15 may 2015
On Thursday, Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Didier Reynders issued a statement denouncing the new plan to build more units in illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Jerusalem.
His statement came after Israel approved texpanding Ramat Shlomo illegal colony, in Jabal al-Mkabber, in occupied East Jerusalem.
Reynders said the new Israeli plans cause serious concerns, as they place more obstacles to the efforts to achieve a comprehensive peace agreement, and question the Israel’s commitment to peace.
His statements are similar to repeatedly declared positions by Foreign Ministers of the European Union, who also called on Israel to void its plans, and work for peace.
Reynders affirmed that EU’s spokesperson of the High Representative Federica Mogherini stated that the Israel's settlement policies in occupied Palestine, threaten the two-state solution and cast doubts on Israel’s commitment to peace.
The official further stated that Israel’s settlements violate International Law and Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention that prohibits an occupying power from deporting or transferring parts of its own civilian population into territories it occupies.
Besides the Geneva Convention, the UN Security Council, the General Assembly, the Human Rights Council and the International Court of Justice, all confirm the illegality of Israel’s settlements.
His statement came after Israel approved texpanding Ramat Shlomo illegal colony, in Jabal al-Mkabber, in occupied East Jerusalem.
Reynders said the new Israeli plans cause serious concerns, as they place more obstacles to the efforts to achieve a comprehensive peace agreement, and question the Israel’s commitment to peace.
His statements are similar to repeatedly declared positions by Foreign Ministers of the European Union, who also called on Israel to void its plans, and work for peace.
Reynders affirmed that EU’s spokesperson of the High Representative Federica Mogherini stated that the Israel's settlement policies in occupied Palestine, threaten the two-state solution and cast doubts on Israel’s commitment to peace.
The official further stated that Israel’s settlements violate International Law and Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention that prohibits an occupying power from deporting or transferring parts of its own civilian population into territories it occupies.
Besides the Geneva Convention, the UN Security Council, the General Assembly, the Human Rights Council and the International Court of Justice, all confirm the illegality of Israel’s settlements.
14 may 2015
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MK Moti Yogev touring a settlement in East Jerusalem's Silwan
Knesset Member Moti Yogev (Jewish Home) toured the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Silwan Thursday morning. The tour comes as Palestinians commemorate 67 years to the Nakba. Heavily guarded by border police and special units for the protection of VIPs, Yogev wrote on his Facebook page that this was a “'usual' walking tour through the Yemenite village in East Jerusalem”. The Yemenite village is a reference to property in the area owned by |
Yemenite Jews prior to the 1948 Middle East war and on the basis of which Israeli courts have permitted the takeover of several Palestinian-owned homes in Silwan.
Yogev's tour comes as the Palestinian people are these days commemorating 67 years to the nakba, the catastrophe of the Palestinian people.
Yogev himself is a settler, living in the Jerusalem area settlement of Dolev.
The settler population in Silwan has more than doubled to some 700 persons in recent months as settlers occupied 23 houses in the neighbourhood in September while in the following month an additional two buildings were taken over. In March Israeli settlers took over a Palestinian-owned property in Silwan, as well as two plots of land belonging to two Palestinian families.
Fakhri Abu Diab, a member of Silwan's popular committee, told the Palestinian news agency Ma'an that over 62 percent of homes in Silwan are under the threat of demolition, after orders were "randomly" distributed as "collective punishment," which he says aims to displace the residents and control the neighbourhood.
Abu Diab added that some houses which were taken over by settlers last October were built without permits, but none of them received demolition orders.
Israeli Col. (res.) Shauli Arieli, a member of the Geneva Initiative and the Council for Peace and Security, told Haaretz that the presence of Israeli settlers in the heart of East Jerusalem neighbourhoods, does not have a demographic impact. “If we look at the past 20 years, the overall Israeli population has not exceeded 3,000 in a Palestinian population of 120,000”, he stated. “This cannot have a demographic effect.
