3 feb 2017
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced, on Wednesday, plans to build new settlement for Jewish settlers evacuated from the illegal outpost of Amona.
The new settlement would be the first one to be officially planned, approved and built in some 25 years.
While Israel stopped establishing new settlements in the early 1990s, outposts set up since then have been retroactively given approval, and existing settlements have expanded their footprints, sometimes being neighbourhoods of existing settlements in name only.
In a statement, Netanyahu’s office said he had instructed a team to look into possible locations for the new settlement. The team consists of his chief of staff, representatives of the settlement movement and defence Minister Avigdor Liberman’s adviser for settlement affairs.
The statement said, according to Days of Palestine, that Netanyahu — just a month and a half ago — promised the settlers a new settlement if efforts to save Amona failed.
The announcement was made as police were evacuating the West Bank outpost, which the Israeli High Court of Justice has long held was built on privately owned Palestinian land.
After years of legal wrangling, the High Court in 2014 ordered the government to evacuate and demolish the hilltop settlement by December 25, 2016.
But, under fierce pressure from settlers and their Knesset supporters, the government sought to reach a compromise with residents that would allow them to remain in their settlement without circumventing the court.
In late December, a deal was struck that would see 24 of the outpost’s 41 families moved to an adjacent plot of land on the same hilltop, while the rest would relocate to the nearby settlement of Ofra.
In the less than two weeks, since new American President Donald Trump took office, Israel has announced the construction of some 6,000 new homes in existing settlements, drawing rebuke from the international community.
The Trump White House has remained silent, a dramatic departure from the vocal condemnations issued by Obama.
The new settlement would be the first one to be officially planned, approved and built in some 25 years.
While Israel stopped establishing new settlements in the early 1990s, outposts set up since then have been retroactively given approval, and existing settlements have expanded their footprints, sometimes being neighbourhoods of existing settlements in name only.
In a statement, Netanyahu’s office said he had instructed a team to look into possible locations for the new settlement. The team consists of his chief of staff, representatives of the settlement movement and defence Minister Avigdor Liberman’s adviser for settlement affairs.
The statement said, according to Days of Palestine, that Netanyahu — just a month and a half ago — promised the settlers a new settlement if efforts to save Amona failed.
The announcement was made as police were evacuating the West Bank outpost, which the Israeli High Court of Justice has long held was built on privately owned Palestinian land.
After years of legal wrangling, the High Court in 2014 ordered the government to evacuate and demolish the hilltop settlement by December 25, 2016.
But, under fierce pressure from settlers and their Knesset supporters, the government sought to reach a compromise with residents that would allow them to remain in their settlement without circumventing the court.
In late December, a deal was struck that would see 24 of the outpost’s 41 families moved to an adjacent plot of land on the same hilltop, while the rest would relocate to the nearby settlement of Ofra.
In the less than two weeks, since new American President Donald Trump took office, Israel has announced the construction of some 6,000 new homes in existing settlements, drawing rebuke from the international community.
The Trump White House has remained silent, a dramatic departure from the vocal condemnations issued by Obama.
According to Hebrew media on Friday, the Israeli government has ratified the construction of more than 8,000 new settlement units since Donald Trumps was inaugurated as the US president on 20th January 2017.
The Israeli Minister of Construction and Housing, Yoav Galant, approved on Thursday the construction of 2,086 new settlement units in the occupied West Bank.
An Israeli channel reported that the decision was made in coordination with Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's Prime Minister, and Avigdor Lieberman, minister of war.
The Israeli government also approved building more than 6,000 new settlement units last week.
The Israeli Minister of Construction and Housing, Yoav Galant, approved on Thursday the construction of 2,086 new settlement units in the occupied West Bank.
An Israeli channel reported that the decision was made in coordination with Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's Prime Minister, and Avigdor Lieberman, minister of war.
The Israeli government also approved building more than 6,000 new settlement units last week.
Jerusalem affairs expert Fakhri Abu Diab warned of the escalated pace of Israel’s settlement and Judaization schemes in Occupied Jerusalem.
Speaking with PIC, spokesman of Silwan’s Defense Committee, Fakhri Abu Diab, said Israeli attempts have been on full swing to finalize the excavation of 27 tunnels.
