30 apr 2015
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed coalition deals with two parties Wednesday in his first steps toward forming a new government, one week before the deadline to present a cabinet.
While Netanyahu's Likud party won the March 17 election with 30 parliamentary seats, he is still left with the task of forging a majority in the 120-member legislature in order to govern. On Wednesday, he inked alliances with the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party and the center-right Kulanu, putting a combined total of 46 seats under his command.
Kulanu leader Moshe Kahalon, who campaigned on a platform of social reform, was promised the finance portfolio, identical statements from his party and Likud said. "In the forthcoming government we shall press ahead with reforms on housing, banking and work to narrow the gaps in Israeli society," they quoted him as saying at the signing ceremony.
Public radio said early Thursday that Kulanu would also receive the environmental protection and construction ministries. Assignment of Kahalon's Kulanu party to construction ministries likely marks future continuation of settlement construction in occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank, as the leader propagated his dedication towards settlement construction in the run up to last month's election.
“A courageous leader must stand up and recognize Israel as a Jewish state and agree to a united Jerusalem and large settlement blocs (in the West Bank),” Israeli new source Haaretz reported Kulano saying in January. “They must renounce the refugees’ issue and understand that there’s no return to the 1967 borders.
The Kulanu party will support any arrangement that strengthens Israel’s security,” Kahalon said. Support for settlement expansion in new coalition members does not come as a suprise, as Netanyahu garnered significant support from the settlement bloc and vowed to expand settlements in occupied East Jerusalem prior to elections.
While an official agreement with right wing party Habayit Hayehudi has not been announced by Likud , Habayit Hayehudi confirmed Wednesday that the Agriculture Ministry would be assigned to Uri Ariel, who will also control the World Zionist Organization’s Settlement Division, a funding channel to settlements in the occupied West Bank, according to Israeli news source Haaretz.Seperately, Netanyahu's Likud announced an agreement with UTJ.
"I think that the agreement we reached is a good agreement," it quoted the ultra-Orthodox party's Yaakov Litzman as saying. Ultra-Orthodox news site Kikar HaShabat said the deal included the contentious repeal of legislation enabling criminal sanctions against draft dodgers.
The radio said it was agreed that Litzman would serve as deputy health minister, while fellow UTJ member Moshe Gafni would head the powerful parliamentary finance committee. Historically, ultra-Orthodox men in full-time study at a yeshiva (Jewish seminary) have enjoyed exemptions from Israel's compulsory military service.
An act passed last year, effective from 2017, required yeshiva students to either serve in the military or perform civilian national service.It contained a clause setting out sanctions against draft dodgers, including imprisonment, enraging the ultra-Orthodox leadership who say it would be tantamount to jailing people for practicing their faith.
Local media predicted that the far-right Jewish Home party, ultra-Orthodox Shas and the hardline anti-Arab Yisrael Beitenu of incumbent Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman would also sign up with Netanyahu ahead of the May 6 deadline, boosting the alliance to a comfortable 67 votes in parliament.
While Netanyahu's Likud party won the March 17 election with 30 parliamentary seats, he is still left with the task of forging a majority in the 120-member legislature in order to govern. On Wednesday, he inked alliances with the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party and the center-right Kulanu, putting a combined total of 46 seats under his command.
Kulanu leader Moshe Kahalon, who campaigned on a platform of social reform, was promised the finance portfolio, identical statements from his party and Likud said. "In the forthcoming government we shall press ahead with reforms on housing, banking and work to narrow the gaps in Israeli society," they quoted him as saying at the signing ceremony.
Public radio said early Thursday that Kulanu would also receive the environmental protection and construction ministries. Assignment of Kahalon's Kulanu party to construction ministries likely marks future continuation of settlement construction in occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank, as the leader propagated his dedication towards settlement construction in the run up to last month's election.
“A courageous leader must stand up and recognize Israel as a Jewish state and agree to a united Jerusalem and large settlement blocs (in the West Bank),” Israeli new source Haaretz reported Kulano saying in January. “They must renounce the refugees’ issue and understand that there’s no return to the 1967 borders.
The Kulanu party will support any arrangement that strengthens Israel’s security,” Kahalon said. Support for settlement expansion in new coalition members does not come as a suprise, as Netanyahu garnered significant support from the settlement bloc and vowed to expand settlements in occupied East Jerusalem prior to elections.
