30 apr 2013
Israel closes Nablus checkpoints

Israeli forces closed down the Huwara and Zatara checkpoints Tuesday, after hundreds of settlers wreaked havoc in the area, a Ma’an reporter said.
Hundreds of settlers marched toward Zaatara checkpoint where a settler was stabbed to death earlier in the afternoon. They repeated racist chants and called for revenge.
Meanwhile, settler-monitoring official Ghassan Daghlas told Ma’an that settlers set fire to over seven acres of olive fields in Awarta village east of Nablus.
Hundreds of settlers marched toward Zaatara checkpoint where a settler was stabbed to death earlier in the afternoon. They repeated racist chants and called for revenge.
Meanwhile, settler-monitoring official Ghassan Daghlas told Ma’an that settlers set fire to over seven acres of olive fields in Awarta village east of Nablus.
Israeli settlers vandalize Palestinian mosque in West Bank

Israeli settlers have vandalized a Palestinian mosque in the northern West Bank amid escalating tensions following the fatal stabbing of a settler in the area.
The incident occurred on Tuesday when dozens of settlers attacked Palestinians and their property in city of Nablus and neighboring Tulkarem.
Israelis stopped two school buses near the illegal Yizhar settlement, south of Nablus, and hurled stones at the vehicles, said Ghassan Daghlas, a Palestinian Authority official who monitors settlement activity in the northern West Bank.
The attack left more than 20 students injured and caused widespread panic, he added.
Masked settlers burned tires at road junctions in Nablus and hurled stones at Palestinian cars.
Meanwhile, settlers set fire to dozens of olive trees in the Nablus villages of Asira al-Qibliya and Urif, and attacked vehicles east of Tulkarem.
Tensions are high in the northern West Bank following a stabbing attack which killed a settler earlier in the day near Zatara checkpoint in Nablus.
The incident occurred on Tuesday when dozens of settlers attacked Palestinians and their property in city of Nablus and neighboring Tulkarem.
Israelis stopped two school buses near the illegal Yizhar settlement, south of Nablus, and hurled stones at the vehicles, said Ghassan Daghlas, a Palestinian Authority official who monitors settlement activity in the northern West Bank.
The attack left more than 20 students injured and caused widespread panic, he added.
Masked settlers burned tires at road junctions in Nablus and hurled stones at Palestinian cars.
Meanwhile, settlers set fire to dozens of olive trees in the Nablus villages of Asira al-Qibliya and Urif, and attacked vehicles east of Tulkarem.
Tensions are high in the northern West Bank following a stabbing attack which killed a settler earlier in the day near Zatara checkpoint in Nablus.
PA official: Over 20 injured as settlers riot near Nablus

Dozens of settlers attacked Palestinians and their property in the Nablus and Tulkarem area on Tuesday, as tensions rose following the fatal stabbing of a settler earlier in the day.
PA official Ghassan Daghlas told Ma'an that settlers stopped two school buses near Yizhar settlement and showered them with stones, injuring a number of students and causing widespread panic.
Masked settlers burned tires at road junctions in Nablus and hurled stones at Palestinian cars, Daghlas added.
Settlers also set fire to dozens of olive trees in the Nablus villages of Asira al-Qibliya and Urif, and attacked vehicles east of Tulkarem.
The PA official urged Palestinians to exercise extreme caution while driving near settlements, adding that he expects more attacks to take place during the day.
Tensions are high in the northern West Bank following a stabbing attack which killed a settler earlier in the day near Zatara checkpoint in Nablus.
Israeli border police sped to the area and fired towards the attacker, who grabbed his victim's weapon and returned fire but was eventually disarmed and taken into custody, an Israeli police spokeswoman said.
PA official Ghassan Daghlas told Ma'an that settlers stopped two school buses near Yizhar settlement and showered them with stones, injuring a number of students and causing widespread panic.
Masked settlers burned tires at road junctions in Nablus and hurled stones at Palestinian cars, Daghlas added.
Settlers also set fire to dozens of olive trees in the Nablus villages of Asira al-Qibliya and Urif, and attacked vehicles east of Tulkarem.
The PA official urged Palestinians to exercise extreme caution while driving near settlements, adding that he expects more attacks to take place during the day.
Tensions are high in the northern West Bank following a stabbing attack which killed a settler earlier in the day near Zatara checkpoint in Nablus.
Israeli border police sped to the area and fired towards the attacker, who grabbed his victim's weapon and returned fire but was eventually disarmed and taken into custody, an Israeli police spokeswoman said.
27 apr 2013
IOF raid different areas of Jenin

