11 mar 2015
The Jerusalem Planning and Building Committee on Wednesday approved 49 construction permits for new housing units in Ramot settlement to the east of Occupied Jerusalem.
According to the Israeli Hebrew website “walla.com”, the new construction project will occupy two dunums in Ramot settlement to the east of the Green Line.
Besides, Hebrew reports disclosed that the Israeli government spent about 83 million Shekels on settlement construction including 28 million Shekels that went for Beit El settlement as a compensation for evacuation of a neighborhood in 2014. The official reports, however, announced 17 million Shekels only.
According to Haaretz newspaper, the 28 million Shekels, which were not included in the budget, were transferred by an order made by the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The order was based on a deal with the leaders of Beit El settlement who agreed on evacuating five buildings established on Palestinian-owned lands. However, those buildings still exist, but the Palestinians are not allowed to restore their lands, the newspaper noted.
It is also pointed out that the financial committee of the Israeli Knesset approved in July, 2014 the transfer of 170 million Shekels to the Israeli government for settlement purposes.
The reports showed that the Israeli government funded many of random settlement outposts and offered compensations for settlers during the period of settlement freezing based on a political decision.
According to the Israeli Hebrew website “walla.com”, the new construction project will occupy two dunums in Ramot settlement to the east of the Green Line.
Besides, Hebrew reports disclosed that the Israeli government spent about 83 million Shekels on settlement construction including 28 million Shekels that went for Beit El settlement as a compensation for evacuation of a neighborhood in 2014. The official reports, however, announced 17 million Shekels only.
According to Haaretz newspaper, the 28 million Shekels, which were not included in the budget, were transferred by an order made by the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The order was based on a deal with the leaders of Beit El settlement who agreed on evacuating five buildings established on Palestinian-owned lands. However, those buildings still exist, but the Palestinians are not allowed to restore their lands, the newspaper noted.
It is also pointed out that the financial committee of the Israeli Knesset approved in July, 2014 the transfer of 170 million Shekels to the Israeli government for settlement purposes.
The reports showed that the Israeli government funded many of random settlement outposts and offered compensations for settlers during the period of settlement freezing based on a political decision.
A number of Jerusalemite figures slammed in a press conference held Tuesday evening the Israeli-organized-marathon whose route cuts through occupied Jerusalem.
Speakers at the conference included PA Minister of Jerusalem Affairs and Jerusalem District Governor Adnan Al-Husseini, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and Palestinian territories Sheikh Mohammed Hussein, Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Sebastia Atallah Hanna, Secretary General of the National Committee Against Normalization Jihad Owaida, and the Palestinian journalist Munir al-Ghoul.
The marathon, seemingly an entertaining sports event, is in reality a camouflaged Judaization scheme aimed at holding sway over the holy city, the speakers said.
During the joint conference, the speakers renewed their total rejection of all Israeli inhuman policies in occupied Jerusalem that target the Palestinian and Arab presence in the city.
They also stressed their adherence to their holy city and its Palestinian, Arab, Islamic, and Christian identity.
Speakers at the conference included PA Minister of Jerusalem Affairs and Jerusalem District Governor Adnan Al-Husseini, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and Palestinian territories Sheikh Mohammed Hussein, Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Sebastia Atallah Hanna, Secretary General of the National Committee Against Normalization Jihad Owaida, and the Palestinian journalist Munir al-Ghoul.
The marathon, seemingly an entertaining sports event, is in reality a camouflaged Judaization scheme aimed at holding sway over the holy city, the speakers said.
During the joint conference, the speakers renewed their total rejection of all Israeli inhuman policies in occupied Jerusalem that target the Palestinian and Arab presence in the city.
They also stressed their adherence to their holy city and its Palestinian, Arab, Islamic, and Christian identity.
10 mar 2015
EU condemns destruction of structures put up on outskirts of Arab neighborhood of Issawiya, inhabited by Bedouin communities.
Israeli authorities on Tuesday demolished an EU-funded shelter in Arab east Jerusalem, the European Union said, denouncing the move.
"We condemn today's demolition of temporary shelters funded by the European Union... as part of its response to the needs of the affected communities," an EU statement said.
EU funds have helped to pay for some 200 temporary buildings used as shelters in villages inhabited by Bedouin communities in the West Bank, just outside Arab east Jerusalem.
