27 may 2019
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The Israeli military has admitted that one of the two extremist Jewish settlers recently caught on video setting fire to Palestinian farming fields in the occupied West Bank is an Israeli soldier who was on leave at the time.
The military announced in a statement on Sunday that the settler seen setting fire to the fields was an off-duty soldier from an Israeli combat unit. “The incident happened when the soldier was on leave, and so the matter was passed on to the Israel police,” the statement read. “At the same time, the soldier has been suspended from his duties.” The Israeli military had previously blamed the arson on Palestinians, saying that it had extinguished “a fire set by Palestinians near Asirah al-Qibliyah” |
after clashes broke out on May 17 between Israeli settlers from the nearby settlement of Yitzhar and Palestinians from the surrounding villages of Burin, Urif, and Asirah al-Qibliyah.
The army then corrected the statement after Israeli rights NGO B'Tselem published a video showing Israeli settlers walking through Palestinian fields and igniting fires.
In another video from the clashes, Israeli troops could be seen standing by and watching as settlers throw rocks at Palestinians.
According to B’Tselem, the Israeli military had granted “almost total immunity” to the settlers involved in the attacks with neither of them being interrogated or arrested.
The Israeli military refused to comment on why no settlers had been arrested.
Yitzhar settlers are notorious in the West Bank for extremist violence, and are frequently involved in violent attacks against Palestinians.
More than half a million Israelis live in over 120 settlements built since Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank in 1967.
This is while much of the international community considers the settler units illegal and subject to the Geneva Conventions, which forbid construction on occupied land.
Off-duty Israeli Soldier Caught on Video Torching Palestinian Farms
A video released by the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem shows a group of Israeli settlers attacking Palestinian villagers and setting their farms on fire on May 17th – and today, the group managed to identify one of the arsonists in the video as an off-duty Israeli soldier.
According to B’Tselem, on Friday, 17 May 2019, Israeli paramilitary settlers torched Palestinian farmers’ fields in Burin and ‘Asirah al-Qibliyah. In both villages, the settlers threw stones at the residents’ homes.
In ‘Asirah al-Qibliyah, where the area is controlled by military watchtowers, a settler even fired shots in the air. Soldiers nearby did not arrest the attackers and prevented the Palestinians from approaching their burning land.
The Israeli military followed the attack with a public statement containing the absurd and easily disproved claim that *Palestinians* had started the fires – a version of events that was then unquestioningly repeated by the Israeli and US media.
The attack took place about a kilometer away from the Giv’at Ronen settlement point, and the Israeli paramilitary settlers involved in the attack apparently came from the settlement of Yitzhar.
The fire-setting by the Israeli soldier is especially disturbing given that it took place in the midst of an extremely dry season in Israel and Palestine, with wildfires having burned hundreds of acres in Israel over the past several weeks, and burn bans in place across the country to try to prevent the spread of any more fires.
Setting fires intentionally during such a climate and atmosphere could have a devastating impact and would normally have severe consequences.
Given the Israeli military’s record of failing to prosecute Israeli soldiers who commit crimes against Palestinians – even when those crimes are documented clearly on video – Palestinians impacted by the crime on May 17th say that they have little faith that the perpetrators in this case will be prosecuted.
According to the Israeli paper Ha’aretz, two separate Israeli security services verified to their reporters that the arsonist was an off-duty soldier. However, the Israeli military claimed that the incident would be handled by the Israeli police, and the Israeli police claimed that it would be handled by the military.
Neither the army nor the police have arrested the perpetrator, although he was clearly identified and both forces confirmed his identity.
The army then corrected the statement after Israeli rights NGO B'Tselem published a video showing Israeli settlers walking through Palestinian fields and igniting fires.
In another video from the clashes, Israeli troops could be seen standing by and watching as settlers throw rocks at Palestinians.
According to B’Tselem, the Israeli military had granted “almost total immunity” to the settlers involved in the attacks with neither of them being interrogated or arrested.
