InfoAnda - Lawsuit brings murky West Bank land deals to light

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Amy Winehouse's family believes abstinence from alcohol is cause of death | 28 July 2011
Philly officer accused of unauthorized Obama check | 8 August 2009
SKorea to hold firing drills amid NKorea threat | 19 December 2010

Senior Iraqi backs Obama withdrawal plan | International | | 6 November 2008

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Lawsuit brings murky West Bank land deals to light

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Africa Europe Latin America Middle East North America Search Search: Lawsuit brings murky West Bank land deals to light By AMY TEIBEL,Associated Press Writer AP - Sunday, June 21 OFRA SETTLEMENT, West Bank - It reads like a standard real estate contract between a Zionist institution and an Israeli couple. But it offers a rare glimpse into the bureaucratic smoke screen that helps ensure a strong Jewish presence on lands claimed by the Palestinians for a future state. ADVERTISEMENT The document, which surfaced in a case before Israel's Supreme Court, shows that the World Zionist Organization, acting as an agent of the Israeli government, took private Palestinian land in the West Bank and gave it to Jewish settlers, even though the state itself had declared the property off-limits to settlement. The affair points to a chaotic mix of a government at odds with itself and involved in murky real estate deals fronted by one of the Zionist movement's most respected organizations. It's not the first time such land deals have come under fire, but in the year since the case went to court, the political context has been overturned. President Barack Obama, in a departure from Bush administration policy, is pressing for a complete freeze in settlement development as a prelude to a new push for Mideast peace. The contract authorized Netzach and Esther Brodt, a couple in their early 20s, to lease land in the settlement of Ofra where their home and eight others are in contention. When Israeli human rights groups and Palestinians who claim to own the land went to the Supreme Court to get the houses torn down, they went with the knowledge that demolition orders had been issued against construction at the site. The court gave the state two weeks to explain itself, during which time the settlers hastily completed construction of the homes. Then, in another reversal, the Defense Ministry froze the demolition plan, and left the case no closer to resolution. The affair also threw a spotlight on the World Zionist Organization, an international body founded more than 100 years ago that promotes Jewish education and immigration to Israel. After Israel occupied the West Bank, Gaza Strip, east Jerusalem and the Golan Heights in the 1967 war, the government began settling Jews in the captured territories. To avoid complications stemming from international law, it turned to the WZO, setting up a special settlement division not technically part of the government but entirely funded by it. The maneuver has served to cloud the issues and confuse the finger-pointing when uncomfortable questions arise. Such questions had already arisen in 2005, when a government-commissioned report accused the settlement division of complicity in diverting funds and confiscating West Bank land to put up some of the more than 100 "outposts" _ small wildcat settlements _ that settlers have built, some on privately held Palestinian land. They had no government sanction, yet a slew of former Cabinet ministers, settler leaders and lawmakers have confirmed that they went up with the full knowledge of the state, and their removal is viewed by the U.S. and others as a first step toward a broader rollback of settlement expansion in the West Bank. The case before the Supreme Court involves not a flimsy "outpost," but Ofra, a full-blown settlement of 3,000 Jews, 15 miles north of Jerusalem. The contract shows that the settlement division authorized the Brodts to lease land allocated to Ofra even though Israel's Justice Ministry had declared it to be private Palestinian property. "Here you have proof" of a settlement deal violating Israel's own rulings, said Talia Sasson, the former chief state prosecutor who wrote the 2005 report. Defying international objections, Israel has allowed nearly 300,000 Jews to settle in the West Bank plus some 180,000 in Jerusalem's Arab sector, which the Palestinians hope to make their future capital. In a speech last week, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said, "We have no intention to build new settlements or set aside land for new settlements," but he gave no commitment to stop expanding existing settlements as the White House has demanded. Land deals between settlers and the settlement division are usually shrouded in confidentiality and the contract with the Brodts is a hard-to-find example. The settlers maintain that secrecy is essential to protect Palestinian sellers from retribution. The Ofra purchase is such a case, they told the court. Ofra's lawyer, Yaron Kosteliz, said proof that the land was bought from Palestinians has been given to the state confidentially