16 oct 2015
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The Old City of al-Quds (Jerusalem) in the last few weeks has witnessed an explosion of Israeli forces’ presence, supposedly for ‘security reasons’.
But having a closer look at – or just opening your eyes for – the multitude of restrictions, hindrances and fears aroused by this, proves that all of this has nothing to do with ‘security’ – but everything with instilling fear in the Palestinians still resisting the manifold ways the Israeli forces are trying to expel them not only from the Old City of Jerusalem, but all of Jerusalem in general. Just two days ago, on Thursday 14th of October, Israeli forces shot and killed a 20-year old Palestinian youth. Immediately after he was shot, bystanders were forced to move back by Israeli forces, while the young |
man was lying on the ground bleeding to death, with no-one administering first aid.
Whereas Israeli settlers from settlements within East Jerusalem, illegal under international law, where allowed to get closer to take trophy-photos of yet another killed Palestinian, Israeli forces suddenly stormed towards a group of Palestinians, threatening to beat them with their rifles and batons. Palestinians, thus, were between a rock and a hard place: run and risk being shot multiple times with live ammunition for the simple act of running away from a heavily armed trigger-happy militarised force that just killed another Palestinian, or walk away slowly and be attacked by the same army.
Being forced away, Palestinians held on to their phones in their hands – prevented to take photos of the Israeli forces’ crimes – with fear high that if someone reaches into a trouser-pocket or bag to take out anything, including a phone, they would receive multiple fatal gun-shot wounds by the Israeli forces closely watching every movement of the Palestinian bystanders.
Israeli settlers, on the other hand, were free to approach the body of the youth, who, in the meantime has died without ever receiving any medical attention, to take photos. The Palestinian Red Crescent Ambulance Crew right outside Damascus Gate was physically pushed back to the ambulance and then forced to leave by the Israeli forces.
With the recent escalation of killings of Palestinians in al-Quds (Jerusalem) by Israeli forces, this is hardly an exception. This in itself, is already a message: when the killing of a Palestinian youth is no longer something ordinary, but something that just happens, something that will not be investigated under any circumstances, something that enjoys wide acceptance and often even provokes cheering by Israeli bystanders, – is it something that became ‘normal’?
Various news networks have decided that instead of bringing their equipment over and over again, it’ll be easier to leave it at Damascus Gate all the time. Sanitation workers were ordered by the Israeli forces to clean off the blood of the Palestinian youth from the ground to erase every spot of the crime just committed. Police barriers are kept outside Damascus Gate, ready to close off the entrance at any time.
The Old City of al-Quds (Jersualem) is ‘fortified’, at least two, or groups of four to ten Israeli forces, are at every corner or alleyway. Every-day life for Palestinians was forced to a halt, while Israeli forces are comfortably occupying plastic chairs kept outside of shops for tourists to rest, languishing on porches where people used to play cards, or sit in front of locked shops closed in fear of the constantly rising threat of settler and police violence against Palestinians.
The omnipresence of Israeli forces and restrictions, though, seem to be geared only towards Palestinians. The persons asked to pass through the metal detectors set up in the Old City are always Palestinians, ordered to lift up their shirts and trousers, take off their shoes and empty their bags even after passing through, from time to time with their children looking on in horror, children’s faces distorted by fear. Video
For Palestinian children, there’s no place to be a child and play, with an occupying army, waiting just around every corner, shouting at children for accidentally exploding a balloon they were playing with in their parents’ shop. Parents try to keep an eye on their children at all times, simple tasks like sending them out to buy bread might result in them going missing and a frantic search – just to find out that the Israeli police arrested minor children and did not even bother to inform their parents.
There is no regard for Palestinians basic human rights, or even respect for them as human beings. Whereas Israelis and tourists are free to roam the streets of the Old City, Palestinian residents are often stopped at any or even various of the checkpoints, forcing to explain again and again that they are residents, arguing for being allowed to do the most normal thing in life: trying to go back home.
Whereas Israeli settlers from settlements within East Jerusalem, illegal under international law, where allowed to get closer to take trophy-photos of yet another killed Palestinian, Israeli forces suddenly stormed towards a group of Palestinians, threatening to beat them with their rifles and batons. Palestinians, thus, were between a rock and a hard place: run and risk being shot multiple times with live ammunition for the simple act of running away from a heavily armed trigger-happy militarised force that just killed another Palestinian, or walk away slowly and be attacked by the same army.
Being forced away, Palestinians held on to their phones in their hands – prevented to take photos of the Israeli forces’ crimes – with fear high that if someone reaches into a trouser-pocket or bag to take out anything, including a phone, they would receive multiple fatal gun-shot wounds by the Israeli forces closely watching every movement of the Palestinian bystanders.
Israeli settlers, on the other hand, were free to approach the body of the youth, who, in the meantime has died without ever receiving any medical attention, to take photos. The Palestinian Red Crescent Ambulance Crew right outside Damascus Gate was physically pushed back to the ambulance and then forced to leave by the Israeli forces.
With the recent escalation of killings of Palestinians in al-Quds (Jerusalem) by Israeli forces, this is hardly an exception. This in itself, is already a message: when the killing of a Palestinian youth is no longer something ordinary, but something that just happens, something that will not be investigated under any circumstances, something that enjoys wide acceptance and often even provokes cheering by Israeli bystanders, – is it something that became ‘normal’?
Various news networks have decided that instead of bringing their equipment over and over again, it’ll be easier to leave it at Damascus Gate all the time. Sanitation workers were ordered by the Israeli forces to clean off the blood of the Palestinian youth from the ground to erase every spot of the crime just committed. Police barriers are kept outside Damascus Gate, ready to close off the entrance at any time.