This statement ignores, however, the deep impact that Israeli settlements have on East Jerusalem communities. Silwan itself is facing a process of “Hebron-isation”, in which a small number of settlers scattered across Silwan and protected by police and security forces are beginning to control the movement, services and freedoms in the neighbourhood, leading to high levels of tension, violence and further Palestinian displacement. Israel's new Agriculture Minister, Uri Ariel, also from the Jewish Home party, is reportedly considering a move to the Jewish settlement in Silwan.
Silwan has long been a target of Israeli settler groups.
Yogev's tour comes as the Palestinian people are these days commemorating 67 years to the nakba, the catastrophe of the Palestinian people.
Yogev himself is a settler, living in the Jerusalem area settlement of Dolev.
The settler population in Silwan has more than doubled to some 700 persons in recent months as settlers occupied 23 houses in the neighbourhood in September while in the following month an additional two buildings were taken over. In March Israeli settlers took over a Palestinian-owned property in Silwan, as well as two plots of land belonging to two Palestinian families.
Fakhri Abu Diab, a member of Silwan's popular committee, told the Palestinian news agency Ma'an that over 62 percent of homes in Silwan are under the threat of demolition, after orders were "randomly" distributed as "collective punishment," which he says aims to displace the residents and control the neighbourhood.
Abu Diab added that some houses which were taken over by settlers last October were built without permits, but none of them received demolition orders.
Israeli Col. (res.) Shauli Arieli, a member of the Geneva Initiative and the Council for Peace and Security, told Haaretz that the presence of Israeli settlers in the heart of East Jerusalem neighbourhoods, does not have a demographic impact. “If we look at the past 20 years, the overall Israeli population has not exceeded 3,000 in a Palestinian population of 120,000”, he stated. “This cannot have a demographic effect.
This statement ignores, however, the deep impact that Israeli settlements have on East Jerusalem communities. Silwan itself is facing a process of “Hebron-isation”, in which a small number of settlers scattered across Silwan and protected by police and security forces are beginning to control the movement, services and freedoms in the neighbourhood, leading to high levels of tension, violence and further Palestinian displacement. Israel's new Agriculture Minister, Uri Ariel, also from the Jewish Home party, is reportedly considering a move to the Jewish settlement in Silwan.
Silwan has long been a target of Israeli settler groups.
Buildings in Ramat Shlomo, a Jewish settlement in East Jerusalem
The Israeli ministry of construction issued tenders for the building of 85 new housing units in the Givat Zeev settlement, settlement watchdog Peace Now said on Thursday.
The tenders for the settlement, which lies immediately south of the West Bank city of Ramallah, had been issued last year but received no bids from contractors so were issued again, Peace Now and the construction ministry said.
The Peace Now statement came hours before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was to present his new government to Israel's parliament for a vote of approval.
Netanyahu's new coalition, the fourth he will head, contains many ministers from his right-wing Likud party and the far-right Jewish Home committed to east Jerusalem and West Bank settlement construction, where Palestinians envision their future state.
The Palestinian leadership has already condemned the incoming coalition, with chief negotiator Saeb Erekat predicting it would seek to expand settlements and not work to reach peace.
The Israeli ministry of construction issued tenders for the building of 85 new housing units in the Givat Zeev settlement, settlement watchdog Peace Now said on Thursday.
The tenders for the settlement, which lies immediately south of the West Bank city of Ramallah, had been issued last year but received no bids from contractors so were issued again, Peace Now and the construction ministry said.
The Peace Now statement came hours before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was to present his new government to Israel's parliament for a vote of approval.
Netanyahu's new coalition, the fourth he will head, contains many ministers from his right-wing Likud party and the far-right Jewish Home committed to east Jerusalem and West Bank settlement construction, where Palestinians envision their future state.
The Palestinian leadership has already condemned the incoming coalition, with chief negotiator Saeb Erekat predicting it would seek to expand settlements and not work to reach peace.
12 may 2015
The Japanese government condemned in a press release issued Monday the Israeli decision to build 900 new settlement units in occupied Jerusalem, stressing the need for freezing settlement construction.
