- 23 sept 2011
Violent confrontations in Jerusalem
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)-- Clashes between local youth and Israeli occupation police broke out Friday afternoon in a number of neighbourhoods of occupied Jerusalem resulting in dozens of injuries and arrests.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC correspondent that clashes broke out at the Abu Nab neighbourhood in Silwan to the south of the Aqsa Mosque between IOF troops and local Palestinians, who hurled stones at occupation troops, with the latter responding by firing teargas causing dozens to suffer breathing difficulties.
In Beith Hanina to the north of the Aqsa Mosque similar clashes took place. The IOF arrested three local youth on the pretext they burned tyres and hurled stones at occupation troops. Another Palestinian was arrested near the Aqsa Mosque.
There were limited clashes in Ras al-Amoud after a local young man, Hamza Jaber, was arrested.
Intermittent clashes were also reported at the Siwwana neighbourhood east of the Aqsa Mosque and at the Shifat refugee camp roadblock.
Occupation troops and police declared a state of emergency in Jerusalem on Friday and deployed large numbers of police on the ground around the Aqsa Mosque, supported by helicopters hovering over the occupied city.
http://fwd4.me/0CCH
IOF troops raid Silwan suburb, clash with local youth
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)-- Violent clashes between local youth and IOF troops broke out in different streets of the Jerusalem suburb of Silwan, south of the Aqsa Mosque. IOF troops disguised as Arabs were deployed in the suburb to chase and arrest Palestinian youth.
Wadi al-Helwa information centre said on Friday that the clashes were concentrate in Ras al-Amoud, Bustab, Bir Ayoub and Batin al-Hawa neighbourhoods of Salwan and Sawwana neighbourhood of the old city after IOF troops raided those areas and local youth responded by hurling stones and empty bottles at them.
http://fwd4.me/0C9e
Assualting brutally the youth Waheed Rwaidi from Silwan
A soldier said to him” the citizens of Silwan don’t want development and better life
By Maysa Abu Ghazaleh, Waheed Rwaidi a 33 youth from Jerusalem suffers from wounds and concussions all over his body after being attacked by the under cover units and the Israeli borders forces then he was arrested while Waheed was heading accompanied with his family to his sister’s house .
The incident took place last Thursday when he was in his private car with his wife , two children 3 yrs and his baby 9 months heading from his house in Beer Ayoub district in Silwan in their way to his sister’s in Abu Tour which is few kilometers away from Silwan , unfortunately, their was a mobile barrier in beer Ayoub district and it was stopping cars randomly, and inspecting documents and i.ds and Waheed ws chosen to be arrested .
Waheed tells his story “ I headed last Thursday night with my family to my sisters house when a mobile barrier suddenly stopped me to check identity cards , there were many Israeli Military jeeps exactly beside the bricks factory, at that time , the place was very quiet but all of the sudden the kids were throwing stones towards the Israeli troops , then , to secure my family I moved the car ten meters , as a result I was followed by the soldiers and asked for the identities mine , my mother and my wife’s but they didn’t have them so they started to shout and use dirty language , so they started to search the car and suddenly I was attacked by a group of undercover agents who used wooden sticks and beating me by their feet all over my body and focused also on my face.
Then I was coughed and taken to the area of Cinematic after being sprayed by the peper gas their I was under custody for more than an hour then I was assaulted brutally and cursed by dirty language and at the time I was bleeding from the nose and ears and I asked them to call an ambulance for I was suffering seviere pains but they didn’t care and beat me on the stomach.
Then they transported me to Salah Al dien Street Police Station while I was coughed and eye folded at 11 pm . I was interrogated until 3 :30 am. I was accused by breaking into a military barrier , using dirty language against the soldiers , and beating a female soldier , but I denied them and told him about what really happened .
After that I was transported to the Russian Compound ,a doctor examined me then sent me to She’ary Tsideck Hospital and after the doctor examined me he told me that those were trauma and they would take days to be cured , then I was taken back to the Russian compound to the waiting rooms to be presented to the Magistrate court judge , I waited from 7:00 am till 12:00 noon time and added “ when I was presented to the Judge he ordered my immediate release and signed me on a 500 NIS bail , refusing the request of the persecution to detain me 3 days as result for the wounds and inflations appeared in my face.
Waheed mentioned that his frontal set of teeth were moving as a consequence of the beating . Waheed Indicated that he is going to apply a complain through Mahash “which cares for citizens complains against the Israeli government. Waheed Rwaidi commenting about what happened with him “ The Israeli Forces are spiteful towards Silwan’s Citizens and this is clear in their deliberate brutal reactions and beating over citizens .
Rwaidee also quoted the sayings of one of the soldiers “ the citizens of Silwan don’t want to development , they want to stay in old houses , your sons throw stones , you don’t want gardens and parks , you don’t want a better life . Rwaidee ‘s Mother mentioned that they were threatened to be sprayed by pepper gas if we try to be close to waheed while he was beaten
http://silwanic.net/?p=20494 15 jan 2012, 21:47 , Respect -
Maria 24 sept 2011
In The Magistrate Court tomorrow, Jawad’s Hearing Session
Silwan, Jerusalem (SILWANIC) -- In the perception of chasing Jawad Siyam, Wadi Hilweh Information Center director , tomorrow a hearing session in the Magistrate Court will be hold to discuss the claims of an Arab person that Jawad Seyam assaulted him physically .The Arab guy also said that Jawad Siyam accused him of land diversion for the settlers who are mobilizing photographers to monitor Jawad’s Motions .
http://silwanic.net/?p=20606 15 jan 2012, 21:47 , Respect -
Maria 15 jan 2012, 21:47 , Respect -
Maria 26 sept 2011
New Israeli pumps aimed at stealing Silwan water supply
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)-- A group in Jerusalem has accused the Israeli occupation authorities of using large pumps to steal the water supply from the historic Ayyoub well in East Jerusalem’s Arab Silwan district.
Located 450 meters south of Al-Aqsa Mosque, the 130 meter deep well had supplied Jerusalem, Jericho, Ramallah, and Bethlehem with water, said Fakhri Abu Diab, a member of the Silwan defense committee..
Before Israel, the UN Relief Works Agency installed pumps there in order to supply Palestinian communities in the occupied territories and Jordan.
Abu Diab said a few years ago the Israeli authorities began stealing part of the well’s water and transferring it to the Jewish settlements. A few days ago, those authorities installed large pumps and tanks in a step aimed at transferring the water to the western half of the city, he said.
Elsewhere, Israeli authorities flooded a large area of the historic Muslim Ma’manullah cemetery with threat of serious damage, sources familiar with the incident said Sunday.
Mustafa Abu Zahra, the chairman of a cemetery maintenance committee, said he saw large deposits of water in the western part of the cemetery caused by water pipes set up there.
The Muslim cemetery is the largest and most important in Jerusalem, with several of the Prophet Muhammad’s companions buried there. It is the site of many controversial construction projects that involved the removal of skeletons.
http://fwd4.me/0CS7 15 jan 2012, 21:48 , Respect -
Maria 27 sept 2011
Wikileaks leaks information about Ras al Amood Police
Jewish extremists harassing Arabs in front of the Ras Almoud Settlement.
