24 feb 2015
The Hamas Movement representative in Yemen categorically denied that armed men from the Houthi group had raided its office in the capital Sana'a.
Hamas's representative in the country Dr. Abdul-Muti Zaqqout told the news website Arabi 21 that the claims in this regard were unfounded, affirming that the Hamas Movement has strong relations with all Yemeni parties.
Zaqqout also said that all Yemeni parties are supportive of the Palestinian cause and the resistance.
Some media outlets had claimed that Houthi armed men on Monday stormed and ransacked the Movement's office in al-Hasaba district, with no reported reason.
Hamas's representative in the country Dr. Abdul-Muti Zaqqout told the news website Arabi 21 that the claims in this regard were unfounded, affirming that the Hamas Movement has strong relations with all Yemeni parties.
Zaqqout also said that all Yemeni parties are supportive of the Palestinian cause and the resistance.
Some media outlets had claimed that Houthi armed men on Monday stormed and ransacked the Movement's office in al-Hasaba district, with no reported reason.
23 feb 2015
Director of Hamas's foreign relations Osama Hamdan said his Movement continues to make efforts to rearrange its relations with Iran despite some attempts to smear those relations.
In a press release on Sunday, Hamdan stated that Hamas is meant to build bridges of good relations and cooperation with the Arab and Muslim countries, and the friends and supporters of the Palestinian cause in all parts of the world, including with Iran.
The Hamas official, in another context, deplored some Egyptian media figures for their smear campaign against the Movement, and urged the political leaders in Cairo to clarify their positions in this regard to put things into perspective.
"The ongoing media campaign against the Palestinian resistance cannot go beyond two things, either the people behind it are unaware of the importance of the Palestinian file and the fact that Egypt's strategic interests are with the Palestinians and not the Israelis, and if so, this is a disaster that needs a remedy, or that they wage this campaign with full awareness in the context of a war against the Palestinian resistance, and this is another disaster," he elaborated.
In a press release on Sunday, Hamdan stated that Hamas is meant to build bridges of good relations and cooperation with the Arab and Muslim countries, and the friends and supporters of the Palestinian cause in all parts of the world, including with Iran.
The Hamas official, in another context, deplored some Egyptian media figures for their smear campaign against the Movement, and urged the political leaders in Cairo to clarify their positions in this regard to put things into perspective.
"The ongoing media campaign against the Palestinian resistance cannot go beyond two things, either the people behind it are unaware of the importance of the Palestinian file and the fact that Egypt's strategic interests are with the Palestinians and not the Israelis, and if so, this is a disaster that needs a remedy, or that they wage this campaign with full awareness in the context of a war against the Palestinian resistance, and this is another disaster," he elaborated.
The Moroccan Committee for the defense of the nation’s causes Monday voiced its firm condemnation of the crimes and violations of human rights committed by the Israeli occupation against the Palestinian people.
The Pro-Palestine Moroccan committee pointed out the various and complex hurdles marking the contemporary history of the Muslim and Arab nations, materializing most notably in anti-Arab instigation for bloodshed and blockade policies.
The statement cited Palestinians’ ongoing fight for freedom as the most authentic instance of Arabs’ and Muslims’ struggle for survival in the midst of an ongoing regional and socio-political unrest.
The committee spoke out against Israeli intentions to tighten the noose around Palestinians’ necks via daily abduction campaigns, violations of religious freedom, and state vandalism on the Islamic sanctuaries and holy al-Aqsa Mosque, along with the notorious blockade imposed on the starved Gaza Strip.
Such tactics aim at dashing the hopes of the Palestinian resistance, which has always fascinated Palestinians and Arabs and has made proof of an unbreakable will to face up to the Israeli usurpers, the statement added.
The committee reiterated its firm condemnation of the felonies committed by the Israeli war machine, most notoriously through preplanned genocides and blockade policies.
The anti-Israel group urged the international institutions to take up their allotted responsibilities and work on rebuilding the war-battered Gaza at the soonest time possible.
The Pro-Palestine Moroccan committee pointed out the various and complex hurdles marking the contemporary history of the Muslim and Arab nations, materializing most notably in anti-Arab instigation for bloodshed and blockade policies.
