22 oct 2018
An Israeli governmental body has been financing illegal settlement outposts built on occupied Palestinian land in the West Bank, Haaretz has reported.
According to Haaretz daily, the Israel Land Administration (governmental) has been raising funds for illegal settlement construction across the occupied West Bank for over 20 years.
Tens of loans have reportedly been handed over by ILA to settlement councils so as to build new outposts and expand existing ones.
The funds are garnered from sums shelled out by Israeli taxpayers.
According to Haaretz daily, the Israel Land Administration (governmental) has been raising funds for illegal settlement construction across the occupied West Bank for over 20 years.
Tens of loans have reportedly been handed over by ILA to settlement councils so as to build new outposts and expand existing ones.
The funds are garnered from sums shelled out by Israeli taxpayers.
The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) in Jerusalem has persisted in its construction activities on an annexed swathe of land belonging to al-Yousefiya cemetery near the walls of the Old City as part of its plan to Judaize the area and establish Jewish and biblical paths and projects.
Member of the Higher Islamic Commission in Jerusalem Mustafa Abu Zahra said that the IOA started on Sunday to pave the passageway between al-Laqlaq tower, east of the walls of the Old City, and Bab al-Asbat plaza.
Abu Zahra affirmed that the annexed land is part of al-Yousefiya cemetery, which is an Islamic mortmain site dating from the Mamluk and Ayyubid periods.
He told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that the IOA had demolished more than 40 graves a few years ago in the northern area of the cemetery and covered them with a large amount of concrete.
Member of the Higher Islamic Commission in Jerusalem Mustafa Abu Zahra said that the IOA started on Sunday to pave the passageway between al-Laqlaq tower, east of the walls of the Old City, and Bab al-Asbat plaza.
Abu Zahra affirmed that the annexed land is part of al-Yousefiya cemetery, which is an Islamic mortmain site dating from the Mamluk and Ayyubid periods.
He told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that the IOA had demolished more than 40 graves a few years ago in the northern area of the cemetery and covered them with a large amount of concrete.
15 oct 2018
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned on Sunday that there would be “serious repercussions of an Israeli expansion project of the old city of al-Khalil. (Hebron)”.
The warning came after 31 new settlement housing units were approved by the Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Sunday.
This illegal settlement in the southern West Bank will receive $6.1 million in government funding, some of the government ministries providing the funding include the Defence Ministry, providing $772,584, the Ministry of Social Equality, and the Ministry of Justice.
The new settlements will include 2 kindergartens (school), and public parks. Ma’an News Agency quoted human rights group PEACE NOW, in the following statement, “If the Israeli government is interested in peace it must halt settlement expansion immediately.”
The statement went on to say the current Israeli government is “clearly continuing to take advantage of the carte blanche given to them by the Trump administration, in order to destroy the chances for peace.”
The Palestinian Authority’s reaction included a call by Palestinian government spokesman Yousef al-Mahmoud to the international community, urging swift action to enforce international law, and secure Palestinians, their homes, and their sacred sites.
The Palestinian Authority also suggested that the increase in settlement activity is a direct result of the silence of the international community, which has emboldened the Israeli government.
Meanwhile, Lieberman is reported to welcome the government’s decision, saying that “the city will flourish with a new Jewish neighborhood.”
This news comes at the same time that several young Palestinians were attacked by settlers in al-Khalil, where one youth was hit in the head on Saturday, with the butt of a rifle, by an illegal colonialist settler, he was transferred to a local hospital for treatment, according to the Palestinian Information Center.
An estimated 196 settlements have been built throughout the Occupied West Bank, which under international law are illegal.
The warning came after 31 new settlement housing units were approved by the Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Sunday.
This illegal settlement in the southern West Bank will receive $6.1 million in government funding, some of the government ministries providing the funding include the Defence Ministry, providing $772,584, the Ministry of Social Equality, and the Ministry of Justice.
The new settlements will include 2 kindergartens (school), and public parks. Ma’an News Agency quoted human rights group PEACE NOW, in the following statement, “If the Israeli government is interested in peace it must halt settlement expansion immediately.”
