4 july 2016
Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu and his war minister Avigdor Lieberman on Sunday approved plans to build 800 housing units in settlements surrounding east Jerusalem.
According to Israel's Channel 10, Netanyahu and Lieberman approved the construction of 560 housing units in Ma'ale Adumim settlement and 240 others in Pisgat Ze'ev and Har Homa settlements.
The Hebrew website Walla said the approval of these plans was part of Israeli reactions to recent Palestinian deadly attacks in al-Khalil province.
The housing units will be built directly without obtaining any other approvals, according to the website.
In a related context, Netanyahu stated that his government would make special efforts to intensify settlement construction in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
According to the Israeli media, Netanyahu issued directives during a cabinet meeting on Sunday to his ministers to work together on finding ways to support the settlements in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
He said the cabinet would discuss in the coming meeting a plan to promote settlement construction in Kiryat Arba, east of al-Khalil.
Israeli government approves 800 new colonial settlement housing units
On Sunday the Israeli Cabinet approved the expansion of several Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, adding an additional 800 new units to the existing thousands of units constructed in Jewish-only settlements in direct contravention of international law.
Israeli officials say that the approval of 800 new housing units is meant to somehow ‘balance’ the implementation of a court ruling that 600 construction permits be approved for Palestinian families in Beit Safafa.
But while the Israeli officials may have political reasons for making such a claim, Palestinian analysts point out that there is no legal justification or comparison between the court decision about Beit Safafa and the announcement Sunday of the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements constructed on illegally-seized Palestinian land.
In the case involving Beit Safafa, an Israeli court ruled last month that the Israeli government had provided no sufficient evidence to back its claim that the Palestinian residents’ building permit applications should be denied, and ordered that construction could begin. But the Israeli government has, for the past month, prevented the court decision from being implemented.
The announcement Sunday that 800 new settlement units would be constructed in East Jerusalem and in the West Bank colonial settlement of Ma’ale Adumim came just two days after Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu approved the expansion of another colonial settlement in Hebron by 42 additional units.
All Israeli settlements constructed in the West Bank and East Jerusalem are considered illegal under international law, as they involve the direct transfer of Israel’s civilian population into areas seized by military force.
But the Israeli government considers many of these colonial settlements to be ‘legal’ under Israeli law, and provides infrastructure including water, sewage, electricity, policing and fire services to the majority of the hundreds of settlements that have been constructed on Palestinian land in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
In the case of Beit Safafa, the Israeli government had put together a plan to completely encircle the Palestinian town with several Jewish-only settlements, thus cutting off the town from the rest of the West Bank and Jerusalem.
The plan had involved the expansion of a small trailer park currently housing Ethiopian immigrants to Israel, on a hilltop in Beit Safafa. The trailer park, dubbed ‘Givat HaMatos’, was slated for massive expansion by the Israeli government until Palestinian residents of Beit Safafa took the government to court to challenge the expansion.
In a surprise victory a month ago, the Palestinian residents of Beit Safafa won their court battle. but the Israeli government failed to implement the decision before now.
Upon the announcement that the court’s decision would be carried out, the Israeli Minister for Jerusalem, Ze’ev Elkin, stated, “Anyone who is concerned about the Jewish majority in Israel’s capital cannot push a building plan just for Arabs [in Givat HaMatos]…You cannot just approve construction for Arabs in Givat HaMatos without also approving at the same time building for Jews in the same planned neighborhood.”
The plan to encircle Beit Safafa, while currently under scrutiny by international media and bodies, is just one part of the larger E1 Jerusalem plan, which would encircle East Jerusalem, kick out most of its Palestinian residents, and claim all the ‘conquered’ territory for the state of Israel. The plan was first introduced in the early 2000s, and has expanded since then.
According to Israel's Channel 10, Netanyahu and Lieberman approved the construction of 560 housing units in Ma'ale Adumim settlement and 240 others in Pisgat Ze'ev and Har Homa settlements.
The Hebrew website Walla said the approval of these plans was part of Israeli reactions to recent Palestinian deadly attacks in al-Khalil province.
