14 apr 2014
The Palestinian center for human rights (PCHR) called on the Palestinian Authority (PA) to immediately join the Rome statute of the international criminal court and resist international and Israeli pressures. In a press release on Sunday, the center said that joining the 16 international conventions would be a step in the right direction and must be achieved on the ground in order to protect the oppressed Palestinian people against Israel's violations.
The center also urged the PA to reject all pressures aimed at dissuading it from this step and hasten to join all international treaties that defend human rights in times of peace and war, especially the Rome statute.
It stressed that joining such treaties would achieve justice for the victimized Palestinians and contribute to ending the impunity which Israel's war criminals enjoy.
De facto president Mahmoud Abbas had decided earlier this month to join 16 international treaties and agreements defending human rights, but due to Zio-American pressures, he is still hesitant to go down that road.
The center also urged the PA to reject all pressures aimed at dissuading it from this step and hasten to join all international treaties that defend human rights in times of peace and war, especially the Rome statute.
It stressed that joining such treaties would achieve justice for the victimized Palestinians and contribute to ending the impunity which Israel's war criminals enjoy.
De facto president Mahmoud Abbas had decided earlier this month to join 16 international treaties and agreements defending human rights, but due to Zio-American pressures, he is still hesitant to go down that road.
On Monday the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement, wherein it holds Israeli Army Minister Moshe Ya'alon responsible for the recent escalation of the conflict and the movement away from a lasting peace deal, Palestinian News Agency (WAFA) reports.
The statement further said that the international community should consider Ya'alon the primary cause of the instability, and urged all states to take serious actions towards Israel and obliging the government to abide by international law, international humanitarian law and Geneva Conventions.
The statement condemned Ya'alon's decision to allow settlers to occupy the 'Rajabi building' in Hebron, which, seen in the context of the ongoing peace talks, "constitutes a serious escalation in the political and humanitarian situation in the region."
It also strongly condemned the decision to annex a 90 hectare Palestinian-owned area near Bethlehem for a expansion of the illegal settlement Gush Etzion.
The statement further said that the international community should consider Ya'alon the primary cause of the instability, and urged all states to take serious actions towards Israel and obliging the government to abide by international law, international humanitarian law and Geneva Conventions.
The statement condemned Ya'alon's decision to allow settlers to occupy the 'Rajabi building' in Hebron, which, seen in the context of the ongoing peace talks, "constitutes a serious escalation in the political and humanitarian situation in the region."
It also strongly condemned the decision to annex a 90 hectare Palestinian-owned area near Bethlehem for a expansion of the illegal settlement Gush Etzion.
US Special Envoy for Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations Martin Indyk
Israeli and Palestinian negotiators are to meet again Wednesday with US mediator Martin Indyk in a bid to try and save the peace process from crumbling, a Palestinian official said. Indyk would travel to the region to oversee the meeting, the second three-way talks since last Thursday, said the official who requested anonymity.
There was no immediate confirmation from officials in Israel, which observes the seven-day Jewish holidays of Passover from sunset on Monday.
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat met on Sunday his Israeli counterpart Tzipi Livni and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's special envoy Yitzhak Molcho on Sunday.
That meeting was "difficult" and there are still "big gaps" between the sides, the Palestinian official said.
The talks hit an impasse two weeks ago when Israel refused to release as agreed a group of Palestinian prisoners and the Palestinians retaliated by seeking accession to several international treaties.
The peace process suffered a new blow last week after Israel said it would freeze the transfer of duties it collects on behalf of the Palestinians in retaliation for their diplomatic offensive.
The monthly 80 million euros ($111 million) in taxes collected by Israel represents about two-thirds of the Palestinian Authority's income.
Israel also reportedly plans to suspend its participation with the Palestinians in developing a gas field off the Gaza Strip and to put a cap on Palestinian deposits in its banks.
Direct peace talks were kick-started in July by US Secretary of State John Kerry, who shuttled back and forth to the region to revive a peace process that had been dead for three years.
They have since hit obstacle after obstacle and further deteriorated just weeks ahead of an April 29 deadline.
Israeli and Palestinian negotiators are to meet again Wednesday with US mediator Martin Indyk in a bid to try and save the peace process from crumbling, a Palestinian official said. Indyk would travel to the region to oversee the meeting, the second three-way talks since last Thursday, said the official who requested anonymity.
There was no immediate confirmation from officials in Israel, which observes the seven-day Jewish holidays of Passover from sunset on Monday.
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat met on Sunday his Israeli counterpart Tzipi Livni and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's special envoy Yitzhak Molcho on Sunday.
That meeting was "difficult" and there are still "big gaps" between the sides, the Palestinian official said.
The talks hit an impasse two weeks ago when Israel refused to release as agreed a group of Palestinian prisoners and the Palestinians retaliated by seeking accession to several international treaties.
The peace process suffered a new blow last week after Israel said it would freeze the transfer of duties it collects on behalf of the Palestinians in retaliation for their diplomatic offensive.
The monthly 80 million euros ($111 million) in taxes collected by Israel represents about two-thirds of the Palestinian Authority's income.
Israel also reportedly plans to suspend its participation with the Palestinians in developing a gas field off the Gaza Strip and to put a cap on Palestinian deposits in its banks.
Direct peace talks were kick-started in July by US Secretary of State John Kerry, who shuttled back and forth to the region to revive a peace process that had been dead for three years.
They have since hit obstacle after obstacle and further deteriorated just weeks ahead of an April 29 deadline.
In their latest redrawing of the map of the West Bank at the expense of Palestinians, Israeli occupation authorities have declared about 250 acres of territory south of Bethlehem to be land belonging to the state, paving the way for it to be used to expand three Israeli settlements.
The step, approved by the hard-line defence minister Moshe Ya’alon, comes at a particularly sensitive time in Israeli-Palestinian relations, with the peace process on the brink of expiry after Israel failed to fulfil a commitment to release a group of Palestinian prisoners on 29 March, and the Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas subsequently applied for membership in 15 international treaties and conventions.
It is the largest declaration of state lands in the West Bank since 2004, and draws on 19th-century Ottoman Turkish law to take over Palestinian land found to have been uncultivated for a decade. Palestinians, who are given 45 days to appeal, view the measure as tantamount to expropriation, with many of them saying that Israeli strictures on their movement make cultivation of the land impossible.
An Israeli official sought to play down the significance of the move, saying: “This is a process… that has been going on for years. It is not new.” He added that what Mr Ya’alon had approved was a “declaration of intention to turn the land into state land if there aren’t objections”. However, the declaration itself, obtained by The Independent, says the land in question “is government property”. Signs in Hebrew and Arabic have been posted on the land saying: “Government Property. No Trespassing”.
Three Palestinian villages will lose land – Beit Omar, Naalin and al-Khader – and it’s thought that the territory will be used to expand Neve Daniel, Elazar and Alon Shvut settlements, and by residents of the Netiv Ha’avot settler outpost.
“This is a big chunk of land that once allocated to settlers will give them big room for expansion,” said Dror Etkes, head of Kerem Navot, a dovish organisation specialising in West Bank land issues. Noting that the order was signed on 6 April at the height of the crisis in the peace talks, Mr Etkes said it was aimed “to make the whole thing collapse”.
