23 may 2013
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) refutes the findings of the recently-published report from the Israeli Government Review Committee, titled 'The France 2 Al-Durrah Report, its Consequences and Implications', released on 19 May 2013. The report examines the incident involving the killing of a 12-year-old Palestinian boy, Mohammed al-Durrah, which occurred on 30 September 2000 at the Netzarim junction in the Gaza Strip.
PCHR said in a press statement that the Government Review Committee was set up in September 2012 upon the instruction of the Israeli prime minister, twelve years after the incident took place. The committee claims to have extensively reviewed material related to the incident. Its key findings were as follows: there is no evidence that Mohammed or his father, Jamal, were wounded in the incident; the two were not struck by bullets at all; and the Israeli forces bear no responsibility for the incident.
PCHR carried out an investigation of the incident after it occurred, the findings of which completely contradict the assertions in the Israeli report. As a part of its investigations, PCHR's lawyers collected affidavits from the following persons:
1- Mr. Talal Hassan Abu Rahma, a photographer for France 2 television who witnessed the incident;
2- Mr. Ma'ali Suleiman Hussain Selmi, head of the reception department at Shifa hospital in Gaza City; and
3- Mr. Fathi Ahmed Mas'oud al-Louh, an ambulance driver who was present at the Netzarim junction on the day of the incident and was seriously injured by Israeli gunfire.
Abu Rahma, who was present during the incident, stated that Israeli forces fired intensively and intermittently at Mohammed and Jamal. The victims were then evacuated to Shifa hospital by ambulance, where Mohammed was pronounced dead on arrival. Mas'oid al Louh, who was present at the Netzarim junction on the day when the incident took place, stated that he had witnessed Israeli forces firing live bullets that day. Al-Louh also stated that, while tending to a number of injured persons, he himself was injured by a rubber coated metal bullet in his right leg, and shortly after that he was injured when a live bullet grazed the top of his head.
Israel, as an occupying power, is obliged to ensure that its forces respect and protect the human rights of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip. However, PCHR's investigation indicates that Israeli forces arbitrarily deprived Mohammed of his right to life, in violation of Article 6(1) of the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Moreover, Israeli forces disregarded Articles 9 and 10 of the 1990 UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, according to which they should not have fired at Mohammed and Jamal, as they did not pose any imminent threat of death or serious injury to the soldiers or any other person.
In light of the above:
a) PCHR strongly disputes the Israeli committee's conclusions in the report;
b) PCHR strongly condemns Israel's 12-year delay in examining the incident. This report challenges the very authenticity of the report which first brought the incident to attention. Given the nature of the incident, and the potential human rights violations related to it, this delay, in itself, constitutes a violation of customary international law norms, which establish that unreasonably prolonged delays in the examination and investigation of human rights violations result in a situation of impunity. The report does not provide any justification for this delay;
c) PCHR believes that this examination, and previous investigations into the matter, conducted by the Israeli authorities failed to meet international standards of independence, impartiality, transparency, promptness, and effectiveness; and
d) PCHR calls for an independent international investigation of the incident.
PCHR said in a press statement that the Government Review Committee was set up in September 2012 upon the instruction of the Israeli prime minister, twelve years after the incident took place. The committee claims to have extensively reviewed material related to the incident. Its key findings were as follows: there is no evidence that Mohammed or his father, Jamal, were wounded in the incident; the two were not struck by bullets at all; and the Israeli forces bear no responsibility for the incident.
PCHR carried out an investigation of the incident after it occurred, the findings of which completely contradict the assertions in the Israeli report. As a part of its investigations, PCHR's lawyers collected affidavits from the following persons:
1- Mr. Talal Hassan Abu Rahma, a photographer for France 2 television who witnessed the incident;
2- Mr. Ma'ali Suleiman Hussain Selmi, head of the reception department at Shifa hospital in Gaza City; and
3- Mr. Fathi Ahmed Mas'oud al-Louh, an ambulance driver who was present at the Netzarim junction on the day of the incident and was seriously injured by Israeli gunfire.
Abu Rahma, who was present during the incident, stated that Israeli forces fired intensively and intermittently at Mohammed and Jamal. The victims were then evacuated to Shifa hospital by ambulance, where Mohammed was pronounced dead on arrival. Mas'oid al Louh, who was present at the Netzarim junction on the day when the incident took place, stated that he had witnessed Israeli forces firing live bullets that day. Al-Louh also stated that, while tending to a number of injured persons, he himself was injured by a rubber coated metal bullet in his right leg, and shortly after that he was injured when a live bullet grazed the top of his head.
Israel, as an occupying power, is obliged to ensure that its forces respect and protect the human rights of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip. However, PCHR's investigation indicates that Israeli forces arbitrarily deprived Mohammed of his right to life, in violation of Article 6(1) of the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Moreover, Israeli forces disregarded Articles 9 and 10 of the 1990 UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, according to which they should not have fired at Mohammed and Jamal, as they did not pose any imminent threat of death or serious injury to the soldiers or any other person.
In light of the above:
a) PCHR strongly disputes the Israeli committee's conclusions in the report;
b) PCHR strongly condemns Israel's 12-year delay in examining the incident. This report challenges the very authenticity of the report which first brought the incident to attention. Given the nature of the incident, and the potential human rights violations related to it, this delay, in itself, constitutes a violation of customary international law norms, which establish that unreasonably prolonged delays in the examination and investigation of human rights violations result in a situation of impunity. The report does not provide any justification for this delay;
c) PCHR believes that this examination, and previous investigations into the matter, conducted by the Israeli authorities failed to meet international standards of independence, impartiality, transparency, promptness, and effectiveness; and
d) PCHR calls for an independent international investigation of the incident.
Palestinians inspect the destroyed office building of Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza Nov. 17, 2012
Israel and Hamas committed war crimes and other violations of international humanitarian law during Israel's assault on Gaza in November 2012, Amnesty International said Thursday.
In the London-based rights group's annual report, released Thursday, Amnesty said the Israeli air force carried out bomb and missile strikes on residential areas, including strikes that were "disproportionate and caused heavy civilian casualties."
It said that in most cases, Israel did not present evidence that these specific sites had been used for military purposes, while the Israeli navy launched "indiscriminate attacks" on populated coastal sites.
The group also said the military wing of Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups fired rockets and other weapons into Israel, killing civilians and damaging civilian property.
It also said armed groups were responsible for the deaths of at least two Palestinians after rockets fell short of their targets in Israel.
The report accused Hamas as well as the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority of abuses including arbitrary arrests of political opponents and torture in Palestinian prisons.
Hamas denies
A Hamas spokesman dismissed the report as unfair.
In a statement, Fawzi Barhoum said the report was “unfair and lacked objectivity as it equaled between legitimate resistance which defended Palestinian civilians and the Israeli occupier who deliberately targeted and murdered Palestinian civilians.”
Amnesty International forgot that it was Israel who started that war, Barhoum added.
The way the report described the situation in the blockaded Gaza Strip and in the West Bank, according to Barhoum, and the situation of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody only scratched the surface of the reality, he added.
Barhoum highlighted that the Palestinian people and prisoners have been suffering endlessly in light of the siege on Gaza, the ongoing settlement expansion in the West Bank and settler assaults on the Palestinians.
Barhoum also dismissed Amnesty’s allegations about torturing opposition supporters. These claims, he said, have no credibility, nor were they based on real information. The organization has not met with Gaza officials to verify its information, he charged.
The report, according to Barhoum, contradicted reports prepared by local and international human rights groups which visited the Gaza Strip and met with officials and civilians.
An Israeli army spokesman had no immediate comment on the report.
Israel and Hamas committed war crimes and other violations of international humanitarian law during Israel's assault on Gaza in November 2012, Amnesty International said Thursday.
In the London-based rights group's annual report, released Thursday, Amnesty said the Israeli air force carried out bomb and missile strikes on residential areas, including strikes that were "disproportionate and caused heavy civilian casualties."
It said that in most cases, Israel did not present evidence that these specific sites had been used for military purposes, while the Israeli navy launched "indiscriminate attacks" on populated coastal sites.
The group also said the military wing of Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups fired rockets and other weapons into Israel, killing civilians and damaging civilian property.
It also said armed groups were responsible for the deaths of at least two Palestinians after rockets fell short of their targets in Israel.
The report accused Hamas as well as the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority of abuses including arbitrary arrests of political opponents and torture in Palestinian prisons.
Hamas denies
A Hamas spokesman dismissed the report as unfair.
In a statement, Fawzi Barhoum said the report was “unfair and lacked objectivity as it equaled between legitimate resistance which defended Palestinian civilians and the Israeli occupier who deliberately targeted and murdered Palestinian civilians.”
Amnesty International forgot that it was Israel who started that war, Barhoum added.
The way the report described the situation in the blockaded Gaza Strip and in the West Bank, according to Barhoum, and the situation of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody only scratched the surface of the reality, he added.
Barhoum highlighted that the Palestinian people and prisoners have been suffering endlessly in light of the siege on Gaza, the ongoing settlement expansion in the West Bank and settler assaults on the Palestinians.
Barhoum also dismissed Amnesty’s allegations about torturing opposition supporters. These claims, he said, have no credibility, nor were they based on real information. The organization has not met with Gaza officials to verify its information, he charged.
The report, according to Barhoum, contradicted reports prepared by local and international human rights groups which visited the Gaza Strip and met with officials and civilians.
