22 july 2016
Israeli forces are installing a stone checkpoint at the entrance of the Ibrahimi Mosque to restrict Palestinians from entering it, to visit and to pray.
As the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee’s General Manager, Imad Hamdan, illustrated, the new checkpoint will be made of stone in a permanent-style, in front of the historic holy site, which will affect the fabric of the building and the community.
This development came from the Israeli Shamghar committee which also recommended the division of the mosque into two parts following the massacre of Palestinians in the Ibrahimi Mosque in 1994.
Subsequent to the division of the mosque, the holy site fell under tight control by Israeli security and surveillance. These developments were catastrophic to Palestinians and to the old city, as it is a religiously, historically and culturally significant. It is the Palestinian Authority’s responsibility to defend, maintain and combat Israeli policies aimed at colonizing the Ibrahimi Mosque and Palestinian lands.
Checkpoints are used by the Israeli military to deter Palestinian residents from coming to and living in the Old City of Hebron, to restrict their movements and devastate the rights of the local population. Military checkpoints around the Ibrahimi Mosque are placed strategically by Israeli forces to expel Muslim devotees from the area and increase Israeli presence, in and around the mosque.
In the Old City of Hebron, 18 checkpoints currently exist, in addition to more than 130 other access restrictions, which the Israeli military claim are in place in order to provide “security” to the 600 illegal settlers living in the city center and the thousands living nearby.
However, in actuality, checkpoints are one of many tools used by the Israeli military to humiliate the local Palestinian population, appropriate large portions of Hebron’s Old City, and create a closure and expansion policy to ensure Jewish-only areas.
Hebron Rehabilitation Committee (HRC) deplores Israeli plans to further oppress the local Palestinian population by installing a new checkpoint in Hebron’s Old City, near the holy site of the Ibrahimi Mosque.
HRC has called upon diplomats, UN representatives, and NGOs to use all means available to pressure the Israeli government to halt plans to install another checkpoint, abide by international laws and recognize the human rights of Palestinians.
As the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee’s General Manager, Imad Hamdan, illustrated, the new checkpoint will be made of stone in a permanent-style, in front of the historic holy site, which will affect the fabric of the building and the community.
This development came from the Israeli Shamghar committee which also recommended the division of the mosque into two parts following the massacre of Palestinians in the Ibrahimi Mosque in 1994.
Subsequent to the division of the mosque, the holy site fell under tight control by Israeli security and surveillance. These developments were catastrophic to Palestinians and to the old city, as it is a religiously, historically and culturally significant. It is the Palestinian Authority’s responsibility to defend, maintain and combat Israeli policies aimed at colonizing the Ibrahimi Mosque and Palestinian lands.
Checkpoints are used by the Israeli military to deter Palestinian residents from coming to and living in the Old City of Hebron, to restrict their movements and devastate the rights of the local population. Military checkpoints around the Ibrahimi Mosque are placed strategically by Israeli forces to expel Muslim devotees from the area and increase Israeli presence, in and around the mosque.
In the Old City of Hebron, 18 checkpoints currently exist, in addition to more than 130 other access restrictions, which the Israeli military claim are in place in order to provide “security” to the 600 illegal settlers living in the city center and the thousands living nearby.
However, in actuality, checkpoints are one of many tools used by the Israeli military to humiliate the local Palestinian population, appropriate large portions of Hebron’s Old City, and create a closure and expansion policy to ensure Jewish-only areas.
Hebron Rehabilitation Committee (HRC) deplores Israeli plans to further oppress the local Palestinian population by installing a new checkpoint in Hebron’s Old City, near the holy site of the Ibrahimi Mosque.
HRC has called upon diplomats, UN representatives, and NGOs to use all means available to pressure the Israeli government to halt plans to install another checkpoint, abide by international laws and recognize the human rights of Palestinians.
20 july 2016
Ahmed Abdul Khaleq 42
A Palestinian citizen from Araba town, south of Jenin, died Wednesday afternoon of a heart attack after waiting for long hours at an Israeli military checkpoints near Tulkarem.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that Ahmed Abdul Khaleq, 42, who works within the Green Line suffered a sudden heart attack after being forced to stand for a long period at the military checkpoint.
The sources pointed out that standing for long periods at Israeli checkpoints always lead to a state of tension among the workers.
Several Palestinians died at military checkpoints after witnessing similar difficult circumstances.
