27 may 2016
Israel's channel 10 has revealed an Israeli plan to allow the Palestinian Authority (PA) to have administrative and security control over some Palestinian neighborhoods in Occupied Jerusalem.
According to the channel, mayor of the Israeli municipality in Jerusalem Nir Barkat claimed that Arab neighborhoods in the holy city and its vicinity as well as Shu'fat refugee camp would be under the control of the PA.
In a seminar held at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem on Thursday, Barkat expressed his support for removing security walls from several neighborhoods in the city and annex them to what he labelled as the capital, but he emphasized his opposition to any intention to waive any part of Jerusalem.
Under the Oslo accords, the Palestinian occupied territories have been divided into three areas classified as A, B and C. Area A, which comprises 18 percent of the West Bank area, is supposed to be under full PA security and civil control, while Area B, 22 percent of the West Bank, should be under PA civil control and joint Israeli-PA security control.
Area C, which is about 61 percent of the West Bank, is under full Israeli military and administrative control.
According to the channel, mayor of the Israeli municipality in Jerusalem Nir Barkat claimed that Arab neighborhoods in the holy city and its vicinity as well as Shu'fat refugee camp would be under the control of the PA.
In a seminar held at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem on Thursday, Barkat expressed his support for removing security walls from several neighborhoods in the city and annex them to what he labelled as the capital, but he emphasized his opposition to any intention to waive any part of Jerusalem.
Under the Oslo accords, the Palestinian occupied territories have been divided into three areas classified as A, B and C. Area A, which comprises 18 percent of the West Bank area, is supposed to be under full PA security and civil control, while Area B, 22 percent of the West Bank, should be under PA civil control and joint Israeli-PA security control.
Area C, which is about 61 percent of the West Bank, is under full Israeli military and administrative control.
24 may 2016
British film director Ken Loach has said that he has much to tell about Palestine and its people, affirming that everyone has to know the nature of the Israeli occupation.
In press remarks, Loach stated that he also has a lot of cinematic ideas on Palestine and stressed the need to let everyone know about what really happens in Palestine and Gaza. He said that the silence on Israel's violations in Palestine is much worse than committing a crime.
The British director will participate in the Palestine film festival slated to be held in Paris next month.
In press remarks, Loach stated that he also has a lot of cinematic ideas on Palestine and stressed the need to let everyone know about what really happens in Palestine and Gaza. He said that the silence on Israel's violations in Palestine is much worse than committing a crime.
The British director will participate in the Palestine film festival slated to be held in Paris next month.
7 may 2016
The secretary of Fatah's revolutionary council said Saturday that a Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) decision to limit relations with Israel is “very serious this time.”
Amin Maqboul told Ma’an that the decision was made to "end all aspects of security coordination with Israel.”
He added that PA security services were instructed to start implementing the decision “under supervision of the Palestinian political echelon” and that security agencies will decide whether to implement the decision gradually or entirely.
The Fatah official said that “relations between both sides are so complicated that halting coordination may lead to a serious crisis.”
Israeli forces, he said, may carry out a sudden incursion into Palestinian controlled areas without notifying the Palestinian security services in advance “and that could prompt armed clashes.”
He pointed out complications could arise during visits by right wing Israelis to Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus. Such problematic issues, which have so far been under control through security coordination, will remain questionable, he said.
The main motivation behind ending the PA’s security relationship with Israel, Maqboul stressed, was for the PA to not remain silent about the near daily raids conducted by Israeli forces inside the West Bank, which legitimizes Israel’s illegal occupation of these areas.
He added that the decision did not mean the PA was declaring an intention to begin armed fighting with Israel or indicate a “shift from one stage to another,” but was merely made in response to Israel’s refusal to stop entering Area A -- the 18 percent of the occupied West Bank which are officially under full Palestinian civil and security jurisdiction.
However, Maqboul concluded by saying the PLO might reconsider its decision if Israel commits to not entering area A.
