31 mar 2015
Hamas political bureau deputy head Ismail Haneyya has strongly denied Monday claims that his group sought to establish a Palestinian state in the Gaza Strip.
"Hamas is not seeking to set up a state in Gaza," Haneyya said in a seminar marking Palestinian Land Day.
"Hamas seeks to liberate each and every inch of Palestine from Israeli occupation," he added.
Such conferences prove the Palestinians' adherence to their national constants and land, he continued.
“Hamas seeks along with Palestinian resistance factions to activate resistance in the West Bank.”
The former premier stressed that the Gaza Strip has become a bastion of resistance under Hamas rule.
Haneyya renewed his call for restructuring the Palestinian leadership, stressing the importance of providing Arab support for such a leadership.
“Hamas is working to activate resistance and intifada spirit in the West Bank.”
The resistance's victory and the reactivation of intifada spirit in occupied Jerusalem provided a strong support for resistance factions, he underlined, calling for alleviating the suffering of the people of Gaza and activating the role of Palestinians in 48 occupied territories.
“We seek to build up balanced and fully open relations with all Arab and Islamic countries.”
He pointed out that Netanyahu's re-election requires the need to build a new Palestinian strategy based on multiple tools including military force.
Haneyya also called for providing a suitable environment to implement the reconciliation agreement as "a national interest".
The Hamas leader finally pointed out that Israel took advantage of the current tensions in the Arab arena to escalate its Judaization schemes and violations in occupied Jerusalem.
"Hamas is not seeking to set up a state in Gaza," Haneyya said in a seminar marking Palestinian Land Day.
"Hamas seeks to liberate each and every inch of Palestine from Israeli occupation," he added.
Such conferences prove the Palestinians' adherence to their national constants and land, he continued.
“Hamas seeks along with Palestinian resistance factions to activate resistance in the West Bank.”
The former premier stressed that the Gaza Strip has become a bastion of resistance under Hamas rule.
Haneyya renewed his call for restructuring the Palestinian leadership, stressing the importance of providing Arab support for such a leadership.
“Hamas is working to activate resistance and intifada spirit in the West Bank.”
The resistance's victory and the reactivation of intifada spirit in occupied Jerusalem provided a strong support for resistance factions, he underlined, calling for alleviating the suffering of the people of Gaza and activating the role of Palestinians in 48 occupied territories.
“We seek to build up balanced and fully open relations with all Arab and Islamic countries.”
He pointed out that Netanyahu's re-election requires the need to build a new Palestinian strategy based on multiple tools including military force.
Haneyya also called for providing a suitable environment to implement the reconciliation agreement as "a national interest".
The Hamas leader finally pointed out that Israel took advantage of the current tensions in the Arab arena to escalate its Judaization schemes and violations in occupied Jerusalem.
Palestinian governmental spokesperson Ihab Bseiso, Monday, assured that, "Until now we haven't received any money, nor have we officially been informed of anything."
The Palestinian Finance Ministry stated that the deductions made by Israel to cover services provided to the Palestinians haven't been 'agreed upon' and constitute 'an unjustified and illegal procedure that could cause complications'.
PNN reports that the ministry affirmed a transfer of the tax revenues is not a favor from the Israeli government, and that the Palestinian government rejects any unilateral deductions outside the relevant calculation mechanism.
It viewed the deductions, which were not made in a transparent and fair manner, to constitute a continuation of the Israeli policy of reprisals against the Palestinian people and called on the international community to pressurize Israel into releasing the total sum of the withheld tax revenues.
The Israeli government decided to withhold around $375 million in tax revenues it collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority on imports and exports, over the last three months, in reprisal for the PA's accession to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to try Israel for war crimes.
The PA formally applied to join twenty international organisations, including the ICC, on January 2nd, following the United Nations Security Council's failure to pass a Palestinian draft resolution setting a deadline for ending the Israeli occupation and establishment of the Palestinian state, according to WAFA.
The Palestinian Finance Ministry stated that the deductions made by Israel to cover services provided to the Palestinians haven't been 'agreed upon' and constitute 'an unjustified and illegal procedure that could cause complications'.
PNN reports that the ministry affirmed a transfer of the tax revenues is not a favor from the Israeli government, and that the Palestinian government rejects any unilateral deductions outside the relevant calculation mechanism.
