13 dec 2017
“The Council of the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) has resolved that TUT will not forge any ties with the State of Israel or any of its organizations and institutions,” TUT spokesman on the issue Professor Rasigan Maharajh told the African News Agency (ANA) during an interview on Wednesday.
A December 7 press release from TUT stated: “As a progressive university in a democratic South Africa, we want to affirm that TUT will not sign any agreements or enter into scientific partnerships until such time that Israel ends its illegal occupation of Palestinian territory.
“The university will not stand back and accept the violations of the Israeli government when it confines the movement of Palestinian children and youth on their own land and restricts their ability to access education through destroying their schools,” added the statement.
South African criticism of Israel is growing, the ANA pointed out.
One of the controversial issues to be discussed at the ANC’s forthcoming 54th National Conference in Gauteng, from December 16 to 20, is the possible downgrading, or even closure, of the South African Embassy in Tel Aviv.
“As a constitutional democracy premised on the recognition of human rights, the Republic of South Africa must urgently discuss downgrading the status of its relationship with Israel,” said Maharajh.
TUT’s decision to cut all ties with the Jewish state also comes in the wake of strong condemnation from the South African government, and various political and human rights organizations across the country, following US President Donald Trump’s decision to move the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem while stating that Jerusalem was the capital of Israel.
Under international law East Jerusalem is occupied territory and all international embassies have based themselves in Tel Aviv until the final status of Jerusalem is negotiated through talks.
“The announcement by the Trump regime of its intentions to establish its embassy in Jerusalem further escalates tensions,” said Maharajh.
“As guided by the founding President of the post-apartheid South Africa, Nelson Mandela, who declared that: ‘We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians’, the Republic of South Africa must also condemn the actions of the Trump regime and work harder at fostering solidarity and cooperation with the people of Palestine.”
A December 7 press release from TUT stated: “As a progressive university in a democratic South Africa, we want to affirm that TUT will not sign any agreements or enter into scientific partnerships until such time that Israel ends its illegal occupation of Palestinian territory.
“The university will not stand back and accept the violations of the Israeli government when it confines the movement of Palestinian children and youth on their own land and restricts their ability to access education through destroying their schools,” added the statement.
South African criticism of Israel is growing, the ANA pointed out.
One of the controversial issues to be discussed at the ANC’s forthcoming 54th National Conference in Gauteng, from December 16 to 20, is the possible downgrading, or even closure, of the South African Embassy in Tel Aviv.
“As a constitutional democracy premised on the recognition of human rights, the Republic of South Africa must urgently discuss downgrading the status of its relationship with Israel,” said Maharajh.
TUT’s decision to cut all ties with the Jewish state also comes in the wake of strong condemnation from the South African government, and various political and human rights organizations across the country, following US President Donald Trump’s decision to move the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem while stating that Jerusalem was the capital of Israel.
Under international law East Jerusalem is occupied territory and all international embassies have based themselves in Tel Aviv until the final status of Jerusalem is negotiated through talks.
“The announcement by the Trump regime of its intentions to establish its embassy in Jerusalem further escalates tensions,” said Maharajh.
“As guided by the founding President of the post-apartheid South Africa, Nelson Mandela, who declared that: ‘We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians’, the Republic of South Africa must also condemn the actions of the Trump regime and work harder at fostering solidarity and cooperation with the people of Palestine.”
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has recognized East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, rejecting the U.S. biased stance and calling on the international community to follow in its footsteps.
At a summit held in Turkey a week after U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital, a group of 16 Muslim leaders on Wednesday called on all countries to recognize the State of Palestine and East Jerusalem as its occupied capital.
In a statement, the OIC added that the 57-member group remains committed to a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution.
It also called on the UN to "end the Israeli occupation" of Palestine and declared Trump's administration liable for "all the consequences of not retracting from this illegal decision".
"[We] consider that this dangerous declaration, which aims to change the legal status of the [city], is null and void and lacks any legitimacy," the group said.
