23 dec 2014
Tarek Kurd 21
Eight Palestinians from annexed East Jerusalem were indicted on Monday for inciting anti-Jewish violence and supporting "terror" in postings on Facebook, an Israeli justice ministry spokeswoman said.
The eight men, aged 18-45, were charged at Jerusalem Magistrate's Court with "incitement to violence or terror and supporting a terrorist group" on Facebook, a ministry statement read.
The incriminating posts were put online in recent months as a wave of violence rocked the city during which several Palestinians staged lone wolf attacks killing nine people.
The defendants "directly called for violence and terror against (Jewish) citizens and security forces and praised, encouraged and supported these deeds and their perpetrators" on the Internet, the statement read.
Among the remarks posted online were "It is good to kidnap soldiers", "Zionists flee because you'll soon be killed by a car" and words expressing hope that a right-wing Jewish activist, who survived an assassination attempt in October, would die a painful death, the indictment said.
All eight Palestinians were arrested earlier this month in what police said was their biggest operation yet aimed at halting incitement to violence on social networks.
Israelis on social media routinely and openly incite violence against Palestinians, especially during heightened periods of tensions such as this summer's military offensive on Gaza.
Eight Palestinians from annexed East Jerusalem were indicted on Monday for inciting anti-Jewish violence and supporting "terror" in postings on Facebook, an Israeli justice ministry spokeswoman said.
The eight men, aged 18-45, were charged at Jerusalem Magistrate's Court with "incitement to violence or terror and supporting a terrorist group" on Facebook, a ministry statement read.
The incriminating posts were put online in recent months as a wave of violence rocked the city during which several Palestinians staged lone wolf attacks killing nine people.
The defendants "directly called for violence and terror against (Jewish) citizens and security forces and praised, encouraged and supported these deeds and their perpetrators" on the Internet, the statement read.
Among the remarks posted online were "It is good to kidnap soldiers", "Zionists flee because you'll soon be killed by a car" and words expressing hope that a right-wing Jewish activist, who survived an assassination attempt in October, would die a painful death, the indictment said.
All eight Palestinians were arrested earlier this month in what police said was their biggest operation yet aimed at halting incitement to violence on social networks.
Israelis on social media routinely and openly incite violence against Palestinians, especially during heightened periods of tensions such as this summer's military offensive on Gaza.
A horde of Jewish settlers on Tuesday morning desecrated the Aqsa Mosque's courtyards amid tight police protection, according to Palestinian eyewitnesses.
The settlers received religious explanations about the alleged temple mount as they were touring the Mosque's courtyards.
The intensive presence of Muslim worshipers in the Mosque's courtyards and near its buildings prevented the settlers from performing Jewish rituals and forced them to end their tour quickly.
The Palestinian information center (PIC) reporter in the city said the Israeli police detained a Palestinian worshiper from al-Shalludi family during the presence of settlers inside the holy place, without stating the reason for his arrest.
In a related context, Palestinian deputy minister of religious affairs Hasan al-Saifi strongly denounced the Israeli police for protecting the settlers' daily mass desecration of the Aqsa Mosque.
In press remarks on Monday, Saifi said that the recent intensive break-ins at the Aqsa Mosque that are organized by extremist Jewish temple groups in the context of their program during the so-called holiday Hanukkah are part of their attempts to Judaize the entire holy shrine.
The Palestinian official also deplored Israel's ongoing demolition of Palestinian homes in Jerusalem and its environs, stating that Israeli bulldozers on Monday morning razed four homes and cattle shelters in al-Eizariya town, east of Jerusalem, and displaced its Bedouin owners with no reason.
He also said that the Israeli police on the same day arrested three young men from Jerusalem and took them in for interrogation without no guilt.
Saifi also condemned the use of excessive force by Israeli soldiers against Palestinian young men protesting the presence of Jewish settlers in Nablus city to perform rituals at Joseph's Tomb, pointing out that several young men suffered injuries during clashes with the invading troops.
He called on the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to take concrete steps to curb Israel's violations against the Palestinians and their Islamic holy sites.
The settlers received religious explanations about the alleged temple mount as they were touring the Mosque's courtyards.
The intensive presence of Muslim worshipers in the Mosque's courtyards and near its buildings prevented the settlers from performing Jewish rituals and forced them to end their tour quickly.
The Palestinian information center (PIC) reporter in the city said the Israeli police detained a Palestinian worshiper from al-Shalludi family during the presence of settlers inside the holy place, without stating the reason for his arrest.
In a related context, Palestinian deputy minister of religious affairs Hasan al-Saifi strongly denounced the Israeli police for protecting the settlers' daily mass desecration of the Aqsa Mosque.
In press remarks on Monday, Saifi said that the recent intensive break-ins at the Aqsa Mosque that are organized by extremist Jewish temple groups in the context of their program during the so-called holiday Hanukkah are part of their attempts to Judaize the entire holy shrine.
