30 dec 2012
Jerusalem center: The economic situation in east J'lem is the worst ever
Jerusalem center for social and economic rights said the economic situation in the occupied eastern part of Jerusalem has been the worst ever since its occupation.
In a press interview with the Palestinian information center (PIC), director of the center Ziyad Hamouri stated that this situation was not a coincidence, but planned by the Israeli occupation regime which started its impoverishment scheme in the holy city with movement restrictions, barriers and then walls.
Hamouri affirmed that the Israeli economic blockade on east Jerusalem weakened the purchasing power in the city greatly and affected the Palestinian tourism sector.
He warned that the economic pressure by Israel on the natives in the holy city is aimed at ethnically cleansing it.
The human rights activist also pointed out to Israeli reports that said the poverty line in east Jerusalem is estimated at 80 percent.
This means, he added, that the demographic war of decreasing the Arab population to less than 12 percent which the Israeli regime declared may get results.
In addition to that, he said, there are more than 20,000 demolition orders against Palestinian homes in the holy city, and the Palestinian authority's pledges about economic prosperity and foreign investments have always been airy words.
The director of Jerusalemite center also noted that statistics had stated two years ago that there were more than 250 shops closed permanently by the Israeli occupation authority in the old city of Jerusalem, and many more have been shut down ever since.
He highlighted as well the policy of daily fines and raids pursued by the IOA against Jerusalemite storekeepers to force them to leave their stores and the city.
Such situation and many other Israeli restrictions had made the Jerusalemite storekeepers and merchants see no prospect for their survival the holy city, he warned.
In a press interview with the Palestinian information center (PIC), director of the center Ziyad Hamouri stated that this situation was not a coincidence, but planned by the Israeli occupation regime which started its impoverishment scheme in the holy city with movement restrictions, barriers and then walls.
Hamouri affirmed that the Israeli economic blockade on east Jerusalem weakened the purchasing power in the city greatly and affected the Palestinian tourism sector.
He warned that the economic pressure by Israel on the natives in the holy city is aimed at ethnically cleansing it.
The human rights activist also pointed out to Israeli reports that said the poverty line in east Jerusalem is estimated at 80 percent.
This means, he added, that the demographic war of decreasing the Arab population to less than 12 percent which the Israeli regime declared may get results.
In addition to that, he said, there are more than 20,000 demolition orders against Palestinian homes in the holy city, and the Palestinian authority's pledges about economic prosperity and foreign investments have always been airy words.
The director of Jerusalemite center also noted that statistics had stated two years ago that there were more than 250 shops closed permanently by the Israeli occupation authority in the old city of Jerusalem, and many more have been shut down ever since.
He highlighted as well the policy of daily fines and raids pursued by the IOA against Jerusalemite storekeepers to force them to leave their stores and the city.
Such situation and many other Israeli restrictions had made the Jerusalemite storekeepers and merchants see no prospect for their survival the holy city, he warned.
27 dec 2012
IOA approves the final stage of Judaizing the names of Jerusalem's streets
Jerusalem municipality revealed that it will hold a hearing on Thursday to approve the Judaization of 43 streets' names in neighborhoods where Palestinians live in Jerusalem.
The municipality stated in a press statement that the approval of Judaizing 43 streets' names in the neighborhoods of East Jerusalem came in addition to the approval of Judaizing 141 streets' names in East Jerusalem last year.
The Jerusalem municipality has launched a campaign to Judaize dozens of streets' names in Jerusalem, under the pretext that these streets have suffered over the past decades of negligence, and did not have names, making it difficult to provide services for these residents.
The municipality stated in a press statement that the approval of Judaizing 43 streets' names in the neighborhoods of East Jerusalem came in addition to the approval of Judaizing 141 streets' names in East Jerusalem last year.
The Jerusalem municipality has launched a campaign to Judaize dozens of streets' names in Jerusalem, under the pretext that these streets have suffered over the past decades of negligence, and did not have names, making it difficult to provide services for these residents.
Dean of Jordanian engineers calls for forming pressure groups to protect J'lem
Dean of the Jordanian engineers Abdullah Obeidat called for the formation of popular and political pressure groups working on boosting the official efforts to protect and support the Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem.
Obeidat made his remarks in a symposium titled "the Aqsa and Jerusalem; the action strategy" that was organized on Wednesday by engineers for Palestine committee at the headquarters of the union of Jordanian engineers in Amman.
"There is need for activating the Jordanian role in Jerusalem, organizing it and not just maintaining the status quo, and funding the Jordanian administrative role there, Obeidat stressed.
He also emphasized the need for utterly rejecting any Israeli attempt to remove the exclusive administration of the Aqsa Mosque from Muslims and the Jordanian waqf authority, adding that all diplomatic and organizational means should be employed to encounter such attempts.
The dean highlighted the importance of raising the awareness of members of political parties and movements in Jordan about the dangers threatening Jerusalem, and finding mechanisms to make the Jordanian street understand the lies and schemes of the Zionist movement and actively take part in supporting the cause.
He called on political parties and movements in Jordan to pressure the decision makers to move to protect the holy city against Judaization and revoke all treaties with Israel which persistently violates its agreements with Jordan.
Obeidat made his remarks in a symposium titled "the Aqsa and Jerusalem; the action strategy" that was organized on Wednesday by engineers for Palestine committee at the headquarters of the union of Jordanian engineers in Amman.
"There is need for activating the Jordanian role in Jerusalem, organizing it and not just maintaining the status quo, and funding the Jordanian administrative role there, Obeidat stressed.
He also emphasized the need for utterly rejecting any Israeli attempt to remove the exclusive administration of the Aqsa Mosque from Muslims and the Jordanian waqf authority, adding that all diplomatic and organizational means should be employed to encounter such attempts.
The dean highlighted the importance of raising the awareness of members of political parties and movements in Jordan about the dangers threatening Jerusalem, and finding mechanisms to make the Jordanian street understand the lies and schemes of the Zionist movement and actively take part in supporting the cause.
He called on political parties and movements in Jordan to pressure the decision makers to move to protect the holy city against Judaization and revoke all treaties with Israel which persistently violates its agreements with Jordan.
OIC calls on UNSC to adopt practical measures to stop Judaizing Jerusalem
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has called on the UN Security Council to assume its responsibility vis-à-vis the Israeli expansion of settlement activity in occupied Jerusalem.
The OIC Secretary General Akmaluddin Ihsan Oglu said in a press release on Thursday that the Israeli settlement activity was a serious violation of international resolutions.
He charged that the settlement expansion aims at isolating occupied Jerusalem from its Palestinian surroundings and Judaizing it.
Oglu urged the UNSC to shoulder its responsibility and adopt practical steps against the Israeli violations.
The Secretary General renewed the OIC condemnation of the Israeli construction of 1240 new housing units in occupied Jerusalem, which he said were in violation of international legitimacy.
The OIC Secretary General Akmaluddin Ihsan Oglu said in a press release on Thursday that the Israeli settlement activity was a serious violation of international resolutions.
He charged that the settlement expansion aims at isolating occupied Jerusalem from its Palestinian surroundings and Judaizing it.
Oglu urged the UNSC to shoulder its responsibility and adopt practical steps against the Israeli violations.
The Secretary General renewed the OIC condemnation of the Israeli construction of 1240 new housing units in occupied Jerusalem, which he said were in violation of international legitimacy.
25 dec 2012
Commercial activities in old city restricted with yellow lines
Jerusalem storekeepers and vendors were surprised on Monday to see Israeli municipal employees drawing yellow lines outside their stores and stalls and warning them not to go beyond them or else they would be fined.
Such Israeli measure sparked outrage among the Palestinian traders in Al-Qatanin Souk of the old city of Jerusalem and prompted to engage verbally with the municipal staff.
The storekeepers and vendors slammed such step as the last nail which the Israeli municipal council hammered in the coffin of the commercial movement in the old city of Jerusalem.
One of the storekeepers said that the municipal council aims to force them to leave their stores and commercial activities in the old city as part of Israel's ethnic cleansing policy.
For its part, the Aqsa foundation for endowment and heritage strongly denounced this Israeli measure and said it would destroy the commercial activities in the old city.
