13 july 2016
European Union says new law, which mostly affects liberal groups critical of Israeli policies towards the Palestinians, goes 'beyond the legitimate need for transparency'; US concerned law could have a 'chilling effect' on the activities of NGOs.
The European Union has criticized the new NGOs Transparency Law that increases regulation of many human rights organizations, saying it risks "undermining" Israel's democratic ideals.
The law, passed late Monday, imposes new reporting requirements on nonprofit groups that receive more than half of their funding from foreign governments.
While its supporters, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, say the law is meant to increase transparency, it applies almost exclusively to liberal groups, often funded by the EU, that are critical of Israeli policies toward the Palestinians. More hawkish groups are largely exempt because they tend to receive funding from private individuals.
The Israeli government has long accused the EU of meddling in Israeli affairs by funding such groups. European officials say it supports groups that promote democracy or help the Palestinians to develop their economy and governing institutions as a step toward establishing an independent state at peace with Israel.
In a statement Tuesday, the EU said the new law goes "beyond the legitimate need for transparency," and seems "aimed at constraining the activities of these civil society organizations working in Israel."
"Israel enjoys a vibrant democracy, freedom of speech and a diverse civil society which are an integral part of the values which Israel and the EU both hold dear," it added. "This new legislation risks undermining these values."
In Washington, State Department spokesman John Kirby said the US was concerned the legislation could have a "chilling effect" on the activities of non-governmental organizations.
He said President Barack Obama has made clear that "a free and functioning civil society is essential and governments must protect freedoms of expression including dissent, association and create an atmosphere where all voices can be heard."
Israeli nonprofits were already required to report their sources of funding to a state registrar, and such information appears on their websites.
The new law requires them to state that they rely on foreign funding in all communication with public officials and on TV, newspapers, billboards and online. Representatives of these groups must also declare they depend on foreign contributions to the heads of Knesset committees when participating in meetings. An additional proposal that would have required their representatives to wear special badges in the Knesset building was dropped.
Israeli nonprofit groups reacted angrily Tuesday. Adalah, a group that promotes the rights of Arab citizens of Israel, said the law "is intended to persecute and incite against human rights organizations, a practice which is characteristic of dark regimes both past and present."
But Gerald Steinberg, president of NGO Monitor, a watchdog group that has pushed for greater transparency of foreign-funded nonprofits, said the complaints were overblown and the law would have little impact.
"This law is strictly symbolic and political," he said. "There are essentially no new restrictions."
Steinberg said he believes the best solution would be for Israeli and European lawmakers to hold a dialogue and together set guidelines for how money should be spent.
The European Union has criticized the new NGOs Transparency Law that increases regulation of many human rights organizations, saying it risks "undermining" Israel's democratic ideals.
The law, passed late Monday, imposes new reporting requirements on nonprofit groups that receive more than half of their funding from foreign governments.
While its supporters, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, say the law is meant to increase transparency, it applies almost exclusively to liberal groups, often funded by the EU, that are critical of Israeli policies toward the Palestinians. More hawkish groups are largely exempt because they tend to receive funding from private individuals.
The Israeli government has long accused the EU of meddling in Israeli affairs by funding such groups. European officials say it supports groups that promote democracy or help the Palestinians to develop their economy and governing institutions as a step toward establishing an independent state at peace with Israel.
In a statement Tuesday, the EU said the new law goes "beyond the legitimate need for transparency," and seems "aimed at constraining the activities of these civil society organizations working in Israel."
"Israel enjoys a vibrant democracy, freedom of speech and a diverse civil society which are an integral part of the values which Israel and the EU both hold dear," it added. "This new legislation risks undermining these values."
In Washington, State Department spokesman John Kirby said the US was concerned the legislation could have a "chilling effect" on the activities of non-governmental organizations.
He said President Barack Obama has made clear that "a free and functioning civil society is essential and governments must protect freedoms of expression including dissent, association and create an atmosphere where all voices can be heard."
Israeli nonprofits were already required to report their sources of funding to a state registrar, and such information appears on their websites.
The new law requires them to state that they rely on foreign funding in all communication with public officials and on TV, newspapers, billboards and online. Representatives of these groups must also declare they depend on foreign contributions to the heads of Knesset committees when participating in meetings. An additional proposal that would have required their representatives to wear special badges in the Knesset building was dropped.
