9 aug 2015
The Israeli occupation is putting the final touches on a comprehensive scheme to complete the Judaization of al-Sharaf neighborhood, to the west of al-Aqsa Mosque.
150 million shekels (about 40 million dollars) were allocated to carry out concurrent Judaization projects in this neighborhood; these projects are sponsored by the so-called "The Company for the Reconstruction and Development of the Jewish Quarter (CRDJQ)".
The Israeli infrastructure minister Yoav Galant and the Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Ze’ev Elkin support this malevolent scheme and give it utmost importance, according to Israeli media sources.
According to the scheme, which was reviewed by QPress, an underground parking lot that can accommodate about 600 cars will be established after carrying out diggings in the southeastern side of the 200-acre neighborhood, and an underground tunnel that runs through the historical wall of Jerusalem will be excavated in order to reach the parking lot.
25 million shekels were allocated for building commercial shops and enhancing the infrastructure of the middle area of the neighborhood and a building permit will be issued soon to implement a project for constructing two elevators that connect al-Sharaf neighborhood with al-Magharba neighborhood and the Wailing Wall area (the Israeli reference to al-Buraq Wall); so as to intensify the Jewish presence, encourage the foreign tourism, and facilitate access to al-Buraq Wall area which will cost about 26 million shekels.
A tender will be announced within the coming weeks to build a huge synagogue called the Jewel of Israel in the same neighborhood at a cost of about 45 million shekels.
The CRDJQ is planning to transfer the ownership of scores of Jerusalemite properties and turn them into Jewish properties that are officially registered in the Israel Land Registry (Tabu).
Al-Sharaf neighborhood, which is inhabited by about 6000 Jewish settlers, was occupied by Israel in 1967 and was turned into a settlement neighborhood under the name of "the Jewish neighborhood".
150 million shekels (about 40 million dollars) were allocated to carry out concurrent Judaization projects in this neighborhood; these projects are sponsored by the so-called "The Company for the Reconstruction and Development of the Jewish Quarter (CRDJQ)".
The Israeli infrastructure minister Yoav Galant and the Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Ze’ev Elkin support this malevolent scheme and give it utmost importance, according to Israeli media sources.
According to the scheme, which was reviewed by QPress, an underground parking lot that can accommodate about 600 cars will be established after carrying out diggings in the southeastern side of the 200-acre neighborhood, and an underground tunnel that runs through the historical wall of Jerusalem will be excavated in order to reach the parking lot.
25 million shekels were allocated for building commercial shops and enhancing the infrastructure of the middle area of the neighborhood and a building permit will be issued soon to implement a project for constructing two elevators that connect al-Sharaf neighborhood with al-Magharba neighborhood and the Wailing Wall area (the Israeli reference to al-Buraq Wall); so as to intensify the Jewish presence, encourage the foreign tourism, and facilitate access to al-Buraq Wall area which will cost about 26 million shekels.
A tender will be announced within the coming weeks to build a huge synagogue called the Jewel of Israel in the same neighborhood at a cost of about 45 million shekels.
The CRDJQ is planning to transfer the ownership of scores of Jerusalemite properties and turn them into Jewish properties that are officially registered in the Israel Land Registry (Tabu).
Al-Sharaf neighborhood, which is inhabited by about 6000 Jewish settlers, was occupied by Israel in 1967 and was turned into a settlement neighborhood under the name of "the Jewish neighborhood".
7 aug 2015
Hundreds of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip headed to East Jerusalem via the Erez crossing on Friday to pray in the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Palestinian liaison officials said.
Buses left early from the besieged Gaza Strip carrying over 300 Gazans over the age of 50.
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.
Buses left early from the besieged Gaza Strip carrying over 300 Gazans over the age of 50.
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.
The district court in occupied Jerusalem on Thursday issued a verdict banning Palestinians from entering the Aqsa Mosque, where they work as guards and administrators, until August 16.
The court judge refused to describe her decision as a ban on the entry of Aqsa Mosque employees and claimed that the defendants would be given leave of absence for 10 days, during which they would not be allowed to enter or approach the Mosque.
The court hearing was held to look into the appeal filed by the Israeli police against an earlier decision by the magistrate's court in Jerusalem refusing its request to prevent a number of guards and administrators working at the Aqsa Mosque as well as one Jerusalemite young man from entering the Islamic holy place for several days.
