7 mar 2016
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Guests and groom Yakir Ashbal are expected to be indicted for incitement and illegal possession of arms after being documented 'celebrating' the Duma murders.
At least 10 people who participated in the "wedding of hate," including the groom, are expected to face charges in the case, Ynet learned on Monday evening. Videos filmed at the Jerusalem wedding of Yakir and Ronny Ashbal in December show guests dancing while brandishing firearms and Molotov cocktails, and mocking the murder of Palestinian baby Ali Dawabshe - who was burned to death along with his parents in an arson attack at his home in Duma - by stabbing a photo of his with a knife and trying to set it on fire. |
Police's Judea and Samaria District's Nationalistic Crimes Unit conducted the investigation into the wedding. The investigative material has already been transferred to the State Attorney and returned to police for final additions.
Among those who are expected to be indicted are also minors, who are facing charges of indictement and illegal possession of arms.
The groom, Yakir Ashbal, was interrogated shortly after images and videos from the wedding were released to the press. He was arrested and released several days later. Other youth and radical right wing activists were also arrested. All of them were released after a few days.
In addition, some of the wedding guests were hilltop youth who were breaking a court order barring them from meeting with other hilltop youth who were present.
Footage from the wedding led to outrage on both the left and right wing. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that "The shocking pictures that were broadcast this evening show the true face of a group that constitutes a danger to Israeli society and to the security of Israel. We are not prepared to accept people who deny the laws of the state and do not view themselves as subject to them. The pictures underscore how important a strong Shin Bet is to the security of us all."
Opposition leader Isaac Herzog called the wedding guests: "Crazy, wretched people. You forgot what it means to be Jewish. You are disgracing the kippah, the talit and God. Those who dance at a wedding and celebrate the murder of a baby in his sleep are not Jews nor are they Israelis. They need to be locked behind bars, as soon as possible."
Attorney Itamar Ben-Gvir, who represents some of the suspects and was at the wedding himself, said in response to the intention to press charges: "It turns out that the State Attorney has a lot of free time, and the waving of a photo gets precedence over cases of murder, rape and drugs. So be it, but I'd suggest the State Attorney started by filing indictment against guests at weddings in Umm al-Fahm and Arara, where in many of the weddings there are shootings and cursing the State of Israel and incitement to murder Jews."
Among those who are expected to be indicted are also minors, who are facing charges of indictement and illegal possession of arms.
The groom, Yakir Ashbal, was interrogated shortly after images and videos from the wedding were released to the press. He was arrested and released several days later. Other youth and radical right wing activists were also arrested. All of them were released after a few days.
In addition, some of the wedding guests were hilltop youth who were breaking a court order barring them from meeting with other hilltop youth who were present.
Footage from the wedding led to outrage on both the left and right wing. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that "The shocking pictures that were broadcast this evening show the true face of a group that constitutes a danger to Israeli society and to the security of Israel. We are not prepared to accept people who deny the laws of the state and do not view themselves as subject to them. The pictures underscore how important a strong Shin Bet is to the security of us all."
Opposition leader Isaac Herzog called the wedding guests: "Crazy, wretched people. You forgot what it means to be Jewish. You are disgracing the kippah, the talit and God. Those who dance at a wedding and celebrate the murder of a baby in his sleep are not Jews nor are they Israelis. They need to be locked behind bars, as soon as possible."
Attorney Itamar Ben-Gvir, who represents some of the suspects and was at the wedding himself, said in response to the intention to press charges: "It turns out that the State Attorney has a lot of free time, and the waving of a photo gets precedence over cases of murder, rape and drugs. So be it, but I'd suggest the State Attorney started by filing indictment against guests at weddings in Umm al-Fahm and Arara, where in many of the weddings there are shootings and cursing the State of Israel and incitement to murder Jews."
An Israeli court on Sunday ruled that the Bedouin community of Um al-Hiran in the Negev in southern Israel is illegal, on the grounds that the community settled on state lands, Israeli media reported.
"The state is the owner of the lands in dispute," Israeli daily Haaretz quoted Supreme Court Justice Elyakim Rubinstein as writing. "The residents have acquired no rights to the land but have settled them [without any authorization], which the state cancelled legally."
Israeli planning authorities intend to build a "new town for Jewish residents in its place," Haaretz reported.
On Monday, Israeli authorities reportedly entered farm lands used by Um al-Hiran residents with the intentions of destroying crops, but residents were able to prevent forces from beginning the demolition.
Raed Abu al-Qian, a well-known activist in the area, said the move "came to increase pressure on the residents and to make home demolitions easy in the village," following the Israeli court ruling.
Said al-Khroumi, a member of a local committee for Arabs in Negev, said Israeli forces' presence at the village was "a heinous and barbarian aggression against the village and its residents."
He also called for anyone able to travel to Um al-Hiran to visit the village "show solidarity."
Bedouin member of the Israeli Knesset Talab Abu Arar accused Israeli Minister of Agriculture Uri Ariel of creating "a secret government committee" aimed at destroying the crops of Arab villages.
