18 may 2015
Israeli Municipality distributed two demolition notices to raze two shops in Silwan town to the south of al-Aqsa Mosque on Monday.
Media sources revealed that the Israeli municipality stormed two neighborhoods in Silwan town, took pictures of a number of the houses and facilities threatened with confiscation and hanged two demolition notices on the walls of two shops.
Silwan town has been exposed to non-stop Israeli violations including confiscation and Judaization of Palestinian houses and properties for the interest of Jewish settlers.
Media sources revealed that the Israeli municipality stormed two neighborhoods in Silwan town, took pictures of a number of the houses and facilities threatened with confiscation and hanged two demolition notices on the walls of two shops.
Silwan town has been exposed to non-stop Israeli violations including confiscation and Judaization of Palestinian houses and properties for the interest of Jewish settlers.
The Israeli Police Forces attacked Monday morning two Jerusalemites including one of the employees of the Islamic Waqf Department in al-Aqsa mosque, while a third one was detained after being brutally assaulted.
The Islamic Waqf Department said that one of its employees was severely beaten near Rahma Gate when he intervened to protect a Jerusalemite female worshiper from Israeli soldiers’ attacks.
Earlier this morning, 52 settlers, 18 military officials, and 10 Israeli students broke into al-Aqsa Mosque via the Magaribeh Gate under heavy police protection.
In their turn, Palestinian worshipers started shouting 'Allah Akbar' in an attempt to prevent the settlers’ break-in into the holy shrine.
Along the same line, a Jerusalemite young man was detained at Asbat Gate and taken to unknown detention center after being severely beaten and assaulted at hands of Israeli forces.
The Islamic Waqf Department said that one of its employees was severely beaten near Rahma Gate when he intervened to protect a Jerusalemite female worshiper from Israeli soldiers’ attacks.
Earlier this morning, 52 settlers, 18 military officials, and 10 Israeli students broke into al-Aqsa Mosque via the Magaribeh Gate under heavy police protection.
In their turn, Palestinian worshipers started shouting 'Allah Akbar' in an attempt to prevent the settlers’ break-in into the holy shrine.
Along the same line, a Jerusalemite young man was detained at Asbat Gate and taken to unknown detention center after being severely beaten and assaulted at hands of Israeli forces.
|
|
Israeli soldiers and police officers used excessive force, on Sunday afternoon, against hundreds of Palestinians in occupied Jerusalem, as they marched to counter a provocative Israeli procession marking the so-called “Jerusalem Day,” wounding at least 29 Palestinians, and kidnapped five.
The Israeli extremists attacked many Palestinians, and conducted provocative acts against Jerusalemite Palestinians who were forced by the police to close their stores and shops in Jerusalem’s Old City. Palestinian sources in the Old City said hundreds of police officers and soldiers were deployed in the alleys, in addition to pushing the Palestinians away from Bab al-‘Amoud area, in an attempt to prevent them from marching to counter the Israeli procession. Mounted officers and Border Guard police officers also attacked dozens |
|
|
of Palestinian journalists, and tried to prevent them from documenting the incidents and the Israeli violations.
Eyewitnesses said dozens of Israeli fanatics were chanting “Death to Arabs,” as well as many other provocative slogans, while many also called for demolishing the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem in order “to rebuild the temple.” Meanwhile, the Palestinians marched carrying Palestinian flags while chanting for the liberation of Palestine, and called for ending the escalating Israeli violations against the residents and their holy sites, especially in occupied Jerusalem. It is worth mentioning that several Israeli left wing groups appealed the |
Israeli High Court to prevent the Israeli extremists from marching in Jerusalem’s Islamic Quarter, but the court denied the appeal.
In addition, clashes took place between the soldiers and local Palestinians in different Jerusalem neighborhoods and towns, especially in Silwan, south of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, in addition to the neighborhoods of Suwwana, Wadi Al-Jouz, at-Tour, and the al-‘Eesawiyya town, while the soldiers kidnapped at least one Palestinian in Silwan, and injured dozens.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Silwan (Silwanic) quoted the head of the Emergency Unit of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society in Jerusalem, Amin Abu Ghazala, stating that at least 29 residents were injured.