The district court also gave the Israeli police 10 days to study the possibility of filing indictments against the defendants.
The court judge refused to describe her decision as a ban on the entry of Aqsa Mosque employees and claimed that the defendants would be given leave of absence for 10 days, during which they would not be allowed to enter or approach the Mosque.
The court hearing was held to look into the appeal filed by the Israeli police against an earlier decision by the magistrate's court in Jerusalem refusing its request to prevent a number of guards and administrators working at the Aqsa Mosque as well as one Jerusalemite young man from entering the Islamic holy place for several days.
The district court also gave the Israeli police 10 days to study the possibility of filing indictments against the defendants.
6 aug 2015
Groups of Jewish settlers stormed on Thursday the plazas of al-Aqsa Mosque from the Magharebah gate amid tightened security measures by Israeli police.
Media sources reported that 32 settlers broke into the vicinity of al-Aqsa Mosque in the morning where Israeli police secured settlers’ provocative rounds until they went out of the holy site from Silsilah gate.
Groups of settlers, activists in calling for the establishment of the alleged Temple of Solomon, intensified their calls for storming the Muslims’ al-Aqsa Mosque and to raise the Israeli flag over it on next Sunday.
This comes in protest against what happened a few days ago when al-Aqsa guards stopped a Jewish settler who was attempting to raise the Israeli flag over the Dome of the Rock and attacked some of them by a sharp tool.
Media sources reported that 32 settlers broke into the vicinity of al-Aqsa Mosque in the morning where Israeli police secured settlers’ provocative rounds until they went out of the holy site from Silsilah gate.
Groups of settlers, activists in calling for the establishment of the alleged Temple of Solomon, intensified their calls for storming the Muslims’ al-Aqsa Mosque and to raise the Israeli flag over it on next Sunday.
This comes in protest against what happened a few days ago when al-Aqsa guards stopped a Jewish settler who was attempting to raise the Israeli flag over the Dome of the Rock and attacked some of them by a sharp tool.
27 Palestinians including ten women and two minors were arrested in al-Aqsa Mosque last month, a Jerusalemite information group said.
In its monthly report, Himma news group affirmed that all of the reported detainees were later released and prevented access into the Mosque.
16 of the reported detainees were arrested during the so-called "Destruction of the Temple" anniversary.
During July, 930 Jewish settlers and 30 Israeli intelligence officials broke into al-Aqsa Mosque in groups amid heavy protection of police forces.
On the eve of the so-called "Destruction of the Temple" anniversary, 323 Israeli settlers broke into al-Aqsa Mosque. 15 women were severely beaten including a journalist in the same day.
The report added that Israeli police forces carried out 62 attacks against Palestinian worshipers while protesting against settlers’ break-ins into the holy shrine.
A number of Endowment Authority employees were also subjected to similar attacks including a woman in her fifties.
In its monthly report, Himma news group affirmed that all of the reported detainees were later released and prevented access into the Mosque.
16 of the reported detainees were arrested during the so-called "Destruction of the Temple" anniversary.
During July, 930 Jewish settlers and 30 Israeli intelligence officials broke into al-Aqsa Mosque in groups amid heavy protection of police forces.
On the eve of the so-called "Destruction of the Temple" anniversary, 323 Israeli settlers broke into al-Aqsa Mosque. 15 women were severely beaten including a journalist in the same day.
The report added that Israeli police forces carried out 62 attacks against Palestinian worshipers while protesting against settlers’ break-ins into the holy shrine.
A number of Endowment Authority employees were also subjected to similar attacks including a woman in her fifties.
The Israeli occupation police on Wednesday appealed against a court verdict declining its request to ban Palestinians working as guards and administrators at the Aqsa Mosque from entering the Islamic holy place.
Lawyer Ramzi Kitelat stated that the Israeli police station in Qishleh area on Wednesday filed an appeal with the district court in occupied Jerusalem against a court order issued earlier by the magistrate's court refusing its request to impose an entry ban on Aqsa Mosque employees.
The lawyer, who works for Qudsna foundation for human rights, added that the district court would hold a hearing on Thursday to look into the appeal.
Lawyer Ramzi Kitelat stated that the Israeli police station in Qishleh area on Wednesday filed an appeal with the district court in occupied Jerusalem against a court order issued earlier by the magistrate's court refusing its request to impose an entry ban on Aqsa Mosque employees.