The decision in question was made by the PLO Executive Committee on Wednesday to start implementing a former decision made by the PLO Central Council in March that threatened to limit coordination with Israel if the "current situation" were to continue.
Then, in April, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in an Isreali security cabinet meeting that in spite of the talks with Palestinian officials, Israeli armed forces would continue their military incursions into Area A.
PLO Secretary-General Saeb Erekat told Ma’an in response to the Israeli security cabinet decision: “What Israel wants is for everyone to talk about details -- Area A, a few maritime miles in Gaza -- while in the bigger picture they continue moving ahead with their settlements and imposing an apartheid system over our people.”
Deputy head of Hamas’ politburo Ismail Haniyeh said on Friday in a statement regarding the recent Israeli hostilities in the Gaza Strip that has so far killed one Palestinian woman and injured several others: "I hope that statements by the PA regarding limiting relations with the (Israeli) occupation are implemented on the ground, and that security coordination with occupation must be stopped.”
The PA has repeatedly threatened to put an end to the security coordination with Israel over the years.
However, a recent report by Israeli newspaper Haaretz revealed that Palestinian security forces have carried out 40 percent of detentions of “suspected terrorists” in the occupied West Bank in past months.
In March, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stirred controversy in an interview when he credited the ongoing security coordination between the PA and Israel for curbing a wave of Palestinian attacks on Israeli targets.
The Fatah-dominated PA and Israeli forces have worked in coordination since the Oslo Accords in 1993, which planned for a gradual power transfer of the occupied West Bank from Israeli forces to the PA over the course of five years.
More than 20 years on, however, any transfer of power has yet to take place.
The Hamas movement and other Palestinian groups have repeatedly accused the PA of aligning with Israel's goals in the occupied West Bank, and recently of preventing a sustained uprising against Israel.
More than 200 Palestinians and nearly 30 Israelis have been killed since a surge in violence began in the occupied Palestinian territory last October.
The recent violence has been marked by small-scale attacks and attempted attacks, the majority carried out by Palestinian individuals on Israeli military targets.
Amin Maqboul told Ma’an that the decision was made to "end all aspects of security coordination with Israel.”
He added that PA security services were instructed to start implementing the decision “under supervision of the Palestinian political echelon” and that security agencies will decide whether to implement the decision gradually or entirely.
The Fatah official said that “relations between both sides are so complicated that halting coordination may lead to a serious crisis.”
Israeli forces, he said, may carry out a sudden incursion into Palestinian controlled areas without notifying the Palestinian security services in advance “and that could prompt armed clashes.”
He pointed out complications could arise during visits by right wing Israelis to Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus. Such problematic issues, which have so far been under control through security coordination, will remain questionable, he said.
The main motivation behind ending the PA’s security relationship with Israel, Maqboul stressed, was for the PA to not remain silent about the near daily raids conducted by Israeli forces inside the West Bank, which legitimizes Israel’s illegal occupation of these areas.
He added that the decision did not mean the PA was declaring an intention to begin armed fighting with Israel or indicate a “shift from one stage to another,” but was merely made in response to Israel’s refusal to stop entering Area A -- the 18 percent of the occupied West Bank which are officially under full Palestinian civil and security jurisdiction.
However, Maqboul concluded by saying the PLO might reconsider its decision if Israel commits to not entering area A.
The decision in question was made by the PLO Executive Committee on Wednesday to start implementing a former decision made by the PLO Central Council in March that threatened to limit coordination with Israel if the "current situation" were to continue.
Then, in April, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in an Isreali security cabinet meeting that in spite of the talks with Palestinian officials, Israeli armed forces would continue their military incursions into Area A.
PLO Secretary-General Saeb Erekat told Ma’an in response to the Israeli security cabinet decision: “What Israel wants is for everyone to talk about details -- Area A, a few maritime miles in Gaza -- while in the bigger picture they continue moving ahead with their settlements and imposing an apartheid system over our people.”
