28 feb 2014
The Israeli occupation authority continued to confiscate Palestinian lands and properties aiming to expand settlements and limit Palestinian expansion in their lands.
Palestinian researcher and expert in settlements affairs Ahmad Sob-Laban revealed that Israeli bulldozers have started implementing Overlooking Central Park project in the south-eastern slope of the Mount of Olives in occupied Jerusalem.
He has confirmed on Thursday that the Israeli settlement project aims at linking Beit Erot settlement with the Gethsemane church in order to connect between settlements in Silwan and Ras al-Amud, and outposts in Sawana.
He pointed out that the settlement project is carried out under the supervision of Israeli Economics and Trade Minister Naftali Bennett, leader of the far-right Jewish Home party.
Approximately $ 21 million shekels have been allocated for this project in order to promote Israel's tourism sector according to Israeli claims, he said.
He noted that the project aims to accelerate Judaization schemes in occupied Jerusalem.
Palestinian researcher and expert in settlements affairs Ahmad Sob-Laban revealed that Israeli bulldozers have started implementing Overlooking Central Park project in the south-eastern slope of the Mount of Olives in occupied Jerusalem.
He has confirmed on Thursday that the Israeli settlement project aims at linking Beit Erot settlement with the Gethsemane church in order to connect between settlements in Silwan and Ras al-Amud, and outposts in Sawana.
He pointed out that the settlement project is carried out under the supervision of Israeli Economics and Trade Minister Naftali Bennett, leader of the far-right Jewish Home party.
Approximately $ 21 million shekels have been allocated for this project in order to promote Israel's tourism sector according to Israeli claims, he said.
He noted that the project aims to accelerate Judaization schemes in occupied Jerusalem.
25 feb 2014
Al-Tur Mountain
Israeli occupation bulldozers, on Tuesday, leveled a grab-threatened land in the al-Tur Mountain area in occupied east Jerusalem.
Al Ray reports that Israeli authorities had handed the Abu Al-Hawa family a demolition notice to evacuate the 11-dunam land no later than Feb. 13th, a member of the family said to a local news website.
“Three months ago, the Israeli occupation carried out leveling and excavations for antiquities. During that time, a so-called Russian group came in to tell that they are the owners of the land and want to build a church on it,” he explained.
Though the family showed the documents proving the land has been their property for 80 years, the group fenced it and fixed a door at the entrance, he added.
A servant from the occupation municipality of Jerusalem came to the land and gave the family a one-day notice to evacuate.
He informed the family of the existence of a tourist facilities and road construction projects that would exhaust two thirds of the land, according the family member.
Israeli occupation bulldozers, on Tuesday, leveled a grab-threatened land in the al-Tur Mountain area in occupied east Jerusalem.
Al Ray reports that Israeli authorities had handed the Abu Al-Hawa family a demolition notice to evacuate the 11-dunam land no later than Feb. 13th, a member of the family said to a local news website.
“Three months ago, the Israeli occupation carried out leveling and excavations for antiquities. During that time, a so-called Russian group came in to tell that they are the owners of the land and want to build a church on it,” he explained.
Though the family showed the documents proving the land has been their property for 80 years, the group fenced it and fixed a door at the entrance, he added.
A servant from the occupation municipality of Jerusalem came to the land and gave the family a one-day notice to evacuate.
He informed the family of the existence of a tourist facilities and road construction projects that would exhaust two thirds of the land, according the family member.
24 feb 2014
Israeli government is in the process of legalizing the status of the illegal settlement outpost Avigayil founded in 2001 on more than 1,000 dunums (250 acres) of lands of al-Khalil Hills, Israeli sources revealed on Monday. Haaretz Hebrew newspaper said that Avigayil outpost is located between the Maon and Susiya settlements.
Demolition orders issued against Avigayl since its establishment in 2001 have never been enforced, according to the paper.
Avigayil was one of 26 outposts that then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon promised in 2003 to evacuate as part of the Road Map, the sources added.
