16 feb 2015
In interview with AP, Bayit Yehudi leader says 'Israel not going to give up more land' and urges Palestinian to lower expectations, saying all Israel can do is 'make their lives better.'
With the Israeli prime minister under fire internationally for his hard-line policies, a key partner of Benjamin Netanyahu is standing firmly behind him ahead of the March parliamentary elections - heralding what could be an even tougher stance toward the Palestinians if the two sit together in the next government.
Naftali Bennett, leader of the Bayit Yehudi (Jewish Home) party - a lynchpin of Israel's religious-nationalist right that takes an even tougher line toward the Palestinians than Netanyahu's Likud - told The Associated Press that the Palestinians should lower their expectations and forget about statehood.
"We are not going to give up more land. This approach has failed," says Bennett, who is angling to become defense minister as part of the next coalition government if Netanyahu prevails in the March 17 vote. "Now, if it means that the world will penalize us, that is unfair but so be it." "I think the world right now is trying to twist Israel's arm into committing a huge mistake that would damage our own future," Bennett said.
While critics attack Netanyahu for resisting concessions to the Palestinians and being combative with the United States, Bennett insists the prime minister has not gone far enough. He said Netanyahu has embraced dovish policies by agreeing in principle to a Palestinian state, temporarily freezing West Bank settlement construction and releasing convicted Palestinian murderers in prisoner swaps. Bennett defiantly rejects the premise that Israel is to blame for the failed Middle East's peace talks and doesn't hesitate to speak bluntly - the next government should build more settlements and solidify its control over territory sought by the Palestinians, he said.
"Israel needs to do what is right for it, what is right for its people, what is right for its long-term survival," Bennett, currently Israel's economics minister, said in the AP interview at his Jerusalem office. "We have a problem in the Arab world, which is getting more and more radical. Throwing them (the Palestinians) pieces of Israel's land and hoping that will satisfy the radical Islamist beast won't do it."
Such fiery rhetoric has helped turn the 42-year-old Bennett into one of Israel's most popular politicians. He has revolutionized Israel's previously staid religious right with charismatic leadership that has drawn support not only from its natural hard-line settler constituency but also from centrist, secular Israelis.
A son of American immigrants who served as a military commando and made millions in the high-tech world, Bennett has broadened his public appeal so much that early polls showed his party garnering nearly as many seats as Netanyahu's Likud. That support, however, has dipped recently to the current level of 12 seats in the 120-member parliament, half the amount projected to go to Likud. The drop has ended talk that Bennett could be poised to become Israel's first Orthodox Jewish prime minister, and for now, he is vowing to stick by Netanyahu, despite a history of bad blood between them.
Bennett was highly critical of what he considered to be Israel's soft response to the Palestinian militant Hamas group in last summer's Gaza war. The war killed more than 2,200 Palestinians, most of them civilians, while 72 people were killed on the Israeli side, according to UN figures.
After serving in an elite commando unit, Bennett co-founded an anti-fraud software company that was sold in 2005 to US-based RSA Security for $145 million. He then turned to politics and served as Netanyahu's chief of staff for two years. They parted ways after a mysterious falling out, which Bennett refuses to discuss but which is widely believed to be linked to Netanyahu's wife, Sara, who wields great influence over the prime minister's inner circle. He also served as chairman of the West Bank settlers' council, though he does not live in a settlement himself.
Netanyahu has at least once threatened to fire him for insubordination but the confrontations have only increased support for Bennett. A master of social media, Bennett has released a series of YouTube clips that try to cast him as cool. In one video, he dresses up as a bearded Tel Aviv hipster, apologizing for every misstep before removing his costume and introducing his catchphrase: "Enough apologizing already."
Bennett's office reflects his diverse background. A family photo with his four children is next to one of him in uniform, holding an assault rifle. The bookshelf displays a Bible along with travel books and a hardcover about Albert Einstein, while a pair of dumbbells lies on the floor. Bennett claims that Israel's 2005 withdrawal from Gaza only brought rocket attacks against it. Therefore, he argues, Israel should annex the roughly 60 percent of the West Bank currently under its full control and offer economic cooperation to Palestinians - instead of independence.
Such a move would infuriate both the Palestinians and the international community. With the Arab population expected to soon outnumber the Jewish one, it also could endanger Israel's future as a Jewish country. But Bennett is unfazed. "What I am suggesting is a different path, it's a tougher one but it's the right one," he said. "Let's make their lives better," he said of the Palestinians. "If we can do that for a few years, I think the world will see that we are actually making progress as opposed to just talking."
With the Israeli prime minister under fire internationally for his hard-line policies, a key partner of Benjamin Netanyahu is standing firmly behind him ahead of the March parliamentary elections - heralding what could be an even tougher stance toward the Palestinians if the two sit together in the next government.
