7 feb 2014
The family of political detainee Tawfiq Abu Arqoub, a student at Birzeit University, has continued their sit-in for the 18th day outside the Palestinian authority intelligence headquarters in Ramallah city to demand his release. "We will continue to protest in Ramallah in order to pressure the PA intelligence to release Tawfiq, who has been kidnapped for the 45th day, despite of a court decision to release him," the family told the Palestinian information center (PIC) on Thursday.
Four students of the Hamas-affiliated Islamic bloc at Birzeit university are still imprisoned in PA jails.
Four students of the Hamas-affiliated Islamic bloc at Birzeit university are still imprisoned in PA jails.
6 feb 2014
A Gaza military court on Thursday morning sentenced a man convicted of collaborating with Israel to death and another to life in prison on the same charge.
The court did not determine a date for his execution. It said the evidence proved the defendant was guilty.
Neither defendant was identified by name.
Hamas has executed nearly two dozen people since taking over Gaza in 2007, according to the Palestinian Center for Human Rights, which opposes capital punishment.
Under Palestinian law, collaboration with Israel, murder and drug trafficking are all punishable by death.
But all execution orders must be approved by the president before they can be carried out. Hamas no longer recognizes the legitimacy of incumbent Mahmoud Abbas, whose term ended in 2009.
In August, Amnesty International urged Hamas to halt prisoner executions.
The two main rival Palestinian parties have been on cold terms since 2006, when Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections.
In the following year, clashes erupted between Fatah and Hamas, leaving Hamas in control of the Strip and Fatah in control of the West Bank.
The court did not determine a date for his execution. It said the evidence proved the defendant was guilty.
Neither defendant was identified by name.
Hamas has executed nearly two dozen people since taking over Gaza in 2007, according to the Palestinian Center for Human Rights, which opposes capital punishment.
Under Palestinian law, collaboration with Israel, murder and drug trafficking are all punishable by death.
But all execution orders must be approved by the president before they can be carried out. Hamas no longer recognizes the legitimacy of incumbent Mahmoud Abbas, whose term ended in 2009.
In August, Amnesty International urged Hamas to halt prisoner executions.
The two main rival Palestinian parties have been on cold terms since 2006, when Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections.
In the following year, clashes erupted between Fatah and Hamas, leaving Hamas in control of the Strip and Fatah in control of the West Bank.
Speaker of the Palestinian legislative council (PLC) Aziz Dweik said that the national reconciliation would not see the light of day if the Fatah-controlled Palestinian authority persisted in arresting citizens for their political affiliation in the West Bank. In televised remarks to Al-Aqsa satellite channel on Thursday, speaker Dweik stated that Fatah should have reacted positively to premier Ismail Haneyya's goodwill gesture towards the reconciliation and his efforts in this regard.
He stressed that there are concrete steps being notably taken by the Palestinian government in Gaza to create a reconciliatory atmosphere, and other steps taken in the opposite direction by the PA in the West Bank.
The lawmaker added that Fatah continues its political arrests against citizens because of their affiliation with or support for certain factions, while its members are allowed to return to Gaza and not exposed to arrests.
He called on Fatah and its authority in Ramallah to give the national reconciliation priority on their agenda and renounce "the concept of victors and losers" for the greater good of the Palestinian people.
He stressed that there are concrete steps being notably taken by the Palestinian government in Gaza to create a reconciliatory atmosphere, and other steps taken in the opposite direction by the PA in the West Bank.
The lawmaker added that Fatah continues its political arrests against citizens because of their affiliation with or support for certain factions, while its members are allowed to return to Gaza and not exposed to arrests.
He called on Fatah and its authority in Ramallah to give the national reconciliation priority on their agenda and renounce "the concept of victors and losers" for the greater good of the Palestinian people.
Beit El settlement in Ramallah
Dozens of Jewish settlers from Beit El settlement, north of Ramallah city, chanted slogans and carried banners during a night march Wednesday calling for killing the Palestinians and displacing them from their homes. The settlers marched from the entrance of the settlement to the Israeli liaison barrier, one of Ramallah's entrances, under tight military protection.
Palestinian Authority security forces also helped their Israeli counterparts to secure the march and prevented Palestinian vehicles from reaching the liaison barrier.
Violent clashes broke out last Friday outside Beit El settlement between scores of angry Palestinian young men from Al-Jalazoun refugee camp and Israeli soldiers.
More than 30 Palestinians suffered live bullet injuries during those events.
Dozens of Jewish settlers from Beit El settlement, north of Ramallah city, chanted slogans and carried banners during a night march Wednesday calling for killing the Palestinians and displacing them from their homes. The settlers marched from the entrance of the settlement to the Israeli liaison barrier, one of Ramallah's entrances, under tight military protection.
Palestinian Authority security forces also helped their Israeli counterparts to secure the march and prevented Palestinian vehicles from reaching the liaison barrier.
Violent clashes broke out last Friday outside Beit El settlement between scores of angry Palestinian young men from Al-Jalazoun refugee camp and Israeli soldiers.
More than 30 Palestinians suffered live bullet injuries during those events.
5 feb 2014
In a statement Tuesday, The Jerusalem Post reported that Hamas representatives reinterated their opposition to the peace talks with Israel, claiming that the talks were aimed at "liquidating" the Palestinian cause.
Hamas official Salah Bardaweel reportedly stated that Palestinians will not accept any agreement that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas signs with Israel, and criticized Abbas for telling The New York Times earlier this week that he would agree to the establishment of a demilitarized state. "Such statements are a preface for liquidating the Palestinian cause and preventing the right of return for Palestinian refugees," Bardaweel said. "The biggest disaster would be to recognize Israel as a Jewish state. This would pave the way for the expulsion of more Palestinians from their historic land."
Senior Hamas official, Wasfi Qabaha, also criticized Abbas for saying that he would agree to the deployment of US-led NATO troops in the future Palestinian state. "Such a move would mean capitulation to Zionist-American pressure and extortion," Qabaha said. "The presence of foreign troops in a Palestinian state would harm its independence and sovereignty. This would be a new Israeli occupation under a different label and shape."
