30 sept 2014
A large group of extremist Israeli settlers, with members of the right-wing fundamentalist settlement group "Elad", broke into 23 Palestinian apartments in three buildings of Silwan town, in occupied Jerusalem, and seized them.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center, in Silwan, said that the attack started around 1:30 am, when dozens of settlers and soldiers invaded the town, and illegally took over 22 empty apartments, and one inhabited apartment after violently forcing the family out.
The Center added that dozens of soldiers and settlers were deployed in Wadi and Beidoun neighborhoods in Silwan, before breaking into the buildings.
The apartments belong to members of the families of Beidoun, al-Karaky, Abu Sbeih, Zawahra, al-‘Abbassi, al-Khayyat, Qara’in and al-Yamani.
The Center said the ownership of some of the apartments might have been leaked to the settlers through suspicious underground deals.
“The attack itself is illegitimate, carried out by Elad group, known for its agenda aiming at getting rid of the Palestinians from occupied Jerusalem,” Wadi Hilweh said. “The group is known for its illegal practices, and underground deals.”
It demanded the Palestinian Authority and all national and Islamic institutions to uncover and prosecute any person who acts on granting ownership of Palestinian buildings to fanatic settler-led groups.
The Center further said that the settlers fired rounds of live ammunition, following clashes in one of the occupied homes, after the locals kicked them out.
It added that there are currently 29 settlement outposts in Silwan, including 26 in Wadi Hilweh, and that the Elad group illegally occupied the first Palestinian home in 1987 before it conducted an extensive take over campaign in 1991.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center, in Silwan, said that the attack started around 1:30 am, when dozens of settlers and soldiers invaded the town, and illegally took over 22 empty apartments, and one inhabited apartment after violently forcing the family out.
The Center added that dozens of soldiers and settlers were deployed in Wadi and Beidoun neighborhoods in Silwan, before breaking into the buildings.
The apartments belong to members of the families of Beidoun, al-Karaky, Abu Sbeih, Zawahra, al-‘Abbassi, al-Khayyat, Qara’in and al-Yamani.
The Center said the ownership of some of the apartments might have been leaked to the settlers through suspicious underground deals.
“The attack itself is illegitimate, carried out by Elad group, known for its agenda aiming at getting rid of the Palestinians from occupied Jerusalem,” Wadi Hilweh said. “The group is known for its illegal practices, and underground deals.”
It demanded the Palestinian Authority and all national and Islamic institutions to uncover and prosecute any person who acts on granting ownership of Palestinian buildings to fanatic settler-led groups.
The Center further said that the settlers fired rounds of live ammunition, following clashes in one of the occupied homes, after the locals kicked them out.
It added that there are currently 29 settlement outposts in Silwan, including 26 in Wadi Hilweh, and that the Elad group illegally occupied the first Palestinian home in 1987 before it conducted an extensive take over campaign in 1991.
29 sept 2014
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A footage release from Hebrew TV Channel 1, on Sunday, shows armed Israeli children training with weapons at one of Israeli military sites in the Negev Desert.
Al Ray Palestinian Media Agency reports that some of the children came with their parents from the United States to donate for Israeli military. Violating established rules, soldiers at the site allowed the children to hold guns and trained them how to shoot. The video shows the children training with Israeli-made Tavor and sniper rifles. |
The TV anchor interviewed Carmela Menashe, correspondent for military affairs on Israel’s public TV Kol Yisrael.
According to the Israeli report, the children in the video are between the ages of 10 and 15. They were allowed to use firearms and military-issued rifles at the military base, accompanied by military soldiers and commanders.
Menashe said those in charge, and allowed this to happen, should be prosecuted for violating rules and safety codes:
"The children are using weapons in a military base; we are talking about children between the ages of 10 and 15, and they are using weapons issued to the soldiers, without even elementary measures of safety…
This is a serious issue. Those children could get hurt, could hurt somebody… I don’t understand how an army commander would allow something like that to happen… this is against the law and the norms…
I believe the military police needs to open an investigation into the matter…"
According to the Israeli report, the children in the video are between the ages of 10 and 15. They were allowed to use firearms and military-issued rifles at the military base, accompanied by military soldiers and commanders.