It viewed the deductions, which were not made in a transparent and fair manner, to constitute a continuation of the Israeli policy of reprisals against the Palestinian people and called on the international community to pressurize Israel into releasing the total sum of the withheld tax revenues.
The Israeli government decided to withhold around $375 million in tax revenues it collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority on imports and exports, over the last three months, in reprisal for the PA's accession to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to try Israel for war crimes.
The PA formally applied to join twenty international organisations, including the ICC, on January 2nd, following the United Nations Security Council's failure to pass a Palestinian draft resolution setting a deadline for ending the Israeli occupation and establishment of the Palestinian state, according to WAFA.
Chief Palestinian Legislator, Dr. Saeb Erekat stated that Palestine would be announced, Wednesday, an official member of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, adding that the Palestinian Authority has concluded all technical and legal preparations.
Erekat said the move would enable Palestine to become a member of 523 international treaties and organizations, adding that the two files on Israel’s colonies, and its aggression and wars, will be soon finalized before being submitted to the ICU in April.
The official, also a member of the Palestinian committee in charge of ICC preparations, said the ICC has already started, nearly two months ago, an initial investigation into Israeli war crimes in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and Jerusalem, in addition to its illegal settlement construction and expansion activities.
The initial investigation started directly after the Palestinian Authority signed Article 12(3) of the Rome Statute.
“The legal and technical committees have been extensively working on finalizing the two files, and all related articles,” Erekat said, “We will conduct all practical moves directly after Palestine is officially declared an ICC member Wednesday.”
Erekat also stated that Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyadh al-Maliki would be representing Palestine, Wednesday, and will be holding a meeting with the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Fatou Bensouda.
He said the official investigation will start after April 1, and that the files on Israel’s crimes against the Palestinian people will continue to advance to the best interests of the Palestinians, and their cause.
The Palestinian Authority signed the Rome Statute after the UN Security Council vote on ending the Israeli occupation of Palestine failed to pass back in early January. Signing the Statute enables Palestine to join the 123 member states of the ICC.
Erekat said the move would enable Palestine to become a member of 523 international treaties and organizations, adding that the two files on Israel’s colonies, and its aggression and wars, will be soon finalized before being submitted to the ICU in April.
The official, also a member of the Palestinian committee in charge of ICC preparations, said the ICC has already started, nearly two months ago, an initial investigation into Israeli war crimes in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and Jerusalem, in addition to its illegal settlement construction and expansion activities.
The initial investigation started directly after the Palestinian Authority signed Article 12(3) of the Rome Statute.
“The legal and technical committees have been extensively working on finalizing the two files, and all related articles,” Erekat said, “We will conduct all practical moves directly after Palestine is officially declared an ICC member Wednesday.”
Erekat also stated that Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyadh al-Maliki would be representing Palestine, Wednesday, and will be holding a meeting with the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Fatou Bensouda.
He said the official investigation will start after April 1, and that the files on Israel’s crimes against the Palestinian people will continue to advance to the best interests of the Palestinians, and their cause.
The Palestinian Authority signed the Rome Statute after the UN Security Council vote on ending the Israeli occupation of Palestine failed to pass back in early January. Signing the Statute enables Palestine to join the 123 member states of the ICC.
Hamas deputy chief Ismail Haneyya held a phone conversation on Monday with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to discuss recent developments in the Palestinian arena.
Talks tackled inter-Palestinian reconciliation, the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, and the crisis of Hamas-appointed civil servants, Haneyya’s office said in a Monday statement.
According to the statement, the two sides also discussed Turkish aid to Gaza, the Gaza Strip's border crossings, and the proposed establishment of a water corridor for the blockaded enclave.
During the conversation, Davutoglu pledged to meet with Palestinian Prime Minister Rami al-Hamdallah in hopes of "making a breakthrough" in various reconciliation files.
The Turkish PM vowed to study bids to initiate a project similar to the one initiated by Qatar, in which the latter pledged the construction of 1,000 housing units to Gaza’s homeless civilians and to provide humanitarian aid to Gazans.
Haneyya and Davutoglu expressed hope that al-Hamdallah’s stopover in Gaza would be “a constructive move.”
Talks tackled inter-Palestinian reconciliation, the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, and the crisis of Hamas-appointed civil servants, Haneyya’s office said in a Monday statement.
According to the statement, the two sides also discussed Turkish aid to Gaza, the Gaza Strip's border crossings, and the proposed establishment of a water corridor for the blockaded enclave.
