13 jan 2016
Hamas on Tuesday slammed the Palestinian unity government for its lack of commitment as regards the crises rocking the blockaded Gaza Strip.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said in a press statement: “The government’s reluctance to take up its responsibilities as regards Gaza and the Rafah crossing is a sign of apathy.”
Abu Zuhri said Hamas called on all factions to form a follow up committee to keep tabs on the implementation of the reconciliation bonds and the government’s commitment to its duties in blockaded Gaza.
Abu Zuhri’s comments were released hours after the consensus government claimed that Hamas’s proposal to form a factional committee to supervise the management of the Rafah border-crossing is rather a sign of reluctance.
The Palestinian unity government took over in early June 2014 following a series of reconciliation talks between Fatah and Hamas movements to heal the national rift and opt for a unified resistance agenda.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said in a press statement: “The government’s reluctance to take up its responsibilities as regards Gaza and the Rafah crossing is a sign of apathy.”
Abu Zuhri said Hamas called on all factions to form a follow up committee to keep tabs on the implementation of the reconciliation bonds and the government’s commitment to its duties in blockaded Gaza.
Abu Zuhri’s comments were released hours after the consensus government claimed that Hamas’s proposal to form a factional committee to supervise the management of the Rafah border-crossing is rather a sign of reluctance.
The Palestinian unity government took over in early June 2014 following a series of reconciliation talks between Fatah and Hamas movements to heal the national rift and opt for a unified resistance agenda.
11 jan 2016
The siege imposed on Gaza is the worst of all aggressions against the Palestinian people, First Deputy-Speaker of Morocco’s House of Representatives, Mohamed Yatim, said Monday.
Speaking to al-Resla newspaper, Dr. Yatim said the siege tightened around Gaza’s neck is humiliating and aggressive.
He reiterated Morocco’s unyielding pro-Palestine position and firm condemnation of the Israeli occupation and siege.
The Moroccan official spoke out against underway attempts to crack down on the blockaded Gaza Strip and famish its people by sealing off all passageways out of and into the enclave.
He said several demonstrations and meetings have been staged by Moroccan MPs to push for an official adoption of pro-Palestine decisions by the Moroccan government.
Earlier, on Sunday, the Moroccan delegation at the League of Arab States called, during a meeting of the Arab Ministerial Committee to support the Palestinian cause, for urging the UN Security Council to issue a resolution for the end of the Israeli occupation and the establishment of a Palestinian State in line with a well-delineated agenda.
Speaking to al-Resla newspaper, Dr. Yatim said the siege tightened around Gaza’s neck is humiliating and aggressive.
He reiterated Morocco’s unyielding pro-Palestine position and firm condemnation of the Israeli occupation and siege.
The Moroccan official spoke out against underway attempts to crack down on the blockaded Gaza Strip and famish its people by sealing off all passageways out of and into the enclave.
He said several demonstrations and meetings have been staged by Moroccan MPs to push for an official adoption of pro-Palestine decisions by the Moroccan government.
Earlier, on Sunday, the Moroccan delegation at the League of Arab States called, during a meeting of the Arab Ministerial Committee to support the Palestinian cause, for urging the UN Security Council to issue a resolution for the end of the Israeli occupation and the establishment of a Palestinian State in line with a well-delineated agenda.
Chairman of the Qatari Committee for the Reconstruction of Gaza Strip the Ambassador Mohamed Ismail al-Emadi said Monday that his country will make all possible efforts to support the steadfastness of Gaza Strip.
During his visit to the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) Headquarters in Gaza, Emadi stressed the need for working on providing a decent life for the people of Gaza.
Gaza is witnessing very difficult living conditions due to the Israeli siege, he said.
Qatar is always standing behind Palestine and the Gaza Strip in particular, he stressed.
For his part, the PLC first deputy speaker Dr. Ahmed Bahar hailed the Qatari Emir, government, and people for their support to the people of Gaza.
