31 dec 2015
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, on Wednesday reaffirmed the Kingdom’s firm stances towards the Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including supporting the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
Saudi Arabian King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz met with the Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman, Mahmoud Abbas, at his palace in Riyadh to talk about bilateral relations and the latest developments emerging on the Palestinian socio-political scene.
At the outset of the session, Abbas decorated the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques with the Medal of Honor – the highest honor granted in Palestine – in recognition of the King’s supportive stands of the Palestinian cause.
PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas arrived in Saudi Arabia at noontime on Wednesday for an official visit to the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabian King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz met with the Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman, Mahmoud Abbas, at his palace in Riyadh to talk about bilateral relations and the latest developments emerging on the Palestinian socio-political scene.
At the outset of the session, Abbas decorated the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques with the Medal of Honor – the highest honor granted in Palestine – in recognition of the King’s supportive stands of the Palestinian cause.
PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas arrived in Saudi Arabia at noontime on Wednesday for an official visit to the Kingdom.
Russia and the United States agree that Daesh, al-Qaeda and Jabhat al-Nusra are terrorist organizations but differ over blacklisting Hezbollah and Hamas, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
Speaking to the Interfax news agency on Tuesday night, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said: "Our opinions coincide as regards to the main terrorist organizations. These are ISIS, al-Qaeda and Jabhat al-Nusra."
But “we are not even discussing Hezbollah and Hamas with the Americans,” he added.
Moscow has routinely held senior-level contacts with Hamas officials and leaders.
Commenting on the Russian position, political analyst Abdul Sattar Qassem said: “Hamas cannot be compared to Daesh or al-Qaeda. It can only be viewed in terms of its resistance to the Israeli occupation.”
“The Israeli occupation and the USA are the real terrorists. They are fighting all those who stand in their way,” he added.
“Blacklisting Hamas as terrorist is unacceptable for Moscow. There is no evidence to corroborate the fact that Hamas is a terror group,” he said.
“Israel has been misleading the world into believing that Hamas is targeting Israeli civilians, which is not in fact the case,” the analyst stated.
“Hamas is a movement of national liberation that defends its people. It does not seek to wage wars for the sake of wars. It is engaged in a fight against an entity that colonized its motherland,” he explained.
However, “does Russia dare blacklist Israel as a terrorist entity for the crimes it has perpetrated against the Palestinians?” Qassem wondered. “It is not enough that Russia refuses to dub Hamas a terror group. It should dare include Israel on its terror list.”
“There is no colonizing power in the world but Israel. Occupation is in itself a form of terrorism,” the analyst further stated.
Speaking to the Interfax news agency on Tuesday night, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said: "Our opinions coincide as regards to the main terrorist organizations. These are ISIS, al-Qaeda and Jabhat al-Nusra."
But “we are not even discussing Hezbollah and Hamas with the Americans,” he added.
Moscow has routinely held senior-level contacts with Hamas officials and leaders.
Commenting on the Russian position, political analyst Abdul Sattar Qassem said: “Hamas cannot be compared to Daesh or al-Qaeda. It can only be viewed in terms of its resistance to the Israeli occupation.”
“The Israeli occupation and the USA are the real terrorists. They are fighting all those who stand in their way,” he added.
“Blacklisting Hamas as terrorist is unacceptable for Moscow. There is no evidence to corroborate the fact that Hamas is a terror group,” he said.
“Israel has been misleading the world into believing that Hamas is targeting Israeli civilians, which is not in fact the case,” the analyst stated.
“Hamas is a movement of national liberation that defends its people. It does not seek to wage wars for the sake of wars. It is engaged in a fight against an entity that colonized its motherland,” he explained.
However, “does Russia dare blacklist Israel as a terrorist entity for the crimes it has perpetrated against the Palestinians?” Qassem wondered. “It is not enough that Russia refuses to dub Hamas a terror group. It should dare include Israel on its terror list.”
“There is no colonizing power in the world but Israel. Occupation is in itself a form of terrorism,” the analyst further stated.
30 dec 2015
In a report issued on Wednesday, by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statics (PCBS), the projected number of Palestinians in the world was estimated at 12.37 million, of whom 4.75 million are living in Palestine, 1.47 million in Israel, 5.46 million in Arab countries, and around 685,000 in foreign countries.
