26 oct 2017
Hebrew media sources revealed on Thursday that the Israeli government is expected to approve a set of plans for the construction of hundreds of settlement units in Jerusalem that had been frozen for two years due to US pressures.
Israel Hayom newspaper reported on its website that the Jerusalem Planning and Building committee will hold a meeting next Wednesday to approve the construction of 700 new settlement units.
According to the plan, 500 settlement units will be built on an area of 71 dunums located between Ramat Shlomo settlement and Shu'fat neighborhood to the north of Jerusalem.
Israel's Jerusalem municipality claims that the lands where the housing units will be built are Jewish property and the lands where the streets and public buildings will be built are privately-owned Palestinian lands that are planned to be confiscated.
The committee is also expected to ratify the establishment of 200 settlement units in Ramot settlement built on the lands of the villages of Lifta, Beit Iksa and Beit Hanina in the northwestern part of East Jerusalem.
These settlement projects that have been re-activated recently east of the Green Line had been frozen during the term of the former US president, Barack Obama, due to pressures made by Washington and the international community.
On Wednesday, the Jerusalem municipality agreed to issue building permits for 176 settlement units in the heart of Jabal al-Mukabber neighborhood to the southeast of Occupied Jerusalem.
Haaretz newspaper reported that this scheme is aimed at expanding Nof Zion settlement outpost that was established in 1994 to become the largest of its kind in the heart of a Palestinian neighborhood in Jerusalem.
All Israeli settlements built in the occupied Palestinian territories, including Jerusalem, are considered illegal by the United Nations and international community.
In December 2016, the UN Security Council adopted the resolution NO. (2334) which requires a complete halt for the settlement construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Israel Hayom newspaper reported on its website that the Jerusalem Planning and Building committee will hold a meeting next Wednesday to approve the construction of 700 new settlement units.
According to the plan, 500 settlement units will be built on an area of 71 dunums located between Ramat Shlomo settlement and Shu'fat neighborhood to the north of Jerusalem.
Israel's Jerusalem municipality claims that the lands where the housing units will be built are Jewish property and the lands where the streets and public buildings will be built are privately-owned Palestinian lands that are planned to be confiscated.
The committee is also expected to ratify the establishment of 200 settlement units in Ramot settlement built on the lands of the villages of Lifta, Beit Iksa and Beit Hanina in the northwestern part of East Jerusalem.
These settlement projects that have been re-activated recently east of the Green Line had been frozen during the term of the former US president, Barack Obama, due to pressures made by Washington and the international community.
On Wednesday, the Jerusalem municipality agreed to issue building permits for 176 settlement units in the heart of Jabal al-Mukabber neighborhood to the southeast of Occupied Jerusalem.
Haaretz newspaper reported that this scheme is aimed at expanding Nof Zion settlement outpost that was established in 1994 to become the largest of its kind in the heart of a Palestinian neighborhood in Jerusalem.
All Israeli settlements built in the occupied Palestinian territories, including Jerusalem, are considered illegal by the United Nations and international community.
In December 2016, the UN Security Council adopted the resolution NO. (2334) which requires a complete halt for the settlement construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
The Israeli government is planning to establish a new Jewish neighborhood consisting of 10,000 settlement units near the industrial area of Atarot settlement near Qalandiya checkpoint to the north of Jerusalem.
The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation, Kan, on Thursday revealed that Netanyahu's government is working to speed up the coordination process between the ministries of Housing and Finance to allocate millions of shekels for this project.
Israel's Construction Minister, Yoav Galant, said that this is going to be the first budget invested in the project that will be implemented in an "important settlement".
Peace Now movement said that the plan is "insane both politically and strategically", describing it as an attempt to place a wedge into the heart of an urban area where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians live.
The Movement added that since the establishment of Har Homa neighborhood in the 1990s, no new Israeli neighborhood has been built beyond the Green Line in Jerusalem.
The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation, Kan, on Thursday revealed that Netanyahu's government is working to speed up the coordination process between the ministries of Housing and Finance to allocate millions of shekels for this project.