The housing units will be built directly without obtaining any other approvals, according to the website.
In a related context, Netanyahu stated that his government would make special efforts to intensify settlement construction in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
According to the Israeli media, Netanyahu issued directives during a cabinet meeting on Sunday to his ministers to work together on finding ways to support the settlements in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
He said the cabinet would discuss in the coming meeting a plan to promote settlement construction in Kiryat Arba, east of al-Khalil.
Israeli government approves 800 new colonial settlement housing units
On Sunday the Israeli Cabinet approved the expansion of several Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, adding an additional 800 new units to the existing thousands of units constructed in Jewish-only settlements in direct contravention of international law.
Israeli officials say that the approval of 800 new housing units is meant to somehow ‘balance’ the implementation of a court ruling that 600 construction permits be approved for Palestinian families in Beit Safafa.
But while the Israeli officials may have political reasons for making such a claim, Palestinian analysts point out that there is no legal justification or comparison between the court decision about Beit Safafa and the announcement Sunday of the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements constructed on illegally-seized Palestinian land.
In the case involving Beit Safafa, an Israeli court ruled last month that the Israeli government had provided no sufficient evidence to back its claim that the Palestinian residents’ building permit applications should be denied, and ordered that construction could begin. But the Israeli government has, for the past month, prevented the court decision from being implemented.
The announcement Sunday that 800 new settlement units would be constructed in East Jerusalem and in the West Bank colonial settlement of Ma’ale Adumim came just two days after Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu approved the expansion of another colonial settlement in Hebron by 42 additional units.
All Israeli settlements constructed in the West Bank and East Jerusalem are considered illegal under international law, as they involve the direct transfer of Israel’s civilian population into areas seized by military force.
But the Israeli government considers many of these colonial settlements to be ‘legal’ under Israeli law, and provides infrastructure including water, sewage, electricity, policing and fire services to the majority of the hundreds of settlements that have been constructed on Palestinian land in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
In the case of Beit Safafa, the Israeli government had put together a plan to completely encircle the Palestinian town with several Jewish-only settlements, thus cutting off the town from the rest of the West Bank and Jerusalem.
The plan had involved the expansion of a small trailer park currently housing Ethiopian immigrants to Israel, on a hilltop in Beit Safafa. The trailer park, dubbed ‘Givat HaMatos’, was slated for massive expansion by the Israeli government until Palestinian residents of Beit Safafa took the government to court to challenge the expansion.
In a surprise victory a month ago, the Palestinian residents of Beit Safafa won their court battle. but the Israeli government failed to implement the decision before now.
Upon the announcement that the court’s decision would be carried out, the Israeli Minister for Jerusalem, Ze’ev Elkin, stated, “Anyone who is concerned about the Jewish majority in Israel’s capital cannot push a building plan just for Arabs [in Givat HaMatos]…You cannot just approve construction for Arabs in Givat HaMatos without also approving at the same time building for Jews in the same planned neighborhood.”
The plan to encircle Beit Safafa, while currently under scrutiny by international media and bodies, is just one part of the larger E1 Jerusalem plan, which would encircle East Jerusalem, kick out most of its Palestinian residents, and claim all the ‘conquered’ territory for the state of Israel. The plan was first introduced in the early 2000s, and has expanded since then.
3 july 2016
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved plan to build 42 settlement units in Kiryat Arba illegal settlement near Hebron, as a “punishment” against the Palestinian stabbing attack that took place on Thursday killing a 13-year-old Israeli girl.
According to the Israeli Channel 2, Netanyahu consulted with his minister of Army, Avigdor Lieberman before approving the plan.
This step came after Netanyahu and Lieberman visited the settlement on Friday, and met with the parents of the teenager who also called for building more homes in the illegal settlement in response to the killing of their daughter.
The Palestinian attacker from a village near Hebron had been shot dead on the spot.
The next day, according to the PNN, two more Palestinians were killed by Israeli soldiers in Hebron and Qalandia, including a pregnant woman.
