29 mar 2015
Samaria Regional Council building
Israel's television Channel Ten reports that Gershon Mesika, head of the regional council of northern West Bank settlements, is negotiating a deal with the state attorney's office on corruption charges.
Mesika is one of the most prominent settler leaders in using hasbara to legitimise the settlement enterprise on both the local and international levels.
Mesika is a leading suspect in a widespread corruption case involving government officials, primarily from the Yisrael Beitenu party, who took bribes in exchange for receiving business from government ministries.
Channel Ten reports the budding agreement will require Mesika to resign from his position as head of the Samaria Regional Council, responsible for all Israeli settlements in the northern West Bank. In exchange, he would receive a “substantial easing” of the charges liable to be pressed against him in the future.
The report adds the Israeli state attorney's office wishes to create a public effect that would be created with Mesika's resignation and subsequent testimony on behalf of the state prosecutor, after he admits to the lessened charges.
Mesika was detained and interrogated at the beginning of the year in suspicion of involvement in the widespread corruption case, including provision of bribes in the framework of his position as chairperson of the Central Company for Development of Samaria Ltd.
i northern West Bank settlements. It implements a range of economic projects in the fields of transportation, construction and communications.
Gershon Mesika is a leading figure in the settlement movement's use of hasbara to legitimise the settlement enterprise on both the international and local levels. He initiated a pro-settlement conference in the EU parliament in September 2013, in which he said "the European Union must conduct a piercing soul-searching for its dealings with the Jewish people throughout history in general, and in recent times in particular. The old, bad anti-Semitism is today hidden in the costume of anti-Israelism.”
A delegation of winegrowers and owners of wineries, led Mesika, conducted what they called a “precedent-setting” visit to northern Italy in 2012, where according to the settler-affiliated media outlet Arutz 7 they “succeeded in creating a first frontline of European parliament members, mayors, commerce sections and farmers for breaking the economic boycott of Judea and Samaria and promoting agricultural trade between Samaria and northern Italy.”
On a local level, the Samaria Regional Council began self-described public diplomacy (hasbara) meetings with Israelis at Tel Aviv bars in 2013.
Designated as "Samaria on the bar", these hasbara meetings addressed what the settlers defined as the "greatest enemy of settlements: ignorance".
Israel's television Channel Ten reports that Gershon Mesika, head of the regional council of northern West Bank settlements, is negotiating a deal with the state attorney's office on corruption charges.
Mesika is one of the most prominent settler leaders in using hasbara to legitimise the settlement enterprise on both the local and international levels.
Mesika is a leading suspect in a widespread corruption case involving government officials, primarily from the Yisrael Beitenu party, who took bribes in exchange for receiving business from government ministries.
Channel Ten reports the budding agreement will require Mesika to resign from his position as head of the Samaria Regional Council, responsible for all Israeli settlements in the northern West Bank. In exchange, he would receive a “substantial easing” of the charges liable to be pressed against him in the future.
The report adds the Israeli state attorney's office wishes to create a public effect that would be created with Mesika's resignation and subsequent testimony on behalf of the state prosecutor, after he admits to the lessened charges.
Mesika was detained and interrogated at the beginning of the year in suspicion of involvement in the widespread corruption case, including provision of bribes in the framework of his position as chairperson of the Central Company for Development of Samaria Ltd.
i northern West Bank settlements. It implements a range of economic projects in the fields of transportation, construction and communications.
Gershon Mesika is a leading figure in the settlement movement's use of hasbara to legitimise the settlement enterprise on both the international and local levels. He initiated a pro-settlement conference in the EU parliament in September 2013, in which he said "the European Union must conduct a piercing soul-searching for its dealings with the Jewish people throughout history in general, and in recent times in particular. The old, bad anti-Semitism is today hidden in the costume of anti-Israelism.”
A delegation of winegrowers and owners of wineries, led Mesika, conducted what they called a “precedent-setting” visit to northern Italy in 2012, where according to the settler-affiliated media outlet Arutz 7 they “succeeded in creating a first frontline of European parliament members, mayors, commerce sections and farmers for breaking the economic boycott of Judea and Samaria and promoting agricultural trade between Samaria and northern Italy.”
On a local level, the Samaria Regional Council began self-described public diplomacy (hasbara) meetings with Israelis at Tel Aviv bars in 2013.
Designated as "Samaria on the bar", these hasbara meetings addressed what the settlers defined as the "greatest enemy of settlements: ignorance".
