24 june 2018
Israeli settlers, on Sunday, placed a wooden barracks in Tel Rumeida area, in the occupied southern West Bank district of Hebron, to be used as a bus stop.
Witnesses said, according to WAFA, that settlers, backed by a military force, placed the wooden barracks on land belonging to Palestinian locals in the said area, in central Hebron.
No further details were given.
Witnesses said, according to WAFA, that settlers, backed by a military force, placed the wooden barracks on land belonging to Palestinian locals in the said area, in central Hebron.
No further details were given.
Palestinian shepherds and farmers in Bruqeen village have sounded alarm bells over the damage wrought by Israel’s settlement growth at the expense of pastoral areas and fertile grazing lands.
Local shepherds said the overall area of pastoral land lots has been reduced in size and quality on a quasi-daily basis as a result of the Israeli-built apartheid fences and settlement units.
Researcher Khaled Maali said pastoral ranches north of Bruqeen have been entirely destroyed by Israel’s industrial zone, devoted to residents of the illegal Ariel settlement. More serious damage has also been wrought by the Brukhin settlement and Israeli factories built in the area.
Maali said Israel’s settlement activities in the area represent flagrant breaches of internal law and have resulted in hazardous ecological and socio-economic fallouts in Salfit.
Local shepherds said the overall area of pastoral land lots has been reduced in size and quality on a quasi-daily basis as a result of the Israeli-built apartheid fences and settlement units.
Researcher Khaled Maali said pastoral ranches north of Bruqeen have been entirely destroyed by Israel’s industrial zone, devoted to residents of the illegal Ariel settlement. More serious damage has also been wrought by the Brukhin settlement and Israeli factories built in the area.
Maali said Israel’s settlement activities in the area represent flagrant breaches of internal law and have resulted in hazardous ecological and socio-economic fallouts in Salfit.
Israel he has started consulting with leaders of some regional countries regarding a plan to build a railway linking the Saudi capital, Riyadh, with Haifa in Israel, as part of the deal of the century (peace plan) that the US seeks to force the Palestinians to accept.
According to The Times of Israel newspaper, Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu and his transportation minister Israel Katz agreed this week to begin promoting what they called their “Tracks for Regional Peace” initiative that will create a trade route connecting Europe with the Arab Gulf and Israel.
“Tracks for Regional Peace” is based on the planned extension of railway tracks in northern Israel, which would link Haifa’s seaport to Jordan’s rail network, which in turn will be linked with that of Saudi Arabia and other Sunni Arab states.
The plan, which may be secretly backed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, is allegedly aimed at creating a regional transportation system to enhance trade relations and promote peaceful coexistence between Gulf states and Israel.
Introduced in a new video released by Netanyahu and Katz’s offices, the initiative will see the eastward extension of the Haifa-Beit She’an rail line to the Jordanian border and will also include a stop in Jenin, connecting the Palestinians to the broader plan.
Goods would be shipped from Europe to Haifa, allowing them to bypass civil war-torn Syria.
“There are two central components at the heart of this initiative,” Katz explained when revealing the plan for the first time in April 2017. “Israel as a land bridge between Europe and the Mediterranean and Jordan; and Jordan as a regional transportation hub, which will be connected to a railroad system to Israel and the Mediterranean in the West; to Saudi Arabia, the Gulf states and Iraq in the East and southeast; and to the Red Sea, through Aqaba and Eilat, in the south.”
“Beyond its contribution to Israel’s economy, the Jordanian and the Palestinian economies, the initiative will connect Israel economically and politically to the region and will consolidate the pragmatic camp in the region,” he claimed.
The existing transportation infrastructure in Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf will allow for the application of the initiative in a relatively short amount of time, the video said.
The initiative is said to also offer shorter, cheaper, and safer trade routes in light of regional instability threatening passageways through the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf and the Bab al-Mandab Strait at the southern end of the Red Sea.
In a meeting this week, Katz and Netanyahu reached an agreement regarding the details of the initiative, with the latter instructing his office to begin advancing the plan in consultations with the US, European Union, and various countries in the Middle East and Asia.