An Israeli army spokesman had no immediate comment on the report.
22 may 2013
Incidents of abuse by the rival governments in the West Bank and Gaza are up 10 percent since last year the Palestinian Independent Commission for Human Rights said Tuesday in its annual report.
The report said the friction between the Hamas militants, controlling Gaza since 2007, and the Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority, ruling the West Bank, is a major factor of the increase in human rights violations.
According to Director Ahmed Harb, the incidents include torture, mistreatment, prevention of public assemblies, and the arrest or prevention from reporting of journalists.
The report said there were seven extrajudicial killings of supposed Israeli collaborators in Gaza and two Palestinian deaths in West Bank jails.
The report said the friction between the Hamas militants, controlling Gaza since 2007, and the Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority, ruling the West Bank, is a major factor of the increase in human rights violations.
According to Director Ahmed Harb, the incidents include torture, mistreatment, prevention of public assemblies, and the arrest or prevention from reporting of journalists.
The report said there were seven extrajudicial killings of supposed Israeli collaborators in Gaza and two Palestinian deaths in West Bank jails.
17 may 2013
Click on Link to download or play MP3 file || 6 m 04s || 5.56 MB ||
Welcome to this Week in Palestine, a service of the International Middle East Media Center, www.imemc.org, for May 11th to the 17th 2013
Hamas and Fatah meet in Cairo to advance the reconciliation and Israel continue with settlement activities and land grab while the Palestinians commemorate 65 years of forced dispossession and displacement, these stories and more, coming up, stay tuned.
The Nonviolence Report
Let’s begin our weekly report as usual with the nonviolent activities organized in the West Bank. This week protests were organized in the villages of al Nabi Saleh, Bil’in, Nil’in and Silwad in central West Bank, in addition to Beit Omer and Al Ma’ssara in southern west Bank. IMEMC’s Saher Alsous with the story
At the villages of Bil’in and Ni’lin, residents and their international and Israeli supporters, managed to reach the wall.
Soldiers stationed there fired tear gas and chemical water on protesters. Many were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation.
in Bil’in gas bombs fired by Israeli troops cased fire that damaged olive trees owned by local farmers. Soldiers also fired tear gas at residents who tryied to but off the fire.
At the nearby village of al Nabi Saleh, Israeli soldiers attacked the villagers and their supporters before leaving the village.
Later troops stormed the village and fire gas bombs into resident homes. Many were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation.
Elsewhere, at al Ma’ssara village, Israeli troops stopped the villagers and their supporters at village entrance then forced them back using rifle buts and batons to bush people back, no injuries were reported.
The West Bank and Gaza Report
This week Palestinians marked the 65 anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba. Moreover the Israeli army conducted at least 61 military invasions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these attacks Israeli troops left at least 2 civilians injured and kidnapped 47 Palestinians, including 13 children. IMEMC’s Ghassan Bannoura with the details:
This week Israeli army invasions and kidnapping of civilians were focused in the cities of Hebron, southern West Bank, as well as Jenin and Nablus, northern West Bank.
On Thursday of this week two Palestinians have been injured by Israeli fire during clashes with Israeli soldiers invading the Al-Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. Also, the soldiers violently attacked and beat a Palestinian youth, causing fractures in his feet.
A Palestinian child sustained wounds on Tuesday midday when an Israeli settler hit her with his car in the old city part of Hebron, southern West Bank. Local sources said that the little girl was moved to a hospital in Jerusalem after sustaining hit to the head. Residents said that the settler hit the child and run away.
Palestinian sources reported on Monday that a group of extremist Israeli settlers attacked and destroyed Palestinian property, destroyed graves and wrote racist graffiti in As-Swiya village, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus.
In Gaza this week Israeli forces conducted 2 limited incursions into the costal enclave. The first incursion was conducted in the northeast of Beit Hanoun, in the north of the Gaza Strip. The second incursion was conducted in the northeast of Jabalia, in the north of the Gaza Strip. Damage was reported but no injuries
.
Also this week thousands across the West Bank and Gaza marked on Wednesday the 65th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba. In Jerusalem Israeli soldiers attacked residents and local activist using tear gas, water mixed with chemicals, and rubber coated steel bullets.
According to local sources 20 residents were injured many were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation, medical sources reported that there were journalists among those injured in Jerusalem on Thursday. Moreover Israeli soldiers attacked residents using horses and kidnapped 30 residents.
At the city of Bethlehem, southern West Bank, The procession was held at the Manger Square in Bethlehem, while scout troops and more than 5000 Palestinians marched carrying Palestinian flags and signs affirming the legitimate Palestinian rights, and their right to return to their homeland.
In the central west Bank city of Ramallah, residents marched towards the Ofer Israeli military base at the city entrance. As soon as people reached the main road, Israeli soldiers showered them with tear gas and rubber coated steel bullets. As a result at least 30 people were injured and many more were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation.
For IMEMC News this is Ghassan Bannoura
The Political Report
Hamas and Fatah are closer than ever to the national conciliation which is expected within three months time, in the meantime, Israel continue with settlement activities despite freeze claims, the details with IMEMC's Rami Al Meghari
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas vowed to keep moving forward with the reconciliation efforts between the two main rival parties, Fatah and Hamas. Abbas' statements came during his meeting with the Egyptian counterpart, President Mohammad Mursi in Cairo on Thursday.
On his part, Azzam Al-Ahmad, head of Fatah delegation who met with a Hamas delegation in Cairo last week said that the two parties agreed to form a national unity government to be headed by the Mahmoud Abbas. He added that Palestinian Authority has to approve the election law of the Palestinian National Council and to assign a date for the elections.
In the meantime, meetings are on going between the two parties to name the rest of the Interim government ministers, which in turn will prepare for presidential and legislative elections within three months.
While Palestinians commemorate the 65 anniversary of the forced displacement of the Palestinian people by the zionist groups in 1948 after which Israel was created, The International Palestinian Right of Return Coalition issued a statement calling on all Palestinian factions to reach an agreement and end the dispute and to stick to "the legitimate Palestinian rights, topped by the Right of Return of the refugees to their homeland," and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
The coalition added that Palestinian leaders must denounce the Arab League for suggesting land swap with Israel, and for sending a delegation to Washington to discuss this issue, and stated that the internationally recognized Palestinian Right of Return and independence are nonnegotiable.
Israel on the other hand continue with its settlement activities despite claims of the freeze, in addition, the Israeli government is mulling the legalization of four settlement outposts in the West Bank.
Israeli daily online paper, Ynetnews, reported that the Israeli government informed the Supreme Court that it is examining the legalization of four illegal settlement outposts, built on privately owned Palestinian lands.
In 2003, the court ordered the removal of the four outposts, but the Israeli government did implement the ruling.
According to Ynetnews, Israel is weighing the possibility of avoiding the removal of the outposts, and claimed that Givat Asaf outpost, one of the four outposts, is mainly built on "purchased" lands. Givat Asaf should have been evacuated a year ago.
Welcome to this Week in Palestine, a service of the International Middle East Media Center, www.imemc.org, for May 11th to the 17th 2013
Hamas and Fatah meet in Cairo to advance the reconciliation and Israel continue with settlement activities and land grab while the Palestinians commemorate 65 years of forced dispossession and displacement, these stories and more, coming up, stay tuned.
The Nonviolence Report
Let’s begin our weekly report as usual with the nonviolent activities organized in the West Bank. This week protests were organized in the villages of al Nabi Saleh, Bil’in, Nil’in and Silwad in central West Bank, in addition to Beit Omer and Al Ma’ssara in southern west Bank. IMEMC’s Saher Alsous with the story
At the villages of Bil’in and Ni’lin, residents and their international and Israeli supporters, managed to reach the wall.
Soldiers stationed there fired tear gas and chemical water on protesters. Many were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation.
in Bil’in gas bombs fired by Israeli troops cased fire that damaged olive trees owned by local farmers. Soldiers also fired tear gas at residents who tryied to but off the fire.
At the nearby village of al Nabi Saleh, Israeli soldiers attacked the villagers and their supporters before leaving the village.
Later troops stormed the village and fire gas bombs into resident homes. Many were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation.
Elsewhere, at al Ma’ssara village, Israeli troops stopped the villagers and their supporters at village entrance then forced them back using rifle buts and batons to bush people back, no injuries were reported.
The West Bank and Gaza Report
This week Palestinians marked the 65 anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba. Moreover the Israeli army conducted at least 61 military invasions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these attacks Israeli troops left at least 2 civilians injured and kidnapped 47 Palestinians, including 13 children. IMEMC’s Ghassan Bannoura with the details:
This week Israeli army invasions and kidnapping of civilians were focused in the cities of Hebron, southern West Bank, as well as Jenin and Nablus, northern West Bank.
On Thursday of this week two Palestinians have been injured by Israeli fire during clashes with Israeli soldiers invading the Al-Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. Also, the soldiers violently attacked and beat a Palestinian youth, causing fractures in his feet.
A Palestinian child sustained wounds on Tuesday midday when an Israeli settler hit her with his car in the old city part of Hebron, southern West Bank. Local sources said that the little girl was moved to a hospital in Jerusalem after sustaining hit to the head. Residents said that the settler hit the child and run away.
Palestinian sources reported on Monday that a group of extremist Israeli settlers attacked and destroyed Palestinian property, destroyed graves and wrote racist graffiti in As-Swiya village, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus.
