2 july 2013
Israeli police on Tuesday arrested a second suspect in connection with a vandalism attack on a Catholic monastery last year, a spokesman said.
During the incident, which took place in September 2012, vandals set fire to the door of the Trappist monastery in Latrun and scrawled "Jesus is a monkey" on a nearby wall in an attack which shocked the religious and political establishment.
The perpetrators also scrawled the names of several settlement outposts on a nearby wall, the hallmark of a so-called "price tag" hate crime carried out by Jewish extremists.
One man was arrested in connection with the attack on Sunday and following his interrogation, police were tipped off about a second suspect who was arrested earlier on Tuesday, spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told AFP.
"A second suspect was arrested early this morning in connection with vandalism at the monastery in Latrun," he said, without giving his name or age.
Rosenfeld said the suspect was from the Beit El settlement near Ramallah and was due to appear before Rishon LeTzion Magistrates Court later in the day.
On Monday, the same court had extended by four days the remand in custody of the first suspect, 22-year-old Moshe Orbach from Bnei Brak near Tel Aviv.
The Trappist abbey of Latrun lies just inside the West Bank, very close to the 1949 armistice line, and is one of the most famous monastic sites of the Holy Land.
"Price tag" attacks normally target Palestinians and Arabs and tend to involve the torching and vandalism of cars, mosques and olive trees.
But over the last few years, the attacks have widened in scope to include Christian churches and graveyards, anti-settlement activists and even, on occasion, the Israeli army.
Last year, police opened 623 files on price tag attacks, arrested 200 people and served 123 indictments, official figures show.
However, the police have never given a figure for how many people had actually been convicted of such attacks, with the number thought to be very low.
At the time, the Latrun attack was condemned by top Jewish and Catholic officials, by the Israeli government, the Palestinian Authority and by Washington and Paris.
Last month, Israel increased the powers of the security establishment to crack down on the perpetrators of such attacks, outlawing them as belonging to an "illegal organization."
Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon on Monday also pledged a tougher crackdown on the "price taggers."
"This is a severe phenomenon involving indiscriminate acts of violence against Arabs, damaging their property and risking lives, in order to prevent the Israeli government from acting a certain way," he said in a statement.
"We must toughen the punishments these outlaws gets, since the results of their actions are disastrous."
Meanwhile, police also arrested three Israeli football fans late on Monday after they attacked two Arab workers at a McDonald's takeaway in the city, a spokeswoman said.
They were due to appear before Jerusalem Magistrate's Court later on Tuesday.
During the incident, which took place in September 2012, vandals set fire to the door of the Trappist monastery in Latrun and scrawled "Jesus is a monkey" on a nearby wall in an attack which shocked the religious and political establishment.
The perpetrators also scrawled the names of several settlement outposts on a nearby wall, the hallmark of a so-called "price tag" hate crime carried out by Jewish extremists.
One man was arrested in connection with the attack on Sunday and following his interrogation, police were tipped off about a second suspect who was arrested earlier on Tuesday, spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told AFP.
"A second suspect was arrested early this morning in connection with vandalism at the monastery in Latrun," he said, without giving his name or age.
Rosenfeld said the suspect was from the Beit El settlement near Ramallah and was due to appear before Rishon LeTzion Magistrates Court later in the day.
On Monday, the same court had extended by four days the remand in custody of the first suspect, 22-year-old Moshe Orbach from Bnei Brak near Tel Aviv.
The Trappist abbey of Latrun lies just inside the West Bank, very close to the 1949 armistice line, and is one of the most famous monastic sites of the Holy Land.
"Price tag" attacks normally target Palestinians and Arabs and tend to involve the torching and vandalism of cars, mosques and olive trees.
But over the last few years, the attacks have widened in scope to include Christian churches and graveyards, anti-settlement activists and even, on occasion, the Israeli army.
Last year, police opened 623 files on price tag attacks, arrested 200 people and served 123 indictments, official figures show.
However, the police have never given a figure for how many people had actually been convicted of such attacks, with the number thought to be very low.
At the time, the Latrun attack was condemned by top Jewish and Catholic officials, by the Israeli government, the Palestinian Authority and by Washington and Paris.
Last month, Israel increased the powers of the security establishment to crack down on the perpetrators of such attacks, outlawing them as belonging to an "illegal organization."
Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon on Monday also pledged a tougher crackdown on the "price taggers."
"This is a severe phenomenon involving indiscriminate acts of violence against Arabs, damaging their property and risking lives, in order to prevent the Israeli government from acting a certain way," he said in a statement.
"We must toughen the punishments these outlaws gets, since the results of their actions are disastrous."
Meanwhile, police also arrested three Israeli football fans late on Monday after they attacked two Arab workers at a McDonald's takeaway in the city, a spokeswoman said.
They were due to appear before Jerusalem Magistrate's Court later on Tuesday.
1 july 2013
A court on Monday extended the remand of an Israeli man arrested on suspicion of vandalizing a Catholic monastery in a 2012 attack that shocked the Holy Land's religious and political establishment.
Moshe Orbach, 22, is a resident of Bnei Brak, a city near Tel Aviv with a predominantly ultra-Orthodox population, according to a protocol distributed by the Rishon LeTzion Magistrates' Court.
He is suspected of involvement in an attack in September 2012 in which the wooden door of the Trappist monastery in Latrun was burnt and "Jesus is a monkey" was scrawled on a wall.
The court extended his remand by four days.
The abbey, 15 kilometers west of Jerusalem on the border between Israel and the occupied West Bank by the 1949 armistice line, is one of the most famous monastic sites in the Holy Land.
In addition to the anti-Christian graffiti, the words "mutual guarantee" and the names of demolished outposts were spray-painted on the monastery walls.
This pointed to a "price tag" attack, a euphemism for extremist hate crimes that generally target Palestinians.
Initially targeting Palestinians in retaliation for state moves to dismantle unauthorized settler outposts, such attacks have since become broader with racist and xenophobic overtones.
The Latrun incident was condemned by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Palestinian Authority urged Israel to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Yona Metzger called it a "heinous crime", and the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land urged the authorities to put an end to "this senseless violence" and "ensure a 'teaching of respect' in schools".
Last month Israeli ministers moved to increase the powers of the security establishment to crack down on the phenomenon, declaring that those involved belonged to an "illegal organization", and on Monday Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon ratified the decision.
"This is a severe phenomenon involving indiscriminate acts of violence against Arabs, damaging their property and risking lives, in order to prevent the Israeli government from acting a certain way," he said.
"We must toughen the punishments these outlaws gets, since the results of their actions are disastrous," Yaalon added in remarks relayed by his bureau.
Following a June attack in which 28 cars were vandalized in the Palestinian village of Abu Ghosh near Jerusalem, Education Minister Shai Piron pledged to institutionalize "coexistence meetings" between Israeli Jews and Palestinians in the new school year.
At a Sunday get-together of young Jews and Arabs at Abu Ghosh, Piron said such meetings vitally important and "an inseparable part of the educational system's agenda".
Also last month, graves were desecrated in an Arab Christian cemetery in Jaffa.
In 2012, police opened 623 files on price tag attacks, arrested 200 people and served 123 indictments, an official said earlier this month.
So far this year, they have opened 165 files on attacks, arrested 76 suspects and served 31 indictments, with police insisting that such crimes are a "top priority."
Moshe Orbach, 22, is a resident of Bnei Brak, a city near Tel Aviv with a predominantly ultra-Orthodox population, according to a protocol distributed by the Rishon LeTzion Magistrates' Court.
He is suspected of involvement in an attack in September 2012 in which the wooden door of the Trappist monastery in Latrun was burnt and "Jesus is a monkey" was scrawled on a wall.
The court extended his remand by four days.
The abbey, 15 kilometers west of Jerusalem on the border between Israel and the occupied West Bank by the 1949 armistice line, is one of the most famous monastic sites in the Holy Land.
In addition to the anti-Christian graffiti, the words "mutual guarantee" and the names of demolished outposts were spray-painted on the monastery walls.
This pointed to a "price tag" attack, a euphemism for extremist hate crimes that generally target Palestinians.
Initially targeting Palestinians in retaliation for state moves to dismantle unauthorized settler outposts, such attacks have since become broader with racist and xenophobic overtones.
The Latrun incident was condemned by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Palestinian Authority urged Israel to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Yona Metzger called it a "heinous crime", and the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land urged the authorities to put an end to "this senseless violence" and "ensure a 'teaching of respect' in schools".
Last month Israeli ministers moved to increase the powers of the security establishment to crack down on the phenomenon, declaring that those involved belonged to an "illegal organization", and on Monday Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon ratified the decision.
"This is a severe phenomenon involving indiscriminate acts of violence against Arabs, damaging their property and risking lives, in order to prevent the Israeli government from acting a certain way," he said.
"We must toughen the punishments these outlaws gets, since the results of their actions are disastrous," Yaalon added in remarks relayed by his bureau.