Jewish settlers uprooted hundreds of olive and almond trees in al-Khalil on Saturday evening and stole stones in Salfit governorate on Sunday.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that groups of settlers uprooted more than 1,200 olive trees and more than 40 almond trees in al-Shuyukh town to the northeast of al-Khalil city.
The olive and almond trees belong to two Palestinian brothers of al-Ayaydeh family, the sources added.
The Israeli occupation forces carried out large-scale land leveling works in the area one month ago to annex it to the nearby settlements established on the town’s land by force.
In a similar context, eyewitnesses from Salfit district reported that the settlers of Leshem settlement, using huge bulldozers, crushed and stole rocks in western Salfit towns.
The researcher Khaled Maali said rock crusher machines belonging to settlers of Leshem settlement were used for crushing the rocks of six villages and towns to the west of Salfit to be used later for street paving in the settlement.
Maali said settlement expansion has escalated recently in the cities and towns of Salfit and of the West Bank in general especially in the wake of Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu’s election victory.
He added that the settlers’ aggressive practices run contrary to the international law and Geneva Fourth convention, which prohibits changing landmarks or establishing structures in occupied territories.
Settlers Steal Stones near Salfit for Paving Settlement Streets
Witnesses and citizens of towns and villages west of Salfit reported that bulldozers were tracking the area and left with several massive stones. Settlers are using this kind of stone to pave new streets of newly built settlements.
Palestinian researcher reported that they are traces or crushed stones in settlements, grinded and crushed stones and rocks are to be used in various fields related to the construction of housing units in the settlement, at the expenses of the territory of the towns and the villages of Kafr al-Dik, Rafat, Bruqin, Deir Balut and Sarta.
He pointed out that after Israeli PM Netanyahu's re-election, fear of a speed in settlement construction is palpable in many areas in the West bank, and, with that, other systemic human rights abuses committed by Israel.
He concluded by stressing that settlers and settlements are a violation of international law and the Fourth Geneva Convention. The international community considers the establishment of Israeli settlements in the Israeli-occupied territories illegal under international law. However, Israel maintains that they are consistent with international law because it does not agree that the fourth geneva convention applies to the territories occupied in the 1967 six-day war.
The United Nations Security Council, the United Nations General Assembly, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Court of Justice and the High Contracting Parties to the Convention have all affirmed that the Fourth Geneva Convention does apply.
Numerous UN resolutions have stated that the building and existence of Israeli settlements in theWest Bank, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights are a violation of international law, including UN Security Council resolutions in 1979 and 1980.
UN Security Council Resolution 446 refers to the Fourth Geneva Convention as the applicable international legal instrument, and calls upon Israel to desist from transferring its own population into the territories or changing their demographic makeup. The reconvened Conference of the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions has declared the settlements illegal as has the primary judicial organ of the UN, the International Court of Justice and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The position of successive Israeli governments is that all authorized settlements are entirely legal and consistent with international law, despite Israel's armistice agreements all being with High Contracting Parties.
In practice, Israel does not accept that the Fourth Geneva Convention applies de jure, but has stated that on humanitarian issues it will govern itself de facto by its provisions, without specifying what these are. The majority of legal scholars hold the settlements to violate international law, while others have offered dissenting views supporting the Israeli position.
Military occupation does not vest the occupying power with sovereignty over the occupied territory.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that groups of settlers uprooted more than 1,200 olive trees and more than 40 almond trees in al-Shuyukh town to the northeast of al-Khalil city.
The olive and almond trees belong to two Palestinian brothers of al-Ayaydeh family, the sources added.
The Israeli occupation forces carried out large-scale land leveling works in the area one month ago to annex it to the nearby settlements established on the town’s land by force.
In a similar context, eyewitnesses from Salfit district reported that the settlers of Leshem settlement, using huge bulldozers, crushed and stole rocks in western Salfit towns.
The researcher Khaled Maali said rock crusher machines belonging to settlers of Leshem settlement were used for crushing the rocks of six villages and towns to the west of Salfit to be used later for street paving in the settlement.
Maali said settlement expansion has escalated recently in the cities and towns of Salfit and of the West Bank in general especially in the wake of Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu’s election victory.
He added that the settlers’ aggressive practices run contrary to the international law and Geneva Fourth convention, which prohibits changing landmarks or establishing structures in occupied territories.
