22 july 2015
The occupation forces arrested on Wednesday today two ladies and a youth from in front of Al-Aqsa Mosque gates.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center learnt that the occupation police arrested before the afternoon today two ladies as soon as they exited from Al-Aqsa Mosque through “Bab Alsilisleh”, they also arrested a youth as soon as he exited from “Bab Al-Majles” and were taken to the Police Station in “Bab Alsilisleh”.
The center also learnt that the occupation police detained the Prayers Identification cards before entering Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Witnesses reported that the occupation police attempted to arrest a lady from inside of the mosque fields in conjunction with the break in of the settlers in to the mosque; however, the Prayers and guards intervened and failed in the attempt.
95 settlers also broke into the mosque today with an invitation from what is called “The Temple Community Union”
Wadi Hilweh Information Center learnt that the occupation police arrested before the afternoon today two ladies as soon as they exited from Al-Aqsa Mosque through “Bab Alsilisleh”, they also arrested a youth as soon as he exited from “Bab Al-Majles” and were taken to the Police Station in “Bab Alsilisleh”.
The center also learnt that the occupation police detained the Prayers Identification cards before entering Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Witnesses reported that the occupation police attempted to arrest a lady from inside of the mosque fields in conjunction with the break in of the settlers in to the mosque; however, the Prayers and guards intervened and failed in the attempt.
95 settlers also broke into the mosque today with an invitation from what is called “The Temple Community Union”
The attorney of Palestinian Prisoner’s Society revealed on Wednesday that the hunger striker detainee Udai Estaite has reached a case of health deterioration on the 35th day of going on hunger strike.
The lawyer pointed out that Estaite is refraining from having salt and sugar as well as conducting health examinations. He is taking water only which makes his hunger strike so risky.
He disclosed that the Israeli Prison Service (IPS) has endorsed a series of new penalties to make him end his hunger strike. They include repeated transfer between Israeli jails, lack of humanitarian living conditions in isolation cells and refusing to provide him with clothes and a wheelchair.
Punishment procedures also include deprivation of family visitation and going out in break time in addition to making barbecue in front of his isolation cell by Israeli jailers.
Captive Estaite is a 24-year-old man from Jenin. He has been detained since November 16, 2014 under administrative detention without charge or trial. He decided to start hunger strike after his administrative detention had been renewed for several times.
The lawyer pointed out that Estaite is refraining from having salt and sugar as well as conducting health examinations. He is taking water only which makes his hunger strike so risky.
He disclosed that the Israeli Prison Service (IPS) has endorsed a series of new penalties to make him end his hunger strike. They include repeated transfer between Israeli jails, lack of humanitarian living conditions in isolation cells and refusing to provide him with clothes and a wheelchair.
Punishment procedures also include deprivation of family visitation and going out in break time in addition to making barbecue in front of his isolation cell by Israeli jailers.
Captive Estaite is a 24-year-old man from Jenin. He has been detained since November 16, 2014 under administrative detention without charge or trial. He decided to start hunger strike after his administrative detention had been renewed for several times.
Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, condemned the Israeli Knesset’s resolution on raising the penalty of stone throwing up to 20-year imprisonment.
Hamas’s Spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said, in a statement on Wednesday, “Endorsing the law reflects the criminal and racist reality of the Israeli occupation”. He asked the international community to bear its responsibility and put an end to Israeli racism.
He underlined that such resolutions do not break the steadfastness and determination of the Palestinian people to continue resistance of the Israeli occupation.
The Israeli Knesset endorsed on Tuesday the second and third readings of a law which states for at least 5-year imprisonment against stone throwers. 69 MKs approved it while 17 only refused the resolution.
The law comes on stages; a sentence of 5-10-year imprisonment is issued against those who are convicted even though they do not intend to cause any harm. However, a sentence of 20-year imprisonment is the ruling against those who intend harming Israelis.
However, the law says nothing about Jewish settlers who throw stones at Palestinians, attack them and damage their properties on Daily basis.
Hamas’s Spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said, in a statement on Wednesday, “Endorsing the law reflects the criminal and racist reality of the Israeli occupation”. He asked the international community to bear its responsibility and put an end to Israeli racism.
He underlined that such resolutions do not break the steadfastness and determination of the Palestinian people to continue resistance of the Israeli occupation.
The Israeli Knesset endorsed on Tuesday the second and third readings of a law which states for at least 5-year imprisonment against stone throwers. 69 MKs approved it while 17 only refused the resolution.
The law comes on stages; a sentence of 5-10-year imprisonment is issued against those who are convicted even though they do not intend to cause any harm. However, a sentence of 20-year imprisonment is the ruling against those who intend harming Israelis.
However, the law says nothing about Jewish settlers who throw stones at Palestinians, attack them and damage their properties on Daily basis.
Palestinian detainee Dhirar Abu Sissi has been languishing in the Israeli solitary lock-down of Nafha for over four years, a human rights group reported Wednesday.
The Palestinian Prisoner Society said the Israeli Mossad kidnapped prisoner Abu Sissi from Ukraine in 2011 and had recently sentenced him to 21 years in jail.
The group’s lawyer raised alarm bells, following a prison visit, over the penalties imposed by the Israeli prison authorities on the inmate, including visit-bans. Sissi has been denied the right to meet his family ever since he was kidnapped some four years ago.
42-year-old detainee Abu Sissi is from the blockaded Gaza Strip and a father of six children.
The Palestinian Prisoner Society said the Israeli Mossad kidnapped prisoner Abu Sissi from Ukraine in 2011 and had recently sentenced him to 21 years in jail.
The group’s lawyer raised alarm bells, following a prison visit, over the penalties imposed by the Israeli prison authorities on the inmate, including visit-bans. Sissi has been denied the right to meet his family ever since he was kidnapped some four years ago.
