30 apr 2012
IOF troops start building wall along borders with Lebanon
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) started building a wall along the borders between Palestine occupied in 1948 and Lebanon on Monday.
AFP quoted an IOF spokeswoman as saying that the construction started after coordination with the UNIFIL and Lebanon.
She said that the one kilometer long wall would take a few weeks to be completed with the aim of preventing “friction” at the borders.
The Israeli radio said that the wall, which would be few meters in height, targets blocking shooting from Lebanon into Metulla settlement.
AFP quoted an IOF spokeswoman as saying that the construction started after coordination with the UNIFIL and Lebanon.
She said that the one kilometer long wall would take a few weeks to be completed with the aim of preventing “friction” at the borders.
The Israeli radio said that the wall, which would be few meters in height, targets blocking shooting from Lebanon into Metulla settlement.
Occupation government funds Migron settlements with more than NIS 53 million
The Hebrew newspaper "Haaretz", stated on Monday, that the Zionist government would fund two temporary housing solutions for the settlers in "Migron" settlement at a cost of more than NIS 53 million.
The newspaper added that the government made the decision yesterday during its weekly council, in the wake of the High Court of Justice's recent order that Migron must be evacuated and demolished no later than the first of next September, after proving that the outpost mentioned was built on Palestinian land.
Migron's settlers declared that they prefer to move to a neighboring Palestinian hill called the Yekev compound, where it is scheduled to deploy, temporarily, mobile houses until constructing permanent ones later.
The commander of the occupation army's central region, General Nitzan Alon, plans to issue a military order, soon, aiming to facilitate and speed up construction at the new site.
The Government transferred yesterday NIS 53 million for this plan so that it would be implemented as soon as possible.
However, due to several complications involving the Yekev site, the state has prepared a backup plan to settle the Migron's settlers at Adam settlement where they were to have moved four years ago. Thus the government decided to immediately transfer NIS 28.5 million to the Housing and Construction Ministry to develop infrastructure in the site.
The newspaper added that the government made the decision yesterday during its weekly council, in the wake of the High Court of Justice's recent order that Migron must be evacuated and demolished no later than the first of next September, after proving that the outpost mentioned was built on Palestinian land.
Migron's settlers declared that they prefer to move to a neighboring Palestinian hill called the Yekev compound, where it is scheduled to deploy, temporarily, mobile houses until constructing permanent ones later.
The commander of the occupation army's central region, General Nitzan Alon, plans to issue a military order, soon, aiming to facilitate and speed up construction at the new site.
The Government transferred yesterday NIS 53 million for this plan so that it would be implemented as soon as possible.
However, due to several complications involving the Yekev site, the state has prepared a backup plan to settle the Migron's settlers at Adam settlement where they were to have moved four years ago. Thus the government decided to immediately transfer NIS 28.5 million to the Housing and Construction Ministry to develop infrastructure in the site.
Jewish settlers start building new settlement outpost north of Ramallah
Jewish settlers started building a new settlement outpost in Yanbu area near Nabi Saleh village to the north of Ramallah, Hebrew press reported on Monday.
Ha’aretz newspaper recalled that the civil administration had declared as a historic spot an area of 15 dunums in Yanbu in February 2010, despite being owned by Palestinians.
Villages to the north and west of Ramallah are the target of a rabid settlement campaign that races against time to expand existing settlements or build new outposts.
Ha’aretz newspaper recalled that the civil administration had declared as a historic spot an area of 15 dunums in Yanbu in February 2010, despite being owned by Palestinians.
Villages to the north and west of Ramallah are the target of a rabid settlement campaign that races against time to expand existing settlements or build new outposts.
26 apr 2012
EU calls on Israel to reverse its decision to legalize new settlements
The European Union called on the Israeli authorities to reverse its decision to legalize new random settlements in the occupied West Bank describing it as an "illegal decision".
Catherine Ashton, the European Union's foreign policy chief, expressed her deep concern about the decision of the Israeli authorities regarding the status of the settlements of Sansana, Rachalim and Bruchin in the occupied Palestinian territory. "I call upon them to reverse this decision," she said in a statement.
The occupation authorities announced, on Tuesday, to legalize the establishment of the three communities Brochan (about 350 settlements), Rihalim (240 settlements) in the northern West Bank, and Sansana (240 settlements) southern West Bank.
Ashton stated that the EU has called on Israel to end all settlement activity. "Settlements are illegal under international law, an obstacle to peace and threaten the viability of a two-state solution," she said, adding that the Israeli decision ran counter to the spirit of an April 11 statement by the Quartet that expressed concern about unilateral and provocative actions, including continued settlement activity.