Settlers Steal Stones near Salfit for Paving Settlement Streets
Witnesses and citizens of towns and villages west of Salfit reported that bulldozers were tracking the area and left with several massive stones. Settlers are using this kind of stone to pave new streets of newly built settlements.
Palestinian researcher reported that they are traces or crushed stones in settlements, grinded and crushed stones and rocks are to be used in various fields related to the construction of housing units in the settlement, at the expenses of the territory of the towns and the villages of Kafr al-Dik, Rafat, Bruqin, Deir Balut and Sarta.
He pointed out that after Israeli PM Netanyahu's re-election, fear of a speed in settlement construction is palpable in many areas in the West bank, and, with that, other systemic human rights abuses committed by Israel.
He concluded by stressing that settlers and settlements are a violation of international law and the Fourth Geneva Convention. The international community considers the establishment of Israeli settlements in the Israeli-occupied territories illegal under international law. However, Israel maintains that they are consistent with international law because it does not agree that the fourth geneva convention applies to the territories occupied in the 1967 six-day war.
The United Nations Security Council, the United Nations General Assembly, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Court of Justice and the High Contracting Parties to the Convention have all affirmed that the Fourth Geneva Convention does apply.
Numerous UN resolutions have stated that the building and existence of Israeli settlements in theWest Bank, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights are a violation of international law, including UN Security Council resolutions in 1979 and 1980.
UN Security Council Resolution 446 refers to the Fourth Geneva Convention as the applicable international legal instrument, and calls upon Israel to desist from transferring its own population into the territories or changing their demographic makeup. The reconvened Conference of the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions has declared the settlements illegal as has the primary judicial organ of the UN, the International Court of Justice and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The position of successive Israeli governments is that all authorized settlements are entirely legal and consistent with international law, despite Israel's armistice agreements all being with High Contracting Parties.
In practice, Israel does not accept that the Fourth Geneva Convention applies de jure, but has stated that on humanitarian issues it will govern itself de facto by its provisions, without specifying what these are. The majority of legal scholars hold the settlements to violate international law, while others have offered dissenting views supporting the Israeli position.
Military occupation does not vest the occupying power with sovereignty over the occupied territory.
Dozens of Israeli settlers stormed Sunday the plazas of the Aqsa Mosque from the Magharibah gate under heavy police protection.
Eyewitnesses told Quds Press that 70 settlers broke into the courtyards of the Aqsa Mosque under intense protection of Israeli policemen.
Muslim worshipers, including Jerusalemite women, confronted the settlers with chants of Allahu Akbar.
The Israeli policemen allowed the entry of four settlers after 10 am (local time), the time when the Magharebah gate is usually closed, the sources added.
The Israeli policemen continued to take photos for the Muslim vigilantes and confiscate their identity cards on the gates of the Aqsa Mosque.
Eyewitnesses told Quds Press that 70 settlers broke into the courtyards of the Aqsa Mosque under intense protection of Israeli policemen.
Muslim worshipers, including Jerusalemite women, confronted the settlers with chants of Allahu Akbar.
The Israeli policemen allowed the entry of four settlers after 10 am (local time), the time when the Magharebah gate is usually closed, the sources added.
The Israeli policemen continued to take photos for the Muslim vigilantes and confiscate their identity cards on the gates of the Aqsa Mosque.
Khaled Youssef Sweiti 42
An Israeli fanatic settler ran over the 42-year-old Palestinian citizen Khaled Youssef Sweiti in the 1948 occupied land on Sunday morning, leaving him dead.
A PIC correspondent quoted local sources as reporting that Sweiti, originally from Beit Uwa village to the southwest of al-Khalil and works in the 1948 occupied territories, breathed his last after he was hit by a settler’s car as he crossed an access road near Kiryat Malakhi in eastern Ashkelon.
The casualty is a father of three children, the same sources further reported.
The Israeli police, meanwhile, claimed in a statement that the “accident” cropped up as a passenger’s car came at high speed, saying further investigations are underway to determine the circumstances of the death. The police did not apprehend the perpetrator.
The hit-and-run is one among several other attacks carried out by Israeli settlers against Palestinians residing or working in 1948 Occupied Palestine.
An Israeli fanatic settler ran over the 42-year-old Palestinian citizen Khaled Youssef Sweiti in the 1948 occupied land on Sunday morning, leaving him dead.
A PIC correspondent quoted local sources as reporting that Sweiti, originally from Beit Uwa village to the southwest of al-Khalil and works in the 1948 occupied territories, breathed his last after he was hit by a settler’s car as he crossed an access road near Kiryat Malakhi in eastern Ashkelon.
