16 june 2019
The new settlement, which will be known as Trump Heights, is inaugurated at a special cabinet meeting convened by Netanyahu at the Golan, the Israeli sovereignty of which was recognized by the American president over 2 months ago
The Trump name graces apartment towers, hotels and golf courses. Now it is the namesake of a tiny Jewish settlement in the Golan Heights.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet convened in this hamlet Sunday to announce the inauguration of a new settlement named after President Donald Trump, who acknowledged Israel's rule over the Golan in April, shortly after the recognition was signed in Washington.
"It's absolutely beautiful," said U.S. Ambassador David Friedman, who attended Sunday's ceremony. Noting that Trump celebrated his birthday on Friday, he said: "I can't think of a more appropriate and a more beautiful birthday present."
"Few things are more important to the security of the state of Israel than permanent sovereignty over the Golan Heights," Friedman said. "It is simply obvious, it is indisputable and beyond any reasonable debate."
Addressing the ceremony, Netanyahu called Trump a "great friend" of Israel and described the Golan, which overlooks northern Israel, as an important strategic asset.
"The Golan Heights was and will always be an inseparable part of our country and homeland," he said.
The settlement will be known as “Ramat Trump,” or Trump Heights. Israel hopes the community will attract a wave of people to what is currently little more than an isolated outpost - known as Beruchim - with just 10 residents.
The community was established in 1991, by then-housing minister Ariel Sharon, who sent a group of new immigrants from the Soviet Union to live there. It was established near Qela and meant to be a thriving extension of it, but failed to live up to the expectations.
Residents of Qela were outraged about the decision to change their existing community's name, and hung signs protesting the move on their entrance gate, apparently under the impression the entire perimeter of Qela and Beruchim will become the new Trump community.
However, it was later clarified that the new settlement will not replace Qela, but rather built on top of Beruchim; a draft plan already exists and offers 110 new homes be built in Beruchim, that will house both religious and secular residents.
Rosa Zhernakov, a resident of Bruchim since 1991, said the community was excited by Sunday's decision.
"We hope it will benefit the Golan Heights," she said, standing outside her bungalow on one of Bruchim's few streets. She said the revitalization of the settlement will mean "more security" for residents from any possible return of the Golan Heights to Syria as part of a future peace treaty.
Vladimir Belotserkovsky , 75, another veteran resident, said he welcomed any move to build up the settlement. "We certainly thank, and I personally, am satisfied by the fact that they're founding the new settlement named for Trump," he said.
Zvi Hauser, an opposition lawmaker who formerly served as Netanyahu's cabinet secretary, called Sunday's ceremony a cheap PR stunt. "There's no funding, no planning, no location, and there's no real binding decision," he said.
Israeli Government Establishes ‘Trump Heights’ Development on Stolen Land in Golan
In a move aimed at gaining more support from the already-enthusiastic Donald Trump for their policies of land expropriation and expansion, Israeli authorities on Sunday established a new development they coined “Trump Heights”, with Binyamin Netanyahu presiding over the unveiling ceremony alongside U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman.
The location for the new colony is on land stolen by Israel from Syria in the 1967 war, an area known as the Golan Heights, and illegally occupied by the Israeli military since that time. Donald Trump recently announced that he recognizes Israel’s claim to the territory – despite no internationally-recognized treaty or agreement ever having been signed ceding the territory.
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu held a ceremony on the site on Sunday, renaming the colonial settlement of Bruchim to ‘Trump Heights’.
In his statement, Netanyahu said, “We are going to do two things — establish a new community on the Golan Heights, something that has not been done for many years. This is an act of Zionism and it is paramount. The second thing is to honor our friend, a very great friend of the State of Israel — President Donald Trump, who recently recognized Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights.”
Next to Netanyahu stood David Friedman, the Trump-appointed U.S. Ambassador to Israel who has long been criticized for his blatant support of Israel’s illegal annexation of neighboring territory (including heading an organization in the U.S. that helps to fund this illegal colonization activity).
Friedman has also been criticized for a complete absence of diplomatic experience — his only apparent qualifications for the job of Ambassador being his work as Trump’s bankruptcy lawyer and his virulent support for Zionist expansionist politics.
