18 may 2015
Palestinian fishermen miraculously survived when the Israeli occupation navy on Monday evening opened machinegun fire at their boats off the coast of the besieged Gaza Strip.
Local sources said that the Palestinian fishing boats were in the northern waters of Gaza when the attack happened.
This was not the first such attack in months. The Israeli occupation army has committed dozens of violations against Palestinian civilians in border areas and off the coast of Gaza since it accepted the Egyptian-brokered truce agreement with the resistance in August 26, 2014.
Local sources said that the Palestinian fishing boats were in the northern waters of Gaza when the attack happened.
This was not the first such attack in months. The Israeli occupation army has committed dozens of violations against Palestinian civilians in border areas and off the coast of Gaza since it accepted the Egyptian-brokered truce agreement with the resistance in August 26, 2014.
Israeli occupation forces on Monday morning have opened fire on fishermen boats off the Gaza shores.
Local sources said that Israeli military boats targeted the civilian boats, no injuries were reported.
Last Monday as well, AlQuds newspaper said that Israeli naval forces continued to target Palestinian fishermen off Gaza coast, injuring several Palestinians since the beginning of the fire truce following the last Israeli attack on Gaza last summer.
Read More: Israeli illegal buffer zone policies are typically enforced with live fire
Following disengagement from the Gaza Strip in September 2005, Israel unilaterally and illegally established a so-called "buffer zone", an area prohibited to Palestinians along the land and sea borders of the Gaza Strip. The precise area designated by Israel as a "buffer zone" is not clear and this Israeli policy is typically enforced with live fire. The establishment of the 'buffer zone' is illegal under both Israeli and international law.
Local sources said that Israeli military boats targeted the civilian boats, no injuries were reported.
Last Monday as well, AlQuds newspaper said that Israeli naval forces continued to target Palestinian fishermen off Gaza coast, injuring several Palestinians since the beginning of the fire truce following the last Israeli attack on Gaza last summer.
Read More: Israeli illegal buffer zone policies are typically enforced with live fire
Following disengagement from the Gaza Strip in September 2005, Israel unilaterally and illegally established a so-called "buffer zone", an area prohibited to Palestinians along the land and sea borders of the Gaza Strip. The precise area designated by Israel as a "buffer zone" is not clear and this Israeli policy is typically enforced with live fire. The establishment of the 'buffer zone' is illegal under both Israeli and international law.
Clashes erupted between dozens of Palestinians and Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) who tightened security measures in northern al-Khalil on Monday.
According to local sources in the city, the clashes burst out in Aroub refugee camp after IOF soldiers heavily fired live ammunition, rubber bullets, and tear gas grenades towards Palestinian houses in the camp.
The Palestinian youths confronted the Israeli soldiers by stones and empty bottles, the sources added.
The sources pointed out that the clashes advanced into the camp after being stationed near the Israeli military tower on the main road connecting al-Khalil and Bethlehem.
In a similar context, eyewitnesses told the PIC reporter that the IOF soldiers set up several military checkpoints in the northern entrance to the city near Halhoul town.
The soldiers stopped the passing cars and disrupted the traffic while their patrols were deployed near the Israeli settlement of Karmi Tsur which is established by force on Palestinians’ lands, the eyewitnesses revealed.
According to local sources in the city, the clashes burst out in Aroub refugee camp after IOF soldiers heavily fired live ammunition, rubber bullets, and tear gas grenades towards Palestinian houses in the camp.
The Palestinian youths confronted the Israeli soldiers by stones and empty bottles, the sources added.
The sources pointed out that the clashes advanced into the camp after being stationed near the Israeli military tower on the main road connecting al-Khalil and Bethlehem.
In a similar context, eyewitnesses told the PIC reporter that the IOF soldiers set up several military checkpoints in the northern entrance to the city near Halhoul town.
The soldiers stopped the passing cars and disrupted the traffic while their patrols were deployed near the Israeli settlement of Karmi Tsur which is established by force on Palestinians’ lands, the eyewitnesses revealed.
The Israeli Police Forces attacked Monday morning two Jerusalemites including one of the employees of the Islamic Waqf Department in al-Aqsa mosque, while a third one was detained after being brutally assaulted.
The Islamic Waqf Department said that one of its employees was severely beaten near Rahma Gate when he intervened to protect a Jerusalemite female worshiper from Israeli soldiers’ attacks.
Earlier this morning, 52 settlers, 18 military officials, and 10 Israeli students broke into al-Aqsa Mosque via the Magaribeh Gate under heavy police protection.
In their turn, Palestinian worshipers started shouting 'Allah Akbar' in an attempt to prevent the settlers’ break-in into the holy shrine.
Along the same line, a Jerusalemite young man was detained at Asbat Gate and taken to unknown detention center after being severely beaten and assaulted at hands of Israeli forces.
The Islamic Waqf Department said that one of its employees was severely beaten near Rahma Gate when he intervened to protect a Jerusalemite female worshiper from Israeli soldiers’ attacks.
Earlier this morning, 52 settlers, 18 military officials, and 10 Israeli students broke into al-Aqsa Mosque via the Magaribeh Gate under heavy police protection.
In their turn, Palestinian worshipers started shouting 'Allah Akbar' in an attempt to prevent the settlers’ break-in into the holy shrine.
Along the same line, a Jerusalemite young man was detained at Asbat Gate and taken to unknown detention center after being severely beaten and assaulted at hands of Israeli forces.
Palestinian
medical sources have reported that a woman from the southern West Bank
city of Hebron suffered a miscarriage after a number of Israeli
fanatics assaulted her, in the center of the city.