Deputy head of Hamas’ politburo Ismail Haniyeh said on Friday in a statement regarding the recent Israeli hostilities in the Gaza Strip that has so far killed one Palestinian woman and injured several others: "I hope that statements by the PA regarding limiting relations with the (Israeli) occupation are implemented on the ground, and that security coordination with occupation must be stopped.”
The PA has repeatedly threatened to put an end to the security coordination with Israel over the years.
However, a recent report by Israeli newspaper Haaretz revealed that Palestinian security forces have carried out 40 percent of detentions of “suspected terrorists” in the occupied West Bank in past months.
In March, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stirred controversy in an interview when he credited the ongoing security coordination between the PA and Israel for curbing a wave of Palestinian attacks on Israeli targets.
The Fatah-dominated PA and Israeli forces have worked in coordination since the Oslo Accords in 1993, which planned for a gradual power transfer of the occupied West Bank from Israeli forces to the PA over the course of five years.
More than 20 years on, however, any transfer of power has yet to take place.
The Hamas movement and other Palestinian groups have repeatedly accused the PA of aligning with Israel's goals in the occupied West Bank, and recently of preventing a sustained uprising against Israel.
More than 200 Palestinians and nearly 30 Israelis have been killed since a surge in violence began in the occupied Palestinian territory last October.
The recent violence has been marked by small-scale attacks and attempted attacks, the majority carried out by Palestinian individuals on Israeli military targets.
2 may 2016
Mazen al-Loulou 30
A 30-year-old Palestinian man died and two other citizens were injured Monday in an accidental explosion in the northern Gaza Strip.
Medical sources affirmed that a dead body and two injured persons were taken to the Indonesian Hospital.
The dead person was then identified by local sources as Mazen al-Loulou, 30, from Shujaiyya neighborhood east of Gaza. For its part, A-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad movement, identified al-Loulou as one of its members.
The statement referred to al-Loulou as a “martyr who died on duty."
A 30-year-old Palestinian man died and two other citizens were injured Monday in an accidental explosion in the northern Gaza Strip.
Medical sources affirmed that a dead body and two injured persons were taken to the Indonesian Hospital.
The dead person was then identified by local sources as Mazen al-Loulou, 30, from Shujaiyya neighborhood east of Gaza. For its part, A-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad movement, identified al-Loulou as one of its members.
The statement referred to al-Loulou as a “martyr who died on duty."
30 apr 2016
PLO Secretary General Saeb Erekat slammed the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) on Saturday for banning the Palestinian flag from the 2016 Eurovision song contest, calling the ruling “discriminatory and a serious offense against our nation.”
In a letter obtained by Ma’an addressed to EBU President Jean-Paul Philippot, Erekat expressed his “outrage and indignation” toward the decision, which also banned flags from other disputed political entities such as Crimea, Nagorno-Karabakh, Northern Cyprus, and the Islamic State.
EBU released the “flag policy” on their website on Friday, which was reportedly published by mistake.
The statement read: "Particularly, the organizers request and urge the fan community to respect and appreciate the non-political nature of the Eurovision Song Contest," stating that only flags representing UN member states would be permitted.
An apology was later issued, and Middle East Eye quoted a Eurovision spokesperson as saying: "the flag policy is not aimed against specific territories or organizations, and certainly does not compare them to each other."
Erekat responded to the ban, telling Philippot: “Your decision to single out the flag of Palestine, a country recognized by 138 world nations and who has an observer status in the United Nations, is discriminatory and a serious offense against our nation.”
Erekat noted that the Palestinian flag has been raised “in all European countries through diplomatic representations,” including Switzerland, where EBU’s headquarters are located.
He also pointed out that the 2016 edition of the yearly event -- to take place on May 14 -- will be held in Sweden, the first Western European EU member to officially recognize the state of Palestine.
“Your decision is totally biased and unacceptable. We call upon you to immediately revoke this shameful decision,” Erekat admonished, also demanding that EBU issue an apology specifically to Palestinians and the “millions of Palestinians around the world.”
