22 jan 2014
Jewish settlers have attacked Maman Allah cemetery in occupied Jerusalem, which includes the remains of companions of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and Islamic landmarks, Jerusalemite sources said. Wadi Hilweh Information Center confirmed that Israeli municipality of Jerusalem has established a new cafeteria, pools, and a garden for dogs at the expense of the cemetery lands.
Mustafa Abu Zahra, Head of Waqf Committee caring for the Islamic cemeteries, said that occupation authorities have scattered wood shavings over the southern region of the cemetery, nearly 15 dunums, in order to cover up remaining graves.
Maman Allah cemetery has been subjected to Israeli systematic violations and attacks aiming to Judaize its Islamic cultural heritage.
In the same context, Israeli settlers attacked Tuesday Palestinian agricultural lands in al-Khalil, damaging a number of agricultural crops.
Ratib Jabour, Coordinator of the Popular Committee against Apartheid Wall and Settlements, told the PIC reporter that settlers from Susia outpost, built on Yatta town's lands, vandalized on Tuesday nearly 30 dunums of Palestinian agricultural lands and prevented Palestinian shepherds from having access to their grazing lands near the settlement.
Israeli occupation forces have arrested and severely beaten five Palestinian farmers during the past few days as part of Israeli incessant attempts to persecute Palestinians and confiscate their lands.
Mustafa Abu Zahra, Head of Waqf Committee caring for the Islamic cemeteries, said that occupation authorities have scattered wood shavings over the southern region of the cemetery, nearly 15 dunums, in order to cover up remaining graves.
Maman Allah cemetery has been subjected to Israeli systematic violations and attacks aiming to Judaize its Islamic cultural heritage.
In the same context, Israeli settlers attacked Tuesday Palestinian agricultural lands in al-Khalil, damaging a number of agricultural crops.
Ratib Jabour, Coordinator of the Popular Committee against Apartheid Wall and Settlements, told the PIC reporter that settlers from Susia outpost, built on Yatta town's lands, vandalized on Tuesday nearly 30 dunums of Palestinian agricultural lands and prevented Palestinian shepherds from having access to their grazing lands near the settlement.
Israeli occupation forces have arrested and severely beaten five Palestinian farmers during the past few days as part of Israeli incessant attempts to persecute Palestinians and confiscate their lands.
Israeli settlers uprooted over 600 recently planted olive and almond saplings in a village north of Ramallah on Wednesday, a Palestinian Authority official said.
Ghassan Daghlas, an official who monitors settlement activity in the northern West Bank, told Ma'an that a group of settlers from Givat Ariel and Maale Levona uprooted newly planted saplings in the village of Sinjil.
Daghlas said Israeli police opened an investigation into the incident.
The saplings were planted by the International Committee of the Red Cross to support Palestinian farmers, Daghlas said.
More than 70 families would have benefited from the trees, he added.
In 2012, there were 353 incidents of settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Over 7,500 olive trees were damaged or destroyed by settlers between January and mid-October in 2012, according to OCHA.
Since 1967, more than 800,000 olive trees have been uprooted in the occupied West Bank, resulting in a loss of around $55 million to the Palestinian economy, according to a report by the PA ministry and the Applied Research Institute Jerusalem.
The olive industry supports the livelihoods of roughly 80,000 families in the occupied West Bank.
Over 90 percent of complaints filed by Palestinians regarding settler violence are closed by Israeli authorities without an indictment, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Jewish settlers destroy 600 seedlings financed by Red Cross
Jewish settlers destroyed 600 olive and almond seedlings in a Palestinian village, south of Nablus city, on Wednesday morning. Ghassan Daghlas, an activist monitoring Israeli settlement activity north of the West Bank, said that a group of settlers came from a nearby two settlements and uprooted the seedlings in Sinjil village.
The activist pointed out that the seedlings were financed by the Red Cross within a project to support farmers and were owned by 70 families.
Ghassan Daghlas, an official who monitors settlement activity in the northern West Bank, told Ma'an that a group of settlers from Givat Ariel and Maale Levona uprooted newly planted saplings in the village of Sinjil.
Daghlas said Israeli police opened an investigation into the incident.
The saplings were planted by the International Committee of the Red Cross to support Palestinian farmers, Daghlas said.
More than 70 families would have benefited from the trees, he added.
In 2012, there were 353 incidents of settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Over 7,500 olive trees were damaged or destroyed by settlers between January and mid-October in 2012, according to OCHA.
Since 1967, more than 800,000 olive trees have been uprooted in the occupied West Bank, resulting in a loss of around $55 million to the Palestinian economy, according to a report by the PA ministry and the Applied Research Institute Jerusalem.
The olive industry supports the livelihoods of roughly 80,000 families in the occupied West Bank.
Over 90 percent of complaints filed by Palestinians regarding settler violence are closed by Israeli authorities without an indictment, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Jewish settlers destroy 600 seedlings financed by Red Cross
Jewish settlers destroyed 600 olive and almond seedlings in a Palestinian village, south of Nablus city, on Wednesday morning. Ghassan Daghlas, an activist monitoring Israeli settlement activity north of the West Bank, said that a group of settlers came from a nearby two settlements and uprooted the seedlings in Sinjil village.
The activist pointed out that the seedlings were financed by the Red Cross within a project to support farmers and were owned by 70 families.
Dozens of Israeli settlers escorted by army soldiers defiled the holy Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem on Wednesday morning. The Aqsa foundation for endowment and heritage said in a statement that 157 settlers including male and female conscripts and policemen in plain clothes broke into the Aqsa Mosque.
It said that the notorious rabbi Yehudah Glick, who champions demolishing the Aqsa Mosque to build the third temple in its place, was among the settlers who roamed the Aqsa courtyards and the Dome of the Rock.
It said that the notorious rabbi Yehudah Glick, who champions demolishing the Aqsa Mosque to build the third temple in its place, was among the settlers who roamed the Aqsa courtyards and the Dome of the Rock.
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Wednesday [January 22, 2014], the town of Beit Forik, east of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and clashed with local youth, wounding two Palestinians.
The invasion came after Israeli settlers attacked homes and lands which belong to the villagers.
Baladna Radio has reported that the soldiers fired rounds of live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets and gas bombs, leading to two injuries.