The Government of Japan deeply deplores that, according to information, the Israeli authority has issued settlement tenders for 900 units in Jerusalem. "The Israeli announcement clearly goes against the ongoing efforts by the international community toward realizing a two-state solution," Japan Foreign Ministry spokesman Yasuhisa Kawamura said Monday.
"Settlement activities are a violation of international law, and Japan has repeatedly called upon Israel to fully freeze settlement activities," he added.
"Japan once again strongly urges both Israeli and Palestinian sides to act to enhance mutual trust and continue to make steady efforts for peace," the Japanese official continued.
The Government of Japan deeply deplores that, according to information, the Israeli authority has issued settlement tenders for 900 units in Jerusalem. "The Israeli announcement clearly goes against the ongoing efforts by the international community toward realizing a two-state solution," Japan Foreign Ministry spokesman Yasuhisa Kawamura said Monday.
"Settlement activities are a violation of international law, and Japan has repeatedly called upon Israel to fully freeze settlement activities," he added.
"Japan once again strongly urges both Israeli and Palestinian sides to act to enhance mutual trust and continue to make steady efforts for peace," the Japanese official continued.
11 may 2015
The Dutch decision to cut down stipends by 35% to Holocaust survivors that now live in colonial Israeli settlements, caused an Israeli wrath.
The move is seen as a European escalation in Brussels' continuing campaign to punish Israel for its continued settlement activity beyond the 1967 Green Line.
The head of the Center of Organizations for Holocaust Survivors and ex Israeli MK, an Israeli umbrella agency representing 52 different groups that seek to promote the welfare of those who survived the Nazi holocaust, told Israel Radio on Monday that the new policy was misplaced.
"European government can certainly take a position as it relates to Israel's policies in the territories, but the conclusions in this regard need to be taken up with those who make the decisions in Israel," Colette Avital said.
"It is surprising and outrageous that the Dutch government, of all countries, chooses to impose sanctions against civilians who endured the Holocaust on its territory and who subsequently chose to move in with their children at an old age," she said. "It is hard to accept such harassment of survivors, whose welfare needs to be sacrosanct in the eyes of the Dutch authoritiesm," Israeli Jpost said.
The move is seen as a European escalation in Brussels' continuing campaign to punish Israel for its continued settlement activity beyond the 1967 Green Line.
The head of the Center of Organizations for Holocaust Survivors and ex Israeli MK, an Israeli umbrella agency representing 52 different groups that seek to promote the welfare of those who survived the Nazi holocaust, told Israel Radio on Monday that the new policy was misplaced.
"European government can certainly take a position as it relates to Israel's policies in the territories, but the conclusions in this regard need to be taken up with those who make the decisions in Israel," Colette Avital said.
"It is surprising and outrageous that the Dutch government, of all countries, chooses to impose sanctions against civilians who endured the Holocaust on its territory and who subsequently chose to move in with their children at an old age," she said. "It is hard to accept such harassment of survivors, whose welfare needs to be sacrosanct in the eyes of the Dutch authoritiesm," Israeli Jpost said.
9 may 2015
A Palestinian official report warned on Saturday of escalating settlement in the occupied West Bank in light of the formation of the Israeli new government.
The Palestine Liberation Organization’s (PLO) National Office for the Defense of Land and Resistance of Settlement said the Israeli government tends to escalate settlement construction in the West Bank to fulfill the promises made by coalition parties especially Likud and The Jewish Home during the elections.
The report stated that “the new government will continue its policy of settlement construction in light of weak international reactions which failed to oblige Israel to halt its crimes and to abide by the international law.”
The report pointed out that the Israeli Occupation Authority (IOA) gave orders to Jerusalem District Planning and Building Committee to construct 1500 new settlement units in Ramat Shlomo outpost in northern Jerusalem after freezing the legal procedures for more than a year.
In addition, the Committee endorsed a decision to build 77 new settlement units in both Israeli outposts of Pisgat Ze’ev and Neve Ya’akov in Occupied Jerusalem.
Shufat Palestinian town in Jerusalem will be mainly affected by this order, the report underlined.