Speaking earlier on Wednesday, Yousef al-Othaimeen, the OIC's secretary general, rejected the U.S. decision and urged Muslim leaders to work together to present a united response to the move.
"The OIC rejects and condemns the American decision," he said. "This is a violation of international law ... and this is a provocation of the feelings of Muslims within the world.”
Speaking before al-Othaimeen, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the U.S. had "disqualified" itself from future Israel-Palestine peace talks after proving its "bias in favour of Israel".
Trump announced on December 6 that the U.S. formally recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and will begin the process of moving its embassy to the city, breaking with decades of U.S. policy.
At a summit held in Turkey a week after U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital, a group of 16 Muslim leaders on Wednesday called on all countries to recognize the State of Palestine and East Jerusalem as its occupied capital.
In a statement, the OIC added that the 57-member group remains committed to a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution.
It also called on the UN to "end the Israeli occupation" of Palestine and declared Trump's administration liable for "all the consequences of not retracting from this illegal decision".
"[We] consider that this dangerous declaration, which aims to change the legal status of the [city], is null and void and lacks any legitimacy," the group said.
Speaking earlier on Wednesday, Yousef al-Othaimeen, the OIC's secretary general, rejected the U.S. decision and urged Muslim leaders to work together to present a united response to the move.
"The OIC rejects and condemns the American decision," he said. "This is a violation of international law ... and this is a provocation of the feelings of Muslims within the world.”
Speaking before al-Othaimeen, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the U.S. had "disqualified" itself from future Israel-Palestine peace talks after proving its "bias in favour of Israel".
Trump announced on December 6 that the U.S. formally recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and will begin the process of moving its embassy to the city, breaking with decades of U.S. policy.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) president, Mahmoud Abbas, on Wednesday said that the Palestinian leadership will go to the UN Security Council (UNSC) to annul the US president Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
During a press conference with the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Yousef Bin Ahmed al-Othaimeen, Abbas added, "Based on the UN charter 27-3, we are allowed to file a draft resolution to the UNSC which the US cannot vote on."
He noted that Palestinians will also go to the UNSC over full UN membership.
The PA president stressed that the US is no longer fit to serve as a mediator in the peace negotiations and called on the Muslim nations to intensify their visits to Jerusalem and support its people by all means.
He concluded by thanking his Turkish counterpart Erdoğan for his efforts in convening the Islamic summit in Istanbul which he described as "successful".
During a press conference with the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Yousef Bin Ahmed al-Othaimeen, Abbas added, "Based on the UN charter 27-3, we are allowed to file a draft resolution to the UNSC which the US cannot vote on."
He noted that Palestinians will also go to the UNSC over full UN membership.
The PA president stressed that the US is no longer fit to serve as a mediator in the peace negotiations and called on the Muslim nations to intensify their visits to Jerusalem and support its people by all means.
He concluded by thanking his Turkish counterpart Erdoğan for his efforts in convening the Islamic summit in Istanbul which he described as "successful".
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey has called on all countries which have regard for international law to recognize Jerusalem as the occupied capital of Palestine.
Erdogan made his remarks on Wednesday during an opening speech at the extraordinary summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul.
As the rotating president of the OIC, Erdogan said US President Donald Trump's decision on Jerusalem constituted a threat to all humanity and called on him to revoke his step.
Describing Israel as an "occupation and terrorist state”, Erdogan said Trump had rewarded it for its "terror acts" against the Palestinians.
"Terrorist [Israeli] soldiers take 10-year-old children into custody and put them behind bars. A 14-year-old kid was blindfolded by around 20 soldiers and clubbed with rifle butts," he said, referring to a Palestinian boy who was detained last Thursday during clashes in the West Bank city of Al-Khalil.
Erdogan accused the US of "standing by those who make peace impossible" and "playing into the hands of all fanatics" at a time of an intense fight against terrorism.
The Turkish president hailed all countries which refused to recognize the US move on Jerusalem, stressing that "a resolute stance over Jerusalem was confirmed by many leaders he met recently, including the Pope".
