20 may 2014
Several Palestinian commercial buildings, power lines, and agricultural crops have been demolished by Israeli bulldozers in different areas of the Occupied Jerusalem and West Bank over the past 24 hours. PIC correspondent quoted local sources as stating that arbitrary demolitions of a series of commercial buildings, carpentry and other shops, were carried out by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) on Tuesday morning after having encircled a neighborhood north-west of Occupied Jerusalem and blocked its entrance and exit gates.
Other to-be-demolished buildings are being evacuated by Israeli soldiers.
In a related context, IOF ruined the power network in Idna town, west of al-Khalil, following bulldozing procedures and brusque invasions on Monday.
Local sources said IOF took off power poles, causing serious damage to around 500 meters-long electricity lines.
Israeli soldiers also broke into nearby Wadi Risha and rummaged through Palestinians’ native homes. Military checkpoints were randomly set up while vehicles and IDs were meticulously inspected, eye-witnesses told PIC.
In a similar incident, Israeli vehicles bulldozed large areas of Nahalin village, all planted with perennial trees, west of Bethlehem, on Monday morning.
Majid Ghyadha, member of Nahalin Village Council, said in a press release that Israeli bulldozers messed up the naturally idiosyncratic character of several acres of Wadi Salem lands. Dozens of olive, almond, and grape trees, all perennials, were entirely knocked down throughout.
IOF, heavily deployed in the area, have been denying landowners access into their lands, Ghyadha added, warning of anticipated plans to construct a road linking between the nearby illegal Daniel and Beitar Illit settlements.
The upsurge of Israeli attacks on Palestinian citizens and property in the village has been on the rise and made obvious through frequent pumping of water-wastes over Palestinians plants, razing procedures, and illegal land confiscation.
Meanwhile, a series of random combing operations were performed by IOF soldiers at the main entrance to the Fawar refugee camp, south of al-Khalil, on Monday night.
According to eye-witnesses, flare bombs were fired by an Israeli infantry unit that has stationed in the area and denied Palestinian citizens access out of or into the camp, with no legitimate reasons.
Other to-be-demolished buildings are being evacuated by Israeli soldiers.
In a related context, IOF ruined the power network in Idna town, west of al-Khalil, following bulldozing procedures and brusque invasions on Monday.
Local sources said IOF took off power poles, causing serious damage to around 500 meters-long electricity lines.
Israeli soldiers also broke into nearby Wadi Risha and rummaged through Palestinians’ native homes. Military checkpoints were randomly set up while vehicles and IDs were meticulously inspected, eye-witnesses told PIC.
In a similar incident, Israeli vehicles bulldozed large areas of Nahalin village, all planted with perennial trees, west of Bethlehem, on Monday morning.
Majid Ghyadha, member of Nahalin Village Council, said in a press release that Israeli bulldozers messed up the naturally idiosyncratic character of several acres of Wadi Salem lands. Dozens of olive, almond, and grape trees, all perennials, were entirely knocked down throughout.
IOF, heavily deployed in the area, have been denying landowners access into their lands, Ghyadha added, warning of anticipated plans to construct a road linking between the nearby illegal Daniel and Beitar Illit settlements.
The upsurge of Israeli attacks on Palestinian citizens and property in the village has been on the rise and made obvious through frequent pumping of water-wastes over Palestinians plants, razing procedures, and illegal land confiscation.
Meanwhile, a series of random combing operations were performed by IOF soldiers at the main entrance to the Fawar refugee camp, south of al-Khalil, on Monday night.
According to eye-witnesses, flare bombs were fired by an Israeli infantry unit that has stationed in the area and denied Palestinian citizens access out of or into the camp, with no legitimate reasons.
18 may 2014
The Israeli Occupation Authority (IOA) closed Karam Abu Salem crossing, Gaza sole commercial crossing, for 45 days during the first trimester of 2014, with a closure percentage estimated at 37.5% under pretext of Jewish holidays. The Palestinian Center for Human Rights said in a statement on Saturday IOA is trying by all means to ensure international immunity to such unfair restrictions imposed on passengers and goods traffic in and out of the Strip, despite of their flagrant breaches to international laws, including the International Humanitarian Law and the International Law of Human Rights .
The center refuted IOA’s allegations to allow certain amenities access into the Strip, blockaded for the 7th consecutive year.