“It’s absolutely beautiful,” said Friedman, adding, “I can’t think of a more appropriate and a more beautiful birthday present [for Donald Trump, who just had a birthday].”
Israeli journalists have pointed out that the ceremony is likely little more than a political maneuver aimed at feeding Donald Trump’s ego, since no action has actually been taken to establish the colony.
If action were taken to settle the area with Israeli civilians, it would be a direct violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention on the obligations of an occupying power.
The Trump name graces apartment towers, hotels and golf courses. Now it is the namesake of a tiny Jewish settlement in the Golan Heights.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet convened in this hamlet Sunday to announce the inauguration of a new settlement named after President Donald Trump, who acknowledged Israel's rule over the Golan in April, shortly after the recognition was signed in Washington.
"It's absolutely beautiful," said U.S. Ambassador David Friedman, who attended Sunday's ceremony. Noting that Trump celebrated his birthday on Friday, he said: "I can't think of a more appropriate and a more beautiful birthday present."
"Few things are more important to the security of the state of Israel than permanent sovereignty over the Golan Heights," Friedman said. "It is simply obvious, it is indisputable and beyond any reasonable debate."
Addressing the ceremony, Netanyahu called Trump a "great friend" of Israel and described the Golan, which overlooks northern Israel, as an important strategic asset.
"The Golan Heights was and will always be an inseparable part of our country and homeland," he said.
The settlement will be known as “Ramat Trump,” or Trump Heights. Israel hopes the community will attract a wave of people to what is currently little more than an isolated outpost - known as Beruchim - with just 10 residents.
The community was established in 1991, by then-housing minister Ariel Sharon, who sent a group of new immigrants from the Soviet Union to live there. It was established near Qela and meant to be a thriving extension of it, but failed to live up to the expectations.
Residents of Qela were outraged about the decision to change their existing community's name, and hung signs protesting the move on their entrance gate, apparently under the impression the entire perimeter of Qela and Beruchim will become the new Trump community.
However, it was later clarified that the new settlement will not replace Qela, but rather built on top of Beruchim; a draft plan already exists and offers 110 new homes be built in Beruchim, that will house both religious and secular residents.
Rosa Zhernakov, a resident of Bruchim since 1991, said the community was excited by Sunday's decision.
"We hope it will benefit the Golan Heights," she said, standing outside her bungalow on one of Bruchim's few streets. She said the revitalization of the settlement will mean "more security" for residents from any possible return of the Golan Heights to Syria as part of a future peace treaty.
Vladimir Belotserkovsky , 75, another veteran resident, said he welcomed any move to build up the settlement. "We certainly thank, and I personally, am satisfied by the fact that they're founding the new settlement named for Trump," he said.
Zvi Hauser, an opposition lawmaker who formerly served as Netanyahu's cabinet secretary, called Sunday's ceremony a cheap PR stunt. "There's no funding, no planning, no location, and there's no real binding decision," he said.
Israeli Government Establishes ‘Trump Heights’ Development on Stolen Land in Golan
In a move aimed at gaining more support from the already-enthusiastic Donald Trump for their policies of land expropriation and expansion, Israeli authorities on Sunday established a new development they coined “Trump Heights”, with Binyamin Netanyahu presiding over the unveiling ceremony alongside U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman.
The location for the new colony is on land stolen by Israel from Syria in the 1967 war, an area known as the Golan Heights, and illegally occupied by the Israeli military since that time. Donald Trump recently announced that he recognizes Israel’s claim to the territory – despite no internationally-recognized treaty or agreement ever having been signed ceding the territory.
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu held a ceremony on the site on Sunday, renaming the colonial settlement of Bruchim to ‘Trump Heights’.
In his statement, Netanyahu said, “We are going to do two things — establish a new community on the Golan Heights, something that has not been done for many years. This is an act of Zionism and it is paramount. The second thing is to honor our friend, a very great friend of the State of Israel — President Donald Trump, who recently recognized Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights.”