Eurovision has never invited a Palestinian representative to participate in the contest, while Israel has participated in the event 38 times since 1973.
In a letter obtained by Ma’an addressed to EBU President Jean-Paul Philippot, Erekat expressed his “outrage and indignation” toward the decision, which also banned flags from other disputed political entities such as Crimea, Nagorno-Karabakh, Northern Cyprus, and the Islamic State.
EBU released the “flag policy” on their website on Friday, which was reportedly published by mistake.
The statement read: "Particularly, the organizers request and urge the fan community to respect and appreciate the non-political nature of the Eurovision Song Contest," stating that only flags representing UN member states would be permitted.
An apology was later issued, and Middle East Eye quoted a Eurovision spokesperson as saying: "the flag policy is not aimed against specific territories or organizations, and certainly does not compare them to each other."
Erekat responded to the ban, telling Philippot: “Your decision to single out the flag of Palestine, a country recognized by 138 world nations and who has an observer status in the United Nations, is discriminatory and a serious offense against our nation.”
Erekat noted that the Palestinian flag has been raised “in all European countries through diplomatic representations,” including Switzerland, where EBU’s headquarters are located.
He also pointed out that the 2016 edition of the yearly event -- to take place on May 14 -- will be held in Sweden, the first Western European EU member to officially recognize the state of Palestine.
“Your decision is totally biased and unacceptable. We call upon you to immediately revoke this shameful decision,” Erekat admonished, also demanding that EBU issue an apology specifically to Palestinians and the “millions of Palestinians around the world.”
Eurovision has never invited a Palestinian representative to participate in the contest, while Israel has participated in the event 38 times since 1973.
29 apr 2016
Tawfik Toubi
There was a time when 'Israeli independence' was the chief focus of the left’s leaders, Jews and Arabs alike.
It may be hard to believe nowadays, but there was a time when leftist Arab leaders in this country could rightly be called “Israeli freedom fighters.” In those days, the Arab left fought for Israeli independence and was not averse to a “Jewish state.” Accounts from that time offer much food for thought.
In August 1948, before the reunification of Maki (the Israeli Communist Party), Arab communists held a meeting in Haifa. Emile Habibi, a founder of the National Liberation League in Palestine and later a Maki MK, delivered a speech there. Kol Ha’am, the Maki journal, quoted his remarks: “The league will fight so that the Arab masses in Israel will become a democratic element that, together with the Jewish democratic forces, will fight for complete fulfillment of the United Nations resolution. Peace and independence of the Jewish and Arab state depends upon Jewish-Arab understanding.” The term “Palestinian” was not commonly used back then.
The festive unification gathering took place in October 1948 at the May Cinema in Haifa. The Davar newspaper quoted Habibi, who called for “ousting the Iraqi occupation army from Eretz Israel” and declared that the party would fight for the establishment of the Arab state “to safeguard the independence of the State of Israel.”
At the time, “Israeli independence” was the chief focus of the left’s leaders, Jews and Arabs alike. In his speech, Meir Vilner, a signatory to Israel’s Declaration of Independence, stressed his comrades’ contributions: “The great majority of our comrades are fighting in the ranks of the Israel Defense Forces. Many of our finest comrades were killed and wounded in battle as they set an example of brave and honest freedom fighters.”
He also cited the party’s contribution in recruiting international aid “for the State of Israel’s War of Independence,” noting that “just as the Arab masses wish to see the State of Israeli triumph over the invaders, the Jewish masses wish to see thwarted the imperialist plot to add on the Arab portion of Eretz Israel across the Jordan River.”
The party members’ contribution to Israel’s independence is revealed in a parliamentary question from MK Vilner in 1949 addressed to Prime Minister and Defense Minister David Ben-Gurion following the issuing of restraining orders and detention orders by the military governor against two party members – Ramzi Khuri, the Maki secretary in the Western Galilee, and Nadim Musa. The Al Hamishmar daily reported that Vilner made sure to say in his parliamentary question that these two party members “stood at the head of the Western Galilee underground against the Kawkaji gangs.”