A monthly loss of around 200 million dollars in Gaza Strip, due to the siege, was estimated by other reports.
Karam Abu Salem crossing, held in check by IOA, is located south of the Gaza Strip and serves to import goods from Egypt via 48 occupied Palestine.
Economy expert Maher al-Tabaa confirmed IOA has been deliberately denying access to several goods, namely building materials, into the Gaza Strip, leading to the suspension and breakdown of several economic activities
Al-Tabaa further pointed to a decline in import rates during the first third of 2014, with a number of imported trucks estimated at 11,945 compared to 12,149 in the first trimester of 2013.
The center refuted IOA’s allegations to allow certain amenities access into the Strip, blockaded for the 7th consecutive year.
A monthly loss of around 200 million dollars in Gaza Strip, due to the siege, was estimated by other reports.
Karam Abu Salem crossing, held in check by IOA, is located south of the Gaza Strip and serves to import goods from Egypt via 48 occupied Palestine.
Economy expert Maher al-Tabaa confirmed IOA has been deliberately denying access to several goods, namely building materials, into the Gaza Strip, leading to the suspension and breakdown of several economic activities
Al-Tabaa further pointed to a decline in import rates during the first third of 2014, with a number of imported trucks estimated at 11,945 compared to 12,149 in the first trimester of 2013.
17 may 2014
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (R) and Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas, sign agreements at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas on May 16, 2014
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro pledged to send oil and diesel to the Palestinian Authority, as part of agreements signed with its leader Mahmud Abbas during his visit to Caracas. Venezuela, which sits atop the world's largest oil reserves, said it would provide an initial shipment of 240,000 barrels of oil, but gave no details as to how it would send them.
"Thanks to Venezuela for supporting Palestine... to break Israel's monopoly on our economy, for your response to our needs, for your willingness to support the Palestinian people in their long struggle," Abbas said, according to an official translation.
During the meeting, Maduro also agreed to support the Palestinian Authority's quest to be granted observer status in three Latin American regional organizations: the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).
"The Palestinian people have the right to maintain commercial relations with the world as well," Maduro said.
During his third visit to Venezuela in five years, Abbas visited the grave of Maduro's predecessor, longtime leader Hugo Chavez, who died of cancer last year.
Abbas arrived in Caracas on Thursday after meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry in London the day before, a first since the peace process between the Palestinians and Israelis collapsed.
Abbas's visit comes amid months of at times bloody protests that have rocked Venezuela since February.
Maduro has called the unrest, which has claimed at least 42 lives, a coup attempt backed by the United States, raising tensions with Washington, which has repeatedly denied the claim.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro pledged to send oil and diesel to the Palestinian Authority, as part of agreements signed with its leader Mahmud Abbas during his visit to Caracas. Venezuela, which sits atop the world's largest oil reserves, said it would provide an initial shipment of 240,000 barrels of oil, but gave no details as to how it would send them.
"Thanks to Venezuela for supporting Palestine... to break Israel's monopoly on our economy, for your response to our needs, for your willingness to support the Palestinian people in their long struggle," Abbas said, according to an official translation.
During the meeting, Maduro also agreed to support the Palestinian Authority's quest to be granted observer status in three Latin American regional organizations: the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).
"The Palestinian people have the right to maintain commercial relations with the world as well," Maduro said.
During his third visit to Venezuela in five years, Abbas visited the grave of Maduro's predecessor, longtime leader Hugo Chavez, who died of cancer last year.
Abbas arrived in Caracas on Thursday after meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry in London the day before, a first since the peace process between the Palestinians and Israelis collapsed.
Abbas's visit comes amid months of at times bloody protests that have rocked Venezuela since February.
Maduro has called the unrest, which has claimed at least 42 lives, a coup attempt backed by the United States, raising tensions with Washington, which has repeatedly denied the claim.
15 may 2014
The assets of the Jerusalem regional electric company have been frozen by an Israeli court in order to settle an outstanding debt to the Israeli national electric company, a regional official said on Thursday.
Director of the electricity company of the Jerusalem governorate Hisham al-Umari said that his company had received a court order on Thursday saying that its bank accounts and assets had been frozen as collateral to pay the company's 380 million shekel ($104 million) debt to the Israel Electric Corporation.
Although Israel occupies East Jerusalem and has annexed the area in a move not recognized by the international community, the Palestinian Authority still pays for electricity in Palestinian neighborhoods.