Naftali Bennett, leader of the Bayit Yehudi (Jewish Home) party - a lynchpin of Israel's religious-nationalist right that takes an even tougher line toward the Palestinians than Netanyahu's Likud - told The Associated Press that the Palestinians should lower their expectations and forget about statehood.
"We are not going to give up more land. This approach has failed," says Bennett, who is angling to become defense minister as part of the next coalition government if Netanyahu prevails in the March 17 vote. "Now, if it means that the world will penalize us, that is unfair but so be it." "I think the world right now is trying to twist Israel's arm into committing a huge mistake that would damage our own future," Bennett said.
While critics attack Netanyahu for resisting concessions to the Palestinians and being combative with the United States, Bennett insists the prime minister has not gone far enough. He said Netanyahu has embraced dovish policies by agreeing in principle to a Palestinian state, temporarily freezing West Bank settlement construction and releasing convicted Palestinian murderers in prisoner swaps. Bennett defiantly rejects the premise that Israel is to blame for the failed Middle East's peace talks and doesn't hesitate to speak bluntly - the next government should build more settlements and solidify its control over territory sought by the Palestinians, he said.
"Israel needs to do what is right for it, what is right for its people, what is right for its long-term survival," Bennett, currently Israel's economics minister, said in the AP interview at his Jerusalem office. "We have a problem in the Arab world, which is getting more and more radical. Throwing them (the Palestinians) pieces of Israel's land and hoping that will satisfy the radical Islamist beast won't do it."
Such fiery rhetoric has helped turn the 42-year-old Bennett into one of Israel's most popular politicians. He has revolutionized Israel's previously staid religious right with charismatic leadership that has drawn support not only from its natural hard-line settler constituency but also from centrist, secular Israelis.
A son of American immigrants who served as a military commando and made millions in the high-tech world, Bennett has broadened his public appeal so much that early polls showed his party garnering nearly as many seats as Netanyahu's Likud. That support, however, has dipped recently to the current level of 12 seats in the 120-member parliament, half the amount projected to go to Likud. The drop has ended talk that Bennett could be poised to become Israel's first Orthodox Jewish prime minister, and for now, he is vowing to stick by Netanyahu, despite a history of bad blood between them.
Bennett was highly critical of what he considered to be Israel's soft response to the Palestinian militant Hamas group in last summer's Gaza war. The war killed more than 2,200 Palestinians, most of them civilians, while 72 people were killed on the Israeli side, according to UN figures.
After serving in an elite commando unit, Bennett co-founded an anti-fraud software company that was sold in 2005 to US-based RSA Security for $145 million. He then turned to politics and served as Netanyahu's chief of staff for two years. They parted ways after a mysterious falling out, which Bennett refuses to discuss but which is widely believed to be linked to Netanyahu's wife, Sara, who wields great influence over the prime minister's inner circle. He also served as chairman of the West Bank settlers' council, though he does not live in a settlement himself.
Netanyahu has at least once threatened to fire him for insubordination but the confrontations have only increased support for Bennett. A master of social media, Bennett has released a series of YouTube clips that try to cast him as cool. In one video, he dresses up as a bearded Tel Aviv hipster, apologizing for every misstep before removing his costume and introducing his catchphrase: "Enough apologizing already."
Bennett's office reflects his diverse background. A family photo with his four children is next to one of him in uniform, holding an assault rifle. The bookshelf displays a Bible along with travel books and a hardcover about Albert Einstein, while a pair of dumbbells lies on the floor. Bennett claims that Israel's 2005 withdrawal from Gaza only brought rocket attacks against it. Therefore, he argues, Israel should annex the roughly 60 percent of the West Bank currently under its full control and offer economic cooperation to Palestinians - instead of independence.
Such a move would infuriate both the Palestinians and the international community. With the Arab population expected to soon outnumber the Jewish one, it also could endanger Israel's future as a Jewish country. But Bennett is unfazed. "What I am suggesting is a different path, it's a tougher one but it's the right one," he said. "Let's make their lives better," he said of the Palestinians. "If we can do that for a few years, I think the world will see that we are actually making progress as opposed to just talking."
Fatah official Mamoon Sweidan
A Fatah official said Monday that masked gunmen opened fire at him in Gaza City, injuring two bodyguards.
Mamoon Sweidan, a Fatah official in the Gaza office for foreign relations, told Ma'an that two masked gunmen driving a Subaru car opened fire at him as he attempted to enter his vehicle outside of the al-Saadi building where he lives.
Two of his bodyguards exchanged shots with the gunmen and were hit during the attack, he added.
Sweidan said that the shooting was a clear assassination attempt.
The incident is the latest in a string of tit-for-tat attacks between Fatah and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
On Sunday, attackers in Gaza poured flammable liquid on the car of Fatah official Abed al-Munim Ramadan Tahrawi before setting it ablaze and fleeing the scene.