Medical sources said that resident Mahmoud Mleitat, 20, was shot by a live round in the back, while resident Rashad Nimir, 21, was shot in the arm.
They suffered mild-to-moderate injuries and were moved to a local hospital.
Furthermore, Ghassan Daghlas, a Palestinian official in charge of Israeli settlements files at the Palestinian Authority, in the northern part of the West Bank, has reported that a number of fanatic Israeli settlers, of the Itamar illegal settlement, stormed the al-Jadou’ area east of the village, earlier on Wednesday, attacking Palestinian houses and property.
The attack led to clashes between local youth and the settlers, Daghlas added.
The invasion came after Israeli settlers attacked homes and lands which belong to the villagers.
Baladna Radio has reported that the soldiers fired rounds of live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets and gas bombs, leading to two injuries.
Medical sources said that resident Mahmoud Mleitat, 20, was shot by a live round in the back, while resident Rashad Nimir, 21, was shot in the arm.
They suffered mild-to-moderate injuries and were moved to a local hospital.
Furthermore, Ghassan Daghlas, a Palestinian official in charge of Israeli settlements files at the Palestinian Authority, in the northern part of the West Bank, has reported that a number of fanatic Israeli settlers, of the Itamar illegal settlement, stormed the al-Jadou’ area east of the village, earlier on Wednesday, attacking Palestinian houses and property.
The attack led to clashes between local youth and the settlers, Daghlas added.
21 jan 2014
A group of settlers attacked and damaged several Palestinians vehicles in the Nablus village of Qabalan on Tuesday, a Palestinian Authority official said.
Ghassan Daghlas, who monitors settlement activity in the northern West Bank, told Ma'an that settlers stormed the main entrance of the village and punctured the tires of eight vehicles.
The settlers also smashed the windshields of several cars and sprayed graffiti on walls in the village.
Settler violence against Palestinians and their property in the occupied West Bank is systematic and ignored by Israeli authorities, who neither intervene in the violent attacks nor prosecute the perpetrators.
Ghassan Daghlas, who monitors settlement activity in the northern West Bank, told Ma'an that settlers stormed the main entrance of the village and punctured the tires of eight vehicles.
The settlers also smashed the windshields of several cars and sprayed graffiti on walls in the village.
Settler violence against Palestinians and their property in the occupied West Bank is systematic and ignored by Israeli authorities, who neither intervene in the violent attacks nor prosecute the perpetrators.
157 Jewish settlers, soldiers and intelligence officers on Tuesday morning desecrated the Aqsa Mosque under tight police protection. The Aqsa foundation for endowment and heritage said that 46 settlers led by extremist rabbi Yehuda Glick defiled the Aqsa Mosque in the morning and walked around in the courtyard.
At the same time, other groups of 90 male and female soldiers as well as 21 intelligence officers received separate guided tours around the Aqsa Mosque compound in the morning.
The Aqsa foundation affirmed that special police squads protected this mass desecration of the Aqsa Mosque today morning and prevented Palestinian worshipers from trying to defend their Mosque.
At the same time, other groups of 90 male and female soldiers as well as 21 intelligence officers received separate guided tours around the Aqsa Mosque compound in the morning.
The Aqsa foundation affirmed that special police squads protected this mass desecration of the Aqsa Mosque today morning and prevented Palestinian worshipers from trying to defend their Mosque.
Palestinian villagers and Israeli settlers clashed on Monday in Beit Furik village east of Nablus.
A PA official who monitors settler activity in the northern West Bank, Ghassan Daghlas, told Ma’an that dozens of Israeli settlers raided the eastern neighborhood of the village.
He said they attempted to break into houses and throw stones at them.
Villagers then rushed to fend them off, which led to clashes in the area, Daghlas added.
Settler attacks against Palestinians and their property are routine and often happen in the presence of Israeli military forces.
Last Wednesday, a group of settlers set fire to the facade of a mosque in the Salfit village of Deir Istiya and sprayed racist slogans on its walls, local officials said.
The mayor of Deir Istiya, Ayyub Abu Hijlah, told Ma'an that settlers sneaked into the village before dawn prayers and set fire to the main door of the mosque, causing minor damages.
A PA official who monitors settler activity in the northern West Bank, Ghassan Daghlas, told Ma’an that dozens of Israeli settlers raided the eastern neighborhood of the village.
He said they attempted to break into houses and throw stones at them.
Villagers then rushed to fend them off, which led to clashes in the area, Daghlas added.
Settler attacks against Palestinians and their property are routine and often happen in the presence of Israeli military forces.
Last Wednesday, a group of settlers set fire to the facade of a mosque in the Salfit village of Deir Istiya and sprayed racist slogans on its walls, local officials said.
The mayor of Deir Istiya, Ayyub Abu Hijlah, told Ma'an that settlers sneaked into the village before dawn prayers and set fire to the main door of the mosque, causing minor damages.
20 jan 2014
Groups of settlers, protected by Israeli occupation forces, stormed a religious shrine in the town of Bani Naim, south al-Khalil city, and smashed its doors and windows.
The mayor of Bani Naim Ali Tarayra stated that the settlers stormed the area in a bus, under the protection of Israeli soldiers, and performed Talmudic rituals inside the Yaqin shrine in the town.
The settlers broke the shrine's main door and its new windows that have been recently placed by the municipality.
The mayor of Bani Naim Ali Tarayra stated that the settlers stormed the area in a bus, under the protection of Israeli soldiers, and performed Talmudic rituals inside the Yaqin shrine in the town.
The settlers broke the shrine's main door and its new windows that have been recently placed by the municipality.
19 jan 2014
Israel's channel 10 has aired a report talking about preparations being made by Jewish groups to demolish the Aqsa Mosque and build the alleged temple on its ruins. In a recent report, the channel said that Israeli temple activist Uni Tasduq had went to the dead sea area to collect the oldest rocks in the history to use them for the building of the temple.
The channel added that Yehuda Etzion, founder of the temple group Hai Vekayam, is the mastermind behind the idea of destroying the Aqsa Mosque and building the temple in its place, noting that he had tried to demolish the Mosque in the 1980s and had been jailed for that.