The Palestinian official also deplored Israel's ongoing demolition of Palestinian homes in Jerusalem and its environs, stating that Israeli bulldozers on Monday morning razed four homes and cattle shelters in al-Eizariya town, east of Jerusalem, and displaced its Bedouin owners with no reason.
He also said that the Israeli police on the same day arrested three young men from Jerusalem and took them in for interrogation without no guilt.
Saifi also condemned the use of excessive force by Israeli soldiers against Palestinian young men protesting the presence of Jewish settlers in Nablus city to perform rituals at Joseph's Tomb, pointing out that several young men suffered injuries during clashes with the invading troops.
He called on the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to take concrete steps to curb Israel's violations against the Palestinians and their Islamic holy sites.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Monday and at dawn Tuesday rounded up 13 Palestinian citizens throughout a round of assaults launched across different cities of the West Bank.
Local sources said seven Hamas affiliates were among the newly captured Palestinians.
The detainees have all been dragged by the IOF to investigation centers, the sources added.
A PIC journalist quoted by-standers at the scene as reporting that the Israeli occupation army kidnapped four youngsters, aged between 22 and 26 years-old, from the West Bank city of al-Khalil after having raided their family homes and ransacked them.
Earlier on Monday the IOF apprehended three Palestinian civilians following an abrupt assault on the Fawar refugee camp, south of al-Khalil city.
A number of makeshift roadblocks were abruptly pitched by the IOF at the main entrances to the camp, where Palestinians’ vehicles were provocatively scoured.
Meanwhile, the IOF troops targeted a group of Palestinian schoolchildren in al-Khalil’s Old City with heavy barrages of tear gas canisters and sound bombs randomly unleashed throughout the assault.
Local sources said seven Hamas affiliates were among the newly captured Palestinians.
The detainees have all been dragged by the IOF to investigation centers, the sources added.
A PIC journalist quoted by-standers at the scene as reporting that the Israeli occupation army kidnapped four youngsters, aged between 22 and 26 years-old, from the West Bank city of al-Khalil after having raided their family homes and ransacked them.
Earlier on Monday the IOF apprehended three Palestinian civilians following an abrupt assault on the Fawar refugee camp, south of al-Khalil city.
A number of makeshift roadblocks were abruptly pitched by the IOF at the main entrances to the camp, where Palestinians’ vehicles were provocatively scoured.
Meanwhile, the IOF troops targeted a group of Palestinian schoolchildren in al-Khalil’s Old City with heavy barrages of tear gas canisters and sound bombs randomly unleashed throughout the assault.
Israeli soldiers kidnapped, on Tuesday at dawn, five Palestinians in Hebron and Nablus districts, in the occupied West Bank, and one in Jerusalem, Four Palestinians kidnapped near Ramallah on Monday night, shortly after midnight.
Many Palestinians suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation during clashes between the invading soldiers and local youths.
Medical sources in Hebron, in the southern part of the West Bank, said a number of Palestinians suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation, near the Abu ar-Reesh military roadblock, in Hebron’s Old City.
The sources said all wounded Palestinians received treatment by field medics, and did not require further medical attention.
In addition, soldiers kidnapped a student of the Palestine Polytechnic University, after invading his home, and ransacking it, in Hebron, and took him to an unknown destination.
Soldiers also installed several roadblocks at the entrances of Halhoul and Sa’ir towns, stopped and searched dozens of cars, and interrogated the residents while inspecting their ID cards.
The army also invaded the al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of the city, and kidnapped two Palestinians on a roadblock the soldiers installed near the main entrance of the camp.
The two have been identified as Mohammad Abdul-Mo’ty Ghatasha, 21, and Yaman Omar Khashan, 22.
Furthermore, soldiers invaded Salem town, east of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and kidnapped a Palestinian identified as Ahmad Abdul-Fattah Issa, 20.
The soldiers also invaded Kufur Qalil village, south of Nablus, and several neighborhoods in Nablus city and nearby communities, searched and ransacked a number of homes.
Medical sources said several Palestinians suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation, after a number of military vehicles invaded Burin town, south of Nablus, and clashed with local youths.
The invasion was carried out by the soldiers after local Palestinians stopped an armed Israeli settler as he was trying to infiltrate into a neighborhood at the edge of the town. The soldiers fired gas bombs and concussion grenades at the residents.
In related news, a Palestinian security source said an unspent tank shell, apparently dropped by the army during training, was located between the villages of Jama’in and ‘Orif, south of Nablus, and that the shell was safely defused.
The army frequently conducts live fire training and military drills in and near Palestinian communities and towns, especially near Bedouin communities in the Jordan Valley, and close to villages and communities in the Hebron district, as well as many other areas in the occupied West Bank.
Shortly after midnight, soldiers invaded Doura al-Qare’ village, northeast of the central West Bank city of Ramallah, and kidnapped four Palestinians, after searching and ransacking their homes.