Menashe said those in charge, and allowed this to happen, should be prosecuted for violating rules and safety codes:
"The children are using weapons in a military base; we are talking about children between the ages of 10 and 15, and they are using weapons issued to the soldiers, without even elementary measures of safety…
This is a serious issue. Those children could get hurt, could hurt somebody… I don’t understand how an army commander would allow something like that to happen… this is against the law and the norms…
I believe the military police needs to open an investigation into the matter…"
A horde of extremist Jewish settlers escorted by policemen on Monday morning desecrated the Aqsa Mosque . The Palestinian worshippers and sit-inners inside the Mosque kept shouting religious slogans in protest at the violation of the Mosque's sanctity by the settlers.
Eyewitnesses said the settlers entered the Mosque in small groups, and each one of those groups was led by a fanatic rabbi giving Talmudic explanations about the alleged Jewish temple.
Eyewitnesses said the settlers entered the Mosque in small groups, and each one of those groups was led by a fanatic rabbi giving Talmudic explanations about the alleged Jewish temple.
Palestinian medical sources have reported, on Sunday evening, that a child was injured after be struck by a settler's car east of Yatta town, south of the southern West Bank city of Hebron.
The sources said the child, Islam al-’Amour, six years of age, suffered a number of fractures, cuts and bruises to different parts of her body, and was moved to the al-Ahli hospital in the city. Similar to various prior incidents, the settler fled the scene.
There have been dozens of similar incidents, especially since the settlers use various bypass roads in different residential and rural areas in the Hebron district.
The incidents, including in other parts of the occupied West Bank, led to dozens of injuries and several fatalities among the Palestinians, including children and elderly.
Also on Sunday evening, several Palestinians suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation during clashes with Israeli soldiers invading ‘Aida refugee camp, north of the West Bank city of Hebron.
The clashes took place on the eastern entrance of the camp after the army invaded it, and the soldiers fired several gas bombs and concussion grenades.
The sources said the child, Islam al-’Amour, six years of age, suffered a number of fractures, cuts and bruises to different parts of her body, and was moved to the al-Ahli hospital in the city. Similar to various prior incidents, the settler fled the scene.
There have been dozens of similar incidents, especially since the settlers use various bypass roads in different residential and rural areas in the Hebron district.
The incidents, including in other parts of the occupied West Bank, led to dozens of injuries and several fatalities among the Palestinians, including children and elderly.
Also on Sunday evening, several Palestinians suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation during clashes with Israeli soldiers invading ‘Aida refugee camp, north of the West Bank city of Hebron.
The clashes took place on the eastern entrance of the camp after the army invaded it, and the soldiers fired several gas bombs and concussion grenades.
26 sept 2014
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) arrested 11-year-old Mohamed Zagal near Bab Al-Asbat neighborhood in east Jerusalem after eight Jewish settlers tried to assault and kidnap him. The child's father told Wadi Hilweh information center that his son Mohamed was en route to home in Ras al-Amoud neighborhood after he escorted his sister to her school.
When he reached Al-Ghuthmaniya road, the father added, eight settlers chased him until he managed to hide in a car belonging to a Palestinian family, but as some citizens in the area tried to fend off the Jewish assailants, Israeli policemen showed up and arrested his son on allegations of throwing stones at the settlers.
The father affirmed that the Israeli police refused to listen to his son, who accused the settlers of attempting to kidnap him, and detained him for interrogation and threatened to arrest him if such incident happened again.
When he reached Al-Ghuthmaniya road, the father added, eight settlers chased him until he managed to hide in a car belonging to a Palestinian family, but as some citizens in the area tried to fend off the Jewish assailants, Israeli policemen showed up and arrested his son on allegations of throwing stones at the settlers.
The father affirmed that the Israeli police refused to listen to his son, who accused the settlers of attempting to kidnap him, and detained him for interrogation and threatened to arrest him if such incident happened again.
