5 june 2015
The European Union (EU) is today making a contribution of around €20.3 million for the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) payment to approximately 67,500 Palestinian civil servants and pensioners in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
€15m from the EU, €4.3m from Sweden and €1m from the Netherlands will be channelled through the PEGA SE mechanism in order to support the salaries and pensions paid out by the PA.
EU representative, John Gatt-Rutter, said that the contribution showed the EU’s ‘enduring support for Palestinian state-building’.
He added that ‘the EU’s determination to do all it can to bring about peace – in the face of increasing threats to the two-state vision – was recently reaffirmed by the EU High Representative, Federica Mogherini, during her visit to the region in the course of which she called on both sides to take the courageous decisions necessary to re-launch peace negotiations”.
According to the press release, most of the European Union’s assistance to the Palestinian Authority is channelled through PEGASE, the financial mechanism launched in 2008 to support the PA Reform and Development Plan (2008-2010) and subsequent Palestinian national plans.
As well as helping to meet a substantial proportion of its running costs, European funds allegedly support major reform and development programmes in key ministries, to help prepare the PA for statehood. Since February 2008, around €1.8 billion have been disbursed through the PEGASE Direct Financial Support programmes. In addition, the EU has provided assistance to the Palestinian people through UNRWA and a wide range of cooperation projects.
€15m from the EU, €4.3m from Sweden and €1m from the Netherlands will be channelled through the PEGA SE mechanism in order to support the salaries and pensions paid out by the PA.
EU representative, John Gatt-Rutter, said that the contribution showed the EU’s ‘enduring support for Palestinian state-building’.
He added that ‘the EU’s determination to do all it can to bring about peace – in the face of increasing threats to the two-state vision – was recently reaffirmed by the EU High Representative, Federica Mogherini, during her visit to the region in the course of which she called on both sides to take the courageous decisions necessary to re-launch peace negotiations”.
According to the press release, most of the European Union’s assistance to the Palestinian Authority is channelled through PEGASE, the financial mechanism launched in 2008 to support the PA Reform and Development Plan (2008-2010) and subsequent Palestinian national plans.
As well as helping to meet a substantial proportion of its running costs, European funds allegedly support major reform and development programmes in key ministries, to help prepare the PA for statehood. Since February 2008, around €1.8 billion have been disbursed through the PEGASE Direct Financial Support programmes. In addition, the EU has provided assistance to the Palestinian people through UNRWA and a wide range of cooperation projects.
29 may 2015
The energy and natural resources authority in the Gaza Strip has warned that the power plant in Gaza will shut down on Friday evening because of the shrinking fuel supplies.
The energy authority deplored the general petroleum authority in Ramallah for its reluctance to provide the power plant in Gaza with its fuel needs.
The authority appealed to all concerned authorities in Ramallah to facilitate any obstacles preventing the transfer of fuel working shipments to Gaza in order to avoid further humanitarian suffering for the population.
The energy authority deplored the general petroleum authority in Ramallah for its reluctance to provide the power plant in Gaza with its fuel needs.
The authority appealed to all concerned authorities in Ramallah to facilitate any obstacles preventing the transfer of fuel working shipments to Gaza in order to avoid further humanitarian suffering for the population.
26 may 2015
Electricity crises protest in Gaza
The Palestinian electricity distribution company in the Gaza Strip has said that the Israeli authorities are refusing to allow the repair of the main power line feeding the enclave.
In a press statement, a copy of which was received by Anadolu on Monday evening, the company explained that one of the Israeli power lines feeding the Gaza Strip has been disabled since last Thursday. The Israeli army refuses to allow engineers to repair it.
The company pointed out that the power line in question normally feeds Gaza with about 12 megawatts of electricity. The fact that it is broken exacerbates the electricity crisis from which the Palestinians in Gaza are suffering. It warned that the continued disruption of power will affect the supply to vital facilities such as hospitals and public services.
The Gaza Strip needs about 400 megawatts of electricity every 24 hours. At the moment, only 212 megawatts are available, of which Israel provides 120; Egypt provides 32 megawatts, and 60 are provided by the power plant in Gaza.