During a January 1950 Knesset debate over the Defense Service Law, Maki members made a big impression with their speeches, according to Ma’ariv: “Tawfik Toubi stood out for his harsh words this time,” said the newspaper. Toubi had railed against the return to the country of Nimr Hawari, who headed an organization that worked against Israel. Toubi reminded the other Knesset members about Hawari’s past, about the speech he gave in Gaza in which he addressed the mufti, saying: “Under your flag, Mufti, we shall enter Tel Aviv and toss the Jews into the sea.” MK Toubi called for Hawari to be tried as a “war criminal.”
Six months later, in June 1950, Toubi came under attack from Arabs in the “administered territories.” According to a report from the Government Press Office, this occurred after the military governor issued Toubi an entry permit for the Arab village of Tira. As Toubi toured the village, he “was attacked by a group of local residents who pelted him with tomatoes and splashed ink on him. A fist fight broke out between his supporters and opponents, and sticks and knives were brandished as well.” The report goes on to say that “Mr. Toubi found refuge in the home of the military governor, who assigned five police officers to guard him and escort him until he left the village.
Like they say – those were the days.
There was a time when 'Israeli independence' was the chief focus of the left’s leaders, Jews and Arabs alike.
It may be hard to believe nowadays, but there was a time when leftist Arab leaders in this country could rightly be called “Israeli freedom fighters.” In those days, the Arab left fought for Israeli independence and was not averse to a “Jewish state.” Accounts from that time offer much food for thought.
In August 1948, before the reunification of Maki (the Israeli Communist Party), Arab communists held a meeting in Haifa. Emile Habibi, a founder of the National Liberation League in Palestine and later a Maki MK, delivered a speech there. Kol Ha’am, the Maki journal, quoted his remarks: “The league will fight so that the Arab masses in Israel will become a democratic element that, together with the Jewish democratic forces, will fight for complete fulfillment of the United Nations resolution. Peace and independence of the Jewish and Arab state depends upon Jewish-Arab understanding.” The term “Palestinian” was not commonly used back then.
The festive unification gathering took place in October 1948 at the May Cinema in Haifa. The Davar newspaper quoted Habibi, who called for “ousting the Iraqi occupation army from Eretz Israel” and declared that the party would fight for the establishment of the Arab state “to safeguard the independence of the State of Israel.”
At the time, “Israeli independence” was the chief focus of the left’s leaders, Jews and Arabs alike. In his speech, Meir Vilner, a signatory to Israel’s Declaration of Independence, stressed his comrades’ contributions: “The great majority of our comrades are fighting in the ranks of the Israel Defense Forces. Many of our finest comrades were killed and wounded in battle as they set an example of brave and honest freedom fighters.”
He also cited the party’s contribution in recruiting international aid “for the State of Israel’s War of Independence,” noting that “just as the Arab masses wish to see the State of Israeli triumph over the invaders, the Jewish masses wish to see thwarted the imperialist plot to add on the Arab portion of Eretz Israel across the Jordan River.”
The party members’ contribution to Israel’s independence is revealed in a parliamentary question from MK Vilner in 1949 addressed to Prime Minister and Defense Minister David Ben-Gurion following the issuing of restraining orders and detention orders by the military governor against two party members – Ramzi Khuri, the Maki secretary in the Western Galilee, and Nadim Musa. The Al Hamishmar daily reported that Vilner made sure to say in his parliamentary question that these two party members “stood at the head of the Western Galilee underground against the Kawkaji gangs.”
During a January 1950 Knesset debate over the Defense Service Law, Maki members made a big impression with their speeches, according to Ma’ariv: “Tawfik Toubi stood out for his harsh words this time,” said the newspaper. Toubi had railed against the return to the country of Nimr Hawari, who headed an organization that worked against Israel. Toubi reminded the other Knesset members about Hawari’s past, about the speech he gave in Gaza in which he addressed the mufti, saying: “Under your flag, Mufti, we shall enter Tel Aviv and toss the Jews into the sea.” MK Toubi called for Hawari to be tried as a “war criminal.”
