24 apr 2018
Five Muslim guards at holy al-Aqsa Mosque are expected be brought before an Israeli court in Occupied Jerusalem in the next few hours.
Fadi Alyan, Luay Abu al-Saad, Khalil al-Tarhouni, Hamza al-Nebali, and Arafat Najeeb, are slated to be interrogated at an Israeli detention center in Jerusalem’s Salah al-Deen Street, pending a final decision by the Jerusalem police chief.
Director of al-Aqsa Mosque, Sheikh Omar al-Kiswani, denounced “the preplanned targeting” of al-Aqsa’s supervision staff and incessant crackdowns, including abductions, movement restrictions, and work bans, perpetrated by the Israeli occupation forces and authorities against them.
Earlier in the day, some 135 Israeli settlers, escorted by intelligence officers and policemen, broke into holy al-Aqsa Mosque via the Maghareba Gate.
Fadi Alyan, Luay Abu al-Saad, Khalil al-Tarhouni, Hamza al-Nebali, and Arafat Najeeb, are slated to be interrogated at an Israeli detention center in Jerusalem’s Salah al-Deen Street, pending a final decision by the Jerusalem police chief.
Director of al-Aqsa Mosque, Sheikh Omar al-Kiswani, denounced “the preplanned targeting” of al-Aqsa’s supervision staff and incessant crackdowns, including abductions, movement restrictions, and work bans, perpetrated by the Israeli occupation forces and authorities against them.
Earlier in the day, some 135 Israeli settlers, escorted by intelligence officers and policemen, broke into holy al-Aqsa Mosque via the Maghareba Gate.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has issued a public statement assuring that the country will not relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Her comments were made during an interview with Israeli TV on Sunday, maintaining Germany’s official rejection of a unilateral recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
“We have to work for the two-state solution, and, according to that, the status of Jerusalem should be clarified.” Merkel said.
Chancellor Merkel argues that status, in-line with Bundestag policy, can only be established in the framework of a multilateral peace agreement.
Merkel’s statement comes as a rejection of official U.S. policy, which, last December, under President Trump, called for the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, as well as beginning the process to relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
“Israel is a sovereign nation…that has the right to determine its own capital,” Trump said, ignoring the fact that Israel has occupied East Jerusalem for 50 years, in violation of international law.
Earlier this year, according to Ma’an, Chancellor Merkel questioned the progress being made toward such a peace agreement, stating that “Israel’s current settlement policy contradicts applicable international law and is not supported by us because it impedes a two-state solution.”
Chancellor Merkel’s statement came in response to a recent push from Petr Bystron, a member of Germany’s far-right AfD party, who, in recent days, has been aligning his party’s policies with that of the U.S. government in the relocation of Germany’s embassy to Jerusalem.
In December of 2017, Bystron issued a press release criticizing the German government’s vote in the United Nations General Assembly that deemed Trump’s announcement as redundant. The AfD, according to Bystron: “voiced its support for a strong and free Israel with Jerusalem as its capital.”
Despite Bystron’s pro-Israel rhetoric, his far-right opposite party has been boycotted by the Israeli government, and local Jewish community in Germany for its racist, and xenophobic policy platform.
Official German policy states that: “Our goal is a two-state solution with a State of Israel… as well as an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state, living side by side in peace and security. The status of Jerusalem, as well as other final status issues, will only be settled in the course of negotiations in order to be permanently accepted and durable.”
Her comments were made during an interview with Israeli TV on Sunday, maintaining Germany’s official rejection of a unilateral recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
“We have to work for the two-state solution, and, according to that, the status of Jerusalem should be clarified.” Merkel said.
Chancellor Merkel argues that status, in-line with Bundestag policy, can only be established in the framework of a multilateral peace agreement.
Merkel’s statement comes as a rejection of official U.S. policy, which, last December, under President Trump, called for the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, as well as beginning the process to relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
“Israel is a sovereign nation…that has the right to determine its own capital,” Trump said, ignoring the fact that Israel has occupied East Jerusalem for 50 years, in violation of international law.