A Palestinian citizen from Araba town, south of Jenin, died Wednesday afternoon of a heart attack after waiting for long hours at an Israeli military checkpoints near Tulkarem.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that Ahmed Abdul Khaleq, 42, who works within the Green Line suffered a sudden heart attack after being forced to stand for a long period at the military checkpoint.
The sources pointed out that standing for long periods at Israeli checkpoints always lead to a state of tension among the workers.
Several Palestinians died at military checkpoints after witnessing similar difficult circumstances.
18 july 2016
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Monday, said that Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman’s visit to Hizma checkpoint and vows to ease the travel process is an enforcement of the apartheid system in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Lieberman, on Sunday, visited Hizma checkpoint into Jerusalem and promised to “streamline passage at West Bank crossings into Jerusalem, thereby easing the process for Palestinians who travel daily into the capital,” said The Times of Israel, according to WAFA.
The new Israeli defense minister said he visited the checkpoint to see for himself the difficulties facing those who use it, but the foreign ministry said the visit is simply an attempt to reinforce the existence of checkpoints, which disconnect the West Bank, facilitate Israeli settlers’ movement at the expense of Palestinians and connect illegal settlements with Israel.
Lieberman only visited Hizma checkpoint, but also addressed the situation at the biggest checkpoint in the West Bank Qalandia, through which tens of thousands of Palestinians cross daily on foot and by car.
“The problems at the Hizme and Qalandiya checkpoints, which plague residents of Jerusalem, the Binyamin Council, and Palestinians in the region, have clear solutions, both administrative and infrastructural,” Lieberman said.
However, the ministry said Lieberman tries to deceive the world by discussing “facilities for Israeli settlers and Palestinians” and neglects his repetitive Apartheid statements, which aim to create separate roads for illegal Israeli settlers and Palestinians on roads in the West Bank.
Since officially being appointed Israel’s minister of defense, Lieberman enforced several lengthy closures on towns and villages around Hebron and other Palestinians cities.
Over the years, hundreds of dunams of land belonging to Palestinians have been permanently confiscated from Palestinian owners to open new roads for the sole use of Israeli settlers in addition to hundreds of checkpoints, which obstruct movement.
The ministry condemned the Israeli policy, which aims to expand and take over Palestinians’ property and called on the international community to intervene and force Israel to cease its measures, which would eventually destroy the two-state solution and enforce occupation, settlements and the Apartheid system in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Born in Moldova, Avigdor Lieberman is one of the only foreign ministers in the world who does not live in territory officially recognized as his own country.
Originally under suspicion over charges of money-laundering and bribery, Lieberman was formally indicted in December of 2012, on lesser charges of fraud and breach of trust.
His party was recently the focus of a corruption probe within the Israeli political spectrum, and, more recently, Lieberman’s life was threatened with an assassination attempt.
Lieberman, on Sunday, visited Hizma checkpoint into Jerusalem and promised to “streamline passage at West Bank crossings into Jerusalem, thereby easing the process for Palestinians who travel daily into the capital,” said The Times of Israel, according to WAFA.
The new Israeli defense minister said he visited the checkpoint to see for himself the difficulties facing those who use it, but the foreign ministry said the visit is simply an attempt to reinforce the existence of checkpoints, which disconnect the West Bank, facilitate Israeli settlers’ movement at the expense of Palestinians and connect illegal settlements with Israel.
Lieberman only visited Hizma checkpoint, but also addressed the situation at the biggest checkpoint in the West Bank Qalandia, through which tens of thousands of Palestinians cross daily on foot and by car.
“The problems at the Hizme and Qalandiya checkpoints, which plague residents of Jerusalem, the Binyamin Council, and Palestinians in the region, have clear solutions, both administrative and infrastructural,” Lieberman said.
However, the ministry said Lieberman tries to deceive the world by discussing “facilities for Israeli settlers and Palestinians” and neglects his repetitive Apartheid statements, which aim to create separate roads for illegal Israeli settlers and Palestinians on roads in the West Bank.
Since officially being appointed Israel’s minister of defense, Lieberman enforced several lengthy closures on towns and villages around Hebron and other Palestinians cities.
Over the years, hundreds of dunams of land belonging to Palestinians have been permanently confiscated from Palestinian owners to open new roads for the sole use of Israeli settlers in addition to hundreds of checkpoints, which obstruct movement.
