13 may 2013
The District Planning and Building Committee in the Haifa and northern area approved a plan to build a city of Kibbutz Beit Oren.
The plan includes 371 new housing units to replace those burned during the Carmel fires.
According to the Carmel Coast Regional Council, housing units will be used by kibbutz residents whose homes were burned.
The plan includes 371 new housing units to replace those burned during the Carmel fires.
According to the Carmel Coast Regional Council, housing units will be used by kibbutz residents whose homes were burned.
12 may 2013
OIC condemns construction of new Israeli housing units in WB
Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Prof. Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu has condemned the Israeli decision to build 296 new housing units in the West Bank.
İhsanoğlu described the Israeli decision in a press statement on Sunday as “very serious”, adding that it reflected Israel’s blatant violation of the international law and absolute disregard for the world community.
He said that Israel’s settlement policy aims at endorsing its occupation and imposing a de facto situation on the ground.
The Secretary General urged the UN Security Council and the international quartet committee to assume their duties and force Israel to halt its settlement drive, which threatens peace prospects and stability in the region.
İhsanoğlu described the Israeli decision in a press statement on Sunday as “very serious”, adding that it reflected Israel’s blatant violation of the international law and absolute disregard for the world community.
He said that Israel’s settlement policy aims at endorsing its occupation and imposing a de facto situation on the ground.
The Secretary General urged the UN Security Council and the international quartet committee to assume their duties and force Israel to halt its settlement drive, which threatens peace prospects and stability in the region.
10 may 2013
Israel to build a military academy in Jerusalem, within a year
Israel's deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon of the Likud Party told Israeli Army Radio that his ministry is determined to construct a military academy in East Jerusalem, within one year. The Israeli army radio quoted on Friday Danon as saying that building such colleges is "an important step towards the military victory which the army has been always achieving at all levels"; according to his claims.
The deputy minister pointed out that the Israeli bulldozers will soon start their works in the Mukaber Mount east of Jerusalem city, in a proactive step to lay the foundation stone for the start of the construction.
The radio said the controversial project involves building the base of military colleges, which will include nearly 1400 Israeli soldiers.
The project had been on the agenda of the Planning Commission and the regional construction, but was taken off at the last moment, less than two weeks before the visit of U.S. President Barack Obama, the radio report said.
Danon said the postponement comes to avoid the occurrence of any diplomatic crisis with the Americans, and asserted that this will only last a short time after which the construction works will be launched.
The deputy minister pointed out that the Israeli bulldozers will soon start their works in the Mukaber Mount east of Jerusalem city, in a proactive step to lay the foundation stone for the start of the construction.
The radio said the controversial project involves building the base of military colleges, which will include nearly 1400 Israeli soldiers.
The project had been on the agenda of the Planning Commission and the regional construction, but was taken off at the last moment, less than two weeks before the visit of U.S. President Barack Obama, the radio report said.
Danon said the postponement comes to avoid the occurrence of any diplomatic crisis with the Americans, and asserted that this will only last a short time after which the construction works will be launched.
Palestinians Protest Confiscation Of Cremisan Monastery Lands In Beit Jala
Hundreds of Palestinians held a protest against Israeli illegal confiscation of their lands, including lands that belong to the Cremisan Monastery, in Beit Jala city, in the Bethlehem district.
Shawkat Matar, one of the participants in the protest, stated that local scout groups, and a number of civil society institutions in the city organized the protest due to Israel’s ongoing violations of illegal settlement activities, and the construction of the illegal Annexation Wall in the Cremisan monastery, and its surrounding Palestinian lands.
He added that hundreds of Palestinians gathered in front of the Arab Orthodox Club in Beit Jala, and marched towards the illegally confiscated lands in Cremisan.
The protesters chanted against the ongoing Israeli occupation and violations, Israel's ongoing settlement construction and expansion activities, and its illegal Wall.
A week ago, Father Ibrahim Shomaly, told the BBC that the issue here is not about politics, but about human rights.
“The Church must hear the people when they suffer, this is not about politics”, Father Shomaly told the BBC, “There are 57 Palestinian Christians families that will lose their lands, losing their lands means losing their hope”.
Israel’s Annexation Wall is planned to split the Cremisan monastery and valley into two parts; Gilo and the Har Gilo illegal settlements are on Palestinian lands on opposite hilltops, and Israel wants to ensure the Annexation Wall separates Beit Jala from the two settlements.
Israeli settlements and its Annexation Wall, built in the occupied Palestinian territories, are illegal under International Law and the Fourth Geneva Convention to which Israel is a signatory.
Israel claims that its Jewish settlements are “Israeli cities and towns”, and that the Annexation Wall is meant to “ensure Israel’s security from Palestinian attacks”.
But on the ground, the Annexation Wall is built in a manner that allows Israel to build and expand its illegal settlements in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
In 2004, the International Court issued an advisory ruling considering the Annexation Wall illegal, and stated that although it recognizes “Israels right to defend itself, the Wall was built in a way that violates international law.”
The Court said that the Wall, which runs deep in the West Bank, and occupied East Jerusalem, separating the residents from their lands, and isolating entire Palestinian populated areas, also violates Israels international obligations.
It called on Israel to dismantle the completed sections of the Wall, to compensate the Palestinians for their losses, and to render ineffective all legislative and regulatory acts it took after approving the construction of the Wall.
The court further called on Israel to compensate the Palestinians for the destruction of homes, businesses and agricultural lands, and to allow them to return to their lands and orchards, and to return all lands seized by the Wall.