"We are planning and have to demolish things to build the third temple, and the Aqsa Mosque must be removed in order to achieve that. The existence of the Dome of the Rock is something reprehensible, so it must be knocked down. Let the Muslims go to Makkah and the Christians to Rome, but leave Jerusalem for the Jews," channel 10 quoted Etzion as saying.
Architect Yoram Ginzburg, who drew blueprints for the alleged Jewish metropolitan Jerusalem and the temple, told the channel that he awaits impatiently the building of the temple, which he said would be a paradise on earth and millions of people would come to visit it.
The channel's report also unveiled other preparations being made by Jewish settlers for the temple and showed, for instance, that Gush Etzion settlers in the West Bank are raising cattle in order to sacrifice them at the temple.
One of the Jewish farmers told the channel that his livestock breathe in anticipation of the temple altar, where they would be slaughtered.
The channel also quoted a former Israeli officer as saying that the Palestinians are very little and Israel wants to do whatever it likes with the Aqsa Mosque without provoking them.
He said that all Israel's previous moves against the Aqsa Mosque sparked Palestinian uprisings, but he emphasized that Israel would build the temple whatever happens.
"We know that the whole earth will be on fire and this will lead to the outbreak of a world war if something happens to the Aqsa Mosque, but at the end, the Jews will pray at the Mosque despite all opposition and they will enter it. We have to say the truth to the Arabs that the Aqsa Mosque is the temple, it is ours and we will pray inside it," he said.
The channel added that Yehuda Etzion, founder of the temple group Hai Vekayam, is the mastermind behind the idea of destroying the Aqsa Mosque and building the temple in its place, noting that he had tried to demolish the Mosque in the 1980s and had been jailed for that.
"We are planning and have to demolish things to build the third temple, and the Aqsa Mosque must be removed in order to achieve that. The existence of the Dome of the Rock is something reprehensible, so it must be knocked down. Let the Muslims go to Makkah and the Christians to Rome, but leave Jerusalem for the Jews," channel 10 quoted Etzion as saying.
Architect Yoram Ginzburg, who drew blueprints for the alleged Jewish metropolitan Jerusalem and the temple, told the channel that he awaits impatiently the building of the temple, which he said would be a paradise on earth and millions of people would come to visit it.
The channel's report also unveiled other preparations being made by Jewish settlers for the temple and showed, for instance, that Gush Etzion settlers in the West Bank are raising cattle in order to sacrifice them at the temple.
One of the Jewish farmers told the channel that his livestock breathe in anticipation of the temple altar, where they would be slaughtered.
The channel also quoted a former Israeli officer as saying that the Palestinians are very little and Israel wants to do whatever it likes with the Aqsa Mosque without provoking them.
He said that all Israel's previous moves against the Aqsa Mosque sparked Palestinian uprisings, but he emphasized that Israel would build the temple whatever happens.
"We know that the whole earth will be on fire and this will lead to the outbreak of a world war if something happens to the Aqsa Mosque, but at the end, the Jews will pray at the Mosque despite all opposition and they will enter it. We have to say the truth to the Arabs that the Aqsa Mosque is the temple, it is ours and we will pray inside it," he said.
17 jan 2014
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Six Palestinians, including a child, were injured in clashes that broke out after a group of Israeli settlers tried to raid Beit Ummar village near Hebron on Friday afternoon.
Spokesman for the local popular resistance committee Mohammad Awad Ayyad said that Israeli forces attacked a funeral procession in the village as dozens of settlers, some armed, gathered near the graveyard. Settlers also attacked a restaurant in the area, smashed its windows and forced workers to close it down at gun point, Ayyad said. |
He added that villagers arrived at the scene and scuffled with settlers, before Israeli forces intervened and fired tear gas and rubber-coated steel bullets at the Palestinian villagers.
Five people were injured by rubber-coated steel bullets fired by the Israeli forces, and a child was injured after the rear windshield of his mother's car was shattered by a stun grenade.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said that around "200 Israeli civilians" had gathered in Beit Ummar but that "nothing out of the ordinary was happening," at that time, adding that later some Palestinians "hurled rocks."
Five people were injured by rubber-coated steel bullets fired by the Israeli forces, and a child was injured after the rear windshield of his mother's car was shattered by a stun grenade.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said that around "200 Israeli civilians" had gathered in Beit Ummar but that "nothing out of the ordinary was happening," at that time, adding that later some Palestinians "hurled rocks."
A Jewish settler physically assaulted two Palestinian minors from Yabud town, south of Jenin, and threatened to kill them during their presence near the illegal settlement Hermesh. Local sources reported that Ahmed Ghassan and Ahmed Armelah, both 15, were walking in an area belonging to Yabud town near the settlement, when a settler working as a security man intercepted them and took them to the entrance of Hermesh.
They added that the security man severely beat them and threatened to shoot them if he spotted them again walking near the settlement.
They added that the security man severely beat them and threatened to shoot them if he spotted them again walking near the settlement.
Hundreds of Jewish settlers broke into Joseph's Tomb Friday morning in Nablus under heavy Israeli military protection to perform rituals.
Palestinian youths clashed with the invading troops and settlers and threw stones and empty bottles and built barricades to close some roads, while Israeli soldiers fired stun and tear gas grenades.
Eyewitnesses said that 500 Jewish settlers stormed the eastern part of Nablus accompanied with several military vehicles and headed towards Joseph's tomb where they performed religious Talmudic rituals.
Palestinian youths clashed with the invading troops and settlers and threw stones and empty bottles and built barricades to close some roads, while Israeli soldiers fired stun and tear gas grenades.
Eyewitnesses said that 500 Jewish settlers stormed the eastern part of Nablus accompanied with several military vehicles and headed towards Joseph's tomb where they performed religious Talmudic rituals.
Israeli soldiers invaded Beit Ummar town, near the southern West Bank city of Hebron, and kidnapped two Palestinians. Israeli settlers attacked villagers and farmlands east of Hebron.
Mohammad Awad, spokesperson of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in Beit Ummar, said that dozens of soldiers invaded the town and kidnapped Morshed Mohammad Awad, 37, who was standing in front of his house when the soldiers attacked and abducted him.
Awad added that the soldiers tried to kidnap Awad’s 9-year old son, Majdy, but the family managed to take him away from the soldiers after a scuffle with them.