The statement cited Palestinians’ ongoing fight for freedom as the most authentic instance of Arabs’ and Muslims’ struggle for survival in the midst of an ongoing regional and socio-political unrest.
The committee spoke out against Israeli intentions to tighten the noose around Palestinians’ necks via daily abduction campaigns, violations of religious freedom, and state vandalism on the Islamic sanctuaries and holy al-Aqsa Mosque, along with the notorious blockade imposed on the starved Gaza Strip.
Such tactics aim at dashing the hopes of the Palestinian resistance, which has always fascinated Palestinians and Arabs and has made proof of an unbreakable will to face up to the Israeli usurpers, the statement added.
The committee reiterated its firm condemnation of the felonies committed by the Israeli war machine, most notoriously through preplanned genocides and blockade policies.
The anti-Israel group urged the international institutions to take up their allotted responsibilities and work on rebuilding the war-battered Gaza at the soonest time possible.
The 27th session of the Palestinian Central Council (PCC) is set to kick off on March 4 in the Ramallah-based presidential headquarters, head of the Palestinian National Council, Salim al-Zanoun, announced Sunday.
Al-Zanoun said in a statement, the PCC’s 27th session, to be held on March 4 and 5, will discuss vital political issues and ongoing developments, along with effective tools to thwart Israel’s settlement and Judaization schemes.
The council, which is the liaison body between the PLO executive committee and the Palestinian national council or parliament in exile, is also expected to tackle the mechanisms of national reconciliation, including decisions to call general elections, to press ahead with Gaza’s reconstruction file, and to mobilize popular resistance.
Zanoun further pointed out the PCC’s intentions to determine the nature of the Palestinian-Israeli relationship in light of the current socio-political developments.
Al-Zanoun said in a statement, the PCC’s 27th session, to be held on March 4 and 5, will discuss vital political issues and ongoing developments, along with effective tools to thwart Israel’s settlement and Judaization schemes.
The council, which is the liaison body between the PLO executive committee and the Palestinian national council or parliament in exile, is also expected to tackle the mechanisms of national reconciliation, including decisions to call general elections, to press ahead with Gaza’s reconstruction file, and to mobilize popular resistance.
Zanoun further pointed out the PCC’s intentions to determine the nature of the Palestinian-Israeli relationship in light of the current socio-political developments.
22 feb 2015
Hundreds of Palestinians flee as Israeli dams pour into Gaza Valley
Aida refugee camp, north Bethlehem city, has drowned after the Gilo settlement opened its barrages, throwing all excess rain and melted snow water onto the camp. Meanwhile, hundreds of Palestinians were evacuated from their homes, Sunday morning, after Israeli authorities opened a number of dams near the border, flooding the Gaza Valley, in the wake of a severe winter storm.
Aida camp is adjacent to a portion of the Israeli apartheid wall, which is backed by the Gilo settlement, to the northwest, that opened its barrages and flooded the homes of refugees.
Sami Hmedan, in charge of water pumps in the camp, said that Israeli occupation authorities opened the barrage water with disregard to the Palestinians and without any official concerns.
The water has accumulated in the street and the main electricity station of the camp and, so, has hindered the life and movement there, according to the PNN.
The residents said that they have received numerous promises by officials to solve the problem and have made different arrangements. However, these promises have so fruited nothing.
Head of Lajee center, Salah Ajarma, said that an appeal was presented to the Bethlehem municipality and the water department, while awaiting action.
Ajarma added that the department of public works promised to repair the area, pointing out its danger on the homes and children's lives.
Aida camp is constantly raided by Israeli soldiers, with their successive assaults and kidnapping campaigns, while being forced to tolerate narrow space, overpopulated homes and unemployment, to begin with, in addition to regular sewage and flooding problems.
Meanwhile, in the Gaza Strip, the Ministry of Interior has stated that civil defense services and teams from the Ministry of Public Works had evacuated more than 80 families from both sides of the Gaza Valley (Wadi Gaza), after their homes flooded as water levels reached more than three meters.
Gaza has experienced flooding in recent days amid a major storm that saw temperatures drop and frigid rain pour down, Ma'an News Agency reports.
