2 aug 2018
A US official close to the White House on Wednesday participated in laying ceremonial stones for a new neighborhood at a Jewish settlement in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, and voiced hope to buy a “holiday home” there.
According to different Israeli news reports, the US official is Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas and whose daughter Sarah Huckabee Sanders is the White House press secretary.
The former governor laid bricks and spread cement with other Israeli officials Wednesday for the construction of new housing units in the illegal settlement of Efrat.
In a speech during the ceremony, Huckabee expressed his willingness to "purchase a holiday home" there.
Huckabee also said that president Donald Trump would have been pleased to join him, describing Trump as a builder who loves to see construction sites.
According to different Israeli news reports, the US official is Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas and whose daughter Sarah Huckabee Sanders is the White House press secretary.
The former governor laid bricks and spread cement with other Israeli officials Wednesday for the construction of new housing units in the illegal settlement of Efrat.
In a speech during the ceremony, Huckabee expressed his willingness to "purchase a holiday home" there.
Huckabee also said that president Donald Trump would have been pleased to join him, describing Trump as a builder who loves to see construction sites.
Israeli occupation authorities have leveled Palestinian lands east of Bethlehem, paving the way for a settlement project in the area.
Anti-settlement activist in Bethlehem Hasan Brijiyah, said Israeli bulldozers leveled Palestinian lands located between Nokadim and al-Dad illegal settlement outposts in an attempt to set up a park for Jewish settlers.
The targeted lands cover an area of nearly 100 dunums.
An access road will be opened and benches installed as part of the new project.
Recently, the occupation authorities grabbed hold of 400 dunums of Palestinian lands in the area. An Israeli court also green-lighted the establishment of 270 settlement units on occupied Palestinian land.
Anti-settlement activist in Bethlehem Hasan Brijiyah, said Israeli bulldozers leveled Palestinian lands located between Nokadim and al-Dad illegal settlement outposts in an attempt to set up a park for Jewish settlers.
The targeted lands cover an area of nearly 100 dunums.
An access road will be opened and benches installed as part of the new project.
Recently, the occupation authorities grabbed hold of 400 dunums of Palestinian lands in the area. An Israeli court also green-lighted the establishment of 270 settlement units on occupied Palestinian land.
The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) on Wednesday opened a Jewish heritage center in a building in the overwhelmingly Palestinian district of Silwan near the Aqsa Mosque, east Jerusalem.
In cooperation with pro-settler groups, the site was inaugurated under the name of the "Jewish Yemenite heritage center" in the presence of Israeli ministers and former US governor Mike Huckabee. The center is part of Israel’s systematic steps to Judaize the town of Silwan, south of the Aqsa Mosque.
The IOA claims that the building of the center was used as a synagogue in the 19th century by Yemeni Jews and that they demanded a Palestinian family to evacuate it since 2004.
However, those Yemeni Jews had lived in Silwan district as refugees for a period no longer than 50 years after they were welcomed by Palestinian residents at the time, according to Palestinian anti-settler groups.
The building was acquired in 2015 by the right-wing Ateret Cohanim organization (Jewish group), which settles Jews in east Jerusalem, following a long legal battle that culminated with an Israeli court ordering the Palestinian Abu Nab family living there to leave.
One member of the family still has an apartment in the building, and Ateret Cohanim is trying to extract a court order to evacuate the Palestinian resident by force.
In this regard, Hanna Issa, head of the Islamic Christian Authority for Patronizing Jerusalem and Holy sites, said that the opening of this Jewish center “falls within the framework of Israel’s ongoing settlement crimes in the West Bank and Jerusalem.”
He described Israel’s settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories as “illegal and war crimes under international law.”
In cooperation with pro-settler groups, the site was inaugurated under the name of the "Jewish Yemenite heritage center" in the presence of Israeli ministers and former US governor Mike Huckabee. The center is part of Israel’s systematic steps to Judaize the town of Silwan, south of the Aqsa Mosque.
The IOA claims that the building of the center was used as a synagogue in the 19th century by Yemeni Jews and that they demanded a Palestinian family to evacuate it since 2004.
