Continuing News of Zionist ethnic cleansing of Occupied Jerusalem/West Bank [Archive]

freepalestine

8th December 2010, 19:22

The new Jerusalem Master Plan grabs 250 dunums of 'Issawiya village lands

01,December,2004

Residents of Al Issawiya village in Jerusalem Governorate were taken by surprise during the last week of September 2004 when a group of Israel's Land Authority employees placed a number of signs on a 250-dunums piece of land declaring it as a ''State Land.'' The land, currently inaccessible to the villagers, is located north of Shu'fat-Jericho road which also leads to the settlement of Ma'ale Adumim located east of Jerusalem. A week later, Israeli bulldozers surrounded the besieged area by a sandy road in a way to connect the 'already-posted signs'. The confiscated land is located in Parcel No. 4 of the village's lands which are composed of 7 parcels containing the village's total area (12,000 dunums).

(http://www.revleft.com/editor/case_studies/30-11-04 Map 1.jpg)

http://www.poica.org/editor/case_studies/30-11-04%20Map%201.jpg
( map 1- location of Issawiya village)

Land owners asserted that Israeli official, without any prior notice, confiscated the land and indicated that controlling these lands separates villages' lands located to the west of Shu'fat-Jericho bypass Road from those located to the east of the Road. It is worth mentioning here that Israeli occupation authorities declared in 1985 all ''unused lands'' as 'State Lands' through the manipulative use of the Ottoman Land Law of 1858 (hereafter ''the Land Law') which was valid within Israel until its replacement in 1970 by a different law passed by the Knesset, The Lands Law, 5729-1969. Lands were confiscated despite the fact that all land owners in Al Issawiya village have all the necessary documents that prove their ownership of the lands.

Deliberate Obstacles:

The villagers resorted to a number of lawyers to file legal cases against the confiscation of their lands. As to hamper their efforts, Israeli financial institutions have placed obstacles in the way of land owners as to prevent them from obtaining the needed official documents. One such obstacle is the condition set by these institutions that whoever wants to issue any official document has to pay all taxes incurred in the past years on the land.A case in point is what took place to Mr. Khaled Sabri Darwish who was trying to issue document of ownership to a 1.5 dunums land. The relevant Israeli institution requested that he provides an Inheritance Declaration for his grandfather and another one for his father as well as paying the sum of NIS 148,000 as taxes !!!!!.

Israeli Colonial Expansion on the Expense of Al Issawiya Village:

The targeted 250 dunums are needed by Israel to continue its Eastern Gate Project that connects Ma'ale Adumim and the French Hill settlement at the heart of Jerusalem city. These lands are located between Al Issawiya's eastern entrance and the village of Al Za'ayem located to the east of Al Issawiya. These lands are added to more than 3,000 dunums confiscated earlier for the sake of Ma'ale Adumim settlement. The Israeli plan calls for the geographical continuity between Mishor Adumim, Al Khan Al Ahmar settlements, the Israeli queries located on Abu George Street, Anatot, Almon, Anata and Hizma as indicated by location number 3 on the attached aerial photo.

(http://www.revleft.com/editor/case_studies/Issawiya case study- please replace with aerial phot No[1]. 1.jpg)

http://www.poica.org/editor/case_studies/Issawiya%20case%20study-%20please%20replace%20with%20aerial%20phot%20No[1].%201.jpg
(aerial photo 1- confiscated locations)

Speaking to LRC field worker, Mr. Hani Al Issawi, a land owner from the village, pointed out that the eastern section (between 'Anata and the tunnel of the Mount of Olives) of the Eastern Gate Project is planned to go through 1 kilometer in Al Issawiya village land. So far, half kilometer has been constructed causing a loss of 50 dunums of Issawiya village lands.

Another incident that shows the Israeli determination to confiscate as much land as possible from Al Issawiya village land is what happened with Mr. Ziad Al Issawi who received a military order stating the confiscation of 500 square meters of his land located northeast Mizadot Adumim military camp. The military order gave the land owner only 7 days to object to the decision which he did through his lawyer. The appeal was rejected based on a statement by Israeli officials that the land is confiscated for a temporary period of time. ( See location number 2 on the attached aerial photo (http://www.revleft.com/editor/case_studies/Issawiya case study- please replace with aerial phot No[1]. 1.jpg)).

The tragedy took place when the Israeli forces came to execute the order. Instead of bulldozing the 500 m2 as indicated in the Military Order, they bulldozed 5,000 m2 (ten times the area dictated by the Order).

False Israeli Promises:

It must be reported that in April 2002 Israeli authorities issued a confiscation order of 41 dunums that belonged to Al Issawiya village under the pretext that the land is to be used for establishing a temporary checkpoint. Land owners (from the Dari and Derbas families) filed an appeal against the confiscation order at the Israeli High Court which issued on 18/7/2002 an order allowing the establishment of the checkpoint for one renewable year if the current security situation was to continue. The court decision also obliged the Israeli military to pay an annual rent for the land, and allowed land owners to access the rest of the land at their leisure. ( See location number 1 the on the attached aerial photo (http://www.revleft.com/editor/case_studies/Issawiya case study- please replace with aerial phot No[1]. 1.jpg)).

The decision was a big lie since the 500 m2 land was duplicated to 5000 m2. The checkpoint which was supposed to be temporary one, was transformed into a permanent cement castle, not only for one year as stipulated by the Court's decision.

Dividing the Village into parts:

It is obvious that the village of Al Issawiya and its lands has been a prime target for Israeli expansion; 800 dunums of its lands were confiscated for the purpose of the expanding the Hebrew University, Hadasah Hospital and the Israeli military camp built at the southern outskirts of the village. Moreover, a military order was issued preventing Palestinians from constructing more than two floors or from planting trees more than 1.5 meters high in a radius of 500 meters from the checkpoint. This meant the prevention of house construction in the southern half of the village which led to the demolishing of a number of houses. Furthermore, the Israeli occupation forces have confiscated in the past 600 dunums of the villages' lands for the purpose of expanding the French Hill settlement and established a bypass road that divided the village into two parts:

The First part is located to the east of the bypass road and reaches as far as the Al Khan Al Ahmar with an area of 10,000 dunums. This half is classified as ''West Bank Lands''. About 3,000 dunums of this half were confiscated for future expansion of Ma'ale Adumim settlement while Jerusalem Municipality kept to itself the right to use an area along the bypass road with a depth of 150 to 200 meters inside the village.

The Second Half is located to the west of the bypass road of an area of 2,000 dunums, only 680 dunums of which can be used for the village's Master Plan. The remaining dunums which were left outside the Master Plan zone has many houses built on it without proper licenses to confront the ever-increasing housing demands as more than 40 houses were demolished in the village.

The Israeli practices against the village of Al Issawiya (including land confiscation, house demolition and other racist measures) aim at Judaizing Jerusalem city and preventing the natural expansion of the village.

Prepared by The Land Research Center (http://www.lrcj.org/)

LRC (http://www.lrcj.org/)

http://www.poica.org/editor/case_studies/view.php?recordID=461

freepalestine

8th December 2010, 19:27

East Jerusalem Clashes Follow Raids, Demolitions

Palestine Monitor
5 December 2010

Demonstrators gathered on Friday to show support for the occupied town of Al-Isawiyya, East Jerusalem. After a peaceful rally, Israeli police fired tear gas canisters into the unarmed crowd.
Written and photographed by Brynn Ruba.

http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/local/cache-vignettes/L500xH375/DSC02372-8d382.jpg
The protest was well-attended by Jewish-Arab solidarity groups, internationals, and Palestinians.
The confrontations follow a month of severe harassment of the village by occupying forces. Israeli police have raided Isawiyya on eight previous occassions.
Last Tuesday, Israelis illegally demolished a local home and print workshop. Family members trying to protect their property were confronted by police in riot-gear. Israel has illegally demolished at least eighteen buildings since July, and uprooted around 450 trees.
The village of Al-Isawiyya has been effectively surrounded by police, with police “inspecting” all vehicles going in and out of the city. The police are issuing fines for problems they find with vehicles, and supposed unpaid utilities and municipal taxes.
http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/local/cache-vignettes/L500xH375/DSC02384-65785.jpg
Village boys show their placards to passing cars./
http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/local/cache-vignettes/L480xH640/DSC02459-4ec48.jpg/
http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/local/cache-vignettes/L500xH375/DSC02464-c91f9.jpg/
http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/local/cache-vignettes/L500xH375/DSC02478-c8acc.jpg
At the conclusion of the formal demonstration and march, most of the international presence departed. Unarmed Palestinian children carried their flag towards the Israeli riot-police standing nearby./
http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/local/cache-vignettes/L476xH640/DSC02480-1c9d7.jpg
The police responded by firing tear gas into the group of children./
http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/local/cache-vignettes/L500xH375/DSC02484-8fb63.jpg/
http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/local/cache-vignettes/L500xH375/DSC02485-8b214.jpg
The unarmed children are forced to run through tear gas. Police give chase and continue to fire./
http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/local/cache-vignettes/L500xH375/DSC02507-e16de.jpg/
http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/local/cache-vignettes/L500xH375/DSC02519-0bc37.jpg
On 24 September, 18 month-old Mohammed Abu Sneneh died from tear gas inhalation, after Israeli police officers fired large amounts of the gas at protesters in the village./
http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/local/cache-vignettes/L500xH375/DSC02539-e38d7.jpg/
http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/local/cache-vignettes/L500xH375/DSC02573-9199e.jpg
The teenagers push a waste bin into the street to protect them from the rubber bullets fired by the police. The battle begins between Palestinian youth and their stones on one side, and the Israeli police and their automatic weapons on the other./
http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/local/cache-vignettes/L500xH375/DSC02594-374fe.jpg/
http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/local/cache-vignettes/L500xH375/DSC02609-f24aa.jpg/
http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/local/cache-vignettes/L500xH375/DSC02615-93947.jpg
The police eventually used a tank to clear the street of rubble, and continued firing until after sundown./
http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/local/cache-vignettes/L500xH375/DSC02640-fc0f7.jpg
http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/spip.php?article1640

freepalestine

10th December 2010, 20:33

Lawyer: Settlers planning to seize Jerusalem home
Published today 20:36
http://www.revleft.com/vb/images/ViewDetails/Eng-1.jpg http://www.revleft.com/vb/images/ViewDetails/Eng+1.jpg

JERUSALEM (Ma'an) -- Settler groups are planning to take over another house in Silwan, a flashpoint neighborhood in occupied East Jerusalem, a presidential legal advisor said Friday.

Ahmad Ar-Ruweida, Jerusalem legal affairs advisor, said his office has received information that settler organizations, supported by right-wing parties and Israeli police, plan to seize a Palestinian property in the Batn Al-Hawa area of Silwan.

The home would be the fifth property seized by settlers in the last three months, the lawyer said, and the 40th home in Silwan to be occupied by settlers.

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=340849

freepalestine

13th December 2010, 06:54

Soldiers Attack Bil’in Weekly Protest

Saturday December 11, 2010 05:26 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC News [/URL]

As Palestinian residents of Bil’in village, near Ramallah, accompanied by Israeli and international Peace activists, held their weekly nonviolent protest against the Annexation Wall and settlements, Israeli soldiers violently attacked them and kidnaped two activists. The Friends of Freedom and Justice – Bil’in (FFJ), reported that this week’s protest marked the commemoration of the First Intifada of 1987, the International Human Rights Day, and came to protest the continued imprisonment of Abdullah Abu Rahma, a local leader of the nonviolent movement in the village.

“Bil'in celebrated International Human Rights Day with a larger than normal demonstration through the village. Hundreds of supporters came from outside Bil'in to support the village's struggle for human rights, to mark the one-year anniversary of Abdullah Abu Rahma's imprisonment, and to commemorate the First Intifada”, the FFJ reported.

Israeli soldiers immediately attacked the protesters with dozens of gas bombs as the soldiers were lined up on two sides after entering through the gate of the wall and waited for the protestors.

A Palestinian protestor was injured after being struck by a teargas bomb fired by the army while dozens of protestors were treated for the effects of teargas inhalation.

Also, soldiers kidnapped a Palestinian protestor identified as Abdul-Fattah Burnat, and a German peace activist.

Friends of Freedom and Justice Website

The protestors marched carrying Palestinian flags, and chanted against Israeli settlements and the occupation.

A number of Palestinian politicians including Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi of the Palestinian National Initiative, Hisham Abu Rayya, a leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, participated in the protest.

Moheeb Awad, a Fateh parliamentarian, and several other leaders and members of different factions also participated in the protest.

Similar protests were held in Al Ma’sara village near Bethlehem, and Nabi Saleh and Ni’lin villages near Ramallah, and in several other Palestinian areas. [URL]http://imemc.org/article/60143 (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60143 with title: Soldiers Attack Bil’in Weekly Protest&message=Report post: Story 60143 with title: Soldiers Attack Bil’in Weekly Protest%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php%3 Fobj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60143%26%0A%0AEnter+your +reason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)

freepalestine

13th December 2010, 06:55

Arab Store Owners In East Jerusalem Forced To Write Store Names In Hebrew

Saturday December 11, 2010 05:53 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies [/URL]

The Jerusalem Municipality is trying to oblige store owners in Arab East Jerusalem neighborhoods to change the language of their store signs into Hebrew, and informed the owners that, unless they do so, their stores will not be licensed and they will have to be shut down.

Israeli paper, Maariv, reported Thursday that this decision is effective in all Arab neighborhoods, even those that are not inhibited by any Jewish person.

The new decision pushed the residents and store owners to hold a protest in the city.
Maariv said that Mazin Al Qaq, head of the Merchants Committee in Jerusalem, described the decision as illegal, and added that there are many Arab residents in Jerusalem who do not speak, read or write Hebrew.

“What does the municipality want?” Al Qaq said, “Are they trying to force a sixty-year old person to go back to school to learn Hebrew? This decision is simply illegal and they can’t force anybody to comply”.

Israeli attorney, Yif’at Solel, sent a letter to Jerusalem Mayor, Nir Barkat, demanding him to void the decision as it is illegal and could be voided by any court.
[URL]http://imemc.org/article/60144 (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60144 with title: Arab Store Owners In East Jerusalem Forced To Write Store Names In Hebrew&message=Report post: Story 60144 with title: Arab Store Owners In East Jerusalem Forced To Write Store Names In Hebrew%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php%3F obj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60144%26%0A%0AEnter+your+ reason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)

freepalestine

14th December 2010, 01:15

Police Demolishes Seven Homes In Lydda

Monday December 13, 2010 23:28 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies [/URL]

The Israeli Police demolished on Tuesday seven Palestinian homes in Lydda city after forcing the residents out. The police claimed the structures were built without obtaining the needed construction permits. http://www.revleft.com/vb/../attachments/dec2010/demolish_1.jpg
Image by pls48.com

Seventy residents were rendered homeless and are currently living in tents. The demolished homes belong to members of Abu Eid family.

The furniture and belongings of the families were taken by the police to a location still unknown to the residents.

The residents demanded the authorities to delay the demolishing of their homes so they can pursue legal action, but the so-called “The Lands Of Israel” Authority rejected their request, and claimed that the land was rented out to the family in 1950, and that the contract had expired.

Local sources reported that the Police prevented local residents from entering the area, and that one of the soldiers cocked this Kalashnikov rifle telling the locals that he is there “to perform his duty”.

“I can only deal with you using this!” the soldier said while pointing his rifle the residents.

His provocation led to clashes between the soldiers and dozens of residents, no injuries were reported.

The Popular Committee in the area held a meeting with the locals and decided to install tents to temporarily house the residents.

Furthermore, the Committee prepared plans to rebuild the demolished structures. [URL]http://imemc.org/article/60159 (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60159 with title: Police Demolishes Seven Homes In Lod&message=Report post: Story 60159 with title: Police Demolishes Seven Homes In Lod%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php%3Fobj _id%3D53%26story_id%3D60159%26%0A%0AEnter+your+rea son+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)

freepalestine

14th December 2010, 01:17

Report on Police And Army Brutality Against Palestinian Children In Jerusalem

Monday December 13, 2010 11:15 by B'Tselem [/URL]

Caution: Children Ahead - The Illegal Behavior of the Police toward Minors in Silwan Suspected of Stone Throwing... This is a report by the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories (B'Tselem).http://www.revleft.com/vb/../attachments/dec2010/children.jpg
Still From B'Tselem Video

An investigation conducted by B'Tselem shows that, during the past year (November 2009 to October 2010), at least 81 minors from Silwan have been arrested or detained for questioning, the vast majority on suspicion of stone throwing. The arrests and detentions followed confrontations between Palestinians and settlers in the neighborhood, where there is great tension resulting from the taking of control of houses and archeological sites by settlers.

These confrontations intensified following the killing of Samer Sarhan, 32, a resident of Silwan, on 22 September 2010. Sarhan was shot to death by a security guard for the settlement, who contended he faced a life-threatening situation. From then until 31 October, at least 32 minors in Silwan were arrested.

Since Israel has imposed its law on East Jerusalem, the police are required to carry out their functions there in accordance with Israeli law. However, B'Tselem’s investigation indicates that the Jerusalem police repeatedly breached the law, and particularly the Youth Law, which grants minors extra rights in a criminal proceeding:

* Many arrests were made at night, by taking the minors from their beds and rushing them to interrogation at the Russian Compound, in most cases in order to obtain information on incidents that occurred a few days earlier.

* Often, the interrogators prevented the parents from being present during the interrogation, although their right to be present is enshrined in law.

* Many minors complained they were treated violently when they were taken from their home at night, and all the youths who gave testimonies to B'Tselem on their arrest by special forces reported severe violence at the time of arrest. Also, a few minors complained of violence and degradation while waiting to be interrogated at the Russian Compound.

Their complaints of violence were disregarded or treated with scorn, and in the isolated cases in which the Department for the Investigation of Police opened an investigation, it was closed without any proceedings being taken against the persons responsible. B'Tselem knows of one case in which the investigation was carried out negligently, took a long time to complete, and did not include questioning of principal witnesses.

* The police detained for questioning four minors under age 12, which is the age of criminal responsibility, meaning they are not subject to criminal proceedings. In one of the cases B'Tselem documented, an eight-year-old child was taken from his bed in the middle of the night only because his name was identical to that of another child who was suspected of throwing stones.

The throwing of stones by Palestinian minors in East Jerusalem has been widespread and has intensified over the past year, with an especially sharp rise occurring in October 2010. Silwan, which lies at the foot of the Temple Mount, is a major focus of the confrontations between Palestinians and settlers, with both sides – Palestinians primarily – throwing stones.