Earlier in the day, arsonists in Jabaliya in northern Gaza set fire to a car belonging to a senior official in the interior ministry of the former Hamas-run government.
In January, the car of Fatah official Adil Udeid was set on fire in Gaza after flammable liquid was poured on the vehicle, which was parked in front of the official's home.
Unidentified assailants also blew up a car belonging to Fatah leader Ahmad Alwan in Gaza City.
On Jan. 20, unidentified assailants blew up a private car belonging to a security officer of the former Hamas-run government in Gaza City.
The incidents have triggered angry exchanges between Hamas and Fatah leaders, potentially endangering the unity government that was agreed upon in April after seven years of political division between the West Bank and Gaza.
A Fatah official said Monday that masked gunmen opened fire at him in Gaza City, injuring two bodyguards.
Mamoon Sweidan, a Fatah official in the Gaza office for foreign relations, told Ma'an that two masked gunmen driving a Subaru car opened fire at him as he attempted to enter his vehicle outside of the al-Saadi building where he lives.
Two of his bodyguards exchanged shots with the gunmen and were hit during the attack, he added.
Sweidan said that the shooting was a clear assassination attempt.
The incident is the latest in a string of tit-for-tat attacks between Fatah and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
On Sunday, attackers in Gaza poured flammable liquid on the car of Fatah official Abed al-Munim Ramadan Tahrawi before setting it ablaze and fleeing the scene.
Earlier in the day, arsonists in Jabaliya in northern Gaza set fire to a car belonging to a senior official in the interior ministry of the former Hamas-run government.
In January, the car of Fatah official Adil Udeid was set on fire in Gaza after flammable liquid was poured on the vehicle, which was parked in front of the official's home.
Unidentified assailants also blew up a car belonging to Fatah leader Ahmad Alwan in Gaza City.
On Jan. 20, unidentified assailants blew up a private car belonging to a security officer of the former Hamas-run government in Gaza City.
The incidents have triggered angry exchanges between Hamas and Fatah leaders, potentially endangering the unity government that was agreed upon in April after seven years of political division between the West Bank and Gaza.
Deputy chief commander of Iran's army Masoud Jazaeri has said that Iran has solid relations with the Hamas Movement and considers itself its partner in resisting the Israeli occupation.
Jazaeri made his remarks in a press interview in response to a question about the media attacks in Lebanon and Iran against Hamas and its political leadership.
"The resistance fighters in the occupied lands are dear to us and their respect is a must. We are working for the same project and we have to walk together on the path of opposing and fighting the Zionist entity and America," the Iranian military official stated.
"Those who are resisting and fighting the enemies in the occupied territories are in fact fighting for the sake of Islam, so helping them is an obligation and duty upon all Muslims. The basic and unwavering strategy is that the relationship with Hamas is solid and that we can overcome all secondary issues," he added.
"We are the partners of Hamas in the resistance, and the fighters in the occupied territories should march step by step until inflicting a decisive defeat on this usurping entity, and cooperate in all situations," the Iranian official underlined.
Jazaeri made his remarks in a press interview in response to a question about the media attacks in Lebanon and Iran against Hamas and its political leadership.
"The resistance fighters in the occupied lands are dear to us and their respect is a must. We are working for the same project and we have to walk together on the path of opposing and fighting the Zionist entity and America," the Iranian military official stated.
"Those who are resisting and fighting the enemies in the occupied territories are in fact fighting for the sake of Islam, so helping them is an obligation and duty upon all Muslims. The basic and unwavering strategy is that the relationship with Hamas is solid and that we can overcome all secondary issues," he added.
"We are the partners of Hamas in the resistance, and the fighters in the occupied territories should march step by step until inflicting a decisive defeat on this usurping entity, and cooperate in all situations," the Iranian official underlined.
The syndicate committee in defense of the rights of civil servants Sunday called on the Palestinian consensus government to step down on account of its neglect of Gaza’s workers.
The committee warned of an imminent “explosion” to burst out soon in case the government continues to drag its feet over appeals to reimburse Gazan workers.
The committee held the Palestinian Authority Chairman, Mahmoud Abbas, accountable for the crisis, saying the latter has been standing as a stumbling block before all proposals to shell out the employees of Gaza’s ex-government.
“The government has dragged us a long way back to the pre-reconciliation phase by sharpening divisions on unjustifiable grounds. So far, we’ve been reaping nothing more than mere procrastinations, half-truths, and shallow promises,” the statement read.
“We, at the trade union committee for the defense of the rights of employees, have tried by every means available to stand up for our rights. But the problem is political par excellence. We’ll keep going until our demands are met,” the statement proceeded.
