27 oct 2016
According to reports, the Israeli Finance Ministry has approved plans for the construction of 1,600 homes in the illegal Israeli settlement of Katzrin, in the occupied Syrian Golan. Katzrin is the largest Israeli settlement (population 8,000) in the Occupied Syrian Golan.
According to the PNN, it was built over the destroyed Syrian villages of Qasrin, Shqef and Sanawber, whose inhabitants were either forced to leave their homes by the Israeli army or were displaced by fighting, at the time of the Israeli occupation in 1967. Once the hostilities came to an end, the native inhabitants of these villages were forbidden from returning.
Israel began to establish settlements in occupied Golan within a month of the occupation. Today, there are approximately 23,000 Israeli settlers in the area, living in over 34 illegal settlements. The construction and expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied Syrian Golan is illegal, under international law, and has been repeatedly condemned by the international community. Nonetheless, the Israeli government continues its policy of settlement expansion — indeed, only last year, the Israeli government announced plans for 100,000 new settlers to relocate to the region over the next five years.
Meanwhile, due to discriminatory land, housing and development policies, Syrian residential areas are severely overcrowded. As a result of severe restrictions imposed by Israeli planning committees, it is close to impossible for the native Syrian population, in the remaining Syrian villages of the Golan, to obtain building permits. Therefore, the people are forced to build homes without building permits, as this is the only way to meet their housing needs.
Consequently, Syrian home owners run the risk that their home could be destroyed: as was the case with Mr. Bassam Ibrahim, whose home in the Syrian village of Majdal Shams was demolished by Israeli authorities last month. Currently, the Syrian owners of between 80 – 90 houses have been notified that their homes are also due to be demolished.
Al-Marsad, an independent, not-for-profit, legal human rights organisation – and the only human rights organization operating in the occupied Syrian Golan, had strongly condemned the plans, and called on the Israeli government to abide by its obligations under international law, stop all illegal settlement expansion, and end discriminatory housing and development policies targeting the native Syrian population in the occupied Syrian Golan.
In addition, Al-Marsad called on the international community to strongly condemn plans for the illegal construction, and act to ensure that Israel abides by its obligations under international law.
According to the PNN, it was built over the destroyed Syrian villages of Qasrin, Shqef and Sanawber, whose inhabitants were either forced to leave their homes by the Israeli army or were displaced by fighting, at the time of the Israeli occupation in 1967. Once the hostilities came to an end, the native inhabitants of these villages were forbidden from returning.
Israel began to establish settlements in occupied Golan within a month of the occupation. Today, there are approximately 23,000 Israeli settlers in the area, living in over 34 illegal settlements. The construction and expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied Syrian Golan is illegal, under international law, and has been repeatedly condemned by the international community. Nonetheless, the Israeli government continues its policy of settlement expansion — indeed, only last year, the Israeli government announced plans for 100,000 new settlers to relocate to the region over the next five years.
Meanwhile, due to discriminatory land, housing and development policies, Syrian residential areas are severely overcrowded. As a result of severe restrictions imposed by Israeli planning committees, it is close to impossible for the native Syrian population, in the remaining Syrian villages of the Golan, to obtain building permits. Therefore, the people are forced to build homes without building permits, as this is the only way to meet their housing needs.
Consequently, Syrian home owners run the risk that their home could be destroyed: as was the case with Mr. Bassam Ibrahim, whose home in the Syrian village of Majdal Shams was demolished by Israeli authorities last month. Currently, the Syrian owners of between 80 – 90 houses have been notified that their homes are also due to be demolished.
Al-Marsad, an independent, not-for-profit, legal human rights organisation – and the only human rights organization operating in the occupied Syrian Golan, had strongly condemned the plans, and called on the Israeli government to abide by its obligations under international law, stop all illegal settlement expansion, and end discriminatory housing and development policies targeting the native Syrian population in the occupied Syrian Golan.
In addition, Al-Marsad called on the international community to strongly condemn plans for the illegal construction, and act to ensure that Israel abides by its obligations under international law.
Israeli municipality approved Thursday morning the construction of new housing units in occupied Jerusalem starting from next week.
Israeli media sources affirmed that Israeli authorities approved the construction of 181 new housing units in the occupied city.
Under international law, Israeli settlements in occupied Jerusalem and West Bank are considered illegal. However, Netanyahu’s government continues its settlement projects despite the international backlash.
Israeli media sources affirmed that Israeli authorities approved the construction of 181 new housing units in the occupied city.
Under international law, Israeli settlements in occupied Jerusalem and West Bank are considered illegal. However, Netanyahu’s government continues its settlement projects despite the international backlash.
23 oct 2016
A new illegal outpost is being established by Jewish settlers in the northern Jordan Valley on privately owned Palestinian land, according to Haaretz newspaper.
The outpost is located in close proximity to the illegal outpost, Givat Salit, which was created in 2001, the newspaper said Sunday.
