Tag Archives: Belgium
Belgium: Israeli Settlement Construction (A War Crime)Questions Its Commitment To Peace
BRUSSELS, May 14, 2015 (WAFA) – Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Didier Reynders stated Thursday that Israeli settlement construction seriously questions Israel’s commitment to concluding a peace agreement.
Reynders ‘strongly deplored’ in a press release Israel’s decision to reinforce the expansion of the East Jerusalem settlement of Ramat Shlomo.
Having deplored Israeli settlement construction, Reynders adopts a similar position to the foreign ministers of the countries of the European Union who had already expressed their opposition to these plans, calling on Israel to rescind its decision.
“As noted by the spokesperson of High Representative Federica Mogherini, Israel’s determination to pursue its settlement policy in the occupied territories not only threatens the viability of the two-state solution but also seriously questions its commitment to conclude a peace agreement with the Palestinians,” said the Belgian top diplomat.
Reynders recalled that settlements are illegal under international law and welcomed the fact that the EU and its Member States continue to ensure that European legislation and bilateral agreements are implemented.
The settlements are in violation of Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which establishes that the occupying power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies.
The Security Council, the General Assembly, the Human Rights Council and the International Court of Justice have all confirmed that the construction and expansion of Israeli settlements and other settlement-related activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory are illegal under international law.
K.F./T.R.
Headlines From Palestine: January 15, 2015
Hate Crimes
Israeli Terrorists Raze Farmlands near Bethlehem
Israeli settlers razed Thursday morning farmlands to the south of Bethlehem, said a local activist.
West Bank and Occupied Lands
Ethnic Cleansing: Israeli Occupation Hand Eviction Notices For Bedouins Near Jericho
Israeli forces handed Thursday eviction orders for several Palestinian Bedouin families near Jericho .
Israeli Occupation Demolishes Palestinian Village For 80th Time:More Ethnic Cleansing
Israeli authorities on Wednesday demolished a number of steel structures belonging to Palestinian citizens of Israel in the Negev-region village of al-Araqib for the 80th time in a row.
5 Meter Snake Found In Northern West Bank
A Palestinian farmer on Tuesday found a huge dead snake in fields in the northern West Bank village of Azzun east of Qalqiliya.
Israeli Occupation Launch House-to-House Raid Campaign in Ramallah Village
Israeli forces early Thursday launched a house-to-house sweep campaign in the village of Aboud to the northwest of Ramallah following an alleged shooting incident close to the small village, said witnesses and a municipal source.
Group Calls For Orthodox Church Reform Over Alleged Israel Land Sales
Christmas is a time for holiday cheer in Bethlehem, as thousands from across Palestine and around the world converge to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ in the hilltop West Bank city.
Political Prisoners
Israeli Occupation Issues Administrative Detention Orders to 36 Palestinian Political Prisoners
The Israeli authorities Wednesday issued administrative detention orders to 36 Palestinian prisoners for different periods of time, varying between three to six months
Energy
New Solar Energy Project in Palestine
The opening of the 710 kW first phase of the planned 1.5 MW Dead Sea Photovoltaic Generating Plant has resulted in dramatic drops in electricity prices for Palestinian households that were formerly dependent on high Israeli utility rates.
World and Politics
Nigerian Parliament Questions Abstention On UNSC Statehood Vote
The Nigerian parliament Wednesday summoned Foreign Minister Aminu Wali to question the abstention to vote in favor of ending the Israeli occupation during a UNSC motion on December 30 2014, which failed to advance the Palestinian bid, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
Belgium Regional Parliament Calls for Recognition of Palestine
Wallonia, the predominantly French-speaking southern region of Belgium, Wednesday called on its government to fully recognize Palestine as an independent state, said an official source.
Belgium Regional Parliament Calls for Recognition of Palestine
RAMALLAH, January 15, 2015 (WAFA) – Wallonia, the predominantly French-speaking southern region of Belgium, Wednesday called on its government to fully recognize Palestine as an independent state, said an official source.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Wallonia has called on its government to vote in favor of recognizing a Palestinian independent state, making it the third regional parliament to call for such recognition.
A total of 61 parliamentarians of 94 voted in favor of the recognition, while 27 voted against it.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the vote considering it a message to all other regional European parliaments of the importance to end the Israeli occupation and achieve stability and security in the Middle East.
Head of the Palestinian National Council Salim Za‘noun commented on the continuous European recognitions saying, “The string of calls by European parliaments to recognize the Palestinian people’s right to create their independent state provides further evidence that the world has grown weary of the ongoing Israeli occupation’s racist policies and violations against the Palestinian people and non-compliance with internationally binding resolutions.”
M.H
Headlines From Palestine: December 03, 2014
Gaza
Ma’an Images
Israeli Occupation Warships Shell Gaza Coast, Critically Injure Fisherman
A Palestinian fisherman was critically injured on Wednesday after Israeli warships fired several shells toward the coast near Gaza City, a union official said.
