11 apr 2014
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Israeli forces detained four Israeli and international protesters and "beat" several others on Friday while violently dispersing a protest against the confiscation of a Palestinian building in Hebron in order to re-establish a Jewish settlement on the site, activists said.
The protest in the flashpoint southern West Bank city began on Friday after noon prayers as protesters marched towards the building owned by the Rajabi family in the al-Ras area in the center of Hebron. Demonstrators raised Palestinian flags and chanted slogans in Arabic, English and Hebrew rejecting a recent Israeli court decision to confiscate the building and hand it to Jewish settlers. |
Israeli forces fired stun grenades and held protesters away from the building.
Organizers said that Israeli forces detained two international and Israeli activists and tried to detain Palestinians as well but were prevented by demonstrators from doing so.
An activist in the Committee for the Defense of Hebron Anan Dana said the court decision to confiscate the house "would put the lives and properties of thousands of Palestinians who live in the vicinity at risk of more attacks and violations."
He added that control over the building would link the large nearby Jewish settlement of Kiryat Arba to a number of Jewish outposts within Hebron's Old City.
An Israeli court decision on March 11, 2014 authorized the confiscation of the Rajabi building, which Jewish settlers claim to have purchased from the Rajabi family.
Jewish settlers took over the building in 2007 for more than a year, during which time Palestinian residents of the area complained of frequent harassment and attacks.
The settlers were forcibly removed by Israeli forces in late 2008, but have since been attempting to force authorities to allow them to return to the building.
Organizers said that another protest will be held on Saturday in Tel Aviv in order to pressure the Israeli minister of defense not to approve the court’s decision, which was made nearly a month ago.
An Israeli military spokeswoman said that a "riot of 100 people" occurred in Hebron on Friday.
She said that "soldiers arrived at the scene in order to disperse the riot," adding that "they detained four main instigators: two of them Israelis and two tourists."
Hebron is a frequent site of clashes due to the presence of 500 Jewish settlers in the Old City, many of whom have illegally occupied Palestinian houses and forcibly removed the original inhabitants. They are protected by thousands of Israeli forces.
Settlers and Israeli forces regularly target local Palestinians for harassment, and many have been forced from their homes as a result.
A 1997 agreement split Hebron into areas of Palestinian and Israeli control.
The Israeli military-controlled H2 zone includes the ancient Old City, home of the revered Ibrahimi Mosque -- also split into a synagogue referred to as the Tomb of the Patriarchs -- and the once thriving Shuhada street, now just shuttered shops fronts and closed homes.
Organizers said that Israeli forces detained two international and Israeli activists and tried to detain Palestinians as well but were prevented by demonstrators from doing so.
An activist in the Committee for the Defense of Hebron Anan Dana said the court decision to confiscate the house "would put the lives and properties of thousands of Palestinians who live in the vicinity at risk of more attacks and violations."
He added that control over the building would link the large nearby Jewish settlement of Kiryat Arba to a number of Jewish outposts within Hebron's Old City.
An Israeli court decision on March 11, 2014 authorized the confiscation of the Rajabi building, which Jewish settlers claim to have purchased from the Rajabi family.
Jewish settlers took over the building in 2007 for more than a year, during which time Palestinian residents of the area complained of frequent harassment and attacks.
The settlers were forcibly removed by Israeli forces in late 2008, but have since been attempting to force authorities to allow them to return to the building.
Organizers said that another protest will be held on Saturday in Tel Aviv in order to pressure the Israeli minister of defense not to approve the court’s decision, which was made nearly a month ago.
An Israeli military spokeswoman said that a "riot of 100 people" occurred in Hebron on Friday.
She said that "soldiers arrived at the scene in order to disperse the riot," adding that "they detained four main instigators: two of them Israelis and two tourists."
Hebron is a frequent site of clashes due to the presence of 500 Jewish settlers in the Old City, many of whom have illegally occupied Palestinian houses and forcibly removed the original inhabitants. They are protected by thousands of Israeli forces.
Settlers and Israeli forces regularly target local Palestinians for harassment, and many have been forced from their homes as a result.
A 1997 agreement split Hebron into areas of Palestinian and Israeli control.
The Israeli military-controlled H2 zone includes the ancient Old City, home of the revered Ibrahimi Mosque -- also split into a synagogue referred to as the Tomb of the Patriarchs -- and the once thriving Shuhada street, now just shuttered shops fronts and closed homes.
A number of Palestinians were injured and at least seven were detained on Friday as Israeli forces violently dispersed weekly protests in a number of cities across the West Bank.
Protests against the Israeli occupation and continued settlement expansion on expropriated Palestinian lands took place in Kafr Qaddum, Nabi Saleh, Qaryut, Salim, and al-Masara.
Kafr Qaddum
In the village of Kafr Qaddum near Qalqiliya, Israeli forces detained two Palestinians while dispersing a protest headed toward the main entrance of the village, activists said.
