17 feb 2016
Only 14 people from the family of Martyr Ahmad Abu Sha’ban participated in the Martyr’s funeral after Sunday midnight when the Martyr’s body was released to his family at the entrance of Lions’ Gate cemetery in Jerusalem amid strict Israeli procedure in the city.
The occupation authorities imposed restrictions on the releasing of the Martyr’s body and reduced the number of people allowed to participate in the funeral to 14 family members; they previously allowed 50 people to participate.
Lawyer Mohammad Mahmoud….Difficulty in the process of releasing the Martyr’s body
Al-Dameer organization lawyer, Mohammad Mahmoud, explained that the occupation intelligence informed him shortly before the releasing process about reducing the number of people allowed to participate in the funeral to 10 people only. After an hour of negotiations, the lawyer was able to increase the number to 14 people (family members) and a list was made with the names of the Martyr’s parents, brothers, sister and uncles who were allowed to enter the cemetery.
Lawyer Mahmoud added that changing the releasing conditions was unexpected. Israeli authorities that the change occurred due to the attack that took place in Jerusalem on Sunday night; the intelligence threatened to continue to detain the Martyr’s body if they refuse the new conditions.
He said: “The family faced a dilemma and had the options of receiving their son’s body after 124 days of detention of refusing the conditions; finally the releasing process took place in the presence of a small number of family members.”
Occupation forces were present inside the cemetery from the first moments of the releasing process until all family members left the cemetery. Forces also accompanied the participants while they were preparing the Martyr in a room inside the cemetery and while praying to his soul before burying him.”
Lions’ Gate cemetery- a military camp
Lions’ Gate cemetery and its surrounding and the roads leading to it were turned into a military camp from 11:30 p.m. and iron barriers were established at the cemetery’s entrances. Forces were also deployed in the nearby streets and prevented anybody from reaching the area of the cemetery. They also carried out searching operations inside the cemetery and around the tombs at the same when another unit ascended the Old City’s wall which overlooks the cemetery.
Forces prevented press crews and medical staff from entering the cemetery and used force to keep them away from its entrance.
Martyr’s mother
The Martyr’s mother said: “Today I feel relieved. I was coming every day to the cemetery near Ahmad’s tomb and was waiting for releasing his body. I was also spraying Zamzam water from Mecca…today Ahmad was buried as he wished in Jerusalem and near Al-Aqsa Mosque.”
She added: “I pray to God to facilitate the releasing of the remaining bodies detained so their families can bury them.”
The Jerusalem District had paid the 20-thousand NIS bail imposed on the family of Martyr Abu Sha’ban.
The family explained that the Martyr was shot nearly 20 times in the head, chest, back and chin; one bullet went through the back of his head.
Adnan Gheith
Adnan Gheith, secretary of Fateh movement in Jerusalem, denounced the Israeli restrictions imposed during releasing the Martyr’s body which came after the murder of two young men in the area of Damascus Gate in Jerusalem on Sunday night.
He said: “The national organizations have a duty of protecting their people. All of our money and property will not be more precious than a blood drop of our Martyrs.”
The occupation authorities imposed restrictions on the releasing of the Martyr’s body and reduced the number of people allowed to participate in the funeral to 14 family members; they previously allowed 50 people to participate.
Lawyer Mohammad Mahmoud….Difficulty in the process of releasing the Martyr’s body
Al-Dameer organization lawyer, Mohammad Mahmoud, explained that the occupation intelligence informed him shortly before the releasing process about reducing the number of people allowed to participate in the funeral to 10 people only. After an hour of negotiations, the lawyer was able to increase the number to 14 people (family members) and a list was made with the names of the Martyr’s parents, brothers, sister and uncles who were allowed to enter the cemetery.
Lawyer Mahmoud added that changing the releasing conditions was unexpected. Israeli authorities that the change occurred due to the attack that took place in Jerusalem on Sunday night; the intelligence threatened to continue to detain the Martyr’s body if they refuse the new conditions.
He said: “The family faced a dilemma and had the options of receiving their son’s body after 124 days of detention of refusing the conditions; finally the releasing process took place in the presence of a small number of family members.”
Occupation forces were present inside the cemetery from the first moments of the releasing process until all family members left the cemetery. Forces also accompanied the participants while they were preparing the Martyr in a room inside the cemetery and while praying to his soul before burying him.”
Lions’ Gate cemetery- a military camp
Lions’ Gate cemetery and its surrounding and the roads leading to it were turned into a military camp from 11:30 p.m. and iron barriers were established at the cemetery’s entrances. Forces were also deployed in the nearby streets and prevented anybody from reaching the area of the cemetery. They also carried out searching operations inside the cemetery and around the tombs at the same when another unit ascended the Old City’s wall which overlooks the cemetery.
