Tag Archive for West Bank

| November 30, 2012
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Approved! 3,000 more homes beyond Green Line to be built.

Less than 24 hrs after the UN General Assembly recognizes Palestine as non-member state, gov’t’s top 9 ministers respond by approving construction of new housing units in Jerusalem & West Bank.

Canada says they will review its whole relationship with the Palestinian Authority

Itamar Eichner

 

Israel responds to Palestinian move at UN:Israel decided Thursday to approve the construction of an additional 3,000 housing units in Jerusalem and the West Bank.

In addition, the planning procedures of thousands of additional housing units in Jerusalem and the settlement blocs will be furthered, including in the segment connecting Ma’ale Adumim with Jerusalem, known as the E1 project. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , ,
| November 24, 2012
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1 Palestinian killed, several wounded by IDF fire on Gaza border

Hamas spokesman accuses Israel of violating the Egyptian-mediated truce, says Hamas will complain to Cairo

IDF spokeswoman says army investigating report.

By Reuters and Gili Cohen

 

Israeli gunfire across the Gaza border killed one Palestinian on Friday and wounded several others, medics said, two days after a ceasefire between the territory’s Islamist rulers Hamas and Israel took hold.

Gaza - AFP

Palestinian youths gesture during a demonstration next to the security fence standing on the Gaza border with Israel, east of Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip, on November 23, 2012. – Photo: AFP

A Hamas spokesman accused Israel of violating the Egyptian-mediated truce and said the group would complain to Cairo. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , ,
| November 22, 2012
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55 terror suspects in Judea & Samaria arrested by IDF

Number of terrorist incidents in West Bank rises in recent days, prompting large arrest operation by IDF & other security forces

According to the IDF, senior terrorist operatives were among the detainees

By Israel Hayom Staff

 

While Israel was busy with Operation Pillar of Defense on its Gaza border, the number of terrorist incidents in Judea and Samaria has risen over the past few days.

A rise in violent activity has been noted in recent days in Judea and Samaria. [Illustrative] – Photo: Oren Nachshon

On Wednesday night, the Israel Defense Forces, in cooperation with the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), the Israel Police and the Border Police, launched a large arrest operation in Judea and Samaria,

“In light of the rise in violent incidents and terrorism in Judea and Samaria in recent days, and as part of an effort by security forces to restore quiet to the area, it was decided to initiate an arrest operation,” the IDF said in a statement.

Continue Reading »
Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| October 25, 2012
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UN official calls for boycott of firms linked to Israeli settlements

A UN rapporteur on human rights alleges that companies dealing with settlers are in violation of int’l human rights laws.

 

By and Reuters

 

A U.N. investigator on Palestinian human rights urged a boycott of companies tied to Jewish settlements in occupied Palestinian Territories on Thursday, but the United States criticized the call as “irresponsible and unacceptable.”

IDF soldiers in a West Bank settlement

IDF soldiers in a West Bank settlement – Photo by Emil Salman

Richard Falk, the independent special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian Territories, said the companies – which include Hewlett Packard, Motorola, Volvo and Caterpillar – should be boycotted until they adhered to international rights standards and practices. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| October 21, 2012
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Fatah wins West Bank elections, but not by a landslide

Palestinians in the West Bank vote for mayors & local councils for 1st time since 2006

Just under 55% voted & renegades won more council seats than those officially endorsed by Fatah.

By The Associated Press and Israel Hayom Staff

 

Palestinians voted for local councils in dozens of towns in the West Bank on Saturday, but Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah movement did not get the sweeping endorsement they hoped for — even though archrival Hamas boycotted the vote.

Maysoun Qawasmi, a candidate in the Palestinian municipal elections and leading the women-only list, casts her ballot in Hebron on Saturday.

Continue Reading »
Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| October 16, 2012
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Abbas: UN recognition would foster peace with Israel

U.S. envoy to UN, Rice says Palestinian status bid jeopardizes peace process.

Abbas’ letter to Obama, says Palestinians ready to resume Israel talks if UN bid succeesful

By Reuters and

 

 

The Palestinians fended off on Tuesday U.S. criticism of their bid for upgraded status at the United Nations, saying the move would improve prospects for a peace accord with Israel, not damage them.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas sent a letter to U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday, saying he is ready to resume talks with Israel if he succeeds in obtaining UN recognition for the Palestinians.

Abbas and Obama

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, left, and U.S.

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Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , ,
| October 10, 2012
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Abbas suggests to Israel peace talks resumption after UN vote on ‘nonmember state’ status

If Abbas receives UN recognition of a Palestinian state that includes all of the West Bank, PA officials believes a settlement freeze would no longer be a condition for negotiations

 

The Palestinian president appears to be backing away from his longstanding demand for Israel to halt West Bank settlement construction before peace talks resume.

PA President Abbas with the Jordanian Prime Minister Fayez Al Tarawneh.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, right, shake hands with Jordanian Prime Minister Fayez Al Tarawneh during their meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah, October 4, 2012. – Photo by AP

Mahmoud Abbas told European diplomats Tuesday that he will resume talks after the UN votes on a Palestinian request for “nonmember state” status. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , ,
| October 8, 2012
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Nabed ‘red-handed’ – Settlers attacked cops posing as Palestinian shepherds

Undercover policemen who were posing as Palestinian shepherds were beaten by Jewish settlers with clubs.

