14 feb 2016
The Israeli occupation authorities began the construction of 1,800 new settlement units in Israeli illegal West Bank outposts in 2015, Peace Now reported Sunday.
The report says that more than 40% of the new settlement building was in places east of the apartheid fence, and that 69% were in isolated settlements. Building lots were prepared last year for the construction of 734 new settlement units, with construction expected to start shortly.
According to the report, 265 settlement units, amounting to 15% of the newly built settlements, were constructed in illegal outposts. 32 settlement units were reportedly built on privately owned Palestinian lands, mostly in illegal outposts. 1,547 units were built as permanent structures and 253 were mobile homes.
63 public buildings were also built, among them synagogues and kindergartens, along with 42 buildings for industry and agriculture.
Since Netanyahu took office in 2009, 7683 illegal settlement units were built on the isolated settlements and have been a home to 35,000 new Israeli settlers, Peace Now further reported.
The report says that more than 40% of the new settlement building was in places east of the apartheid fence, and that 69% were in isolated settlements. Building lots were prepared last year for the construction of 734 new settlement units, with construction expected to start shortly.
According to the report, 265 settlement units, amounting to 15% of the newly built settlements, were constructed in illegal outposts. 32 settlement units were reportedly built on privately owned Palestinian lands, mostly in illegal outposts. 1,547 units were built as permanent structures and 253 were mobile homes.
63 public buildings were also built, among them synagogues and kindergartens, along with 42 buildings for industry and agriculture.
Since Netanyahu took office in 2009, 7683 illegal settlement units were built on the isolated settlements and have been a home to 35,000 new Israeli settlers, Peace Now further reported.
The Palestinian merchants in the Damascus Gate are now more than ever targeted by the Israeli occupation authority’s (IOA) municipality in occupied Jerusalem.
On the other hand, the same municipality, according to Hebrew sources, decided to expand the industrial zone: Atarot –Qalandia, located north of Jerusalem, to support the settlement activity and the Israeli settlers.
The weekly Hebrew newspaper Iroshalim said in its latest edition that after the death of a female Israeli soldier near the Damascus Gate, the Israeli municipal employees stormed the business district adjacent to the incident, and they imposed fines on merchants under the pretext of violation of municipal laws and regulations.
They also issued traffic tickets for cars parking illegally, as well as fines for merchants who display their goods outside their shops.
They imposed other fines for the dealers and even customers under various pretexts such as throwing cigarettes and spilling coffee on the ground. One of the members of the Committee of the Damascus Gate merchants complained last week that the municipality intentionally harasses his colleagues, he said, "the municipal observers' harassment increases especially after resistance attacks, this is one of the reasons why the Damascus Gate merchants suffer for a long period a deterioration of their income due to the lack of customers, while the fines issued by the municipal teams cost them hundreds of shekels, these fines aim to tighten the noose more and more on the Palestinian merchants".
While the Israeli occupation authority harasses the Palestinian merchants in occupied Jerusalem, it serves the Israeli industrial sector and encourages the settlers’ investment.
According to the "Iroshalim", the so-called Israeli District Committee for Planning and Building in Jerusalem approved the scheme prepared by the so-called Jerusalem Development Authority.
The scheme includes the expansion of the Atarot industrial zone. Under the proposed scheme a new industrial area dubbed the "Triangle of Atarot" will be established east of the existing industrial zone. The area on which the new industrial area will be established is located between Ramallah-Jerusalem Road from the east and the street leading to the Palestinian Qalandia airport, occupied since 1967.
On the other hand, the same municipality, according to Hebrew sources, decided to expand the industrial zone: Atarot –Qalandia, located north of Jerusalem, to support the settlement activity and the Israeli settlers.
The weekly Hebrew newspaper Iroshalim said in its latest edition that after the death of a female Israeli soldier near the Damascus Gate, the Israeli municipal employees stormed the business district adjacent to the incident, and they imposed fines on merchants under the pretext of violation of municipal laws and regulations.
They also issued traffic tickets for cars parking illegally, as well as fines for merchants who display their goods outside their shops.
