30 june 2012
New Israeli bids for building 171 settlement units east of O. Jerusalem
The Israeli ministry of housing issued tenders for the building of 171 settlement units in the southeastern part of occupied Jerusalem.
Specialist in settlement affairs Ahmed Sublaban said these units would be built on 11 dunums of land seized by the Israeli occupation authority from the Palestinian natives of Beit Sahour and Sur Baher towns.
Sublaban added that 130 settlement units would be part of the second stage of Har Homa settlement in Abu Ghuneim Mount and the other 41 units would be part of Pisgat Ze'ev settlement to the northeast of Jerusalem.
He stressed that these settlement projects are aimed at accelerating the Israeli plan to isolate the Palestinian city of Jerusalem from its geographical surrounding.
PLO urges UN Security Council action on illegal Israeli settlements
The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on the issue of the illegal settlements built by the Israeli regime on Palestinian land.
The PLO executive committee issued a statement after a meeting on Saturday, calling on “the Security Council to convene an urgent meeting to discuss settlements.”
“We have decided to undertake contacts with all international blocs for the Security Council to adopt a resolution against settlements and for them to be stopped,” the committee statement said.
The development comes days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered for the construction of 300 units in the illegal settlement of Beit El in the occupied West Bank on June 6.
Nabil Abu Rudeina, a spokesman for acting Palestinian Authority chief Mahmud Abbas, said on the same day, “We strongly condemn Netanyahu’s announcement of the settlement decision on Palestinian land.”
The international community regards all the Israeli settlements across the West Bank as illegal under international law.
More than half a million Israelis live in over 120 illegal settlements built since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East al-Quds (Jerusalem).
Specialist in settlement affairs Ahmed Sublaban said these units would be built on 11 dunums of land seized by the Israeli occupation authority from the Palestinian natives of Beit Sahour and Sur Baher towns.
Sublaban added that 130 settlement units would be part of the second stage of Har Homa settlement in Abu Ghuneim Mount and the other 41 units would be part of Pisgat Ze'ev settlement to the northeast of Jerusalem.
He stressed that these settlement projects are aimed at accelerating the Israeli plan to isolate the Palestinian city of Jerusalem from its geographical surrounding.
PLO urges UN Security Council action on illegal Israeli settlements
The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on the issue of the illegal settlements built by the Israeli regime on Palestinian land.
The PLO executive committee issued a statement after a meeting on Saturday, calling on “the Security Council to convene an urgent meeting to discuss settlements.”
“We have decided to undertake contacts with all international blocs for the Security Council to adopt a resolution against settlements and for them to be stopped,” the committee statement said.
The development comes days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered for the construction of 300 units in the illegal settlement of Beit El in the occupied West Bank on June 6.
Nabil Abu Rudeina, a spokesman for acting Palestinian Authority chief Mahmud Abbas, said on the same day, “We strongly condemn Netanyahu’s announcement of the settlement decision on Palestinian land.”
The international community regards all the Israeli settlements across the West Bank as illegal under international law.
More than half a million Israelis live in over 120 illegal settlements built since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East al-Quds (Jerusalem).
28 june 2012
Arab League Condemns New Israeli Settlement Plans in West Bank
Arab League Deputy Secretary-General Ahmed bin Helli Thursday in a press conference held in Cairo condemned the new Israeli decision to build more housing units in the West Bank settlements.
Bin Helli stressed that what is happening on the ground does not give the Israeli authorities any rights in the occupied Palestinian Territory.
He added the Arab League is following up on what is happening in Palestine, stressing its exerted efforts to support the Palestinian issue.
“We are following up on the Palestinian issue in all forums and conferences,” he said.
Bin Helli said, “This is an occupied land under all international forums, norms, and laws; the Israeli measures are illegal and strongly condemned by the entire international community.”
He stressed that even if Israel insists on its policy, it will not reach its goals, saying: “We are certain about that.”
He also stressed the need to continue with the Palestinian and Arab move so that the Palestinian issue remains at the forefront of the international communities’ concern and agenda.
“To inscribe the old city of Bethlehem on the world Heritage list is part of the Arab Leagues' current political and diplomatic move,” Bin Helli said.
He also discussed the national reconciliation, calling on all factions to accomplish it and form the new government.
Bin Helli stressed that what is happening on the ground does not give the Israeli authorities any rights in the occupied Palestinian Territory.
He added the Arab League is following up on what is happening in Palestine, stressing its exerted efforts to support the Palestinian issue.