The structures demolished on Tuesday were small metal constructions put up on the outskirts of Arab neighborhood Issawiya, an AFP correspondent said. The area was empty of residents following the demolition by bulldozer. Jerusalem's municipality was not immediately available for comment. A spokesman for Regavim, a rightwing lobby group, said the move was unusual.
"This doesn't happen every day, and it certainly doesn't happen to EU buildings," Avi Hyman told AFP. Israeli authorities regularly demolish structures inhabited by the Bedouin in the West Bank, and have tried to move communities into housing planned by the state.
Activists say Israel is deliberately displacing the Bedouin in order to build settlements in the area of the West Bank just outside east Jerusalem. That effective annexation of a corridor running through the middle of the West Bank would make the creation of a contiguous Palestinian state impossible.
Israeli authorities on Tuesday demolished an EU-funded shelter in Arab east Jerusalem, the European Union said, denouncing the move.
"We condemn today's demolition of temporary shelters funded by the European Union... as part of its response to the needs of the affected communities," an EU statement said.
EU funds have helped to pay for some 200 temporary buildings used as shelters in villages inhabited by Bedouin communities in the West Bank, just outside Arab east Jerusalem.
The structures demolished on Tuesday were small metal constructions put up on the outskirts of Arab neighborhood Issawiya, an AFP correspondent said. The area was empty of residents following the demolition by bulldozer. Jerusalem's municipality was not immediately available for comment. A spokesman for Regavim, a rightwing lobby group, said the move was unusual.
"This doesn't happen every day, and it certainly doesn't happen to EU buildings," Avi Hyman told AFP. Israeli authorities regularly demolish structures inhabited by the Bedouin in the West Bank, and have tried to move communities into housing planned by the state.
Activists say Israel is deliberately displacing the Bedouin in order to build settlements in the area of the West Bank just outside east Jerusalem. That effective annexation of a corridor running through the middle of the West Bank would make the creation of a contiguous Palestinian state impossible.
Extremist Jewish settlers called “Students for The Temple” stormed Tuesday the Aqsa Mosque from al-Magharebah Gate under tight security measures by Israeli Special Forces.
The settlers organized provocative tours in the facilities of the holy Mosque amidst large numbers of Palestinian worshipers who responded by chants of Allahu Akbar.
The PIC reporter quoted a worker at the Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf as saying that the settlers’ tour guide carried banners representing the alleged Temple of Solomon and offered explanations of the myth claiming that the alleged Temple was in the place of the Aqsa Mosque.
Many of the Palestinian worshipers have recently maintained vigil at the Aqsa Mosque including students of Jerusalemite schools.
The Israeli policemen are still enforcing tight security measures against Jerusalemite women, regardless of their age, and holding the identities of some of them while passing through the Mosques’ various gates.
The Israeli policemen arrested on Monday three Palestinians in addition to a woman at the exit gates, and banned entry of a Jerusalemite woman into the holy site for two months.
One day earlier, three Jerusalemite women were also banned from entering the Aqsa Mosque for different periods just because of shouting with chants of Allahu Akbar against the settlers’ breaking into the holy site.
The settlers organized provocative tours in the facilities of the holy Mosque amidst large numbers of Palestinian worshipers who responded by chants of Allahu Akbar.
The PIC reporter quoted a worker at the Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf as saying that the settlers’ tour guide carried banners representing the alleged Temple of Solomon and offered explanations of the myth claiming that the alleged Temple was in the place of the Aqsa Mosque.
Many of the Palestinian worshipers have recently maintained vigil at the Aqsa Mosque including students of Jerusalemite schools.
The Israeli policemen are still enforcing tight security measures against Jerusalemite women, regardless of their age, and holding the identities of some of them while passing through the Mosques’ various gates.
The Israeli policemen arrested on Monday three Palestinians in addition to a woman at the exit gates, and banned entry of a Jerusalemite woman into the holy site for two months.
One day earlier, three Jerusalemite women were also banned from entering the Aqsa Mosque for different periods just because of shouting with chants of Allahu Akbar against the settlers’ breaking into the holy site.
9 mar 2015
The Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) have opened part of a freeway connecting Israeli settlements in eastern and southern Occupied Jerusalem city.
The passageway dismembers the Beit Safafa village and separates between families of the same community.