The ministry condemned the Israeli policy, which aims to expand and take over Palestinians’ property and called on the international community to intervene and force Israel to cease its measures, which would eventually destroy the two-state solution and enforce occupation, settlements and the Apartheid system in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Born in Moldova, Avigdor Lieberman is one of the only foreign ministers in the world who does not live in territory officially recognized as his own country.
Originally under suspicion over charges of money-laundering and bribery, Lieberman was formally indicted in December of 2012, on lesser charges of fraud and breach of trust.
His party was recently the focus of a corruption probe within the Israeli political spectrum, and, more recently, Lieberman’s life was threatened with an assassination attempt.
17 july 2016
It has been 17 days since the Israeli occupation army imposed a tight blockade on al-Khalil province in response to attacks that were carried out against Israelis by local young men.
All main roads leading to al-Khalil city as well as its towns, villages and refugee camps have been blocked or closed by the Israeli army, especially in areas near settlements.
Simultaneously, daily arrest campaigns and raids on homes take place in different areas of al-Khalil.
The right-wing Israeli government decided to impose a wide-ranging closure on the West Bank city of al-Khalil and its environs on the first of July following a sudden upsurge in Palestinian attacks against settlers.
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinian citizens have been affected by this Israeli punitive closure.
All main roads leading to al-Khalil city as well as its towns, villages and refugee camps have been blocked or closed by the Israeli army, especially in areas near settlements.
Simultaneously, daily arrest campaigns and raids on homes take place in different areas of al-Khalil.
The right-wing Israeli government decided to impose a wide-ranging closure on the West Bank city of al-Khalil and its environs on the first of July following a sudden upsurge in Palestinian attacks against settlers.
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinian citizens have been affected by this Israeli punitive closure.
15 july 2016
Haaretz newspaper said Friday that Israel recently tightened its blockade on the Gaza Strip and reduced exit permits for the population, especially for merchants and businessmen.
According to Haaretz, the Shin Bet, Israel's internal intelligence, has cancelled, in recent months, regular exit permits for about 1,400 merchants of some 3,700 businessmen who already received long-term exit permits in recent years.
In another step that has also an immediate and very damaging effect on Gaza’s economy and the efforts to rehabilitate it, the Shin Bet has started to bar certain businessmen from importing their merchandise into Gaza.
The Shin Bet refuses to give any explanation for banning the entry of certain imports to Gaza and only describes the measure as "taken for security reasons."
Others who are also affected by Israel's growing movement restrictions and travel bans in Gaza include senior officials in charge of infrastructure and rehabilitation, doctors and academics who take in-service training courses and exams in the West Bank, people with medical conditions, those with families abroad and in the West Bank, and workers for international humanitarian groups and diplomatic missions.
The policy of canceling permits or refusing to renew them has escalated since last February, although it started in 1991, according to the newspaper.
According to Haaretz, the Shin Bet, Israel's internal intelligence, has cancelled, in recent months, regular exit permits for about 1,400 merchants of some 3,700 businessmen who already received long-term exit permits in recent years.
In another step that has also an immediate and very damaging effect on Gaza’s economy and the efforts to rehabilitate it, the Shin Bet has started to bar certain businessmen from importing their merchandise into Gaza.
The Shin Bet refuses to give any explanation for banning the entry of certain imports to Gaza and only describes the measure as "taken for security reasons."
Others who are also affected by Israel's growing movement restrictions and travel bans in Gaza include senior officials in charge of infrastructure and rehabilitation, doctors and academics who take in-service training courses and exams in the West Bank, people with medical conditions, those with families abroad and in the West Bank, and workers for international humanitarian groups and diplomatic missions.
The policy of canceling permits or refusing to renew them has escalated since last February, although it started in 1991, according to the newspaper.
The Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) decided on Thursday to freeze postal services to the besieged Gaza Strip via the Erez crossing.
Israel is halting mail service to the Gaza Strip “in light of multiple attempts to smuggle banned items… used for terrorism against Israel,”
Yoav Mordechai, the coordinator of Israeli government activities in occupied territories, posted on Facebook on Thursday.
Israeli forces confiscated drones, scuba diving equipment and weapons components, among items being sent in the mail to the coastal territory via the Israeli-controlled Erez crossing earlier in the day.
Israel is halting mail service to the Gaza Strip “in light of multiple attempts to smuggle banned items… used for terrorism against Israel,”
Yoav Mordechai, the coordinator of Israeli government activities in occupied territories, posted on Facebook on Thursday.
