31 dec 2013
"Building in the territories in exchange for freeing prisoners is the equation created by the Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu since the negotiations began," Israel's channel 2 stated in a recent report on its screen. Since the beginning of the negotiations, the Israeli government has progressed in the construction of 8,056 housing units in the occupied territories, the channel said.
The channel claimed that the building of these housing units has still not started, but it affirmed that an aerial tour of the West Bank reveals the actual construction of thousands of housing units already.
"The largest amount of construction is reported to be in Bracha, close to Nablus. Not far away, in Yitzhar, another construction project appears to be in the works these days. A similar picture emerges in the landscape of Nehemiah. The building boom did not skip over Ariel either," the report elaborated further.
"So how many housing units are being built these days in the territories? According to estimates by settlers, about 1,400 housing units are being built in the territories. The Israel central bureau of statistics states about 2,500 housing units are being constructed, while if you ask Peace Now, the number is about 3,000."
"Every increase in settlement construction within the territories brings home the message that PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas cannot justify the Palestinians continuing to negotiate with Israel."
"If Netanyahu really wants a two-state solution, there is no reason now to build thousands of housing units in the territories," the channel quoted Lior Amichai of Peace Now as saying.
"Netanyahu is exploiting the negotiations and the release of prisoners in order to build and certify thousands of housing units," Amichai added.
It also quoted Yigal Dilmoni, Yesha council head, as saying that the release of Palestinian prisoners "is designed to satisfy their desire for negotiations, the Palestinians and some elements of the government."
The channel claimed that the building of these housing units has still not started, but it affirmed that an aerial tour of the West Bank reveals the actual construction of thousands of housing units already.
"The largest amount of construction is reported to be in Bracha, close to Nablus. Not far away, in Yitzhar, another construction project appears to be in the works these days. A similar picture emerges in the landscape of Nehemiah. The building boom did not skip over Ariel either," the report elaborated further.
"So how many housing units are being built these days in the territories? According to estimates by settlers, about 1,400 housing units are being built in the territories. The Israel central bureau of statistics states about 2,500 housing units are being constructed, while if you ask Peace Now, the number is about 3,000."
"Every increase in settlement construction within the territories brings home the message that PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas cannot justify the Palestinians continuing to negotiate with Israel."
"If Netanyahu really wants a two-state solution, there is no reason now to build thousands of housing units in the territories," the channel quoted Lior Amichai of Peace Now as saying.
"Netanyahu is exploiting the negotiations and the release of prisoners in order to build and certify thousands of housing units," Amichai added.
It also quoted Yigal Dilmoni, Yesha council head, as saying that the release of Palestinian prisoners "is designed to satisfy their desire for negotiations, the Palestinians and some elements of the government."
27 dec 2013
Chief Palestinian Authority negotiator Saeb Erekat
Chief Palestinian Authority negotiator has slammed the Israeli regime’s illegal settlement activities, warning that any new plan on settlement construction will torpedo the US-brokered negotiations.
Saeb Ereket told Xinhua news agency on Thursday that the Palestinian Authority “strongly” condemns the Tel Aviv regime’s plans to build new settler units in the occupied West Bank and East al-Quds (Jerusalem).
On December 25, an Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Associated Press that the regime would likely announce plans for construction of new settler units next week.
Israeli media also published reports regarding the announcement of “massive construction” plans by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu next week, with some saying that 1,000 to 2,000 new settlements may be built.
Erekat further said the Palestinian Authority regards the Israeli plan as a blow to the US-mediated Israeli-Palestinian talks.
The Palestinian side will restart efforts to join 63 international organizations including the International Criminal Court (ICC) if Israel announces plans for the construction of more settler homes, Erekat added.
“Those who fear the ICC should stop committing war crimes, including the construction of settlements,” Erekat said in reference to Israel.
Palestinian and Israeli negotiators began a fresh round of talks in July. Previous talks between Palestinians and Israel broke down in September 2010 after Tel Aviv refused to freeze its settlement activities in the occupied West Bank.
Since the resumption of the negotiations, Israel has announced plans for building several thousands of new settler units in the occupied West Bank and East al-Quds.
Chief Palestinian Authority negotiator has slammed the Israeli regime’s illegal settlement activities, warning that any new plan on settlement construction will torpedo the US-brokered negotiations.
Saeb Ereket told Xinhua news agency on Thursday that the Palestinian Authority “strongly” condemns the Tel Aviv regime’s plans to build new settler units in the occupied West Bank and East al-Quds (Jerusalem).
On December 25, an Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Associated Press that the regime would likely announce plans for construction of new settler units next week.