Furthermore, the soldiers kidnapped Shihda Yousef ‘Aady, also in Beit Ummar, and took him and Awad to an unknown destination.
In related news, dozens of Israeli settlers invaded Palestinian farmlands and orchards belonging to various families in the Al-Kassara area in Hebron, assaulting several villagers while shouting, cursing and screaming at them.
Resident Shaker Tamimi told the Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA) that the settlers carried batons and weapons.
Tamimi added that the attack is part of a series of serious escalations and assaults, carried out by the settlers against the residents and their orchards in the area, especially since the settlers are trying to expand their Havat Gal illegal settlement outpost, built on private Palestinian lands.
Mohammad Awad, spokesperson of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in Beit Ummar, said that dozens of soldiers invaded the town and kidnapped Morshed Mohammad Awad, 37, who was standing in front of his house when the soldiers attacked and abducted him.
Awad added that the soldiers tried to kidnap Awad’s 9-year old son, Majdy, but the family managed to take him away from the soldiers after a scuffle with them.
Furthermore, the soldiers kidnapped Shihda Yousef ‘Aady, also in Beit Ummar, and took him and Awad to an unknown destination.
In related news, dozens of Israeli settlers invaded Palestinian farmlands and orchards belonging to various families in the Al-Kassara area in Hebron, assaulting several villagers while shouting, cursing and screaming at them.
Resident Shaker Tamimi told the Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA) that the settlers carried batons and weapons.
Tamimi added that the attack is part of a series of serious escalations and assaults, carried out by the settlers against the residents and their orchards in the area, especially since the settlers are trying to expand their Havat Gal illegal settlement outpost, built on private Palestinian lands.
Dozens of Israeli settlers accompanied by Israeli forces early Friday began farming on lands confiscated from Palestinian farmers in a village south of Hebron, a popular committee coordinator told Ma'an.
Ratib al-Jbour said that the settlers began planting saplings on land that was confiscated from the village of al-Hathaleen.
Approximately 150 dunams (37 acres) were confiscated months ago, he said.
Israeli forces detained several shepherds from the al-Hathaleen family, Al-Jbour said, without providing further details.
An Israeli army spokesman did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
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.
Ratib al-Jbour said that the settlers began planting saplings on land that was confiscated from the village of al-Hathaleen.
Approximately 150 dunams (37 acres) were confiscated months ago, he said.
Israeli forces detained several shepherds from the al-Hathaleen family, Al-Jbour said, without providing further details.
An Israeli army spokesman did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
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.
The Hamas Movement said that the shooting of an Israeli settler's car on Wednesday in Nablus city was a natural response to the daily violations committed by Israeli soldiers and Jewish settlers against the Palestinians. Its spokesman Hosam Badran stated in a press release on Thursday that the Palestinian people and the national factions have the right to resist the occupation and defend themselves and their land.
Badran added that Hamas salutes the Palestinian who opened fire at the settler's car and welcomes any resistance acts against the occupation and its settlers.
The spokesman stressed that regardless of the size of damage inflicted on the occupation and its settlers, the shooting attack was successful because it took place despite the fierce suppression of the resistance in the West Bank.
Hebrew media sources had said that Palestinian resistance fighters opened fire last Wednesday night at an Israeli car boarded by settlers near Nablus city.
Badran added that Hamas salutes the Palestinian who opened fire at the settler's car and welcomes any resistance acts against the occupation and its settlers.
The spokesman stressed that regardless of the size of damage inflicted on the occupation and its settlers, the shooting attack was successful because it took place despite the fierce suppression of the resistance in the West Bank.
Hebrew media sources had said that Palestinian resistance fighters opened fire last Wednesday night at an Israeli car boarded by settlers near Nablus city.
16 jan 2014
On Wednesday Israeli and Palestinian activists protested against the increasing number of settler attacks against Palestinians, reports Haaretz. The protest was held in several sites simultaniously, mostly in Jerusalem and tel Aviv.
Settler attacks against Palestinians has almost quadrupled in last eight years. Since 2006 there has been 2100 so called ”price tag” attacks against Palestinians according to UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Settler attacks against Palestinians has almost quadrupled in last eight years. Since 2006 there has been 2100 so called ”price tag” attacks against Palestinians according to UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
The extremist Jewish temple groups declared their intents to desecrate the Aqsa Mosque on Thursday on the occasion of Tu Bishvat holiday. The Aqsa foundation for endowment and heritage warned that the Jewish temple groups try hard to use every Jewish holiday to instill the myth of the temple in the daily and social life of the Zionist community.
The Aqsa foundation stressed the need for confronting such Judaization activities with more active moves strengthening the bonds of the Arab and Muslim nations with the cause of their Aqsa Mosque.
It called on all concerned Arab and Islamic parties and organizations to work on raising the awareness of their societies about the religious importance of the Aqsa Mosque.
The Aqsa foundation stressed the need for confronting such Judaization activities with more active moves strengthening the bonds of the Arab and Muslim nations with the cause of their Aqsa Mosque.
It called on all concerned Arab and Islamic parties and organizations to work on raising the awareness of their societies about the religious importance of the Aqsa Mosque.
15 jan 2014
The United Nations figures show that the annual rate of Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians has nearly quadrupled in the past eight years.
The figures released on Wednesday also said that Israeli occupation forces have failed to stop the so-called "price tag" campaign against Palestinians.
There have been 2,100 such attacks since 2006, when the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) started the counting. The annual overalls are up from 115 in 2006 to 399 in 2013.
Israeli settlers, mostly armed, regularly attack Palestinian villages and farmers and set fire to their mosques, olive groves and other properties in the West Bank under the so-called "price tag" policy.
The extremists say the "price tag" attacks are carried out against any Israeli policy "to reduce the presence of settlers and settlements on the occupied Palestinian land in the West Bank and East al-Quds (Jerusalem)."
Israeli officials have repeatedly condemned such attacks, but they rarely detain the assailants.
Critics say the Israeli government has not taken enough measures to prevent the attacks.
More than half a million Israelis live in over 120 illegal settlements built since Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East al-Quds in 1967.
The United Nations and most countries regard the Israeli settlements as illegal because the territories were captured by Israel in a war in 1967 and are hence subject to the Geneva Conventions, which forbid construction on occupied lands.