"Only Israel, which holds Jerusalem under occupation, supported the US unlawful decision. We thank all the countries who did not accept this illegitimate decision."
Erdogan reiterated that Muslim countries would never give up on their demand for an independent and sovereign Palestinian state.
"Peace in our region and in Jerusalem will only be established through the efforts of upright, honest and fair people from every nation and faith," he said.
The president expressed hope that all 196 member states of the UN would stand against the US move.
Erdogan made his remarks on Wednesday during an opening speech at the extraordinary summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul.
As the rotating president of the OIC, Erdogan said US President Donald Trump's decision on Jerusalem constituted a threat to all humanity and called on him to revoke his step.
Describing Israel as an "occupation and terrorist state”, Erdogan said Trump had rewarded it for its "terror acts" against the Palestinians.
"Terrorist [Israeli] soldiers take 10-year-old children into custody and put them behind bars. A 14-year-old kid was blindfolded by around 20 soldiers and clubbed with rifle butts," he said, referring to a Palestinian boy who was detained last Thursday during clashes in the West Bank city of Al-Khalil.
Erdogan accused the US of "standing by those who make peace impossible" and "playing into the hands of all fanatics" at a time of an intense fight against terrorism.
The Turkish president hailed all countries which refused to recognize the US move on Jerusalem, stressing that "a resolute stance over Jerusalem was confirmed by many leaders he met recently, including the Pope".
"Only Israel, which holds Jerusalem under occupation, supported the US unlawful decision. We thank all the countries who did not accept this illegitimate decision."
Erdogan reiterated that Muslim countries would never give up on their demand for an independent and sovereign Palestinian state.
"Peace in our region and in Jerusalem will only be established through the efforts of upright, honest and fair people from every nation and faith," he said.
The president expressed hope that all 196 member states of the UN would stand against the US move.
A demonstration was held in Belgium’s metropolitan city of Brussels on Wednesday to protest Trump’s recent decision to recognize Occupied Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Dozens of protesters rallied outside the U.S. embassy in Brussels, yelling anti-U.S. slogans.
The protesters condemned Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, dubbing Israel an occupying and illegitimate entity.
In a speech from the White House, delivered on Wednesday, December 6, Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of the self-proclaimed Israeli state and pledged to start measures to relocate the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to the historic city, setting off angry protests across the occupied Palestinian territories and other corners of the world.
Dozens of protesters rallied outside the U.S. embassy in Brussels, yelling anti-U.S. slogans.
The protesters condemned Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, dubbing Israel an occupying and illegitimate entity.
In a speech from the White House, delivered on Wednesday, December 6, Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of the self-proclaimed Israeli state and pledged to start measures to relocate the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to the historic city, setting off angry protests across the occupied Palestinian territories and other corners of the world.
Hundreds of protesters rallied on Tuesday evening in the German capital Berlin to denounce US president Donald Trump’s recognition of Occupied Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Despite the cold weather, the protesters, including women and children, gathered in Washingtonplatz (square) behind Berlin’s central train station carrying Palestinian flags and placards condemning Trump’s Jerusalem decision.
They also chanted slogans like, “Freedom for Palestine,” “Jerusalem is Arab,” and “Down, down Israel,” according to Anadolu news agency.
In response to local Jewish groups’ calls for preventing anti-Semitic protests , about 400 German police troops were deployed around the pro-Palestine protest in order to intervene and subdue the event if participants torched Israeli flags or chanted anti-Israel slogans.
Despite the cold weather, the protesters, including women and children, gathered in Washingtonplatz (square) behind Berlin’s central train station carrying Palestinian flags and placards condemning Trump’s Jerusalem decision.
They also chanted slogans like, “Freedom for Palestine,” “Jerusalem is Arab,” and “Down, down Israel,” according to Anadolu news agency.
In response to local Jewish groups’ calls for preventing anti-Semitic protests , about 400 German police troops were deployed around the pro-Palestine protest in order to intervene and subdue the event if participants torched Israeli flags or chanted anti-Israel slogans.
