25 may 2015
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) shut down on Monday the main highway connecting Ramallah to Bethlehem to pave the way before an Israeli cycle marathon.
Local sources said the IOF soldiers and Israeli police were deployed in the main road and closed the main entrances to both cities of al-Khalil and Bethlehem.
The sources revealed that the Israeli forces blocked the Palestinians traffic for the settlers’ marathon. This has led to a severe traffic jam at the entrance to al-Khalil.
The IOF soldiers changed the Palestinian passage to the eastern roads in the West Bank, the sources added.
Local sources said the IOF soldiers and Israeli police were deployed in the main road and closed the main entrances to both cities of al-Khalil and Bethlehem.
The sources revealed that the Israeli forces blocked the Palestinians traffic for the settlers’ marathon. This has led to a severe traffic jam at the entrance to al-Khalil.
The IOF soldiers changed the Palestinian passage to the eastern roads in the West Bank, the sources added.
The Israeli occupation police on Monday morning arrested five Palestinian civilians from Muslims’ holy al-Aqsa Mosque at the same time as they safeguarded hordes of fanatic settlers defiling the holy site on accounts of upcoming Jewish holidays.
According to the Quds Press news agency, the Israeli occupation cops detained five Palestinians, identified as Qusai Dendis, Mohamed al-Hashlamon, Taha Shawahna and Abu Bakr Sheimi from the Al-Silsila Gate. Nidham Abu Ramouz was meanwhile kidnapped from al-Asbat Gate.
In the meantime, three gangs of Israeli extremist settlers, escorted by police guards, broke into the al-Aqsa Mosque and defiled its plazas until 9 a.m., the same source added.
The peaceful Muslim sit-inners at the Mosque have stood on the alert to such desecration break-ins, chanting “Allah the Greatest” all the way through.
The Israeli break-inners attempted at stepping up tension at the holy site by performing a set of sacrilegious rituals and yelling anti-Muslim slogans.
Earlier, in a predawn abduction campaign launched across Occupied Jerusalem the Israeli occupation forces kidnapped 10 Palestinians, mostly minors in their 16s of age, from Jerusalem’s neighborhoods of Ras al-Amoud, Silwan, and al-Issawiya.
According to the Quds Press news agency, the Israeli occupation cops detained five Palestinians, identified as Qusai Dendis, Mohamed al-Hashlamon, Taha Shawahna and Abu Bakr Sheimi from the Al-Silsila Gate. Nidham Abu Ramouz was meanwhile kidnapped from al-Asbat Gate.
In the meantime, three gangs of Israeli extremist settlers, escorted by police guards, broke into the al-Aqsa Mosque and defiled its plazas until 9 a.m., the same source added.
The peaceful Muslim sit-inners at the Mosque have stood on the alert to such desecration break-ins, chanting “Allah the Greatest” all the way through.
The Israeli break-inners attempted at stepping up tension at the holy site by performing a set of sacrilegious rituals and yelling anti-Muslim slogans.
Earlier, in a predawn abduction campaign launched across Occupied Jerusalem the Israeli occupation forces kidnapped 10 Palestinians, mostly minors in their 16s of age, from Jerusalem’s neighborhoods of Ras al-Amoud, Silwan, and al-Issawiya.
The Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) banned the Adan (Muslims’ call to prayer) through the loudspeakers of the Ibrahimi Mosque, from Saturday afternoon to Sunday evening, claiming it bothers Jewish settlers.
A PIC news reporter quoted eye-witnesses saying Israeli occupation prohibited the performance of Muslims’ Adan at the Ibrahimi Mosque since early Saturday afternoon until Sunday evening under the pretext of the advent of Jewish holidays.
The Israeli occupation has prohibited the call to prayer dozens of times during a month, claiming it cheeses off Israeli settlers, most of whom reportedly live in illegal settlement outposts across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, in a flagrant contravention of international law.
Human rights activists dubbed the ban an assault on heavenly religions and on the freedom of worship, saying the Israeli occupation has crossed all red lines in its barefaced infringement of international decrees and human rights.
A PIC news reporter quoted eye-witnesses saying Israeli occupation prohibited the performance of Muslims’ Adan at the Ibrahimi Mosque since early Saturday afternoon until Sunday evening under the pretext of the advent of Jewish holidays.
The Israeli occupation has prohibited the call to prayer dozens of times during a month, claiming it cheeses off Israeli settlers, most of whom reportedly live in illegal settlement outposts across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, in a flagrant contravention of international law.
Human rights activists dubbed the ban an assault on heavenly religions and on the freedom of worship, saying the Israeli occupation has crossed all red lines in its barefaced infringement of international decrees and human rights.