42-year-old detainee Abu Sissi is from the blockaded Gaza Strip and a father of six children.
Israeli soldiers kidnapped, on Wednesday morning, 120 Palestinian workers, allegedly for trying to enter Israel without work permits, through a trench near the Oranit illegal settlement, in the occupied West Bank.
The Police said it received a tip regarding “hundreds of Palestinian workers trying to infiltrate Israel” searching for work.
The 120 workers were taken prisoner in a trench, dug near the Annexation Wall, close to Oranit, in the northern West Bank district of Qalqilia, and were all moved to a number of interrogation centers.
The harsh economic conditions in the occupied territories pushes thousands of Palestinians to attempt to enter the Green Line, and risk their lives, in order to provide livelihood to their improvised families.
The Police said it received a tip regarding “hundreds of Palestinian workers trying to infiltrate Israel” searching for work.
The 120 workers were taken prisoner in a trench, dug near the Annexation Wall, close to Oranit, in the northern West Bank district of Qalqilia, and were all moved to a number of interrogation centers.
The harsh economic conditions in the occupied territories pushes thousands of Palestinians to attempt to enter the Green Line, and risk their lives, in order to provide livelihood to their improvised families.
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) on Wednesday morning have uprooted a number of trees, destroying an agricultural land in Beit Oula village near Hebron, under security pretext.Local sources in the village said that bulldozers razed the land in presence of intensified military units.
The land and trees are property of citizen Faried Atrash. Israeli forces have previously told him to uproot the trees for alleged security reasons, but he refused. IOF then have savagely destroyed the land, ensuring that he can not fix again.
Following the raze, IOF have kidnapped a child aged 14 from Hebron old city, and another aged 23 on the Gush Etsyon crossroad, north of Hebron.
The land and trees are property of citizen Faried Atrash. Israeli forces have previously told him to uproot the trees for alleged security reasons, but he refused. IOF then have savagely destroyed the land, ensuring that he can not fix again.
Following the raze, IOF have kidnapped a child aged 14 from Hebron old city, and another aged 23 on the Gush Etsyon crossroad, north of Hebron.
Mohammed Alawna 21
Mohammed Alawna, 21, this morning was announced dead after he was shot by Israeli occupation forces (IOF) during clashes in Burqin village near Jenin.
According to security sources, Mohammed was shot in the chest. He was rushed to the Khalil Suleiman Governmental Hospital for treatment, underwent surgery, and was later announced dead of his wounds.
Israeli forces on Wednesday early hours broke into Burqin village near Jenin, where they kidnapped journalist Mohammed Atiq, opened fire in addition to sound and teargas grenades.
In Jenin city, IOF raided the home of Yasser Abu Ja’far (22) and kidnapped him.
Injuries, arrests reported in IOF raid in Jenin
A number of Palestinian civilians sustained injuries and a journalist was kidnapped by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) at dawn Wednesday after the latter rolled into Jenin’s western town of Berkin.
Local sources said the IOF soldiers broke into the family home of the Hamas activist Ali Ateiq and kidnapped his 25-year-old son Mohamed, a journalist, moments after they aggressively assaulted the family members.
Clashes flared up shortly after the soldiers targeted Palestinian civilians with random spates of gunfire.
21-year-old Mohamed Ahmad Alawneh sustained a chest injury and was rushed to Jenin’s public hospital for urgent treatment.
The IOF troops further moved into Jenin’s eastern neighborhood and nabbed a 22-year-old youngster after they wreaked havoc on his family home.
Earlier, on Tuesday evening, the IOF informed a citizen’s family from Kafr Ra’i, that their son Awab, 21, was taken to custody under the pretext of carrying a knife near the Israeli military camp of Salem.
The detainee’s family said their son Awab headed to the civil administration at the Salem camp to apply for a smart card so as to gain access into 1948 Occupied Palestine. He was, however, captured by the occupation soldiers.
Mohammed Alawna, 21, this morning was announced dead after he was shot by Israeli occupation forces (IOF) during clashes in Burqin village near Jenin.
According to security sources, Mohammed was shot in the chest. He was rushed to the Khalil Suleiman Governmental Hospital for treatment, underwent surgery, and was later announced dead of his wounds.
Israeli forces on Wednesday early hours broke into Burqin village near Jenin, where they kidnapped journalist Mohammed Atiq, opened fire in addition to sound and teargas grenades.
In Jenin city, IOF raided the home of Yasser Abu Ja’far (22) and kidnapped him.
Injuries, arrests reported in IOF raid in Jenin
A number of Palestinian civilians sustained injuries and a journalist was kidnapped by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) at dawn Wednesday after the latter rolled into Jenin’s western town of Berkin.
Local sources said the IOF soldiers broke into the family home of the Hamas activist Ali Ateiq and kidnapped his 25-year-old son Mohamed, a journalist, moments after they aggressively assaulted the family members.
Clashes flared up shortly after the soldiers targeted Palestinian civilians with random spates of gunfire.
21-year-old Mohamed Ahmad Alawneh sustained a chest injury and was rushed to Jenin’s public hospital for urgent treatment.
The IOF troops further moved into Jenin’s eastern neighborhood and nabbed a 22-year-old youngster after they wreaked havoc on his family home.
Earlier, on Tuesday evening, the IOF informed a citizen’s family from Kafr Ra’i, that their son Awab, 21, was taken to custody under the pretext of carrying a knife near the Israeli military camp of Salem.
The detainee’s family said their son Awab headed to the civil administration at the Salem camp to apply for a smart card so as to gain access into 1948 Occupied Palestine. He was, however, captured by the occupation soldiers.
Israeli soldiers invaded, earlier on Wednesday, the southern West Bank city of Hebron, and the nearby town of Deir Samet, and kidnapped two young Palestinian men.
