15 july 2017
Planning and Building Committee in the Israeli Jerusalem municipality approved last week a scheme to build 355 settlement units and two playgrounds in Gilo settlement, according to Hebrew media sources.
The project will be implemented on a 5-dunum land belonging to the so-called Israel Land Authority.
Deputy mayor of Jerusalem, Meir Turgeman, said, "This is a plan that we have been seeking to implement for years, and we have succeeded."
Iroshalim weekly newspaper reported that a tender was published last week for the development of lands located in Jabal al-Mukaber area to the east of Occupied Jerusalem in preparation for the construction of 1330 hotel units there.
According to the tender published by the Government Tourism Company, the executive wing of the Israeli Ministry of Tourism, the cost of the required development works is approximately 10.6 million shekels.
Israel Land Authority had earlier published tenders for the construction of a number of hotels in the area. Each hotel consists of 7 or 8 floors, and the whole building area will amount to 129,000 square meters. A special bus stop will also be established to be shared by all hotels.
The project will be implemented on a 5-dunum land belonging to the so-called Israel Land Authority.
Deputy mayor of Jerusalem, Meir Turgeman, said, "This is a plan that we have been seeking to implement for years, and we have succeeded."
Iroshalim weekly newspaper reported that a tender was published last week for the development of lands located in Jabal al-Mukaber area to the east of Occupied Jerusalem in preparation for the construction of 1330 hotel units there.
According to the tender published by the Government Tourism Company, the executive wing of the Israeli Ministry of Tourism, the cost of the required development works is approximately 10.6 million shekels.
Israel Land Authority had earlier published tenders for the construction of a number of hotels in the area. Each hotel consists of 7 or 8 floors, and the whole building area will amount to 129,000 square meters. A special bus stop will also be established to be shared by all hotels.
14 july 2017
The Israeli municipality in Occupied Jerusalem announced on Thursday that it advanced a plan to build 800 housing units in settlements located beyond the Green Line.
These housing units will be built in the illegal settlements of Pisgat Ze’ev, Neve Yaakov, Ramot and Gilo.
Another 114 units will be built in Palestinian neighborhoods and will be brought for approval later, according to the municipality.
These construction plans were submitted to the Jerusalem district planning and construction committee for final approval.
These housing units will be built in the illegal settlements of Pisgat Ze’ev, Neve Yaakov, Ramot and Gilo.
Another 114 units will be built in Palestinian neighborhoods and will be brought for approval later, according to the municipality.
These construction plans were submitted to the Jerusalem district planning and construction committee for final approval.
12 july 2017
Efforts have been in full swing by the Israeli occupation army to boost security around settlements built on Palestinian land near Gaza borders.
According to the Hebrew-speaking Channel 7, efforts have been made since the end of the 2014 offensive on the besieged coastal enclave of Gaza to tighten military grip near Gaza border and protect Israeli settlements in the area.
Tough cordons and apartheid fences have been set up around Israeli settlements near Gaza border in anticipation of emergency cases.
Two-day military manoeuvres have been initiated by the Israeli army near Gaza borders as of Wednesday allegedly in anticipation of operations to be launched by Hamas resistance group in response to the tough blockaded and crackdowns imposed by the Israeli occupation forces and the Palestinian Authority, chaired by Mahmoud Abbas.
According to the Hebrew-speaking Channel 7, efforts have been made since the end of the 2014 offensive on the besieged coastal enclave of Gaza to tighten military grip near Gaza border and protect Israeli settlements in the area.
Tough cordons and apartheid fences have been set up around Israeli settlements near Gaza border in anticipation of emergency cases.
Two-day military manoeuvres have been initiated by the Israeli army near Gaza borders as of Wednesday allegedly in anticipation of operations to be launched by Hamas resistance group in response to the tough blockaded and crackdowns imposed by the Israeli occupation forces and the Palestinian Authority, chaired by Mahmoud Abbas.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denied media reports claiming that Tel Aviv had agreed to slow the construction of illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank to kick-start the peace process.
The Prime Minister’s Office denied reports by Hebrew-speaking and Arab news outlets that the White House special envoy Jason Greenblatt and senior Israeli and Palestinian Authority (PA) leaders had secured backing for new final status agreement talks, including assurances from Israel that construction in the occupied West Bank would be slowed during negotiations with the PA.
Greenblatt met a Palestinian delegation headed by chief negotiator of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Saeb Erekat, yesterday and informed him of President Donald Trump’s initiative to re-launch political negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli sides.
