16 dec 2018
Several illegal Israeli colonialist settlers attacked, Sunday, a Palestinian School in Burin village, southwest of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and fired many live rounds.
Ibrahim Omar, the principal of Burin Secondary School, said the school administration had to close the educational facility, and sent the children back to their homes, in fear of further violations.
He added that the soldiers were present in the town during the invasion, and did not attempt to remove the assailants.
The colonists also attacked a number of homes surrounding the school, while the soldiers occupied rooftops of a number of homes, and fired many rubber-coated steel bullets and gas bombs at Palestinians, protesting the invasion.
In Hebron, several schoolchildren and teachers suffered the effects of teargas inhalation, after the army attacked their school in Hebron, in the southern part of the West Bank.
Ibrahim Omar, the principal of Burin Secondary School, said the school administration had to close the educational facility, and sent the children back to their homes, in fear of further violations.
He added that the soldiers were present in the town during the invasion, and did not attempt to remove the assailants.
The colonists also attacked a number of homes surrounding the school, while the soldiers occupied rooftops of a number of homes, and fired many rubber-coated steel bullets and gas bombs at Palestinians, protesting the invasion.
In Hebron, several schoolchildren and teachers suffered the effects of teargas inhalation, after the army attacked their school in Hebron, in the southern part of the West Bank.
7 children were abducted on 3 different days in the Qeitun and Salaymeh neighbourhoods of al Khalil (Hebron) so far in December. ISM activists were present on these 3 occasions and this report contains video footage from all 3 incidents.
Location: Qeitun / Salaymeh neighbourhoods.The area where these abductions occurred are in the centre of Hebron a short distance to the south to the Ibrahimi Mosque. Here, the two roads to Tareq Ibn Ziad shopping area are blocked by Qeitun Checkpoint and Salaymeh Checkpoint.
Qeitun checkpoint is also know as Abu Rish Checkpoint. Salaymeh is also commonly called Checkpoint 160. To make matters confusing there are also other names and Palestinian and Israeli authorities have different numbering systems for them. For simplicities sake I call the checkpoints and the neighbourhoods to the south of them as “Qeitun” and “Salamyeh”
The town roads running south form the checkpoints are in a narrow part of the valley with one block (about 200m) between them. So the area is very small with steep hills ascending on either side.
Abductions:4 December, 2018There were two incidents on the 4th December, on the parallel streets leading from the checkpoints of Salaymeh (checkpoint 160) and Qeitun (Abu Rish).
Abductions by Israeli occupation soldiers by Salaymeh checkpoint:
Abduction by Israeli occupation soldiers by Qeitun checkpoint:
Location: Qeitun / Salaymeh neighbourhoods.The area where these abductions occurred are in the centre of Hebron a short distance to the south to the Ibrahimi Mosque. Here, the two roads to Tareq Ibn Ziad shopping area are blocked by Qeitun Checkpoint and Salaymeh Checkpoint.
Qeitun checkpoint is also know as Abu Rish Checkpoint. Salaymeh is also commonly called Checkpoint 160. To make matters confusing there are also other names and Palestinian and Israeli authorities have different numbering systems for them. For simplicities sake I call the checkpoints and the neighbourhoods to the south of them as “Qeitun” and “Salamyeh”
The town roads running south form the checkpoints are in a narrow part of the valley with one block (about 200m) between them. So the area is very small with steep hills ascending on either side.
Abductions:4 December, 2018There were two incidents on the 4th December, on the parallel streets leading from the checkpoints of Salaymeh (checkpoint 160) and Qeitun (Abu Rish).
Abductions by Israeli occupation soldiers by Salaymeh checkpoint:
- Soldiers had entered the neighbourhood through Salaymeh checkpoint. One group stayed on the street and the other entered behind houses into back gardens from where they moved close to the school.
- A small group of boys gathered by the school driveway after school.
- International activists were present and observing the situation from within 5 metres.
- No stones were thrown by any of the boys.
- The soldiers on the street maintained the children’s attention while the other group entered the back of a garage between the school driveway and a neighbouring house.
- The soldiers ran from the garage where they are hiding and ambushed the boys who were standing about 3 metres away.
- Activists intervened challenging the soldiers about their actions and asking what the boys had done. 1 child managed to escape. but two were abducted and taken to Salayme checkpoint.
Abduction by Israeli occupation soldiers by Qeitun checkpoint:
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Concurrent to the abduction at Salaymeh, Israel Border police entered the Qeitun neighbourhood.
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5 December, 2018
Three Abductions at Qeitun
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11 December, 2018Abduction at Qeitun
- Border police entered the Qeitun neighbourhood through a gate next to al Faihaa School and opposite the “bus checkpoint” by the Ibrahimi Mosque.
