29 dec 2019
Investigators believe Evyatar Azarzar, 18, was tricked into attending a meeting area with members of criminal underworld and was subsequently killer; family and friends say he was trying to make money after being ejected from his yeshiva
Police investigators are probing suspected criminal underworld links in the murder of an 18-year-old youth from an ultra-Orthodox family in Jerusalem whose body was found near a cemetery in the central city of Ramat Hasharon on Friday.
Police believe that Evyatar Azarzar was tricked into attending a meeting in the area with members of the criminal underworld whose identities are unclear, and was subsequently murdered.
According to a police officer of the Tel Aviv District investigation team, "this is not a place to which people arrive by accident."
The family of the 18-year-old reported his absence three weeks ago, although searches conducted at the time found no clue of his whereabouts.
An emergency call was made to the police on December 8 after gunshots were heard near Morasha Interchange, not far from where Azarzar's body was eventually discovered, but police officers dispatched to the area found nothing.
Last Wednesday, police requested the help of the public with the search for Azarzar.
Two days later, his body was recovered and identified in an isolated area after eyewitnesses saw the body in a pit.
Police investigators are now attempting to trace Azarzar's trail to his murder, with relatives telling them that the 18-year-old had been in trouble with several criminals and even conducted a dubious relationship with them.
As far as is known, Azarzar left his Jerusalem home and moved to the ultra-Orthodox central city of Bnei Brak, where he continued to dress as a Haredi Jew.
Police are investigating several lines of inquiry, including whether Azarzar was taken to the scene by force, shot dead and then thrown in the pit or if he was murdered at another location and then his body dumped where it was found. Police do believe that the murder was well thought out.
A close friend of the family said that Azarzar was a good boy, loved by his relatives and friends and that he was just at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Investigators, however, suspect that Azarzar had information about an unidentified criminal and are therefore not excluding the possibility he was shot due to his connection to crime syndicates.
According to various family members and friends, Azarzar was kicked out of an ultra-Orthodox educational institution, which led him to criminal activity.
"He stopped going to his yeshiva studies, he didn't know how to make money and had to finance himself," a family friend said.
"In order to make money, he started making connections with criminals, it could be [the murder] was an honor thing."
Azarzar's funeral is planned for Monday at 12pm at the Sephardic cemetery on Mount HaMenuchot in Jerusalem.
Police investigators are probing suspected criminal underworld links in the murder of an 18-year-old youth from an ultra-Orthodox family in Jerusalem whose body was found near a cemetery in the central city of Ramat Hasharon on Friday.
Police believe that Evyatar Azarzar was tricked into attending a meeting in the area with members of the criminal underworld whose identities are unclear, and was subsequently murdered.
According to a police officer of the Tel Aviv District investigation team, "this is not a place to which people arrive by accident."
The family of the 18-year-old reported his absence three weeks ago, although searches conducted at the time found no clue of his whereabouts.
An emergency call was made to the police on December 8 after gunshots were heard near Morasha Interchange, not far from where Azarzar's body was eventually discovered, but police officers dispatched to the area found nothing.
Last Wednesday, police requested the help of the public with the search for Azarzar.
Two days later, his body was recovered and identified in an isolated area after eyewitnesses saw the body in a pit.
Police investigators are now attempting to trace Azarzar's trail to his murder, with relatives telling them that the 18-year-old had been in trouble with several criminals and even conducted a dubious relationship with them.
As far as is known, Azarzar left his Jerusalem home and moved to the ultra-Orthodox central city of Bnei Brak, where he continued to dress as a Haredi Jew.
Police are investigating several lines of inquiry, including whether Azarzar was taken to the scene by force, shot dead and then thrown in the pit or if he was murdered at another location and then his body dumped where it was found. Police do believe that the murder was well thought out.
A close friend of the family said that Azarzar was a good boy, loved by his relatives and friends and that he was just at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Investigators, however, suspect that Azarzar had information about an unidentified criminal and are therefore not excluding the possibility he was shot due to his connection to crime syndicates.
