27 dec 2012
Jewish settlers chop down 40 olive trees
NABLUS, (PIC)-- Jewish settlers chopped down 40 olive trees in Qasra village, south of Nablus, that witnessed an Israeli teargas attack on Wednesday night.
Eyewitnesses in the village said that the settlers attacked olive fields on Wednesday night and at dawn Thursday in the southern area of the village under Israeli army protection.
They said that farmers and inhabitants of the village went to the fields in the morning and planted new trees instead of those cut by the settlers, noting that Israeli occupation forces (IOF) stormed the village and patrolled its streets at the same time.
Locals said that the settlers’ attack was the not the first of its kind and would not be the last.
Dozens of inhabitants were treated for breathing problems on Wednesday night after the joint IOF-settlers’ attack on the village.
Eyewitnesses in the village said that the settlers attacked olive fields on Wednesday night and at dawn Thursday in the southern area of the village under Israeli army protection.
They said that farmers and inhabitants of the village went to the fields in the morning and planted new trees instead of those cut by the settlers, noting that Israeli occupation forces (IOF) stormed the village and patrolled its streets at the same time.
Locals said that the settlers’ attack was the not the first of its kind and would not be the last.
Dozens of inhabitants were treated for breathing problems on Wednesday night after the joint IOF-settlers’ attack on the village.
6 dec 2012
Man wounded in Nablus settler assault
NABLUS (Ma’an) -- A 47-year-old Palestinian man was beaten up by Israeli settlers during an olive harvest south of Nablus on Thursday, local officials said.
Nasser Fayez Odah is in a moderate condition after a group of settlers attacked him with sticks and sharp objects, Huwara village council head Moin al-Dmeiri said.
A group from the Yitzhar settlement attacked the harvesters in an area south of village called al-Lahaf, the official said. The farmers had already obtained permission from the Palestinian and Israeli liaison officials to harvest in the area, he noted.
Rights groups says Israel systematically fails to prosecute settler violence against Palestinians, perpetuating the attacks.
Nasser Fayez Odah is in a moderate condition after a group of settlers attacked him with sticks and sharp objects, Huwara village council head Moin al-Dmeiri said.
A group from the Yitzhar settlement attacked the harvesters in an area south of village called al-Lahaf, the official said. The farmers had already obtained permission from the Palestinian and Israeli liaison officials to harvest in the area, he noted.
Rights groups says Israel systematically fails to prosecute settler violence against Palestinians, perpetuating the attacks.
5 dec 2012
Jewish settlers chop down 200 olive trees
BETHLEHEM, (PIC)-- Jewish settlers chopped down dozens of olive trees in a village west of Bethlehem city on Tuesday, local sources said.
They said that the settlers, escorted by Israeli occupation forces, burst into agricultural land in Jaba village and cut off more than 200 olive trees.
The sources said that the settlers, who routinely storm the same area, also bulldozed cultivated land.
They said that the settlers, escorted by Israeli occupation forces, burst into agricultural land in Jaba village and cut off more than 200 olive trees.
The sources said that the settlers, who routinely storm the same area, also bulldozed cultivated land.
4 dec 2012
Israeli Occupation Demolishes a Mosque, Uproot Olive Trees
Israeli occupation forces demolished for the second time al-Mefqara mosque east of Yatta village, south of Hebron.
Coordinator of the Popular Committee against Apartheid Wall and Settlement in Yatta village, Rateb al-Jbour, said that Israeli forces raided al-Mefqara area and demolished the 120-square meter mosque.
Al-Jboor said that Israeli forces raided the area in the morning, escorted by bulldozer, surrounded the area and started to demolish the mosque.
The head of the Supreme Council for Islamic courts in the territories, Yousef Adeis, told Palestinian Official news network WAFA that the demolition of the mosque is considered a serious violation to freedom of religion, and a flagrant violation of human rights conventions and international laws.
This morning, the Israeli forces also uprooted olive trees from al-Jab'a village west of Bethlehem, and razed a land on claims it's a "disputed" land.
Head of the village's Council, Na'man Hamdan, said that a group of settlers with the protection of the Israeli soldiers, raided an inherited land belonged to the children of Ibrahim Abdul Hamid Hamdan, and uprooted around 200 olive trees, and they also razed a land in al-Thahr area west of the village.
Coordinator of the Popular Committee against Apartheid Wall and Settlement in Yatta village, Rateb al-Jbour, said that Israeli forces raided al-Mefqara area and demolished the 120-square meter mosque.
Al-Jboor said that Israeli forces raided the area in the morning, escorted by bulldozer, surrounded the area and started to demolish the mosque.
The head of the Supreme Council for Islamic courts in the territories, Yousef Adeis, told Palestinian Official news network WAFA that the demolition of the mosque is considered a serious violation to freedom of religion, and a flagrant violation of human rights conventions and international laws.
This morning, the Israeli forces also uprooted olive trees from al-Jab'a village west of Bethlehem, and razed a land on claims it's a "disputed" land.
Head of the village's Council, Na'man Hamdan, said that a group of settlers with the protection of the Israeli soldiers, raided an inherited land belonged to the children of Ibrahim Abdul Hamid Hamdan, and uprooted around 200 olive trees, and they also razed a land in al-Thahr area west of the village.
3 dec 2012
IOF soldiers, settlers uproot 150 olive trees
BETHLEHEM, (PIC)-- Israeli occupation forces (IOF) and Jewish settlers bulldozed vast tracts of Palestinian farmland in Jaba village to the west of Bethlehem on Monday and destroyed 150 olive trees in the process.
Khaled Mashala, a farmer, said that the soldiers and the settlers uprooted the olive trees then took them away in trucks. He said that the operation was still ongoing in the morning hours.
Meanwhile, IOF troops stormed villages and mountains to the west of Al-Khalil city but no arrests or storming of citizens’ homes were reported.
Khaled Mashala, a farmer, said that the soldiers and the settlers uprooted the olive trees then took them away in trucks. He said that the operation was still ongoing in the morning hours.
Meanwhile, IOF troops stormed villages and mountains to the west of Al-Khalil city but no arrests or storming of citizens’ homes were reported.
23 nov 2012
Owner: 400 olive trees uprooted in south Hebron
HEBRON (Ma’an) -- Israeli settlers in the south Hebron hills uprooted around 400 olive trees belonging to a Palestinian farmer, locals said.
Abu Iyad Housheh visited his land near the Carmiel settlement on Thursday and found the two to three-year old trees had been destroyed overnight.
He has filed a complaint to the Israeli police. Police, soldiers and Israeli civil administration officers were summoned to the land to witnesses the destruction, he said.
Abu Housheh told Ma'an he will replant the trees, and will not be intimidated by settlers.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian affairs reported that over 7,500 olive trees belonging to Palestinians were destroyed in 2011.
