Ma'an – Israeli officials have said that the US will use its veto if the UN Security Council decides to vote on approving an independent Palestinian state.
Israel Radio reported that the US supports negotiations rather than unilateral steps.
Israeli minister Uzi Landau said Israel should announce the annexation of several huge settlement outposts and the Jordan Valley if the Palestinians announce statehood at the UN.
He also said that Israel must put an end to Hamas’ "war of attrition" that he said was being waged against Israel. He also said that there should be a much larger-scale attack on Gaza than the current escalation.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Israeli army withdraws from Awarta, still under curfew
Ma'an – Israeli forces withdrew from Awarta village near Nablus on Tuesday leaving some of the houses damaged.
Mayor Qais Awwad said soldiers damaged four houses after searching the belongings of Hassan Awwad, Salah Awwad, Salim Awwad, and Najeh Muhammad Hassan Awwad.
Mayor Qais Awwad said soldiers damaged four houses after searching the belongings of Hassan Awwad, Salah Awwad, Salim Awwad, and Najeh Muhammad Hassan Awwad.
Israel closes investigation into Israeli soldiers who killed Palestinian family, including 3-year-old
Ma'an – Israel's military advocate general is to close an investigation into the shooting deaths of four Palestinian civilians who were carrying a white flag, a military spokeswoman told AFP on Tuesday.
"Due to lack of evidence, the army advocate general Avishai Mendelblit is to close the inquiry into the death of four Palestinians on January 5, 2009, in the Zaytoun area of Gaza City," the spokeswoman said.
According to Israeli human rights group B'Tselem, four members of the Haji family, including their three-year-old daughter, were killed and another nine people were injured when an Israeli tank opened fire on them, despite the fact that they were holding a white flag.
"Due to lack of evidence, the army advocate general Avishai Mendelblit is to close the inquiry into the death of four Palestinians on January 5, 2009, in the Zaytoun area of Gaza City," the spokeswoman said.
According to Israeli human rights group B'Tselem, four members of the Haji family, including their three-year-old daughter, were killed and another nine people were injured when an Israeli tank opened fire on them, despite the fact that they were holding a white flag.
Over 25% of Palestinian households live below $609 per month
Ma'an – The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics re-issued its poverty-line statistics, for the first time since 1997, saying that poverty was lower than previously believed, and now hovers at 25.7 percent of the population.
In the West Bank, 18.3 percent of Palestinians live below the poverty line, and in Gaza, that number rises sharply to 38 percent.
The poverty line was set at 2,237 shekels ($609) per month for a household of two adults and three children, taking into account the costs of health care, education, transportation, personal care, and housekeeping supplies. A "deep poverty" line was set at 1,783 shekels ($478) per month for a household of two adults and three children, taking only into account a budget for food, clothing and housing.
PCBS found 14.1 percent of Palestinians were living in deep poverty, with 8.8 percent in the West Bank and 23 percent in Gaza.
The survey found that Social Assistance for households reduced poverty among individuals by 16.8 percent in 2010, 10.7 percent in West Bank and 21.2 percent in Gaza.
In the West Bank, 18.3 percent of Palestinians live below the poverty line, and in Gaza, that number rises sharply to 38 percent.
The poverty line was set at 2,237 shekels ($609) per month for a household of two adults and three children, taking into account the costs of health care, education, transportation, personal care, and housekeeping supplies. A "deep poverty" line was set at 1,783 shekels ($478) per month for a household of two adults and three children, taking only into account a budget for food, clothing and housing.
PCBS found 14.1 percent of Palestinians were living in deep poverty, with 8.8 percent in the West Bank and 23 percent in Gaza.
The survey found that Social Assistance for households reduced poverty among individuals by 16.8 percent in 2010, 10.7 percent in West Bank and 21.2 percent in Gaza.
Israeli forces raid Palestinian villages, take 8, summon others
Ma'an – Israel's military said eight were detained overnight, while officials in Jenin said soldiers delivered summons to two men after entering their homes in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Total blockade of Gaza hits 7th day (began before violence escalated)
Ma'an – With a truce holding and calm restored in southern Israel and the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces informed Gaza crossings officials that terminals would remain closed, citing only "security reasons."
Palestinian liaison official Raed Fattouh said he was not told when goods transport would resume for Gaza, adding that the closure meant no goods had entered Gaza for a week.
Crossings were closed two days ahead of an escalation in confrontations along the Gaza border area, cutting off access to supplies including aid and humanitarian goods.
On Monday, officials warned of a crisis in the cooking gas supply, saying reserves were being depleted rapidly.
Palestinian liaison official Raed Fattouh said he was not told when goods transport would resume for Gaza, adding that the closure meant no goods had entered Gaza for a week.
Crossings were closed two days ahead of an escalation in confrontations along the Gaza border area, cutting off access to supplies including aid and humanitarian goods.
On Monday, officials warned of a crisis in the cooking gas supply, saying reserves were being depleted rapidly.
Israeli forces hold teenage girl, 2 elderly women, deputy mayor, journalist, 67 others from Awarta, accompanied by beatings & property destruction
Ma'an – Concern is mounting for the residents of Awarta, as 71 villagers including a teenage girl and two elderly women remain held in Israeli custody without charge, and official visits to ensure their well being were prevented by Israeli forces.
Three Palestinians from the village who were living in Ramallah were detained from their homes there overnight, as their relatives in Awarta, including two brothers, were detained during an overnight raid.
From Awarta, Hasan Awwad, deputy mayor of the village, and his brother Salah, a local journalist, were both detained.
During the raid on the village the local cemetery was inspected, and soldiers told residents that three old weapons were found.
Rights group Addameer said that one group of soldiers held the family of Jibril Awad captive in their home until 11:30 a.m. Tuesday.
A statement from the organization said soldiers rounded 20 members of the family into a single room of the home, and during an apparent search destroyed internal walls of the home, broke furniture and uprooted trees around the house to set up clear lines of view.
Those kept in the room for hours included 10 children and a pregnant woman, the group said, citing one family member Nauf Awad, who said he was also being detained. He said an ambulance was permitted to evacuate a sick woman and the pregnant woman from the home.
As of noon, however, soldiers remained in the home, with 18 members of the family remaining inside.
Awarta residents detained in Ramallah
Three Palestinians from the village who were living in Ramallah were detained from their homes there overnight, as their relatives in Awarta, including two brothers, were detained during an overnight raid.
From Awarta, Hasan Awwad, deputy mayor of the village, and his brother Salah, a local journalist, were both detained.
During the raid on the village the local cemetery was inspected, and soldiers told residents that three old weapons were found.
Rights group Addameer said that one group of soldiers held the family of Jibril Awad captive in their home until 11:30 a.m. Tuesday.
A statement from the organization said soldiers rounded 20 members of the family into a single room of the home, and during an apparent search destroyed internal walls of the home, broke furniture and uprooted trees around the house to set up clear lines of view.
Those kept in the room for hours included 10 children and a pregnant woman, the group said, citing one family member Nauf Awad, who said he was also being detained. He said an ambulance was permitted to evacuate a sick woman and the pregnant woman from the home.
As of noon, however, soldiers remained in the home, with 18 members of the family remaining inside.
Awarta residents detained in Ramallah
Israeli settlers continue to squat and take over Palestinian farmland in Jordan Valley
Ma'an – Residents of the Rotem settlement continued planting olive trees on lands on which they are squatting.
Israeli forces accompanied the settlers in the “Khilet Hamad” area in the northern Jordan Valley.
Aref Daraghmeh, head of Al-Maleh village council, said the lands are for Palestinian citizens who live near Ein Al-Baida village and hold official papers that prove that.
He appealed to the landowners to hold to their rights and to the human rights organizations to stop Israeli aggressions.
Israeli forces accompanied the settlers in the “Khilet Hamad” area in the northern Jordan Valley.
Aref Daraghmeh, head of Al-Maleh village council, said the lands are for Palestinian citizens who live near Ein Al-Baida village and hold official papers that prove that.