Israel's Construction Minister, Yoav Galant, said that this is going to be the first budget invested in the project that will be implemented in an "important settlement".
Peace Now movement said that the plan is "insane both politically and strategically", describing it as an attempt to place a wedge into the heart of an urban area where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians live.
The Movement added that since the establishment of Har Homa neighborhood in the 1990s, no new Israeli neighborhood has been built beyond the Green Line in Jerusalem.
25 oct 2017
The Israeli occupation forces do not seek to break the state of calm along Gaza borders, Israel’s War Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, said.
The construction of an underground barrier around the Gaza Strip, meant to thwart resistance tunnels, is proceeding on schedule, added Lieberman, who visited the area on Wednesday.
Visiting a construction site, the defense minister said the project “will significantly improve the security of the residents of settlements around Gaza and will foil anti-occupation attacks.
Work on the so-called subterranean “obstacle” has picked up pace in recent months. The work on the barrier is expected to be completed within two years. It will feature an advanced underground protection system that extends dozens of meters below the ground in order to detect and destroy resistance tunnels. It is expected to cost $500 million.
The construction of an underground barrier around the Gaza Strip, meant to thwart resistance tunnels, is proceeding on schedule, added Lieberman, who visited the area on Wednesday.
Visiting a construction site, the defense minister said the project “will significantly improve the security of the residents of settlements around Gaza and will foil anti-occupation attacks.
Work on the so-called subterranean “obstacle” has picked up pace in recent months. The work on the barrier is expected to be completed within two years. It will feature an advanced underground protection system that extends dozens of meters below the ground in order to detect and destroy resistance tunnels. It is expected to cost $500 million.
Chairman of the West Bank Settlements Council, Avi Ruait, said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved to allocate 800 million shekels (almost 250 million dollars) for the construction of new bypass roads in the West Bank for the use of settlers.
According to Israeli Channel Ten, Netanyahu’s approval followed pressures by the extremist right-wing parties who claim that bypass roads would decrease clashes between Palestinians and settlers.
According to Israeli Channel Ten, Netanyahu’s approval followed pressures by the extremist right-wing parties who claim that bypass roads would decrease clashes between Palestinians and settlers.
The website of Haaretz newspaper on Wednesday reported that the Israeli Ministerial Committee for Legislation is set to vote on Sunday on a bill to annex a number of West Bank settlements to Jerusalem.
The website pointed out that the bill, providing for annexing the settlements of Gush Etzion, Ma'aleh Adumim, Efrat, Beitar Illit and Givat Ze'ev to Jerusalem, was initiated by MK Yoav Kish of Likud party with the support of Transportation and Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz.
According to this bill, which is part of a project called "Greater Jerusalem", the Israeli local authorities and settlement neighborhoods beyond the Green Line will be included under Israel's Jerusalem municipality.
The website noted that the bill is expected to be approved especially since it enjoys the support of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other parties in the government coalition.
Haaretz added that the Palestinian Authority is likely to strongly oppose the bill that will be seen as part of a de facto annexation of the West Bank territories.
Minister Katz said that the move would add thousands of Israeli residents to Jerusalem and reduce the number of Palestinians there.
The website pointed out that the bill, providing for annexing the settlements of Gush Etzion, Ma'aleh Adumim, Efrat, Beitar Illit and Givat Ze'ev to Jerusalem, was initiated by MK Yoav Kish of Likud party with the support of Transportation and Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz.
According to this bill, which is part of a project called "Greater Jerusalem", the Israeli local authorities and settlement neighborhoods beyond the Green Line will be included under Israel's Jerusalem municipality.
The website noted that the bill is expected to be approved especially since it enjoys the support of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other parties in the government coalition.
Haaretz added that the Palestinian Authority is likely to strongly oppose the bill that will be seen as part of a de facto annexation of the West Bank territories.
Minister Katz said that the move would add thousands of Israeli residents to Jerusalem and reduce the number of Palestinians there.
