30 sept 2012
Report: settlers' attacks increase and occupation approves new settlement plans
Report: settlers' attacks increase and occupation approves new settlement plans
A Palestinian report noted the growing attacks by Jewish settlers in the West Bank, during the past week, and "the occupation's attempt to complete "Greater Jerusalem" plan on Bethlehem territory in the southern West Bank, by adding 300 new settlement units."
The weekly report issued by the National Bureau for the Defense of Land and Resistance to Settlements noted that the Israeli government aims to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as its capital, through a plan, proposed by Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, to unilaterally withdraw from the West Bank
The plan is similar to former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and Barak said that the plan will keep major settlement blocs that contain 90% of the Israeli settlers under Israel’s control and that Israel would also maintain military control over the Jordan Valley.
The National Bureau for the Defense of Land and Resistance to Settlements' report considered that the occupation plan is "a continuation of the Israeli expansionist project that began in 1948 and which aims to impose new facts and to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state."
It also pointed out that the occupation authorities started establishing three hundred settlement units in Khader town, south of Bethlehem, as part of a settlement scheme targeting all the occupied Palestinian territories, and particularly Jerusalem and aiming to complete "Greater Jerusalem" plan on Bethlehem territories in southern West Bank.
Occupation plans to extend Har Houma settlement
The Hebrew weekly Yorshalim newspaper reported on Friday that rightist settlers had recently erected a tent on a hill near Umm Tuba village, in southern Jerusalem.
The new tent was set up on a hill near the back entrance of Har Houma settlement, close to an Israeli police station, in an attempt to create an outpost that will eventually become an extension to Har Houma settlement.
The Yorshalim newspaper reported that there is no guard on the settlers residing in the new outpost which is only one street away from Umm Tuba village and that the settlers raised Israeli flags on the tent and the Star of David made of tree branches.
Israeli settlers throw rocks at non-violent demonstrators near Hebron
A non-violent protest against the illegal Israeli confiscation of Palestinian land in Yatta village was attacked by Israeli settlers on Saturday afternoon.
The settlers threw rocks at the demonstrators, injuring two: Fadel Jibreel Rabae, 46, and Mohammad Ali Shawahin, 19. Eyewitnesses reported that although Israeli troops were stationed nearby, they did not intervene to try to stop the settler violence, nor did they take any action to apprehend the perpetrators.
The protest was held on Saturday afternoon near Yatta village, to protest the confiscation of land in al-Hamra and al-Kharrouba areas.
Palestinian villagers were joined by international solidarity activists for the rally, which consisted of speeches, chants and marching to the site of the land confiscation.
Previous settler attacks in Yatta village have involved settlers from Ma'un and Hafat Ma'un settlements, but it is unknown if the settlers who attacked on Saturday were from these two nearby settlements.
In August, settlers uprooted 30 olive trees from a Palestinian orchard in al-Hamra, east of Yatta. This was preceded by multiple incidents including the burning of Palestinian orchards and crops in May, as well as multiple armed assaults on Palestinian farmers in the area.
28 sept 2012
Settlers pump wastewater on lands west of Bethlehem
A group of Jewish settlers pumped, on Thursday morning, wastewater from a settlement in the west of Bethlehem in southern West Bank, onto Palestinian agricultural land.
Ahmed Sukkar, head of the village council in Fukin village, told "Quds Press" that settlers pumped wastewater on lands in the village, damaging an area of 50 dunums.
He pointed out that this is not the first time the settlers pump industrial waste or wastewater through pipes installed in the region, which led to damaging the lands and the crops.
Sukkar cautioned of the environmental and health dangers caused by such acts on the area’s residents and farmers.
27 sept 2012
Abbas condemns settler violence in UN speech
President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday addressed the UN General Assembly a year after failing to secure membership for a State of Palestine in the world body.
In his remarks, Abbas accused Israel of ethnic cleansing in Jerusalem and condemned violence by settlers against Palestinians, which he said was a product of a "culture of incitement."
Abbas said 5,000 prisoners were soldiers in the struggle for their people's freedom. He called on the international community to compel Israel to enforce the Geneva Convention and investigate jail conditions.
He also said Israeli policies in the occupied territories undermined the stability of the Palestinian Authority, and would ultimately threaten its existence.
He said Palestinians would never accept a state based on provisional borders.
But he said Palestinians extend their hands to the Israelis in peace. "There is still a chance -- maybe the last -- to save the two state solution and to salvage peace," he said.
IOF intensify military measures in Al-Khalil city
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) intensified on Wednesday their military measures in Al-Khalil city and near the Ibrahimi Mosque at the pretext of protecting the Jewish settlers on the occasion of their religious holidays.
Eyewitnesses told a reporter for the Palestinian information center (PIC) that the IOF established checkpoints near Halhoul entrance in the industrial zone of Al-Khalili and near the entrances to Nabi Younis and Sa'eir villages.
Military patrols were deployed in mountainous areas overlooking the roads which are used by the settlers, according to eyewitnesses.
The IOF also intensified its military presence near the Ibrahimi Mosque and allowed only the Jewish settlers to enter it.
26 sept 2012
Settlers attack 3 farmers near Ramallah
Three Palestinian farmers from Mikhmas village northeast of Ramallah in occupied West Bank were wounded during an attack by dozens of Jewish settlers, yesterday evening.
Eyewitnesses said that nearly 120 settlers attacked a group of farmers who tried to reach their lands in an area northern the village of Mikhmas after the settlers uprooted olive trees in the lands.
They said: the settlers attacked the farmers with sharp instruments, injuring the elderly Abdul Karim Abu Ali, 56, who was seriously injured in the head and immediately transferred to Palestinian Medical complex in Ramallah.
The two other farmers were moderately wounded, added the witnesses.
Settlers break into al-Aqsa
Jewish settlers broke into al-Aqsa mosque, on Tuesday, through Bab El-Magharbeh bridge, trying to perform Talmudic rituals and prayers.
The raid came after tens of thousands of settlers desecrated, Monday evening, the Buraq Wall area west of the al-Aqsa mosque, where they performed biblical and Talmudic rituals, accompanied by loud songs lasting to the middle of the night.
The Aqsa and Holy Places Maintenance Foundation stated that thousands of occupation soldiers surrounded Buraq area and the Old City of Jerusalem, and closed a number of main and secondary streets to facilitate the arrival of the Israeli settlers to Buraq area.
The Foundation pointed out to the presence of dozens of worshipers and students in al-Aqsa mosque where the atmosphere was highly charged.
Aqsa Foundation: Israeli intents to establish Talmudic prayers in al-Aqsa
Al-Aqsa Foundation for Endowments and Heritage said, in a statement on Tuesday afternoon, that the Israeli occupation is desecrating these days the Islamic sanctities in Jerusalem and al-Aqsa mosque through organizing several Judaizing events and activities.
The foundation added that these Israeli practices came under the pretext of performing biblical and Talmudic rituals during the so-called Holiday Season.