The four have been identified as Ibrahim Qassem, Mohammad Zobeidi, Qassam Msseitef, and Mousa Fawaqa.
Many Palestinians suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation during clashes between the invading soldiers and local youths.
Medical sources in Hebron, in the southern part of the West Bank, said a number of Palestinians suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation, near the Abu ar-Reesh military roadblock, in Hebron’s Old City.
The sources said all wounded Palestinians received treatment by field medics, and did not require further medical attention.
In addition, soldiers kidnapped a student of the Palestine Polytechnic University, after invading his home, and ransacking it, in Hebron, and took him to an unknown destination.
Soldiers also installed several roadblocks at the entrances of Halhoul and Sa’ir towns, stopped and searched dozens of cars, and interrogated the residents while inspecting their ID cards.
The army also invaded the al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of the city, and kidnapped two Palestinians on a roadblock the soldiers installed near the main entrance of the camp.
The two have been identified as Mohammad Abdul-Mo’ty Ghatasha, 21, and Yaman Omar Khashan, 22.
Furthermore, soldiers invaded Salem town, east of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and kidnapped a Palestinian identified as Ahmad Abdul-Fattah Issa, 20.
The soldiers also invaded Kufur Qalil village, south of Nablus, and several neighborhoods in Nablus city and nearby communities, searched and ransacked a number of homes.
Medical sources said several Palestinians suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation, after a number of military vehicles invaded Burin town, south of Nablus, and clashed with local youths.
The invasion was carried out by the soldiers after local Palestinians stopped an armed Israeli settler as he was trying to infiltrate into a neighborhood at the edge of the town. The soldiers fired gas bombs and concussion grenades at the residents.
In related news, a Palestinian security source said an unspent tank shell, apparently dropped by the army during training, was located between the villages of Jama’in and ‘Orif, south of Nablus, and that the shell was safely defused.
The army frequently conducts live fire training and military drills in and near Palestinian communities and towns, especially near Bedouin communities in the Jordan Valley, and close to villages and communities in the Hebron district, as well as many other areas in the occupied West Bank.
Shortly after midnight, soldiers invaded Doura al-Qare’ village, northeast of the central West Bank city of Ramallah, and kidnapped four Palestinians, after searching and ransacking their homes.
The four have been identified as Ibrahim Qassem, Mohammad Zobeidi, Qassam Msseitef, and Mousa Fawaqa.
The Israeli Prison Service (IPS) denied Palestinian prisoners the right to enter blankets and warm winter garments into their cells with the advent of a cold winter in Palestine, a report issued by the prisoners and ex-prisoners committee on Monday read.
The committee said things have gone much worse particularly, but not exclusively, in the Israeli occupation jails located in the desert, namely the Negev, Nafha, Beer Sheba and Eshel lock-ups.
The fact that such prisons are crammed with the largest number of Palestinian detainees adds fuel to fire, the report added.
The IPS has been seizing most of the mattresses and clothes brought by the prisoners’ families as a means to force the detainees to purchase poor-quality coverlets and warn-out kit at very high prices.
Along the same line, ex-prisoner Mohamed Amir Abu Rayan sounded alarm bells over the critical health status endured by the Palestinian prisoner patients held at the Ramla prison clinic.
Abu Rayen, arrested on November 7, was diagnosed with putrefactions in his bones and arteries along with a monoplegia after the Israeli occupation soldiers shot him in his left foot.
Ex-prisoner Abu Rayan said life has become quite unbearable for the Palestinian detainees at the Ramla jail.
He pushed for their urgent transfer to a civil hospital so as to enable them to carry out the needed emergency check-ups and medical diagnoses.
Head of the Prisoner’s Society in al-Khalil, Amjad al-Najar, said Abu Rayan’s statements are the best “sworn affidavits” and testimonies bearing out the crimes perpetrated by the Israeli wardens against the Palestinian captives amid an appalling international apathy.
The committee said things have gone much worse particularly, but not exclusively, in the Israeli occupation jails located in the desert, namely the Negev, Nafha, Beer Sheba and Eshel lock-ups.
The fact that such prisons are crammed with the largest number of Palestinian detainees adds fuel to fire, the report added.
The IPS has been seizing most of the mattresses and clothes brought by the prisoners’ families as a means to force the detainees to purchase poor-quality coverlets and warn-out kit at very high prices.
Along the same line, ex-prisoner Mohamed Amir Abu Rayan sounded alarm bells over the critical health status endured by the Palestinian prisoner patients held at the Ramla prison clinic.
Abu Rayen, arrested on November 7, was diagnosed with putrefactions in his bones and arteries along with a monoplegia after the Israeli occupation soldiers shot him in his left foot.
Ex-prisoner Abu Rayan said life has become quite unbearable for the Palestinian detainees at the Ramla jail.
He pushed for their urgent transfer to a civil hospital so as to enable them to carry out the needed emergency check-ups and medical diagnoses.
