9 jan 2014
A 12-year-old ultra-orthodox Jewish boy on Thursday splashed a Palestinian woman with chlorine at a light rail station in Jerusalem, Israeli media reported.
Channel 2 reported that the woman did not require medical attention, but filed a complaint with the police. She claimed the attacker acted out of racist motives.
Police are looking for the boy, the report said.
Channel 2 reported that the woman did not require medical attention, but filed a complaint with the police. She claimed the attacker acted out of racist motives.
Police are looking for the boy, the report said.
The Palestinian Government condemned the continuous assaults against Palestinian people by settler groups, especially the assault Tuesday by "Price Tag" groups against citizens of Qasra village south Nablus, calling upon the international community to intervene to provide protection to the Palestinian people.
Citizens of Qasra village were able to stand in the face of settler groups who assaulted farmers from the village and tried to sabotage their land; they chased them out of the fields and trapped them in a building under construction. The villagers contacted the Palestinian District Coordination Officer and the settlers were handed over to the Israeli Military Forces. They also delivered a clear warning message saying "Stop your assaults on our children and property or you will pay the price to your crimes."
Dr. Ehab Bessaiso, Director of the Palestinian Government Media Center and Government Spokesperson, confirmed that citizens of Qasra village, who was subject to numerous assaults by settlers during the past months, acted in self -defense, and thus protected their trees and properties from the settler's attack.
Bessaiso also mentioned that Qasra citizens provided the settlers with water and wipes to clean their wounds.
Qasra village south of Nablus is subject to continuous assaults, including shooting, Olive tree uprooting, burning of agricultural crops. Three of its citizens are still suffering from serious injuries and in 2011 the village buried Isam Badran, who was shot dead by Israeli soldiers while defending the village against a settler attack.
Citizens of Qasra village were able to stand in the face of settler groups who assaulted farmers from the village and tried to sabotage their land; they chased them out of the fields and trapped them in a building under construction. The villagers contacted the Palestinian District Coordination Officer and the settlers were handed over to the Israeli Military Forces. They also delivered a clear warning message saying "Stop your assaults on our children and property or you will pay the price to your crimes."
Dr. Ehab Bessaiso, Director of the Palestinian Government Media Center and Government Spokesperson, confirmed that citizens of Qasra village, who was subject to numerous assaults by settlers during the past months, acted in self -defense, and thus protected their trees and properties from the settler's attack.
Bessaiso also mentioned that Qasra citizens provided the settlers with water and wipes to clean their wounds.
Qasra village south of Nablus is subject to continuous assaults, including shooting, Olive tree uprooting, burning of agricultural crops. Three of its citizens are still suffering from serious injuries and in 2011 the village buried Isam Badran, who was shot dead by Israeli soldiers while defending the village against a settler attack.
Israeli settlements watchdog Peace Now has urged the government to dismantle an illegal outpost in the West Bank, after violent clashes in the area between settlers and Palestinians.
Israel must "enforce the law and remove Esh Kodesh, an illegal West Bank settlement established in violation of Israeli law", Peace Now said in a letter to the government, a copy of which was sent to AFP late on Wednesday.
Residents of the outpost in the northern West Bank near Nablus had "repeatedly attacked neighboring Palestinians", it said.
On Tuesday, Palestinians beat and detained around a dozen settlers from Esh Kodesh who had entered Qusra village south of Nablus, then released them after negotiating with Israeli soldiers.
Qusra is just a few kilometers north of Esh Kodesh and is the scene of frequent clashes between settlers and Palestinians.
"Esh Kodesh is an outpost that serves as launching ground for severe unlawful activity, and as such... it creates severe friction that causes harm to people and their property, and therefore heavily burdens the security authorities," Peace Now said.
After Tuesday's incident, police placed seven settlers under house arrest until Friday while they investigate why they were in the village in the first place, Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said.
Peace Now slammed the government for failing to carry out existing demolition orders on many so-called "wildcat" outposts -- settlements which have not been formally approved and are therefore illegal.
Under international law, all settlement building in the occupied Palestinian territories is illegal.
Israel must "enforce the law and remove Esh Kodesh, an illegal West Bank settlement established in violation of Israeli law", Peace Now said in a letter to the government, a copy of which was sent to AFP late on Wednesday.
Residents of the outpost in the northern West Bank near Nablus had "repeatedly attacked neighboring Palestinians", it said.
On Tuesday, Palestinians beat and detained around a dozen settlers from Esh Kodesh who had entered Qusra village south of Nablus, then released them after negotiating with Israeli soldiers.
Qusra is just a few kilometers north of Esh Kodesh and is the scene of frequent clashes between settlers and Palestinians.
"Esh Kodesh is an outpost that serves as launching ground for severe unlawful activity, and as such... it creates severe friction that causes harm to people and their property, and therefore heavily burdens the security authorities," Peace Now said.
After Tuesday's incident, police placed seven settlers under house arrest until Friday while they investigate why they were in the village in the first place, Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said.
Peace Now slammed the government for failing to carry out existing demolition orders on many so-called "wildcat" outposts -- settlements which have not been formally approved and are therefore illegal.
Under international law, all settlement building in the occupied Palestinian territories is illegal.
Palestinian local sources and eyewitnesses reported that Jewish price tag gangs on Thursday stormed the village of Sanjal, north of Ramallah, and sprayed racist slogans on the walls of a house in the village. The sources said that extremist settlers from Maale Labbouna settlement, built on lands south of Nablus, sprayed anti-Arab slogans reading "Death to Arabs".
Meanwhile, dozens of settlers, accompanied by Israeli soldiers in more than ten military vehicles, raided a spring of water near Dura south of al-Khalil, eyewitnesses told PIC.
They added that the settlers have stormed the spring of water several times; and have threatened that they will establish an outpost in the region.
Meanwhile, dozens of settlers, accompanied by Israeli soldiers in more than ten military vehicles, raided a spring of water near Dura south of al-Khalil, eyewitnesses told PIC.
They added that the settlers have stormed the spring of water several times; and have threatened that they will establish an outpost in the region.
Israeli soldiers, intelligence agents, and settlers broke into the holy Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem on Thursday morning in different groups. The Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage said in a statement that 24 settlers entered the holy site in two groups under heavy Israeli police protection.
It said that 45 Israeli soldiers broke into the holy site in their uniform as part of what the army calls “military guidance”, which coincided with the entry of 16 intelligence agents, who toured the Qibli and Marwani mosques.
The foundation said that the intelligence agents’ entry into the Marwani mosque was met with anger on the part of worshipers and students, who chanted anti-occupation and pro-Aqsa slogans.
The statement pointed out that a group of settlers raised the photo of fanatic MP Moshe Feiglin, the deputy speaker of the Israeli Knesset (parliament), at the door of the Marwani mosque, which raised the ire of worshipers and heightened tensions.