The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Friday raided different areas of Jenin city, while Jewish settlers uprooted olive trees in a village there. Local sources reported that the IOF stormed Qabatiya town south of Jenin and patrolled the area around the western cemetery.
The IOF also invaded Al-Hisba area at dawn and established a checkpoint and raided Silat Al-Harithiya village west of Jenin and clashed with its residents.
In an earlier incident, the IOF uprooted on Thursday night dozens of olive threes belonging to Palestinian farmers from Yabud and Araba towns southwest of Jenin.
Eyewitnesses said that Israeli bulldozers escorted by troops uprooted the olive trees near the main street that connects Tulkarem with Jenin.
A horde of Israeli settlers also uprooted on the morning of the same day forest trees in Mount Abu Ghuneim to the north of Bethlehem city and annexed the area to their settlement.
Local sources said that the uprooting of the trees was aimed at creating a road for a new outpost the Jewish settlers intend to establish near Abu Ghuneim settlement.
The IOF also invaded Al-Hisba area at dawn and established a checkpoint and raided Silat Al-Harithiya village west of Jenin and clashed with its residents.
In an earlier incident, the IOF uprooted on Thursday night dozens of olive threes belonging to Palestinian farmers from Yabud and Araba towns southwest of Jenin.
Eyewitnesses said that Israeli bulldozers escorted by troops uprooted the olive trees near the main street that connects Tulkarem with Jenin.
A horde of Israeli settlers also uprooted on the morning of the same day forest trees in Mount Abu Ghuneim to the north of Bethlehem city and annexed the area to their settlement.
Local sources said that the uprooting of the trees was aimed at creating a road for a new outpost the Jewish settlers intend to establish near Abu Ghuneim settlement.
26 apr 2013
Israel Uproots Trees To Prepare For New Settlement In Bethlehem

Israeli bulldozers uprooted dozens of trees on a hill close to the Jabal Abu Ghneim (Har Homa) illegal settlement, east of the West Bank city of Bethlehem, in order to pave a new road that leads to a planned settlement neighborhood of 3000 homes for Jewish settlers.
Bethlehem Governor, Abdul-Fattah Hamayil, stated that the new violation is part of a decision made by the Jerusalem City Council to build more illegal settlement units on Palestinian lands in the area.
Hamayil added that the lands in question are not part of Area A (under Palestinian control), but are located behind the illegal Israeli Annexation Wall built in the area. He said that part of these lands are being planted by their owners, and that the army did not inform the residents of its intensions to uproot the lands.
The governor called on the owners of the lands to bring land deeds and all legal documents to the Legal Unit at his office in order to file appeals in Israeli courts against the latest violation.
Settlements Researcher at the Applied Research Institute (ARIJ) Suheil Khaliliyya, stated that the road Israel is preparing for is part of settlement neighborhood “C” that includes 3000 units, and that Israel is planning to construct 800 in the first phase.
Khaliliyya said that Israel did not give landowners any legal notices as the Jerusalem City Council refers to “Har Homa” as part of Jerusalem, and not as a settlement.
He further stated that, two years ago, Israel built a water distillation plant in “Har Homa C”, as an apparent preparation for more construction and expansion of the settlements.
The researcher said that the current phase includes the construction of two settlement neighborhoods in the area, referred to as C and D, and that each neighborhood will include 3000 units.
The project is also meant to link between Givat Hamatos, Gilo and Har Homa.
He added that the constructions are meant to boost the settlement belt that aims at isolating Jerusalem from Bethlehem, effectively preventing a viable “peace agreement” that would lead to an independent and contiguous Palestinian state.
On his part, Hasan Breijiyya, coordinator of the Popular Committee Against the Wall in Bethlehem, said that what happen in Abu Ghneim is similar to what Israel recently did in Teqoua’ village, east of Bethlehem, as the army uprooted Palestinian trees close to a settlement outpost near the village in order to expand the outpost on the expense of Palestinian lands and property.
Israel’s settlement in the occupied West Bank, including in and around occupied East Jerusalem are built in direct violation of International Law and the Fourth Geneva Convention to which Israel is a signatory.
Israel’s settlements and its Annexation Wall are turning the West Bank into isolated ghettoes, and are isolating the villagers from their own orchards and farmlands.
Bethlehem Governor, Abdul-Fattah Hamayil, stated that the new violation is part of a decision made by the Jerusalem City Council to build more illegal settlement units on Palestinian lands in the area.
Hamayil added that the lands in question are not part of Area A (under Palestinian control), but are located behind the illegal Israeli Annexation Wall built in the area. He said that part of these lands are being planted by their owners, and that the army did not inform the residents of its intensions to uproot the lands.
The governor called on the owners of the lands to bring land deeds and all legal documents to the Legal Unit at his office in order to file appeals in Israeli courts against the latest violation.
Settlements Researcher at the Applied Research Institute (ARIJ) Suheil Khaliliyya, stated that the road Israel is preparing for is part of settlement neighborhood “C” that includes 3000 units, and that Israel is planning to construct 800 in the first phase.
Khaliliyya said that Israel did not give landowners any legal notices as the Jerusalem City Council refers to “Har Homa” as part of Jerusalem, and not as a settlement.
He further stated that, two years ago, Israel built a water distillation plant in “Har Homa C”, as an apparent preparation for more construction and expansion of the settlements.
The researcher said that the current phase includes the construction of two settlement neighborhoods in the area, referred to as C and D, and that each neighborhood will include 3000 units.
The project is also meant to link between Givat Hamatos, Gilo and Har Homa.
He added that the constructions are meant to boost the settlement belt that aims at isolating Jerusalem from Bethlehem, effectively preventing a viable “peace agreement” that would lead to an independent and contiguous Palestinian state.
On his part, Hasan Breijiyya, coordinator of the Popular Committee Against the Wall in Bethlehem, said that what happen in Abu Ghneim is similar to what Israel recently did in Teqoua’ village, east of Bethlehem, as the army uprooted Palestinian trees close to a settlement outpost near the village in order to expand the outpost on the expense of Palestinian lands and property.
Israel’s settlement in the occupied West Bank, including in and around occupied East Jerusalem are built in direct violation of International Law and the Fourth Geneva Convention to which Israel is a signatory.
Israel’s settlements and its Annexation Wall are turning the West Bank into isolated ghettoes, and are isolating the villagers from their own orchards and farmlands.
25 apr 2013
Soldiers Uproot 700 Olive Trees Near Jenin