It also called on all UN member states to perform their legal duties by not recognizing the illegal situation the Annexation Wall and settlements created in occupied Palestine, and to ensure Israel complies with International Law.
Israel strongly slammed the ruling, disregarded it, and maintained what its called “its right to protect its citizens, to build and expand its settlements”, in the occupied West Bank, including in and around occupied East Jerusalem.
Shawkat Matar, one of the participants in the protest, stated that local scout groups, and a number of civil society institutions in the city organized the protest due to Israel’s ongoing violations of illegal settlement activities, and the construction of the illegal Annexation Wall in the Cremisan monastery, and its surrounding Palestinian lands.
He added that hundreds of Palestinians gathered in front of the Arab Orthodox Club in Beit Jala, and marched towards the illegally confiscated lands in Cremisan.
The protesters chanted against the ongoing Israeli occupation and violations, Israel's ongoing settlement construction and expansion activities, and its illegal Wall.
A week ago, Father Ibrahim Shomaly, told the BBC that the issue here is not about politics, but about human rights.
“The Church must hear the people when they suffer, this is not about politics”, Father Shomaly told the BBC, “There are 57 Palestinian Christians families that will lose their lands, losing their lands means losing their hope”.
Israel’s Annexation Wall is planned to split the Cremisan monastery and valley into two parts; Gilo and the Har Gilo illegal settlements are on Palestinian lands on opposite hilltops, and Israel wants to ensure the Annexation Wall separates Beit Jala from the two settlements.
Israeli settlements and its Annexation Wall, built in the occupied Palestinian territories, are illegal under International Law and the Fourth Geneva Convention to which Israel is a signatory.
Israel claims that its Jewish settlements are “Israeli cities and towns”, and that the Annexation Wall is meant to “ensure Israel’s security from Palestinian attacks”.
But on the ground, the Annexation Wall is built in a manner that allows Israel to build and expand its illegal settlements in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
In 2004, the International Court issued an advisory ruling considering the Annexation Wall illegal, and stated that although it recognizes “Israels right to defend itself, the Wall was built in a way that violates international law.”
The Court said that the Wall, which runs deep in the West Bank, and occupied East Jerusalem, separating the residents from their lands, and isolating entire Palestinian populated areas, also violates Israels international obligations.
It called on Israel to dismantle the completed sections of the Wall, to compensate the Palestinians for their losses, and to render ineffective all legislative and regulatory acts it took after approving the construction of the Wall.
The court further called on Israel to compensate the Palestinians for the destruction of homes, businesses and agricultural lands, and to allow them to return to their lands and orchards, and to return all lands seized by the Wall.
It also called on all UN member states to perform their legal duties by not recognizing the illegal situation the Annexation Wall and settlements created in occupied Palestine, and to ensure Israel complies with International Law.
Israel strongly slammed the ruling, disregarded it, and maintained what its called “its right to protect its citizens, to build and expand its settlements”, in the occupied West Bank, including in and around occupied East Jerusalem.
9 may 2013
Israel sanctions plan to build 296 housing units for settlers east of Ramallah
The civil administration of the Israeli army approved on Wednesday a plan to build dozens of housing units in place of a military base and annex them to the nearby settlement of Beit El in the east of Ramallah city.
According to the Hebrew news website Walla, the new outpost will include 12 multi-story buildings composed of 296 apartments.
Walla noted that the building of this outpost would start immediately based on direct orders from Israeli war minister Moshe Ya'alon and any Palestinian objection to the plan would be considered after initiating the construction.
Walla affirmed that Ya'alon ordered the removal of an Israeli border police base in the area and its annexation to Beit El settlement as a prelude to giving the place to Jewish settlers and initiating the construction process.
It added that chief of the central military command in the West Bank Nitzan Alon had signed documents transferring the ownership of this site to the settlers, noting that about 80 square meters of the area on which the outpost would be built belongs to a Palestinian citizen.
Presidency Condemns New Settlement Construction Plan
The presidency condemned Thursday in a statement Israeli government approval of a plan to build 296 housing units in the West Bank settlement of Beit El, near Ramallah. The Israeli military administration gave the green light to build 296 housing units in the illegal West Bank settlement as a first stage in the plan before starting the actual construction work.
Presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh considered this Israeli decision an attempt to sabotage the peace process and the efforts in the region exerted by the U.S. administration, particularly President Barrack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry.
He said that this Israeli decision is a message to the U.S. administration and a blow to the peace process, stressing that the Israeli government aims to drag the region into violence instead of peace and stability, which shows that it is not interested in peace.
According to the Hebrew news website Walla, the new outpost will include 12 multi-story buildings composed of 296 apartments.
Walla noted that the building of this outpost would start immediately based on direct orders from Israeli war minister Moshe Ya'alon and any Palestinian objection to the plan would be considered after initiating the construction.
Walla affirmed that Ya'alon ordered the removal of an Israeli border police base in the area and its annexation to Beit El settlement as a prelude to giving the place to Jewish settlers and initiating the construction process.
It added that chief of the central military command in the West Bank Nitzan Alon had signed documents transferring the ownership of this site to the settlers, noting that about 80 square meters of the area on which the outpost would be built belongs to a Palestinian citizen.
Presidency Condemns New Settlement Construction Plan
The presidency condemned Thursday in a statement Israeli government approval of a plan to build 296 housing units in the West Bank settlement of Beit El, near Ramallah. The Israeli military administration gave the green light to build 296 housing units in the illegal West Bank settlement as a first stage in the plan before starting the actual construction work.
Presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh considered this Israeli decision an attempt to sabotage the peace process and the efforts in the region exerted by the U.S. administration, particularly President Barrack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry.
He said that this Israeli decision is a message to the U.S. administration and a blow to the peace process, stressing that the Israeli government aims to drag the region into violence instead of peace and stability, which shows that it is not interested in peace.
8 may 2013
Newspapers Review: Settlements’ Freeze, Al-Aqsa Events Focus of Dailies
Two stories dominated the front page of the three Palestinian Arabic dailies on Wednesday. Al-Quds and al-Ayyam focused on reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a temporary freeze on housing tenders in the settlements with al-Ayyam saying in the headline that Netanyahu was bluffing.
Al-Hayat al-Jadida reported on the provocations at al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem by dozens of extremist Jews that ended with clashes between police and Palestinians and the arrest of several people.
The three papers printed pictures showing police, who set up barricades around gates to the Mosque, preventing elderly people from entering the Muslim site.
The picture in al-Quds showed women suffering from the pepper spray police used against the Muslim worshippers at the Mosque.
The papers reported on Abbas’ visit to China and quoted him saying that he intends to visit Egypt within a week to discuss reconciliation with Hamas.
The papers also reported on the food poisoning case of 18 students at a Beit Ummar school.
The Hamas crackdown on a protest in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, against the Israeli airstrike on Syrian was reported in the dailies.
Al-Hayat al-Jadida said in a story that Yousef Qaradawi, a Muslim scholar linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, is going to start later Wednesday a controversial visit to the Gaza Strip.
Dweik: settlement freeze has no basis on the ground
Head of the Palestinian Legislative Council, Dr. Aziz Dweik, confirmed that Israeli settlement construction continued in the West Bank, saying that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's order to freeze settlement construction has no basis on the ground. Israeli Army Radio reported Tuesday that Netanyahu informed Housing Minister Uri Ariel of his decision to freeze settlement construction in the West Bank.
Concerning the Arab League modified peace initiative, Dweik said that it came in contradiction to the Arab people's revolutionary will, calling on the Arab government to stop culture of concessions.
The modified Arab Initiative, based on land swap, is a serious step that legitimizes Israeli settlement construction, he added.
Regarding the reconciliation process, he denied any progress in implementing Doha and Cairo agreements.
Meanwhile, an Israeli official source has denied that the government was “considering another freeze on settlement construction in an effort to jump-start negotiations with the Palestinians," Haaretz Hebrew newspaper revealed.
There has been no change in Israeli settlement policy, the Israeli radio quoted an Israeli official as saying.
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu ordered a freeze on tenders for the scheduled Ma'aleh Adumim West Bank settlement construction (E1) during a meeting with the Housing and Construction Minister, Uri Ariel, Israel's Army Radio reported on Tuesday.
Ariel refused to comment to this, threatening that his Jewish Home party would withdraw support for the budget if a settlement freeze is implemented.
Yediot Ahronot Hebrew newspaper reported that Ariel held a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to discuss the issue, and stated following the meeting that any budget that does not allow settlement construction would be considered a violation of the coalition agreement between the Jewish Home and the Likud Party of Netanyahu.
Haaretz also quoted some Israeli officials as saying that Netanyahu informed Housing Minister Uri Ariel of the decision to give a chance to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry who is working on reviving the peace negotiations, according to the newspaper.
Al-Hayat al-Jadida reported on the provocations at al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem by dozens of extremist Jews that ended with clashes between police and Palestinians and the arrest of several people.
The three papers printed pictures showing police, who set up barricades around gates to the Mosque, preventing elderly people from entering the Muslim site.
The picture in al-Quds showed women suffering from the pepper spray police used against the Muslim worshippers at the Mosque.
The papers reported on Abbas’ visit to China and quoted him saying that he intends to visit Egypt within a week to discuss reconciliation with Hamas.
The papers also reported on the food poisoning case of 18 students at a Beit Ummar school.
The Hamas crackdown on a protest in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, against the Israeli airstrike on Syrian was reported in the dailies.
Al-Hayat al-Jadida said in a story that Yousef Qaradawi, a Muslim scholar linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, is going to start later Wednesday a controversial visit to the Gaza Strip.
Dweik: settlement freeze has no basis on the ground
Head of the Palestinian Legislative Council, Dr. Aziz Dweik, confirmed that Israeli settlement construction continued in the West Bank, saying that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's order to freeze settlement construction has no basis on the ground. Israeli Army Radio reported Tuesday that Netanyahu informed Housing Minister Uri Ariel of his decision to freeze settlement construction in the West Bank.
Concerning the Arab League modified peace initiative, Dweik said that it came in contradiction to the Arab people's revolutionary will, calling on the Arab government to stop culture of concessions.
The modified Arab Initiative, based on land swap, is a serious step that legitimizes Israeli settlement construction, he added.
Regarding the reconciliation process, he denied any progress in implementing Doha and Cairo agreements.
Meanwhile, an Israeli official source has denied that the government was “considering another freeze on settlement construction in an effort to jump-start negotiations with the Palestinians," Haaretz Hebrew newspaper revealed.
There has been no change in Israeli settlement policy, the Israeli radio quoted an Israeli official as saying.
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu ordered a freeze on tenders for the scheduled Ma'aleh Adumim West Bank settlement construction (E1) during a meeting with the Housing and Construction Minister, Uri Ariel, Israel's Army Radio reported on Tuesday.