Just on Friday, the committee has endorsed a resolution to build 900 new housing units in Ramat Shlomo which is established on Shufat’s land to the east of the city.
Meanwhile, the Israeli forces razed the houses of and displaced 450 Palestinians from Susiya hamlet claiming lack of infrastructure in that area within an Israeli policy of displacing Palestinians for settlement expansion.
Officials of the Israeli army admitted that endorsing Palestinian construction projects in the West Bank is subject to political considerations followed up by the Israeli civil administration directly, the report stated.
It pointed out that the IOA continues its policies of Judaization and ethnic cleansing in the Jordan Valley areas. Thousands of dunums planted with legume crops got burned, pastures destroyed, and dozens of families were forced to leave their homes for Israeli military exercises, it added.
The Palestine Liberation Organization’s (PLO) National Office for the Defense of Land and Resistance of Settlement said the Israeli government tends to escalate settlement construction in the West Bank to fulfill the promises made by coalition parties especially Likud and The Jewish Home during the elections.
The report stated that “the new government will continue its policy of settlement construction in light of weak international reactions which failed to oblige Israel to halt its crimes and to abide by the international law.”
The report pointed out that the Israeli Occupation Authority (IOA) gave orders to Jerusalem District Planning and Building Committee to construct 1500 new settlement units in Ramat Shlomo outpost in northern Jerusalem after freezing the legal procedures for more than a year.
In addition, the Committee endorsed a decision to build 77 new settlement units in both Israeli outposts of Pisgat Ze’ev and Neve Ya’akov in Occupied Jerusalem.
Shufat Palestinian town in Jerusalem will be mainly affected by this order, the report underlined.
Just on Friday, the committee has endorsed a resolution to build 900 new housing units in Ramat Shlomo which is established on Shufat’s land to the east of the city.
Meanwhile, the Israeli forces razed the houses of and displaced 450 Palestinians from Susiya hamlet claiming lack of infrastructure in that area within an Israeli policy of displacing Palestinians for settlement expansion.
Officials of the Israeli army admitted that endorsing Palestinian construction projects in the West Bank is subject to political considerations followed up by the Israeli civil administration directly, the report stated.
It pointed out that the IOA continues its policies of Judaization and ethnic cleansing in the Jordan Valley areas. Thousands of dunums planted with legume crops got burned, pastures destroyed, and dozens of families were forced to leave their homes for Israeli military exercises, it added.
After US, Palestinian rebuke decision to construct 900 homes in Ramat Shlomo, EU statement says settlement policy threatens two state solution.
The European Union on Saturday added to United States and Palestinian criticism over Israeli plans to build 900 homes in east Jerusalem.
"Israel's determination to continue its settlement policy despite the urging of the international community not only threatens the viability of the two state solution but also seriously calls into question its commitment to a negotiated agreement with the Palestinians," the EU said in a statement.
Settlement watchdog Peace Now reported the latest batch of construction approvals on Thursday, just hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formed a new rightwing-religious coalition government. The new homes will be built in the east Jerusalem settlement neighborhood of Ramat Shlomo following a decision late Wednesday by the city's district planning committee, Peace Now spokeswoman Hagit Ofran told AFP.
In a briefing Thursday at the US State Department, spokesman Jeff Rathke called the decision "disappointing" and "damaging". "This is a disappointing development, and we're concerned about it just as a new Israeli government has been announced," he said. "Moving forward with construction of housing units in east Jerusalem is damaging."
"We continue to engage with the highest levels of the Israeli Government, and we continue to make our position clear that we view this as illegitimate," Rathke said. In March 2010, Israel's interior ministry announced a plan to build 1,600 settler homes in Ramat Shlomo, an ultra-Orthodox Jewish neighborhood in east Jerusalem. That announcement came as US Vice President Joe Biden was visiting Israel, provoking fierce American opposition and souring relations with Washington for months.