“We warn of an impending ‘flare-up’ to rock all those who relish in the pain of others and dance on their wounds,” the committee warned.
The group pushed for stepping up pressure on Abbas and the unity government so as to save “the country from any projected disasters instigated by the ongoing salary crisis.”
The statement appealed to the donor countries to send out the pledged funds and work on reimbursing Gaza’s security personnel as a means to assuage the crisis and prevent further exacerbation of the situation.
The committee hailed a provisional decision issued by the Supreme Court suspending the implementation of an earlier decision calling on Ramallah’s workers, who did not report to work for seven years, to resume office.
The board announced a series of upcoming events, including a conference and a rally to be staged in front of the headquarters of the Palestinian Legislative Council at 11 a.m. Wednesday.
A five-day protest tent is also set to be pitched in front of the headquarters of the Council of Ministers, for three hours a day as of Sunday morning.
The Palestinian unity government, which took office in early June, has not reimbursed the employees of Gaza’s ex-government ever since. Meanwhile, Ramallah workers who did not report to work for seven years have reportedly been paid on time.
Undersecretary of the Gaza-based Ministry of Finance, Yusuf al-Kayali, announced, meanwhile, that Gaza’s ex-governmental employees will receive a payment of 1,000 shekels starting Thursday.
The committee warned of an imminent “explosion” to burst out soon in case the government continues to drag its feet over appeals to reimburse Gazan workers.
The committee held the Palestinian Authority Chairman, Mahmoud Abbas, accountable for the crisis, saying the latter has been standing as a stumbling block before all proposals to shell out the employees of Gaza’s ex-government.
“The government has dragged us a long way back to the pre-reconciliation phase by sharpening divisions on unjustifiable grounds. So far, we’ve been reaping nothing more than mere procrastinations, half-truths, and shallow promises,” the statement read.
“We, at the trade union committee for the defense of the rights of employees, have tried by every means available to stand up for our rights. But the problem is political par excellence. We’ll keep going until our demands are met,” the statement proceeded.
“We warn of an impending ‘flare-up’ to rock all those who relish in the pain of others and dance on their wounds,” the committee warned.
The group pushed for stepping up pressure on Abbas and the unity government so as to save “the country from any projected disasters instigated by the ongoing salary crisis.”
The statement appealed to the donor countries to send out the pledged funds and work on reimbursing Gaza’s security personnel as a means to assuage the crisis and prevent further exacerbation of the situation.
The committee hailed a provisional decision issued by the Supreme Court suspending the implementation of an earlier decision calling on Ramallah’s workers, who did not report to work for seven years, to resume office.
The board announced a series of upcoming events, including a conference and a rally to be staged in front of the headquarters of the Palestinian Legislative Council at 11 a.m. Wednesday.
A five-day protest tent is also set to be pitched in front of the headquarters of the Council of Ministers, for three hours a day as of Sunday morning.
The Palestinian unity government, which took office in early June, has not reimbursed the employees of Gaza’s ex-government ever since. Meanwhile, Ramallah workers who did not report to work for seven years have reportedly been paid on time.
Undersecretary of the Gaza-based Ministry of Finance, Yusuf al-Kayali, announced, meanwhile, that Gaza’s ex-governmental employees will receive a payment of 1,000 shekels starting Thursday.
Strenuous efforts are being currently made to work out the salary crisis in Gaza, Quartet envoy to the Middle East, Tony Blair, said Sunday, following a short stopover in Gaza.
Blair said, during a meeting with ministers of the Palestinian consensus government Sunday morning at the headquarters of the Council of Ministers, that serious efforts to solve the salary crisis in Gaza are rooted in the Swiss proposal, Palestinian Minister of Labor Mamoun Abu Shahla, who attended the meeting, reported.
Abu Shahla told reporters following the 40-minute-meeting that they have briefed Blair on a set of crises rocking the besieged enclave, most notably the delay in the reconstruction process and in dispatching the pledged reconstruction funds, along with the government’s reluctance to reimburse Gaza’ ex-employees.
The Palestinian officials further called on Blair to urge the Israeli occupation to lift the siege on Gaza, unblock the Rafah crossing, and to endorse the establishment of a seaport, he added.
Blair further met, during his brief visit to Gaza, a delegation of Palestinian businessmen who updated him on their needs and demands to boost the socio-economic recovery of the blockaded Strip.
The Palestinian unity government, which took office in early June, has not reimbursed the employees of Gaza’s ex-government. Meanwhile, Ramallah workers who did not report to work for seven years have reportedly been paid on time.
Blair said, during a meeting with ministers of the Palestinian consensus government Sunday morning at the headquarters of the Council of Ministers, that serious efforts to solve the salary crisis in Gaza are rooted in the Swiss proposal, Palestinian Minister of Labor Mamoun Abu Shahla, who attended the meeting, reported.
