1 nov 2019
The Higher Planning Council of the Civil Administration convened on the eve of Sukkot (10 October 2019) and approved plans for 2,342 housing units in the settlements, according to the minutes of the meeting published. 59% of the approved units are in settlements that Israel likely may evacuate under a peace agreement (according to the Geneva Initiative).
1,623 of the units were approved for deposit (phase one of the planning process), and 719 units were approved for validation (final planning approval).
On 30 October 2019, the Higher Planning Council approved a building permit for the construction of the new Tunnel Road, which bypasses Bethlehem to the west and is expected to dramatically increase the number of settlers in the Bethlehem area. This will end all the necessary bureaucratic procedures, and field work will be able to begin soon.
Plans for 8,337 housing units in the settlements have been approved since the beginning of the year, an increase of close to 50% compared to 2018, when plans for 5,618 housing units were approved. This brings the average number of housing units approved in the three years since President Trump was elected, to 6,899 housing units, almost twice the average in the three years preceding them (3,635 housing units).
Peace Now: “The figures speak for themselves. Netanyahu continues to sabotage the possibility of a political agreement with the Palestinians by promoting more settlement construction in the West Bank, including in places where Israel may have to evacuate as part of a future agreement. This is yet another dangerous step for both Israel and the Palestinians, led by a transitional prime minister whom the public did not trust in his policies.
The next government must put a freeze on the development of settlements and to strive for immediate resumption of negotiations with the Palestinians without preconditions and to end the bloody conflict based on the principle of two states for two peoples.”
Among the approved plans are the following:
Mevo’ot Yericho – 182 housing units – A plan for construction in the newly “regularized” settlement of Mevo’ot Yericho, north of Jericho–an outpost which the government decided on the eve of the September 2019 election to retroactively legalize.
Dolev – 382 housing units – A plan for the establishment of 382 housing units in the Dolev settlement west of Ramallah (a large number for a small settlement).
Following the assassination of the late Rina Schnerb in the Ein Bubin spring near Dolev last August, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated his intention to build 300 additional housing units in Dolev.
Bracha – 207 units – The plan, in the Bracha settlement, adjacent to Nablus, is a significant extension of the settlement. On 19/9/19, the general in charge of the Israeli Central Command (West Bank, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv) signed a decree expanding the settlement’s jurisdiction to allow the plan to be approved.
The plan for regularizing the illegal Jordan Valley outpost of Brosh received final approval. It serves as an educational institution that includes hundreds of students and families of staff members. The Kerem Reim outpost, established in 2012 and retroactively legalized, also received a newly approved plan with 140 new units.
2012 – 11,159
2013 – 10,310
2014 – 6,329
2015 – 1,732
2016 – 2,613
2017 – 6,742
2018 – 5,618
2019 – 8,337
Source: Peace Now
1,623 of the units were approved for deposit (phase one of the planning process), and 719 units were approved for validation (final planning approval).
On 30 October 2019, the Higher Planning Council approved a building permit for the construction of the new Tunnel Road, which bypasses Bethlehem to the west and is expected to dramatically increase the number of settlers in the Bethlehem area. This will end all the necessary bureaucratic procedures, and field work will be able to begin soon.
Plans for 8,337 housing units in the settlements have been approved since the beginning of the year, an increase of close to 50% compared to 2018, when plans for 5,618 housing units were approved. This brings the average number of housing units approved in the three years since President Trump was elected, to 6,899 housing units, almost twice the average in the three years preceding them (3,635 housing units).
Peace Now: “The figures speak for themselves. Netanyahu continues to sabotage the possibility of a political agreement with the Palestinians by promoting more settlement construction in the West Bank, including in places where Israel may have to evacuate as part of a future agreement. This is yet another dangerous step for both Israel and the Palestinians, led by a transitional prime minister whom the public did not trust in his policies.
The next government must put a freeze on the development of settlements and to strive for immediate resumption of negotiations with the Palestinians without preconditions and to end the bloody conflict based on the principle of two states for two peoples.”
