Haaretz 17:31 29/02/2008
By Yoav Stern and Jack Khoury, Haaretz Correspondents
The High Court on Friday rejected a petition against a police order prohibiting a memorial rally in Nazareth for George Habash, the founder of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, who died in late January. The court ruled against the petition, which was submitted by the Adalah Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, after state officials provided the justices with classified information. Meanwhile, dozens of people who planned on attending the rally gathered at the northern town's Ma'ayan square, where they intended to demonstrate against the ruling and to form a human chain in memory of the PFLP founder.
The protesters said they would rally in separate groups of 50, so as not to violate the police order. Hadash Chairman MK Mohammed Barakeh on Friday condemned the court's decision: "To our sorrow, the High Court has once again given support to a provocative order aimed at the whole Arab public and in opposition to the principles of democracy." The Adalah petition had charged that the police order infringed on the basic right of freedom of expression.
vendredi 29 février 2008
mercredi 27 février 2008
Gazans told to boil drinking water as chlorine supply down due to blockade
Haaretz 19:53 27/02/2008
By The Associated Press
The Gaza Strip's water provider on Wednesday urged the area's 1.5 million residents to boil their drinking water, blaming a shortage of purifying chlorine on Israel's blockade of the strip. Israel Defense Forces said no Palestinian request for chlorine was made until Wednesday, and it was urgently trying to arrange a new shipment into Gaza. The Coastal Municipality Water Utility informed residents that sanctions have left Gaza without equipment and supplies needed to maintain the water system and chlorine deliveries stopped on January 21. More than one-third of Gaza's water supply is now untreated, said deputy director Maher Najjar, amid concern over a health disaster due to possible contamination. He appealed to the international community for help.
Most Gaza residents do not have regular water supplies because of a shortage of fuel used to pump water. Many already use filters or buy bottled water because the quality of tap water is generally poor. Israel imposed sanctions on Gaza after militant group Hamas seized power last June and has tightened its blockade in recent weeks in response to repeated rocket attacks on southern Israel by Gaza militants. Under the sanctions, Israel, the main gateway for Gaza's imports and exports, has allowed only basic humanitarian goods to enter the territory and has reduced fuel and electricity supplies to the strip.
Najjar said 52 of 140 wells used to supply water to Gaza residents were out of chlorine. "I expect by the week's end all the wells will run dry of chlorine," he said. Nafiz Alia, the utility's chlorine supplier said 65 tons of chlorine were needed per month and the last shipment into Gaza contained 30 tons forcing him to use reserve stock to make up the rest. An IDF spokesperson said Israel only received a request from the Palestinians for chlorine on Wednesday. "We are doing our best to allow the chlorine to enter the Gaza Strip as soon as possible," the spokesperson said, adding that it's a shame the Palestinians waited so long to notify Israel. About 100 wells in Gaza lack diesel fuel to power pumps used during frequent power outages. "When the electricity goes out, the water is knocked out as well," Najjar said. Most Gaza residents who can afford to do so filter Gaza's salty, brackish tap water before drinking it. However, Najjar said that this does not kill the bacteria. He said the real danger lay in children drinking untreated water.
By The Associated Press
The Gaza Strip's water provider on Wednesday urged the area's 1.5 million residents to boil their drinking water, blaming a shortage of purifying chlorine on Israel's blockade of the strip. Israel Defense Forces said no Palestinian request for chlorine was made until Wednesday, and it was urgently trying to arrange a new shipment into Gaza. The Coastal Municipality Water Utility informed residents that sanctions have left Gaza without equipment and supplies needed to maintain the water system and chlorine deliveries stopped on January 21. More than one-third of Gaza's water supply is now untreated, said deputy director Maher Najjar, amid concern over a health disaster due to possible contamination. He appealed to the international community for help.
Most Gaza residents do not have regular water supplies because of a shortage of fuel used to pump water. Many already use filters or buy bottled water because the quality of tap water is generally poor. Israel imposed sanctions on Gaza after militant group Hamas seized power last June and has tightened its blockade in recent weeks in response to repeated rocket attacks on southern Israel by Gaza militants. Under the sanctions, Israel, the main gateway for Gaza's imports and exports, has allowed only basic humanitarian goods to enter the territory and has reduced fuel and electricity supplies to the strip.
Najjar said 52 of 140 wells used to supply water to Gaza residents were out of chlorine. "I expect by the week's end all the wells will run dry of chlorine," he said. Nafiz Alia, the utility's chlorine supplier said 65 tons of chlorine were needed per month and the last shipment into Gaza contained 30 tons forcing him to use reserve stock to make up the rest. An IDF spokesperson said Israel only received a request from the Palestinians for chlorine on Wednesday. "We are doing our best to allow the chlorine to enter the Gaza Strip as soon as possible," the spokesperson said, adding that it's a shame the Palestinians waited so long to notify Israel. About 100 wells in Gaza lack diesel fuel to power pumps used during frequent power outages. "When the electricity goes out, the water is knocked out as well," Najjar said. Most Gaza residents who can afford to do so filter Gaza's salty, brackish tap water before drinking it. However, Najjar said that this does not kill the bacteria. He said the real danger lay in children drinking untreated water.
mardi 26 février 2008
UN expert: Palestinian terror 'inevitable' result of occupation
Haaretz 19:45 26/02/2008
By The Associated Press
A report commissioned by the United Nations suggests that Palestinian terrorism is the inevitable consequence of Israeli occupation and laws that resemble South African apartheid - a claim Israel rejected Tuesday as enflaming hatred between Jews and Palestinians. The report by John Dugard, independent investigator on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for the UN Human Rights Council, will be presented next month, but it has been posted on the body's Web site.