Dozens of Spanish citizens on Tuesday rallied outside the US embassy in Madrid in protest at the US recognition of Occupied Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Protesters carried Palestinian flags and placards and chanted slogans condemning the US and its president Donald Trump.
The Spanish trade unions, which called for the protest, affirmed in a statement read before the crowd that Trump’s declaration about Jerusalem “poses a clear threat to regional peace and stability, and is considered part of a systematic plan aimed at removing the Palestinian people from their land.
Protesters carried Palestinian flags and placards and chanted slogans condemning the US and its president Donald Trump.
The Spanish trade unions, which called for the protest, affirmed in a statement read before the crowd that Trump’s declaration about Jerusalem “poses a clear threat to regional peace and stability, and is considered part of a systematic plan aimed at removing the Palestinian people from their land.
12 dec 2017
Members of the Moroccan parliament on Monday condemned the US president Donald Trump's decision to move the US embassy to Jerusalem which he has recently recognized as the capital of Israel.
During a parliament session held on Monday and attended by the Palestinian ambassador to Morocco, they called for activating a bill criminalizing normalization with Israel that has been frozen for more than four years.
According to the Moroccan newspaper Lakom, Habib El Malki, the president of the House of Representatives, said that Trump's decision disregards the United Nations and its resolutions and lacks legitimacy and credibility.
He added that by this move the US has chosen to be a rival rather than a mediator in the negotiation process.
For his part, the president of the House of Counselors, Hakim Benchamach, said in statements quoted by the Moroccan newspaper that the US decision goes in line with the Balfour Declaration and threatens the stability of the international security.
MP for the Democratic Leftist Federation, Omar Balafrej, revealed that the statistics issued by the French-Israeli Chamber of Commerce show that the volume of trade exchanges between Morocco and Israel amounts to $4 million per month.
Balafrej during the meeting supported activating a bill to criminalize normalization with Israel and called for a serious study of the US latest move.
The Moroccan capital of Rabat on Sunday witnessed a mass popular demonstration against the US decision.
Donald Trump on Wednesday officially declared Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and unveiled his decision to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem amid Arab and Islamic condemnation and international concerns.
During a parliament session held on Monday and attended by the Palestinian ambassador to Morocco, they called for activating a bill criminalizing normalization with Israel that has been frozen for more than four years.
According to the Moroccan newspaper Lakom, Habib El Malki, the president of the House of Representatives, said that Trump's decision disregards the United Nations and its resolutions and lacks legitimacy and credibility.
He added that by this move the US has chosen to be a rival rather than a mediator in the negotiation process.
For his part, the president of the House of Counselors, Hakim Benchamach, said in statements quoted by the Moroccan newspaper that the US decision goes in line with the Balfour Declaration and threatens the stability of the international security.
MP for the Democratic Leftist Federation, Omar Balafrej, revealed that the statistics issued by the French-Israeli Chamber of Commerce show that the volume of trade exchanges between Morocco and Israel amounts to $4 million per month.
Balafrej during the meeting supported activating a bill to criminalize normalization with Israel and called for a serious study of the US latest move.
The Moroccan capital of Rabat on Sunday witnessed a mass popular demonstration against the US decision.
Donald Trump on Wednesday officially declared Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and unveiled his decision to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem amid Arab and Islamic condemnation and international concerns.
Dozens of Palestinians on Tuesday evening gathered outside the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv to protest Donald Trump's declaration that Jerusalem is Israel's capital.
Waving Palestinian flags, the protesters also held signs that read: “We will not give Jerusalem to the occupier,” and “The future of Jerusalem will not be determined by an American cowboy.”
Some held posters depicting Trump as a snake.
The demonstration was organized by the Arab Higher Monitoring Committee and is attended by several Arab lawmakers and activists in 1948 Occupied Palestine.
Recently, Trump has dragged the world into a state of unrest and widespread protests after he declared, in a Wednesday speech from the White House, Occupied Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and pledged to push ahead with measures to relocate the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Waving Palestinian flags, the protesters also held signs that read: “We will not give Jerusalem to the occupier,” and “The future of Jerusalem will not be determined by an American cowboy.”
