return 10 minutes later: "They returned with equipment, beat us. We have bruises all over our bodies."
The two also claimed that the assailants cursed at them and yelled: "You are Arab dogs, do not stay here."
"We did not hurt anyone," the complainants told Ynet. "They just decided to hit us without cause. They almost killed us. We asked them
to stop but they continued. Only after other people arrived at the scene, the men were taken away. We hope the police will find them."
"We've seen a lot of publications about nationalistic attacks in the past. We did not expect this to happen to us, certainly we didn't expect to experience one of the toughest and most severe attacks. Unfortunately, despite the various condemnations against racism, it persists— who will be next?" the men added.
According to the Israeli police said: "A report was filed regarding a violent attack, and immediately upon its receipt, we opened an investigation into the incident. The Israel Police considers any manifestation of violence and acts of bullying against any citizen very severely. Incidents of violence which are brought to our attention are handled professionally and with care in order to bring to justice all those involved. "
The two also claimed that the assailants cursed at them and yelled: "You are Arab dogs, do not stay here."
"We did not hurt anyone," the complainants told Ynet. "They just decided to hit us without cause. They almost killed us. We asked them
to stop but they continued. Only after other people arrived at the scene, the men were taken away. We hope the police will find them."
"We've seen a lot of publications about nationalistic attacks in the past. We did not expect this to happen to us, certainly we didn't expect to experience one of the toughest and most severe attacks. Unfortunately, despite the various condemnations against racism, it persists— who will be next?" the men added.
According to the Israeli police said: "A report was filed regarding a violent attack, and immediately upon its receipt, we opened an investigation into the incident. The Israel Police considers any manifestation of violence and acts of bullying against any citizen very severely. Incidents of violence which are brought to our attention are handled professionally and with care in order to bring to justice all those involved. "
23 aug 2018
A new Israeli bill, proposed by Likud MK Anat Berko on Wednesday, would prohibit the Palestinian flag from being raised at demonstrations, Israeli sources said.
The bill, which will be presented when the Knesset returns from its summer recess, came in response to a protest organized two weeks ago in Tel Aviv by the High Follow-Up Committee for Arab citizens of Israel during which Palestinian flags were waved and anti-Israel slogans were chanted.
According to Israel Hayom paper, “the legislation would subject violators to up to a year in prison. It would apply to the flag of the PLO and to flags of enemy states.”
Berko said she expected the government to support the bill and expedite its passage.
On August 11, tens of thousands of Arabs gathered in Tel Aviv’s Rabin Square for the second large-scale protest in eight days against the recently passed racist Nation-State Law.
The bill, which will be presented when the Knesset returns from its summer recess, came in response to a protest organized two weeks ago in Tel Aviv by the High Follow-Up Committee for Arab citizens of Israel during which Palestinian flags were waved and anti-Israel slogans were chanted.
According to Israel Hayom paper, “the legislation would subject violators to up to a year in prison. It would apply to the flag of the PLO and to flags of enemy states.”
Berko said she expected the government to support the bill and expedite its passage.
On August 11, tens of thousands of Arabs gathered in Tel Aviv’s Rabin Square for the second large-scale protest in eight days against the recently passed racist Nation-State Law.
22 aug 2018
Miri Regev (L) and Shas MK Michael Malchieli
MK Malchieli says Culture and Sports Minister is expected to prevent the preparations and rehearsals for the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest from being held on Shabbat after she supported Katz's decision to halt construction works on weekends; Regev says, 'We will have to explain the ultra-Orthodox community that they are things beyond our decision and control.'
MK Michael Malchieli (Shas) said Wednesday his party hopes that the preparations for the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest would be held without desecrating Shabbat.
Speaking to Ynet, Malchieli addressed Culture and Sports Minister Miri Regev's remarks according to which rehearsals for the Eurovision will be held on Saturdays saying, "Regev has to understand we want (the preparations for the Eurovision-ed) to take place without desecrating the Shabbat."
"We cannot let the celebrations, important as they may be to harm the Shabbat," Malchieli opined.
"We expect the Culture and Sports Minister who welcomed today Minister Katz's decision not to carry out construction works on the bridge (over the Ayalon Highway) to reach an understanding and not to cause a mass Shabbat desecration because of the Eurovision," he went on to say.
