10 feb 2015
Palestine has opened its first embassy in Western Europe in the Swedish capital city of Stockholm amid Israel’s anger.
According to official Swedish sources, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom attended the inauguration ceremony of the Palestinian embassy in Stockholm on Tuesday night.
Israel’s reaction
Israel has lashed out at the Swedish government for the inauguration of the Palestinian embassy.
This decision “is an unfortunate consequence of the mistaken policy adopted by the Swedish government. It will serve no purpose and certainly not advance us in the pursuit of negotiations,”said Israel’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon.
Sweden vows financial aid, urges reforms
Abbas is currently in Stockholm to hold talks with the Swedish officials and secure closer ties with the European country.
Earlier in the day, Sweden announced its decision to increase financial aid to Palestinians, but also urged the Palestinian authorities to carry out reforms, epically with regard to women’s situation in the country.
"There are challenges: we must help one another to fight corruption, increase gender equality, improve respect for human rights, and of course continue the state building process," said Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven during a meeting with Abbas.
Sweden reportedly plans to increase its financial help to Palestine by 1.5 billion crowns ($179.74 million) over the next five years.
Abbas talks of women’s central role in Palestine
Abbas, for his part, reassured the Swedish officials that reforms are currently underway in Palestine.
"Women will play a central role in our institutions on the political level, and municipal contexts, within the judicial system, within security organizations, and on all other levels. We will continue to develop our institutions, in order to raise their (women's) abilities in order to achieve what our people have sacrificed so much for," the Palestinian president stated.
He also called on other countries to follow the path of Sweden which was the first European Union member state in Western Europe to recognize the Palestinian statehood.
Israel-Sweden frayed relations
Israel recalled its envoy from Sweden after Stockholm’s decision to recognize Palestine, showing that the Tel Aviv regime is deeply concerned about appreciation of the Palestinian cause in a Western country.
Swedish foreign minister also postponed a visit to Israel in January, ostensibly in response to Israel’s continued criticism of Stockholm’s warm relations with Palestine.
Some 135 governments have so far announced their official backing for Palestine’s sovereignty. Parliaments in major European countries, including Spain, France, Britain, Ireland and Portugal as well as the European Parliament have symbolically endorsed Palestine’s bid to be recognized as a state.
According to official Swedish sources, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom attended the inauguration ceremony of the Palestinian embassy in Stockholm on Tuesday night.
Israel’s reaction
Israel has lashed out at the Swedish government for the inauguration of the Palestinian embassy.
This decision “is an unfortunate consequence of the mistaken policy adopted by the Swedish government. It will serve no purpose and certainly not advance us in the pursuit of negotiations,”said Israel’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon.
Sweden vows financial aid, urges reforms
Abbas is currently in Stockholm to hold talks with the Swedish officials and secure closer ties with the European country.
Earlier in the day, Sweden announced its decision to increase financial aid to Palestinians, but also urged the Palestinian authorities to carry out reforms, epically with regard to women’s situation in the country.
"There are challenges: we must help one another to fight corruption, increase gender equality, improve respect for human rights, and of course continue the state building process," said Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven during a meeting with Abbas.
Sweden reportedly plans to increase its financial help to Palestine by 1.5 billion crowns ($179.74 million) over the next five years.
Abbas talks of women’s central role in Palestine
Abbas, for his part, reassured the Swedish officials that reforms are currently underway in Palestine.
"Women will play a central role in our institutions on the political level, and municipal contexts, within the judicial system, within security organizations, and on all other levels. We will continue to develop our institutions, in order to raise their (women's) abilities in order to achieve what our people have sacrificed so much for," the Palestinian president stated.
He also called on other countries to follow the path of Sweden which was the first European Union member state in Western Europe to recognize the Palestinian statehood.
Israel-Sweden frayed relations
Israel recalled its envoy from Sweden after Stockholm’s decision to recognize Palestine, showing that the Tel Aviv regime is deeply concerned about appreciation of the Palestinian cause in a Western country.
Swedish foreign minister also postponed a visit to Israel in January, ostensibly in response to Israel’s continued criticism of Stockholm’s warm relations with Palestine.
Some 135 governments have so far announced their official backing for Palestine’s sovereignty. Parliaments in major European countries, including Spain, France, Britain, Ireland and Portugal as well as the European Parliament have symbolically endorsed Palestine’s bid to be recognized as a state.
Former Palestine Solidarity Activist, Kayla Mueller / Mueller Family
Mueller Family Releases Statement
Early Tuesday the family of humanitarian worker, Kayla Mueller, confirmed her death by sending out a statement.
A statement from the family of humanitarian aid worker, Kayla Mueller,
The native of Arizona had been very active in providing humanitarian relief throughout the Middle East region for the past few years. Prior to her work with Syrian refugees, Ms. Mueller was a solidarity volunteer in Palestine. Many Palestinians are speaking out about her death at the hands of Da'esh (ISIS).
The family's statement, released Tuesday morning, reads:
"We are heartbroken to share that we've received confirmation that Kayla Jean Mueller, has lost her life. "Kayla was a compassionate and devoted humanitarian. She dedicated the whole of her young life to helping those in need of freedom, justice, and peace. In a letter to her father on his birthday in 2011, Kayla wrote: ‘I find God in the suffering eyes reflected in mine. If this is how you are revealed to me, this is how I will forever seek you.'
‘I will always seek God. Some people find God in church. Some people find God in nature. Some people find God in love; I find God in suffering. I've known for some time what my life's work is, using my hands as tools to relieve suffering.'