23 oct 2017
Experts have deemed Israel’s settlement plan in Jabal al-Mukaber a declared war on the Palestinians.
Palestinian political analyst Rasem Abeidat said on Facebook that the Israeli occupation authorities and government have stepped up their demographic war on the Palestinians in Occupied Jerusalem in an attempt to Judaize the city.
Abeidat’s comments were released after Israel announced its decision to forward a settlement bid to construct 176 new settlement units in Jabal al-Mukaber and hand over the bid to the Planning and Construction Committee for final approbation on Wednesday.
According to Israel’s Channel 2, the plan, issued in 1994, has just received building permits.
“Deportation, displacement, and isolation lie at the heart of Israel’s demographic war tactics,” warned the expert.
The plan seeks to expand the Jewish neighborhood of Nov Tsiyon, Israel’s largest settlement outpost in East Jerusalem.
Israel’s Jerusalem mayor, Nir Barakat, also said the settlement activity will keep going in Occupied Jerusalem “50 years after the unification of the city,” in reference to Israel’s takeover of Palestinian land in the area.
Palestinian political analyst Rasem Abeidat said on Facebook that the Israeli occupation authorities and government have stepped up their demographic war on the Palestinians in Occupied Jerusalem in an attempt to Judaize the city.
Abeidat’s comments were released after Israel announced its decision to forward a settlement bid to construct 176 new settlement units in Jabal al-Mukaber and hand over the bid to the Planning and Construction Committee for final approbation on Wednesday.
According to Israel’s Channel 2, the plan, issued in 1994, has just received building permits.
“Deportation, displacement, and isolation lie at the heart of Israel’s demographic war tactics,” warned the expert.
The plan seeks to expand the Jewish neighborhood of Nov Tsiyon, Israel’s largest settlement outpost in East Jerusalem.
Israel’s Jerusalem mayor, Nir Barakat, also said the settlement activity will keep going in Occupied Jerusalem “50 years after the unification of the city,” in reference to Israel’s takeover of Palestinian land in the area.
The government of Japan deeply deplores Israel’s approval of plans for the construction of some 3,000 housing units in West Bank settlements, despite repeated calls from the international community, including Japan, for freezing such activities, foreign Press Secretary Norio Maruyama said, in a press release.
The release, according to WAFA, was issued following reports that Israel has stepped up plans to build almost 3,000 new housing units in the West Bank.
Settlement activities are in violation of international law, and Japan has repeatedly called upon the government of Israel to fully freeze settlement activities.
“The Government of Japan once again strongly urges the Government of Israel to fully freeze its settlement activities including implementing the construction plans that are undermining the viability of a two-state solution,” the statement concluded.
The release, according to WAFA, was issued following reports that Israel has stepped up plans to build almost 3,000 new housing units in the West Bank.
Settlement activities are in violation of international law, and Japan has repeatedly called upon the government of Israel to fully freeze settlement activities.
“The Government of Japan once again strongly urges the Government of Israel to fully freeze its settlement activities including implementing the construction plans that are undermining the viability of a two-state solution,” the statement concluded.
22 oct 2017
The Hebrew newspaper Maariv reported on Sunday that members of Israeli Knesset of the government coalition intend to present a new bill to the Ministerial Committee for Legislation blocking the eviction of Jewish-only settlements in the northern West bank.
According to the newspaper, both MKs Shuli Mualem, of the Jewish Home, and David Bitan, head of the government coalition of Likud party, will present the bill based on an agreement with Head of the Shomron Regional Council Yossi Dagan.
The bill will allow Jewish settlers to return to the settlements that were evicted in 2005 including Sanur, Kadim, Homesh and others.
According to the newspaper, both MKs Shuli Mualem, of the Jewish Home, and David Bitan, head of the government coalition of Likud party, will present the bill based on an agreement with Head of the Shomron Regional Council Yossi Dagan.
The bill will allow Jewish settlers to return to the settlements that were evicted in 2005 including Sanur, Kadim, Homesh and others.