The Old City of al-Quds (Jersualem) is ‘fortified’, at least two, or groups of four to ten Israeli forces, are at every corner or alleyway. Every-day life for Palestinians was forced to a halt, while Israeli forces are comfortably occupying plastic chairs kept outside of shops for tourists to rest, languishing on porches where people used to play cards, or sit in front of locked shops closed in fear of the constantly rising threat of settler and police violence against Palestinians.
The omnipresence of Israeli forces and restrictions, though, seem to be geared only towards Palestinians. The persons asked to pass through the metal detectors set up in the Old City are always Palestinians, ordered to lift up their shirts and trousers, take off their shoes and empty their bags even after passing through, from time to time with their children looking on in horror, children’s faces distorted by fear. Video
For Palestinian children, there’s no place to be a child and play, with an occupying army, waiting just around every corner, shouting at children for accidentally exploding a balloon they were playing with in their parents’ shop. Parents try to keep an eye on their children at all times, simple tasks like sending them out to buy bread might result in them going missing and a frantic search – just to find out that the Israeli police arrested minor children and did not even bother to inform their parents.
There is no regard for Palestinians basic human rights, or even respect for them as human beings. Whereas Israelis and tourists are free to roam the streets of the Old City, Palestinian residents are often stopped at any or even various of the checkpoints, forcing to explain again and again that they are residents, arguing for being allowed to do the most normal thing in life: trying to go back home.
Clashes along the Gaza border
Israeli forces have announced heavier deployments at the border area with Gaza, following the announcement of a Hamas-prompted "Day of Rage" planned for Friday, an Israeli army spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said, according to Ma'an News Agency, that Israeli authorities undertook a "situational assessment" following increased clashes and upheaval along the Gaza border area and have decided to deploy two more battalions along the Strip for Friday's so-called "Day of Rage".
Clashes have been frequent along the border fence recently, as Gazans have planned protests in solidarity with demonstrations in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Since the start of October, Israeli authorities have reported multiple breaches at the border fence during clashes, while Israeli forces have shot dead at least nine Gazans at the protests.
Additionally, the spokesperson said that Israel authorities announced that two battalions and two companies of Israeli troops would be deployed in the occupied West Bank.
Hamas deputy head Ismail Haniyeh, on Thursday, visited Palestinians at al-Shifa hospital who had been shot and injured by Israeli forces during recent clashes near Gaza's border with Israel.
"The message of our wounded is that Gaza, despite the distance and its deep suffering due to the siege and war, still stands behind the battle of Jerusalem, and that Gaza is in the heart of Jerusalem’s Intifada,” he said.
Since the beginning of the month, Israeli forces have killed 32 Palestinians across the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel,with at least 17 shot dead at demonstrations.
Over 360 Palestinians have been shot with live fire, 932 with rubber-coated steel bullets, and 2,365 have been injured by tear gas in daily protests across the West Bank and Gaza, according to the Red Crescent.
At least seven Israelis have been killed in the same time period, the majority of which have been killed in stabbing attacks carried out by Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem and other parts of Israel.
Factions call for “Friday of anger” across Palestine
Palestinian factions of Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Democratic Front declared October 16 a Friday of anger for supporting and confirming the continuation of Jerusalem intifada.
The factions called on Palestinians to engage in confrontations with the Israeli occupation army in the West Bank flashpoints after Friday prayers.
They urged Palestinians across the West Bank to participate in clashes in response to the crimes committed by the Israeli occupation against the Aqsa Mosque and the Palestinian people and in support of Palestinian prisoners, the wounded and families of martyrs.
They opined that Palestinians’ anger is the natural response to Israeli terrorism and crimes against Palestinian civilians and anti-occupation activists.
The factions hailed the heroic Palestinian protesters in the West Bank, Occupied Jerusalem, and 1948 Occupied Palestine and called for unity, cooperation and support of Jerusalem intifada.
They also called on the Palestinian Authority (PA) to halt security coordination with Israel and asked the PA to work on prosecuting Israel at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The factions called on the PLO executive committee to ask the UN General Assembly to impose international protection for Palestinians and to put an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Israeli forces have announced heavier deployments at the border area with Gaza, following the announcement of a Hamas-prompted "Day of Rage" planned for Friday, an Israeli army spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said, according to Ma'an News Agency, that Israeli authorities undertook a "situational assessment" following increased clashes and upheaval along the Gaza border area and have decided to deploy two more battalions along the Strip for Friday's so-called "Day of Rage".
Clashes have been frequent along the border fence recently, as Gazans have planned protests in solidarity with demonstrations in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Since the start of October, Israeli authorities have reported multiple breaches at the border fence during clashes, while Israeli forces have shot dead at least nine Gazans at the protests.
Additionally, the spokesperson said that Israel authorities announced that two battalions and two companies of Israeli troops would be deployed in the occupied West Bank.
Hamas deputy head Ismail Haniyeh, on Thursday, visited Palestinians at al-Shifa hospital who had been shot and injured by Israeli forces during recent clashes near Gaza's border with Israel.
"The message of our wounded is that Gaza, despite the distance and its deep suffering due to the siege and war, still stands behind the battle of Jerusalem, and that Gaza is in the heart of Jerusalem’s Intifada,” he said.
Since the beginning of the month, Israeli forces have killed 32 Palestinians across the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel,with at least 17 shot dead at demonstrations.
Over 360 Palestinians have been shot with live fire, 932 with rubber-coated steel bullets, and 2,365 have been injured by tear gas in daily protests across the West Bank and Gaza, according to the Red Crescent.
At least seven Israelis have been killed in the same time period, the majority of which have been killed in stabbing attacks carried out by Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem and other parts of Israel.