In addition, Israeli forces have closed down the city of Hebron, now for the third consecutive day, in response to the attack and beseiging over 600,000 Hebronites.
According to the Israeli Channel 2, Netanyahu consulted with his minister of Army, Avigdor Lieberman before approving the plan.
This step came after Netanyahu and Lieberman visited the settlement on Friday, and met with the parents of the teenager who also called for building more homes in the illegal settlement in response to the killing of their daughter.
The Palestinian attacker from a village near Hebron had been shot dead on the spot.
The next day, according to the PNN, two more Palestinians were killed by Israeli soldiers in Hebron and Qalandia, including a pregnant woman.
In addition, Israeli forces have closed down the city of Hebron, now for the third consecutive day, in response to the attack and beseiging over 600,000 Hebronites.
30 june 2016
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon stated, Wednesday, that Israel’s settlement activities in the occupied West Bank, and occupied East Jerusalem, are illegal under International Law, and pose a serious threat to prospects of establishing a viable, independent, Palestinian state.
His statements came in a message delivered by Michael Moeller, Director-General of the UN Office at Geneva (UNOG), during the United Nations International Conference in Support of Israeli-Palestine Peace.
“During my trip, I reminded the leadership on both sides of the imperative of taking prompt action to restore hope in a peaceful future and to preserve the Two-State solution – the only way to meet the national aspirations of both peoples,” Ki-moon said in his message.
The official also said that Israel’s settlement activities in Area C of the occupied West Bank are very troubling, especially since Area C (more than 60% of the West Bank) is under the full control of the Israeli army, and its “Civil Administration Office.”
Area C is an important part of the West Bank, with various hills, meadows, and natural resources, but is almost exclusively used by Israel for its settlement activities, and military control.
[Israel strictly limits Palestinian settlement, construction and development in Area C, while ignoring the needs of the Palestinian population. This policy means Palestinian residents must subsist in very rudimentary living conditions. They are denied any legal avenue to build homes or develop their communities, so they face the constant fear that their homes might be demolished, and that they be expelled and lose their livelihood] B’Tselem – The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories.
He added that Israel’s construction and expansion of its colonies in the West Bank and Jerusalem “undermine trust and constitute a significant threat to a viable Palestinian State,” and added that the “Palestinian leadership must live up to its responsibility to speak clearly and act firmly against violence and incitement.”
In addition, the UN Chief said that the United Nations remains committed to supporting the two-state solution, based on “negotiated, just, comprehensive and enduring solution for the people of Israel and Palestine.”
The United Nations said the conference, which is convened by the UN Palestinian Rights Committee, brings together “experienced peace negotiators, international experts, including from the UN, Israel and Palestine, civil society and academics, to discuss lessons learned from past initiatives related to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and assess recent initiatives by key actors.”
The UN chief also stressed the importance of the efforts meant to gather international consensus for the resumption of direct peace talks, especially amidst France Conference, and the upcoming report of the Quartet Committee.
He urged both the Palestinian and Israeli leaderships to conduct all needed and urgent measures to prepare for what he called “a peaceful future, based on the two-state solution.”
His statements came in a message delivered by Michael Moeller, Director-General of the UN Office at Geneva (UNOG), during the United Nations International Conference in Support of Israeli-Palestine Peace.
“During my trip, I reminded the leadership on both sides of the imperative of taking prompt action to restore hope in a peaceful future and to preserve the Two-State solution – the only way to meet the national aspirations of both peoples,” Ki-moon said in his message.
The official also said that Israel’s settlement activities in Area C of the occupied West Bank are very troubling, especially since Area C (more than 60% of the West Bank) is under the full control of the Israeli army, and its “Civil Administration Office.”
Area C is an important part of the West Bank, with various hills, meadows, and natural resources, but is almost exclusively used by Israel for its settlement activities, and military control.
[Israel strictly limits Palestinian settlement, construction and development in Area C, while ignoring the needs of the Palestinian population. This policy means Palestinian residents must subsist in very rudimentary living conditions. They are denied any legal avenue to build homes or develop their communities, so they face the constant fear that their homes might be demolished, and that they be expelled and lose their livelihood] B’Tselem – The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories.
