22 sept 2017
District committees of Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem endorsed on Thursday a plan to construct a tunnel network around the holy city at the pretext of reducing traffic congestion east and west of occupied Jerusalem.
Quds Press news agency pointed out that the plan will establish a vital infrastructure for future settlement projects and facilitate the traffic of settlers from east and west Jerusalem to downtown.
Director of Mapping and Geographic Information Systems Department of the Arab Studies Society, Khalil Tufakji, told al-Araby al-Jadeed news website that the tunnel network is associated with regional economic projects including al-Buqai'a Airport East of Jerusalem and a regional road to connect Israel to Jordan.
Quds Press news agency pointed out that the plan will establish a vital infrastructure for future settlement projects and facilitate the traffic of settlers from east and west Jerusalem to downtown.
Director of Mapping and Geographic Information Systems Department of the Arab Studies Society, Khalil Tufakji, told al-Araby al-Jadeed news website that the tunnel network is associated with regional economic projects including al-Buqai'a Airport East of Jerusalem and a regional road to connect Israel to Jordan.
20 sept 2017
The Israeli government has set fixed dates for the presence of members of the Knesset (MKs) at the al-Aqsa Mosque—the third holiest site in Islam, Israel’s Channel 2 reported Wednesday.
The government decision came in response to an appeal filed to the Supreme Court demanding that MKs be given green light to visit al-Aqsa Mosque.
Last month, the Israeli government allowed far-right MKs to storm al-Aqsa, sparking tension across Occupied Jerusalem.
On Wednesday morning, at least 131 Israeli settlers defiled the site under heavy police escort. At the same time, Israel’s alleged temple mount advocates continue to launch calls for mass break-ins at al-Aqsa with the advent of Jewish holidays.
The government decision came in response to an appeal filed to the Supreme Court demanding that MKs be given green light to visit al-Aqsa Mosque.
Last month, the Israeli government allowed far-right MKs to storm al-Aqsa, sparking tension across Occupied Jerusalem.
On Wednesday morning, at least 131 Israeli settlers defiled the site under heavy police escort. At the same time, Israel’s alleged temple mount advocates continue to launch calls for mass break-ins at al-Aqsa with the advent of Jewish holidays.
17 sept 2017
The Israeli occupation authorities forwarded a bid to construct a network of tunnels connecting illegal settlement outposts in Occupied Jerusalem.
The forwarded bid aims to establish a four-kilometer tunnel network linking Maaleh Adumim settlement and Street 9 in the French Hill outpost, in Occupied Jerusalem.
The tunnels are set to ease the access of Israeli settlers out of and into Maaleh Adumim and the French Hill on a daily basis as part of underway attempts to boost settlement expansion and wipe out Jerusalem’s Palestinian character.
The forwarded bid aims to establish a four-kilometer tunnel network linking Maaleh Adumim settlement and Street 9 in the French Hill outpost, in Occupied Jerusalem.
The tunnels are set to ease the access of Israeli settlers out of and into Maaleh Adumim and the French Hill on a daily basis as part of underway attempts to boost settlement expansion and wipe out Jerusalem’s Palestinian character.
11 sept 2017
Israeli Forces on Monday demolished part of a Muslim cemetery for burial of martyrs, near the historic wall of occupied Jerusalem in the vicinity of al-Asbat gate.
The head of the committee for the preservation of Islamic cemeteries in Jerusalem, Mustafa Abu Zahra said, in a press statement, that Israeli bulldozers broke into the cemetery and knocked down its wall. Then, they started leveling works in the graveyard which includes remains of 400 martyrs who fell down in the battle of Jerusalem in 1967, he added.
Israeli authorities have been working for years on the establishment of public parks in the vicinity of Jerusalem's historic wall with the aim of obliterating the Arab and Islamic landmarks of Jerusalem and Judaizing the holy city.
