–– The compiler of this newslist will be away without Internet access from today 19 Oct until 27 Oct, so no lists during that time, sorry —

Eviction of Palestinian families for a new settlement in Silwan

This morning (Monday) a large body of Israeli police evicted a Palestinian family (Abu Nab) from their home in Silwan and handed the house over to settlers from the extreme right-wing movement “Ateret Cohanim”. Palestinian inhabitants of the neighbourhood were put under strict curfew, shut in their homes with no coming in or out under any circumstances. Such a case of forceful displacement of a Palestinian family and handing over the home to Jewish settlers has not taken place in East Jerusalem since the last Evictions in Sheikh Jarrah in 2009. There is no way to explain the decision by the Israeli government to evict the house now of all times, but a decision by Israeli government to escalate the situation in East Jerusalem. Netanyahu’s statements about preserving the Status-Quo and attempting to de-escalate the situation can not be reconciled with this act of aggression. Abu Nab’s family has been fighting to stay in their home since 2002, when the settler organisation, Ateret Cohanim, filed a lawsuit alleging that the land where Abu Nab’s property sits had been registered as hekdesh, or Jewish religious property, since 1881. A 2015 ruling from Israel’s Supreme Court gave Abu Nab’s family – comprised of 16 people living in two separate homes – until August 11 2015 to leave, and this was followed by an eviction order according to which the eviction is now being carried out. According to settlement watchdog Peace Now, the case is part of a larger scheme by Jewish settlers to seize 5,200 square metres in the area of Silwan’s Batan al-Hawa neighbourhood, where an estimated 80 Palestinian families live in more than 30 buildings. (Sent via email by Sahar Vardi)

Violence

Five Palestinians killed on Saturday; 44 Palestinians killed this month, including 11 children

IMEMC/Agencies 18 Oct — Names of all 44 dead after text Three Palestinians were killed in the southern West Bank city of Hebron, another youth was killed in Jerusalem, and a fifth was killed at Qalandia checkpoint by Israeli live gunfire on Saturday. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, these five casualties bring the total number of Palestinians killed in October to 44. Moreover, the ministry reported that 1300 Palestinians have been injured since October 1st during ongoing clashes in Gaza, the West Bank and Jerusalem, including 550 that were hit by Israeli live gunfire. In addition, since the beginning of October, more than 650 Palestinians have been abducted and imprisoned by the Israeli army, according to political prisoners rights groups. An earlier report by the Ministry of Health showed that since the start of October, 5000 residents were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation fired by Israeli troops targeting Palestinian protesters.

http://www.imemc.org/article/73435

Clashes erupt across West Bank for 17th day

BETHLEHEM (Ma‘an) 18 Oct — Israeli forces suppressed marches across the occupied West Bank on Sunday, as clashes continued for the 17th consecutive day. In Hebron, Israeli forces suppressed a march held by Palestinian students from Hebron’s Polytechnic University near the illegal Israeli settlement of Beit Hijai in the southern occupied West Bank, locals said. Israeli forces shot tear gas and rubber-coated steel bullets at protesters, who responded by launching stones at Israeli forces. One of the students suffered from severe tear gas inhalation and was transferred to a local hospital, the Red Crescent said. In Tulkarem, Israeli forces shot tear gas and stun grenades at Palestinian students from al-Khadouri University in the northern occupied West Bank, after clashes broke out during an anti-occupation protest at the university. In Bethlehem Israeli forces hit a 15-year-old Palestinian in the head with a tear gas grenade in Dar Salah village in east Bethlehem during clashes in the area. Medical sources said that the teen sustained a moderate injury and was transferred to a hospital for treatment. The teen sustained the injury after the students of Dar Salah school participated in a march protesting the Israeli violation against the Palestinians and al-Aqsa mosque.

Nearly 40 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since the start of the month, half of which were shot and killed during protests, while Palestinians have been responsible for the death of seven Israeli during the same time period. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that the second week of October saw the highest number of Palestinian deaths and injuries in the West Bank and Israel recorded in a single week since 2005.

http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=768331

Fighters exchange fire with Israeli soldiers invading Silwad

IMEMC/Agencies 17 Oct — Three Palestinian resistance fighters exchanged fire, on Friday evening, with dozens of Israeli soldiers invading Silwad town, east of the central West Bank city of Ramallah. Eyewitnesses said the three fighters exchanged fire with the invading army forces for nearly 30 minutes, while dozens of additional soldiers poured into town following the clashes. The army also brought a military ambulance into the town, during the clashes, and prevented journalists from entering Silwad after completely sealing it. The soldiers also surrounded a family from the town, while picking their olive orchard, and opened fire towards them. The family was allowed to leave several hours later. Many Palestinians also suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation during clashes between local youths and the soldiers. The youths hurled stones and empty bottles on the invading soldiers, while the army fired rounds of live ammunition, rubber-coated steel bullets, gas bombs and concussion grenades. In addition, soldiers invaded several homes, searched them and occupied their rooftops. The army also placed sand hills on the main road leading to Palestinian villages northeast of Ramallah. The villages are Silwad, al-Mazra‘a ash-Sharqiyya, Deir Jarir, Deir Debwan, Kafr Malik, at-Taybeh, and all nearby Bedouin communities. Also Friday, soldiers kidnapped three Palestinians in Silwad, assaulted one of them causing various injuries, and prevented Palestinian medics from reaching him.

http://www.imemc.org/article/73431

Residents of Silwad remove Israeli roadblocks at village entrance

RAMALLAH (Ma‘an) 18 Oct — Palestinian residents of Silwad in northwest Ramallah on Sunday removed roadblocks set up by Israeli forces two days earlier to seal the village entrance.Locals told Ma‘an that village residents used bulldozers to remove the cement blocks.They were reportedly put in place on Friday — sealing the main route to the village — following nearby clashes between Israeli forces and local youths.

http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=768333

Israel building wall to separate East Jerusalem district, settlement

JERUSALEM (Ma‘an) 18 Oct — Israeli forces on Sunday began installing a large concrete wall in occupied East Jerusalem to separate the Palestinian neighborhood of Jabal al-Mukabbir from the illegal Israeli settlement of Armon Hanatziv. Witnesses told Ma‘an that Israeli forces helped unload huge concrete blocks in the neighborhood, including the notorious T-shaped blocks used in Israel’s illegal separation wall that surrounds and cuts through the occupied West Bank. Most of the concrete blocks are two meters high, witnesses [said], and were set up in streets near the illegal Israeli settlement of Armon Hanatziv, also known as East Talpiot. Residents of Jabal al-Mukabbir told Ma‘an that four days earlier, on Wednesday, Israeli forces closed all routes to the neighborhood with cement blocks and set up a checkpoint at the main entrance. Nearly all Palestinian neighborhoods across occupied East Jerusalem have seen severe movement restrictions imposed by Israel’s security cabinet following a series of attacks on Israelis. Late on Tuesday, Israel’s security cabinet announced that Israeli police would be entitled to “impose a closure on, or to surround, centers of friction and incitement in Jerusalem, in accordance with security considerations.”