“We are following up on the Palestinian issue in all forums and conferences,” he said.
Bin Helli said, “This is an occupied land under all international forums, norms, and laws; the Israeli measures are illegal and strongly condemned by the entire international community.”
He stressed that even if Israel insists on its policy, it will not reach its goals, saying: “We are certain about that.”
He also stressed the need to continue with the Palestinian and Arab move so that the Palestinian issue remains at the forefront of the international communities’ concern and agenda.
“To inscribe the old city of Bethlehem on the world Heritage list is part of the Arab Leagues' current political and diplomatic move,” Bin Helli said.
He also discussed the national reconciliation, calling on all factions to accomplish it and form the new government.
27 june 2012
Israel Approves 180 New Units For Settlers In Jerusalem
The Construction and Planning Committee in Jerusalem approved Tuesday the construction of 180 units for Jewish settlers in the Armon HaNetziv settlement in East Tel Peut. Israel will construct five huge residential buildings, in addition to a sixth building for public use, and three buildings for the Engineering Department of Armon HaNetziv.
Ahmad Sob-Laban, member of the Field Researchers Union in Jerusalem stated that Palestinian residents filed several appeals against the new settlement plan due to the fact that the new structures will be built on privately-owned Palestinian lands, but the plan was approved.
Sob Laban added that the appeals stated that in 1967, and after Israel occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem, the Israeli government confiscated nearly 2,000 dunams for settlement construction in the Sur Baher and Em Leson neighborhoods of Jerusalem.
He said that the Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem, especially in Sur Baher and Um Leson, cannot expand their residential areas due to severe Israeli restrictions. Israel continues to construct and expand Jewish-only settlements by stealing Palestinian lands on which to build.
Sob-Laban also said that the Israel refused to allow the Arab residents of the area to build new housing for young couples, and instead approved 180 new units in Armon HaNetziv. The settlement itself was illegally built on Palestinian lands in 1973, and is now home to nearly 12,000 settlers.
The new settlement plan parallels current constructions taking place in Armon HaNetziv; Israel previously approved the construction of 440 units at the expense of Palestinians in Sur Baher.
The plan was approved by the so-called Regional Committee in 2005; bids were issued in 2008 and the constructions are proceeding.
Russia denounces Israel settlement expansion
Russian President Vladimir Putin has criticized Israel over its continued illegal settlement expansions in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Speaking after talks with the acting Palestinian Authority Chief Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday, Putin said the settlement activities are 'unilateral actions' that will be 'unconstructive.'
Putin added that Russia has no problem recognizing an independent Palestinian state.
Putin’s visit to the West Bank comes after he met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in East al-Quds (Jerusalem) on Monday.
Negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian officials have been frozen for nearly four years.
Russia along with other members of the so-called Middle East Quartet, including the United States, the European Union and the United Nations, have sought to bring the sides back to the negotiations.
Palestinians, however, say they will not hold new talks unless the Tel Aviv regime freezes its illegal settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian lands.
Ahmad Sob-Laban, member of the Field Researchers Union in Jerusalem stated that Palestinian residents filed several appeals against the new settlement plan due to the fact that the new structures will be built on privately-owned Palestinian lands, but the plan was approved.
Sob Laban added that the appeals stated that in 1967, and after Israel occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem, the Israeli government confiscated nearly 2,000 dunams for settlement construction in the Sur Baher and Em Leson neighborhoods of Jerusalem.
He said that the Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem, especially in Sur Baher and Um Leson, cannot expand their residential areas due to severe Israeli restrictions. Israel continues to construct and expand Jewish-only settlements by stealing Palestinian lands on which to build.
Sob-Laban also said that the Israel refused to allow the Arab residents of the area to build new housing for young couples, and instead approved 180 new units in Armon HaNetziv. The settlement itself was illegally built on Palestinian lands in 1973, and is now home to nearly 12,000 settlers.
The new settlement plan parallels current constructions taking place in Armon HaNetziv; Israel previously approved the construction of 440 units at the expense of Palestinians in Sur Baher.
The plan was approved by the so-called Regional Committee in 2005; bids were issued in 2008 and the constructions are proceeding.
Russia denounces Israel settlement expansion
Russian President Vladimir Putin has criticized Israel over its continued illegal settlement expansions in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Speaking after talks with the acting Palestinian Authority Chief Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday, Putin said the settlement activities are 'unilateral actions' that will be 'unconstructive.'
Putin added that Russia has no problem recognizing an independent Palestinian state.