They imposed other fines for the dealers and even customers under various pretexts such as throwing cigarettes and spilling coffee on the ground. One of the members of the Committee of the Damascus Gate merchants complained last week that the municipality intentionally harasses his colleagues, he said, "the municipal observers' harassment increases especially after resistance attacks, this is one of the reasons why the Damascus Gate merchants suffer for a long period a deterioration of their income due to the lack of customers, while the fines issued by the municipal teams cost them hundreds of shekels, these fines aim to tighten the noose more and more on the Palestinian merchants".
While the Israeli occupation authority harasses the Palestinian merchants in occupied Jerusalem, it serves the Israeli industrial sector and encourages the settlers’ investment.
According to the "Iroshalim", the so-called Israeli District Committee for Planning and Building in Jerusalem approved the scheme prepared by the so-called Jerusalem Development Authority.
The scheme includes the expansion of the Atarot industrial zone. Under the proposed scheme a new industrial area dubbed the "Triangle of Atarot" will be established east of the existing industrial zone. The area on which the new industrial area will be established is located between Ramallah-Jerusalem Road from the east and the street leading to the Palestinian Qalandia airport, occupied since 1967.
13 feb 2016
The European Parliament (EP’s) Delegation for relations with Palestine, expressed alarm at the deteriorating situation on the ground, calling for an immediate stop to Israeli expansion of settlements, and demolitions, said a press statement by EP delegation.
"Israeli occupation policies are a direct threat to the two-state solution. The expansion of settlements, demolitions, forcible transfers and evictions must stop immediately," Delegation Chair Martina Anderson said.
"Palestinians need hope, freedom and human rights. The way to these is by ending the occupation."
Following the EU guidelines on the indication of origin of goods originating from the territories occupied since 1967 by Israel, the EP delegation, following a four-day official visit, assessed what further action the EU should take regarding settlements in order to comply fully with international law and EU legislation.
The EP delegation asserted, according to WAFA: "The EU must be a player, not only a payer,” stating that, “We are incensed by Israel's increasing number of demolitions of humanitarian structures funded by EU taxpayers. People are losing their homes in the cold and the rain. Israeli policies violate international law and show disrespect for the EU, Israel's biggest trade partner," Chair Anderson said.
International organizations gave witness to the substantial deliberate targeting of EU-funded humanitarian aid structures by Israeli authorities, recently stepped-up apparently in retaliation for the EU guidelines on indication of origin of products from Israeli settlements. These demolitions are hitting hard particularly the rural Bedouin community, said the statement.
Members of the European Parliament further expressed concern at Israel’s use of administrative detention without formal charges.
They cited the 'particularly alarming’ case of Mohammad Al-Qeeq, a journalist on hunger strike for 79 days. To be noted, over 500 other Palestinians, including minors, are currently detained without charge or trial.
Regarding the Palestinian internal reconciliation, the EP delegation affirmed that, "Palestinian reconciliation is more urgent than ever.”
“Elections must be held as soon as possible. A united Palestinian leadership is essential for the two-state solution and for the future of Palestinian youth," Anderson said.
Anderson slammed the Israeli authorities refusal to allow envoy into Gaza as 'unacceptable’. The European Parliament has not been allowed in since 2011.
The cross-party Delegation for Relations with Palestine was in the West Bank from Monday 8 to Friday 12 February. The group reportedly met with high-level Palestinian officials and civil society in East Jerusalem, Ramallah, Hebron, Susya, Abu Nwar, Jabal al Baba and the Jordan Valley, as well as with UN partners.
On February 6th, The European Union called on Israel 'to halt the demolition of Palestinian housing, some of which was EU-funded, and reiterated its opposition to expanding Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.’
"In the past weeks there have been a number of developments in Area C of the West Bank, which risk undermining the viability of a future Palestinian state and driving the parties yet further apart," the EU diplomatic service said in a statement.
On 18 January Foreign Ministers in the Council conclusions confirmed the EU's firm opposition to Israel's settlement policy and actions taken in this context, including demolitions and confiscation, evictions, forced transfers or restrictions of movement and access.
"Israeli occupation policies are a direct threat to the two-state solution. The expansion of settlements, demolitions, forcible transfers and evictions must stop immediately," Delegation Chair Martina Anderson said.
"Palestinians need hope, freedom and human rights. The way to these is by ending the occupation."
Following the EU guidelines on the indication of origin of goods originating from the territories occupied since 1967 by Israel, the EP delegation, following a four-day official visit, assessed what further action the EU should take regarding settlements in order to comply fully with international law and EU legislation.