He appealed to the landowners to hold to their rights and to the human rights organizations to stop Israeli aggressions.
Israeli troops detain director of Jerusalem Media Center after he filmed Israeli jeep driving through pedestrians in Silwan
IMEMC – After filming an Israeli jeep blocking traffic and driving through pedestrians in Silwan neighborhood, in East Jerusalem, Muhammed Sadeq of the Jerusalem Media Center was detained by Israeli forces, then released soon after.
The neighborhood of Silwan has become a flashpoint for joint Palestinian-Israeli nonviolent protests against home demolitions and settler takeovers of Palestinian homes. The area was designated by the Jerusalem municipality five years ago, in the Jerusalem E1 Plan, as an area where the indigenous Palestinians would be removed, and Israeli Jewsih settlers moved in. The municipality also plans to construct a Biblical Theme Park on the site of the historic homes and buildings, after it demolishes many of the homes.
According to local sources, Muhammed Sadeq was detained along with Fakhri Abu Diab, who is the leader of a non-governmental organization in Jerusalem known as the al-Bustan Committee.
They were questioned by an Israeli soldier, who took their IDs and held the men until a crowd gathered demanding their release. After several hours, the two men were released.
A number of people known as ‘leaders’ in the non-violent struggle in Silwan neighborhood have been detained and abducted by Israeli forces in recent days. Last week, Jawad Siyam, the head of the Wadi Hilweh Information Center, was held in Israeli custody until his wife agreed to come in and be interrogated. Such coercion of witnesses is considered illegal under international law.
The neighborhood of Silwan has become a flashpoint for joint Palestinian-Israeli nonviolent protests against home demolitions and settler takeovers of Palestinian homes. The area was designated by the Jerusalem municipality five years ago, in the Jerusalem E1 Plan, as an area where the indigenous Palestinians would be removed, and Israeli Jewsih settlers moved in. The municipality also plans to construct a Biblical Theme Park on the site of the historic homes and buildings, after it demolishes many of the homes.
According to local sources, Muhammed Sadeq was detained along with Fakhri Abu Diab, who is the leader of a non-governmental organization in Jerusalem known as the al-Bustan Committee.
They were questioned by an Israeli soldier, who took their IDs and held the men until a crowd gathered demanding their release. After several hours, the two men were released.
A number of people known as ‘leaders’ in the non-violent struggle in Silwan neighborhood have been detained and abducted by Israeli forces in recent days. Last week, Jawad Siyam, the head of the Wadi Hilweh Information Center, was held in Israeli custody until his wife agreed to come in and be interrogated. Such coercion of witnesses is considered illegal under international law.
Israeli forces ransack, damage Awarta homes, confiscate more Palestinian land
IMEMC – In a cornerstone-laying ceremony Sunday, hundreds of Israeli settlers gathered to commemorate the night one month ago when five members of a family, including a baby, were stabbed to death in their beds in Itamar settlement. Although no one has yet been charged with the crime, Israeli settlers blame Palestinians, on whose land Itamar is built, and marked the event by declaring an expansion of the Itamar settlement further onto Palestinian land.
While the ceremony took place, and through the night, the nearby Palestinian village of Awarta was placed under curfew – all residents were required to remain in their homes, and Israeli troops went house to house breaking down doors and ransacking homes.
According to local sources, the soldiers broke sinks, furniture and water pipes, and spilled motor oil all over one store’s merchandise. No abductions were made.
On several occasions over the past few weeks since the murders took place, Israeli troops have placed the village of Awarta and other Palestinian towns under house arrest, and rounded up all the men of the towns. Troops abducted dozens of young men and boys, and have held them for interrogation, without charges, for weeks.
The new building on which construction has started in Itamar settlement has been named after the father of the family which was killed, Ehud Fogel, according to a settlement spokesperson.
While the ceremony took place, and through the night, the nearby Palestinian village of Awarta was placed under curfew – all residents were required to remain in their homes, and Israeli troops went house to house breaking down doors and ransacking homes.
According to local sources, the soldiers broke sinks, furniture and water pipes, and spilled motor oil all over one store’s merchandise. No abductions were made.
On several occasions over the past few weeks since the murders took place, Israeli troops have placed the village of Awarta and other Palestinian towns under house arrest, and rounded up all the men of the towns. Troops abducted dozens of young men and boys, and have held them for interrogation, without charges, for weeks.
The new building on which construction has started in Itamar settlement has been named after the father of the family which was killed, Ehud Fogel, according to a settlement spokesperson.
Israeli Military demolishes water well and farm structure In Bethlehem
IMEMC – Israeli military forces demolished a water well designed to collect rain water and an agricultural structure in al-Khader village southwest of Bethlehem on Monday.
The well and the building belong to Mohammad Dar Issa and his brothers. The well can collect some 90 cubic meter of water, and the building was 225 squared meter in area.
The Ma'an News Agency said that the bulldozer put the rubble of the building in the well in order to completely destroy it.
This demolition will severely affect Issa's work and will cause them a financial set back. The Israeli military gave no official warrant. Issa found some papers in Hebrew only near his farm, which turned later to be a demolition order.
The well and the building belong to Mohammad Dar Issa and his brothers. The well can collect some 90 cubic meter of water, and the building was 225 squared meter in area.
The Ma'an News Agency said that the bulldozer put the rubble of the building in the well in order to completely destroy it.
This demolition will severely affect Issa's work and will cause them a financial set back. The Israeli military gave no official warrant. Issa found some papers in Hebrew only near his farm, which turned later to be a demolition order.
Israel blocks Palestinian Premier from visiting West Bank village of Awarta, Israeli forces round up over 600 residents in past month
Ma'an – Israeli authorities on Sunday prevented the Palestinian Authority premier from visiting a village in the northern West Bank that has been the target of sweeping arrest raids since the murder of an Israeli family.
Salam Fayyad was scheduled to make a visit to Awarta, a small village near Nablus that sits adjacent to the illegal settlement of Itamar, where unknown attackers murdered two settlers and their three young children on March 11.
He planned to visit Awarta to express solidarity with residents and hold a general meeting with villagers at a town hall to learn about the wide-scale arrest campaign and interrogations since the murders in Itamar.
Awarta is in "Area B" of the West Bank, meaning it is theoretically administered under a joint Israeli-Palestinian security regime, according to the terms of the Oslo Accords.
Salam Fayyad was scheduled to make a visit to Awarta, a small village near Nablus that sits adjacent to the illegal settlement of Itamar, where unknown attackers murdered two settlers and their three young children on March 11.
He planned to visit Awarta to express solidarity with residents and hold a general meeting with villagers at a town hall to learn about the wide-scale arrest campaign and interrogations since the murders in Itamar.
Awarta is in "Area B" of the West Bank, meaning it is theoretically administered under a joint Israeli-Palestinian security regime, according to the terms of the Oslo Accords.
Gaza-Israel ceasefire holds, despite opposition among some resistance groups & Israeli forces
Ma'an – Reports of a ceasefire deal reached late Saturday between Israel and Palestinian factions in Gaza, were received coolly by leftist and Islamist groups on Sunday.
Israeli and Palestinian sources reported that a truce had been offered Saturday.
On Sunday, Hamas politburo member Salah Al-Bardawil said Palestinian factions in Gaza accepted the truce as they "do not want to drag the Palestinians to war amidst the changes taking place in Arab countries without media outlets focusing on Gaza."
Hamas "will be committed to a truce as long as Israel is committed as well," he said.
Israeli and Palestinian sources reported that a truce had been offered Saturday.
On Sunday, Hamas politburo member Salah Al-Bardawil said Palestinian factions in Gaza accepted the truce as they "do not want to drag the Palestinians to war amidst the changes taking place in Arab countries without media outlets focusing on Gaza."
Hamas "will be committed to a truce as long as Israel is committed as well," he said.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Groups submit petition to Israeli High Court against Israeli revocation of Palestinian right to live in Jerusalem
AlternativeInformationCenter – A petition submitted to Israel’s High Court demands that Israel stop revoking the permanent residency permits of Palestinians in the city.