According to The Times of Israel newspaper, Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu and his transportation minister Israel Katz agreed this week to begin promoting what they called their “Tracks for Regional Peace” initiative that will create a trade route connecting Europe with the Arab Gulf and Israel.
“Tracks for Regional Peace” is based on the planned extension of railway tracks in northern Israel, which would link Haifa’s seaport to Jordan’s rail network, which in turn will be linked with that of Saudi Arabia and other Sunni Arab states.
The plan, which may be secretly backed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, is allegedly aimed at creating a regional transportation system to enhance trade relations and promote peaceful coexistence between Gulf states and Israel.
Introduced in a new video released by Netanyahu and Katz’s offices, the initiative will see the eastward extension of the Haifa-Beit She’an rail line to the Jordanian border and will also include a stop in Jenin, connecting the Palestinians to the broader plan.
Goods would be shipped from Europe to Haifa, allowing them to bypass civil war-torn Syria.
“There are two central components at the heart of this initiative,” Katz explained when revealing the plan for the first time in April 2017. “Israel as a land bridge between Europe and the Mediterranean and Jordan; and Jordan as a regional transportation hub, which will be connected to a railroad system to Israel and the Mediterranean in the West; to Saudi Arabia, the Gulf states and Iraq in the East and southeast; and to the Red Sea, through Aqaba and Eilat, in the south.”
“Beyond its contribution to Israel’s economy, the Jordanian and the Palestinian economies, the initiative will connect Israel economically and politically to the region and will consolidate the pragmatic camp in the region,” he claimed.
The existing transportation infrastructure in Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf will allow for the application of the initiative in a relatively short amount of time, the video said.
The initiative is said to also offer shorter, cheaper, and safer trade routes in light of regional instability threatening passageways through the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf and the Bab al-Mandab Strait at the southern end of the Red Sea.
In a meeting this week, Katz and Netanyahu reached an agreement regarding the details of the initiative, with the latter instructing his office to begin advancing the plan in consultations with the US, European Union, and various countries in the Middle East and Asia.
22 june 2018
The Popular Committees of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) has strongly denounced the Israeli occupation authority for opening a police station near the Ibrahimi Mosque in the Old City of al-Khalil.
Israeli public security minister Gilad Erdan last Monday inaugurated the first police station in al-Khalil since the occupation of the city. The station was established to serve Jewish settlers and not the Palestinian natives, who suffer from various violations at the hands of Israeli soldiers and settlers.
Secretary-general of the PLO’s Popular Committee Azmi ash-Shyukhi described the opening of a police station in al-Khalil as “a serious and provocative step and part of Israel’s systematic and escalating Judaization practices in the Old City.”
Shyukhi said that al-Khalil city is plagued by Israel’s settlement and Judaization activities, especially at the Ibrahimi Mosque and its vicinity.
He held the right wing government of Benjamin Netanyahu fully responsible for such deliberate provocation of the Palestinian natives in al-Khalil through opening a police station in the heart of their city.
Israeli public security minister Gilad Erdan last Monday inaugurated the first police station in al-Khalil since the occupation of the city. The station was established to serve Jewish settlers and not the Palestinian natives, who suffer from various violations at the hands of Israeli soldiers and settlers.
Secretary-general of the PLO’s Popular Committee Azmi ash-Shyukhi described the opening of a police station in al-Khalil as “a serious and provocative step and part of Israel’s systematic and escalating Judaization practices in the Old City.”
Shyukhi said that al-Khalil city is plagued by Israel’s settlement and Judaization activities, especially at the Ibrahimi Mosque and its vicinity.
He held the right wing government of Benjamin Netanyahu fully responsible for such deliberate provocation of the Palestinian natives in al-Khalil through opening a police station in the heart of their city.
21 june 2018
A group of extremist Israeli colonialist settlers installed, Wednesday, a new illegal outpost on Palestinian agricultural lands in Bani Neim town, east of the southern West Bank city of Hebron.