The casualty is a father of three children, the same sources further reported.
The Israeli police, meanwhile, claimed in a statement that the “accident” cropped up as a passenger’s car came at high speed, saying further investigations are underway to determine the circumstances of the death. The police did not apprehend the perpetrator.
The hit-and-run is one among several other attacks carried out by Israeli settlers against Palestinians residing or working in 1948 Occupied Palestine.
28 mar 2015
Israeli forces, Saturday, detained a number of Palestinian shepherds for hours, after chasing them down in Masafir Yatta area, to the south of Hebron, according to a local activist.
Coordinator of the popular committee in Southern Hebron, Rateb al-Jabour told WAFA Palestinian News & Info Agency that Israeli soldiers detained the Shepherds for almost five hours after chasing them down the grazing fields, in order to prevent them from grazing their livestock.
He said that the move was carried out under the pretext of 'providing protection for settlers residing in nearby Israeli settlements, built illegally on Palestinian residents' land.
Earlier Saturday, four settlers from the Israeli settlement of 'Beit Ein', built illegally on Palestinian-owned land, hurled stones at Mohammed al-Salibi and his three children, while they were working on their farmland in Beit Ummar town to the north of Hebron.
Settlements are illegal under international law as they violate Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits the transfer of the occupying power’s civilian population into occupied territory.
Israeli settlers, on Saturday, attacked a Palestinian family tending to their farmland in Wadi Abu al-Rish area in Beit Ummar town, to the north of Hebron, according to a local activist.
Coordinator of the Anti-settlement and Wall Popular Committee, Mohammed Awad, told WAFA that four settlers from the Israeli settlement of 'Beit Ein', built illegally on Palestinian-owned land, hurled stones at Mohammed al-Salibi and his three children, while they were working on their farmland, forcing them to leave out of fear for their lives.
Settlers, under the protection of Israeli soldiers, often tend to target Palestinians and their properties in the area for the benefit of expanding nearby illegal settlements.
Al-Haq human right organization stated that, “Attacks by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank against members of the Palestinian population and their property are an extensive, long-term, and worsening phenomenon.”
Al-Haq has documented a significant increase in incidents of settler violence against the Palestinian population of the West Bank since 2011.
Al-Haq said that, “The illegal Israeli settlement policy of transferring Israeli civilians into occupied territory is directly responsible for creating a hostile environment that puts civilians, both Israeli and Palestinian, in harm's way.”
The Security Council, the General Assembly, the Human Rights Council and the International Court of Justice have all confirmed that the construction and expansion of Israeli settlements and other settlement-related activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory are illegal under international law.
Settlers attack Palestinian farmers in Beit Ummar
Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers in Beit Ummar town to the north of al-Khalil city on Saturday morning.
Muhammad Ayyad Awad, the spokesman for Beit Ummar's Popular Committee against Settlement, said four settlers, from Beit Ain settlement, which is forcibly established on the land of the town, attacked a Palestinian farmer along with both of his sons by stone throwing with no injuries reported.
Awad pointed out that the Jewish attackers wore white uniforms and began throwing stones from behind the barbed wires that separate the town from the settlement.
He noted that it is not the first time that settlers attack the land of that Palestinian farmer.
Coordinator of the popular committee in Southern Hebron, Rateb al-Jabour told WAFA Palestinian News & Info Agency that Israeli soldiers detained the Shepherds for almost five hours after chasing them down the grazing fields, in order to prevent them from grazing their livestock.
He said that the move was carried out under the pretext of 'providing protection for settlers residing in nearby Israeli settlements, built illegally on Palestinian residents' land.
Earlier Saturday, four settlers from the Israeli settlement of 'Beit Ein', built illegally on Palestinian-owned land, hurled stones at Mohammed al-Salibi and his three children, while they were working on their farmland in Beit Ummar town to the north of Hebron.
Settlements are illegal under international law as they violate Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits the transfer of the occupying power’s civilian population into occupied territory.
Israeli settlers, on Saturday, attacked a Palestinian family tending to their farmland in Wadi Abu al-Rish area in Beit Ummar town, to the north of Hebron, according to a local activist.
Coordinator of the Anti-settlement and Wall Popular Committee, Mohammed Awad, told WAFA that four settlers from the Israeli settlement of 'Beit Ein', built illegally on Palestinian-owned land, hurled stones at Mohammed al-Salibi and his three children, while they were working on their farmland, forcing them to leave out of fear for their lives.