The move came as three Israeli settler families took up occupancy of building with 20 apartments in the West Bank city of Hebron after Israel’s supreme court last month ruled they had purchased the property legally. Palestinians and Israeli doves consider this to be the equivalent of a new settlement in Hebron.
Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, condemned the settlement steps: “This is a government of land theft and expansionism and it is the worst enemy of peace. Israel is doing everything possible to torpedo any chance of peace.”
Mark Regev, spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, responded: “In all cases, disputes regarding land ownership are ultimately decided by the Israeli Supreme Court which is known internationally for its professionalism and objectivity.”
Source: The INDEPENDENT
The step, approved by the hard-line defence minister Moshe Ya’alon, comes at a particularly sensitive time in Israeli-Palestinian relations, with the peace process on the brink of expiry after Israel failed to fulfil a commitment to release a group of Palestinian prisoners on 29 March, and the Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas subsequently applied for membership in 15 international treaties and conventions.
It is the largest declaration of state lands in the West Bank since 2004, and draws on 19th-century Ottoman Turkish law to take over Palestinian land found to have been uncultivated for a decade. Palestinians, who are given 45 days to appeal, view the measure as tantamount to expropriation, with many of them saying that Israeli strictures on their movement make cultivation of the land impossible.
An Israeli official sought to play down the significance of the move, saying: “This is a process… that has been going on for years. It is not new.” He added that what Mr Ya’alon had approved was a “declaration of intention to turn the land into state land if there aren’t objections”. However, the declaration itself, obtained by The Independent, says the land in question “is government property”. Signs in Hebrew and Arabic have been posted on the land saying: “Government Property. No Trespassing”.
Three Palestinian villages will lose land – Beit Omar, Naalin and al-Khader – and it’s thought that the territory will be used to expand Neve Daniel, Elazar and Alon Shvut settlements, and by residents of the Netiv Ha’avot settler outpost.
“This is a big chunk of land that once allocated to settlers will give them big room for expansion,” said Dror Etkes, head of Kerem Navot, a dovish organisation specialising in West Bank land issues. Noting that the order was signed on 6 April at the height of the crisis in the peace talks, Mr Etkes said it was aimed “to make the whole thing collapse”.
The move came as three Israeli settler families took up occupancy of building with 20 apartments in the West Bank city of Hebron after Israel’s supreme court last month ruled they had purchased the property legally. Palestinians and Israeli doves consider this to be the equivalent of a new settlement in Hebron.
Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, condemned the settlement steps: “This is a government of land theft and expansionism and it is the worst enemy of peace. Israel is doing everything possible to torpedo any chance of peace.”
Mark Regev, spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, responded: “In all cases, disputes regarding land ownership are ultimately decided by the Israeli Supreme Court which is known internationally for its professionalism and objectivity.”
Source: The INDEPENDENT
By: Mitri I. Musleh
Pointing the fingers at each other and the tit for tat policy of accusation can and most probably demolish any hopes of reaching a workable solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
The first reason that lies behind John Kerry's failure to help both sides reach a rewarding decision has much to do with the US inability of being an honest broker. While the US is trying hard to get the Palestinians to accept an agreement for peace regardless of its short comings, it is allowing Israel to build more illegal settlements in the West Bank.
The second reason has much to do with how the US views the peace process. Is it truly a top priority for the US to solve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict? To those people who may answer this question as 'yes', well, think again! The US policy makers have more legitimized pressing issues to deal with in the world than that of the Palestinian issue. Such issues as Crimea and Syria to name a few.
To the policy makers of the US and their counterpart politicians in Israel, I must say that failing to solve the current Palestinian-Israeli conflict can only lead to total international isolation of the Israeli state. The more support Israel gets for its strategy to colonize Palestine, the more it will drive Palestine's politicians to further seek international justice for their cause. The Palestinians are doing this through joining international organizations and spreading the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) ideology which in turn is influencing the international academic institutions, the labour movements and religious circles around the globe to boycott Israel's institutions.
The final outcome of the BDS movement, while it may not take place now or in the forcible future, is to fully accomplish a successful campaign to boycott Israeli products and academic institutions. This will eventually lead to total isolation of Israel around the world. The movement is bearing fruit to its efforts on a daily basis.
To balance the efforts applied by the BDS movement, the Palestinians, currently living under occupation in the West Bank and Gaza, must rally together in a joint effort to modify their method of struggle against occupation and concentrate on struggling for the One State Solution. This action would then lead for a positive outcome in resolving this current impasse.
*This article reflects the opinions or points of view of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the agency.
Pointing the fingers at each other and the tit for tat policy of accusation can and most probably demolish any hopes of reaching a workable solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
The first reason that lies behind John Kerry's failure to help both sides reach a rewarding decision has much to do with the US inability of being an honest broker. While the US is trying hard to get the Palestinians to accept an agreement for peace regardless of its short comings, it is allowing Israel to build more illegal settlements in the West Bank.
The second reason has much to do with how the US views the peace process. Is it truly a top priority for the US to solve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict? To those people who may answer this question as 'yes', well, think again! The US policy makers have more legitimized pressing issues to deal with in the world than that of the Palestinian issue. Such issues as Crimea and Syria to name a few.
To the policy makers of the US and their counterpart politicians in Israel, I must say that failing to solve the current Palestinian-Israeli conflict can only lead to total international isolation of the Israeli state. The more support Israel gets for its strategy to colonize Palestine, the more it will drive Palestine's politicians to further seek international justice for their cause. The Palestinians are doing this through joining international organizations and spreading the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) ideology which in turn is influencing the international academic institutions, the labour movements and religious circles around the globe to boycott Israel's institutions.
The final outcome of the BDS movement, while it may not take place now or in the forcible future, is to fully accomplish a successful campaign to boycott Israeli products and academic institutions. This will eventually lead to total isolation of Israel around the world. The movement is bearing fruit to its efforts on a daily basis.
To balance the efforts applied by the BDS movement, the Palestinians, currently living under occupation in the West Bank and Gaza, must rally together in a joint effort to modify their method of struggle against occupation and concentrate on struggling for the One State Solution. This action would then lead for a positive outcome in resolving this current impasse.
*This article reflects the opinions or points of view of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the agency.
Fatah Central Committee member Dr. Muhammad Shtayyeh responded to Israel's announcement regarding a new illegal settlement in Hebron, occupied Palestine:
"This shows the Israeli government's commitment to colonization rather than peace. This is a government that will do everything possible in order to turn its occupation into annexation of our land. The decision taken by Israeli Minister Ya'alon is simply a reflection of Israel's PM Netanyahu's will to strengthen settlements and bury the two-state solution."
"By taking this decision the Israeli government is not only grabbing more Palestinian land, but also it is endangering the lives of Palestinians in Hebron who constantly suffer from the action of settler terrorists, operating under the protection of Israeli occupation forces," He added.
Shtayyeh continued: "While some people are talking about continuation of talks, this clearly shows Israel's lack of commitment towards a two-state solution. It undermines US and international efforts and reaffirms that there is no sense in extending negotiations without a full cessation of Israeli settlement activities all over the occupied State of Palestine, including in and around occupied East Jerusalem."