The head of the committee for the preservation of Islamic cemeteries in Jerusalem, Mustafa Abu Zahra said, in a press statement, that Israeli bulldozers broke into the cemetery and knocked down its wall. Then, they started leveling works in the graveyard which includes remains of 400 martyrs who fell down in the battle of Jerusalem in 1967, he added.
Israeli authorities have been working for years on the establishment of public parks in the vicinity of Jerusalem's historic wall with the aim of obliterating the Arab and Islamic landmarks of Jerusalem and Judaizing the holy city.
10 sept 2017
Head of the Jerusalem International Foundation in Palestine, Ahmad Abu Halabiya, on Sunday said that the Israeli authorities do not have the right to interfere in the administration of the facilities of al-Aqsa Mosque.
Abu Halabiya stressed in a statement that al-Aqsa Mosque is a purely Islamic site and that the Islamic Waqf is the only body authorized to manage its affairs.
He described the decision issued by the Israeli police chief to permanently close Bab al-Rahma building as a blatant interference aimed at gradually establishing Israeli control over the facilities of al-Aqsa Mosque.
The Palestinian official pointed out that the building was closed in 2003 based on an Israeli police order that is renewed annually without any legal justification.
Israeli authorities closed Bab al-Rahma, which is located on the eastern side of al-Aqsa Mosque, in 2003 under the pretext that the building was used as a headquarters for the Heritage Committee, which no longer exists and which Israel accused of "terrorism".
Abu Halabiya stressed in a statement that al-Aqsa Mosque is a purely Islamic site and that the Islamic Waqf is the only body authorized to manage its affairs.
He described the decision issued by the Israeli police chief to permanently close Bab al-Rahma building as a blatant interference aimed at gradually establishing Israeli control over the facilities of al-Aqsa Mosque.
The Palestinian official pointed out that the building was closed in 2003 based on an Israeli police order that is renewed annually without any legal justification.
Israeli authorities closed Bab al-Rahma, which is located on the eastern side of al-Aqsa Mosque, in 2003 under the pretext that the building was used as a headquarters for the Heritage Committee, which no longer exists and which Israel accused of "terrorism".
8 sept 2017
There is growing Israeli concern that the security situation in the West Bank and Jerusalem could decline considerably during the current month, September, according to Haaretz newspaper.
The newspaper claims that Israeli intelligence services see September as a sensitive month regarding the security cooperation with the Palestinian Authority (PA).
It added that this Israeli concern came to the surface after the PA security apparatuses slashed its coordination with the Israelis in a way that would undermine mutual efforts to stop what it labeled as terrorist attacks and activities.
Meetings between senior PA and Israeli security officers have been rarely held since the latest events at the Aqsa Mosque, according to Haaretz.
In addition to that, the tension between Israel and Jordan has not subsided yet since the killing incident at the Israeli embassy in Amman, where an Israeli security guard shot dead two Jordanian citizens and later was treated as a hero by premier Benjamin Netanyahu.
Jordan has also shelved, since then, joint activities with Israel, arousing more Israeli fears that Jordan will not mediate to calm any tense situation at the Aqsa Mosque in the future.
The newspaper claims that Israeli intelligence services see September as a sensitive month regarding the security cooperation with the Palestinian Authority (PA).
It added that this Israeli concern came to the surface after the PA security apparatuses slashed its coordination with the Israelis in a way that would undermine mutual efforts to stop what it labeled as terrorist attacks and activities.
Meetings between senior PA and Israeli security officers have been rarely held since the latest events at the Aqsa Mosque, according to Haaretz.
In addition to that, the tension between Israel and Jordan has not subsided yet since the killing incident at the Israeli embassy in Amman, where an Israeli security guard shot dead two Jordanian citizens and later was treated as a hero by premier Benjamin Netanyahu.
Jordan has also shelved, since then, joint activities with Israel, arousing more Israeli fears that Jordan will not mediate to calm any tense situation at the Aqsa Mosque in the future.
6 sept 2016
The Palestine Prisoners Center for Studies (PPCS) kept record of the detention of 15 Palestinian women and girls by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF), among them four minors, in August.