Factions call for “Friday of anger” across Palestine
Palestinian factions of Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Democratic Front declared October 16 a Friday of anger for supporting and confirming the continuation of Jerusalem intifada.
The factions called on Palestinians to engage in confrontations with the Israeli occupation army in the West Bank flashpoints after Friday prayers.
They urged Palestinians across the West Bank to participate in clashes in response to the crimes committed by the Israeli occupation against the Aqsa Mosque and the Palestinian people and in support of Palestinian prisoners, the wounded and families of martyrs.
They opined that Palestinians’ anger is the natural response to Israeli terrorism and crimes against Palestinian civilians and anti-occupation activists.
The factions hailed the heroic Palestinian protesters in the West Bank, Occupied Jerusalem, and 1948 Occupied Palestine and called for unity, cooperation and support of Jerusalem intifada.
They also called on the Palestinian Authority (PA) to halt security coordination with Israel and asked the PA to work on prosecuting Israel at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The factions called on the PLO executive committee to ask the UN General Assembly to impose international protection for Palestinians and to put an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
15 oct 2015
By Khalid Amayreh in occupied Palestine
Israel's seemingly hysterical reactions to ongoing Palestinian protests against efforts by Messianic Jewish fanatics to gain a foothold at the Aqsa Mosque, one of Islam's holiest sites, caricatures a state and society overwhelmed by collective psychosis and mental disorientation.
Features of this collective mental disorder includes feelings of megalomania and supremacy, utter contempt for laws and norms regulating relations among individuals and societies as well as an utter disregard for the lives and rights of the "other" in this case the Palestinians.
In projecting this all-encompassing morbidity, Israelis, including government officials, media operatives as well as ordinary people, constantly feel the urge to lie, even maliciously, in order to maintain the mental sanity of their society and reassert the staunchly-guarded myths and legends they were taught and became part of their lives since early childhood.
Thus it was the Arabs who invaded Israel, not the Zionist gangs which came to Palestine from the far reaches of Europe to arrogate a land that didn't belong to them.
And it was the Arabs who first attacked Jews, not the Jewish gangs that murdered Palestinian civilians en masse, stole their land, destroyed their homes, and bulldozed their fields before dispersing to the four winds.
Interestingly, the Zionists, after all of this, have the audacity to call their victims terrorists.
Now, the Israeli machine of mendacity is working around the clock, manufacturing lies and repeating stale lies, forgetting that this is the age of the internet, twitter and facebook.
Indeed, anyone affronted with listening to Netanyahu and his numerous mouthpieces would get the impression that it is the Palestinians who have desecrated Jewish holy places and that it is the Palestinians who are burning Jewish families alive, carrying out field executions of Jewish youngsters, setting Jewish olive groves on fire and terrorizing unprotected Jewish civilians all over the West Bank, not the other way around.
I don't know if the liars of Zion believe their own lies or not. I don't even care if they do or don't. Lying, after all, has always been a built-in Zionist character since time immemorial.
None the less, the Zionists must understand the following facts:
First, we Palestinians will cling to our ancestral homeland till death. We have no other homeland. We have no other country. We have nowhere else to go. So will stay here for ever and ever and ever, no matter how many of our children will be killed by trigger-happy Israeli soldiers.
Second, we will not accept a life of dogs or slaves or second-class citizens.
In the final analysis, we are not children of a lesser God. This means that what Jews wouldn't accept for themselves, we won't accept for ourselves and our children.
Third, we don't seek to kill Jews or throw them into the sea. We obviously cannot do that, even if we wanted.
However, we will not allow Jews to throw us into the desert as Jewish circles keep dreaming. Hence, we are here to stay. Period.
Four, the Aqsa Mosque is the ultimate red line for the vast majority of Palestinians. It is a matter of life or death for us.
Indeed, when it comes to the Haram Ash-sharif of Jerusalem, a no-hold-barred conflagration with Israel becomes inevitable.
Indeed, when the matter has to do with the Aqsa Mosque, Israel can't and shouldn't count on the likes of Mahmoud Abbas, Abdul Fattah al-Sissi or the Arab league to restore quiet because the issue transcends and overrides all these parties.
Hence, Israel must understand, that unless all attempts by government-backed Messianic Jewish fanatics to gain a foothold at the Aqsa Mosque are terminated, the present wave of unrest will continue unabated, no matter how many emergency sessions the Israeli cabinet holds, how many draconian laws are passed and punitive measures are decided against our people.
Finally, we have always hoped and we continue to hope that some level-minded Israeli leaders would step in and reverse this march of the folly, led by Netanyahu, Yaalon and Bennette, which will, if not stopped in time, take both our peoples to the squares of bloodshed and endless confrontation.
Unfortunately, what we discovered is a society and government intoxicated with the arrogance of power. So, please don't transform each and every Palestinian into a walking time bomb.
We certainly don't want to die or see our children getting killed or maimed in the streets of this tortured land.
But, for us, there are certain things that are more paramount than life itself.
Needless to say, al-Masjidul Aqsa is one of them.
Khalid Amayreh is a Palestinian current affairs commentator living in Dura near Hebron.
Israel's seemingly hysterical reactions to ongoing Palestinian protests against efforts by Messianic Jewish fanatics to gain a foothold at the Aqsa Mosque, one of Islam's holiest sites, caricatures a state and society overwhelmed by collective psychosis and mental disorientation.
Features of this collective mental disorder includes feelings of megalomania and supremacy, utter contempt for laws and norms regulating relations among individuals and societies as well as an utter disregard for the lives and rights of the "other" in this case the Palestinians.