He also expressed gratitude to the Ambassador Mohamed al-Emadi for his continued efforts for the relief of Palestinian people’s suffering in the besieged Strip.
Bahar concluded by expressing hope in seeing a Palestinian, Arab, and Islamic unity and an end to the Israeli siege on Gaza.
During his visit to the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) Headquarters in Gaza, Emadi stressed the need for working on providing a decent life for the people of Gaza.
Gaza is witnessing very difficult living conditions due to the Israeli siege, he said.
Qatar is always standing behind Palestine and the Gaza Strip in particular, he stressed.
For his part, the PLC first deputy speaker Dr. Ahmed Bahar hailed the Qatari Emir, government, and people for their support to the people of Gaza.
He also expressed gratitude to the Ambassador Mohamed al-Emadi for his continued efforts for the relief of Palestinian people’s suffering in the besieged Strip.
Bahar concluded by expressing hope in seeing a Palestinian, Arab, and Islamic unity and an end to the Israeli siege on Gaza.
First Deputy Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) Dr. Ahmad Bahar called on the Arab ministers of foreign affairs, who are convening in Cairo, to implement their decision made in 2009 on lifting the siege on Gaza Strip.
In his speech at the graduation ceremony of a new batch of national security officers on Sunday, Bahar underlined that the Palestinians will not drop their weapons and will not waive their homeland; on the contrary, they will continue defending their just question.
Dr. Bahar renewed his demand of the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah to end its security coordination with Israel. He also pointed out that the Egyptian national security is a Palestinian national security.
The PLC First Deputy Speaker Bahar hailed the Palestinian national security system in Gaza. He also asked the Palestinian Ministry of Interior in Gaza along with the factions to establish a memorial for the martyrs of Jerusalem Intifada, especially for martyr Nashat Melhem, in each of Gaza, the West Bank, Occupied Jerusalem and 1948 Occupied Palestine.
In his speech at the graduation ceremony of a new batch of national security officers on Sunday, Bahar underlined that the Palestinians will not drop their weapons and will not waive their homeland; on the contrary, they will continue defending their just question.
Dr. Bahar renewed his demand of the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah to end its security coordination with Israel. He also pointed out that the Egyptian national security is a Palestinian national security.
The PLC First Deputy Speaker Bahar hailed the Palestinian national security system in Gaza. He also asked the Palestinian Ministry of Interior in Gaza along with the factions to establish a memorial for the martyrs of Jerusalem Intifada, especially for martyr Nashat Melhem, in each of Gaza, the West Bank, Occupied Jerusalem and 1948 Occupied Palestine.
7 jan 2016
Greek Aegean airlines on Wednesday apologized to PLO Secretary-General Saeb Erekat for the forced removal of two Palestinians from a flight.
CEO of the Greek airline, Dimitris Gerogiannis, sent a letter to Erekat expressing the airline’s “greatest regret” after a group of Jewish Israelis reportedly pressured cabin crew earlier this week to force the Palestinians on board to disembark.
According to Israeli media reports, the group said the two Palestinians -- both citizens of Israel -- constituted a “security risk” and prevented the flight from taking off until the two were removed from the aircraft.
PLO Secretary-General in response expressed “outrage” at the “discrimination and prejudice at the hands of the Aegean cabin crew.”
“We call upon the Greek government to take strong action against this racist act,” Erekat said following the incident, adding that the move was reminiscent of apartheid-era South Africa, “which is not different than the policies carried out by the Israeli government against Palestinians under the pretext of ‘security.”
Aegean CEO in reply to Erekat’s statement acknowledged that “there was unwarranted and indeed unfair continued reaction by a large group of passengers,”
Gerogiannis’ letter concluded: “Again we regret the whole event, once which is quite unprecedented in our experience despite flying for many years to the Middle East.”
CEO of the Greek airline, Dimitris Gerogiannis, sent a letter to Erekat expressing the airline’s “greatest regret” after a group of Jewish Israelis reportedly pressured cabin crew earlier this week to force the Palestinians on board to disembark.