In it, Dugard, a South African lawyer who campaigned against apartheid in the 1980s, says "common sense ... dictates that a distinction must be drawn between acts of mindless terror, such as acts committed by Al-Qaida, and acts committed in the course of a war of national liberation against colonialism, apartheid or military occupation." "While Palestinian terrorist acts are to be deplored, they must be understood as being a painful but inevitable consequence of colonialism, apartheid or occupation," writes Dugard, whose 25-page report accuses the Israel of acts and policies consistent with all three. He cited checkpoints and roadblocks restricting Palestinian movement to house demolitions and what he terms the Judaization of Jerusalem. "As long as there is occupation, there will be terrorism," he argues. "Acts of terror against military occupation must be seen in historical context," Dugard says. "This is why every effort should be made to bring the occupation to a speedy end. Until this is done, peace cannot be expected, and violence will continue."
Israel's UN ambassador in Geneva slammed Dugard's analysis. "The common link between Al-Qaida and the Palestinian terrorists is that both intentionally target civilians with the mere purpose to kill," Itzhak Levanon said. "The fact that Professor Dugard is ignoring this essential fact, demonstrates his inability to use objectivity in his assessment." "Professor Dugard will better serve the cause of peace by ceasing to enflame the hatred between Israelis and Palestinians, who have embarked on serious talks to solve this contentious situation." Dugard was appointed in 2001 as an unpaid expert by the now-defunct UN Human Rights Commission to investigate only violations by the Israeli side, prompting Israel and the U.S. to dismiss his reports as one-sided. Israel refused to allow him to conduct a UN-mandated fact-finding mission on its Gaza offensive in 2006. The report will be presented next month at the 47-nation rights council's first regular session of the year. The new body has been widely criticized - even by its founder, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan - for spending most of its time criticizing one government, Israel's, over alleged abuses.
By The Associated Press
A report commissioned by the United Nations suggests that Palestinian terrorism is the inevitable consequence of Israeli occupation and laws that resemble South African apartheid - a claim Israel rejected Tuesday as enflaming hatred between Jews and Palestinians. The report by John Dugard, independent investigator on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for the UN Human Rights Council, will be presented next month, but it has been posted on the body's Web site.
In it, Dugard, a South African lawyer who campaigned against apartheid in the 1980s, says "common sense ... dictates that a distinction must be drawn between acts of mindless terror, such as acts committed by Al-Qaida, and acts committed in the course of a war of national liberation against colonialism, apartheid or military occupation." "While Palestinian terrorist acts are to be deplored, they must be understood as being a painful but inevitable consequence of colonialism, apartheid or occupation," writes Dugard, whose 25-page report accuses the Israel of acts and policies consistent with all three. He cited checkpoints and roadblocks restricting Palestinian movement to house demolitions and what he terms the Judaization of Jerusalem. "As long as there is occupation, there will be terrorism," he argues. "Acts of terror against military occupation must be seen in historical context," Dugard says. "This is why every effort should be made to bring the occupation to a speedy end. Until this is done, peace cannot be expected, and violence will continue."
Israel's UN ambassador in Geneva slammed Dugard's analysis. "The common link between Al-Qaida and the Palestinian terrorists is that both intentionally target civilians with the mere purpose to kill," Itzhak Levanon said. "The fact that Professor Dugard is ignoring this essential fact, demonstrates his inability to use objectivity in his assessment." "Professor Dugard will better serve the cause of peace by ceasing to enflame the hatred between Israelis and Palestinians, who have embarked on serious talks to solve this contentious situation." Dugard was appointed in 2001 as an unpaid expert by the now-defunct UN Human Rights Commission to investigate only violations by the Israeli side, prompting Israel and the U.S. to dismiss his reports as one-sided. Israel refused to allow him to conduct a UN-mandated fact-finding mission on its Gaza offensive in 2006. The report will be presented next month at the 47-nation rights council's first regular session of the year. The new body has been widely criticized - even by its founder, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan - for spending most of its time criticizing one government, Israel's, over alleged abuses.
lundi 25 février 2008
T.A. cinema to screen 'Jenin, Jenin' on eve of director's libel trial
Haaretz 08:14 25/02/2008
By Nirit Anderman, Haaretz Correspondent
The Tel Aviv Cinematheque will screen Mohammed Bakri's controversial film "Jenin, Jenin" on Monday night, on the eve of the director's libel trial. Cinematheque director Alon Garbuz said the screening was "a show of support" for Bakri, who has been invited to attend the event. The film was banned by the Israeli Film Ratings Board in 2002, on the premise that it was libelous and might offend the public. This decision was later overturned by the Supreme Court, which nonetheless labeled it a "propagandistic lie." The film describes events in Jenin during the Israel Defense Forces Operation Defensive Shield.