"Once again, we call upon the international community to ban all settlement products and to cut all ties with entities and companies linked directly or indirectly to the Israeli occupation. In order give peace a chance, Israel must stop being treated as a state above the law," Shtayyeh concluded.
"This shows the Israeli government's commitment to colonization rather than peace. This is a government that will do everything possible in order to turn its occupation into annexation of our land. The decision taken by Israeli Minister Ya'alon is simply a reflection of Israel's PM Netanyahu's will to strengthen settlements and bury the two-state solution."
"By taking this decision the Israeli government is not only grabbing more Palestinian land, but also it is endangering the lives of Palestinians in Hebron who constantly suffer from the action of settler terrorists, operating under the protection of Israeli occupation forces," He added.
Shtayyeh continued: "While some people are talking about continuation of talks, this clearly shows Israel's lack of commitment towards a two-state solution. It undermines US and international efforts and reaffirms that there is no sense in extending negotiations without a full cessation of Israeli settlement activities all over the occupied State of Palestine, including in and around occupied East Jerusalem."
"Once again, we call upon the international community to ban all settlement products and to cut all ties with entities and companies linked directly or indirectly to the Israeli occupation. In order give peace a chance, Israel must stop being treated as a state above the law," Shtayyeh concluded.
A three-hour meeting between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators held without the presence of US envoy Martin Indyk on Sunday ended without clear signs of progress.
PLO sources told Ma'an that Israeli negotiator Tzipi Livni demanded that the Palestinians withdraw their applications for international treaties because the Israelis considered it a unilateral step.
The demand was rejected by the Palestinians who also refused to freeze the application -- "refusing to even consider it," said one source -- and adding that there was no turning back.
The Palestinian team, led by Saeb Erekat and Majed Farraj, demanded a complete freeze of settlements in Jerusalem and the West Bank, as an initial condition before discussing other issues.
The Palestinian team also demanded the release of a fourth group of veteran prisoners, without the option of exiling them, the sources said.
There was no immediate word from the Israeli side, which observes the seven-day Jewish holidays of Passover from sunset on Monday.
A Palestinian source close to the talks said a new meeting between the negotiators was set for Tuesday or Wednesday evening, with US envoy Martin Indyk due to attend.
Indyk, who presided over a meeting last Thursday, has since returned to Washington for consultations but is due to return on Tuesday, the source added.
The peace process has since last week suffered a new blow when Israel said it would freeze the transfer of duties it collects on the Palestinians' behalf, in retaliation for their diplomatic offensive against Israel at the United Nations.
The monthly $111 million in taxes collected by Israel represents about two-thirds of the Palestinian Authority's income.
Israel also reportedly plans to suspend its participation with the Palestinians in developing a gas field off the Gaza Strip and to put a cap on Palestinian deposits in its banks.
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, in a meeting with ambassadors posted in Tel Aviv on Sunday, blamed the Palestinians for the rapid deterioration in the peace process.
"We were very close to an agreement with the Palestinians, a complex transaction which was being examined by the (Israeli) cabinet, but at the last moment the Palestinians broke their promises and submitted applications" to join international treaties, he charged.
"We are ready to discuss and negotiate but we will not accept unilateral steps," Lieberman said.
A senior Palestinian official, Nabil Shaath, said the Palestinians still had "several options" and would not be deterred.
"Israel's sanctions will not deter Palestinian steps to join international treaties and organizations," he said, quoted by the Palestinian news agency WAFA.
The Israeli reprisals have sparked concern in Washington.
"We've seen these press reports, but we have not seen an official public announcement by the government of Israel," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters on Friday.
"That said, we would regard such a development as unfortunate.
"We believe that the regular transfer of the Palestinian Authority's tax revenues and economic cooperation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority has been beneficial and is important to the well-being of the Palestinian economy."
The talks hit an impasse two weeks ago when Israel refused to release as agreed a group of Palestinian prisoners and the Palestinians retaliated by seeking accession to several international treaties.
PLO sources told Ma'an that Israeli negotiator Tzipi Livni demanded that the Palestinians withdraw their applications for international treaties because the Israelis considered it a unilateral step.
The demand was rejected by the Palestinians who also refused to freeze the application -- "refusing to even consider it," said one source -- and adding that there was no turning back.
The Palestinian team, led by Saeb Erekat and Majed Farraj, demanded a complete freeze of settlements in Jerusalem and the West Bank, as an initial condition before discussing other issues.
The Palestinian team also demanded the release of a fourth group of veteran prisoners, without the option of exiling them, the sources said.
There was no immediate word from the Israeli side, which observes the seven-day Jewish holidays of Passover from sunset on Monday.
A Palestinian source close to the talks said a new meeting between the negotiators was set for Tuesday or Wednesday evening, with US envoy Martin Indyk due to attend.
Indyk, who presided over a meeting last Thursday, has since returned to Washington for consultations but is due to return on Tuesday, the source added.
The peace process has since last week suffered a new blow when Israel said it would freeze the transfer of duties it collects on the Palestinians' behalf, in retaliation for their diplomatic offensive against Israel at the United Nations.
The monthly $111 million in taxes collected by Israel represents about two-thirds of the Palestinian Authority's income.
Israel also reportedly plans to suspend its participation with the Palestinians in developing a gas field off the Gaza Strip and to put a cap on Palestinian deposits in its banks.
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, in a meeting with ambassadors posted in Tel Aviv on Sunday, blamed the Palestinians for the rapid deterioration in the peace process.
"We were very close to an agreement with the Palestinians, a complex transaction which was being examined by the (Israeli) cabinet, but at the last moment the Palestinians broke their promises and submitted applications" to join international treaties, he charged.
"We are ready to discuss and negotiate but we will not accept unilateral steps," Lieberman said.
A senior Palestinian official, Nabil Shaath, said the Palestinians still had "several options" and would not be deterred.
"Israel's sanctions will not deter Palestinian steps to join international treaties and organizations," he said, quoted by the Palestinian news agency WAFA.
The Israeli reprisals have sparked concern in Washington.
"We've seen these press reports, but we have not seen an official public announcement by the government of Israel," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters on Friday.
"That said, we would regard such a development as unfortunate.
"We believe that the regular transfer of the Palestinian Authority's tax revenues and economic cooperation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority has been beneficial and is important to the well-being of the Palestinian economy."
The talks hit an impasse two weeks ago when Israel refused to release as agreed a group of Palestinian prisoners and the Palestinians retaliated by seeking accession to several international treaties.
13 apr 2013
Israeli Minister of Defense, Moshe Ya’alon, announced on Sunday that works began for the largest project of expanding the settlement bloc of Gush Etzion, in the south of the West Bank.
He confirmed that a 984-dunum area of land in southern and west of Bethlehem were seized last week for the benefit of this project, according to WAFA.
Israeli authorities, last Thursday, announced a decision to confiscate about 1,000 dunams (250 acres) of private Palestinian land in the town of al-Khader, south of Bethlehem.
Deputy mayor of al-Khader Ismail Issa told Ma’an News Agency that high-level Israeli military commanders and Civil Administration officers, along with a group of settlers, toured private Palestinian fields in areas known locally as Khallat al-Fahm, al-Zaytouna and al-Absiyya.
They left yellow posters reading “State properties! No entry.”