The foundation noted that the Israeli occupation authority often resorts to malicious actions aimed at undermining the Arab presence in the old city and the areas around the Aqsa Mosque.
Such Israeli measure sparked outrage among the Palestinian traders in Al-Qatanin Souk of the old city of Jerusalem and prompted to engage verbally with the municipal staff.
The storekeepers and vendors slammed such step as the last nail which the Israeli municipal council hammered in the coffin of the commercial movement in the old city of Jerusalem.
One of the storekeepers said that the municipal council aims to force them to leave their stores and commercial activities in the old city as part of Israel's ethnic cleansing policy.
For its part, the Aqsa foundation for endowment and heritage strongly denounced this Israeli measure and said it would destroy the commercial activities in the old city.
The foundation noted that the Israeli occupation authority often resorts to malicious actions aimed at undermining the Arab presence in the old city and the areas around the Aqsa Mosque.
IOA endorses 1200 new housing units in occupied Jerusalem
The Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) endorsed the construction of 1200 new housing units in Gilo suburb in occupied Jerusalem.
The AFP quoted a spokesperson for the Israeli Peace Now movement as saying on Monday that the Israeli interior ministry had authorized the building of those new units.
The spokeswoman said that the endorsement of the new houses was made in a meeting last Thursday held by the planning committee in Jerusalem that was allocated for discussing objections to that project.
She noted that her movement had mentioned that project on 18 December when the Israeli government announced plans for big housing projects in the West Bank and Jerusalem despite international criticism.
The AFP quoted a spokesperson for the Israeli Peace Now movement as saying on Monday that the Israeli interior ministry had authorized the building of those new units.
The spokeswoman said that the endorsement of the new houses was made in a meeting last Thursday held by the planning committee in Jerusalem that was allocated for discussing objections to that project.
She noted that her movement had mentioned that project on 18 December when the Israeli government announced plans for big housing projects in the West Bank and Jerusalem despite international criticism.
JLAC warns against the establishment of a waste dump in Issawiya
The Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center (JLAC) issued on Monday a statement in which it warned against the Israeli decision to establish a waste dump in Issawiya, where the center has published a Map scheme detailing the Israeli new project that will affect the people of Issawiya, Shuafat and Anata.
The statement said that the Jerusalem municipally project aimed to establish landfill solid waste on the territory of Shuafat, Issawiya, and Anata.
Ghalib Nashashibi, coordinator of the center's programs in Jerusalem, said that the stated objective of the scheme is to establish a landfill for solid waste and building waste, adding that one of the project's items there is a clear signal that liquid waste will be buried in the site, without specifying the nature of the liquid waste.
Nashashibi also noted that the Israeli project is a sensitive and serious issue, adding that the center is currently working in collaboration with experts and specialists to make an objection to this scheme especially that it may affect the health of Palestinian residents in this area as it is possible to affect the groundwater.
The statement said that the Jerusalem municipally project aimed to establish landfill solid waste on the territory of Shuafat, Issawiya, and Anata.
Ghalib Nashashibi, coordinator of the center's programs in Jerusalem, said that the stated objective of the scheme is to establish a landfill for solid waste and building waste, adding that one of the project's items there is a clear signal that liquid waste will be buried in the site, without specifying the nature of the liquid waste.
Nashashibi also noted that the Israeli project is a sensitive and serious issue, adding that the center is currently working in collaboration with experts and specialists to make an objection to this scheme especially that it may affect the health of Palestinian residents in this area as it is possible to affect the groundwater.
24 dec 2012
IOF storms a mosque in Jenin searching for alleged monuments
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) stormed, at dawn Monday, the village of Fahma located in the south of the city of Jenin northern the West Bank, and broke into a mosque there.
The head of the Fahma village council, Mohamed Nawasra, stated - according to "Quds Press" - that a force from the Israeli army broke into the village before dawn prayer on Monday, then raided a mosque and photographed parts of it.
Mohamed Nawasra said that the Israeli soldiers interrogated one of worshipers inside the mosque about a stone with Hebrew inscriptions which the occupation has alleged that existed inside the mosque for decades.
He pointed out that the occupation has already searched and interrogated citizens about this stone, about which the villagers have no information, he said.
The head of the Fahma village council added that the mosque is an ancient archaeological Roman building, which had been restored and converted into al-Taqwa mosque.
The head of the Fahma village council, Mohamed Nawasra, stated - according to "Quds Press" - that a force from the Israeli army broke into the village before dawn prayer on Monday, then raided a mosque and photographed parts of it.
Mohamed Nawasra said that the Israeli soldiers interrogated one of worshipers inside the mosque about a stone with Hebrew inscriptions which the occupation has alleged that existed inside the mosque for decades.
He pointed out that the occupation has already searched and interrogated citizens about this stone, about which the villagers have no information, he said.
The head of the Fahma village council added that the mosque is an ancient archaeological Roman building, which had been restored and converted into al-Taqwa mosque.
Jewish settlers storm Aqsa plazas
Jewish settlers stormed the internal plazas of the holy Aqsa mosque in occupied Jerusalem on Monday morning in a bid to offer Toratic prayers, eyewitnesses reported.
Sheikh Azzam Salhab, the director of Islamic Awkaf department in the holy city, said that 14 Jewish settlers broke into the mosque as part of the morning tourism tours organized by the Israeli occupation authorities in the holy site.
Dozens of Jewish settlers, rabbis, and Knesset members frequently break into the Aqsa mosque under heavy police escort in an attempt to impose a de facto division of the holy compound.
Sheikh Azzam Salhab, the director of Islamic Awkaf department in the holy city, said that 14 Jewish settlers broke into the mosque as part of the morning tourism tours organized by the Israeli occupation authorities in the holy site.
Dozens of Jewish settlers, rabbis, and Knesset members frequently break into the Aqsa mosque under heavy police escort in an attempt to impose a de facto division of the holy compound.
Jewish extremists defile Al-Kurd area for rituals
Dozens of extremist Jewish settlers escorted by the police performed Talmudic rituals in Rubat Al-Kurd area at the western wall of the Aqsa Mosque.
Head of Islamic waqf council in Jerusalem Sheikh Abdul-Azim Salhab said that Al-Buraq wall and Rubat Al-Kurd area are an integral part of the western wall of the Aqsa Mosque and an Islamic holy site.
Sheikh Salhab stressed that every Muslim living near or around the Aqsa Mosque is religiously obliged to prevent such desecration of the Mosque and its premises.
Different Zionist groups had called for performing Jewish rituals in Rubat Al-Kurd area on the occasion of the fasting day on the 10th of the Hebrew month.
One of these group declared that these rituals would be part of the Jewish activities aimed at fully controling Rubat Al-Kurd area, which the Jews describe as the small wailing square.
In a related context, an opinion poll conducted by Maariv newspaper showed on Friday that 71 percent of the ultraorthodox Jews known as the Haredim were in favor of allowing the Jews to perform their rituals inside the Aqsa Mosque, while seven percent were against.
The survey targeted the right-wing Israelis who claim that it is unfair and discriminatory not to allow the Jews to enter the Aqsa Mosque, while the Muslim freely perform their prayers inside it.
The poll has taken place as a number of Israeli extremist figures will run for the upcoming elections.
These figures call for dividing the Aqsa Mosque and building the alleged temple.
For its part, the Aqsa foundation for endowment and heritage denounced the results of this opinion poll and emphasized that the Aqsa Mosque is indivisible and historically and religiously belong to Muslims.
The Aqsa foundation called on the Arab and Muslim worlds to deal seriously with such information as a danger threatening the Aqsa Mosque.
It also called on the Palestinian official institutions to develop a plan to protect the Aqsa Mosque and prevent its division as happened to the Ibrahimi Mosque in Al-Khalil city.
Head of Islamic waqf council in Jerusalem Sheikh Abdul-Azim Salhab said that Al-Buraq wall and Rubat Al-Kurd area are an integral part of the western wall of the Aqsa Mosque and an Islamic holy site.
Sheikh Salhab stressed that every Muslim living near or around the Aqsa Mosque is religiously obliged to prevent such desecration of the Mosque and its premises.
Different Zionist groups had called for performing Jewish rituals in Rubat Al-Kurd area on the occasion of the fasting day on the 10th of the Hebrew month.