Israeli nonprofit groups reacted angrily Tuesday. Adalah, a group that promotes the rights of Arab citizens of Israel, said the law "is intended to persecute and incite against human rights organizations, a practice which is characteristic of dark regimes both past and present."
But Gerald Steinberg, president of NGO Monitor, a watchdog group that has pushed for greater transparency of foreign-funded nonprofits, said the complaints were overblown and the law would have little impact.
"This law is strictly symbolic and political," he said. "There are essentially no new restrictions."
Steinberg said he believes the best solution would be for Israeli and European lawmakers to hold a dialogue and together set guidelines for how money should be spent.
12 july 2016
Israeli military court of Salem Tuesday issued two life sentences and additional 30 years against prisoner Ragheb Eleiwi from Nablus city on the charge of belonging to al-Qassam Brigades and carrying out shooting attacks resulting in killing settlers and injuring others.
Eleiwi’s brother told the PIC reporter that Eleiwi was brought to court while being handcuffed and feet shackled amid tightened security measures.
His family members, who attended the trial, were banned from talking to him, he pointed out. Salem court on June 22 issued a similar sentence against four Palestinian detainees of the Itamar cell and adjourned the trials of another two prisoners after indicting them of carrying out a shooting attack near Itamar settlement.
An Israeli settler along with his wife were killed in the attack which was carried out in response to the Israeli crime of burning al-Dawabshe Palestinian family alive in Doma town two months earlier.
Israeli forces razed the home of captive Eleiwi and the homes of the four members of Itamar cell. The implementation of the demolition orders of the two other captives were adjourned.
Eleiwi’s brother told the PIC reporter that Eleiwi was brought to court while being handcuffed and feet shackled amid tightened security measures.
His family members, who attended the trial, were banned from talking to him, he pointed out. Salem court on June 22 issued a similar sentence against four Palestinian detainees of the Itamar cell and adjourned the trials of another two prisoners after indicting them of carrying out a shooting attack near Itamar settlement.
An Israeli settler along with his wife were killed in the attack which was carried out in response to the Israeli crime of burning al-Dawabshe Palestinian family alive in Doma town two months earlier.
Israeli forces razed the home of captive Eleiwi and the homes of the four members of Itamar cell. The implementation of the demolition orders of the two other captives were adjourned.
The Knesset has passed a law restricting the work of human rights groups opposing Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories and its policies against the Palestinians.
Under the new law, noted human rights groups that receive more than half of their funding from abroad, including from European governments, are demanded to disclose it clearly in official reports, meetings, interviews, emails etc.
Punitive measures will be taken against certain named groups that violate the law.
This legislation will target about two dozen left-wing groups that campaign for Palestinian rights while excluding right-wing pro-settlement NGOs, who will not be required to reveal their foreign funding sources.
The organizations to be affected include some of Israel’s most prominent rights groups, including Breaking the Silence, B’Tselem, Peace Now and Yesh Din.
The bill, promoted by Israel’s right-wing justice minister, Ayelet Shaked and backed by premier Binyamin Netanyahu, was passed by 57 to 48 votes following a lengthy and acrimonious debate on Monday. The law has been widely criticized in Israel and overseas.
Under the new law, noted human rights groups that receive more than half of their funding from abroad, including from European governments, are demanded to disclose it clearly in official reports, meetings, interviews, emails etc.
Punitive measures will be taken against certain named groups that violate the law.
This legislation will target about two dozen left-wing groups that campaign for Palestinian rights while excluding right-wing pro-settlement NGOs, who will not be required to reveal their foreign funding sources.
The organizations to be affected include some of Israel’s most prominent rights groups, including Breaking the Silence, B’Tselem, Peace Now and Yesh Din.
The bill, promoted by Israel’s right-wing justice minister, Ayelet Shaked and backed by premier Binyamin Netanyahu, was passed by 57 to 48 votes following a lengthy and acrimonious debate on Monday. The law has been widely criticized in Israel and overseas.
11 july 2016
Bilal Abu Ghanem, who along with Baha Aliyan murdered three Israelis and wounded 7 others on Jerusalem bus, gets three life sentences and an additional 60 years; also ordered to pay compensation to victims' families, wounded, and bus driver.