Among the approved plans are the following:
Mevo’ot Yericho – 182 housing units – A plan for construction in the newly “regularized” settlement of Mevo’ot Yericho, north of Jericho–an outpost which the government decided on the eve of the September 2019 election to retroactively legalize.
Dolev – 382 housing units – A plan for the establishment of 382 housing units in the Dolev settlement west of Ramallah (a large number for a small settlement).
Following the assassination of the late Rina Schnerb in the Ein Bubin spring near Dolev last August, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated his intention to build 300 additional housing units in Dolev.
Bracha – 207 units – The plan, in the Bracha settlement, adjacent to Nablus, is a significant extension of the settlement. On 19/9/19, the general in charge of the Israeli Central Command (West Bank, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv) signed a decree expanding the settlement’s jurisdiction to allow the plan to be approved.
The plan for regularizing the illegal Jordan Valley outpost of Brosh received final approval. It serves as an educational institution that includes hundreds of students and families of staff members. The Kerem Reim outpost, established in 2012 and retroactively legalized, also received a newly approved plan with 140 new units.
- Plans Promoted in West Bank Settlements Per Year
2012 – 11,159
2013 – 10,310
2014 – 6,329
2015 – 1,732
2016 – 2,613
2017 – 6,742
2018 – 5,618
2019 – 8,337
Source: Peace Now
30 oct 2019
The failure to end Israel’s occupation of Palestine and secure Palestinian peace and freedom is “a profound stain” against the mission and objectives of the United Nations, said South African Minister of International Relations, Naledi Pandor, at the UN Security Council on Monday.
As South Africa entered its final week as president of the Security Council, Pandor was in New York to preside over the Council’s quarterly open debate on one of the longest-standing issues on the agenda: the Israeli occupation of Palestine.
Consisting of five permanent members: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States - Pandor lambasted members for failing to implement their own resolutions, specifically Resolution 2334 of 2016 which declared Israel’s settlement activity in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem a “flagrant violation” of international law with “no legal validity”.
The resolution demands that Israel stop such activity and fulfil its obligations as an occupying power under the Fourth Geneva Convention.
In a thinly-veiled reference to Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Pandor said that the resolution was undermined “through unilateral decisions aimed at predetermining the outcome of the negotiations. That points to bad faith and can never secure peace.”
Pandor called for a vigorous campaign of international solidarity, pressure and support, similar to those that ultimately brought down the apartheid regime in South Africa. “Our own struggles were advanced by United Nations action and determination to end a crime against humanity. We need similar vigorous international solidarity, indignation and commitment for Palestine.”
Pandor also expressed grave concern at the continued disregard of Palestinian concerns on final-status issues in the Peace Process such as borders, the return of refugees, the status of Jerusalem and the Israel’s illegal settlements. “Clearly there is no intention to seek or achieve peace by those implementing these actions.
How is it possible to believe in this Council, in peace and security in the face of such offending breaches of this Council’s decisions?” Pandor asked in a fiery address.
“Palestinian hopes are dissipating in the face of diminishing world support and the absence of any genuine attempt at honest negotiations. Palestine seems to be a forgotten people,” Pandor cautioned gravely.
In order to repair its damaged credibility on the issue, Pandor said that the Security Council must insist on regular written reports on the implementation of its decisions and resolutions, and conduct a long-overdue field visit to the Occupied Palestinian Territories. “We lose credibility as an institution when words are not accompanied by action,” warned Pandor.
Palestinian ambassador to South Africa, Hashem Dajani, welcomed Pandor’s statement saying it was a “reminder about the duty the UN should have achieved decades ago in the Middle East, especially the realization of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to freedom and independence.”
Hamas spokesperson, Bassem Naim, expressed appreciation at Pandor’s strong address. “We agree fully with her diagnosis regarding the failure of the international community in general and the Security Council in particular, to protect Palestinian rights and force Israel to respect and implement resolutions.”
As South Africa entered its final week as president of the Security Council, Pandor was in New York to preside over the Council’s quarterly open debate on one of the longest-standing issues on the agenda: the Israeli occupation of Palestine.