Abu Dhiab added that a number of tunnels and so-called “Talmudic tracks” have been dug beneath and around the holy al-Aqsa Mosque as part of underway attempts to impose a new fait accompli and alter Jerusalem’s Islamic identity.
At the same time, the Israeli municipality has issued demolition and evacuation orders against structures housing 10,000 Palestinians in Wadi Qadrun under the unlicensed construction pretext, paving the way for more land grab and illegal settlement expansion.
The researcher further warned of the underway establishment of a Talmudic park over an area covering 470 donums of Palestinian land in Silwan.
Israel’s settlement construction bids and Judaization schemes have gone unabated over recent weeks, following the swearing-in of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Speaking with PIC, spokesman of Silwan’s Defense Committee, Fakhri Abu Diab, said Israeli attempts have been on full swing to finalize the excavation of 27 tunnels.
Abu Dhiab added that a number of tunnels and so-called “Talmudic tracks” have been dug beneath and around the holy al-Aqsa Mosque as part of underway attempts to impose a new fait accompli and alter Jerusalem’s Islamic identity.
At the same time, the Israeli municipality has issued demolition and evacuation orders against structures housing 10,000 Palestinians in Wadi Qadrun under the unlicensed construction pretext, paving the way for more land grab and illegal settlement expansion.
The researcher further warned of the underway establishment of a Talmudic park over an area covering 470 donums of Palestinian land in Silwan.
Israel’s settlement construction bids and Judaization schemes have gone unabated over recent weeks, following the swearing-in of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Israel’s Minister of Construction Yoav Galant approved Thursday evening plans to construct 2,086 illegal settlement units on occupied Palestinian land.
According to the Israeli Channel 2, the motion received the approval of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman.
The move comes a few days after the occupation government approved the construction of over 6,000 settlement units.
Since Trump’s swearing-in, the Israeli occupation government signaled the go-ahead for the construction of at least 8,000 illegal settlement units, mostly in the occupied West Bank.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration said on Thursday Israel's building of new settlements or expansion of existing ones in occupied territories may not be helpful in achieving peace with Palestinians, adopting a more measured tone than its previous pro-Israel announcements.
"While we don’t believe the existence of settlements is an impediment to peace, the construction of new settlements or the expansion of existing settlements beyond their current borders may not be helpful in achieving that goal," the White House said in a statement.
President Donald Trump, the White House statement went, "has not taken an official position on settlement activity."
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric also expressed concerns over recent announcements by the Israeli government to advance over 5,000 settlement units in the occupied West Bank.
“We once again warn against any unilateral actions that can be an obstacle to a negotiated two-state solution and call on both parties to return to meaningful negotiations on the basis of relevant Security Council resolutions and in accordance with international law, in order to address all final status issues,” said Dujarric.
High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini also warned of the repercussions of Israel’s latest decision to expand illegal settlement.
Last December, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution calling on Israel to immediately cease illegal settlement expansion. 14 states voted in favor while the U.S. abstained from voting, for the first such standpoint adopted by the U.S. since 1979.
According to the Israeli Channel 2, the motion received the approval of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman.
The move comes a few days after the occupation government approved the construction of over 6,000 settlement units.
Since Trump’s swearing-in, the Israeli occupation government signaled the go-ahead for the construction of at least 8,000 illegal settlement units, mostly in the occupied West Bank.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration said on Thursday Israel's building of new settlements or expansion of existing ones in occupied territories may not be helpful in achieving peace with Palestinians, adopting a more measured tone than its previous pro-Israel announcements.
"While we don’t believe the existence of settlements is an impediment to peace, the construction of new settlements or the expansion of existing settlements beyond their current borders may not be helpful in achieving that goal," the White House said in a statement.
President Donald Trump, the White House statement went, "has not taken an official position on settlement activity."
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric also expressed concerns over recent announcements by the Israeli government to advance over 5,000 settlement units in the occupied West Bank.
“We once again warn against any unilateral actions that can be an obstacle to a negotiated two-state solution and call on both parties to return to meaningful negotiations on the basis of relevant Security Council resolutions and in accordance with international law, in order to address all final status issues,” said Dujarric.
High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini also warned of the repercussions of Israel’s latest decision to expand illegal settlement.
Last December, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution calling on Israel to immediately cease illegal settlement expansion. 14 states voted in favor while the U.S. abstained from voting, for the first such standpoint adopted by the U.S. since 1979.