The Foundation called on the Palestinian Arab and Islamic community to save al-Aqsa mosque from the Israeli Judaization plans.
Al-Aqsa Foundation confirmed that Israeli groups intend to perform Talmudic prayers concerning the alleged temple on Wednesday during the so-called Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) at the court house opposite Bab al-Silsila of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
This Jewish ritual was launched by the Rabbi "Goren" since 1967, and held twice per year on "Yom Kippur", and on the anniversary of the destruction of the Temple according to Hebrew sources
The court house is the building of the Sharia Court and the Tankazi School Mosque adjacent to the Aqsa Mosque. This School and Mosque were built by the Mumluki Governor of Greater Syria in 1328, the Foundation stated. The Israeli occupation took the building over in 1967 and used as a military post, until a few years ago when they converted part of it to a synagogue.
Israel To Build New Settler-Road Near Qalqilia
The so-called Israeli Civil Administration Office, run under the Israeli Military in the occupied West Bank, is planning to pave a new road to be used by Jewish settlers, in the northern West Bank district of Qalqilia.
The new planned road will be built on expense of privately-owned Palestinian lands that belong to villagers of Izbit At-Tabeeb, Nabi Elias and Azzoun.
Izbit At-Tabeeb is located in Area C of the occupied West Bank falling under Israeli military and administrative control, and Israel refuses to recognize it while the residents are facing constant threats of been removed from their own homes and lands.
Residents of the village told the Arabs48 News Website that Israeli officials arrived at the village and starting placing markers on the villagers’ lands, and when asked about what they were doing, the officials said that a previously planned settler road will be built soon, and will lead to the confiscation of lands that belong to the villagers of Izbit At-Tabeeb and a number of nearby villages.
The residents objected to what was happening and forced the Civil Administration team to leave, and the team said they will be back “under protection of the military”.
The Village Council in Izbit At-Tabeeb issued a press release stating that the villages in the area will resist this new Israeli plan, and will continue their nonviolent activities to counter the illegal Israeli violations, Israel illegal Annexation Wall and settlements.
It is worth mentioning that Israel also intends to demolish a medical services center in the village under the pretext of being built without a permit.
The Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements in the village said that its weekly nonviolent protest this Friday will also be held to resist this new plan, and called on Israeli and International peace activists to support their protest and help the residents defend their homes and lands.
25 sept 2012
PA official: Settlers dig up 200 dunams of Nablus land
A group of settlers dug up 200 dunams of agricultural land in the Nablus village of Yanun on Tuesday, a PA official said.
Ghassan Daghlas, who monitors settlement activity in the northern West Bank, told Ma'an that dozens of settlers used bulldozers to destroy the land.
On Occasion of Yom Kippur, Dozens of Settlers Storm Al-Aqsa Mosque
On Tuesday 25th September, around 80 settlers broke into al-Aqsa mosque from Bab al-Magharbeh gate and performed their religious rituals on the occasion of the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, while Israeli forces banned dozens of Muslims, whose ages are less than 45, from entering the mosque.
Thousands of Israelis also performed their religious and Thilmod rituals at the al-Buraq Wall (the Wailing Wall) area, west of al-Aqsa mosque.
The Foundation for the Architecture of Al-Aqsa and Sanctities said that Israeli forces closed the main entrances and roads of the old city of Jerusalem to facilitate the entry of Israelis into the al-Buraq area.
Al-Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage assured that the al-Aqsa mosque, which has the estimated area of 144 acres, its buildings, yards and walls is an Islamic mosque and for Muslims only, adding that the al-Buraq wall is an integral part of the Al-Aqsa mosque.
24 sept 2012
IOF closes the Ibrahimi Mosque to Muslims
The Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOF) closed the Ibrahimi Mosque to Palestinians and Muslims, under the pretext of Jewish holidays.
Occupation authorities closed the Ibrahimi Mosque, and tightened its military actions in its environment under the pretext of celebrating Jewish holidays, preventing Muslims from performing their prayers in it, locals confirmed.
IOF divided the Ibrahimi Mosque and made parts of it under the control of the settlers following the massacre committed by the extremist settler Baruch Goldistein in 1994 where he killed and wounded dozens of worshipers while performing dawn prayers during the holy month of Ramadan.
130 settlers storm al-Aqsa
Aqsa Foundation for Heritage and Waqf (Islamic endowment) called on the Islamic nation to bear its responsibilities towards al-Aqsa Mosque and occupied Jerusalem, and to act urgently to address the occupation's attacks against al-Aqsa Mosque.
The Al-Aqsa Foundation said, in a statement issued on Sunday, three Israeli groups, about 130 settlers, toured the holy compound accompanied by rabbis and soldiers, and performed religious rituals. The three groups, belong to Israeli extremist schools, were given a guarded tour of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City.
The groups caused a state of tension with the several hundred students present in the mosque where the settlers started singing and dancing celebrating their invasion of al-Aqsa mosque.
At the same time, the occupation forces, stationed at al-Aqsa gates, prevented Mr. Mohammad Sharif Jabareen from entering the mosque.
Al-Aqsa Foundation warned against the dangerous situations in al-Aqsa Mosque, adding that the repeated Israeli extremists' invasions of al-Aqsa mosque aimed to impose a new reality upon it in an attempt to impose a defacto division of the mosque supported by the Israeli Knesset.
The Foundation said that the Islamic and Arab silence over the Israeli invasions encourages the occupation to continue forward to impose the division of Al-Aqsa Mosque between Muslims and Jews, calling for a serious and urgent Islamic attitude to save al-Aqsa mosque.
21 sept 2012
Settlers seize Palestinian lands south of Bethlehem
Israeli settlers seized six dunums of land belonging to Palestinians south of Bethlehem, a local representative said on Thursday.
According to a statement by the Committee against Apartheid Wall, the settlers seized six dunums located in Khalet al-Fahm, near al-Khader, between the settlements of Elazar and Etzion south of the town, just few hours after the occupation authorities had handed over the citizens military notifications to confiscate tens of dunums of their agricultural lands.
The Committee coordinator, Ahmed Salah, pointed out that this escalation comes within the project of expanding the settlements and linking them with each other to form a settlement belt around the city of Jerusalem.
Report: occupation plans to expand over forty settlements in West Bank
A report issued by Hamas's Media Office stated that settlement activity and Judaization projects have been escalated, in an unprecedented way, in the occupied city of Jerusalem and throughout the West Bank during the past few months.
The report pointed out that the Israeli occupation is escalating demolition operations and notifications within the framework of settlement expansion in different parts of the West Bank, particularly in al-Khalil to the south.
It also pointed to the escalation in the confiscation of thousands of dunums of citizens' lands in order to expand the outposts, to open and expand bypass roads used by settlers and to put pressure on Palestinians.
Hamas's report, which monitors settlement projects and settlers attacks during the period between August 16, 2012 and September 15, 2012, said that the occupation is planning to expand more than forty settlements, established on private Palestinian lands in different parts of occupied West Bank, and to legitimize the previous construction operations under the pretext of "military purposes."