While an official agreement with right wing party Habayit Hayehudi has not been announced by Likud , Habayit Hayehudi confirmed Wednesday that the Agriculture Ministry would be assigned to Uri Ariel, who will also control the World Zionist Organization’s Settlement Division, a funding channel to settlements in the occupied West Bank, according to Israeli news source Haaretz.Seperately, Netanyahu's Likud announced an agreement with UTJ.
"I think that the agreement we reached is a good agreement," it quoted the ultra-Orthodox party's Yaakov Litzman as saying. Ultra-Orthodox news site Kikar HaShabat said the deal included the contentious repeal of legislation enabling criminal sanctions against draft dodgers.
The radio said it was agreed that Litzman would serve as deputy health minister, while fellow UTJ member Moshe Gafni would head the powerful parliamentary finance committee. Historically, ultra-Orthodox men in full-time study at a yeshiva (Jewish seminary) have enjoyed exemptions from Israel's compulsory military service.
An act passed last year, effective from 2017, required yeshiva students to either serve in the military or perform civilian national service.It contained a clause setting out sanctions against draft dodgers, including imprisonment, enraging the ultra-Orthodox leadership who say it would be tantamount to jailing people for practicing their faith.
Local media predicted that the far-right Jewish Home party, ultra-Orthodox Shas and the hardline anti-Arab Yisrael Beitenu of incumbent Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman would also sign up with Netanyahu ahead of the May 6 deadline, boosting the alliance to a comfortable 67 votes in parliament.
27 apr 2015
A general view of settler units in East Jerusalem
Israeli authorities invited tenders on Monday for the construction of 77 homes in settlement neighborhoods of annexed East Jerusalem, settlement watchdog Peace Now said.
Peace Now spokeswoman Hagit Ofran told AFP it was the first such announcement in East Jerusalem since a March 17 general election win by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's rightwing Likud party.
Israeli authorities invited tenders on Monday for the construction of 77 homes in settlement neighborhoods of annexed East Jerusalem, settlement watchdog Peace Now said.
Peace Now spokeswoman Hagit Ofran told AFP it was the first such announcement in East Jerusalem since a March 17 general election win by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's rightwing Likud party.
25 apr 2015
If passed, new legislation would reverse the long standing official US policy of opposing the illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories by de facto recognition of all settlements as part of a “Greater Israel”.
Greater Israel is a term used, historically, to define the so-called "natural" or desired borders of Israel in the eyes of radical Israeli nationalists.
Founding father of the modern Israeli colonial movement, Theodore Herzl, described the area of the proposed Jewish state as stretching “from the Brook of Egypt to the Euphrates.” According to Rabbi Fischmann, the so-called Promised Land extends "from the River of Egypt up to the Euphrates" and "includes parts of Syria and Lebanon.”
From this context, the current crisis in the Middle East, including the war on Syria and Iraq (as well as any proposed "humanitarian intervention" by Western powers) has often been perceived by geopolitical analysts to be merely a part of a process for Israeli territorial expansion, via proxy war and any number of destabilization methods affecting vital Arab interests.
For related info, see Preparing the Chessboard for the “Clash of Civilizations”: Divide, Conquer and Rule the “New Middle East” by Mahdi Darius Nazemroaya.
Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) states that the proposed legislation would also mandate US government actions to track and penalize commercial boycotts, a violation of constitutionally protected political speech.
The organization strongly opposes proposed amendments to trade legislation intended to institutionalize support for the Israeli occupation and the attempt to criminalize non-violent boycotts of Israel. The Senate Finance Committee recently approved amended language to S.995, while a related bill (HR. 825) is pending in the House. This added language regarding boycotts of Israel, backed by AIPAC, comes in response to growing grassroots support in the United States and across the globe for using boycotts, divestment and sanctions tactics as tools to further justice, equality, and human rights for Palestinians.
From South Africa to the grape boycott to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS) tactics have been essential tools used to create a more just society, JVP goes on to say. Rabbi Joseph Berman, theFederal Policy Organizer of the group notes: “This legislation, which actually encourages illegal settlement building while strengthening the far right in Israel, shows that BDS is an increasingly powerful means to challenge Israel's impunity when it comes to Palestinian rights. We urge Congress to reject this legislation."
Greater Israel is a term used, historically, to define the so-called "natural" or desired borders of Israel in the eyes of radical Israeli nationalists.