Observers warned of the serious repercussions of such a Judaization scheme and of Israeli intents to eliminate the Palestinian character and existence in Jerusalem’s neighborhoods.
The highway, which makes part of a Judaization bid implemented by the Israeli municipality in Jerusalem in coordination with the ministry of transportation, passes over two kms through the heart of Beit Safafa.
The bid aims at smoothing Israelis’ access out of and into Occupied Jerusalem and connecting the different tissues of Israel’s illegal settlements in northern and southern Jerusalem.
The implementation of the tender led to the confiscation of around 300 dunums of Beit Safafa private land tracts and 400 dunums of land lots in both sides of the street, along with hundreds of dunums previously confiscated in favor of illegal settlement expansion.
The highway not only disconnects the different parts of the village but isolates whole families and neighborhoods from each other and blocks all means of socio-cultural exchange between the Safafa community members.
The Israeli occupation authorities turned blind eyes to the distress signals launched by some 12,000 native inhabitants to minimize the socio-demographic threats implied by the bid.
The passageway dismembers the Beit Safafa village and separates between families of the same community.
Observers warned of the serious repercussions of such a Judaization scheme and of Israeli intents to eliminate the Palestinian character and existence in Jerusalem’s neighborhoods.
The highway, which makes part of a Judaization bid implemented by the Israeli municipality in Jerusalem in coordination with the ministry of transportation, passes over two kms through the heart of Beit Safafa.
The bid aims at smoothing Israelis’ access out of and into Occupied Jerusalem and connecting the different tissues of Israel’s illegal settlements in northern and southern Jerusalem.
The implementation of the tender led to the confiscation of around 300 dunums of Beit Safafa private land tracts and 400 dunums of land lots in both sides of the street, along with hundreds of dunums previously confiscated in favor of illegal settlement expansion.
The highway not only disconnects the different parts of the village but isolates whole families and neighborhoods from each other and blocks all means of socio-cultural exchange between the Safafa community members.
The Israeli occupation authorities turned blind eyes to the distress signals launched by some 12,000 native inhabitants to minimize the socio-demographic threats implied by the bid.
The Israeli occupation police afternoon Sunday kidnapped a Palestinian girl and a lady on their way back home from al-Aqsa Mosque.
Local sources said the Israeli cops abducted the 16-year-old Saja al-Razem as she walked out of al-Majlis Gate and dragged her to al-Qeshla detention center pending investigation.
The Israeli policemen further apprehended the Palestinian lady Abir Awda at al-Aqsa Gate moments after they had seized her personal ID.
A PIC correspondent quoted Director of al-Aqsa Mosque, Sheikh Omar al-Kiswani, as reporting that the Israeli occupation officers turned down his appeals to release the woman and immediately transferred her to an interrogation center.
Earlier, on Sunday morning a horde of 37 Israeli extremist settlers broke into al-Aqsa Mosque. A similar desecration assault was carried out by five Israeli vandals a few hours later.
Local sources said the Israeli cops abducted the 16-year-old Saja al-Razem as she walked out of al-Majlis Gate and dragged her to al-Qeshla detention center pending investigation.
The Israeli policemen further apprehended the Palestinian lady Abir Awda at al-Aqsa Gate moments after they had seized her personal ID.
A PIC correspondent quoted Director of al-Aqsa Mosque, Sheikh Omar al-Kiswani, as reporting that the Israeli occupation officers turned down his appeals to release the woman and immediately transferred her to an interrogation center.
Earlier, on Sunday morning a horde of 37 Israeli extremist settlers broke into al-Aqsa Mosque. A similar desecration assault was carried out by five Israeli vandals a few hours later.
8 mar 2015
A large number of extremist settlers, on Sunday morning, broke into Al Aqsa Mosque under the protection of special Israeli police units.
According to PNN sources, 35 settlers broke into the courtyards of the mosque in the early hours of the morning and tried to provoke the marabouts. Palestinian youngsters and students reacted to the provocations through Islamic chantings.
Al Aqsa Mosque is witnessing regular extremist settlers break-ins under the protection of the Israeli occupation police.
According to PNN sources, 35 settlers broke into the courtyards of the mosque in the early hours of the morning and tried to provoke the marabouts. Palestinian youngsters and students reacted to the provocations through Islamic chantings.
