28 oct 2014
Jordanian authorities have requested an emergency meeting for the UN Security Council to discuss new Israeli plans to build more settlement units in occupied Jerusalem.
As a Security Council member, Jordan put forward the request late Monday following a similar Palestinian request. Meanwhile, Israel belittled the possibility that the meeting could be held in the few coming days.
Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh described Israel's decision to build new housing units in occupied Jerusalem as a flagrant violation of international laws and a strong slap in the face to the ongoing efforts to resume Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday called on the UN Security Council to convene an emergency session to address Israel's settlement activity in occupied Jerusalem and its decision to build new housing units beyond the Green Line.
The Jordanian and Palestinian requests came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to build 1,000 new housing units in two Jewish neighborhoods in occupied Jerusalem.
Israeli media sources revealed Monday morning that 400 housing units are expected to be built in Har Homa neighborhood, while about 600 additional units are to be established in Ramat Shlomo neighborhood.
http://english.palinfo
As a Security Council member, Jordan put forward the request late Monday following a similar Palestinian request. Meanwhile, Israel belittled the possibility that the meeting could be held in the few coming days.
Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh described Israel's decision to build new housing units in occupied Jerusalem as a flagrant violation of international laws and a strong slap in the face to the ongoing efforts to resume Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday called on the UN Security Council to convene an emergency session to address Israel's settlement activity in occupied Jerusalem and its decision to build new housing units beyond the Green Line.
The Jordanian and Palestinian requests came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to build 1,000 new housing units in two Jewish neighborhoods in occupied Jerusalem.
Israeli media sources revealed Monday morning that 400 housing units are expected to be built in Har Homa neighborhood, while about 600 additional units are to be established in Ramat Shlomo neighborhood.
http://english.palinfo
A large number of Israeli settlers of the Bruchin illegal settlement outpost built on Palestinian lands east of Broqeen town, west of the central West Bank city of Salfit, started bulldozing lands in an attempt to expand their illegitimate settlement.
The Palestine News Network (PNN) said the settlers brought bulldozers and started leveling the lands, and digging, while several Israeli soldiers were deployed in the area preventing the Palestinians from reaching it.
Palestinian Researcher Khaled Ma’ali said the Israeli government lately announcement its intention to expand Brochin settlement by constructing new units, part of the recently declared 550 new units to be built on agricultural lands belonging to residents of Broqeen, and Sarta village.
Bruchin settlement was built in 1999; it started just as a small illegitimate outpost, and kept expanding since then.
The expansion comes following a decision by the head of the Central Command of the Israeli military of the West Bank, Nitzan Alon, to upgrade the outpost into a settlement under the umbrella of the “Regional Council of Settlements.”
The Palestine News Network (PNN) said the settlers brought bulldozers and started leveling the lands, and digging, while several Israeli soldiers were deployed in the area preventing the Palestinians from reaching it.
Palestinian Researcher Khaled Ma’ali said the Israeli government lately announcement its intention to expand Brochin settlement by constructing new units, part of the recently declared 550 new units to be built on agricultural lands belonging to residents of Broqeen, and Sarta village.
Bruchin settlement was built in 1999; it started just as a small illegitimate outpost, and kept expanding since then.
The expansion comes following a decision by the head of the Central Command of the Israeli military of the West Bank, Nitzan Alon, to upgrade the outpost into a settlement under the umbrella of the “Regional Council of Settlements.”
27 oct 2014
MP Jamal Al-Khudari, head of the popular committee against the siege,
said that the reported deal between the Israeli premier and the right
wing to increase settlement expansion vindicated further Israel's
persistence in violating the international law.
In press remarks, Khudari stated on Monday that Benjamin Netanyhu's agreement with the right wing of his government to expand settlement activities in the West Bank and Jerusalem reflected Israel's renewed hostile tendencies towards the Palestinian people and its insistence on violating the international law.
He added that such Israeli intents would rupture the negotiation process with the Palestinian and undermine any international efforts to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
http://english.palinfo
In press remarks, Khudari stated on Monday that Benjamin Netanyhu's agreement with the right wing of his government to expand settlement activities in the West Bank and Jerusalem reflected Israel's renewed hostile tendencies towards the Palestinian people and its insistence on violating the international law.