In Gaza this week Israeli forces conducted 2 limited incursions into the costal enclave. The first incursion was conducted in the northeast of Beit Hanoun, in the north of the Gaza Strip. The second incursion was conducted in the northeast of Jabalia, in the north of the Gaza Strip. Damage was reported but no injuries
.
Also this week thousands across the West Bank and Gaza marked on Wednesday the 65th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba. In Jerusalem Israeli soldiers attacked residents and local activist using tear gas, water mixed with chemicals, and rubber coated steel bullets.
According to local sources 20 residents were injured many were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation, medical sources reported that there were journalists among those injured in Jerusalem on Thursday. Moreover Israeli soldiers attacked residents using horses and kidnapped 30 residents.
At the city of Bethlehem, southern West Bank, The procession was held at the Manger Square in Bethlehem, while scout troops and more than 5000 Palestinians marched carrying Palestinian flags and signs affirming the legitimate Palestinian rights, and their right to return to their homeland.
In the central west Bank city of Ramallah, residents marched towards the Ofer Israeli military base at the city entrance. As soon as people reached the main road, Israeli soldiers showered them with tear gas and rubber coated steel bullets. As a result at least 30 people were injured and many more were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation.
For IMEMC News this is Ghassan Bannoura
The Political Report
Hamas and Fatah are closer than ever to the national conciliation which is expected within three months time, in the meantime, Israel continue with settlement activities despite freeze claims, the details with IMEMC's Rami Al Meghari
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas vowed to keep moving forward with the reconciliation efforts between the two main rival parties, Fatah and Hamas. Abbas' statements came during his meeting with the Egyptian counterpart, President Mohammad Mursi in Cairo on Thursday.
On his part, Azzam Al-Ahmad, head of Fatah delegation who met with a Hamas delegation in Cairo last week said that the two parties agreed to form a national unity government to be headed by the Mahmoud Abbas. He added that Palestinian Authority has to approve the election law of the Palestinian National Council and to assign a date for the elections.
In the meantime, meetings are on going between the two parties to name the rest of the Interim government ministers, which in turn will prepare for presidential and legislative elections within three months.
While Palestinians commemorate the 65 anniversary of the forced displacement of the Palestinian people by the zionist groups in 1948 after which Israel was created, The International Palestinian Right of Return Coalition issued a statement calling on all Palestinian factions to reach an agreement and end the dispute and to stick to "the legitimate Palestinian rights, topped by the Right of Return of the refugees to their homeland," and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
The coalition added that Palestinian leaders must denounce the Arab League for suggesting land swap with Israel, and for sending a delegation to Washington to discuss this issue, and stated that the internationally recognized Palestinian Right of Return and independence are nonnegotiable.
Israel on the other hand continue with its settlement activities despite claims of the freeze, in addition, the Israeli government is mulling the legalization of four settlement outposts in the West Bank.
Israeli daily online paper, Ynetnews, reported that the Israeli government informed the Supreme Court that it is examining the legalization of four illegal settlement outposts, built on privately owned Palestinian lands.
In 2003, the court ordered the removal of the four outposts, but the Israeli government did implement the ruling.
According to Ynetnews, Israel is weighing the possibility of avoiding the removal of the outposts, and claimed that Givat Asaf outpost, one of the four outposts, is mainly built on "purchased" lands. Givat Asaf should have been evacuated a year ago.
Israel arrests 28 children within 2 weeks
A Palestinian official report showed that the Israeli occupation forces have arrested 28 children from different cities and villages in the occupied West Bank, since the beginning of the month of May.
The report noted that the occupation forces "continued its aggression against the Palestinian children, as they arrested during the first half of May 28 children, and injured dozens of others during attacks on them by Israeli soldiers and settlers."
Data of the Ministry of Prisoners' Affairs states that the occupation forces have arrested since the start of the Al-Aqsa Intifada in 2000 until the 7th of May 2013 nearly 9500 children under the age of eighteen, at the rate of 760 children per year.
Israel is still holding in its jails 243 Palestinian children, 42 of them are under the age of 16.
The report noted that the occupation forces "continued its aggression against the Palestinian children, as they arrested during the first half of May 28 children, and injured dozens of others during attacks on them by Israeli soldiers and settlers."
Data of the Ministry of Prisoners' Affairs states that the occupation forces have arrested since the start of the Al-Aqsa Intifada in 2000 until the 7th of May 2013 nearly 9500 children under the age of eighteen, at the rate of 760 children per year.
Israel is still holding in its jails 243 Palestinian children, 42 of them are under the age of 16.
16 may 2013
Pew:The Palestinians in the occupied lands favor armed resistence
A US opinion poll stated that majority of the Palestinians do not believe a way can be found for an independent Palestinian state to coexist peacefully with Israel.
According to a recent survey of public opinion conducted by Pew research center, a plurality of the Palestinians, about 45 percent, in the occupied Palestinian territories believes that negotiations and nonviolent resistance are useless and that the best way to achieve statehood is through armed struggle.
61 percent of the Palestinians in the occupied territories do not believe a way can be found for Israel and an independent Palestinian state to coexist peacefully, while 14 percent say this is possible and 22 percent say it depends, the poll showed.
The center also surveyed the public opinion in some European countries about their sympathy with Palestinians or Israelis and the results were unanimously in favor of the Palestinians.
In Britain, about 35 percent of the British expressed sympathy with the Palestinians, while 19 percent sided with Israelis.
In France, 43 percent sympathized with the Palestinians and 32 percent sympathized with Israelis.
Germans also offered more even views now compared with six years ago in 2007, when 34 percent of them sided with Israel and 21 percent sided with the Palestinians. Now 26 percent of them showed sympathy with the Palestinians, while 28 percent favored Israelis.
According to a recent survey of public opinion conducted by Pew research center, a plurality of the Palestinians, about 45 percent, in the occupied Palestinian territories believes that negotiations and nonviolent resistance are useless and that the best way to achieve statehood is through armed struggle.
61 percent of the Palestinians in the occupied territories do not believe a way can be found for Israel and an independent Palestinian state to coexist peacefully, while 14 percent say this is possible and 22 percent say it depends, the poll showed.
The center also surveyed the public opinion in some European countries about their sympathy with Palestinians or Israelis and the results were unanimously in favor of the Palestinians.
In Britain, about 35 percent of the British expressed sympathy with the Palestinians, while 19 percent sided with Israelis.
In France, 43 percent sympathized with the Palestinians and 32 percent sympathized with Israelis.
Germans also offered more even views now compared with six years ago in 2007, when 34 percent of them sided with Israel and 21 percent sided with the Palestinians. Now 26 percent of them showed sympathy with the Palestinians, while 28 percent favored Israelis.
15 may 2013
PCBS: Israel controls 85% of historical Palestine
Al-Bassa, north of Akka, ethnically cleansed in May 1948, massacre committed at the village's church
Jewish terrorist gangs seized 774 Palestinian villages and cities and committed 70 massacres that reaped the lives of 15,000 Palestinians in 1948 to create Israel, Palestinian official statistics revealed.
About 800 thousand Palestinians were forcibly displaced from their homelands to the West Bank, Gaza, and the Diaspora in addition the expulsion of thousands from their homes and villages but they remained in 1948-occupied Palestine, a press release issued by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) stated.
The percentage of refugees reached 44.2% of the total population in 2012, while UNRWA has reported 5.3 million Palestinian refugees mid 2013 (45.7% of the Palestinian population), the press release noted.
The statistics revealed that 59% of the Palestinian refugees live in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, while 17% in the West Bank, and 24% in the Gaza Strip. Nearly 29 % of the Palestinian refugees are currently in 58 camps, where there are 10 camps in Jordan, 9 camps in Syria, 12 camps in Lebanon, and 19 camps in the West Bank, in addition to 8 refugee camps in the Gaza Strip.
During the Nakba, there were 1.37 million Palestinians while the number has multiplied 8.5 times to reach 11.4 million Palestinians worldwide in 2012.
The statistics pointed out that about 5.8 million Palestinians live in the Palestinian historical territories (from the river to the sea) in 2012, expecting that their number will reach 7.2 million by the end of 2020.
Gaza became after the Nakba one of the most densely populated regions in the world. The population density in the Gaza Strip is 11 times that of 1948-occupied Palestine.
PCBS stated that there are 474 Israeli settlements, outposts and military bases in the West Bank by the end of 2011, while the Israeli settlers' numbers in West Bank has totaled 537 thousand settlers by end of 2011.
The press release indicated that the number of settlers in Jerusalem reaches nearly 268 thousand settlers and constitutes 49.8% of all West Bank settlers. Jews arrogated more than 85% of the total area of historical Palestinian.
The PCBS report came on the 65th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba.
Jewish terrorist gangs seized 774 Palestinian villages and cities and committed 70 massacres that reaped the lives of 15,000 Palestinians in 1948 to create Israel, Palestinian official statistics revealed.
About 800 thousand Palestinians were forcibly displaced from their homelands to the West Bank, Gaza, and the Diaspora in addition the expulsion of thousands from their homes and villages but they remained in 1948-occupied Palestine, a press release issued by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) stated.
The percentage of refugees reached 44.2% of the total population in 2012, while UNRWA has reported 5.3 million Palestinian refugees mid 2013 (45.7% of the Palestinian population), the press release noted.