Six months later, in June 1950, Toubi came under attack from Arabs in the “administered territories.” According to a report from the Government Press Office, this occurred after the military governor issued Toubi an entry permit for the Arab village of Tira. As Toubi toured the village, he “was attacked by a group of local residents who pelted him with tomatoes and splashed ink on him. A fist fight broke out between his supporters and opponents, and sticks and knives were brandished as well.” The report goes on to say that “Mr. Toubi found refuge in the home of the military governor, who assigned five police officers to guard him and escort him until he left the village.
Like they say – those were the days.
40,000 Palestinians in Gaza Strip suffer from diabetes, half of them are women, UNRWA said in a new report issued on the occasion of World Health Day.
The Gaza Strip is an environment where malnutrition and infectious diseases can coexist with non-communicable health conditions such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes.
Forced urbanization, over-crowding and the related psychosocial stress can aggravate these diseases, the report said.
According to the UNRWA health program in Gaza, in 2015, approximately 12.2 per cent of Palestinian refugees aged 40 years or more were suffering from diabetes. In total, the UNRWA health program in Gaza reported 16,889 male and 23,118 female Palestinian refugee diabetes patients in 2015.
Through the provision of basic health care in its health centers, as well as regular awareness sessions for the community, UNRWA is working towards Sustainable Development Goal 3 – good health and well-being – which calls for the reduction of premature death from non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, by 30 per cent by 2030.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of people living with diabetes globally has almost quadrupled since 1980 to 422 million adults, with most living in developing countries.
The Gaza Strip is an environment where malnutrition and infectious diseases can coexist with non-communicable health conditions such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes.
Forced urbanization, over-crowding and the related psychosocial stress can aggravate these diseases, the report said.
According to the UNRWA health program in Gaza, in 2015, approximately 12.2 per cent of Palestinian refugees aged 40 years or more were suffering from diabetes. In total, the UNRWA health program in Gaza reported 16,889 male and 23,118 female Palestinian refugee diabetes patients in 2015.
Through the provision of basic health care in its health centers, as well as regular awareness sessions for the community, UNRWA is working towards Sustainable Development Goal 3 – good health and well-being – which calls for the reduction of premature death from non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, by 30 per cent by 2030.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of people living with diabetes globally has almost quadrupled since 1980 to 422 million adults, with most living in developing countries.
International, Arab and Palestinian key figures affirmed their participation in 14th Palestinians in Europe Conference which is to be held on May 07 in the Swedish city of Malmo.
The activist Khalil Aasi, Deputy Head of the preparatory committee of the conference, said that participants include Palestine’s ambassador to Sweden, European MPs from Sweden, Ireland, Spain and members of the British House of Lords.
For his part, Majed Hannoun, member of the conference management and president of the Palestinian Assembly in Italy, confirmed the participation of Morocco’s Former Foreign Minister Saad al-Din al-Othmani in addition to pressmen and syndicate representatives of different Arab nationalities.
Khamis Kart, member of the conference management and member of the administrative staff of the Palestinian assembly in Germany, confirmed the attendance of Muslim and Christian religious figures as well as academicians, parliamentarians, politicians and human rights activists. Researchers and academicians from the Arab gulf countries are going to participate in the conference as well.
Isam Qaddoura member of the conference administration and former president of the Palestinian forum in Denmark affirmed the participation of many of Islamic institutions and organizations in addition to Arab activists in Europe.
The activist Khalil Aasi, Deputy Head of the preparatory committee of the conference, said that participants include Palestine’s ambassador to Sweden, European MPs from Sweden, Ireland, Spain and members of the British House of Lords.
For his part, Majed Hannoun, member of the conference management and president of the Palestinian Assembly in Italy, confirmed the participation of Morocco’s Former Foreign Minister Saad al-Din al-Othmani in addition to pressmen and syndicate representatives of different Arab nationalities.