The sources said Mirvat Sa’ad Abu Romeila, 37 years of age, was moved to the Hebron Governmental Hospital suffering various cuts and bruises, and that she also suffered the miscarriage as a result of being repeated beaten.
The assailants came from the illegal Ramat Yishai outpost, in the center of Hebron city.
The attack took place amidst several assaults carried out by Israeli fanatics during the funeral procession of Moshe Levinger, who died on May 16, 2015.
Levinger was a Zionist Orthodox Rabbi, who became a prominent leader in encouraging Jews to live in illegal Israeli colonies in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
He was repeatedly arrested, and imprisoned, by Israel on various criminal charges, starting in 1975.
One of his arrests in 1984 was on suspicion of involvement with the Gush Emunim Underground terrorist group that carried out dozens of attacks against the Palestinians, including the June 1 1980 car bombing attacks against the then Mayor of Nablus Bassam Shakaa, and the then Mayor of Ramallah Karim Khalaf.
Shakaa lost both of his legs in the bombing, while Khalaf lost one of his legs.
Palestinian expectant lady aborts in attacks by Israeli vandals
A Palestinian lady sustained wounds and bruises on Monday while citizens’ properties sustained material damage in a wave of assaults launched by hordes of Israeli vandals across the southern West Bank province of al-Khalil.
Local sources said gangs of Israeli fanatic settlers stormed Tel Rumeida area, in al-Khalil, and physically assaulted a Palestinian pregnant woman, identified as Mirvat Abu Ermila.
The expectant casualty was rushed to a local hospital in al-Khalil so as to be urgently treated for the inflicted wounds.
The assault culminated in a round of stone-attacks targeting al-Jubari family homes. The vandals further chopped off irrigation pipes providing water for five families in al-Shuhada Street and wreaked havoc on al-Sharbati family home.
The sources said Mirvat Sa’ad Abu Romeila, 37 years of age, was moved to the Hebron Governmental Hospital suffering various cuts and bruises, and that she also suffered the miscarriage as a result of being repeated beaten.
The assailants came from the illegal Ramat Yishai outpost, in the center of Hebron city.
The attack took place amidst several assaults carried out by Israeli fanatics during the funeral procession of Moshe Levinger, who died on May 16, 2015.
Levinger was a Zionist Orthodox Rabbi, who became a prominent leader in encouraging Jews to live in illegal Israeli colonies in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
He was repeatedly arrested, and imprisoned, by Israel on various criminal charges, starting in 1975.
One of his arrests in 1984 was on suspicion of involvement with the Gush Emunim Underground terrorist group that carried out dozens of attacks against the Palestinians, including the June 1 1980 car bombing attacks against the then Mayor of Nablus Bassam Shakaa, and the then Mayor of Ramallah Karim Khalaf.
Shakaa lost both of his legs in the bombing, while Khalaf lost one of his legs.
Palestinian expectant lady aborts in attacks by Israeli vandals
A Palestinian lady sustained wounds and bruises on Monday while citizens’ properties sustained material damage in a wave of assaults launched by hordes of Israeli vandals across the southern West Bank province of al-Khalil.
Local sources said gangs of Israeli fanatic settlers stormed Tel Rumeida area, in al-Khalil, and physically assaulted a Palestinian pregnant woman, identified as Mirvat Abu Ermila.
The expectant casualty was rushed to a local hospital in al-Khalil so as to be urgently treated for the inflicted wounds.
The assault culminated in a round of stone-attacks targeting al-Jubari family homes. The vandals further chopped off irrigation pipes providing water for five families in al-Shuhada Street and wreaked havoc on al-Sharbati family home.
Many Palestinians injured near Jenin
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Monday at dawn, various Palestinian communities in different parts of the occupied West Bank, including Jerusalem, kidnapped ten Palestinians, mainly children, and attacked several others in Al-Aqsa Mosque courtyards.
Several army vehicles invaded the al-Khader town, south of the West Bank city of Bethlehem, kidnapped four teenagers, and handed two Palestinians military warrants for interrogation.
Coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in al-Khader Ahmad Salah stated that the soldiers searched several homes, and kidnapped Daoud Mohammad Salah, 17, his brother Omar, 15, in addition to Mohammad As’ad Sbeih, 17, and Jihad Omar Salah, 17.
He added that the soldiers violently searched the homes of the kidnapped Palestinians, causing excessive property damage.
Soldiers also handed the father of Omar and Daoud Salah a military order for interrogation in the Gush Etzion military and security base, south of Bethlehem.
Similar orders were handed to Jamil Qaher Abu Kamal, and his son Qaher, 29, from Bethlehem city, after the soldiers stormed their homes and searched them.
In addition, soldiers invaded homes in the al-Ein al-Foqa neighborhood, in Silwan town south of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem, kidnapped a woman, identified as Asma’ Shioky, and her two sons Mos’ab, 25, and Mansour, 23 years of age.
Mohammad Mahmoud, one of the layers of the Ad-Dameer Prisoners Support of Human Rights Association, said the soldiers also kidnapped two children identified as Omar Syoury, 14, and Mohammad Syouri, 16, from Ras al-‘Amoud, in addition to Yassin al-Atrash, 16, in Sur Baher village, in occupied Jerusalem.
Also in Jerusalem, groups of Israeli fanatics and several officers stormed the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, through the al-Magharba Gate, and conducted provocative acts.