Abu Shahla told reporters following the 40-minute-meeting that they have briefed Blair on a set of crises rocking the besieged enclave, most notably the delay in the reconstruction process and in dispatching the pledged reconstruction funds, along with the government’s reluctance to reimburse Gaza’ ex-employees.
The Palestinian officials further called on Blair to urge the Israeli occupation to lift the siege on Gaza, unblock the Rafah crossing, and to endorse the establishment of a seaport, he added.
Blair further met, during his brief visit to Gaza, a delegation of Palestinian businessmen who updated him on their needs and demands to boost the socio-economic recovery of the blockaded Strip.
The Palestinian unity government, which took office in early June, has not reimbursed the employees of Gaza’s ex-government. Meanwhile, Ramallah workers who did not report to work for seven years have reportedly been paid on time.
15 feb 2015
Tony Blair, the envoy of the international quartet committee for the Middle East peace process, arrived in Gaza Strip via the Erez (Beit Hanun) crossing on Sunday morning.
Palestinian sources told Quds Press that Blair arrived in Gaza within a tour of the region, adding that he met on arrival with ministers of the consensus government at the headquarters of the council of ministers west of Gaza City.
It was not yet known whether Blair, a former British premier, had other meetings on his agenda.
Visits by foreign dignitaries to the Strip have been noticeably on the rise over the past two months.
Palestinian sources told Quds Press that Blair arrived in Gaza within a tour of the region, adding that he met on arrival with ministers of the consensus government at the headquarters of the council of ministers west of Gaza City.
It was not yet known whether Blair, a former British premier, had other meetings on his agenda.
Visits by foreign dignitaries to the Strip have been noticeably on the rise over the past two months.
Hamas slammed the Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman, Mahmoud Abbas, over branding Hamas “a terror group,” saying such claims make part of Abbas’s attempts appease the West and Israel.
Earlier Saturday the Lebanese As-Safir newspaper quoted Abbas as describing Hamas, during an in-camera meeting in Brussels, as one of the terrorist organizations because of whom an explosion is very likely to burst out in case the security coordination and peace talks with Israel are brought to standstill.
Spokesperson for Hamas Fawzi Barhoum said Abbas’s position falls in line with the one adopted by Netanyahu vis-à-vis the resistance group.
“This is a deliberate and preplanned falsehood on the part of Abbas to harm the reputation of the Palestinian resistance, Hamas in particular, as a means to satisfy the West and Israel,” Barhoum told the Quds Press.
“At a time when the European court is working on lifting Hamas from terror blacklists, Abbas is insisting on dubbing it terrorist. This is a disgraceful and shocking misbehavior for all Palestinians,” he added.
He said Abbas is supposed to back-up resistance groups rather than backbiting and lashing out at them.
Earlier Saturday the Lebanese As-Safir newspaper quoted Abbas as describing Hamas, during an in-camera meeting in Brussels, as one of the terrorist organizations because of whom an explosion is very likely to burst out in case the security coordination and peace talks with Israel are brought to standstill.
Spokesperson for Hamas Fawzi Barhoum said Abbas’s position falls in line with the one adopted by Netanyahu vis-à-vis the resistance group.
“This is a deliberate and preplanned falsehood on the part of Abbas to harm the reputation of the Palestinian resistance, Hamas in particular, as a means to satisfy the West and Israel,” Barhoum told the Quds Press.
“At a time when the European court is working on lifting Hamas from terror blacklists, Abbas is insisting on dubbing it terrorist. This is a disgraceful and shocking misbehavior for all Palestinians,” he added.
He said Abbas is supposed to back-up resistance groups rather than backbiting and lashing out at them.
14 feb 2015
Palestinian Authority (PA) president Mahmoud Abbas threatened to take undisclosed harsh steps if Israel continues to illegally withhold the tax revenues it collects on behalf of the PA.
President Mahmoud Abbas stated on Friday during a joint press conference with Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn, “There is a serious issue; Israel is withholding our money tax revenues”, which entails putting the Palestinian state in big trouble.
“Therefore, we call on the world to exert the necessary pressure to compel Israel to release our money. Otherwise, we will be obliged to take some harsh steps,” added Abbas in the press conference.
Abbas said: “The ongoing construction of settlements, which violates international laws, constitutes a critical issue between us and the Israelis.”
He affirmed that should Israel proceed with settlement construction, no negotiations would be held.
This is not the first time that Abbas vows to take punitive measures against the Israeli occupation. It was preceded by warnings to take such steps following the Israeli killing of Minister Ziyad Abu Aian which was in vein.
President Mahmoud Abbas stated on Friday during a joint press conference with Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn, “There is a serious issue; Israel is withholding our money tax revenues”, which entails putting the Palestinian state in big trouble.