When asked about the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Israel, Regev said, "My guess is that as soon as the contest's location will be chosen, work on Saturdays could not be avoided. We will have to explain the ultra-Orthodox community that they are things beyond our decision and control."
"The Eurovision is always held on Saturdays nights. In the past, the Eurovision was held in Jerusalem, and we will have to come to an understanding with the Haredim on this matter," Regev added.
"I don't think works will be done on Shabbat. However, there will be rehearsals. All the preparations for the Eurovision will be completed long before the event, and there will be no reason for work to take place on Saturdays."
Regev also justified Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz's decision not to carry out construction work on a new bridge over the Ayalon Highway during the weekends and said his decision is "worthy and right."
Last week it was determined the Eurovision will be held in Israel in May 2019. The Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC) has accepted the outline proposed by the Finance Ministry.
The IPBC will take out a loan from the bank to cover the 12 million euro guarantee required by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) without the involvement of the Treasury or the government.
The government will decide whether to cover the costs if the guarantee payment is forfeited in the case of war a higher power causing the cancellation of the event in Israel.
"The IPBC sees great importance in hosting the Eurovision in Israel, both because of the exposure it would give the State of Israel and because the competition would serve as an economic boost to Israel," the IPBC said in a statement announcing the decision.
"The IPBC believes the Israeli government will do all in its power to ensure a worthy and respectable Eurovision will be held in Israel and to fulfill the commitment of its ministers—which have been made in the media—about the funding of the competition," the statement added.
MK Malchieli says Culture and Sports Minister is expected to prevent the preparations and rehearsals for the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest from being held on Shabbat after she supported Katz's decision to halt construction works on weekends; Regev says, 'We will have to explain the ultra-Orthodox community that they are things beyond our decision and control.'
MK Michael Malchieli (Shas) said Wednesday his party hopes that the preparations for the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest would be held without desecrating Shabbat.
Speaking to Ynet, Malchieli addressed Culture and Sports Minister Miri Regev's remarks according to which rehearsals for the Eurovision will be held on Saturdays saying, "Regev has to understand we want (the preparations for the Eurovision-ed) to take place without desecrating the Shabbat."
"We cannot let the celebrations, important as they may be to harm the Shabbat," Malchieli opined.
"We expect the Culture and Sports Minister who welcomed today Minister Katz's decision not to carry out construction works on the bridge (over the Ayalon Highway) to reach an understanding and not to cause a mass Shabbat desecration because of the Eurovision," he went on to say.
When asked about the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Israel, Regev said, "My guess is that as soon as the contest's location will be chosen, work on Saturdays could not be avoided. We will have to explain the ultra-Orthodox community that they are things beyond our decision and control."
"The Eurovision is always held on Saturdays nights. In the past, the Eurovision was held in Jerusalem, and we will have to come to an understanding with the Haredim on this matter," Regev added.
"I don't think works will be done on Shabbat. However, there will be rehearsals. All the preparations for the Eurovision will be completed long before the event, and there will be no reason for work to take place on Saturdays."
Regev also justified Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz's decision not to carry out construction work on a new bridge over the Ayalon Highway during the weekends and said his decision is "worthy and right."
Last week it was determined the Eurovision will be held in Israel in May 2019. The Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC) has accepted the outline proposed by the Finance Ministry.
The IPBC will take out a loan from the bank to cover the 12 million euro guarantee required by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) without the involvement of the Treasury or the government.
The government will decide whether to cover the costs if the guarantee payment is forfeited in the case of war a higher power causing the cancellation of the event in Israel.
"The IPBC sees great importance in hosting the Eurovision in Israel, both because of the exposure it would give the State of Israel and because the competition would serve as an economic boost to Israel," the IPBC said in a statement announcing the decision.
"The IPBC believes the Israeli government will do all in its power to ensure a worthy and respectable Eurovision will be held in Israel and to fulfill the commitment of its ministers—which have been made in the media—about the funding of the competition," the statement added.