Several armored military vehicles invaded Hebron city, stormed and searched homes, and interrogated many Palestinians before kidnapping ‘Ali Waddah Shehada.
Shehada lives in the Shuhada Street area, in the center of Hebron city; he was cuffed and blindfolded before the soldiers moved him to the Etzion military base.
In addition, soldiers invaded Deir Samer town, and kidnapped Ala’ Nidal al-Hroub, after searching his family home, causing property damage.
Media sources said the kidnapped Palestinian is a student of the Palestine Polytechnic University, in Hebron.
Several armored military vehicles invaded Hebron city, stormed and searched homes, and interrogated many Palestinians before kidnapping ‘Ali Waddah Shehada.
Shehada lives in the Shuhada Street area, in the center of Hebron city; he was cuffed and blindfolded before the soldiers moved him to the Etzion military base.
In addition, soldiers invaded Deir Samer town, and kidnapped Ala’ Nidal al-Hroub, after searching his family home, causing property damage.
Media sources said the kidnapped Palestinian is a student of the Palestine Polytechnic University, in Hebron.
21 july 2015
The Israeli Occupation Authority (IOA) summoned on Monday night the Palestinian MP Hassan Yousef for investigation in Ofer military camp to the west of Ramallah.
His son, Uwais, revealed that his father received a phone call from an Israeli shin bet officer who asked him to attend an interview in Ofer military camp on Tuesday.
MP Hassan Yousef, 60, was released from Israeli jails on Thursday, June 25, 2015 after spending 12 months under administrative detention without charge or trial.
Yousef is one of Hamas’s most significant leaders in the West Bank. He is one of the deportees to Marj al-Zuhour in Lebanon. He also spent a total of 14 years in Israeli jails whereas he, along with his family, was subjected to Israeli violations and abuse.
His son, Uwais, revealed that his father received a phone call from an Israeli shin bet officer who asked him to attend an interview in Ofer military camp on Tuesday.
MP Hassan Yousef, 60, was released from Israeli jails on Thursday, June 25, 2015 after spending 12 months under administrative detention without charge or trial.
Yousef is one of Hamas’s most significant leaders in the West Bank. He is one of the deportees to Marj al-Zuhour in Lebanon. He also spent a total of 14 years in Israeli jails whereas he, along with his family, was subjected to Israeli violations and abuse.
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) arrested, for unknown reasons, a mother of a Palestinian captive while she was visiting him in Gilboa jail at noon Tuesday.
Local sources revealed that IOF soldiers in Gilboa prison stopped a 68-year-old woman, called Amina al-Amoudi from Berqin town in Jenin to the north of the West Bank, in front of the visitation section then searched and arrested her.
The sources pointed out that the IOF soldiers transferred the elderly woman to one of the investigation centers without any consideration to her age and health condition.
Amina al-Amoudi is the mother of prisoner Khaled al-Amoudi who is sentenced to 11 life imprisonments.
Many Palestinian women were detained by IOF in similar conditions under the claim of attempting to enter cell phones into prison for their relatives. They were subjected to heavy sentences.
Local sources revealed that IOF soldiers in Gilboa prison stopped a 68-year-old woman, called Amina al-Amoudi from Berqin town in Jenin to the north of the West Bank, in front of the visitation section then searched and arrested her.
The sources pointed out that the IOF soldiers transferred the elderly woman to one of the investigation centers without any consideration to her age and health condition.
Amina al-Amoudi is the mother of prisoner Khaled al-Amoudi who is sentenced to 11 life imprisonments.
Many Palestinian women were detained by IOF in similar conditions under the claim of attempting to enter cell phones into prison for their relatives. They were subjected to heavy sentences.
The Israeli army bulldozers on Tuesday knocked down civilian structures and barracks in al-Khalil’s western town of Idna.
Local sources said the Israeli bulldozers, escorted by large army troops and jeeps, rolled into Idna town and demolished three commercial barracks under the pretext of unlicensed construction.
In a related context, the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) kidnapped four Palestinian citizens from al-Khalil city.
Locals said the IOF soldiers broke into civilian homes in al-Khalil’s neighborhoods of al-Hawouz, the Old City, and Bani Na’im moments before they rounded up four allegedly wanted citizens and dragged them to an investigation center.
Local sources said the Israeli bulldozers, escorted by large army troops and jeeps, rolled into Idna town and demolished three commercial barracks under the pretext of unlicensed construction.
In a related context, the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) kidnapped four Palestinian citizens from al-Khalil city.
Locals said the IOF soldiers broke into civilian homes in al-Khalil’s neighborhoods of al-Hawouz, the Old City, and Bani Na’im moments before they rounded up four allegedly wanted citizens and dragged them to an investigation center.
An Israeli court has sentenced two Palestinian young men from occupied Jerusalem to several months in jail on allegations of throwing stones at Israelis.
The Wadi Hilwa Information Center said that the Israeli magistrate's court in Jerusalem on Sunday gave a Palestinian young man named Mohamed al-Jolani a 16-month prison term on charges of possessing a weapon and throwing stones at Israelis.
The same court also ordered the imprisonment of another young man called Mahmoud al-Zaghal for four months and fined him 4,000 shekels. He was charged with throwing stones.
The Wadi Hilwa Information Center said that the Israeli magistrate's court in Jerusalem on Sunday gave a Palestinian young man named Mohamed al-Jolani a 16-month prison term on charges of possessing a weapon and throwing stones at Israelis.
The same court also ordered the imprisonment of another young man called Mahmoud al-Zaghal for four months and fined him 4,000 shekels. He was charged with throwing stones.
Israeli soldiers invaded, Tuesday, various Palestinian communities in different parts of the occupied West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, and kidnapped twelve Palestinians, including an elderly woman. Army bulldozes an agricultural road, near Salfit.