The armed colonizers invaded the lands, owned by Ed’eis family in the al-Hamra area, and installed a tent, a mobile home, and a barn for their sheep.
The new outpost was installed in twenty Dunams of Palestinian lands, only dozens of meters away from the illegal Bnie Havar colony, which was also installed on private lands.
Younis Arar, the head of the Palestinian Committee against the Annexation Wall and Colonies in Hebron, said the new outpost aims at expanding the existing illegal colony, and added that Israeli soldiers invaded the area, and declared it a closed military zone, preventing the Palestinians, not the colonizers, from entering it.
He also said that the Committee will be installing a protest tent on the land and will challenge Israel’s illegal colonialist activities in international courts.
Dozens of activists and local farmers protested in the area, and chanted against the ongoing illegal Israeli occupation, and its colonialist activities in direct violation of International Law and the Fourth Geneva Convention.
They called on the international community, and all related legal and human rights organizations, to intervene and end the Israeli escalation and the ongoing policies of illegal annexation, and theft, of Palestinian lands.
The armed colonizers invaded the lands, owned by Ed’eis family in the al-Hamra area, and installed a tent, a mobile home, and a barn for their sheep.
The new outpost was installed in twenty Dunams of Palestinian lands, only dozens of meters away from the illegal Bnie Havar colony, which was also installed on private lands.
Younis Arar, the head of the Palestinian Committee against the Annexation Wall and Colonies in Hebron, said the new outpost aims at expanding the existing illegal colony, and added that Israeli soldiers invaded the area, and declared it a closed military zone, preventing the Palestinians, not the colonizers, from entering it.
He also said that the Committee will be installing a protest tent on the land and will challenge Israel’s illegal colonialist activities in international courts.
Dozens of activists and local farmers protested in the area, and chanted against the ongoing illegal Israeli occupation, and its colonialist activities in direct violation of International Law and the Fourth Geneva Convention.
They called on the international community, and all related legal and human rights organizations, to intervene and end the Israeli escalation and the ongoing policies of illegal annexation, and theft, of Palestinian lands.
20 june 2018
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Wednesday morning closed a Palestinian agricultural road to the northwest of the West Bank city of Salfit.
Palestinian farmers reported that they were surprised by the closure of the only agricultural road in the northern area of the city.
Anti-settlement researcher Khaled Ma'ali said that the blocked road serves dozens of Palestinian farmers from Haris and Kifl Haris towns.
Ma'ali added that this move is aimed at pushing Palestinian farmers to abandon their lands in favor of the expansion of the illegal Israeli settlement of Ariel.
He pointed out that the IOF had razed vast tracts of Palestinian farmlands in the northern and western areas of Salfit with the aim of making Ariel settlement the capital of "Samaria", according to senior Israeli officials, which blatantly violates international law.
Palestinian farmers reported that they were surprised by the closure of the only agricultural road in the northern area of the city.
Anti-settlement researcher Khaled Ma'ali said that the blocked road serves dozens of Palestinian farmers from Haris and Kifl Haris towns.
Ma'ali added that this move is aimed at pushing Palestinian farmers to abandon their lands in favor of the expansion of the illegal Israeli settlement of Ariel.
He pointed out that the IOF had razed vast tracts of Palestinian farmlands in the northern and western areas of Salfit with the aim of making Ariel settlement the capital of "Samaria", according to senior Israeli officials, which blatantly violates international law.
Israeli police on Tuesday set up the fourth watchtower in the vicinity of Bab al-Amoud gate to al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Occupied Jerusalem.
Israeli policemen had earlier installed three watchtowers in the Old City of Occupied Jerusalem.
The Islamic Awqaf (endowment) Department in Occupied Jerusalem warned of Israeli attempts to gradually impose its sovereignty over al-Aqsa Mosque.