Abu Ghazala said at least seven of the wounded residents were hospitalized, and that two residents suffered fractures in their arms and legs, 22 received treatment by field medics, and at least one was severely beaten by the soldiers with their guns and batons.
The Jerusalem office of the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) said the soldiers kidnapped Amir al-Basheeti, Amir al-Karaki, Sharif al-Rajabi, ‘Obada Najeeb and Mohammad Abu Sneina.
It added that the soldiers detained dozens of Palestinians after assaulting them, and released them after taking their personal information, and told them the police will be contacting them in the coming few days.
In addition, clashes took place between the soldiers and local Palestinians in different Jerusalem neighborhoods and towns, especially in Silwan, south of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, in addition to the neighborhoods of Suwwana, Wadi Al-Jouz, at-Tour, and the al-‘Eesawiyya town, while the soldiers kidnapped at least one Palestinian in Silwan, and injured dozens.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Silwan (Silwanic) quoted the head of the Emergency Unit of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society in Jerusalem, Amin Abu Ghazala, stating that at least 29 residents were injured.
Abu Ghazala said at least seven of the wounded residents were hospitalized, and that two residents suffered fractures in their arms and legs, 22 received treatment by field medics, and at least one was severely beaten by the soldiers with their guns and batons.
The Jerusalem office of the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) said the soldiers kidnapped Amir al-Basheeti, Amir al-Karaki, Sharif al-Rajabi, ‘Obada Najeeb and Mohammad Abu Sneina.
It added that the soldiers detained dozens of Palestinians after assaulting them, and released them after taking their personal information, and told them the police will be contacting them in the coming few days.
|
|
Silwanic further stated that the police fired concussion grenades at the Palestinian protesters, and assaulted several Palestinians.
It said that, due to Israeli restrictions and extensive military deployment, the residents marched in separate different groups in Sultan Suleiman Street, al-Magharba Square and near the Suleiman Cave area, before the police attacked them, and chases dozens of Palestinians. Israeli Ynet News said dozens of Palestinian hurled stones and empty bottles at the police, and that one officer was injured, while one Palestinian was arrested allegedly for attacking an officer. Jerusalem Day marks the illegal occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967, and declaring it as the “eternal united capital of Israel.” |
17 may 2015
Erdan urges PM to stop talking of building, and actually build in the capital, while Bennett tells world: 'Jerusalem is our soul, and you don't divide a soul'.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday night that Israel's answer to terrorist attacks aimed at its citizens should be to continue construction in Jerusalem.
"We are determined to go after the terrorists and stand against those who wish to harm us as a fortified wall," Netanyahu said at the annual Jerusalem Day ceremony at the Mercaz HaRav yeshiva. "And we have another decisive answer: We keep building in Jerusalem all the time, developing it and paving new roads to it," he added.
"Jerusalem is our eternal united capital. It will never be divided again," Netanyahu vowed, describing the liberation and reunification of Jerusalem as a "drama on a Biblical scale."
"Our feet are standing within thy gates, O Jerusalem; Jerusalem, that art builded as a city that is compact together," the prime minister said, quoting from Psalms 122. "Compact together and will never be divided again," he added. He promised "to continue protecting Jerusalem. To develop Jerusalem of below, and draw strength from Jerusalem of above, from Torah studying and from all of the spiritual treasures of the people of Israel."
Netanyahu also quoted Rabbi Zvi Yehuda Kook, who was among the first to arrive at the Western Wall on the day of Jerusalem's liberation in 1967 and was asked to make a radio address to mark the historic occasion, saying, "We have arrived and returned home, and we will never leave here!"
"From the days of the Bible and until this very day, Jerusalem has been the basis of our existence... Jews throughout the generations prayed for 'Next Year in Jerusalem'. The Prophet Isaiah made his prophecies here in Jerusalem. There are some among our enemies who say we are a foreign element. Have you heard that?! The Prophet Isaiah and King David were here 3,000 years ago. They prophesized here, reigned here, fought here - until the days of the Maccabees and later. We are not a foreign element! This is our land, and this is our city! This is how it has been and this is how it will continue to be!" the prime minister said.