The statement went on to say the current Israeli government is “clearly continuing to take advantage of the carte blanche given to them by the Trump administration, in order to destroy the chances for peace.”
The Palestinian Authority’s reaction included a call by Palestinian government spokesman Yousef al-Mahmoud to the international community, urging swift action to enforce international law, and secure Palestinians, their homes, and their sacred sites.
The Palestinian Authority also suggested that the increase in settlement activity is a direct result of the silence of the international community, which has emboldened the Israeli government.
Meanwhile, Lieberman is reported to welcome the government’s decision, saying that “the city will flourish with a new Jewish neighborhood.”
This news comes at the same time that several young Palestinians were attacked by settlers in al-Khalil, where one youth was hit in the head on Saturday, with the butt of a rifle, by an illegal colonialist settler, he was transferred to a local hospital for treatment, according to the Palestinian Information Center.
An estimated 196 settlements have been built throughout the Occupied West Bank, which under international law are illegal.
14 oct 2018
The Israeli government in its weekly meeting on Sunday approved the construction of a new settler neighborhood in the heart of al-Khalil city, south of the West Bank.
Israeli media sources reported that the plan involves the construction of 31 settlement units at a total cost of 21.6 million NIS.
Israel's War Minister Avigdor Lieberman welcomed the government's decision and said that the city will "flourish" with a new Jewish neighborhood.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday warned of the serious repercussions of an Israeli settlement expansion project in the Old City of al-Khalil.
The Ministry said that the international community's silence has encouraged Israel to escalate its settlement construction activity in the Palestinian territories.
It explained that the targeted area, which was seized by Israel for "military purposes", had been used as a central bus station.
Israeli media sources reported that the plan involves the construction of 31 settlement units at a total cost of 21.6 million NIS.
Israel's War Minister Avigdor Lieberman welcomed the government's decision and said that the city will "flourish" with a new Jewish neighborhood.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday warned of the serious repercussions of an Israeli settlement expansion project in the Old City of al-Khalil.
The Ministry said that the international community's silence has encouraged Israel to escalate its settlement construction activity in the Palestinian territories.
It explained that the targeted area, which was seized by Israel for "military purposes", had been used as a central bus station.
12 oct 2018
Israel’s war minister Avigdor Lieberman announced on Thursday that he intends to have the government approve on the construction of 31 new settlement units in the Hezekiah neighborhood, in the southern occupied West Bank city of al-Khalil.
Lieberman tweeted that the recently approved a plan to build residential and public facilities in an attempt to boost settlement across the occupied West Bank.
Between 500,000 and 600,000 Israelis live in Jewish-only settlements across the occupied territories, in violation of international law.
All settlements across the West Bank are illegal under international law, particularly article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which establishes that the occupying power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own population into the territory it occupies.
Lieberman tweeted that the recently approved a plan to build residential and public facilities in an attempt to boost settlement across the occupied West Bank.
Between 500,000 and 600,000 Israelis live in Jewish-only settlements across the occupied territories, in violation of international law.
All settlements across the West Bank are illegal under international law, particularly article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which establishes that the occupying power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own population into the territory it occupies.
10 oct 2018
The Israeli government has approved, Wednesday, the construction of eight colonialist units in Migdal Oz illegal colony, which was built on Palestinian lands near Beit Fajjar town, south of the West Bank city of Bethlehem.
Hasan Breijiyya, the head of the National Committee against the Annexation Wall and Colonies in Bethlehem, said the approved eight units are part of a bigger plan, which awaits approval, for the construction of additional 600 new units in the same illegal colony.
He added that the plan aims at expanding illegal smaller colonies, which are all part of the Gush Etzion colonialist block, south of Bethlehem.
Israel’s colonies in the occupied West Bank, including in and around East Jerusalem, are illegal under International Law and the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Hasan Breijiyya, the head of the National Committee against the Annexation Wall and Colonies in Bethlehem, said the approved eight units are part of a bigger plan, which awaits approval, for the construction of additional 600 new units in the same illegal colony.