HaMoked: Center for the Defense of the Individual and the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) submitted the petition on Thursday 7 April on behalf of Palestinian residents of Jerusalem, demanding that the Ministry of Interior stop revoking permanent residency permits .
The vast majority of Palestinians in East Jerusalem are permanent residents of Israel, not citizens, and are under constant threat of losing the legal right to reside in their city. According to HaMoked, in recent years, there has been a sharp rise in revocation of residency, and 2008 set a record with 4,577 revocations. Almost 50% of the total revocation of permits since Israel’s annexation of Jerusalem in 1967 occurred between the years 2006 to 2008.
Israeli legislation revokes the residential rights of Jerusalemite Palestinians after an absence of seven years, which makes studying abroad or living in the country of a foreign spouse an incredible risk. To make matters work, even living in a place like Bethlehem, just a few kilometers from Jerusalem, is considered immigration by Israeli authorities, and cause for residency revocation.
HaMoked: Center for the Defense of the Individual and the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) submitted the petition on Thursday 7 April on behalf of Palestinian residents of Jerusalem, demanding that the Ministry of Interior stop revoking permanent residency permits .
The vast majority of Palestinians in East Jerusalem are permanent residents of Israel, not citizens, and are under constant threat of losing the legal right to reside in their city. According to HaMoked, in recent years, there has been a sharp rise in revocation of residency, and 2008 set a record with 4,577 revocations. Almost 50% of the total revocation of permits since Israel’s annexation of Jerusalem in 1967 occurred between the years 2006 to 2008.
Israeli legislation revokes the residential rights of Jerusalemite Palestinians after an absence of seven years, which makes studying abroad or living in the country of a foreign spouse an incredible risk. To make matters work, even living in a place like Bethlehem, just a few kilometers from Jerusalem, is considered immigration by Israeli authorities, and cause for residency revocation.
Military commissions for 9/11 trials will keep motives for attacks hidden; NY Times & Wash Post hide Israel connections
CounterPunch, Ray McGovern – The Obama administration's decision to use a military tribunal rather than a federal criminal court to try alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four others means the real motives behind the 9/11 attacks may remain obscure.
.....the findings of report of the Pentagon-appointed U.S. Defense Science Board, which I'd suggest now has additional impact in light of the tumult in the Middle East and Northern Africa:
The Times story did include the sentence from the original report that immediately followed the (excised) sentence about Israel. So it was clearly a case of surgical removal of the offending sentence, not merely a need to shorten the paragraph.
Even More Obvious Revisions
.....the findings of report of the Pentagon-appointed U.S. Defense Science Board, which I'd suggest now has additional impact in light of the tumult in the Middle East and Northern Africa:
"Muslims do not 'hate our freedom,' but rather, they hate our policies. The overwhelming majority voice their objections to what they see as one-sided support in favor of Israel and against Palestinian rights, and the longstanding, even increasing support for what Muslims collectively see as tyrannies, most notably Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Pakistan, and the Gulf States."The FCM ignored the Defense Science Board report for two months. Finally, on Nov. 24, 2004 [the day before Thanksgiving], the New York Times published a story on the report — but with some revealing surgery in the above paragraph. The Times quoted the first sentence, but pressed the delete button for the one on what Muslims do object to — "what they see as one-sided support in favor of Israel and against Palestinian rights…"
The Times story did include the sentence from the original report that immediately followed the (excised) sentence about Israel. So it was clearly a case of surgical removal of the offending sentence, not merely a need to shorten the paragraph.
Even More Obvious Revisions
Gaza: Fuel crisis looms as crossings remain closed by Israeli forces
Ma'an – For the sixth day in a row crossings into the Gaza Strip were closed by Israeli forces maintaining a blockade on the coastal enclave, telling Palestinian liaison officers that the closure was for "security reasons."
Closures began on Tuesday, two days ahead of spike in border violence which saw 18 killed by Israeli strikes in Gaza - including at least six civilians - and two injured in Israel. The closure continues despite an announced ceasefire deal that went into place before midnight on Sunday.
Palestinian liaison official Raed Fattouh said the closure of the crossings, which supply the 1.6 million residents of Gaza with humanitarian aid, domestic-use fuel and limited commercial goods, was devastating for the commercial sector.
Vice President of the Oil and Gas Station Owners Union Mahmud Al-Khazandar said a fuel crisis was looming, and that fuel had not entered Gaza for 11 days.
Even before crossings were closed for "security reasons," Al-Khazandar said fuel had stopped being transferred into the coastal enclave.
Closures began on Tuesday, two days ahead of spike in border violence which saw 18 killed by Israeli strikes in Gaza - including at least six civilians - and two injured in Israel. The closure continues despite an announced ceasefire deal that went into place before midnight on Sunday.
Palestinian liaison official Raed Fattouh said the closure of the crossings, which supply the 1.6 million residents of Gaza with humanitarian aid, domestic-use fuel and limited commercial goods, was devastating for the commercial sector.
Vice President of the Oil and Gas Station Owners Union Mahmud Al-Khazandar said a fuel crisis was looming, and that fuel had not entered Gaza for 11 days.
Even before crossings were closed for "security reasons," Al-Khazandar said fuel had stopped being transferred into the coastal enclave.
US to give Israel $205 million additional aid for "Iron Dome," none for Palestinian protection from Israeli attacks
Ynet – Democrats, republicans slated to approve 2011 budget this week enabling Obama to increase security aid to Israel, transfer $205 million for development of anti-missile system [but none for Palestinians, of whom over six times more have been killed than Israelis, develop anti-missile system. In the past two weeks Israeli strikes have killed approximately 24 Palestinians; no Israelis have been killed.]
The United States is slated to provide Israel with $430 million worth of security aid in the near future which will include $205 million allocated for the development of Iron Dome batteries.
Democrats and republicans are slated to finalize the 2011 budget in the coming days.
The delay in the approval of the funds was caused by foot-dragging in passing the budget in Congress.
The budget was meant to pass five months ago but partisan conflicts delayed its approval.
According to an agreement between the US and Israel for the next 10 years, 2011 aid was slated to grow to $3 billion (from $2.77 billion) in addition to an extra $205 million for the development of the Iron Dome system.
It is estimated Obama will sign the 2011 budget on Wednesday or Thursday.
The United States is slated to provide Israel with $430 million worth of security aid in the near future which will include $205 million allocated for the development of Iron Dome batteries.
Democrats and republicans are slated to finalize the 2011 budget in the coming days.
The delay in the approval of the funds was caused by foot-dragging in passing the budget in Congress.
The budget was meant to pass five months ago but partisan conflicts delayed its approval.
According to an agreement between the US and Israel for the next 10 years, 2011 aid was slated to grow to $3 billion (from $2.77 billion) in addition to an extra $205 million for the development of the Iron Dome system.
It is estimated Obama will sign the 2011 budget on Wednesday or Thursday.
Israeli foreign minister Lieberman to be served draft indictment for graft in next 24 hours
Ha'aretz – Attorney General to announce indictment against foreign minister on charges of fraud, money laundering, and breach of trust; Lieberman to be granted right to a hearing before indictment is filed.
Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein is expected to announce Monday or Tuesday that he intends on filing an indictment against Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on charges of fraud, money laundering, and breach of trust.
A draft indictment will be handed to Lieberman's attorneys and he will be granted the right to a hearing to try to prevent the indictment.
If Lieberman chooses to engage in the hearing, he will not need to resign from the cabinet. However if Lieberman passes on a hearing in order to prevent exposing his line of defense during a trial, an indictment will be served against him which may bear serious consequences to his role in the cabinet.
Over the past several weeks, Weinstein has been refining the wording of the draft indictment, which was the subject of much debate among those composing the document.
The discussion between the State Prosecution and the Attorney General regarding Lieberman's case continued for more than a year and a half, since the head of the police investigations and intelligence division, Yoav Segalovich, recommended putting Lieberman on trial.