The Israeli military refused to comment on why no settlers had been arrested.
Yitzhar settlers are notorious in the West Bank for extremist violence, and are frequently involved in violent attacks against Palestinians.
More than half a million Israelis live in over 120 settlements built since Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank in 1967.
This is while much of the international community considers the settler units illegal and subject to the Geneva Conventions, which forbid construction on occupied land.
Off-duty Israeli Soldier Caught on Video Torching Palestinian Farms
A video released by the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem shows a group of Israeli settlers attacking Palestinian villagers and setting their farms on fire on May 17th – and today, the group managed to identify one of the arsonists in the video as an off-duty Israeli soldier.
According to B’Tselem, on Friday, 17 May 2019, Israeli paramilitary settlers torched Palestinian farmers’ fields in Burin and ‘Asirah al-Qibliyah. In both villages, the settlers threw stones at the residents’ homes.
In ‘Asirah al-Qibliyah, where the area is controlled by military watchtowers, a settler even fired shots in the air. Soldiers nearby did not arrest the attackers and prevented the Palestinians from approaching their burning land.
The Israeli military followed the attack with a public statement containing the absurd and easily disproved claim that *Palestinians* had started the fires – a version of events that was then unquestioningly repeated by the Israeli and US media.
The attack took place about a kilometer away from the Giv’at Ronen settlement point, and the Israeli paramilitary settlers involved in the attack apparently came from the settlement of Yitzhar.
The fire-setting by the Israeli soldier is especially disturbing given that it took place in the midst of an extremely dry season in Israel and Palestine, with wildfires having burned hundreds of acres in Israel over the past several weeks, and burn bans in place across the country to try to prevent the spread of any more fires.
Setting fires intentionally during such a climate and atmosphere could have a devastating impact and would normally have severe consequences.
Given the Israeli military’s record of failing to prosecute Israeli soldiers who commit crimes against Palestinians – even when those crimes are documented clearly on video – Palestinians impacted by the crime on May 17th say that they have little faith that the perpetrators in this case will be prosecuted.
According to the Israeli paper Ha’aretz, two separate Israeli security services verified to their reporters that the arsonist was an off-duty soldier. However, the Israeli military claimed that the incident would be handled by the Israeli police, and the Israeli police claimed that it would be handled by the military.
Neither the army nor the police have arrested the perpetrator, although he was clearly identified and both forces confirmed his identity.
Jordan's Foreign Ministry on Sunday strongly denounced the ongoing Israeli violations against al-Aqsa Mosque and the restrictions on worshipers and Awqaf personnel.
The ministry's spokesperson Sufyan Qudah said Israel, as an occupying authority, must abide by its obligations in accordance with international law and respect the historical and legal status of al-Aqsa Mosque and the feelings of Muslims, especially during the last 10 days of the holy month of Ramadan.
Qudah called on the Israeli authorities to immediately halt their provocative practices, and held them responsible for the safety of the holy site and the worshipers.
Earlier on Sunday, the Israeli occupation police arrested three Palestinian worshipers inside al-Aqsa Mosque's compound after violently beating them, while dozens of Jewish settlers broke into the site and roamed its courtyards freely under police guard.
The ministry's spokesperson Sufyan Qudah said Israel, as an occupying authority, must abide by its obligations in accordance with international law and respect the historical and legal status of al-Aqsa Mosque and the feelings of Muslims, especially during the last 10 days of the holy month of Ramadan.
Qudah called on the Israeli authorities to immediately halt their provocative practices, and held them responsible for the safety of the holy site and the worshipers.
Earlier on Sunday, the Israeli occupation police arrested three Palestinian worshipers inside al-Aqsa Mosque's compound after violently beating them, while dozens of Jewish settlers broke into the site and roamed its courtyards freely under police guard.
A group of Israeli settlers, accompanied by Israeli forces, stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Monday, for the third time during the past two weeks of the Holy Month of Ramadan (an important annual holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide).
The Israeli military has, during the past week alone, invaded the mosque compound twice in order to harass and intimidate worshipers.