It said that 45 Israeli soldiers broke into the holy site in their uniform as part of what the army calls “military guidance”, which coincided with the entry of 16 intelligence agents, who toured the Qibli and Marwani mosques.
The foundation said that the intelligence agents’ entry into the Marwani mosque was met with anger on the part of worshipers and students, who chanted anti-occupation and pro-Aqsa slogans.
The statement pointed out that a group of settlers raised the photo of fanatic MP Moshe Feiglin, the deputy speaker of the Israeli Knesset (parliament), at the door of the Marwani mosque, which raised the ire of worshipers and heightened tensions.
8 jan 2014
|
|
Video screenshot shows soldiers standing by
B'Tselem video shows Yitzhar settlers hurling stones at Palestinian home, school in Nablus-adjacent village. Footage shows IDF soldiers present, not intervening A video released on Wednesday by the B'Tselem rights group showed settlers hurling stones at the house of a Palestinian family and a school. The footage reveals a group of masked settlers who left the settlement of Yitzhar in the direction of the Nablus-adjacent village of Ourif, where they started throwing stones on the house and school. |
The video shows soldiers walking alongside the stone-throwers without stopping them from the attacks.
The B'Tselem group reported that several students from the school on which the stones were thrown threw stones back at the settlers, prompting the soldiers to throw smoke grenades at the students.
"The footage shows that the military, which is supposed to protect Palestinians in the West Bank, was essentially used as a security buffer for violent settlers," a B'Tselem statement noted, adding that "the soldiers did not stop the violent acts and only responded when the Palestinians hurled stones back at the settlers.
" It didn’t seem as though the soldiers attempted to identify the masked men or detain them until police arrive so they can face the full extent of the law."
Military sources said that the incident was under investigation, and that the right-wing activists were throwing the stones in the direction of an unpopulated area.
Israeli settlers attack Urif town backed by Israeli soldiers
The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories- posted a video on Wednesday documents Israeli settlers while attacking Urif town ,south of Nablus to the north of the West Bank, under the protection of Israeli soldiers. The video which filmed by a local villager shows settlers throwing stones, while soldiers stand beside them. The soldiers took no measures to arrest the settlers, to remove them from the area, or at the very least to put an end to the stone-throwing.
Several students at the school threw stones back at the settlers and the soldiers fired teargas at the students. At that point, the teachers called the students into the school building to keep them away from the confrontation.
The settlers, who came from the settlement of Yitzhar, smashed the electricity meter and threw stones at the home of the Safadi family, adjacent to the construction site. They also threw stones at the school, located about 100 meters away. The settlers were accompanied by soldiers as well as by at least one armed settler equipped with a two-way radio, who is apparently one of the settlement’s security guards.
B’Tselem plans to apply to the relevant Israeli authorities, demanding that an investigation of the incident be launched immediately. The investigation must examine the conduct of the soldiers and officers on-site during the incident, of the assailants and of the settlement’s security personnel. B’Tselem also plans to demand that all security forces serving on the ground be informed of their duty to protect the local Palestinian population and their property against such attacks.
The B'Tselem group reported that several students from the school on which the stones were thrown threw stones back at the settlers, prompting the soldiers to throw smoke grenades at the students.
"The footage shows that the military, which is supposed to protect Palestinians in the West Bank, was essentially used as a security buffer for violent settlers," a B'Tselem statement noted, adding that "the soldiers did not stop the violent acts and only responded when the Palestinians hurled stones back at the settlers.
" It didn’t seem as though the soldiers attempted to identify the masked men or detain them until police arrive so they can face the full extent of the law."
Military sources said that the incident was under investigation, and that the right-wing activists were throwing the stones in the direction of an unpopulated area.
Israeli settlers attack Urif town backed by Israeli soldiers
The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories- posted a video on Wednesday documents Israeli settlers while attacking Urif town ,south of Nablus to the north of the West Bank, under the protection of Israeli soldiers. The video which filmed by a local villager shows settlers throwing stones, while soldiers stand beside them. The soldiers took no measures to arrest the settlers, to remove them from the area, or at the very least to put an end to the stone-throwing.
Several students at the school threw stones back at the settlers and the soldiers fired teargas at the students. At that point, the teachers called the students into the school building to keep them away from the confrontation.
The settlers, who came from the settlement of Yitzhar, smashed the electricity meter and threw stones at the home of the Safadi family, adjacent to the construction site. They also threw stones at the school, located about 100 meters away. The settlers were accompanied by soldiers as well as by at least one armed settler equipped with a two-way radio, who is apparently one of the settlement’s security guards.
B’Tselem plans to apply to the relevant Israeli authorities, demanding that an investigation of the incident be launched immediately. The investigation must examine the conduct of the soldiers and officers on-site during the incident, of the assailants and of the settlement’s security personnel. B’Tselem also plans to demand that all security forces serving on the ground be informed of their duty to protect the local Palestinian population and their property against such attacks.
Dozens of extremist Jewish settlers and elements of the Israeli intelligence services stormed on Wednesday morning al-Aqsa Mosque from the Mughrabi Gate, under the protection of the occupation police. Al-Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage stated that nearly 34 intelligence elements and 89 settlers, accompanied by the rabbi Yehuda Glick, stormed the mosque and toured its courtyards.
It added that the occupation forces have been imposing strict measures on the entry of Jerusalemites to al-Aqsa Mosque; the soldiers search the worshipers and hold their identity cards before allowing them to enter the mosque.
The foundation said that hundreds of students and worshipers from Jerusalem and 1948 occupied Palestinian territories came to al-Aqsa Mosque since the early morning hours in order to protect it from the settlers' raids.
It stressed its rejection to the cover granted by the Israeli police in occupied Jerusalem to the settlers who are breaking into al-Aqsa Mosque and attacking the worshipers.
It added that the occupation forces have been imposing strict measures on the entry of Jerusalemites to al-Aqsa Mosque; the soldiers search the worshipers and hold their identity cards before allowing them to enter the mosque.
The foundation said that hundreds of students and worshipers from Jerusalem and 1948 occupied Palestinian territories came to al-Aqsa Mosque since the early morning hours in order to protect it from the settlers' raids.
It stressed its rejection to the cover granted by the Israeli police in occupied Jerusalem to the settlers who are breaking into al-Aqsa Mosque and attacking the worshipers.
Groups of extremist settlers are preparing to carry out violent and reprisal attacks against the Palestinian residents in the West Bank.
According to Israeli media outlets, Israeli security sources warned of settler attacks on Palestinian villages and cities, claiming that the Israeli Army would stand up and prevent the settlers from attacking the Palestinians.