According to Abu Arar, the "secret committee" recommended that Arab villages in the Negev be emptied, and residents removed.
"This is a special Israeli form of ethnic cleansing," Abu Arar continued.
Abu Arar highlighted that Israeli authorities destroyed crops in the villages of Attir, Hurah and Saawah during the past several days.
"The state is the owner of the lands in dispute," Israeli daily Haaretz quoted Supreme Court Justice Elyakim Rubinstein as writing. "The residents have acquired no rights to the land but have settled them [without any authorization], which the state cancelled legally."
Israeli planning authorities intend to build a "new town for Jewish residents in its place," Haaretz reported.
On Monday, Israeli authorities reportedly entered farm lands used by Um al-Hiran residents with the intentions of destroying crops, but residents were able to prevent forces from beginning the demolition.
Raed Abu al-Qian, a well-known activist in the area, said the move "came to increase pressure on the residents and to make home demolitions easy in the village," following the Israeli court ruling.
Said al-Khroumi, a member of a local committee for Arabs in Negev, said Israeli forces' presence at the village was "a heinous and barbarian aggression against the village and its residents."
He also called for anyone able to travel to Um al-Hiran to visit the village "show solidarity."
Bedouin member of the Israeli Knesset Talab Abu Arar accused Israeli Minister of Agriculture Uri Ariel of creating "a secret government committee" aimed at destroying the crops of Arab villages.
According to Abu Arar, the "secret committee" recommended that Arab villages in the Negev be emptied, and residents removed.
"This is a special Israeli form of ethnic cleansing," Abu Arar continued.
Abu Arar highlighted that Israeli authorities destroyed crops in the villages of Attir, Hurah and Saawah during the past several days.
The Palestinian Ministry of Information slammed an Israeli ban on the Muslim call to prayers via mosque loudspeakers, dubbing the move “an act of terrorism that crosses all red lines.”
A statement by the Information Ministry spoke out against Israeli claims that Muslims’ call to prayer is a loud nuisance that echoes into Israeli settlements, describing the ban as a barefaced violation of the sanctity of Islamic places of worship and an infringement on religious freedom.
The statement referred to Israeli aggressions, cold-blooded executions, house demolitions, confiscations, and misappropriation of Palestinians’ natural resources as the most striking proofs of Israeli terrorism.
The statement called on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the International Council of Christian Churches to exert pressure on Israel to cancel the racist ban on Muslims’ call to prayer and to cease its preplanned terrorism against the Muslim worshipers.
The Israeli Legislative Affairs Committee was expected to vote on a bill banning Muslims’ call to prayer in 1948 Occupied Palestine. After the bill failed to garner support of coalition partners, Habayit Hayehudi MK Moti Yogev took the bill off the committee's agenda until further changes are put in.
Israeli daily Haaretz reported that right-wing Israeli lawmaker Moti Yogev plans to resubmit the proposed law in a new form.
According to the newspaper, Yogev plans to submit a revised version of the bill that would call for banning the use of loudspeakers by mosques during non-working hours — including on Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath — and setting limits on the volume of the Muslim call to prayer. On Sunday, the Israel Democracy Institute warned in a letter to ministers that the bill threatened to “harm freedom of religion”.
“If the bill is advanced,” the think-tank added, “it will encourage rifts in the Israeli community and harm the Muslim public.”
A statement by the Information Ministry spoke out against Israeli claims that Muslims’ call to prayer is a loud nuisance that echoes into Israeli settlements, describing the ban as a barefaced violation of the sanctity of Islamic places of worship and an infringement on religious freedom.
The statement referred to Israeli aggressions, cold-blooded executions, house demolitions, confiscations, and misappropriation of Palestinians’ natural resources as the most striking proofs of Israeli terrorism.
The statement called on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the International Council of Christian Churches to exert pressure on Israel to cancel the racist ban on Muslims’ call to prayer and to cease its preplanned terrorism against the Muslim worshipers.
The Israeli Legislative Affairs Committee was expected to vote on a bill banning Muslims’ call to prayer in 1948 Occupied Palestine. After the bill failed to garner support of coalition partners, Habayit Hayehudi MK Moti Yogev took the bill off the committee's agenda until further changes are put in.
Israeli daily Haaretz reported that right-wing Israeli lawmaker Moti Yogev plans to resubmit the proposed law in a new form.
According to the newspaper, Yogev plans to submit a revised version of the bill that would call for banning the use of loudspeakers by mosques during non-working hours — including on Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath — and setting limits on the volume of the Muslim call to prayer. On Sunday, the Israel Democracy Institute warned in a letter to ministers that the bill threatened to “harm freedom of religion”.
“If the bill is advanced,” the think-tank added, “it will encourage rifts in the Israeli community and harm the Muslim public.”
6 mar 2016
The Israeli ministerial committee for legislation intends on Sunday to vote on a bill calling for silencing muezzins' call to prayers at Palestinian Mosques at the pretext of preventing noise pollution.
The bill is aimed at banning all mosque imams and muezzins in Jerusalem and Israeli areas from calling to prayers through loudspeakers.