In addition, a senior Islamic Jihad official threatened that his group would foil any agreement between the Palestine Authority and Israel. French newspaper Le Figaro quoted Ahmed al-Mudalal as saying that his group is completely opposed to the peace talks and would destroy any agreement that "legalizes Zionist occupation in Palestine."
In related news, Hamas and Islamic Jihad accused the PA security forces of arresting 10 of their supporters in the West Bank in the past 48 hours.
Hamas official Salah Bardaweel reportedly stated that Palestinians will not accept any agreement that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas signs with Israel, and criticized Abbas for telling The New York Times earlier this week that he would agree to the establishment of a demilitarized state. "Such statements are a preface for liquidating the Palestinian cause and preventing the right of return for Palestinian refugees," Bardaweel said. "The biggest disaster would be to recognize Israel as a Jewish state. This would pave the way for the expulsion of more Palestinians from their historic land."
Senior Hamas official, Wasfi Qabaha, also criticized Abbas for saying that he would agree to the deployment of US-led NATO troops in the future Palestinian state. "Such a move would mean capitulation to Zionist-American pressure and extortion," Qabaha said. "The presence of foreign troops in a Palestinian state would harm its independence and sovereignty. This would be a new Israeli occupation under a different label and shape."
In addition, a senior Islamic Jihad official threatened that his group would foil any agreement between the Palestine Authority and Israel. French newspaper Le Figaro quoted Ahmed al-Mudalal as saying that his group is completely opposed to the peace talks and would destroy any agreement that "legalizes Zionist occupation in Palestine."
In related news, Hamas and Islamic Jihad accused the PA security forces of arresting 10 of their supporters in the West Bank in the past 48 hours.
4 feb 2014
The union of Palestinian lawyers in the West Bank on Tuesday started protests against what they called the “flabby” Palestinian judiciary.
A statement highlighted that lawyers decided to boycott all hearings in courts and DA offices on Tuesday.
The union’s council will hold an emergency session next Saturday to determine what further protests should be taken in future, according to a statement Tuesday.
The statement appealed to President Mahmoud Abbas asking him to amend the judicial system so that “Palestinian citizens can enjoy a righteous and independent judiciary system whose top priority is justice and rightfulness.”
The statement pointed out that some judges have rendered the judiciary system “flabby and temperamental harming people’s dignity especially lawyers.”
In addition, there have been “unforgivable (actions) such as deputations which harmed people and resulted in negative attitudes to the deep-rooted judiciary system.”
In response, the Palestinian Higher Judicial Council said in a statement that “the lawyers’ union surprisingly used alien, adventitious terminology which contradicted the common language all previous union councils have used when addressing the judiciary authorities. These expressions are inappropriate both to lawyers, to trade unions and to the judiciary system.”
Discussing the judiciary system in the media, added the council, is “very dangerous as it harms both the citizens and homeland. Judges have recently perceived the danger of such practices to their impartiality and independence since such practices help only personal interests and never benefit public interests.”
A statement highlighted that lawyers decided to boycott all hearings in courts and DA offices on Tuesday.
The union’s council will hold an emergency session next Saturday to determine what further protests should be taken in future, according to a statement Tuesday.
The statement appealed to President Mahmoud Abbas asking him to amend the judicial system so that “Palestinian citizens can enjoy a righteous and independent judiciary system whose top priority is justice and rightfulness.”
The statement pointed out that some judges have rendered the judiciary system “flabby and temperamental harming people’s dignity especially lawyers.”
In addition, there have been “unforgivable (actions) such as deputations which harmed people and resulted in negative attitudes to the deep-rooted judiciary system.”
In response, the Palestinian Higher Judicial Council said in a statement that “the lawyers’ union surprisingly used alien, adventitious terminology which contradicted the common language all previous union councils have used when addressing the judiciary authorities. These expressions are inappropriate both to lawyers, to trade unions and to the judiciary system.”
Discussing the judiciary system in the media, added the council, is “very dangerous as it harms both the citizens and homeland. Judges have recently perceived the danger of such practices to their impartiality and independence since such practices help only personal interests and never benefit public interests.”
3 feb 2014
Khader Adnan
A leader from the Islamic Jihad movement on Monday accused the Palestinian Authority security services of arresting activists from the group in Ramallah.
Khader Adnan, who went on hunger strike for over 60 days while in an Israeli jail, told Ma'an that PA forces have targeted Islamic Jihad activists in the Ramallah area.
Several Islamic Jihad members were arrested at a recent rally to show solidarity with Muatasim Raddad, a Jihad detainee suffering from cancer, Adnan said.
A leader from the Islamic Jihad movement on Monday accused the Palestinian Authority security services of arresting activists from the group in Ramallah.
Khader Adnan, who went on hunger strike for over 60 days while in an Israeli jail, told Ma'an that PA forces have targeted Islamic Jihad activists in the Ramallah area.
Several Islamic Jihad members were arrested at a recent rally to show solidarity with Muatasim Raddad, a Jihad detainee suffering from cancer, Adnan said.
29 jan 2014
Clashes broke out on Wednesday between Palestinian youths and Palestinian Authority security forces in Ramallah, a Ma'an reporter said.
Dozens of shops in al-Jalazun refugee camp closed in mourning after a 22-year-old from the camp, Muhammad Mubarak, was shot dead by Israeli forces.
When one man refused to close his restaurant, enraged Palestinian youths threatened to burn it down.
PA security forces intervened and clashed with the youths.
Dozens of shops in al-Jalazun refugee camp closed in mourning after a 22-year-old from the camp, Muhammad Mubarak, was shot dead by Israeli forces.
When one man refused to close his restaurant, enraged Palestinian youths threatened to burn it down.
PA security forces intervened and clashed with the youths.