The EP delegation asserted, according to WAFA: "The EU must be a player, not only a payer,” stating that, “We are incensed by Israel's increasing number of demolitions of humanitarian structures funded by EU taxpayers. People are losing their homes in the cold and the rain. Israeli policies violate international law and show disrespect for the EU, Israel's biggest trade partner," Chair Anderson said.
International organizations gave witness to the substantial deliberate targeting of EU-funded humanitarian aid structures by Israeli authorities, recently stepped-up apparently in retaliation for the EU guidelines on indication of origin of products from Israeli settlements. These demolitions are hitting hard particularly the rural Bedouin community, said the statement.
Members of the European Parliament further expressed concern at Israel’s use of administrative detention without formal charges.
They cited the 'particularly alarming’ case of Mohammad Al-Qeeq, a journalist on hunger strike for 79 days. To be noted, over 500 other Palestinians, including minors, are currently detained without charge or trial.
Regarding the Palestinian internal reconciliation, the EP delegation affirmed that, "Palestinian reconciliation is more urgent than ever.”
“Elections must be held as soon as possible. A united Palestinian leadership is essential for the two-state solution and for the future of Palestinian youth," Anderson said.
Anderson slammed the Israeli authorities refusal to allow envoy into Gaza as 'unacceptable’. The European Parliament has not been allowed in since 2011.
The cross-party Delegation for Relations with Palestine was in the West Bank from Monday 8 to Friday 12 February. The group reportedly met with high-level Palestinian officials and civil society in East Jerusalem, Ramallah, Hebron, Susya, Abu Nwar, Jabal al Baba and the Jordan Valley, as well as with UN partners.
On February 6th, The European Union called on Israel 'to halt the demolition of Palestinian housing, some of which was EU-funded, and reiterated its opposition to expanding Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.’
"In the past weeks there have been a number of developments in Area C of the West Bank, which risk undermining the viability of a future Palestinian state and driving the parties yet further apart," the EU diplomatic service said in a statement.
On 18 January Foreign Ministers in the Council conclusions confirmed the EU's firm opposition to Israel's settlement policy and actions taken in this context, including demolitions and confiscation, evictions, forced transfers or restrictions of movement and access.
11 feb 2016
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hinted that a reinforced fence may be set up around the entirety of the occupied territories, a fence which is similar to the one it is currently building on the territories bordering Jordan.
Netanyahu visited the fence that is under construction on Tuesday, when he said, “At the end of the day,… there will be a fence like this one surrounding its (the occupied territories’) entirety,” The Times of Israel reported.
Israel came into existence in 1948, when it occupied Palestinian land along with vast expanses of other Arab territories during full-fledged military operations. The occupied lands also include Lebanon’s Shebaa Farms and Syria’s Golan Heights.
In 1967, it occupied and later annexed the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East al-Quds (Jerusalem) in a move never recognized by the international community. Tel Aviv withdrew from the Palestinian enclave of the Gaza Strip in 2005, but has been keeping the territory under a crippling siege and regular deadly offensives.
Upon completion, the fence would close off all the occupied territories from non-occupied land, namely Gaza, as well as sovereign territories.
Trying to justify the move, the Israeli premier said, according to Press TV/Al Ray: “In our neighborhood, we need to protect ourselves from the carnivorous animals.”
Netanyahu visited the fence that is under construction on Tuesday, when he said, “At the end of the day,… there will be a fence like this one surrounding its (the occupied territories’) entirety,” The Times of Israel reported.
Israel came into existence in 1948, when it occupied Palestinian land along with vast expanses of other Arab territories during full-fledged military operations. The occupied lands also include Lebanon’s Shebaa Farms and Syria’s Golan Heights.
In 1967, it occupied and later annexed the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East al-Quds (Jerusalem) in a move never recognized by the international community. Tel Aviv withdrew from the Palestinian enclave of the Gaza Strip in 2005, but has been keeping the territory under a crippling siege and regular deadly offensives.
Upon completion, the fence would close off all the occupied territories from non-occupied land, namely Gaza, as well as sovereign territories.
Trying to justify the move, the Israeli premier said, according to Press TV/Al Ray: “In our neighborhood, we need to protect ourselves from the carnivorous animals.”
Reports were recently released on Israeli intents to build a Jewish synagogue beneath the Hamam al-Ein Islamic endowment property, a few meters away from Muslims’ the holy al-Aqsa Mosque.
