31 jan 2013
UN human rights inquiry says Israel must remove settlers
A laborer works atop a roof at a construction site in the Jewish settlement of Maale Adumim near Jerusalem
By Stephanie Nebehay
UN human rights investigators called on Israel on Thursday to halt settlement expansion and withdraw all half a million Jewish settlers from the occupied West Bank, saying that its practices could be subject to prosecution as possible war crimes.
A three-member UN panel said private companies should stop working in the settlements if their work adversely affected the human rights of Palestinians, and urged member states to ensure companies respected human rights.
"Israel must cease settlement activities and provide adequate, prompt and effective remedy to the victims of violations of human rights," Christine Chanet, a French judge who led the UN inquiry, told a news conference.
The settlements contravened the Fourth Geneva Convention forbidding the transfer of civilian populations into occupied territory and could amount to war crimes that fall under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, the United Nations report said.
"To transfer its own population into an occupied territory is prohibited because it is an obstacle to the exercise of the right to self-determination," Chanet said.
In December, the PLO accused Israel in a letter to the United Nations of planning to commit what it said were further war crimes by expanding Jewish settlements after Palestine won de facto UN recognition of statehood, and said Israel must be held accountable.
Israel has not cooperated with the probe set up by the Human Rights Council last March to examine the impact of settlements in the territory, including East Jerusalem. Israel says the forum has an inherent bias against it and defends its settlement policy by citing historical and Biblical links to the West Bank.
Israel's foreign ministry swiftly rejected the report as "counterproductive and unfortunate". The Palestine Liberation Organization welcomed its "principled and candid" findings.
"The only way to resolve all pending issues between Israel and the Palestinians, including the settlements issue, is through direct negotiations without pre-conditions. Counterproductive measures -- such as the report before us, will only hamper efforts to find a sustainable solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict," Israel's Yigal Palmor said.
"The Human Rights Council has sadly distinguished itself by its systematically one-sided and biased approach towards Israel. This latest report is yet another unfortunate reminder of that."
But Hanan Ashrawi, a top PLO official told Reuters: "This is incredible. We are extremely heartened by this principled and candid assessment of Israeli violations...This report clearly states the Israel is not just violating the fourth Geneva Convention, but places Israel in liability to the Rome Statute under the jurisdiction of the ICC."
The independent UN investigators interviewed more than 50 people who came to Jordan in November to testify about confiscated land, damage to their livelihoods including olive trees, and violence by Jewish settlers, according to the report.
"The mission believes that the motivation behind this violence and the intimidation against the Palestinians as well as their properties is to drive the local populations away from their lands and allow the settlements to expand," it said.
'Creeping annexation'
About 250 settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, have been established since 1967 and they hold an estimated 520,000 settlers, according to the UN report. The settlements impede Palestinian access to water and farm lands.
The settlements were "leading to a creeping annexation that prevents the establishment of a contiguous and viable Palestinian state and undermines the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination," it said.
Chanet said: "To maintain such a system of segregation you need strict police and army control. It means a lot of checkpoints, violation of freedom of movement, no access to natural resources, demolition of houses and sometimes even destroying the trees."
After the General Assembly upgraded the Palestinians status at the world body, Israel said it would build 3,000 more settler homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem -- areas Palestinians wanted for a future state, along with the Gaza Strip.
The UN human rights inquiry said that the International Criminal Court had jurisdiction over the deportation or transfer by the occupying power of its own population into the territory.
Chanet, asked whether the violations constituted war crimes that could be tried at the Hague-based court, said: "These offenses are falling into the provision of article 8 of the ICC statutes. Article 8 of the ICC statute is in the chapter of war crimes, that is the answer."
By Stephanie Nebehay
UN human rights investigators called on Israel on Thursday to halt settlement expansion and withdraw all half a million Jewish settlers from the occupied West Bank, saying that its practices could be subject to prosecution as possible war crimes.
A three-member UN panel said private companies should stop working in the settlements if their work adversely affected the human rights of Palestinians, and urged member states to ensure companies respected human rights.
"Israel must cease settlement activities and provide adequate, prompt and effective remedy to the victims of violations of human rights," Christine Chanet, a French judge who led the UN inquiry, told a news conference.
The settlements contravened the Fourth Geneva Convention forbidding the transfer of civilian populations into occupied territory and could amount to war crimes that fall under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, the United Nations report said.
"To transfer its own population into an occupied territory is prohibited because it is an obstacle to the exercise of the right to self-determination," Chanet said.
In December, the PLO accused Israel in a letter to the United Nations of planning to commit what it said were further war crimes by expanding Jewish settlements after Palestine won de facto UN recognition of statehood, and said Israel must be held accountable.
Israel has not cooperated with the probe set up by the Human Rights Council last March to examine the impact of settlements in the territory, including East Jerusalem. Israel says the forum has an inherent bias against it and defends its settlement policy by citing historical and Biblical links to the West Bank.
Israel's foreign ministry swiftly rejected the report as "counterproductive and unfortunate". The Palestine Liberation Organization welcomed its "principled and candid" findings.
"The only way to resolve all pending issues between Israel and the Palestinians, including the settlements issue, is through direct negotiations without pre-conditions. Counterproductive measures -- such as the report before us, will only hamper efforts to find a sustainable solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict," Israel's Yigal Palmor said.
"The Human Rights Council has sadly distinguished itself by its systematically one-sided and biased approach towards Israel. This latest report is yet another unfortunate reminder of that."
But Hanan Ashrawi, a top PLO official told Reuters: "This is incredible. We are extremely heartened by this principled and candid assessment of Israeli violations...This report clearly states the Israel is not just violating the fourth Geneva Convention, but places Israel in liability to the Rome Statute under the jurisdiction of the ICC."
The independent UN investigators interviewed more than 50 people who came to Jordan in November to testify about confiscated land, damage to their livelihoods including olive trees, and violence by Jewish settlers, according to the report.
"The mission believes that the motivation behind this violence and the intimidation against the Palestinians as well as their properties is to drive the local populations away from their lands and allow the settlements to expand," it said.
'Creeping annexation'
About 250 settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, have been established since 1967 and they hold an estimated 520,000 settlers, according to the UN report. The settlements impede Palestinian access to water and farm lands.
The settlements were "leading to a creeping annexation that prevents the establishment of a contiguous and viable Palestinian state and undermines the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination," it said.
Chanet said: "To maintain such a system of segregation you need strict police and army control. It means a lot of checkpoints, violation of freedom of movement, no access to natural resources, demolition of houses and sometimes even destroying the trees."
After the General Assembly upgraded the Palestinians status at the world body, Israel said it would build 3,000 more settler homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem -- areas Palestinians wanted for a future state, along with the Gaza Strip.
The UN human rights inquiry said that the International Criminal Court had jurisdiction over the deportation or transfer by the occupying power of its own population into the territory.
Chanet, asked whether the violations constituted war crimes that could be tried at the Hague-based court, said: "These offenses are falling into the provision of article 8 of the ICC statutes. Article 8 of the ICC statute is in the chapter of war crimes, that is the answer."
28 jan 2013
Settlers Install An Illegal Outpost Near Qalqilia
Head of the Jayyous village council, Ghassan Khreisha, stated that a number of extremist Israeli settlers installed a new illegal outpost near the Al-Yobik area, West of Jayyous, near the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia. Khreisha told the Maan News Agency that the area, where the settlers installed their outpost, was previously illegally occupied by the settlers, but in 2008, the Israeli Supreme Court ordered the settlers out after Israel altered the route of the Annexation Wall in the area.
Khreisha added that, ten days ago, Israel completed the construction of the wall in the area, but a few days ago the settlers brought mobile homes on privately-owned Palestinian lands to install their outposts.
He also said that the settlers are trying to create facts on the ground, and that they initially claimed that the mobile homes belong to the contractor who is building the wall in the area.
But the settlers also brought tools and started digging and installing pipes to provide the outpost with power and water supplies.
It is 2008 ruling, the Israeli Court decided to alter the route of the Wall, that was installed in 2008, and ordered the army to return 2820 out of 8600 Dunams to their Palestinian owners. The lands and orchards have been totally isolated by the Wall.
Khreisha added that, ten days ago, Israel completed the construction of the wall in the area, but a few days ago the settlers brought mobile homes on privately-owned Palestinian lands to install their outposts.
He also said that the settlers are trying to create facts on the ground, and that they initially claimed that the mobile homes belong to the contractor who is building the wall in the area.
But the settlers also brought tools and started digging and installing pipes to provide the outpost with power and water supplies.
It is 2008 ruling, the Israeli Court decided to alter the route of the Wall, that was installed in 2008, and ordered the army to return 2820 out of 8600 Dunams to their Palestinian owners. The lands and orchards have been totally isolated by the Wall.
27 jan 2013
Jewish settlers beat up Palestinian child, IOF arrests him
Jewish settlers assaulted a 15-year-old Palestinian child in Shuhada street in the Old City of Al-Khalil on Saturday night. Eyewitnesses said that Israeli occupation soldiers were standing nearby watching the scene as the child Fathi Al-Shirbati was battered and did not intervene to stop the battering.
They said that the soldiers arrested the child after the assault and took him to an unknown destination.
They said that children in the Old City are the target of constant attacks at the hands of settlers and Israeli occupation forces who maintain intensive presence in the old quarters of Al-Khalil city.
They said that the soldiers arrested the child after the assault and took him to an unknown destination.
They said that children in the Old City are the target of constant attacks at the hands of settlers and Israeli occupation forces who maintain intensive presence in the old quarters of Al-Khalil city.
26 jan 2013
Dozens of Jewish settlers storm Al-Khader village
Dozens of armed Jewish settlers stormed the village of Al-Khader to the south of Bethlehem on Friday and took shots of a number of areas. Local sources said that around 200 settlers came from the Efrat settlement and stormed the Solomon Pools and the Palace of Conferences under heavy Israeli military escort.
The sources said that the settlers took shots in the vicinity of the Palace of Conferences and near the Pools before performing Talmudic rituals.
The sources said that the settlers took shots in the vicinity of the Palace of Conferences and near the Pools before performing Talmudic rituals.
Three Palestinians including two brothers detained in Al-Khalil
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) arrested two brothers in Al-Khalil after storming their father’s home on Friday night. Relatives said that a big number of soldiers encircled the home of Abduladheem Abu Turki and took away his two sons Musab, 20, and Jibril 22.