21 aug 2018
The Israeli government has declared that “the Knesset [is permitted] to legislate laws everywhere in the world” and that it is authorized “to violate the sovereignty of foreign countries via legislation that would be applied to events occurring in their territories,” in legal materials it recently submitted to the Israeli Supreme Court.
These statements were made on 7 August 2018 in a written response the government had filed [pdf] to the Israeli Supreme Court relating to the petition against the Settlement Regularization Law filed by Adalah – The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center (JLAC), and Al Mezan Center for Human Rights (Gaza) on behalf of 17 local Palestinian authorities in the West Bank.
Adalah and fellow petitioners argued that the Knesset is not permitted to enact and impose laws on territory occupied by the State of Israel. Thus, the Knesset cannot enact laws that annex the West Bank or that violate the rights of Palestinian residents of the West Bank.
Attorney Arnon Harel, a private lawyer representing the Israeli government, also wrote in the new materials submitted to the Supreme Court that “the Knesset [is permitted] to impose the powers of the military commander of the [West Bank] region as it sees fit”; “the Knesset [is permitted] to define the authorities of the military commander as it sees fit”; “[the authority] of the Government of Israel to annex any territory or to enter into international conventions derives from its authority as determined by the Knesset”; and that [the Knesset] is allowed to ignore the directives of international law in any field it desires.”
Adalah Attorneys Suhad Bishara and Myssana Morany, who filed the petition against the Settlement Regularization Law, said in response: “The Israeli government’s extremist response has no parallel anywhere in the world. It stands in gross violation of international law and of the United Nations Charter which obligates member states to refrain from threatening or using force against the territorial integrity of other states – including occupied territories. The Israeli government’s extremist position is, in fact, a declaration of its intention to proceed with its annexation of the West Bank.”
CLICK HERE to read the Israeli government’s response [Hebrew][pdf]
These statements were made on 7 August 2018 in a written response the government had filed [pdf] to the Israeli Supreme Court relating to the petition against the Settlement Regularization Law filed by Adalah – The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center (JLAC), and Al Mezan Center for Human Rights (Gaza) on behalf of 17 local Palestinian authorities in the West Bank.
Adalah and fellow petitioners argued that the Knesset is not permitted to enact and impose laws on territory occupied by the State of Israel. Thus, the Knesset cannot enact laws that annex the West Bank or that violate the rights of Palestinian residents of the West Bank.
Attorney Arnon Harel, a private lawyer representing the Israeli government, also wrote in the new materials submitted to the Supreme Court that “the Knesset [is permitted] to impose the powers of the military commander of the [West Bank] region as it sees fit”; “the Knesset [is permitted] to define the authorities of the military commander as it sees fit”; “[the authority] of the Government of Israel to annex any territory or to enter into international conventions derives from its authority as determined by the Knesset”; and that [the Knesset] is allowed to ignore the directives of international law in any field it desires.”
Adalah Attorneys Suhad Bishara and Myssana Morany, who filed the petition against the Settlement Regularization Law, said in response: “The Israeli government’s extremist response has no parallel anywhere in the world. It stands in gross violation of international law and of the United Nations Charter which obligates member states to refrain from threatening or using force against the territorial integrity of other states – including occupied territories. The Israeli government’s extremist position is, in fact, a declaration of its intention to proceed with its annexation of the West Bank.”
CLICK HERE to read the Israeli government’s response [Hebrew][pdf]
20 aug 2018
Gilad Erdan
Under reform, applicants who served in IDF combat roles and most officers will no longer need to prove necessity in order to receive a gun license; 'In an era of lone-wolf terror attacks, the more armed civilians there are, the larger the chances of disrupting an attack,' Erdan says.
Minister of Public Security Gilad Erdan approved a change in gun licensing policy that will make it easier for hundreds of thousands of Israeli citizens who have served in IDF combat roles (Rifleman 07 and above) to obtain a firearm license.
The change will allow more than 600,000 people to apply for a gun license, conditional on a satisfactory declaration of health and a police permit.
Heretofore, even those who served in IDF combat roles could generally only obtain a gun license if they lived across the Green Line or worked in a security-related position.
In addition, Erdan also decided to allow all commissioned officers from the rank of lieutenant and non-commissioned officers from the rank of master sergeant to carry a weapon even after they complete their reserves service.