25 sept 2014
Al-Jalama checkpoint closed for Jewish holiday
An Israeli settler deliberately ran over a Palestinian child in the occupied east Jerusalem town of Silwan, on Thursday, according to Wadi Hilweh Information Center.
A source at the center told WAFA that a settler’s armored vehicle ran over a 10-year-old child in a deliberate hit and run assault while passing near the settlement outpost of ‘Beit Yehonatan’ (Jonathan's House), built illegally on Silwan’s land.
The child reportedly sustained fractures in his hands and was transferred to hospital for treatment; his condition was described as "moderate".
See also: 09/10/14 Israeli Settler Runs Over Hebron Child With Car
In related news, Israeli forces kidnapped three Palestinians from districts of Bethlehem, Tubas and Hebron, according to reports by security sources and the Palestinian Prisoners' Society.
Forces raided the neighborhood of al-‘Attan Street, in Bethlehem city, where they abducted a 25-year-old Palestinian after breaking into and violently searching his home.
Similar raids were conducted in Wadi Abu Freiha, in Beit Sahour, and Jabal al-Mawaleh neighborhood, in Bethlehem. However, no abductions were reported.
Meanwhile, forces kidnapped a 27-year-old Palestinian after breaking into his home in Tubas.
Forces also raided the Old City of Hebron, where they took a 30-year-old Palestinian.
Furthermore, WAFA reports that Israeli authorities have decided to close al-Jalama checkpoint for three days, over the two-day Jewish New Year holiday.
As a result, Palestinians from the occupied West Bank and those living in Israel will be denied access to Israel and the West Bank respectively.
The Al-Jalama checkpoint is located between the occupied West Bank and Israel, near Al- Jalama village, to the north of Jenin.
Israeli forces enlarged the checkpoint and installed an additional security gate on Palestinian-owned land seized from Al-Jalama residents.
The checkpoint will be reopened on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
An Israeli settler deliberately ran over a Palestinian child in the occupied east Jerusalem town of Silwan, on Thursday, according to Wadi Hilweh Information Center.
A source at the center told WAFA that a settler’s armored vehicle ran over a 10-year-old child in a deliberate hit and run assault while passing near the settlement outpost of ‘Beit Yehonatan’ (Jonathan's House), built illegally on Silwan’s land.
The child reportedly sustained fractures in his hands and was transferred to hospital for treatment; his condition was described as "moderate".
See also: 09/10/14 Israeli Settler Runs Over Hebron Child With Car
In related news, Israeli forces kidnapped three Palestinians from districts of Bethlehem, Tubas and Hebron, according to reports by security sources and the Palestinian Prisoners' Society.
Forces raided the neighborhood of al-‘Attan Street, in Bethlehem city, where they abducted a 25-year-old Palestinian after breaking into and violently searching his home.
Similar raids were conducted in Wadi Abu Freiha, in Beit Sahour, and Jabal al-Mawaleh neighborhood, in Bethlehem. However, no abductions were reported.
Meanwhile, forces kidnapped a 27-year-old Palestinian after breaking into his home in Tubas.
Forces also raided the Old City of Hebron, where they took a 30-year-old Palestinian.
Furthermore, WAFA reports that Israeli authorities have decided to close al-Jalama checkpoint for three days, over the two-day Jewish New Year holiday.
As a result, Palestinians from the occupied West Bank and those living in Israel will be denied access to Israel and the West Bank respectively.
The Al-Jalama checkpoint is located between the occupied West Bank and Israel, near Al- Jalama village, to the north of Jenin.
Israeli forces enlarged the checkpoint and installed an additional security gate on Palestinian-owned land seized from Al-Jalama residents.
The checkpoint will be reopened on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Hordes of Israeli extremist settlers, escorted by large troops of Israeli occupation policemen, have stepped up their sacrilegious mass-assaults on Muslim’s holy al-Aqsa Mosque via al-Maghareba gate early on Thursday morning. Local sources told a Jerusalem-based PIC journalist that the peaceful Muslim congregation and sit-inners maintaining vigil at holy al-Aqsa kept yelling “Allah is the Greatest” to voice their disapproval over such unwarranted vandalism.