For the past eight years, the Gaza Strip has been suffering from a major electricity crisis ever since Israel bombed the territory's only power plant in mid-2006. This has forced the population to live with a daily schedule that includes at least eight hours of power cuts.
The Palestinian electricity distribution company in the Gaza Strip has said that the Israeli authorities are refusing to allow the repair of the main power line feeding the enclave.
In a press statement, a copy of which was received by Anadolu on Monday evening, the company explained that one of the Israeli power lines feeding the Gaza Strip has been disabled since last Thursday. The Israeli army refuses to allow engineers to repair it.
The company pointed out that the power line in question normally feeds Gaza with about 12 megawatts of electricity. The fact that it is broken exacerbates the electricity crisis from which the Palestinians in Gaza are suffering. It warned that the continued disruption of power will affect the supply to vital facilities such as hospitals and public services.
The Gaza Strip needs about 400 megawatts of electricity every 24 hours. At the moment, only 212 megawatts are available, of which Israel provides 120; Egypt provides 32 megawatts, and 60 are provided by the power plant in Gaza.
For the past eight years, the Gaza Strip has been suffering from a major electricity crisis ever since Israel bombed the territory's only power plant in mid-2006. This has forced the population to live with a daily schedule that includes at least eight hours of power cuts.
The mayor of Rafah, Subhi Abu Radwan, has announced that the Kuwaiti government is giving the municipality $2 million to establish an industrial zone in the city, which is located at the south of the Gaza Strip on the border with Egypt. The plan is part of the overall reconstruction programme for the territory, which has been devastated by three Israeli military offensives since 2008.
"We were told about this donation by the Ministry of Local Government," Abu Radwan told Quds Press. "The Rafah municipality has examined the area allocated for this project and plans to move all industrial and craft businesses into the new zone."
Rafah's mayor explained that his municipality has the responsibility for completing this project. It will provide jobs for a large number of young people thus help to overcome the rising unemployment rate and improve the economic situation in the city.
The Department of Urban Planning has been instructed to prepare an integrated study of the suitability of the approved industrial area east of Rafah in light of the changes that have taken place in the region, added Abu Radwan. He stressed that the designs and proposed plan for the industrial zone should include the types of industries that are intended to be transferred there. He also pointed out the importance of coordination with the Palestinian Industrial Estate Authority in this regard.
"We were told about this donation by the Ministry of Local Government," Abu Radwan told Quds Press. "The Rafah municipality has examined the area allocated for this project and plans to move all industrial and craft businesses into the new zone."
Rafah's mayor explained that his municipality has the responsibility for completing this project. It will provide jobs for a large number of young people thus help to overcome the rising unemployment rate and improve the economic situation in the city.
The Department of Urban Planning has been instructed to prepare an integrated study of the suitability of the approved industrial area east of Rafah in light of the changes that have taken place in the region, added Abu Radwan. He stressed that the designs and proposed plan for the industrial zone should include the types of industries that are intended to be transferred there. He also pointed out the importance of coordination with the Palestinian Industrial Estate Authority in this regard.
The Council of Arab Water Ministers will discuss in a meeting at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo on Wednesday, Israel's theft of Arab water.
The executive office will discuss drawing up an Arab water security strategy and the implementation of resolutions adopted by the Council of Arab Water Ministers during the 2012 Baghdad Summit.
The ministers are also expected to go over the recommendations and suggestions put forth by the Technical Scientific Advisory Committee of the Arab Ministerial Council for Water which held its 12th meeting in the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Arab League over the past couple of days and under the chairmanship of Qatar.
Head of the Department of Environment, Housing, Water Resources and Sustainable Development in the League of Arab States, Jamaleddine Jaballah, said the committee has finalized work on an operational plan comprising 50 projects to be soon filed for approval by the council as a means to pave the way for its final submission to the Developmental, Economic, and Social Arab Summit hosted by Tunisia in 2016 or the regular Arab Summit hosted by Morocco.
He said the council also follows up on Israel’s theft of Arab water, saying a committee will be appointed to work on preparations for an international conference on Israel’s abuse of water resources.
