2 may 2018
The U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he may go to Occupied Jerusalem, where the United States is moving its embassy from Tel Aviv later this month after Trump broke with other world powers last year to recognize Occupied Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
According to the New York Times, Trump made the comment to reporters at the White House. The embassy is expected to open on May 14 at a provisional site until a more permanent location is built.
Earlier on Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News in an interview that he would "love" to have the U.S. president attend.
Trump last month suggested he might help open the embassy, strengthened his bond with Netanyahu.
Recently, Israeli news outlets have said that Trump's daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner, also Trump's senior adviser, are expected to attend the opening of the new US embassy in Occupied Jerusalem.
Trump’s decision to move the U.S. embassy to Occupied Jerusalem has outraged Palestinians and sparked criticism from around the world.
According to the New York Times, Trump made the comment to reporters at the White House. The embassy is expected to open on May 14 at a provisional site until a more permanent location is built.
Earlier on Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News in an interview that he would "love" to have the U.S. president attend.
Trump last month suggested he might help open the embassy, strengthened his bond with Netanyahu.
Recently, Israeli news outlets have said that Trump's daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner, also Trump's senior adviser, are expected to attend the opening of the new US embassy in Occupied Jerusalem.
Trump’s decision to move the U.S. embassy to Occupied Jerusalem has outraged Palestinians and sparked criticism from around the world.
Dozens of Israeli settlers stormed on Wednesday morning Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa Mosque—the third holiest site in Islam—via the Maghareba Gate.
Hordes of Israeli settlers, escorted by policemen, broke into al-Aqsa Mosque as part of the morning break-in shift and carried out a round of sacrilegious tours.
Dozens more are expected to show up at the site in the next few hours. The Muslim authorities and worshipers expressed concern that the mosque would be turned into a military barrack by the Israeli police and settlers.
At the same time, the peaceful Muslim worshipers have been subjected to tough crackdowns and restrictions by the Israeli police near the main entrances to the site. Several worshipers have been searched and dozens more have had their IDs seized while attempting to enter al-Aqsa to perform their daily prayers.
Hordes of Israeli settlers, escorted by policemen, broke into al-Aqsa Mosque as part of the morning break-in shift and carried out a round of sacrilegious tours.
Dozens more are expected to show up at the site in the next few hours. The Muslim authorities and worshipers expressed concern that the mosque would be turned into a military barrack by the Israeli police and settlers.
At the same time, the peaceful Muslim worshipers have been subjected to tough crackdowns and restrictions by the Israeli police near the main entrances to the site. Several worshipers have been searched and dozens more have had their IDs seized while attempting to enter al-Aqsa to perform their daily prayers.
Guatemala has started procedures to move its embassy in Israel to Occupied Jerusalem at the Malkha Technology Park, in a move set to flame tensions across the occupied Palestinian territories, Haaretz reported on Wednesday.
According to Haaretz, the official ceremony celebrating the move will take place on May 16, after the U.S. relocates its embassy from Tel Aviv to Occupied Jerusalem, with the likely attendance of Guatemalan president Jimmy Morales.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu celebrated the move and welcomed Guatemala to Occupied Jerusalem.
“I was moved to see the flag of Guatemala waving in Jerusalem in advance of the opening of the Guatemalan embassy later this month. Dear friends, welcome back to our eternal capital," Netanyahu said.
Political sources in Romania, the Czech Republic, Paraguay and Honduras were quoted in recent months as saying that their countries are also considering moving their embassies to Occupied Jerusalem, but such a move has yet to take place.
Jimmy Morales, president of Guatemala, first announced the move in a speech at the AIPAC policy conference in Washington this March, saying they would move their embassy two days after the U.S. moved theirs.
Netanyahu met with Morales during AIPAC, where he thanked the Guatemalan president for recognizing Occupied Jerusalem as the capital of the self-proclaimed Israeli state.
Guatemala was one of seven states that voted with the U.S. in a UN vote to recognize Occupied Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, along with Honduras, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, and Togo.
Guatemala’s embassy relocation is set to spark widespread condemnation and escalate protests by the Palestinians, who consider Jerusalem as their undivided and eternal capital.
According to Haaretz, the official ceremony celebrating the move will take place on May 16, after the U.S. relocates its embassy from Tel Aviv to Occupied Jerusalem, with the likely attendance of Guatemalan president Jimmy Morales.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu celebrated the move and welcomed Guatemala to Occupied Jerusalem.
“I was moved to see the flag of Guatemala waving in Jerusalem in advance of the opening of the Guatemalan embassy later this month. Dear friends, welcome back to our eternal capital," Netanyahu said.
Political sources in Romania, the Czech Republic, Paraguay and Honduras were quoted in recent months as saying that their countries are also considering moving their embassies to Occupied Jerusalem, but such a move has yet to take place.