Bilal Abu Ghanem, who carried out a terror attack on a bus in Jerusalem's East Talpiot (Armon HaNatziv) neighborhood in October, murdering three Israelis, was sentenced on Monday to three life sentences and an additional 60 years—a total of 135 years.
Abu Ghanem, who was convicted of three murders, seven attempted murder, and aiding an enemy in a time of war, was also ordered to pay NIS 250,000 in compensation to each of the victims' families, NIS 150,000 to each of the wounded, and an additional NIS 100,000 to the driver of the bus.
He was convicted after the Jerusalem District Court rejected a plea deal reached between the prosecution and Abu Ghanem's lawyers, because the defendant refused to admit to his crimes. Abu Ghanem also refused to mount a legal defense and his lawyers, Mohammed Mahmoud and Tariq Bargut, agreed to submit all of the evidence without cross-examination.
Abu Ghanem, along with Baha Aliyan, boarded the number 78 bus on October 13, 2015, with Abu Ghanem opening fire at the passengers and Aliyan stabbing them with a knife. Even after running out of ammunition and breaking their knife, the two continued strangling passengers with their bare hands until Border Police arrived at the scene, shooting them both and killing Aliyan.
Three Israelis were murdered in the attack—Haviv Haim, 78, and Alon Govberg, 51, and Richard Lakin, 76—and seven others were wounded.
Bus driver Israel Zaken said after the verdict, "I hope he remains in prison for the rest of his life and not get out as part of a deal."
Maya Rahimi, who was wounded in the attack, added: "I'm glad we reached the end (of the process). To me, this is closure. But my own journey is still long. It's hard for me to return to normal, being afraid to go on buses."
The prosecutor, Uri Korev of the Jerusalem District Attorney's Office, said after the verdict, "The defendant, a known Hamas operative, committed a barbaric slaughter of three innocent people and wounded others. He shot elderly people to death at point-blank range while his partner stabbed them with a butcher knife."
Bilal Abu Ghanem, who carried out a terror attack on a bus in Jerusalem's East Talpiot (Armon HaNatziv) neighborhood in October, murdering three Israelis, was sentenced on Monday to three life sentences and an additional 60 years—a total of 135 years.
Abu Ghanem, who was convicted of three murders, seven attempted murder, and aiding an enemy in a time of war, was also ordered to pay NIS 250,000 in compensation to each of the victims' families, NIS 150,000 to each of the wounded, and an additional NIS 100,000 to the driver of the bus.
He was convicted after the Jerusalem District Court rejected a plea deal reached between the prosecution and Abu Ghanem's lawyers, because the defendant refused to admit to his crimes. Abu Ghanem also refused to mount a legal defense and his lawyers, Mohammed Mahmoud and Tariq Bargut, agreed to submit all of the evidence without cross-examination.
Abu Ghanem, along with Baha Aliyan, boarded the number 78 bus on October 13, 2015, with Abu Ghanem opening fire at the passengers and Aliyan stabbing them with a knife. Even after running out of ammunition and breaking their knife, the two continued strangling passengers with their bare hands until Border Police arrived at the scene, shooting them both and killing Aliyan.
Three Israelis were murdered in the attack—Haviv Haim, 78, and Alon Govberg, 51, and Richard Lakin, 76—and seven others were wounded.
Bus driver Israel Zaken said after the verdict, "I hope he remains in prison for the rest of his life and not get out as part of a deal."
Maya Rahimi, who was wounded in the attack, added: "I'm glad we reached the end (of the process). To me, this is closure. But my own journey is still long. It's hard for me to return to normal, being afraid to go on buses."
The prosecutor, Uri Korev of the Jerusalem District Attorney's Office, said after the verdict, "The defendant, a known Hamas operative, committed a barbaric slaughter of three innocent people and wounded others. He shot elderly people to death at point-blank range while his partner stabbed them with a butcher knife."
7 july 2016
Justice Minister Shaked and Public Security Minister Erdan seek to codify legislation allowing removal of threatening content from social media sites within hours; Authors say it won't infringe on freedom of speech.
Draft legislation is currently being prepared by Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan and the Deputy Attorney General Raz Nazari, which will enable authorities to expedite the process of removing content defined as terror-related.