During the conversation, Davutoglu pledged to meet with Palestinian Prime Minister Rami al-Hamdallah in hopes of "making a breakthrough" in various reconciliation files.
The Turkish PM vowed to study bids to initiate a project similar to the one initiated by Qatar, in which the latter pledged the construction of 1,000 housing units to Gaza’s homeless civilians and to provide humanitarian aid to Gazans.
Haneyya and Davutoglu expressed hope that al-Hamdallah’s stopover in Gaza would be “a constructive move.”
30 mar 2015 Land Day
The annual mission report, written by heads of the diplomatic missions of EU member states in the Palestinian Authority, is strongly worded and very critical of Israel’s policies in and around Jerusalem.
The EU report on Jerusalem warns that the city has reached a dangerous boiling point of “polarisation and violence” not seen since the end of the second intifada in 2005.
The report describes the emergence of a “vicious cycle of violence …increasingly threatening the viability of the two-state solution”, which it says has been stoked by the continuation of “systematic” settlement building by Israel in “sensitive areas” of Jerusalem.
In addition, the report blames tension over the status of the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount complex as well as heavy-handed policing and punitive measures – including evictions and home demolitions by Israeli forces – for the escalating confrontation.
The report list 40 recommendations suggested by the heads of diplomatic missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah that recommend several steps which include preserving the viability of Jerusalem as the capital of two states, strengthening the religious and cultural identity of Jerusalem, ending East Jerusalem’s socioeconomic isolation, and strengthening the role of the EU.
The 2014 report suggests a series of potential punitive measures targeting extremist settlers and settlement products. Among the recommendations in the report are:
Potential new restrictions against “known violent settlers and those calling for acts of violence as regards immigration regulations in EU member states”.
Further coordinated steps to ensure consumers in the EU are able to exercise their right to informed choice in respect of settlement products in line with existing EU rules.
New efforts to raise awareness among European businesses about the risks of working with settlements, and the advancement of voluntary guidelines for tourism operators to prevent support for settlement business.
Read the report here. [PDF]
The European Coordination of Committees and Associations for Palestine (ECCP) - founded in 1986 is a network of 52 European committees, organizations, NGOs, unions and international solidarity movements from 22 European countries, dedicated to the struggle of the Palestinian people for freedom, justice and equality
The EU report on Jerusalem warns that the city has reached a dangerous boiling point of “polarisation and violence” not seen since the end of the second intifada in 2005.
The report describes the emergence of a “vicious cycle of violence …increasingly threatening the viability of the two-state solution”, which it says has been stoked by the continuation of “systematic” settlement building by Israel in “sensitive areas” of Jerusalem.
In addition, the report blames tension over the status of the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount complex as well as heavy-handed policing and punitive measures – including evictions and home demolitions by Israeli forces – for the escalating confrontation.
The report list 40 recommendations suggested by the heads of diplomatic missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah that recommend several steps which include preserving the viability of Jerusalem as the capital of two states, strengthening the religious and cultural identity of Jerusalem, ending East Jerusalem’s socioeconomic isolation, and strengthening the role of the EU.
The 2014 report suggests a series of potential punitive measures targeting extremist settlers and settlement products. Among the recommendations in the report are:
Potential new restrictions against “known violent settlers and those calling for acts of violence as regards immigration regulations in EU member states”.
Further coordinated steps to ensure consumers in the EU are able to exercise their right to informed choice in respect of settlement products in line with existing EU rules.
New efforts to raise awareness among European businesses about the risks of working with settlements, and the advancement of voluntary guidelines for tourism operators to prevent support for settlement business.
Read the report here. [PDF]
The European Coordination of Committees and Associations for Palestine (ECCP) - founded in 1986 is a network of 52 European committees, organizations, NGOs, unions and international solidarity movements from 22 European countries, dedicated to the struggle of the Palestinian people for freedom, justice and equality
The Palestinian Ministry of Civil Affairs announced on Monday that approximately 15,000 families whose homes were destroyed during last summer's Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip are to receive financial support for a year.
The ministry's Gaza undersecretary, Yousef Ibrahim, said the project was being financed by international donors and would provide home owners with 1,000 ($250) to 1,500 ($378) shekels per month.
Ibrahim said the project was first presented two months ago, when Minister of Civil Affairs Shawki al-Ayasa made his second visit to Gaza.