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After the Supreme Court's ruling, Bakri and Israel's cinematheques were sued in a civil law suit by five IDF reservists. The cinematheques reached a compromise with the plaintiffs, while Bakri is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.
By Nirit Anderman, Haaretz Correspondent
The Tel Aviv Cinematheque will screen Mohammed Bakri's controversial film "Jenin, Jenin" on Monday night, on the eve of the director's libel trial. Cinematheque director Alon Garbuz said the screening was "a show of support" for Bakri, who has been invited to attend the event. The film was banned by the Israeli Film Ratings Board in 2002, on the premise that it was libelous and might offend the public. This decision was later overturned by the Supreme Court, which nonetheless labeled it a "propagandistic lie." The film describes events in Jenin during the Israel Defense Forces Operation Defensive Shield.
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After the Supreme Court's ruling, Bakri and Israel's cinematheques were sued in a civil law suit by five IDF reservists. The cinematheques reached a compromise with the plaintiffs, while Bakri is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.
dimanche 24 février 2008
Lieberman to Zahalka: We'll make sure you end up where you deserve
Disagreement between Yisrael Beiteinu chairman, Balad leader regarding integration of Israeli Arabs in National Service turns ugly as former calls Arab MKs 'a fifth column'; latter replies with 'shut up, fascist'
Amnon Meranda
Ynetnews.com 02.24.08, 12:48
A fierce argument broke out between Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman and Balad leader, Knesset Member Jamal Zahalka, on Sunday during a Knesset's Education Committee meeting regarding the integration of Israeli Arabs in National Service (Sherut Leumi).
The meeting addressed, among other issues, the incitement against those who choose to volunteer, and their families. The debates heated when Lieberman began speaking against the Israeli Arab's leadership, saying they are the ones instigating the incitement.
Encouragement
Lieberman was supposedly speaking against a comment made by Zahalka about four months ago, during a conference protesting the government initiative to draft the sector's youth to the service, in which he said, "Anyone who chooses to volunteer to the National Service will be considered (by the Israeli Arab society) a leper and the Arab society will have nothing to do with them."
Yisrael Beiteinu's chairman continued to scorn the Education Ministry next, slamming its decision to cut back on National Service funding: "This new policy has made it an active party in the (Higher Arab) Monitoring Committee's efforts against the service, both in the Arab sector and among the Orthodox… this is suicide."
War of Words
MK Jamal Zahalka tried to comment on Lieberman's statements several times, but the latter kept on interrupting him. Zahalka tries to shut Lieberman up, calling him "a fascist"- a comment which made Lieberman accuse Zahalka of cooperating with terror operatives.
"I'm leading a crusade against anyone cooperating with Hamas and Hizbullah… you are a fifth column and we will make sure you end up where you deserve."
Lieberman, Zahalka told Ynet, was using the meeting as another opportunity to lash out at the Arab sector's representatives: "This is the first time he was ever in favor of giving funding to Arabs… he just saw an opportunity to score some cheap popularity points by offending Arab MKs.
"He couldn't care less about the National Service," added Zahalka, "he just came here to incite others. All he cares about in harming Arab MKs."
The Israeli Arab leadership, he continued, is not trying to discourage joining the National Service, but rather to prevent the ostracizing of those who choose to volunteer.
"We have nothing against them, we just don't want them to pay this price…National Service is just another way to control the Arab citizens and Lieberman's crusade doesn't take into account the Arab MKs stand on the matter.
The Knesset's Education Committee ended its meeting by voting in MK Zevulun Orlev's (National Religious Party) initiative to encourage Arab youth to volunteer to the National Service, "as an expression of their integration into Israeli society."
Sharon Roffe-Ofir contributed to this report
Amnon Meranda
Ynetnews.com 02.24.08, 12:48
A fierce argument broke out between Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman and Balad leader, Knesset Member Jamal Zahalka, on Sunday during a Knesset's Education Committee meeting regarding the integration of Israeli Arabs in National Service (Sherut Leumi).
The meeting addressed, among other issues, the incitement against those who choose to volunteer, and their families. The debates heated when Lieberman began speaking against the Israeli Arab's leadership, saying they are the ones instigating the incitement.
Encouragement
Lieberman was supposedly speaking against a comment made by Zahalka about four months ago, during a conference protesting the government initiative to draft the sector's youth to the service, in which he said, "Anyone who chooses to volunteer to the National Service will be considered (by the Israeli Arab society) a leper and the Arab society will have nothing to do with them."
Yisrael Beiteinu's chairman continued to scorn the Education Ministry next, slamming its decision to cut back on National Service funding: "This new policy has made it an active party in the (Higher Arab) Monitoring Committee's efforts against the service, both in the Arab sector and among the Orthodox… this is suicide."
War of Words
MK Jamal Zahalka tried to comment on Lieberman's statements several times, but the latter kept on interrupting him. Zahalka tries to shut Lieberman up, calling him "a fascist"- a comment which made Lieberman accuse Zahalka of cooperating with terror operatives.
"I'm leading a crusade against anyone cooperating with Hamas and Hizbullah… you are a fifth column and we will make sure you end up where you deserve."