24 may 2015
Hashem Azzeh in his home.
On the 23rd May, settlers in Al Khalil (Hebron) blocked the entrance to Hashem Younes Azzeh’s house and attacked his family. Large rocks were thrown at them and his daughter was hit in the hand.
Hashem lives with his wife and four children in Tel Rumeida, part of the H2 area of Al Khalil. H2 is under Israeli military control and many settlers have constructed illegal homes within this part of the city. For the Palestinians, it has become an extremely tense place to live due to daily harassment from the settlers and the Israeli army alike.
Early in the morning, the settlers had parked their car right in front of the entrance to Hashem’s house, making it a tight squeeze for anyone to get by. Later on, as Hashem was walking an international group of Quakers back to the checkpoint, six settler boys, aged between 10 and 12, started throwing large amounts of stones at them.
The internationals quickly escaped and when Hashem got home, he found five Israeli soldiers there. They were checking the IDs of his daughter, Raghad, and his wife, Nisreen. Raghad attempted to show the soldiers a video of the attack, but because she had filmed while trying to avoid big stones thrown at her, the footage was blurry. The soldiers called her a liar and were about to arrest her, blaming her for the stone throwing.
All of a sudden, under the eyes of the soldiers, the settlers started throwing stones at them again and injured Raghad’s hand. Unable to support their lie anymore, the soldiers said that they would go and check on the settlers and come back – hours later, they still have not returned.
The Azzeh family has been subjected to regular attacks since 1984, when the settlers arrived in Al Khalil. Their neighbor is the leader of the Jewish National Front, Baruch Marzel. This man has a sticker on his wall that says “God gave us the right to kill Arabs and we love it”.
Hashem’s house has been invaded and turned upside down by settlers and soldiers several times, with furniture and equipment smashed. He has been shot at inside his house, narrowly missing him and his family. Hashem has been threatened, intimidated and beaten up by settlers, of which the scars on his face bear witness. His wife has suffered two miscarriages due to being beaten by settlers. His children are also regularly attacked, beaten up and have stones thrown at them. The fruit trees in his garden have been poisoned, and he has been prevented from harvesting his olives due to settler attacks. The walls of his house are still graffitied with death threats such as “gas the Arabs”. They have also had to live without water for three years because the settlers had cut their water pipes. The soldiers even came once to arrest their five year old son accusing him of throwing stones. Hashem asked if they were sure about their accusations – “No, but the settlers told us so”.
These are just examples from an endless series of attacks, where the Israeli army and the settlers [living in illegal settlements under international law], work hand in hand to continue this silent form of ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people. Hashem has tried to go to court many times to seek justice for his family, but he hasn’t even been able to come close to anything resembling this term.
A member of ISM (International Solidarity Movement) asked if Hashem was going to file a complaint for today’s attack. Hashem smiled and muttered, “What’s the point?”
On the 23rd May, settlers in Al Khalil (Hebron) blocked the entrance to Hashem Younes Azzeh’s house and attacked his family. Large rocks were thrown at them and his daughter was hit in the hand.
Hashem lives with his wife and four children in Tel Rumeida, part of the H2 area of Al Khalil. H2 is under Israeli military control and many settlers have constructed illegal homes within this part of the city. For the Palestinians, it has become an extremely tense place to live due to daily harassment from the settlers and the Israeli army alike.
Early in the morning, the settlers had parked their car right in front of the entrance to Hashem’s house, making it a tight squeeze for anyone to get by. Later on, as Hashem was walking an international group of Quakers back to the checkpoint, six settler boys, aged between 10 and 12, started throwing large amounts of stones at them.
The internationals quickly escaped and when Hashem got home, he found five Israeli soldiers there. They were checking the IDs of his daughter, Raghad, and his wife, Nisreen. Raghad attempted to show the soldiers a video of the attack, but because she had filmed while trying to avoid big stones thrown at her, the footage was blurry. The soldiers called her a liar and were about to arrest her, blaming her for the stone throwing.
All of a sudden, under the eyes of the soldiers, the settlers started throwing stones at them again and injured Raghad’s hand. Unable to support their lie anymore, the soldiers said that they would go and check on the settlers and come back – hours later, they still have not returned.
The Azzeh family has been subjected to regular attacks since 1984, when the settlers arrived in Al Khalil. Their neighbor is the leader of the Jewish National Front, Baruch Marzel. This man has a sticker on his wall that says “God gave us the right to kill Arabs and we love it”.