Jimmy Morales, president of Guatemala, first announced the move in a speech at the AIPAC policy conference in Washington this March, saying they would move their embassy two days after the U.S. moved theirs.
Netanyahu met with Morales during AIPAC, where he thanked the Guatemalan president for recognizing Occupied Jerusalem as the capital of the self-proclaimed Israeli state.
Guatemala was one of seven states that voted with the U.S. in a UN vote to recognize Occupied Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, along with Honduras, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, and Togo.
Guatemala’s embassy relocation is set to spark widespread condemnation and escalate protests by the Palestinians, who consider Jerusalem as their undivided and eternal capital.
1 may 2018
The Israeli authorities banned on Tuesday the travel of Sheikh Ikrema Sabri, head of the Supreme Islamic Committee and the preacher of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, for a whole month.
The Israeli order could be extended for four additional months, Sheikh Sabri told the PIC.
He described the order as “illegal and arbitrary.”
Sheikh Sabri was expected to participate at an academic conference in Istanbul next week along with a number of Islamic scholars.
The Israeli ban is the fifth of its kind to be issued against Sheikh Sabri over the past few years.
The Israeli order could be extended for four additional months, Sheikh Sabri told the PIC.
He described the order as “illegal and arbitrary.”
Sheikh Sabri was expected to participate at an academic conference in Istanbul next week along with a number of Islamic scholars.
The Israeli ban is the fifth of its kind to be issued against Sheikh Sabri over the past few years.
Dozens of Jewish settlers entered the Aqsa Mosque in Occupied Jerusalem on Tuesday morning escorted by Israeli policemen.
Awkaf department officials told Quds Press that 43 Jewish settlers roamed the plazas of the holy Islamic site via the Maghareba Gate under heavy police escort.
They added that the settlers performed Talmudic rituals at the eastern areas of the Mosque.
Other groups of settlers broke into the holy site in the afternoon under protection of the Israeli police and special forces, the Awkaf officials underlined.
Meanwhile, the Israeli occupation police blocked the entry of a Palestinian child into the holy site via Ghawanme Gate at the pretext she was carrying a bag with the word “Palestinian” written on it.
Awkaf department officials told Quds Press that 43 Jewish settlers roamed the plazas of the holy Islamic site via the Maghareba Gate under heavy police escort.
They added that the settlers performed Talmudic rituals at the eastern areas of the Mosque.
Other groups of settlers broke into the holy site in the afternoon under protection of the Israeli police and special forces, the Awkaf officials underlined.
Meanwhile, the Israeli occupation police blocked the entry of a Palestinian child into the holy site via Ghawanme Gate at the pretext she was carrying a bag with the word “Palestinian” written on it.
30 apr 2018
Israeli Nature Authority crews stormed Monday Bab al-Rahma cemetery in occupied Jerusalem and carried out digging operations.
Firas al-Debs, the media coordinator in the Department of Islamic Endowments in occupied said that Israel’s Nature Authority members, escorted by armed officers, broke into the cemetery and removed all the surrounding trees before carrying out excavations in preparation for erecting a wall.
Local residents headed early today to the cemetery in attempt to prevent the digging operations, which led to the outbreak of violent clashes.
At least one young man was detained during the clashes.
Yesterday, Nature Authority staff members stormed the cemetery and sprayed chemical substances on trees planted in the area.
The cemetery is home to the bodies of a number of companions of the Prophet of Islam, Mohammed Peace Be Upon Him.
The Israeli occupation authorities have sought to hold sway over parts of the cemetery in an attempt to establish parks for settlers and wipe out the site’s Islamic identity.
Firas al-Debs, the media coordinator in the Department of Islamic Endowments in occupied said that Israel’s Nature Authority members, escorted by armed officers, broke into the cemetery and removed all the surrounding trees before carrying out excavations in preparation for erecting a wall.
Local residents headed early today to the cemetery in attempt to prevent the digging operations, which led to the outbreak of violent clashes.
At least one young man was detained during the clashes.
Yesterday, Nature Authority staff members stormed the cemetery and sprayed chemical substances on trees planted in the area.
The cemetery is home to the bodies of a number of companions of the Prophet of Islam, Mohammed Peace Be Upon Him.
The Israeli occupation authorities have sought to hold sway over parts of the cemetery in an attempt to establish parks for settlers and wipe out the site’s Islamic identity.
29 apr 2018
Israel’s Nature Authority on Sunday morning stormed the Rahma cemetery adjacent to the eastern wall of al-Aqsa Mosque—the third holiest site in Islam.
The Israeli Nature Authority staff members, escorted by armed officers, stormed the Rahma cemetery and sprayed chemical substances on trees planted in the area.
Israeli policemen closed off the main access road to the cemetery.
The cemetery is home to the bodies of a number of companions of the Prophet of Islam, Mohammed Peace Be Upon Him.