Consisting of five permanent members: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States - Pandor lambasted members for failing to implement their own resolutions, specifically Resolution 2334 of 2016 which declared Israel’s settlement activity in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem a “flagrant violation” of international law with “no legal validity”.
The resolution demands that Israel stop such activity and fulfil its obligations as an occupying power under the Fourth Geneva Convention.
In a thinly-veiled reference to Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Pandor said that the resolution was undermined “through unilateral decisions aimed at predetermining the outcome of the negotiations. That points to bad faith and can never secure peace.”
Pandor called for a vigorous campaign of international solidarity, pressure and support, similar to those that ultimately brought down the apartheid regime in South Africa. “Our own struggles were advanced by United Nations action and determination to end a crime against humanity. We need similar vigorous international solidarity, indignation and commitment for Palestine.”
Pandor also expressed grave concern at the continued disregard of Palestinian concerns on final-status issues in the Peace Process such as borders, the return of refugees, the status of Jerusalem and the Israel’s illegal settlements. “Clearly there is no intention to seek or achieve peace by those implementing these actions.
How is it possible to believe in this Council, in peace and security in the face of such offending breaches of this Council’s decisions?” Pandor asked in a fiery address.
“Palestinian hopes are dissipating in the face of diminishing world support and the absence of any genuine attempt at honest negotiations. Palestine seems to be a forgotten people,” Pandor cautioned gravely.
In order to repair its damaged credibility on the issue, Pandor said that the Security Council must insist on regular written reports on the implementation of its decisions and resolutions, and conduct a long-overdue field visit to the Occupied Palestinian Territories. “We lose credibility as an institution when words are not accompanied by action,” warned Pandor.
Palestinian ambassador to South Africa, Hashem Dajani, welcomed Pandor’s statement saying it was a “reminder about the duty the UN should have achieved decades ago in the Middle East, especially the realization of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to freedom and independence.”
Hamas spokesperson, Bassem Naim, expressed appreciation at Pandor’s strong address. “We agree fully with her diagnosis regarding the failure of the international community in general and the Security Council in particular, to protect Palestinian rights and force Israel to respect and implement resolutions.”
28 oct 2019
The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) has condemned the recent wave of violations against a number of Palestinian journalists. video
Some of these violations were committed by Israeli occupation forces, while the other violations – especially the abduction of several journalists – were carried out by Palestinian security services, in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Israeli forces detained five Palestinian journalists on Sunday (26/10/2019), while they were covering a peaceful protest against settlements and Israeli attacks in the area of “Al-Himma” in the northern Jordan Valley, east of Tubas.
Later, the journalists were transferred to the settlement of “Ariel”, which is located in the lands of Salfit. The journalists were interrogated individually, on the pretext of “being in a closed military zone, participating in an illegal activity and obstructing the work of Israeli soldiers.”
Moreover, the Israeli interrogators took the journalists’ fingerprints and photographs, and, after about 15 hours of detention, they were released. However, the equipment belonging to the journalists was not returned to them.
Those detained included Hazem Nasser, a cameraman for Al-Ghad TV, Khaled Bedair, correspondent of Al-Ghad TV, freelance journalist Mahmoud Fawzi, Palestine TV reporter Amir Shaheen, and cameraman Zaher Abu Hussein from the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission.
Before this, two Palestinian journalists were injured by Israeli rubber-coated metal bullets while they were covering two separate events in Ramallah and Nablus. Also, three Palestinian journalists were assaulted by Israeli soldiers while covering a march against settlements in the town of Turmus ‘Ayya, near Ramallah.
In parallel, Palestinian security services in the West Bank and Gaza Strip have recently detained and are still holding four journalists.
The security services of Hamas in the Gaza Strip arrested Hani al-Agha, a reporter for Sawt al-Shabab, radio station broadcasting from the city of Dhahriain, southern West Bank. Al-Agha was arrested a month ago (on 26/9/2019), and he is still under arrest at this moment.