Education Minister Naftali Bennett also vowed to never allow Jerusalem to be divided again. "To those who sit abroad and think there's some piece of real estate that is negotiable, we say: Jerusalem is the soul of the land of Israel, and you don't divide a soul!" Earlier in the evening, Bennett attended the traditional Jerusalem Day march to the Western Wall that ended with a ceremony. "Soon, in our time, Jews would be able to go up and pray on the Temple Mount, because the Temple Mount is ours," he said at the ceremony.
Likud MK Gilad Erdan, who chose not to join the fourth Netanyahu government, was also at the ceremony at the Western Wall. "The City of David, the Mount of Olives, the Old City, the Temple Mount - they will all remain in our hands forever," Erdan said. He also had a message to Netanyahu: "We need to build in Jerusalem. Not talk about building in Jerusalem, but actually build. Building in Jerusalem should not be a response to an event or a terror attack, it should be routine."
He expressed concern of the changes to the demographic balance in Jerusalem in recent years, saying current construction was not enough to meet the needs of the city's development.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday night that Israel's answer to terrorist attacks aimed at its citizens should be to continue construction in Jerusalem.
"We are determined to go after the terrorists and stand against those who wish to harm us as a fortified wall," Netanyahu said at the annual Jerusalem Day ceremony at the Mercaz HaRav yeshiva. "And we have another decisive answer: We keep building in Jerusalem all the time, developing it and paving new roads to it," he added.
"Jerusalem is our eternal united capital. It will never be divided again," Netanyahu vowed, describing the liberation and reunification of Jerusalem as a "drama on a Biblical scale."
"Our feet are standing within thy gates, O Jerusalem; Jerusalem, that art builded as a city that is compact together," the prime minister said, quoting from Psalms 122. "Compact together and will never be divided again," he added. He promised "to continue protecting Jerusalem. To develop Jerusalem of below, and draw strength from Jerusalem of above, from Torah studying and from all of the spiritual treasures of the people of Israel."
Netanyahu also quoted Rabbi Zvi Yehuda Kook, who was among the first to arrive at the Western Wall on the day of Jerusalem's liberation in 1967 and was asked to make a radio address to mark the historic occasion, saying, "We have arrived and returned home, and we will never leave here!"
"From the days of the Bible and until this very day, Jerusalem has been the basis of our existence... Jews throughout the generations prayed for 'Next Year in Jerusalem'. The Prophet Isaiah made his prophecies here in Jerusalem. There are some among our enemies who say we are a foreign element. Have you heard that?! The Prophet Isaiah and King David were here 3,000 years ago. They prophesized here, reigned here, fought here - until the days of the Maccabees and later. We are not a foreign element! This is our land, and this is our city! This is how it has been and this is how it will continue to be!" the prime minister said.
Education Minister Naftali Bennett also vowed to never allow Jerusalem to be divided again. "To those who sit abroad and think there's some piece of real estate that is negotiable, we say: Jerusalem is the soul of the land of Israel, and you don't divide a soul!" Earlier in the evening, Bennett attended the traditional Jerusalem Day march to the Western Wall that ended with a ceremony. "Soon, in our time, Jews would be able to go up and pray on the Temple Mount, because the Temple Mount is ours," he said at the ceremony.
Likud MK Gilad Erdan, who chose not to join the fourth Netanyahu government, was also at the ceremony at the Western Wall. "The City of David, the Mount of Olives, the Old City, the Temple Mount - they will all remain in our hands forever," Erdan said. He also had a message to Netanyahu: "We need to build in Jerusalem. Not talk about building in Jerusalem, but actually build. Building in Jerusalem should not be a response to an event or a terror attack, it should be routine."
He expressed concern of the changes to the demographic balance in Jerusalem in recent years, saying current construction was not enough to meet the needs of the city's development.
Scores of Jewish settlers on Sunday morning desecrated the Aqsa Mosque's courtyards amid tight police protection and measures, which triggered angry reactions from the Muslim worshipers there.
According to local media sources, more than 30 settlers escorted by policemen forced their entry into the Aqsa Mosque coming from the Israeli-controlled Maghariba Gate, which prompted the Muslims in its courtyards to chant religious slogans in protest at their desecration of the Islamic holy place.
Recently, extremist Jewish groups have called on their followers to march en masse to the Mosque to celebrate what they call the Jerusalem reunification day.