“The official combined area of the legal settlements in the area, excluding Ma’on and Avigayil, is 10,180 dunums.”To the east of the bloc is a 30,000-dunum Israel army firing range, from which the war ministry is trying to remove eight Palestinian villages. The Israeli government is seeking a High Court of Justice backing to raze the villages, according to the report.
Israeli War Minister Moshe Yaalon has visited the mentioned settlement in December 2013, where he declared his government's intention to legalize the outpost.
Haaretz said that "the gradual expansion of the settlements’ residential and agricultural areas has been accompanied by regular, well-documented efforts by settlers to block the access of Palestinian farmers and shepherds in the area to increasing portions of their land."
The report said that the numerous closure orders issued by the Israeli army for the area also limit Palestinian access to their land.
Demolition orders issued against Avigayl since its establishment in 2001 have never been enforced, according to the paper.
Avigayil was one of 26 outposts that then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon promised in 2003 to evacuate as part of the Road Map, the sources added.
“The official combined area of the legal settlements in the area, excluding Ma’on and Avigayil, is 10,180 dunums.”To the east of the bloc is a 30,000-dunum Israel army firing range, from which the war ministry is trying to remove eight Palestinian villages. The Israeli government is seeking a High Court of Justice backing to raze the villages, according to the report.
Israeli War Minister Moshe Yaalon has visited the mentioned settlement in December 2013, where he declared his government's intention to legalize the outpost.
Haaretz said that "the gradual expansion of the settlements’ residential and agricultural areas has been accompanied by regular, well-documented efforts by settlers to block the access of Palestinian farmers and shepherds in the area to increasing portions of their land."
The report said that the numerous closure orders issued by the Israeli army for the area also limit Palestinian access to their land.
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Wadi Hilweh Information Center revealed last Tuesday a new settlement project under the name of “Tourism Center in Ma’yan Hagionl” in the national park and near the City of David. The project will be implemented in the eastern side of the neighbourhood of Wadi Hilweh south of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The Center was informed that the project will be implemented in the area of “Al-Ein” at the bottom of the neighbourhood of Wadi Hilweh on an area of 1200 square meters. It will consist of two floors and is called Beit Al-Ein and a museum about the Jewish history will be established which is a continuation to the “Kedem” project that is projected to be built at the entrance of the neighbourhood which is the area named “National Park” around the walls of Jerusalem. |
The Center pointed out that the project is governmental and is under the supervision of “Elad” settlement organization. The Jerusalem municipality announced that Al-Ein area will be changed from a public and open space to private; note that this area is designated for excavations for antiquities and a visitors’ center will be established underground.
The occupation municipality distributed in the last few days flyers to seven families in Al-Ein area to inform them of the project to be implemented on their lands and gave them 60 days to object. These families live in 22 residential apartments on an area of 5 Dunoms and they are: Abbasi, Abu Mayaleh, Abu Sbeih and Abu Sneineh.
Lawyer Sami Arshid said that he will be submit an appeal in the name of those affected from confiscating their land and pointed out that those lands are private properties of Jerusalemites.
The Center confirmed that the settlement project will cause damages to the neighboring houses and properties in addition to the confiscation of wide area of land.
The local organizing committee in the municipality requested anyone affected by the project to submit an objection within 60 days to the local committee in Jerusalem. According to the flyer, any objection should be handwritten and has an explanation of the reasons in order to be considered.
The center denounced the racist settlement schemes that threaten the Arab and Islamic identity of the neighbourhood near the southern wall of Al-Aqsa Mosque and pointed out that Elad organization lately confessed that the Jewish history doesn’t have any roots in that area.
Wadi Hilweh committee appealed for the Palestinian Authority since it is a permanent member of the UNESCO and quickly react and prevent the implementation of the settlement projects especially that the international laws prohibits changing that historical and archaeological monuments in an occupied state.
Eyad Abbasi, one of those affected, explained that the municipality crews handed him along with six other families a notice regarding the settlement project which will be implemented on his land.
