5 may 2015
An Israeli court in Occupied Jerusalem issued a verdict on Tuesday permitting fanatic Israeli rabbi Yehuda Glick to return back to storming the Aqsa Mosque.
Hebrew sources revealed that the court allowed rabbi Glick storm the holy site on condition he does it only once a month and without without escorting cameras or electronic devices. The Israeli police will inform him 24 hours prior to the date.
The extremist Glick was injured by the Jerusalemite martyr Mutaza Hijazi for his repeated incursions into the Aqsa Mosque.
3 women detained at Aqsa, Jewish rightist allowed access
Israeli police assaulted and detained three Palestinian women from Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Tuesday, on the same day as an Israeli court granted permission to Jewish rightist Yehuda Glick to visit the compound once a month.
Witnesses told Ma'an that the three women were detained when a group of Jewish rightists entered the compound. Israeli police reportedly removed the veil from one woman's face and "dragged" her from the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound to the Chain Gate police station, while the two other women were detained while leaving the compound through the Hatta Gate.
The three detainees were identified as Dania Fadel, Fatena Hussein and Maali Siyam. Witnesses added that other Palestinian women were assaulted by Israeli police during the Jewish rightists' tour through the compound.
They also reportedly assaulted Al-Aqsa Mosque guards who attempted to prevent them from assaulting and detaining the women. An Israeli police spokesperson said that three women had been detained for "screaming and shouting 'Allahu Akbar'" and "disturbing the peace" during a group visit to the compound.
He said he did not know who the group were.The arrests came on the same day as the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court allowed Jewish right-wing activist Yehuda Glick to visit Al-Aqsa Mosque compound once a month, ending his barring from the site since August last year.
Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that Israeli police will be responsible for coordinating Glick's visits, which will take place "accompanied by one person who does not have a criminal past," and without a camera or telephone.
The right-wing Jewish activist came to prominence for leading groups of rightists into the mosque compound to worship, in contravention of an agreement between Israel and the Islamic endowment since 1967 that prohibits non-Muslim prayer in the compound.
Glick was barred from the compound in August last year after he attacked a 67-year-old Palestinian woman, Ziva Badarna.Afterwards, in October, the right-wing activist survived an assassination attempt when he was shot and critically injured by a Palestinian during an East Jerusalem rally near the compound.
Although he then declared that he would not be prevented from visiting the Al-Aqsa compound by anyone, an Israeli court upheld the ban on the basis that Glick’s presence was liable to cause disorderly conduct and constituted a danger to the public.
However, a judge on Tuesday said: "It hasn't been proven to me that this is a clear and present danger," Haaretz reported.
The third holiest site in Islam, the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound is also venerated as Judaism's most holy place as it sits where Jews believe the First and Second Temples once stood. Under the 1967 agreement between Israel and the Islamic endowment, the compound is limited to Muslim worship, while Jews can pray at the neighboring Western Wall, the last remnant of the Second Temple.
However, Israeli forces regularly escort Jewish visitors to Al-Aqsa, leading to anger among Muslim worshipers.
Hebrew sources revealed that the court allowed rabbi Glick storm the holy site on condition he does it only once a month and without without escorting cameras or electronic devices. The Israeli police will inform him 24 hours prior to the date.
The extremist Glick was injured by the Jerusalemite martyr Mutaza Hijazi for his repeated incursions into the Aqsa Mosque.
3 women detained at Aqsa, Jewish rightist allowed access
Israeli police assaulted and detained three Palestinian women from Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Tuesday, on the same day as an Israeli court granted permission to Jewish rightist Yehuda Glick to visit the compound once a month.
Witnesses told Ma'an that the three women were detained when a group of Jewish rightists entered the compound. Israeli police reportedly removed the veil from one woman's face and "dragged" her from the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound to the Chain Gate police station, while the two other women were detained while leaving the compound through the Hatta Gate.
The three detainees were identified as Dania Fadel, Fatena Hussein and Maali Siyam. Witnesses added that other Palestinian women were assaulted by Israeli police during the Jewish rightists' tour through the compound.
They also reportedly assaulted Al-Aqsa Mosque guards who attempted to prevent them from assaulting and detaining the women. An Israeli police spokesperson said that three women had been detained for "screaming and shouting 'Allahu Akbar'" and "disturbing the peace" during a group visit to the compound.
He said he did not know who the group were.The arrests came on the same day as the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court allowed Jewish right-wing activist Yehuda Glick to visit Al-Aqsa Mosque compound once a month, ending his barring from the site since August last year.
Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that Israeli police will be responsible for coordinating Glick's visits, which will take place "accompanied by one person who does not have a criminal past," and without a camera or telephone.
The right-wing Jewish activist came to prominence for leading groups of rightists into the mosque compound to worship, in contravention of an agreement between Israel and the Islamic endowment since 1967 that prohibits non-Muslim prayer in the compound.