Palestinian Authority security forces arrested a man in the northern West Bank on suspicion of cyber blackmail, security officials said Wednesday.
Security officials told Ma'an that a hacker from Nablus was detained after a young woman told police he had stolen private photos from her computer and threatened to publish them on Facebook unless she paid him 1,000 shekels ($300).
The hacker asked the woman to hide the money at a given location and arranged for another woman to retrieve the money.
Police ambushed the second woman and took her for questioning, then arrested the man, security sources told Ma'an.
They said the hacker admitted he had been accessing private computers and stealing information and photographs.
Security officials told Ma'an that a hacker from Nablus was detained after a young woman told police he had stolen private photos from her computer and threatened to publish them on Facebook unless she paid him 1,000 shekels ($300).
The hacker asked the woman to hide the money at a given location and arranged for another woman to retrieve the money.
Police ambushed the second woman and took her for questioning, then arrested the man, security sources told Ma'an.
They said the hacker admitted he had been accessing private computers and stealing information and photographs.
28 jan 2014
The Gaza-based Palestinian government strongly denounced de facto president Mahmoud Abbas for reiterating his satisfaction with his authority's security cooperation with Israel and the US against the Palestinian resistance. Spokesman for the government Ihab Al-Ghussein stated that Abbas's latest remarks about his security cooperation with Israel and the US is a deviation from the national path.
Spokesman Ghussein noted that Abbas blatantly brags every once in a while about his security coordination with the Israeli occupation.
The spokesman demanded Abbas to accept the will of the Palestinian people who reject any security cooperation with the occupation and hasten to achieve the national reconciliation.
In recent televised remarks published on Monday by Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, Abbas said that the mission of his security apparatuses is to prevent the use of weapons against Israel in full cooperation with the Israeli and US security agencies.
Abbas stated that the security collaboration with Israel and the US targets the armed Palestinian resistance and those who provide it with weapons in order to attack Israel in the West Bank and the green line.
The de facto president emphasized further that all his security agencies do only one job, which is to prevent anyone from using weapons and smuggling them, either in the Palestinian territories or in Israel.
In another context, the Hamas Movement categorically denied that it had given de facto president Mahmoud Abbas its approval to the establishment of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders.
This came in response to what Abbas had claimed in this regard during his meeting recently with an Israeli official from the national security institute.
Hamas affirmed in a press release that it had never given Abbas or anyone any pledges or mandates about the two-estate solution, highlighting that it cannot accept this solution or waive a grain of the Palestinian soil.
The Movement explained that what had happened in 2006 at the time of the national consensus document was that all the Palestinian factions then agreed on the idea of having a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital and the return of the refugee to their homes without recognizing the Zionist entity or legitimizing its presence on the Palestinian lands.
Spokesman Ghussein noted that Abbas blatantly brags every once in a while about his security coordination with the Israeli occupation.
The spokesman demanded Abbas to accept the will of the Palestinian people who reject any security cooperation with the occupation and hasten to achieve the national reconciliation.
In recent televised remarks published on Monday by Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, Abbas said that the mission of his security apparatuses is to prevent the use of weapons against Israel in full cooperation with the Israeli and US security agencies.
Abbas stated that the security collaboration with Israel and the US targets the armed Palestinian resistance and those who provide it with weapons in order to attack Israel in the West Bank and the green line.
The de facto president emphasized further that all his security agencies do only one job, which is to prevent anyone from using weapons and smuggling them, either in the Palestinian territories or in Israel.
In another context, the Hamas Movement categorically denied that it had given de facto president Mahmoud Abbas its approval to the establishment of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders.
This came in response to what Abbas had claimed in this regard during his meeting recently with an Israeli official from the national security institute.
Hamas affirmed in a press release that it had never given Abbas or anyone any pledges or mandates about the two-estate solution, highlighting that it cannot accept this solution or waive a grain of the Palestinian soil.
The Movement explained that what had happened in 2006 at the time of the national consensus document was that all the Palestinian factions then agreed on the idea of having a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital and the return of the refugee to their homes without recognizing the Zionist entity or legitimizing its presence on the Palestinian lands.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) promised the Israeli side to arrest all members of Al-Qassam Brigades who participated on Sunday night in the memorial ceremony of martyr Nafea Al-Saadi in Jenin refugee camp, according to the Hebrew radio. The Hebrew radio quoted a senior PA security official as saying that the appearance of resistance fighters from Al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas in Jenin refugee camp was a breach of the security situation in the West Bank.
He affirmed that the PA security apparatuses work hard to arrest all armed men who appeared at the ceremony and are determined to detain them, although it would be very difficult to do so.
The PA security official ignored the right of the Palestinian refugees in Jenin camp to defend themselves against Israel's violations, especially in the aftermath of the violent raids that had been carried out in recent months by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) and their killing of some citizens in the camp.
The PA security apparatuses initiated a widespread arrest campaign in coordination with the IOF in Jenin refugee camp several months ago and raided homes of national figures, ex-detainees in Israeli jails and resistance fighters.
The anti-national practices of the PA security forces has generated growing public outrage among the Palestinian citizens in the West Bank, especially in Jenin.
He affirmed that the PA security apparatuses work hard to arrest all armed men who appeared at the ceremony and are determined to detain them, although it would be very difficult to do so.
The PA security official ignored the right of the Palestinian refugees in Jenin camp to defend themselves against Israel's violations, especially in the aftermath of the violent raids that had been carried out in recent months by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) and their killing of some citizens in the camp.
The PA security apparatuses initiated a widespread arrest campaign in coordination with the IOF in Jenin refugee camp several months ago and raided homes of national figures, ex-detainees in Israeli jails and resistance fighters.
The anti-national practices of the PA security forces has generated growing public outrage among the Palestinian citizens in the West Bank, especially in Jenin.
24 jan 2014
political detainee Mohamad Asfour, from al-Khalil city, started Thursday an open-ended hunger strike shortly after his arrest by the PA preventive security forces.