Media sources in Hebron, in the southern part of the West Bank, said several military vehicles invaded Bani Neim town, east of the city, and kidnapped two Palestinians, after violently searching their homes, causing property damage.
The two have been identified as Mo’taz Azmi al-Khadour, 17 years of age, and Othman al-Manasra, 18.
Soldiers also invaded homes in Hebron’s Old City, kidnapped a child identified as Anan Awni al-Ja’bari, 13 years of age, and took him to an unknown destination.
The army installed various roadblocks near Hebron’s northern entrances, and the main entrance of Sa’ir town, northeast of Hebron, stopped and searched dozens of cars, and inspected the ID cards of the passengers.
In addition, soldiers invaded ‘Aseera ash-Shemaliyya town, north of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, searched homes and kidnapped a young man identified as Qoteiba Hamadna.
Soldiers also kidnapped three Palestinians, in Kafr Qalil village, southeast of Nablus. The three have been identified as Samer Abdullah Mansour, Ghanem Hekmat ‘Amer and Fayez Naim al-Qenni.
Furthermore, soldiers kidnapped an elderly Palestinian woman from Burqin town, west of the northern West Bank city of Jenin.
The Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) has reported that Amina ‘Amoudi, 68, was kidnapped while visiting her detained son in the Galboa’ Israeli prison.
Her son, Mohammad, was taken prisoner in 2006, and was sentenced to twelve life terms, and twenty additional years.
In occupied Jerusalem, soldiers invaded various neighborhoods and searched homes before kidnapping a young man, identified as Mohammad al-Bayyoumi, and took him to the al-Maskobiyya interrogation and detention center, west of Jerusalem.
Another Palestinian was kidnapped in the al-‘Ezariyya town, south of Jerusalem.
The Israeli army also said soldiers also arrested three “wanted Palestinians, who participated in confrontations and clashes with soldiers and settlers,” south of Tulkarem, and in Hares village, southeast of Qalqilia, in the northern part of the West Bank.
An army spokesperson claimed two of the three detained Palestinians are members of the Hamas movement.
In related news, several military vehicles and an armored bulldozer invaded farmlands in Yasouf Palestinian village, east of the central West Bank city of Salfit, and bulldozed a recently established agricultural road, in the an-Nasba area, east of the village.
Ten days ago, soldiers invaded Yasouf and confiscated agricultural equipment and tools, used in the construction of the new road.
Media sources in Hebron, in the southern part of the West Bank, said several military vehicles invaded Bani Neim town, east of the city, and kidnapped two Palestinians, after violently searching their homes, causing property damage.
The two have been identified as Mo’taz Azmi al-Khadour, 17 years of age, and Othman al-Manasra, 18.
Soldiers also invaded homes in Hebron’s Old City, kidnapped a child identified as Anan Awni al-Ja’bari, 13 years of age, and took him to an unknown destination.
The army installed various roadblocks near Hebron’s northern entrances, and the main entrance of Sa’ir town, northeast of Hebron, stopped and searched dozens of cars, and inspected the ID cards of the passengers.
In addition, soldiers invaded ‘Aseera ash-Shemaliyya town, north of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, searched homes and kidnapped a young man identified as Qoteiba Hamadna.
Soldiers also kidnapped three Palestinians, in Kafr Qalil village, southeast of Nablus. The three have been identified as Samer Abdullah Mansour, Ghanem Hekmat ‘Amer and Fayez Naim al-Qenni.
Furthermore, soldiers kidnapped an elderly Palestinian woman from Burqin town, west of the northern West Bank city of Jenin.
The Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) has reported that Amina ‘Amoudi, 68, was kidnapped while visiting her detained son in the Galboa’ Israeli prison.
Her son, Mohammad, was taken prisoner in 2006, and was sentenced to twelve life terms, and twenty additional years.
In occupied Jerusalem, soldiers invaded various neighborhoods and searched homes before kidnapping a young man, identified as Mohammad al-Bayyoumi, and took him to the al-Maskobiyya interrogation and detention center, west of Jerusalem.
Another Palestinian was kidnapped in the al-‘Ezariyya town, south of Jerusalem.
The Israeli army also said soldiers also arrested three “wanted Palestinians, who participated in confrontations and clashes with soldiers and settlers,” south of Tulkarem, and in Hares village, southeast of Qalqilia, in the northern part of the West Bank.
An army spokesperson claimed two of the three detained Palestinians are members of the Hamas movement.
In related news, several military vehicles and an armored bulldozer invaded farmlands in Yasouf Palestinian village, east of the central West Bank city of Salfit, and bulldozed a recently established agricultural road, in the an-Nasba area, east of the village.
Ten days ago, soldiers invaded Yasouf and confiscated agricultural equipment and tools, used in the construction of the new road.
Head of the Palestinian Detainees’ Committee Issa Qaraqe has reported that three political prisoners, held by Israel, are ongoing with their hunger strikes, demanding an end to their illegal detention, and are currently held in solitary confinement.
Qaraqe stated that detained lawyer Mohammad Allan, held in solitary confinement in the an Israeli prison in Beersheba (Be’er as-Sabe’,) started his hunger strike on June 14, 2015, and is facing a life-threatening health condition.
He added that detainee Adnan Esteity started his strike on the day of his abduction of June 29, and is held in solitary confinement in the Eshil Israeli prison in Beersheba.
In addition, Jordanian detainee Abdullah Abu Jaber started his hunger strike on July 20, demanding to be released and sent by back to Jordan.
He was taken prisoner 15 years ago, and was sentenced to twenty years.
Qaraqe held Israel responsible for the lives of the detainees, and demanded fast intervention to secure their release, and to end Israel’s illegal arbitrary Administrative Detention policies.