Glick was barred from the compound in August last year after he attacked a 67-year-old Palestinian woman, Ziva Badarna.Afterwards, in October, the right-wing activist survived an assassination attempt when he was shot and critically injured by a Palestinian during an East Jerusalem rally near the compound.
Although he then declared that he would not be prevented from visiting the Al-Aqsa compound by anyone, an Israeli court upheld the ban on the basis that Glick’s presence was liable to cause disorderly conduct and constituted a danger to the public.
However, a judge on Tuesday said: "It hasn't been proven to me that this is a clear and present danger," Haaretz reported.
The third holiest site in Islam, the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound is also venerated as Judaism's most holy place as it sits where Jews believe the First and Second Temples once stood. Under the 1967 agreement between Israel and the Islamic endowment, the compound is limited to Muslim worship, while Jews can pray at the neighboring Western Wall, the last remnant of the Second Temple.
However, Israeli forces regularly escort Jewish visitors to Al-Aqsa, leading to anger among Muslim worshipers.
4 may 2015
Israeli forces have sealed the main entrance to the East Jerusalem neighborhood of al-Zaayyem, "locking up more than 6,000 Palestinians in a large prison," local residents say.
An iron gate set up by Israeli forces has been completely closed for ten days, head of al-Zaayyem local council Naim Sub Labantold Ma'an News Agency, on Monday.
Israeli forces first set up the gate near a military checkpoint at the main entrance to al-Zaayyem in late March, citing security concerns.
The soldiers have controlled the gate since then, Sub Laban said, opening and closing it whenever they want to restrict the movement of schoolchildren, businessmen and others who need to go in and out every day.
Sub Laban added that Israeli forces had opened the gate for several hours on Sunday afternoon, and again for two hours on Monday morning, but that otherwise the gate had been closed for ten days.
When the gate is closed, residents of the neighborhood, who have described the closure as "collective punishment" are forced to use an alternative route of dirt roads about five kilometers long.
When the gate was first set up, Israeli authorities claimed it would remain open all the time "except when there is a dangerous security situation," Sub Laban said.
Abu Mahmoud Shweiki, an ice cream distributor who sells to stores in al-Zaayyem, said that he now has to drive his truck over a long dirt road every day in order to load and unload his goods.
Schoolchildren also said that they have been forced to walk a long route along dirt roads in order to reach their schools every day.
An iron gate set up by Israeli forces has been completely closed for ten days, head of al-Zaayyem local council Naim Sub Labantold Ma'an News Agency, on Monday.
Israeli forces first set up the gate near a military checkpoint at the main entrance to al-Zaayyem in late March, citing security concerns.
The soldiers have controlled the gate since then, Sub Laban said, opening and closing it whenever they want to restrict the movement of schoolchildren, businessmen and others who need to go in and out every day.
Sub Laban added that Israeli forces had opened the gate for several hours on Sunday afternoon, and again for two hours on Monday morning, but that otherwise the gate had been closed for ten days.
When the gate is closed, residents of the neighborhood, who have described the closure as "collective punishment" are forced to use an alternative route of dirt roads about five kilometers long.
When the gate was first set up, Israeli authorities claimed it would remain open all the time "except when there is a dangerous security situation," Sub Laban said.
Abu Mahmoud Shweiki, an ice cream distributor who sells to stores in al-Zaayyem, said that he now has to drive his truck over a long dirt road every day in order to load and unload his goods.
Schoolchildren also said that they have been forced to walk a long route along dirt roads in order to reach their schools every day.
A unit of Israeli policemen has recently been seen in the vicinity of the Aqsa Mosque chasing Jerusalemite women and banning them from entering the holy site.
Salwa al-Ghazawi, a Jerusalemite woman and activist in defending the Aqsa Mosque from settlers' daily incursions, said that the policewomen chased a group of Jerusalemite women who were chanting Allahu Akbar confronting settlers who stormed the Mosque earlier.
“The Israeli policewomen grabbed us violently after reaching the Silsilah gate. They pushed us severely when we tried to go away,” she said.
Gazawi said the arrested women were taken to Qashaleh and Russian Compound investigation centers. Then, they were released in the evening to be brought to trials in the next day to be deported from the Aqsa Mosque for a period of 3-4 months.
A Jerusalemite woman called Sahar al-Natshah was exposed to a more savage attack by Israeli policewomen who attacked her on the roof of the Dome of the Rock during an incursion of Israeli MK Shuli Mualem into the Aqsa Mosque.
According to observers, recruiting Israeli policewomen to work in Occupied Jerusalem aims to intimidate the Jerusalemite women by beating them with batons, pushing them severely and removing their head covers.