According to Israeli media reports, the group said the two Palestinians -- both citizens of Israel -- constituted a “security risk” and prevented the flight from taking off until the two were removed from the aircraft.
PLO Secretary-General in response expressed “outrage” at the “discrimination and prejudice at the hands of the Aegean cabin crew.”
“We call upon the Greek government to take strong action against this racist act,” Erekat said following the incident, adding that the move was reminiscent of apartheid-era South Africa, “which is not different than the policies carried out by the Israeli government against Palestinians under the pretext of ‘security.”
Aegean CEO in reply to Erekat’s statement acknowledged that “there was unwarranted and indeed unfair continued reaction by a large group of passengers,”
Gerogiannis’ letter concluded: “Again we regret the whole event, once which is quite unprecedented in our experience despite flying for many years to the Middle East.”
Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, affirmed its willingness to participate in forming a national unity government after convening a session for the provisional leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization.
In a press statement on Wednesday evening, Hamas’s spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri called on the Palestinian Authority to pave the way for achieving the formation of a national consensus government as well as for halting the discrimination policy against the people of Gaza.
Abu Zuhri stressed the need to make certain political decisions that respect the sacrifices of the Palestinian people; most significant: ending the security coordination with Israel.
Hamas: We are ready for elections, and Abbas's claim "untrue"
The Hamas Movement has categorically denied that it opposes holding Palestinian elections, describing recent remarks by president Mahmoud Abbas in this regards as "untrue and unfounded."
Abbas claimed in a speech on Wednesday that Hamas had told him of its opposition to the holding of elections.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri denied such a claim and affirmed his Movement's willingness to participate in all forms of elections in accordance with the Cairo reconciliation agreement.
As for the issue of the Rafah border crossing, spokesman Abu Zuhri reiterated that his Movement wants the Palestinian government to assume its responsibilities for Gaza and the Rafah crossing, without giving pretexts.
The spokesman affirmed that Hamas has the right to hold consultations with the factions that proposed the recent initiative for ending the crisis of the Rafah crossing.
He also condemned Abbas for saying that the Egyptian authorities had the right to close the Rafah crossing, describing his remarks in this regard as an unacceptable justification for the closure of the crossing.
For his part, senior Hamas official and lawmaker Ismail al-Ashqar asserted that his Movement is "ready for the elections if held tomorrow", and accused Abbas of attempting to hold others responsible for his problems.
In a press statement on Wednesday evening, Hamas’s spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri called on the Palestinian Authority to pave the way for achieving the formation of a national consensus government as well as for halting the discrimination policy against the people of Gaza.
Abu Zuhri stressed the need to make certain political decisions that respect the sacrifices of the Palestinian people; most significant: ending the security coordination with Israel.
Hamas: We are ready for elections, and Abbas's claim "untrue"
The Hamas Movement has categorically denied that it opposes holding Palestinian elections, describing recent remarks by president Mahmoud Abbas in this regards as "untrue and unfounded."
Abbas claimed in a speech on Wednesday that Hamas had told him of its opposition to the holding of elections.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri denied such a claim and affirmed his Movement's willingness to participate in all forms of elections in accordance with the Cairo reconciliation agreement.
As for the issue of the Rafah border crossing, spokesman Abu Zuhri reiterated that his Movement wants the Palestinian government to assume its responsibilities for Gaza and the Rafah crossing, without giving pretexts.
The spokesman affirmed that Hamas has the right to hold consultations with the factions that proposed the recent initiative for ending the crisis of the Rafah crossing.
He also condemned Abbas for saying that the Egyptian authorities had the right to close the Rafah crossing, describing his remarks in this regard as an unacceptable justification for the closure of the crossing.
For his part, senior Hamas official and lawmaker Ismail al-Ashqar asserted that his Movement is "ready for the elections if held tomorrow", and accused Abbas of attempting to hold others responsible for his problems.