Following a June attack in which 28 cars were vandalized in the Palestinian village of Abu Ghosh near Jerusalem, Education Minister Shai Piron pledged to institutionalize "coexistence meetings" between Israeli Jews and Palestinians in the new school year.
At a Sunday get-together of young Jews and Arabs at Abu Ghosh, Piron said such meetings vitally important and "an inseparable part of the educational system's agenda".
Also last month, graves were desecrated in an Arab Christian cemetery in Jaffa.
In 2012, police opened 623 files on price tag attacks, arrested 200 people and served 123 indictments, an official said earlier this month.
So far this year, they have opened 165 files on attacks, arrested 76 suspects and served 31 indictments, with police insisting that such crimes are a "top priority."
25 june 2013
Father Atallah Hanna, the archbishop of the orthodox church of Jerusalem, reiterated his rejection of Israeli attempts to recruit Palestinian Christian youths to work for its military, civil and security institutions. "We reject such calls to recruit our sons as it goes against our principles, both spiritual and national," Hanna stated on Monday.
Hanna stressed the need for not only condemning such Israeli calls, but also for raising the national and religious awareness of the Christian young men, especially their sense of belonging.
"The Christians in this land have no identity crisis as some may think. They are Palestinian Arabs of authentic eastern descent and in need for proper awareness and guidance in order to safeguard their identity and their true national affiliation," Hanna underscored.
Hanna stressed the need for not only condemning such Israeli calls, but also for raising the national and religious awareness of the Christian young men, especially their sense of belonging.
"The Christians in this land have no identity crisis as some may think. They are Palestinian Arabs of authentic eastern descent and in need for proper awareness and guidance in order to safeguard their identity and their true national affiliation," Hanna underscored.
23 june 2013
The Saint Hilarion Monastery is one of the largest Christian monasteries in the Middle East
A haven of peace in the sea of concrete that is the Gaza Strip, the crumbling remains of the Holy Land's oldest monastery are in danger of disappearing for lack of funds to preserve them.
Saint Hilarion, which is located at a site called Tel Umm al-Amr, draws its name from the fourth century hermit who came from southern Gaza and is considered to be the father of Palestinian monasticism.
Its life close to the Mediterranean shore spanned more than four centuries -- from the late Roman Empire to the Umayyad period.
Abandoned after an earthquake in the seventh century, it was uncovered by local archaeologists in 1999.
But today, "it's a complete mess -- archaeologically, scientifically and on a human level," laments Rene Elter, a researcher at the Ecole Biblique, a French academic institution in Jerusalem, who is responsible for trying preserve the site.
"We have to save Saint Hilarion," Elter told AFP. "The situation is critical and we risk losing the site. It is imperative that something is done quickly; otherwise it will be lost, lost forever."
Just over a year ago, the Palestinians submitted Saint Hilarion to be included on the World Heritage List of UNESCO, the UN cultural organization.
The World Monuments Fund, a New York-based group dedicated to preserving the world's architectural heritage, last year put it on its Watch list. This is includes sites around the globe at risk from the forces of nature as well as social, political, and economic change.
But there isn't enough money to do the job.
Elter believes the cost of saving the site, located near the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, would be a mere $2 million over three years, with an immediate investment of $200,000 needed before next winter's rains arrive.
So far, France has been the largest donor to the preservation efforts, giving 110,000 euros ($146,000) since 2010. UNESCO has contributed another $35,000.
"All the emergency safeguards that we've put in place -- corrugated iron fences, supports, sandbags -- are working but they are only temporary. And within a year, if we don't do anything, the worst is yet to come," Elter said.
The decaying remains cover 15,000 square meters, and the surrounding site stretches across 10 hectares (25 acres).
Situated among undulating sand dunes, the southern part of the complex includes a church and large crypt, a chapel, several baptismal fonts, living quarters and a refectory for the monks.
In the northern sector, there is an inn and bathing pools for the pilgrims who once visited.
Today, many of the sandbags that support the monastery's crumbling foundations are disintegrating because of the humidity. A blisteringly hot summer last year was followed by a very wet winter, which has left deep furrows in the soil.
Although there is a French stonemason who could do the necessary work to shore up walls in danger of collapsing, there are no funds to fly him over.
"The grass is beginning to destroy the mosaic floor," said Fadel al-Utol, a young Gazan archaeologist who looks after the site for the French-Palestinian preservation project.
"I need workers and weed killer to get rid of all this grass, I need to change 2,000 sandbags and I need wood to reinforce the platforms for visitors," he complains.
The team of workers who maintain the site have been underpaid for months.
And with no night watchmen, there are fears the site could be looted or damaged.
Meanwhile, it is used for training Palestinian experts who will be responsible for managing the archaeological sites and restoration of Gaza in 10 or 15 years time.
"We have a team there who are ready to work, who are able to manage this heritage," he says.
Every day, Utol takes groups of school children and students around the site, which had a record 1,880 visitors in March. He explains to them about the baptistry, the Romans, the pre-Byzantine Christians and the Ummayads in what is a unique educational experience in Gaza.
"The main aim of these visits is to get them out of the school routine. The second is to identify historical sites in order to better understand the history of Gaza and not forget that our ancestors left us a site to preserve," he says.
Saint Hilarion is not the only endangered archaeological site in the impoverished Gaza Strip.
In recent months, the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the ruling Hamas movement, took over Blakhiyeh in Gaza City, the site of the ancient Greek port of Anthedon, witnesses say.
And farther north, the area surrounding an ancient Byzantine church in Jabaliya, which is known for its mosaics of animals, was damaged during an Israeli bombing campaign in November.
A haven of peace in the sea of concrete that is the Gaza Strip, the crumbling remains of the Holy Land's oldest monastery are in danger of disappearing for lack of funds to preserve them.
Saint Hilarion, which is located at a site called Tel Umm al-Amr, draws its name from the fourth century hermit who came from southern Gaza and is considered to be the father of Palestinian monasticism.
Its life close to the Mediterranean shore spanned more than four centuries -- from the late Roman Empire to the Umayyad period.
Abandoned after an earthquake in the seventh century, it was uncovered by local archaeologists in 1999.
But today, "it's a complete mess -- archaeologically, scientifically and on a human level," laments Rene Elter, a researcher at the Ecole Biblique, a French academic institution in Jerusalem, who is responsible for trying preserve the site.
"We have to save Saint Hilarion," Elter told AFP. "The situation is critical and we risk losing the site. It is imperative that something is done quickly; otherwise it will be lost, lost forever."
Just over a year ago, the Palestinians submitted Saint Hilarion to be included on the World Heritage List of UNESCO, the UN cultural organization.
The World Monuments Fund, a New York-based group dedicated to preserving the world's architectural heritage, last year put it on its Watch list. This is includes sites around the globe at risk from the forces of nature as well as social, political, and economic change.
But there isn't enough money to do the job.
Elter believes the cost of saving the site, located near the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, would be a mere $2 million over three years, with an immediate investment of $200,000 needed before next winter's rains arrive.
So far, France has been the largest donor to the preservation efforts, giving 110,000 euros ($146,000) since 2010. UNESCO has contributed another $35,000.
"All the emergency safeguards that we've put in place -- corrugated iron fences, supports, sandbags -- are working but they are only temporary. And within a year, if we don't do anything, the worst is yet to come," Elter said.
The decaying remains cover 15,000 square meters, and the surrounding site stretches across 10 hectares (25 acres).
Situated among undulating sand dunes, the southern part of the complex includes a church and large crypt, a chapel, several baptismal fonts, living quarters and a refectory for the monks.
In the northern sector, there is an inn and bathing pools for the pilgrims who once visited.
Today, many of the sandbags that support the monastery's crumbling foundations are disintegrating because of the humidity. A blisteringly hot summer last year was followed by a very wet winter, which has left deep furrows in the soil.
Although there is a French stonemason who could do the necessary work to shore up walls in danger of collapsing, there are no funds to fly him over.
"The grass is beginning to destroy the mosaic floor," said Fadel al-Utol, a young Gazan archaeologist who looks after the site for the French-Palestinian preservation project.
"I need workers and weed killer to get rid of all this grass, I need to change 2,000 sandbags and I need wood to reinforce the platforms for visitors," he complains.
The team of workers who maintain the site have been underpaid for months.
And with no night watchmen, there are fears the site could be looted or damaged.
Meanwhile, it is used for training Palestinian experts who will be responsible for managing the archaeological sites and restoration of Gaza in 10 or 15 years time.
"We have a team there who are ready to work, who are able to manage this heritage," he says.
Every day, Utol takes groups of school children and students around the site, which had a record 1,880 visitors in March. He explains to them about the baptistry, the Romans, the pre-Byzantine Christians and the Ummayads in what is a unique educational experience in Gaza.
"The main aim of these visits is to get them out of the school routine. The second is to identify historical sites in order to better understand the history of Gaza and not forget that our ancestors left us a site to preserve," he says.