Israeli forces confiscated drones, scuba diving equipment and weapons components, among items being sent in the mail to the coastal territory via the Israeli-controlled Erez crossing earlier in the day.
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) re-closed Thursday evening the northern entrance to al-Khalil south of the West Bank.
Local sources affirmed that Israeli forces closed the northern entrance to the city with concrete roadblocks and earth mounds, blocking the residents’ movement in both directions.
Israeli forces have earlier imposed tight restrictions and a security cordon on al-Khalil after a local resident carried out an anti-occupation attack in early July.
Israel’s punitive measures came as part of collective punishment policy which has been widely condemned by the international community and human rights organizations.
Local sources affirmed that Israeli forces closed the northern entrance to the city with concrete roadblocks and earth mounds, blocking the residents’ movement in both directions.
Israeli forces have earlier imposed tight restrictions and a security cordon on al-Khalil after a local resident carried out an anti-occupation attack in early July.
Israel’s punitive measures came as part of collective punishment policy which has been widely condemned by the international community and human rights organizations.
14 july 2016
Israeli Occupation Authority (IOA) Wednesday allowed a shipment of vehicles into Gaza Strip via Beit Hanoun crossing for the first time in ten years.
Three big trucks and eight vehicles were received and the rest of the vehicles are to enter on Thursday.
Mohammad al-Maqadme, head of the media department of the general committee of the Palestinian civil affairs, told Quds Press that the move came as a result of an agreement with the Israeli authorities stipulating the entry of goods via the crossing to the enclave which has been besieged since 2007.
The IOA in mid of June 2007 closed four trade crossings and kept only two: Kerem Abu Salem for commercial purposes and Beit Hanoun (Erez) for the traffic of individuals.
Three big trucks and eight vehicles were received and the rest of the vehicles are to enter on Thursday.
Mohammad al-Maqadme, head of the media department of the general committee of the Palestinian civil affairs, told Quds Press that the move came as a result of an agreement with the Israeli authorities stipulating the entry of goods via the crossing to the enclave which has been besieged since 2007.
The IOA in mid of June 2007 closed four trade crossings and kept only two: Kerem Abu Salem for commercial purposes and Beit Hanoun (Erez) for the traffic of individuals.
‘Combatants for Peace’ activist participating in new documentary film ‘Disturbing the Peace’ will not be able to participate in movie’s world premiere screening today at the Jerusalem Film FestivalCombatants for Peace (CfP) activist, Shifa al-Qudsi, was refused entry into Israel today in order to attend the world premiere of the new documentary Disturbing the Peace, in which she appears.
The special screening will take place today at the Jerusalem Film Festival 2.15pm, and is set to be followed by Q&A with director Stephen Apkon and the “Combatants for Peace” activists who appear in the film, including al-Qudsi — however, Israeli security forces have prevented her participation.
As a 24 year old beauty technician from the West Bank town of Tulkarem, Shifa al-Qudsi was recruited for a suicide bombing in a supermarket in the nearby Israeli town of Netanya. Before she could complete her mission, Shifa was arrested and later convicted. She served a six year sentence in prison. There, Shifa realized that many Israelis wanted peace as well, and joined CfP after her release. Shifa still lives in Tulkarem, Palestine.
Movement leaders, Udi Gur and Mohamad Awedah, stated: “Israel’s limiting visa policy for peace movements consistently encumbers the Palestinian voice calling for the end of the conflict from being conveyed to the Israeli public. Combatants for Peace Palestinian members’ voices are critical and non-violent. The Israeli public deserves to hear that change is possible, as Shifa’s process illustrates, and the attempt to silence her is meant to tear the two nations apart and bring despair — but we believe there is another path, the path of hope.”
The film follows its protagonists, Israelis and Palestinians, as they go from participating in violent action in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, to becoming activists in the Combatants for Peace movement, which seeks to end the violence between both sides. Throughout their journey, and against the backdrop of another Gaza war brewing, they encounter the opposition of their respective societies that which see them as traitors.
Director Steve Apkon’s documentary film deviates from the local context. Instead, it conveys a universal story: about the human ability to see beyond the narratives which we tend to accept as reality, and challenging convention in the struggle for freedom. The journey of the film’s protagonists reveals the potential within the human spirit: to liberate ourselves from stories that no longer serve us, and to create instead an alternate story and a new vision.