An armed man identified as “Tzuriel” and called by his friends as the chief of the new outpost refused to answer questions on the matter from a Haaretz reporter who visited the area last Thursday.
Although the coordinator of government activities in the occupied territories claimed on Thursday that a stop-work order had been issued against the outpost and that construction at the site was halted, a visit by Haaretz on the same day revealed that construction was ongoing.
The area in which construction is being carried out have expanded to an adjacent hilltop and included the deployment of a water pipe and a livestock pen.
More than a week ago, the settlers at the outpost escorted by their armed chief started threatening Palestinian shepherds, and preventing them from bringing their flocks to their regular grazing lands on the hilltop.
On September 27, shortly after the outpost was established, armed elements of the Israeli civil administration demolished Palestinian crude homes belonging to the family of Ayoub and displaced the residents, who have lived and worked as shepherds at the site for many years.
The outpost is located in close proximity to the illegal outpost, Givat Salit, which was created in 2001, the newspaper said Sunday.
An armed man identified as “Tzuriel” and called by his friends as the chief of the new outpost refused to answer questions on the matter from a Haaretz reporter who visited the area last Thursday.
Although the coordinator of government activities in the occupied territories claimed on Thursday that a stop-work order had been issued against the outpost and that construction at the site was halted, a visit by Haaretz on the same day revealed that construction was ongoing.
The area in which construction is being carried out have expanded to an adjacent hilltop and included the deployment of a water pipe and a livestock pen.
More than a week ago, the settlers at the outpost escorted by their armed chief started threatening Palestinian shepherds, and preventing them from bringing their flocks to their regular grazing lands on the hilltop.
On September 27, shortly after the outpost was established, armed elements of the Israeli civil administration demolished Palestinian crude homes belonging to the family of Ayoub and displaced the residents, who have lived and worked as shepherds at the site for many years.
21 oct 2016
Thousands of Israeli settlers marched Thursday evening in protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s intention to evacuate Amona settlement outpost.
The settlers called on Netanyahu to refuse the High Court’s decision to evacuate the settlement in two months time, Israeli media sources said.
Addressing the protest, Deputy Israeli Army Minister Eli Ben-Dahan said, “We were here on the eve of Yom Kippur when we told the residents of Amona that we are committed to solve the issue of the Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria (West Bank), with Amona included.”
“We won’t give up, and if that doesn’t happen, we will present the Resolution Bill ourselves at the beginning of the next Knesset session. There won’t be a government without a resolution.”
Israeli Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Uri Ariel also spoke at the rally, directly addressing Netanyahu saying, “Mr. Prime Minister, you hold the key to Amona in your hand. We ask and demand that you use that key and continue the settlement’s momentum.”
On Oct.3, Netanyahu decided to postpone the evacuation order of Amona outpost for six months.
The settlers called on Netanyahu to refuse the High Court’s decision to evacuate the settlement in two months time, Israeli media sources said.
Addressing the protest, Deputy Israeli Army Minister Eli Ben-Dahan said, “We were here on the eve of Yom Kippur when we told the residents of Amona that we are committed to solve the issue of the Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria (West Bank), with Amona included.”
“We won’t give up, and if that doesn’t happen, we will present the Resolution Bill ourselves at the beginning of the next Knesset session. There won’t be a government without a resolution.”
Israeli Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Uri Ariel also spoke at the rally, directly addressing Netanyahu saying, “Mr. Prime Minister, you hold the key to Amona in your hand. We ask and demand that you use that key and continue the settlement’s momentum.”
On Oct.3, Netanyahu decided to postpone the evacuation order of Amona outpost for six months.
19 oct 2016
Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) decided to temporarily stop the construction of Gaza concrete wall due to its heavy cost, Israeli media sources revealed.
Walla Hebrew website said that the project initial assessment has shown that it would cost exorbitant amounts, pushing the Israeli authorities to re-tender the project with the aim of reducing the costs.
Israel has earlier declared intention to start the construction of a giant concrete wall that will completely encircle the Gaza Strip, which is already grappling with a devastating siege.
According to Israeli media sources, the wall "will reach several stories underground, and will also be several stories above ground."
It will stretch along the 96-kilometer (60 mile) border around the blockaded Palestinian enclave, and is estimated to cost about two billion Israeli shekels (USD 531 million).
Israeli Army Chief Gadi Eizenkot said it was the "largest project" ever carried out in the history of the army.
The Gaza Strip has been under an Israeli siege since June 2007. The blockade has caused a decline in living standards as well as unprecedented levels of unemployment and unrelenting poverty.
Israel has also waged three wars on Gaza since 2008, including the 2014 offensive, which left more than 2,200 Palestinians dead and over 11,100 others injured.
Walla Hebrew website said that the project initial assessment has shown that it would cost exorbitant amounts, pushing the Israeli authorities to re-tender the project with the aim of reducing the costs.
Israel has earlier declared intention to start the construction of a giant concrete wall that will completely encircle the Gaza Strip, which is already grappling with a devastating siege.