Legal aid org: Police treats settlers like ‘worst enemies’.

By Itamar Fleishman

 

Three young Jewish settlers are suspected of attacking undercover police officers who were posing as Palestinian shepherds. One officer was injured in the incident.

According to police, the suspects punched the officers and attacked them with clubs because they assumed they were Arabs approaching the farm they were staying in. The Mount Sinai farm is located in the south Mount Hebron area.

On Sunday the Jerusalem District Court extended the suspects’ remand until Tuesday. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| September 9, 2012
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PA president: Despite U.S. pressure, Palestinians will seek UN recognition

Abbas says Palestine wants recognition as non-member state; also says gov’t employees will not receive full salaries in October because ‘donor countries’ haven’t delivered their promised charity.

 

 

Mahmoud Abbas announced Saturday that the Palestinian Authority has decided to seek United Nations recognition as a non-member state. This will happen, said the Palestinian president, despite United States pressure opposing the move.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas talks at a press conference in the West Bank city of Ramallah

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas talks at a press conference in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Sept. 8, 2012. Photo by AP

Abbas, who spoke to reporters Saturday afternoon in the West Bank city of Ramallah, said the PA intends to submit the request to the UN General Assembly on September 27. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , ,
| September 5, 2012
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West Bank Gunmen kill Palestinian Authority security chief

Colonel Hisham al-Rukh attacked while driving in the Jenin refugee camp, which has been the target of security checks by PA forces since May.

By Reuters and The Associated Press

 

Gunmen killed a colonel in the Palestinian security forces early on Wednesday when they raked his car with gunfire in the northern West Bank city of Jenin, local officials said.

Palestinian security forces

Today, security coordination between Israel and the PA continues to prove itself. Here, PA security officers with the coffins of Palestinian terrorists. – Photo by Reuters

Hisham al-Rukh was attacked while driving home in the Jenin refugee camp, which has been the focal point of a broad sweep by security forces since May following an upsurge of violence led by criminal gangs and corrupt security officers. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| September 5, 2012
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Palestinians protest cost of living by taking to streets

Due to ailing economy, self immolation incidents sweep across the PA in wave of social protests.

By Elior Levy

 

Israelis are not the only ones protesting price hikes and a general increase in the cost of living: Palestinians across the West Bank protested on Tuesday against the rising price of petrol, while police forces attempted to restore order.

Fuad Shubaki, the general director of the Palestinian Petroleum Corporation, recently announced that the Palestinian Authority is looking into the possibility of importing petrol from other countries in coordination with Israel.

Shubaki claimed that his announcement has nothing to do with the recent protests. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| September 3, 2012
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Terrorist drops bag of bombs at checkpoint

‘Would-be terrorist’  throws bag containing 4 pipe-bombs at security forces after being denied entrance into Israel; no one injured

By Itamar Fleishman

 

Pipe bombs (Archives) Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit

Pipe bombs – Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit

A Palestinian man who was denied entry to Israel by security forces stationed at the Hashmonaim checkpoint dropped a bag containing explosives and fled the scene on Wednesday.

A explosives expert who was alerted to the scene found four pipe bombs in the bag, which were then safely detonated. The security forces have launched a manhunt for the suspect.

The man arrived at the checkpoint, located near Modiin Illit, around 2 pm, and sought entry to Israel. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| August 30, 2012
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IDF levels Palestinian structures in West Bank communities

According to UN data, Israel razed 120 houses of the 400 Palestinian structures in the West Bank’s Area C this year

 

Israel yesterday destroyed five cisterns and several tents, sheepfolds and storage sites in four Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During the process, the contents of several feed sacks were spilled and damaged.

Palestinian children playing in the village of Susya, south of Hebron.

Palestinian children playing in the village of Susya, south of Hebron. Photo by Alex Levac

Altogether, according to UN data, Israel razed some 400 Palestinian structures in the West Bank’s Area C between the start of the year and mid-August, including 120 houses; more than 600 Palestinians were hurt by these demolitions. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| August 29, 2012
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High Court: Binyamin region outpost of Migron must be cleared from 4th of September

Justices says certain structures can remain up to 3 more months, until the legality of the purchasers claims can be established.

 

 

Israel must evacuate the West Bank outpost of Migron by September 4, the High Court of Justice ruled on Wednesday.

The Migron outpost

A Jewish settler walks near temporary homes in the unauthorized Jewish outpost of Migron near the city of Ramallah – Photo: Reuters

In their ruling, the panel of justices, headed by Supreme Court President Asher Grunis and participated by Deputy President Miriam Naor and justice Edna Arbel, effectively rejects the petition by 17 Migron families to stay on the premises, arguing that they had purchased the land on which their homes were built in a legal manner. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| July 25, 2012
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World Bank: Palestinian Economy is Unsustainable

World Bank says the PA economy is currently not strong enough to support a state due to foreign aid reliance.

 

The Palestinian economy’s recent growth is unsustainable because of its heavy reliance on foreign aid, a World Bank report said Wednesday.

For the past two decades, donor countries have propped the Palestinian economy by giving billions of dollars. The report said such aid has led to 7.7 percent gross domestic product growth between 2007 and 2011.The growth has been primarily in government services, real estate and other non-tradable sectors. In contrast, the report said manufacturing and agriculture have dropped significantly. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
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