They said that the soldiers searched the home, in Al-Fahs area south of Al-Khalil city, before detaining the two brothers.
Meanwhile, a Jewish settler attacked a Palestinian family in Wadi Al-Hassan to the east of Al-Khalil on Friday.
The family members said that the settler sprayed 17-year-old Mohammed Abu Matta with teargas in his eyes while returning to the family home along with his mother and sisters.
They said that few minutes later an IOF force arrived at the scene and took away Mohammed to an unknown location.
Israeli forces detain 3 people in Hebron, locals say
Israeli forces detained three people in the city of Hebron late Friday, locals said.
Jibril Abdul Hathim Abu Turki, 22, and his brother Mosam, 20, were detained during an arrest raid in southern Hebron.
Meanwhile, locals said that a settler attacked Muhammad Isaac Abu Hatta in Hebron on Friday while he was walking home with his sisters and mother.
The settler sprayed mace in Abu Hatta's face in full view of Israeli soldiers, who then arrested Abu Hatta and took him to an unknown location, witnesses said.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said there were no reports of any arrests overnight.
They said that the soldiers searched the home, in Al-Fahs area south of Al-Khalil city, before detaining the two brothers.
Meanwhile, a Jewish settler attacked a Palestinian family in Wadi Al-Hassan to the east of Al-Khalil on Friday.
The family members said that the settler sprayed 17-year-old Mohammed Abu Matta with teargas in his eyes while returning to the family home along with his mother and sisters.
They said that few minutes later an IOF force arrived at the scene and took away Mohammed to an unknown location.
Israeli forces detain 3 people in Hebron, locals say
Israeli forces detained three people in the city of Hebron late Friday, locals said.
Jibril Abdul Hathim Abu Turki, 22, and his brother Mosam, 20, were detained during an arrest raid in southern Hebron.
Meanwhile, locals said that a settler attacked Muhammad Isaac Abu Hatta in Hebron on Friday while he was walking home with his sisters and mother.
The settler sprayed mace in Abu Hatta's face in full view of Israeli soldiers, who then arrested Abu Hatta and took him to an unknown location, witnesses said.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said there were no reports of any arrests overnight.
25 jan 2013
Extremists Attack Arab Children In Jerusalem For Boarding Israeli Bus
Israeli Bus
Last Sunday, and following the end of a normal school day in Jerusalem, a number of Arab Palestinian schoolchildren from Jerusalem (around age 12) boarded an Israeli bus while heading home; a number of adult Israeli extremists started insulting the children, and one of them spit a gum he was chewing on a child’s face.
Israeli paper, Haaretz, reported that after the Palestinian children boarded the bus, two settlers “noticed” that the children were speaking in Arabic, and started cursing at them, insulting them and one of the settlers even spit a gum, he was chewing, in the face of one of the children.
The Arab children study at a Jerusalem school attended by both Arab and Jewish students.
After the two settlers left the bus, a settler woman started harassing the children, cursing at them and uttered a number of racist statements against the Arabs and Palestinians.
The settler woman did not only use words to show her racist nature against the Palestinians, but even physically attacked one of the children by grabbing her hair and pulling it.
The bus driver then stopped his bus, and demanded the settler woman to leave, and when she refused he called the police who detained her.
Haaretz said that “Ayyoub”, the father of the child, said that his daughter goes to school through Jewish neighborhoods every single school day, and that she is repeatedly subject to verbal insults, but this time extremists decided to move to physical assault.
The father added that, in the latest bus incident, only one Israeli man stood up for the children, and prevented a more serious attack against them.
Last Sunday, and following the end of a normal school day in Jerusalem, a number of Arab Palestinian schoolchildren from Jerusalem (around age 12) boarded an Israeli bus while heading home; a number of adult Israeli extremists started insulting the children, and one of them spit a gum he was chewing on a child’s face.
Israeli paper, Haaretz, reported that after the Palestinian children boarded the bus, two settlers “noticed” that the children were speaking in Arabic, and started cursing at them, insulting them and one of the settlers even spit a gum, he was chewing, in the face of one of the children.
The Arab children study at a Jerusalem school attended by both Arab and Jewish students.
After the two settlers left the bus, a settler woman started harassing the children, cursing at them and uttered a number of racist statements against the Arabs and Palestinians.
The settler woman did not only use words to show her racist nature against the Palestinians, but even physically attacked one of the children by grabbing her hair and pulling it.
The bus driver then stopped his bus, and demanded the settler woman to leave, and when she refused he called the police who detained her.
Haaretz said that “Ayyoub”, the father of the child, said that his daughter goes to school through Jewish neighborhoods every single school day, and that she is repeatedly subject to verbal insults, but this time extremists decided to move to physical assault.
The father added that, in the latest bus incident, only one Israeli man stood up for the children, and prevented a more serious attack against them.
24 jan 2013
Jewish settlers storm Nablus, youth arrested
Jewish settlers stormed Nablus in big numbers before dawn Thursday and offered rituals at Yusuf tomb to the east of city.
Eyewitnesses and well informed sources said that Israeli occupation forces (IOF) stormed the city and its environs to secure the arrival of the settlers.
They said that clashes took place between IOF soldiers and young men in front of Balata refugee camp but no casualties were reported.
Meanwhile, IOF soldiers arrested a 19-year-old youth from Tobas city while on his way to the northern Jordan Valley.
Local sources said that Bilal Daraghma was detained at Al-Hamra roadblock and after scrutinizing his ID the soldiers arrested him.
Eyewitnesses and well informed sources said that Israeli occupation forces (IOF) stormed the city and its environs to secure the arrival of the settlers.
They said that clashes took place between IOF soldiers and young men in front of Balata refugee camp but no casualties were reported.
Meanwhile, IOF soldiers arrested a 19-year-old youth from Tobas city while on his way to the northern Jordan Valley.
Local sources said that Bilal Daraghma was detained at Al-Hamra roadblock and after scrutinizing his ID the soldiers arrested him.
Jewish settlers drench Palestinian land with wastewater
Jewish settlers drenched Palestinian cultivated land to the west of Nablus with wastewater and ruined crops causing huge material damage to the farmers.
Nader Al-Shaer, the mayor of Sabastiya village, told the PIC on Wednesday that Jewish settlers in Shavi Shimron settlement used to collect their wastewater in two pools, yet they recently opened those pools and flooded Palestinian fields.
He said that the practice, which has been ongoing for the past month, led to vast destruction in the cultivated lands leading to big financial losses other than the health and environmental hazards and diseases expected to spread as a result of such practices.
Shaer asked concerned authorities to check the settlers’ violations and ceaseless attacks, which, he said, reflected their arrogance.
Nader Al-Shaer, the mayor of Sabastiya village, told the PIC on Wednesday that Jewish settlers in Shavi Shimron settlement used to collect their wastewater in two pools, yet they recently opened those pools and flooded Palestinian fields.
He said that the practice, which has been ongoing for the past month, led to vast destruction in the cultivated lands leading to big financial losses other than the health and environmental hazards and diseases expected to spread as a result of such practices.
Shaer asked concerned authorities to check the settlers’ violations and ceaseless attacks, which, he said, reflected their arrogance.
Israeli forces escort Jewish worshipers to West Bank tomb
Hundreds of Jewish worshipers visited Joseph's tomb in Nablus overnight Wednesday escorted by Israeli soldiers, leading to clashes with locals, witnesses said.
An Israeli military spokeswoman told Ma'an that troops accompanied around 1,000 worshipers to the tomb, near Balata refugee camp in the northern West Bank.
Palestinian Authority security officials said around 30 Israeli military jeeps had deployed to the area by midnight, before 10 buses of Israelis arrived with more army vehicles.
Witnesses told Ma'an that clashes erupted as local youths threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who fired tear gas and stun grenades.
The Israeli military spokeswoman was not familiar with any clashes.
Jews believe the tomb is the final resting place of the biblical figure Joseph. Muslims believe that an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Yusef (Joseph) Dawiqat, was buried there.
The Israeli army regularly escorts Jewish worshipers to make nocturnal pilgrimages to the site.
An Israeli military spokeswoman told Ma'an that troops accompanied around 1,000 worshipers to the tomb, near Balata refugee camp in the northern West Bank.
Palestinian Authority security officials said around 30 Israeli military jeeps had deployed to the area by midnight, before 10 buses of Israelis arrived with more army vehicles.
Witnesses told Ma'an that clashes erupted as local youths threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who fired tear gas and stun grenades.
The Israeli military spokeswoman was not familiar with any clashes.
Jews believe the tomb is the final resting place of the biblical figure Joseph. Muslims believe that an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Yusef (Joseph) Dawiqat, was buried there.
The Israeli army regularly escorts Jewish worshipers to make nocturnal pilgrimages to the site.
23 jan 2013
Young Palestinian, Lubna Muneer Hanash 21, Killed, Three Others Wounded at Al-Aroub Refugee Camp
Medical sources in Hebron announced the death of the 21-year-old Palestinian girl Lubna Muneer Hanash from Bethlehem and three others wounded after an Israeli settler opened fire near al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron.
Witnesses and medical sources said that a settler opened fire at Palestinians, while driving by al-Aroub college, injuring Lubna Hanash with a bullet in her head and was admitted to the ICU in Al-Ahli Hospital in Hebron, and later announced dead.
The Palestinian Ahmad Yousef Abu Ghazi from al-Aroub camp and Salah Kamel Abu Hashhash and the girl Suad Yousef Ja'arah, 38, were wounded and admitted to the same hospital for treatment.
Media spokesperson of the Popular Committee to Resist Settlement and Apartheid Wall in Beit Ummar, Mohammad Awad, said that the shooting occurred at the northern gate of the college, and that a force from the Israeli army and police came to the incident place and prevented Palestinians from reaching the gate.
Witnesses and medical sources said that a settler opened fire at Palestinians, while driving by al-Aroub college, injuring Lubna Hanash with a bullet in her head and was admitted to the ICU in Al-Ahli Hospital in Hebron, and later announced dead.
The Palestinian Ahmad Yousef Abu Ghazi from al-Aroub camp and Salah Kamel Abu Hashhash and the girl Suad Yousef Ja'arah, 38, were wounded and admitted to the same hospital for treatment.
Media spokesperson of the Popular Committee to Resist Settlement and Apartheid Wall in Beit Ummar, Mohammad Awad, said that the shooting occurred at the northern gate of the college, and that a force from the Israeli army and police came to the incident place and prevented Palestinians from reaching the gate.