Founding father of the modern Israeli colonial movement, Theodore Herzl, described the area of the proposed Jewish state as stretching “from the Brook of Egypt to the Euphrates.” According to Rabbi Fischmann, the so-called Promised Land extends "from the River of Egypt up to the Euphrates" and "includes parts of Syria and Lebanon.”
From this context, the current crisis in the Middle East, including the war on Syria and Iraq (as well as any proposed "humanitarian intervention" by Western powers) has often been perceived by geopolitical analysts to be merely a part of a process for Israeli territorial expansion, via proxy war and any number of destabilization methods affecting vital Arab interests.
For related info, see Preparing the Chessboard for the “Clash of Civilizations”: Divide, Conquer and Rule the “New Middle East” by Mahdi Darius Nazemroaya.
Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) states that the proposed legislation would also mandate US government actions to track and penalize commercial boycotts, a violation of constitutionally protected political speech.
The organization strongly opposes proposed amendments to trade legislation intended to institutionalize support for the Israeli occupation and the attempt to criminalize non-violent boycotts of Israel. The Senate Finance Committee recently approved amended language to S.995, while a related bill (HR. 825) is pending in the House. This added language regarding boycotts of Israel, backed by AIPAC, comes in response to growing grassroots support in the United States and across the globe for using boycotts, divestment and sanctions tactics as tools to further justice, equality, and human rights for Palestinians.
From South Africa to the grape boycott to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS) tactics have been essential tools used to create a more just society, JVP goes on to say. Rabbi Joseph Berman, theFederal Policy Organizer of the group notes: “This legislation, which actually encourages illegal settlement building while strengthening the far right in Israel, shows that BDS is an increasingly powerful means to challenge Israel's impunity when it comes to Palestinian rights. We urge Congress to reject this legislation."
23 apr 2015
The Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) has dug out a new tunnel beneath Palestinian homes in Jerusalem’s town of Silwan, extending from the south to the north of Muslims’ holy al-Aqsa Mosque .
The media center for Jerusalem and al-Aqsa affairs said in a report issued on Wednesday the IOA, backed by the Elad settlement organization, launched excavations above and underneath the Ein Um al-Darj area, in Silwan.
The center further caught sight of a closed iron gate built just a few meters away from the excavations as a means to cover up the underway digs.
The report quoted locals as stating that they have been detecting sounds of the excavation works going on round the clock beneath their own homes and that the new tunnel will reach as far as the southeastern corner of the al-Aqsa Mosque.
Locals found out, after they managed to gain access to the new tunnel, that the excavations extended for dozens of meters, mostly under the ground.
The media center for Jerusalem and al-Aqsa affairs said in a report issued on Wednesday the IOA, backed by the Elad settlement organization, launched excavations above and underneath the Ein Um al-Darj area, in Silwan.
The center further caught sight of a closed iron gate built just a few meters away from the excavations as a means to cover up the underway digs.
The report quoted locals as stating that they have been detecting sounds of the excavation works going on round the clock beneath their own homes and that the new tunnel will reach as far as the southeastern corner of the al-Aqsa Mosque.
Locals found out, after they managed to gain access to the new tunnel, that the excavations extended for dozens of meters, mostly under the ground.
18 apr 2015
Israeli weekly newspaper Kol Hair disclosed on Saturday a new Israeli housing plan to be implemented in Occupied Jerusalem.
The newspaper revealed that two Israeli housing companies have won construction bids for building 56 new settlement units in a Jewish settlement north of Occupied Jerusalem.
The newspaper mentioned that the housing plan will be implemented on Neve Yaakov outpost in Occupied Jerusalem which includes 25,000 Jewish people.
The newspaper revealed that two Israeli housing companies have won construction bids for building 56 new settlement units in a Jewish settlement north of Occupied Jerusalem.
The newspaper mentioned that the housing plan will be implemented on Neve Yaakov outpost in Occupied Jerusalem which includes 25,000 Jewish people.
16 apr 2015
Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem is about to implement a new Judaization project of a huge underground building in front of Damascus Gate in Occupied Jerusalem.
The Expert of settlement in Jerusalem Ahmad Sub Laban said, in a statement on Thursday, the Israeli project will be a huge underground parking for cars and buses. It will be located directly in front of the Damascus Gate.