Segalovich recommended indicting Lieberman on charges of bribery, fraud, money laundering, breach of trust, witness harassment, and obstruction of justice.
Police believe that he received more than NIS 10 million in bribes from businessmen including Martin Schlaff and Michael Chernoy. The money was allegedly laundered via a series of shell companies and fictitious bank accounts overseas.
Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein is expected to announce Monday or Tuesday that he intends on filing an indictment against Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on charges of fraud, money laundering, and breach of trust.
A draft indictment will be handed to Lieberman's attorneys and he will be granted the right to a hearing to try to prevent the indictment.
If Lieberman chooses to engage in the hearing, he will not need to resign from the cabinet. However if Lieberman passes on a hearing in order to prevent exposing his line of defense during a trial, an indictment will be served against him which may bear serious consequences to his role in the cabinet.
Over the past several weeks, Weinstein has been refining the wording of the draft indictment, which was the subject of much debate among those composing the document.
The discussion between the State Prosecution and the Attorney General regarding Lieberman's case continued for more than a year and a half, since the head of the police investigations and intelligence division, Yoav Segalovich, recommended putting Lieberman on trial.
Segalovich recommended indicting Lieberman on charges of bribery, fraud, money laundering, breach of trust, witness harassment, and obstruction of justice.
Police believe that he received more than NIS 10 million in bribes from businessmen including Martin Schlaff and Michael Chernoy. The money was allegedly laundered via a series of shell companies and fictitious bank accounts overseas.
Rights group calls for monitoring of mass Awarta arrests, over 600 taken in past month, women harrassed
Ma'an – The Ramallah-based rights group Addameer issued a call Sunday for international observation and intervention over the mass arrest campaigns being carried out in the West Bank village of Awarta by Israeli forces.
Sunday morning another nine men and women were detained, bringing to five the number of arrest raids, which rounded up a combined 600-700 residents since 11 March, when five settlers were murdered in their beds, including two children and an infant.
Israel's investigation of the killings appears to be centered on Awarta village residents, though no suspects have been identified and the case remains under gag-order.
"These arrests have taken place despite the fact that no evidence has been brought forth to indicate that the murders are related to Awarta, suggesting a campaign of collective punishment against the village," Addameer said in a statement.
The statement said 55 villagers remain in detention, are being held without charge, and include two under the age of 18.
"The arrest procedures also raised serious concerns," the organization said, citing reports of detention of the elderly, sick and pregnant, saying they were "unlikely candidates for the brutal murders."
Addameer said it was concerned that "no female soldiers were present and no arrest warrants were presented during the arrest operation," adding that home-to-home searches lasted up to three hours, and residents were harassed by masked soldiers who used sniffer dogs to search homes, terrorizing families.
"The women’s treatment at the Huwwara Detention Center fell short of basic requirements of international law," the center further accused, saying many of were arrested in their night gowns, were held in barracks used as military sleeping quarters, and were interrogated repeatedly.
"They were then asked to sign a 2-page statement in Hebrew, a language they do not understand, and threatened with prolonged detention if they chose not to sign it," the organization said, adding that no lawyers were present for the duration.
In response to the violations cited by the organization, they asked that international observers be installed in the village to monitor the situation in Awarta.
Sunday morning another nine men and women were detained, bringing to five the number of arrest raids, which rounded up a combined 600-700 residents since 11 March, when five settlers were murdered in their beds, including two children and an infant.
Israel's investigation of the killings appears to be centered on Awarta village residents, though no suspects have been identified and the case remains under gag-order.
"These arrests have taken place despite the fact that no evidence has been brought forth to indicate that the murders are related to Awarta, suggesting a campaign of collective punishment against the village," Addameer said in a statement.
The statement said 55 villagers remain in detention, are being held without charge, and include two under the age of 18.
"The arrest procedures also raised serious concerns," the organization said, citing reports of detention of the elderly, sick and pregnant, saying they were "unlikely candidates for the brutal murders."
Addameer said it was concerned that "no female soldiers were present and no arrest warrants were presented during the arrest operation," adding that home-to-home searches lasted up to three hours, and residents were harassed by masked soldiers who used sniffer dogs to search homes, terrorizing families.
"The women’s treatment at the Huwwara Detention Center fell short of basic requirements of international law," the center further accused, saying many of were arrested in their night gowns, were held in barracks used as military sleeping quarters, and were interrogated repeatedly.
"They were then asked to sign a 2-page statement in Hebrew, a language they do not understand, and threatened with prolonged detention if they chose not to sign it," the organization said, adding that no lawyers were present for the duration.
In response to the violations cited by the organization, they asked that international observers be installed in the village to monitor the situation in Awarta.
A dozen police chiefs from major U.S. cities to go to Israel to learn about homeland security
Milwaukee, AP – Milwaukee County [Illinois] Sheriff David Clarke is going to Israel to learn more about homeland security. He's going with group of about a dozen police chiefs and county sheriffs from major American cities from Sunday through April 16. They will discuss best practices in airport security, intelligence analysis and sharing, mass casualty management, security for large groups of people and bomb disposal technology and practices. In a statement, Clarke says he sees the Israeli police and Israeli National Defense as the pre-eminent authorities for homeland security having to deal with it on a daily basis for decades. The American Israel Educational Foundation is paying for the trip.
See related story: Making America as ‘Secure’ as Israel, 2005:
See related story: Making America as ‘Secure’ as Israel, 2005:
When you’re receiving advice “free” or otherwise, it’s wise to first evaluate the source. It’s probably not the best idea to hire a squinting optometrist, a limping podiatrist, or a toothless dentist. If you’re considering a heart surgeon and a search for his previous patients turns up too many graves, perhaps it’s time to reconsider. In fact, if he’s having heart pains, in all kindness perhaps you should call him a doctor. Read more
Israeli forces abduct 3, settlers burn Palestinian shops in Hebron
WAFA – Israeli forces Monday arrested three Palestinians from the governorate of Hebron, in the southern West Bank, while Jewish settlers attacked businesses in the center of Hebron city, according to local sources.
Israeli forces set up military checkpoints through Hebron governorate, including the towns of Halhoul, Dura, and Aroub and Fawwar refugee camps. Soldiers stopped vehicles to check passenger identification papers.
Eyewitnesses said a number of settlers attacked Palestinian businesses in al-Shuhadaa [Martyrs] street in the center of Hebron city and burnt shoes, stalls, and shop fronts.
Israeli forces set up military checkpoints through Hebron governorate, including the towns of Halhoul, Dura, and Aroub and Fawwar refugee camps. Soldiers stopped vehicles to check passenger identification papers.
Eyewitnesses said a number of settlers attacked Palestinian businesses in al-Shuhadaa [Martyrs] street in the center of Hebron city and burnt shoes, stalls, and shop fronts.
Israeli military continues to abduct residents from West Bank village of Awarta, 20 more yesterday
WAFA – Israeli forces Monday continue their widespread military operation in Awarta village, near Nablus in the northern West Bank, for the third day, according to local sources.
Qais Awwad, head of the local council, said some village areas remain under curfew as Israeli soldiers continue to raid homes and arrest residents.
The army, Awwad added, has not left the village since Friday night, raiding homes and terrifying the village residents.
The Israeli army has been harassing the village for a month, since the 11th March killing of five Jewish settlers in the nearby Itamar settlement, illegally constructed on Awarta land.
During this time, the army has arrested large numbers of village residents, including women. Twenty residents, including 3 women, were arrested yesterday after the Israelis reimposed the curfew and declared the village a closed military zone.
Villagers said Israeli soldiers caused extensive damage to some homes they raided, after using axes and hammers in their search.
The residents are also being prevented from reaching their land. Awwad stated that about 1000 dunums (1 dunum = 1000 square meters) of village lands are now isolated behind the road being built by the Israelis around Awarta.
The village has already lost, over the last few years, large areas of its lands, some of which were used to expand the illegal Jewish Itamar settlement.