The executive office will discuss drawing up an Arab water security strategy and the implementation of resolutions adopted by the Council of Arab Water Ministers during the 2012 Baghdad Summit.
The ministers are also expected to go over the recommendations and suggestions put forth by the Technical Scientific Advisory Committee of the Arab Ministerial Council for Water which held its 12th meeting in the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Arab League over the past couple of days and under the chairmanship of Qatar.
Head of the Department of Environment, Housing, Water Resources and Sustainable Development in the League of Arab States, Jamaleddine Jaballah, said the committee has finalized work on an operational plan comprising 50 projects to be soon filed for approval by the council as a means to pave the way for its final submission to the Developmental, Economic, and Social Arab Summit hosted by Tunisia in 2016 or the regular Arab Summit hosted by Morocco.
He said the council also follows up on Israel’s theft of Arab water, saying a committee will be appointed to work on preparations for an international conference on Israel’s abuse of water resources.
25 may 2015
Israeli troops invaded on Monday at dawn the village of Al Qoum near the southern West Bank city of Hebron and ordered villagers to remove the power grid there.
According to villagers, the soldiers gave them military orders to remove the 800 meters long power lines supplying the village homes with electricity.
The Israeli army claims that the lines are in area C and was installed too close to the separation wall that was built by Israeli on lands confiscated from the villagers.
According to villagers, the soldiers gave them military orders to remove the 800 meters long power lines supplying the village homes with electricity.
The Israeli army claims that the lines are in area C and was installed too close to the separation wall that was built by Israeli on lands confiscated from the villagers.
24 may 2015
The farmers and citizens of Salfit city, and of Kafr Al-Deek town, in the southern occupied West Bank, on Sunday, made complaints about the dangerous environmental damage they were facing because of the skunk water poured by the illegal Israeli settlement of Ariel.
Farmers said, according to the PNN, that the pollution is causing hideous smells and contamination of surface and groundwater after mixed with settlement sewage water.
Researcher and activist Khaled Ma'ali said that the Ariel settlement and university daily pour more than 10,000 cups of sewage water in Palestinian areas, causing the pollution and contamination of many water springs and soil, sabotaging the most touristic natural areas in Salfit.
Ma'ali added that 24 settlements and 4 industrial zones were draining the environment and spreading unemployment by engorging land and releasing pigs in agricultural zones, which was damaging the economy in Salfit severely.
The sewage water problem has been on for years now. In December, Eyewitnesses and Palestinian shepherds on complained that the factories in the Industrial Zone of "Burkhan" Israeli Settlement near Salfit, North West Bank, every Thursday and Friday utilize the weekend, to pour waste-water all at once in the Salfit valleys.
See also: One Person Shot at Protest Against Israel’s Cancer-causing Chemical Plants in Tulkarem
Environmental Authority Warns against Dumping Toxic Israeli Waste
Israeli Forces Destroy 1,000 Meter Water Pipe Donated to Yezra
Farmers said, according to the PNN, that the pollution is causing hideous smells and contamination of surface and groundwater after mixed with settlement sewage water.
Researcher and activist Khaled Ma'ali said that the Ariel settlement and university daily pour more than 10,000 cups of sewage water in Palestinian areas, causing the pollution and contamination of many water springs and soil, sabotaging the most touristic natural areas in Salfit.
Ma'ali added that 24 settlements and 4 industrial zones were draining the environment and spreading unemployment by engorging land and releasing pigs in agricultural zones, which was damaging the economy in Salfit severely.
The sewage water problem has been on for years now. In December, Eyewitnesses and Palestinian shepherds on complained that the factories in the Industrial Zone of "Burkhan" Israeli Settlement near Salfit, North West Bank, every Thursday and Friday utilize the weekend, to pour waste-water all at once in the Salfit valleys.
See also: One Person Shot at Protest Against Israel’s Cancer-causing Chemical Plants in Tulkarem
Environmental Authority Warns against Dumping Toxic Israeli Waste
Israeli Forces Destroy 1,000 Meter Water Pipe Donated to Yezra
The Israeli occupation army on Saturday informed the Palestinian Authority liaison office that it would close on Sunday Jalama crossing, north of Jenin city, at the pretext of celebrating Jewish holidays.