Some held posters depicting Trump as a snake.
The demonstration was organized by the Arab Higher Monitoring Committee and is attended by several Arab lawmakers and activists in 1948 Occupied Palestine.
Recently, Trump has dragged the world into a state of unrest and widespread protests after he declared, in a Wednesday speech from the White House, Occupied Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and pledged to push ahead with measures to relocate the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
The Palestinian resistance factions in Gaza on Tuesday held the Israeli occupation fully responsible for the ongoing aggression on the Palestinian people.
During a press conference held in Gaza following a Palestinian factions meeting, the factions mourned the two Palestinian martyrs Hasan Nasrallah and Mustafa al-Sultan who were killed in an explosion while driving their motorbike in the northern Gaza Strip.
In a related context, the Palestinian factions affirmed that the US latest decision is a declaration of war on the Palestinian people.
Secretary General of al-Ahrar Movement, Khalid Abu Hilal, said, delivering the meetings' statement, that this decision does not change the historical, religious and legal facts that Jerusalem is the eternal capital of Palestine.
Abu Hilal emphasized that this US move is aimed at "obliterating the Palestinian cause", urging the Palestinian people to escalate their intifada (uprising) against the Israeli occupation.
The Palestinian factions hailed the Arab and Muslim masses for their stand against the US decision and asked the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization to withdraw their recognition of Israel, declare the failure of the Oslo era, and end security coordination with the Israeli occupation.
They called on the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to make decisions commensurate with the seriousness of the US move and boycott both Israel and the US economically and politically.
They also condemned the Bahraini delegation's visit to Israel and described it as a "stab in the back" that does not represent the peoples of the Arab and Muslim nations.
During a press conference held in Gaza following a Palestinian factions meeting, the factions mourned the two Palestinian martyrs Hasan Nasrallah and Mustafa al-Sultan who were killed in an explosion while driving their motorbike in the northern Gaza Strip.
In a related context, the Palestinian factions affirmed that the US latest decision is a declaration of war on the Palestinian people.
Secretary General of al-Ahrar Movement, Khalid Abu Hilal, said, delivering the meetings' statement, that this decision does not change the historical, religious and legal facts that Jerusalem is the eternal capital of Palestine.
Abu Hilal emphasized that this US move is aimed at "obliterating the Palestinian cause", urging the Palestinian people to escalate their intifada (uprising) against the Israeli occupation.
The Palestinian factions hailed the Arab and Muslim masses for their stand against the US decision and asked the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization to withdraw their recognition of Israel, declare the failure of the Oslo era, and end security coordination with the Israeli occupation.
They called on the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to make decisions commensurate with the seriousness of the US move and boycott both Israel and the US economically and politically.
They also condemned the Bahraini delegation's visit to Israel and described it as a "stab in the back" that does not represent the peoples of the Arab and Muslim nations.
1,795 Palestinians were injured in clashes that broke out in the West Bank, occupied Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip over the US recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
The Palestinian Red Crescent crews also said that 121 Palestinians were shot and injured with live ammunition, 346 others suffered rubber bullet wounds, while 1,239 suffered breathing difficulty after inhaling tear gas fired by Israeli forces during the confrontations.
Some 43 others suffered different bruises and injuries after being brutally beaten at the hands of Israeli soldiers, while nine Gazans were injured during Israeli airstrikes on the besieged Strip.
Violent clashes and mass demonstrations have been launched all over the occupied Palestinian territories in rejection of the US recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and its decision to move the US embassy there.
These confrontations followed calls by Hamas Movement and other Palestinian factions on the Palestinian people to take to the streets in protest at Trump’s move.
Report: “Israeli Soldiers Killed Four Palestinians, Injured 1778, Since Wednesday”
The Palestinian Health Ministry has reported that Israeli soldiers have killed four Palestinians, and injured 1178 others, since Monday evening, after the U.S. President Donald Trump made his illegal recognition of occupied Jerusalem as the unified capital of Israel.
