21 apr 2016
Israel is gradually walling off further parts of its northern borders, claiming the fence is being pitched for fear of imminent threats from Lebanon.
Israel’s Channel 2 news showed sections of concrete wall being installed near to Misgav Am, a border settler community in the Upper Galilee.
According to Channel 2, reports have been recently released on large scale operations along the borders with Lebanon.
It noted that a project to bolster the border area had been underway for some time and that a similar project is set to kick off sometime soon to fence off the Metulla area.
Over recent days, the Israeli army has held military drills in anticipation of possible infiltration from Lebanon via the northern borders.
Israel’s Channel 2 news showed sections of concrete wall being installed near to Misgav Am, a border settler community in the Upper Galilee.
According to Channel 2, reports have been recently released on large scale operations along the borders with Lebanon.
It noted that a project to bolster the border area had been underway for some time and that a similar project is set to kick off sometime soon to fence off the Metulla area.
Over recent days, the Israeli army has held military drills in anticipation of possible infiltration from Lebanon via the northern borders.
20 apr 2016
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) closed Wednesday Yitzhar settlement road that links between Nablus and Qalaqlia.
Eyewitnesses affirmed that Israeli military vehicles blocked the road at 8 a.m. and prevented Palestinian vehicles’ movement for unknown reasons.
Israel imposes restrictions on Palestinian movement within the West Bank, obstructs access to areas where it seeks greater control, and prevents travel between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Israel's policy results in real hardships and constant uncertainty in people's daily lives in terms of everyday tasks such as getting to work or school or visiting relatives. It also reflects the view that freedom of movement is not an inalienable right but a privilege that Israel can choose to bestow or withhold.
Eyewitnesses affirmed that Israeli military vehicles blocked the road at 8 a.m. and prevented Palestinian vehicles’ movement for unknown reasons.
Israel imposes restrictions on Palestinian movement within the West Bank, obstructs access to areas where it seeks greater control, and prevents travel between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Israel's policy results in real hardships and constant uncertainty in people's daily lives in terms of everyday tasks such as getting to work or school or visiting relatives. It also reflects the view that freedom of movement is not an inalienable right but a privilege that Israel can choose to bestow or withhold.
Four Palestinian patients and one citizen, who escorted his ill relative, have been kidnapped by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) at Beit Hanoun (Erez) border crossing, north of the Gaza Strip, since the start of the current year.
Al-Mizan Center for Human Rights stated in a report on Tuesday that the Israeli policy of arresting patients hinders their arrival at hospitals in proper times and leads their health conditions to aggravate.
The center said that Israeli soldiers kidnapped on Monday a wounded young man named Mahmoud Abu Ful, from Jabaliya refugee camp, after he went to the crossing to process his application for travel to a hospital in Nablus.
The center strongly condemned the detention of Abu Ful and accused Israel of persisting in blackmailing Gaza patients and exploiting their suffering to pressure them into giving security information.
Al-Mizan Center for Human Rights stated in a report on Tuesday that the Israeli policy of arresting patients hinders their arrival at hospitals in proper times and leads their health conditions to aggravate.
The center said that Israeli soldiers kidnapped on Monday a wounded young man named Mahmoud Abu Ful, from Jabaliya refugee camp, after he went to the crossing to process his application for travel to a hospital in Nablus.
The center strongly condemned the detention of Abu Ful and accused Israel of persisting in blackmailing Gaza patients and exploiting their suffering to pressure them into giving security information.
19 apr 2016
The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza Strip called Tuesday on the Egyptian authorities to reopen Rafah border crossing and to alleviate the suffering of thousands of sick people.
Spokesman for Health Ministry Ashraf al-Qudra said the health conditions of thousands of patients have notably deteriorated and need an urgent medical intervention in light of the continued unfair siege on the Strip.
Closing the Rafah crossing for three consecutive months left thousands of sick people stranded at the Egyptian side of the crossing, he further noted. Al-Qudra stressed the urgent need for allowing the entry of medical and humanitarian convoys into the Gaza Strip.
