31 may 2018
France condemned on Thursday evening the Israeli decision to build around hundreds of housing units in 30 different illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The French government stressed that such a decision threatens the prospects of establishing a viable and continuous Palestinian state with Jerusalem as capital of both Palestinian and Israeli states.
A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Europe and French Foreign Affairs said the Israeli decision confirms concerns raised over recent Israeli demolition orders against Palestinian Bedouin communities in Jerusalem.
The government of France stressed that settlements are contrary to international law, as stipulated in United Nations Security Council resolution 2334 and that settlements, in all their aspects, lead to the de-facto annexation of the West Bank, undermine the two-state solution, obstruct efforts exerted toward achieving a just and lasting peace and fuel unrest on ground and between people.
"On 22 December, the President of the French Republic requested a halt to settlement activities in order to maintain a credible political horizon," said the spokeswoman.
"France primarily seeks to maintain the two-state solution and resume negotiations," concluded the statement.
Earlier Wednesday, Peace Now movement revealed that Israel's War Minister Avigdor Lieberman last week announced his intention to submit plans for 2,500 settlement units in the West Bank.
Roughly 600,000 Israelis currently live on more than 100 Jewish-only settlements built throughout the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem since Israel occupied the territories in 1967.
International law views the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem as "occupied territories" and considers all Jewish settlement-building activity on the land as illegal.
The French government stressed that such a decision threatens the prospects of establishing a viable and continuous Palestinian state with Jerusalem as capital of both Palestinian and Israeli states.
A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Europe and French Foreign Affairs said the Israeli decision confirms concerns raised over recent Israeli demolition orders against Palestinian Bedouin communities in Jerusalem.
The government of France stressed that settlements are contrary to international law, as stipulated in United Nations Security Council resolution 2334 and that settlements, in all their aspects, lead to the de-facto annexation of the West Bank, undermine the two-state solution, obstruct efforts exerted toward achieving a just and lasting peace and fuel unrest on ground and between people.
"On 22 December, the President of the French Republic requested a halt to settlement activities in order to maintain a credible political horizon," said the spokeswoman.
"France primarily seeks to maintain the two-state solution and resume negotiations," concluded the statement.
Earlier Wednesday, Peace Now movement revealed that Israel's War Minister Avigdor Lieberman last week announced his intention to submit plans for 2,500 settlement units in the West Bank.
Roughly 600,000 Israelis currently live on more than 100 Jewish-only settlements built throughout the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem since Israel occupied the territories in 1967.
International law views the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem as "occupied territories" and considers all Jewish settlement-building activity on the land as illegal.
The Cairo-based League of Arab States on Wednesday condemned the recent Israeli approval of a bid to construct thousands of new settlement units on Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem.
"This constant aggression on the Palestinian people is a violation of all resolutions of international legitimacy and all the signed laws, treaties and agreements," Saeed Abu Ali, the Arab League’s assistant secretary general for the occupied Palestinian and Arab lands, said in a statement.
Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman recently approved the construction of 3,900 settlement units in the occupied West Bank and Occupied Jerusalem.
The Israeli settlement expansion is being carried out "amid absence of international accountability and encouragement of the U.S. government in defiance of the will of the international community," said Abu Ali.
He also slammed the recent ruling of an Israeli high court to demolish the Bedouin community in Khan al-Ahmar, east of Occupied Jerusalem, which will forcibly displace 35 Palestinian families as Israel plans to build new settlement units nearby.
The deadlock of the peace process between Palestinians and Israelis is largely attributed to Israel's settlement expansion policy, which is rejected even by its strongest ally the United States.
The pace of Israel’s settlement activity has hit climatic levels after the U.S. moved its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Occupied Jerusalem despite regional and international outcry.
"This constant aggression on the Palestinian people is a violation of all resolutions of international legitimacy and all the signed laws, treaties and agreements," Saeed Abu Ali, the Arab League’s assistant secretary general for the occupied Palestinian and Arab lands, said in a statement.
Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman recently approved the construction of 3,900 settlement units in the occupied West Bank and Occupied Jerusalem.