The police are required to deal with the confrontations in the neighborhood, but this obligation does not justify systematic breach of the law. The police’s conduct toward Palestinian minors in Silwan reflects flagrant contempt for the special protections given them as minors.

B'Tselem urges the Jerusalem Police to observe the letter and spirit of the Youth Law while coping with stone-throwing incidents in East Jerusalem. The police must immediately end the arrest of minors at night and the use of violence by special forces during arrests. The police must also ensure that minors are interrogated only in the presence of their parents, and must emphasize options for the rehabilitation of the minors and for preventing injury to them.

The settlements Israel has built in East Jerusalem constitute a violation of international law. The settlement clusters in the heart of the Palestinian population in Silwan and other neighborhoods create tension and lead to a reality of constant confrontation between the two populations. These settlements should be removed immediately. [URL]http://imemc.org/article/60152 (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60152 with title: Report on Police And Army Brutality Against Palestinian Children In Jerusalem&message=Report post: Story 60152 with title: Report on Police And Army Brutality Against Palestinian Children In Jerusalem%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php %3Fobj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60152%26%0A%0AEnter+yo ur+reason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)

freepalestine

17th December 2010, 04:22

Israel approves construction for Jerusalem yeshiva
Published yesterday (updated) 16/12/2010 17:23
http://www.revleft.com/vb/images/ViewDetails/Eng-1.jpg http://www.revleft.com/vb/images/ViewDetails/Eng+1.jpg

JERUSALEM (Ma’an) -- Israel's Jerusalem Municipality approved for construction an additional 24 housing units near the ultra-Orthodox center Beit Orot in occupied East Jerusalem, Israel Radio reported Thursday.

The organization's website confirmed the report, but said there were only 18 units under construction, all designed as "housing for married students and to enhance the development of the educational complex."

Construction was expected to be complete in one year, the organization said, quoting Yeshiva dean Rabbi Dani Isaac saying "We are joyful and honored to commence the construction of our new neighborhood which strengthens the Jewish presence in united Jerusalem and stresses the fact that Jerusalem is the home of every Jew in Israel and throughout the world."
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=342500

freepalestine

18th December 2010, 12:30

Israel Decides To Confiscate 50 Dunams In East Jerusalem

http://www.revleft.com/vb/../graphics/date.gif Friday December 17, 2010 11:32http://www.revleft.com/vb/../graphics/person.gif by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies http://www.revleft.com/vb/../graphics/report.gif (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60197 with title: Israel Decides To Confiscate 50 Dunams In East Jerusalem&message=Report post: Story 60197 with title: Israel Decides To Confiscate 50 Dunams In East Jerusalem%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php %3Fobj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60197%26%0A%0AEnter+yo ur+reason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)

Head of the so-called Civil Administration Office, operating under the Israeli army in the occupied West Bank, signed an order to confiscate 50 Dunams of lands that belong to Palestinian residents on Beit Iksa village, north of occupied East Jerusalem.
The lands are being taken away from their owners so that Israel can construct a railroad system linking Jerusalem with Tel Aviv.
Israeli daily, Haaretz, reported that Yoav Mordechai signed the order only a few days before he retired from his position.

The order states that annexing the lands “serves public interest” as it links Jewish settlements in the West Bank with Israel, and that the project “has enough money to compensate the owners of the lands for their losses”, adding that “this gives the govern sufficient reasons to confiscate the lands”.

20 Dunams of the annexed lands will be used for the railroad and 30 other Dunams will be used for “preparing the ground for the construction”, Haaretz said.

Haaretz also reported that “the land will return to its original use” after the
construction is over.

The decision was made despite the fact that the Justice Ministry in Israel has the
opinion that does not allow confiscating lands in the West bank if the confiscated lands will not also serve the local population.

Yet, all settlements in the occupied territories, and most of the roads leading to them,
are Jewish only and do not serve the local Palestinian population.

freepalestine

18th December 2010, 12:31

A Group of Religious Israelis & Military Enter Palestinian Village at Midnight

http://www.revleft.com/vb/../graphics/date.gif Friday December 17, 2010 12:45http://www.revleft.com/vb/../graphics/person.gif by Ane Irazabal - IMEMC & Agencies http://www.revleft.com/vb/../graphics/report.gif (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60199 with title: A Group of Religious Israelis & Military Enter Palestinian Village at Midnight&message=Report post: Story 60199 with title: A Group of Religious Israelis & Military Enter Palestinian Village at Midnight%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php% 3Fobj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60199%26%0A%0AEnter+you r+reason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)

On Friday morning, a group of religious Israeli Jews entered in the village of Kifl Haris, in the central West Bank. Local sources estimated some 3,000 people arrived, accompanied by dozens of Israeli military vehicles, Ma'an News reported. http://www.revleft.com/vb/../attachments/dec2010/112738.jpg
(photo from Ma'an News)

Locals said that the group of visitors were settlers, many of them from settlements in the occupied West Bank, who came to visit a tomb in the village, which according to the Jewish religion, is the place where Joshua ben Nun, leader of early Jewish tribes, and Calev ben Yefuneh are buried. Villagers say the tomb belongs to a local Sheikh.

An Israeli military spokeswoman informed that there were 800 visitors who stayed in the area from midnight to 5 a.m.

She also added that the visit went off "without incident," although local sources reported that the Israeli army set up checkpoints and barricades around the tomb.

In a report by the Israeli news site Ynet, the visitors stated that they found the tomb "desecrated" by Arabic graffiti with slogans like "we are the defenders of the national project" and "conciliation, speak to you enemy through bullets," Ma'an News quoted. http://imemc.org/article/60199

freepalestine

18th December 2010, 12:32

13 Palestinians Arrested in Pursuit of Activists

Friday December 17, 2010 14:16 by Alessandra Bajec - IMEMC & Agencies [/URL]

Israeli forces arrested 13 Palestinians for interrogation around the West Bank, on Thursday morning, in a wide-ranging campaign to target suspected activists, the Palestinian Information Centre claimed on Thursday.
(http://www.revleft.com/vb/../report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60201 with title: 13 Palestinians Arrested in Pursuit of Activists&message=Report post: Story 60201 with title: 13 Palestinians Arrested in Pursuit of Activists%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php %3Fobj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60201%26%0A%0AEnter+yo ur+reason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)

Two Palestinians were arrested near Ramallah and taken in for questioning, according to Israeli Radio, although neither their identities or affiliations with any organizations were confirmed.

The Israeli military summoned nine others during an arrest in Hebron, local security sources said.

The other two men, known as Numan Abdel Qadir al-Qaisiya, aged 21, and Mustafa Ismail Al Qaisiya, 19, were abducted from their homes during an Israeli raid in the town of Dhahiriyya. Also, further arrests were made following a raid in Dora town.

Earlier on Wednesday, Israeli troops reportedly arrested another young Palestinian, named Abdullah Abu Faara, from Sourief, near the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron. On the same day, troops also detained, near to the Ibrahimi Mosque, Ramya Hasan Abu Samira, wife of Amjad Abu Samira, who is serving a life sentence in Israeli military prison.
http://imemc.org/article/60201

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Clashes Erupt in Silwan, Live Ammunition Fired

Friday December 17, 2010 14:24 by Circarre Parrhesia - IMEMC & Agencies

The Wadi Hilwah Information Center, based in Silwan, East Jerusalem, are reporting the use of live ammunition by Israeli soldiers, on Friday.The Center reports that clases have erupted between local youths and Israeli soldiers, with the soldiers using live ammunition, in the neighborhood of Baten el-Hawa, in the Silwan region of East Jerusalem.

Furthermore, the young Palestinian residents have responded to the use of live gun fire by throwing molotov cocktails at the soldiers.

Following the eruption of the clashes, the Israeli military has erected roadblocks and checkpoints a the entrances of the Wadi Hilwah area, and are searching vehicles and pedestrians passing in and out of the neighborhood.

No injuries have been reported.
[URL]http://imemc.org/article/60202 (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60202 with title: Clashes Erupt in Silwan, Live Ammunition Fired&message=Report post: Story 60202 with title: Clashes Erupt in Silwan, Live Ammunition Fired%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php%3Fo bj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60202%26%0A%0AEnter+your+r eason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)

freepalestine

18th December 2010, 12:35

Dozens Injured By Tear Gas at Weekly Protests; Palestinian Shot With Tear Gas Canister

Friday December 17, 2010 16:54 by Ane Irazabal - IMEMC & Agencies [/URL]

On Friday, dozens of people were treated from the ill effects of tear gas inhalation, as a result of inhaling said gas during the weekly nonviolent protests against the wall in the villages of Bil'in, Nil'in and al-Ma’sara. Also n an-Nabi Saleh, a Palestinian young was injured after being hit in his head with a tear gas canister; no arrests were reported. (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60205 with title: Dozens Injured By Tear Gas at Weekly Protests; Palestinian Shot With Tear Gas Canister&message=Report post: Story 60205 with title: Dozens Injured By Tear Gas at Weekly Protests; Palestinian Shot With Tear Gas Canister%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php% 3Fobj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60205%26%0A%0AEnter+you r+reason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)
Bil'in. Photo by Hamde Abo Rahma
In Bil'in, like every week after the midday prayer, Israeli and international peace activists joined village residents in the march, organized by the Popular Committee Against the Wall.

The participants chanted national songs and slogans, calling for national unity, freedom for political prisoners, the end of Gaza siege, as well as the end of the Occupation and the construction of the Wall.

Protesters demanded the release of Abdullah Abu Rahma, a local organizer who is in jailed since the beginning of 2010 for organizing the weekly nonviolent actions

They also condemned the daily attacks that Palestinians suffer in Jerusalem and claimed the end of the deportation policy, like recently happened to the Jerusalemite deputy, Mohammad Abu Tir, who was expelled to the West Bank, following his release from prison.

As soon as the crowd reached the fence, which separates the lands owned by the villagers, the Israeli soldiers threw tear gas, sound bombs and rubber bullets in all the directions. As a result, dozens of people were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation.

In the nearby Nil’in, villagers and protesters marched to the gate of the wall but Israeli soldiers threw tear gas and forced them back to the village.

In an-Nabi Saleh Israeli soldiers closed the village early in the morning and tried to stop supporters from reaching the protest. In addition, the troops attacked protesters before leaving the village.

Rafat al-Barghouthi, in his twenties, was critically injured after being hit on the back of his head with a tear gas canister. He was taken into a hospital in Ramallah, although local sources reported that the Israeli military held the ambulance transporting him for considerable time.

Furthermore, Israeli journalist, Joseph Dana, reported that the Israeli military used live ammunition in their attacks against the non-violent protest.

The Israeli army also stopped demonstrators at the entrance of al-Ma’sara, southern West Bank, where villagers, along with supporters were trying to reach their lands, confiscated to build the wall. Soldiers used tear gas to dispel the protest.
[URL]http://imemc.org/article/60205

freepalestine

20th December 2010, 20:18

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=343514

freepalestine

23rd December 2010, 09:59

Yitzhar settlers blamed for attack on farmers

Published today 10:43
NABLUS (Ma’an) -- Officials from the northern West Bank village of Madama accused settlers from the neighboring Israeli colony of Yitzhar of attacking a group of farmers ploughing lands near the settlement fence on Thursday morning.

Hasan Zeyadeh, member of the Madma village council, said the farmers were on lands south of the village when a group of religious Jews approached them, throwing rocks and shouting abuses, and telling them to leave the area.

Farmers grew angry, he said, and thew stones back at the group of men, who eventually left the area.

Zeyadeh said it was the second incidence of settler violence in the area in 24 hours, adding that the night before a military jeep prevented farmers from reaching the same area of land the day before. When farmers returned in the evening, they found several olive trees uprooted. http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=344669

freepalestine

26th December 2010, 18:46

East Jlem: Evictions expected within day
Published today (updated) 26/12/2010 19:44
http://www.revleft.com/vb/images/ViewDetails/Eng-1.jpg http://www.revleft.com/vb/images/ViewDetails/Eng+1.jpg

JERUSALEM (Ma’an) -- Large numbers of Israeli police officers deployed in the East Jerusalem town of Silwan on Sunday morning, with residents worried that the move came ahead of a police evacuation of the home of Abdullah Abu Nab, which settlers have claimed belongs to Jewish groups.

Children in the mostly Arab neighborhood threw stones but no major clashes were reported.

Director of Wadi Hilwa Information Center Jawad Siyam said the beefed-up police presence followed several detentions overnight, at least half a dozen young men were taken into Israeli custody, he said.

Media reports suggested that both the Abu Nab home and an illegal settler home would be evacuated on the same day.

As police remained stationed in the area, a court battle continued as residents from an illegal settler home in the neighborhood petitioned to overturn a decision to evict them from Beit Yonatan, built without a permit and occupied by the settler group Ateret Cohanim in 2003.

By Sunday afternoon the court rejected a settler appeal, which sought to overturn an order by the Israel's Attorney General that municipal officials carry out earlier court orders demanding the house be evacuated and sealed.

A statement by Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat published in the Israeli news site Ynet hinted at a double eviction, saying that if the settler organization attempting to take over the Abu Nab home insists on evicting the family, he will "make sure that the residents of Beit Yehonatan [sic] are evicted."

The mayor issued a statement Sunday afternoon, saying that until permanent zoning plans for areas of East Jerusalem including Silwan were approved by the Israeli government, "the Municipality of Jerusalem will implement the rule of law evenly, without regard to race, religion, gender, national identity, or political leaning, to every illegal building with court orders against it."

Member of the local committee to defend Silwan's Al-Bustan neighborhood Fakhri Abu Diab, said there were no developments in the case of the Abu Nab family, as Israeli media speculated that the eviction about to take place was of an illegal settler home in the same area.

"It was not yet clear whether police were on hand to evacuate Palestinian homes or carry out long-waited eviction order against apartment building constructed illegally by settlers," Israel's Haaretz newspaper said in a morning report.

In a Sunday afternoon update, Haaretz wrote, "It now appears that at the same time that Jewish occupants are evicted from Beit Yonatan, police intend also to evict dozens of Palestinians from a nearby building so that it can be turned over to Jews."
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=345405
'

freepalestine

28th December 2010, 20:59

Settlers seize Palestinian land in Nablus
Published today 21:30
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NABLUS (Ma'an) -- Dozens of settlers took over 60 dunums of Palestinian land in the Nablus district on Tuesday, Palestinian Authority official Ghassan Doughlas said.

Doughlas, who holds the settlements file for the northern West Bank, said settlers erected fences around the land and began digging. The land belongs to Jalud village, which is surrounded by four illegal settlements.

The Israeli news site Ynet reported Thursday that "settlements are growing at an almost unprecedented pace" since the expiry of a partial building freeze on September 26.

Doughlas said the construction boom was a "blow to the American administration" and the international community, flying in the face of peace efforts.

Peace negotiations, relaunched in Washington on September 2, fell apart within weeks over Israel's refusal to extend the partial freeze.

Palestinian negotiators refused US requests to continue negotiations via American mediators, saying they would not resume talks until Israel made a "substantial" move toward a peace deal, an offer that would have to include an end to settlement construction.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=346163

freepalestine

30th December 2010, 02:14

Settler Clashes Near Nablus

Wednesday December 29, 2010 17:32
by Alessandra Bajec - IMEMC & Agencies [/URL]

Settler attacks erupted on Wednesday in two locations in the northern West Bank, destroying several vehicles and causing fire damage to agricultural fields, local sources said.

Officials reported farmers were attacked in the village of Asira Al-Qibliya, south west of Nablus, by settlers from the Yitzhar settlement for the second consecutive day.

PA official Ghassan Doughlas said half a dozen settlers had come down and set fire to farmlands. Later, settlers reportedly withdrew from the area resulting into minimal damage.

In the southern area, near Sinjil, just off the Ramallah-Nablus road, Israeli forces closed the main thoroughfare as dozens of settlers threw stones at several Palestinian cars. At the scene, according to an official eyewitness, settlers were said to be positioned near the Shilo settlement.

In related news, a group of settlers from the Yitzhar settlement also uprooted 30 olive trees, on Wednesday afternoon. The trees belonged to Palestinian farmers from Madaba village.
http://www.imemc.org/article/60302 (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60302 with title: Settler Clashes Near Nablus&message=Report post: Story 60302 with title: Settler Clashes Near Nablus%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php%3F obj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60302%26%0A%0AEnter+your+ reason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)

--------------------------------------------------------

Industrial Buildings Razed North of Jerusalem

Wednesday December 29, 2010 17:03
by Alessandra Bajec - IMEMC & Agencies

Israeli forces demolished an agricultural storehouse, a gas station, and several other industrial buildings in the Palestinian village of Hazma, north of Jerusalem, PNN claimed on Wednesday.
Palestinian news wire Wafa quoted eyewitnesses saying that troops along with bulldozers demolished the structures after sealing off the area. The demolition, Israeli military claimed, was due to proximity to a military crossing and lack of suitable license.

According to local sources, the incident is not the first one of its kind, and the cleared land is now likely to be used for building a settlers-only road.

Bulldozers previously cleared three sections of land in the nearby Sheikh Anbar district, in the proximity of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. Israeli officials claimed the land did not have a valid license.

[URL]http://www.imemc.org/article/60301 (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60301 with title: Industrial Buildings Razed North of Jerusalem&message=Report post: Story 60301 with title: Industrial Buildings Razed North of Jerusalem%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php %3Fobj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60301%26%0A%0AEnter+yo ur+reason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)

Palingenisis

30th December 2010, 02:21

Again and again stuff like this happens....Yet the Kriskrams and others want to paint the Palestinians as aggressors.

freepalestine

31st December 2010, 02:10

Two Journalists Attacked by Settlers South of Hebron

http://www.revleft.com/vb/../graphics/date.gif Thursday December 30, 2010 10:31http://www.revleft.com/vb/../graphics/person.gif by Ane Irazabal - IMEMC & Agencies http://www.revleft.com/vb/../graphics/report.gif (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60307 with title: Two Journalists Attacked by Settlers South of Hebron&message=Report post: Story 60307 with title: Two Journalists Attacked by Settlers South of Hebron%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php%3F obj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60307%26%0A%0AEnter+your+ reason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)

On Wednesday evening, Israeli settlers attacked a car transporting two journalists working for Reuters and Ball Media. The journalists were taking pictures near Yatta village, south of Hebronhttp://www.revleft.com/vb/../cache/imagecache/local/attachments/dec2010/460_0___10000000_0_0_0_0_0_1035547464_rjkmmm.jpg (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../attachments/dec2010/1035547464_rjkmmm.jpg)
File. Photo by Ryan Rodrick Belier

Yusry Al-Jamal, the Reuters' cameraman, told the Palestine News Network, PNN, that some settlers from Masa Ya’eir illegal settlement, which is built in the lands of Yatta village, tried to pierce the tires of their car.

