Slippery Slope

Even though according to the Oslo accords Israel transferred to the Palestinian Authority full administrative responsibility over area A and civil administration of area B, the IDF is preventing construction and development in 4,700 dunams of these areas citing security reasons. Furthermore, seizure orders were issued for approximately 1,870 additional dunams in these areas for use in paving roads related to construction of the separation fence. (Haaretz)

(Hebrew – Haaretz)

The IDF razed a Palestinian erected outpost near the village of Burin in an area classified as Area B, which is under the civil administration of the Palestinian Authority. (Haaretz)

(Hebrew – Haaretz)

Germany decided to abstain from a UN General Assembly vote on the acceptance of Palestine as an observer state.  According to a senior German diplomat said that the reason for not opposing the move is that the “Israelis did not respond in any way to our request for positive gestures toward the Palestinians, specifically in relation to construction in settlements.” (Haaretz)

(Hebrew – Haaretz)

Israel may expand settlement construction,  as a possible sanction against the Palestinian Authority, should the PA request permanent observer-state status at the United Nations General Assembly at the end of the month. (Haaretz)

(Hebrew – Haaretz)

The Jerusalem Rabbinical Court has awarded legal and administrative custody over Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus to two rabbis who head the Shechem Ehad (“One Nablus” ) organization, which has been involved in organizing visits to the site without the army’s permission.  The decision comes despite the fact that the site is situated within an enclave with special status in the heart of Nablus, in Area A, which according to the Oslo B accord is under the complete authority of the Palestinian Authority. (Haaretz)

(Hebrew - Haaretz)

A report by the Palestinian Authority’s Ministry for Prisoners Affairs found that 800,000 Palestinians were arrested by Israeli authorities since the start of the occupation in 1967 – a quarter of the Palestinian population.

(Hebrew)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially complained to the Knesset, that the Head of Hadash (Arab Democratic Front for Peace and Equality) , MK Mohammed Baraka, was sent abroad by the Palestinian Authority, and represented the PA positions there.

(Hebrew)

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman (Israel Beitenu) has stated that his party will do everything in its power to prevent the transfer to the Palestinian Authority of tax revenue collected for it by Israel.

(Hebrew)

Israel Police and the Communications Ministry cut off the broadcasts of the Kol Hashalom (Voice of Peace) radio station, claiming that they are pirate broadcasts, even though the station broadcasts from Ramallah and has a valid license from the Palestinian Authority.

Israel has for the past two weeks been delaying the transfer of US$100 million of tax revenue it has collected for the Palestinian Authority, against the advice of security officials.