The Israeli occupation authorities have sought to hold sway over parts of the cemetery in an attempt to establish parks for settlers and wipe out the site’s Islamic identity. Video Video
The Israeli Nature Authority staff members, escorted by armed officers, stormed the Rahma cemetery and sprayed chemical substances on trees planted in the area.
Israeli policemen closed off the main access road to the cemetery.
The cemetery is home to the bodies of a number of companions of the Prophet of Islam, Mohammed Peace Be Upon Him.
The Israeli occupation authorities have sought to hold sway over parts of the cemetery in an attempt to establish parks for settlers and wipe out the site’s Islamic identity. Video Video
Dozens of Jewish settlers accompanied by police forces forced their way into Occupied Jerusalem's al-Aqsa Mosque on Sunday morning.
More than 62 settlers backed by Israeli police have forced their way into the Al-Aqsa compound via the Al-Magharbeh Gate in the morning, Jerusalemite sources reported.
Settlers toured the compound in groups and attempted to perform Talmudic rituals, the sources added.
Meanwhile, Israeli police continue to restrict Palestinian worshipers’ access into al-Aqsa.
More than 62 settlers backed by Israeli police have forced their way into the Al-Aqsa compound via the Al-Magharbeh Gate in the morning, Jerusalemite sources reported.
Settlers toured the compound in groups and attempted to perform Talmudic rituals, the sources added.
Meanwhile, Israeli police continue to restrict Palestinian worshipers’ access into al-Aqsa.
28 apr 2018
Romanian president Klaus Iohannis called on premier Viorica Dancila to resign on Friday, saying she did not consult him over her government’s plan to move the country’s embassy in from Tel Aviv to Occupied Jerusalem.
Iohannis' statement comes after the Dancila’s government pushed through a secret memorandum to move Romania's embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.
Dancila and her government did not consult president Iohannis on the matter. As president, Iohannis is in charge of foreign policy and the one entitled to make the final decision on the embassy move.
Iohannis already warned the move could violate international law.
Dancila also made a state visit to Israel earlier this week, but left Romania without consulting the president ahead of time.
The president argued that Dancila violated the principle of loyal consultation between his office and hers. “Mrs Dancila preferred to execute the orders coming from the [governing] party,” he said.
He said that Dancila "is not up for the job of Romanian prime minister" and that she has become a "liability" for Romania.
Although Iohannis does not have the authority to remove Dancila, his demand for her resignation could put pressure on the government.
Dancila became Romania's first female premier in January.
Iohannis' statement comes after the Dancila’s government pushed through a secret memorandum to move Romania's embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.
Dancila and her government did not consult president Iohannis on the matter. As president, Iohannis is in charge of foreign policy and the one entitled to make the final decision on the embassy move.
Iohannis already warned the move could violate international law.
Dancila also made a state visit to Israel earlier this week, but left Romania without consulting the president ahead of time.
The president argued that Dancila violated the principle of loyal consultation between his office and hers. “Mrs Dancila preferred to execute the orders coming from the [governing] party,” he said.
He said that Dancila "is not up for the job of Romanian prime minister" and that she has become a "liability" for Romania.
Although Iohannis does not have the authority to remove Dancila, his demand for her resignation could put pressure on the government.
Dancila became Romania's first female premier in January.
US president Donald Trump on Friday said that he might visit Jerusalem to attend the opening of the US embassy in the holy city.
Speaking at a joint press conference with the Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, Trump said that he might visit Jerusalem to attend the ceremony.
Trump talked for the first time about a possible visit to Tel Aviv for the embassy transfer during his meeting with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on 5th March.
Some Hebrew media sources said on Monday that Trump's daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner had decided to participate in the embassy transfer ceremony.
Trump on 6th December 2017 recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and announced his plan to move the US embassy there to the holy city stirring widespread condemnation.
Following Trump's recognition, the Czech Republic, Romania, Guatemala and Honduras decided to follow the US embassy move without setting a date for the transfer.
The US State Department announced earlier that it will transfer its embassy to Jerusalem in May, while tension is expected to escalate in the Palestinian territories.
Speaking at a joint press conference with the Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, Trump said that he might visit Jerusalem to attend the ceremony.
Trump talked for the first time about a possible visit to Tel Aviv for the embassy transfer during his meeting with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on 5th March.
Some Hebrew media sources said on Monday that Trump's daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner had decided to participate in the embassy transfer ceremony.
Trump on 6th December 2017 recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and announced his plan to move the US embassy there to the holy city stirring widespread condemnation.
Following Trump's recognition, the Czech Republic, Romania, Guatemala and Honduras decided to follow the US embassy move without setting a date for the transfer.
The US State Department announced earlier that it will transfer its embassy to Jerusalem in May, while tension is expected to escalate in the Palestinian territories.
