3 feb 2017
Israel’s Minister of Construction Yoav Galant approved Thursday evening plans to construct 2,086 illegal settlement units on occupied Palestinian land.
According to the Israeli Channel 2, the motion received the approval of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman.
The move comes a few days after the occupation government approved the construction of over 6,000 settlement units.
Since Trump’s swearing-in, the Israeli occupation government signaled the go-ahead for the construction of at least 8,000 illegal settlement units, mostly in the occupied West Bank.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration said on Thursday Israel's building of new settlements or expansion of existing ones in occupied territories may not be helpful in achieving peace with Palestinians, adopting a more measured tone than its previous pro-Israel announcements.
"While we don’t believe the existence of settlements is an impediment to peace, the construction of new settlements or the expansion of existing settlements beyond their current borders may not be helpful in achieving that goal," the White House said in a statement.
President Donald Trump, the White House statement went, "has not taken an official position on settlement activity."
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric also expressed concerns over recent announcements by the Israeli government to advance over 5,000 settlement units in the occupied West Bank.
“We once again warn against any unilateral actions that can be an obstacle to a negotiated two-state solution and call on both parties to return to meaningful negotiations on the basis of relevant Security Council resolutions and in accordance with international law, in order to address all final status issues,” said Dujarric.
High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini also warned of the repercussions of Israel’s latest decision to expand illegal settlement.
Last December, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution calling on Israel to immediately cease illegal settlement expansion. 14 states voted in favor while the U.S. abstained from voting, for the first such standpoint adopted by the U.S. since 1979.
According to the Israeli Channel 2, the motion received the approval of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman.
The move comes a few days after the occupation government approved the construction of over 6,000 settlement units.
Since Trump’s swearing-in, the Israeli occupation government signaled the go-ahead for the construction of at least 8,000 illegal settlement units, mostly in the occupied West Bank.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration said on Thursday Israel's building of new settlements or expansion of existing ones in occupied territories may not be helpful in achieving peace with Palestinians, adopting a more measured tone than its previous pro-Israel announcements.
"While we don’t believe the existence of settlements is an impediment to peace, the construction of new settlements or the expansion of existing settlements beyond their current borders may not be helpful in achieving that goal," the White House said in a statement.
President Donald Trump, the White House statement went, "has not taken an official position on settlement activity."
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric also expressed concerns over recent announcements by the Israeli government to advance over 5,000 settlement units in the occupied West Bank.
“We once again warn against any unilateral actions that can be an obstacle to a negotiated two-state solution and call on both parties to return to meaningful negotiations on the basis of relevant Security Council resolutions and in accordance with international law, in order to address all final status issues,” said Dujarric.
High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini also warned of the repercussions of Israel’s latest decision to expand illegal settlement.
Last December, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution calling on Israel to immediately cease illegal settlement expansion. 14 states voted in favor while the U.S. abstained from voting, for the first such standpoint adopted by the U.S. since 1979.
1 feb 2017
Jordan’s King Abdullah II, late Tuesday, held separate meetings in Washington, DC, with leaders and members of US congress, during which they discussed consequences of U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to occupied Jerusalem.
King Abdullah reiterated that moving the US embassy to Jerusalem will have regional consequences that will undermine the opportunities for peace and reaching the two-state solution and weaken the chances of a success in the war against terrorism.
Moving the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem will have negative impacts on the region’s security and stability, he said, stressing the importance of the sacred city of Jerusalem for Arab and Muslim peoples.
Such a step, the King explained, will increase the anger and despair among Arabs and Muslims, enabling extremists to further spread their dark ideologies and agendas.
In this regard, he renewed affirmation that there is no alternative to the two-state solution, which guarantees justice, freedom, and stability, stressing the importance of avoiding measures that may undermine opportunities to resume the peace process.
King Abdullah reiterated that moving the US embassy to Jerusalem will have regional consequences that will undermine the opportunities for peace and reaching the two-state solution and weaken the chances of a success in the war against terrorism.
Moving the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem will have negative impacts on the region’s security and stability, he said, stressing the importance of the sacred city of Jerusalem for Arab and Muslim peoples.
Such a step, the King explained, will increase the anger and despair among Arabs and Muslims, enabling extremists to further spread their dark ideologies and agendas.
In this regard, he renewed affirmation that there is no alternative to the two-state solution, which guarantees justice, freedom, and stability, stressing the importance of avoiding measures that may undermine opportunities to resume the peace process.