Al Aqsa Mosque is witnessing regular extremist settlers break-ins under the protection of the Israeli occupation police.
A Palestinian media center pointed out that 200 extremist Jewish settlers stormed the holy Aqsa Mosque last week which marks a noticeable increase.
In a statement on Sunday, “Qudsuna” center revealed that 200 settlers stormed the Aqsa Mosque and tried to perform Talmudic rituals last week.
The settlers toured the holy Mosque esplanades which provoked the worshipers and Aqsa Mosque guards who confronted them by chants of Allahu Akbar along with other pro-Aqsa slogans.
The center pointed out that the settlers’ tours fell in line with the so-called Temple’s organizations calls for celebrating the Purim Jewish holiday in the Aqsa Mosque on Wednesday and Thursday.
For its part, the Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage warned of the increasing storming operations of the Aqsa Mosque in recent weeks.
“Action must be taken urgently by decision makers in the Arab and Islamic world before it is too late”, it said.
The Foundation called on Palestinians from Jerusalem and 1948 Occupied Palestine to intensify their presence inside the Aqsa Mosque in order to defend the holy site.
In a statement on Sunday, “Qudsuna” center revealed that 200 settlers stormed the Aqsa Mosque and tried to perform Talmudic rituals last week.
The settlers toured the holy Mosque esplanades which provoked the worshipers and Aqsa Mosque guards who confronted them by chants of Allahu Akbar along with other pro-Aqsa slogans.
The center pointed out that the settlers’ tours fell in line with the so-called Temple’s organizations calls for celebrating the Purim Jewish holiday in the Aqsa Mosque on Wednesday and Thursday.
For its part, the Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage warned of the increasing storming operations of the Aqsa Mosque in recent weeks.
“Action must be taken urgently by decision makers in the Arab and Islamic world before it is too late”, it said.
The Foundation called on Palestinians from Jerusalem and 1948 Occupied Palestine to intensify their presence inside the Aqsa Mosque in order to defend the holy site.
7 mar 2015
A Palestinian official report disclosed that the Israeli Municipality in Occupied Jerusalem has recently contracted with French companies for the purpose of implementing Judaization projects in the holy city.
The report, issued on Saturday by the PLO National Office for the Defense of Land and Resistance of Settlement, revealed that the Israeli Municipality has resumed its works on a project that aims to construct chairlifts in the Old City of Jerusalem.
This Judaization project will consist of four stations, very close to key Islamic holy sites, in addition to dozens of huge pillars that will cross the Holy Basin of Jerusalem, the report pointed out.
The report also disclosed that the Israeli Municipality signed a contract with SAFEG French company which in turn contracted with another French firm called Poma and specialized in chairlift construction.
Besides, this project is managed by other Jewish companies concerned in Judaization of Jerusalem, the report added.
It is a continuation of an earlier Judaization project with a cost estimated at one million USD in Silwan town to the south of al-Aqsa Mosque. The project is marketed under the pretext of tourism enhancement in “David City” settlement outposts within the Israeli project called the “National Park”.
In a similar context, the report showed that the Israeli Occupation Authority (IOA) continued confiscating the Palestinian lands in the West Bank. The IOA announced its intention to establish a new settlement outpost which is going to consist of five units over Palestinian lands in a nearby town, according to the report.
The IOA also intends to establish new commercial and industrial areas over the lands of two West Bank villages. This project threatens the main entrance of one town in addition to Palestinians’ houses and farms whereas large areas of agricultural lands would be subjected to confiscation.
The report, issued on Saturday by the PLO National Office for the Defense of Land and Resistance of Settlement, revealed that the Israeli Municipality has resumed its works on a project that aims to construct chairlifts in the Old City of Jerusalem.
This Judaization project will consist of four stations, very close to key Islamic holy sites, in addition to dozens of huge pillars that will cross the Holy Basin of Jerusalem, the report pointed out.
The report also disclosed that the Israeli Municipality signed a contract with SAFEG French company which in turn contracted with another French firm called Poma and specialized in chairlift construction.
Besides, this project is managed by other Jewish companies concerned in Judaization of Jerusalem, the report added.
It is a continuation of an earlier Judaization project with a cost estimated at one million USD in Silwan town to the south of al-Aqsa Mosque. The project is marketed under the pretext of tourism enhancement in “David City” settlement outposts within the Israeli project called the “National Park”.