The draft law was tabled by right-wing MK Mordhay Yogev from the Jewish Home and other members of his party as well as some Likud members.
The bill is aimed at banning all mosque imams and muezzins in Jerusalem and Israeli areas from calling to prayers through loudspeakers.
The draft law was tabled by right-wing MK Mordhay Yogev from the Jewish Home and other members of his party as well as some Likud members.
4 mar 2016
Adalah unpacks 10 Israeli laws and bills with provisions liable to harm Palestinians and those who defend Palestinian rights.
Adalah: the Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel released a summary [PDF] of ten Israeli laws and bills that include “discriminatory and/or anti-democratic provisions that are liable to severely harm the human rights of Palestinian citizens of Israel and Palestinians living in the 1967 Occupied Palestinian Territory, as well as those who defend their rights.”
The ten laws fall into two categories: a) legislation developed in response to the Third Intifada, i.e. since September 2015 b) legislation that undermines or criminalizes human rights organizations and the BDS movement.
The first category is by far the largest; Adalah identifies eight new Israeli laws or bills that have been developed since September 2015 and function or can be expected to function to criminalize Palestinians and/or strip them of essential legal protections.
The first three laws Adalah analyzes reflect the Israeli government’s interest in severely punishing Palestinians convicted of a crime. First, Amendment 120 to the Israeli Penal Code imposes mandatory minimum prison sentences of two or four years on persons convicted of stone throwing or similar acts. According to Adalah, this law targets young Palestinians and dangerously undermines judges’ discretion in determining punishment. Second, is an amendment to the National Insurance Act, which allows Israeli authorities to withhold child welfare allowances from parents of minors convicted of a “security offence” – a charge almost solely leveled at Palestinian children. The third law, an amendment to the Youth Law, imposes fines on the parents of minors found to have offended the Israeli Penal Code. Adalah argues that the timing of this law (enacted on November 2nd, 2015) suggests that, in practice, it too will target Palestinian children and their families.
Adalah also points to worrying developments to the Israeli government’s “Stop and Frisk” Law. Whereas prior to its current articulation, the police could only stop and frisk passersby if, in Adalah’s words, “there was a reasonable suspicion that he or she was carrying a concealed weapon or other object intended for use in criminal activity,” now the police may search someone “in case of reasonable suspicion that he or she is about to commit a violent act.” Moreover, the law stipulates that if a district chief of police temporarily declares an area a “stop and frisk zone,” any person in the area can be stopped-and-frisked. This law was enacted recently, on February 7th, 2016.
Fifthly, Adalah points to Amendment No. 4 to the Criminal Procedure Law, which strips essential procedural safeguards from detainees suspected of committing “security offenses” by extending the permitted period of detention before “security suspects" are brought before a judge or meet with a lawyer. In specific cases, the law also allows for “security suspects" to be absent from some of their own legal hearings.
Adalah cites the “Suspension of MKs” Bill as another worrying development in the Israeli legal system. If approved, the bill would allow for a Member of Knesset (MK) to be ousted from the Knesset if a majority of 90 MKs deem an MK guilty of denying the existence of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, incitement to racism, and/or support of an armed struggle against Israel. The bill was developed in direct response to Palestinian MKs in the Knesset.
The last two bills identified by Adalah as drafted in response to the Third Intifada establish broad definitions of terrorism and incitement to terror. The “Counter Terrorism” bill is a lengthily piece of legislation that, along with mobilizing vague definitions of terrorism and terrorist organizations, strengthens the power of the Israeli police and security services to suppress protests and use “interrogation techniques.” The “incitement to terrorism” bill establishes incitement to terror as a special category within the state’s incitement laws, and, predictably, lowers the bar for what constitutes incitement to terror.
Finally, Adalah identifies two bills that target human rights organizations and the BDS movement. First, the NGO “funding transparency bill” requires NGOs receiving more than 50% of their funding from foreign governments to indicate that they are funded by foreign governments in a number of situations, primarily when dealing with the Israeli government. It also levels heavy fines against such organizations for failing to do so. Lastly, is the anti-boycott bill will ban people, non-citizens and residents who call for a boycott of Israel or represent entities that advocate for a boycott from entering Israel or any of the occupied territories.
For an in-depth analysis of these laws and bills read Adalah’s full report [PDF].
Adalah: the Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel released a summary [PDF] of ten Israeli laws and bills that include “discriminatory and/or anti-democratic provisions that are liable to severely harm the human rights of Palestinian citizens of Israel and Palestinians living in the 1967 Occupied Palestinian Territory, as well as those who defend their rights.”
The ten laws fall into two categories: a) legislation developed in response to the Third Intifada, i.e. since September 2015 b) legislation that undermines or criminalizes human rights organizations and the BDS movement.
The first category is by far the largest; Adalah identifies eight new Israeli laws or bills that have been developed since September 2015 and function or can be expected to function to criminalize Palestinians and/or strip them of essential legal protections.
