From the beginning of this year, the Israeli Authorities moved with its old-new policy of collective the punishment against the Palestinians in several areas in the occupied West Bank, included the Jerusalem city, during the month of April 2016, the Israeli Authorities continued in its colonial policies and procedures, where they expropriated more Palestinian lands for the interest of the Israeli expansion projects, carried out demolition campaigns against Palestinian houses and structures, and issued orders to demolish houses and structures. Moreover, the month of April had witnessed the declaration of a number of new colonial projects in a several illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, especially the Israeli settlements in and around Jerusalem city. Furthermore, the Israeli Occupation Authorities started the construction of a section of the Segregation wall in Bir Onah area in Beit Jala city in Bethlehem Governorate, where the Israeli bulldozers erected a 8 meters high of cement blocks on the proposed route of the Wall in the area.
Colonial Project to expand the Israeli Settlements and Financial allocations to support the presence of the Israeli settlers
The Israeli Occupation Authorities seek, within its colonial and expansionist projects, to keep Israel dominance over the occupied Palestinian territory. During the month of April 2016, a number of reports, plans and tenders were declared with the aim of expanding the Israeli settlements. Also, the Israeli Government allocated a new financial aids for the illegal Israeli settlements in the oPt, to support the presence of the Israeli settlers inside these illegal entities.
Where on the 8th of April 2016, the Israeli Authorities declared a new master plan to house 77,000 Israeli settlers by the end of 2040 in the Israeli settlements around Ma’ale Mikhmas settlement, east of Ramallah city. According to the new master plan a 2500 housing units to be built in Ma’ale Mikhmas, Rimmonim, Pisagot and Kokhav HaShahar settlements on 790 dunums of land. This will lead to establish a new “Israeli settlement bloc” at the northern part of Jerusalem city, to be added to the other five illegal settlements blocs that already existed in the West Bank.
On the 3rd of April 2016, the Israeli Government started to implement a plan to construct 1,800 housing units in four illegal Israeli settlements located at the eastern part of Jerusalem city. Also, the Israeli Government allocated NIS 9 Million to construct 1600 housing units in the Israeli settlements in Jerusalem city. More than that, a total of NIS 17 Million allocated to development of the industrial area in ‘Atarot settlement, north of Jerusalem city.
On the other hand, an Israeli newspaper revealed that the Israeli Authorities sold out 12 under construction housing units in the illegal Israeli settlement of Neve Ya’akov, north of Jerusalem city, within a project to construct four buildings (each one consist of 9 floors) with 78 housing units in total.
Also during the month of April, a report was published revealed that the Israeli government spent considerably more on Israeli settlers living in the illegal Israeli settlements on the West Bank than those living in Negev or Galilee, and twice as much as it spend on the localities in the center of Israel. Furthermore, the Israeli government is reportedly planning for a comprehensive aid package to strengthen the Israeli Settlements and their existence in the West Bank. According to the report published by the Ma’ariv newspaper (NRG), an Israeli coalition will rule on a proposed plan which would provide 40 million shekels ($10.5 million) in special assistance directly to the Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Included in the proposed aid package is 15 million shekels ($3.93 million) from the Interior Ministry to bolster “local security”.
Moreover, on the 9th of April 2016, the so-called “Israel Land Authority” issued tenders to construct a hotel, offices, commercial stores and a park in the Israeli settlements of Ma’ale Adumim and Mishor Adumim, east of Jerusalem city. According to the new tenders a hotel to be constructed in Ma’ale Adumim settlement, on 2.2 dunums of land, and according to the plan the hotel will consist of 6 floors and will include a spa center and conversation rooms. And in the industrial area of Mishor Adumim settlement, the new tenders seek to construct a number of offices and commercial structures, in addition to a park on 100 dunums of land.
While on the 12th of April 2016, the Peace Now organization revealed that during the first quarter of 2016, the Israeli Occupation government issued plans to construct 499 housing units in 11 Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank, distributed as follows: Etz Efraim (34), Rechalim (36), Alon Shvut (60), Ofarim (30), Rotem (164), Oranit (24), Alfei Menashe (24), Tene (7), Kiryat Arba (24), Ma’aleh Adumim (46) and Talmon (50).
Moreover, on the 14th of April 2016, the Israeli Prime Minister “Benjamin Netanyahu” approved plans to construct 301 housing units in 7 illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. These new housing units distributed as follow: Har Brakha settlement (Nablus Governorate), 54 new housing units were approved for construction on an area of six dunums (retroactively legalize). Revava settlement (Salfit Governorate), 17 new housing units were approved for construction (retroactively legalize). In Ganei Modi'in neighborhood in the Israeli settlement of Modi’in Illit (Ramallah and Al Bireh Governorate) , an additional 48 housing units were approved for construction on 20 dunums of land. The expansion of Nekodim settlement (Hebron Governorate) also approved, in addition, an area of 69 dunums that is currently occupied by mobile homes will be replaced by 70 housing units. In Betar Illit settlement (Bethlehem Governorate) 2 housing units were approved for construction. In Tekeo settlement (Bethlehem Governorate), the Israeli Prime Minister approved the construction of 34 housing units, while in Giv’at Ze’ev settlement (Jerusalem Governorate) 76 housing units were approved for construction.