He confirmed that a 984-dunum area of land in southern and west of Bethlehem were seized last week for the benefit of this project, according to WAFA.
Israeli authorities, last Thursday, announced a decision to confiscate about 1,000 dunams (250 acres) of private Palestinian land in the town of al-Khader, south of Bethlehem.
Deputy mayor of al-Khader Ismail Issa told Ma’an News Agency that high-level Israeli military commanders and Civil Administration officers, along with a group of settlers, toured private Palestinian fields in areas known locally as Khallat al-Fahm, al-Zaytouna and al-Absiyya.
They left yellow posters reading “State properties! No entry.”
US Congress members are calling for action to be taken against the Palestinian Authority in response to the applications to join 15 international treaties, Palestine's envoy in Washington said Sunday.
Maen Areikat told Ma’an that some pro-Israeli US representatives have voiced their demands to impose sanctions against the PA, which including ceasing financial aid.
Areikat said the US administration realizes the importance of the PA’s role in the peace process and the importance of financial aid in the current stage.
“We did not hear any indication by the US administration about taking action against the PA,” Areikat said, explaining that stopping financial would will have negative repercussions for US interests.
He also said they would not affect plans to seek international recognition.
Areikat highlighted that the Palestinians should remain on guard and make their positions clear to Congress members.
Maen Areikat told Ma’an that some pro-Israeli US representatives have voiced their demands to impose sanctions against the PA, which including ceasing financial aid.
Areikat said the US administration realizes the importance of the PA’s role in the peace process and the importance of financial aid in the current stage.
“We did not hear any indication by the US administration about taking action against the PA,” Areikat said, explaining that stopping financial would will have negative repercussions for US interests.
He also said they would not affect plans to seek international recognition.
Areikat highlighted that the Palestinians should remain on guard and make their positions clear to Congress members.
Israeli and Palestinian negotiators are to convene on Sunday in the latest attempt to save teetering peace talks, a Palestinian official told AFP.
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat would meet his Israeli opposite number, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's special envoy Yitzhak Molcho during the afternoon, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
There was no confirmation from the Israeli side.
The teams last met on Thursday in a session presided over by US envoy Martin Indyk, who has since returned to Washington for consultations while Israel observes the seven-day Passover holiday starting at sunset on Monday.
But following that meeting the peace process suffered a new blow when Israel said it would freeze the transfer of duties it collects on the Palestinian Authority's behalf, in retaliation for the PLO's recent application to accede to international treaties.
The monthly $111 million in taxes collected by Israel represents about two-thirds of the income received by the Palestinian Authority.
Israel was also suspending its participation with the Palestinians in developing a gas field off the Gaza Strip and putting a cap on Palestinian deposits in its banks, an Israeli official said.
The decision sparked concern in Washington.
"We've seen these press reports, but we have not seen an official public announcement by the Government of Israel," state department spokeswoman Jen Psaki briefed reporters on Friday.
"That said, we would regard such a development as unfortunate. We believe that the regular transfer of the Palestinian Authority's tax revenues and economic cooperation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority has been beneficial and is important to the well-being of the Palestinian economy."
The talks hit an impasse two weeks ago when Israel refused to release as agreed a group of Palestinian prisoners and the Palestinians retaliated by seeking accession to 15 international treaties.
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat would meet his Israeli opposite number, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's special envoy Yitzhak Molcho during the afternoon, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
There was no confirmation from the Israeli side.
The teams last met on Thursday in a session presided over by US envoy Martin Indyk, who has since returned to Washington for consultations while Israel observes the seven-day Passover holiday starting at sunset on Monday.
But following that meeting the peace process suffered a new blow when Israel said it would freeze the transfer of duties it collects on the Palestinian Authority's behalf, in retaliation for the PLO's recent application to accede to international treaties.
The monthly $111 million in taxes collected by Israel represents about two-thirds of the income received by the Palestinian Authority.
Israel was also suspending its participation with the Palestinians in developing a gas field off the Gaza Strip and putting a cap on Palestinian deposits in its banks, an Israeli official said.
The decision sparked concern in Washington.
"We've seen these press reports, but we have not seen an official public announcement by the Government of Israel," state department spokeswoman Jen Psaki briefed reporters on Friday.
"That said, we would regard such a development as unfortunate. We believe that the regular transfer of the Palestinian Authority's tax revenues and economic cooperation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority has been beneficial and is important to the well-being of the Palestinian economy."
The talks hit an impasse two weeks ago when Israel refused to release as agreed a group of Palestinian prisoners and the Palestinians retaliated by seeking accession to 15 international treaties.
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The US government has criticized a decision by the Israeli regime to freeze tax transfers to the Palestinian Authority.
State Department spokeswoman, Jen Psaki, said on Friday that Washington regards the move as “unfortunate.” She added that the US believes that “the regular transfer of the Palestinian Authority’s tax revenues and economic cooperation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority has been beneficial and is important to the well-being of the Palestinian economy.” Israel announced on April 10 that it would significantly cut the tax funds allocated to the Palestinian Authority in retaliation for the Palestinians’ bid |
to join several international treaties. Palestinians made the decision after Tel Aviv failed to release Palestinian prisoners as promised, and moved forward with more Israeli settlement construction.
US Secretary of State John Kerry has also criticized Tel Aviv for failing to release the fourth and final group of prisoners according to an agreement.
Since the resumption of direct talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority in July 2013, Palestinians have objected to a number of issues, including Israel’s illegal settlement expansion in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The Palestinian Authority also refuses to recognize Israel as a Jewish state, saying it would not accept any agreement with Israel, which fails to include East al-Quds (Jerusalem) as the capital of future Palestinian state.
US Secretary of State John Kerry has also criticized Tel Aviv for failing to release the fourth and final group of prisoners according to an agreement.
Since the resumption of direct talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority in July 2013, Palestinians have objected to a number of issues, including Israel’s illegal settlement expansion in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The Palestinian Authority also refuses to recognize Israel as a Jewish state, saying it would not accept any agreement with Israel, which fails to include East al-Quds (Jerusalem) as the capital of future Palestinian state.
12 apr 2014
Right-wing Israeli political parties have begun a campaign to sue president Abbas for "war crimes" at the International Criminal Court in response to the Palestinian Authority's recent decision to join international conventions and treaties.
The campaign comes amid a near breakdown in ongoing peace negotiations between Israel and the PLO, and seeks to file legal procedures against Abbas accusing him of supporting "terrorism" and aiding to terrorist organizations.
Beginning on Friday, Israeli newspapers and websites have published advertisements calling on Israeli lawyers to join the campaign led by the Israel Law Center to sue Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas on charges of supporting terrorist organizations.
One of the prominent leaders of the campaign is chairman of the Jewish Home party Naftali Bennett, who has been a vocal critic of peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.
An ad in the Israeli daily newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth features president Abbas behind bars with a phrase in Arabic reading, "We will terrorize him in The Hague."
Palestinian officials, however, have downplayed the move, pointing out that Israel cannot pursue legal action at the international court due to its own failure to sign the treaties.
Palestinian minister of justice Ali Muhanna told Ma'an that the Israeli government had "lost balance both politically and legally."
Their response, he said, reflects the degree of rage in Israel towards the PA for attempting to join international conventions.