A statement by PPCS said 15 to 20 Palestinian women and girls are kidnapped by the Israeli forces every single month mostly on charges of carrying out or being involved in anti-occupation stabbing attacks or incitement on social media.
The list of female arrestees in August included four minors below the age of 17: Amira Taqatqa, 16; Hiba al-Faroukh, 15, Shahd Abu Kweik, 15; and Siujoud Assi, 14.
PPCS also kept record of the surge in the abduction of Palestinian women in Occupied Jerusalem, particularly near holy al-Aqsa Mosque.
A statement by PPCS said 15 to 20 Palestinian women and girls are kidnapped by the Israeli forces every single month mostly on charges of carrying out or being involved in anti-occupation stabbing attacks or incitement on social media.
The list of female arrestees in August included four minors below the age of 17: Amira Taqatqa, 16; Hiba al-Faroukh, 15, Shahd Abu Kweik, 15; and Siujoud Assi, 14.
PPCS also kept record of the surge in the abduction of Palestinian women in Occupied Jerusalem, particularly near holy al-Aqsa Mosque.
29 aug 2017
Activists from Peace Now Movement demonstrated Tuesday at al-Magharba gate where MKs Yehuda Glick, of Likud party, and Shuli Moalem-Refaeli, of the Jewish Home, broke into al-Aqsa Mosque.
The Movement expressed protest at the Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's decision to allow members of the Knesset to enter the holy site in a one-day trial.
According to Maariv website, MKs intending to enter the Mosque must obtain the approval of the Knesset's security commander and the Jerusalem police chief.
Based on the decision, MKs will be able to enter the site through Bab al-Magharba only at times when Jewish settlers are allowed to visit it. Political speeches and media interviews are not allowed during the visits, and MKs are prohibited from entering the Islamic Waqf offices.
Arab MKs announced that they will enter al-Aqsa Mosque whenever they want and not when Netanyahu wants.
The Movement expressed protest at the Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's decision to allow members of the Knesset to enter the holy site in a one-day trial.
According to Maariv website, MKs intending to enter the Mosque must obtain the approval of the Knesset's security commander and the Jerusalem police chief.
Based on the decision, MKs will be able to enter the site through Bab al-Magharba only at times when Jewish settlers are allowed to visit it. Political speeches and media interviews are not allowed during the visits, and MKs are prohibited from entering the Islamic Waqf offices.
Arab MKs announced that they will enter al-Aqsa Mosque whenever they want and not when Netanyahu wants.
Palestinian activists on Tuesday launched calls for the implementation of a thought-out plan to thwart Israeli attempts to hold sway over holy al-Aqsa Mosque.
Speaking during a press conference, head of Jerusalem’s Committee at the Israeli Knesset, Ahmed al-Tibi, spoke out against the Israeli violations and Judaization schemes at al-Aqsa and Occupied Jerusalem.
He warned of ongoing Israeli attempts to whitewash its crimes and “pool the wool over the world’s eyes” with the help of the new US administration.
Meanwhile, representative of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Ambassador Ahmed al-Ruweidi, strongly condemned the Israeli break-ins at al-Aqsa and attempts to grab hold of the site.
He added that the break-ins carried out by Israeli Mks at al-Aqsa are tension-provoking.
“Netanyahu wants to take revenge at al-Aqsa and the Muslim worshipers,” said al-Ruweidi, warning of the simmering Israeli terrorism and dangerous excavations around the site.
Head of al-Aqsa’s Academy for Endowment and Heritage, Sheikh Najeh Bkeirat, called for the launch of a unified and well-organized plan in the face of the Israeli violations in Occupied Jerusalem.
A press conference held at PalMedia headquarters in Occupied Jerusalem culminated in a set of recommendations urging the Palestinians to stand on guard against the Israeli attempts to enforce a new fait accompli and impose a spatio-temporal division at al-Aqsa.