He added that Israel’s construction and expansion of its colonies in the West Bank and Jerusalem “undermine trust and constitute a significant threat to a viable Palestinian State,” and added that the “Palestinian leadership must live up to its responsibility to speak clearly and act firmly against violence and incitement.”
In addition, the UN Chief said that the United Nations remains committed to supporting the two-state solution, based on “negotiated, just, comprehensive and enduring solution for the people of Israel and Palestine.”
The United Nations said the conference, which is convened by the UN Palestinian Rights Committee, brings together “experienced peace negotiators, international experts, including from the UN, Israel and Palestine, civil society and academics, to discuss lessons learned from past initiatives related to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and assess recent initiatives by key actors.”
The UN chief also stressed the importance of the efforts meant to gather international consensus for the resumption of direct peace talks, especially amidst France Conference, and the upcoming report of the Quartet Committee.
He urged both the Palestinian and Israeli leaderships to conduct all needed and urgent measures to prepare for what he called “a peaceful future, based on the two-state solution.”
23 june 2016
The diplomatic report, intended to go public in the coming days, will place the blame for the moribund peace process on Israel. It is expected to be endorsed by the UN Security Council.
Israel has launched diplomatic efforts aimed at halting the publication of a report by the Quartet (an international diplomatic body comprised of the United Nations, the European Union, the United States, and Russia. Its purpose is to oversee the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and attempt to end the conflict), which is expected to blame Israel for the current impasse in the peace process with the Palestinians.
The report is set to be published on Thursday or Friday, but diplomats in Israel estimate that it will only be published after Prime Minister Netanyahu meets with US Secretary of State John Kerry. The two are set to meet in Rome early next week.
Israeli officials say that the report is not expected to contain any major surprises but is likely to place full blame at Israel's door step for the stalled peace process. The report will also reportedly condemn Israel's construction in the settlements, settler violence, home demolitions, and other steps seen as jeopardizing the prospects of a two-state solution.
Palestinians are expected to be censured for the effect their actions have had in increasing incitement and violence.
Reports received by Israel say that back channel attempts have been made to make the report part of the UN Security Council's agenda. The government in Jerusalem is worried that the report may pave a path toward promoting the French peace initiative (which Israel opposes), and perhaps even its endorsement by the UN.
Senior Israeli ministers say that the US is playing a double game, and that it enjoys watching Israel squirm, intending on intervening at a more convenient time – specifically, after the November presidential elections are over.
The Quartet's report was written following a meeting of its foreign affairs representatives in Munich in early 2016 with the goal of analyzing the reasons for the diplomatic stagnation between Israel and the Palestinians. It aso set out to form a plan for renewing negotiations.
PM Netanyahu spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him to intervene and "soften" the report, as well as to postpone its publication. Netanyahu will also meet European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (who will be arriving in Israel for a goodbye visit, as he is expected to leave office at the end of 2016) next week and discuss the Quartet's report with them.
Israel has launched diplomatic efforts aimed at halting the publication of a report by the Quartet (an international diplomatic body comprised of the United Nations, the European Union, the United States, and Russia. Its purpose is to oversee the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and attempt to end the conflict), which is expected to blame Israel for the current impasse in the peace process with the Palestinians.
The report is set to be published on Thursday or Friday, but diplomats in Israel estimate that it will only be published after Prime Minister Netanyahu meets with US Secretary of State John Kerry. The two are set to meet in Rome early next week.
Israeli officials say that the report is not expected to contain any major surprises but is likely to place full blame at Israel's door step for the stalled peace process. The report will also reportedly condemn Israel's construction in the settlements, settler violence, home demolitions, and other steps seen as jeopardizing the prospects of a two-state solution.
Palestinians are expected to be censured for the effect their actions have had in increasing incitement and violence.