The Ministry stated that the soldiers have injured 1396 in the occupied West Bank, including Jerusalem, adding that 33 Palestinians were shot with live fire, 323 with rubber-coated steel bullets, 998 suffered he effects of teargas inhalation, and 24 others were beaten up by the soldiers, suffered burns from Israeli fire, or were rammed by army jeeps.
Eighteen Palestinians were shot with gas bombs, while 83 Palestinians have been hospitalized, including 15 from Jerusalem.
In the Gaza Strip, the soldiers injured 382 Palestinians; 85 of them with live rounds, 14 with rubber-coated steel bullets, 235 suffered the effects of teargas inhalation, 21 were shot with gas bombs, 12 suffered burns in addition to cuts and bruises, and fifteen others were injured after the army bombarded several areas in the coastal region.
259 of the wounded Palestinians were moved to hospitals for treatment; some remained there due to moderate or serious wounds, including a six-month old infant.
The soldiers also killed four Palestinians, identified as Mohammad as-Safadi, 25, Mahmoud at-‘Atal, 29, Maher Atallah, 54, and Mahmoud al-Masri, 30.
It is worth mentioning that, on December 6, 2017, a Palestinian child, Mohammad Saleh Abu Haddaf, 4, died from serious wounds he suffered on August 8, 2014, when Israeli army drones fired missiles at his family’s home, and several nearby homes, in al-Qarara town, north of Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
The missile, which struck the family home, killed three family members, identified as Mahmoud Khaled Abu Haddaf, 15, Suleiman Samir Abu Haddaf, 21, and Mahmoud Mohammad Abu Haddaf, 9, and injured at least six others, including Mohammad.
The Palestinian Red Crescent crews also said that 121 Palestinians were shot and injured with live ammunition, 346 others suffered rubber bullet wounds, while 1,239 suffered breathing difficulty after inhaling tear gas fired by Israeli forces during the confrontations.
Some 43 others suffered different bruises and injuries after being brutally beaten at the hands of Israeli soldiers, while nine Gazans were injured during Israeli airstrikes on the besieged Strip.
Violent clashes and mass demonstrations have been launched all over the occupied Palestinian territories in rejection of the US recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and its decision to move the US embassy there.
These confrontations followed calls by Hamas Movement and other Palestinian factions on the Palestinian people to take to the streets in protest at Trump’s move.
Report: “Israeli Soldiers Killed Four Palestinians, Injured 1778, Since Wednesday”
The Palestinian Health Ministry has reported that Israeli soldiers have killed four Palestinians, and injured 1178 others, since Monday evening, after the U.S. President Donald Trump made his illegal recognition of occupied Jerusalem as the unified capital of Israel.
The Ministry stated that the soldiers have injured 1396 in the occupied West Bank, including Jerusalem, adding that 33 Palestinians were shot with live fire, 323 with rubber-coated steel bullets, 998 suffered he effects of teargas inhalation, and 24 others were beaten up by the soldiers, suffered burns from Israeli fire, or were rammed by army jeeps.
Eighteen Palestinians were shot with gas bombs, while 83 Palestinians have been hospitalized, including 15 from Jerusalem.
In the Gaza Strip, the soldiers injured 382 Palestinians; 85 of them with live rounds, 14 with rubber-coated steel bullets, 235 suffered the effects of teargas inhalation, 21 were shot with gas bombs, 12 suffered burns in addition to cuts and bruises, and fifteen others were injured after the army bombarded several areas in the coastal region.
259 of the wounded Palestinians were moved to hospitals for treatment; some remained there due to moderate or serious wounds, including a six-month old infant.
The soldiers also killed four Palestinians, identified as Mohammad as-Safadi, 25, Mahmoud at-‘Atal, 29, Maher Atallah, 54, and Mahmoud al-Masri, 30.