Saint Hilarion is not the only endangered archaeological site in the impoverished Gaza Strip.
In recent months, the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the ruling Hamas movement, took over Blakhiyeh in Gaza City, the site of the ancient Greek port of Anthedon, witnesses say.
And farther north, the area surrounding an ancient Byzantine church in Jabaliya, which is known for its mosaics of animals, was damaged during an Israeli bombing campaign in November.
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby at Westminster Abbey in London
The leader of the world's Anglicans is to make a five-day visit to Egypt, Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Territories from Sunday, his office said.
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the spiritual leader of the Church of England, was to meet with religious leaders, visit holy sites and see community projects, said Lambeth Palace.
It will be his first visit to the Holy Land since his enthronement in March as leader of the world's 80 million Anglicans.
The trip comes after Welby visited Rome on June 14 and met with Pope Francis for the first time, amid efforts to reconcile Anglicans and Roman Catholics.
"Archbishop Justin is making this trip early in his ministry because of the significance of the region, the importance of the relationships that his office has there, and because he is keenly aware of the particular pressures on the region at the moment -- not least the devastating conflict in Syria, and its impact more widely," Lambeth Palace said in a statement.
In Jerusalem, he will visit the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Temple Mount, as well as Israel's Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial.
He will also meet with the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, patriarchs and church leaders.
He will be staying with Suheil Dawani, the Anglican bishop in Jerusalem, who will accompany him on all his visits there.
In Cairo, Welby will meet Pope Tawadros II, the head of Egypt's Coptic Church, and Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, the grand imam of Al-Azhar, the top Sunni Muslim authority.
The leader of the world's Anglicans is to make a five-day visit to Egypt, Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Territories from Sunday, his office said.
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the spiritual leader of the Church of England, was to meet with religious leaders, visit holy sites and see community projects, said Lambeth Palace.
It will be his first visit to the Holy Land since his enthronement in March as leader of the world's 80 million Anglicans.
The trip comes after Welby visited Rome on June 14 and met with Pope Francis for the first time, amid efforts to reconcile Anglicans and Roman Catholics.
"Archbishop Justin is making this trip early in his ministry because of the significance of the region, the importance of the relationships that his office has there, and because he is keenly aware of the particular pressures on the region at the moment -- not least the devastating conflict in Syria, and its impact more widely," Lambeth Palace said in a statement.
In Jerusalem, he will visit the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Temple Mount, as well as Israel's Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial.
He will also meet with the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, patriarchs and church leaders.
He will be staying with Suheil Dawani, the Anglican bishop in Jerusalem, who will accompany him on all his visits there.
In Cairo, Welby will meet Pope Tawadros II, the head of Egypt's Coptic Church, and Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, the grand imam of Al-Azhar, the top Sunni Muslim authority.
14 june 2013
Christian Graves Defaced In Jaffa
Arab Member of Israeli Knesset (MK) Jamal Zahalka of the National Democratic Assembly sent an urgent letter to Israel’s Minister of Internal Security, Yitzhak Aharonovich, demanding him to act on stopping the escalating “Price Tag” attacks carried out extremist Israeli youths.
His latter came after a number of extremist settlers wrote racist graffiti on some graves at the Christian Greek Orthodox graveyard in Jaffa [on Wednesday at night].
The settlers wrote “Price Tag”, “Revenge”, and drew the Star of David on a number of graves, wrote more racist graffiti on a wall of a building inhabited by the head of the Orthodox Society in Jaffa, and even wrote graffiti on the wall of the home Khaled Kaboub, an Arab District Court Judge in Tel Aviv.
Zahalka said that the Israeli government and the Police are responsible for the escalating attacks, due to the lack of adequate and effective measures against those groups of extremists.
The Arab48 news website reported that more Price Tag graffiti was found on the walls of a number of Arab homes in Al-Jabaliyya neighborhood in Jaffa, while several tires of Arab cars have been slashed in the neighborhood.
In his letter to Aharonovich, Zahalka said, “Jaffa has been targeted by various similar attacks, as mosques and churches have been defaced, desecrated and attacked, since a number of extremist settlers moved into the neighborhood, while the Police is failing to act”.
“The indecisiveness, the lack of action by the Police, enabled representatives of those racist settlers to live in Jaffa, enabled the attacks against that Arab population, and holy sites”, the Arab MK added.
Member of the Jaffa City Council, National Democratic Assembly member, Sami Abu Shihada, stated that the situation is Jaffa “could explode at any given moment”, and accused the Police of failing to act against the extremist Price Tag groups.
“By failing to act, failing to apprehend those racists, and by failing to prosecute them, Israel is granting them a green light to continue their cruel and racist attacks”, Abu Shihada stated, “We demand the Police to act, seriously and decisively, to punish those fundamentalists”.
Abu Shihada added that a procession will be held on Saturday [June 22] at the Old Market in Al-Ajamy neighborhood, “to protest a decision made by the so-called Israel Land Authority for allowing the settlers to build in the heart of the Al-Ajamy neighborhood”.
Price Tag attacks are acts of violence carried out by extremist Israeli settlers against Arabs and Palestinians in different parts of the country.
Price Tag attacks have been carried out against Churches, Mosques, Islamic and Christian graveyards, Palestinian lands and orchards [including burning and uprooting dozens of trees and farmlands], Palestinian property, and in some cases targeted Israeli peace groups.
Arab Member of Israeli Knesset (MK) Jamal Zahalka of the National Democratic Assembly sent an urgent letter to Israel’s Minister of Internal Security, Yitzhak Aharonovich, demanding him to act on stopping the escalating “Price Tag” attacks carried out extremist Israeli youths.
His latter came after a number of extremist settlers wrote racist graffiti on some graves at the Christian Greek Orthodox graveyard in Jaffa [on Wednesday at night].
The settlers wrote “Price Tag”, “Revenge”, and drew the Star of David on a number of graves, wrote more racist graffiti on a wall of a building inhabited by the head of the Orthodox Society in Jaffa, and even wrote graffiti on the wall of the home Khaled Kaboub, an Arab District Court Judge in Tel Aviv.
Zahalka said that the Israeli government and the Police are responsible for the escalating attacks, due to the lack of adequate and effective measures against those groups of extremists.
The Arab48 news website reported that more Price Tag graffiti was found on the walls of a number of Arab homes in Al-Jabaliyya neighborhood in Jaffa, while several tires of Arab cars have been slashed in the neighborhood.
In his letter to Aharonovich, Zahalka said, “Jaffa has been targeted by various similar attacks, as mosques and churches have been defaced, desecrated and attacked, since a number of extremist settlers moved into the neighborhood, while the Police is failing to act”.
“The indecisiveness, the lack of action by the Police, enabled representatives of those racist settlers to live in Jaffa, enabled the attacks against that Arab population, and holy sites”, the Arab MK added.
Member of the Jaffa City Council, National Democratic Assembly member, Sami Abu Shihada, stated that the situation is Jaffa “could explode at any given moment”, and accused the Police of failing to act against the extremist Price Tag groups.
“By failing to act, failing to apprehend those racists, and by failing to prosecute them, Israel is granting them a green light to continue their cruel and racist attacks”, Abu Shihada stated, “We demand the Police to act, seriously and decisively, to punish those fundamentalists”.
Abu Shihada added that a procession will be held on Saturday [June 22] at the Old Market in Al-Ajamy neighborhood, “to protest a decision made by the so-called Israel Land Authority for allowing the settlers to build in the heart of the Al-Ajamy neighborhood”.
Price Tag attacks are acts of violence carried out by extremist Israeli settlers against Arabs and Palestinians in different parts of the country.
Price Tag attacks have been carried out against Churches, Mosques, Islamic and Christian graveyards, Palestinian lands and orchards [including burning and uprooting dozens of trees and farmlands], Palestinian property, and in some cases targeted Israeli peace groups.
13 june 2013
A number of extremist Israel settlers carried out another Price Tag attack, this time targeting a Christian Cemetery in Jaffa, and spray-painted “Price Tag”, and “Revenge” on tombstones.
Israeli Ynet News has reported that more Price Tag graffiti were discovered on a residential building close to the cemetery, near the home of Khaled Kaboub, an Arab District Court Judge in Tel Aviv.
The Ynet added that the police initiated an investigation into the attack, and that, so far, no suspects have been apprehended.
Talking to the Ynet, attorney Ahmad Balha, stated that is a very dangerous act that shows hatred for the Arab residents of Jaffa, and strongly denounced continued attacks against sacred sites.
He added that a meeting will be held, on Thursday, to discuss measures against these serious attacks and violations.
Resident Mahmoud Eghbariyya said that this “criminal attack cannot be ignored”, and that the Israeli government and police are failing to act.
In related news, the Israeli Police revealed Wednesday [June 12 2013] that Israeli settlers carried out 165 Price Tag attacks against the Palestinians and their property, in the West Bank, and in the 1948 territories since the beginning of this year.