Wikileaks leaked information about suspicious bargains made with the Israeli police to build a new police station on Palestinian lands close to the Settlement of Ma’ale Adumim, the biggest settlement in theWest Bank.
Ilan Baz the former head of the Civil Administration in the West Bank disclosed information about his meeting with officials from the American Embassy in Tel Aviv during which he told the officials that former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Shaul Mofaz former defense Minister attempted to interfere personally to convince Baz to approve the building of a police station in the E1 area, on the lands of the Red Khan- but he refused.
Baz added that at that time, Sharon and Mofaz claimed that their requests to build the police station there was for security reasons. The plans of the project included building conjunctions which belong to the Palestinians. The project was approved after Baz left his position.
The police station was built on the lands of the Red Khan as an alternative to the one which was inside the neighbourhood of Ras Al Amood. This was done through a suspicious bargain which was funded by Elad. The bargain included transferring ownership of the building in Ras Al Amood to Elad in exchange for Elad funding the construction of the new police station on thelandofRed Khannear Ma’ale Adumim.
When the American Ambassador asked about the funding of the project, Baz answered that there were rumours the settlers will be given the Ras al Amood building as soon as they finish building the new station at the Red Khan.
http://silwanic.net/?p=20651
The summary of the anniversary of martyring Samer Sarhan
A windshield of an Israeli settler’s vehicle as broken by angry crowds reacting to the illegal settlement and the martyrdom of Samer Sarhan
The day started with confusion for the residents of Silwan. Some heard that there was going to be a march to commemorate the anniversary of the Martyr Samer Sarhan. Others didn’t hear about the march at all, and according to one religious personality’s analysis, “the confusion is in the interest of the settlers and biased people, so don’t be taken by rumours.” At noon the situation became clear when separate clashes took place in many neighbourhoods where stones were thrown.
Violent confrontations in front of City of David settlement which was built on the land of the Qaraean and Sumrain Families. The land was confiscated by the Absentee Custody Law
At the first hours of sunset, the first Molotov cocktail was thrown at the ‘House of Yonothan’ settlement block in the neighbourhood of Batn Alhawa. Then, three more Molotov cocktails were thrown at a settlement block which lies between the Spring of Silwan Streetand the neighbourhood of Wadi Hilweh.
Numerous Israeli forces are protecting the City of David SettlementonWadi Hilweh Street
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A few seconds later, a mass of armed Israeli forces headed toward the neighbourhood of Ein Alouzeh and the Protest Tent in Al Bustan neighbourhood. The Israeli forces kidnapped one child, Wajdi Qaqoor, 15, while he was standing at the bus station.
The Israeli Forces solidified their presence in many neighbourhoods, for instance, at the junction of the Martyr’s street, at the same spot where Sarhan was killed. The atmosphere is still tense with the potential for further confrontations.
http://silwanic.net/?p=20646
Heavy presence of Israeli military in Wadi Hilweh
An intense build-up of Israeli military was observed in Silwan on Saturday night, 24 September, after a Molotov cocktail was reported to have been thrown at the Israeli settlement block between Wadi Hilweh Street and Ein Silwan Street.
Israeli forces are a regular fixture on the streets of Silwan, often coordinating their operations with armed settlers and their security guards
http://silwanic.net/?p=20634 15 jan 2012, 21:48 , Respect -
Maria 28 sept 2011
Israeli troops brutally assault a youth and attack medics
Numerous Israeli troops assaulted the youth Hamdi Jaber from the Middle Neighbourhood while he was passing by. These troops assaulted him brutally, contrary to all human standards, neglecting his cries of pain. His screams expressed the brutality of those troops.
One of the witnesses mentioned that Jaber was screaming out because of pain in his arm saying, “Help me for God’s sake, my hand is broken.” During the assault the Israeli troops assaulted medics and everyone who tried to help Jaber, then he was chained and arrested.
http://silwanic.net/?p=20717
Kidnapping a youth from Al Bustan Neighbourhood
Israeli troops kidnapped Ahmad Naeem Taha, 16, From al Bustan Neighbourhood without any reason. This act happened while the neighbourhood was quite calm.
http://silwanic.net/?p=20715
After a tense calm, confrontations are renewed
Our Reporter has just informed us of the renewal of confrontations in the neighbourhood of Ras Al Amood, after relative calm which didn’t last for more than an hour.
Fully armed troops are heavily present in the populated neighbourhood and provoking citizens which will add tension to the situation.
http://silwanic.net/?p=20713
Al-Bustan demolition court session delayed
The Central Court session scheduled for today regarding the Jerusalem Municipality’s plans to demolish most of Al-Bustan neighborhood of Silwan has been delayed. The lawyer for Al-Bustan was informed by the Court today that the critical session has been delayed to an unknown date at the Municipality’s request.
http://silwanic.net/?p=20706
Information Center director faces new allegations in on-going trial
A session was held today in Jerusalem’s Central Court in the assault case lodged against Wadi Hilweh Information Center director Jawad Siyam. The session follows an appearance in the Magistrates Court two days previously, when the judge heard the Israeli prosecution’s allegations against Siyam, of alleged involvement with the Palestinian Authority and of continuously preventing Israeli settlers from buying property in Silwan.
The main witness, an Arab resident of East Jerusalem whose identity has not been disclosed to the public but claims to be head of the Jerusalem Merchants Committee, claims that Siyam physically assaulted him threatened to kidnap him and take him to the city of Jericho. The witness also alleged that Siyam introduced himself to him on behalf of the Palestinian Authority and as head of the Silwan Committee.
Siyam states that the witness is an employee of David Beiry, the director of Elad Settlement Association, and of aiding settlers in land appropriation by purchasing property himself to then in turn sell to settlers. Siyam claims that he himself was physically assaulted by the man in question, as were as many as 20 other residents of Silwan.
Siyam has been arrested numerous times by Israeli officials for his community activism in Silwan, and has served 4 months under house arrest. A smear campaign has been run against him by right-wing Israeli newspapers, while he and his family continue to suffer harassment and intimidation by Israeli authorities. His family home has been raided multiple times by Israeli forces.
Today’s session was requested to be closed to the public by the Palestinian witness, while Siyam’s lawyer insisted that it be open to the public.
http://silwanic.net/?p=20703
Military raid in Bir Ayyub
Israeli troops and intelligence agents raided a Palestinian home in Bir Ayyub district of Silwan this morning at 2:30am. The home was broken into by troops, terrifying the sleeping children in the house.
Home contents were smashed by raiding officers, who continued the search of the house until dawn. Troops then moved to Baten al-Hawa and Wadi Hilweh, where two children 7 years of age were summoned for investigation.
http://silwanic.net/?p=20700
Tension at the Wailing Wall and Wadi Hilweh
Throngs of Israeli right-wing extremists in their thousands occupied the Wailing Wall plaza in the Old City and Wadi Hilweh district of Silwan today.
Multiple reports of aggressive behavior towards Palestinian residents were received, with the extremists staging dramatic acts of wailing and crying at the Wall, continuing throughout last night and past dawn. The mass gathering has been taken as an opportunity by many to express hatred towards the Arab population
http://silwanic.net/?p=20698
Arresting minors in the neighbourhood of Ras Al amoud
Last night the Israeli forces arrested Yaseen Abu Madi, 16, in the neighbourhood of Ras Al Amoud. Yaseen has previously been arrested and was under house arrest.
http://silwanic.net/?p=20688 15 jan 2012, 21:49 , Respect -
Maria 28 sept 2011
Basim Hjazee Demolished His House with His Own Hands
Basim Hjazee was forced to demolish his own house which lies in the neighbourhood of al Abaseya in Silwan.