http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=768335

Soldier murdered in Be’er Sheva bus terminal terror attack

[with VIDEOS] Ynet reporters 18 Oct — A terrorist, who shot a soldier and snatched his M-16 rifle from him, opened fire at Be’er Sheva’s central bus terminal on Sunday evening, murdering the soldier and wounding nine others, several of them members of Israel’s security forces. Five people were seriously wounded – two of them very seriously, four others were in moderate condition and the rest in light condition. Two dozen others were suffering from shock. All wounded were taken to the Soroka Medical Center in Be’er Sheva. The terrorist, identified by Palestinian media as Asam al-Araj from Shuafat, arrived at the bus terminal armed with a knife, a gun and ammunition, and started attacking passersby. He tried to stab a woman, who hit him with pepper spray, and then shot a soldier and snatched his M-16 rifle, shooting in all directions. Security forces who were already at the station on their way home or to their bases opened fire at the terrorist, who escaped out of the bus terminal, where he was shot down and killed after a gun fight with security forces who arrived at the scene. At first, it was believed there were two attackers, but it later transpired that the second man who was gunned down was an Eritrean man [Haftom Zarhum, 29]. He was shot in his lower extremities by the bus terminal’s head of security, who thought him to be a terrorist, as the Eritrean was fleeing the ensuring gun fight. While lying wounded on the floor, passersby who also thought him to be a terrorist beat him up – throwing benches and chairs at him, kicking him, spitting on him and cursing at him. Police officers on the scene, as well as some civilians, were trying to keep the attacking passersby at bay. Paramedics trying to evacuate the Eritrean, who was critically wounded, to the hospital ran into objection from the crowds at the scene, who blocked their way and called out “Death to Arabs,” “Arabs out!” and “Am Israel Hai” (“The people of Israel still live”). The Eritrean’s friends, who were with him at the time of the attack, were being questioned by security forces.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4712997,00.html

3rd Palestinian shot dead after alleged attacks in Hebron, Jerusalem

BETHLEHEM (Ma‘an) 17 Oct — A Palestinian teenager was shot dead Saturday by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron after allegedly stabbing an Israeli border police officer in the third alleged attack of the day. Palestinian locals said that Israeli forces opened fire at the woman close to the the Wadi al-Ghrus area near the illegal Kiryat Arba settlement. She was identified as 17-year-old Bayan Ayman Abd al-Hadi al-Esseili. Her family told Ma‘an they were informed by Israeli authorities that their daughter had been killed after she allegedly tried to stab a soldier. A border policewoman sustained light injuries to her hand, according to Israeli police spokesperson Micky Rosenfeld, who reported that a “female terrorist was shot at the scene.” In a separate incident, an Israeli settler shot and killed Fadil Qawasmi, 18,earlier Saturday morning on Shuhada Street in Hebron’s Old City, hours before Israeli forces shot dead a 16-year-old Palestinian [Muataz Ahmad Hajis Uweisat].in occupied East Jerusalem. Both teens are accused of carrying out stabbing attacks, although no Israelis were injured in either incident. Saturday’s events bring the total number of Palestinians killed to 40 since the beginning of the month. Seven Israelis have been killed by Palestinians in the same period.

http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=768306

Hundreds attend funeral of man killed after stabbing Israeli soldier

HEBRON (Ma‘an) 17 Oct — Hundreds of Palestinian mourners on Saturday took part in the funeral march of Eyad Awawdeh, 26, who was shot dead Friday after stabbing an Israeli soldier near the illegal Kiryat Arba settlement in Hebron. Israel’s army said the soldier had been stabbed and moderately wounded by an assailant disguised as a “news photographer.” Mourners toured the streets of Awawdeh’s hometown of al-Muwarraq, carrying his body wrapped with a Palestinian flag. The body was later taken to the village’s cemetery and buried. Mourners chanted slogans urging Palestinian fighters to take revenge against the Israeli “occupation and its settlers.” District attorney of Hebron Alaa Tamimi told Ma‘an that Awawdeh’s body had been examined by a forensic doctor prior to the burial. His body was delivered to his family Friday night from Hebron’s public hospital.

http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=768313

Ruthless killing of Palestinian youths in al-Khalil (Hebron)

HEBRON, occupied Palestine 17 Oct by ISM, al-Khalil Team — Today, Saturday, 17th October, 2015, Israeli forces and Israeli settlers in occupied al-Khalil (Hebron) murdered two Palestinian youth within three hours. In the morning, Israeli settlers from the illegal settlements within al-Khalil, walked past the 18-year old Palestinian youth Fadel al-Qawasmeh in segregated Shuhada street, cursing him as an ‘Arab’ and then pulled a gun shooting him from point blank range. The settler fired four shots at the Palestinian youth from his pistol, one shot directly in the head. This execution was entirely unprovoked. Israeli soldiers rushed to the scene, but prevented a Palestinian ambulance from treating the critically injured Palestinian youth who was lying on the ground bleeding. Whereas the area around the execution was immediately closed for Palestinians and international observers by the Israeli forces, settlers at all times were allowed to freely stroll alongside the scene of the murder, with soldiers taking pictures with their private phones. Later on, Israeli forces blocked all entrances to a Palestinian house nearby where activists where trying to document. In the meantime, settlers from the nearby illegal settlement of Beit Hadassah, watching from down on the street close by a checkpoint where enjoying tea and biscuits, brought from the settlement, with the soldiers and the police. After Israeli forces washed off the blood from the street, they broke into the house where Palestinians were filming before, with 11 children, the youngest only a year old, present. Heavily armed Israeli soldiers searched the house and confiscated all phones and cameras. Once they left the house, they were checking all the photos and videos taken after the execution of Fadel, and showed them to the settlers nearby. (continued)

http://palsolidarity.org/2015/10/ruthless-killing-of-palestinian-youths-in-al-khalil-hebron/