The statement added that it has been revealed that the project will be the same parking called “Mesrara” which has recently been evacuated along with Damascus gate’s parking.
Above the new parking, a new big municipality courtyard will be established to replace the old one in the Damascus Gate. A bridge is also going to be built over the new project, the statement added.
The Israeli occupation authority continues its Judaization projects and plans to change the historical Islamic and Arab landmarks especially in the Old City of Jerusalem.
The Expert of settlement in Jerusalem Ahmad Sub Laban said, in a statement on Thursday, the Israeli project will be a huge underground parking for cars and buses. It will be located directly in front of the Damascus Gate.
The statement added that it has been revealed that the project will be the same parking called “Mesrara” which has recently been evacuated along with Damascus gate’s parking.
Above the new parking, a new big municipality courtyard will be established to replace the old one in the Damascus Gate. A bridge is also going to be built over the new project, the statement added.
The Israeli occupation authority continues its Judaization projects and plans to change the historical Islamic and Arab landmarks especially in the Old City of Jerusalem.
15 apr 2015
A large Israeli military force broke into a number of neighborhoods in the southern West Bank city of al-Khalil on Wednesday. No arrests were reported during the raid.
The Israeli troops were deployed in big numbers at the northern entrance to the governorate and the main road linking between the city and neighboring town of Halhul, local sources said.
On the other hand, dozens of settlers gathered Tuesday evening in the city as a prelude to re-build a synagogue to the south of the city at the expanse of local residents’ lands.
The synagogue was earlier destroyed after the Israeli Supreme Court ordered its demolition for being established on a Palestinian local family’s private land in an effort to force them off.
Despite the court’s demolition order, settlers of Kiryat Arba tried more than once to rebuild the synagogue under Israeli forces’ protection.
The Israeli troops were deployed in big numbers at the northern entrance to the governorate and the main road linking between the city and neighboring town of Halhul, local sources said.
On the other hand, dozens of settlers gathered Tuesday evening in the city as a prelude to re-build a synagogue to the south of the city at the expanse of local residents’ lands.
The synagogue was earlier destroyed after the Israeli Supreme Court ordered its demolition for being established on a Palestinian local family’s private land in an effort to force them off.
Despite the court’s demolition order, settlers of Kiryat Arba tried more than once to rebuild the synagogue under Israeli forces’ protection.
14 apr 2015
Sheikh Ekrema Sabri, Head of the Supreme Islamic Council, warned of the decision made by Jewish extremist groups to turn the historical Tankaziya school in Jerusalem into a Jewish synagogue.
Sheikh Dr. Sabri revealed, in a press statement on Tuesday, that the Tankaziya school is an Islamic Waqf and Mamluk edifice located within al-Aqsa Mosque vicinity. It belongs to Prince Tankaz al-Naseri who died in 1340 and ruled Jerusalem in the Mamluk era.
The Prince established the school in 1328AD as an education place and an orphanage. It consists of two stories including a niche.
Dr. Sabri noted that in the early thirties of last century, the upper floor was an office for the Mufti of Jerusalem Haj Amin al-Husseini. Then, It was taken by the Sharia court as one of its departments before it was used as Al-Aqsa Islamic Secondary School from the fifties of the twentieth century to the year 1969.
In 1969, it was taken over by the Israeli occupation. The students were expelled out of the school and it was used by the Israeli border guards.
Sheikh Sabri himself was the headmaster of the school at that time before it was taken over by Israeli forces.
The Islamic Supreme Council condemned the Israeli aggressive and arbitrary seizure of the school and demanded its return to the Islamic Awqaf management.
Dr. Sabri called on UNESCO, the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) and the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) to bear their responsibilities and to exert efforts in order to protect the holy and historical sites in Jerusalem.
He also asked them to urgently move to oblige Israel to return the Tankaziya school to the endowment properties and to stop turning it into a synagogue.
Sheikh Dr. Sabri revealed, in a press statement on Tuesday, that the Tankaziya school is an Islamic Waqf and Mamluk edifice located within al-Aqsa Mosque vicinity. It belongs to Prince Tankaz al-Naseri who died in 1340 and ruled Jerusalem in the Mamluk era.
The Prince established the school in 1328AD as an education place and an orphanage. It consists of two stories including a niche.