According to Al-Jamal, the assault took place in front of Israeli soldiers and policemen, especially since there is a police station in the area, but the police and the soldiers did not attempt to stop it.

--------------------------------------------

freepalestine

31st December 2010, 02:12

East Jerusalem: Israeli demolitions continue
Published yesterday (updated) 30/12/2010 12:42
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JERUSALEM (Ma’an) -- Eleven structures in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of At-Tur were demolished by Israeli forces on Wednesday, and several dunums of lands bulldozed.

The demolitions followed court actions determining that the buildings were constructed without permits. In two cases on Saturday, families decided to demolish parts of their own homes when they were handed demolition orders by the Jerusalem municipality earlier in the week.

"The Municipality only takes down illegal buildings when the owners have refused to do so. In Jerusalem, like everywhere else in the world. by law, illegal structures have to be taken down," a municipality spokesman said.

Demolished by force, often with a fine of 50,000 shekels ($14,041), were the following, listed by owner:

Ra’ed As-Sayyad
A 25 square meter brick shed
35 olive trees uprooted
Fence around proprty (demolished for 3rd time)

Wa’el Da’na
Three animal sheds
Several trees uprooted

Na’eem Abu Sbitan
One car two-car garrage

Ahmad Khweis
Seventy olive trees uprooted

Ibrahim Al-Balbesy
Twenty-five olive trees uprooted
Tool shead

Abdulla An-Nabulsi
Two-room barn
Several trees uprooted

Yahya Arafat Ar-Razm
Thirty tons of iron confiscated

According to a statement from Israel's municipality of Jerusalem office, the structures were all "built without permits, without a license and taking over public space in a national park."

Earlier in the week, the family of Mariam I’raq in the nearby East Jerusalem neighborhood of Sur Baher was handed a demolition order from the municipality. In order to avoid fines, the family dismantled their home on Friday.

The family of Khalil Ramadan Dabash from Sur Baher also demolished their 160 square meter home, which housed 16 individuals, on Friday. The family lost an appeal over demolition orders at an Israeli court during the week.

"These condemnable acts have a devastating impact," Director of UNRWA Operations West Bank Barbara Shenstone said in a statement at the time.

She said the two families affected opted to destroy their own homes rather than wait for Jerusalem municipality to do so because a municipal demolition would cost them up to 120,000 shekels ($33,389).

"While children around the world are enjoying the holiday season in their homes, these children have suffered the trauma and indignity of watching their homes destroyed in the presence of their parents. It is extremely cruel and distressing."

The week before, according to a report from the UN office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, four homes in the East Jerualem communities of An Nu’man, Ath Thuri, Sur Baher and Ras Al-Amud, owing to lack of Israeli-issued building permits, were demolished by Israeli officials. Thirty people, including 13 children, were displaced as a result.

In 2010, 73 Palestinian-owned structures have been demolished in East Jerusalem, compared to 80 in the same period in 2009, displacing 92 people and otherwise affecting over 260.

On 23 December, Maxwell Gaylard, the UN humanitarian coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory, offered his own condemnation after visiting the site of a home that had been demolished 24 hours earlier.

"The destruction of this home and the displacement of these people raises serious concerns with regard to Israel's obligations under international law," he said.

"These actions have a severe social and economic impact on the lives and welfare of Palestinians and increase their dependence on humanitarian assistance," he added.

"The government of Israel must take immediate steps to cease demolitions and evictions in the West Bank, including east Jerusalem."

Israel says it demolishes only homes that have been built without a permit, but Palestinians say it is virtually impossible to secure Israeli permission to build in East Jerusalem.

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=346386

freepalestine

31st December 2010, 02:14

Settler clashes in northern West Bank
Published Wednesday 29/12/2010 (updated) 30/12/2010 14:11
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NABLUS (Ma’an) -- Settler clashes broke out in two locations in the northern West Bank on Wednesday, resulting in the destruction of several cars and fire damage to agricultural fields, officials said.

In the town of Asira Al-Qibliya south west of Nablus, farmers reported being attacked by settlers from the neighboring settlement of Yitzhar, for the second day in a row.

Palestinian Authority official Ghassan Doughlas said half a dozen settlers had come down from the settlement that lies south west of the village, and torched lands.

Farmers, trying to defend their lands, told Doughlas that settlers withdrew from the area causing minimal damage.

Further south near Sinjil, just off the Ramallah-Nablus road at the south of the Nablus district, Israeli forces closed the main thoroughfare as dozens of settlers threw stones on Palestinian cars, breaking the windshields of several vehicles.

Secretary-General of Trade Unions of Palestine, who was at the scene, said the settlers were positioned near the Shilo settlement.

freepalestine

1st January 2011, 13:20

Knesset Approves NIS 2 billion to Settlements in the New Year's Budget

http://www.revleft.com/vb/../graphics/date.gif Friday December 31, 2010 16:49http://www.revleft.com/vb/../graphics/person.gif by Ane Irazabal - IMEMC & Agencies http://www.revleft.com/vb/../graphics/report.gif (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60320 with title: Knesset Approves NIS 2 billion to Settlements in the New Year's Budget&message=Report post: Story 60320 with title: Knesset Approves NIS 2 billion to Settlements in the New Year's Budget%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php%3F obj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60320%26%0A%0AEnter+your+ reason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)

The Israeli Knesset approved its 2011-2012 budget on Wednesday, which includes two billion shekels (approx. US$ 564 million) to settlements construction, services and security, Israeli daily Haaretz reported. http://www.revleft.com/vb/../cache/imagecache/local/attachments/dec2010/460_0___10000000_0_0_0_0_0_palestinianworkersbuild newhomesinthewestbankisraelisettlementharhoma_2.jp g (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../attachments/dec2010/palestinianworkersbuildnewhomesinthewestbankisrael isettlementharhoma_2.jpg)
Har Homa settlement (photo from www.upi.com)

According to the budget, in 2011, 200 new housing units will be marketed in the settlement of Maaleh Adumim, west Jerusalem, and other 500 units in Har Homa, in the occupied territory that lies across from Bethlehem, beyond the Green Line. A total of 238 million shekels will be spent on Har Homa by 2012.

In addition, a large amount of money will be transferred to roads, mainly, to join different settlements with other areas. 180 million will be spent on the road between the Jerusalem settlement of Pisgat Ze’ev and Tel Aviv, which human rights group Peace Now recently called “a clear obstacle to peace.”

Also, some NIS 225 million will be transfer to repair the road between the Adumim plain and the Good Samaritan junction, and Pisgat Ze’ev and the Zeitim intersection.

With regard to East Jerusalem, the budget for settlers living in the occupied area, defined as a security expense, represents a rise of 40 percent in the new budget, reaching NIS 3,160 per settler.

In addition, the state will compensate the loss incurred by exporters from settlements to the European Union with NIS 22 million, due to settlement produce no longer recognized as from Israel by the E.U., and thus losing free trade status under the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement.

The budget also shows a contradiction between the information provided by the Central Bureau of Statistics and the World Zionist Organization, due to while the first organization indicates 120 official settlements in the West bank, the WZO claims 136 "communities", which indicates that the WZO could support at least 16 illegal outposts.

The protection for settlers will be also responsibility of the state's expenses; as the "overall reinforcement and security ingredients in settlements and conflict zone areas reaches over NIS 630 million." Haaretz quoted.

Every settler may request the state to have an extra protection in his personal car and subsidies for public transport for settlers and the ultra-orthodox will reach NIS 31 million per year. In addition, the protected buses with window frames will cost another 10 million NIS. http://www.imemc.org/article/60320

freepalestine

1st January 2011, 14:03

Israel forces Palestinians to demolish their own homes
Report, The Electronic Intifada, 31 December 2010

http://electronicintifada.net/artman2/uploads/3/101231-lyd-demolition.jpg Palestinian women from Lyd sit on top of the rubble of their home after it was destroyed by Israel, December 2010. (Oren Ziv/ActiveStills (http://www.activestills.org))

More than 100 Palestinian protesters and their supporters blocked a main street in the city of Lyd on 28 December, demonstrating against the recent demolition of Palestinian homes and what residents say is a rise in racism and police brutality.

On 13 December, officials with the Israel Lands Administration (ILA), the government agency that manages and leases state land, entered the Palestinian section of the segregated city flanked by bulldozers and hundreds of municipal, riot squad and border police forces. The bulldozers then demolished seven homes all belonging to the Abu Eid family in Lyd.

The demolition, which took several hours, subsequently displaced 67 members of the entire family, including dozens of children, during one of the worst rainstorms of the season. Dozens of other Palestinian homes have been demolished over the years in Lyd, which is a few miles east of Tel Aviv inside the state of Israel.

Lyd is a so-called "mixed city," as is the neighboring city of Ramle, with significant Palestinian minority communities living alongside the Jewish majority. Palestinian residents of these communities have been chronically discriminated against and brutalized by police.

Oren Ziv, a photojournalist with Israeli-based photography collective ActiveStills, witnessed the demolitions of the Abu Eid homes and told The Electronic Intifada that the family knew that the ILA had issued demolition orders against their homes, but they were given no notice of exactly when the destruction would take place.

"During the destruction, I climbed onto the roof of a neighboring house and I saw several bulldozers demolishing the fourth house," Ziv said. "Many neighbors and a few activists were watching it all happen. I've been documenting [home demolitions] for seven years and this was one of the biggest demolitions I've ever seen."

Ziv added that when the bulldozers finished demolishing the seventh house, children were starting to come back from school only to find their homes reduced to rubble.

"People were trying to salvage their papers and belongings from underneath the destroyed homes," he said. "It was hard to find a solution for the family, especially during the terrible weather. They built a protest tent and a tent camp."

Ma'an News Agency reported that the homes were among more than 100 in the city "under immediate demolition orders" following a decision in the Israeli parliament to destroy an estimated 4,000 "illegal" housing structures "in a plan said to cost millions of shekels" ("Family takes stock after mass Lod demolition (http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=342478)," 13 December 2010).

The ILA claims that the homes and structures that were demolished, or are facing demolition, were built in an "agricultural" zone, and have therefore denied retroactive building permits to residents of Lyd.

Members of the Abu Eid family told Ma'an that they had "paid rent for decades to a state-owned company to use the land, but [were] only allowed to build up to 100 square meter homes since it was zoned as agricultural ... As the family grew, it requested but was declined approval to expand their houses." After they lost a series of appeals, the family was told by the local court to expect demolitions.

Ziv said that after the destruction, the Abu Eid family placed a banner alongside the tents declaring it the "Abu Eid refugee camp."

He added that the presence of the Israeli border police, usually designated to areas along checkpoints and during demonstrations in the occupied West Bank, was a stark indication of how the Israeli government views Palestinian communities -- whether inside Israel or in the West Bank and Gaza strip.

"In the last few years, Israel has been bringing in the border police to deal with Palestinian communities, or poor communities ," he said. "I think it shows where the real borders are inside Israeli society -- they're not where you would expect. Israel brings them to guard the borders between Tel Aviv and Jaffa, and within communities in Lyd."

Ziv added that Israeli police returned to the area a week later, with the clear intention of destroying the Abu Eid family's tent camp, but residents and solidarity activists blocked the police forces and prevented the destruction.

Following the 28 December protest, residents and activists in Lyd vowed to stage similar demonstrations on a weekly basis.

Arafat Ismayil, a leader of the popular committee in Dhammash, a Palestinian village beside Lyd that is under constant threat of home demolitions (http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11395.shtml), told EI that the recent activism has strengthened solidarity between his community, Lyd and Ramle.

"What happened in Lyd is the same as what will happen in Dhammash," Ismayil said. "We feel that the homes that were demolished in Lyd were our homes, and the Abu Eid family are our family too. If we are together in solidarity, hopefully the Israeli government won't demolish another home. We're hoping to inspire more activism within our communities."

Meanwhile, home demolitions continued in the Negev region, and in numerous places around the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

Negev

On 29 December, Israeli forces bulldozed several homes belonging to one family in the "unrecognized" Bedouin village of al-Sadir, according to Ma'an News Agency ("Israel continues Negev home demolitions (http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=346351)," 29 December 2010).

More than 80,000 indigenous Palestinian Bedouins live in dozens of so-called "unrecognized villages" in the Negev region, communities that the Israeli government refuses to acknowledge despite the fact that they have existed before the state's establishment in 1948. People living in such villages are denied social services, including running water and electricity, and face regular home demolitions.

Less than a week earlier, the Bedouin village of al-Araqib was destroyed for the eighth time since July 2010. [I]Arab News reported that Israeli bulldozers returned to al-Araqib on the morning of 23 December, flanked by dozens of police officers who "acted violently" towards villagers who attempted to prevent the destruction of their homes ("Israeli Bedouin village razed for the 8th time (http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article221723.ece)," 24 December 2010).

Police declared the area a "closed military zone" and prevented access to journalists. Afterwards, residents and solidarity activists working with the Higher Arab Monitoring Committee, a political representative body for Palestinian citizens of Israel, once again helped rebuild the homes and structures that were destroyed, Arab News reported.

The Jewish National Fund (JNF), an Israeli land institution, has been a driving force behind the destruction of al-Araqib and many other Bedouin communities in the Negev (http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11576.shtml).

The JNF plans to build a forest on the village land, continuing a historic policy of cutting off indigenous populations from their land since Israel's establishment in 1948.

As The Electronic Intifada has reported (http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11655.shtml), international human rights organizations have openly condemned the repeated destruction of al-Araqib and Israel's policies of violent dispossession of indigenous populations.

Occupied West Bank

Jerusalem

The Palestine News Network (PNN) reported that Israeli forces destroyed an agricultural storehouse, a gas station and other industrial structures in the village of Hazma, near Jerusalem, on 29 December ("Israel Demolishes Industrial Buildings North of Jerusalem, Settlers Uproot 30 Olive Trees (http://english.pnn.ps/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9343&Itemid=64)," 29 December 2010). PNN added that at the same time, Israeli bulldozers razed sections of land in the Sheikh Anbar district near the Mount of Olives in East Jerusalem.

In the at-Tur neighborhood, also on 29 December, Ma'an News Agency reported that several structures were demolished by Jerusalem municipality police as bulldozers uprooted dozens of olive trees ([Arabic only] (http://maannews.net/arb/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=346360), 29 December 2010.)

Several days earlier, two Palestinian families were forced to demolish their own homes in Sur Bahir village. The families had received demolition orders from Jerusalem Municipality officials three days before, citing "illegal construction" ("Two Palestinian families demolish own homes under municipal orders in Sur Bahir (http://silwanic.net/?p=9533)," SILWANIC, 25 December 2010).

Maryam Iraqi, a member of one of the families, told the Wadi Hilweh Information Center (SILWANIC) that they were forced to destroy the homes themselves, or would face a huge bill if the municipality demolished it. "When they would come to demolish [our home]," Iraqi added, "we would not be able to take the furniture out. The municipality gave us a one-week period in which to destroy our home ourselves."

SILWANIC added, "The Israeli state does not provide alternative housing or financial compensation to Palestinian families whose homes are ordered to be demolished, going so far as to actually charge families for demolition costs."

According to Israeli human rights organization B'Tselem, Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem are faced with discriminatory housing and building policies, forcing residents to build homes without obtaining building permits -- thereby designating the homes as "illegal" and subject to demolition ("East Jerusalem: Policy of discrimination in planning, building and land expropriation (http://www.btselem.org/English/Jerusalem/Discriminating_Policy.asp)").

In Ras al-Amoud, 13 Palestinians were left homeless after being forced to demolish their own home on 21 December, following a demolition order posted on their door by Israeli police. The International Solidarity Movement (ISM) reported that the families were faced with the decision either to demolish their own home and pay a fine of 60,000 shekels (approximately $17,000 US) "or refuse, and watch as soldiers demolish their house and punish them with a fine of 120,000 shekels ($34,000)," ISM stated. "Soldiers showed up outside with a bulldozer. Finally, on 21 December, they tore down their own house" ("13 homeless after home demolition in Ras al Amoud (http://palsolidarity.org/2010/12/16140/)," 24 December 2010).

After their home was razed to the ground, the family constructed a few tents with their possessions stacked to one side.

United Nations officials visited areas of occupied East Jerusalem last week, and condemned Israel's ongoing policies of home demolitions in the city, according to Agence-France Presse ("UN envoys criticize Israel home demolitions (http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20101223/wl_mideast_afp/israelpalestiniansdemolitionun)," 23 December 2010). Barbara Shenstone, a field worker with the UN Agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA), which oversees services for Palestinian refugees, admonished Israel's policies as "cruel and distressing."

"While children around the world are enjoying the holiday season in their homes, these children have suffered the trauma and indignity of watching their homes destroyed in the presence of their parents," Shenstone added.

The day before, Maxwell Gaylard, UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territories, said that "The government of Israel must take immediate steps to cease demolitions and evictions in the West Bank, including east Jerusalem."

The United Nation's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) released a report documenting the destruction of 49 homes and structures over a one-week period in the West Bank's "Area C," which includes East Jerusalem and the Jordan Valley, encompassing nearly 60 percent of the West Bank ("Report: Protection of Civilians (http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_protection_of_civilians_2010_12_17_englis h.pdf)," December 8-14, 2010 [PDF]).

Under the Oslo accords signed by Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization in the mid-1990s, the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip were carved up into areas A, B and C, the latter of which indicates full Israeli control. Under the Oslo regulations, Area C, which includes East Jerusalem, is administered and controlled by the Israeli government and its military. Approximately 40,000 Palestinians live in Area C.

In its report, UNOCHA said that between 8 and 14 December, 29 buildings, including homes, animal structures and an elementary school, were demolished in Khirbet Tana, near Nablus in the northern West Bank. The demolitions resulted in the displacement of 61 Palestinians, including 13 children. "This is the third time this community has suffered extensive demolitions since 2005," UNOCHA stated.

The report added that 14 water cisterns were destroyed in the Bedouin communities of Umm ad Daraj, Khashem ad Daraj, both near Hebron, and eight trees were uprooted as four vegetable stalls were destroyed in one area of the Jordan Valley.