Meanwhile, a bunch of Israeli officers and occupation policemen stormed al-Masjid al-Qibli and roamed its courtyards in such a remarkably provocative manner.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Israeli occupation police rounded up 10 Palestinian citizens while they were on their way out of holy al-Aqsa Mosque under the pretext of having joined the clashes that swept the courtyards of al-Aqsa compound.
The Israeli police forces have tightened grips on the Muslim worshippers, denying them access into the mosque to perform their religious prayers and seized their personal IDs at al-Aqsa gates.
Meanwhile, a bunch of Israeli officers and occupation policemen stormed al-Masjid al-Qibli and roamed its courtyards in such a remarkably provocative manner.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Israeli occupation police rounded up 10 Palestinian citizens while they were on their way out of holy al-Aqsa Mosque under the pretext of having joined the clashes that swept the courtyards of al-Aqsa compound.
The Israeli police forces have tightened grips on the Muslim worshippers, denying them access into the mosque to perform their religious prayers and seized their personal IDs at al-Aqsa gates.
Scores of Palestinian citizens were treated for breathing disorders noontime on Wednesday after they inhaled tear gas heavily unleashed by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) during the clashes that burst out at Bethlehem’s Aida refugee camp and al-Khader town. Palestinian activist at the Aida refugee camp, Ibrahim Moslem, said the invading IOF patrols stationed around the separation barrier so as to provide a shield for the thousands of Israeli extremist settlers who flocked into the so-called Rachel’s Tomb to mark the Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year).
The settler mass-spree was carried out in such a remarkably provocative and over-zealous manner so as to cheese off the Palestinian Muslim youths, who could only react by hurling stones as a means to voice their disapproval over such fanatical influxes.
Critical injuries have been reported as the Israeli occupation troops targeted the Palestinian unarmed youths with heavy barrages of tear gas and kept chasing them in the camp’s alleys and adjacent streets.
Meanwhile, several cases of breathing disorders and black-outs were documented among a number of al-Khader schoolchildren and citizens due to the waves of tear gas grenades discharged by the IOF across Bethlehem’s Old City, a PIC correspondent quoted local sources as reporting.
The settler mass-spree was carried out in such a remarkably provocative and over-zealous manner so as to cheese off the Palestinian Muslim youths, who could only react by hurling stones as a means to voice their disapproval over such fanatical influxes.
Critical injuries have been reported as the Israeli occupation troops targeted the Palestinian unarmed youths with heavy barrages of tear gas and kept chasing them in the camp’s alleys and adjacent streets.
Meanwhile, several cases of breathing disorders and black-outs were documented among a number of al-Khader schoolchildren and citizens due to the waves of tear gas grenades discharged by the IOF across Bethlehem’s Old City, a PIC correspondent quoted local sources as reporting.
The Israeli internal security minister Yitzhak Aharonovich beefed up a wave of settler attacks targeting the non-violent Muslim worshippers at holy al-Aqsa Mosque after he stormed the compound on Wednesday morning, the Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage said. By-standers at the scene and Israeli media sources said Aharonovich forced his way into the Buraq Square near holy al-Aqsa early on Wednesday and had assisted, in person, the break-ins.
The Israeli occupation minister gave a personal and military boost to a wave of sacrilegious attacks carried out by at least 117 vandals and the Israeli housing minister Uri Arial.
The Israeli occupation police have come down heavily on dozens of Palestinian worshippers and sit-inners outside and inside of the mosque, leaving scores among them, including Islamic leaders, severely wounded.
The Israeli occupation has been outlining a bid for a mass-desecration break-in to be staged by fanatic settler hordes and Jewish gangs but the heavy presence of Muslim sit-inners at and around the mosque foiled such defilement schemes.
Moments before al-Dhuhr (noon) prayers the occupation police toned down grips on al-Aqsa compound after a group of Muslim congregation and sit-inners maintaining vigil at al-Aqsa gates stepped up pressure.