Israeli forces detain activist over video footage of Hebron shooting

HEBRON (Ma‘an) 17 Oct — Israeli forces on Saturday detained and briefly held the media coordinator of a Palestinian activist group after it released video footage that they say contradicts the Israeli army’s version of events. A spokesperson for Youth Against Settlements told Ma‘an that Israeli forces held Ahmad Amr for nearly five hours, and confiscated his filming equipment and laptop. Youth Against Settlements earlier released video footage taken after an Israeli settler shot dead 18-year-old Fadil Qawasmi, who the claimed attempted to stab him. The activist group said the footage showed the soldiers planting a knife on Qawasmi, although due to its low resolution it is not conclusive. The group;s spokesperson said that Israeli forces had “humiliated” their media coordinator, Amr, during his detention, and threatened to arrest him again if he filmed or published any more video footage. They erased large amounts footage of his equipment and damaged his laptop, the group’s spokesperson said. Meanwhile, Israeli forces also threatened another resident of Hebron and a volunteer with Youth Against Settlements, Mufeed Sharbati, who earlier spoke with Ma’an after witnessing the shooting of Qawasami. Israeli forces told Sharbati that they would come back later in the night and he would see “what they would do.” “We’re used to that,” the group’s spokesperson said. “We’re not afraid.” He said that Israeli forces had repeatedly targeted and “incited” against them.

http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=768308

Key witnesses to shooting in Hebron detained, cameras taken

IMEMC/Agencies 18 Oct — At least three witnesses to the fatal shooting of a Palestinian teenager, Saturday morning, have been abducted by Israeli forces. Ma‘an News Agency reported that Mufeed Sharbati, an eyewitness and an Arab resident of Hebron where the incident took place, has been detained. Israeli forces raided his home and confiscated a laptop, a video camera, and a stills camera. Sources on Facebook also revealed that Ahmad Amr, media coordinator of campaign group Youth Against Settlements, was also arrested. The group had posted online video footage of soldiers and a settler surrounding 18-year old Fadil al-Qawasm, who was killed after the settler shot him. And Christian Peacemaker Teams, a charity that escorts Palestinian children to school to ensure their safety, also said that a female member of their team was arrested by IOF troops and her camera was confiscated after she posted a photograph on Instagram. An Israeli spokesman claimed that Fadil had tried to stab the settler, but social media is teeming with speculation that he was unarmed, with many claiming video footage shows a knife was “planted” on him after his death by Israeli troops. PNN has inspected the footage, which is blurry and taken from some distance. One soldier is seen being handed an object by another soldier who then turns back towards the body. A third soldier then walks near to them, which blocks the view from the video camera. We have concluded it is impossible to tell what the object is from the footage alone.

http://www.imemc.org/article/73445

200 Israeli settlers attack Palestinian village with firebombs

HEBRON (Ma‘an) 18 Oct — More than 200 Israeli settlers attacked the Palestinian villages of Wad al-Haseen and Wad al-Nasara near the illegal Israeli settlement of Kiryat Arba overnight in the eastern Hebron district of the occupied southern West Bank, locals and medics said. During the attack, Israeli settlers threw stones and firebombs at Palestinian homes and injured at least three people, two of which were minors, while Israeli forces later shot and injured one Palestinian with live fire . . . Kayed Daana, one of the residents whose home was attacked, told Ma‘an that dozens of Israeli settlers attacked her neighborhood and injured at least three of her neighbors who have been identified as 40-year-old Imad and two minors, Abdullah, 13, and Muhammad, 17. Muhammad’s injuries were the most serious of the three, as he was hit in the chest with one of the fire bombs, medics said. Daana told Ma‘an that she would like to urge the International Red Cross and others in the international community to intervene against Israeli violations and attacks on Palestinians. Bassam al-Jabri, one of the residents, said he saw the attacking Israeli settlers cutting the blockade fence that separates the illegal Israeli settlement of Kiryat Arab from nearby Palestinian homes while under the protection of the Israeli troops, before they attacked his neighborhood with fire bombs. Al-Jabri said his house was one of those set ablaze, but that he and his neighbors were able to put the fire out before the fire was able to damage his whole home. During the attacks, Palestinian villagers fled to their local mosques and used the mosque amplifier to call for help from neighboring Palestinian villages and communities, who responded to their calls. Israeli forces then got involved, shooting tear gas at Palestinians who showed up to help. Community member Farid al-Razim told Ma‘an that villagers in his area were attacked by Israeli settlers with firebombs, while Israeli forces were shooting tear gas, and that one of the Palestinians from a neighboring village who had come to help was shot and injured with live fire.

http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=768322

Settlers lay siege to Wadi Alhussein neighborhood in Hebron (Al Khalil), Daana family under threat

WEST BANK, occupied Palestine 18 Oct by ISM, al-Khalil Team — The Hebron (Al Khalil) neighbourhood of Wadi Alhussein is tonight, Sunday 18th October, under siege as armed settlers rampage through the streets with support of the Israeli forces. International human rights activists are currently standing in solidarity in the home of the Daana Family who have already suffered several physical attacks in the past few days. As of 9.40pm, three people have been injured in the Daana house, including one young child, due to attack by firebomb, and ambulances are being prevented from delivering aid. Tear gas has been fired extensively between Palestinian houses and many stun grenades have been used in the area. The situation is anticipated to escalate overnight as settlers from the adjacent illegal settlement of Kiryat Arba are continuing to gather around Palestinian family homes. Hebron (Al Khalil) has been in a state of borderline lockdown by Israeli forces for over 24 hours now, following the murder of Palestinian 18 year old Fadel Al-Kawasmeh by illegal settlers on Shuhada street yesterday morning. Following this Bayan Ahmad Aseeleh, 16, was shot by Israeli forces outside the Ibrahimi Mosque on allegations that she attempted to stab a soldier. Settlers were then witnessed dancing on the site of a third shooting and lying in front of the ambulance carrying Tarek Al-Natsheh who died soon after. Immediately following this, a group of approximately 200 settlers tore down the fence between the Kiryat Arba settlement and the H2 neighborhood of Wadi Alhussein, throwing stones and fire bombs at Palestinian houses. Ten Palestinians were injured in the attack, including 13 year old Abdullah Nasser Dana, who was hit in the chest with a molotov cocktail, and Basil Khaled Dana, 16, who was hit in the ankle with a stone while helping Abdullah. 25 year old Emid Sayeed Dana, who was hit with a stone on the wrist, said earlier today ‘I think they will come again tonight.’ An unidentified Palestinian was also shot with live ammunition by a settler. . . The Daana family have been victim to attacks by illegal Kiryat Arbar settlers in the past, including a 2008 firebombing of the house. In 2003 they were detained in their home for a week, with food being delivered by the Palestinian Red Crescent Society. They have also had 5 horses poisoned by settlers in the past 10 years. Nine families are living in the house, with 50 people, the majority of which are women and children.