He added that the plan aims at expanding illegal smaller colonies, which are all part of the Gush Etzion colonialist block, south of Bethlehem.
Israel’s colonies in the occupied West Bank, including in and around East Jerusalem, are illegal under International Law and the Fourth Geneva Convention.
8 oct 2018
The Israeli Ministry of Finance announced that it had received bids from seven various groups to build the world's largest desalination plant, which will be able to produce about 200 million cubic meters of water per year.
The ministry said, in a statement to the Reuters news agency, that the tender is for a new desalination plant in the area of Sorek, in central Israel.
Sources added that there is another desalination facility that already operates at the same site.
The ministry mentioned that the bids came from Israel's IDE Technologies, Hutchinson, Israel's GES, China's PMEC, France's SUEZ, a partnership of Spain's Acciona and Israel's Allied, and a partnership between Spain's Aqualia and Israel's WPI.
It is expected that when the new facility comes online, Israel's array of desalination plants will be able to supply 85% of total household and municipal water use in the country and would produce about 200 million cubic meters of water per year.
Israelis, including settlers in the occupied Palestinian territory, have access to 300 liters of water per day, according to water rights NGO coalition EWASH, while the West Bank average is around 70 liters, below the World Health Organization's recommended minimum of 100 liters per day for basic sanitation, hygiene and drinking.
According to Amnesty International, nearly 200,000 Palestinians in the West Bank do not have access to running water.
Meanwhile, just half of Palestinian proposals for wells and improvement projects to the water network were approved by Israel between 1995 and 2008, compared to a 100 percent approval rate for Israeli projects, according to a 2013 report by Palestinian human rights group Al-Haq.
The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) affirmed in a statement earlier this month that "since 1967, not a single new well has been approved by Israel in the Western Aquifer," adding that wells built by Palestinians without Israeli-issued permits were extremely vulnerable to demolition at the hands of Israeli forces.
"As the occupying power, Israel has very specific obligations toward the land and population it occupies. Unfortunately, Israel not only fails to fulfill these responsibilities, which are obligations under customary international law, but in fact continues to exploit Palestinian natural resources in the territory it occupies," the PLO statement read.
The ministry said, in a statement to the Reuters news agency, that the tender is for a new desalination plant in the area of Sorek, in central Israel.
Sources added that there is another desalination facility that already operates at the same site.
The ministry mentioned that the bids came from Israel's IDE Technologies, Hutchinson, Israel's GES, China's PMEC, France's SUEZ, a partnership of Spain's Acciona and Israel's Allied, and a partnership between Spain's Aqualia and Israel's WPI.
It is expected that when the new facility comes online, Israel's array of desalination plants will be able to supply 85% of total household and municipal water use in the country and would produce about 200 million cubic meters of water per year.
Israelis, including settlers in the occupied Palestinian territory, have access to 300 liters of water per day, according to water rights NGO coalition EWASH, while the West Bank average is around 70 liters, below the World Health Organization's recommended minimum of 100 liters per day for basic sanitation, hygiene and drinking.
According to Amnesty International, nearly 200,000 Palestinians in the West Bank do not have access to running water.
Meanwhile, just half of Palestinian proposals for wells and improvement projects to the water network were approved by Israel between 1995 and 2008, compared to a 100 percent approval rate for Israeli projects, according to a 2013 report by Palestinian human rights group Al-Haq.
The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) affirmed in a statement earlier this month that "since 1967, not a single new well has been approved by Israel in the Western Aquifer," adding that wells built by Palestinians without Israeli-issued permits were extremely vulnerable to demolition at the hands of Israeli forces.
"As the occupying power, Israel has very specific obligations toward the land and population it occupies. Unfortunately, Israel not only fails to fulfill these responsibilities, which are obligations under customary international law, but in fact continues to exploit Palestinian natural resources in the territory it occupies," the PLO statement read.