Abbasi explained that the settlers tried several times to buy the 2-Dunom land from his family for a large amount of money and “outrageous” offers. After failing to reach a deal, the land was classified as “green” and today they are trying to confiscate it and build a settlement project.
The occupation municipality distributed in the last few days flyers to seven families in Al-Ein area to inform them of the project to be implemented on their lands and gave them 60 days to object. These families live in 22 residential apartments on an area of 5 Dunoms and they are: Abbasi, Abu Mayaleh, Abu Sbeih and Abu Sneineh.
Lawyer Sami Arshid said that he will be submit an appeal in the name of those affected from confiscating their land and pointed out that those lands are private properties of Jerusalemites.
The Center confirmed that the settlement project will cause damages to the neighboring houses and properties in addition to the confiscation of wide area of land.
The local organizing committee in the municipality requested anyone affected by the project to submit an objection within 60 days to the local committee in Jerusalem. According to the flyer, any objection should be handwritten and has an explanation of the reasons in order to be considered.
The center denounced the racist settlement schemes that threaten the Arab and Islamic identity of the neighbourhood near the southern wall of Al-Aqsa Mosque and pointed out that Elad organization lately confessed that the Jewish history doesn’t have any roots in that area.
Wadi Hilweh committee appealed for the Palestinian Authority since it is a permanent member of the UNESCO and quickly react and prevent the implementation of the settlement projects especially that the international laws prohibits changing that historical and archaeological monuments in an occupied state.
Eyad Abbasi, one of those affected, explained that the municipality crews handed him along with six other families a notice regarding the settlement project which will be implemented on his land.
Abbasi explained that the settlers tried several times to buy the 2-Dunom land from his family for a large amount of money and “outrageous” offers. After failing to reach a deal, the land was classified as “green” and today they are trying to confiscate it and build a settlement project.
22 feb 2014
The Israeli weekly Kol Ha'ir said on Friday that the local committee of the Planning and Building approved a plan for the establishment of a religious school in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in occupied Jerusalem. The plan includes the establishment of a nine-story building that will be used as a religious school and residences for the school students.
The building is scheduled to be constructed over an empty land located behind a gas station on an area of 9615 square meters.
The plan was approved at the local committee with four votes for and three against.
Bibeh Luo, member of the municipal council and one of those who opposed the scheme, said "attempts to turn the Palestinian luxurious neighborhood into a Jewish neighborhood did not succeed, but what is happening will have a negative impact on the ongoing conflicts and the negotiations."
The building is scheduled to be constructed over an empty land located behind a gas station on an area of 9615 square meters.
The plan was approved at the local committee with four votes for and three against.
Bibeh Luo, member of the municipal council and one of those who opposed the scheme, said "attempts to turn the Palestinian luxurious neighborhood into a Jewish neighborhood did not succeed, but what is happening will have a negative impact on the ongoing conflicts and the negotiations."
Israeli Interior Minister Gideon Sa'ar claimed that Jordan Valley settlements will remain and prosper for ages. “The security of Israel required a strategic depth, it is unthinkable for the border to not be in the Jordan Valley”, he added.
According to Israeli Hebrew sources, about 3,000 people, including Interior Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Coalition Chairman Knesset Member Yariv Levin, took part Friday morning in a protest march in the Jordan Valley in support of settlement construction.
For his part, MK Levin said during the march “It is our indisputable right to build and be built in the Jordan Valley and all across the land of Israel,” according to his allegations.
Regarding Israeli-Palestinian ongoing peace talks under US mediation, MKs Sa'ar and Levin declared “their opposition to any territorial concession in the Jordan Valley.”
The Israeli Ministerial Committee on Legislative Affairs approved the bill submitted by MK Miri Regev asking to annex the Jordan Valley.
According to Israeli Hebrew sources, about 3,000 people, including Interior Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Coalition Chairman Knesset Member Yariv Levin, took part Friday morning in a protest march in the Jordan Valley in support of settlement construction.
For his part, MK Levin said during the march “It is our indisputable right to build and be built in the Jordan Valley and all across the land of Israel,” according to his allegations.