Qaraqe stated that detained lawyer Mohammad Allan, held in solitary confinement in the an Israeli prison in Beersheba (Be’er as-Sabe’,) started his hunger strike on June 14, 2015, and is facing a life-threatening health condition.
He added that detainee Adnan Esteity started his strike on the day of his abduction of June 29, and is held in solitary confinement in the Eshil Israeli prison in Beersheba.
In addition, Jordanian detainee Abdullah Abu Jaber started his hunger strike on July 20, demanding to be released and sent by back to Jordan.
He was taken prisoner 15 years ago, and was sentenced to twenty years.
Qaraqe held Israel responsible for the lives of the detainees, and demanded fast intervention to secure their release, and to end Israel’s illegal arbitrary Administrative Detention policies.
Amendment to existing law allows court to sentence rioter to up to 10 years in prison even without proof of intent to cause harm.
Legislation to impose harsher sentences on stone-throwers passed the final hurdle on Monday night in the Knesset after it passed the second and third readings, making it into law.
The bill, proposed by former justice minister Tzipi Livni and then promoted in this term by her successor Ayelet Shaked, passed with 69 in favor, including Zionist Union MKs, and 17 against. The new legislation is an amendment to the existing law, and serves to supplement and clarify it. Primarily, it defines stone-throwing at police with the intention of disturbing or preventing officers from doing their duty as an offense.
The amendment also splits the offense of stone-throwing to two different levels of severity. On the first level, stone-throwers could receive up to 10 years in prison without the prosecution having to prove intention to cause harm. On the second level, in cases where the prosecution can prove an intention to cause harm, stone-throwers could receive up to 20 years in prison.
Before the amendment's passing, the maximum punishment for throwing stones or other objects at vehicles or individuals on a road was 20 years, but it required the prosecution to prove the thrower intended to cause harm.
In many cases, this intention was hard to prove, creating a situation in which stone-throwers received relatively light sentences, which did not match the severity of the offense. "Justice was made today," Shaked said after the amendment's passing. "For years, terrorists got away from punishment and accountability. Leniency to terrorists stops today. A stone-thrower is a terrorist and only an appropriate punishment can serve as deterrence."
Tensions were running high at the Knesset during the discussion on the legislation.
Joint Arab List MK Jamal Zahalka said: "Imagine we brought both the stone-throwers and those who caused them to throw stones in front of a judge. Who would the judge put in prison? The one who demolished a house, expropriate the land, killed the brother? Or the boy who threw a stone? You are picking on people who are responding to greater wrongs. This is hypocrisy. Those who demolish homes get rewarded, but the boy whose anger is justified is being punished."
MK Ahmad Tibi added: "There is an order in the army that if soldiers arrive at a place where Jews are protesting and one of the protesters jumps the soldiers, they are not allowed to shoot him because he's Jewish. Under the same circumstances, when it's Arabs, they shoot to kill. 'Neutralize,' they call it. That is why a Palestinian is doomed even if he throws a non-lethal stone."
Things got heated further when Deputy Knesset Speaker Hilik Bar, who presided over the discussion, answered to Tibi: "It's all fine for you to criticize IDF soldiers, but just remember that it's thanks to them that you we can have this discussion here.
Just like they're protecting me, they're protecting you too in the jungle of the Middle East."
MKs from the Joint Arab List were enrage and the discussion was stopped for several minutes due to shouting from the MKs.
Legislation to impose harsher sentences on stone-throwers passed the final hurdle on Monday night in the Knesset after it passed the second and third readings, making it into law.
The bill, proposed by former justice minister Tzipi Livni and then promoted in this term by her successor Ayelet Shaked, passed with 69 in favor, including Zionist Union MKs, and 17 against. The new legislation is an amendment to the existing law, and serves to supplement and clarify it. Primarily, it defines stone-throwing at police with the intention of disturbing or preventing officers from doing their duty as an offense.
The amendment also splits the offense of stone-throwing to two different levels of severity. On the first level, stone-throwers could receive up to 10 years in prison without the prosecution having to prove intention to cause harm. On the second level, in cases where the prosecution can prove an intention to cause harm, stone-throwers could receive up to 20 years in prison.
Before the amendment's passing, the maximum punishment for throwing stones or other objects at vehicles or individuals on a road was 20 years, but it required the prosecution to prove the thrower intended to cause harm.
In many cases, this intention was hard to prove, creating a situation in which stone-throwers received relatively light sentences, which did not match the severity of the offense. "Justice was made today," Shaked said after the amendment's passing. "For years, terrorists got away from punishment and accountability. Leniency to terrorists stops today. A stone-thrower is a terrorist and only an appropriate punishment can serve as deterrence."
Tensions were running high at the Knesset during the discussion on the legislation.
Joint Arab List MK Jamal Zahalka said: "Imagine we brought both the stone-throwers and those who caused them to throw stones in front of a judge. Who would the judge put in prison? The one who demolished a house, expropriate the land, killed the brother? Or the boy who threw a stone? You are picking on people who are responding to greater wrongs. This is hypocrisy. Those who demolish homes get rewarded, but the boy whose anger is justified is being punished."
MK Ahmad Tibi added: "There is an order in the army that if soldiers arrive at a place where Jews are protesting and one of the protesters jumps the soldiers, they are not allowed to shoot him because he's Jewish. Under the same circumstances, when it's Arabs, they shoot to kill. 'Neutralize,' they call it. That is why a Palestinian is doomed even if he throws a non-lethal stone."
Things got heated further when Deputy Knesset Speaker Hilik Bar, who presided over the discussion, answered to Tibi: "It's all fine for you to criticize IDF soldiers, but just remember that it's thanks to them that you we can have this discussion here.
Just like they're protecting me, they're protecting you too in the jungle of the Middle East."
