19 july 2015
Several fanatic Israeli settlers invaded, on Saturday evening, Palestinian farmlands in the town of al-Khader, south of the West Bank city of Bethlehem, and uprooted hundreds of tomato and cauliflower plants and seedlings, in addition to destroying an entire field planted with Okra.
Ahmad Salah, coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in al-Khader, said the Israeli extremists came from the illegal Israeli settlement of Efrat, built on stolen Palestinian lands.
Salah said the assailants invaded more than five Dunams (1.23 Acres) of Palestinian agricultural lands, and uprooted the crops, before running back to their settlement.
The invaded lands belong to three Palestinians identified as Jom’a Salah, Dirar Salah and Samir al-Balboul. Ahmad Salah also stated that the attackers swam in the pool of a local spring, used for both irrigation and drinking.
Ahmad Salah, coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in al-Khader, said the Israeli extremists came from the illegal Israeli settlement of Efrat, built on stolen Palestinian lands.
Salah said the assailants invaded more than five Dunams (1.23 Acres) of Palestinian agricultural lands, and uprooted the crops, before running back to their settlement.
The invaded lands belong to three Palestinians identified as Jom’a Salah, Dirar Salah and Samir al-Balboul. Ahmad Salah also stated that the attackers swam in the pool of a local spring, used for both irrigation and drinking.
A number of fanatic Israeli settlers attacked, Saturday, several Palestinian shepherds in Khallet al-‘Adra area, in Yatta town south of the southern West Bank city of Hebron.
Coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in southern Hebron, Rateb Jabour, said Israeli extremists assaulted the Palestinian shepherds, and hurled stones on them.
He added that several local youths then started throwing stones on the settlers, forcing them to run away.
The extremists came from the nearby Ma’on illegal Israeli settlement, built on private Palestinian lands.
Jabour further stated that such attacks are frequent, targeting shepherds and villagers, as part of ongoing Israeli attempts to force the Palestinians out of their lands, in order to build and expand illegal colonies.
Coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in southern Hebron, Rateb Jabour, said Israeli extremists assaulted the Palestinian shepherds, and hurled stones on them.
He added that several local youths then started throwing stones on the settlers, forcing them to run away.
The extremists came from the nearby Ma’on illegal Israeli settlement, built on private Palestinian lands.
Jabour further stated that such attacks are frequent, targeting shepherds and villagers, as part of ongoing Israeli attempts to force the Palestinians out of their lands, in order to build and expand illegal colonies.
17 july 2015
VIDEO: Palestinians attacked Jewish homes for 20 minutes in East Jerusalem neighborhood, and residents say police were tardy and then refrained from intervening; part of attack caught on video.
Stones, Molotov cocktails, and fireworks were thrown Thursday night at Jewish homes in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Ma'ale HaZeitim – and residents claim that police failed to properly deal with the violence.
According to witnesses, law enforcement took too long to arrive, refrained from intervening, and even got into arguments with residents.
One resident was lightly wounded, and numerous fires broke out.
The incident occurred at about 12:30 AM, when some 20 Palestinians arrived from Ras al-Amud. Security camera footage shows the mass attack, in which residents can be heard wondering why the police had not arrived.
Josha Wander, a member of the neighborhood security committee, said police arrived after ten minutes, followed by reinforcements after 15-20 minutes, and that they then refrained from responding. "Instead of responding and protecting, the police started arguing with us and asking us why we were outside and why we were getting involved," he said.
Wander added that the attacks slowly dissipated and stopped after 1 AM without any interference by law enforcement. He said the wounded man received medical treatment from the neighborhood medical team and required stitches.
A resident who was in her home during the incident said a Molotov cocktail was thrown inside her house and started a fire.
While attacks on Jewish homes in the neighborhood are commonplace, an incident of this magnitude has not occurred for a long time. The neighborhood security committee warned of potential escalation.
"We have seen an increase in hostile terrorist activity recently," said one member. "Violence towards us is rising."
Stones, Molotov cocktails, and fireworks were thrown Thursday night at Jewish homes in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Ma'ale HaZeitim – and residents claim that police failed to properly deal with the violence.
According to witnesses, law enforcement took too long to arrive, refrained from intervening, and even got into arguments with residents.
One resident was lightly wounded, and numerous fires broke out.
The incident occurred at about 12:30 AM, when some 20 Palestinians arrived from Ras al-Amud. Security camera footage shows the mass attack, in which residents can be heard wondering why the police had not arrived.