The figures released on Wednesday also said that Israeli occupation forces have failed to stop the so-called "price tag" campaign against Palestinians.
There have been 2,100 such attacks since 2006, when the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) started the counting. The annual overalls are up from 115 in 2006 to 399 in 2013.
Israeli settlers, mostly armed, regularly attack Palestinian villages and farmers and set fire to their mosques, olive groves and other properties in the West Bank under the so-called "price tag" policy.
The extremists say the "price tag" attacks are carried out against any Israeli policy "to reduce the presence of settlers and settlements on the occupied Palestinian land in the West Bank and East al-Quds (Jerusalem)."
Israeli officials have repeatedly condemned such attacks, but they rarely detain the assailants.
Critics say the Israeli government has not taken enough measures to prevent the attacks.
More than half a million Israelis live in over 120 illegal settlements built since Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East al-Quds in 1967.
The United Nations and most countries regard the Israeli settlements as illegal because the territories were captured by Israel in a war in 1967 and are hence subject to the Geneva Conventions, which forbid construction on occupied lands.
Hundreds of settlers raided private Palestinian land near the illegal Hebron settlement of Kiryat Arba on Tuesday.
Badee Dweik, an activist with the International Solidarity Movement, said that over 300 settlers raided land belonging to Rashid al-Zarou, Hamid al-Zarou, and Hamdy Abu Rmeila.
The settlers planted some trees on the land and dug up private land.
Badee Dweik, an activist with the International Solidarity Movement, said that over 300 settlers raided land belonging to Rashid al-Zarou, Hamid al-Zarou, and Hamdy Abu Rmeila.
The settlers planted some trees on the land and dug up private land.
A number of fanatic Israeli settlers burned the entrance of Ali Bin Abi Taleb Mosque, in the Deir Estia village, near the central West Bank city of Salfit.
Local sources said that the settlers infiltrated the village and attempted to burn the entire mosque, but local residents saw them and chased them away, managing to extinguish the fire before it spread.
Israeli settlers are responsible for dozens of similar attacks against mosques, churches, Islamic and Christian holy sites and graveyards in occupied Palestine.
In many cases, they wrote racist graffiti, not only against the Arabs and Palestinians but also, in several cases, against the Muslim Prophet Mohammad and Jesus Christ.
On Tuesday, January 14, 2014, dozens of Israeli settlers, protected by soldiers, took over a Palestinian-owned plot of land in an area east of the city of Hebron, and began planting it with olive trees.
On Monday, January 13, 2014, settlers cut down nearly 50 Palestinian olive trees, east of Yatta town, south of the southern West Bank city of Hebron.
Last year, Israelis attacked, defaced and burned several Islamic and Christian holy sites and graveyards in different parts of occupied Palestine.
They also cut, uprooted and burned hundreds of Palestinians trees, as well as flooded farmlands with sewage water in different parts of the occupied West Bank.
Settlers torch mosque in Salfit, spray racist graffiti
A group of settlers on Wednesday set fire to the facade of a mosque in the Salfit village of Deir Istiya and sprayed racist slogans on its walls, local officials said.
The mayor of Deir Istiya, Ayyub Abu Hijlah, told Ma'an that settlers sneaked into the village before dawn prayers and set fire to the main door of the mosque, causing minor damages.
"Local residents, alerted by a worshiper who saw the fire while on his way to perform dawn prayer, scared the settlers away and put out the fire," he said.
PA official Ghassan Daghlas said that locals managed to extinguish the blaze before it spread to the interior of the mosque.
"Arabs out!" and "Best regards from Qusra," were sprayed on the mosque, according to Israeli news site Ynet.
Other graffiti reading: "The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked" was also found.
Last Tuesday, villagers in the Qusra and Jalud area managed to apprehend a group of settlers who had attempted to attack them and their property, holding them for several hours in a house.
The settlers, who were from the illegal outpost of Esh Kodesh, were later transferred to Israeli security forces after the villagers called PA liaison officials.
Settler attacks against Palestinians and their property are routine and often happen in the presence of Israeli military forces.
Local sources said that the settlers infiltrated the village and attempted to burn the entire mosque, but local residents saw them and chased them away, managing to extinguish the fire before it spread.
Israeli settlers are responsible for dozens of similar attacks against mosques, churches, Islamic and Christian holy sites and graveyards in occupied Palestine.
In many cases, they wrote racist graffiti, not only against the Arabs and Palestinians but also, in several cases, against the Muslim Prophet Mohammad and Jesus Christ.
On Tuesday, January 14, 2014, dozens of Israeli settlers, protected by soldiers, took over a Palestinian-owned plot of land in an area east of the city of Hebron, and began planting it with olive trees.
On Monday, January 13, 2014, settlers cut down nearly 50 Palestinian olive trees, east of Yatta town, south of the southern West Bank city of Hebron.
Last year, Israelis attacked, defaced and burned several Islamic and Christian holy sites and graveyards in different parts of occupied Palestine.
They also cut, uprooted and burned hundreds of Palestinians trees, as well as flooded farmlands with sewage water in different parts of the occupied West Bank.
Settlers torch mosque in Salfit, spray racist graffiti
A group of settlers on Wednesday set fire to the facade of a mosque in the Salfit village of Deir Istiya and sprayed racist slogans on its walls, local officials said.
The mayor of Deir Istiya, Ayyub Abu Hijlah, told Ma'an that settlers sneaked into the village before dawn prayers and set fire to the main door of the mosque, causing minor damages.
"Local residents, alerted by a worshiper who saw the fire while on his way to perform dawn prayer, scared the settlers away and put out the fire," he said.
PA official Ghassan Daghlas said that locals managed to extinguish the blaze before it spread to the interior of the mosque.
"Arabs out!" and "Best regards from Qusra," were sprayed on the mosque, according to Israeli news site Ynet.
Other graffiti reading: "The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked" was also found.
Last Tuesday, villagers in the Qusra and Jalud area managed to apprehend a group of settlers who had attempted to attack them and their property, holding them for several hours in a house.
The settlers, who were from the illegal outpost of Esh Kodesh, were later transferred to Israeli security forces after the villagers called PA liaison officials.
Settler attacks against Palestinians and their property are routine and often happen in the presence of Israeli military forces.