In a related context, a group of settlers stormed on Tuesday the village of Qusra, south of Nablus and clashed with the Qusra residents.
The Israeli Police arrested seven settlers and took them for interrogation.
According to Israeli media outlets, Israeli security sources warned of settler attacks on Palestinian villages and cities, claiming that the Israeli Army would stand up and prevent the settlers from attacking the Palestinians.
In a related context, a group of settlers stormed on Tuesday the village of Qusra, south of Nablus and clashed with the Qusra residents.
The Israeli Police arrested seven settlers and took them for interrogation.
Backed by Israeli police, Jewish settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Al-Quds, but had to be evacuated by Israeli police.
"Nineteen settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa compound through the Al-Mgharba Gate under the watch of Israeli police," mosque guard Othman Abu Ghyarbiyeh said.
Four settlers attempted to perform Talmudic rituals, but guards stopped them from doing so.
In the end Israeli police had to evacuate the settlers from the site, as Palestinian students stood up to them.
In recent months, groups of settlers with Israeli forces have entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex creating a sense of anger amongst Palestinian Muslims. Formerly, these situations have resulted in violence.
"Nineteen settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa compound through the Al-Mgharba Gate under the watch of Israeli police," mosque guard Othman Abu Ghyarbiyeh said.
Four settlers attempted to perform Talmudic rituals, but guards stopped them from doing so.
In the end Israeli police had to evacuate the settlers from the site, as Palestinian students stood up to them.
In recent months, groups of settlers with Israeli forces have entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex creating a sense of anger amongst Palestinian Muslims. Formerly, these situations have resulted in violence.
A group of settlers stormed Wednesday, the village of Madama south of the city of Nablus and vandalized a property.
Palestinian official responsible for settlement file in the West Bank, Ghassan Douglas, told PNN that settlers set fire to two vehicles and spray-painted "Price Tag" slogans reading "Esh Kodesh", "revenge", and price tag along with a Star of David.
Douglas added that Israeli forces arrested a number of Palestinians during clashes that erupted in the villages of Qaryout and Qasra.
Palestinian official responsible for settlement file in the West Bank, Ghassan Douglas, told PNN that settlers set fire to two vehicles and spray-painted "Price Tag" slogans reading "Esh Kodesh", "revenge", and price tag along with a Star of David.
Douglas added that Israeli forces arrested a number of Palestinians during clashes that erupted in the villages of Qaryout and Qasra.
On Tuesday Palestinian villagers from Qusra in Nablus area, held 18 settlers captive after they had tried to uproot olive trees belonging to the villagers. The settlers were later trasfered to Israeli Occupation Forces.
The settler were surrounded by the villagers while destroying village property, clashes broke out and the villagers managed to hold the settlers and call for the Palestinian Security Service who transfered the settlers to the Israeli Occupation Forces.
The attack took place after the Israeli Administration demolished a building in the illegal outpost of Yesh Kodesh.
Amos Harel writes in Haaretz that the attack from the settlers were predictable and that ”this highlights the security services’ impotency in addressing violence by the extreme right.”
Amos Harel predicts a rize in these price tag attacks, where extreme right wing israeli settlers attack and vandilize Palestinian property in response to any decision that might slow down the settlement expansions on the West Bank.
”The more progress U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry makes toward an Israeli-Palestinian agreement, and the more reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering major concessions in the talks, the more such acts will happen.”
The settler were surrounded by the villagers while destroying village property, clashes broke out and the villagers managed to hold the settlers and call for the Palestinian Security Service who transfered the settlers to the Israeli Occupation Forces.
The attack took place after the Israeli Administration demolished a building in the illegal outpost of Yesh Kodesh.
Amos Harel writes in Haaretz that the attack from the settlers were predictable and that ”this highlights the security services’ impotency in addressing violence by the extreme right.”
Amos Harel predicts a rize in these price tag attacks, where extreme right wing israeli settlers attack and vandilize Palestinian property in response to any decision that might slow down the settlement expansions on the West Bank.
”The more progress U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry makes toward an Israeli-Palestinian agreement, and the more reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering major concessions in the talks, the more such acts will happen.”
7 jan 2014
A group of Jewish settlers desecrated the Aqsa Mosque on Tuesday morning under Israeli police protection. Eyewitnesses said that 19 Jewish settlers entered the Mosque via the Maghareba gate and toured its various plazas while listening to explanations by Israeli “tour guides”.
The Wadi Hilwa information center said in a statement that 9,050 settlers had stormed the Aqsa Mosque in 2013.
The Wadi Hilwa information center said in a statement that 9,050 settlers had stormed the Aqsa Mosque in 2013.
A group of Israeli settlers attacked on Tuesday afternoon, Palestinian farmers in Jeb al-Theb village, east of Bethlehem.
Hassan Breijiyeh, Coordinator of Popular Resistance Committee to Resist Wall and Settlement in Bethlehem, said that settlers, under the protection of Israeli Army, prevented farmers from reaching their land to cultivate it.
Breijiyeh told PNN that the popular committee, the National Farmers' Union (NFU) and residents from al-Zawahreh and al-Masa'deh families headed to cultivate their lands in the village within an activity organized to support the Palestinian residents in that area, but they were surprised to find a group of Israeli soldiers and settlers. He also said that the settlers prevented the farmers from entering their land.
Breijiyeh added that verbal altercations erupted between the farmers and settlers who were carrying weapons and escorted by dogs.
He pointed out that this activity bares a message to the Palestinian leadership and civil institutions that the Palestinians in these threatened lands must be supported and protected.
In a related context, Rateb al-Jbour, Coordinator of Popular Resistance Committee to Resist Wall and Settlement in Hebron, said that a group of settlers from Susiya illegal settlement demolished Monday night, a tent belonging to the Palestinian resident Izz Ghaith in Wad al-Rakhem, south of Yatta.
Al-Jbour condemned these brutal procedures that Israeli settlers and IOF forces committed against the Palestinian residents and their property, in an attempt to displace them and seize their land.
Hassan Breijiyeh, Coordinator of Popular Resistance Committee to Resist Wall and Settlement in Bethlehem, said that settlers, under the protection of Israeli Army, prevented farmers from reaching their land to cultivate it.
Breijiyeh told PNN that the popular committee, the National Farmers' Union (NFU) and residents from al-Zawahreh and al-Masa'deh families headed to cultivate their lands in the village within an activity organized to support the Palestinian residents in that area, but they were surprised to find a group of Israeli soldiers and settlers. He also said that the settlers prevented the farmers from entering their land.
Breijiyeh added that verbal altercations erupted between the farmers and settlers who were carrying weapons and escorted by dogs.