"Kayla was drawn to help those displaced by the Syrian civil war. She first traveled to Turkey in December, 2012 to provide humanitarian aid to Syrian refugees. She told us of the great joy she took in helping Syrian children and their families.
"We are so proud of the person Kayla was and the work that she did while she was here with us. She lived with purpose, and we will work every day to honor her legacy. "Our hearts are breaking for our only daughter, but we will continue on in peace, dignity, and love for her.
"We remain heartbroken, also, for the families of the other captives who did not make it home safely and who remain in our thoughts and prayers. We pray for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Syria."
In addition to the family's statement, the Mueller's also released a handwritten note they received from Kayla while she was held hostage by Da'esh. The letter has been transcribed for clarity.
The letter Kayla sent to her family describes her condition while in captivity and expresses her wish that her family no negotiate with Da'esh
The unedited transcribed letter reads:
Mueller Family Releases Statement
Early Tuesday the family of humanitarian worker, Kayla Mueller, confirmed her death by sending out a statement.
A statement from the family of humanitarian aid worker, Kayla Mueller,
The native of Arizona had been very active in providing humanitarian relief throughout the Middle East region for the past few years. Prior to her work with Syrian refugees, Ms. Mueller was a solidarity volunteer in Palestine. Many Palestinians are speaking out about her death at the hands of Da'esh (ISIS).
The family's statement, released Tuesday morning, reads:
"We are heartbroken to share that we've received confirmation that Kayla Jean Mueller, has lost her life. "Kayla was a compassionate and devoted humanitarian. She dedicated the whole of her young life to helping those in need of freedom, justice, and peace. In a letter to her father on his birthday in 2011, Kayla wrote: ‘I find God in the suffering eyes reflected in mine. If this is how you are revealed to me, this is how I will forever seek you.'
‘I will always seek God. Some people find God in church. Some people find God in nature. Some people find God in love; I find God in suffering. I've known for some time what my life's work is, using my hands as tools to relieve suffering.'
"Kayla was drawn to help those displaced by the Syrian civil war. She first traveled to Turkey in December, 2012 to provide humanitarian aid to Syrian refugees. She told us of the great joy she took in helping Syrian children and their families.
"We are so proud of the person Kayla was and the work that she did while she was here with us. She lived with purpose, and we will work every day to honor her legacy. "Our hearts are breaking for our only daughter, but we will continue on in peace, dignity, and love for her.
"We remain heartbroken, also, for the families of the other captives who did not make it home safely and who remain in our thoughts and prayers. We pray for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Syria."
In addition to the family's statement, the Mueller's also released a handwritten note they received from Kayla while she was held hostage by Da'esh. The letter has been transcribed for clarity.
The letter Kayla sent to her family describes her condition while in captivity and expresses her wish that her family no negotiate with Da'esh
The unedited transcribed letter reads:
Everyone, If you are receiving this letter it means I am still detained but my cell mates (starting from 11/2/2014) have been released. I have asked them to contact you + send you this letter. It's hard to know what to say. Please know that I am in a safe location, completely unharmed + healthy (put on weight in fact); I have been treated w/ the utmost respect + kindness. I wanted to write you all a well thought out letter (but I didn't know if my cell mates would be leaving in the coming days or the coming months restricting my time but primarily) I could only but write the letter a paragraph at a time, just the thought of you all sends me into a fit of tears. If you could say I have "suffered" at all throughout this whole experience it is only in knowing how much suffering I have put you all through; I will never ask you to forgive me as I do not deserve forgiveness. I remember mom always telling me that all in all in the end the only one you really have is God. I have come to a place in experience where, in every sense of the word, I have surrendered myself to our creator b/c literally there was no else. + by God + by your prayers I have felt tenderly cradled in freefall. I have been shown in darkness, light + have learned that even in prison, one can be free. I am grateful. I have come to see that there is good in every situation, sometimes we just have to look for it. I pray each each day that if nothing else, you have felt a certain closeness + surrender to God as well + have formed a bond of love + support amongst one another I miss you all as if it has been a decade of forced separation. I have had many a long hour to think, to think of all the things I will do w/ Lex, our first family camping trip, the first meeting @ the airport. I have had many hours to think how only in your absence have I finally @ 25 years old come to realize your place in my life. The gift that is each one of you + the person I could + could not be if you were not a part of my life, my family, my support. I DO NOT want the negotiations for my release to be your duty, if there is any other option take it, even if it takes more time. This should never have become your burden. I have asked these women to support you; please seek their advice. If you have not done so already, [REDACTED] can contact [REDACTED] who may have a certain level of experience with these people. None of us could have known it would be this long but know I am also fighting from my side in the ways I am able + I have a lot of fight left inside of me. I am not breaking down + I will not give in no matter how long it takes. I wrote a song some months ago that says, "The part of me that pains the most also gets me out of bed, w/out your hope there would be nothing left…" aka-The thought of your pain is the source of my own, simultaneously the hope of our reunion is the source of my strength. Please be patient, give your pain to God. I know you would want me to remain strong. That is exactly what I am doing. Do not fear for me, continue to pray as will I + by God's will we will be together soon.
All my everything,
Kayla
All my everything,
Kayla
|
(As with all of these video clips, the content may be too graphic for some, please use discretion). |
Kayla Mueller volunteered with the International Solidarity Movement from August to September of 2010.