22 jan 2013
Jewish settlers cut down 20 olive trees
Jewish settlers from the Yitzhar settlement attacked and cut down olive trees south of Nablus on Monday, local sources reported. Inhabitants said that they saw a group of ten settlers coming from the nearby Yitzhar settlement and attacking their fields.
They said that the settlers cut down more than 20 trees then fled the scene.
They said that the settlers cut down more than 20 trees then fled the scene.
Jewish Settlers Open Road through Palestinian Land
Jewish settlers Tuesday opened a new road through Palestinian-owned land, destroying dozens of olive trees, in the town of al-Khader, south of Bethlehem, according to a local activist.
Coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements, Ahmad Salah, told WAFA that settlers opened the road through a land belonging to Khaled Musleh destroying as a result around 50 newly planted olive trees.
Coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements, Ahmad Salah, told WAFA that settlers opened the road through a land belonging to Khaled Musleh destroying as a result around 50 newly planted olive trees.
100 Jewish settlers storm Aqsa mosque
Israeli policemen detained a Palestinian man inside the Aqsa mosque for objecting to the tour of the holy site by more than one hundred Jewish settlers. The Aqsa foundation for endowment and heritage said that dozens of fanatic Jewish settlers broke into the Aqsa mosque to coincide with the Israeli general elections.
It said that worshippers in the holy shrine chanted Allahu Akbar in rejection of the tour, adding that policemen detained one of them and took him to an interrogation center.
The foundation pointed out that the storming also coincided with Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the Buraq plaza along with his family and performing Talmudic rituals, describing the visit as election campaigning.
It said that worshippers in the holy shrine chanted Allahu Akbar in rejection of the tour, adding that policemen detained one of them and took him to an interrogation center.
The foundation pointed out that the storming also coincided with Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the Buraq plaza along with his family and performing Talmudic rituals, describing the visit as election campaigning.
20 jan 2013
Jewish settlers storm southern Jenin, close main street
Jewish settlers stormed the site of the evacuated settlement of Homesh to the south of Jenin at dawn Sunday and closed the Jenin-Nablus main road.
Local sources in the nearby Seelat Al-Dhaher village said that settlers tried to attack citizens’ houses at the outskirts of the village and insulted them while chanting racist anti-Arab slogans.
A number of those settlers also set up a roadblock at the Jenin-Nablus main road and blocked traffic under protection of Israeli occupation forces.
The settlers routinely attack the Homesh site and damage in the process Palestinian olive trees and fields.
Local sources in the nearby Seelat Al-Dhaher village said that settlers tried to attack citizens’ houses at the outskirts of the village and insulted them while chanting racist anti-Arab slogans.
A number of those settlers also set up a roadblock at the Jenin-Nablus main road and blocked traffic under protection of Israeli occupation forces.
The settlers routinely attack the Homesh site and damage in the process Palestinian olive trees and fields.
19 jan 2013
Jewish settlers chop down 40 olive trees in Husan village
Jewish settlers chopped down 40 olive trees in Husan village, Bethlehem province, local sources said on Friday. Taha Hamamre, a member of the village’s municipal council, said that the trees were planted by their owner Ibrahim Sabatin last year between Husan and Khader villages.
He also said that the Israeli occupation authorities also delivered a notification to the municipal council to demolish the power grid and electricity poles west of the village.
The IOA destroyed on Thursday the power grid in the agricultural Makhour area in Beit Jala town also in Bethlehem province.
He also said that the Israeli occupation authorities also delivered a notification to the municipal council to demolish the power grid and electricity poles west of the village.
The IOA destroyed on Thursday the power grid in the agricultural Makhour area in Beit Jala town also in Bethlehem province.
18 jan 2013
Settlers Cut 50 Olive Trees Near Bethlehem
A number of extremist Israeli settlers cut, Thursday, more than 50 olive trees that belong to a resident of Husan town, west of the West Bank city of Bethlehem.
Member of the Husan village council, Taha Hamara, told the Radio Bethlehem 2000 that a local villager went to his land to find his trees cut. He then went back to the village, and informed the village council of the attack.
The villager, Ahmad Sabateen, told the Radio that this is the fourth attack of its kind on his land, and added that he filed several complaints to the Israeli Police in Gush Etzion but to no avail.
On Tuesday, several Palestinian farmers, from Tequa’ village, east of Bethlehem, were injured after being attacked by a group of extremist settlers as they were heading to their lands.
Head of the Tequa’ Village Council , Taiseer Abu Mfarrih, stated that several members of the As-Sabah family were violently attacked and beaten by extremist settlers as they entered their own lands, close to the Nokadim illegal settlement, built on privately-owned lands that belong to the villagers.
Last month, settlers cut and uprooted more than 200 olive trees that belong to residents of Al-Jab’a village, west of Bethlehem.
Extremist settlers are responsible for numerous attacks against Palestinians villagers, their orchards and their property in different parts of the occupied West Bank.
Member of the Husan village council, Taha Hamara, told the Radio Bethlehem 2000 that a local villager went to his land to find his trees cut. He then went back to the village, and informed the village council of the attack.
The villager, Ahmad Sabateen, told the Radio that this is the fourth attack of its kind on his land, and added that he filed several complaints to the Israeli Police in Gush Etzion but to no avail.
On Tuesday, several Palestinian farmers, from Tequa’ village, east of Bethlehem, were injured after being attacked by a group of extremist settlers as they were heading to their lands.
Head of the Tequa’ Village Council , Taiseer Abu Mfarrih, stated that several members of the As-Sabah family were violently attacked and beaten by extremist settlers as they entered their own lands, close to the Nokadim illegal settlement, built on privately-owned lands that belong to the villagers.
Last month, settlers cut and uprooted more than 200 olive trees that belong to residents of Al-Jab’a village, west of Bethlehem.
Extremist settlers are responsible for numerous attacks against Palestinians villagers, their orchards and their property in different parts of the occupied West Bank.
16 jan 2013
Settlers spray face of Palestinian child
Settlers have sprayed pepper spray in the fact of 14-year old Yazan Au Diab in Silwan. Eye witnesses told the Wadi Hilweh Information Centre that settlers attacked Yazan on Baidun Street in Silwan.
They report seeing the settlers verbally abuse Diab before spraying him in the face and then fleeing the area. Eye witnesses confirmed that he was suffering from burns in his eyes from the spray, and was then taken to a medical centre in Silwan.
Diab is from the Old City and was in Silwan to visit his friend.
They report seeing the settlers verbally abuse Diab before spraying him in the face and then fleeing the area. Eye witnesses confirmed that he was suffering from burns in his eyes from the spray, and was then taken to a medical centre in Silwan.
Diab is from the Old City and was in Silwan to visit his friend.
Musmus' residents confront the Israeli right wing gangs
Villagers in Musmus town northern occupied Palestine have organized on Tuesday a counter-protest to against the Israeli right wing groups’ demonstration led by the racial MKs Marzel and Ben Ari and prevented them from storming the village.
The Israeli right wing groups’ demonstration was allowed by the Israeli police to roam the village's streets under their protection.
The Arab MP in the Israeli Knesset Jamal Zahalka confirmed during the demonstration that racism is not a freedom of speech, but a criminal act that must be punished by law.
The Balad MK stated that the villagers from Musmus and surrounding villages who participated in Tuesday’s counter-protest were demonstrating “not only about this, but about racist policies and laws that were passed over the past four years.”
Eldad’s party, he said, was a racist Kahane group. “There are laws against racism in Israel, and they should be activated,” he declared, stressing that Racism in "Israel" is presented in the Netanyahu-Liebermann alliance.
The right wing groups, led by Marzel, tried to storm the village of Musmus from the northern side under the protection of the Israeli police and heavily armed Special Forces, but the village's residents prevented them from entering.
A number of leading figures have participated in the counter-protest, including head of the Islamic Movement Sheikh Raed Salah and MP Jamal Zahalka, head of the parliamentary assembly and the leader of the Islamic Movement, Abdul Hakim Moufid and mayor of Umm al-Fahm and other leaders.
Members of the Israeli extremist right wing had announced a week ago its intention to organize a provocative march on Tuesday morning in Wadi Ara guarded by Israeli police.
The MKs Aryeh Eldad, Michael Ben Arie and Baruch Marzel, have presented earlier a formal request to the police to allow them to carry in the march in Wadi Ara, under the framework of freedom of movement and expression. The police approved the request, and confirmed that it would be accompanied by its forces for fear of clashes and confrontations with Palestinians.
Zahalka said that "the police shouldn’t permit them to hold demonstrations. “He warned that the situation was causing a “dangerous deterioration,” and called for “a strong reaction in Israel against racism.”
He called on the international community “to intervene in internal racism cases.”
The Israeli right wing groups’ demonstration was allowed by the Israeli police to roam the village's streets under their protection.
The Arab MP in the Israeli Knesset Jamal Zahalka confirmed during the demonstration that racism is not a freedom of speech, but a criminal act that must be punished by law.
The Balad MK stated that the villagers from Musmus and surrounding villages who participated in Tuesday’s counter-protest were demonstrating “not only about this, but about racist policies and laws that were passed over the past four years.”
Eldad’s party, he said, was a racist Kahane group. “There are laws against racism in Israel, and they should be activated,” he declared, stressing that Racism in "Israel" is presented in the Netanyahu-Liebermann alliance.
The right wing groups, led by Marzel, tried to storm the village of Musmus from the northern side under the protection of the Israeli police and heavily armed Special Forces, but the village's residents prevented them from entering.
A number of leading figures have participated in the counter-protest, including head of the Islamic Movement Sheikh Raed Salah and MP Jamal Zahalka, head of the parliamentary assembly and the leader of the Islamic Movement, Abdul Hakim Moufid and mayor of Umm al-Fahm and other leaders.
Members of the Israeli extremist right wing had announced a week ago its intention to organize a provocative march on Tuesday morning in Wadi Ara guarded by Israeli police.
The MKs Aryeh Eldad, Michael Ben Arie and Baruch Marzel, have presented earlier a formal request to the police to allow them to carry in the march in Wadi Ara, under the framework of freedom of movement and expression. The police approved the request, and confirmed that it would be accompanied by its forces for fear of clashes and confrontations with Palestinians.