A joint statement by Awqaf Council, Supreme Islamic Committee and Islamic Awqaf Department asserted that Israeli authorities have been trying to take control over the eastern side of the holy shrine including Bab al-Rahma gate since the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
The statement condemned the Israeli attempts to change the status quo in al-Aqsa Mosque and refused any Israeli intervention to manage the affairs of the mosque. The statement also held Israeli authorities responsible for any violations at the holy site.
Israeli policemen had earlier installed three watchtowers in the Old City of Occupied Jerusalem.
The Islamic Awqaf (endowment) Department in Occupied Jerusalem warned of Israeli attempts to gradually impose its sovereignty over al-Aqsa Mosque.
A joint statement by Awqaf Council, Supreme Islamic Committee and Islamic Awqaf Department asserted that Israeli authorities have been trying to take control over the eastern side of the holy shrine including Bab al-Rahma gate since the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
The statement condemned the Israeli attempts to change the status quo in al-Aqsa Mosque and refused any Israeli intervention to manage the affairs of the mosque. The statement also held Israeli authorities responsible for any violations at the holy site.
19 june 2018
Israeli settlers Tuesday razed a large tract of Palestinian farmlands, east of Yatta town in al-Khalil, in the southern West Bank, said a local activist.
Local coordinator of the anti-wall and anti-settlements committee, Rateb al-Jabour, said that settlers from the Israeli settlement of Maon, under troops’ protection, bulldozed dozens of dunums of lands belonging to the Morr, Hadar, Abu Qebeita and Moghannam Palestinian families.
The purpose, according to Jabour, was to expand the illegal settlements of Maon and Havat Maon in the south hills of al-Khalil.
He concluded that settlers have been stepping up efforts to destroy Palestinian lands in the area to expand nearby settlements, including Karmiel, Avigal, Mitzpe Yair besides to Maon and Havat Maon.
Local coordinator of the anti-wall and anti-settlements committee, Rateb al-Jabour, said that settlers from the Israeli settlement of Maon, under troops’ protection, bulldozed dozens of dunums of lands belonging to the Morr, Hadar, Abu Qebeita and Moghannam Palestinian families.
The purpose, according to Jabour, was to expand the illegal settlements of Maon and Havat Maon in the south hills of al-Khalil.
He concluded that settlers have been stepping up efforts to destroy Palestinian lands in the area to expand nearby settlements, including Karmiel, Avigal, Mitzpe Yair besides to Maon and Havat Maon.
Israeli soldiers started, Tuesday, preparation work for the construction of a new military base on Palestinian lands, east of the southern West Bank city of Hebron.
Dozens of soldiers invaded the Palestinian lands in Wad al-Hasseen area, east of Hebron city, and started the preparation work.
They brought heavy equipment, and concrete walls, and started the work on private Palestinian lands owned by Jaber family.
The area where the military is preparing for its new camp is located near Keryat Arba’ illegal colony.
Dozens of soldiers invaded the Palestinian lands in Wad al-Hasseen area, east of Hebron city, and started the preparation work.
They brought heavy equipment, and concrete walls, and started the work on private Palestinian lands owned by Jaber family.
The area where the military is preparing for its new camp is located near Keryat Arba’ illegal colony.
18 june 2018
Eyewitnesses on Monday reported that a new expansion project has been launched in Tzofim settlement, northeast of Qalqilya city, at the expense of neighboring Palestinian farmlands in Jayyous village.
The witnesses told the PIC reporter that the owners of the farmlands adjacent to the settlement have been long denied access to their lands.
Anti-settlement researcher Khaled Ma'ali said that Tzofim was established in 1989. The largest part of the settlement was built in Jayyous village while the remaining part is located on lands belonging to Azzun village.
Ma'ali added that Tzofim is located 2 km northeast of Qalqilya city and is only 800 meters away from the Green Line.
The witnesses told the PIC reporter that the owners of the farmlands adjacent to the settlement have been long denied access to their lands.
Anti-settlement researcher Khaled Ma'ali said that Tzofim was established in 1989. The largest part of the settlement was built in Jayyous village while the remaining part is located on lands belonging to Azzun village.