Israeli media also published reports regarding the announcement of “massive construction” plans by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu next week, with some saying that 1,000 to 2,000 new settlements may be built.
Erekat further said the Palestinian Authority regards the Israeli plan as a blow to the US-mediated Israeli-Palestinian talks.
The Palestinian side will restart efforts to join 63 international organizations including the International Criminal Court (ICC) if Israel announces plans for the construction of more settler homes, Erekat added.
“Those who fear the ICC should stop committing war crimes, including the construction of settlements,” Erekat said in reference to Israel.
Palestinian and Israeli negotiators began a fresh round of talks in July. Previous talks between Palestinians and Israel broke down in September 2010 after Tel Aviv refused to freeze its settlement activities in the occupied West Bank.
Since the resumption of the negotiations, Israel has announced plans for building several thousands of new settler units in the occupied West Bank and East al-Quds.
Israel Channel 10 said in a report issued Thursday that the European Union will strongly object to any new announcements of Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank.
A senior EU diplomat told Channel 10, if Israel plans to announce further settlement construction beyond the Green Line next week following the release of a third group of Palestinian security prisoners, there will be harsh reaction from the European governments against it.
Israeli media outlets reported that the announcement will include 600 new settler housing units in Jerusalem and 800 in the settlement blocs. In addition, planning processes will be set in motion for another 1,000 units.
European sources said that Israel will bear responsibility for the failure of negotiations, adding that the EU considers the latest settlement announcement as a factor of instability and tension that leads to lack of confidence on the Palestinian side.
A senior EU diplomat told Channel 10, if Israel plans to announce further settlement construction beyond the Green Line next week following the release of a third group of Palestinian security prisoners, there will be harsh reaction from the European governments against it.
Israeli media outlets reported that the announcement will include 600 new settler housing units in Jerusalem and 800 in the settlement blocs. In addition, planning processes will be set in motion for another 1,000 units.
European sources said that Israel will bear responsibility for the failure of negotiations, adding that the EU considers the latest settlement announcement as a factor of instability and tension that leads to lack of confidence on the Palestinian side.
Israeli Likud MK, Miri Regev, said on Friday that Israel should not accept any US proposals for a peace agreement that provides for the Palestinians to assume control of the Jordan Valley, even if a transitional Israeli security presence is maintained for a limited time, The Jerusalem Post reported.
A day after she submitted a bill to annex the Jordan Valley, Regev told Israel Radio that "Negotiations should be conducted about peace, not about land," adding that this issue stands as a first order of strategic importance.
She added that Israeli law should be applied to settlements in the Jordan Valley, in order for the Israeli government to transmit the message that it will not give up on its security presence in the area.
A day after she submitted a bill to annex the Jordan Valley, Regev told Israel Radio that "Negotiations should be conducted about peace, not about land," adding that this issue stands as a first order of strategic importance.
She added that Israeli law should be applied to settlements in the Jordan Valley, in order for the Israeli government to transmit the message that it will not give up on its security presence in the area.
26 dec 2013
A group of three Israeli stage actors have protested Tel Aviv’s settlement construction in the occupied West Bank by refusing to perform in a play before a theater there.
On Thursday, the Cameri and Beit Lessin theaters said in a joint statement that the three members had declined to perform at the theater in Ariel, which is a settlement inside the occupied West Bank.
"This is not a boycott. It's my own little protest against a government policy that continues to build settlements," one of the members said.
On Wednesday, an Israeli official told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity that he "expects" an announcement on new settlements next week, but declined to explain more.
Israeli media also published reports regarding the announcement of "massive construction" plans by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu next week, with some saying that 1,000 to 2,000 new settlements may be built.
The presence and continued expansion of Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine has created a major obstacle for the efforts to establish peace in the Middle East.
More than half a million Israelis live in over 120 illegal settlements built since Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East al-Quds (Jerusalem) in 1967.
The United Nations and most countries regard the Israeli settlements as illegal because the territories were captured by Israel in a war in 1967 and are hence subject to the Geneva Conventions, which forbid construction on occupied lands.
Israel is particularly sensitive to such sentiments as it is constantly battling against international efforts to impose economic, cultural and academic boycotts upon it over the settlements.
Hundreds Of New Settlements To Be Built
Israel will be announcing plans for new settlement construction next week, in conjunction with the release of a third group of Palestinian prisoners as part of peace negotiations, according to an official.
"The Israeli government will announce tenders for new construction in the West Bank and in east Jerusalem which will coincide with the release of a third group of Palestinian prisoners," the official told AFP, on condition of anonymity.
Israeli media has reported that the announcement will involve the construction of 1,400 houses total.