Ghalib Hilmi Ishtewi, 23, and Ibrahim Bassam Juma, 21, were detained and physically assaulted by Israeli forces, witnesses said.
An Israeli military spokeswoman said that "40 Palestinians hurled stones, rocks and burning tires, adding that Israeli soldiers used "riot dispersal means in response."
She said that two soldiers were "slightly wounded" and confirmed that two Palestinians were detained and transferred to police.
Protests are held every Friday in Kafr Qaddum against Israel's closure of a main road linking the village to its nearest city, Nablus. The road has been closed since 2000.
Nabi Saleh
In Nabi Saleh village west of Ramallah two Palestinian women and three foreign journalists were detained, while a French protester was lightly injured and dozens suffered from excessive tear gas inhalation after Israeli forces opened fire with tear gas canisters on protesters, activists said.
Protesters marched in the village raising Palestinian flags, and chanted songs for unity, Palestinian principles in the ongoing negotiations with Israel and in support of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons.
Israeli forces fired tear gas, rubber-coated steel bullets, and stun grenades and assaulted participants as they neared their lands that face the threat of confiscation.
An Israeli military spokeswoman said that there had been a "riot" and that five "instigators were taken were security questioning," but were later released.
Activists in Nabi Saleh have been protesting weekly against the occupation for four years, demanding that their lands confiscated by Israeli forces to build the separation wall be returned.
Qaryut
In Qaryut village south of Nablus dozens suffered from excessive tear gas inhalation after Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters, stun grenades and rubber-covered steel bullets at Palestinians protesting the closure of the village's entrance.
Locals said that there were a number of injuries due to the heavy firing of tear gas by Israeli forces.
Salim
Israeli forces dispersed a protest in the village of Salim east of Nablus condemning the confiscation of lands by Israeli authorities in order to expand a Jewish-only settlement in the area.
Witnesses said that Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters at the crowds, causing several people to suffer from suffocation.
Al-Masara
In al-Masara village near Bethlehem, Palestinian protesters marched towards village lands that have been confiscated by Israeli authorities but were prevented by Israeli forces.
Protesters raised Palestinian flags and posters of prisoners and chanted songs in support of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
Since 2006, the residents of al-Masara have protested on a weekly basis, demanding Israeli authorities return village lands confiscated in order to build the separation wall as it crosses through their town.
In 2004, the International Court of Justice called on Israel to stop construction of the separation wall within the occupied West Bank.
When completed, 85 percent of the wall will run inside the West Bank.
The internationally recognized Palestinian territories of which the West Bank and East Jerusalem form a part have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
Protests against the Israeli occupation and continued settlement expansion on expropriated Palestinian lands took place in Kafr Qaddum, Nabi Saleh, Qaryut, Salim, and al-Masara.
Kafr Qaddum
In the village of Kafr Qaddum near Qalqiliya, Israeli forces detained two Palestinians while dispersing a protest headed toward the main entrance of the village, activists said.
Ghalib Hilmi Ishtewi, 23, and Ibrahim Bassam Juma, 21, were detained and physically assaulted by Israeli forces, witnesses said.
An Israeli military spokeswoman said that "40 Palestinians hurled stones, rocks and burning tires, adding that Israeli soldiers used "riot dispersal means in response."
She said that two soldiers were "slightly wounded" and confirmed that two Palestinians were detained and transferred to police.
Protests are held every Friday in Kafr Qaddum against Israel's closure of a main road linking the village to its nearest city, Nablus. The road has been closed since 2000.
Nabi Saleh
In Nabi Saleh village west of Ramallah two Palestinian women and three foreign journalists were detained, while a French protester was lightly injured and dozens suffered from excessive tear gas inhalation after Israeli forces opened fire with tear gas canisters on protesters, activists said.
Protesters marched in the village raising Palestinian flags, and chanted songs for unity, Palestinian principles in the ongoing negotiations with Israel and in support of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons.
Israeli forces fired tear gas, rubber-coated steel bullets, and stun grenades and assaulted participants as they neared their lands that face the threat of confiscation.
An Israeli military spokeswoman said that there had been a "riot" and that five "instigators were taken were security questioning," but were later released.
Activists in Nabi Saleh have been protesting weekly against the occupation for four years, demanding that their lands confiscated by Israeli forces to build the separation wall be returned.
Qaryut
In Qaryut village south of Nablus dozens suffered from excessive tear gas inhalation after Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters, stun grenades and rubber-covered steel bullets at Palestinians protesting the closure of the village's entrance.
Locals said that there were a number of injuries due to the heavy firing of tear gas by Israeli forces.
Salim
Israeli forces dispersed a protest in the village of Salim east of Nablus condemning the confiscation of lands by Israeli authorities in order to expand a Jewish-only settlement in the area.
Witnesses said that Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters at the crowds, causing several people to suffer from suffocation.