Settlers, under the protection of Israeli soldiers, often tend to target Palestinians and their properties in the area for the benefit of expanding nearby illegal settlements.
Al-Haq human right organization stated that, “Attacks by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank against members of the Palestinian population and their property are an extensive, long-term, and worsening phenomenon.”
Al-Haq has documented a significant increase in incidents of settler violence against the Palestinian population of the West Bank since 2011.
Al-Haq said that, “The illegal Israeli settlement policy of transferring Israeli civilians into occupied territory is directly responsible for creating a hostile environment that puts civilians, both Israeli and Palestinian, in harm's way.”
The Security Council, the General Assembly, the Human Rights Council and the International Court of Justice have all confirmed that the construction and expansion of Israeli settlements and other settlement-related activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory are illegal under international law.
Settlers attack Palestinian farmers in Beit Ummar
Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers in Beit Ummar town to the north of al-Khalil city on Saturday morning.
Muhammad Ayyad Awad, the spokesman for Beit Ummar's Popular Committee against Settlement, said four settlers, from Beit Ain settlement, which is forcibly established on the land of the town, attacked a Palestinian farmer along with both of his sons by stone throwing with no injuries reported.
Awad pointed out that the Jewish attackers wore white uniforms and began throwing stones from behind the barbed wires that separate the town from the settlement.
He noted that it is not the first time that settlers attack the land of that Palestinian farmer.
Around four Israeli fanatics, from the
Beit Eyin illegal colony, north of the southern West Bank city of
Hebron, attacked Saturday Palestinian villagers while working on their
own lands.
Mohammad ‘Ayyad ‘Awad, spokesperson of the Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements, said the extremists threw rocks at Mohammad Abdul-Hamid Sleibi, and his two sons, in Wad Abu ar-Rish area.
‘Awad added that the attack was carried out by four Israelis, wearing masks, and white outfits.
The assailants were standing behind the settlement fence, and used slingshots to throw stones at the Palestinian farmers who had to leave their land to avoid being harmed, and fearing additional assaults.
Mohammad ‘Ayyad ‘Awad, spokesperson of the Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements, said the extremists threw rocks at Mohammad Abdul-Hamid Sleibi, and his two sons, in Wad Abu ar-Rish area.
‘Awad added that the attack was carried out by four Israelis, wearing masks, and white outfits.
The assailants were standing behind the settlement fence, and used slingshots to throw stones at the Palestinian farmers who had to leave their land to avoid being harmed, and fearing additional assaults.
27 mar 2015
In a key exception, however, Palestinians may not ward off settler attacks.
Central Command chief Nitzan Alon signed an order applying Israel's penal code to Palestinians in the West Bank, hours before he left office earlier this week.
An aspect that will not apply to the West Bank is the so-called Shai Dromi amendment enacted in 2008, which exempts a person from criminal responsibility for an “act urgently required to ward off someone who breaks into his home, business or farm.”
This aspect would have let Palestinians ward off settler attacks without bearing criminal responsibility.
The new order’s significance is mainly declarative. Parts of the Israeli penal code have already been adopted by military judges in the West Bank. And in general, arrest, detention and penal procedures are significantly harsher when applied to West Bank Palestinians than to Israeli citizens.
Attorney Smadar Ben-Natan, who researches military law, told Haaretz that while the amendment contained clearer definitions, it would confuse Palestinian defendants and attorneys.
“It provides a whole world of precedents and terms they are unfamiliar with," she said. "Also, the amendment continues the application of foreign law in the West Bank without considering the possibilities of using local Palestinian law.”
Palestinian civilians are tried in military courts in the West Bank based on the Defense (Emergency) Regulations introduced by the British in Mandatory Palestine, the Jordanian penal code and orders issued by the Central Command.
In 1994, at the initiative of Prof. Mordechai Kremnitzer, Israel introduced Amendment 39 in Israel proper, redefining the offenses in its penal code.
The new definitions require proving the existence of criminal intention; they also introduce the element of negligence and the notion of an offense that was attempted but did not succeed . The definitions distinguish between a perpetrator, abettor and someone who persuades another to commit a crime.
The amendment also contains exemptions from criminal responsibility, such as in cases of children under 12, insanity and a lack of self-control.