Furthermore, on the 23rd of April 2016, an Israeli newspaper revealed that there are 415 new housing units under construction in four settlements in Occupied Jerusalem. According to the Hebrew weekly newspaper Kol Ha'ir, Euro-Israel company is embarking the construction of 24 housing units on eight plots of lands in Pisgat Ze'ev settlement north of Jerusalem. Another construction company called Dona is building 72 housing units in Modi'in Illit settlement north of Jerusalem. Construction of two buildings (consist of six floors), containing 72 units, and 13 buildings (each building consist of 5 floors), containing 180 units, are also underway in Har Homa settlement, at the southern part of Jerusalem city. Furthermore, preparations are being made to build 53 units in Pisgah Park project in Pisgat Ze'ev settlement, and there are 14 others being built nowadays in another project in Ma'ale Adumim.
Israeli Settlers violations increased…. More than 60 attacks were reported during the Month of April 2016
The daily follow-up carried out by the Settlements Monitoring Department in the Applied Research Institute- Jerusalem (ARIJ), showed that the number of Israeli settlers attacks increased during the month of April 2016. Where the Israeli settlers living in the illegal Israeli Settlements in the occupied West Bank, carried out about 62 attacks against Palestinians and their property and holy sites in several areas in the occupied West Bank.
Where in Jerusalem Governorate, the Israeli settlers carried out 22 attacks. And in Nablus Governorate 12 attacks were reported, while in Hebron Governorate 11 attacks were reported as well.
While the type of these attacks varied between storming religious and Historic sites, where 24 attacks were reported. It’s worth to mention that at the last week of April, the Jewish celebrated the “Passover Holiday”, where the Israeli settlers escorted by the Israeli Occupation Army systematically increased their attacks against the Religious and Historic sites in several areas in the West Bank, such as: Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem city, Solomon pools area in ‘Artas town in Bethlehem Governorate and Joseph Tomb in Nablus city.
More than that, the Israeli settlers escorted by the Israeli Occupation Army demonstrated at the entrances of the Palestinian towns and villages, where 14 attacks were reported, noted that during these demonstrations the Israeli settles chanted anti-Palestinian slogans and obstructed the entering of the Palestinians to their villages and towns.
While the Israeli settlers attacks against the Palestinians reached to 13 attacks during the month of April.
Israel seized more Palestinian lands under the pretext of “State Land” & “Security purposes” to serve its Colonial enterprise
During the month of April 2016, the Israeli Occupation Authorities confiscated in total 1163 dunums of Palestinian lands in Salfit and Nablus Governorates.
Where the first military order came under the title “Declared the definition of State Land”. And according to this, the Israeli Authorities classified 1160 dunums of Palestinian lands in Az-Zawiya town (Salfit Governorate), Sanniriya town (Qalqiliyah Governorate), and Kafr Qassem town (inside the Green line in the Palestinian land occupied in 1948), as “State Land”.
Also, the Israeli Authorities confiscated 3 dunums of Palestinian land in Jalud village in Nablus Governorate, for the construction of a new road for the Israeli settlers living in the illegal Israeli outpost of “Yesh Kodesh”.
Israeli Halt construction/Demolition orders targeted 60 Palestinian houses and structures during the month of April 2016
In addition to the Israeli military orders to confiscate Palestinian lands, the Israeli Civil Administration and the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem issued demolition/halt construction orders that targeted 60 Palestinian houses and structures in several areas in the occupied West Bank.
Jerusalem Governorate was the most effected Governorate, where the Israeli Civil Administration (the related authority that control over the Palestinian areas located outside the Municipal boundaries) and the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem (the related authority that control over the Palestinian areas located within the Municipal border) issued military orders to demolish and halt the construction of 40 Palestinian houses and structures. Where the Israeli Authorities claimed that the targeted houses and structures were built without the permits from the Israeli Authorities. Where in Al Bustan neighborhood in Silwan town, at the southern part of the old city of Jerusalem, the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem issued demolition orders that targeted 25 houses and a commercial store, also the aforementioned authority issued demolition orders that targeted a number of Palestinian houses in Al Abbasiya, Ein Al Louza and Bir Ayoub neighborhoods in Silwan town. On the other hand, the Israeli Civil Administration handed out two halt construction orders that targeted two residential structures in Jabal Al Bab area in Al Eaziriya town, east of Jerusalem city.