The Israeli settlement expansion is being carried out "amid absence of international accountability and encouragement of the U.S. government in defiance of the will of the international community," said Abu Ali.
He also slammed the recent ruling of an Israeli high court to demolish the Bedouin community in Khan al-Ahmar, east of Occupied Jerusalem, which will forcibly displace 35 Palestinian families as Israel plans to build new settlement units nearby.
The deadlock of the peace process between Palestinians and Israelis is largely attributed to Israel's settlement expansion policy, which is rejected even by its strongest ally the United States.
The pace of Israel’s settlement activity has hit climatic levels after the U.S. moved its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Occupied Jerusalem despite regional and international outcry.
The Israeli occupation authorities on Wednesday approved the construction of 2070 settlement units in the West Bank, according to Peace Now movement.
Israel's War Minister Avigdor Lieberman last week announced his intention to submit plans for 2,500 settlement units in the West Bank.
Haaretz newspaper earlier Wednesday reported that the Civil Administration's Higher Planning Council is expected to approve the construction of 92 housing units in Kfar Adumim settlement on the same day.
These settlement units will be located less that a kilometer from the Palestinian Bedouin village of Khan al-Ahmar whose demolition was approved by the Israeli Supreme Court last week.
According to Haaretz, the plan slated for approval covers an area of 122 dunums. It is part of a larger plan, comprising 322 housing units on 660 dunums, which passed the first stage of its approval process in February 2017. The new neighborhood will be called Nofei Bereishit.
The Jahalin, the residents of Khan al-Ahmar, have lived in the area since Israel expelled them from the Negev in 1948. They have been in their current location since before Kfar Adumim was established. Despite this, Israel refused to include them in the master plans it prepared for Israeli settlers. That's why the village is deemed illegal by Israeli courts.
The Hebrew newspaper said that the Higher Planning Council's subcommittee on settlements is set to discuss at Wednesday's meeting 31 plans for new settlement units in the West Bank.
For example, the paper said, the subcommittee will discuss expanding neighborhoods of Nokdim settlement which is where Lieberman lives. The plan would add 76 new housing units covering an area of 88 dunums which sit on lands belonging to the village of Arab al-Taamra.
The committee will also approve hundreds of settlement units including 166 units in Alei Zahav, 129 in Avnei Hefetz, 53 in Halamish, 19 in Baduel, 17 in Rafafa, 13 in Tabuh and 5 in Maale Hafir.
Israel's War Minister Avigdor Lieberman last week announced his intention to submit plans for 2,500 settlement units in the West Bank.
Haaretz newspaper earlier Wednesday reported that the Civil Administration's Higher Planning Council is expected to approve the construction of 92 housing units in Kfar Adumim settlement on the same day.
These settlement units will be located less that a kilometer from the Palestinian Bedouin village of Khan al-Ahmar whose demolition was approved by the Israeli Supreme Court last week.
According to Haaretz, the plan slated for approval covers an area of 122 dunums. It is part of a larger plan, comprising 322 housing units on 660 dunums, which passed the first stage of its approval process in February 2017. The new neighborhood will be called Nofei Bereishit.
The Jahalin, the residents of Khan al-Ahmar, have lived in the area since Israel expelled them from the Negev in 1948. They have been in their current location since before Kfar Adumim was established. Despite this, Israel refused to include them in the master plans it prepared for Israeli settlers. That's why the village is deemed illegal by Israeli courts.
The Hebrew newspaper said that the Higher Planning Council's subcommittee on settlements is set to discuss at Wednesday's meeting 31 plans for new settlement units in the West Bank.
For example, the paper said, the subcommittee will discuss expanding neighborhoods of Nokdim settlement which is where Lieberman lives. The plan would add 76 new housing units covering an area of 88 dunums which sit on lands belonging to the village of Arab al-Taamra.
The committee will also approve hundreds of settlement units including 166 units in Alei Zahav, 129 in Avnei Hefetz, 53 in Halamish, 19 in Baduel, 17 in Rafafa, 13 in Tabuh and 5 in Maale Hafir.