It is worth mentioning that, on December 6, 2017, a Palestinian child, Mohammad Saleh Abu Haddaf, 4, died from serious wounds he suffered on August 8, 2014, when Israeli army drones fired missiles at his family’s home, and several nearby homes, in al-Qarara town, north of Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
The missile, which struck the family home, killed three family members, identified as Mahmoud Khaled Abu Haddaf, 15, Suleiman Samir Abu Haddaf, 21, and Mahmoud Mohammad Abu Haddaf, 9, and injured at least six others, including Mohammad.
Fierce clashes between Palestinian anti-occupation youth and the Israeli army continue to rock the occupied West Bank for the sixth day running after US President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Hundreds of Palestinian schoolchildren took out to the streets in al-Khalil, condemning Trump’s decision.
Israeli military troops aggressively attacked the protesters, firing teargas canisters and live rounds all the way through the demonstrations.
Palestinian students and anti-occupation youths also rallied near the northern entrance to Bethlehem province before they were targeted with teargas canisters randomly discharged by the occupation forces.
Several schoolchildren sustained injuries in the attack.
Palestinian universities in the occupied West Bank suspended classes for three hours starting 11:00 a.m. Jerusalem time as part of ongoing protest moves triggered by Trump’s fire-starting decision.
Hundreds of Palestinian schoolchildren took out to the streets in al-Khalil, condemning Trump’s decision.
Israeli military troops aggressively attacked the protesters, firing teargas canisters and live rounds all the way through the demonstrations.
Palestinian students and anti-occupation youths also rallied near the northern entrance to Bethlehem province before they were targeted with teargas canisters randomly discharged by the occupation forces.
Several schoolchildren sustained injuries in the attack.
Palestinian universities in the occupied West Bank suspended classes for three hours starting 11:00 a.m. Jerusalem time as part of ongoing protest moves triggered by Trump’s fire-starting decision.
Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, has paid tribute to all Palestinian citizens at home and abroad and the world’s free people for rising up against US president Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
This came in a speech delivered by one of al-Qassam Brigades’ senior commanders during a memorial service held for martyr Mohamed al-Safadi in Gaza City.
Al-Qassam commander called on the Palestinian people in all occupied territories to continue their intifada (uprising) against the occupation until the liberation of their land.
“Today, we are facing a new round of conflict with the Zionist enemy, and our people have risen up anew at home and abroad to express their strong anger at the plots being hatched against Jerusalem,” the commander stated.
He also expressed his Brigades’ rejection of the US declaration over Jerusalem. “This stupid decision that was taken by the horned bull (Trump) against Jerusalem targets the faith of the Ummah, so it is no wonder that the world’s free people from the Muslim nation, Arabs, Turks and Westerner, have stood up against such unjust decision.”
This came in a speech delivered by one of al-Qassam Brigades’ senior commanders during a memorial service held for martyr Mohamed al-Safadi in Gaza City.
Al-Qassam commander called on the Palestinian people in all occupied territories to continue their intifada (uprising) against the occupation until the liberation of their land.
“Today, we are facing a new round of conflict with the Zionist enemy, and our people have risen up anew at home and abroad to express their strong anger at the plots being hatched against Jerusalem,” the commander stated.
He also expressed his Brigades’ rejection of the US declaration over Jerusalem. “This stupid decision that was taken by the horned bull (Trump) against Jerusalem targets the faith of the Ummah, so it is no wonder that the world’s free people from the Muslim nation, Arabs, Turks and Westerner, have stood up against such unjust decision.”
Foreign ministers of European Union (EU) states have strongly rejected calls by Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu, for them to follow Donald Trump’s move and recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
This opposition from across the European spectrum came as Netanyahu made the first official trip to the EU by a sitting Israeli premier in 22 years.
Even the Czech Republic, one of Israel’s closest allies, said the US president’s decision was bad for peace efforts. France said Jerusalem’s status could be agreed only in a final deal between Israelis and Palestinians.
The Czech foreign minister, Lubomir Zaoralek, said on Monday that Trump’s announcement last week “can’t help us.”
“I am convinced that it is impossible to ease tension with a unilateral solution,” Zaoralek said, according to Reuters, as he and other European foreign ministers gathered for breakfast with Netanyahu. “We are talking about an Israeli state, but at the same time a Palestinian state.”