The Quartet (the European Union, United States, Russia and United Nations) called parties to stop any act that may shake confidence and to focus on positive efforts to resume direct peace talks.
Catherine Ashton, the European Union's foreign policy chief, expressed her deep concern about the decision of the Israeli authorities regarding the status of the settlements of Sansana, Rachalim and Bruchin in the occupied Palestinian territory. "I call upon them to reverse this decision," she said in a statement.
The occupation authorities announced, on Tuesday, to legalize the establishment of the three communities Brochan (about 350 settlements), Rihalim (240 settlements) in the northern West Bank, and Sansana (240 settlements) southern West Bank.
Ashton stated that the EU has called on Israel to end all settlement activity. "Settlements are illegal under international law, an obstacle to peace and threaten the viability of a two-state solution," she said, adding that the Israeli decision ran counter to the spirit of an April 11 statement by the Quartet that expressed concern about unilateral and provocative actions, including continued settlement activity.
The Quartet (the European Union, United States, Russia and United Nations) called parties to stop any act that may shake confidence and to focus on positive efforts to resume direct peace talks.
25 apr 2012
Hamas calls for sanctions against French companies assisting occupation
Hamas has considered the implementation of two French companies the Jerusalem Light Rail project that connects West Jerusalem with illegal settlements as collusion with the occupation and a violation to the international law and a clear contradiction to the French official position on Jewish settlements.
Hamas has condemned, on Thursday in a statement, the railway project of the French companies Veolia and Alstom that connects West Jerusalem with the illegal settlements, calling on the French government and the EU to bear their responsibilities to prevent French or European companies in assisting occupation's settlement projects that deprive the Palestinian people from their lands.
The movement called on the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to impose sanctions on the two companies. It also called for activating the Arab boycott of the “Zionist entity” and companies that cooperate with it.
This dangerous project is well planned by the occupier to change the image of Jerusalem, and destroy the historical Islamic features of the city. The aim is to link West Jerusalem to East Jerusalem and to make sure that Jerusalem will be the "eternal capital of Israel".
Hamas has condemned, on Thursday in a statement, the railway project of the French companies Veolia and Alstom that connects West Jerusalem with the illegal settlements, calling on the French government and the EU to bear their responsibilities to prevent French or European companies in assisting occupation's settlement projects that deprive the Palestinian people from their lands.
The movement called on the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to impose sanctions on the two companies. It also called for activating the Arab boycott of the “Zionist entity” and companies that cooperate with it.
This dangerous project is well planned by the occupier to change the image of Jerusalem, and destroy the historical Islamic features of the city. The aim is to link West Jerusalem to East Jerusalem and to make sure that Jerusalem will be the "eternal capital of Israel".
22 apr 2012
Islamic-Christian commission: IOA blocking political solutions
The Islamic-Christian commission for the support of Jerusalem has lashed out at the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) for endorsing the construction of hundreds of new housing units in the holy city.
The commission said in a statement on Sunday that the IOA wants to tighten its control on occupied Jerusalem and block any possible political solution.
Dr. Hanna Issa, the commission’s secretary general, said that the international, humanitarian law prohibits controlling land by force and building settlements on it.
He referred in this respect to The Hague agreement of 1907 that stipulates that an occupying power should not expropriate private property in the occupied land.
The commission urged the Arab and international community to assume responsibility toward what is happening in occupied Jerusalem and to curb the Israeli occupation’s violations of the people and land in the holy city.
The commission said in a statement on Sunday that the IOA wants to tighten its control on occupied Jerusalem and block any possible political solution.
Dr. Hanna Issa, the commission’s secretary general, said that the international, humanitarian law prohibits controlling land by force and building settlements on it.
He referred in this respect to The Hague agreement of 1907 that stipulates that an occupying power should not expropriate private property in the occupied land.
The commission urged the Arab and international community to assume responsibility toward what is happening in occupied Jerusalem and to curb the Israeli occupation’s violations of the people and land in the holy city.
IOA expands settlement in occupied Jerusalem
The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) has announced plans for the construction of 217 new housing units in Jabal Al-Mukabir in occupied Jerusalem.
The public coalition for the defense of Palestinian rights in Jerusalem said in a statement on Saturday that the IOA plan was an addition to an earlier one in which 100 housing units were built in the same area.
It said that the IOA was also planning the construction of a group of hotels in Beit Safafa on Palestinian land mostly owned by the Orthodox Church in Jerusalem.
The coalition charged that the IOA plans target creating a new demographic, political de facto situation on the ground.
It further noted to other IOA plans to build stone crushers in Dhaheria and Dura villages in Al-Khalil province and Enata in occupied Jerusalem.