One of these group declared that these rituals would be part of the Jewish activities aimed at fully controling Rubat Al-Kurd area, which the Jews describe as the small wailing square.
In a related context, an opinion poll conducted by Maariv newspaper showed on Friday that 71 percent of the ultraorthodox Jews known as the Haredim were in favor of allowing the Jews to perform their rituals inside the Aqsa Mosque, while seven percent were against.
The survey targeted the right-wing Israelis who claim that it is unfair and discriminatory not to allow the Jews to enter the Aqsa Mosque, while the Muslim freely perform their prayers inside it.
The poll has taken place as a number of Israeli extremist figures will run for the upcoming elections.
These figures call for dividing the Aqsa Mosque and building the alleged temple.
For its part, the Aqsa foundation for endowment and heritage denounced the results of this opinion poll and emphasized that the Aqsa Mosque is indivisible and historically and religiously belong to Muslims.
The Aqsa foundation called on the Arab and Muslim worlds to deal seriously with such information as a danger threatening the Aqsa Mosque.
It also called on the Palestinian official institutions to develop a plan to protect the Aqsa Mosque and prevent its division as happened to the Ibrahimi Mosque in Al-Khalil city.
23 dec 2012
Areej: Israeli-made borders in Jerusalem are politically-motivated
The applied research institute Areej said that the administrative borders created unilaterally by the Israeli municipal council in occupied Jerusalem were not based on technical considerations, but rather on political reasons.
In a report, Areej institute added that these Israeli-made borders are aimed at ensuring a Jewish demographic predominance in the holy city.
It explained that the new Israeli proposed borders excluded the Palestinian population in the north of Jerusalem like the villages of Beit Iksa and Bir Nabala, and annexed the residential areas with low population density in the south such as Bethlehem, Beit Jala and Beit Sahour.
Its report also stated that Israel's expansion of its segregation wall on the Palestinian territories in the West Bank and its encirclement of Jerusalem with a series of settlements and border crossings are all part of its Judaization scheme known as greater Jerusalem.
Areej recommended taking action to face the Israeli settlement expansion in the holy city, including steps to support the Palestinian population financially and provide them with new homes in the heart of the city and around it.
In a report, Areej institute added that these Israeli-made borders are aimed at ensuring a Jewish demographic predominance in the holy city.
It explained that the new Israeli proposed borders excluded the Palestinian population in the north of Jerusalem like the villages of Beit Iksa and Bir Nabala, and annexed the residential areas with low population density in the south such as Bethlehem, Beit Jala and Beit Sahour.
Its report also stated that Israel's expansion of its segregation wall on the Palestinian territories in the West Bank and its encirclement of Jerusalem with a series of settlements and border crossings are all part of its Judaization scheme known as greater Jerusalem.
Areej recommended taking action to face the Israeli settlement expansion in the holy city, including steps to support the Palestinian population financially and provide them with new homes in the heart of the city and around it.
Int'l crisis: East Jerusalem suffers from deep Israeli changes
Arab east Jerusalem has been exposed to Judaization changes in recent years, physically, socially, politically and emotionally, a pair of reports by the international crisis group warned last Thursday.
The group stated in its reports that the Arab eastern part of Jerusalem had been facing the bulk of settlement activities, most notably, Israel's approval of project E-1 which connects Ma'aleh Adumim settlement with Jerusalem, thus isolating east Jerusalem and dividing the West Bank into two parts.
Among the other Israeli settlement projects that are aimed at creating considerable changes is the approval of plans to expand Givat Hamastos settlement to isolate east Jerusalem from the south of the West Bank in addition to the expansion of other settlements in east Jerusalem, its reports noted.
"Settlements have expanded across the core and periphery of east Jerusalem; they now are on the verge of extending a Jewish continuum from west to east across the entire municipality and beyond – potentially delivering a fatal blow to the two-state solution," the group stated.
“Jerusalem has changed, even as collective reflection about the city has remained essentially static”, Robert Malley, the group’s Middle East and North Africa program director, said.
The group stated in its reports that the Arab eastern part of Jerusalem had been facing the bulk of settlement activities, most notably, Israel's approval of project E-1 which connects Ma'aleh Adumim settlement with Jerusalem, thus isolating east Jerusalem and dividing the West Bank into two parts.
Among the other Israeli settlement projects that are aimed at creating considerable changes is the approval of plans to expand Givat Hamastos settlement to isolate east Jerusalem from the south of the West Bank in addition to the expansion of other settlements in east Jerusalem, its reports noted.
"Settlements have expanded across the core and periphery of east Jerusalem; they now are on the verge of extending a Jewish continuum from west to east across the entire municipality and beyond – potentially delivering a fatal blow to the two-state solution," the group stated.
“Jerusalem has changed, even as collective reflection about the city has remained essentially static”, Robert Malley, the group’s Middle East and North Africa program director, said.
21 dec 2012
Salfit: 2000 settlers storm shrines under protection of occupation army
Thousands of Jewish worshipers accompanied by Israeli soldiers stormed the town of Kifl Haris to the north of Salfit on Friday morning, locals said.
The occupation army forces set up control points and checkpoints at the entrances to the town in order to protect more than two thousand settlers who stormed Muslim shrines in the village, claiming that they are "Jewish shrines that belong to Jewish prophets."
Kifl Haris mayor Issam Abu Yaqoub said the Israelis behaved provocatively during the break-ins, shouting at villagers and dancing in the streets.
Izzat Shuqour, Yaqoub's deputy, added that the group of settlers posted stickers on Palestinian homes and public places in the village.
The occupation army forces set up control points and checkpoints at the entrances to the town in order to protect more than two thousand settlers who stormed Muslim shrines in the village, claiming that they are "Jewish shrines that belong to Jewish prophets."
Kifl Haris mayor Issam Abu Yaqoub said the Israelis behaved provocatively during the break-ins, shouting at villagers and dancing in the streets.
Izzat Shuqour, Yaqoub's deputy, added that the group of settlers posted stickers on Palestinian homes and public places in the village.
Warnings of escalating settlement construction in Jerusalem
Jerusalemite figures warned of escalating Israeli settlement construction in the holy city, in order to expel the Arab population and to take full control of the buildings and land.
"Jerusalem faces a new settlement campaign that aims to impose new facts, and to prevent the implementation of the United Nations resolution to recognize the state of Palestine in 1967 borders," the Jerusalemite lawyer Ahmed Al-rowaydhi said during a press conference on Thursday.
The lawyer stated that Jerusalem is witnessing a state of war represented in constructing more settlement units and the demolition and confiscation policy of Palestinian property and targeting holy sites in Jerusalem.
For his part, the researcher specialized in the settlement affairs in Jerusalem, Ahmad Sob-Laban, has explained settlement schemes in Jerusalem, saying that yesterday the Israeli Ministry of Housing declared its intention to construct 1108 housing units, including 168 units in Jabal Abou Ghneim, and the rest in the West Bank settlements.
"During 2012, the occupation authorities has proposed to set up a solid waste landfill located between Issawiya and Anata and it will be moved to a garden after twenty years, leading to the confiscation of 514 dunums," he added.
The participants in the press conference called for the need to support the steadfastness of Jerusalemites and provide them with all the requirements, and to provide housing projects to maintain the land in the city of Jerusalem.
"Jerusalem faces a new settlement campaign that aims to impose new facts, and to prevent the implementation of the United Nations resolution to recognize the state of Palestine in 1967 borders," the Jerusalemite lawyer Ahmed Al-rowaydhi said during a press conference on Thursday.
The lawyer stated that Jerusalem is witnessing a state of war represented in constructing more settlement units and the demolition and confiscation policy of Palestinian property and targeting holy sites in Jerusalem.
For his part, the researcher specialized in the settlement affairs in Jerusalem, Ahmad Sob-Laban, has explained settlement schemes in Jerusalem, saying that yesterday the Israeli Ministry of Housing declared its intention to construct 1108 housing units, including 168 units in Jabal Abou Ghneim, and the rest in the West Bank settlements.
"During 2012, the occupation authorities has proposed to set up a solid waste landfill located between Issawiya and Anata and it will be moved to a garden after twenty years, leading to the confiscation of 514 dunums," he added.