Abu Iyad Housheh visited his land near the Carmiel settlement on Thursday and found the two to three-year old trees had been destroyed overnight.
He has filed a complaint to the Israeli police. Police, soldiers and Israeli civil administration officers were summoned to the land to witnesses the destruction, he said.
Abu Housheh told Ma'an he will replant the trees, and will not be intimidated by settlers.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian affairs reported that over 7,500 olive trees belonging to Palestinians were destroyed in 2011.
9 nov 2012
IOF cut down dozens of olive trees south of Bethlehem
BETHLEHEM, (PIC)-- Israeli Occupation Forces ( IOF) cut down on Thursday dozens of olive trees from land belonging to Palestinians in the village of al-Nahalin, west of Bethlehem.
Head of the village council Osama Chkarna told Quds Press that the occupation forces were located heavily in Ein Fares area in Nahalin town, after they cut dozens of olive trees belonging to farmer Mousa Abdul Hamid Njagerh.
The olive trees, that have been cut, were planted about 25 at years ago and Israeli soldiers say they received permission from the Israeli court to cut them, he added
This little peaceful village was the target of two massacres committed by the IOF; one in 1954 and the other in 1989. At present the village is strangulated by the apartheid wall, Jewish settlements and Jewish only bypass roads.
Head of the village council Osama Chkarna told Quds Press that the occupation forces were located heavily in Ein Fares area in Nahalin town, after they cut dozens of olive trees belonging to farmer Mousa Abdul Hamid Njagerh.
The olive trees, that have been cut, were planted about 25 at years ago and Israeli soldiers say they received permission from the Israeli court to cut them, he added
This little peaceful village was the target of two massacres committed by the IOF; one in 1954 and the other in 1989. At present the village is strangulated by the apartheid wall, Jewish settlements and Jewish only bypass roads.
5 nov 2012
Committee: Settlers destroy dozens of trees in Hebron
Olive trees pictured in Beit Jala
HEBRON (Ma'an) -- Settlers from Kiryat Arba uprooted dozens of olive trees in Hebron on Monday, a local agricultural committee said.
Over 70 olive and plum trees were destroyed by settlers on land belonging to Hamad al-Zaro, the committee said.
Since 1967, 800,000 olive trees have been uprooted by Israeli forces, resulting in a loss of around $55 million to the Palestinian economy, according to a report by the Palestinian Authority Ministry of National Economy and the Applied Research Institute of Jerusalem.
Settlers Uproot Palestinian Trees Near Hebron
A number of extremist Israeli settlers uprooted dozens of olive and prune trees that belong to a resident of Hebron, in the southern part of the occupied West Bank.
Resident Rashed Hamed Az-Zaro, stated that the settlers uprooted his trees located near the Keryat Arba’ illegal settlement, and left the scene.
The Palestinian Agricultural Relief reported that, last year, the settlers uprooted more than 70 Roman Olive trees that belong to the resident.
The Agricultural Relief added that this year witnessed a sharp escalation in the number of Israeli settler attacks against Palestinian villagers and their lands.
Two days ago, a Palestinian resident was injured in Orif village, near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, after Israeli soldiers opened fire at dozens of villagers who clashed with Israeli settlers invading their village.
HEBRON (Ma'an) -- Settlers from Kiryat Arba uprooted dozens of olive trees in Hebron on Monday, a local agricultural committee said.
Over 70 olive and plum trees were destroyed by settlers on land belonging to Hamad al-Zaro, the committee said.
Since 1967, 800,000 olive trees have been uprooted by Israeli forces, resulting in a loss of around $55 million to the Palestinian economy, according to a report by the Palestinian Authority Ministry of National Economy and the Applied Research Institute of Jerusalem.
Settlers Uproot Palestinian Trees Near Hebron
A number of extremist Israeli settlers uprooted dozens of olive and prune trees that belong to a resident of Hebron, in the southern part of the occupied West Bank.
Resident Rashed Hamed Az-Zaro, stated that the settlers uprooted his trees located near the Keryat Arba’ illegal settlement, and left the scene.
The Palestinian Agricultural Relief reported that, last year, the settlers uprooted more than 70 Roman Olive trees that belong to the resident.
The Agricultural Relief added that this year witnessed a sharp escalation in the number of Israeli settler attacks against Palestinian villagers and their lands.
Two days ago, a Palestinian resident was injured in Orif village, near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, after Israeli soldiers opened fire at dozens of villagers who clashed with Israeli settlers invading their village.
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2 dec 2012
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Foreign campaigners protect Palestinian olive farmers
Human rights campaigners say Israeli settlers have uprooted more than 7,000 Palestinian olive trees this year. That is down on last year, but farmers say they are still frequently attacked and harassed. In the Occupied West Bank, foreign volunteers are joining the harvest, hoping their presence will help protect farmers and their trees. Al Jazeera's Nicole Johnston reports from Biddo. Meeting the volunteers behind the Olive Tree Campaign - Alma
The Olive Tree picking and planting programme is organised each October in partnership with the Joint Advocacy Initiative and the Alternative Tourism Group. The Olive picking season is short and often Palestinians are harassed or prevented from picking their olives by Israeli settlers or military forces. To prevent this, we invite internationals to come and pick olives with Palestinian farmers. This year the Olive Tree planting ran from the 13th to 22nd October. We speak to one of the volunteers and find out what inspired her to get involved. The Olive Tree Picking programme will commence in February 2013. Visit www.jai-pal.org for more information. |
22 oct 2012
Jewish settlers attack Palestinian family, IOF arrests foreign activist
AL-KHALIL, (PIC)-- Jewish settlers attacked a Palestinian family in Tel Rumaida, Al-Khalil, on Monday, while harvesting their olive crops, local sources said.
Issa Amre, the coordinator of youth against settlement, said in a press statement that the settlers came from settlement outposts near Tal Rumaida and assaulted the Ezza family.
He said that Israeli occupation forces arrested two Palestinians and a foreign solidarity activist for defending the family during the attack.
Amre said that the soldiers did not intervene to stop the attack, noting that the settlers do not stop attacking Palestinian farmers during the harvest season.
Issa Amre, the coordinator of youth against settlement, said in a press statement that the settlers came from settlement outposts near Tal Rumaida and assaulted the Ezza family.
He said that Israeli occupation forces arrested two Palestinians and a foreign solidarity activist for defending the family during the attack.
Amre said that the soldiers did not intervene to stop the attack, noting that the settlers do not stop attacking Palestinian farmers during the harvest season.
IOF soldiers prevent farmers from harvesting their olive crops
NABLUS, (PIC)-- Israeli occupation forces (IOF) prevented a group of Palestinian farmers from reaching their land in Orta village, south east of Nablus, to harvest their olive crops, local sources said.