Qais Awwad, head of the local council, said some village areas remain under curfew as Israeli soldiers continue to raid homes and arrest residents.
The army, Awwad added, has not left the village since Friday night, raiding homes and terrifying the village residents.
The Israeli army has been harassing the village for a month, since the 11th March killing of five Jewish settlers in the nearby Itamar settlement, illegally constructed on Awarta land.
During this time, the army has arrested large numbers of village residents, including women. Twenty residents, including 3 women, were arrested yesterday after the Israelis reimposed the curfew and declared the village a closed military zone.
Villagers said Israeli soldiers caused extensive damage to some homes they raided, after using axes and hammers in their search.
The residents are also being prevented from reaching their land. Awwad stated that about 1000 dunums (1 dunum = 1000 square meters) of village lands are now isolated behind the road being built by the Israelis around Awarta.
The village has already lost, over the last few years, large areas of its lands, some of which were used to expand the illegal Jewish Itamar settlement.
Palestinian official announces readiness to form Palestinian state in September
WAFA – Minister of Planning and Administrative Development, Ali al-Jarbawi, stressed Monday the readiness of the government to establish the independent Palestinian state next September.
Israeli Navy Opens Fire At Palestinian Fishing Boats
IMEMC – The Israeli Navy opened fired on Sunday evening at Palestinian fishing boats near the Khan Younis port, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip; damage was reported, no injuries.
Local sources reported that the fishing boats came under Israeli navy fire while in the area allotted for fishing before chasing them to the shore.
The Israeli navy repeatedly attacked and fired at Palestinian fishing boats and fishermen leading to dozens of casualties and inflicting damage to several boats.
Local sources reported that the fishing boats came under Israeli navy fire while in the area allotted for fishing before chasing them to the shore.
The Israeli navy repeatedly attacked and fired at Palestinian fishing boats and fishermen leading to dozens of casualties and inflicting damage to several boats.
Israeli Foreign MinisterLieberman: Israel should topple Hamas
Ma'an – Israel should not settle for a truce with Hamas in Gaza, and should instead seek to topple the Islamist rulers of the coastal strip, Israel's Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said on Monday.
"The goal that we have settled on, of seeking a return to calm, is a grave error because it will allow Hamas to reinforce along the lines of Hezbollah," Lieberman told public radio, referring to the Lebanese militia with which Israel fought a 2006 war, killing 1,200, mostly civilians.
"The objective must be to force Hamas out of power," said Lieberman, who heads the ultra-nationalist Yisrael Beitenu party.
"To return to calm accepts a war of attrition in which Hamas can determine when there is a lull and when the front is heating up," he said.
A tense truce appeared to be taking hold between Hamas and Israel early Monday, after both sides stepped back from the brink on Sunday.
The calm came after several days of confrontation between Israel and the Islamist group, which have raised tensions to their highest levels since Israel's 2008-2009 war on Gaza.
The fighting, which has left at least 18 Palestinians dead, came after an anti-tank missile fired from Gaza hit an Israeli school bus on Thursday, wounding two people, one of them a teenager who was critically injured.
Hamas said the attack was in response to an earlier Israeli assassination of three senior members of the Islamist group, but claimed school children were not targeted, citing heavy use of the road where the projectile landed of military vehicles.
Israel responded to the bus attack with air strikes across the Gaza Strip, as Palestinian militant groups fired a barrage of rockets and mortar rounds into southern Israel, causing no further injuries.
But both Israeli and Hamas officials expressed interest in a truce by Sunday, and the rate of rocket fire dropped off significantly as a period of calm took hold. Hamas had offered a truce on Thursday evening, an hour ahead of a series of air strikes that hit targets across Gaza, killing four militants.
Lieberman's opposition to the truce is at odds with the support expressed for a ceasefire by other Israeli officials including Defense Minister Ehud Barak, but he ruled out a coalition breakup over the issue.
"I don't want a government crisis, or to quit the coalition. We can influence much more from the inside than from the opposition," he said.
Others within Lieberman's Yisrael Beitenu party, including National Infrastructure Minister Uzi Landau, expressed support for a new campaign of assassinations targeting Hamas members.
The statements came as Israel's daily Haaretz newspaper reported that the country's attorney general was expected to announce that he intends to filing an indictment against the official on charges of fraud, money laundering, and breach of trust.
A draft indictment will be handed to Lieberman's attorneys and he will be granted the right to a hearing to try to prevent the indictment, Haaretz said.
If indicted, he would be the latest in a string of Israeli leaders to be brought up on charges.
"The goal that we have settled on, of seeking a return to calm, is a grave error because it will allow Hamas to reinforce along the lines of Hezbollah," Lieberman told public radio, referring to the Lebanese militia with which Israel fought a 2006 war, killing 1,200, mostly civilians.
"The objective must be to force Hamas out of power," said Lieberman, who heads the ultra-nationalist Yisrael Beitenu party.
"To return to calm accepts a war of attrition in which Hamas can determine when there is a lull and when the front is heating up," he said.
A tense truce appeared to be taking hold between Hamas and Israel early Monday, after both sides stepped back from the brink on Sunday.
The calm came after several days of confrontation between Israel and the Islamist group, which have raised tensions to their highest levels since Israel's 2008-2009 war on Gaza.
The fighting, which has left at least 18 Palestinians dead, came after an anti-tank missile fired from Gaza hit an Israeli school bus on Thursday, wounding two people, one of them a teenager who was critically injured.
Hamas said the attack was in response to an earlier Israeli assassination of three senior members of the Islamist group, but claimed school children were not targeted, citing heavy use of the road where the projectile landed of military vehicles.
Israel responded to the bus attack with air strikes across the Gaza Strip, as Palestinian militant groups fired a barrage of rockets and mortar rounds into southern Israel, causing no further injuries.
But both Israeli and Hamas officials expressed interest in a truce by Sunday, and the rate of rocket fire dropped off significantly as a period of calm took hold. Hamas had offered a truce on Thursday evening, an hour ahead of a series of air strikes that hit targets across Gaza, killing four militants.
Lieberman's opposition to the truce is at odds with the support expressed for a ceasefire by other Israeli officials including Defense Minister Ehud Barak, but he ruled out a coalition breakup over the issue.
"I don't want a government crisis, or to quit the coalition. We can influence much more from the inside than from the opposition," he said.
Others within Lieberman's Yisrael Beitenu party, including National Infrastructure Minister Uzi Landau, expressed support for a new campaign of assassinations targeting Hamas members.
The statements came as Israel's daily Haaretz newspaper reported that the country's attorney general was expected to announce that he intends to filing an indictment against the official on charges of fraud, money laundering, and breach of trust.
A draft indictment will be handed to Lieberman's attorneys and he will be granted the right to a hearing to try to prevent the indictment, Haaretz said.
If indicted, he would be the latest in a string of Israeli leaders to be brought up on charges.
Hamas: We won't surrender or violate truce
Ma'an – Hamas politburo member Salah Al-Bardawil said Sunday that “Israel apparently approved the truce with Palestinian factions,” affirming that “factions will be committed to truce as long as Israel is committed as well.”
'Dahlan's failing mental health treated in Israel'
Ma'an – TEL AVIV, Israel (Ma'an) -- Former Fatah strongman Muhammad Dahlan's mental health is rapidly deteriorating, according to a 2005 assessment by a top Israeli security official made public Sunday by WikiLeaks.
In a message to Washington sent from the US embassy in Tel Aviv, then head of the Israeli Defense Ministry's political-security branch Amos Gilad described Dahlan as "a man whose emotional and mental health" was declining fast.
In a message to Washington sent from the US embassy in Tel Aviv, then head of the Israeli Defense Ministry's political-security branch Amos Gilad described Dahlan as "a man whose emotional and mental health" was declining fast.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Arab League to ask UN to impose no-fly zone over Gaza
Xinhua – The Arab League (AL) said on Sunday it would ask the United Nations to consider imposing a no-fly zone over the Gaza Stripe to protect the civilians against Israeli air strikes.