http://palsolidarity.org/2015/10/settlers-lay-siege-to-wadi-alhussein-neighbourhood-in-hebron-al-khalil-daana-family-under-threat/

Settlers renew attack on East Hebron neighborhood

HEBRON (WAFA) 18 Oct – Israeli settlers renewed their attacks on the eastern Hebron area on Sunday evening, hours after they carried out a similar attack, according to local sources. WAFA correspondent said dozens of settlers from the settlement of Kiryat Arba, illegally built on land of Hebron, attacked Palestinian homes with stones. A military escort was guarding the settlers during their assault. Late Saturday night, settlers from Kiryat Arba removed the barbed wire that separates the settlement from adjacent Palestinian homes before attacking the homes with stones. The settlers also shouted racist slogans and profanities against Palestinian families in the neighborhood.

http://english.wafa.ps/index.php?action=detail&id=29601

Israeli soldiers attack Jenin secondary school with tear gas

JENIN (WAFA) 18 Oct – Israeli forces Sunday fired tired gas canisters and stun grenades inside a boys’ secondary school in Jenin while students were still inside, while groups of settlers attempted to storm Ya‘bod town to the west of Jenin. Witnesses informed WAFA that Israeli soldiers stationed adjacent to the separation wall, built illegally on land belonging to Palestinians, fired tear gas canisters and stun grenades inside al-Tayba Secondary School to the west of Jenin.

Earlier Sunday, dozens of university students suffocated as Israeli forces Sunday raided the campus of Palestine Technical University-Kadoorie to the west of Tulkarem city, while firing a hail of tear gas canisters toward students. However, no injuries were reported.

http://english.wafa.ps/index.php?action=detail&id=29605

Israeli forces detain family member of slain Jerusalem teen

JERUSALEM (Ma‘an) 17 Oct — Israeli forces on Saturday detained the parents and two brothers of an alleged Palestinian attacker killed by Israeli forces earlier in the day in occupied East Jerusalem. Locals told Ma‘an that masked Israeli soldiers, intelligence, and special forces raided the home of Muataz Ahmad Uweisat. The forces stood on rooftops, held residents, and prevented locals from approaching the house during the raid carried out in the Jabal al-Mukabbir neighborhood. Witnesses said that Israeli forces searched the home and took photos before detaining four members of the Uweisat family. Sixteen-year-old Muataz Ahmad Uweisat was killed earlier Saturday for allegedly attempting to stab an Israeli policeman in the illegal Israeli settlement of East Talpiot. No Israeli injuries were reported following the attack.

Eight Palestinians have died since Friday morning in the occupied Palestinian territory during clashes with Israeli forces or after being suspected for carrying out attacks. The Uweisat family is one of several families to undergo punitive measures from Israeli authorities following a slew of stabbing attacks that have left seven Israelis dead since the beginning of the month . . . Israeli media reported that a senior Israeli defense official said Friday: “If terrorist attacks continue, we will begin deporting the families of terrorists to the Gaza Strip.”

http://maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=768312

Israeli police: Female Palestinian stabbing suspect may be innocent

IMEMC/Agenciess 18 Oct — Israeli police sources confirmed, Saturday, that the Jerusalemite woman Israa’ A’bd, aged 29, who was shot previously, was not intending to carry out a stabbing attack at the bus station. A’bd was shot with more than six live bullets at Afula bus station, last Friday. Israeli police claimed at that time that she attempted to carry out a stabbing attack. Media sources claimed, according to Al Ray, that Isra’a took out a knife for personal reasons and she was not intending to stab anyone. The Israeli police sources explained that Isra’a was holding a knife with her while she was on the bus to Afula station, but that she did not stab any Israeli. According to the sources, this matter poses a number of questions to investigators. A’bd ,who works in a medical center, is in Poria Hospital under police guard. Medical sources reported that six live bullets were removed from A’bd’s body.

http://www.imemc.org/article/73444

Palestinian security coordination detains settlers at Nablus tomb

NABLUS (Ma’an) — Dozens of Israeli settlers attempted to reach Joseph’s Tomb in the northern occupied West Bank district of Nablus overnight Saturday, before being escorted by Palestinian security forces who handed the settlers off to Israeli police, an Israeli army spokesperson said. An Israeli army spokesperson told Ma‘an that Israeli forces received reports overnight Saturday that Israelis had “illegally entered Nablus,” and were heading toward Joseph’s Tomb. The spokesperson said Israeli forces coordinated with Palestinian police, who responded and escorted the settlers out of the area before handing the settlers over to Israeli police forces. Palestinians in the area threw rocks and firebombs at the settlers before they were detained in an attempt to stop them from entering the site, locals said. Locals added that many settlers were injured, and some of their cars were set on fire. Israeli media reported that Israeli forces detained five Israeli settlers, and that the rest escaped on their own.

http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=768323

Israel to widen police stop-and-frisk powers

Al Jazeera 19 Oct — Israel moves to allow police to search anyone on the street, as four cities put restrictions on Arab workers in schools — Israel has imposed more security measures after new attacks in the occupied Palestinian territories, widening police stop-and-frisk powers that will effectively allow them to search anyone on the street. The Ministry of Public Security on Sunday said the government approved a bill that would enable the police to conduct physical searches on people even if there were no indications that they were carrying arms. The bill still requires parliament’s approval. Current Israeli legislation only allows searches on suspicion that a person is armed. Gilad Erdan, the minister of public security, said the new measure was passed to deal better with the “terror of knives.” Rights groups have condemned recent Israeli security measures, which Majd Kayyal from Adalah, a Palestinian legal centre in Israel, said aim to expand the powers of the police without any legal restrictions. . .

