13 aug 2019
A group of the Israeli parliament (Knesset)’s members have criticized the US House of Representatives for approving a resolution against a global boycott campaign against the regime, which endorses, to Tel Aviv’s dismay, a so-called two-state solution to the decades-long conflict with Palestine.
House Resolution 246 was passed by a 398-17 margin, with five abstentions on July 23.
It opposes the international movement known as the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS), but also backs the so-called two-state solution. The measure further reaffirmed strong support for “a negotiated solution” to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict resulting in “a viable, democratic Palestinian state.”
In a letter sent Monday to four US Congressmen who co-sponsored the resolution, 21 Israeli lawmakers argued that the measure contains a “grave error” and that the “two-state” bid is “far more dangerous” than the BDS.
“Israel is grateful to all our wonderful friends in Congress who stand with us on so many fronts. However, we would like to express to you our concern regarding the anti-BDS resolution (H. Res. 246),” read the letter.
“We believe it contains a grave error because it expresses, among other things, support for a so-called ‘Two-State Solution,’ meaning the establishment of a ‘Palestinian state’… We would like to make our position clear that the establishment of a Palestinian state would be far more dangerous to Israel than BDS,” it added.
The BDS movement was initiated in 2005 by over 170 Palestinian organizations and later turned international. It is meant to initiate “various forms of boycott against Israel until it meets its obligations under international law” and end its occupation of the Palestinian lands.
In a bid to force the Tel Aviv regime to withdraw its claim from the Palestinian territories, many countries have banned the sale of goods produced in the Israeli settlements.
Elsewhere in their letter, the Israeli lawmakers said that the push for the establishment of a Palestinian state contradicts US President Donald Trump’s position on the matter.
They also claimed that creating a sovereign Palestinian state would “severely damage” both Israel’s and America’s national security.
The Israeli legislators further urged their American colleagues to refrain from endorsing the “two-state solution” in the future.
“The affirmation of support for establishing a Palestinian state is so dangerous that we respectfully request that you take that into consideration,” they added.
House Resolution 246 was passed by a 398-17 margin, with five abstentions on July 23.
It opposes the international movement known as the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS), but also backs the so-called two-state solution. The measure further reaffirmed strong support for “a negotiated solution” to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict resulting in “a viable, democratic Palestinian state.”
In a letter sent Monday to four US Congressmen who co-sponsored the resolution, 21 Israeli lawmakers argued that the measure contains a “grave error” and that the “two-state” bid is “far more dangerous” than the BDS.
“Israel is grateful to all our wonderful friends in Congress who stand with us on so many fronts. However, we would like to express to you our concern regarding the anti-BDS resolution (H. Res. 246),” read the letter.
“We believe it contains a grave error because it expresses, among other things, support for a so-called ‘Two-State Solution,’ meaning the establishment of a ‘Palestinian state’… We would like to make our position clear that the establishment of a Palestinian state would be far more dangerous to Israel than BDS,” it added.
The BDS movement was initiated in 2005 by over 170 Palestinian organizations and later turned international. It is meant to initiate “various forms of boycott against Israel until it meets its obligations under international law” and end its occupation of the Palestinian lands.
In a bid to force the Tel Aviv regime to withdraw its claim from the Palestinian territories, many countries have banned the sale of goods produced in the Israeli settlements.
Elsewhere in their letter, the Israeli lawmakers said that the push for the establishment of a Palestinian state contradicts US President Donald Trump’s position on the matter.
They also claimed that creating a sovereign Palestinian state would “severely damage” both Israel’s and America’s national security.
The Israeli legislators further urged their American colleagues to refrain from endorsing the “two-state solution” in the future.
“The affirmation of support for establishing a Palestinian state is so dangerous that we respectfully request that you take that into consideration,” they added.
Kuwaiti Speaker of the National Assembly Marzouq al-Ghanim has called for a Arab, Islamic and international action to put real pressure on the Israeli occupation state after its police forces attacked Muslim worshipers at the Aqsa Mosque and allowed Jewish settlers to defile it on the first day of Eid al-Adha.
In recent press remarks, Ghanim said the Israeli police’s brutal attacks on Muslim worshipers at the Aqsa Mosque on the morning of Eid al-Adha vindicated further that all peace calls and plans were fake and that the occupation entity only knows the language of force.
“It is shameful to leave the Jerusalemites, and the Palestinians in general confront the enemy alone with no support,” the Kuwait official underlined.
In recent press remarks, Ghanim said the Israeli police’s brutal attacks on Muslim worshipers at the Aqsa Mosque on the morning of Eid al-Adha vindicated further that all peace calls and plans were fake and that the occupation entity only knows the language of force.