Zahalka said that "the police shouldn’t permit them to hold demonstrations. “He warned that the situation was causing a “dangerous deterioration,” and called for “a strong reaction in Israel against racism.”
He called on the international community “to intervene in internal racism cases.”
Teitel Convicted
Jack Teitel has been convicted in Jerusalem court. Read here.
Update
Ynet mentions Teitel is convicted of the attempted murder of Ami Ortiz, however gets it wrong as they claim Teitel thought Ami (15 at the time) was a leader of the Messianic congregation. This is an example of poor journalism.
Update
Ynet mentions Teitel is convicted of the attempted murder of Ami Ortiz, however gets it wrong as they claim Teitel thought Ami (15 at the time) was a leader of the Messianic congregation. This is an example of poor journalism.
Ami Ortiz before
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Ami Ortiz after
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Teitel was also found guilty of the 2008 attempted murder of then15-year-old Ami Ortiz. Teitel placed explosives in a package delivered to Ortiz’ home, because he believed that the teen was the leader of a messianic cult. Ortiz suffered serious injuries as a result.
Arutz7 don’t do any better as they continue to airbrush Ami Ortiz out, this time claiming he was an Arab! Teital is of Jewish ethnicity while the victims were of Arabic ethnicity. |
Jewish settler convicted of killing 2 Palestinians
A West Bank settler dubbed "The Jewish Terrorist" by the Israeli media was convicted on Wednesday of killing two Palestinians in 1997.
Yaakov "Jack" Tytell, a US immigrant to a settlement in the occupied West Bank, confessed to the killings. Efforts by his lawyers, one whom quoted him as saying he had been on a "mission from God", to have him declared insane failed.
The court convicted him of murdering a Palestinian taxi driver in Jerusalem and a shepherd in Hebron, while visiting the area as a tourist in 1997.
Tytell moved to Israel 12 years ago and in 2008 planted bombs that injured a left-wing Israeli academic and a teenager who belonged to a group of Jews who follow the teachings of Jesus.
He admitted to the series of attacks, and flashed a V-for-Victory sign at the hearing, where sentencing was set for next month.
After Tytell's arrest in 2009, he told investigators he had acted alone and was not part of any anti-Arab Jewish underground. He was detained by police while hanging posters in Jerusalem praising a still-unsolved shooting that year that killed two people at a community center for gay youngsters in Tel Aviv.
Court convicts 'Jewish Terrorist' of murder
Jerusalem District Court finds Jack Teitel to be sane, criminally responsible for murder of Palestinians between 1997-2008.
The Jerusalem District Court on Wednesday convicted the "Jewish Terrorist" Jack Teitel of murdering two Palestinians and an assortment of other crimes between 1997 and 2008.
Crucially, the court found that Teitel was not insane and was "responsible for his actions," which make it more likely that he will get a maximum life sentence.
In May, the court had accepted an unusual plea bargain made between the district attorney and lawyers representing Teitel, and determined that the defendant had murdered two Palestinians and committed other violent crimes.
Judges Zvi Segal, Moshe Hacohen and Moshe Yair Drori said that the court determined that Teitel committed the acts attributed to him in an amended indictment.
The amended indictment includes 10 of the original 14 charges against Teitel, including two murders and two attempted murders, after the prosecution agreed to remove charges relating to attempted attacks that the authorities had foiled and general language about Teitel's hatred for those disagreeing or different from him being the motivator for his crimes.
The court did not formally convict Teitel until Wednesday to carefully review whether he could be held criminally responsible for his actions when he committed the offenses.
Although he agreed to admit to the charges, Teitel refused to come and admit the charges directly to the court in-person because he does not recognize its authority.
Instead, in a highly unusual procedure that required special court approval, Teitel’s attorney Asher Ohayon told the court that Teitel admitted to the charges in the amended indictment.
Courts normally require an accused to admit to an offense in-person as a safeguard to the rights of an accused to make sure that the accused has not been coerced or is confused about what they are admitting to.
'Jewish terrorist' Jack Teitel convicted
Jerusalem District Court finds radical rightist guilty of two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder; rules he was sane at time of the murders
Yaakov "Jack" Teitel, notoriously known as the "Jewish Terrorist," was convicted of the murder to two Palestinians and the attempted murder of two other people.
The conviction, rendered by the Jerusalem District Court on Wednesday, stated that Teitel was in full control of his faculties at the time of the murders, thus debunking the defense's repeated claims that he was legally insane and therefore should not be held responsible of his actions.
Teitel was arrested in 2009 and was held without bail ever since. The indictment against him consisted of 10 counts, including premeditated murder, attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms, arms manufacturing and incitement to violence.
During the trial, it was also revealed that the police and Shin Bet had information which directly pointed at Teitel as the prime suspect in a series of hate crimes, but he had somehow managed to slip through their fingers.
According to court transcripts, Teitel was convicted of the 1997 murder of Samir Akram, a Palestinian bus driver, who offered him a ride. Shortly after boarding the bus, Teitel instructed Akram to pull over to the side of the road, and shot him at point-black range.
He was also convicted of the 1997 murder of Issa Jabarin, a Palestinian shepherd. Teitel shot him twice in the chest, at close range.
Teitel was also found guilty of the 2008 attempted murder of then15-year-old Ami Ortiz. Teitel placed explosives in a package delivered to Ortiz' home, because he believed that the teen was the leader of a messianic cult. Ortiz suffered serious injuries as a result.
The court further found Teitel guilty of incitement to violence and terror, after he publicly pledged a NIS 20,000 (roughly $5,000) reward to anyone killing gay men and women and "ridding the earth of this Sodom and Gomorrah."
A flyer he printed and distributed to that effect offered detailed instructions on how to construct a Molotov cocktail.
He was also convicted of targeting Prominent Israeli historian Professor Ze'ev Sternhell in 2008 by planting a pipe bomb in a plant outside his house. Luckily, Sternhell was only lightly wounded.
In May 2012, after three years of consistent denials, Teitel confessed to his crimes. In an unusual move, the confession was signed and filed with the court by his two attorneys – as he stated that he refused to recognize the court's jurisdiction.
However, the State agreed to the defense's request to omit a part of the original indictment, which stated that he was motivated by his objection to groups or individuals whose lifestyles contrasted to his own.
Yaakov "Jack" Tytell, a US immigrant to a settlement in the occupied West Bank, confessed to the killings. Efforts by his lawyers, one whom quoted him as saying he had been on a "mission from God", to have him declared insane failed.
The court convicted him of murdering a Palestinian taxi driver in Jerusalem and a shepherd in Hebron, while visiting the area as a tourist in 1997.
Tytell moved to Israel 12 years ago and in 2008 planted bombs that injured a left-wing Israeli academic and a teenager who belonged to a group of Jews who follow the teachings of Jesus.
He admitted to the series of attacks, and flashed a V-for-Victory sign at the hearing, where sentencing was set for next month.
After Tytell's arrest in 2009, he told investigators he had acted alone and was not part of any anti-Arab Jewish underground. He was detained by police while hanging posters in Jerusalem praising a still-unsolved shooting that year that killed two people at a community center for gay youngsters in Tel Aviv.
Court convicts 'Jewish Terrorist' of murder
Jerusalem District Court finds Jack Teitel to be sane, criminally responsible for murder of Palestinians between 1997-2008.
The Jerusalem District Court on Wednesday convicted the "Jewish Terrorist" Jack Teitel of murdering two Palestinians and an assortment of other crimes between 1997 and 2008.
Crucially, the court found that Teitel was not insane and was "responsible for his actions," which make it more likely that he will get a maximum life sentence.
In May, the court had accepted an unusual plea bargain made between the district attorney and lawyers representing Teitel, and determined that the defendant had murdered two Palestinians and committed other violent crimes.
Judges Zvi Segal, Moshe Hacohen and Moshe Yair Drori said that the court determined that Teitel committed the acts attributed to him in an amended indictment.
The amended indictment includes 10 of the original 14 charges against Teitel, including two murders and two attempted murders, after the prosecution agreed to remove charges relating to attempted attacks that the authorities had foiled and general language about Teitel's hatred for those disagreeing or different from him being the motivator for his crimes.
The court did not formally convict Teitel until Wednesday to carefully review whether he could be held criminally responsible for his actions when he committed the offenses.
Although he agreed to admit to the charges, Teitel refused to come and admit the charges directly to the court in-person because he does not recognize its authority.
Instead, in a highly unusual procedure that required special court approval, Teitel’s attorney Asher Ohayon told the court that Teitel admitted to the charges in the amended indictment.
Courts normally require an accused to admit to an offense in-person as a safeguard to the rights of an accused to make sure that the accused has not been coerced or is confused about what they are admitting to.
'Jewish terrorist' Jack Teitel convicted
Jerusalem District Court finds radical rightist guilty of two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder; rules he was sane at time of the murders
Yaakov "Jack" Teitel, notoriously known as the "Jewish Terrorist," was convicted of the murder to two Palestinians and the attempted murder of two other people.
The conviction, rendered by the Jerusalem District Court on Wednesday, stated that Teitel was in full control of his faculties at the time of the murders, thus debunking the defense's repeated claims that he was legally insane and therefore should not be held responsible of his actions.
Teitel was arrested in 2009 and was held without bail ever since. The indictment against him consisted of 10 counts, including premeditated murder, attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms, arms manufacturing and incitement to violence.
During the trial, it was also revealed that the police and Shin Bet had information which directly pointed at Teitel as the prime suspect in a series of hate crimes, but he had somehow managed to slip through their fingers.
According to court transcripts, Teitel was convicted of the 1997 murder of Samir Akram, a Palestinian bus driver, who offered him a ride. Shortly after boarding the bus, Teitel instructed Akram to pull over to the side of the road, and shot him at point-black range.
He was also convicted of the 1997 murder of Issa Jabarin, a Palestinian shepherd. Teitel shot him twice in the chest, at close range.
Teitel was also found guilty of the 2008 attempted murder of then15-year-old Ami Ortiz. Teitel placed explosives in a package delivered to Ortiz' home, because he believed that the teen was the leader of a messianic cult. Ortiz suffered serious injuries as a result.
The court further found Teitel guilty of incitement to violence and terror, after he publicly pledged a NIS 20,000 (roughly $5,000) reward to anyone killing gay men and women and "ridding the earth of this Sodom and Gomorrah."
A flyer he printed and distributed to that effect offered detailed instructions on how to construct a Molotov cocktail.