Israeli settlers and right-wing extremist Jewish religious groups have, in recent months, increased the number and severity of their invasions of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which are carried out with the full support of the Israeli military.
These right-wing Jewish extremist groups have frequently noted their intention regarding the mosque: to tear it down and erect a Jewish Temple in its place.
The invasion of the mosque on Monday involved around a dozen Israeli right-wingers, accompanied by about 30 Israeli special forces soldiers, who stationed themselves in different parts of the mosque compound to ensure the Israeli right-wing settlers could take over sections of the mosque compound and force out the Muslime worshipers who had gathered there to pray.
The right-wing group that organized the invasion also vowed to return on June 2nd to the mosque to further desecrate and deny Muslim worshipers access to the mosque. They have planned their next attack for that day because it is known as ‘Jerusalem Day’.
June 2nd is also three days before the final day of Ramadan, which is a major feast for Muslims – many of whom travel to Al-Aqsa mosque from different parts of Palestine and the Arab world for the occasion.
According to local sources, the Israeli invaders entered the mosque through the Mugrabi Gate, and they toured Al-Aqsa Square. Israeli police who accompanied the settlers took photos of Palestinians in the Square, and arrested three young Palestinians there.
The Israeli military has, during the past week alone, invaded the mosque compound twice in order to harass and intimidate worshipers.
Israeli settlers and right-wing extremist Jewish religious groups have, in recent months, increased the number and severity of their invasions of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which are carried out with the full support of the Israeli military.
These right-wing Jewish extremist groups have frequently noted their intention regarding the mosque: to tear it down and erect a Jewish Temple in its place.
The invasion of the mosque on Monday involved around a dozen Israeli right-wingers, accompanied by about 30 Israeli special forces soldiers, who stationed themselves in different parts of the mosque compound to ensure the Israeli right-wing settlers could take over sections of the mosque compound and force out the Muslime worshipers who had gathered there to pray.
The right-wing group that organized the invasion also vowed to return on June 2nd to the mosque to further desecrate and deny Muslim worshipers access to the mosque. They have planned their next attack for that day because it is known as ‘Jerusalem Day’.
June 2nd is also three days before the final day of Ramadan, which is a major feast for Muslims – many of whom travel to Al-Aqsa mosque from different parts of Palestine and the Arab world for the occasion.
According to local sources, the Israeli invaders entered the mosque through the Mugrabi Gate, and they toured Al-Aqsa Square. Israeli police who accompanied the settlers took photos of Palestinians in the Square, and arrested three young Palestinians there.
26 may 2019
The Israeli occupation police on Sunday morning encircled al-Qibli prayer building at the Aqsa Mosque and prevented Palestinian worshipers from leaving it as Jewish settlers and tourists were touring the holy site.
With no regard for the holy month of Ramadan, police forces opened al-Maghariba Gate of the Aqsa Mosque and allowed settlers and tourists to tour its courtyards, according to the Islamic Awqaf Authority.
Several police elements escorted the settlers and tourists during their tours, while others stood outside al-Qibli prayer building and barred Muslim worshipers from leaving it.
Such Israeli violation against the Mosque provoked the worshipers there to chant religious slogans in protest at the desecration of the holy site during the holy month.
Eyewitnesses reported that police officers physically assaulted and rounded up a Palestinian young man as he was standing at the doors of al-Qibli prayer building.
Meanwhile, another group of settlers defiled the Aqsa Mosque’s courtyards under police protection.
With no regard for the holy month of Ramadan, police forces opened al-Maghariba Gate of the Aqsa Mosque and allowed settlers and tourists to tour its courtyards, according to the Islamic Awqaf Authority.
Several police elements escorted the settlers and tourists during their tours, while others stood outside al-Qibli prayer building and barred Muslim worshipers from leaving it.
Such Israeli violation against the Mosque provoked the worshipers there to chant religious slogans in protest at the desecration of the holy site during the holy month.