Egyptian authorities have been closing the Rafah crossing, the only gateway into and out of the besieged Gaza Strip, since October, 2013. It was partially opened for few days for the travel of few sick people, students, and the humanitarian cases.
Since the beginning of 2016, the Rafah crossing was opened for only three days while thousands of sick people and students are desperate to get out for medical treatment abroad or to continue their studies.
Spokesman for Health Ministry Ashraf al-Qudra said the health conditions of thousands of patients have notably deteriorated and need an urgent medical intervention in light of the continued unfair siege on the Strip.
Closing the Rafah crossing for three consecutive months left thousands of sick people stranded at the Egyptian side of the crossing, he further noted. Al-Qudra stressed the urgent need for allowing the entry of medical and humanitarian convoys into the Gaza Strip.
Egyptian authorities have been closing the Rafah crossing, the only gateway into and out of the besieged Gaza Strip, since October, 2013. It was partially opened for few days for the travel of few sick people, students, and the humanitarian cases.
Since the beginning of 2016, the Rafah crossing was opened for only three days while thousands of sick people and students are desperate to get out for medical treatment abroad or to continue their studies.
15 apr 2016
The EU mission in the occupied West Bank on Friday said they were "deeply concerned" at Israel's renewed construction of the separation wall in Bethlehem's Cremisan Valley.
The mission said that once finished, the wall will severely restrict access by nearly 60 Palestinian families to their agricultural land, likely devastating their livelihoods.
EU representatives have on several occasions visited the site of Israel's planned wall in the Palestinian valley and on Friday reminded Israel of its concern over the construction of the wall, which is considered illegal under international law.
The mission reiterated the EU's "strong opposition to Israel's settlement policy," slamming Israel's construction of the wall beyond the 1967 line, demolitions and confiscations, evictions, forced transfers, illegal outposts, settler violence, and restrictions of movement and access.
Israel's High Court of Justice in January denied a petition filed against the wall's construction by the municipality of Beit Jala village, Beit Jala's landowners, and the Silesian women's monastery in Cremisan, according to Israeli rights group B'Tselem.
The ruling came after the Israeli Ministry Defense renewed construction work on the separation wall last August, effectively separating the villagers from their privately owned farmland in the Cremisan Valley.
This segment of the wall is intended to allow for Israel's illegal annexation of Har Gilo settlement south of Jerusalem in order to make way for its connection to Gilo settlement.
Israel began building the separation wall with concrete slabs, fences, and barbed-wire inside the occupied West Bank in 2002 at the height of the Second Intifada, claiming it was crucial for security.
Nearly 60 kilometers of the wall already cuts through Bethlehem district and is built on Palestinian land, according to the UN.
Local Christian landowners in Beit Jala told an EU delegation last year that construction of the wall could ultimately force them to emigrate and "cleanse" the area of its Christian residents.
The mission said that once finished, the wall will severely restrict access by nearly 60 Palestinian families to their agricultural land, likely devastating their livelihoods.
EU representatives have on several occasions visited the site of Israel's planned wall in the Palestinian valley and on Friday reminded Israel of its concern over the construction of the wall, which is considered illegal under international law.
The mission reiterated the EU's "strong opposition to Israel's settlement policy," slamming Israel's construction of the wall beyond the 1967 line, demolitions and confiscations, evictions, forced transfers, illegal outposts, settler violence, and restrictions of movement and access.
Israel's High Court of Justice in January denied a petition filed against the wall's construction by the municipality of Beit Jala village, Beit Jala's landowners, and the Silesian women's monastery in Cremisan, according to Israeli rights group B'Tselem.
The ruling came after the Israeli Ministry Defense renewed construction work on the separation wall last August, effectively separating the villagers from their privately owned farmland in the Cremisan Valley.
This segment of the wall is intended to allow for Israel's illegal annexation of Har Gilo settlement south of Jerusalem in order to make way for its connection to Gilo settlement.
Israel began building the separation wall with concrete slabs, fences, and barbed-wire inside the occupied West Bank in 2002 at the height of the Second Intifada, claiming it was crucial for security.
Nearly 60 kilometers of the wall already cuts through Bethlehem district and is built on Palestinian land, according to the UN.