Speaking during a press conference, head of Jerusalem’s Committee at the Israeli Knesset, Ahmed al-Tibi, spoke out against the Israeli violations and Judaization schemes at al-Aqsa and Occupied Jerusalem.
He warned of ongoing Israeli attempts to whitewash its crimes and “pool the wool over the world’s eyes” with the help of the new US administration.
Meanwhile, representative of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Ambassador Ahmed al-Ruweidi, strongly condemned the Israeli break-ins at al-Aqsa and attempts to grab hold of the site.
He added that the break-ins carried out by Israeli Mks at al-Aqsa are tension-provoking.
“Netanyahu wants to take revenge at al-Aqsa and the Muslim worshipers,” said al-Ruweidi, warning of the simmering Israeli terrorism and dangerous excavations around the site.
Head of al-Aqsa’s Academy for Endowment and Heritage, Sheikh Najeh Bkeirat, called for the launch of a unified and well-organized plan in the face of the Israeli violations in Occupied Jerusalem.
A press conference held at PalMedia headquarters in Occupied Jerusalem culminated in a set of recommendations urging the Palestinians to stand on guard against the Israeli attempts to enforce a new fait accompli and impose a spatio-temporal division at al-Aqsa.
28 aug 2017
Dozens of Israeli soldiers stormed Fawar refugee camp, south of al-Khalil, on Monday morning and distributed circulars ruling that Palestinians can apply for travel or work permits only if they do not join anti-occupation protests.
The distributed leaflets informed the Palestinians that they might submit applications for travel and work permits at the Liaison Office allegedly after a security ban enforced on al-Fawar camp has been lifted.
As figures in the circulated leaflets, permits will be granted by the occupation authorities on condition that applicants do not organize or take part in anti-occupation activities.
A few weeks earlier similar circulars were handed over to the Palestinians in the city.
The distributed leaflets informed the Palestinians that they might submit applications for travel and work permits at the Liaison Office allegedly after a security ban enforced on al-Fawar camp has been lifted.
As figures in the circulated leaflets, permits will be granted by the occupation authorities on condition that applicants do not organize or take part in anti-occupation activities.
A few weeks earlier similar circulars were handed over to the Palestinians in the city.
27 aug 2017
Hundreds of Palestinian citizens in Jab’a town of Jenin participated on Saturday evening in the funeral of the girl child who died of serious wounds she sustained when a Jewish settler ran her over earlier on the same day.
The mourners marched in the funeral procession from Rafidia Hospital in Nablus to Jab’a, the native town of eight-year-old Aseel Abu Aoun, where her relatives bid her a final farewell and buried her in the town’s cemetery.
Several speakers gave speeches during the funeral denouncing the crimes that are committed by Jewish settlers in the West Bank and demanding an end to the presence of Israeli settlements in their areas.
Aseel Abu Aoun is a new victim of Israel’s settlement presence in the West Bank, one speaker said.
A Jewish settler on Saturday morning rammed his car into the child on the main road of the West Bank town of al-Jiftlik town in Jericho (Ariha), where a large number of soldiers and settlers live in illegal outposts and settlements built on annexed lands.
The mourners marched in the funeral procession from Rafidia Hospital in Nablus to Jab’a, the native town of eight-year-old Aseel Abu Aoun, where her relatives bid her a final farewell and buried her in the town’s cemetery.
Several speakers gave speeches during the funeral denouncing the crimes that are committed by Jewish settlers in the West Bank and demanding an end to the presence of Israeli settlements in their areas.
Aseel Abu Aoun is a new victim of Israel’s settlement presence in the West Bank, one speaker said.
A Jewish settler on Saturday morning rammed his car into the child on the main road of the West Bank town of al-Jiftlik town in Jericho (Ariha), where a large number of soldiers and settlers live in illegal outposts and settlements built on annexed lands.
26 aug 2017
The Israeli occupation authorities have arrested 800 Palestinian children since the start of this year, most of them from occupied Jerusalem, the Palestinian Detainees and Ex-detainees Committee revealed on Saturday.