14 jan 2014
A group of settlers hurled rocks at a vehicle belonging to the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Health on Tuesday, an official said.
Wahid Shamasneh, central maintenance director at the ministry of health, said the incident occurred near the Palestinian village of al-Sawiya, near Nablus, as a group of seven ministry staff members were returning to Ramallah.
The vehicle's windows were smashed and several passengers suffered light injuries from broken glass, Shamasneh added.
PA Minister of Health Jawwad Awwad called the attack "barbaric and atrocious" and said it showed the "lowliness of occupation and its inhumane actions, which are rejected by all international agreements and principles."
Earlier, PA Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah was stopped by Israeli forces while traveling north of Ramallah.
Israeli news site Ynet quoted an unnamed Israeli official as saying Hamdallah was pulled over due to "reckless driving."
The official also told Ynet that the Palestinian Authority premier "swore at one of the police officers calling him a 'dog' and said that he was standing in occupied territory."
Wahid Shamasneh, central maintenance director at the ministry of health, said the incident occurred near the Palestinian village of al-Sawiya, near Nablus, as a group of seven ministry staff members were returning to Ramallah.
The vehicle's windows were smashed and several passengers suffered light injuries from broken glass, Shamasneh added.
PA Minister of Health Jawwad Awwad called the attack "barbaric and atrocious" and said it showed the "lowliness of occupation and its inhumane actions, which are rejected by all international agreements and principles."
Earlier, PA Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah was stopped by Israeli forces while traveling north of Ramallah.
Israeli news site Ynet quoted an unnamed Israeli official as saying Hamdallah was pulled over due to "reckless driving."
The official also told Ynet that the Palestinian Authority premier "swore at one of the police officers calling him a 'dog' and said that he was standing in occupied territory."
A group of right-wing Israelis led by US-born Jewish extremist Yehuda Glick toured the al-Aqsa compound on Tuesday, witnesses said.
The group consisted of around 25 people.
Meanwhile, Palestinian tour guide Ehab al-Jallad was detained by Israeli police while touring the compound with a group of students.
The reason behind his arrest is unclear.
Four Palestinian women were also denied entry to the mosque compound by Israeli forces, with no reason given.
An Israeli police spokesperson could not be reached for comment.
Because of the sensitive nature of the Al-Aqsa compound, Israel maintains a compromise with the Islamic trust that controls it to not allow non-Muslim prayers in the area. Israeli forces regularly escort Jewish visitors to the site, leading to tension with Palestinian worshipers.
The compound, which sits just above the Western Wall plaza, houses both the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa mosque and is the third holiest site in Islam.
It is also venerated as Judaism's most holy place as it sits where Jews believe the First and Second Temples once stood. The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.
According to mainstream Jewish religious leaders, Jews are forbidden from entering for fear they would profane the "Holy of Holies," or the inner sanctum of the Second Temple.
Al-Aqsa is located in East Jerusalem, a part of the internationally recognized Palestinian territories that have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
The group consisted of around 25 people.
Meanwhile, Palestinian tour guide Ehab al-Jallad was detained by Israeli police while touring the compound with a group of students.
The reason behind his arrest is unclear.
Four Palestinian women were also denied entry to the mosque compound by Israeli forces, with no reason given.
An Israeli police spokesperson could not be reached for comment.
Because of the sensitive nature of the Al-Aqsa compound, Israel maintains a compromise with the Islamic trust that controls it to not allow non-Muslim prayers in the area. Israeli forces regularly escort Jewish visitors to the site, leading to tension with Palestinian worshipers.
The compound, which sits just above the Western Wall plaza, houses both the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa mosque and is the third holiest site in Islam.
It is also venerated as Judaism's most holy place as it sits where Jews believe the First and Second Temples once stood. The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.
According to mainstream Jewish religious leaders, Jews are forbidden from entering for fear they would profane the "Holy of Holies," or the inner sanctum of the Second Temple.
Al-Aqsa is located in East Jerusalem, a part of the internationally recognized Palestinian territories that have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
A group of settlers escorted by Israeli soldiers on Tuesday stopped Palestinian Authority prime minister Rami Hamdallah at a checkpoint near the town of Turmusayya north of Ramallah.
Hamdallah told Ma'an via telephone that settlers and soldiers stopped his car and tried to force his guards and driver to step out.
He highlighted that Israeli soldiers escorted the settlers, who he said had planned to assault him.
Israeli news site Ynet reported an unnamed Israeli official as saying Hamdallah was pulled over due to "reckless driving."
The official also told Ynet that the Palestinian Authority prime minister, "swore at one of the police officers calling him a 'dog' and said that he was standing in occupied territory."
An Israeli police spokesman did not immediately return calls from Ma'an seeking comment.
Israeli forces maintain severe restrictions on Palestinians' freedom of movement in the West Bank through a complex combination of fixed checkpoints, flying checkpoints, roads forbidden to Palestinians but open exclusively to Jewish settlers, and various other physical obstructions.
At any given time there are about 100 permanent Israeli checkpoints in the West Bank, while surprise flying checkpoints often number into the hundreds.
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.
Hamdallah told Ma'an via telephone that settlers and soldiers stopped his car and tried to force his guards and driver to step out.
He highlighted that Israeli soldiers escorted the settlers, who he said had planned to assault him.
Israeli news site Ynet reported an unnamed Israeli official as saying Hamdallah was pulled over due to "reckless driving."
The official also told Ynet that the Palestinian Authority prime minister, "swore at one of the police officers calling him a 'dog' and said that he was standing in occupied territory."
An Israeli police spokesman did not immediately return calls from Ma'an seeking comment.
Israeli forces maintain severe restrictions on Palestinians' freedom of movement in the West Bank through a complex combination of fixed checkpoints, flying checkpoints, roads forbidden to Palestinians but open exclusively to Jewish settlers, and various other physical obstructions.
At any given time there are about 100 permanent Israeli checkpoints in the West Bank, while surprise flying checkpoints often number into the hundreds.
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.
13 jan 2014
Settlers from the two illegal settlements of Ovaegal and Ma'on stormed on Monday, areas east of Yatta village in Hebron and uprooted dozens of olive trees.
Coordinator of Popular Committee to Resist Wall and Settlement, Rateb al-Jbour, told PNN that the settlers uprooted around 50 olive trees belonging to al-Amour family in al-Shweiha area, and assaulted a number of Palestinian residents.