Hjazee received a demolition order from theJerusalemMunicipalityas well as a fine 15,000 NIS ( $1=3.70 NIS) before Jerusalem Municipality bulldozers reached the house to demolish an added room. His house is 54 square meters and houses 5 family members. It is worth mentioning that it is not the first time theJerusalemMunicipalityobliged Hjazee to remove the roof of the same room and made him pay 7500NIS.
http://silwanic.net/?p=20685
Provocative acts by Israeli Forces cause and outbreak of confrontations
Confrontations broke out as worshippers left the mosques after Friday afternoon prayers due to the concentration of, and provocations by, Israeli troops in the Palestinian neighbourhoods and streets.
http://silwanic.net/?p=20719 15 jan 2012, 21:50 , Respect -
Maria 29 sept 2011
Attoun’s detention extended, court hearing delayed
The detention of Palestinian parliamentarian Ahmad Attoun was extended until 3 October by the Jerusalem Magistrates Court today, with the session delayed for Attoun’s defence team to prepare its case. Attoun’s lawyer Fadi Qawasmeh stated that the state prosecution presented a list of charges against his client at today’s session, including allegations of having entered the Occupied Territories.
The prosecution also requested an extension of Attoun’s detention until all legal proceedings are concluded.
Attoun is reported to remain in high spirit, though he continues to suffer physical pain from injuries sustained during his arrest. Qawasmeh stated that his client was admitted to Bekoor Holeem Hospital yesterday, and was then returned to his cell in the Russian Compound after a medical assessment.
Attoun was arrested by undercover Israeli agents at the IHRC center in East Jerusalem earlier this week, where he had taken shelter for over a year alongside two other parliamentarians, all facing deportation from Jerusalem when Israeli authorities revoked their Jerusalem residency status.
http://silwanic.net/?p=20758 15 jan 2012, 21:51 , Respect -
Maria 15 jan 2012, 21:51 , Respect -
Maria 15 jan 2012, 21:51 , Respect -
Maria 2 oct 2011
Settlers attacked Israeli activist and Palestinians
On Thirsday (30/9) Israeli activists and Palestinians were attacked by settlers near the settlement of Atarot.
The landowner of the plot to which the activists came in order to plant trees was also attacked by the settlers who cracked his head open, as well as attacking his wife. The two were have been hospitalized at Hadasa Ein Karem hospital.
Police officers who were present at the scene did nothing while the activists were beaten and their cameras smashed. Some of the attackers wore police shirts and carried service weapons, which attests to the fact that they are a part of the police force even though they were off duty.
Three other activists have been hospitalized at Hadassa Ein Karem and an additional three have been arrested by the police, who have NOT arrested any of the assaulting settlers, in spite of having witnessed everything.
Later this evening, more activists arrived to protest against the pogrom which had taken place earlier. They too were attacked and beaten, with stoned being thrown at them too. In spite of police presence at the scene, the police did nothing.
As a result of the second attack, 19 people have been injured, requiring medical attention, and three have been hospitalized at Hadasa Ein Karem. Again, several cameras were destroyed. Moreover, cars belonging to the activists, which were parked outside the settlement of Atarot, were damaged by the attackers, who smashed windshields and head and tail lights, as well as puncturing tires
http://silwanic.net/?p=20774 15 jan 2012, 21:52 , Respect -
Maria 3 oct 2011
On the occasion the Hebrew new year the neighborhood of Wadi Hilweh in Silwan was totally closed, and an attempt of assaulting a child.
The Israeli forces imposed a complete closure over the entrances of Wadi hilweh after midday noon time.The Participating settlers’ herds in the annual march and the settlement’s blocks were guarded heavily by the Israeli forces until the last moment of the sunset when the last Israeli soldier withdrew from the Neighborhood.
This annual march takes place in Wadi hilewh in the occasion of the Hebrew new year. The march participants used dirty language, cursed the Palestinians and called for expelling Palestinians from there. homeland.
Many children randomly went out of their houses with flags logoed by ”I love you Silwan” and the Palestinian Flags.
Then the settlers tried to assault them under justifying this by they are "having a Jewish Feast and those naughty children have no right to be there“.
”You are the master of the international terrorism, how much do you pay them to practice terrorism“ one of the settler shouted.
The Israeli police tried to stop the music coming out from Wadi Hilweh Information center in Silwan justifying this by bothering the march participants.
One of the participating settler said “You are bothering our ears so go to hell”
http://silwanic.net/?p=20780 15 jan 2012, 21:53 , Respect -
Maria 4 oct 2011
Four children are summoned for investigation Wednesday
Four Children from the neighborhood of Wadi Hilweh and Wadi Al Rababeh were summoned by the Israeli authorities The kids ages are between 8-11 yrs .
The Israeli Intelligence doesn’t slacken to arrest children and minors and interrogating them in arbitrary ways . This is according to testimonies taken by kids who were interrogated by the Israeli Authorities.
http://silwanic.net/?p=20795
Cleanliness campaign in the Feasts of Jew
In Coincidence with the Hebrew New year The Jerusalem Municipality is conducting a cleanliness campaign using its Lorries and vehicles in the neighborhood of Wadi hilweh in Silwan.
As usual, this campaign was focused on the areas of settlement blocks and the streets that are used by tourists.The vehicles emptied the rubbish containers
the Neighborhoods and streets of Silwan are considered neglected and left in an awful situation especially after the Israeli Supreme Court concluded the illegality of part of renovation work in streets of Silwan .
As a revenge measure of Jerusalem Municipality according to Silwan Residents, the Municipality didn’t asphalt the streets to put the residents under pressure to accept the conditions of the project which will turn Wadi Hilweh neighborhood into a tourist settlement project .By this the settlers agenda will be served and on the other hand, the original residents needs will be ignored .
http://silwanic.net/?p=20793
Molotov Cocktails Shower over Settlements blocks Wednesday
Palestinian youth dropped a shower of Molotov cocktails over settlements block “ Younatan House in Btn Al Hawa Neighborhood in Silwan. The Neighborhood is witnessing high tension under the Israeli security measures especially that these cause the residents frustrations of preceding their normal life.
http://silwanic.net/?p=20790
Kidnapping a passing by youth by a Military Jeep
The Israeli troops kidnapped a youth from al Harah al Wasta in Silwan while passing by an Israeli military Jeep and the identity of the youth is still unknown.
This is in a continuous policy of arresting people even if they don’t participate in the clashes in Silwan Town according to a resident in Al Hara Al Wasta.
http://silwanic.net/?p=20788
Loud explosion and tense Israeli troops spread in Silwan
Through a telephone call with Silwanic site, eye witnesses declared that they heard the sound of strong explosion in the middle of Silwan, and there are tense Israeli troops spreading in many neighborhoods in Silwan and there. The situation is charged with tension .
http://silwanic.net/?p=20786
Confrontations spark in many neighbor hoods of Silwan
Confrontations sparked in many neighborhoods of Silwan in the middle strict security measures taken by Israeli police in the occasion of Hebrew new year. The Israeli Forces closed streets to secure thousands of Jews march in Silwan.
http://silwanic.net/?p=20783
- 31 aug 2011
Woman wounded, child kidnapped as Israeli forces raid Bir Ayyub
A woman has sustained injuries to the head during confrontations in Bir Ayyub district of Silwan between Palestinians and Israeli forces, say eyewitnesses.