Forces prevented press crews and medical staff from entering the cemetery and used force to keep them away from its entrance.
Martyr’s mother
The Martyr’s mother said: “Today I feel relieved. I was coming every day to the cemetery near Ahmad’s tomb and was waiting for releasing his body. I was also spraying Zamzam water from Mecca…today Ahmad was buried as he wished in Jerusalem and near Al-Aqsa Mosque.”
She added: “I pray to God to facilitate the releasing of the remaining bodies detained so their families can bury them.”
The Jerusalem District had paid the 20-thousand NIS bail imposed on the family of Martyr Abu Sha’ban.
The family explained that the Martyr was shot nearly 20 times in the head, chest, back and chin; one bullet went through the back of his head.
Adnan Gheith
Adnan Gheith, secretary of Fateh movement in Jerusalem, denounced the Israeli restrictions imposed during releasing the Martyr’s body which came after the murder of two young men in the area of Damascus Gate in Jerusalem on Sunday night.
He said: “The national organizations have a duty of protecting their people. All of our money and property will not be more precious than a blood drop of our Martyrs.”
On February 8th, the Knesset Ethics Committee suspended three Joint List Members of Knesset (MK) for several months. The committee suspended the MKs for visiting Palestinian families that were mourning a relative killed by Israeli forces but had yet to receive their bodies for burial from the Israeli authorities.
The MKs’ visit with the families of killed Palestinians prompted extremist, right-wing MKs, as well as prime minister Netanyahu himself, to push the Ethics Committee towards making the racist and provocative decision to suspend them – a decision that expresses a high degree of fascism.
Although the suspension of the three MKs will be appealed in the Israeli Supreme Court, it is unlikely to be overturned as the court rarely intervenes in Knesset decisions, particularly those concerning Arab deputies.
The Israeli occupation committed two crimes in regards to the grieving Palestinian families: killing their relatives and then withholding their bodies from them.
Now, on top of these two crimes is the suspension of the MKs. The Knesset members, Hanin Zoabi, Basel Ghattas and Jamal Zahalka, were defending the interests of their constituents. They are paying a price for acting on humanitarian, moral and national concerns.
Despite the suspension, the three MKs reiterated their determination to continue efforts to release the bodies that have been held in the Israeli occupation’s refrigerators for months now.
The Ethics Committee’s decision is reflective of political efforts to refashion the Knesset in ethnic terms. Recently drafted legislation, proposed by Netanyahu and the right-wing fascist parties, would allow the Knesset to expel any MK that “rejects Israel as a Jewish and democratic state or supports or incites to terrorism, armed conflict against Israel,” provided that a majority of MKs (90 out of 120) agree with the charge. If approved, the legislation could effectively exclude any Arab from being an MK, apart from those in right-wing parties.
The suspension and forthcoming legislation is evidence of the moral degeneration of the Israeli government and the right-wing, fascist parliament. Withholding the bodies of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces from their families is a crime and contradicts international public opinion. Moreover, legislating laws, the purpose of which is to disenfranchise the 21 percent of Israeli citizens who are Palestinians, is an effort to uproot Palestinians and render them strangers in their homeland.
Against the backdrop of the proposed “transparency” bill and the targeting of left-wing groups within Israeli society, Palestinian initiatives to network with these associations would send a strong message to the international community – especially as European politicians have spoken out against this proposed legislation. Global public opinion can support internal resistance.
The MKs’ visit with the families of killed Palestinians prompted extremist, right-wing MKs, as well as prime minister Netanyahu himself, to push the Ethics Committee towards making the racist and provocative decision to suspend them – a decision that expresses a high degree of fascism.
Although the suspension of the three MKs will be appealed in the Israeli Supreme Court, it is unlikely to be overturned as the court rarely intervenes in Knesset decisions, particularly those concerning Arab deputies.
The Israeli occupation committed two crimes in regards to the grieving Palestinian families: killing their relatives and then withholding their bodies from them.
Now, on top of these two crimes is the suspension of the MKs. The Knesset members, Hanin Zoabi, Basel Ghattas and Jamal Zahalka, were defending the interests of their constituents. They are paying a price for acting on humanitarian, moral and national concerns.
Despite the suspension, the three MKs reiterated their determination to continue efforts to release the bodies that have been held in the Israeli occupation’s refrigerators for months now.