Local sources in Jenin said that the Israeli measure would prevent thousands of workmen and business owners from entering the 1948 occupied lands.
They added that the closure of the crossing would cause a recession in the markets of Jenin.
Israel usually uses Jewish holidays as a reason to tighten its security measure in the West Bank, which leads to considerable economic suffering for the Palestinians.
Local sources in Jenin said that the Israeli measure would prevent thousands of workmen and business owners from entering the 1948 occupied lands.
They added that the closure of the crossing would cause a recession in the markets of Jenin.
Israel usually uses Jewish holidays as a reason to tighten its security measure in the West Bank, which leads to considerable economic suffering for the Palestinians.
20 may 2015
The World Bank stated Wednesday that it transferred $70 million to the Palestinian Authority through the multi-donor mechanism run by the “Palestinian Reform and Development Plan Trust Fund,” the Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA) has reported.
The World Bank said in a press release that the money, provided by Norway, Australia, Japan, Kuwait and Britain is meant to help the Palestinian Authority budget, including the current reforms in the Palestinian economic system.
The Fund was established on April 10 2008, as part of an agreement signed between the World Bank and the Palestinian Authority.
The Palestinian economy remains devastated due to Israel’s daily violations and restrictions, especially due to the ongoing construction and expansion of illegal colonies in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem.
While the Gaza Strip remains under Israeli siege, and largely isolated from the rest of the world, in addition to ongoing military assaults and violations against the Palestinians, the West Bank remains chocked by Israel’s illegal colonies and the Annexation Wall in addition to repeated assaults by settlers.
Israel also controls all border terminals in the West Bank, an issue that affects Palestinian trade, including imports and exports, especially since the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank has no control over borders, and natural resources.
Israel’s illegal colonies in the occupied West Bank are largely built on strategic areas of the West Bank, including mountains and fertile grounds, especially in the Jordan Valley that was once considered the “fruit basket of Palestine.”
The Wall is also built in a way that enables further construction and expansion of illegal settlements, while largely denying the Palestinians access to what is left of their orchards and farmlands.
Fanatic Israeli groups are also responsible for uprooting and burning large areas of Palestinian orchards and farmlands, while in many cases flooding them with sewage water, and toxic materials.
The World Bank said in a press release that the money, provided by Norway, Australia, Japan, Kuwait and Britain is meant to help the Palestinian Authority budget, including the current reforms in the Palestinian economic system.
The Fund was established on April 10 2008, as part of an agreement signed between the World Bank and the Palestinian Authority.
The Palestinian economy remains devastated due to Israel’s daily violations and restrictions, especially due to the ongoing construction and expansion of illegal colonies in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem.
While the Gaza Strip remains under Israeli siege, and largely isolated from the rest of the world, in addition to ongoing military assaults and violations against the Palestinians, the West Bank remains chocked by Israel’s illegal colonies and the Annexation Wall in addition to repeated assaults by settlers.
Israel also controls all border terminals in the West Bank, an issue that affects Palestinian trade, including imports and exports, especially since the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank has no control over borders, and natural resources.
Israel’s illegal colonies in the occupied West Bank are largely built on strategic areas of the West Bank, including mountains and fertile grounds, especially in the Jordan Valley that was once considered the “fruit basket of Palestine.”
The Wall is also built in a way that enables further construction and expansion of illegal settlements, while largely denying the Palestinians access to what is left of their orchards and farmlands.
Fanatic Israeli groups are also responsible for uprooting and burning large areas of Palestinian orchards and farmlands, while in many cases flooding them with sewage water, and toxic materials.
Some 790 Palestinian firms based in occupied Jerusalem are being transferred to Jewish ownership, Jordanian newspaper Al-Ghad reported yesterday.
Director of the Maps and Survey Department in the Orient House in Jerusalem, Khalil Al-Tafakji, said: "These properties are owned by Arab Palestinian families, including 595 residential apartments, 186 shops and 15 Islamic, nine Christian and 60 public facilities."