The police also attacked Mohammad Abu Qteish, near the al-Rahma Gate, one of the gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and attacked an elderly man in one of the Al-Aqsa Mosque courtyards.
Abu Qteish is an employee of the Islamic Waqf Department; he was attacked after trying to stop a police officer who was using foul language, and swearing at a Palestinian woman.
In related news, several Palestinians suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation after Israeli soldiers invaded Ya’bad town, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin.
Eyewitnesses said the soldiers invaded the town, and clashed with several youths who hurled stones and empty bottles on their vehicles, while the army fired gas bombs, rubber-coated metal bullets and rounds of live ammunition.
IOF storms Jenin towns, attacks citizens in Yabud
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) at dawn Monday attacked Palestinian citizens in Yabud town, south of Jenin city, and stormed other nearby towns.
Local sources said that scores of Israeli soldiers aboard 20 military vehicles entered Yabud town at dawn and interrogated some residents as they were heading to the mosque for prayers.
Consequently, violent clashes broke out between young men from the town and the invading troops.
Several protestors and citizens inside homes suffered from inhaling tear gas during the events.
IOF campaigns were also carried out in the nearby towns of Daher al-Abed and Zabada, with no reported arrests.
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Monday at dawn, various Palestinian communities in different parts of the occupied West Bank, including Jerusalem, kidnapped ten Palestinians, mainly children, and attacked several others in Al-Aqsa Mosque courtyards.
Several army vehicles invaded the al-Khader town, south of the West Bank city of Bethlehem, kidnapped four teenagers, and handed two Palestinians military warrants for interrogation.
Coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in al-Khader Ahmad Salah stated that the soldiers searched several homes, and kidnapped Daoud Mohammad Salah, 17, his brother Omar, 15, in addition to Mohammad As’ad Sbeih, 17, and Jihad Omar Salah, 17.
He added that the soldiers violently searched the homes of the kidnapped Palestinians, causing excessive property damage.
Soldiers also handed the father of Omar and Daoud Salah a military order for interrogation in the Gush Etzion military and security base, south of Bethlehem.
Similar orders were handed to Jamil Qaher Abu Kamal, and his son Qaher, 29, from Bethlehem city, after the soldiers stormed their homes and searched them.
In addition, soldiers invaded homes in the al-Ein al-Foqa neighborhood, in Silwan town south of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem, kidnapped a woman, identified as Asma’ Shioky, and her two sons Mos’ab, 25, and Mansour, 23 years of age.
Mohammad Mahmoud, one of the layers of the Ad-Dameer Prisoners Support of Human Rights Association, said the soldiers also kidnapped two children identified as Omar Syoury, 14, and Mohammad Syouri, 16, from Ras al-‘Amoud, in addition to Yassin al-Atrash, 16, in Sur Baher village, in occupied Jerusalem.
Also in Jerusalem, groups of Israeli fanatics and several officers stormed the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, through the al-Magharba Gate, and conducted provocative acts.
The police also attacked Mohammad Abu Qteish, near the al-Rahma Gate, one of the gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and attacked an elderly man in one of the Al-Aqsa Mosque courtyards.
Abu Qteish is an employee of the Islamic Waqf Department; he was attacked after trying to stop a police officer who was using foul language, and swearing at a Palestinian woman.
In related news, several Palestinians suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation after Israeli soldiers invaded Ya’bad town, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin.
Eyewitnesses said the soldiers invaded the town, and clashed with several youths who hurled stones and empty bottles on their vehicles, while the army fired gas bombs, rubber-coated metal bullets and rounds of live ammunition.
IOF storms Jenin towns, attacks citizens in Yabud
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) at dawn Monday attacked Palestinian citizens in Yabud town, south of Jenin city, and stormed other nearby towns.
Local sources said that scores of Israeli soldiers aboard 20 military vehicles entered Yabud town at dawn and interrogated some residents as they were heading to the mosque for prayers.
Consequently, violent clashes broke out between young men from the town and the invading troops.
Several protestors and citizens inside homes suffered from inhaling tear gas during the events.
IOF campaigns were also carried out in the nearby towns of Daher al-Abed and Zabada, with no reported arrests.
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Israeli soldiers and police officers used excessive force, on Sunday afternoon, against hundreds of Palestinians in occupied Jerusalem, as they marched to counter a provocative Israeli procession marking the so-called “Jerusalem Day,” wounding at least 29 Palestinians, and kidnapped five.
The Israeli extremists attacked many Palestinians, and conducted provocative acts against Jerusalemite Palestinians who were forced by the police to close their stores and shops in Jerusalem’s Old City. Palestinian sources in the Old City said hundreds of police officers and soldiers were deployed in the alleys, in addition to pushing the Palestinians away from Bab al-‘Amoud area, in an attempt to prevent them from marching to counter the Israeli procession. Mounted officers and Border Guard police officers also attacked dozens |
of Palestinian journalists, and tried to prevent them from documenting the incidents and the Israeli violations.
Eyewitnesses said dozens of Israeli fanatics were chanting “Death to Arabs,” as well as many other provocative slogans, while many also called for demolishing the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem in order “to rebuild the temple.”
Meanwhile, the Palestinians marched carrying Palestinian flags while chanting for the liberation of Palestine, and called for ending the escalating Israeli violations against the residents and their holy sites, especially in occupied Jerusalem.
It is worth mentioning that several Israeli left wing groups appealed the Israeli High Court to prevent the Israeli extremists from marching in Jerusalem’s Islamic Quarter, but the court denied the appeal.
