Watchdog says Israel’s West Bank settlements surged in 2019
Josef Federman
AP / March 18, 2020
JERUSALEM — Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank surged ahead in 2019, a watchdog group said in a report Tuesday, maintaining a rapid pace that has drawn strength from the friendly policies of the Trump administration.
Peace Now, a monitoring group that opposes the...
Another Blue and White MK opposes minority government reliant on Joint List
Middle East Monitor / March 18, 2020
Another Blue and White parliamentarian has reportedly expressed opposition to the formation of a minority government supported from the outside by the Arab-dominated Joint List.
According to the Times of Israel, citing reports by Channel 12, MK Omer Yankelevich has informed Blue and White (Kahol Lavan) chair Benny...
Israel stops providing cleaning products to Palestine detainees
Wafa Aludaini
Middle East Monitor / March 18, 2020
Palestinian prisoners have today rejected their meals in protest against the Israeli Prison Service’s plans to stop supplying 140 products, including cleaning products, from the canteen and halt medical visits for detainees.
There are approximately 1,200 prisoners in need of treatment who suffer...
US Congressmen call for stopping support for Israel demolitions of Palestinian homes
Middle East Monitor / March 18, 2020
A letter signed by 64 American Congressmen addressing US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on the American administration to oppose Israeli demolitions of Palestinian homes, news agencies reported yesterday.
The Congressmen said in the letter, which was dated 16 March, that they were...
Israel further tightens restrictions on Palestinians, targeting day labourers
Middle East Monitor / March 17, 2020
Israeli authorities have further tightened restrictions on Palestinians, with the latest measures targeting day labourers coming from the occupied West Bank, reported the Times of Israel.
The restrictions come as Israel seeks to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Mass movement restrictions are being used...
Israel urged to ‘facilitate maximum activity’ at Gaza’s sole commercial crossing
Middle East Monitor / March 17, 2020
Israeli authorities are being urged to “facilitate maximum activity” at the Gaza Strip’s only commercial crossing, a demand made all the more urgent in light of the coronavirus-triggered economic downturn.
Publishing a new factsheet on the Kerem Shalom (Karm Abu Salem) crossing, freedom of...
Jewish settlers raid Al-Aqsa Mosque despite coronavirus restrictions
Middle East Monitor / March 17, 2020
Scores of Israeli Jewish settlers violated measures taken to fight the coronavirus and raided Al-Aqsa Mosque yesterday, provoking Muslim worshippers, Arab48 reported.
According to the news website, the Jewish settlers were protected by Israeli occupation forces who arrested four Palestinians inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque compounds...
Palestine refugees in Lebanon start anti-coronavirus sterilisation drive
Middle East Monitor / March 17, 2020
Palestinian refugees along with NGOs and the UN Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) yesterday started a sterilisation campaign as part of their fight against the coronavirus in refugee camps in Lebanon.
According to Quds Press, the sterilisation campaign started in Burj al-Barajneh refugee camp and...