The attacks targeted Palestinian lands and orchards, cars, property, mosques, churches and several Islamic and Christian graveyards.
Israeli Ynet News has reported that more Price Tag graffiti were discovered on a residential building close to the cemetery, near the home of Khaled Kaboub, an Arab District Court Judge in Tel Aviv.
The Ynet added that the police initiated an investigation into the attack, and that, so far, no suspects have been apprehended.
Talking to the Ynet, attorney Ahmad Balha, stated that is a very dangerous act that shows hatred for the Arab residents of Jaffa, and strongly denounced continued attacks against sacred sites.
He added that a meeting will be held, on Thursday, to discuss measures against these serious attacks and violations.
Resident Mahmoud Eghbariyya said that this “criminal attack cannot be ignored”, and that the Israeli government and police are failing to act.
In related news, the Israeli Police revealed Wednesday [June 12 2013] that Israeli settlers carried out 165 Price Tag attacks against the Palestinians and their property, in the West Bank, and in the 1948 territories since the beginning of this year.
The attacks targeted Palestinian lands and orchards, cars, property, mosques, churches and several Islamic and Christian graveyards.
4 june 2013
The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Jerusalem said Tuesday that it will not allow the Israeli municipality of West Jerusalem to use church property in the Old City for a lights festival because of Israeli police mistreatment of Christians during their holidays.
A statement by the church spokesman Issa Musleh said the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III has told the municipality of its objections to the use of its property in any way for the festival, which he said “does not reflect in any way the true identity of Jerusalem.”
Musleh said that at the time Israeli police attack worshippers and religious men during Christian holidays, particularly during the Saturday Holy Fire, close roads in the face of worshippers, deny freedom of worship in Jerusalem for Christians from Gaza and West Bank, Israeli fanatics attack churches, cemeteries and religious people, monks are held for interrogation as was the case with the spiritual leader for Ramallah Elias Awwad who was held and interrogated at Tel Aviv airport, and other measures against the Christian and Muslim holy places, “It would not be sensible that anyone should expect any cooperation to make successful festivities not related to us or Jerusalem, which are also sources of big annoyance to the residents of the holy city through the behavior of the visitors and participants based on extreme nationalist reasons and their attacks on the residents of the city, which mostly go unpunished or without accountability.”
A statement by the church spokesman Issa Musleh said the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III has told the municipality of its objections to the use of its property in any way for the festival, which he said “does not reflect in any way the true identity of Jerusalem.”
Musleh said that at the time Israeli police attack worshippers and religious men during Christian holidays, particularly during the Saturday Holy Fire, close roads in the face of worshippers, deny freedom of worship in Jerusalem for Christians from Gaza and West Bank, Israeli fanatics attack churches, cemeteries and religious people, monks are held for interrogation as was the case with the spiritual leader for Ramallah Elias Awwad who was held and interrogated at Tel Aviv airport, and other measures against the Christian and Muslim holy places, “It would not be sensible that anyone should expect any cooperation to make successful festivities not related to us or Jerusalem, which are also sources of big annoyance to the residents of the holy city through the behavior of the visitors and participants based on extreme nationalist reasons and their attacks on the residents of the city, which mostly go unpunished or without accountability.”
Kairos Palestine expressed in a press statement, its deep concerns about the 'price tag' - attack on Jerusalem's Dormition Abbey last Friday. Overnight Friday, vandals attacked the Dormition Abbey in Jerusalem by spraying graffiti on its walls with anti-Christian slogans saying "Christians are monkeys", "Christians are slaves" and "Havat Maon", referring to a settler outpost in the West Bank. Two days before this attack, Palestinian cars in Jerusalem were 'price tagged' with graffiti as well.
This assault on a Christian holy site and on Palestinian property is not the first one, Kairos added. In the last months, Muslim and Christian holy sites in the occupied Palestinian territory as well as in Israel faced terror attacks especially from Israeli settlers and their so called "price tag"-policy.
Kairos Palestine strongly condemns these attacks and urges the churches worldwide to hold Israel accountable for all these violations and to raise awareness within their constituencies about the culture of hatred and racism generated by the Israeli occupation, and its consequences on the Christian and Muslim Palestinian population.
This assault on a Christian holy site and on Palestinian property is not the first one, Kairos added. In the last months, Muslim and Christian holy sites in the occupied Palestinian territory as well as in Israel faced terror attacks especially from Israeli settlers and their so called "price tag"-policy.
Kairos Palestine strongly condemns these attacks and urges the churches worldwide to hold Israel accountable for all these violations and to raise awareness within their constituencies about the culture of hatred and racism generated by the Israeli occupation, and its consequences on the Christian and Muslim Palestinian population.
1 june 2013
Members of the price tag gang, a Jewish terrorist group, spray-painted last night racist slurs and obscene graffiti on the walls of a Christian church in occupied Jerusalem. The Israeli police admitted that the price tag gang defaced the exterior walls of Mount Zion church in Jerusalem and punctured tires of two cars parking outside the church.
The price tag gang had carried out many attacks against Palestinian mosques and churches during the recent weeks and the last few months and in some incidents they committed arson attacks.
Their attacks take the form not only of graffiti and vandalism at religious sites, but also include burning crops, killing livestock, terrorizing villagers, and poisoning water sources.
The price tag gang had carried out many attacks against Palestinian mosques and churches during the recent weeks and the last few months and in some incidents they committed arson attacks.
Their attacks take the form not only of graffiti and vandalism at religious sites, but also include burning crops, killing livestock, terrorizing villagers, and poisoning water sources.
31 may 2013
Suspected Jewish extremists sprayed anti-Christian graffiti on a church in Jerusalem in the early hours of Friday morning, police said.
The vandals sprayed "Christian monkeys" and "price tag" on the walls of the Dormition Abbey, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told Ma'an.
They also slashed tires of cars around the church, the Israeli daily Ynet reported.
Rosenfeld said an investigation had been opened into the incident.
"Price tag" is a euphemism for hate crimes committed by Israeli settlers mostly against Palestinians but on occasion against the Israeli military.
The attacks began in retaliation to Israeli government moves to dismantle unauthorized settler outposts. The perpetrators of such crimes are rarely caught.
Orthodox Archbishop Atallah Hanna denounced the attack, noting that the abbey sheltered monks who sent a message of peace and love to all.
He condemned repeated attacks by Israeli settlers against Islamic and Christian property, but said Palestinians would remain steadfast in defending holy sites.
Settlers Spray 'Price Tag' on Jerusalem’s Church, Slash Tires
settlers spray-painted anti-Christian graffiti at the walls of the Dormition Abbey church on Mount Zion in Jerusalem and slashed the tires of two cars parked nearby.
The slogans read, "Christians are monkeys", "Christians are slaves" and "Havat Maon" referring to a settler outpost in the West Bank. Israeli Police have launched an investigation into the incident looking for the vandals, as they claimed.
It's worth mentioning that this incident is part of a long series of Israeli settler's attack on the Palestinian Muslim and Christian holy sites in an attempt to profane the sanctity of the holy places.
The vandals sprayed "Christian monkeys" and "price tag" on the walls of the Dormition Abbey, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told Ma'an.
They also slashed tires of cars around the church, the Israeli daily Ynet reported.
Rosenfeld said an investigation had been opened into the incident.
"Price tag" is a euphemism for hate crimes committed by Israeli settlers mostly against Palestinians but on occasion against the Israeli military.
The attacks began in retaliation to Israeli government moves to dismantle unauthorized settler outposts. The perpetrators of such crimes are rarely caught.
Orthodox Archbishop Atallah Hanna denounced the attack, noting that the abbey sheltered monks who sent a message of peace and love to all.
He condemned repeated attacks by Israeli settlers against Islamic and Christian property, but said Palestinians would remain steadfast in defending holy sites.
Settlers Spray 'Price Tag' on Jerusalem’s Church, Slash Tires
settlers spray-painted anti-Christian graffiti at the walls of the Dormition Abbey church on Mount Zion in Jerusalem and slashed the tires of two cars parked nearby.
The slogans read, "Christians are monkeys", "Christians are slaves" and "Havat Maon" referring to a settler outpost in the West Bank. Israeli Police have launched an investigation into the incident looking for the vandals, as they claimed.
It's worth mentioning that this incident is part of a long series of Israeli settler's attack on the Palestinian Muslim and Christian holy sites in an attempt to profane the sanctity of the holy places.
10 may 2013
Palestinians Protest Confiscation Of Cremisan Monastery Lands In Beit Jala
Hundreds of Palestinians held a protest against Israeli illegal confiscation of their lands, including lands that belong to the Cremisan Monastery, in Beit Jala city, in the Bethlehem district.
Shawkat Matar, one of the participants in the protest, stated that local scout groups, and a number of civil society institutions in the city organized the protest due to Israel’s ongoing violations of illegal settlement activities, and the construction of the illegal Annexation Wall in the Cremisan monastery, and its surrounding Palestinian lands.