Hashem’s house has been invaded and turned upside down by settlers and soldiers several times, with furniture and equipment smashed. He has been shot at inside his house, narrowly missing him and his family. Hashem has been threatened, intimidated and beaten up by settlers, of which the scars on his face bear witness. His wife has suffered two miscarriages due to being beaten by settlers. His children are also regularly attacked, beaten up and have stones thrown at them. The fruit trees in his garden have been poisoned, and he has been prevented from harvesting his olives due to settler attacks. The walls of his house are still graffitied with death threats such as “gas the Arabs”. They have also had to live without water for three years because the settlers had cut their water pipes. The soldiers even came once to arrest their five year old son accusing him of throwing stones. Hashem asked if they were sure about their accusations – “No, but the settlers told us so”.
These are just examples from an endless series of attacks, where the Israeli army and the settlers [living in illegal settlements under international law], work hand in hand to continue this silent form of ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people. Hashem has tried to go to court many times to seek justice for his family, but he hasn’t even been able to come close to anything resembling this term.
A member of ISM (International Solidarity Movement) asked if Hashem was going to file a complaint for today’s attack. Hashem smiled and muttered, “What’s the point?”
Israeli soldiers kidnapped, Sunday, six Palestinian Muslim worshipers in the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, in occupied East Jerusalem, as groups of Israeli fanatics stormed the area while chanting and carrying Israeli flags.
The soldiers kidnapped the six Palestinians, and violently beat one of them causing various cuts and bruises, the WAFA Palestinian news agency said.
The kidnapped have been identified as camera operator Mohammad al-Qazzaz, Jarrah Abu Saleh, Tamer Shala’ta, Rami al-Fakhoury, Qussai Dandees and one woman who remained unidentified until the time of this report.
The arrests took place after local worshipers prevented groups of Israeli extremists from storming the courtyards of the mosque, before the soldiers invaded the area through the al-Magharba Gate.
Tension was also mounting near the Chain Gate as groups of Israeli fanatics gathered there while chanting, and trying to prevent the Muslim worshipers from entering the mosque.
Earlier on Sunday, the soldiers and police imposed severe restrictions on the local worshipers, and started pushing them away before kidnapping one woman and a young man.
The soldiers kidnapped the six Palestinians, and violently beat one of them causing various cuts and bruises, the WAFA Palestinian news agency said.
The kidnapped have been identified as camera operator Mohammad al-Qazzaz, Jarrah Abu Saleh, Tamer Shala’ta, Rami al-Fakhoury, Qussai Dandees and one woman who remained unidentified until the time of this report.
The arrests took place after local worshipers prevented groups of Israeli extremists from storming the courtyards of the mosque, before the soldiers invaded the area through the al-Magharba Gate.
Tension was also mounting near the Chain Gate as groups of Israeli fanatics gathered there while chanting, and trying to prevent the Muslim worshipers from entering the mosque.
Earlier on Sunday, the soldiers and police imposed severe restrictions on the local worshipers, and started pushing them away before kidnapping one woman and a young man.
The Islamic-Christian Committee to Support Occupied Jerusalem and Holy Sites on Sunday warned from calls by the Temple mount organization, to collectively raid Al-Aqsa mosque on the occasion of Revelation of the Torah.
The committee considered these calls a threatening danger on the holy mosque, where extremist groups will pilgrim collectively today and tomorrow. It also called on the Palestinians who can reach the mosque to be there and protect it from settler attacks.
Secretary general of the committee, Dr. Hanna Issa said that these attacks reflect the Israeli extremism and Zionist ideology, which violates religious rights and attacks sanctuaries and houses of worship, violating all the international laws.
The committee in a statement assured that the repetitive attacks on Al-Aqsa mosque flagrantly challenge the international community and religious rights. The committee added that the attacks were preparation for the proclaimed day to establish the temple mount over the ruins of Al-Aqsa mosque.
The statement pointed out new violation every single day, including attacks, prayers, Talmudic traditions in Muslim compounds, in addition to the continuous excavations and Judaization activities.
To his part, head of the Higher Islamic committee, His Eminence Sheikh Ikrima Sabri told PNN that the settler groups exploit their religious occasions to break into Al-Aqsa mosque, adding that the situation was becoming more nervous and intense day by day.
Israeli occupation forces this morning imposed curfew on Al-Aqsa mosque and restrictions on the worshipers, preventing them from entering, in addition to closing down the markets around the mosque while the Israeli settlers were allowed into the mosque.
The settlers were escorted by the Israeli police and private units, physically attacking the Palestinians, of whom one woman and one youngster were arrested.
The committee considered these calls a threatening danger on the holy mosque, where extremist groups will pilgrim collectively today and tomorrow. It also called on the Palestinians who can reach the mosque to be there and protect it from settler attacks.
Secretary general of the committee, Dr. Hanna Issa said that these attacks reflect the Israeli extremism and Zionist ideology, which violates religious rights and attacks sanctuaries and houses of worship, violating all the international laws.