Family sources told the Palestinian information center (PIC) that Asfour declared his hunger strike after being arrested by the preventive security agency, where he has been transferred to Jericho prison.
Asfour, a student at al-Khalil University, was arrested on Thursday after being summoned to Preventive Security Headquarters. The political detainee had earlier informed his family of his decision to go on hunger strike in case of his arrest.
It is worth to mention that two university students have declared hunger strike in PA jails protesting their arrest.
Meanwhile, Hamas movement charged PA Preventive Security Service of arresting the liberated prisoner Raed Aldrabia, 40, on Thursday after being summoned to its headquarters.
Aldrabia has spent 15 years in Israeli jails on charges of being affiliated to al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' military wing. He was then re-arrested, where he served 3 years in administrative detention.
In another incident, PA court in the West Bank has extended Thursday the arrest of Mohamad Bahjat Abu Ahallil, 22, for 15 additional days, knowing that he was arrested since 22nd of December on charges of social media activity, according to the movement's statement.
For its part, the family of university student Abdel-Rahman Abu Arqub confirmed that their son continued his hunger strike since 11 days in Jericho prison, adding that his arrest has been extended for more 15 days for further investigation.
Late on Thursday, a student at Palestine Polytechnic university named Seif al-Islam Taha was arrested by the PA preventive security apparatus.
Taha's family confirmed that the preventive security forces ransacked their house and confiscated its son's computer before arresting him.
Family sources told the Palestinian information center (PIC) that Asfour declared his hunger strike after being arrested by the preventive security agency, where he has been transferred to Jericho prison.
Asfour, a student at al-Khalil University, was arrested on Thursday after being summoned to Preventive Security Headquarters. The political detainee had earlier informed his family of his decision to go on hunger strike in case of his arrest.
It is worth to mention that two university students have declared hunger strike in PA jails protesting their arrest.
Meanwhile, Hamas movement charged PA Preventive Security Service of arresting the liberated prisoner Raed Aldrabia, 40, on Thursday after being summoned to its headquarters.
Aldrabia has spent 15 years in Israeli jails on charges of being affiliated to al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' military wing. He was then re-arrested, where he served 3 years in administrative detention.
In another incident, PA court in the West Bank has extended Thursday the arrest of Mohamad Bahjat Abu Ahallil, 22, for 15 additional days, knowing that he was arrested since 22nd of December on charges of social media activity, according to the movement's statement.
For its part, the family of university student Abdel-Rahman Abu Arqub confirmed that their son continued his hunger strike since 11 days in Jericho prison, adding that his arrest has been extended for more 15 days for further investigation.
Late on Thursday, a student at Palestine Polytechnic university named Seif al-Islam Taha was arrested by the PA preventive security apparatus.
Taha's family confirmed that the preventive security forces ransacked their house and confiscated its son's computer before arresting him.
21 jan 2014
The Palestinian Authority (PA) preventive security apparatus still refuses to release political prisoners Saeed Bilal and Saleh Amer, who have been on hunger strike for more than nine days in protest at their illegal detention. The families of the prisoners said that their sons are determined to continue their hunger strike until they get back their freedom.
They described the detention of their sons as politically motivated and illegal, affirming that the PA preventive security arrested them with no guilt.
They held the PA fully responsible for any health repercussions that may result from their hunger strike and demanded the Palestinian reconciliation committee to intervene to have them released.
In a related context, the information center of the ministry of planning in Gaza released a report on Monday accusing the PA security apparatuses of carrying out last year 720 illegal arrests against Palestinian citizens, mostly from Hamas and Islamic Jihad, in the West Bank.
According to its report, the PA security agencies killed two Palestinian citizens and summoned about 477 others for interrogation during 2013.
They described the detention of their sons as politically motivated and illegal, affirming that the PA preventive security arrested them with no guilt.
They held the PA fully responsible for any health repercussions that may result from their hunger strike and demanded the Palestinian reconciliation committee to intervene to have them released.
In a related context, the information center of the ministry of planning in Gaza released a report on Monday accusing the PA security apparatuses of carrying out last year 720 illegal arrests against Palestinian citizens, mostly from Hamas and Islamic Jihad, in the West Bank.
According to its report, the PA security agencies killed two Palestinian citizens and summoned about 477 others for interrogation during 2013.
17 jan 2014
The PA security forces continued arrest campaign against Hamas' supporters and cadres in the occupied West Bank, arresting two university students in al-Khalil and extended the detention of another student.
In al-Khalil, the PA intelligence apparatus arrested a student at al-Khalil University Abdul Rahman Abu Arqoup, knowing that he is a liberated prisoner.
In Bethlehem, the PA preventive security arrested the student at al-Khalil University Anas Sheikh, knowing that he was released few days ago from Israeli jails.
In turn, the two students at al-Najah university, Musab Adnan and Said Bakr Bilal continued their hunger strike for several days protesting their continued arrest in PA jails.
Meanwhile, a PA court in Nablus extended the detention of Maaz Rehan for more 15 days pending investigation, knowing that he is the brother of two martyrs.
On the same context, the Islamic bloc, Hamas' student wing, said that 100 students at Birzeit university declared a one-day hunger strike in protest at the PA continued political arrests against the bloc students in West Bank.
In a press conference held on Thursday, the Islamic bloc condemned the continued arrest campaign against its members carried out by PA Preventive Security and General Intelligence especially that it coincides with the upcoming exam period.
For his part, Islamic Bloc's coordinator Mohammed Zaid confirmed to Quds Press that the students continued their sit-in protest in Birzeit University for 11 days in row, threatening to escalate their protest steps.
He pointed that all the participants in the sit-in are threatened with detention, calling on human rights institutions to intervene to put an end to political arrest policy.
In al-Khalil, the PA intelligence apparatus arrested a student at al-Khalil University Abdul Rahman Abu Arqoup, knowing that he is a liberated prisoner.
In Bethlehem, the PA preventive security arrested the student at al-Khalil University Anas Sheikh, knowing that he was released few days ago from Israeli jails.