He added that hundreds of Palestinians gathered in front of the Arab Orthodox Club in Beit Jala, and marched towards the illegally confiscated lands in Cremisan.
The protesters chanted against the ongoing Israeli occupation and violations, Israel's ongoing settlement construction and expansion activities, and its illegal Wall.
A week ago, Father Ibrahim Shomaly, told the BBC that the issue here is not about politics, but about human rights.
“The Church must hear the people when they suffer, this is not about politics”, Father Shomaly told the BBC, “There are 57 Palestinian Christians families that will lose their lands, losing their lands means losing their hope”.
Israel’s Annexation Wall is planned to split the Cremisan monastery and valley into two parts; Gilo and the Har Gilo illegal settlements are on Palestinian lands on opposite hilltops, and Israel wants to ensure the Annexation Wall separates Beit Jala from the two settlements.
Israeli settlements and its Annexation Wall, built in the occupied Palestinian territories, are illegal under International Law and the Fourth Geneva Convention to which Israel is a signatory.
Israel claims that its Jewish settlements are “Israeli cities and towns”, and that the Annexation Wall is meant to “ensure Israel’s security from Palestinian attacks”.
But on the ground, the Annexation Wall is built in a manner that allows Israel to build and expand its illegal settlements in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
In 2004, the International Court issued an advisory ruling considering the Annexation Wall illegal, and stated that although it recognizes “Israels right to defend itself, the Wall was built in a way that violates international law.”
The Court said that the Wall, which runs deep in the West Bank, and occupied East Jerusalem, separating the residents from their lands, and isolating entire Palestinian populated areas, also violates Israels international obligations.
It called on Israel to dismantle the completed sections of the Wall, to compensate the Palestinians for their losses, and to render ineffective all legislative and regulatory acts it took after approving the construction of the Wall.
The court further called on Israel to compensate the Palestinians for the destruction of homes, businesses and agricultural lands, and to allow them to return to their lands and orchards, and to return all lands seized by the Wall.
It also called on all UN member states to perform their legal duties by not recognizing the illegal situation the Annexation Wall and settlements created in occupied Palestine, and to ensure Israel complies with International Law.
Israel strongly slammed the ruling, disregarded it, and maintained what its called “its right to protect its citizens, to build and expand its settlements”, in the occupied West Bank, including in and around occupied East Jerusalem.
Shawkat Matar, one of the participants in the protest, stated that local scout groups, and a number of civil society institutions in the city organized the protest due to Israel’s ongoing violations of illegal settlement activities, and the construction of the illegal Annexation Wall in the Cremisan monastery, and its surrounding Palestinian lands.
He added that hundreds of Palestinians gathered in front of the Arab Orthodox Club in Beit Jala, and marched towards the illegally confiscated lands in Cremisan.
The protesters chanted against the ongoing Israeli occupation and violations, Israel's ongoing settlement construction and expansion activities, and its illegal Wall.
A week ago, Father Ibrahim Shomaly, told the BBC that the issue here is not about politics, but about human rights.
“The Church must hear the people when they suffer, this is not about politics”, Father Shomaly told the BBC, “There are 57 Palestinian Christians families that will lose their lands, losing their lands means losing their hope”.
Israel’s Annexation Wall is planned to split the Cremisan monastery and valley into two parts; Gilo and the Har Gilo illegal settlements are on Palestinian lands on opposite hilltops, and Israel wants to ensure the Annexation Wall separates Beit Jala from the two settlements.
Israeli settlements and its Annexation Wall, built in the occupied Palestinian territories, are illegal under International Law and the Fourth Geneva Convention to which Israel is a signatory.
Israel claims that its Jewish settlements are “Israeli cities and towns”, and that the Annexation Wall is meant to “ensure Israel’s security from Palestinian attacks”.
But on the ground, the Annexation Wall is built in a manner that allows Israel to build and expand its illegal settlements in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
In 2004, the International Court issued an advisory ruling considering the Annexation Wall illegal, and stated that although it recognizes “Israels right to defend itself, the Wall was built in a way that violates international law.”
The Court said that the Wall, which runs deep in the West Bank, and occupied East Jerusalem, separating the residents from their lands, and isolating entire Palestinian populated areas, also violates Israels international obligations.
It called on Israel to dismantle the completed sections of the Wall, to compensate the Palestinians for their losses, and to render ineffective all legislative and regulatory acts it took after approving the construction of the Wall.
The court further called on Israel to compensate the Palestinians for the destruction of homes, businesses and agricultural lands, and to allow them to return to their lands and orchards, and to return all lands seized by the Wall.
It also called on all UN member states to perform their legal duties by not recognizing the illegal situation the Annexation Wall and settlements created in occupied Palestine, and to ensure Israel complies with International Law.
Israel strongly slammed the ruling, disregarded it, and maintained what its called “its right to protect its citizens, to build and expand its settlements”, in the occupied West Bank, including in and around occupied East Jerusalem.
7 may 2013
Father Hanna slams Israel's actions during Easter and Holy Saturday holiday
Father Atallah Hanna, Archbishop of the Palestinian Orthodox Church in occupied Jerusalem, strongly denounced the Israeli arbitrary measures that were taken last Saturday against the Christian worshipers as they were commemorating the Easter day and the Holy Saturday in the old city.
In a press release on Monday, Father Hanna said that physically assaulting the clergy and the faithful and preventing them from marching to the Church of the Resurrection were aimed to thwart the Orthodox holidays in Jerusalem.
He added that such Israeli actions target the Christian presence in the holy city and are part of the Jewish campaign against the Christian and Islamic religious events.
"We have repeatedly condemned the Zionist measures against our holy places and holidays but to no avail, and the same incidents happen every year as if we are asked to stay silent and defenseless as we are beaten, humiliated and insulted," the Archbishop emphasized.
He said that Israel turned Jerusalem into a military base during the Easter holiday and made it hard for the Christians to visit the Church of the Resurrection, criticizing the human rights groups for their silence on Israel's violations against the Christians and their religious holidays.
"We are suppressed as Palestinians and Christians and there are always intents to sabotage our Christian holidays which have a spiritual and humanitarian message," Hanna said.
In a press release on Monday, Father Hanna said that physically assaulting the clergy and the faithful and preventing them from marching to the Church of the Resurrection were aimed to thwart the Orthodox holidays in Jerusalem.
He added that such Israeli actions target the Christian presence in the holy city and are part of the Jewish campaign against the Christian and Islamic religious events.
"We have repeatedly condemned the Zionist measures against our holy places and holidays but to no avail, and the same incidents happen every year as if we are asked to stay silent and defenseless as we are beaten, humiliated and insulted," the Archbishop emphasized.
He said that Israel turned Jerusalem into a military base during the Easter holiday and made it hard for the Christians to visit the Church of the Resurrection, criticizing the human rights groups for their silence on Israel's violations against the Christians and their religious holidays.
"We are suppressed as Palestinians and Christians and there are always intents to sabotage our Christian holidays which have a spiritual and humanitarian message," Hanna said.
P.A. Slams Israeli Attack On Worshipers Marking Eastern Orthodox Easter
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry issued a statement strongly denouncing the Israeli military and police attacks against Palestinian Christians, diplomats, priests and visitors, celebrating the eastern Holy Fire Saturday, before Easter this past Saturday.
The Ministry said that Israeli soldiers and policemen verbally and physically attacked dozens of worshipers and families, and prevented them from participating in the holy procession.
It said that Easter is a holy feast, also a national feast in Palestine, as the Palestinian Authority officially recognizes it, the same way it recognizes Christmas as a religious and a national feast.
The Ministry added that the Palestinians and every person around the world have the right to celebrate and pray, and added that Israel is depriving the Palestinians, Muslims and Christians, from their basic right to the Freedom of Worship, staring by their right to reach their holy sites.
It said that Israeli is ongoing with its illegitimate activities that are trying to change the demography of occupied Jerusalem, “by turning it into a sole Jewish city while depriving the native Muslims and Christians from their basic rights.”
Furthermore, the Ministry said that the Israeli violations against Christian and Islamic Holy Sites are also accompanied by its ongoing violations against the residents, including home demolitions, home takeovers, revoking ID cards of Jerusalemite Palestinians, in addition to ongoing attacks carried out by extremist Israeli settlers against the Palestinians, their property and lands, and both Islamic and Christian holy sites.
These attacks including defacing mosques and churches, and even escalated to setting some Churches and mosque on fire, by igniting fire in them or hurling Molotov Cocktails at them. The attacks also included racist graffiti describing both Jesus Christ and Prophet Mohammad as pigs.
The Ministry called on the International Community, all legal and human rights groups, to intervene and oblige Israel to respect its obligations as an occupying power, and oblige it to respect all signed treaties, human rights accords, United Nations and Security Council resolutions.
