15 jan 2017
Israeli settlers living above a Palestinian family in the Silwan neighborhood of occupied East Jerusalem assailed the family’s courtyard and attempted to break into their home on Saturday evening.
Silwan-based watchdog the Wadi Hilweh Information Center reported that settlers stormed the courtyard of Muhammad Muheisin’s home, smashed the outdoor furniture, damaged garden plants, and shattered framed Quran verses. The settlers left about a half an hour later.
Muheisin and his family live on the ground floor of a six-story building. According to the Wadi Hilweh Information Center, Israeli settlers took over the five upper apartments in October 2014, and Muheisin was the only Palestinian who remained in the building.
Since the takeover, settlers have been trying to buy Muheisin’s apartment, sometimes “by force,” and sometimes by offering him as much money as he wants, according to the center.
The group highlighted that settlers have repeatedly assaulted him and his family members over the years, and regularly throw garbage at their home and disconnect their power grid and water supply.
Muheisin told Wadi Hilweh that the roof and walls of his home have been damaged by water leakages coming from the above apartments, but the settlers have refused to address the issue.
There are an upwards of 300,000 Israeli settlers residing in East Jerusalem in contravention of international law, with at least 500 living in Silwan among a population of 45,000 Palestinians.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) documented 107 cases of settler attacks on Palestinians and their property throughout 2016.
Silwan in particular has been the target of intense settlement activity and initiatives, which include a plan for a tourist complex in the al-Bustan neighborhood, which, if implemented, would displace more than 1,000 Palestinian residents; hundreds of additional residents are at-risk of displacement due to eviction cases initiated by settler organizations in the same area, according to the OCHA.
Last week, the Israeli settlement group Elad reportedly took over a Palestinian-owned property in Silwan while its owners were away in Jordan.
Relatives of the Palestinian family said that Elad had claimed ownership of the building several years ago after using a Palestinian as a proxy to buy the house and then transfer it to the settlement group -- a common practice by settler groups wishing to expand their presence in Palestinian-majority areas of East Jerusalem.
Elad took over another building in Silwan last month, which it said it had purchased using a similar Palestinian “straw man” mechanism.
When asked about the involvement of Israeli police in that case, Israeli police spokesperson Micky Rosenfeld questioned the validity of the reports, telling Ma'an at the time that Wadi Hilweh Information Center’s claims that Palestinian property had been taken over by settlers were “not serious” and “irrelevant.”
Jerusalem's Israeli city planning commission also approved a plan to build a three-story building for Jewish settlers in the heart of Silwan in December, introduced by Israeli pro-settlement nonprofit organization Ateret Cohanim -- the same day the Jerusalem municipality demolished Palestinian-owned structures in the neighborhood.
The Elad and Ateret Cohanim groups are a strong force in the Israeli settler movement in East Jerusalem, with Elad leading a takeover of 25 buildings in the neighborhood of Silwan in 2015, which constituted the largest incursion of Israeli settlers into a Palestinian neighborhood in the past 20 years, according to the the Applied Research Institute Jerusalem (ARIJ).
Also known as the Ir David Foundation, Elad aims to "rediscover and preserve the Biblical city of David," in an effort to connect Jews to their Biblical roots through tourism, archaeological excavation, and "Judaizing Jerusalem" by buying out homes in Palestinian majority neighborhoods.
Silwan-based watchdog the Wadi Hilweh Information Center reported that settlers stormed the courtyard of Muhammad Muheisin’s home, smashed the outdoor furniture, damaged garden plants, and shattered framed Quran verses. The settlers left about a half an hour later.
Muheisin and his family live on the ground floor of a six-story building. According to the Wadi Hilweh Information Center, Israeli settlers took over the five upper apartments in October 2014, and Muheisin was the only Palestinian who remained in the building.
Since the takeover, settlers have been trying to buy Muheisin’s apartment, sometimes “by force,” and sometimes by offering him as much money as he wants, according to the center.
The group highlighted that settlers have repeatedly assaulted him and his family members over the years, and regularly throw garbage at their home and disconnect their power grid and water supply.
Muheisin told Wadi Hilweh that the roof and walls of his home have been damaged by water leakages coming from the above apartments, but the settlers have refused to address the issue.
There are an upwards of 300,000 Israeli settlers residing in East Jerusalem in contravention of international law, with at least 500 living in Silwan among a population of 45,000 Palestinians.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) documented 107 cases of settler attacks on Palestinians and their property throughout 2016.