20 oct 2017
Israeli settlement construction in the occupied Palestinian territory is going to lead to a one-state solution where Palestinians will be deprived of political rights, a statement by the German Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
The statement was issued following reports that Israel has stepped up plans to build almost 3,000 new settlement units in settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
“The Federal Government takes this opportunity to reaffirm that it will recognize only such changes to the 4 June 1967 lines, including with regard to Jerusalem, which all the parties have agreed on through negotiations,” said a spokeswoman for the German Foreign Ministry.
“Settlement construction, illegal under international law, is not the only obstacle to a two-state solution, but each new housing unit consolidates a one-state reality in which the Palestinians are denied the full exercise of their political rights.”
The spokeswoman said that separating East Jerusalem from the West Bank “is considered, among other factors, a reason to undermine the possibility of establishing a contiguous and viable Palestinian state.”
With this in mind, she said, “we are particularly deeply concerned as we hear reports of speeding up plans to build Givat Hamatos settlement. We call on the Israeli side to refrain from doing this."
The statement was issued following reports that Israel has stepped up plans to build almost 3,000 new settlement units in settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
“The Federal Government takes this opportunity to reaffirm that it will recognize only such changes to the 4 June 1967 lines, including with regard to Jerusalem, which all the parties have agreed on through negotiations,” said a spokeswoman for the German Foreign Ministry.
“Settlement construction, illegal under international law, is not the only obstacle to a two-state solution, but each new housing unit consolidates a one-state reality in which the Palestinians are denied the full exercise of their political rights.”
The spokeswoman said that separating East Jerusalem from the West Bank “is considered, among other factors, a reason to undermine the possibility of establishing a contiguous and viable Palestinian state.”
With this in mind, she said, “we are particularly deeply concerned as we hear reports of speeding up plans to build Givat Hamatos settlement. We call on the Israeli side to refrain from doing this."
France condemned on Thursday Israeli authorities’ recent decision to build new housing units in West Bank settlements.
The uninterrupted continuation of the settlement policy, confirmed by these new projects, only serves to fuel tensions on the ground and undermines the prospects for achieving a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution. In this respect, the work in progress in Givat Hamatos and the announcements of new projects in the E1 area are especially troubling, reads a statement by the French foreign ministry.
Settlement activity, as reaffirmed by UNSCR 2334, is illegal under international law. The ongoing settlement activity has reached an unprecedented level since the beginning of the year: The progress of settlement projects tripled between 2016 and 2017. This sends a very negative message which can only undermine the necessary trust between the parties, as reaffirmed by President Macron in July, according to the statement.
International law views the West Bank and East Jerusalem as occupied territories and considers all Israeli settlement-building activity there as illegal.
Nevertheless, roughly 500,000 Israelis now live in more than 100 settlements built on these territories since 1967.
The uninterrupted continuation of the settlement policy, confirmed by these new projects, only serves to fuel tensions on the ground and undermines the prospects for achieving a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution. In this respect, the work in progress in Givat Hamatos and the announcements of new projects in the E1 area are especially troubling, reads a statement by the French foreign ministry.
Settlement activity, as reaffirmed by UNSCR 2334, is illegal under international law. The ongoing settlement activity has reached an unprecedented level since the beginning of the year: The progress of settlement projects tripled between 2016 and 2017. This sends a very negative message which can only undermine the necessary trust between the parties, as reaffirmed by President Macron in July, according to the statement.
International law views the West Bank and East Jerusalem as occupied territories and considers all Israeli settlement-building activity there as illegal.
Nevertheless, roughly 500,000 Israelis now live in more than 100 settlements built on these territories since 1967.
19 oct 2017
The Israeli Civil Administration’s High Planning Committee convened, on Tuesday and Thursday, and advanced plans for 2,615 housing units in illegal Israeli settlements across the occupied West Bank, according to settlement watchdog Peace Now.
Peace Now released a statement on Thursday detailing the committee’s decisions, saying that over the course of two days of meetings, the civil administration promoted 2,615 housing units, bringing the total number of units promoted through plans this week to 2,646, after 31 construction permits were approved for settlers in Hebron on October 16th.