According to Ibrahim, up to 15,000 families, whose homes were completely destroyed during the Israeli offensive, will benefit from the project.
According to United Nations Refugee and Works Agency (UNRWA), over 96,000 Palestine refugee family homes were damaged or destroyed during the conflict and $720 million is required to address this need.
As of January, UNRWA had only received $135 million in pledges, and the agency expressed concern that if they could not continue "to provide rental subsidies, large numbers may return to the collective centers, where almost 12,000 displaced Palestinians continue to seek shelter."
Large swathes of the Gaza Strip remain in ruin following the 50-day Israeli assault last summer, which killed more than 2,300 Gazans and left more than 100,000 displaced.
The ministry's Gaza undersecretary, Yousef Ibrahim, said the project was being financed by international donors and would provide home owners with 1,000 ($250) to 1,500 ($378) shekels per month.
Ibrahim said the project was first presented two months ago, when Minister of Civil Affairs Shawki al-Ayasa made his second visit to Gaza.
According to Ibrahim, up to 15,000 families, whose homes were completely destroyed during the Israeli offensive, will benefit from the project.
According to United Nations Refugee and Works Agency (UNRWA), over 96,000 Palestine refugee family homes were damaged or destroyed during the conflict and $720 million is required to address this need.
As of January, UNRWA had only received $135 million in pledges, and the agency expressed concern that if they could not continue "to provide rental subsidies, large numbers may return to the collective centers, where almost 12,000 displaced Palestinians continue to seek shelter."
Large swathes of the Gaza Strip remain in ruin following the 50-day Israeli assault last summer, which killed more than 2,300 Gazans and left more than 100,000 displaced.
Member of Hamas's political bureau Mahmoud al-Zahhar said the West Bank is the strategic reserve for the liberation of Palestine and urged its residents not to surrender to the Palestinian Authority's (PA) security collaboration with the occupation.
Zahhar made his remarks during a political meeting held in Salahuddin Mosque in Gaza by Hamas and Islamic Jihad to discuss the latest developments in the Palestinian arena.
The Hamas official stated that the Palestinian resistance in Gaza was able to develop its weapons to confront the occupation following the last war and would never hand them over to any party.
He also said that the resistance became a target for the occupation inside and outside Palestine because of the PA's cooperation with the occupation.
As for the relations between Hamas and Islamic Jihad, Zahhar asserted that the relationship between the two Movements became stronger and improved at all levels, including the security coordination.
He also talked about his Movement's relations with regional countries and highlighted that such relations should be promoted without affecting the resistance program.
For his part, senior Islamic Jihad official Mohamed al-Hindi criticized the PA for clinging to new illusions and wagering on some Israeli leaders to make a difference in the political process.
He called on the PA leadership to talk frankly to their people about the failure of their Oslo-based political project and step down to make way for the new Palestinian blood.
Zahhar made his remarks during a political meeting held in Salahuddin Mosque in Gaza by Hamas and Islamic Jihad to discuss the latest developments in the Palestinian arena.
The Hamas official stated that the Palestinian resistance in Gaza was able to develop its weapons to confront the occupation following the last war and would never hand them over to any party.
He also said that the resistance became a target for the occupation inside and outside Palestine because of the PA's cooperation with the occupation.
As for the relations between Hamas and Islamic Jihad, Zahhar asserted that the relationship between the two Movements became stronger and improved at all levels, including the security coordination.
He also talked about his Movement's relations with regional countries and highlighted that such relations should be promoted without affecting the resistance program.
For his part, senior Islamic Jihad official Mohamed al-Hindi criticized the PA for clinging to new illusions and wagering on some Israeli leaders to make a difference in the political process.
He called on the PA leadership to talk frankly to their people about the failure of their Oslo-based political project and step down to make way for the new Palestinian blood.
The Hamas Movement strongly denounced Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas for his call for similar military action against the Gaza Strip like the one taking place in Yemen and accused him of inciting the world against his own people.
Abbas stated in recent press remarks to al-Ayyam newspaper that he had demanded the Arab countries during their summit in Cairo to take a similar step like the Saudi-led operation Decisive Storm in Yemen to end conflicts and divisions in other Arab areas, including Palestine.
For his part, senior Hamas official Mushir al-Masri held Abbas fully responsible for the incitive remarks made by his adviser for religious affairs Mahmoud al-Habbash against Gaza.