On Sunday, 15 January 2017, the Israeli occupation forces began uprooting olive trees and leveling land near the Palestinian villages of ‘Azzun and a-Nabi Elyas in Qalqilya, B’Tselem watchdog reported Wednesday.
According to B’Tselem, the work is being carried out as part of the decision made by the military and the Civil Administration to build a bypass road to replace the section of Route 55 that runs through a-Nabi Elyas.
Route 55 originally served as the main link between Nablus and Qalqilya and was one of the major traffic arteries in the West Bank. Over time, as settlements expanded, it also became essential to settlers, as it connects several large settlements with Israel’s coastal plains and central region, the same source added.
The decision to build the bypass road was first made in 1989, with the goal of sparing settlers the need to drive through the village of a-Nabi Elyas. However, it was not pursued until September 2013, when the Civil Administration planning institutions began the planning process.
In October 2015, the project was expedited due to pressure by the settler leadership: According to Israeli media reports , Prime Minister Netanyahu promised the heads of the settlement local councils that the road would be built.”
On 21 December 2015, the head of the Civil Administration issued an expropriation order for 10.4 hectares of land earmarked for the bypass road. The order noted that the new road will “serve the public good” and improve mobility between Nablus and Qalqilya.
In March 2016, the Palestinian village councils and landowners petitioned Israel’s High Court of Justice (HCJ) against the expropriation, on the grounds that the road will not serve all residents of the area but only settlers. On 16 November 2016, the HCJ denied the petition after accepting the state’s claim that the road is intended to serve the entire population of the area.
B’Tselem said the seizure of the land and uprooting of olive trees have severely harmed the Palestinian landowners, who have lost a source of income and a major financial asset, as well as an open space that served all local residents for leisure and recreational activities.
“While Israel professes to act for the benefit of the occupied population, its policies routinely ignore this population’s needs,” the report read. “These facts, when taken together with false statements about seizing Palestinian land “for the public good” and pressure from the settler lobby, attest yet again to Israel’s policy and aims.”
According to B’Tselem, the work is being carried out as part of the decision made by the military and the Civil Administration to build a bypass road to replace the section of Route 55 that runs through a-Nabi Elyas.
Route 55 originally served as the main link between Nablus and Qalqilya and was one of the major traffic arteries in the West Bank. Over time, as settlements expanded, it also became essential to settlers, as it connects several large settlements with Israel’s coastal plains and central region, the same source added.
The decision to build the bypass road was first made in 1989, with the goal of sparing settlers the need to drive through the village of a-Nabi Elyas. However, it was not pursued until September 2013, when the Civil Administration planning institutions began the planning process.
In October 2015, the project was expedited due to pressure by the settler leadership: According to Israeli media reports , Prime Minister Netanyahu promised the heads of the settlement local councils that the road would be built.”
On 21 December 2015, the head of the Civil Administration issued an expropriation order for 10.4 hectares of land earmarked for the bypass road. The order noted that the new road will “serve the public good” and improve mobility between Nablus and Qalqilya.
In March 2016, the Palestinian village councils and landowners petitioned Israel’s High Court of Justice (HCJ) against the expropriation, on the grounds that the road will not serve all residents of the area but only settlers. On 16 November 2016, the HCJ denied the petition after accepting the state’s claim that the road is intended to serve the entire population of the area.
B’Tselem said the seizure of the land and uprooting of olive trees have severely harmed the Palestinian landowners, who have lost a source of income and a major financial asset, as well as an open space that served all local residents for leisure and recreational activities.
“While Israel professes to act for the benefit of the occupied population, its policies routinely ignore this population’s needs,” the report read. “These facts, when taken together with false statements about seizing Palestinian land “for the public good” and pressure from the settler lobby, attest yet again to Israel’s policy and aims.”
2 feb 2017
British Minister for the Middle East Tobias Ellwood strongly condemned Thursday the Israeli government’s announcement of building 3,000 settlement units in the West Bank.
“The announcement of further settlement units in the West Bank is part of a growing trend which we condemn,” he said.
"We have consistently been clear that settlements are illegal under international law, and not conducive to peace. This spike in settlement activity undermines trust and makes a two state solution much harder to achieve," he maintained.