In his reelection campaign in March this year, Netanyahu vowed to step up settlement construction in east Jerusalem, which Israel captured in the 1967 Six Day War. Palestinians decried the new Israeli government, in which the far-right Bayit Yehudi is a key partner, with senior official Nabil Shaath blasting what he termed a "colonial settler cabinet"
The European Union on Saturday added to United States and Palestinian criticism over Israeli plans to build 900 homes in east Jerusalem.
"Israel's determination to continue its settlement policy despite the urging of the international community not only threatens the viability of the two state solution but also seriously calls into question its commitment to a negotiated agreement with the Palestinians," the EU said in a statement.
Settlement watchdog Peace Now reported the latest batch of construction approvals on Thursday, just hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formed a new rightwing-religious coalition government. The new homes will be built in the east Jerusalem settlement neighborhood of Ramat Shlomo following a decision late Wednesday by the city's district planning committee, Peace Now spokeswoman Hagit Ofran told AFP.
In a briefing Thursday at the US State Department, spokesman Jeff Rathke called the decision "disappointing" and "damaging". "This is a disappointing development, and we're concerned about it just as a new Israeli government has been announced," he said. "Moving forward with construction of housing units in east Jerusalem is damaging."
"We continue to engage with the highest levels of the Israeli Government, and we continue to make our position clear that we view this as illegitimate," Rathke said. In March 2010, Israel's interior ministry announced a plan to build 1,600 settler homes in Ramat Shlomo, an ultra-Orthodox Jewish neighborhood in east Jerusalem. That announcement came as US Vice President Joe Biden was visiting Israel, provoking fierce American opposition and souring relations with Washington for months.
In his reelection campaign in March this year, Netanyahu vowed to step up settlement construction in east Jerusalem, which Israel captured in the 1967 Six Day War. Palestinians decried the new Israeli government, in which the far-right Bayit Yehudi is a key partner, with senior official Nabil Shaath blasting what he termed a "colonial settler cabinet"
8 may 2015
Israeli sources reported Friday that an agreement was reached between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the “Jewish Home” Party, to legalize random colonial outposts, built on Palestinian lands, in the occupied West Bank.
Israeli Channel 7 has reported that the agreement came following pressure from the head of the Jewish Home Party, legislator Naftali Bennett, as part of an agreement to join the right-wing coalition government.
After the new government is formed, Cabinet Secretary Avichai Mandelblit will be heading a committee to formulate a framework meant for legalizing outposts, built by Israeli settlers on Palestinian lands, without the government approval.
Representatives of the Israeli Defense Ministry, Agriculture Ministry and Justice Ministry are also part of the new committee.
The struck deal requires the new government to start the actual preparations one month after it is formed.
The committee will be discussing and finalizing all legal issues to “legalize” the outposts, before submitting its report within sixty days after its formation, and the government will then approve and implement the recommendations.
Israeli Channel 7 has reported that the agreement came following pressure from the head of the Jewish Home Party, legislator Naftali Bennett, as part of an agreement to join the right-wing coalition government.
After the new government is formed, Cabinet Secretary Avichai Mandelblit will be heading a committee to formulate a framework meant for legalizing outposts, built by Israeli settlers on Palestinian lands, without the government approval.
Representatives of the Israeli Defense Ministry, Agriculture Ministry and Justice Ministry are also part of the new committee.
The struck deal requires the new government to start the actual preparations one month after it is formed.
The committee will be discussing and finalizing all legal issues to “legalize” the outposts, before submitting its report within sixty days after its formation, and the government will then approve and implement the recommendations.
Nabil Abu Rodeina
Responding to the Israeli decision to build 900 new units in Ramat Shlomo illegal Israeli colony in occupied Jerusalem, Palestinian presidency spokesperson, Nabil Abu Rodeina, said Israel is ongoing with its crimes and violations against the Palestinian people.
Abu Rodeina said the Palestinian legitimate demands for peace are simple and clear; Israel must officially accept the two-state solution, must end its colonial activities, and end its ongoing violations against the Palestinian people, their lands and holy sites.
In a press release, Abu Rodeina stated that Palestine would continue its efforts to gain membership in various international organizations and treaties, to protect the national interests, and struggle, of the Palestinian people.