According to various family members and friends, Azarzar was kicked out of an ultra-Orthodox educational institution, which led him to criminal activity.
"He stopped going to his yeshiva studies, he didn't know how to make money and had to finance himself," a family friend said.
"In order to make money, he started making connections with criminals, it could be [the murder] was an honor thing."
Azarzar's funeral is planned for Monday at 12pm at the Sephardic cemetery on Mount HaMenuchot in Jerusalem.
About 200 extremist settlers broke into al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem on Sunday morning under tight police guard.
Quds Press reported that the Israeli police allowed dozens of Jewish settlers to storm al-Aqsa Mosque through al-Maghareba Gate in consecutive groups at 7:30 in the morning.
It added that the settlers carried out provocative tours and Talmudic rituals in al-Aqsa courtyards before they left the site through al-Silsila Gate.
Since 2003 Israeli settlers have been allowed to carry out mass break-ins into al-Aqsa Mosque, while escorted by armed forces, every day except Fridays and Saturdays.
Quds Press reported that the Israeli police allowed dozens of Jewish settlers to storm al-Aqsa Mosque through al-Maghareba Gate in consecutive groups at 7:30 in the morning.
It added that the settlers carried out provocative tours and Talmudic rituals in al-Aqsa courtyards before they left the site through al-Silsila Gate.
Since 2003 Israeli settlers have been allowed to carry out mass break-ins into al-Aqsa Mosque, while escorted by armed forces, every day except Fridays and Saturdays.
Nearly 900 of Israel’s extremist settlers, last week, stormed the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque under heavy Israeli protection, according to Quds News Network.
Israeli media reported that 897 extremist settlers invaded the holy mosque under the armed protection of the Israeli police and special forces.
Groups of extreme far-right Israeli settlers called for Israelis to carry out intensive invasions into the holy mosque to mark the Jewish holiday of Hannukah.
The colonists stormed the holy mosque from the Magharbeh gate, which has been occupied by the Israelis since 1967, and carried out provocative tours that included Talmudic rituals.
Last week several Muslim worshipers were assaulted, and four women were arrested, and upon release, were banned from entering the holy mosque for arbitrarily set periods of time.
The occupation state allows uncompromising extremist settlers to break into Al-Aqsa Mosque every Sunday to Thursday.
At the same time, Muslim worshipers are arrested and kicked out of their holy site to allow for the illegal colonists to desecrate the sacred site.
Israeli media reported that 897 extremist settlers invaded the holy mosque under the armed protection of the Israeli police and special forces.
Groups of extreme far-right Israeli settlers called for Israelis to carry out intensive invasions into the holy mosque to mark the Jewish holiday of Hannukah.
The colonists stormed the holy mosque from the Magharbeh gate, which has been occupied by the Israelis since 1967, and carried out provocative tours that included Talmudic rituals.
Last week several Muslim worshipers were assaulted, and four women were arrested, and upon release, were banned from entering the holy mosque for arbitrarily set periods of time.
The occupation state allows uncompromising extremist settlers to break into Al-Aqsa Mosque every Sunday to Thursday.
At the same time, Muslim worshipers are arrested and kicked out of their holy site to allow for the illegal colonists to desecrate the sacred site.
27 dec 2019
After a fifteen-year legal battle in the corridors of the Israeli courts of various degrees, the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee has obtained a decision to evacuate a number of Israeli settlers from Al-Bakri building, in the Tel Rumeida area, in the Old City District of Hebron.
The case was considered by the Court of Magistrates, the Central Court, Supreme Court and Military Appeals Committee. HRC adopted the case through its legal unit and started proceedings to evict the Israeli settlers from the building in 2005.
Emad Hamdan, General Director of the HRC, confirmed that the diligent follow-up, by the legal unit of the case, and its continuing challenge to the Israeli policy of taking over Palestinian property, led to the success achieved.