Clashes at Damascus Gate ahead of Jerusalem Day celebrations
Dozens of Palestinians hurl stones and bottles at police, lightly wounding one officer; two Palestinians arrested on suspicion of assaulting an officer.
Dozens of Palestinians threw stones and bottles at police near the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City on Sunday afternoon, as thousands of people were marking Jerusalem Day with a march to the Western Wall.
A policeman was lightly wounded in the clashes when a stone hit his head. He did not require evacuation to hospital.
One Palestinian was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an officer.
Earlier, Palestinians hurled stones at a group of Jews who were in the area, and another Palestinian was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an officer.
Police forces were deployed to the Damascus Gate to secure the thousands of participants who are expected to arrive there for the annual Jerusalem Day Flag Dance, marking 48 years since the divided city was reunited in the 1967 Six-Day War. The march will leave from the city center and head towards the Damascus Gate, through the IDF Square, and from there to the Western Wall through the Muslim Quarter. The march will culminate at a ceremony at the Western Wall, attended by Bayit Yehudi's Naftali Bennett and Uri Ariel. The march, which includes dancing, singing and waving of Israeli flags, has been happening every year since 1968.
According to local media sources, more than 30 settlers escorted by policemen forced their entry into the Aqsa Mosque coming from the Israeli-controlled Maghariba Gate, which prompted the Muslims in its courtyards to chant religious slogans in protest at their desecration of the Islamic holy place.
Recently, extremist Jewish groups have called on their followers to march en masse to the Mosque to celebrate what they call the Jerusalem reunification day.
Clashes at Damascus Gate ahead of Jerusalem Day celebrations
Dozens of Palestinians hurl stones and bottles at police, lightly wounding one officer; two Palestinians arrested on suspicion of assaulting an officer.
Dozens of Palestinians threw stones and bottles at police near the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City on Sunday afternoon, as thousands of people were marking Jerusalem Day with a march to the Western Wall.
A policeman was lightly wounded in the clashes when a stone hit his head. He did not require evacuation to hospital.
One Palestinian was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an officer.
Earlier, Palestinians hurled stones at a group of Jews who were in the area, and another Palestinian was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an officer.
Police forces were deployed to the Damascus Gate to secure the thousands of participants who are expected to arrive there for the annual Jerusalem Day Flag Dance, marking 48 years since the divided city was reunited in the 1967 Six-Day War. The march will leave from the city center and head towards the Damascus Gate, through the IDF Square, and from there to the Western Wall through the Muslim Quarter. The march will culminate at a ceremony at the Western Wall, attended by Bayit Yehudi's Naftali Bennett and Uri Ariel. The march, which includes dancing, singing and waving of Israeli flags, has been happening every year since 1968.
Several dozens of Palestinian protesters also arrived at the area outside the Damascus Gate, waving Palestinian flags and calling out "Free Palestine."
Police was working to separate the Palestinian protesters from the marchers, who started gathering at the scene as well. Policemen created a buffer zone several meters wide in the march's path to prevent confrontations.
Later, the police dispersed the Palestinians' protest, saying it was an illegal gathering without the necessary permits.
March participants drew much criticism over the years from left-wing organizations, who claimed that some of participants were harassing the Arab residents of the city during the march. The organizations Ir Amim and Tag Meir petitioned the Supreme Court, demanding not to allow the marchers go through the Muslim Quarter on the grounds that it opens up the door for racist harassment.
The two organizations presented the court with videos showing marcher calling out racist slurs at Arabs like "Death to Arabs" and "May your village burn." They also claimed the Muslim merchants have been advised by police to close shop early ahead of the march.
The Supreme Court rejected the petition last week, noting it did so "with a heavy heart." In their ruling, the justices stressed there should be "zero tolerance" of anyone involved in violence, and that police should arrest anyone chanting "death to Arabs."
Police spokeswoman Luba Samri said there would be both uniformed and undercover officers on the streets, without giving numbers.
Police was working to separate the Palestinian protesters from the marchers, who started gathering at the scene as well. Policemen created a buffer zone several meters wide in the march's path to prevent confrontations.
Later, the police dispersed the Palestinians' protest, saying it was an illegal gathering without the necessary permits.