A group of illegal Israeli colonialist settlers invaded, Monday, the village of Shoshahla in the al-Khader town, south of the West Bank city of Bethlehem, and photographed many homes, in addition to the local mosque.
Ahmad Salah, the media coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Annexation Wall and Colonies in al-Khader, said that invasion was carried out by a group of illegal colonists, accompanied by the head of Neve Daniel colony, which was built on private Palestinian lands.
Salah added that the settlers told the residents that they intend to pave a new bypass road, which links with the main Hebron-Jerusalem road, and extends to the mountaintop where Shoshahla is located.
He added that the villagers in Shoshahla have been subject to repeated invasions and violation by the illegal colonialist settlers, who constantly try to confiscate its lands for the expansion of the colony.
Settlers Plan to Seize Palestinian Land to Open Road for Themselves
Jewish settlers from the illegal Nave Daniel settlement, south of Bethlehem, told Palestinian residents of the village of Shoshahleh in the Bethlehem-area town of al-Khader that they intend to open a road that will connect their settlement to the main Jerusalem-Hebron road, a local official said on Monday.
Ahmad Salah, from the anti-wall and anti-settlements committee in al-Khader, told WAFA that the head of Navi Danial settlement and other settlers broke into Shoshahleh village in a barbaric way, photographing homes and an old mosque.
When the settlers were questioned about their reason for coming to the village and for taking pictures of homes, they told the residents that they are going to build a bypass road to the main highway that would go through that part of the village, which means seizing Palestinian land.
Ahmad Salah, the media coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Annexation Wall and Colonies in al-Khader, said that invasion was carried out by a group of illegal colonists, accompanied by the head of Neve Daniel colony, which was built on private Palestinian lands.
Salah added that the settlers told the residents that they intend to pave a new bypass road, which links with the main Hebron-Jerusalem road, and extends to the mountaintop where Shoshahla is located.
He added that the villagers in Shoshahla have been subject to repeated invasions and violation by the illegal colonialist settlers, who constantly try to confiscate its lands for the expansion of the colony.
Settlers Plan to Seize Palestinian Land to Open Road for Themselves
Jewish settlers from the illegal Nave Daniel settlement, south of Bethlehem, told Palestinian residents of the village of Shoshahleh in the Bethlehem-area town of al-Khader that they intend to open a road that will connect their settlement to the main Jerusalem-Hebron road, a local official said on Monday.
Ahmad Salah, from the anti-wall and anti-settlements committee in al-Khader, told WAFA that the head of Navi Danial settlement and other settlers broke into Shoshahleh village in a barbaric way, photographing homes and an old mosque.
When the settlers were questioned about their reason for coming to the village and for taking pictures of homes, they told the residents that they are going to build a bypass road to the main highway that would go through that part of the village, which means seizing Palestinian land.
6 oct 2018
Construction and bulldozing activities are proceeding apace on a vast tract of Palestinian land east of Deir Ballut town, west of Salfit, to expand the illegal settlement of Leshem.
Abdullah Idris, a local resident, said that the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) had annexed a large part of his land on the eastern side and embarked on bulldozing it despite his possession of documents proving his ownership of that land.
The municipality of Deir Ballut, for its part, said on its website that the structural plan to expand the town was halted on the eastern side after the IOA annexed it for the expansion of Leshem.
Abdullah Idris, a local resident, said that the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) had annexed a large part of his land on the eastern side and embarked on bulldozing it despite his possession of documents proving his ownership of that land.
The municipality of Deir Ballut, for its part, said on its website that the structural plan to expand the town was halted on the eastern side after the IOA annexed it for the expansion of Leshem.
30 sept 2018
Israeli bulldozers continue to level Palestinian lands west of Salfit province, in the occupied West Bank, in favor of illegal settlement expansion.
Eye-witnesses told the PIC that Israeli bulldozers and excavators rolled into Salfit and razed Palestinian land tracts in Batn al-Hamam area, west of Salfit.
The move makes part of an Israeli plan to expand the industrial zones in the area.