In projecting this all-encompassing morbidity, Israelis, including government officials, media operatives as well as ordinary people, constantly feel the urge to lie, even maliciously, in order to maintain the mental sanity of their society and reassert the staunchly-guarded myths and legends they were taught and became part of their lives since early childhood.
Thus it was the Arabs who invaded Israel, not the Zionist gangs which came to Palestine from the far reaches of Europe to arrogate a land that didn't belong to them.
And it was the Arabs who first attacked Jews, not the Jewish gangs that murdered Palestinian civilians en masse, stole their land, destroyed their homes, and bulldozed their fields before dispersing to the four winds.
Interestingly, the Zionists, after all of this, have the audacity to call their victims terrorists.
Now, the Israeli machine of mendacity is working around the clock, manufacturing lies and repeating stale lies, forgetting that this is the age of the internet, twitter and facebook.
Indeed, anyone affronted with listening to Netanyahu and his numerous mouthpieces would get the impression that it is the Palestinians who have desecrated Jewish holy places and that it is the Palestinians who are burning Jewish families alive, carrying out field executions of Jewish youngsters, setting Jewish olive groves on fire and terrorizing unprotected Jewish civilians all over the West Bank, not the other way around.
I don't know if the liars of Zion believe their own lies or not. I don't even care if they do or don't. Lying, after all, has always been a built-in Zionist character since time immemorial.
None the less, the Zionists must understand the following facts:
First, we Palestinians will cling to our ancestral homeland till death. We have no other homeland. We have no other country. We have nowhere else to go. So will stay here for ever and ever and ever, no matter how many of our children will be killed by trigger-happy Israeli soldiers.
Second, we will not accept a life of dogs or slaves or second-class citizens.
In the final analysis, we are not children of a lesser God. This means that what Jews wouldn't accept for themselves, we won't accept for ourselves and our children.
Third, we don't seek to kill Jews or throw them into the sea. We obviously cannot do that, even if we wanted.
However, we will not allow Jews to throw us into the desert as Jewish circles keep dreaming. Hence, we are here to stay. Period.
Four, the Aqsa Mosque is the ultimate red line for the vast majority of Palestinians. It is a matter of life or death for us.
Indeed, when it comes to the Haram Ash-sharif of Jerusalem, a no-hold-barred conflagration with Israel becomes inevitable.
Indeed, when the matter has to do with the Aqsa Mosque, Israel can't and shouldn't count on the likes of Mahmoud Abbas, Abdul Fattah al-Sissi or the Arab league to restore quiet because the issue transcends and overrides all these parties.
Hence, Israel must understand, that unless all attempts by government-backed Messianic Jewish fanatics to gain a foothold at the Aqsa Mosque are terminated, the present wave of unrest will continue unabated, no matter how many emergency sessions the Israeli cabinet holds, how many draconian laws are passed and punitive measures are decided against our people.
Finally, we have always hoped and we continue to hope that some level-minded Israeli leaders would step in and reverse this march of the folly, led by Netanyahu, Yaalon and Bennette, which will, if not stopped in time, take both our peoples to the squares of bloodshed and endless confrontation.
Unfortunately, what we discovered is a society and government intoxicated with the arrogance of power. So, please don't transform each and every Palestinian into a walking time bomb.
We certainly don't want to die or see our children getting killed or maimed in the streets of this tortured land.
But, for us, there are certain things that are more paramount than life itself.
Needless to say, al-Masjidul Aqsa is one of them.
Khalid Amayreh is a Palestinian current affairs commentator living in Dura near Hebron.
Since the beginning of the current wave of violence, there has been a worrying trend to use firearms to kill Palestinians, a consortium of human rights organizations in Israel reported Wednesday.
Several incidents have been documented and reported, raising concern that the chosen response to such persons is the harshest possible, with lethal or – at the very least – unnecessary consequences, a joint statement by nine human rights organizations in Israel read.
In instances when Israelis have been suspected of attacks, none of the suspects has been shot, it added.
According to the organizations, Israeli politicians and senior police officers have not only failed to act to calm the public climate of incitement, but on the contrary have openly called for the extrajudicial killing of suspects. They have also urged civilians to carry weapons.
For example, Jerusalem District Police Commander Moshe Edri was quoted as saying: “Anyone who stabs Jews or hurts innocent people is due to be killed.” Interior Security Minister Gilad Arden declared that “every terrorist should know that he will not survive the attack he is about to commit.” MK Yair Lapid stated that “you have to shoot to kill anyone who pulls out a knife or screwdriver.” Much of the media joined in and encouraged a similar approach.
The bodies responsible for supervising police operations – the State Attorney’s Office and the Department for the Investigation of Police – remained silent in the face of these comments.
It seems that too often, instead of acting in a manner consistent with the nature of each incident, police officers and soldiers are quick to shoot to kill. The political and public support for such actions endorses the killing of Palestinians, the statement proceeded.
Rather than imposing collective punishment on Palestinians in the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli government should act to end the reality of ongoing and daily oppression faced by some four million people who live without hope of any change in the situation, without any horizon for the end of occupation, and without prospects for a life of liberty and dignity, the organizations added.
The statement was signed by the following organizations: Association for Civil Rights in Israel, Amnesty International – Israel Branch, B'Tselem, Gisha, Public Committee Against Torture in Israel, HaMoked – Center for the Defence of the Individual, Yesh Din – Volunteers for Human Rights, Adalah – The Legal Center for the Rights of the Arab Minority in Israel, and Physicians for Human Rights – Israel.
Several incidents have been documented and reported, raising concern that the chosen response to such persons is the harshest possible, with lethal or – at the very least – unnecessary consequences, a joint statement by nine human rights organizations in Israel read.
In instances when Israelis have been suspected of attacks, none of the suspects has been shot, it added.