In addition, UNRWA released a similar report on 23 December stating that there has been an increase in demolitions in the West Bank including East Jerusalem.

In all of 2010, states the report, "396 Palestinian structures were demolished in East Jerusalem and other areas under full Israeli control in the West Bank. This compares to 275 in the previous year -- an increase of almost 45 percent. As a result this year, 561 people have been displaced, including 280 children, and the livelihoods of over 3,000 people have also been affected" ("The United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, condemns Jerusalem home demolitions and assists affected families (http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/EGUA-8CETVQ?OpenDocument&rc=3&cc=pse)," 23 December 2010).

Days earlier, leading international human rights advocacy organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a 166-page report documenting the effects of Israeli policies of dispossession and discrimination, and called on Israel "in addition to abiding by its international legal obligation to withdraw the settlements, to end these violations of Palestinians' rights ("Israel/West Bank: Separate and Unequal (http://www.hrw.org/node/95113)," 19 December 2010)."

HRW stated in its press release on the report that it "looked at both Area C and East Jerusalem and found that the two-tier system in effect in both areas provides generous financial benefits and infrastructure support to promote life in Jewish settlements, while deliberately withholding basic services, punishing growth, and imposing harsh conditions on Palestinian communities."

"Such different treatment on the basis of race, ethnicity, and national origin that is not narrowly tailored to legitimate goals violates the fundamental prohibition against discrimination under human rights law," HRW reported.

Al-Baqaa

East of Hebron in the southern West Bank, four commercial structures were destroyed in the of al-Baqaa valley on 20 December, according to the Alternative Information Center (AIC) ("Israel Demolishes 2 East Jerusalem Homes, 4 Hebron District Commercial Centers (http://www.alternativenews.org/english/index.php/topics/jerusalem/3113-israeli-demolishes-2-east-jerusalem-homes-4-hebron-district-commercial-centres-)," 21 December 2010). Al-Baqaa is near the illegal Israeli settlement colony of Kiryat Arba in Hebron.

In the same report, the AIC stated that Israeli forces destroyed a home in the Numan village, between Bethlehem and Jerusalem, on 21 December.

Settlements expand

As the US-brokered peace talks remain dead in the water, illegal Israeli settlement colonies continue to expand in the West Bank including East Jerusalem.

The Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported on 15 December that construction began in a new settlement near the Mount of Olives in East Jerusalem ("E. Jerusalem apartment construction begins (http://www.jta.org/news/article/2010/12/15/2742196/e-jerusalem-apartment-construction-begins)," 15 December 2010). Twenty four housing units are being built for students attending a nearby orthodox Jewish yeshiva named after American millionaire Irving Moskowitz, who has bankrolled numerous right-wing settler movements and financed settlements in and around Jerusalem.

In a front-page article in the New York Times, Hagit Ofran of the Israeli settlement watchdog group Peace Now stated that there are 2,000 new housing units currently under construction since the ten-month settlement moratorium officially ended at the end of September, while an additional 13,000 are "in the pipeline" that do not require special government-issued building permits ("After freeze, settlement building booms in the West Bank (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/23/world/middleeast/23settle.html)," 22 December 2010).

The Palestinian Authority (PA), led by Mahmoud Abbas, drafted a resolution to the United Nations Security Council, demanding that the international body formally declare Israeli settlements to be illegal and call for a halt in construction and expansion, according to the Associated Press ("Palestinians target Israeli settlements in UN resolution (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101229/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_israel_palestinians)," 29 December 2010).

The PA called the settlements an obstacle to peace, but did not demand sanctions be placed on the Israeli state for its violations of international law. The Associated Press added that the United States, for its part, "has already balked at the resolution and might veto it."
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11709.shtml

freepalestine

6th January 2011, 21:37

Silwan committee: New settlement at Job's Well
Published today (updated) 06/01/2011 18:12

JERUSALEM (Ma’an) -- A new settlement project in the Jerusalem community of Silwan will see the neighborhood split in two, a spokesman for the area's Land and Real Estate Defense Committee said on Thursday.

The new development, set for 5 dunums of land some of which take up the Silwan valley, a fertile area southeast of the Old City walls known alternatively as the Valley of Jehosaphat, or Kideron Valley.

The area contains a spring, known as Job's Well, and variously identified as the Well of Nehemiah, and En Rogel. Its locally-known name comes from a passage in the Quran, saying a spring burst forth where God commanded Job to stamp his foot. The spring is estimated to be more than 100 meters deep.

Fakhri Abu Diab, the head of the committee, said a development plan for the zone included the construction of public buildings, a network of swimming pools and activity areas.

Plans Abu Diab said he uncovered would include the demolition of 30 homes, eight of which are in the Silwan area, and another 22 closer to the spring.

Following the demolitions, he said, "settlers will be in full control of the area."

In 2009, Israel's Jerusalem municipality announced plans to demolish more than 20 homes in the Silwan area, near Ayin Silwan, a spring and water resource for the community, turning the residential neighborhood into a park, the King's Garden.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=348681

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Israel slates 15 Jericho homes for demolition

Published today 18:12

JERICHO (Ma’an) -- Israeli authorities delivered 15 demolition orders to farmers in the Ad-Dweik Al-Foqa area north of Jericho on Thursday, marking the second day such orders were handed out in the West Bank.

Director of Agriculture in Jericho Omar Al-Bsharat said in a statement that the demolition orders were part of a larger plan to evacuate the northern Jericho area, saying farmers had noted an increase in the number of patrols in the area ahead of the demolition orders.

Patrols would harass livestock herders, he said, intimidating Palestinian agricultural workers and preventing them from accessing fertile grazing areas.

An Israeli spokesman for the Civil Administration did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The day before, Israeli forces handed a number of demolition orders to residents of the Ein Assy area in Halhul north of the West Bank city of Hebron, locals said.

Residents said Israeli authorities told them the buildings were slated for demolition because they were built without permission in Area C, a zone under full Israeli planning, civil and military control.

Area C makes up 60 percent of the West Bank, and Palestinian building is rarely approved by Israeli authorities.

Locals said most of the homes to be demolished have been inhabited for many years, and that one of the buildings was a Palestinian Authority civil defense center.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=348697

freepalestine

8th January 2011, 19:12

Injuries Reported in Silwan Clashes

Saturday January 08, 2011 10:04 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies [/URL]

Clashes took place on Friday evening between a number of Israeli soldiers and dozens of local Palestinian residents in Batn Al Hawa neighborhood in Silwan in occupied East Jerusalem; several injuries were reported.

Silwan Clashes - Palestine-Info

The clashes started after dozens of soldiers and policemen surrounded Silwan and fired dozens of gas bombs and rounds of live ammunition at homes that belong to the families of Nofal and Abu Sbeih. Israel wants the two families out of their homes in order to replace them with settlers.

There were reports of dozens of injuries among the residents, especially due to teargas inhalation, while the army prevented the ambulances from entering the area. A number of injuries were reported among the soldiers.

Also, soldiers surrounded the home of Zuheir Al Rajaby, and kidnapped him along with his brothers and several other residents. Two of the kidnapped residents were identified as Abdul-Hafeth Abu Ramouz, and Qassem Abu Mayyala.

The army also used military helicopters during the invasion while reports of clashes in several nearby neighborhoods were also reported. Troops used military dogs during the attack and prevented local medics and the media from entering the area. http://www.imemc.org/article/60365 (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60365 with title: Injuries Reported in Silwan Clashes&message=Report post: Story 60365 with title: Injuries Reported in Silwan Clashes%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php%3 Fobj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60365%26%0A%0AEnter+your +reason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)

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Settlers Uproot 100 Saplings Near Nablus

Saturday January 08, 2011 10:21 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Israeli settlers uprooted on Friday at least 100 Olive saplings that belong to residents of Qasra village, southeast of the northern West Bank city of Nablus. The settlers collected the cut saplings and fled the scene.

The attacked orchard is located near the village, and belongs to resident Abdul-Raziq Abdullah Odah.

Ghassan Douglas, in charge of settlements file in the northern part of the West Bank, stated that the settlers came from an illegal outpost known an Extra.

On Thursday, the settlers took by force more than 65 Dunams of Palestinian lands that belong to residents of Ein Jaloud village, near Nablus.

Last month, Jewish settlers occupied hundreds of Dunams of Palestinian orchards and fenced several Palestinian orchards.
[URL]http://www.imemc.org/article/60366 (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60366 with title: Settlers Uproot 100 Saplings Near Nablus&message=Report post: Story 60366 with title: Settlers Uproot 100 Saplings Near Nablus%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php%3F obj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60366%26%0A%0AEnter+your+ reason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)

freepalestine

9th January 2011, 19:17

Israeli Authorities Demolish Shepherd Hotel In Sheikh Jarrah

http://www.revleft.com/vb/../graphics/date.gif Sunday January 09, 2011 10:03http://www.revleft.com/vb/../graphics/person.gif by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies http://www.revleft.com/vb/../graphics/report.gif (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60369 with title: Israeli Authorities Demolish Shepherd Hotel In Sheikh Jarrah&message=Report post: Story 60369 with title: Israeli Authorities Demolish Shepherd Hotel In Sheikh Jarrah%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php%3F obj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60369%26%0A%0AEnter+your+ reason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)

The Israeli Authorities and the Jerusalem Municipality demolished on Sunday morning the old building of the Shepherd Hotel in Sheikh Jarrah, in occupied East Jerusalem.http://www.revleft.com/vb/../cache/imagecache/local/attachments/jan2011/460_0___10000000_0_0_0_0_0_shepherd_hotel.jpg (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../attachments/jan2011/shepherd_hotel.jpg)
Shepherd Hotel - Image pls48.net

Several bulldozers started the leveling of the hotel under significantly increased presence of Israeli policemen and soldiers.

The destruction of the hotel comes as Israel intends to construct a new settlement that includes 200 units for Jewish settlers.

Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi, secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative described the attack as part of Israel’s ethnic cleansing policy against the Palestinians, and as an act that reveals Israel’s intentions against the Arabs in the city.

Dr. Barghouthi added that this hotel is located in the center of Sheikh Jarrah, and warned of the ongoing Israeli policies that target the presence of the indigenous Palestinian people.

“Israel is revoking ID cards of Palestinian residents of occupied East Jerusalem, targeting holy sites and demolishing Palestinian homes and property”, Dr. Barghouthi stated, “All of these violations aim at forcing new realities on the ground, and removing the indigenous Palestinians from their city”.

The Hotel is owned by the inheritors of Haj Amin Al Husseini, the former Mufti of occupied Jerusalem. Israel illegally confiscated the building under the so-called “Absentee Property Law”.

The original owner of the building, Haj Amin Al Husseini, was expelled out of Palestine by the authorities of the British Mandate in 1937. He died in Lebanon in 1974.

The building was turned into a hotel in in the 1960’s and was managed by legal representatives. In early 1970’s Israel tried to take control of the building and to force the renters to pay directly to the government instead of paying to the owners

http://www.imemc.org/article/60369

freepalestine

11th January 2011, 05:36

Israeli Authorities Demolish Shepherd Hotel In Sheikh Jarrah

Sunday January 09, 2011 10:03 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies [/URL]

The Israeli Authorities and the Jerusalem Municipality demolished on Sunday morning the old building of the Shepherd Hotel in Sheikh Jarrah, in occupied East Jerusalem.http://www.revleft.com/vb/../cache/imagecache/local/attachments/jan2011/460_0___10000000_0_0_0_0_0_shepherd_hotel.jpg (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60369 with title: Israeli Authorities Demolish Shepherd Hotel In Sheikh Jarrah&message=Report post: Story 60369 with title: Israeli Authorities Demolish Shepherd Hotel In Sheikh Jarrah%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php%3F obj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60369%26%0A%0AEnter+your+ reason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)
Shepherd Hotel - Image pls48.net

Several bulldozers started the leveling of the hotel under significantly increased presence of Israeli policemen and soldiers.

The destruction of the hotel comes as Israel intends to construct a new settlement that includes 200 units for Jewish settlers.

Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi, secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative described the attack as part of Israel’s ethnic cleansing policy against the Palestinians, and as an act that reveals Israel’s intentions against the Arabs in the city.

Dr. Barghouthi added that this hotel is located in the center of Sheikh Jarrah, and warned of the ongoing Israeli policies that target the presence of the indigenous Palestinian people.

“Israel is revoking ID cards of Palestinian residents of occupied East Jerusalem, targeting holy sites and demolishing Palestinian homes and property”, Dr. Barghouthi stated, “All of these violations aim at forcing new realities on the ground, and removing the indigenous Palestinians from their city”.

The Hotel is owned by the inheritors of Haj Amin Al Husseini, the former Mufti of occupied Jerusalem. Israel illegally confiscated the building under the so-called “Absentee Property Law”.

The original owner of the building, Haj Amin Al Husseini, was expelled out of Palestine by the authorities of the British Mandate in 1937. He died in Lebanon in 1974.

The building was turned into a hotel in in the 1960’s and was managed by legal representatives. In early 1970’s Israel tried to take control of the building and to force the renters to pay directly to the government instead of paying to the owners

http://www.imemc.org/article/60369

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Israel Cracks Down on Silwan Community Organizers

Monday January 10, 2011 17:02 by Ramona M. - IMEMC

The past week has seen an increase in Israeli repression towards Palestinian community organizers in Silwan, East Jerusalem. Jawad Siyam has recently been targeted because of his involvement in directing the Wadih Hilweh Information Center as well as his membership in the Neighborhood Popular Committee. Today, for the second time this week, Siyam will stand trial at the Jerusalem Magistrates Court.
Jawad Siyam Photo from http://silwanic.net/ (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60376 with title: Israel Cracks Down on Silwan Community Organizers&message=Report post: Story 60376 with title: Israel Cracks Down on Silwan Community Organizers%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.ph p%3Fobj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60376%26%0A%0AEnter+y our+reason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)

On January 4, 2011 Israeli police raided the Wadi Hilweh Information Center and arrested Siyam after a complaint of assault was placed against him. During his first trial police even admitted that Siyam's investigation was of a political nature, specifically his role in the Popular Committee and the Wadih Hilweh Information Center.

Mr. Siyam was released by the Jerusalem Magistrates Court just three days ago, 7 January, when the court ruled the prosecution’s evidence was insufficient. The same day Mr. Siyam received a phone call from Israeli police to inform him that the “investigation” would continue.

Siyam was initially ordered by the judge to complete a week-long period of house arrest once released, but Siyam refused to accept these conditions. The court agreed that Siyam may serve his house arrest period at the Information Center.

Isareli police are working hard to find ways to imprison Siyam, by any means necessary. They have requested from the judge nothing less than a sentence of one and a half years house arrest is served outside of his home, in Silwan.

The Information Center has been at the forefront of spreading independent and balanced news about the tumultuous situation in Silwan. The center also serves as children's center, where neighborhood children can dedicate their time to more productive activities, such as music lessons, amidst the violence they face everyday.

Other Silwan community activists have been recently targeted, namely Adnan Ghaith. Gaith is an active member of the Al-Bustan Popular Committee. He has been fighting a lengthy legal battle with Israeli authorities in order to prevent his deportation from Jerusalem for a period of 4 months. The deportation is to start on January 12, 2011.
[URL]http://www.imemc.org/article/60376

freepalestine

11th January 2011, 05:48

EU Proposes Help To Palestinians In East Jerusalem

Monday January 10, 2011 18:02 by Alessandra Bajec - IMEMC & Agencies [/URL]

In a new confidential report published by The Independent on Monday, the European Union proposed having EU officials observe at sites of imminent house demolitions or evictions in East Jerusalem, and to step in when non-violent Palestinians are arrested. http://www.revleft.com/vb/../attachments/jan2011/eu_help_to_east_jerusalem_pic.jpg
(photo from http://www.france24.com (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60377 with title: EU Proposes Help To Palestinians In East Jerusalem&message=Report post: Story 60377 with title: EU Proposes Help To Palestinians In East Jerusalem%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php %3Fobj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60377%26%0A%0AEnter+yo ur+reason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt))

The 25 EU Consuls General in Jerusalem prepared the proposal in a move to strengthen the EU's support for the rights of Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem.

The EU top officials warned that Jewish settlement activity in East Jerusalem is jeopardizing the two-state solution to the conflict in the region. They also argued that the Palestinian population in the city is being systematically undermined as a result of Israel’s annexation.

They suggested that they should not only be present when demolition or eviction operations are carried, out but also attend court hearings in this regard, and to "ensure EU intervention when Palestinians are arrested or intimidated by Israeli authorities for peaceful cultural, social or political activities in East Jerusalem".

The Consuls urged for boycotting all settlement products and goods, and indicated that they would refuse to be escorted by Israeli security officers when touring in the Old City and other parts of occupied East Jerusalem. They also urged their governments to consider East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, and to refrain from holding meetings with Israeli government officials in East Jerusalem.

The document also states that the daily life of the Palestinian people is directly impacted by the Israel’s policies towards East Jerusalem. – including settlement activities as well as "restrictive zoning and planning in the Arab areas, ongoing demolitions and evictions of Palestinian homes, in addition to Israel's inequitable education policy.

It added that the Palestinian face enormous difficulties in accessing health care in the city, and are facing inadequate provision of resources and investment".

On the ground, plans to destroy illegal homes in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Ras Al-Amoud were reported on Monday morning. Although the police confirmed sending forces to carry out the demolition, the municipality did not confirm that it was preparing to implement any demolition orders.

The newly released report comes on the heels of the EU’s strong reaction to Sunday’s demolition of Shepherd Hotel in Sheilah Jarrah neighborhood to make way for an illegal settlement in occupied East Jerusalem.

EU Foreign Affairs Chief, Catherine Ashton, denounced settlement activities, and stated that the construction of settlements “undermines trust between Israel and the Palestinians, and constitutes an obstacle to peace."

She reiterated the EU stance and said that "the EU does not recognize the annexation of East Jerusalem by Israel", and expressed concern over recent violence in the West Bank.
[URL]http://www.imemc.org/article/60377

freepalestine

13th January 2011, 00:11

http://www.uruknet.com/?p=m73827&hd=&size=1&l=e
Three-hundred Palestinians displaced in village demolition

freepalestine

14th January 2011, 02:36

17 Homes and School Demolished by Israel in South Hebron Hills

Wednesday January 12, 2011 15:08 by Ramona M. - IMEMC and Agencies [/URL]

On Wednesday, early in the morning, dozens of Israeli soldiers, 4 bulldozers and some 25 jeeps invaded and demolished the small Bedouin village of Al-Daqeqa, East of Yatta in the southern Hebron Hills.http://www.revleft.com/vb/../cache/imagecache/local/attachments/jan2011/460_0___10000000_0_0_0_0_0_285200231.jpg (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60399 with title: 17 Homes and School Demolished by Israel in South Hebron Hills&message=Report post: Story 60399 with title: 17 Homes and School Demolished by Israel in South Hebron Hills%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php%3Fo bj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60399%26%0A%0AEnter+your+r eason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)
Photo: Palestine Monitor

According to the Alternative Information Center (AIC), Israeli forces demolished all 17 of the homes in Al-Daqeqa. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Education office in Hebron, Israel also demolished the only school in the village, a shed containing six classrooms.

