- 8 mei 2011
Beit Ummar: Residents celebrating unity say attacked by soldiers
Yousef Abed Al-Hamid Abu Maria
HEBRON (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces violently shut down a rally celebrating Palestinian national unity in Beit Ummar near Hebron on Saturday, injuring several protesters, locals said.
During the celebration, demonstrators held signs stating "Unity is our strength" and "Unity = Liberty" in an event marking the signing of an agreement in Cairo reconciling Hamas and Fatah and reuniting the West Bank and Gaza under a single government once the agreement is put in place.
Local committee spokesman Mohammad Ayyad Awad said Israeli soldiers fired tear gas and attacked demonstrators with stun grenades, rifle butts and batons.
Soldiers tried to arrest head of the anti-wall committee Yousef Abed Al-Hamid Abu Maria, 36, who owns land confiscated by the illegal Karmi Tzur settlement. Organizers said soldiers twisted Abu Maria's arm and wrist until it broke in two places.
Forces released Abu Maria when they realized he was seriously injured, a statement from the popular committee said, adding that he was taken to hospital in Hebron and treated for a broken wrist and sprained leg.
Awad said committee secretary Ahmad Khalil Abu Hashem, 42, his 12-year-old son Hamza and coordinator Abed Abu Maria, 33, were beaten by soldiers and sustained bruises.
Several journalists were also attacked, Awad said, adding that Israeli forces declared the area a closed military zone.
The area is also a site of weekly protests, which see locals and international activists march, demanding the end to Israel's confiscation of land from Beit Ummar and Halhul to build illegal Jewish-only settlements.
Israel's supreme court ruled in 2006 that farmers whose land was confiscated by Karmi Tzur settlement, including those attacked on Saturday, should be allowed to access their land with permits from Israeli authorities.
Since 2006, Israeli authorities have not issued any permits, Awad noted.
Also on Saturday, Israeli soldiers and settlers attacked two elderly farmers working on their land near the illegal Beit Ayin settlement, Awad said.
He identified the farmers as 85-year-old Abdallah Suleibi and his brother Hammad, 75.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=385885
Israel seals West Bank for national holiday
JERUSALEM (Ma'an) -- Israeli troops will seal off the West Bank for three days starting Sunday as Israel celebrates the 63rd anniversary of its founding, the army said Saturday.
The Israeli military said the closure was imposed "in accordance with the directives of the Minister of Defense," in a statement.
Israel routinely imposes tight restrictions on the West Bank during Jewish holidays.
Palestinians requiring emergency medical or humanitarian assistance should coordinate with Israel's Civil Administration, the army said.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=385685 4 may 2012, 11:35 , Respect -
Maria 9 mei 2011
Israelis Arrest Palestinians including Elderly Woman
BEIT SAHOUR, May 9, 2011 (WAFA) - Israeli forces Monday raided and arrested a man, his wife and his mother, who is in her sixties, from the town of Beit Sahour near Bethlehem.
According to security sources, the man was arrested while reporting to the intelligence center in the compound of Etzion settlement south of Bethlehem. Israeli soldiers then raided the town of Beit Sahour and arrested his wife and mother.
Meanwhile, in Tarqumiya, west of Hebron, Israeli soldiers arrested a teenage boy and took him to an unknown destination.
Soldiers also raided several other towns in the Hebron region, set up checkpoints and checked people's identity cards.
http://english.wafa.ps/index.php?action=detail&id=16076 8 may 2012, 18:09 , Respect -
Maria 13 mei 2011
Israeli soldiers throw stun grenades at Palestinian children
(1:28) Israeli soldiers throw stun grenades at Palestinian children
Residents of a-Nabi Saleh, a village in the West Bank, regularly demonstrate against their dispossession from privately- owned land and a local spring by settlers from nearby Halamish. The footage shows Israeli soldiers using stun grenades, which can cause injury, to scare away children although they pose no threat to the soldiers. B'Tselem stresses that soldiers should act according to military orders and respond maturely and responsibly to childish teasing without resorting to violence.