to protect the sellers. Yesh Din, one of the Israeli rights groups that went to court, says the land was stolen. "It's like I was going to sell a house that didn't belong to me," said Dror Etkes, Yesh Din's settlement expert. "It's an international organization that is, simply put, stealing land." The government referred questions about the contract to the World Zionist Organization, which referred the questions back to the government. The Justice Ministry refused to discuss the case because it is under litigation. The Defense Ministry, named as a respondent in the court petition, did not respond to an e-mail and calls seeking comment. Another respondent, the military's Civil Administration in the West Bank, said only that "there are differences of opinion pertaining to the ownership of the property." "The issue is currently under discussion in the Supreme Court that will ultimately decide on this issue," it added in a written response to questions from the AP. The Justice Ministry confirmed to the court that the land was owned by Palestinians, that a construction freeze had been ordered there a year earlier, and that a final demolition order for all nine houses had been issued. "The construction was done in violation of stop-work and demolition orders," the state said in papers presented to the court. As is often the case, however, the state was not speaking with one voice. Defense Minister Ehud Barak suspended the demolition order in December because of broader questions about the legal status of settlement activity in Ofra. Kosteliz, Ofra's lawyer, said the settlement never received the demolition order. The Brodts said they were unaware of it when they signed the contract with the settlement division. They said the settlement was in charge of the construction. The houses were near completion when the legal appeal was filed, and settlers hurried to finish construction during the two weeks the state was given to respond to the petition. They even won a rare and controversial dispensation from Ofra's rabbi, Avi Gisser, to allow construction to continue on the Sabbath, the Jewish day of rest, using non-Jews as workers. Palestinians and Israeli right groups say the case is nothing unusual, and that settlements are often built on private Palestinian land. Yesh Din says it has seen a classified database prepared for the Defense Ministry and that it shows that much of the construction at Ofra and in many other settlements is on land registered to Palestinian owners. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Sign in to recommend this article » 0 users recommend Related Articles: World Schwarzenegger in mid-air jet dramaAFP - Saturday, June 20 Today in History - June 20AP - Saturday, June 20 Iran protestors clash with police defying ultimatumAFP - Sunday, June 21 Haitian TV airs footage of confrontation with UNAP - Saturday, June 20 'Cash for clunkers' may jumpstart US auto salesAFP - Saturday, June 20 Most Popular – World Viewed Schwarzenegger in mid-air jet drama Chubby people live longest: Japan study Botox helps Australian stroke victim to walk again Clones of 9/11 hero dog unveiled in Los Angeles F1 governing body 'not surprised' at sport's split View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Sunday, 21 June 2009
Suicide truck bomb kills 50 in northern Iraq
Tsvangirai shouted down by Zimbabwean exiles in London
Apple CEO received liver transplant: report
German bank opposes massive loan to Porsche: minister
Fierce Tehran clashes between police, protesters
Suicide truck bomber kills 67 in northern Iraq | International |
Iraq truck bomb kills 46 near Kirkuk
Singapore says would act if North Korea ship has WMD | International |
Lawsuit brings murky West Bank land deals to light
Excerpts from address by Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei
Zimbabwe's Tsvangirai booed for come home plea | International |
Foreign soldiers among dozens killed in Afghanistan
Malawi authorities seize ex-president's passport | International |
Abbas talks Palestinian unity with Syria's Assad
THE INFLUENCE GAME: Excuse me! Lobby wins on burps
Taliban gains money, al-Qaida finances recovering
AP NewsAlert
Heroes' welcome for NKorean football team
Steve Jobs received liver transplant: report | Technology |
Obama asks men to be better fathers than their own
Heroes' welcome for NKorean soccer team
American Journalist Held Captive By Taliban For 7 Months Safely Escapes
WSJ: Apple CEO Steve Jobs had liver transplant
Pakistan says it's wrapping up Swat campaign
Red panda at ND zoo has rare set of triplets
Two Marines Charged In The Murder Of An Army Nurse
Schwarzenegger's Plane Makes Emergency Landing
Sri Lanka arrests 2 local UN staffers
Thousands remain without power following storms
THE INFLUENCE GAME: Excuse me! Lobby wins on burps
Fighter jets hit militants in Pakistan's Waziristan
Sotomayor Quits Women-Only Club
iPhone 3GS Hits Stores In U.S., 7 Countries
At Least One Dead, Several Injured In Illinois Train Derailment
US, regional powers may meet on NKorea next month
Moderate quake shakes central California
U.S. Customs, Agriculture Agencies Find New Pest In Guatemala Pineapple Shipment