According to the organizations, Israeli politicians and senior police officers have not only failed to act to calm the public climate of incitement, but on the contrary have openly called for the extrajudicial killing of suspects. They have also urged civilians to carry weapons.
For example, Jerusalem District Police Commander Moshe Edri was quoted as saying: “Anyone who stabs Jews or hurts innocent people is due to be killed.” Interior Security Minister Gilad Arden declared that “every terrorist should know that he will not survive the attack he is about to commit.” MK Yair Lapid stated that “you have to shoot to kill anyone who pulls out a knife or screwdriver.” Much of the media joined in and encouraged a similar approach.
The bodies responsible for supervising police operations – the State Attorney’s Office and the Department for the Investigation of Police – remained silent in the face of these comments.
It seems that too often, instead of acting in a manner consistent with the nature of each incident, police officers and soldiers are quick to shoot to kill. The political and public support for such actions endorses the killing of Palestinians, the statement proceeded.
Rather than imposing collective punishment on Palestinians in the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli government should act to end the reality of ongoing and daily oppression faced by some four million people who live without hope of any change in the situation, without any horizon for the end of occupation, and without prospects for a life of liberty and dignity, the organizations added.
The statement was signed by the following organizations: Association for Civil Rights in Israel, Amnesty International – Israel Branch, B'Tselem, Gisha, Public Committee Against Torture in Israel, HaMoked – Center for the Defence of the Individual, Yesh Din – Volunteers for Human Rights, Adalah – The Legal Center for the Rights of the Arab Minority in Israel, and Physicians for Human Rights – Israel.
14 oct 2015
Names of all 33 dead
Two Palestinians were shot dead by Israeli soldiers in Jerusalem, Wednesday, while a third Palestinian died while being held by the Israeli army as a political detainee. Clashes between Palestinian youth and invading Israeli soldiers were reported all over the West Bank and Jerusalem.
Since October 1st, 33 Palestinians have been killed, and more than 1600 others injured by Israeli troops, according to Palestinian medical sources. An earlier report by the Ministry of Health showed that since the start of October, 4000 residents were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation fired by Israeli troops targeting Palestinian protesters.
On Wednesday, Bassem Bassam Sidr, 17, was shot dead at the Damascus Gate in occupied East Jerusalem on Wednesday after he allegedly pulled out a knife, Israeli police and media said -- although no one but the teenager was injured or killed. Sidr was from the southern West Bank city of Hebron. Eyewitnesses reported that the army fired more than 10 rounds at the 17-year old as he was running away, killing him. Israeli police responded to the scene when someone began shouting that there was "An Arab with a knife", and immediately shot the boy dead.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Abu Sh’aban, 23, was shot dead on Wednesday evening, by Israeli soldiers near the central bus station in west Jerusalem. The Israeli police allege that he stabbed and lightly wounded a 50 year-old settler woman. The circumstances of his dead remains unknown until the time of this report.
Earlier on Wednesday morning, Fadi Al-Darbi ,30, from Jenin city, while being detained in Israeli army detention camp for political prisoners. Al-Darbi suffered a brain-stroke earlier in Ramon prison, and was left unconscious on the prison courtyard’s floor for 20 minutes, after he suffered internal brain injury.
After that, he was transferred to Soroka hospital. His health had deteriorated since then. Two years ago, Al-Darbi suffered from internal bleeding, and the Israeli Prison Service did not offer him any medical follow-up. Al-Darbi was imprisoned in 2006, and was sentenced to 14 years. He was moved several times to different jails.
Clashes on Wednesday were reported in different parts of the West Bank and Gaza. In the coastal region, 18 civilians were injured, including 3 by live round, when Israeli troops attacked protesters at border areas near Al Boreij refugee camp central Gaza Strip.
Moreover, 52 Palestinians have been injured during ongoing clashes between local youth and invading Israeli soldiers in West Bank communities, Palestinian sources reported. Clashes were reported in the central West Bank city of Ramallah, Nablus and Qalqilia in northern West Bank, and in the southern West Bank cities of Bethlehem and Hebron.
In Bethlehem, 32 youth were injured on Wednesday during clashes at the northern entrance of the city near the Israeli wall that separates it from Jerusalem. The clashes started after the funeral of Mutaz Zawahreh who was killed by Israeli army live gunfire in the same area on Tuesday. According to medical sources, 12 of those injured were hit by Israeli rubber-coated steel bullets.
In Hebron, at least 13 youth were injured one critically during clashes in different parts of the city and nearby towns. Bara’ Isma’el Shalash, 17, was injured in his abdomen by an Israeli live gunfire, during clashes in Hebron city. He was moved to a nearby hospital where doctors said that his condition is critical but stable.
Palestinian medical sources have reported, on Wednesday at night, that seven residents were injured by Israeli army fire, in the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia. The sources said that clashes took place near the southern entrance of Qalqilia city, after Israeli soldiers attempted to invade it.
Two Palestinians were shot dead by Israeli soldiers in Jerusalem, Wednesday, while a third Palestinian died while being held by the Israeli army as a political detainee. Clashes between Palestinian youth and invading Israeli soldiers were reported all over the West Bank and Jerusalem.
Since October 1st, 33 Palestinians have been killed, and more than 1600 others injured by Israeli troops, according to Palestinian medical sources. An earlier report by the Ministry of Health showed that since the start of October, 4000 residents were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation fired by Israeli troops targeting Palestinian protesters.