"The Israeli occupation confiscated these firms in 1968, turned them into state property, and now it is turning them into the ownership of Jewish settlers."
Al-Tafakji stressed: "The recent Israeli announcement to build new settlement units in occupied Jerusalem was a step towards turning Palestinian properties to Jewish settlers." He noted that the Israeli occupation does not hide its occupation and settlement plans.
Two days ago, the Israeli president and prime minister reiterated that Jerusalem, east and west, is a united city for the Jewish nation and it would remain the "eternal united capital" for them.
According to Al-Tafakji, the recent ongoing Israeli measures regarding the so-called "Absentee Property Law" is the Israeli tool used to target Palestinian properties owned by Palestinians living outside Jerusalem.
"Using this law, the occupation is targeting the remaining 13 per cent of occupied Jerusalem controlled by Palestinians," he said.
Director of the Maps and Survey Department in the Orient House in Jerusalem, Khalil Al-Tafakji, said: "These properties are owned by Arab Palestinian families, including 595 residential apartments, 186 shops and 15 Islamic, nine Christian and 60 public facilities."
"The Israeli occupation confiscated these firms in 1968, turned them into state property, and now it is turning them into the ownership of Jewish settlers."
Al-Tafakji stressed: "The recent Israeli announcement to build new settlement units in occupied Jerusalem was a step towards turning Palestinian properties to Jewish settlers." He noted that the Israeli occupation does not hide its occupation and settlement plans.
Two days ago, the Israeli president and prime minister reiterated that Jerusalem, east and west, is a united city for the Jewish nation and it would remain the "eternal united capital" for them.
According to Al-Tafakji, the recent ongoing Israeli measures regarding the so-called "Absentee Property Law" is the Israeli tool used to target Palestinian properties owned by Palestinians living outside Jerusalem.
"Using this law, the occupation is targeting the remaining 13 per cent of occupied Jerusalem controlled by Palestinians," he said.
On Tuesday, the Swedish State Secretary for International Development Cooperation, Ulrika Modéer, who is currently visiting Palestine, announced a contribution of SEK 40 million ($4.8 million) to the Palestinian Authority.
The contribution will be channeled through the European Union's PEGASE mechanism, according to WAFA, and will help the PA pay for May salaries and pensions of around 68,500 Palestinian civil servants and pensioners in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
“The objective of the Swedish contribution announced today is to assist the Palestinian Authority to provide basic service to the Palestinian people at a time when it faces many challenges, particularly in Gaza,” said the Swedish State Secretary for International Development Cooperation Ulrika Modéer.
“EU remains the most important donor, reliable and predictable partner for the Palestinian people. It is present at all levels of life in the West Bank including East Jerusalem and of course Gaza, from supporting the establishment of the future Palestinian State, building new infrastructure across Palestine to supporting Palestinian civil society,” said the EU Representative Mr. John Gatt-Rutter.
“Above all cooperation between the EU and the PA aims to improve the lives of Palestinians and help them move towards viable statehood.”
The contribution will be channeled through the European Union's PEGASE mechanism, according to WAFA, and will help the PA pay for May salaries and pensions of around 68,500 Palestinian civil servants and pensioners in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
“The objective of the Swedish contribution announced today is to assist the Palestinian Authority to provide basic service to the Palestinian people at a time when it faces many challenges, particularly in Gaza,” said the Swedish State Secretary for International Development Cooperation Ulrika Modéer.
“EU remains the most important donor, reliable and predictable partner for the Palestinian people. It is present at all levels of life in the West Bank including East Jerusalem and of course Gaza, from supporting the establishment of the future Palestinian State, building new infrastructure across Palestine to supporting Palestinian civil society,” said the EU Representative Mr. John Gatt-Rutter.
“Above all cooperation between the EU and the PA aims to improve the lives of Palestinians and help them move towards viable statehood.”
19 may 2015
The electricity distribution company in Gaza denied rumors on increasing its prices. It confirmed that no hikes on electricity tariff have been made despite great monthly losses incurred by the company.
