The Month of July 2016 witnessed a drastic increase in the Israeli colonial activities in all of its aspects. During the month of July the Israeli related authorities approved a plans and published tenders to build more than 2500 colonial housing units in 8 illegal Israel settlements in the occupied West Bank including East Jerusalem.
On the ground , Israel had toughened its procedures against the Palestinian residents in several areas in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza strip. Where the Israeli Occupation Army stormed the Palestinian towns and villages , arrested dozens of Palestinians, where most of the arrest campaigns caused Palestinian injuries, as a result of the clashes erupted between Palestinians and the Israeli Army.…. Moreover, the Israeli Authorities continued its racist policies against the Palestinians, where the Israeli Army imposed blockades on several areas in the occupied West Bank including East Jerusalem. In addition, the Israeli authorities carried out a frenzied demolition campaign that targeted tens of Palestinian houses and structures under the pretext of the lacking of building permits
Following are the summary of the most prominent violations and attacks that take place during the month of July 2016:
Plans and tenders to construct more than 2500 housing units in eight illegal Israeli settlements in the oPt
Despite the international efforts to resume the negotiation between the Palestinians and Israel, the Israeli Occupation Authorities moved forward to implement its colonial projects in the occupied West Bank including East Jerusalem. During the month of July, the Israeli Authorities approved plans and published tenders to construct 2962 housing units in 8 illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory, especially around Jerusalem city.
On the 13th of July 2016, the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem issued permits to construct 90 housing units in the illegal Israeli settlements of Gilo, which located between Jerusalem and Bethlehem Governorate. Also, on the 24th of July 2016, the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem submitted a new plan to construct 770 housing units in Mordat neighborhood in Gilo settlement, within the Israeli plan No. 13261, which aims to construct 1200 housing units in Gilo settlement. In addition, the so-called “Israel Land Authority” published the tender No. S/134/2016 to construct 89 housing units in Gilo settlement within the Israeli Plan No. 13157.
In the illegal Israeli settlement of Har Homa, which was built on Palestinian land located between the cities of Beit Sahour and Jerusalem, the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem approved a new building plan to construct 200 housing in Har Homa settlement. Moreover and on the 9th of July 2016, the Israeli Occupation Authorities published a new plan to construct 19 housing units in Har Homa settlement, within the Israeli building plan No. 202481, where a new building consist of 6 floors will construct in the settlement. Furthermore, and on the 29th of July 2016, the so-called “Israel Land Authority” issued the tender No. S/130/2016 to construct 130 housing units in Har Homa settlement, within the illegal Israeli Plan No. 7509.
For the illegal Israeli settlement of Ma’ale Adumim, the Israeli Occupation Authorities approved on the 4th of July, a Plan to construct 560 housing units in the settlement. In addition, the “Peace Now” organization declared that the “Planning and Building committee” in the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem approved new plans to construct 531 housing units in the illegal Israeli settlement of Ma’ale Adumim, as a part of the following plans: 420/1/24, 420/4/4/42, and 420/1/4/47.
It is worth pointed that the Israeli right- wing parties demanded to annex the aforementioned settlement to “Israel” unilaterally, where a number of Israeli Knesset members presented a proposal to annex the aforementioned settlement. Noted that Ma’ale Adumim settlement established in the year 1975 and inhabited by more than 50,000 Israeli settlers.
And on the 4th of July 2016, the Israeli Minister of Defense; Avigdor Lieberman, approved a new plan to construct 600 housing units in the Palestinian lands in Beit Safafa town, south of Jerusalem city, as a new housing units in the illegal Israeli settlement of “Givat Hamatos”.
While in Ramot settlement, north of Jerusalem, the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem published on the 9th of July, a new plan to construct 120 housing units in the aforementioned settlement, within the Israeli plan No. 103753, where a new floors will be added to exist and approve buildings. Additionally, the Israeli Planning and Construction committee in the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem approved a new plan to build 58 housing units in the illegal Israeli settlement of Ramot.