Coordinator of Popular Committee to Resist Wall and Settlement, Rateb al-Jbour, told PNN that the settlers uprooted around 50 olive trees belonging to al-Amour family in al-Shweiha area, and assaulted a number of Palestinian residents.
12 jan 2014
Israeli police officers detained a young Palestinian woman Sunday morning as she tried to enter the al-Aqsa Mosque compound through the Chain Gate.
Witnesses told a Ma'an reporter that Hiba al-Taweel, a student who takes courses on Islamic teaching in the compound, was detained.
Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld was not familiar with the incident.
Separately, more than 30 Jewish Israelis led by right wing extremist Yehuda Glick toured the al-Aqsa compound on Sunday.
Yehuda Glick is an American-born Israeli and the chairman of the Temple Mount Heritage Fund, an extremist Jewish organization focused on "strengthening the relationship between Israel and the Temple Mount." He has been previously banned by Israeli authorities from entering the compound due to provocations while on the site.
Critics charge that the Fund actually leads tours to the site with the intention of leading Jewish prayer there -- currently banned under Israeli agreements -- and encouraging Jews to destroy the Al-Aqsa mosque and build a Jewish temple there.
Because of the sensitive nature of the Al-Aqsa compound, Israel maintains a compromise with the Islamic trust that controls it to not allow non-Muslim prayers in the area. Israeli forces regularly escort Jewish visitors to the site, leading to tension with Palestinian worshipers.
The compound, which sits just above the Western Wall plaza, houses both the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa mosque and is the third holiest site in Islam.
It is also venerated as Judaism's most holy place as it sits where Jews believe the First and Second Temples once stood. The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.
According to mainstream Jewish religious leaders, Jews are forbidden from entering for fear they would profane the "Holy of Holies," or the inner sanctum of the Second Temple.
Al-Aqsa is located in East Jerusalem, a part of the internationally recognized Palestinian territories that have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
Witnesses told a Ma'an reporter that Hiba al-Taweel, a student who takes courses on Islamic teaching in the compound, was detained.
Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld was not familiar with the incident.
Separately, more than 30 Jewish Israelis led by right wing extremist Yehuda Glick toured the al-Aqsa compound on Sunday.
Yehuda Glick is an American-born Israeli and the chairman of the Temple Mount Heritage Fund, an extremist Jewish organization focused on "strengthening the relationship between Israel and the Temple Mount." He has been previously banned by Israeli authorities from entering the compound due to provocations while on the site.
Critics charge that the Fund actually leads tours to the site with the intention of leading Jewish prayer there -- currently banned under Israeli agreements -- and encouraging Jews to destroy the Al-Aqsa mosque and build a Jewish temple there.
Because of the sensitive nature of the Al-Aqsa compound, Israel maintains a compromise with the Islamic trust that controls it to not allow non-Muslim prayers in the area. Israeli forces regularly escort Jewish visitors to the site, leading to tension with Palestinian worshipers.
The compound, which sits just above the Western Wall plaza, houses both the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa mosque and is the third holiest site in Islam.
It is also venerated as Judaism's most holy place as it sits where Jews believe the First and Second Temples once stood. The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.
According to mainstream Jewish religious leaders, Jews are forbidden from entering for fear they would profane the "Holy of Holies," or the inner sanctum of the Second Temple.
Al-Aqsa is located in East Jerusalem, a part of the internationally recognized Palestinian territories that have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
11 jan 2014
The commanding officer's punctured tires
Soldiers serving in West Bank face animosity from settlers they are assigned to protect. Following vandalism to IDF officer's car while he was meeting with settlement representatives, soldiers express sense of betrayal, asking 'How can you harm those who guard you and put their lives at risk for you?'
Following the Friday incident in which the tires of the Samaria Brigade chief, Brig. Gen. Yoav Yarom, were slashed while he was in a meeting with the head of the West Bank settlement of Yitzhar, IDF soldiers serving in the West Bank expressed frustration regarding the double bind into which they are forced.
"When you see soldiers who serve with you not going home for the weekend and go to Yitzhar so they can meet with the settlement's leaders and discuss ways to protect the settlement, and right there and then the brigade's chief's car is vandalized – no where is safe. Not a Palestinian village and not an isolated outpost," an IDF combat soldier told Ynet.
Soldiers serving in the West Bank are perceived as the enemy by both Palestinians in the region and settlers. "How can you harm those who guard you and put their lives at risk for you?" the combat soldier asked.
"We are here 24/7 – patrolling, guarding, arresting suspects – and this (vandalizing of the officer's vehicle) was just a spit in the face," the soldier added, referring to the.
Another soldier, however, stressed that "we must make the distinction between settlers of Itamar, Har Brakha and other settlements who make us feel at home, and those hooligans."
As for vandalistic settlers, he said, "they control soldiers, officers, and Palestinians. Some soldiers are wary of going on some of the outposts and prefer to go on other assignments, because it's unsettling to protect Palestinians from Jews who can target their attacks on you as well."
Yarom was meeting with representatives of the Nablus-adjacent settlement to discuss the recent friction in the last week between settlers and Palestinians near Yitzhar. After the meeting he returned to his jeep, which was parked inside the settlement, and found his tires were punctured. The Shai Region police are investigating the incident.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Friday's vandalizing of the car of an IDF general, saying: "It is a criminal act that does not represent the settlers of Judea and Samaria."
Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon responded to the act of vandalism, saying "This is an intolerable incident, which requires determined response… Damaging the officer's car is a heinous act that was perpetrated by a group of outlaws who belong behind bars."
The IDF Spokesperson's Unit stated that the military "finds such incidents against IDF officers and soldiers, who are working day and night to protect the residents of the State of Israel, outrageous."
The committee of Yitzhar residents said in response: "Despite seious disagreements on several issues with the Samaria Brigade chief, such acts do not serve any goal and are unacceptable."
The committee added that the Samaria Council "condemns any harm done to IDF soldiers, surely targeting a brigade chief that was here to offer help. Locals helped repair the damaged tire and apologized for the incident."
Clashes between settlers and Palestinians occured earlier this week, in the Ourif and Qusra villages, on Wednesday and Tuesday respectively, both incidents ending in injuries.