Head of the Prisoner’s Society in al-Khalil, Amjad al-Najar, said Abu Rayan’s statements are the best “sworn affidavits” and testimonies bearing out the crimes perpetrated by the Israeli wardens against the Palestinian captives amid an appalling international apathy.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Monday night kidnapped a Palestinian young man in Tulkarem and four children near Jenin and Jerusalem.
Israeli soldiers on Monday evening arrested a Palestinian young man at Nitzanei Oz checkpoint in Tulkarem on allegations of his attempt to stab a soldier.
The Hebrew radio said that the detainee was carrying a knife and intended to use it to stab a soldier at the checkpoint.
The radio added that the Kfir brigade soldiers at the checkpoint subdued the young man and took him in for interrogation.
In Jenin, an Israeli military force earlier on the same day stormed Yabad town, south of Jenin, and kidnapped 14-year-old Mahmoud al-Sheikh from his home. The reason for his detention is still unknown.
In a separate incident, the Israeli police kidnapped three children aged between 13 and 14 from their homes in Alezariya town to the east of occupied Jerusalem.
The police accused the kids of throwing incendiary bottles at a border guard patrol in the nearby village of Abu Dis last Thursday, according to the Hebrew radio.
The radio claimed the boys confessed to the accusations leveled against them.
Israeli soldiers on Monday evening arrested a Palestinian young man at Nitzanei Oz checkpoint in Tulkarem on allegations of his attempt to stab a soldier.
The Hebrew radio said that the detainee was carrying a knife and intended to use it to stab a soldier at the checkpoint.
The radio added that the Kfir brigade soldiers at the checkpoint subdued the young man and took him in for interrogation.
In Jenin, an Israeli military force earlier on the same day stormed Yabad town, south of Jenin, and kidnapped 14-year-old Mahmoud al-Sheikh from his home. The reason for his detention is still unknown.
In a separate incident, the Israeli police kidnapped three children aged between 13 and 14 from their homes in Alezariya town to the east of occupied Jerusalem.
The police accused the kids of throwing incendiary bottles at a border guard patrol in the nearby village of Abu Dis last Thursday, according to the Hebrew radio.
The radio claimed the boys confessed to the accusations leveled against them.
22 dec 2014
The Israeli prison authority on Sunday transferred Palestinian prisoner Jaafar Awad, 22, from Ramla prison hospital to Hadasa hospital in occupied Jerusalem after a sharp decline in his health condition.
The mother of prisoner Awad appealed to human rights groups to necessarily intervene to have her sick son released, affirming that there is no reason justifying the detention of someone who can hardly move, speak, eat and drink without the help of others.
She said she visited Awad last Thursday in Ramla prison hospital and was disturbed by seeing him in very poor health condition, noting that a new swelling appeared in his neck.
Prisoner Jaafar Awad has been complaining since a while of multiple health problems, including an inflammation of the thyroid gland and glaucoma (an eye disease).
He also suffers from high blood sugar and bone fragility causing him acute pains in his neck, arms and legs.
The prisoner, from Beit Ummar town in al-Khalil, has been in jail with no court verdict since the first of November 2013.
In another incident, some prisoner patients in Ashkelon and Negev jails have been waiting to have medical treatment or surgeries for many years, the Palestinian prisoner society said on Sunday.
The society's lawyer, who recently visited those jails, said that prisoner Ali Hassan suffered a serious back problem in 2004 when he was exposed to torture at the hands of Israeli interrogators and since then he has been waiting to undergo surgery.
Another prisoner named Othman Younis from Qalqiliya has also been waiting to receive medical treatment since he suffered years ago from serious health complications resulting from multiple bullet injuries.
During his arrest in 2003, Younis was shot with 24 bullets by Israeli soldiers, which led to the removal of parts of his abdomen, intestines, pancreas and spleen.
For his part, prisoner Mohamed Rashed from Yatta told the lawyer that he needs urgent surgery to fix a problem in the pelvic bone area that had happened during his detention in 2012. However, there is still no sign he will have this surgery soon.
Moreover, the lawyer of the Palestinian prisoner society said following a visit to Hawara jail that the incarceration conditions of the Palestinian prisoners there are inhumane and disastrous.
He explained that the blankets in Hawara jail do not cover the needs of all prisoners and are worn-out, decomposed and smelly.
He added that the prisoners are only able to go to bathrooms when they are allowed to leave their rooms during the time of recess.
Some of the prisoners have not taken a bath for eight days because there is no hot water, the lawyer said.
Insufficient clothes, high humidity in rooms and poor food are some of the complaints the lawyer heard during his visit to the prison.
The mother of prisoner Awad appealed to human rights groups to necessarily intervene to have her sick son released, affirming that there is no reason justifying the detention of someone who can hardly move, speak, eat and drink without the help of others.
She said she visited Awad last Thursday in Ramla prison hospital and was disturbed by seeing him in very poor health condition, noting that a new swelling appeared in his neck.