Israeli numbers will reach 6.34 million. However, by 2017, the total number of Palestinians and Israelis in occupied Palestine is predicted to equal out.
The report indicated, according to Al Ray Palestinian Media Agency, that there is an increase in the population of Palestinians in the world at large, noting that more than one-third are in the Gaza Strip.
The projected number of Palestinians living in Palestine, at the end of 2015, is 4.75 million; around 2.90 million are residing in the West Bank and 1.85 million are in the Gaza Strip. Palestinian refugees make up 42.8% of the Palestinian population in Palestine; 27.1% of them are in the West Bank and 67.3% are in the Gaza Strip.
The report also indicated a decline in the fertility rate during 2011-2013 to 4.1 births, compared with 6.0 births in 1997. In the Gaza Strip, the rate was 4.5 births compared to 3.7 births in the West Bank, during 2011-2013.
It also pointed to a decrease in the average household size, which was 5.2 people in 2014, compared to 6.1 in 2000; 4.9 people in the West Bank and 5.7 in Gaza.
The crude birth rate was determined, for 2015, to be 31.9 births for every 1,000 people in Palestine; 29.0 in the West Bank, compared to 36.3 in Gaza. The rate is expected to decline to 29.0 by 2020. The crude death rate among Palestinians was 3.6 deaths for every 1,000 people in Palestine, for 2015; 3.7 in the West Bank, compared to 3.4 in Gaza Strip. The rate is expected to decline to 3.4 by 2020.
The statics showed that the Palestinian population in Israeli-occupied Palestine is youthful. The number of Palestinians living in Israel is 1.47 million, at the end of 2015, and of whom about 34.8% are aged below 15 years, compared to 4.2% aged 65 years and over, for the year 2014.
The report also indicates that the fertility rate among Palestinians in Israel is higher than it is among Jews. The total fertility rate in 2014, among Palestinian women living in Israel, was 3.2 births, compared to 3.1 births among Jewish women. The average Palestinian household size in Israel was averaged at 4.7 people. The crude birth rate of Palestinians in Israel exceeded 23.8 births for every 1,000 people.
The report concluded that the number of Palestinians in historical Palestine will exceed the number of Jews, over time. It noted that the total number of Palestinians in historical Palestine will reach 6.22 million by the end of 2015. There were 6.22 million Jews at the end of 2014, according to estimates by the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics, and the number is expected to reach 6.34 million Jews by the end of 2015. The number of Palestinians and Jews is predicted to be equal before the end of 2017. However, the number of Palestinians in historical Palestine, at this rate, will likely total 7.13 million compared to 6.96 million Jews, by the end of 2020.
Israeli numbers will reach 6.34 million. However, by 2017, the total number of Palestinians and Israelis in occupied Palestine is predicted to equal out.
The report indicated, according to Al Ray Palestinian Media Agency, that there is an increase in the population of Palestinians in the world at large, noting that more than one-third are in the Gaza Strip.
The projected number of Palestinians living in Palestine, at the end of 2015, is 4.75 million; around 2.90 million are residing in the West Bank and 1.85 million are in the Gaza Strip. Palestinian refugees make up 42.8% of the Palestinian population in Palestine; 27.1% of them are in the West Bank and 67.3% are in the Gaza Strip.
The report also indicated a decline in the fertility rate during 2011-2013 to 4.1 births, compared with 6.0 births in 1997. In the Gaza Strip, the rate was 4.5 births compared to 3.7 births in the West Bank, during 2011-2013.
It also pointed to a decrease in the average household size, which was 5.2 people in 2014, compared to 6.1 in 2000; 4.9 people in the West Bank and 5.7 in Gaza.
The crude birth rate was determined, for 2015, to be 31.9 births for every 1,000 people in Palestine; 29.0 in the West Bank, compared to 36.3 in Gaza. The rate is expected to decline to 29.0 by 2020. The crude death rate among Palestinians was 3.6 deaths for every 1,000 people in Palestine, for 2015; 3.7 in the West Bank, compared to 3.4 in Gaza Strip. The rate is expected to decline to 3.4 by 2020.
The statics showed that the Palestinian population in Israeli-occupied Palestine is youthful. The number of Palestinians living in Israel is 1.47 million, at the end of 2015, and of whom about 34.8% are aged below 15 years, compared to 4.2% aged 65 years and over, for the year 2014.