Local Christian landowners in Beit Jala told an EU delegation last year that construction of the wall could ultimately force them to emigrate and "cleanse" the area of its Christian residents.
14 apr 2016
The government committee for breaking the siege and receiving delegates has appealed to the participants in the 13th summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) being held in Istanbul to put the issue of Gaza siege high on their agenda.
"It is no longer acceptable for the Gaza Strip to be under ongoing blockade for more than 10 years with no Muslim and Arab country moving to break it, although Palestine is a member of the organization," the committee stated in a press release.
"It has been over 500 days since the Rafah border crossing was closed in October 2014, and it was opened for 31 days exceptionally during that period, including eight days in one direction, four days for pilgrims and some days for the entry of dead bodies, which has made the Strip live in complete isolation from the world," the committee added.
"It is no longer acceptable for the Gaza Strip to be under ongoing blockade for more than 10 years with no Muslim and Arab country moving to break it, although Palestine is a member of the organization," the committee stated in a press release.
"It has been over 500 days since the Rafah border crossing was closed in October 2014, and it was opened for 31 days exceptionally during that period, including eight days in one direction, four days for pilgrims and some days for the entry of dead bodies, which has made the Strip live in complete isolation from the world," the committee added.
13 apr 2016
Dozens of citizens, whose homes were destroyed during the last aggression on Gaza, staged a sit-in at the Unknown Soldier Square in central Gaza City, expressing their refusal to the delayed reconstruction grants.
Young and old, men and women, even children, participated in the vigil under the rain showers, on Tuesday morning, expressing their discontent and anger over the delay of the reconstruction grants, and ask: "Where are the donors' funds?"
Their suffering
The elderly Itedal Hadidi (Um Samir) who lives to the east of Bureij refugee camp asserts that she, her children, and grandchildren, 24 persons, live in one house composed of only three rooms, adding: "we suffer the winter cold and the fear, death is easier than our suffering. We live in poverty and humiliation."
Message to the Conference of Ramallah
Hasan Al-Wali, general coordinator of IDPs Association, confirmed that they have organized this vigil to display their suffering before the conferees at the Gaza reconstruction conference, which is to be held on Wednesday in Ramallah.
Wali told the PIC reporter: "Our message is the message of suffering, the truth and the reality of reconstruction, which has not reached the level of destruction witnessed in the Gaza Strip." Wali noted that the number of houses totally destroyed was 11,500, while 6,000 houses are uninhabitable, explaining that only 1,000 houses were reconstructed in the Qatari grant. He Indicated that all grants are still just promises, "Even the Kuwaiti grant that was supposed to be received eight months ago has not been sent yet", he said.
Expelled from the House
With a sigh the citizen Mufid Ubaid spoke about his devastated humble home, which has not been built since the end of the last aggression on the Gaza Strip, in the summer of 2014. He confirmed that his house is registered in the Kuwaiti grant, but he did not get anything until the moment. He told the reporter of the PIC: "until this moment I did not get even a housing rent to pay since the end of last year, so the homeowner who rented me expelled me from his house because I do not have money to pay the rent, now I live in a tent on the ruins of my home."
He said that his family of six children is exposed in the tent to extreme cold in winter and extreme heat in the summer. He hoped that their demands would be heard and their housing crisis would be solved the soonest.
Young and old, men and women, even children, participated in the vigil under the rain showers, on Tuesday morning, expressing their discontent and anger over the delay of the reconstruction grants, and ask: "Where are the donors' funds?"
Their suffering
The elderly Itedal Hadidi (Um Samir) who lives to the east of Bureij refugee camp asserts that she, her children, and grandchildren, 24 persons, live in one house composed of only three rooms, adding: "we suffer the winter cold and the fear, death is easier than our suffering. We live in poverty and humiliation."
Message to the Conference of Ramallah
Hasan Al-Wali, general coordinator of IDPs Association, confirmed that they have organized this vigil to display their suffering before the conferees at the Gaza reconstruction conference, which is to be held on Wednesday in Ramallah.