Regarding Israeli-Palestinian ongoing peace talks under US mediation, MKs Sa'ar and Levin declared “their opposition to any territorial concession in the Jordan Valley.”
The Israeli Ministerial Committee on Legislative Affairs approved the bill submitted by MK Miri Regev asking to annex the Jordan Valley.
19 feb 2014
Photo: Deutsche Bank said Hapoalim does not abide by ethical standards, and that the bank's work in settlements is no different from selling explosives or other acts that violate human rights.
Germany's largest bank, Deutsche Bank (DB), has included the Israeli Hapoalim bank in a blacklist of "unethical companies" reportedly because of its involvement in funding settlement activities in the West Bank.
Middle East Monitor -- Deutsche Bank said that Hapoalim does not abide by ethical standards, and that the bank's work in settlements is no different from selling explosives or other acts that violate human rights, Maariv newspaper reported.
Based on the same classification, DB blacklisted 16 international companies which it pledged not to deal with or invest in. The list includes 13 companies involved in arms and explosives sales. It also includes a mining company and the Japanese Nissan automobile company.
Germany's largest bank, Deutsche Bank (DB), has included the Israeli Hapoalim bank in a blacklist of "unethical companies" reportedly because of its involvement in funding settlement activities in the West Bank.
Middle East Monitor -- Deutsche Bank said that Hapoalim does not abide by ethical standards, and that the bank's work in settlements is no different from selling explosives or other acts that violate human rights, Maariv newspaper reported.
Based on the same classification, DB blacklisted 16 international companies which it pledged not to deal with or invest in. The list includes 13 companies involved in arms and explosives sales. It also includes a mining company and the Japanese Nissan automobile company.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Wednesday, denounced the Israeli prime minister’s campaign of intimidation against companies and organizations which boycott Israeli businesses involved in supporting settlement construction in the occupied Palestinian Territories.
It described the accusing of boycotters as “anti-Semitic” as racist and a demonstration that the Israeli government is determined to proceed with settlement construction, offering the settlers support and incentives and encouraging them to proceed with seizing Palestinian land, WAFA reports.
The ministry applauded the commitment of the European and international organizations and businesses to the boycott of the Israeli settlement products, as well as those involved and investing in settlement construction, which is in compliance with the relevant UN resolutions.
It described the accusing of boycotters as “anti-Semitic” as racist and a demonstration that the Israeli government is determined to proceed with settlement construction, offering the settlers support and incentives and encouraging them to proceed with seizing Palestinian land, WAFA reports.
The ministry applauded the commitment of the European and international organizations and businesses to the boycott of the Israeli settlement products, as well as those involved and investing in settlement construction, which is in compliance with the relevant UN resolutions.
Army Radio says that after Kerry presents framework for extending peace talks, Washington will reportedly ask for construction freeze in isolated West Bank settlements.
Washington will demand Israel to implement a partial settlement freeze after US Secretary of State John Kerry presents his framework for extending peace talks, army radio reported on Wednesday.
Quoting US negotiators involved in the talks, the radio said the United States was hoping to obtain a freeze on construction in isolated settlements outside the major West Bank blocs, which Israel hopes to retain in any peace deal.
A settlement bloc is an area where clusters of settlements have been established in relatively close proximity to one another, in which the majority of the West Bank's 367,000 settlers currently live.
Kerry, who is to meet Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Paris on Wednesday night, is currently working on a framework that would allow the ongoing talks to be extended beyond an April 29 deadline until the end of the year.
Launched in July 2013, the talks have shown very little visible progress since they began, with both sides at loggerheads over a series of issues, including Israel's ongoing settlement construction on land which the Palestinians want for a future state.
The framework agreement is reportedly to be made public early next month when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets US President Barack Obama at the White House.
The Palestinians have been infuriated by the ongoing construction, which has seen Israel advance plans for more than 11,700 new settler homes since the talks started, and they have baulked at any talk of extending the nine-month negotiating period.