Kidnapping Jerusalemite women from the vicinity of the Aqsa Mosque has been a seriously dangerous phenomenon. The Israeli police in Occupied Jerusalem daily arrest Palestinian women, detain their ID cards, and take pictures for them which prevents them from practicing their rights of worship.
Salwa al-Ghazawi, a Jerusalemite woman and activist in defending the Aqsa Mosque from settlers' daily incursions, said that the policewomen chased a group of Jerusalemite women who were chanting Allahu Akbar confronting settlers who stormed the Mosque earlier.
“The Israeli policewomen grabbed us violently after reaching the Silsilah gate. They pushed us severely when we tried to go away,” she said.
Gazawi said the arrested women were taken to Qashaleh and Russian Compound investigation centers. Then, they were released in the evening to be brought to trials in the next day to be deported from the Aqsa Mosque for a period of 3-4 months.
A Jerusalemite woman called Sahar al-Natshah was exposed to a more savage attack by Israeli policewomen who attacked her on the roof of the Dome of the Rock during an incursion of Israeli MK Shuli Mualem into the Aqsa Mosque.
According to observers, recruiting Israeli policewomen to work in Occupied Jerusalem aims to intimidate the Jerusalemite women by beating them with batons, pushing them severely and removing their head covers.
Kidnapping Jerusalemite women from the vicinity of the Aqsa Mosque has been a seriously dangerous phenomenon. The Israeli police in Occupied Jerusalem daily arrest Palestinian women, detain their ID cards, and take pictures for them which prevents them from practicing their rights of worship.
3 may 2015
Radical Jewish settlers stormed the Aqsa Mosque under tight security measures while Israeli policemen rounded up five Palestinians in Occupied Jerusalem on Sunday.
Eyewitnesses in Occupied Jerusalem revealed that 40 radical settlers stormed the plazas of the Aqsa Mosque under the protection of Israeli police and Special Forces. The Muslim worshippers confronted the settlers with chants of Allahu Akbar.
Two Israeli army soldiers provocatively toured the courtyards of the holy site, the eyewitnesses said.
1326 settlers in addition to 72 members of Israeli intelligence broke into the plazas of the Aqsa Mosque in April.
In a similar context, the Israeli policemen at dawn on Sunday rounded up five Palestinians after storming their houses in different locations in Occupied Jerusalem.
In a statement, the committee of prisoners’ families in East Jerusalem revealed that the Israeli forces stormed and wreaked havoc in a Palestinian house in Silwan town to the south of the Aqsa Mosque.
The forces assaulted the people in the house and arrested a Palestinian man and both of his sons who are 17 and 21 years old.
In Ras al-Amud neighborhood to the east of Occupied Jerusalem, the Israeli forces arrested a 17-year-old Palestinian after destroying the door of his house and ransacking the house.
The forces also rounded up a 24-year-old man after storming his home and assaulting his family members in Anata town in northeast Occupied Jerusalem.
Just in April, the Israeli forces arrested 114 Jerusalemites including 40 minors and 14 women.
Eyewitnesses in Occupied Jerusalem revealed that 40 radical settlers stormed the plazas of the Aqsa Mosque under the protection of Israeli police and Special Forces. The Muslim worshippers confronted the settlers with chants of Allahu Akbar.
Two Israeli army soldiers provocatively toured the courtyards of the holy site, the eyewitnesses said.
1326 settlers in addition to 72 members of Israeli intelligence broke into the plazas of the Aqsa Mosque in April.
In a similar context, the Israeli policemen at dawn on Sunday rounded up five Palestinians after storming their houses in different locations in Occupied Jerusalem.
In a statement, the committee of prisoners’ families in East Jerusalem revealed that the Israeli forces stormed and wreaked havoc in a Palestinian house in Silwan town to the south of the Aqsa Mosque.
The forces assaulted the people in the house and arrested a Palestinian man and both of his sons who are 17 and 21 years old.
In Ras al-Amud neighborhood to the east of Occupied Jerusalem, the Israeli forces arrested a 17-year-old Palestinian after destroying the door of his house and ransacking the house.
The forces also rounded up a 24-year-old man after storming his home and assaulting his family members in Anata town in northeast Occupied Jerusalem.
Just in April, the Israeli forces arrested 114 Jerusalemites including 40 minors and 14 women.
2 may 2015
40 extremist Jewish settlers stormed at noon on Saturday Qarqesh archeological village to the west of Salfit governorate in the occupied West Bank.
Eyewitnesses told PIC reporter that the settlers roamed and took photos in the village while a tourist guide was offering explanations on the history of the village and the area.
The researcher Khaled Maali said the settlers’ incursion is not the first as settlers previously arranged several tours to the village and its surrounding area.
The village dates pack to Roman times. It has historic caves, theatres, pools, and cemeteries, Maali said. He added that the factories of the Israeli nearby Ariel settlement are only dozens of meters far from the village. Maali warned of isolating the village by Ariel outpost’s structures just like what happened in Dair Samaan village in Salfit.
