29 jan 2017
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed on Sunday his support for the US embassy to Israel moving from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, further adding that “all embassies should come here.”
In a statement during the Israeli security cabinet’s weekly meeting, Netanyahu emphasized the “fundamental” relationship between the United States and Israel.
“There is no substitute for this alliance. Our relations are tight and getting tighter, and I would like to take this opportunity to make it unequivocally clear that our position has always been, and will always be, that the US embassy needs to be here, in Jerusalem,” the prime minister said.
“Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and it is proper that not only should the American embassy be here, but all embassies should come here, and I believe that over time most of them will indeed come here, to Jerusalem.”
Netanyahu’s statements came two days after US President Donald Trump told Fox News that it was “too early” to talk about his controversial campaign promise to move the US embassy to Jerusalem.
Mark Zell, the co-chairman of the Republican Overseas Israel group had accused Netanyahu earlier on Sunday of being behind Trump’s decision to delay the embassy move, The Jerusalem Post reported.
The prospect of an embassy location change has been met with applause by right-wing Israeli officials and strongly condemned by Palestinians and the international community.
The move would in effect amount to American recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, effectively torpedoing efforts to implement a two-state solution with East Jerusalem as the capital of a Palestinian state.
The fate of Jerusalem has been a focal point of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for decades, with numerous tensions arising over Israeli threats regarding the status of non-Jewish religious sites in the city, and the "Judaization" of East Jerusalem through settlement construction and mass demolitions of Palestinian homes.
The Israeli government has openly expressed its anticipation for a Trump presidency, which right-wing politicians believe will make it easier to advance plans to expand Israeli settlements and consolidate Israeli annexation of East Jerusalem and other parts of the West Bank.
Last month, Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Secretary-General Saeb Erekat warned that the PLO would revoke all previously signed agreements with Israel as well as the PLO’s 1993 recognition of Israel if Trump followed through on his pledge to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Erekat reportedly said such a move would indicate the US’s acceptance of “Israel’s illegal annexation of East Jerusalem,” and further warned that “any hope of peace in the future will just vanish."
While members of the international community have rested the solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the discontinuation of illegal Israeli settlements and the establishment of a two-state solution, Israeli leaders have instead shifted further to the right as many Knesset members have called for an escalation of settlement building in the occupied West Bank, and with some having advocated for its complete annexation.
In a statement during the Israeli security cabinet’s weekly meeting, Netanyahu emphasized the “fundamental” relationship between the United States and Israel.
“There is no substitute for this alliance. Our relations are tight and getting tighter, and I would like to take this opportunity to make it unequivocally clear that our position has always been, and will always be, that the US embassy needs to be here, in Jerusalem,” the prime minister said.
“Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and it is proper that not only should the American embassy be here, but all embassies should come here, and I believe that over time most of them will indeed come here, to Jerusalem.”
Netanyahu’s statements came two days after US President Donald Trump told Fox News that it was “too early” to talk about his controversial campaign promise to move the US embassy to Jerusalem.
Mark Zell, the co-chairman of the Republican Overseas Israel group had accused Netanyahu earlier on Sunday of being behind Trump’s decision to delay the embassy move, The Jerusalem Post reported.
The prospect of an embassy location change has been met with applause by right-wing Israeli officials and strongly condemned by Palestinians and the international community.
The move would in effect amount to American recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, effectively torpedoing efforts to implement a two-state solution with East Jerusalem as the capital of a Palestinian state.
The fate of Jerusalem has been a focal point of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for decades, with numerous tensions arising over Israeli threats regarding the status of non-Jewish religious sites in the city, and the "Judaization" of East Jerusalem through settlement construction and mass demolitions of Palestinian homes.
The Israeli government has openly expressed its anticipation for a Trump presidency, which right-wing politicians believe will make it easier to advance plans to expand Israeli settlements and consolidate Israeli annexation of East Jerusalem and other parts of the West Bank.