Clashes were sparked when Israeli forces raided a Palestinian home and arrested one child. Undercover units kidnapped two young men during the clashes.
http://silwanic.net/?p=19717
Dawn raid launched on long-suffering family in Wadi Hilweh
Israeli forces launched a dawn raid on Wadi Hilweh district of Silwan this morning, in search of a young resident. Mahmoud al-Banna, 23, who has served a 22-month house arrest sentence outside the village since becoming a target of police, was not at home during the raid. He has been summoned by police and is expected to face the Magistrates Court tomorrow.
Israeli forces raided the al-Banna home a second time several hours after the first, arresting Mahmoud’s younger brothers Nassem Nabil, 21, and Mohammed Nabil, 19. Both men are due to stand in the Magistrates Court tomorrow as well. These arrests are part of a broad Israeli campaign to round up young men and boys in Wadi Hilweh, on a pretext of attacking Israeli settlers. Police have faced problems getting charges to stick to al-Banna, however, with no evidence to show the courts.
A family member told Silwanic that “this latest attempt at arrest should be be surprising at all. It’s common to arrest children in the middle of the night – even to beat them, for no reason. It is also common for Israeli forces to take Palestinians during our celebrations such as Eid. Our family has a long history of being targeted by the authorities, on random unfounded charges, supported by non-existent evidence. We believe we will be able to prove Mahmoud’s innocence.”
http://silwanic.net/?p=19712
Silwan foils City of David concert as tensions run high over Eid
Palestinian residents of Silwan were joined by international and Israeli solidarity activists in staging a protest outside the archaeological City of David settlement’s visitors center today.
The protest, the second in two weeks, was held to offset settler plans to stage a concert at the settlement. Many have denounced the concert as an attempt to deliberately interfere with the Muslim celebration of Eid al-Fitr this week.
The protest met with a violent backlash, as right-wing Israeli extremists attempted to attack protesters and urged police to exercise full force against them. Demonstrators reported that employees of settlement association Elad worked closely with police to repress the protest.
A military blockade at the northern entrance to Wadi Hilweh neighborhood currently prevents worshipers from reaching Al-Aqsa Mosque.
http://silwanic.net/?p=19719 15 jan 2012, 21:35 , Respect -
Maria 15 jan 2012, 21:37 , Respect -
Maria 2 sept 2011
Silwan Quarterly Report: June – August
June, July and August 2011 marked a period of relative quiet in Silwan in comparison to last summer, which was characterised by high tensions and sustained confrontations. June 2011 was the only summer month marred by sustained violence, with daily military raids and confrontations between Israeli forces and Palestinian residents.
Israeli targeting of children has persisted however, with daily raids and arrests continuing over the summer. Israeli settlers, backed by state-funded security squads, have escalated their provocation of local residents, with a strong focus on Silwan’s children. Many have been rounded up by undercover units as authorities attempt to maintain a handle on the village’s campaign of civil disobedience against the occupation.
Multiple hit-and-runs occurred, targeting Palestinian residents. One military jeep crashed into a Palestinian vehicle, causing severe injuries – and broken bones – to the driver. The jeep left the scene, then attempted to prevent paramedics from reaching the injured.
Barriers, checkpoints and road blockades were maintained by the Israeli military throughout Silwan, in particular the notorious checkpoint at the entrance to Wadi Hilweh neighborhood, near the City of David settlement. The checkpoint is the frequent site of harassment of residents and traffic jams, wreaking havoc on the local economy.
Settler security colluded with Israeli soldiers during confrontations in the village, firing live ammunition, sound grenades and several types of tear gas.
Israel’s house demolition policy remained dormant over the summer, with bulldozers conducting no operations during the three months. The Jerusalem Municipality, however, issued several demolition orders including for the protest tent in Wadi Hilweh.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center collected these figures from the June-August period:
Arrests, detentions and kidnapping
Kathem Abu Shafe, 17, arrested by an undercover unit
The Information Center documented 91 cases of arrest; the kidnapping of 39 children aged under 15; 34 aged from 15-18; 18 cases over 18 years and one woman. The majority of children kidnapped were taken as they played in the neighborhood, without provocation.
Local youth Esam Da’na, 8 years old, was kidnapped and violently assaulted
Physical violence and torture
Yazan Abassi (15)
All underage arrestees, without exception, were subjected to physical beating that amounted to torture during the kidnapping – particularly by undercover units. Authorities prevented minors from receiving medical care during their detention and arrests. The Information Center documented many such cases, such as Yazan Abassi (15), who was subjected to beating and torture and continues to require medical treatment for eye injuries; and Ahmad Siyam (14) who was arrested multiple times, including once after midnight. Abassi’s father and brother have also been assaulted by Israeli officers.
Collapsing psychological cases:
Silwan’s children and their families live under extreme psychological pressure. The Information Center, with the aid of social psychology specialists, has documented tens of cases of trauma in local children, who live under the ever-present fear of direct violence in their neighborhoods at the hands of soldiers, settlers or their militia. Siyam, 14, bears the emotional scars of his attacks and remains unable to leave the car of his mother or father. The fear of another attack remains ever-present.
Night raids and arrests:
Night raids, searches and arrests continued throughout the summer, with many families targeted by Israeli forces. Raids have been concentrated in the areas around Israeli settlements in Baten al-Hawa and Wadi Hilweh districts of Silwan.
Confrontations:
Although clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian residents continued over the June-August period, the tone was markedly lower than earlier this year. The most violent confrontations took place in Bir Ayyub and Baten al-Hawa districts.
Targeting of activists:
Israeli targeting of local activists has continued in an attempt to quell Silwan’s popular resistance. Several activists and their families were targeted, including the Odeh family.
Settler militia and police collaboration:
Israeli forces and settler militia man the checkpoint in Wadi Hilweh
Witnessing settler security and police collusion is nothing new to the residents of Silwan. One security squad arrested a local child and then turned him over to the police, while undercover units have been sighted using settler jeeps to carry out arrests. Settlers continue to aid police surveillance in Silwan by photographing streets and residents, particularly during clashes, with the aim of falsifying accusations against local residents.
Police enforced settler security’s goal to prevent children from playing on the streets during the night in the holy month of Ramadan, justifying this act by claiming that it prevents the guards and Israeli troops from carrying out their work. Troops raided a local store, warning the owner that he must stop children from playing near his property.
Arson:
The Information Center documented many cases of Palestinian houses that were torched when tear gas was deliberately fired at or inside the property by Israeli forces, including the Abu Ramouz and al-Ragabi family homes.
Injuries:
Most injuries sustained by residents during the summer were a result of tear gas fired by Israeli forces. Many other cases were due to physical assault by Israeli police or troops.
Collective punishment:
This policy was enacted through arbitrary issuing of traffic tickets and “taxes” by Jerusalem Municipal workers.