Khamis Kart, member of the conference management and member of the administrative staff of the Palestinian assembly in Germany, confirmed the attendance of Muslim and Christian religious figures as well as academicians, parliamentarians, politicians and human rights activists. Researchers and academicians from the Arab gulf countries are going to participate in the conference as well.
Isam Qaddoura member of the conference administration and former president of the Palestinian forum in Denmark affirmed the participation of many of Islamic institutions and organizations in addition to Arab activists in Europe.
27 apr 2016
The Islamic bloc, Hamas’s student wing, won the Birzeit University student council election with 25 seats, compared to 21 seats for Fatah, and five for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
Nearly 9,000 students had participated in the student council election of Birzeit University, which is considered the most liberal of all West Bank Palestinian universities and a reliable indicator of the mood on the Palestinian street.
The Hamas-affiliated Islamic Bloc won 25 out of the council's 51 seats for the second consecutive year despite the PA and Israeli almost-daily arrests and direct targeting of its members.
Hamas Movement hailed the victory and expressed its gratitude to its supporters who elected its student wing for the second year in row.
In its congratulatory message to the students, Hamas considered that victory as a new allegiance to resistance option and a support message to the ongoing Jerusalem Intifada.
Nearly 9,000 students had participated in the student council election of Birzeit University, which is considered the most liberal of all West Bank Palestinian universities and a reliable indicator of the mood on the Palestinian street.
The Hamas-affiliated Islamic Bloc won 25 out of the council's 51 seats for the second consecutive year despite the PA and Israeli almost-daily arrests and direct targeting of its members.
Hamas Movement hailed the victory and expressed its gratitude to its supporters who elected its student wing for the second year in row.
In its congratulatory message to the students, Hamas considered that victory as a new allegiance to resistance option and a support message to the ongoing Jerusalem Intifada.
Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, described the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) withdrawal of the complaint against Israeli illegal settlement activity filed with the UN Security Council as manipulation of the Palestinian Question and demanded the PA to stop it.
The spokesman of Hamas Movement Sami Abu Zuhri called on the PA “to halt its monopolization policy and to respect partnership and political willingness to achieve reconciliation with Palestinian factions, not the Israeli occupation.”
The PA withdrew its draft resolution to the UN Security Council against Israeli settlement claiming that it made the decision in order not to fail the French initiative to hold an international peace conference.
The spokesman of Hamas Movement Sami Abu Zuhri called on the PA “to halt its monopolization policy and to respect partnership and political willingness to achieve reconciliation with Palestinian factions, not the Israeli occupation.”
The PA withdrew its draft resolution to the UN Security Council against Israeli settlement claiming that it made the decision in order not to fail the French initiative to hold an international peace conference.
26 apr 2016
Member of Hamas’s political bureau Mousa Abu Marzouk said Tuesday evening that the idea of establishing a seaport and an airport in Gaza Strip was not invented by Hamas Movement.
Gaza Strip had had an airport before being destroyed by Israeli occupation forces, he pointed out.
Establishing the seaport and airport will never separate Gaza from the West Bank, Abu Marzouk stressed, renewing his Movement's total rejection of any intention to establish an independent state in Gaza.
He also stressed his Movement's readiness to achieve a real national unity and reconciliation despite “Fatah’s obstacles.” Abu Marzouk concluded by saying that the seaport is a popular demand as it will alleviate the suffering of two million people living under a 10-year unfair siege.
Gaza Strip had had an airport before being destroyed by Israeli occupation forces, he pointed out.
Establishing the seaport and airport will never separate Gaza from the West Bank, Abu Marzouk stressed, renewing his Movement's total rejection of any intention to establish an independent state in Gaza.
He also stressed his Movement's readiness to achieve a real national unity and reconciliation despite “Fatah’s obstacles.” Abu Marzouk concluded by saying that the seaport is a popular demand as it will alleviate the suffering of two million people living under a 10-year unfair siege.