“It is shameful to leave the Jerusalemites, and the Palestinians in general confront the enemy alone with no support,” the Kuwait official underlined.
12 aug 2019
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Israeli police injured dozens of Palestinians praying at the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem on Sunday, the first day of Eid al-Adha or Feast of the Sacrifice.
The Muslim holiday this year coincides with the Jewish holiday of Tisha B’Av, which in Jewish belief commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. The Islamic Waqf – the body responsible for Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem – announced on Friday that only the al-Aqsa mosque would open its doors for prayers in Jerusalem on the first day of the holiday. Israel initially closed the al-Aqsa mosque compound, which Jews call the Temple Mount and Muslims call al-Haram al-Sharif, for Jewish worshippers on Sunday, as is the norm, to avoid clashes with Muslim worshippers. Israel regularly imposes tight closures on all Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip for days during Jewish holidays. Israel then reversed its decision, allowing more than 1,700 Jewish Israelis to enter the compound under the protection of occupation forces: tweet, video tweets Israel fired tear gas canisters, stun grenades and rubber-coated steel bullets at Palestinian worshippers in the compound. This video shows Israeli forces firing rubber-coated steel bullets at Palestinians: |
Local media circulated pictures and videos showing Israeli forces attacking Palestinian worshippers: This video shows Palestinians, including children, running from Israeli forces:
Fifteen Palestinians were hospitalized and seven arrested.
Gradual takeover
Jewish religious authorities backed the ban on Jewish worshippers from entering the compound during the Tisha B’Av holiday out of religious principles.
“Jews are strictly prohibited from entering Temple Mount according to Jewish law, and it would be best if they avoid from entering the complex all year long,” Yitzhak Yosef, one of Israel’s two chief rabbis, stated.
This reflects the longstanding position of Israel’s official rabbinate.
But Jewish nationalist groups with close links to the government defy this position.
Activists from the so-called Temple movement encourage Jews to go to al-Aqsa, using such incursions as steps toward a gradual takeover of the site by settlers.
“It seems the Arabs are going to win over the battle to open Temple Mount to Jews on Tisha B’Av,” an activist with the movement told Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
“When hundreds of thousands of Jews arrive at Temple Mount, no one will be able to prevent the building of the Temple,” another said.
The ultimate aim of the movement – openly declared by many of its adherents – is the destruction of the al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock and their replacement with a Jewish temple.
However, Temple movement activists often obscure this goal and claim they merely want more access for Jews to pray at the site, framing the matter as an issue of equality and civil rights.
But as The Electronic Intifada’s Ali Abunimah told Al Jazeera English on Sunday, “you can’t have civil rights under military occupation when Palestinians have no civil rights, no human rights.”
“The thing I would ask [Likud lawmaker] Yehuda Glick, which I don’t see too many journalists doing, why have you and your Temple movement published blueprints for this Jewish temple, which will be built on the ruins of al-Aqsa mosque?” Abunimah added.
Glick is a leader of the Israeli-government backed Temple movement.
United States envoy Jason Greenblatt tweeted in support of Israeli settlers.
“Don’t let anyone claim Israel is ‘judaizing’ the City of Jerusalem,” Greenblatt stated. tweet
Israel’s strategic affairs minister Gilad Erdan celebrated the decision to allow Jewish Israelis into the compound to “strengthen Israeli sovereignty on the mount.”
Such comments expose how Israel’s real agenda is to use Jewish worship at the site as a cover and alibi for its illegal annexation of occupied East Jerusalem.
Condemnations
Jordan – the custodian of holy sites in Jerusalem – condemned Israeli violence against Palestinian worshippers.
Foreign minister Ayman Safadi said that “attempts by the occupying authorities will not change the status quo of occupied Jerusalem.”
Safadi warned that Israel’s violations of the holy site could lead to an “explosion” in the already volatile situation.
Jordan called on the international community to pressure Israel to halt its provocations.
The Palestinian Authority also called for international action.
Settler organization strengthens hold
Meanwhile, the Greek Orthodox Church filed a lawsuit with an Israeli court last week seeking to overturn leases of Jerusalem properties to a settler organization.
The 99-year leases are for three prime properties near Jaffa Gate. They were given to Ateret Cohanim, a right-wing organization involved in Israeli settlement on Palestinian land in Jerusalem.
In June, the Israeli high court ruled in favor of the settler organization, giving the greenlight for it to take over the properties.
The church claims to have new evidence of corruption including bribes between the settler group and church officials involved in the leases, Haaretz reported.