- They proceeded through the olive trees to a factory building in the centre of the block and hid there for more than 30 minutes until the school children finished school.
- After an unsuccessful attempt at emerging onto the street without being spotted near to Qeitun checkpoint they came out onto the cross street between Salaymeh and Qeitun.
- They tried an initial sprint to the intersection but there were no children there.
- They then wandered aimlessly around but were unable to provoke anyone to throw stones at them.
- A man was randomly stopped, taken from his car, ID checked and body searched.
- They then returned to the intersection with road from Qeitun checkpoint and managed to provoke a few small stones to be thrown.
- The commander then ordered two of the soldiers to sprint down the road in another attempt to capture someone.
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Summary:All four incidents on these three days, 4th, 5th, and 11th December 2018 have several things in common:
Conclusions:
- The Israeli Border Police and the Israeli occupation soldiers all acted with the intent of abducting Palestinian school children.
- Once they had succeeded they left the area immediately showing that this was their objective from the beginning.
- The presence and behaviour of the soldiers and Border Police was provocative and invited an excuse for abduction.
- None of the children abducted on these days was throwing stones. Nor was there any significant unrest or stone-throwing on any of these 3 days.
- International activists were close at hand on each occasion abductions occurred.
- One boy was 14 but the rest were younger.
- The children were never accompanied by a parent of family member and no attempt was made to locate one.
Conclusions:
- The abduction of innocent children especially in these circumstances is violations of natural justice, humanitarian and international law.
- If the intent of these abductions was intended to be one of deterrence then it can only be construed as a form of collective punishment or psychological intimidation in order to subdue any form of resistance to Israeli occupation.
- If this was a civil matter the Palestinian authorities would work with the children as in any other country deal with such issues.
- The root of the problem is the occupation itself. The systematic oppression of the Palestinian people whom the children are part of is the problem that needs to be addressed.
- The abductions yet are another aspect of this systematic oppression that perpetuates itself as long as the occupation continues.
- The injustices of these arbitrary abductions only reinforces the resolve of Palestinians to resist the occupation and fuels reactions from the Palestinian youth who endure such things.
15 dec 2018
Palestinian teacher Rana Ziada, from al-Zahra School, in Gaza, has been chosen among the 50 shortlisted for the world’s best teacher prize.
Ziada is competing for the best teacher, in the US $1 million Global Teacher Prize, which is carried out by Varkey Foundation.
Ziada is a mathematics teacher in a school that has been targeted by Israeli forces several times; dozens of her students have been killed, according to Days of Palestine.
She lost all of her education resources, while the Palestinian Authority cut half of her salary as part of the punishment imposed on Gaza public servants.
The talented mathematics teacher is deprived from the right to travel because of the Israeli siege imposed on the region.
“We have searched the four corners of the world to find 50 of the most inspiring teachers shortlisted for the US $1 million Global Teacher Prize,” Varkey Foundation wrote on its website.
“From teaching in remote mountain villages and inner-city schools to teaching in some of the poorest and most violent regions in the world; our top 50 finalists are changing the lives of students around the world and we cannot wait for you to meet them.”
Ziada is competing for the best teacher, in the US $1 million Global Teacher Prize, which is carried out by Varkey Foundation.
Ziada is a mathematics teacher in a school that has been targeted by Israeli forces several times; dozens of her students have been killed, according to Days of Palestine.
She lost all of her education resources, while the Palestinian Authority cut half of her salary as part of the punishment imposed on Gaza public servants.
The talented mathematics teacher is deprived from the right to travel because of the Israeli siege imposed on the region.
“We have searched the four corners of the world to find 50 of the most inspiring teachers shortlisted for the US $1 million Global Teacher Prize,” Varkey Foundation wrote on its website.
“From teaching in remote mountain villages and inner-city schools to teaching in some of the poorest and most violent regions in the world; our top 50 finalists are changing the lives of students around the world and we cannot wait for you to meet them.”
12 dec 2018
Dozens of Israeli soldiers invaded, Wednesday, the campus of Al-Quds University in Abu Dis town, southeast of occupied East Jerusalem, and searched it causing excessive property damage, in addition to confiscating surveillance equipment and recordings.
The WAFA Palestinian News Agency has reported that the soldiers damaged many doors, desks and offices, especially while searching rooms of various student blocks.
WAFA added that the soldiers also confiscated surveillance recordings and equipment from the university.
The invasion came just a few hours after the army stormed the area near campus, and fired dozens of gas bombs, concussion grenades, live rounds and rubber-coated steel bullets, at protesters, who hurled stones and empty bottles at them.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has reported that its medics provided treatment to seventeen Palestinians who suffered the effects of teargas inhalation.