Next to Netanyahu stood David Friedman, the Trump-appointed U.S. Ambassador to Israel who has long been criticized for his blatant support of Israel’s illegal annexation of neighboring territory (including heading an organization in the U.S. that helps to fund this illegal colonization activity).
Friedman has also been criticized for a complete absence of diplomatic experience — his only apparent qualifications for the job of Ambassador being his work as Trump’s bankruptcy lawyer and his virulent support for Zionist expansionist politics.
“It’s absolutely beautiful,” said Friedman, adding, “I can’t think of a more appropriate and a more beautiful birthday present [for Donald Trump, who just had a birthday].”
Israeli journalists have pointed out that the ceremony is likely little more than a political maneuver aimed at feeding Donald Trump’s ego, since no action has actually been taken to establish the colony.
If action were taken to settle the area with Israeli civilians, it would be a direct violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention on the obligations of an occupying power.
14 june 2019
"Pnei Hever"
The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) has informed Palestinian citizens of its intent to seize about 4,800 dunums of land in the towns of Yatta and Bani Na’im, east of al-Khalil.
Local official Rateb al-Rajoub said that the IOA had handed local residents during the holy month of Ramadan notices about its decision to seize the lands in the areas of Bireen, Khalat al-Furn, Ein ash-Shannar and gave them 45 days to object to the measure as of May 25.
He added that the IOA intends to use those lands to expand the illegal settlement of Pnei Hever, southeast of Bani Na’im town.
The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) has informed Palestinian citizens of its intent to seize about 4,800 dunums of land in the towns of Yatta and Bani Na’im, east of al-Khalil.
Local official Rateb al-Rajoub said that the IOA had handed local residents during the holy month of Ramadan notices about its decision to seize the lands in the areas of Bireen, Khalat al-Furn, Ein ash-Shannar and gave them 45 days to object to the measure as of May 25.
He added that the IOA intends to use those lands to expand the illegal settlement of Pnei Hever, southeast of Bani Na’im town.
13 june 2019
The Hebron Rehabilitation Committee has revealed that a group of Jewish settlers started recently to establish a new outpost on a Palestinian-owned plot of land behind the closed Souk al-Dahab (gold market) in the Old City of al-Khalil.
Head of the Committee Imad Hamdan said that the settlers intends to build two housing units on the land after they already took over the gas station in al-Shuhada street (closed area) and fenced it.
Hamdan expressed his grave concern over such encroachments upon the properties of Palestinian citizens in the Old City of al-Khalil, especially in the areas declared 17 years ago by the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) as closed military zones.
In 2014, the IOA declared many Palestinian areas and streets in the Old City of al-Khalil closed military zones following the events that resulted from the massacre that had been committed by Jewish terrorist Baruch Goldstein at the Ibrahimi Mosque.
Hamadan appealed to the international community and its concerned organizations to assume their responsibilities in this regard and take action against Israel’s settlement activities in the Old City of al-Khalil.
Head of the Committee Imad Hamdan said that the settlers intends to build two housing units on the land after they already took over the gas station in al-Shuhada street (closed area) and fenced it.
Hamdan expressed his grave concern over such encroachments upon the properties of Palestinian citizens in the Old City of al-Khalil, especially in the areas declared 17 years ago by the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) as closed military zones.
In 2014, the IOA declared many Palestinian areas and streets in the Old City of al-Khalil closed military zones following the events that resulted from the massacre that had been committed by Jewish terrorist Baruch Goldstein at the Ibrahimi Mosque.
Hamadan appealed to the international community and its concerned organizations to assume their responsibilities in this regard and take action against Israel’s settlement activities in the Old City of al-Khalil.
10 june 2019
The Israeli occupation authorities have decided to illegally confiscate at least twenty Dunams of privately-owned Palestinian lands, in northern West Bank, to pave a new road for illegal colonies.
Ghassan Daghlas, a Palestinian official who monitors Israel’s colonialist activities in northern West Bank, said the lands and the newly planned segregated road are east of Nablus.
Daghlas added that the lands are owned by Palestinian farmers from Deir al-Hatab and Azmout villages, and will be used to pave roads leading to Elon Moreh illegal colony.