“Therefore, we call on the world to exert the necessary pressure to compel Israel to release our money. Otherwise, we will be obliged to take some harsh steps,” added Abbas in the press conference.
Abbas said: “The ongoing construction of settlements, which violates international laws, constitutes a critical issue between us and the Israelis.”
He affirmed that should Israel proceed with settlement construction, no negotiations would be held.
This is not the first time that Abbas vows to take punitive measures against the Israeli occupation. It was preceded by warnings to take such steps following the Israeli killing of Minister Ziyad Abu Aian which was in vein.
Senior Hamas official Salah al-Bardawil said that no date has been fixed for a meeting in Cairo between member of his Movement's political bureau Mousa Abu Marzouk and Fatah official Azzam al-Ahmed to discuss the faltering national reconciliation.
On Thursday, several Palestinian media outlets talked about that meeting and claimed it would be held on Friday.
In press remarks to Anadolu news agency, Bardawil described as "untrue" the news reports that had talked about a meeting in this regard between Abu Marzouk and al-Ahmed on Friday, February 14.
Abu Marzouk had stated last Tuesday on his Twitter page that al-Ahmed had phoned him and asked for a meeting with him in Cairo to discuss some contentious issues related to the reconciliation agreement and the unity government.
At the time, a Hamas spokesman also affirmed that al-Ahmed had delayed an intended visit by a delegation of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to Gaza until his return from a meeting with Abu Marzouk in Cairo.
In this regard, Bardawil said that the date of the PLO delegation's visit to Gaza had not been decided on and accused Fatah of maneuvering and not being serious about sending the delegation.
He asserted that his Movement asked Fatah to hold the new round of reconciliation meetings in the presence of all Palestinian factions, but it also refused that.
The PLO faction decided in a meeting held in early February to contact Hamas to arrange for their delegation's visit to Gaza to explore the ways to implement the reconciliation agreement that had been signed on April 23, 2014.
For his part, Hamas spokesman Taher al-Nunu said that Fatah's decision not to hold a PLO meeting with the Palestinian factions in Gaza resulted from its fear that the presence of other factions would make it more committed to the reconciliation agreement, which it is avoiding.
The Fatah Movement on Friday backtracked on its decision to send a delegation from the PLO factions to Gaza to start talks about the obstacles that hinders the implementation of the reconciliation agreement.
On Thursday, several Palestinian media outlets talked about that meeting and claimed it would be held on Friday.
In press remarks to Anadolu news agency, Bardawil described as "untrue" the news reports that had talked about a meeting in this regard between Abu Marzouk and al-Ahmed on Friday, February 14.
Abu Marzouk had stated last Tuesday on his Twitter page that al-Ahmed had phoned him and asked for a meeting with him in Cairo to discuss some contentious issues related to the reconciliation agreement and the unity government.
At the time, a Hamas spokesman also affirmed that al-Ahmed had delayed an intended visit by a delegation of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to Gaza until his return from a meeting with Abu Marzouk in Cairo.
In this regard, Bardawil said that the date of the PLO delegation's visit to Gaza had not been decided on and accused Fatah of maneuvering and not being serious about sending the delegation.
He asserted that his Movement asked Fatah to hold the new round of reconciliation meetings in the presence of all Palestinian factions, but it also refused that.
The PLO faction decided in a meeting held in early February to contact Hamas to arrange for their delegation's visit to Gaza to explore the ways to implement the reconciliation agreement that had been signed on April 23, 2014.
For his part, Hamas spokesman Taher al-Nunu said that Fatah's decision not to hold a PLO meeting with the Palestinian factions in Gaza resulted from its fear that the presence of other factions would make it more committed to the reconciliation agreement, which it is avoiding.
The Fatah Movement on Friday backtracked on its decision to send a delegation from the PLO factions to Gaza to start talks about the obstacles that hinders the implementation of the reconciliation agreement.
Dozens of homes and stores in the northern West Bank region of Jenin were flooded late Friday as heavy rain fell across the area.
Governor of Jenin Ibrahim Ramadan said that an emergency committee was working around the clock to help people stuck in flood-related emergencies.
He said that the majority of emergencies involved homes and stores flooded and trees falling off and blocking roads.
Local civil defense services chief Abd al-Latif Abu Amsheh said that heavy rains were not expected on Friday but that civil defense crews were working to limit damage.
Local Abu Mahmoud told Ma'an that he went to open his store Saturday morning and found it flooded with rain water, causing major financial losses as many of his goods were damaged.
Rains started falling late Thursday and continued into Saturday morning in the region, and several roads were closed due to flooding.
Among those was the eastern entrance to the town of Yabad, where bulldozers intervened to re-open the road.
The coming week is also expected to see intermittent rains and cold weather.
Governor of Jenin Ibrahim Ramadan said that an emergency committee was working around the clock to help people stuck in flood-related emergencies.