The committee in a statement assured that the repetitive attacks on Al-Aqsa mosque flagrantly challenge the international community and religious rights. The committee added that the attacks were preparation for the proclaimed day to establish the temple mount over the ruins of Al-Aqsa mosque.
The statement pointed out new violation every single day, including attacks, prayers, Talmudic traditions in Muslim compounds, in addition to the continuous excavations and Judaization activities.
To his part, head of the Higher Islamic committee, His Eminence Sheikh Ikrima Sabri told PNN that the settler groups exploit their religious occasions to break into Al-Aqsa mosque, adding that the situation was becoming more nervous and intense day by day.
Israeli occupation forces this morning imposed curfew on Al-Aqsa mosque and restrictions on the worshipers, preventing them from entering, in addition to closing down the markets around the mosque while the Israeli settlers were allowed into the mosque.
The settlers were escorted by the Israeli police and private units, physically attacking the Palestinians, of whom one woman and one youngster were arrested.
Israeli sources have reported on Saturday at night that two Israeli teens were stabbed near the Damascus Gate, in the Old City of occupied Jerusalem, and suffered moderate-but-stable injuries.
Israeli Jerusalem Post has reported that medics arrived on the and provided first aid to the two 17-year-old teens, before moving them to the Hadassah Ein Karem Hospital, in Jerusalem, suffering injuries to their upper bodies. The newspaper also reported that the two were on their way to a study session at the Western Wall, marking the Shavuot Jewish holiday.
The Israeli Police said they arrested a 19-year-old Palestinian teen from his home in the Old City of Jerusalem and moved him to an interrogation center; the police said the teen “was caught on a surveillance camera,” but did not provide any further information.
On Wednesday, May 20, Israeli police shot and killed a Palestinian man after he allegedly rammed two officers with his vehicle.
His family denied the Israeli allegations, and said he is a father of five children (Rasha 14, Hamza 11, Raghad, 9, Hala, 6, and Mohammad, only 14 months of age); and he was planning to take his family on a trip to Turkey, but the accident with the officers landed him in prison with a potential life sentence.
Israeli police arrest stabber of settlers
The Israeli occupation police said it arrested a Palestinian young man suspected of carrying a stabbing attack on two Israelis on Sunday night in the holy city of Jerusalem.
The Jerusalem Post newspaper reported that two Jewish settlers, both 17, were stabbed by a Palestinian young man near Bab al-Amoud area in east Jerusalem.
It described the injuries of the settlers as moderate and claimed they were on their way to the eastern wall (al-Buraq wall of the Aqsa Mosque) to perform prayers.
Israeli Jerusalem Post has reported that medics arrived on the and provided first aid to the two 17-year-old teens, before moving them to the Hadassah Ein Karem Hospital, in Jerusalem, suffering injuries to their upper bodies. The newspaper also reported that the two were on their way to a study session at the Western Wall, marking the Shavuot Jewish holiday.
The Israeli Police said they arrested a 19-year-old Palestinian teen from his home in the Old City of Jerusalem and moved him to an interrogation center; the police said the teen “was caught on a surveillance camera,” but did not provide any further information.
On Wednesday, May 20, Israeli police shot and killed a Palestinian man after he allegedly rammed two officers with his vehicle.
His family denied the Israeli allegations, and said he is a father of five children (Rasha 14, Hamza 11, Raghad, 9, Hala, 6, and Mohammad, only 14 months of age); and he was planning to take his family on a trip to Turkey, but the accident with the officers landed him in prison with a potential life sentence.
Israeli police arrest stabber of settlers
The Israeli occupation police said it arrested a Palestinian young man suspected of carrying a stabbing attack on two Israelis on Sunday night in the holy city of Jerusalem.
The Jerusalem Post newspaper reported that two Jewish settlers, both 17, were stabbed by a Palestinian young man near Bab al-Amoud area in east Jerusalem.
It described the injuries of the settlers as moderate and claimed they were on their way to the eastern wall (al-Buraq wall of the Aqsa Mosque) to perform prayers.
23 may 2015
A Swedish-owned church compound between Bethlehem and Hebron has not been sold to settlers contrary to media reports on Friday, the church's lawyer told Ma'an on Saturday.
Israeli news source Haaretz reported Friday that right-wing Israeli Aryeh King had purchased the abandoned church compound from the church's owners three years ago in order to build a settlement outpost.
However, local sources refuted the report, saying that such a sale had not been made and that the current owners are in fact carrying out refurbishments to turn the compound into a hostel.
"The church owns the compound, and is fixing up the existing building to serve as a hostel for Christians, Muslims, and Jews who are passing through," the church's Swedish lawyer Ari Souko told Ma'an.