More than 400 Palestinians will be impacted by the planned road, which could also lead to more illegal confiscations of lands, especially since Israel implements buffer zones and other security measures to segregate such roads.
Israel’s colonies in the occupied West Bank, including those in and around East Jerusalem, are illegal under International Law, the Fourth Geneva Conventions and various United Nations resolutions.
Ghassan Daghlas, a Palestinian official who monitors Israel’s colonialist activities in northern West Bank, said the lands and the newly planned segregated road are east of Nablus.
Daghlas added that the lands are owned by Palestinian farmers from Deir al-Hatab and Azmout villages, and will be used to pave roads leading to Elon Moreh illegal colony.
More than 400 Palestinians will be impacted by the planned road, which could also lead to more illegal confiscations of lands, especially since Israel implements buffer zones and other security measures to segregate such roads.
Israel’s colonies in the occupied West Bank, including those in and around East Jerusalem, are illegal under International Law, the Fourth Geneva Conventions and various United Nations resolutions.
6 june 2019
Several illegal Israeli colonialist settlers invaded and illegally occupied, Thursday, privately-owned Palestinian lands in the al-Makhrour area, in Beit Jala city, west of the West Bank city of Bethlehem.
Hasan Breijiyya, the coordinator of the National Committee against the Annexation Wall and Colonies in Bethlehem, said the colonists invaded and illegally occupied 4 Dunams (0.988 Acres) of Palestinian lands. video
He added that the colonists mounted barbed-wire fences around the illegally occupied Palestinian lands, and started preparing for installing mobile homes, and infrastructure.
Breijiyya stated that the violation is part of illegal Israeli plans to occupy large areas of Palestinian lands in al-Makhrour and al-Qaseer areas, west of Bethlehem, to build and expands its colonies.
All colonies in the occupied West Bank, including those in and around occupied East Jerusalem, are illegal under International Law, the Fourth Geneva Convention to which Israel is a signatory and a constant violator, in addition to various related international resolutions and agreements.
Hasan Breijiyya, the coordinator of the National Committee against the Annexation Wall and Colonies in Bethlehem, said the colonists invaded and illegally occupied 4 Dunams (0.988 Acres) of Palestinian lands. video
He added that the colonists mounted barbed-wire fences around the illegally occupied Palestinian lands, and started preparing for installing mobile homes, and infrastructure.
Breijiyya stated that the violation is part of illegal Israeli plans to occupy large areas of Palestinian lands in al-Makhrour and al-Qaseer areas, west of Bethlehem, to build and expands its colonies.
All colonies in the occupied West Bank, including those in and around occupied East Jerusalem, are illegal under International Law, the Fourth Geneva Convention to which Israel is a signatory and a constant violator, in addition to various related international resolutions and agreements.
5 june 2019
Jordan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi has denounced Israel's plan to build 800 new settlement units in Occupied Jerusalem.
Safadi said in statements on Twitter that the new move blatantly violates international law.
The Israeli authorities have recently put forward tenders for the construction of over 800 housing units in East Jerusalem.
Safadi described the plan as "illegitimate" and said that it would "undermine efforts to achieve peace based on the two-state solution".
He called on the international community to act immediately toward putting an end to the Israeli violations.
In April Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed, during an interview with a local media platform, that he had informed the US president Donald Trump about his intention to annex the West Bank settlements to Israel.
Netanyahu explained that the annexation will be carried out gradually and in coordination with the US.
Israel, since the occupation of the West Bank in 1967, has built 250 settlements, and currently over 400,000 settlers are living there.
Safadi said in statements on Twitter that the new move blatantly violates international law.
The Israeli authorities have recently put forward tenders for the construction of over 800 housing units in East Jerusalem.
Safadi described the plan as "illegitimate" and said that it would "undermine efforts to achieve peace based on the two-state solution".
He called on the international community to act immediately toward putting an end to the Israeli violations.
In April Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed, during an interview with a local media platform, that he had informed the US president Donald Trump about his intention to annex the West Bank settlements to Israel.