The statistics revealed that 59% of the Palestinian refugees live in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, while 17% in the West Bank, and 24% in the Gaza Strip. Nearly 29 % of the Palestinian refugees are currently in 58 camps, where there are 10 camps in Jordan, 9 camps in Syria, 12 camps in Lebanon, and 19 camps in the West Bank, in addition to 8 refugee camps in the Gaza Strip.
During the Nakba, there were 1.37 million Palestinians while the number has multiplied 8.5 times to reach 11.4 million Palestinians worldwide in 2012.
The statistics pointed out that about 5.8 million Palestinians live in the Palestinian historical territories (from the river to the sea) in 2012, expecting that their number will reach 7.2 million by the end of 2020.
Gaza became after the Nakba one of the most densely populated regions in the world. The population density in the Gaza Strip is 11 times that of 1948-occupied Palestine.
PCBS stated that there are 474 Israeli settlements, outposts and military bases in the West Bank by the end of 2011, while the Israeli settlers' numbers in West Bank has totaled 537 thousand settlers by end of 2011.
The press release indicated that the number of settlers in Jerusalem reaches nearly 268 thousand settlers and constitutes 49.8% of all West Bank settlers. Jews arrogated more than 85% of the total area of historical Palestinian.
The PCBS report came on the 65th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba.
14 may 2013
Report: “%100 Of Administrative Detainees Are Former Prisoners”
The Ahrar Center for Detainees’ Studies and Human Rights reported that all of the Palestinian current administrative detainees, held by Israel without charges, are former political prisoners who have been repeatedly kidnapped and imprisoned by Israel.
Fuad Al-Khoffash, head of the Ahrar Center, reported that Israeli is currently holding captive 218 detainees under Administrative Detention, mainly at the Negev detention camp and Ofer prison, while the rest are held in Majiddo, Hadarim and other prisons.
Al-Khoffash added that %80 of the Administrative Detainees are supporters of the Hamas movement, and that some of them spent more than 15 years after being kidnapped and detained numerous times without charges.
He said that most of the Administrative Detainees are from the southern West Bank city of Hebron, followed by the northern West Bank city of Nablus.
Al-Khoffash said that detainee Ayed Doudeen, from Hebron, spent a total of 15 years in prison, including eight years under Administrative Detention, also detainee Nazeeh Abu ‘Oon, spent 13 years in Israeli prisons, and has been under Administrative Detention since he was kidnapped last time two years ago.
Furthermore, the Ahrar center reported that elected former Minister of Detainee, Wasfi Qabha, has been under Administrative Detention since two years, and added that Israel is currently holding captive 13 elected legislators, including nine who are held under Administrative Detention.
The center called for local, regional and international legal actions to expose the ongoing Israeli violations against all Palestinian political detainees, especially administrative detainees, in order to ensure an end to the illegal Israeli practice and policies.
Detainees held under Administrative Detention do not even know what charges they are facing as Israel holds them under the pretext of having a “secret file” against them, a file that neither the detainees, nor their lawyers, have access to.
Fuad Al-Khoffash, head of the Ahrar Center, reported that Israeli is currently holding captive 218 detainees under Administrative Detention, mainly at the Negev detention camp and Ofer prison, while the rest are held in Majiddo, Hadarim and other prisons.
Al-Khoffash added that %80 of the Administrative Detainees are supporters of the Hamas movement, and that some of them spent more than 15 years after being kidnapped and detained numerous times without charges.
He said that most of the Administrative Detainees are from the southern West Bank city of Hebron, followed by the northern West Bank city of Nablus.
Al-Khoffash said that detainee Ayed Doudeen, from Hebron, spent a total of 15 years in prison, including eight years under Administrative Detention, also detainee Nazeeh Abu ‘Oon, spent 13 years in Israeli prisons, and has been under Administrative Detention since he was kidnapped last time two years ago.
Furthermore, the Ahrar center reported that elected former Minister of Detainee, Wasfi Qabha, has been under Administrative Detention since two years, and added that Israel is currently holding captive 13 elected legislators, including nine who are held under Administrative Detention.
The center called for local, regional and international legal actions to expose the ongoing Israeli violations against all Palestinian political detainees, especially administrative detainees, in order to ensure an end to the illegal Israeli practice and policies.
Detainees held under Administrative Detention do not even know what charges they are facing as Israel holds them under the pretext of having a “secret file” against them, a file that neither the detainees, nor their lawyers, have access to.
13 may 2013
PCHR Calls Upon Attorney General to Investigate Killing of Civilian by Police in Sa'ir Village
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) calls upon the Attorney General to investigate the circumstances of the killing of Khaleda Tayseer Kawazbah (44) by members of the Palestinian police force in Sa'ir village, east of Hebron, and subsequent incidents in which four members of the same family were wounded, PCHR said in a press release Sunday.
PCHR calls on the government in Ramallah to take the necessary measures to regulate the use of firearms by law enforcement officers and ensure their commitment to the Palestinian laws and international standards relevant to the use of firearms.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR and testimonies of eyewitnesses, at approximately 20:30 on Wednesday, 08 May 2013, Nawwaf Mohammed Kawazbah (47) was with his wife Khaleda (47), their son Tha'er (25), and Tha'er's wife in a store in the centre of Sa'ir village, east of Hebron, in the south of the West Bank. Four Palestinian policemen arrived at the store and ordered Nawwaf to go with them, but a quarrel erupted. A number of civilians gathered in the area, and a policeman fired in the air to disperse the crowd. Nawwaf and his family got into their white Mazda, which has an Israeli registration plate, and left the area.
The family travelled to al-'Ein Square in the centre of the village, which is about 45 metres away from the store. Two policemen who were outside the police station opened fire at the vehicle's tyres and doors in an effort to force Nawwaf to stop. Nawwaf's wife, Khaleda, was wounded. The vehicle continued on to Sa'ir valley. After around fifteen minutes, Nawwaf returned to the police station at al-'Ein Square, fired at the building, and left. After some time, more members of the al-Kawazba family attacked the police station again, as it was reported that Khaleda had been killed.
At approximately 21:30 on the same day, a member of the Palestinian Security Services arrived to the place, and clashes broke out between the two parties. As a result, four civilians from the al-Kawazba family were wounded. The wounded were:
1. Sultan Kawazba, who sustained a bullet wound in the abdomen;
2. Nedal Kawazba, who sustained two bullet wounds in the right leg and knee and a shrapnel wound in the chest;
3. Hamza Kawazba, who sustained a bullet wound in the right thigh; and
4. Tamer Kawazba, who sustained a bullet wound in the hand.
The wounded were transported to Hebron and al-Ahli governmental hospitals in Hebron to receive the necessary medical treatment.
In a subsequent development, at approximately 21:00 on Friday, 10 May 2013, a number of civilians driving different vehicles arrived in the vicinity of Sa'ir police station and opened fire. In response, the police opened fire wounding Samer Kawazba in his leg. Police then arrested the wounded man. At approximately 22:00 on the same day, back-up units arrived and deployed in the village and around the police station. They erected a number of checkpoints at the northern and western entrances of the village.
At approximately 23:00, security officers opened fire on a white Skoda Octavia vehicle and wounded 3 civilians inside. The wounded were:
1. Taleb Ali al-Dayafeen (35), from 'Anatta village, in the north of Jerusalem, who was wounded by a bullet to the chest;
2. Mohammed Abdul Rahman Abu Znaid (33), from Doura village, in the south of Hebron, who was wounded by a bullet to the abdomen; and
3. Omar Mohammed al-Jahaleen (21), from al-Jahaleen area, in the east of Bethlehem, who was wounded by a bullet to the left shoulder and a bullet to the right hand.
In his testimony to PCHR's fieldworker, al-Jahaleen stated that a Palestinian security officer had stopped the above-mentioned vehicle, spoken with the driver, was and then allowed the vehicle to pass. As soon as the vehicle had driven about 50 metres away, the Palestinian security officers opened fire at it, wounding the three persons. The wounded were transported to Hebron and al-Ahli governmental hospitals in Hebron to receive the necessary treatment. Medical sources described the wounds of al-Dayafeen and Abu Znaid as serious. Samer Kawazba remains in detention.
In light of the above, PCHR:
1. Calls upon the Attorney General to investigate the circumstances of the killing of Khaleda Kawazba and the subsequent incidents, make the findings of the investigation public, and take the necessary legal measures;
2. Calls upon the government in Ramallah to take the necessary measures to impose restrictions on the use of weapons by law enforcement officers and guarantee their commitment to the Palestinian laws and international standards relevant to the use of weapons; and
3. Stresses that law enforcement officers have no right to fire at civilians, unless exposed to real danger that threatens their lives or the lives of persons under their protection, and always in accordance with the international standards relative to the use of weapons.
PCHR calls on the government in Ramallah to take the necessary measures to regulate the use of firearms by law enforcement officers and ensure their commitment to the Palestinian laws and international standards relevant to the use of firearms.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR and testimonies of eyewitnesses, at approximately 20:30 on Wednesday, 08 May 2013, Nawwaf Mohammed Kawazbah (47) was with his wife Khaleda (47), their son Tha'er (25), and Tha'er's wife in a store in the centre of Sa'ir village, east of Hebron, in the south of the West Bank. Four Palestinian policemen arrived at the store and ordered Nawwaf to go with them, but a quarrel erupted. A number of civilians gathered in the area, and a policeman fired in the air to disperse the crowd. Nawwaf and his family got into their white Mazda, which has an Israeli registration plate, and left the area.