The Ethics Committee’s decision is reflective of political efforts to refashion the Knesset in ethnic terms. Recently drafted legislation, proposed by Netanyahu and the right-wing fascist parties, would allow the Knesset to expel any MK that “rejects Israel as a Jewish and democratic state or supports or incites to terrorism, armed conflict against Israel,” provided that a majority of MKs (90 out of 120) agree with the charge. If approved, the legislation could effectively exclude any Arab from being an MK, apart from those in right-wing parties.
The suspension and forthcoming legislation is evidence of the moral degeneration of the Israeli government and the right-wing, fascist parliament. Withholding the bodies of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces from their families is a crime and contradicts international public opinion. Moreover, legislating laws, the purpose of which is to disenfranchise the 21 percent of Israeli citizens who are Palestinians, is an effort to uproot Palestinians and render them strangers in their homeland.
Against the backdrop of the proposed “transparency” bill and the targeting of left-wing groups within Israeli society, Palestinian initiatives to network with these associations would send a strong message to the international community – especially as European politicians have spoken out against this proposed legislation. Global public opinion can support internal resistance.
Husam Badran, the spokesman of the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, called on the Palestinian people to take to the streets and flashpoints to clash with Israeli soldiers in all Palestinian territories in support of captive Mohammad al-Qeiq who has been on hunger strike for 84 consecutive days.
Badran said, in a statement on Tuesday, that clashes need to be escalated for the sake of sending a message to the Israeli occupation that all red lines have been crossed and Palestinians will avenge captive Qeiq. Badran stressed that the current stage of Qeiq’s life is very critical as the Israeli judges decided urgently to hold a meeting with Israeli general prosecution and the intelligence apparatus to decide on his issue.
The resolution would be announced hours later. Supporting Qeiq by massive clashes in this critical time would impact the decision of the Israeli judges, Badran said.
Badran said, in a statement on Tuesday, that clashes need to be escalated for the sake of sending a message to the Israeli occupation that all red lines have been crossed and Palestinians will avenge captive Qeiq. Badran stressed that the current stage of Qeiq’s life is very critical as the Israeli judges decided urgently to hold a meeting with Israeli general prosecution and the intelligence apparatus to decide on his issue.
The resolution would be announced hours later. Supporting Qeiq by massive clashes in this critical time would impact the decision of the Israeli judges, Badran said.
16 feb 2016
A Facebook *hasbara (propaganda) group has posted, on their page, a video which has apparently been edited in order to convince viewers to believe that a disabled man's crutch is a firearm, as he is violently thrown from his wheelchair by an Israeli soldier.
The group, called "The Palestinian lie", posted the video below on February 15th, with the following subtext:
English below
במהלך פיזור הפגנה, שוטר מג"ב חשד באחד המחבלים שישב על כיסא גלגלים, השוטר הדף את המחבל אחורה, ותראו מה נפל מהבגד של המחבל... רובה מאולתר!!
During dealing with a riot one of the broder patrol officers suspected an arab terrorist on a wheelchair. The officer pushed the arab terrorist back and as he fell from the wheelchair what fell out of is clothing? An armed gun!
The video was posted on Facebook, in response to footage and accompanying news, which surfaced yesterday, February 14th:
The group, called "The Palestinian lie", posted the video below on February 15th, with the following subtext:
English below
במהלך פיזור הפגנה, שוטר מג"ב חשד באחד המחבלים שישב על כיסא גלגלים, השוטר הדף את המחבל אחורה, ותראו מה נפל מהבגד של המחבל... רובה מאולתר!!
During dealing with a riot one of the broder patrol officers suspected an arab terrorist on a wheelchair. The officer pushed the arab terrorist back and as he fell from the wheelchair what fell out of is clothing? An armed gun!
The video was posted on Facebook, in response to footage and accompanying news, which surfaced yesterday, February 14th:
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Though the original footage is slightly murky, one can plainly see, upon replay, that the the two dark objects circled in the doctored footage are, in fact, falling in tandem and make up the top and bottom pieces of an axillary crutch.
*Israeli news outlet +972 defines "hasbara" as a form of propaganda aimed at an international audience, primarily, but not exclusively, in western countries. It is meant to influence the conversation in a way that positively portrays Israeli political moves and policies, including actions undertaken by Israel in the past. Hasbara efforts also often include a negative portrayal of the Arabs and especially of Palestinians.
*Israeli news outlet +972 defines "hasbara" as a form of propaganda aimed at an international audience, primarily, but not exclusively, in western countries. It is meant to influence the conversation in a way that positively portrays Israeli political moves and policies, including actions undertaken by Israel in the past. Hasbara efforts also often include a negative portrayal of the Arabs and especially of Palestinians.
