19 apr 2014
The PLO has been considering the option of disbanding the Palestinian Authority in response to the apparent failure of the current round of peace talks with Israel, a Palestinian official said Saturday.
PLO Executive Committee member Hanna Amira told Ma'an that there were "scenarios ... that could lead to the disbandment of the PA."
"The future of the PA has become unclear because when it was established, it was meant as a temporary stage leading to the establishment of a Palestinian state," Amira said.
"Thus, if the PA doesn't lead to statehood, things should be reviewed."
Amira's comments come after the Israeli daily newspaper Maariv quoted Abbas as threatening to disband the PA.
"I don't need Netanyahu. I don't need a chief of staff. Give me a junior officer or even a lieutenant and I will deliver the PA keys to him. Here you are, take charge and I will leave in an hour," Maariv quoted Abbas as saying.
Amira said that Abbas' words reflect the fact that the idea of disbanding the PA is being discussed among PLO committee members.
Separately, Amira told Ma'an that the PLO Central Council would hold an important meeting next Saturday.
"It will be a decisive session because it comes only two days before the agreed-upon nine-month round of talks (with Israel) comes to an end," he said.
Some critics of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations say that 20 years after the Oslo Accords, it is time to dismantle the PA and force Israel to take full responsibility for the territory it occupies.
Peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians were relaunched in July under the auspices of the US after nearly three years of impasse.
Israel's government has announced the construction of thousands of settler housing units and its army has killed over 60 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza since the negotiations began.
PLO Executive Committee member Hanna Amira told Ma'an that there were "scenarios ... that could lead to the disbandment of the PA."
"The future of the PA has become unclear because when it was established, it was meant as a temporary stage leading to the establishment of a Palestinian state," Amira said.
"Thus, if the PA doesn't lead to statehood, things should be reviewed."
Amira's comments come after the Israeli daily newspaper Maariv quoted Abbas as threatening to disband the PA.
"I don't need Netanyahu. I don't need a chief of staff. Give me a junior officer or even a lieutenant and I will deliver the PA keys to him. Here you are, take charge and I will leave in an hour," Maariv quoted Abbas as saying.
Amira said that Abbas' words reflect the fact that the idea of disbanding the PA is being discussed among PLO committee members.
Separately, Amira told Ma'an that the PLO Central Council would hold an important meeting next Saturday.
"It will be a decisive session because it comes only two days before the agreed-upon nine-month round of talks (with Israel) comes to an end," he said.
Some critics of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations say that 20 years after the Oslo Accords, it is time to dismantle the PA and force Israel to take full responsibility for the territory it occupies.
Peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians were relaunched in July under the auspices of the US after nearly three years of impasse.
Israel's government has announced the construction of thousands of settler housing units and its army has killed over 60 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza since the negotiations began.
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One of the participants of 'For you Palestine' competition for people with disabilities in Gaza
Union of Palestinian Athletics organized on Saturday morning a throwing championship for Gazans with disabilities. 12 social societies participated in the championship dubbed 'For you Palestine', held in cooperation with the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Gaza. Deputy chairman of the Union Abdel Raouf Ghalayeeni told Al Ray reporter that "This competition is the first of its kind," pointing out that "it aims to revive this abandoned sport among the Palestinian community." |
Alaa Miqdad, one of the participants, said his disability has not prevented him from practicing throwing sport for nearly 10 years, defying his disability with confidence and resilience.
A Palestinian youth will sue a Palestinian minister of the Abbas-appointed government in Ramallah over Tarqoumia attack statements. Haider Rbayah, whose father was killed in an Israeli airstrike in 2001 said in a facebook post that he is going to file a lawsuit against Minister of Awqaf and Religous Affairs over his statement condemning a Palestinian's targeting of an Israeli military official in recent days.
Rbayah found odd that the minister also likened the Israeli blood with the Palestinian "How come that those Zionists who killed my father along with ten Palestinians in a warplane raid could be equaled to Palestinians!"
Rbayah found odd that the minister also likened the Israeli blood with the Palestinian "How come that those Zionists who killed my father along with ten Palestinians in a warplane raid could be equaled to Palestinians!"
Senior leader in Hamas Movement Dr. Mahmoud Zahhar stated that reconciliation does not mean abandoning resistance option or accepting security coordination policy with the Israeli occupation. On the Palestinian Prisoners Day, Zahhar underlined that his movement’s decision to implement national reconciliation does not mean it intends to abandon the resistance option, stressing its adherence to liberating each inch of historical Palestine.
Accepting reconciliation does not mean accepting security coordination at the expense of resistance elements, he said, adding that the required national reconciliation is based on resistance strategy.
He renewed his movement's vow to liberate all Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails and all occupied Palestinian lands.
Zahhar stressed Hamas movement's adherence to Palestinian national constants.
Palestinian Culture and Prisoners' Affairs Ministries have organized in cooperation with Waad Association an event to mark Palestinian Prisoners Day on the 17th of April.
Accepting reconciliation does not mean accepting security coordination at the expense of resistance elements, he said, adding that the required national reconciliation is based on resistance strategy.
He renewed his movement's vow to liberate all Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails and all occupied Palestinian lands.
Zahhar stressed Hamas movement's adherence to Palestinian national constants.
Palestinian Culture and Prisoners' Affairs Ministries have organized in cooperation with Waad Association an event to mark Palestinian Prisoners Day on the 17th of April.
17 apr 2014
PLO Executive Committee member, Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, met on Tuesday with Wael Attia, the newly appointed Egyptian ambassador to the State of Palestine, at the PLO headquarters in Ramallah, and welcomed him to Palestine.
In the meeting, Dr. Ashrawi reaffirmed Egypt's role in the Middle East and the importance of supporting the Palestinian cause and maintaining the special relationship that binds both the Palestinian and Egyptian people.