Eyewitnesses said that the farmers had obtained permits to reach their fields near the segregation wall surrounding Etamar settlement, yet the soldiers blocked their way and beat them up.
The farmers were also blocked yesterday from entering their fields and were attacked by Jewish settlers.
The Nablus villages have been under constant attacks over the past few days at the hands of Jewish settlers to block farmers from reaping olives. The attacks included assaulting farmers, burning or damaging their olive trees, and robbing the crops.
Eyewitnesses said that the farmers had obtained permits to reach their fields near the segregation wall surrounding Etamar settlement, yet the soldiers blocked their way and beat them up.
The farmers were also blocked yesterday from entering their fields and were attacked by Jewish settlers.
The Nablus villages have been under constant attacks over the past few days at the hands of Jewish settlers to block farmers from reaping olives. The attacks included assaulting farmers, burning or damaging their olive trees, and robbing the crops.
20 oct 2012
Farmers Attacked By Settlers And Soldiers In Nablus And Hebron
Dozens of Israeli settlers and soldiers attacked, Friday, Palestinian farmers working on their lands in the southern West Bank district of Hebron, and in Nablus, in the northern part of the West Bank, several injuries were reported.
In Nablus, one woman suffered various cuts and bruises after a group of extremist settlers attacked her and her husband, and hurled stones at them.
Local sources reported that the settlers came from the Yitzhar illegal settlement, south of Nablus, and added that the settlers violently attacked Mohammad Rashed Ghazal, 47, and his wife, Hanan Eghbariyya, 43. Hanan was injured in the head and shoulders and was moved to a local hospital.
Rashid said that as he and his wife went to their orchard to pick their olive trees in Ein Mikhna area, close to the Huwwara military roadblock, they found out that the settlers were picking their olives; the settlers then attacked them while the army did not intervene.
In Ithna town, near Hebron, five Palestinians, including four family members, were injured after Israeli soldiers attacked them as they were picking olive trees in their orchard.
Medical sources reported that resident Mohammad Bashir Sleimiyya suffocated after inhaling gas fired by the army at dozens of Palestinians picking olives in Wad Reesha area, at the western entrance of Ithna, west of Hebron.
Also, four members of the same family were injured after being violently beaten by Israeli soldiers in the same area.
It is worth mentioning that the army installed several roadblocks in the Hebron district, stopped and interrogated dozens of residents.
In Nablus, one woman suffered various cuts and bruises after a group of extremist settlers attacked her and her husband, and hurled stones at them.
Local sources reported that the settlers came from the Yitzhar illegal settlement, south of Nablus, and added that the settlers violently attacked Mohammad Rashed Ghazal, 47, and his wife, Hanan Eghbariyya, 43. Hanan was injured in the head and shoulders and was moved to a local hospital.
Rashid said that as he and his wife went to their orchard to pick their olive trees in Ein Mikhna area, close to the Huwwara military roadblock, they found out that the settlers were picking their olives; the settlers then attacked them while the army did not intervene.
In Ithna town, near Hebron, five Palestinians, including four family members, were injured after Israeli soldiers attacked them as they were picking olive trees in their orchard.
Medical sources reported that resident Mohammad Bashir Sleimiyya suffocated after inhaling gas fired by the army at dozens of Palestinians picking olives in Wad Reesha area, at the western entrance of Ithna, west of Hebron.
Also, four members of the same family were injured after being violently beaten by Israeli soldiers in the same area.
It is worth mentioning that the army installed several roadblocks in the Hebron district, stopped and interrogated dozens of residents.
Couple assaulted by settlers in Nablus olive grove
NABLUS (Ma’an) -- A Palestinian couple were moderately wounded on Friday morning after settlers assaulted them in an olive grove south of Nablus.
Muhammad Rashed Ghazal, 47, told Ma'an he and his wife Hanan Eghbareh, 43, headed to their lands in Ein Makhna, near the Huwwara checkpoint, after prior coordination with Israeli forces.
They found a group of settlers from neighboring Yitzhar harvesting their olives, Ghazal said.
The settlers threw stones and attacked the couple, he said.
Hanan suffered bruising in her head and shoulders, and both were transferred to Rafidia hospital in Nablus for treatment.
Muhammad Rashed Ghazal, 47, told Ma'an he and his wife Hanan Eghbareh, 43, headed to their lands in Ein Makhna, near the Huwwara checkpoint, after prior coordination with Israeli forces.
They found a group of settlers from neighboring Yitzhar harvesting their olives, Ghazal said.
The settlers threw stones and attacked the couple, he said.
Hanan suffered bruising in her head and shoulders, and both were transferred to Rafidia hospital in Nablus for treatment.
18 oct 2012
UN report: settlers destroy more than 7,500 olive trees
RAMALLAH, (PIC)-- UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has revealed that the Jewish settlers continued their attacks against the Palestinian farmers in the occupied West Bank since the beginning of the year where they destroyed more than 7500 olive trees.
Nearly half (48%) of the agricultural land in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) is planted with 8 million olive trees, the vast majority are in the West Bank, the report revealed, adding that the olive oil industry makes up 14% of the agricultural income for the oPt and supports the livelihoods of approximately 80,000 families.
OCHA report, issued on Thursday, stated that the olive harvest is an economic, social and cultural important occasion for the Palestinian society, while the occupation authorities deliberately prevented those who own agricultural fields located in the areas between the barrier and the Green Line or near the Jewish settlements in the West Bank to obtain permits allowing them to have access to their fields.
In 2011, 42% of applications for permits to access olive groves behind the Barrier submitted prior to the harvest season were rejected, compared to 39% in 2010, according to the report.
In the West Bank, over 7,500 olive trees belonging to Palestinians were damaged or destroyed by Israeli settlers between January and mid October 2012, some 2,000 fewer than during the equivalent period in 2011.
Only one of the 162 complaints regarding settler attacks against Palestinian trees monitored by the Israeli NGO Yesh Din since 2005 has so far led to the indictment of a suspect.
Nearly half (48%) of the agricultural land in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) is planted with 8 million olive trees, the vast majority are in the West Bank, the report revealed, adding that the olive oil industry makes up 14% of the agricultural income for the oPt and supports the livelihoods of approximately 80,000 families.
OCHA report, issued on Thursday, stated that the olive harvest is an economic, social and cultural important occasion for the Palestinian society, while the occupation authorities deliberately prevented those who own agricultural fields located in the areas between the barrier and the Green Line or near the Jewish settlements in the West Bank to obtain permits allowing them to have access to their fields.
In 2011, 42% of applications for permits to access olive groves behind the Barrier submitted prior to the harvest season were rejected, compared to 39% in 2010, according to the report.