On the 26th of July 2016, the so-called “Israel Land Authority” issued the tender No, 119/2016 to build 42 new housing units in the illegal Israeli settlement of Kiryat Arba in Hebron city.
And in Pisgat Ze’ev settlement, north of Jerusalem city, the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem declared the approval of a plan to construct 30 housing units within the Israeli plan No, 143753m, where the Jerusalem Municipality seeks to add new floors for approval and existing buildings. On the 28th of July 2016, the so-called “Israel Land Authority” published the tender No. S/132/2016 to construct 68 housing units in the illegal Israeli settlement of Pisgat Ze’ev, according to the Israeli Plan No. 11647.
Furthermore and on the 28th of July 2016, the so-called “Israel Land Authority” published the tender No. S/133/2016 to construct 36 housing units in the illegal Israeli settlement of Neve Yaccov, north of Jerusalem city, according to the Israeli building plan No. 6513.
And on the 12th of July 2016, the Israeli Civil Administration submitted in Al Quds Daily Newspaper for Public Review the regional building Plan Scheme No. 121/20, which targeted Palestinian land located in Sanniriya village, southeast of Qalqiliyah city. The new plan will change the status of the land which located nearby the illegal Israeli settlement of Oranit in the aforementioned area, from agricultural area to area to be used for the construction of housing units.
, The “Peace Now” revealed that the Israeli Occupation Authorities retroactively legalized the illegal Israeli outpost of Horesh Yaron, established on land near the Israeli settlement of Talmon in Ramallah and Al Bireh Governorate, within the Israeli Plan No. 235/11/1, which includes the construction of an educational institution and housing for students and staff.
It’s worth to mention that on the 11th of July 2016, the “Peace Now” organization revealed, on a report about the illegal Israeli outposts in the occupied West Bank, that in the last four years the Israeli Occupation Authorities advanced plans to legalize 14 outposts and approved 20 outposts.
More than 600 dunums of Palestinian lands were Confiscated … Tens dunums of agricultural land were Razed.. 160 trees were Uprooted
Within the Israeli measures and procedures to capture as much as possible from the Palestinian lands to expand the Israeli settlements and construct more colonial projects, the Israeli Occupation Authorities declared the confiscation of 600 dunums of Palestinian lands located between Saffa and Beit Sira village at the western part of Ramallah and Al Bireh Governorate, for the construction of a new Israeli industrial zone.
Also, in Ramallah Governorate, the Israeli Civil Administration issued the military order no. T/8/16 to confiscate 5.69 dunums of Palestinian lands located between Al Bireh city and Beitin village, for the construction of new colonial road near the Israeli settlement of Beit El, north of Ramallah city, and also for the construction of new military observation tower in the area.
For the Israeli violations against the Palestinian trees, the Israeli Occupation Army uprooted 10 trees from Ayda refugee camp, north of Bethlehem city, where the targeted area located near the Israeli Segregation wall at the northern entrance of Bethlehem city. The uprooting of the trees came for military and security considerations.
In Bethlehem Governorate also, the Israeli settlers living in Betar Illit settlement located at the western part of Bethlehem, torched 150 olive trees planted in Palestinian land in Husan village.
In addition, the razing campaign that targeted tens of Palestinian agricultural lands in Salfit Governorate, for example, the Israeli settlers razed Palestinian lands in Wadi Qana area, north of Salfit city, for the expansion of the nearby illegal Israeli settlements. Also, the Israeli bulldozers uprooted tens of trees in Deir Istiya village, north of Salfit city, for the construction of new colonial road for the Israeli settlers.
The Israeli systematic Closures and Tightening Continues
The Israeli Occupation Authorities returned to impose the blockade and closures over several Palestinian areas in the West Bank. The Israeli Authorities used this policies as a way to punish the Palestinians, which resulted to the increase of the suffering in the movement of the Palestinians between their villages, towns, and cities. Accordingly the Israeli aforementioned procedures deprived the Palestinian civilians from reaching to the center of their cities, and delayed them from reaching their schools, colleges and work places.