Analysis: Obama offers split verdict on economy
U.S. Robot Sub Dives Into Ocean's Deepest Spot
Mistakes by US force 'likely' caused Afghan deaths
Louisiana Lawmen Seek Escaped Murder Suspect
Pot Goes Up In Smoke, Turns Into Energy In Florida Incinerator
Michelin may open India factory in 3 years: CEO
Sandra Bullock finally has top film at box office | Entertainment |
Hollywood studio Paramount axes top executives | Entertainment |
Novelist Kaye Gibbons faces yet another hurdle
FBI tried in vain to stop "Deep Throat" film
Madonna's adopted daughter said to leave Malawi
Variable iTunes pricing a moneymaker for artists
Britain's Brown determined to stay on
British hostages' families 'clinging to hope'
Iran's Mousavi calls for purge of lies | International |
Ecuador threatens to expell oil firms
Streaming music service Spotify basks in praise
Singapore says would act if North Korea ship has WMD | International |
Brazil takes radar plane off Air France jet search
Truck bomb kills more than 70 in northern Iraq
Dalai Lama says favors democratic leadership | International |
Thousands march in Spain to condemn killing blamed on ETA
Top cleric may be playing role in Iran unrest
Attack on key U.S. Afghan base kills two soldiers | International |
Japan eyes bigger military as tension rises: report | International |
Suicide truck bomber kills 67 in northern Iraq
China police rescue trafficked children | International |
Iraq truck bomb kills 64
Foreign soldiers among dozens killed in Afghanistan: officials
Australia PM challenges opposition over allegation | International |
Mousavi ready for "martyrdom"
Two British hostages feared dead in Iraq | International |
Nigeria militants say attack two Shell oil pipelines | International |
Gunfire, euphoria: week that shook Iran
New York Times reporter escapes Taliban captivity
Variable iTunes pricing a moneymaker for artists | Technology |
Cambodia in war of words with Thailand over border
Fed to stamp out idea of early rate hike: analysts
Croatia needs Chinese investments, Hu Jintao told
New net timer could save sea turtles from drowning
Japan's Yano makes move for breakthrough Asian major win
Obama may need firmer hand on health care debate
City in central China rocked by violent riots: residents
Streaming music service Spotify basks in praise | Technology |
Unseen Dali drawings to be shown in Buffalo
Senior spelling title goes to Virginia man
Northwestern honors journalist freed from Iran
Pa. borough raises orange flag for street crossers
Obama praises drug deal, declares 'turning point'
Edison Chen not ready for lead roles after scandal
Miley Cyrus fights scalpers with paperless tickets
After 50 years, Motown endures in ailing Detroit
Miley Cyrus fights scalpers with paperless tickets | Entertainment |
Crisis won't stop Latvia's midsummer night party
"Idol" champ Sparks ready for "battle"
Idol champ Sparks ready for battle | Entertainment |
Barbecues and baking: relief of Vietnam's Net addicts
Madonna's star power in Malawi
FBI tried in vain to stop 'Deep Throat' film
Spain launches 'Spanish language day' worldwide
Sandra Bullock finally has top film at box office
Israeli president applauds Iran street protesters
Death toll from Iraq's Kirkuk blast rises to 73 | International |
Xstrata 'in merger approach to Anglo American'
British parliament to select new Speaker
Pakistani aircraft hit militants near Afghan border | International |
Iraq bodies are British hostages: government sources
Israel's Barak sees chance for peace progress | International |
Israel's Barak sees chance for peace progress
Iraqis happy at U.S. pull out, but fear more attacks
Barak says Israel must be respected as Jewish state
Islamists vow to fight any foreign troops in Somalia | International |
Two NATO soldiers killed in attack on Afghan base
Iran death toll mounts as leaders take aim at West
Yemeni who killed Jew gets death sentence | International |
NKorea criticizes US nuclear protection of South
Thousands donate hair to fix Myanmar pagoda road
NY senator has little time to prep for 2010 race
Factory blast kills 16 workers in eastern China
Report: Sri Lanka may extend president's term
Japan whaling town gets season's first catch
New Zealand expects big rise in swine flu cases
Infant Killed When Someone Rolled On Top Of Her
Rockets hit US base in Afghanistan, 2 troops dead
Myanmar jails Suu Kyi supporters for pagoda prayer
Thousands Of Concert-Goers Stranded In Michigan
One Dead, Five Hospitalized After Ammonia Leak At Poultry Plant
Indonesian fugitive businessman arrested for graft
4 hurt in winds as tropical storm nears Taiwan
New Poll Finds 72% Of Americans
Apple's Jobs Had Liver Transplant
House Impeaches Federal Judge
Body Of American Boy Found In Switzerland
Airbus to deliver first China-made airplane
Japan's key Tankan survey to post big leap
Philippines' Arroyo backs Asian IMF: report
S.Korea exports fall 13.3 pct in 1st 20 days of June
China-driven commodities rally nearing end
South Korea May start-up/failure ratio at 2-yr high
Yeoh says she'll star in John Woo kung fu movie
McGregor: 'Angels' no challenge to Catholic faith
Director: No wide China release for 'The Reader'
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01