“Many civilians have saved lives during terror attacks. In an era of lone-wolf terror attacks, the more armed and trained civilians there are, the larger the chances of disrupting an attack and decreasing casualties,” the minister said.
Erdan also approved reforms that are meant to improve the vetting process for new applicants as well as for existing permit holders.
Volunteers at certain positions in the police force, as well as members of MDA and other emergency medical services, will also be eligible to carry a firearm under the new policy.
Another change, aimed at those possessing a license for private firearms lawfully and continuously for 10 years or more, is that they may continue to carry their weapon, even without further proof of compliance with the test.
Under reform, applicants who served in IDF combat roles and most officers will no longer need to prove necessity in order to receive a gun license; 'In an era of lone-wolf terror attacks, the more armed civilians there are, the larger the chances of disrupting an attack,' Erdan says.
Minister of Public Security Gilad Erdan approved a change in gun licensing policy that will make it easier for hundreds of thousands of Israeli citizens who have served in IDF combat roles (Rifleman 07 and above) to obtain a firearm license.
The change will allow more than 600,000 people to apply for a gun license, conditional on a satisfactory declaration of health and a police permit.
Heretofore, even those who served in IDF combat roles could generally only obtain a gun license if they lived across the Green Line or worked in a security-related position.
In addition, Erdan also decided to allow all commissioned officers from the rank of lieutenant and non-commissioned officers from the rank of master sergeant to carry a weapon even after they complete their reserves service.
“Many civilians have saved lives during terror attacks. In an era of lone-wolf terror attacks, the more armed and trained civilians there are, the larger the chances of disrupting an attack and decreasing casualties,” the minister said.
Erdan also approved reforms that are meant to improve the vetting process for new applicants as well as for existing permit holders.
Volunteers at certain positions in the police force, as well as members of MDA and other emergency medical services, will also be eligible to carry a firearm under the new policy.
Another change, aimed at those possessing a license for private firearms lawfully and continuously for 10 years or more, is that they may continue to carry their weapon, even without further proof of compliance with the test.
Distribution of the Arab population in Israel according to settlement
According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, the Muslim population in Israel continues to grow at a rate of 2.5% a year, reaching 1.5 million in 2017; fertility rates also remain high in comparison to other countries in the region; In employment, 72% of Israeli Muslims work in the same five fields.
The Muslim population in Israel numbers 1.5 million, who make up 17.8 percent of the entire population, according to Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) data for 2017 released on Monday.
The annual growth of the Muslim population continues to be 2.5%, similar to the last three years, and thus in 2017 it grew by 38,000 people.
In the past two decades, the Muslim community’s growth rate has declined, dropping from 3.8% to 2.5%. Still, in comparison to other population groups in Israel, this is the highest growth rate. The Jewish population growth rate in 2017 was 1.7%, the Christian was 2.2% and the Druze growth rate stands on 1.4%.
Geographically speaking, half of the Muslim population in Israel is centered in the north (35.6% in the northern district and 13.8% in the Haifa district).
In the center of Israel, 21.8% live in the Jerusalem district, 11% in the central district and only 1.1% in the Tel Aviv district.
Jerusalem has the highest concentration of Muslim inhabitants—329,000, who make up 21% of the Muslim population in Israel and 36.5% of the city’s residents.
The second most populated Muslim community in the country is Rahat, where 66,600 Muslim inhabitants make up 99.8% of the city’s residents.
Other large Muslim communities in Israel are Nazareth (54,300 residents) and Umm al-Fahm (54.2% inhabitants).
When comparing fertility rates of other Muslim communities in West Asia and North Africa, Israel is fourth, after Sudan, Iraq and Yemen. Muslim women’s fertility rate in Israel (3.3 children) is higher than many other countries in the region, like Turkey (2.1 children) and Lebanon (1.7 children), and similar to some countries like Egypt and Jordan.
In 2017, 39,550 Muslim babies were born in Israel, and made up a fifth (21.5%) of all babies born that year.
According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, the Muslim population in Israel continues to grow at a rate of 2.5% a year, reaching 1.5 million in 2017; fertility rates also remain high in comparison to other countries in the region; In employment, 72% of Israeli Muslims work in the same five fields.