He also warned of changing the history of Qarqesh village as the settlers claim that it belongs to Jews who resided in Palestine in the ancient times.
Eyewitnesses told PIC reporter that the settlers roamed and took photos in the village while a tourist guide was offering explanations on the history of the village and the area.
The researcher Khaled Maali said the settlers’ incursion is not the first as settlers previously arranged several tours to the village and its surrounding area.
The village dates pack to Roman times. It has historic caves, theatres, pools, and cemeteries, Maali said. He added that the factories of the Israeli nearby Ariel settlement are only dozens of meters far from the village. Maali warned of isolating the village by Ariel outpost’s structures just like what happened in Dair Samaan village in Salfit.
He also warned of changing the history of Qarqesh village as the settlers claim that it belongs to Jews who resided in Palestine in the ancient times.
Israeli Police Forces have detained last month 21 Palestinian worshippers in al-Aqsa Mosque including 11 women and two minors, a Jerusalem monthly report revealed.
All the detainees were later released and prevented from having access to the Mosque for different periods of time up to six months, according to the sources.
The report pointed out that 34 Jerusalemites have been denied from entering the holy shrine in order to prevent any expected protests against settlers’ presence in al-Aqsa plazas. Ten women, two minors, and 15 youths were among them.
Guards of al-Aqsa and employees of the Islamic Endowment Department were also subjected to Israeli punitive measures and restrictions.
The report stated that 1326 Israeli settlers and 72 military officers stormed al-Aqsa Mosque during April in total provocation to the Palestinian worshippers stationed at the mosque’s gates.
All the detainees were later released and prevented from having access to the Mosque for different periods of time up to six months, according to the sources.
The report pointed out that 34 Jerusalemites have been denied from entering the holy shrine in order to prevent any expected protests against settlers’ presence in al-Aqsa plazas. Ten women, two minors, and 15 youths were among them.
Guards of al-Aqsa and employees of the Islamic Endowment Department were also subjected to Israeli punitive measures and restrictions.
The report stated that 1326 Israeli settlers and 72 military officers stormed al-Aqsa Mosque during April in total provocation to the Palestinian worshippers stationed at the mosque’s gates.
30 apr 2015
The Israeli occupation is pursuing a strategy of first-degree bloody terrorism against Palestinians in Occupied Jerusalem, Head of the Islamic Movement in the 1948 occupied territories, Sheikh Raed Salah, said in an exclusive interview with the PIC.
“The Israeli occupation has turned all tactics of oppression against our land, our homes, our holy sites, and, above all, our children in Occupied Jerusalem into legal pursuits,” he said.
“The Israeli occupation decriminalized field executions against our elderly civilians, our men, our women, and even our innocent children,” he added.
“In a nutshell the Israeli colonizers would like to force Jerusalemites to internalize a state of bitter isolation, to mislead them into believing that they have been left alone in their national liberation struggle; that everybody is turning their back on them,” he said.
Sheikh Salah warned of Israeli intents to build the alleged temple on the ruins of the Dome of the Rock as part of its Judaization schemes weaved against Muslims’ holy al-Aqsa Mosque.
“Israel’s greed has gone many steps further than the spatio-temporal division of the Mosque between Jews and Muslims . . . . But Muslim sit-inners, both male and female, shall forever stand on their guard to such sacrilegious attempts,” he vowed.
He raised alarm bells over the agony endured by Palestinian detainees at Israeli lock-ups, calling for the need to rally round them and stand up for their rights.
“Our prisoners, be them from the West Bank, Jerusalem or Gaza, are a source of pride for us. We shall work from dawn to sunset to release them from the bleak labyrinths of Israeli jails,” he pledged.
He expressed hope that the Palestinian Authority would adopt a discourse speaking up for Palestinian detainees as prisoners of war rather than convicts or lawbreakers as Israelis would claim.
Commenting on the current state of affairs in the 1948 occupied territories, Sheikh Salah said: “An Israeli preplanned bid is being devised to knock down our homes as part of a larger policy of ethnic cleansing aimed at forcing our people out of 1948 occupied Palestine and dampening our spirits.”
“But we are part and parcel of every single inch of Palestine and the Islamic world. We are just part of the land, of the homes, and of the holy sites; we are like a palm-tree forever rooted in its native soil, never deracinated from its mother land,” he said.
“The Israeli occupation has turned all tactics of oppression against our land, our homes, our holy sites, and, above all, our children in Occupied Jerusalem into legal pursuits,” he said.
“The Israeli occupation decriminalized field executions against our elderly civilians, our men, our women, and even our innocent children,” he added.