In turn, the two students at al-Najah university, Musab Adnan and Said Bakr Bilal continued their hunger strike for several days protesting their continued arrest in PA jails.
Meanwhile, a PA court in Nablus extended the detention of Maaz Rehan for more 15 days pending investigation, knowing that he is the brother of two martyrs.
On the same context, the Islamic bloc, Hamas' student wing, said that 100 students at Birzeit university declared a one-day hunger strike in protest at the PA continued political arrests against the bloc students in West Bank.
In a press conference held on Thursday, the Islamic bloc condemned the continued arrest campaign against its members carried out by PA Preventive Security and General Intelligence especially that it coincides with the upcoming exam period.
For his part, Islamic Bloc's coordinator Mohammed Zaid confirmed to Quds Press that the students continued their sit-in protest in Birzeit University for 11 days in row, threatening to escalate their protest steps.
He pointed that all the participants in the sit-in are threatened with detention, calling on human rights institutions to intervene to put an end to political arrest policy.
16 jan 2014
A spokesman for the Palestinian Authority security forces on Thursday denied Israeli media reports that the PA had arrested Hamas members in the West Bank.
Adnan al-Dumieri told Ma'an Thursday that Israeli reports claiming the PA had arrested a small group of Hamas members in Bethlehem and another in Hebron were false.
"We have no information about this issue," al-Dumieri told Ma'an.
"Israelis are releasing false, poisoned, untrue, and unrealistic information as part of an Israeli media campaign against the president, the leadership, and the Palestinian security forces," he said.
Al-Dumieri said Israel was avoiding its responsibilities in the ongoing peace negotiations, and attempting to foil negotiations by any means necessary.
Earlier, a report by the Israeli news website Walla said improvised explosive devices were found in a car in Hebron and that Hamas members were planning to detonate it inside Israel.
The report also claimed that a group of Hamas members in Bethlehem were planning an attack.
Both groups were arrested by PA security forces, the report said, citing a Palestinian security source.
Adnan al-Dumieri told Ma'an Thursday that Israeli reports claiming the PA had arrested a small group of Hamas members in Bethlehem and another in Hebron were false.
"We have no information about this issue," al-Dumieri told Ma'an.
"Israelis are releasing false, poisoned, untrue, and unrealistic information as part of an Israeli media campaign against the president, the leadership, and the Palestinian security forces," he said.
Al-Dumieri said Israel was avoiding its responsibilities in the ongoing peace negotiations, and attempting to foil negotiations by any means necessary.
Earlier, a report by the Israeli news website Walla said improvised explosive devices were found in a car in Hebron and that Hamas members were planning to detonate it inside Israel.
The report also claimed that a group of Hamas members in Bethlehem were planning an attack.
Both groups were arrested by PA security forces, the report said, citing a Palestinian security source.
14 jan 2014
A Palestinian civil rights monitor condemned Palestinian security forces for allegedly detaining photographers and deleting video footage off their cameras during recent protests in Ramallah.
The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) said that the actions violate "freedom of opinion and expression," and demanded authorities "enable journalists to exercise their professional duty freely," in a statement released on Sunday.
According to the statement, "members of the Palestinian National Security and the police detained Raya Media Agency photographers Samer Nazal and Shady Hatem," while they were covering clashes between security forces and residents of al-Jalazun refugee camp on Sunday.
Security forces confiscated their cameras during the detention.
Photographer Samer Nazal was quoted by the statement as saying: "After about a quarter of an hour they returned our cameras, but they deleted all footage and told us not to capture the faces of the security men or film their attacks on the people of the camp."
Clashes broke out in Ramallah on Sunday as part of a series of solidarity protests against UNRWA policies that have been held across the West Bank in recent weeks.
The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) said that the actions violate "freedom of opinion and expression," and demanded authorities "enable journalists to exercise their professional duty freely," in a statement released on Sunday.
According to the statement, "members of the Palestinian National Security and the police detained Raya Media Agency photographers Samer Nazal and Shady Hatem," while they were covering clashes between security forces and residents of al-Jalazun refugee camp on Sunday.
Security forces confiscated their cameras during the detention.
Photographer Samer Nazal was quoted by the statement as saying: "After about a quarter of an hour they returned our cameras, but they deleted all footage and told us not to capture the faces of the security men or film their attacks on the people of the camp."
Clashes broke out in Ramallah on Sunday as part of a series of solidarity protests against UNRWA policies that have been held across the West Bank in recent weeks.
13 jan 2014
The members of the Palestinian National Security and the police detained Raya Media Agency photographers Samer Nazal and Shady Hatem, during their coverage of clashes between security forces and residents of Jalazoun Refugee Camp south of Ramallah, who closed several entrances of Ramallah city, in protest against the strike of UNRWA employees for more than 40 days, The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) said in a press release Sunday.
Nazal told MADA that he was covering the event with his colleague Shadi Hatem, during which the security police men approached them, and confiscated their cameras.
"After about a quarter of an hour they returned our cameras, but they deleted all footage and told us not to capture the faces of the security men or film their attacks on the people of the camp," Nazzal added.
MADA condemns this violation that is against the Palestinian Basic Law, which guarantees freedom of opinion and expression and demands the authorities to enable journalists to exercise their professional duty freely.
Nazal told MADA that he was covering the event with his colleague Shadi Hatem, during which the security police men approached them, and confiscated their cameras.
"After about a quarter of an hour they returned our cameras, but they deleted all footage and told us not to capture the faces of the security men or film their attacks on the people of the camp," Nazzal added.
MADA condemns this violation that is against the Palestinian Basic Law, which guarantees freedom of opinion and expression and demands the authorities to enable journalists to exercise their professional duty freely.
More than 40 policemen of the Palestinian Authority, including Ramallah police chief Omar Al-Bazour, suffered different injuries during violent clashes on Sunday morning near Al-Jalazoun refugee camp with Palestinian protestors demanding the UNRWA to stop ignoring their demands. The Palestinian information center (PIC) reporter in Ramallah said the clashes broke out when the PA security forces used excessive violence to disperse the angry protestors who closed the Birzeit and Nablus roads leading to Ramallah.