6 jan 2016
The Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas said that “Egypt is free to close Rafah crossing”.
We have accepted the proposal backed by Palestinian factions for Rafah crossing crisis although it was not good; however Hamas has yet to reply to the initiative, Abbas said.
Abbas made his statements during a speech delivered in the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem during Orthodox Christmas celebrations.
He blamed Hamas for “procrastinating” in handing over the Rafah crossing after “it refuses to join the unity government and participate in the next elections,” according to Abbas’ statements.
Commenting on Abbas’allegations, senior leader in Hamas Movement Salah Bardawil denied that his group received any official invitation for joining the unity government.
"Hamas is committed to the agreements signed with Fatah Group, mainly holding the PLO leadership meeting and forming a new Palestinian National Council," Bardawil added.
On the other hand, Abbas said his Palestinian Authority will remain and will not be dissolved.
“The PA is our achievement and we will not give it up,” Abbas declared.
He renewed his adherence to peaceful protests “because we are against violence and extremism.”
He also stressed his adherence to peace talks with Israel.
“The Executive Committee and the Central Committee of the PLO as well as commanders of Palestinian Authority security services will hold meetings next week to give the final decision and we will adhere with whatever they decide,” Abbas said Wednesday.
Commentators described Abbas's remarks as "disgrace" since he extends a hand to the Israeli occupation while strangling Palestinians mainly in the Gaza Strip with the other.
We have accepted the proposal backed by Palestinian factions for Rafah crossing crisis although it was not good; however Hamas has yet to reply to the initiative, Abbas said.
Abbas made his statements during a speech delivered in the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem during Orthodox Christmas celebrations.
He blamed Hamas for “procrastinating” in handing over the Rafah crossing after “it refuses to join the unity government and participate in the next elections,” according to Abbas’ statements.
Commenting on Abbas’allegations, senior leader in Hamas Movement Salah Bardawil denied that his group received any official invitation for joining the unity government.
"Hamas is committed to the agreements signed with Fatah Group, mainly holding the PLO leadership meeting and forming a new Palestinian National Council," Bardawil added.
On the other hand, Abbas said his Palestinian Authority will remain and will not be dissolved.
“The PA is our achievement and we will not give it up,” Abbas declared.
He renewed his adherence to peaceful protests “because we are against violence and extremism.”
He also stressed his adherence to peace talks with Israel.
“The Executive Committee and the Central Committee of the PLO as well as commanders of Palestinian Authority security services will hold meetings next week to give the final decision and we will adhere with whatever they decide,” Abbas said Wednesday.
Commentators described Abbas's remarks as "disgrace" since he extends a hand to the Israeli occupation while strangling Palestinians mainly in the Gaza Strip with the other.
5 jan 2016
On January 4th, a number of Israeli tourists on an Aegean Airline plane flying from Athens to Tel Aviv announced that they would not let the plane take off unless two Palestinian passengers from East Jerusalem disembarked.
The incident occurred when a number of Israeli passengers discovered that two passengers on the plane were Palestinians from East Jerusalem.
The Israeli passengers informed a flight attendant of the two passengers and said that they would prohibit the plane from taking off with the Palestinians on board.
When the captain shut the cabin door and indicated that the plane was ready for takeoff, the Israelis stood up. Since it is forbidden to take off with standing passengers, the captain stopped the plane.
According to the Israeli Radio station, Voice of Israel, others on the plane were shocked and did not understand what the Israeli passengers wanted. The passengers and flight crew debated for an hour.
When the team realized that the Israelis were set on continuing their protest, they offered the two Palestinian passengers a night in a hotel and the same flight the following day. The passengers agreed and exited the flight.
Nevertheless, the Israeli passengers demanded an additional security check of the plane.
The captain informed the passengers that they were free to leave the flight, without compensation from Aegean Airline.
The Israeli passengers went back to their seats and the plane took off.
The incident occurred when a number of Israeli passengers discovered that two passengers on the plane were Palestinians from East Jerusalem.