However, those Yemeni Jews had lived in Silwan district as refugees for a period no longer than 50 years after they were welcomed by Palestinian residents at the time, according to Palestinian anti-settler groups.
The building was acquired in 2015 by the right-wing Ateret Cohanim organization (Jewish group), which settles Jews in east Jerusalem, following a long legal battle that culminated with an Israeli court ordering the Palestinian Abu Nab family living there to leave.
One member of the family still has an apartment in the building, and Ateret Cohanim is trying to extract a court order to evacuate the Palestinian resident by force.
In this regard, Hanna Issa, head of the Islamic Christian Authority for Patronizing Jerusalem and Holy sites, said that the opening of this Jewish center “falls within the framework of Israel’s ongoing settlement crimes in the West Bank and Jerusalem.”
He described Israel’s settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories as “illegal and war crimes under international law.”
1 aug 2018
Israeli bulldozers escorted by forces razed Palestinian lands, on Wednesday, in Beit Taamar village in the southern occupied West Bank district of Bethlehem.
Hassan Breijeh, a representative of the Wall and Settlement Resistance Committee in Bethlehem, Israeli bulldozers began to raze and level the land located between the two illegal Israeli settlements of Nikudim and Kfar Eldad, built on Palestinian-owned lands in the area.
Breijeh said that by razing the land, which is a total space of 100 dunums (24.7 acres), Israel aims to expand the two illegal Israeli settlements and build a nature park in the area.
He added that the settlement expansion project will be completed through the constructing roads, planting trees and installing benches in order to connect the two nearby illegal Israeli settlements.
Israel had approved the construction of 20 new housing units for the illegal Matassad settlement southeast of Bethlehem district, about a week ago.
Israel also approved the construction of 170 new housing units for the illegal Israeli settlement of Neve Daniel, to be built on Palestinian lands in the al-Khader village, also in the Bethlehem district. Another 100 new units were approved for illegal Kfar Eldad settlement.
Israel's policy of expanding settlements and outposts has been escalating recently due to the United States President Donald Trump approving three times more the amount of settlement units than that which was approved in the year and half before his inauguration.
Since the occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in 1967, between 500,000 and 600,000 Israelis have moved into Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory, in violation of international law.
The estimated 196 government recognized Israeli settlements scattered across the Palestinian territory are all considered illegal under international law.
Hassan Breijeh, a representative of the Wall and Settlement Resistance Committee in Bethlehem, Israeli bulldozers began to raze and level the land located between the two illegal Israeli settlements of Nikudim and Kfar Eldad, built on Palestinian-owned lands in the area.
Breijeh said that by razing the land, which is a total space of 100 dunums (24.7 acres), Israel aims to expand the two illegal Israeli settlements and build a nature park in the area.
He added that the settlement expansion project will be completed through the constructing roads, planting trees and installing benches in order to connect the two nearby illegal Israeli settlements.
Israel had approved the construction of 20 new housing units for the illegal Matassad settlement southeast of Bethlehem district, about a week ago.
Israel also approved the construction of 170 new housing units for the illegal Israeli settlement of Neve Daniel, to be built on Palestinian lands in the al-Khader village, also in the Bethlehem district. Another 100 new units were approved for illegal Kfar Eldad settlement.
Israel's policy of expanding settlements and outposts has been escalating recently due to the United States President Donald Trump approving three times more the amount of settlement units than that which was approved in the year and half before his inauguration.
Since the occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in 1967, between 500,000 and 600,000 Israelis have moved into Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory, in violation of international law.
The estimated 196 government recognized Israeli settlements scattered across the Palestinian territory are all considered illegal under international law.
31 july 2018
The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) have earmarked millions of Shekels to establish a new settler project in Silwan town, east of Occupied Jerusalem.
In cooperation with pro-settler groups, the project will be inaugurated on Wednesday under the name of the "Jewish Yemenite heritage center", as part of systematic steps aimed at Judaizing the town of Silwan, south of the Aqsa Mosque.
A opening ceremony will be held at the site under the watch of heavy security this Wednesday.