Earlier this year, according to Ma’an, Chancellor Merkel questioned the progress being made toward such a peace agreement, stating that “Israel’s current settlement policy contradicts applicable international law and is not supported by us because it impedes a two-state solution.”
Chancellor Merkel’s statement came in response to a recent push from Petr Bystron, a member of Germany’s far-right AfD party, who, in recent days, has been aligning his party’s policies with that of the U.S. government in the relocation of Germany’s embassy to Jerusalem.
In December of 2017, Bystron issued a press release criticizing the German government’s vote in the United Nations General Assembly that deemed Trump’s announcement as redundant. The AfD, according to Bystron: “voiced its support for a strong and free Israel with Jerusalem as its capital.”
Despite Bystron’s pro-Israel rhetoric, his far-right opposite party has been boycotted by the Israeli government, and local Jewish community in Germany for its racist, and xenophobic policy platform.
Official German policy states that: “Our goal is a two-state solution with a State of Israel… as well as an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state, living side by side in peace and security. The status of Jerusalem, as well as other final status issues, will only be settled in the course of negotiations in order to be permanently accepted and durable.”
22 apr 2018
Dozens of Israeli settlers broke into al-Aqsa Mosque on Sunday morning under heavy police presence.
Local sources reported that 65 settlers entered the Mosque in consecutive groups via al-Maghareba Gate, roamed its courtyards and performed Talmudic rituals.
The sources added that the morning incursions lasted for four hours while other groups are expected to break into the Mosque following noon prayer.
In another context, the Israeli police handed three Aqsa guards interrogation summonses on Sunday morning.
Local sources said that the guards Khalil al-Tarhouni, Luai Abu al-Sa'd and Fadi Iliyyan were handed summonses, while they were present at al-Qashla detention center for interrogation, to appear again before the police next Tuesday along with two other guards who were recently banned from entering al-Aqsa Mosque for a week.
There are about 250 guards, mostly young Palestinians, who guard al-Aqsa Mosque around the clock to make sure no harm is caused to the holy site and protect it against settlers' violations despite the harassment they are constantly exposed to by the Israeli police.
Local sources reported that 65 settlers entered the Mosque in consecutive groups via al-Maghareba Gate, roamed its courtyards and performed Talmudic rituals.
The sources added that the morning incursions lasted for four hours while other groups are expected to break into the Mosque following noon prayer.
In another context, the Israeli police handed three Aqsa guards interrogation summonses on Sunday morning.
Local sources said that the guards Khalil al-Tarhouni, Luai Abu al-Sa'd and Fadi Iliyyan were handed summonses, while they were present at al-Qashla detention center for interrogation, to appear again before the police next Tuesday along with two other guards who were recently banned from entering al-Aqsa Mosque for a week.
There are about 250 guards, mostly young Palestinians, who guard al-Aqsa Mosque around the clock to make sure no harm is caused to the holy site and protect it against settlers' violations despite the harassment they are constantly exposed to by the Israeli police.
20 apr 2018
Israeli municipality teams escorted by policemen attacked and confiscated many of Palestinian commercial stalls in the Old City of Occupied Jerusalem. The police also issued tickets against the owners.
Other fines were released against Muslim worshipers who parked their cars in the city to perform Friday prayer at al-Aqsa Mosque.
Home demolition orders were as well handed over to Palestinian residents of Wad Yasoul neighborhood in Silwan town near Occupied Jerusalem. Summonses for referring to the municipality were also handed out.
Israeli forces seized a banner from a group of Turkish worshipers while passing through al-Silsilah gate into al-Aqsa Mosque.
About 50,000 Palestinians performed Friday prayer in al-Aqsa Mosque in spite of Israeli tightened security measures which are imposed at the pretext of Jewish holidays.
Other fines were released against Muslim worshipers who parked their cars in the city to perform Friday prayer at al-Aqsa Mosque.