In Bethlehem Governorate, the Israeli Occupation Army closed with cement blocks and earth mounds the entrances of a number villages and towns at the eastern Rural of Bethlehem Governorate. This led to isolated these villages from the rest of areas in Bethlehem governorate… these closure came as follow:
- In Al Khas village, east of Bethlehem city, the Israeli Army erected cement blocks at the western entrance of Al Khas village. The targeted entrances led to the junction nearby the Israeli Military checkpoint of Mazmuriya, and links to the Israeli Bypass road No. 398.
- Two entrances in Za’tara village were closed ; the northern and southern entrances, that led to the Israeli Bypass road No. 356. After the closure of these two entrances, the residents of Za’tara village have been isolated from the Bethlehem city and the surrounded villages and towns.
- The eastern and southern entrances of Beit Ta’mar village, these entrances lead to the Israeli road No. 398.
- The western entrance of Jannatah village. This entrance link to the Israeli Bypass road No. 398.
- The eastern entrance of Marah Rabah village, southwest of Bethlehem city, this entrance also lead to the Israeli Bypass road No.398.
In Beit Jala town, west of Bethlehem city, the Israeli Army closed with cement blocks the entrances of two neighborhoods; As Sider and Al Iskan. The targeted entrances link to the Israeli Bypass road No. 60.
In Hebron Governorate, which is suffering, on a daily basis, and from months ago, from the Israeli closure in several areas, towns and villages, where the Israeli closure continued during the month of July 2016. The Israeli Occupation Army closed with cement blocks and earth mounds the entrances in a number of Palestinian towns and villages, which lead to isolate the targeted villages and towns from the rest areas in the governorate. =Also , the Israeli Army closed, for several days, the entrances of the following towns and villages: Bani Na’im, Yatta, Al Fawar refugee camp, Beit Einun, Beit Ummer, Sair, the southern and northern entrances of Hebron city, Dura, Frush Al Hawa, Ad Dhahiriya, Idhna, Al Arroub refugee camp, As Samu’ and At Tawani.
In Tulkarm city, the Israeli Occupation Authorities imposed its closure on all the roads led to the city, where the city of Tulkarm totally isolated from the rest towns and villages in the Governorate. The Israeli Army erected cement blocks at the following roads and entrances: the entrance of Bal’a village (east of Tulkarm city), the road link between Bal’a and Deir Ghusun, the road link between Deir Ghusun and Al Jaeushiya, and the road link between ‘Anabta and Bizzariya villages.
Israeli settlers attacks increased during the month of July to reach 60 attacks
In additional to the Israeli procedures against the Palestinians, the Israeli settlers escorted by the Israeli Occupation Army attacked Palestinians and their properties, lands and religious and historic sites. The Applied Research Institute – Jerusalem (ARIJ), recorded the Israeli settlers violations carried out during the month of July 2016, which reached to 60 attacks. These attacks divided on the Palestinian Governorates on the occupied West Bank, where in Jerusalem Governorate 19 attacks were reported, in Hebron Governorate 13 attacks were reported, and 10 attacks were reported in Salfit Governorate.
While the type of these attacks varied between storming religious and historic sites; 22 attacks were reported, attacking Palestinian properties, which included torched, stormed, and hurled stones at Palestinian houses and vehicles; 13 attacked were recorded. Also, 13 attacks were reported as assaulting Palestinian civilians. While the Israeli incitement actions against Palestinians reached to 10 attacks during the month of July, which included what the Chief Israeli Rabbi; Shumul Eliyahu announced that the Israeli Authorities should kill the Palestinians in order to establish the “State of Israel” , and he demanded the Israeli Army “|to stop arresting the Palestinians but it must kill them and leave no one alive”.