The 300 villagers refused to leave their homes when the soldiers arrived. Soldiers proceeded to attack them, arresting 4.

Odah Al-Najadah of Al-Daqeqa told the AIC that “we are now without homes in the winter, and I don’t know what our difficult future holds.”

In the past months, Israel has demolished and destroyed many other Bedouin communities, inlcuding in South Hebron hills. The village of Al-Araqib in Israel's Negev has also been demolished eight times. Additionally, Israel demolished some homes in the Jordan Valley community of Al Jiflik about two months ago.

This is the third Palestinian school that Israel has demolished in the past 12 months, the other two were in the Nablus District village of Khirbet Tana, which was demolished for the third time in December.
[URL]http://www.imemc.org/article/60399

freepalestine

14th January 2011, 02:38

Army Kidnaps Eight Palestinians In the West Bank

Thursday January 13, 2011 11:06 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

The Israeli army conducted on Thursday at dawn an arrest campaign in the occupied West Bank, and kidnapped eight Palestinians Israel claims to be wanted by its security forces.

The Israeli Radio reported that the kidnappings took place in Hebron, Bethlehem, Tulkarem and Jericho.

The radio added that all kidnapped residents were moved to interrogation centers in the West Bank.

In related news, the Hamas movement accused the Palestinian Security Forces of President Mahmoud Abbas of arresting five members and supporters of the movement in the West Bank.

Hamas issued a press release stating that its members and supporters were arrested by the Palestinian Security Forces in Ramallah, Qalqilia, Nablus and Hebron.

The Palestinian Authority led by Hamas in Gaza, and the authority of Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank continued to trade accusations of arrests and attacks, especially after the Israeli army killed a 66-year-old Palestinian in Hebron as he slept in his bed.

The army apparently wanted to assassinate a Palestinian who lived in the second floor; soldiers broke into the house and directly headed to a bedroom on the second floor and immediately opened fire at the man without even checking his identity.
http://www.imemc.org/article/60405

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Settlers Propose to Build 50 more Housing Units in E. Jerusalem

Thursday January 13, 2011 16:44 by Ramona M. - IMEMC and Agencies [/URL]

Even amidst international condemnation, the takeover of the Shepherd Hotel in East Jerusalem by Jewish settlers continued yesterday. Settlers are now planning to build 50 more housing units, in addition to the 20 units already authorized, in the Arab neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah.

Right-wing activists also said they plan to turn the main part of the historic building - originally constructed by the mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Amin al-Husseini - into a synagogue commemorating the victims of the Holocaust. Activists see this move as all the more poignant as Husseini was known for his collaboration with the Nazis.

Twenty of the housing units will be built on the garden south of the building. The wing added during the Jordanian rule of Jerusalem is to be demolished

"As we were forced to preserve the building, we will turn it into the neighborhood synagogue and dedicate it to the memory of the Holocaust victims," said Jerusalem councilman Elisha Peleg (Likud ). "The synagogue will be doubly symbolic: It will replace the house of the mufti and it will mark the point where 78 physicians, nurses and patients were murdered on their way to Mount Scopus in 1948."

All in all, the project intends to include 70 units meant for Jews. The plan will likely be delayed for an extended period of time, due to the sensitivity of the matter. Although Peleg believes the proposal will eventually pass.

"There isn't a chance in the world it won't pass, because it follows the existing plans for the area," he said. "Jewish construction in the eastern part of Jerusalem will continue, because time is working for the Palestinians, who are illegally building thousands of housing units without permission."

"There's nothing provocative about this site, it's not in the heart of any Arab neighborhood," Peleg added.

Members of the Husseini family, who claim they own the building, appealed to the Supreme Court, demanding the construction work be stopped.

Their claims were rejected on Tuesday by a Jerusalem District Court judge, who also removed the injunction that prevented the start of the construction work.

Sheikh Jarrah is home to 3,000 Palestinians. Four families in the neighborhood have already been displaced by settlers. Settlers literally invaded the families' homes and took them over, without any legal repercussions. Many of the remaining families face a similar fate, as they have received eviction orders.

[URL]http://www.imemc.org/article/60406 (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60406 with title: Settlers Propose to Build 50 more Housing Units in E. Jerusalem&message=Report post: Story 60406 with title: Settlers Propose to Build 50 more Housing Units in E. Jerusalem%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php %3Fobj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60406%26%0A%0AEnter+yo ur+reason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)

freepalestine

15th January 2011, 02:09

Settlers Grab Palestinian-owned Land

Friday January 14, 2011 16:44 by IMEMC News - 1 of International Middle East Media Center Editorial Group

PNN reports that on Friday afternoon Jewish settlers moved on to land owned by Palestinian farmers from the village of Al Maleh in the Jordan Valley.

Aref Daraghmeh, head of the village of council, told local media that the settlers took over 35 dunums of land (a dunum is about a quarter of acre) and started to plant olive trees.

It is not the first time that settlers have attempted to seize the land in question. Local people report that they have been seen in the locality on a number of occasions in recent weeks.
http://www.imemc.org/article/60415

----------------------------------------------------

Israel Starts Construction Of Hotel In Place Of Historic Graveyard In Jaffa

Friday January 14, 2011 10:14 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

The Al Aqsa Foundation for Islamic Waqf and Heritage reported that Israel started the construction of a touristic hotel over a historic Islamic graveyard adjacent to the Big Mosque in Jaffa.
The bulldozers removed dozens of old graves that were recently discovered in the site, and started preparations for constructing the hotel, the foundation said.

The site was used as a graveyard during the Mamlouk and the Ottoman era.

The Al Aqsa Foundation reported that the new hotel will include several subzero levels including a parking, an issue that will lead to the total destruction of the graveyard.

The foundation stated that the hotel will also affect the Big Mosque as it is attached to the graveyard, the site chosen for the new construction.
http://www.imemc.org/article/60411

---------------------------------------------------------------

Six Palestinians Wounded, One seriously, After Settlers Attacked Nablus Village

Friday January 14, 2011 09:49 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Palestinian medical sources reported Thursday that six Palestinians were wounded, one seriously, after a group of armed Israeli settlers invaded Qasra village, near the northern West Bank city of Nablus.

The attack was carried out on Thursday afternoon after Israeli soldiers dismantled an illegal settlement outpost that was installed on privately-own Palestinian lands.

The settlers hurled stones at the residents and their homes, and fired rounds of live ammunition. They also torched a car that belongs to resident, Ayman Taiseer.

The extremist armed settlers also attacked several residents, local sources reported.

The sources added that Israeli soldiers were at the scene but did not attempt to prevent the attack.

The seriously wounded resident was identified as Tareq Qareedy, 44, while the rest were identified as Nafiz Kharyoush, 19, Ramzi Odah, 18, Abed Hasan, 65, Ahmad Hasan, 16, and Fathi Fayez Hasan, 64.

Qasra village is located close to several settlements and illegal settlement outpost, and was repeatedly attacked by the settlers.

http://www.imemc.org/article/60410

freepalestine

17th January 2011, 04:31

5 Children Injured following Israel’s Demolition of El Araqib Village for Ninth Time
Recognition Forum

Previous demolition of El Araqib

January 16, 2011

Israeli authorities demolished the Bedouin village of El Araqib Sunday morning (16 January) for the ninth time in the past six months, and bulldozers from the Jewish National Fund (JNF) remain on the villager’s land, even though the demolitions are completed.

Right after the demolition, bulldozers proceeded to plow over the village land, while large number of police and special units are still present in the area. When the families of El Araqib tried to resist, the Israeli authorities shot tear gas and rubber coated bullets. Five children between the ages of 16-17 were injured.

The families of El Araqib claim that today’s demolition and plowing are in preparation for the Jewish Arbor Day holiday of Tu Bishvat this coming Thursday (20 January), on which hundreds of people are expected to come by invitation of the JNF to plant trees in the area.

A large number of Israeli security and special forces arrived at El Araqib at approximately 9.00 this morning and completely demolished the village. And unlike in previous demolitions, the Israeli authorities are currently clearing away all the debris from this morning’s demolition, leaving the villagers with nothing.

"This is a fitting Zionist response to the large demonstration held last night in Tel Aviv in defense of democracy in Israel," said Yaakov Manor of the Recognition Forum.
On 1 September 2010, the Bedouin residents of the "unrecognized" villages in Israel wrote an unprecedented appeal to US President Barak Obama, requesting his assistance in calling on Israel to recognize the Bedouin traditional ownership of land and to stop demolishing their homes – fundamental rights of all human beings.

The residents of El Araqib, many of whom are in mourning for the recent death of a family member, have already begun to rebuild the village.
Residents of El Araqib are particularly concerned about the ongoing presence of JNF bulldozers on their land, and are requesting that journalists and photographers come to the village to see.

For additional information:
Mumtaz: 050 7701118
Michal: 050 7701119
Samih: 050 7202236

Member organizations in the Recognition Forum: Association of Forty: For Recognition of the Unrecognized Villages, Gush Shalom, Association for Support and Defense of Bedouin Rights in Israel, The Social Television, Alternative Information Center, Israeli Committee against House Demolitions, Yesh Gvul, Negev Coexistence Forum for Civil Equality, New Profile, Women’s Coalition for Peace, Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, Rabbis for Human Rights, Ta’ayush: Arab-Jewish Partnership.

Negev Coexistence Forum for Civil Equality, mobile: 0507 701118-9, 08 6483804, POB 130, Omer, 84965 Email: [email protected] This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , website: www.dukium.org (http://www.dukium.org)
Association of Forty: Tel.: 04 8362381, 04 362361;website: www.assoc40.org (http://www.assoc40.org); email: [email protected] This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

:: Article nr. 73958 sent on 16-jan-2011 17:28 ECT

www.uruknet.info?p=73958 (http://www.uruknet.info?p=73958)

freepalestine

17th January 2011, 04:37

Radio: Massive Jerusalem settlement project
Published yesterday (updated) 16/01/2011 21:41
http://www.revleft.com/vb/images/ViewDetails/Eng-1.jpg http://www.revleft.com/vb/images/ViewDetails/Eng+1.jpg

JERUSALEM (AFP) -- A massive new construction project of at least 1,400 homes is about to be authorized in a settlement neighborhood in occupied East Jerusalem, Israeli military radio reported Sunday.

The homes will be built in the settlement of Gilo, near Bethlehem, and are expected to be given the green light by the district planning commission in coming days, the report said

Speaking on the radio, municipal councillors confirmed the project, which was denounced by leftwingers but hailed by the right.

"There is no doubt that a green light for these constructions will deal a knockout blow to the peace process with the Palestinians," said Jerusalem city councillor Meir Margalit of the leftwing Meretz party.

Peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians have deadlocked over the issue of settlement in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.

The Palestinians have refused to negotiate with Israel while it builds on land they want for their future state, but Israel has insisted on continuing settlement construction.

"Gilo is an integral part of Jerusalem. There can be no argument in Israel over construction in that neighborhood," said Elisha Peleg, a municipal council member from the rightwing Likud party of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The project, planned by private firms, could take close to four years to complete because of the difficulties of building on the steep slopes on the outskirts of the West Bank city of Bethlehem.

And the planned construction is likely to attract strong international criticism.

In March 2010, Israeli Interior Ministry announced a plan to build 1,600 homes in Ramat Shlomo, an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood in East Jerusalem.

The announcement, which came as US Vice President Joe Biden visited Israel, provoked fierce US opposition, and soured relations between Israel and Washington for months.

Israel captured East Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed it in a move the rest of the world never recognized. Israel considers the whole of Jerusalem to be its "eternal and indivisible" capital.

The Palestinians regard East Jerusalem as the capital of their promised state and fiercely oppose any attempts to extend Israeli control over it.

Since 1967, Israel has built several settlements in the eastern part of Jerusalem, with Gilo among the first of to be constructed.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=351407

freepalestine

17th January 2011, 04:40

Israeli government invades Muslim quarter to expand Jewish 'Western Wall' site

http://www.revleft.com/vb/../graphics/date.gif Sunday January 16, 2011 08:04http://www.revleft.com/vb/../graphics/person.gif by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC News http://www.revleft.com/vb/../graphics/report.gif (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60422 with title: Israeli government invades Muslim quarter to expand Jewish 'Western Wall' site&message=Report post: Story 60422 with title: Israeli government invades Muslim quarter to expand Jewish 'Western Wall' site%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php%3Fob j_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60422%26%0A%0AEnter+your+re ason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)

In a move that Muslim leaders in Jerusalem are calling a 'provocation', Israeli government officials on Saturday decided to expand the 'Western Wall' prayer site into the area known as Rabat al-Kurd, an alley used by 17 Palestinian families to enter their homes -- despite a recommendation against the expansion by the Israeli Ministry of Tourism.http://www.revleft.com/vb/../attachments/jan2011/rabatalkurd.jpg
Rabat al-Kurd (photo by Ir Amin)

Danny Zeidman, the head of the Israeli organization Ir Amin, told reporters with the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz, "Allowing Jewish extremists to enter into the heart of the Muslim quarter carries the danger of turning a resolvable political conflict into a violent religious one."

The area in question is a particularly contentious one, as it is claimed as a holy site by both Muslims and Jews. It lies just next to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the site of the provocative visit by then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in September 2000 that sparked the second Palestinian uprising.

With the expansion of the so-called "Little Kotel" area known historically as Rabat al-Kurd, the Islamic Waqf (Holy Foundation) of Jerusalem warns of a "strong response" if the area is opened to Jewish worshippers.

Three months ago, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism issued a ruling advising against any change to the status quo -- meaning that the area remain open to the Palestinian families who depend on the passage to get to their homes. By taking over the Rabat al-Kurd passage, human rights and Muslim groups warn, the Israeli government is setting itself up for potential confrontations and violence between Muslim and Jewish worshippers
http://imemc.org/article/60422

freepalestine

22nd January 2011, 09:54

Jerusalem evictions, demolitions leave lasting trauma
Report, The Electronic Intifada, 20 January 2011

http://electronicintifada.net/artman2/uploads/3/110120-east-jerusalem.jpg
Nayeem Sbatan stands amid the rubble of his commercial garage in al-Tur, occupied East Jerusalem, after it was demolished by Israeli authorities on 29 December 2010. (Erica Silverman/IRIN)

Occupied East Jerusalem (IRIN) - Evictions and house demolitions are a growing humanitarian concern for Palestinians living in East Jerusalem, says the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The consequences for families can be devastating: in addition to losing their homes, their main source of physical and economic security, families are faced with high legal bills, fines and charges, including the cost of their own eviction, OCHA says.

Jerusalem Municipality says it has the right to demolish illegal structures of any kind under local Israeli municipal law to ensure residents live in safe, legal homes.

Jerusalem Municipality authorities and the Israeli Nature and Parks Authority demolished 15 structures in the al-Tur neighborhood of occupied East Jerusalem on 29 December, OCHA said, including four residential structures, a private garage and water and sewage networks. Around 20 hectares of land were leveled and about two hundred trees uprooted. Around sixty tons of iron was also reportedly confiscated.

Three of the eight families affected were registered refugees.

According to the municipality, inspectors in cooperation with Israeli police removed 11 structures and makeshift fences from the al-Tur area which had been built without permission on public land designated a national park.

"Signs and notices were posted requesting that the illegal structures be removed, and only once those requests had gone unheeded, the municipality decided to act," according to a statement by the municipality seen by IRIN.

Nayeem Sbatan, 55, told IRIN his commercial garage, housing forty vehicles in al-Tur, was demolished without warning by police and municipal authorities on 29 December, incurring about $57,000 worth of damage.

Nayeem, a registered refugee and Jerusalem ID-card holder, lost his family business on the property he has owned for 18 years. "The natural resources sector of the municipality said they wanted to clear the area," he said.

Overcrowding, poverty

Under the Jerusalem Municipality planning regime, 13 percent of the land in occupied East Jerusalem is currently zoned for Palestinian construction, while 35 percent is allocated to Israeli settlements, according to the European Union (EU). Only within this small area (13 percent) can Palestinians apply for an Israeli issued permit to build or repair homes and other livelihood-related structures, which has created a housing shortage and overcrowding in dilapidated homes.

Seventy-five percent of adults and 83 percent of Palestinian children in East Jerusalem live below the poverty line, says the EU.

Sayed Abdullah, 60, his wife Muluk, 52, and their ten children have been living next to what used to be Nayeem's business for eight years. The 29 December demolition destroyed part of the Abdullah family home, a sanitation network and several water tanks. The family, registered refugees and Jerusalem ID-card holders, is receiving assistance from the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA).

"Authorities from the municipality came on 28 December and gave me an order to vacate my property in one month, and then demolished my neighbor's property the next day," said Sayed.

The UN and its partners are offering temporary shelter to the displaced. The International Committee of the Red Cross provides tents. UNRWA provides cash assistance and rent allowances for three to six months to registered refugees.

Seven international and local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are providing support to the displaced and those at risk such as the Norwegian Refugee Council which facilitates legal representation for families.

Intensified settler activity

Settler activity in the Palestinian neighborhoods has intensified in recent years and is often accompanied by attempts to have the Palestinian residents forcibly evicted, said OCHA. Likewise, house demolitions often clear the way for Israeli settlement construction.

Between 2001 and 2009, 37 percent of all settlement housing units in the occupied Palestinian territory were located in East Jerusalem, reports the EU.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton reiterated last week that "the EU does not recognize" the annexation of East Jerusalem by Israel, meaning structural changes to the territory are illegal under international law.

The municipality has introduced a rezoning plan for the Silwan area of occupied East Jerusalem, Elie Isaacson, spokesperson for Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barakat's office, told IRIN. It will allow the municipality to register illegal structures and collect overdue taxes.

"The rezoning plan [which would legalize 75 percent of structures in the area] is pending approval by the Interior Ministry -- the question is when," said Isaacson. He hopes the plan will eventually cover all of occupied East Jerusalem, including al-Tur. Meanwhile, Barakat's office has asked the courts to place a demolition freeze on the Silwan area.