Silwan in particular has been the target of intense settlement activity and initiatives, which include a plan for a tourist complex in the al-Bustan neighborhood, which, if implemented, would displace more than 1,000 Palestinian residents; hundreds of additional residents are at-risk of displacement due to eviction cases initiated by settler organizations in the same area, according to the OCHA.
Last week, the Israeli settlement group Elad reportedly took over a Palestinian-owned property in Silwan while its owners were away in Jordan.
Relatives of the Palestinian family said that Elad had claimed ownership of the building several years ago after using a Palestinian as a proxy to buy the house and then transfer it to the settlement group -- a common practice by settler groups wishing to expand their presence in Palestinian-majority areas of East Jerusalem.
Elad took over another building in Silwan last month, which it said it had purchased using a similar Palestinian “straw man” mechanism.
When asked about the involvement of Israeli police in that case, Israeli police spokesperson Micky Rosenfeld questioned the validity of the reports, telling Ma'an at the time that Wadi Hilweh Information Center’s claims that Palestinian property had been taken over by settlers were “not serious” and “irrelevant.”
Jerusalem's Israeli city planning commission also approved a plan to build a three-story building for Jewish settlers in the heart of Silwan in December, introduced by Israeli pro-settlement nonprofit organization Ateret Cohanim -- the same day the Jerusalem municipality demolished Palestinian-owned structures in the neighborhood.
The Elad and Ateret Cohanim groups are a strong force in the Israeli settler movement in East Jerusalem, with Elad leading a takeover of 25 buildings in the neighborhood of Silwan in 2015, which constituted the largest incursion of Israeli settlers into a Palestinian neighborhood in the past 20 years, according to the the Applied Research Institute Jerusalem (ARIJ).
Also known as the Ir David Foundation, Elad aims to "rediscover and preserve the Biblical city of David," in an effort to connect Jews to their Biblical roots through tourism, archaeological excavation, and "Judaizing Jerusalem" by buying out homes in Palestinian majority neighborhoods.
Jewish fanatic settlers Saturday evening assaulted a Palestinian farmer while working in his land in Burqah town, northwest of Nablus city.
Witnesses told the PIC reporter that about 30 settlers from Homesh settlement attacked the farmer before sunset. He was transferred to hospital after the incident.
The witnesses elaborated that the attacking settlers kept throwing stones at him from a close distance until a group of Palestinian youths rushed to the scene and confronted settlers, after they had heard his screaming.
Sami Daghlas, Head of the village's council, said that the settlers’ attacks are frequently repeated in the area under the protection of Israeli forces every now and then. Settlers provocatively raid the town on a semi daily basis, he pointed out.
Witnesses told the PIC reporter that about 30 settlers from Homesh settlement attacked the farmer before sunset. He was transferred to hospital after the incident.
The witnesses elaborated that the attacking settlers kept throwing stones at him from a close distance until a group of Palestinian youths rushed to the scene and confronted settlers, after they had heard his screaming.
Sami Daghlas, Head of the village's council, said that the settlers’ attacks are frequently repeated in the area under the protection of Israeli forces every now and then. Settlers provocatively raid the town on a semi daily basis, he pointed out.
The Israeli occupation police on Sunday morning allowed groups of Jewish settlers to enter the Aqsa Mosque through al-Maghariba Gate and desecrate its courtyards.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that Israeli police forces escorted the settlers as they were touring the Mosque’s areas and receiving explanations from rabbis about the alleged temple mount.
The Aqsa Mosque is exposed every day to desecration by Jewish settlers and police forces, whose tours at the Islamic holy site start at seven o’clock in the morning.
Several Muslim worshipers are denied entry to the Mosque during those unwelcome tours.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that Israeli police forces escorted the settlers as they were touring the Mosque’s areas and receiving explanations from rabbis about the alleged temple mount.
The Aqsa Mosque is exposed every day to desecration by Jewish settlers and police forces, whose tours at the Islamic holy site start at seven o’clock in the morning.
Several Muslim worshipers are denied entry to the Mosque during those unwelcome tours.
13 jan 2017
A group of Israeli settlers Friday morning broke into the historical site of Solomon's Pools south of Bethlehem under military protection.
Local activist Ahmed Salah affirmed that nearly 50 settlers stormed the site in the early morning hours escorted by large numbers of Israeli soldiers.
The settlers performed Talmudic rituals in the site, he added.
Such break-ins have been repeated frequently by settlers under the pretext of performing Talmudic rituals. The settlers’ provocative break-ins usually cause a state of tension among the locals.
Local activist Ahmed Salah affirmed that nearly 50 settlers stormed the site in the early morning hours escorted by large numbers of Israeli soldiers.