6-700 housing units are to built in the East Jerusalem settlement of Ramat Shlomi, with the remainder to be built in West Bank settlements.
Palestinian officials say that Israeli settlement plans destroy the peace process. The international community has also condemned past construction moves.
More than 500,000 Israelis live in settlements across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, in direct defiance of international law.
The internationally recognized Palestinian territories, of which the West Bank and East Jerusalem form a part, have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
On Thursday, the Cameri and Beit Lessin theaters said in a joint statement that the three members had declined to perform at the theater in Ariel, which is a settlement inside the occupied West Bank.
"This is not a boycott. It's my own little protest against a government policy that continues to build settlements," one of the members said.
On Wednesday, an Israeli official told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity that he "expects" an announcement on new settlements next week, but declined to explain more.
Israeli media also published reports regarding the announcement of "massive construction" plans by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu next week, with some saying that 1,000 to 2,000 new settlements may be built.
The presence and continued expansion of Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine has created a major obstacle for the efforts to establish peace in the Middle East.
More than half a million Israelis live in over 120 illegal settlements built since Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East al-Quds (Jerusalem) in 1967.
The United Nations and most countries regard the Israeli settlements as illegal because the territories were captured by Israel in a war in 1967 and are hence subject to the Geneva Conventions, which forbid construction on occupied lands.
Israel is particularly sensitive to such sentiments as it is constantly battling against international efforts to impose economic, cultural and academic boycotts upon it over the settlements.
Hundreds Of New Settlements To Be Built
Israel will be announcing plans for new settlement construction next week, in conjunction with the release of a third group of Palestinian prisoners as part of peace negotiations, according to an official.
"The Israeli government will announce tenders for new construction in the West Bank and in east Jerusalem which will coincide with the release of a third group of Palestinian prisoners," the official told AFP, on condition of anonymity.
Israeli media has reported that the announcement will involve the construction of 1,400 houses total.
6-700 housing units are to built in the East Jerusalem settlement of Ramat Shlomi, with the remainder to be built in West Bank settlements.
Palestinian officials say that Israeli settlement plans destroy the peace process. The international community has also condemned past construction moves.
More than 500,000 Israelis live in settlements across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, in direct defiance of international law.
The internationally recognized Palestinian territories, of which the West Bank and East Jerusalem form a part, have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
Israel will announce plans for new settlement construction next week, coinciding with the release of a third batch of Palestinian prisoners as part of peace talks, an official said Thursday.
"The Israeli government will announce tenders for new construction in the West Bank and in East Jerusalem which will coincide with the release of a third group of Palestinian prisoners," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Two previous rounds of prisoner releases in August and October have been accompanied by Israeli announcements of fresh construction on land the Palestinians want for a future state, provoking Palestinian ire.
"The Israeli government will announce tenders for new construction in the West Bank and in East Jerusalem which will coincide with the release of a third group of Palestinian prisoners," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Two previous rounds of prisoner releases in August and October have been accompanied by Israeli announcements of fresh construction on land the Palestinians want for a future state, provoking Palestinian ire.
25 dec 2013
Hebrew media sources revealed that 25 new housing units were recently built on Palestinian land in the settlement of Ofra, west of Ramallah. Haaretz newspaper, on its Wednesday edition, said: "These units have been built despite the promises made by the Israeli government before the Israeli Supreme Court to impose building codes in the place."
It added that the High Court on Wednesday will consider a petition demanding that nine houses illegally built on Palestinian land in the settlement of Ofra in 2008 be demolished.
The paper said that the Israeli settlement movement Amana, in the West Bank, began the construction of dozens of settlement units in Ofra, with the support of the government.
Haaretz added that the comparison between the aerial photographs taken in 2009 and in 2012 shows that during three years 25 housing units have been added.
It added that the High Court on Wednesday will consider a petition demanding that nine houses illegally built on Palestinian land in the settlement of Ofra in 2008 be demolished.
The paper said that the Israeli settlement movement Amana, in the West Bank, began the construction of dozens of settlement units in Ofra, with the support of the government.
Haaretz added that the comparison between the aerial photographs taken in 2009 and in 2012 shows that during three years 25 housing units have been added.
21 dec 2013
A Palestinian official report showed that the Israeli occupation authority has continued its settlement projects, while the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue settlement policy. The weekly report issued by the National Office for the defense of the land and the resistance of settlement activity, under the Palestine Liberation Organization, pointed out that despite the difficult conditions experienced by the Palestinian territories because of the bad weather, the Israeli government continued to commit further violations in disregard to all international conventions.
The report pointed out that despite the fact that Europe and U.S. had warned the Israeli government not to launch new settlement projects, Netanyahu announced his government's commitment to continue settlement construction.