The Ministry said that Israeli soldiers and policemen verbally and physically attacked dozens of worshipers and families, and prevented them from participating in the holy procession.
It said that Easter is a holy feast, also a national feast in Palestine, as the Palestinian Authority officially recognizes it, the same way it recognizes Christmas as a religious and a national feast.
The Ministry added that the Palestinians and every person around the world have the right to celebrate and pray, and added that Israel is depriving the Palestinians, Muslims and Christians, from their basic right to the Freedom of Worship, staring by their right to reach their holy sites.
It said that Israeli is ongoing with its illegitimate activities that are trying to change the demography of occupied Jerusalem, “by turning it into a sole Jewish city while depriving the native Muslims and Christians from their basic rights.”
Furthermore, the Ministry said that the Israeli violations against Christian and Islamic Holy Sites are also accompanied by its ongoing violations against the residents, including home demolitions, home takeovers, revoking ID cards of Jerusalemite Palestinians, in addition to ongoing attacks carried out by extremist Israeli settlers against the Palestinians, their property and lands, and both Islamic and Christian holy sites.
These attacks including defacing mosques and churches, and even escalated to setting some Churches and mosque on fire, by igniting fire in them or hurling Molotov Cocktails at them. The attacks also included racist graffiti describing both Jesus Christ and Prophet Mohammad as pigs.
The Ministry called on the International Community, all legal and human rights groups, to intervene and oblige Israel to respect its obligations as an occupying power, and oblige it to respect all signed treaties, human rights accords, United Nations and Security Council resolutions.
6 may 2013
Orthodox groups slam Israel's restrictions on Christian freedom of worship
Israeli policemen attack Palestinian Christian worshipers at the Church of the Resurrection
The Palestinian Orthodox institutions expressed their dismay at the Israeli restrictions imposed on the Christian Palestinians and religious events.
In a press release on Sunday, the Orthodox institutions accused the Israeli regime and its security forces of attempting to obstruct their great holy Saturday celebrations and attacking Christian worshipers in occupied Jerusalem.
They stated that the Israeli police used excessive force against a Christian group from the Arab Orthodox union club in Al-Nasara neighborhood (the Christians quarter) in occupied Jerusalem in the presence of diplomats and dignitaries who participated in the holy Saturday rally.
The Christian institutions stressed that Israel's racist and illegal acts against the Palestinians from other religious groups confirm its tendencies to Judaize the holy city of Jerusalem.
They also denounced the Israeli occupation authority for imposing a blockade on the courtyard of the Church of the Resurrection in the old city of Jerusalem under flimsy pretexts.
They said that Israel's media claims about facilitating the Christian religious events in the holy city are lies intended to embellish its image before the world.
The Palestinian Orthodox institutions expressed their dismay at the Israeli restrictions imposed on the Christian Palestinians and religious events.
In a press release on Sunday, the Orthodox institutions accused the Israeli regime and its security forces of attempting to obstruct their great holy Saturday celebrations and attacking Christian worshipers in occupied Jerusalem.
They stated that the Israeli police used excessive force against a Christian group from the Arab Orthodox union club in Al-Nasara neighborhood (the Christians quarter) in occupied Jerusalem in the presence of diplomats and dignitaries who participated in the holy Saturday rally.
The Christian institutions stressed that Israel's racist and illegal acts against the Palestinians from other religious groups confirm its tendencies to Judaize the holy city of Jerusalem.
They also denounced the Israeli occupation authority for imposing a blockade on the courtyard of the Church of the Resurrection in the old city of Jerusalem under flimsy pretexts.
They said that Israel's media claims about facilitating the Christian religious events in the holy city are lies intended to embellish its image before the world.
2 may 2013
Bethlehem Nun Calls For Bridges, Not Walls
A view of Gilo, a Jewish settlement on land Israel captured in 1967 and annexed to its Jerusalem municipality, is seen from the West Bank town of Beit Jala, Jan. 16, 2011
By: Daoud Kuttab for Al-Monitor Palestine Pulse
After a seven-year legal battle, the Silesian nuns convent located in the Palestinian town of Beit Jala lost an appeal on April 24 against the building of the Israeli wall on its land. The latest route of the wall will place the convent on the Palestinian side of the wall, and its companion Cremisan Catholic monastery on the Israeli side. It will also take up most of the Church’s lands as well as that of 58 families, most of them Palestinian Christians.
According to a news release issued by the human rights organization that joined the lawsuit, the Israelis will place an agricultural gate that will be open at certain times of the year to allow the Church to tend its land. For decades, the Cremisan monastery has produced wine [from grapes] grown in the Cremisan Valley. Reports from Palestinian officials note that the latest decision will deny Palestinians the only remaining green area. Bethlehem city officials say that as a result of the 47-year- old occupation of Palestinian lands, the city has been dramatically shrunk from its original size.
The Society of St. Yves, a Catholic human rights organization working in Jerusalem, said that while they rejected the existence of the wall they were successful in getting the wall rerouted to keep the convent buildings that service the local population on the Palestinian side of the rerouted wall. The Israelis have declared that they will be flexible in issuing permits to Palestinians to farm their lands on the other side of the concrete wall.
Unlike other routes of the Israeli wall which has been declared illegal by the International Court of Justice, the route around Bethlehem is cutting off Palestinians from East Jerusalem, which is an occupied city, despite the unilateral Israeli annexation of that city.
A PLO statement on the status of Bethlehem says that there are 22 settlements on Bethlehem’s land, including four that effectively disconnect occupied East Jerusalem from Bethlehem (Gilo, Har Homa, Giva’t Hamatos and Har Gilo). Additionally, an additional settlement, Giv’at Yael, is planned to link Gilo with Har Gilo.
“This planned settlement will be constructed on land from Beit Jala and wallajeh. Together with the wall and a system of bypass roads for exclusive Israeli settler use, confiscation of land, and movement restrictions on Palestinians, these illegal actions have completely encircled the Bethlehem District and shrunk it to barely 13% of its original size. “
Other facts and figures connected to the issue were issued by the PLO negotiating team. It includes:
• Israel illegally confiscated around 22,000 dunums of land (22 square kilometers [8.5 square miles]) or roughly the size of the country of Nauru. This confiscated land was used to expand the illegal settlements of Gilo, Giv’at Hamatos and Har Homa.
• Most affected land owners are Palestinian Christians from Bethlehem, Beit Jala and Beit Sahour in addition to Churches from various denominations.
• Israel illegally annexed 18,000 dunums [4.500 acres] of Bethlehem land in its unilateral and illegal expansion of the Israeli Jerusalem municipality.
• The illegal wall has effectively annexed 4,000 dunums [1,000 acres] of Bethlehem land.
• Built on Beit Jala land, the illegal settlements of Gilo and Har Gilo are among the fastest growing Israeli settlements.
• Because of the settlement enterprise, Beit Jala has shrunk to less than a third of its original size in 1967 from 15,000 dunums to 4,500 today.
Israel’s illegal settlements in Bethlehem occupy the most vital lands for the development of ancient Palestinian communities, including those essential to maintaining the centuries-old relationship with Jerusalem. In fact, most of the new illegal settlement housing units, wall construction and land confiscation announced in the second half of 2011 are located in these areas.
The Cremisan valley lies between the illegal settlements of Gilo and Har Gilo. The wall will provide Israel, the occupying power, more land to expand both illegal settlements on privately owned Palestinian land.
This plan will devastate 58 Palestinian Christian families, who will be unable to access their land, which Israel plans to have on its side of the illegal wall. Cremisan also has a kindergarten for the town’s children, run by nuns.
The town, known for its refined olive oil, is about to lose more than half of its olive trees to the illegal Israeli wall.
As a response, the Beit Jala community has been organizing a weekly open air Mass to protest this illegal confiscation. Churches from across the world have joined the prayers, which have also attracted attention from international news media.
“Israel continues to act with impunity, but we will continue to call for justice and peace. Our weekly prayers are for peace, with no provocations or insults; we are just calling for peace while celebrating hope. But for peace to happen, justice must come first. Church leaders should turn their concerns about Christians from the Holy Land into real action,” said Father Ibrahim Shomali, the Roman Catholic priest of Beit Jala.
Israeli occupation forces issued orders to seize land from the sisters to build the separation wall between Israel and the West Bank. In all contacts with the army the sisters said clearly: “We don’t want the wall at all, neither on our right side nor on our left side, not in front of the convent nor behind it.
"We want to build bridges, not walls. We are committed towards education for justice, peaceful living and peace between all peoples without distinction,” says Sr. Fides, the directress at Cremisan.
Editor's Note: A previous version of this article stated that it was the monks who brought the lawsuit instead of the nuns. It also claimed that all church buildings would be on the Palestinian side of the separation wall. In fact, the convent will be on the Palestinian side while the monastery will be on the Israeli side. Further it is the monastery and not the convent that produces wine. These errors have been corrected.