The storm displaced dozens and caused hardship for tens of thousands, including many of the approximately 110,000 Palestinians left homeless by Israel's assault, last summer.
The suffering in Gaza is compounded by the fact that Israel has maintained a complete siege over the region for the last eight years, severely limiting electricity and the availability of fuel for generators. It has also prevented the displaced from rebuilding their homes, as construction materials are largely banned from entering.
Gaza civil defense services spokesman Muhammad al-Midana warned that further harm could be caused if Israel opens up more dams in the area, noting that water is currently flowing at a high speed from the Israel border through the valley and into the Mediterranean sea.
Evacuated families have been sent to shelters sponsored by UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, in al-Bureij refugee camp and in al-Zahra neighborhood, in the central Gaza Strip.
The Gaza Valley (Wadi Gaza) is a wetland located in the central Gaza Strip between al-Nuseirat refugee camp and al-Moghraqa. It is called HaBesor in Hebrew, and it flows from two streams -- one whose source runs from near Beersheba, the other from near Hebron.
Israeli dams on the river which collect rainwater have dried up the wetlands inside Gaza, and destroyed the only source of surface water in the area.
Locals have continued to use it to dispose of their waste for lack of other ways to do so, however, creating an environmental hazard.
See also: Half of Gaza Beaches Unfit for Swimming
This is not the first time Israeli authorities have opened the Gaza Valley dams, Ma'an further reports.
In Dec. 2013, Israeli authorities also opened the dams amid heavy flooding in the Gaza Strip. The resulting floods damaged dozens of homes and forces many families in the area from their homes.
In 2010, the dams were opened as well, forcing 100 families from their homes. At the time, civil defense services said that they had managed to save seven people who had been at risk of drowning.
Aida refugee camp, north Bethlehem city, has drowned after the Gilo settlement opened its barrages, throwing all excess rain and melted snow water onto the camp. Meanwhile, hundreds of Palestinians were evacuated from their homes, Sunday morning, after Israeli authorities opened a number of dams near the border, flooding the Gaza Valley, in the wake of a severe winter storm.
Aida camp is adjacent to a portion of the Israeli apartheid wall, which is backed by the Gilo settlement, to the northwest, that opened its barrages and flooded the homes of refugees.
Sami Hmedan, in charge of water pumps in the camp, said that Israeli occupation authorities opened the barrage water with disregard to the Palestinians and without any official concerns.
The water has accumulated in the street and the main electricity station of the camp and, so, has hindered the life and movement there, according to the PNN.
The residents said that they have received numerous promises by officials to solve the problem and have made different arrangements. However, these promises have so fruited nothing.
Head of Lajee center, Salah Ajarma, said that an appeal was presented to the Bethlehem municipality and the water department, while awaiting action.
Ajarma added that the department of public works promised to repair the area, pointing out its danger on the homes and children's lives.
Aida camp is constantly raided by Israeli soldiers, with their successive assaults and kidnapping campaigns, while being forced to tolerate narrow space, overpopulated homes and unemployment, to begin with, in addition to regular sewage and flooding problems.
Meanwhile, in the Gaza Strip, the Ministry of Interior has stated that civil defense services and teams from the Ministry of Public Works had evacuated more than 80 families from both sides of the Gaza Valley (Wadi Gaza), after their homes flooded as water levels reached more than three meters.
Gaza has experienced flooding in recent days amid a major storm that saw temperatures drop and frigid rain pour down, Ma'an News Agency reports.
The storm displaced dozens and caused hardship for tens of thousands, including many of the approximately 110,000 Palestinians left homeless by Israel's assault, last summer.
The suffering in Gaza is compounded by the fact that Israel has maintained a complete siege over the region for the last eight years, severely limiting electricity and the availability of fuel for generators. It has also prevented the displaced from rebuilding their homes, as construction materials are largely banned from entering.
Gaza civil defense services spokesman Muhammad al-Midana warned that further harm could be caused if Israel opens up more dams in the area, noting that water is currently flowing at a high speed from the Israel border through the valley and into the Mediterranean sea.
Evacuated families have been sent to shelters sponsored by UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, in al-Bureij refugee camp and in al-Zahra neighborhood, in the central Gaza Strip.