According to Israeli media sources, the wall "will reach several stories underground, and will also be several stories above ground."
It will stretch along the 96-kilometer (60 mile) border around the blockaded Palestinian enclave, and is estimated to cost about two billion Israeli shekels (USD 531 million).
Israeli Army Chief Gadi Eizenkot said it was the "largest project" ever carried out in the history of the army.
The Gaza Strip has been under an Israeli siege since June 2007. The blockade has caused a decline in living standards as well as unprecedented levels of unemployment and unrelenting poverty.
Israel has also waged three wars on Gaza since 2008, including the 2014 offensive, which left more than 2,200 Palestinians dead and over 11,100 others injured.
15 oct 2016
Israeli companies and investors with the help of the government in Tel Aviv have been embarking recently on marketing and finishing widespread housing projects as well as a commercial complex in settlements in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
According to Kol Ha’ir newspaper, Nofei Hama’ayan company, a group of real estate investors, is embarking on promoting a huge commercial complex project worth 350 million shekels at the entrance to Mishor Adumim settlement, northeast of Jerusalem.
The company is in the planning stage before the submission of a request for a building permit.
The shopping mall will include event halls, a home shopping area, restaurants, and entertainment for children and families, plus another area for furniture, design, electrical appliances, and ceramics stores.
Another company called Euro Israel has already started to sell 78 housing units in four apartment buildings in Neve Yaakov settlement north of Jerusalem. The units have been put up for sale on the company’s website.
However, the newspaper did not state if these buildings were built or would be finished after selling the units.
The company is building four other settlement projects. 122 housing units in Har Homa, 24 in Pisgat Ze’ev, 32 in Ariel and 96 others in Modi'in, according to the newspaper.
Sarfati Shimon company, for its part, has announced the sale of units in the second building of its project in Har Homa settlement. The project is composed of three apartment buildings of 142 units.
21 other units have been sold by the Israeli real estate company A. Aharon in Pisgat Ze’ev. 44 others are yet to be sold by the same company in the settlement.
The company also finished building the Novi Hapesga housing project in the same settlement. The project consists of 22 units.
According to Kol Ha’ir newspaper, Nofei Hama’ayan company, a group of real estate investors, is embarking on promoting a huge commercial complex project worth 350 million shekels at the entrance to Mishor Adumim settlement, northeast of Jerusalem.
The company is in the planning stage before the submission of a request for a building permit.
The shopping mall will include event halls, a home shopping area, restaurants, and entertainment for children and families, plus another area for furniture, design, electrical appliances, and ceramics stores.
Another company called Euro Israel has already started to sell 78 housing units in four apartment buildings in Neve Yaakov settlement north of Jerusalem. The units have been put up for sale on the company’s website.
However, the newspaper did not state if these buildings were built or would be finished after selling the units.
The company is building four other settlement projects. 122 housing units in Har Homa, 24 in Pisgat Ze’ev, 32 in Ariel and 96 others in Modi'in, according to the newspaper.
Sarfati Shimon company, for its part, has announced the sale of units in the second building of its project in Har Homa settlement. The project is composed of three apartment buildings of 142 units.
21 other units have been sold by the Israeli real estate company A. Aharon in Pisgat Ze’ev. 44 others are yet to be sold by the same company in the settlement.
The company also finished building the Novi Hapesga housing project in the same settlement. The project consists of 22 units.
14 oct 2016
Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu decided in a meeting on Thursday with some of his right-wing ministers to ask the high court of justice for a six-month delay in evacuating the illegal West Bank outpost of Amona.
According to Israel’s Channel 10, the decision to appeal to the court was made after education minister Naftali Bennett, who heads the Bayit Yehudi party, threatened Netanyahu that his party would leave the coalition if the evacuation of Amona was not postponed or canceled.
Netanyahu then met with Bennett, justice minister Ayelet Shaked (Bayit Yehudi), war minister Avigdor Lieberman and other senior government officials in order to find a solution to Amona, which was built in 1995 on Palestinian-owned land east of Ramallah.
The government now plans to let Amona stay on the same hilltop but not at its current location. The goal is to make every effort to relocate it to a nearby annexed plot of Palestinian land.
The high court has already given the government two years to arrange Amona’s evacuation.
According to Israel’s Channel 10, the decision to appeal to the court was made after education minister Naftali Bennett, who heads the Bayit Yehudi party, threatened Netanyahu that his party would leave the coalition if the evacuation of Amona was not postponed or canceled.
Netanyahu then met with Bennett, justice minister Ayelet Shaked (Bayit Yehudi), war minister Avigdor Lieberman and other senior government officials in order to find a solution to Amona, which was built in 1995 on Palestinian-owned land east of Ramallah.
The government now plans to let Amona stay on the same hilltop but not at its current location. The goal is to make every effort to relocate it to a nearby annexed plot of Palestinian land.
The high court has already given the government two years to arrange Amona’s evacuation.