The Israeli company had filed a lawsuit to seize 530 million shekels ($153 million) from the company, Al-Umari said, adding that the Jerusalem Electricity Company was given 30 days to pay its debts starting from May 7.
Al-Umari added that he had no information about Israeli media reports that the Israeli company will begin cutting the supply of electricity to East Jerusalem in half for two hours a day.
He added that such actions lead to embroiling the private sector in the political conflict in order to pressure the Palestinian Authority, and that it will have negative consequences, especially economically.
Since the 1967 occupation, Israel has restricted the ability of the Jerusalem company to import machines to generate electricity, forcing it into becoming a redistribution company for Israeli electricity.
At the same time, Israel has insisted on providing electricity to Jewish settlers who have moved into East Jerusalem, while many Palestinian neighborhoods serviced by the company fall beyond Israel's separation wall, making payment collection increasingly difficult.
In the 1990s, the Palestinian Authority began taking over the electricity's company's debts, but Israeli control over the occupied Palestinian economy has led to recurring financial crises.
Director of the electricity company of the Jerusalem governorate Hisham al-Umari said that his company had received a court order on Thursday saying that its bank accounts and assets had been frozen as collateral to pay the company's 380 million shekel ($104 million) debt to the Israel Electric Corporation.
Although Israel occupies East Jerusalem and has annexed the area in a move not recognized by the international community, the Palestinian Authority still pays for electricity in Palestinian neighborhoods.
The Israeli company had filed a lawsuit to seize 530 million shekels ($153 million) from the company, Al-Umari said, adding that the Jerusalem Electricity Company was given 30 days to pay its debts starting from May 7.
Al-Umari added that he had no information about Israeli media reports that the Israeli company will begin cutting the supply of electricity to East Jerusalem in half for two hours a day.
He added that such actions lead to embroiling the private sector in the political conflict in order to pressure the Palestinian Authority, and that it will have negative consequences, especially economically.
Since the 1967 occupation, Israel has restricted the ability of the Jerusalem company to import machines to generate electricity, forcing it into becoming a redistribution company for Israeli electricity.
At the same time, Israel has insisted on providing electricity to Jewish settlers who have moved into East Jerusalem, while many Palestinian neighborhoods serviced by the company fall beyond Israel's separation wall, making payment collection increasingly difficult.
In the 1990s, the Palestinian Authority began taking over the electricity's company's debts, but Israeli control over the occupied Palestinian economy has led to recurring financial crises.
14 may 2014
The World Bank on Monday transferred approximately $30 million to the Palestinian Authority, the international financial institution said in a statement.
The funds, contributed by Japan, will go towards "education, health care, and other vital social services for the Palestinian people," the statement said.
The funds, contributed by Japan, will go towards "education, health care, and other vital social services for the Palestinian people," the statement said.
Interior Ministry of Gaza said on Wednesday the population number in the Gaza Strip is increasing steadily, pointing out that the number of males is greater than females. The ministry unveiled that the total number of Gaza population is 1,869,231 including 947,067 males and 922,164 females .
The most common male name is Mohammed, while Iman is the most common female name. Lian is the most common female name in 2013.
According to the issued statistics, Palestine population number comes second among the Arab countries in terms of area, while the 26th among the world countries in terms of fertility rate.
Based on estimates prepared by PCBS according to the results of the Population, Housing and Establishment Census of 2007, the total population of Palestine at mid 2013 was about 4.42 million; 2.24 million males and 2.18 million females. The estimated population of West Bank was 2.72 million of which 1.38 million males and 1.34 million females. While the estimated population of Gaza Strip totaled 1.70 million of which 864 thousand males and 837 thousand females. The percentage of urban population in mid-year 2013 was 73.8%, while the percentage of population in rural and camps areas was 16.8% and 9.4% respectively.
Data revealed that the population of Palestine is a young population; the percentage of individuals aged (0-14) constituted 40.1% of the total population at mid 2013 of which 38.0% in the West Bank and 43.4% in Gaza Strip. The elderly population aged (65 years and over ) constituted 2.9% of the total population of which 3.2% in the West Bank and 2.4% in Gaza Strip of mid 2013.
Population density of Palestine is generally high at 734 persons/ Km2 , particularly in Gaza Strip is 4,661 persons/km2 compared to lower population density in the West Bank at 481 persons/Km2 at mid 2013.