The participants in the press conference called for the need to support the steadfastness of Jerusalemites and provide them with all the requirements, and to provide housing projects to maintain the land in the city of Jerusalem.
19 dec 2012
Israeli intelligence agents tour Aqsa plazas
Israeli intelligence agents broke into the holy Aqsa mosque in occupied Jerusalem on Wednesday morning under heavy police protection.
One of the mosque’s guards said that the intelligence agents toured most of the Aqsa plazas and utilities.
He said that a number of small groups of Jewish settlers also stormed the holy site at separate intervals with police escort.
Worshippers and Jerusalem schoolchildren were present during the storming, the guard underlined.
One of the mosque’s guards said that the intelligence agents toured most of the Aqsa plazas and utilities.
He said that a number of small groups of Jewish settlers also stormed the holy site at separate intervals with police escort.
Worshippers and Jerusalem schoolchildren were present during the storming, the guard underlined.
18 dec 2012
Issawi asks for his funeral prayers to take place at the Aqsa Mosque
The Palestinian prisoner in Israeli jails, Samer al-Issawi, who went on hunger strike since 141 days, asked in his will that his funeral prayers be performed at the Aqsa Mosque and to be buried next to his brother Fadi, insisting to continue his hunger strike until his release.
The striker prisoner al-Issawi said in a leaked letter to his family that his muscles' aches began to increase, after his body began feeding on the nerves.
He added that he feels pain in the abdomen, kidneys especially the right one, and he suffers from constant headache and burning urination and diarrhea. He said that he started since Friday drinking water and water solutions, and taking vitamin injections. He also told them that he is suffering deterioration in his vision, hair loss, and trembling of the hands.
He added in his letter that he lives in a room with a glass door, so that no doctor could hear his call, and there is no heating or hot water.
He appreciated the efforts of the activists who supported his strike, stressing that he will continue his hunger strike "to the end, until victory."
Al-Issawi said he is defending the dignity of the Palestinian people and martyrs, the suffering of one and a half million in the Gaza Strip who have made sacrifices to accomplish the fulfillment of al-Ahrar deal, stressing that the Jerusalemites in general and the people of Issawiya are harder than flint stone, and refuse any weakness with the occupation.
He criticized the attitude of some international institutions that claim defending freedom, which stand silent before the crimes committed against prisoners of freedom, and his just cause that demands only to be released because he was arrested without guilt only entering the West Bank and Jerusalem, even though it is a part of the deal.
The striker prisoner al-Issawi said in a leaked letter to his family that his muscles' aches began to increase, after his body began feeding on the nerves.
He added that he feels pain in the abdomen, kidneys especially the right one, and he suffers from constant headache and burning urination and diarrhea. He said that he started since Friday drinking water and water solutions, and taking vitamin injections. He also told them that he is suffering deterioration in his vision, hair loss, and trembling of the hands.
He added in his letter that he lives in a room with a glass door, so that no doctor could hear his call, and there is no heating or hot water.
He appreciated the efforts of the activists who supported his strike, stressing that he will continue his hunger strike "to the end, until victory."
Al-Issawi said he is defending the dignity of the Palestinian people and martyrs, the suffering of one and a half million in the Gaza Strip who have made sacrifices to accomplish the fulfillment of al-Ahrar deal, stressing that the Jerusalemites in general and the people of Issawiya are harder than flint stone, and refuse any weakness with the occupation.
He criticized the attitude of some international institutions that claim defending freedom, which stand silent before the crimes committed against prisoners of freedom, and his just cause that demands only to be released because he was arrested without guilt only entering the West Bank and Jerusalem, even though it is a part of the deal.
Knesset speaker: Building in occupied Jerusalem not for negotiations
Knesset speaker Reuven Rivlin said on Tuesday that construction in occupied Jerusalem was not for negotiations.
He told the Hebrew radio that the area named E-1 would remain in Israeli hands in any future political settlement with the Palestinians.
He lambasted those who object to his government’s decision to build housing units in Jerusalem and its environs especially after Palestinian rockets targeted Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Sources in Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said that the building of 1500 new housing units in Ramat Shlomo suburb north of occupied Jerusalem was still in the planning stage.
He told the Hebrew radio that the area named E-1 would remain in Israeli hands in any future political settlement with the Palestinians.
He lambasted those who object to his government’s decision to build housing units in Jerusalem and its environs especially after Palestinian rockets targeted Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Sources in Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said that the building of 1500 new housing units in Ramat Shlomo suburb north of occupied Jerusalem was still in the planning stage.
Aqsa foundation: Jerusalem and Al-Buraq wall belong to Muslim and Arabs
The Aqsa foundation for endowment and heritage reiterated that Al-Buraq wall (falsely referred to as wailing wall) is an integral part of the Aqsa Mosque, affirming that the wall and the whole city of Jerusalem are a prerogative of the Muslims and Arabs.
The foundation made its remarks in response to the Israeli premier's claims that the wailing wall, as he described, as well as the old city of Jerusalem had been a Jewish legacy since 3,000 years and would remain for them.
"The occupied city of Jerusalem along with its old city is originally an Arab city with Islamic history and civilization that had been built by the Arab Canaanite Jebusites who lived there through time for more than six thousand years and even during its occupation by other nations like the Romans and Persians," the foundation underlined.
It also emphasized the fact that Jerusalem has had Islamic history and civilization since it was liberated by Al-Farouk Omar Ibn Al-Khattab, noting that all the features and monuments of the holy city, especially the Aqsa Mosque and the Church of resurrection, refer to its Islamic and Arab identity.
For his part, lawyer Zahi Nujeidat, the spokesman for the Islamic Movement in the 1948 occupied lands, said the Jewish and Israeli fantasies and false claims cannot change the truth a bit.
Nujeidat highlighted that the Arab and Islamic identity of Jerusalem is crystal clear and Al-Buraq wall has always been Al-Buraq wall.
The foundation made its remarks in response to the Israeli premier's claims that the wailing wall, as he described, as well as the old city of Jerusalem had been a Jewish legacy since 3,000 years and would remain for them.
"The occupied city of Jerusalem along with its old city is originally an Arab city with Islamic history and civilization that had been built by the Arab Canaanite Jebusites who lived there through time for more than six thousand years and even during its occupation by other nations like the Romans and Persians," the foundation underlined.
It also emphasized the fact that Jerusalem has had Islamic history and civilization since it was liberated by Al-Farouk Omar Ibn Al-Khattab, noting that all the features and monuments of the holy city, especially the Aqsa Mosque and the Church of resurrection, refer to its Islamic and Arab identity.
For his part, lawyer Zahi Nujeidat, the spokesman for the Islamic Movement in the 1948 occupied lands, said the Jewish and Israeli fantasies and false claims cannot change the truth a bit.
Nujeidat highlighted that the Arab and Islamic identity of Jerusalem is crystal clear and Al-Buraq wall has always been Al-Buraq wall.
Israeli Authorities Advance Approval of 1500 New Housing Units in Ramat Shlomo in Jerusalem
The Interior Ministry and the Jerusalem Municipality's planning committees approved on Monday afternoon, a new plan to construct 1500 new housing units in Ramat Shlomo neighbourhood, north of Jerusalem.
Two weeks ago, Israeli government has revealed new settlement plans in Jerusalem and advanced approvals of 3600 new settlement units. On Tuesday, the District Planning and Construction Committee will discuss stages B and C of Givat Hamatos, a new Jewish neighbourhood located next to Beit Safafa. Stages B and C have a combined 1,363 apartment units.
According to Jerusalem Post newspaper, on Wednesday, the Local Committee is expected to grant final approval to stage A of Givat Hamatos, with 2,610 units. On Thursday, the District Committee is expected to give final approval to the Slopes of Gilo South, with approximately 1,000 apartment units.
The PA President Mahmoud Abbas spokesperson, Nabil Abu Rudenieh, said on Monday that this is a blatant challenge to the international community and disregard for the feelings of the Palestinian people and the Arab nations.
He also said that such actions would isolate Israel after the World rejected the Israeli occupation and recognised the Palestinian state in the pre-1967 borders.
US State Department spokesperson, Victoria Nuland, condemned the Israel's approval decision to build 1500 housing units, north of Jerusalem and considered it an unilateral move which may kill any chance to achieve peace and accomplish the two-state solution.