Tawfeeq Jahshin, HRC’s Advocate, stated that a special investigator was commissioned to identify the settlers squatting the building. They said that they took over the building and had left it for a long time. They also claimed that an Israeli Real Estate Firm purchased the building and used it after they had left.
Since then, the parties to the case changed and the lawfare was therefore submitted in 2006, whereby another case was filed against the Israeli firm (Tal). It alleged that it had purchased the building, and so the Court of Magistrate demanded that the case be filed with a competent Central Court, the proceedings of which lasted for years.
After a long struggle, it was proved that all the deeds presented by the Israeli settlers were fake. In light of this, the Central Court confirmed that the Al-Bakri building belongs to the Al-Bakri Family, but Israeli settlers appealed the ruling before the Supreme Court, which endorsed the decision of the Central Court in 2014.
Before this, Israeli settlers filed a lawsuit with the Court of Magistrates, demanding that they be allowed to buy the building, and so the decision of the Supreme Court was put on hold. The proceedings of the Court of Magistrates were also lengthy, lasting for years. Prior to completion of the litigation proceedings, the settlers filed another lawsuit with the Central Court in which they alleged that part of the land on which the building is erected is Jewish endowment.
This case was dropped since it was not duly filed. The Court of Magistrates proceedings continued and it was decided to evict and fine them in 45 days, while the Supreme Court proceedings were still at their beginning. The settlers appealed the decision, and Israeli courts kept procrastinating the litigation proceedings, to lengthen the settlers’ control of the building and force the HRC to retreat.
After all of this legal processing, which lasted for a total of fifteen years, the Central Court turned over the settlers’ appeal and decided on eviction, in addition to fining them against their stay in the building.
PNN further notes that the decision to evict the Israeli settlers offers a ray of hope amidst the bleak conditions facing the Old City of Hebron, because of Israel’s colonial policies and decisions by the Israeli government to build a settlement outpost in different sites of the Old City, including Al-Hisba and the Old Garage lands.
The Legal Unit of HRC challenges all the decisions taken by the Israeli government against Hebron and continues to do so in light of the complicated political situation. Director General of HRC, Emad Hamdan, and Advocate Samer Shihada thanked the Legal Unit for its diligence in following up on this case and others of equal relevance.
The case was considered by the Court of Magistrates, the Central Court, Supreme Court and Military Appeals Committee. HRC adopted the case through its legal unit and started proceedings to evict the Israeli settlers from the building in 2005.
Emad Hamdan, General Director of the HRC, confirmed that the diligent follow-up, by the legal unit of the case, and its continuing challenge to the Israeli policy of taking over Palestinian property, led to the success achieved.
Tawfeeq Jahshin, HRC’s Advocate, stated that a special investigator was commissioned to identify the settlers squatting the building. They said that they took over the building and had left it for a long time. They also claimed that an Israeli Real Estate Firm purchased the building and used it after they had left.
Since then, the parties to the case changed and the lawfare was therefore submitted in 2006, whereby another case was filed against the Israeli firm (Tal). It alleged that it had purchased the building, and so the Court of Magistrate demanded that the case be filed with a competent Central Court, the proceedings of which lasted for years.
After a long struggle, it was proved that all the deeds presented by the Israeli settlers were fake. In light of this, the Central Court confirmed that the Al-Bakri building belongs to the Al-Bakri Family, but Israeli settlers appealed the ruling before the Supreme Court, which endorsed the decision of the Central Court in 2014.
Before this, Israeli settlers filed a lawsuit with the Court of Magistrates, demanding that they be allowed to buy the building, and so the decision of the Supreme Court was put on hold. The proceedings of the Court of Magistrates were also lengthy, lasting for years. Prior to completion of the litigation proceedings, the settlers filed another lawsuit with the Central Court in which they alleged that part of the land on which the building is erected is Jewish endowment.
This case was dropped since it was not duly filed. The Court of Magistrates proceedings continued and it was decided to evict and fine them in 45 days, while the Supreme Court proceedings were still at their beginning. The settlers appealed the decision, and Israeli courts kept procrastinating the litigation proceedings, to lengthen the settlers’ control of the building and force the HRC to retreat.