In a statement issued after an emergency meeting of the pan- Arab organization at the permanent delegates' level in its Cairo headquarter, the AL said it would ask the United Nation Security Council to convene an emergency meeting to discuss the Israeli aggression over Gaza to lift the siege and impose a no-fly zone against the Israeli military to protect civilians.
The statement rejected the double standard policies towards the Palestinian case, urging the UN Security Council and the Quartet committee to bear all responsibilities for halting the subsequent massacres and provide an international protection for the unarmed citizens.
The AL also called upon the international community to take all necessary measures and procedures to deter Israel from continuing committing war crimes against humanity.
Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa affirmed after the meeting that the Arabs' stand toward the Palestinian cause remains steadfast despite the recent incidents engulfing some Arab countries.
The AL meeting was held upon a request from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to discuss the Israeli attacks in Gaza.
Since Thursday, Israeli artillery and helicopters have been shelling different locations across the Gaza strip, killing about 19 Palestinians and injuring 62 others.
Through the Security Council, the Palestinians want " international sanctions on Israel to force it to stop escalation in Gaza and the campaign of terror in the West Bank," said Saleh Ra'fat, a member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization on Sunday.
Violence in Gaza started when Hamas, which holds sway there, fired a rocket at an Israeli school bus, critically wounding a 16- year-old student [which came after Israeli forces killed five Palestinians]. Hamas later said it did not know the bus was carrying students.
Ahmad Bahar, a Hamas official, said on Sunday that his movement hopes the AL would take practical decisions stopping the Israeli attacks and supporting the Palestinians. He also called for the lifting of Israeli closure that was imposed on Gaza when Hamas seized control there in 2007.
In a statement issued after an emergency meeting of the pan- Arab organization at the permanent delegates' level in its Cairo headquarter, the AL said it would ask the United Nation Security Council to convene an emergency meeting to discuss the Israeli aggression over Gaza to lift the siege and impose a no-fly zone against the Israeli military to protect civilians.
The statement rejected the double standard policies towards the Palestinian case, urging the UN Security Council and the Quartet committee to bear all responsibilities for halting the subsequent massacres and provide an international protection for the unarmed citizens.
The AL also called upon the international community to take all necessary measures and procedures to deter Israel from continuing committing war crimes against humanity.
Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa affirmed after the meeting that the Arabs' stand toward the Palestinian cause remains steadfast despite the recent incidents engulfing some Arab countries.
The AL meeting was held upon a request from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to discuss the Israeli attacks in Gaza.
Since Thursday, Israeli artillery and helicopters have been shelling different locations across the Gaza strip, killing about 19 Palestinians and injuring 62 others.
Through the Security Council, the Palestinians want " international sanctions on Israel to force it to stop escalation in Gaza and the campaign of terror in the West Bank," said Saleh Ra'fat, a member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization on Sunday.
Violence in Gaza started when Hamas, which holds sway there, fired a rocket at an Israeli school bus, critically wounding a 16- year-old student [which came after Israeli forces killed five Palestinians]. Hamas later said it did not know the bus was carrying students.
Ahmad Bahar, a Hamas official, said on Sunday that his movement hopes the AL would take practical decisions stopping the Israeli attacks and supporting the Palestinians. He also called for the lifting of Israeli closure that was imposed on Gaza when Hamas seized control there in 2007.
Gaza government says Israeli forces fired 3 phosphorous missiles at Gaza
Qassam – The Israeli war crime documentation commission has confirmed on Friday that it continues to document war crimes as Israeli occupation forces (IOF) raided several sites in the Strip......
He said the latest documented war crime was three phosphorous missiles fired over the Juhr al-Deek area east of the Gaza Strip's central province.... Read more
He said the latest documented war crime was three phosphorous missiles fired over the Juhr al-Deek area east of the Gaza Strip's central province.... Read more
Israeli forces raid Palestinian towns & villages in West Bank, abduct 14 total
WAFA – Israeli soldiers raided Sunday the village of Awarta, east of Nablus in the northern West Bank, and arrested 7 Palestinian men and 2 women, said local residents.
Head of Awarta village council Qais Awwad said several military vehicles raided the village and began searching homes, describing the searches as “the most hostile yet.” The soldiers have not left the village yet.
Awarta has been heavily targeted since March 11th, when a Jewish family of five was killed, by a yet unknown assailant, in the Itamar settlement illegally constructed on Awarta land. Israeli army and settlers regularly raid the village and harass the local population.
Meanwhile, in Bethlehem, soldiers broke into several homes in Al-Dawha and Hosan villages and arrested two more Palestinians, according to security sources.
In Hebron, in the southern West Bank, soldiers raided several houses at dawn and arrested two men from Beit Kahel, west of Hebron.
In the town of al-Dhahiriya, soldiers arrested a retired Palestinian officer and took him to an unknown destination.
Forces also raided Al-Oroub refugee camp and villages near Hebron, and handed one man a summons to report to the Israeli intelligence services.
Head of Awarta village council Qais Awwad said several military vehicles raided the village and began searching homes, describing the searches as “the most hostile yet.” The soldiers have not left the village yet.
Awarta has been heavily targeted since March 11th, when a Jewish family of five was killed, by a yet unknown assailant, in the Itamar settlement illegally constructed on Awarta land. Israeli army and settlers regularly raid the village and harass the local population.
Meanwhile, in Bethlehem, soldiers broke into several homes in Al-Dawha and Hosan villages and arrested two more Palestinians, according to security sources.
In Hebron, in the southern West Bank, soldiers raided several houses at dawn and arrested two men from Beit Kahel, west of Hebron.
In the town of al-Dhahiriya, soldiers arrested a retired Palestinian officer and took him to an unknown destination.
Forces also raided Al-Oroub refugee camp and villages near Hebron, and handed one man a summons to report to the Israeli intelligence services.
Israeli special forces take archaeological materials in Palestinian city of Nablus
WAFA – Israeli special forces Sunday seized Archaeological materials in khirbat- Sirah, southeast of Nablus city.
Witnesses told WAFA that special forces seized ancient stones, put them inside their vehicle, and said they would return to the area to take the other stones.
Witnesses told WAFA that special forces seized ancient stones, put them inside their vehicle, and said they would return to the area to take the other stones.
Israeli Police Dog Attacks Palestinian in Hebron
WAFA – An Israeli police dog Sunday attacked and injured a Palestinian in Ramadin, a village south of Hebron.
Security sources said that Israeli forces detained Mohammed Abu Ka’oud at the border area which connects the Be'er Sheva area with Ramadin village; when a police dog attacked and injured him. He was transported to 'Soroka’ Israeli hospital for treatment.
Security sources said that Israeli forces detained Mohammed Abu Ka’oud at the border area which connects the Be'er Sheva area with Ramadin village; when a police dog attacked and injured him. He was transported to 'Soroka’ Israeli hospital for treatment.
50 armed Israeli settlers from home of rabbi who authored "The Handbook for Killing of Gentiles" attack Palestinian village
Palsolidarity – At 8.30am yesterday morning around fifty settlers, some masked and armed with guns, descended from Yitzhar settlement onto the Palestinian village of Assira Al Qibliya. International observers from the UK and Ireland witnessed the settlers threw rocks at homes and people on the outskirts of the village injuring one local, who is being treated in hospital.
Within thirty minutes an army jeep carrying Israeli soldiers arrived. They stood in front of the settlers on the hillside approximately one hundred metres from the Palestinian homes yet did nothing to prevent their attacks. The soldiers could be seen firing guns into the air and directly towards the Palestinians who had come out of their homes to witness and document this attack on their village.
During the attack four settlers broke away from the main group and made their way to a Palestinian quarry. Two armed with machine guns stood on a ledge while two descended onto the side of the road and set fire to a car used by the Palestinian workers.