“In a nutshell the Israeli colonizers would like to force Jerusalemites to internalize a state of bitter isolation, to mislead them into believing that they have been left alone in their national liberation struggle; that everybody is turning their back on them,” he said.
Sheikh Salah warned of Israeli intents to build the alleged temple on the ruins of the Dome of the Rock as part of its Judaization schemes weaved against Muslims’ holy al-Aqsa Mosque.
“Israel’s greed has gone many steps further than the spatio-temporal division of the Mosque between Jews and Muslims . . . . But Muslim sit-inners, both male and female, shall forever stand on their guard to such sacrilegious attempts,” he vowed.
He raised alarm bells over the agony endured by Palestinian detainees at Israeli lock-ups, calling for the need to rally round them and stand up for their rights.
“Our prisoners, be them from the West Bank, Jerusalem or Gaza, are a source of pride for us. We shall work from dawn to sunset to release them from the bleak labyrinths of Israeli jails,” he pledged.
He expressed hope that the Palestinian Authority would adopt a discourse speaking up for Palestinian detainees as prisoners of war rather than convicts or lawbreakers as Israelis would claim.
Commenting on the current state of affairs in the 1948 occupied territories, Sheikh Salah said: “An Israeli preplanned bid is being devised to knock down our homes as part of a larger policy of ethnic cleansing aimed at forcing our people out of 1948 occupied Palestine and dampening our spirits.”
“But we are part and parcel of every single inch of Palestine and the Islamic world. We are just part of the land, of the homes, and of the holy sites; we are like a palm-tree forever rooted in its native soil, never deracinated from its mother land,” he said.
28 apr 2015
Jerusalem Affairs Advisor for the Palestinian Presidency, Ahmed Rwaidy, said Tuesday French companies have withdrawn from the Jerusalem cable-car Judaization project, which is largely located over Jerusalem’s Old City.
During their meeting with Rwaidy, representatives of the Palestinian-French Friendship Society affirmed that the French companies that earlier declared their involvement in the Judaization project have decided to forgo any further participation.
The delegates have also visited al-Aqsa Mosque and met with members of the Islamic Endowment Department and head of Endowment Council Sheikh Abdel Azim Salhab.
Rwaidy pointed out that efforts have been made in coordination with the Palestinian-French Friendship Society to sue the French companies that participated in the Jerusalem light rail project.
Such cases would help in raising awareness among the European public opinion about the need to boycott Israeli projects implemented in “East Jerusalem” as it violates the international law and European countries’ positions that consider East Jerusalem a part of the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel, the Palestinian official explained.
During their meeting with Rwaidy, representatives of the Palestinian-French Friendship Society affirmed that the French companies that earlier declared their involvement in the Judaization project have decided to forgo any further participation.
The delegates have also visited al-Aqsa Mosque and met with members of the Islamic Endowment Department and head of Endowment Council Sheikh Abdel Azim Salhab.
Rwaidy pointed out that efforts have been made in coordination with the Palestinian-French Friendship Society to sue the French companies that participated in the Jerusalem light rail project.
Such cases would help in raising awareness among the European public opinion about the need to boycott Israeli projects implemented in “East Jerusalem” as it violates the international law and European countries’ positions that consider East Jerusalem a part of the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel, the Palestinian official explained.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) afternoon Monday sealed off the main entrances to Jerusalem’s al-Issawiya and al-Tur neighborhoods with concrete roadblocks.
Local sources said the IOF troops stormed the eastern entrance to al-Issawiya and started fencing off the village with chunks of cement rocks as part of a preplanned policy of collective punishment executed against Palestinian civilians in Occupied Jerusalem.
The Israeli army claimed the roadblocks have been set up in response to the stones and Molotov cocktails hurled at Israeli buses and police cars.
The IOF further cordoned off the Salman al-Farisi Street, in Jerusalem’s town of al-Tur, with concrete blocks as part of intents to quell protests cropping up in the area.
Palestinian natives said clashes flared up in the town in protest at such Israeli schemes aimed at tightening the noose around Jerusalemites’ necks.
Local sources said the IOF troops stormed the eastern entrance to al-Issawiya and started fencing off the village with chunks of cement rocks as part of a preplanned policy of collective punishment executed against Palestinian civilians in Occupied Jerusalem.
The Israeli army claimed the roadblocks have been set up in response to the stones and Molotov cocktails hurled at Israeli buses and police cars.
The IOF further cordoned off the Salman al-Farisi Street, in Jerusalem’s town of al-Tur, with concrete blocks as part of intents to quell protests cropping up in the area.
Palestinian natives said clashes flared up in the town in protest at such Israeli schemes aimed at tightening the noose around Jerusalemites’ necks.
27 apr 2015
Israeli police allowed the arrangement of the annual flag dance march in the Islamic neighborhood in occupied East Jerusalem within the celebration of the so-called “Jerusalem Day”.