The lawyer, who works for Qudsna foundation for human rights, added that the district court would hold a hearing on Thursday to look into the appeal.
5 aug 2015
The occupation authorities began drilling operations to implement the project of religious pools in a land near the settlement of Maale Ha-Zeitim established in the neighborhood of Ras Al-Amoud in Silwan south of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center explained that the occupation authorities have been carrying out wide operations of digging and drilling near the settlement of Maale Ha-Zeitim to build religious pools for settlers on a 2.5 Dunoms lands that was allocated for public use.
The center added that the settlers’ committee in the settlement of Maale Ha-Zeitim headed by Aryeh King, member of Municipal Council, submitted nearly two years ago the project for building religious pools near the settlement to be used by the settlers for practicing their religious rituals (Purity). The project was ratified by the committees and the competent authorities; the municipality funded the project with nearly 1.5 million NIS.
The center pointed out that one pool will be built for males and another for females and there is a possibility to build a third pool which will be all directly connected to the settlement.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center also explained that the “Religious buildings” department in the occupation municipality is the sponsor of the project and the land has been allocated for the use of settlers only despite that it was classified as public use and therefore neglecting the needs of the residents; the land will be added to the settlement.
The center added that the occupation authorities built a 4-meter supporting wall three months ago and placed an 8-meter high fence around it (land remaining after building the religious pools), and therefore the locals of the area will be prevented from submitting any future projects for public use in the area.
The information center denounced in its statement the municipality’s ratifying and funding of the project and and considered it an image of racism as the municipality allocates millions of NIS for the implementation of settlement projects while any development in the infrastructure or any building is prohibited in Silwan.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center explained that the occupation authorities have been carrying out wide operations of digging and drilling near the settlement of Maale Ha-Zeitim to build religious pools for settlers on a 2.5 Dunoms lands that was allocated for public use.
The center added that the settlers’ committee in the settlement of Maale Ha-Zeitim headed by Aryeh King, member of Municipal Council, submitted nearly two years ago the project for building religious pools near the settlement to be used by the settlers for practicing their religious rituals (Purity). The project was ratified by the committees and the competent authorities; the municipality funded the project with nearly 1.5 million NIS.
The center pointed out that one pool will be built for males and another for females and there is a possibility to build a third pool which will be all directly connected to the settlement.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center also explained that the “Religious buildings” department in the occupation municipality is the sponsor of the project and the land has been allocated for the use of settlers only despite that it was classified as public use and therefore neglecting the needs of the residents; the land will be added to the settlement.
The center added that the occupation authorities built a 4-meter supporting wall three months ago and placed an 8-meter high fence around it (land remaining after building the religious pools), and therefore the locals of the area will be prevented from submitting any future projects for public use in the area.
The information center denounced in its statement the municipality’s ratifying and funding of the project and and considered it an image of racism as the municipality allocates millions of NIS for the implementation of settlement projects while any development in the infrastructure or any building is prohibited in Silwan.
A group of Jewish settlers again stormed Wednesday morning al-Aqsa mosque from the Israeli-controlled al-Magaribeh gate under heavy police protection.
A state of tension has prevailed among Palestinian worshipers after the group carried out provocative tour s in the corners and facilities of al-Aqsa mosque.
Palestinian worshipers in their turn started shouting Takbeer in protest against the settlers’ presence in the Islamic holy shrine.
Meanwhile, Israeli police confiscated at the entrances to the mosque the identity cards of dozens of youths and women before allowing them in.
A state of tension has prevailed among Palestinian worshipers after the group carried out provocative tour s in the corners and facilities of al-Aqsa mosque.
Palestinian worshipers in their turn started shouting Takbeer in protest against the settlers’ presence in the Islamic holy shrine.
Meanwhile, Israeli police confiscated at the entrances to the mosque the identity cards of dozens of youths and women before allowing them in.
4 aug 2015
Israeli soldiers attacked, on Tuesday morning, dozens of Palestinians in the Al-Aqsa Mosque courtyards, in occupied East Jerusalem, and kidnapped eight Palestinians, including two children. At least two were injured, and hospitalized.
The assaults took place after dozens of Israeli fanatics stormed the courtyards of the mosque, under heavy police and army protection, while carrying Israeli flags, and harassed dozens of worshipers.