Combatants for Peace is a bi-national movement of Palestinians and Israelis who actively participated in the cycle of violence in the region, but have since chosen the path of nonviolence in promoting peace and co-existence. The movement holds nonviolent protests, educational tours of the Occupied Territories, in-house meetings, “Learning Peace” lectures, and meetings of activists in Israel and in Palestine. Combatants for Peace strives for the end of the Occupation and opposes any form of violence on either side, calling for the recognition of a dialogue between partners.
The special screening will take place today at the Jerusalem Film Festival 2.15pm, and is set to be followed by Q&A with director Stephen Apkon and the “Combatants for Peace” activists who appear in the film, including al-Qudsi — however, Israeli security forces have prevented her participation.
As a 24 year old beauty technician from the West Bank town of Tulkarem, Shifa al-Qudsi was recruited for a suicide bombing in a supermarket in the nearby Israeli town of Netanya. Before she could complete her mission, Shifa was arrested and later convicted. She served a six year sentence in prison. There, Shifa realized that many Israelis wanted peace as well, and joined CfP after her release. Shifa still lives in Tulkarem, Palestine.
Movement leaders, Udi Gur and Mohamad Awedah, stated: “Israel’s limiting visa policy for peace movements consistently encumbers the Palestinian voice calling for the end of the conflict from being conveyed to the Israeli public. Combatants for Peace Palestinian members’ voices are critical and non-violent. The Israeli public deserves to hear that change is possible, as Shifa’s process illustrates, and the attempt to silence her is meant to tear the two nations apart and bring despair — but we believe there is another path, the path of hope.”
The film follows its protagonists, Israelis and Palestinians, as they go from participating in violent action in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, to becoming activists in the Combatants for Peace movement, which seeks to end the violence between both sides. Throughout their journey, and against the backdrop of another Gaza war brewing, they encounter the opposition of their respective societies that which see them as traitors.
Director Steve Apkon’s documentary film deviates from the local context. Instead, it conveys a universal story: about the human ability to see beyond the narratives which we tend to accept as reality, and challenging convention in the struggle for freedom. The journey of the film’s protagonists reveals the potential within the human spirit: to liberate ourselves from stories that no longer serve us, and to create instead an alternate story and a new vision.
Combatants for Peace is a bi-national movement of Palestinians and Israelis who actively participated in the cycle of violence in the region, but have since chosen the path of nonviolence in promoting peace and co-existence. The movement holds nonviolent protests, educational tours of the Occupied Territories, in-house meetings, “Learning Peace” lectures, and meetings of activists in Israel and in Palestine. Combatants for Peace strives for the end of the Occupation and opposes any form of violence on either side, calling for the recognition of a dialogue between partners.
12 july 2016
Several Israeli military vehicles, and bulldozers, invaded on Tuesday morning ‘Anata town, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem, and demolished sheds, a farm, a car repair facility and several walls, in addition to closing agricultural roads.
The head of Anata Local Council Taha No’man told the WAFA Palestinian News Agency that the soldiers demolished seven sheds belonging to Bedouin families in the town.
He added that the army also demolished a farm belonging to resident Ahmad al-Hilo, in addition to a car repair center belonging to Ashraf al-Julani.
The army imposed a strict siege on the entire area, after declaring it a closed military zone, and prevented the residents from entering or leaving it.
No’man added that the car repair facility was 230-250 meters, and that the soldiers demolished it without even allowing the owner to remove his machines.
The soldiers also closed several agricultural roads, especially in al-Fheidat and al-Boheira areas, in Anata, after installing sand hills to completely block any access to new construction sites in Anata.
The head of Anata Local Council Taha No’man told the WAFA Palestinian News Agency that the soldiers demolished seven sheds belonging to Bedouin families in the town.
He added that the army also demolished a farm belonging to resident Ahmad al-Hilo, in addition to a car repair center belonging to Ashraf al-Julani.
The army imposed a strict siege on the entire area, after declaring it a closed military zone, and prevented the residents from entering or leaving it.
No’man added that the car repair facility was 230-250 meters, and that the soldiers demolished it without even allowing the owner to remove his machines.
The soldiers also closed several agricultural roads, especially in al-Fheidat and al-Boheira areas, in Anata, after installing sand hills to completely block any access to new construction sites in Anata.