Barriers and Closures:
The major road barrier at the entrance to Wadi Hilweh, close to the City of David archaeological settlement continued to burden the everyday lives of Palestinians living in Silwan. The barrier is the site of continual harassment and humiliation for residents at the hands of Israeli troops and settler security. The main road of Wadi Hilweh has been closed several times on a number pretexts, with discrimination against Palestinian drivers in clear evidence.
Provocative concerts and anti-concert protests:
The settler association Elad organised a concert to be held in Silwan during the Ramadan night prayer “Taraweesh”. Local residents denounced the move as an attempt to foil the holy month of Ramadan. Local citizens, joined by solidarity activists, organised a protest against the Elad concert and its appropriation of Silwan’s land for the City of David settlement under the Absentee Property Law.
Breaking down telephone and internet cables and street lights:
Blackout in Wadi Hilweh throughout Ramadan
Telephone and Internet cables have been disconnected on several occasions in recent days in Silwan, without notification from the Israeli telecommunications company. Several neighborhoods, including Wadi Hilweh, have been deprived of street lights during Ramadan.
Residents claim that the power outage was due to Ramadan decorations, including lights, which settlers didn’t want to see in Wadi Hilweh. The decorations, which usually light up the neighborhood, would come in direct contrast to the settler campaign of Judaisation of Silwan.
Court decision rules Silwan construction illegal:
The Israeli Supreme Court has ruled a segment of the construction works taking place in Wadi Hilweh Street as part of the “Improvement of City of David” project illegal. The project, which has seen wide-scale construction works throughout the street, severely disrupting traffic, has been seen by many locals as an act of collective punishment, with the end result as sole benefit to the settlers.
Many injuries have occurred as a result of the road works. The Information Center documented three cases, including broken bones. The construction company, meanwhile, refuses to cover the holes and secure the street for the safety of vehicles and pedestrians.
http://silwanic.net/?p=19739 15 jan 2012, 21:37 , Respect -
Maria 15 jan 2012, 21:38 , Respect -
Maria 5 sept 2011
Local children kidnapped by Israeli authorities in settler jeep
Israeli Undercover forces in Silwan
Silwan, Jerusalem (SILWANIC) -- An undercover Israeli unit driving a settler jeep arrested two children playing on one of the hills in Silwan today. The two youngsters were taken without warning by the unit as they stopped the jeep, grabbed the children and drove off.
The kidnapping is the latest in an ever-lengthening record of tight cooperation between Israeli authorities and local settler security.
http://silwanic.net/?p=19775
Barakat plans to implement al-Bustan demolitions in election bid
Silwan, Jerusalem (SILWANIC) -- Silwanic has learnt that Jerusalem mayor Nir Barakat intends to demolish parts of al-Bustan neighborhood of Silwan in the lead up to city elections. The demolitions will form part of the overall City of David plan that will see the establishment of “biblical gardens” aimed at Jewish tourism over large areas of Palestinian-majority Silwan.
Palestinian residents of Silwan have long suffered under the coalition of the Jerusalem Municipality and Elad settler association in their bid to dominate the strategically significant area of Silwan.
Barakat has been attempting to court the extreme right-wing vote amongst Jerusalem’s Jewish population, a sector which strongly supports the City of David project. The Barakat administration has also attempted to gain favour across the political spectrum, in forming a coalition with the Miretz Party of the opposition, and appointing Me’er Margaleet to the post of East Jerusalem issues.
Palestinian residents fear that the threat to al-Bustan is just the tipping point. “The demolition of al-Bustan is only the beginning. Other neighborhoods will follow” says one resident of al-Bustan.
Should al-Bustan be removed, the City of David project in adjacent Wadi Hilweh district will then turn to Jabal al-Mukaber to expand the project. The end game is to surround Jerusalem’s Old City with 11 “biblical gardens” connected with Jewish settlements, achieving a ring of Jewish residency around the contested Old City, isolating Palestinian neighborhoods.
The plan’s realisation would spell a massive increase in settler numbers in East Jerusalem and the virtual death of hopes of Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.
http://silwanic.net/?p=19778 15 jan 2012, 21:38 , Respect -
Maria 6 sept 2011
Israeli Authorities block foundation’s use of historical East Jerusalem building for school
Silwan, Jerusalem (SILWANIC) -- Israeli forces have closed off the historical Ahmad Sameh al-Khaldi buildings in Abu Tur district adjacent to Silwan to the public for one month. The buildings were leased by the local Abbasi family to a foundation for use as a school; however, authorities are claiming that the properties in fact belong to the Hamas party.
The building, which was constructed in 1948, traditionally housed a school under the Jordanian mandate of East Jerusalem and then under the Israeli Jerusalem Municipality. In 2009 the Municipality returned title of the buildings to the original owners, the Abbasi family, claiming that the structures were classified as unsafe. The owners then leased the buildings to the Survival Foundation, for use as a school.
Although Israeli authorities recognise the Foundation, the lease was blocked by the authorities, who have now sealed off the building for a period of one month, with the possibility to extend to one year. Authorities now claim that Hamas hold the deeds to the property.
One of the title-holders stated that the buildings do not belong to the Survival Foundation, thus rendering the authorities’ actions mistaken. The Survival Foundation, a licensed charity since 2005, does not own the property under Israeli law and the attempt to block their use of the buildings is unwarranted.
http://silwanic.net/?p=19824
Torture campaign precedes against Silwans residents and provokes them to confrontations
Silwan, Jerusalem (SILWANIC) -- Collective punishment and torture campaign precede against the Palestinian in Silwan and in particular to Beir Ayoub neighborhood .
The Israeli forces conducted stopping the Palestinian vehicles and torturing citizens occasionally with the beginning of the educational new year. Lately, the Israeli Authorities has been trying to practice embitterment over Palestinians in each occasion or their important incidents.
For example, they cut electricity off the streets , set up check points to the entrances of the town and prevent the citizens of moving and coming back for their town with their private vehicles in addition to the settlers attempt of making concerts in their settlement centers at the time of Ramadan night prayers “Taraweeh” this was an attempt to hide Ramadan identity for the town especially at the nights of the feast.
At the nights of the feast and the first day, the Israeli forces merged wide arrests. Moreover, yesterday, the Israeli Authority and at the beginning of the Educational year conducted wide range of traffic tickets and closed an elementary school in Abu tour the closest neighborhood to Silwan justifying this act by practicing terrorism in the mentioned school. As a reaction the kids throw stones towards the Israeli Forces which preceded their scheduled torture.
http://silwanic.net/?p=19828 15 jan 2012, 21:39 , Respect -
Maria 8 sept 2011
Israeli court sentences two Jerusalemite minors to jail
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)-- The Israeli central court in occupied Jerusalem sentenced two Palestinian Jerusalemite minors to 15 months behind bars for throwing stones at Israeli vehicles.
The court verdict passed on Thursday said that the two minors from Silwan, occupied Jerusalem, threw stones at an Israeli vehicle and injured its passengers.
The Israel radio said that the court ruling also ordered the minors to pay 30000 shekels to the injured persons.
http://fwd4.me/0B8T
Mayor Barakat opens Palestinian school year in cynical media move
Silwan, Jerusalem (SILWANIC) -- In a change of tactics, Jerusalem mayor Nir Barakat and a member of Knesset attending the opening event for the new education year at Al-Amal School for special needs children in Assawiyeh.