Six of the kidnapped Palestinians are guards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, identified as Majdi al-Abbassi, Fadi Bakeer, Raed Ezghayyar, Majd ‘Abdin, Ahmad Abu ‘Alia, and Husam Seder.
The soldiers also kidnapped two Palestinian children, identified as Amir Balbeesy, and Mohammad al-Hashlamoun.
Two mosque guards, identified as Suleiman Abu Mayyala and Ahmad Badran, were moved to a Palestinian hospital in occupied Jerusalem, after the soldiers violently assaulted them.
The WAFA News Agency said dozens of Israeli extremists, accompanied by soldiers and officers, stormed the mosque compound, and conducted provocative acts against the Palestinians, in addition to chanting racist slogans.
One of the fanatics raised the Israeli flag near the Dome of the Rock, before local worshipers attacked and beat him; the police removed him and started assaulting the worshipers.
In addition, extremist Israelis attacked many Palestinian women, who received orders denying them access to the mosque.
The women were protesting near the Chain Gate, demanding to be allowed into the Mosque.
The assaults took place after dozens of Israeli fanatics stormed the courtyards of the mosque, under heavy police and army protection, while carrying Israeli flags, and harassed dozens of worshipers.
Six of the kidnapped Palestinians are guards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, identified as Majdi al-Abbassi, Fadi Bakeer, Raed Ezghayyar, Majd ‘Abdin, Ahmad Abu ‘Alia, and Husam Seder.
The soldiers also kidnapped two Palestinian children, identified as Amir Balbeesy, and Mohammad al-Hashlamoun.
Two mosque guards, identified as Suleiman Abu Mayyala and Ahmad Badran, were moved to a Palestinian hospital in occupied Jerusalem, after the soldiers violently assaulted them.
The WAFA News Agency said dozens of Israeli extremists, accompanied by soldiers and officers, stormed the mosque compound, and conducted provocative acts against the Palestinians, in addition to chanting racist slogans.
One of the fanatics raised the Israeli flag near the Dome of the Rock, before local worshipers attacked and beat him; the police removed him and started assaulting the worshipers.
In addition, extremist Israelis attacked many Palestinian women, who received orders denying them access to the mosque.
The women were protesting near the Chain Gate, demanding to be allowed into the Mosque.
3 aug 2015
Extremist Jewish groups broke into the Aqsa Mosque, roamed its plazas, and provoked Muslim worshipers on Monday morning.
Eyewitnesses revealed that 18 settlers stormed the holy site from al-Magharebah gate under protection of Israeli police and Special Forces who accompanied them in their rounds.
A number of Palestinian females and children, who were present at the Mosque, confronted the settlers’ incursion by shouts of Allahu Akbar until they got out of the Mosque from al-Silsilah gate, the eyewitnesses said.
930 Jewish settlers desecrated the Muslims’ holy Aqsa Mosque in last July, according to statistical data of Jerusalemite institutions.
Eyewitnesses revealed that 18 settlers stormed the holy site from al-Magharebah gate under protection of Israeli police and Special Forces who accompanied them in their rounds.
A number of Palestinian females and children, who were present at the Mosque, confronted the settlers’ incursion by shouts of Allahu Akbar until they got out of the Mosque from al-Silsilah gate, the eyewitnesses said.
930 Jewish settlers desecrated the Muslims’ holy Aqsa Mosque in last July, according to statistical data of Jerusalemite institutions.
2 aug 2015
Israeli forces stormed Sunday morning the Old City of Jerusalem and rounded up the preacher Khaled al-Meghrebi and five youths. A sixth minor was arrested in Silwan town as well.
The wife of Meghrebi told Q-Press that large numbers of Israeli policemen and intelligence forces stormed their house claiming that they had a search order.
She revealed that the forces searched the house thoroughly and confiscated all computer and phone devices including those used by children as well as the internet modem.
She said the forces arrested him for his preaching activities in the Aqsa Mosque and that the Israeli media waged an incitement campaign against him claiming that he urges for killing Jews in his sermons.
In a similar context, the Palestinian Prisoner Society revealed that Israeli forces arrested five young men in the Old City of Jerusalem in addition to a 12-year-old boy from Silwan nearby town on stone throwing charges.
On the other hand, the forces released a Jerusalemite minor under deportation order away from the Aqsa Mosque for two weeks.
