31 may 2013
The Ministry of Justice in Gaza demanded the international community to put pressure on Israel to stop the Judaization and stealing of lands in occupied Jerusalem. Omar al-Borsh, undersecretary of the ministry, said in a statement on Thursday that the occupation wants to impose new facts on the ground through the expansion of settlements and the construction of thousands of new settlement units.
He pointed out that Israel has been violating the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 and the Fourth Hague Convention of 1957, which prohibit and criminalize all acts of land grabbing and the forced expulsion of the Palestinian indigenous inhabitants.
Al-Borsh demanded the Arab and Islamic nations to take a real and firm step in order to stop the construction of settlements and the Judaization of Palestinian lands.
He pointed out that Israel has been violating the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 and the Fourth Hague Convention of 1957, which prohibit and criminalize all acts of land grabbing and the forced expulsion of the Palestinian indigenous inhabitants.
Al-Borsh demanded the Arab and Islamic nations to take a real and firm step in order to stop the construction of settlements and the Judaization of Palestinian lands.
30 may 2013
The illegal Israeli settlement of Ma'aleh Adumim in the occupied West Bank
The Israeli regime has given the final go-ahead for the construction of 300 new illegal settler units in East al-Quds (Jerusalem).
Housing Ministry spokesman Ariel Rosenberg said on Thursday that the new units will be built in Ramot neighborhood, which lies in the territory Israeli occupied in 1967.
On Wednesday, an Israeli NGO said that the regime plans to build 1,000 new settler units in East al-Quds.
Israeli settlement watchdog Terrestrial Jerusalem said that contracts for 300 homes in the northeastern settlement of Ramot were signed and another 797 plots were to be offered for sale in the southern settlement of Gilo.
Gilo is also one of five major settlements in East al-Quds that were established by the Israeli regime following the Six-Day War of 1967.
A new report has revealed that the Israeli regime confiscated 1,977 acres of the Palestinian lands in the occupied West Bank for its settlement activity during 2012.
The settlements, which cover an area roughly equal to 1,035 soccer fields and twice as big as New York's Central Park, were approved by “military order,” the Israeli daily Haaretz reported on May 27.
The report said most of the new settlements were located deep in the Palestinian-inhabited West Bank.
The presence and continued expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestine has created a major obstacle for the efforts made to establish peace in the Middle East.
More than half a million Israelis live in over 120 illegal settlements built since Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East al-Quds in 1967.
The United Nations and most countries regard the Israeli settlements as illegal because the territories were captured by Israel in the war of 1967 and are hence subject to the Geneva Conventions, which forbid construction on occupied lands.
The Israeli regime has given the final go-ahead for the construction of 300 new illegal settler units in East al-Quds (Jerusalem).
Housing Ministry spokesman Ariel Rosenberg said on Thursday that the new units will be built in Ramot neighborhood, which lies in the territory Israeli occupied in 1967.
On Wednesday, an Israeli NGO said that the regime plans to build 1,000 new settler units in East al-Quds.
Israeli settlement watchdog Terrestrial Jerusalem said that contracts for 300 homes in the northeastern settlement of Ramot were signed and another 797 plots were to be offered for sale in the southern settlement of Gilo.
Gilo is also one of five major settlements in East al-Quds that were established by the Israeli regime following the Six-Day War of 1967.
A new report has revealed that the Israeli regime confiscated 1,977 acres of the Palestinian lands in the occupied West Bank for its settlement activity during 2012.
The settlements, which cover an area roughly equal to 1,035 soccer fields and twice as big as New York's Central Park, were approved by “military order,” the Israeli daily Haaretz reported on May 27.
The report said most of the new settlements were located deep in the Palestinian-inhabited West Bank.
The presence and continued expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestine has created a major obstacle for the efforts made to establish peace in the Middle East.
More than half a million Israelis live in over 120 illegal settlements built since Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East al-Quds in 1967.
The United Nations and most countries regard the Israeli settlements as illegal because the territories were captured by Israel in the war of 1967 and are hence subject to the Geneva Conventions, which forbid construction on occupied lands.
Israeli Army broadcast said that settlers continued to expand the illegal West Bank outpost of Amona and building new housing units despite the decision of Israeli High Court of Justice, which was issued two months ago, to evacuate the settlement. The evacuation decision was issued following a petition submitted to the court by Israeli human rights organization Yesh Din "There is Law" in 2008. Two months were given to the Israeli authorities to implement the evacuation decision.