In order to facilitate swift removal of such content, an administrative court order may be required to. Only thereafter would authorities need to proceed with a criminal investigation against a suspect - a process which usually takes time to execute.
Today, when security services or the National Cyber Association discover content which constitutes incitement to commit acts of terror published by way of a social media post or an internet article, an appeal is usually made to the networks such as Facebook for the removal which, in most cases, is enforced.
However, given the protracted nature of the process, efforts are often rendered futile. Formulators of the new legislation therefore are seeking to circumvent this delaying obstacles by granting authorities to immediately remove incitement material by taking the appeal to the state attorney, or to an individual acting on his behalf, who will then consider whether the the content constitutes an assault against state security, against public security or against individual security.
Moreover, it will also examine whether the content exceeds the limits of freedom of expression. If it is decided to remove the content, the district courts will immediately be notified and the content will be removed in a matter of hours.
Noting the potential threat the proposed law poses to freedom of speech, the Ministry of Justice clarified that content-removal decrees will be issued sparingly, only in extreme cases and will be directed solely against threatening content.
As part of the struggle against terror organizations, an amendment will also be made to the existing legislation on the issue, which currently grants the authority to close places used for crimes such as pedophilia, gambling and drugs. Terror will also be added to theses categories.
Consequently, authorities will have the power to close down virtual sites and networks used for criminal purposes. Moreover, they will be authorized to disable websites that recruit terrorists, remove their content and calls to terror and document the actions of its moderators and users. Israel would not be the first to pass such legislation with similar laws already existing in other countries such as Australia and France.
Two weeks ago, Ministers Shaked and Erdan instructed the head of the State Attorney's Cyber Office, Dr. Haim Wismonski and police cyber units to coordinate the removal of harmful material such as expressions of support for terror, shaming and defaming public officials.
In cases in which illicit posts are uploaded, the justice ministry will approach the various social networks and internet sites such as Facebook and Google and inform them that the content violates the provisions stipulated in the Israeli Penal Code and is therefore a violation of the terms of use.
Israeli security officials have clashed with Facebook in recent days over what Israel views as a cavalier attitude in addressing the problem of incitment posted on its webiste.
Draft legislation is currently being prepared by Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan and the Deputy Attorney General Raz Nazari, which will enable authorities to expedite the process of removing content defined as terror-related.
In order to facilitate swift removal of such content, an administrative court order may be required to. Only thereafter would authorities need to proceed with a criminal investigation against a suspect - a process which usually takes time to execute.
Today, when security services or the National Cyber Association discover content which constitutes incitement to commit acts of terror published by way of a social media post or an internet article, an appeal is usually made to the networks such as Facebook for the removal which, in most cases, is enforced.
However, given the protracted nature of the process, efforts are often rendered futile. Formulators of the new legislation therefore are seeking to circumvent this delaying obstacles by granting authorities to immediately remove incitement material by taking the appeal to the state attorney, or to an individual acting on his behalf, who will then consider whether the the content constitutes an assault against state security, against public security or against individual security.
Moreover, it will also examine whether the content exceeds the limits of freedom of expression. If it is decided to remove the content, the district courts will immediately be notified and the content will be removed in a matter of hours.
Noting the potential threat the proposed law poses to freedom of speech, the Ministry of Justice clarified that content-removal decrees will be issued sparingly, only in extreme cases and will be directed solely against threatening content.
As part of the struggle against terror organizations, an amendment will also be made to the existing legislation on the issue, which currently grants the authority to close places used for crimes such as pedophilia, gambling and drugs. Terror will also be added to theses categories.
Consequently, authorities will have the power to close down virtual sites and networks used for criminal purposes. Moreover, they will be authorized to disable websites that recruit terrorists, remove their content and calls to terror and document the actions of its moderators and users. Israel would not be the first to pass such legislation with similar laws already existing in other countries such as Australia and France.
Two weeks ago, Ministers Shaked and Erdan instructed the head of the State Attorney's Cyber Office, Dr. Haim Wismonski and police cyber units to coordinate the removal of harmful material such as expressions of support for terror, shaming and defaming public officials.