Home demolition orders were as well handed over to Palestinian residents of Wad Yasoul neighborhood in Silwan town near Occupied Jerusalem. Summonses for referring to the municipality were also handed out.
Israeli forces seized a banner from a group of Turkish worshipers while passing through al-Silsilah gate into al-Aqsa Mosque.
About 50,000 Palestinians performed Friday prayer in al-Aqsa Mosque in spite of Israeli tightened security measures which are imposed at the pretext of Jewish holidays.
19 apr 2018
Dozens of Israeli settlers on Thursday and under heavy protection of Israeli forces broke into Solomon's Pools south of the West Bank city of Bethlehem, a Palestinian source said.
Local activist Ahmed Salah revealed that at least 100 settlers stormed the site under tight protection by Israeli occupation forces. The settlers were allowed to carry out Talmudic rituals at the site.
Solomon's Pools have been subjected to frequent incursions by settlers in an attempt to take over control of the touristic site, which they claim to be of religious importance to them.
The pools are three ancient reservoirs, dated back to the period of the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman, and located in the south-central West Bank in the Palestinian-controlled Area A.
Local activist Ahmed Salah revealed that at least 100 settlers stormed the site under tight protection by Israeli occupation forces. The settlers were allowed to carry out Talmudic rituals at the site.
Solomon's Pools have been subjected to frequent incursions by settlers in an attempt to take over control of the touristic site, which they claim to be of religious importance to them.
The pools are three ancient reservoirs, dated back to the period of the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman, and located in the south-central West Bank in the Palestinian-controlled Area A.
More than 250 extremist settlers early Thursday stormed compounds of the Al-Aqsa Mosque under heavy police protection, a Palestinian source confirmed.
The Islamic Awqaf and Al-Aqsa Affairs said that 203 settlers forced their way into the Mosque today morning through al-Magharebah Gate and under heavy protection of Israeli Special Forces.
43 other settlers had later stormed the holy shrine in the afternoon.
The extremist settlers provocatively toured the Al-Aqsa yards, listened to explanations on the alleged "Temple Mount" and tried to perform Talmudic rites publicly at the Mosque.
Members of "the alleged ‘Temple Mount’ organizations have earlier called to widely participate in today's incursions to celebrate the occasion of the so-called "Israel Independence ".
On Wednesday, Israeli police arrested two guards of al-Aqsa and summoned four others for investigation to pave the way for to today’s incursions.
The Islamic Awqaf and Al-Aqsa Affairs said that 203 settlers forced their way into the Mosque today morning through al-Magharebah Gate and under heavy protection of Israeli Special Forces.
43 other settlers had later stormed the holy shrine in the afternoon.
The extremist settlers provocatively toured the Al-Aqsa yards, listened to explanations on the alleged "Temple Mount" and tried to perform Talmudic rites publicly at the Mosque.
Members of "the alleged ‘Temple Mount’ organizations have earlier called to widely participate in today's incursions to celebrate the occasion of the so-called "Israel Independence ".
On Wednesday, Israeli police arrested two guards of al-Aqsa and summoned four others for investigation to pave the way for to today’s incursions.
18 apr 2018
Dozens of Israeli settlers renewed on Wednesday their break-ins into al-Aqsa Mosque under heavy police protection.
Islamic Endowment Authority reported that 54 settlers stormed the Mosque for four hours and performed Talmudic rituals in provocation to Muslims worshipers.
Large numbers of Israeli police and Special Forces were deployed early today in the courtyards to provide protection to the settlers’ tours.
Earlier Wednesday, two guards at al-Aqsa were detained and denied entry into the holy shrine for a week while four others were summoned for investigation.
Islamic Endowment Authority reported that 54 settlers stormed the Mosque for four hours and performed Talmudic rituals in provocation to Muslims worshipers.
Large numbers of Israeli police and Special Forces were deployed early today in the courtyards to provide protection to the settlers’ tours.