The lawyer also reportedly told Muhammad Ayyad Awad, a spokesman of a local popular committee in nearby village Beit Ummar, that the church "has not been sold to settlers," and that the Haaretz report was "far from the truth.
"Awad told Ma'an that the compound had been built decades after the owners bought 35 dunams (9 acres) of land from Beit Ummar resident Abd al-Latif Jabir Ikhlayyil. The building then served as a hospital offering free medical treatment to local residents. The hospital continued to operate until the early 1980s but closed due to financial difficulties.
Since then the building has been deserted, Awad said. While Haaretz reported Friday that Aryeh King had recently started to refurbish it ahead of establishing a new settlement outpost in the area, Souko told Ma'an that such refurbishments were being carried out and funded by the church for the planned hostel.
Although the church remains in Swedish hands, the Haaretz report reflects a current trend in Israeli settlement practices, particularly in occupied East Jerusalem. Aryeh King is founder and director of Israel Land Fund, an organization that buys Palestinian property and homes for resale to Jews with the aim of 'Judaizing' occupied East Jerusalem as well as Palestinian neighborhoods in Israel.
The church lies in a sensitive location, which if settled, would see Israeli settlements stretch all the way from the Gush Etzion settler bloc south of Jerusalem to the cluster of settlements around Hebron.
Currently Karmei Tzur is the only large settlement between the two. Palestinians living in occupied East Jerusalem face ongoing threat of being pushed out by groups such as Israel Land Fund.
While Israeli government policies make it nearly impossible for Palestinian residents to obtain building permits, Jewish residents frequently take over Palestinian buildings with the protection of Israeli security.
Israeli news source Haaretz reported Friday that right-wing Israeli Aryeh King had purchased the abandoned church compound from the church's owners three years ago in order to build a settlement outpost.
However, local sources refuted the report, saying that such a sale had not been made and that the current owners are in fact carrying out refurbishments to turn the compound into a hostel.
"The church owns the compound, and is fixing up the existing building to serve as a hostel for Christians, Muslims, and Jews who are passing through," the church's Swedish lawyer Ari Souko told Ma'an.
The lawyer also reportedly told Muhammad Ayyad Awad, a spokesman of a local popular committee in nearby village Beit Ummar, that the church "has not been sold to settlers," and that the Haaretz report was "far from the truth.
"Awad told Ma'an that the compound had been built decades after the owners bought 35 dunams (9 acres) of land from Beit Ummar resident Abd al-Latif Jabir Ikhlayyil. The building then served as a hospital offering free medical treatment to local residents. The hospital continued to operate until the early 1980s but closed due to financial difficulties.
Since then the building has been deserted, Awad said. While Haaretz reported Friday that Aryeh King had recently started to refurbish it ahead of establishing a new settlement outpost in the area, Souko told Ma'an that such refurbishments were being carried out and funded by the church for the planned hostel.
Although the church remains in Swedish hands, the Haaretz report reflects a current trend in Israeli settlement practices, particularly in occupied East Jerusalem. Aryeh King is founder and director of Israel Land Fund, an organization that buys Palestinian property and homes for resale to Jews with the aim of 'Judaizing' occupied East Jerusalem as well as Palestinian neighborhoods in Israel.
The church lies in a sensitive location, which if settled, would see Israeli settlements stretch all the way from the Gush Etzion settler bloc south of Jerusalem to the cluster of settlements around Hebron.
Currently Karmei Tzur is the only large settlement between the two. Palestinians living in occupied East Jerusalem face ongoing threat of being pushed out by groups such as Israel Land Fund.
While Israeli government policies make it nearly impossible for Palestinian residents to obtain building permits, Jewish residents frequently take over Palestinian buildings with the protection of Israeli security.
Several fanatic Israeli settlers smashed, Saturday, the doors of a number of Palestinian stores and shops, in the Shuhada Street, in Hebron’s Old City, in the southern part of the occupied West Bank.
The Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA) said the settlers came from a number of illegal outposts, in the center of Hebron city.
Meanwhile, Israeli soldiers prevented the Palestinians from entering the Shuhada Street for several hours, denying them access to their own homes and shops, an issued that pushed some to seek alternate, extended, routes.
The Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA) said the settlers came from a number of illegal outposts, in the center of Hebron city.
Meanwhile, Israeli soldiers prevented the Palestinians from entering the Shuhada Street for several hours, denying them access to their own homes and shops, an issued that pushed some to seek alternate, extended, routes.