March participants drew much criticism over the years from left-wing organizations, who claimed that some of participants were harassing the Arab residents of the city during the march. The organizations Ir Amim and Tag Meir petitioned the Supreme Court, demanding not to allow the marchers go through the Muslim Quarter on the grounds that it opens up the door for racist harassment.
The two organizations presented the court with videos showing marcher calling out racist slurs at Arabs like "Death to Arabs" and "May your village burn." They also claimed the Muslim merchants have been advised by police to close shop early ahead of the march.
The Supreme Court rejected the petition last week, noting it did so "with a heavy heart." In their ruling, the justices stressed there should be "zero tolerance" of anyone involved in violence, and that police should arrest anyone chanting "death to Arabs."
Police spokeswoman Luba Samri said there would be both uniformed and undercover officers on the streets, without giving numbers.
"The police will show zero tolerance to any display of physical or verbal violence, will act with every means at its disposal against anyone disturbing the peace or rioting, who will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law," she said.
The organizers turned to participants ahead of the march as well, urging them to keep law and order so the event could be a celebration and a significant experience.
Anti-racism group Tag Meir is to hold a counter demonstration outside city hall to protest against what it called the "march of hate".
It said the annual march had become "a focus for extremist groups" and was routinely accompanied by "racist slurs and insults, destruction of property and physical violence against the Palestinian residents of Jerusalem".
"This year we say a loud and clear 'No to the violence, the hatred and the incitement' which threaten the delicate fabric of daily life in Jerusalem," it said.
The group said its supporters would walk through the Muslim Quarter handing out flowers to residents as a gesture of peace and coexistence.
Later Sunday evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was to join President Reuven Rivlin for a ceremony on Ammunition Hill in East Jerusalem, a former Jordanian military post that saw some of the bloodiest fighting of the 1967 war.
Today, there are some 200,000 Israelis living in 15 neighborhoods beyond the Green Line alongside a Palestinian population of 310,000.
The Palestinians want the eastern sector of the city as capital of their promised state, and vigorously oppose any attempt to extend Israeli control.
But Israeli leaders have repeatedly vowed that the city will never again be split, referring to it as the "eternal, indivisible" capital of the Jewish people.
The organizers turned to participants ahead of the march as well, urging them to keep law and order so the event could be a celebration and a significant experience.
Anti-racism group Tag Meir is to hold a counter demonstration outside city hall to protest against what it called the "march of hate".
It said the annual march had become "a focus for extremist groups" and was routinely accompanied by "racist slurs and insults, destruction of property and physical violence against the Palestinian residents of Jerusalem".
"This year we say a loud and clear 'No to the violence, the hatred and the incitement' which threaten the delicate fabric of daily life in Jerusalem," it said.
The group said its supporters would walk through the Muslim Quarter handing out flowers to residents as a gesture of peace and coexistence.
Later Sunday evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was to join President Reuven Rivlin for a ceremony on Ammunition Hill in East Jerusalem, a former Jordanian military post that saw some of the bloodiest fighting of the 1967 war.
Today, there are some 200,000 Israelis living in 15 neighborhoods beyond the Green Line alongside a Palestinian population of 310,000.
The Palestinians want the eastern sector of the city as capital of their promised state, and vigorously oppose any attempt to extend Israeli control.
But Israeli leaders have repeatedly vowed that the city will never again be split, referring to it as the "eternal, indivisible" capital of the Jewish people.
Radical Israeli minister of agriculture Uri Ariel declared his intention to desecrate the Aqsa Mosque on Sunday.
Israel's channel 7 quoted Ariel as saying that he would ascend what he called the temple mount on Sunday.
His entry to the Islamic holy place could spark widespread angry reactions from the Palestinians in the occupied city of Jerusalem, according to observers.
Ariel is the first Israeli minister in the new right-wing government of Benjamin Netanyahu who has threatened to defile the Aqsa Mosque.
The minister is seen as one of the most extremist Jewish advocates for settlement and Judaization activities in the holy city.
Israel's channel 7 quoted Ariel as saying that he would ascend what he called the temple mount on Sunday.
His entry to the Islamic holy place could spark widespread angry reactions from the Palestinians in the occupied city of Jerusalem, according to observers.
Ariel is the first Israeli minister in the new right-wing government of Benjamin Netanyahu who has threatened to defile the Aqsa Mosque.