On 4 August 2013 Kayla, 26, originally from Prescott, Arizona, was working with Syrian refugees when she was kidnapped after leaving a Spanish Doctors Without Borders hospital in Aleppo. Since that time she has been held in captivity by Da’esh (ISIS). This information was not previously released publicly out of concerns for her safety. On February 6th, Da’esh announced that she had been killed by Jordanian airstrikes in Raqqa, northern Syria. The validity of their announcement has not been confirmed. Our hearts are with Kayla, her family, friends, and all those who have lost liberty, lives and loved ones in the global struggle for freedom and human rights. With the ISM, Kayla worked with Palestinians nonviolently resisting the confiscation and demolitions of their homes and lands. In the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of Occupied East Jerusalem, she stayed with the Al Kurd family to try and prevent the takeover of their home by Israeli settlers. Kayla accompanied Palestinian children to school in the neighborhood of Tel Ruimeda in Al-Khalil (Hebron) where the children face frequent attacks by the Israeli settlers and military. She stayed with villagers in Izbat Al Tabib in a protest tent to try to prevent the demolition of homes in the village. She joined weekly Friday protests in Palestinian villages against the confiscation of their lands due to Israel’s illegal annexation wall and settlements. Kayla published writing online about her work in Palestine with the International Solidarity Movement in August and September 2010. “How can I ignore the blessing of freedom of speech when I know that people I deeply care for can be shot dead for it?” she wrote. Below are excerpts from two of Kayla’s posts. October 29, 2010: “I could tell a few stories about running desperately from what you pray are rubber-coated steel bullets launched from the gun tip of a reckless and frightened 18-year old.” "I could tell a few stories about sleeping in front of half demolished buildings waiting for the one night when the bulldozers come to finish them off; fearing sleep because you don’t know what could wake you. . . . I could tell a few stories about walking children home from school because settlers next door are keen to throw stones, threaten and curse at them. Seeing the honest fear in young boys eyes when heavily armed settlers arise from the outpost; pure fear, frozen from further steps, lip trembling." "The smell and taste of tear gas has lodged itself in the pores of my throat and the skin around my nose, mouth and eyes. It still burns when I close them. It still hangs in the air like invisible fire burning the oxygen I breathe. When I cry tears for this land, my eyes still sting. This land that is beautiful as the poetry of the mystics. This land with the people who’s hearts are more expansive than any wall that any man could ever build. Yes, the wall will fall. The nature of impermanence is our greatest ally and soon the rules will change, the tide will turn and just as the moon waxes and wanes over this land so too the cycles of life here will continue. One day the cycle will once again return to freedom." "Oppression greets us from all angles. Oppression wails from the soldiers radio and floats through tear gas clouds in the air. Oppression explodes with every sound bomb and sinks deeper into the heart of the mother who has lost her son. But resistance is nestled in the cracks in the wall, resistance flows from the minaret 5 times a day and resistance sits quietly in jail knowing its time will come again. Resistance lives in the grieving mother’s wails and resistance lives in the anger at the lies broadcasted across the globe. Though it is sometimes hard to see and even harder sometimes to harbor, resistance lives. Do not be fooled, resistance lives." On New Year’s Day of 2011, Kayla received news that Jawaher Abu Rahma, from the village of Bil’in where Kayla had demonstrated in solidarity with her and her family, had been killed by tear gas asphyxiation. |
On the first of January 2011, Kayla wrote:
"I felt compelled to blog on this today. The first day of 2011, the actual day that she died, just a few hours ago in a village called, Bil’in."
"Every Friday in Bil’in villagers and international/Israel activists march to the barbed wire fence where an enormous and expanding illegal settlement is visible to protest the theft of their land and their livelihoods. The Palestinians are armed with rocks, the other activists with cameras and collectively they are armed with their bones. Each Friday the demonstration is met with violence; rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas and sounds bombs are the usual choice of artillery. Lives are taken as a result of the violence and Jawaher Abu Rahmah’s life was taken today."
"I have been to this village, I demonstrated in this village, I demonstrated arm in arm with her brothers, and I knew her."
……………
"My first demonstration in Palestine was in Bil’in and that is when I met Ashraf, Jawaher’s brother. Despite his broken English he always made a point to make sure we were ok when we were at the demonstration in his village, to help us cough up the tear gas and walk off the anxiety. He showed us his village and we played with the kids. Ashraf would bring us water or tea and help us find rides out of the village back to the cities. In the summer of 2008, Ashraf was participating in the demonstration and was detained by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). After he was blind-folded and his hands bound, an IDF soldier shot him in the foot from a distance of about 2 meters shattering his toes and leaving him in trauma as one could imagine."
"Just the next year in 2009 Ashraf’s brother, Bassem Abu Rahma, was participating in the demonstration and was attempting to communicate with the IDF soldiers telling them to stop shooting the steel-coated rubber bullets as an Israeli activist had been shot in the leg and needed medical attention. Not soon after an Israeli soldier illegally used a tear gas canister as a bullet hitting Bassem in the chest, stopping his heart and killing him instantly."
"And now just today, the daughter of the Rahmah family, Jawaher, has been asphyxiated from tear gas inhalation. Jawaher was not even participating in the weekly demonstration but was in her home approximately 500 meters away from where the tear gas canisters were being fired (by wind the tear gas reaches the village and even the nearby illegal settlement often). There is currently little information as to how she suffocated but the doctor that attended her said a mixture of the tear gas from the IDF soldiers and phosphorus poisoned her lungs causing asphyxiation, the stopping of the heart and death this afternoon after fighting for her life last night in the hospital. The following is a clip from today showing hundreds of Palestinians, Israelis and international activist carrying her body to her families home where they said their final goodbyes."