According to Issa Qaraqe, head of the Committee, some 25 of the detained minors were shot by Israeli gunfire during their arrest.
In a statement on Saturday, Qaraqe said that dozens of the children have been arrested several times. Some of them, he explained, are unable to go to school because they have permanent disabilities resulting from the ill-treatment to which they were subjected during arrest and investigation, including torture.
Qaraqe said that the Committee receives testimonials from young ex-detainees that prove being beaten, tortured, verbally abused, handcuffed and subjected to other kinds of maltreatment at the hands of Israeli soldiers.
He also underlined that such treatment of children, is a “flagrant violation” of international humanitarian law. He called on the Palestinian Authority to prosecute Israeli leaders for the violations and offenses practiced against Palestinian children.
According to Issa Qaraqe, head of the Committee, some 25 of the detained minors were shot by Israeli gunfire during their arrest.
In a statement on Saturday, Qaraqe said that dozens of the children have been arrested several times. Some of them, he explained, are unable to go to school because they have permanent disabilities resulting from the ill-treatment to which they were subjected during arrest and investigation, including torture.
Qaraqe said that the Committee receives testimonials from young ex-detainees that prove being beaten, tortured, verbally abused, handcuffed and subjected to other kinds of maltreatment at the hands of Israeli soldiers.
He also underlined that such treatment of children, is a “flagrant violation” of international humanitarian law. He called on the Palestinian Authority to prosecute Israeli leaders for the violations and offenses practiced against Palestinian children.
25 aug 2017
Israel’s Channel 2 reported that, yesterday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave authorization for Knesset members to storm Al-Aqsa Mosque next Tuesday.
Netanyahu issued an order prohibiting members of the Knesset from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque in October of 2015, since the outbreak of the uprising in Jerusalem. In July, he temporarily lifted the ban following a legal petition by far-right Knesset member Yehuda Glick.
This decision, according to the PNN, was made after security considerations determined that the storming of Al-Aqsa by Israeli groups, including ministers and MKs, are a major factor in provoking Palestinians. The Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam.
Dozens of settlers storm the mosque, under the protection of the Israeli police, on a daily basis. UNESCO deemed Al-Aqsa Mosque an Islamic heritage, last October.
In protest to the ban Yehuda Glick organized a raid at Al-Aqsa Mosque yesterday, in which over 130 right-wing Israelis stormed the compound under the protection of Israeli police, while Glick performed prayers outside the holy site’s gates.
Netanyahu issued an order prohibiting members of the Knesset from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque in October of 2015, since the outbreak of the uprising in Jerusalem. In July, he temporarily lifted the ban following a legal petition by far-right Knesset member Yehuda Glick.
This decision, according to the PNN, was made after security considerations determined that the storming of Al-Aqsa by Israeli groups, including ministers and MKs, are a major factor in provoking Palestinians. The Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam.
Dozens of settlers storm the mosque, under the protection of the Israeli police, on a daily basis. UNESCO deemed Al-Aqsa Mosque an Islamic heritage, last October.
In protest to the ban Yehuda Glick organized a raid at Al-Aqsa Mosque yesterday, in which over 130 right-wing Israelis stormed the compound under the protection of Israeli police, while Glick performed prayers outside the holy site’s gates.
Dozens of Jewish settlers along with officials on Thursday staged a provocative evening march in the Palestinian Silwan district of Occupied Jerusalem and entered a house that had been already sized and turned into a synagogue in Baten al-Hawa neighborhood.
A reporter for the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) said the settlers were carrying Torah scrolls and Israeli flags as they were marching to the house that was appropriated a few years ago at the pretext that it was once a synagogue.
Member of the Silwan Land Defense Committee Fakhri Abu Diyab said that scores of Israeli police forces were deployed throughout the area and on rooftops of homes to protect the participants in the march.
Abu Diyab affirmed that Israeli agriculture minister Uri Ariel, right-wing Knesset members, and officials from the Jewish House Party, and Ashkenazi chief rabbi of Jerusalem Aryeh Stern were among the participants.