The United Nations condemned the Israeli settlement and called the two political parties; the Palestinian and the Israeli to return to the peace negotiations table.
Two weeks ago, Israeli government has revealed new settlement plans in Jerusalem and advanced approvals of 3600 new settlement units. On Tuesday, the District Planning and Construction Committee will discuss stages B and C of Givat Hamatos, a new Jewish neighbourhood located next to Beit Safafa. Stages B and C have a combined 1,363 apartment units.
According to Jerusalem Post newspaper, on Wednesday, the Local Committee is expected to grant final approval to stage A of Givat Hamatos, with 2,610 units. On Thursday, the District Committee is expected to give final approval to the Slopes of Gilo South, with approximately 1,000 apartment units.
The PA President Mahmoud Abbas spokesperson, Nabil Abu Rudenieh, said on Monday that this is a blatant challenge to the international community and disregard for the feelings of the Palestinian people and the Arab nations.
He also said that such actions would isolate Israel after the World rejected the Israeli occupation and recognised the Palestinian state in the pre-1967 borders.
US State Department spokesperson, Victoria Nuland, condemned the Israel's approval decision to build 1500 housing units, north of Jerusalem and considered it an unilateral move which may kill any chance to achieve peace and accomplish the two-state solution.
The United Nations condemned the Israeli settlement and called the two political parties; the Palestinian and the Israeli to return to the peace negotiations table.
Sabri denounces IOA for endorsing 1500 new housing units in OJ
Sheikh Ekrema Sabri, the head of the higher Islamic authority, has denounced the Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) for endorsing the construction of 1500 new housing units in occupied Jerusalem.
Sabri said in press statements on Tuesday that the IOA decision to build those units in Ramat Shlomo settlement indicated that it was bent on accelerating settlement in the occupied Jerusalem to Judaize the holy city and its environs.
He said that the continuation of the “cancerous settlement” activity showed that the IOA was not concerned with a peaceful and just solution and that it gave a blind eye to local, Arab and international protests.
Sheikh Sabri warned that the settlement activity would increase tensions in the region.
He finally asked the Arab and Islamic countries to pay more attention to occupied Jerusalem before it was too late.
Hamas warns of increase of settlement projects in West Bank and Jerusalem
A report issued by the Information Office of Hamas movement affirmed that the pace of settlement expansion in the West Bank and Jerusalem has been escalating.
The report pointed out that the latest of these projects was approving the construction of 3600 settlement units which will serve as the bridge linking the "Maale Adumim" settlement, "E-1" settlement complex, the Jordan Valley's settlements and other settlement blocs, with the occupied city of Jerusalem; within the framework of what Israel calls Greater Jerusalem.
The report also monitored the Judaization schemes targeting Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque during the period between the 16th of November and the 15th of December.
It pointed to digging tunnels in the town of Silwan to Judaize the area surrounding Al-Aqsa Mosque, demolishing dozens of Jerusalemite houses, planning to build an archaeological park and a synagogue in the Old City of Jerusalem, and changing the names of several Jerusalem streets.
It also monitored the settlement schemes in the occupied West Bank through pointing to the confiscation of lands, demolition of water wells, the uprooting of olive trees and bulldozing of agricultural lands.
The report pointed out that the settlers still continue to attack Palestinian citizens, their properties and holy places, but also pointed to the state of fear experienced by the settlers after the aggression on Gaza and the victory of the Palestinian resistance.
Hamas movement has demanded, in a statement by an official source, the international community to bear their responsibility for the serious repercussions of the settlement and judaization projects and schemes.
It also called for an Arab and international serious move to put an end to such flagrant violations of the International charters and laws.
The movement reaffirmed that "all the occupation's efforts to impose a new reality will not succeed in obliterating the facts and history", stressing that the Palestinian people will never give up any part of the Palestinian land and will always adhere to its constants and defend its sanctities.
Sabri said in press statements on Tuesday that the IOA decision to build those units in Ramat Shlomo settlement indicated that it was bent on accelerating settlement in the occupied Jerusalem to Judaize the holy city and its environs.
He said that the continuation of the “cancerous settlement” activity showed that the IOA was not concerned with a peaceful and just solution and that it gave a blind eye to local, Arab and international protests.
Sheikh Sabri warned that the settlement activity would increase tensions in the region.
He finally asked the Arab and Islamic countries to pay more attention to occupied Jerusalem before it was too late.
Hamas warns of increase of settlement projects in West Bank and Jerusalem
A report issued by the Information Office of Hamas movement affirmed that the pace of settlement expansion in the West Bank and Jerusalem has been escalating.
The report pointed out that the latest of these projects was approving the construction of 3600 settlement units which will serve as the bridge linking the "Maale Adumim" settlement, "E-1" settlement complex, the Jordan Valley's settlements and other settlement blocs, with the occupied city of Jerusalem; within the framework of what Israel calls Greater Jerusalem.
The report also monitored the Judaization schemes targeting Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque during the period between the 16th of November and the 15th of December.
It pointed to digging tunnels in the town of Silwan to Judaize the area surrounding Al-Aqsa Mosque, demolishing dozens of Jerusalemite houses, planning to build an archaeological park and a synagogue in the Old City of Jerusalem, and changing the names of several Jerusalem streets.
It also monitored the settlement schemes in the occupied West Bank through pointing to the confiscation of lands, demolition of water wells, the uprooting of olive trees and bulldozing of agricultural lands.
The report pointed out that the settlers still continue to attack Palestinian citizens, their properties and holy places, but also pointed to the state of fear experienced by the settlers after the aggression on Gaza and the victory of the Palestinian resistance.
Hamas movement has demanded, in a statement by an official source, the international community to bear their responsibility for the serious repercussions of the settlement and judaization projects and schemes.
It also called for an Arab and international serious move to put an end to such flagrant violations of the International charters and laws.
The movement reaffirmed that "all the occupation's efforts to impose a new reality will not succeed in obliterating the facts and history", stressing that the Palestinian people will never give up any part of the Palestinian land and will always adhere to its constants and defend its sanctities.
12 dec 2012
70 settlers storm al-Aqsa Mosque under protection of soldiers
Al-Aqsa Foundation for the Waqf and Heritage said that about 70 settlers, stormed on Wednesday morning the Al-Aqsa Mosque from the Mughrabi Gate, under the protection of the occupation forces.
More than 25 Israeli soldiers, in their military uniforms, stormed yesterday Al-Aqsa Mosque, while an atmosphere of anger prevailed the Mosque to condemn these repeated attacks.
Al-Aqsa Foundation said in a statement that a group of settlers have tried to perform some biblical and Talmudic rituals in al-Aqsa Mosque. However Muslim worshipers confronted them which led to clashes that ended up with expelling the settlers outside the mosque.
The Foundation also denounced the attack on the "Wadi al-Salib" monastery in the city of Jerusalem, at dawn today, by Jewish extremists who wrote racist slogans against Prophet Jesus (PBUH) on the walls.
It considered these attacks as a renewed crime against the Christian holy sites coinciding with other attacks on Islamic holy sites, and held the occupation fully responsible for such offenses.
Resheq urges Palestinian people to revolt in defense of Aqsa Mosque
BEIRUT, (PIC)-- Member of Hamas's political bureau Ezzat Al-Resheq urged the Palestinian people to defend occupied Jerusalem and the Aqsa Mosque against Israel's escalating violations.
"It is time to put an end to the Israeli crimes against Jerusalem and the Aqsa Mosque," Resheq stated on his facebook page.
"The repeated break-ins at the Aqsa Mosque by the settlers and the attempts by the occupation to impose a fait accompli through partitioning the time and place of worship should be stopped immediately," the Hamas official emphasized.
He also called on the organization of the Islamic conference and the Arab League to hasten to assume their responsibilities and hasten to protect the Aqsa Mosque.
The official also denounced the ethnic cleansing policy pursued by Israel against the Palestinian natives in Jerusalem.
He said Israel carries out systematic campaigns of mass arrests, demolition of homes and displacement of families in the holy city.
More than 25 Israeli soldiers, in their military uniforms, stormed yesterday Al-Aqsa Mosque, while an atmosphere of anger prevailed the Mosque to condemn these repeated attacks.