The family travelled to al-'Ein Square in the centre of the village, which is about 45 metres away from the store. Two policemen who were outside the police station opened fire at the vehicle's tyres and doors in an effort to force Nawwaf to stop. Nawwaf's wife, Khaleda, was wounded. The vehicle continued on to Sa'ir valley. After around fifteen minutes, Nawwaf returned to the police station at al-'Ein Square, fired at the building, and left. After some time, more members of the al-Kawazba family attacked the police station again, as it was reported that Khaleda had been killed.
At approximately 21:30 on the same day, a member of the Palestinian Security Services arrived to the place, and clashes broke out between the two parties. As a result, four civilians from the al-Kawazba family were wounded. The wounded were:
1. Sultan Kawazba, who sustained a bullet wound in the abdomen;
2. Nedal Kawazba, who sustained two bullet wounds in the right leg and knee and a shrapnel wound in the chest;
3. Hamza Kawazba, who sustained a bullet wound in the right thigh; and
4. Tamer Kawazba, who sustained a bullet wound in the hand.
The wounded were transported to Hebron and al-Ahli governmental hospitals in Hebron to receive the necessary medical treatment.
In a subsequent development, at approximately 21:00 on Friday, 10 May 2013, a number of civilians driving different vehicles arrived in the vicinity of Sa'ir police station and opened fire. In response, the police opened fire wounding Samer Kawazba in his leg. Police then arrested the wounded man. At approximately 22:00 on the same day, back-up units arrived and deployed in the village and around the police station. They erected a number of checkpoints at the northern and western entrances of the village.
At approximately 23:00, security officers opened fire on a white Skoda Octavia vehicle and wounded 3 civilians inside. The wounded were:
1. Taleb Ali al-Dayafeen (35), from 'Anatta village, in the north of Jerusalem, who was wounded by a bullet to the chest;
2. Mohammed Abdul Rahman Abu Znaid (33), from Doura village, in the south of Hebron, who was wounded by a bullet to the abdomen; and
3. Omar Mohammed al-Jahaleen (21), from al-Jahaleen area, in the east of Bethlehem, who was wounded by a bullet to the left shoulder and a bullet to the right hand.
In his testimony to PCHR's fieldworker, al-Jahaleen stated that a Palestinian security officer had stopped the above-mentioned vehicle, spoken with the driver, was and then allowed the vehicle to pass. As soon as the vehicle had driven about 50 metres away, the Palestinian security officers opened fire at it, wounding the three persons. The wounded were transported to Hebron and al-Ahli governmental hospitals in Hebron to receive the necessary treatment. Medical sources described the wounds of al-Dayafeen and Abu Znaid as serious. Samer Kawazba remains in detention.
In light of the above, PCHR:
1. Calls upon the Attorney General to investigate the circumstances of the killing of Khaleda Kawazba and the subsequent incidents, make the findings of the investigation public, and take the necessary legal measures;
2. Calls upon the government in Ramallah to take the necessary measures to impose restrictions on the use of weapons by law enforcement officers and guarantee their commitment to the Palestinian laws and international standards relevant to the use of weapons; and
3. Stresses that law enforcement officers have no right to fire at civilians, unless exposed to real danger that threatens their lives or the lives of persons under their protection, and always in accordance with the international standards relative to the use of weapons.
10 may 2013
PCHR Condemns Violent Dispersal Of Solidarity Sit-in In Khan Younis
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) strongly condemns the violent dispersal of a sit-in in solidarity with the Syrian people, held in Khan Younis in the south of the Gaza Strip, attacks against participants, and the detention of a number of participants by members of the Palestinian police.
PCHR also condemns measures by the police to prevent journalists from doing their job; five journalists were detained by police, and one of them was beaten during the incident.
PCHR demands that the Attorney General open an independent investigation into these attacks, hold the perpetrators accountable, and provide justice for the victims of the attacks.
Additionally, PCHR demands that the government in Gaza take necessary measures to put an end to such violations, and to respect the civil liberties and fundamental freedoms of the citizens of the Gaza Strip, which are guaranteed by the constitution and under international human rights law.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR and the testimonies of victims and eyewitnesses, at approximately 18:00 on Tuesday, 07 May 2013, around 50 civilians participated in a sit-in in solidarity with the Syrian people and in condemnation of the Israeli shelling of Syrian territory.
The sit-in was held in al-Qal'a Square in the centre of Khan Younis and organised by the Arab Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Shortly after the sit-in began, two individuals dressed in civilian clothing arrived at the scene and ordered the participants to disperse.
Shortly afterwards, members of a unit of Palestinian police began to violently disperse the crowd, beating some of the participants with gun butts and clubs. Police detained 5 of the participants and took them to the Office of the Prosecutor in Khan Younis City; they were released an hour after they were detained.
During the same incident, members of Palestinian police prevented journalists, who were covering the sit-in, from carrying out their work and forced them to leave the scene.
As the journalists were leaving the area, they were followed by members of police, who detained 5 of them and confiscated their equipment. One of the journalists was beaten, and his camera was destroyed.
The journalists were taken to the Office of the Prosecutor and later released. The detained journalists were identified as:
1- Ahmed Ghanam, cameraman for Mayadeen News Channel;
2- Abdul-Aziz al-'Afify, photojournalist for Screen Media Production. He was beaten and his camera was destroyed;
3- Mohammed Abu-Taha, reporter for Palestine Satellite Channel;
4- 'Odi Abu-Shahma, boom operator for Screen Media Production; and
5- Iyad al-Baba, photojournalist for the APA Media Company.
The Ministry of Interior Affairs published a press release on Tuesday evening that stated: ”The Ministry of Interior's Information Office apologizes for the actions of a number of members of the Palestinian police this evening, who used rough treatment against a number of journalists while covering an activity in Khan Younis governorate, in the south of the Gaza Strip.
The Information Office has followed the situation from the beginning and addressed it immediately […] the Office continues to follow the events to ensure that the incident will not be repeated, that the perpetrators will be held accountable, and that the journalists will receive justice."
In this context, PCHR emphasizes the following:
1- The right to peaceful assembly is constitutionally guaranteed according to Article 26(5) of the Palestinian Basic Law and the Palestinian Public Meetings Law No. 12 of 1998;
2- Article 27 of the Palestinian Basic Law guarantees public freedoms and the freedom of the press in the Palestinian Authority, and Article 19 of the Palestinian Basic Law guarantees the right to the freedom of opinion and expression; and
3- Attacks by the Palestinian police against civilians and the detention of participants in a peaceful public event without a court order constitutes a violation of the personal and public freedoms of civilians, according to Article 32 of the Palestinian Basic Law, and is considered a crime for which there is no statute of limitations to file a civil or criminal complaint.
Based on the above, PCHR:
1- Calls upon the Attorney General to open an independent investigation into these attacks, prosecute the perpetrators and provide justice for the victims; and
2- Calls upon the government in the Gaza Strip to take necessary measures to put an end to such violations, to respect the civil liberties and fundamental freedoms of citizens of the Gaza Strip, as well as the freedom of the press, which are guaranteed by the constitutional and under international human rights law.
PCHR also condemns measures by the police to prevent journalists from doing their job; five journalists were detained by police, and one of them was beaten during the incident.
PCHR demands that the Attorney General open an independent investigation into these attacks, hold the perpetrators accountable, and provide justice for the victims of the attacks.
Additionally, PCHR demands that the government in Gaza take necessary measures to put an end to such violations, and to respect the civil liberties and fundamental freedoms of the citizens of the Gaza Strip, which are guaranteed by the constitution and under international human rights law.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR and the testimonies of victims and eyewitnesses, at approximately 18:00 on Tuesday, 07 May 2013, around 50 civilians participated in a sit-in in solidarity with the Syrian people and in condemnation of the Israeli shelling of Syrian territory.
The sit-in was held in al-Qal'a Square in the centre of Khan Younis and organised by the Arab Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Shortly after the sit-in began, two individuals dressed in civilian clothing arrived at the scene and ordered the participants to disperse.
Shortly afterwards, members of a unit of Palestinian police began to violently disperse the crowd, beating some of the participants with gun butts and clubs. Police detained 5 of the participants and took them to the Office of the Prosecutor in Khan Younis City; they were released an hour after they were detained.
During the same incident, members of Palestinian police prevented journalists, who were covering the sit-in, from carrying out their work and forced them to leave the scene.
As the journalists were leaving the area, they were followed by members of police, who detained 5 of them and confiscated their equipment. One of the journalists was beaten, and his camera was destroyed.
The journalists were taken to the Office of the Prosecutor and later released. The detained journalists were identified as:
1- Ahmed Ghanam, cameraman for Mayadeen News Channel;
2- Abdul-Aziz al-'Afify, photojournalist for Screen Media Production. He was beaten and his camera was destroyed;
3- Mohammed Abu-Taha, reporter for Palestine Satellite Channel;
4- 'Odi Abu-Shahma, boom operator for Screen Media Production; and
5- Iyad al-Baba, photojournalist for the APA Media Company.
The Ministry of Interior Affairs published a press release on Tuesday evening that stated: ”The Ministry of Interior's Information Office apologizes for the actions of a number of members of the Palestinian police this evening, who used rough treatment against a number of journalists while covering an activity in Khan Younis governorate, in the south of the Gaza Strip.