The most common male name is Mohammed, while Iman is the most common female name. Lian is the most common female name in 2013.
According to the issued statistics, Palestine population number comes second among the Arab countries in terms of area, while the 26th among the world countries in terms of fertility rate.
Based on estimates prepared by PCBS according to the results of the Population, Housing and Establishment Census of 2007, the total population of Palestine at mid 2013 was about 4.42 million; 2.24 million males and 2.18 million females. The estimated population of West Bank was 2.72 million of which 1.38 million males and 1.34 million females. While the estimated population of Gaza Strip totaled 1.70 million of which 864 thousand males and 837 thousand females. The percentage of urban population in mid-year 2013 was 73.8%, while the percentage of population in rural and camps areas was 16.8% and 9.4% respectively.
Data revealed that the population of Palestine is a young population; the percentage of individuals aged (0-14) constituted 40.1% of the total population at mid 2013 of which 38.0% in the West Bank and 43.4% in Gaza Strip. The elderly population aged (65 years and over ) constituted 2.9% of the total population of which 3.2% in the West Bank and 2.4% in Gaza Strip of mid 2013.
Population density of Palestine is generally high at 734 persons/ Km2 , particularly in Gaza Strip is 4,661 persons/km2 compared to lower population density in the West Bank at 481 persons/Km2 at mid 2013.
13 may 2014
Several organisations in Gaza offer rehabilitation and psycho-social services in different fields to integrate people with special needs into society by providing them the necessary training to earn a living. It's no surprise that staff at a recently opened restaurant in Gaza are all young with a hearing-impairment or are deaf. The receptionist, waiters and chefs use sign language to communicate and to take orders from customers, offering a variety of meals and desserts. The team is made up of 12 workers, including males and females who show great dedication and enthusiasm.
"I'm very excited that I can work and earn a living, it's a very interesting job; I did a cooking course. My colleagues and I learnt how to make different desserts and meals. I'm very proud to be part of this team, I work as a chef in this restaurant which is the first of its kind in Palestine," Omar said using sign language.
The project, which is funded by a Swiss foundation, is called the Income Generation Programme for Deaf Youth in the Gaza.
A group of dedicated deaf people of working age at Atfaluna Society For Deaf Children, an NGO in Gaza city, were put through an intensive eight months training programme. The new cooks learned their skills in an environment where lessons were taught with hands rather than words.
According to the society, the main goal of this project is to empower the deaf population through training and providing them with jobs to prove that they are able, dedicated and professional workers. They also hope to become sources of inspiration for deaf people around the world.
"A restaurant entirely staffed by deaf people is a unique initiative in the Middle East. Atfaluna Society For Deaf Children aims, through this project, to assess and improve the quality of life and reduce the levels of poverty deaf people, especially deaf youth in the Gaza Strip, live under," Dalya Abuomar, Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children.
Customers order their food by pointing to the number of the item they want, the waiters can also lip read.
The idea was welcomed by the community as deaf members of society found a way to provide a service instead of receiving help.
"We consider this restaurant to be a way to promote their ability and experience in the labour market and a way to break their isolation in society," Abuomar added.
The staff showed that they were able to communicate with the community and faced no difficulty when it came to greeting customers.
"It feels good that I can depend on myself and support my family, at first when I started this job, I was very nervous, I thought it was going to be difficult to deal and communicate with the public," Naji, a waiter at the café, said.
The success of this project was a big achievement for those who are deaf and their families, as well as for the society in Gaza, as their determination broken down barriers.
"I'm very excited that I can work and earn a living, it's a very interesting job; I did a cooking course. My colleagues and I learnt how to make different desserts and meals. I'm very proud to be part of this team, I work as a chef in this restaurant which is the first of its kind in Palestine," Omar said using sign language.
The project, which is funded by a Swiss foundation, is called the Income Generation Programme for Deaf Youth in the Gaza.
A group of dedicated deaf people of working age at Atfaluna Society For Deaf Children, an NGO in Gaza city, were put through an intensive eight months training programme. The new cooks learned their skills in an environment where lessons were taught with hands rather than words.
According to the society, the main goal of this project is to empower the deaf population through training and providing them with jobs to prove that they are able, dedicated and professional workers. They also hope to become sources of inspiration for deaf people around the world.