The settlers performed Talmudic rituals in the site, he added.
Such break-ins have been repeated frequently by settlers under the pretext of performing Talmudic rituals. The settlers’ provocative break-ins usually cause a state of tension among the locals.
10 jan 2017
Israel Hayom Hebrew newspaper revealed that the International Human Rights Council is about to blacklist of companies operating in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
The newspaper, which is affiliated with Israeli government, expected on Tuesday that the blacklist, which BDS activists along with other bodies are working on, will probably be published in March or June. The blacklist includes security companies assigned to protect Jewish settlers, it highlighted.
The newspaper pointed out that the blacklist was suggested and prepared by the BDS activist Richard Falk about six months ago within his work in the UN. Arab countries as well are working on backing up the blacklist via Human Rights Council, it added.
The newspaper, which is affiliated with Israeli government, expected on Tuesday that the blacklist, which BDS activists along with other bodies are working on, will probably be published in March or June. The blacklist includes security companies assigned to protect Jewish settlers, it highlighted.
The newspaper pointed out that the blacklist was suggested and prepared by the BDS activist Richard Falk about six months ago within his work in the UN. Arab countries as well are working on backing up the blacklist via Human Rights Council, it added.
9 jan 2017
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) launched last night and at dawn Monday violent raid and arrest campaign across the West Bank, while Israeli settlers brutally attacked Palestinian vehicles near Qalqilia.
11 Palestinians were detained during the IOF raids throughout West Bank towns and cities.
IOF claimed in a statement issued early today that 11 “wanted” Palestinians were detained for being allegedly involved in anti-occupation attacks.
Three arrests were carried out in Jenin, while two others were reported south of Ramallah. At least one young man was rounded up in Qalandia refugee camp, south of occupied Jerusalem.
Two ex-prisoners were detained in Aroub refugee camp, south of al-Khalil, while three youngsters were arrested in Aida refugee camp, south of Bethlehem.
Activists in Hamas Movement were among the reported arrests, the IOF statement alleged.
Weapons were found during the overnight raids in Beit Fujar town to the south of Bethlehem, IOF statement further claimed.
All the detainees were taken to unknown detention centers.
Meanwhile, Israeli settlers attacked late last night Palestinian vehicles at Qalqilia-Nablus road.
The settlers threw stones and Molotov cocktails at the passing-by vehicles, while chanting “Death to Arabs.”
Similar settlers’ attacks were reported near Hawara town near Nablus following the anti-occupation attack in occupied Jerusalem which left four Israeli soldiers dead and 15 others injured.
11 Palestinians were detained during the IOF raids throughout West Bank towns and cities.
IOF claimed in a statement issued early today that 11 “wanted” Palestinians were detained for being allegedly involved in anti-occupation attacks.
Three arrests were carried out in Jenin, while two others were reported south of Ramallah. At least one young man was rounded up in Qalandia refugee camp, south of occupied Jerusalem.
Two ex-prisoners were detained in Aroub refugee camp, south of al-Khalil, while three youngsters were arrested in Aida refugee camp, south of Bethlehem.
Activists in Hamas Movement were among the reported arrests, the IOF statement alleged.
Weapons were found during the overnight raids in Beit Fujar town to the south of Bethlehem, IOF statement further claimed.
All the detainees were taken to unknown detention centers.
Meanwhile, Israeli settlers attacked late last night Palestinian vehicles at Qalqilia-Nablus road.
The settlers threw stones and Molotov cocktails at the passing-by vehicles, while chanting “Death to Arabs.”
Similar settlers’ attacks were reported near Hawara town near Nablus following the anti-occupation attack in occupied Jerusalem which left four Israeli soldiers dead and 15 others injured.
8 jan 2017
A group of Israeli settlers smashed on Sunday evening a number of Palestinian vehicles to the south of Nablus city near the crossroad of Itamar settlement and the bypass road close to the entrance of Yitzhar settlement.
The Palestinian ex-prisoner Ali Lulah said that the Israeli settlers smashed his brother's car putting his life at risk.
He pointed out that dozens of similar attacks were reported near Huwara town and on Nablus-Ramallah road.
The Palestinian ex-prisoner Ali Lulah said that the Israeli settlers smashed his brother's car putting his life at risk.
He pointed out that dozens of similar attacks were reported near Huwara town and on Nablus-Ramallah road.
Israeli settlers at dawn Sunday seized a Palestinian home in Jerusalem’s town of Silwan, to the south of the holy al-Aqsa Mosque.