The WAFA Palestinian News Agency has reported that the soldiers damaged many doors, desks and offices, especially while searching rooms of various student blocks.
WAFA added that the soldiers also confiscated surveillance recordings and equipment from the university.
The invasion came just a few hours after the army stormed the area near campus, and fired dozens of gas bombs, concussion grenades, live rounds and rubber-coated steel bullets, at protesters, who hurled stones and empty bottles at them.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has reported that its medics provided treatment to seventeen Palestinians who suffered the effects of teargas inhalation.
11 dec 2018
The Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) has signed a cooperation agreement worth $12.5 million, with Birzeit University of Palestine to offer financial aid to students and complete the infrastructure of the university within five years.
The agreement was signed by Director General of QFFD Khalifa bin Jassem al-Kuwari and President of Birzeit University Dr Abdullatif Abuhijleh.
The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani, chairman of QFFD, and Chairperson of Birzeit University’s Board of Trustees Dr Nasir Hanna along with representatives from the fund and university.
The grant offered by QFFD aims to expand the university’s capacity and offer student financial aids, giving Palestinians the opportunity to complete their university and higher studies in universities accredited by the fund, part of the Qatar’s scholarships program.
A portion of the grant has also been allocated for the development of the university’s infrastructure, which includes the internal and external roads network to benefit over 15,000 people including students, the university staff, teaching and administrative staff.
Kuwari said the agreement complements the role of the State of Qatar in the development of the Palestinian education sector. He confirmed that the Qatari aid, whether directly or through UN cooperation reaches the Palestinian people in all their areas, whether in Gaza or the West Bank, despite the existence of many difficulties and challenges.
The agreement was signed by Director General of QFFD Khalifa bin Jassem al-Kuwari and President of Birzeit University Dr Abdullatif Abuhijleh.
The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani, chairman of QFFD, and Chairperson of Birzeit University’s Board of Trustees Dr Nasir Hanna along with representatives from the fund and university.
The grant offered by QFFD aims to expand the university’s capacity and offer student financial aids, giving Palestinians the opportunity to complete their university and higher studies in universities accredited by the fund, part of the Qatar’s scholarships program.
A portion of the grant has also been allocated for the development of the university’s infrastructure, which includes the internal and external roads network to benefit over 15,000 people including students, the university staff, teaching and administrative staff.
Kuwari said the agreement complements the role of the State of Qatar in the development of the Palestinian education sector. He confirmed that the Qatari aid, whether directly or through UN cooperation reaches the Palestinian people in all their areas, whether in Gaza or the West Bank, despite the existence of many difficulties and challenges.
10 dec 2018
Dozens of Palestinian youths were injured Monday afternoon as clashes broke out at the entrance to Ramallah in central West Bank.
The clashes erupted when Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) violently stormed the Palestinian city of Ramallah on Monday and raided the offices of the official Palestinian news agency.
Heavy teargas bombs and rubber bullets were fired during the raid, eyewitnesses reported.
Several youths suffered rubber bullet injuries and teargas suffocation during the clashes, while a child was detained after being brutally attacked.
According to the sources, Israeli soldiers prevented local residents from bringing back children from a nearby nursery.
Earlier Monday, Israeli forces stormed Ramallah city and raided a number of shops and institutions in the city, searched them, and confiscated their surveillance camera recordings.
The clashes erupted when Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) violently stormed the Palestinian city of Ramallah on Monday and raided the offices of the official Palestinian news agency.
Heavy teargas bombs and rubber bullets were fired during the raid, eyewitnesses reported.
Several youths suffered rubber bullet injuries and teargas suffocation during the clashes, while a child was detained after being brutally attacked.
According to the sources, Israeli soldiers prevented local residents from bringing back children from a nearby nursery.
Earlier Monday, Israeli forces stormed Ramallah city and raided a number of shops and institutions in the city, searched them, and confiscated their surveillance camera recordings.
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Monday at dawn, the Tahadi 13 smalls school, near the entrance of the Sammoa’ town, south of the southern West Bank city of Hebron, and dismantled it.
The schools, which provides education to boys and girls, from kindergarten up to the sixth grade.
The cost of building the school arrived to 40.000 Euros, and provided education to 35 children from Seemia and Deir Shams villages.
It consisted of several tens, desks and chairs, provided by the Palestinian Ministry of Higher Education, and local donors.
It is worth mentioning that the soldiers dismantled and demolished the school several times before, including last Wednesday, and the soldiers confiscated all of its properties.
The head of the Ministry of Education, southern Hebron office, Khaled Abu Sharar, visited the school, and told WAFA Palestinian News Agency that took the tents, desks, chairs and other properties, before dismantling it.