Lieberman, Zahalka told Ynet, was using the meeting as another opportunity to lash out at the Arab sector's representatives: "This is the first time he was ever in favor of giving funding to Arabs… he just saw an opportunity to score some cheap popularity points by offending Arab MKs.
"He couldn't care less about the National Service," added Zahalka, "he just came here to incite others. All he cares about in harming Arab MKs."
The Israeli Arab leadership, he continued, is not trying to discourage joining the National Service, but rather to prevent the ostracizing of those who choose to volunteer.
"We have nothing against them, we just don't want them to pay this price…National Service is just another way to control the Arab citizens and Lieberman's crusade doesn't take into account the Arab MKs stand on the matter.
The Knesset's Education Committee ended its meeting by voting in MK Zevulun Orlev's (National Religious Party) initiative to encourage Arab youth to volunteer to the National Service, "as an expression of their integration into Israeli society."
Sharon Roffe-Ofir contributed to this report
lundi 18 février 2008
Rabbinical courts' authority to be upgraded
Secular-religious status-quo may tilt as Ministerial Committee on Legislation passes bill expanding rabbinical courts' authorities to include property settlements, despite Justice Ministry's objections. Bill defies religious courts' original purpose, says ministry
Tova Tzimuki Yedioth Ahranoth 02.18.08, 10:32
The Ministerial Committee on Legislation decided Monday to support a bill extending the authorities of rabbinical courts over all matters regarding marriage and divorce.
Should the bill pass its Knesset readings, it would serve to upgrade the rabbinical courts' judicial authority over seemingly civil matters, such as property settlements; and would allow them to issue subpoenas and warrants – just like the civil courts.
Checks & Balances
According to a report in Yedioth Ahronoth, Social Affairs Minister Isaac Herzog (Labor) and Minister Ruhama Avraham-Balila (Kadima) initiated the bill contrary to Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann's stand on the matter.
"The (committee's) decision will change the status-quo regarding marriage and divorce," said Friedmann. "The bill gives (rabbinical) courts absolute authority and we must make sure this change doesn't benefit just one side."
The Justice Ministry further said that the bill presents a radical change in the rabbinical courts' authority, by giving them rule over issues which have nothing to do with their original mission.
Labor Knesset Members Ophir Pines-Paz and Shelly Yacimovich slammed the new bill, saying it harms women's status. The two called for an emergency Labor session on the matter: "It is inconceivable that one of Labor's ministers would bring forwards a bill which goes against the coalition agreement and violates the status-quo," they said.
Herzog, on his part, said Pines and Yacimovich's response was "outrageous and out of line… The bill has the full support of women's groups including Na'amat (The Movement for the Advancement of the Status of Women) for being a preventive measure against the exploitation of women going through a divorce."
Yuval Karni contributed to this report
Tova Tzimuki Yedioth Ahranoth 02.18.08, 10:32
The Ministerial Committee on Legislation decided Monday to support a bill extending the authorities of rabbinical courts over all matters regarding marriage and divorce.
Should the bill pass its Knesset readings, it would serve to upgrade the rabbinical courts' judicial authority over seemingly civil matters, such as property settlements; and would allow them to issue subpoenas and warrants – just like the civil courts.
Checks & Balances
According to a report in Yedioth Ahronoth, Social Affairs Minister Isaac Herzog (Labor) and Minister Ruhama Avraham-Balila (Kadima) initiated the bill contrary to Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann's stand on the matter.
"The (committee's) decision will change the status-quo regarding marriage and divorce," said Friedmann. "The bill gives (rabbinical) courts absolute authority and we must make sure this change doesn't benefit just one side."
The Justice Ministry further said that the bill presents a radical change in the rabbinical courts' authority, by giving them rule over issues which have nothing to do with their original mission.
Labor Knesset Members Ophir Pines-Paz and Shelly Yacimovich slammed the new bill, saying it harms women's status. The two called for an emergency Labor session on the matter: "It is inconceivable that one of Labor's ministers would bring forwards a bill which goes against the coalition agreement and violates the status-quo," they said.
Herzog, on his part, said Pines and Yacimovich's response was "outrageous and out of line… The bill has the full support of women's groups including Na'amat (The Movement for the Advancement of the Status of Women) for being a preventive measure against the exploitation of women going through a divorce."
Yuval Karni contributed to this report
dimanche 17 février 2008
A third of settlements on land taken for 'security purposes'
Haaretz 05:43 17/02/2008
By Meron Rapoport, Haaretz correspondent
More than one-third of West Bank settlements were built on private Palestinian land that was temporarily seized by military order for "security purposes," according to a report by the Civil Administration that is being published here for the first time. The settlements in question, which include Ariel, Kiryat Arba and Efrat, have tens of thousands of residents, and many have existed for decades. A security source termed this a "difficult statistic" that is liable to cause trouble for Israel both in Washington and its own courts. The defense establishment has consistently refused to publish this information, and a month ago, the Defense Ministry told a court that its publication would "damage the state's security and foreign relations." Peace Now, which discovered the data, said it proves that most of the settlements are illegal even under Israeli law, and termed the attempt to hide the information a "blow to democracy."