During a protest organized on Sunday evening by his Movement and Islamic Jihad in Gaza, Masri demanded the Fatah Movement to repudiate the "anti-national" remarks made by Abbas and his aides.
He highlighted that the resistance weapon is only directed against the Israeli occupation and no one can dissuade the resistance from continuing on its path to liberation from the occupation.
Habbash had called in his Khutba (sermon) last Friday in Ramallah on the Arab states to strike Gaza in order to get it back from Hamas.
For his part, Islamic Jihad official Dawoud Shihab condemned in his speech Abbas's remarks as "poisonous" and aiming to torpedo all national efforts to end the Palestinian division.
Shihab emphasized that Gaza was never isolated from other Palestinian territories, accusing Abbas of exploiting the crisis in Yemen to portray Gaza as a rebellious entity that needs to be taken back by force.
The Islamic Jihad official also said that Abbas's remarks reflected his involvement in malicious agendas seeking to poison the conciliatory atmosphere in the Palestinian arena following the successful visit of premier Rami al-Hamdallah to Gaza, where he was warmly welcomed and received every cooperation from the factions there.
Abbas stated in recent press remarks to al-Ayyam newspaper that he had demanded the Arab countries during their summit in Cairo to take a similar step like the Saudi-led operation Decisive Storm in Yemen to end conflicts and divisions in other Arab areas, including Palestine.
For his part, senior Hamas official Mushir al-Masri held Abbas fully responsible for the incitive remarks made by his adviser for religious affairs Mahmoud al-Habbash against Gaza.
During a protest organized on Sunday evening by his Movement and Islamic Jihad in Gaza, Masri demanded the Fatah Movement to repudiate the "anti-national" remarks made by Abbas and his aides.
He highlighted that the resistance weapon is only directed against the Israeli occupation and no one can dissuade the resistance from continuing on its path to liberation from the occupation.
Habbash had called in his Khutba (sermon) last Friday in Ramallah on the Arab states to strike Gaza in order to get it back from Hamas.
For his part, Islamic Jihad official Dawoud Shihab condemned in his speech Abbas's remarks as "poisonous" and aiming to torpedo all national efforts to end the Palestinian division.
Shihab emphasized that Gaza was never isolated from other Palestinian territories, accusing Abbas of exploiting the crisis in Yemen to portray Gaza as a rebellious entity that needs to be taken back by force.
The Islamic Jihad official also said that Abbas's remarks reflected his involvement in malicious agendas seeking to poison the conciliatory atmosphere in the Palestinian arena following the successful visit of premier Rami al-Hamdallah to Gaza, where he was warmly welcomed and received every cooperation from the factions there.
Political bureau member of Hamas, Mohamed Nazal, slammed the Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman, Mahmoud Abbas, for dragging his feet vis-à-vis the series of crises emerging on the Palestinian socio-political scene.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the PIC, Nazal said there is no sincerity or commitment on the part of Abbas to work out the crises rocking the Palestinian arena.
Commenting on the visit paid by the Palestinian Prime Minister, Rami al-Hamdallah, to Gaza prior to the Arab summit, Nazal said its aim was basically to mislead the Arab World into believing that Abbas and his government are partaking in initiatives to assuage Gaza’s salary crisis and to seek solutions to the delay in reconstruction and the closure of border crossings, among many other urgent affairs.
He cited the speech delivered by Abbas before the Cairo-hosted Arab Summit, in which he called for dealing with Gaza in the same way the Arabs dealt with the situation in Yemen, as proof of his (Abbas) deception.
He said al-Hamdallah’s stopover did not culminate in practical solutions as regards such vital issues as the salary crisis, the management of border crossings, the rebuilding process, and the national elections.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the PIC, Nazal said there is no sincerity or commitment on the part of Abbas to work out the crises rocking the Palestinian arena.
Commenting on the visit paid by the Palestinian Prime Minister, Rami al-Hamdallah, to Gaza prior to the Arab summit, Nazal said its aim was basically to mislead the Arab World into believing that Abbas and his government are partaking in initiatives to assuage Gaza’s salary crisis and to seek solutions to the delay in reconstruction and the closure of border crossings, among many other urgent affairs.
He cited the speech delivered by Abbas before the Cairo-hosted Arab Summit, in which he called for dealing with Gaza in the same way the Arabs dealt with the situation in Yemen, as proof of his (Abbas) deception.