In a statement on Tuesday, the company explained that the bill issued in the beginning of the current month included organization of the consumption segments to be put in real classification.
It revealed that the normal house consumption segments were unified under the price which has been applicable for years.
They also included compound subscriptions under which more than property feed from the same subscription. The company notified the subscribers of this category to make new separate subscription for each housing or commercial unit in order to be appropriately classified under the suitable category and tariff.
The statement confirmed that there are no hikes on electricity tariffs as some electronic websites claimed a 20% increase in the electricity rates in Gaza.
In a statement on Tuesday, the company explained that the bill issued in the beginning of the current month included organization of the consumption segments to be put in real classification.
It revealed that the normal house consumption segments were unified under the price which has been applicable for years.
They also included compound subscriptions under which more than property feed from the same subscription. The company notified the subscribers of this category to make new separate subscription for each housing or commercial unit in order to be appropriately classified under the suitable category and tariff.
The statement confirmed that there are no hikes on electricity tariffs as some electronic websites claimed a 20% increase in the electricity rates in Gaza.
Israeli bulldozers under police protection demolished at dawn Tuesday commercial stores under construction in Silwan district, east Jerusalem.
According to media sources, the stores belong to Anas Karama and expand over an area of 250 meters.
The demolition of the stores took place after midnight, particularly before the dawn prayers.
The Israeli occupation authority had issued yesterday demolition orders against Palestinian real estate in al-Bustan neighborhood of Silwan and several Palestinian citizens received notices in this regard.
According to media sources, the stores belong to Anas Karama and expand over an area of 250 meters.
The demolition of the stores took place after midnight, particularly before the dawn prayers.
The Israeli occupation authority had issued yesterday demolition orders against Palestinian real estate in al-Bustan neighborhood of Silwan and several Palestinian citizens received notices in this regard.
18 may 2015
Israeli Municipality distributed two demolition notices to raze two shops in Silwan town to the south of al-Aqsa Mosque on Monday.
Media sources revealed that the Israeli municipality stormed two neighborhoods in Silwan town, took pictures of a number of the houses and facilities threatened with confiscation and hanged two demolition notices on the walls of two shops.
Silwan town has been exposed to non-stop Israeli violations including confiscation and Judaization of Palestinian houses and properties for the interest of Jewish settlers.
Media sources revealed that the Israeli municipality stormed two neighborhoods in Silwan town, took pictures of a number of the houses and facilities threatened with confiscation and hanged two demolition notices on the walls of two shops.
Silwan town has been exposed to non-stop Israeli violations including confiscation and Judaization of Palestinian houses and properties for the interest of Jewish settlers.
14 may 2015
The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, on Wednesday undertook a historic visit to Bethlehem, where she signed two major partnership agreements with mayor of the city, Vera Baboun, to improve water networks in the biblical town.
"The municipal council of Paris is aware of the hardships the Palestinian people face, especially in Bethlehem, but we admire very much their spirit of determination and the positive attitude to life," Hidalgo told Ma'an.
The strategic agreements signed between Bethlehem and Paris will help improve water networks in the city and mitigate the negative impact of the Israeli separation wall on Bethlehem's natural development.
Hidalgo confirmed that the municipal council of Paris would also help develop the tourism sector in Bethlehem to help create work opportunities for young men and women. Cooperation between the two cities is dedicated to promoting peace and stability in the Holy Land, the Mayor of Paris said.
Attending the signing of the agreements at the Bethlehem municipality were the mayor of Bethlehem Vera Baboun, Head of the Palestinian Water Authority Mahir Ghuneim, the Consul General of France in Jerusalem, the director of the French Development Agency and the director general of the Paris water company.
Ghuneim said the agreements were part of a larger project to improve the water and waste water services in Bethlehem. The project, he added, will also provide technical and institutional support to Bethlehem and will mark a "qualitative jump for Bethlehem water and waste water authorities."
The governments of France and the Netherlands will fund an 18-million project in Bethlehem as part of the agreement, Ghuneim said.Bethlehem mayor Vera Baboun applauded the support of the French government and people and warmly welcomed Mayor Anne Hidalgo, with the two officials exchanging gifts.