The report also monitored the escalation of Judaization schemes against the city of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque, as it disclosed the persistent excavations around the Mosque, the frequent raids into it and the desecration of its courtyards.
It also dealt with the criminal and provocative acts committed by the Zionist settlers against Palestinian citizens as well as their lands, their crops and properties.
20 sept 2012
Settlers Invade Palestinian Home In Hebron, Attack Family Members
A group of armed extremist Israeli settlers of the Avraham Avino illegal Israeli settlement, invaded on Wednesday a Palestinian home in the southern West Bank city of Hebron, and attacked two family members including an eight years old child.
The settlers initially hurled stones and empty bottles at the home of Nidal Al-Oweiwy, and climbed on its rooftop before invading the home through it roof door, the Arabs48 news website reported.
The extremist settlers then proceeded to attack Sally, Nidal’s 8-year-old daughter, and his son Sa’id, leading to various cuts and bruises.
They also destroyed the homes’ furniture and shattered the glass of several doors and windows in addition to damaging the water tanks on its rooftop.
Local sources reported that, Israeli soldiers deployed in the area, did not attempt to stop the settlers.
This is not the first attack against the home, and a number of nearby homes, as the settlers are trying to occupy them.
It is worth mentioning that, several days ago, another son of Nidal, identified as Tha’er, 20, who was kidnapped by the army, was released and forced under house arrest after the army forced his father to pay a 4000 NIS fine.
The family of Al-Oweiwy said that despite all attacks and violations practiced against them by the army and the extremist settlers, they will never leave their home and will never sell it to the settlers.
Settler groups repeatedly tried to force the family into selling their home to them, and when the family refused, the settlers started attacking their home in an attempt to scare them away, local sources said.
Settlers Steal Palestinian Lands Near Bethlehem
A number of armed extremist Israeli settlers illegally confiscated, on Thursday, six Dunams of privately-owned Palestinian lands, south of Al-Khader, near the West Bank city of Bethlehem.
Ahmad Salah, Coordinator of the Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements in Al-Khader, stated that the lands in question are in Khallit A-Fahem area, located between the illegal Israeli settlements of Eliezer and Etzion.
Last Thursday, Salah stated that extremist settlers occupied 2 Dunams (0.494 Acres) of privately-owned Palestinian lands in Irq Ath-Theeba area, close to the Efrat illegal settlement that was built on lands belonging to the residents of Al-Khader. The two Dunams belong to resident Yousef Mahmoud Ghneim.
In August, a group of Israeli settlers planted a Palestinian land that they illegally took over in May, near Al-Khader town. The settlers were seen planting 5 Dunams of farmland that they illegally occupied three months ago.
The latest violations are part of ongoing assaults carried out by extremist Israeli settlers against the residents, their lands and property in the occupied West Bank, including in and around occupied East Jerusalem.
ISR Legal Counselor Calls For “Cracking Down” On Illegal Outposts
Israeli daily, Haaretz, reported Thursday that the Legal Counselor of the Israeli Government sent an official document to Israeli Defense Minister, Ehud Barak, asking him ensure the government closely monitors illegal constructions conducted by Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
Barak said that the Civil Administration Office in the occupied West Bank must thoroughly monitor illegal constructions in order to be able to file charges against violators.
Haaretz said that the Counselor, Yehuda Feinstein, sent his letter to Barak several months ago, in an attempt to crack down on illegal constructions in Israeli settlements and settlement outposts in the occupied West Bank.
He said that, so far, no actions were taken against the illegal constructions, and no charges were filed against the violators.
Barak responded to Feinstein’s letter by informing him that “the issue is currently being dealt with”, and that the government is currently weighing the possibility of training personnel of the Monitoring Unit of the Civil Administration Office in order to grant them the power to conduct and lead criminal investigations, and to press charges against violators.
Haaretz added that, “despite the fact that the monitoring teams are active in monitoring constructions in settlements, and despite their ability to identify violators in a timely manner and to issue demolition orders, such orders are implemented in a very slow manger, and face continuous delays, due to pressures practiced by right-wing coalition parties of the Netanyahu government.
This is happening besides the fact that the current right-wing government headed by Benjamin Netanyahu is acting on boosting settlement construction and expansion activities in the occupied West Bank.
Settlements are illegal under International Law, and under the Fourth Geneva Convention to which Israel is a signatory.
19 sept 2012
Israeli Settlers Suspected of Burning House near Hebron
A Palestinian-owned house in the town of Beit ummar, north of Hebron, was totally gutted in what is believed to be an arson caused by Jewish settlers from the settlement of Karmi Tsur, according to a local activist.
The coordinator of the popular committee against settlements and the Apartheid Wall, Mohammad Awad, told WAFA that the house, belonging to Mohammad Arrar, who is currently abroad, caught fire at dawn, completely destroying it.
He said the house is located adjacent to Karmi Tsur settlement, built illegally on Beit ummar's land, which leaves suspicions that settlers were behind the arson.
18 sept 2012
Settlers Organise Provocative March in Silwan, Jerusalem
Dozens of settlers organised Monday evening a provocative march in the village of Silwan, south of al-Aqsa Mosque and centred in Ein Silwan area.
The march launched from al-Buraq wall (the Western Wall) in the occasion of the Jewish New Year festival, walked through the main street in Wadi Hilwah, the well of prophet Ayub and Ein al-Louza areas until they reached Ein Silwan.
Head of the Committee for the Defence of Silwan, Fakhri Abu Diab, said that a force from the Israeli soldiers and police provided the settlers with protection during their march.
He added that the march hindered the movement of Palestinian vehicles due to the closure of the main street.
Islamic movement calls for uprising against occupation violations in Jerusalem
Sheikh Kamal Khatib, deputy head of the Islamic movement in the Palestinian territories occupied in 1948, considered Israeli raids into al-Aqsa Mosque and desecration of its courtyards, especially wall and Square of al-Buraq, a flagrant aggression on Islamic sanctities.
Sheikh Khatib warned of the occupation schemes designed to divide al-Aqsa Mosque and its courtyards, referring to some of the Israeli Judaizing projects and plans in al-Aqsa Mosque.
He said in a press statement published by Filastin newspaper on Monday: "We warned Muslims in the past and we are still warning them of the occupation schemes and their consequences affecting Muslims' feelings and their religious places."
"These attacks, although coinciding with Jewish holidays, are not new", added deputy head of the Islamic movement, noting that the daily abuses by settlers and military and police units aim to desecrate al-Aqsa Mosque and impose dividing it between Muslims and Jews.
Sheikh Khatib demanded the Arab and Islamic nation to launch a mass uprising worldwide, to stop the Israeli occupation schemes and halt its attacks and practices which desecrate al-Aqsa Mosque.
For his part, the researcher at Jerusalem Affairs Professor Saleh Lutfi, said that these ongoing attacks and raids in Al-Aqsa Mosque, intensified during Jewish holidays, represent "systematic" and planned practices by the Zionist supreme institutions, which seek to Judaize the mosque.