He added that the newly formed Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu is a right-wing extremist government that continues Israel illegal policies of constructing and expanding colonies in occupied Palestine.
“The Palestinian leadership is consulting Arab leaders to submit another resolution to the UN Secretary Council demanding an end to Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine,” the official said, “We are also continuing our preparations to submit the Israeli violations file to the International Criminal Court.”
Responding to the Israeli decision to build 900 new units in Ramat Shlomo illegal Israeli colony in occupied Jerusalem, Palestinian presidency spokesperson, Nabil Abu Rodeina, said Israel is ongoing with its crimes and violations against the Palestinian people.
Abu Rodeina said the Palestinian legitimate demands for peace are simple and clear; Israel must officially accept the two-state solution, must end its colonial activities, and end its ongoing violations against the Palestinian people, their lands and holy sites.
In a press release, Abu Rodeina stated that Palestine would continue its efforts to gain membership in various international organizations and treaties, to protect the national interests, and struggle, of the Palestinian people.
He added that the newly formed Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu is a right-wing extremist government that continues Israel illegal policies of constructing and expanding colonies in occupied Palestine.
“The Palestinian leadership is consulting Arab leaders to submit another resolution to the UN Secretary Council demanding an end to Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine,” the official said, “We are also continuing our preparations to submit the Israeli violations file to the International Criminal Court.”
7 may 2015
Buildings in Ramat Shlomo, a Jewish settlement in East Jerusalem.
Israel has approved construction of 900 settler homes in annexed East Jerusalem, a watchdog said Thursday shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formed a new right-wing religious coalition.
The new homes will be built in the east Jerusalem settlement neighborhood of Ramat Shlomo following a decision late Wednesday by the city's district planning committee, Peace Now spokeswoman Hagit Ofran told AFP.
"They've approved the request, and now they're allowed to build," she said.In March 2010, the interior ministry announced a plan to build 1,600 settler homes in Ramat Shlomo, an ultra-Orthodox Jewish neighborhood in East Jerusalem.
The announcement came as US Vice President Joe Biden was visiting Israel, provoking fierce American opposition and souring relations with Washington for months.In November 2013, the plan passed a further stage of approval but construction was held up because the planning committee said new roads must be built first, Peace Now said.
"The plan (for 900 units) has been approved even though they don't have the roads," Ofran said.The plan was approved as Netanyahu was in the final stages of piecing together a coalition government that will include the far-right Jewish Home, which strongly backs settlement building and opposes a Palestinian state.
President Barack Obama's administration has had a cold relationship with Netanyahu, notably over continued settlement building which the international community views as a major obstacle to peace with the Palestinians.In his reelection campaign in March, Netanyahu vowed to step up settlement construction in East Jerusalem, which Israel captured in 1967 and later annexed in a move never recognized by the international community.
Israel has approved construction of 900 settler homes in annexed East Jerusalem, a watchdog said Thursday shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formed a new right-wing religious coalition.
The new homes will be built in the east Jerusalem settlement neighborhood of Ramat Shlomo following a decision late Wednesday by the city's district planning committee, Peace Now spokeswoman Hagit Ofran told AFP.
"They've approved the request, and now they're allowed to build," she said.In March 2010, the interior ministry announced a plan to build 1,600 settler homes in Ramat Shlomo, an ultra-Orthodox Jewish neighborhood in East Jerusalem.
The announcement came as US Vice President Joe Biden was visiting Israel, provoking fierce American opposition and souring relations with Washington for months.In November 2013, the plan passed a further stage of approval but construction was held up because the planning committee said new roads must be built first, Peace Now said.
"The plan (for 900 units) has been approved even though they don't have the roads," Ofran said.The plan was approved as Netanyahu was in the final stages of piecing together a coalition government that will include the far-right Jewish Home, which strongly backs settlement building and opposes a Palestinian state.