On Wednesday, Bassem Bassam Sidr, 17, was shot dead at the Damascus Gate in occupied East Jerusalem on Wednesday after he allegedly pulled out a knife, Israeli police and media said -- although no one but the teenager was injured or killed. Sidr was from the southern West Bank city of Hebron. Eyewitnesses reported that the army fired more than 10 rounds at the 17-year old as he was running away, killing him. Israeli police responded to the scene when someone began shouting that there was "An Arab with a knife", and immediately shot the boy dead.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Abu Sh’aban, 23, was shot dead on Wednesday evening, by Israeli soldiers near the central bus station in west Jerusalem. The Israeli police allege that he stabbed and lightly wounded a 50 year-old settler woman. The circumstances of his dead remains unknown until the time of this report.
Earlier on Wednesday morning, Fadi Al-Darbi ,30, from Jenin city, while being detained in Israeli army detention camp for political prisoners. Al-Darbi suffered a brain-stroke earlier in Ramon prison, and was left unconscious on the prison courtyard’s floor for 20 minutes, after he suffered internal brain injury.
After that, he was transferred to Soroka hospital. His health had deteriorated since then. Two years ago, Al-Darbi suffered from internal bleeding, and the Israeli Prison Service did not offer him any medical follow-up. Al-Darbi was imprisoned in 2006, and was sentenced to 14 years. He was moved several times to different jails.
Clashes on Wednesday were reported in different parts of the West Bank and Gaza. In the coastal region, 18 civilians were injured, including 3 by live round, when Israeli troops attacked protesters at border areas near Al Boreij refugee camp central Gaza Strip.
Moreover, 52 Palestinians have been injured during ongoing clashes between local youth and invading Israeli soldiers in West Bank communities, Palestinian sources reported. Clashes were reported in the central West Bank city of Ramallah, Nablus and Qalqilia in northern West Bank, and in the southern West Bank cities of Bethlehem and Hebron.
In Bethlehem, 32 youth were injured on Wednesday during clashes at the northern entrance of the city near the Israeli wall that separates it from Jerusalem. The clashes started after the funeral of Mutaz Zawahreh who was killed by Israeli army live gunfire in the same area on Tuesday. According to medical sources, 12 of those injured were hit by Israeli rubber-coated steel bullets.
In Hebron, at least 13 youth were injured one critically during clashes in different parts of the city and nearby towns. Bara’ Isma’el Shalash, 17, was injured in his abdomen by an Israeli live gunfire, during clashes in Hebron city. He was moved to a nearby hospital where doctors said that his condition is critical but stable.
Palestinian medical sources have reported, on Wednesday at night, that seven residents were injured by Israeli army fire, in the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia. The sources said that clashes took place near the southern entrance of Qalqilia city, after Israeli soldiers attempted to invade it.
Police authorized to seal off Arab sectors in East Jerusalem
The Israeli Security Cabinet has approved what is being called "drastic measures", in order to quell the Palestinian revolt against Israeli actions at Al-Aqsa Mosque, including placing additional security for public transportation in Jerusalem.
The Cabinet approved the suggestion of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu which aimed to deploy hundreds of troops to assist police forces in securing Israeli cities.
To begin with, Israeli military forces will deploy hundreds of non-combat troops to aid police forces in securing city centers. Six companies will join the Israeli police. Troops will be stationed in crowded areas at city centers, to increase the Israeli's "sense of security", according to Al Ray.
In addition, Israeli troops will be reinforced with two additional battalions in West Bank areas, and two battalions will be deployed along the Gaza border fence.
Israeli occupation police started setting up checkpoints at the entrances to Palestinians neighborhoods in occupied East Jerusalem.
The cabinet also approved placing additional security for public transportation in Jerusalem.
A curfew on East Jerusalem is another emergency security measure to be considered. Meanwhile, temporary checkpoints would likely be placed around the Palestinians neighborhoods of Jerusalem.
Netanyahu also allowed revocation of residency rights of Palestinians deemed to have committed attacks, and a step-up in the demolition of homes of people who carry out attacks.
The cabinet also approved a proposal by Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan not to return the bodies of Palestinians killed during the attacks they commit to their families.
Another issue raised by Erdan and discussed at the meeting was the ease of obtaining firearms licenses for Israelis.
Police authorized to seal of Arab sectors in East Jerusalem
Israel has authorized police to seal off the so-called Arab sectors of occupied East al-Quds (Jerusalem), in a move set to stoke the already-heightened tensions in the occupied Palestinian territories.
“The security cabinet decided several measures… notably authorizing police to seal off or impose a curfew on parts of Jerusalem in case of friction or incitement to violence,” read a statement from the Prime Minister's office, which was released early Wednesday, according to Press TV.
The occupied territories have been the scene of deadly tension between the Tel Aviv regime and Palestinians triggered by Israel’s August 26 imposition of sweeping restrictions on entries into the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East al-Quds and Israeli settlers’ repeated attacks on the mosque.
The mosque is Islam’s third holiest site after Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and Masjid al-Nabawi in Medina. The site is also highly respected by Jews and Christians, though Christians remain divided on the issue of a so-called "third temple" being built on the site.
On Tuesday, Netanyahu addressed an emergency cabinet session he had called to address the flare-up of violence, saying, “Today, we will decide on a series of additional aggressive steps.” “We will use, and not hesitate to use, all means at our disposal to restore calm,” he said.
According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, 25 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since October 3, with more than 1,300 having been injured, at the time of this report.
The violence has involved Israeli settlers engaging in stabbing attacks against Palestinians, who retaliate with attacks of their own.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has warned Israel of another Intifada (uprising) over Tel Aviv’s provocations in the compound.
The Israeli Security Cabinet has approved what is being called "drastic measures", in order to quell the Palestinian revolt against Israeli actions at Al-Aqsa Mosque, including placing additional security for public transportation in Jerusalem.