Previously, Ateret Cohanim claimed to have bought the church land in 2004 from Ireneus I, the Greek Orthodox patriarch at the time.
The Greek Orthodox Church has subsequently taken over the site but Ateret Cohanim is now trying to seize the land that it says it bought over a decade ago.
Ireneus I claims his ousting was not legal and still identifies as the patriarch.
Theophilos III, the current patriarch, has rejected the sale that his predecessor approved, saying it involved corruption.
Fifteen Palestinians were hospitalized and seven arrested.
Gradual takeover
Jewish religious authorities backed the ban on Jewish worshippers from entering the compound during the Tisha B’Av holiday out of religious principles.
“Jews are strictly prohibited from entering Temple Mount according to Jewish law, and it would be best if they avoid from entering the complex all year long,” Yitzhak Yosef, one of Israel’s two chief rabbis, stated.
This reflects the longstanding position of Israel’s official rabbinate.
But Jewish nationalist groups with close links to the government defy this position.
Activists from the so-called Temple movement encourage Jews to go to al-Aqsa, using such incursions as steps toward a gradual takeover of the site by settlers.
“It seems the Arabs are going to win over the battle to open Temple Mount to Jews on Tisha B’Av,” an activist with the movement told Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
“When hundreds of thousands of Jews arrive at Temple Mount, no one will be able to prevent the building of the Temple,” another said.
The ultimate aim of the movement – openly declared by many of its adherents – is the destruction of the al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock and their replacement with a Jewish temple.
However, Temple movement activists often obscure this goal and claim they merely want more access for Jews to pray at the site, framing the matter as an issue of equality and civil rights.
But as The Electronic Intifada’s Ali Abunimah told Al Jazeera English on Sunday, “you can’t have civil rights under military occupation when Palestinians have no civil rights, no human rights.”
“The thing I would ask [Likud lawmaker] Yehuda Glick, which I don’t see too many journalists doing, why have you and your Temple movement published blueprints for this Jewish temple, which will be built on the ruins of al-Aqsa mosque?” Abunimah added.
Glick is a leader of the Israeli-government backed Temple movement.
United States envoy Jason Greenblatt tweeted in support of Israeli settlers.
“Don’t let anyone claim Israel is ‘judaizing’ the City of Jerusalem,” Greenblatt stated. tweet
Israel’s strategic affairs minister Gilad Erdan celebrated the decision to allow Jewish Israelis into the compound to “strengthen Israeli sovereignty on the mount.”
Such comments expose how Israel’s real agenda is to use Jewish worship at the site as a cover and alibi for its illegal annexation of occupied East Jerusalem.
Condemnations
Jordan – the custodian of holy sites in Jerusalem – condemned Israeli violence against Palestinian worshippers.
Foreign minister Ayman Safadi said that “attempts by the occupying authorities will not change the status quo of occupied Jerusalem.”
Safadi warned that Israel’s violations of the holy site could lead to an “explosion” in the already volatile situation.
Jordan called on the international community to pressure Israel to halt its provocations.
The Palestinian Authority also called for international action.
Settler organization strengthens hold
Meanwhile, the Greek Orthodox Church filed a lawsuit with an Israeli court last week seeking to overturn leases of Jerusalem properties to a settler organization.
The 99-year leases are for three prime properties near Jaffa Gate. They were given to Ateret Cohanim, a right-wing organization involved in Israeli settlement on Palestinian land in Jerusalem.
In June, the Israeli high court ruled in favor of the settler organization, giving the greenlight for it to take over the properties.
The church claims to have new evidence of corruption including bribes between the settler group and church officials involved in the leases, Haaretz reported.
Previously, Ateret Cohanim claimed to have bought the church land in 2004 from Ireneus I, the Greek Orthodox patriarch at the time.
The Greek Orthodox Church has subsequently taken over the site but Ateret Cohanim is now trying to seize the land that it says it bought over a decade ago.
Ireneus I claims his ousting was not legal and still identifies as the patriarch.
Theophilos III, the current patriarch, has rejected the sale that his predecessor approved, saying it involved corruption.
Presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh slammed possible future US declaration ahead of the Israeli elections in September backing Israeli annexation of parts of the West Bank.
Abu Rudeineh stressed that any procedure or decision that affects Palestinian national rights and the resolutions of international legitimacy shall be considered illegitimate.
He made his remarks responding to media reports indicating that Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking a public declaration from US President Donald Trump recognizing Israeli sovereignty over parts of the occupied West Bank.
Abu Rudeineh warned that such a move would have “serious implications” particularly that it would follow the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, ongoing Israeli settlers’ intrusions into Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and the US position on the issue of Palestinian refugees and the stipends of the families of Palestinian prisoners and those killed by Israeli forces.