The Information Office has followed the situation from the beginning and addressed it immediately […] the Office continues to follow the events to ensure that the incident will not be repeated, that the perpetrators will be held accountable, and that the journalists will receive justice."
In this context, PCHR emphasizes the following:
1- The right to peaceful assembly is constitutionally guaranteed according to Article 26(5) of the Palestinian Basic Law and the Palestinian Public Meetings Law No. 12 of 1998;
2- Article 27 of the Palestinian Basic Law guarantees public freedoms and the freedom of the press in the Palestinian Authority, and Article 19 of the Palestinian Basic Law guarantees the right to the freedom of opinion and expression; and
3- Attacks by the Palestinian police against civilians and the detention of participants in a peaceful public event without a court order constitutes a violation of the personal and public freedoms of civilians, according to Article 32 of the Palestinian Basic Law, and is considered a crime for which there is no statute of limitations to file a civil or criminal complaint.
Based on the above, PCHR:
1- Calls upon the Attorney General to open an independent investigation into these attacks, prosecute the perpetrators and provide justice for the victims; and
2- Calls upon the government in the Gaza Strip to take necessary measures to put an end to such violations, to respect the civil liberties and fundamental freedoms of citizens of the Gaza Strip, as well as the freedom of the press, which are guaranteed by the constitutional and under international human rights law.
PCHR Weekly Report: 11 Palestinian civilians, including 9-year old girl, wounded by Israeli troops
Ush Ghrab, former military base in Beit Sahour, where Israeli troops allowed settlement outpost
In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 02 - 08 May 2013, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that 4 Palestinian civilians were wounded during incursions in the West Bank.
Another 4 were wounded while Israeli forces protected settlers attacking Palestinian civilians. 3 protesters, including a woman and a 9-year old girl, were wounded during peaceful protests against the annexation wall and settlement activities.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 79 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, Israeli forces abducted at least 45 Palestinians, including 3 children.
On 03 May 2013, 4 Palestinian civilians were wounded during Israeli incursions in the south of Hebron and in Beitummar, north of Hebron.
On 04 May 2013, in Ras Karkar village, northwest of Ramallah, Israeli forces wounded 4 civilians while offering protection to Israeli settlers as they carried out attacks.
6 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were abducted at checkpoints in the West Bank.
On Sunday, 05 May 2013, Israeli forces placed two evacuation notices related to hundreds of dunums of land, which is the property of the al-'Omla, al-Saraheen and al-Atrash families in the Khelat al-Theeb area, west of Beit Oula village, in the west of Hebron.
On Monday, 06 May 2013, Israeli forces handed notices to a number of civilians ordering them to halt construction work on their houses in Deir Nizam village, in the northwest of Ramallah, under that pretext that they had begun building without obtaining a permit.
On Tuesday, 07 May 2013, Israeli forces bulldozed 68 dunums of land, 6 water wells, 3,420 metres of stone walls, and 2,400 metres of electricity wires and poles in Tarqoumia and Beit Oula village, in the west of Hebron. In addition, they uprooted and confiscated 3,000 trees: 750 olive trees; 2,100 almond trees; and 150 grape vines. Additionally, Israeli forces bulldozed a dwelling in al-Qoum village, in the south of Hebron.
Also on Tuesday, Israeli forces bulldozed an agricultural shed and a caravan in Mikhmas village, in the southeast of Ramallah.
On Wednesday, 08 May 2013, Israeli forces bulldozed two houses, which were made of bricks, wood and tin, in al-Najada neighbourhood, north of al-'Ouja village, in the northeast of Jericho.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces continued to pursue fishermen at sea. On 06 May 2013, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia, in the north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats that were around 3 nautical miles offshore. Similar incidents took place on 07 May 2013. Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.
On 03 May 2013, Israeli forces positioned along the eastern borders between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire at a group of people who were picnicking near al-Shuhada' cemetery, east of Jabalia. No casualties were reported.
On 05 May 2013, Israeli forces positioned along the border fence opened fire at some gravel and steel collectors who were about 300 metres away from the border fence, north of Beit Lahia, in the north of the Gaza Strip. However, no casualties were reported.
Also this week in Gaza, 2 Palestinians were abducted at Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
Israeli forces continued the systematic use of excessive force against peaceful protests organised by Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank.
As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a woman and a child, were wounded. The woman and child were wounded during the weekly protest in al-Nabi Saleh, while the third person was wounded during the weekly protest in Budrus, northwest of Ramallah.
Palestinian civilians organised many peaceful protests in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners detained in Israeli jails, especially those on hunger strike. Israeli forces used excessive force against the protestors;
as a result, many civilians, including the mayor of Ramallah and al-Bireh, suffered from tear gas inhalation, while others sustained bruises.
Israeli settlement activities:
Israeli forces have continued to support settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
68 dunums of land, 3,000 trees, 6 water wells, and 3,420-metres of stone walls were demolished in the west of Hebron. A tin dwelling, and 2,400-metres of electricity wires and poles were demolished in Hebron. 2 houses were demolished in Jericho, and an agricultural shed and a caravan were demolished in Ramallah.
On Thursday, 02 May 2013, a group of settlers from "Ofra" settlement, established on the lands of Yabroud, Silwad and Deir Jarir villages, in the northeast of Ramallah, broke the branches of 35 olive trees, which were between 15 and 20 years old. The land in question is located in the al-Karm al-'Ateeq area, west of Deir Jarir village, approximately 1,500 meters to the east of the afore-mentioned settlement.
On Saturday, 04 May 2013, settlers from "Beitar Illit" settlement, established on Palestinian land in the west of Bethlehem, threw stones at Ahmed Abdul-Salam al-Za'oul (25) from Housan village, in the west of the governorate, while he was passing through the intersection with the afore-mentioned settlement. As a result, he sustained minor cuts.
On Saturday, approximately 300 settlers attacked the homes of Palestinian civilians in 'Ayn Ayoub area, west of Ras Karkar village, in the northwest of Ramallah.
On Sunday, 05 May 2013, a group of settlers, under the protection of Israeli forces and accompanied by military vehicles, raided Yousif Grave area, in the east of Nablus. The settlers stayed in the area for a while and performed some Talmudic rituals.
In the meantime, a group of settlers from "Aad" settlement, established on the land of Jaloud village, in the southeast of Nablus, attacked the homes of Palestinian civilians near the entrance to the village, while under the protection of Israeli forces. Settlers rioted in the area, intimidating the civilians who live there, and threw Molotov cocktails in the area surrounding the houses.
Recommendations to the international community:
Due to the number and severity of Israeli human rights violations this week, the PCHR made several recommendations to the international community. Among these were a recommendation that the international community and the United Nations use all available means to allow the Palestinian people to enjoy their right to self-determination, through the establishment of the Palestinian State, which was recognized by the UN General Assembly with a vast majority, using all international legal mechanisms, including sanctions to end the occupation of the State of Palestine;
The PCHR calls upon the United Nations to provide international protection to Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and to ensure the non-recurrence of aggression against the Occupied Palestinian Territories, especially the Gaza Strip;
For the full text of the report, click on the link
In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 02 - 08 May 2013, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that 4 Palestinian civilians were wounded during incursions in the West Bank.
Another 4 were wounded while Israeli forces protected settlers attacking Palestinian civilians. 3 protesters, including a woman and a 9-year old girl, were wounded during peaceful protests against the annexation wall and settlement activities.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 79 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, Israeli forces abducted at least 45 Palestinians, including 3 children.
On 03 May 2013, 4 Palestinian civilians were wounded during Israeli incursions in the south of Hebron and in Beitummar, north of Hebron.
On 04 May 2013, in Ras Karkar village, northwest of Ramallah, Israeli forces wounded 4 civilians while offering protection to Israeli settlers as they carried out attacks.
6 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were abducted at checkpoints in the West Bank.
On Sunday, 05 May 2013, Israeli forces placed two evacuation notices related to hundreds of dunums of land, which is the property of the al-'Omla, al-Saraheen and al-Atrash families in the Khelat al-Theeb area, west of Beit Oula village, in the west of Hebron.
On Monday, 06 May 2013, Israeli forces handed notices to a number of civilians ordering them to halt construction work on their houses in Deir Nizam village, in the northwest of Ramallah, under that pretext that they had begun building without obtaining a permit.
On Tuesday, 07 May 2013, Israeli forces bulldozed 68 dunums of land, 6 water wells, 3,420 metres of stone walls, and 2,400 metres of electricity wires and poles in Tarqoumia and Beit Oula village, in the west of Hebron. In addition, they uprooted and confiscated 3,000 trees: 750 olive trees; 2,100 almond trees; and 150 grape vines. Additionally, Israeli forces bulldozed a dwelling in al-Qoum village, in the south of Hebron.
Also on Tuesday, Israeli forces bulldozed an agricultural shed and a caravan in Mikhmas village, in the southeast of Ramallah.
On Wednesday, 08 May 2013, Israeli forces bulldozed two houses, which were made of bricks, wood and tin, in al-Najada neighbourhood, north of al-'Ouja village, in the northeast of Jericho.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces continued to pursue fishermen at sea. On 06 May 2013, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia, in the north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats that were around 3 nautical miles offshore. Similar incidents took place on 07 May 2013. Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.