According to the broadcast, an aerial photo shows that settlers are still proceeding with the expansion of the settlement by building another two housing units on Palestinian-owned land.
Israeli sources claimed that the decision of the Israeli court states on evacuating the settlement outpost including the two newly-constructed units, and therefore a decision was issued to cease the construction and demolish the housing units.
According to the broadcast, an aerial photo shows that settlers are still proceeding with the expansion of the settlement by building another two housing units on Palestinian-owned land.
Israeli sources claimed that the decision of the Israeli court states on evacuating the settlement outpost including the two newly-constructed units, and therefore a decision was issued to cease the construction and demolish the housing units.
Israeli NGO, Terrestrial Jerusalem, has reported that Israel is planning to build more than 1000 units for Jewish settlers in occupied East Jerusalem.
It stated the move “could significantly hinder the efforts conducted by Washington to resume peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.”
The new Israeli decision was made despite the recent visit of U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, who held talks with Israeli, Palestinian and Jordanian officials in an attempt to resume “the political process” that has been deadlocked since 2010.
Founder and director of “Terrestrial Jerusalem”, Daniel Seidemann, stated that construction bids has been signed, and that 300 units will be built in Ramot settlement in addition to 797 units in Gilo settlement.
Seidemann said that Israeli Housing Minister, Yuri Ariel, a settler and a leader of the Jewish Home Party, and those in his circle, made the new decision.
He added that Ariel is acting on officially launching a new wave of settlement activities in the occupied territories.
It stated the move “could significantly hinder the efforts conducted by Washington to resume peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.”
The new Israeli decision was made despite the recent visit of U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, who held talks with Israeli, Palestinian and Jordanian officials in an attempt to resume “the political process” that has been deadlocked since 2010.
Founder and director of “Terrestrial Jerusalem”, Daniel Seidemann, stated that construction bids has been signed, and that 300 units will be built in Ramot settlement in addition to 797 units in Gilo settlement.
Seidemann said that Israeli Housing Minister, Yuri Ariel, a settler and a leader of the Jewish Home Party, and those in his circle, made the new decision.
He added that Ariel is acting on officially launching a new wave of settlement activities in the occupied territories.
27 may 2013
The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) started on Monday morning to build a road for the settlers aimed at connecting Kiryat Arba settlement with the Ibrahimi Mosque in Al-Khalil city. Local sources told Quds Press that an Israeli bulldozer heavily guarded by soldiers embarked on leveling the area where the road is going to be paved later in order to facilitate the arrival of the Jewish settlers at the Ibrahimi Mosque.
They warned that in addition to the main road of Kiryat Arba settlement and its wall, the creation of this road would make the homes of Da'nna family, where 30 Palestinians live, besieged from three sides.
They also added that the IOA would seize dozens of dunums of land belonging to Jaber family in order to establish this road.
In a separate incident on Sunday evening, a group of Jewish settlers escorted by soldiers pitched a tent on a piece of Palestinian land near Beit Ummar town in Al-Khalil city in an attempt to impose a fait accompli by seizing it, according to eyewitnesses.
They warned that in addition to the main road of Kiryat Arba settlement and its wall, the creation of this road would make the homes of Da'nna family, where 30 Palestinians live, besieged from three sides.
They also added that the IOA would seize dozens of dunums of land belonging to Jaber family in order to establish this road.
In a separate incident on Sunday evening, a group of Jewish settlers escorted by soldiers pitched a tent on a piece of Palestinian land near Beit Ummar town in Al-Khalil city in an attempt to impose a fait accompli by seizing it, according to eyewitnesses.
26 may 2013
Yaniv Alaluf
In attempt to fight growing phenomenon of West Bank stone hurling, IDF commander says new road is planned to protect drivers; local police commander says 'if stones are thrown at you and no one is critically injured, just keep on driving'
IDF Etzion Sector Commander Colonel Yaniv Alaluf held a meeting with residents of the settlement of Efrat, saying that a new road is to be built in Gush Etzion in an attempt to protect drivers from incidents of stone hurling. The road construction is expected to be completed within a year.
The meeting was held following the complaints of residents of the settlement against the increasing number of stone throwing incidents in the area.