Al-Aqsa Foundation said in a statement that a group of settlers have tried to perform some biblical and Talmudic rituals in al-Aqsa Mosque. However Muslim worshipers confronted them which led to clashes that ended up with expelling the settlers outside the mosque.
The Foundation also denounced the attack on the "Wadi al-Salib" monastery in the city of Jerusalem, at dawn today, by Jewish extremists who wrote racist slogans against Prophet Jesus (PBUH) on the walls.
It considered these attacks as a renewed crime against the Christian holy sites coinciding with other attacks on Islamic holy sites, and held the occupation fully responsible for such offenses.
Resheq urges Palestinian people to revolt in defense of Aqsa Mosque
BEIRUT, (PIC)-- Member of Hamas's political bureau Ezzat Al-Resheq urged the Palestinian people to defend occupied Jerusalem and the Aqsa Mosque against Israel's escalating violations.
"It is time to put an end to the Israeli crimes against Jerusalem and the Aqsa Mosque," Resheq stated on his facebook page.
"The repeated break-ins at the Aqsa Mosque by the settlers and the attempts by the occupation to impose a fait accompli through partitioning the time and place of worship should be stopped immediately," the Hamas official emphasized.
He also called on the organization of the Islamic conference and the Arab League to hasten to assume their responsibilities and hasten to protect the Aqsa Mosque.
The official also denounced the ethnic cleansing policy pursued by Israel against the Palestinian natives in Jerusalem.
He said Israel carries out systematic campaigns of mass arrests, demolition of homes and displacement of families in the holy city.
New tenders for the construction of housing units in East Jerusalem
The Israeli occupation authorities on Tuesday invited offers for the expansion of "Ma'ale Adumim" settlement, on an area of twenty dunums of confiscated land, for the construction of new housing units east of Jerusalem.
Ahmad Sob-Laban, a Palestinian researcher specializing in Israeli settlement affairs, issued a press release revealing that "these tenders coincided with the approval of the construction of 3426 housing units in the area E1, where the Israeli Regional Planning and Construction Committee in West Bank approved two projects a few days ago, the first includes building of 2176 housing units on an area of 1250 dunums, and the other includes building of 1,250 housing units on an area of 935 dunums.
He added that the two projects are out of six settlement projects planned to build 3682 new housing units in the E1 area, in addition to the construction of an industrial zone, and other infrastructure projects.
It is noted that the project will link the settlement of "Ma'ale Adumim" which the Israeli Housing Ministry decided to expand, directly with Jerusalem, where it will divide the West Bank into two parts.
Ahmad Sob-Laban, a Palestinian researcher specializing in Israeli settlement affairs, issued a press release revealing that "these tenders coincided with the approval of the construction of 3426 housing units in the area E1, where the Israeli Regional Planning and Construction Committee in West Bank approved two projects a few days ago, the first includes building of 2176 housing units on an area of 1250 dunums, and the other includes building of 1,250 housing units on an area of 935 dunums.
He added that the two projects are out of six settlement projects planned to build 3682 new housing units in the E1 area, in addition to the construction of an industrial zone, and other infrastructure projects.
It is noted that the project will link the settlement of "Ma'ale Adumim" which the Israeli Housing Ministry decided to expand, directly with Jerusalem, where it will divide the West Bank into two parts.
11 dec 2012
Radwan warns against provoking Muslims by storming al-Aqsa
The Minister of Awqaf and Religious Affairs in Gaza, Ismail Radwan, denounced the storming of al-Aqsa mosque by a large number of Israeli settlers on Monday from the Mughrabi Gate, accompanied by Israeli special police units.
Radwan said in a written statement that the attack on the Al-Aqsa Mosque came within the Israeli Judaization policy in Jerusalem as a prelude to the division of al-Aqsa mosque between Jewish and Muslims.
He added that "storming al-Aqsa mosque is a direct provocation to the Arab and Islamic nation and the Palestinian people and it is a clear attack on the holy sites and freedom of belief and religion," warning the occupation of "the consequences of continuing this aggression and provocation of the Islamic nation", holding the occupation responsible for desecrating al-Aqsa mosque.
Radwan called on the Palestinian people to defend Al-Aqsa Mosque, also called on the Arab and Islamic nations, the Arab Spring countries, the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and international human rights organizations to stop the ongoing aggression on Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Palestinian people.
Radwan said in a written statement that the attack on the Al-Aqsa Mosque came within the Israeli Judaization policy in Jerusalem as a prelude to the division of al-Aqsa mosque between Jewish and Muslims.
He added that "storming al-Aqsa mosque is a direct provocation to the Arab and Islamic nation and the Palestinian people and it is a clear attack on the holy sites and freedom of belief and religion," warning the occupation of "the consequences of continuing this aggression and provocation of the Islamic nation", holding the occupation responsible for desecrating al-Aqsa mosque.
Radwan called on the Palestinian people to defend Al-Aqsa Mosque, also called on the Arab and Islamic nations, the Arab Spring countries, the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and international human rights organizations to stop the ongoing aggression on Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Palestinian people.
10 dec 2012
Jewish settlers storm Aqsa mosque
A big number of Jewish settlers entered the holy Aqsa mosque on Monday morning under heavy police escort.
Eyewitnesses inside the holy site told the PIC reporter that special police units protected the settlers during their stroll in the mosque.
They said that the settlers toured the mosque’s various plazas, utilities, and historical wall near the Marwani mosque.
The witnesses noted that the storming coincided with the presence of a big number of schoolchildren from various schools in Jerusalem.
Eyewitnesses inside the holy site told the PIC reporter that special police units protected the settlers during their stroll in the mosque.
They said that the settlers toured the mosque’s various plazas, utilities, and historical wall near the Marwani mosque.
The witnesses noted that the storming coincided with the presence of a big number of schoolchildren from various schools in Jerusalem.
NPCJ warns of Israeli intent to separate east J'lem from its environs
The national popular conference for Jerusalem (NPCJ) warned of Israeli diligent attempts to completely separate the eastern part of occupied Jerusalem from the rest of the city and the West Bank.
Younis Amory, deputy executive manager of the conference, told a news conference on Sunday that this Israeli scheme is part of a wider plan called the settlement belt of greater Jerusalem or E-1.
Amory explained that Israel intends to isolate east Jerusalem from its suburbs and establish an internal belt around the Palestinian lands extending between Ma'ale Adumim settlement, Abu Dis town and Hazma village.
He expressed his belief that this Israel scheme is aimed at killing the possibility for a Palestinian state with a capital in Jerusalem through entirely isolating the eastern part of the holy city from the West Bank.
The official also pointed out that the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) started to carry out its diggings beneath Silwan district to the south of the Aqsa Mosque to establish a network of tunnels extending to the tunnels under Al-Buraq wall area.
He added that the IOA would also initiate its restoration projects which it had declared recently in order to Judaize the Arab historical features and landmarks of east Jerusalem.
Amory affirmed that these plans were referred to the Israeli municipal planning and construction committee in Jerusalem for approval, warning that there are only a few Israeli steps before the whole Jerusalem become a Jewish city.
Younis Amory, deputy executive manager of the conference, told a news conference on Sunday that this Israeli scheme is part of a wider plan called the settlement belt of greater Jerusalem or E-1.
Amory explained that Israel intends to isolate east Jerusalem from its suburbs and establish an internal belt around the Palestinian lands extending between Ma'ale Adumim settlement, Abu Dis town and Hazma village.
He expressed his belief that this Israel scheme is aimed at killing the possibility for a Palestinian state with a capital in Jerusalem through entirely isolating the eastern part of the holy city from the West Bank.
The official also pointed out that the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) started to carry out its diggings beneath Silwan district to the south of the Aqsa Mosque to establish a network of tunnels extending to the tunnels under Al-Buraq wall area.
He added that the IOA would also initiate its restoration projects which it had declared recently in order to Judaize the Arab historical features and landmarks of east Jerusalem.
Amory affirmed that these plans were referred to the Israeli municipal planning and construction committee in Jerusalem for approval, warning that there are only a few Israeli steps before the whole Jerusalem become a Jewish city.
6 dec 2012
IOA approves the most serious settlement project in Jerusalem
Al-Aqsa Foundation for endowment and heritage stated in a statement on Wednesday evening that the occupation began to review the final steps of its dangerous schemes to Judaize Jerusalem's Old City, especially those adjacent to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and specifically al-Buraq Wall.