"This family has a tragic story, but it is the story of life in Palestine."
"Thank you for reading. Ask me questions and ask yourself questions but most importantly, question the answers."
"Forever in solidarity, Kayla"
"I felt compelled to blog on this today. The first day of 2011, the actual day that she died, just a few hours ago in a village called, Bil’in."
"Every Friday in Bil’in villagers and international/Israel activists march to the barbed wire fence where an enormous and expanding illegal settlement is visible to protest the theft of their land and their livelihoods. The Palestinians are armed with rocks, the other activists with cameras and collectively they are armed with their bones. Each Friday the demonstration is met with violence; rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas and sounds bombs are the usual choice of artillery. Lives are taken as a result of the violence and Jawaher Abu Rahmah’s life was taken today."
"I have been to this village, I demonstrated in this village, I demonstrated arm in arm with her brothers, and I knew her."
……………
"My first demonstration in Palestine was in Bil’in and that is when I met Ashraf, Jawaher’s brother. Despite his broken English he always made a point to make sure we were ok when we were at the demonstration in his village, to help us cough up the tear gas and walk off the anxiety. He showed us his village and we played with the kids. Ashraf would bring us water or tea and help us find rides out of the village back to the cities. In the summer of 2008, Ashraf was participating in the demonstration and was detained by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). After he was blind-folded and his hands bound, an IDF soldier shot him in the foot from a distance of about 2 meters shattering his toes and leaving him in trauma as one could imagine."
"Just the next year in 2009 Ashraf’s brother, Bassem Abu Rahma, was participating in the demonstration and was attempting to communicate with the IDF soldiers telling them to stop shooting the steel-coated rubber bullets as an Israeli activist had been shot in the leg and needed medical attention. Not soon after an Israeli soldier illegally used a tear gas canister as a bullet hitting Bassem in the chest, stopping his heart and killing him instantly."
"And now just today, the daughter of the Rahmah family, Jawaher, has been asphyxiated from tear gas inhalation. Jawaher was not even participating in the weekly demonstration but was in her home approximately 500 meters away from where the tear gas canisters were being fired (by wind the tear gas reaches the village and even the nearby illegal settlement often). There is currently little information as to how she suffocated but the doctor that attended her said a mixture of the tear gas from the IDF soldiers and phosphorus poisoned her lungs causing asphyxiation, the stopping of the heart and death this afternoon after fighting for her life last night in the hospital. The following is a clip from today showing hundreds of Palestinians, Israelis and international activist carrying her body to her families home where they said their final goodbyes."
"This family has a tragic story, but it is the story of life in Palestine."
"Thank you for reading. Ask me questions and ask yourself questions but most importantly, question the answers."
"Forever in solidarity, Kayla"
Ismail Haneyya, deputy head of Hamas’s political bureau and former prime minister, received South Africa’s ambassador on Tuesday.
Haneyya discussed with the South African ambassador the humanitarian and political conditions in the besieged Gaza Strip and praised South Africa’s supportive stands with the Palestinian people.
For his part, the South African Ambassador affirmed the solidarity of his country with Gaza and its support for the steadfastness of the Palestinian people as well as the Palestinian reconciliation.
Haneyya stressed that the unity government should fulfill its responsibilities and implement the reconciliation articles.
Haneyya discussed with the South African ambassador the humanitarian and political conditions in the besieged Gaza Strip and praised South Africa’s supportive stands with the Palestinian people.
For his part, the South African Ambassador affirmed the solidarity of his country with Gaza and its support for the steadfastness of the Palestinian people as well as the Palestinian reconciliation.
Haneyya stressed that the unity government should fulfill its responsibilities and implement the reconciliation articles.
9 feb 2015
Member of the political bureau of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) Rabah Muhanna disclosed that Azzam al-Ahmad, Fatah central committee member and head of Fatah delegation for reconciliation talks, hindered the arrival of the delegation of Palestinian factions to the Gaza Strip.
Muhanna said, in a statement on Monday, that Fatah representative Azzam al-Ahmad obstructed the reconciliation process and the arrival of the factions to Gaza during a meeting with the Palestinian factions on Sunday in Ramallah.
The Palestinian factions were expected to meet in Gaza to hold talks on the mechanisms to enforce the reconciliation agreements.
“Ahmad suspended the visit until he meets with Mousa Abu Marzouk, member of Hamas political bureau, on February 13, 2015, in Cairo,” Muhanna said.
Muhanna said, in a statement on Monday, that Fatah representative Azzam al-Ahmad obstructed the reconciliation process and the arrival of the factions to Gaza during a meeting with the Palestinian factions on Sunday in Ramallah.
The Palestinian factions were expected to meet in Gaza to hold talks on the mechanisms to enforce the reconciliation agreements.
“Ahmad suspended the visit until he meets with Mousa Abu Marzouk, member of Hamas political bureau, on February 13, 2015, in Cairo,” Muhanna said.
The Movements of Hamas and Islamic Jihad reiterated their adherence to the resistance path as a strategic option to restore the usurped national rights.
This came in a press release issued following a meeting held on Sunday in Gaza city between senior officials from the Movements.
According to the statement, Hamas and Islamic Jihad agreed on the need to increase the level of political and field cooperation between them.