Lutfi told Filastin newspaper that all economic projects approved by Jerusalem Municipality and judicial decisions supporting Jewish infiltration in the Holy City aim to turn al-Aqsa Mosque and its courtyards to public squares for Jews and to "geographically and religiously" divide it.
He also pointed to displacing the city's residents and to imposing a curfew on them during the Jewish holidays.
He called for harnessing all efforts and capabilities to support the steadfastness of Jerusalemites and protect Jerusalem from Israeli plots.
Israeli occupation has been intensifying its military presence in the occupied city of Jerusalem and around al-Aqsa Mosque, especially in the area of al-Buraq. It is also continuing its procedure preventing people under 45 years from entering al-Aqsa Mosque, for the second day in a row.
Meanwhile, 73 settlers broke into al-Aqsa Mosque on Sunday (62 settlers in the morning and 11 others in the afternoon), and tried surreptitiously to perform some Talmudic rituals there.
Israeli forces close Silwan entrances for Jewish holidays
The Israeli forces closed the northern entrances to East Jerusalem's Silwan neighborhood on Monday to allow settlers celebrating the Jewish new year to access the area.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center denounced the Israeli measure that forced the Palestinian residents to take long detours to reach their homes.
Israeli forces were deployed in Silwan neighborhoods and closed its northern entrances preventing the children from reaching their schools and the residents from accessing their works.
"These routes were closed to Silwan residents to allow military vehicles and settler buses carrying settlers from the nearby outposts to freely tour the neighborhood," the Center said.
In a related context, Elad Association started preparation for the construction of a pedestrian bridge linking the visitor center "City of David" to the tunnel of Buraq square, passing through Wadi Hilweh square "Givati station", where workers brought the needed stones and materials for construction.
On the other hand, occupation forces raided and occupied Wadi Hilweh playground to turn it "to a military check point" during the celebration of "the Jewish New Year."
Mada center confirmed that the occupation forces stormed suddenly Wadi Hilweh playground, sparking fear among the children who were playing inside.
Locals said that at Jewish New Year settlers come to the area to perform rituals at a local spring, adding that the IOF will use the playground as an Israeli military post during the Jewish New Year.
The Wadi Hilweh playground, built on a Palestinian family's land 6 months ago, is threatened to be confiscated by the Israeli authorities to turn it to a car park.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center warned against exploiting the Jewish holidays to change the town of Silwan's features preparing to build a pedestrian bridge.
Settler group to 'build bridge' linking Silwan to Old City
A private Israeli organization which promotes settlement building in East Jerusalem is planning to build a bridge between a visitors center in Silwan and the Old City, a local group said Tuesday.
Settler group Elad is planning the construction to link the City Of David Visitors Center in Silwan to al-Buraq square, where the Haram al-Sharif or Temple Mount compound lies, the Islamic-Christian Committee for Protecting Jerusalem and the Holy Sites said.
"Al-Buraq square is not the only Israeli project that is targeting holy places in Jerusalem. There are dozens of Israeli projects aimed to Judaize Jerusalem, and these projects are implemented in secrecy," secretary-general Hanna Issa said.
Silwan -- adjacent to the Old City's Dome of the Rock compound and Western Wall -- is populated by a number of settler homes under heavy Israeli guard, and the site of frequent clashes with forces on arrest raids targeting the Palestinian population.
The weekly report issued by the National Bureau for the Defense of Land and Resistance to Settlements noted that the Israeli government aims to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as its capital, through a plan, proposed by Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, to unilaterally withdraw from the West Bank
The plan is similar to former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and Barak said that the plan will keep major settlement blocs that contain 90% of the Israeli settlers under Israel’s control and that Israel would also maintain military control over the Jordan Valley.
The National Bureau for the Defense of Land and Resistance to Settlements' report considered that the occupation plan is "a continuation of the Israeli expansionist project that began in 1948 and which aims to impose new facts and to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state."
It also pointed out that the occupation authorities started establishing three hundred settlement units in Khader town, south of Bethlehem, as part of a settlement scheme targeting all the occupied Palestinian territories, and particularly Jerusalem and aiming to complete "Greater Jerusalem" plan on Bethlehem territories in southern West Bank.
Occupation plans to extend Har Houma settlement
The Hebrew weekly Yorshalim newspaper reported on Friday that rightist settlers had recently erected a tent on a hill near Umm Tuba village, in southern Jerusalem.
The new tent was set up on a hill near the back entrance of Har Houma settlement, close to an Israeli police station, in an attempt to create an outpost that will eventually become an extension to Har Houma settlement.
The Yorshalim newspaper reported that there is no guard on the settlers residing in the new outpost which is only one street away from Umm Tuba village and that the settlers raised Israeli flags on the tent and the Star of David made of tree branches.
Israeli settlers throw rocks at non-violent demonstrators near Hebron
A non-violent protest against the illegal Israeli confiscation of Palestinian land in Yatta village was attacked by Israeli settlers on Saturday afternoon.
The settlers threw rocks at the demonstrators, injuring two: Fadel Jibreel Rabae, 46, and Mohammad Ali Shawahin, 19. Eyewitnesses reported that although Israeli troops were stationed nearby, they did not intervene to try to stop the settler violence, nor did they take any action to apprehend the perpetrators.
The protest was held on Saturday afternoon near Yatta village, to protest the confiscation of land in al-Hamra and al-Kharrouba areas.
Palestinian villagers were joined by international solidarity activists for the rally, which consisted of speeches, chants and marching to the site of the land confiscation.
Previous settler attacks in Yatta village have involved settlers from Ma'un and Hafat Ma'un settlements, but it is unknown if the settlers who attacked on Saturday were from these two nearby settlements.
In August, settlers uprooted 30 olive trees from a Palestinian orchard in al-Hamra, east of Yatta. This was preceded by multiple incidents including the burning of Palestinian orchards and crops in May, as well as multiple armed assaults on Palestinian farmers in the area.
28 sept 2012
Settlers pump wastewater on lands west of Bethlehem
A group of Jewish settlers pumped, on Thursday morning, wastewater from a settlement in the west of Bethlehem in southern West Bank, onto Palestinian agricultural land.
Ahmed Sukkar, head of the village council in Fukin village, told "Quds Press" that settlers pumped wastewater on lands in the village, damaging an area of 50 dunums.
He pointed out that this is not the first time the settlers pump industrial waste or wastewater through pipes installed in the region, which led to damaging the lands and the crops.
Sukkar cautioned of the environmental and health dangers caused by such acts on the area’s residents and farmers.
27 sept 2012
Abbas condemns settler violence in UN speech
President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday addressed the UN General Assembly a year after failing to secure membership for a State of Palestine in the world body.
In his remarks, Abbas accused Israel of ethnic cleansing in Jerusalem and condemned violence by settlers against Palestinians, which he said was a product of a "culture of incitement."