On 03 May 2013, Israeli forces positioned along the eastern borders between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire at a group of people who were picnicking near al-Shuhada' cemetery, east of Jabalia. No casualties were reported.
On 05 May 2013, Israeli forces positioned along the border fence opened fire at some gravel and steel collectors who were about 300 metres away from the border fence, north of Beit Lahia, in the north of the Gaza Strip. However, no casualties were reported.
Also this week in Gaza, 2 Palestinians were abducted at Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
Israeli forces continued the systematic use of excessive force against peaceful protests organised by Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank.
As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a woman and a child, were wounded. The woman and child were wounded during the weekly protest in al-Nabi Saleh, while the third person was wounded during the weekly protest in Budrus, northwest of Ramallah.
Palestinian civilians organised many peaceful protests in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners detained in Israeli jails, especially those on hunger strike. Israeli forces used excessive force against the protestors;
as a result, many civilians, including the mayor of Ramallah and al-Bireh, suffered from tear gas inhalation, while others sustained bruises.
Israeli settlement activities:
Israeli forces have continued to support settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
68 dunums of land, 3,000 trees, 6 water wells, and 3,420-metres of stone walls were demolished in the west of Hebron. A tin dwelling, and 2,400-metres of electricity wires and poles were demolished in Hebron. 2 houses were demolished in Jericho, and an agricultural shed and a caravan were demolished in Ramallah.
On Thursday, 02 May 2013, a group of settlers from "Ofra" settlement, established on the lands of Yabroud, Silwad and Deir Jarir villages, in the northeast of Ramallah, broke the branches of 35 olive trees, which were between 15 and 20 years old. The land in question is located in the al-Karm al-'Ateeq area, west of Deir Jarir village, approximately 1,500 meters to the east of the afore-mentioned settlement.
On Saturday, 04 May 2013, settlers from "Beitar Illit" settlement, established on Palestinian land in the west of Bethlehem, threw stones at Ahmed Abdul-Salam al-Za'oul (25) from Housan village, in the west of the governorate, while he was passing through the intersection with the afore-mentioned settlement. As a result, he sustained minor cuts.
On Saturday, approximately 300 settlers attacked the homes of Palestinian civilians in 'Ayn Ayoub area, west of Ras Karkar village, in the northwest of Ramallah.
On Sunday, 05 May 2013, a group of settlers, under the protection of Israeli forces and accompanied by military vehicles, raided Yousif Grave area, in the east of Nablus. The settlers stayed in the area for a while and performed some Talmudic rituals.
In the meantime, a group of settlers from "Aad" settlement, established on the land of Jaloud village, in the southeast of Nablus, attacked the homes of Palestinian civilians near the entrance to the village, while under the protection of Israeli forces. Settlers rioted in the area, intimidating the civilians who live there, and threw Molotov cocktails in the area surrounding the houses.
Recommendations to the international community:
Due to the number and severity of Israeli human rights violations this week, the PCHR made several recommendations to the international community. Among these were a recommendation that the international community and the United Nations use all available means to allow the Palestinian people to enjoy their right to self-determination, through the establishment of the Palestinian State, which was recognized by the UN General Assembly with a vast majority, using all international legal mechanisms, including sanctions to end the occupation of the State of Palestine;
The PCHR calls upon the United Nations to provide international protection to Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and to ensure the non-recurrence of aggression against the Occupied Palestinian Territories, especially the Gaza Strip;
For the full text of the report, click on the link
9 may 2013
UN Report: Israeli Policies Hindered Development in East Jerusalem
Israeli policies in East Jerusalem since its occupation and unilateral annexation in 1967 but more so since the signing of the Oslo accords in 1993 have hindered development of the city’s economy and created many socioeconomic problems to its Palestinian residents, a new report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said on Thursday.
According to the report titled “The Palestinian Economy in East Jerusalem: Enduring Annexation, Isolation and Disintegration,” the deterioration in the socioeconomic conditions in East Jerusalem has had a significant impact on its Palestinian residents in their standards of living, housing, health care and education.
“The weight of the economy of East Jerusalem has been steadily diminishing relative to that of the rest of occupied Palestinian territories since the signing of the 1993 Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements, known as the Oslo Accords, and related Israeli-Palestinian agreements,” said the report in its executive summary.
“This decline, in large part, has been the result of an array of Israeli policies that have hindered development of the East Jerusalem economy as an integral part of the larger Palestinian economy and labor market. The deterioration in socioeconomic conditions has had a significant impact on Palestinian Jerusalemites in their standards of living, housing, health care and education,” it said.
“Israeli policies have entailed a partial and distorted “integration” of the East Jerusalem Palestinian economy into Israel and its regulatory framework. Meanwhile East Jerusalem has been gradually detached from the rest of the Palestinian economy despite the city’s historic position as the commercial, transport, tourism, cultural and spiritual centre for Palestinians throughout the occupied territory,” explained the report.
UNCTAD said in the first such report on the economy of occupied East Jerusalem that since the onset of the occupation in 1967, Israeli authorities began to pursue a policy of physical, political and economic segregation of East Jerusalem from the rest of the occupied Palestinian territory.
“Segregation strategies gained momentum during the last decade through measures that have altered the physical and demographic realities of the city and its predominantly Palestinian and Arab landscape. These include the city’s annexation and the expansion of Jewish settlements in and around East Jerusalem, as well as the construction of the separation barrier, which has effectively redefined the borders away from the pre-1967 armistice line,” said the report.
“The separation barrier, among other obstacles to movement, hinders movement into and out of East Jerusalem, cuts it off from the remainder of the West Bank, its natural hinterland, and hinders access to its markets and health services by Palestinian Jerusalemites now living on the other side of the barrier nominally under Palestinian Authority jurisdiction. Land expropriation by Israel and restrictions on Palestinian building activities have increased recently,” it said.
The report said that because of the Israeli measures, the East Jerusalem economy finds itself in a world quite apart from the two economies, Palestinian and Israeli, to which it is linked.
“It is at once integrated into neither, yet structurally dependent on the West Bank economy to sustain its production and trade of goods and services and for employment, and forcibly dependent on Israeli markets to whose regulations and systems it must conform and which serve as a source of employment and trade and as the principal channel for tourism to the city.”
UNCTAD suggested that “several actions can help mitigate the effects of segregation policies, but the real prerequisites for sustainable development entail ending the Israeli settlement and occupation of East Jerusalem in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions.”
It said that this “would confer significant benefits to the Palestinian economy in general, and to that of East Jerusalem in particular, especially its tourism and services sectors.”
It said that effective short-term interventions include enhanced coordination and planning among international organizations, semi-governmental and nongovernmental bodies operating in East Jerusalem, and the provision of targeted support to specific sectors such as tourism, housing and services.”
According to the report titled “The Palestinian Economy in East Jerusalem: Enduring Annexation, Isolation and Disintegration,” the deterioration in the socioeconomic conditions in East Jerusalem has had a significant impact on its Palestinian residents in their standards of living, housing, health care and education.
“The weight of the economy of East Jerusalem has been steadily diminishing relative to that of the rest of occupied Palestinian territories since the signing of the 1993 Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements, known as the Oslo Accords, and related Israeli-Palestinian agreements,” said the report in its executive summary.
“This decline, in large part, has been the result of an array of Israeli policies that have hindered development of the East Jerusalem economy as an integral part of the larger Palestinian economy and labor market. The deterioration in socioeconomic conditions has had a significant impact on Palestinian Jerusalemites in their standards of living, housing, health care and education,” it said.
“Israeli policies have entailed a partial and distorted “integration” of the East Jerusalem Palestinian economy into Israel and its regulatory framework. Meanwhile East Jerusalem has been gradually detached from the rest of the Palestinian economy despite the city’s historic position as the commercial, transport, tourism, cultural and spiritual centre for Palestinians throughout the occupied territory,” explained the report.
UNCTAD said in the first such report on the economy of occupied East Jerusalem that since the onset of the occupation in 1967, Israeli authorities began to pursue a policy of physical, political and economic segregation of East Jerusalem from the rest of the occupied Palestinian territory.
“Segregation strategies gained momentum during the last decade through measures that have altered the physical and demographic realities of the city and its predominantly Palestinian and Arab landscape. These include the city’s annexation and the expansion of Jewish settlements in and around East Jerusalem, as well as the construction of the separation barrier, which has effectively redefined the borders away from the pre-1967 armistice line,” said the report.
“The separation barrier, among other obstacles to movement, hinders movement into and out of East Jerusalem, cuts it off from the remainder of the West Bank, its natural hinterland, and hinders access to its markets and health services by Palestinian Jerusalemites now living on the other side of the barrier nominally under Palestinian Authority jurisdiction. Land expropriation by Israel and restrictions on Palestinian building activities have increased recently,” it said.
The report said that because of the Israeli measures, the East Jerusalem economy finds itself in a world quite apart from the two economies, Palestinian and Israeli, to which it is linked.
“It is at once integrated into neither, yet structurally dependent on the West Bank economy to sustain its production and trade of goods and services and for employment, and forcibly dependent on Israeli markets to whose regulations and systems it must conform and which serve as a source of employment and trade and as the principal channel for tourism to the city.”
UNCTAD suggested that “several actions can help mitigate the effects of segregation policies, but the real prerequisites for sustainable development entail ending the Israeli settlement and occupation of East Jerusalem in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions.”