30 may 2018
The so-called “Civil Administration Office,” run by the Israeli army in the occupied West Bank, has approved the construction of 450 units in illegal colonies built on Palestinian lands, south and east of Bethlehem.
The new units will be part of Gush Etzion colonialist block, while the Regional Council in Gush Etzion Block is working on getting approval for the construction of an additional 17.000 new units.
170 units will be built in Daniel Colony, built on Palestinian lands in the al-Khader town, south of Bethlehem.
84 units were approved in Kfar Eldad colony, built on Palestinian lands in at-Ta’amra village, east of Bethlehem, and 38 in Kfar Etzion, south of Bethlehem, in addition to 150 units, which were previously approved.
Israel’s colonies in the occupied West Bank, including in and around occupied East Jerusalem, are illegal under International Law, and the Fourth Geneva Convention to which Israel is a signatory and a constant violator.
The new units will be part of Gush Etzion colonialist block, while the Regional Council in Gush Etzion Block is working on getting approval for the construction of an additional 17.000 new units.
170 units will be built in Daniel Colony, built on Palestinian lands in the al-Khader town, south of Bethlehem.
84 units were approved in Kfar Eldad colony, built on Palestinian lands in at-Ta’amra village, east of Bethlehem, and 38 in Kfar Etzion, south of Bethlehem, in addition to 150 units, which were previously approved.
Israel’s colonies in the occupied West Bank, including in and around occupied East Jerusalem, are illegal under International Law, and the Fourth Geneva Convention to which Israel is a signatory and a constant violator.
28 may 2018
Palestinian fishermen sit on a boat at the port of Gaza City
The Israeli government began construction of a marine barrier off the coast of the northern Gaza Strip on Sunday, which it says will be used to prevent the movement of the Hamas military wing, out of the besieged coastal enclave and into Israeli territory.
Israeli news website Ynet reported, according to Ma’an, that the naval barrier, which is being headed by the Ministry of Defense, is designed to prevent potential “infiltration of a Hamas terror cell” into Israel, from Gaza.
The multi-million dollar project is expected to be completed by the end of 2018.
According to Ynet, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, of the right-wing Yisrael Beiteinu, applauded the barrier as being one-of-a-kind and “an additional setback for Hamas, which has lost another strategic capability that it has invested massive amounts in developing.”
Israeli news daily Haaretz additionally reported that the barrier will consist of three layers: an underwater level, topped by a layer of stone and an above-water barbed wire fence. The entire barricade itself will be surrounded by another fortified fence.
The barrier will reportedly span 37 miles, and is expected to cost approximately 3 billion shekels ($833 million), with each kilometer of the underground part of the barrier costing an estimated 41.5 million shekels ($11.5 million). The costs of constructing the aboveground fence were reported to be at 1.5 million shekels ($416,000) per kilometer.
According to Israeli media, the decision to build the naval barrier was prompted by an incident in the 2014 Israeli offensive on Gaza, when Hamas fighters managed to enter Israeli territory by sea.
Since the 2014 war on Gaza, Israel has maintained an underwater sensor system along the maritime border with the northern Gaza Strip, enabling the Israeli forces to spot divers and swimmers in the area.
Israel has claimed an increased threat of “breaches” from the sea since mounting tensions in Gaza, over recent weeks, during which Israeli forces have killed an estimated 113 Palestinians along the Gaza border, during massive demonstrations in protest of Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip.
The more than 2 million Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip have suffered from a 10-year Israeli-imposed land, air, and sea blockade, which has plunged the small territory into poverty and some of the highest unemployment rates in the world.
The UN has reported that Gaza could be “uninhabitable” by 2020.
The Israeli government began construction of a marine barrier off the coast of the northern Gaza Strip on Sunday, which it says will be used to prevent the movement of the Hamas military wing, out of the besieged coastal enclave and into Israeli territory.
Israeli news website Ynet reported, according to Ma’an, that the naval barrier, which is being headed by the Ministry of Defense, is designed to prevent potential “infiltration of a Hamas terror cell” into Israel, from Gaza.