The report also indicates that the fertility rate among Palestinians in Israel is higher than it is among Jews. The total fertility rate in 2014, among Palestinian women living in Israel, was 3.2 births, compared to 3.1 births among Jewish women. The average Palestinian household size in Israel was averaged at 4.7 people. The crude birth rate of Palestinians in Israel exceeded 23.8 births for every 1,000 people.
The report concluded that the number of Palestinians in historical Palestine will exceed the number of Jews, over time. It noted that the total number of Palestinians in historical Palestine will reach 6.22 million by the end of 2015. There were 6.22 million Jews at the end of 2014, according to estimates by the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics, and the number is expected to reach 6.34 million Jews by the end of 2015. The number of Palestinians and Jews is predicted to be equal before the end of 2017. However, the number of Palestinians in historical Palestine, at this rate, will likely total 7.13 million compared to 6.96 million Jews, by the end of 2020.
28 dec 2015
Second deputy speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) Hasan Khreisheh has warned that the Palestinian Authority's intention to hold secret negotiations with the Israelis would liquidate al-Quds intifada (uprising).
"At a time when PA leaders declare there is no possibility for any political solution with the occupation or return to negotiations, they conduct talks under the table and continue to hold meetings with the occupation that persists in killing and executing in cold blood our finest young men and women," Khreisheh stated in press remarks on Sunday.
He stressed that such behavior by the PA goes against the climate of the intifada, and reflects a complete disregard for the mass execution of Palestinians.
The Hamas official called on the PA leadership to stop underestimating its people's intelligence, affirming that the Palestinian people became fully aware of the impossibly of reaching a political solution with the occupation.
"The intifada has brought back the international focus on the Palestinian cause, and there is a need to stop holding meetings with the occupation covertly and overtly, at least in order to maintain our dignity," he underlined.
The Hebrew radio revealed on Sunday that the PA had sought recently to engage in secret peace talks with Israel in exchange for working on ending the wave of violence in the occupied territories.
"At a time when PA leaders declare there is no possibility for any political solution with the occupation or return to negotiations, they conduct talks under the table and continue to hold meetings with the occupation that persists in killing and executing in cold blood our finest young men and women," Khreisheh stated in press remarks on Sunday.
He stressed that such behavior by the PA goes against the climate of the intifada, and reflects a complete disregard for the mass execution of Palestinians.
The Hamas official called on the PA leadership to stop underestimating its people's intelligence, affirming that the Palestinian people became fully aware of the impossibly of reaching a political solution with the occupation.
"The intifada has brought back the international focus on the Palestinian cause, and there is a need to stop holding meetings with the occupation covertly and overtly, at least in order to maintain our dignity," he underlined.
The Hebrew radio revealed on Sunday that the PA had sought recently to engage in secret peace talks with Israel in exchange for working on ending the wave of violence in the occupied territories.
27 dec 2015
The Palestinian Authority (PA) recently proposed holding talks in camera with Israel to table final status issues in exchange for working on ending al-Quds intifada (uprising) in the occupied territories, Israeli sources has revealed.
According to the Hebrew radio, the Palestinian proposal aims to end the wave of violence and restart secret peace talks with Israel in return.
The radio claimed that PA negotiation chief Saeb Erekat had made the proposal during his meeting last July with Israel's former deputy premier Silvan Shalom at the Jordanian intelligence headquarters in Amman.
Three weeks later, Shalom met again with Erekat, but this time at the Egyptian intelligence headquarters in Cairo and told him that Israel was willing to hold such talks but with no prior conditions.
According to the Hebrew radio, the Palestinian proposal aims to end the wave of violence and restart secret peace talks with Israel in return.
The radio claimed that PA negotiation chief Saeb Erekat had made the proposal during his meeting last July with Israel's former deputy premier Silvan Shalom at the Jordanian intelligence headquarters in Amman.
Three weeks later, Shalom met again with Erekat, but this time at the Egyptian intelligence headquarters in Cairo and told him that Israel was willing to hold such talks but with no prior conditions.
22 dec 2015
PA President Mahmoud Abbas says that his government is set to change the name it uses on passports from "Palestinian Authority" to "State of Palestine".
Following a Monday meeting with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in Athens, the Palestinian leader said that it would most likely take one year or “even less” for the plan to be enacted.
“We have already changed all documents issued by ministries and public services and they now bear the name State of Palestine. We no longer accept from anybody to use the name 'Palestinian Authority,'” Abbas said, according to Press TV/Al Ray.