Arab labourers banned from schools In addition to the approval of random searches, at least four Israeli cities, including the commercial hub Tel Aviv, on Sunday banned Arab labourers from their schools when students are present. Kayyal and the Joint Arab List, a party representing the country’s Arab minority, condemned the decision as racist. A spokeswoman for the Tel Aviv municipality confirmed the measure to the AFP news agency, saying it applied to “both Jewish and Arab” workers and was taken due to the “sensitive situation”. However, public radio said the majority of such workers are Palestinian Israelis.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/10/israel-police-search-stop-frisk-powers-151018165011501.html

Child goes missing in al-Khalil, settlers suspected in her abduction

AL-KHALIL (PIC) 18 Oct — A Palestinian family has expressed fears that its little girl may have been kidnapped by Jewish settlers following her disappearance in Khirbat Rabud, southwest of Samu’a town in al-Khalil province. The family of 13-year-old Tahani Rasmi appealed to local media outlets, human rights groups and the Palestinian security authorities to help find its missing child, who went missing on Saturday afternoon near the house. It said that she might have been abducted by settlers from Otniel settlement, which is located near the village.

http://english.palinfo.com/site/pages/details.aspx?itemid=74264

Knowing what will happen to their families doesn’t deter Palestinian attackers

Haaretz 17 Oct by Amira Hass — On the morning of October 6, when the police blew up the East Jerusalem apartment of Ghassan Abu Jamal – one of the murderers in last November’s terror attack on the Har Nof synagogue – and caused extensive damage to his brothers’ and parents’ apartments, his cousin, Ala’a Abu Jamal, was watching. “He tried to tell the police, ‘Why did you have to do that?’” recalled S., a relative. “‘The Supreme Court approved the demolition of Ghassan’s home, but instructed you to avoid damaging the neighboring apartments. Why do you also hurt the parents and the brother’s family?’” But they didn’t listen. “They just cursed him and beat him in front of his wife and three children,” S. added. A week later, on October 13, cousin Ala’a, a Bezeq employee, rammed his company car into Yeshayahu Kirshavsky at a Jerusalem bus stop. He then got out of the car and murdered Kirshavsky, 60, with a meat cleaver, before being killed. “We, I, are still in shock,” said S. “He was a quiet, levelheaded man. He had a steady job – in contrast to Ghassan, who was usually unemployed. I am so worried by how people are carried away to more extremes. If a man like Ala’a did what he did – and I oppose it with all my heart – who knows what else could happen? After they punished the entire family of Ghassan and his cousin Uday over the [synagogue] attack, he knew what to expect: that he would be killed; that they would destroy his home; that the lives of his children and wife would be destroyed. And still he did what he did.” “What a stupid government,” said S. “Don’t you see now that this doesn’t work, that your method of collective punishment does precisely the opposite?” she asked . . . S. also said last Thursday that cousin Ala’a had accompanied the families of Ghassan and cousin Uday through all the stages of collective punishment decided upon by Israel. “The interrogations of the relatives, the recurring incursions and visits by the police to their homes, here and there punches, insults, brother Muawiyyah losing his job,” she recounted. And then came the sealing of Uday’s parents’ home. “Sealing” means pouring concrete into the home and filling all the rooms with a liquid that congeals until it reaches within 50-80 centimeters (20-31 inches) of the ceiling. The family’s beautiful, modest stone house was built in the 1930s. It will never be fit for habitation again. Now Uday’s parents rent a small apartment nearby, but they continue to pay municipal taxes on the home full of concrete. The family has experienced other forms of collective punishment not mandated by the Supreme Court. (continued)

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.680798

Punitive demolitions

Israeli court refuses appeal, will go ahead with Hebron demolition

HEBRON (Ma‘an) 18 Oct — An Israeli court this week refused a family’s appeal to stop the demolition order on their home in the southern occupied West Bank district of Hebron, the family told Ma’an.After failing to establish an appeal, Israeli forces will go forward with the demolition order on the family home of Palestinian prisoner Maher Hamdi al-Hashlmoun, 31, the family said. In a phone call with the Mujhat al-Quds institution, a Palestinian prisoners advocacy group, al-Hashlmoun’s wife said that “refusing the appeal means that the Israeli excavators can demolish the house at any moment and without a prior warning.”Israeli forces issued the home demolition notice two months previously, after raiding the family’s home in al-Zaytoon neighborhood of south Hebron. The family was given 48 hours to object to the notice.

http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=768315

Gaza

Israel closes Erez crossing after damage to terminal during clashes

GAZA (Ma‘an) 18 Oct — Israeli forces closed Beit Hanoun crossing, also known as the Erez crossing, in the northern Gaza Strip after clashes broke out there late Saturday, a Palestinian liaison said. A Palestinian liaison told Ma’an that the crossing was damaged during clashes that broke out near the site, after which Israeli authorities closed the crossing. Israeli forces have shot and killed at least nine Palestinians during clashes at the border area in the Gaza Strip since the start of the month, with Israeli forces reporting multiple border breaches.

http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=768326

Prisoners / Court actions

Israeli Arab cleared of suspicion of being terrorist mulls lawsuit

Ynet 17 Oct — The tense atmosphere and suspicion in light of the ongoing wave of violence can at times claim innocent victims, which is exactly what happened to Yahiya Masaruwa from Tira. He was arrested early Thursday morning in Beit Dagan after police found knives, scissors and an Islamic Movement flag in his car, which raised the suspicion he was planning an attack. Masaruwa was detained and questioned. He explained to interrogators that he was using the tools for his work and after several stressful hours, was released. “I was visiting my brother in prison, and when I returned, a man I didn’t know asked me to stop. There was nothing to indicate that he was a policeman, but in the end it turns out that he belonged to the police. He asked me to get out of the car (and wait) until the Border Police arrived. They handcuffed me and started beating me and swearing at me. They searched my vehicle and one of them raised his weapon and told me, ‘If you make any movement at all I’ll either shoot you in the leg or the head.’ At that moment I didn’t say anything as I was afraid they would hurt me even more.” Masaruwa was then taken to the police station for questioning. “They tied me to police assault, running down people, disturbing traffic, and planning to carry out an attack by knives and sticks,” Masaruwa said. “At the end of the interrogation, it became clear that it was all much ado about nothing and a few hours later I was released.” Masaruwa has no intention of remaining quiet about his arrest. “I was very scared. I didn’t know what they wanted from me and why I was being arrested. I work for a living and everyone respects me. I’ve never thought of hurting others or carrying out terror attacks. I did not expect to experience something like this,” he said. “Because of the arrest, I can’t go back to work because everyone is looking at me like I’m a dangerous, suspicious man,” he continued. “It caused damage to my reputation and to my livelihood and I’m considering filing a lawsuit. This situation, in which every Arab is turned into a terrorist, cannot continue. It is time to calm the tensions down and put an end to violence and racism, because it is us Arab citizens who pay the price.”