The Hilweh Information Center and Batn al-Hawa Committee in Silwan town said in a joint statement on Saturday that the IOA allocated about 4.5 million shekels for this new Israeli settler project.
According to the center and the committee, the IOA claim that the property of Abu Nab in Batn al-Hawa area of Silwan was used as a synagogue in the 19th century by Yemeni Jews and that they demanded a Palestinian family to evacuate it since 2004.
Their statement mentioned that the Israeli authorities already opened a Jewish synagogue in August 2017 in Abu Nab area, in the presence of Israeli ministers and representatives from settlement associations.
The center and the committee affirmed that Yemeni Jews lived in the Silwan neighborhood as refugees for a period no longer than 50 years after they were welcomed by Palestinian residents in the 19th century.
The Jewish Yemenite heritage center will be established on more than five dunums of land in Batn al-Hawa area in Silwan under the pretext that it belongs to Jew emigrants from Yemen, who came to Jerusalem in 1881.
Israeli settlement associations have been gradually seizing real estate in east Jerusalem, especially in the Old City, by claiming ownership of lands and homes in smaller parts or by purchasing property from Palestinian residents through straw buyers.
In cooperation with pro-settler groups, the project will be inaugurated on Wednesday under the name of the "Jewish Yemenite heritage center", as part of systematic steps aimed at Judaizing the town of Silwan, south of the Aqsa Mosque.
A opening ceremony will be held at the site under the watch of heavy security this Wednesday.
The Hilweh Information Center and Batn al-Hawa Committee in Silwan town said in a joint statement on Saturday that the IOA allocated about 4.5 million shekels for this new Israeli settler project.
According to the center and the committee, the IOA claim that the property of Abu Nab in Batn al-Hawa area of Silwan was used as a synagogue in the 19th century by Yemeni Jews and that they demanded a Palestinian family to evacuate it since 2004.
Their statement mentioned that the Israeli authorities already opened a Jewish synagogue in August 2017 in Abu Nab area, in the presence of Israeli ministers and representatives from settlement associations.
The center and the committee affirmed that Yemeni Jews lived in the Silwan neighborhood as refugees for a period no longer than 50 years after they were welcomed by Palestinian residents in the 19th century.
The Jewish Yemenite heritage center will be established on more than five dunums of land in Batn al-Hawa area in Silwan under the pretext that it belongs to Jew emigrants from Yemen, who came to Jerusalem in 1881.
Israeli settlement associations have been gradually seizing real estate in east Jerusalem, especially in the Old City, by claiming ownership of lands and homes in smaller parts or by purchasing property from Palestinian residents through straw buyers.
30 july 2018
At the beginning of the year 2018, the Israeli Knesset approved a law for annexing academic institutions within Israeli settlements constructed in the occupied West Bank (e.g. Ariel University and the 2 Education faculties in the Akena and Alon Shvut settlements) to the Israeli Higher Education Council, knowing that the above mentioned law is a part of the annexation policy led by the Israel Baitona party, which openly declares its intention to annex all “C” areas, constituting approximately 60% of the West Bank.
Moreover, the Hebrew University in occupied Jerusalem held a conference, under the title “The Environment Behind the Green Line”. The conference was organized by the Environment College at the university, with participation from Environmental Minister Zeev Elkin and Nature Protection Authority Director Shaul Goldstein, among many other Israeli officials.
To prolong the occupation and the enabling of settlers to confiscate more Palestinian lands, and intensify settlement efforts, as well as creating a state of geographical contiguity around Jerusalem, the Israeli government has approved the construction of 270 housing units in the illegal settlements of Daniel and Kfar Dadd, to the southeast of Bethlehem.
It also approved the building of 170 housing units near Al-Khader town, to the south of Bethlehem as well as 100 units in “Kfar Dadd” outpost, located on the Ta’mra area, noting that 500 housing units in the settlement outpost of Dad were also added. Moreover, the Israeli government has approved the addition of 20 new settlement units in the settlement of Metasad.