International law allows the seizure of occupied territory, but only for military needs. Instead, Israel built many of the settlements via such seizures, in defiance of a 1979 cabinet decision that forbade using private Palestinian land for settlements. A legal source said the very fact that so many settlements were built in this way will make it hard for the state to convince the High Court of Justice that "military necessity" justifies keeping them in existence rather than returning the land to its Palestinian owners. According to the Civil Administration data compiled in October 2006, 44 of the 120 West Bank settlements "are based to some extent" on lands seized by military order. A knowledgeable security source said that most of this land was privately owned by Palestinians. In addition to Ariel, Efrat and Kiryat Arba - three of the largest West Bank settlements - the list includes major "ideological" settlements such as Ofra, Beit El, Psagot, Kedumim, Karnei Shomron, Elon Moreh and Shiloh; Jordan Valley settlements such as Gitit and Mechora; and even "quality of life" settlements such as Kfar Ruth, near Modi'in. Until the late 1970s, most settlements were built on land seized by military order. In 1979, however, the High Court overturned a seizure order for the land on which Elon Moreh was slated to be built, saying it saw no "security necessity" for the settlement. Following that ruling, Menachem Begin's government decided that all new settlements or expansions of existing ones would be built only on state land, and since then, military seizure orders officially have not been used for this purpose. However, a Haaretz investigation found that at least 19 of the 44 settlements on the Civil Administration's list were established after 1979, which means they violated this decision. Efrat, for instance, was established in 1983. A few years ago, the Defense Ministry set up a task force headed by Baruch Spiegel to collect information on how the settlements were established and their current legal status. After Haaretz reported the existence of this database, several organizations, including Peace Now, asked to view the data, but were refused. They consequently went to court, and a month ago, the Defense Ministry told the court that releasing this information might "damage the state's security and foreign relations." Attorney Michael Sfard, who represents several Palestinians whose property has been taken over by settlers, said the data "proves that systematic land theft for the purpose of establishing settlements was carried out via a fictitious and completely illegal use of the term 'military necessity.' The concealment of this information for all these years shows that the authorities also knew they were committing illegal acts." In response, the Israel Defense Forces said: "These orders are in force until they are canceled. In some of these settlements, part or all of [the land] was declared 'state land' at the same time, but the seizure orders have not been canceled, either partially or totally." It added that "in general," seizure orders have not been used to build settlements since 1979, but "in the early 1980s, Nahal [an army unit] outposts were still built on the basis of seizure orders, and some later became settlements. There were also isolated cases during those years in which land was seized for roads or buildings for existing settlements."
By Meron Rapoport, Haaretz correspondent
More than one-third of West Bank settlements were built on private Palestinian land that was temporarily seized by military order for "security purposes," according to a report by the Civil Administration that is being published here for the first time. The settlements in question, which include Ariel, Kiryat Arba and Efrat, have tens of thousands of residents, and many have existed for decades. A security source termed this a "difficult statistic" that is liable to cause trouble for Israel both in Washington and its own courts. The defense establishment has consistently refused to publish this information, and a month ago, the Defense Ministry told a court that its publication would "damage the state's security and foreign relations." Peace Now, which discovered the data, said it proves that most of the settlements are illegal even under Israeli law, and termed the attempt to hide the information a "blow to democracy."
International law allows the seizure of occupied territory, but only for military needs. Instead, Israel built many of the settlements via such seizures, in defiance of a 1979 cabinet decision that forbade using private Palestinian land for settlements. A legal source said the very fact that so many settlements were built in this way will make it hard for the state to convince the High Court of Justice that "military necessity" justifies keeping them in existence rather than returning the land to its Palestinian owners. According to the Civil Administration data compiled in October 2006, 44 of the 120 West Bank settlements "are based to some extent" on lands seized by military order. A knowledgeable security source said that most of this land was privately owned by Palestinians. In addition to Ariel, Efrat and Kiryat Arba - three of the largest West Bank settlements - the list includes major "ideological" settlements such as Ofra, Beit El, Psagot, Kedumim, Karnei Shomron, Elon Moreh and Shiloh; Jordan Valley settlements such as Gitit and Mechora; and even "quality of life" settlements such as Kfar Ruth, near Modi'in. Until the late 1970s, most settlements were built on land seized by military order. In 1979, however, the High Court overturned a seizure order for the land on which Elon Moreh was slated to be built, saying it saw no "security necessity" for the settlement. Following that ruling, Menachem Begin's government decided that all new settlements or expansions of existing ones would be built only on state land, and since then, military seizure orders officially have not been used for this purpose. However, a Haaretz investigation found that at least 19 of the 44 settlements on the Civil Administration's list were established after 1979, which means they violated this decision. Efrat, for instance, was established in 1983. A few years ago, the Defense Ministry set up a task force headed by Baruch Spiegel to collect information on how the settlements were established and their current legal status. After Haaretz reported the existence of this database, several organizations, including Peace Now, asked to view the data, but were refused. They consequently went to court, and a month ago, the Defense Ministry told the court that releasing this information might "damage the state's security and foreign relations." Attorney Michael Sfard, who represents several Palestinians whose property has been taken over by settlers, said the data "proves that systematic land theft for the purpose of establishing settlements was carried out via a fictitious and completely illegal use of the term 'military necessity.' The concealment of this information for all these years shows that the authorities also knew they were committing illegal acts." In response, the Israel Defense Forces said: "These orders are in force until they are canceled. In some of these settlements, part or all of [the land] was declared 'state land' at the same time, but the seizure orders have not been canceled, either partially or totally." It added that "in general," seizure orders have not been used to build settlements since 1979, but "in the early 1980s, Nahal [an army unit] outposts were still built on the basis of seizure orders, and some later became settlements. There were also isolated cases during those years in which land was seized for roads or buildings for existing settlements."