Earlier Wednesday, two guards at al-Aqsa were detained and denied entry into the holy shrine for a week while four others were summoned for investigation.
Noted Palestinian figures have condemned an Israeli court in Occupied Jerusalem for allowing Jewish settlers to chant “Am Yisrael Chai,” which means the people of Israel live or are alive in Hebrew, at the Aqsa Mosque compound.
Sheikh Najah Bukairat, director of education at the Aqsa Mosque, told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that all Israeli practices inside the Mosque are considered reprehensible acts of bullying, stressing that the Islamic holy site is not subject to Israeli laws or court verdicts.
For his part, researcher Jama Amr, a specialist in the history of Jerusalem and Aqsa, said that such Israeli step was aimed at responding to the Muslims’ religious chant “Allahu Akbar,” which means God is the greatest in Arabic.
He warned that the Israeli occupation tries to pave the way for its control over the Aqsa Mosque, describing the court decision as “extremely serious.”
The Jerusalem magistrate court ruled Monday that it is permitted for Jewish visitors to the Aqsa Mosque compound to shout “Am Yisrael chai” (The people of Israel live) at the pretext that it is a patriotic slogan rather than a prayer.
The court made its ruling in the case of Itamar Ben Gvir, a right-wing activist and lawyer who was removed from the site by the Israeli police in September 2015 and detained for a few hours at the time after shouting out the slogan.
Sheikh Najah Bukairat, director of education at the Aqsa Mosque, told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that all Israeli practices inside the Mosque are considered reprehensible acts of bullying, stressing that the Islamic holy site is not subject to Israeli laws or court verdicts.
For his part, researcher Jama Amr, a specialist in the history of Jerusalem and Aqsa, said that such Israeli step was aimed at responding to the Muslims’ religious chant “Allahu Akbar,” which means God is the greatest in Arabic.
He warned that the Israeli occupation tries to pave the way for its control over the Aqsa Mosque, describing the court decision as “extremely serious.”
The Jerusalem magistrate court ruled Monday that it is permitted for Jewish visitors to the Aqsa Mosque compound to shout “Am Yisrael chai” (The people of Israel live) at the pretext that it is a patriotic slogan rather than a prayer.
The court made its ruling in the case of Itamar Ben Gvir, a right-wing activist and lawyer who was removed from the site by the Israeli police in September 2015 and detained for a few hours at the time after shouting out the slogan.
17 apr 2018
Dozens of Israeli settlers on Tuesday stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the occupied Jerusalem amid heavy military protection.
“59 settlers stormed the mosque for four hours via al-Magharibeh Gate while being heavily guarded by Israeli police,” Jerusalem’s Islamic Endowments Department told Quds Press.
Settlers have intensified their attempts to breach the mosque since last week’s Jewish Passover holiday.
Jerusalem-based Islamic bodies condemned the incursions, saying they aim to change Al-Aqsa’s historical character.
“59 settlers stormed the mosque for four hours via al-Magharibeh Gate while being heavily guarded by Israeli police,” Jerusalem’s Islamic Endowments Department told Quds Press.
Settlers have intensified their attempts to breach the mosque since last week’s Jewish Passover holiday.
Jerusalem-based Islamic bodies condemned the incursions, saying they aim to change Al-Aqsa’s historical character.
16 apr 2018
A group of Israeli settlers, on Monday, stormed a historic archaeological site in the town of Sebastia, near Nablus, northern West Bank, under heavy protection by the Israeli army.
The mayor of Sebastia Mohammed Azem, told WAFA that a number of settlers, broke into the site amid the protection by the army, who closed the area for any other visitors.
He added that confrontations broke out in the area, following the visit, while Israeli soldiers fired teargas towards the protesters.
Azem pointed out that the town is constantly attacked by the occupation and settlers, especially with the approach of a national festival in the town that will be organized by the municipality next Friday, and will be held in the archaeological area.