(10:14) 13 maggio 2011, Nabi Salih (West Bank - Palestina)
15 may 2012, 00:13 , Respect -
Maria 13 mei 2011
Teen Critically Injured as Israel Cracks Down on Nakba Demos
17 year-old was critically injured from live fire in East Jerusalem. An American protester suffered serious head injury after being hit by a tear-gas projectile shot directly at him from close range.
Israeli military and police forces responded heavy handedly to demonstrations commemorating 63 years to the Palestinian Nakba (catastrophe) of 1948 today all over the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Morad Ayyash, a 17 year old from the Ras el-Amud neighborhood was shot in the stomach with live ammunition. He has reached the Muqassed hospital with no pulse and the doctors are now fighting for his life.
Tension also rose in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan, where 19 protesters have been injured and 11 were arrested. During the evening hours, large police forces raided houses in Silwan and carried out additional arrests.
In the village of Ma'asara, south of Bethlehem, two protesters were arrested during a peaceful demonstration that was attacked with tear-gas for no apparent reason. One of those arrested is a member of the village's popular committee. In Nabi Saleh - a regular target for military aggression recently - soldiers and Border Police officers injured no less than 25 protesters, including a Palestinian women in her 50s who was beaten up so badly that her wounds required her removal from the Salfeet Hospital to the bigger and more advanced Rafidiya Hospital in Nablus.
A 25 year-old American demonstrator suffered a serious head injury and an Israeli activist was diagnosed with two open fractures in his hand. Both were injured by tear-gas projectiles shot directly at them from short range, in violation of the Israeli Army's open fire regulations. Four protesters were arrested in Nabi Saleh, including two Palestinian women.
Violence in Nabi Saleh started today after Israeli Border Police officers took over the village's main junction and tried to disperse the demonstration while it was still well inside the village, The officers began charging the peaceful protesters with batons, shooting large amounts of tear-gas - partly shot directly at the demonstrators - and carrying out arrests.
The Israeli military and police's violent and hysteric reaction to the Nakba day demonstrations today is an example to the fact that Israel cannot conceive handling Palestinian civil resistance to the Occupation in any means but military means. As September looms, it seems as if Israel chooses to tread not the path of democracy, but rather that of neighboring regimes like Egypt and Syria, and shoot at unarmed demonstrators.
http://fwd4.me/01OT
Israeli Troops Attack West Bank Anti Wall Protests Commemorating Nakba; 29 Civilians Injured
Ramallah PNN on Friday 29 civilians were injured when Israeli troops attacked the weekly anti-wall protests taking place in Bil'in, Nil'in, al-Nabi Salleh, central West Bank, as well as al-Ma'ssara village in the south. This week protesters marked the 63 anniversary of Nakba.
At least 22 civilians, , were injured, one critically, when troops attacked protesters. International and Israeli supporters after the midday prayers and marched up to the land where Israeli plans to build a new settlement. Troops attacked villages as soon as they left the village arrested two local women and two Israeli supporters. Among those injured was one child and an international supporter who sustained critical wounds when soldiers shot him in the head.
In the nearby village of Bil'in, three civilians were injured as villagers conducted their weekly protest against the wall there. As is the case every Friday since six years, international and Israeli supporters joined the villagers after the midday prayers and marched up to the wall to protest. Upon arriving at the gate of the wall, soldiers stationed there fired tear gas and rubber coated steel bullets at protesters. There were lightly wounded and many were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation.
In Nalin also central West Bank, villagers along with their Israeli and international supporters, marched up to the wall after conducting the midday prayers on lands near the wall. soldiers fired tear gas and sound bombs at them. Many were treated for effects of tear gas.
