31 jan 2017
An Israeli project to prop up ties between West Bank illegal settlements outposts has been underway, Israeli sources reported Tuesday.
According to the Hebrew-speaking Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, the Israeli occupation authorities made a plan to enhance transportation, excavate tunnels, establish new access roads, and expand the light railway network in an attempt to slash travel time and cost between West Bank settlements and Tel Aviv, Gush Dan, and Occupied Jerusalem.
$5 billion will be invested to enhance infrastructure and the transportation network and also to construct more settlement units in Beit Shemesh, Tsur, and Hadassah, in Occupied Jerusalem.
The plan will enable Israeli buses to pass through the Gush Etzion settlement to Tel Aviv through Occupied Jerusalem and also to establish settlement projects in Maaleh Adumim worth 1 billion shekels and an access road for Israeli buses worth 30 million shekels.
Earlier, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, approved a bid to construct 2,500 illegal settlement units in the occupied West Bank, a couple of days after he had signaled the go-ahead for the construction of 600 settlement units in Occupied Jerusalem.
The pace of Israel’s illegal settlement activity has grown remarkably following the swearing-in of the U.S. President, Donald Trump, despite a resolution by the UN Security Council last month outlawing Israeli settlement construction in the occupied Palestinian territories.
According to the Hebrew-speaking Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, the Israeli occupation authorities made a plan to enhance transportation, excavate tunnels, establish new access roads, and expand the light railway network in an attempt to slash travel time and cost between West Bank settlements and Tel Aviv, Gush Dan, and Occupied Jerusalem.
$5 billion will be invested to enhance infrastructure and the transportation network and also to construct more settlement units in Beit Shemesh, Tsur, and Hadassah, in Occupied Jerusalem.
The plan will enable Israeli buses to pass through the Gush Etzion settlement to Tel Aviv through Occupied Jerusalem and also to establish settlement projects in Maaleh Adumim worth 1 billion shekels and an access road for Israeli buses worth 30 million shekels.
Earlier, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, approved a bid to construct 2,500 illegal settlement units in the occupied West Bank, a couple of days after he had signaled the go-ahead for the construction of 600 settlement units in Occupied Jerusalem.
The pace of Israel’s illegal settlement activity has grown remarkably following the swearing-in of the U.S. President, Donald Trump, despite a resolution by the UN Security Council last month outlawing Israeli settlement construction in the occupied Palestinian territories.
30 jan 2017
The Washington Post newspaper disclosed that the new US president Donald Trump along with a number of his associates are among donors who fund Beit El settlement near Ramallah.
The American newspaper reported that Jewish settlers of Beit El are happy for Trump's inauguration as the US President and started development projects in Beit El settlement, which was established on Palestinian lands in 1977.
Beit El settlers have recently opened a religious school regardless of the controversy on constructing any new building in the settlement.
The report pointed out that many of Trump’s retinue have strong bonds with Israeli extremist right wing figures including David Friedman, who was nominated by Trump as the US ambassador to Israel. He also occupies the position of Head of the American Friends of Beit El Institution, which collects annual donations for the settlement estimated at 2 million American dollars.
The American newspaper reported that Jewish settlers of Beit El are happy for Trump's inauguration as the US President and started development projects in Beit El settlement, which was established on Palestinian lands in 1977.
Beit El settlers have recently opened a religious school regardless of the controversy on constructing any new building in the settlement.
The report pointed out that many of Trump’s retinue have strong bonds with Israeli extremist right wing figures including David Friedman, who was nominated by Trump as the US ambassador to Israel. He also occupies the position of Head of the American Friends of Beit El Institution, which collects annual donations for the settlement estimated at 2 million American dollars.
Israeli military bulldozers leveled lands in Kafer el-Deek town in Salfit Monday morning as a prelude to build four new Israeli illegal settlements.
Local farmers affirmed to the PIC reporter that Israeli bulldozers leveled lands near Leshem and Ale Zahav settlements illegally built in Salfit.
The researcher in settlement affairs Khaled Maali pointed out that Israeli bulldozing operations have notably intensified since Donald Trump assumed the U.S. presidency.
He stressed that the escalated settlement construction violates the UN Security Council’s resolution 2334 adopted on 23 December 2016 which condemns and outlaws Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Local farmers affirmed to the PIC reporter that Israeli bulldozers leveled lands near Leshem and Ale Zahav settlements illegally built in Salfit.
The researcher in settlement affairs Khaled Maali pointed out that Israeli bulldozing operations have notably intensified since Donald Trump assumed the U.S. presidency.