Thursday April 25, 2013; Israeli soldiers uprooted more than 700 olive trees in Arraba area, close to the Dotan illegal Israeli settlement, near Arraba village, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin.
Local sources reported that the olive trees belong to resident Mahmoud Ad-Daheedy, from Arraba, and that the trees were planed more than seven years ago.
The Maan News Agency reported that legislator Najat Abu Baker called on human rights and legal groups to investigate the assault and oblige Israel to compensate the farmers for their losses, especially since uprooting trees and farmlands is a policy used by Israel, and its settlers, in occupied Palestine.
It is worth mentioning that Israeli settlers are also responsible for hundreds of attacks targeting Palestinian orchards, farmlands, homes and property in the occupied West Bank, including in and around occupied East Jerusalem.
These attacks include uprooting and cutting trees, burning trees and farmlands, burning Palestinian cars and property, in addition to defacing and torching several mosques and churches and writing racist graffiti against the Arabs, Muslims and Christians.
Israeli Settlers Uproot Olive Trees near Jenin
Israeli settlers Thursday uprooted dozens of olive trees from land owned by Palestinians in the town Arraba, southwest of Jenin, said local sources.
Arraba’s deputy mayor, Ahmad Arda, told WAFA that settlers from nearby Mevo Dotan protected by Israeli soldiers uprooted the trees from land to the west of the town and prevented the landowners from reaching their land.
Local sources reported that the olive trees belong to resident Mahmoud Ad-Daheedy, from Arraba, and that the trees were planed more than seven years ago.
The Maan News Agency reported that legislator Najat Abu Baker called on human rights and legal groups to investigate the assault and oblige Israel to compensate the farmers for their losses, especially since uprooting trees and farmlands is a policy used by Israel, and its settlers, in occupied Palestine.
It is worth mentioning that Israeli settlers are also responsible for hundreds of attacks targeting Palestinian orchards, farmlands, homes and property in the occupied West Bank, including in and around occupied East Jerusalem.
These attacks include uprooting and cutting trees, burning trees and farmlands, burning Palestinian cars and property, in addition to defacing and torching several mosques and churches and writing racist graffiti against the Arabs, Muslims and Christians.
Israeli Settlers Uproot Olive Trees near Jenin
Israeli settlers Thursday uprooted dozens of olive trees from land owned by Palestinians in the town Arraba, southwest of Jenin, said local sources.
Arraba’s deputy mayor, Ahmad Arda, told WAFA that settlers from nearby Mevo Dotan protected by Israeli soldiers uprooted the trees from land to the west of the town and prevented the landowners from reaching their land.
23 apr 2013
Israel destroys over 1,000 olive trees in Hebron village