He added that such Israeli intents would rupture the negotiation process with the Palestinian and undermine any international efforts to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
http://english.palinfo
Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to approve thousands of new housing units and roads at a cost of millions of shekels in the West Bank in coordination with his right wing coalition, Israel's Channel 2 revealed.
Channel 2 News reported on Sunday evening that Netanyahu is hoping to “strengthen the alliance with the nationalist wing of the coalition, and to end the de facto building freeze in Judea and Samaria”. It added that the plan also stipulates granting more facilities to settlers.
The Channel 2 report pointed out that a meeting had been held between Netanyahu and Jewish Home leader Naftali Bennett, who had threatened to disrupt the coalition if the freeze was not ended.
According to the report, Bennett told Netanyahu that “it is obvious that neither Tzipi Livni (Hatnua) nor Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid) want elections at this time, and that this situation should be exploited for construction in Judea and Samaria”.
The two parties agreed on building 2,000 new housing units in the main West Bank settlement blocs and 12 new roads.
The deal also approved a renovation project for the Ibrahimi mosque in al-Khalil that has been delayed for 12 years, according to the news report.
A senior political official, meanwhile, declared his strong opposition to any plan for wide-ranging construction in the West Bank, the broadcast said, adding, quoting the source Finance Minister Yair Lapid: "The plan at this time will lead to a serious crisis in the relations between Israel and the United States, and will hurt Israel's standing in the world.”
http://english.palinfo
Channel 2 News reported on Sunday evening that Netanyahu is hoping to “strengthen the alliance with the nationalist wing of the coalition, and to end the de facto building freeze in Judea and Samaria”. It added that the plan also stipulates granting more facilities to settlers.
The Channel 2 report pointed out that a meeting had been held between Netanyahu and Jewish Home leader Naftali Bennett, who had threatened to disrupt the coalition if the freeze was not ended.
According to the report, Bennett told Netanyahu that “it is obvious that neither Tzipi Livni (Hatnua) nor Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid) want elections at this time, and that this situation should be exploited for construction in Judea and Samaria”.
The two parties agreed on building 2,000 new housing units in the main West Bank settlement blocs and 12 new roads.
The deal also approved a renovation project for the Ibrahimi mosque in al-Khalil that has been delayed for 12 years, according to the news report.
A senior political official, meanwhile, declared his strong opposition to any plan for wide-ranging construction in the West Bank, the broadcast said, adding, quoting the source Finance Minister Yair Lapid: "The plan at this time will lead to a serious crisis in the relations between Israel and the United States, and will hurt Israel's standing in the world.”
http://english.palinfo
Netanyahu to unfreeze WB settlements construction
Israeli forces, on Monday, demolished four Palestinian homes belonging to the al-Hazaleen family in the Hebron village of Yatta, in the occupied West Bank.
Ibrahim Hazaleen, who monitors settlement activity in the area said, according to Al Ray, that a large group of Israeli soldiers and a bulldozer stormed the village, demolishing four houses in the Yatta village which belonged to Eid Hazaleen and his sons and relatives.
Mr. Hazaleen noted that the demolition process comes one day after the Israeli Supreme Court rejected an appeal by residents, and confirmed that around 30 people are now homeless as a result.
Israel only rarely ever grants Palestinians permits to build in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Some 27,000 Palestinian homes and structures have been destroyed since Israel first occupied the West Bank in 1967, according to the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions.
The move was never recognized by the international community, but Israeli land seizures and other violations have continued unabated, ever since.
Furthermore, Israeli PM Netanyahu is to sign a deal with right-wing political party Habayit Hayehudi, to unfreeze West Bank settlement construction, Channel 2 revealed Sunday.
Netanyahu will hold a meeting with the party on Wednesday to discuss infrastructure development in West Bank settlements.
The Channel 2 report explained that the step comes as an attempt to relieve political pressure exerted on Netanyahu.
Habayit Hayehudi leaders, Israeli Economy Minister Naftali Bennett and Housing Minister Uri Ariel threatened the PM with undermining the Israeli government coalition, unless Israel lifts the quiet freeze on building and planning processes in the settlements.