The Foundation warned in its statement that the occupation will start a wide campaign of fundamental changes to the Islamic and Christian buildings and monuments in the Old City of occupied Jerusalem. The Israeli plans also aim to establish new buildings, notably the al-Buraq area.
Al-Aqsa Foundation warned against this scheme "which would have serious consequences on Al-Aqsa Mosque and the entire Old City of Jerusalem," calling on all Arab, Islamic, and Palestinian concerned parties to move to thwart this plan.
The foundation stated that the so-called District Committee for Planning and Construction of the Jerusalem Municipality and the so-called "Jerusalem Development Authority" discussed on Wednesday evening in a special session the new map of the old town in Jerusalem, which would have serious consequences in the old City of Jerusalem.
It noted that the mentioned map is the newest and widest Israeli scheme since 1977, which aims to change al-Buraq Square which is originally a part of the Magaribi Quarter, destroyed by the occupation in 1967.
Meanwhile, Israeli sources confirmed that the so-called Civil Administration approved the establishment of more than 3000 new housing units in the area between Jabal al-Masharif and the settlement of "Ma'ale Adumim" established on the eastern part of the holy city, explaining that the plan will be presented to the public within 60 days.
The occupation authorities have approved settlement schemes in Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank recently following the UN vote upgrading Palestine to a "non-member observer state, in spite that the settlement projects did not stop during the past years but it has increased in 2012.
The Foundation warned in its statement that the occupation will start a wide campaign of fundamental changes to the Islamic and Christian buildings and monuments in the Old City of occupied Jerusalem. The Israeli plans also aim to establish new buildings, notably the al-Buraq area.
Al-Aqsa Foundation warned against this scheme "which would have serious consequences on Al-Aqsa Mosque and the entire Old City of Jerusalem," calling on all Arab, Islamic, and Palestinian concerned parties to move to thwart this plan.
The foundation stated that the so-called District Committee for Planning and Construction of the Jerusalem Municipality and the so-called "Jerusalem Development Authority" discussed on Wednesday evening in a special session the new map of the old town in Jerusalem, which would have serious consequences in the old City of Jerusalem.
It noted that the mentioned map is the newest and widest Israeli scheme since 1977, which aims to change al-Buraq Square which is originally a part of the Magaribi Quarter, destroyed by the occupation in 1967.
Meanwhile, Israeli sources confirmed that the so-called Civil Administration approved the establishment of more than 3000 new housing units in the area between Jabal al-Masharif and the settlement of "Ma'ale Adumim" established on the eastern part of the holy city, explaining that the plan will be presented to the public within 60 days.
The occupation authorities have approved settlement schemes in Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank recently following the UN vote upgrading Palestine to a "non-member observer state, in spite that the settlement projects did not stop during the past years but it has increased in 2012.
4 dec 2012
IOA razes Mosque of Maphqara hamlet once again
The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) demolished at dawn Tuesday the mosque of the impoverished Maphqara hamlet to the east of Yatta town, southeast of Al-Khalil city.
The villagers reported that Israeli policemen stormed their hamlet with a bulldozer and knocked down the Mosque for the second time in a year.
The IOA had bulldozed the Mosque along with its contents of furniture and Quran books on November 24, 2011 in a bid to force the natives to leave their village, but they challenged the Israeli attempt to displace them and rebuilt the Mosque.
Maphqara hamlet and similar Palestinian small communities of Yatta town are deprived of any development projects and exposed to ethnic cleansing by Israel and its authorities in order to force their natives to leave their homes and lands and later annex them to nearby illegal settlements.
The IOA and its extremist Jewish settlers always use violence to prevent the natives of these hamlets from cultivating their fields, and destroy their homes, water wells and livestock stores.
In a separate incident, the IOA on Monday handed the natives of Susiya hamlet near Yatta town written warnings of its intention to demolish a European-built kindergarten and two houses.
Coordinator of the popular committee against settlement in Yatta Rateb Jabour said that 25 Palestinian children study in this kindergarten that was established by a European organization.
Israeli minister Ehud Barak issued orders to raze the homes and structures of Susiya hamlet and other residential areas near Yatta town at the pretext of turning them into a closed military zone.
The villagers reported that Israeli policemen stormed their hamlet with a bulldozer and knocked down the Mosque for the second time in a year.
The IOA had bulldozed the Mosque along with its contents of furniture and Quran books on November 24, 2011 in a bid to force the natives to leave their village, but they challenged the Israeli attempt to displace them and rebuilt the Mosque.
Maphqara hamlet and similar Palestinian small communities of Yatta town are deprived of any development projects and exposed to ethnic cleansing by Israel and its authorities in order to force their natives to leave their homes and lands and later annex them to nearby illegal settlements.
The IOA and its extremist Jewish settlers always use violence to prevent the natives of these hamlets from cultivating their fields, and destroy their homes, water wells and livestock stores.
In a separate incident, the IOA on Monday handed the natives of Susiya hamlet near Yatta town written warnings of its intention to demolish a European-built kindergarten and two houses.
Coordinator of the popular committee against settlement in Yatta Rateb Jabour said that 25 Palestinian children study in this kindergarten that was established by a European organization.
Israeli minister Ehud Barak issued orders to raze the homes and structures of Susiya hamlet and other residential areas near Yatta town at the pretext of turning them into a closed military zone.
Israel Approves New Plan to Construct 3600 More Housing Units in East Jerusalem
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, approved Monday evening a new plan to construct 3600 new housing units in East Jerusalem, raising the number of Israeli settlement units after the Palestinian UN recognized the state of Palestine to 6600.
The Israeli government approved to construct 3600 new housing units distributed on three areas: 1600 new housing units in Jewish neighbourhood Ramat Shlomo, 1000 units in Givat Ze'ev, and another 1000 housing units in Beit Safafa.
Despite an international condemnation of Israeli settlement, the Jerusalem District Planning and Building Committee will hold a meeting today in Ramat Shlomo to discuss the new plan to expand settlement in East Jerusalem claiming that this plan was approved two years ago, in March 2010.
Israel's Channel 7 revealed that this plan have caused a massive objections on the international level, as the plan was approved during a visit by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden. The approval sparked an unprecedented diplomatic crisis between Washington and Jerusalem, as a result of which the plan, along with additional construction projects in East Jerusalem, was suspended.
Hagit Ofran of Israel's Peace Now movement, criticized the Israeli decisions and said, "The government is doing its best to avoid the two-state solution."
The Israeli government approved to construct 3600 new housing units distributed on three areas: 1600 new housing units in Jewish neighbourhood Ramat Shlomo, 1000 units in Givat Ze'ev, and another 1000 housing units in Beit Safafa.
Despite an international condemnation of Israeli settlement, the Jerusalem District Planning and Building Committee will hold a meeting today in Ramat Shlomo to discuss the new plan to expand settlement in East Jerusalem claiming that this plan was approved two years ago, in March 2010.
Israel's Channel 7 revealed that this plan have caused a massive objections on the international level, as the plan was approved during a visit by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden. The approval sparked an unprecedented diplomatic crisis between Washington and Jerusalem, as a result of which the plan, along with additional construction projects in East Jerusalem, was suspended.
Hagit Ofran of Israel's Peace Now movement, criticized the Israeli decisions and said, "The government is doing its best to avoid the two-state solution."
MP Abu Teir: Israel works day and night to Judaize O. Jerusalem
Palestinian lawmaker Mohamed Abu Teir said the Israeli occupation regime and its municipal council in occupied Jerusalem work day and night on Judaizing the Arab and Islamic identity and monuments of the holy city.
In a press statement to Quds Press, MP Abu Teir, one of the Jerusalemite lawmakers exiled to Ramallah city, added that the Israeli regime is tirelessly working on falsifying the history of Jerusalem in order to serve its Judaization projects and fictitious ideas and claim it has a right to the land and holy sites.
"Despite all these variables and Zionist measures, the Arabs and the Muslims are in their deep sleep not lifting a finger to stop any of these Judaization schemes and projects," the lawmaker censured.