The multi-million dollar project is expected to be completed by the end of 2018.
According to Ynet, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, of the right-wing Yisrael Beiteinu, applauded the barrier as being one-of-a-kind and “an additional setback for Hamas, which has lost another strategic capability that it has invested massive amounts in developing.”
Israeli news daily Haaretz additionally reported that the barrier will consist of three layers: an underwater level, topped by a layer of stone and an above-water barbed wire fence. The entire barricade itself will be surrounded by another fortified fence.
The barrier will reportedly span 37 miles, and is expected to cost approximately 3 billion shekels ($833 million), with each kilometer of the underground part of the barrier costing an estimated 41.5 million shekels ($11.5 million). The costs of constructing the aboveground fence were reported to be at 1.5 million shekels ($416,000) per kilometer.
According to Israeli media, the decision to build the naval barrier was prompted by an incident in the 2014 Israeli offensive on Gaza, when Hamas fighters managed to enter Israeli territory by sea.
Since the 2014 war on Gaza, Israel has maintained an underwater sensor system along the maritime border with the northern Gaza Strip, enabling the Israeli forces to spot divers and swimmers in the area.
Israel has claimed an increased threat of “breaches” from the sea since mounting tensions in Gaza, over recent weeks, during which Israeli forces have killed an estimated 113 Palestinians along the Gaza border, during massive demonstrations in protest of Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip.
The more than 2 million Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip have suffered from a 10-year Israeli-imposed land, air, and sea blockade, which has plunged the small territory into poverty and some of the highest unemployment rates in the world.
The UN has reported that Gaza could be “uninhabitable” by 2020.
26 may 2018
The National Office for the Defense of Land on Saturday said that the Israeli government, in defiance of international law, has launched a new set of settlement expansion projects in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The National Office said in a statement that Israel's escalated settlement expansion activity in the West Bank is considered a war crime under Rome Statute.
It added that the Israeli government intentionally continues to defy the international legitimacy resolutions, stressing that these illegal practices require that the International Criminal Court open an immediate investigation to hold Israel's leaders accountable for their crimes.
The National Office called on the international community to make serious actions toward a complete halt of Israel's settlement construction activities.
Israel's War Minister Avigdor Lieberman revealed on Twitter that new projects involving the construction of 3,900 housing units in about 30 settlement blocs in the West Bank and Jerusalem have been recently approved by the government.
The National Office in its statement denounced the Israeli Supreme Court's decision in favor of demolishing al-Khan al-Ahmar Bedouin village and moving its residents to al-Eizariya town in Jerusalem, saying that it falls in line with a mass displacement and ethnic cleansing policy pursued by Israel against the Palestinians.
The UN Security Council on 23rd December 2016 voted by an overwhelming majority in favor of a resolution stipulating that Israel's settlement construction in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem, is illegal and calling for its immediate cessation.
The National Office said in a statement that Israel's escalated settlement expansion activity in the West Bank is considered a war crime under Rome Statute.
It added that the Israeli government intentionally continues to defy the international legitimacy resolutions, stressing that these illegal practices require that the International Criminal Court open an immediate investigation to hold Israel's leaders accountable for their crimes.
The National Office called on the international community to make serious actions toward a complete halt of Israel's settlement construction activities.
Israel's War Minister Avigdor Lieberman revealed on Twitter that new projects involving the construction of 3,900 housing units in about 30 settlement blocs in the West Bank and Jerusalem have been recently approved by the government.
The National Office in its statement denounced the Israeli Supreme Court's decision in favor of demolishing al-Khan al-Ahmar Bedouin village and moving its residents to al-Eizariya town in Jerusalem, saying that it falls in line with a mass displacement and ethnic cleansing policy pursued by Israel against the Palestinians.
The UN Security Council on 23rd December 2016 voted by an overwhelming majority in favor of a resolution stipulating that Israel's settlement construction in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem, is illegal and calling for its immediate cessation.
The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) on Saturday carried out new bulldozing activities to expand the illegal settlement of Brukhin to the north of Bruqin town in Salfit.