"The municipal council of Paris is aware of the hardships the Palestinian people face, especially in Bethlehem, but we admire very much their spirit of determination and the positive attitude to life," Hidalgo told Ma'an.
The strategic agreements signed between Bethlehem and Paris will help improve water networks in the city and mitigate the negative impact of the Israeli separation wall on Bethlehem's natural development.
Hidalgo confirmed that the municipal council of Paris would also help develop the tourism sector in Bethlehem to help create work opportunities for young men and women. Cooperation between the two cities is dedicated to promoting peace and stability in the Holy Land, the Mayor of Paris said.
Attending the signing of the agreements at the Bethlehem municipality were the mayor of Bethlehem Vera Baboun, Head of the Palestinian Water Authority Mahir Ghuneim, the Consul General of France in Jerusalem, the director of the French Development Agency and the director general of the Paris water company.
Ghuneim said the agreements were part of a larger project to improve the water and waste water services in Bethlehem. The project, he added, will also provide technical and institutional support to Bethlehem and will mark a "qualitative jump for Bethlehem water and waste water authorities."
The governments of France and the Netherlands will fund an 18-million project in Bethlehem as part of the agreement, Ghuneim said.Bethlehem mayor Vera Baboun applauded the support of the French government and people and warmly welcomed Mayor Anne Hidalgo, with the two officials exchanging gifts.
13 may 2015
Israeli Occupation Authority (IOA) handed three demolition notices to Palestinians for razing three structures in Qusra town in southern Nablus.
Head of Qusra town’s council Abdulazim Wadi told the PIC reporter that the Israeli civil administration handed him notices to demolish three facilities in the town including an electricity grid.
The structures to be demolished are an electricity grid located to the south of the town, a water well which was constructed by a Dutch fund and used by Palestinian farmers and a house which has been under construction for five years.
Mr. Wadi pointed out that the house to be razed is located near Magdlam Jewish settlement.
The demolition orders were issued under the pretext of lacking construction permits and of being established on Area C which is controlled by the Israeli occupation.
The IOA has distributed 20 demolition notices since the beginning of the year. 27 others were handed to Palestinians in the town last year; many of which were demolished in February.
Mr. Wadi asked the competent authorities in the Palestinian Authority to support the Palestinian citizens in confronting the Israeli policy of demolition.
Head of Qusra town’s council Abdulazim Wadi told the PIC reporter that the Israeli civil administration handed him notices to demolish three facilities in the town including an electricity grid.
The structures to be demolished are an electricity grid located to the south of the town, a water well which was constructed by a Dutch fund and used by Palestinian farmers and a house which has been under construction for five years.
Mr. Wadi pointed out that the house to be razed is located near Magdlam Jewish settlement.
The demolition orders were issued under the pretext of lacking construction permits and of being established on Area C which is controlled by the Israeli occupation.
The IOA has distributed 20 demolition notices since the beginning of the year. 27 others were handed to Palestinians in the town last year; many of which were demolished in February.
Mr. Wadi asked the competent authorities in the Palestinian Authority to support the Palestinian citizens in confronting the Israeli policy of demolition.
7 may 2015
Israeli military bulldozers razed an industrial structure used for repairing vehicles in al-Khader town in southern Bethlehem.
The Coordinator of the Popular Committees against Settlement Ahmad Salah said the Israeli forces razed an industrial structure which area is estimated at 80 square meters and used as auto repair shop.
Salah pointed out that the shop belongs to a Palestinian man called Jamal al-Abed. It is his only source of income.
Nevertheless, it has been razed due to the lack of a building permit which is a false pretense for justification the demolition of Palestinian houses and structures, Salah added.
The Coordinator of the Popular Committees against Settlement Ahmad Salah said the Israeli forces razed an industrial structure which area is estimated at 80 square meters and used as auto repair shop.
Salah pointed out that the shop belongs to a Palestinian man called Jamal al-Abed. It is his only source of income.
Nevertheless, it has been razed due to the lack of a building permit which is a false pretense for justification the demolition of Palestinian houses and structures, Salah added.