Abbas said 5,000 prisoners were soldiers in the struggle for their people's freedom. He called on the international community to compel Israel to enforce the Geneva Convention and investigate jail conditions.
He also said Israeli policies in the occupied territories undermined the stability of the Palestinian Authority, and would ultimately threaten its existence.
He said Palestinians would never accept a state based on provisional borders.
But he said Palestinians extend their hands to the Israelis in peace. "There is still a chance -- maybe the last -- to save the two state solution and to salvage peace," he said.
IOF intensify military measures in Al-Khalil city
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) intensified on Wednesday their military measures in Al-Khalil city and near the Ibrahimi Mosque at the pretext of protecting the Jewish settlers on the occasion of their religious holidays.
Eyewitnesses told a reporter for the Palestinian information center (PIC) that the IOF established checkpoints near Halhoul entrance in the industrial zone of Al-Khalili and near the entrances to Nabi Younis and Sa'eir villages.
Military patrols were deployed in mountainous areas overlooking the roads which are used by the settlers, according to eyewitnesses.
The IOF also intensified its military presence near the Ibrahimi Mosque and allowed only the Jewish settlers to enter it.
26 sept 2012
Settlers attack 3 farmers near Ramallah
Three Palestinian farmers from Mikhmas village northeast of Ramallah in occupied West Bank were wounded during an attack by dozens of Jewish settlers, yesterday evening.
Eyewitnesses said that nearly 120 settlers attacked a group of farmers who tried to reach their lands in an area northern the village of Mikhmas after the settlers uprooted olive trees in the lands.
They said: the settlers attacked the farmers with sharp instruments, injuring the elderly Abdul Karim Abu Ali, 56, who was seriously injured in the head and immediately transferred to Palestinian Medical complex in Ramallah.
The two other farmers were moderately wounded, added the witnesses.
Settlers break into al-Aqsa
Jewish settlers broke into al-Aqsa mosque, on Tuesday, through Bab El-Magharbeh bridge, trying to perform Talmudic rituals and prayers.
The raid came after tens of thousands of settlers desecrated, Monday evening, the Buraq Wall area west of the al-Aqsa mosque, where they performed biblical and Talmudic rituals, accompanied by loud songs lasting to the middle of the night.
The Aqsa and Holy Places Maintenance Foundation stated that thousands of occupation soldiers surrounded Buraq area and the Old City of Jerusalem, and closed a number of main and secondary streets to facilitate the arrival of the Israeli settlers to Buraq area.
The Foundation pointed out to the presence of dozens of worshipers and students in al-Aqsa mosque where the atmosphere was highly charged.
Aqsa Foundation: Israeli intents to establish Talmudic prayers in al-Aqsa
Al-Aqsa Foundation for Endowments and Heritage said, in a statement on Tuesday afternoon, that the Israeli occupation is desecrating these days the Islamic sanctities in Jerusalem and al-Aqsa mosque through organizing several Judaizing events and activities.
The foundation added that these Israeli practices came under the pretext of performing biblical and Talmudic rituals during the so-called Holiday Season.
The Foundation called on the Palestinian Arab and Islamic community to save al-Aqsa mosque from the Israeli Judaization plans.
Al-Aqsa Foundation confirmed that Israeli groups intend to perform Talmudic prayers concerning the alleged temple on Wednesday during the so-called Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) at the court house opposite Bab al-Silsila of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
This Jewish ritual was launched by the Rabbi "Goren" since 1967, and held twice per year on "Yom Kippur", and on the anniversary of the destruction of the Temple according to Hebrew sources
The court house is the building of the Sharia Court and the Tankazi School Mosque adjacent to the Aqsa Mosque. This School and Mosque were built by the Mumluki Governor of Greater Syria in 1328, the Foundation stated. The Israeli occupation took the building over in 1967 and used as a military post, until a few years ago when they converted part of it to a synagogue.
Israel To Build New Settler-Road Near Qalqilia
The so-called Israeli Civil Administration Office, run under the Israeli Military in the occupied West Bank, is planning to pave a new road to be used by Jewish settlers, in the northern West Bank district of Qalqilia.
The new planned road will be built on expense of privately-owned Palestinian lands that belong to villagers of Izbit At-Tabeeb, Nabi Elias and Azzoun.
Izbit At-Tabeeb is located in Area C of the occupied West Bank falling under Israeli military and administrative control, and Israel refuses to recognize it while the residents are facing constant threats of been removed from their own homes and lands.
Residents of the village told the Arabs48 News Website that Israeli officials arrived at the village and starting placing markers on the villagers’ lands, and when asked about what they were doing, the officials said that a previously planned settler road will be built soon, and will lead to the confiscation of lands that belong to the villagers of Izbit At-Tabeeb and a number of nearby villages.
The residents objected to what was happening and forced the Civil Administration team to leave, and the team said they will be back “under protection of the military”.
The Village Council in Izbit At-Tabeeb issued a press release stating that the villages in the area will resist this new Israeli plan, and will continue their nonviolent activities to counter the illegal Israeli violations, Israel illegal Annexation Wall and settlements.
It is worth mentioning that Israel also intends to demolish a medical services center in the village under the pretext of being built without a permit.
The Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements in the village said that its weekly nonviolent protest this Friday will also be held to resist this new plan, and called on Israeli and International peace activists to support their protest and help the residents defend their homes and lands.
25 sept 2012
PA official: Settlers dig up 200 dunams of Nablus land
A group of settlers dug up 200 dunams of agricultural land in the Nablus village of Yanun on Tuesday, a PA official said.
Ghassan Daghlas, who monitors settlement activity in the northern West Bank, told Ma'an that dozens of settlers used bulldozers to destroy the land.
On Occasion of Yom Kippur, Dozens of Settlers Storm Al-Aqsa Mosque
On Tuesday 25th September, around 80 settlers broke into al-Aqsa mosque from Bab al-Magharbeh gate and performed their religious rituals on the occasion of the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, while Israeli forces banned dozens of Muslims, whose ages are less than 45, from entering the mosque.
Thousands of Israelis also performed their religious and Thilmod rituals at the al-Buraq Wall (the Wailing Wall) area, west of al-Aqsa mosque.
The Foundation for the Architecture of Al-Aqsa and Sanctities said that Israeli forces closed the main entrances and roads of the old city of Jerusalem to facilitate the entry of Israelis into the al-Buraq area.
Al-Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage assured that the al-Aqsa mosque, which has the estimated area of 144 acres, its buildings, yards and walls is an Islamic mosque and for Muslims only, adding that the al-Buraq wall is an integral part of the Al-Aqsa mosque.
24 sept 2012
IOF closes the Ibrahimi Mosque to Muslims
The Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOF) closed the Ibrahimi Mosque to Palestinians and Muslims, under the pretext of Jewish holidays.
Occupation authorities closed the Ibrahimi Mosque, and tightened its military actions in its environment under the pretext of celebrating Jewish holidays, preventing Muslims from performing their prayers in it, locals confirmed.