Ariel refused to comment to this, threatening that his Jewish Home party would withdraw support for the budget if a settlement freeze is implemented.
Yediot Ahronot Hebrew newspaper reported that Ariel held a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to discuss the issue, and stated following the meeting that any budget that does not allow settlement construction would be considered a violation of the coalition agreement between the Jewish Home and the Likud Party of Netanyahu.
Haaretz also quoted some Israeli officials as saying that Netanyahu informed Housing Minister Uri Ariel of the decision to give a chance to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry who is working on reviving the peace negotiations, according to the newspaper.
7 may 2013
Netanyahu Orders a Freeze on West Bank Settlements
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu ordered a freeze on tenders for the scheduled Ma'aleh Adumim West Bank settlement construction (E1), following increasing international pressure to renew the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
He gave the order to cease efforts during a meeting with the Housing and Construction Minister, Uri Ariel.
However, MK Ayelet Shaked (Bayit Yehudi) said it was a shame that the construction would not continue on the E1 settlements.
Ariel warned that the Bayit Yehudi party would not support the 2013 budget unless construction for the settlements was fully funded.
International pressure to cease Israeli settlements in the West Bank continues to grow after the Arab League modified the 2002 peace plan to include minor land swaps last week.
He gave the order to cease efforts during a meeting with the Housing and Construction Minister, Uri Ariel.
However, MK Ayelet Shaked (Bayit Yehudi) said it was a shame that the construction would not continue on the E1 settlements.
Ariel warned that the Bayit Yehudi party would not support the 2013 budget unless construction for the settlements was fully funded.
International pressure to cease Israeli settlements in the West Bank continues to grow after the Arab League modified the 2002 peace plan to include minor land swaps last week.
6 may 2013
Israeli settlers establish new settlement outpost
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) allowed Israeli settlers to renovate an Israeli military abandoned base in Gush Etzion built on Palestinian lands in Bethlehem as a prelude to establish a new outpost, Hebrew media sources revealed.
The abandoned military base, located on a hilltop about half a kilometer from the Palestinian village of Beit Sahur in the Bethlehem district, was an army base during the British Mandate period. The base was transferred to Jordanian control and later to the IOF during the Palestinian second upraising before being abandoned in 2006, the Hebrew newspaper Haaretz stated on Monday.
The newspaper pointed out that the Palestinians sought to build a hospital on the base after being abandoned, but the Israeli settlers intervened to confiscate it in order to set up a new settlement.
After settlers' continued pressures since 2010, Israeli officials have allowed settlers to renovate buildings on the abandoned West Bank army base, Haaretz added.
The settlers have started renovating the buildings, while the Israeli soldiers prevented Palestinians from accessing to the site.
The base was abandoned several years ago which means that the Israeli army is no longer in need for it, however what has happened recently confirms that the Israeli army only serves settlers' interests, the newspaper quoted a settlement expert in the Israeli human rights group Yesh Din as saying.
The abandoned military base, located on a hilltop about half a kilometer from the Palestinian village of Beit Sahur in the Bethlehem district, was an army base during the British Mandate period. The base was transferred to Jordanian control and later to the IOF during the Palestinian second upraising before being abandoned in 2006, the Hebrew newspaper Haaretz stated on Monday.
The newspaper pointed out that the Palestinians sought to build a hospital on the base after being abandoned, but the Israeli settlers intervened to confiscate it in order to set up a new settlement.
After settlers' continued pressures since 2010, Israeli officials have allowed settlers to renovate buildings on the abandoned West Bank army base, Haaretz added.
The settlers have started renovating the buildings, while the Israeli soldiers prevented Palestinians from accessing to the site.
The base was abandoned several years ago which means that the Israeli army is no longer in need for it, however what has happened recently confirms that the Israeli army only serves settlers' interests, the newspaper quoted a settlement expert in the Israeli human rights group Yesh Din as saying.
New Road another Violation of International Law, says PLO
The new road the Israeli government along with the West Jerusalem municipality have opened in the occupied East Jerusalem neighborhood of Beit Hanina to connect area settlements is another Israeli violation of international law, a Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) department said on Monday.
The Negotiations Affairs Department (NAD) said in a statement that the new bypass road named Benzion Netanyahu, after the late father of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who is known for his extremist views and support for settlement expansion, is illegal under international law because it was built to serve the illegal settlements and settlers.
“All settlements and settlement activities, including infrastructure such as roads, are illegal under international law,” said NAD. “Israel, as an Occupying Power, may not transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies. Settlements constitute a grave breach of the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention and violate the 1998 Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.”
NAD said that the “physical and psychological impact of settlements on the Palestinian population is horrific and profound.”
It said the new bypass road aims at connecting settlements to the east and west of East Jerusalem with a highway to West Jerusalem and Tel Aviv that was also build on occupied Palestinian land.
The new road was built on land belonging to the Palestinian neighborhood of Beit Hanina, “further fragmenting Palestinian areas and colonizing more Palestinian land in Occupied East Jerusalem,” said the statement.
It said the goal behind this road “is to continue strengthening settlement expansion by facilitating the life of Israeli settlers in the occupied Palestinian capital.”
The Negotiations Affairs Department (NAD) said in a statement that the new bypass road named Benzion Netanyahu, after the late father of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who is known for his extremist views and support for settlement expansion, is illegal under international law because it was built to serve the illegal settlements and settlers.