In the past decade the military prosecution has prepared the grounds for applying the amendment to the West Bank. The decision was delayed by the Shin Bet security service, which argued that the definitions of persuader and abettor did not fit the characteristics of terror cells in the West Bank. The Shin Bet also objected to taking into consideration an offender's remorse.
Recently, following discussions with the Justice Ministry, the Shin Bet dropped its objections, and on Tuesday Maj. Gen. Alon signed the 11-page order hours before leaving office.
The Justice Ministry feared that applying the same procedures to the West Bank could be interpreted as an annexation of the territory, but it agreed to the amendment in a bid to achieve legal clarity and to protect defendants’ rights.
The military prosecution said in a statement the amendment would introduce “new arrangements considered more advanced and appropriate, in keeping with the unique reality of the region.” It would also bring the penal code for the West Bank Palestinians closer to Israeli law, which military courts frequently lean on.
Central Command chief Nitzan Alon signed an order applying Israel's penal code to Palestinians in the West Bank, hours before he left office earlier this week.
An aspect that will not apply to the West Bank is the so-called Shai Dromi amendment enacted in 2008, which exempts a person from criminal responsibility for an “act urgently required to ward off someone who breaks into his home, business or farm.”
This aspect would have let Palestinians ward off settler attacks without bearing criminal responsibility.
The new order’s significance is mainly declarative. Parts of the Israeli penal code have already been adopted by military judges in the West Bank. And in general, arrest, detention and penal procedures are significantly harsher when applied to West Bank Palestinians than to Israeli citizens.
Attorney Smadar Ben-Natan, who researches military law, told Haaretz that while the amendment contained clearer definitions, it would confuse Palestinian defendants and attorneys.
“It provides a whole world of precedents and terms they are unfamiliar with," she said. "Also, the amendment continues the application of foreign law in the West Bank without considering the possibilities of using local Palestinian law.”
Palestinian civilians are tried in military courts in the West Bank based on the Defense (Emergency) Regulations introduced by the British in Mandatory Palestine, the Jordanian penal code and orders issued by the Central Command.
In 1994, at the initiative of Prof. Mordechai Kremnitzer, Israel introduced Amendment 39 in Israel proper, redefining the offenses in its penal code.
The new definitions require proving the existence of criminal intention; they also introduce the element of negligence and the notion of an offense that was attempted but did not succeed . The definitions distinguish between a perpetrator, abettor and someone who persuades another to commit a crime.
The amendment also contains exemptions from criminal responsibility, such as in cases of children under 12, insanity and a lack of self-control.
In the past decade the military prosecution has prepared the grounds for applying the amendment to the West Bank. The decision was delayed by the Shin Bet security service, which argued that the definitions of persuader and abettor did not fit the characteristics of terror cells in the West Bank. The Shin Bet also objected to taking into consideration an offender's remorse.
Recently, following discussions with the Justice Ministry, the Shin Bet dropped its objections, and on Tuesday Maj. Gen. Alon signed the 11-page order hours before leaving office.
The Justice Ministry feared that applying the same procedures to the West Bank could be interpreted as an annexation of the territory, but it agreed to the amendment in a bid to achieve legal clarity and to protect defendants’ rights.
The military prosecution said in a statement the amendment would introduce “new arrangements considered more advanced and appropriate, in keeping with the unique reality of the region.” It would also bring the penal code for the West Bank Palestinians closer to Israeli law, which military courts frequently lean on.
26 mar 2015
Clashes took place, on Thursday evening, near the western entrance of Kufur ed-Deek village, in the central West Bank city of Salfit, after Israeli soldiers and extremist settlers tried to invade it; while the soldiers also kidnapped two Palestinians.
Media sources in Salfit said a large number of Israeli fanatics from two illegal nearby colonies gathered near the village, and attempted to invade it.
Dozens of residents noticed the settlers gathered in the area in an attempt to prevent the extremists from invading their village, leading to clashes with Israeli soldiers who arrived at the scene.
The villagers are subject to frequent assaults by fanatic Israeli groups, and Israeli soldiers, including ongoing attacks against their orchards and farmlands, especially amidst attempts to expand illegal nearby colonies, built on Palestinian lands.
Media sources in Salfit said a large number of Israeli fanatics from two illegal nearby colonies gathered near the village, and attempted to invade it.
Dozens of residents noticed the settlers gathered in the area in an attempt to prevent the extremists from invading their village, leading to clashes with Israeli soldiers who arrived at the scene.