Netanyahu and the ministers will discuss the possibility of approving the paving of 12 new roads in the West Bank, water infrastructure in the settlements, building Israeli student villages, parks, and a promenade in Gush Etzion.
Also on the agenda is the renovation of the 'Cave of the Patriarchs' Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, new electricity infrastructure, settler demands to regularize illegal outposts, and the laying of groundwork in the settlements for future construction.
The Council of Jewish Communities in the occupied West Bank attempted to negotiate the construction of 2,000 homes, mostly in the settlement blocs, with the Prime Minister's Office, but Netanyahu reportedly hasn't accepted the demand.
Haaretz reported that, in their meeting with Netanyahu, last week, Bennett and Ariel demanded the PM resume construction immediately, and that he restart meetings of the Civil Administration’s planning committees, warning that if he doesn't accede, the party’s MKs may absent themselves from a no-confidence vote scheduled for Monday.
Furthermore, even if such a move doesn’t lead to a collapse of government, it would signal serious instability in the coalition.
Finance Minister Yair Lapid said he vehemently opposes large-scale construction in the settlements and the regularization of illegal outposts.
Carrying out the plan, at this point in time, would lead to a serious crisis in Israeli-American relations and harm Israel’s international standing, Lapid said.
In response to the Channel 2 report, the Labor Party issued a statement saying that Netanyahu is "selling all of Israel's diplomatic interests for a few more months on the prime minister's seat," and calling on both Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and Lapid to resign from the coalition.
Israeli forces, on Monday, demolished four Palestinian homes belonging to the al-Hazaleen family in the Hebron village of Yatta, in the occupied West Bank.
Ibrahim Hazaleen, who monitors settlement activity in the area said, according to Al Ray, that a large group of Israeli soldiers and a bulldozer stormed the village, demolishing four houses in the Yatta village which belonged to Eid Hazaleen and his sons and relatives.
Mr. Hazaleen noted that the demolition process comes one day after the Israeli Supreme Court rejected an appeal by residents, and confirmed that around 30 people are now homeless as a result.
Israel only rarely ever grants Palestinians permits to build in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Some 27,000 Palestinian homes and structures have been destroyed since Israel first occupied the West Bank in 1967, according to the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions.
The move was never recognized by the international community, but Israeli land seizures and other violations have continued unabated, ever since.
Furthermore, Israeli PM Netanyahu is to sign a deal with right-wing political party Habayit Hayehudi, to unfreeze West Bank settlement construction, Channel 2 revealed Sunday.
Netanyahu will hold a meeting with the party on Wednesday to discuss infrastructure development in West Bank settlements.
The Channel 2 report explained that the step comes as an attempt to relieve political pressure exerted on Netanyahu.
Habayit Hayehudi leaders, Israeli Economy Minister Naftali Bennett and Housing Minister Uri Ariel threatened the PM with undermining the Israeli government coalition, unless Israel lifts the quiet freeze on building and planning processes in the settlements.
Netanyahu and the ministers will discuss the possibility of approving the paving of 12 new roads in the West Bank, water infrastructure in the settlements, building Israeli student villages, parks, and a promenade in Gush Etzion.
Also on the agenda is the renovation of the 'Cave of the Patriarchs' Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, new electricity infrastructure, settler demands to regularize illegal outposts, and the laying of groundwork in the settlements for future construction.
The Council of Jewish Communities in the occupied West Bank attempted to negotiate the construction of 2,000 homes, mostly in the settlement blocs, with the Prime Minister's Office, but Netanyahu reportedly hasn't accepted the demand.
Haaretz reported that, in their meeting with Netanyahu, last week, Bennett and Ariel demanded the PM resume construction immediately, and that he restart meetings of the Civil Administration’s planning committees, warning that if he doesn't accede, the party’s MKs may absent themselves from a no-confidence vote scheduled for Monday.
Furthermore, even if such a move doesn’t lead to a collapse of government, it would signal serious instability in the coalition.
Finance Minister Yair Lapid said he vehemently opposes large-scale construction in the settlements and the regularization of illegal outposts.