Josha Wander, a member of the neighborhood security committee, said police arrived after ten minutes, followed by reinforcements after 15-20 minutes, and that they then refrained from responding. "Instead of responding and protecting, the police started arguing with us and asking us why we were outside and why we were getting involved," he said.
Wander added that the attacks slowly dissipated and stopped after 1 AM without any interference by law enforcement. He said the wounded man received medical treatment from the neighborhood medical team and required stitches.
A resident who was in her home during the incident said a Molotov cocktail was thrown inside her house and started a fire.
While attacks on Jewish homes in the neighborhood are commonplace, an incident of this magnitude has not occurred for a long time. The neighborhood security committee warned of potential escalation.
"We have seen an increase in hostile terrorist activity recently," said one member. "Violence towards us is rising."
An Israeli settler sustained moderate injuries in an alleged stabbing attack in Occupied Jerusalem city, Israeli police claimed Friday morning.
The Israeli occupation police said in a press statement that “an Israeli settler was stabbed by a suspect, apparently a Palestinian, at Neve Jacob neighborhood in Occupied Jerusalem.”
The settler was reportedly transferred to hospital to be treated for the moderate injuries sustained in the alleged incident.
The suspect was then arrested, the statement pointed out, without giving any further details.
Stabbing attacks by Palestinian youths have been on the rise in Occupied Jerusalem city, which observers said have been primarily acted in response to the preplanned vandalism and frequent hit-and-runs perpetrated by Israeli fanatic settlers against Palestinian children and civilian youths.
The Israeli occupation police said in a press statement that “an Israeli settler was stabbed by a suspect, apparently a Palestinian, at Neve Jacob neighborhood in Occupied Jerusalem.”
The settler was reportedly transferred to hospital to be treated for the moderate injuries sustained in the alleged incident.
The suspect was then arrested, the statement pointed out, without giving any further details.
Stabbing attacks by Palestinian youths have been on the rise in Occupied Jerusalem city, which observers said have been primarily acted in response to the preplanned vandalism and frequent hit-and-runs perpetrated by Israeli fanatic settlers against Palestinian children and civilian youths.
15 july 2015
Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) decided to implement a new practice to provide protection for Israeli settlers in occupied West Bank and to prevent any future abduction, Hebrew media sources said.
"A year after three hitchhiking Israeli teens were abducted and murdered, the Israel Defense Forces has decided to implement a new practice to improve the security of hitchhikers in Judea and Samaria," Israel Hayom wrote Wednesday.
Israel Hayom learned that the IDF will be sending reservists in civilian vehicles to provide security for hitchhikers in the territories. The cars will travel past popular hitchhiking spots each afternoon and into the night, observing the roads and looking out for suspicious sights, according to the newspaper.
"The program was decided upon after Har Hebron Regional Council head Yochai Damari approached the commander of the Judea Brigade, Col. Yariv Ben-Ezra, asking to heighten security for local residents who hitchhike as summer vocation approaches."
Damari told Ben-Ezra that because of a lack of public transport, it was almost impossible to prevent the area's youth from hitchhiking, so he was looking for a way to make the practice safer.
Even after last year's events, Israeli settlers did not stop hitchhiking.
"Telling our children not to hitchhike does not work," Damari said.
"The Judea Brigade took our request seriously, and started to station more soldiers in cars to pass by hitchhiking spots. This program increases security and makes parents and hitchhikers feel safer."
Meanwhile, Arab civilians remain the target of both Israeli soldiers and settlers with no protection.
"A year after three hitchhiking Israeli teens were abducted and murdered, the Israel Defense Forces has decided to implement a new practice to improve the security of hitchhikers in Judea and Samaria," Israel Hayom wrote Wednesday.
Israel Hayom learned that the IDF will be sending reservists in civilian vehicles to provide security for hitchhikers in the territories. The cars will travel past popular hitchhiking spots each afternoon and into the night, observing the roads and looking out for suspicious sights, according to the newspaper.
"The program was decided upon after Har Hebron Regional Council head Yochai Damari approached the commander of the Judea Brigade, Col. Yariv Ben-Ezra, asking to heighten security for local residents who hitchhike as summer vocation approaches."
Damari told Ben-Ezra that because of a lack of public transport, it was almost impossible to prevent the area's youth from hitchhiking, so he was looking for a way to make the practice safer.
Even after last year's events, Israeli settlers did not stop hitchhiking.