“The announcement of further settlement units in the West Bank is part of a growing trend which we condemn,” he said.
"We have consistently been clear that settlements are illegal under international law, and not conducive to peace. This spike in settlement activity undermines trust and makes a two state solution much harder to achieve," he maintained.
1 feb 2017
Following the Israeli decision to remove the “Amona” illegal colonialist outpost, in the occupied West Bank, the government of Benjamin Netanyahu decided to build more than 3000 units for Jewish settlers, on illegally confiscated Palestinian lands.
The decision was officially announced by the office of Israel’s Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, in which it confirmed the approval of the 3000 units, in direct coordination with Netanyahu.
2000 of the approved illegal colonialist units have been designated for “immediate construction,” while the rest are in various stages of planning.
Lieberman, who himself is a colonialist settler living in Nokdim illegal colony, said that approximately 2000 units were “ready for marketing,” while the rest are in final stages of approval.
The Expansions were approved in the following illegal colonies
1. Alfie Menashe, central West Bank, 700 units.
2. Beit Arye, northern West Bank, 650 units.
3. Beitar Illit, west of Bethlehem, 650 units.
4. Oranit, Qalqilia – northern West Bank, 200 units.
5. Nokdim, south of Bethlehem, 150 units.
6. Givat Zeev, northwest of Jerusalem, 150 units.
7. Karnie Shomron, near Qalqilia in northern West Bank, 100 units.
8. Shilo, north of Ramallah, 100 units.
9. Metzudot Yehuda, northeast of Bethlehem, 100 units.
10. Kfar Eldad in Gush Etzion bloc, south of Bethlehem, 80 units.
11. Shavei Shomron, west of Nablus, 70 units.
12. Nofim, near Salfit, 50 units.
13. Efrat, south of Bethlehem, 30 units.
Lieberman said that the new approvals were part of what he called “restoring life to normal status in the West Bank, as the settlers need more homes,” and added that the decision was a continuation of last week’s approval of 2500 units.
The decision was made while the Palestinians continue to lose their lands for these colonies, including agricultural areas, and are unable to expand their communities, in various parts of the West Bank, including Jerusalem, in addition to being isolated from their orchards and farmlands, behind the Annexation Wall.
All Israeli colonies in the West Bank, including those in and around occupied East Jerusalem, are illegal under International Law, and the Fourth Geneva Convention, to which Israel is a signatory and a constant violator.
The decision was officially announced by the office of Israel’s Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, in which it confirmed the approval of the 3000 units, in direct coordination with Netanyahu.
2000 of the approved illegal colonialist units have been designated for “immediate construction,” while the rest are in various stages of planning.
Lieberman, who himself is a colonialist settler living in Nokdim illegal colony, said that approximately 2000 units were “ready for marketing,” while the rest are in final stages of approval.
The Expansions were approved in the following illegal colonies
1. Alfie Menashe, central West Bank, 700 units.
2. Beit Arye, northern West Bank, 650 units.
3. Beitar Illit, west of Bethlehem, 650 units.
4. Oranit, Qalqilia – northern West Bank, 200 units.
5. Nokdim, south of Bethlehem, 150 units.
6. Givat Zeev, northwest of Jerusalem, 150 units.
7. Karnie Shomron, near Qalqilia in northern West Bank, 100 units.
8. Shilo, north of Ramallah, 100 units.
9. Metzudot Yehuda, northeast of Bethlehem, 100 units.
10. Kfar Eldad in Gush Etzion bloc, south of Bethlehem, 80 units.
11. Shavei Shomron, west of Nablus, 70 units.
12. Nofim, near Salfit, 50 units.
13. Efrat, south of Bethlehem, 30 units.
Lieberman said that the new approvals were part of what he called “restoring life to normal status in the West Bank, as the settlers need more homes,” and added that the decision was a continuation of last week’s approval of 2500 units.
The decision was made while the Palestinians continue to lose their lands for these colonies, including agricultural areas, and are unable to expand their communities, in various parts of the West Bank, including Jerusalem, in addition to being isolated from their orchards and farmlands, behind the Annexation Wall.
All Israeli colonies in the West Bank, including those in and around occupied East Jerusalem, are illegal under International Law, and the Fourth Geneva Convention, to which Israel is a signatory and a constant violator.