After a breakfast meeting between Netanyahu and EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Sweden’s foreign minister Margot Wallstrom said no European at the closed-door meeting had voiced support for Trump’s decision, and no country was likely to follow the US in announcing plans to move its embassy.
“I have a hard time seeing that any other country would do that and I don’t think any other EU country will do it,” Wallstrom told reporters.
Although some EU states are seemingly unclear about their attitudes toward Israel, but the EU’s official position is that it supports what Federica Mogherini, its foreign policy chief, called the “international consensus” from which Trump departed last week when he announced a reversal of decades of American diplomacy.
Mogherini voiced this position during a news conference held on Monday at the European Council headquarters in Brussels in the presence of Netanyahu.
This opposition from across the European spectrum came as Netanyahu made the first official trip to the EU by a sitting Israeli premier in 22 years.
Even the Czech Republic, one of Israel’s closest allies, said the US president’s decision was bad for peace efforts. France said Jerusalem’s status could be agreed only in a final deal between Israelis and Palestinians.
The Czech foreign minister, Lubomir Zaoralek, said on Monday that Trump’s announcement last week “can’t help us.”
“I am convinced that it is impossible to ease tension with a unilateral solution,” Zaoralek said, according to Reuters, as he and other European foreign ministers gathered for breakfast with Netanyahu. “We are talking about an Israeli state, but at the same time a Palestinian state.”
After a breakfast meeting between Netanyahu and EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Sweden’s foreign minister Margot Wallstrom said no European at the closed-door meeting had voiced support for Trump’s decision, and no country was likely to follow the US in announcing plans to move its embassy.
“I have a hard time seeing that any other country would do that and I don’t think any other EU country will do it,” Wallstrom told reporters.
Although some EU states are seemingly unclear about their attitudes toward Israel, but the EU’s official position is that it supports what Federica Mogherini, its foreign policy chief, called the “international consensus” from which Trump departed last week when he announced a reversal of decades of American diplomacy.
Mogherini voiced this position during a news conference held on Monday at the European Council headquarters in Brussels in the presence of Netanyahu.
Russia and Turkey agree that the U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is destabilizing the situation in the Middle East, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday.
Speaking in Ankara alongside Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Putin said Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the Jewish state's capital is "destabilizing the already complicated situation in the region."
The two leaders agreed that US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel will negatively impact the prospects for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said over the course of the recent four days, four Palestinians were killed in clashes, while the number of those injured has risen to up to 2,000.
Sometime earlier Erdogan said that the U.S. has become a "partner in bloodshed" with its decision to recognize Jerusalem. He said he believes the Organization of Islamic Cooperation meeting on Jerusalem this week will be a turning point.
On Sunday Erdogan called Israel "a terror state," adding that Turkey "won't leave Jerusalem to the mercy of a child-murdering country."
Trump turned the Middle East on its ear this week by taking the unprecedented step of recognizing Jerusalem the capital of Israel and announcing that the U.S. will move its embassy—currently in Tel Aviv— to the ancient city. Widespread protests have ensued across the Middle East and Europe.
Speaking in Ankara alongside Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Putin said Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the Jewish state's capital is "destabilizing the already complicated situation in the region."
The two leaders agreed that US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel will negatively impact the prospects for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said over the course of the recent four days, four Palestinians were killed in clashes, while the number of those injured has risen to up to 2,000.
Sometime earlier Erdogan said that the U.S. has become a "partner in bloodshed" with its decision to recognize Jerusalem. He said he believes the Organization of Islamic Cooperation meeting on Jerusalem this week will be a turning point.
On Sunday Erdogan called Israel "a terror state," adding that Turkey "won't leave Jerusalem to the mercy of a child-murdering country."
Trump turned the Middle East on its ear this week by taking the unprecedented step of recognizing Jerusalem the capital of Israel and announcing that the U.S. will move its embassy—currently in Tel Aviv— to the ancient city. Widespread protests have ensued across the Middle East and Europe.