He stressed that the escalated settlement construction violates the UN Security Council’s resolution 2334 adopted on 23 December 2016 which condemns and outlaws Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
29 jan 2017
Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed his ministers at the Knesset to accelerate steps to turn the settlement regularization bill, which aims to legalize Israeli outposts and settlements built on Palestinian lands, into a law.
According to Israel Hayom newspaper, which is run by a friend of Netanyahu, Knesset sessions will be held during the current week to vote on the bill.
For its part, Haaretz newspaper said that Netanyahu reassured Ofra settlers, who live illegally on Palestinian land in Ramallah, that his government would push to have the bill passed into a law.
The legislation had already passed its first reading in the Knesset, but still needs to pass its second and third readings to become a law.
According to Israel Hayom newspaper, which is run by a friend of Netanyahu, Knesset sessions will be held during the current week to vote on the bill.
For its part, Haaretz newspaper said that Netanyahu reassured Ofra settlers, who live illegally on Palestinian land in Ramallah, that his government would push to have the bill passed into a law.
The legislation had already passed its first reading in the Knesset, but still needs to pass its second and third readings to become a law.
27 jan 2017
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, decided to build 68 new colonialist units on private Palestinian lands, near Ofra illegal colony, near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, after the Israeli High Court ordered the removal of nine illegal units.
Israeli daily Haaretz said the decision was part of an agreement reached between the government and the colonialist settlers, in an effort to secure a peaceful removal of the nine units, slated for demolition by a ruling issued by the Israeli High Court of Justice.
Haaretz quoted an unnamed official stating that a meeting was held, Wednesday, between Yoav Horowitz, the chief of staff of Netanyahu’s bureau, and several representatives of Ofra illegal colony, and discussed the ruling regarding the nine units, which are scheduled to be demolished on February 7th.
During the meeting, Horowitz told the settlers about a possible agreement for the status of the illegal colony, and said that Netanyahu intends to advance the approval of construction plans for dozens of new units on what he called “state lands,” in the occupied West Bank.
The colonists said they were not told about any deal between Netanyahu’s office and their presentative, yet, presented more demands, including the full legalization of their colony.
Talking to Haaretz, Sami Karsenty, a secretary of Ofra colony, refused to comment on the meeting, but said that the settlers want what he called “an inclusive agreement,” indicating the demand for full legitimization of their illegal colony.
The Israeli policies, and the ongoing attempts to appease the colonists whenever an illegal structure is removed, in addition to all settlement construction and expansion activities in the occupied West Bank, including 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.
Israeli daily Haaretz said the decision was part of an agreement reached between the government and the colonialist settlers, in an effort to secure a peaceful removal of the nine units, slated for demolition by a ruling issued by the Israeli High Court of Justice.
Haaretz quoted an unnamed official stating that a meeting was held, Wednesday, between Yoav Horowitz, the chief of staff of Netanyahu’s bureau, and several representatives of Ofra illegal colony, and discussed the ruling regarding the nine units, which are scheduled to be demolished on February 7th.
During the meeting, Horowitz told the settlers about a possible agreement for the status of the illegal colony, and said that Netanyahu intends to advance the approval of construction plans for dozens of new units on what he called “state lands,” in the occupied West Bank.
The colonists said they were not told about any deal between Netanyahu’s office and their presentative, yet, presented more demands, including the full legalization of their colony.
Talking to Haaretz, Sami Karsenty, a secretary of Ofra colony, refused to comment on the meeting, but said that the settlers want what he called “an inclusive agreement,” indicating the demand for full legitimization of their illegal colony.
The Israeli policies, and the ongoing attempts to appease the colonists whenever an illegal structure is removed, in addition to all settlement construction and expansion activities in the occupied West Bank, including 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 Palestinian Authority (PA) reportedly decided to resort to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in order to open a full investigation into Israeli settlement based on UN Security Council resolution 2334, which says settlements have no legal validity and constitute an obstacle to peace.
Sources from the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that the PA has been contacting the ICC for two years in order to acquaint it with Israeli ceaseless violations in regards with settlement activity especially that member countries of the ICC enjoy the privilege of filing complaints for investigation.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Riyad al-Malki said on Thursday that the PA is going to resort to the ICC against Israeli settlement next week.
Israel managed over the past years to establish more than 146 official settlement outposts resided by about 420,000 settlers in the West Bank, who form 13% of population in the West Bank, and 220,000 in Occupied Jerusalem in addition to 116 settlements unrecognized by the government.