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4712242,00.html

Police arrest Jerusalem man suspected of plotting price tag attack against Palestinians

JPost 17 Oct by Ben Hartman — Judea and Samaria Police on Thursday night arrested a man they suspect plotted a “Price Tag” attack against Palestinians, the district police stated Saturday night. Police said that on Thursday night officers patrolling the “Beladim” outpost in the northern West Bank saw the man trying to stash a backpack and flee the scene. In the bag, police said they found black gloves, spray paint, ski masks, a flashlight and a hand-held gas pump. They arrested the man, a Jerusalem resident, and on Friday, the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court extended his remand by three days. On Saturday evening, the man’s attorney Avihai Hajbi, said that police in court said they cannot link the items inside the bag to his client who he believes will be released by Monday.

http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Police-arrest-Jerusalem-man-suspected-of-plotting-price-tag-attack-against-Palestinians-426251

Police put another Jewish man under administrative detention

Ynet 19 Oct by Elisha Ben Kimon — A resident of the Adei Ad settlement has been administratively arrested for a month. The man is a married father of four, and was interrogated by the police a few days ago. The man’s acquaintances say that police forces arrived with masks on, arresting him forcefully.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4713174,00.html

Other news, analysis

Jews, Arabs call for coexistence at rallies in country’s north

Haaretz 17 Oct by Noa Shpigel & Nir Hasson — Both Arabs and Jews in the north of Israel have rallied in support of coexistence over the past week, against the background of terror attacks in Jerusalem and many other parts of the country. “This demonstration is 15 years late,” said Hanna, a member of Kibbutz Mishmar Ha’emek, who was one of some 300 people, both Jews and Arabs, who formed a human chain along Route 65, in the predominantly Arab Wadi Ara area, on Friday. “If we had done this in 2000, when they were burning traffic lights here, everything would have looked different,” she said, referring to violent Arab protests in October of that year in which 13 Arab demonstrators were killed. Idit, another kibbutznik from Mishmar Ha’emek, recalled a past in which Jews could travel anywhere in area and kibbutzim employed Arab villagers. “When exactly did everything shatter around us? I don’t remember, but it’s sad,” she said. Participants in Friday’s demonstration held signs with slogans such as “Arabs and Jews seek partnership, equality and security” and “Jews and Arabs refuse to forgo a life together.” They waved to passing motorists and many honked back in support. The demonstration came at the end of a week in which more than 1,000 people visited a dialogue tent established by Yaniv Sagee, executive director of the Givat Haviva Center for Shared Society . . . In other demonstrations in the north over the past week, some protesters focused on calling for an end to violence and on behalf of coexistence, while others demanded the end of the occupation and changes in government policy . . . Hundreds of Jewish residents of the Jezreel Valley, including local council head Eyal Betzer, attended a colorful event at the Druze Arab village of Zarzir on Wednesday and, further north in Misgav, young Jews and Arabs marched from one community to another decrying violence.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/israel/.premium-1.680912

Jews and Arabs rally for coexistence in Jerusalem

Haaretz 18 Oct by Nir Hasson — Some 1,500 Jews and Arabs demonstrated on Saturday evening in Jerusalem under the motto “we will not surrender to despair.” The demonstrators marched from Gan Hasus (“Horse Park”) in the center of the city to Kikar Hahatulot (“Cat Square”). A small group of right-wing protesters demonstrated at the endpoint of the march, with police separating the two sides. The main demonstration was organized by a new joint Jewish-Arab group called “Omdim Beyachad” (“Standing Together”), which was formed in response to the current wave of violence. Members of the group have called for an immediate stop to the violence and the end of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank. Among those attending the rally were Knesset members and representatives from Jerusalem’s Max Rayne Hand in Hand Hebrew-Arabic bilingual school. One of the rally organizers, Alon-Lee Green, said the timing of the demonstration during the current period of “despair and fear” sends “a message of hope and of another way.” He called for an Israeli-Palestinian peace accord and an end to the occupation. At the rally, Meretz party chairwoman Zehava Galon called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to reject a new French-sponsored proposal at the UN Security Council that would have international observers sent to Jerusalem’s Temple Mount . . . Joint Arab List Knesset member Dov Khenin welcomed the joint Jewish-Arab protest: “It is only together that we can stop the foul wave that is threatening to drown us all. It is only together that we can break the bloody cycle of occupation and hate and advance a peace of independence and justice for both peoples.”

http://www.haaretz.com/news/israel/.premium-1.680921

Today I am afraid / Towibah Majdoob

+972 Blob 18 Oct Today I am afraid that my Israeli neighbor will find discover my Handala necklace, which I have been wearing for years, and call the police. Today I fear that my Israeli neighbor will find out that Arabic is my native tongue, and that my small apartment in Tel Aviv is the source of the smells of majadra and pita with za‘atar that fills the building, and that my computer speakers are the ones playing the voice of Umm Kulthum in the evening. Today I will try to hide my “R”s and “A’s,” every suspicious letter in my speech, so that the Israelis do not suspect me. So that neither the police nor an armed passerby executes me. I do not want my existence to worry anyone. In my small bag, I carry several scientific articles, Edward Said’s “The Betrayal of the Intellectuals,” and a small purse embroidered by a Palestinian woman from the Negev, which I bought two autumns ago. There is also a driver’s license and a photo of my mom, who passed away 10 years ago. I look at her every time I miss her, or whenever I am afraid I might forget what she looks like. I am afraid someone will be worried by my Arabic facial features decide to kill me on live television. If soldiers surround with their guns pointed, how will I convince them that I cook my own food, that I recently found out that I even cook well (and savor the cooking experience), but have yet to master using of the big knife? How will I convince them that I am afraid of big or medium-sized knives? If they gather around me, how will I convince them that I can only use a small fruit knife to slice meat, or that I am afraid of all knives? How will I convince them that I am a PhD student at the Tel Aviv University? Today I am afraid that someone will be afraid of me. Today I am afraid of everything around me. Afraid that someone will knock on my door. Today I was afraid I would mistakenly call my brother by his name, Arafat, when he called to ask how I was doing while I was walking outside. I was afraid to say: “Hello, ahlan, Arafat,” lest they suspect and execute me. We live here and we understand our blood is cheap — cheaper than anything you can imagine.