Dr. Ashrawi and Mr. Attia discussed the recent political developments in Palestine with a focus on Israel's continued breach of international humanitarian law, particularly its violations in and around Jerusalem and its flagrant attacks on the Al-Aqsa Mosque and its Muslim worshippers.
In the context of regional developments, Dr. Ashrawi stressed the need for Palestine to consolidate Arab support both politically and financially, especially since Israel is imposing sanctions on the Palestinians for signing letters of accession to 15 multilateral treaties and conventions. She described recent Palestinian actions as "a milestone in fulfilling the requirements of self-determination and freedom and in promoting and safeguarding the basic rights of the Palestinian people."
The meeting concluded with Palestinian reconciliation status and efforts, as well issues of mutual cooperation.
In the meeting, Dr. Ashrawi reaffirmed Egypt's role in the Middle East and the importance of supporting the Palestinian cause and maintaining the special relationship that binds both the Palestinian and Egyptian people.
Dr. Ashrawi and Mr. Attia discussed the recent political developments in Palestine with a focus on Israel's continued breach of international humanitarian law, particularly its violations in and around Jerusalem and its flagrant attacks on the Al-Aqsa Mosque and its Muslim worshippers.
In the context of regional developments, Dr. Ashrawi stressed the need for Palestine to consolidate Arab support both politically and financially, especially since Israel is imposing sanctions on the Palestinians for signing letters of accession to 15 multilateral treaties and conventions. She described recent Palestinian actions as "a milestone in fulfilling the requirements of self-determination and freedom and in promoting and safeguarding the basic rights of the Palestinian people."
The meeting concluded with Palestinian reconciliation status and efforts, as well issues of mutual cooperation.
The legal drafting committee which was formed through the electoral reform workshop conducted from 8th -11th December 2013, has concluded drafting proposed legal amendments to the current local elections law, Central Elections Commission said in a press release Thursday.
The amendments were formulated over a month with participation and endorsement of representatives of political parties, CSOs and public institutions and tackled technical and legal gaps and contradictory issues in the existing law.
As independent organization, the CEC role was a facilitator of the work of participant groups. The final proposed amendments and future action plans will be announced during the closing ceremony of the project which will take place on Wednesday, 23rd April 2014.
The amendments were formulated over a month with participation and endorsement of representatives of political parties, CSOs and public institutions and tackled technical and legal gaps and contradictory issues in the existing law.
As independent organization, the CEC role was a facilitator of the work of participant groups. The final proposed amendments and future action plans will be announced during the closing ceremony of the project which will take place on Wednesday, 23rd April 2014.
The international campaign to protect the Palestinian identity "Intimaa" launched on Wednesday its fifth program of activities for 2014 and chose as a slogan for its campaign "Palestine brings us together and the return is our inevitable day." Coordinator of the campaign Yasser Qaddoura told a news conference in Beirut that this campaign is mainly aimed at confronting the Zionist project that tries day and night to obliterate the Palestinian identity and replace it with a fake one.
Qaddoura added that the campaign intends to strengthen the sense of national belonging to the Palestinian land and to stimulate the Palestinian community from different spectra and the supporters of the Palestinian cause to be more active in their struggle against the Israeli occupation.
The coordinator also outlined further goals of the campaign and the places where activities and events are slated to take place in some Arab and European countries.
Qaddoura added that the campaign intends to strengthen the sense of national belonging to the Palestinian land and to stimulate the Palestinian community from different spectra and the supporters of the Palestinian cause to be more active in their struggle against the Israeli occupation.
The coordinator also outlined further goals of the campaign and the places where activities and events are slated to take place in some Arab and European countries.
16 apr 2014
Spokesman for the Hamas movement Fawzi Barhoum on Wednesday called on all Arab and Muslim leaders to expel Israeli ambassadors in their countries in order to pressure Israel to end its attacks and violations on Palestinians.
Barhoum said in a statement that recurring Israeli raids on Jerusalem and al-Aqsa mosque are "a dangerous Zionist approach," and part of a "religious war."
The statement come amid daily clashes around the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, as the Passover holiday has brought raids by Israeli police as well as right-wing Jewish groups that call for the construction of a Jewish temple in the mosque's place.
Because of the sensitive nature of the Al-Aqsa compound, Israel maintains a compromise with the Islamic trust that controls it to not allow non-Muslim prayers in the area. Israeli forces regularly escort Jewish visitors to the site, leading to tension with Palestinian worshipers.
The compound, which sits just above the Western Wall plaza, houses both the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa mosque and is the third holiest site in Islam.
It is also venerated as Judaism's most holy place as it sits where Jews believe the First and Second Temples once stood. The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.
Al-Aqsa is located in East Jerusalem, a part of the internationally recognized Palestinian territories that have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
Barhoum said in a statement that recurring Israeli raids on Jerusalem and al-Aqsa mosque are "a dangerous Zionist approach," and part of a "religious war."
The statement come amid daily clashes around the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, as the Passover holiday has brought raids by Israeli police as well as right-wing Jewish groups that call for the construction of a Jewish temple in the mosque's place.
Because of the sensitive nature of the Al-Aqsa compound, Israel maintains a compromise with the Islamic trust that controls it to not allow non-Muslim prayers in the area. Israeli forces regularly escort Jewish visitors to the site, leading to tension with Palestinian worshipers.
The compound, which sits just above the Western Wall plaza, houses both the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa mosque and is the third holiest site in Islam.
It is also venerated as Judaism's most holy place as it sits where Jews believe the First and Second Temples once stood. The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.