The Gaza Valley (Wadi Gaza) is a wetland located in the central Gaza Strip between al-Nuseirat refugee camp and al-Moghraqa. It is called HaBesor in Hebrew, and it flows from two streams -- one whose source runs from near Beersheba, the other from near Hebron.
Israeli dams on the river which collect rainwater have dried up the wetlands inside Gaza, and destroyed the only source of surface water in the area.
Locals have continued to use it to dispose of their waste for lack of other ways to do so, however, creating an environmental hazard.
See also: Half of Gaza Beaches Unfit for Swimming
This is not the first time Israeli authorities have opened the Gaza Valley dams, Ma'an further reports.
In Dec. 2013, Israeli authorities also opened the dams amid heavy flooding in the Gaza Strip. The resulting floods damaged dozens of homes and forces many families in the area from their homes.
In 2010, the dams were opened as well, forcing 100 families from their homes. At the time, civil defense services said that they had managed to save seven people who had been at risk of drowning.
Hundreds of Palestinians were evacuated from their homes Sunday morning after Israeli authorities opened a number of dams near the border, flooding the Gaza Valley in the wake of a recent severe winter storm.
The Gaza Ministry of Interior said in a statement that civil defense services and teams from the Ministry of Public Works had evacuated more than 80 families from both sides of the Gaza Valley (Wadi Gaza) after their homes flooded as water levels reached more than three meters.
Gaza has experienced flooding in recent days amid a major storm that saw temperatures drop and frigid rain pour down.
The storm displaced dozens and caused hardship for tens of thousands, including many of the approximately 110,000 Palestinians left homeless by Israel's assault over summer.
The suffering is compounded by the fact that Israel has maintained a complete siege over Gaza for the last eight years, severely limiting electricity and the availability of fuel for generators. It has also prevented the displaced from rebuilding their homes, as construction materials are largely banned from entering.
Gaza civil defense services spokesman Muhammad al-Midana warned that further harm could be caused if Israel opens up more dams in the area, noting that water is currently flowing at a high speed from the Israel border through the valley and into the Mediterranean sea.
Evacuated families have been sent to shelters sponsored by UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, in al-Bureij refugee camp and in al-Zahra neighborhood in the central Gaza Strip.
The Gaza Valley (Wadi Gaza) is a wetland located in the central Gaza Strip between al-Nuseirat refugee camp and al-Moghraqa. It is called HaBesor in Hebrew, and it flows from two streams -- one whose source runs from near Beersheba, and the other from near Hebron.
Israeli dams on the river to collect rainwater have dried up the wetlands inside Gaza, and destroyed the only source of surface water in the area.
Locals have continued to use it to dispose of their waste for lack of other ways to do so, however, creating an environmental hazard.
This is not the first time Israeli authorities have opened the Gaza Valley dams.
In Dec. 2013, Israeli authorities also opened the dams amid heavy flooding in the Gaza Strip. The resulting floods damaged dozens of homes and forces many families in the area from their homes.
In 2010, the dams were opened as well, forcing 100 families from their homes. At the time civil defense services said that they had managed to save seven people who had been at risk of drowning.
The Gaza Ministry of Interior said in a statement that civil defense services and teams from the Ministry of Public Works had evacuated more than 80 families from both sides of the Gaza Valley (Wadi Gaza) after their homes flooded as water levels reached more than three meters.
Gaza has experienced flooding in recent days amid a major storm that saw temperatures drop and frigid rain pour down.
The storm displaced dozens and caused hardship for tens of thousands, including many of the approximately 110,000 Palestinians left homeless by Israel's assault over summer.
The suffering is compounded by the fact that Israel has maintained a complete siege over Gaza for the last eight years, severely limiting electricity and the availability of fuel for generators. It has also prevented the displaced from rebuilding their homes, as construction materials are largely banned from entering.
Gaza civil defense services spokesman Muhammad al-Midana warned that further harm could be caused if Israel opens up more dams in the area, noting that water is currently flowing at a high speed from the Israel border through the valley and into the Mediterranean sea.