In the West Bank, over 7,500 olive trees belonging to Palestinians were damaged or destroyed by Israeli settlers between January and mid October 2012, some 2,000 fewer than during the equivalent period in 2011.
Only one of the 162 complaints regarding settler attacks against Palestinian trees monitored by the Israeli NGO Yesh Din since 2005 has so far led to the indictment of a suspect.
17 oct 2012
Jewish settlers assault Palestinian teen, steal olive harvest
NABLUS, (PIC)-- A group of Jewish settlers attacked and beat up a Palestinian teen in Irak Burin village, south of Nablus, on Wednesday, local sources said.
Ghassan Daghlass, in charge of monitoring settlement activity north of the West Bank, said that settlers from Bracha settlement attacked Dheeb Qadoos, 18, and severely beat him in an olive field near the village. He said that the teenager was hospitalized.
Meanwhile, Jewish settlers stole the fruit of 12 olive trees in Qaryut village, also to the south of Nablus, at dawn Wednesday before the farmers arrived to harvest the crop.
Jewish settlers have been on the rampage in villages south of Nablus recently to disrupt their olive harvesting season.
Ghassan Daghlass, in charge of monitoring settlement activity north of the West Bank, said that settlers from Bracha settlement attacked Dheeb Qadoos, 18, and severely beat him in an olive field near the village. He said that the teenager was hospitalized.
Meanwhile, Jewish settlers stole the fruit of 12 olive trees in Qaryut village, also to the south of Nablus, at dawn Wednesday before the farmers arrived to harvest the crop.
Jewish settlers have been on the rampage in villages south of Nablus recently to disrupt their olive harvesting season.
16 oct 2012
IOF deprives entire village of olive harvesting
JENIN, (PIC)-- Israeli occupation forces (IOF) have denied access permission to the inhabitants of Teyba village, west of Jenin, to enter their land behind the segregation wall and harvest their olive fruit.
Ahmed Jabarin, the head of the village’s municipal council, told the PIC reporter that the village inhabitants are embittered at the fact they can see their land but cannot reach it for the second year running.
He said that the IOF continued to shrink the number of permissions each year after building the separation wall until no permissions were issued at all, adding that IOF issued this year three permissions for farmers while the village needs hundreds of them.
He said that many contacts were made with various parties but to no avail as the Israeli occupation apparently is adamant on depriving the inhabitants of their land.
Ahmed Jabarin, the head of the village’s municipal council, told the PIC reporter that the village inhabitants are embittered at the fact they can see their land but cannot reach it for the second year running.
He said that the IOF continued to shrink the number of permissions each year after building the separation wall until no permissions were issued at all, adding that IOF issued this year three permissions for farmers while the village needs hundreds of them.
He said that many contacts were made with various parties but to no avail as the Israeli occupation apparently is adamant on depriving the inhabitants of their land.
Beit Hanoun: The occupation opens fire at Palestinian farmers
GAZA, (PIC)-- The agricultural sector in the network of Palestinian NGOs strongly condemned the Israeli occupation forces attack, on Tuesday morning, on a group of farmers while they were reaping olive fruits in their lands, close to the banned border area of Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip.
The agricultural sector noted that the Israeli soldiers, deployed in Beit Hanoun "Erez", opened fire at a group of farmers and volunteers while they were reaping their olive crop in the agricultural land in Beit Hanoun, adding that no injuries have been reported.
It confirmed that this attack, carried out by the occupation forces, aimed to prevent farmers from reaching their lands with the help of volunteers from members of the Local Initiative and the foreign solidarity activists, and that it comes within the framework of a series of crimes committed by the occupation and the gangs of settlers against farmers in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
The agricultural sector called for an immediate and urgent international move to protect Palestinian farmers, to ensure them access to their lands and to prosecute the occupation and the settlers for their ongoing crimes.
It also asserted on the continuation of the voluntary campaign in support of Palestinian farmers during olive harvest season, as an emphasis on their inherent right to safe and free access to their lands.
The agricultural sector noted that the Israeli soldiers, deployed in Beit Hanoun "Erez", opened fire at a group of farmers and volunteers while they were reaping their olive crop in the agricultural land in Beit Hanoun, adding that no injuries have been reported.
It confirmed that this attack, carried out by the occupation forces, aimed to prevent farmers from reaching their lands with the help of volunteers from members of the Local Initiative and the foreign solidarity activists, and that it comes within the framework of a series of crimes committed by the occupation and the gangs of settlers against farmers in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
The agricultural sector called for an immediate and urgent international move to protect Palestinian farmers, to ensure them access to their lands and to prosecute the occupation and the settlers for their ongoing crimes.
It also asserted on the continuation of the voluntary campaign in support of Palestinian farmers during olive harvest season, as an emphasis on their inherent right to safe and free access to their lands.
15 oct 2012
UN envoy concerned by Israeli attacks Palestinian farmers, olive trees
A high-ranking United Nations official says he is concerned about Israeli settlers’ relentless attacks on Palestinian farmers and their olive trees.
UN Special Envoy to the Middle East Robert Serry said in a statement, sent to reporters, on Sunday that Israel must do more to protect Palestinians and their property in the occupied West Bank, The Associated Press reported.
Nearly 500,000 Israeli settlers live in more than 100 colonies illegally built since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East al-Quds (Jerusalem).
According to an Israeli rights group, since the harvest season began on October 10, the extremist Israelis have either damaged or uprooted at least 450 olive trees owned by the Palestinians.
Every year Israeli settlers, mostly armed, carry out attacks during harvest season. Most of the attacks take place close to settlements in the occupied West Bank. Tel Aviv rarely arrests the assailants.
On Saturday, Israeli settlers torched dozens of Palestinian olive trees in the occupied West Bank.
According to local villagers, settlers torched the trees at several spots simultaneously.
Security officials said evidence pointed to an arson attack by residents of the neighboring settlement of Ee-Lai.
The attack happened a few days after the cutting-down of almost 70 olive trees in the same village.
UN Special Envoy to the Middle East Robert Serry said in a statement, sent to reporters, on Sunday that Israel must do more to protect Palestinians and their property in the occupied West Bank, The Associated Press reported.
Nearly 500,000 Israeli settlers live in more than 100 colonies illegally built since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East al-Quds (Jerusalem).
According to an Israeli rights group, since the harvest season began on October 10, the extremist Israelis have either damaged or uprooted at least 450 olive trees owned by the Palestinians.
Every year Israeli settlers, mostly armed, carry out attacks during harvest season. Most of the attacks take place close to settlements in the occupied West Bank. Tel Aviv rarely arrests the assailants.
On Saturday, Israeli settlers torched dozens of Palestinian olive trees in the occupied West Bank.
According to local villagers, settlers torched the trees at several spots simultaneously.
Security officials said evidence pointed to an arson attack by residents of the neighboring settlement of Ee-Lai.