IOF divided the Ibrahimi Mosque and made parts of it under the control of the settlers following the massacre committed by the extremist settler Baruch Goldistein in 1994 where he killed and wounded dozens of worshipers while performing dawn prayers during the holy month of Ramadan.
130 settlers storm al-Aqsa
Aqsa Foundation for Heritage and Waqf (Islamic endowment) called on the Islamic nation to bear its responsibilities towards al-Aqsa Mosque and occupied Jerusalem, and to act urgently to address the occupation's attacks against al-Aqsa Mosque.
The Al-Aqsa Foundation said, in a statement issued on Sunday, three Israeli groups, about 130 settlers, toured the holy compound accompanied by rabbis and soldiers, and performed religious rituals. The three groups, belong to Israeli extremist schools, were given a guarded tour of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City.
The groups caused a state of tension with the several hundred students present in the mosque where the settlers started singing and dancing celebrating their invasion of al-Aqsa mosque.
At the same time, the occupation forces, stationed at al-Aqsa gates, prevented Mr. Mohammad Sharif Jabareen from entering the mosque.
Al-Aqsa Foundation warned against the dangerous situations in al-Aqsa Mosque, adding that the repeated Israeli extremists' invasions of al-Aqsa mosque aimed to impose a new reality upon it in an attempt to impose a defacto division of the mosque supported by the Israeli Knesset.
The Foundation said that the Islamic and Arab silence over the Israeli invasions encourages the occupation to continue forward to impose the division of Al-Aqsa Mosque between Muslims and Jews, calling for a serious and urgent Islamic attitude to save al-Aqsa mosque.
21 sept 2012
Settlers seize Palestinian lands south of Bethlehem
Israeli settlers seized six dunums of land belonging to Palestinians south of Bethlehem, a local representative said on Thursday.
According to a statement by the Committee against Apartheid Wall, the settlers seized six dunums located in Khalet al-Fahm, near al-Khader, between the settlements of Elazar and Etzion south of the town, just few hours after the occupation authorities had handed over the citizens military notifications to confiscate tens of dunums of their agricultural lands.
The Committee coordinator, Ahmed Salah, pointed out that this escalation comes within the project of expanding the settlements and linking them with each other to form a settlement belt around the city of Jerusalem.
Report: occupation plans to expand over forty settlements in West Bank
A report issued by Hamas's Media Office stated that settlement activity and Judaization projects have been escalated, in an unprecedented way, in the occupied city of Jerusalem and throughout the West Bank during the past few months.
The report pointed out that the Israeli occupation is escalating demolition operations and notifications within the framework of settlement expansion in different parts of the West Bank, particularly in al-Khalil to the south.
It also pointed to the escalation in the confiscation of thousands of dunums of citizens' lands in order to expand the outposts, to open and expand bypass roads used by settlers and to put pressure on Palestinians.
Hamas's report, which monitors settlement projects and settlers attacks during the period between August 16, 2012 and September 15, 2012, said that the occupation is planning to expand more than forty settlements, established on private Palestinian lands in different parts of occupied West Bank, and to legitimize the previous construction operations under the pretext of "military purposes."
The report also monitored the escalation of Judaization schemes against the city of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque, as it disclosed the persistent excavations around the Mosque, the frequent raids into it and the desecration of its courtyards.
It also dealt with the criminal and provocative acts committed by the Zionist settlers against Palestinian citizens as well as their lands, their crops and properties.
20 sept 2012
Settlers Invade Palestinian Home In Hebron, Attack Family Members
A group of armed extremist Israeli settlers of the Avraham Avino illegal Israeli settlement, invaded on Wednesday a Palestinian home in the southern West Bank city of Hebron, and attacked two family members including an eight years old child.
The settlers initially hurled stones and empty bottles at the home of Nidal Al-Oweiwy, and climbed on its rooftop before invading the home through it roof door, the Arabs48 news website reported.
The extremist settlers then proceeded to attack Sally, Nidal’s 8-year-old daughter, and his son Sa’id, leading to various cuts and bruises.
They also destroyed the homes’ furniture and shattered the glass of several doors and windows in addition to damaging the water tanks on its rooftop.
Local sources reported that, Israeli soldiers deployed in the area, did not attempt to stop the settlers.
This is not the first attack against the home, and a number of nearby homes, as the settlers are trying to occupy them.
It is worth mentioning that, several days ago, another son of Nidal, identified as Tha’er, 20, who was kidnapped by the army, was released and forced under house arrest after the army forced his father to pay a 4000 NIS fine.
The family of Al-Oweiwy said that despite all attacks and violations practiced against them by the army and the extremist settlers, they will never leave their home and will never sell it to the settlers.
Settler groups repeatedly tried to force the family into selling their home to them, and when the family refused, the settlers started attacking their home in an attempt to scare them away, local sources said.
Settlers Steal Palestinian Lands Near Bethlehem
A number of armed extremist Israeli settlers illegally confiscated, on Thursday, six Dunams of privately-owned Palestinian lands, south of Al-Khader, near the West Bank city of Bethlehem.
Ahmad Salah, Coordinator of the Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements in Al-Khader, stated that the lands in question are in Khallit A-Fahem area, located between the illegal Israeli settlements of Eliezer and Etzion.
Last Thursday, Salah stated that extremist settlers occupied 2 Dunams (0.494 Acres) of privately-owned Palestinian lands in Irq Ath-Theeba area, close to the Efrat illegal settlement that was built on lands belonging to the residents of Al-Khader. The two Dunams belong to resident Yousef Mahmoud Ghneim.
In August, a group of Israeli settlers planted a Palestinian land that they illegally took over in May, near Al-Khader town. The settlers were seen planting 5 Dunams of farmland that they illegally occupied three months ago.
The latest violations are part of ongoing assaults carried out by extremist Israeli settlers against the residents, their lands and property in the occupied West Bank, including in and around occupied East Jerusalem.
ISR Legal Counselor Calls For “Cracking Down” On Illegal Outposts
Israeli daily, Haaretz, reported Thursday that the Legal Counselor of the Israeli Government sent an official document to Israeli Defense Minister, Ehud Barak, asking him ensure the government closely monitors illegal constructions conducted by Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
Barak said that the Civil Administration Office in the occupied West Bank must thoroughly monitor illegal constructions in order to be able to file charges against violators.
Haaretz said that the Counselor, Yehuda Feinstein, sent his letter to Barak several months ago, in an attempt to crack down on illegal constructions in Israeli settlements and settlement outposts in the occupied West Bank.
He said that, so far, no actions were taken against the illegal constructions, and no charges were filed against the violators.
Barak responded to Feinstein’s letter by informing him that “the issue is currently being dealt with”, and that the government is currently weighing the possibility of training personnel of the Monitoring Unit of the Civil Administration Office in order to grant them the power to conduct and lead criminal investigations, and to press charges against violators.