According to local eyewitnesses, settlers’ bulldozers embarked on leveling and preparing a vast tract of land for the construction of more housing units and infrastructure projects at the expense of land annexed from the Palestinian towns of Bruqin, Biddya and Sarta, west of Salfit.
Local researcher Khaled Maali told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that Israel continued to carry out settlement expansion activities in all towns and villages of Salfit and allowed 25 of its settlements to devour more Palestinian land in the region.
Maali added that the IOA started to carry out a new plan to build a park, structures and housing units for Brukhin settlers.
According to local eyewitnesses, settlers’ bulldozers embarked on leveling and preparing a vast tract of land for the construction of more housing units and infrastructure projects at the expense of land annexed from the Palestinian towns of Bruqin, Biddya and Sarta, west of Salfit.
Local researcher Khaled Maali told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that Israel continued to carry out settlement expansion activities in all towns and villages of Salfit and allowed 25 of its settlements to devour more Palestinian land in the region.
Maali added that the IOA started to carry out a new plan to build a park, structures and housing units for Brukhin settlers.
24 may 2018
The Israeli occupation government approved the construction of thousands of settlement units across the occupied West Bank.
Israel’s war minister Avigdor Lieberman said Thursday he requested approval from a planning committee for the building of 2,500 new homes in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
"The 2,500 new units we'll approve in the planning committee next week are for immediate construction in 2018," Lieberman said in a statement, adding he would also seek the committee's approval for a further 1,400 settlement units for later construction.
"We will promote building in all of Judea and Samaria, from the north to the south, in small communities and in large ones," Lieberman tweeted, using the Biblical names for the West Bank.
"In the coming months we will bring forward thousands more units for approval."
In a Tuesday appeal to the International Criminal Court, the Palestinian foreign ministry called Israeli settlements "the single most dangerous threat to Palestinian lives and livelihoods".
Israel’s war minister Avigdor Lieberman said Thursday he requested approval from a planning committee for the building of 2,500 new homes in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
"The 2,500 new units we'll approve in the planning committee next week are for immediate construction in 2018," Lieberman said in a statement, adding he would also seek the committee's approval for a further 1,400 settlement units for later construction.
"We will promote building in all of Judea and Samaria, from the north to the south, in small communities and in large ones," Lieberman tweeted, using the Biblical names for the West Bank.
"In the coming months we will bring forward thousands more units for approval."
In a Tuesday appeal to the International Criminal Court, the Palestinian foreign ministry called Israeli settlements "the single most dangerous threat to Palestinian lives and livelihoods".
20 may 2018
Kol Ha'ir newspaper on Saturday reported that four new buildings are expected to be built in Gilo settlement, south of Jerusalem, each of which includes 22 housing units.
The units will vary in size with prices ranging from 2 million to 2.7 million shekels. Housing is due to begin in 2019 and 12 units have been sold so far.
A significant rise in the Israeli settlement construction activity was witnessed in Jerusalem in 2017. According to Israeli data, since the beginning of the current decade, 21,648 settlement units have been built in the holy city.
Deputy manager of Tserfata Shimon company, which is in charge of "Tserfata Pisgat Ze'ev" project, said that the building permits issued in 2016 and 2017 were the main factor in the high number of construction projects in Jerusalem, most of which are located in Pisgat Ze'ev settlement.
"Tserfata Pisgat Ze'ev" involves the construction of 92 settlement units in four buildings, two of which are 7-8 floors high and two are 6-7 floors high. Each floor has three residential units.
The units will vary in size with prices ranging from 2 million to 2.7 million shekels. Housing is due to begin in 2019 and 12 units have been sold so far.
A significant rise in the Israeli settlement construction activity was witnessed in Jerusalem in 2017. According to Israeli data, since the beginning of the current decade, 21,648 settlement units have been built in the holy city.
Deputy manager of Tserfata Shimon company, which is in charge of "Tserfata Pisgat Ze'ev" project, said that the building permits issued in 2016 and 2017 were the main factor in the high number of construction projects in Jerusalem, most of which are located in Pisgat Ze'ev settlement.