He said al-Hamdallah’s stopover did not culminate in practical solutions as regards such vital issues as the salary crisis, the management of border crossings, the rebuilding process, and the national elections.
A new report by the Israeli newspaper 'Jerusalem Post', based on unnamed sources within the Palestinian Authority, claims that the PA has agreed to pursue no formal charges against Israel in the International Criminal Court (ICC), in exchange for the release of tax money that had been illegally seized by Israeli authorities.
The report came after an announcement on Friday by the Israeli government that they would return to the Palestinian Authority some of the $500 million that they had illegally seized since January, but would not return the entire amount - instead subtracting from the total an arbitrary charge for electric, water and hospital bills.
This amount will also not include the tax monies from the month of March, just January and February. So far the Israeli government has not made any statement on whether or when it will release the March tax funds. These are taxes collected by Israel on goods imported into the Palestinian Territories - since the PA does not control any borders, Israel has complete control over all imports and exports. Despite the fact that these taxes are supposed to be directly transferred to the PA, Israeli authorities regularly withhold and seize these funds.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) decided in December to join the International Criminal Court. According to the Jerusalem Post, the PA had requested a prosecutor at the ICC to investigate Israeli war crimes in Gaza during the invasion last summer in which, according to UN OCHA, 2,220 Palestinians were killed, of whom 1,492 were civilians (551 children, 299 women).
But the Jerusalem Post report claims that their unnamed source has said that because the tax money was released, the investigation will go no further than that, and no charges will be issued against Israel for war crimes in Gaza or illegal settlement expansion in the West Bank.
Even if the Palestinian Authority did at some point move forward with formal charges against Israel, its unclear how much hold these charges would have, since Israel is not a signatory to the International Criminal Court, and does not recognize the court's authority.
The report came after an announcement on Friday by the Israeli government that they would return to the Palestinian Authority some of the $500 million that they had illegally seized since January, but would not return the entire amount - instead subtracting from the total an arbitrary charge for electric, water and hospital bills.
This amount will also not include the tax monies from the month of March, just January and February. So far the Israeli government has not made any statement on whether or when it will release the March tax funds. These are taxes collected by Israel on goods imported into the Palestinian Territories - since the PA does not control any borders, Israel has complete control over all imports and exports. Despite the fact that these taxes are supposed to be directly transferred to the PA, Israeli authorities regularly withhold and seize these funds.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) decided in December to join the International Criminal Court. According to the Jerusalem Post, the PA had requested a prosecutor at the ICC to investigate Israeli war crimes in Gaza during the invasion last summer in which, according to UN OCHA, 2,220 Palestinians were killed, of whom 1,492 were civilians (551 children, 299 women).
But the Jerusalem Post report claims that their unnamed source has said that because the tax money was released, the investigation will go no further than that, and no charges will be issued against Israel for war crimes in Gaza or illegal settlement expansion in the West Bank.
Even if the Palestinian Authority did at some point move forward with formal charges against Israel, its unclear how much hold these charges would have, since Israel is not a signatory to the International Criminal Court, and does not recognize the court's authority.
29 mar 2015
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has visited Sunday Tunisia to take part in the march against terrorism, expressing his total support for the Tunisian people following Bardo Museum terrorist attack of March 18, 2015.
Abbas laid sprays of flowers at the bottom of the stele where the terrorist attack had been perpetrated killing 21 persons, 20 tourists from various nationalities and a Tunisian security officer.
Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi inaugurated on the occasion, the stele erected in front of the museum in tribute to the victims of the attack, with attendance of sisterly and friendly countries' leaders, heads of government, and official delegations.
In his address on the occasion, Caid Essebsi pointed out that the Tunisian people "will not give up and will remain united in their fight against terrorism."
"Tunisia is not alone in its fight against this scourge," he said, expressing thanks to the heads of state, government, and ministers of sisterly and friendly countries coming to support Tunisia and take part in the march.
The national and international march started Sunday from the Bab Saadoun square to the Bardo square amid the participation of a high-level French delegation namely the French President, the President of the National Assembly and the President of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Assembly, as well as the participation of the Presidents of Poland, Palestine and Gabon, President of the Italian Council, the Algerian Prime Minister, and the Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister.