They also stressed the need to execute all reconciliation files in order to end the Palestinian division, and urged the unity government to assume its responsibilities towards Gaza to the fullest and alleviate the suffering of its population, especially with regard to the reconstruction of their homes and the salaries of civil servants.
Their statement re-emphasized the Movements' non-interference policy towards other countries and their respect for their sovereignty over their territories.
They also expressed their hope to see all Arab countries stable and prosperous, focusing their efforts on supporting the higher national interests of their nation, particularly the question of Palestine.
The statement highlighted the Movement's keenness on following up the issue of the Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and making every effort to end their suffering.
This came in a press release issued following a meeting held on Sunday in Gaza city between senior officials from the Movements.
According to the statement, Hamas and Islamic Jihad agreed on the need to increase the level of political and field cooperation between them.
They also stressed the need to execute all reconciliation files in order to end the Palestinian division, and urged the unity government to assume its responsibilities towards Gaza to the fullest and alleviate the suffering of its population, especially with regard to the reconstruction of their homes and the salaries of civil servants.
Their statement re-emphasized the Movements' non-interference policy towards other countries and their respect for their sovereignty over their territories.
They also expressed their hope to see all Arab countries stable and prosperous, focusing their efforts on supporting the higher national interests of their nation, particularly the question of Palestine.
The statement highlighted the Movement's keenness on following up the issue of the Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and making every effort to end their suffering.
8 feb 2015
A general strike took place on Sunday in the Palestinian Bedouin town Tel Assabea (Tel Sheva) in the Negev in protest at the Israeli police failure to curb rampant violence and crime in Arab towns.
The general strike, which was called for by the local council and political forces in the town, was intended, in particular, to protest the recent killing of 32-year-old Tayseer Abu Ghanem.
Abu Ghanem was killed by anonymous gunmen as he was along with friends on Friday night in a coffee shop in the town. Others, including a child, were also wounded in the attack.
This was the fourth murder in Arab towns in one week after unknown armed men had shot dead three Palestinians in the towns of Jet and Tira a few days ago.
The general strike, which was called for by the local council and political forces in the town, was intended, in particular, to protest the recent killing of 32-year-old Tayseer Abu Ghanem.
Abu Ghanem was killed by anonymous gunmen as he was along with friends on Friday night in a coffee shop in the town. Others, including a child, were also wounded in the attack.
This was the fourth murder in Arab towns in one week after unknown armed men had shot dead three Palestinians in the towns of Jet and Tira a few days ago.
Eight of the victims in 2015
Police have not announced any leads, as victims' relatives accuse police force of negligence and looking the other way.
Nine people in the Arab sector have been murdered in the five weeks of 2015. After 59 murders in the Arab sector in 2014, the trend seems to only be getting stronger. Just as 33 of last year's murders remain unsolved, there are still no leads in the majority of this year's cases.
The most recent incident was on Saturday night, when a man in his thirties was shot to death from a passing car near a coffee shop in the Negev. A 12-year-old boy was seriously wounded, and a 16-year-old boy was moderately wounded in the shooting. Members of the victims' families said they couldn't think of a possible motive. "The victims had no feuds and had good relationships with everyone," said one relative.
Last week Ahmed Mardi, a 61-year-old from Tira, was killed while sitting with two friends in a room at a soccer field. It was the third murder in 24 hours inside the so-called Triangle, an area of Arab towns near the Green Line. Mardi's wife, Abeer, said her husband was a worker responsible for the city's municipal pool. She could not understand why her husband was killed.
"He was a person with no criminal past, was a friend to all, and always tried to make amends between people in conflict," she said. "My husband was murdered in cold blood. I feel that the city of Tira betrayed him and did not stand by him."
Abeer blamed the police for the wave of murders. The police "doesn't take responsibility and doesn't deal with this phenomenon. Instead of arresting the murderers, the police comes and arrests people from the family. The police didn't even come here to ask questions since my husband was murdered. That is negligent and irresponsible."
Tempers have also flared in Kafr Qasem following the murder of soccer player Suhaib Frij. "If the police doesn't find the killers, this criminal behavior will continue," said the victim's father, Mahmad Frij. "My son was not threatened and had no problems with anyone."
The police claims that the Arab sector is not cooperating in order to bring the killers to justice. Deputy chief of the Islamic Movement in Israel's southern faction, Sheikh Safout Frij, said it was not the citizens' job to do the work of the police.
"If the common citizen needs to attest to the crime, then what do we need the police for? On the day that a police station was opened in Kafr Qasem, we were told they would provide security and protect us. Today we ask them to protect our lives and bring the killers to justice."
Two cousins were murdered last week in Jat, 100 meters (about 330 feet) away from the police station. Over the years, six people from the same family were murdered. "The murder was committed by a deadly gang that acts under the auspices of the police," said the uncle of the two victims, who were 17 and 23 years old. These are residents of the West Bank and Gaza who collaborated with the police, and (the police) are now trying to live at the Israeli public's expense," he said.
Attorney Reda Jaber, director of the Aman Center for a Safe Society, said: "The state failed in dealing with the phenomenon of violence and crime in Arab society," and said the government has not made a decision to deal with crime and poverty.
A police response said it "enforces the law in an equal manner, and handles investigations with professionalism." The statement added that "the Israel Police formed in recent years new police units in the Arab sector, who work in tandem with local authorities for the benefit of residents, and we will continue to supply quality service with the help of productive cooperation with the public."