The attack happened a few days after the cutting-down of almost 70 olive trees in the same village.
IOF soldiers storm school, settlers cut down almond trees
AL-KHALIL, (PIC)-- Israeli occupation forces (IOF) stormed on Monday Al-Fakhit school to the east of Yatta town in Al-Khalil and detained students and teachers along with foreign solidarity activists inside it.
Former MP Mousa Abu Sabha told the PIC reporter that IOF soldiers mounting horses escorted a jeep for the civil administration and encircled the school and tried to attack teachers, students, and foreign activists.
He said that the soldiers also chased shepherds and olive harvesters and forced them to leave their land in the same area at the pretext that it was “state land”.
Meanwhile, Jewish settlers cut down dozens of almond trees in Beit Ummar, north of Al-Khalil, on Monday.
The popular committee against settlements in the village said that the trees were owned by one family and dated 20 years back, adding that IOF soldiers protected the settlers during their attack.
Former MP Mousa Abu Sabha told the PIC reporter that IOF soldiers mounting horses escorted a jeep for the civil administration and encircled the school and tried to attack teachers, students, and foreign activists.
He said that the soldiers also chased shepherds and olive harvesters and forced them to leave their land in the same area at the pretext that it was “state land”.
Meanwhile, Jewish settlers cut down dozens of almond trees in Beit Ummar, north of Al-Khalil, on Monday.
The popular committee against settlements in the village said that the trees were owned by one family and dated 20 years back, adding that IOF soldiers protected the settlers during their attack.
13 oct 2012
A malignancy called Jewish settlers
By Khalid Amayreh
They murder in cold blood, steal in broad daylight and lie as often as they breathe the oxygen of life, all in the name of the Lord.
They descend on poor and helpless Palestinian olive harvesters in the vicinity of their colonies, beating the farmers, stealing their crops and destroying their orchards. And when the poor Palestinians try to put up a resistance, the heavily-armed thugs train their guns at them.
This is not the American Wild West. Welcome to the West Bank, where marauding Jewish settlers, who claim to be acting on instructions from God and that they are a light upon the rest of humanity, are tormenting Palestinian farmers day and night, seven days a week.
Even on Saturdays, the Jewish Sabbath or day of rest, the ostensibly religious but manifestly immoral settlers waste no time allowing the Palestinians a moment of respite.
The bandits seek and readily receive edicts or Talmudic Fetwas from rabbis and Torah sages, especially within their settlements, permitting them to violate the sanctity of the Sabbath in order to attack the Palestinians, steal their crops and damage their trees.
One embittered Palestinian farmer from the small town of Beit Ummar, five kilometers north of Hebron described the settlers who terrorize local farmers cultivating their olives as "criminals who should belong behind bars."
"They must be reading from the Torah of Satan and the Talmud of Hitler. Otherwise, what sort of religion or theology allows them to indulge in this evil?" said Haj Muhammed Abu Ayyash.
The 70-year-old man had more than one reason to be angry. This week, Jewish settlers from the nearby Bni Tsur colony attacked his olive grove, damaging many grown-up trees.
For him and his family, this is an economic Nakba or catastrophe.
"This (the grove) is our livelihood. The criminals know what they are doing. First they want to deprive us of our livelihood and second they want us to leave. One spends a lifetime growing and caring for these trees, and in 10 seconds, these thugs destroy them.
"Unfortunately, (President) Obama and (Republican candidate Mitt) Romney are in no mood to even listen to our grievances. They probably think we are children of a lesser God."
In the past two weeks, and as the olive harvest season began, Jewish settlers embarked on a widespread terror and theft campaign targeting Palestinian olive harvesters.
Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of grown-up olive trees, some dating back to the time of the Crusades, were destroyed, using gas-powered electric chain saws.
At the village of Mughayer east of Ramallah, settlers attacked several olive groves using axes as well as portable electric chain saws, in full views of Israeli soldiers.
Initially, the troops were quite passive, and did nothing to stop the settlers. However, when the Palestinians cultivating their olives moved to resist the armed settlers, the soldiers moved swiftly to protect the settlers, preventing the farmers from repulsing the settlers.
The same scenario has been repeating itself at numerous locations all over the West Bank.
Israeli government and army spokesmen, especially when speaking to a western audience, claim they are doing all they could to maintain law and order.
However, what these sleek media people don't tell is that the settlers are treated as above the law and that the army often refrains from confronting them in light of the fact that the settlers are more or less the government.
This is not an over-exaggeration. The settlers are represented and backed by very powerful religious and right-wing secular parties in the Knesset or Israeli parliament.
Even the Likud, the party of Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu, stands behind the settlers soul and heart.
Two weeks ago, Moshe Feiglin, a prominent Likud leader, led dozens of settlers into the al-Aqsa Mosque esplanade ostensibly in order to "gain a foothold" for Jews in a place which has been an exclusive Islamic sanctuary for more than 1400 years.
Feiglin is a messianic Jew who believes that non-Jews living in Israel or under the Israeli military occupation in the West Bank must be stripped of all national and political rights, including the right to vote.
And if the disfranchisement policy doesn't work, e.g. fails to make Jews true maters and non-Jews real slaves, then the non-Jewish population would have to suffer further deterioration in their status, including enslavement as "water carriers and wood hewers, " mass deportation or even genocide.
A few years ago, Daniela Weiss, an ideological ally of Mr. Feiglin, visited Hebron in order to encourage fellow settlers to resist government plans to evacuate them from an Arab building they had seized.
Weiss told the millenarian settlers that the way to deal with the Palestinians was not the way of (former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud) Olmert or (Defense Minister Ehud) Barak, but the way of Joshua, the Biblical figure.
She was alluding to the genocidal massacres by the ancient Israelites of Canaanite tribes in the land of Canaan as recorded in the Bible.
No solution in sight
With the Israeli Jewish society continuing to drift toward a combination of religious fascism and secular jingoism, Haj Muhammed Abu Ayyash is unlikely to receive a solace or help anytime soon.
According to recent opinion polls in Israel, the right wing bloc is likely to receive at least 68 seats in the 120-seat Israeli Knesset.
This projection, which seems more or less accurate given the phenomenal weakness of the left and liberal parties, will mean that the settlers will enhance their control of the Israeli government and therefore be more ghoulish than ever before toward the Palestinians.
Until quite recently, the Palestinian Authority (PA) implored the US government to restrain Israel and pressure her to restrain the settlers.
However, with the nearly complete domination of the Jewish lobby of American political life, even the US is increasingly powerless to pressure Israel. The fact that Netanyahu dares challenge Obama in the latter's own capital speaks volumes.
The ongoing Jewish campaign of terror and vandalism against Palestinians and their livelihood is just one aspect of a larger context which also includes the daily seizure of Palestinian land for the purpose of establishing new settlements or expanding existing ones.