MKs from the Joint Arab List were enrage and the discussion was stopped for several minutes due to shouting from the MKs.
20 july 2015
Israeli soldiers kidnapped, on Monday, four Palestinians, including one woman, from different parts of occupied Jerusalem. Israeli Court also ordered several detained Palestinians under further interrogation.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Silwan (Silwanic) has reported that the soldiers have kidnapped Amjad Ali al-Abbassi, 20 years of age, after stopping him on the al-Za’im roadblock, east of occupied Jerusalem.
Soldiers also kidnapped Osama Barham, 40, in front of the District Court in Jerusalem, as he headed there to turn himself in.
Silwanic said the army stormed Barham’s home twice, on Sunday, searched his property for what the soldiers said, “incitement materials,” and ordered his family to inform him to head to a security center for interrogation.
In addition, soldiers kidnapped Sana’ ar-Rajabi and Mohammad Nasser Ma’ali while leaving the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
In related news, the District Court in occupied Jerusalem ordered seven detained Palestinian under further interrogation.
The Ad-Dameer Prisoners Support and Human Rights Association has reported that Tawfiq Daoud Abu Esbeitan was remanded until after the prosecution presents its case.
It added that Fathi Nasser, Suleiman Qara’in and Noureddin Zaghal, were remanded until Tuesday, Amjad Edrees until Thursday, while Firas Mahmoud and Majd Sbeitan until August 5.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Silwan (Silwanic) has reported that the soldiers have kidnapped Amjad Ali al-Abbassi, 20 years of age, after stopping him on the al-Za’im roadblock, east of occupied Jerusalem.
Soldiers also kidnapped Osama Barham, 40, in front of the District Court in Jerusalem, as he headed there to turn himself in.
Silwanic said the army stormed Barham’s home twice, on Sunday, searched his property for what the soldiers said, “incitement materials,” and ordered his family to inform him to head to a security center for interrogation.
In addition, soldiers kidnapped Sana’ ar-Rajabi and Mohammad Nasser Ma’ali while leaving the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
In related news, the District Court in occupied Jerusalem ordered seven detained Palestinian under further interrogation.
The Ad-Dameer Prisoners Support and Human Rights Association has reported that Tawfiq Daoud Abu Esbeitan was remanded until after the prosecution presents its case.
It added that Fathi Nasser, Suleiman Qara’in and Noureddin Zaghal, were remanded until Tuesday, Amjad Edrees until Thursday, while Firas Mahmoud and Majd Sbeitan until August 5.
The Israeli Magistrate’s Court in Occupied Jerusalem sentenced on Monday 33-year-old Anwar Abdul Kareem Jamjoum to 17 months in jail.
The Israeli Magistrate’s Court sentenced Anwar to a 17-month prison-term on charges of protesting the sacrilegious break-ins carried out by Israeli extremist settlers at Muslims’ holy al-Aqsa Mosque.
Anwar was arrested by the Israeli occupation forces on November 16, 2014 in an arbitrary abduction campaign targeting peaceful Muslim worshipers and sit-inners at al-Aqsa.
Scores of Jerusalemite Palestinians are incarcerated in Israeli jails on charges of protesting settler break-ins at such a holy shrine.
The Israeli Magistrate’s Court sentenced Anwar to a 17-month prison-term on charges of protesting the sacrilegious break-ins carried out by Israeli extremist settlers at Muslims’ holy al-Aqsa Mosque.
Anwar was arrested by the Israeli occupation forces on November 16, 2014 in an arbitrary abduction campaign targeting peaceful Muslim worshipers and sit-inners at al-Aqsa.
Scores of Jerusalemite Palestinians are incarcerated in Israeli jails on charges of protesting settler break-ins at such a holy shrine.
Palestinian detainees held at the Israeli Eshel lock-up launched a cry for help over the abrupt searches and break-ins carried out by the Israeli prison authorities in the darkness of night, the prisoners’ committee said Monday.
The Prisoners’ and Ex-prisoners’ Committee said in a statement Palestinian detainees held at the Eshel lock-up voiced their deep disappointment and panic over the arbitrary torture tactics pursued by the Israeli prison authorities particularly during holy Eid al-Fitr, supposed to be a time of unparalleled joy and festivity for Muslims across the globe.
Sick detainee Reyad al-Amour also spoke out against the preplanned medical neglect Palestinians have been made to endure at Israeli prisons, where neither medicines nor urgent check-ups are being afforded.
The Prisoners’ and Ex-prisoners’ Committee said in a statement Palestinian detainees held at the Eshel lock-up voiced their deep disappointment and panic over the arbitrary torture tactics pursued by the Israeli prison authorities particularly during holy Eid al-Fitr, supposed to be a time of unparalleled joy and festivity for Muslims across the globe.
Sick detainee Reyad al-Amour also spoke out against the preplanned medical neglect Palestinians have been made to endure at Israeli prisons, where neither medicines nor urgent check-ups are being afforded.
The Israeli occupation forces have used unnecessary force to arrest or detain Palestinian children as young as 11 by choking them, throwing stun grenades at them, beating them in custody, and interrogating them without the presence of parents, Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported Monday.
Human Rights Watch interviewed four boys, ages 11, 12, and 15, from different neighborhoods of Occupied Jerusalem, and a 14-year-old girl and 15-year-old boy from elsewhere in the West Bank, whom Israeli forces arrested or detained in separate incidents for allegedly throwing rocks from March to December 2014, HRW said.
The children and their parents gave accounts of abuses during arrest and interrogation that caused the children pain, fear, and ongoing anxiety. Human Rights Watch has seen photos and marks on the body of one of the children, consistent with the accounts he and his parents had given; the children’s accounts were also consistent with each other, the same source added.