"A restaurant entirely staffed by deaf people is a unique initiative in the Middle East. Atfaluna Society For Deaf Children aims, through this project, to assess and improve the quality of life and reduce the levels of poverty deaf people, especially deaf youth in the Gaza Strip, live under," Dalya Abuomar, Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children.
Customers order their food by pointing to the number of the item they want, the waiters can also lip read.
The idea was welcomed by the community as deaf members of society found a way to provide a service instead of receiving help.
"We consider this restaurant to be a way to promote their ability and experience in the labour market and a way to break their isolation in society," Abuomar added.
The staff showed that they were able to communicate with the community and faced no difficulty when it came to greeting customers.
"It feels good that I can depend on myself and support my family, at first when I started this job, I was very nervous, I thought it was going to be difficult to deal and communicate with the public," Naji, a waiter at the café, said.
The success of this project was a big achievement for those who are deaf and their families, as well as for the society in Gaza, as their determination broken down barriers.
According to Atfaluna 1.5 per cent of the population of the Gaza Strip suffers from hearing impairments.
Atfaluna has been working with deaf people in Gaza for the past 20 years, dealing with people with hearing disability in the local community. It goes without saying, their life is far from easy and they have to endure a huge amount of suffering and isolation due to the communication barrier.
"My dream came true. I'm responsible for preparing desserts. Myself and my colleagues alike have the determination to make this project successful. I have got the support of my family and trainers at Atfaluna," Masia said using sign language.
Being deaf is tough and frustrating but deaf people have always overcome their disability, integrate into society and become productive members of society.
People with special needs must contend with social stigma placed on them, more and more services are available from associations and centres; many grew up without the help of trained professionals and families with the knowledge and resources to help them.
Hand-made products ranging from embroidery, wooden and ceramic items are on display in a small corner of the restaurant, the products which are made by members of Atfaluna reflect the creativity of their makers.
Organisers say showcasing these items creates an income for disabled members of society who refuse to depend on donations from charities.
The high population density coupled with the ongoing siege imposed by Israel which has affected all sectors of society has made the Gaza Strip one of the most troubled areas in the Middle East. Most of the population survives on less than $2 a day and around 80 per cent depend on humanitarian aid assistance provided by international organisations and other NGO's.
In spite of this, people with special needs in the Strip are challenging their disability; they say that they are producers not consumers.
Atfaluna has been working with deaf people in Gaza for the past 20 years, dealing with people with hearing disability in the local community. It goes without saying, their life is far from easy and they have to endure a huge amount of suffering and isolation due to the communication barrier.
"My dream came true. I'm responsible for preparing desserts. Myself and my colleagues alike have the determination to make this project successful. I have got the support of my family and trainers at Atfaluna," Masia said using sign language.
Being deaf is tough and frustrating but deaf people have always overcome their disability, integrate into society and become productive members of society.
People with special needs must contend with social stigma placed on them, more and more services are available from associations and centres; many grew up without the help of trained professionals and families with the knowledge and resources to help them.
Hand-made products ranging from embroidery, wooden and ceramic items are on display in a small corner of the restaurant, the products which are made by members of Atfaluna reflect the creativity of their makers.
Organisers say showcasing these items creates an income for disabled members of society who refuse to depend on donations from charities.
The high population density coupled with the ongoing siege imposed by Israel which has affected all sectors of society has made the Gaza Strip one of the most troubled areas in the Middle East. Most of the population survives on less than $2 a day and around 80 per cent depend on humanitarian aid assistance provided by international organisations and other NGO's.
In spite of this, people with special needs in the Strip are challenging their disability; they say that they are producers not consumers.
12 may 2014
Israel Electric Corporation has filed a suit against a private Palestinian firm for 531 million shekels ($153 million) in past dues, after attempts to settle the debt failed, according to officials.
JDECO is a private company which purchases electricity from Israel to supply to East Jerusalem and cities in the West Bank, reports AFP via Ma'an News Agency.
As well as regulating electricity via JDECO, the IEC also supplies power to the Palestinian Authority, who caters to the rest of the West Bank and also provides power to the Gaza Strip.
Gaza has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel since 2006. The blockade has severely limited the imports and exports of the Gaza Strip, and has led to frequent humanitarian crises and hardships for Gazans.
Qatar donated $10 million to Hamas authorities in Gaza, for fuel, in the wake of the humanitarian crisis caused by severe weather in the region this past winter.