Netanyahu explained that the annexation will be carried out gradually and in coordination with the US.
Israel, since the occupation of the West Bank in 1967, has built 250 settlements, and currently over 400,000 settlers are living there.
4 june 2019
A picture taken on April 19, 2019 shows construction works underway in the Israeli settlement of Givat Zeev near the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah
France and Britain have condemned Israel’s recent approval of plans for the construction of hundreds of new settler units in the occupied East Jerusalem al-Quds irrespective of the international outcry against the Tel Aviv regime’s land expropriation and settlement expansion policies in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The French Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that the decision is a matter of concern, contributes to unrest and undermines the achievement of a just and lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians on the basis of the so-called two-state solution.
The statement then described Israeli settlements as contrary to international law, particularly United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 [pdf].
The French ministry called on Israeli authorities to reverse the decision to build over 800 new settler units in East Jerusalem al-Quds, and to abandon any project that would harm the possibility of the two-state solution.
On Monday, the British government condemned the latest Israeli settlement plan.
“The UK Government is gravely concerned by plans announced on May 30 to advance tenders for hundreds of settlement housing units in occupied East Jerusalem,” Palestine's official WAFA news agency quoted British Minister for the Middle East Andrew Murrison as saying.
“We are clear that settlements built on occupied Palestinian territory are contrary to international law and an obstacle to a two-state solution. Regrettably, this takes us further away from a negotiated peace agreement,” he added.
Murrison noted that he visited Jerusalem al-Quds between May 28 and 30, where he reiterated London’s support for the two-state solution.
On May 30, Israel's Housing Ministry published tenders for the construction of 805 new settler units in East Jerusalem al-Quds.
A total of 460 units will be constructed in Pisgat Ze'ev settlement, while another 345 will be built in Ramot neighborhood in the northern part of East Jerusalem al-Quds.
About 600,000 Israelis live in over 230 illegal settlements built since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East Jerusalem al-Quds.
The UN Security Council has condemned Israel’s settlement activities in the occupied territories in several resolutions.
Less than a month before US President Donald Trump took office, the United Nations Security Council in December 2016 adopted Resolution 2334, calling on Israel to “immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem” al-Quds.
Palestinians want the West Bank as part of a future independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem al-Quds as its capital.
The last round of Israeli-Palestinian talks collapsed in 2014. Among the major sticking points in those negotiations was Israel’s continued settlement expansion on Palestinian territories.
Trump backtracked on Washington’s support for a “two-state solution” in 2017, saying he would support any solution favored by both sides.
“Looking at two-state or one-state, I like the one that both parties like. I’m very happy with the one both parties like. I can live with either one,” the US president said during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington on February 15, 2017.
France and Britain have condemned Israel’s recent approval of plans for the construction of hundreds of new settler units in the occupied East Jerusalem al-Quds irrespective of the international outcry against the Tel Aviv regime’s land expropriation and settlement expansion policies in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The French Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that the decision is a matter of concern, contributes to unrest and undermines the achievement of a just and lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians on the basis of the so-called two-state solution.
The statement then described Israeli settlements as contrary to international law, particularly United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 [pdf].
The French ministry called on Israeli authorities to reverse the decision to build over 800 new settler units in East Jerusalem al-Quds, and to abandon any project that would harm the possibility of the two-state solution.
On Monday, the British government condemned the latest Israeli settlement plan.
“The UK Government is gravely concerned by plans announced on May 30 to advance tenders for hundreds of settlement housing units in occupied East Jerusalem,” Palestine's official WAFA news agency quoted British Minister for the Middle East Andrew Murrison as saying.
“We are clear that settlements built on occupied Palestinian territory are contrary to international law and an obstacle to a two-state solution. Regrettably, this takes us further away from a negotiated peace agreement,” he added.
Murrison noted that he visited Jerusalem al-Quds between May 28 and 30, where he reiterated London’s support for the two-state solution.
On May 30, Israel's Housing Ministry published tenders for the construction of 805 new settler units in East Jerusalem al-Quds.
A total of 460 units will be constructed in Pisgat Ze'ev settlement, while another 345 will be built in Ramot neighborhood in the northern part of East Jerusalem al-Quds.