Dr. Sabri noted that in the early thirties of last century, the upper floor was an office for the Mufti of Jerusalem Haj Amin al-Husseini. Then, It was taken by the Sharia court as one of its departments before it was used as Al-Aqsa Islamic Secondary School from the fifties of the twentieth century to the year 1969.
In 1969, it was taken over by the Israeli occupation. The students were expelled out of the school and it was used by the Israeli border guards.
Sheikh Sabri himself was the headmaster of the school at that time before it was taken over by Israeli forces.
The Islamic Supreme Council condemned the Israeli aggressive and arbitrary seizure of the school and demanded its return to the Islamic Awqaf management.
Dr. Sabri called on UNESCO, the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) and the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) to bear their responsibilities and to exert efforts in order to protect the holy and historical sites in Jerusalem.
He also asked them to urgently move to oblige Israel to return the Tankaziya school to the endowment properties and to stop turning it into a synagogue.
A Jewish settlement foundation used a secret tunnel under Al Buraq Wall at Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, an Israeli daily paper revealed, Tuesday.
The newspaper reported, according to Al Ray, that Ilaad settlement foundation used the tunnel under al-Buraq wall despite legal opposition.
They use the tunnel contrary to the both the law and the state's position, according to a petition submitted to the Supreme Court.
The report added that Emek Shafeh organization -- including scientists who protest the political use of their job -- had submitted a petition to use the tunnel which was dug in the past eight years by antiquities authorities and funded by Elad settlement foundation.
Israel frequently permits excavations and archaeological digs in occupied East Jerusalem, specifically around Al Aqsa Mosque, which threaten the structural integrity of Palestinian homes and holy sites in the area.
In 1967, Israel demolished the 800-year-old Moroccan Quarter of Jerusalem, displacing 650 Palestinians and destroying numerous mosques, homes and holy sites, in order to build a plaza in front of the Western Wall.
Israel also evicted around 6,000 Palestinians from nearby areas in order to massively expand the city's historic Jewish Quarter.
The newspaper reported, according to Al Ray, that Ilaad settlement foundation used the tunnel under al-Buraq wall despite legal opposition.
They use the tunnel contrary to the both the law and the state's position, according to a petition submitted to the Supreme Court.
The report added that Emek Shafeh organization -- including scientists who protest the political use of their job -- had submitted a petition to use the tunnel which was dug in the past eight years by antiquities authorities and funded by Elad settlement foundation.
Israel frequently permits excavations and archaeological digs in occupied East Jerusalem, specifically around Al Aqsa Mosque, which threaten the structural integrity of Palestinian homes and holy sites in the area.
In 1967, Israel demolished the 800-year-old Moroccan Quarter of Jerusalem, displacing 650 Palestinians and destroying numerous mosques, homes and holy sites, in order to build a plaza in front of the Western Wall.
Israel also evicted around 6,000 Palestinians from nearby areas in order to massively expand the city's historic Jewish Quarter.
13 apr 2015
The Israeli High Court of Justice on Sunday accepted an affidavit blasting the Israeli Civil Administration's planning system in Palestinian Area C, and has given the Israeli state 10 days to reply.
The affidavit, prepared by Professor Rassem Khamaiseh, was presented during the second court hearing on an appeal demanding the restoration of planning authority in Area C to Palestinians.
The appeal was first lodged in 2011 by a range of human rights organisations, including Rabbis for Human Rights, the Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center and the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions, in addition to local Palestinian authorities.
Khamaiseh, who heads the Jewish-Arab Center and is a professor at the University of Haifa, has actively worked with the Israeli Civil Administration on the planning of Palestinian communities.
According to Rabbis for Human Rights (RHR), Khamaiseh's affidavit accused Civil Administration planning institutions of being "plagued by a lack of understanding of, and disrespect for Palestinian culture," and said that "the lack of Palestinian representation in planning institutions harms the planning process very seriously."
RHR said that in the first hearing, held last year, High Court judges said that they would not force the state to make a fundamental change in the planning structure in Area C, but that the current situation was unacceptable.
They ordered the state to come up with an institutional change to increase the involvement of Palestinians in planning their communities.
The state proposed a non-binding "consultation" procedure.
However, RHR said this was nothing new, as Palestinians can already submit proposals to the Civil Administration and they are routinely rejected.
Khamaiseh's affidavit on Sunday pointed out that the "consultation" procedure would change nothing as it does not impose an obligation on the Civil Administration to honor the wishes of the residents.