Al-Masara
In al-Masara village near Bethlehem, Palestinian protesters marched towards village lands that have been confiscated by Israeli authorities but were prevented by Israeli forces.
Protesters raised Palestinian flags and posters of prisoners and chanted songs in support of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
Since 2006, the residents of al-Masara have protested on a weekly basis, demanding Israeli authorities return village lands confiscated in order to build the separation wall as it crosses through their town.
In 2004, the International Court of Justice called on Israel to stop construction of the separation wall within the occupied West Bank.
When completed, 85 percent of the wall will run inside the West Bank.
The internationally recognized Palestinian territories of which the West Bank and East Jerusalem form a part have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) released yesterday the Palestinian detainee Mustafa Sakhal after spending his 11-year sentence.
The detainee was received by his family and Hamas members and supporters at Hawara checkpoint, southeast of Nablus.
A celebration event was held in his Ras al-Ain hometown in Nablus.
Mustafa Sakhal was arrested in 2003 at an early age on charges of planning to carry out an operation against Israeli targets.
Mustafa is the brother of the liberated detainee Nael Sakhal who was released and deported to Gaza in Shalit swap deal.
The detainee was received by his family and Hamas members and supporters at Hawara checkpoint, southeast of Nablus.
A celebration event was held in his Ras al-Ain hometown in Nablus.
Mustafa Sakhal was arrested in 2003 at an early age on charges of planning to carry out an operation against Israeli targets.
Mustafa is the brother of the liberated detainee Nael Sakhal who was released and deported to Gaza in Shalit swap deal.
Human rights sources said that the ongoing negotiation between Israeli jailers and the captive movement over ending Ibrahim Hamed's solitary confinement has been failed.
As a result, the Palestinian detainee Ibrahim Hamed has declared his intention to go on hunger strike on Sunday protesting the Israeli disclaimer to the agreement reached with the Captive Movement three months ago.
For their part, Palestinian detainees held in different Israeli jails, including MP Marwan Barghouthi, MP Ahmed Saadat, and the leader Said Abbas have declared their intention to join the hunger strike in solidarity with the isolated detainee Ibrahim Hamed, Ahrar Center for Prisoners Studies said.
The center pointed out that escalatory steps will be taken by Palestinian detainees in the coming days in case Israeli authorities decided to keep Palestinian detainee Ibrahim Hamed in solitary confinement.
In April 2012, 16 Palestinian detainees were released from solitary confinement including Ibrahim Hamed as part of an agreement reached to end the mass detainees’ hunger strike which lasted for 28 days.
Israeli authorities have re-isolated on 09/01/2014 the detainee Ibrahim Hamed, sentenced to 54 life terms the second longest sentences ever given to a Palestinian detainee, in violation to the agreement reached three months ago.
Qabha: Palestinian detainees are determined to end Ibrahim Hamed's isolation
Former Minister of Prisoners Affairs Wasfi Qabha confirmed that Ibrahim Hamed's isolation is a sensitive issue for the Captive Movement, warning of escalatory steps to be taken among the detainees in case Israeli authorities decided to keep him in solitary confinement where he was sent three months ago.
Ibrahim Hamed has reached an agreement with Israeli prison administration to stop his hunger strike three month ago in return of his release from solitary confinement on the 9th of April.
Palestinian detainees in different Israeli prisons and detention centers have declared their readiness to launch a hunger strike in solidarity with the leader in Hamas' military wing al-Qassam Brigades in case Israeli authorities decided to extend his isolation.
There is a high probability that Israeli authorities will disclaim from the agreement especially that Israeli Prison Service used not to fulfill its pledges to Palestinian detainees, Qabha said.
Palestinian detainees affiliated to Hamas movement have threatened, in their turn, to join Hamed' hunger strike, he confirmed.
Ibrahim Hamed, who was arrested in 2006, was sentenced to 54 life terms which is the second longest sentences ever given to a Palestinian detainee after the prisoner Abdullah Barghouthi. He was held in solitary confinement for long periods and repeatedly moved between Israeli prisons and detention centers under flimsy pretexts, Qabha explained.
The former minister called for activating solidarity events in support of Ibrahim Hamed's issue and prisoners' issue in general.
As a result, the Palestinian detainee Ibrahim Hamed has declared his intention to go on hunger strike on Sunday protesting the Israeli disclaimer to the agreement reached with the Captive Movement three months ago.
For their part, Palestinian detainees held in different Israeli jails, including MP Marwan Barghouthi, MP Ahmed Saadat, and the leader Said Abbas have declared their intention to join the hunger strike in solidarity with the isolated detainee Ibrahim Hamed, Ahrar Center for Prisoners Studies said.
The center pointed out that escalatory steps will be taken by Palestinian detainees in the coming days in case Israeli authorities decided to keep Palestinian detainee Ibrahim Hamed in solitary confinement.