Al-Aqsa is located in East Jerusalem, a part of the internationally recognized Palestinian territories that have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
It was astonishing to see the creativity and technical skills behind these vehicles
By Joe Catron
Yesterday I visited the Civil Defence Directorate, which provides the fire and rescue service in Gaza, as well as some emergency ambulances and marine rescue. These guys have a reputation as being fearless, as well as being the most vulnerable to attack during times of war. In the 2008-9 war, 13 Civil Defence workers were killed in the line of duty, with 31 injured. This includes medics killed in their ambulances by snipers and firefighters injured by secondary drone attacks while rescuing victims of the initial strikes. These risks are additional to jobs which are considered dangerous even in peaceful countries like the UK and USA.
I found out plenty about the Civil Defence’s ambulance service, including interviewing staff and looking around the ambulances and equipment stores, but I’m going to save that for a later post and just write about the firefighters. In the UK, the ambulance service and fire service are separate so please forgive any ignorance about the equipment and vehicles I saw. I knew they were fire engines because they were big and red, and I knew it was a fire station because there were some weights in the corner and a ping pong table. Beyond that, it was all new to find out.
Let’s start with a familiar theme in Gazan emergency services: shortages. After meeting with the Red Crescent and Department of Health, looking around a few dozen ambulances, an Emergency Department and interviewing a variety of health care workers, I’ve seen the same issues occurring endlessly. No equipment, limited or no drugs, no electricity, expensive fuel, training problems and unacceptable risk in times of conflict. The impact of each issue varies according to the service (for example, the electricity cuts are a huge problem for Al-Shifa hospital, whereas the fuel crisis has more of an impact on the emergency services) but the end result is the same – hamstrung services and an impossible situation for managers and workers.
I met with Yousef Khaled Zahar, the general manager of the Civil Defence, who broke down the issues facing his service while we drank sugary coffee. Firstly, the fire service vehicles are old and outdated – ‘every day the vehicles age’ as Zahar said. They are mostly from 1988/89, meaning their safety features are wildly outdated. Half of their fleet were destroyed during Cast Lead, with little chance of replacements reaching Gaza. Since then they have done some pretty unreal mechanical work to keep vehicles on the road despite the lack of spare parts. They have also converted some old Kamaz trucks into fire service vehicles – they have welded water tanks including internal baffles from scratch then installed them on the back, plus the water pumping mechanisms and other necessary machinery. Then it’s all been painted red.
It was astonishing to see the creativity and technical skills behind these vehicles, and the solutions that they’ve found with such limited resources. They’re far from ideal compared to a purpose-designed vehicle – the centre of gravity is dangerously high because of the position of the water tank – but they help to keep the ambulance service functioning. They were previously only used to resupply fire engines, but after some water pumps were found that could run off a spare drive shaft, they are now used as fire engines themselves. Additionally, the fire service had issues getting a steady supply of expensive foam for fighting fuel fires, so they designed their own foam that can be made locally for 10% of the cost. The workers in the fire service workshops and garages must be some of the most resourceful and creative engineers in the profession, and they seem deeply valued by their managers and the firefighters themselves.
As I mentioned earlier, fuel is a huge issue for the emergency services and especially the Civil Defence. The fire engines are amongst the biggest vehicles in Gaza, so restricted fuel supplies have a magnified impact. In the past, much of their fuel came through the tunnels from Egypt along with firefighting equipment, protective clothing, vehicle parts, medicines and medical disposables. Since they were destroyed last year, none of these things can get
through. Fuel costs are now the largest part of their budget – a massive issues considering that their staffing levels are at 40% of what is needed due to lack of money for wages. They’re looking into alternative fuels at present, but the current situation is dire.
After talking, Zahar took me around the Civil Defence centre, which is their administrative centre as well as an ambulance and fire station. We looked in on the medical clinic and dentist who provide cheap care for employees and their families. They offered me a dental check up while I was there – admitting to a load of tough firefighters that I was scared of dentists wasn’t my proudest moment.
To finish my visit I interviewed a Mohammed, a firefighter pushed forward by his colleagues as the one who liked to talk the most. Happily, the rest of his watch also came and sat with us and added alot to the conversation. Their hard-won camaraderie was strong and humbling to be around.
Mohammed has been a professional firefighter for four years, after previously working as a volunteer. He wanted to be a firefighter since he was a kid, a vocation fortified by growing up amid the volatility of Gaza. His favourite part of the job is when they reach a scene, enter and are able to rescue people. He described the feeling of rescuing children, and his family’s pride in his work. We talked about the relationships between firefighters, who work in a watch system similar to the UK. At this point others joined the conversation, describing each other as brothers and friends. They talk about how they enter a scene together and stay together in the risk, knowing that they can rescue each other and be rescued themselves. They have families who worry about the risks of their job but know they can’t prevent them from doing this work – but they also have a second family at work, and a second home on station.
Nearly every one of the ten or so people I talked with had been injured while working, including the general manager Yousef Khaled Zahar. Mohammed was seriously injured when he and other firefighters entered a family home after a drone attack to rescue the family. A secondary attack hit the house and the firefighters were caught in the explosion. He was left unconscious, and while he has recovered, his chest injuries mean that he is still missing ribs. He and other injured colleagues says the decision to return to work was not a difficult one – they knew the risk when they joined, and know they can die at any time. Firefighters who are not physically able to return to work are given desk jobs in the Ministry of the Interior.
The targeting of the emergency services in Gaza [PDF] has been systematic and brutal. During Cast Lead, Civil
Defence buildings were specifically targeted in airstrikes that caused $2.5m of damage. The station that I visited was occupied by tanks, forcing fire crews to continue responding from the street. Rows of bullet holes remain across the front of the station. Gazan infrastructure is repeatedly considered a valid target in Israeli airstrikes, including the emergency services. This is an intolerable situation, putting the lives of firefighters, rescuers and medics at risk while they work to preserve life.