It said that this “would confer significant benefits to the Palestinian economy in general, and to that of East Jerusalem in particular, especially its tourism and services sectors.”
It said that effective short-term interventions include enhanced coordination and planning among international organizations, semi-governmental and nongovernmental bodies operating in East Jerusalem, and the provision of targeted support to specific sectors such as tourism, housing and services.”
6 may 2013
Palestine Today
Click on Link to download or play MP3 file || 3 m 39s || 3.35 MB || Welcome to Palestine Today, a service of the International Middle East Media Center, www.imemc.org, for Monday May 6th, 2013.
Israeli troops invade West Bank communities and kidnap 13 civilians, and in Jerusalem the Israeli government gives the green light to demolish part of a mosque. These stories, and more, coming up, stay tuned.
Family members and local activists gathered on Monday morning in front of the Israeli military court of Ofer near the central West Bank city of Ramallah in solidarity with Palestinian elected law maker, Jamal al Tirawi.
al Tirawi was arrested in 2006 and was sentenced by the Israeli army to 30 years in jail. Three years ago the Israeli occupation administration in the West Bank agreed to release him from jail but the army still refuses to decision. Today was a court hearing to look into an appeal al Tirawi submeited demanding his release.
Earlier on Monday at dawn Israeli soldiers invaded Beit Fajjar, Al-Khader and Beit Sahour, in the West Bank district of Bethlehem, and kidnapped 13 Palestinians.
Army also invaded Jenin and kidnapped two residents.
Local news sources reported that the army invaded Beit Fajjar town, south of Bethlehem, broke into and searched dozens of homes, and kidnapped eight Palestinians.
The army also kidnapped three Palestinians at a temporary roadblock installed close to the Gush Etzion settlement, south of Bethlehem. Furthermore, Israeli soldiers invaded Wadi Freha area, in Beit Sahour city, and kidnapped two Palestinians .
Moreover the Israeli troops nvaded the towns of Qabatia and Al-Yamoun, near the northern West Bank city of Jenin, and kidnapped two Palestinians.
In other news an Israeli court in Jerusalem has decided to allow the Israeli government to demolish part of a mosque, despite appeals from the mosque's imam and several Palestinian members of the Israeli Knesset (Parliament).
the Muhammad Al-Fatih Mosque, located in the Ras al-Amoud neighborhood in East Jerusalem, was forced to expand in 2009 due to a massive increase in worshipers after Israeli authorities began preventing Palestinian worshipers from accessing the Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem's Old City.
To deal with the influx of worshipers, the Muhammed Al-Fatih mosque applied to the Israeli authorities for a permit to expand. That permit, like virtually every permit filed by Palestinians for construction on existing property, was denied. Facing a weekly overload of its capacity, the mosque's managers decided to complete the expansion anyway.
The section in question is designated for female worshipers, who will be unable to participate in weekly services once the demolition is completed.
Click on Link to download or play MP3 file || 3 m 39s || 3.35 MB || Welcome to Palestine Today, a service of the International Middle East Media Center, www.imemc.org, for Monday May 6th, 2013.
Israeli troops invade West Bank communities and kidnap 13 civilians, and in Jerusalem the Israeli government gives the green light to demolish part of a mosque. These stories, and more, coming up, stay tuned.
Family members and local activists gathered on Monday morning in front of the Israeli military court of Ofer near the central West Bank city of Ramallah in solidarity with Palestinian elected law maker, Jamal al Tirawi.
al Tirawi was arrested in 2006 and was sentenced by the Israeli army to 30 years in jail. Three years ago the Israeli occupation administration in the West Bank agreed to release him from jail but the army still refuses to decision. Today was a court hearing to look into an appeal al Tirawi submeited demanding his release.
Earlier on Monday at dawn Israeli soldiers invaded Beit Fajjar, Al-Khader and Beit Sahour, in the West Bank district of Bethlehem, and kidnapped 13 Palestinians.
Army also invaded Jenin and kidnapped two residents.
Local news sources reported that the army invaded Beit Fajjar town, south of Bethlehem, broke into and searched dozens of homes, and kidnapped eight Palestinians.
The army also kidnapped three Palestinians at a temporary roadblock installed close to the Gush Etzion settlement, south of Bethlehem. Furthermore, Israeli soldiers invaded Wadi Freha area, in Beit Sahour city, and kidnapped two Palestinians .
Moreover the Israeli troops nvaded the towns of Qabatia and Al-Yamoun, near the northern West Bank city of Jenin, and kidnapped two Palestinians.
In other news an Israeli court in Jerusalem has decided to allow the Israeli government to demolish part of a mosque, despite appeals from the mosque's imam and several Palestinian members of the Israeli Knesset (Parliament).
the Muhammad Al-Fatih Mosque, located in the Ras al-Amoud neighborhood in East Jerusalem, was forced to expand in 2009 due to a massive increase in worshipers after Israeli authorities began preventing Palestinian worshipers from accessing the Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem's Old City.
To deal with the influx of worshipers, the Muhammed Al-Fatih mosque applied to the Israeli authorities for a permit to expand. That permit, like virtually every permit filed by Palestinians for construction on existing property, was denied. Facing a weekly overload of its capacity, the mosque's managers decided to complete the expansion anyway.
The section in question is designated for female worshipers, who will be unable to participate in weekly services once the demolition is completed.
5 may 2013
Report: Occupation escalates settlement activity in Jerusalem
A Palestinian report showed an escalation in the Israeli settlement activity during the past week, especially in the occupied city of Jerusalem.
The weekly report of the National Office for the Defense of Land pointed out that the Israeli government intends to provide more support for settlement activities in Jerusalem and its suburbs, as it plans to allocate 22 million shekels for the enhancement of settlement activity in the occupied city.
It is expected that the Israeli government will provide facilities for settlement construction projects in the holy city on the 46th anniversary of the occupation of Jerusalem which falls next Wednesday, the report added.
It pointed that Netanyahu's extremist government has continued to approve more settlement plans; as the Israeli Interior Ministry has introduced a new plan that includes converting 13,300 dunums of open areas to areas for the building.
According to this new plan, the settlement of Modi'in, set up on lands west of the city of Ramallah in the West Bank, will be expanded by 3,700 dunums.
The Israeli Land Authority has also sent bids for selling lands in order to establish 121 new housing units in Givat Ze'ev settlement, east of occupied Jerusalem.
For its part; the Jerusalem Municipality announced the opening of Road 20 next Sunday, in the town of Beit Hanina north of Jerusalem. This Road divides the town of Beit Hanina into two, and connects the northern settlements with the Begin Road (Road 443), then towards the 1948-occupied territories.
Meanwhile, Haaretz newspaper said on Friday that "a huge 25-story building shaped like a helmet and sheathed in a material that looks like gold is expected to be built on Mount Scopus, one of the highest points in Jerusalem, in a plan for founding a center dedicated to the heritage of Jewish physicist Albert Einstein."
The paper said that the building plans have been recently submitted by the Jerusalem Development Authority to the regional building and planning committee.
The Einstein Heritage Center, which according to the plan would be visible from nearly everywhere in the city, is slated to be built following a government decision taken about two years ago as part of the framework "for strengthening Israel’s national heritage".
"The center is a joint project of the national heritage department at the Prime Minister’s Office, the President’s Office, the Jerusalem Development Authority, the Jerusalem Municipality and the Hebrew University, which also owns Einstein’s intellectual estate", Haaretz added.
The weekly report of the National Office for the Defense of Land pointed out that the Israeli government intends to provide more support for settlement activities in Jerusalem and its suburbs, as it plans to allocate 22 million shekels for the enhancement of settlement activity in the occupied city.
It is expected that the Israeli government will provide facilities for settlement construction projects in the holy city on the 46th anniversary of the occupation of Jerusalem which falls next Wednesday, the report added.
It pointed that Netanyahu's extremist government has continued to approve more settlement plans; as the Israeli Interior Ministry has introduced a new plan that includes converting 13,300 dunums of open areas to areas for the building.
According to this new plan, the settlement of Modi'in, set up on lands west of the city of Ramallah in the West Bank, will be expanded by 3,700 dunums.
The Israeli Land Authority has also sent bids for selling lands in order to establish 121 new housing units in Givat Ze'ev settlement, east of occupied Jerusalem.
For its part; the Jerusalem Municipality announced the opening of Road 20 next Sunday, in the town of Beit Hanina north of Jerusalem. This Road divides the town of Beit Hanina into two, and connects the northern settlements with the Begin Road (Road 443), then towards the 1948-occupied territories.
Meanwhile, Haaretz newspaper said on Friday that "a huge 25-story building shaped like a helmet and sheathed in a material that looks like gold is expected to be built on Mount Scopus, one of the highest points in Jerusalem, in a plan for founding a center dedicated to the heritage of Jewish physicist Albert Einstein."
The paper said that the building plans have been recently submitted by the Jerusalem Development Authority to the regional building and planning committee.
The Einstein Heritage Center, which according to the plan would be visible from nearly everywhere in the city, is slated to be built following a government decision taken about two years ago as part of the framework "for strengthening Israel’s national heritage".
"The center is a joint project of the national heritage department at the Prime Minister’s Office, the President’s Office, the Jerusalem Development Authority, the Jerusalem Municipality and the Hebrew University, which also owns Einstein’s intellectual estate", Haaretz added.