He pointed out that it was the first time for the settlers to hold a march in Silwan district.
Silwan and its neighborhoods have become targeted with Judaization projects. The Israeli occupation authority still seeks to demolish several Palestinian homes in the district in order to build a park for its settlers.
In 2005, it started to notify local residents of its intent to raze their homes for the park project, but it had to delay its step several times after home owners managed to extract court verdicts freezing demolition orders.
However, the Israeli municipality in Jerusalem now threatens again to demolish the homes in Silwan after it rejected all the structural blueprints they submitted for their neighborhoods.
A reporter for the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) said the settlers were carrying Torah scrolls and Israeli flags as they were marching to the house that was appropriated a few years ago at the pretext that it was once a synagogue.
Member of the Silwan Land Defense Committee Fakhri Abu Diyab said that scores of Israeli police forces were deployed throughout the area and on rooftops of homes to protect the participants in the march.
Abu Diyab affirmed that Israeli agriculture minister Uri Ariel, right-wing Knesset members, and officials from the Jewish House Party, and Ashkenazi chief rabbi of Jerusalem Aryeh Stern were among the participants.
He pointed out that it was the first time for the settlers to hold a march in Silwan district.
Silwan and its neighborhoods have become targeted with Judaization projects. The Israeli occupation authority still seeks to demolish several Palestinian homes in the district in order to build a park for its settlers.
In 2005, it started to notify local residents of its intent to raze their homes for the park project, but it had to delay its step several times after home owners managed to extract court verdicts freezing demolition orders.
However, the Israeli municipality in Jerusalem now threatens again to demolish the homes in Silwan after it rejected all the structural blueprints they submitted for their neighborhoods.
In the next decade, some 400 Jewish families will live in the Occupied Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah, said Arieh King, the director of the Israel Land Fund NGO.
“Sheikh Jarrah is going through a revolution, and we will see its outcome in something like five years,” King told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday. “We have now four main compounds that we are working on. In our next phase we plan to house families in two more compounds – one of 300 housing units and the other of 200 housing units.”
“For now, there are five Jewish homes in Sheikh Jarrah, located north of the Old City,” he said.
King added that his aim is to connect Mount Scopus to Route 1 and Mea She’arim neighborhood.
He rejected reports that the phenomenon of Jews settling in Occupied Jerusalem is drawing domestic and international attention.
“If it was 15 years ago you would have seen headlines everywhere, but now, no one cares,” claimed King.
“The Arabs are apathetic about this. It is hard for them, but they accept the fact that we are returning."
“Sheikh Jarrah is going through a revolution, and we will see its outcome in something like five years,” King told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday. “We have now four main compounds that we are working on. In our next phase we plan to house families in two more compounds – one of 300 housing units and the other of 200 housing units.”
“For now, there are five Jewish homes in Sheikh Jarrah, located north of the Old City,” he said.
King added that his aim is to connect Mount Scopus to Route 1 and Mea She’arim neighborhood.
He rejected reports that the phenomenon of Jews settling in Occupied Jerusalem is drawing domestic and international attention.
“If it was 15 years ago you would have seen headlines everywhere, but now, no one cares,” claimed King.
“The Arabs are apathetic about this. It is hard for them, but they accept the fact that we are returning."
23 aug 2017
Amnesty International said that the Electronic Crimes Law, adopted by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in July, violates citizens’ rights to privacy and freedom of expression and blatantly flouts the State of Palestine’s obligations under international law.
Amnesty said in a report, that the law imposes heavy fines and permits the arbitrary detention of anyone critical of the Palestinian authorities online, including journalists and whistleblowers.
It could also be used to target anyone for simply sharing or retweeting such news. Anyone who is deemed to have disturbed “public order”, “national unity” or “social peace” could be sentenced to imprisonment and up to 15 years hard labor, the report pointed out.