I asked the firefighters I met yesterday if there was anything they’d like to add to our interview. Firstly one of them said ‘If we die here in our service, we will die in peace. This does not stop us working’. They then spoke together to ask that international emergency workers try to defend and protect them in the case of another war. They know that international law should protect them, but they also know from direct experience that in reality it does not. Yet they continue to work in what must be one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, motivated by the desire to rescue and protect their community. They need better vehicles, more staff, safer working conditions and better protective equipment to do their jobs. But most of all they need the protection they are entitled to as rescue workers, and they need our solidarity.
By Joe Catron
Yesterday I visited the Civil Defence Directorate, which provides the fire and rescue service in Gaza, as well as some emergency ambulances and marine rescue. These guys have a reputation as being fearless, as well as being the most vulnerable to attack during times of war. In the 2008-9 war, 13 Civil Defence workers were killed in the line of duty, with 31 injured. This includes medics killed in their ambulances by snipers and firefighters injured by secondary drone attacks while rescuing victims of the initial strikes. These risks are additional to jobs which are considered dangerous even in peaceful countries like the UK and USA.
I found out plenty about the Civil Defence’s ambulance service, including interviewing staff and looking around the ambulances and equipment stores, but I’m going to save that for a later post and just write about the firefighters. In the UK, the ambulance service and fire service are separate so please forgive any ignorance about the equipment and vehicles I saw. I knew they were fire engines because they were big and red, and I knew it was a fire station because there were some weights in the corner and a ping pong table. Beyond that, it was all new to find out.
Let’s start with a familiar theme in Gazan emergency services: shortages. After meeting with the Red Crescent and Department of Health, looking around a few dozen ambulances, an Emergency Department and interviewing a variety of health care workers, I’ve seen the same issues occurring endlessly. No equipment, limited or no drugs, no electricity, expensive fuel, training problems and unacceptable risk in times of conflict. The impact of each issue varies according to the service (for example, the electricity cuts are a huge problem for Al-Shifa hospital, whereas the fuel crisis has more of an impact on the emergency services) but the end result is the same – hamstrung services and an impossible situation for managers and workers.
I met with Yousef Khaled Zahar, the general manager of the Civil Defence, who broke down the issues facing his service while we drank sugary coffee. Firstly, the fire service vehicles are old and outdated – ‘every day the vehicles age’ as Zahar said. They are mostly from 1988/89, meaning their safety features are wildly outdated. Half of their fleet were destroyed during Cast Lead, with little chance of replacements reaching Gaza. Since then they have done some pretty unreal mechanical work to keep vehicles on the road despite the lack of spare parts. They have also converted some old Kamaz trucks into fire service vehicles – they have welded water tanks including internal baffles from scratch then installed them on the back, plus the water pumping mechanisms and other necessary machinery. Then it’s all been painted red.
It was astonishing to see the creativity and technical skills behind these vehicles, and the solutions that they’ve found with such limited resources. They’re far from ideal compared to a purpose-designed vehicle – the centre of gravity is dangerously high because of the position of the water tank – but they help to keep the ambulance service functioning. They were previously only used to resupply fire engines, but after some water pumps were found that could run off a spare drive shaft, they are now used as fire engines themselves. Additionally, the fire service had issues getting a steady supply of expensive foam for fighting fuel fires, so they designed their own foam that can be made locally for 10% of the cost. The workers in the fire service workshops and garages must be some of the most resourceful and creative engineers in the profession, and they seem deeply valued by their managers and the firefighters themselves.
As I mentioned earlier, fuel is a huge issue for the emergency services and especially the Civil Defence. The fire engines are amongst the biggest vehicles in Gaza, so restricted fuel supplies have a magnified impact. In the past, much of their fuel came through the tunnels from Egypt along with firefighting equipment, protective clothing, vehicle parts, medicines and medical disposables. Since they were destroyed last year, none of these things can get
through. Fuel costs are now the largest part of their budget – a massive issues considering that their staffing levels are at 40% of what is needed due to lack of money for wages. They’re looking into alternative fuels at present, but the current situation is dire.
After talking, Zahar took me around the Civil Defence centre, which is their administrative centre as well as an ambulance and fire station. We looked in on the medical clinic and dentist who provide cheap care for employees and their families. They offered me a dental check up while I was there – admitting to a load of tough firefighters that I was scared of dentists wasn’t my proudest moment.
To finish my visit I interviewed a Mohammed, a firefighter pushed forward by his colleagues as the one who liked to talk the most. Happily, the rest of his watch also came and sat with us and added alot to the conversation. Their hard-won camaraderie was strong and humbling to be around.
Mohammed has been a professional firefighter for four years, after previously working as a volunteer. He wanted to be a firefighter since he was a kid, a vocation fortified by growing up amid the volatility of Gaza. His favourite part of the job is when they reach a scene, enter and are able to rescue people. He described the feeling of rescuing children, and his family’s pride in his work. We talked about the relationships between firefighters, who work in a watch system similar to the UK. At this point others joined the conversation, describing each other as brothers and friends. They talk about how they enter a scene together and stay together in the risk, knowing that they can rescue each other and be rescued themselves. They have families who worry about the risks of their job but know they can’t prevent them from doing this work – but they also have a second family at work, and a second home on station.
Nearly every one of the ten or so people I talked with had been injured while working, including the general manager Yousef Khaled Zahar. Mohammed was seriously injured when he and other firefighters entered a family home after a drone attack to rescue the family. A secondary attack hit the house and the firefighters were caught in the explosion. He was left unconscious, and while he has recovered, his chest injuries mean that he is still missing ribs. He and other injured colleagues says the decision to return to work was not a difficult one – they knew the risk when they joined, and know they can die at any time. Firefighters who are not physically able to return to work are given desk jobs in the Ministry of the Interior.