The High Court has given the state ten days to reply, after which time the judges will decide how to proceed.
'Not a political issue'
The initial appeal calls for the restoration of planning authority in Area C to Palestinians.
It points to the fact that Palestinian building permits are almost never approved in Area C, while those Palestinians who do build live under the constant threat of demolition. Meanwhile, nearly all building permits in illegal Israeli settlements are approved.
The appeal is directed against the Israeli Minister of Defense, Israel's West Bank military commander, the head of Israel's Civil Administration in the West Bank, and the Israeli High Planning Council.
Israeli authorities claim that the issue must be resolved through peace negotiations, but those who lodged the appeal say it is not a political issue, but one concerning planning and housing.
Under the terms of the 1993 Oslo Accords, Area C makes up 61 percent of the occupied West Bank and is under full military and administrative control by Israel.
In January, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said: "The planning policies applied by Israel in Area C and East Jerusalem discriminate against Palestinians, making it extremely difficult for them to obtain building permits. As a result, many Palestinians build without permits to meet their housing needs and risk having their structures demolished."
OCHA said that in 2014 "Israeli forces demolished 590 Palestinian-owned structures in Area C and East Jerusalem, displacing 1,177 people -- the highest level of displacement in the West Bank since OCHA began systematically monitoring the issue in 2008."
'An integral part of the occupied Palestinian Territories'
Last month, EU representatives condemned Israel's failure to meet its obligations to Palestinians in Area C, as the EU donated €3.5 million ($3.83 million) for infrastructure projects to support Palestinian communities in Area C.
While the Israeli Civil Administration is nominally responsible for developing infrastructure in the area, nearly all development only supports Israeli settlers illegally living in the area, while efforts to develop existing Palestinian communities are thwarted.
As a result, Palestinians in Area C lack basic services and infrastructure including roads, waste treatment facilities, water facilities, and access to medical facilities, while gaining construction permits is generally impossible.
EU signer of the funding agreement Michael Kohler stressed the serious limitations faced by the Palestinian Authority in promoting social and economic development of Palestinian communities, while EU representative John Gatt-Rutter emphasized that Area C is an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territory, comprised of crucial natural resources and land for a viable Palestinian State.
Gatt-Rutter added: "Without this area, the two state solution -- that we have invested in for years -- will be impossible."
The affidavit, prepared by Professor Rassem Khamaiseh, was presented during the second court hearing on an appeal demanding the restoration of planning authority in Area C to Palestinians.
The appeal was first lodged in 2011 by a range of human rights organisations, including Rabbis for Human Rights, the Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center and the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions, in addition to local Palestinian authorities.
Khamaiseh, who heads the Jewish-Arab Center and is a professor at the University of Haifa, has actively worked with the Israeli Civil Administration on the planning of Palestinian communities.
According to Rabbis for Human Rights (RHR), Khamaiseh's affidavit accused Civil Administration planning institutions of being "plagued by a lack of understanding of, and disrespect for Palestinian culture," and said that "the lack of Palestinian representation in planning institutions harms the planning process very seriously."
RHR said that in the first hearing, held last year, High Court judges said that they would not force the state to make a fundamental change in the planning structure in Area C, but that the current situation was unacceptable.
They ordered the state to come up with an institutional change to increase the involvement of Palestinians in planning their communities.
The state proposed a non-binding "consultation" procedure.
However, RHR said this was nothing new, as Palestinians can already submit proposals to the Civil Administration and they are routinely rejected.
Khamaiseh's affidavit on Sunday pointed out that the "consultation" procedure would change nothing as it does not impose an obligation on the Civil Administration to honor the wishes of the residents.
The High Court has given the state ten days to reply, after which time the judges will decide how to proceed.
'Not a political issue'
The initial appeal calls for the restoration of planning authority in Area C to Palestinians.
It points to the fact that Palestinian building permits are almost never approved in Area C, while those Palestinians who do build live under the constant threat of demolition. Meanwhile, nearly all building permits in illegal Israeli settlements are approved.
The appeal is directed against the Israeli Minister of Defense, Israel's West Bank military commander, the head of Israel's Civil Administration in the West Bank, and the Israeli High Planning Council.
Israeli authorities claim that the issue must be resolved through peace negotiations, but those who lodged the appeal say it is not a political issue, but one concerning planning and housing.