Netanyahu said: "We are building without stopping, and we will continue construction and development everywhere, including in the settlements," while Deputy Minister of Israeli army Danny Danon stated that "Israel will never end its military presence in that region."
The Israeli Public Relations Office has recently began marketing two settlement projects in occupied Jerusalem; one in Ras al-Amud and the other near Jabal al-Masharef.
The construction is taking place in the center of Jerusalem not far from Silwan, and near the new Jewish settlement of Ma'aleh Zeitim.
The report pointed out that despite the fact that Europe and U.S. had warned the Israeli government not to launch new settlement projects, Netanyahu announced his government's commitment to continue settlement construction.
Netanyahu said: "We are building without stopping, and we will continue construction and development everywhere, including in the settlements," while Deputy Minister of Israeli army Danny Danon stated that "Israel will never end its military presence in that region."
The Israeli Public Relations Office has recently began marketing two settlement projects in occupied Jerusalem; one in Ras al-Amud and the other near Jabal al-Masharef.
The construction is taking place in the center of Jerusalem not far from Silwan, and near the new Jewish settlement of Ma'aleh Zeitim.
19 dec 2013
The Israeli Government of Benjamin Netanyahu rejected an American request to freeze settlement construction and expansion activities in the occupied West Bank, and occupied Jerusalem, as part of the effort to ensure the continuation of direct peace talks.
Israeli sources reported that the U.S Administration asked Tel Aviv to refrain from announcing new projects in its illegal settlements after the release of the third phase of Palestinian detainees by the end of this month.
The White House stated that the issue is of a great concern to the Palestinians, and could lead to toppling direct political talks between Tel Aviv and Ramallah.
Talking to the Likud party conference on Wednesday evening, Netanyahu said his administration is “committed to building and expanding settlements”, and that Tel Aviv “will not be pressured into halting its settlement activities”.
“We are building, and working in full gear”, he stated, “We will build and develop, everywhere, including in the settlements.
Israeli sources said that Tel Aviv is acting “according to agreements reached by Washington”.
The Israeli decision followed a letter sent by the European Union demanding Tel Aviv to stop its settlement activities, particularly amidst the release of the third phase of veteran Palestinian detainees on December 29.
Israel’s settlement activities are illegal under International Law and the Fourth Geneva Convention to which Israel is a signatory.
Settlements and the apartheid wall are devastating the Palestinian economy, and turned the Palestinian territories into isolated cantons, separating the residents from each other and their lands, and are blocking geographical contiguity between Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank.
Tel Aviv refused to release any of the 27 detainees during the first and second phases in which it released, back in mid-August 26 veteran detainees (14 from Gaza and 12 from the West bank, and in late October when it released 26 veteran detainees (21 from Gaza and five from the West Bank).
More veteran detainees are to be released March 28 2014, as part of the mediated deal reached by the US to ensure the resumption of direct political dialogue.
Various Israeli officials of the Israeli Government of Benjamin Netanyahu have been calling for voiding the agreement.
Israeli sources reported that the U.S Administration asked Tel Aviv to refrain from announcing new projects in its illegal settlements after the release of the third phase of Palestinian detainees by the end of this month.
The White House stated that the issue is of a great concern to the Palestinians, and could lead to toppling direct political talks between Tel Aviv and Ramallah.
Talking to the Likud party conference on Wednesday evening, Netanyahu said his administration is “committed to building and expanding settlements”, and that Tel Aviv “will not be pressured into halting its settlement activities”.
“We are building, and working in full gear”, he stated, “We will build and develop, everywhere, including in the settlements.
Israeli sources said that Tel Aviv is acting “according to agreements reached by Washington”.
The Israeli decision followed a letter sent by the European Union demanding Tel Aviv to stop its settlement activities, particularly amidst the release of the third phase of veteran Palestinian detainees on December 29.
Israel’s settlement activities are illegal under International Law and the Fourth Geneva Convention to which Israel is a signatory.
Settlements and the apartheid wall are devastating the Palestinian economy, and turned the Palestinian territories into isolated cantons, separating the residents from each other and their lands, and are blocking geographical contiguity between Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank.
Tel Aviv refused to release any of the 27 detainees during the first and second phases in which it released, back in mid-August 26 veteran detainees (14 from Gaza and 12 from the West bank, and in late October when it released 26 veteran detainees (21 from Gaza and five from the West Bank).
More veteran detainees are to be released March 28 2014, as part of the mediated deal reached by the US to ensure the resumption of direct political dialogue.
Various Israeli officials of the Israeli Government of Benjamin Netanyahu have been calling for voiding the agreement.