President Barack Obama's administration has had a cold relationship with Netanyahu, notably over continued settlement building which the international community views as a major obstacle to peace with the Palestinians.In his reelection campaign in March, Netanyahu vowed to step up settlement construction in East Jerusalem, which Israel captured in 1967 and later annexed in a move never recognized by the international community.
6 may 2015
The Israeli Supreme Court, on Tuesday, issued a final decision to demolish and displace the people of Atir-Umm Al-Hieran, a Palestinian village which remains unrecognized in the Negev desert of southern Israel.
The decision will be utilized to establish a Jewish-only settlement upon the ruins of the Bedouin village, which has the population of more than 1,000 Palestinians, this just days before the anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba.
According to the PNN, the court's final decision, issued by a majority of two judges against one, came after 13 years of judicial proceedings and attempts to cancel the demolition and eviction orders.
The court in its decision admitted the Israeli intentions to demolish the village in order to establish a settlement "with a Jewish Zionist majority," according to the decision.
According to the court, the people of the village of Atir did not enter the land illegally, but were "relocated" to it in back in 1956, by an Israeli occupation authorities official order, after they were expelled from their villages of origin during the Nakba in 1948.
Following the relocation, the court claimed that Israel only "allowed" the Palestinian refugees (which it forcibly displaced) to use this land and, therefore, these people can be expelled from it at any given moment.
For its part, Adalah center, commenting on the decision, said that the Supreme Court was coveting behind the dry law, which gives Israel the right to lay hands on the land, and completely ignore the humanitarian, political, social and historical dimensions of the cause and the lives of its people. The law legitimizes the demolition of an entire village and the displacement of its children.
"The demolition of this village is a pure proof of the Israeli racism and its foremost goal, which is the displacement of as many Palestinians possible, for colonial goals of establishing Zionist settlements on the ruins of another nation."
Adalah center assured to follow up with the case, through the villagers and human rights organizations and associations, in addition to taking legally preventive measures, in order to defend the village and prevent the demolition and displacement.
Israeli occupation court, on Monday as well, issued an order to deport the population of Susiya village near Yatta, south of Hebron. The decision followed Israeli settlers' appeal to the court a month ago, demanding the displacement of Palestinian natives, for the expansion of the settlement constructed on Susiya lands.
The decision will be utilized to establish a Jewish-only settlement upon the ruins of the Bedouin village, which has the population of more than 1,000 Palestinians, this just days before the anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba.
According to the PNN, the court's final decision, issued by a majority of two judges against one, came after 13 years of judicial proceedings and attempts to cancel the demolition and eviction orders.
The court in its decision admitted the Israeli intentions to demolish the village in order to establish a settlement "with a Jewish Zionist majority," according to the decision.
According to the court, the people of the village of Atir did not enter the land illegally, but were "relocated" to it in back in 1956, by an Israeli occupation authorities official order, after they were expelled from their villages of origin during the Nakba in 1948.
Following the relocation, the court claimed that Israel only "allowed" the Palestinian refugees (which it forcibly displaced) to use this land and, therefore, these people can be expelled from it at any given moment.
For its part, Adalah center, commenting on the decision, said that the Supreme Court was coveting behind the dry law, which gives Israel the right to lay hands on the land, and completely ignore the humanitarian, political, social and historical dimensions of the cause and the lives of its people. The law legitimizes the demolition of an entire village and the displacement of its children.
"The demolition of this village is a pure proof of the Israeli racism and its foremost goal, which is the displacement of as many Palestinians possible, for colonial goals of establishing Zionist settlements on the ruins of another nation."
Adalah center assured to follow up with the case, through the villagers and human rights organizations and associations, in addition to taking legally preventive measures, in order to defend the village and prevent the demolition and displacement.
Israeli occupation court, on Monday as well, issued an order to deport the population of Susiya village near Yatta, south of Hebron. The decision followed Israeli settlers' appeal to the court a month ago, demanding the displacement of Palestinian natives, for the expansion of the settlement constructed on Susiya lands.
4 may 2015
Israeli soldiers installed, Monday, a number of mobile homes on illegally confiscated, and uprooted Palestinian lands, belonging to Palestinian villagers, in the West Bank district of Bethlehem.