Wali told the PIC reporter: "Our message is the message of suffering, the truth and the reality of reconstruction, which has not reached the level of destruction witnessed in the Gaza Strip." Wali noted that the number of houses totally destroyed was 11,500, while 6,000 houses are uninhabitable, explaining that only 1,000 houses were reconstructed in the Qatari grant. He Indicated that all grants are still just promises, "Even the Kuwaiti grant that was supposed to be received eight months ago has not been sent yet", he said.
Expelled from the House
With a sigh the citizen Mufid Ubaid spoke about his devastated humble home, which has not been built since the end of the last aggression on the Gaza Strip, in the summer of 2014. He confirmed that his house is registered in the Kuwaiti grant, but he did not get anything until the moment. He told the reporter of the PIC: "until this moment I did not get even a housing rent to pay since the end of last year, so the homeowner who rented me expelled me from his house because I do not have money to pay the rent, now I live in a tent on the ruins of my home."
He said that his family of six children is exposed in the tent to extreme cold in winter and extreme heat in the summer. He hoped that their demands would be heard and their housing crisis would be solved the soonest.
12 apr 2016
Every early morning during the past three weeks, the Israeli occupation army has blocked before the Palestinians the road that runs between the village of Anata, north of Jerusalem, and the Hizmeh checkpoint, which leads to the holy city.
Palestinian local residents have complained the Israeli measure is aimed to prevent early-morning traffic jams at the checkpoint at a time of day when Jewish residents of West Bank settlements are on their way to work in Occupied Jerusalem.
Because it now takes one and a half hours for the Palestinian residents to get through the checkpoint there, some of them get up earlier at four am to be at work in Jerusalem by seven am.
Palestinian local residents have complained the Israeli measure is aimed to prevent early-morning traffic jams at the checkpoint at a time of day when Jewish residents of West Bank settlements are on their way to work in Occupied Jerusalem.
Because it now takes one and a half hours for the Palestinian residents to get through the checkpoint there, some of them get up earlier at four am to be at work in Jerusalem by seven am.
Israeli restrictions on the entry of building materials into the blockaded Gaza Strip has blocked reconstruction projects worth 200 million U.S. dollars, Chairman of the Popular anti-Siege Committee, MP Jamal al-Khudari, said Monday.
Khudari said in a statement that hundreds of reconstruction projects have been suspended due to the Israeli bans on the entry of cement and other building materials into the Gaza Strip.
According to Khudari, such bans result in huge losses and lead to high rates of unemployment and poverty. He warned of the serious socio-economic repercussions of the ban, which has been into effect for the second week.
The MP further spoke out against Israeli attempts to institutionalize the blockade as part of a pre-planned policy of collective punishment against two million Palestinians.
Khudari called for the need to lift the Israeli siege on Gaza, open the border-crossings, and smooth the entry of reconstruction materials so as to alleviate Gazans’ tragic state of affairs.
Khudari said in a statement that hundreds of reconstruction projects have been suspended due to the Israeli bans on the entry of cement and other building materials into the Gaza Strip.
According to Khudari, such bans result in huge losses and lead to high rates of unemployment and poverty. He warned of the serious socio-economic repercussions of the ban, which has been into effect for the second week.
The MP further spoke out against Israeli attempts to institutionalize the blockade as part of a pre-planned policy of collective punishment against two million Palestinians.
Khudari called for the need to lift the Israeli siege on Gaza, open the border-crossings, and smooth the entry of reconstruction materials so as to alleviate Gazans’ tragic state of affairs.
11 apr 2016
Palestinian, Arab and European MPs stressed on Sunday the importance of the Palestinian people’s right of self-determination and self-defense. During the Inter-Parliamentary Forum to support the Palestinian cause held in Gaza Strip, the MPs stressed the urgent need for the release of Palestinian MPs held illegally in Israeli jails and for the return of the exiled MPs.
The forum was organized by the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) in Gaza City with the participation of representatives of the Palestinian parliamentary blocs along with Arab and European MPs.
The MPs called for breaking Gaza siege as it causes a catastrophic humanitarian situation, calling on the Egyptian authorities to reopen Rafah crossing which has been closed for more than 500 days.