The first three laws Adalah analyzes reflect the Israeli government’s interest in severely punishing Palestinians convicted of a crime. First, Amendment 120 to the Israeli Penal Code imposes mandatory minimum prison sentences of two or four years on persons convicted of stone throwing or similar acts. According to Adalah, this law targets young Palestinians and dangerously undermines judges’ discretion in determining punishment. Second, is an amendment to the National Insurance Act, which allows Israeli authorities to withhold child welfare allowances from parents of minors convicted of a “security offence” – a charge almost solely leveled at Palestinian children. The third law, an amendment to the Youth Law, imposes fines on the parents of minors found to have offended the Israeli Penal Code. Adalah argues that the timing of this law (enacted on November 2nd, 2015) suggests that, in practice, it too will target Palestinian children and their families.
Adalah also points to worrying developments to the Israeli government’s “Stop and Frisk” Law. Whereas prior to its current articulation, the police could only stop and frisk passersby if, in Adalah’s words, “there was a reasonable suspicion that he or she was carrying a concealed weapon or other object intended for use in criminal activity,” now the police may search someone “in case of reasonable suspicion that he or she is about to commit a violent act.” Moreover, the law stipulates that if a district chief of police temporarily declares an area a “stop and frisk zone,” any person in the area can be stopped-and-frisked. This law was enacted recently, on February 7th, 2016.
Fifthly, Adalah points to Amendment No. 4 to the Criminal Procedure Law, which strips essential procedural safeguards from detainees suspected of committing “security offenses” by extending the permitted period of detention before “security suspects" are brought before a judge or meet with a lawyer. In specific cases, the law also allows for “security suspects" to be absent from some of their own legal hearings.
Adalah cites the “Suspension of MKs” Bill as another worrying development in the Israeli legal system. If approved, the bill would allow for a Member of Knesset (MK) to be ousted from the Knesset if a majority of 90 MKs deem an MK guilty of denying the existence of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, incitement to racism, and/or support of an armed struggle against Israel. The bill was developed in direct response to Palestinian MKs in the Knesset.
The last two bills identified by Adalah as drafted in response to the Third Intifada establish broad definitions of terrorism and incitement to terror. The “Counter Terrorism” bill is a lengthily piece of legislation that, along with mobilizing vague definitions of terrorism and terrorist organizations, strengthens the power of the Israeli police and security services to suppress protests and use “interrogation techniques.” The “incitement to terrorism” bill establishes incitement to terror as a special category within the state’s incitement laws, and, predictably, lowers the bar for what constitutes incitement to terror.
Finally, Adalah identifies two bills that target human rights organizations and the BDS movement. First, the NGO “funding transparency bill” requires NGOs receiving more than 50% of their funding from foreign governments to indicate that they are funded by foreign governments in a number of situations, primarily when dealing with the Israeli government. It also levels heavy fines against such organizations for failing to do so. Lastly, is the anti-boycott bill will ban people, non-citizens and residents who call for a boycott of Israel or represent entities that advocate for a boycott from entering Israel or any of the occupied territories.
For an in-depth analysis of these laws and bills read Adalah’s full report [PDF].
3 mar 2016
Israeli extremist settlers insulted the Palestinian Dawabsheh family on Wednesday during a trial of Israeli suspects involved in last July's terrorist firebombing in Duma, which killed an 18-month-old and his parents.
The trial of two suspects in the Dawabsheh family murders, which indictments say was an incident of Jewish terrorism, began Wednesday at the Lod District Court, in 1948 Occupied Palestine.
Bitter confrontations erupted in court between supporters of the victims and those of the suspects as tensions boiled over.
Court security guards prevented a skirmish between the two parties and removed two Dawabsheh family supporters.
The case, which involves the arson fire that killed 18-month-old Ali Dawabsheh and fatally wounded his parents as they slept in their home, has drawn widespread condemnation of the primary suspect Amiram Uliel and two others collaborating with him in this heinous crime.
Dawabsheh's family told reporters outside the courtroom that they do not believe in the justice of the Israeli courts. The hearing on Wednesday morning took place behind closed doors, like the other hearings in the case.
The indictment included planning for and committing a murder in order to spark further tensions between the Palestinians and the Israelis in addition to mobilizing membership in terrorist organizations.
The trial of two suspects in the Dawabsheh family murders, which indictments say was an incident of Jewish terrorism, began Wednesday at the Lod District Court, in 1948 Occupied Palestine.
Bitter confrontations erupted in court between supporters of the victims and those of the suspects as tensions boiled over.
Court security guards prevented a skirmish between the two parties and removed two Dawabsheh family supporters.
The case, which involves the arson fire that killed 18-month-old Ali Dawabsheh and fatally wounded his parents as they slept in their home, has drawn widespread condemnation of the primary suspect Amiram Uliel and two others collaborating with him in this heinous crime.
Dawabsheh's family told reporters outside the courtroom that they do not believe in the justice of the Israeli courts. The hearing on Wednesday morning took place behind closed doors, like the other hearings in the case.