Evacuated families have been sent to shelters sponsored by UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, in al-Bureij refugee camp and in al-Zahra neighborhood in the central Gaza Strip.
The Gaza Valley (Wadi Gaza) is a wetland located in the central Gaza Strip between al-Nuseirat refugee camp and al-Moghraqa. It is called HaBesor in Hebrew, and it flows from two streams -- one whose source runs from near Beersheba, and the other from near Hebron.
Israeli dams on the river to collect rainwater have dried up the wetlands inside Gaza, and destroyed the only source of surface water in the area.
Locals have continued to use it to dispose of their waste for lack of other ways to do so, however, creating an environmental hazard.
This is not the first time Israeli authorities have opened the Gaza Valley dams.
In Dec. 2013, Israeli authorities also opened the dams amid heavy flooding in the Gaza Strip. The resulting floods damaged dozens of homes and forces many families in the area from their homes.
In 2010, the dams were opened as well, forcing 100 families from their homes. At the time civil defense services said that they had managed to save seven people who had been at risk of drowning.
Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), Mohammad Faraj al-Ghoul, announced on Saturday the intention of the PLC to hold a new session in the few next days.
Al-Resalah Palestinian newspaper quoted MP Ghoul as saying the coming session will discuss the current political developments along with other important files.
The Palestinian MP Ghoul affirmed that official invitations will be sent to all parliamentary blocs to attend the next session. The date of the session, however, has not been determined yet.
The next session is a continuation of the PLC sessions resumed for the discussion of the political developments in light of the failure of the Palestinian reconciliation.
The PLC has been suspended for months while the Speaker and other MPs have been detained in Israeli jails.
Al-Resalah Palestinian newspaper quoted MP Ghoul as saying the coming session will discuss the current political developments along with other important files.
The Palestinian MP Ghoul affirmed that official invitations will be sent to all parliamentary blocs to attend the next session. The date of the session, however, has not been determined yet.
The next session is a continuation of the PLC sessions resumed for the discussion of the political developments in light of the failure of the Palestinian reconciliation.
The PLC has been suspended for months while the Speaker and other MPs have been detained in Israeli jails.
Member of Hamas's political bureau Mousa Abu Marzouk on Sunday criticized Popular Front official Jamil al-Majdalawi for demanding Hamas to hand over the crossings in the Gaza Strip to the unity government.
Abu Marzouk stated on his Twitter page that the civil servants at the crossings are Palestinian employees regardless of their political affiliation and that the unity government is responsible for them now.
He added that the resignation of the previous government in Gaza does not mean that the civil servants should follow suit and resign.
"The resignation of Haneyya's government and its departure seem to be insufficient because the civil servants should follow it, just as happened to the government [in 2007] after the obnoxious division when it had left Gaza," the Hamas official underlined.
Abu Marzouk stressed that such a way of thinking has no equal in the world. "If we are one country, only the [political] parties replace each other while the administrations and their employees stay."
"And if we were two countries, we would be unified as many other countries whose institutions and employees became a united entity - look to [the then] West and East Germany. Even if it is an occupied country, the occupation leaves and the employees stay," he added.
Abu Marzouk stated on his Twitter page that the civil servants at the crossings are Palestinian employees regardless of their political affiliation and that the unity government is responsible for them now.
He added that the resignation of the previous government in Gaza does not mean that the civil servants should follow suit and resign.
"The resignation of Haneyya's government and its departure seem to be insufficient because the civil servants should follow it, just as happened to the government [in 2007] after the obnoxious division when it had left Gaza," the Hamas official underlined.
Abu Marzouk stressed that such a way of thinking has no equal in the world. "If we are one country, only the [political] parties replace each other while the administrations and their employees stay."
"And if we were two countries, we would be unified as many other countries whose institutions and employees became a united entity - look to [the then] West and East Germany. Even if it is an occupied country, the occupation leaves and the employees stay," he added.
Secretary-general of the Arab League Nabil al-Arabi said al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas and the other Palestinian resistance factions that confront the Israeli occupation are not terrorist and have a legitimate right to defend their people.
In a recent interview conducted with him by the London-based al-Hayat newspaper, Arabi stated that the resistance is a legitimate right for any people under occupation and must not be confused with terrorism.