Abbas laid sprays of flowers at the bottom of the stele where the terrorist attack had been perpetrated killing 21 persons, 20 tourists from various nationalities and a Tunisian security officer.
Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi inaugurated on the occasion, the stele erected in front of the museum in tribute to the victims of the attack, with attendance of sisterly and friendly countries' leaders, heads of government, and official delegations.
In his address on the occasion, Caid Essebsi pointed out that the Tunisian people "will not give up and will remain united in their fight against terrorism."
"Tunisia is not alone in its fight against this scourge," he said, expressing thanks to the heads of state, government, and ministers of sisterly and friendly countries coming to support Tunisia and take part in the march.
The national and international march started Sunday from the Bab Saadoun square to the Bardo square amid the participation of a high-level French delegation namely the French President, the President of the National Assembly and the President of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Assembly, as well as the participation of the Presidents of Poland, Palestine and Gabon, President of the Italian Council, the Algerian Prime Minister, and the Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister.
When the Palestinian Authority joins the International Criminal Court on April 1, it will hold off on steps against Israel regarding settlement construction, Israeli media reported Sunday.
The Jerusalem Post newspaper reported, according to Ma'an, that the decision follows Israel's release of seized tax revenues.
According to the report, the ICC prosecutor has opened a preliminary examination on alleged Israeli war crimes during its devastating summer 2014 assault on Gaza.
Israel's prime minister's office announced, Friday, that Israel would release the funds it collects on the PA's behalf and withheld as punishment for its move to join the ICC.
"Tax revenues that have been accumulated through February will be transferred, after payments for services to the Palestinian population have been deducted, including electricity, water and hospital bills," a statement said.
Israel froze the transfer at the beginning of January, after the Palestinians moved to join the ICC, where they would be able to sue Israeli officials.
The decision came 10 days after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reelected and subsequently chosen to form the next government.
Palestine formally becomes a member of the ICC in April and can proceed with legal action there.
According to the statement, the decision to release the funds was based on "humanitarian concerns and in overall consideration of Israel's interests at this time," among other factors.
"Given the deteriorating situation in the Middle East, one must act responsibly and with due consideration alongside a determined struggle against extremist elements," it quoted Netanyahu as saying.
Every month, Israel transfers to the PA around $127 million in customs duties levied on goods destined for Palestinian markets that transit through Israeli ports. Excluding foreign aid, these revenues make up around two-thirds of the authority's annual budget.
World powers had called on Israel to release the funds, while a senior Palestinian official said withholding the money is an Israeli ploy aimed at collapsing the PA.
See also Abbas: Negotiations with Israel "Still On The Table"
The Jerusalem Post newspaper reported, according to Ma'an, that the decision follows Israel's release of seized tax revenues.
According to the report, the ICC prosecutor has opened a preliminary examination on alleged Israeli war crimes during its devastating summer 2014 assault on Gaza.
Israel's prime minister's office announced, Friday, that Israel would release the funds it collects on the PA's behalf and withheld as punishment for its move to join the ICC.
"Tax revenues that have been accumulated through February will be transferred, after payments for services to the Palestinian population have been deducted, including electricity, water and hospital bills," a statement said.
Israel froze the transfer at the beginning of January, after the Palestinians moved to join the ICC, where they would be able to sue Israeli officials.
The decision came 10 days after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reelected and subsequently chosen to form the next government.
Palestine formally becomes a member of the ICC in April and can proceed with legal action there.
According to the statement, the decision to release the funds was based on "humanitarian concerns and in overall consideration of Israel's interests at this time," among other factors.
"Given the deteriorating situation in the Middle East, one must act responsibly and with due consideration alongside a determined struggle against extremist elements," it quoted Netanyahu as saying.
Every month, Israel transfers to the PA around $127 million in customs duties levied on goods destined for Palestinian markets that transit through Israeli ports. Excluding foreign aid, these revenues make up around two-thirds of the authority's annual budget.
World powers had called on Israel to release the funds, while a senior Palestinian official said withholding the money is an Israeli ploy aimed at collapsing the PA.
See also Abbas: Negotiations with Israel "Still On The Table"
Member of Hamas political bureau Mousa Abu Marzouk charged Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas along with his advisor for religious and Islamic Affairs Mahmoud Habbash with inciting Arab countries to strike the besieged Gaza Strip similar to the Determination Storm against Houthis.