He was also convicted of targeting Prominent Israeli historian Professor Ze'ev Sternhell in 2008 by planting a pipe bomb in a plant outside his house. Luckily, Sternhell was only lightly wounded.
In May 2012, after three years of consistent denials, Teitel confessed to his crimes. In an unusual move, the confession was signed and filed with the court by his two attorneys – as he stated that he refused to recognize the court's jurisdiction.
However, the State agreed to the defense's request to omit a part of the original indictment, which stated that he was motivated by his objection to groups or individuals whose lifestyles contrasted to his own.
Jewish settlers storm Nablus village, perform rituals
Jewish settlers stormed at dawn Wednesday Orta village, south east of Nablus city, under Israeli army protection and performed Talmudic rituals. Eyewitnesses told Quds Press reporter that a number of coaches carrying dozens of Jewish settlers arrived at the village at dawn with heavy Israeli military escort.
They said that the settlers broke into a number of historical sites and performed rituals for a few hours before leaving the village.
The settlers claim that those sites are Jewish sacred sites
They said that the settlers broke into a number of historical sites and performed rituals for a few hours before leaving the village.
The settlers claim that those sites are Jewish sacred sites
Jewish settlers establish new outpost on Palestinian land in WB
Jewish settlers established a new settlement outpost on land owned by Palestinians in Taku village, east of Bethlehem, on Tuesday.
Tayseer Abu Mifreh, the municipality chief in the village, told Quds Press that Jewish settlers drove out Palestinian farmers from their land after assaulting them with the help of Israeli occupation forces.
He said that the farmers were surprised to find a number of mobile houses present on their land on Tuesday morning, adding that settlers from the nearby Nokdim settlement were the ones to establish the new outpost.
Abu Mifreh said that his village inhabitants are constantly attacked by Nokdim settlers, adding they are notorious for their brutality and ceaseless attacks.
The resigned Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman lives in Nokdim settlement.
Tayseer Abu Mifreh, the municipality chief in the village, told Quds Press that Jewish settlers drove out Palestinian farmers from their land after assaulting them with the help of Israeli occupation forces.
He said that the farmers were surprised to find a number of mobile houses present on their land on Tuesday morning, adding that settlers from the nearby Nokdim settlement were the ones to establish the new outpost.
Abu Mifreh said that his village inhabitants are constantly attacked by Nokdim settlers, adding they are notorious for their brutality and ceaseless attacks.
The resigned Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman lives in Nokdim settlement.
15 jan 2013
Several Farmers Injured After Being Attacked By Settlers Near Bethlehem
The Radio Bethlehem 2000 reported, Tuesday, that several Palestinian farmers, from Tequa’ village, east of Bethlehem, were injured after being attacked by a group of extremist settlers as they were heading to their lands.
Head of the Tequa’ Village Council , Taiseer Abu Mfarrih, stated that several members of the As-Sabah family were violently attacked and beaten by extremist settlers as they entered their own lands, close to the Nokadim illegal settlement, built on privately-owned lands that belong to the villagers.
Abu Mfarrih added that the settlers placed a mobile home and a barn for their sheep, in the land of As-Sabah family.
The residents saw the settlers in their lands and asked them to leave, but the settlers refused and attacked them.
Abu Mfarrih further stated that Israeli soldiers arrived at the scene, and fired gas bombs and concussion grenades at several farmers in the area leading to more injuries.
Head of the Tequa’ Village Council , Taiseer Abu Mfarrih, stated that several members of the As-Sabah family were violently attacked and beaten by extremist settlers as they entered their own lands, close to the Nokadim illegal settlement, built on privately-owned lands that belong to the villagers.
Abu Mfarrih added that the settlers placed a mobile home and a barn for their sheep, in the land of As-Sabah family.
The residents saw the settlers in their lands and asked them to leave, but the settlers refused and attacked them.
Abu Mfarrih further stated that Israeli soldiers arrived at the scene, and fired gas bombs and concussion grenades at several farmers in the area leading to more injuries.
13 jan 2013
Child, 7, Rammed By Settler’s Vehicle In East Jerusalem
Palestinian medical sources in Jerusalem reported Sunday that a Palestinian child, 7, was moderately injured after being hit by a car driven by an Israeli settler near the Kidar illegal settlement, in occupied East Jerusalem; the settler fled the scene.
The Child has been identified as Ali Mousa Al-Jahaleen, a student at a local school in Arab Al-Jahaleen Bedouin village, in Abu Dis town, in occupied East Jerusalem.
The child was moved to the Al-Maqasid hospital in Jerusalem suffering moderate injuries.
Saed Sabah, deputy headmaster of the Al-Qasab School, stated that an Israeli ambulance arrived at the scene but refused to transfer the child to hospital, the Maan News Agency reported.
Sabah stated that the settlers repeatedly harass and attack school children in the area.
There have been numerous similar incidents in different parts of the occupied West Bank; dozens of claims were filed with the Israeli Police and military, but the police failed to produce any suspects.
The Child has been identified as Ali Mousa Al-Jahaleen, a student at a local school in Arab Al-Jahaleen Bedouin village, in Abu Dis town, in occupied East Jerusalem.
The child was moved to the Al-Maqasid hospital in Jerusalem suffering moderate injuries.
Saed Sabah, deputy headmaster of the Al-Qasab School, stated that an Israeli ambulance arrived at the scene but refused to transfer the child to hospital, the Maan News Agency reported.
Sabah stated that the settlers repeatedly harass and attack school children in the area.
There have been numerous similar incidents in different parts of the occupied West Bank; dozens of claims were filed with the Israeli Police and military, but the police failed to produce any suspects.
12 jan 2013
MP calls for re-formation of popular committees to confront settlers
Qais Abu Leila, a member of the Palestinian Legislative council, has called for the re-formation of popular committees in the West Bank to protect citizens in face of repeated and escalating Jewish settlers’ attacks. He said in a statement on Friday that such attacks had noticeably increased recently, pointing to the latest such attack on Thursday in which Jewish settlers chopped down 210 olives trees in Qasra village, south of Nablus.
Abu Leila said that all Palestinian factions and institutions should unite their efforts to provide the necessary protection for Palestinian citizens and their property in face of the attacks by fanatic settlers.
The MP called for supporting Palestinian citizens to enable them withstand the attacks on their land and to resist the Judaization attempts that aim at uprooting them from their native land.
Abu Leila said that all Palestinian factions and institutions should unite their efforts to provide the necessary protection for Palestinian citizens and their property in face of the attacks by fanatic settlers.
The MP called for supporting Palestinian citizens to enable them withstand the attacks on their land and to resist the Judaization attempts that aim at uprooting them from their native land.
11 jan 2013
Settlers Uproot 210 Olive Trees in Nablus
Settlers from Aish Kodesh, an illegal settlement built on land of the Palestinian village of Qasra, south of Nablus, uprooted 210 olive trees belonged to several families in the village.
Palestinian official responsible for settlement file in the northern West Bank, Ghassan Daghlas, said " dozens of settlers uprooted 210 trees in Qasra village, following confrontations launched in the village between Palestinians and settlers and lasted for several hours. Several young Palestinians were wounded."
Palestinians agricultural lands in Qasra village and in the different Palestinian villages in the West Bank are always subjected to such attacks carried out by settlers against Palestinian farmers and their properties in attempts to force them leave their lands in order to cease them and use them for settlement purposes.
Palestinian official responsible for settlement file in the northern West Bank, Ghassan Daghlas, said " dozens of settlers uprooted 210 trees in Qasra village, following confrontations launched in the village between Palestinians and settlers and lasted for several hours. Several young Palestinians were wounded."
Palestinians agricultural lands in Qasra village and in the different Palestinian villages in the West Bank are always subjected to such attacks carried out by settlers against Palestinian farmers and their properties in attempts to force them leave their lands in order to cease them and use them for settlement purposes.
Israeli settlers flood Zbobah village in Jenin
Rainwater flooded houses in the village of Zbobah west of Jenin after the settlers opened the floodgates of their sewage system and drowned the village's land and homes.
Ahmed Jaradat, one of the Zbobh inhabitants, confirmed that the Israeli settlers opened the sewage pipes towards land and homes in the village to alleviate the rainwater pressure causing a real disaster in low-lying areas.
They behave as if there were no human beings living in this area where we suffer constantly from their practices even in these difficult days, he added.
He noted that dozens of homes in the village peripheries were affected by this aggressive behavior, causing substantial material damage.
The village of Zbobah which is inhabited by three thousand people and located near Salem military camp, is also surrounded by a number of Israeli settlements, which engulfed most of the village's agricultural land.
For days, the occupied Palestinian lands have seen heavy rains that caused floods in different areas.
Ahmed Jaradat, one of the Zbobh inhabitants, confirmed that the Israeli settlers opened the sewage pipes towards land and homes in the village to alleviate the rainwater pressure causing a real disaster in low-lying areas.
They behave as if there were no human beings living in this area where we suffer constantly from their practices even in these difficult days, he added.
He noted that dozens of homes in the village peripheries were affected by this aggressive behavior, causing substantial material damage.
The village of Zbobah which is inhabited by three thousand people and located near Salem military camp, is also surrounded by a number of Israeli settlements, which engulfed most of the village's agricultural land.
For days, the occupied Palestinian lands have seen heavy rains that caused floods in different areas.
10 jan 2013
Two Palestinians wounded in Jewish settlers’ shooting
Two Palestinians were wounded on Thursday morning after Jewish settlers shot at Palestinian citizens in two villages south of Nablus. Ghassan Daghlas, in charge of settlement activity north of the West Bank, said that a group of armed settlers attacked citizens who went out of their homes in Orif and Qasra villages to enjoy the scene of snowflakes falling from the sky.
He said that Tarek Al-Safadi from Oris village and Ammar Samer from Qasra village were injured in the shooting.
He added that Safadi was hit with a bullet in his leg and was hospitalized in Nablus.
He said that Tarek Al-Safadi from Oris village and Ammar Samer from Qasra village were injured in the shooting.
He added that Safadi was hit with a bullet in his leg and was hospitalized in Nablus.
Israeli undercover agents kidnap two Jerusalemite kids in Sheikh Jarrah area
Israeli plain-clothes agents kidnapped two Jerusalemite kids during the clashes that broke out on Wednesday evening between Jewish settlers and young men in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in occupied Jerusalem.