A meeting between Israeli and Palestinian Authority (PA) officials last week culminated in a series of agreements on propping up security coordination between the two sides, Israeli news outlets reported.
Walla Hebrew website said that the agreements were reached during a meeting between PA officials (including Civil Affairs Minister Hassan al-Sheikh, Head of the PA intelligence, Majed Faraj, and head of the PA preventive forces, Ziad Hab al-Reih) and Israeli officials, in the King David Hotel, in Occupied Jerusalem.
It added that both parties agreed on the need to keep contact between PA and Israeli intelligence officers so as to boost collaboration and quell anti-occupation activism.
Walla Hebrew website said that the agreements were reached during a meeting between PA officials (including Civil Affairs Minister Hassan al-Sheikh, Head of the PA intelligence, Majed Faraj, and head of the PA preventive forces, Ziad Hab al-Reih) and Israeli officials, in the King David Hotel, in Occupied Jerusalem.
It added that both parties agreed on the need to keep contact between PA and Israeli intelligence officers so as to boost collaboration and quell anti-occupation activism.
Father Manuel Musallam, member of the Islamic Christian Authority for Patronizing Jerusalem and Holy Places, has urged the Palestinian resistance in the Gaza Strip to continue building tunnels, describing it as a national duty.
"You, 'the resistance fighter,' cannot rest or sleep in the bed as long as there are all these tragedies in Palestine, so dig the trench and move forward,"
Father Musallam said in an video recorded interview conducted by the Palestinian Information Center (PIC). The PIC has released part of the exclusive interview it conducted with Father Musallam, who spoke directly to the heroes of the Palestinian resistance in Gaza as he described them.
The interview will be fully available in Arabic on the website later.
"You, 'the resistance fighter,' cannot rest or sleep in the bed as long as there are all these tragedies in Palestine, so dig the trench and move forward,"
Father Musallam said in an video recorded interview conducted by the Palestinian Information Center (PIC). The PIC has released part of the exclusive interview it conducted with Father Musallam, who spoke directly to the heroes of the Palestinian resistance in Gaza as he described them.
The interview will be fully available in Arabic on the website later.
The Palestinians have carried out 228 attacks against Israeli settlers, and military and security personnel since the start of the current intifada (uprising) in early October last year, according to a report released by the Shin Bet, Israel's internal security apparatus.
The report, which was published by Haaretz newspaper, claimed that 10 percent of the attackers were very young in age and half of them were under age 20.
10 percent of the attacks took place in the 1948 occupied lands, 16 percent in Occupied Jerusalem and the rest in the West Bank, according to the Shin Bet.
11 percent of the attackers were females and 40 percent of them were from al-Khalil city, the report pointed out.
Since the outbreak of al-Quds intifada, 31 Israelis have been killed and over 450 others wounded in Palestinian stabbing, car-ramming and shooting attacks carried out in response to Israeli violations. 180 Palestinians, including 41 children and seven women, have also been killed since then.
Hamas: Anti-occupation attacks natural response to Israeli terrorism
Hamas spokesman Husam Badran on Monday hailed the anti-occupation attacks carried out by Palestinian protesters, saying they are the natural response to Israeli crimes against the Palestinians.
Badran mourned the five Palestinian youngsters slain by the Israeli occupation troops on Sunday. ‘’Such attacks are proofs that the anti-occupation intifada is on the right track,’’ said Badran.
‘’Nobody can stop it now. The Palestinian youths will keep responding to the Israeli crimes and terrorism.’’ He further attributed the surge in anti-occupation attacks to the Israeli aggressions on Muslims’ the holy al-Aqsa Mosque.
Badran spoke out against the Israeli assaults on the native towns and villages of slain anti-occupation activists, saying they rather emanate from a preplanned policy of collective punishment.
The report, which was published by Haaretz newspaper, claimed that 10 percent of the attackers were very young in age and half of them were under age 20.
10 percent of the attacks took place in the 1948 occupied lands, 16 percent in Occupied Jerusalem and the rest in the West Bank, according to the Shin Bet.
11 percent of the attackers were females and 40 percent of them were from al-Khalil city, the report pointed out.
Since the outbreak of al-Quds intifada, 31 Israelis have been killed and over 450 others wounded in Palestinian stabbing, car-ramming and shooting attacks carried out in response to Israeli violations. 180 Palestinians, including 41 children and seven women, have also been killed since then.
Hamas: Anti-occupation attacks natural response to Israeli terrorism
Hamas spokesman Husam Badran on Monday hailed the anti-occupation attacks carried out by Palestinian protesters, saying they are the natural response to Israeli crimes against the Palestinians.