The Greek parliament held a voting session, Tuesday, on the recognition of an independent Palestinian state. Abbas also took part in the session.
Last week, the Greek parliament’s foreign affairs committee unanimously approved a motion to recognize Palestine as a state.
The Greek premier also traveled to the occupied Palestinian territories in November, where he met with Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
During the past months, other European legislatures, including those of the UK, France, Spain, Ireland, Belgium and Portugal, have recognized the Palestinian state. In December of 2014, the European Parliament also overwhelmingly backed the recognition of a Palestinian state “in principle.”
In late September, Palestine’s flag was hoisted for the first time at the UN headquarters in New York. Abbas then took to the podium there to call for the universal recognition of "the state of Palestine."
Following a Monday meeting with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in Athens, the Palestinian leader said that it would most likely take one year or “even less” for the plan to be enacted.
“We have already changed all documents issued by ministries and public services and they now bear the name State of Palestine. We no longer accept from anybody to use the name 'Palestinian Authority,'” Abbas said, according to Press TV/Al Ray.
The Greek parliament held a voting session, Tuesday, on the recognition of an independent Palestinian state. Abbas also took part in the session.
Last week, the Greek parliament’s foreign affairs committee unanimously approved a motion to recognize Palestine as a state.
The Greek premier also traveled to the occupied Palestinian territories in November, where he met with Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
During the past months, other European legislatures, including those of the UK, France, Spain, Ireland, Belgium and Portugal, have recognized the Palestinian state. In December of 2014, the European Parliament also overwhelmingly backed the recognition of a Palestinian state “in principle.”
In late September, Palestine’s flag was hoisted for the first time at the UN headquarters in New York. Abbas then took to the podium there to call for the universal recognition of "the state of Palestine."
The Greek Parliament unanimously voted, Tuesday, officially recognizing the state of Palestine. President Mahmoud Abbas, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, and various officials, attended the vote.
The Palestinian Authority thanked Greece for the positive vote, and described it as a move in the right direction towards stronger relations, and cooperation, between the two countries.
It added that the latest vote should encourage other countries around the world to recognize Palestine, and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to independence and self-determination.
Speaking to Greek parliamentarians after the vote, President Abbas described the development as historic, and thanked the country for this positive diplomatic move.
Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely denounced the vote, and described it as a move that has “no practical significance”.
The Palestinian Authority thanked Greece for the positive vote, and described it as a move in the right direction towards stronger relations, and cooperation, between the two countries.
It added that the latest vote should encourage other countries around the world to recognize Palestine, and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to independence and self-determination.
Speaking to Greek parliamentarians after the vote, President Abbas described the development as historic, and thanked the country for this positive diplomatic move.
Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely denounced the vote, and described it as a move that has “no practical significance”.
21 dec 2015
The government of Greece has announced that it will officially recognize the Palestinian state in a parliament session on Tuesday that will include the participation of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
President Abbas started an official visit to Greece, Sunday, in preparation for the official vote and recognition of the State of Palestine.
The recognition ceremony comes after the Foreign Affairs Committee in the country unanimously voted and approved, last week, to recognize the state of Palestine.
During his visit to Palestine, in late November, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras officially invited President Abbas to attend the official recognition ceremony of Palestine.
Dozens of countries around the world have officially recognized the state of Palestine, and on September 30, the Palestinian flag was officially raised in the United Nations in New York.
Israeli daily, The Jerusalem Post, said that Israel and Greece are scheduled to hold high-level meetings, on January 27, headed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Tsipras, in Jerusalem, a day before their meeting with the president of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiade.
On November 29, 2012, the General Assembly passed with an overwhelming majority, a resolution according Palestine non-member Observer State status in the United Nations.
The vote passed by 138 in favor, while only 9 counties (Canada, Czech Republic, Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Panama, Palau, United States), voted against it, and 41 countries abstained.
On Thursday, September 10, 2015, The United Nations General Assembly voted in an overwhelming majority to raise the Palestinian flag at the United Nations, despite aggressive opposition led by the United States and Israel.
President Abbas started an official visit to Greece, Sunday, in preparation for the official vote and recognition of the State of Palestine.
The recognition ceremony comes after the Foreign Affairs Committee in the country unanimously voted and approved, last week, to recognize the state of Palestine.