The public coalition for the defense of Palestinian rights in Jerusalem said in a statement on Saturday that the IOA plan was an addition to an earlier one in which 100 housing units were built in the same area.
It said that the IOA was also planning the construction of a group of hotels in Beit Safafa on Palestinian land mostly owned by the Orthodox Church in Jerusalem.
The coalition charged that the IOA plans target creating a new demographic, political de facto situation on the ground.
It further noted to other IOA plans to build stone crushers in Dhaheria and Dura villages in Al-Khalil province and Enata in occupied Jerusalem.
18 apr 2012
Israel Builds Graves in East Jerusalem Neighborhood
The committee for the defense of Silwan Wednesday uncovered the building of Jewish graves in Wadi Rababa area of the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan.
A committee statement said Israeli bulldozers razed Palestinian land and built graves, which residents believe to be fake, in order to justify takeover of the Palestinian-owned land.
Israel claims that Silwan, which is just outside Jerusalem's Old City wall and falls right below Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and the Jewish Quartet, is the site of the ancient City of David.
A committee statement said Israeli bulldozers razed Palestinian land and built graves, which residents believe to be fake, in order to justify takeover of the Palestinian-owned land.
Israel claims that Silwan, which is just outside Jerusalem's Old City wall and falls right below Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and the Jewish Quartet, is the site of the ancient City of David.
12 apr 2012
A Zionist plan to build a Jewish museum in Al Buraq courtyard
Al-Quds International Institution (QII) exposed a new Zionist outline that aims to build a Jewish museum in the northwest part of the Buraq Square in Al Aqsa Mosque.
The Beirut-based organization said, in a press statement on Thursday: "The occupation is planning to confiscate three Dunums (3000 square meters) for the sake of constructing the Jewish Museum according to a detailed structural diagram carrying the number (11 053)."
It explained that the occupation's plan is "a new practical step in the course of "the development" of Buraq Square, which was announced officially by the occupation 22 October 2010 to restructure the area in accordance with the Jewish vision in order to control it," noting that "In this course, the occupation intend to demolish the way to Mughrabi Gate, and to expand Buraq Square so that it will accommodate more Jewish prayer rooms, in addition to building car parks, and the digging of a tunnel connecting the area to the so-called "Jewish quarters."
Moreover, it asserted that the occupation, "seeks to augment the fabricated Jewish landmarks' number in order to give the impression that Jerusalem contains more Jewish landmarks than Islamic and Christian ones, to promote its lie that it calls "the Jewish historical right" in Jerusalem. Hence the occupation increases the pace of building synagogues, museums, Talmudic parks, and tourist sites. "
Therefore the Foundation demanded all the sides which confronted the occupation recently when it decided to demolish the Mughrabi Gate Bridge, "to confront this plan, because the construction of the Jewish Museum is part of a single project that combines demolishing the bridge and building the museum."
It further demanded the Arab Muslim world to act to stop the occupation's plans so that Jerusalem will not turn into a "Jewish Jerusalem", stressing that the occupation "will not succeed to obliterate Jerusalem Arab and Muslim history even if it distorts the landmarks and makes up Jewish ones"
The Beirut-based organization said, in a press statement on Thursday: "The occupation is planning to confiscate three Dunums (3000 square meters) for the sake of constructing the Jewish Museum according to a detailed structural diagram carrying the number (11 053)."
It explained that the occupation's plan is "a new practical step in the course of "the development" of Buraq Square, which was announced officially by the occupation 22 October 2010 to restructure the area in accordance with the Jewish vision in order to control it," noting that "In this course, the occupation intend to demolish the way to Mughrabi Gate, and to expand Buraq Square so that it will accommodate more Jewish prayer rooms, in addition to building car parks, and the digging of a tunnel connecting the area to the so-called "Jewish quarters."
Moreover, it asserted that the occupation, "seeks to augment the fabricated Jewish landmarks' number in order to give the impression that Jerusalem contains more Jewish landmarks than Islamic and Christian ones, to promote its lie that it calls "the Jewish historical right" in Jerusalem. Hence the occupation increases the pace of building synagogues, museums, Talmudic parks, and tourist sites. "
Therefore the Foundation demanded all the sides which confronted the occupation recently when it decided to demolish the Mughrabi Gate Bridge, "to confront this plan, because the construction of the Jewish Museum is part of a single project that combines demolishing the bridge and building the museum."
It further demanded the Arab Muslim world to act to stop the occupation's plans so that Jerusalem will not turn into a "Jewish Jerusalem", stressing that the occupation "will not succeed to obliterate Jerusalem Arab and Muslim history even if it distorts the landmarks and makes up Jewish ones"