In southern West Bank on Friday Al-Ma'sara villagers and their international and Israeli supporters protested against the wall and settlements there. Israeli troops stopped villagers from reaching the construction-side of the wall and used rifle butts and batons to push people back into the village. Israeli soldiers arrested Hassan Brijiyah, from the local committee against the wall.
http://fwd4.me/01OL 20 may 2012, 01:53 , Respect -
Maria 14 mei 2011
Jerusalem: Teenager Dies of Wounds After soldiers Attacked Nakba Protests
Jerusalem PNN Palestinian teenager died on Saturday morning after succumbing to wounds he sustained during clashed between local youth and Israeli soldiers that used live rounds to attack Nakba commemoration protests.
On Friday Israeli troops attacked a number of protests organized in several parts of east Jerusalem commemorating the 63 anivirsary of the Nakba, the day Israel was created after killing hundreds of Palestinians and expelling 700,000 people from their homes.
Milad Ayiash, 16, was injured during Friday clashes, according to doctors at Makased hospital in Jerusalem the boy was shot in his abdomen and died on Saturday morning when two operations by doctors failed to save his life.
Protests in Jerusalem and a number of other west Bank areas in Friday were called for by a group on facebook calling for May15, the day of Nakba, to be the start of the third Intifada ( uprising).
Palestinian sources reported clashes in Jerusalem's old city, Shofat refugee camp, Damascus gate, and Al Salam neighborhood near the old city. According to the sources the heaviest clashes took place near Qalndya checkpoint separating the central West Bank city of Ramallah from Jerusalem.
Since the early hours of Friday morning Israel bushed more troops into the old city and looked down the old city fearing Nakba commemoration protests. Residents said that soldiers did not allow Palestinian men under the age of 45 to enter the old city.
http://fwd4.me/01RU 30 may 2012, 14:51 , Respect -
Maria 14 mei 2011
Arab MK to Israeli internal security: Stop playing with fire
NAZARETH, (PIC)-- Arab Knesset member Afu Eghbariye has warned the Israeli police force and other security apparatuses against igniting confrontations with the Arab population in 1948 occupied Palestine on the occasion of Nakba (catastrophe).
He described the presence of policemen at junctures in Palestinian towns as provocative.
The MK said that such presence might trigger confrontations with the Arab citizens, advising the internal security ministry not to play with fire and to desist from further incitement practices.
Eghbariye said that the Israeli police had planted disguised policemen in Um Al-Faham last October who assaulted citizens there. The presence of such gangs in our villages is not acceptable, he added.
http://fwd4.me/01Sx 3 jun 2012, 01:52 , Respect -
Maria 14 mei 2011
West Bank Anti Wall Protests Commemorating Nakba; 29 Civilians Injured
(10:14) 13 maggio 2011, Nabi Salih (West Bank - Palestina)
In the following video from Nabi Saleh yesterday, you can see the Israeli army attacking unarmed woman and the shooting of the Israeli peace activist. What you are watching are crimes which will most likely go unpunished.
(5:52) NABI SALEH 13-5-2011 ????? ????.wmv 1 x viewed
5 jun 2012, 10:23 , Respect -
Maria 16 mei 2011
12-year old boy detained by Israeli police
A 12-year old Palestinian child from Silwan has been sentenced to house arrest by Israeli authorities. Samer Hamza Shalloudi was handed a 5-day sentence after his father refused to pay the 500 NIS bail to secure his release from Israeli arrest. Shalloudi was arrested with 15-year old Ahmad Nader Odeh yesterday, who has since been transferred to prison to await his trial. Odeh faces accusations of participation in protests against settlement activity in Silwan.
Although Israeli law states that children under 13 years of age cannot be arrested in other than exceptional circumstances, police have attempted transfer Shalloudi to prison as well. Shalloudi's lawyer is said to be monitoring the situation closely, should it be required to intervene in the case of underhanded police action.
Shalloudi's father told Silwanic that: I requested that the police release my son so that I could take him to school, but they refused.
http://silwanic.net/?p=16552 6 jun 2012, 10:11 , Respect -
Maria 16 mei 2011
IOA extends closure of West Bank for 24 hours
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)-- The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) has extended the closure on the West Bank for 24 hours following the violent confrontations between unarmed citizens commemorating the Nakba on Sunday and soldiers violently quelling them.