Eyewitnesses reported that police officers physically assaulted and rounded up a Palestinian young man as he was standing at the doors of al-Qibli prayer building.
Meanwhile, another group of settlers defiled the Aqsa Mosque’s courtyards under police protection.
25 may 2019
Hordes of Israeli settlers on Saturday broke into a Palestinian home in Kafr Laqif village in Qalqilya and placed an Israel flag on its rooftop.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that Israeli settlers from the illegal settlement of Karnei Shomron stormed the house of the Palestinian citizen Amin Jaber in the afternoon.
The settlers deployed in large numbers in the area and placed an Israel flag on the rooftop of the house before they withdrew.
There are about 427 random settler outposts in the West Bank and Jerusalem covering 47% of their total area. Nearly 800,000 Israelis live in these outposts and carry out attacks on the Palestinian citizens and their properties on a daily basis.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that Israeli settlers from the illegal settlement of Karnei Shomron stormed the house of the Palestinian citizen Amin Jaber in the afternoon.
The settlers deployed in large numbers in the area and placed an Israel flag on the rooftop of the house before they withdrew.
There are about 427 random settler outposts in the West Bank and Jerusalem covering 47% of their total area. Nearly 800,000 Israelis live in these outposts and carry out attacks on the Palestinian citizens and their properties on a daily basis.
Several fanatic illegal Israeli colonists invaded, Saturday, Palestinian grazing lands in the West Bank’s Northern Plains, wounding one shepherd, before Israeli soldiers arrived in the area, attacked the shepherds and abducted one.
Aref Daraghma, a Palestinian human rights activist, said the illegal colonists chased several Palestinian shepherds in Khallet Hamad area.
He added that the colonists assaulted one shepherd, identified as Rabea’ Mahmoud Awwad, causing cuts and bruises.
Israeli soldiers also invaded the area during the attack, and abducted a Palestinian shepherd, identified as Bassem Mahmoud Awwad.
The soldiers did apprehend any of the illegal Israeli colonists who attacked the Palestinian shepherds.
Aref Daraghma, a Palestinian human rights activist, said the illegal colonists chased several Palestinian shepherds in Khallet Hamad area.
He added that the colonists assaulted one shepherd, identified as Rabea’ Mahmoud Awwad, causing cuts and bruises.
Israeli soldiers also invaded the area during the attack, and abducted a Palestinian shepherd, identified as Bassem Mahmoud Awwad.
The soldiers did apprehend any of the illegal Israeli colonists who attacked the Palestinian shepherds.
22 may 2019
Palestinian residents of Lod City, southeast of Tel Aviv, have confronted attempts by the Israeli police to silence Mosque Adhan during the holy month of Ramadan at the behest of an extremist settler group active in the city.
As there were renewed Israeli calls to silence Mosque Adhan in the city, dozens of the native residents of Lod participated in a protest sit-in to express their rejection of any Israeli attempt to violate the religious rights of Palestinians in the city.
Several residents affirmed they would not allow anyone to undermine their Islamic religious rituals in the city and would strongly defend their rights in this regard.
As there were renewed Israeli calls to silence Mosque Adhan in the city, dozens of the native residents of Lod participated in a protest sit-in to express their rejection of any Israeli attempt to violate the religious rights of Palestinians in the city.
Several residents affirmed they would not allow anyone to undermine their Islamic religious rituals in the city and would strongly defend their rights in this regard.
Israeli soldiers abducted, on Wednesday at dawn, two Palestinians from their homes in the central West Bank governorate of Ramallah, and one near Jerusalem.
Many army jeeps invaded Ramallah at-Tihta area, in Ramallah city, searched homes and Abducted Ehab Masoud.
The soldiers also invaded and searched homes in Safa village, west of Ramallah, and abducted Rashad Karaja.
It is worth mentioning that the soldiers fired many gas bombs and concussion grenades at Palestinians, protesting the invasions into the two areas.
In occupied Jerusalem, the soldiers invaded Hizma town, northeast of the city, searched homes and abducted Odah Abdullah Askar, 30.