"There were incidents in which gunfire was used… and as a result Palestinians were critically injured or killed," Alaluf added. "We limit the Palestinians and bolster coordination policies. We will not spare where harsh actions are needed, but no one wants us to get to a state of killing 12-year-old Palestinians all day long." According to Alaluf, "This is a time of a reduced sense of security. When stones are hurled around houses it's a failure of the battalion, of the brigade, and first of all mine."
Commander of the Etzion Police Department, Eyal Atiya said that "In 2012, 580 Palestinians involved in terror activities were arrested, while we received 1,100 reports of stone throwing. We have only two police cars in the station that need to see to these incidents."
The commander added that "if stones are thrown at you and no one is critically injured just keep on driving. Jews drive down these roads horribly too, which is why we bolstered enforcement."
In attempt to fight growing phenomenon of West Bank stone hurling, IDF commander says new road is planned to protect drivers; local police commander says 'if stones are thrown at you and no one is critically injured, just keep on driving'
IDF Etzion Sector Commander Colonel Yaniv Alaluf held a meeting with residents of the settlement of Efrat, saying that a new road is to be built in Gush Etzion in an attempt to protect drivers from incidents of stone hurling. The road construction is expected to be completed within a year.
The meeting was held following the complaints of residents of the settlement against the increasing number of stone throwing incidents in the area.
"There were incidents in which gunfire was used… and as a result Palestinians were critically injured or killed," Alaluf added. "We limit the Palestinians and bolster coordination policies. We will not spare where harsh actions are needed, but no one wants us to get to a state of killing 12-year-old Palestinians all day long." According to Alaluf, "This is a time of a reduced sense of security. When stones are hurled around houses it's a failure of the battalion, of the brigade, and first of all mine."
Commander of the Etzion Police Department, Eyal Atiya said that "In 2012, 580 Palestinians involved in terror activities were arrested, while we received 1,100 reports of stone throwing. We have only two police cars in the station that need to see to these incidents."
The commander added that "if stones are thrown at you and no one is critically injured just keep on driving. Jews drive down these roads horribly too, which is why we bolstered enforcement."
25 may 2013
Illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
A group of 80 international aid agencies has urged the European Union to act upon pledges it had made last year to protect Palestinian lands from Israeli settlement expansion.
The Association of International Development Agencies (AIDA) said in a report that not enough action had been taken since EU foreign ministers criticized Tel Aviv’s settlement policy in the occupied West Bank last May.
According to AIDA, since last May, Israel has destroyed some 535 Palestinian-owned homes and structures -- including 30 built with EU funding -- and has constructed over 600 settler units.
The report added that at least 784 Palestinians had been displaced as a result of Israeli activities since last year.
"Israel is morally and legally responsible for the wellbeing of Palestinian men, women and children... EU countries have an obligation to address violations of international law and collectively put pressure on Israel to end policies impeding Palestinian development," Tony Laurence from the charity organization Medical Aid for Palestinians said in the report.
The AIDA report added that Israel has also approved to build 1,967 new settler units since last May.
The presence and continued expansion of Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine has created a major obstacle for the efforts to establish peace in the Middle East.
More than half a million Israelis live in over 120 illegal settlements built since Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East al-Quds in 1967.
The UN and most countries regard the Israeli settlements as illegal because the territories were captured by Israel in a war in 1967 and are hence subject to the Geneva Conventions, which forbids construction on occupied lands.
A group of 80 international aid agencies has urged the European Union to act upon pledges it had made last year to protect Palestinian lands from Israeli settlement expansion.
The Association of International Development Agencies (AIDA) said in a report that not enough action had been taken since EU foreign ministers criticized Tel Aviv’s settlement policy in the occupied West Bank last May.
According to AIDA, since last May, Israel has destroyed some 535 Palestinian-owned homes and structures -- including 30 built with EU funding -- and has constructed over 600 settler units.
The report added that at least 784 Palestinians had been displaced as a result of Israeli activities since last year.
"Israel is morally and legally responsible for the wellbeing of Palestinian men, women and children... EU countries have an obligation to address violations of international law and collectively put pressure on Israel to end policies impeding Palestinian development," Tony Laurence from the charity organization Medical Aid for Palestinians said in the report.
The AIDA report added that Israel has also approved to build 1,967 new settler units since last May.