In addition, Hamas’s internal security service in the Gaza Strip arrested journalist Bassam Mohammed DiabMuheisen (39 years old), who works for the “Palestinian Voice” – the Palestine Public Broadcasting Corporation.
The Internal Security Agency in Gaza also summoned the correspondent for the Independent Arab newspaper, Ezzedin Abu Eisha, four times in a row, detained him for several hours, each time, and questioned him about a report he published entitled “How Hamas Communicates with Its Leaders in The Occupied West Bank.”
In the West Bank, Preventive Security service continues to arrest journalist Mahmoud Nazmi Abu Hassan, who contributes to the Facebook pages of “Palestine Post” and “Shahid Post” since 14/10/2019. Moreover, the Preventive Security arrested, on Monday (21/10/2019), “Palestine Post” correspondent Radwan Abdelqader Qatanani, from the library where he works, in Askar refugee camp, east of Nablus.
MADA has renewed the call to put pressure upon the Israeli authorities, to stop their attacks against journalists and media freedoms in Palestine, and to hold accountable the perpetrators of these violations, in order to end the impunity that fuels their continuation and escalation.
Additionally, MADA Center calls upon the Palestinian authorities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, to release the four detained journalists and end violations against media freedoms.
Photo journalist Mustafa Al-Kharouf is FreeMADA thanks the local institutions that cooperated with us to shed light on the case of photo journalist Mustafa Al-Kharouf, to international and UN institutions, especially the UN special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression Mr. David Kaye, to the representations and consulates that responded to our campaign and calls, and raised the issue with the occupation authorities. Alkharouf was released last Thursday after 9 months in prison, and failed attempt to deport him.
More details about his case: https://www.madacenter.org/en/article/1250/Israel-failed-to-deport-him
Some of these violations were committed by Israeli occupation forces, while the other violations – especially the abduction of several journalists – were carried out by Palestinian security services, in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Israeli forces detained five Palestinian journalists on Sunday (26/10/2019), while they were covering a peaceful protest against settlements and Israeli attacks in the area of “Al-Himma” in the northern Jordan Valley, east of Tubas.
Later, the journalists were transferred to the settlement of “Ariel”, which is located in the lands of Salfit. The journalists were interrogated individually, on the pretext of “being in a closed military zone, participating in an illegal activity and obstructing the work of Israeli soldiers.”
Moreover, the Israeli interrogators took the journalists’ fingerprints and photographs, and, after about 15 hours of detention, they were released. However, the equipment belonging to the journalists was not returned to them.
Those detained included Hazem Nasser, a cameraman for Al-Ghad TV, Khaled Bedair, correspondent of Al-Ghad TV, freelance journalist Mahmoud Fawzi, Palestine TV reporter Amir Shaheen, and cameraman Zaher Abu Hussein from the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission.
Before this, two Palestinian journalists were injured by Israeli rubber-coated metal bullets while they were covering two separate events in Ramallah and Nablus. Also, three Palestinian journalists were assaulted by Israeli soldiers while covering a march against settlements in the town of Turmus ‘Ayya, near Ramallah.
In parallel, Palestinian security services in the West Bank and Gaza Strip have recently detained and are still holding four journalists.
The security services of Hamas in the Gaza Strip arrested Hani al-Agha, a reporter for Sawt al-Shabab, radio station broadcasting from the city of Dhahriain, southern West Bank. Al-Agha was arrested a month ago (on 26/9/2019), and he is still under arrest at this moment.
In addition, Hamas’s internal security service in the Gaza Strip arrested journalist Bassam Mohammed DiabMuheisen (39 years old), who works for the “Palestinian Voice” – the Palestine Public Broadcasting Corporation.
The Internal Security Agency in Gaza also summoned the correspondent for the Independent Arab newspaper, Ezzedin Abu Eisha, four times in a row, detained him for several hours, each time, and questioned him about a report he published entitled “How Hamas Communicates with Its Leaders in The Occupied West Bank.”