“All settlements and settlement activities, including infrastructure such as roads, are illegal under international law,” said NAD. “Israel, as an Occupying Power, may not transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies. Settlements constitute a grave breach of the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention and violate the 1998 Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.”
NAD said that the “physical and psychological impact of settlements on the Palestinian population is horrific and profound.”
It said the new bypass road aims at connecting settlements to the east and west of East Jerusalem with a highway to West Jerusalem and Tel Aviv that was also build on occupied Palestinian land.
The new road was built on land belonging to the Palestinian neighborhood of Beit Hanina, “further fragmenting Palestinian areas and colonizing more Palestinian land in Occupied East Jerusalem,” said the statement.
It said the goal behind this road “is to continue strengthening settlement expansion by facilitating the life of Israeli settlers in the occupied Palestinian capital.”
5 may 2013
Report: Occupation escalates settlement activity in Jerusalem
A Palestinian report showed an escalation in the Israeli settlement activity during the past week, especially in the occupied city of Jerusalem.
The weekly report of the National Office for the Defense of Land pointed out that the Israeli government intends to provide more support for settlement activities in Jerusalem and its suburbs, as it plans to allocate 22 million shekels for the enhancement of settlement activity in the occupied city.
It is expected that the Israeli government will provide facilities for settlement construction projects in the holy city on the 46th anniversary of the occupation of Jerusalem which falls next Wednesday, the report added.
It pointed that Netanyahu's extremist government has continued to approve more settlement plans; as the Israeli Interior Ministry has introduced a new plan that includes converting 13,300 dunums of open areas to areas for the building.
According to this new plan, the settlement of Modi'in, set up on lands west of the city of Ramallah in the West Bank, will be expanded by 3,700 dunums.
The Israeli Land Authority has also sent bids for selling lands in order to establish 121 new housing units in Givat Ze'ev settlement, east of occupied Jerusalem.
For its part; the Jerusalem Municipality announced the opening of Road 20 next Sunday, in the town of Beit Hanina north of Jerusalem. This Road divides the town of Beit Hanina into two, and connects the northern settlements with the Begin Road (Road 443), then towards the 1948-occupied territories.
Meanwhile, Haaretz newspaper said on Friday that "a huge 25-story building shaped like a helmet and sheathed in a material that looks like gold is expected to be built on Mount Scopus, one of the highest points in Jerusalem, in a plan for founding a center dedicated to the heritage of Jewish physicist Albert Einstein."
The paper said that the building plans have been recently submitted by the Jerusalem Development Authority to the regional building and planning committee.
The Einstein Heritage Center, which according to the plan would be visible from nearly everywhere in the city, is slated to be built following a government decision taken about two years ago as part of the framework "for strengthening Israel’s national heritage".
"The center is a joint project of the national heritage department at the Prime Minister’s Office, the President’s Office, the Jerusalem Development Authority, the Jerusalem Municipality and the Hebrew University, which also owns Einstein’s intellectual estate", Haaretz added.
The weekly report of the National Office for the Defense of Land pointed out that the Israeli government intends to provide more support for settlement activities in Jerusalem and its suburbs, as it plans to allocate 22 million shekels for the enhancement of settlement activity in the occupied city.
It is expected that the Israeli government will provide facilities for settlement construction projects in the holy city on the 46th anniversary of the occupation of Jerusalem which falls next Wednesday, the report added.
It pointed that Netanyahu's extremist government has continued to approve more settlement plans; as the Israeli Interior Ministry has introduced a new plan that includes converting 13,300 dunums of open areas to areas for the building.
According to this new plan, the settlement of Modi'in, set up on lands west of the city of Ramallah in the West Bank, will be expanded by 3,700 dunums.
The Israeli Land Authority has also sent bids for selling lands in order to establish 121 new housing units in Givat Ze'ev settlement, east of occupied Jerusalem.
For its part; the Jerusalem Municipality announced the opening of Road 20 next Sunday, in the town of Beit Hanina north of Jerusalem. This Road divides the town of Beit Hanina into two, and connects the northern settlements with the Begin Road (Road 443), then towards the 1948-occupied territories.
Meanwhile, Haaretz newspaper said on Friday that "a huge 25-story building shaped like a helmet and sheathed in a material that looks like gold is expected to be built on Mount Scopus, one of the highest points in Jerusalem, in a plan for founding a center dedicated to the heritage of Jewish physicist Albert Einstein."
The paper said that the building plans have been recently submitted by the Jerusalem Development Authority to the regional building and planning committee.
The Einstein Heritage Center, which according to the plan would be visible from nearly everywhere in the city, is slated to be built following a government decision taken about two years ago as part of the framework "for strengthening Israel’s national heritage".
"The center is a joint project of the national heritage department at the Prime Minister’s Office, the President’s Office, the Jerusalem Development Authority, the Jerusalem Municipality and the Hebrew University, which also owns Einstein’s intellectual estate", Haaretz added.
4 may 2013
Israel to allocate $6m to enhance settlement in Jerusalem
Hebrew press sources revealed that the Israeli government intends to approve the allocation of huge amounts of money to enhance settlement activity in the occupied city of Jerusalem.
Maariv newspaper said in its Friday edition that the Israeli government has approved plans to allocate 22 million shekels (more than 6 million dollars) to step up its settlement activities in the city of Jerusalem on the occasion of the forty-sixth anniversary of the occupation of Jerusalem, which falls on Tuesday.