"Telling our children not to hitchhike does not work," Damari said.
"The Judea Brigade took our request seriously, and started to station more soldiers in cars to pass by hitchhiking spots. This program increases security and makes parents and hitchhikers feel safer."
Meanwhile, Arab civilians remain the target of both Israeli soldiers and settlers with no protection.
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Lehava is a racist Israeli group that objects to all relationships between Jews and Arabs. Most of the group's activists are minors.
On Thursdays Lehava activists roam the streets of West Jerusalem to intimidate Arab residents and workers. |
13 july 2015
Gopstein, under arrest
Lehava, a self-styled 'anti-assimilation' pressure group, has increased its presence in the capital, in order to fend off 'harassment' of Jewish women by Arabs. Critics say they terrorize the city's Palestinians.
The far-right fringe group Lehava has been increasing its presence on the streets of Jerusalem lately, following months of keeping a low profile while police were investigating charges of incitement.
Members of the group regularly march through the center of the capital, holding anti-Arab banners and chanting "Arabs beware – our sisters are not up for grabs" and "Jewish girls for the Jewish people." They also chant the praises of the late Rabbi Meir Kahane, whose Kach party was labeled racist by the High Court and subsequently outlawed.
The members of Lehava, a self-styled "anti-assimilation" pressure group, often clash with Arabs and left-wing protesters, as they did on Thursday. In a video filmed by the group "Jerusalem Stands up to Racism," a marcher is seen shouting at a counter-protester: "Do you want your children to marry with Arabs? Go to Gaza then!"
Police were called up to the scene, and detained Lehava chairman, Benzi Gopstein, on suspicion of disturbing the peace. Gopstein, for his part, said he would sue the police for unlawful arrest. Police spokespersons have said that Lehava do not seek prior approval, which is required by law, for their gathering. Members of "Jerusalem Stands up to Racism" have asked the police and the Jerusalem municipality to prohibit the marches, saying they stir up racist violence and terrorize Arab passers-by. Lehava have claimed in response that their activity is perfectly lawful.
"Quite often, it results in physical violence against Palestinians," left-wing activist Aviv Tatarsky told Ynet. "Palestinians are beaten in Jerusalem weeks on end. Violence in the city is on the rise. Palestinian families come to the city center during Ramadan and feel threatened. Arab taxi drivers call me up in the middle of the night and tell me that they fear for their lives."
Tatarsky says that the authorities are wrong to fight Lehava at the legal level. "Those who want to try and prevent assimilation are welcome to do it, but this is a violent gang of dozens of people who incite to racist – and the mayor and leading rabbis say nothing. Why isn't it at the top of our agenda?" Gadi Gvaryahu, chairman of the left-wing Tag Meir organization, accused Lehava of promoting a rhetoric that dehumanizes non-Jews.
"Their incitement led to the killing of (16-year-old Palestinian) Mohammed Abu Khdeir (last year)," he said. Gopstein claims that it's the left-wing organizations that fan the flames, and that it is absolutely necessary to fight against assimilation.
"Recently, we were contacted by Jewish women who said they were harassed in Jerusalem's nightlife areas," he said. "This is why we decided to step up our visibility in the city. We make sure members of ethnic minority groups refrain from harassment, and raise awareness about the danger of assimilation. Sadly, radical left-wing provocateurs have started clashing with our activists. And the authorities, instead of dealing with harassments by Arabs and provocations by left-wingers, picks on us."
Adv. Itamar Ben-Gvir, Lehava's legal advisor, said their critics are only trying to silence them. "They have to understand that Israel is a democracy and that there's free speech," he said. "Lehava's activity is entirely lawful, as has been repeatedly confirmed by police. The Jerusalem District Court has recently said that campaigning against assimilation isn't racist." "The better the leftists understand it the better – and the minute their daughter assimilates, they should call Gopstein," he added.
Other activists have launched a less confrontational approach to counter Lehava. Such is "Talking at the Square," a group that seeks to engage teenagers from the margins of society, to prevent them from being drawn to groups like Lehava. "We realized that we need to engage them," said activist Hillel Fischer. "Quite often they are young and confused children who seek attention. And we'd rather they get it from us than from Gopstein."
The Jerusalem Police confirmed in response that Lehava's events were not coordinated with them. A spokesperson for the Jerusalem municipality said that "the mayor wholly condemns any expression of racism or violence against people of all faiths, and the municipality liaises with the police in order to crack down on potential acts of racist violence."