Hundreds of peaceful worshippers and sit-inners rallied in the mosque yelling “Allah is the Greatest” to reverberate their firm disapproval of such deplorable vandalism against Muslim’s holy Mosque.
The Israeli occupation minister gave a personal and military boost to a wave of sacrilegious attacks carried out by at least 117 vandals and the Israeli housing minister Uri Arial.
The Israeli occupation police have come down heavily on dozens of Palestinian worshippers and sit-inners outside and inside of the mosque, leaving scores among them, including Islamic leaders, severely wounded.
The Israeli occupation has been outlining a bid for a mass-desecration break-in to be staged by fanatic settler hordes and Jewish gangs but the heavy presence of Muslim sit-inners at and around the mosque foiled such defilement schemes.
Moments before al-Dhuhr (noon) prayers the occupation police toned down grips on al-Aqsa compound after a group of Muslim congregation and sit-inners maintaining vigil at al-Aqsa gates stepped up pressure.
Hundreds of peaceful worshippers and sit-inners rallied in the mosque yelling “Allah is the Greatest” to reverberate their firm disapproval of such deplorable vandalism against Muslim’s holy Mosque.
23 sept 2014
About 50 Jewish settlers led by rabbis desecrated the Aqsa Mosque on Tuesday morning under tight police protection. The Aqsa foundation for endowment and heritage said that the settlers and rabbis toured the Mosque's courtyards amid intensive police presence.
The foundation added that the Israeli police prevented in the morning Palestinian men under age 45 and all women from entering the Mosque.
The foundation added that the Israeli police prevented in the morning Palestinian men under age 45 and all women from entering the Mosque.
Hamas Movement said that lifting the siege on Gaza is the only way to achieve peace for settlements surrounding the Strip. Spokesman for the Movement Sami Abu Zuhri clarified that restoring peace in Israeli settlements near the Strip borders can only be achieved through settlers’ calls for lifting the siege on Gaza.
“Settlers must understand that (Israeli premier Benjamin) Netanyahu does not care for them and he is still evading their calls for lifting the Gaza siege,” he underlined.
Dozens of Israeli settlers living in settlements near Gaza border protested on Monday evening outside Netanyahu’s home in occupied Jerusalem calling for lifting the siege on Gaza Strip and resuming peace talks.
The Israeli protesters rejected launching new aggression on the Palestinians, and called for opening all border crossings of Gaza and accelerating its reconstruction.
The demonstrators chanted slogans calling for a peaceful settlement to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
“Settlers must understand that (Israeli premier Benjamin) Netanyahu does not care for them and he is still evading their calls for lifting the Gaza siege,” he underlined.
Dozens of Israeli settlers living in settlements near Gaza border protested on Monday evening outside Netanyahu’s home in occupied Jerusalem calling for lifting the siege on Gaza Strip and resuming peace talks.
The Israeli protesters rejected launching new aggression on the Palestinians, and called for opening all border crossings of Gaza and accelerating its reconstruction.
The demonstrators chanted slogans calling for a peaceful settlement to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
The Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage has warned of a renewed Israeli sacrilegious campaign to be carried out via a wave of break-ins into Muslims’ holy al-Aqsa Mosque under the pretext of marking Jewish holidays. The Foundation called on the Muslim congregation in a statement released Monday to step up early and lasting mass-vigil inside of the Mosque as the only emergency outlet to form a “human shield” to protect the holy site.
According to the Foundation, at least 152 Israeli occupation soldiers, 72 of whom clad in military uniform, stormed the mosque early on Monday morning and spread at different corners, delivering made-up stories and histories about the alleged temple.
A wave of minute combing operations was carried out by the invading police forces and intelligence personnel in the process.
Police vandalism coincided with a mass break-in carried out by a bunch of 58 Israeli extremist settlers, spearheaded by a fanatic rabbi. Another settler gang comprising at least 22 more vandals stormed the holy mosque and stationed at al-Kas ablution fountain and the Marwani Mosque.