The paper pointed out that the government will provide many facilities and privileges for settlement construction projects in the occupied city of Jerusalem, including the allocation of lands for building an Israeli academic institutions and establishing natural museums.
For his part, Israeli Minister of Construction and Housing Uri Ariel announced the allocation of part of the allocated money for the development and rehabilitation of infrastructure in the archaeological neighborhood of al-Quatmun in East Jerusalem.
Maariv newspaper said in its Friday edition that the Israeli government has approved plans to allocate 22 million shekels (more than 6 million dollars) to step up its settlement activities in the city of Jerusalem on the occasion of the forty-sixth anniversary of the occupation of Jerusalem, which falls on Tuesday.
The paper pointed out that the government will provide many facilities and privileges for settlement construction projects in the occupied city of Jerusalem, including the allocation of lands for building an Israeli academic institutions and establishing natural museums.
For his part, Israeli Minister of Construction and Housing Uri Ariel announced the allocation of part of the allocated money for the development and rehabilitation of infrastructure in the archaeological neighborhood of al-Quatmun in East Jerusalem.
Int'l organizations demand world leaders to curb Israel's demolition of homes
16 international human rights and relief organizations signed a petition demanding the world leaders to pressure Israel to stop its demolition of Palestinian homes and its settlement activities.
The organizations issued their appeal one week after the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) displaced about 52 Palestinian civilians after knocking down their homes in the area classified as C.
In a statement on Friday, the signatories to the petition noted that Israel had carried out demolitions against 203 Palestinian homes since the start of the current year in area C under its control.
They demanded the political leaders of the world to hold Israel accountable for violating the international law through its persistence in settlement expansion activities, demolition of Palestinian homes, and forced displacement of its residents.
The organizations that signed the petition included the Norwegian people's aid, action against hunger, the American friends service committee, medical aid for Palestinians, the Norwegian refugee council, the polish humanitarian action and Carter center.
The organizations said that Israel's demolition of Palestinian homes and structures has become systematic and rendered hundreds of Palestinians homeless in the West Bank.
It stressed that the world leaders should not continue ignoring Israel's displacement of children and elderly people from their homes for the expansion of its illegal settlements in the West Bank.
The IOA demolished between 23 and 30 April 36 Palestinian homes and structures including five tents given by the French consulate to victimized families whose homes had been flattened earlier this year.
The organizations issued their appeal one week after the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) displaced about 52 Palestinian civilians after knocking down their homes in the area classified as C.
In a statement on Friday, the signatories to the petition noted that Israel had carried out demolitions against 203 Palestinian homes since the start of the current year in area C under its control.
They demanded the political leaders of the world to hold Israel accountable for violating the international law through its persistence in settlement expansion activities, demolition of Palestinian homes, and forced displacement of its residents.
The organizations that signed the petition included the Norwegian people's aid, action against hunger, the American friends service committee, medical aid for Palestinians, the Norwegian refugee council, the polish humanitarian action and Carter center.
The organizations said that Israel's demolition of Palestinian homes and structures has become systematic and rendered hundreds of Palestinians homeless in the West Bank.
It stressed that the world leaders should not continue ignoring Israel's displacement of children and elderly people from their homes for the expansion of its illegal settlements in the West Bank.
The IOA demolished between 23 and 30 April 36 Palestinian homes and structures including five tents given by the French consulate to victimized families whose homes had been flattened earlier this year.
2 may 2013
Resheq warns of projects aimed at accelerating Judaization efforts
Ezzet Al-Resheq, a political bureau member of Hamas, has warned of the new Israeli project of establishing a monorail in occupied Jerusalem.
Resheq said in a press release on Wednesday that the “dangerous project” aims at facilitating the access of Jewish fanatic settlers into the Buraq plaza and boosting Jewish presence in the holy city.
He said that the project also aims at intensifying presence of Jewish settlers near the Maghareba gate in preparation for attacking the Aqsa mosque and dividing it between Muslims and Jews similar to what took place in the Ibrahimi mosque in Al-Khalil.
The Hamas leader called on the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to employ their presence at the international platforms to pressure Israel into desisting from further measures to Judaize Jerusalem.
Resheq asked Arab and Islamic masses to boost their role in support of the Palestinian people especially in occupied Jerusalem in face of Israeli occupation’s schemes and projects, adding that Israel was exploiting peace overtures to seize more land and expand Judaization projects.
Resheq said in a press release on Wednesday that the “dangerous project” aims at facilitating the access of Jewish fanatic settlers into the Buraq plaza and boosting Jewish presence in the holy city.
He said that the project also aims at intensifying presence of Jewish settlers near the Maghareba gate in preparation for attacking the Aqsa mosque and dividing it between Muslims and Jews similar to what took place in the Ibrahimi mosque in Al-Khalil.
The Hamas leader called on the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to employ their presence at the international platforms to pressure Israel into desisting from further measures to Judaize Jerusalem.
Resheq asked Arab and Islamic masses to boost their role in support of the Palestinian people especially in occupied Jerusalem in face of Israeli occupation’s schemes and projects, adding that Israel was exploiting peace overtures to seize more land and expand Judaization projects.
New Israeli Settlement Outpost in Nablus
Israeli settlers started to construct a new settlement outpost, south of Nablus in the West Bank.
A Palestinian official in charge of the settlement file in the northern part of the West Bank, Ghassan Douglas, said that settlers placed several mobile homes and installed electricity into them, a few meters away from Za'tara military checkpoint.