"As a complementary measure," the municipality spokesperson added, "we seek to curb violence and racism through formal and informal educational and welfare channels, in collaboration with NGOs, parents' organizations and civil society initiatives."
Lehava, a self-styled 'anti-assimilation' pressure group, has increased its presence in the capital, in order to fend off 'harassment' of Jewish women by Arabs. Critics say they terrorize the city's Palestinians.
The far-right fringe group Lehava has been increasing its presence on the streets of Jerusalem lately, following months of keeping a low profile while police were investigating charges of incitement.
Members of the group regularly march through the center of the capital, holding anti-Arab banners and chanting "Arabs beware – our sisters are not up for grabs" and "Jewish girls for the Jewish people." They also chant the praises of the late Rabbi Meir Kahane, whose Kach party was labeled racist by the High Court and subsequently outlawed.
The members of Lehava, a self-styled "anti-assimilation" pressure group, often clash with Arabs and left-wing protesters, as they did on Thursday. In a video filmed by the group "Jerusalem Stands up to Racism," a marcher is seen shouting at a counter-protester: "Do you want your children to marry with Arabs? Go to Gaza then!"
Police were called up to the scene, and detained Lehava chairman, Benzi Gopstein, on suspicion of disturbing the peace. Gopstein, for his part, said he would sue the police for unlawful arrest. Police spokespersons have said that Lehava do not seek prior approval, which is required by law, for their gathering. Members of "Jerusalem Stands up to Racism" have asked the police and the Jerusalem municipality to prohibit the marches, saying they stir up racist violence and terrorize Arab passers-by. Lehava have claimed in response that their activity is perfectly lawful.
"Quite often, it results in physical violence against Palestinians," left-wing activist Aviv Tatarsky told Ynet. "Palestinians are beaten in Jerusalem weeks on end. Violence in the city is on the rise. Palestinian families come to the city center during Ramadan and feel threatened. Arab taxi drivers call me up in the middle of the night and tell me that they fear for their lives."
Tatarsky says that the authorities are wrong to fight Lehava at the legal level. "Those who want to try and prevent assimilation are welcome to do it, but this is a violent gang of dozens of people who incite to racist – and the mayor and leading rabbis say nothing. Why isn't it at the top of our agenda?" Gadi Gvaryahu, chairman of the left-wing Tag Meir organization, accused Lehava of promoting a rhetoric that dehumanizes non-Jews.
"Their incitement led to the killing of (16-year-old Palestinian) Mohammed Abu Khdeir (last year)," he said. Gopstein claims that it's the left-wing organizations that fan the flames, and that it is absolutely necessary to fight against assimilation.
"Recently, we were contacted by Jewish women who said they were harassed in Jerusalem's nightlife areas," he said. "This is why we decided to step up our visibility in the city. We make sure members of ethnic minority groups refrain from harassment, and raise awareness about the danger of assimilation. Sadly, radical left-wing provocateurs have started clashing with our activists. And the authorities, instead of dealing with harassments by Arabs and provocations by left-wingers, picks on us."
Adv. Itamar Ben-Gvir, Lehava's legal advisor, said their critics are only trying to silence them. "They have to understand that Israel is a democracy and that there's free speech," he said. "Lehava's activity is entirely lawful, as has been repeatedly confirmed by police. The Jerusalem District Court has recently said that campaigning against assimilation isn't racist." "The better the leftists understand it the better – and the minute their daughter assimilates, they should call Gopstein," he added.
Other activists have launched a less confrontational approach to counter Lehava. Such is "Talking at the Square," a group that seeks to engage teenagers from the margins of society, to prevent them from being drawn to groups like Lehava. "We realized that we need to engage them," said activist Hillel Fischer. "Quite often they are young and confused children who seek attention. And we'd rather they get it from us than from Gopstein."
The Jerusalem Police confirmed in response that Lehava's events were not coordinated with them. A spokesperson for the Jerusalem municipality said that "the mayor wholly condemns any expression of racism or violence against people of all faiths, and the municipality liaises with the police in order to crack down on potential acts of racist violence."
"As a complementary measure," the municipality spokesperson added, "we seek to curb violence and racism through formal and informal educational and welfare channels, in collaboration with NGOs, parents' organizations and civil society initiatives."
IDF Soldiers face Jewish settlers
Soldiers ordered to respond to Jewish stone-throwers just as they do to Palestinians - with riot control measures, Krav Maga.