In cases in which illicit posts are uploaded, the justice ministry will approach the various social networks and internet sites such as Facebook and Google and inform them that the content violates the provisions stipulated in the Israeli Penal Code and is therefore a violation of the terms of use.
Israeli security officials have clashed with Facebook in recent days over what Israel views as a cavalier attitude in addressing the problem of incitment posted on its webiste.
An Israeli bill is scheduled to be submitted to the Knesset for its first reading to impose more restrictions on Palestinian prisoners especially those affiliated to Hamas Movement.
Under the proposed bill, Palestinian prisoners would be barred from family visits, watching TV, purchasing anything at the canteen, and pursuing a higher education from prison.
The proposal was submitted by Yisrael Beytenu MK Oded Forer. Forer has discussed the bill with the Israeli Security Minister Gilad Erdan to drum up his support.
Israeli media sources noted that the proposal had the support of Israeli Army Minister Avigdor Liberman.
There are currently nearly 7000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, hundreds of them are held without charge or trial amid very difficult detention conditions.
Under the proposed bill, Palestinian prisoners would be barred from family visits, watching TV, purchasing anything at the canteen, and pursuing a higher education from prison.
The proposal was submitted by Yisrael Beytenu MK Oded Forer. Forer has discussed the bill with the Israeli Security Minister Gilad Erdan to drum up his support.
Israeli media sources noted that the proposal had the support of Israeli Army Minister Avigdor Liberman.
There are currently nearly 7000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, hundreds of them are held without charge or trial amid very difficult detention conditions.
6 july 2016
Roni Alsheikh (l) and Menny Yitzhaki (r)
Knesset committee discusses the secret document containing transgressions committed by all MKs since 2014; Alsheikh: 'It is being presented as the opposite of what it is. There is no pressure to release its content.'
Israel's Police Commissioner Roni Alsheikh defended the existence of the controversial ‘Yitzhaki document’ - a secret police document containing information and details of suspected criminal activitity by those who were members of the Knesset in 2014 on Wednesday .
Alsheikh told the Knesset's Interior Comittee that he stood by the decision to compile the document. “It is being presented as the opposite of what it actually is," he said.
"Compiling the document is not a crime. The crime here is the leaking of the document. Whoever leaked it wanted to create the impression that the police are collecting information about public servants and are just waiting to release it,” he contended.
Alsheikh rebuffed the notion that the police have been under pressure to expose its contents ever since the document’s existence was brought topublic light: “In order to remove any doubt, there is no pressure on us from politicians. There never was. However, we are indeed pressured by the media.”
He then explained that the document was created to a way of organizing the information the police had received, and that there was no intention to hold onto incriminating information and wait for the opportune moment to use it.
“The police are not allowed to seek out information about MKs and ministers. The police need to be aware of the limitations of its powers and rightly so,” said Alsheikh.
However, he maintainedin his defense of the document’s existence: “Mountains of information comes in, including about MKs. When credible information comes, when it is not clouded or blurry but rather something substantive, we cannot simply launch an initial invesigation. We take this information to the State Attorney and the Attorney General so that they can make the decision. Because we have a massive police force consisting of 30,000 policemen and 70 police stations, obviously there are things that can fall between the cracks.”
Alsheikh emphasized that “the aim of the document is precisely the opposite of collecting information about MKs. It is intended to ensure that this doesn’t happen. There is a control process which ensures that the head of the investigations branch can control what is happening underneath him. In light of the incidents which took place in the past, an inspection was conducted to make sure that nothing has gone unreported. When there is a commander who doesn’t want problems, he carries out an inspection. The moment that the document go to the Police Investigations division, the document died.”
At the beginning of the meeting, MK Michal Rozin (Meretz) said, “According to our knowledge, there are around 100 cases. These cases were not checked or investigated.” MK Mickey Rosenthal (Zionist Union) turned to Alsheikh and to Maj. Gen. Menny Yitzchaki and said: “None of you understand the severity of the situation. You are holding the public security minister by the balls.”
The document was exposed a few weeks ago by a journalist on channel 10. It was prepared two years ago at the direction of the intelligence branch of the police and included information on suspicion of criminal activities committed by all MKs and ministers in the previous Knesset. It was created at the request of Menny Yitzhaki.