Reports received by Israel say that back channel attempts have been made to make the report part of the UN Security Council's agenda. The government in Jerusalem is worried that the report may pave a path toward promoting the French peace initiative (which Israel opposes), and perhaps even its endorsement by the UN.
Senior Israeli ministers say that the US is playing a double game, and that it enjoys watching Israel squirm, intending on intervening at a more convenient time – specifically, after the November presidential elections are over.
The Quartet's report was written following a meeting of its foreign affairs representatives in Munich in early 2016 with the goal of analyzing the reasons for the diplomatic stagnation between Israel and the Palestinians. It aso set out to form a plan for renewing negotiations.
PM Netanyahu spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him to intervene and "soften" the report, as well as to postpone its publication. Netanyahu will also meet European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (who will be arriving in Israel for a goodbye visit, as he is expected to leave office at the end of 2016) next week and discuss the Quartet's report with them.
The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office issued a statement, Wednesday, expressing “its concern” regarding the latest Israeli decision to construct a new settlement building on Palestinian lands, in Silwan town, in occupied Jerusalem.
In its statement, the Office said it was concerned by the latest decision of Jerusalem’s Municipality in which it approved the construction of a new four-story building for Jewish settlers in Silwan Palestinian town.
It added that the new approved building was located in an area where the settler population is growing, while the Palestinians are facing constant displacement, evictions and demolitions targeting their homes and property.
A spokesperson of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office said that Britain is also concerned by the Israeli government’s approval of an additional £12 Million for settlement activities, adding that all settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are illegal under international law.
The spokesperson added that this decision represents another obstacle to peace, in addition to furthering the region away from the two-state solution.
In its statement, the Office said it was concerned by the latest decision of Jerusalem’s Municipality in which it approved the construction of a new four-story building for Jewish settlers in Silwan Palestinian town.
It added that the new approved building was located in an area where the settler population is growing, while the Palestinians are facing constant displacement, evictions and demolitions targeting their homes and property.
A spokesperson of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office said that Britain is also concerned by the Israeli government’s approval of an additional £12 Million for settlement activities, adding that all settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are illegal under international law.
The spokesperson added that this decision represents another obstacle to peace, in addition to furthering the region away from the two-state solution.
22 june 2016
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is slated to visit Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and 1948 Occupied Palestine next week for a two-day round of meetings with Palestinian and Israeli leaders.
The visit, scheduled for Monday and Tuesday next week, will take him to Occupied Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Ramallah and the Gaza Strip, Secretary-General's official spokesman, Estefan Dogrec, said in a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York.
The visit comes amid renewed international diplomatic efforts to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace talks stalled since 2014.
Ban Ki-moon is slated to pay a special visit to the Gaza Strip during his visit in order to inspect from up close restrictions on free movement of the Palestinians at border-crossings controlled by Egyptian and Israeli parties.
Ban Ki-moon popped in the Gaza Strip in October 2014 for a short stopover aimed at keeping tabs on the damage inflicted by the Israeli offensive on the besieged coastal enclave.
An Israeli military offensive on Gaza in 2014 took away the lives of 2,323 Palestinians and ruined 12,000 civilian homes. The situation has gone far worse due to the tough Israeli blockade imposed on the territory for the 10th year running.
The visit, scheduled for Monday and Tuesday next week, will take him to Occupied Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Ramallah and the Gaza Strip, Secretary-General's official spokesman, Estefan Dogrec, said in a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York.
The visit comes amid renewed international diplomatic efforts to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace talks stalled since 2014.
Ban Ki-moon is slated to pay a special visit to the Gaza Strip during his visit in order to inspect from up close restrictions on free movement of the Palestinians at border-crossings controlled by Egyptian and Israeli parties.
Ban Ki-moon popped in the Gaza Strip in October 2014 for a short stopover aimed at keeping tabs on the damage inflicted by the Israeli offensive on the besieged coastal enclave.
An Israeli military offensive on Gaza in 2014 took away the lives of 2,323 Palestinians and ruined 12,000 civilian homes. The situation has gone far worse due to the tough Israeli blockade imposed on the territory for the 10th year running.