The Israeli radio said on Monday that war minister Ehud Barak has decided to extend the closure for one more day after consultations with his chief of staff.
The Israeli security forces would remain deployed in various areas of 1948 occupied Palestine in anticipation of further rallies, according to Barak's instructions, the radio said.
It noted that the deployment would especially concentrate in the northern areas, Jerusalem, and entrances to cities and on main roads, adding that only emergency cases would be allowed to enter 1948 occupied land from the West Bank.
http://fwd4.me/01Z3 7 jun 2012, 15:08 , Respect -
Maria 17 mei 2011
Family says Israeli jailers poured boiling oil on its son
NABLUS, (PIC)-- A Palestinian family said its son, Raf'at Bani Odeh, was exposed by Israeli jailers to excruciating physical and psychological torture at the time of his six-year detention.
The family added that its son spent most of his imprisonment term in solitary confinement and boiling oil was once poured on him by Israeli interrogators, so he suffers from serious physical and psychological scars as a result of that.
The family also appealed to all concerned parties to provide its son with appropriate medical treatment for his condition.
The Palestinian prisoner society also confirmed that Bani Odeh suffers from serious mental problems a result of his exposure to torture and medical neglect in prison and thus he is in dire need of urgent treatment.
In another incident, the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) on Monday released two prisoners affiliated with Hamas, Atef Hassan and Saad Yazji after it procrastinated over their release for a long time.
Both prisoner completed their prison terms a long time ago, but the IOA delayed their release twice once at the pretext of Jewish festivals and the second time without any reason.
http://fwd4.me/01e2 15 jun 2012, 10:08 , Respect -
Maria 17 mei 2011
Army dogs wage war on Palestinian workers
A Palestinian man shows the scars on his body after he was attacked by an Israeli army dog
HEBRON (AFP) -- Palestinians desperate for work in Israel will go to extremes to sneak past the West Bank barrier, but now they face a new hurdle -- army attack dogs sent to sniff them out.
Workers say the use of dogs to hunt down anyone trying to enter Israel illegally is a new phenomenon which has only been occurring for about two months.
But it is a development which has quickly spread fear and anger among the worker population living in the south Hebron Hills, one of the poorest areas in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The Israeli army readily admits to using dogs in its operations in the West Bank, but says they are only brought in as a way of protecting the sprawling separation barrier from Palestinian vandals looking to create openings which would allow "terrorists" to enter Israel.
"In order to prevent damage to the security fence, the IDF uses a number of different measures, including the canine unit and its trained dogs, while taking appropriate precautionary measures to avoid unnecessary injury," the army said in a statement sent to AFP.
It said troops had been working with dogs in Ramadin on the southern tip of the West Bank where the barrier had been purposely damaged "to permit the passage of terrorists into Israel" but argued that the use of dogs "limits bodily injuries and obviates the use of other measures."
But Palestinian laborers tell a different story.
A Palestinian man shows the injuries to his finger in the village of Ramadin, after he was attacked by an Israeli army dog
On May 1, which is celebrated as International Workers Day, two laborers were moderately wounded after being attacked near Ramadin.
"We were trying to cross into Israel at about 4:00 am when suddenly we saw a group of soldiers and dogs," said Munir Hushia, a 35-year-old father of six.
"They shouted at us to stop, then the dogs attacked, injuring some of us while others managed to get away," he told AFP, saying he was bitten on the hand and on other parts of his body.
Three weeks earlier, army dogs had attacked Alaa Adel Al-Huarin, 22, at the same spot, breaking his hand. He had to undergo surgery in order to save his finger from being amputated.
"At about 5:00 am I got to the border to try and get through a hole in the fence when all of a sudden a dog attacked me and tried to savage my hand. When I managed to get my hand away, it bit my backside," he said.
"The soldiers were just looking on without trying to help me or trying to stop the dog," Huarin told AFP.
After doctors operated on his hand, he went to the Israeli police station in Kiryat Arba settlement to file a complaint. But instead of helping, they arrested him on suspicion of illegally entering Israel, he says.