About 600,000 Israelis live in over 230 illegal settlements built since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East Jerusalem al-Quds.
The UN Security Council has condemned Israel’s settlement activities in the occupied territories in several resolutions.
Less than a month before US President Donald Trump took office, the United Nations Security Council in December 2016 adopted Resolution 2334, calling on Israel to “immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem” al-Quds.
Palestinians want the West Bank as part of a future independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem al-Quds as its capital.
The last round of Israeli-Palestinian talks collapsed in 2014. Among the major sticking points in those negotiations was Israel’s continued settlement expansion on Palestinian territories.
Trump backtracked on Washington’s support for a “two-state solution” in 2017, saying he would support any solution favored by both sides.
“Looking at two-state or one-state, I like the one that both parties like. I’m very happy with the one both parties like. I can live with either one,” the US president said during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington on February 15, 2017.
The National Bureau for Defending Land and Resisting Settlements pointed out, in its latest weekly report, the Israeli ignorance of international law and legitimacy resolutions (by annexing more occupied territories) as US President Trump’s chief adviser, Jared Kushner, on Thursday, handed over a new map to Netanyahu, which encourages the Israeli government to increase and speed up construction in the settlements, especially in occupied Jerusalem, where the Israeli Ministry of Housing has submitted a tender for the construction of 805 settlement units.
The building is divided between “Pisgat Ze’ev” settlement, with 460 housing units, and “Ramot” settlement, with 345 settlement units. Tender 156/2019, with 263 settlement units in Ramot, is about to be issued for the rural neighborhood; tender 157/2019: 82 settlement units in Ramot, Al-Nadi rural neighborhood; tender 158/2019: 210 settlement units in “Pisgat Ze’ev”; tender 159/2019: 250 settlement units in Pisgat Zeev. The settlement expansion in Pisgat Zeev and Neve Ya’akov will close the areas that were originally intended to be natural expansion areas for Palestinians.
On the other hand, a number of senior Israeli generals and security experts prepared a draft document to deal with successive regional developments surrounding Israel, to be used as the next guide to Israeli security theory. The draft document includes 14 recommendations that will be submitted via Israeli political channels. The document also emphasizes the need for settlement construction in Jerusalem as it is of “strategic and historical significance, and must be maintained uniformly.” The document called for “a halt to the continued construction of Palestinians in areas classified as C of the West Bank, and action must be taken to confront foreign entities that violate Israeli sovereignty in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.”
There are 6 regional councils in the West Bank, each of which oversees a number of settlements. Those councils are: the Southern Hebron Hills Regional Council, which runs a number of settlements in the south of the West Bank, the Gush Etzion Regional Council and the settlement bloc north of Hebron, and, to the south of the central area of the West Bank, the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council, (Shomron) that manages northern West Bank, along with 2 regional councils which are Migilot, which runs the south-eastern part of the Dead Sea, and Erfut Herdin, which runs the area of the Ghor.
The investigations, including those carried out by Israeli organizations, indicate that those councils have placed their hands over some 200,000 dunams in the Southern Hebron Hills and about 800,000 dunams in the area of the regional council in the Jordan Valley.
Within the same context, Amnesty International called on Trip Advisor to stop promoting tourist sites in Israeli settlements located in the occupied West Bank, as this contributes to the expansion and legalization of settlements.
The Amnesty request came about as it knows how the tourist sector is important in the settlements, whereas its tourism website has the largest number of visits by foreign visitors, to Israel. The site provides lists of activities and real estate sites – at least 70- in 27 settlements.
In a dangerous development, Israeli police issued fines against Palestinian drivers on top of a title to the Judea and Samaria Governorate / Jerusalem District: “In addition, the Palestinian population can pay the fines in the post offices or via Cairo Amman Bank in the Palestinian territories, all of which may be a prelude to annex wider areas of the West Bank to Israel.” Moreover, the Israeli Defense Ministry is preparing to hold an auction next week for the sale of 2 halls donated by the European Union to 49 students in grades 1-6 in Khirbet Ibzig, in the northern West Bank.”