The presence and continued expansion of Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine has created a major obstacle for the efforts to establish peace in the Middle East.
More than half a million Israelis live in over 120 illegal settlements built since Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East al-Quds in 1967.
The UN and most countries regard the Israeli settlements as illegal because the territories were captured by Israel in a war in 1967 and are hence subject to the Geneva Conventions, which forbids construction on occupied lands.
24 may 2013
In an interview with Sky News, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said that Israel has lost some support in Britain and in other European countries due to its settlement construction policy. Hague, who is currently visiting Israel, made his comments in response to an interview in which Israeli Minister Yuval Steinitz told the Daily Telegraph that perceptions of Israel were more negative in Britain than in other countries.
Hague said that Britain strongly disagrees with "settlements on occupied land" and added that "We want to see both Israelis and Palestinians really commit themselves to the peace process while there is still a chance of a two-state solution." said Yediot Ahranot Israeli newspaper.
Hague said, Israel will struggle to maintain the two characteristics it holds dearest - that it remains both a Jewish state and a democracy.
Hague said that Britain strongly disagrees with "settlements on occupied land" and added that "We want to see both Israelis and Palestinians really commit themselves to the peace process while there is still a chance of a two-state solution." said Yediot Ahranot Israeli newspaper.
Hague said, Israel will struggle to maintain the two characteristics it holds dearest - that it remains both a Jewish state and a democracy.
21 may 2013
In a rare move, the US secretary of state has called the Israeli ambassador to Washington to protest against the legalization of Israeli outposts in the occupied West Bank.
John Kerry phoned Israel’s Michael Oren on Thursday to demand explanation over the outposts Tel Aviv had previously promised to demolish, the Israeli daily Ha’aretz reported on its website.
Kerry asked Tel Aviv to rethink the decision made by the Israeli High Court of Justice, or at least postpone the legalization of the outposts. He warned that the move would undermine efforts to revive negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA).
A phone call from the secretary of state to a foreign ambassador to demand explanation and voice protest is considered a very unusual move as such protests are usually conveyed through lower-level diplomatic channels.
The announcement of the outpost legalization comes despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pledge to Kerry to “restrain” settlement activity.
The thorny issue prompted PA officials to leave the negotiating table in 2009 and to refuse to return to direct talks since then.
Israel’s decision regarding the illegal outposts comes on the eve of Kerry’s fourth visit to the Middle East region.
Kerry is due to meet Netanyahu in al-Quds (Jerusalem) on Thursday and Acting Palestinian Authority Chief Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah on Friday.
John Kerry phoned Israel’s Michael Oren on Thursday to demand explanation over the outposts Tel Aviv had previously promised to demolish, the Israeli daily Ha’aretz reported on its website.
Kerry asked Tel Aviv to rethink the decision made by the Israeli High Court of Justice, or at least postpone the legalization of the outposts. He warned that the move would undermine efforts to revive negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA).
A phone call from the secretary of state to a foreign ambassador to demand explanation and voice protest is considered a very unusual move as such protests are usually conveyed through lower-level diplomatic channels.
The announcement of the outpost legalization comes despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pledge to Kerry to “restrain” settlement activity.
The thorny issue prompted PA officials to leave the negotiating table in 2009 and to refuse to return to direct talks since then.
Israel’s decision regarding the illegal outposts comes on the eve of Kerry’s fourth visit to the Middle East region.
Kerry is due to meet Netanyahu in al-Quds (Jerusalem) on Thursday and Acting Palestinian Authority Chief Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah on Friday.
The Israeli occupation authority has accelerated on Monday its excavation and destruction in Buraq square and Umayyad palaces south of al-Aqsa mosque as a prelude to establish the so-called "Israeli Strauss Center project", a new Jewish-only building includes a police station and a Rabbi visitors centre.
Al-Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage confirmed that Israeli bulldozers started digging on Monday morning in the Buraq area for the installation of steel shoring columns. The excavations led to the removal of several Arab and Islamic monuments in the area.
The occupation authority has been, for several months, carrying out extensive excavations in Umayyad palaces area as a prelude to turn it into an airport for the alleged Temple.
Al-Aqsa Foundation said that the occupation authorities seek to establish a "Talmudic Park" surrounding Al-Aqsa Mosque at the expense of al-Rahma Gate.