But, even before winter storm Alexa, Gaza had experienced extreme fuel shortages which cut off access to basic necessities for Gaza residents since early November.
In addition to the electricity crisis, tens of thousands of Palestinians living in East Jerusalem frequently go without running water, according to the Associated Press, victims of a decrepit and overwhelmed infrastructure and caught in a legal no-man's land caused by the divisions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
There are about 260,000 Bedouin citizens of Israel, as well, mostly living in and around the Negev, in the arid south. More than half of them live in unrecognized villages, often in extreme poverty and without utilities. They are frequently targeted, by the Israeli government, with eviction notices and life-shattering home demolitions which leave them homeless refugees, even while holding Israeli citizenship.
(See: http://imemc.org/article/67055 "Children of the Occupation: Growing Up in Palestine")
The suit was filed at the Jerusalem District Court, on Thursday.
related links
JDECO is a private company which purchases electricity from Israel to supply to East Jerusalem and cities in the West Bank, reports AFP via Ma'an News Agency.
As well as regulating electricity via JDECO, the IEC also supplies power to the Palestinian Authority, who caters to the rest of the West Bank and also provides power to the Gaza Strip.
Gaza has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel since 2006. The blockade has severely limited the imports and exports of the Gaza Strip, and has led to frequent humanitarian crises and hardships for Gazans.
Qatar donated $10 million to Hamas authorities in Gaza, for fuel, in the wake of the humanitarian crisis caused by severe weather in the region this past winter.
But, even before winter storm Alexa, Gaza had experienced extreme fuel shortages which cut off access to basic necessities for Gaza residents since early November.
In addition to the electricity crisis, tens of thousands of Palestinians living in East Jerusalem frequently go without running water, according to the Associated Press, victims of a decrepit and overwhelmed infrastructure and caught in a legal no-man's land caused by the divisions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
There are about 260,000 Bedouin citizens of Israel, as well, mostly living in and around the Negev, in the arid south. More than half of them live in unrecognized villages, often in extreme poverty and without utilities. They are frequently targeted, by the Israeli government, with eviction notices and life-shattering home demolitions which leave them homeless refugees, even while holding Israeli citizenship.
(See: http://imemc.org/article/67055 "Children of the Occupation: Growing Up in Palestine")
The suit was filed at the Jerusalem District Court, on Thursday.
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Dr. Mohammed al-Farra, the Minister of Local Government in Gaza, stated that Israeli siege imposed on the coastal Strip for 8 consecutive years disrupted 156 projects worth over $124 million. In his statement issued Sunday, al-Farra said that the closure of Gaza border crossings and the ban on construction materials have led to a halt to dozens of donor-funded projects.
He estimated the costs of the stalled municipal projects at $50 million, the UNRWA projects at $51 million, and the costs of the stalled Coastal Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU) projects earmarked for the wastewater management at $4 million.
Al-Farra called on international community and human rights organizations to pressure the Israeli occupation authorities to lift the siege on Gaza and allow construction materials' access to the besieged Strip.
The Palestinian unity government is scheduled to implement these stalled projects, he added.
He estimated the costs of the stalled municipal projects at $50 million, the UNRWA projects at $51 million, and the costs of the stalled Coastal Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU) projects earmarked for the wastewater management at $4 million.
Al-Farra called on international community and human rights organizations to pressure the Israeli occupation authorities to lift the siege on Gaza and allow construction materials' access to the besieged Strip.
The Palestinian unity government is scheduled to implement these stalled projects, he added.
Israeli military forces demolished a number of homes and steel structures south of Nablus on Monday, a Palestinian official and an Israeli spokesperson said.
Ghassan Daghlas, a PA official who monitors settlement activity in the northern West Bank, told Ma'an that dozens of military vehicles raided the village of Khirbet al-Tawil and demolished steel structures, water wells, and several homes made from corrugated iron, without providing further details.
An spokesperson for Israel's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories confirmed the demolitions in a statement.
"Today (Monday) early in the morning security forces carried out the demolition of 7 buildings that were built illegally inside firing zones," the statement said.
"The sites were demolished after its owners appealed to the Supreme Court of Justice and their appeals were erased with their consent to exhaust possible procedures."
COGAT said the firing zones, near the Palestinian city of Nablus, were used by the Israeli army "on a regular basis for trainings."