Activist from Wadi Hilwa information center Mahmoud Qara'ein explained that the clashes took place after a group of Palestinian young men and kids went outdoors to have some fun with the snow.
However, the scene of the kids playing with the snow angered hundreds of settlers who were present in the neighborhood to play as well and their anger suddenly turned into fierce attacks on the boys and young men who were playing near their homes on street 1, Qara'ein added.
The settlers embarked on throwing the Palestinian kids with stones and cursing them. They also made racist slurs against Muslims and Arabs, but some Israeli police men and undercover agents intervened and kidnapped two of the kids after beating them severely, according to the activist.
Activist from Wadi Hilwa information center Mahmoud Qara'ein explained that the clashes took place after a group of Palestinian young men and kids went outdoors to have some fun with the snow.
However, the scene of the kids playing with the snow angered hundreds of settlers who were present in the neighborhood to play as well and their anger suddenly turned into fierce attacks on the boys and young men who were playing near their homes on street 1, Qara'ein added.
The settlers embarked on throwing the Palestinian kids with stones and cursing them. They also made racist slurs against Muslims and Arabs, but some Israeli police men and undercover agents intervened and kidnapped two of the kids after beating them severely, according to the activist.
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Israeli Settlers Attack Palestinians Near Nablus
Dozens of extremist Israeli settlers attacked, Thursday, a number of Palestinians playing with snow in Orif village, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus.
At least one resident was injured. Another Palestinian was shot and injured by settlers fire in the nearby village of Qasra. The settlers came from the Yitzhar illegal settlement, built on privately-owned Palestinian lands. Ghassan Daghlas, in charge of the Settlements File in the northern part of |
the West Bank, told the Maan News Agency that clashes took place between the residents and the Israeli soldiers and settlers, after a number of soldiers and settlers attacked several Palestinian youths playing with the snow.
He added that one resident identified as Tareq Zeidan As-Safady, 22, suffered a gunshot injury to the leg and was moved to the Rafidia governmental hospital.
The army and the settlers were trying to push the Palestinians away as they played with the snow that covered the area, and different parts of occupied Palestine.
In Qasra village, south of Nablus, an extremist settler shot and injured a Palestinian identified as Samer Masameer, 26; he was shot in the leg and was also moved to the Rafidia hospital.
Daghlas said that the settlers came from the nearby “Yesh Kodesh” illegal settlement, and added that eyewitnesses confirmed that the settler deliberately shot the resident.
Earlier on Thursday, Israeli soldiers violently attacked and arrested several Palestinians playing with snow, in Sheikh Jarrah, in occupied Jerusalem. Extremist settlers, who gathered in the area shouted slogans against the Arabs and the Palestinians.
The clashes took place when a number of extremist Israeli settlers started throwing rocks at the local Palestinian youths who were playing with the snow, and started shouting and cursing at them, while chanting racist slogans against the Arabs and the Muslims.
He added that one resident identified as Tareq Zeidan As-Safady, 22, suffered a gunshot injury to the leg and was moved to the Rafidia governmental hospital.
The army and the settlers were trying to push the Palestinians away as they played with the snow that covered the area, and different parts of occupied Palestine.
In Qasra village, south of Nablus, an extremist settler shot and injured a Palestinian identified as Samer Masameer, 26; he was shot in the leg and was also moved to the Rafidia hospital.
Daghlas said that the settlers came from the nearby “Yesh Kodesh” illegal settlement, and added that eyewitnesses confirmed that the settler deliberately shot the resident.
Earlier on Thursday, Israeli soldiers violently attacked and arrested several Palestinians playing with snow, in Sheikh Jarrah, in occupied Jerusalem. Extremist settlers, who gathered in the area shouted slogans against the Arabs and the Palestinians.
The clashes took place when a number of extremist Israeli settlers started throwing rocks at the local Palestinian youths who were playing with the snow, and started shouting and cursing at them, while chanting racist slogans against the Arabs and the Muslims.
7 jan 2013
Settlers attack on the Mosque of the Prophet Daud in Jerusalem
For the second time in two weeks, Israeli settlers stormed the historical Mosque of the Prophet Daud in Jerusalem, and they broke the ceramic and marble tiles covering three walls. The tiles date back to the 17th century.
The incident sparked widespread anger and condemnation amongst those concerned with holy places in Jerusalem, especially that it is not the first time the mosque is attacked.
The occupation authorities have already seized the mosque and turned its first floor into a Jewish synagogue.
For its part, a delegation of Al-Aqsa Foundation for endowment and heritage came to the scene to preview the damage, where eyewitnesses told them that the assault took place at night, causing extensive damage and a clear violation to the sanctity of the mosque and Islamic architecture.
The Foundation's head, Zaki Mohamed Aghbarieh, denounced the attack that came "in light of repeated Israeli attacks on Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem in general, and those surrounding the Al-Aqsa Mosque in particular."
Aghbarieh considered it as an attack on Islamic architecture especially that the marble that has been broken down dates back to the Ottoman era.
The Foundation called on Arab, Islamic and Palestinian nation to take urgent actions in order to preserve Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem in particular, calling on all concerned parties to save the Islamic heritage and architecture from the Israeli threats.
The Supreme Islamic Council and the Department of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and Al-Dajani family in Jerusalem confirmed more than once that the mosque and all its surrounding places are all pure Islamic endowments.
It is worth mentioning that the mosque was subjected several times to frequent attacks in order to obliterate its Islamic features, and to turn it into a Talmudic and biblical shrine.
The incident sparked widespread anger and condemnation amongst those concerned with holy places in Jerusalem, especially that it is not the first time the mosque is attacked.
The occupation authorities have already seized the mosque and turned its first floor into a Jewish synagogue.
For its part, a delegation of Al-Aqsa Foundation for endowment and heritage came to the scene to preview the damage, where eyewitnesses told them that the assault took place at night, causing extensive damage and a clear violation to the sanctity of the mosque and Islamic architecture.
The Foundation's head, Zaki Mohamed Aghbarieh, denounced the attack that came "in light of repeated Israeli attacks on Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem in general, and those surrounding the Al-Aqsa Mosque in particular."
Aghbarieh considered it as an attack on Islamic architecture especially that the marble that has been broken down dates back to the Ottoman era.
The Foundation called on Arab, Islamic and Palestinian nation to take urgent actions in order to preserve Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem in particular, calling on all concerned parties to save the Islamic heritage and architecture from the Israeli threats.
The Supreme Islamic Council and the Department of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and Al-Dajani family in Jerusalem confirmed more than once that the mosque and all its surrounding places are all pure Islamic endowments.
It is worth mentioning that the mosque was subjected several times to frequent attacks in order to obliterate its Islamic features, and to turn it into a Talmudic and biblical shrine.
Khader inhabitants protest the establishment of new outpost
Inhabitants of Khader town, south of Bethlehem, have protested the Jewish settlers’ construction of a new outpost on the village’s land.
They said that the outpost was built between the village and the Gush Etzion settlement compound, noting that the Israeli higher court had passed a temporary verdict banning any expansion in it.
The inhabitants said that Jewish settlers had recently built a road that cut through a number of cultivated land lots of the village and installed four mobile houses near it.
They said that the outpost was built between the village and the Gush Etzion settlement compound, noting that the Israeli higher court had passed a temporary verdict banning any expansion in it.
The inhabitants said that Jewish settlers had recently built a road that cut through a number of cultivated land lots of the village and installed four mobile houses near it.
IOA acquits settler of torching Palestinian car
The Israeli occupation authorities closed the case against a settler of Beit Ayin settlement in which he was charged with tossing a fire bomb at a Palestinian car and burning it.
The Hebrew radio said that the Israeli prosecution decided to drop the charge against the Jewish settler for “lack of evidence”.
The broadcast recalled that the incident set fire to a Palestinian taxicab and its passengers were hospitalized for treatment of burns.
The Hebrew radio said that the Israeli prosecution decided to drop the charge against the Jewish settler for “lack of evidence”.
The broadcast recalled that the incident set fire to a Palestinian taxicab and its passengers were hospitalized for treatment of burns.
6 jan 2013
IOF arrests two Palestinians in al-Khalil, storms homes in Bethlehem
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) arrested two Palestinians from al-Khalil, in the southern West Bank, while dozens of settlers accompanied by an Israeli Minister raided an area at the entrance of Beit Ummar village, north of al-Khalil.
According to local sources, Israeli military vehicles accompanied by Israeli intelligence elements raided at dawn Sunday Shuhada Street in al-Khalil, and broke into the house of Ahmed Jihad Sharbati, 21, where they deliberately destroyed his home contents before arresting him.
Israeli occupation forces also raided the town of Idna, and arrested Ibrahim Ismail al-Tmizi, after searching his house and damaging its contents, according to local sources.
Meanwhile, dozens of settlers raided on Saturday evening, under the protection of Israeli occupation soldiers, an area close to the entrance of Beit Ummar with the presence of an Israeli minister.
Furthermore, clashes have erupted at the entrance to al-Aroub camp, north of al-Khalil between Palestinian youths and Israeli occupation soldiers.
Israeli occupation forces also stormed at dawn on Sunday the town of Beit Fajar, south of Bethlehem and raided a number of houses.
Local sources told PIC correspondent in the city that the Israeli occupation soldiers raided and searched a number of houses, without any arrests being reported.
According to local sources, Israeli military vehicles accompanied by Israeli intelligence elements raided at dawn Sunday Shuhada Street in al-Khalil, and broke into the house of Ahmed Jihad Sharbati, 21, where they deliberately destroyed his home contents before arresting him.
Israeli occupation forces also raided the town of Idna, and arrested Ibrahim Ismail al-Tmizi, after searching his house and damaging its contents, according to local sources.
Meanwhile, dozens of settlers raided on Saturday evening, under the protection of Israeli occupation soldiers, an area close to the entrance of Beit Ummar with the presence of an Israeli minister.
Furthermore, clashes have erupted at the entrance to al-Aroub camp, north of al-Khalil between Palestinian youths and Israeli occupation soldiers.
Israeli occupation forces also stormed at dawn on Sunday the town of Beit Fajar, south of Bethlehem and raided a number of houses.
Local sources told PIC correspondent in the city that the Israeli occupation soldiers raided and searched a number of houses, without any arrests being reported.
Villagers confront Jewish settlers’ attack
Villagers engaged attacking Jewish settlers in Qasra village, south of Nablus, on Saturday evening and foiled their attack.