The occupation escalated its Judaization projects in al-Aqsa mosque aiming to build its alleged Temple on the ruins of al-Aqsa mosque the third holiest site in Islam.
Al-Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage confirmed that Israeli bulldozers started digging on Monday morning in the Buraq area for the installation of steel shoring columns. The excavations led to the removal of several Arab and Islamic monuments in the area.
The occupation authority has been, for several months, carrying out extensive excavations in Umayyad palaces area as a prelude to turn it into an airport for the alleged Temple.
Al-Aqsa Foundation said that the occupation authorities seek to establish a "Talmudic Park" surrounding Al-Aqsa Mosque at the expense of al-Rahma Gate.
The occupation escalated its Judaization projects in al-Aqsa mosque aiming to build its alleged Temple on the ruins of al-Aqsa mosque the third holiest site in Islam.
18 may 2013
New road connects Israeli settlement with the Ibrahimi Mosque
An Israeli team of civil engineers from Kiryat Arba settlement, built on Palestinian territories in al-Khalil, started land surveying of a road in Husain valley, in order to pave a new road connecting the settlement with the Ibrahimi Mosque.
The so-called ‘Hebron’s Council of Settlements’ has surveyed the dirt road locating on Palestinians’ lands and lined signals on the street as a prelude to establish a new road linking between Kiryat Arba settlement and the Ibrahimi mosque, local sources told Al-Khalil Reconstruction Committee.
Since more than a year the settlers have been trying to establish the road at the expense of the Palestinian lands in Husain valley, the sources added.
The Palestinian residents have appealed to the local institutions to stand against these Israeli schemes that aim to annex more lands to Kiryat Arba settlement.
In the same context, Israeli occupation soldiers set up surveillance cameras on the roofs of several houses south of the Ibrahimi Mosque.
The so-called ‘Hebron’s Council of Settlements’ has surveyed the dirt road locating on Palestinians’ lands and lined signals on the street as a prelude to establish a new road linking between Kiryat Arba settlement and the Ibrahimi mosque, local sources told Al-Khalil Reconstruction Committee.
Since more than a year the settlers have been trying to establish the road at the expense of the Palestinian lands in Husain valley, the sources added.
The Palestinian residents have appealed to the local institutions to stand against these Israeli schemes that aim to annex more lands to Kiryat Arba settlement.
In the same context, Israeli occupation soldiers set up surveillance cameras on the roofs of several houses south of the Ibrahimi Mosque.
17 may 2013
Israel plans to legalize 4 settler units in occupied West Bank
An Israeli bulldozer sits at a construction site in East al-Quds (Jerusalem).
An Israeli court document shows that the Tel Aviv regime is planning to legalize four housing settlements already built in the occupied West Bank.
In a reply to a Supreme Court petition by the Israeli anti-settlement group Peace Now, the regime of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it had adopted measures in recent weeks to legalize retroactively four West Bank settlements, which were constructed without official authorization, the court document showed on Thursday.
Nabil Abu Rdainah, a spokesman for acting Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas, condemned the Israeli plan.
"Our position is clear and that is all settlement is illegal and must be stopped," he said.
Peace Now said in a statement that the “intention to legalize outposts as new settlements is… blatant reassurance to settler interests."
In recent months, Israel has given approval to build thousands of settler units on the occupied Palestinian territory, despite opposition from the United Nations and the international community.
The presence and continued expansion of Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine has created a major obstacle for the efforts to establish peace in the Middle East.
More than half a million Israelis live in over 120 illegal settlements built since Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East al-Quds in 1967.
The UN and most countries regard the Israeli settlements as illegal because the territories were captured by Israel in a war in 1967 and are hence subject to the Geneva Conventions, which forbids construction on occupied lands.
Dr. Ashrawi Slams Israeli Plans to Legalize Illegal Settler ‘Outposts’
In response to Israel's most recent unilateral violations of international law, including plans to legalize settler 'outposts,' and the increase in settler violence against the Palestinian people and their resources, PLO Executive Committee member, Dr. Hanan Ashrawi said:
"Such an announcement to legalize four settler outposts in the territory of the State of Palestine (that were supposed to be demolished in 2003) shows the truth of an ongoing Israeli policy to create facts on the ground. It preempts the Secretary of State John Kerry's visit to the region next week, and makes a mockery at any attempt to launch viable negotiations. These actions send a clear message to both the Obama administration and to the Palestinian people that Israel is committed more to land theft than to peacemaking."