He said that the majority of emergencies involved homes and stores flooded and trees falling off and blocking roads.
Local civil defense services chief Abd al-Latif Abu Amsheh said that heavy rains were not expected on Friday but that civil defense crews were working to limit damage.
Local Abu Mahmoud told Ma'an that he went to open his store Saturday morning and found it flooded with rain water, causing major financial losses as many of his goods were damaged.
Rains started falling late Thursday and continued into Saturday morning in the region, and several roads were closed due to flooding.
Among those was the eastern entrance to the town of Yabad, where bulldozers intervened to re-open the road.
The coming week is also expected to see intermittent rains and cold weather.
12 feb 2015
High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini Wednesday called on Israel to resume the transfer of Palestinian Authority revenues in light of the PA critical financial situation.
In the immediate term it is absolutely vital to address the critical financial situation of the Palestinian Authority. In this regard, Israel should resume the transfer of Palestinian Authority revenues in line with its obligations, Mogherini said in a statement issued following her meeting with PA President Mahmoud Abbas.
She said that the meeting was also an opportunity to follow-up on the issues discussed during her visit to the region in early November which was her first trip outside Europe after taking up office.
Mogherini has met Abbas Wednesday after his arrival to Brussels on a two-day visit.
Israel has earlier halted transfers of the tax revenues it collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority in retaliation for its move to join the international criminal court in The Hague.
In the immediate term it is absolutely vital to address the critical financial situation of the Palestinian Authority. In this regard, Israel should resume the transfer of Palestinian Authority revenues in line with its obligations, Mogherini said in a statement issued following her meeting with PA President Mahmoud Abbas.
She said that the meeting was also an opportunity to follow-up on the issues discussed during her visit to the region in early November which was her first trip outside Europe after taking up office.
Mogherini has met Abbas Wednesday after his arrival to Brussels on a two-day visit.
Israel has earlier halted transfers of the tax revenues it collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority in retaliation for its move to join the international criminal court in The Hague.
11 feb 2015
PA President Mahmoud Abbas, on Tuesday, inaugurated the new headquarters of the embassy of Palestine in Sweden.
The ceremony took place in the presence of Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström, together with other government officials and foreign ambassadors.
Abbas praised Sweden for its recognition of Palestine and said that the country had taken a "brave step" which should be emulated by other members of the European Union.
"Such recognitions do not mean that we don't want to negotiate with Israel," Abbas said.
"We call upon the Israeli government to start negotiations on the basis of international legitimacy and to halt the procedures and sanctions it has taken against the state of Palestine by withholding Palestinian money."
Abbas said that the PA would negotiate regardless of international recognition by states or the United Nations Security Council.
"It would be better for both sides to sit around the negotiation table to obtain two states, one for the Palestinians to live side by side with Israel in security and stability," he added.
Abbas urged Israel to accept the Arab Peace Initiative of 2003, proposed by Saudi Arabia.
Sweden's move to recognize Palestine, last year, prompted Israel to temporarily withdraw its Stockholm ambassador as relations between the two countries cooled.
Abbas' visit comes a month after a senior Israeli official said Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström was not welcome in the country.
Wallström, last month, postponed a trip to Israel amid Israeli press reports that her counterpart Avigdor Lieberman did not want to meet her.
Related -- 10/31/14 Swedish FM: "I'll be Happy to Send Liberman IKEA Furniture"
Ahead of Abbas' visit, Israel's ambassador to Stockholm, Isaac Bachman, described the Palestinian leader's diplomatic efforts as a "diversion" from direct talks with Israel.
The ceremony took place in the presence of Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström, together with other government officials and foreign ambassadors.
Abbas praised Sweden for its recognition of Palestine and said that the country had taken a "brave step" which should be emulated by other members of the European Union.
"Such recognitions do not mean that we don't want to negotiate with Israel," Abbas said.
"We call upon the Israeli government to start negotiations on the basis of international legitimacy and to halt the procedures and sanctions it has taken against the state of Palestine by withholding Palestinian money."
Abbas said that the PA would negotiate regardless of international recognition by states or the United Nations Security Council.
"It would be better for both sides to sit around the negotiation table to obtain two states, one for the Palestinians to live side by side with Israel in security and stability," he added.
Abbas urged Israel to accept the Arab Peace Initiative of 2003, proposed by Saudi Arabia.
Sweden's move to recognize Palestine, last year, prompted Israel to temporarily withdraw its Stockholm ambassador as relations between the two countries cooled.
Abbas' visit comes a month after a senior Israeli official said Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström was not welcome in the country.
Wallström, last month, postponed a trip to Israel amid Israeli press reports that her counterpart Avigdor Lieberman did not want to meet her.