During the meeting, which discussed Trump’s vision for kick-starting talks, Palestinian officials confirmed that the Israeli side promised the Americans that they intended to slow down construction of settlements during the negotiating process.
Reports also confirmed that Trump will formally announce the resumption of direct talks between Israel and the PA, chaired by Mahmoud Abbas.
Other Israeli sources, however, confirmed that no such assurance was given.
The Prime Minister’s Office denied reports by Hebrew-speaking and Arab news outlets that the White House special envoy Jason Greenblatt and senior Israeli and Palestinian Authority (PA) leaders had secured backing for new final status agreement talks, including assurances from Israel that construction in the occupied West Bank would be slowed during negotiations with the PA.
Greenblatt met a Palestinian delegation headed by chief negotiator of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Saeb Erekat, yesterday and informed him of President Donald Trump’s initiative to re-launch political negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli sides.
During the meeting, which discussed Trump’s vision for kick-starting talks, Palestinian officials confirmed that the Israeli side promised the Americans that they intended to slow down construction of settlements during the negotiating process.
Reports also confirmed that Trump will formally announce the resumption of direct talks between Israel and the PA, chaired by Mahmoud Abbas.
Other Israeli sources, however, confirmed that no such assurance was given.
11 july 2017
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Monday plans to complete construction of the Kedem Center in occupied Jerusalem’s Silwan town.
“Today I have instructed that procedures be completed for the construction of the Kedem Center for displaying the historical and archaeological findings for the City of David,” Netanyahu said. “This will be an impressive structure with extensive displays.”
Netanyahu's announcement before the weekly Israeli cabinet meeting came in the aftermath of UNESCO's vote which inscribed the Ibrahimi Mosque and al-Khalil city on the World Heritage in Danger list under the State of Palestine.
“Today I have instructed that procedures be completed for the construction of the Kedem Center for displaying the historical and archaeological findings for the City of David,” Netanyahu said. “This will be an impressive structure with extensive displays.”
Netanyahu's announcement before the weekly Israeli cabinet meeting came in the aftermath of UNESCO's vote which inscribed the Ibrahimi Mosque and al-Khalil city on the World Heritage in Danger list under the State of Palestine.
The German government said, on Monday, that it was concerned about Israeli settlement plans in occupied East Jerusalem, WAFA news agency reported, according to the PNN.
The German Foreign Ministry said, in a statement, that it was “watching with great concern” Israeli decisions to build settlements inside Palestinian neighborhoods, in East Jerusalem and around it.
The statement further added, “The question is: How could the Israeli government, in light of this situation, allow the US administration and other international actors to work toward a solution to the decades-long conflict?”
The German Foreign Ministry said, in a statement, that it was “watching with great concern” Israeli decisions to build settlements inside Palestinian neighborhoods, in East Jerusalem and around it.
The statement further added, “The question is: How could the Israeli government, in light of this situation, allow the US administration and other international actors to work toward a solution to the decades-long conflict?”
10 july 2017
France called on the Israeli occupation authorities to reconsider the recently granted approval of construction plans for more than 1,500 illegal settlement units in East Jerusalem.
According to a statement by France's foreign ministry, the French government is also very concerned by information reporting additional plans that could be approved in the coming days, adding that these decisions represent a serious threat to the two-state solution.
On July 5, President of France Emmanuel Macron said that settlements—which are illegal under international law— have, since the beginning of the year, reached "an unprecedented level, and these decisions send a very negative signal that can only undermine the necessary trust."
According to a statement by France's foreign ministry, the French government is also very concerned by information reporting additional plans that could be approved in the coming days, adding that these decisions represent a serious threat to the two-state solution.
On July 5, President of France Emmanuel Macron said that settlements—which are illegal under international law— have, since the beginning of the year, reached "an unprecedented level, and these decisions send a very negative signal that can only undermine the necessary trust."
British Minister of the Middle East Affairs, Alister Bert, condemned on Monday Israeli schemes to build 1,600 settlement units in Pisgat Ze'ev, Ramat Shlomo and Ramot settlements to the north and east of Jerusalem.
Bert asked in a statement the Israeli authorities to reconsider their plans to build more settlement units in East Jerusalem and urged the Israeli government to avoid taking steps that would reduce the chances of achieving peace and complicate the relations with the Arab world.
For its part, Spain decried Israeli decisions to expand the "illegal" settlements built in Occupied Jerusalem.
The Spanish Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Israel's ongoing settlement construction in East Jerusalem and the occupied Palestinian territories "poses a threat to the two-state solution".