In addition, the soldiers invaded ar-Ras al-Ahmar village, southeast of Tubas in northeastern West Bank, and confiscated a truck, owned by Mohammad Jamil Bisharat.
In related news, dozens of soldiers and illegal colonialist settlers invaded the archeological sites in Sebastia Palestinian town, north of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, after the army surrounded the entire area.
Many army jeeps invaded Ramallah at-Tihta area, in Ramallah city, searched homes and Abducted Ehab Masoud.
The soldiers also invaded and searched homes in Safa village, west of Ramallah, and abducted Rashad Karaja.
It is worth mentioning that the soldiers fired many gas bombs and concussion grenades at Palestinians, protesting the invasions into the two areas.
In occupied Jerusalem, the soldiers invaded Hizma town, northeast of the city, searched homes and abducted Odah Abdullah Askar, 30.
In addition, the soldiers invaded ar-Ras al-Ahmar village, southeast of Tubas in northeastern West Bank, and confiscated a truck, owned by Mohammad Jamil Bisharat.
In related news, dozens of soldiers and illegal colonialist settlers invaded the archeological sites in Sebastia Palestinian town, north of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, after the army surrounded the entire area.
21 may 2019
Dozens of Jewish settlers on Tuesday broke into al-Aqsa Mosque in Occupied Jerusalem under police guard.
Spokesman for the Islamic Awqaf Feras al-Dibs said that 44 Israeli settlers and 20 intelligence officers stormed al-Aqsa Mosque on Tuesday morning.
The Israeli police allow settlers to organize provocative tours inside al-Aqsa compound on a daily basis except on Fridays and Saturdays.
Spokesman for the Islamic Awqaf Feras al-Dibs said that 44 Israeli settlers and 20 intelligence officers stormed al-Aqsa Mosque on Tuesday morning.
The Israeli police allow settlers to organize provocative tours inside al-Aqsa compound on a daily basis except on Fridays and Saturdays.
Hasan Burhom
A Palestinian citizen died on Tuesday morning after a Jewish settler driving at a high speed deliberately ran him over on a road near Kafr Laqif village, east of Qalqilya in the occupied West Bank.
According to local sources, a citizen called Hasan Burhom died after he was hit intentionally by a settler’s car on a road near the village, particularly at the junction of the illegal settlement of Karnei Shomron.
The victim was crossing the road when a settler accelerated his car and ran over him. The settler fled the scene.
A Palestinian citizen died on Tuesday morning after a Jewish settler driving at a high speed deliberately ran him over on a road near Kafr Laqif village, east of Qalqilya in the occupied West Bank.
According to local sources, a citizen called Hasan Burhom died after he was hit intentionally by a settler’s car on a road near the village, particularly at the junction of the illegal settlement of Karnei Shomron.
The victim was crossing the road when a settler accelerated his car and ran over him. The settler fled the scene.
On Monday, several illegal Israeli colonists invaded Palestinian agricultural lands, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and flooded them with wastewater.
Ghassan Daghlas, a Palestinian Authority official who monitors Israel’s colonialist activities in the northern West Bank, said the assailants came from the illegal Aliyah colony, which was built on Palestinian lands.
He added that the colonists flooded agricultural lands owned by Palestinians from the as-Sawiya, al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya, Yitma and Qaryout villages, devastating dozens of trees and plants.
The attack is the latest in a series of ongoing and escalating violations targeting the Palestinians, their homes and lands, and their holy sites.
Israel’s colonies in the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, are illegal under International Law, the Fourth Geneva Conventions, and various United Nations and Security Council Resolutions.
Ghassan Daghlas, a Palestinian Authority official who monitors Israel’s colonialist activities in the northern West Bank, said the assailants came from the illegal Aliyah colony, which was built on Palestinian lands.
He added that the colonists flooded agricultural lands owned by Palestinians from the as-Sawiya, al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya, Yitma and Qaryout villages, devastating dozens of trees and plants.