He noted that during the last Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, he had been in constant contact with Hamas political leader Khaled Mishaal.
As for the reconstruction efforts in Gaza, he said that there were contacts between the donor parties, the Arab League and the UN to pay the funds through the UNRWA, expecting that this step would be accomplished soon.
Commenting on the violent events in the Arab region, the head of the Arab League accused Israel of being responsible for the regional problems in order to serve its own interests.
For its part, the Hamas Movement expressed its appreciation to Arabi for his honest remarks and hoped they could contribute to ending the media campaign against the Palestinian resistance.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri also expressed hope that such remarks would prompt the Egyptian authorities to assume its national role towards the Palestinian cause and the Gaza Strip.
In a recent interview conducted with him by the London-based al-Hayat newspaper, Arabi stated that the resistance is a legitimate right for any people under occupation and must not be confused with terrorism.
He noted that during the last Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, he had been in constant contact with Hamas political leader Khaled Mishaal.
As for the reconstruction efforts in Gaza, he said that there were contacts between the donor parties, the Arab League and the UN to pay the funds through the UNRWA, expecting that this step would be accomplished soon.
Commenting on the violent events in the Arab region, the head of the Arab League accused Israel of being responsible for the regional problems in order to serve its own interests.
For its part, the Hamas Movement expressed its appreciation to Arabi for his honest remarks and hoped they could contribute to ending the media campaign against the Palestinian resistance.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri also expressed hope that such remarks would prompt the Egyptian authorities to assume its national role towards the Palestinian cause and the Gaza Strip.
21 feb 2015
Kerry tells British FM there's real possibility of PA halting security cooperation with Israel or disbanding over economic issues.
The US fears that without a cash injection, the Palestinian Authority could collapse, entailing serious security implications for Palestinians and Israelis.
US Secretary of State John Kerry discussed the issue Saturday with British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond in London. Kerry said the possibility of the Palestinian government halting security cooperation with Israel or disbanding because of its economic predicament was real.
Israel has withheld tax revenue from the Palestinians since they decided to join the International Criminal Court last month.
US options are limited. Its relationship with Israel is strained amid their leaders' dispute over Iran. And it has little leverage with Arab and European governments at a time it can offer little additional financial support itself because of opposition in Congress.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has been threatening to dismantle the Palestinian Authority, or to stop security cooperation with Israel, for years.
Senior sources in the IDF's Central Command, who recently met with the heads of the Palestinian security services confirmed in April that their West Bank counterparts were sincerely debating dismantling and disarming the PA's forces.
"A new generation arrives and asks us: 'What have you done?' I am now 79 years old, I cannot escape from passing off the flag," Abbas told Egyptian newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm in April.
"The settlements endanger the peace process, and the new generation sees the two-state solution is becoming less and less likely, and that there is no escape from the one-state solution."
Behind the scenes, the PA has concocted a plan to gravely complicate matters for Israel – a declaration that the Palestinians are an "occupied government."
Such a move would annul the Oslo Accords and revoke the status of the PA as a sovereign authority, leaving Israel with full responsibility of the Palestinian population in the West Bank.
If the plan proceeds, the Palestinian leaders will lose their official authority, but settlements will be significantly more vulnerable to litigation in international courts.
The US fears that without a cash injection, the Palestinian Authority could collapse, entailing serious security implications for Palestinians and Israelis.
US Secretary of State John Kerry discussed the issue Saturday with British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond in London. Kerry said the possibility of the Palestinian government halting security cooperation with Israel or disbanding because of its economic predicament was real.
Israel has withheld tax revenue from the Palestinians since they decided to join the International Criminal Court last month.
US options are limited. Its relationship with Israel is strained amid their leaders' dispute over Iran. And it has little leverage with Arab and European governments at a time it can offer little additional financial support itself because of opposition in Congress.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has been threatening to dismantle the Palestinian Authority, or to stop security cooperation with Israel, for years.
Senior sources in the IDF's Central Command, who recently met with the heads of the Palestinian security services confirmed in April that their West Bank counterparts were sincerely debating dismantling and disarming the PA's forces.