Muhanna confirmed that Israel "cannot engage in any legal action at the ICC because Israel is not a signatory to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court."
"Such legal proceedings are submitted through the ICC's Attorney General or through the UN Security Council."
"Abbas' move isn't a war crime. But the ongoing Israeli settlement construction, confiscation of Palestinian money, killing and detention of children are war crimes," he added.
The campaign comes amid a growing crisis in peace negotiations between Israel and the PLO.
Palestinian officials applied to join 15 international conventions last week after Israel failed to release a fourth batch of veteran prisoners as previously agreed upon.
The move angered Israeli authorities, who have since called for an end to coordination with the Palestinian Authority.
Peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians were relaunched in July under the auspices of the US after nearly three years of impasse.
Israel's government has announced the construction of thousands of settler housing units and its army has killed 60 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza since the negotiations began.
The campaign comes amid a near breakdown in ongoing peace negotiations between Israel and the PLO, and seeks to file legal procedures against Abbas accusing him of supporting "terrorism" and aiding to terrorist organizations.
Beginning on Friday, Israeli newspapers and websites have published advertisements calling on Israeli lawyers to join the campaign led by the Israel Law Center to sue Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas on charges of supporting terrorist organizations.
One of the prominent leaders of the campaign is chairman of the Jewish Home party Naftali Bennett, who has been a vocal critic of peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.
An ad in the Israeli daily newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth features president Abbas behind bars with a phrase in Arabic reading, "We will terrorize him in The Hague."
Palestinian officials, however, have downplayed the move, pointing out that Israel cannot pursue legal action at the international court due to its own failure to sign the treaties.
Palestinian minister of justice Ali Muhanna told Ma'an that the Israeli government had "lost balance both politically and legally."
Their response, he said, reflects the degree of rage in Israel towards the PA for attempting to join international conventions.
Muhanna confirmed that Israel "cannot engage in any legal action at the ICC because Israel is not a signatory to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court."
"Such legal proceedings are submitted through the ICC's Attorney General or through the UN Security Council."
"Abbas' move isn't a war crime. But the ongoing Israeli settlement construction, confiscation of Palestinian money, killing and detention of children are war crimes," he added.
The campaign comes amid a growing crisis in peace negotiations between Israel and the PLO.
Palestinian officials applied to join 15 international conventions last week after Israel failed to release a fourth batch of veteran prisoners as previously agreed upon.
The move angered Israeli authorities, who have since called for an end to coordination with the Palestinian Authority.
Peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians were relaunched in July under the auspices of the US after nearly three years of impasse.
Israel's government has announced the construction of thousands of settler housing units and its army has killed 60 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza since the negotiations began.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center- Silwan monitored the Israeli violations against Jerusalemites in the city of Jerusalem during the month of March where the assaults of various Israeli organizations on the citizens and their properties and sanctities continued.
Violations against Al-Aqsa Mosque…
The Information Center pointed out that the violations against Al-Aqsa Mosque continued where more than 1250 extremists, Israeli soldiers and students of Jewish institutions broke into Al-Aqsa and carried out various tours in its courtyards while some of them tried to practice their religious rituals in some areas inside Al-Aqsa but the guards confronted them and prevented them from doing so.
Among the extremists that broke in were the Israeli Minister of Housing, Uri Ariel, and Deputy Speaker of the Knesset, Moshe Feiglin, in addition to the extremist Rabbi, Yehuda Galbek who led several groups but was isolated from Al-Aqsa at the end of the month after he verbally abused Al-Aqsa guards.
The Special Forces broke into the courtyards of Al-Aqsa on 16/03/2014 on the same day when Uri Ariel broke in resulting in violent clashes where the worshippers were attacked by sound grenades, rubber bullets, and pepper gas and led to the injury of 4 Jerusalemites with wounds.
The forces also broke into Al-Aqsa on 20/3 (when Feiglin broke in) and violent clashes broke out where the Marabouts were assaulted including the women.
The Israeli forces closed the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque several time during last month and prevented the worshippers and Al-Aqsa students (Masateb) and around 500 students from Al-Aqsa schools from entering on the 11th, 16th and 17th of the month; they also restricted the entrance of worshippers on two Fridays (14th and 21st of March).
The occupation authorities isolated nearly 20 Palestinians including four women and two children from Al-Aqsa Mosque for various periods.
Arrests and detentions…
The Information Center monitored the arrest of 120 Jerusalemites during the month of March from all areas and neighbourhoods of the city of Jerusalem (Old City, Esawyeh, Silwan, Al-Tur, Sur Baher, Wad Al-Joz, Beit Hanina and Shu’fat refugee camp). Among the people arrested were 40 minors aged between 13 and 17 years.
The Israeli police also violated the Israeli and international laws for arresting people while executing an arrest and interrogating the detainees. The arrests were done after raiding the home of detainees in the early morning hours or from the streets of Jerusalem (without informing their families) or from the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The Information Center followed up with the detainees and was informed that the interrogators in all detention and police centers (Salah Eddin Street, Al-Maskobyeh and Al-Qishleh) and also interrogated the children without the presence of their parents under the pretext of “obstructing the interrogation” and also handcuffed the children during the arrest and interrogation.
Among the detainees were four Jerusalemite women who were arrested while attempting to enter Al-Aqsa, they are: Um Tarek Hashlamon, Aida Sidawi, Majida Hawwash and Sameeha Shahin. They were all released after detaining them for several hours and on condition of isolation from Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Also, five lawyers were arrested, they are: Shireen Essawi, Amjad Safadi, Amor Iskafi, Nadim Ghrayeb and Mohammad Abu Sneineh and were interrogated in Al-Maskobyeh cells under the charges of transferring money and messages to Hamas and Islamic Jihad movements.
Demolition processes…
During last month, the occupation municipality’s crews protected by the Israeli forces demolished a residential building and three residential barracks in Al-Tur and Beit Hanina, and one Jerusalemite self-demolished parts of his house in Jabal Al-Mukabber while another self-demolished two residential barracks.
At the end of March, the occupation bulldozers demolished a residential building in Khallet Al-Ein in Al-Tur east of the Old City owned by Ghadeer Ajram Abu Ghalyeh. The building consists of “Al-Rahmeh” Mosque that is 100 square meters, a 200-square meters medical center, storages and two residential apartments with an area of 300 square meters; note that 11 individuals live in the two apartments. The owner pointed out that the building has been established for three years and he was able to obtain an order on Wednesday to stop the demolition; note that the District court was supposed to hold a session regarding the demolition of the building at the beginning of May. Abu Ghalyeh confirmed that the demolition was done without prior notice and the forces surrounded the building and evacuated the residents then carried out the demolition on top of the furniture. He also noted that the second time the building gets demolished as it was previously demolished in 2007.
The bulldozers also demolished three residential mobile homes (caravans) for Salaymeh and Samara families in Beit Hanina; note that the caravans were established on top of the ruins of the demolished houses of both families after they were demolished last years. Salaymeh built the 70-square meters caravan last June on top of his demolished home. The bulldozers had demolished two houses on 29/05/2013 for Badwan Salaymeh and his sons; note that the houses have been established since 2000 and the municipality confiscated the family’s land for “public facilities”.