Putin’s visit to the West Bank comes after he met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in East al-Quds (Jerusalem) on Monday.
Negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian officials have been frozen for nearly four years.
Russia along with other members of the so-called Middle East Quartet, including the United States, the European Union and the United Nations, have sought to bring the sides back to the negotiations.
Palestinians, however, say they will not hold new talks unless the Tel Aviv regime freezes its illegal settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian lands.
26 june 2012
A Zionist plan to establish a Jewish museum under al-Aqsa mosque
Al-Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage (AFEH) issued a statement on Tuesday revealing that the occupation authorities had recently ratified a budget of four million shekels (more than one million dollars) to establish a Jewish center.
The center will be built under the name "audio-visual Museum", at the entrance of Wadi Hilweh neighborhood, a few meters from the south of Al Aqsa Mosque.
The foundation added that the site on which the center will be set up is a historic water well and a cavity of seven meters under the ground. The museum will be connected to the tunnels' network dug by the occupation underground in the vicinity of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
This project comes within the plan of establishing seven JewishTalmudic buildings around Al-Aqsa mosque, revealed the foundation.
It also said that the occupation is carrying out extensive excavation in the area in preparations to build the museum.
It noted that the occupation prevented Al-Aqsa Foundation's crew from entering inside the well during their field visit claiming that it is not open to the general public, revealing that the Zionist Ministry of Tourism and the occupation's Municipality in Jerusalem participate in the financing of this project, which is run by "Elad" settlement organization.
The Foundation warned of escalating the implementation of the Judaizing plans around Al Aqsa Mosque, noting that the establishment of such projects by the occupation has been remarkably increasing since 45 years, and especially after the Arab spring.
The center will be built under the name "audio-visual Museum", at the entrance of Wadi Hilweh neighborhood, a few meters from the south of Al Aqsa Mosque.
The foundation added that the site on which the center will be set up is a historic water well and a cavity of seven meters under the ground. The museum will be connected to the tunnels' network dug by the occupation underground in the vicinity of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
This project comes within the plan of establishing seven JewishTalmudic buildings around Al-Aqsa mosque, revealed the foundation.
It also said that the occupation is carrying out extensive excavation in the area in preparations to build the museum.
It noted that the occupation prevented Al-Aqsa Foundation's crew from entering inside the well during their field visit claiming that it is not open to the general public, revealing that the Zionist Ministry of Tourism and the occupation's Municipality in Jerusalem participate in the financing of this project, which is run by "Elad" settlement organization.
The Foundation warned of escalating the implementation of the Judaizing plans around Al Aqsa Mosque, noting that the establishment of such projects by the occupation has been remarkably increasing since 45 years, and especially after the Arab spring.
Israel to move main military posts to Negev region
Israel's channel 2 said an agreement dubbed as historical was signed on Monday between the Israeli security ministry, the finance ministry and the lands administration under which the Israeli army will evacuate five military posts in the 1948 occupied lands to other places in the Negev, Galilee and Lod regions.
It added that according to this agreement that was signed in the Israeli premier's office, 25, 000 housing units will be built in place of five main military posts after their evacuation.
It noted that these military posts are Ramat Gan, Givatayim, Tel Hishmeur, Tsriben, and Sirkin, and the bulk of these posts will be moved to the Negev region, which is inhabited mostly by Palestinian Bedouins.
These military posts will be evacuated to their new areas gradually during the coming years, the channel said.
The Israeli security ministry stated that the evacuation of these posts would contribute to the development of the Negev region and the attraction of investment capital.
In a separate incident, 20 right-wing Knesset members tabled a draft law aimed at seizing Azzeitoun Mount (the Mount of Olives) in east Jerusalem.
This Mount is the place where the Israeli occupation authority set up fake Jewish graves and worked on expanding their numbers lately.
According to the Knesset members, the draft law, which they called the authority over the Azzeitoun Mount, is aimed to make this mountain ridge the first historical Jewish cemetery in the world, although it is not historical in fact.
It added that according to this agreement that was signed in the Israeli premier's office, 25, 000 housing units will be built in place of five main military posts after their evacuation.
It noted that these military posts are Ramat Gan, Givatayim, Tel Hishmeur, Tsriben, and Sirkin, and the bulk of these posts will be moved to the Negev region, which is inhabited mostly by Palestinian Bedouins.
These military posts will be evacuated to their new areas gradually during the coming years, the channel said.
The Israeli security ministry stated that the evacuation of these posts would contribute to the development of the Negev region and the attraction of investment capital.