At the same time, Minister of Defense Avigdor Lieberman decided to approve the expansion of the Adam settlement project, to the southeast of Ramallah, by building 400 new housing units. According to the National Bureau, US officials agreed to this measre.
On the other hand, PNN further reports, the Israeli District Committee for Planning and Building in Jerusalem decided to carry out a plan to build a tunnel extending from the Hebron Gate to the Damascus Gate, in the Old City district of Jerusalem, at a cost of NIS 360,000,000.
The National Bureau stated that the Israeli decisions are part of the government’s plans to satisfy extremist settlers, in light of the international silence on Israel’s crimes and violations of international laws, condemning these racist decisions which contravene international norms and charters.
According to Khalil Tofakji, Director of Plans and Data System at the Arab Studies Association, it was disclosed that Israeli authorities are intending to transfer 2,500 land plots within the so-called municipal boundaries of Jerusalem, to public institutions in Israel, which means transferring their status from private property to state property, for public interest. This announcement coincides with an additional announcement of carrying out settlement operations in a number of Jerusalem neighborhoods, in order to occupy large areas of land.
In Jerusalem, the Israeli government continues its policy of racial discrimination, as it has implemented a plan to identify, in mere weeks, special tourist routes for Muslims within the Holy City, extending from Damascus Gate to Al-Aqsa Mosque, in addition to establishing a new Israeli police monitoring station.
On the 13th anniversary of the evacuation of settlements in the northern West Bank, 200 settlers returned to Sanur settlement, which was evacuated in 2005. MKs Shuli Maalem and Bettsiel Smutrich, along with about 200 settlers, entered the area under protection of Israeli occupation soldiers, saying that they will return to the settlements, as this is part of their ideology.
In a maneuver to restrict citizens’ movement and push them to emigrate, military bulldozers destroyed the agricultural water lines in the northern Jordan Valley and leveled areas of land in Khirbet al-Ras al-Ahmar, east of Tammon town, under the pretext of constructing a military road for the Israeli army.
Israeli occupation forces also closed water lines feeding the village of Froush Beit Dajan, to the east of Nablus, under the pretext that they were illegal, while additionally legitimizing the status of more than 100 illegal outposts.
Moreover, the Hebrew University in occupied Jerusalem held a conference, under the title “The Environment Behind the Green Line”. The conference was organized by the Environment College at the university, with participation from Environmental Minister Zeev Elkin and Nature Protection Authority Director Shaul Goldstein, among many other Israeli officials.
To prolong the occupation and the enabling of settlers to confiscate more Palestinian lands, and intensify settlement efforts, as well as creating a state of geographical contiguity around Jerusalem, the Israeli government has approved the construction of 270 housing units in the illegal settlements of Daniel and Kfar Dadd, to the southeast of Bethlehem.
It also approved the building of 170 housing units near Al-Khader town, to the south of Bethlehem as well as 100 units in “Kfar Dadd” outpost, located on the Ta’mra area, noting that 500 housing units in the settlement outpost of Dad were also added. Moreover, the Israeli government has approved the addition of 20 new settlement units in the settlement of Metasad.
At the same time, Minister of Defense Avigdor Lieberman decided to approve the expansion of the Adam settlement project, to the southeast of Ramallah, by building 400 new housing units. According to the National Bureau, US officials agreed to this measre.
On the other hand, PNN further reports, the Israeli District Committee for Planning and Building in Jerusalem decided to carry out a plan to build a tunnel extending from the Hebron Gate to the Damascus Gate, in the Old City district of Jerusalem, at a cost of NIS 360,000,000.
The National Bureau stated that the Israeli decisions are part of the government’s plans to satisfy extremist settlers, in light of the international silence on Israel’s crimes and violations of international laws, condemning these racist decisions which contravene international norms and charters.
According to Khalil Tofakji, Director of Plans and Data System at the Arab Studies Association, it was disclosed that Israeli authorities are intending to transfer 2,500 land plots within the so-called municipal boundaries of Jerusalem, to public institutions in Israel, which means transferring their status from private property to state property, for public interest. This announcement coincides with an additional announcement of carrying out settlement operations in a number of Jerusalem neighborhoods, in order to occupy large areas of land.