22 may 2015
Fanatic Israeli settlers have taken control of 40 dunams (10 acres) belonging to a Christian church, between the Gush Etzion settlement bloc and the al-'Arroub refugee camp, north of the southern West Bank city of Hebron. The settlers have started establishing a new outpost on the confiscated land referred to as Bet Bracha.
According to a report by Israeli newspaper, Ha'aretz, right-wing settler, Aryeh King, has purchased a compound of an abandoned church, and started working on it to create a new outpost.
The report added that King "purchased the buildings from church owners three years ago."
The new settlement is meant to house at least 20 families in the already refurbished eight buildings, including a large commons structure.
Ha'aretz said that the settlers have been conducting massive reconstruction for the last several months.
The settlers also built a fence around the compound, challenging an order by the Civil Administration Office in the Occupied West Bank, as no permit was issued for the fence.
In addition, Ha'aretz stated that King does not need to obtain a permit for refurbishing the buildings, as they were built in the 1940s, close to settlement route #60.
The importance of the new outpost is that it paves the way for further settlement expansion, especially since there are more than 500 dunams (around 125 acres) of Palestinian lands illegally confiscated by Israel in 2005, used to expand kibbutz Migdal Oz.
Israel is also planning to build a settlers' road bypassing the al-'Arroub refugee camp.
In 2008, the Israeli Civil Administration Office in the Occupied West Bank mapped the entire area, but did not have a plan in place for it at the time.
According to Ha'aretz, the church was turned into a hostel twenty years ago, but the project failed, and the buildings were left abandoned.
An American missionary, identified as Thomas Lambie, constructed the buildings after coming to Palestine in 1947. Lambie constructed a tuberculosis hospital on the site, and was buried on the property after his death in 1954.
The new outpost would also facilitate future expansion after becoming part of the Gush Etzion settlement bloc, allowing it to extend toward the Hebron hills, particularly since Israel claims to have "state lands" in the area.
It is worth mentioning that Ha'aretz quoted an unnamed source from the Gush Etzion Regional Council stating that the church property does not belong to the settlement, as it is owned by a Swedish church.
Meanwhile, Dror Etkes of the Israeli Peace Now Movement, Shalom Achshav, said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has the opportunity to declare clearly whether he supports, or opposes, the two-state solution.
Etkes added that the new outpost is located on an important route linking Bethlehem and Hebron. The route has further obstructed efforts to achieve a peace agreement with the Palestinians.
Israel uses the claim of "state lands" in the occupied West Bank to justify the construction and expansion of its illegal colonial settlements, isolating entire Palestinian communities, and preventing Palestinians from accessing what is left of their lands and orchards.
However, most of the settlements in the West Bank are built on privately owned Palestinian lands, and the Israeli "state lands" claim violates International Law and the Fourth Geneva Convention regarding the transfer of a civilian population of the occupying power into lands it occupies.
According to a report by Israeli newspaper, Ha'aretz, right-wing settler, Aryeh King, has purchased a compound of an abandoned church, and started working on it to create a new outpost.
The report added that King "purchased the buildings from church owners three years ago."
The new settlement is meant to house at least 20 families in the already refurbished eight buildings, including a large commons structure.
Ha'aretz said that the settlers have been conducting massive reconstruction for the last several months.
The settlers also built a fence around the compound, challenging an order by the Civil Administration Office in the Occupied West Bank, as no permit was issued for the fence.
In addition, Ha'aretz stated that King does not need to obtain a permit for refurbishing the buildings, as they were built in the 1940s, close to settlement route #60.
The importance of the new outpost is that it paves the way for further settlement expansion, especially since there are more than 500 dunams (around 125 acres) of Palestinian lands illegally confiscated by Israel in 2005, used to expand kibbutz Migdal Oz.
Israel is also planning to build a settlers' road bypassing the al-'Arroub refugee camp.
In 2008, the Israeli Civil Administration Office in the Occupied West Bank mapped the entire area, but did not have a plan in place for it at the time.
According to Ha'aretz, the church was turned into a hostel twenty years ago, but the project failed, and the buildings were left abandoned.
An American missionary, identified as Thomas Lambie, constructed the buildings after coming to Palestine in 1947. Lambie constructed a tuberculosis hospital on the site, and was buried on the property after his death in 1954.
The new outpost would also facilitate future expansion after becoming part of the Gush Etzion settlement bloc, allowing it to extend toward the Hebron hills, particularly since Israel claims to have "state lands" in the area.
It is worth mentioning that Ha'aretz quoted an unnamed source from the Gush Etzion Regional Council stating that the church property does not belong to the settlement, as it is owned by a Swedish church.
Meanwhile, Dror Etkes of the Israeli Peace Now Movement, Shalom Achshav, said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has the opportunity to declare clearly whether he supports, or opposes, the two-state solution.