The settlement of Yitzhar was originally established as a military outpost in 1983 but demilitarised and turned over to residential purposes a year later. Yitzhar is home to a Jewish orthodox community of over 100 who have in the past decade attacked the residents and properties of Assira Al Qibliya and neighbouring villages on numerous occasions using rocks, knives, guns and arson. These attacks often happen on Saturdays, the religious holiday of Shabbat.
Yitzhar is home to Rabbi Elitzur who published a book last November entitled “The Handbook for the Killing of Gentiles”, condoning the murder of non-Jewish babies, lest they grow to “be dangerous like their parents”. Rabbi Elitzur is vocal in his encouragement of “operations of reciprocal responsibility” such as the arson attack made on Yasuf mosque in December 2009
Despite West Banks settlements’ status as illegal under international law, Yitzhar was included in the Israeli governments’ 2009 “national priority map” as one of the settlements earmarked for financial support. Yitzhar also receives significant funding from American donations, tax-deductible under U.S. government tax breaks for ‘charitable’ institutions.
Within thirty minutes an army jeep carrying Israeli soldiers arrived. They stood in front of the settlers on the hillside approximately one hundred metres from the Palestinian homes yet did nothing to prevent their attacks. The soldiers could be seen firing guns into the air and directly towards the Palestinians who had come out of their homes to witness and document this attack on their village.
During the attack four settlers broke away from the main group and made their way to a Palestinian quarry. Two armed with machine guns stood on a ledge while two descended onto the side of the road and set fire to a car used by the Palestinian workers.
The settlement of Yitzhar was originally established as a military outpost in 1983 but demilitarised and turned over to residential purposes a year later. Yitzhar is home to a Jewish orthodox community of over 100 who have in the past decade attacked the residents and properties of Assira Al Qibliya and neighbouring villages on numerous occasions using rocks, knives, guns and arson. These attacks often happen on Saturdays, the religious holiday of Shabbat.
Yitzhar is home to Rabbi Elitzur who published a book last November entitled “The Handbook for the Killing of Gentiles”, condoning the murder of non-Jewish babies, lest they grow to “be dangerous like their parents”. Rabbi Elitzur is vocal in his encouragement of “operations of reciprocal responsibility” such as the arson attack made on Yasuf mosque in December 2009
Despite West Banks settlements’ status as illegal under international law, Yitzhar was included in the Israeli governments’ 2009 “national priority map” as one of the settlements earmarked for financial support. Yitzhar also receives significant funding from American donations, tax-deductible under U.S. government tax breaks for ‘charitable’ institutions.
Israeli military fires on villagers & internationals trying to plant olive trees in West Bank village of Iraq Burin
Palsolidarity – Bullets and tear gas were fired upon Palestinians and internationals whilst they planted olive trees on the land legally owned by the village of Iraq Burin yesterday.
The popular committee asked for a group of internationals to assist them in planting olive trees on the village land which is close to an [Israeli] army out post and the illegal Israeli settlement of Bracha. The trees were successfully planted even under the aggressive presence of the Israeli Army.
As the trees where being planted one army jeep came close and was a looming presence as local people took the chance to go further into the land to pick “akoub” (a plant used for cooking.)
After some 20 minutes, another jeep turned up, and the heavily armed soldiers started moving towards the people. One of the soldiers was seen aiming his gun directly at one of the boys.
When one boy, who in a symbolic act of resistance, threw a stone towards the soldiers in the far distance, they responded by firing shots and tear gas directly at the people, who had to run and duck to avoid being hit. More shots were fired at the youth but it is not clear if they were live or rubber coated steel bullets. However, what was clear was the completely disproportionate use of weapons and force on people partaking in a peaceful act of planting trees.
Despite the dangerous aggression of the Israeli army all 50 olive trees were planted on the hillside and three in the local cemetery – one for each of the boys that were killed in the village in the last year. On 19th March 2010, 16-year-old Muhammed Qadus, together with his cousin Asaud Qadus were shot and killed by the Israeli Army during a peaceful demonstration. On the 27th January this year, 19-year-old Oday Maher Hamza Qadous was shot dead by a settler on the hilltop just outside the village.
The popular committee asked for a group of internationals to assist them in planting olive trees on the village land which is close to an [Israeli] army out post and the illegal Israeli settlement of Bracha. The trees were successfully planted even under the aggressive presence of the Israeli Army.
As the trees where being planted one army jeep came close and was a looming presence as local people took the chance to go further into the land to pick “akoub” (a plant used for cooking.)
After some 20 minutes, another jeep turned up, and the heavily armed soldiers started moving towards the people. One of the soldiers was seen aiming his gun directly at one of the boys.
When one boy, who in a symbolic act of resistance, threw a stone towards the soldiers in the far distance, they responded by firing shots and tear gas directly at the people, who had to run and duck to avoid being hit. More shots were fired at the youth but it is not clear if they were live or rubber coated steel bullets. However, what was clear was the completely disproportionate use of weapons and force on people partaking in a peaceful act of planting trees.
Despite the dangerous aggression of the Israeli army all 50 olive trees were planted on the hillside and three in the local cemetery – one for each of the boys that were killed in the village in the last year. On 19th March 2010, 16-year-old Muhammed Qadus, together with his cousin Asaud Qadus were shot and killed by the Israeli Army during a peaceful demonstration. On the 27th January this year, 19-year-old Oday Maher Hamza Qadous was shot dead by a settler on the hilltop just outside the village.
Gazans describe situation, Israeli forces continued fire as civilians tried to rescue wounded
Palsolidarity – On the afternoon of Thursday April 7th, Israeli forces escalated their attacks on the Gaza Strip. The murderous offensive has killed 18 people so far, the majority of them being civilians. Among the massacred are a mother, her daughter, two children, two elderly men and four members of Al Qassam Brigades. More than sixty people have been injured, some are still fighting for their lives. Since Thursday afternoon the Gaza Strip is besieged by drones, Apache helicopters, F16 and E15 fighter planes, gunboats in the south and tanks by the border.
At approximately 16:00 on Thursday, Israeli forces targeted areas surrounding the previously destroyed Gaza International Airport in the far southeast of Rafah city, in the south of the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces positioned along the border fired approximately 10 artillery shells, while Apache helicopters opened machine gun fire. A number of the artillery shells landed near three Palestinian civilians who were sitting near the airport. Two of them, Mohammed Eyada Eid el-Mahmoum (25) and Khaled Ismail Hamdan el-Dabari (17) were killed immediately and the third civilian, Saleh Jarmi Ateya al-Tarabin (38) died of his wounds in the hospital on the evening of the same day.
Israeli forces continued to fire as a number of Palestinian civilians attempted to rescue the wounded; Musaab Mohammed Ubeid Sawwaf, 20, was killed and another 14 civilians, including five children and a paramedic from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, were wounded.
Salama El-Dabari is seated in a tent, mourning the loss of his nephew, the 17 year old Khaled Ismail Hamdan el-Dabari, while he explains to ISM volunteers what has happened.
“Khaled was following the ambulances on his motorbike, to assist the medics in evacuating the injured people. As soon as the ambulances arrived, an Apache helicopter shelled the site again. Khaled got stuck under his motorcycle, which caught fire during the shelling. The ambulances of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society were not able to evacuate him immediately. They recovered his body the next morning, covered in burns, with open head wounds, a hole in the abdomen, bullets in the legs and without hands. His father, my brother, was looking for him, but we didn’t want him to see his son in such a condition, so we sent him home before evacuating Khaled’s body.”
Salama switches to the inequality of the conflict and says the following: “Look at us, the Palestinians; we are a peaceful people who are trying to shake off the occupation to live in freedom. But we don’t have any meaningful military power: we have no drones nor F16′s, we don’t have any of Israel’s modern weaponry. There is no comparison possible. We are desperate. Nobody seems to care about the Palestinians and our struggle for justice.”
21 year old Abdel Hadi Jumma el-Sufi is one of the injured and is currently hospitalized in Shifa hospital in Gaza City. He stares at the ceiling of his hospital room while recalling the murderous event.