The Israeli passengers informed a flight attendant of the two passengers and said that they would prohibit the plane from taking off with the Palestinians on board.
When the captain shut the cabin door and indicated that the plane was ready for takeoff, the Israelis stood up. Since it is forbidden to take off with standing passengers, the captain stopped the plane.
According to the Israeli Radio station, Voice of Israel, others on the plane were shocked and did not understand what the Israeli passengers wanted. The passengers and flight crew debated for an hour.
When the team realized that the Israelis were set on continuing their protest, they offered the two Palestinian passengers a night in a hotel and the same flight the following day. The passengers agreed and exited the flight.
Nevertheless, the Israeli passengers demanded an additional security check of the plane.
The captain informed the passengers that they were free to leave the flight, without compensation from Aegean Airline.
The Israeli passengers went back to their seats and the plane took off.
3 jan 2016
The Vatican’s first accord with the Palestinians — an agreement that Israel has attacked as counter-productive to the Middle East peace process — has come into force, the Holy See announced Saturday, according to Al Ray.
The accord was signed in June, just over two years after the Roman Catholic Church recognized the Palestinian territories as a sovereign state, in February of 2013.
The accord covers the operation of the Church in areas of the Holy Land under Palestinian control, but its significance has been seen in broader terms as a symbol of growing international backing for a Palestinian state.
“With reference to the Comprehensive Agreement between the Holy See and the State of Palestine, signed on 26 June 2015, the Holy See and the State of Palestine have notified each other that the procedural requirements for its entry into force have been fulfilled,” a Vatican statement said.
“The agreement… regards essential aspects of the life and activity of the Church in Palestine, while at the same time reaffirming the support for a negotiated and peaceful solution to the conflict in the region.”
In June, the Vatican hailed the agreement, which includes provisions to protect the rights of Christians, as a model for other Arab and Muslim states in their relations with Christian minorities facing increasing persecution in the Middle East.
Israel attacked the accord as premature and counterproductive to efforts to get the Palestinians to resume direct negotiations with the Jewish state.
The Vatican’s recognition of the state of Palestine — joining dozens of others — followed a November 2012 vote in favor of recognition by the UN General Assembly.
The Church has had diplomatic relations with Israel since 1993 but has yet to conclude an agreement on Christian rights there. Negotiations on the subject have been running since 1999 but have repeatedly run into deadlock over the status of Jerusalem.
The accord was signed in June, just over two years after the Roman Catholic Church recognized the Palestinian territories as a sovereign state, in February of 2013.
The accord covers the operation of the Church in areas of the Holy Land under Palestinian control, but its significance has been seen in broader terms as a symbol of growing international backing for a Palestinian state.
“With reference to the Comprehensive Agreement between the Holy See and the State of Palestine, signed on 26 June 2015, the Holy See and the State of Palestine have notified each other that the procedural requirements for its entry into force have been fulfilled,” a Vatican statement said.
“The agreement… regards essential aspects of the life and activity of the Church in Palestine, while at the same time reaffirming the support for a negotiated and peaceful solution to the conflict in the region.”
In June, the Vatican hailed the agreement, which includes provisions to protect the rights of Christians, as a model for other Arab and Muslim states in their relations with Christian minorities facing increasing persecution in the Middle East.
Israel attacked the accord as premature and counterproductive to efforts to get the Palestinians to resume direct negotiations with the Jewish state.
The Vatican’s recognition of the state of Palestine — joining dozens of others — followed a November 2012 vote in favor of recognition by the UN General Assembly.
The Church has had diplomatic relations with Israel since 1993 but has yet to conclude an agreement on Christian rights there. Negotiations on the subject have been running since 1999 but have repeatedly run into deadlock over the status of Jerusalem.
2 jan 2016
A number of houses and agricultural lands in Manara neighborhood in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip, were flooded with rainwater on Friday.
Local sources said that Manara neighborhood was flooded with rainwater after Israel opened its border dams' gates east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.