"Jerusalem with its holy sites and its history is not only Palestinian, but it is an Arab and Islamic city as well, and no one is absolved from protecting it because it is common responsibility that should drive everyone to guard it against fraud and Judaization campaigns that target its history and its Arab and Islamic genuineness," he emphasized.
He also urged the Arab and Muslim countries to assume their responsibilities in this regard and take action against Israel's violations in Jerusalem.
In a press statement to Quds Press, MP Abu Teir, one of the Jerusalemite lawmakers exiled to Ramallah city, added that the Israeli regime is tirelessly working on falsifying the history of Jerusalem in order to serve its Judaization projects and fictitious ideas and claim it has a right to the land and holy sites.
"Despite all these variables and Zionist measures, the Arabs and the Muslims are in their deep sleep not lifting a finger to stop any of these Judaization schemes and projects," the lawmaker censured.
"Jerusalem with its holy sites and its history is not only Palestinian, but it is an Arab and Islamic city as well, and no one is absolved from protecting it because it is common responsibility that should drive everyone to guard it against fraud and Judaization campaigns that target its history and its Arab and Islamic genuineness," he emphasized.
He also urged the Arab and Muslim countries to assume their responsibilities in this regard and take action against Israel's violations in Jerusalem.
3 dec 2012
Occupation begins digging tunnel at the entrance of Silwan southern al-Aqsa
The Information Center of Wadi Hilweh revealed that the occupation authorities have begun digging a tunnel connecting the Israeli outpost of "Ir David" and the Square of Wadi Hilweh neighborhood, at the entrance to the town of Silwan, south of Al Aqsa Mosque.
According to the Center, the Jerusalem Development Company "Moriah" has distributed a flyer in Wadi Hilweh neighborhood, regarding the arrangements for the traffic movement in the area because of the excavations carried out by the occupation authorities.
It stated that "according to the map attached to the bulletin, the excavation work are concentrated in the Wadi Hilweh's main street in order to build a tunnel for pedestrians, only for settlers and tourists, and which will be linking the Ir David settlement outpost, built on the territory of the town of Silwan, with the Square of Wadi Hilweh neighborhood."
The Centre added in a press statement on Monday that the excavations, conducted by Moriah Company in collaboration with the Jerusalem Municipality, the Israeli police and the Antiquities Authority, will be launched in a few days and will finish in two months
The statement rejected the occupation's allegation describing the project as "evolutionary", stressing that "it is, in the first place, a settlement judaizing project, and would cause serious damage to the residents of Wadi Hilweh, as they will be affected by the closure of the main street of the neighborhood.
For his part, the Minister of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, Dr. Ismail Radwan, denounced the occupation procedure, in a press release on Monday.
The Minister said that this new tunnel will only serve the settlers and tourists, and will impose restrictions on the residents of Silwan, who will be forced to use bypass roads due to the closure of the main street.
Radwan considered the continuation of the Israeli policy of Judaizing Jerusalem's historic landmarks as destruction of the historical Islamic monuments of Jerusalem, pointing out that this policy threatens the outbreak of religious wars for which only the Israeli entity will be responsible.
He also condemned the dangerous resolution of establishing 3 thousand new settlement units in the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem, holding Israel fully responsible for the consequences of such decisions.
Attoun: Jerusalem requires immediate support against Judaization
RAMALLAH, (PIC)-- MP for Jerusalem city, Ahmed Attoun, considered that the practices of the occupation in Jerusalem, including construction and expansion of settlements, opening offices in Muslim neighborhoods and the excavations, confirm the Israeli attempts to impose new facts to Judaize Jerusalem.
Attoun, the Jerusalem MP deported to the city of Ramallah, said in remarks to Quds Press agency that building new settlement units in "Maale Adumim" (the largest Jewish settlement in the West Bank) and in other settlements by the occupation and its government represent "a response to the Palestinians' success in obtaining the observer status at the United Nations."
He stated that Israel defies through its practices all UN and international resolutions, especially after giving Palestine the status of an observer state and considering what happened in the Palestinian land after 1967 as internationally illegal.
Attoun also urged the Arab and Muslim world to develop a plan to save what can be saved in the city of Jerusalem.
He warned that the delay in supporting Jerusalem "gives the occupation an opportunity to exercise and implement its plans, particularly the so-called Plan for 2020, from which the Israeli occupation seeks to change the demographic and geographic reality.
The Jerusalemite MP also confirmed the Palestinian people's trust in the Arab Spring countries to support the city of Jerusalem.
According to the Center, the Jerusalem Development Company "Moriah" has distributed a flyer in Wadi Hilweh neighborhood, regarding the arrangements for the traffic movement in the area because of the excavations carried out by the occupation authorities.
It stated that "according to the map attached to the bulletin, the excavation work are concentrated in the Wadi Hilweh's main street in order to build a tunnel for pedestrians, only for settlers and tourists, and which will be linking the Ir David settlement outpost, built on the territory of the town of Silwan, with the Square of Wadi Hilweh neighborhood."
The Centre added in a press statement on Monday that the excavations, conducted by Moriah Company in collaboration with the Jerusalem Municipality, the Israeli police and the Antiquities Authority, will be launched in a few days and will finish in two months
The statement rejected the occupation's allegation describing the project as "evolutionary", stressing that "it is, in the first place, a settlement judaizing project, and would cause serious damage to the residents of Wadi Hilweh, as they will be affected by the closure of the main street of the neighborhood.
For his part, the Minister of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, Dr. Ismail Radwan, denounced the occupation procedure, in a press release on Monday.
The Minister said that this new tunnel will only serve the settlers and tourists, and will impose restrictions on the residents of Silwan, who will be forced to use bypass roads due to the closure of the main street.
Radwan considered the continuation of the Israeli policy of Judaizing Jerusalem's historic landmarks as destruction of the historical Islamic monuments of Jerusalem, pointing out that this policy threatens the outbreak of religious wars for which only the Israeli entity will be responsible.
He also condemned the dangerous resolution of establishing 3 thousand new settlement units in the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem, holding Israel fully responsible for the consequences of such decisions.
Attoun: Jerusalem requires immediate support against Judaization
RAMALLAH, (PIC)-- MP for Jerusalem city, Ahmed Attoun, considered that the practices of the occupation in Jerusalem, including construction and expansion of settlements, opening offices in Muslim neighborhoods and the excavations, confirm the Israeli attempts to impose new facts to Judaize Jerusalem.
Attoun, the Jerusalem MP deported to the city of Ramallah, said in remarks to Quds Press agency that building new settlement units in "Maale Adumim" (the largest Jewish settlement in the West Bank) and in other settlements by the occupation and its government represent "a response to the Palestinians' success in obtaining the observer status at the United Nations."
He stated that Israel defies through its practices all UN and international resolutions, especially after giving Palestine the status of an observer state and considering what happened in the Palestinian land after 1967 as internationally illegal.
Attoun also urged the Arab and Muslim world to develop a plan to save what can be saved in the city of Jerusalem.
He warned that the delay in supporting Jerusalem "gives the occupation an opportunity to exercise and implement its plans, particularly the so-called Plan for 2020, from which the Israeli occupation seeks to change the demographic and geographic reality.
The Jerusalemite MP also confirmed the Palestinian people's trust in the Arab Spring countries to support the city of Jerusalem.
Israeli MP, settlers storm Aqsa mosque
An Israeli MP led a group of 25 Jewish settlers into the Aqsa courtyards in occupied Jerusalem on Monday and offered Talmudic rituals.
The Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage said in a press release that the MP for the Likud bloc Moshe Feiglin led the group under heavy security measures.
The Jerusalemite foundation pointed out that another group of Israeli soldiers in their uniform toured the Aqsa mosque at the same time.
The foundation warned of the growing fanatic Jewish calls for accelerating the construction of the alleged temple and for dividing the holy Aqsa mosque. It urged the Jerusalemites to remain on the alert in face of the increasing storming operations.
The Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage said in a press release that the MP for the Likud bloc Moshe Feiglin led the group under heavy security measures.
The Jerusalemite foundation pointed out that another group of Israeli soldiers in their uniform toured the Aqsa mosque at the same time.
The foundation warned of the growing fanatic Jewish calls for accelerating the construction of the alleged temple and for dividing the holy Aqsa mosque. It urged the Jerusalemites to remain on the alert in face of the increasing storming operations.