Related -- 10/31/14 Swedish FM: "I'll be Happy to Send Liberman IKEA Furniture"
Ahead of Abbas' visit, Israel's ambassador to Stockholm, Isaac Bachman, described the Palestinian leader's diplomatic efforts as a "diversion" from direct talks with Israel.
In a letter delivered to South Africa’s ambassador, deputy speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) Dr. Ahmed Bahar invited the speaker of the South African parliament to visit Gaza.
The letter called on the South African parliament speaker to visit Gaza and to see for himself the Palestinian people’s deep suffering caused by the Israeli latest aggression and siege.
Dr. Bahar welcomed the South African ambassador’s visit to the PLC headquarters in Gaza, praising his country’s positions in support of the Palestinian people including hosting member of the PFLP Central Committee Leila Khaled, the Israel boycott campaigns, and the massive marches against Israel’s summer aggression.
He also hailed the important role of former President Nelson Mandela in the defense of peoples’ right to self-determination and freedom.
PLC deputy speaker called on South Africa to work on lifting the siege on Gaza and accelerating its reconstruction.
He also stressed his council’s total support for national reconciliation, welcoming the PLO’s upcoming visit to the Strip.
Dr. Bahar pointed out that 5000 Palestinians are still detained in Israeli jails including Palestinian MPs and PLC speaker Dr. Aziz Dweik.
For his part, the South African Ambassador affirmed the solidarity of his country with Gaza and its support for the Palestinian reconciliation.
The letter called on the South African parliament speaker to visit Gaza and to see for himself the Palestinian people’s deep suffering caused by the Israeli latest aggression and siege.
Dr. Bahar welcomed the South African ambassador’s visit to the PLC headquarters in Gaza, praising his country’s positions in support of the Palestinian people including hosting member of the PFLP Central Committee Leila Khaled, the Israel boycott campaigns, and the massive marches against Israel’s summer aggression.
He also hailed the important role of former President Nelson Mandela in the defense of peoples’ right to self-determination and freedom.
PLC deputy speaker called on South Africa to work on lifting the siege on Gaza and accelerating its reconstruction.
He also stressed his council’s total support for national reconciliation, welcoming the PLO’s upcoming visit to the Strip.
Dr. Bahar pointed out that 5000 Palestinians are still detained in Israeli jails including Palestinian MPs and PLC speaker Dr. Aziz Dweik.
For his part, the South African Ambassador affirmed the solidarity of his country with Gaza and its support for the Palestinian reconciliation.
Osama Hamdan, in charge of Hamas Movement’s foreign relations, charged certain parties with trying to foil the Movement’s “positive and balanced” relations with Iran.
He said that Hamas was keen on maintaining such “positive and balanced” relations with Iran, adding that certain parties were trying to foil any attempt to restore those relations to what they used to be.
Hamdan told al-Resala newspaper in Gaza published on Wednesday that “opponents” do not wish to see such relations restored between Hamas and Iran.
Those opponents, whom he did not name, were trying to confuse efforts to re-organize Hamas’s relations with the Islamic State of Iran, he elaborated.
The Hamas leader said that contact channels were open with Iran, though results of such contacts were still on the table.
Lebanese media outlets and other media figures have been trying for weeks to smear Hamas and its leader Khaled Mishaal especially after reports of his projected visit to Tehran.
He said that Hamas was keen on maintaining such “positive and balanced” relations with Iran, adding that certain parties were trying to foil any attempt to restore those relations to what they used to be.
Hamdan told al-Resala newspaper in Gaza published on Wednesday that “opponents” do not wish to see such relations restored between Hamas and Iran.
Those opponents, whom he did not name, were trying to confuse efforts to re-organize Hamas’s relations with the Islamic State of Iran, he elaborated.
The Hamas leader said that contact channels were open with Iran, though results of such contacts were still on the table.
Lebanese media outlets and other media figures have been trying for weeks to smear Hamas and its leader Khaled Mishaal especially after reports of his projected visit to Tehran.
Mayor of the Marj Ibn Amer villages east of Jenin was shot and injured late Tuesday while leaving his home, locals said.
Adnan Atif Abu al-Rub, 57, was standing outside of his home in Jalbun when a masked gunman approached him and shot him in the leg before fleeing the scene.
The mayor was taken to a public hospital in Jenin for treatment.
Police have opened an investigation into the incident.
The municipal council of Marj Ibn Amir is a joint body representing several villages within the plains east of Jenin.
Adnan Atif Abu al-Rub, 57, was standing outside of his home in Jalbun when a masked gunman approached him and shot him in the leg before fleeing the scene.
The mayor was taken to a public hospital in Jenin for treatment.
Police have opened an investigation into the incident.
The municipal council of Marj Ibn Amir is a joint body representing several villages within the plains east of Jenin.