Residents of East Jerusalem have expressed surprise at the move, considering Barakat’s track record: “the Jerusalem Municipality shuts down the Ahmad Sameh Khaldi School in Abu Tur neighborhood and engages in torture of prisoners in Silwan.
Meanwhile, Barakat heads to Abu Tur – much of which has been annexed by the Municipality to build settlements and roads connecting Hadasa Hospital and the Hebrew University – to open a school!” commented one resident.
Barakat has made efforts in recent months to broaden his appeal with a slick media campaign. He has claimed that the Jerusalem Municipality has invested huge capital in the East Jerusalem education sector.
A resident of East Jerusalem stated that “Nir Barakat must think that Ma’ali Adumim [the settlement] is part of East Jerusalem when he quotes these figures.”
http://silwanic.net/?p=19915
The kidnapping of a ten year old child and assaulting him
Silwan, Jerusalem (SILWANIC) -- A little time ago, the Israeli forces from the undercover units kidnapped a ten years old child, named Mahmoud al Abbasi, from Ein Alouzeh neighborhood in Silwan.
Although there was the vehicle of the settlers that witnessed this, the militia still passed in front of the under cover unit’s vehicle from Ein Al Lozeh neighborhood and did not stop when masked undercover men attacked Mahmoud al Abbasi and beat him brutally, as shared by other eye witnesses.
According to the surrounding neighbors, Mahmoud continued to be assaulted by being dragged and beaten as the Mitilia of Settlers expressed their happiness for this act.
http://silwanic.net/?p=19892
Tareq Oudeh is returned but under house arrest
Silwan, Jerusalem (SILWANIC) -- After spending six months in the Israeli prisons the youth Tareq Oudeh from the town of Silwan was released, but is still under house arrest. On the night of his return, he was received enthusiastically by his family, relatives and friends in his town in Silwan. We will continue to inform you with more details about him.
http://silwanic.net/?p=19878 15 jan 2012, 21:40 , Respect -
Maria 15 jan 2012, 21:40 , Respect -
Maria 9 sept 2011
Silwan youth sentenced to 5 months, after years of Israeli witch hunt
Silwan, Jerusalem (SILWANIC) -- Two young residents of Silwan have been sentenced to 5 months in prison, after a two year long legal battle against Israeli authorities.
Omar Ameen Siyam and Mahmoud al-Bana, both 23, weathered two years of prison, house arrest, interrogation and torture.
The economic impact of their ongoing cases has been extreme: legal fees and rental costs (to serve their house arrests outside their home neighborhoods, as ordered by the court) amounts to 140,000 NIS (US$37,800) Siyam and al-Bana’s lawyers have also come under attack, with authorities lodging accusations of conspiracy to kill settlers at the City of David archaeological settlement in Silwan.
The case began in Ramadan of 2009 when, on 11 September, an Israeli settler shot Wadi Hilweh Popular Committee member Ahmad Qaraeen, 39, in both legs. The attack has left Qaraeen disabled to this day. The same settler then shot a local child, Ameer Froukh, as he rode his bike in the neighborhood. Froukh was also hit in the leg, with live ammunition from the settler’s gun.
The incidents sparked clashes between local residents and Israeli forces. Wadi Hilweh district instantaneously became a militarized area, with tensions already running high over Ramadan. Israeli forces interrogated entire families: children, women, men, young and elderly alike were intimidated and questioned.
Omar Ameen Siyam and Mahmoud al-Bana, in addition to his brothers Naeem, 17, and Murad, 19, were arrested during this crackdown. The 4 youngsters were imprisoned for 2 months, then banned from entry to Silwan upon release. Not long after they were sentenced to house arrest.
The Israeli state prosecution then attempted to charge the boys with attempted murder of a settler. The judge, however, rejected the case on the grounds that the evidence from interrogations was insufficient, and in some cases clearly falsified. Interrogators were also found to have manipulated evidence and pressured witnesses, in particular an underage female witness.
The judge thus dismissed the charge of attempted murder place on Siyam and al-Bana, but were found guilty of throwing stones and were sentenced to 5 months in prison, and a probation of 3 years.
http://silwanic.net/?p=19918 15 jan 2012, 21:40 , Respect -
Maria 13 sept 2011
Violent clashes erupt across Silwan
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)-- Violent sporadic clashes erupted in Jerusalem's Silwan district between locals and Israeli occupation forces on Tuesday morning.
Locals said clashes continued until morning after undercover soldiers infiltrated the neighborhoods of Al-Bustan, Wadi Hulwa, and Bir Ayyub.
The sources added that more than 18 civilians sustained injuries after the soldiers fired teargas and rubber coated bullets at houses.
The Silwan district has seen almost daily clashes in light of Jewish settler attacks and undercover operations by Israeli security personnel in search of those suspected of responding to settler attacks.
http://fwd4.me/0BMj
Elad double tunnel officially openeded in Wadi Hilweh under huge military protection
As part of its City of David project, Elad settler association has dug two major tunnels underneath the Silwan region, compromising the structural integrity of the buildings above-ground and endangering the lives of residents as a result.
The first tunnel stretches underneath Silwan from Wadi Hilweh to al-Ein Mosque and the Orthodox Church. The second burrows under the ground beneath the Old City’s Dung Gate to al-Aqsa Mosque.
Elad has attempted to prevent the media from investigating and publicising the extent of their tunnelling. One reporter to date has managed to gain entry and photograph the tunnels, however.
Elad retains exclusive control over the entirety of Silwan’s ruins and historical sites, in addition to many others throughout the Old City and the rest of Jerusalem.
The tunnels, having placed Silwan’s residential buildings under the very real threat of collapse, have been subject of a sustained campaign by Silwan locals and Israeli and international solidarity activists. The campaign targets Elad’s cynical exploitation of the Old Testament tale of King David, in claiming, without base, that the ruins of his fabled city lies under Wadi Hilweh district of Silwan.
Many activists involved in the campaign have been targeted by Israeli settlers in Silwan, who have on occasion assaulted protesters within a crowd. Settlers are supported by a strong Israeli military presence and intelligence units.
Ahmed, a resident of Wadi Hilweh, told Silwanic that “it is a total fabrication, to claim that the City of David lies here. It is a political act, to refer to our historic neighborhood of Wadi Hilweh as the “City of David” – as if to disregard the innately Palestinian identity of the area. The land on which the City of David architectural site has been constructed is stolen land, made possible by the discriminatory Absentee Property Law that allows the Israeli government to reappropriate land it deems without an owner.”
Elad’s long and twisted history in Silwan dates back to the 1980s, when its head David Berry, acting as a tour guide, ingratiated himself to members of the community. Abusing residents’ trust from the beginning, Berry gathered evidence regarding multiple Palestinian-owned properties, resulting in their reacquisition by the State and Elad.
Elad, working together with settler group Kuhaneem Atairet, command a private militia of armed settler guards in Silwan, funded by the Israeli Ministry of Housing. One member of the Elad “security” squad was responsible for the murder local resident Samer Sarhan in 2010, while another guard has been implicated in the murder of Rami Ayyad, 17, near illegal settlement Beit Yonatan in Bir Ayyub district.