In April 2012, 16 Palestinian detainees were released from solitary confinement including Ibrahim Hamed as part of an agreement reached to end the mass detainees’ hunger strike which lasted for 28 days.
Israeli authorities have re-isolated on 09/01/2014 the detainee Ibrahim Hamed, sentenced to 54 life terms the second longest sentences ever given to a Palestinian detainee, in violation to the agreement reached three months ago.
Qabha: Palestinian detainees are determined to end Ibrahim Hamed's isolation
Former Minister of Prisoners Affairs Wasfi Qabha confirmed that Ibrahim Hamed's isolation is a sensitive issue for the Captive Movement, warning of escalatory steps to be taken among the detainees in case Israeli authorities decided to keep him in solitary confinement where he was sent three months ago.
Ibrahim Hamed has reached an agreement with Israeli prison administration to stop his hunger strike three month ago in return of his release from solitary confinement on the 9th of April.
Palestinian detainees in different Israeli prisons and detention centers have declared their readiness to launch a hunger strike in solidarity with the leader in Hamas' military wing al-Qassam Brigades in case Israeli authorities decided to extend his isolation.
There is a high probability that Israeli authorities will disclaim from the agreement especially that Israeli Prison Service used not to fulfill its pledges to Palestinian detainees, Qabha said.
Palestinian detainees affiliated to Hamas movement have threatened, in their turn, to join Hamed' hunger strike, he confirmed.
Ibrahim Hamed, who was arrested in 2006, was sentenced to 54 life terms which is the second longest sentences ever given to a Palestinian detainee after the prisoner Abdullah Barghouthi. He was held in solitary confinement for long periods and repeatedly moved between Israeli prisons and detention centers under flimsy pretexts, Qabha explained.
The former minister called for activating solidarity events in support of Ibrahim Hamed's issue and prisoners' issue in general.
Local sources in Jerusalem on Friday said that Israel Special Police arrested three Palestinians while they were heading to the Al-Aqsa Mosque for Friday prayers.
They were all taken to detention and interrogation centers in the city, the sources added.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Silwan said that the detainees are: Mohammed Abu Farha, Mohammed Ziyad and Salah al-Ajlouni from the Old City of Jerusalem.
The center said in a press release that Israeli Police deported eight Jerusalmites from the al-Aqsa Mosque for 17 days, after they released them on Thursday.
It's worth mentioning that IOF Forces arrested the eight Jerusalemites in a large arrest campaign in the Old City of Jerusalem.
They were all taken to detention and interrogation centers in the city, the sources added.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Silwan said that the detainees are: Mohammed Abu Farha, Mohammed Ziyad and Salah al-Ajlouni from the Old City of Jerusalem.
The center said in a press release that Israeli Police deported eight Jerusalmites from the al-Aqsa Mosque for 17 days, after they released them on Thursday.
It's worth mentioning that IOF Forces arrested the eight Jerusalemites in a large arrest campaign in the Old City of Jerusalem.
The Israeli Police ordered seven Palestinians away from the al-Aqsa Mosque, in occupied Jerusalem, for seven days, in exchange for their release. The seven were kidnapped earlier on Thursday.
The Ma'an News Agency has reported that the police kidnapped the seven Palestinians, earlier on Thursday morning, and released them later on under the condition that they stay away from al-Aqsa Mosque until April 27, 2014.
The seven were taken prisoner from their homes and work places, and were moved to a local police station in the occupied Palestinian city. One of them is ‘Ala’ Abu Shkheidem, head of the local High School for Orphans in the city.
The remaining Palestinians have been identified as Mousa al-Hallaq, Abdullah Sinjelawy, Wisam Hammouda, Mohammad Teryaqy, Ziad Abu Hadwan and Hamza Mehles.
The latest developments are part of an Israeli campaign targeting several Palestinians from the occupied city, and included various arrests and similar orders forcing them away from the al-Aqsa Mosque area, especially during the Jewish Pesach, Ma'an said.
In related news, the Palestine Branch of the “Defense For Children International” DCI, has reported that the Jerusalem District Court ordered the release of Mohammad Nour Qneiby, 17, and forced him under house arrest for three days, besides ordering the family to pay a NIS2500 fine.
The child was taken prisoner three days ago; the police believes Qneiby burnt an Israeli car.
The Ma'an News Agency has reported that the police kidnapped the seven Palestinians, earlier on Thursday morning, and released them later on under the condition that they stay away from al-Aqsa Mosque until April 27, 2014.
The seven were taken prisoner from their homes and work places, and were moved to a local police station in the occupied Palestinian city. One of them is ‘Ala’ Abu Shkheidem, head of the local High School for Orphans in the city.
The remaining Palestinians have been identified as Mousa al-Hallaq, Abdullah Sinjelawy, Wisam Hammouda, Mohammad Teryaqy, Ziad Abu Hadwan and Hamza Mehles.