In addition, clashes took place between the soldiers and local Palestinians in different Jerusalem neighborhoods and towns, especially in Silwan, south of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, in addition to the neighborhoods of Suwwana, Wadi Al-Jouz, at-Tour, and the al-‘Eesawiyya town, while the soldiers kidnapped at least one Palestinian in Silwan, and injured dozens.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Silwan (Silwanic) quoted the head of the Emergency Unit of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society in Jerusalem, Amin Abu Ghazala, stating that at least 29 residents were injured.
Abu Ghazala said at least seven of the wounded residents were hospitalized, and that two residents suffered fractures in their arms and legs, 22 received treatment by field medics, and at least one was severely beaten by the soldiers with their guns and batons.
The Jerusalem office of the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) said the soldiers kidnapped Amir al-Basheeti, Amir al-Karaki, Sharif al-Rajabi, ‘Obada Najeeb and Mohammad Abu Sneina.
It added that the soldiers detained dozens of Palestinians after assaulting them, and released them after taking their personal information, and told them the police will be contacting them in the coming few days.
Silwanic further stated that the police fired concussion grenades at the Palestinian protesters, and assaulted several Palestinians.
It said that, due to Israeli restrictions and extensive military deployment, the residents marched in separate different groups in Sultan Suleiman Street, al-Magharba Square and near the Suleiman Cave area, before the police attacked them, and chases dozens of Palestinians.
Israeli Ynet News said dozens of Palestinian hurled stones and empty bottles at the police, and that one officer was injured, while one Palestinian was arrested allegedly for attacking an officer.
Jerusalem Day marks the illegal occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967, and declaring it as the “eternal united capital of Israel.”
Clashes as Israel Marks Anniversary of East Jerusalem Occupation
Israeli nationalists and police clashed with Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem on Sunday, as crowds of Jewish hardliners marched across the city to mark the 48th anniversary of its capture.
Known as Jerusalem Day, the anniversary marks the seizure in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexation of East Jerusalem in a move never recognized by the international community.
According to AFP, police said two officers were wounded by Palestinian stone-throwers and at least five Palestinians were arrested near the walled Old City's Damascus Gate.
The Palestinian Prisoner's Society identified Amir al-Bashiti, Amir al-Karaki, Sharif al-Rajabi, Ubada Najib and Muhammad Abu Sneina as those taken into police custody.
The demonstrators were dispersed by baton-wielding police, some on horseback.
A police statement said that in one incident "several dozen Muslims scuffled with a group of Jews".
The Palestinian Red Crescent told Ma'an News Agency that 29 Palestinians were injured and received medical attention, with seven taken to hospital. Two of those hospitalized were hit with rubber-coated bullets in the eye and one was attacked with rifle butts.
Witnesses also saw journalists shoved by police.
Police would not say how many jubilant Zionists descended on the Old City's Muslim Quarter on their way to pray at the Western Wall Jewish holy site, only that "large crowds" were expected.
"They are coming here with the support of an extremist government that paid for their buses," a Palestinian woman, Muna Barbar, told AFP outside Damascus Gate.
Palestinian residents of the Old City were forced to closed their stories and homes in preparation for the march, as thestreets were crowded with right-wing Israelis performing flag dances and chanting in the streets.
"This rally marks a new occupation of Jerusalem every year. It is a painful and tough day for us with Israeli flags waved across the city which is turned into a military barracks and we the indigenous residents feel like aliens," Abu Rami, who lives in the Old City, told Ma'an.
Israeli leaders have repeatedly vowed that the city will never again be split, calling it their "eternal, indivisible" capital.
"Jerusalem has always been the capital of the Jewish people alone and not of any other people," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at an official Jerusalem Day ceremony.
"A divided Jerusalem is a past memory: the future belongs to a complete Jerusalem which will not be divided again."
'Zero tolerance'
Jerusalem Day is marked by a series of state ceremonies and an annual march through western Jerusalem and into the east side, which is predominantly attended by nationalist hardliners.
Every year, police deploy in strength to secure the march, which frequently provokes clashes.
This year, two non-governmental organisations appealed to the Israeli High Court to change the route so the march would not pass through the Muslim Quarter.
But last week, the court rejected the appeal, noting it did so "with a heavy heart".
In their ruling, the justices stressed there should be "zero tolerance" of anyone involved in violence, and that police should arrest anyone chanting "death to Arabs".
Spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said "thousands of police" were in and around the Old City.
Spokeswoman Luba Samri said both uniformed and undercover officers were on the streets.
"The police will show zero tolerance to any display of physical or verbal violence, will act with every means at its disposal against anyone disturbing the peace or rioting, who will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law," she said.
'March of hate'
Leftist groups, including members of the Meretz party's youth wing, held a counter-demonstration outside city hall to protest against what it called the "march of hate".
An AFP journalist said about 100 people took part amid a large police presence and there was no trouble.
One participating group, the anti-racism movement Tag Meir, said the annual march had become "a focus for extremist groups" and was routinely accompanied by "racist slurs and insults, destruction of property and physical violence against the Palestinian residents of Jerusalem".
"This year we say a loud and clear 'No to the violence, the hatred and the incitement' which threaten the delicate fabric of daily life in Jerusalem," it said.
The group said its supporters would walk through the Muslim Quarter giving flowers to residents as a gesture of peace and coexistence.
Tag Meir was one of two NGOs which unsuccessfully petitioned the Supreme Court to change the route of the march.
Later Sunday, Netanyahu was to join President Reuven Rivlin for a ceremony on Ammunition Hill in East Jerusalem, a former Jordanian military post that saw some of the bloodiest fighting of the 1967 war.