The document accumulated all the information under police control obtained from every possible source and included information relating to alleged transgressions by MKs which included bribery. The journalist who exposed the document’s existence claimed that it contained the names of supposed witnesses but the information never materialized into a serious investigation.
According to an earlier report published by Yedioth Ahronoth, the morning following Gilad Erdan’s nomination of Brig. Gen. (res.) Gal Hirsch to the position of police commissioner, Yitzhaki requested that all information held by the police about him be publicized, some of which led to the termination of his appointment.
Knesset committee discusses the secret document containing transgressions committed by all MKs since 2014; Alsheikh: 'It is being presented as the opposite of what it is. There is no pressure to release its content.'
Israel's Police Commissioner Roni Alsheikh defended the existence of the controversial ‘Yitzhaki document’ - a secret police document containing information and details of suspected criminal activitity by those who were members of the Knesset in 2014 on Wednesday .
Alsheikh told the Knesset's Interior Comittee that he stood by the decision to compile the document. “It is being presented as the opposite of what it actually is," he said.
"Compiling the document is not a crime. The crime here is the leaking of the document. Whoever leaked it wanted to create the impression that the police are collecting information about public servants and are just waiting to release it,” he contended.
Alsheikh rebuffed the notion that the police have been under pressure to expose its contents ever since the document’s existence was brought topublic light: “In order to remove any doubt, there is no pressure on us from politicians. There never was. However, we are indeed pressured by the media.”
He then explained that the document was created to a way of organizing the information the police had received, and that there was no intention to hold onto incriminating information and wait for the opportune moment to use it.
“The police are not allowed to seek out information about MKs and ministers. The police need to be aware of the limitations of its powers and rightly so,” said Alsheikh.
However, he maintainedin his defense of the document’s existence: “Mountains of information comes in, including about MKs. When credible information comes, when it is not clouded or blurry but rather something substantive, we cannot simply launch an initial invesigation. We take this information to the State Attorney and the Attorney General so that they can make the decision. Because we have a massive police force consisting of 30,000 policemen and 70 police stations, obviously there are things that can fall between the cracks.”
Alsheikh emphasized that “the aim of the document is precisely the opposite of collecting information about MKs. It is intended to ensure that this doesn’t happen. There is a control process which ensures that the head of the investigations branch can control what is happening underneath him. In light of the incidents which took place in the past, an inspection was conducted to make sure that nothing has gone unreported. When there is a commander who doesn’t want problems, he carries out an inspection. The moment that the document go to the Police Investigations division, the document died.”
At the beginning of the meeting, MK Michal Rozin (Meretz) said, “According to our knowledge, there are around 100 cases. These cases were not checked or investigated.” MK Mickey Rosenthal (Zionist Union) turned to Alsheikh and to Maj. Gen. Menny Yitzchaki and said: “None of you understand the severity of the situation. You are holding the public security minister by the balls.”
The document was exposed a few weeks ago by a journalist on channel 10. It was prepared two years ago at the direction of the intelligence branch of the police and included information on suspicion of criminal activities committed by all MKs and ministers in the previous Knesset. It was created at the request of Menny Yitzhaki.
The document accumulated all the information under police control obtained from every possible source and included information relating to alleged transgressions by MKs which included bribery. The journalist who exposed the document’s existence claimed that it contained the names of supposed witnesses but the information never materialized into a serious investigation.
According to an earlier report published by Yedioth Ahronoth, the morning following Gilad Erdan’s nomination of Brig. Gen. (res.) Gal Hirsch to the position of police commissioner, Yitzhaki requested that all information held by the police about him be publicized, some of which led to the termination of his appointment.
29 june 2016
Israeli bulldozers demolished homes in the Bedouin village of al-Araqib, in the Negev desert, for the 100 time on Wednesday, in addition to a home in the Negev village of Atir, local activists said.
Israeli police reportedly imposed a blockade on al-Araqib before carrying out the demolitions, according to Al Ray Palestinian Media Agency.
Activist Saleem Araqeeb said that Israeli bulldozers, accompanied by military jeeps, stormed the village in the morning, forcing the locals to leave their houses and demolish them.
The activist said that demolitions in al-Araqib continue to take place, even after the Israeli Higher Court of Justice ruled that al-Araqib’s lands do not belong to the state.