Carrying out the plan, at this point in time, would lead to a serious crisis in Israeli-American relations and harm Israel’s international standing, Lapid said.
In response to the Channel 2 report, the Labor Party issued a statement saying that Netanyahu is "selling all of Israel's diplomatic interests for a few more months on the prime minister's seat," and calling on both Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and Lapid to resign from the coalition.
Israeli bulldozers have been working for several days on Palestinian-owned lands to expand settlements and build roads in towns near Salfit city, local sources said.
Palestinian activist in settlement affairs Khaled Ma'ali was told by farmers that bulldozers belonging to Jewish settlers were leveling their lands near Rababa settlement, west of Deir Istiya town, and the industrial settlement of Burkan, southwest of Hares village.
Ma'ali also reported that he saw bulldozers working on a vast tract of land belonging to the family of Ali Souf in Hares village.
The family stated that it had not received any notification telling them about Israel's intention to seize the land or been allowed to reach the land or make any objection.
The activist also noted that Ariel settlement still dump thousands of cubic meters of sewage every day in the western valleys of Salfit, leading to the contamination of Beir and Matwi valleys and the nearby lands.
In another incident, the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) notified a few days ago Mahmoud Annajjar of its intention to demolish his cattle farm in Musafer Yatta village in Yatta town at the pretext of unlicensed construction.
Musafer Yatta is one of eight villages in Yatta town whose residents are threatened with displacement.
http://english.palinfo
Palestinian activist in settlement affairs Khaled Ma'ali was told by farmers that bulldozers belonging to Jewish settlers were leveling their lands near Rababa settlement, west of Deir Istiya town, and the industrial settlement of Burkan, southwest of Hares village.
Ma'ali also reported that he saw bulldozers working on a vast tract of land belonging to the family of Ali Souf in Hares village.
The family stated that it had not received any notification telling them about Israel's intention to seize the land or been allowed to reach the land or make any objection.
The activist also noted that Ariel settlement still dump thousands of cubic meters of sewage every day in the western valleys of Salfit, leading to the contamination of Beir and Matwi valleys and the nearby lands.
In another incident, the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) notified a few days ago Mahmoud Annajjar of its intention to demolish his cattle farm in Musafer Yatta village in Yatta town at the pretext of unlicensed construction.
Musafer Yatta is one of eight villages in Yatta town whose residents are threatened with displacement.
http://english.palinfo
24 oct 2014
The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) declared intention to establish 1,600 new housing units in east Jerusalem.
According to Haaretz newspaper, the Israeli planning and building committee in Jerusalem would hold a meeting to discuss the establishment of 1600 new housing units in Ramat Shlomo settlement to the northeast of Jerusalem.
Israel was intending to expand this ultra-Orthodox settlement in 2010, but its plan was frozen after US pressures.
Following the recognition of Palestine as a non-member observer state in the UN in 2012, the plan emerged once again by publishing tenders for new housing units.
Moriah Jerusalem development corporation, the executive arm of Israel's municipal council in the holy city, will submit an official request to the planning and building committee asking for construction permits for the housing units during its meeting next Tuesday.
In another context, the Knesset internal affairs committee will be discussing on Monday the security situation at the Aqsa Mosque compound for the 15th time.
Minister of internal security Yitzhak Aharonovich and head of the Jerusalem municipal council Nir Barkat will attend the security session.
According to Haaretz newspaper, the Israeli planning and building committee in Jerusalem would hold a meeting to discuss the establishment of 1600 new housing units in Ramat Shlomo settlement to the northeast of Jerusalem.
Israel was intending to expand this ultra-Orthodox settlement in 2010, but its plan was frozen after US pressures.
Following the recognition of Palestine as a non-member observer state in the UN in 2012, the plan emerged once again by publishing tenders for new housing units.
Moriah Jerusalem development corporation, the executive arm of Israel's municipal council in the holy city, will submit an official request to the planning and building committee asking for construction permits for the housing units during its meeting next Tuesday.
In another context, the Knesset internal affairs committee will be discussing on Monday the security situation at the Aqsa Mosque compound for the 15th time.