He pointed out that this activity bares a message to the Palestinian leadership and civil institutions that the Palestinians in these threatened lands must be supported and protected.
In a related context, Rateb al-Jbour, Coordinator of Popular Resistance Committee to Resist Wall and Settlement in Hebron, said that a group of settlers from Susiya illegal settlement demolished Monday night, a tent belonging to the Palestinian resident Izz Ghaith in Wad al-Rakhem, south of Yatta.
Al-Jbour condemned these brutal procedures that Israeli settlers and IOF forces committed against the Palestinian residents and their property, in an attempt to displace them and seize their land.
Israeli extremist settlers wrote various vulgar and racist statements against Arabs on a building in Bat Yam street in Jafa. According to Yediot Ahronot newspaper , the slogans included : “Arabs are murderers, “no for coexistence.”
The newspaper reported that the settlers punctured the tires of five Palestinian cars while the Israeli police opened investigation on the incident.
Israeli Activists Puncture Tires of Vehicles, Spray-Paint Racist Slogans in Yaffa
Israeli right-wing activists punctured on Tuesday, tires of five cars belonging to 1948 Palestinians (Palestinians living in Israel) in the city of Yaffa in the '48 territories and spray-painted racist slogans reading "Death to Arabs".
The racist slogans were spray-painted in the early hours of morning in Bat Yam Street. Other racist slogans were also found on the walls of Palestinians' houses including "No coexistence with the Arabs" and "Arabs are murderers".
No reports of Arrest among the offenders.
The newspaper reported that the settlers punctured the tires of five Palestinian cars while the Israeli police opened investigation on the incident.
Israeli Activists Puncture Tires of Vehicles, Spray-Paint Racist Slogans in Yaffa
Israeli right-wing activists punctured on Tuesday, tires of five cars belonging to 1948 Palestinians (Palestinians living in Israel) in the city of Yaffa in the '48 territories and spray-painted racist slogans reading "Death to Arabs".
The racist slogans were spray-painted in the early hours of morning in Bat Yam Street. Other racist slogans were also found on the walls of Palestinians' houses including "No coexistence with the Arabs" and "Arabs are murderers".
No reports of Arrest among the offenders.
6 jan 2014
The Aqsa foundation for endowment and heritage said that the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) kidnapped on Monday morning Sheikh Abdul-Rahman Bakirat, a senior teacher at the Aqsa Mosque, during his presence at Al-Asbat Gate. Imarat Al-Aqsa foundation, in turn, slammed the detention of Bakirat as part of the arrest campaign which the Israeli occupation regime wages against Palestinian students and teachers of the religious sessions held at the Aqsa Mosque.
Meanwhile, 19 Jewish settlers desecrated today morning under police protection the main courtyard of the Aqsa Mosque.
Four women of the settlers tried to perform Talmudic prayers in the courtyard and lie on the ground as part of the rituals, but the Palestinian guards of the Mosque prevented them immediately and the Israeli police escorts hastened to evacuate the settlers in order to avoid any violent reactions.
Meanwhile, 19 Jewish settlers desecrated today morning under police protection the main courtyard of the Aqsa Mosque.
Four women of the settlers tried to perform Talmudic prayers in the courtyard and lie on the ground as part of the rituals, but the Palestinian guards of the Mosque prevented them immediately and the Israeli police escorts hastened to evacuate the settlers in order to avoid any violent reactions.
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) arrested on Monday five Palestinians from different parts of occupied West Bank. Local sources confirmed that IOF stormed Kafr Naima town in Ramallah and arrested two youths, in addition to detaining a third one in al-Khalil after searching his house.
IOF also carried out raid campaigns in Bethlehem and Jenin, where they stormed a number of citizens’ homes and took them to Israeli detention and investigation centers, claiming that they are wanted for the Israeli intelligence.
The sources added that IOF summoned three citizens from Yatta town in al-Khalil, including Rateb Jabour the coordinator for the National Committee against Apartheid Wall and Settlement.
Meanwhile, IOF detained two Palestinians from al-Khalil and tried to arrest a 9-year-old child under the pretext of stoning Israeli settlers.
IOF stormed Beit Umar town in al-Khalil and arrested the citizen Zuhdi Sherif Awad, 37, after failing to arrest his 9-year-old son Mohammed.
Mohammed started screaming and crying when the Israeli soldiers tried to push him into the military vehicle, but the neighbors intervened and managed to free him.
IOF also arrested another citizen from the Old City in al-Khalil, while settlers stoned Palestinians passing through Aldabuya area and Shalala Street.
IOF soldiers stormed different towns in al-Khalil and erected military checkpoints at the entrance to Idna town and Halhul Bridge.
In the same context, the occupation forces stormed the prisoner Hamza al-Stiti's house in Burqin and interrogated his family members, inflicting a big mess on the house.
The sources said that the soldiers used police dogs during their search operation and humiliated the family members.
Al-Stiti was arrested on the 30th of December 2013 and was taken to Jalama detention center after storming his workplace
IOF also carried out raid campaigns in Bethlehem and Jenin, where they stormed a number of citizens’ homes and took them to Israeli detention and investigation centers, claiming that they are wanted for the Israeli intelligence.
The sources added that IOF summoned three citizens from Yatta town in al-Khalil, including Rateb Jabour the coordinator for the National Committee against Apartheid Wall and Settlement.
Meanwhile, IOF detained two Palestinians from al-Khalil and tried to arrest a 9-year-old child under the pretext of stoning Israeli settlers.
IOF stormed Beit Umar town in al-Khalil and arrested the citizen Zuhdi Sherif Awad, 37, after failing to arrest his 9-year-old son Mohammed.
Mohammed started screaming and crying when the Israeli soldiers tried to push him into the military vehicle, but the neighbors intervened and managed to free him.
IOF also arrested another citizen from the Old City in al-Khalil, while settlers stoned Palestinians passing through Aldabuya area and Shalala Street.
IOF soldiers stormed different towns in al-Khalil and erected military checkpoints at the entrance to Idna town and Halhul Bridge.
In the same context, the occupation forces stormed the prisoner Hamza al-Stiti's house in Burqin and interrogated his family members, inflicting a big mess on the house.
The sources said that the soldiers used police dogs during their search operation and humiliated the family members.
Al-Stiti was arrested on the 30th of December 2013 and was taken to Jalama detention center after storming his workplace
Four people were injured on Monday during clashes between Palestinian farmers and Israeli settlers in the south Hebron hills, locals said.
The clashes occurred after settlers attacked a group of farmers tending their land.
Ismail al-Adra said that ten settlers attacked him and several other farmers while they were on their way to tend their fields.
Locals told Ma'an that a Palestinian farmer and three settlers were injured during the brawl. One farmer, Sabir al-Adra, was hit in the face with a steel pipe.