In a similar context, the report showed that the Israeli Occupation Authority (IOA) continued confiscating the Palestinian lands in the West Bank. The IOA announced its intention to establish a new settlement outpost which is going to consist of five units over Palestinian lands in a nearby town, according to the report.
The IOA also intends to establish new commercial and industrial areas over the lands of two West Bank villages. This project threatens the main entrance of one town in addition to Palestinians’ houses and farms whereas large areas of agricultural lands would be subjected to confiscation.
Jewish settlers illegally residing in al-Khalil city marched in the Shuhada street in the Old City and chanted anti-Palestinian slogans on Friday.
Eyewitnesses said that dozens of settlers took part in the march that started from Yishai settlement outpost and ended at the Ibrahimi Mosque under Israeli military protection.
They recalled that the Israeli occupation forces had already enhanced their presence in the Old City in preparation for celebrating the Jewish holiday of Purim.
The witnesses said that the settlers raised banners calling for killing and expelling Palestinians in addition to yelling insulting words to Arabs and Muslims.
Eyewitnesses said that dozens of settlers took part in the march that started from Yishai settlement outpost and ended at the Ibrahimi Mosque under Israeli military protection.
They recalled that the Israeli occupation forces had already enhanced their presence in the Old City in preparation for celebrating the Jewish holiday of Purim.
The witnesses said that the settlers raised banners calling for killing and expelling Palestinians in addition to yelling insulting words to Arabs and Muslims.
6 mar 2015
The Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and Palestinian territories Sheikh Mohamed Hussein hailed Friday the heroic steadfastness of the Palestinian worshipers who are daily present in al-Aqsa Mosque despite Israeli tough restrictions.
During the Friday prayer sermon in al-Aqsa Mosque, Sheikh Hussein stressed the important role of Palestinian worshipers in confronting the Israeli settlers’ daily break-ins into al-Aqsa Mosque.
He hailed their strong patience, faith, and steadfastness in face of Israeli schemes to take control over the holy shrine.
On the other hand, Jerusalem Mufti slammed Israeli political parties for racing to exploit holy sites during election campaigns.
Israeli extremist political parties are exploiting holy sites in order to win more electoral votes during the upcoming elections, he said.
During the Friday prayer sermon in al-Aqsa Mosque, Sheikh Hussein stressed the important role of Palestinian worshipers in confronting the Israeli settlers’ daily break-ins into al-Aqsa Mosque.
He hailed their strong patience, faith, and steadfastness in face of Israeli schemes to take control over the holy shrine.
On the other hand, Jerusalem Mufti slammed Israeli political parties for racing to exploit holy sites during election campaigns.
Israeli extremist political parties are exploiting holy sites in order to win more electoral votes during the upcoming elections, he said.
5 mar 2015
Palestine Solidarity Campaign has welcomed a decision by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) to ban an Israeli advert which implies that the Old City of Jerusalem is part of Israel.The advert was produced by the Israel Government Tourist Office (IGTO) and appeared in a travel brochure for Israel. The brochure was included as a supplement in a national UK newspaper. The ASA decision, released on 4th March, comes only days after it received a complaint from Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) about another IGTO publication called Taste of Israel.
Taste of Israel was distributed by Waitrose as a supplement in its February edition of its in-house magazine, Waitrose Kitchen. The supplement describes the Golan Heights – which are occupied Syrian territory - and the whole of Jerusalem as being in Israel.
It also claims Palestinian foods, including za’atar and tahini, are Israeli. Sarah Colborne, Director of PSC, said the inaccuracies amounted to false advertising. And she welcomed the ASA decision of 4th March. Commenting on the decision, Ms Colborne said: “The Israel Government Tourist Office has shown yet again that, as a propaganda arm of the Israeli government, its publications cannot be trusted or taken at face value.
“It has a track record of misleading the public and, consequently, of having its adverts banned by the Advertising Standards Authority in the UK. “In 2009, it produced posters for display in the London Underground which featured a map showing Gaza, the West Bank and the Syrian Golan Heights to be part of Israel. A successful challenge from Palestine Solidarity Campaign led to ASA banning the posters and branding them ‘misleading’. “
The following year, IGTO adverts in UK national newspapers, which implied that East Jerusalem is part of Israel, were also banned by ASA.” Ms Colborne added: “Despite all these rulings by ASA, the IGTO continues to use false advertising in its tourist promotions. It is therefore up to UK companies, such as supermarkets and national newspapers, to wake up to IGTO, see it for the propaganda machine it is, and stop carrying and distributing its inaccurate adverts.”