Sources from the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that the PA has been contacting the ICC for two years in order to acquaint it with Israeli ceaseless violations in regards with settlement activity especially that member countries of the ICC enjoy the privilege of filing complaints for investigation.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Riyad al-Malki said on Thursday that the PA is going to resort to the ICC against Israeli settlement next week.
Israel managed over the past years to establish more than 146 official settlement outposts resided by about 420,000 settlers in the West Bank, who form 13% of population in the West Bank, and 220,000 in Occupied Jerusalem in addition to 116 settlements unrecognized by the government.
26 jan 2017
An Israeli Finance Minister, who is in charge of implementing a law to demolish Palestinian homes in the West Bank, is himself living in an unlicensed building in an illegal colonial settlement on Occupied Palestinian land – and he is just one of many Israeli officials living in illegal settlements, according to a new report.
The report, released Wednesday by the Palestine Liberation Organization, documented a number of top Israeli officials, many of whom are tasked with displacing Palestinians or demolishing their homes, living on illegally seized Palestinian land.
The Israeli Finance Minister Avi Cohen, lives in a colonial settlement outpost of 40 fixed and mobile structures, which was constructed on land stolen from Palestinian owners in the villages of Qaryout, Saweiya and Al-Luban in the Nablus region.
The settlement where Cohen lives is an expansion of the larger settlement of ‘Eli’ and is known as ‘Bilgi Maime’. But the Israeli government did not approve this expansion, and Cohen’s part in building his home on stolen Palestinian land is in direct violation of both Israeli and international law. However, since Cohen has headed the Regional Unit on Planning and Construction, under his watch the unit has tacitly and actively allowed the expansion of settlements like Bilgi Maime on Palestinian land.
Cohen himself was in charge of issuing demolition orders against Palestinian homes, including some that were demolished in order to make way for the construction of Cohen’s illegal settlement outpost. He also defied an Israeli court order to dismantle the outpost, which was reiterated every year from 2001 – 2007.
Cohen is one of a number of Israeli officials who are either living in or contributing to illegal Israeli settlement outposts on stolen Palestinian land. During a recent investigation into corruption charges against the Yisrael Beitenu Party , the Israeli police discovered that Agriculture Minister, Uri Ariel, transferred government funds to pay for the debts of a settlement company that works in the West Bank named the Samaria Development Co.
The new report found that a fund of NIS 2.4 million was transferred to a private company from Israeli taxpayers to the executive arm of Aamnah Movement, which is active in the field of settlement construction.
This comes in the context of a new campaign of collective punishment against Palestinian residents of the neighborhood of Jabal al-Mukaber in Jerusalem, after one resident of the town ran his truck over a group of Israeli soldiers.
Meir Turgeman, deputy mayor of the occupation municipality in Jerusalem, and head of the local planning and construction committee, announced that he intends to impose collective punishment against the family members and neighbors of the deceased attacker.
The Israeli campaign also includes a resolution by the occupation Minister of interior, who ordered the seizure of 12 identity passes from members of Kanbar family (forcing these residents to move from their homes into internal displacement), and the distribution of demolition notices against 81 houses in the Al-Kanbar, Al-Jdeirh and Salaah neighborhoods, belonging to families of Al-Kabnbar, Al-Jdeirh and Salaah, under the pretext of being built without licenses.
Moreover, the campaign has also involved closing the main roads, which disturbed the movement of transportation, as well as preventing people from going to work and school, and hindered the ability to provide first aid.
Troops also invaded several agricultural and commercial stores, asking their owners to leave the areas, and finally threatened to carry out the demolition orders.
The report, released Wednesday by the Palestine Liberation Organization, documented a number of top Israeli officials, many of whom are tasked with displacing Palestinians or demolishing their homes, living on illegally seized Palestinian land.
The Israeli Finance Minister Avi Cohen, lives in a colonial settlement outpost of 40 fixed and mobile structures, which was constructed on land stolen from Palestinian owners in the villages of Qaryout, Saweiya and Al-Luban in the Nablus region.
The settlement where Cohen lives is an expansion of the larger settlement of ‘Eli’ and is known as ‘Bilgi Maime’. But the Israeli government did not approve this expansion, and Cohen’s part in building his home on stolen Palestinian land is in direct violation of both Israeli and international law. However, since Cohen has headed the Regional Unit on Planning and Construction, under his watch the unit has tacitly and actively allowed the expansion of settlements like Bilgi Maime on Palestinian land.