Mohammed Abu Qaeud, 20, was also injured by a military dog in an incident which he claims was filmed by one of the soldiers on his mobile phone.
"It was about 6:00 am and I was several meters away from the wall when a dog savagely attacked me and bit my arms and my chest," he told AFP.
"I felt indescribable pain and tried to get rid of the dog but I couldn't because it was very fierce. I cried and begged the soldiers to help me but they didn't move until he finished filming."
After the attack, the soldiers took him and his friend to a nearby army camp where they interrogated them until the afternoon, he says. "Only afterward could I go to hospital where they kept me in overnight."
Israeli human rights group B'Tselem is skeptical about the army's claim that the dogs are targeting militants bent on infiltrating Israel, citing three cases in which dogs were set on unarmed Palestinians trying to cross into Israel to find casual work.
In one case, they stopped the worker then released him on the spot, B'Tselem's Sarit Michaeli told AFP, saying it would not have been the case if he was a suspected militant.
"In the two cases that we know of, where the Palestinians were actually arrested, the arrests were not under suspicion of terrorism -- they were because of suspected unlawful entry into Israel," she said.
"The Israeli military knows full well that the vast majority of people who enter are laborers and not terrorists.
"If they indeed are terrorists, they should arrest them and question them and bring them to trial rather than set dogs on them, which is completely unacceptable," she added.
B'Tselem has sent a formal letter of complaint to the army, quoting testimony from laborers alleging that in some cases the dogs did not respond to orders to stop, forcing soldiers to use an electric-shock device to calm the animals.
For the three unemployed Palestinian workers, they say they have little choice but to keep running the risks of crossing the fence because they have no other way of making money.
"This is my livelihood," says Qaeud. "I don't have a job here and the Israelis do not give us work permits.
"I don't have any other source of income, so as the sole breadwinner of the family, what else can I do?"
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=388564 16 jun 2012, 10:44 , Respect -
Maria 19 jun 2012, 10:46 , Respect -
Maria 20 mei 2011
Nabi Saleh
(9:51) Nabi Saleh 20.5.2011
21 jun 2012, 13:08 , Respect -
Maria 20 mei 2011
IOF troops raid Palestinian homes just to get acquainted
NABLUS, (PIC)-- IOF troops raided on Thursday a number of Palestinian homes in the northern West Bank city of Nablus to get acquainted with their residents.
The raids were concentrated in the Daheya neighbourhood to the east of the city and two of the homes raided belonged to the families of Jittan and Shaaban.
One of the owners of the homes raided told PIC correspondent that IOF soldiers raided his house at 2:00 am and that among the soldiers were intelligence officers and that one of those officers told him that they did not intend to arrest anyone, but they only wanted to get acquainted.
The Palestinian home owner further said that the officer introduced himself saying that his name was Ali and that he was in charge of that area. He further informed the head of the household that he wanted to get acquainted with him and his family.
The officer's questions were concentrated about members of the family, what jobs they have and their financial situation. He also asked what Palestinians thought of the reconciliation agreement between Palestinian factions. The questioning lasted about an hour.
Such raids, just to get acquainted, have been frequently taking place in the West Bank and are causing great concerns among residents who do not know the real aim behind such raids.
http://fwd4.me/01tR 2 jul 2012, 13:08 , Respect -
Maria 21 mei 2011
Army detains journalists to ask about their car
TULKAREM (Ma'an) -- A group of Israeli soldiers with an unusual request pulled over a car carrying two Ma'an journalists on Saturday.
The soldiers, in a military jeep patrolling a street in the West Bank village of Faroun, near Tulkarem, wanted to know how much the reporters had paid for their car.
"Where did you get the money to pay for this car? How much did you pay?" the reporters were asked.
Feras Bel'awi and Omer Al-Buleidi said they were astounded by the questions but nevertheless answered them. The car was then searched for half an hour before the soldiers sent them on their way.
The reporters were in the area recording a segment for Ma'an Network's "Kul An-Nass" program.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=389745