The latest developments are part of an Israeli campaign targeting several Palestinians from the occupied city, and included various arrests and similar orders forcing them away from the al-Aqsa Mosque area, especially during the Jewish Pesach, Ma'an said.
In related news, the Palestine Branch of the “Defense For Children International” DCI, has reported that the Jerusalem District Court ordered the release of Mohammad Nour Qneiby, 17, and forced him under house arrest for three days, besides ordering the family to pay a NIS2500 fine.
The child was taken prisoner three days ago; the police believes Qneiby burnt an Israeli car.
The Israeli magistrates' court in occupied Jerusalem on Thursday found Islamic Movement leader Sheikh Ra'ed Salah guilty of obstructing police work when a female officer tried to strip search his wife years ago. The court claimed that Sheikh Salah interrupted police officers as they were questioning his wife at the Allenby border crossing between the Israeli occupied West Bank and Jordan.
Salah was himself questioned and searched on his way back into the occupied territories in April 2011, the ruling of the court stated.
When a female officer wanted to search his wife at the crossing, Sheikh Salah, who was in other room, started yelling and was eventually restrained by other police officers, according to the prosecution's account of what had happened.
Sheikh Salah then broke free from their hold and attempted to charge into the room where his wife was crying for help.
The judge said he took into account that Salah's religious beliefs led him to fear his honor could be compromised, which evoked strong emotions that affected his actions.
But he added that the defendant knowingly executed a series of actions aimed at interrupting the police and thwarting their act of searching his wife.
Salah was himself questioned and searched on his way back into the occupied territories in April 2011, the ruling of the court stated.
When a female officer wanted to search his wife at the crossing, Sheikh Salah, who was in other room, started yelling and was eventually restrained by other police officers, according to the prosecution's account of what had happened.
Sheikh Salah then broke free from their hold and attempted to charge into the room where his wife was crying for help.
The judge said he took into account that Salah's religious beliefs led him to fear his honor could be compromised, which evoked strong emotions that affected his actions.
But he added that the defendant knowingly executed a series of actions aimed at interrupting the police and thwarting their act of searching his wife.
10 apr 2014
Mohammad Dabbagh
The Israeli forces arrested an employee of the Islamic Awqaf, Mohammad Dabbagh, and also arrested Wisam Hammoudeh from his house in the early morning hours.
Naser Qos, director of Prisoner’s Club in Jerusalem, said that the occupation police handed a call for investigation to many Jerusalemites that reside in the Old City.
The Israeli forces arrested an employee of the Islamic Awqaf, Mohammad Dabbagh, and also arrested Wisam Hammoudeh from his house in the early morning hours.
Naser Qos, director of Prisoner’s Club in Jerusalem, said that the occupation police handed a call for investigation to many Jerusalemites that reside in the Old City.
Shireen Issawi
An Israeli court on Thursday evening extended the detention of three people from Jerusalem until April 29, including two prominent siblings of famed Palestinian hunger striking prisoner Samer Issawi.
A lawyer for the Palestinian Prisoner's society Mufeed al-Hajj said that the detentions of lawyers Amjad al-Safadi and Shireen Issawi, as well as Medhat Issawi, were extended after the court listened to the arguments of the prosecution.
Al-Hajj said that the detentions were extended in order to allow time for their statements of defense.
Israeli forces detained Shireen and Medhat Issawi in March, only months after their brother was released from prison.
Issawi was released from Israeli jail in December as part of an agreement in which he ended a 266-day hunger strike, during which time he became an international cause célèbre who focused attention on the plight of the thousands of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons.
Issawi's hunger strike was one of the longest in history, and brought him close to death.
An Israeli court on Thursday evening extended the detention of three people from Jerusalem until April 29, including two prominent siblings of famed Palestinian hunger striking prisoner Samer Issawi.
A lawyer for the Palestinian Prisoner's society Mufeed al-Hajj said that the detentions of lawyers Amjad al-Safadi and Shireen Issawi, as well as Medhat Issawi, were extended after the court listened to the arguments of the prosecution.
Al-Hajj said that the detentions were extended in order to allow time for their statements of defense.
Israeli forces detained Shireen and Medhat Issawi in March, only months after their brother was released from prison.
Issawi was released from Israeli jail in December as part of an agreement in which he ended a 266-day hunger strike, during which time he became an international cause célèbre who focused attention on the plight of the thousands of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons.
Issawi's hunger strike was one of the longest in history, and brought him close to death.
The Hebrew radio said that an Israeli magistrates' court in Beersheba condemned two sisters of Palestinian premier Ismail Haneyya after they confessed to leaving the occupied territories for the Gaza Strip without Israeli travel permits. The radio added that a new court hearing would be held soon to state the verdict that would be issued against Haneyya's sisters who had been held in custody in late 2012 after their return from Gaza and then released on bail.
Jerusalem Post newspaper, in turn, said that this court found Sabah and Laila Haneyya guilty of traveling to Gaza through Egypt to visit their brother without official permission.