They have also said that when the April deadline expires, they will resume moves to seek further international recognition, a step which they agreed to suspend for the duration of the talks.
Netanyahu's office refused to comment on the report.
"The Israeli side is well aware that the framework will not be enough to convince Abu Mazen (Abbas) to remain at the negotiating table without Israel giving him something else," the radio said.
Israel has insisted its settlement construction does not violate its commitments in line with the negotiations, and has until now rejected pressure to renew a one-time, 10-month partial freeze on new West Bank building, which expired in late 2010, contributing to the collapse of an earlier round of talks.
Washington will demand Israel to implement a partial settlement freeze after US Secretary of State John Kerry presents his framework for extending peace talks, army radio reported on Wednesday.
Quoting US negotiators involved in the talks, the radio said the United States was hoping to obtain a freeze on construction in isolated settlements outside the major West Bank blocs, which Israel hopes to retain in any peace deal.
A settlement bloc is an area where clusters of settlements have been established in relatively close proximity to one another, in which the majority of the West Bank's 367,000 settlers currently live.
Kerry, who is to meet Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Paris on Wednesday night, is currently working on a framework that would allow the ongoing talks to be extended beyond an April 29 deadline until the end of the year.
Launched in July 2013, the talks have shown very little visible progress since they began, with both sides at loggerheads over a series of issues, including Israel's ongoing settlement construction on land which the Palestinians want for a future state.
The framework agreement is reportedly to be made public early next month when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets US President Barack Obama at the White House.
The Palestinians have been infuriated by the ongoing construction, which has seen Israel advance plans for more than 11,700 new settler homes since the talks started, and they have baulked at any talk of extending the nine-month negotiating period.
They have also said that when the April deadline expires, they will resume moves to seek further international recognition, a step which they agreed to suspend for the duration of the talks.
Netanyahu's office refused to comment on the report.
"The Israeli side is well aware that the framework will not be enough to convince Abu Mazen (Abbas) to remain at the negotiating table without Israel giving him something else," the radio said.
Israel has insisted its settlement construction does not violate its commitments in line with the negotiations, and has until now rejected pressure to renew a one-time, 10-month partial freeze on new West Bank building, which expired in late 2010, contributing to the collapse of an earlier round of talks.
The Israeli supreme court in occupied Jerusalem declined a petition filed by a Palestinian family from Al-Khalil city about their ownership of a 300-dunum land taken by force by Jewish settlers. According to Haaretz newspaper on Wednesday, the court justified its rejection by saying that the Palestinian-owned land had been seized long ago, so it would be impossible now to compel the Israeli army and its civil administration to take action against the settlers in question.
In another incident, the same newspaper said that Israeli minister of housing Uri Ariel prepared a plan to build a residential outpost consisting of 2,250 housing units in Ein Karem neighborhood in occupied Jerusalem.
It added that the ministry of housing intends to transfer the ownership of the Palestinian lands, which the project will be built on, to the Israeli government.
It noted that the Israel land authority would market for the building of these units.
Israel plans to build 2250 housing units in Jerusalem
Construction and Housing Minister Uri Areil plans to build a new settlement of 2250 housing units in Ein Karam in occupied east Jerusalem, Haaretz daily reported on Wednesday. The ministry intended to transfer lands to the Israeli government for marketing in order to be built via the so-called “Israeli territories”.
The project, costs NIS 800 million, will solve problems of Hadasa Hospital which suffers from budget deficit. Ariel said justifying the offer that “Hadasa Hospital is considered one of the main pillars of life in the city. It provides several services to thousands of Israelis, so the Israeli government should help in its improvement and solve its crises through some fruitful projects.”
Meanwhile, the project was rejected by residents of the adjacent neighborhoods who fear damage of the natural areas there. Hadasa hospital is the oldest and largest Israeli hospitals. It is suffering from a severe financial crisis for several weeks, and Israel exerts efforts to prevent its collapse.
In another incident, the same newspaper said that Israeli minister of housing Uri Ariel prepared a plan to build a residential outpost consisting of 2,250 housing units in Ein Karem neighborhood in occupied Jerusalem.