Cohen himself was in charge of issuing demolition orders against Palestinian homes, including some that were demolished in order to make way for the construction of Cohen’s illegal settlement outpost. He also defied an Israeli court order to dismantle the outpost, which was reiterated every year from 2001 – 2007.
Cohen is one of a number of Israeli officials who are either living in or contributing to illegal Israeli settlement outposts on stolen Palestinian land. During a recent investigation into corruption charges against the Yisrael Beitenu Party , the Israeli police discovered that Agriculture Minister, Uri Ariel, transferred government funds to pay for the debts of a settlement company that works in the West Bank named the Samaria Development Co.
The new report found that a fund of NIS 2.4 million was transferred to a private company from Israeli taxpayers to the executive arm of Aamnah Movement, which is active in the field of settlement construction.
This comes in the context of a new campaign of collective punishment against Palestinian residents of the neighborhood of Jabal al-Mukaber in Jerusalem, after one resident of the town ran his truck over a group of Israeli soldiers.
Meir Turgeman, deputy mayor of the occupation municipality in Jerusalem, and head of the local planning and construction committee, announced that he intends to impose collective punishment against the family members and neighbors of the deceased attacker.
The Israeli campaign also includes a resolution by the occupation Minister of interior, who ordered the seizure of 12 identity passes from members of Kanbar family (forcing these residents to move from their homes into internal displacement), and the distribution of demolition notices against 81 houses in the Al-Kanbar, Al-Jdeirh and Salaah neighborhoods, belonging to families of Al-Kabnbar, Al-Jdeirh and Salaah, under the pretext of being built without licenses.
Moreover, the campaign has also involved closing the main roads, which disturbed the movement of transportation, as well as preventing people from going to work and school, and hindered the ability to provide first aid.
Troops also invaded several agricultural and commercial stores, asking their owners to leave the areas, and finally threatened to carry out the demolition orders.
Israeli municipality in occupied Jerusalem approved Thursday evening the construction of 143 new settlement units in Gilo settlement illegally built in the occupied city.
Israeli media sources said that the new approved housing units came as part of a large settlement project which includes the construction of 900 settlement units.
The approval came only two days after Isreal’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to approve the construction of 2,500 new settlement units in occupied Jerusalem.
The approval is the third of its kind since Donald Trump assumed the U.S. presidency last week.
Israeli media sources said that the new approved housing units came as part of a large settlement project which includes the construction of 900 settlement units.
The approval came only two days after Isreal’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to approve the construction of 2,500 new settlement units in occupied Jerusalem.
The approval is the third of its kind since Donald Trump assumed the U.S. presidency last week.
Israel has advanced a plan to extend a high-speed rail line in Tel Aviv to include a station at the Aqsa Mosque’s Western Wall in Occupied Jerusalem, according to Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper.
Israeli transport minister Yisrael Katz has ordered planning and feasibility studies for the project, a ministry spokeswoman announced.
Katz said last November that he wanted to extend a high-speed rail line currently being built between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem to include a Western Wall station.
According to the new colonial train plan, a tunnel would be dug up to 80 meters (262 feet) deep to connect the central station at the entrance to Jerusalem to the Western Wall station.
The cost of the project has been estimated at some seven billion shekels, according to the ministry spokeswoman.
Two options are being studied, with one seeing the train arrive outside of the Old City near al-Maghariba Gate (Dung Gate), close to the Western Wall.
The other calls for the station to be built inside the Old City.
The Aqsa Mosque’s Western Wall is located in the Old City in east Jerusalem, occupied by Israel in 1967 and later annexed in a move never recognized by the international community.
Israeli transport minister Yisrael Katz has ordered planning and feasibility studies for the project, a ministry spokeswoman announced.
Katz said last November that he wanted to extend a high-speed rail line currently being built between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem to include a Western Wall station.
According to the new colonial train plan, a tunnel would be dug up to 80 meters (262 feet) deep to connect the central station at the entrance to Jerusalem to the Western Wall station.
The cost of the project has been estimated at some seven billion shekels, according to the ministry spokeswoman.
Two options are being studied, with one seeing the train arrive outside of the Old City near al-Maghariba Gate (Dung Gate), close to the Western Wall.
The other calls for the station to be built inside the Old City.
The Aqsa Mosque’s Western Wall is located in the Old City in east Jerusalem, occupied by Israel in 1967 and later annexed in a move never recognized by the international community.