The two sisters moved about 30 years ago to the occupied desert town of Tel Sheva, where their husbands, who hold Israeli IDs, live.
The two sisters had previously requested permission in 2006 and 2009 to cross into Gaza for the visit and the Israeli occupation authority had denied their request.
Jerusalem Post newspaper, in turn, said that this court found Sabah and Laila Haneyya guilty of traveling to Gaza through Egypt to visit their brother without official permission.
The two sisters moved about 30 years ago to the occupied desert town of Tel Sheva, where their husbands, who hold Israeli IDs, live.
The two sisters had previously requested permission in 2006 and 2009 to cross into Gaza for the visit and the Israeli occupation authority had denied their request.
The Israeli government is considering subtracting from the monthly tax revenue it transfers to the Palestinian Authority the amount the PA pays to (terrorists) and their families, a government official said on Wednesday.
Holding back the monthly tax revenues – or a part of them – is one option Israel is considering, the official said, in response to the PA ’s (unilateral) application last week to join 15 international conventions and treaties, a move that sent the diplomatic talks into a tailspin.
Israel transfers to the PA each month about NIS 400 million it collects for it in tax and duty revenue.
According to a document released from the Prime Minister’s Office, the PA transferred $153.5m. in 2012 to (terrorists) in Israeli prisons and to their families, as well as to families of deceased (terrorists), including suicide bombers. This amounts to nearly 16 percent of all foreign aid to the PA .
The PA received $786m. in foreign aid in 2012, a substantial component of its $3.1 billion budget that year, the document said.
According to these figures, money paid to the (terrorists) and their families represents fully 5 percent of the PA ’s annual total budget.
The document was written in January but released by the Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday.
One Israeli government official said it would be “morally justified” for Israel to subtract from the money it transfers to the PA each month the amount that is spent on grants and monthly payments to (terrorists) and their families. The PA cannot complain about its financial difficulties, and then pay huge sums to support (terrorists), he claimed.
According to the document, “the Palestinian Authority is highly dependent on foreign aid. This money, which supports the PA budget, is fungible to meet payments for imprisoned and released (terrorists.)”
Seventy-eight of the 104 convicted (terrorists) who Israel released as part of the deal that led to the PLO agreeing to restart negotiations in July receive monthly stipends of up to $3,500, and grants of up to $25,000, the document said.
“In this way the PA is giving a strong financial incentive to terrorism, including through the misuse of fungible foreign financial assistance,” the document read.
“Publicly rewarding convicted (murderers) gives an official stamp of approval to terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians. It is a highly persuasive form of incitement to violence and (terrorism.)”
Providing financial support for (terrorists) “not only violates basic morality, it encourages further (terrorist) outrages” and “may tempt young Palestinians to seek an answer to familial financial difficulties through the use of violence,” the document further stated.
Since 1967, when (Israel) occupied the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem, more than 650,000 Palestinians have been detained by Israel. This represents approximately 20% of the total population in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), and 40% of all males. Despite prohibition by international law, Israel detains Palestinians in prisons throughout Israel, far from their families, who almost never obtain the necessary permits to leave the Occupied Palestinian Territories to visit them.
Source: THE JERUSALEM POST
Holding back the monthly tax revenues – or a part of them – is one option Israel is considering, the official said, in response to the PA ’s (unilateral) application last week to join 15 international conventions and treaties, a move that sent the diplomatic talks into a tailspin.
Israel transfers to the PA each month about NIS 400 million it collects for it in tax and duty revenue.
According to a document released from the Prime Minister’s Office, the PA transferred $153.5m. in 2012 to (terrorists) in Israeli prisons and to their families, as well as to families of deceased (terrorists), including suicide bombers. This amounts to nearly 16 percent of all foreign aid to the PA .
The PA received $786m. in foreign aid in 2012, a substantial component of its $3.1 billion budget that year, the document said.
According to these figures, money paid to the (terrorists) and their families represents fully 5 percent of the PA ’s annual total budget.
The document was written in January but released by the Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday.
One Israeli government official said it would be “morally justified” for Israel to subtract from the money it transfers to the PA each month the amount that is spent on grants and monthly payments to (terrorists) and their families. The PA cannot complain about its financial difficulties, and then pay huge sums to support (terrorists), he claimed.
According to the document, “the Palestinian Authority is highly dependent on foreign aid. This money, which supports the PA budget, is fungible to meet payments for imprisoned and released (terrorists.)”
Seventy-eight of the 104 convicted (terrorists) who Israel released as part of the deal that led to the PLO agreeing to restart negotiations in July receive monthly stipends of up to $3,500, and grants of up to $25,000, the document said.
“In this way the PA is giving a strong financial incentive to terrorism, including through the misuse of fungible foreign financial assistance,” the document read.