mardi 12 février 2008
Minister: No freeze on Jewish construction in E. J'lem
Haaretz 12:46 12/02/2008
By Nadav Shragai, Haaretz Correspondent, Haaretz Service and AP
Housing Minister Ze'ev Boim denied Tuesday reports that the government is barring new housing construction for Jews in East Jerusalem, saying Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's order to freeze all construction that does not have his personal approval applies only to the West Bank. On Monday, Jerusalem city manager Yair Ma'ayan told the Knesset Economics Committee that the government was holding up construction of hundreds of apartments in Jewish neighborhoods of East Jerusalem due to the negotiations with the Palestinians. "There is no delay, limitation, or suspension of the construction of Jewish neigbhorhoods in East Jerusalem," Boim told Israel Radio.
Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupoliansky also weighed in on the issue Tuesday, saying he "won't allow Jerusalem to be turned into an illegal outpost. Following the Annapolis conference last fall, several media reports about ongoing construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem angered the Palestinians and Americans. In response, Olmert ordered all building in the settlements frozen, including those settlements that are part of the greater Jerusalem area. But with regard to East Jerusalem, which was formally annexed to Israel in 1967, he merely ordered that he be kept informed of any building plans, and he recently promised Shas Party Chairman and Industry Minister Eli Yishai that there was no freeze on construction in the capital. At Monday's Economics Committee meeting, however, Ma'ayan said that the Housing Ministry has postponed marketing 750 apartments in East Jerusalem's Pisgat Ze'ev neighborhood and another 150 apartments in the Har Homa neighborhood. In both cases, he said, the ministry told him that Olmert had not yet approved the projects. Boim denied this, however, saying the tenders for the Pisgat Ze'ev construction were in the final stages of coordination with the Jerusalem Municipality, and that the tenders for Har Homa - which he said were for 360 units - would be published soon. Dov Gal, deputy director of the Housing Ministry's Jerusalem District, also denied the report, saying there was no order that construction in East Jerusalem needed approval from the government. But Ma'ayan said that Gal was behind the times - and several Knesset members said that Ma'ayan's statements had been confirmed to them by Boim himself. Gal did confirm that he had been ordered to freeze construction in the settlements around Jerusalem, including Efrat, Gush Etzion, Givat Ze'ev, Adam and Beitar Ilit. MK Uriel Ariel (National Union-National Religious Party), who requested Monday's meeting, said that altogether, the Housing Ministry has halted marketing of some 2,300 apartments in and around Jerusalem. In response, the Prime Minister's Office said that construction in East Jerusalem has not been frozen, but because of its diplomatic sensitivity, Olmert has asked to be informed of all building plans there, so that he will not be taken by surprise. After the meeting, Ma'ayan told Haaretz that despite this directive, the municipality is moving forward with plans to build some 10,000 apartments in Jewish neighborhoods of East Jerusalem, including Ramot, Ramat Shlomo, Pisgat Ze'ev, Neveh Ya'akov, East Talpiot, Har Homa and Gilo. The largest of these calls for building some 4,000 apartments in Givat Hamatos, in the city's southern section. That plan is currently being discussed by the regional planning and building committee. Negative migration Nir Barkat, who heads the opposition in the Jerusalem city council, told the Economics Committee that the capital continues to suffer from a negative balance of migration, in part because of soaring apartment prices. This conclusion was echoed in a study by the Knesset's research division that was presented to the committee on Monday. The study also found that while all governments talk about developing Jerusalem, few actually do anything about it. Barkat, who belongs to Olmert's Kadima Party, also asked Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni to deny recent claims by Palestinian officials that Israel has already agreed to concessions in Jerusalem, including ceding the city's Arab neighborhoods to the Palestinians. Alternatively, if the reports are true, he demanded that she "reveal all the secret agreements on the floor of the Knesset." Livni's media advisor, Gil Messing, responded that the minister does not comment on reports about her talks with the Palestinians, and therefore refused to either confirm or deny that the future of Jerusalem had been discussed. But the Palestinian comments increased pressure on Shas to quit the government, as it has repeatedly pledged to leave the moment negotiations on Jerusalem begin.
By Nadav Shragai, Haaretz Correspondent, Haaretz Service and AP
Housing Minister Ze'ev Boim denied Tuesday reports that the government is barring new housing construction for Jews in East Jerusalem, saying Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's order to freeze all construction that does not have his personal approval applies only to the West Bank. On Monday, Jerusalem city manager Yair Ma'ayan told the Knesset Economics Committee that the government was holding up construction of hundreds of apartments in Jewish neighborhoods of East Jerusalem due to the negotiations with the Palestinians. "There is no delay, limitation, or suspension of the construction of Jewish neigbhorhoods in East Jerusalem," Boim told Israel Radio.
Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupoliansky also weighed in on the issue Tuesday, saying he "won't allow Jerusalem to be turned into an illegal outpost. Following the Annapolis conference last fall, several media reports about ongoing construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem angered the Palestinians and Americans. In response, Olmert ordered all building in the settlements frozen, including those settlements that are part of the greater Jerusalem area. But with regard to East Jerusalem, which was formally annexed to Israel in 1967, he merely ordered that he be kept informed of any building plans, and he recently promised Shas Party Chairman and Industry Minister Eli Yishai that there was no freeze on construction in the capital. At Monday's Economics Committee meeting, however, Ma'ayan said that the Housing Ministry has postponed marketing 750 apartments in East Jerusalem's Pisgat Ze'ev neighborhood and another 150 apartments in the Har Homa neighborhood. In both cases, he said, the ministry told him that Olmert had not yet approved the projects. Boim denied this, however, saying the tenders for the Pisgat Ze'ev construction were in the final stages of coordination with the Jerusalem Municipality, and that the tenders for Har Homa - which he said were for 360 units - would be published soon. Dov Gal, deputy director of the Housing Ministry's Jerusalem District, also denied the report, saying there was no order that construction in East Jerusalem needed approval from the government. But Ma'ayan said that Gal was behind the times - and several Knesset members said that Ma'ayan's statements had been confirmed to them by Boim himself. Gal did confirm that he had been ordered to freeze construction in the settlements around Jerusalem, including Efrat, Gush Etzion, Givat Ze'ev, Adam and Beitar Ilit. MK Uriel Ariel (National Union-National Religious Party), who requested Monday's meeting, said that altogether, the Housing Ministry has halted marketing of some 2,300 apartments in and around Jerusalem. In response, the Prime Minister's Office said that construction in East Jerusalem has not been frozen, but because of its diplomatic sensitivity, Olmert has asked to be informed of all building plans there, so that he will not be taken by surprise. After the meeting, Ma'ayan told Haaretz that despite this directive, the municipality is moving forward with plans to build some 10,000 apartments in Jewish neighborhoods of East Jerusalem, including Ramot, Ramat Shlomo, Pisgat Ze'ev, Neveh Ya'akov, East Talpiot, Har Homa and Gilo. The largest of these calls for building some 4,000 apartments in Givat Hamatos, in the city's southern section. That plan is currently being discussed by the regional planning and building committee. Negative migration Nir Barkat, who heads the opposition in the Jerusalem city council, told the Economics Committee that the capital continues to suffer from a negative balance of migration, in part because of soaring apartment prices. This conclusion was echoed in a study by the Knesset's research division that was presented to the committee on Monday. The study also found that while all governments talk about developing Jerusalem, few actually do anything about it. Barkat, who belongs to Olmert's Kadima Party, also asked Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni to deny recent claims by Palestinian officials that Israel has already agreed to concessions in Jerusalem, including ceding the city's Arab neighborhoods to the Palestinians. Alternatively, if the reports are true, he demanded that she "reveal all the secret agreements on the floor of the Knesset." Livni's media advisor, Gil Messing, responded that the minister does not comment on reports about her talks with the Palestinians, and therefore refused to either confirm or deny that the future of Jerusalem had been discussed. But the Palestinian comments increased pressure on Shas to quit the government, as it has repeatedly pledged to leave the moment negotiations on Jerusalem begin.
Top reservists: Roadblocks in W. Bank do more harm than good
Haaretz 14:06 12/02/2008
By Akiva Eldar, Haaretz Correspondent
A group of top Israel Defense Forces reserve officers are set to unveil Wednesday a new position paper according to which the 550 roadblocks in the West Bank serve to increase the motivation to commit terror attacks, and removing a significant portion of them would help calm the security situation and undermine Hamas rule in the Gaza Strip. Former MI heads, Civil Administration heads, and commanders of divisions, brigades and regiments operating in the West Bank and Gaza, said in the paper addressed to Defense Minister Ehud Barak that even though roadblocks prevent terror attacks in the short term, they induce frustration and infringe on basic human rights of Palestinians, thereby fueling terror in the long term. The signatories will take part in a conference in Jerusalem's Van Leer Institute on Wednesday, and outline an alternative plan to the current web of roadblocks, which is based on a more flexible deployment of forces and pinpointed intelligence.
The officers say that in parallel to an increased use of temporary roadblocks, Israel should advance the construction of the separation fence and instruct the IDF to work in closer cooperation with the Palestinian security forces. Following his promise to the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas last summer to reduce the number of roadblocks, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert appointed Defense Minister Ehud Barak to review the issue of mobility in the West Bank, but the revision is still underway. Last August it was reported that Barak had asked the security establishment to "consider new operational paths," and that he "gives it time to conform to the new policy." The paper passes harsh judgment on the IDF's roadblock policy, which it says does not distinguish between terrorists and civilians. The desire to prevent terror at any cost, combined with a lack of specific real-time intelligence, affects a large proportion of Palestinians, it is argued. The writers also say that the political strata are aware of the strategic damage this policy invites, but are refrain from disputing it for fear of being perceived as promoting a lenient position on terror.