During the forum, the deputy head of Hamas’s political bureau MP Ismail Haneyya said that such forums stress that the Palestinian cause is a central issue. Haneyya expressed hope that the PLC will soon held a session with all its parliamentary blocs in Gaza and West Bank. Head of Hamas’s parliamentary bloc Khalil al-Hayya, for his part, stressed the need for activating the PLC’s parliamentary role.
He said that his group is keen to achieve the Palestinian national unity and reconciliation, calling for supporting the ongoing Jerusalem Intifada. In his turn, first deputy head of the PLC Dr. Ahmed Baher said that “the forum coincides with the anniversary of Deir Yassin massacre that represents evidence of the Israeli bloody mentality.”
Baher called on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz to take practical decisions in support of Palestinian cause. The leader in Fatah Movement Faisal Abu Shahla revealed during the event that there is an Israeli plan to deepen the gap between West Bank and Gaza and to continue the unfair siege on the Strip. He called for ending the internal division and to reform a new unity government prior the presidency and legislative elections.
He also called on the international community to stop its double-standard policy with Israel as a state above the law and to freeze the Israeli Knesset membership in the international parliament until the release of all Palestinian detained MPs. The second deputy head of the PLC Hassan Khreisheh detailed in his speech the Israeli violations against Palestinian people in West Bank.
There are more than half a million Israeli settlers living in 200 settlements in the West Bank and more and 600 military checkpoints set up throughout its towns and cities, he pointed out. The exiled Jerusalemite MP Ahmed Attoun called for activating Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque issue at international forums and meetings, calling for supporting the Jerusalemite steadfastness.
Meanwhile, first deputy head of the Arab Parliament Samiya Ahmed said that contacts have been made to support the Palestinian cause and people. The Arab Parliament has made numerous contacts with regional and international parties to end the siege on Gaza and to achieve a decent life for the Palestinians, she underlined. Head of the World Forum for Islamist Parliamentarians Nasser al-Sana’a hailed, for his part, the Palestinian steadfastness and called for activating the Palestinian cause.
Deputy Chairman of the Tunisian Parliament Abdel Fattah Moro strongly condemned the continued siege on Gaza, saying that the Palestinian cause is a humanitarian issue. On the other hand, member of the European Parliament Jill Evans expressed in her letter to the forum her wish to visit Palestine and Gaza Strip in particular in the coming period. She pointed out that there is an increasing solidarity movement with the Palestinian cause within the European society.
For his part, member of European Parliament Bart Staes stressed that the EU is pressuring the Israeli occupation through the European Council of Foreign Ministers. Member of the Irish Parliament Richard Buebaras expressed his country’s total support for the Palestinian cause and people. Member of the British House of Commons Jenny Tong pointed out that the BDS movement against Israel has achieved a wide support in Britain.
The forum was organized by the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) in Gaza City with the participation of representatives of the Palestinian parliamentary blocs along with Arab and European MPs.
The MPs called for breaking Gaza siege as it causes a catastrophic humanitarian situation, calling on the Egyptian authorities to reopen Rafah crossing which has been closed for more than 500 days.
During the forum, the deputy head of Hamas’s political bureau MP Ismail Haneyya said that such forums stress that the Palestinian cause is a central issue. Haneyya expressed hope that the PLC will soon held a session with all its parliamentary blocs in Gaza and West Bank. Head of Hamas’s parliamentary bloc Khalil al-Hayya, for his part, stressed the need for activating the PLC’s parliamentary role.
He said that his group is keen to achieve the Palestinian national unity and reconciliation, calling for supporting the ongoing Jerusalem Intifada. In his turn, first deputy head of the PLC Dr. Ahmed Baher said that “the forum coincides with the anniversary of Deir Yassin massacre that represents evidence of the Israeli bloody mentality.”
Baher called on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz to take practical decisions in support of Palestinian cause. The leader in Fatah Movement Faisal Abu Shahla revealed during the event that there is an Israeli plan to deepen the gap between West Bank and Gaza and to continue the unfair siege on the Strip. He called for ending the internal division and to reform a new unity government prior the presidency and legislative elections.