The Cabinet approved the suggestion of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu which aimed to deploy hundreds of troops to assist police forces in securing Israeli cities.
To begin with, Israeli military forces will deploy hundreds of non-combat troops to aid police forces in securing city centers. Six companies will join the Israeli police. Troops will be stationed in crowded areas at city centers, to increase the Israeli's "sense of security", according to Al Ray.
In addition, Israeli troops will be reinforced with two additional battalions in West Bank areas, and two battalions will be deployed along the Gaza border fence.
Israeli occupation police started setting up checkpoints at the entrances to Palestinians neighborhoods in occupied East Jerusalem.
The cabinet also approved placing additional security for public transportation in Jerusalem.
A curfew on East Jerusalem is another emergency security measure to be considered. Meanwhile, temporary checkpoints would likely be placed around the Palestinians neighborhoods of Jerusalem.
Netanyahu also allowed revocation of residency rights of Palestinians deemed to have committed attacks, and a step-up in the demolition of homes of people who carry out attacks.
The cabinet also approved a proposal by Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan not to return the bodies of Palestinians killed during the attacks they commit to their families.
Another issue raised by Erdan and discussed at the meeting was the ease of obtaining firearms licenses for Israelis.
Police authorized to seal of Arab sectors in East Jerusalem
Israel has authorized police to seal off the so-called Arab sectors of occupied East al-Quds (Jerusalem), in a move set to stoke the already-heightened tensions in the occupied Palestinian territories.
“The security cabinet decided several measures… notably authorizing police to seal off or impose a curfew on parts of Jerusalem in case of friction or incitement to violence,” read a statement from the Prime Minister's office, which was released early Wednesday, according to Press TV.
The occupied territories have been the scene of deadly tension between the Tel Aviv regime and Palestinians triggered by Israel’s August 26 imposition of sweeping restrictions on entries into the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East al-Quds and Israeli settlers’ repeated attacks on the mosque.
The mosque is Islam’s third holiest site after Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and Masjid al-Nabawi in Medina. The site is also highly respected by Jews and Christians, though Christians remain divided on the issue of a so-called "third temple" being built on the site.
On Tuesday, Netanyahu addressed an emergency cabinet session he had called to address the flare-up of violence, saying, “Today, we will decide on a series of additional aggressive steps.” “We will use, and not hesitate to use, all means at our disposal to restore calm,” he said.
According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, 25 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since October 3, with more than 1,300 having been injured, at the time of this report.
The violence has involved Israeli settlers engaging in stabbing attacks against Palestinians, who retaliate with attacks of their own.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has warned Israel of another Intifada (uprising) over Tel Aviv’s provocations in the compound.
Names of all 30 dead
Since October 1st, 30 Palestinians have been killed, and more than 1500 others injured by Israeli troops, according to the most recent report by the Palestinian Ministry of Health
The MOH said in its report that among the 30 killed Palestinians there are seven children. According to the press statement, 19 Palestinians were killed in the West Bank including Jerusalem, and 11 from the Gaza Strip since October.
The Ministry of Health report also showed that since the start of October 4000 residents were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation fired by Israeli troops targeting Palestinian protesters.
Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian from the Duheisha refugee camp Tuesday evening during clashes at the northern entrance of Bethlehem, medics said. Mutaz Ibrahim Zawahreh, 27, was hit with a live bullet in the chest and was taken to hospital in a critical condition, Medical sources at the Bethlehem Governmental Hospital told local media. Zawahreh was rushed to the operation room but quickly succumbed to his wounds, they added.
Two more Palestinians were killed on Tuesday after being shot dead by Israeli soldiers. The two Palestinians were killed after attacking Israeli civilians on a bus in Armon HaNatziv, in central Israel, killing two Israelis and wounding 18 others.
In a separate attack on Tuesday morning, a 22-year old Palestinian man allegedly stabbed a 32-year old Israeli just before 9 am near the bus station in the Israeli city of Ra’anana. The Palestinian was then shot by several Israeli bystanders and critically injured.
A third alleged attack by a Palestinian against Israelis remains uncertain – the incident may just have been a traffic accident, despite Israeli claims that the Palestinian driver deliberately drove his car into an Israeli one.
Clashes on Tuesday were reported in different parts of the West Bank and Gaza. In the coastal region, 50 civilians were injured when Israeli troops attacked protesters at border areas in northern and central Gaza Strip.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health stated on Tuesday that 33 Palestinians have been injured during ongoing clashes between local youth and invading Israeli soldiers in West Bank communities. Among the injured there were 14 children, the MOH reported.
Clashes were reported in the central West Bank city of Ramallah, Nablus in northern West Bank, and in the southern West Bank cities of Bethlehem and Hebron.
According to the MOH report, In Nablus, 3 residents were injured including five by live rounds fired by Israeli soldiers while in Ramallah five civilians were injured by live rounds and four by rubber-coated steel bullets of the Israeli army. In Hebron eight residents were injured, three by live rounds and five by rubber-coated steel bullets as Israeli troops attacked protesters there. In Bethlehem eight residents were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation, the MOH reported on Tuesday.
Earlier in the week, the Palestinian Prisoners' Association said that 400 Palestinians have been kidnapped by Israeli forces in the past ten days. The Association said that nearly half of those kidnapped are between the ages of 14 and 20. The Prisoners' Association noted that the kidnappings were mostly made in East Jerusalem and in Palestinian Authority controlled areas, also know as area A.
30 Palestinians killed, 1,500 wounded in Jerusalem Intifada
The death toll of Palestinian civilians killed by the Israeli occupation troops since the outbreak of the Jerusalem Intifada has hit 30 at the same time as at least 1,500 more Palestinians have been left wounded.