Researcher Khaled Maali sounded the alarm over the damage s wrought by Israeli settlement projects in the area, which he said contravene international laws.
Eye-witnesses told the PIC that Israeli bulldozers and excavators rolled into Salfit and razed Palestinian land tracts in Batn al-Hamam area, west of Salfit.
The move makes part of an Israeli plan to expand the industrial zones in the area.
Researcher Khaled Maali sounded the alarm over the damage s wrought by Israeli settlement projects in the area, which he said contravene international laws.
22 sept 2018
Haaretz newspaper on Saturday reported that Israeli settlers of Efrat settlement last week established a new outpost on a nearby hill in protest at the killing of an Israeli settler at Gush Etzion junction earlier that week.
The hill, which the settlers call "Givat Eitam", is known for its strategic importance.
Israel in the past tried to boost settlement construction on the hill but it backtracked because any construction project in the area would separate Bethlehem from Palestinian villages in the south.
Israeli settlers rallying in the new outpost affirmed that Efrat council had sent them. They even raised the council's flag there.
As far as is known, Israel's Civil Administration does not intend to evacuate the outpost immediately, in light of previous requests by Efrat council to allow settlement construction on Givat Eitam.
The new outpost is not the first of its kind. An outpost was built there in 2013 but it was evacuated two years later.
The hill, which the settlers call "Givat Eitam", is known for its strategic importance.
Israel in the past tried to boost settlement construction on the hill but it backtracked because any construction project in the area would separate Bethlehem from Palestinian villages in the south.
Israeli settlers rallying in the new outpost affirmed that Efrat council had sent them. They even raised the council's flag there.
As far as is known, Israel's Civil Administration does not intend to evacuate the outpost immediately, in light of previous requests by Efrat council to allow settlement construction on Givat Eitam.
The new outpost is not the first of its kind. An outpost was built there in 2013 but it was evacuated two years later.
21 sept 2018
The Israeli occupation army’s civil administration on Thursday resumed the construction of a road for Jewish settlers leading to the illegal settlement of Efrat, south of Bethlehem.
According to a local official, a crew from the civil administration escorted by soldiers stormed Khilat al-Nahla area in southern Bethlehem and used bulldozers to build a bypass leading to Efrat settlement.
Last Monday, when the Israeli army started to build the road, some local residents and landowners intervened and prevented the bulldozers from leveling the area after they demonstrated documents proving their ownership of the seized lands.
According to a local official, a crew from the civil administration escorted by soldiers stormed Khilat al-Nahla area in southern Bethlehem and used bulldozers to build a bypass leading to Efrat settlement.
Last Monday, when the Israeli army started to build the road, some local residents and landowners intervened and prevented the bulldozers from leveling the area after they demonstrated documents proving their ownership of the seized lands.
20 sept 2018
Israel approved on Thursday plans to construct 610 illegal settlement units in occupied Jerusalem and Ramallah, Hebrew media sources revealed.
According to the sources, Israeli forces started today levelling Palestinian-owned lands located near Beit Ell settlement northeast of Ramallah as a prelude to construct 300 settlement units.
Israeli authorities also approved plans for the construction of 310 other settlement units in occupied Jerusalem.
The plans include 15 housing units in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, 75 others in Beit Hanina, and 220 settlement units in the Neve Tzion illegal settlement to the south of the occupied city.
Since the start of the US President Donald J. Trump's term, there has been a 17% increase in illegal settlement construction in the occupied West Bank.
According to the sources, Israeli forces started today levelling Palestinian-owned lands located near Beit Ell settlement northeast of Ramallah as a prelude to construct 300 settlement units.
Israeli authorities also approved plans for the construction of 310 other settlement units in occupied Jerusalem.
The plans include 15 housing units in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, 75 others in Beit Hanina, and 220 settlement units in the Neve Tzion illegal settlement to the south of the occupied city.
Since the start of the US President Donald J. Trump's term, there has been a 17% increase in illegal settlement construction in the occupied West Bank.