Photos of the flooded neighborhood have spread in social networks.
Opening the levees into the Gaza Strip has led to the flooding of several Palestinian homes in Manara neighborhood, eyewitnesses said.
At least one Palestinian family was evacuated due to the heavy rainwater, the sources added.
Following the Israeli action, water levels in Gaza Valley rose up.
The Palestinian Meteorological Department has earlier warned of freezing weather to hit the Gaza Strip during the coming days starting Friday.
Local sources said that Manara neighborhood was flooded with rainwater after Israel opened its border dams' gates east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.
Photos of the flooded neighborhood have spread in social networks.
Opening the levees into the Gaza Strip has led to the flooding of several Palestinian homes in Manara neighborhood, eyewitnesses said.
At least one Palestinian family was evacuated due to the heavy rainwater, the sources added.
Following the Israeli action, water levels in Gaza Valley rose up.
The Palestinian Meteorological Department has earlier warned of freezing weather to hit the Gaza Strip during the coming days starting Friday.
1 jan 2016
Israeli Minister of Education Naftali Bennett-at-KB-4
The Israeli Ministry of Education has banned “Borderline” from use in high schools.
The Ministry explained its decision to ban Dorit Rabinya's “Borderline” from high schools as to maintain “the identity and heritage of students in every sector” and out of concern that “intimate relations between Jews and non-Jews threatens the separate identity.”
“Borderline” tells the story of a Jewish Israeli translator and a Palestinian artist falling in love in New York before eventually returning to Tel Aviv and Ramallah, respectively.
The Ministry also asserted that “young people of adolescent age don’t have the systemic view that includes considerations involving maintaining the national-ethnic identity of the people and the significance of miscegenation.”
Education Minister and member of the right-wing Jewish Home party, Naftali Bennett, approved of the decision.
Rabinya’s “Borderlife” has enjoyed critical acclaim. The book won this year’s Bernstein Prize for young writers – an annual Israeli literary prize. Furthermore, according to Haaretz, a large number of literature teachers requested that “Borderlife” be approved for use in advanced literature classes.
Middle East Eye reported that Shlomo Herzig, the head of literary studies at the ministry, appealed the decision. Herzig commented: “the acute problem of Israeli society today is the terrible ignorance and racism that is spreading in it, and not concern over intermarriage."
Herzig’s appeal was denied.
The ministry’s decision to ban Borderline from high schools is reflective of the Israeli government’s methodical efforts to not only entrench the occupation, but also to restrict public discourse so that the next generation of Israelis approves of it.
The Israeli Ministry of Education has banned “Borderline” from use in high schools.
The Ministry explained its decision to ban Dorit Rabinya's “Borderline” from high schools as to maintain “the identity and heritage of students in every sector” and out of concern that “intimate relations between Jews and non-Jews threatens the separate identity.”
“Borderline” tells the story of a Jewish Israeli translator and a Palestinian artist falling in love in New York before eventually returning to Tel Aviv and Ramallah, respectively.
The Ministry also asserted that “young people of adolescent age don’t have the systemic view that includes considerations involving maintaining the national-ethnic identity of the people and the significance of miscegenation.”
Education Minister and member of the right-wing Jewish Home party, Naftali Bennett, approved of the decision.
Rabinya’s “Borderlife” has enjoyed critical acclaim. The book won this year’s Bernstein Prize for young writers – an annual Israeli literary prize. Furthermore, according to Haaretz, a large number of literature teachers requested that “Borderlife” be approved for use in advanced literature classes.
Middle East Eye reported that Shlomo Herzig, the head of literary studies at the ministry, appealed the decision. Herzig commented: “the acute problem of Israeli society today is the terrible ignorance and racism that is spreading in it, and not concern over intermarriage."
Herzig’s appeal was denied.
The ministry’s decision to ban Borderline from high schools is reflective of the Israeli government’s methodical efforts to not only entrench the occupation, but also to restrict public discourse so that the next generation of Israelis approves of it.
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