By Akiva Eldar, Haaretz Correspondent
A group of top Israel Defense Forces reserve officers are set to unveil Wednesday a new position paper according to which the 550 roadblocks in the West Bank serve to increase the motivation to commit terror attacks, and removing a significant portion of them would help calm the security situation and undermine Hamas rule in the Gaza Strip. Former MI heads, Civil Administration heads, and commanders of divisions, brigades and regiments operating in the West Bank and Gaza, said in the paper addressed to Defense Minister Ehud Barak that even though roadblocks prevent terror attacks in the short term, they induce frustration and infringe on basic human rights of Palestinians, thereby fueling terror in the long term. The signatories will take part in a conference in Jerusalem's Van Leer Institute on Wednesday, and outline an alternative plan to the current web of roadblocks, which is based on a more flexible deployment of forces and pinpointed intelligence.
The officers say that in parallel to an increased use of temporary roadblocks, Israel should advance the construction of the separation fence and instruct the IDF to work in closer cooperation with the Palestinian security forces. Following his promise to the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas last summer to reduce the number of roadblocks, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert appointed Defense Minister Ehud Barak to review the issue of mobility in the West Bank, but the revision is still underway. Last August it was reported that Barak had asked the security establishment to "consider new operational paths," and that he "gives it time to conform to the new policy." The paper passes harsh judgment on the IDF's roadblock policy, which it says does not distinguish between terrorists and civilians. The desire to prevent terror at any cost, combined with a lack of specific real-time intelligence, affects a large proportion of Palestinians, it is argued. The writers also say that the political strata are aware of the strategic damage this policy invites, but are refrain from disputing it for fear of being perceived as promoting a lenient position on terror.
samedi 2 février 2008
MK Zahalka: PFLP's George Habash should be buried in Lod
Haaretz 18:05 02/02/2008
By Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondent and Haaretz Service
Balad faction chairman MK Jamal Zahalka said on Saturday that George Habash, the founder of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, who died last week, must be buried in Lod, his birthplace. "His natural place is in Lod, where he was born and raised," Zahalka declared at a memorial held for Habash, who was buried in Jordan, where he died. Zahalka said that Habash charted an important path for his people by emphasizing that the "Palestinian victim [must] challenge his fate and take the path of struggle and opposition." He also said the Palestinian leader had urged his people to oppose "Zionist colonization and imperialism" and to preserve national unity.
Hadash Chairman MK Mohammed Barakeh reportedly said at the memorial that Habash preserved Palestinian unity and worked for the realization of the right of return of Palestinian refugees and the establishment of a Palestinian state - which renders him deserving of respect even by those who disagreed with him. During the 1948 War of Independence, Habash was abroad for his studies. He returned to Lod before the city's Arab residents were expelled, and hadn't been back since. The ceremony included a portion in the Orthodox church in the city, after which the mourners marched to the site on which the Habash family house once stood, before it was reportedly destroyed several years ago. Habash, who was 81 when he died, founded the PFLP in 1968. He and his group gained notoriety for the hijackings in 1970 of four Western airliners over the United States, Europe, the Far East and the Persian Gulf. The aircraft were blown up in the Middle East after passengers and crews disembarked. The group also was responsible for gunning down 27 people at Israel's Lod airport in May 1972. Habash, an American-educated physician, launched the Popular Front in December 1967, six months after the Arabs lost the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Golan Heights to Israel. Habash opposed the interim peace agreements with Israel, in part because they did not require Israel to stop settlement construction. Throughout his life, he supported the use of violence against Israel, arguing that Israel would not make the concessions required for a peace agreement.
By Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondent and Haaretz Service
Balad faction chairman MK Jamal Zahalka said on Saturday that George Habash, the founder of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, who died last week, must be buried in Lod, his birthplace. "His natural place is in Lod, where he was born and raised," Zahalka declared at a memorial held for Habash, who was buried in Jordan, where he died. Zahalka said that Habash charted an important path for his people by emphasizing that the "Palestinian victim [must] challenge his fate and take the path of struggle and opposition." He also said the Palestinian leader had urged his people to oppose "Zionist colonization and imperialism" and to preserve national unity.
Hadash Chairman MK Mohammed Barakeh reportedly said at the memorial that Habash preserved Palestinian unity and worked for the realization of the right of return of Palestinian refugees and the establishment of a Palestinian state - which renders him deserving of respect even by those who disagreed with him. During the 1948 War of Independence, Habash was abroad for his studies. He returned to Lod before the city's Arab residents were expelled, and hadn't been back since. The ceremony included a portion in the Orthodox church in the city, after which the mourners marched to the site on which the Habash family house once stood, before it was reportedly destroyed several years ago. Habash, who was 81 when he died, founded the PFLP in 1968. He and his group gained notoriety for the hijackings in 1970 of four Western airliners over the United States, Europe, the Far East and the Persian Gulf. The aircraft were blown up in the Middle East after passengers and crews disembarked. The group also was responsible for gunning down 27 people at Israel's Lod airport in May 1972. Habash, an American-educated physician, launched the Popular Front in December 1967, six months after the Arabs lost the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Golan Heights to Israel. Habash opposed the interim peace agreements with Israel, in part because they did not require Israel to stop settlement construction. Throughout his life, he supported the use of violence against Israel, arguing that Israel would not make the concessions required for a peace agreement.
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