There are 20,000 illegal structures, mostly unsafe and lacking adequate water and sanitation networks in occupied East Jerusalem. Of the 60,000 structures in all, 40,000 are registered with the municipality, according to Isaacson.

Structures lacking required permits place 88,000 Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem at risk, says OCHA.

House demolitions have grave immediate and longer-term physical, social, economic and emotional effects on Palestinians, according to UK-based international NGO Save the Children, including increased poverty, as well as limited access to basic services, such as water, education and health care.

The impact on children has proved particularly devastating, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and reduced academic achievement after children are often forced to change schools.

This item comes to you via IRIN, a UN humanitarian news and information service, but may not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations or its agencies. All IRIN material may be reposted or reprinted free-of-charge; refer to the copyright page (http://www.irinnews.org/copyright.aspx) for conditions of use. IRIN is a project of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11739.shtml

freepalestine

24th January 2011, 22:50

Settlers Attack Internationals Escorting Palestinians in South Hebron Hills
Monday January 24, 2011 15:08 by Ramona M. - IMEMC & Agencies

On Sunday, settlers assaulted internationals while they were escorting Palestinians to their pasture to graze their herds in Um al Hir , a Beduoin village in South Hebron Hills.

Settlers threw stones and succeeded in hitting the international activists. Only the international escorts, who were specifically requested to be there due to recent tensions in the area, were targeted.

One international had a still camera stolen from him, however managed to hold on to his video camera and was able to film the event. When this international activist went to the police to file a report, the police told him that if he erased all his footage on the video camera, he would return the other camera to him.

After the incident, the army arrived and protected the Palestinian residents from settler disturbances, harassment and attacks. The grazing was completed with army protection.

The Beduoin village of Um al Hir is close to Susya, which has been suffering from the encroaching settlement of Carmel. First established in 1981, the settlement is on Palestinian land and has since been closing in on them. The village was recently in Israeli news due to the army’s decision to issue a demolition order on the village’s “Taboon,” an outdoor stove used for baking bread. Apparently the stove was built without a permit, and therefore must be destroyed.

Last Friday, settlers went to the pastures of Um al Hir to plant trees in honor of the Tu B’svhat holiday, which marks the beginning of the tree-planting season. They were escorted by large amounts of army protection.
http://imemc.org/article/60492

freepalestine

29th January 2011, 05:04

Israeli Soldiers Attack Anti Wall Protests in West Bank Villages

Saturday January 29, 2011 02:15 by Palestine News Network [/URL]

Ramallah – PNN – one injured, many treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation when Israeli soldiers attacked the anti-wall protests in the villages of Bil’in and Nil’in in central West Bank in addition to al Ma’ssara in the south.http://www.revleft.com/vb/../attachments/jan2011/bilin_soldiers_gas.jpg

In the village of Bil’in Israeli and international supporters marched with the villagers after the midday prayers and headed towards the wall built of local farmers lands. A Chilean delegation of MP’s joined the protest this week.

As soon as protesters reached the gate of the wall Israeli soldiers stationed their fired tear gas, rubber-coated steel bullets at them. Mohamed Abu Rahma, 17, from the Bil’in was injured when a tear gas bomb hit him in his hand. Many were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation.

In the nearby village of Nil’in, villagers conducted the midday prayers at their lands near the wall and were joined by Israeli and international supporters and marched up to the Wall. As soon as people reached the wall Israeli soldiers stationed their fires tear gas and rubber-coated steel bullets at them. No injuries were reported.

At the village of al-Ma’sara, southern West Bank, soldiers attacked the weekly anti-wall protest Villagers along with international and Israeli supporters gathered at the local school after midday prayers on Friday and marched towards lands taken from local farmers to build the wall.

Israeli troops stopped the villagers and their supporters from leaving the village, using rifle butts and batons to force them back.
http://imemc.org/article/60528 (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60528 with title: Israeli Soldiers Attack Anti Wall Protests in West Bank Villages&message=Report post: Story 60528 with title: Israeli Soldiers Attack Anti Wall Protests in West Bank Villages%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php% 3Fobj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60528%26%0A%0AEnter+you r+reason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)

-------------------------------------------------------
Settlers Kill Palestinian Youth In Hebron

Saturday January 29, 2011 01:54 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Palestinian medical sources reported Friday at night that a Palestinian youth was shot and killed by settlers fire in Safa Village, north of the southern West Bank city of Hebron. http://www.revleft.com/vb/../attachments/jan2011/yousef_ikhlayyyil.jpg
Yousef Ikhlayyil at the ICU unit, Image by Maan News Agency

The youth, Yousef Ikhlayyil, 17, was shot by a live round in the head and died of his wounds at a local hospital, the Maan News Agency reported.

Mohammad Awad, spokesperson of the National Committee Against the Wall in Beit Ummar town near Hebron, told the Maan News Agency that from than 150 armed settlers of Beit Ayin settlement invaded Safa village and clashed with dozens of residents.

The settlers fired live rounds at the local protestors, and were removed from the village later on by the Israeli army.

The Israeli army arrested a number of settlers involved in the attack, and initiated an investigation into the attack. An army spokesperson demanded the residents of the village to restore calm.

On Thursday, A 19 year old man from the village of Iraq Burin, near Nablus, has been shot and killed by settlers fire.

Israeli journalist Joseph Dana, of the +972 Magazine group, has reported eyewitness statements that Qadous was approached by settlers as he was farming with his cousin, and that the unprovoked settlers shot him dead.
[URL]http://imemc.org/article/60527 (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60527 with title: Settlers Kill Palestinian Youth In Hebron&message=Report post: Story 60527 with title: Settlers Kill Palestinian Youth In Hebron%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php%3F obj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60527%26%0A%0AEnter+your+ reason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)

freepalestine

30th January 2011, 06:22

Tear gas fired at funeral of teen shot by settlers
Published yesterday (updated) 30/01/2011 02:28
http://www.revleft.com/vb/images/ViewDetails/Eng-1.jpg http://www.revleft.com/vb/images/ViewDetails/Eng+1.jpg

HEBRON (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces on Saturday fired tear gas, sound grenades and rubber-coated steel bullets at the funeral procession of a Palestinian teenager who was shot by settlers in Hebron, witnesses said.

Thousands of mourners attended the funeral of Yousef Ikhleil, 17, who died hours after he was shot in the head by settlers from a nearby illegal settlement north of Hebron on Friday.

Israeli troops fired tear gas at the funeral procession after young men threw stones at a military watch tower, Palestinian Solidarity Project spokesman Mohammad Awad said.

An Israeli military spokeswoman said Palestinians threw a fire bomb at an army post, and that forces responded with riot dispersal means.

Awad said around 50 mourners were injured and transferred to Beit Ummar medical center and several hospitals in Hebron.

He added that forces detained two locals, identified as Saddam Awad, 22, and 35-year-old Ibrahim Bahar. Soldiers also assaulted Saddam Awad and his mother Faten, 45, the PSP official said.

An army spokeswoman said no detentions were made, but that some mourners were taken aside for questioning at the scene.

Hebron governor Kamil Hamid and the heads of security departments attended the funeral, and shops in Beit Ummar closed to mourn the teenager's death.

Ikheil was the second teenager to be killed by settlers in the West Bank two days.

On Thursday, 19-year-old Uday Maher Qadous was shot and killed while working on his land near the northern West Bank village of Iraq Burin.

His cousin, who was with him at the time, said a group of four settlers on a nearby hilltop opened fire on them, hitting Qadous in the chest.

The Israeli military on Friday condemned both events and said settler suspects had been arrested.

"So far, a number of Israeli settlers were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the recent events," it said, and warned both sides to keep the peace. "Action will be taken against all forms of violence on either side."

Palestinian Authority spokesman Ghassan Khatib denounced the killings, and called for the killers to be brought to justice.

"‘This is the second killing this week of an unarmed Palestinian by settlers, and the sixth killing by settlers this month. The Israeli government cannot evade its responsibility for these cold-blooded crimes. The killers must be brought to justice and punished," he said in a statement.

"Our people need greater protection from armed settlers."
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=355357

freepalestine

5th February 2011, 02:49

Clashes Continue in Silwan

Friday February 04, 2011 15:42 by Ramona M. - IMEMC & Agencies [/URL]

Sporadic clashes erupted between Israeli forces and Palestinian residents of Silwan, East Jerusalem yesterday. http://www.revleft.com/vb/../cache/imagecache/local/attachments/feb2011/460_0___10000000_0_0_0_0_0_story061_1.jpg (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60576 with title: Clashes Continue in Silwan&message=Report post: Story 60576 with title: Clashes Continue in Silwan%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php%3F obj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60576%26%0A%0AEnter+your+ reason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)

Israeli troops targeted Palestinian homes in Bir Ayyub and Baten al-Hawa, throwing tear gas canisters inside them. Israeli troops were also stationed in the Ein Silwan area on the outskirts of Wadi Hilweh.

A large number of residents, including many children and several pregnant women have suffered the ill effects of tear gas inhalation. In some cases, some of the pregnant women residents have lost their unborn babies due to the toxic fumes.

A vast number of tear gas canisters have also been fired directly inside Palestinian homes, sparking fires in two homes in Baten al-Hawa
http://imemc.org/article/60576

------------------------------------------------------

UN condemns Israeli destruction of Palestinian water systems

Saturday February 05, 2011 00:47 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC News

After documenting the destruction of 27 water cisterns, and diversion of 15 mountain springs by Israeli forces over the last year, the Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Territories for the United Nations, issued a statement condemning the attacks on water.http://www.revleft.com/vb/../cache/imagecache/local/attachments/feb2011/460_0___10000000_0_0_0_0_0_water_sprinkler.jpg (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60580 with title: UN condemns Israeli destruction of Palestinian water systems&message=Report post: Story 60580 with title: UN condemns Israeli destruction of Palestinian water systems%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php%3 Fobj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60580%26%0A%0AEnter+your +reason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)
Water a scarce resource in Palestine (photo from InGaza blog)

Israeli occupation forces and settlements control 75% of the water in the West Bank, and many Israeli officials, including former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, have stated on multiple occasions that part of the reason for expanding settlements on hilltops in the West Bank is to control the dwindling water supply there, and divert it to the people of Israel.

In addition, according to Israeli law, Palestinians are allowed to dig wells just ten meters deep, while Israelis can dig wells up to 80 meters deep. The differential water allowances, and the control of the water sources by Israel, has resulted in widespread water shortages among Palestinians in the West Bank, particularly in summer months, when Israeli authorities cut off the water supply for weeks on end. Even though the average Palestinian uses just one-tenth the amount of water of the average Israeli, due to the cut-off of water, Palestinians often find themselves with insufficient amounts to farm or even to drink and bathe.

Maxwell Gayland, the UN Official responsible for monitoring the humanitarian condition in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, said this week, "It is difficult to understand the reasoning behind the destruction of basic rain water collection systems, some of them very old, which serve marginalized rural and herder Palestinian communities where water is already scarce and where drought is an ever-present threat."

The destruction of the rainwater cisterns, and diversions of the springs, violates a 2001 agreement between the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority governing the control of water in the Occupied Territories, which states, “The Israeli and Palestinian sides view the water and waste water sphere as a most important matter and strongly oppose any damage to water and wastewater infrastructure.”

Palestinians living in 'Area C' of the West Bank, under full Israeli control, are required to obtain a permit to construct a rainwater collection cistern, or any structure at all, and Israeli authorities stopped issuing these permits completely in 2000. Claiming that the cisterns are constructed 'without a permit', the Israeli forces move in on a regular basis to dismantle and destroy them.

The head of the Palestinian Water Authority countered the claim that water cisterns require permits, stating, “In addition to preventing the rehabilitation of Palestinian water cisterns, particularly in Area C, the Government of Israel has recently intensified its campaign of destroying these same cisterns. The rehabilitation of water cisterns does not require prior approval from the Joint Water Committee (JWC), nor does it require a construction permit from the Israeli Civil Administration."

There are also a number of cases documented of Israeli soldiers invading a certain area firing directly at water tanks and cisterns to cause them to leak.
[URL]http://imemc.org/article/60580

freepalestine

10th February 2011, 04:53

Settlers Planning 200 Units in Sheikh Jarrah

Wednesday February 09, 2011 11:52 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies [/URL]

Arieh King, founder and director of the Israel Land Fund, stated that within five to ten years 200 units for Jewish settlers will be built in the Palestinian neighborhood in Sheikh Jarrah, in occupied East Jerusalem.http://www.revleft.com/vb/../attachments/feb2011/settlement.jpg
Jewish Settlement In Occupied Jerusalem - Palestine-Info

King told the Israeli Yedioth Aharonoth that “there is a plan to retrieve the land that was owned by Jews before Israel was established”.

He also claimed that the Palestinians live have been “illegally” living in Jerusalem for many years and that they [the Palestinians] “should thank the Jews “for allowing them to stay, but now the time has come for the Jews to reclaim their lands”, according to King.

Ahmad Son-Laban, a researcher specialized in settlement affairs at the Ir Amim Israeli Human Rights Group, stated that Sheikh Jarrah is facing nearly eight settlement plans that aim at increasing the number of settlers the neighborhood in order to create a Jewish majority.

He added that the local and regional construction committees at the Jerusalem municipality are planning to authorize plans for the construction of 326 new units in a number of areas in occupied East Jerusalem.

He added that Israel is also planning to construct nearly 350 units north of Sheikh Jarrah in addition to a religious school, a synagogue and a mall in the area.

[URL]http://imemc.org/article/60605 (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60605 with title: Settlers Planning 200 Units in Sheikh Jarrah&message=Report post: Story 60605 with title: Settlers Planning 200 Units in Sheikh Jarrah%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php%3F obj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60605%26%0A%0AEnter+your+ reason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)

freepalestine

11th February 2011, 19:24

Israeli Military Demolishes Homes Near Nablus

http://imemc.org/graphics/date.gif Thursday February 10, 2011 16:20http://imemc.org/graphics/person.gif by David Steele - IMEMC & Agencies http://imemc.org/graphics/report.gif (http://imemc.org/report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60616 with title: Israeli Military Demolishes Homes Near Nablus&message=Report post: Story 60616 with title: Israeli Military Demolishes Homes Near Nablus%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php%3F obj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60616%26%0A%0AEnter+your+ reason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)

Two homes have been demolished by the Israeli Army in a village near Nablus, reports the Alternative Information Centre.The homes of two families, together with a number of animal shelters, were demolished in Khirbet Tana – the fourth demolition that the village has experienced since 2005. In the previous demolition (December 2010), the village school was destroyed along with 10 homes.

Israeli authorities state that the community is located in a "closed military zone", which justifies demolitions. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), 18% of the West Bank is a 'closed military zone', in spite of the fact that a number of villages already existed within the area before being declared off-limits.

The UNOCHA has raised concerns about forced population transfer due to the fact that 99% of Area C – the Israeli controlled portion of the West Bank – is off-limits or has severe development restrictions for Palestinians. The situation is exacerbated by population growth.
http://imemc.org/graphics/star.gif nablus (http://imemc.org/newswire/nablus) | human rights (http://imemc.org/newswire/humanrights) | news report (http://imemc.org/newswire/newsreport)

http://imemc.org/article/60616

freepalestine

11th February 2011, 19:25

Army Kidnaps Three Fatah Leaders In Occupied East Jerusalem

http://imemc.org/graphics/date.gif Friday February 11, 2011 10:56http://imemc.org/graphics/person.gif by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies http://imemc.org/graphics/report.gif (http://imemc.org/report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60624 with title: Army Kidnaps Three Fatah Leaders In Occupied East Jerusalem&message=Report post: Story 60624 with title: Army Kidnaps Three Fatah Leaders In Occupied East Jerusalem%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php %3Fobj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60624%26%0A%0AEnter+yo ur+reason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)

Israeli soldiers and policemen, on Friday at dawn, broke into homes of three Fateh leaders in occupied East Jerusalem and kidnapped them before moving them to al-Maskobiyya interrogation facility in the city. http://imemc.org/attachments/feb2011/fateh.jpg
Fateh

Local sources reported that soldiers kidnapped secretary-general of Fatah in Sheikh Jarrah, al-Suwwana and Wadi al-Joz, Nidal Abu Gharbiyya, Fatah secretary in Beit Hanina, Shufat and al-Isawiyya, Khalid al-Gharably, and Fatah secretary in at-Tour area Abdul-Salam al-Hidra.

The three are currently under interrogation in al-Maskobiyya while Israel did not issue any statement with regards to their detention.

Member of the Revolutionary Council of Fateh movement in Jerusalem, Dmitri Diliani, stated that the Israeli army and police are stepping up their attacks against Fatah leaders and other political leaders in the West Bank, especially in occupied East Jerusalem, amidst ongoing clashes between local residents and armed Jewish settlers, who are regularly attacking Palestinian homes and property in the city.

Diliani said that Israel is trying to intimidate political leaders in Jerusalem, and is ongoing with its attacks against the Palestinian residents and their homes.

He also stated that last week, soldiers kidnapped Mamoun al-Abbasy, member of Fatah Regional Council, and expelled Fatah secretary-general in Jerusalem, Adnan Gheith, from the city.

Diliani further stated that the ongoing Israeli attacks and violations against the residents and political leader in Jerusalem, and in the rest of the occupied territories, will not defer the Palestinians from perusing their legitimate rights of liberation and independence. http://imemc.org/article/60624

freepalestine

20th February 2011, 02:15

9 out of 10 attacks by Israelis on Palestinians lead to no indictment or punishment

Yesh Din




Yesh Din (http://www.yesh-din.org/postview.asp?postid=150), February 17, 2011

Yesh Din released today a data sheet on its monitoring of Police investigations of offenses against Palestinians.

The data sheet includes findings based on 642 investigation files opened in recent years by the Judea and Samaria police, based on complaints filed by Palestinian citizens of the West Bank, that Yesh Din has been following.

The findings show that only 9 percent out of 642 investigations which Yesh Din is monitoring, have resulted in indictments filed against defendants. The clear majority of investigations – more than 90 percent – are closed on grounds that suggest that the investigation has failed.

The percentage of failed investigations is exceptionally high in the case of investigations into offenses of violence against Palestinians and damage to their property. 78 percent of violence cases and 93 percent of cases of damage to property were closed on grounds that suggest that those investigations have failed.