Under the terms of the 1993 Oslo Accords, Area C makes up 61 percent of the occupied West Bank and is under full military and administrative control by Israel.
In January, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said: "The planning policies applied by Israel in Area C and East Jerusalem discriminate against Palestinians, making it extremely difficult for them to obtain building permits. As a result, many Palestinians build without permits to meet their housing needs and risk having their structures demolished."
OCHA said that in 2014 "Israeli forces demolished 590 Palestinian-owned structures in Area C and East Jerusalem, displacing 1,177 people -- the highest level of displacement in the West Bank since OCHA began systematically monitoring the issue in 2008."
'An integral part of the occupied Palestinian Territories'
Last month, EU representatives condemned Israel's failure to meet its obligations to Palestinians in Area C, as the EU donated €3.5 million ($3.83 million) for infrastructure projects to support Palestinian communities in Area C.
While the Israeli Civil Administration is nominally responsible for developing infrastructure in the area, nearly all development only supports Israeli settlers illegally living in the area, while efforts to develop existing Palestinian communities are thwarted.
As a result, Palestinians in Area C lack basic services and infrastructure including roads, waste treatment facilities, water facilities, and access to medical facilities, while gaining construction permits is generally impossible.
EU signer of the funding agreement Michael Kohler stressed the serious limitations faced by the Palestinian Authority in promoting social and economic development of Palestinian communities, while EU representative John Gatt-Rutter emphasized that Area C is an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territory, comprised of crucial natural resources and land for a viable Palestinian State.
Gatt-Rutter added: "Without this area, the two state solution -- that we have invested in for years -- will be impossible."
12 apr 2015
Settlers from Leshem settlement to the west of Salfit took over an archeological site located on the lands of two Palestinian towns in the governorate.
Eyewitnesses said Israeli bulldozers have been working 24/7 on paving ways and building huge walls around the hamlet where the site is located.
The Palestinian researcher Khaled Maali revealed that the archeological site in Deir Sama’an is threatened by Leshem outpost which was established in 2013. As surrounded by settlers, the area cannot be accessed by Palestinians except for one way in the south side that was paved by the Jewish settlers.
The settlers are planning to steal the most beautiful historical site in the district, Maali warned.
He highlighted that the International Criminal Court considers stealing or changing the landmarks of historical sites as a war crime.
Eyewitnesses said Israeli bulldozers have been working 24/7 on paving ways and building huge walls around the hamlet where the site is located.
The Palestinian researcher Khaled Maali revealed that the archeological site in Deir Sama’an is threatened by Leshem outpost which was established in 2013. As surrounded by settlers, the area cannot be accessed by Palestinians except for one way in the south side that was paved by the Jewish settlers.
The settlers are planning to steal the most beautiful historical site in the district, Maali warned.
He highlighted that the International Criminal Court considers stealing or changing the landmarks of historical sites as a war crime.
Israeli minister of housing Uri Ariel has vowed to enable Jewish settlers to permanently visit an alleged archeological religious site on Mount Ebal in Nablus city.
According to Israel's channel 7, the site is claimed to belong to the altar of Yusha Ibn Nun and was discovered some 35 years ago.
Ariel made his remarks during a recent visit to the site along with the director of the Israeli antiquities authority, some Knesset members and Gershon Mesika, head of the West Bank settlements regional council.
Channel 7 said that access to the site was difficult for Jewish worshipers without using a four-wheel drive vehicle, but there were efforts to facilitate their travel to the place after obtaining special permits.
Mount Ebal is one of the two mountains in the immediate vicinity of Nablus city and forms the northern side of the valley in which Nablus is situated. It is one of the highest peaks in the West Bank.
According to Israel's channel 7, the site is claimed to belong to the altar of Yusha Ibn Nun and was discovered some 35 years ago.
Ariel made his remarks during a recent visit to the site along with the director of the Israeli antiquities authority, some Knesset members and Gershon Mesika, head of the West Bank settlements regional council.
Channel 7 said that access to the site was difficult for Jewish worshipers without using a four-wheel drive vehicle, but there were efforts to facilitate their travel to the place after obtaining special permits.
Mount Ebal is one of the two mountains in the immediate vicinity of Nablus city and forms the northern side of the valley in which Nablus is situated. It is one of the highest peaks in the West Bank.