He also called on the international community to stop its double-standard policy with Israel as a state above the law and to freeze the Israeli Knesset membership in the international parliament until the release of all Palestinian detained MPs. The second deputy head of the PLC Hassan Khreisheh detailed in his speech the Israeli violations against Palestinian people in West Bank.
There are more than half a million Israeli settlers living in 200 settlements in the West Bank and more and 600 military checkpoints set up throughout its towns and cities, he pointed out. The exiled Jerusalemite MP Ahmed Attoun called for activating Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque issue at international forums and meetings, calling for supporting the Jerusalemite steadfastness.
Meanwhile, first deputy head of the Arab Parliament Samiya Ahmed said that contacts have been made to support the Palestinian cause and people. The Arab Parliament has made numerous contacts with regional and international parties to end the siege on Gaza and to achieve a decent life for the Palestinians, she underlined. Head of the World Forum for Islamist Parliamentarians Nasser al-Sana’a hailed, for his part, the Palestinian steadfastness and called for activating the Palestinian cause.
Deputy Chairman of the Tunisian Parliament Abdel Fattah Moro strongly condemned the continued siege on Gaza, saying that the Palestinian cause is a humanitarian issue. On the other hand, member of the European Parliament Jill Evans expressed in her letter to the forum her wish to visit Palestine and Gaza Strip in particular in the coming period. She pointed out that there is an increasing solidarity movement with the Palestinian cause within the European society.
For his part, member of European Parliament Bart Staes stressed that the EU is pressuring the Israeli occupation through the European Council of Foreign Ministers. Member of the Irish Parliament Richard Buebaras expressed his country’s total support for the Palestinian cause and people. Member of the British House of Commons Jenny Tong pointed out that the BDS movement against Israel has achieved a wide support in Britain.
9 apr 2016
Israeli Maariv newspaper published on its website on Saturday that Israeli army embarked on placing concrete blocks with given numbers in different locations in the West Bank in order to help Israeli soldiers as well as settlers determine locations of anti-occupation attacks carried out by Palestinians.
The newspaper quoted an engineering officer at the Israeli army as saying that the cement blocks will also help soldiers approach the injured and chase the attackers in a faster manner in addition to minimizing the areas of combing operations.
The Israeli officer pointed out that each of the concrete blocks, which would be completed on April 20, was given a certain number and a symbol.
Its location was pointed to in special maps of the army in order to facilitate accessing those locations when receiving any notification on the hot line.
The newspaper quoted an engineering officer at the Israeli army as saying that the cement blocks will also help soldiers approach the injured and chase the attackers in a faster manner in addition to minimizing the areas of combing operations.
The Israeli officer pointed out that each of the concrete blocks, which would be completed on April 20, was given a certain number and a symbol.
Its location was pointed to in special maps of the army in order to facilitate accessing those locations when receiving any notification on the hot line.
The French foreign ministry called on Israel to halt construction of the Israeli separation wall in the southern occupied West Bank’s Cremisan Valley, according to a statement published on their website Friday.
“France is concerned by the Israeli authorities’ resumption of construction of the separation wall in the West Bank’s Cremisan Valley, which will affect several dozen Palestinian families in Beit Jala,” the statement read.
Beit Jala is a village west of Bethlehem city in the Bethlehem district. “This wall is a new obstacle to economic and social development in the town of Bethlehem.”
The French foreign ministry’s statement cited the 2004 International Court of Justice ruling that said that the separation wall was illegal and "tantamount to annexation."
“We consequently ask Israel to reverse this decision,” the statement concluded.
The Israeli Ministry Defense renewed construction work on the separation wall near Beit Jala in August 2015, effectively separating the villagers from their privately owned farmland in the Cremisan Valley.
This segment of the wall is designed for the annexation of the Har Gilo settlement south of Jerusalem, giving it contiguity with the illegal Israeli Gilo settlement.
Nearly 60 kilometers of Israel’s illegal separation wall already cuts through the Bethlehem district and is built on Palestinian land, according to UN figures.
Clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians in Beit Jala broke out frequently in 2015 during protests against the renewed construction.
European Union missions to the West Bank in 2015 also expressed “concern” about the renewed construction work in Cremisan. Local Christian landowners in Beit Jala told a European Union delegation that construction of the wall could ultimately force them to emigrate and "cleanse" the area of its Christian residents.