In Jerusalem, the Israeli government continues its policy of racial discrimination, as it has implemented a plan to identify, in mere weeks, special tourist routes for Muslims within the Holy City, extending from Damascus Gate to Al-Aqsa Mosque, in addition to establishing a new Israeli police monitoring station.
On the 13th anniversary of the evacuation of settlements in the northern West Bank, 200 settlers returned to Sanur settlement, which was evacuated in 2005. MKs Shuli Maalem and Bettsiel Smutrich, along with about 200 settlers, entered the area under protection of Israeli occupation soldiers, saying that they will return to the settlements, as this is part of their ideology.
In a maneuver to restrict citizens’ movement and push them to emigrate, military bulldozers destroyed the agricultural water lines in the northern Jordan Valley and leveled areas of land in Khirbet al-Ras al-Ahmar, east of Tammon town, under the pretext of constructing a military road for the Israeli army.
Israeli occupation forces also closed water lines feeding the village of Froush Beit Dajan, to the east of Nablus, under the pretext that they were illegal, while additionally legitimizing the status of more than 100 illegal outposts.
Israeli government allocated more than $1 million to open a Jewish heritage center in the Palestinian neighborhood of Silwan in occupied Jerusalem.
Haaretz Hebrew newspaper revealed Monday that the center is devoted to Yemenite immigrants in the 19th century.
Jerusalem and Heritage Minister Zeev Alkin and Culture Minister Miri Regev are leading the project along with a number of settler associations including Ateret Cohanim, the sources added.
The project is scheduled to be started next Wednesday under heavy security protection.
Haaretz Hebrew newspaper revealed Monday that the center is devoted to Yemenite immigrants in the 19th century.
Jerusalem and Heritage Minister Zeev Alkin and Culture Minister Miri Regev are leading the project along with a number of settler associations including Ateret Cohanim, the sources added.
The project is scheduled to be started next Wednesday under heavy security protection.
28 july 2018
Radical right-wing Israeli ministers have reportedly launched a verbal attack on Palestinians, following the killing of a settler and the wounding of three others, in a stabbing attack at the illegal Adam settlement last night.
Palestinian sources said that far right government in Israel, having destroyed the peace process, is taking advantage of any event to take collective punishment measures against the Palestinian people, such as building more settlements, threatening to deport Palestinians and demolish their homes, while holding the Palestinian Authority accountable.
PNN sources said that those who follow the progress of Israeli statements are aware of the threat imposed by the government of Benjamin Netanyahu, adding that statements made by Israeli officials focused on collective punitive measures against Palestinians, and calling for the construction of even more settlements, forgetting that the cause of all that is happening is the continuation of Israeli occupation of Palestinian land.
The statement comes after Israeli media announced that Avigdor Lieberman intends to approve the construction of 400 housing units, in the illegal settlement of Adam.
Avigdor Lieberman, Israeli minister of Defense announced today Friday that he would promote the construction and approval of 400 housing units in a quick process within the planning authorities within a few weeks in response to last naight attack at Adam settlement.
Lieberman wrote this morning in his Twitter account following the attack in Adam settlment led to killing of one settler wounding 2 athores that “the best answer to terror is the momentum of settlement in Judea and Samaria.”
“That’s why I left this morning to promote a plan to build 400 housing units in Adam and approve it in planning institutions in the coming weeks,” Lieberman wrote.
Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked responded to the stabbing attack in the settlement of Adam , where Yotam Ovadia was killed, and said that “the murderous attack yesterday in the settlement of Adam can not be left without a response.”
The minister added that the response to the damage is to strengthen the settlement, and to approve 1,093 housing units that are ready for discussion.
For his part, Israeli Minister Zeev Elkin called the stabbing attack, in Adam settlement, a chance to deal with what he called Palestinian incitement.
He claimed that the Palestinian education system and sermons in the mosques are the the reason behind the stabbing attack.
Minister of Intelligence, Yisrael Katz said, today:”I call on the prime minister; this is the time to allow the bill I initiated to expel the families of terrorists, as the most significant deterrent against individual terror.”