The targeting of the emergency services in Gaza [PDF] has been systematic and brutal. During Cast Lead, Civil
Defence buildings were specifically targeted in airstrikes that caused $2.5m of damage. The station that I visited was occupied by tanks, forcing fire crews to continue responding from the street. Rows of bullet holes remain across the front of the station. Gazan infrastructure is repeatedly considered a valid target in Israeli airstrikes, including the emergency services. This is an intolerable situation, putting the lives of firefighters, rescuers and medics at risk while they work to preserve life.
I asked the firefighters I met yesterday if there was anything they’d like to add to our interview. Firstly one of them said ‘If we die here in our service, we will die in peace. This does not stop us working’. They then spoke together to ask that international emergency workers try to defend and protect them in the case of another war. They know that international law should protect them, but they also know from direct experience that in reality it does not. Yet they continue to work in what must be one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, motivated by the desire to rescue and protect their community. They need better vehicles, more staff, safer working conditions and better protective equipment to do their jobs. But most of all they need the protection they are entitled to as rescue workers, and they need our solidarity.
Ezzat Al-Resheq, member of Hamas's political bureau, praised the report issued by ESCWA executive director Dr. Rima Khalaf in which she exposes Israeli crimes and violations against the Palestinian people and land. “We cannot but appreciate Dr. Rima Khalaf's new report entitled "Arab Integration: A 21st Century Development Imperative" (14 apr), he said in a press release on Tuesday.
Israeli authorities castigated the report and called for the resignation of Dr. Rima Khalaf, the head of the Arab-oriented Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).
In a speech in late February, Khalaf denounced Israeli practices in the occupied West Bank, saying: "The most dangerous of these [Israeli] policies is Israel’s adamancy that it is a Jewish state, which violates the rights of both the Muslim and Christian indigenous populations and revives the concept of state ethnic and religious purity, which caused egregious human suffering during the 20th century."
The Hamas senior official expressed his total support for Dr. Khalaf in light of the Israeli campaign waged against her and his support for all free voices that work on exposing Israeli crimes against Palestinian people.
[PDF report]
Israeli authorities castigated the report and called for the resignation of Dr. Rima Khalaf, the head of the Arab-oriented Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).
In a speech in late February, Khalaf denounced Israeli practices in the occupied West Bank, saying: "The most dangerous of these [Israeli] policies is Israel’s adamancy that it is a Jewish state, which violates the rights of both the Muslim and Christian indigenous populations and revives the concept of state ethnic and religious purity, which caused egregious human suffering during the 20th century."
The Hamas senior official expressed his total support for Dr. Khalaf in light of the Israeli campaign waged against her and his support for all free voices that work on exposing Israeli crimes against Palestinian people.
[PDF report]
A Palestinian man was found dead Wednesday on his chicken farm east of Rafah in the southern West Bank, Gaza police told Ma’an.
A spokesman of Gaza police Ayyub Abu Shaar confirmed that 50-year-old Faraj Abu Shalouf was found dead by locals in Moraj neighborhood east of Rafah.
The body was referred to a coroner to find the cause of death.
A spokesman of Gaza police Ayyub Abu Shaar confirmed that 50-year-old Faraj Abu Shalouf was found dead by locals in Moraj neighborhood east of Rafah.
The body was referred to a coroner to find the cause of death.
Three Palestinian civilians were killed and eleven others were severely injured on Wednesday morning following an internal explosion at a Palestinian resistance site in al-Manara quarter south of the Gaza Strip. PIC news reporter quoted Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra as saying that three bodies and eleven injured Palestinians, all unidentified, were transferred to the European Gaza hospital in the aftermath of a mysterious explosion.
Local sources further confirmed to PIC news reporter that another explosion rocked the area during the evacuation mission, leading to more casualties, including civil defense personnel.
Iyad al-Bazm, Interior Ministry’s spokesman, documented the severe injury of four civil defense personnel while they were trying to evacuate the wounded civilians. One among the civil defense crew was seriously wounded and is in critical condition.
Special security forces are encircling the area, where an investigation procedure has already been initiated, as further maintained by al-Bazm.
Medics: 3 killed in Khan Younis explosion
Three Palestinian men were killed and four others injured in an explosion in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, medical sources said.
A spokesman of the Hamas-run Gaza ministry of health told Ma’an that the circumstances behind the explosion were not clear.
Ashraf al-Qidra added that ambulances evacuated two dead men and one critically injured person. The third victim was pronounced dead shortly after he arrived at the European Hospital in Kahn Younis.
Four others sustained minor wounds caused by shrapnel. They were in stable condition.
Local sources further confirmed to PIC news reporter that another explosion rocked the area during the evacuation mission, leading to more casualties, including civil defense personnel.
Iyad al-Bazm, Interior Ministry’s spokesman, documented the severe injury of four civil defense personnel while they were trying to evacuate the wounded civilians. One among the civil defense crew was seriously wounded and is in critical condition.
Special security forces are encircling the area, where an investigation procedure has already been initiated, as further maintained by al-Bazm.
Medics: 3 killed in Khan Younis explosion
Three Palestinian men were killed and four others injured in an explosion in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, medical sources said.
A spokesman of the Hamas-run Gaza ministry of health told Ma’an that the circumstances behind the explosion were not clear.
Ashraf al-Qidra added that ambulances evacuated two dead men and one critically injured person. The third victim was pronounced dead shortly after he arrived at the European Hospital in Kahn Younis.
Four others sustained minor wounds caused by shrapnel. They were in stable condition.
14 apr 2014
By Khalid Amayreh in Occupied Palestine
The Palestinian Authority (PA) is experiencing a multi-faceted crisis at all levels these days. There is, of course, the chronic deadlock in the so-called peace-talks with Israel. Indeed, after more than 20 years of futile and fruitless talks, the PA leadership in Ramallah should have realized a long time ago the utter pointlessness of "negotiating peace" with the Zionist entity while the latter continues rather frantically to pursue the policy of lebensraum at the expense of Palestinians.