The Israeli police decision was made despite the events that occurred in last year’s march which witnessed racist chants and violence against Palestinians.
The Haaretz Hebrew newspaper revealed on Monday that the Israeli police enforces curfew for hours to secure the march in which settlers usually chant slogans such as “death to the Arabs” and “Mohammad died”.
The settlers also carry out provocative violent aggressive practices such as hitting the windows and doors of Palestinian houses and shops as well as breaking the locks of commercial shops.
Several human rights societies filed with the Israeli police a request to block the flag march and warned of dangerous violent events. The Israeli legal adviser in Jerusalem, however, endorsed the march under the pretext of freedom of expression.
For his part, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and Palestine Sheikh Mohammad Hussein warned of the consequences of this decision, saying “this march is another form of the religious war against Palestinians which is going to increase tension in the entire region”.
He said this goes in line with the Israeli extremism adopted by Israeli authorities which aims at taking over East Jerusalem along with its holy shrines.
In a similar context, Sheikh Hussein condemned the killing of Ali Abu Ghannam and Mahmoud Abu Jhaisheh in cold blood by Israeli policemen and soldiers.
He also called on the local and international institutions and authorities including the UNESCO to intervene to halt the Israeli increasing aggressive practices against the Palestinian people and holy sites.
The Israeli police decision was made despite the events that occurred in last year’s march which witnessed racist chants and violence against Palestinians.
The Haaretz Hebrew newspaper revealed on Monday that the Israeli police enforces curfew for hours to secure the march in which settlers usually chant slogans such as “death to the Arabs” and “Mohammad died”.
The settlers also carry out provocative violent aggressive practices such as hitting the windows and doors of Palestinian houses and shops as well as breaking the locks of commercial shops.
Several human rights societies filed with the Israeli police a request to block the flag march and warned of dangerous violent events. The Israeli legal adviser in Jerusalem, however, endorsed the march under the pretext of freedom of expression.
For his part, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and Palestine Sheikh Mohammad Hussein warned of the consequences of this decision, saying “this march is another form of the religious war against Palestinians which is going to increase tension in the entire region”.
He said this goes in line with the Israeli extremism adopted by Israeli authorities which aims at taking over East Jerusalem along with its holy shrines.
In a similar context, Sheikh Hussein condemned the killing of Ali Abu Ghannam and Mahmoud Abu Jhaisheh in cold blood by Israeli policemen and soldiers.
He also called on the local and international institutions and authorities including the UNESCO to intervene to halt the Israeli increasing aggressive practices against the Palestinian people and holy sites.
The 10-year-old Hadil al-Rajabi was prevented by the Israeli soldiers from visiting the place she loves the most; al-Aqsa Mosque.
The child burst into tears reflecting the unjust deprivation the Jerusalemites are suffering from at the entrances of their Mosque.
On Sunday morning, Hadil was barred from entering al-Aqsa Mosque from al-Silsila gate without any reason and in spite of her repeated attempts to enter the Mosque from the other gates, the answer was the same: "banned from entering al-Aqsa".
Hadil, drenching with tears, told QPress: "The Israeli policeman told me that if I try to enter the mosque he will beat me", and when the 10-year-old tried to enter the Mosque against the soldier's will, he violently pushed her without the slightest regard for her childhood.
Sana' al-Ragabi, Hadil's mother, is prevented from having access to al-Aqsa Mosque for 15 days.
Sana' has been unjustifiably deported away from al-Aqsa many times before.
The determined child, undeterred by the Israeli threats and arrogance, could finally sneak into the Mosque without attracting the attention of the Israeli policemen stationed at the gates of al-Aqsa.
Hadil, whose heart is filled with love for al-Aqsa, lives close to it and never leaves its plazas after school and during holidays.
The child burst into tears reflecting the unjust deprivation the Jerusalemites are suffering from at the entrances of their Mosque.
On Sunday morning, Hadil was barred from entering al-Aqsa Mosque from al-Silsila gate without any reason and in spite of her repeated attempts to enter the Mosque from the other gates, the answer was the same: "banned from entering al-Aqsa".
Hadil, drenching with tears, told QPress: "The Israeli policeman told me that if I try to enter the mosque he will beat me", and when the 10-year-old tried to enter the Mosque against the soldier's will, he violently pushed her without the slightest regard for her childhood.
Sana' al-Ragabi, Hadil's mother, is prevented from having access to al-Aqsa Mosque for 15 days.
Sana' has been unjustifiably deported away from al-Aqsa many times before.
The determined child, undeterred by the Israeli threats and arrogance, could finally sneak into the Mosque without attracting the attention of the Israeli policemen stationed at the gates of al-Aqsa.
Hadil, whose heart is filled with love for al-Aqsa, lives close to it and never leaves its plazas after school and during holidays.