Meanwhile, the Israeli occupation police, cordoning off al-Aqsa gates, have tightened their grips on the peaceful Muslim women, denying them access into the Mosque to perform their religious prayers. Scores of female worshippers were forced to line up at al-Aqsa entrances, particularly at Hatta and al-Majlis gates, as a result.
The Israeli occupation officers have also come down heavily on the Muslim male congregation seizing their personal IDs under flimsy pretexts.
Israeli vandalism has been stepped up against Muslims’ holy al-Aqsa Mosque on an almost daily basis after the so-called alleged temple organizations launched appeals to stage an every-day-defilement campaign.
Earlier, some three weeks ago, the interior committee of the Israeli parliament had ruled for the propagation of an array of special measures to make sure the break-ins are to be launched in the safest and most boundless way possible, with no respect, whatsoever, to the sanctity of such a typically Islamic site.
According to the Foundation, at least 152 Israeli occupation soldiers, 72 of whom clad in military uniform, stormed the mosque early on Monday morning and spread at different corners, delivering made-up stories and histories about the alleged temple.
A wave of minute combing operations was carried out by the invading police forces and intelligence personnel in the process.
Police vandalism coincided with a mass break-in carried out by a bunch of 58 Israeli extremist settlers, spearheaded by a fanatic rabbi. Another settler gang comprising at least 22 more vandals stormed the holy mosque and stationed at al-Kas ablution fountain and the Marwani Mosque.
Meanwhile, the Israeli occupation police, cordoning off al-Aqsa gates, have tightened their grips on the peaceful Muslim women, denying them access into the Mosque to perform their religious prayers. Scores of female worshippers were forced to line up at al-Aqsa entrances, particularly at Hatta and al-Majlis gates, as a result.
The Israeli occupation officers have also come down heavily on the Muslim male congregation seizing their personal IDs under flimsy pretexts.
Israeli vandalism has been stepped up against Muslims’ holy al-Aqsa Mosque on an almost daily basis after the so-called alleged temple organizations launched appeals to stage an every-day-defilement campaign.
Earlier, some three weeks ago, the interior committee of the Israeli parliament had ruled for the propagation of an array of special measures to make sure the break-ins are to be launched in the safest and most boundless way possible, with no respect, whatsoever, to the sanctity of such a typically Islamic site.
22 sept 2014
Scores of Israeli settlers, female soldiers and intelligence officers on Monday morning desecrated the Aqsa Mosque's courtyards under tight police protection. This Israeli violation of the Mosque's sanctity took place simultaneously with police restrictions imposed on the entry of Palestinian worshipers to the holy place, especially women.
The Aqsa foundation for endowment and heritage said that 72 female soldiers wearing army uniform entered the Mosque at the pretext of military exploration.
It added that the soldiers toured different parts of the Mosque compound and received explanations about the alleged history of the temple mount from Israeli tourist guides.
The foundation also reported that the Mosque was defiled by different groups of 52 Jewish settlers, adding that a number of intelligence officers stormed and searched in the morning the old Aqsa Mosque with the grey dome for one hour before leaving.
The Aqsa foundation for endowment and heritage said that 72 female soldiers wearing army uniform entered the Mosque at the pretext of military exploration.
It added that the soldiers toured different parts of the Mosque compound and received explanations about the alleged history of the temple mount from Israeli tourist guides.
The foundation also reported that the Mosque was defiled by different groups of 52 Jewish settlers, adding that a number of intelligence officers stormed and searched in the morning the old Aqsa Mosque with the grey dome for one hour before leaving.
20 sept 2014
On the 17th of September, under heavy Israeli army protection, Israeli settlers from nearby illegal settlements entered Nablus with the aim of praying at Joseph’s tomb in Balata refugee camp.
20th September 2013 | International Solidarity Movement | Nablus Team
Just after midnight, the Israeli army closed the district that surrounds the monument, blocking all the streets leading to the tomb and preventing anyone from passing nearby, either by foot or by car.
Around 1am, between eight and 10 buses full with hundreds of settlers invaded the area.
Clashes began in the area, particularly in the junction just in front of the entry to Balata refugee camp.