Settlers from the extremist Elad settler organization, accompanied by police forces, reportedly grabbed hold of a Palestinian building in Silwan at the crack of dawn.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center refused to release further details as regards the seized building, saying data has to be checked out meticulously so as to allow the house owners to successfully appeal to Israeli courts.
The Israeli Elad settlement organization has been notorious for its land and home grab in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly in East Jerusalem and its Old City.
Settlers from the extremist Elad settler organization, accompanied by police forces, reportedly grabbed hold of a Palestinian building in Silwan at the crack of dawn.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center refused to release further details as regards the seized building, saying data has to be checked out meticulously so as to allow the house owners to successfully appeal to Israeli courts.
The Israeli Elad settlement organization has been notorious for its land and home grab in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly in East Jerusalem and its Old City.
Hordes of Israeli settlers stormed at dawn Sunday Kafl Haris town, in the northern West Bank province of Salfit, and defiled Islamic holy sites.
A PIC news correspondent said a large number of Israeli fanatic settlers, escorted by heavily-armed troops, broke into Islamic shrines in Kafl Haris and performed sacrilegious rituals.
Israeli army patrols accompanied the settlers all the way through the break-in.
The assault reportedly targeted three Islamic places of worship in Kafl Haris town.
Dating back to hundreds of years ago, Kafl Haris has been largely marked by its Islamic idiosyncrasy. From 1967 onward, the area has turned into the permanent target of Israeli sacrilegious break-ins in an attempt to Judaize its holy sites and hold sway over the territory.
A PIC news correspondent said a large number of Israeli fanatic settlers, escorted by heavily-armed troops, broke into Islamic shrines in Kafl Haris and performed sacrilegious rituals.
Israeli army patrols accompanied the settlers all the way through the break-in.
The assault reportedly targeted three Islamic places of worship in Kafl Haris town.
Dating back to hundreds of years ago, Kafl Haris has been largely marked by its Islamic idiosyncrasy. From 1967 onward, the area has turned into the permanent target of Israeli sacrilegious break-ins in an attempt to Judaize its holy sites and hold sway over the territory.
A horde of Jewish settlers on Saturday evening threw stones at the house of Palestinian human rights activist Imad Abu Shamsiya, who recorded a video showing an Israeli soldier killing in cold blood a wounded young man lying on the ground in al-Khalil last year.
Eyewitnesses reported that the settlers chanted racist slurs and death threats against Abu Shamsiya as they were hurling stones at the house, adding that they tried to break into the house and assault the residents.
The family of Abu Shamsiya lives in a house near the illegal settlement of Ramat Yishai and the military checkpoint called Gilbert in al-Khalil, where 21-year-old Abdul-Fattah al-Sharif was killed.
In the incident on March 24, 2016, Sharif and another 21-year-old Palestinian, Ramzi al-Qasrawi, allegedly stabbed and wounded an Israeli soldier before troops opened fire on them, wounding Sharif and killing Qasrawi.
Footage of the scene several minutes later, filmed by Abu Shamsiya and released by the Israeli human rights group B'Tselem, shows Sharif was lying immovable on the ground but alive.
A young soldier, identified as Elor Azaria, is then seen cocking his rifle and fatally shooting Sharif in the head at point-blank range.
A Tel Aviv court last Wednesday convicted Azaria of manslaughter. Its verdict angered Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet members, who called for granting the soldier an immediate pardon and releasing him.
Eyewitnesses reported that the settlers chanted racist slurs and death threats against Abu Shamsiya as they were hurling stones at the house, adding that they tried to break into the house and assault the residents.
The family of Abu Shamsiya lives in a house near the illegal settlement of Ramat Yishai and the military checkpoint called Gilbert in al-Khalil, where 21-year-old Abdul-Fattah al-Sharif was killed.
In the incident on March 24, 2016, Sharif and another 21-year-old Palestinian, Ramzi al-Qasrawi, allegedly stabbed and wounded an Israeli soldier before troops opened fire on them, wounding Sharif and killing Qasrawi.
Footage of the scene several minutes later, filmed by Abu Shamsiya and released by the Israeli human rights group B'Tselem, shows Sharif was lying immovable on the ground but alive.
A young soldier, identified as Elor Azaria, is then seen cocking his rifle and fatally shooting Sharif in the head at point-blank range.
A Tel Aviv court last Wednesday convicted Azaria of manslaughter. Its verdict angered Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet members, who called for granting the soldier an immediate pardon and releasing him.