"Tserfata Pisgat Ze'ev" involves the construction of 92 settlement units in four buildings, two of which are 7-8 floors high and two are 6-7 floors high. Each floor has three residential units.
15 may 2018
The Palestinian Authority (PA) decided on Monday to file a legal case against the Israeli occupation at the International Criminal Court (ICC) over illegal settlement construction and expansion in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Saeb Erekat, Secretary-General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), said in a press release that the PA leadership decided to file a lawsuit against Israel’s illegitimate settlement activity at the ICC.
Erekat also said the PA leadership decided to join several international organizations and to call on the Security Council to convene an emergency session to demand protection for the Palestinian people.
Erekat added that the PA decided to form a committee to oversee relations with the Israeli occupation and put into action the decisions of the National Council.
Tension has reached a peak in the occupied Palestinian territories after the US moved, afternoon on Monday, its embassy from Tel Aviv to Occupied Jerusalem—a city which is home to the third holiest site in Islam, al-Aqsa Mosque.
At least 59 Palestinians have been killed and 2,710 injured after the Israeli military aggressively attacked marchers at Gaza’s border.
Saeb Erekat, Secretary-General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), said in a press release that the PA leadership decided to file a lawsuit against Israel’s illegitimate settlement activity at the ICC.
Erekat also said the PA leadership decided to join several international organizations and to call on the Security Council to convene an emergency session to demand protection for the Palestinian people.
Erekat added that the PA decided to form a committee to oversee relations with the Israeli occupation and put into action the decisions of the National Council.
Tension has reached a peak in the occupied Palestinian territories after the US moved, afternoon on Monday, its embassy from Tel Aviv to Occupied Jerusalem—a city which is home to the third holiest site in Islam, al-Aqsa Mosque.
At least 59 Palestinians have been killed and 2,710 injured after the Israeli military aggressively attacked marchers at Gaza’s border.
13 may 2018
The Israeli authorities approved the construction of a bridge to connect two illegal Israeli settlements in Bethlehem, in the southern occupied West Bank.
Coordinator of the National Committee against the Wall and Settlements in Bethlehem, Hassan Brijiyeh, said that the Israeli occupation authorities decided to build a 355-meters long suspended bridge that would connect the illegal settlement of Beitar Illit A with the settlement of Beitar Illit B.
The bridge would culminate in the confiscation of Palestinian lands in the village of Husan to the west of Bethlehem.
Coordinator of the National Committee against the Wall and Settlements in Bethlehem, Hassan Brijiyeh, said that the Israeli occupation authorities decided to build a 355-meters long suspended bridge that would connect the illegal settlement of Beitar Illit A with the settlement of Beitar Illit B.
The bridge would culminate in the confiscation of Palestinian lands in the village of Husan to the west of Bethlehem.
12 may 2018
The representative of the European Union (EU) and heads of its mission in Jerusalem and Ramallah have condemned Israel’s demolition of structures and appropriation of equipment funded by the EU in Masafer Yatta area of the occupied West Bank.
In a statement released on Thursday, the EU officials expressed strong concern about the demolition and seizure by the Israeli authorities of several Palestinian-owned structures in four Palestinian communities located in the Masafer Yatta area in Area C of the occupied West Bank, on May 2, 2018, pointing out that several of these structures were funded by the EU and EU member states.
“More than 40 Palestinian residents of these communities have lost their homes. The seizure of solar energy units, as well as water filtration systems, deprives them of access to energy and water,” their statement said.
They called on the Israeli authorities “to halt demolitions of Palestinian houses and property, in accordance with its obligations as an occupying power under international humanitarian law, and to cease the policy of settlement construction and expansion, of designating land for exclusive Israeli use and of denying Palestinian development.”
They also demanded the Israeli authorities to rebuild the structures in the same place, and return the seized items to the communities.
In a statement released on Thursday, the EU officials expressed strong concern about the demolition and seizure by the Israeli authorities of several Palestinian-owned structures in four Palestinian communities located in the Masafer Yatta area in Area C of the occupied West Bank, on May 2, 2018, pointing out that several of these structures were funded by the EU and EU member states.