Katz added, “The law must be implemented to stop the Palestinian Authority funds, every shekel paid by Abu Mazen as an incentive to the families of the terrorists,”.
The sources said that all of these Israeli statements reflect the reality of the Israeli government, which does not believe in peace.
07/20/18 Lieberman says Israel Planning Assault on Gaza Bigger than 2014 Invasion in which 2100 Palestinians Killed
Palestinian sources said that far right government in Israel, having destroyed the peace process, is taking advantage of any event to take collective punishment measures against the Palestinian people, such as building more settlements, threatening to deport Palestinians and demolish their homes, while holding the Palestinian Authority accountable.
PNN sources said that those who follow the progress of Israeli statements are aware of the threat imposed by the government of Benjamin Netanyahu, adding that statements made by Israeli officials focused on collective punitive measures against Palestinians, and calling for the construction of even more settlements, forgetting that the cause of all that is happening is the continuation of Israeli occupation of Palestinian land.
The statement comes after Israeli media announced that Avigdor Lieberman intends to approve the construction of 400 housing units, in the illegal settlement of Adam.
Avigdor Lieberman, Israeli minister of Defense announced today Friday that he would promote the construction and approval of 400 housing units in a quick process within the planning authorities within a few weeks in response to last naight attack at Adam settlement.
Lieberman wrote this morning in his Twitter account following the attack in Adam settlment led to killing of one settler wounding 2 athores that “the best answer to terror is the momentum of settlement in Judea and Samaria.”
“That’s why I left this morning to promote a plan to build 400 housing units in Adam and approve it in planning institutions in the coming weeks,” Lieberman wrote.
Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked responded to the stabbing attack in the settlement of Adam , where Yotam Ovadia was killed, and said that “the murderous attack yesterday in the settlement of Adam can not be left without a response.”
The minister added that the response to the damage is to strengthen the settlement, and to approve 1,093 housing units that are ready for discussion.
For his part, Israeli Minister Zeev Elkin called the stabbing attack, in Adam settlement, a chance to deal with what he called Palestinian incitement.
He claimed that the Palestinian education system and sermons in the mosques are the the reason behind the stabbing attack.
Minister of Intelligence, Yisrael Katz said, today:”I call on the prime minister; this is the time to allow the bill I initiated to expel the families of terrorists, as the most significant deterrent against individual terror.”
Katz added, “The law must be implemented to stop the Palestinian Authority funds, every shekel paid by Abu Mazen as an incentive to the families of the terrorists,”.
The sources said that all of these Israeli statements reflect the reality of the Israeli government, which does not believe in peace.
07/20/18 Lieberman says Israel Planning Assault on Gaza Bigger than 2014 Invasion in which 2100 Palestinians Killed
27 july 2018
Israeli Army Minister Avigdor Lieberman threatened on Friday to build hundreds of new housing units in a settlement in the occupied West Bank where a Palestinian stabbed on Thursday three Israelis.
"The best answer to terrorism is the expansion of settlements," Lieberman wrote on Twitter, announcing 400 new housing units in the Adam settlement north of Jerusalem a day after the stabbing attack.
On Thursday evening, an Israeli settler was died while two others were seriously injured after being stabbed by a Palestinian teenager who was later identified as Mohammed Dar Youssef, 17, from the village of Kobar.
The Israeli army said Friday it had questioned a number of his family members and suspended their work permits.
It is worth to mention that all settlement construction in the occupied West Bank is considered illegal by the international law.
"The best answer to terrorism is the expansion of settlements," Lieberman wrote on Twitter, announcing 400 new housing units in the Adam settlement north of Jerusalem a day after the stabbing attack.
On Thursday evening, an Israeli settler was died while two others were seriously injured after being stabbed by a Palestinian teenager who was later identified as Mohammed Dar Youssef, 17, from the village of Kobar.
The Israeli army said Friday it had questioned a number of his family members and suspended their work permits.
It is worth to mention that all settlement construction in the occupied West Bank is considered illegal by the international law.