It added that the ministry of housing intends to transfer the ownership of the Palestinian lands, which the project will be built on, to the Israeli government.
It noted that the Israel land authority would market for the building of these units.
Israel plans to build 2250 housing units in Jerusalem
Construction and Housing Minister Uri Areil plans to build a new settlement of 2250 housing units in Ein Karam in occupied east Jerusalem, Haaretz daily reported on Wednesday. The ministry intended to transfer lands to the Israeli government for marketing in order to be built via the so-called “Israeli territories”.
The project, costs NIS 800 million, will solve problems of Hadasa Hospital which suffers from budget deficit. Ariel said justifying the offer that “Hadasa Hospital is considered one of the main pillars of life in the city. It provides several services to thousands of Israelis, so the Israeli government should help in its improvement and solve its crises through some fruitful projects.”
Meanwhile, the project was rejected by residents of the adjacent neighborhoods who fear damage of the natural areas there. Hadasa hospital is the oldest and largest Israeli hospitals. It is suffering from a severe financial crisis for several weeks, and Israel exerts efforts to prevent its collapse.
18 feb 2014
Haifa port
Three leading international companies have decided to drop out of an Israeli bidding to build private seaports, due to concerns over political repercussions, and as a result of the increased boycott pressure on Israel, Haaretz has reported.
(PNN/Haaretz) The Israeli government published, last week, an international bid to build new seaports in Haifa and Ashdod. According to Haaretz, several companies submitted a proposal for the bid, but dropped out shortly thereafter.
The newspaper said that the Royal Boskalis Westminster, a Dutch operator of ports has first dropped out from the bidding and was, then, followed by Italy's Condote de Agua and Jan De Nul from Belgium.
Israel Finance Minister Yair Lapid said, in regard to the boycott issue, Monday, that if current peace talks with the Palestinians collapse, it will be "nothing less than devastating" to the welfare of Israeli citizens.
Three leading international companies have decided to drop out of an Israeli bidding to build private seaports, due to concerns over political repercussions, and as a result of the increased boycott pressure on Israel, Haaretz has reported.
(PNN/Haaretz) The Israeli government published, last week, an international bid to build new seaports in Haifa and Ashdod. According to Haaretz, several companies submitted a proposal for the bid, but dropped out shortly thereafter.
The newspaper said that the Royal Boskalis Westminster, a Dutch operator of ports has first dropped out from the bidding and was, then, followed by Italy's Condote de Agua and Jan De Nul from Belgium.
Israel Finance Minister Yair Lapid said, in regard to the boycott issue, Monday, that if current peace talks with the Palestinians collapse, it will be "nothing less than devastating" to the welfare of Israeli citizens.
Israel plans to build a Jewish tourist center in East Jerusalem on private Palestinian land, a local information center said Tuesday.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center said in a statement that the new center would be built east of the Silwan neighborhood and south of the Al-Aqsa mosque, without specifying when.
The building and the land surrounding it will feature a "museum of Jewish history" and a "Jewish national park," the statement said.
The government-led project is sponsored by the Ir David Foundation, an organization that promotes a Jewish connection to parts of the Silwan neighborhood, including the "City of David" archaeological site.
According to the Information Center, the tourist center will be built on 1,200 square meters of Palestinian land in the al-Ain area.
Municipality crews have already issued notices to seven families in the al-Ain area, informing them that the project will be implemented on their lands, the statement said.
The families were given 60 days to appeal the decision to Israeli courts. All appeals will need to include various legal documents, such as building permits, according to the statement.
Twenty-two houses on five dunams (1.2 acres), holding members of the al-Abbassi, Abu Mayala, Abu Subeih, and Abu Sneineh families, are threatened by the decision.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center condemned the project, saying it threatened "the Arab and Muslim makeup of a neighborhood adjacent to the southern wall of Al-Aqsa."
Lawyer Sami Irsheed, whose privately-owned land could be affected by the project, will appeal on behalf of the residents, the statement said.