In a separate incident, 20 right-wing Knesset members tabled a draft law aimed at seizing Azzeitoun Mount (the Mount of Olives) in east Jerusalem.
This Mount is the place where the Israeli occupation authority set up fake Jewish graves and worked on expanding their numbers lately.
According to the Knesset members, the draft law, which they called the authority over the Azzeitoun Mount, is aimed to make this mountain ridge the first historical Jewish cemetery in the world, although it is not historical in fact.
20 june 2012
Israel Promises 300 Units In Exchange For Relocating 5 Homes
The conservative Israeli government of Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, reached agreement with residents of the Ulpana illegal settlement, near the central West Bank city of Ramallah, stating that Israel will build 300 apartment units for Jewish settlers, in exchange for relocating five illegal homes.
Israeli Ynet News reported that Zalman Melamed, the Rabbi of Beit El illegal settlement, and representatives of the Israeli government, reached the deal on Tuesday.
The five illegal homes will be relocated to a location within the settlement boundaries, and “in return”, Israel will construct 300 units on what it calls “state land”.
The five homes in question were built, by Israel’s admission, on privately-owned Palestinian lands; the settlers will leave their homes in a week.
Ynet added that the implementation of the agreement requires the approval of the Israeli High Court of Justice, but approval is practically guaranteed.
Despite the fact that Israel will be building 300 new units for the settlers in the occupied West Bank, some settlers in Ulpana were complaining about what they called the “eviction” of the five homes, and said that the move “shames the government”.
Netanyahu will be presenting the deal to the so-called Ministerial Committee on Settlements during its meeting Wednesday.
The government of Netanyahu and his coalition partners, most of them settlers and supporters of the settlement movement, is one of the most fundamentalist coalition governments in Israel’s history, and one of the strongest supporters of the illegal settlement movement.
Israel’s settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories are illegal under International Law, and also violate the Fourth Geneva Convention to which Israel is a signatory.
The West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, is riddled with settlements taking over large areas of Palestinian lands. These are usually situated on hilltops to prevent the Palestinians from their natural right to expand their communities and from having access to what is left of their lands.
Israel’s illegal Annexation Wall in the West Bank is built in a manner that isolates Palestinian farmers from their farmlands and orchards in the West Bank, and allows the expansion of existing illegal Israeli settlements.
On July 9, 2004, the International Court of Justice at The Hague, in the Netherlands, issued an advisory ruling considering the Israel’s Annexation Wall as illegal, and warned of the legal consequences of its construction.
Similar to all United Nations and Security Council resolutions calling on Israel to withdraw from the occupied territories, Israel ignored the ruling.
Israeli Ynet News reported that Zalman Melamed, the Rabbi of Beit El illegal settlement, and representatives of the Israeli government, reached the deal on Tuesday.
The five illegal homes will be relocated to a location within the settlement boundaries, and “in return”, Israel will construct 300 units on what it calls “state land”.
The five homes in question were built, by Israel’s admission, on privately-owned Palestinian lands; the settlers will leave their homes in a week.
Ynet added that the implementation of the agreement requires the approval of the Israeli High Court of Justice, but approval is practically guaranteed.
Despite the fact that Israel will be building 300 new units for the settlers in the occupied West Bank, some settlers in Ulpana were complaining about what they called the “eviction” of the five homes, and said that the move “shames the government”.
Netanyahu will be presenting the deal to the so-called Ministerial Committee on Settlements during its meeting Wednesday.
The government of Netanyahu and his coalition partners, most of them settlers and supporters of the settlement movement, is one of the most fundamentalist coalition governments in Israel’s history, and one of the strongest supporters of the illegal settlement movement.
Israel’s settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories are illegal under International Law, and also violate the Fourth Geneva Convention to which Israel is a signatory.
The West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, is riddled with settlements taking over large areas of Palestinian lands. These are usually situated on hilltops to prevent the Palestinians from their natural right to expand their communities and from having access to what is left of their lands.
Israel’s illegal Annexation Wall in the West Bank is built in a manner that isolates Palestinian farmers from their farmlands and orchards in the West Bank, and allows the expansion of existing illegal Israeli settlements.
On July 9, 2004, the International Court of Justice at The Hague, in the Netherlands, issued an advisory ruling considering the Israel’s Annexation Wall as illegal, and warned of the legal consequences of its construction.
Similar to all United Nations and Security Council resolutions calling on Israel to withdraw from the occupied territories, Israel ignored the ruling.