The Muslim population in Israel numbers 1.5 million, who make up 17.8 percent of the entire population, according to Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) data for 2017 released on Monday.
The annual growth of the Muslim population continues to be 2.5%, similar to the last three years, and thus in 2017 it grew by 38,000 people.
In the past two decades, the Muslim community’s growth rate has declined, dropping from 3.8% to 2.5%. Still, in comparison to other population groups in Israel, this is the highest growth rate. The Jewish population growth rate in 2017 was 1.7%, the Christian was 2.2% and the Druze growth rate stands on 1.4%.
Geographically speaking, half of the Muslim population in Israel is centered in the north (35.6% in the northern district and 13.8% in the Haifa district).
In the center of Israel, 21.8% live in the Jerusalem district, 11% in the central district and only 1.1% in the Tel Aviv district.
Jerusalem has the highest concentration of Muslim inhabitants—329,000, who make up 21% of the Muslim population in Israel and 36.5% of the city’s residents.
The second most populated Muslim community in the country is Rahat, where 66,600 Muslim inhabitants make up 99.8% of the city’s residents.
Other large Muslim communities in Israel are Nazareth (54,300 residents) and Umm al-Fahm (54.2% inhabitants).
When comparing fertility rates of other Muslim communities in West Asia and North Africa, Israel is fourth, after Sudan, Iraq and Yemen. Muslim women’s fertility rate in Israel (3.3 children) is higher than many other countries in the region, like Turkey (2.1 children) and Lebanon (1.7 children), and similar to some countries like Egypt and Jordan.
In 2017, 39,550 Muslim babies were born in Israel, and made up a fifth (21.5%) of all babies born that year.
Fertility rates in select Muslim countries in West Asia and North Africa
In the field of education, more than 60% of all seniors in Arab schools were eligable for a high-school diploma, only a little under the equivalent number in Hebrew speaking schools (66%).
The rate of students from the Arab education system who qualified for higher education in 2017 was 47.6%, while the rate of students from Hebrew schools was significantly higher—56.8%.
When looking at the distribution within the Arab education system, we see that only 44.3% of Muslim students qualified for higher education, while 60.8% of Druze students and 71.9% of Christian students met the entry criteria.
In employment, 43.4% of the Muslim population in Israel were employed in 2017, with only 25.3% of Muslim women employed. In comparison, 65.9% of Jewish women were employed, 48.3% of Christian women and 34.9% of Druze women were recorded as employed in 2017.
Unemployment rates in the Israeli Muslim society was 5.1% last year, one percent higher than the rate in Jewish society (4.1%). In the Christian community, unemployment stands at 4.7% and in Druze society 4.3%.
There are five major fields of employment that make 72% of all the jobs held in the Muslim community in Israel: Construction (20%), retail, wholesale and auto repair (17%), education (15%), industry (11%) and health and nursing (10%). The data was published by the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics ahead of and in honor of Eid al-Adha on Tuesday.
In the field of education, more than 60% of all seniors in Arab schools were eligable for a high-school diploma, only a little under the equivalent number in Hebrew speaking schools (66%).
The rate of students from the Arab education system who qualified for higher education in 2017 was 47.6%, while the rate of students from Hebrew schools was significantly higher—56.8%.
When looking at the distribution within the Arab education system, we see that only 44.3% of Muslim students qualified for higher education, while 60.8% of Druze students and 71.9% of Christian students met the entry criteria.
In employment, 43.4% of the Muslim population in Israel were employed in 2017, with only 25.3% of Muslim women employed. In comparison, 65.9% of Jewish women were employed, 48.3% of Christian women and 34.9% of Druze women were recorded as employed in 2017.
Unemployment rates in the Israeli Muslim society was 5.1% last year, one percent higher than the rate in Jewish society (4.1%). In the Christian community, unemployment stands at 4.7% and in Druze society 4.3%.
There are five major fields of employment that make 72% of all the jobs held in the Muslim community in Israel: Construction (20%), retail, wholesale and auto repair (17%), education (15%), industry (11%) and health and nursing (10%). The data was published by the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics ahead of and in honor of Eid al-Adha on Tuesday.