“This step, if taken, would constitute ongoing playing with fire,” he added, and stressed that stability and security are indivisible and that “peace would not be made at any price”.
“Neither this step would establish any right ]to Israel[, nor it will create a viable false reality,” he added.
In conclusion, Abu Rudeineh reiterated that the Palestinian people would defend its national rights, history, heritage and holy sites, no matter how long it takes, and expressed his hopes that justice and Palestinian legitimacy will ultimately prevail.
Palestine warns US against backing Israeli annexation bid
Palestine has warned the United States not to “play with fire” by endorsing an Israeli scheme to annex the settlements the regime has constructed in the occupied West Bank in defiance of international law.
Palestinian Presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh made the remarks on Monday, after Zman Yisrael, The Times of Israel’s Hebrew-language site, reported that Prime Minister Netanyahu was attempting to obtain public approval from US President Donald Trump for the regime’s annexation bid ahead of the September 17 elections in the occupied territories.
Just three days before Israel’s April 9 polls, Netanyahu had vowed to annex West Bank settlements if he won another term in office.
Abu Rudeineh stressed that any decision that affects the Palestinians’ national rights, as well as international resolutions, will be considered “illegitimate,” Palestine’s Wafa news agency reported.
The official further underlined Washington’s earlier instances of support for Israel, including recognizing occupied Jerusalem as Israel’s “capital” and standing by the side of the regime on the issue of Palestinian refugees and the salaries of prisoners and martyrs in addition to Israeli settlers’ intrusions into the al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
He also warned that any US declaration of support for Israel’s new scheme would have “serious implications.”This step, if taken, would constitute … playing with fire,” the Palestinian official said, emphasizing that stability and security are indivisible and that “peace would not be made at any price.”Washington’s position will not create any for the regime, he added.
Abu Rudeineh further reiterated the Palestinian people’s resolve to defend their “national rights, history, heritage, and holy sites, no matter how long it takes and expressed his hopes that justice and Palestinian legitimacy will ultimately prevail.”
Since taking office in 2017, Trump has been showering Netanyahu with political gifts, including recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s “capital” and moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to the occupied city as well as cutting aid to the Palestinians and closing the Palestine Liberation Organization’s office in Washington.
Before Israel’s April elections, Trump signed a decree recognizing Israeli “sovereignty” over Syria’s occupied Golan Heights at the start of a meeting with Netanyahu in Washington.
Emboldened by the US president’s all-out support, the Tel Aviv regime has in recent months stepped up its settlement construction activities in the occupied lands in defiance of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334.
Settlements built on occupied land are illegal under international law and have been seen as a stumbling block to the resolution of the Palestine issue.
The Palestinians have frequently called for the establishment of their sovereign state along the pre-1967 lines with East Jerusalem al-Quds as its capital.
Abu Rudeineh stressed that any procedure or decision that affects Palestinian national rights and the resolutions of international legitimacy shall be considered illegitimate.
He made his remarks responding to media reports indicating that Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking a public declaration from US President Donald Trump recognizing Israeli sovereignty over parts of the occupied West Bank.
Abu Rudeineh warned that such a move would have “serious implications” particularly that it would follow the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, ongoing Israeli settlers’ intrusions into Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and the US position on the issue of Palestinian refugees and the stipends of the families of Palestinian prisoners and those killed by Israeli forces.
“This step, if taken, would constitute ongoing playing with fire,” he added, and stressed that stability and security are indivisible and that “peace would not be made at any price”.
“Neither this step would establish any right ]to Israel[, nor it will create a viable false reality,” he added.
In conclusion, Abu Rudeineh reiterated that the Palestinian people would defend its national rights, history, heritage and holy sites, no matter how long it takes, and expressed his hopes that justice and Palestinian legitimacy will ultimately prevail.
Palestine warns US against backing Israeli annexation bid
Palestine has warned the United States not to “play with fire” by endorsing an Israeli scheme to annex the settlements the regime has constructed in the occupied West Bank in defiance of international law.
Palestinian Presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh made the remarks on Monday, after Zman Yisrael, The Times of Israel’s Hebrew-language site, reported that Prime Minister Netanyahu was attempting to obtain public approval from US President Donald Trump for the regime’s annexation bid ahead of the September 17 elections in the occupied territories.
Just three days before Israel’s April 9 polls, Netanyahu had vowed to annex West Bank settlements if he won another term in office.
Abu Rudeineh stressed that any decision that affects the Palestinians’ national rights, as well as international resolutions, will be considered “illegitimate,” Palestine’s Wafa news agency reported.
