Israeli airstrikes injure 15 Gazans

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/166754.html

Israeli fighter jets and helicopters have once again attacked the Gaza Strip, injuring 15 civilians, witnesses and security sources say.

Israel's F-16 warplanes and Apache helicopters carried out a series of airstrikes on Thursday across the Gaza Strip, a Press TV correspondent reported.

No further details was available on the possible casualties and damage to property caused by the attacks.

Earlier on Wednesday, more than 13 Palestinians, including children, were injured in two separate Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip, medics said.

The incident took place during a brief incursion by Israeli forces into the east of Gaza City.

BDS to question 'Made in Israel'

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/159394.html


The internationally-endorsed anti-Israeli Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign is to question the origin of Israel-sourced goods.

The French branch of the pro-Palestinian campaign plans to file a fraud lawsuit against Agrexco, Israel's largest agricultural exporter, a Press TV's correspondent reported.

Rights groups contend that fruit, flowers and other goods are being stamped 'Made in Israel' despite being produced in illegal Jewish settler units across the occupied Syrian and Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Golan Heights. The United Nations and European Union have condemned the settlements as illegal under international law.

Tel Aviv, meanwhile, enjoys a preferential trade agreement with the EU, which permits "Israeli" goods to avoid certain taxes.

Speaking to our reporter, however, President of Agrexco's European operations, Oziel Kouri denied any wrongdoing on the part of his company.

Kouri, who refused to go on camera, claimed Israeli companies could not change the origin of EU-headed goods, being subject to fine-tooth custom searches.

In 1997, Israel was found importing Brazilian orange juice, labeling them 'Made in Israel' and rerouting them to Europe to save on taxes.

Aided by the thriving export industry, Tel Aviv is accused of enforcing an apartheid system by which it indulges Jewish people while depriving the Palestinians of their basic necessities.

Israel to build 112 new homes in occupied West Bank

Source: PressTV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=120334&sectionid=351020202


Israel has given the green light for the construction of 112 new homes in a settlement in the occupied West Bank despite a moratorium on the expansion of settlements.

Israeli Environment Minister Gilad Erdan has declared that the new homes will be constructed in the Beitar Ilit settlement near Bethlehem, AFP reported.

In November, Israel announced a 10-month moratorium on new building permits for settlers' homes in the occupied West Bank but Tel Aviv has repeatedly disregarded it by approving plans for the expansion of settlements.

The international community considers all Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian lands as illegal.

The Palestinian Authority (PA) has put the renewal of talks with Israel on a permanent freeze due to Israeli settlement activities in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem Al-Quds.

However, following an Arab League call to resume US-mediated 'peace talks' between Israel and the Palestinians, some PA officials have expressed interest in resumptions of indirect talks despite reservations about continued Israeli settlement expansion.

Most Palestinians though, are reported to be fiercely against returning to talks with the Israelis citing the regimes flagrant disregard to international demands and even their own commitments on settlements and other relevant issues.

The UN has also repeatedly called on Tel Aviv to stop what it calls "illegal settlement expansion."