Today, some 200,000 Israelis live in 15 settlement neighborhoods in East Jerusalem alongside a Palestinian population of 310,000.
Eyewitnesses said dozens of Israeli fanatics were chanting “Death to Arabs,” as well as many other provocative slogans, while many also called for demolishing the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem in order “to rebuild the temple.”
Meanwhile, the Palestinians marched carrying Palestinian flags while chanting for the liberation of Palestine, and called for ending the escalating Israeli violations against the residents and their holy sites, especially in occupied Jerusalem.
It is worth mentioning that several Israeli left wing groups appealed the Israeli High Court to prevent the Israeli extremists from marching in Jerusalem’s Islamic Quarter, but the court denied the appeal.
In addition, clashes took place between the soldiers and local Palestinians in different Jerusalem neighborhoods and towns, especially in Silwan, south of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, in addition to the neighborhoods of Suwwana, Wadi Al-Jouz, at-Tour, and the al-‘Eesawiyya town, while the soldiers kidnapped at least one Palestinian in Silwan, and injured dozens.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Silwan (Silwanic) quoted the head of the Emergency Unit of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society in Jerusalem, Amin Abu Ghazala, stating that at least 29 residents were injured.
Abu Ghazala said at least seven of the wounded residents were hospitalized, and that two residents suffered fractures in their arms and legs, 22 received treatment by field medics, and at least one was severely beaten by the soldiers with their guns and batons.
The Jerusalem office of the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) said the soldiers kidnapped Amir al-Basheeti, Amir al-Karaki, Sharif al-Rajabi, ‘Obada Najeeb and Mohammad Abu Sneina.
It added that the soldiers detained dozens of Palestinians after assaulting them, and released them after taking their personal information, and told them the police will be contacting them in the coming few days.
Silwanic further stated that the police fired concussion grenades at the Palestinian protesters, and assaulted several Palestinians.
It said that, due to Israeli restrictions and extensive military deployment, the residents marched in separate different groups in Sultan Suleiman Street, al-Magharba Square and near the Suleiman Cave area, before the police attacked them, and chases dozens of Palestinians.
Israeli Ynet News said dozens of Palestinian hurled stones and empty bottles at the police, and that one officer was injured, while one Palestinian was arrested allegedly for attacking an officer.
Jerusalem Day marks the illegal occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967, and declaring it as the “eternal united capital of Israel.”
Clashes as Israel Marks Anniversary of East Jerusalem Occupation
Israeli nationalists and police clashed with Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem on Sunday, as crowds of Jewish hardliners marched across the city to mark the 48th anniversary of its capture.
Known as Jerusalem Day, the anniversary marks the seizure in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexation of East Jerusalem in a move never recognized by the international community.
According to AFP, police said two officers were wounded by Palestinian stone-throwers and at least five Palestinians were arrested near the walled Old City's Damascus Gate.
The Palestinian Prisoner's Society identified Amir al-Bashiti, Amir al-Karaki, Sharif al-Rajabi, Ubada Najib and Muhammad Abu Sneina as those taken into police custody.
The demonstrators were dispersed by baton-wielding police, some on horseback.
A police statement said that in one incident "several dozen Muslims scuffled with a group of Jews".
The Palestinian Red Crescent told Ma'an News Agency that 29 Palestinians were injured and received medical attention, with seven taken to hospital. Two of those hospitalized were hit with rubber-coated bullets in the eye and one was attacked with rifle butts.
Witnesses also saw journalists shoved by police.
Police would not say how many jubilant Zionists descended on the Old City's Muslim Quarter on their way to pray at the Western Wall Jewish holy site, only that "large crowds" were expected.
"They are coming here with the support of an extremist government that paid for their buses," a Palestinian woman, Muna Barbar, told AFP outside Damascus Gate.
Palestinian residents of the Old City were forced to closed their stories and homes in preparation for the march, as thestreets were crowded with right-wing Israelis performing flag dances and chanting in the streets.
"This rally marks a new occupation of Jerusalem every year. It is a painful and tough day for us with Israeli flags waved across the city which is turned into a military barracks and we the indigenous residents feel like aliens," Abu Rami, who lives in the Old City, told Ma'an.
Israeli leaders have repeatedly vowed that the city will never again be split, calling it their "eternal, indivisible" capital.
"Jerusalem has always been the capital of the Jewish people alone and not of any other people," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at an official Jerusalem Day ceremony.
"A divided Jerusalem is a past memory: the future belongs to a complete Jerusalem which will not be divided again."
'Zero tolerance'
Jerusalem Day is marked by a series of state ceremonies and an annual march through western Jerusalem and into the east side, which is predominantly attended by nationalist hardliners.
Every year, police deploy in strength to secure the march, which frequently provokes clashes.
This year, two non-governmental organisations appealed to the Israeli High Court to change the route so the march would not pass through the Muslim Quarter.
But last week, the court rejected the appeal, noting it did so "with a heavy heart".
In their ruling, the justices stressed there should be "zero tolerance" of anyone involved in violence, and that police should arrest anyone chanting "death to Arabs".
Spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said "thousands of police" were in and around the Old City.
Spokeswoman Luba Samri said both uniformed and undercover officers were on the streets.
"The police will show zero tolerance to any display of physical or verbal violence, will act with every means at its disposal against anyone disturbing the peace or rioting, who will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law," she said.
'March of hate'
Leftist groups, including members of the Meretz party's youth wing, held a counter-demonstration outside city hall to protest against what it called the "march of hate".