Soldiers serving in West Bank face animosity from settlers they are assigned to protect. Following vandalism to IDF officer's car while he was meeting with settlement representatives, soldiers express sense of betrayal, asking 'How can you harm those who guard you and put their lives at risk for you?'
Following the Friday incident in which the tires of the Samaria Brigade chief, Brig. Gen. Yoav Yarom, were slashed while he was in a meeting with the head of the West Bank settlement of Yitzhar, IDF soldiers serving in the West Bank expressed frustration regarding the double bind into which they are forced.
"When you see soldiers who serve with you not going home for the weekend and go to Yitzhar so they can meet with the settlement's leaders and discuss ways to protect the settlement, and right there and then the brigade's chief's car is vandalized – no where is safe. Not a Palestinian village and not an isolated outpost," an IDF combat soldier told Ynet.
Soldiers serving in the West Bank are perceived as the enemy by both Palestinians in the region and settlers. "How can you harm those who guard you and put their lives at risk for you?" the combat soldier asked.
"We are here 24/7 – patrolling, guarding, arresting suspects – and this (vandalizing of the officer's vehicle) was just a spit in the face," the soldier added, referring to the.
Another soldier, however, stressed that "we must make the distinction between settlers of Itamar, Har Brakha and other settlements who make us feel at home, and those hooligans."
As for vandalistic settlers, he said, "they control soldiers, officers, and Palestinians. Some soldiers are wary of going on some of the outposts and prefer to go on other assignments, because it's unsettling to protect Palestinians from Jews who can target their attacks on you as well."
Yarom was meeting with representatives of the Nablus-adjacent settlement to discuss the recent friction in the last week between settlers and Palestinians near Yitzhar. After the meeting he returned to his jeep, which was parked inside the settlement, and found his tires were punctured. The Shai Region police are investigating the incident.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Friday's vandalizing of the car of an IDF general, saying: "It is a criminal act that does not represent the settlers of Judea and Samaria."
Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon responded to the act of vandalism, saying "This is an intolerable incident, which requires determined response… Damaging the officer's car is a heinous act that was perpetrated by a group of outlaws who belong behind bars."
The IDF Spokesperson's Unit stated that the military "finds such incidents against IDF officers and soldiers, who are working day and night to protect the residents of the State of Israel, outrageous."
The committee of Yitzhar residents said in response: "Despite seious disagreements on several issues with the Samaria Brigade chief, such acts do not serve any goal and are unacceptable."
The committee added that the Samaria Council "condemns any harm done to IDF soldiers, surely targeting a brigade chief that was here to offer help. Locals helped repair the damaged tire and apologized for the incident."
Clashes between settlers and Palestinians occured earlier this week, in the Ourif and Qusra villages, on Wednesday and Tuesday respectively, both incidents ending in injuries.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Friday violently suppressed the peaceful marches held in different West Bank villages in protest at Israel's settlement activities. Palestinian local sources said that the IOF intensively fired live and rubber bullets and tear gas grenades at the protests, which caused several injuries among Palestinian and foreign participants.
Several protestors suffered bullet injuries in their feet and severe tear gas suffocation in Ni'lin and Bil'in villages near Ramallah as they were protesting Israel's settlement expansion and land annexation.
In Bethlehem, the IOF also intercepted the weekly march of Masarah village and physically assaulted the protestors as they were trying to get to the segregation wall.
To the north of Ramallah, two young men suffered bullet injuries in their feet during a violent attack by Jewish settlers and Israeli troops at the entrance to Al-Jalazoun refugee camp.
Local sources reported that Jewish settlers tried to storm the camp and embarked on throwing stones at Palestinian cars and property under military protection, which prompted some young men to fend off the assailants.
In Nabi Saleh village, two children suffered rubber bullet injuries and many others suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Several protestors suffered bullet injuries in their feet and severe tear gas suffocation in Ni'lin and Bil'in villages near Ramallah as they were protesting Israel's settlement expansion and land annexation.
In Bethlehem, the IOF also intercepted the weekly march of Masarah village and physically assaulted the protestors as they were trying to get to the segregation wall.
To the north of Ramallah, two young men suffered bullet injuries in their feet during a violent attack by Jewish settlers and Israeli troops at the entrance to Al-Jalazoun refugee camp.
Local sources reported that Jewish settlers tried to storm the camp and embarked on throwing stones at Palestinian cars and property under military protection, which prompted some young men to fend off the assailants.
In Nabi Saleh village, two children suffered rubber bullet injuries and many others suffered from tear gas inhalation.
10 jan 2014
Suspected Jewish extremists cut down fruit trees belonging to Israeli-Palestinians overnight in an apparent revenge attack for Palestinian villagers detaining Jewish settlers, police said Friday.
The vandals left placards in the orchard reading "Regards from Esh Kodesh," the West Bank settlement outpost whose residents were assaulted and briefly detained on Tuesday when they entered the Palestinian village of Qusra, some wearing masks.
The vandals struck near Kfar Qasim, an Israeli Arab town that borders the West Bank some 40 kilometers west of Qusra, police spokeswoman Luba Samri said.
Seven of the dozen settlers involved in the original incident were meanwhile remanded in custody on Thursday night, Samri added.
They had been under house arrest since the army negotiated their release by the villagers while police investigated why they had entered Qusra in the first place.
The Palestinian Authority paid tribute to the villagers Thursday, saying they had acted in "self-defense" following numerous assaults by the settlers from Esh Kodesh, a few kilometers to the north.
The vandals left placards in the orchard reading "Regards from Esh Kodesh," the West Bank settlement outpost whose residents were assaulted and briefly detained on Tuesday when they entered the Palestinian village of Qusra, some wearing masks.
The vandals struck near Kfar Qasim, an Israeli Arab town that borders the West Bank some 40 kilometers west of Qusra, police spokeswoman Luba Samri said.
Seven of the dozen settlers involved in the original incident were meanwhile remanded in custody on Thursday night, Samri added.
They had been under house arrest since the army negotiated their release by the villagers while police investigated why they had entered Qusra in the first place.
The Palestinian Authority paid tribute to the villagers Thursday, saying they had acted in "self-defense" following numerous assaults by the settlers from Esh Kodesh, a few kilometers to the north.