7 jan 2017
Police detain a 33-year-old Jerusalemite for statements he allegedly made outside the courthouse against the IDF chief of staff on the day when Sgt. Elor Azaria was convicted of manslaughter; the attorney general had instructed the police to investigate the calls to incitement that have been rife in response to the conviction.
Israel Police arrested on Saturday night a 33-year-old man from Jerusalem who is suspected of having incited to violence against IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot at a demonstration in support of Sgt. Elor Azaria on Wednesday.
The suspect allegedly was present at the demonstration outside the military courthouse when Azaria was convicted of manslaughter in the killing of the incapacitated Palestinian terrorist, Abed al Fatah a-Sharif, in March.
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit had instructed the police this week to investigate calls to violence against Eisenkot. Protestors had been heard chanting, "Gadi, Gadi beware, Rabin's looking for a friend," referring to the prime minister who was assassinated in 1994. One protestor was recorded yelling into a microphone, "This night, you're going to die!"
The incitement to violence drew public letters of support from dozens of reservist battalion commanders, Eisenkot's predecessor, Lt. Gen. (res.) Benny Gantz, and the Association for Former Members of Sayeret Matkal. On Saturday night, several thousand Israelis participated in a rally against incitement.
The suspect's lawyer Itamar Ben Gvir said, "The suspect was summoned on Sunday for questioning and intended to arrive, but following the rally and the media's unfair criticism, the young man was arrested in a showcase of police action." He insisted that there was no reason to arrest his client.
He added, "The guy is disabled. His condition isn't good. He came to the rally in support of the soldier Elor Azaria and protested the fact that Elor, the child of us all, was abandoned. The things that were said were said during emotional turmoil, and the suspect regrets them and expressed remorse in his questioning.
"However, when Israeli Arabs wished death on IDF soldiers or expressed joy at the death of soldiers, nobody arrested them. The young man came to the rally for the army, for the nation, for a combat soldier who was abandoned on the battlefield. There's no rationale for his arrest…I'm sorry that the police are acting out of political motivations."
Israel Police arrested on Saturday night a 33-year-old man from Jerusalem who is suspected of having incited to violence against IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot at a demonstration in support of Sgt. Elor Azaria on Wednesday.
The suspect allegedly was present at the demonstration outside the military courthouse when Azaria was convicted of manslaughter in the killing of the incapacitated Palestinian terrorist, Abed al Fatah a-Sharif, in March.
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit had instructed the police this week to investigate calls to violence against Eisenkot. Protestors had been heard chanting, "Gadi, Gadi beware, Rabin's looking for a friend," referring to the prime minister who was assassinated in 1994. One protestor was recorded yelling into a microphone, "This night, you're going to die!"
The incitement to violence drew public letters of support from dozens of reservist battalion commanders, Eisenkot's predecessor, Lt. Gen. (res.) Benny Gantz, and the Association for Former Members of Sayeret Matkal. On Saturday night, several thousand Israelis participated in a rally against incitement.
The suspect's lawyer Itamar Ben Gvir said, "The suspect was summoned on Sunday for questioning and intended to arrive, but following the rally and the media's unfair criticism, the young man was arrested in a showcase of police action." He insisted that there was no reason to arrest his client.
He added, "The guy is disabled. His condition isn't good. He came to the rally in support of the soldier Elor Azaria and protested the fact that Elor, the child of us all, was abandoned. The things that were said were said during emotional turmoil, and the suspect regrets them and expressed remorse in his questioning.
"However, when Israeli Arabs wished death on IDF soldiers or expressed joy at the death of soldiers, nobody arrested them. The young man came to the rally for the army, for the nation, for a combat soldier who was abandoned on the battlefield. There's no rationale for his arrest…I'm sorry that the police are acting out of political motivations."
6 jan 2017
A Jewish settler Friday morning seriously injured a Palestinian man by a hit-and-run attack at a main junction near Salfit.
Israeli police’s spokeswoman said that the Palestinian man was a passerby and was hit near Ariel Settlement. The police opened investigation in the incident, she added.
The Palestinian victim was transferred to an Israeli Hospital to receive treatment for his serious injury.
Later on, the Palestinian Red Crescent disclosed that the wounded was identified as Emad Souf, 55, from Salfit.
Israeli police’s spokeswoman said that the Palestinian man was a passerby and was hit near Ariel Settlement. The police opened investigation in the incident, she added.
The Palestinian victim was transferred to an Israeli Hospital to receive treatment for his serious injury.
Later on, the Palestinian Red Crescent disclosed that the wounded was identified as Emad Souf, 55, from Salfit.