After all of this legal processing, which lasted for a total of fifteen years, the Central Court turned over the settlers’ appeal and decided on eviction, in addition to fining them against their stay in the building.
PNN further notes that the decision to evict the Israeli settlers offers a ray of hope amidst the bleak conditions facing the Old City of Hebron, because of Israel’s colonial policies and decisions by the Israeli government to build a settlement outpost in different sites of the Old City, including Al-Hisba and the Old Garage lands.
The Legal Unit of HRC challenges all the decisions taken by the Israeli government against Hebron and continues to do so in light of the complicated political situation. Director General of HRC, Emad Hamdan, and Advocate Samer Shihada thanked the Legal Unit for its diligence in following up on this case and others of equal relevance.
26 dec 2019
An extremist Jewish settler on Wednesday stormed the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the Old City of Occupied Jerusalem carrying a big knife.
According to eyewitnesses, the Church was filled with worshipers and foreign pilgrims marking the occasion of Christmas when a knife-wielding settler stormed it.
The settler caused great panic among the Christian worshipers at the holy site.
Luckily, no one was hurt by the settler, who was arrested by police officers and escorted out of the holy site.
According to eyewitnesses, the Church was filled with worshipers and foreign pilgrims marking the occasion of Christmas when a knife-wielding settler stormed it.
The settler caused great panic among the Christian worshipers at the holy site.
Luckily, no one was hurt by the settler, who was arrested by police officers and escorted out of the holy site.
25 dec 2019
Dozens of Jewish settlers on Wednesday morning stormed al-Aqsa Mosque while escorted by a large police force.
Jerusalem's Islamic Awqaf Department said that 189 Israeli settlers forced their way into al-Aqsa Mosque through al-Maghareba Gate and carried out provocative tours inside the compound. video
Extremist settler groups have lately called for intensified mass break-ins into al-Aqsa Mosque to mark the one-week Hanukkah festival.
Jerusalem's Islamic Awqaf Department said that 189 Israeli settlers forced their way into al-Aqsa Mosque through al-Maghareba Gate and carried out provocative tours inside the compound. video
Extremist settler groups have lately called for intensified mass break-ins into al-Aqsa Mosque to mark the one-week Hanukkah festival.
24 dec 2019
Far-right rabbi Yehuda Glick as well as dozens of Jewish settlers on Tuesday forced their way into al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem under tight police guard.
Jerusalem's Islamic Awqaf Department said in a brief statement that Glick and 211 Israeli settlers, accompanied by a large police force, stormed al-Aqsa Mosque and carried out provocative tours in the site.
Meanwhile, local sources said that the Israeli police handed a number of Palestinian youths who were present in the mosque during the break-in orders to appear before the Israel Intelligence Service for interrogation.
On Monday the Israeli police arrested four Palestinian women at al-Aqsa Mosque and interrogated them for hours before releasing them on condition that they stay away from the holy site for 10 days.
Jerusalem's Islamic Awqaf Department said in a brief statement that Glick and 211 Israeli settlers, accompanied by a large police force, stormed al-Aqsa Mosque and carried out provocative tours in the site.
Meanwhile, local sources said that the Israeli police handed a number of Palestinian youths who were present in the mosque during the break-in orders to appear before the Israel Intelligence Service for interrogation.
On Monday the Israeli police arrested four Palestinian women at al-Aqsa Mosque and interrogated them for hours before releasing them on condition that they stay away from the holy site for 10 days.
Israeli bulldozers on Tuesday embarked on leveling lands in southern Nablus to expand the illegal settlements of Shilo and Shvut Rachel.
Local official Ghassan Daghlas said that settlers started to carry out large-scale bulldozing activities on Palestinian lands in Jalud village to build more housing units as part of a plan to expand the settlements of Shilo and Shvut Rachel.
Such development has taken place despite an Israeli court decision issued last year ordering a halt to all construction and expansion activities in the area, Daghlas affirmed.