PA Security Officer Found Dead In Northern Gaza
A Palestinian Authority security officer was found dead in the northern Gaza Strip early Wednesday, an official told Ma’an.
West Bank and Occupied Lands
Israeli Occupation Forces Shoot, injure 14-year-old Palestinian Ahmad Mazin Near Nablus
A Palestinian teenager was shot and injured by Israeli troops early Wednesday morning in clashes in Askar refugee camp east of Nablus in the northern West Bank.
Ma’an Images
Israeli Occupation Forces Close Nablus Area School
Israeli troops on Wednesday morning shut down a secondary school which serves two Palestinian villages south of Nablus in the northern West Bank, a Palestinian official and locals said Wednesday.
Ma’an Images
Israeli Occupation Forces Prepare To Demolish Ancient Palestinian Building In Shufat
Israeli forces broke into Shufat refugee camp in East Jerusalem Wednesday morning and deployed in the streets and on rooftops while troops surrounded 10 stores and an ancient building known locally as Cola building.
Bedouin children of the Jahalin tribe near the Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim Reuters
West Bank Bedouin Fighting Israel’s Plan For Forcible Relocation(Ethnic Cleansing)
Twenty-six Bedouin communities petitioned the High Court of Justice on Monday asking that a plan to build a new Bedouin town north of Jericho be frozen.
Israeli Occupation Forces to Demolish Residential Tents in Hebron Localities
Israeli forces Tuesday handed Palestinian residents of Massafer Yatta localities to the south of Hebron notices to demolish their residential tents, said a local activist.
Political Prisoners
Ma’an Images
Israeli Occupation Forces Detain 12 Year Old Boy In East Jerusalem
Israeli forces detained a 12-year-old Palestinian boy from the courtyard of his family home and assaulted him during clashes in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Jabal al-Mukabbir on Tuesday afternoon.
Israeli Occupation Forces Detain 11 Teenage Boys In Bethlehem Area Village
Israeli forces carried out a major predawn detention raid in the Palestinian village of Tuqu in southeast Bethlehem Wednesday detaining 11 teenagers, officials told Ma’an.
Politics
Israeli Occupation Trade Control Causes $310 MILLION Yearly Loss For Palestine
The Palestinian Authority lost at least $310 million in customs and sales tax in 2011 as a result of importing from or through Israel, the UN said Wednesday, urging a radical change to the system.
Asian Parliamentary Assembly Condemns Israel’s Offensive on Palestinian Holy Sites
The plenary session of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA), convened in the city of Lahore in Pakistan, condemned on Tuesday the Israeli violations on holy sites in the Palestinian Territory, particularly al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, including provocative visits by Jewish fanatics into the Muslim holy site.
French MPs Vote In Favor Of Recognizing Palestine State
French lawmakers voted on Tuesday in favour of recognising Palestine as a state, following similar moves in Britain and Spain as European countries try to restart the stalled Middle East peace process.
Belgian Government Parties Reportedly Agree To Recognize Palestine
The parties that make up Belgium’s federal government have agreed to recognize Palestinian statehood unilaterally, a Belgian daily reported.
Belgian Government Parties Reportedly Agree To Recognize Palestine
If Belgium adopts the motion and recognizes a Palestinian state, it will become Europe’s second country to do so, after Sweden’s recognition of a Palestinian state in October.
Headlines From Palestine: November 23, 2014
Gaza
- Muhammad Fadil Halawa, 32 ,shot and killed by Israeli occupation soldiers east of Jabaliya in north Gaza
- Cold, wet and miserable for people struggling to survive. Tens of thousands still sheltering in UNRWA schools and thousands of others living in makeshift tents after Israeli Occupation destroyed their homes.
West Bank and Occupied Lands
Israeli Terrorists Torch Palestinian Home Near Ramallah
Israeli settlers set fire to a Palestinian home northeast of Ramallah early Sunday, an official told Ma’an.
Video Analysis Shows Occupation Soldier Shooting and Killing Palestinian Teen Nadeem Nawara
Defense for Children International Palestine published a video analysis conducted by Forensic Architecture identifying the Israeli occupation soldier who shot and killed Nadeem Nawara, 17, six months ago in the West Bank city of Beitunia.
Israeli Terrorists Beat Palestinian From Tubas
AFP File Said Khatib
HRW: Punitive Israeli House Demolitions A ‘War Crime’
Human Rights Watch called on Israel Saturday to stop razing the homes of Palestinians accused of attacking Israelis, saying the practice can constitute a war crime.
Ma’an Images
Israeli Occupation Forces Demolish Mobile Homes East Of Ramallah Village
Israeli military bulldozers demolished Thursday mobile homes to the east of At-Tayba village to the east of Ramallah, said local witnesses.
Political Prisoners
Israeli Occupation Arrests a Palestinian, Summons Six Others in Bethlehem, Hebron
Israeli forces Saturday arrested a Palestinian in Hebron as well as summoned six others from Bethlehem to appear for interrogation, said security sources.