“Publicly rewarding convicted (murderers) gives an official stamp of approval to terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians. It is a highly persuasive form of incitement to violence and (terrorism.)”
Providing financial support for (terrorists) “not only violates basic morality, it encourages further (terrorist) outrages” and “may tempt young Palestinians to seek an answer to familial financial difficulties through the use of violence,” the document further stated.
Since 1967, when (Israel) occupied the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem, more than 650,000 Palestinians have been detained by Israel. This represents approximately 20% of the total population in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), and 40% of all males. Despite prohibition by international law, Israel detains Palestinians in prisons throughout Israel, far from their families, who almost never obtain the necessary permits to leave the Occupied Palestinian Territories to visit them.
Source: THE JERUSALEM POST
Israeli negotiators suggested to deport to the Gaza Strip 10 of the veteran prisoners expected to be freed by Israel this month, but the Palestinian side refused to discuss that proposal, a senior official said Thursday.
Acting on instructions from the president, the Palestinian negotiators refused to discuss the proposal of deporting any prisoner to avoid repetition of previous experiences when prisoners were deported to Gaza or to foreign countries, according to the high-level Palestinian source.
At the end of March, Israel refused to release a final batch of Palestinian prisoners the PLO had been expecting to be freed in a gesture to restart peace talks last year.
In response, the PLO applied last week to adhere to 15 international treaties, leading Israel to threaten sanctions against the Palestinian government in the occupied West Bank.
On Thursday, a new meeting between Palestinian and Israeli negotiators attended by US special envoy Martin Indyk took place, the same source told Ma'an.
The parties, added the source, are to discuss the possibility that Israel releases the fourth group of prisoners to reduce tensions between the two sides in the hope of resuming talks.
According to the source, the Palestinian negotiators will continue to separate the release of prisoners and the extension of peace talks beyond the agreed deadline of April 29.
Abbas, meanwhile, says he is ready to extend peace talks based on principles and terms of reference that lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Abbas told the London-based Al-Sharq Al-Awsat daily newspaper that his move to join 15 international conventions and treaties embodied “one of the Palestinian people’s rights and Israel has nothing to do with that.”
During a meeting with foreign ministers of the Arab League in Cairo on Wednesday, Abbas reviewed a report in detail about peace talks and the impasse they reached. He also updated the participants on the results of the last tripartite meeting between Palestinian and Israeli negotiators and US mediators.
Peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians were relaunched in July under the auspices of the US after nearly three years of impasse.
Israel's government has announced the construction of thousands of settler housing units and its army has killed 60 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza since the negotiations began.
Acting on instructions from the president, the Palestinian negotiators refused to discuss the proposal of deporting any prisoner to avoid repetition of previous experiences when prisoners were deported to Gaza or to foreign countries, according to the high-level Palestinian source.
At the end of March, Israel refused to release a final batch of Palestinian prisoners the PLO had been expecting to be freed in a gesture to restart peace talks last year.
In response, the PLO applied last week to adhere to 15 international treaties, leading Israel to threaten sanctions against the Palestinian government in the occupied West Bank.
On Thursday, a new meeting between Palestinian and Israeli negotiators attended by US special envoy Martin Indyk took place, the same source told Ma'an.
The parties, added the source, are to discuss the possibility that Israel releases the fourth group of prisoners to reduce tensions between the two sides in the hope of resuming talks.
According to the source, the Palestinian negotiators will continue to separate the release of prisoners and the extension of peace talks beyond the agreed deadline of April 29.
Abbas, meanwhile, says he is ready to extend peace talks based on principles and terms of reference that lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Abbas told the London-based Al-Sharq Al-Awsat daily newspaper that his move to join 15 international conventions and treaties embodied “one of the Palestinian people’s rights and Israel has nothing to do with that.”
During a meeting with foreign ministers of the Arab League in Cairo on Wednesday, Abbas reviewed a report in detail about peace talks and the impasse they reached. He also updated the participants on the results of the last tripartite meeting between Palestinian and Israeli negotiators and US mediators.
Peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians were relaunched in July under the auspices of the US after nearly three years of impasse.
Israel's government has announced the construction of thousands of settler housing units and its army has killed 60 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza since the negotiations began.
Israeli forces detained the principal of a Palestinian high school in East Jerusalem on Thursday morning, a Palestinian Authority official said.
The director of the Jerusalem office of the Ministry of Education told Ma’an that Israeli troops surrounded the Muslim orphanage high school and prepared to storm the school and detain the principal.
However, principal Alaa Abu Shkheidim went to the forces himself and they detained him at the main gate, the official, Samir Jibreel, said.
Abu Shkheidim was taken to an interrogation center in the Old City.
An Israeli police spokesman did not immediately return calls.
Arresting the director of Dar Al-Aytam School
The Israeli forces raided Dar Al-Aytam School on Thursday morning and arrested the director, Ala’ Abu Shkhedem.