The Israeli Jerusalem municipality had ratified last week a scheme to expand Jewish settlements located in the heart of Palestinian neighborhoods in East Jerusalem.
Quoting a spokesman for the Jerusalem municipality, Hebrew media sources reported that the municipality had approved the construction of 800 settlement units in Pisgat Ze'ev, Ramot, Gilo and Neve Yaakov settlements and other 114 units inside Palestinian neighborhoods in Jerusalem.
They pointed out that two other schemes had been put forward by the municipality. The first involves expanding Ramat Shlomo settlement by building 500 new settlement units, while the second includes building 152 new settlement units in Ramot settlement.
The Israeli Planning and Building Committee is expected to approve the construction of 6,000 settlement units in East Jerusalem by the end of July.
Bert asked in a statement the Israeli authorities to reconsider their plans to build more settlement units in East Jerusalem and urged the Israeli government to avoid taking steps that would reduce the chances of achieving peace and complicate the relations with the Arab world.
For its part, Spain decried Israeli decisions to expand the "illegal" settlements built in Occupied Jerusalem.
The Spanish Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Israel's ongoing settlement construction in East Jerusalem and the occupied Palestinian territories "poses a threat to the two-state solution".
The Israeli Jerusalem municipality had ratified last week a scheme to expand Jewish settlements located in the heart of Palestinian neighborhoods in East Jerusalem.
Quoting a spokesman for the Jerusalem municipality, Hebrew media sources reported that the municipality had approved the construction of 800 settlement units in Pisgat Ze'ev, Ramot, Gilo and Neve Yaakov settlements and other 114 units inside Palestinian neighborhoods in Jerusalem.
They pointed out that two other schemes had been put forward by the municipality. The first involves expanding Ramat Shlomo settlement by building 500 new settlement units, while the second includes building 152 new settlement units in Ramot settlement.
The Israeli Planning and Building Committee is expected to approve the construction of 6,000 settlement units in East Jerusalem by the end of July.
8 july 2017
The European Union (EU) demanded Israeli authorities stop settlement activities following Israel’s announcement of expansion plans in occupied Jerusalem.
EU spokesman in the West Bank, Shadi Othman, declared his total rejection to the Israeli newly-declared settlement projects in east Jerusalem.
Othman’s condemnatory statement follows Israeli announcement of 1500 new settlement units in occupied Jerusalem neighborhoods.
According to Quds Press, Othman deplores the recent settlement announcements as “it could hamper or undermine any Palestinian-Israeli future negotiations.”
The EU considers the establishment of Israeli settlements in the Israeli-occupied territories illegal under international law, he said.
He pointed out that contacts are made to put pressures on Israeli authorities to freeze settlement growth.
EU spokesman in the West Bank, Shadi Othman, declared his total rejection to the Israeli newly-declared settlement projects in east Jerusalem.
Othman’s condemnatory statement follows Israeli announcement of 1500 new settlement units in occupied Jerusalem neighborhoods.
According to Quds Press, Othman deplores the recent settlement announcements as “it could hamper or undermine any Palestinian-Israeli future negotiations.”
The EU considers the establishment of Israeli settlements in the Israeli-occupied territories illegal under international law, he said.
He pointed out that contacts are made to put pressures on Israeli authorities to freeze settlement growth.
6 july 2017
The Israeli-run Jerusalem Municipality’s planning and construction committee is set to approve a plan to build 800 new settlement housing units in the occupied city, Ynet News reported Thursday.
According to Ynet News, the plan to build 800 settlement units will be discussed at the committee’s next meeting.
The new homes are planned to be built in Pisgat Ze’ev, Neve Ya’akov, Ramot, and Gilo Israeli settlements.
The local committee will also submit construction plans for an additional 114 residential units in the Palestinian neighbourhoods of Jabel Mukaber, Ras al-Amud, Sharafat, Shuafat and al-Tur.
The expected settlement approvals mark the largest expansion over the past few years.
In recent weeks, Israel has stepped up its settlement activity in Jerusalem, a city that has been occupied by the Zionist entity since 1967.
On Wednesday, the Jerusalem committee approved plans to build dozens of settlement units in Ramat Shlomo and Ramot.
All Israeli settlements are illegal under international law as they are built on land stolen from the Palestinians. Such land is also supposedly earmarked for any future Palestinian state, but the settlements are making the viability of such an entity less and less likely.
According to Ynet News, the plan to build 800 settlement units will be discussed at the committee’s next meeting.
The new homes are planned to be built in Pisgat Ze’ev, Neve Ya’akov, Ramot, and Gilo Israeli settlements.