http://972mag.com/today-i-am-afraid/112902/

The guide to Palestinian survival in Israel / Samah Salaime

+972 mag 10 Oct — When all it takes for a cop to shoot you is for someone to yell ‘terrorist,’ it’s best if you switch that Arabic ringtone, shave your beard, and just stay home. Samah Salaime offers a five-step guide to Palestinian survival in the Holy Land — . . . I asked my Facebook friends for suggestions to build a “guide to Palestinian survival in the Holy Land.” I wrote in Hebrew, since I thought my Jewish friends had probably experienced anti-Semitism firsthand, so they probably could tell me how to deal with these kinds of things from personal experience. I was surprised to find out that many of my Arab friends “shared” my call, and that they themselves are just as afraid to walk around or enter the public sphere, for fear of falling prey to Jewish mobs. This is especially relevant following the videos of Jews only calling to execute Arab who fell into their trap. In Netanya we saw a lynch of Arab workers, while in Jerusalem a group of criminals roams the streets at night looking for Arabs. They ask random people for the time, and if they answer with an Arabic accent, it’s all over. On days where insanity is the indisputable ruler — when anyone can carry a weapon and feel like his life is in danger, simply because an Arab woman opened her bag next to him — who knows how things will end. I began searching for guides for Jews around the world in Hebrew and English, and eventually found something that may help: a student guide intended for Jews to help them stay safe on campuses, which was released after several instances of anti-Semitism there. No one can beat those Americans and their war on terror. It must contain something useful, I told myself. So here it is, the same guide only adapted to Palestinians and the current situation in Israel. I hope you find some salvation from a world of hate and violence: 1. If you see something, say something: In our case, if you see a Jewish person looking frightened, and you are not sure that your Hebrew is proper enough for the Israeli street, perhaps it is better if you don’t say anything at all. Just shut up, for God’s sake. You talking will only stir up trouble. Surely do not mention anything close to “Allahu Akbar,” pita bread with za’atar, etc. Do not pray or answer the telephone. If your ringtone is in Arabic, change it now. (continued)

http://972mag.com/the-guide-to-palestinian-survival-in-israel/112654/

Otherwise Occupied // Every Palestinian understands the despair that drives a person to stab Israelis

Haaretz 19 Oct by Amira Hass — Those who choose to launch knife attacks are concentrating on the most brutal symbols of the occupation: soldiers and [settlers] — This column was written shortly before a visit to Robben Island in Cape Town, South Africa, with an anti-apartheid activist who was imprisoned there. He and his colleagues were considered “terrorists” in the eyes of the white government. This generic word, which repressive regimes use freely, is part of the dehumanization of opponents and the criminalization of the resistance. “Terrorist” is probably the most common word in the Israeli media these days. No wonder, when in the last two weeks five Jews were murdered in knife attacks, 16 Palestinians suspected of stabbings were killed by soldiers, police officers, citizens holding a gun license or settlers. Fear has fallen on the streets and the green light to execute every stabbing suspect, even if he poses no threat to life, has so far failed to deter other Palestinians from taking up knives. “Terrorist” saves words when writing and editing. “Suspected of stabbing a soldier”; “Palestinian boy who Border Police officers claimed tried to stab them”; or “The 13-year-old Palestinian boy who was seen stabbing a Jewish child is from refugee camp X” – such phrasing just complicates the sentence, especially when reporting on a number of stabbing attacks in one day. The short time and space demand a simplified language, and the simplification and shorthand language adapt themselves to the general hysteria. The police, IDF spokesman or any other official body supply ready-made statements, filled with words such as “terrorist” and “neutralize.” The copying, or near-copying, of them saves time and hassle. That is why the descriptions are so similar in all the different media reports. Unifying the terminology makes it possible to ignore the fact that many of the assailants are from East Jerusalem; that some of those stabbed are in uniform and armed; and that others were stabbed in settlements (including neighborhoods in East Jerusalem). Without receiving political orders from above, those deciding to launch knife attacks (and be killed) have focused on the most brutal symbols of the occupation: the army, police and settlers. The “neutralizers” are acclaimed, as long as the attacker is Palestinian and the victims are Jewish. (continued)

http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-1.681130

An apology to my killer in the event of my death in the current wave of violence / Rogel Alpher

Haaretz 17 Oct — In the event of my death in the current wave of terrorism, in the event that a terrorist, male or female, runs me over or stabs me, I would like to announce in advance that my final words are: I’m surprised it didn’t happen sooner. Really. What took you so long? Countless times, while passing a construction site on one of the city streets during the quiet, early hours of the morning, I’ve wondered why one of the Palestinian laborers there didn’t grab a drill bit or shovel, a saw or a hammer, and murder me. I have never believed in the myth of coexistence in this country. I don’t believe in coexistence based on extreme inequality when it comes to human rights, social status and economic opportunities . . . I have no problem living with the Palestinians as full equals in a binational state or as a peace-loving neighbors in my country and next to their own. What use would I have for revenge on my behalf after my death? I apologize for my paltry role in the injustice of the occupation. Even after my death.

http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-1.680876

The paradox of Jerusalem / Meron Rapaport

MEE 17 Oct — In its 48 years of occupation of the Palestinian territories, Israel has not tried to make occupation look more normal and transparent than in East Jerusalem. A week after the 1967 war, it annexed the Palestinian part of the city, together with 28 nearby Palestinian villages, and applied Israeli civilian law, contrary to the martial law still in place throughout the rest of the West Bank. Israel has built large neighbourhoods in these areas that house some 250,000 Israelis in order to distance Palestinian Jerusalem from its Palestinian hinterland; it has settled thousands of Jewish settlers in the heart of Palestinian neighborhoods, including the sensitive Old City, in proximity of the Al Aqsa mosque; and has built a nine meter concrete wall separating annexed Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank. So when the Israeli government decided on Tuesday to enforce closure on Palestinian neighborhoods in Jerusalem it practically admitted that its huge efforts over the years to “normalise” its occupation of East Jerusalem proved vain. It is if Israel is reoccupying a territory it has declared its own 48 years ago . . .Jerusalemite Palestinians also feel a special responsibility for the fate of al Aqsa mosque, so it is easy to understand why Israel’s not-so-alleged attempts to change the status quo on Haram a-Sharif/Temple Mount enrolled them into action. But that is not enough to explain why this new Palestinian uprising is centered in Jerusalem. The Palestinians in Jerusalem live in a very peculiar situation. They carry Israeli identity cards, so they enjoy freedom of movement deprived from their fellow Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. But contrary to Palestinians living in Israel, they are not Israeli citizens and their temporary residency status could get abolished at any time. And above all, Jerusalemite Palestinians feel the burden of Israeli discrimination on a daily basis.While they represent 37 percent of the total population in the city, the poverty rate among them has reached 75 percent, a third of their youth drops before finishing high school and 39 percent of their houses are built without permits. Events on al-Aqsa ignited a long-standing frustration built for many years. (continued)