Needless to say, since the disastrous Oslo accords, Israel has more than doubled the number and size of Jewish colonies in the West Bank that there is no room left for the establishment of a truly viable Palestinian state worthy of the name.
Moreover, the seizure of more and more Palestinian land continues unabated, even as PA officials meet with Israeli and American officials.
As to East Jerusalem, the contemplated capital of the contemplated Palestinian state, it has been thoroughly Judaized as hundreds of Jewish settlers have been transferred into the formerly exclusively Arab town.
It is really ludicrous to see how dishonest American "mediators" constantly demand that the Palestinians display more "good will" toward Israel at a time when Israel continues to steal Palestinian land in broad daylight.
But this is the American way of "honestly brokering peace" between the rapist and the rape victim! America, it seems, cannot betray its longstanding "ideals" of inflicting the inflicted and comforting the comforted. The consistent and unmitigated American embrace of nefarious Zionism-by way of giving the Zionist project in Palestine unlimited backing and support- simply kills any chance for true and durable peace in the region.
Hence, we have to be honest and frank with ourselves about peace with Israel and American involvement in trying to do the undoable, namely the growing conviction that reaching a dignified peace deal under existing political circumstances is next to impossible.
In the final analysis, Israel is intoxicated by its arrogance of power and Talmudic insolence. And the U.S., Israel's guardian-ally, is not in a position to impose a deal on Israel or even convince her to allow for one that would give the Palestinian a semblance of justice.
The reason for that is the nearly complete Jewish domination of American political life, a fact that effectively transformed most American politicians into political whores, par excellence, serving Zionism and its Nazi-like goals.
I don't understand why the PA allows itself (and its people) to be humiliated that much and for so long.
Is it a determination to sustain its survival despite everything? Or is it a certain desire on the part of PA officials and operatives to maintain their jobs and salaries, even at the expense of supreme Palestinian national interests?
Anyway we look at the PA; we are affronted with its incompetence, clumsiness, and corruptness.
Every time the PA says "No" or tries to say "No" to Israel's whims, Israel tightens the financial and economic noose around the PA neck, mainly by stopping or suspending the transfer of tax revenue levied by Israel on goods imported by Palestinians through Israeli ports.
Normally, the PA reacts by making an outcry and by complaining to Washington and EU, which eventually convince Israel to lift the sanctions…but only in return for a given Palestinian concession.
The PA has always sought to project itself as "equal peace partner" vis-à-vis Israel. Similarly, Israel has always viewed and continues to view the PA as a vanquished supplicant and beggar. And by definition, beggars can't be choosers.
The PA does have important bargaining chips to play to pressure Israel to show a modicum of respect toward the Palestinians. The close security coordination with Israel, whereby some 80,000 Palestinian security personnel are made to serve Israeli security interests, is a paramount factor as far as Israel is concerned. Indeed, Israeli cabinet ministers have repeatedly declared the repression of Israel's active enemies amongst Palestinians, e.g. Hamas, represents the ultimate raison d'être of the PA as far as Israel was concerned.
Many Palestinians do view this ignominious "security cooperation" with the Palestinians' enemy and tormentor as the ultimate act of treachery and betrayal to the Palestinian cause as well as generations of Palestinian martyrs from Izzidin al Qassam to Yasser Arafat.
Unfortunately, the current PLO and its regime in Ramallah seem to be too insensitive and too domesticated by the American-dominated new world order that they no longer accord much importance to questions pertaining to national dignity and honor.
As a practicing Muslim, I don't believe the PA regime is capable of liberating Palestine and bringing salvation to the Palestinian people. The PA-PLO is just too contemptible to liberate Palestine from the clutches of the Jews.
In the Quran, we are told that "God will not make the work of the evil ones prosper".
The PA regime is spreading moral laxities and decadence everywhere possible. A few years ago, Ramallah was a city like any other Arab-Muslim city in the Middle East. Today, thanks to the hedonistic PA mentality, alcoholic beverages are sold like bottled water in the streets of Ramallah.
Moral excesses are also conspicuous. Friends intimated to this writer that masked prostitution is already rife in some upscale districts in Ramallah. In fact, the PA is encouraging every form of decadent western culture in Ramallah- from alcoholic consumption to promiscuous mixing of men and women.
Unfortunately, this is happening while every non-conformist religious (Islamic) activity is harshly suppressed by the PA security agencies.
This week, for example, the PA forced a bus company in Hebron to cancel a spring journey the Islamic student bloc at the Polytechnic Institute had planned to make across the Green Line.
The draconian act has absolutely no legal or ethical justification. It was apparently taken on no account other than satisfying the anti-Islamic vindictiveness and hatred on the part of some local PA officials.
Similarly, PA security has been cracking down on preachers in mosques teaching people virtue and morality. The latest incident of this nature occurred at the main Mosque in al Bireh (Ramallah's twin city) a few days ago when crack PA policemen stormed the mosque and beat worshipers for holding an "un-licensed activity."
In short, the message the PA is trying to communicate to the people of Palestine states the following: You may get involved in all sorts of immoral and even promiscuous behaviors, but practicing Islam is a red and inviolable line.
But the question that begs itself is: Would such a despotic and unethical entity liberate the al-Aqsa Mosque from the shackles of Zionism?
The Palestinian Authority (PA) is experiencing a multi-faceted crisis at all levels these days. There is, of course, the chronic deadlock in the so-called peace-talks with Israel. Indeed, after more than 20 years of futile and fruitless talks, the PA leadership in Ramallah should have realized a long time ago the utter pointlessness of "negotiating peace" with the Zionist entity while the latter continues rather frantically to pursue the policy of lebensraum at the expense of Palestinians.
Needless to say, since the disastrous Oslo accords, Israel has more than doubled the number and size of Jewish colonies in the West Bank that there is no room left for the establishment of a truly viable Palestinian state worthy of the name.