Badran mourned the five Palestinian youngsters slain by the Israeli occupation troops on Sunday. ‘’Such attacks are proofs that the anti-occupation intifada is on the right track,’’ said Badran.
‘’Nobody can stop it now. The Palestinian youths will keep responding to the Israeli crimes and terrorism.’’ He further attributed the surge in anti-occupation attacks to the Israeli aggressions on Muslims’ the holy al-Aqsa Mosque.
Badran spoke out against the Israeli assaults on the native towns and villages of slain anti-occupation activists, saying they rather emanate from a preplanned policy of collective punishment.
Palestinian crowds in al-Ubaidiyah village to the east of Bethlehem at noon on Monday bade farewell to the 17-year-old martyr Naeem Yusuf Safi.
The PIC reporter revealed that thousands of citizens participated in the funeral including leaders and MPs in the Palestinian Legislative Council.
The participants chanted for the martyr and called for avenging him as well as achieving national unity. Israeli soldiers opened their gunfire at martyr Safi near Mezmouriya checkpoint east of Bethlehem.
He was hit by five bullets in the chest. The Israeli forces prevented medics from providing him with treatment.
The PIC reporter revealed that thousands of citizens participated in the funeral including leaders and MPs in the Palestinian Legislative Council.
The participants chanted for the martyr and called for avenging him as well as achieving national unity. Israeli soldiers opened their gunfire at martyr Safi near Mezmouriya checkpoint east of Bethlehem.
He was hit by five bullets in the chest. The Israeli forces prevented medics from providing him with treatment.
15 feb 2016
MP Halaykah called on national factions to respond to the Palestinian people’s demand of achieving reconciliation.
In an interview with the PIC, MP Halaykah hoped that the meetings of Hamas and Fatah movements being held in Doha would result in a true reconciliation and put an end to division.
“The reconciliation has become a must in light of the continuation of Israeli aggressive practices against the Palestinian people”, she said. The MP pointed out that the Palestinian people now think of resistance more than reconciliation “since each time this file was opened, it reached a dead line”.
Halaykah also stressed the Palestinians’ right of resistance as stipulated for in the international laws and conventions.
Gaza workers: No reconciliation before we restore our rights
National reconciliation can truly become a fact on the ground only if Gaza’s workers crisis is solved, Gaza's public employees union said Sunday.
Head of the Union Muhammad Siyam, during a press conference held at the Gaza-based Information Ministry, called for restoring the right of the civil and military employers appointed by the Gaza and West Bank governments both before and after June 2007.
According to Siyam, working out such a crisis is the entrance way to national reconciliation. The activist called for reimbursing the salaries of Gaza’s suspended and retired workers. He further urged the Palestinian Legislative Council to work on restoring the workers’ rights and to never give legitimacy to governments that infringe such rights.
‘’These workers are part and parcel of the Palestinian body,’’ said Siyam. ‘’They’ve taken it upon their shoulders to serve their people and preserve security in the hardest of all circumstances.’’ Siyam stressed the need to press ahead with national reconciliation and to heal the rift, urging the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to take up his responsibility to that very end.
In an interview with the PIC, MP Halaykah hoped that the meetings of Hamas and Fatah movements being held in Doha would result in a true reconciliation and put an end to division.
“The reconciliation has become a must in light of the continuation of Israeli aggressive practices against the Palestinian people”, she said. The MP pointed out that the Palestinian people now think of resistance more than reconciliation “since each time this file was opened, it reached a dead line”.
Halaykah also stressed the Palestinians’ right of resistance as stipulated for in the international laws and conventions.
Gaza workers: No reconciliation before we restore our rights
National reconciliation can truly become a fact on the ground only if Gaza’s workers crisis is solved, Gaza's public employees union said Sunday.
Head of the Union Muhammad Siyam, during a press conference held at the Gaza-based Information Ministry, called for restoring the right of the civil and military employers appointed by the Gaza and West Bank governments both before and after June 2007.
According to Siyam, working out such a crisis is the entrance way to national reconciliation. The activist called for reimbursing the salaries of Gaza’s suspended and retired workers. He further urged the Palestinian Legislative Council to work on restoring the workers’ rights and to never give legitimacy to governments that infringe such rights.
‘’These workers are part and parcel of the Palestinian body,’’ said Siyam. ‘’They’ve taken it upon their shoulders to serve their people and preserve security in the hardest of all circumstances.’’ Siyam stressed the need to press ahead with national reconciliation and to heal the rift, urging the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to take up his responsibility to that very end.