While in Hebron Governorate, the Israeli Civil Administration handed out halt construction orders that targeted 13 Palestinian houses and structures (included animal shed, agricultural barracks and commercial stores). Where in Masafer Yatta area (the Palestinian areas located at the eastern part of Yatta town, south of Hebron city), the Israeli Authorities issued orders that targeted 11 houses and a number of solar panels, these areas are: Khirbet Al Markiz, Janba and Al Majaz.
The Israeli bulldozers demolished 49 houses and 29 structures in several areas in the oPt
The Israeli demolition campaigns carried out by the Israeli Civil Administration continued and intensified during the month of April 2016, and according to ARIJ statistic, the Israeli Authorities during the first quarter of 2016 demolished Palestinian houses and structures in a rate reach to the total houses and structures that were demolished in the year of 2015.
During the month of April 2016, the Israeli Occupation bulldozers demolished in total 49 houses and 29 structures (agricultural barracks, animal sheds and commercial stores), and distributed in several areas in the occupied West Bank included the eastern part of Jerusalem city. The Israeli Authorities claimed that demolition campaigns carried out against “illegal” houses and structures built in area classified as “Area C” (according to Oslo Agreement, 1995), which it under the control of the Israeli Occupation Authorities, where the “illegal” houses built without the alleged permits from the Israeli Authorities.
As a matter of fact , the most affected Governorate was Nablus, where the Israeli Occupation Army demolished 24 houses and 14 structures. In Khirbet Tana, which located east of Beit Furik village, south of Nablus city, the Israeli Army demolished 22 residential structures and 12 animal sheds. It’s worth pointed that from the beginning of the year 2016, the Israeli Authorities dramatically attacked Khirbet Tana, where the Israeli demolition campaign, many times, targeted all the structures in the area with the aim of eradicating the entire community of Khirbet Tana.
While in Hebron Governorate, the Israeli bulldozers demolished 10 houses and three other structures, where in Khirbet Umm Al Khair, which located in Masafer Yatta (the eastern part of Yatta town, far south of Hebron Governorate) the Israeli Occupation bulldozers demolished 6 residential structures. And the rest of the demolition campaign distributed on Beit Ummer, Surif and As Samu towns in addition to Beit Al Baraka area, which located at the northern entrance of Al Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron city.
And in Bethlehem Governorate, the Israeli Occupation Bulldozers demolished 7 structures in Beit Sahour town, east of Bethlehem city, and three houses in Ein Jweiza neighborhood in Al Walaja village, west of Bethlehem city.
Moreover, the Israeli Authorities demolished 7 Palestinian houses in Jerusalem Governorate, distributed on: Jabal Al Mukabir, Sur Bahir and Beit Hanina towns, in addition to Al Khan Al Ahmar area and Qalandiya refugee camp.
Israeli Army uprooted 247 trees from Jerusalem and Bethlehem Governorates
The Israeli Occupation bulldozers uprooted and destroyed 247 trees in Jerusalem and Bethlehem Governorates.
In Bethlehem Governorate, the Israeli bulldozers escorted by the Israeli Army stormed an area in Al Khader village, southwest of Bethlehem city, and razed dozens of dunums of Palestinian lands and uprooted 200 trees.
And in Jerusalem Governorate, the Israeli Occupation Army invaded the Martyrs garden in Silwan town in Jerusalem city, and uprooted 47 olive trees, planted to honor the Palestinian martyrs.
Gaza Strip…. Under the Israeli blockade
The Israeli Occupation Authorities still imposing its blockade over Gaza strip, where they breached the truce which was signed between the Palestinian factions in Gaza Strip and the Israeli Government, sponsored by Egypt, at the end of the Israeli war against Gaza strip in Summer 2014. Where the Israeli Occupation Army stationed alongside of Gaza strip border, opened fire at Palestinians, houses and lands. Also the Israeli bulldozers staged into several areas located near the border fences, razed the lands and opened fire at the nearby houses. Moreover, the Israeli Navy stationed near the Palestinian shores of Gaza strip, systematically attacking Palestinian fishing boats, on a daily bases, in spite of that they are sailing within 3 nautical miles. It’s worth pointed, that during the month of April, the Israeli Occupation Authorities declared that they expand the fishing area that allowed for Gaza strip, from 6 nautical miles to 9 nautical miles, but the Israeli gunboats attacked Palestinian fishing boats while they were sailing in less than these nautical miles.
Concerning the Gaza strip terminals, which the Israeli Occupation Authorities imposing its control , and prevented Palestinians from entering or leaving its, and also, arrested some of the Palestinians while they were crossing these terminals. Moreover, the Israeli Occupation Authorities prevented the entering of the goods and services included the construction materials, to re-build what the last Israeli war destroyed. And within the Jewish Holidays, which came at the last weeks of April, the Israeli Authorities, totally, closed Gaza Strip’ terminals, for several days, which increased the suffering of the Palestinians.
Prepared by:
The Applied Research Institute – Jerusalem