Youths threw stones for more then two hours against the army vehicles, that were moving up on the hill and back, seemingly in order to keep them busy and far from the large groups of Zionist settlers. Military trucks also tried several times to run over the Palestinian youths while they were throwing stones.
The Israeli army fired many stun grenades, and the road blockades were kept in place until the settlers left the area.
Clashes around Balata occur almost weekly, any time that the settlers decide to invade the area for praying. The settlers claim this monument belongs to the Biblical patriarch Joseph, while most of the Palestinians believe that the religious guide Sheikh Yusef Dweikat was buried there, according to Islamic tradition. Though Joseph is a sacred figure as well in Muslim, Christian and Samaritan religion, Muslims are not allowed to pray there.
Labeling their own actions as “security measures”, the army can easily shoot down a whole neighborhood and guarantee the Israeli settlers the freedom to move and pray wherever they wish, even in a site which is deeply inside Area A, which is supposed under Palestinian civil and security control. On the other side, most of the Palestinian living in the West Bank are not allowed to pray in their holy places, starting from this Joseph´s tomb to the biggest example of Al-Aqsa Mosque, in Jerusalem.
These evidently different treatments intensify the inequality in rights between Palestinians and illegal Israeli settlers and make the life under occupation more and more unbearable.
20th September 2013 | International Solidarity Movement | Nablus Team
Just after midnight, the Israeli army closed the district that surrounds the monument, blocking all the streets leading to the tomb and preventing anyone from passing nearby, either by foot or by car.
Around 1am, between eight and 10 buses full with hundreds of settlers invaded the area.
Clashes began in the area, particularly in the junction just in front of the entry to Balata refugee camp.
Youths threw stones for more then two hours against the army vehicles, that were moving up on the hill and back, seemingly in order to keep them busy and far from the large groups of Zionist settlers. Military trucks also tried several times to run over the Palestinian youths while they were throwing stones.
The Israeli army fired many stun grenades, and the road blockades were kept in place until the settlers left the area.
Clashes around Balata occur almost weekly, any time that the settlers decide to invade the area for praying. The settlers claim this monument belongs to the Biblical patriarch Joseph, while most of the Palestinians believe that the religious guide Sheikh Yusef Dweikat was buried there, according to Islamic tradition. Though Joseph is a sacred figure as well in Muslim, Christian and Samaritan religion, Muslims are not allowed to pray there.
Labeling their own actions as “security measures”, the army can easily shoot down a whole neighborhood and guarantee the Israeli settlers the freedom to move and pray wherever they wish, even in a site which is deeply inside Area A, which is supposed under Palestinian civil and security control. On the other side, most of the Palestinian living in the West Bank are not allowed to pray in their holy places, starting from this Joseph´s tomb to the biggest example of Al-Aqsa Mosque, in Jerusalem.
These evidently different treatments intensify the inequality in rights between Palestinians and illegal Israeli settlers and make the life under occupation more and more unbearable.
19 sept 2014
Israeli forces serve demolition orders to 3 Hebron families
Israeli forces raided and took photos of Palestinian homes in the villages of Ma'in and Al Karmel, located respectively to the east and southeast of Yatta, south of Hebron, while settlers performed religious rituals, said a local activist.
Soldiers forced Palestinian locals out of their homes before breaking into, ransacking and taking photos of the homes, as well as of the entire area, according to WAFA Palestinian News & Info Agency.
Meanwhile, dozens of Israeli settlers, under the protection of soldiers, raided Al- Karmel and performed Talmudic rituals at some local archaeological sites.
Related -- 05/09/14 Netanyahu: Talmud Will be the Basis of Israeli Law
According to Palestinian Village Profile information, Ma’in is surrounded in three directions by many illegal Israeli settlements and bypass roads. Three settlements lie to the east, two to the south and one to the west, with one bypass road to the east.
Additionally, two barriers of sand mounds were set up by Israeli forces, on the main road of the village.
WAFA further reports that, since the beginning of the Second Intifada, two houses were demolished and 150 dunums of land have been confiscated from the village.