Settler security squads represent a very specific threat to the Palestinian community of Silwan, in that they do not answer directly to the State (as do police and military) but act with impunity and are authorised to use their weapons at any time deemed necessary, as evidenced by the numerous injuries caused by their use of live ammunition on residents.
Settler security commonly fire on both journalists and Palestinian protesters during demonstrations or clashes in Silwan, using live ammunition. Elad has targeted several local activists, attempting to force their leave from the neighborhood thus facilitating Israeli forces’ campaigns of arrest.
http://silwanic.net/?p=20049
The perpetual threat of arrest Silwan’s children face: anytime, anywhere
(1:35) ???????? ???????? ?????? ?????? - ??? ???????
Silwan, Jerusalem (SILWANIC) -- The children of Silwan are like any others in the world: they wish to have fun, and spend their leisure time playing. The Israeli forces that dominate Silwan, however, make this impossible: the children of Silwan face the threat of daily kidnappings from their own streets – the only place available for them to play.
While the Jerusalem Municipality extorts taxes from the Palestinian residents of Silwan, they do not re-invest any of that money back into the community, such as the construction of play grounds for children.
Settlers, meanwhile, control vast areas of land in Silwan and physically prevent Palestinian residents from reaching them. The Palestinian child is cornered into her or his own Bantustan, exposed to arrest and kidnapping.
Images documenting the kidnapping of a local child by undercover units, as he played neighborhood in Ras al-Amoud district of Silwan on 22 July 2011:
Islam Jaber, 13, appears in the video after being brutally beaten by Israeli Forces.
Malek Issam Da’na, 8, together with his father holds the medical report issued after he was beaten severely by Israeli forces.
http://silwanic.net/?p=20054. 15 jan 2012, 21:41 , Respect -
Maria 13 sept 2011
The tunnel-settlement labyrinth
The authority wielded by Elad settler association impacts increasingly on the lives of Palestinian residents of Silwan and other districts of East Jerusalem. Some residents have likened Elad to a “kingdom within a state”, given its labyrinthine network of control over infrastructure and funds in Jerusalem. The jewel in Elad’s crown is the exclusive power it holds over Silwan’s historical sites, the chief earner in the mammoth revenue it gains in Jerusalem. Elad’s privately-hired, publicly-funded settler security militia command a conspicuous presence on the streets of Silwan, where they are engaged in continual violent harassment and provocation of Palestinian residents.
Waleed, a resident of Silwan, states that “Elad reaps its revenue from stolen Palestinian land, largely through the Absentee Property Law. Palestinian residents experience no benefit whatsoever from the tourist industry in our neighborhood, while Elad extends its reach of control over ever more land. This occurs with the full cooperation of the Jerusalem Municipality and Israeli ministries, who act like Elad’s puppet, serving its every need.”
Elad has officially opened two tunnels underneath Silwan as part of the City of David archaeological settlement site, one burrowing towards Mount al-Mukaber in south Silwan and one in the north east of the village. Elad is also active in the Mount of Olives region, to which the tunnels are currently being extended by round-the-clock labor. The extension of the tunnels ensure the expansion of Elad’s control over the region.
Tourists who visit the City of David visitors centre, constructed on the historical lands of Wadi Hilweh, learn nothing about the realities of Silwan: they are presented with a fabricated image of the region’s past and present.
http://silwanic.net/?p=20041 15 jan 2012, 21:42 , Respect -
Maria 15 sept 2011
Witnesses: Israeli forces detain 5 teens in Silwan
JERUSALEM (Ma’an) -- Israeli forces detained five teenagers from the Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan on Thursday morning, witnesses said.
Eyewitnesses told Ma'an that Israeli forces raided the neighborhood and detained Ali Sabri Abu Diab, 15, Ahmad Jalal al-Awar, 15, Muhammad Abed al-Awar,16, Shadi Hani Nazeela, 15 and Iyad Rewedi, 15.
An Israeli police spokesman said he would look into the incident.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=420470
Local youth, Ameer Qaraeen, targeted again by Israeli forces
Silwan, Jerusalem (SILWANIC) --
Israeli forces arrested local youth Ameer Qaraeen yesterday, Tuesday 13 September. Qaraeen, 15, was taken from Wadi Hilweh district of Silwan on the pretext of being absent at a scheduled court appearance.
Qaraeen has been subject to an ongoing targeting by Israeli authorities, including a series of arrests, interrogations and house arrest sentences.
http://silwanic.net/?p=20121
Exiled activist Adnan Ghiath returns to Silwan
Silwan, Jerusalem (SILWANIC) -- Tuesday 13 September marked the final day of local activist Adnan Ghaith’s four-month sentenced exile from his home village of Silwan. Ghaith, secretary-general of Fatah in Jerusalem and local popular committee member, spent the four-month sentence in Ramallah, separated from his family. The sentence was imposed by the Israeli Ministry of Defence, who based the decision on information it refused to release to the public or Ghaith’s legal team.
Yesterday saw Ghaith’s return to Silwan amidst a large crowd of friends, family and supporters. Residents gathered at the local protest tent for a series of celebrations and ceremonies to welcome him home.
The celebrations were overshadowed by a heavy presence of Israeli forces and settler security squads, who spread throughout the streets from Bir Ayyub district, harassing residents without reason. Although clashes managed to be avoided, local youth Moayed Sulaiman Froukh was arrested by Israeli forces as he awaited the arrival of Ghaith.
http://silwanic.net/?p=20129
IOF troops round up minors in Silwan, others in Nablus
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)-- Israeli occupation forces (IOF) arrested a 15-year-old boy in Silwan town in occupied Jerusalem on Thursday less than three months after his release from Israeli custody, local sources reported.
They said that special units, intelligence agents accompanied the IOF unit that captured the boy Ali Abu Diyab under the command of the area's commanding officer.
They recalled that Abu Diyab was released on bail by the Jerusalem Magistrate court on 27/6/2011 after ordering him to house arrest for 14 days along with a fine.
The sources noted that the IOF soldiers arrested three other minors in the same age category with no reasons known so far.
Confrontations took place in Ras Al-Amud suburb in occupied Jerusalem on Wednesday night after young men threw stones at a vehicle for Israeli police.
Locals reported violent clashes in which Israeli security forces used stun grenades and fired many teargas canisters into the densely populated area.
Meanwhile, IOF soldiers arrested three Palestinians, including a university student, in Nablus after wreaking havoc on their homes.
In Al-Khalil, the soldiers detained a Palestinian citizen south of the city and broke into many homes in a further escalation of the recent targeting of the city and its environs.
The IOF troops at dawn Thursday launched a large-scale operation in Jenin and its villages, storming homes, and searching them, and combing nearby valleys.
Local sources said that in one such operation the soldiers broke into the home of Fawzi Sharqawi in Zababde village, east of Jenin, and ordered four of his sons to report to the intelligence headquarters in Salem.
http://fwd4.me/0BWw 15 jan 2012, 21:44 , Respect -
Maria 16 sept 2011
Undercover units continue their brutal campaign against Silwan’s children
While Silwan has experienced a period of relative calm in recent months, Israeli forces have continued their campaign of child arrests in the region. Children, deemed easier targets than adults, have been taken in their dozens by undercover agents.