Sponsors of the bid are set to inaugurate the project sometime in the spring, with the advent of Jewish holidays. Other excavations are expected to be carried out in the area to pave the way for the construction of the site.
The project is sponsored by the Wailing Wall Legacy Fund public company affiliated with Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu's office.
A series of pictures released by the Q-Press center shows the site as being built at the expense of the Islamic Mamlukiya historical hall beneath the Hamam al-Ein area, a few meters away from al-Aqsa’s Western Wall. A field visit to the area by the Q-Press team kept record of a set of Islamic sites and monuments dating back to the Ottoman Empire and which were transformed into Judaized halls and museums.
Since 2002, the Israeli occupation authorities have been digging beneath and above Hamam al-Ein area and its vicinity in an attempt to wipe out the area’s typically Islamic character. Video
Sponsors of the bid are set to inaugurate the project sometime in the spring, with the advent of Jewish holidays. Other excavations are expected to be carried out in the area to pave the way for the construction of the site.
The project is sponsored by the Wailing Wall Legacy Fund public company affiliated with Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu's office.
A series of pictures released by the Q-Press center shows the site as being built at the expense of the Islamic Mamlukiya historical hall beneath the Hamam al-Ein area, a few meters away from al-Aqsa’s Western Wall. A field visit to the area by the Q-Press team kept record of a set of Islamic sites and monuments dating back to the Ottoman Empire and which were transformed into Judaized halls and museums.
Since 2002, the Israeli occupation authorities have been digging beneath and above Hamam al-Ein area and its vicinity in an attempt to wipe out the area’s typically Islamic character. Video
With the continuing settlement activity that has surrounded three sides the Jalud village, south of Nablus province, north of the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian citizens are increasingly heeding a popular movement calling for the confrontation of this "cancer".
Village inhabitants fear that further settlement expansion would gulp the rest of the village lands and might lead to blocking the village's only outlet connecting it to other villages in Nablus province. The head of the village council of Jalud, Abdullah al-Haj Mohammed, told the Palestinian Information Center that the village is besieged by settlement cantons, a large number of settlements, and settlement outposts all established on its territories, and surrounding it from three sides.
He pointed out that those settlements control more than 85% of the village's land area, located in what is known as area (C). This settlement expansion negatively affected the lives of the Palestinian residents, especially farmers, he added. He stressed that the Israeli occupation prevents the land owners from construction, expansion of their buildings and cultivation of their lands, which are only 15% of the total village's area, while the settler herds are allowed to expand their settlements and outposts on the lands of the Palestinian people of Jalud.
Assaults and destruction
The houses of the Palestinian citizens have not been spared from the Israeli occupation attacks and schemes, al-Haj Mohammad indicated that there are several houses threatened by demolition, under the pretext of construction without permit, although some of which had been built more than 35 years ago. The threat of destruction operations extended to affect the electricity line, which feeds Khirbet Sarah, located within the village of Jalud. The power line was notified of demolition four years ago under the pretext of being constructed without permit.
This file is still under discussion by the Israeli occupation judicial authorities.
Confiscation and closure
Abu Ahmed, an activist in the anti-settlement Committee in the village, said that the occupation had confiscated and closed nearly 16 thousand acres of the village lands, on which it has established 10 settlements and outposts. The two largest settlements of them are Shilo and Shvut Rachel. These settlements and settlement outposts surround the village from three sides leaving only a single entrance from the north-east side. Abu Ahmed opined that the most serious problem the village faces is the Israeli practice of confiscation and closure of most of the village's lands, especially in areas classified (C) to prevent land reclamation.
The village's population is nearly a thousand people, silently facing the settlers' schemes, while feeling that the official authorities are letting them down, with the exception of some minor initiatives. The head of the village council had received last week the Swedish consul deputy in Jerusalem for political affairs, the vice representative of Switzerland in Ramallah, the deputy of the Embassy of Switzerland in Jerusalem, and a delegation from the human rights organization Yesh Din. During the meeting he briefed them on the Israeli settlement activity in the Jalud village.
The village of Jalud has been a target for the Israeli settlers since 1975, where the settlers steel day after day the citizens' agricultural lands, which are being Judaized through settlement schemes.