Head of the Kisan Village Council Hussein Ghazal said the soldiers installed twelve mobile homes on the lands that were bulldozed a month ago, as part of an illegal Israeli plan to build settlement units, and factories, on approximately 650 Dunams (160.6 Acres) of Palestinian lands.
The lands belong to Palestinians from Kisan village, and from Sa’ir town in the southern West Bank district of Hebron.
Ghazal said the lands are isolated behind a wall Israel recently build, to surround the illegally confiscated lands.
“The illegal Israeli measures are not only land theft, but are also preventing any expansion of Kisan,” he said, “The villagers are losing their lands, are being choked by Israel’s settlements and its illegal policies.”
Related:
Army Installs A Mobile Home On Kisan Village Land
For Second Time In 2 Days; Soldiers Bulldoze Lands Near Bethlehem
Head of the Kisan Village Council Hussein Ghazal said the soldiers installed twelve mobile homes on the lands that were bulldozed a month ago, as part of an illegal Israeli plan to build settlement units, and factories, on approximately 650 Dunams (160.6 Acres) of Palestinian lands.
The lands belong to Palestinians from Kisan village, and from Sa’ir town in the southern West Bank district of Hebron.
Ghazal said the lands are isolated behind a wall Israel recently build, to surround the illegally confiscated lands.
“The illegal Israeli measures are not only land theft, but are also preventing any expansion of Kisan,” he said, “The villagers are losing their lands, are being choked by Israel’s settlements and its illegal policies.”
Related:
Army Installs A Mobile Home On Kisan Village Land
For Second Time In 2 Days; Soldiers Bulldoze Lands Near Bethlehem
3 may 2015
The US Senate has approved a bill to protect illegal Israeli "Jewish-only" settlements built in occupied Palestinian territories.
The Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015, which is clearly designed with the intent to protect illegal Israeli settlements, was approved by the Senate on Wednesday, according to Al Quds/Days of Palestine.
The act is intended to counter boycott and divestment initiatives, including the labelling of goods originating in the settlements.
The first Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) initiative against the Israeli occupation of Palestine was launched in the US 11 years ago.
Such activities will now be “against US law and consequently illegal”, even though international law deems all settlements to be illegal.
One of the senators who worked on the legislation is Ben Cardin of Maryland, a known supporter of the Israeli occupation who was recently described by Truthout online publication as "a two-state faker".
See: New Pro-Settlement Legislation Pending in US Congress for further info.
The Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015, which is clearly designed with the intent to protect illegal Israeli settlements, was approved by the Senate on Wednesday, according to Al Quds/Days of Palestine.
The act is intended to counter boycott and divestment initiatives, including the labelling of goods originating in the settlements.
The first Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) initiative against the Israeli occupation of Palestine was launched in the US 11 years ago.
Such activities will now be “against US law and consequently illegal”, even though international law deems all settlements to be illegal.
One of the senators who worked on the legislation is Ben Cardin of Maryland, a known supporter of the Israeli occupation who was recently described by Truthout online publication as "a two-state faker".
See: New Pro-Settlement Legislation Pending in US Congress for further info.
Israeli media sources revealed that Israel has ordered on last Wednesday the endorsement of a resolution made by the Israeli Housing and Planning Committee to construct 1500 new settlement units in northern Occupied Jerusalem.
The website of Israel’s Channel Ten disclosed that the new 1500 settlement units will be constructed in Ramat Shlomo outpost to the north of Occupied Jerusalem.
The Channel’s website pointed out that the housing project was postponed due to technical claims such as opening streets in the area.
After the removal of such claims, it is expected that the project will be endorsed on Monday by the Committee, the website added.
The website of Israel’s Channel Ten disclosed that the new 1500 settlement units will be constructed in Ramat Shlomo outpost to the north of Occupied Jerusalem.
The Channel’s website pointed out that the housing project was postponed due to technical claims such as opening streets in the area.
After the removal of such claims, it is expected that the project will be endorsed on Monday by the Committee, the website added.