Clashes were reported in the Aqsa Mosque on Sunday morning in coincidence with the incursion into the Aqsa Mosque by groups of settlers headed by the Israeli interior security official.
Israeli policemen prevented Muslim worshipers from entering the holy site for morning hours but had to allow them at 10 a.m. to appease their outrage and anger.
The wife of Meghrebi told Q-Press that large numbers of Israeli policemen and intelligence forces stormed their house claiming that they had a search order.
She revealed that the forces searched the house thoroughly and confiscated all computer and phone devices including those used by children as well as the internet modem.
She said the forces arrested him for his preaching activities in the Aqsa Mosque and that the Israeli media waged an incitement campaign against him claiming that he urges for killing Jews in his sermons.
In a similar context, the Palestinian Prisoner Society revealed that Israeli forces arrested five young men in the Old City of Jerusalem in addition to a 12-year-old boy from Silwan nearby town on stone throwing charges.
On the other hand, the forces released a Jerusalemite minor under deportation order away from the Aqsa Mosque for two weeks.
Clashes were reported in the Aqsa Mosque on Sunday morning in coincidence with the incursion into the Aqsa Mosque by groups of settlers headed by the Israeli interior security official.
Israeli policemen prevented Muslim worshipers from entering the holy site for morning hours but had to allow them at 10 a.m. to appease their outrage and anger.
Israeli municipality in Jerusalem opened a café over Mamilla Muslim historical cemetery in Occupied Jerusalem after a delay that lasted for a few weeks.
A delegation of al-Aqsa Foundation for endowment and Heritage who visited the cemetery on Sunday revealed that the café fits for over one hundred persons and sells food and drinks including wines during day and night and it officially started its work on Sunday.
Nir Barakat, Mayor of Jerusalem, opined that establishing the café over the Muslim Mamilla cemetery is one of the most important achievements of the municipality in recent years.
The café is built over the lands of the cemetery in the part which was transformed into a park given the name “Independence Park” within the policy of Judaization of the cemetery.
The Aqsa Foundation strongly condemned the news, perceiving it as a violation against the sanctity of the Muslim cemetery.
It disclosed that the area of the cemetery exceeds two hundred dunums and that it is a historic cemetery that dates back to more than 1400 years. It also revealed that a number of the companions of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) were buried in Mamilla cemetery.
The historical cemetery has been subjected to Israeli violations as large parts of its area were used for the establishment of hotels and public parks.
The Foundation also revealed that opening the café is a new offensive action following the establishment of what is called “Forgiveness Museum” over Muslims' tombs. An area of 20 dunums has only remained as a Muslim cemetery. However, it is also being violated by Israeli daily offensive practices.
A delegation of al-Aqsa Foundation for endowment and Heritage who visited the cemetery on Sunday revealed that the café fits for over one hundred persons and sells food and drinks including wines during day and night and it officially started its work on Sunday.
Nir Barakat, Mayor of Jerusalem, opined that establishing the café over the Muslim Mamilla cemetery is one of the most important achievements of the municipality in recent years.
The café is built over the lands of the cemetery in the part which was transformed into a park given the name “Independence Park” within the policy of Judaization of the cemetery.
The Aqsa Foundation strongly condemned the news, perceiving it as a violation against the sanctity of the Muslim cemetery.
It disclosed that the area of the cemetery exceeds two hundred dunums and that it is a historic cemetery that dates back to more than 1400 years. It also revealed that a number of the companions of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) were buried in Mamilla cemetery.
The historical cemetery has been subjected to Israeli violations as large parts of its area were used for the establishment of hotels and public parks.
The Foundation also revealed that opening the café is a new offensive action following the establishment of what is called “Forgiveness Museum” over Muslims' tombs. An area of 20 dunums has only remained as a Muslim cemetery. However, it is also being violated by Israeli daily offensive practices.
Israeli settlers, Saturday morning, attempted an attack on Palestinian farmers in village of Qusra, south of Nablus, in the occupied West Bank, a local official said.
Dozens of settlers from the illegal Esh Kodesh outpost descended on farmers in their fields between the outpost and Qusra, said Ghassan Daghlas, a Palestinian official who monitors settlement activity in the northern West Bank.
According to Ma'an News Agency, he said that the attackers intended to scare the farmers and push them to abandon their fields.