An AFP journalist said about 100 people took part amid a large police presence and there was no trouble.
One participating group, the anti-racism movement Tag Meir, said the annual march had become "a focus for extremist groups" and was routinely accompanied by "racist slurs and insults, destruction of property and physical violence against the Palestinian residents of Jerusalem".
"This year we say a loud and clear 'No to the violence, the hatred and the incitement' which threaten the delicate fabric of daily life in Jerusalem," it said.
The group said its supporters would walk through the Muslim Quarter giving flowers to residents as a gesture of peace and coexistence.
Tag Meir was one of two NGOs which unsuccessfully petitioned the Supreme Court to change the route of the march.
Later Sunday, Netanyahu was to join President Reuven Rivlin for a ceremony on Ammunition Hill in East Jerusalem, a former Jordanian military post that saw some of the bloodiest fighting of the 1967 war.
Today, some 200,000 Israelis live in 15 settlement neighborhoods in East Jerusalem alongside a Palestinian population of 310,000.
17 may 2015
Israeli forces, Sunday, abducted nine Palestinians from across the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem, whereas several Palestinians suffocated from tear gas during confrontations with Israeli forces to the south of Jenin, according to reports by local and security sources.
The Israeli army stormed the city of Hebron, where they arrested two local residents after raiding and searching their homes, sabotaging their furniture, according to WAFA Palestinian News & Info Agency. They were identified as Osama Hashlamon, 23, and Ashraf Abu Eisha.
The army also stormed the nearby town of Beit Ummar, and handed a summon notice to a local resident to appear for interrogation before the Israeli intelligence.
In the meantime, soldiers broke into the village of Silwad, east of Ramallah, and also kidnapped 20-year-old Abdel-Qader Hammad after raiding his house.
Ramallah, the seat of Palestinian government in the occupied West Bank, is officially recognized as Palestinian territory under international laws and conventions. Palestinian detainees, including children, are typically subjected to extremely harsh conditions, including torture and denial of access to medical treatment. The IMEMC recognizes neither the legitmacy of the Israeli army, Israeli settlements, nor the legal authority asserted by the state of Israel over the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza.
The Israeli military also summoned two Palestinians during separate raids on the villages of Sanour, south of Jenin, and al-Abidiya near Bethlehem.
Meanwhile in Jerusalem, Israeli police stormed the Arab neighborhood of al-Issawiya, where they took two Palestinian residents identified as Shadi Alian and ahmoud Saleh.
Police also raided and searched a number of homes in the area during the attack, however, no further kidnappings were reported.
Meanwhile, three female worshipers were arrested bu Israeli police after attempting to fend off settlers’ attempts to tour the yards of al-Aqsa Mosque, in occupied East Jerusalem.
Police also abducted Mohammed Ibrahim from the village of Kabul, inside the 1948 lands.
Later on Sunday, an Israeli army force set a checkpoint at the entrance of Shuhada village, south of Jenin, causing a traffic jam and provoking residents, which led to clashes.
Israeli forces fired teargas canisters and stun grenades towards residents, causing multiple cases of suffocation among them due to tear gas inhalation.
The Israeli army stormed the city of Hebron, where they arrested two local residents after raiding and searching their homes, sabotaging their furniture, according to WAFA Palestinian News & Info Agency. They were identified as Osama Hashlamon, 23, and Ashraf Abu Eisha.
The army also stormed the nearby town of Beit Ummar, and handed a summon notice to a local resident to appear for interrogation before the Israeli intelligence.
In the meantime, soldiers broke into the village of Silwad, east of Ramallah, and also kidnapped 20-year-old Abdel-Qader Hammad after raiding his house.
Ramallah, the seat of Palestinian government in the occupied West Bank, is officially recognized as Palestinian territory under international laws and conventions. Palestinian detainees, including children, are typically subjected to extremely harsh conditions, including torture and denial of access to medical treatment. The IMEMC recognizes neither the legitmacy of the Israeli army, Israeli settlements, nor the legal authority asserted by the state of Israel over the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza.
The Israeli military also summoned two Palestinians during separate raids on the villages of Sanour, south of Jenin, and al-Abidiya near Bethlehem.
Meanwhile in Jerusalem, Israeli police stormed the Arab neighborhood of al-Issawiya, where they took two Palestinian residents identified as Shadi Alian and ahmoud Saleh.
Police also raided and searched a number of homes in the area during the attack, however, no further kidnappings were reported.
Meanwhile, three female worshipers were arrested bu Israeli police after attempting to fend off settlers’ attempts to tour the yards of al-Aqsa Mosque, in occupied East Jerusalem.
Police also abducted Mohammed Ibrahim from the village of Kabul, inside the 1948 lands.
Later on Sunday, an Israeli army force set a checkpoint at the entrance of Shuhada village, south of Jenin, causing a traffic jam and provoking residents, which led to clashes.
Israeli forces fired teargas canisters and stun grenades towards residents, causing multiple cases of suffocation among them due to tear gas inhalation.
Violent clashes between Palestinians and Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) broke out at noon on Sunday in a town to the south of Jenin. The Clashes took place after the IOF stormed the town and set up a makeshift military checkpoint.
Local sources said that the IOF soldiers raided the town, erected a military checkpoint at the town’s conjunction and blocked traffic for searching purposes especially among youth passengers.
The IOF fired bullets, stun grenades and tear gas. Ten Palestinians suffered suffocation, the sources added.