Prisoner Jaafar Awad has been complaining since a while of multiple health problems, including an inflammation of the thyroid gland and glaucoma (an eye disease).
He also suffers from high blood sugar and bone fragility causing him acute pains in his neck, arms and legs.
The prisoner, from Beit Ummar town in al-Khalil, has been in jail with no court verdict since the first of November 2013.
In another incident, some prisoner patients in Ashkelon and Negev jails have been waiting to have medical treatment or surgeries for many years, the Palestinian prisoner society said on Sunday.
The society's lawyer, who recently visited those jails, said that prisoner Ali Hassan suffered a serious back problem in 2004 when he was exposed to torture at the hands of Israeli interrogators and since then he has been waiting to undergo surgery.
Another prisoner named Othman Younis from Qalqiliya has also been waiting to receive medical treatment since he suffered years ago from serious health complications resulting from multiple bullet injuries.
During his arrest in 2003, Younis was shot with 24 bullets by Israeli soldiers, which led to the removal of parts of his abdomen, intestines, pancreas and spleen.
For his part, prisoner Mohamed Rashed from Yatta told the lawyer that he needs urgent surgery to fix a problem in the pelvic bone area that had happened during his detention in 2012. However, there is still no sign he will have this surgery soon.
Moreover, the lawyer of the Palestinian prisoner society said following a visit to Hawara jail that the incarceration conditions of the Palestinian prisoners there are inhumane and disastrous.
He explained that the blankets in Hawara jail do not cover the needs of all prisoners and are worn-out, decomposed and smelly.
He added that the prisoners are only able to go to bathrooms when they are allowed to leave their rooms during the time of recess.
Some of the prisoners have not taken a bath for eight days because there is no hot water, the lawyer said.
Insufficient clothes, high humidity in rooms and poor food are some of the complaints the lawyer heard during his visit to the prison.
Extremist Jewish settlers stormed Monday morning al-Aqsa Mosque from the Magaribeh gate under heavy police protection.
Islamic Department for Endowment said that 38 Israeli settlers including members of the Temple Mount Faithful movement broke into the holy shrine.
The Islamic Department pointed out that hundreds of Palestinian worshipers stationed in the Mosque shouted slogans in protest against the settlers’ provocative break-ins into the Islamic holy site.
Israeli police continued to impose tight restrictions on women and youths’ access to the Mosque.
Meanwhile, two Jerusalemite youths were nabbed at dawn today after raiding into their homes in the Old City including a minor.
Islamic Department for Endowment said that 38 Israeli settlers including members of the Temple Mount Faithful movement broke into the holy shrine.
The Islamic Department pointed out that hundreds of Palestinian worshipers stationed in the Mosque shouted slogans in protest against the settlers’ provocative break-ins into the Islamic holy site.
Israeli police continued to impose tight restrictions on women and youths’ access to the Mosque.
Meanwhile, two Jerusalemite youths were nabbed at dawn today after raiding into their homes in the Old City including a minor.
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) rounded up at dawn Monday eight Palestinian citizens during raids carried out throughout the West Bank.
According to the PIC reporter, two Palestinian youths were nabbed after violently storming and searching their homes in Qarawat Bani Zeid town to the south of Ramallah.
Also in Ramallah, a Palestinian citizen was detained in al-Bireh town under the pretext of being affiliated with Hamas Movement.
Two other arrests were reported in Seir town, northeast of al-Khalil, while a third detainee was arrested in Tulkarem. The detainees were transferred to unidentified detention centers.
In Bethlehem, Israeli forces confirmed the arrest of two detainees.
According to the PIC reporter, two Palestinian youths were nabbed after violently storming and searching their homes in Qarawat Bani Zeid town to the south of Ramallah.
Also in Ramallah, a Palestinian citizen was detained in al-Bireh town under the pretext of being affiliated with Hamas Movement.
Two other arrests were reported in Seir town, northeast of al-Khalil, while a third detainee was arrested in Tulkarem. The detainees were transferred to unidentified detention centers.
In Bethlehem, Israeli forces confirmed the arrest of two detainees.
The Israeli military prosecutor demanded a premeditated murder conviction against the Palestinian detainee Maher al-Hashlamoun for having allegedly perpetrated a run-over and a stabbing attack near the Israeli Gush Etzion settlement.
The Israeli prosecutor charged the 30-year-old Palestinian young man with first-degree murder after he had reportedly been involved in stabbing and run-over attacks.
Hashlamoun is an ex-prisoner who had been incarcerated in Israeli occupation lock-ups under charges of hurling Molotov cocktails at the Israeli occupation soldiers, before he was ultimately released in 2005.
The Israeli prosecutor charged the 30-year-old Palestinian young man with first-degree murder after he had reportedly been involved in stabbing and run-over attacks.
Hashlamoun is an ex-prisoner who had been incarcerated in Israeli occupation lock-ups under charges of hurling Molotov cocktails at the Israeli occupation soldiers, before he was ultimately released in 2005.