The building is divided between “Pisgat Ze’ev” settlement, with 460 housing units, and “Ramot” settlement, with 345 settlement units. Tender 156/2019, with 263 settlement units in Ramot, is about to be issued for the rural neighborhood; tender 157/2019: 82 settlement units in Ramot, Al-Nadi rural neighborhood; tender 158/2019: 210 settlement units in “Pisgat Ze’ev”; tender 159/2019: 250 settlement units in Pisgat Zeev. The settlement expansion in Pisgat Zeev and Neve Ya’akov will close the areas that were originally intended to be natural expansion areas for Palestinians.
On the other hand, a number of senior Israeli generals and security experts prepared a draft document to deal with successive regional developments surrounding Israel, to be used as the next guide to Israeli security theory. The draft document includes 14 recommendations that will be submitted via Israeli political channels. The document also emphasizes the need for settlement construction in Jerusalem as it is of “strategic and historical significance, and must be maintained uniformly.” The document called for “a halt to the continued construction of Palestinians in areas classified as C of the West Bank, and action must be taken to confront foreign entities that violate Israeli sovereignty in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.”
There are 6 regional councils in the West Bank, each of which oversees a number of settlements. Those councils are: the Southern Hebron Hills Regional Council, which runs a number of settlements in the south of the West Bank, the Gush Etzion Regional Council and the settlement bloc north of Hebron, and, to the south of the central area of the West Bank, the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council, (Shomron) that manages northern West Bank, along with 2 regional councils which are Migilot, which runs the south-eastern part of the Dead Sea, and Erfut Herdin, which runs the area of the Ghor.
The investigations, including those carried out by Israeli organizations, indicate that those councils have placed their hands over some 200,000 dunams in the Southern Hebron Hills and about 800,000 dunams in the area of the regional council in the Jordan Valley.
Within the same context, Amnesty International called on Trip Advisor to stop promoting tourist sites in Israeli settlements located in the occupied West Bank, as this contributes to the expansion and legalization of settlements.
The Amnesty request came about as it knows how the tourist sector is important in the settlements, whereas its tourism website has the largest number of visits by foreign visitors, to Israel. The site provides lists of activities and real estate sites – at least 70- in 27 settlements.
In a dangerous development, Israeli police issued fines against Palestinian drivers on top of a title to the Judea and Samaria Governorate / Jerusalem District: “In addition, the Palestinian population can pay the fines in the post offices or via Cairo Amman Bank in the Palestinian territories, all of which may be a prelude to annex wider areas of the West Bank to Israel.” Moreover, the Israeli Defense Ministry is preparing to hold an auction next week for the sale of 2 halls donated by the European Union to 49 students in grades 1-6 in Khirbet Ibzig, in the northern West Bank.”
Israel’s National Infrastructure Committee approved on Monday the controversial plans to build a $55 million cable car system to transport Jewish settlers and foreign tourists in and out of Jerusalem’s Old City.
According to Israeli claims, the 1.5 kilometer long cable car route will help relieve traffic congestion and increase accessibility to the area of the Holy Basin, which includes Jerusalem’s Old City.
The route would stretch from Jerusalem’s First Station complex to Mount Zion, and then down to the Old City’s al-Maghariba (Dung) Gate, near the entrance to the Western Wall Plaza and Ir David archaeological park.
The project is part of Israel’s efforts to Judaize the holy city and Palestinian groups have objected to the plan, saying that aerial carriages will be moving near the Aqsa Mosque and over Palestinian areas.
According to Israeli claims, the 1.5 kilometer long cable car route will help relieve traffic congestion and increase accessibility to the area of the Holy Basin, which includes Jerusalem’s Old City.
The route would stretch from Jerusalem’s First Station complex to Mount Zion, and then down to the Old City’s al-Maghariba (Dung) Gate, near the entrance to the Western Wall Plaza and Ir David archaeological park.
The project is part of Israel’s efforts to Judaize the holy city and Palestinian groups have objected to the plan, saying that aerial carriages will be moving near the Aqsa Mosque and over Palestinian areas.