Politics
Fatah Spokesperson: Israeli Occupation’s Policies Risk Sliding Into Religious War
The policies adopted by the Israeli occupation against the Palestinian people risk sliding into the abyss of a serious religious war, said Thursday Fatah Spokesperson and Member of Central Committee Nabil Abu Rudeineh.
Palestinians To Appeal To UN For Statehood Recognition ‘By The End Of The Week’
The Palestinian Authority will appeal to the UN Security Council for the recognition of Palestine by the end of the week, a senior Palestinian official said Saturday.
Belgium General Consul: Palestinian Local Authorities Play a Significant Role in Development of State of Palestine
Consul General of Belgium, Bruno Jans, praised the significant role the local authorities in Palestine play in the developing process of the state of Palestine, which he stressed consequently makes them a major priority for foreign actors.
German Mayor: “There is no Well Being for the State of Israel without the Well Being of the Palestinian State”
Mayor of the German town of Jena, during the international conference held in Ramallah on Friday to show solidarity with the Palestinian people
South African Mayor: ”We Need to Join Global Community in Search for Lasting Solution to Palestinian Question”
Mayor of the South African city of Johannesburg Mpho Parks emphasized his countries solidarity with the Palestinians people stressing that, ‘we have an obligation as a country and as people to work jointly in search of a lasting solution to the Palestinian question.
Belgium General Consul: Palestinian Local Authorities Play a Significant Role in Development of State of Palestine
RAMALLAH, November 20, 2014 (WAFA) – Consul General of Belgium, Bruno Jans, praised the significant role the local authorities in Palestine play in the developing process of the state of Palestine, which he stressed consequently makes them a major priority for foreign actors.
During the opening reception of the ‘International Conference of Local Authorities in solidarity with the Palestinian People’, titled, “Local Authorities at the Heart of Palestine” The Belgium Counsel General said that, “In Palestine, more than anywhere else, local authorities symbolize the oldest level of local territorial development as there appears to be key stakeholders and driving force in the development process.”
“Today in Ramallah, local authorities in Palestine and counterparts from over 38 countries are meeting to work jointly not only to enhance the Palestinian local government’s role, governance and institutions, but also to improve the delivery of services to the population,” said Jans.
He expressed hope to see operational outcome from the conference, adding that, “through exchange of experience and expertise among participants, through new ways of solidarity, and through the sharing of common vision ‘we’ sincerely hope that this conference will provide an additional emphasis to the territorial development and local integration in order to better prepare for the future.
He also expressed support for the Palestinian authority’s return to Gaza.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, addressed the international delegations participating at the conference, welcoming them on behalf of president Mahmoud Abbas, and stressed his pride and pleasure to see this elite groups of Palestine’s friendly countries coming together in solidarity with the Palestinian people and their legitimate national rights.
“This conference comes at a time our public and private institutions are playing a great role in laying the foundations of the state of Palestine,” he stressed.
He convened his thanks for the delegations efforts to attend the conference despite of Israel’s disruption and obstacles. Over 100 international key figures were delayed by the Israeli side, either at the Israeli Lod airport or at the Allenby Bridge crossing between Jordan and the West Bank, and could not attend the opening reception.
The French and Chilean delegations were delayed for almost four hours by the Israeli intelligence.
He stressed that this conference is part of the international movement to support the Palestinian people, end the Israeli occupation, and enable ‘us’ to determine our destiny of living in freedom, security , and pride on the land of our sovereign independent state of Palestine.
“we convene today at a time the Palestinian cities and villages look forward to get rid of the injustice of the Israeli occupation, the terrorism of settlers and the continued settlement expansion and building of the apartheid wall…at a time Gaza is still struggling to shake off the destruction left behind by the latest 51-day Israeli aggression against it.”
He stressed that a major workshop, which include projects implemented with the help of brotherly and friendly country and international institutions, is underway to reconstruct the strip and relief the suffering of its people.
Meanwhile, Governor of Jerusalem Adnan Husseini, stressed that this international conference in solidarity with the Palestinian people proves that the world is knowledgeable about what actually goes on the ground in Palestine, stressing the important role local authorities worldwide can play in supporting our just demands.
“We hope that after you are aware of what is going on in Palestine, particularly Jerusalem, you will have a stand in your own country in order to grant justice to the Palestinian people,” he stressed.
This conference will officially start on Friday till Saturday and will host over 250 Arab and international political figures, members of parliament, mayors and local authorities’ representatives, as well as experts in all different aspects, from across the world continents. It will also be attended by Palestinian key figures.
The conference, run under the auspices of the United Nations International Year of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, will take place in Ramallah on Friday with the attendance of president Mahmoud Abbas, who is scheduled to deliver a speech to the visiting delegations.
The UN General Assembly declared 2014 the International Year of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on the 26th of November 2013.
T.R.
Occupied: Headlines From Palestine 