Honest observers believe that Jewish settlement activities have already killed the two-state solution strategy as there is no room left for the establishment of a viable and territorially contiguous Palestinian state on the West Bank, let alone one with East Jerusalem as its capital.
However, some politicians, including the Palestinian leadership of Mahmoud Abbas, still cling to the two state solutions, probably as a defensive reflex against the dreadful conviction which is haunting many that the conflict is really unsolvable.
Many Palestinians, including Ahmed Qurei', the first PA prime minister during Arafat's era, are now demanding a unitary bi-national state extending from the Mediterranean to the River Jordan.
However, most Israelis view this idea as anathema since it would alter Israel's Zionist identity especially in the long run. Hence, the irreconcilability of the conflict.
They murder in cold blood, steal in broad daylight and lie as often as they breathe the oxygen of life, all in the name of the Lord.
They descend on poor and helpless Palestinian olive harvesters in the vicinity of their colonies, beating the farmers, stealing their crops and destroying their orchards. And when the poor Palestinians try to put up a resistance, the heavily-armed thugs train their guns at them.
This is not the American Wild West. Welcome to the West Bank, where marauding Jewish settlers, who claim to be acting on instructions from God and that they are a light upon the rest of humanity, are tormenting Palestinian farmers day and night, seven days a week.
Even on Saturdays, the Jewish Sabbath or day of rest, the ostensibly religious but manifestly immoral settlers waste no time allowing the Palestinians a moment of respite.
The bandits seek and readily receive edicts or Talmudic Fetwas from rabbis and Torah sages, especially within their settlements, permitting them to violate the sanctity of the Sabbath in order to attack the Palestinians, steal their crops and damage their trees.
One embittered Palestinian farmer from the small town of Beit Ummar, five kilometers north of Hebron described the settlers who terrorize local farmers cultivating their olives as "criminals who should belong behind bars."
"They must be reading from the Torah of Satan and the Talmud of Hitler. Otherwise, what sort of religion or theology allows them to indulge in this evil?" said Haj Muhammed Abu Ayyash.
The 70-year-old man had more than one reason to be angry. This week, Jewish settlers from the nearby Bni Tsur colony attacked his olive grove, damaging many grown-up trees.
For him and his family, this is an economic Nakba or catastrophe.
"This (the grove) is our livelihood. The criminals know what they are doing. First they want to deprive us of our livelihood and second they want us to leave. One spends a lifetime growing and caring for these trees, and in 10 seconds, these thugs destroy them.
"Unfortunately, (President) Obama and (Republican candidate Mitt) Romney are in no mood to even listen to our grievances. They probably think we are children of a lesser God."
In the past two weeks, and as the olive harvest season began, Jewish settlers embarked on a widespread terror and theft campaign targeting Palestinian olive harvesters.
Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of grown-up olive trees, some dating back to the time of the Crusades, were destroyed, using gas-powered electric chain saws.
At the village of Mughayer east of Ramallah, settlers attacked several olive groves using axes as well as portable electric chain saws, in full views of Israeli soldiers.
Initially, the troops were quite passive, and did nothing to stop the settlers. However, when the Palestinians cultivating their olives moved to resist the armed settlers, the soldiers moved swiftly to protect the settlers, preventing the farmers from repulsing the settlers.
The same scenario has been repeating itself at numerous locations all over the West Bank.
Israeli government and army spokesmen, especially when speaking to a western audience, claim they are doing all they could to maintain law and order.
However, what these sleek media people don't tell is that the settlers are treated as above the law and that the army often refrains from confronting them in light of the fact that the settlers are more or less the government.
This is not an over-exaggeration. The settlers are represented and backed by very powerful religious and right-wing secular parties in the Knesset or Israeli parliament.
Even the Likud, the party of Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu, stands behind the settlers soul and heart.
Two weeks ago, Moshe Feiglin, a prominent Likud leader, led dozens of settlers into the al-Aqsa Mosque esplanade ostensibly in order to "gain a foothold" for Jews in a place which has been an exclusive Islamic sanctuary for more than 1400 years.
Feiglin is a messianic Jew who believes that non-Jews living in Israel or under the Israeli military occupation in the West Bank must be stripped of all national and political rights, including the right to vote.
And if the disfranchisement policy doesn't work, e.g. fails to make Jews true maters and non-Jews real slaves, then the non-Jewish population would have to suffer further deterioration in their status, including enslavement as "water carriers and wood hewers, " mass deportation or even genocide.
A few years ago, Daniela Weiss, an ideological ally of Mr. Feiglin, visited Hebron in order to encourage fellow settlers to resist government plans to evacuate them from an Arab building they had seized.
Weiss told the millenarian settlers that the way to deal with the Palestinians was not the way of (former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud) Olmert or (Defense Minister Ehud) Barak, but the way of Joshua, the Biblical figure.
She was alluding to the genocidal massacres by the ancient Israelites of Canaanite tribes in the land of Canaan as recorded in the Bible.
No solution in sight
With the Israeli Jewish society continuing to drift toward a combination of religious fascism and secular jingoism, Haj Muhammed Abu Ayyash is unlikely to receive a solace or help anytime soon.
According to recent opinion polls in Israel, the right wing bloc is likely to receive at least 68 seats in the 120-seat Israeli Knesset.
This projection, which seems more or less accurate given the phenomenal weakness of the left and liberal parties, will mean that the settlers will enhance their control of the Israeli government and therefore be more ghoulish than ever before toward the Palestinians.
Until quite recently, the Palestinian Authority (PA) implored the US government to restrain Israel and pressure her to restrain the settlers.
However, with the nearly complete domination of the Jewish lobby of American political life, even the US is increasingly powerless to pressure Israel. The fact that Netanyahu dares challenge Obama in the latter's own capital speaks volumes.
The ongoing Jewish campaign of terror and vandalism against Palestinians and their livelihood is just one aspect of a larger context which also includes the daily seizure of Palestinian land for the purpose of establishing new settlements or expanding existing ones.
Honest observers believe that Jewish settlement activities have already killed the two-state solution strategy as there is no room left for the establishment of a viable and territorially contiguous Palestinian state on the West Bank, let alone one with East Jerusalem as its capital.
However, some politicians, including the Palestinian leadership of Mahmoud Abbas, still cling to the two state solutions, probably as a defensive reflex against the dreadful conviction which is haunting many that the conflict is really unsolvable.
Many Palestinians, including Ahmed Qurei', the first PA prime minister during Arafat's era, are now demanding a unitary bi-national state extending from the Mediterranean to the River Jordan.
However, most Israelis view this idea as anathema since it would alter Israel's Zionist identity especially in the long run. Hence, the irreconcilability of the conflict.