Haaretz added that, “despite the fact that the monitoring teams are active in monitoring constructions in settlements, and despite their ability to identify violators in a timely manner and to issue demolition orders, such orders are implemented in a very slow manger, and face continuous delays, due to pressures practiced by right-wing coalition parties of the Netanyahu government.
This is happening besides the fact that the current right-wing government headed by Benjamin Netanyahu is acting on boosting settlement construction and expansion activities in the occupied West Bank.
Settlements are illegal under International Law, and under the Fourth Geneva Convention to which Israel is a signatory.
19 sept 2012
Israeli Settlers Suspected of Burning House near Hebron
A Palestinian-owned house in the town of Beit ummar, north of Hebron, was totally gutted in what is believed to be an arson caused by Jewish settlers from the settlement of Karmi Tsur, according to a local activist.
The coordinator of the popular committee against settlements and the Apartheid Wall, Mohammad Awad, told WAFA that the house, belonging to Mohammad Arrar, who is currently abroad, caught fire at dawn, completely destroying it.
He said the house is located adjacent to Karmi Tsur settlement, built illegally on Beit ummar's land, which leaves suspicions that settlers were behind the arson.
18 sept 2012
Settlers Organise Provocative March in Silwan, Jerusalem
Dozens of settlers organised Monday evening a provocative march in the village of Silwan, south of al-Aqsa Mosque and centred in Ein Silwan area.
The march launched from al-Buraq wall (the Western Wall) in the occasion of the Jewish New Year festival, walked through the main street in Wadi Hilwah, the well of prophet Ayub and Ein al-Louza areas until they reached Ein Silwan.
Head of the Committee for the Defence of Silwan, Fakhri Abu Diab, said that a force from the Israeli soldiers and police provided the settlers with protection during their march.
He added that the march hindered the movement of Palestinian vehicles due to the closure of the main street.
Islamic movement calls for uprising against occupation violations in Jerusalem
Sheikh Kamal Khatib, deputy head of the Islamic movement in the Palestinian territories occupied in 1948, considered Israeli raids into al-Aqsa Mosque and desecration of its courtyards, especially wall and Square of al-Buraq, a flagrant aggression on Islamic sanctities.
Sheikh Khatib warned of the occupation schemes designed to divide al-Aqsa Mosque and its courtyards, referring to some of the Israeli Judaizing projects and plans in al-Aqsa Mosque.
He said in a press statement published by Filastin newspaper on Monday: "We warned Muslims in the past and we are still warning them of the occupation schemes and their consequences affecting Muslims' feelings and their religious places."
"These attacks, although coinciding with Jewish holidays, are not new", added deputy head of the Islamic movement, noting that the daily abuses by settlers and military and police units aim to desecrate al-Aqsa Mosque and impose dividing it between Muslims and Jews.
Sheikh Khatib demanded the Arab and Islamic nation to launch a mass uprising worldwide, to stop the Israeli occupation schemes and halt its attacks and practices which desecrate al-Aqsa Mosque.
For his part, the researcher at Jerusalem Affairs Professor Saleh Lutfi, said that these ongoing attacks and raids in Al-Aqsa Mosque, intensified during Jewish holidays, represent "systematic" and planned practices by the Zionist supreme institutions, which seek to Judaize the mosque.
Lutfi told Filastin newspaper that all economic projects approved by Jerusalem Municipality and judicial decisions supporting Jewish infiltration in the Holy City aim to turn al-Aqsa Mosque and its courtyards to public squares for Jews and to "geographically and religiously" divide it.
He also pointed to displacing the city's residents and to imposing a curfew on them during the Jewish holidays.
He called for harnessing all efforts and capabilities to support the steadfastness of Jerusalemites and protect Jerusalem from Israeli plots.
Israeli occupation has been intensifying its military presence in the occupied city of Jerusalem and around al-Aqsa Mosque, especially in the area of al-Buraq. It is also continuing its procedure preventing people under 45 years from entering al-Aqsa Mosque, for the second day in a row.
Meanwhile, 73 settlers broke into al-Aqsa Mosque on Sunday (62 settlers in the morning and 11 others in the afternoon), and tried surreptitiously to perform some Talmudic rituals there.
Israeli forces close Silwan entrances for Jewish holidays
The Israeli forces closed the northern entrances to East Jerusalem's Silwan neighborhood on Monday to allow settlers celebrating the Jewish new year to access the area.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center denounced the Israeli measure that forced the Palestinian residents to take long detours to reach their homes.
Israeli forces were deployed in Silwan neighborhoods and closed its northern entrances preventing the children from reaching their schools and the residents from accessing their works.
"These routes were closed to Silwan residents to allow military vehicles and settler buses carrying settlers from the nearby outposts to freely tour the neighborhood," the Center said.
In a related context, Elad Association started preparation for the construction of a pedestrian bridge linking the visitor center "City of David" to the tunnel of Buraq square, passing through Wadi Hilweh square "Givati station", where workers brought the needed stones and materials for construction.
On the other hand, occupation forces raided and occupied Wadi Hilweh playground to turn it "to a military check point" during the celebration of "the Jewish New Year."
Mada center confirmed that the occupation forces stormed suddenly Wadi Hilweh playground, sparking fear among the children who were playing inside.
Locals said that at Jewish New Year settlers come to the area to perform rituals at a local spring, adding that the IOF will use the playground as an Israeli military post during the Jewish New Year.
The Wadi Hilweh playground, built on a Palestinian family's land 6 months ago, is threatened to be confiscated by the Israeli authorities to turn it to a car park.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center warned against exploiting the Jewish holidays to change the town of Silwan's features preparing to build a pedestrian bridge.
Settler group to 'build bridge' linking Silwan to Old City
A private Israeli organization which promotes settlement building in East Jerusalem is planning to build a bridge between a visitors center in Silwan and the Old City, a local group said Tuesday.
Settler group Elad is planning the construction to link the City Of David Visitors Center in Silwan to al-Buraq square, where the Haram al-Sharif or Temple Mount compound lies, the Islamic-Christian Committee for Protecting Jerusalem and the Holy Sites said.
"Al-Buraq square is not the only Israeli project that is targeting holy places in Jerusalem. There are dozens of Israeli projects aimed to Judaize Jerusalem, and these projects are implemented in secrecy," secretary-general Hanna Issa said.
Silwan -- adjacent to the Old City's Dome of the Rock compound and Western Wall -- is populated by a number of settler homes under heavy Israeli guard, and the site of frequent clashes with forces on arrest raids targeting the Palestinian population.
Palestinian injured by Israeli settlers near Nablus
In the village of Qusra, near Nablus in the northern West Bank, a group of armed Israeli settlers stormed the village on Saturday, injuring one Palestinian and sending people running for cover.
The settlers came by foot from the Esh Kodesh outpost, which is considered to be illegal both under international law and Israeli law. They were fully armed and came into the village with a massive show of force.
One man, 35-year old Tayseer Quda, was wounded when he was attacked by the Israeli settlers. He was taken to the Al Rafidia Hospital in Nablus for treatment.