25 apr 2018
Preparations necessary to move the US embassy on May 14 from Tel Aviv to Occupied Jerusalem have completed.
Among the preparations are road signs, as well as an access road for an embassy building being built behind the current US consulate.
According to the Hebrew media, the new embassy will be an interim embassy facility in the Arnona neighborhood of Jerusalem, partially converting what is currently used as a US consulate into a temporary embassy. It will house US Ambassador David Friedman's office, and a small portion of the staff currently located at the embassy in Tel Aviv.
The Arnona compound will be expanded, with the addition of a new annex, likely by the end of 2019.
The Hebrew media also claimed that US president Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner would represent the administration at the Embassy's opening ceremony.
Among the preparations are road signs, as well as an access road for an embassy building being built behind the current US consulate.
According to the Hebrew media, the new embassy will be an interim embassy facility in the Arnona neighborhood of Jerusalem, partially converting what is currently used as a US consulate into a temporary embassy. It will house US Ambassador David Friedman's office, and a small portion of the staff currently located at the embassy in Tel Aviv.
The Arnona compound will be expanded, with the addition of a new annex, likely by the end of 2019.
The Hebrew media also claimed that US president Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner would represent the administration at the Embassy's opening ceremony.
Israeli police offered protection to 57 Jewish settlers who stormed the plazas of al-Aqsa Mosque from al-Magharebah gate on Wednesday.
Local sources said that the settlers were escorted by 17 members of Israeli intelligence forces while roaming the courtyards of the Muslims’ holy shrine.
Earlier on Tuesday, 4 guards of al-Aqsa Mosque were banned from entering the holy site: three for six months and one for 30 days.
Director of al-Aqsa Mosque Shiekh Omar al-Kiswani condemned the Israeli unjust ban-of-entry orders against al-Aqsa guards and labeling them as “danger to the public” as claimed by Israeli forces.
He reiterated that al-Aqsa Mosque is for Muslims only and that Israeli police have no right to bar the guards from accessing the holy site and fulfilling their duties.
Kiswani opined that the entry-ban orders aimed at paving the way for new measures to be pursued against the workers at the mosque. He stressed that the Jordanian Awqaf Ministry along with Islamic Endowment Department are going to follow up such Israeli orders in addition to legal follow up.
Local sources said that the settlers were escorted by 17 members of Israeli intelligence forces while roaming the courtyards of the Muslims’ holy shrine.
Earlier on Tuesday, 4 guards of al-Aqsa Mosque were banned from entering the holy site: three for six months and one for 30 days.
Director of al-Aqsa Mosque Shiekh Omar al-Kiswani condemned the Israeli unjust ban-of-entry orders against al-Aqsa guards and labeling them as “danger to the public” as claimed by Israeli forces.
He reiterated that al-Aqsa Mosque is for Muslims only and that Israeli police have no right to bar the guards from accessing the holy site and fulfilling their duties.
Kiswani opined that the entry-ban orders aimed at paving the way for new measures to be pursued against the workers at the mosque. He stressed that the Jordanian Awqaf Ministry along with Islamic Endowment Department are going to follow up such Israeli orders in addition to legal follow up.
Israel’s alleged Temple Mount organizations have launched calls for mass break-ins into Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque—the third holiest site in Islam—on May 13.
Leaflets circulated on social media networks by the Temple Mount groups urged Israeli settlers to collectively defile al-Aqsa Mosque on the so-called "Jerusalem Day", in reference to the day when Israel occupied the eastern part of Jerusalem city.
Last year, similar break-ins carried out by Israel’s settler hordes into al-Aqsa fueled tension across the occupied Palestinian territories.
Over recent days, Israeli police stepped up crackdowns against the Muslim guards and staff at al-Aqsa Mosque, banning at least six from the site for periods ranging from 15 days to six months.
May 30, 2018, marks the 51st anniversary of Israel’s takeover of Jerusalem’s eastern part following the 1967 war, known as the Naksa Day, as it has resulted in the displacement of thousands of Palestinians from their homes.
Leaflets circulated on social media networks by the Temple Mount groups urged Israeli settlers to collectively defile al-Aqsa Mosque on the so-called "Jerusalem Day", in reference to the day when Israel occupied the eastern part of Jerusalem city.
Last year, similar break-ins carried out by Israel’s settler hordes into al-Aqsa fueled tension across the occupied Palestinian territories.
Over recent days, Israeli police stepped up crackdowns against the Muslim guards and staff at al-Aqsa Mosque, banning at least six from the site for periods ranging from 15 days to six months.
May 30, 2018, marks the 51st anniversary of Israel’s takeover of Jerusalem’s eastern part following the 1967 war, known as the Naksa Day, as it has resulted in the displacement of thousands of Palestinians from their homes.