The indictment included planning for and committing a murder in order to spark further tensions between the Palestinians and the Israelis in addition to mobilizing membership in terrorist organizations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the legal adviser to his government to study the possibility of deporting families of Palestinians who carry out anti-occupation attacks to the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu’s office published on Wednesday a copy of the letter addressed to the attorney general. It says: “using this legal method will decrease the terrorist attacks against the state of Israel and its people”.
Israel endorsed a score of punitive measures against those Palestinians who implement anti-occupation operations. the measures include demolition of homes, barring their families from rebuilding their razed houses, and depriving Jerusalemites of staying permanently in their town as well as confiscating their properties.
Netanyahu’s office published on Wednesday a copy of the letter addressed to the attorney general. It says: “using this legal method will decrease the terrorist attacks against the state of Israel and its people”.
Israel endorsed a score of punitive measures against those Palestinians who implement anti-occupation operations. the measures include demolition of homes, barring their families from rebuilding their razed houses, and depriving Jerusalemites of staying permanently in their town as well as confiscating their properties.
Israel's High Court, on Wednesday, ruled that Israeli authorities are obliged to return 1,700 dunams (420 acres) of land back to private Palestinian landowners, lawyers told Ma'an News Agency.
Mohammad Shqeir and Shlomy Zachary brought the case to Israeli courts several months ago, claiming that Israeli forces illegally seized the land around 35 years previously from the Palestinian villages of Jalud, Douma, Qusra and Mikhmad in Nablus, and Deir Dubwan village in Ramallah.
According to Israeli rights' group Yesh Din, during the 1970s it was common practice to issue military seizure orders for the purpose of establishing illegal Israeli settlements.
While Israel’s High Court ruled the policy illegal in 1979, the practice continues.
“It is unfortunate that an appeal must be made to the High Court in order for the country to return private lands to their owners," Zachary said.
He added: “International law prohibits interference with private land unless it is necessary for imperative military needs. It is unfortunate that the military commander of the area has chosen not to return the lands to their rightful owners once the military necessity, inasmuch as there was one, ceased."
While Palestinians frequently take their cases to Israeli courts after Israeli land confiscation and home demolition notices are ordered, they seldom win their cases in courts.
The legal process can also be timely and too expensive for Palestinian residents to afford without the aid of rights organizations, such as Yesh Din, which specializes in such work.
Mohammad Shqeir and Shlomy Zachary brought the case to Israeli courts several months ago, claiming that Israeli forces illegally seized the land around 35 years previously from the Palestinian villages of Jalud, Douma, Qusra and Mikhmad in Nablus, and Deir Dubwan village in Ramallah.
According to Israeli rights' group Yesh Din, during the 1970s it was common practice to issue military seizure orders for the purpose of establishing illegal Israeli settlements.
While Israel’s High Court ruled the policy illegal in 1979, the practice continues.
“It is unfortunate that an appeal must be made to the High Court in order for the country to return private lands to their owners," Zachary said.
He added: “International law prohibits interference with private land unless it is necessary for imperative military needs. It is unfortunate that the military commander of the area has chosen not to return the lands to their rightful owners once the military necessity, inasmuch as there was one, ceased."
While Palestinians frequently take their cases to Israeli courts after Israeli land confiscation and home demolition notices are ordered, they seldom win their cases in courts.
The legal process can also be timely and too expensive for Palestinian residents to afford without the aid of rights organizations, such as Yesh Din, which specializes in such work.
1 mar 2016
Israeli Supreme Court endorsed on Monday the demolition of the house of the Palestinian martyr Ibrahim Eskafi, 23, from al-Khalil in the southern West Bank.
Martyr Eskafi carried out, on November 04, 2015, an anti-occupation hit-and-run operation near Halhoul town in al-Khalil.
One Israeli soldier was killed and another was injured in the operation. Israeli forces shot him dead inside his car.
Radio Israel said that the house will be destroyed from the inside only. The inside walls will be razed and the house will be closed and no demolition date was announced, the radio added.
Martyr Eskafi carried out, on November 04, 2015, an anti-occupation hit-and-run operation near Halhoul town in al-Khalil.
One Israeli soldier was killed and another was injured in the operation. Israeli forces shot him dead inside his car.
Radio Israel said that the house will be destroyed from the inside only. The inside walls will be razed and the house will be closed and no demolition date was announced, the radio added.
26 feb 2016
An Israeli court on Thursday dropped indictments against right-wing Israeli activist Yehuda Glick, 18 months after he reportedly assaulted a Palestinian woman at Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
The decision will likely void a ruling banning Glick from entering the compound, enabling the controversial figure to renew tours for Israelis at the flashpoint site, according to Israeli media reports.
The court reportedly said the testimony of 67-year-old Palestinian Ziva Badarna -- who said she was physically attacked by Glick in August 2014 -- had been fabricated.
Following the ruling, Glick said he “had to face a war in the court,” where he was “fighting against a system meant to protect him, but which was actually working hand in hand with our worst enemies.”
He also pledged to continue visiting the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound as part of his religious duties.
Glick came to prominence for leading groups of rightist Israelis into the mosque compound for worship, in contravention of an agreement between Israel and the Islamic endowment since 1967 that prohibits non-Muslim prayer in the compound.