“Israeli forces’ mistreatment of Palestinian children is at odds with its claim to respect children's rights,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director. “As Israel’s largest military donor, the US should press hard for an end to these abusive practices and for reforms.”
In every case Human Rights Watch documented, the children and their parents told Human Rights Watch that Israeli authorities did not inform parents of their child’s arrest and interrogated the children without permitting them to speak to a parent or lawyer prior to the interrogation.
Two 15-year-old boys and the 14-year-old girl said they signed confessions written in Hebrew, a language they do not understand, after interrogators threatened them. One boy said police “punched and kicked” him, then presented him with the Hebrew confession to sign.
Rashid S., 11, said that Israeli border police forces officers threw a stun grenade at him and put him in a chokehold when they arrested him for throwing stones in November. He said that officers put a black bag over his head, threatened him with beatings, and kicked him in the shin while taking him for interrogation.
The border police forces pulled his coat and shirt off during arrest, but kept him outside for about an hour despite cold temperatures, he said. Human Rights Watch observed photographs of police arresting him and marks on the boy’s leg consistent with his account.
Two of the boys Human Rights Watch interviewed said they had urinated on themselves in fear at the time of their arrests, and three said they had experienced nightmares and difficulty in sleeping afterward.
The families of the 14-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy said they were not allowed to visit or even call during their detention – 64 days for the girl and 110 for the boy.
Another 15-year-old boy from Occupied Jerusalem, Fares Shyukhi, said Israeli border police officers strip-searched, slapped and kicked him, threatened him, and jailed him from March 6 to April 2, 2014, on suspicion of throwing stones and a Molotov cocktail at an illegal settlement in his neighborhood. He was later released to indefinite house arrest, but jailed again from late October to January 6, 2015, after failing to appear at a court hearing, his family said.
Human Rights Watch investigations indicate that existing laws are insufficient to safeguard the rights of Palestinian children in the custody of the Israeli police.
Human Rights Watch interviewed four boys, ages 11, 12, and 15, from different neighborhoods of Occupied Jerusalem, and a 14-year-old girl and 15-year-old boy from elsewhere in the West Bank, whom Israeli forces arrested or detained in separate incidents for allegedly throwing rocks from March to December 2014, HRW said.
The children and their parents gave accounts of abuses during arrest and interrogation that caused the children pain, fear, and ongoing anxiety. Human Rights Watch has seen photos and marks on the body of one of the children, consistent with the accounts he and his parents had given; the children’s accounts were also consistent with each other, the same source added.
“Israeli forces’ mistreatment of Palestinian children is at odds with its claim to respect children's rights,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director. “As Israel’s largest military donor, the US should press hard for an end to these abusive practices and for reforms.”
In every case Human Rights Watch documented, the children and their parents told Human Rights Watch that Israeli authorities did not inform parents of their child’s arrest and interrogated the children without permitting them to speak to a parent or lawyer prior to the interrogation.
Two 15-year-old boys and the 14-year-old girl said they signed confessions written in Hebrew, a language they do not understand, after interrogators threatened them. One boy said police “punched and kicked” him, then presented him with the Hebrew confession to sign.
Rashid S., 11, said that Israeli border police forces officers threw a stun grenade at him and put him in a chokehold when they arrested him for throwing stones in November. He said that officers put a black bag over his head, threatened him with beatings, and kicked him in the shin while taking him for interrogation.
The border police forces pulled his coat and shirt off during arrest, but kept him outside for about an hour despite cold temperatures, he said. Human Rights Watch observed photographs of police arresting him and marks on the boy’s leg consistent with his account.
Two of the boys Human Rights Watch interviewed said they had urinated on themselves in fear at the time of their arrests, and three said they had experienced nightmares and difficulty in sleeping afterward.
The families of the 14-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy said they were not allowed to visit or even call during their detention – 64 days for the girl and 110 for the boy.
Another 15-year-old boy from Occupied Jerusalem, Fares Shyukhi, said Israeli border police officers strip-searched, slapped and kicked him, threatened him, and jailed him from March 6 to April 2, 2014, on suspicion of throwing stones and a Molotov cocktail at an illegal settlement in his neighborhood. He was later released to indefinite house arrest, but jailed again from late October to January 6, 2015, after failing to appear at a court hearing, his family said.
Human Rights Watch investigations indicate that existing laws are insufficient to safeguard the rights of Palestinian children in the custody of the Israeli police.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) at dawn Monday and yesterday evening kidnapped five Palestinians and summoned two others during campaigns in occupied Jerusalem and al-Khalil.
Local sources said that 15 policemen at least stormed at an early morning hour today the house of Shahada Qarra'in in Ras al-Amud neighborhood, south of the Aqsa Mosque, and kidnapped his 17-year-old grandson Suleiman.
Three Palestinian kids were also kidnapped from their homes on Sunday evening during a police campaign in the same neighborhood.
The boys were identified as Ahmed al-Ghoul, 17, Fathi Naser, 18, and Nour al-Zaghel, 17.
The Israeli police also broke into and ransacked on Sunday night the house of a Palestinian young man called Osama Barham in al-Zeitoun Mount neighborhood near the Old City of Jerusalem.
During the raid, a police officer handed the family of the young man a summons ordering Osama to turn himself in immediately.
In al-Khalil, the Israeli occupation army at dawn Monday kidnapped a Palestinian young man and summoned another for interrogation during a search campaign at the main entrance to Beit Ummar town.
IOF nab Palestinian youths, peaceful worshipers in O. Jerusalem
A number of Palestinian unarmed youths and non-violent Muslim worshipers were kidnapped by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) from Occupied Jerusalem city on Sunday and Monday.
IOF at noontime Monday nabbed the Palestinian youngster Osama Barham as soon as he reached Jerusalem’s Magistrate’s Court to attend his friend’s hearing.