Israeli Authorities demolished 59 houses and 22 structures During the month of July
During the month of July , the Israeli Occupation bulldozers demolished 59 houses and 22 structures in several areas in the occupied West Bank including East Jerusalem, under the claimed of the lacking of building permits.
In Jerusalem Governorate, the Israeli Occupation Authorities carried out a demolition campaign against the Palestinian houses and structures in several areas in the Governorate, where in total 55 houses and 22 structures (commercial, agricultural and animal sheds) were demolished in Jerusalem Governorate during the month of July 2016.
In Qalandiya Al Balad, north of Jerusalem city, the Israeli bulldozers demolished 12 residential buildings consist of 38 apartments. The Israeli Authorities claimed that the targeted buildings were built without permits form the related Authorities. Moreover, the Israeli Authorities claimed that the targeted buildings located nearby the Israeli Segregation Wall section in the area.
And in the rest villages and towns in Jerusalem Governorate, the Israeli Occupation bulldozers demolished the following structures and houses: three houses in Jabal Al Mukabir, a house in Beit Hanina, a house and three other structures in Al Issawiya, 6 structures in the industrial zone of ‘Ataror, part of a mosque in An Nabi Samwil, 9 structures in Anata, in additional to the demolition of three houses and 6 structures in a number of neighborhoods in Silwan town.
It’s worth mentioning that the so-called “Israeli Nature Authority” demolished four graves in Bab Ar Rahma cemetery, which located at the southern part of Al Aqsa mosque in the old city of Jerusalem.
The Israeli Authorities issued demolition/ halt construction orders that targeted 30 houses and structures
During the month of July 2016, the Israeli Occupation Authorities issued demolition/ halt construction orders that targeted 30 houses and structures in several areas in the occupied West Bank, Under the claimed pretext of lacking building permits and proper authorization.
The most effected governorate was Nablus, where the Israeli Civil Administration issued halt construction/ demolition orders that targeted 21 houses and structures. In Majdal Bani Fadel village, south of Nablus city, the Israeli Civil Administration issued halt construction orders that targeted 10 Palestinian houses. In Frush Beit Dajan village, southeast of Nablus city, the Israeli Authorities issued demolition/ halt construction orders that targeted 7 houses. And in Qusra village, south of Nablus city, the Israeli Occupation Authorities issued halt construction orders that targeted 4 agricultural rooms. It’s worth to mention that the Israeli Civil Administration issued orders to close two agricultural roads in ‘Aqraba village, south of Nablus city.
And in Jerusalem Governorate, the Israeli Occupation Authorities issued demolition orders that targeted five houses and structures in a number of neighborhoods in Silwan town.
Gaza strip under the prolonged Israeli closure
The Israeli Authorities still imposing blockade over the Gaza strip, and breached the truce which was signed between the Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip and the Israeli Government, sponsored by Egypt, at the end of the Israeli war against Gaza strip in Summer 2014.
The Israeli Occupation Army stationed alongside of Gaza strip border, opened fire at Palestinians while they were in areas located near the border fence. Also the Israeli bulldozers staged into the Palestinian areas located near the border fence, and razed land. More than that, the Israeli Occupation Navy and gunboats stationed near the Palestinian shores of Gaza strip, attacked, on a daily basis, the Palestinian fishermen, while they were fishing, by opening fire at them, arresting fishermen and confiscating their boats, even though they do not exceed 6 nautical miles.
Concerning the Gaza strip terminals, which entirely controlled by the Israeli Occupation Authorities, where they strictly control the exchange of foodstuffs goods and services from and to the Gaza strip, and prevented the entering of the construction materials, to re-build what the last Israeli war destroyed. Moreover, the Israeli Army stationed at these terminals systematically arrested Palestinians during their crossing to these terminals.
Prepared By
The Applied Research Institute – Jerusalem
ARIJ