During his visit to Palestine, in late November, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras officially invited President Abbas to attend the official recognition ceremony of Palestine.
Dozens of countries around the world have officially recognized the state of Palestine, and on September 30, the Palestinian flag was officially raised in the United Nations in New York.
Israeli daily, The Jerusalem Post, said that Israel and Greece are scheduled to hold high-level meetings, on January 27, headed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Tsipras, in Jerusalem, a day before their meeting with the president of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiade.
On November 29, 2012, the General Assembly passed with an overwhelming majority, a resolution according Palestine non-member Observer State status in the United Nations.
The vote passed by 138 in favor, while only 9 counties (Canada, Czech Republic, Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Panama, Palau, United States), voted against it, and 41 countries abstained.
On Thursday, September 10, 2015, The United Nations General Assembly voted in an overwhelming majority to raise the Palestinian flag at the United Nations, despite aggressive opposition led by the United States and Israel.
20 dec 2015
Hundreds of men, women and children participated in a demonstration on Saturday evening for "the orphans' sponsors" in Kafr Kanna in the 1948 occupied lands.
The march was in protest against Israel's decision to close 17 of the Islamic Movement’s institutions, including the “Humanitarian Relief Foundation", which is concerned with the affairs of orphans and their sponsorship.
The demonstration, which was organized by the High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens in Israel, started from "Othman bin Affan" mosque in Kafr Kana. The demonstrators chanted slogans and raised banners condemning the ban on the Foundation which supports orphans. Dozens of orphans, who will be deprived of their monthly allowances as a result of the Israeli decision, participated in the demonstration.
Sheikh Raed Salah, head of the Islamic Movement, and his deputy, Sheikh Kamal Khatib, along with social and political leaders and figures, and a crowd of supporters of the Islamic Movement participated in the march.
In the same context, a rally was organized, in which leader of the High Follow-Up Committee, Muhammad Barakeh, delivered a speech. He stressed that the Committee stands by the Islamic Movement and its humanitarian projects carried out for the benefit of the Palestinian people wherever they are; in the West Bank, Jerusalem, Gaza and the 1948 occupied lands.
He said that the Israeli decision to close those institutions is political and is a criminal and racist act.
He stressed on the need for solidarity and unity among the Palestinians against these decisions, which aim to hit the very existence and steadfastness of the Palestinian people.
For his part, the lawyer Hussein Abu Hussein, a sponsor for orphans, denounced the decision of closing these institutions, and said that it is an illegal decision, targeting Palestinians and the projects for orphans' sponsorship. He affirmed that humanitarian projects will not stop, especially the Islamic Movement projects, topped by those supporting Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque.
Sheikh Raed Salah, in his turn, spoke about the Israeli unjust decision and stressed the need to support such institutions.
He stressed the need to support the humanitarian projects and to stand by the Palestinians in the West Bank, Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque.
“The Israeli offensive will not scare us and will not prevent us from communicating with our people to help them and to stand by them in their ordeal, especially our people in Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque”, he said, stressing that this offensive will fail as it has failed in the past.
The march was in protest against Israel's decision to close 17 of the Islamic Movement’s institutions, including the “Humanitarian Relief Foundation", which is concerned with the affairs of orphans and their sponsorship.
The demonstration, which was organized by the High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens in Israel, started from "Othman bin Affan" mosque in Kafr Kana. The demonstrators chanted slogans and raised banners condemning the ban on the Foundation which supports orphans. Dozens of orphans, who will be deprived of their monthly allowances as a result of the Israeli decision, participated in the demonstration.
Sheikh Raed Salah, head of the Islamic Movement, and his deputy, Sheikh Kamal Khatib, along with social and political leaders and figures, and a crowd of supporters of the Islamic Movement participated in the march.
In the same context, a rally was organized, in which leader of the High Follow-Up Committee, Muhammad Barakeh, delivered a speech. He stressed that the Committee stands by the Islamic Movement and its humanitarian projects carried out for the benefit of the Palestinian people wherever they are; in the West Bank, Jerusalem, Gaza and the 1948 occupied lands.
He said that the Israeli decision to close those institutions is political and is a criminal and racist act.
He stressed on the need for solidarity and unity among the Palestinians against these decisions, which aim to hit the very existence and steadfastness of the Palestinian people.