Strengthen the resilience
The village council had announced its intention to install a fence with a length of 600 meters and height of 1.5 meters, to protect the land that has been reclaimed in the area near Esh Kodesh settlement outpost, hoping that such projects would protect the land from the ever growing settlement expansion. These village-protection projects are implemented with funding from the International Relief Agency and with the contribution of the village council of Jalud.
Village inhabitants fear that further settlement expansion would gulp the rest of the village lands and might lead to blocking the village's only outlet connecting it to other villages in Nablus province. The head of the village council of Jalud, Abdullah al-Haj Mohammed, told the Palestinian Information Center that the village is besieged by settlement cantons, a large number of settlements, and settlement outposts all established on its territories, and surrounding it from three sides.
He pointed out that those settlements control more than 85% of the village's land area, located in what is known as area (C). This settlement expansion negatively affected the lives of the Palestinian residents, especially farmers, he added. He stressed that the Israeli occupation prevents the land owners from construction, expansion of their buildings and cultivation of their lands, which are only 15% of the total village's area, while the settler herds are allowed to expand their settlements and outposts on the lands of the Palestinian people of Jalud.
Assaults and destruction
The houses of the Palestinian citizens have not been spared from the Israeli occupation attacks and schemes, al-Haj Mohammad indicated that there are several houses threatened by demolition, under the pretext of construction without permit, although some of which had been built more than 35 years ago. The threat of destruction operations extended to affect the electricity line, which feeds Khirbet Sarah, located within the village of Jalud. The power line was notified of demolition four years ago under the pretext of being constructed without permit.
This file is still under discussion by the Israeli occupation judicial authorities.
Confiscation and closure
Abu Ahmed, an activist in the anti-settlement Committee in the village, said that the occupation had confiscated and closed nearly 16 thousand acres of the village lands, on which it has established 10 settlements and outposts. The two largest settlements of them are Shilo and Shvut Rachel. These settlements and settlement outposts surround the village from three sides leaving only a single entrance from the north-east side. Abu Ahmed opined that the most serious problem the village faces is the Israeli practice of confiscation and closure of most of the village's lands, especially in areas classified (C) to prevent land reclamation.
The village's population is nearly a thousand people, silently facing the settlers' schemes, while feeling that the official authorities are letting them down, with the exception of some minor initiatives. The head of the village council had received last week the Swedish consul deputy in Jerusalem for political affairs, the vice representative of Switzerland in Ramallah, the deputy of the Embassy of Switzerland in Jerusalem, and a delegation from the human rights organization Yesh Din. During the meeting he briefed them on the Israeli settlement activity in the Jalud village.
The village of Jalud has been a target for the Israeli settlers since 1975, where the settlers steel day after day the citizens' agricultural lands, which are being Judaized through settlement schemes.
Strengthen the resilience
The village council had announced its intention to install a fence with a length of 600 meters and height of 1.5 meters, to protect the land that has been reclaimed in the area near Esh Kodesh settlement outpost, hoping that such projects would protect the land from the ever growing settlement expansion. These village-protection projects are implemented with funding from the International Relief Agency and with the contribution of the village council of Jalud.
7 feb 2016
Iroshalim Hebrew newspaper disclosed a new settlement project plan to be constructed over a land owned by a the Greek Orthodox Church in Abu Tour district in eastern occupied Jerusalem.
According to Friday's issue of the weekly newspaper, the plan includes luxurious settlement units overlooking the neighborhoods of Occupied Jerusalem in order to attract settlers.
Housing structures and a hotel with an area estimated at ten dunums will be constructed over the plot possessed by the church and was let to Jewish investors one hundred years ago.
About 400 residents signed a petition to object on changing that historic site and underlined that the area has no infrastructure. The plan is still in the first phase of construction, but coordination is going on with Israeli competent authorities, the newspaper stated.
Israeli forces tend to implement settlement projects in Occupied Jerusalem via investment companies and settlement institutions under different names in order to cover its real objectives of establishing new settlements.
Recently, deals with Christians have been made for selling or letting lands to Israeli settlement societies. Such deals sparked debates among the Christian figures who refuse the Israeli occupation and its aggressive practices.
According to Friday's issue of the weekly newspaper, the plan includes luxurious settlement units overlooking the neighborhoods of Occupied Jerusalem in order to attract settlers.