Israel's security forces often find themselves in delicate situations that have led to harsh claims of racism and misconduct. But orders passed through the chain of command over the last year paint a different picture - one in which both Palestinian and Jewish rioters earn the same response.
"The command tells soldiers not to treat Palestinian or Jewish stone throwers differently," said a military source who expanded on the details of the order.
"In every case of Jewish attacks against Palestinians, the reaction has to be immediate," said the source, "And there are four red lines: One, damage to property or the body of a Palestinian; two, throwing stones at security forces; three, verbal violence against a soldier, police officer, or border police officer; four, damage to IDF property."
The order has been revised several times in the past, first appearing as a result of several incidents between right-wing activists and IDF soldiers. In many of these cases, soldiers stood by in instances of violence against Palestinians.
"We explain to combat soldiers that there is no difference between a Jewish and a Palestinian who breaks the law," said a senior officer. "There are no special regulations for firing on a Palestinian."
To that end, the command allows for soldiers to use riot control measure and Krav Maga techniques that are learned in training.
Over the last several years, Palestinians have produced clips of soldiers standing by while masked Jewish settlers throw stones at Palestinians.
Soldiers ordered to respond to Jewish stone-throwers just as they do to Palestinians - with riot control measures, Krav Maga.
Israel's security forces often find themselves in delicate situations that have led to harsh claims of racism and misconduct. But orders passed through the chain of command over the last year paint a different picture - one in which both Palestinian and Jewish rioters earn the same response.
"The command tells soldiers not to treat Palestinian or Jewish stone throwers differently," said a military source who expanded on the details of the order.
"In every case of Jewish attacks against Palestinians, the reaction has to be immediate," said the source, "And there are four red lines: One, damage to property or the body of a Palestinian; two, throwing stones at security forces; three, verbal violence against a soldier, police officer, or border police officer; four, damage to IDF property."
The order has been revised several times in the past, first appearing as a result of several incidents between right-wing activists and IDF soldiers. In many of these cases, soldiers stood by in instances of violence against Palestinians.
"We explain to combat soldiers that there is no difference between a Jewish and a Palestinian who breaks the law," said a senior officer. "There are no special regulations for firing on a Palestinian."
To that end, the command allows for soldiers to use riot control measure and Krav Maga techniques that are learned in training.
Over the last several years, Palestinians have produced clips of soldiers standing by while masked Jewish settlers throw stones at Palestinians.
12 july 2015
Israeli extremist settlers overnight Saturday set fire to dozens of olive trees belonging to Palestinian citizens residing in the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem.
The Nahalin village council said olive trees planted in land tracts belonging to local Palestinian residents of Bethlehem’s towns of al-Jab’a and Nahalin were uprooted and set ablaze in an apparent settlers’ attack.
The fire swallowed up large areas of the targeted land lots. Serious material damage has been detected in the process.
The Nahalin village council said olive trees planted in land tracts belonging to local Palestinian residents of Bethlehem’s towns of al-Jab’a and Nahalin were uprooted and set ablaze in an apparent settlers’ attack.
The fire swallowed up large areas of the targeted land lots. Serious material damage has been detected in the process.
Israeli newspaper Yade’out Ahrenout said this morning that the Israeli police and security services have arrested the two Jewish extremists who vandalized and set fire to Galilee’s Church of Loaves and Fish a month ago.
The newspaper claimed that the anti-terrorism unit in the Israeli police force, who opened a secret investigation into the arson attack, today allowed the publication of details on the arrest of two Israelis involved in the racially-motivated attack on the Galilee church.
It said that Israeli police units based in the West Bank had indicated that the perpetrators were Jewish settlers and that the police had arrested them in cooperation with security services. No other details were given.
It is worth noting that Israel usually frees extremist settlers who carry out attacks on Palestinian citizens and holy sites. The extremists are usually described as ‘mentally ill’ and then released despite hard evidence to the contrary.
Extensive damage was caused when the two settlers deliberately set fire to several areas inside the church, which is built on the site where Christians believe Jesus peformed a miracle by feeding 5,000 people with 5 loaves of bread and two fish. Racist and anti-Christian graffiti was also spraypainted in red on a church wall, defiling the holy site.
The newspaper claimed that the anti-terrorism unit in the Israeli police force, who opened a secret investigation into the arson attack, today allowed the publication of details on the arrest of two Israelis involved in the racially-motivated attack on the Galilee church.
It said that Israeli police units based in the West Bank had indicated that the perpetrators were Jewish settlers and that the police had arrested them in cooperation with security services. No other details were given.