The attack is the latest in a series of ongoing and escalating violations targeting the Palestinians, their homes and lands, and their holy sites.
Israel’s colonies in the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, are illegal under International Law, the Fourth Geneva Conventions, and various United Nations and Security Council Resolutions.
19 may 2019
A horde of Jewish settlers, led by Israel's Minister of Agriculture Uri Ariel, on Sunday stormed al-Aqsa Mosque under tight police guard.
The Islamic Awqaf said that Ariel and 17 Israeli settlers, accompanied by a large police force, broke into al-Aqsa Mosque in the morning and toured its courtyards.
After midnight on Sunday, the Israeli police forced the Palestinian worshipers who remained at al-Aqsa Mosque after Tarawih prayers out of the site to clear way for the settlers.
The Islamic Awqaf said that Ariel and 17 Israeli settlers, accompanied by a large police force, broke into al-Aqsa Mosque in the morning and toured its courtyards.
After midnight on Sunday, the Israeli police forced the Palestinian worshipers who remained at al-Aqsa Mosque after Tarawih prayers out of the site to clear way for the settlers.
Israeli soldiers abducted, on Sunday morning, a young Palestinian man in Kafr ‘Aqab town, north of occupied East Jerusalem.
The Qalandia Media Center said the soldiers invaded the town, searched homes and abducted a young man, identified as Mohammad Sobeh.
It added that the soldiers also installed a military roadblock, and prevented many Palestinians from leaving the town.
The soldiers also invaded the al-Biereh city, near Ramallah in central West Bank, and were heavily deployed in the area of the al-Biereh-Jerusalem road, especially around a building there.
In related news, many illegal Israeli colonists, accompanied by soldiers, invaded the area of the evacuated Homish colony, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin.
The colonists also obstructed traffic and attempted to attack several Palestinians on the nearby Jenin-Nablus road.
The Qalandia Media Center said the soldiers invaded the town, searched homes and abducted a young man, identified as Mohammad Sobeh.
It added that the soldiers also installed a military roadblock, and prevented many Palestinians from leaving the town.
The soldiers also invaded the al-Biereh city, near Ramallah in central West Bank, and were heavily deployed in the area of the al-Biereh-Jerusalem road, especially around a building there.
In related news, many illegal Israeli colonists, accompanied by soldiers, invaded the area of the evacuated Homish colony, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin.
The colonists also obstructed traffic and attempted to attack several Palestinians on the nearby Jenin-Nablus road.
18 may 2019
Several illegal Israeli colonists hurled stones, on Friday evening, at Palestinian cars driving on the Nablus-Jenin road, in the northern part of the occupied West Bank.
Ghassan Daghlas, a Palestinian Authority official who monitors Israel’s illegal colonialist activities in northern West Bank, said the assailants gathered at the main junction near the former Homesh colony, and hurled stones at the Palestinian cars.
Daghlas added that the attack caused damage to several Palestinian cars, but did not lead to physical injuries.
In related news, Israeli soldiers shot and mildly injured a Palestinian man near the entrance of Beit Awwa town, west of Hebron, in the southern part of the West Bank.
In the Gaza Strip, the Israeli army said it detained one Palestinian “who crossed the perimeter fence.” The army said the Palestinians was not carrying any weapons, and was moved to an interrogation facilities.
Ghassan Daghlas, a Palestinian Authority official who monitors Israel’s illegal colonialist activities in northern West Bank, said the assailants gathered at the main junction near the former Homesh colony, and hurled stones at the Palestinian cars.
Daghlas added that the attack caused damage to several Palestinian cars, but did not lead to physical injuries.
In related news, Israeli soldiers shot and mildly injured a Palestinian man near the entrance of Beit Awwa town, west of Hebron, in the southern part of the West Bank.
In the Gaza Strip, the Israeli army said it detained one Palestinian “who crossed the perimeter fence.” The army said the Palestinians was not carrying any weapons, and was moved to an interrogation facilities.