Minister of internal security Yitzhak Aharonovich and head of the Jerusalem municipal council Nir Barkat will attend the security session.
22 oct 2014
Haaretz Hebrew newspaper published an internal European Union document that defines several of the EU’s “red lines” regarding Israeli actions in the West Bank that could threat the possibility of the two-state solution. The EU’s ambassador to Israel, Lars Faaborg-Andersen, is set to relay the message to Israel over the issues which raised the EU’s concerns, the newspaper revealed.
In recent weeks, a series of discussions have been taking place in the EU’s headquarters in Brussels between the ambassadors of the 28 member states over the European response to Israeli appropriation of 4,000 dunums in Gush Etzion in the West Bank and even more since the push forward in planning for additional constructions in Givat Hamatos.
During these discussions, which ended last weekend, it was decided to relay a sharp message to Israel in the name of all EU members, focusing on the Israeli moves which create a “focused and increasing threat to the possibility of the two-state solution.”
“The EU considers the preservation of the two-state solution a priority,” the document reads. “The only way to resolve the conflict is through an agreement that ends the occupation which began in 1967, that ends all claims and fulfills the aspirations of both parties. A one state reality would not be compatible with these aspirations.”
The document said that construction in the Givat Hamatos neighborhood, beyond the Green Line in Jerusalem would jeopardize the possibility of a contiguous Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states. The EU “cautions the Israeli government not to move ahead with tenders and construction. Such a development would constitute one more grave “fact on the ground” which would be liable to crucially prejudge the outcome of peace negotiations,” the document reads.
The document said construction in E1 area would also jeopardize the possibility of a contiguous Palestinian state, and added that it has already publicly and strongly opposed plans for E1’s development.
“The EU strongly urges Israel to put its plans of expelling 12,000 Bedouin from their lands on hold and search for other solutions together with the concerned populations and the Palestinian Authority. The EU underlines that implementing those plans may amount to a serious breach of International Humanitarian Law (IV Geneva Convention),” the document reads.
The document also addressed al-Aqsa Mosque issue, saying that attempts to challenge the status-quo have led to instability in East Jerusalem and increased tensions.
A top European diplomat noted that EU states consuls in East Jerusalem and in Ramallah planned to hold a joint tour in al-Aqsa Mosque, but aborted their plans following instructions from Brussels, fearing Israel would consider such a visit a provocation.
According to the document, the EU ambassador in Israel was instructed to clarify to the Foreign Ministry director and to the national security advisor that the EU is interested in holding “thorough discussion” on these and other issues related to the occupied Palestinian territories.
“…There is a legitimate expectation to have a constructive dialogue with the Israeli authorities on measures from their side which may impact on our assistance and its ultimate objectives of creating a sound enabling environment for economic and social development in the occupied Palestinian territories and contributing to create the conditions for a viable Palestinian state,” the documents reads.
According to Haaretz, Israel’s Foreign Ministry has followed the EU preparations to up the tone against Israel for several weeks. In discussions held over the issue in the ministry on Tuesday the expectation was floated that the message relayed by the EU ambassador would be the opening shot ahead of new European sanctions against the Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
“The negotiations the EU is offering are really the hearing before the sentence,” a senior official in the ministry said.
“We have a feeling they’re expecting us to reject the offer for negotiations and give them an excuse to push the sanctions against us, or that we’ll agree in any case to negotiations in which we’ll discuss which sanctions will be leveled,” he added.
In recent weeks, a series of discussions have been taking place in the EU’s headquarters in Brussels between the ambassadors of the 28 member states over the European response to Israeli appropriation of 4,000 dunums in Gush Etzion in the West Bank and even more since the push forward in planning for additional constructions in Givat Hamatos.
During these discussions, which ended last weekend, it was decided to relay a sharp message to Israel in the name of all EU members, focusing on the Israeli moves which create a “focused and increasing threat to the possibility of the two-state solution.”
“The EU considers the preservation of the two-state solution a priority,” the document reads. “The only way to resolve the conflict is through an agreement that ends the occupation which began in 1967, that ends all claims and fulfills the aspirations of both parties. A one state reality would not be compatible with these aspirations.”