He said that local Israeli authorities, who dispute the ruling, have filed a lawsuit demanding the court to order residents of al-Araqib to pay a daily fine of 5,000 shekels (approximately $1280 USD).
Demolitions, in addition to denial of basic services and access to infrastructure, are part of an ongoing campaign by Israeli planning committees against Bedouin villages in the Negev desert, where roughly 70-90,000 people live.
In May 2013, an Israeli government committee approved a draft bill setting a framework to implement the evacuation of “unrecognized” Bedouin villages in the Negev, most of which existed before the state of Israel came into being.
Both Al-Araqib and Atir are among some 40 Negev villages that Israeli authorities have deemed unrecognized, arguing that the 53,000 Palestinian Bedouins living in them cannot prove land ownership.
Some 100 homes in unrecognized villages have been demolished since the beginning of 2015, while Israeli authorities have issued demolition notices to hundreds of others.
Israeli police reportedly imposed a blockade on al-Araqib before carrying out the demolitions, according to Al Ray Palestinian Media Agency.
Activist Saleem Araqeeb said that Israeli bulldozers, accompanied by military jeeps, stormed the village in the morning, forcing the locals to leave their houses and demolish them.
The activist said that demolitions in al-Araqib continue to take place, even after the Israeli Higher Court of Justice ruled that al-Araqib’s lands do not belong to the state.
He said that local Israeli authorities, who dispute the ruling, have filed a lawsuit demanding the court to order residents of al-Araqib to pay a daily fine of 5,000 shekels (approximately $1280 USD).
Demolitions, in addition to denial of basic services and access to infrastructure, are part of an ongoing campaign by Israeli planning committees against Bedouin villages in the Negev desert, where roughly 70-90,000 people live.
In May 2013, an Israeli government committee approved a draft bill setting a framework to implement the evacuation of “unrecognized” Bedouin villages in the Negev, most of which existed before the state of Israel came into being.
Both Al-Araqib and Atir are among some 40 Negev villages that Israeli authorities have deemed unrecognized, arguing that the 53,000 Palestinian Bedouins living in them cannot prove land ownership.
Some 100 homes in unrecognized villages have been demolished since the beginning of 2015, while Israeli authorities have issued demolition notices to hundreds of others.
27 june 2016
The Israeli Magistrate’s Court in Occupied Jerusalem indicted a Muslim young man for chanting “Allah is the Greatest” at the holy al-Aqsa Mosque.
Lawyer Ramzi Kteilat who pleaded for 37-year-old Saher Ghazawi, from Nazareth, said the Israeli court criminalized the Muslim chant “Allah is the Greatest” as an act of incitement.
The lawyer slammed the verdict which criminalized Muslim chants in the presence of Israeli settlers.
Other court hearings are expected to be held over the rule issued against Ghazawi.
The Israeli court accused the young man of obstructing police work as they provided a security shield for Israeli fanatics at al-Aqsa in 2011. “The verdict sparks incitement more than Ghazawi does,” Kteilat further stated, raising concerns over the serious repercussions of the verdict.
He dubbed the court rule a politicized decision and one that has no legal basis. Commenting on the verdict, Ghazawi said it rather fuels tension at al-Aqsa and triggers rioting.
“Saying ‘Allah is the Greatest’ is a ritual that brings us closer to Allah. Nobody has the right to infringe our freedom of worship, particularly in Muslims’ the al-Aqsa Mosque,” said Ghazawi.
Ghazawi’s case dates back to September 21, 2011, when Israeli settlers broke into al-Aqsa Mosque while Muslim worshipers kept chanting Allah is the Greatest in protest at the move. Ghazawi was arrested on the same day and was subjected to psycho-physical violence by the Israeli forces.
The Israeli occupation authorities locked him up for 24 hours before the Magistrate’s court slapped on him a 10-day ban from al-Aqsa.
Lawyer Ramzi Kteilat who pleaded for 37-year-old Saher Ghazawi, from Nazareth, said the Israeli court criminalized the Muslim chant “Allah is the Greatest” as an act of incitement.
The lawyer slammed the verdict which criminalized Muslim chants in the presence of Israeli settlers.
Other court hearings are expected to be held over the rule issued against Ghazawi.