Following the Israeli decision to remove the “Amona” illegal colonialist outpost, in the occupied West Bank, the government of Benjamin Netanyahu decided to build more than 3000 units for Jewish settlers, on illegally confiscated Palestinian lands.
The decision was officially announced by the office of Israel’s Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, in which it confirmed the approval of the 3000 units, in direct coordination with Netanyahu.
2000 of the approved illegal colonialist units have been designated for “immediate construction,” while the rest are in various stages of planning.
Lieberman, who himself is a colonialist settler living in Nokdim illegal colony, said that approximately 2000 units were “ready for marketing,” while the rest are in final stages of approval.
The Expansions were approved in the following illegal colonies
1. Alfie Menashe, central West Bank, 700 units.
2. Beit Arye, northern West Bank, 650 units.
3. Beitar Illit, west of Bethlehem, 650 units.
4. Oranit, Qalqilia – northern West Bank, 200 units.
5. Nokdim, south of Bethlehem, 150 units.
6. Givat Zeev, northwest of Jerusalem, 150 units.
7. Karnie Shomron, near Qalqilia in northern West Bank, 100 units.
8. Shilo, north of Ramallah, 100 units.
9. Metzudot Yehuda, northeast of Bethlehem, 100 units.
10. Kfar Eldad in Gush Etzion bloc, south of Bethlehem, 80 units.
11. Shavei Shomron, west of Nablus, 70 units.
12. Nofim, near Salfit, 50 units.
13. Efrat, south of Bethlehem, 30 units.
Lieberman said that the new approvals were part of what he called “restoring life to normal status in the West Bank, as the settlers need more homes,” and added that the decision was a continuation of last week’s approval of 2500 units.
The decision was made while the Palestinians continue to lose their lands for these colonies, including agricultural areas, and are unable to expand their communities, in various parts of the West Bank, including Jerusalem, in addition to being isolated from their orchards and farmlands, behind the Annexation Wall.
All Israeli colonies in the West Bank, including those in and around occupied East Jerusalem, are illegal under International Law, and the Fourth Geneva Convention, to which Israel is a signatory and a constant violator.
The decision was officially announced by the office of Israel’s Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, in which it confirmed the approval of the 3000 units, in direct coordination with Netanyahu.
2000 of the approved illegal colonialist units have been designated for “immediate construction,” while the rest are in various stages of planning.
Lieberman, who himself is a colonialist settler living in Nokdim illegal colony, said that approximately 2000 units were “ready for marketing,” while the rest are in final stages of approval.
The Expansions were approved in the following illegal colonies
1. Alfie Menashe, central West Bank, 700 units.
2. Beit Arye, northern West Bank, 650 units.
3. Beitar Illit, west of Bethlehem, 650 units.
4. Oranit, Qalqilia – northern West Bank, 200 units.
5. Nokdim, south of Bethlehem, 150 units.
6. Givat Zeev, northwest of Jerusalem, 150 units.
7. Karnie Shomron, near Qalqilia in northern West Bank, 100 units.
8. Shilo, north of Ramallah, 100 units.
9. Metzudot Yehuda, northeast of Bethlehem, 100 units.
10. Kfar Eldad in Gush Etzion bloc, south of Bethlehem, 80 units.
11. Shavei Shomron, west of Nablus, 70 units.
12. Nofim, near Salfit, 50 units.
13. Efrat, south of Bethlehem, 30 units.
Lieberman said that the new approvals were part of what he called “restoring life to normal status in the West Bank, as the settlers need more homes,” and added that the decision was a continuation of last week’s approval of 2500 units.
The decision was made while the Palestinians continue to lose their lands for these colonies, including agricultural areas, and are unable to expand their communities, in various parts of the West Bank, including Jerusalem, in addition to being isolated from their orchards and farmlands, behind the Annexation Wall.
All Israeli colonies in the West Bank, including those in and around occupied East Jerusalem, are illegal under International Law, and the Fourth Geneva Convention, to which Israel is a signatory and a constant violator.
31 jan 2017
An Israeli project to prop up ties between West Bank illegal settlements outposts has been underway, Israeli sources reported Tuesday.
According to the Hebrew-speaking Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, the Israeli occupation authorities made a plan to enhance transportation, excavate tunnels, establish new access roads, and expand the light railway network in an attempt to slash travel time and cost between West Bank settlements and Tel Aviv, Gush Dan, and Occupied Jerusalem.