He has been heavily involved with the Temple Institute, an organization dedicated to building the Third Jewish Temple in the place of the Dome of the Rock.
The Institute is one of a handful of extremist Israeli organizations who critics say have gained serious traction in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing government.
The Dome of the Rock -- located in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound -- is the third holiest site in Islam, and is venerated as Judaism's most holy place, as it sits where Jews believe the First and Second Temples once stood.
Increased visitation to the site by rightist groups -- like those that Glick facilitates -- last year contributed to an escalation of tensions that triggered a wave of unrest across the Palestinian territory in October.
Despite the court ban placed on Glick from entering the site, he was escorted inside the compound by Israeli guards a handful of times last year.
Palestinian Muataz Hijazi, 32, attempted to assassinate Glick in October 2014 and was shot dead on the roof of his home by Israeli forces hours later. Hijazi’s former bedroom has since been sealed with concrete in a punitive move ordered by Israeli authorities.
The decision will likely void a ruling banning Glick from entering the compound, enabling the controversial figure to renew tours for Israelis at the flashpoint site, according to Israeli media reports.
The court reportedly said the testimony of 67-year-old Palestinian Ziva Badarna -- who said she was physically attacked by Glick in August 2014 -- had been fabricated.
Following the ruling, Glick said he “had to face a war in the court,” where he was “fighting against a system meant to protect him, but which was actually working hand in hand with our worst enemies.”
He also pledged to continue visiting the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound as part of his religious duties.
Glick came to prominence for leading groups of rightist Israelis into the mosque compound for worship, in contravention of an agreement between Israel and the Islamic endowment since 1967 that prohibits non-Muslim prayer in the compound.
He has been heavily involved with the Temple Institute, an organization dedicated to building the Third Jewish Temple in the place of the Dome of the Rock.
The Institute is one of a handful of extremist Israeli organizations who critics say have gained serious traction in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing government.
The Dome of the Rock -- located in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound -- is the third holiest site in Islam, and is venerated as Judaism's most holy place, as it sits where Jews believe the First and Second Temples once stood.
Increased visitation to the site by rightist groups -- like those that Glick facilitates -- last year contributed to an escalation of tensions that triggered a wave of unrest across the Palestinian territory in October.
Despite the court ban placed on Glick from entering the site, he was escorted inside the compound by Israeli guards a handful of times last year.
Palestinian Muataz Hijazi, 32, attempted to assassinate Glick in October 2014 and was shot dead on the roof of his home by Israeli forces hours later. Hijazi’s former bedroom has since been sealed with concrete in a punitive move ordered by Israeli authorities.
24 feb 2016
The Ateret Cohanim settlement organization delivered a judicial ruling to the Palestinian al-Rajabi family to evacuate their homes in Silwan town, in Occupied Jerusalem, at the pretext it was owned by Jews.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center said in a statement the Ateret Cohanim organization ordered the al-Rajabi family to give up a land where two six-storey buildings of the family’s own were built.
The organization said the family has to respond to the lawsuit, which claimed the land had been owned to three Yemenite Jews before 1948, within 30 days.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center said the targeted land makes part of the intent of Ateret Cohanim to confiscate nearly five dunums and 200 square meters under the pretext of being owned by the Jews of Yemen since 1881.
The settlement organization claimed that the Israeli Supreme Court approved the ownership of settlers from Yemen to lands in Batn Al-Hawa.
Wadi Hilweh Center added that the lands at risk of being confiscated currently have 30 to 35 residential apartments that are homes to 80 Palestinian families comprising nearly 436 individuals in total. All the residents have been living in the neighborhood since the 1960’s after they bought the lands and property from the previous owners using official documents.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center said in a statement the Ateret Cohanim organization ordered the al-Rajabi family to give up a land where two six-storey buildings of the family’s own were built.
The organization said the family has to respond to the lawsuit, which claimed the land had been owned to three Yemenite Jews before 1948, within 30 days.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center said the targeted land makes part of the intent of Ateret Cohanim to confiscate nearly five dunums and 200 square meters under the pretext of being owned by the Jews of Yemen since 1881.
The settlement organization claimed that the Israeli Supreme Court approved the ownership of settlers from Yemen to lands in Batn Al-Hawa.
Wadi Hilweh Center added that the lands at risk of being confiscated currently have 30 to 35 residential apartments that are homes to 80 Palestinian families comprising nearly 436 individuals in total. All the residents have been living in the neighborhood since the 1960’s after they bought the lands and property from the previous owners using official documents.
23 feb 2016
Israel's public prosecutor has decided that Yosef Ben-David, who masterminded the grisly murder of 16-year-old Mohamed Abu Khudair, is fit for trial after receiving a psychiatric report refuting his insanity claim.
According to an Israeli satellite channel, the report disputes the insanity plea filed by the lawyer of Ben-David.
The channel affirmed the killer would be prosecuted once again.
Abu Khudair was kidnapped, tortured and burned alive on July 2, 2014 by three Jewish settlers.