Dr. Ashrawi added: "The PLO also strongly denounces the repeated intrusions and attacks on al-Aqsa Mosque by extremist groups under the protection of the Israeli Army and Police. This constitutes a deliberate provocation to Muslims everywhere and threatens to unleash a religious conflict of dangerous proportions. Furthermore, the danger inherent in the settler violence is becoming increasingly visible in the reign of terror by settlers attacking innocent Palestinians, particularly in remote villages and rural areas, and their deliberate destruction of property and the uprooting of trees. It is evident that such patterns of behavior threaten to plunge the entire region into instability and violence and undermine global security."
"Such violations make it more imperative that Palestine accedes to international agreements and conventions to protect our rights and to join international agencies and organizations to ensure multilateral protection for Palestine and judicial accountability for Israel. We call on the United Nations, the European Union, the United States and members of the international community to undertake their responsibility in curbing Israeli deliberate violations of international law and Palestinian human rights. Israel must be held accountable with bold measures and initiatives before any and all chances for peace and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state are destroyed," concluded Dr. Ashrawi.
An Israeli court document shows that the Tel Aviv regime is planning to legalize four housing settlements already built in the occupied West Bank.
In a reply to a Supreme Court petition by the Israeli anti-settlement group Peace Now, the regime of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it had adopted measures in recent weeks to legalize retroactively four West Bank settlements, which were constructed without official authorization, the court document showed on Thursday.
Nabil Abu Rdainah, a spokesman for acting Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas, condemned the Israeli plan.
"Our position is clear and that is all settlement is illegal and must be stopped," he said.
Peace Now said in a statement that the “intention to legalize outposts as new settlements is… blatant reassurance to settler interests."
In recent months, Israel has given approval to build thousands of settler units on the occupied Palestinian territory, despite opposition from the United Nations and the international community.
The presence and continued expansion of Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine has created a major obstacle for the efforts to establish peace in the Middle East.
More than half a million Israelis live in over 120 illegal settlements built since Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East al-Quds in 1967.
The UN and most countries regard the Israeli settlements as illegal because the territories were captured by Israel in a war in 1967 and are hence subject to the Geneva Conventions, which forbids construction on occupied lands.
Dr. Ashrawi Slams Israeli Plans to Legalize Illegal Settler ‘Outposts’
In response to Israel's most recent unilateral violations of international law, including plans to legalize settler 'outposts,' and the increase in settler violence against the Palestinian people and their resources, PLO Executive Committee member, Dr. Hanan Ashrawi said:
"Such an announcement to legalize four settler outposts in the territory of the State of Palestine (that were supposed to be demolished in 2003) shows the truth of an ongoing Israeli policy to create facts on the ground. It preempts the Secretary of State John Kerry's visit to the region next week, and makes a mockery at any attempt to launch viable negotiations. These actions send a clear message to both the Obama administration and to the Palestinian people that Israel is committed more to land theft than to peacemaking."
Dr. Ashrawi added: "The PLO also strongly denounces the repeated intrusions and attacks on al-Aqsa Mosque by extremist groups under the protection of the Israeli Army and Police. This constitutes a deliberate provocation to Muslims everywhere and threatens to unleash a religious conflict of dangerous proportions. Furthermore, the danger inherent in the settler violence is becoming increasingly visible in the reign of terror by settlers attacking innocent Palestinians, particularly in remote villages and rural areas, and their deliberate destruction of property and the uprooting of trees. It is evident that such patterns of behavior threaten to plunge the entire region into instability and violence and undermine global security."
"Such violations make it more imperative that Palestine accedes to international agreements and conventions to protect our rights and to join international agencies and organizations to ensure multilateral protection for Palestine and judicial accountability for Israel. We call on the United Nations, the European Union, the United States and members of the international community to undertake their responsibility in curbing Israeli deliberate violations of international law and Palestinian human rights. Israel must be held accountable with bold measures and initiatives before any and all chances for peace and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state are destroyed," concluded Dr. Ashrawi.
14 may 2013
Jewish settlers start building religious institute in Bethlehem outpost
Jewish settlers started building a religious institute in a settlement outpost in Khader village, Bethlehem province.