The minister is seen as one of the most extremist Jewish advocates for settlement and Judaization activities in the holy city.
16 may 2015
Regev says ministry which deals with state issues should operate from Israel's capital; ceremony to replace ministers to be held in Sheikh Jarrah instead of Tel Aviv.
Miri Regev's first decision as minister of culture and sport is to move the ministry's offices from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Ynet has learned.
Regev has already approached Finance Ministry officials with the request to find the Culture and Sport Ministry a new home in the capital. As part of the move, the ceremony to replace ministers on Sunday will not take place at the Tel Aviv office, but rather in the ministry's existing branch in Sheikh Jarrah in Jerusalem, where the ministry's operations have been far and few so far.
One of the main reasons that led Regev to speed up the move is the fact the ministry deals with state-related issues like symbols and ceremonies, and she believes such a ministry should be operating from the state's capital.
The issue of moving government ministries to Jerusalem has been a disputed issue for years. In May 2007, the government decided to move all of the offices operating outside Jerusalem to the capital within eight years.
But the implementation of this decision was faced with a lot of difficulties, among them the fact there was no practical plan for the move. A state comptroller report from 2013, which harshly criticized the government's operations, prevented the implementation of the decision.
Last year, an amendment to the government decision was approved, extending the deadline for the completion of the move in three years. However it is once again unclear when the move would actually happen.
The move relies heavily on the motivation of senior government officials to move from central Israel to Jerusalem. Regev's appointment to the Culture and Sport Ministry was met with harsh and at times blunt criticism from prominent figures in Israeli culture.
Actor Gavri Banai called her a "behema," which means a beast, and is also a slang word to describe a vulgar person. "I'm sorry to hear these comments," she said in response. "Those who expect us to be tolerant should be tolerant themselves. I would be happy to meet with him and he will be pleasantly surprised."
When asked whether she will censor art that she considers to be inappropriate, Regev told Ynet: "Limits must be set in movies. I won't shut mouths, but if we need to censor - I will."
Israel’s Regev to move culture and sport ministry to Occupied Jerusalem
Miri Regev's first decision as minister of culture and sport is to move the ministry's offices from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Ynet has learned.
Regev has already approached Finance Ministry officials with the request to find the Culture and Sport Ministry a new home in the capital. As part of the move, the ceremony to replace ministers on Sunday will not take place at the Tel Aviv office, but rather in the ministry's existing branch in Sheikh Jarrah in Jerusalem, where the ministry's operations have been far and few so far.
One of the main reasons that led Regev to speed up the move is the fact the ministry deals with state-related issues like symbols and ceremonies, and she believes such a ministry should be operating from the state's capital.
The issue of moving government ministries to Jerusalem has been a disputed issue for years. In May 2007, the government decided to move all of the offices operating outside Jerusalem to the capital within eight years.
But the implementation of this decision was faced with a lot of difficulties, among them the fact there was no practical plan for the move. A state comptroller report from 2013, which harshly criticized the government's operations, prevented the implementation of the decision.
Last year, an amendment to the government decision was approved, extending the deadline for the completion of the move in three years. However it is once again unclear when the move would actually happen.
The move relies heavily on the motivation of senior government officials to move from central Israel to Jerusalem. Regev's appointment to the Culture and Sport Ministry was met with harsh and at times blunt criticism from prominent figures in Israeli culture.
Actor Gavri Banai called her a "behema," which means a beast, and is also a slang word to describe a vulgar person. "I'm sorry to hear these comments," she said in response. "Those who expect us to be tolerant should be tolerant themselves. I would be happy to meet with him and he will be pleasantly surprised."
When asked whether she will censor art that she considers to be inappropriate, Regev told Ynet: "Limits must be set in movies. I won't shut mouths, but if we need to censor - I will."
Israel’s Regev to move culture and sport ministry to Occupied Jerusalem
An Israeli construction company on Saturday called for tenders to estimate the prices of and to rebuild nine Palestinian neighborhoods in the Old City of Occupied Jerusalem which have been confiscated and partially destroyed.
In a press statement on Saturday, Khalil al-Tafakji, expert in settlement at the Arab Studies Society, said most of the targeted areas in the Old City are endowment territories belonging to Jerusalemite families.