Housing structures and a hotel with an area estimated at ten dunums will be constructed over the plot possessed by the church and was let to Jewish investors one hundred years ago.
About 400 residents signed a petition to object on changing that historic site and underlined that the area has no infrastructure. The plan is still in the first phase of construction, but coordination is going on with Israeli competent authorities, the newspaper stated.
Israeli forces tend to implement settlement projects in Occupied Jerusalem via investment companies and settlement institutions under different names in order to cover its real objectives of establishing new settlements.
Recently, deals with Christians have been made for selling or letting lands to Israeli settlement societies. Such deals sparked debates among the Christian figures who refuse the Israeli occupation and its aggressive practices.
5 feb 2016
Israeli soldiers stand guard as an excavator uproots olive trees to break ground for construction of the wall section.
In May of 2015, Israel commenced with the construction of the apartheid wall in the northern Bethlehem area; namely the area around the Cremisan Valley in Beit-Jala, without taking into consideration the valley’s potential of outstanding universal value.
The site is an integral part of the serial nomination ‘Palestine, Land of Olives and Vines’, which also includes the ‘Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir’.
On February 2nd, 2016 the Israeli Antiquities Authorities commenced with an archaeological excavation at Khirbet en-Najjar, which contains ruins of human settlements dating back to the Roman period.
In the absence of a final peace agreement, the Israeli occupation is bound by provisions to securing the occupied Palestinian state’s cultural and natural heritage, and is responsible for its protection in accordance with international law -- namely, the Hague Convention and Regulations of 1907, the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, and the Hague Convention and Protocol of 1954 for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.
These provisions are in addition to the UNESCO Recommendations on International Principles Applicable to Archaeological Excavations in New Delhi in 1956, the Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, the 1972 World Heritage Convention, along with other resolutions and recommendations concerning cultural property in Palestine.
The archaeological excavation at Khirbet en-Najjar is, according to the PNN, being conducted by the Israeli cccupation’s Antiquities Authority, without informing Palestinians. The initial investigation conducted by the Palestinian Department of Archaeology and Cultural Heritage revealed that several artifacts and objects were found during the excavation, and were confiscated by the Antiquities Authority.
Moreover, the construction of the wall in the Cremisan Area, and the archaeological excavation at Khirbet en-Najjar, are considered a clear violation of international laws and agreements.
The Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities condemned the occupation’s acts of destruction before cultural and natural heritage resources, and is appealing to the international community to immediately take all measures necessary in order to pressure Israel to permanently cease construction of the wall and excavations on and around the Cremisan Valley, and to refrain from further unilateral actions that could inflame the situation.
In May of 2015, Israel commenced with the construction of the apartheid wall in the northern Bethlehem area; namely the area around the Cremisan Valley in Beit-Jala, without taking into consideration the valley’s potential of outstanding universal value.
The site is an integral part of the serial nomination ‘Palestine, Land of Olives and Vines’, which also includes the ‘Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir’.
On February 2nd, 2016 the Israeli Antiquities Authorities commenced with an archaeological excavation at Khirbet en-Najjar, which contains ruins of human settlements dating back to the Roman period.
In the absence of a final peace agreement, the Israeli occupation is bound by provisions to securing the occupied Palestinian state’s cultural and natural heritage, and is responsible for its protection in accordance with international law -- namely, the Hague Convention and Regulations of 1907, the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, and the Hague Convention and Protocol of 1954 for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.
These provisions are in addition to the UNESCO Recommendations on International Principles Applicable to Archaeological Excavations in New Delhi in 1956, the Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, the 1972 World Heritage Convention, along with other resolutions and recommendations concerning cultural property in Palestine.
The archaeological excavation at Khirbet en-Najjar is, according to the PNN, being conducted by the Israeli cccupation’s Antiquities Authority, without informing Palestinians. The initial investigation conducted by the Palestinian Department of Archaeology and Cultural Heritage revealed that several artifacts and objects were found during the excavation, and were confiscated by the Antiquities Authority.
Moreover, the construction of the wall in the Cremisan Area, and the archaeological excavation at Khirbet en-Najjar, are considered a clear violation of international laws and agreements.
The Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities condemned the occupation’s acts of destruction before cultural and natural heritage resources, and is appealing to the international community to immediately take all measures necessary in order to pressure Israel to permanently cease construction of the wall and excavations on and around the Cremisan Valley, and to refrain from further unilateral actions that could inflame the situation.