20-year-old Motaz Zawahra breathed his last shortly after he was cold-bloodedly shot by the Israeli occupation soldiers afternoon Tuesday.
Earlier in the day, 20-year-old Alaa Abu Jamal was fatally shot by an Israeli vandal in Occupied Jerusalem.
Ex-prisoner Bahaa Mohamed Khalil Alyan, 24, was also killed by the Israeli occupation forces in Occupied Jerusalem while 21-year-old Bilal Ghanem sustained critical wounds.
The violent clashes that have flared up since the outbreak of the Jerusalem Intifada brought the death toll of Palestinians to at least 30, including seven children, 19 West Bankers, and 11 Gazans.
According to the Palestinian Health Ministry dozens were left wounded Tuesday in clashes with the Israeli occupation army in Beit Hanoun, eastern al-Bureij, Ramallah, and al-Khalil.
Some 350 Palestinians sustained live bullet injuries; 650 sustained rubber bullet wounds, and thousands of others choked on tear gas.
150 Palestinians were also subjected to heavy beating by the occupation patrols and vandals.
The ministry added that 200 children were left injured, 90 among whom hit by live rounds and 55 shot with rubber bullets.
40 women were also injured, three among whom with live ammunition and four others with rubber bullets. 13 women were aggressively beaten and 20 choked on tear gas.
Since October 1st, 30 Palestinians have been killed, and more than 1500 others injured by Israeli troops, according to the most recent report by the Palestinian Ministry of Health
The MOH said in its report that among the 30 killed Palestinians there are seven children. According to the press statement, 19 Palestinians were killed in the West Bank including Jerusalem, and 11 from the Gaza Strip since October.
The Ministry of Health report also showed that since the start of October 4000 residents were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation fired by Israeli troops targeting Palestinian protesters.
Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian from the Duheisha refugee camp Tuesday evening during clashes at the northern entrance of Bethlehem, medics said. Mutaz Ibrahim Zawahreh, 27, was hit with a live bullet in the chest and was taken to hospital in a critical condition, Medical sources at the Bethlehem Governmental Hospital told local media. Zawahreh was rushed to the operation room but quickly succumbed to his wounds, they added.
Two more Palestinians were killed on Tuesday after being shot dead by Israeli soldiers. The two Palestinians were killed after attacking Israeli civilians on a bus in Armon HaNatziv, in central Israel, killing two Israelis and wounding 18 others.
In a separate attack on Tuesday morning, a 22-year old Palestinian man allegedly stabbed a 32-year old Israeli just before 9 am near the bus station in the Israeli city of Ra’anana. The Palestinian was then shot by several Israeli bystanders and critically injured.
A third alleged attack by a Palestinian against Israelis remains uncertain – the incident may just have been a traffic accident, despite Israeli claims that the Palestinian driver deliberately drove his car into an Israeli one.
Clashes on Tuesday were reported in different parts of the West Bank and Gaza. In the coastal region, 50 civilians were injured when Israeli troops attacked protesters at border areas in northern and central Gaza Strip.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health stated on Tuesday that 33 Palestinians have been injured during ongoing clashes between local youth and invading Israeli soldiers in West Bank communities. Among the injured there were 14 children, the MOH reported.
Clashes were reported in the central West Bank city of Ramallah, Nablus in northern West Bank, and in the southern West Bank cities of Bethlehem and Hebron.
According to the MOH report, In Nablus, 3 residents were injured including five by live rounds fired by Israeli soldiers while in Ramallah five civilians were injured by live rounds and four by rubber-coated steel bullets of the Israeli army. In Hebron eight residents were injured, three by live rounds and five by rubber-coated steel bullets as Israeli troops attacked protesters there. In Bethlehem eight residents were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation, the MOH reported on Tuesday.
Earlier in the week, the Palestinian Prisoners' Association said that 400 Palestinians have been kidnapped by Israeli forces in the past ten days. The Association said that nearly half of those kidnapped are between the ages of 14 and 20. The Prisoners' Association noted that the kidnappings were mostly made in East Jerusalem and in Palestinian Authority controlled areas, also know as area A.
30 Palestinians killed, 1,500 wounded in Jerusalem Intifada
The death toll of Palestinian civilians killed by the Israeli occupation troops since the outbreak of the Jerusalem Intifada has hit 30 at the same time as at least 1,500 more Palestinians have been left wounded.
20-year-old Motaz Zawahra breathed his last shortly after he was cold-bloodedly shot by the Israeli occupation soldiers afternoon Tuesday.
Earlier in the day, 20-year-old Alaa Abu Jamal was fatally shot by an Israeli vandal in Occupied Jerusalem.
Ex-prisoner Bahaa Mohamed Khalil Alyan, 24, was also killed by the Israeli occupation forces in Occupied Jerusalem while 21-year-old Bilal Ghanem sustained critical wounds.
The violent clashes that have flared up since the outbreak of the Jerusalem Intifada brought the death toll of Palestinians to at least 30, including seven children, 19 West Bankers, and 11 Gazans.
According to the Palestinian Health Ministry dozens were left wounded Tuesday in clashes with the Israeli occupation army in Beit Hanoun, eastern al-Bureij, Ramallah, and al-Khalil.
Some 350 Palestinians sustained live bullet injuries; 650 sustained rubber bullet wounds, and thousands of others choked on tear gas.
150 Palestinians were also subjected to heavy beating by the occupation patrols and vandals.
The ministry added that 200 children were left injured, 90 among whom hit by live rounds and 55 shot with rubber bullets.
40 women were also injured, three among whom with live ammunition and four others with rubber bullets. 13 women were aggressively beaten and 20 choked on tear gas.