$5 billion will be invested to enhance infrastructure and the transportation network and also to construct more settlement units in Beit Shemesh, Tsur, and Hadassah, in Occupied Jerusalem.
The plan will enable Israeli buses to pass through the Gush Etzion settlement to Tel Aviv through Occupied Jerusalem and also to establish settlement projects in Maaleh Adumim worth 1 billion shekels and an access road for Israeli buses worth 30 million shekels.
Earlier, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, approved a bid to construct 2,500 illegal settlement units in the occupied West Bank, a couple of days after he had signaled the go-ahead for the construction of 600 settlement units in Occupied Jerusalem.
The pace of Israel’s illegal settlement activity has grown remarkably following the swearing-in of the U.S. President, Donald Trump, despite a resolution by the UN Security Council last month outlawing Israeli settlement construction in the occupied Palestinian territories.
According to the Hebrew-speaking Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, the Israeli occupation authorities made a plan to enhance transportation, excavate tunnels, establish new access roads, and expand the light railway network in an attempt to slash travel time and cost between West Bank settlements and Tel Aviv, Gush Dan, and Occupied Jerusalem.
$5 billion will be invested to enhance infrastructure and the transportation network and also to construct more settlement units in Beit Shemesh, Tsur, and Hadassah, in Occupied Jerusalem.
The plan will enable Israeli buses to pass through the Gush Etzion settlement to Tel Aviv through Occupied Jerusalem and also to establish settlement projects in Maaleh Adumim worth 1 billion shekels and an access road for Israeli buses worth 30 million shekels.
Earlier, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, approved a bid to construct 2,500 illegal settlement units in the occupied West Bank, a couple of days after he had signaled the go-ahead for the construction of 600 settlement units in Occupied Jerusalem.
The pace of Israel’s illegal settlement activity has grown remarkably following the swearing-in of the U.S. President, Donald Trump, despite a resolution by the UN Security Council last month outlawing Israeli settlement construction in the occupied Palestinian territories.
30 jan 2017
The Washington Post newspaper disclosed that the new US president Donald Trump along with a number of his associates are among donors who fund Beit El settlement near Ramallah.
The American newspaper reported that Jewish settlers of Beit El are happy for Trump's inauguration as the US President and started development projects in Beit El settlement, which was established on Palestinian lands in 1977. Beit El settlers have recently opened a religious school regardless of the controversy on constructing any new building in the settlement.
The report pointed out that many of Trump’s retinue have strong bonds with Israeli extremist right wing figures including David Friedman, who was nominated by Trump as the US ambassador to Israel. He also occupies the position of Head of the American Friends of Beit El Institution, which collects annual donations for the settlement estimated at 2 million American dollars.
The American newspaper reported that Jewish settlers of Beit El are happy for Trump's inauguration as the US President and started development projects in Beit El settlement, which was established on Palestinian lands in 1977. Beit El settlers have recently opened a religious school regardless of the controversy on constructing any new building in the settlement.
The report pointed out that many of Trump’s retinue have strong bonds with Israeli extremist right wing figures including David Friedman, who was nominated by Trump as the US ambassador to Israel. He also occupies the position of Head of the American Friends of Beit El Institution, which collects annual donations for the settlement estimated at 2 million American dollars.
29 jan 2017
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed on Sunday his support for the US embassy to Israel moving from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, further adding that “all embassies should come here.”
In a statement during the Israeli security cabinet’s weekly meeting, Netanyahu emphasized the “fundamental” relationship between the United States and Israel.
“There is no substitute for this alliance. Our relations are tight and getting tighter, and I would like to take this opportunity to make it unequivocally clear that our position has always been, and will always be, that the US embassy needs to be here, in Jerusalem,” the prime minister said.
“Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and it is proper that not only should the American embassy be here, but all embassies should come here, and I believe that over time most of them will indeed come here, to Jerusalem.”
Netanyahu’s statements came two days after US President Donald Trump told Fox News that it was “too early” to talk about his controversial campaign promise to move the US embassy to Jerusalem.
Mark Zell, the co-chairman of the Republican Overseas Israel group had accused Netanyahu earlier on Sunday of being behind Trump’s decision to delay the embassy move, The Jerusalem Post reported.
The prospect of an embassy location change has been met with applause by right-wing Israeli officials and strongly condemned by Palestinians and the international community.