The Israeli forces also stormed a car show belongs to a Palestinian man from the town amid high tension and violent clashes.
Local sources said that the IOF soldiers raided the town, erected a military checkpoint at the town’s conjunction and blocked traffic for searching purposes especially among youth passengers.
The IOF fired bullets, stun grenades and tear gas. Ten Palestinians suffered suffocation, the sources added.
The Israeli forces also stormed a car show belongs to a Palestinian man from the town amid high tension and violent clashes.
Israeli navy gunboats opened machinegun fire and shells at Palestinians’ fishing boats in Gaza sea on Sunday. No casualties were reported.
Local sources revealed that a number of Israeli navy gunboats fired shells and opened machinegun fire at the Palestinian fishing boats in the morning hours.
The heavy shooting forced the Gazan fishermen to leave the sea and end fishing, the sources added.
The attack is another episode in the series of Israeli daily violations of the Cairo-brokered truce accord signed in the wake of last summer’s offensive on the besieged coastal enclave, which killed over 2,300 Palestinians, mostly civilians.
Local sources revealed that a number of Israeli navy gunboats fired shells and opened machinegun fire at the Palestinian fishing boats in the morning hours.
The heavy shooting forced the Gazan fishermen to leave the sea and end fishing, the sources added.
The attack is another episode in the series of Israeli daily violations of the Cairo-brokered truce accord signed in the wake of last summer’s offensive on the besieged coastal enclave, which killed over 2,300 Palestinians, mostly civilians.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) at dawn Sunday raided homes in the towns of Jaba, Sanur, Meithalun and al-Jadida, south of Jenin city.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that dozens of Israeli soldiers stormed Sanur town at four o'clock in the morning and handed 39-year-old Iyad Aisa a summons for interrogation from the Shin Bet.
During the campaign in the town, the invading troops ransacked the house of Fawzi Habaiba, 40, interrogated him and occupied the rooftops of some homes before leaving the area.
The IOF also patrolled several neighborhoods and erected barriers for long hours in the nearby towns of Jaba, Meithalun and al-Jadida, with no reported arrests.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that dozens of Israeli soldiers stormed Sanur town at four o'clock in the morning and handed 39-year-old Iyad Aisa a summons for interrogation from the Shin Bet.
During the campaign in the town, the invading troops ransacked the house of Fawzi Habaiba, 40, interrogated him and occupied the rooftops of some homes before leaving the area.
The IOF also patrolled several neighborhoods and erected barriers for long hours in the nearby towns of Jaba, Meithalun and al-Jadida, with no reported arrests.
16 may 2015
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Amateur photographer Ahmad Nazzal captured Israeli forces spraying 'skunk water' at a Palestinian child during the Kafr Qaddum weekly march in the occupied West Bank on Friday.
Five-year-old Muhammad Riyad appears standing in front of Israeli forces wearing a Palestinian Keffiyeh before the forces begin chasing him with skunk water, the boy eventually falling to the ground. The foul-smelling liquid has been used by the Israeli military as a form of non-lethal crowd control since at least 2008 and can leave individuals and homes smelling like feces and garbage for weeks. Skunk water was developed by Israeli company Odortec Ltd. in conjunction with the Israel police and is generally sprayed from specially designed |
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trucks up to a range of 30-40 meters, according to Israeli human rights organization B'Tselem.
Israeli army spokesperson has reported that skunk contains "organic material and has been approved for use by the Israeli Ministry of the Environment and the Chief IDF Medical Officer," although the exact contents of the rancid liquid have been contested, B'Tselem says. The rights group documented regular use of skunk water by Israeli forces, and has accused the forces of using the substance for collective punishment, citing instances of Israeli security forces driving skunk trucks down the streets of villages known for active demonstrations and spraying the substance into residents' homes. |
Photographer Nazzal had headed to cover the Kafr Qaddum weekly march, this week commemorating the 67th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba, when he witnessed Friday's incident. Four Palestinians were also injured with live fire as Israeli forces suppressed the march.
An Israeli army spokeswoman had no immediate comment on the incident.
Israelis tell another story, this time they are right after seen the video (FlotillaHyves)
An Israeli army spokeswoman had no immediate comment on the incident.
Israelis tell another story, this time they are right after seen the video (FlotillaHyves)
Several Palestinians including a journalist were injured when Israeli forces opened fire on a march in the eastern Nablus village of Huwwara commemorating the Nakba on Saturday.
Hundreds of Palestinians reportedly took part in the march that set off towards the Huwwara military checkpoint carrying black flags and demanding the Palestinians' right of return.
Israeli forces fired tear gas, stun grenades and rubber coated steel bullets at the march. Many were reported to have suffered excessive tear-gas inhalation, while several others, including a Palestinian journalist, were hit with rubber-coated steel bullets before being taken to the Rafidiya Governmental Hospital for treatment.
Palestinian medical sources told Ma'an that Nidal Ishtayeh, a Palestinian journalist working for the Xinhua Chinese news agency, was hit with a rubber-coated steel bullet above his eye. The bullet burst through the glass visor of his gas mask, showering his eye with glass.
A member of the Palestinian People's Party's politburo Khalid Mansour was also injured with a rubber-coated steel bullet, as was an Italian protester who was hit by two rubber-coated steel bullets in both her hand and chest.
The organizers of the march told Ma'an that the goal of the march had been to send a clear message to Israel that Palestinians are still holding onto their right of return.