"A new generation arrives and asks us: 'What have you done?' I am now 79 years old, I cannot escape from passing off the flag," Abbas told Egyptian newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm in April.
"The settlements endanger the peace process, and the new generation sees the two-state solution is becoming less and less likely, and that there is no escape from the one-state solution."
Behind the scenes, the PA has concocted a plan to gravely complicate matters for Israel – a declaration that the Palestinians are an "occupied government."
Such a move would annul the Oslo Accords and revoke the status of the PA as a sovereign authority, leaving Israel with full responsibility of the Palestinian population in the West Bank.
If the plan proceeds, the Palestinian leaders will lose their official authority, but settlements will be significantly more vulnerable to litigation in international courts.
Palestinian lawmaker Mona Mansour has called on the Palestinian Authority (PA) to renounce the Oslo agreement because of its contribution to the rupture of the Palestinian national and social fabrics.
In an interview with the Palestinian Information Center (PIC), MP Mansour said that the PA needs to free itself of this ill-fated security agreement after it had shackled itself with it for a long time, especially since the Israeli occupation flouted its terms.
"Since the signing of the Oslo Accords and until now, the Palestinians have been paying the price for this agreement from the lives of their children, while the Palestinian national fabric and the social fabric is being increasingly torn apart day after day," the lawmaker underlined.
"What makes the PA cling to such agreements [with Israel] and observe the security-related points while the Palestinian people are suffering from the occupation? The Palestinian people had enough suffering and now they need some kindness and not oppression from their Authority," she added.
The lawmaker also talked about the Palestinian people's suffering from political detentions, affirming that such arrests appeared as a result of the Oslo agreement.
"The Palestinian people live in very difficult economic, political and social conditions and it does not make sense, after such suffering, to make them suffer from political arrests."
"The political arrests did not start after the [Palestinian] division as they had claimed in 2007, it emerged in 1993 immediately after the signing of the Oslo agreement," she stated.
In an interview with the Palestinian Information Center (PIC), MP Mansour said that the PA needs to free itself of this ill-fated security agreement after it had shackled itself with it for a long time, especially since the Israeli occupation flouted its terms.
"Since the signing of the Oslo Accords and until now, the Palestinians have been paying the price for this agreement from the lives of their children, while the Palestinian national fabric and the social fabric is being increasingly torn apart day after day," the lawmaker underlined.
"What makes the PA cling to such agreements [with Israel] and observe the security-related points while the Palestinian people are suffering from the occupation? The Palestinian people had enough suffering and now they need some kindness and not oppression from their Authority," she added.
The lawmaker also talked about the Palestinian people's suffering from political detentions, affirming that such arrests appeared as a result of the Oslo agreement.
"The Palestinian people live in very difficult economic, political and social conditions and it does not make sense, after such suffering, to make them suffer from political arrests."
"The political arrests did not start after the [Palestinian] division as they had claimed in 2007, it emerged in 1993 immediately after the signing of the Oslo agreement," she stated.
The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) on Friday prevented Palestinian bulldozers from removing snow from main roads that connect different West Bank provinces at the pretext they are located in Israeli-controlled areas classified as C.
Palestinian sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that the IOA did not even provide alternative vehicles or equipment to clear the snow-covered roads.
This Israeli measure has caused traffic difficulties and prevented people from travelling between cities, especially between Ramallah and the northern and southern cities.
However, Palestinian bulldozers managed yesterday to open other roads around and inside some cities.
In this regard, Ramallah and Bireh mayor Leila Ghannam affirmed that the IOA obstructed Palestinian efforts to open the main roads between Ramallah and the northern and southern sides of the West Bank after they were blocked by mounds of snow.
Palestinian sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that the IOA did not even provide alternative vehicles or equipment to clear the snow-covered roads.
This Israeli measure has caused traffic difficulties and prevented people from travelling between cities, especially between Ramallah and the northern and southern cities.
However, Palestinian bulldozers managed yesterday to open other roads around and inside some cities.
In this regard, Ramallah and Bireh mayor Leila Ghannam affirmed that the IOA obstructed Palestinian efforts to open the main roads between Ramallah and the northern and southern sides of the West Bank after they were blocked by mounds of snow.