The document said that construction in the Givat Hamatos neighborhood, beyond the Green Line in Jerusalem would jeopardize the possibility of a contiguous Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states. The EU “cautions the Israeli government not to move ahead with tenders and construction. Such a development would constitute one more grave “fact on the ground” which would be liable to crucially prejudge the outcome of peace negotiations,” the document reads.
The document said construction in E1 area would also jeopardize the possibility of a contiguous Palestinian state, and added that it has already publicly and strongly opposed plans for E1’s development.
“The EU strongly urges Israel to put its plans of expelling 12,000 Bedouin from their lands on hold and search for other solutions together with the concerned populations and the Palestinian Authority. The EU underlines that implementing those plans may amount to a serious breach of International Humanitarian Law (IV Geneva Convention),” the document reads.
The document also addressed al-Aqsa Mosque issue, saying that attempts to challenge the status-quo have led to instability in East Jerusalem and increased tensions.
A top European diplomat noted that EU states consuls in East Jerusalem and in Ramallah planned to hold a joint tour in al-Aqsa Mosque, but aborted their plans following instructions from Brussels, fearing Israel would consider such a visit a provocation.
According to the document, the EU ambassador in Israel was instructed to clarify to the Foreign Ministry director and to the national security advisor that the EU is interested in holding “thorough discussion” on these and other issues related to the occupied Palestinian territories.
“…There is a legitimate expectation to have a constructive dialogue with the Israeli authorities on measures from their side which may impact on our assistance and its ultimate objectives of creating a sound enabling environment for economic and social development in the occupied Palestinian territories and contributing to create the conditions for a viable Palestinian state,” the documents reads.
According to Haaretz, Israel’s Foreign Ministry has followed the EU preparations to up the tone against Israel for several weeks. In discussions held over the issue in the ministry on Tuesday the expectation was floated that the message relayed by the EU ambassador would be the opening shot ahead of new European sanctions against the Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
“The negotiations the EU is offering are really the hearing before the sentence,” a senior official in the ministry said.
“We have a feeling they’re expecting us to reject the offer for negotiations and give them an excuse to push the sanctions against us, or that we’ll agree in any case to negotiations in which we’ll discuss which sanctions will be leveled,” he added.
20 oct 2014
Israel's
construction in Jerusalem will continue, Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu said on Sunday, speaking at the inauguration of a new road to
be named after the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir, famous for his
hawkish views.
“Prime Minister Shamir emphasized at every opportunity the need to ensure the unity of all of Jerusalem, and he laboured to make it into a dynamic city. Of course, he defended Israel's natural right to build there. Is it possible, he asked, that a Jew would not be able to build a home in Jerusalem? Can we be forbidden to build in our capital, the city of our forefathers? We must allow all – Jews, Christians, and Muslims – to develop and build in Jerusalem,” Netanyahu said.
The Yitzhak Shamir road inaugurated by Netanyahu is part of the Jerusalem ring road system, which here will link the settlements located to the northeast of Jerusalem, including Ma'ale Adumim and Adam, to the road to Motza outside of Jerusalem and on toward Tel Aviv. It will shorten the travel time between Jerusalem area settlements and Tel Aviv, while providing additional connectivity for the settlements to Jerusalem itself.
And despite Netanyhu's declaration about allowing everyone to develop and build in Jerusalem, institutionalised discrimination against Jerusalem's Palestinian population is evident in numerous areas. There still no approved zoning plan for Palestinian neighborhoods in Jerusalem and while Palestinians are almost 40 percent of the city's population, they are allowed to build on only nine percent of the city's lands.
Palestinians are further discriminated against in allocation and distribution of the municipal budget. The Jerusalem municipality does not publish relevant figures regarding the allocation of resources to Jewish and Palestinians in Jerusalem, claiming it is not in the interest of the city to maintain data on these obscure and ambivalent issues. However, most Palestinian neighborhoods in East Jerusalem lack basic infrastructures and residents are not connected to the municipal sewage system.
Despite the lack of aggregated data, examination of Jerusalem's published budget reveals an official discriminatory policy in each of its chapters.
The data reveals that although the Palestinian community in Jerusalem represents almost 40 percent of Jerusalem’s population, they receive less than 10 percent of the municipal budget.