Ma'ali added that Tzofim is located 2 km northeast of Qalqilya city and is only 800 meters away from the Green Line.
The Israeli police on Sunday evening were seen preparing for the installation of new watchtowers at the entrance to occupied Jerusalem’s Old City.
A large truck carrying platforms arrived to the area, where public utilities were removed as a prelude to set up the watchtowers.
Three military watchtowers were earlier erected at Bab al-Amoud, distorting its historical and ancient monuments.
A large truck carrying platforms arrived to the area, where public utilities were removed as a prelude to set up the watchtowers.
Three military watchtowers were earlier erected at Bab al-Amoud, distorting its historical and ancient monuments.
14 june 2018
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) on Wednesday called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open an investigation this year into Israeli crimes committed in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly the settlement crimes and the 2014 offensive on the Gaza Strip.
In its weekly report, the PCHR asked the European Union and all international bodies to boycott Israel's settlements and ban working and investing in them in accordance with their obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law since settlements are considered a war crime.
"The international community must use all available means to enable the Palestinian people to enjoy their right to self-determination through the establishment of the Palestinian State which was recognized by the UN General Assembly with a vast majority," the report underlined.
The PCHR called on the international community and UN to take all necessary measures to stop the Israeli policies aimed at creating a Jewish demographic majority in the Palestinian territories and emptying them of their original inhabitants through deportations and house demolitions in violation of international humanitarian law.
The PCHR also called on the States Parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC to make every possible effort to hold Israeli war criminals accountable.
It appealed to the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to fulfill their obligations under article (1) to ensure respect for the Conventions under all circumstances, and under articles (146) and (147) to prosecute those responsible for committing grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions to ensure justice for Palestinian victims.
The Center stressed the need for speeding up the reconstruction of the buildings destroyed in the 2014 war on the Gaza Strip and pressuring the Israeli authorities to lift the blockade that obstructs the free movement of goods and people and save the lives of about two million Palestinians living in the enclave.
In its weekly report, the PCHR asked the European Union and all international bodies to boycott Israel's settlements and ban working and investing in them in accordance with their obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law since settlements are considered a war crime.
"The international community must use all available means to enable the Palestinian people to enjoy their right to self-determination through the establishment of the Palestinian State which was recognized by the UN General Assembly with a vast majority," the report underlined.
The PCHR called on the international community and UN to take all necessary measures to stop the Israeli policies aimed at creating a Jewish demographic majority in the Palestinian territories and emptying them of their original inhabitants through deportations and house demolitions in violation of international humanitarian law.
The PCHR also called on the States Parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC to make every possible effort to hold Israeli war criminals accountable.
It appealed to the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to fulfill their obligations under article (1) to ensure respect for the Conventions under all circumstances, and under articles (146) and (147) to prosecute those responsible for committing grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions to ensure justice for Palestinian victims.
The Center stressed the need for speeding up the reconstruction of the buildings destroyed in the 2014 war on the Gaza Strip and pressuring the Israeli authorities to lift the blockade that obstructs the free movement of goods and people and save the lives of about two million Palestinians living in the enclave.
13 june 2018
The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) has continued to expand the illegal settlement of Elkana at the expense of Palestinian land in Mas-ha village, west of Salfit in the West Bank.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) on Wednesday morning that there were construction activities underway in the northwestern area of the village aimed at building a new academic facility for Jewish settlers.
Meanwhile, the IOA prevents local farmers from going to their plots of land behind the separation wall and rarely allows them to cultivate and take care of their land for a few minutes, according to the sources.
The sources voiced fears that the lands behind the wall could be exposed to annexation and bulldozing as part of the new settlement expansion activities.
Israel's settlement construction, which is illegal under international law, is seen as an obstacle to any lasting peace with the Palestinians, who want their future state to be on land much of which Israel has annexed or built settlements on.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) on Wednesday morning that there were construction activities underway in the northwestern area of the village aimed at building a new academic facility for Jewish settlers.