Israeli forces destroyed over 1,300 olive trees in the south Hebron hills on Tuesday.
Israeli soldiers accompanied officials from Israel's civil administration as demolition crews uprooted hundreds of olive trees in the village of Susiya, Ma'an's reporter said.
According to B'Tselem, there are 26 outstanding Israeli demolition orders in the village.
In February 2012, right-wing settler advocacy group Regavim petitioned Israel's supreme court on behalf of an Israeli settlement overshadowing the village, calling for Israeli authorities to implement the demolition orders.
Meanwhile, settlers from Karmi Tzur uprooted 30 olive trees east of Halhul, local Saeed Madiyah told Ma'an.
In al-Malih and al-Madareb, in the Jordan Valley, Israeli forces demolished 15 animal shelters belonging to Bedouins in the area.
In Hizma, north of Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished shelters belonging to Nayef al-Ashab.
Al-Ashab told Ma'an he used the shelters to store produce for his shop and that he was not warned they would be demolished. The goods were all destroyed in the demolition, he said.
Israeli soldiers accompanied officials from Israel's civil administration as demolition crews uprooted hundreds of olive trees in the village of Susiya, Ma'an's reporter said.
According to B'Tselem, there are 26 outstanding Israeli demolition orders in the village.
In February 2012, right-wing settler advocacy group Regavim petitioned Israel's supreme court on behalf of an Israeli settlement overshadowing the village, calling for Israeli authorities to implement the demolition orders.
Meanwhile, settlers from Karmi Tzur uprooted 30 olive trees east of Halhul, local Saeed Madiyah told Ma'an.
In al-Malih and al-Madareb, in the Jordan Valley, Israeli forces demolished 15 animal shelters belonging to Bedouins in the area.
In Hizma, north of Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished shelters belonging to Nayef al-Ashab.
Al-Ashab told Ma'an he used the shelters to store produce for his shop and that he was not warned they would be demolished. The goods were all destroyed in the demolition, he said.
18 apr 2013
Jewish settlers destroy dozens of olive and fig trees northwest of Ramallah

A gang of Jewish settlers on Wednesday evening uprooted and sabotaged dozens of olive and fig trees belonging to Palestinian citizens in northwest of Ramallah city.
The popular movement Intifada stated that settlers from Hallamish settlement uprooted and damaged about 150 olive trees and 40 fig trees belonging to Palestinian farmers from Deir Nizam village northwest of Ramallah.
Intifada added that the settlers went on the rampage through the cultivated lands, especially the land of Sa'ied Al-Khatib.
It said that this coward attack angered Deir Nizam villagers and the owners of nearby lands and made them more alert to any suspicious moves by the settlers.
Intifada urged the Palestinian people in the West Bank and its villages to defend their lands and revolt against the criminal occupation and its settlers.
The popular movement Intifada stated that settlers from Hallamish settlement uprooted and damaged about 150 olive trees and 40 fig trees belonging to Palestinian farmers from Deir Nizam village northwest of Ramallah.
Intifada added that the settlers went on the rampage through the cultivated lands, especially the land of Sa'ied Al-Khatib.
It said that this coward attack angered Deir Nizam villagers and the owners of nearby lands and made them more alert to any suspicious moves by the settlers.
Intifada urged the Palestinian people in the West Bank and its villages to defend their lands and revolt against the criminal occupation and its settlers.
16 apr 2013
Jewish Settlers Uproot, Steal Olive Trees near Hebron

Jewish settlers Tuesday uprooted and stole Olive trees that belong to a Palestinian farmer in Hebron, said the owner of the trees.
He said that settlers from the settlement of Asfr uprooted around 20 Olive trees from his land in the town of Seir northwest of Hebron.
He said that settlers from the settlement of Asfr uprooted around 20 Olive trees from his land in the town of Seir northwest of Hebron.
13 apr 2013
Jewish settlers attack Palestinian property, uproot saplings