Large numbers of Palestinians participated on Sunday in the funeral procession of a 17-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed by Israeli forces on Saturday morning near the Ibrahimi mosque for an alleged stabbing attempt. The victim Kilzar al-Uweiwi’s body was carried from al-Ahli Hospital in al-Khalil to her family home to bid her a last farewell.
The body was then moved to al-Hussein mosque in Ein Sarah neighborhood. During the funeral march, mourners waved Palestinian flags and held the victim’s photos while chanting slogans in support of Palestinian resistance and calling for revenge. Hamas Movement had earlier called for mass participation in the funeral procession, stressing the importance of supporting Jerusalem Intifada.
Earlier on Sunday, an autopsy revealed al-Uweiwi had been shot three times, in her hand, neck, and torso.
The third bullet went through her lung causing her severe bleeding. Al-Uweiwi could have survived the shots if she had not been left bleeding to death, the autopsy said. Israeli occupation forces executed the Palestinian girl in al-Khalil’s Old City on Saturday morning at one of the gates leading to the Ibrahimi Mosque.
The body was then moved to al-Hussein mosque in Ein Sarah neighborhood. During the funeral march, mourners waved Palestinian flags and held the victim’s photos while chanting slogans in support of Palestinian resistance and calling for revenge. Hamas Movement had earlier called for mass participation in the funeral procession, stressing the importance of supporting Jerusalem Intifada.
Earlier on Sunday, an autopsy revealed al-Uweiwi had been shot three times, in her hand, neck, and torso.
The third bullet went through her lung causing her severe bleeding. Al-Uweiwi could have survived the shots if she had not been left bleeding to death, the autopsy said. Israeli occupation forces executed the Palestinian girl in al-Khalil’s Old City on Saturday morning at one of the gates leading to the Ibrahimi Mosque.
On February 14th, 2016, the UK Government announced that it would be setting up guidelines to prevent public bodies from supporting the Palestinian rights through their procurement and investment policies.
Hugh Lanning, Chair of Palestine Solidarity Campaign, has condemned this move as ‘a gross attack on our democratic freedoms and the independence of public bodies from Government interference’.
“As if it is not enough that the UK Government has failed to act when the Israeli Government has bombed and killed thousands of Palestinian civilians and stolen their homes and land, the Government are now trying to impose their inaction on all other democratic and public bodies.
This makes it clear where this Government stands on international law and human rights. Despite the Government admitting that Israel’s occupation and denial of Palestinian rights is plain wrong and illegal – when it comes to it they will insulate Israel from the consequences of its own actions. It seems that for this UK Government, whatever crimes against international law Israel commits, having a military ally trumps the rights of their own citizens and institutions in this country to support human rights.”
Sara Apps, interim Director of Palestine Solidarity said, according to the PNN: “People around the world have been asked by the Palestinian people to support boycott, divestment and sanctions because it is a peaceful and effective way to challenge and pressure the Israeli Government to end their violations.
If the Israeli Government want to be free of the pressure of boycott, divestment and sanctions and international censure the answer is simple – end your illegal occupation and abide by international law.
It is shameful that our Government is prepared to side with an oppressive state over the rights of an oppressed people in this way. We urge people to support our campaign to change Government policy and support the rights of their citizens to act against human rights violations.
Hugh Lanning, Chair of Palestine Solidarity Campaign, has condemned this move as ‘a gross attack on our democratic freedoms and the independence of public bodies from Government interference’.
“As if it is not enough that the UK Government has failed to act when the Israeli Government has bombed and killed thousands of Palestinian civilians and stolen their homes and land, the Government are now trying to impose their inaction on all other democratic and public bodies.
This makes it clear where this Government stands on international law and human rights. Despite the Government admitting that Israel’s occupation and denial of Palestinian rights is plain wrong and illegal – when it comes to it they will insulate Israel from the consequences of its own actions. It seems that for this UK Government, whatever crimes against international law Israel commits, having a military ally trumps the rights of their own citizens and institutions in this country to support human rights.”
Sara Apps, interim Director of Palestine Solidarity said, according to the PNN: “People around the world have been asked by the Palestinian people to support boycott, divestment and sanctions because it is a peaceful and effective way to challenge and pressure the Israeli Government to end their violations.
If the Israeli Government want to be free of the pressure of boycott, divestment and sanctions and international censure the answer is simple – end your illegal occupation and abide by international law.
It is shameful that our Government is prepared to side with an oppressive state over the rights of an oppressed people in this way. We urge people to support our campaign to change Government policy and support the rights of their citizens to act against human rights violations.