The bulldozers also demolished two caravans for Mohammad Samara and his son Shadi in the neighbourhood of Ashqarya in Beit Hanina under the pretext of building without a permit.
Mohammad Samara explained that the occupation forces raided the two caravans after breaking the main doors as nobody was inside. They took some of the furniture outside the caravans and then carried out the demolition process without prior notice; note that each caravan is 40 square meters where 8 individuals live in both of them.
The Maslamani family self-demolished last month two residential barracks located in the neighbourhood of “Al-Hardoub” in Al-Tur east of the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem that were built in April 2013; note that 8 individuals live in the two barracks including two children and a disabled girl and are 100 square meters. The municipality has been trying to confiscate the land that is one Dunom in order to open a main street through the land; note that the blueprint of the street was proposed to the Knesset in 2000 but was not ratified then
Naeem Rabay’a was forced to self demolish part of his home at the beginning of last March in the neighbourhood of Jabal Al-Mukabber to avoid actual imprisonment for six months and paying high fines. The part that was added to the establishment in 2000 was 75 square meters (two rooms and facilities), and it was expanded in order to accommodate 9 individuals. Rabay’a tried to obtain a building permit throughout the past years but to no avail.
Suppression of events …
The occupation authorities continued violating the right of freedom of speech by suppressing eight events in the city of Jerusalem (national, sports and cultural events) in addition to preventing a press conference about the “National Service”. They also closed Yabous Cultural Center where the press conference was supposed to be held.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center monitored that occupation authorities’ suppression of marches and sit-ins carried out in Jerusalem to condemn the massacres committed in the West bank and Gaza Strip, and others to support Al-Aqsa and another on occasion of “Earth Day”. They also suppressed a sports marathon and an event for the “longest series of book readers” and assaulted the participants using sound grenades and rubber bullets in addition to spraying them with pepper gas; note that several participants were arrested.
During last month, the forces broke into “Elia” organization and confiscated equipment and devices (computers and recording devices) in addition to raiding houses of employees in Esawyeh and Bab Hutta.
The settlers and their guards also assaulted the families in Al-Qirmi neighbourhood in the Old City of Jerusalem and sprayed them with pepper gas and attacked them using their batons. The police intervened and only protected the settlers and assaulted the young men with the butts of their guns resulting in the injury of several residents with suffocations and burns. The 19-year old Tarek Idris and 20-year old Louai Sub Laban were injured with wounds in the chest, face and limbs. Idris was transferred to the hospital for treatment while Sub Laban was detained for several hours.
Assault on journalists…
The Israeli forces targeted Jerusalemite journalists and photographers since the beginning of the year while they were in the field covering and monitoring the events. Several were injured with rubber bullets and shrapnel of sound grenades. Among those were journalist photographer Ahmad Gharableh, Jamil Qadamani, Suleiman Khader, Mohammad Asho, Afif Amira and Sinan Abu Meizar. Several other journalists were assaulted with batons and some were forced to leave the location of the event.
Since the beginning of the year, it was obvious that the Israeli forces are deliberately targeting the journalists. Amir Abed Rabbo was called for investigation because of what he published on his “Facebook” account as he had put a picture of “Nir Barakat”, the Mayor of occupation municipality, while breaking in the Community center in the town of Sur Baher, south of Jerusalem. The interrogators considered the writing of “Mayor of occupation municipality” to be an incitement against Barakat.
The Musta’ribeen unit also targeted journalists and photographers who work with local and international agencies by directing the electric gun towards them to prevent them from recording the kidnapping and detention of citizens during clashes in the neighborhood of Ras Al-Amoud.
Assault on paramedics…
The occupation authorities also targeted the paramedics while they were providing medical services for citizens during marches and sit-ins in Jerusalem and injured many of them with rubber bullets and shrapnel of grenades during the month of March.
In an assault on the individual’s right to be provided with appropriate and immediate treatment, the guards of Shaare Zedek Hospital prevented a Palestinian Red-Crescent ambulance from transferring an elderly sick woman from Shu’fat refugee camp and detained the paramedics crew along with the sick woman nearly half an hour; she was then allowed to go in on stretcher despite the cold weather and for no reason or justification.
Violations against Al-Aqsa Mosque…
The Information Center pointed out that the violations against Al-Aqsa Mosque continued where more than 1250 extremists, Israeli soldiers and students of Jewish institutions broke into Al-Aqsa and carried out various tours in its courtyards while some of them tried to practice their religious rituals in some areas inside Al-Aqsa but the guards confronted them and prevented them from doing so.
Among the extremists that broke in were the Israeli Minister of Housing, Uri Ariel, and Deputy Speaker of the Knesset, Moshe Feiglin, in addition to the extremist Rabbi, Yehuda Galbek who led several groups but was isolated from Al-Aqsa at the end of the month after he verbally abused Al-Aqsa guards.
The Special Forces broke into the courtyards of Al-Aqsa on 16/03/2014 on the same day when Uri Ariel broke in resulting in violent clashes where the worshippers were attacked by sound grenades, rubber bullets, and pepper gas and led to the injury of 4 Jerusalemites with wounds.
The forces also broke into Al-Aqsa on 20/3 (when Feiglin broke in) and violent clashes broke out where the Marabouts were assaulted including the women.
The Israeli forces closed the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque several time during last month and prevented the worshippers and Al-Aqsa students (Masateb) and around 500 students from Al-Aqsa schools from entering on the 11th, 16th and 17th of the month; they also restricted the entrance of worshippers on two Fridays (14th and 21st of March).
The occupation authorities isolated nearly 20 Palestinians including four women and two children from Al-Aqsa Mosque for various periods.
Arrests and detentions…
The Information Center monitored the arrest of 120 Jerusalemites during the month of March from all areas and neighbourhoods of the city of Jerusalem (Old City, Esawyeh, Silwan, Al-Tur, Sur Baher, Wad Al-Joz, Beit Hanina and Shu’fat refugee camp). Among the people arrested were 40 minors aged between 13 and 17 years.
The Israeli police also violated the Israeli and international laws for arresting people while executing an arrest and interrogating the detainees. The arrests were done after raiding the home of detainees in the early morning hours or from the streets of Jerusalem (without informing their families) or from the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The Information Center followed up with the detainees and was informed that the interrogators in all detention and police centers (Salah Eddin Street, Al-Maskobyeh and Al-Qishleh) and also interrogated the children without the presence of their parents under the pretext of “obstructing the interrogation” and also handcuffed the children during the arrest and interrogation.
Among the detainees were four Jerusalemite women who were arrested while attempting to enter Al-Aqsa, they are: Um Tarek Hashlamon, Aida Sidawi, Majida Hawwash and Sameeha Shahin. They were all released after detaining them for several hours and on condition of isolation from Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Also, five lawyers were arrested, they are: Shireen Essawi, Amjad Safadi, Amor Iskafi, Nadim Ghrayeb and Mohammad Abu Sneineh and were interrogated in Al-Maskobyeh cells under the charges of transferring money and messages to Hamas and Islamic Jihad movements.
Demolition processes…
During last month, the occupation municipality’s crews protected by the Israeli forces demolished a residential building and three residential barracks in Al-Tur and Beit Hanina, and one Jerusalemite self-demolished parts of his house in Jabal Al-Mukabber while another self-demolished two residential barracks.