Etkes added that the new outpost is located on an important route linking Bethlehem and Hebron. The route has further obstructed efforts to achieve a peace agreement with the Palestinians.
Israel uses the claim of "state lands" in the occupied West Bank to justify the construction and expansion of its illegal colonial settlements, isolating entire Palestinian communities, and preventing Palestinians from accessing what is left of their lands and orchards.
However, most of the settlements in the West Bank are built on privately owned Palestinian lands, and the Israeli "state lands" claim violates International Law and the Fourth Geneva Convention regarding the transfer of a civilian population of the occupying power into lands it occupies.
Israeli soldiers kidnapped, Friday, a young man trying to cross a military roadblock, north of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, and invaded various Palestinian communities Jenin and Hebron.
Eyewitnesses said the soldiers kidnapped Abdullah Khaled Beida, 22 years of age, while trying to cross the al-Jalama roadblock, north of Jenin.
The young man is from Jayyous village, near the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia.
In addition, several Israeli military vehicles invaded Ya’bad town, and Raba village, and drove around in the two communities before withdrawing later. No arrests were reported.
In related news, soldiers invaded Hebron city, in the southern part of the West Bank, broke into and violently searched at least one home.
Resident Rami al-Fallah stated that the soldiers thoroughly searched his home, causing excessive property damage.
A number of Israeli extremists also invaded neighborhoods in Hebron’s Old City, and marched proactively, before spraying a few Palestinians with pepper-spray.
Eyewitnesses said the soldiers kidnapped Abdullah Khaled Beida, 22 years of age, while trying to cross the al-Jalama roadblock, north of Jenin.
The young man is from Jayyous village, near the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia.
In addition, several Israeli military vehicles invaded Ya’bad town, and Raba village, and drove around in the two communities before withdrawing later. No arrests were reported.
In related news, soldiers invaded Hebron city, in the southern part of the West Bank, broke into and violently searched at least one home.
Resident Rami al-Fallah stated that the soldiers thoroughly searched his home, causing excessive property damage.
A number of Israeli extremists also invaded neighborhoods in Hebron’s Old City, and marched proactively, before spraying a few Palestinians with pepper-spray.
21 may 2015
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) have sealed off the main entrances to southern Nablus, in the northern West Bank, on accounts of providing a tight security shield for Israeli settlers.
Member of the Madama village council Bahjat Ziada said the IOF have since Wednesday afternoon been blocking Palestinians access out of and into Nablus’ villages of Madama and Burin. A military checkpoint was pitched by the IOF at the main entrance to the villages allegedly to provide security for Israeli settlers passing through the area.
The IOF have also reportedly been closing the Hawara checkpoint for varying periods of time after hordes of Israeli fanatics joined marches staged in illegal settlement outposts in southern Nablus.
A few hours earlier, the Israeli occupation troops rolled into Nablus’ Burin and set up a makeshift roadblock at its crossroads, denying Palestinians entry into and exit from the area.
Dozens of Israeli extremist settlers also partook in a march on the Yitzhar bypass under the pretext that Molotov Cocktails were hurled at settler cars.
Meanwhile, eye-witnesses said a bench of Israeli vandals set up a tent and a makeshift caravan on a hill in Burin, raising concerns over Israeli intents to set the stage for the establishment of an illegal settlement outpost at the expense of Palestinians’ own and only lands.
Overnight Wednesday the IOF pitched a flying checkpoint at the entrance to Deir Sharaf village, west of Nablus, where Palestinian vehicles and passers-by were meticulously inspected, resulting in traffic congestion.
Member of the Madama village council Bahjat Ziada said the IOF have since Wednesday afternoon been blocking Palestinians access out of and into Nablus’ villages of Madama and Burin. A military checkpoint was pitched by the IOF at the main entrance to the villages allegedly to provide security for Israeli settlers passing through the area.
The IOF have also reportedly been closing the Hawara checkpoint for varying periods of time after hordes of Israeli fanatics joined marches staged in illegal settlement outposts in southern Nablus.
A few hours earlier, the Israeli occupation troops rolled into Nablus’ Burin and set up a makeshift roadblock at its crossroads, denying Palestinians entry into and exit from the area.
Dozens of Israeli extremist settlers also partook in a march on the Yitzhar bypass under the pretext that Molotov Cocktails were hurled at settler cars.
Meanwhile, eye-witnesses said a bench of Israeli vandals set up a tent and a makeshift caravan on a hill in Burin, raising concerns over Israeli intents to set the stage for the establishment of an illegal settlement outpost at the expense of Palestinians’ own and only lands.
Overnight Wednesday the IOF pitched a flying checkpoint at the entrance to Deir Sharaf village, west of Nablus, where Palestinian vehicles and passers-by were meticulously inspected, resulting in traffic congestion.