Last month, Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Secretary-General Saeb Erekat warned that the PLO would revoke all previously signed agreements with Israel as well as the PLO’s 1993 recognition of Israel if Trump followed through on his pledge to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Erekat reportedly said such a move would indicate the US’s acceptance of “Israel’s illegal annexation of East Jerusalem,” and further warned that “any hope of peace in the future will just vanish."
While members of the international community have rested the solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the discontinuation of illegal Israeli settlements and the establishment of a two-state solution, Israeli leaders have instead shifted further to the right as many Knesset members have called for an escalation of settlement building in the occupied West Bank, and with some having advocated for its complete annexation.
The southern occupied West Bank province of al-Khalil has been hit by snowfall and severe winter cold, exacerbating the difficulties for thousands of people already desperately seeking a respite from the simmering Israeli aggressions and crackdowns in the area.
Rounds of snowfall swamped al-Khalil province from west to north over the past 24 hours, swathing the city in a white cover that is rarely spotted in the region.
Deputy-Director of the local Civil Defense, Ibrahim Abu Hassan, said defense crews have been on guard to any emergency situation, calling on the locals to remain vigilant.
Efforts have, meanwhile, been underway by al-Khalil municipality to restore normal traffic and daily red tape in the city.
Snow days are exciting for Palestinian children across the occupied Palestinian territories, where Israel’s terrorism has reached a zenith. But harsh cold and treacherous wintry weather can make it difficult to get outdoors and play.
Rounds of snowfall swamped al-Khalil province from west to north over the past 24 hours, swathing the city in a white cover that is rarely spotted in the region.
Deputy-Director of the local Civil Defense, Ibrahim Abu Hassan, said defense crews have been on guard to any emergency situation, calling on the locals to remain vigilant.
Efforts have, meanwhile, been underway by al-Khalil municipality to restore normal traffic and daily red tape in the city.
Snow days are exciting for Palestinian children across the occupied Palestinian territories, where Israel’s terrorism has reached a zenith. But harsh cold and treacherous wintry weather can make it difficult to get outdoors and play.
25 jan 2017
A 53-year-old Palestinian man was shot and killed on Tuesday night by an unidentified gunman in the southern occupied West Bank city of Hebron, according to locals.
Locals told Ma'an that Majid al-Ajlouni from Hebron city was shot dead in the Jabal Juhar neighborhood, which is under complete Israeli military control.
Medics at al-Ahli hospital in the city said al-Ajlouni arrived at the hospital and doctors announced his death upon arrival.
His body was transferred to the Palestinian police, who are holding it for investigation.
Locals told Ma'an that Majid al-Ajlouni from Hebron city was shot dead in the Jabal Juhar neighborhood, which is under complete Israeli military control.
Medics at al-Ahli hospital in the city said al-Ajlouni arrived at the hospital and doctors announced his death upon arrival.
His body was transferred to the Palestinian police, who are holding it for investigation.
23 jan 2017
Anonymous sources within the Trump administration in the US allegedly told Israeli News Channel 2 Friday that the new US President, Donald Trump, would on Monday make his first order of business the transfer of the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, effectively denying the Palestinian claim to the city.
The planned move by Trump would be in violation of international law and all signed agreements between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, many of which were negotiated by the United States.
Moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem constitutes a major break in decades of U.S. policy. The city of Jerusalem has a status that is supposed to be negotiated in a future peace deal – prior to the creation of the state of Israel in 1948, it was considered the capital of Palestine.
Since that time, first Jordan and then Israel (beginning in 1967) occupied the city with military forces, and Palestinians have been routinely denied access – including to the third-holiest Islamic site in the world, the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The Israeli annexation of Jerusalem in 1967 and takeover of the city using military force has never been recognized by the international community, including by the United States.
Moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem would effectively recognize the Israeli military takeover of the city – and set a precedent that any government wishing to annex their neighbor’s land can simply use military force to do so. This type of military takeover has been illegal under international law since World War II, when Hitler used military force to take control of dozens of neighboring countries and annex them to Germany.