It is worth noting that Israel usually frees extremist settlers who carry out attacks on Palestinian citizens and holy sites. The extremists are usually described as ‘mentally ill’ and then released despite hard evidence to the contrary.
Extensive damage was caused when the two settlers deliberately set fire to several areas inside the church, which is built on the site where Christians believe Jesus peformed a miracle by feeding 5,000 people with 5 loaves of bread and two fish. Racist and anti-Christian graffiti was also spraypainted in red on a church wall, defiling the holy site.
Israeli policemen arrested a Palestinian minor in al-Issawiya neighborhood to the east of Occupied Jerusalem on the charge of throwing stones at a nearby Jewish settlement.
The Israeli police spokeswoman, Luba Simari, said in a statement, that the Israeli policemen rounded up a 17-year-old boy, claiming that he threw stones at the gate of a military camp in the French Hill settlement. No injuries were reported.
She also claimed that Palestinians threw a Molotov cocktail at a house occupied by Jewish settlers in Ras al-Amoud in Jerusalem with no casualties or material damage reported.
The Israeli police spokeswoman, Luba Simari, said in a statement, that the Israeli policemen rounded up a 17-year-old boy, claiming that he threw stones at the gate of a military camp in the French Hill settlement. No injuries were reported.
She also claimed that Palestinians threw a Molotov cocktail at a house occupied by Jewish settlers in Ras al-Amoud in Jerusalem with no casualties or material damage reported.
11 july 2015
A group of colonialist Israeli settlers, driving a number of bulldozers, invaded earlier Saturday Palestinian orchards belonging to residents of Deir Estia village, northwest of the central West Bank district of Salfit, and uprooted more than 80 olive trees.
Local villagers said the settlers uprooted the olive trees in order to expand a bypass road, leading to illegal Israeli settlements, built on Palestinian lands.
Head of the Deir Estia Village Council Amal Kokash said Israel is ongoing with the expansion of its illegal colonies in the Salfit district, especially the eight settlement overlooking Qana Valley.
She added that Israel aims at controlling all natural resources in Salfit, and the rest of the occupied West Bank, and that the fanatic settlers repeatedly bulldoze and uproot olive orchards, and farmlands.
Palestinian researcher Khaled Ma’aly said Israel is trying to expand all of its 24 colonies in the Salfit district, and is ongoing with bulldozing and uprooting farmlands and olive orchards to achieve this goal.
Ma’aly added that Israel is also expanding all four Industrial Zones, in its illegal settlements in Salfit, and is working on building several factories.
Local villagers said the settlers uprooted the olive trees in order to expand a bypass road, leading to illegal Israeli settlements, built on Palestinian lands.
Head of the Deir Estia Village Council Amal Kokash said Israel is ongoing with the expansion of its illegal colonies in the Salfit district, especially the eight settlement overlooking Qana Valley.
She added that Israel aims at controlling all natural resources in Salfit, and the rest of the occupied West Bank, and that the fanatic settlers repeatedly bulldoze and uproot olive orchards, and farmlands.
Palestinian researcher Khaled Ma’aly said Israel is trying to expand all of its 24 colonies in the Salfit district, and is ongoing with bulldozing and uprooting farmlands and olive orchards to achieve this goal.
Ma’aly added that Israel is also expanding all four Industrial Zones, in its illegal settlements in Salfit, and is working on building several factories.
9 july 2015
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Wednesday afternoon prevented a Palestinian municipal crew from surveying the road between Aqraba and Yanun towns, south of Nablus city.
Anti-settlement activist Hamza Diriya told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that Israeli troops aboard three military vehicles stormed the area and forced the municipal workers at gunpoint to stop their work at the pretext they needed a permit before conducting the survey.
Diriya added that the soldiers and settlers blocked the road and compelled the workers and the deputy head of the Aqraba municipal council to leave the area.
Meanwhile, dozens of Palestinian citizens left their cars on the blocked road and clashed with the soldiers and settlers.
Anti-settlement activist Hamza Diriya told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that Israeli troops aboard three military vehicles stormed the area and forced the municipal workers at gunpoint to stop their work at the pretext they needed a permit before conducting the survey.
Diriya added that the soldiers and settlers blocked the road and compelled the workers and the deputy head of the Aqraba municipal council to leave the area.
Meanwhile, dozens of Palestinian citizens left their cars on the blocked road and clashed with the soldiers and settlers.