The villagers are subject to frequent assaults by fanatic Israeli groups, and Israeli soldiers, including ongoing attacks against their orchards and farmlands, especially amidst attempts to expand illegal nearby colonies, built on Palestinian lands.
A Palestinian young man has managed to evade a roadside kidnap attempt by an armed Jewish settler near Madama town, south of Nablus city.
A senior municipal official in the town told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that an armed settler pointed his gun at 21-year-old Bader al-Qet as he was driving to a poultry farm on the bypass road near Yitzhar settlement in Madama and forced him to pull over his car.
He added that the settler, then, entered the car and tried to force the young driver to move where a passenger bus full of other settlers were waiting, but the latter fought him hand-to-hand and compelled him to leave his vehicle before driving away fast.
Afterwards, the father of the young man reported the incident to the Palestinian liaison office in Nablus.
The farm of al-Qet family in the town had already sustained considerable material damage in an arson attack by settlers.
A senior municipal official in the town told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that an armed settler pointed his gun at 21-year-old Bader al-Qet as he was driving to a poultry farm on the bypass road near Yitzhar settlement in Madama and forced him to pull over his car.
He added that the settler, then, entered the car and tried to force the young driver to move where a passenger bus full of other settlers were waiting, but the latter fought him hand-to-hand and compelled him to leave his vehicle before driving away fast.
Afterwards, the father of the young man reported the incident to the Palestinian liaison office in Nablus.
The farm of al-Qet family in the town had already sustained considerable material damage in an arson attack by settlers.
A group of Jewish settlers on Wednesday embarked on building a house on Palestinian-owned land in an area known as the eastern Badia of Bethlehem city.
A spokesman for the popular resistance committee in the south of the West Bank said that settlers seized a piece of land near Ma'ale Amos, particularly in the eastern Badia of Bethlehem, and started to prepare it for the construction of a house.
He told Quds Press that the settlers would build the house with the support of the Gush Etzion regional council, adding that the land belongs to Halayka family, from Ashiyukh town in al-Khalil.
A spokesman for the popular resistance committee in the south of the West Bank said that settlers seized a piece of land near Ma'ale Amos, particularly in the eastern Badia of Bethlehem, and started to prepare it for the construction of a house.
He told Quds Press that the settlers would build the house with the support of the Gush Etzion regional council, adding that the land belongs to Halayka family, from Ashiyukh town in al-Khalil.
Jewish groups which define themselves by the name of the alleged ancient temple are preparing for the Jewish holiday of Passover by mobilizing the largest number of settlers to enter Al Aqsa Mosque and perform religious prayers in its yards.
WAFA reports that, according to the Islamic Institute of Waqf and Heritage, the Temple coalition issued a survey to be answered by settlers who enter Al Aqsa Mosque to learn more about what they face during their entrance to Al Aqsa, whether it was harassment by the Israeli police or the Muslim worshipers.
The survey includes questions about the identity of the settler, the time of entrance and the periods of time each has to wait at al-Maghariba gate before entering the mosque, and the time of departure.
The survey aims to build a database which includes all details, information and obstacles that settlers face since the minute they enter the holy site until departure.
The Temple Coalition issued a short film that documents the activities which the coalition’s organizations hold throughout the year, through which they promote the concept of the Temple.
The Islamic Institute’s Director Ameer Khatib says that such organizations are constantly trying to mobilize the Israeli public opinion by providing them with “deception and fraud”.
It is to be noted that the Temple Coalition is formed of extreme Jewish organizations including, Students for the Temple and Women for the Temple among three others.
Settlers’ provocative visits to the holy site have given rise to mass protests in the holy city in recent months, during which hundreds of Palestinians were apprehended by Israeli police.
Al Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest place for Muslims, has since 1967 been the center of the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict. While it is widely known as Al Aqsa Mosque, Jews refer to the site as the “Temple Mount” and believe it was the site of two Jewish temples destroyed in ancient times.
Despite the fact that the site is the location of Al Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock, two of the most holy destinations for Muslims, hundreds of Jewish extremists regularly attempt to legalize prayer at the compound, a move that will “inevitably” trigger Palestinians, said Israeli police.
Israeli media reported that though the Supreme Court upholds Jews’ “theoretical” right to pray at the compound, it gives the security services the green light to ban Jews from performing rituals should such action result in potential unrest.