For his part, the lawyer Hussein Abu Hussein, a sponsor for orphans, denounced the decision of closing these institutions, and said that it is an illegal decision, targeting Palestinians and the projects for orphans' sponsorship. He affirmed that humanitarian projects will not stop, especially the Islamic Movement projects, topped by those supporting Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque.
Sheikh Raed Salah, in his turn, spoke about the Israeli unjust decision and stressed the need to support such institutions.
He stressed the need to support the humanitarian projects and to stand by the Palestinians in the West Bank, Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque.
“The Israeli offensive will not scare us and will not prevent us from communicating with our people to help them and to stand by them in their ordeal, especially our people in Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque”, he said, stressing that this offensive will fail as it has failed in the past.
12 dec 2015
On Tuesday, 8th December 2015, a delegation from the United Nations visited the H2 area of occupied al-Khalil (Hebron), ahead of the international Human Rights Day on 10th December.
The UN-delegation visited the H2 area, under full Israeli control, to understand the situation and get first-hand accounts of the life under Israeli occupation and the daily fight of Palestinian residents and human rights defenders.
During their visit, they talked to various local and international human rights defenders and visited flashpoint areas in al-Khalil, such as the 'closed military zone' in the Tel Rumeida neighbourhood.
The delegation also went to two areas where school-children have to struggle each day to get to school past checkpoints, the Israeli army shooting tear gas, illegal settlers attacking them; trying to take their right to education.
International Human Rights Day is celebrated every year on the 10th of December, commemorating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that was passed on this day in 1948. The Declaration declared fundamental human rights that enjoy universal protection. But still, to this day, these fundamental human rights need to be fought for.
After the visit, the UN-delegation came up with a statement stressing the importance and praising the work of human rights defenders that are non-violently struggling to achieve the universal human rights for Palestinians, particularly in the environment of Israeli occupation. They are voicing their great concern about the Israeli forces crackdown on human rights defenders work and their attempts to silence them completely.
Read the full UN-statement
The UN-delegation visited the H2 area, under full Israeli control, to understand the situation and get first-hand accounts of the life under Israeli occupation and the daily fight of Palestinian residents and human rights defenders.
During their visit, they talked to various local and international human rights defenders and visited flashpoint areas in al-Khalil, such as the 'closed military zone' in the Tel Rumeida neighbourhood.
The delegation also went to two areas where school-children have to struggle each day to get to school past checkpoints, the Israeli army shooting tear gas, illegal settlers attacking them; trying to take their right to education.
International Human Rights Day is celebrated every year on the 10th of December, commemorating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that was passed on this day in 1948. The Declaration declared fundamental human rights that enjoy universal protection. But still, to this day, these fundamental human rights need to be fought for.
After the visit, the UN-delegation came up with a statement stressing the importance and praising the work of human rights defenders that are non-violently struggling to achieve the universal human rights for Palestinians, particularly in the environment of Israeli occupation. They are voicing their great concern about the Israeli forces crackdown on human rights defenders work and their attempts to silence them completely.
Read the full UN-statement
Prisoner Ahmed Saadat, the secretary-general of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), has called on the Palestinian Authority (PA) to support al-Quds intifada (uprising) and stop wagering on its negotiation approach.
"The intifada constitutes a way out for the PA of the circle of its confusion, stagnation and wager on the illusions of the US-sponsored negotiations and settlement," Saadat said in a leaked letter he wrote on the 48th inception anniversary of the PFLP.
He said that the Palestinian political process needs a bold critical review to draw lessons from its past mistakes in order to effectively back the popular intifada.
The PFLP official warned of any attempt to circumvent al-Quds intifada and use it as a tactical move to return to the endless cycle of negotiation with the occupation.
He described the Palestinian people's intifada and resistance as an ongoing strategic struggle to achieve their aspiration for liberation from the occupation.
"The intifada constitutes a way out for the PA of the circle of its confusion, stagnation and wager on the illusions of the US-sponsored negotiations and settlement," Saadat said in a leaked letter he wrote on the 48th inception anniversary of the PFLP.
He said that the Palestinian political process needs a bold critical review to draw lessons from its past mistakes in order to effectively back the popular intifada.
The PFLP official warned of any attempt to circumvent al-Quds intifada and use it as a tactical move to return to the endless cycle of negotiation with the occupation.
He described the Palestinian people's intifada and resistance as an ongoing strategic struggle to achieve their aspiration for liberation from the occupation.