Abu Marzouk said, in statements shared on Facebook, the statements of Abbas and Habbash are clear incitement against the Palestinians in Gaza. They call for an Arab military operation against Gaza which has not been cured from three Israeli wars, he added.
The Hamas senior official slammed Abbas and Habbash for calling on Arab leaders to wage a war against Gaza under the claim of restoring “legitimacy”, which is a fake claim.
He noted that the incitement coincided with the Arab Summit aiming to urge the Arab leaders to take a quick action in this regard.
In his Friday sermon, Habbash called on Arab nations to “strike with an iron fist” any party that violates legitimacy in any Arab country starting, he said, with Palestine.
Abbas also urged the Arab countries to take a position similar to the “Determination Storm” on issues of other countries that suffer internal conflicts and divisions such as Syria, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, and Palestine.
Abu Marzouk said, in statements shared on Facebook, the statements of Abbas and Habbash are clear incitement against the Palestinians in Gaza. They call for an Arab military operation against Gaza which has not been cured from three Israeli wars, he added.
The Hamas senior official slammed Abbas and Habbash for calling on Arab leaders to wage a war against Gaza under the claim of restoring “legitimacy”, which is a fake claim.
He noted that the incitement coincided with the Arab Summit aiming to urge the Arab leaders to take a quick action in this regard.
In his Friday sermon, Habbash called on Arab nations to “strike with an iron fist” any party that violates legitimacy in any Arab country starting, he said, with Palestine.
Abbas also urged the Arab countries to take a position similar to the “Determination Storm” on issues of other countries that suffer internal conflicts and divisions such as Syria, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, and Palestine.
The Hamas Movement on Saturday slammed the Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman, Mahmoud Abbas, for lashing out at the group and accusing it of obstructing the work of the unity government and the Gaza reconstruction process.
“The PA Chairman, Abbas, and Fatah movement are the ones impeding national reconciliation because they do not believe in partnership,” Hamas’s leader Ismail Redwan told the PIC.
He said Hamas has done its best to boost national consensus, to whose benefit Abbas has done nothing so far.
“His statements are a coup overthrowing the reconciliation accord,” Redwan added.
He held Israel, the PA, and the UN responsible for the delay in the reconstruction process, calling on the Arab summit to put into effect the terms of the reconciliation deal and activate earlier decisions, made in former Arab summits, to lift the siege and open the Rafah border crossing.
Redwan said Hamas is ready to contest presidential, legislative, and national council elections, reiterating the group’s support of any Arab initiative aimed to foster national reconciliation in line with the Cairo and Shati agreements.
Meanwhile, speaking at the 26th Arab summit, held in the Egyptian town of Sharm el-Sheikh, Abbas stressed the need to remove all Israeli obstacles set before the unity government, claiming the latter will keep on working in Gaza despite all the stumbling blocks impeding the work of the unity government and the rebuilding of Gaza.
He also claimed that the main obstacles to the reconstruction of Gaza were set by Israel on one side and Hamas on the other.
Abbas further pointed out his intent to re-evaluate the economic, political and security relationship with Israel, claiming elections are to be held as soon as possible.
“The PA Chairman, Abbas, and Fatah movement are the ones impeding national reconciliation because they do not believe in partnership,” Hamas’s leader Ismail Redwan told the PIC.
He said Hamas has done its best to boost national consensus, to whose benefit Abbas has done nothing so far.
“His statements are a coup overthrowing the reconciliation accord,” Redwan added.
He held Israel, the PA, and the UN responsible for the delay in the reconstruction process, calling on the Arab summit to put into effect the terms of the reconciliation deal and activate earlier decisions, made in former Arab summits, to lift the siege and open the Rafah border crossing.
Redwan said Hamas is ready to contest presidential, legislative, and national council elections, reiterating the group’s support of any Arab initiative aimed to foster national reconciliation in line with the Cairo and Shati agreements.
Meanwhile, speaking at the 26th Arab summit, held in the Egyptian town of Sharm el-Sheikh, Abbas stressed the need to remove all Israeli obstacles set before the unity government, claiming the latter will keep on working in Gaza despite all the stumbling blocks impeding the work of the unity government and the rebuilding of Gaza.
He also claimed that the main obstacles to the reconstruction of Gaza were set by Israel on one side and Hamas on the other.
Abbas further pointed out his intent to re-evaluate the economic, political and security relationship with Israel, claiming elections are to be held as soon as possible.