“Instead of presiding over a chilling campaign designed to silence dissent, intimidate journalists and breach the privacy of individuals, the Palestinian authorities must stop arbitrarily detaining journalists and drop charges against anyone prosecuted for freely expressing themselves. They must also urgently repeal the Electronic Crimes Law,” said Magdalena Mughrabi, Deputy Middle East and North Africa Director at Amnesty International.
In June, several weeks before the Electronic Crimes Law came into force, Palestinian Authority arbitrarily ordered internet service providers in the West Bank to block access to 29 websites. They include websites belonging to political parties, opposition and independent media outlets and the al-Quds network, a volunteer-run community online news outlet.
According to the report, the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank is responsible for 81 attacks on media freedom since the start of the year.
Amnesty said in a report, that the law imposes heavy fines and permits the arbitrary detention of anyone critical of the Palestinian authorities online, including journalists and whistleblowers.
It could also be used to target anyone for simply sharing or retweeting such news. Anyone who is deemed to have disturbed “public order”, “national unity” or “social peace” could be sentenced to imprisonment and up to 15 years hard labor, the report pointed out.
“Instead of presiding over a chilling campaign designed to silence dissent, intimidate journalists and breach the privacy of individuals, the Palestinian authorities must stop arbitrarily detaining journalists and drop charges against anyone prosecuted for freely expressing themselves. They must also urgently repeal the Electronic Crimes Law,” said Magdalena Mughrabi, Deputy Middle East and North Africa Director at Amnesty International.
In June, several weeks before the Electronic Crimes Law came into force, Palestinian Authority arbitrarily ordered internet service providers in the West Bank to block access to 29 websites. They include websites belonging to political parties, opposition and independent media outlets and the al-Quds network, a volunteer-run community online news outlet.
According to the report, the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank is responsible for 81 attacks on media freedom since the start of the year.
A senior United Nations (UN) political affairs official Tuesday evening voiced concerns over recent developments that “undermine efforts to end the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including Israel's move to amend a law to cement its control over East Jerusalem.”
“Jerusalem is a final status issue that must be resolved through negotiations between the parties,” Assistant-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Miroslav Jenèa told the Security Council during his briefing on the situation in the Middle East.
He said that if approved, the proposed amendment to the “Basic Law: Jerusalem the Capital of Israel” would further cement Israeli control over occupied East Jerusalem and would limit the ability of both sides to reach a negotiated solution that is in line with UN resolutions and prior agreements.
“Any move which could impact demographics in the city is extremely worrisome and could spark violence,” he said.
Earlier last month, Israeli Knesset backed a bill that aims to make it more difficult to give up sections of occupied Jerusalem in a future peace deal.
The basic law was requiring the consent of at least 61 MKs, a majority in the 120-member Knesset, for handing over sovereign control of any part of Jerusalem to Palestinians.
However, the bill would raise that to an 80-MK minimum, or fully two-thirds of the Knesset, a threshold that likely makes it all but impossible for a future Israeli government to obtain the Knesset’s approval for withdrawing from occupied Jerusalem.
“Jerusalem is a final status issue that must be resolved through negotiations between the parties,” Assistant-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Miroslav Jenèa told the Security Council during his briefing on the situation in the Middle East.
He said that if approved, the proposed amendment to the “Basic Law: Jerusalem the Capital of Israel” would further cement Israeli control over occupied East Jerusalem and would limit the ability of both sides to reach a negotiated solution that is in line with UN resolutions and prior agreements.
“Any move which could impact demographics in the city is extremely worrisome and could spark violence,” he said.
Earlier last month, Israeli Knesset backed a bill that aims to make it more difficult to give up sections of occupied Jerusalem in a future peace deal.
The basic law was requiring the consent of at least 61 MKs, a majority in the 120-member Knesset, for handing over sovereign control of any part of Jerusalem to Palestinians.
However, the bill would raise that to an 80-MK minimum, or fully two-thirds of the Knesset, a threshold that likely makes it all but impossible for a future Israeli government to obtain the Knesset’s approval for withdrawing from occupied Jerusalem.