The PIC reporter added that the anti-riot police excessively used stun and tear gas grenades and hurled stones back at the protestors.
More than 20 demonstrators suffered injuries during the events and some of them were taken to Ramallah hospital.
Dozens of Palestinian citizens from Al-Jalazoun refugee camp had blocked the northern roads leading to Ramallah in protest at the UNRWA's persistence in ignoring their demands.
The demonstrators chanted slogans against PA chief Mahmoud Abbas and his security apparatuses, and described them as traitors due to the suppression they are exposed to by his security forces and the Israeli occupation forces (IOF).
Protestors told the PIC reporter that the IOF subdue their protests every week, but this time the PA security forces did the job on their behalf.
In another incident, Palestinian citizens from Al-Am'ari refugee camp blocked on the same day the main road between Jerusalem and Ramallah in protest at the UNRWA's policies.
The PIC reporter added that the anti-riot police excessively used stun and tear gas grenades and hurled stones back at the protestors.
More than 20 demonstrators suffered injuries during the events and some of them were taken to Ramallah hospital.
Dozens of Palestinian citizens from Al-Jalazoun refugee camp had blocked the northern roads leading to Ramallah in protest at the UNRWA's persistence in ignoring their demands.
The demonstrators chanted slogans against PA chief Mahmoud Abbas and his security apparatuses, and described them as traitors due to the suppression they are exposed to by his security forces and the Israeli occupation forces (IOF).
Protestors told the PIC reporter that the IOF subdue their protests every week, but this time the PA security forces did the job on their behalf.
In another incident, Palestinian citizens from Al-Am'ari refugee camp blocked on the same day the main road between Jerusalem and Ramallah in protest at the UNRWA's policies.
11 jan 2014
The leader in Fatah Movement Hussam Khader renewed his total rejection to the continued political arrests and summonses targeting members of the Islamic bloc, Hamas's student wing, carried out by PA security services in the West Bank. In a press release on Friday, Khader stressed the need to criminalize political arrests, whatever the pretexts and justifications were.
Khader criticized PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas's passive position towards PA forces' brutal and unjust practices against students that include depriving them from completing their education.
He called on the Executive Committee of the General Union of Palestinian Students, Birzeit University rector and Board of Trustees to take a clear position towards the escalated political arrests against students for their activities within the university.
He also called on Student Council at Birzeit University and Fatah movement's student wing to take a brave position against students' political arrests.
Khader criticized PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas's passive position towards PA forces' brutal and unjust practices against students that include depriving them from completing their education.
He called on the Executive Committee of the General Union of Palestinian Students, Birzeit University rector and Board of Trustees to take a clear position towards the escalated political arrests against students for their activities within the university.
He also called on Student Council at Birzeit University and Fatah movement's student wing to take a brave position against students' political arrests.
10 jan 2014
The Palestinian Authority security apparatuses arrested 17 activists and cadres of the Hamas movement in the West Bank, including university students. Among the detainees were a number of organizers of the celebration of the 26th anniversary of Hamas's inception, scheduled to take place in Nablus on Saturday, students from Najah National University, Islamic bloc activists and liberated prisoners.
In Nablus, the PA security services arrested 11 students at An-Najah National University, mostly liberated captives from the Israeli occupation jails.
They have also extended for 15 days the detention of more than 20 detainees, who were kidnapped in the province during the past couple of days.
Meanwhile, the Preventive Security Service (PSS) continued to detain engineer Moataz Taher, arrested 6 days ago, and extended his detention for 15 days.
In Tulkarem, the PPS arrested two citizens, while it continued to detain a student at Al-Quds Open University for the fourth day running.
It has also kidnapped two young men and a liberated prisoner from Dura in al-Khalil, and another youth from the town of Immatin in Qalqiliya.
For its part, the General Intelligence Service summoned a 65-year-old citizen, from Shaqba village west of Ramallah, to its headquarters.
In Nablus, the PA security services arrested 11 students at An-Najah National University, mostly liberated captives from the Israeli occupation jails.
They have also extended for 15 days the detention of more than 20 detainees, who were kidnapped in the province during the past couple of days.
Meanwhile, the Preventive Security Service (PSS) continued to detain engineer Moataz Taher, arrested 6 days ago, and extended his detention for 15 days.
In Tulkarem, the PPS arrested two citizens, while it continued to detain a student at Al-Quds Open University for the fourth day running.
It has also kidnapped two young men and a liberated prisoner from Dura in al-Khalil, and another youth from the town of Immatin in Qalqiliya.
For its part, the General Intelligence Service summoned a 65-year-old citizen, from Shaqba village west of Ramallah, to its headquarters.
The Palestinian authority's security services evacuated dozens of Israelis who attended a normalizing meeting in the City Inn hotel in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Thursday morning, after activists gathered outside the hotel to protest the meeting. PIC's correspondent said that dozens of protestors chanted slogans against “normalization” with Israel and threw stones, breaking the hotel's windows.
They tried to enter the conference hall, but the Palestinian special police forces stationed at the entrance intervened and pushed them back, the reporter added.
Eyewitnesses said that the meeting was bringing together PA officials and more than 20 Israelis, including settlers and former officers in the occupation army who were responsible for massacre against the Palestinian national security forces in Ramallah in 2002, for mock peace talks.
One of the demonstrators, who was able to enter the hotel, removed the Israeli flag that was raised next to a Palestinian flag inside the conference hall.
The conference was cut short and the Palestinian Authority police rushed the Israelis out to the back door, put them on Palestinian police buses and then escorted them out of Ramallah.
Dozens of young men threw stones and eggs at riot police, after discovering that they ushered the Israelis to Beit El settlement.