14 feb 2016
A Palestinian state prosecutor in the Hebron District announced Sunday that a Palestinian woman killed the previous day by Israeli forces could likely have been saved if Israeli forces hadn't denied her medical care and left her to bleed to death.
The 18-year old Palestinian woman, Kilzar al-Eweiei, was shot three times by Israeli troops, including one bullet that passed through her lung and lodged in her neck.
As she lay on the ground, her lung began to fill with blood, but she was denied medical treatment by the soldiers who surrounded her as she bled to death.
Al-Eweiei was accused of attempting to stab an Israeli soldier near the central city of Hebron, in the southern part of the West Bank. But no injuries were reported among the soldiers, and her friends and family have challenged the accusation.
They point out that al-Eweiei was an honor student, who was on her way to class, with a backpack full of books and school papers, when she was shot.
The head of the Public Prosecutor's office in Hebron, Ashraf Mishal, told reporters with the Ma'an News Agency that, “The forensic physician identified a massive pulmonary hemorrhage as the cause of Kilzar’s death, and it would have been possible to save her life if she had had medical treatment”.
Mishal noted that the report on al-Eweiei's cause of death comes in the midst of a number of similar incidents, in which Israeli forces engaged in excessive force by shooting Palestinians armed with knives, then leaving them to bleed to death.
Since October, over 170 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces, and over 20 Israelis killed by 'lone wolf' Palestinian attackers.
In October, Ezzeddin Nadi Sha'ban Abu Shakhdam, 17, was shot by the Israeli military after allegedly wounding soldier, then left to bleed to death.
In November, Samer Hasan Seriesi, 51 was shot by Israeli soldiers and left to bleed to death as Israeli medics joked and laughed nearby.
Less than two weeks after that incident, Ehab Fathi Miswada, 21 was shot to death after allegedly stabbing and wounding an Israeli man, an was left to bleed to death by Israeli medical crews.
The 18-year old Palestinian woman, Kilzar al-Eweiei, was shot three times by Israeli troops, including one bullet that passed through her lung and lodged in her neck.
As she lay on the ground, her lung began to fill with blood, but she was denied medical treatment by the soldiers who surrounded her as she bled to death.
Al-Eweiei was accused of attempting to stab an Israeli soldier near the central city of Hebron, in the southern part of the West Bank. But no injuries were reported among the soldiers, and her friends and family have challenged the accusation.
They point out that al-Eweiei was an honor student, who was on her way to class, with a backpack full of books and school papers, when she was shot.
The head of the Public Prosecutor's office in Hebron, Ashraf Mishal, told reporters with the Ma'an News Agency that, “The forensic physician identified a massive pulmonary hemorrhage as the cause of Kilzar’s death, and it would have been possible to save her life if she had had medical treatment”.
Mishal noted that the report on al-Eweiei's cause of death comes in the midst of a number of similar incidents, in which Israeli forces engaged in excessive force by shooting Palestinians armed with knives, then leaving them to bleed to death.
Since October, over 170 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces, and over 20 Israelis killed by 'lone wolf' Palestinian attackers.
In October, Ezzeddin Nadi Sha'ban Abu Shakhdam, 17, was shot by the Israeli military after allegedly wounding soldier, then left to bleed to death.
In November, Samer Hasan Seriesi, 51 was shot by Israeli soldiers and left to bleed to death as Israeli medics joked and laughed nearby.
Less than two weeks after that incident, Ehab Fathi Miswada, 21 was shot to death after allegedly stabbing and wounding an Israeli man, an was left to bleed to death by Israeli medical crews.
The Palestinian merchants in the Damascus Gate are now more than ever targeted by the Israeli occupation authority’s (IOA) municipality in occupied Jerusalem.
On the other hand, the same municipality, according to Hebrew sources, decided to expand the industrial zone: Atarot –Qalandia, located north of Jerusalem, to support the settlement activity and the Israeli settlers.
The weekly Hebrew newspaper Iroshalim said in its latest edition that after the death of a female Israeli soldier near the Damascus Gate, the Israeli municipal employees stormed the business district adjacent to the incident, and they imposed fines on merchants under the pretext of violation of municipal laws and regulations.
They also issued traffic tickets for cars parking illegally, as well as fines for merchants who display their goods outside their shops.
They imposed other fines for the dealers and even customers under various pretexts such as throwing cigarettes and spilling coffee on the ground. One of the members of the Committee of the Damascus Gate merchants complained last week that the municipality intentionally harasses his colleagues, he said, "the municipal observers' harassment increases especially after resistance attacks, this is one of the reasons why the Damascus Gate merchants suffer for a long period a deterioration of their income due to the lack of customers, while the fines issued by the municipal teams cost them hundreds of shekels, these fines aim to tighten the noose more and more on the Palestinian merchants".