Police have not announced any leads, as victims' relatives accuse police force of negligence and looking the other way.
Nine people in the Arab sector have been murdered in the five weeks of 2015. After 59 murders in the Arab sector in 2014, the trend seems to only be getting stronger. Just as 33 of last year's murders remain unsolved, there are still no leads in the majority of this year's cases.
The most recent incident was on Saturday night, when a man in his thirties was shot to death from a passing car near a coffee shop in the Negev. A 12-year-old boy was seriously wounded, and a 16-year-old boy was moderately wounded in the shooting. Members of the victims' families said they couldn't think of a possible motive. "The victims had no feuds and had good relationships with everyone," said one relative.
Last week Ahmed Mardi, a 61-year-old from Tira, was killed while sitting with two friends in a room at a soccer field. It was the third murder in 24 hours inside the so-called Triangle, an area of Arab towns near the Green Line. Mardi's wife, Abeer, said her husband was a worker responsible for the city's municipal pool. She could not understand why her husband was killed.
"He was a person with no criminal past, was a friend to all, and always tried to make amends between people in conflict," she said. "My husband was murdered in cold blood. I feel that the city of Tira betrayed him and did not stand by him."
Abeer blamed the police for the wave of murders. The police "doesn't take responsibility and doesn't deal with this phenomenon. Instead of arresting the murderers, the police comes and arrests people from the family. The police didn't even come here to ask questions since my husband was murdered. That is negligent and irresponsible."
Tempers have also flared in Kafr Qasem following the murder of soccer player Suhaib Frij. "If the police doesn't find the killers, this criminal behavior will continue," said the victim's father, Mahmad Frij. "My son was not threatened and had no problems with anyone."
The police claims that the Arab sector is not cooperating in order to bring the killers to justice. Deputy chief of the Islamic Movement in Israel's southern faction, Sheikh Safout Frij, said it was not the citizens' job to do the work of the police.
"If the common citizen needs to attest to the crime, then what do we need the police for? On the day that a police station was opened in Kafr Qasem, we were told they would provide security and protect us. Today we ask them to protect our lives and bring the killers to justice."
Two cousins were murdered last week in Jat, 100 meters (about 330 feet) away from the police station. Over the years, six people from the same family were murdered. "The murder was committed by a deadly gang that acts under the auspices of the police," said the uncle of the two victims, who were 17 and 23 years old. These are residents of the West Bank and Gaza who collaborated with the police, and (the police) are now trying to live at the Israeli public's expense," he said.
Attorney Reda Jaber, director of the Aman Center for a Safe Society, said: "The state failed in dealing with the phenomenon of violence and crime in Arab society," and said the government has not made a decision to deal with crime and poverty.
A police response said it "enforces the law in an equal manner, and handles investigations with professionalism." The statement added that "the Israel Police formed in recent years new police units in the Arab sector, who work in tandem with local authorities for the benefit of residents, and we will continue to supply quality service with the help of productive cooperation with the public."
Deputy speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) Ahmed Bahar said that the Hamas Movement is not afraid to participate in any upcoming Palestinian parliamentary or presidential elections and ready for any electoral battle.
Bahar made his remarks during an open meeting held on Saturday in al-Bureij refugee camp with dignitaries and public figures from the central district of Gaza.
The Hamas-affiliated lawmaker stated in his speech that the unity government headed by Rami al-Hamdallah is "illegitimate" because it did not refer to the PLC to receive its confidence after its formation."
Bahar welcomed the visit to be made by a delegation from the Palestine Liberation Organization to Gaza soon, and stressed that all political forces should come together under a national agenda to serve their people
The PLC official also highlighted the recent Egyptian court ruling on al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas, and called on the Egyptian leadership to backtrack on this "unjust verdict."
He expressed his belief that the recent events in the Sinai had been engineered by the Mossad, and called on what he described as "the demons of the Egyptian media" to shut their mouths because their lies provide a free service to the occupation.
Bahar made his remarks during an open meeting held on Saturday in al-Bureij refugee camp with dignitaries and public figures from the central district of Gaza.
The Hamas-affiliated lawmaker stated in his speech that the unity government headed by Rami al-Hamdallah is "illegitimate" because it did not refer to the PLC to receive its confidence after its formation."
Bahar welcomed the visit to be made by a delegation from the Palestine Liberation Organization to Gaza soon, and stressed that all political forces should come together under a national agenda to serve their people
The PLC official also highlighted the recent Egyptian court ruling on al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas, and called on the Egyptian leadership to backtrack on this "unjust verdict."
He expressed his belief that the recent events in the Sinai had been engineered by the Mossad, and called on what he described as "the demons of the Egyptian media" to shut their mouths because their lies provide a free service to the occupation.
7 feb 2015
Late on Thursday, the Belgian parliament approved a resolution calling for official recognition of Palestine as a state.
Belgium is the latest European country to tackle the question, as pressure grows on Israel and Palestinians to return to the negotiating table.
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel, with three other parties in the ruling coalition, called on the government to recognize Palestinian statehood at a most appropriate moment, the Palestinian News Network reports.
The recognition text which was rejected by the left and green opposition, invites the Belgian government to recognize a Palestinian State "at the right time" taking into account several considerations: the positive impact of this recognition to restart a negotiation process between Israel and Palestine, the evolution of cooperation within the European Union, and the existence of a Palestinian government exercising full authority over the entire Palestinian territory.