The move would in effect amount to American recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, effectively torpedoing efforts to implement a two-state solution with East Jerusalem as the capital of a Palestinian state.
The fate of Jerusalem has been a focal point of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for decades, with numerous tensions arising over Israeli threats regarding the status of non-Jewish religious sites in the city, and the "Judaization" of East Jerusalem through settlement construction and mass demolitions of Palestinian homes.
The Israeli government has openly expressed its anticipation for a Trump presidency, which right-wing politicians believe will make it easier to advance plans to expand Israeli settlements and consolidate Israeli annexation of East Jerusalem and other parts of the West Bank.
Last month, Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Secretary-General Saeb Erekat warned that the PLO would revoke all previously signed agreements with Israel as well as the PLO’s 1993 recognition of Israel if Trump followed through on his pledge to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Erekat reportedly said such a move would indicate the US’s acceptance of “Israel’s illegal annexation of East Jerusalem,” and further warned that “any hope of peace in the future will just vanish."
While members of the international community have rested the solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the discontinuation of illegal Israeli settlements and the establishment of a two-state solution, Israeli leaders have instead shifted further to the right as many Knesset members have called for an escalation of settlement building in the occupied West Bank, and with some having advocated for its complete annexation.
In a statement during the Israeli security cabinet’s weekly meeting, Netanyahu emphasized the “fundamental” relationship between the United States and Israel.
“There is no substitute for this alliance. Our relations are tight and getting tighter, and I would like to take this opportunity to make it unequivocally clear that our position has always been, and will always be, that the US embassy needs to be here, in Jerusalem,” the prime minister said.
“Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and it is proper that not only should the American embassy be here, but all embassies should come here, and I believe that over time most of them will indeed come here, to Jerusalem.”
Netanyahu’s statements came two days after US President Donald Trump told Fox News that it was “too early” to talk about his controversial campaign promise to move the US embassy to Jerusalem.
Mark Zell, the co-chairman of the Republican Overseas Israel group had accused Netanyahu earlier on Sunday of being behind Trump’s decision to delay the embassy move, The Jerusalem Post reported.
The prospect of an embassy location change has been met with applause by right-wing Israeli officials and strongly condemned by Palestinians and the international community.
The move would in effect amount to American recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, effectively torpedoing efforts to implement a two-state solution with East Jerusalem as the capital of a Palestinian state.
The fate of Jerusalem has been a focal point of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for decades, with numerous tensions arising over Israeli threats regarding the status of non-Jewish religious sites in the city, and the "Judaization" of East Jerusalem through settlement construction and mass demolitions of Palestinian homes.
The Israeli government has openly expressed its anticipation for a Trump presidency, which right-wing politicians believe will make it easier to advance plans to expand Israeli settlements and consolidate Israeli annexation of East Jerusalem and other parts of the West Bank.
Last month, Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Secretary-General Saeb Erekat warned that the PLO would revoke all previously signed agreements with Israel as well as the PLO’s 1993 recognition of Israel if Trump followed through on his pledge to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Erekat reportedly said such a move would indicate the US’s acceptance of “Israel’s illegal annexation of East Jerusalem,” and further warned that “any hope of peace in the future will just vanish."
While members of the international community have rested the solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the discontinuation of illegal Israeli settlements and the establishment of a two-state solution, Israeli leaders have instead shifted further to the right as many Knesset members have called for an escalation of settlement building in the occupied West Bank, and with some having advocated for its complete annexation.
Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed his ministers at the Knesset to accelerate steps to turn the settlement regularization bill, which aims to legalize Israeli outposts and settlements built on Palestinian lands, into a law.
According to Israel Hayom newspaper, which is run by a friend of Netanyahu, Knesset sessions will be held during the current week to vote on the bill.
For its part, Haaretz newspaper said that Netanyahu reassured Ofra settlers, who live illegally on Palestinian land in Ramallah, that his government would push to have the bill passed into a law.
The legislation had already passed its first reading in the Knesset, but still needs to pass its second and third readings to become a law.
According to Israel Hayom newspaper, which is run by a friend of Netanyahu, Knesset sessions will be held during the current week to vote on the bill.
For its part, Haaretz newspaper said that Netanyahu reassured Ofra settlers, who live illegally on Palestinian land in Ramallah, that his government would push to have the bill passed into a law.
The legislation had already passed its first reading in the Knesset, but still needs to pass its second and third readings to become a law.