At the end of March, the occupation bulldozers demolished a residential building in Khallet Al-Ein in Al-Tur east of the Old City owned by Ghadeer Ajram Abu Ghalyeh. The building consists of “Al-Rahmeh” Mosque that is 100 square meters, a 200-square meters medical center, storages and two residential apartments with an area of 300 square meters; note that 11 individuals live in the two apartments. The owner pointed out that the building has been established for three years and he was able to obtain an order on Wednesday to stop the demolition; note that the District court was supposed to hold a session regarding the demolition of the building at the beginning of May. Abu Ghalyeh confirmed that the demolition was done without prior notice and the forces surrounded the building and evacuated the residents then carried out the demolition on top of the furniture. He also noted that the second time the building gets demolished as it was previously demolished in 2007.
The bulldozers also demolished three residential mobile homes (caravans) for Salaymeh and Samara families in Beit Hanina; note that the caravans were established on top of the ruins of the demolished houses of both families after they were demolished last years. Salaymeh built the 70-square meters caravan last June on top of his demolished home. The bulldozers had demolished two houses on 29/05/2013 for Badwan Salaymeh and his sons; note that the houses have been established since 2000 and the municipality confiscated the family’s land for “public facilities”.
The bulldozers also demolished two caravans for Mohammad Samara and his son Shadi in the neighbourhood of Ashqarya in Beit Hanina under the pretext of building without a permit.
Mohammad Samara explained that the occupation forces raided the two caravans after breaking the main doors as nobody was inside. They took some of the furniture outside the caravans and then carried out the demolition process without prior notice; note that each caravan is 40 square meters where 8 individuals live in both of them.
The Maslamani family self-demolished last month two residential barracks located in the neighbourhood of “Al-Hardoub” in Al-Tur east of the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem that were built in April 2013; note that 8 individuals live in the two barracks including two children and a disabled girl and are 100 square meters. The municipality has been trying to confiscate the land that is one Dunom in order to open a main street through the land; note that the blueprint of the street was proposed to the Knesset in 2000 but was not ratified then
Naeem Rabay’a was forced to self demolish part of his home at the beginning of last March in the neighbourhood of Jabal Al-Mukabber to avoid actual imprisonment for six months and paying high fines. The part that was added to the establishment in 2000 was 75 square meters (two rooms and facilities), and it was expanded in order to accommodate 9 individuals. Rabay’a tried to obtain a building permit throughout the past years but to no avail.
Suppression of events …
The occupation authorities continued violating the right of freedom of speech by suppressing eight events in the city of Jerusalem (national, sports and cultural events) in addition to preventing a press conference about the “National Service”. They also closed Yabous Cultural Center where the press conference was supposed to be held.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center monitored that occupation authorities’ suppression of marches and sit-ins carried out in Jerusalem to condemn the massacres committed in the West bank and Gaza Strip, and others to support Al-Aqsa and another on occasion of “Earth Day”. They also suppressed a sports marathon and an event for the “longest series of book readers” and assaulted the participants using sound grenades and rubber bullets in addition to spraying them with pepper gas; note that several participants were arrested.
During last month, the forces broke into “Elia” organization and confiscated equipment and devices (computers and recording devices) in addition to raiding houses of employees in Esawyeh and Bab Hutta.
The settlers and their guards also assaulted the families in Al-Qirmi neighbourhood in the Old City of Jerusalem and sprayed them with pepper gas and attacked them using their batons. The police intervened and only protected the settlers and assaulted the young men with the butts of their guns resulting in the injury of several residents with suffocations and burns. The 19-year old Tarek Idris and 20-year old Louai Sub Laban were injured with wounds in the chest, face and limbs. Idris was transferred to the hospital for treatment while Sub Laban was detained for several hours.
Assault on journalists…
The Israeli forces targeted Jerusalemite journalists and photographers since the beginning of the year while they were in the field covering and monitoring the events. Several were injured with rubber bullets and shrapnel of sound grenades. Among those were journalist photographer Ahmad Gharableh, Jamil Qadamani, Suleiman Khader, Mohammad Asho, Afif Amira and Sinan Abu Meizar. Several other journalists were assaulted with batons and some were forced to leave the location of the event.
Since the beginning of the year, it was obvious that the Israeli forces are deliberately targeting the journalists. Amir Abed Rabbo was called for investigation because of what he published on his “Facebook” account as he had put a picture of “Nir Barakat”, the Mayor of occupation municipality, while breaking in the Community center in the town of Sur Baher, south of Jerusalem. The interrogators considered the writing of “Mayor of occupation municipality” to be an incitement against Barakat.
The Musta’ribeen unit also targeted journalists and photographers who work with local and international agencies by directing the electric gun towards them to prevent them from recording the kidnapping and detention of citizens during clashes in the neighborhood of Ras Al-Amoud.
Assault on paramedics…
The occupation authorities also targeted the paramedics while they were providing medical services for citizens during marches and sit-ins in Jerusalem and injured many of them with rubber bullets and shrapnel of grenades during the month of March.
In an assault on the individual’s right to be provided with appropriate and immediate treatment, the guards of Shaare Zedek Hospital prevented a Palestinian Red-Crescent ambulance from transferring an elderly sick woman from Shu’fat refugee camp and detained the paramedics crew along with the sick woman nearly half an hour; she was then allowed to go in on stretcher despite the cold weather and for no reason or justification.
Via Hebew radio, Israeli Minister of Environmental Protection, Amir Peretz, strongly criticized, on Saturday evening, the right-wing 'Jewish Home' party, describing it as "the party of national hypocrisy", with accusations of empathetic support for settlers, if even indirectly.
According to a report by the Palestinian News Network (PNN), Peretz expressed, in an interview with Israeli TV Channel 2, his belief that the time has come for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take position, on either an extreme right-wing stance or that of a peaceful posture, with regard to the ongoing crisis in the region.
He spoke of the impossibility of survival for the party, or any government that is not actively engaged in the peace process and, at the same time, criticizing the punitive measures most recently taken by the Netanyahu government against the Palestinian Authority, following their requests to join several international treaties.
For his part, a senior Israeli official said, in an interview with Israeli Channel 7, that there will be no peace deal without the consummation of the previously agreed upon release of 48 Palestinian prisoners, despite threats coming from Israeli Minister of Economy, Naftali Bennett, of withdrawal from the government, with note to the fact that this is the most prominent issue being reflected in the dialog being held, these days.
In turn, the official said, with regard to negotiation attempts by Minister of Justice, Tzipi Livni, that he can not allow any party, within the government, which causes the peace process to fail, referring specifically to threats by the 'Jewish Home' party.
According to a report by the Palestinian News Network (PNN), Peretz expressed, in an interview with Israeli TV Channel 2, his belief that the time has come for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take position, on either an extreme right-wing stance or that of a peaceful posture, with regard to the ongoing crisis in the region.
He spoke of the impossibility of survival for the party, or any government that is not actively engaged in the peace process and, at the same time, criticizing the punitive measures most recently taken by the Netanyahu government against the Palestinian Authority, following their requests to join several international treaties.