These findings indicate that the State of Israel is not fulfilling its obligation to maintain an effective law enforcement mechanism on Israeli citizens who commit offenses, among them grave offenses, against Palestinian citizens in the territories it occupies.

According to Yesh Din's research department, the findings suggest a chronic failure of investigations, especially in cases pertaining to violence and damage to property. Since only a fraction of the cases result in indictments, there is a very slim chance that complaints filed by Palestinians for violence or property offenses carried out by Israelis will result in indictments.

Since it was founded in 2005, Yesh Din has been maintaining a database of cases in which Israeli citizens were involved in acts of violence, theft or damage to property against unarmed Palestinian civilians. Yesh Din monitors investigations and provides legal representation to complainants. The monitoring is carried out in order to gauge whether the State of Israel – via the Israeli Judea and Samaria Police - is fulfilling its obligation to protect Palestinian citizens and their property.

Yesh Din's monitoring constitutes the only source of findings regarding the outcomes of investigations into such offenses, as no formal Israeli official holds complete data about these types of investigations, or their results.
Download:
The full datasheet
(http://www.yesh-din.org/userfiles/file/datasheets/Final%20Data%20Sheet%20Law%20Enforcement%202011%20 ENG.pdf)

http://uruknet.info/linearossa.gif

9 out of 10 attacks by Israelis on Palestinians lead to no indictment or punishment (http://www.scribd.com/doc/49097349/9-out-of-10-attacks-by-Israelis-on-Palestinians-lead-to-no-indictment-or-punishment)

:: Article nr. 75107 sent on 18-feb-2011 15:28 ECT

www.uruknet.info?p=75107 (http://www.uruknet.info/?p=75107)

freepalestine

20th February 2011, 02:17

Bulldozers Raze Palestinian Land in Sheikh Jarrah

http://www.revleft.com/vb/../graphics/date.gif Friday February 18, 2011 16:10http://www.revleft.com/vb/../graphics/person.gif by Ramona - IMEMC & Agencies http://www.revleft.com/vb/../graphics/report.gif (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60669 with title: Bulldozers Raze Palestinian Land in Sheikh Jarrah&message=Report post: Story 60669 with title: Bulldozers Raze Palestinian Land in Sheikh Jarrah%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php%3F obj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60669%26%0A%0AEnter+your+ reason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)

The Wadi Hilweh Information Center reports that Israeli bulldozers cleared a tract of Palestinian land in Sheikh Jarrah yesterday.http://www.revleft.com/vb/../attachments/feb2011/imagescaglbu7l.jpg

Landowner Khalil Abu Taa’ has been fighting a lengthy legal battle for the land since 1978 and has since been issued several orders by the Israeli Magistrates Court prohibiting him from using the one dunum of land in question, which is used for planting fruit trees.

Abu Taa possessed both Turkish and Jordanian deeds to the land, yet he has found it impossible to convince authorities of his case.

“We have received several orders from the Israeli courts prohibiting my family and I from working the land,” he says. “This culminated in the demolition of a room that had stood on the land since 1940 and 50 olive, cypress, almond and apricot trees. A 9 meter-high wire fence demarcating the land from the Government House was also removed.”

The removed fence was built in 1995 as part of a Magistrates Court decision to enable the family to use the land. Then in 2008 they were prevented from accessing the area when the land was fenced with a new barbed wire barrier.

This one dunum is the one remaining part of what was originally 33 dunums belonging to several local Palestinian families, the rest of which has all been confiscated for government building construction.

Abu Taa’ has called on legal institutions to intervene to stop these illegal attacks on his land.
http://imemc.org/article/60669

freepalestine

20th February 2011, 02:19

Eight injured in 4 separate anti-Wall protests on Friday

Saturday February 19, 2011 11:05 by IMEMC + PNN [/URL]

Anti-Wall protests were organized this Friday in the villages of Bil’in, Nil’in, Nabi Saleh, and al-Ma’ssara, located in the central and southern parts of the West Bank. Today, the theme of the protests was national unity among Palestinians. (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60673 with title: Eight injured in 4 separate anti-Wall protests on Friday&message=Report post: Story 60673 with title: Eight injured in 4 separate anti-Wall protests on Friday%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php%3F obj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60673%26%0A%0AEnter+your+ reason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)

In Bil’in, protesters marked the sixth anniversary of the weekly anti wall protest. As has been the case every Friday for the past six years, international and Israeli supporters joined the villagers after the midday prayers and marched up to the gate of the wall separating villagers from their lands.

Soldiers sprayed the marchers with “Skunk” water, fired live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets and tear gas at them. Five were injured. Troops also tried to abduct people after spraying pepper-spray in their eyes, but protesters managed to prevent the abductions, witnesses told PNN.

Hamza Burant, 18, was critically injured with live rounds, Ahamd Abu Rahma, 16, hit with a tear gas in the hand, while Kifah Manousr, 30, Fadi Omar, 30, Abdullah Yassen, 19, sustained minor injuries. Many were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation.

In 2007 the Israeli high court of justice ruled that the Annexation wall in Bil’in was illegal and should be re-routed, giving the villagers back half of the lands that were taken to build the wall. The army still refuses to implement the court order.

In Nabi Saleh, three protesters were injured and seven were arrested during an anti-Wall protest on Friday. Five of those arrested were Israelis and two Palestinians. The three injured were shot with rubber-coated steel bullets by the army.

In the village of Nil’in. villagers joined by Israeli and international supporters marched after midday prayers to the wall. A number of protesters suffered the ill effects of tear gas inhalation.

Near Bethlehem in the southern West Bank, Al Ma’ssara villagers marched after the midday prayers and tried to reach the area where Israel is building the wall on land owned and farmed by the villagers. Soldiers stopped the march at the entrance of the village and forced people back using tear gas. Many were treated for the ill effects of tear gas inhalation.[url]http://imemc.org/article/60673

freepalestine

23rd February 2011, 01:54

Israel Demolishes Amniyr Bedouin Homes

Tuesday February 22, 2011 15:35 by David Steele - 1 of International Middle East Media Center Editorial Group [/URL]

The homes of a Bedouin community in the south Hebron hills have been bulldozed by Israeli authorities, according to the Ma'an News Network.A total of five tents, which housed approximately 50 residents, were demolished early on Monday morning, together with the community's olive trees and water sources. The latter consisted of a well and a water cistern and were filled with earth. The residents, who had moved to the area from a kilometer away due to harassment from local settlers, were devastated by the events. Residents are intending to rebuild their shattered community and will contact the Red Cross for tents.

The demolition comes less than a day after the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory, Maxwell Gaylard, issued a statement condemning "the demolition of temporary tented structures sheltering families from the weather in Khirbet Tana".

In a visit to the area, Gaylard noted that "under international law, Israel, as the occupying power in the oPt, is prohibited from destroying property belonging to individuals or communities except when absolutely required by military operations". In 2010, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) noted at least 350 demolished structures in Area C. http://imemc.org/article/60689 (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60689 with title: Israel Demolishes Amniyr Bedouin Homes&message=Report post: Story 60689 with title: Israel Demolishes Amniyr Bedouin Homes%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php%3Fo bj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60689%26%0A%0AEnter+your+r eason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)

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Occupation Municipality in Jerusalem to Further Annexation of Entire City with Green Parks Initiative

Monday February 21, 2011 15:54 by Circarre Parrhesia - IMEMC & Agencies

The Wadi Hilweh Information Center, based in the Silwan neighborhood of East Jerusalem, has published an article raising their concerns over an scheduled project to encircle East Jerusalem with parks to complete the annexation of the entire city and much of the surrounding area in the West Bank.The Center states that the Israeli ran Jerusalem Municipality has approved the project that will install nine new parks around the East side of the city over the next eight years, with an annual budget of NIS 60 million (over US$ 16.5 million).

In the process, large amounts of Palestinian owned lands in Wadi Hilweh, Wadi Rababa, and al-Bustan neighborhoods of Silwan, Sawwanah, near the Mount of Olives and the Old City will have have to be razed, leading to mass displacement of Palestinian residents of Jerusalem.

Under the Fourth Geneva Convention, the Palestinian population of East Jerusalem are considered protected persons, due to Israel’s occupation of the city in 1967 and, as such, the transfer of the population, in part or whole, is illegal under international law. http://imemc.org/article/60683 (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60683 with title: Jerusalem Municipality to Further Annexation of Entire City with Green Parks Initiative&message=Report post: Story 60683 with title: Jerusalem Municipality to Further Annexation of Entire City with Green Parks Initiative%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.ph p%3Fobj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60683%26%0A%0AEnter+y our+reason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)

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IOF Uproots Over 230 Olive Trees Near Bethlehem

Tuesday February 22, 2011 17:26 by David Steele - IMEMC & Agencies

The Palestine News Network reports that the Israeli army uprooted over 230 olive trees near Bethlehem.
File - Olive trees destroyed and uprooted by the army - Active Stills

The trees were uprooted and confiscated by the army, who used bulldozers amongst other equipment.

The land was cleared in the village of Jub'a, which is located to the south of Bethlehem.

The land belongs to the Abu Latifeh family. According to the PNN, trucks took the trees to an unknown location.

Some 40 trees have also been removed from the village of Mishmas, it is alleged. Olive trees are regularly damaged or uprooted across the West Bank.

Extremist settlers oftern vandalize and destroy Palestinian farmland, although trees are also often uprooted by the Israeli army.[url]http://imemc.org/article/60693 (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60693 with title: Israeli Army Uproots Over 230 Olive Trees Near Bethlehem&message=Report post: Story 60693 with title: Israeli Army Uproots Over 230 Olive Trees Near Bethlehem%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php %3Fobj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60693%26%0A%0AEnter+yo ur+reason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)

freepalestine

23rd February 2011, 02:00

Hebron Settlers Attack At Tiwana, Uproot Trees

Wednesday February 23, 2011 02:28 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

A group of armed extremist Jewish settlers attacked on Tuesday At Tiwana village, near the southern West Bank city of Hebron and uprooted several olive trees.
http://imemc.org/attachments/feb2011/settlers_soldiers.jpg
Armed Israeli Settlers and Soldiers - File

Eyewitnesses reported that settlers of the Maoun illegal outpost invaded the village and uprooted several trees while the Israeli army did not attempt to stop them.

Local sources said that this attack is one of many similar attacks carried out by the settlers who repeatedly uprooted bushes and trees.

The sources added that the settlers recently carried out repeated night attacks against the village and its orchards.

In related news, several residents were wounded on Tuesday evening after a group of armed settlers attacked Burin village, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus.

The settlers attacked several homes and hurled stones at the residents and their property leading to damages and several injuries among the residents.
http://imemc.org/article/60698

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Soldiers Invade Tallousa Village Near Nablus

Wednesday February 23, 2011 03:32 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Israeli soldiers invaded on Tuesday afternoon Tallousa village, north of the northern West Bank city of Nablus and blocked a number of roads.

Local sources reported that several armored military jeeps invaded the village from several directions and provoked the residents. No arrests or clashes were reported.

Soldiers also installed a number of roadblocks at roads leading to the village and detained a number of youths who were interrogated by security officials who
participated in the invasion using special armored security vehicles.

The army did not conduct any arrests during the invasion and withdrew from the village later on.

In related news, Israeli soldiers carried out a limited invasion in Al Qarara area, in Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, and uprooted several farmlands.

Soldiers, accompanied by four armored bulldozers and two tanks, advanced 400 meters into Al Qarara and uprooted farmlands, local sources reported.

Sixteen Palestinian residents were kidnapped on Tuesday at dawn and during early morning hours during a number of Israeli military invasion targeting several cities and villages in the occupied West Bank.

Most of the invasions and arrests were carried out in the districts of Jenin, Nablus and Bethlehem.
http://imemc.org/article/60699

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Israel to raze more wells in W. Bank as part of water war on Palestinians

Palestinian Information Center

http://uruknet.info/pic.php?f=22_water-war_300_0.jpg (http://uruknet.info/pic.php?f=22_water-war_300_0.jpg)
February 22, 2011

JENIN, (PIC) (http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/default.aspx?xyz=U6Qq7k%2bcOd87MDI46m9rUxJEpMO%2bi 1s7mVbUYHBYsXaafXw724WZmWJD7Go93bk3XMe4yS7%2btL3rh c%2br1nSQrBNa53gBK89z9IQocQq1utt3DhoNsm6H%2fsnnRlC f0r5Z1iQwQwkfBqM%3d)-- Civil servants from Israel's water authority under heavy military protection stormed at noon Monday Kafr Dan village, west of Jenin, to carry out a survey of the artesian wells as a prelude to demolishing them later.

Local sources said Israeli soldiers aboard military vehicles escorted a car belonging to the water authority to protect surveyors as they were registering and taking pictures of about 70 wells.

They added that the soldiers told farmers in the village that after this process, their wells would be flattened at the pretext of unlicensed construction.

Different West Bank areas have witnessed lately the demolition of many wells in order to deprive Palestinians of their water rights and provide Israeli settlements with more water amounts.

According to studies, Israel plunders Palestinian water resources through its control over 85 percent of the existing water in the aquifer in the West Bank, and not only that, but it also controls the amounts of water supplied to the Palestinian territories and sell them at exorbitant prices.

Israel, the most racist country in the world, uses water as a weapon against the rightful owners of land and water resources.

In a separate incident, the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) notified five Palestinian farmers from Beit Ula village, west of Al-Khalil, of its intentions to demolish their structures and buildings used for agricultural purposes.

The military order received by the farmers claimed that these buildings would be demolished because they were unlicensed and near Israel's segregation wall.

:: Article nr. 75246 sent on 23-feb-2011 00:33 ECT

www.uruknet.info?p=75246 (http://www.uruknet.info/?p=75246)

freepalestine

28th February 2011, 17:31

Settlers Block Roads Leading To Nablus, Hurl Stones At Local Vehicles

Monday February 28, 2011 09:39 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies [/URL]

A group of armed Israeli settlers blocked, on Monday morning, a number of roads leading to the northern West Bank city of Nablus. They hurled stones at several vehicles while cursing and insulting the residents. Local sources reported that the settlers gathered on junctions leading to Yitzhar, Bracha and Itamar illegal settlements near Huwwara village, and a number of settlements located between Nablus and Qalqilia.

Settlers who gathered on junctions south and east of Nablus hurled stones at Palestinian vehicles resulting in damage.

The settlers were “protesting” the evacuation of Ramat Gilad settlement that was illegally installed in 2002 on Palestinian lands that belong to residents of the villages of Tal, Surra and Jeet.

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Army Abducts Two Palestinians From Hebron

Monday February 28, 2011 11:52 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60727 with title: Settlers Block Roads Leading To Nablus, Hurl Stones At Local Vehicles&message=Report post: Story 60727 with title: Settlers Block Roads Leading To Nablus, Hurl Stones At Local Vehicles%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php% 3Fobj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60727%26%0A%0AEnter+you r+reason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)

Israeli soldiers abducts, on Monday at dawn, two Palestinians from the southern West Bank city of Hebron.http://imemc.org/attachments/feb2011/soldiers_computer.jpg
Zionist Soldiers Searching Hebron Home, Inspecting Computer In Hebron - File CPT-Hebron

The two were taken from their homes after the army conducted an invasion into the city, broke into and searched several homes.

An Israeli army spokesperson confirmed the arrests and claimed that the two are "wanted" and added that the two residents were moved to interrogation centers.

In related news, Israeli soldiers handed a number of residents military orders to demolish their homes in Beit Hanina, Wadi al-Dam, al-Marwaha, and Shufat in Jerusalem, and the al-Ramadeen area in the southern West Bank city of Hebron.

The Israeli Authorities claim that the homes were constructed without official construction permits.

The families said that they filed official documents to the Israeli Authorities, and that their applications were constantly delayed.

Soldiers also broke into sixteen homes, a mosque and a school, south of al-Thahiriyya in East Jerusalem, and handed orders for the demolishing of several homes.

The Jerusalem Municipality set strict conditions on the licensing of Palestinian constructions in occupied East Jerusalem while licensing cost mounts on average to nearly 100,000 Israeli Shekels (approximately US$ 28,000), an issue that forces the residents to build their homes without permits to order to accommodate their natural growth.

On Sunday, three Palestinian medics were wounded by army fire while trying to provide first aid to residents who were wounded during clashed with Israeli soldiers in Silwan, in East Jerusalem.
http://imemc.org/article/60734

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Silwan Residents Injured by Israeli Fire Over Weekend

Monday February 28, 2011 16:28 by Ramona - IMEMC & Agencies

Friday and Saturday saw a continuation of clashes in Silwan, East Jerusalem, leaving many Palestinians injured. On Friday, a young Palestinian man from Silwan, was seriously injured when violent clashes erupted while Silwan residents were preparing for prayer.

A man arrived at an unnamed Jerusalem hospital seriously wounded by a rubber bullet fired by Israeli forces during clashes. The bullet was lodged in the young man’s spine and his condition was described as serious.

Clashes were sparked by the firing of tear gas by Israeli forces at Palestinian residents preparing for the weekly public prayer in the Al-Bustan protest tent.

Violent clashes resurged in Silwan on Saturday, February 26, with Israeli forces firing round after round of tear gas and rubber bullets at Palestinian demonstrators.

On Saturday, twenty Palestinian residents were injured by rubber bullets. Three paramedics were also injured.Eyewitness accounts report that Israeli forces ambushed a number of young demonstrators.
[URL]http://imemc.org/article/60735 (http://www.revleft.com/vb/../report_posts?subject=Report post: Story 60735 with title: Silwan Residents Injured by Israeli Fire Over Weekend&message=Report post: Story 60735 with title: Silwan Residents Injured by Israeli Fire Over Weekend%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php%3 Fobj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60735%26%0A%0AEnter+your +reason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)

freepalestine

6th March 2011, 22:32

Clashes Reported In Silwan

http://imemc.org/graphics/date.gif Saturday March 05, 2011 03:49http://imemc.org/graphics/person.gif by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC News http://imemc.org/graphics/report.gif (http://imemc.org/report_posts?subject=Report%20post:%20Story%206078 9%20with%20title:%20Clashes%20%20Reported%20In%20S ilwan&message=Report%20post:%20Story%2060789%20with%20ti tle:%20Clashes%20%20Reported%20In%20Silwan%0Ahttp% 3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php%3Fobj_id%3D53%26 story_id%3D60789%26%0A%0AEnter+your+reason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)

Local sources reported that clashes took place on Friday following noon prayers at the protest tent in Silwan town, in occupied East Jerusalem, as the local residents continued their protests against the ongoing violations and home demolitions.

http://imemc.org/cache/imagecache/local/attachments/mar2011/460_0___10000000_0_0_0_0_0_child_kidnap_silwan.jpg (http://imemc.org/attachments/mar2011/child_kidnap_silwan.jpg)

Under-cover units kidna a Palestinian child, silwanic.net

The protestors were attacked by the army and under-cover units of the army prompting clashes in the area.