Undercover Israeli units fired a sound bomb (when? Please specify) in Bir Ayyub neighborhood, spreading panic amongst the community. The situation escalated to clashes between local youth and Israeli forces, who then broke into several local Palestinian homes in search of wanted people.
Undercover units in Silwan use Israeli settlements as strategic bases for intelligence and the launching of such operations. The occupied home of local resident Dawood Hussein in Wadi Hilweh is a well-known such base.
http://silwanic.net/?p=20171
Ghaith summoned by Israeli intelligence hours after return home
Silwan, Jerusalem (SILWANIC) -- Local activist and Fatah secretary-general in Jerusalem Adnan Ghaith was summoned today by Israeli intelligence today, several hours after his return to Jerusalem from serving a military-ordered four month exile sentence.
Ghaith told Silwanic that: “I was threatened with force, if I don’t present myself to the interrogation centre in Muskubiya [the Russian Compound in West Jerusalem] tomorrow morning.”
Ghaith currently suffers from a severe medical condition, following his experiences. His original sentencing occurred when the Israeli Military invoked an emergency law from the British Mandate period of Palestine to enable a ban on his presence in his home city of Jerusalem for a four-month period.
http://silwanic.net/?p=20164 15 jan 2012, 21:44 , Respect -
Maria 17 sept 2011
Israeli forces carry out unprecedented drills near Al-Aqsa Mosque
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)-- Israeli military forces carried out unprecedented drills on Friday in East Jerusalem’s Arab Silwan district, south of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The armed forces consisted of four-wheel drive military vehicles and those small enough to fit into alleys as well as fire trucks and ambulances. It entered Silwan’s Wadi Hulwa neighborhood, the main entrance to Silwan and closest point to Al-Aqsa Mosque, at 1am, said Fahkri Abu Diab, a member of the Silwan defense committee.
Abu Diab warned that Israeli forces had plans to simulate popular protests in Silwan that could erupt in response to plans to displace all or some of the 1,600 residents of Silwan’s Bustan neighborhood for the interests of biblical parks and other projects promoting beliefs related to the supposed rebuilding of King of Solomon’s temple.
http://fwd4.me/0Biw
Israeli forces assaulted a palestinian and arrested him
While the Israeli forces were building up torture barriers for traffic tickets , confrontations sparked between both Israeli forces and Palestinian youth .A passing by Palestinian was arrested and physically assaulted by the Israeli troops
http://silwanic.net/?p=20218
Ghaith denies Israeli authorities’ allegations
(4:41) Silwan Demonstration 24/12/2010 ????? ????????
Silwan Secretary-General of Fatah Adnan Ghaith has denied claims made by Israeli authorities that he was involved in stone-throwing and incitement of local youth to engage in illegal activities. Ghaith, in an interview with Silwanic, stated that the claims lodged against him during interrogation are false, and that investigators had tried to force him to agree to a 3-month banishment sentence from Silwan at a bail of 20,000 NIS in cash.
Ghaith was arrested in the Intifada and has spent years behind bars in Israeli prisons, in addition to a 6-month sentence in administrative detention. This year, the Israeli military invoked an emergency law from the British Mandate period to pass a sentence exiling Ghaith from his native Jerusalem. Then, mere hours after his return from Ramallah, he was arrested again and a new sentence of exile passed.
http://silwanic.net/?p=20212
Israeli forces arrest five children
Silwan, Jerusalem (SILWANIC) -- Israeli forces arrested five children from throughout Silwan recently. The five accused face charges of throwing stones, Molotov cocktails and paint at Israeli forces and settler security jeeps.
http://silwanic.net/?p=20210
Adnan Ghaith banished from Silwan again, one day after return home
Silwan, Jerusalem (SILWANIC) -- Silwan Fatah secretary-general Adnan Ghaith has been returned to Ramallah by Israeli court order, with a new ban issued on his entering his home city of Jerusalem. A relative reported that Ghaith had been arrested on new, fabricated accusations. Ghaith had returned home just one day before, having completed the 8-month “exile” sentence placed on him by the Israeli military.
The Israeli Magistrates Court sentenced Ghaith to a new period of banishment, limited to the Silwan area this time as opposed to the whole of Jerusalem city, and a bail set at 3,000 NIS. Analysts state that the sentence illustrates that authorities’ interest in Palestinian activists’ presence inside Jerusalem is ingenuine, and this new sentence may have been passed purely to cause trouble for Ghaith on a personal level.
http://silwanic.net/?p=20204
Molotov in Bir Ayyub sparks clashes
Silwan, Jerusalem (SILWANIC) -- A group of Palestinian youth threw a Molotov cocktail at a settler security squad jeep as it drove along Bir Ayyub’s central street. The arrival of Israeli forces on the scene immediately after saw the eruption of violent clashes with young Palestinian residents.
Israeli forces fired tear gas and sound grenades in the densely populated area. Several dozen armed Israeli troops also encircled the neighborhood, manning its entrances
http://silwanic.net/?p=20206
Violence erupts as traffic blockaded in Ras al-Amoud
Silwan, Jerusalem (SILWANIC) -- Israeli forces erected barriers in Ras al-Amoud district last night, distributing traffic tickets to Palestinian drivers. Violent confrontations erupted as a result, with residents taking offense to the discriminatory practices.
http://silwanic.net/?p=20208 15 jan 2012, 21:45 , Respect -
Maria 19 sept 2011
Today’s “Run for Silwan” running event highlights oppression in Jerusalem
Silwan, Jerusalem (SILWANIC) -- “Run for Silwan” running event is set to start today at 5:30pm. The running event, 8 kilometers long, organized as a joint effort between the Center and international solidarity groups (www.run4silwan.org), will start from Abu Dis University and end in Wadi Hilweh in Silwan. The event is open to anyone who wishes to enter, with international activists running alongside the youth of Silwan.
The Information Center cites its hope to highlight the suffering of youth in East Jerusalem in general and Silwan in particular, in co-organizing this event. The event places the spotlight on such issues as Israel’s separation Wall, that cuts through East Jerusalem and separates it from villages in the West Bank. The Wall has created extreme social isolation between communities and contributed to the cultural and economic damage waged on the Palestinian public.
http://silwanic.net/?p=20347
Midnight military offense sparks clashes
Israeli soldiers on a roof occupied by military order last year.
A calm night in Silwan was turned to chaos by an Israeli military patrol early Sunday morning, 18 September. A jeep-mounted loudspeaker blaring high-pitched, offensive messages awoke residents at approximately 2am, sparking confrontations as people poured into the street. Violent clashes spread throughout Bir Ayyub and Ein al-Louzeh districts of Silwan.
Wadi Hilweh remained relatively calm over the weekend, due largely to minimal settler movements. One incident was reported, however, of a settler using offensive language in an attempt to provoke Palestinian pedestrians.
http://silwanic.net/?p=20351
Wadi Hilweh youth arrested and beaten by police
murad al bana and yazan siyam
Silwan, Jerusalem (SILWANIC) -- Israeli forces detained two youth from Wadi Hilweh district of Silwan yesterday. Murad al-Bana, 18, and Yazan Siyam, 16, were taken from the street by a passing military patrol.
The two were transferred to Salah al-Din Street police station, where they were severely beaten by Israeli officers. The boys were later released, told by police not to stand on Salah al-Din Street on the grounds that it is “forbidden”.
http://silwanic.net/?p=20354