On April 29, Israeli forces demolished a mosque and three houses in Khirbet al-Tawil, affecting 29 people, 21 of which were minors, a statement by the EU said.
EU missions in East Jerusalem and Ramallah condemned the demolitions and called on Israel "to meet its obligations regarding the living conditions of the Palestinian population in Area C, including by halting the forced transfer of population and demolitions of Palestinian housing and infrastructure."
Israel demolished over 500 Palestinian structures throughout the US-brokered peace negotiations.
Citing figures from the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the PLO said Israel demolished a total of 508 Palestinian structures, 312 of which were homes, from July 30, 2013 to April 29, 2014.
Area C makes up about 61 percent of the occupied West Bank. Under the terms of the 1993 Oslo Accords between Israel and the PLO, it is under full Israeli military control.
Last year, the World Bank reported that Israel's control over Area C deprives the Palestinian economy of an estimated $3.4 billion a year.
Ghassan Daghlas, a PA official who monitors settlement activity in the northern West Bank, told Ma'an that dozens of military vehicles raided the village of Khirbet al-Tawil and demolished steel structures, water wells, and several homes made from corrugated iron, without providing further details.
An spokesperson for Israel's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories confirmed the demolitions in a statement.
"Today (Monday) early in the morning security forces carried out the demolition of 7 buildings that were built illegally inside firing zones," the statement said.
"The sites were demolished after its owners appealed to the Supreme Court of Justice and their appeals were erased with their consent to exhaust possible procedures."
COGAT said the firing zones, near the Palestinian city of Nablus, were used by the Israeli army "on a regular basis for trainings."
On April 29, Israeli forces demolished a mosque and three houses in Khirbet al-Tawil, affecting 29 people, 21 of which were minors, a statement by the EU said.
EU missions in East Jerusalem and Ramallah condemned the demolitions and called on Israel "to meet its obligations regarding the living conditions of the Palestinian population in Area C, including by halting the forced transfer of population and demolitions of Palestinian housing and infrastructure."
Israel demolished over 500 Palestinian structures throughout the US-brokered peace negotiations.
Citing figures from the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the PLO said Israel demolished a total of 508 Palestinian structures, 312 of which were homes, from July 30, 2013 to April 29, 2014.
Area C makes up about 61 percent of the occupied West Bank. Under the terms of the 1993 Oslo Accords between Israel and the PLO, it is under full Israeli military control.
Last year, the World Bank reported that Israel's control over Area C deprives the Palestinian economy of an estimated $3.4 billion a year.
11 may 2014
Fedaa al-Qedra
In his collapsing house in the Khan Younis refugee camp, he has been living for years without a permanent job that can provide him and his family of thirteen a monthly income – an income that meets their requirements and their basic needs and allows them to survive in the difficult conditions under which the 1.8 million people in Gaza live.
Ahmad said in an interview with ALRAY that the lack of the work opportunities in Gaza Strip, and in the construction sector in particular, led him to work in any job in order to meet the needs of his family, explaining that his life is very difficult due to the lack of job opportunities in the Gaza Strip.
He added, "I worked as a painter for several months, and also in transport, but all of these jobs were for limited periods that did not provide me the minimum requirements for my family."
Ahmad demanded that the Ministry of Labor and other relevant authorities provide steady employment for workers so that they can support their families, stressing that he has been unable to provide the requirements of his family.
Of the number of individuals participating in the labor force in the Gaza Strip 0.129 thousand are unemployed, while the statistics of the Central Bureau of Palestinian Statistics showed a rise in the unemployment rate to 39 percent in the Gaza Strip, and to approximately 18 percent in the Occupied West Bank.
In light of escalating proportions of the unemployed, the director of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Palestine, Sami Al-Amassi, said that the conditions of Palestinian workers in the Gaza Strip are passing through the worst stages as a result of a variety of circumstances, most notably the Israeli siege imposed on the Gaza Strip eight years ago
Al-Amassi explained that the workers in multiple fields are languishing, pointing out that entire sectors in the Gaza Strip have become almost non-functional, and have been targeted by the Israeli occupation forces. Palestinian farmers have not able to reach their land that is located along the border with Israel, and that when they do, they are often exposed to deliberated shootings.
Al-Amassi mentioned that the government in Gaza provided temporary work opportunities for two thousand workers for two months with a salary of two hundred dollars, but those opportunities were not enough to meet the needs.