Ahmed Salah, the coordinator of the popular committee in Al-Khader, told Quds Press on Tuesday that the institute was almost completed.
He said that the institute was being built in Tal Hatmar outpost that was built over 500 dunums of the village land in 2000.
He said that building an institute in that outpost means turning it into an official settlement. He recalled that the outpost was dismantled but the settlers rebuilt it 13 years ago.
Ahmed Salah, the coordinator of the popular committee in Al-Khader, told Quds Press on Tuesday that the institute was almost completed.
He said that the institute was being built in Tal Hatmar outpost that was built over 500 dunums of the village land in 2000.
He said that building an institute in that outpost means turning it into an official settlement. He recalled that the outpost was dismantled but the settlers rebuilt it 13 years ago.
Israel Delays Bids On Construction Of 1500 Units In East Jerusalem
Israeli army radio reported Monday that the Regional Construction and Planning Committee in Jerusalem decided to delay bids for the construction of 1500 additional units in the Ramat Shlomo illegal settlement, in occupied East Jerusalem, for three weeks.
The Radio said that the Committee quoted security considerations for its decision, and added that the units have been approved for construction in December of 2012.
The decision to construct these units was made several years ago, but Israel shelved it during the visit of U.S. Vice President, Joe Biden, to the region in March of 2010, the Arabs48 news website has reported.
Senior Israeli officials told the Army Radio that the Ministry of Interior was instructed by the office of Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to delay the project due to its “politically sensitive nature”; Netanyahu’s office did not comment on the issue.
The Ramat Shlomo settlement, along with Gilo, Ramot, Pisgat Zeev and East Talpiot, are part of the settlement chain encircling occupied East Jerusalem, especially amidst the ongoing illegal Israeli settlement activities aiming at illegally annexing Palestinian lands east and north of occupied Jerusalem to complete its chain of settlement around the occupied city.
One of the most dangerous Israeli settlement plans is the so-called E1 (East 1) project, referring to the area of northeast of occupied Jerusalem to the Ma’ale Adumim settlement, the third largest settlement in the occupied West Bank.
Back in 2004, the then Israeli Prime Minister, Yitzhak Rabin, (who was assassinated by an extremist Israeli settler identified as Yigal Amir) decided to expand the border of the Ma’ale Adumim settlement.
As part of this project, Israel built the E1 Police station, which became the headquarters for the Police in the occupied West Bank, referred to by Israel as the “Judea and Samira Police Department”.
The project is meant to complete the chain of settlement around occupied Jerusalem, and blocking the geographical contiguity of the occupied West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Israel’s settlements in the occupied West Bank are built in direct violation of International Law and the Fourth Geneva Convention to which Israel is a signatory.
The Radio said that the Committee quoted security considerations for its decision, and added that the units have been approved for construction in December of 2012.
The decision to construct these units was made several years ago, but Israel shelved it during the visit of U.S. Vice President, Joe Biden, to the region in March of 2010, the Arabs48 news website has reported.
Senior Israeli officials told the Army Radio that the Ministry of Interior was instructed by the office of Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to delay the project due to its “politically sensitive nature”; Netanyahu’s office did not comment on the issue.
The Ramat Shlomo settlement, along with Gilo, Ramot, Pisgat Zeev and East Talpiot, are part of the settlement chain encircling occupied East Jerusalem, especially amidst the ongoing illegal Israeli settlement activities aiming at illegally annexing Palestinian lands east and north of occupied Jerusalem to complete its chain of settlement around the occupied city.
One of the most dangerous Israeli settlement plans is the so-called E1 (East 1) project, referring to the area of northeast of occupied Jerusalem to the Ma’ale Adumim settlement, the third largest settlement in the occupied West Bank.
Back in 2004, the then Israeli Prime Minister, Yitzhak Rabin, (who was assassinated by an extremist Israeli settler identified as Yigal Amir) decided to expand the border of the Ma’ale Adumim settlement.
As part of this project, Israel built the E1 Police station, which became the headquarters for the Police in the occupied West Bank, referred to by Israel as the “Judea and Samira Police Department”.
The project is meant to complete the chain of settlement around occupied Jerusalem, and blocking the geographical contiguity of the occupied West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Israel’s settlements in the occupied West Bank are built in direct violation of International Law and the Fourth Geneva Convention to which Israel is a signatory.