Despite facts and figures highlighting Jerusalem as a segregated city, Netanyahu championed the legacy of the late premier, saying Shamir “emphasized at every turn our obligation to safeguard Jerusalem's unity. He worked tirelessly to turn it into the vibrant center of our country”.
“Under Israeli sovereignty, Jerusalem is a unified city that is open to all”, Netanyahu added.
“There are those who seek to cause dissent, to rebuild the walls within its center. We will not allow this to happen, we will stand strong against all the forces that seek this and fight them with an iron hand,” he threatened the Palestinian residents of the city.
“The violence is taking place mainly in the eastern part of the city, in fact almost exclusively there. We are not prepared to have rocks hurled in the Israeli capital and we'll take all the necessary measures to clamp down on this.”
“Prime Minister Shamir emphasized at every opportunity the need to ensure the unity of all of Jerusalem, and he laboured to make it into a dynamic city. Of course, he defended Israel's natural right to build there. Is it possible, he asked, that a Jew would not be able to build a home in Jerusalem? Can we be forbidden to build in our capital, the city of our forefathers? We must allow all – Jews, Christians, and Muslims – to develop and build in Jerusalem,” Netanyahu said.
The Yitzhak Shamir road inaugurated by Netanyahu is part of the Jerusalem ring road system, which here will link the settlements located to the northeast of Jerusalem, including Ma'ale Adumim and Adam, to the road to Motza outside of Jerusalem and on toward Tel Aviv. It will shorten the travel time between Jerusalem area settlements and Tel Aviv, while providing additional connectivity for the settlements to Jerusalem itself.
And despite Netanyhu's declaration about allowing everyone to develop and build in Jerusalem, institutionalised discrimination against Jerusalem's Palestinian population is evident in numerous areas. There still no approved zoning plan for Palestinian neighborhoods in Jerusalem and while Palestinians are almost 40 percent of the city's population, they are allowed to build on only nine percent of the city's lands.
Palestinians are further discriminated against in allocation and distribution of the municipal budget. The Jerusalem municipality does not publish relevant figures regarding the allocation of resources to Jewish and Palestinians in Jerusalem, claiming it is not in the interest of the city to maintain data on these obscure and ambivalent issues. However, most Palestinian neighborhoods in East Jerusalem lack basic infrastructures and residents are not connected to the municipal sewage system.
Despite the lack of aggregated data, examination of Jerusalem's published budget reveals an official discriminatory policy in each of its chapters.
The data reveals that although the Palestinian community in Jerusalem represents almost 40 percent of Jerusalem’s population, they receive less than 10 percent of the municipal budget.
Despite facts and figures highlighting Jerusalem as a segregated city, Netanyahu championed the legacy of the late premier, saying Shamir “emphasized at every turn our obligation to safeguard Jerusalem's unity. He worked tirelessly to turn it into the vibrant center of our country”.
“Under Israeli sovereignty, Jerusalem is a unified city that is open to all”, Netanyahu added.
“There are those who seek to cause dissent, to rebuild the walls within its center. We will not allow this to happen, we will stand strong against all the forces that seek this and fight them with an iron hand,” he threatened the Palestinian residents of the city.
“The violence is taking place mainly in the eastern part of the city, in fact almost exclusively there. We are not prepared to have rocks hurled in the Israeli capital and we'll take all the necessary measures to clamp down on this.”
The Israeli municipal council in the holy city declared on Sunday its approval of the construction of 71 housing units in the illegal settlement of Har Homa on Abu Ghuneim Mount to the southeast of Jerusalem, the Hebrew news website Walla said on Monday. According to Walla, this new decision was taken despite the widespread criticism Israel had received last month following its announcement of a plan to build 2,600 housing units in Giv'at Hamatos settlement in Beit Safafa town near Jerusalem.
It said that the Israeli municipal council had granted a construction company a license last August for the building of 71 housing units in Har Homa, but the plan was revealed on Sunday.
It said that the Israeli municipal council had granted a construction company a license last August for the building of 71 housing units in Har Homa, but the plan was revealed on Sunday.