In a separate incident, two Israeli settlers, in the early Monday morning hours, have reportedly damaged a grave in Bab Al-Rahma historic Islamic cemetery, adjacent to the eastern wall of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, defiling it.
According to media reports, the settlers were screaming racist slogans, insults and hatred while they were attacking the grave.
PNN notes that Israeli occupation, and many of its organizations continue to target this cemetery, after having cut off a big part along the Al-Aqsa wall; to found the “National Park” project which would eventually stop burial of Muslim Jerusalemites in the cemetery.
The mayor of Sebastia Mohammed Azem, told WAFA that a number of settlers, broke into the site amid the protection by the army, who closed the area for any other visitors.
He added that confrontations broke out in the area, following the visit, while Israeli soldiers fired teargas towards the protesters.
Azem pointed out that the town is constantly attacked by the occupation and settlers, especially with the approach of a national festival in the town that will be organized by the municipality next Friday, and will be held in the archaeological area.
In a separate incident, two Israeli settlers, in the early Monday morning hours, have reportedly damaged a grave in Bab Al-Rahma historic Islamic cemetery, adjacent to the eastern wall of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, defiling it.
According to media reports, the settlers were screaming racist slogans, insults and hatred while they were attacking the grave.
PNN notes that Israeli occupation, and many of its organizations continue to target this cemetery, after having cut off a big part along the Al-Aqsa wall; to found the “National Park” project which would eventually stop burial of Muslim Jerusalemites in the cemetery.
Israeli fanatic settlers escorted by Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Monday hoisted Israeli flags over al-Haram al-Ibrahimi Mosque in al-Khalil city as well as on the western wall of the holy site.
This came in celebration of the so called the Israeli "Independence Day" which is remembered as the Nakba 70th anniversary by Palestinians.
The head of the Islamic Waqf (Endowment) Department in al-Khalil, Ismail Abu al-Halawa, told Quds Press that this violation goes in line with the Israeli policies and plans for Judaizing and taking over the holy shrine.
For his part, Palestinian Waqf and Religious Affairs Minister Sheikh Yusef Edais said that the recent escalation of Israeli crimes against Islamic holy places is warning of dire consequences.
He stressed that the Islamic sacred places are for Muslims only and that the Palestinian people will always confront the Israeli attempts to impose a status quo over the Islamic holy sites.
This came in celebration of the so called the Israeli "Independence Day" which is remembered as the Nakba 70th anniversary by Palestinians.
The head of the Islamic Waqf (Endowment) Department in al-Khalil, Ismail Abu al-Halawa, told Quds Press that this violation goes in line with the Israeli policies and plans for Judaizing and taking over the holy shrine.
For his part, Palestinian Waqf and Religious Affairs Minister Sheikh Yusef Edais said that the recent escalation of Israeli crimes against Islamic holy places is warning of dire consequences.
He stressed that the Islamic sacred places are for Muslims only and that the Palestinian people will always confront the Israeli attempts to impose a status quo over the Islamic holy sites.
Dozens of Israeli settlers have once again stormed the al-Aqsa Mosque compound early on Monday via the Israeli-controlled al-Magaribeh Gate.
According to Quds Press, 72 settlers and 6 members of Israeli Antiquities Authority forced their way into the holy site under tight protection of several groups of Israeli soldiers and special police forces.
30 Israeli students have also stormed the holy shrine early today, the sources added.
In recent months, groups of extremist Jewish settlers, often accompanied by Israeli forces, have repeatedly forced their way into al-Aqsa Mosque.
According to Quds Press, 72 settlers and 6 members of Israeli Antiquities Authority forced their way into the holy site under tight protection of several groups of Israeli soldiers and special police forces.
30 Israeli students have also stormed the holy shrine early today, the sources added.
In recent months, groups of extremist Jewish settlers, often accompanied by Israeli forces, have repeatedly forced their way into al-Aqsa Mosque.