Ghassan Daghlas, head of the committee monitoring settlement activity north of the West Bank, said that dozens of Jewish settlers attacked the southern areas of the village.
He said that inhabitants rushed to defend their village and threw stones at the settlers forcing them to flee.
Daghlas said that Israeli occupation forces intervened and fired teargas and stun grenades at the villagers, some of whom suffered breathing difficulty.
Qasra and other villages, south of Nablus, have been under increased settlers’ attack over the past few days that target the farmers, their fields, and property.
Ghassan Daghlas, head of the committee monitoring settlement activity north of the West Bank, said that dozens of Jewish settlers attacked the southern areas of the village.
He said that inhabitants rushed to defend their village and threw stones at the settlers forcing them to flee.
Daghlas said that Israeli occupation forces intervened and fired teargas and stun grenades at the villagers, some of whom suffered breathing difficulty.
Qasra and other villages, south of Nablus, have been under increased settlers’ attack over the past few days that target the farmers, their fields, and property.
5 jan 2013
Settlers Vandalize Vehicle near Bethlehem
Jewish settlers Friday vandalized a Palestinian-owned vehicle in a village east of Bethlehem and painted racist slogans on it, according to a Palestinian security source. The source told WAFA that settlers broke the front and back windows of the vehicle in the village of Manshiyeh and damaged its body.
They also painted slogans on the car that call for the deportation of Arabs from their homes.
The settlers had previously tried to torch the village mosque and a house before residents discovered their attempt and foiled it.
They also painted slogans on the car that call for the deportation of Arabs from their homes.
The settlers had previously tried to torch the village mosque and a house before residents discovered their attempt and foiled it.
Report: Settlers seize five thousand dunums of Jordan Valley land
An official Palestinian report said that groups of Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank have seized more than five thousand dunums of agricultural lands in the northern Jordan Valley.
The National Bureau for Defending the Land and Resisting Settlement noted in its weekly report, released Saturday, that the Israeli occupation authorities had transferred these large tracts of Palestinian land to the ownership of the settlers, and prevented their original owners from entering it.
The report pointed to the escalation of the attacks carried out by the settlers and the price tag operations against Palestinian citizens during the last week; represented in burning vehicles, demolishing houses, uprooting olive trees, storming Islamic shrines and attacking Palestinian civilians.
The occupation authorities have seized over the past week 456 dunums of agricultural lands owned by the village of Beit Igza, northwest of Jerusalem, for the purpose of establishing a security wall around the village that will isolate more than 12 thousand dunums of lands and historical places in the village and will turn them into "a big prison", according to the report.
The occupation authorities had decided last week to deport hundreds of Palestinians from the Jordan Valley, under the pretext of carrying out military training in the region.
These procedures come within the Israeli scheme designed to depopulate the Jordan Valley in preparation to control it and seize its rich agricultural lands, the report concluded.
The National Bureau for Defending the Land and Resisting Settlement noted in its weekly report, released Saturday, that the Israeli occupation authorities had transferred these large tracts of Palestinian land to the ownership of the settlers, and prevented their original owners from entering it.
The report pointed to the escalation of the attacks carried out by the settlers and the price tag operations against Palestinian citizens during the last week; represented in burning vehicles, demolishing houses, uprooting olive trees, storming Islamic shrines and attacking Palestinian civilians.
The occupation authorities have seized over the past week 456 dunums of agricultural lands owned by the village of Beit Igza, northwest of Jerusalem, for the purpose of establishing a security wall around the village that will isolate more than 12 thousand dunums of lands and historical places in the village and will turn them into "a big prison", according to the report.
The occupation authorities had decided last week to deport hundreds of Palestinians from the Jordan Valley, under the pretext of carrying out military training in the region.
These procedures come within the Israeli scheme designed to depopulate the Jordan Valley in preparation to control it and seize its rich agricultural lands, the report concluded.
Settlers force farmers to leave their lands in al-Khalil
Jewish settlers, protected by the Israeli soldiers, forced Palestinian farmers to leave their lands east of the town of Yatta, south of al-Khalil.
Rateb al-Jabour, the coordinator of the popular committee against the settlements in Yatta, stated that settlers from the Avijal settlement chased farmers from the family of Jabarin while they were working on their agricultural lands in the area of Wade Ma'in, east of Yatta, on Saturday.
Clashes erupted between the settlers and the Palestinian farmers at which point the Israeli occupation soldiers arrived to the area and forced the farmers to leave their lands.
Jabour pointed out that the settlers and the occupation soldiers have been recently waging a campaign against the farmers through preventing them from working in their lands in an attempt to displace them and seize control of the lands.
Rateb al-Jabour, the coordinator of the popular committee against the settlements in Yatta, stated that settlers from the Avijal settlement chased farmers from the family of Jabarin while they were working on their agricultural lands in the area of Wade Ma'in, east of Yatta, on Saturday.
Clashes erupted between the settlers and the Palestinian farmers at which point the Israeli occupation soldiers arrived to the area and forced the farmers to leave their lands.
Jabour pointed out that the settlers and the occupation soldiers have been recently waging a campaign against the farmers through preventing them from working in their lands in an attempt to displace them and seize control of the lands.
3 jan 2013
Settlers Vandalize Palestinian Property near Nablus
The Palestinian official news agency WAFA said that Jewish settlers destroyed a Palestinian-owned car in the village of Qablan, south of Nablus, and sprayed anti-Palestinian graffiti in the area, according to a local activist.
Palestinian official responsible for settlement file in the West Bank, Ghassan Daghlas, told WAFA that a group of settlers attacked the village in the early hours and vandalized property.
He said settler attacks against Palestinians and their property, including uprooting and cutting down of trees, have increased in the past three days in the southern Nablus area.
Settlers Vandalize Palestinian Property near Nablus
Jewish settlers Thursday destroyed a Palestinian-owned car in the village of Qablan, south of Nablus, and sprayed anti-Palestinian graffiti in the area, according to a local activist. Ghassan Daghlas, who monitors settler activities in the northern parts of the West Bank, told WAFA that a group of settlers attacked the village in the early hours and vandalized property.
He said settler attacks against Palestinians and their property, including uprooting and cutting down of trees, have increased in the past three days in the southern Nablus area.
Palestinian official responsible for settlement file in the West Bank, Ghassan Daghlas, told WAFA that a group of settlers attacked the village in the early hours and vandalized property.
He said settler attacks against Palestinians and their property, including uprooting and cutting down of trees, have increased in the past three days in the southern Nablus area.
Settlers Vandalize Palestinian Property near Nablus
Jewish settlers Thursday destroyed a Palestinian-owned car in the village of Qablan, south of Nablus, and sprayed anti-Palestinian graffiti in the area, according to a local activist. Ghassan Daghlas, who monitors settler activities in the northern parts of the West Bank, told WAFA that a group of settlers attacked the village in the early hours and vandalized property.
He said settler attacks against Palestinians and their property, including uprooting and cutting down of trees, have increased in the past three days in the southern Nablus area.
Settlers desecrate mosque in Bethlehem
Israeli settlers desecrated on Wednesday afternoon Hamidiya mosque in al-Faghour village in Bethlehem district located in the southern occupied West Bank, after storming it.
Ibrahim Moussa, of the popular committee against settlement in the region, told Quds Press that a group of Israeli usurpers stormed Hamidiya mosque with their boots and wandered in its corridors for about half an hour, before heading to the Islamic cemetery in the area.
He noted that the settlers had burned the mosque two years ago and the people of the village restored it with the help of farmers who worshipped in the mosque when they tended their fields.
Meanwhile, the Israeli occupation forces fired on Wednesday tear gas and sound bombs at Palestinian civilians in the village of Qasra in the city of Nablus in the northern West Bank territory, resulting in dozens of suffocation cases.
Abdel Azim Wadi, head of the village council in Qasra, confirmed that dozens of Palestinians from the village came to protect their lands especially with the Israeli settlers and soldiers' presence, where IOF fired a barrage of tear gas bombs.
The head of the Village Council added that Palestinian villagers were subjected recently to a fierce campaign by the Israeli settlers who have uprooted dozens of trees and assaulted the citizens' homes and properties.
He called on concerned authorities to intervene to stop the repeated Israeli settlers' attacks and to protect Palestinian farmers.
Ibrahim Moussa, of the popular committee against settlement in the region, told Quds Press that a group of Israeli usurpers stormed Hamidiya mosque with their boots and wandered in its corridors for about half an hour, before heading to the Islamic cemetery in the area.
He noted that the settlers had burned the mosque two years ago and the people of the village restored it with the help of farmers who worshipped in the mosque when they tended their fields.
Meanwhile, the Israeli occupation forces fired on Wednesday tear gas and sound bombs at Palestinian civilians in the village of Qasra in the city of Nablus in the northern West Bank territory, resulting in dozens of suffocation cases.
Abdel Azim Wadi, head of the village council in Qasra, confirmed that dozens of Palestinians from the village came to protect their lands especially with the Israeli settlers and soldiers' presence, where IOF fired a barrage of tear gas bombs.
The head of the Village Council added that Palestinian villagers were subjected recently to a fierce campaign by the Israeli settlers who have uprooted dozens of trees and assaulted the citizens' homes and properties.
He called on concerned authorities to intervene to stop the repeated Israeli settlers' attacks and to protect Palestinian farmers.
Two-year-old child injured in the head in Jewish settlers’ attack
Three members of one family including a two-year-old child were injured when Jewish settlers from Ehya settlement attacked their village south of Nablus on Wednesday night.
Ghassan Daghlas, in charge of monitoring Israeli settlement activity north of the West Bank, said in a statement that a group of Jewish settlers from Ehya settlement attacked citizens’ homes in Jalloud village with rocks and batons.
He said that the two-year-old child Farah Nassim Ayyad was injured in the head and was taken to hospital along with his father Nassim and his uncle Naim.
The settlers’ attack also resulted in the destruction of two cars, Daghlas said, adding that the settlers had attacked farmers in the same village in the morning and prevented them from tending their fields.
Ghassan Daghlas, in charge of monitoring Israeli settlement activity north of the West Bank, said in a statement that a group of Jewish settlers from Ehya settlement attacked citizens’ homes in Jalloud village with rocks and batons.
He said that the two-year-old child Farah Nassim Ayyad was injured in the head and was taken to hospital along with his father Nassim and his uncle Naim.
The settlers’ attack also resulted in the destruction of two cars, Daghlas said, adding that the settlers had attacked farmers in the same village in the morning and prevented them from tending their fields.