Several Palestinians injured in Nablus
Israeli soldiers kidnapped, on Monday at dawn, three Palestinians in Bethlehem and Ramallah, during military invasions that also targeted the northern West Bank city of Nablus. One of the kidnapped fainted after the soldiers repeatedly kicked and punched him.
Local sources in Bethlehem said several Israeli military jeeps invaded the Wadi Ma’ali area, in the city, and kidnapped one Palestinian, identified as Khalil Jamal al-Hreimi, 19 years of age, after invading his family home, and ransacked its property.
The sources said clashes took place during the invasion and that the soldiers started kicking and beating al-Hreimi until he lost consciousness.
Army also fired rounds of live ammunition, gas bombs and rubber-coated metal bullets at local youths who hurled stones and empty bottles.
One soldier was mildly wounded by a stone during the clashes; many Palestinians suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation.
In addition, soldiers invaded Qarawat Bani Hassan village, northwest of the central West Bank city of Ramallah, and kidnapped two Palestinians after breaking into their homes, and violently searching them.
The two have been identified as Mohammad Husam ‘Omar, and Mahran Raja Sneif; the soldiers cuffed and blindfolded them, before moving them to an unknown destination.
Also on Monday at dawn, dozens of soldiers and Israeli settlers invaded the Joseph Tomb area, east of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and clashed with local youths.
Local sources said the soldiers fired rounds of live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, and gas bombs, causing several injuries.
Israeli soldiers kidnapped, on Monday at dawn, three Palestinians in Bethlehem and Ramallah, during military invasions that also targeted the northern West Bank city of Nablus. One of the kidnapped fainted after the soldiers repeatedly kicked and punched him.
Local sources in Bethlehem said several Israeli military jeeps invaded the Wadi Ma’ali area, in the city, and kidnapped one Palestinian, identified as Khalil Jamal al-Hreimi, 19 years of age, after invading his family home, and ransacked its property.
The sources said clashes took place during the invasion and that the soldiers started kicking and beating al-Hreimi until he lost consciousness.
Army also fired rounds of live ammunition, gas bombs and rubber-coated metal bullets at local youths who hurled stones and empty bottles.
One soldier was mildly wounded by a stone during the clashes; many Palestinians suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation.
In addition, soldiers invaded Qarawat Bani Hassan village, northwest of the central West Bank city of Ramallah, and kidnapped two Palestinians after breaking into their homes, and violently searching them.
The two have been identified as Mohammad Husam ‘Omar, and Mahran Raja Sneif; the soldiers cuffed and blindfolded them, before moving them to an unknown destination.
Also on Monday at dawn, dozens of soldiers and Israeli settlers invaded the Joseph Tomb area, east of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and clashed with local youths.
Local sources said the soldiers fired rounds of live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, and gas bombs, causing several injuries.
21 dec 2014
Israeli "democracy" again challenged by anti-Christian sentiment during holiday season
Eight Palestinian citizens of Israel were arrested, Monday, on charges of "inciting anti-Jewish" violence through their online postings, in a move by the Israeli state to criminalize all dissent.
Media website "Addicting Info" reports, via PNN, that a police spokesman said the residents of occupied east Jerusalem were charged with "inciting hatred, violence and terrorism" against Jews and Israeli security forces, by posting criticisms on Facebook.
The move comes as part of a social media sting, the latest phase described by police as the "biggest aimed at repressing this kind of incitement to violence on social networks and the Internet."
In November, Palestinian citizen Mahmoud Asila was arrested for posting a picture on Facebook which claimed he was in support of the attacks carried out by Palestinians against the Israeli forces occurring in the West Bank.
The problem for Israel is that, as the West Bank is illegally occupied, the Fourth Geneva Convention asserts the same right of Palestinian citizens to armed resistance against occupying forces.
Israel is, therefore, not only in breach of International Law by illegally occupying the land of the West Bank, but is now jailing those who express views in accordance with International Law.
The situation in Israel, today, is that if you are of Palestinian descent, the rules of civil society do not apply to you.
The "Jewish Nation State" bill recently approved by the Netanyahu cabinet makes maintaining the Jewish character of the state the priority in all matters of law and justice, restricting national rights to Jews only.
According to the PNN, Knesset speaker Yuli Edelstein recently said that a Christian lawmaker's request to display a Christmas tree in the Israeli parliament is part of an Arab campaign to weaken Israel's Jewish nature.
Edelstein, who refused the Christmas tree display in the parliament said that the tree evokes "painful memories" among Jews.
In a Thursday interview with Israel Radio, Edelstein added that a Christian' symbol in the parliament will be seen as offensive, and that the Christian parliamentarian who put in the request can display a tree in his own office and party's conference room.
Edelstein added that, if he had agreed to display a Christmas tree in the parliament, a door will be opened for further requests to display a cross and a crescent in the parliament.