Another farmer, Mousa al-Adra, was also attacked and injured, together with a foreign solidarity activist who was filming the settler attack.
Israeli forces arrived at the scene and detained a number of farmers, accusing them of attacking settlers.
An Israeli army spokeswoman confirmed the clashes and said four people were injured, one Palestinian and three Israelis.
Nine Palestinians were detained and transferred to the custody of the Israeli police, she added.
There are several radical Jewish outposts in the south Hebron hills, with settlers regularly attacking local Palestinians with impunity.
The clashes occurred after settlers attacked a group of farmers tending their land.
Ismail al-Adra said that ten settlers attacked him and several other farmers while they were on their way to tend their fields.
Locals told Ma'an that a Palestinian farmer and three settlers were injured during the brawl. One farmer, Sabir al-Adra, was hit in the face with a steel pipe.
Another farmer, Mousa al-Adra, was also attacked and injured, together with a foreign solidarity activist who was filming the settler attack.
Israeli forces arrived at the scene and detained a number of farmers, accusing them of attacking settlers.
An Israeli army spokeswoman confirmed the clashes and said four people were injured, one Palestinian and three Israelis.
Nine Palestinians were detained and transferred to the custody of the Israeli police, she added.
There are several radical Jewish outposts in the south Hebron hills, with settlers regularly attacking local Palestinians with impunity.
A group of settlers attacked a school and water reservoir in the Nablus village of Urif early Monday before clashing with local Palestinians, a PA official said.
Ghassan Daghlas, who monitors settlement activity in the northern West Bank, told Ma'an that six settlers from Yizhar tried to damage an electricity box connected to the water structure.
The settlers also attacked a school in the village before Palestinian crowds gathered and clashed with the Israeli extremists.
Israeli forces arrived in the area and fired tear gas at the Palestinians.
Ghassan Daghlas, who monitors settlement activity in the northern West Bank, told Ma'an that six settlers from Yizhar tried to damage an electricity box connected to the water structure.
The settlers also attacked a school in the village before Palestinian crowds gathered and clashed with the Israeli extremists.
Israeli forces arrived in the area and fired tear gas at the Palestinians.
In East Jerusalem, a settler assaulted a 12-year female student from Silwan as she was walking to her school in the Old City, official news agency Wafa reported.
Marah Jalajil, 12, was heading to school when a settler kicked her from behind and continued to assault her as she fell to the ground.
The settler fled the scene after several Palestinians rushed to help.
The girl suffered bruising to her head, back and abdomen.
Marah Jalajil, 12, was heading to school when a settler kicked her from behind and continued to assault her as she fell to the ground.
The settler fled the scene after several Palestinians rushed to help.
The girl suffered bruising to her head, back and abdomen.
The Israeli occupation forces and settlers stormed on Monday morning a high school in Urif town south of Nablus to the North of the West Bank. The school secretary Eisaa Shehada said “the Israeli forces stormed the school and prevented the students from entering or leaving the school. The soldiers fired tear gas and stun grenades which led to several suffocation cases among students.”
He added that the settlers of Yitzhar colonial settlement involved in the attack. The students were conducting their midterm final examinations.
He added that the settlers of Yitzhar colonial settlement involved in the attack. The students were conducting their midterm final examinations.
More than nine thousand Israeli settlers stormed al-Aqsa Mosque during 2013, a Jerusalemite human rights center revealed. In its annual report, Wadi Hilweh Information Center confirmed that Israeli break-ins into al-Aqsa Mosque have noticeably escalated during 2013 in light the Israeli government and Knesset's frequent calls to divide the Mosque between Muslims and Jews as what happened to the Ibrahimi mosque, in addition to the revelation of plots aimed to establish the alleged Temple inside it.
During 2013, more than 9,050 Israelis stormed al-Aqsa mosque including ministers, MKs and political figures, and 2,342 soldiers, in addition to 1,876 policemen, according to a documented report by the Islamic Endowment Department in Jerusalem.
The report pointed out that September had witnessed the largest number of Israeli intruders, where 1,595 settlers stormed al-Aqsa Mosque during the so-called Yom Kippur festival.
The occupation authorities deported during 2013 more than 350 Jerusalemites from al-Aqsa Mosque for different periods starting from one week and up to six months.
During 2013, more than 9,050 Israelis stormed al-Aqsa mosque including ministers, MKs and political figures, and 2,342 soldiers, in addition to 1,876 policemen, according to a documented report by the Islamic Endowment Department in Jerusalem.
The report pointed out that September had witnessed the largest number of Israeli intruders, where 1,595 settlers stormed al-Aqsa Mosque during the so-called Yom Kippur festival.
The occupation authorities deported during 2013 more than 350 Jerusalemites from al-Aqsa Mosque for different periods starting from one week and up to six months.
5 jan 2014
An Israeli man on Sunday assaulted a Palestinian girl in the al-Sharaf neighborhood of the Old City of Jerusalem, her father said.
He said his daughter, 12-year-old Marah Munther Jalajel, was beaten by an Israeli "settler" on her way to school.
She was walking with her cousin through al-Sharaf when the man attacked Marah, her father said.
He said the man "struck her in the back, causing her to fall down, then proceeded to hit her on the back, stomach, and head." Her cousin "managed to escape and call for help, and a young man came to the area to help Marah."
"The perpetrator fled."
Marah suffered "several bruises," her father said, adding that he had notified the police.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said he was unfamiliar with the incident.
He said his daughter, 12-year-old Marah Munther Jalajel, was beaten by an Israeli "settler" on her way to school.
She was walking with her cousin through al-Sharaf when the man attacked Marah, her father said.
He said the man "struck her in the back, causing her to fall down, then proceeded to hit her on the back, stomach, and head." Her cousin "managed to escape and call for help, and a young man came to the area to help Marah."
"The perpetrator fled."
Marah suffered "several bruises," her father said, adding that he had notified the police.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said he was unfamiliar with the incident.
|
|
Israeli settlers began leveling a large tract of land in central Hebron in preparation for the construction of a new Jewish settlement outpost in the beleaguered southern West Bank city on Sunday.
Israeli settlers escorted a bulldozer which uprooted fifty-year-old trees in the Tel Rumeida neighborhood near the city center, near an existing extremist right wing Israeli settlement. A Palestinian source told Ma'an that the Israeli liaison department notified the Palestinian side that Israeli authorities would do earthwork in the area for two months. This notification, added the source, suggests that Israelis plan to establish a new settlement outpost near the old one known as "Ramat Yashi." |
Spokesman for the Hebron activist group Youth Against Settlements Issa Amr highlighted that a mobile home was placed in the area after it was leveled by bulldozers.
This means a new outpost is being built, he added.