The local committee will also submit construction plans for an additional 114 residential units in the Palestinian neighbourhoods of Jabel Mukaber, Ras al-Amud, Sharafat, Shuafat and al-Tur.
The expected settlement approvals mark the largest expansion over the past few years.
In recent weeks, Israel has stepped up its settlement activity in Jerusalem, a city that has been occupied by the Zionist entity since 1967.
On Wednesday, the Jerusalem committee approved plans to build dozens of settlement units in Ramat Shlomo and Ramot.
All Israeli settlements are illegal under international law as they are built on land stolen from the Palestinians. Such land is also supposedly earmarked for any future Palestinian state, but the settlements are making the viability of such an entity less and less likely.
5 july 2017
A new round of settlement expansion including the construction of 6,000 settlement units will be witnessed in Occupied Jerusalem, according to sources in the Israeli Jerusalem municipality on Wednesday.
Israel Hayom newspaper said, quoting deputy mayor of Jerusalem Meir Turgeman, that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "has fulfilled his promises" and gave the green light to resume the settlement activity in the city.
Turgeman affirmed that Jerusalem municipality intends to approve the construction of 6,000 settlement units by the end of July.
The announcement came as 200 other settlement units were approved for construction by the municipality in the settlements surrounding Jerusalem.
The Hebrew TV channel Seven reported that the Planning and Building Committee will soon approve the building of new 1,000 settlement units in Jerusalem.
Israel Hayom newspaper said, quoting deputy mayor of Jerusalem Meir Turgeman, that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "has fulfilled his promises" and gave the green light to resume the settlement activity in the city.
Turgeman affirmed that Jerusalem municipality intends to approve the construction of 6,000 settlement units by the end of July.
The announcement came as 200 other settlement units were approved for construction by the municipality in the settlements surrounding Jerusalem.
The Hebrew TV channel Seven reported that the Planning and Building Committee will soon approve the building of new 1,000 settlement units in Jerusalem.
4 july 2017
Israeli occupation authorities are to discuss the approval of 1,800 settlement units in the Sheikh Jarrah Neighbourhood, in the heart of occupied Jerusalem.
According to Israeli rights watchdog Peace Now, the Israeli Jerusalem Regional Committee would discuss the approval of the project on July 16.
The project requires the expulsion of five Palestinian families from the occupied Palestinian neighbourhood, according to Days of Palestine.
Peace Now said that two buildings, five and seven stores, are planned to replace the houses of the five Palestinian families.
Additionally, a nine-story yeshiva campus that includes student accommodation and a six-story office building are also planned to be built in Sheikh Jarrah.
Peace Now said that this is the first time in recent years that new settlement units are being planned for settlers within a Palestinian neighbourhood in East Jerusalem.
Settlers have been engaged in an ongoing legal battle over the two plans, which aim to be established on the property where the five Palestinian families reside, for a total of 13 settlement units.
The families in question are regarded, legally, as protected tenants in the Israeli-owned properties, a status that was achieved according to an Israeli law which allows Jewish Israelis to claim ownership of property if they can prove it was under Jewish ownership before 1948.
However, the law only applies to Jewish Israelis, and not to Palestinians who were dispossessed of their lands and properties prior to and after the establishment of Israel in 1948, despite their right being upheld by UN General Assembly Resolution 194.
According to Israeli rights watchdog Peace Now, the Israeli Jerusalem Regional Committee would discuss the approval of the project on July 16.
The project requires the expulsion of five Palestinian families from the occupied Palestinian neighbourhood, according to Days of Palestine.
Peace Now said that two buildings, five and seven stores, are planned to replace the houses of the five Palestinian families.
Additionally, a nine-story yeshiva campus that includes student accommodation and a six-story office building are also planned to be built in Sheikh Jarrah.
Peace Now said that this is the first time in recent years that new settlement units are being planned for settlers within a Palestinian neighbourhood in East Jerusalem.
Settlers have been engaged in an ongoing legal battle over the two plans, which aim to be established on the property where the five Palestinian families reside, for a total of 13 settlement units.
The families in question are regarded, legally, as protected tenants in the Israeli-owned properties, a status that was achieved according to an Israeli law which allows Jewish Israelis to claim ownership of property if they can prove it was under Jewish ownership before 1948.
However, the law only applies to Jewish Israelis, and not to Palestinians who were dispossessed of their lands and properties prior to and after the establishment of Israel in 1948, despite their right being upheld by UN General Assembly Resolution 194.