While Israel maintains the pretense that it constitutes some democratic oasis in an Islamic desert of incivility, the truth is far removed. Israel is a racial apartheid state, where citizens have fundamentally different rights based on the ethnic group to which they belong.
Details at the PNN.
Eight Palestinian citizens of Israel were arrested, Monday, on charges of "inciting anti-Jewish" violence through their online postings, in a move by the Israeli state to criminalize all dissent.
Media website "Addicting Info" reports, via PNN, that a police spokesman said the residents of occupied east Jerusalem were charged with "inciting hatred, violence and terrorism" against Jews and Israeli security forces, by posting criticisms on Facebook.
The move comes as part of a social media sting, the latest phase described by police as the "biggest aimed at repressing this kind of incitement to violence on social networks and the Internet."
In November, Palestinian citizen Mahmoud Asila was arrested for posting a picture on Facebook which claimed he was in support of the attacks carried out by Palestinians against the Israeli forces occurring in the West Bank.
The problem for Israel is that, as the West Bank is illegally occupied, the Fourth Geneva Convention asserts the same right of Palestinian citizens to armed resistance against occupying forces.
Israel is, therefore, not only in breach of International Law by illegally occupying the land of the West Bank, but is now jailing those who express views in accordance with International Law.
The situation in Israel, today, is that if you are of Palestinian descent, the rules of civil society do not apply to you.
The "Jewish Nation State" bill recently approved by the Netanyahu cabinet makes maintaining the Jewish character of the state the priority in all matters of law and justice, restricting national rights to Jews only.
According to the PNN, Knesset speaker Yuli Edelstein recently said that a Christian lawmaker's request to display a Christmas tree in the Israeli parliament is part of an Arab campaign to weaken Israel's Jewish nature.
Edelstein, who refused the Christmas tree display in the parliament said that the tree evokes "painful memories" among Jews.
In a Thursday interview with Israel Radio, Edelstein added that a Christian' symbol in the parliament will be seen as offensive, and that the Christian parliamentarian who put in the request can display a tree in his own office and party's conference room.
Edelstein added that, if he had agreed to display a Christmas tree in the parliament, a door will be opened for further requests to display a cross and a crescent in the parliament.
While Israel maintains the pretense that it constitutes some democratic oasis in an Islamic desert of incivility, the truth is far removed. Israel is a racial apartheid state, where citizens have fundamentally different rights based on the ethnic group to which they belong.
Details at the PNN.
Israeli soldiers kidnapped, on Saturday at night and Sunday at dawn, nine Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, one Palestinian in occupied East Jerusalem, and two Palestinians kidnapped near Gaza border fence.
Mohammad Awad, spokesperson of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in Beit Ummar town, near Hebron, said the soldiers kidnapped a Palestinian in Safa area, after violently assaulting him in front of his family.
The kidnapped young man has been identified as Monir Radwan Ekhlayyel, 20 years of age; he was moved to the Etzion military base for interrogation. The soldiers searched and ransacked his family home.
Soldiers also invaded the Sammoa’ and ath-Thaheriyya towns, near Hebron, drove around in various neighborhoods, and withdrew during early morning hours, Sunday.
In addition, soldiers invaded Silwan town, south of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, in occupied East Jerusalem, and kidnapped one Palestinian after breaking into his home and violently searching it.
Local sources said the soldiers kidnapped Emad ‘Obeisan from his home in Ein al-Lowza neighborhood, and took him to an interrogation center in the city. ‘Obeisan is a former political prisoner.
Furthermore, the Israeli army said it managed to locate “stolen weapons and military equipment,” and kidnapped eight Palestinians, in Jaba’ village, south of Jenin, in the northern part of the occupied West Bank.
Israeli Channel Seven said the soldiers found two pistols, a number of laptops, binoculars and night-vision equipment, and several magazines of automatic rifles, in additional to more than 200.000 New Israeli Shekels, and foreign currency, in the homes of the eight Palestinians.
Furthermore, the Israeli army said its soldiers kidnapped two Palestinians, allegedly after they crossed the border fence, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.
Mohammad Awad, spokesperson of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in Beit Ummar town, near Hebron, said the soldiers kidnapped a Palestinian in Safa area, after violently assaulting him in front of his family.
The kidnapped young man has been identified as Monir Radwan Ekhlayyel, 20 years of age; he was moved to the Etzion military base for interrogation. The soldiers searched and ransacked his family home.
Soldiers also invaded the Sammoa’ and ath-Thaheriyya towns, near Hebron, drove around in various neighborhoods, and withdrew during early morning hours, Sunday.
In addition, soldiers invaded Silwan town, south of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, in occupied East Jerusalem, and kidnapped one Palestinian after breaking into his home and violently searching it.
Local sources said the soldiers kidnapped Emad ‘Obeisan from his home in Ein al-Lowza neighborhood, and took him to an interrogation center in the city. ‘Obeisan is a former political prisoner.