Israel began building the separation wall with concrete slabs, fences, and barbed-wire inside the occupied West Bank in 2002 at the height of the Second Intifada, or uprising, claiming that it was crucial for security.
“France is concerned by the Israeli authorities’ resumption of construction of the separation wall in the West Bank’s Cremisan Valley, which will affect several dozen Palestinian families in Beit Jala,” the statement read.
Beit Jala is a village west of Bethlehem city in the Bethlehem district. “This wall is a new obstacle to economic and social development in the town of Bethlehem.”
The French foreign ministry’s statement cited the 2004 International Court of Justice ruling that said that the separation wall was illegal and "tantamount to annexation."
“We consequently ask Israel to reverse this decision,” the statement concluded.
The Israeli Ministry Defense renewed construction work on the separation wall near Beit Jala in August 2015, effectively separating the villagers from their privately owned farmland in the Cremisan Valley.
This segment of the wall is designed for the annexation of the Har Gilo settlement south of Jerusalem, giving it contiguity with the illegal Israeli Gilo settlement.
Nearly 60 kilometers of Israel’s illegal separation wall already cuts through the Bethlehem district and is built on Palestinian land, according to UN figures.
Clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians in Beit Jala broke out frequently in 2015 during protests against the renewed construction.
European Union missions to the West Bank in 2015 also expressed “concern” about the renewed construction work in Cremisan. Local Christian landowners in Beit Jala told a European Union delegation that construction of the wall could ultimately force them to emigrate and "cleanse" the area of its Christian residents.
Israel began building the separation wall with concrete slabs, fences, and barbed-wire inside the occupied West Bank in 2002 at the height of the Second Intifada, or uprising, claiming that it was crucial for security.
8 apr 2016
Palestinian Minister of Housing and Public Works, Mufeed al-Hasayna, on Thursday called on Israel to lift the ban on the entry of reconstruction materials into the blockaded Gaza Strip to prevent another tragedy in the enclave.
Addressing a press conference in Gaza attended by the PIC reporter, al-Hasayna said blockaded Gaza Strip is in need of 210,000 tons of cement for the reconstruction of civilian homes funded by donors.
According to al-Hassayna, 143,000 Gazans, 4,300 among whom had their homes completely ruined, benefited from a deal that was put into effect since September 2014 to smooth the entry of reconstruction materials.
The minister denied Israeli claims that large cement quantities are stocked in distributors’ storerooms, saying they do not rather exceed 900 tons. “The rest of the quantity stocked in the storerooms is allotted to concrete factories along with the UNRWA and Qatari Grant projects,” al-Hassayna added.
He attributed the rise in cement prices to Israel’s reduction of reconstruction materials imported to the enclave by half.
Addressing a press conference in Gaza attended by the PIC reporter, al-Hasayna said blockaded Gaza Strip is in need of 210,000 tons of cement for the reconstruction of civilian homes funded by donors.
According to al-Hassayna, 143,000 Gazans, 4,300 among whom had their homes completely ruined, benefited from a deal that was put into effect since September 2014 to smooth the entry of reconstruction materials.
The minister denied Israeli claims that large cement quantities are stocked in distributors’ storerooms, saying they do not rather exceed 900 tons. “The rest of the quantity stocked in the storerooms is allotted to concrete factories along with the UNRWA and Qatari Grant projects,” al-Hassayna added.
He attributed the rise in cement prices to Israel’s reduction of reconstruction materials imported to the enclave by half.
7 apr 2016
Head of Gaza’s Fishermen Union, Nizar Ayyash, denied on Wednesday reports on underway talks between the union’s representatives and Israeli navy leaders at Ashdod seaport.
Ayyash said no talks have been carried out with the occupation navy so far over expanding the fishing zone.
He further denounced the repeated Israeli aggressions on Palestinian fishermen and vessels.
Ayyash said no talks have been carried out with the occupation navy so far over expanding the fishing zone.
He further denounced the repeated Israeli aggressions on Palestinian fishermen and vessels.