“More than 40 Palestinian residents of these communities have lost their homes. The seizure of solar energy units, as well as water filtration systems, deprives them of access to energy and water,” their statement said.
They called on the Israeli authorities “to halt demolitions of Palestinian houses and property, in accordance with its obligations as an occupying power under international humanitarian law, and to cease the policy of settlement construction and expansion, of designating land for exclusive Israeli use and of denying Palestinian development.”
They also demanded the Israeli authorities to rebuild the structures in the same place, and return the seized items to the communities.
Israeli bulldozers on Saturday morning leveled vast tracts of Palestinian land in Wad Abdel Rahman north of Salfit.
Eyewitnesses said that the bulldozers, which belong to the Israeli authorities, leveled several dunums of land in the area, without notifying their owners, in preparation for the establishment of a new cemetery for Israeli settlers.
Anti-settlement researcher Khaled Ma'ali told the PIC reporter that lately dozens of dunums of land have been bulldozed in favor of the establishment of an infrastructure network and other settler facilities on privately-owned Palestinian farmlands.
Ma'ali pointed out that the Israeli authorities confiscated red soil, stones and rocks from these lands to be used for gardens of settler houses and sidewalks in Ariel settlement.
He added that many Israeli bulldozing operations have been carried out recently without prior notice in Salfit, especially following the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
This, he continued to say, violates all international laws, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention which prohibits the occupying power from building on occupied territories.
Eyewitnesses said that the bulldozers, which belong to the Israeli authorities, leveled several dunums of land in the area, without notifying their owners, in preparation for the establishment of a new cemetery for Israeli settlers.
Anti-settlement researcher Khaled Ma'ali told the PIC reporter that lately dozens of dunums of land have been bulldozed in favor of the establishment of an infrastructure network and other settler facilities on privately-owned Palestinian farmlands.
Ma'ali pointed out that the Israeli authorities confiscated red soil, stones and rocks from these lands to be used for gardens of settler houses and sidewalks in Ariel settlement.
He added that many Israeli bulldozing operations have been carried out recently without prior notice in Salfit, especially following the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
This, he continued to say, violates all international laws, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention which prohibits the occupying power from building on occupied territories.
9 may 2018
Israeli settlers on Wednesday erected mobile homes over Palestinian lands in al-Khader town south of Bethlehem for the establishment of a new settlement outpost.
Ahmad Salah, Coordinator of National Committee against Settlement in al-Khader, said that settlers built 22 caravans in Khallet Um Al-Fahem area in the town under protection of Israeli occupation forces.
Israeli forces alleged that the Palestinian land which area is estimated at 22 dunums are located within “Israeli state properties”.
Ahmad Salah, Coordinator of National Committee against Settlement in al-Khader, said that settlers built 22 caravans in Khallet Um Al-Fahem area in the town under protection of Israeli occupation forces.
Israeli forces alleged that the Palestinian land which area is estimated at 22 dunums are located within “Israeli state properties”.
The so called Israel Nature and Parks Authority on Wednesday has separated a part of Bab al-Rahma Muslim cemetery in Occupied Jerusalem, which is adjacent to al-Aqsa Mosque’s eastern wall, for the establishment of a “national park”.
The construction of the park goes in line with the Israeli plan being implemented in the vicinity of the historic wall of Jerusalem, aiming at changing the Islamic features of the city.
The people of Silwan town objected this violation and confronted Israeli teams more than once since the cemetery is an Islamic Waqf (endowment) property. It is one of the oldest graveyards in Palestine where dozens of scholars, martyrs and religious men are buried.
The construction of the park goes in line with the Israeli plan being implemented in the vicinity of the historic wall of Jerusalem, aiming at changing the Islamic features of the city.
The people of Silwan town objected this violation and confronted Israeli teams more than once since the cemetery is an Islamic Waqf (endowment) property. It is one of the oldest graveyards in Palestine where dozens of scholars, martyrs and religious men are buried.