Of the 2,615 housing units promoted, 1,508 were approved for depositing, while 1,323 were approved for validation.
Meanwhile, Ma’an further reports, the civil administration issued on Tuesday a tender for 296 units in the Beit El settlement, located in the Ramallah district of the central West Bank.
Since the beginning of the year, Peace Now revealed, 6,742 settlement housing units have been promoted by Israeli authorities.
“The Israeli government has lost all its inhibitions, while promoting settlement expansion in a record pace for recent years and distancing us daily from the possibility of a two state solution,” Peace Now said.
“The government is sending a clear message to settlers – build illegally and anywhere and we will find a solution for you. It is clear that Netanyahu is prioritizing his settler constituency over the rule of law and the possibility for peace.”
Earlier this month, Israeli media reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was set to approve the construction of 3,829 settlements, causing outrage among Palestinian leaders.
Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Executive Committee Member Dr. Hanan Ashrawi condemned Israel’s plans, saying “clearly, Israel is bent on entrenching the military occupation and its illegal settlement enterprise, further reaffirming its intentions of displacing Palestine and replacing it with ‘Greater Israel’.”
Since the occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in 1967, between 500,000 and 600,000 Israelis have moved into Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory, in violation of international law.
The estimated 196 government recognized Israeli settlements scattered across the Palestinian territory are all considered illegal under international law.
Meanwhile, Israeli rights group B’Tselem reported that, in 2016, Palestinians experienced the highest number of Israeli demolitions since the group began recording the incidents.
At the same time, Peace now stated that Israel’s illegal settlement construction in the West Bank increased by 34 percent in 2016, with Israeli authorities initiating construction on 1,814 new settler housing units.
Peace Now released a statement on Thursday detailing the committee’s decisions, saying that over the course of two days of meetings, the civil administration promoted 2,615 housing units, bringing the total number of units promoted through plans this week to 2,646, after 31 construction permits were approved for settlers in Hebron on October 16th.
Of the 2,615 housing units promoted, 1,508 were approved for depositing, while 1,323 were approved for validation.
Meanwhile, Ma’an further reports, the civil administration issued on Tuesday a tender for 296 units in the Beit El settlement, located in the Ramallah district of the central West Bank.
Since the beginning of the year, Peace Now revealed, 6,742 settlement housing units have been promoted by Israeli authorities.
“The Israeli government has lost all its inhibitions, while promoting settlement expansion in a record pace for recent years and distancing us daily from the possibility of a two state solution,” Peace Now said.
“The government is sending a clear message to settlers – build illegally and anywhere and we will find a solution for you. It is clear that Netanyahu is prioritizing his settler constituency over the rule of law and the possibility for peace.”
Earlier this month, Israeli media reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was set to approve the construction of 3,829 settlements, causing outrage among Palestinian leaders.
Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Executive Committee Member Dr. Hanan Ashrawi condemned Israel’s plans, saying “clearly, Israel is bent on entrenching the military occupation and its illegal settlement enterprise, further reaffirming its intentions of displacing Palestine and replacing it with ‘Greater Israel’.”
Since the occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in 1967, between 500,000 and 600,000 Israelis have moved into Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory, in violation of international law.
The estimated 196 government recognized Israeli settlements scattered across the Palestinian territory are all considered illegal under international law.
Meanwhile, Israeli rights group B’Tselem reported that, in 2016, Palestinians experienced the highest number of Israeli demolitions since the group began recording the incidents.
At the same time, Peace now stated that Israel’s illegal settlement construction in the West Bank increased by 34 percent in 2016, with Israeli authorities initiating construction on 1,814 new settler housing units.
18 oct 2017
The European Union (EU) on Wednesday asked the Israeli authorities to provide clarifications on the settlement projects announced recently in the occupied Palestinian territories.
A statement issued by the Union said, "These decisions are expected to be reconsidered for being crucial to the ongoing efforts to hold serious peace talks."