According to an Israeli satellite channel, the report disputes the insanity plea filed by the lawyer of Ben-David.
The channel affirmed the killer would be prosecuted once again.
Abu Khudair was kidnapped, tortured and burned alive on July 2, 2014 by three Jewish settlers.
12 feb 2016
The lawyer representing the family of murdered Palestinian teenager Muhammad Abu Khdeir on Thursday accused one of his killers of "stalling" justice, as an Israeli court began to hear his insanity plea.
Two Israeli minors were sentenced over the killing of 16-year-old Muhammad Abu Khdeir earlier this month, but 30-year-old Yosef Ben-David, believed to be the group's ringleader, escaped conviction after seeking a last minute psychiatric evaluation.
All three killers have confessed to beating unconscious Abu Khdeir in July 2014 before pouring flammable liquid on him and setting him alight.
Following Thursday's hearing, Abu Khdeir's family lawyer, Muhannad Jbara, said Ben-David's defense team was "stalling" justice by attempting to "postpone and prevent" the killer's conviction and sentencing.
The hearing lasted nearly seven hours, during which the jury listened to a medical expert assigned by Ben-David's lawyer who said the killer suffered mental and psychological issues.
A second medical expert, assigned by the prosecution, argued that Ben-David was qualified for trial and did not suffer any mental illnesses.
Ben-David's defense team initially sought to keep the trial closed, but the court ruled only to keep personal testimonies unpublished. The defense unsuccessfully attempted to appeal this decision to the Supreme Court.
Jbara said that Ben-David told the court he was aware of all details of the killing and had earlier reenacted the crime on camera for investigators.
Jbara said that Ben-David's defense argued this reenactment was provided after Ben-David came under "pressure" from police, as well as being electrocuted.
The court is not expected to reach a verdict until a later date.
The other two killers, both minors, were sentenced earlier this month, with one receiving life imprisonment and the other 21 years, in what Abu Khdeir's family condemned as too light a sentence.
Abu Khdeir's father, Hussein, told Ma'an: "Muhammad died again today, and we died with him. Does it make sense to sentence the killer who kidnapped, tortured and burned Muhammad to only 21 years in prison?”
He said the sentence proved Israel was not a democratic country. "Israeli courts have two faces of judiciary: one for the Palestinians and another for the Israelis."
Two Israeli minors were sentenced over the killing of 16-year-old Muhammad Abu Khdeir earlier this month, but 30-year-old Yosef Ben-David, believed to be the group's ringleader, escaped conviction after seeking a last minute psychiatric evaluation.
All three killers have confessed to beating unconscious Abu Khdeir in July 2014 before pouring flammable liquid on him and setting him alight.
Following Thursday's hearing, Abu Khdeir's family lawyer, Muhannad Jbara, said Ben-David's defense team was "stalling" justice by attempting to "postpone and prevent" the killer's conviction and sentencing.
The hearing lasted nearly seven hours, during which the jury listened to a medical expert assigned by Ben-David's lawyer who said the killer suffered mental and psychological issues.
A second medical expert, assigned by the prosecution, argued that Ben-David was qualified for trial and did not suffer any mental illnesses.
Ben-David's defense team initially sought to keep the trial closed, but the court ruled only to keep personal testimonies unpublished. The defense unsuccessfully attempted to appeal this decision to the Supreme Court.
Jbara said that Ben-David told the court he was aware of all details of the killing and had earlier reenacted the crime on camera for investigators.
Jbara said that Ben-David's defense argued this reenactment was provided after Ben-David came under "pressure" from police, as well as being electrocuted.
The court is not expected to reach a verdict until a later date.
The other two killers, both minors, were sentenced earlier this month, with one receiving life imprisonment and the other 21 years, in what Abu Khdeir's family condemned as too light a sentence.
Abu Khdeir's father, Hussein, told Ma'an: "Muhammad died again today, and we died with him. Does it make sense to sentence the killer who kidnapped, tortured and burned Muhammad to only 21 years in prison?”
He said the sentence proved Israel was not a democratic country. "Israeli courts have two faces of judiciary: one for the Palestinians and another for the Israelis."
11 feb 2016
Mahmoud Salem
A Palestinian family declared intention to sue an Israeli undercover unit for brutally attacking and severely beating their son during his arrest two weeks ago.
The detainee’s mother said that her son Mahmoud Salem, 18, was arrested at the hands of an Israeli undercover unit during the clashes that erupted in Bethlehem two weeks ago.
Speaking to Quds Press, the mother pointed out that her son was taken to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital as he suffered fractures in his leg and nose. The Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) had earlier revealed that the teenager Mahmoud Salem was subjected to a brutal attack nearly 18 days ago.
The center quoted the detainee as saying that he was left bleeding without any medical assistance while being handcuffed in the Israeli military vehicle for almost four hours. He was transferred to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital for only two hours before being moved to Ofer jail east of Ramallah.
Meanwhile, two Palestinian girls were released on Wednesday after a few hours of their detention in the Old City of occupied Jerusalem. The two girls were arrested at the hand of Israeli border guards without a valid reason, family sources said.