Meanwhile, the IOA prevents local farmers from going to their plots of land behind the separation wall and rarely allows them to cultivate and take care of their land for a few minutes, according to the sources.
The sources voiced fears that the lands behind the wall could be exposed to annexation and bulldozing as part of the new settlement expansion activities.
Israel's settlement construction, which is illegal under international law, is seen as an obstacle to any lasting peace with the Palestinians, who want their future state to be on land much of which Israel has annexed or built settlements on.
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Tuesday handed over land-confiscation orders to Palestinian families. The land grab notices stipulate seizing 24 dunums of their lands located in Esbaih mount to the south of Nablus city.
The official of settlement file in the northern West Bank, Ghassan Daghlas, told WAFA news agency that IOF soldiers erected, on Monday, mobile houses in the area in which Israeli settlers had earlier attempted to establish a settlement outpost.
The official of settlement file in the northern West Bank, Ghassan Daghlas, told WAFA news agency that IOF soldiers erected, on Monday, mobile houses in the area in which Israeli settlers had earlier attempted to establish a settlement outpost.
12 june 2018
Rahalim settlement, south of the West Bank province of Nablus, has been lately expanding at the expense of lands privately-owned by Palestinian farmers.
Eyewitnesses on Tuesday reported that new housing units are being built in Rahalim bringing the settlement closer to olive fields owned by farmers from the nearby Salfit province.
The Palestinian researcher Khaled Ma'ali said that Rahalim settlement was established on lands confiscated from Yatma, Iskaka, al-Sawiya villages. A military order was issued to confiscate a land owned by the Palestinian citizen Jaber Salah on 15th November 1991 in retaliation for the killing of an Israeli settler in that area.
In 1999, the Israeli occupation authorities allowed the establishment of 15 permanent housing units in the site. The settlement since then has been expanding at the expense of the neighboring farmlands.
Eyewitnesses on Tuesday reported that new housing units are being built in Rahalim bringing the settlement closer to olive fields owned by farmers from the nearby Salfit province.
The Palestinian researcher Khaled Ma'ali said that Rahalim settlement was established on lands confiscated from Yatma, Iskaka, al-Sawiya villages. A military order was issued to confiscate a land owned by the Palestinian citizen Jaber Salah on 15th November 1991 in retaliation for the killing of an Israeli settler in that area.
In 1999, the Israeli occupation authorities allowed the establishment of 15 permanent housing units in the site. The settlement since then has been expanding at the expense of the neighboring farmlands.
The Israeli government intends to build a new settlement outpost for Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank after a court verdict recently ordered the dismantling of Netiv Ha'avot outpost, which was built on privately-owned Palestinian land.
According to Haaretz newspaper, Israeli security forces are expected to demolish 15 structures in this outpost Tuesday morning.
In the presence of right-wing Israeli ministers, thousands participated on Monday in a mock protest against the evacuation of settlers from the outpost.
Israeli army sources told Haaretz that an agreement had been reached with the settlers under which they accepted to only resist the demolition of two structures in the outpost. The source added that the evacuation would go smoothly and with no problems.
The Israeli government has allotted 60 million shekels (approximately $16.5 million) for the slated demolitions and the construction of a new outpost. The sum will be used to compensate evacuated settlers and reconstruct stone structures for them on a nearby tract of land that is not privately owned.
According to Haaretz newspaper, Israeli security forces are expected to demolish 15 structures in this outpost Tuesday morning.
In the presence of right-wing Israeli ministers, thousands participated on Monday in a mock protest against the evacuation of settlers from the outpost.
Israeli army sources told Haaretz that an agreement had been reached with the settlers under which they accepted to only resist the demolition of two structures in the outpost. The source added that the evacuation would go smoothly and with no problems.
The Israeli government has allotted 60 million shekels (approximately $16.5 million) for the slated demolitions and the construction of a new outpost. The sum will be used to compensate evacuated settlers and reconstruct stone structures for them on a nearby tract of land that is not privately owned.