The Palestinian Village Profile notes that Al Karmel has a long history, dating back to the Canaanite period. The name "Al Karmil" is derived from a Canaanite word, which means “God’s Blessing”, and the village keeps its name until this day.
The residents of the village are indigenous to the area, while two illegal Israeli settlements, “Karmiel” and Ma'oun”, are situated to the East of the village.
Karmiel settlement occupies 1,500 dunams and Ma’een occupies 2,000 dunams. In addition, the area is surrounded by bypass 'Route 60' occupying 80 dunams to the east.
Israeli forces destroyed at least four housing units and/or structures belonging to local residents.
In related news, Israeli forces delivered demolition orders to three Palestinian families in the southern West Bank town of Ethna, on Thursday, according to the landowners.
Ma'an News Agency reports that Amjad Hilmi Nofal, owner of the one of the properties, said that his family of seven have lived in their home for 10 years, now.
Nofal's brother, Awad, and his family of nine have lived in their home since 2007, while a third house additionally slated for demolition belongs to Arif Abd al-Hamid Abu Zalata.
The families reportedly received military orders to stop construction seven years ago and have been filing appeals with the Israeli Supreme Court ever since.
Mayor of Idhna, Hashim Tmeizi states that Israel is trying displace Palestinians from the town, with hundreds of families now threatened with demolition orders.
Ma'an further reports that the properties are located in Area C which, according to the Oslo Accords, is under full Israeli security and administrative control.
Approximately 27,000 Palestinian homes and structures have been demolished by Israel, since it occupied the West Bank in 1967.
Israeli forces raided and took photos of Palestinian homes in the villages of Ma'in and Al Karmel, located respectively to the east and southeast of Yatta, south of Hebron, while settlers performed religious rituals, said a local activist.
Soldiers forced Palestinian locals out of their homes before breaking into, ransacking and taking photos of the homes, as well as of the entire area, according to WAFA Palestinian News & Info Agency.
Meanwhile, dozens of Israeli settlers, under the protection of soldiers, raided Al- Karmel and performed Talmudic rituals at some local archaeological sites.
Related -- 05/09/14 Netanyahu: Talmud Will be the Basis of Israeli Law
According to Palestinian Village Profile information, Ma’in is surrounded in three directions by many illegal Israeli settlements and bypass roads. Three settlements lie to the east, two to the south and one to the west, with one bypass road to the east.
Additionally, two barriers of sand mounds were set up by Israeli forces, on the main road of the village.
WAFA further reports that, since the beginning of the Second Intifada, two houses were demolished and 150 dunums of land have been confiscated from the village.
The Palestinian Village Profile notes that Al Karmel has a long history, dating back to the Canaanite period. The name "Al Karmil" is derived from a Canaanite word, which means “God’s Blessing”, and the village keeps its name until this day.
The residents of the village are indigenous to the area, while two illegal Israeli settlements, “Karmiel” and Ma'oun”, are situated to the East of the village.
Karmiel settlement occupies 1,500 dunams and Ma’een occupies 2,000 dunams. In addition, the area is surrounded by bypass 'Route 60' occupying 80 dunams to the east.
Israeli forces destroyed at least four housing units and/or structures belonging to local residents.
In related news, Israeli forces delivered demolition orders to three Palestinian families in the southern West Bank town of Ethna, on Thursday, according to the landowners.
Ma'an News Agency reports that Amjad Hilmi Nofal, owner of the one of the properties, said that his family of seven have lived in their home for 10 years, now.
Nofal's brother, Awad, and his family of nine have lived in their home since 2007, while a third house additionally slated for demolition belongs to Arif Abd al-Hamid Abu Zalata.
The families reportedly received military orders to stop construction seven years ago and have been filing appeals with the Israeli Supreme Court ever since.
Mayor of Idhna, Hashim Tmeizi states that Israel is trying displace Palestinians from the town, with hundreds of families now threatened with demolition orders.
Ma'an further reports that the properties are located in Area C which, according to the Oslo Accords, is under full Israeli security and administrative control.
Approximately 27,000 Palestinian homes and structures have been demolished by Israel, since it occupied the West Bank in 1967.