Moreover, the seizure of more and more Palestinian land continues unabated, even as PA officials meet with Israeli and American officials.
As to East Jerusalem, the contemplated capital of the contemplated Palestinian state, it has been thoroughly Judaized as hundreds of Jewish settlers have been transferred into the formerly exclusively Arab town.
It is really ludicrous to see how dishonest American "mediators" constantly demand that the Palestinians display more "good will" toward Israel at a time when Israel continues to steal Palestinian land in broad daylight.
But this is the American way of "honestly brokering peace" between the rapist and the rape victim! America, it seems, cannot betray its longstanding "ideals" of inflicting the inflicted and comforting the comforted. The consistent and unmitigated American embrace of nefarious Zionism-by way of giving the Zionist project in Palestine unlimited backing and support- simply kills any chance for true and durable peace in the region.
Hence, we have to be honest and frank with ourselves about peace with Israel and American involvement in trying to do the undoable, namely the growing conviction that reaching a dignified peace deal under existing political circumstances is next to impossible.
In the final analysis, Israel is intoxicated by its arrogance of power and Talmudic insolence. And the U.S., Israel's guardian-ally, is not in a position to impose a deal on Israel or even convince her to allow for one that would give the Palestinian a semblance of justice.
The reason for that is the nearly complete Jewish domination of American political life, a fact that effectively transformed most American politicians into political whores, par excellence, serving Zionism and its Nazi-like goals.
I don't understand why the PA allows itself (and its people) to be humiliated that much and for so long.
Is it a determination to sustain its survival despite everything? Or is it a certain desire on the part of PA officials and operatives to maintain their jobs and salaries, even at the expense of supreme Palestinian national interests?
Anyway we look at the PA; we are affronted with its incompetence, clumsiness, and corruptness.
Every time the PA says "No" or tries to say "No" to Israel's whims, Israel tightens the financial and economic noose around the PA neck, mainly by stopping or suspending the transfer of tax revenue levied by Israel on goods imported by Palestinians through Israeli ports.
Normally, the PA reacts by making an outcry and by complaining to Washington and EU, which eventually convince Israel to lift the sanctions…but only in return for a given Palestinian concession.
The PA has always sought to project itself as "equal peace partner" vis-à-vis Israel. Similarly, Israel has always viewed and continues to view the PA as a vanquished supplicant and beggar. And by definition, beggars can't be choosers.
The PA does have important bargaining chips to play to pressure Israel to show a modicum of respect toward the Palestinians. The close security coordination with Israel, whereby some 80,000 Palestinian security personnel are made to serve Israeli security interests, is a paramount factor as far as Israel is concerned. Indeed, Israeli cabinet ministers have repeatedly declared the repression of Israel's active enemies amongst Palestinians, e.g. Hamas, represents the ultimate raison d'être of the PA as far as Israel was concerned.
Many Palestinians do view this ignominious "security cooperation" with the Palestinians' enemy and tormentor as the ultimate act of treachery and betrayal to the Palestinian cause as well as generations of Palestinian martyrs from Izzidin al Qassam to Yasser Arafat.
Unfortunately, the current PLO and its regime in Ramallah seem to be too insensitive and too domesticated by the American-dominated new world order that they no longer accord much importance to questions pertaining to national dignity and honor.
As a practicing Muslim, I don't believe the PA regime is capable of liberating Palestine and bringing salvation to the Palestinian people. The PA-PLO is just too contemptible to liberate Palestine from the clutches of the Jews.
In the Quran, we are told that "God will not make the work of the evil ones prosper".
The PA regime is spreading moral laxities and decadence everywhere possible. A few years ago, Ramallah was a city like any other Arab-Muslim city in the Middle East. Today, thanks to the hedonistic PA mentality, alcoholic beverages are sold like bottled water in the streets of Ramallah.
Moral excesses are also conspicuous. Friends intimated to this writer that masked prostitution is already rife in some upscale districts in Ramallah. In fact, the PA is encouraging every form of decadent western culture in Ramallah- from alcoholic consumption to promiscuous mixing of men and women.
Unfortunately, this is happening while every non-conformist religious (Islamic) activity is harshly suppressed by the PA security agencies.
This week, for example, the PA forced a bus company in Hebron to cancel a spring journey the Islamic student bloc at the Polytechnic Institute had planned to make across the Green Line.
The draconian act has absolutely no legal or ethical justification. It was apparently taken on no account other than satisfying the anti-Islamic vindictiveness and hatred on the part of some local PA officials.
Similarly, PA security has been cracking down on preachers in mosques teaching people virtue and morality. The latest incident of this nature occurred at the main Mosque in al Bireh (Ramallah's twin city) a few days ago when crack PA policemen stormed the mosque and beat worshipers for holding an "un-licensed activity."
In short, the message the PA is trying to communicate to the people of Palestine states the following: You may get involved in all sorts of immoral and even promiscuous behaviors, but practicing Islam is a red and inviolable line.
But the question that begs itself is: Would such a despotic and unethical entity liberate the al-Aqsa Mosque from the shackles of Zionism?
Gaza premier Ismail Haneyya has expressed keenness on continuation of Egyptian patronage of the Palestinian reconciliation process. He appreciated the Egyptian role in this sphere during a telephone conversation with Egyptian intelligence officials on Monday, the Palestinian cabinet said in a statement.
It added that Haneyya briefed the intelligence officials on latest steps in the reconciliation process including a visit by a delegation sent by Mahmoud Abbas, PA chief, to Gaza next week.
Haneyya had earlier declared in a statement that progress would be achieved in the few coming days in the reconciliation process.
It added that Haneyya briefed the intelligence officials on latest steps in the reconciliation process including a visit by a delegation sent by Mahmoud Abbas, PA chief, to Gaza next week.