http://www.middleeasteye.net/columns/paradox-jerusalem-1449575959

Israel and US cooperating against French bid for int’l presence on Temple Mount

Haaretz 17 Oct by Barak Ravid — ‘The French proposal is completely absurd,’ senior Israeli official says of draft for UN Security Council presidential statement calling for observers to be deployed on Temple Mount — Israel, the United States and other countries are working together to remove from the agenda a French draft for a UN Security Council presidential statement calling for international observers to be deployed on the Temple Mount, senior officials in the Prime Minister’s Office said Saturday. “The French proposal is completely absurd,” a senior Israeli official said, noting that it is only a declarative step. According to the official, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed National Security Adviser Yossi Cohen and the Foreign Ministry to protest the biased and absurd phrasing of the draft to France.”We expect the French to condemn the Waqf’s incompetence on the Temple Mount,” the official said, referring to the Muslim religious trust. “Those who brought in bombs and fired firecrackers were the Palestinians, who turned the Temple Mount to a terrorist storeroom and it is they who tried by that to change the status quo.” The Israeli official stressed that Israel is safeguarding the status quo and is committed to it. According to him, Jews are allowed to visit the site only according the status quo. He added that according to the 1949 armistice agreement, Jewish access to the Temple Mount was internationally guaranteed. “This right wasn’t realized until 1967,” the official said. “Israel is the one keeping the visits to the Temple Mount free. (continued)

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.680872

Inside the outlawed group of Muslim women patrolling the Temple Mount

Haaretz 16 Oct by Eetta Prince-Gibson — The authorities have outlawed the Mourabitat, a group of women considered a key player in the violent clashes on the Temple Mount, but its members intend to keep up what they define as holy work — Fatema Salaime says she doesn’t understand why the Israeli authorities think she is being provocative when she prays, holds her Koran and calls out “Allahu Akbar” (“God is great”). “We come here, to Haram al-Sharif, to study and pray,” says Salaime, referring to the holy site known to Jews as the Temple Mount and Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary. “I see the soldiers – some of them are younger than my children – and they think they have the power because they have guns. And when I hold up my Koran and say ‘Allahu Akbar’ to the soldiers and policemen, it is to remind them that the real power belongs to God. We must all – Israelis and Arabs – be modest, not arrogant.” Once a week, the 63-year-old retired schoolteacher takes a chartered bus from her home in the Lower Galilee and, along with other women from the region, rides for nigh-on three hours to the Al-Aqsa Mosque. There, she spends the day studying and praying, often while fasting. Salaime is part of the Mourabitat, an organization of women who – together with a parallel men’s group called the Mourabitoun – have taken it upon themselves to create an ongoing presence to protect the Al-Aqsa Mosque from what they are convinced are Israel’s intentions to seize the site. The Mourabitat and Mourabitoun were outlawed last month by the authorities, who view them as partly responsible for the recent outburst of violence on the Temple Mount. But in rare conversations with Haaretz, two Mourabitat activists insist the group is not even a formal organization and that they are motivated solely by their deep religious faith and devotion to Al-Aqsa . . . The Mourabitat is made up of some 1,000 women, most of them Israeli citizens from the Galilee, along with some residents of East Jerusalem. In the eyes of the authorities, the organizations were founded and are funded by Sheikh Ra’ad Salah, head of the radical northern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel. According to news reports, Salah pays each member up to 4,000 shekels ($1,040) per month . . . Salaime – her hair carefully covered in a soft, cream-colored scarf and wearing a finely tailored, deep cranberry-colored coatdress – agrees to meet on a bench on a street not far from the Old City’s Damascus Gate, the site of several recent knife attacks. For now, the violence that was incited, at least in part, by events on the Mount, has moved to the streets below. Speaking softly in hesitant Hebrew, she says it is “silly and insulting to think that I would take money from the sheikh – or from anyone else – to come and pray. Every one of us contributes, according to their ability, to pay for the bus. Sometimes, someone charters the bus in memory of a loved one, or as a gesture of charity and goodwill. “Praying at Al-Aqsa is who I am; it is my heart, myself. I don’t need money to pray – my reward, the only one I need, comes from God. Everyone is obliged to protect Al-Aqsa. It is the minimum I must do, because the Jews want to take over the Temple Mount,” she says. (continued)

http://www.haaretz.com/news/israel/.premium-1.680653

Thousands march in London in support of Palestine

BETHLEHEM (Ma‘an) 18 Oct — Thousands of people marched during the Palestine Solidarity Campaign’s demonstration in London in support of the Palestinian people in front of the Israeli embassy on Saturday, the campaign said. The campaign said that more than 3000 protesters from all sectors of society, including many Jewish supporters, chanted “free free Palestine” and marched in front of the Israeli embassy. The participants condemned Israel’s daily violations against Palestinians and Israel’s “policy of extrajudicial killings of Palestinians” who could have otherwise been arrested and brought in front of a court, the campaign said. Speakers at the march proclaimed their support for the Palestinian people and said they would continue their support until Palestinians were granted their rights, including Palestinian refugees’ “right of return,” which is supported by international law. Last year, during Israel’s offensive on the Gaza, tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched through central London during multiple marches, demanding Britain take a tougher line against Israel over its military assault on the Strip. The Palestinian Solidarity Campaign said at the time, that 150,000 people attended one of such marches, which was the third major demonstration for Gaza in London that month.

http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=768319

Jailed Fatah leader reprimanded for publishing article in British daily

Haaretz 19 Oct by Jack Khoury — Jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti has been severely reprimanded by the Israel Prison Service for publishing an opinion piece in the British daily The Guardian last week in which he praised the “new generation” of Palestinians amid the recent surge in violence. The prison service said that at a disciplinary hearing Barghouti denied having sent out any such article. Lacking evidence to the contrary, prison officials could only hand out a reprimand. Barghouti is serving five life sentences for murder. Since his incarceration in 2002, he has been able to issue direct and indirect messages to the Arabic and foreign-language press, and articles have occasionally been published with his byline. Last week, in an October 12 piece entitled “There will be no peace until Israel’s occupation of Palestine ends,” Barghouti ostensibly wrote about the recent escalation in Israel, and insisted that the problem is that “Israel has chosen occupation over peace.” He added, “I have spent 20 years of my life in Israeli jails, including the past 13 years, and these years have made me even more certain of this unalterable truth: the last day of occupation will be the first day of peace.” There was no call for an intensification of the violence.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/israel/.premium-1.681094

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