Dozens of local men from the village -- members of voluntary local guard committees -- confronted the settlers, Daghlas added.
The settlers and locals clashed and threw stones at one another until the settlers were forced to move back. In June 2014, villagers from Qusra held more than 15 settlers captive after they raided the village and tried to uproot Palestinian olive trees. Shortly after that they were transferred to Israeli military forces via Palestinian liaison officials.
Since 1967, Israel has established over 150 settlements and some 100 outposts in the occupied West Bank, with a settler population of more than 500,000 across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, in contravention of international law.
Outposts like Esh Kodesh are often established by Israeli settlers who set up tents or small mobile homes on private Palestinian land.
Some settlers act without approval to expand settlements or create new ones in the West Bank, building outposts that are illegal even by Israeli government standards.
In many cases, these settlement outposts are "legalized" by Israel, and in rare cases they are dismantled. Such outposts generally receive armed protection by Israeli forces.
Residents living throughout the Nablus district have witnessed a massive spread of outposts and settlements in the area in recent years.
In February, Israeli settlers set up five mobile homes near Palestinian land and close by the Esh Kodesh outpost.
Residents of the Jewish-only Esh-Kodesh outpost regularly harass and attack Palestinians from nearby villages, invading villages or targeting agricultural areas belonging to local farmers.
Many of the attacks are intended to make life difficult for locals in order to force them to leave and allow settlers to expand their settlements.
Settlers living in the Nablus region have become notorious for violent and extremist behavior against local Palestinians that is often carried out in the presence of Israeli military forces and rarely investigated by Israeli authorities.
Also on Saturday, dozens of protesters from the Balata refugee camp in Nablus threw rocks, empty bottles, and Molotov cocktails at Israeli settlers and soldiers at Joseph’s Tomb, sources said.
Local sources said the protest started late evening on Friday and continued early into the morning in response to an arson attack carried out by suspected Israeli settlers that burned a Palestinian 18-month-old boy alive and critically injured three family members in the Doma village near Nablus.
PA security forces deployed at Joseph’s Tomb prevented dozens of youths from setting the tomb on fire. The tomb is site to frequent violence as Israeli forces enable Jewish worshipers to make monthly nocturnal pilgrimages through security cooperation with the Palestinian Authority, which guards the site.
Sources said the protesters considered burning Joseph’s Tomb, a holy place for Israelis -- particularly nearby settlers -- as a form of “real response,” to the burning of the 18-month-old, Ali Dawabsha.
The term "Revenge!" was spray painted in Hebrew near the arson victims' home in Douma. The use of graffiti to mark an attack is common among extremist Israeli settlers, who often leave the term "price-tag" left on walls after violent incidents.
Palestinians have responded to the deadly attack across occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank, leaving several injured and one killed by Israeli forces since the attack was carried out on Friday.
Dozens of settlers from the illegal Esh Kodesh outpost descended on farmers in their fields between the outpost and Qusra, said Ghassan Daghlas, a Palestinian official who monitors settlement activity in the northern West Bank.
According to Ma'an News Agency, he said that the attackers intended to scare the farmers and push them to abandon their fields.
Dozens of local men from the village -- members of voluntary local guard committees -- confronted the settlers, Daghlas added.
The settlers and locals clashed and threw stones at one another until the settlers were forced to move back. In June 2014, villagers from Qusra held more than 15 settlers captive after they raided the village and tried to uproot Palestinian olive trees. Shortly after that they were transferred to Israeli military forces via Palestinian liaison officials.
Since 1967, Israel has established over 150 settlements and some 100 outposts in the occupied West Bank, with a settler population of more than 500,000 across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, in contravention of international law.
Outposts like Esh Kodesh are often established by Israeli settlers who set up tents or small mobile homes on private Palestinian land.
Some settlers act without approval to expand settlements or create new ones in the West Bank, building outposts that are illegal even by Israeli government standards.
In many cases, these settlement outposts are "legalized" by Israel, and in rare cases they are dismantled. Such outposts generally receive armed protection by Israeli forces.
Residents living throughout the Nablus district have witnessed a massive spread of outposts and settlements in the area in recent years.
In February, Israeli settlers set up five mobile homes near Palestinian land and close by the Esh Kodesh outpost.
Residents of the Jewish-only Esh-Kodesh outpost regularly harass and attack Palestinians from nearby villages, invading villages or targeting agricultural areas belonging to local farmers.