Haneyya had earlier declared in a statement that progress would be achieved in the few coming days in the reconciliation process.
The Hamas Movement said that holding unilateral elections in the occupied West Bank would not confer legitimacy on de facto president Mahmoud Abbas or make him strong enough to confront the Zio-American pressures. Hamas's spokesman Fawzi Barhoum stated on his Facebook page on Monday that if Abbas wanted to acquire legitimacy and increase his balance of strengths, he would have to follow the footsteps of his predecessor Yasser Arafat, unify the Palestinian people around the resistance option, end the security collaboration with Israel and withdraw from the peace negotiations once and for all.
"Let's shoulder our responsibilities side by side, and then nobody would need delegations or committees that come here and go there in order to achieve the reconciliation," spokesman Barhoum emphasized.
The spokesman said that the reconciliation means having the determination to achieve partnership and unity based on the resistance option, the armed struggle, and the national rights and constants.
"Let's shoulder our responsibilities side by side, and then nobody would need delegations or committees that come here and go there in order to achieve the reconciliation," spokesman Barhoum emphasized.
The spokesman said that the reconciliation means having the determination to achieve partnership and unity based on the resistance option, the armed struggle, and the national rights and constants.
Deputy Head of the Islamic Movement in the 1948-occupied Palestinian territories Sheikh Kamal Al-Khatib stated that the Israeli occupation has escalated its attacks and break-ins into al-Aqsa Mosque. In an exclusive interview with the PIC, Khatib said that Israeli occupation took advantage of Arab countries' preoccupation with their internal affairs to continue its dangerous attacks and violations in al-Aqsa Mosque.
He warned that the Palestinian Authority’s decision to continue negotiations provides a cover and a green light to the Israeli Judaization policy in occupied Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque.
Israeli authorities have continued excavation works under al-Aqsa Mosque along the previous 10 years, and it seems that time has come to launch daily collective raid campaigns against the holy mosque, Khatib said.
He pointed out that Israeli break-ins into al-Aqsa plazas have recently become a daily routine, which, along with preventing Palestinian worshipers' access to the mosque, posed as a prelude to take control over it.
Sheikh Khatib called for supporting the steadfastness of Jerusalemites in face of Israeli brutal campaign against Palestinian presence in occupied Jerusalem.
Meanwhile, HaMoked Center for the defense of Individual confirmed that Israeli occupation continued its "quiet deportation" policy against Jerusalemites, as "the Israeli Ministry of Interior revoked the residency status of 106 Palestinians from East Jerusalem in 2013."
In January 2014, as in every year, HaMoked submitted its application to the Ministry of Interior under the Freedom of Information Act for information on revocations of status of East Jerusalem permanent residents for the year 2013. The application was sent as part of HaMoked's on-going campaign to stop Israel's quiet deportation policy, implemented against East Jerusalem residents, according to the human rights center.
According to the data supplied by the interior ministry, in 2013, Israel revoked the residency of 106 East Jerusalem Palestinians, including 50 women and 24 minors; also, in 2013, Israel "reinstated" the residency status of 35 East Jerusalem Palestinians.
Between 1967 and 2013, Israel has revoked the residence status of 14,309 Palestinians from East Jerusalem, according to the interior ministry's figures supplied to HaMoked over the years.
He warned that the Palestinian Authority’s decision to continue negotiations provides a cover and a green light to the Israeli Judaization policy in occupied Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque.
Israeli authorities have continued excavation works under al-Aqsa Mosque along the previous 10 years, and it seems that time has come to launch daily collective raid campaigns against the holy mosque, Khatib said.
He pointed out that Israeli break-ins into al-Aqsa plazas have recently become a daily routine, which, along with preventing Palestinian worshipers' access to the mosque, posed as a prelude to take control over it.
Sheikh Khatib called for supporting the steadfastness of Jerusalemites in face of Israeli brutal campaign against Palestinian presence in occupied Jerusalem.
Meanwhile, HaMoked Center for the defense of Individual confirmed that Israeli occupation continued its "quiet deportation" policy against Jerusalemites, as "the Israeli Ministry of Interior revoked the residency status of 106 Palestinians from East Jerusalem in 2013."
In January 2014, as in every year, HaMoked submitted its application to the Ministry of Interior under the Freedom of Information Act for information on revocations of status of East Jerusalem permanent residents for the year 2013. The application was sent as part of HaMoked's on-going campaign to stop Israel's quiet deportation policy, implemented against East Jerusalem residents, according to the human rights center.
According to the data supplied by the interior ministry, in 2013, Israel revoked the residency of 106 East Jerusalem Palestinians, including 50 women and 24 minors; also, in 2013, Israel "reinstated" the residency status of 35 East Jerusalem Palestinians.
Between 1967 and 2013, Israel has revoked the residence status of 14,309 Palestinians from East Jerusalem, according to the interior ministry's figures supplied to HaMoked over the years.
13 apr 2014
Gaza premier Ismail Haneyya agreed with Azzam Al-Ahmed, the head of Fatah’s negotiating team for reconciliation, on a visit to Gaza early next week. The agreement was made during a telephone conversation between the two at noon Sunday. Haneyya had welcomed, in an earlier telephone contact between the two, the visit by a five-member delegation designated by PA chief and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas last week to Gaza to discuss reconciliation with Hamas movement.
Earlier Sunday, Haneyya said that important steps would be taken in the near future to achieve reconciliation and end internal division.
He hoped during an inauguration ceremony of a main street in Gaza city that efforts to end division would succeed in the near future.
The premier said that the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank had no other choice but to unite on constants and resistance.
Earlier Sunday, Haneyya said that important steps would be taken in the near future to achieve reconciliation and end internal division.
He hoped during an inauguration ceremony of a main street in Gaza city that efforts to end division would succeed in the near future.
The premier said that the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank had no other choice but to unite on constants and resistance.
