This Week in Palestine, January 4th, 2013

43 Palestinians were wounded in numerous Israeli military operations in the West Bank and Gaza this week, in the meantime, Palestinians continue their nonviolent struggle against the wall and settlements in the West Bank, these stories and more, coming up, stay tuned.


The Nonviolence Report

Let’s us begin our weekly report with nonviolent activities organized in the West Bank. Protests this week were reported in the villages of Bil’in, Ni’lin and Nabi Saleh in central West Bank, as well as Al Ma’sara village in southern West Bank in addition to Kufur Qaddoum, in the north. IMEMC’s Ghassan Bannoura has the story

Many were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation when Israeli troops attacked the villagers of the Nabi Saleh and their international and Israeli supporters. Troops stopped the protest at the village entrance then invaded the village and fired tear gas at residents homes.

Meanwhile at the nearby villages of Bil’in and Ni’lin many residents were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation when soldiers attacked the anti wall protests there. Soldiers attacked the protests as soon as it reached the Israeli wall built on local farmers’ lands.

Moreover in the village of Kufer Kadum many villagers were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation when troops attacked the weekly anti wall and settlements protest there.

In southern west Bank, two residents were injured at al Ma’ssara village, on Friday, when Israeli troops attacked the weekly anti wall protest there. Soldiers forced people back into the village using rifle buts and batons to push people back, causing the two injuries.

For IEMMC News this is Ghassan Bannoura.


The Political Report

The Palestinian President reiterates call for national unity based on elections as his Fatah party in Gaza marks 48 anniversary of the party's establishment.IMEMC’s Rami Al Meghari reports:

Hundreds of thousands of Fatah supporters in Gaza listened on Friday to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas while speaking in loudspeakers by phone from the West Bank city of Ramallah.

The president asserted his call for national unity between Fatah and the rival Hamas party in Gaza, based ballots. Abbas's call came as unity of Palestinian political spectrum is yet to be maintained despite both parties' willingness to reach unity.

In another news, Abbas announced that the PA will from now on approve Palestine as a state in all of it’s internal and external relations including post stamps and embassies worldwide.

The move came after Abbas could extract UN recognition of a Palestinian non-member state at the UN in Novembe r2012.

The Fatah's celebration in Gaza came after Hamas allowed the rival party to mark for the first time in six years, a step quite similar to that by the Fatah-led PA in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

However, there seems to be no horizon for any national unity soon.

For IMEMC News, I am Rami Almeghari in Gaza


The West Bank and Gaza Report

This week the Israeli military conducted at least 83 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and Gaza. The Israeli attacks left 43 Palestinian civilians wounded and troops arrested 29 others, IMEMC’s Salam Qumsiyeh with the details:

Among those injured this week there was 9 children, eight in the West Bank and one in the Gaza Strip. Moreover 10 children were among those arrested by the Israeli military this week.

On Monday of this week, one man and a child were wounded when the Israeli forces moved into Salfit town in northern West Bank and clashed with local youth.

Moreover 36 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children, were wounded on Tuesday when Israeli army forces invaded the northern West Bank village of Tamoun, and arrested what they claim a wanted person. Clashes erupted between the Invading troops and local youth, during which the Israeli forces used excessive force and live ammunition to disperse the protesters.

Also on Tuesday a Palestinian civilian was wounded when the Israeli forces invaded Oreef village, near Nablus city , and fired at dozens of boys who gathered to protest against the Israeli forces.
Meanwhile also on Tuesday three civilians,

including a child, were wounded when armed Israeli settlers moved into Qasra village, near Nablus. The settlers cut off 12 olive trees. As a result, dozens of Palestinians gathered and threw stones at the settlers, but the Israeli troops protecting the settlers fired tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets at protesting farmers.

Later in the week, on Thursday, undercover Israeli forces also invaded the northern West Bank city of Jenin and arrested a local teacher. The army claims he is an activist with the Islamic Jihad group. A claim denied by residents.

When local residents found the undercover soldiers local youth hurled stones at them, armed forces then invaded the city and fired back at residents. As a result of the clashes at least 15 residents were injured, one of them was hit with a live round in his leg.

Amneh Hisnawi, 90 years old, was among those injured in Jenin today. Hisnawi was in her home when Israeli troops raided it then army dogs attacked her casing her injuries.

In Gaza this week, Israeli naval forces attacked Gaza fishermen while sailing in the allotted area for Palestinians. Local Human rights groups documented two attacks this week; Damage was reported but no injuries.

For IMEMC News this is Salam Qumsiyeh.


And that’s all for today from This Week in Palestine this was the Weekly report for December 29th 2012 through January 4th2013 from the Occupied Palestinian Territories. For more news and updates please keep visiting our website at http://www.imemc.org. Today’s report has been brought to you by Husam Qassis and me, George Rishmawi.