The Chairman of the General Union pointed out that the Gaza government has absorbed these workers. The Labor Ministry of Gaza announced that more than 22,000 workers and graduates have benefited from the temporary employment programs that were offered by the Labor Ministry during the year 2013.
In a report that the Public Administration for the quality of government performance in the Council of Ministers issued on the eve of International Labor Day about the achievements and the work of the government in the development sector, it was made clear that several projects were implemented to support workers and graduates, to reduce the unemployment rate and to care for poor families in the past year.
Magdi Mahmoud, 57 and an unemployed man, said that he has accumulated financial debt for a number of years that he can’t repay as a result of the lack of any business opportunities in Gaza.
Mahmoud said that his son, who works in one of the cafeterias in the Gaza Strip, supports his family, but he receives a salary of no more than $ 300, which is not enough to meet their needs.
He adds that "It is not reasonable that this deteriorating condition continues. Everyone has to look out for us. We are marginalized, and our situation gets worse and worse."
The Gaza Strip is significantly affected by the economic blockade that has been imposed by Israel for about eight years. It has led to the demobilization of thousands of workers, the closure of hundreds of factories and workshops. Also, under the blockade, Israel prevents the entry of several commodities and has banned manufactured goods and other products from being exported.
In his collapsing house in the Khan Younis refugee camp, he has been living for years without a permanent job that can provide him and his family of thirteen a monthly income – an income that meets their requirements and their basic needs and allows them to survive in the difficult conditions under which the 1.8 million people in Gaza live.
Ahmad said in an interview with ALRAY that the lack of the work opportunities in Gaza Strip, and in the construction sector in particular, led him to work in any job in order to meet the needs of his family, explaining that his life is very difficult due to the lack of job opportunities in the Gaza Strip.
He added, "I worked as a painter for several months, and also in transport, but all of these jobs were for limited periods that did not provide me the minimum requirements for my family."
Ahmad demanded that the Ministry of Labor and other relevant authorities provide steady employment for workers so that they can support their families, stressing that he has been unable to provide the requirements of his family.
Of the number of individuals participating in the labor force in the Gaza Strip 0.129 thousand are unemployed, while the statistics of the Central Bureau of Palestinian Statistics showed a rise in the unemployment rate to 39 percent in the Gaza Strip, and to approximately 18 percent in the Occupied West Bank.
In light of escalating proportions of the unemployed, the director of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Palestine, Sami Al-Amassi, said that the conditions of Palestinian workers in the Gaza Strip are passing through the worst stages as a result of a variety of circumstances, most notably the Israeli siege imposed on the Gaza Strip eight years ago
Al-Amassi explained that the workers in multiple fields are languishing, pointing out that entire sectors in the Gaza Strip have become almost non-functional, and have been targeted by the Israeli occupation forces. Palestinian farmers have not able to reach their land that is located along the border with Israel, and that when they do, they are often exposed to deliberated shootings.
Al-Amassi mentioned that the government in Gaza provided temporary work opportunities for two thousand workers for two months with a salary of two hundred dollars, but those opportunities were not enough to meet the needs.
The Chairman of the General Union pointed out that the Gaza government has absorbed these workers. The Labor Ministry of Gaza announced that more than 22,000 workers and graduates have benefited from the temporary employment programs that were offered by the Labor Ministry during the year 2013.
In a report that the Public Administration for the quality of government performance in the Council of Ministers issued on the eve of International Labor Day about the achievements and the work of the government in the development sector, it was made clear that several projects were implemented to support workers and graduates, to reduce the unemployment rate and to care for poor families in the past year.
Magdi Mahmoud, 57 and an unemployed man, said that he has accumulated financial debt for a number of years that he can’t repay as a result of the lack of any business opportunities in Gaza.
Mahmoud said that his son, who works in one of the cafeterias in the Gaza Strip, supports his family, but he receives a salary of no more than $ 300, which is not enough to meet their needs.
He adds that "It is not reasonable that this deteriorating condition continues. Everyone has to look out for us. We are marginalized, and our situation gets worse and worse."
The Gaza Strip is significantly affected by the economic blockade that has been imposed by Israel for about eight years. It has led to the demobilization of thousands of workers, the closure of hundreds of factories and workshops. Also, under the blockade, Israel prevents the entry of several commodities and has banned manufactured goods and other products from being exported.