It's worth noting that Za'tara checkpoint was the place where an Israeli armed settler was killed by a Palestinian who was arrested immediately.
Douglas also said that the settlers seized the lands and started to build their new outpost in the area.
New Israeli settlement outpost southern Nablus
Israeli settlers started constructing a new settlement outpost south of Nablus on Thursday near Za'tara checkpoint where an Israeli settler was killed by a Palestinian liberated prisoner.
Ghassan Daghlas, a Palestinian official in charge of settlements file in the northern part of the West Bank, said that settlers placed several mobile homes and installed electricity into them, a few meters away from Za'tara military checkpoint.
The seized lands belong to a Palestinian family from Beita town, Daghlas stated. Israeli sources confirmed that Yitzhar settlers started to build their new outpost in the area in response to the killing of the Israeli armed settler.
A Palestinian official in charge of the settlement file in the northern part of the West Bank, Ghassan Douglas, said that settlers placed several mobile homes and installed electricity into them, a few meters away from Za'tara military checkpoint.
It's worth noting that Za'tara checkpoint was the place where an Israeli armed settler was killed by a Palestinian who was arrested immediately.
Douglas also said that the settlers seized the lands and started to build their new outpost in the area.
New Israeli settlement outpost southern Nablus
Israeli settlers started constructing a new settlement outpost south of Nablus on Thursday near Za'tara checkpoint where an Israeli settler was killed by a Palestinian liberated prisoner.
Ghassan Daghlas, a Palestinian official in charge of settlements file in the northern part of the West Bank, said that settlers placed several mobile homes and installed electricity into them, a few meters away from Za'tara military checkpoint.
The seized lands belong to a Palestinian family from Beita town, Daghlas stated. Israeli sources confirmed that Yitzhar settlers started to build their new outpost in the area in response to the killing of the Israeli armed settler.
Israeli Housing Minister: “We Will Oppose Any Budget That Does Not Include Settlements
”Israeli Housing Minister Uri Ariel
Israeli Housing Minister, Uri Ariel, of the Jewish Home Party, stated that his party will oppose an government budget that does not includes budgets for the construction and expansion of Jewish settlements in areas Israel vowed to build in after the Palestinians headed to the United Nations last year.
Israeli Yedioth Aharonoth reported that Ariel held a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to discuss the issue, and stated following the meeting that any budget that does not allow settlement construction would be considered a violation of the coalition agreement between the Jewish Home and the Likud Party of Netanyahu.
On his part, Israeli Finance Minister, Yair Lapid, refused to comment on the statements of Ariel.
Israeli sources reported that Ariel seems to be sending a message for Jewish settlers in the occupied territories, telling them that his party will fight for more budgets for settlements, and that he is also sending a political message to Netanyahu to stress on the importance of settlements amidst U.S. efforts to resume direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
In November of last year, the Palestinians won a UN General Assembly vote for nonmember observer state statues when 138 member states voted in favor of Palestine, while only 9 countries voted against the bid and 41 countries abstained.
Israel responded to the move by approving more settlement construction and expansion in the occupied territories, including in and around occupied East Jerusalem, and also withheld Palestinian tax money it collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority on West Bank border terminals.
The U.S also withheld financial support to the P.A and urged it to refrain from what it called “unilateral moves” that are “counterproductive to the efforts to resume direct peace talks”.
The Palestinian Authority is demanding Israel to stop all of its violations, including invasions, assassinations, arrests and settlement construction activities in order to enable the resumption of peace talks, but Israel considers the Palestinian demands as “preconditions”.
Israeli Housing Minister, Uri Ariel, of the Jewish Home Party, stated that his party will oppose an government budget that does not includes budgets for the construction and expansion of Jewish settlements in areas Israel vowed to build in after the Palestinians headed to the United Nations last year.
Israeli Yedioth Aharonoth reported that Ariel held a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to discuss the issue, and stated following the meeting that any budget that does not allow settlement construction would be considered a violation of the coalition agreement between the Jewish Home and the Likud Party of Netanyahu.
On his part, Israeli Finance Minister, Yair Lapid, refused to comment on the statements of Ariel.
Israeli sources reported that Ariel seems to be sending a message for Jewish settlers in the occupied territories, telling them that his party will fight for more budgets for settlements, and that he is also sending a political message to Netanyahu to stress on the importance of settlements amidst U.S. efforts to resume direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
In November of last year, the Palestinians won a UN General Assembly vote for nonmember observer state statues when 138 member states voted in favor of Palestine, while only 9 countries voted against the bid and 41 countries abstained.
Israel responded to the move by approving more settlement construction and expansion in the occupied territories, including in and around occupied East Jerusalem, and also withheld Palestinian tax money it collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority on West Bank border terminals.
The U.S also withheld financial support to the P.A and urged it to refrain from what it called “unilateral moves” that are “counterproductive to the efforts to resume direct peace talks”.
The Palestinian Authority is demanding Israel to stop all of its violations, including invasions, assassinations, arrests and settlement construction activities in order to enable the resumption of peace talks, but Israel considers the Palestinian demands as “preconditions”.
1 may 2013
Al-Resheq: Our people will confront Israeli settlers' crimes
Izzat al-Resheq, a member of the political bureau of Hamas, warned the occupation authorities of giving the green light to Jewish extremist settlers to carry out brutal attacks against Palestinians and their properties. Al-Resheq held the occupation authorities fully responsible for these serious crimes and their implications, saying that the "Palestinian people will not remain idle and will protect their land and dignity by all means."