A young man was brutally attacked while trying to prevent their arrest. They were moved to a police station before their release after they were searched and investigated for few hours. Along the same line, IOF soldiers tightened their restrictions throughout occupied Jerusalem and erected three make-shift checkpoints, causing a traffic jam.
A Palestinian family declared intention to sue an Israeli undercover unit for brutally attacking and severely beating their son during his arrest two weeks ago.
The detainee’s mother said that her son Mahmoud Salem, 18, was arrested at the hands of an Israeli undercover unit during the clashes that erupted in Bethlehem two weeks ago.
Speaking to Quds Press, the mother pointed out that her son was taken to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital as he suffered fractures in his leg and nose. The Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) had earlier revealed that the teenager Mahmoud Salem was subjected to a brutal attack nearly 18 days ago.
The center quoted the detainee as saying that he was left bleeding without any medical assistance while being handcuffed in the Israeli military vehicle for almost four hours. He was transferred to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital for only two hours before being moved to Ofer jail east of Ramallah.
Meanwhile, two Palestinian girls were released on Wednesday after a few hours of their detention in the Old City of occupied Jerusalem. The two girls were arrested at the hand of Israeli border guards without a valid reason, family sources said.
A young man was brutally attacked while trying to prevent their arrest. They were moved to a police station before their release after they were searched and investigated for few hours. Along the same line, IOF soldiers tightened their restrictions throughout occupied Jerusalem and erected three make-shift checkpoints, causing a traffic jam.
5 feb 2016
The Palestinian family of martyr Mohammad Abu Khdair, who was burned to death at the hands of extremist Jewish settlers, condemned on Thursday the Israeli court sentences against the murderers of their son.
They opined that the sentences were light and not severe enough. The Israeli Central Court on Thursday issued a life sentence against an Israeli minor and 21-year imprisonment for another for the brutal murder of the Palestinian teenager Muhammad.
The court also ordered the culprits to compensate Abu Khdeir's family with 60,000 Israeli shekels ($15,350). Abu Khdeir's family had been seeking life sentences for both defendants but their attorneys claimed their actions had been influenced by a third killer, 30-year-old Yosef Ben-David.
Ben-David, the group's ringleader, has confessed to the killing along with the two minors, but has so far escaped conviction pending a last minute psychiatric evaluation.
However, Abu Khdeir's family said the sentences were not severe enough and called again for life imprisonment for both killers.
Abu Khdeir's father, Hussein, told Quds Press that the sentence proved that Israel was not a democratic country. He stressed that he will wait for trial of Ben-David who is to be sentenced in the few coming days.
The father said he will go to the Israeli Supreme court to demand demolishing the houses of the killers of his son as well as withdrawing their nationalities exactly like Israeli authorities do with Palestinians.
“If I do not get the right of my son, I will go to the international Criminal Court in order to expose the Israeli occupation and its judiciary in front of the world”, he said.
Hussein and his wife, Suha, said that the sentence would "encourage other settlers to commit more crimes against the Palestinians, because they know that the Israeli judiciary will protect them and cover for their crimes."
Abu Khdeir, a 16-year-old from Shuafat in occupied East Jerusalem, was kidnapped and murdered by the three extremists in July 2014. All three confessed to beating the teenager unconscious before pouring flammable liquid on him and setting him alight. An autopsy later confirmed that the teen had been burned alive.
They opined that the sentences were light and not severe enough. The Israeli Central Court on Thursday issued a life sentence against an Israeli minor and 21-year imprisonment for another for the brutal murder of the Palestinian teenager Muhammad.
The court also ordered the culprits to compensate Abu Khdeir's family with 60,000 Israeli shekels ($15,350). Abu Khdeir's family had been seeking life sentences for both defendants but their attorneys claimed their actions had been influenced by a third killer, 30-year-old Yosef Ben-David.
Ben-David, the group's ringleader, has confessed to the killing along with the two minors, but has so far escaped conviction pending a last minute psychiatric evaluation.
However, Abu Khdeir's family said the sentences were not severe enough and called again for life imprisonment for both killers.
Abu Khdeir's father, Hussein, told Quds Press that the sentence proved that Israel was not a democratic country. He stressed that he will wait for trial of Ben-David who is to be sentenced in the few coming days.
The father said he will go to the Israeli Supreme court to demand demolishing the houses of the killers of his son as well as withdrawing their nationalities exactly like Israeli authorities do with Palestinians.
“If I do not get the right of my son, I will go to the international Criminal Court in order to expose the Israeli occupation and its judiciary in front of the world”, he said.
Hussein and his wife, Suha, said that the sentence would "encourage other settlers to commit more crimes against the Palestinians, because they know that the Israeli judiciary will protect them and cover for their crimes."
Abu Khdeir, a 16-year-old from Shuafat in occupied East Jerusalem, was kidnapped and murdered by the three extremists in July 2014. All three confessed to beating the teenager unconscious before pouring flammable liquid on him and setting him alight. An autopsy later confirmed that the teen had been burned alive.