By: Daoud Kuttab for Al-Monitor Palestine Pulse
After a seven-year legal battle, the Silesian nuns convent located in the Palestinian town of Beit Jala lost an appeal on April 24 against the building of the Israeli wall on its land. The latest route of the wall will place the convent on the Palestinian side of the wall, and its companion Cremisan Catholic monastery on the Israeli side. It will also take up most of the Church’s lands as well as that of 58 families, most of them Palestinian Christians.
According to a news release issued by the human rights organization that joined the lawsuit, the Israelis will place an agricultural gate that will be open at certain times of the year to allow the Church to tend its land. For decades, the Cremisan monastery has produced wine [from grapes] grown in the Cremisan Valley. Reports from Palestinian officials note that the latest decision will deny Palestinians the only remaining green area. Bethlehem city officials say that as a result of the 47-year- old occupation of Palestinian lands, the city has been dramatically shrunk from its original size.
The Society of St. Yves, a Catholic human rights organization working in Jerusalem, said that while they rejected the existence of the wall they were successful in getting the wall rerouted to keep the convent buildings that service the local population on the Palestinian side of the rerouted wall. The Israelis have declared that they will be flexible in issuing permits to Palestinians to farm their lands on the other side of the concrete wall.
Unlike other routes of the Israeli wall which has been declared illegal by the International Court of Justice, the route around Bethlehem is cutting off Palestinians from East Jerusalem, which is an occupied city, despite the unilateral Israeli annexation of that city.
A PLO statement on the status of Bethlehem says that there are 22 settlements on Bethlehem’s land, including four that effectively disconnect occupied East Jerusalem from Bethlehem (Gilo, Har Homa, Giva’t Hamatos and Har Gilo). Additionally, an additional settlement, Giv’at Yael, is planned to link Gilo with Har Gilo.
“This planned settlement will be constructed on land from Beit Jala and wallajeh. Together with the wall and a system of bypass roads for exclusive Israeli settler use, confiscation of land, and movement restrictions on Palestinians, these illegal actions have completely encircled the Bethlehem District and shrunk it to barely 13% of its original size. “
Other facts and figures connected to the issue were issued by the PLO negotiating team. It includes:
• Israel illegally confiscated around 22,000 dunums of land (22 square kilometers [8.5 square miles]) or roughly the size of the country of Nauru. This confiscated land was used to expand the illegal settlements of Gilo, Giv’at Hamatos and Har Homa.
• Most affected land owners are Palestinian Christians from Bethlehem, Beit Jala and Beit Sahour in addition to Churches from various denominations.
• Israel illegally annexed 18,000 dunums [4.500 acres] of Bethlehem land in its unilateral and illegal expansion of the Israeli Jerusalem municipality.
• The illegal wall has effectively annexed 4,000 dunums [1,000 acres] of Bethlehem land.
• Built on Beit Jala land, the illegal settlements of Gilo and Har Gilo are among the fastest growing Israeli settlements.
• Because of the settlement enterprise, Beit Jala has shrunk to less than a third of its original size in 1967 from 15,000 dunums to 4,500 today.
Israel’s illegal settlements in Bethlehem occupy the most vital lands for the development of ancient Palestinian communities, including those essential to maintaining the centuries-old relationship with Jerusalem. In fact, most of the new illegal settlement housing units, wall construction and land confiscation announced in the second half of 2011 are located in these areas.
The Cremisan valley lies between the illegal settlements of Gilo and Har Gilo. The wall will provide Israel, the occupying power, more land to expand both illegal settlements on privately owned Palestinian land.
This plan will devastate 58 Palestinian Christian families, who will be unable to access their land, which Israel plans to have on its side of the illegal wall. Cremisan also has a kindergarten for the town’s children, run by nuns.
The town, known for its refined olive oil, is about to lose more than half of its olive trees to the illegal Israeli wall.
As a response, the Beit Jala community has been organizing a weekly open air Mass to protest this illegal confiscation. Churches from across the world have joined the prayers, which have also attracted attention from international news media.
“Israel continues to act with impunity, but we will continue to call for justice and peace. Our weekly prayers are for peace, with no provocations or insults; we are just calling for peace while celebrating hope. But for peace to happen, justice must come first. Church leaders should turn their concerns about Christians from the Holy Land into real action,” said Father Ibrahim Shomali, the Roman Catholic priest of Beit Jala.
Israeli occupation forces issued orders to seize land from the sisters to build the separation wall between Israel and the West Bank. In all contacts with the army the sisters said clearly: “We don’t want the wall at all, neither on our right side nor on our left side, not in front of the convent nor behind it.
"We want to build bridges, not walls. We are committed towards education for justice, peaceful living and peace between all peoples without distinction,” says Sr. Fides, the directress at Cremisan.
Editor's Note: A previous version of this article stated that it was the monks who brought the lawsuit instead of the nuns. It also claimed that all church buildings would be on the Palestinian side of the separation wall. In fact, the convent will be on the Palestinian side while the monastery will be on the Israeli side. Further it is the monastery and not the convent that produces wine. These errors have been corrected.
30 apr 2013
Latin Patriarch Denounces Route of Wall in Beit Jala
Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal denounced Tuesday in a statement an Israeli ruling that allows the construction of a section of the West Bank segregation wall on land belonging to the convent of the Salesian Sisters in the Bethlehem area.
Twal, in his capacity as president of the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land, called on Israel to change the course of the wall to follow the route of the “green line,” the 1948 armistice line between Israel and the West Bank.
An Israeli committee ruled last week to allow the construction of the segregation wall in the Cremisan Valley of Beit Jala that would separate the convent of the Salesian Sisters and its school from their land and at the same time incorporates the lands of 58 Palestinian families from Beit Jala to the area of the Israeli settlement of Gilo.
“We are frustrated by this unjust decision that invokes the need for security of Israel but also the difficulty of changing the route of the already built portion of the wall, which makes us a fait accompli,” said the statement.
While this fait accompli cannot become the source of a new law, it added, “We ask to change the route of the wall along the ‘green line.’ We hope that this will take place in the Supreme Court.”
The statement reminded “Israeli decision-makers that the expropriation of lands does not serve the cause of peace and does not strengthen the position of the moderates.”
Twal, in his capacity as president of the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land, called on Israel to change the course of the wall to follow the route of the “green line,” the 1948 armistice line between Israel and the West Bank.
An Israeli committee ruled last week to allow the construction of the segregation wall in the Cremisan Valley of Beit Jala that would separate the convent of the Salesian Sisters and its school from their land and at the same time incorporates the lands of 58 Palestinian families from Beit Jala to the area of the Israeli settlement of Gilo.
“We are frustrated by this unjust decision that invokes the need for security of Israel but also the difficulty of changing the route of the already built portion of the wall, which makes us a fait accompli,” said the statement.
While this fait accompli cannot become the source of a new law, it added, “We ask to change the route of the wall along the ‘green line.’ We hope that this will take place in the Supreme Court.”
The statement reminded “Israeli decision-makers that the expropriation of lands does not serve the cause of peace and does not strengthen the position of the moderates.”
Pope urges 'courageous decisions' in Mideast
Pope Francis called on Tuesday for Israel and the Palestinians to "resume negotiations" and "take courageous decisions", the Vatican said in a statement, after a meeting between the pontiff and Israeli President Shimon Peres.
"A speedy resumption of negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians is hoped for," it said.
"With the courageous decisions and availability of both sides, as well as support from the international community, an agreement may be reached," it added.
Such an agreement should "respect the legitimate aspirations of the two peoples, thus decisively contributing to the peace and stability of the region."
The meeting, the first between a leader from the Middle East and Francis, who was elected in March, came at a time of important developments in peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
Peres also invited Pope Francis on an official state visit to Israel.
On Tuesday, Israel's lead peace negotiator Tzipi Livni praised as "important" a concession by the Arab League that Israel and the Palestinians could trade land in a bid to move the peace process forward.
The development emerged out of talks in Washington between US Secretary of State John Kerry and an Arab League delegation to discuss the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative.
The proposal would see 22 Arab countries normalizing ties with Israel in return for a withdrawal from lands it occupied during the 1967 Six Day War.
During the meeting, Peres and Francis also expressed "worry for the conflict that plagues Syria" and hoped for a political solution to the crisis, the Vatican said.
"A speedy resumption of negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians is hoped for," it said.
"With the courageous decisions and availability of both sides, as well as support from the international community, an agreement may be reached," it added.
Such an agreement should "respect the legitimate aspirations of the two peoples, thus decisively contributing to the peace and stability of the region."
The meeting, the first between a leader from the Middle East and Francis, who was elected in March, came at a time of important developments in peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
Peres also invited Pope Francis on an official state visit to Israel.
On Tuesday, Israel's lead peace negotiator Tzipi Livni praised as "important" a concession by the Arab League that Israel and the Palestinians could trade land in a bid to move the peace process forward.
The development emerged out of talks in Washington between US Secretary of State John Kerry and an Arab League delegation to discuss the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative.