Israeli soldiers abducted, on Monday at dawn, six Palestinians, including one woman and three children, in several parts of occupied East Jerusalem, after invading their homes and searching them.
Lawyer Mohammad Mahmoud of the Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Silwan (Silwanic) said the soldiers invaded and searched homes in at-Tour, overlooking the Old City, and abducted three children.
He identified the abducted children as Mahmoud Walid Abu al-Hawa, 15, Yazan Anwar Salfiti, 15, and Amir Hazem Sayyad, 16.
Mahmoud added that the soldiers also invaded and searched homes in Shu’fat refugee camp, north of Jerusalem, and abducted a former political prisoner, identified as Amir Khader Dibis, and Nidal Sheeha.
Furthermore, the soldiers invaded Hebron city and several villages and towns, searched and ransacked many homes and abducted four Palestinians, including one child.
On Sunday at night, two fanatic female Israeli colonizers destroyed two tombstones of the Bab ar-Rahma historic Islamic graveyard and wrote racist graffiti.
The graveyard is subject to ongoing violations, especially since Israel confiscated a section near Al-Aqsa Mosque to include in its so-called “National Gardens” project.
Lawyer Mohammad Mahmoud of the Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Silwan (Silwanic) said the soldiers invaded and searched homes in at-Tour, overlooking the Old City, and abducted three children.
He identified the abducted children as Mahmoud Walid Abu al-Hawa, 15, Yazan Anwar Salfiti, 15, and Amir Hazem Sayyad, 16.
Mahmoud added that the soldiers also invaded and searched homes in Shu’fat refugee camp, north of Jerusalem, and abducted a former political prisoner, identified as Amir Khader Dibis, and Nidal Sheeha.
Furthermore, the soldiers invaded Hebron city and several villages and towns, searched and ransacked many homes and abducted four Palestinians, including one child.
On Sunday at night, two fanatic female Israeli colonizers destroyed two tombstones of the Bab ar-Rahma historic Islamic graveyard and wrote racist graffiti.
The graveyard is subject to ongoing violations, especially since Israel confiscated a section near Al-Aqsa Mosque to include in its so-called “National Gardens” project.
The Arab leaders participating in the 29th Arab League summit held in the Saudi city of Dhahran on Sunday confirmed the Arab identity of East Jerusalem, the capital of the state of Palestine.
In the concluding statement of the summit, named "Jerusalem Summit", the Arab leaders stressed the right of Palestine to sovereignty over all territories occupied since 1967 including East Jerusalem.
They called for peace as a strategic option and a way to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict in accordance with the Arab peace initiative launched by Saudi Arabia in 2002.
They also expressed their rejection of the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move the US embassy in Israel to the holy city. They announced the decision "null" and "void" and a "grave breach of international law".
Dhahran summit strongly condemned Israel's illegal settlement policy pursued in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 including East Jerusalem.
The summit pledged $100 million per month to support Palestine in light of the pressure and the financial crisis it is going through.
Earlier on Sunday, the 29th Arab League summit kicked off under the name "Jerusalem Summit, and it was attended by 14 Arab leaders.
In December 2017, the US president Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel sparking widespread international condemnation.
In the concluding statement of the summit, named "Jerusalem Summit", the Arab leaders stressed the right of Palestine to sovereignty over all territories occupied since 1967 including East Jerusalem.
They called for peace as a strategic option and a way to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict in accordance with the Arab peace initiative launched by Saudi Arabia in 2002.
They also expressed their rejection of the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move the US embassy in Israel to the holy city. They announced the decision "null" and "void" and a "grave breach of international law".
Dhahran summit strongly condemned Israel's illegal settlement policy pursued in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 including East Jerusalem.
The summit pledged $100 million per month to support Palestine in light of the pressure and the financial crisis it is going through.
Earlier on Sunday, the 29th Arab League summit kicked off under the name "Jerusalem Summit, and it was attended by 14 Arab leaders.
In December 2017, the US president Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel sparking widespread international condemnation.