2 jan 2013
IOF storms Nablus, settlers break into Yossef’s Tomb
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) stormed the eastern region of the city of Nablus in the northern West Bank early Wednesday, while settlers stormed Youssef’s Tomb area in the Balata village east of the city in order to perform religious rituals.
The Israeli soldiers stormed the area 'Ein Beit al-Maa west of the city, but no arrests have been reported.
Large Israeli forces and several military jeeps and buses that transported the visitor settlers stopped at the entrance of Awarta village south of Nablus.
Meanwhile, the IOF fired live bullet on the youth Jihad al-Safadi, 22, during the storming of the village of Urif southwest of the city of Nablus on Tuesday evening.
The settlers had launched on Tuesday systematic attack campaigns against citizens in various parts of the West Bank, where they uprooted more than 200 olive trees in Kasra village.
The Israeli soldiers stormed the area 'Ein Beit al-Maa west of the city, but no arrests have been reported.
Large Israeli forces and several military jeeps and buses that transported the visitor settlers stopped at the entrance of Awarta village south of Nablus.
Meanwhile, the IOF fired live bullet on the youth Jihad al-Safadi, 22, during the storming of the village of Urif southwest of the city of Nablus on Tuesday evening.
The settlers had launched on Tuesday systematic attack campaigns against citizens in various parts of the West Bank, where they uprooted more than 200 olive trees in Kasra village.
Hamas holds Israel responsible for its settlers’ crimes
Hamas movement held the Israeli occupation authorities fully responsible for consequences of Jewish settlers’ crimes against the Palestinian people and their holy shrines.
Hamas, in a press release on Wednesday, warned the IOA against providing a cover for those settlers. The movement was commenting on the repeated settlers’ storming of the holy Aqsa mosque in occupied Jerusalem and the continuous attacks on citizens and their property in the West Bank.
Hamas said that the Palestinian people would not remain idle vis-à-vis those attacks and would remain steadfast on their land and would continue to defend their holy shrines.
The movement urged human rights groups to expose the settlers’ crimes, affirming that no matter what their crimes were they would never gain a foothold in the Aqsa mosque or in any inch of Palestinian land.
Hamas, in a press release on Wednesday, warned the IOA against providing a cover for those settlers. The movement was commenting on the repeated settlers’ storming of the holy Aqsa mosque in occupied Jerusalem and the continuous attacks on citizens and their property in the West Bank.
Hamas said that the Palestinian people would not remain idle vis-à-vis those attacks and would remain steadfast on their land and would continue to defend their holy shrines.
The movement urged human rights groups to expose the settlers’ crimes, affirming that no matter what their crimes were they would never gain a foothold in the Aqsa mosque or in any inch of Palestinian land.
Jewish settlers renew attacks on Palestinian farmers in Nablus villages
Jewish settlers renewed on Wednesday attacks on Palestinian farmers in Qasra village and prevented them from tending to their land.
Local sources said that Israeli occupation forces intervened to protect the settlers and quell the farmers who were objecting to blocking their work in their fields.
The sources said that farmers suffered breathing difficulty when IOF soldiers fired teargas at them. They pointed out that the settlers alleged that they own the fields and threatened to kill the Palestinian farmers if they returned to them.
Meanwhile, in another Nablus village, settlers from the infamous Yitzhar settlement attacked Orif village and fired at villagers and threw rocks at them.
Locals said that a Palestinian man was hit with a bullet and rushed to hospital where his condition was described as moderate.
Local sources said that Israeli occupation forces intervened to protect the settlers and quell the farmers who were objecting to blocking their work in their fields.
The sources said that farmers suffered breathing difficulty when IOF soldiers fired teargas at them. They pointed out that the settlers alleged that they own the fields and threatened to kill the Palestinian farmers if they returned to them.
Meanwhile, in another Nablus village, settlers from the infamous Yitzhar settlement attacked Orif village and fired at villagers and threw rocks at them.
Locals said that a Palestinian man was hit with a bullet and rushed to hospital where his condition was described as moderate.
1 jan 2013
Jewish settlers torch Palestinian car
Jewish settlers torched a Palestinian car and wrote racist slogans threatening Palestinian citizens near Arub refugee camp, north of Al-Khalil.
Owner of the car Suhail Barghouth told Quds Press that the attack on his car occurred before dawn Tuesday and that it was completely burnt in the incident.
He said that the car exploded after it caught fire and damaged a nearby tractor.
Barghouth said that the settlers wrote racist slogans on the walls and the main gate of his house threatening to target the family next time and kill them. He said that one of the slogans read: “A good Arab is a dead Arab”.
Meanwhile, Israeli occupation forces raided the Old City in Al-Khalil and two nearby towns at dawn Tuesday and searched a number of houses but no arrests were reported.
Owner of the car Suhail Barghouth told Quds Press that the attack on his car occurred before dawn Tuesday and that it was completely burnt in the incident.
He said that the car exploded after it caught fire and damaged a nearby tractor.
Barghouth said that the settlers wrote racist slogans on the walls and the main gate of his house threatening to target the family next time and kill them. He said that one of the slogans read: “A good Arab is a dead Arab”.
Meanwhile, Israeli occupation forces raided the Old City in Al-Khalil and two nearby towns at dawn Tuesday and searched a number of houses but no arrests were reported.
Jewish Settlers Attack West Bank Village
Jewish settlers attacked early Tuesday the West Bank village of Qusra, southeast of Nablus, damaged homes and uprooted around 200 olive trees, said witnesses. They said the settlers crept into the village after midnight and attacked a residence belonging to Abdul Majeed Hasan, who, along with village residents, confronted the settlers and were able to push them back but not before causing damage to the house.
The residents said the settlers uprooted dozens of olive trees and cut many others.
The settlers then repeated their attack on the village Tuesday morning, but this time under Israeli army protection, and attacked the Palestinian village residents who tried to defend themselves and their village.
Residents said soldiers fired rubber bullets and tear gas at the people causing a number of light injuries, including a photojournalist who was hit by a rubber bullet.. Settler attacks against Palestinian villages in the area that go without punishment have intensified during the past year.
Jewish settlers destroy dozens of olive trees in Qasra village
Extremist Jewish settlers under military protection at dawn Tuesday went on the rampage through Qasra village south of Nablus city and destroyed dozens of olive trees.
Head of Qasra municipal council Abdul-Azim Wadi said a group of settlers guarded by troops invaded the Palestinian cultivated lands in the village, and embarked on uprooting and damaging more than 200 olive trees.
Wadi added that the settlers, as usual, brought tools to remove the trees from their roots and knocked down those which they failed to uproot.
The municipal official affirmed that the villagers were surprised in the morning to see what happened to their olive trees and decided immediately to protect their lands and cultivate them once again.
The settlers also encircled the house of Abdul-Majid Hasan, one of the villagers, and assaulted him and his family before his neighbors showed up and saved him from the assailants who fled the scene.
This was the second attack on this village in less than a week after the settlers had destroyed more than 40 olive trees and assaulted the villagers a few days ago.
In a separate incident, other group of Jewish settlers escorted by soldiers invaded last night Solomon's Pools area in Khader town, south of Bethlehem, and performed their bizarre rituals.
Ahmed Salah, coordinator of the popular committee against settlement in Khader town, told Quds Press that about 50 settlers along with troops entered the city to where Solomon's Pools are located and performed rituals, noting that Solomon's Pools dates back to the Roman era.
Salah warned that there are Israeli intents to annex Solomon's Pools to the nearby Efrat settlement.
The residents said the settlers uprooted dozens of olive trees and cut many others.
The settlers then repeated their attack on the village Tuesday morning, but this time under Israeli army protection, and attacked the Palestinian village residents who tried to defend themselves and their village.
Residents said soldiers fired rubber bullets and tear gas at the people causing a number of light injuries, including a photojournalist who was hit by a rubber bullet.. Settler attacks against Palestinian villages in the area that go without punishment have intensified during the past year.
Jewish settlers destroy dozens of olive trees in Qasra village
Extremist Jewish settlers under military protection at dawn Tuesday went on the rampage through Qasra village south of Nablus city and destroyed dozens of olive trees.
Head of Qasra municipal council Abdul-Azim Wadi said a group of settlers guarded by troops invaded the Palestinian cultivated lands in the village, and embarked on uprooting and damaging more than 200 olive trees.
Wadi added that the settlers, as usual, brought tools to remove the trees from their roots and knocked down those which they failed to uproot.
The municipal official affirmed that the villagers were surprised in the morning to see what happened to their olive trees and decided immediately to protect their lands and cultivate them once again.
The settlers also encircled the house of Abdul-Majid Hasan, one of the villagers, and assaulted him and his family before his neighbors showed up and saved him from the assailants who fled the scene.
This was the second attack on this village in less than a week after the settlers had destroyed more than 40 olive trees and assaulted the villagers a few days ago.
In a separate incident, other group of Jewish settlers escorted by soldiers invaded last night Solomon's Pools area in Khader town, south of Bethlehem, and performed their bizarre rituals.
Ahmed Salah, coordinator of the popular committee against settlement in Khader town, told Quds Press that about 50 settlers along with troops entered the city to where Solomon's Pools are located and performed rituals, noting that Solomon's Pools dates back to the Roman era.
Salah warned that there are Israeli intents to annex Solomon's Pools to the nearby Efrat settlement.
Settlers attack a citizen from Qaryut in Nablus
Jewish settlers attacked Abdul Latif Hassan Yousef, 55, on Tuesday afternoon while he was heading to the village of Qasra to provide medical assistance to local residents after they had been attacked by settlers.
The village council said that the citizen, from the village of Qaryut south of the city of Nablus in the northern West Bank, was attacked on the road between his village and the village of Qasra by the settlers during their attack on the villagers
The settlers had beaten Abdul Latif Hassan Yousef with sharp objects on his head and chest, causing him serious injuries.
He was taken to the Rafidya Hospital in Nablus to receive treatment, while medical sources described his injury as serious.
The village council said that the citizen, from the village of Qaryut south of the city of Nablus in the northern West Bank, was attacked on the road between his village and the village of Qasra by the settlers during their attack on the villagers
The settlers had beaten Abdul Latif Hassan Yousef with sharp objects on his head and chest, causing him serious injuries.
He was taken to the Rafidya Hospital in Nablus to receive treatment, while medical sources described his injury as serious.