The land which was leveled was leased by the Abu Heikal family in 1949 from the Jordanian government's Custodian of Enemy Property, Abu Heikal told Ma'an in a phone call.
A new lease was signed after Israel occupied the West Bank in 1967, with the Israeli government's Custodian of Absentee Property, added Abu Heikal. In 1981, the Custodian of Absentee Property refused to take the rent fees, but in 2000 the family reached an agreement with the Israelis and paid for the years 1981-2000.
In 2001 and 2002, he added, the Israelis continued to take rent fees and after that they refused them again and announced the land a closed military zone denying the Palestinians access to it, despite his long-standing lease over the area. A fence was also built around the land.
Amr Issa said that the Israeli Civil Administration had rented the plot of land to Israeli settlers in a lease which came into effect on Jan. 1, 2014.
500 Israeli settlers live in the Old City of Hebron, many of whom have illegally occupied Palestinian houses and forcibly removed the original inhabitants. They are protected by thousands of Israeli forces.
Settlers and Israeli forces regularly target locals in the overwhelmingly Palestinian city for harassment, and many have been forced from their homes as a result.
A 1997 agreement split Hebron into areas of Palestinian and Israeli control.
The Israeli military-controlled H2 zone includes the ancient Old City, home of the revered Ibrahimi Mosque -- also split into a synagogue referred to as the Tomb of the Patriarchs -- and the once thriving Shuhada street, now just shuttered shops fronts and closed homes.
More than 500,000 Israeli settlers live in settlements across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, in contravention of international law.
The internationally recognized Palestinian territories of which the West Bank and East Jerusalem form a part have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
This means a new outpost is being built, he added.
The land which was leveled was leased by the Abu Heikal family in 1949 from the Jordanian government's Custodian of Enemy Property, Abu Heikal told Ma'an in a phone call.
A new lease was signed after Israel occupied the West Bank in 1967, with the Israeli government's Custodian of Absentee Property, added Abu Heikal. In 1981, the Custodian of Absentee Property refused to take the rent fees, but in 2000 the family reached an agreement with the Israelis and paid for the years 1981-2000.
In 2001 and 2002, he added, the Israelis continued to take rent fees and after that they refused them again and announced the land a closed military zone denying the Palestinians access to it, despite his long-standing lease over the area. A fence was also built around the land.
Amr Issa said that the Israeli Civil Administration had rented the plot of land to Israeli settlers in a lease which came into effect on Jan. 1, 2014.
500 Israeli settlers live in the Old City of Hebron, many of whom have illegally occupied Palestinian houses and forcibly removed the original inhabitants. They are protected by thousands of Israeli forces.
Settlers and Israeli forces regularly target locals in the overwhelmingly Palestinian city for harassment, and many have been forced from their homes as a result.
A 1997 agreement split Hebron into areas of Palestinian and Israeli control.
The Israeli military-controlled H2 zone includes the ancient Old City, home of the revered Ibrahimi Mosque -- also split into a synagogue referred to as the Tomb of the Patriarchs -- and the once thriving Shuhada street, now just shuttered shops fronts and closed homes.
More than 500,000 Israeli settlers live in settlements across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, in contravention of international law.
The internationally recognized Palestinian territories of which the West Bank and East Jerusalem form a part have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
Israeli soldiers violently assaulted several Palestinians in Um Al-Kheir village, east of Yatta, near the southern West Bank city of Hebron. Rateb Jabour, coordinator of the Popular Committee Against the Wall in Hebron, stated that dozens soldiers invaded the village and attacked several residents.
Two of the attacked Palestinians have been identified as Hajj Suleiman Al-Hathaleen and Sofian Al-Hathaleen.
The soldiers said they invaded the village because Israeli settlers, of the nearby Karmiel illegal settlement, “were annoyed” with noises coming from the village’s bakery.
Jabour said that, nearly a month ago, extremist settlers demolished a clay oven that belongs to members of the Al-Hathaleen family despite an Israeli High Court order against its destruction.
The clay oven provides bread for more than 40 residents in the village.
In related news, Israeli settlers placed several mobile homes in the Tal Romeida neighborhood after bulldozing a land that belongs to members of the Abu Haikal family.
The land, planted with almond trees, is nearly 5 Dunams (1.23 Acres).
Abdul-Hady Kantash, a Palestinian expert in maps and Israeli settlements, said that the settlers aim at expanding the Ramat Yishai illegal outpost.
Two of the attacked Palestinians have been identified as Hajj Suleiman Al-Hathaleen and Sofian Al-Hathaleen.
The soldiers said they invaded the village because Israeli settlers, of the nearby Karmiel illegal settlement, “were annoyed” with noises coming from the village’s bakery.
Jabour said that, nearly a month ago, extremist settlers demolished a clay oven that belongs to members of the Al-Hathaleen family despite an Israeli High Court order against its destruction.
The clay oven provides bread for more than 40 residents in the village.
In related news, Israeli settlers placed several mobile homes in the Tal Romeida neighborhood after bulldozing a land that belongs to members of the Abu Haikal family.
The land, planted with almond trees, is nearly 5 Dunams (1.23 Acres).
Abdul-Hady Kantash, a Palestinian expert in maps and Israeli settlements, said that the settlers aim at expanding the Ramat Yishai illegal outpost.
3 jan 2014
During the month of December, Israeli forces put a ban on the call to prayer 49 times in the Ibrahimi Mosque in the city of Hebron the Jordanian news site Petra reports.
The bans were executed on the grounds that the calls to prayer “disturb Jewish settlers."
Zeid al Jaabari, Director of Endowments I Hebron, denounced these arbitrary measures against sites of worship, describing them as an aggression against monotheistic religions and freedom of worship which is guaranteed by international legislations and laws.
The bans were executed on the grounds that the calls to prayer “disturb Jewish settlers."
Zeid al Jaabari, Director of Endowments I Hebron, denounced these arbitrary measures against sites of worship, describing them as an aggression against monotheistic religions and freedom of worship which is guaranteed by international legislations and laws.
2 jan 2014
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) stormed Jenin city on Wednesday night and occupied the rooftop of a citizen’s house to monitor movement of citizens. Local sources said that the soldiers occupied the rooftop of Majd Tobasi’s house for hours after roaming the streets of Marah area and Jabariyat suburb.
Meanwhile, the sources said that Jewish settlers from Haramish settlement, built on Yabad village land south of Jenin, assaulted and beat up a Palestinian boy, Ahmed Abu Ermaila, on Wednesday night.
They said that the IOF soldiers and settlers were deployed in the vicinity of Yabad on the same night and combed nearby areas.