Jewish settlers set olive trees on fire, expel farmers
NABLUS, (PIC)-- Jewish settlers set on fire a number of Palestinian olive trees on the outskirts of Qaryut village, south of Nablus, at dawn Saturday.
Ghassan Daghlass, monitoring settlement activity north of the West Bank, said that the setters poured highly flammable materials on the trees.
Meanwhile, other groups of settlers attacked farmers in the same village and drove them out of their farms under gun threat.
Eyewitnesses said that settlers from Shavut Rachel settlement fired live bullets on the famers and seized their olive harvesting tools.
Jewish settlers’ attacks in southeastern Nablus have escalated recently and focused on olive harvesters especially in villages near Yitzhar settlement.
Ghassan Daghlass, monitoring settlement activity north of the West Bank, said that the setters poured highly flammable materials on the trees.
Meanwhile, other groups of settlers attacked farmers in the same village and drove them out of their farms under gun threat.
Eyewitnesses said that settlers from Shavut Rachel settlement fired live bullets on the famers and seized their olive harvesting tools.
Jewish settlers’ attacks in southeastern Nablus have escalated recently and focused on olive harvesters especially in villages near Yitzhar settlement.
Palestinian youth wounded in settlers' attack on farmers
AL-KHALIL, (PIC)-- A Palestinian youth was moderately injured in a Jewish settlers' attack in the city of al-Khalil in the southern West Bank on Friday.
PIC's correspondent reported that the occupation forces protected the armed group of settlers who attacked Abu Eisha family in the neighborhood of Tel Rumeida in the center of the city during the reap of olive fruits.
He said that the settlers, who were from the settlements of Ramati Shai and Beit Hadassah, assaulted three members of the Palestinian family, moderately wounding Thabet Abu Eisha , 25, in the foot.
The Jewish settlers and the Israeli occupation troops have continued for the past three days attacking the farmers in the region during the olive harvest season.
PIC's correspondent reported that the occupation forces protected the armed group of settlers who attacked Abu Eisha family in the neighborhood of Tel Rumeida in the center of the city during the reap of olive fruits.
He said that the settlers, who were from the settlements of Ramati Shai and Beit Hadassah, assaulted three members of the Palestinian family, moderately wounding Thabet Abu Eisha , 25, in the foot.
The Jewish settlers and the Israeli occupation troops have continued for the past three days attacking the farmers in the region during the olive harvest season.
IOF soldiers block Palestinian farmers from reaching their olive fields
AL-KHALIL, (PIC)-- Israeli occupation forces (IOF) blocked on Saturday Palestinian farmers from reaching their olive fields in Beit Ummar village to the north of Al-Khalil.
Local sources said that IOF soldiers were deployed on mountaintops overlooking the village and at its entrance after citizens organized their weekly march against confiscation of their land.
They said that the soldiers ordered back dozens of farmers and assaulted them and foreign solidarity activists who were accompanying them.
Local sources said that IOF soldiers were deployed on mountaintops overlooking the village and at its entrance after citizens organized their weekly march against confiscation of their land.
They said that the soldiers ordered back dozens of farmers and assaulted them and foreign solidarity activists who were accompanying them.
12 oct 2012
B'Tselem suspects army not prepared to protect Palestinian olive harvesters
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)-- B'Tselem" human rights organization has documented a number of attacks carried out by the Israeli settlers and targeting farmers and olive groves throughout the West Bank.
The organization stated that the events raise suspicion that Security forces were not prepared to protect Palestinian olive harvesters and their property from settler violence.
The accumulation of incidents since the start of the olive harvest suggests that security forces were not adequately deployed to fulfill their duty to protect Palestinian olive harvesters and their property from settler violence, according to the organization's report.
Between October 7th and 10th, 2012, with the start of the West Bank's annual olive harvest, B'Tselem has documented five cases of injury to Palestinian farmers and their olive trees in the Ramallah and Nablus regions. In two incidents, settlers attacked farmers picking olives and damaged their yields.
There are three other direct attacks documented by B'Tselem that occurred while members of the security forces were present. All the locations where damage to trees was discovered are familiar to the security forces as areas where Palestinians are subject to repeated harassment by settlers.
The organization stated that the events raise suspicion that Security forces were not prepared to protect Palestinian olive harvesters and their property from settler violence.
The accumulation of incidents since the start of the olive harvest suggests that security forces were not adequately deployed to fulfill their duty to protect Palestinian olive harvesters and their property from settler violence, according to the organization's report.
Between October 7th and 10th, 2012, with the start of the West Bank's annual olive harvest, B'Tselem has documented five cases of injury to Palestinian farmers and their olive trees in the Ramallah and Nablus regions. In two incidents, settlers attacked farmers picking olives and damaged their yields.
There are three other direct attacks documented by B'Tselem that occurred while members of the security forces were present. All the locations where damage to trees was discovered are familiar to the security forces as areas where Palestinians are subject to repeated harassment by settlers.
10 oct 2012
Settlers Uproot 200 Olive Trees in Ramallah
On Wednesday 10th October, Palestinian media sources said that settlers uprooted 200 olive trees in Ramallah Governorate.
The sources also said that settlers raided al-Maghir village, northeast of Ramallah, aggressively attacked Palestinian farmers and uprooted 200 olive trees.
The attacks and assaults of settlers have increased lately, especially on farmers in the olive harvest season.
The sources also said that settlers raided al-Maghir village, northeast of Ramallah, aggressively attacked Palestinian farmers and uprooted 200 olive trees.
The attacks and assaults of settlers have increased lately, especially on farmers in the olive harvest season.
9 oct 2012
Settlers Cut Dozens Of Olive Trees Near Nablus
Local sources reported that a group of armed extremist settlers of the Aliyea illegal settlement cut dozens of Olive trees that belong to residents of Qaryout village, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus.
The settlers cut at least 120 olive trees that belong to twelve residents of the Qaryout village.
Eyewitnesses reported that the settlers used chainsaws to cut the trees.
The orchards that have been attacked are located near a number of illegal Israeli settlements.
Today, Tuesday October 8, marks the beginning of the olive harvest season in Palestine, especially in orchards that became totally isolated behind the Annexation Wall.
Settler attacks against Palestinian villagers and orchards usually escalate during the olive harvest season.
On Saturday, Palestinian medical sources in Hebron, in the southern part of the West Bank, reported that dozens of Palestinian villagers, picking their olive trees west of Hebron, were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation after being attacked by Israeli soldiers.
The soldiers arrived at the scene as extremist settlers were harassing the residents and trying to force them out of their orchards, and used force against the residents instead of removing the settlers, eyewitnesses reported.
Dozens of attacks took place last year during the olive harvest season leading to several injuries, and in many cases extremist Israeli settlers picked the Palestinian orchards and took the harvest. Settlers also torched dozens of trees.