He added that the Israeli higher court of justice are still studying an objection to the plan filed by the municipal councils of Jalud and Qaryut villages, where vast tracts of lands were annexed by Israel to expand the settlements.
Local official Ghassan Daghlas said that settlers started to carry out large-scale bulldozing activities on Palestinian lands in Jalud village to build more housing units as part of a plan to expand the settlements of Shilo and Shvut Rachel.
Such development has taken place despite an Israeli court decision issued last year ordering a halt to all construction and expansion activities in the area, Daghlas affirmed.
He added that the Israeli higher court of justice are still studying an objection to the plan filed by the municipal councils of Jalud and Qaryut villages, where vast tracts of lands were annexed by Israel to expand the settlements.
23 dec 2019
A Palestinian woman and her daughter were injured on Monday evening after being assaulted by Israeli settlers in Tel Rumeida neighborhood in al-Khalil City.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said that its medical crews attended to a mother and her daughter in Tel Rumeida after they were attacked with pepper gas by Israeli settlers.
The Palestinian residents of Tel Rumeida are subjected to daily attacks by the Israeli settlers who live in Ramat Yeshai, a settler outpost built in the neighborhood and one of five outposts in the heart of al-Khalil.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said that its medical crews attended to a mother and her daughter in Tel Rumeida after they were attacked with pepper gas by Israeli settlers.
The Palestinian residents of Tel Rumeida are subjected to daily attacks by the Israeli settlers who live in Ramat Yeshai, a settler outpost built in the neighborhood and one of five outposts in the heart of al-Khalil.
Dozens of Jewish settlers on Monday morning desecrated the Aqsa Mosque under tight police protection.
According to the Islamic Awqaf Authority in Jerusalem, at least 130 settlers entered the Mosque through al-Maghariba Gate and toured its courtyards under police guard.
34 female settlers in army uniform also defiled the Mosque’s courtyards.
The Aqsa Mosque is exposed to daily desecration by Jewish settlers and police forces in the morning and the afternoon except on Fridays and Saturdays.
The Israeli police close al-Maghariba Gate, which is used by Jews to enter the Mosque, at 10:30 am after the settlers complete their morning tours at the holy site. Later in the afternoon, the same gate is reopened for evening tours by settlers.
During the presence of settlers inside the Mosque compound, entry restrictions are imposed on Muslim worshipers at the entrances leading to the Mosque and their IDs are seized until they leave the holy place.
According to the Islamic Awqaf Authority in Jerusalem, at least 130 settlers entered the Mosque through al-Maghariba Gate and toured its courtyards under police guard.
34 female settlers in army uniform also defiled the Mosque’s courtyards.
The Aqsa Mosque is exposed to daily desecration by Jewish settlers and police forces in the morning and the afternoon except on Fridays and Saturdays.
The Israeli police close al-Maghariba Gate, which is used by Jews to enter the Mosque, at 10:30 am after the settlers complete their morning tours at the holy site. Later in the afternoon, the same gate is reopened for evening tours by settlers.
During the presence of settlers inside the Mosque compound, entry restrictions are imposed on Muslim worshipers at the entrances leading to the Mosque and their IDs are seized until they leave the holy place.
horde of Jewish settlers on Sunday placed a candelabrum on the rooftop of the Ibrahimi Mosque in the Old City of al-Khalil.
According to local sources, settlers escorted by Israeli soldiers positioned a candelabrum on the external rooftop of the Ibrahimi Mosque.
In July 2017, UNESCO asserted that the Ibrahimi Mosque is a Palestinian heritage site after the Israeli occupation state tried to disrupt the adoption of this resolution and claim the Mosque as a Jewish site.
According to local sources, settlers escorted by Israeli soldiers positioned a candelabrum on the external rooftop of the Ibrahimi Mosque.
In July 2017, UNESCO asserted that the Ibrahimi Mosque is a Palestinian heritage site after the Israeli occupation state tried to disrupt the adoption of this resolution and claim the Mosque as a Jewish site.