Parliaments in Britain, Spain, France, Ireland and Portugal have also symbolically backed statehood for Palestine, while the government in Sweden has officially recognized the state last December, becoming the first country in the European Union to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian State.
The European Parliament also gave its support to Palestinian statehood in December, but said that it should go hand in hand with the revival of the peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.
So far, now, 135 countries have recognized the sovereignty of the Palestinian Territories.
Belgium is the latest European country to tackle the question, as pressure grows on Israel and Palestinians to return to the negotiating table.
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel, with three other parties in the ruling coalition, called on the government to recognize Palestinian statehood at a most appropriate moment, the Palestinian News Network reports.
The recognition text which was rejected by the left and green opposition, invites the Belgian government to recognize a Palestinian State "at the right time" taking into account several considerations: the positive impact of this recognition to restart a negotiation process between Israel and Palestine, the evolution of cooperation within the European Union, and the existence of a Palestinian government exercising full authority over the entire Palestinian territory.
Parliaments in Britain, Spain, France, Ireland and Portugal have also symbolically backed statehood for Palestine, while the government in Sweden has officially recognized the state last December, becoming the first country in the European Union to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian State.
The European Parliament also gave its support to Palestinian statehood in December, but said that it should go hand in hand with the revival of the peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.
So far, now, 135 countries have recognized the sovereignty of the Palestinian Territories.
Research institutions and economists said that "Israel misappropriates at least 6 billion dollars of the West Bank resources; oil, gas, marble, rare minerals from the Dead Sea, as well as agriculture and tourism activity."
In October 2013, a study issued by The World Bank indicated that the Palestinian economy lost about 75 billion dollars throughout 22 years of the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations as a result of preventing the Palestinians from exploiting the lands known as the (C) areas, and that Israel controls 46% of the Palestinian gross domestic product (GDP). According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, the real GDP in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip was 7.3 billion dollars last year.
The World Bank further said that Israel and Jordan together gain about 4.2 billion dollars from the annual sales of the Dead Sea products which comprise 6% of the world's supply of potash and 73% of the world's production of bromine whereas the Palestinians are completely prevented from utilizing their rightful resources, bearing in mind that one-third of the western shore of the Dead Sea lies in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
After Oslo Accords in 1993 between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the West Bank was divided into three areas: A, B and C; the A areas 18% of the West Bank are under full control of the Palestinian Authority (PA), B areas, 20% of the West Bank, are under a joint control of Israel and PA, and the C areas, 60% of the West Bank, are under Israeli security and civil control. 400,000 Israeli settlers live in the (C) areas along with 150,000 Palestinians prevented from building or investing.
Adel Shadid, a researcher in Israeli affairs, said in a statement that "the Israeli negotiator bore in mind the economic considerations when the occupied West Bank areas were divided by Oslo Accords."
Oslo Accords state that by 1998 the (C) areas will have been under a full PA control, but that never happened and the number of settlers in that area has notably increased.
Two years ago, a study by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) estimated the annual loss of the Palestinian economy at 6 billion dollars at the very least.
Sha'wan Jabarin, head of Palestinian al-Haq Foundation, an independent human rights group, said that if the Palestinians were given the chance to utilize the West Bank resources, they would be providing aid to the poor countries instead of depending on foreign and Arab donors to bridge the Palestinian budget deficit which amounted to 1.3 billion dollars last year amid expectations that it will reach 2 billion dollars in 2015.
Dr. Samir Abdullah, the former Palestinian minister of planning, said that the Israeli settlements project is aimed at stealing the Palestinian resources and forcing the indigenous people to migrate other than luring aid from the Zionist groups around the world. He added that settlements’ control over the surface and groundwater aquifers in the West Bank obstructed the development of all the Palestinian economic sectors.
In November 2013, the Palestinian government announced an international tender to explore oil and gas in the West Bank, and re-announced it in March 2014 but the Israeli obstacles prevented the process.
Moreover, the Israeli occupation prevents the Palestinians from opening new quarries and at the same time encourages the Israeli companies to do so, whereas the international law prohibits the occupying power from exploiting the natural resources of the occupied territories.
The harsh living conditions and the high unemployment rates among graduates forced 30,000 Palestinians to work in the industrial and agricultural settlements, according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics.
In October 2013, a study issued by The World Bank indicated that the Palestinian economy lost about 75 billion dollars throughout 22 years of the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations as a result of preventing the Palestinians from exploiting the lands known as the (C) areas, and that Israel controls 46% of the Palestinian gross domestic product (GDP). According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, the real GDP in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip was 7.3 billion dollars last year.
The World Bank further said that Israel and Jordan together gain about 4.2 billion dollars from the annual sales of the Dead Sea products which comprise 6% of the world's supply of potash and 73% of the world's production of bromine whereas the Palestinians are completely prevented from utilizing their rightful resources, bearing in mind that one-third of the western shore of the Dead Sea lies in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
After Oslo Accords in 1993 between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the West Bank was divided into three areas: A, B and C; the A areas 18% of the West Bank are under full control of the Palestinian Authority (PA), B areas, 20% of the West Bank, are under a joint control of Israel and PA, and the C areas, 60% of the West Bank, are under Israeli security and civil control. 400,000 Israeli settlers live in the (C) areas along with 150,000 Palestinians prevented from building or investing.
Adel Shadid, a researcher in Israeli affairs, said in a statement that "the Israeli negotiator bore in mind the economic considerations when the occupied West Bank areas were divided by Oslo Accords."