“One of the men was hit in the beginning of the attack, so me and my friends approached to evacuate him. We found out that the man was already dead. Tanks kept on shelling and killed another man. We managed to get the two dead bodies and one severely wounded man out of there, into the ambulance, but could not reach the fourth man as shelling prevented us. I thought he was still alive, but in the morning the ambulance recovered another dead body from the scene.” Abdel himself sustained shrapnel wounds to his legs, lungs and the back of his head and is currently awaiting surgery.
20 year old Mahdi Joma’a Abu Athra is worst off: the doctor at Europa hospital in Khan Younes describes him as a dead body kept alive by machinery. His maternal uncles are sitting around the hospital bed and are explaining that Mahdi got married a couple of months ago: his wife is pregnant. It seems unlikely that Mahdi will ever lay eyes on his firstborn.
One of the uncles bursts out: “How come the West is so interested in defending the Lybian’s human rights and is doing nothing for the Palestinians? You, who come here in solidarity with us, should send a clear message to your countries: it is not us that is attacking Israel, it is Israel that is attacking us! They are the terrorists and the criminals! Our rockets and missiles are fireworks compared to Israel’s weaponry! They have the most high-tech accurate equipment: they can target very precisely. When they kill civilians, it’s because they intend to kill civilians!”
At approximately 16:00 on Thursday, Israeli forces targeted areas surrounding the previously destroyed Gaza International Airport in the far southeast of Rafah city, in the south of the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces positioned along the border fired approximately 10 artillery shells, while Apache helicopters opened machine gun fire. A number of the artillery shells landed near three Palestinian civilians who were sitting near the airport. Two of them, Mohammed Eyada Eid el-Mahmoum (25) and Khaled Ismail Hamdan el-Dabari (17) were killed immediately and the third civilian, Saleh Jarmi Ateya al-Tarabin (38) died of his wounds in the hospital on the evening of the same day.
Israeli forces continued to fire as a number of Palestinian civilians attempted to rescue the wounded; Musaab Mohammed Ubeid Sawwaf, 20, was killed and another 14 civilians, including five children and a paramedic from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, were wounded.
Salama El-Dabari is seated in a tent, mourning the loss of his nephew, the 17 year old Khaled Ismail Hamdan el-Dabari, while he explains to ISM volunteers what has happened.
“Khaled was following the ambulances on his motorbike, to assist the medics in evacuating the injured people. As soon as the ambulances arrived, an Apache helicopter shelled the site again. Khaled got stuck under his motorcycle, which caught fire during the shelling. The ambulances of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society were not able to evacuate him immediately. They recovered his body the next morning, covered in burns, with open head wounds, a hole in the abdomen, bullets in the legs and without hands. His father, my brother, was looking for him, but we didn’t want him to see his son in such a condition, so we sent him home before evacuating Khaled’s body.”
Salama switches to the inequality of the conflict and says the following: “Look at us, the Palestinians; we are a peaceful people who are trying to shake off the occupation to live in freedom. But we don’t have any meaningful military power: we have no drones nor F16′s, we don’t have any of Israel’s modern weaponry. There is no comparison possible. We are desperate. Nobody seems to care about the Palestinians and our struggle for justice.”
21 year old Abdel Hadi Jumma el-Sufi is one of the injured and is currently hospitalized in Shifa hospital in Gaza City. He stares at the ceiling of his hospital room while recalling the murderous event.
“One of the men was hit in the beginning of the attack, so me and my friends approached to evacuate him. We found out that the man was already dead. Tanks kept on shelling and killed another man. We managed to get the two dead bodies and one severely wounded man out of there, into the ambulance, but could not reach the fourth man as shelling prevented us. I thought he was still alive, but in the morning the ambulance recovered another dead body from the scene.” Abdel himself sustained shrapnel wounds to his legs, lungs and the back of his head and is currently awaiting surgery.
20 year old Mahdi Joma’a Abu Athra is worst off: the doctor at Europa hospital in Khan Younes describes him as a dead body kept alive by machinery. His maternal uncles are sitting around the hospital bed and are explaining that Mahdi got married a couple of months ago: his wife is pregnant. It seems unlikely that Mahdi will ever lay eyes on his firstborn.
One of the uncles bursts out: “How come the West is so interested in defending the Lybian’s human rights and is doing nothing for the Palestinians? You, who come here in solidarity with us, should send a clear message to your countries: it is not us that is attacking Israel, it is Israel that is attacking us! They are the terrorists and the criminals! Our rockets and missiles are fireworks compared to Israel’s weaponry! They have the most high-tech accurate equipment: they can target very precisely. When they kill civilians, it’s because they intend to kill civilians!”
US & Israel to drastically expand military cooperation, to function in wartime as joint task force
JTA – Defense News (subscription required) today is reporting the following:
In an unprecedented expansion of security cooperation, U.S. and Israeli specialists are planning a massive exercise aimed not only at improving coordinated defenses against rocket, missile and air attack, but at enabling the two countries to function in wartime as a joint task force (JTF).
Read more
Hamas urges Israel in rare direct appeal to halt attacks on Gaza
Ha'aretz – A senior Hamas official on Sunday made a rare direct appeal to the Israeli public to halt the current round of cross-border fighting, after a weekend of deadly violence left 19 Palestinians dead.
"We are interested in calm but want the Israeli military to stop its operations," Hamas Deputy Foreign Minister Ghazi Hamad said in an interview on Israel Radio, adding that the group would cease its rocket attacks if Israel halted its military operations against Gaza militants. Read more
"We are interested in calm but want the Israeli military to stop its operations," Hamas Deputy Foreign Minister Ghazi Hamad said in an interview on Israel Radio, adding that the group would cease its rocket attacks if Israel halted its military operations against Gaza militants. Read more
New Palestinian resistance groups surface in Gaza
Ma'an – New Palestinian military groups in the Gaza Strip have claimed responsibility, for the first time, for firing missiles at Israeli targets bordering the strip.
The "Abdullah Azzam Brigades - Marwan Haddad division - in the Levant" claimed responsibility Sunday for firing a Grad missile at the Israeli city of Ashkelon and two homemade projectiles at the Zekeim military base.
The "Abdullah Azzam Brigades - Marwan Haddad division - in the Levant" claimed responsibility Sunday for firing a Grad missile at the Israeli city of Ashkelon and two homemade projectiles at the Zekeim military base.
Sources say UN coordinator has brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel & Palestinian resistance groups
Ma'an – Palestinian sources say UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process Robert Serry managed to reach a ceasefire agreement late Saturday between Israel and Palestinian factions in Gaza.
The agreement, according to the sources, necessitates that Israel stops strikes on the Gaza Strip and Palestinian military groups commit to stop firing shells toward Israeli towns around Gaza. However, the factions have not officially announced ceasefire.
The sources highlighted that the Israelis posed a controversial point when they insisted their forces would continue to hit what they called “time bombs” which pose a threat to Israel. The Palestinian attitude to that Israeli stipulation was not clear.
Ma’an’s correspondent in Gaza said all the military groups committed to the agreement except Islamic Jihad’s Al-Quds Brigades who claimed responsibility for firing three mortar shells at the Kerem Shalom area Sunday morning.
Israel also announced later Sunday that a missile fired from Gaza hit Ashkelon causing no casualties.
The agreement, according to the sources, necessitates that Israel stops strikes on the Gaza Strip and Palestinian military groups commit to stop firing shells toward Israeli towns around Gaza. However, the factions have not officially announced ceasefire.
The sources highlighted that the Israelis posed a controversial point when they insisted their forces would continue to hit what they called “time bombs” which pose a threat to Israel. The Palestinian attitude to that Israeli stipulation was not clear.
Ma’an’s correspondent in Gaza said all the military groups committed to the agreement except Islamic Jihad’s Al-Quds Brigades who claimed responsibility for firing three mortar shells at the Kerem Shalom area Sunday morning.
Israel also announced later Sunday that a missile fired from Gaza hit Ashkelon causing no casualties.
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