The official further underlined Washington’s earlier instances of support for Israel, including recognizing occupied Jerusalem as Israel’s “capital” and standing by the side of the regime on the issue of Palestinian refugees and the salaries of prisoners and martyrs in addition to Israeli settlers’ intrusions into the al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
He also warned that any US declaration of support for Israel’s new scheme would have “serious implications.”This step, if taken, would constitute … playing with fire,” the Palestinian official said, emphasizing that stability and security are indivisible and that “peace would not be made at any price.”Washington’s position will not create any for the regime, he added.
Abu Rudeineh further reiterated the Palestinian people’s resolve to defend their “national rights, history, heritage, and holy sites, no matter how long it takes and expressed his hopes that justice and Palestinian legitimacy will ultimately prevail.”
Since taking office in 2017, Trump has been showering Netanyahu with political gifts, including recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s “capital” and moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to the occupied city as well as cutting aid to the Palestinians and closing the Palestine Liberation Organization’s office in Washington.
Before Israel’s April elections, Trump signed a decree recognizing Israeli “sovereignty” over Syria’s occupied Golan Heights at the start of a meeting with Netanyahu in Washington.
Emboldened by the US president’s all-out support, the Tel Aviv regime has in recent months stepped up its settlement construction activities in the occupied lands in defiance of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334.
Settlements built on occupied land are illegal under international law and have been seen as a stumbling block to the resolution of the Palestine issue.
The Palestinians have frequently called for the establishment of their sovereign state along the pre-1967 lines with East Jerusalem al-Quds as its capital.
The Israeli “Planning and Construction Committee” in occupied Jerusalem has approved two plans for the construction of 641 units for illegal colonialist settlers, west of Hebron Road, in the city.
The first plan aims at building new units around Talpiot area, west of Hebron road, along the blue light-railroad line and east of Bethlehem, while the second plan will add units in Shaare Zion illegal colony.
They aim at building two apartment buildings, in addition to a Synagogue, an industrial structure and various health facilities for the colonists.
The Palestinian National Bureau for Defending Land and Resisting Colonies, which is run by Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), has reported that Israel’s illegal colonialist activities are also tools used by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and other extreme right-wing parties, in their election campaign, especially ahead of the new election in the country this coming September 17th.
It added that Israel has approved, last week, more than 2304 units in illegal colonies in the occupied West Bank, and stated that the new approvals, including upcoming plans, are part of a series of constructions Netanyahu aims to carry out, in direct cooperation with U.S. President D. Trump, and his fanatic cabinet.
Two weeks ago, the Israel government approved structural plans for 6000 units in the West Bank, while the “Higher Planning Council” of the so-called Civil Administration Office, the executive and administrative branch of Israel’s illegal occupation, has approved preliminary plans for additional 200 units in Mitzad colony, and the constriction of 100 units in Abi Hanahal colony, east of Gush Etzion Bloc, south of Bethlehem.
While Israel continues to approve plans, build and expand its colonies in the occupied West Bank, including in and around East Jerusalem, under the full support of the Trump administration, all if the colonies are illegal under International Law, the Fourth Geneva Convention and various United Nations and international resolutions and treaties.
The first plan aims at building new units around Talpiot area, west of Hebron road, along the blue light-railroad line and east of Bethlehem, while the second plan will add units in Shaare Zion illegal colony.
They aim at building two apartment buildings, in addition to a Synagogue, an industrial structure and various health facilities for the colonists.
The Palestinian National Bureau for Defending Land and Resisting Colonies, which is run by Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), has reported that Israel’s illegal colonialist activities are also tools used by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and other extreme right-wing parties, in their election campaign, especially ahead of the new election in the country this coming September 17th.
It added that Israel has approved, last week, more than 2304 units in illegal colonies in the occupied West Bank, and stated that the new approvals, including upcoming plans, are part of a series of constructions Netanyahu aims to carry out, in direct cooperation with U.S. President D. Trump, and his fanatic cabinet.
Two weeks ago, the Israel government approved structural plans for 6000 units in the West Bank, while the “Higher Planning Council” of the so-called Civil Administration Office, the executive and administrative branch of Israel’s illegal occupation, has approved preliminary plans for additional 200 units in Mitzad colony, and the constriction of 100 units in Abi Hanahal colony, east of Gush Etzion Bloc, south of Bethlehem.
While Israel continues to approve plans, build and expand its colonies in the occupied West Bank, including in and around East Jerusalem, under the full support of the Trump administration, all if the colonies are illegal under International Law, the Fourth Geneva Convention and various United Nations and international resolutions and treaties.
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