Realizing the sensitivity of the site, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to maintain the status quo and that “Israel's policy towards a ban on Jewish prayer… would not change”, a statement which came after Housing Minister Uri Ariel suggested that the Al Aqsa Mosque could be replaced by a Jewish temple.”
Despite of the ongoing expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and demolishing of Palestinian-owned homes, Israeli officials remain cautious when dealing with Al Aqsa Mosque issue as they believe changing the status quo would lead to a third Palestinian intifada (uprising).
The site has been at the heart of unrest in recent months as Palestinian protester took to the streets over frequent and increasing Jewish visitors to the holy compound. Palestinians worry that if Jewish visitors were allowed to pray in the mosque, it would eventually lead to a permanent change which will result in full Israeli control and ban on Muslims’ prayer.
Such fears are not groundless; Palestinians claim that their fear stems from ongoing Israeli policy which prevents Palestinians living in the West Bank from obtaining permits to enter Jerusalem to pray at Al Aqsa Mosque and many restrictions on Jerusalemites’ entrance to the holy Compound, including holding their identity cards until they leave the mosque.
According to the Islamic Institute of Waqf and Heritage, in the first week of March around 200 settlers broke into Al Aqsa compound with a total of 73 settlers entering the site on Wednesday.
The institute renewed calls on Palestinians from the sharp increase in settlers’ visits saying that it requires a serious action by all Arabs and Muslims, before it is too late.
WAFA reports that, according to the Islamic Institute of Waqf and Heritage, the Temple coalition issued a survey to be answered by settlers who enter Al Aqsa Mosque to learn more about what they face during their entrance to Al Aqsa, whether it was harassment by the Israeli police or the Muslim worshipers.
The survey includes questions about the identity of the settler, the time of entrance and the periods of time each has to wait at al-Maghariba gate before entering the mosque, and the time of departure.
The survey aims to build a database which includes all details, information and obstacles that settlers face since the minute they enter the holy site until departure.
The Temple Coalition issued a short film that documents the activities which the coalition’s organizations hold throughout the year, through which they promote the concept of the Temple.
The Islamic Institute’s Director Ameer Khatib says that such organizations are constantly trying to mobilize the Israeli public opinion by providing them with “deception and fraud”.
It is to be noted that the Temple Coalition is formed of extreme Jewish organizations including, Students for the Temple and Women for the Temple among three others.
Settlers’ provocative visits to the holy site have given rise to mass protests in the holy city in recent months, during which hundreds of Palestinians were apprehended by Israeli police.
Al Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest place for Muslims, has since 1967 been the center of the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict. While it is widely known as Al Aqsa Mosque, Jews refer to the site as the “Temple Mount” and believe it was the site of two Jewish temples destroyed in ancient times.
Despite the fact that the site is the location of Al Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock, two of the most holy destinations for Muslims, hundreds of Jewish extremists regularly attempt to legalize prayer at the compound, a move that will “inevitably” trigger Palestinians, said Israeli police.
Israeli media reported that though the Supreme Court upholds Jews’ “theoretical” right to pray at the compound, it gives the security services the green light to ban Jews from performing rituals should such action result in potential unrest.
Realizing the sensitivity of the site, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to maintain the status quo and that “Israel's policy towards a ban on Jewish prayer… would not change”, a statement which came after Housing Minister Uri Ariel suggested that the Al Aqsa Mosque could be replaced by a Jewish temple.”
Despite of the ongoing expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and demolishing of Palestinian-owned homes, Israeli officials remain cautious when dealing with Al Aqsa Mosque issue as they believe changing the status quo would lead to a third Palestinian intifada (uprising).
The site has been at the heart of unrest in recent months as Palestinian protester took to the streets over frequent and increasing Jewish visitors to the holy compound. Palestinians worry that if Jewish visitors were allowed to pray in the mosque, it would eventually lead to a permanent change which will result in full Israeli control and ban on Muslims’ prayer.
Such fears are not groundless; Palestinians claim that their fear stems from ongoing Israeli policy which prevents Palestinians living in the West Bank from obtaining permits to enter Jerusalem to pray at Al Aqsa Mosque and many restrictions on Jerusalemites’ entrance to the holy Compound, including holding their identity cards until they leave the mosque.
According to the Islamic Institute of Waqf and Heritage, in the first week of March around 200 settlers broke into Al Aqsa compound with a total of 73 settlers entering the site on Wednesday.
The institute renewed calls on Palestinians from the sharp increase in settlers’ visits saying that it requires a serious action by all Arabs and Muslims, before it is too late.