Israel acknowledges that it has begun work on a new police headquarters, road network, and “other facilities” in Jerusalem’s E-1 development area, marking the 1st step in the largest settlement construction project since 1967 to create “Jewish demographic continuity between Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adumim” settlement; the project will include 3,550 housing units, 6 hotels, a park. Israel’s Internal Security M Gideon Ezra says the U.S. did not object to beginning construction. IDF undercover units, traveling in a car with Palestinian license plates, enter Jenin, call in 10 IDF vehicles for backup, raid and occupy several homes, arresting 2 wanted Palestinians. The IDF also conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Ramallah, in and around Hebron, and in Jenin town and r.c., al-Khadir, Nablus; begins construction of a new settler bypass road on Palestinian land in Hebron to link Abraham Avino and Ramat Yishai settlements. Jewish settlers fr. Suissa attack Palestinians, their farm animals and vandalize Palestinian homes in nearby Yatta. (IMEMC, JAZ, YA 3/14; MM, PCHR 3/16)
Monday, March 13, 2006