The proposal would see 22 Arab countries normalizing ties with Israel in return for a withdrawal from lands it occupied during the 1967 Six Day War.
During the meeting, Peres and Francis also expressed "worry for the conflict that plagues Syria" and hoped for a political solution to the crisis, the Vatican said.
29 apr 2013
Settlers set fire to Orthodox Church land in Silwan
Israeli settlers set fire on Sunday to Orthodox Church Land in Wadi Hilweh in the town of Silwan during celebrations of the so-called "torch festival."
A number of settlers' families settled in the town of Silwan under heavy protection. All the settlers who set fire in Silwan were armed.
During the Israeli celebrations of the so-called "torch festival", three Jerusalemites of Maghrebi family were injured in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, in addition to the burning of several old trees, a car, and gardens belonging to Khatib and Jaouni families.
Jewish settlers set fire to nine vehicles belonging to the United Nations while celebrating the Torch Festival.
A number of settlers' families settled in the town of Silwan under heavy protection. All the settlers who set fire in Silwan were armed.
During the Israeli celebrations of the so-called "torch festival", three Jerusalemites of Maghrebi family were injured in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, in addition to the burning of several old trees, a car, and gardens belonging to Khatib and Jaouni families.
Jewish settlers set fire to nine vehicles belonging to the United Nations while celebrating the Torch Festival.
Israel allows Gaza Christians to spend Easter in West Bank
Israel has granted hundreds of Orthodox Christians in the Gaza Strip permission to celebrate Easter in the West Bank, Palestinian officials said Monday.
Palestinian liaison officials told Ma'an that they had received around 500 permits for Christians in Gaza, valid from April 30 to May 12.
Guy Inbar, a spokesman for Israel's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, told Ma'an that around 540 permits were issued for Christians to spend Easter in the West Bank.
Israel has closed the Erez crossing on its border with Gaza in response to rocket fire from the enclave, but Inbar said the Christians were granted permits despite the closure "for humanitarian reasons."
Palestinian liaison officials told Ma'an that they had received around 500 permits for Christians in Gaza, valid from April 30 to May 12.
Guy Inbar, a spokesman for Israel's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, told Ma'an that around 540 permits were issued for Christians to spend Easter in the West Bank.
Israel has closed the Erez crossing on its border with Gaza in response to rocket fire from the enclave, but Inbar said the Christians were granted permits despite the closure "for humanitarian reasons."
Palestinian Christians urge pope to oppose wall
Palestinian Christians near Bethlehem on Monday urged Pope Francis to speak up against an Israeli decision to build its controversial separation barrier on a route they say would cut off their community.
"We cry to your Holiness with a feeling of despair and urgency in order to keep alive our hope that justice and peace is still possible," said an open letter from the Christians of Beit Jala, a town near the West Bank city of Bethlehem.
"The Israeli military occupation that has already started building the 'famous wall' annexing Palestinian land... (is) separating Bethlehem as well as other regions from Jerusalem and our holy places," it said.
The letter came as Israel's President Shimon Peres was due to arrive in Italy on a three-day visit during which he would meet Pope Francis.
"We respectfully ask you to make use of this meeting to pass a strong message regarding the people of Palestine, and particularly the case of Beit Jala's Cremisan land," it said.
The letter added: "We need concrete actions in order to end Israel's impunity so we can live with dignity in our free state... Your holiness, your election brought us hope that things would change. We are still hopeful."
An Israeli court ruled last week in favor of constructing the so-called separation barrier through the 170-hectare Cremisan Valley, where many of Beit Jala's Christians work on the land and its vineyards.
The barrier's planned route would cut them off from the valley, and would effectively separate it from Jerusalem, which is five kilometers away.
The International Court of Justice ruled in 2004 that parts of the barrier were illegal and should be torn down.
In the Cremisan area, the route of the barrier deviates sharply from the Green Line, the internationally-accepted line marking the divide between Israel and the territories it captured in the 1967 Six-Day War.
But Israel's defense ministry insists it protects Israelis and that the route is determined by "specific security considerations" of the area.
"Building the Wall in the Bethlehem area it's not only a violation of international law... it is also an attack against Palestinian social fabric and Palestinian Christian presence," said Nabil Shaath, a member of President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah party.
"Separating Bethlehem from Jerusalem for the first time in history, stripping Palestinians, mainly Christians, from their land in order to build and expand Israeli colonial settlements, walls and checkpoints is a cruel crime that further closes the chances for peace," he said.
"We cry to your Holiness with a feeling of despair and urgency in order to keep alive our hope that justice and peace is still possible," said an open letter from the Christians of Beit Jala, a town near the West Bank city of Bethlehem.
"The Israeli military occupation that has already started building the 'famous wall' annexing Palestinian land... (is) separating Bethlehem as well as other regions from Jerusalem and our holy places," it said.
The letter came as Israel's President Shimon Peres was due to arrive in Italy on a three-day visit during which he would meet Pope Francis.
"We respectfully ask you to make use of this meeting to pass a strong message regarding the people of Palestine, and particularly the case of Beit Jala's Cremisan land," it said.
The letter added: "We need concrete actions in order to end Israel's impunity so we can live with dignity in our free state... Your holiness, your election brought us hope that things would change. We are still hopeful."
An Israeli court ruled last week in favor of constructing the so-called separation barrier through the 170-hectare Cremisan Valley, where many of Beit Jala's Christians work on the land and its vineyards.
The barrier's planned route would cut them off from the valley, and would effectively separate it from Jerusalem, which is five kilometers away.
The International Court of Justice ruled in 2004 that parts of the barrier were illegal and should be torn down.
In the Cremisan area, the route of the barrier deviates sharply from the Green Line, the internationally-accepted line marking the divide between Israel and the territories it captured in the 1967 Six-Day War.
But Israel's defense ministry insists it protects Israelis and that the route is determined by "specific security considerations" of the area.
"Building the Wall in the Bethlehem area it's not only a violation of international law... it is also an attack against Palestinian social fabric and Palestinian Christian presence," said Nabil Shaath, a member of President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah party.
"Separating Bethlehem from Jerusalem for the first time in history, stripping Palestinians, mainly Christians, from their land in order to build and expand Israeli colonial settlements, walls and checkpoints is a cruel crime that further closes the chances for peace," he said.
13 apr 2013
Christian school gates torched in Gaza City
Arsonists set fire to the main gates of a Christian school in Gaza City on Saturday, witnesses said.
Unidentified assailants set fire to the entrance of the Holy Family School in the early hours of Saturday, with no injuries reported.
The school was closed Saturday and parents were told to take their children home.
Police have opened an investigation into the incident.
Unidentified assailants set fire to the entrance of the Holy Family School in the early hours of Saturday, with no injuries reported.
The school was closed Saturday and parents were told to take their children home.
Police have opened an investigation into the incident.
8 mar 2013
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7 jan 2013
Abbas Attends Greek Orthodox Christmas Midnight Mass
President Mahmoud Abbas attended late Sunday the Christmas midnight mass for the Greek Orthodox Church at the Church Nativity in Bethlehem.
Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III has led the Christmas Eve procession from Jerusalem to Bethlehem on Sunday ushering in the church’s Christmas celebrations.
Theophilos expressed support for the United Nations vote that gave Palestine the non-member state status. He expressed hope that Palestine will one day become a full member of the UN.
He said the Greek Orthodox Church prays for just solutions to all political and religious issues in the Middle East.
Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III has led the Christmas Eve procession from Jerusalem to Bethlehem on Sunday ushering in the church’s Christmas celebrations.
Theophilos expressed support for the United Nations vote that gave Palestine the non-member state status. He expressed hope that Palestine will one day become a full member of the UN.
He said the Greek Orthodox Church prays for just solutions to all political and religious issues in the Middle East.
6 jan 2013
Eastern Christians Begin Christmas Celebrations in Bethlehem
Eastern Palestinian Christians from sects such as Greek Orthodox Sunday began Christmas celebrations in the city of Bethlehem.
Despite of cold and unstable weather, Palestinians from all cities and villages arrived in Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas in the Church of Nativity yard.
Father Issa Musleh, spokesman for the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate speaking to WAFA said that the joy of such holiday is unique because it coincides with the recognition of Palestine as non-member observer state in the United Nations.
The celebrations will be crowned with the arrival of Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem.
The city was decorated with Christmas decorations in preparation to receive Syrians, Copts and Ethiopians archbishops as well as the celebrating people.
Despite of cold and unstable weather, Palestinians from all cities and villages arrived in Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas in the Church of Nativity yard.
Father Issa Musleh, spokesman for the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate speaking to WAFA said that the joy of such holiday is unique because it coincides with the recognition of Palestine as non-member observer state in the United Nations.
The celebrations will be crowned with the arrival of Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem.
The city was decorated with Christmas decorations in preparation to receive Syrians, Copts and Ethiopians archbishops as well as the celebrating people.
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