According to the UN, 33 percent of all Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem lack Israeli-issued building permits, potentially placing at least 93,100 residents at risk of displacement.
Figures from Israeli NGO Bimkom show that 95 percent of Palestinian applications for a building permit are rejected.
Since 1967, the Israeli authorities have demolished some 2,000 houses in East Jerusalem. Over 1,630 Palestinians were made homeless in house demolitions carried out by Israel between 2004-2012, B'Tselem says.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center said in a statement that the new center would be built east of the Silwan neighborhood and south of the Al-Aqsa mosque, without specifying when.
The building and the land surrounding it will feature a "museum of Jewish history" and a "Jewish national park," the statement said.
The government-led project is sponsored by the Ir David Foundation, an organization that promotes a Jewish connection to parts of the Silwan neighborhood, including the "City of David" archaeological site.
According to the Information Center, the tourist center will be built on 1,200 square meters of Palestinian land in the al-Ain area.
Municipality crews have already issued notices to seven families in the al-Ain area, informing them that the project will be implemented on their lands, the statement said.
The families were given 60 days to appeal the decision to Israeli courts. All appeals will need to include various legal documents, such as building permits, according to the statement.
Twenty-two houses on five dunams (1.2 acres), holding members of the al-Abbassi, Abu Mayala, Abu Subeih, and Abu Sneineh families, are threatened by the decision.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center condemned the project, saying it threatened "the Arab and Muslim makeup of a neighborhood adjacent to the southern wall of Al-Aqsa."
Lawyer Sami Irsheed, whose privately-owned land could be affected by the project, will appeal on behalf of the residents, the statement said.
According to the UN, 33 percent of all Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem lack Israeli-issued building permits, potentially placing at least 93,100 residents at risk of displacement.
Figures from Israeli NGO Bimkom show that 95 percent of Palestinian applications for a building permit are rejected.
Since 1967, the Israeli authorities have demolished some 2,000 houses in East Jerusalem. Over 1,630 Palestinians were made homeless in house demolitions carried out by Israel between 2004-2012, B'Tselem says.
17 feb 2014
The Israeli government approved Sunday new criteria for granting government assistance to 35 settlement outposts.
Haaretz reported that the Israeli government adjusted the regulations in a way that would add 35 isolated West Bank settlements to the list of favored communities, or "national priorities map."
Haaretz reported that the Israeli government adjusted the regulations in a way that would add 35 isolated West Bank settlements to the list of favored communities, or "national priorities map."
16 feb 2014
Translated by monjed jadou
Israeli television seven channel said that Israeli Occupation municipality in Jerusalem approved today "Friday" construction of 350 housing units in the settlement of Talpiot in the east part of Jerusalem.
The channel added that the District Committee of the Municipality approved in the projects to build 8 building within the the settlement expansion plans in the neighborhood which is part of the Palestinian territories occupied in 1967.
Israel's decision to build these units comes despite the positions of the United States and the European Union, which considers the settlements activities illegal and must be stopped but Israel did not respond to U.S. and European demands.
The Palestinian side in the negotiations rejected Israeli settlement decisions and consider them a violation of international law and aims to destroy the peace negotiations.
Palestinian officials said there would be no option in for Palestinian leadership, only to go to the International Criminal Court.
Israeli television seven channel said that Israeli Occupation municipality in Jerusalem approved today "Friday" construction of 350 housing units in the settlement of Talpiot in the east part of Jerusalem.
The channel added that the District Committee of the Municipality approved in the projects to build 8 building within the the settlement expansion plans in the neighborhood which is part of the Palestinian territories occupied in 1967.
Israel's decision to build these units comes despite the positions of the United States and the European Union, which considers the settlements activities illegal and must be stopped but Israel did not respond to U.S. and European demands.
The Palestinian side in the negotiations rejected Israeli settlement decisions and consider them a violation of international law and aims to destroy the peace negotiations.
Palestinian officials said there would be no option in for Palestinian leadership, only to go to the International Criminal Court.