Oslo Accords state that by 1998 the (C) areas will have been under a full PA control, but that never happened and the number of settlers in that area has notably increased.
Two years ago, a study by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) estimated the annual loss of the Palestinian economy at 6 billion dollars at the very least.
Sha'wan Jabarin, head of Palestinian al-Haq Foundation, an independent human rights group, said that if the Palestinians were given the chance to utilize the West Bank resources, they would be providing aid to the poor countries instead of depending on foreign and Arab donors to bridge the Palestinian budget deficit which amounted to 1.3 billion dollars last year amid expectations that it will reach 2 billion dollars in 2015.
Dr. Samir Abdullah, the former Palestinian minister of planning, said that the Israeli settlements project is aimed at stealing the Palestinian resources and forcing the indigenous people to migrate other than luring aid from the Zionist groups around the world. He added that settlements’ control over the surface and groundwater aquifers in the West Bank obstructed the development of all the Palestinian economic sectors.
In November 2013, the Palestinian government announced an international tender to explore oil and gas in the West Bank, and re-announced it in March 2014 but the Israeli obstacles prevented the process.
Moreover, the Israeli occupation prevents the Palestinians from opening new quarries and at the same time encourages the Israeli companies to do so, whereas the international law prohibits the occupying power from exploiting the natural resources of the occupied territories.
The harsh living conditions and the high unemployment rates among graduates forced 30,000 Palestinians to work in the industrial and agricultural settlements, according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics.
6 feb 2015
Secretary General of the Palestinian Arab Front and member of PLO delegation to Gaza Jamil Shehadeh revealed Friday that the PLO delegation is scheduled to meet in Ramallah on Sunday to prepare for the visit.
Hamas has welcomed the PLO delegation's planned visit to the Gaza Strip, Shehadeh said in a statement to the PIC. "We will have contacts with Hamas to fix a date for the visit".
He revealed that the delegation would be headed by member of Fatah Central Committee Azzam al-Ahmad who himself would contact Hamas to discuss the planned visit.
Commenting on the reason behind naming al-Ahmad as the head of the PLO delegation to Gaza despite his support to a PA proposal to declare the Strip as a “rebel-held territory”, Shehadeh said that al-Ahmad denied making such statements.
“This problem was earlier solved in a meeting with Hamas Movement in Gaza. We agreed to stop all forms of media bickering.”
Shehadeh also doubted statements attributed to PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas to al-Arabi al-Jadid newspaper in which he said that contacts with Hamas should be limited to imposing PA control over the Strip.
Hamas has welcomed the PLO delegation's planned visit to the Gaza Strip, Shehadeh said in a statement to the PIC. "We will have contacts with Hamas to fix a date for the visit".
He revealed that the delegation would be headed by member of Fatah Central Committee Azzam al-Ahmad who himself would contact Hamas to discuss the planned visit.
Commenting on the reason behind naming al-Ahmad as the head of the PLO delegation to Gaza despite his support to a PA proposal to declare the Strip as a “rebel-held territory”, Shehadeh said that al-Ahmad denied making such statements.
“This problem was earlier solved in a meeting with Hamas Movement in Gaza. We agreed to stop all forms of media bickering.”
Shehadeh also doubted statements attributed to PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas to al-Arabi al-Jadid newspaper in which he said that contacts with Hamas should be limited to imposing PA control over the Strip.
Republic of Côte d'Ivoire Prime Minister Daniel Kablan Duncan
Palestinian Ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire Met With Prime Minister
The West African country of Côte d'Ivoire affirmed support of Palestinian statehood on Thursday.
The Prime Minister of the West African Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, Daniel Kablan Duncan, affirmed his country's support of Palestinian statehood on Thursday.
In a meeting with Palestinian Ambassador Atef Oudeh, Prime Minister Kablan Duncan said that he supports the independence and statehood ambitions of Palestine and believes in a comprehensive solution to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Duncan Kablan said that Côte d'Ivoire wishes to develop relations with Palestine across all sectors along with signing bilateral agreements in political, economic, and cultural areas.
The meeting in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire's economic capital, concluded with an agreement to arrange a cultural even in the city from April 1 through April 7, as well as plans to hold a conference for Palestinian business people by the end of April.
Ambassador Oudeh delivered a message from President Abbas to Kablan Duncan along with an invitation for him to visit Palestine.
The two country's are preparing for a delegation from Côte d'Ivoire to visit Palestine in the near future.
Palestinian Ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire Met With Prime Minister
The West African country of Côte d'Ivoire affirmed support of Palestinian statehood on Thursday.
The Prime Minister of the West African Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, Daniel Kablan Duncan, affirmed his country's support of Palestinian statehood on Thursday.
In a meeting with Palestinian Ambassador Atef Oudeh, Prime Minister Kablan Duncan said that he supports the independence and statehood ambitions of Palestine and believes in a comprehensive solution to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Duncan Kablan said that Côte d'Ivoire wishes to develop relations with Palestine across all sectors along with signing bilateral agreements in political, economic, and cultural areas.
The meeting in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire's economic capital, concluded with an agreement to arrange a cultural even in the city from April 1 through April 7, as well as plans to hold a conference for Palestinian business people by the end of April.
Ambassador Oudeh delivered a message from President Abbas to Kablan Duncan along with an invitation for him to visit Palestine.
The two country's are preparing for a delegation from Côte d'Ivoire to visit Palestine in the near future.