For his part, a senior Israeli official said, in an interview with Israeli Channel 7, that there will be no peace deal without the consummation of the previously agreed upon release of 48 Palestinian prisoners, despite threats coming from Israeli Minister of Economy, Naftali Bennett, of withdrawal from the government, with note to the fact that this is the most prominent issue being reflected in the dialog being held, these days.
In turn, the official said, with regard to negotiation attempts by Minister of Justice, Tzipi Livni, that he can not allow any party, within the government, which causes the peace process to fail, referring specifically to threats by the 'Jewish Home' party.
Israeli economy minister threatened to pull his party out of the coalition government if ‘Israel’ agreed to release Palestinian prisoners. "If the deal includes murderers with Israeli citizenship, it would violate Israeli sovereignty," Naftali Bennett, the leader of Bayit Yehudi (Jewish Home) party, was quoted as saying by The Jerusalem Post.
"Bayit Yehudi would oppose such a deal in the cabinet, and if it passes, the party would leave the government," he warned.
Palestinian-Israeli peace talks faltered last month after Israel reneged on its pledge to release a fourth batch of Palestinian prisoners.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas responded by applying for Palestinian membership in several United Nations institutions and treaties.
The Israeli government, for its part, ordered punitive measures against the Palestinians, including suspending the transfer of tax revenue that Israel collects on behalf of the Palestinians, as agreed in the 1994 Oslo Accords.
Jewish Home party is one of the far-right Zionist parties in the Hebrew state.
In January 2014, Bennett said that his state should never allow the establishment of a Palestinian State, and should never “give the Palestinians any piece of land.”
Bennett, who is also the head of the right-wing Jewish Home Party as well as the extra-parliamentary movement My Israel, told Israeli TV that “President Mahmoud Abbas does not want peace”, and alleged that “the Palestinians always try to kill the Israelis.”.
"Bayit Yehudi would oppose such a deal in the cabinet, and if it passes, the party would leave the government," he warned.
Palestinian-Israeli peace talks faltered last month after Israel reneged on its pledge to release a fourth batch of Palestinian prisoners.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas responded by applying for Palestinian membership in several United Nations institutions and treaties.
The Israeli government, for its part, ordered punitive measures against the Palestinians, including suspending the transfer of tax revenue that Israel collects on behalf of the Palestinians, as agreed in the 1994 Oslo Accords.
Jewish Home party is one of the far-right Zionist parties in the Hebrew state.
In January 2014, Bennett said that his state should never allow the establishment of a Palestinian State, and should never “give the Palestinians any piece of land.”
Bennett, who is also the head of the right-wing Jewish Home Party as well as the extra-parliamentary movement My Israel, told Israeli TV that “President Mahmoud Abbas does not want peace”, and alleged that “the Palestinians always try to kill the Israelis.”.
The Palestinian Authority has signed up formally to the Geneva Conventions, which set down the rules of warfare and humanitarian operations in conflict zones, the treaties' guardian Switzerland confirmed Friday. Swiss foreign ministry spokesman Pierre-Alain Eltschinger told AFP that the Palestinian Authority had declared itself party to the conventions on April 2.
This was registered formally by Switzerland on Thursday, he added.
The step is part of a new diplomatic drive by Mahmud Abbas, the Palestinian president, coming as peace talks with Israel are close to collapse.
The Palestinians had pledged to freeze all moves to seek membership in UN organisations and international conventions -- a stepping stone to recognition of their hoped-for state -- during the talks in return for Israel's release of veteran Arab prisoners.
Israel has meanwhile made a new bid to expand settlements in annexed Arab east Jerusalem.
The original Geneva Conventions were crafted in the 19th century under the auspices of the Swiss-based International Committee of the Red Cross, and recast after World War II.
Over the subsequent decades, optional protocols were added to take into account the developing realities of war and its impact on civilians.
The Palestinians have also submitted requests to the United Nations to join 13 other international conventions and treaties, and the world body said Thursday that the move was legal.
The treaties include the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations, the convention on the rights of the child, the convention against torture, and an anti-corruption accord.
This was registered formally by Switzerland on Thursday, he added.
The step is part of a new diplomatic drive by Mahmud Abbas, the Palestinian president, coming as peace talks with Israel are close to collapse.
The Palestinians had pledged to freeze all moves to seek membership in UN organisations and international conventions -- a stepping stone to recognition of their hoped-for state -- during the talks in return for Israel's release of veteran Arab prisoners.
Israel has meanwhile made a new bid to expand settlements in annexed Arab east Jerusalem.
The original Geneva Conventions were crafted in the 19th century under the auspices of the Swiss-based International Committee of the Red Cross, and recast after World War II.
Over the subsequent decades, optional protocols were added to take into account the developing realities of war and its impact on civilians.
The Palestinians have also submitted requests to the United Nations to join 13 other international conventions and treaties, and the world body said Thursday that the move was legal.
The treaties include the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations, the convention on the rights of the child, the convention against torture, and an anti-corruption accord.
Israeli forces late Friday began to confiscate tax clearance certificates from Palestinian merchants at the main commercial crossing between Israel and the West Bank, Palestinian security sources told Ma'an.
The sources said Israeli officers took clearance certificates by force from several merchants at al-Jalameh crossing in Jenin in an apparent effort to enforce the latest round of sanctions against Palestinians announced by Israeli officials Friday.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said she was not familiar with the incident.
Separately, the sources said the al-Jalameh crossing would be closed from Sunday to Tuesday due to the Passover holiday.
Merchants regularly deliver tax clearance certificates the Palestinian Authority, which receives tax revenues from Israel on a monthly basis according to the certificates.
Israel, which collects about $111 million in taxes on behalf of the PA -- two-thirds of its revenues -- announced Friday it would freeze the transfer of that money in a new round of sanctions.
PLO chief negotiator Saeb Erakat lashed out at the move, calling it an act of "Israeli hijacking and the theft of the Palestinian people's money."
The decision is a "violation of international law and norms by Israel" in revenge for the Palestinians' move to join a raft of international treaties as a state, Erakat said.
Peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians were relaunched in July under the auspices of the US after nearly three years of impasse.
Israel's government has announced the construction of thousands of settler housing units and its army has killed 60 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza since the negotiations began.
The sources said Israeli officers took clearance certificates by force from several merchants at al-Jalameh crossing in Jenin in an apparent effort to enforce the latest round of sanctions against Palestinians announced by Israeli officials Friday.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said she was not familiar with the incident.
Separately, the sources said the al-Jalameh crossing would be closed from Sunday to Tuesday due to the Passover holiday.
Merchants regularly deliver tax clearance certificates the Palestinian Authority, which receives tax revenues from Israel on a monthly basis according to the certificates.
Israel, which collects about $111 million in taxes on behalf of the PA -- two-thirds of its revenues -- announced Friday it would freeze the transfer of that money in a new round of sanctions.
PLO chief negotiator Saeb Erakat lashed out at the move, calling it an act of "Israeli hijacking and the theft of the Palestinian people's money."
The decision is a "violation of international law and norms by Israel" in revenge for the Palestinians' move to join a raft of international treaties as a state, Erakat said.
Peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians were relaunched in July under the auspices of the US after nearly three years of impasse.
Israel's government has announced the construction of thousands of settler housing units and its army has killed 60 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza since the negotiations began.