Many of the attacks are intended to make life difficult for locals in order to force them to leave and allow settlers to expand their settlements.
Settlers living in the Nablus region have become notorious for violent and extremist behavior against local Palestinians that is often carried out in the presence of Israeli military forces and rarely investigated by Israeli authorities.
Also on Saturday, dozens of protesters from the Balata refugee camp in Nablus threw rocks, empty bottles, and Molotov cocktails at Israeli settlers and soldiers at Joseph’s Tomb, sources said.
Local sources said the protest started late evening on Friday and continued early into the morning in response to an arson attack carried out by suspected Israeli settlers that burned a Palestinian 18-month-old boy alive and critically injured three family members in the Doma village near Nablus.
PA security forces deployed at Joseph’s Tomb prevented dozens of youths from setting the tomb on fire. The tomb is site to frequent violence as Israeli forces enable Jewish worshipers to make monthly nocturnal pilgrimages through security cooperation with the Palestinian Authority, which guards the site.
Sources said the protesters considered burning Joseph’s Tomb, a holy place for Israelis -- particularly nearby settlers -- as a form of “real response,” to the burning of the 18-month-old, Ali Dawabsha.
The term "Revenge!" was spray painted in Hebrew near the arson victims' home in Douma. The use of graffiti to mark an attack is common among extremist Israeli settlers, who often leave the term "price-tag" left on walls after violent incidents.
Palestinians have responded to the deadly attack across occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank, leaving several injured and one killed by Israeli forces since the attack was carried out on Friday.
Israeli cops and fanatic settlers stormed Muslims’ holy al-Aqsa Mosque on early Sunday morning, sparking tension around the holy shrine.
Sources from inside al-Aqsa said large numbers of peaceful Muslim worshipers and sit-inners have been maintaining vigil in the Mosque's plazas and the Qibli Mosque since the early morning hours.
Heavily-armed Israeli officers unleashed a barrage of rubber bullets so as to evacuate the Qibli Mosque and pave the way for storming the holy shrine.
Israeli organizations of the alleged temple mount launched calls for stepping up mass break-ins at al-Aqsa on Sunday under the slogan “the return of all Jews to the temple.”
The Israeli police reportedly tightened it grip and sealed off the main entrances to al-Aqsa.
The Israeli cops have also come down heavily on the non-violent female and male Muslim congregations, denying those below 50 years of age the right to enter the Mosque.
Sources from inside al-Aqsa said large numbers of peaceful Muslim worshipers and sit-inners have been maintaining vigil in the Mosque's plazas and the Qibli Mosque since the early morning hours.
Heavily-armed Israeli officers unleashed a barrage of rubber bullets so as to evacuate the Qibli Mosque and pave the way for storming the holy shrine.
Israeli organizations of the alleged temple mount launched calls for stepping up mass break-ins at al-Aqsa on Sunday under the slogan “the return of all Jews to the temple.”
The Israeli police reportedly tightened it grip and sealed off the main entrances to al-Aqsa.
The Israeli cops have also come down heavily on the non-violent female and male Muslim congregations, denying those below 50 years of age the right to enter the Mosque.
1 aug 2015
The union of the alleged Temple of Solomon’s organizations and groups called on Jewish people to implement massive incursions into the Muslims’ holy Aqsa Mosque on Sunday.
Jewish groups started publishing posts on Facebook urging the Jewish settlers to participate in massive storming of the holy site on Sunday under the theme of “the return of all Jews to Temple’s mount”.
For its part, Palestinians authorities called for visiting the Aqsa Mosque intensively on Sunday in order to confront settlers’ incursions which will start from half past seven in the morning until three at the afternoon.
Last Sunday attested serious violations against the Aqsa Mosque where many Muslim worshipers were assaulted by beating, arrest or suffocation by Israeli forces.
Jewish groups started publishing posts on Facebook urging the Jewish settlers to participate in massive storming of the holy site on Sunday under the theme of “the return of all Jews to Temple’s mount”.
For its part, Palestinians authorities called for visiting the Aqsa Mosque intensively on Sunday in order to confront settlers’ incursions which will start from half past seven in the morning until three at the afternoon.
Last Sunday attested serious violations against the Aqsa Mosque where many Muslim worshipers were assaulted by beating, arrest or suffocation by Israeli forces.