Witnesses said that an Israeli force along with the Intelligence were stationed at the gates of the school and tried to break-in to arrest the director. Abu Shkhedem refused to have the Israeli forces break into the school and decided to turn himself in at the gate.
The director of the Jerusalem office of the Ministry of Education told Ma’an that Israeli troops surrounded the Muslim orphanage high school and prepared to storm the school and detain the principal.
However, principal Alaa Abu Shkheidim went to the forces himself and they detained him at the main gate, the official, Samir Jibreel, said.
Abu Shkheidim was taken to an interrogation center in the Old City.
An Israeli police spokesman did not immediately return calls.
Arresting the director of Dar Al-Aytam School
The Israeli forces raided Dar Al-Aytam School on Thursday morning and arrested the director, Ala’ Abu Shkhedem.
Witnesses said that an Israeli force along with the Intelligence were stationed at the gates of the school and tried to break-in to arrest the director. Abu Shkhedem refused to have the Israeli forces break into the school and decided to turn himself in at the gate.
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) arrested Thursday at dawn six Palestinian citizens after raiding several areas in the occupied West Bank. They arrested three citizens from one family at a flying military checkpoint near Beit Awwa town to the south of the West Bank city of Hebron.
Security sources said that IOF arrested two brothers, Mohammed and Yousef Asa'ad in addition to youth Mahmoud Abu Asa'ad and transferred them to an unknown destination.
The forces raided Ethna, Yatta, and Beit Awwa towns and erected military checkpoints at the main entrances.
To the north of Bethlehem, Israeli colonial forces arrested youth Mahmoud Abu Rafia'a from Aida camp.
Israeli occupation arrested two Palestinian citizens after raiding Yasouf town, near Nablus, under the pretext they are wanted to its security forces for interrogation.
Israeli occupation forces routinely carry out arrest raids in the West Bank. Around 40 percent of Palestinian men living in the occupied territories have been arrested by Israel at some point in their lives.
Israeli Forces Arrest Five Palestinians from West Bank and Jerusalem
Israeli occupation forces arrested on Thursday, three Palestinians from the village of Ethna, south of Hebron.
Local sources said that Israeli forces stormed the village and arrested Mahmoud As'ad Abu As'ad, Yousef Abdul Halim Abu As'ad and his brother Mohammed.
In Bethlehem, Israeli forces arrested a Palestinian from the village of al-Rashaydeh, east of the city.
Head of the al-Rashaydeh Village Council, Fawwaz al-Rashaydeh, said that Israeli forces arrested Ayman Mohammed Rashaydeh, 28, and seized three mobile devices after raiding and searching his house.
Israeli forces arrested Wissam Hamoudeh after raiding his house in Aqabet as-Saraya in the Old City of Jerusalem.
The forces took Hamoudeh to one of the interrogation centers in the city.
Security sources said that IOF arrested two brothers, Mohammed and Yousef Asa'ad in addition to youth Mahmoud Abu Asa'ad and transferred them to an unknown destination.
The forces raided Ethna, Yatta, and Beit Awwa towns and erected military checkpoints at the main entrances.
To the north of Bethlehem, Israeli colonial forces arrested youth Mahmoud Abu Rafia'a from Aida camp.
Israeli occupation arrested two Palestinian citizens after raiding Yasouf town, near Nablus, under the pretext they are wanted to its security forces for interrogation.
Israeli occupation forces routinely carry out arrest raids in the West Bank. Around 40 percent of Palestinian men living in the occupied territories have been arrested by Israel at some point in their lives.
Israeli Forces Arrest Five Palestinians from West Bank and Jerusalem
Israeli occupation forces arrested on Thursday, three Palestinians from the village of Ethna, south of Hebron.
Local sources said that Israeli forces stormed the village and arrested Mahmoud As'ad Abu As'ad, Yousef Abdul Halim Abu As'ad and his brother Mohammed.
In Bethlehem, Israeli forces arrested a Palestinian from the village of al-Rashaydeh, east of the city.
Head of the al-Rashaydeh Village Council, Fawwaz al-Rashaydeh, said that Israeli forces arrested Ayman Mohammed Rashaydeh, 28, and seized three mobile devices after raiding and searching his house.
Israeli forces arrested Wissam Hamoudeh after raiding his house in Aqabet as-Saraya in the Old City of Jerusalem.
The forces took Hamoudeh to one of the interrogation centers in the city.
Israeli forces stormed a Bedouin village east of Bethlehem and detained a young man after ransacking several houses early Thursday morning, a village councilor told Ma’an.
The head of the local council of al-Rashayda, Fawwaz Rashayda, said that Israeli troops detained Ayman Muhammad Rashayda and confiscated the family’s computers and cell phones.
The head of the local council of al-Rashayda, Fawwaz Rashayda, said that Israeli troops detained Ayman Muhammad Rashayda and confiscated the family’s computers and cell phones.