Heavily armed Jewish settlers went on the rampage in Orif village, south of Nablus, under Israeli military protection on Friday night.
Local sources said that the settlers, guarded by Israeli occupation forces, attacked citizens’ homes and property to the east of the village and damaged olive and almond saplings that were planted by the villagers only a month ago.
They explained that a number of institutions in the village had organized a day for volunteers in which they planted those saplings.
They said that the soldiers attacked the citizens who tried to stop the attack and fired flare bombs and teargas grenades at them.
Local sources said that the settlers, guarded by Israeli occupation forces, attacked citizens’ homes and property to the east of the village and damaged olive and almond saplings that were planted by the villagers only a month ago.
They explained that a number of institutions in the village had organized a day for volunteers in which they planted those saplings.
They said that the soldiers attacked the citizens who tried to stop the attack and fired flare bombs and teargas grenades at them.
12 apr 2013
Jewish settlers uproot dozens of trees in al-Khalil

Jewish settlers from Bat Ayin settlement, built on Palestinian land in Beit Ummar town in al-Khalil, resumed on Thursday their attacks on Palestinian farmers, uprooting dozens of trees for the fifth time in a row this year and for the second time in two weeks.
Groups of Jewish settlers stormed on Thursday an agricultural land owned by Hammad Salibi in the town of Beit Ummar where they uprooted about a hundred fruitful trees, spokesman for the Popular Committee Against settlement said.
The settlers wrote racist graffiti that read “Death to Arabs”, “Price Tag”, and several other racist and fascist graffiti, threatening to kill the land's owner, he added.
The spokesman pointed out that the settlers' repeated attacks aimed to confiscate the land in order to expand their settlement.
Groups of Jewish settlers stormed on Thursday an agricultural land owned by Hammad Salibi in the town of Beit Ummar where they uprooted about a hundred fruitful trees, spokesman for the Popular Committee Against settlement said.
The settlers wrote racist graffiti that read “Death to Arabs”, “Price Tag”, and several other racist and fascist graffiti, threatening to kill the land's owner, he added.
The spokesman pointed out that the settlers' repeated attacks aimed to confiscate the land in order to expand their settlement.
11 apr 2013
Israeli Settlers Uproot Dozens of Trees near Hebron

Jewish settlers Thursday cut down dozens of trees from an area near Beit Ummar, north of Hebron, according to a local activist.
He said the settlers cut and damaged 47 olive trees and 55 grape vines in a plot of land that belonged Hamad Isleibi, 78.
The settlers have also assaulted the landowner while working on his land and threatened to kill him. They also wrote hate graffiti on stones.
This is the fifth time settlers attack Isleibi for working on his land in an attempt to force him to leave it.
He said the settlers cut and damaged 47 olive trees and 55 grape vines in a plot of land that belonged Hamad Isleibi, 78.
The settlers have also assaulted the landowner while working on his land and threatened to kill him. They also wrote hate graffiti on stones.
This is the fifth time settlers attack Isleibi for working on his land in an attempt to force him to leave it.
9 apr 2013
IOF soldiers chop down 350 trees south of Al-Khalil

Israeli occupation forces (IOF) chopped down around 350 almond and olive trees near Daheriya town, south of Al-Khalil, on Tuesday morning.
Director of public relations in Daheriya municipality Mohammed Raba said that the soldiers chopped down 100 olive trees and 250 almond trees in Midemana area in Daheriya.
He said that the soldiers after destroying the trees, owned by two brothers in the village, sprayed poisonous chemicals on them. He said that the two brothers were not notified beforehand of the act.
Director of public relations in Daheriya municipality Mohammed Raba said that the soldiers chopped down 100 olive trees and 250 almond trees in Midemana area in Daheriya.
He said that the soldiers after destroying the trees, owned by two brothers in the village, sprayed poisonous chemicals on them. He said that the two brothers were not notified beforehand of the act.
4 apr 2013
Jewish settlers set ablaze an MP’s field

Jewish settlers set on fire a field owned by MP Khalil Ruba’ee and his two brothers to the east of Yatta town, Al-Khalil province.
The PIC reporter said that dozens of settlers attacked the field in Al-Hamra area that is adjacent to their settlement of Maun.
He said that the 2000 square meters field is cultivated with olives and grapes, adding that more than 30 members of Ruba’ee family benefit from working in this field.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC that the settlers, guarded by Israeli occupation forces, also threw stones at farmers and insulted Islam and Arabs. They expelled farmers from their land in Tawani area also to the east of Yatta, the locals added.
The PIC reporter said that dozens of settlers attacked the field in Al-Hamra area that is adjacent to their settlement of Maun.
He said that the 2000 square meters field is cultivated with olives and grapes, adding that more than 30 members of Ruba’ee family benefit from working in this field.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC that the settlers, guarded by Israeli occupation forces, also threw stones at farmers and insulted Islam and Arabs. They expelled farmers from their land in Tawani area also to the east of Yatta, the locals added.