Taste of Israel was distributed by Waitrose as a supplement in its February edition of its in-house magazine, Waitrose Kitchen. The supplement describes the Golan Heights – which are occupied Syrian territory - and the whole of Jerusalem as being in Israel.
It also claims Palestinian foods, including za’atar and tahini, are Israeli. Sarah Colborne, Director of PSC, said the inaccuracies amounted to false advertising. And she welcomed the ASA decision of 4th March. Commenting on the decision, Ms Colborne said: “The Israel Government Tourist Office has shown yet again that, as a propaganda arm of the Israeli government, its publications cannot be trusted or taken at face value.
“It has a track record of misleading the public and, consequently, of having its adverts banned by the Advertising Standards Authority in the UK. “In 2009, it produced posters for display in the London Underground which featured a map showing Gaza, the West Bank and the Syrian Golan Heights to be part of Israel. A successful challenge from Palestine Solidarity Campaign led to ASA banning the posters and branding them ‘misleading’. “
The following year, IGTO adverts in UK national newspapers, which implied that East Jerusalem is part of Israel, were also banned by ASA.” Ms Colborne added: “Despite all these rulings by ASA, the IGTO continues to use false advertising in its tourist promotions. It is therefore up to UK companies, such as supermarkets and national newspapers, to wake up to IGTO, see it for the propaganda machine it is, and stop carrying and distributing its inaccurate adverts.”
A horde of Israeli extremist settlers overnight Wednesday set fire to two private vehicles that belong to Palestinian citizens and sprayed price-tag graffiti on the walls of a civilian home in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
Eye-witnesses said Israeli extremist settlers set fire to the vehicles of Ghassan Jamal Abu Alya and Akram Kamal Na’san, living in the western area of al-Mugheir town, in Ramallah province.
The settlers further sprayed price-tag and anti-Arab graffiti on the walls of the house of Ghassan Abu Alya moments before they fled.
By-standers at the scene said the settlers then sped away in a car to the illegal Shilo settlement outpost.
Earlier, a bunch of Israeli vandals torched Othman Ibn Affan Mosque in the town, leading to remarkable material damage.
In a related development, a group of Israeli settlers attempted to storm Al-Nabi Younis Mosque in al-Khalil’s town of Halhoul.
Jamal Abu Aram, head of the Halhoul Awqaf department said the Palestinian natives of the area have stood on their guard to the settlers and thwarted the desecration assault, the seventh of its kind over the past couple of months.
The attempt comes as part of a pre-planned Israeli policy targeting the mosque and holy Islamic shrines in the West Bank, he added, pointing to a recent assault on al-Huda Mosque in al-Jab’a village.
Abu Aram further spoke out against the series of sacrilegious assaults on holy al-Aqsa Mosque and the Ibrahimi Mosque, among other Islamic holy shrines.
Eye-witnesses said Israeli extremist settlers set fire to the vehicles of Ghassan Jamal Abu Alya and Akram Kamal Na’san, living in the western area of al-Mugheir town, in Ramallah province.
The settlers further sprayed price-tag and anti-Arab graffiti on the walls of the house of Ghassan Abu Alya moments before they fled.
By-standers at the scene said the settlers then sped away in a car to the illegal Shilo settlement outpost.
Earlier, a bunch of Israeli vandals torched Othman Ibn Affan Mosque in the town, leading to remarkable material damage.
In a related development, a group of Israeli settlers attempted to storm Al-Nabi Younis Mosque in al-Khalil’s town of Halhoul.
Jamal Abu Aram, head of the Halhoul Awqaf department said the Palestinian natives of the area have stood on their guard to the settlers and thwarted the desecration assault, the seventh of its kind over the past couple of months.
The attempt comes as part of a pre-planned Israeli policy targeting the mosque and holy Islamic shrines in the West Bank, he added, pointing to a recent assault on al-Huda Mosque in al-Jab’a village.
Abu Aram further spoke out against the series of sacrilegious assaults on holy al-Aqsa Mosque and the Ibrahimi Mosque, among other Islamic holy shrines.