Furthermore, the Israeli army said it managed to locate “stolen weapons and military equipment,” and kidnapped eight Palestinians, in Jaba’ village, south of Jenin, in the northern part of the occupied West Bank.
Israeli Channel Seven said the soldiers found two pistols, a number of laptops, binoculars and night-vision equipment, and several magazines of automatic rifles, in additional to more than 200.000 New Israeli Shekels, and foreign currency, in the homes of the eight Palestinians.
Furthermore, the Israeli army said its soldiers kidnapped two Palestinians, allegedly after they crossed the border fence, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) arrested three Palestinian youths at dawn Sunday, north and south of Al-Khalil city.
Muhammad Awad, the spokesman of the Popular Committee against settlement in Beit Ummar, north of al-Khalil, said that IOF soldiers raided the town and broke into many residents' houses and arrested Munir Khalil after beating him then took him to Etzion detention camp.
For their part, local sources reported that the IOF soldiers arrested Nashat Karaja from Halhoul, a neighboring town, then raided Samou town, south of Al-Khalil, and arrested Osama Al-Salamin and took him to an unknown destination.
The IOF tightened its security measures in eastern Al-Khalil and erected many military checkpoints at the entrances to Bani Na'im and Sa'ir towns, stopped many vehicles and held many citizens for hours, according to eyewitnesses.
Muhammad Awad, the spokesman of the Popular Committee against settlement in Beit Ummar, north of al-Khalil, said that IOF soldiers raided the town and broke into many residents' houses and arrested Munir Khalil after beating him then took him to Etzion detention camp.
For their part, local sources reported that the IOF soldiers arrested Nashat Karaja from Halhoul, a neighboring town, then raided Samou town, south of Al-Khalil, and arrested Osama Al-Salamin and took him to an unknown destination.
The IOF tightened its security measures in eastern Al-Khalil and erected many military checkpoints at the entrances to Bani Na'im and Sa'ir towns, stopped many vehicles and held many citizens for hours, according to eyewitnesses.
A wave of violent clashes between the Israeli occupation forces and Palestinian unarmed youths burst out Saturday in Eastern Jerusalem and al-Khalil city, resulting in arrests and injuries.
By-standers at the scene said the Israeli occupation officers targeted the civilian youths with randomly-shot barrages of tear-gas canisters while the Palestinian protesters reacted by hurling stones at the Israeli forces.
The Israeli police spokesperson, Luba Samari, claimed in a statement Saturday that Dozens of Jerusalemite youths in Ras al-Amoud, in eastern Jerusalem hurled stones and firecrackers at the Israeli police officers.
“No injuries or material damage have been reported,” she stated.
The IOF claimed responsibility for the abduction of a 17-year-old Palestinian boy during the clashes that rocked Occupied Jerusalem city.
Meanwhile, sources in al-Issawiya neighborhood said the IOF violently disbanded a group of Palestinian demonstrators.
Tension has been running high in Occupied Jerusalem due to the desecration break-ins and Israeli settler vandalism in and around Muslims’ holy al-Aqsa Mosque.
In a related development, a number of Palestinian young men sustained injuries and breathing disorders while another youth was rounded up by the IOF in Beit Ummar, north of the West Bank city of al-Khalil, following a wave of clashes with the Israeli occupation troops.
Anti-settlement activist Mohamed Awad said the Israeli soldiers attacked the Palestinian civilians with tear gas grenades and rubber bullets, moments before they kidnapped Mahmoud Abu Mariya and dragged him to an unknown destination.
Several injuries have been detected among the Palestinian youngsters throughout the clashes.
By-standers at the scene said the Israeli occupation officers targeted the civilian youths with randomly-shot barrages of tear-gas canisters while the Palestinian protesters reacted by hurling stones at the Israeli forces.
The Israeli police spokesperson, Luba Samari, claimed in a statement Saturday that Dozens of Jerusalemite youths in Ras al-Amoud, in eastern Jerusalem hurled stones and firecrackers at the Israeli police officers.
“No injuries or material damage have been reported,” she stated.
The IOF claimed responsibility for the abduction of a 17-year-old Palestinian boy during the clashes that rocked Occupied Jerusalem city.
Meanwhile, sources in al-Issawiya neighborhood said the IOF violently disbanded a group of Palestinian demonstrators.
Tension has been running high in Occupied Jerusalem due to the desecration break-ins and Israeli settler vandalism in and around Muslims’ holy al-Aqsa Mosque.
In a related development, a number of Palestinian young men sustained injuries and breathing disorders while another youth was rounded up by the IOF in Beit Ummar, north of the West Bank city of al-Khalil, following a wave of clashes with the Israeli occupation troops.
Anti-settlement activist Mohamed Awad said the Israeli soldiers attacked the Palestinian civilians with tear gas grenades and rubber bullets, moments before they kidnapped Mahmoud Abu Mariya and dragged him to an unknown destination.
Several injuries have been detected among the Palestinian youngsters throughout the clashes.