This is the same village that was attacked by settlers last week. On that occasion, the settlers uprooted dozens of olive trees, contaminated the drinking water and wounded 15 Palestinians. No investigation of that incident has been launched by Israeli authorities.
Last year, settlers invaded Qusra and destroyed an ancient mosque, defacing its walls with slogans like ‘Mohammed is a pig’. Instead of investigating the attack, Israeli forces invaded the village and fired on villagers, killing a man, who was a relative of the man wounded by settlers on Saturday.
17 sept 2012
Palestinian blinded in attack by Israeli settlers
In the village of Qusra, near Nablus in the northern West Bank, a group of armed Israeli settlers stormed the village on Saturday, injuring one Palestinian and sending people running for cover.
The settlers came by foot from the Esh Kodesh outpost, which is considered to be illegal both under international law and Israeli law. They were fully armed and came into the village with a massive show of force.
One man, 35-year old Tayseer Quda, was wounded when he was attacked by the Israeli settlers. He was taken to the Al Rafidia Hospital in Nablus for treatment.
This is the same village that was attacked by settlers last week. On that occasion, the settlers uprooted dozens of olive trees, contaminated the drinking water and wounded 15 Palestinians. No investigation of that incident has been launched by Israeli authorities.
Last year, settlers invaded Qusra and destroyed an ancient mosque, defacing its walls with slogans like ‘Mohammed is a pig’. Instead of investigating the attack, Israeli forces invaded the village and fired on villagers, killing a man, who was a relative of the man wounded by settlers on Saturday.
17 sept 2012
Palestinian blinded in attack by Israeli settlers
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Israeli settlers have badly wounded a Palestinian man during an attack in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus, Press TV reports .
The attack took place in the village of Qusra, north of Nablus, on Sunday when at least nine Israeli settlers beat Aqram Teser Oder. Oder's arm was broken and one of his eyes was blinded during the attack. "Around six o'clock I went to my land… nine settlers then came and told me to leave, I told them no and that they should leave, one word led to another, they started throwing rocks at me," Oder told Press TV while receiving treatment at Rafidia hospital. In another incident in the same day, 30 settlers stormed Qusra village and |
injured 15 villagers and destroyed olive trees as well as water wells.
Qusra lies near several illegal Israeli settlements and outposts and is the site of regular assaults by their residents.
Clashes between Palestinians and Israeli settlers erupted following the attack.
Soon after the clashes, Israeli soldiers entered the village and attacked the Palestinians with tear gas and rubber bullets.
In recent years, extremist Israeli settlers in the occupied territories have often assaulted Palestinians and vandalized their property under the so-called "price tag" policy. However, the Tel Aviv regime rarely detains the assailants.
The extremists say the price tag attacks are carried out against any Israeli policy to reduce the presence of settlers and settlements on occupied Palestinian land in the West Bank and East al-Quds.
Occupation closes the Ibrahimi Mosque in al-Khalil until Wednesday
Israeli occupation authorities informed on Sunday the directorate of Awqaf in al-Khalil in the southern West Bank, about its decision to close the Ibrahimi Mosque to Muslim worshipers for the coming couple of days, to enable settlers to celebrate Jewish holidays.
The Directorate of Awqaf in al-Khalil said that the closure came in the framework of settlers' celebrations of their Jewish New Year, during which the occupation prevent Muslim worshipers from entering to the Ibrahimi Mosque.
Israeli authorities usually close the Mosque for a period of ten days each year according to the recommendations of the Israeli Shamgar Commission, which had divided the Mosque between Muslims and Jews and put a schedule to close it to Muslims during Jewish holidays.
The Directorate of Awqaf condemned these arbitrary measures against places of worship and considered it an infringement on religions and freedom of worship, guaranteed by international laws.
It also stressed that the occupation authorities have been deliberately continuing this policy, in order to impose and tighten their control on the Ibrahimi Mosque.
Meanwhile, the occupation forces handed over on Sunday, three notifications to seize lands near the Ibrahimi Mosque in the old town of al-Khalil.
PA official: Settlers assault Palestinian farmers in Nablus village
Qusra lies near several illegal Israeli settlements and outposts and is the site of regular assaults by their residents.
Clashes between Palestinians and Israeli settlers erupted following the attack.
Soon after the clashes, Israeli soldiers entered the village and attacked the Palestinians with tear gas and rubber bullets.
In recent years, extremist Israeli settlers in the occupied territories have often assaulted Palestinians and vandalized their property under the so-called "price tag" policy. However, the Tel Aviv regime rarely detains the assailants.
The extremists say the price tag attacks are carried out against any Israeli policy to reduce the presence of settlers and settlements on occupied Palestinian land in the West Bank and East al-Quds.
Occupation closes the Ibrahimi Mosque in al-Khalil until Wednesday
Israeli occupation authorities informed on Sunday the directorate of Awqaf in al-Khalil in the southern West Bank, about its decision to close the Ibrahimi Mosque to Muslim worshipers for the coming couple of days, to enable settlers to celebrate Jewish holidays.
The Directorate of Awqaf in al-Khalil said that the closure came in the framework of settlers' celebrations of their Jewish New Year, during which the occupation prevent Muslim worshipers from entering to the Ibrahimi Mosque.
Israeli authorities usually close the Mosque for a period of ten days each year according to the recommendations of the Israeli Shamgar Commission, which had divided the Mosque between Muslims and Jews and put a schedule to close it to Muslims during Jewish holidays.
The Directorate of Awqaf condemned these arbitrary measures against places of worship and considered it an infringement on religions and freedom of worship, guaranteed by international laws.
It also stressed that the occupation authorities have been deliberately continuing this policy, in order to impose and tighten their control on the Ibrahimi Mosque.
Meanwhile, the occupation forces handed over on Sunday, three notifications to seize lands near the Ibrahimi Mosque in the old town of al-Khalil.
PA official: Settlers assault Palestinian farmers in Nablus village
A group of settlers assaulted three Palestinian farmers in the Nablus village of Aqraba on Monday, a Palestinian Authority official said.
Ghassan Doughlas, who monitors settlement activity in the northern West Bank, told Ma'an that Mahir Hashim Bani Jabir, 25, his brother Omar, 26, and Hafith Nitham Bani Jabir, 26, were attacked by settlers from Itamar while checking olive trees on their land.
All three men required hospital treatment for their injuries, Doughlas said.
Settler violence against Palestinians is systematic in the occupied West Bank but the perpetrators are rarely prosecuted by Israel.
Ghassan Doughlas, who monitors settlement activity in the northern West Bank, told Ma'an that Mahir Hashim Bani Jabir, 25, his brother Omar, 26, and Hafith Nitham Bani Jabir, 26, were attacked by settlers from Itamar while checking olive trees on their land.
All three men required hospital treatment for their injuries, Doughlas said.
Settler violence against Palestinians is systematic in the occupied West Bank but the perpetrators are rarely prosecuted by Israel.