Jerusalem’s Department of Islamic Awqaf (Endowment) and al-Aqsa Affairs urged the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) to cease its ongoing vandalism at the Umayyad Palaces, to the southwest of Muslims’ holy al-Aqsa Mosque.
Director-General of the Endowment Department, Azzam al-Khatib slammed the Israeli occupation for stepping up assaults on the Umayyad Palaces and called for ceasing excavation works beneath the site.
Al-Khatib called on the occupation authorities, in a protest letter sent to the Jerusalem police chief, to remove the metal and wooden platforms built in the southwestern corners of the holy al-Aqsa to allow Jewish prayers in the holy site.
He further urged the IOA to cancel a court rule, issued last week, to expand the prayer plazas for non-orthodox Jews at the expense of Muslims’ own rights at the Mosque.
Al-Khatib also spoke out against the Jewish names imposed on the site and the sacrilegious rituals performed by Israeli fanatics. He called for giving the Umayyad Palaces back to their original owners—the Jordanian Endowment authorities.
Director-General of the Endowment Department, Azzam al-Khatib slammed the Israeli occupation for stepping up assaults on the Umayyad Palaces and called for ceasing excavation works beneath the site.
Al-Khatib called on the occupation authorities, in a protest letter sent to the Jerusalem police chief, to remove the metal and wooden platforms built in the southwestern corners of the holy al-Aqsa to allow Jewish prayers in the holy site.
He further urged the IOA to cancel a court rule, issued last week, to expand the prayer plazas for non-orthodox Jews at the expense of Muslims’ own rights at the Mosque.
Al-Khatib also spoke out against the Jewish names imposed on the site and the sacrilegious rituals performed by Israeli fanatics. He called for giving the Umayyad Palaces back to their original owners—the Jordanian Endowment authorities.
4 feb 2016
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Wednesday built a security barbed wire fence around Palestinians' agricultural lands in Yabad plain near Jenin.
Israeli occupation authorities had confiscated about 300 dunums of Palestinians’ lands in the area after declaring it a closed military zone. Sources at Yabad’s municipality told Quds Press that the fence deprives Palestinian farmers of accessing their fields.
The municipality’s manager, Yousuf Atatrah, told Quds Press that the new Israeli orders will affect residents on the economic, commercial and agricultural levels.
Atatrah asked the international human rights and humanitarian institutions worldwide to put pressure on the Israeli authorities to halt such crimes against the Palestinians.
Israeli occupation authorities had confiscated about 300 dunums of Palestinians’ lands in the area after declaring it a closed military zone. Sources at Yabad’s municipality told Quds Press that the fence deprives Palestinian farmers of accessing their fields.
The municipality’s manager, Yousuf Atatrah, told Quds Press that the new Israeli orders will affect residents on the economic, commercial and agricultural levels.
Atatrah asked the international human rights and humanitarian institutions worldwide to put pressure on the Israeli authorities to halt such crimes against the Palestinians.
2 feb 2016
The Resistance Committee Against Apartheid Wall, settlement expansion, and Judaizartion policy warned of new Israeli schemes to completely isolate occupied Jerusalem from its Palestinian environs.
Speaking to the PIC reporter, head of the committee Hamdi Diab said that Israel has escalated over the past ten months its Judazation schemes in occupied Jerusalem, seeking to change its landmarks and take complete control over its holy places.
Israel works at ending the Arab presence in the occupied city, he stressed.
Diab pointed to the ongoing Israeli land confiscation and expansion of a number of illegal settlements east and north of occupied Jerusalem. He raised alarm bells over Israeli schemes to completely isolate occupied Jerusalem from its Palestinian environs.
Israel has already started isolating the occupied city from the rest of Palestinian territories by separating the northern and southern parts of West Bank and controlling the Palestinians' movement, he warned.
Speaking to the PIC reporter, head of the committee Hamdi Diab said that Israel has escalated over the past ten months its Judazation schemes in occupied Jerusalem, seeking to change its landmarks and take complete control over its holy places.
Israel works at ending the Arab presence in the occupied city, he stressed.
Diab pointed to the ongoing Israeli land confiscation and expansion of a number of illegal settlements east and north of occupied Jerusalem. He raised alarm bells over Israeli schemes to completely isolate occupied Jerusalem from its Palestinian environs.