The Nakba, or "catastrophe," was commemorated across the West Bank on Friday, May 15, and marks the date of Israel's creation in 1948, when more than 760,000 Palestinians were violently expelled from their homes. Palestinian refugees are estimated today to number around 5.5 million with their descendants, and the right to return to their homes is a prerequisite for any Palestinian peace agreement with Israel, although Israel has rejected the demand out of hand.
On Friday, at least 21 Palestinians were injured when Israeli soldiers fired tear gas, rubber and live bullets at Nakba Day protests across the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. A number of Palestinians were also injured in the Nablus district when clashes broke out with Israeli military forces during a prayer ceremony attended by up to 4,000 Jewish settlers at Joseph's Tomb in Nablus.
Hundreds of Palestinians reportedly took part in the march that set off towards the Huwwara military checkpoint carrying black flags and demanding the Palestinians' right of return.
Israeli forces fired tear gas, stun grenades and rubber coated steel bullets at the march. Many were reported to have suffered excessive tear-gas inhalation, while several others, including a Palestinian journalist, were hit with rubber-coated steel bullets before being taken to the Rafidiya Governmental Hospital for treatment.
Palestinian medical sources told Ma'an that Nidal Ishtayeh, a Palestinian journalist working for the Xinhua Chinese news agency, was hit with a rubber-coated steel bullet above his eye. The bullet burst through the glass visor of his gas mask, showering his eye with glass.
A member of the Palestinian People's Party's politburo Khalid Mansour was also injured with a rubber-coated steel bullet, as was an Italian protester who was hit by two rubber-coated steel bullets in both her hand and chest.
The organizers of the march told Ma'an that the goal of the march had been to send a clear message to Israel that Palestinians are still holding onto their right of return.
The Nakba, or "catastrophe," was commemorated across the West Bank on Friday, May 15, and marks the date of Israel's creation in 1948, when more than 760,000 Palestinians were violently expelled from their homes. Palestinian refugees are estimated today to number around 5.5 million with their descendants, and the right to return to their homes is a prerequisite for any Palestinian peace agreement with Israel, although Israel has rejected the demand out of hand.
On Friday, at least 21 Palestinians were injured when Israeli soldiers fired tear gas, rubber and live bullets at Nakba Day protests across the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. A number of Palestinians were also injured in the Nablus district when clashes broke out with Israeli military forces during a prayer ceremony attended by up to 4,000 Jewish settlers at Joseph's Tomb in Nablus.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Friday evening created makeshift checkpoints and tightened security measures in the northern areas of al-Khalil city.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that dozens of Israeli soldiers aboard military vehicles were deployed on the main road between al-Khalil and Bethlehem.
They added that Israeli troops erected barriers at the northern entrance to the city and near Bani Naim and Sa'ir areas and embarked on searching passing cars and passengers.
The IOF also intensified their presence near al-Aroub refugee camp, north of al-Khalil, and at the junction of Gush Etzion settlement, according to eyewitnesses.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that dozens of Israeli soldiers aboard military vehicles were deployed on the main road between al-Khalil and Bethlehem.
They added that Israeli troops erected barriers at the northern entrance to the city and near Bani Naim and Sa'ir areas and embarked on searching passing cars and passengers.
The IOF also intensified their presence near al-Aroub refugee camp, north of al-Khalil, and at the junction of Gush Etzion settlement, according to eyewitnesses.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) at dawn Saturday stormed Jenin city and some nearby towns, with no reported arrests.
Local sources said that the IOF raided the eastern neighborhood of Jenin, intensified their presence in al-Almaniya district, and combed the area around Haddad factory.
The invading troops also established a makeshift barrier at an early hour in Nazareth street in the city and intercepted cars for search.
Other local sources reported IOF campaigns in Yabud and Yamun towns near Jenin. No arrests occurred.
Local sources said that the IOF raided the eastern neighborhood of Jenin, intensified their presence in al-Almaniya district, and combed the area around Haddad factory.
The invading troops also established a makeshift barrier at an early hour in Nazareth street in the city and intercepted cars for search.
Other local sources reported IOF campaigns in Yabud and Yamun towns near Jenin. No arrests occurred.
Israeli soldiers opened fire, on Saturday morning, on Palestinian farmers in their own lands, east of the al-Maghazi refugee camp, in central Gaza, while navy ships opened fire on fishing boats in southern Gaza.
Media sources said several soldiers, and armored military vehicles, advanced close to the border fence, and fired rounds of live ammunition on the farmers, and on a number of Palestinian shepherds.
The attack did not lead to casualties, but the residents had to leave the area fearing addition Israeli fire, and escalation.
In addition, Israeli navy ships fired dozens of live rounds targeting a number of Palestinian fishing boats in Gaza waters, close to the Khan Younis shore, in the southern part of the coastal region.
The attack caused property damage but no injuries; the fishers sailed back to shore to avoid further navy fire.
The latest attacks are part of ongoing Israeli violations carried out against the Palestinians in different parts of the besieged and improvised coastal region.
Media sources said several soldiers, and armored military vehicles, advanced close to the border fence, and fired rounds of live ammunition on the farmers, and on a number of Palestinian shepherds.
The attack did not lead to casualties, but the residents had to leave the area fearing addition Israeli fire, and escalation.
In addition, Israeli navy ships fired dozens of live rounds targeting a number of Palestinian fishing boats in Gaza waters, close to the Khan Younis shore, in the southern part of the coastal region.
The attack caused property damage but no injuries; the fishers sailed back to shore to avoid further navy fire.
The latest attacks are part of ongoing Israeli violations carried out against the Palestinians in different parts of the besieged and improvised coastal region.