Eye-witnesses said Israeli intelligence officers stopped a number of Palestinian passers-by in front of the court and detained Osama shortly afterwards.
Earlier, on Sunday evening, IOF broke into Osama’s family home in Jerusalem’s neighborhood of al-Tur and wreaked havoc on the building before they handed a deportation order to one of the neighbors.
IOF further apprehended the youngster Mohamed Naser Ma’ali and the girl Sana al-Rajabi on early Monday morning from Muslims’ holy al-Aqsa Mosque on charges of chanting “Allah the Greatest” during settler-break ins.
The abductions cropped up a few hours after IOF, at dawn Sunday, kidnapped three Palestinian youngsters from Ras al-Amoud neighborhood.
According to a statement by the committee of the families of Jerusalemite detainees the IOF stormed a number of Palestinian homes in Ras al-Amoud and arrested the three young men Nour al-Deen al-Zghal, Ahmad al-Ghoul, and Fathi Nasser moments before they dragged them to al-Mascoubiya detention center in Occupied Jerusalem pending a court hearing.
Local sources said that 15 policemen at least stormed at an early morning hour today the house of Shahada Qarra'in in Ras al-Amud neighborhood, south of the Aqsa Mosque, and kidnapped his 17-year-old grandson Suleiman.
Three Palestinian kids were also kidnapped from their homes on Sunday evening during a police campaign in the same neighborhood.
The boys were identified as Ahmed al-Ghoul, 17, Fathi Naser, 18, and Nour al-Zaghel, 17.
The Israeli police also broke into and ransacked on Sunday night the house of a Palestinian young man called Osama Barham in al-Zeitoun Mount neighborhood near the Old City of Jerusalem.
During the raid, a police officer handed the family of the young man a summons ordering Osama to turn himself in immediately.
In al-Khalil, the Israeli occupation army at dawn Monday kidnapped a Palestinian young man and summoned another for interrogation during a search campaign at the main entrance to Beit Ummar town.
IOF nab Palestinian youths, peaceful worshipers in O. Jerusalem
A number of Palestinian unarmed youths and non-violent Muslim worshipers were kidnapped by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) from Occupied Jerusalem city on Sunday and Monday.
IOF at noontime Monday nabbed the Palestinian youngster Osama Barham as soon as he reached Jerusalem’s Magistrate’s Court to attend his friend’s hearing.
Eye-witnesses said Israeli intelligence officers stopped a number of Palestinian passers-by in front of the court and detained Osama shortly afterwards.
Earlier, on Sunday evening, IOF broke into Osama’s family home in Jerusalem’s neighborhood of al-Tur and wreaked havoc on the building before they handed a deportation order to one of the neighbors.
IOF further apprehended the youngster Mohamed Naser Ma’ali and the girl Sana al-Rajabi on early Monday morning from Muslims’ holy al-Aqsa Mosque on charges of chanting “Allah the Greatest” during settler-break ins.
The abductions cropped up a few hours after IOF, at dawn Sunday, kidnapped three Palestinian youngsters from Ras al-Amoud neighborhood.
According to a statement by the committee of the families of Jerusalemite detainees the IOF stormed a number of Palestinian homes in Ras al-Amoud and arrested the three young men Nour al-Deen al-Zghal, Ahmad al-Ghoul, and Fathi Nasser moments before they dragged them to al-Mascoubiya detention center in Occupied Jerusalem pending a court hearing.
Several Palestinians suffered the effects of teargas inhalation, earlier on Monday, during clashes that took place after Israeli soldiers invaded Beit Ummar town, north of the southern West Bank city of Hebron. Soldiers also searched homes, kidnapped one Palestinian.
Rateb Jabour, media spokesperson of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in Beit Ummar town, said the several army vehicles invaded the al-Batn area, and clashed with local youths.
Jabour added that several residents suffered the effects of teargas inhalation, and received treatment by local medics.
The soldiers also invaded a home, belonging to resident Suleiman Ali Mohammad Abu Ayyash, before searching and ransacking his property.
In addition, soldiers installed a roadblock on the main entrance of Beit Ummar, stopped and searched dozens of cars while examining the ID cards of the passengers and kidnapped one Palestinian identified as Salah al-‘Allami, 28 years of age.
The kidnapped Palestinian was moved to a military base, near the Karmie Tzur illegal settlement, built on Palestinian lands, south of Beit Ummar.
The soldiers also handed Khalil Abu Mariya, 28 years of age, a military order for interrogation in the Gush Etzion base, and detained several Palestinians while searching their cars and inspecting their ID cards.
In addition, troops installed a number of roadblocks on the main entrances of Sa’ir and Halhoul towns, north of Hebron, also searched cars while inspecting the ID cards of the passengers.
Rateb Jabour, media spokesperson of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in Beit Ummar town, said the several army vehicles invaded the al-Batn area, and clashed with local youths.
Jabour added that several residents suffered the effects of teargas inhalation, and received treatment by local medics.
The soldiers also invaded a home, belonging to resident Suleiman Ali Mohammad Abu Ayyash, before searching and ransacking his property.
In addition, soldiers installed a roadblock on the main entrance of Beit Ummar, stopped and searched dozens of cars while examining the ID cards of the passengers and kidnapped one Palestinian identified as Salah al-‘Allami, 28 years of age.
The kidnapped Palestinian was moved to a military base, near the Karmie Tzur illegal settlement, built on Palestinian lands, south of Beit Ummar.
The soldiers also handed Khalil Abu Mariya, 28 years of age, a military order for interrogation in the Gush Etzion base, and detained several Palestinians while searching their cars and inspecting their ID cards.
In addition, troops installed a number of roadblocks on the main entrances of Sa’ir and Halhoul towns, north of Hebron, also searched cars while inspecting the ID cards of the passengers.