For his part, Salah al-Khawaja, Deputy Secretary General of the Palestinian National Initiative condemned such conference and told PIC that these normalizing meetings come in light of the ongoing settler attacks on the citizens and their properties in the West Bank.
They tried to enter the conference hall, but the Palestinian special police forces stationed at the entrance intervened and pushed them back, the reporter added.
Eyewitnesses said that the meeting was bringing together PA officials and more than 20 Israelis, including settlers and former officers in the occupation army who were responsible for massacre against the Palestinian national security forces in Ramallah in 2002, for mock peace talks.
One of the demonstrators, who was able to enter the hotel, removed the Israeli flag that was raised next to a Palestinian flag inside the conference hall.
The conference was cut short and the Palestinian Authority police rushed the Israelis out to the back door, put them on Palestinian police buses and then escorted them out of Ramallah.
Dozens of young men threw stones and eggs at riot police, after discovering that they ushered the Israelis to Beit El settlement.
For his part, Salah al-Khawaja, Deputy Secretary General of the Palestinian National Initiative condemned such conference and told PIC that these normalizing meetings come in light of the ongoing settler attacks on the citizens and their properties in the West Bank.
The PA Security Forces in Nablus city have arrested in less than 48 hours members of the preparatory committee for Hamas' 27th anniversary scheduled to be organized on Saturday. Sources from the Hamas Movement confirmed to Quds Press that the PA Intelligence and Security Forces have arrested a number of Hamas' members following their intention to commemorate the movement's 27th anniversary in Nablus on Saturday.
The Palestinian authorities in Nablus have asked one of the preparatory committee's members to submit an event permit request that includes names of all the committee's members, the sources added.
Shortly after submitting the event permit request, the PA forces arrested the preparatory committee's members.
On the same context, the PA Preventive Security Services arrested the student at al-Najah University Mahmoud Assida after storming into his house, knowing that he was supposed to be the speaker during the event.
Meanwhile, the PA Intelligence Service stormed on Thursday the house of Hamas official Dr. Mustafa Shanar's house and arrested his eldest son.
Family sources told the Palestinian information center (PIC) that a large force of PA Intelligence stormed the house of academic at al-Najeh University Mustafa Shanar and arrested his son Montasar, 22, after they brutally attacked and beaten him in the presence of dozens of people.
Shanar family condemned the PA forces' attack that came only one week after Dr. Mustafa Shanar's release from Israeli jails, where he spent 8 months in administrative detention.
The Palestinian authorities in Nablus have asked one of the preparatory committee's members to submit an event permit request that includes names of all the committee's members, the sources added.
Shortly after submitting the event permit request, the PA forces arrested the preparatory committee's members.
On the same context, the PA Preventive Security Services arrested the student at al-Najah University Mahmoud Assida after storming into his house, knowing that he was supposed to be the speaker during the event.
Meanwhile, the PA Intelligence Service stormed on Thursday the house of Hamas official Dr. Mustafa Shanar's house and arrested his eldest son.
Family sources told the Palestinian information center (PIC) that a large force of PA Intelligence stormed the house of academic at al-Najeh University Mustafa Shanar and arrested his son Montasar, 22, after they brutally attacked and beaten him in the presence of dozens of people.
Shanar family condemned the PA forces' attack that came only one week after Dr. Mustafa Shanar's release from Israeli jails, where he spent 8 months in administrative detention.
8 jan 2014
Gaza's Hamas government freed seven imprisoned Fatah members Wednesday, as part of efforts to mend relations between the Islamist movement and its West Bank-based Palestinian rival, officials said.
"The release of these condemned men comes as part of the prime minister's decisions to strengthen national reconciliation," Gaza interior ministry spokesman Islam Shahwan told reporters.
"More positive steps will follow," he added, without elaborating.
The releases came two days after Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh reached out to Fatah, saying that those of its members who had fled Gaza when Hamas seized the territory in 2007 would be allowed to return, except for those accused of killing Hamas members.
"The government will allow all Fatah members who are from Gaza and who left the Strip to return, without any preconditions," Haniyeh said.
It was the latest in a series of overtures by Hamas to Fatah, which dominates the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority, as Israel and Egypt have tightened a blockade on Gaza.
Also Wednesday, a Fatah spokesman told Ma'an that the faction had presented a plan for a unity government to Hamas, calling for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to set the date for presidential and legislative elections.
Haniyeh said he would need time to consider the proposal with other Hamas leaders, Osama al-Qawasmeh said.
In October, Haniyeh spoke by telephone to Abbas, stressing the need for reconciliation and "a return to national unity."
Longtime tensions between Hamas and Fatah boiled over in a week of fighting in 2007 that left the Islamist movement in control of Gaza and effectively divided the Palestinian territories in two.
The two sides have made repeated attempts to heal the rift, including an Egyptian-brokered deal in 2011 in which they agreed to make way for an interim government of independents to organize fresh elections throughout the territories.
The agreement has never been implemented.
Hamas to release 7 Fatah prisoners as unity gesture
Gaza's Ministry of Interior on Wednesday announced that it would release seven imprisoned Fatah members held in custody for security reasons.
A spokesman for the ministry, Ibrahim Salah, told Ma'an that "upon a decision by the prime minister, the ministry will release seven Fatah-affiliated prisoners as a first stage."
Salah said he hoped Fatah would make a similar gesture in the West Bank.
Hamas and Fatah have secretly resumed reconciliation talks in an attempt to finalize an agreement.
On Monday, AFP reported Gaza premier Ismail Haniyeh as saying that "The (Hamas) government will allow all Fatah members who are from Gaza and who left the Strip (in 2007) to return, without any preconditions," apart from those accused of killing Hamas members during intense factional fighting that year.
The division between the two Palestinian factions began in 2006, when Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections.
In the following year, clashes erupted between Fatah and Hamas, leaving Hamas in control of the Strip and Fatah in control of parts of the occupied West Bank.
The groups have made failed attempts at national reconciliation for years, most recently in 2012, when they signed two agreements -- one in Cairo and a subsequent one in Doha -- which have as of yet been entirely unimplemented.