The Israeli court accused the young man of obstructing police work as they provided a security shield for Israeli fanatics at al-Aqsa in 2011. “The verdict sparks incitement more than Ghazawi does,” Kteilat further stated, raising concerns over the serious repercussions of the verdict.
He dubbed the court rule a politicized decision and one that has no legal basis. Commenting on the verdict, Ghazawi said it rather fuels tension at al-Aqsa and triggers rioting.
“Saying ‘Allah is the Greatest’ is a ritual that brings us closer to Allah. Nobody has the right to infringe our freedom of worship, particularly in Muslims’ the al-Aqsa Mosque,” said Ghazawi.
Ghazawi’s case dates back to September 21, 2011, when Israeli settlers broke into al-Aqsa Mosque while Muslim worshipers kept chanting Allah is the Greatest in protest at the move. Ghazawi was arrested on the same day and was subjected to psycho-physical violence by the Israeli forces.
The Israeli occupation authorities locked him up for 24 hours before the Magistrate’s court slapped on him a 10-day ban from al-Aqsa.
26 june 2016
Yishai Schlissel receives life in prisonAfter stabbing a girl to death in Jerusalem's Gay Pride Parade just two months after completing a ten-year prison sentence for a similar offence, Yishai Schissel receives life imprisonment: 'His dark zealotry stops him seeing people as people.'
Yishai Schlissel, who stabbed Shira Banki to death who was marching at the Gay Pride Parade in Jerusalem in July last year, was sentenced by the Jerusalem District Court on Sunday morning to 31 years in prison.
A further 25 years were handed down for six counts of attempted murder. The state also requested that the court sentence him to an additional 60 years.
“His long prison sentence did not bring about a change in his ways. His dark zealotry that stops him from seeing people as people continues to guide him even now,” the judge wrote in his indictment, the judge wrote. The court also ruled that Schlissel compensate the victims of his attack with 2.64 million shekels.
“We have here, a man who does not see a human being before him. He is a cruel man," the judge continued. "This dangerous man can no longer walk around on the streets of Jerusalem or any other place. He had nothing with the young and pretty Shira. The indicted wrought havoc on Shira Banki’s family and on society as a whole.”
Two months before the march, Schlissel completed a ten-year prison sentence for carrying out a stabbing attack at the Gay Pride Parade in 2005. After he was released from prison, he expressed his opposition to the approaching march, both in the media and Haredi synagogues in Jerusalem.
During the afternoon on the day of the march, Schlissel left his parents’ home in Moshav Yad Binyamin and travelled to Jerusalem. When he arrived, he tried to enter the march from Lincoln Street but was asked to leave by the police. He made his way to Washington Street nearby. Concealing a knife in his clothes, he entered the march, managed to slip past the policeman and policewoman located there and proceeded to stab marchers in their upper body.
Yishai Schlissel, who stabbed Shira Banki to death who was marching at the Gay Pride Parade in Jerusalem in July last year, was sentenced by the Jerusalem District Court on Sunday morning to 31 years in prison.
A further 25 years were handed down for six counts of attempted murder. The state also requested that the court sentence him to an additional 60 years.
“His long prison sentence did not bring about a change in his ways. His dark zealotry that stops him from seeing people as people continues to guide him even now,” the judge wrote in his indictment, the judge wrote. The court also ruled that Schlissel compensate the victims of his attack with 2.64 million shekels.
“We have here, a man who does not see a human being before him. He is a cruel man," the judge continued. "This dangerous man can no longer walk around on the streets of Jerusalem or any other place. He had nothing with the young and pretty Shira. The indicted wrought havoc on Shira Banki’s family and on society as a whole.”
Two months before the march, Schlissel completed a ten-year prison sentence for carrying out a stabbing attack at the Gay Pride Parade in 2005. After he was released from prison, he expressed his opposition to the approaching march, both in the media and Haredi synagogues in Jerusalem.
During the afternoon on the day of the march, Schlissel left his parents’ home in Moshav Yad Binyamin and travelled to Jerusalem. When he arrived, he tried to enter the march from Lincoln Street but was asked to leave by the police. He made his way to Washington Street nearby. Concealing a knife in his clothes, he entered the march, managed to slip past the policeman and policewoman located there and proceeded to stab marchers in their upper body.