Meanwhile, the sources said that Jewish settlers from Haramish settlement, built on Yabad village land south of Jenin, assaulted and beat up a Palestinian boy, Ahmed Abu Ermaila, on Wednesday night.
They said that the IOF soldiers and settlers were deployed in the vicinity of Yabad on the same night and combed nearby areas.
Hundreds of Jewish settlers stormed Yusuf tomb to the east of Nablus city at dawn Thursday under Israeli military protection. Local sources said that the storming started after midnight Wednesday and the settlers, who came in 20 buses, offered Talmudic rituals.
They said that violent clashes erupted between the Israeli occupation forces, escorting the settlers, and Palestinian young men, adding that the clashes were reported in Asker refugee camp and Asker village in addition to the northern entrance of Balata refugee camp and Amman street in Nablus.
The sources said that the young men threw stones at the soldiers, who responded by firing teargas and sound bombs causing breathing difficulty to a number of citizens.
They said that violent clashes erupted between the Israeli occupation forces, escorting the settlers, and Palestinian young men, adding that the clashes were reported in Asker refugee camp and Asker village in addition to the northern entrance of Balata refugee camp and Amman street in Nablus.
The sources said that the young men threw stones at the soldiers, who responded by firing teargas and sound bombs causing breathing difficulty to a number of citizens.
The Aqsa foundation for endowment and heritage said that Jewish temple groups had sent a letter to Israeli minister of tourism to urge him to have all gates of the Aqsa Mosque opened before Jewish and foreign visitors. The Jewish groups justified their request that their use of the Maghariba Gate, one of the Mosque's main entrances, is not enough for them and make them stand for hours in long lines.
The temple groups also sent similar letters to a number of senior Israeli officials, including the Knesset speaker, the minister of religious affairs, and the head of the police.
The Aqsa foundation warned that the Jewish temple groups persistently try to impose a fait accompli at the Aqsa Mosque through intensifying their presence in its courtyards.
The temple groups also sent similar letters to a number of senior Israeli officials, including the Knesset speaker, the minister of religious affairs, and the head of the police.
The Aqsa foundation warned that the Jewish temple groups persistently try to impose a fait accompli at the Aqsa Mosque through intensifying their presence in its courtyards.
1 jan 2014
An Israeli settler intentionally ran over a young man on Wednesday afternoon in the neighbourhood of Wadi Hilweh in Silwan.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center was informed that the settlers’ gas cylinders truck arrived at the neighbourhood of Wadi Hilweh and blocked the doors of a commercial store. The owner of the store asked the driver to move the truck which was disrupting people going in and out of his store. The driver refused and a borders police patrol arrived and the individuals came down and started verbally assaulting the locals; verbal altercations and clashes using hands broke out between the two sides.
The Center added that one of the settlers intentionally ran over a young man during the incident and injured him with minor injuries in the leg. The police secured the exit of the settlers and threatened to arrest the locals.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center was informed that the settlers’ gas cylinders truck arrived at the neighbourhood of Wadi Hilweh and blocked the doors of a commercial store. The owner of the store asked the driver to move the truck which was disrupting people going in and out of his store. The driver refused and a borders police patrol arrived and the individuals came down and started verbally assaulting the locals; verbal altercations and clashes using hands broke out between the two sides.
The Center added that one of the settlers intentionally ran over a young man during the incident and injured him with minor injuries in the leg. The police secured the exit of the settlers and threatened to arrest the locals.
Several extremists assaulted 29-year old Ayman Ismaeel Abbasi “Abeesan” and injured him with bruises and severe wounds in his head.
Ayman’s brother, Mohammad Abbasi, said that 8 extremists attacked his brother while he was driving his taxi near the central station in Jaffa Street in West Jerusalem and threw stones at the vehicle. When he pulled over to check his car, they ran away and he tried to follow them and called the police to inform them of the assault. Afterwards, another settler hit him on his head with an empty bottle which made him lose consciousness.
He added that the ambulance transferred him to the hospital while he was unconscious, and after being treated he woke up and narrated what happened with him knowing that he will stay in the hospital because of suffering from a concussion.
Ayman’s brother, Mohammad Abbasi, said that 8 extremists attacked his brother while he was driving his taxi near the central station in Jaffa Street in West Jerusalem and threw stones at the vehicle. When he pulled over to check his car, they ran away and he tried to follow them and called the police to inform them of the assault. Afterwards, another settler hit him on his head with an empty bottle which made him lose consciousness.
He added that the ambulance transferred him to the hospital while he was unconscious, and after being treated he woke up and narrated what happened with him knowing that he will stay in the hospital because of suffering from a concussion.
The disputed Rajabi complex in the West Bank town of Hebron near the Israeli settlement of Kiryat Arba, November 4, 2013
Before they were evicted, the Israeli settlers threw bottles of urine, attacked children and poisoned a horse, according to Palestinian residents in Hebron- who now fear their former neighbors will return.
When Israeli soldiers evicted the settlers in 2008 and took over the Rajabi building in the West Bank city -- which is still home to hundreds of radical Israeli settlers -- even the daily drag of inspections seemed civilized by comparison.
But the nightmare looks set to resume for Palestinians living near here and another flashpoint property called the Abu Rajab house, both of which have been claimed by settlers in the heart of the tense city.
The settlers were forced out of the Abu Rajab house last year, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently ordered they be allowed back in after an Israeli soldier was shot dead by a Palestinian sniper.
And Israel's Supreme Court is set to rule on the ownership dispute over the Rajabi building, with a verdict in the settlers' favor likely to bring back the violence and abuse.
Both properties are located close to a holy site known to Muslims as the Ibrahimi Mosque and to Jews as the Cave of the Patriarchs in an area called H2 -- a tightly-controlled Israeli enclave where many key streets are off-limits to Palestinians.
Jewish settlers forced their way into the four-story Rajabi building in 2007 but were evicted by Israeli troops the following year after a week of violence.
Settler community spokesman David Walder said the buildings were legally acquired "through a purchasing agent for the Jewish community."
Palestinians view the selling of property in occupied territory to Jewish settlers as a betrayal of their national cause, so such purchases are nearly always conducted in secret or through middlemen, increasing the potential for disputes.
Palestinians fear the court will rule in favor of the settlers, despite the fact that police said some of the documents had been forged.
"We're already living in a prison," said local shoemaker Bassem al-Jabbari, who lives opposite the property.
"I can't park my car outside my own shop because the army has closed this road to most Palestinian vehicles," he told AFP, motioning towards a roadblock set up when troops took over the contested property.
"But when the settlers were there it was worse... They would physically attack us, including throwing bottles of urine at us and our children," he said.
"The settlers also poisoned my horse. They tried to steal it from me by telling the police it was theirs, but when I produced the paperwork showing I owned it, they got angry and came to poison it."