26 apr 2015
Jewish extremist groups stormed on Sunday the plazas of the Aqsa Mosque from the Magharebah gate under tight security measures by heavily armed Israeli police and Special Forces.
In press statements, one of the Mosque’s guards said 18 settlers provocatively stormed the plazas of the Aqsa Mosque and tried to tour its courtyards but the Muslim worshipers confronted them.
The Israeli policemen stationed at the various gates of the Mosque tightened the security measures against the Palestinian worshipers especially the Jerusalemites who enter the Mosque.
The repeated incursions of settlers into the Mosque amid Israeli police protection are seen as attempts to take control over the holy site.
A state of Israeli military alert prevailed in Occupied Jerusalem as Special Forces were deployed around the city to guard against any confrontations that may erupt especially in the wake of killing a Palestinian minor at one of Israeli checkpoints at dawn Saturday.
In a similar context, an Israeli court decided on Sunday to bar three Palestinian women from entering the Aqsa Mosque for 45 days.
Media sources revealed that the Israeli court imposed fines estimated at 500 shekels in addition to a third party bail estimated at 5000 shekels.
The Israeli policemen rounded up the three women on Thursday in the Aqsa Mosque. They were released in the evening on the condition to attend a trial on Sunday morning.
In press statements, one of the Mosque’s guards said 18 settlers provocatively stormed the plazas of the Aqsa Mosque and tried to tour its courtyards but the Muslim worshipers confronted them.
The Israeli policemen stationed at the various gates of the Mosque tightened the security measures against the Palestinian worshipers especially the Jerusalemites who enter the Mosque.
The repeated incursions of settlers into the Mosque amid Israeli police protection are seen as attempts to take control over the holy site.
A state of Israeli military alert prevailed in Occupied Jerusalem as Special Forces were deployed around the city to guard against any confrontations that may erupt especially in the wake of killing a Palestinian minor at one of Israeli checkpoints at dawn Saturday.
In a similar context, an Israeli court decided on Sunday to bar three Palestinian women from entering the Aqsa Mosque for 45 days.
Media sources revealed that the Israeli court imposed fines estimated at 500 shekels in addition to a third party bail estimated at 5000 shekels.
The Israeli policemen rounded up the three women on Thursday in the Aqsa Mosque. They were released in the evening on the condition to attend a trial on Sunday morning.
25 apr 2015
Al-Aqsa preacher Sheikh Ismail Nawahda stated in his Friday sermon that Jerusalem is and will always remain Islamic despite all Israeli Judaization attempts.
The holy city is a symbol of Muslims’ pride and glory, he said, calling for protecting the city. "We will never give it up as it is a part of our Islamic creed," he added.
“The people of Jerusalem will always remain in defense of the city till the Judgment Day.”
Al-Aqsa preacher strongly condemned the Israeli attempts to wipe out the city’s Arab and Islamic character, and the Israeli systematic targeting of Palestinian worshipers who are daily stationed at the Aqsa Mosque’s plazas.
Sheikh Ismail Nawahda considered the Israeli Absentee Property Law in occupied Jerusalem a serious precedent that threatens the Palestinians’ properties and rights.
Meanwhile, Israeli authorities released Friday afternoon three Palestinians from Kabul and Sakhnin in 48 occupied territories after being prevented access into al-Aqsa Mosque for 10 days, in addition to imposing a fine of 500 shekels on each one of them.
The three released detainees were detained inside al-Aqsa Mosque for defending Jerusalemite female worshipers from Israeli settlers’ attack while leaving Silsla gate.
"I was subjected to a brutal attack along with another young man at the hands of Israeli policemen in Beit Yahu detention center near Silsla gate," one of the released detainees said.
On the other hand, three Palestinian women are expected to be brought to trial on Sunday after being detained Thursday evening for protesting settlers’ break-in into al-Aqsa Mosque.
The three women were released late Thursday on condition of being brought to court on Sunday.
The holy city is a symbol of Muslims’ pride and glory, he said, calling for protecting the city. "We will never give it up as it is a part of our Islamic creed," he added.
“The people of Jerusalem will always remain in defense of the city till the Judgment Day.”
Al-Aqsa preacher strongly condemned the Israeli attempts to wipe out the city’s Arab and Islamic character, and the Israeli systematic targeting of Palestinian worshipers who are daily stationed at the Aqsa Mosque’s plazas.
Sheikh Ismail Nawahda considered the Israeli Absentee Property Law in occupied Jerusalem a serious precedent that threatens the Palestinians’ properties and rights.
Meanwhile, Israeli authorities released Friday afternoon three Palestinians from Kabul and Sakhnin in 48 occupied territories after being prevented access into al-Aqsa Mosque for 10 days, in addition to imposing a fine of 500 shekels on each one of them.