Abu Sharar visited the school, and told WAFA that the ministry and locals are rebuilding the school, despite Israel’s constant violations, destruction and the ongoing attempts to force the Palestinian out, managed to install three tents at dawn, to ensure the continuation of the educational process.
“Israel is waging this vicious campaign against the school; this is a cowardice act that target basic rights of the locals,especially the children,” he added, “The soldiers stole the tents, furniture and construction materials, which were placed there until the new school is rebuilt once again, and posted a note on the rubble, threatening more destruction if the school is rebuilt.”
The official also stated that the Education Ministry will not just step aside and watch the constant Israeli violations against the school and the basic human rights of the students, and added that every child has the right to attend a school in their communities.
The schools, which provides education to boys and girls, from kindergarten up to the sixth grade.
The cost of building the school arrived to 40.000 Euros, and provided education to 35 children from Seemia and Deir Shams villages.
It consisted of several tens, desks and chairs, provided by the Palestinian Ministry of Higher Education, and local donors.
It is worth mentioning that the soldiers dismantled and demolished the school several times before, including last Wednesday, and the soldiers confiscated all of its properties.
The head of the Ministry of Education, southern Hebron office, Khaled Abu Sharar, visited the school, and told WAFA Palestinian News Agency that took the tents, desks, chairs and other properties, before dismantling it.
Abu Sharar visited the school, and told WAFA that the ministry and locals are rebuilding the school, despite Israel’s constant violations, destruction and the ongoing attempts to force the Palestinian out, managed to install three tents at dawn, to ensure the continuation of the educational process.
“Israel is waging this vicious campaign against the school; this is a cowardice act that target basic rights of the locals,especially the children,” he added, “The soldiers stole the tents, furniture and construction materials, which were placed there until the new school is rebuilt once again, and posted a note on the rubble, threatening more destruction if the school is rebuilt.”
The official also stated that the Education Ministry will not just step aside and watch the constant Israeli violations against the school and the basic human rights of the students, and added that every child has the right to attend a school in their communities.
8 dec 2018
Palestine and France signed 10 cooperation agreements, on Friday, during a visit by Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah to Paris and his meeting with his French counterpart, Edouard Philippe.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki, along with his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian, signed 10 cooperation agreements in education, budget, local governance, civil defense, environment, water, agriculture and developing the private sector.
Meanwhile, Hamdallah attended a joint press conference with Philippe, where he thanked France for its support for Palestine and its support for the two-state solution.
Hamdallah said, "As I expressed in our discussions with Prime Minister Philippe today, we are grateful for the French positions which demonstrate strong commitments to deepen and develop our partnership and cooperation and I would like to emphasize that this is also our commitment.”
He said that the meeting of the joint French-Palestinian ministerial committee in Paris is important for promoting cooperation between their two countries and its peoples.
Hamdallah said that French support was vital for developing the Palestinian economy and strengthening government institutions through capacity building, particularly in areas such as health, education, agricultural and water, among others.
“Our meeting today in Paris is a strong demonstration of the solidarity between the French and Palestinian peoples, as well as the tremendous opportunities for cooperation between us.”
Regarding the peace process, Hamdallah appreciated French efforts to bring peace to the Middle East and called for establishing an international group to revive the deadlocked peace process.
Hamdallah added, "I would like to emphasize the utmost importance of recognizing the independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. This recognition will help save the two-state solution and give hope and optimism to our Palestinian people.”
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki, along with his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian, signed 10 cooperation agreements in education, budget, local governance, civil defense, environment, water, agriculture and developing the private sector.
Meanwhile, Hamdallah attended a joint press conference with Philippe, where he thanked France for its support for Palestine and its support for the two-state solution.
Hamdallah said, "As I expressed in our discussions with Prime Minister Philippe today, we are grateful for the French positions which demonstrate strong commitments to deepen and develop our partnership and cooperation and I would like to emphasize that this is also our commitment.”
He said that the meeting of the joint French-Palestinian ministerial committee in Paris is important for promoting cooperation between their two countries and its peoples.
Hamdallah said that French support was vital for developing the Palestinian economy and strengthening government institutions through capacity building, particularly in areas such as health, education, agricultural and water, among others.
“Our meeting today in Paris is a strong demonstration of the solidarity between the French and Palestinian peoples, as well as the tremendous opportunities for cooperation between us.”
Regarding the peace process, Hamdallah appreciated French efforts to bring peace to the Middle East and called for establishing an international group to revive the deadlocked peace process.
Hamdallah added, "I would like to emphasize the utmost importance of recognizing the independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. This recognition will help save the two-state solution and give hope and optimism to our Palestinian people.”