"The release of these condemned men comes as part of the prime minister's decisions to strengthen national reconciliation," Gaza interior ministry spokesman Islam Shahwan told reporters.
"More positive steps will follow," he added, without elaborating.
The releases came two days after Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh reached out to Fatah, saying that those of its members who had fled Gaza when Hamas seized the territory in 2007 would be allowed to return, except for those accused of killing Hamas members.
"The government will allow all Fatah members who are from Gaza and who left the Strip to return, without any preconditions," Haniyeh said.
It was the latest in a series of overtures by Hamas to Fatah, which dominates the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority, as Israel and Egypt have tightened a blockade on Gaza.
Also Wednesday, a Fatah spokesman told Ma'an that the faction had presented a plan for a unity government to Hamas, calling for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to set the date for presidential and legislative elections.
Haniyeh said he would need time to consider the proposal with other Hamas leaders, Osama al-Qawasmeh said.
In October, Haniyeh spoke by telephone to Abbas, stressing the need for reconciliation and "a return to national unity."
Longtime tensions between Hamas and Fatah boiled over in a week of fighting in 2007 that left the Islamist movement in control of Gaza and effectively divided the Palestinian territories in two.
The two sides have made repeated attempts to heal the rift, including an Egyptian-brokered deal in 2011 in which they agreed to make way for an interim government of independents to organize fresh elections throughout the territories.
The agreement has never been implemented.
Hamas to release 7 Fatah prisoners as unity gesture
Gaza's Ministry of Interior on Wednesday announced that it would release seven imprisoned Fatah members held in custody for security reasons.
A spokesman for the ministry, Ibrahim Salah, told Ma'an that "upon a decision by the prime minister, the ministry will release seven Fatah-affiliated prisoners as a first stage."
Salah said he hoped Fatah would make a similar gesture in the West Bank.
Hamas and Fatah have secretly resumed reconciliation talks in an attempt to finalize an agreement.
On Monday, AFP reported Gaza premier Ismail Haniyeh as saying that "The (Hamas) government will allow all Fatah members who are from Gaza and who left the Strip (in 2007) to return, without any preconditions," apart from those accused of killing Hamas members during intense factional fighting that year.
The division between the two Palestinian factions began in 2006, when Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections.
In the following year, clashes erupted between Fatah and Hamas, leaving Hamas in control of the Strip and Fatah in control of parts of the occupied West Bank.
The groups have made failed attempts at national reconciliation for years, most recently in 2012, when they signed two agreements -- one in Cairo and a subsequent one in Doha -- which have as of yet been entirely unimplemented.
On Tuesday Palestinian villagers from Qusra in Nablus area, held 18 settlers captive after they had tried to uproot olive trees belonging to the villagers. The settlers were later trasfered to Israeli Occupation Forces.
The settler were surrounded by the villagers while destroying village property, clashes broke out and the villagers managed to hold the settlers and call for the Palestinian Security Service who transfered the settlers to the Israeli Occupation Forces.
The attack took place after the Israeli Administration demolished a building in the illegal outpost of Yesh Kodesh.
Amos Harel writes in Haaretz that the attack from the settlers were predictable and that ”this highlights the security services’ impotency in addressing violence by the extreme right.”
Amos Harel predicts a rize in these price tag attacks, where extreme right wing israeli settlers attack and vandilize Palestinian property in response to any decision that might slow down the settlement expansions on the West Bank.
”The more progress U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry makes toward an Israeli-Palestinian agreement, and the more reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering major concessions in the talks, the more such acts will happen.”
The settler were surrounded by the villagers while destroying village property, clashes broke out and the villagers managed to hold the settlers and call for the Palestinian Security Service who transfered the settlers to the Israeli Occupation Forces.
The attack took place after the Israeli Administration demolished a building in the illegal outpost of Yesh Kodesh.
Amos Harel writes in Haaretz that the attack from the settlers were predictable and that ”this highlights the security services’ impotency in addressing violence by the extreme right.”
Amos Harel predicts a rize in these price tag attacks, where extreme right wing israeli settlers attack and vandilize Palestinian property in response to any decision that might slow down the settlement expansions on the West Bank.
”The more progress U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry makes toward an Israeli-Palestinian agreement, and the more reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering major concessions in the talks, the more such acts will happen.”
7 jan 2014
Palestinian Premier Ismail Haneyya has declared a number of important decisions to achieve the Palestinian national reconciliation.
In a press conference held on Monday at the Interior Ministry in Gaza, Haneyya decided to allow Palestinians who fled Gaza in the wake of internal division to return to the Strip in exception of those whose court files were incomplete.
This decision would have a positive impact on hundreds of families in the Strip, he said
He also decided to pardon and release members of Fatah Movement who are detained for national security issues and not for their political affiliation.
The Palestinian Premier also decided to allow all Fatah parliamentarians to visit Gaza without any restrictions, renewing his declaration that the year 2014 would be the year of Palestinian reconciliation.
He confirmed his government’s readiness to do all that is needed to end the split between the West Bank and Gaza Strip, stressing that the reconciliation file will remain under Egyptian patronage and the follow up of Arab and Islamic countries.
In a press conference held on Monday at the Interior Ministry in Gaza, Haneyya decided to allow Palestinians who fled Gaza in the wake of internal division to return to the Strip in exception of those whose court files were incomplete.
This decision would have a positive impact on hundreds of families in the Strip, he said
He also decided to pardon and release members of Fatah Movement who are detained for national security issues and not for their political affiliation.
The Palestinian Premier also decided to allow all Fatah parliamentarians to visit Gaza without any restrictions, renewing his declaration that the year 2014 would be the year of Palestinian reconciliation.
He confirmed his government’s readiness to do all that is needed to end the split between the West Bank and Gaza Strip, stressing that the reconciliation file will remain under Egyptian patronage and the follow up of Arab and Islamic countries.
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