Since the early morning hours of Tuesday, hundreds of Israeli settlers carried out several attacks against Palestinian citizens in Nablus northern West Bank.
In another context, al-Resheq stated that the Israeli decision to approve the construction of 121 new housing units in East Jerusalem and the Israeli plan to expand Modi'in settlement, west of Ramallah on 4,000 dunums of Palestinian land in the West Bank came in the framework of the Israeli campaign to expand settlement and to loot more Palestinian land in Jerusalem and the West Bank.
He stressed in a press statement on Tuesday the need for a strategy to address the Israeli settlement projects, calling for Arab, Islamic and international pressure to put an end to the Israeli settlement ambitions.
He noted that the absence and the prosecution of armed resistance in the West Bank encourage the Israeli settlement expansion and construction.
The Israeli Ministry of Housing approved on Monday the construction of 121 new housing units in the settlement of "Givat Ze'ev" near the city of Jerusalem. The Israeli Ministry of the Interior also presented the plan to expand Modi'in settlement west of Ramallah on 4,000 dunums.
Since the early morning hours of Tuesday, hundreds of Israeli settlers carried out several attacks against Palestinian citizens in Nablus northern West Bank.
In another context, al-Resheq stated that the Israeli decision to approve the construction of 121 new housing units in East Jerusalem and the Israeli plan to expand Modi'in settlement, west of Ramallah on 4,000 dunums of Palestinian land in the West Bank came in the framework of the Israeli campaign to expand settlement and to loot more Palestinian land in Jerusalem and the West Bank.
He stressed in a press statement on Tuesday the need for a strategy to address the Israeli settlement projects, calling for Arab, Islamic and international pressure to put an end to the Israeli settlement ambitions.
He noted that the absence and the prosecution of armed resistance in the West Bank encourage the Israeli settlement expansion and construction.
The Israeli Ministry of Housing approved on Monday the construction of 121 new housing units in the settlement of "Givat Ze'ev" near the city of Jerusalem. The Israeli Ministry of the Interior also presented the plan to expand Modi'in settlement west of Ramallah on 4,000 dunums.
Israeli scheme to establish monorail in Jerusalem
The Israeli mayor of the occupied city of Jerusalem, Nir Barkat, declared during a press conference yesterday evening the establishment of monorail in the city, noting that it will be ready by 2015.
The monorail will start from Jabal al-Zaytun towards the old town and down to al-Buraq Wall, and then to al-Khalil Gate to reach the central bus station west of the city, noting that it would allow tens of thousands of Jewish extremists to easily access al-Buraq Wall and the old town, according to Barkat.
Jews will fly over Jerusalem in less than an hour by monorail, he said.
Specialist in settlement affairs Ahmed Sablaban said that 6000 persons will be allowed to reach al-Buraq wall within an hour, stressing that it aims to impose the Israeli control over the old town in light of the Israeli escalated Judaization projects.
This Israeli new project aims to change the Arab and Islamic character of the occupied city of Jerusalem by reinforcing the Israeli tourism in order to impose the Israeli control over the so-called Holy Basin area, he noted.
Sablaban pointed that this Israeli project came in the framework of the continued Israeli Judaization and settlement projects in the area.
He stressed that the Israeli municipality in cooperation with the Israeli company for "Jerusalem Development" announced that the monorail will be launched at the beginning of 2015.
The monorail will start from Jabal al-Zaytun towards the old town and down to al-Buraq Wall, and then to al-Khalil Gate to reach the central bus station west of the city, noting that it would allow tens of thousands of Jewish extremists to easily access al-Buraq Wall and the old town, according to Barkat.
Jews will fly over Jerusalem in less than an hour by monorail, he said.
Specialist in settlement affairs Ahmed Sablaban said that 6000 persons will be allowed to reach al-Buraq wall within an hour, stressing that it aims to impose the Israeli control over the old town in light of the Israeli escalated Judaization projects.
This Israeli new project aims to change the Arab and Islamic character of the occupied city of Jerusalem by reinforcing the Israeli tourism in order to impose the Israeli control over the so-called Holy Basin area, he noted.
Sablaban pointed that this Israeli project came in the framework of the continued Israeli Judaization and settlement projects in the area.
He stressed that the Israeli municipality in cooperation with the Israeli company for "Jerusalem Development" announced that the monorail will be launched at the beginning of 2015.
Israel Changes Route of Wall near Tulkarm
The Israeli authorities began work to change the route of a section in the segregation barrier it has built at the entrance of Jbara village, south of Tulkarm, in 2002 and moved it closer to the 1948 armistice line between Israel and the West Bank, head of Jbara village council, Awni Odeh, said Wednesday.
He said efforts by the council and area villages since 2004 to change the route of the wall has succeeded in removing the barrier that isolated the villages from their agricultural land for many years.
He said that even though the Israeli Supreme Court has ruled on this last year, the military government did not start to change the route until now.
He said the former barrier has isolated the village from the outside world and no one was able to enter it or leave it without a permit. Residents were also unable to reach their farm land, which caused hundreds of trees to die.
He said efforts by the council and area villages since 2004 to change the route of the wall has succeeded in removing the barrier that isolated the villages from their agricultural land for many years.
He said that even though the Israeli Supreme Court has ruled on this last year, the military government did not start to change the route until now.
He said the former barrier has isolated the village from the outside world and no one was able to enter it or leave it without a permit. Residents were also unable to reach their farm land, which caused hundreds of trees to die.