The statement underlined that the EU believes that the illegal settlement construction and other related activities, including the evictions carried out lately in East Jerusalem and the displacement schemes targeting Bedouin communities in the West Bank, undermine the peace process and the two-state solution.
The EU affirmed that it will contact its international and regional partners, including the Middle East Quartet, to start serious negotiations in order to reach a two-state solution since it is, according to the Union, the only viable way to achieve the aspirations of the two parties.
The Union noted that the Israeli authorities have approved new plans for the construction of thousands of settlement units in various parts of the West Bank and in the heart of al-Khalil city for the first time since 2002.
The statement pointed to the "sensitivity" related to Jerusalem in particular, saying that any settlement activity launched in the city would adversely affect the possibility of establishing a permanent Palestinian state.
A statement issued by the Union said, "These decisions are expected to be reconsidered for being crucial to the ongoing efforts to hold serious peace talks."
The statement underlined that the EU believes that the illegal settlement construction and other related activities, including the evictions carried out lately in East Jerusalem and the displacement schemes targeting Bedouin communities in the West Bank, undermine the peace process and the two-state solution.
The EU affirmed that it will contact its international and regional partners, including the Middle East Quartet, to start serious negotiations in order to reach a two-state solution since it is, according to the Union, the only viable way to achieve the aspirations of the two parties.
The Union noted that the Israeli authorities have approved new plans for the construction of thousands of settlement units in various parts of the West Bank and in the heart of al-Khalil city for the first time since 2002.
The statement pointed to the "sensitivity" related to Jerusalem in particular, saying that any settlement activity launched in the city would adversely affect the possibility of establishing a permanent Palestinian state.
The Israeli war minister, Avigdor Lieberman, will officially roll out a security package for West Bank settlers worth NIS 3.3 billion ($939 million) next month including major upgrades to roads, cameras and armored vehicles, Hebrew media reported on Tuesday.
The “unprecedented” sum will reportedly come at the expense of the Transportation, Housing and Communications ministries, which Lieberman is expected to approach for support.
According to a Tuesday Channel 2 report, the package will include the installation of security cameras along roads throughout the West Bank, the installation of cell phone towers to improve reception for settlers who may need to call for help, the paving of bypass roads around Palestinian towns and Israeli settlements, and the bolstering of armored buses that travel through the West Bank.
The plan also includes broad security improvements for each settlement that will include security cameras, “smart fences” and sensors to warn of attempts to sneak into settlements and anti-occupation attacks.
Settler leaders welcomed the moves, but wanted them to be implemented immediately, before the 2019 budget is passed, Channel 2 said.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to pave additional bypass roads for settlers in the West Bank, even if it meant skimming funds from the budgets of all the ministries.
The comments were believed to be made in response to criticism from Israeli settler leadership over what they perceive as insufficient settlement construction in the occupied West Bank.
The bypass roads create separate routes for Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank. Observers say these routes are discriminatory and are often paved on private Palestinian land.
The “unprecedented” sum will reportedly come at the expense of the Transportation, Housing and Communications ministries, which Lieberman is expected to approach for support.
According to a Tuesday Channel 2 report, the package will include the installation of security cameras along roads throughout the West Bank, the installation of cell phone towers to improve reception for settlers who may need to call for help, the paving of bypass roads around Palestinian towns and Israeli settlements, and the bolstering of armored buses that travel through the West Bank.
The plan also includes broad security improvements for each settlement that will include security cameras, “smart fences” and sensors to warn of attempts to sneak into settlements and anti-occupation attacks.
Settler leaders welcomed the moves, but wanted them to be implemented immediately, before the 2019 budget is passed, Channel 2 said.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to pave additional bypass roads for settlers in the West Bank, even if it meant skimming funds from the budgets of all the ministries.
The comments were believed to be made in response to criticism from Israeli settler leadership over what they perceive as insufficient settlement construction in the occupied West Bank.
The bypass roads create separate routes for Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank. Observers say these routes are discriminatory and are often paved on private Palestinian land.