The settlers cut at least 120 olive trees that belong to twelve residents of the Qaryout village.
Eyewitnesses reported that the settlers used chainsaws to cut the trees.
The orchards that have been attacked are located near a number of illegal Israeli settlements.
Today, Tuesday October 8, marks the beginning of the olive harvest season in Palestine, especially in orchards that became totally isolated behind the Annexation Wall.
Settler attacks against Palestinian villagers and orchards usually escalate during the olive harvest season.
On Saturday, Palestinian medical sources in Hebron, in the southern part of the West Bank, reported that dozens of Palestinian villagers, picking their olive trees west of Hebron, were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation after being attacked by Israeli soldiers.
The soldiers arrived at the scene as extremist settlers were harassing the residents and trying to force them out of their orchards, and used force against the residents instead of removing the settlers, eyewitnesses reported.
Dozens of attacks took place last year during the olive harvest season leading to several injuries, and in many cases extremist Israeli settlers picked the Palestinian orchards and took the harvest. Settlers also torched dozens of trees.
8 oct 2012
Jewish settlers attack Palestinian farmers, damage olive trees
RAMALLAH, (PIC)-- Jewish settlers attacked Palestinian farmers who were preparing to reap the fruits of their olive trees in Betello village to the west of Ramallah on Sunday afternoon.
Local sources said that Israeli occupation forces supported the settlers in a clash with the Palestinian farmers after the settlers damaged a number of olive trees before the harvest.
The settlers have intensified their assaults on olive trees over the past few days as about 300 trees were damaged in the process.
Local sources said that Israeli occupation forces supported the settlers in a clash with the Palestinian farmers after the settlers damaged a number of olive trees before the harvest.
The settlers have intensified their assaults on olive trees over the past few days as about 300 trees were damaged in the process.
7 oct 2012
IOF soldiers storm Al-Khalil, settlers cut off olive trees in Ramallah
AL-KHALIL, (PIC)-- Israeli occupation forces (IOF) stormed areas west of Al-Khalil on Sunday and installed roadblocks in an apparent attempt to arrest a number of “wanted” Palestinians.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC reporter that the IOF soldiers had lists of names with them and checked IDs of citizens in the area.
Meanwhile, Jewish settlers cut off olive trees in two villages to the west of Ramallah under IOF protection.
Local sources said that groups of settlers burst into the villages of Ras Karkar and Janiya and chopped off 20 olive trees.
In another incident, eyewitnesses told the PIC reporter that IOF soldiers scrutinized IDs of citizens near Beit El settlement.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC reporter that the IOF soldiers had lists of names with them and checked IDs of citizens in the area.
Meanwhile, Jewish settlers cut off olive trees in two villages to the west of Ramallah under IOF protection.
Local sources said that groups of settlers burst into the villages of Ras Karkar and Janiya and chopped off 20 olive trees.
In another incident, eyewitnesses told the PIC reporter that IOF soldiers scrutinized IDs of citizens near Beit El settlement.
Israeli soldiers and settlers attack Palestinian farmers in al-Khalil, Nablus
NABLUS/AL-KHALIL,(PIC)-- Israeli settlers continued their attacks in various parts of the West Bank, where they attacked this morning Palestinian farmers in the village of Kufr Qaddoum while on their way to their fields west of Nablus.
Local sources said that the settlers attacked the farmers in their fields, throwing stones and threatening them at gunpoint under the protection of Israeli soldiers, in the land located along the street that links the districts of Qalqilya and Nablus.
Meanwhile, Israeli soldiers and a large number of settlers from the settlement of Ma'oun established on lands confiscated from Palestinians east of Yatta, near al-Khalil, attacked on Saturday Palestinian farmers, while picking their olive trees in the Hamra area and Alrakiz and Srorah areas east of Yatta town.
Haj Mahmoud Yatim Rob'i told PIC's correspondent that settlers came to their fields and begun threatening them to leave their lands or the Israeli army will be called and that is what the settlers did, where Israeli soldiers came to the scene accompanied with police dogs and threatened the farmers to leave their land or the dogs would be unleashed on them.
We moved to our land in Alrkiz and Srorh near the Hamra area, but the soldiers and settlers also fired stun grenades and threw stones to scare us away, he added
Israeli soldiers and settlers have escalated their attacks against the residents and their lands in the eastern regions of Yatta, south of al-Khalil specifically after the Israeli war minister Ehud Barak's decision to evacuate eight Palestinian villages and to deport their residents in preparation for the establishment of a Israeli military site.
Local sources said that the settlers attacked the farmers in their fields, throwing stones and threatening them at gunpoint under the protection of Israeli soldiers, in the land located along the street that links the districts of Qalqilya and Nablus.
Meanwhile, Israeli soldiers and a large number of settlers from the settlement of Ma'oun established on lands confiscated from Palestinians east of Yatta, near al-Khalil, attacked on Saturday Palestinian farmers, while picking their olive trees in the Hamra area and Alrakiz and Srorah areas east of Yatta town.
Haj Mahmoud Yatim Rob'i told PIC's correspondent that settlers came to their fields and begun threatening them to leave their lands or the Israeli army will be called and that is what the settlers did, where Israeli soldiers came to the scene accompanied with police dogs and threatened the farmers to leave their land or the dogs would be unleashed on them.
We moved to our land in Alrkiz and Srorh near the Hamra area, but the soldiers and settlers also fired stun grenades and threw stones to scare us away, he added
Israeli soldiers and settlers have escalated their attacks against the residents and their lands in the eastern regions of Yatta, south of al-Khalil specifically after the Israeli war minister Ehud Barak's decision to evacuate eight Palestinian villages and to deport their residents in preparation for the establishment of a Israeli military site.
6 oct 2012
Jewish settlers chop off 120 Palestinian trees
BETHLEHEM, (PIC)-- Jewish settlers damaged and chopped off around 120 olive trees and grapevines in Al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem, on Friday, local sources said.
Ahmed Salah, the coordinator of the anti wall and anti settlement activity in the village, told Quds Press that the settlers also bathed in one of the water wells in the same area after performing Talmudic rituals.
He said that the settlers damaged 100 olive trees planted two years ago by a charitable society for one of the farmers in the village and 20 grapevines owned by another farmer.
Salah said that the settlers drew the Israeli flag on a sign for an agricultural project that was established by a European society.
Ahmed Salah, the coordinator of the anti wall and anti settlement activity in the village, told Quds Press that the settlers also bathed in one of the water wells in the same area after performing Talmudic rituals.
He said that the settlers damaged 100 olive trees planted two years ago by a charitable society for one of the farmers in the village and 20 grapevines owned by another farmer.
Salah said that the settlers drew the Israeli flag on a sign for an agricultural project that was established by a European society.
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