The three released detainees were detained inside al-Aqsa Mosque for defending Jerusalemite female worshipers from Israeli settlers’ attack while leaving Silsla gate.
"I was subjected to a brutal attack along with another young man at the hands of Israeli policemen in Beit Yahu detention center near Silsla gate," one of the released detainees said.
On the other hand, three Palestinian women are expected to be brought to trial on Sunday after being detained Thursday evening for protesting settlers’ break-in into al-Aqsa Mosque.
The three women were released late Thursday on condition of being brought to court on Sunday.
24 apr 2015
The Civic Coalition for Palestinian Rights in Jerusalem (CCPRJ) on Thursday slammed Israel’s so-called Absentee Property Law, applicable on the Palestinian citizens who live in the West Bank and have properties of their own in Occupied Jerusalem.
Speaking in a press conference held to discuss Israel’s endorsement of the Absentee Property Law, member of the CCPRJ, Zakaria Awda, said such procedures make part of Israel’s policy of escalation perpetrated against Palestinians wherever they are.
He said the Absentee Property legislation is one of the most dangerous laws passed by Israel in the early 1950’s to grab hold over more lands previously owned by Palestinians who were forcibly deported from their own lands following the Nakba of the 1948.
He warned of the ongoing misappropriation of Palestinian real estates by the Custodian of Absentee Property since the occupation of Jerusalem city.
For his part, lawyer Osama al-Halabi said as he has kept tabs on the violations committed by the Israeli occupation in Jerusalem and the West Bank, the Absentee Property Law is only one drop in the ocean of an Israeli system of laws enacted since the early years of its creation on usurped Palestine.
Lawyer Mohaned Jbara, meanwhile, said the implementation of the Absentee Property decree represents a real dilemma and a flagrant violation of the International Law.
Speaking in a press conference held to discuss Israel’s endorsement of the Absentee Property Law, member of the CCPRJ, Zakaria Awda, said such procedures make part of Israel’s policy of escalation perpetrated against Palestinians wherever they are.
He said the Absentee Property legislation is one of the most dangerous laws passed by Israel in the early 1950’s to grab hold over more lands previously owned by Palestinians who were forcibly deported from their own lands following the Nakba of the 1948.
He warned of the ongoing misappropriation of Palestinian real estates by the Custodian of Absentee Property since the occupation of Jerusalem city.
For his part, lawyer Osama al-Halabi said as he has kept tabs on the violations committed by the Israeli occupation in Jerusalem and the West Bank, the Absentee Property Law is only one drop in the ocean of an Israeli system of laws enacted since the early years of its creation on usurped Palestine.
Lawyer Mohaned Jbara, meanwhile, said the implementation of the Absentee Property decree represents a real dilemma and a flagrant violation of the International Law.
The Israeli Authorities canceled entry permits of the 200 Palestinian, from the besieged Gaza Strip, who were previously allowed to enter Jerusalem for Friday prayers in the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
General Yoav Mordechai, coordinator of the Israeli Government Activities in the occupied territories, said Israel decided to deny access to the 200 worshipers who obtained special permits to head to the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Mordechai added that the Israeli measure comes in retaliation to the shell that was fired, late on Thursday at night, from Beit Hanoun, in northern Gaza, into an Israeli area across the border.
He stated that the Erez Terminal would also be closed due to what he called “escalation, and dangerous situation close to the border with Gaza.
Israeli military sources said one missile was fired from Gaza into the Merhavim Regional Council in the Negev, causing no casualties.
Following the attack, the Israeli army boarded targets run by the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas in Gaza, and fired rounds of live ammunition into the Gaza shore.
The Israeli army said, although Hamas was not responsible for firing the shell, it is to be held responsible for any escalation in the coastal region.
A senior Israeli security source said a Salafist group, not under the control of Hamas, is behind the attack, and that “should Hamas fail to maintain calm; it will end up paying the price.”
General Yoav Mordechai, coordinator of the Israeli Government Activities in the occupied territories, said Israel decided to deny access to the 200 worshipers who obtained special permits to head to the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Mordechai added that the Israeli measure comes in retaliation to the shell that was fired, late on Thursday at night, from Beit Hanoun, in northern Gaza, into an Israeli area across the border.
He stated that the Erez Terminal would also be closed due to what he called “escalation, and dangerous situation close to the border with Gaza.
Israeli military sources said one missile was fired from Gaza into the Merhavim Regional Council in the Negev, causing no casualties.
Following the attack, the Israeli army boarded targets run by the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas in Gaza, and fired rounds of live ammunition into the Gaza shore.
The Israeli army said, although Hamas was not responsible for firing the shell, it is to be held responsible for any escalation in the coastal region.
A senior Israeli security source said a Salafist group, not under the control of Hamas, is behind the attack, and that “should Hamas fail to maintain calm; it will end up paying the price.”