Family from Jaljulia says raid on home left two family members hospitalized after sustaining injuries; 'Police are licensed criminals,' argues the father of the family; Police: 'We arrested and detained two suspects involved in a violent confrontation that attempted to interfere with police procedures.'
A family from the Israeli-Arab town of Jaljulia in central Israel claims they became victims of an unprovoked police attack in their own home, which was so severe that two of the family members were immediately hospitalized.
According to the family, the police waited outside their house and as soon as some family members started firing fireworks, they ambushed the family and conducted a violent search of the house.
Mahmoud Salameh, 29, the father of the family, said they had been celebrating another family member’s release from prison when the incident occured.
"A few days ago we were celebrating one of our family member being released from prison, and when we set off fireworks, suddenly policemen who were hiding outside our house entered the premises and searched our vehicle for no reason," Salameh said.
“We told them that the person who was released from prison had nothing on him. We asked what they wanted, but unfortunately they continued their search, aiming to damage our property," he vented.
Salameh also said that one member of the family began filming the police search but was asked to do so from afar.
"We told them we were allowed to film what they were doing, and that’s when the police confronted us and started pushing us aside," Salameh recalled.
"They used tear gas and hit me and my son in the upper part of our bodies," exclaimed the father, adding that following the incident both he and his son had been rushed to a hospital for treatment.
Salameh said it was not the first time he encountered similar treatment from the law enforcement authorities.
"This was not the first time that police broke into our house, and in the past some of them were wearing masks. They smashed the walls and destroyed our property, they did not find weapons or anything like that," he claimed.
"To this day I do not know what they want … They won’t let us breathe, and the children are afraid of them," he bemoaned.
"The police should be a body that protects the citizens, but it seems to me that they are licensed criminals, and we demand that they stop harming us,” the father went on to say.
A family from the Israeli-Arab town of Jaljulia in central Israel claims they became victims of an unprovoked police attack in their own home, which was so severe that two of the family members were immediately hospitalized.
According to the family, the police waited outside their house and as soon as some family members started firing fireworks, they ambushed the family and conducted a violent search of the house.
Mahmoud Salameh, 29, the father of the family, said they had been celebrating another family member’s release from prison when the incident occured.
"A few days ago we were celebrating one of our family member being released from prison, and when we set off fireworks, suddenly policemen who were hiding outside our house entered the premises and searched our vehicle for no reason," Salameh said.
“We told them that the person who was released from prison had nothing on him. We asked what they wanted, but unfortunately they continued their search, aiming to damage our property," he vented.
Salameh also said that one member of the family began filming the police search but was asked to do so from afar.
"We told them we were allowed to film what they were doing, and that’s when the police confronted us and started pushing us aside," Salameh recalled.
"They used tear gas and hit me and my son in the upper part of our bodies," exclaimed the father, adding that following the incident both he and his son had been rushed to a hospital for treatment.
Salameh said it was not the first time he encountered similar treatment from the law enforcement authorities.
"This was not the first time that police broke into our house, and in the past some of them were wearing masks. They smashed the walls and destroyed our property, they did not find weapons or anything like that," he claimed.
"To this day I do not know what they want … They won’t let us breathe, and the children are afraid of them," he bemoaned.
"The police should be a body that protects the citizens, but it seems to me that they are licensed criminals, and we demand that they stop harming us,” the father went on to say.
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The Israel Police issued an official response to the incident, claiming the account of the family is partial and does not reflect true nature of the events.
"This is an incomplete documentation of events showing only parts of a wider operational activity against the use of weapons. The party was held in a public area celebrating the release of a prisoner," the statement stressted. |
"When the police arrived in the area, gunfire was heard, forcing the police to immediately search the area and the vehicle. At a certain stage a riot erupted and included curses, threats and brandishing chairs at the police force," it continued.
"The police arrested and detained two suspects involved in a violent confrontation that attempted to interfere with police procedures. The actions of the family are an attempt to deter the police from conducting similar operations in the communities of the sector,” concluded the statement.
"The police arrested and detained two suspects involved in a violent confrontation that attempted to interfere with police procedures. The actions of the family are an attempt to deter the police from conducting similar operations in the communities of the sector,” concluded the statement.