Israel has already started isolating the occupied city from the rest of Palestinian territories by separating the northern and southern parts of West Bank and controlling the Palestinians' movement, he warned.
1 feb 2016
Experts have raised alarm bells over the serious upshots of Israeli illegal settlement activity in the West Bank province of Salfit, where the demographic balance has remarkably destabilized.
According to official statistics, more than 100 thousand Israeli settlers are living in the settlements in Salfit compared to 90 thousand Palestinians.
The statistics documented that there are 24 illegal Israeli settlements in the Salfit governorate compared to 18 Palestinian towns and villages.
The Israeli settlers and occupation government also dominated and notified the confiscation of a total of 70% of the province lands in favor of settlements and the separation wall.
Such illegal settlements extensively drain the rich natural resources and the groundwater of the province. The settlement building, which began early in Salfit in the mid seventies, has been dramatically affecting the lives of all citizens of the villages and towns of Salfit.
According to official statistics, more than 100 thousand Israeli settlers are living in the settlements in Salfit compared to 90 thousand Palestinians.
The statistics documented that there are 24 illegal Israeli settlements in the Salfit governorate compared to 18 Palestinian towns and villages.
The Israeli settlers and occupation government also dominated and notified the confiscation of a total of 70% of the province lands in favor of settlements and the separation wall.
Such illegal settlements extensively drain the rich natural resources and the groundwater of the province. The settlement building, which began early in Salfit in the mid seventies, has been dramatically affecting the lives of all citizens of the villages and towns of Salfit.
Israel's Cabinet voted Sunday to allow non-Orthodox mixed-gender prayer at the Western Wall of al-Aqsa Mosque in Occupied Jerusalem, a move opponents said marked a barefaced show of government support for extremist streams of Judaism.
The Quds Information Center said the square where the prayers are to be held is located between the southern corner of the Western Wall and the Maghareba Gate at Muslim’ the holy al-Aqsa Mosque.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly pushed the plan despite stiff opposition by ultra-Orthodox and religious nationalist elements in Israel who are key members of his own government.
The $10 million initiative will build a permanent mixed-gender prayer area where the temporary platform is today. It will also create new entrances to the Western Wall area so both Orthodox and non-Orthodox prayer areas will be given equal prominence.
Head of the Supreme Islamic Council in Occupied Jerusalem, Sheikh Ekrema Sabri, said the Buraq Wall is part and parcel of the al-Aqsa’s Western Wall and has profound implications for Muslims in all corners of the world.
Sheikh Sabri also said that the square adjacent to the Buraq Wall is an Islamic endowment property and a place where Maghrebians had set up roots before it was totally knocked down by the Israeli occupation. He slammed Israeli attempts to wipe out Occupied Jerusalem’s Islamic identity, saying such sacrilegious schemes are just unacceptable.
Lawyer Khaled Zabarqa dubbed the plan a flagrant violation of Muslims’ rights and endowment property in the Buraq area, saying the Israeli occupation has neither legitimacy nor sovereignty over the site.
The Quds Information Center said the square where the prayers are to be held is located between the southern corner of the Western Wall and the Maghareba Gate at Muslim’ the holy al-Aqsa Mosque.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly pushed the plan despite stiff opposition by ultra-Orthodox and religious nationalist elements in Israel who are key members of his own government.
The $10 million initiative will build a permanent mixed-gender prayer area where the temporary platform is today. It will also create new entrances to the Western Wall area so both Orthodox and non-Orthodox prayer areas will be given equal prominence.
Head of the Supreme Islamic Council in Occupied Jerusalem, Sheikh Ekrema Sabri, said the Buraq Wall is part and parcel of the al-Aqsa’s Western Wall and has profound implications for Muslims in all corners of the world.
Sheikh Sabri also said that the square adjacent to the Buraq Wall is an Islamic endowment property and a place where Maghrebians had set up roots before it was totally knocked down by the Israeli occupation. He slammed Israeli attempts to wipe out Occupied Jerusalem’s Islamic identity, saying such sacrilegious schemes are just unacceptable.
Lawyer Khaled Zabarqa dubbed the plan a flagrant violation of Muslims’ rights and endowment property in the Buraq area, saying the Israeli occupation has neither legitimacy nor sovereignty over the site.