Local youths blocked roads leading to the protest tent and hurled stones at the soldiers who fired dozens of gas bombs and rubber-coated metal bullets.

Under-cover units infiltrated the area and surrounded the protest tent before firing gas bombs at it, and withdrew from the area later on without being able to kidnap any resident due to the massive number of protesters.

On Friday evening, clashes erupted in Ras Al Ein and Al Bustan neighborhoods in East Jerusalem.

Protesters then blocked Al Thoury Road with burning tires and trash containers, and hurled stones at members of the Israeli Border Guard Units.

On Thursday, soldiers kidnapped four children (ages 13 – 15) in Silwan, and transferred them to interrogation centers. The four children were identified as Fadi Al Rajabi, Majdi Qa’qour, Mohammad Dweik and Firas Totanjy.

They four children are scheduled to appear, in coming days, at the Israeli Magistrates Court in the city on charges of throwing stones at the army.

Also on Thursday, soldiers kidnapped a 12-year-old Palestinian child from Silwan following clashes that took place between local residents and soldiers.
Clashes took place in different Jerusalem neighborhoods in Thursday, and were largely concentrated in Ras Al Amoud.

Furthermore, the Wadi Hilwa Information Center reported that soldiers hurled a gas bomb at a local shop in Silwan, and that seven children who were in the shop suffocated after inhaling gas, and were moved to local clinics.

Ten minutes later, the army returned to the scene and one of the soldiers hurled another gas bomb into the same shop.

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When Buying Dinner Becomes Dangerous

http://imemc.org/graphics/date.gif Saturday March 05, 2011 03:59http://imemc.org/graphics/person.gif by Maysa Abu Ghazala – Jerusalem - Palestine News Network (PNN) - Exclusive http://imemc.org/graphics/report.gif (http://imemc.org/report_posts?subject=Report%20post:%20Story%206079 0%20with%20title:%20When%20Buying%20Dinner%20Becom es%20Dangerous&message=Report%20post:%20Story%2060790%20with%20ti tle:%20When%20Buying%20Dinner%20Becomes%20Dangerou s%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php%3Fobj_i d%3D53%26story_id%3D60790%26%0A%0AEnter+your+reaso n+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)

On Thursday, February 24, 20-year-old Mohammad Gharib of al-Issawiya village near Jerusalem was driving home, bringing dinner from a restaurant in Jerusalem.

http://imemc.org/attachments/mar2011/mahmoodghareeb.jpg

Mohammad Gharib - PNN

Mohammad took his youngest brother and his friend along for the ride. When they reached the intersection leading to the Ma’ale Adumim settlement, their car broke down.

“As I was trying to see what happened to the car, three settlers stopped and offered to help," Mohammad recalled. "I thanked them and as I was speaking to them in Hebrew, they realized I was Arab. They started calling me names, then one of them pulled his gun and shot me in the knee.”

Mohammad was taken immediately to al-Maqasid hospital in Jerusalem, then moved to the Israeli hospital of Hadassah where doctors told him his knee was shattered and muscles torn.

“Doctors installed a device to make me walk," he said, "but now I can’t leave my bed on my own”.

Mohammad said he filed a police report and told Israeli officers that he could identify the settler who shot him. He also demanded they work on his case quickly.

As of now, he is still lying in bed in pain and waiting for the police to arrest his attackers.

Not long ago, Mohammad suffered a fracture in his foot in a work accident, and spent the last weeks recovering from his injury.

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Israeli military invades village near Jenin

http://imemc.org/graphics/date.gif Saturday March 05, 2011 15:28http://imemc.org/graphics/person.gif by Sandy Khair - IMEMC & Agencies http://imemc.org/graphics/report.gif (http://imemc.org/report_posts?subject=Report%20post:%20Story%206079 3%20with%20title:%20Israeli%20military%20invades%2 0village%20near%20Jenin&message=Report%20post:%20Story%2060793%20with%20ti tle:%20Israeli%20military%20invades%20village%20ne ar%20Jenin%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.ph p%3Fobj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60793%26%0A%0AEnter+y our+reason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+al low+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+conte nt)

The Israeli military invaded, the village of Ceres, south of Jenin in the northern part of the West Bank on Saturday morning. Troops erected a military checkpoint between Ceres and al-Far’a Refugee Camp; and spread out infantry between Krom al-Zaytoun and Ya’bod village.
Security sources reported to the Palestinian Wafa News Agency that the Israeli army invaded the village, stationed tanks on streets and alleys; no injuries were reported.

In addition, local sources reported that the Israeli soldiers erected a military checkpoint on the street connecting al-Far’a Refugee camp and the village of Ceres and stopped all Palestinians traveling that route, checking their Israeli-issued identity cards and going through their belongings.

The sources added that the Israeli army spread out infantry forces between Krom al-Zaytoun and the southwest area of the village of Ya’bod, but did not hit any Palestinian civilians with their gunfire.

The Israeli military gave no comment on the reason for the early morning invasion.

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Settlers provoke Palestinian villagers near Ramallah
Published yesterday (updated) 06/03/2011 15:32
http://maannews.net/eng/images/ViewDetails/Eng-1.jpg http://maannews.net/eng/images/ViewDetails/Eng+1.jpg

RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- Hundreds of Israel's extremist settlers gathered near the central West Bank village of An-Nabi Salih in the Ramallah district Saturday, locals told Ma'an, sparking unrest.

Residents said young Palestinian men set fire to used tires at the village entrance fearing settlers might storm the village, while Israeli forces deployed in the area to intervene in case clashes were provoked, locals said.

In Hebron, residents reported being intimidated by dozens of settlers, who set off fireworks near the city's Ibrahimi Mosque and marched through Palestinian neighborhoods in the southern West Bank city.

Israeli authorities partitioned the mosque in 1994 after Israeli settler Baruch Goldstein shot dead 29 Palestinians and wounded over 100 others during the dawn prayer.

The Israeli Education Minister recently called for a new program to bring Israeli school children to the site, which is also holy for Jews.

Hebron residents said the intensified settler activity at the mosque was a response to the minister's call, which they feared was an attempt to "Judaize" the area.

Rise in settler violence

A noticeable rise in settler attacks across the West Bank has led to fears of night raids by armed settlers in Palestinian villages.

Analysts have expressed concerns that settlers plan to provoke a reaction from Palestinians which Israeli authorities could use to foil the Palestinian Authority's efforts to control security in the West Bank.

An Israeli government decision to take down Monday structures in the illegal settlement outpost Havad Gilad near Nablus in the northern West Bank led to the most recent spike in violence perpetrated by settlers against Palestinians.

Following the razing of the outpost buildings, settlers firebombed a Palestinian home, blocked roads, smashed shops and damaged Palestinian cars in line with their "price-tag policy" to make Palestinians pay for perceived anti-settler actions by the Israeli government.

One Havad Gilad resident told AFP settlers may enter Palestinian villages to throw out the residents in protest.

Settlers organized a "day of rage" Thursday, rallying in Israel and the West Bank and threatening further "price tag" attacks.

On Monday, Palestinian Authority settlement affairs official Ghassan Doughlas said a warning had been issued to Palestinians to avoid areas where settlers gather for their own safety.

freepalestine

8th March 2011, 12:05

Khirbet Tana Water Confiscated By Israeli Army
Monday March 07, 2011 14:29 by David Steele - 1 of International Middle East Media Center Editorial Group

The Ma'an News Agency reports that Israel has continued its campaign against Khirbet Tana by confiscating 20 portable water tankers on Monday morning.

The tankers were brought into the village after Israeli military forces blocked the village's wells during a demolition. Khirbet Tana has been demolished six times recently. According to Ma'an, a group of military jeeps entered the village and removed all of the water carriers. These were used to provide drinking water for both residents and animals.

Israel has classified the land occupied by the village as 'state land' and refuses to issue building permits for the villagers. After a recent demolition, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory, Maxwell Gaylard, issued a statement condemning "the demolition of temporary tented structures sheltering families from the weather in Khirbet Tana".

In a visit to the area, Gaylard noted that "under international law, Israel, as the occupying power in the oPt, is prohibited from destroying property belonging to individuals or communities except when absolutely required by military operations". In 2010, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) noted at least 350 demolished structures in Area C.
nablus | human rights | news report

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Israeli Settlers And Soldiers Attack Palestinians Near Nablus: 10 Palestinians, 1 Settler Injured

Monday March 07, 2011 19:02 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies
According to local sources, a large group of armed Israeli settlers invaded Qusra village, near the city of Nablus in the northern West Bank, on Monday, and began uprooting olive trees, throwing stones and firing live ammunition at Palestinian farmers. Palestinian youth threw stones at the settlers, and the Israeli army then attacked the youth with live ammunition, injuring ten, three seriously.

Qusra village location in relation to Israeli settlements (full-size map at poica.org)

This attack is just the latest in a series of recent violations by Israeli settlers, who uprooted 500 olive trees from village land last week and vowed to attack and "remove" Palestinians from their ancestral home, in an attempt to further expand an illegal Israeli settlement located on village land.

Raed Odeh, a resident of Qusra village, told reporters with Agence France Presse, "We found a lot of settlers uprooting olive trees and when they saw us they started throwing stones at the children, then a settler brought out his M-16 and started shooting at us". He said that the villagers responded by throwing stones at the settlers, and soon after, the Israeli army arrived and began firing tear gas, rubber-coated steel bullets, and live ammunition at the villagers.

According to Odeh and other eyewitnesses, the army did not attempt to apprehend or arrest any of the settlers who provoked the incident.

Israeli settlers living illegally in the Nablus area held a large protest last week, blocking major Palestinian roads and setting fire to Palestinian cars, when the Israeli military dismantled a small shed that some settlers had set up in an attempt to expand their colonial settlement further onto Palestinian-owned land.

A spokesperson for the Israeli military confirmed the use of live fire by soldiers during the clashes, telling reporters with AFP, " The security forces were attacked by Palestinians with rocks, and in response, they fired directly at those who were throwing rocks", aiming at their lower extremities with live ammunition.

According to local medical sources, ten Palestinians were hospitalized, most with gunshot wounds from Israeli military gunfire. Israeli settler groups said that one Jewish settler was also hospitalized after being hit by a stone.

Settlers from the nearby outpost of Esh Kodesh have expressed their plan to expand the settlement and displace the indigenous Palestinians of Qusra. In recent weeks their attacks on the Palestinian population have increased markedly, and the settlers have made several attempts to construct new structures on village land in an attempt to claim it for Israel.

The Israeli government has an official policy whereby settlers living illegally in the West Bank can set up new buildings and establish a presence in an area owned by Palestinians, then go through a process of recognition in order to receive services like water, sewer and electric service from the Israeli government. These illegal land confiscations are then officially recognized by the state of Israel as new municipalities, and incorporated into the Israeli state.

All Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem are considered violations of international law and the Fourth Geneva Convention, to which Israel is a signatory.

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Army To Demolish Homes, Barns, Near Jenin

Tuesday March 08, 2011 08:38 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

The Israeli Authorities handed on Monday evening eight orders for the removal of eight homes and barns that belong to residents of Barta’a Al Sharqiyya, isolated behind the Annexation Wall south west of the northern West Bank city of Jenin.

File - Barta'a Roadblock - Image paldf.net

Member of Barta’a village council, Tawfiq Qabha, told the Maan News Agency that seven armored military jeeps, and a vehicle that belongs to the so-called planning department, invaded the southern and northern parts of the village and handed the orders.

The structures in question are a number of under construction homes, and barns in the village.

Qabha called on human rights groups to visit the village and support the residents who are suffering ongoing violations and abuse by the Israeli occupation.

He added that the army has recently stepped-up its security measures at the Barta’a roadblock, and that the soldiers are repeatedly humiliating and abusing he residents.

Qabha stated that the soldiers held and detained dozens of residents in special rooms at the roadblock, and kept them there for several hours.

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Settlers Injure 3 Near Nablus

Tuesday March 08, 2011 12:39 by David Steele - 1 of International Middle East Media Center Editorial Group

The Ma'an News Agency reports that settlers shot and injured three Palestinians in As-sawiya vilage near Nablus.

Armed Israeli settlers (photo from Washington Note)

Dozens of residents of the Yash Adam outpost allegedly attacked the village on Monday. The three Palestinians were injured after settlers opened fire on them. Ambulances could not reach the scene because the settlers blocked approaching roads.

Yash Adam is illegal in Israeli law. There has been a recent surge in settler violence, particularly around Nablus, since the Israeli government demolished structures in an illegal outpost. Since 2008 many extremist settlers have adopted a 'price-tag' policy whereby Palestinians are made to 'pay a price' for every attempt by the Israeli government to rein-in outpost and settlement expansion.

The price-tag generally involves vandalism and damage to property, although more recently an increasing number have been violent. Last week hardline settlers organized a 'day of rage' in protest against government moves to dismantle a small number of outposts. Under international law all settlements are illegal, although the United States has recently vetoed a security council resolution reaffirming this.

imemc.org (palestineindymedia)

freepalestine

7th November 2012, 03:49

Israel to expand settlements with 1,213 new homes

http://english.al-akhbar.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/5cols/leading_images/JER18_PALESTINIANS-ISRAEL-_0701_11.JPG
A Palestinian woman and a child walk together in the West Bank village of Bilin, near Ramallah, on 1 July 2011. (Photo: Reuters - Mohamad Torokman)
Published Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Israel has announced plans to press ahead with the construction of 1,213 homes on West Bank land, defying opposition to its settlement policies.

The Israel Land Administration on Monday published notices inviting bids from contractors to build on plots in Ramot and Pisgat Zeev, urban settlements that Israel has declared part of Jerusalem.

The plans call for the building of 607 new homes in Pisgat Zeev and 606 in Ramot.

The Israeli NGO Peace Now said on Tuesday that an additional tender for the construction of 72 homes in the West Bank settlement of Ariel was reissued on Monday after a previous notice failed to attract winning bidders.

Meanwhile Tuesday, Israel demolished several Palestinians homes and structures and detained at least 13 youths across the West Bank, according to the Palestinian News and Info Agency.

Israeli bulldozers, escorted by a military force, destroyed two Palestinian houses, a barn and water well in the villages of al-Derat and al-Jawaya, south of Hebron, and handed four other demolition notices to Palestinians in the area.

Five Palestinians, ages 11, 12, 17 and two 18 year-olds, were arrested in the village of Azzoun, the agency reported, citing Palestinian security officials. Five others, ages 19, 26 and three 18-year-olds, we detained after Israeli soldiers raided their homes in governate of Tubas.

Two others, ages 19 and 26, were detained in Hebron, and one 18 year-old was arrested from Nablus after having his house raided, the sources added.

Also on Tuesday, Jewish settlers uprooted dozens of Palestinian-owned olive trees in Hebron, according to the International Middle East Media Center.

Since 1967, 800,000 olive trees have been uprooted by Israeli forces, resulting in a loss of around $55 million to the Palestinian economy, according to a report by the Palestinian Authority Ministry of National Economy and the Applied Research Institute of Jerusalem.

NGOs and UN bodies have expressed concern over the growing prevalence of settler violence towards Palestinians, with UN statistics indicating that more than 90 percent of complaints are not addressed by the Israeli authorities.

Over 500,000 settlers live in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Israeli settlement construction are a violation of international law, but the number of settlers in the West Bank has grown to around 340,000, with another 200,000 living in east Jerusalem.

(Reuters, Ma'an, Al-Akhbar)http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/israel-expand-settlements-1213-homes

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Ten Undercover Israeli Soldiers Wounded In Jerusalem Invasion
Wednesday November 07, 2012 04:47 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies
Israeli sources reported that 10 Israeli soldiers, mainly members of the undercover forces of the were injured, on Tuesday at dawn, after they infiltrated into the Shuafat refugee camp, north of occupied East Jerusalem. One of the soldiers was stabbed.
The sources stated that one soldier suffered mild injuries after being stabbed by a local youth in the camp.

Two other soldiers of the regular units were mildly wounded after local youths hurled stones at them, and were moved to an Israeli hospital.

The undercover forces infiltrated into the camp to kidnap some residents;

After conducting the arrests and attempting to leave the camp, dozens of youths hurled stones at them, and one soldier was stabbed.

A total of ten soldiers were injured in the refugee camp, including 9 soldiers of the undercover forces.

Regular units rushed to the camp and started a search campaign to arrest the stabber, and the youths who hurled stones at the soldiers.

The army then kidnapped a 17-year-old youth allegedly for stabbing one of the soldiers.

http://www.imemc.org/article/64521

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Human Rights Group Denounces Hamas Attack On Women’s Procession In Gaza
Wednesday November 07, 2012 02:17 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC News

The Palestinian Human Rights Foundation – Pal-Monitor (Rased) issued a press release denouncing an attack carried out against Freedom of Speech when dozens of Hamas’s security officers and policemen, in Gaza, attacked a procession conducted by women, including political leaders, who marched in Gaza demanding an end to internal divisions and rifts between the political parties.
http://www.imemc.org/attachments/nov2012/attack_woman_protest.jpg
Police Attacking The Protest - Rased

The procession was held in front of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) building in Gaza City.
Rased (Pal-Monitor) strongly denounced this attack against Freedom of Expression and the Right to Peaceful Assembly, and stated that what happened in front of the PLC building is “an attempt to silence the people’s rights”, and that such attacks “only aim at foiling the attempts that aim at achieving national reconciliation”.

It said that it documented numerous violations carried out by the security forces and police in Gaza, and claimed that this attack against the peaceful procession was “deliberate and unjustified”.

Rased also stated that the security forces were cursing at the women who organized the protest, and that “the Hamas movement in Gaza is trying to enforce a one-party rule, as Hamas attacks any activity that is not organized by it”.

Rased demanded the Hamas-led government in Gaza, and its police and security forces “to respect the residents’ rights to peaceful assembly and Freedom of Expression”, and to ensure that such violations do not happen again.

“The Palestinians in Gaza are living under harsh conditions due to Israel’s siege and its ongoing attacks”, Rased said, “Such attacks against their right to Freedom of Expression are unbecoming acts against a struggling population”.http://www.imemc.org/article/64520