Israeli intelligence members along with groups of settlers stormed Thursday the plazas of the Aqsa Mosque. Jewish groups of settlers called for massive Torah pilgrimage to the holy site on next Monday.
Nineteen members of Israeli intelligence forces broke into the holy site from the Israeli controlled Magharebah gate and toured the Mosque’s courtyards within their explorative morning incursions.
In addition, twenty seven Jewish settlers stormed the Mosque amid confrontation of Muslim worshipers who chanted Allahu Akabar. Meanwhile, Israeli policemen tightened security measures until the Jews went out from al-Silsilah gate.
Extremist Jewish settlers called for massive Torah pilgrimage to the holy site on next Monday to celebrate what they call “Weeks- the Descent of Torah” with the participation of the groups of the alleged Temple of Solomon.
Nineteen members of Israeli intelligence forces broke into the holy site from the Israeli controlled Magharebah gate and toured the Mosque’s courtyards within their explorative morning incursions.
In addition, twenty seven Jewish settlers stormed the Mosque amid confrontation of Muslim worshipers who chanted Allahu Akabar. Meanwhile, Israeli policemen tightened security measures until the Jews went out from al-Silsilah gate.
Extremist Jewish settlers called for massive Torah pilgrimage to the holy site on next Monday to celebrate what they call “Weeks- the Descent of Torah” with the participation of the groups of the alleged Temple of Solomon.
Israeli soldiers kidnapped, on Thursday at dawn, nine Palestinians in different parts of the occupied West Bank, after the army searched dozens of homes. Israeli settlers attack a man in Hebron, while navy ships open fire on fishing boats in Gaza.
Media sources in Jenin, in the northern part of the occupied West Bank, said the army invaded the Jenin refugee camp, Qabatia town, and Deir Abu Da’if village, violently searched homes, and kidnapped five Palestinians.
The kidnapped have been identified as Mohammad Ahmad Nazzal from Qabatia, Anas Issa Yassin, Farid Ali Yassin and Mohammad Ziad Sa’adi, from Deir Abu Da’if, and Abed Fadel Jad’oun from the Jenin refugee camp. The kidnapped are all in their twenties.
Soldiers also invaded the home of former political prisoner Ghassan Sa’adi, in Jenin refugee camp, and searched it.
In addition, soldiers invaded ‘Aseera Ash-Shemaliyya town, in the northern West Bank district of Nablus, and kidnapped two Palestinians identified as Mafdi Mohammad ash-Shouli and Bassam Misbah.
The army also invaded various Palestinian communities in the southern West Bank district of Hebron, searched dozens of homes, and kidnapped two brothers identified as Ahmad and Yousef Da’ajna from Yatta town.
Local sources in Hebron city said the soldiers invaded Jabal ar-Rahma area, and stormed one home, while fanatic Israeli settlers assaulted a Palestinian identified as Arafat Shaher al-Fakhoury, near the Ibrahimi Mosque.
On Wednesday evening, Israeli military ships opened fire on Palestinian fishing boats in the al-Waha and as-Sudaniyya areas, in Gaza, causing excessive property damage but no injuries.
Media sources in Jenin, in the northern part of the occupied West Bank, said the army invaded the Jenin refugee camp, Qabatia town, and Deir Abu Da’if village, violently searched homes, and kidnapped five Palestinians.
The kidnapped have been identified as Mohammad Ahmad Nazzal from Qabatia, Anas Issa Yassin, Farid Ali Yassin and Mohammad Ziad Sa’adi, from Deir Abu Da’if, and Abed Fadel Jad’oun from the Jenin refugee camp. The kidnapped are all in their twenties.
Soldiers also invaded the home of former political prisoner Ghassan Sa’adi, in Jenin refugee camp, and searched it.
In addition, soldiers invaded ‘Aseera Ash-Shemaliyya town, in the northern West Bank district of Nablus, and kidnapped two Palestinians identified as Mafdi Mohammad ash-Shouli and Bassam Misbah.
The army also invaded various Palestinian communities in the southern West Bank district of Hebron, searched dozens of homes, and kidnapped two brothers identified as Ahmad and Yousef Da’ajna from Yatta town.
Local sources in Hebron city said the soldiers invaded Jabal ar-Rahma area, and stormed one home, while fanatic Israeli settlers assaulted a Palestinian identified as Arafat Shaher al-Fakhoury, near the Ibrahimi Mosque.
On Wednesday evening, Israeli military ships opened fire on Palestinian fishing boats in the al-Waha and as-Sudaniyya areas, in Gaza, causing excessive property damage but no injuries.