In the West Bank, Preventive Security service continues to arrest journalist Mahmoud Nazmi Abu Hassan, who contributes to the Facebook pages of “Palestine Post” and “Shahid Post” since 14/10/2019. Moreover, the Preventive Security arrested, on Monday (21/10/2019), “Palestine Post” correspondent Radwan Abdelqader Qatanani, from the library where he works, in Askar refugee camp, east of Nablus.
MADA has renewed the call to put pressure upon the Israeli authorities, to stop their attacks against journalists and media freedoms in Palestine, and to hold accountable the perpetrators of these violations, in order to end the impunity that fuels their continuation and escalation.
Additionally, MADA Center calls upon the Palestinian authorities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, to release the four detained journalists and end violations against media freedoms.
Photo journalist Mustafa Al-Kharouf is FreeMADA thanks the local institutions that cooperated with us to shed light on the case of photo journalist Mustafa Al-Kharouf, to international and UN institutions, especially the UN special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression Mr. David Kaye, to the representations and consulates that responded to our campaign and calls, and raised the issue with the occupation authorities. Alkharouf was released last Thursday after 9 months in prison, and failed attempt to deport him.
More details about his case: https://www.madacenter.org/en/article/1250/Israel-failed-to-deport-him
27 oct 2019
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor on Saturday sent a letter to the UN to call for action against recent measures taken by the Palestinian Authority (PA) that violated freedoms of expression, freedom of the press and digital rights in the occupied Palestinian territories.
“As you know, the PA banned 59 online news websites last week, based on article 39 of the controversial cybercrime law, instated by the PA in 2018,” the Euro-Med’s letter says, which was sent to David Kaye, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
“[article 39 of the cybercrime law] allows the attorney general to flag any online outlets that endanger national security, general order and norms. The 59 websites in question were found to be critical of the PA president Mahmoud Abbas,” the letter stated.
“Earlier, in 2017, the PA also banned around 30 websites that criticized its policies and tightened its grip on many local journalists, some of whom are still undergoing trial until today.”
‘Unfortunately, the cybercrime law’s ambiguous and elusive language enables the PA to take arbitrary measures against critical voices, press serious charges against them and sentence them harshly and disproportionately.”
The Euro-Med emphasized the need for the PA to “unblock access to all banned sites immediately, end the trials of journalists charged with criticizing it and repeal the cybercrime law, or review it to ensure its compatibility with relevant international laws and human rights.”
The Euro-Med said in its letter that the PA must renew its legitimacy through holding general presidential and parliamentary elections to ensure the supremacy of the law and accountability where the judiciary, legislative and executive authorities are separate, impartial and accountable to the Palestinian people.
The Euro-Med concluded its letter by urging Kaye to directly raise the issue and the concerns over the cybercrime law to the PA, and demand immediate clear action from the PA to show genuine compliance with relevant international conventions, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
“As you know, the PA banned 59 online news websites last week, based on article 39 of the controversial cybercrime law, instated by the PA in 2018,” the Euro-Med’s letter says, which was sent to David Kaye, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
“[article 39 of the cybercrime law] allows the attorney general to flag any online outlets that endanger national security, general order and norms. The 59 websites in question were found to be critical of the PA president Mahmoud Abbas,” the letter stated.
“Earlier, in 2017, the PA also banned around 30 websites that criticized its policies and tightened its grip on many local journalists, some of whom are still undergoing trial until today.”
‘Unfortunately, the cybercrime law’s ambiguous and elusive language enables the PA to take arbitrary measures against critical voices, press serious charges against them and sentence them harshly and disproportionately.”
The Euro-Med emphasized the need for the PA to “unblock access to all banned sites immediately, end the trials of journalists charged with criticizing it and repeal the cybercrime law, or review it to ensure its compatibility with relevant international laws and human rights.”
The Euro-Med said in its letter that the PA must renew its legitimacy through holding general presidential and parliamentary elections to ensure the supremacy of the law and accountability where the judiciary, legislative and executive authorities are separate, impartial and accountable to the Palestinian people.
The Euro-Med concluded its letter by urging Kaye to directly raise the issue and the concerns over the cybercrime law to the PA, and demand immediate clear action from the PA to show genuine compliance with relevant international conventions, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
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