While the Israeli occupation authority harasses the Palestinian merchants in occupied Jerusalem, it serves the Israeli industrial sector and encourages the settlers’ investment.
According to the "Iroshalim", the so-called Israeli District Committee for Planning and Building in Jerusalem approved the scheme prepared by the so-called Jerusalem Development Authority.
The scheme includes the expansion of the Atarot industrial zone. Under the proposed scheme a new industrial area dubbed the "Triangle of Atarot" will be established east of the existing industrial zone. The area on which the new industrial area will be established is located between Ramallah-Jerusalem Road from the east and the street leading to the Palestinian Qalandia airport, occupied since 1967.
On the other hand, the same municipality, according to Hebrew sources, decided to expand the industrial zone: Atarot –Qalandia, located north of Jerusalem, to support the settlement activity and the Israeli settlers.
The weekly Hebrew newspaper Iroshalim said in its latest edition that after the death of a female Israeli soldier near the Damascus Gate, the Israeli municipal employees stormed the business district adjacent to the incident, and they imposed fines on merchants under the pretext of violation of municipal laws and regulations.
They also issued traffic tickets for cars parking illegally, as well as fines for merchants who display their goods outside their shops.
They imposed other fines for the dealers and even customers under various pretexts such as throwing cigarettes and spilling coffee on the ground. One of the members of the Committee of the Damascus Gate merchants complained last week that the municipality intentionally harasses his colleagues, he said, "the municipal observers' harassment increases especially after resistance attacks, this is one of the reasons why the Damascus Gate merchants suffer for a long period a deterioration of their income due to the lack of customers, while the fines issued by the municipal teams cost them hundreds of shekels, these fines aim to tighten the noose more and more on the Palestinian merchants".
While the Israeli occupation authority harasses the Palestinian merchants in occupied Jerusalem, it serves the Israeli industrial sector and encourages the settlers’ investment.
According to the "Iroshalim", the so-called Israeli District Committee for Planning and Building in Jerusalem approved the scheme prepared by the so-called Jerusalem Development Authority.
The scheme includes the expansion of the Atarot industrial zone. Under the proposed scheme a new industrial area dubbed the "Triangle of Atarot" will be established east of the existing industrial zone. The area on which the new industrial area will be established is located between Ramallah-Jerusalem Road from the east and the street leading to the Palestinian Qalandia airport, occupied since 1967.
A Palestinian delegation on Saturday evening met with the head of the Iranian Shura Council, Ali Larijani. Speaking during the meeting, Larijani expressed Iran’s support for the Palestinian cause, the families of slain anti-occupation activists, and the reconstruction projects.
Representatives of the Palestinian delegation updated their Iranian hosts on the current tension rocking the occupied Palestinian territories and on the ongoing anti-occupation Intifada.
The delegation reiterated Palestinians’ back-up of armed resistance as the best strategic choice to restore their usurped rights. A delegation headed by officials from Hamas, Fatah, and the Islamic Jihad movements arrived in Tehran on Tuesday to attend celebrations on the occasion of the 37th anniversary of the Iranian Islamic revolution.
Representatives of the Palestinian delegation updated their Iranian hosts on the current tension rocking the occupied Palestinian territories and on the ongoing anti-occupation Intifada.
The delegation reiterated Palestinians’ back-up of armed resistance as the best strategic choice to restore their usurped rights. A delegation headed by officials from Hamas, Fatah, and the Islamic Jihad movements arrived in Tehran on Tuesday to attend celebrations on the occasion of the 37th anniversary of the Iranian Islamic revolution.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri has said that the results of the recent meeting between his Movement and Fatah in Doha cannot be judged before holding another meeting to review the overall proposed ideas.
"There are still some outstanding issues, mostly importantly, the issue of the civil servants and the other problems of Gaza," Abu Zuhri told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) on Saturday.
He also pointed to the problem of political arrests and other issues in the West Bank, which he said must be addressed in the next meeting.
Hamas and Fatah had reached definite practical ideas to execute the reconciliation agreements signed between them during a round of talks they held last week in the Qatari capital Doha.
"There are still some outstanding issues, mostly importantly, the issue of the civil servants and the other problems of Gaza," Abu Zuhri told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) on Saturday.
He also pointed to the problem of political arrests and other issues in the West Bank, which he said must be addressed in the next meeting.
Hamas and Fatah had reached definite practical ideas to execute the reconciliation agreements signed between them during a round of talks they held last week in the Qatari capital Doha.