These Arab neighborhoods were confiscated in 1968 after seizing 116 dunums for the public benefit. Their Palestinian inhabitants were displaced as well. The Israelis claim it as a Jewish district, while only 5 dunums out of 116 were inhabited by Jews.
He pointed out that the call for tenders is very dangerous as it means transferring the ownership of all the Palestinian neighborhoods to Jews who will be occupying them.
"Three years ago, the Israeli government announced its intention to register the properties of the Old City by new Jewish names to replace the Palestinians," Tafakji said.
He disclosed the endorsement of detailed plan to renovate and reconstruct an Israeli Synagogue for the Sephardic Jews in the Old City of Jerusalem with an area of 1,400 square meters and an altitude of 23 meters.
This decision followed the construction of a synagogue for the western Jews just 30 meters far from the location of the new synagogue to be built.
In a press statement on Saturday, Khalil al-Tafakji, expert in settlement at the Arab Studies Society, said most of the targeted areas in the Old City are endowment territories belonging to Jerusalemite families.
These Arab neighborhoods were confiscated in 1968 after seizing 116 dunums for the public benefit. Their Palestinian inhabitants were displaced as well. The Israelis claim it as a Jewish district, while only 5 dunums out of 116 were inhabited by Jews.
He pointed out that the call for tenders is very dangerous as it means transferring the ownership of all the Palestinian neighborhoods to Jews who will be occupying them.
"Three years ago, the Israeli government announced its intention to register the properties of the Old City by new Jewish names to replace the Palestinians," Tafakji said.
He disclosed the endorsement of detailed plan to renovate and reconstruct an Israeli Synagogue for the Sephardic Jews in the Old City of Jerusalem with an area of 1,400 square meters and an altitude of 23 meters.
This decision followed the construction of a synagogue for the western Jews just 30 meters far from the location of the new synagogue to be built.
Palestinian
activists have called on their compatriots in occupied Jerusalem and
the 1948 occupied lands to intensify their presence in the Aqsa Mosque
to confront settlers' attempts on Sunday to defile it in order to
celebrate what they call the the Jerusalem reunification day.
The activists said that the coalition of temple groups and women for the temple had invited their supporters and settlers from all over the occupied lands to march to the Aqsa Mosque to participate in a ritual and festive program on the occasion of the Jerusalem day.
Their program will also include a speech to be delivered by notorious rabbi Yahuda Glick and attempts to carry Israeli flags into the Mosque.
The activists said that the coalition of temple groups and women for the temple had invited their supporters and settlers from all over the occupied lands to march to the Aqsa Mosque to participate in a ritual and festive program on the occasion of the Jerusalem day.
Their program will also include a speech to be delivered by notorious rabbi Yahuda Glick and attempts to carry Israeli flags into the Mosque.
15 may 2015
Head of the Turkish Department of Religious Affairs, Muhammad Gormaz, on Friday performed dawn prayers at Muslims’ holy al-Aqsa Mosque, in Occupied Jerusalem.
Gormaz popped in Occupied Jerusalem on Thursday to mark The Isra and Miraj Night Journey made by the Prophet of Islam Mohamed Peace Be Upon Him.
The Turkish guest is expected to deliver Friday’s sermon at the Aqsa Mosque.
Gormaz’s stopover in the occupied Palestinian territories comes at the official invitation of the Palestinian Minister of Endowment and Religious Affairs, Yussef Ad’eis al-Sheikh.
Gormaz is set to pay a visit to the West Bank province of al-Khalil before heading to Bethlehem city.
The Turkish official is also expected to meet the Palestinian Authority Chairman, Mahmoud Abbas, in Occupied Jerusalem.
Gormaz popped in Occupied Jerusalem on Thursday to mark The Isra and Miraj Night Journey made by the Prophet of Islam Mohamed Peace Be Upon Him.
The Turkish guest is expected to deliver Friday’s sermon at the Aqsa Mosque.
Gormaz’s stopover in the occupied Palestinian territories comes at the official invitation of the Palestinian Minister of Endowment and Religious Affairs, Yussef Ad’eis al-Sheikh.
Gormaz is set to pay a visit to the West Bank province of al-Khalil before heading to Bethlehem city.