Walder denied settler responsibility for the horse poisoning, and blamed much of the violence on Israelis "from outside Hebron".
"People who came in from outside Hebron behaved in ways we opposed, caused problems and did not abide by our guidelines," he said.
Calls for resettlement 'purely for revenge'
The Rajabi building itself is deserted, although soldiers occupy a concrete bunker on the roof. Its windows are smashed, its doors boarded up and barbed wire is stretched across the balconies. Down the sides hang two large Israeli flags.
A short walk away, down deserted streets with barricaded shopfronts, sits the Abu Rajab house.
Last year, the Israeli defense ministry ordered 15 settlers out of the property, known to Israelis as the Machpela House.
But two months ago, Netanyahu called for the three-story property to be resettled.
Here too there is a dispute over ownership, which must eventually be decided by the court, with settlers claiming they legally purchased the top two floors.
The property's Palestinian owners, who say they've been confined to the ground floor since the settlers moved in, insist letting the settlers back in would mean a return of past violence, including against local school children.
"The top two floors are now empty since they're controlled by the Israeli state. It's ruling our area with an iron rod," said 26-year-old Hatim Abu Rajab, who lives with seven members of his family.
Netanyahu's call to resettle the house in the wake of the shooting was "purely for revenge", he said.
"But they have the weapons and we don't, so what can we do? And in the meantime, settlers still come by regularly and try to get in, or just come by to insult us."
The house's Jewish claimants have pinned a notice to Abu Rajab's door reading: "We paid. We bought it. It's ours!!"
The headmistress of the girls' school next door recalls the abuse her pupils suffered when the settlers were in residence, with settler children hurling both stones and verbal abuse at the schoolgirls.
But Ibtisam al-Jundi has resigned herself to the harsh realities of living in a city under military occupation, where teachers and pupils have to cross multiple checkpoints just to get to school.
"They're regularly searched, sometimes more than doubling the time it takes them to get here. What should be a 10-15 minute walk can take 40 minutes," she told AFP.
"The children are used to it, it's been happening all their lifetime," she added.
Settlers in Hebron, who are under the protection of the Israeli army, rountinely attack and harass local Palestinians with impunity.
More than 500,000 Israeli settlers live in settlements across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, in contravention of international law.
The internationally recognized Palestinian territories of which the West Bank and East Jerusalem form a part have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
Before they were evicted, the Israeli settlers threw bottles of urine, attacked children and poisoned a horse, according to Palestinian residents in Hebron- who now fear their former neighbors will return.
When Israeli soldiers evicted the settlers in 2008 and took over the Rajabi building in the West Bank city -- which is still home to hundreds of radical Israeli settlers -- even the daily drag of inspections seemed civilized by comparison.
But the nightmare looks set to resume for Palestinians living near here and another flashpoint property called the Abu Rajab house, both of which have been claimed by settlers in the heart of the tense city.
The settlers were forced out of the Abu Rajab house last year, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently ordered they be allowed back in after an Israeli soldier was shot dead by a Palestinian sniper.
And Israel's Supreme Court is set to rule on the ownership dispute over the Rajabi building, with a verdict in the settlers' favor likely to bring back the violence and abuse.
Both properties are located close to a holy site known to Muslims as the Ibrahimi Mosque and to Jews as the Cave of the Patriarchs in an area called H2 -- a tightly-controlled Israeli enclave where many key streets are off-limits to Palestinians.
Jewish settlers forced their way into the four-story Rajabi building in 2007 but were evicted by Israeli troops the following year after a week of violence.
Settler community spokesman David Walder said the buildings were legally acquired "through a purchasing agent for the Jewish community."
Palestinians view the selling of property in occupied territory to Jewish settlers as a betrayal of their national cause, so such purchases are nearly always conducted in secret or through middlemen, increasing the potential for disputes.
Palestinians fear the court will rule in favor of the settlers, despite the fact that police said some of the documents had been forged.
"We're already living in a prison," said local shoemaker Bassem al-Jabbari, who lives opposite the property.
"I can't park my car outside my own shop because the army has closed this road to most Palestinian vehicles," he told AFP, motioning towards a roadblock set up when troops took over the contested property.
"But when the settlers were there it was worse... They would physically attack us, including throwing bottles of urine at us and our children," he said.
"The settlers also poisoned my horse. They tried to steal it from me by telling the police it was theirs, but when I produced the paperwork showing I owned it, they got angry and came to poison it."
Walder denied settler responsibility for the horse poisoning, and blamed much of the violence on Israelis "from outside Hebron".
"People who came in from outside Hebron behaved in ways we opposed, caused problems and did not abide by our guidelines," he said.
Calls for resettlement 'purely for revenge'
The Rajabi building itself is deserted, although soldiers occupy a concrete bunker on the roof. Its windows are smashed, its doors boarded up and barbed wire is stretched across the balconies. Down the sides hang two large Israeli flags.
A short walk away, down deserted streets with barricaded shopfronts, sits the Abu Rajab house.
Last year, the Israeli defense ministry ordered 15 settlers out of the property, known to Israelis as the Machpela House.
But two months ago, Netanyahu called for the three-story property to be resettled.
Here too there is a dispute over ownership, which must eventually be decided by the court, with settlers claiming they legally purchased the top two floors.
The property's Palestinian owners, who say they've been confined to the ground floor since the settlers moved in, insist letting the settlers back in would mean a return of past violence, including against local school children.
"The top two floors are now empty since they're controlled by the Israeli state. It's ruling our area with an iron rod," said 26-year-old Hatim Abu Rajab, who lives with seven members of his family.
Netanyahu's call to resettle the house in the wake of the shooting was "purely for revenge", he said.
"But they have the weapons and we don't, so what can we do? And in the meantime, settlers still come by regularly and try to get in, or just come by to insult us."
The house's Jewish claimants have pinned a notice to Abu Rajab's door reading: "We paid. We bought it. It's ours!!"
The headmistress of the girls' school next door recalls the abuse her pupils suffered when the settlers were in residence, with settler children hurling both stones and verbal abuse at the schoolgirls.
But Ibtisam al-Jundi has resigned herself to the harsh realities of living in a city under military occupation, where teachers and pupils have to cross multiple checkpoints just to get to school.
"They're regularly searched, sometimes more than doubling the time it takes them to get here. What should be a 10-15 minute walk can take 40 minutes," she told AFP.
"The children are used to it, it's been happening all their lifetime," she added.
Settlers in Hebron, who are under the protection of the Israeli army, rountinely attack and harass local Palestinians with impunity.
More than 500,000 Israeli settlers live in settlements across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, in contravention of international law.
The internationally recognized Palestinian territories of which the West Bank and East Jerusalem form a part have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
Page: 2 - 1