The Turkish official is also expected to meet the Palestinian Authority Chairman, Mahmoud Abbas, in Occupied Jerusalem.
Dozens of Palestinians over 60 years of age headed from the Gaza Strip to Jerusalem to perform Friday prayers in the Al-Aqsa Mosque Friday, a Palestinian liaison official said.
The 180 worshipers left the Gaza Strip via the Erez crossing early Friday, and headed towards the Al-Aqsa compound.
Weekly access to the Al-Aqsa mosque by Gazans has become routine since October 2014 when some 500 Palestinians in Gaza prayed at the mosque for the first time since 2007, having been prevented by Israel from traveling to Jerusalem since that time.
Friday's weekly trip for worshipers from Gaza come as Palestinians face regular restrictions at the holy site, with at least 10 individuals banned from the site and several others detained last month.
Despite an agreement between Israel and the Islamic endowment since 1967 that prohibits non-Muslim prayer in the compound, Jewish Israeli groups frequent the site under the armed protection of Israeli forces.
Meanwhile, Jerusalem Magistrate's Court last week 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. Last week right wing Jewish activist Yehuda Glick was allowed by Jerusalem's Magistrate Court to begin entering the Al-Aqsa compound once a month.
Glick, who came to prominence for leading groups of rightists into the mosque compound to worship, was previously barred from the site since August of last year after attacking a Palestinian woman. The decision to allow Gazans to travel to Al-Aqsa was reached as part of the August ceasefire deal between Palestinian militant groups and Israel that ended the more than 50-day war last summer.
The agreement has for the most part been upheld, barring occasional delays due to Israeli national holidays or alleged security concerns. Palestinian liaison added that the 180 worshipers are expected to return to the Gaza Strip Friday afternoon, following prayers.
The 180 worshipers left the Gaza Strip via the Erez crossing early Friday, and headed towards the Al-Aqsa compound.
Weekly access to the Al-Aqsa mosque by Gazans has become routine since October 2014 when some 500 Palestinians in Gaza prayed at the mosque for the first time since 2007, having been prevented by Israel from traveling to Jerusalem since that time.
Friday's weekly trip for worshipers from Gaza come as Palestinians face regular restrictions at the holy site, with at least 10 individuals banned from the site and several others detained last month.
Despite an agreement between Israel and the Islamic endowment since 1967 that prohibits non-Muslim prayer in the compound, Jewish Israeli groups frequent the site under the armed protection of Israeli forces.
Meanwhile, Jerusalem Magistrate's Court last week 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. Last week right wing Jewish activist Yehuda Glick was allowed by Jerusalem's Magistrate Court to begin entering the Al-Aqsa compound once a month.
Glick, who came to prominence for leading groups of rightists into the mosque compound to worship, was previously barred from the site since August of last year after attacking a Palestinian woman. The decision to allow Gazans to travel to Al-Aqsa was reached as part of the August ceasefire deal between Palestinian militant groups and Israel that ended the more than 50-day war last summer.
The agreement has for the most part been upheld, barring occasional delays due to Israeli national holidays or alleged security concerns. Palestinian liaison added that the 180 worshipers are expected to return to the Gaza Strip Friday afternoon, following prayers.
Medical sources have reported, late on Thursday at night, that at least eight Palestinians have been injured after Israeli soldiers, and settlers, invaded the northern West Bank city of Nablus, leading to clashes with local youths.
The sources said the soldiers fired rounds of live ammunition, gas bombs and concussion grenades, leading to eight injuries, while many residents suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation.
The eight Palestinians were moved to the Rafidia governmental hospital, while medics provided medical treatment to many residents who suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation.
The clashes were focused in the eastern area of Nablus city, after dozens of army vehicles and Israeli settler buses, invaded it heading to the Joseph Tomb area, bear the Balata refugee camp.
The sources said the soldiers fired rounds of live ammunition, gas bombs and concussion grenades, leading to eight injuries, while many residents suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation.
The eight Palestinians were moved to the Rafidia governmental hospital, while medics provided medical treatment to many residents who suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation.
The clashes were focused in the eastern area of Nablus city, after dozens of army vehicles and Israeli settler buses, invaded it heading to the Joseph Tomb area, bear the Balata refugee camp.