If Trump goes forward with this plan on Monday, it would also be seen as a major provocation against Palestinians and the Arab World in general, as well as to Muslims worldwide who have been anxiously awaiting peace negotiations to determine their access to the holy site of the Al Aqsa Mosque and other holy sites in Jerusalem.
The planned move by Trump would be in violation of international law and all signed agreements between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, many of which were negotiated by the United States.
Moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem constitutes a major break in decades of U.S. policy. The city of Jerusalem has a status that is supposed to be negotiated in a future peace deal – prior to the creation of the state of Israel in 1948, it was considered the capital of Palestine.
Since that time, first Jordan and then Israel (beginning in 1967) occupied the city with military forces, and Palestinians have been routinely denied access – including to the third-holiest Islamic site in the world, the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The Israeli annexation of Jerusalem in 1967 and takeover of the city using military force has never been recognized by the international community, including by the United States.
Moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem would effectively recognize the Israeli military takeover of the city – and set a precedent that any government wishing to annex their neighbor’s land can simply use military force to do so. This type of military takeover has been illegal under international law since World War II, when Hitler used military force to take control of dozens of neighboring countries and annex them to Germany.
If Trump goes forward with this plan on Monday, it would also be seen as a major provocation against Palestinians and the Arab World in general, as well as to Muslims worldwide who have been anxiously awaiting peace negotiations to determine their access to the holy site of the Al Aqsa Mosque and other holy sites in Jerusalem.
10 jan 2017
South Africa’s president Jacob Zuma has asked his citizens not travel to Israel in order to show solidarity with the Palestinian people, who suffer from occupation and oppression, according to Africa News website.
At the 105th anniversary ceremony of the African National Congress in Soweto on Sunday, Zuma stated that “the people of Palestine continue to suffer in their rightful quest for self-determination.”
He expressed the party’s support for the December 2016 UN Security Council resolution against Israel’s settlement construction and called on the Palestinian people to unite and work on achieving their goals.
The president also vowed that Johannesburg would never cease its support for the Palestinian cause.
The government of South Africa has accused Israel several times of pursuing racist and apartheid policies towards the Palestinians.
It also sanctioned new rules to prevent its citizens who hold dual citizenship from joining the Israeli army and imposed restrictions on Israeli products entering the country.
At the 105th anniversary ceremony of the African National Congress in Soweto on Sunday, Zuma stated that “the people of Palestine continue to suffer in their rightful quest for self-determination.”
He expressed the party’s support for the December 2016 UN Security Council resolution against Israel’s settlement construction and called on the Palestinian people to unite and work on achieving their goals.
The president also vowed that Johannesburg would never cease its support for the Palestinian cause.
The government of South Africa has accused Israel several times of pursuing racist and apartheid policies towards the Palestinians.
It also sanctioned new rules to prevent its citizens who hold dual citizenship from joining the Israeli army and imposed restrictions on Israeli products entering the country.
9 jan 2017
A teenage Palestinian boy was found dead in a well in the town of Sair east of Hebron in the southern occupied West Bank on Monday.
Locals told Ma'an that the family of 14-year-old Hamdi Fahmi Tarawa declared him missing on Monday afternoon and began searching for him.
The sources said family members used mosque loudspeakers to ask people to report to the family if they had any information about the boy. Tarawa's body was eventually found in a newly built water well in the town.
Palestinian Police Spokesman Luay Irzeiqat said police have opened an investigation into the incident and that the DA office has decided to send the body for forensic tests to determine the cause of death.
Locals told Ma'an that the family of 14-year-old Hamdi Fahmi Tarawa declared him missing on Monday afternoon and began searching for him.
The sources said family members used mosque loudspeakers to ask people to report to the family if they had any information about the boy. Tarawa's body was eventually found in a newly built water well in the town.
Palestinian Police Spokesman Luay Irzeiqat said police have opened an investigation into the incident and that the DA office has decided to send the body for forensic tests to determine the cause of death.
8 jan 2017
Palestinian local and security sources revealed that the severe cold weather has caused the loss of two infants in Deir al-Balah and Juhr al-Dik towns of Gaza on Sunday.
The PIC reporter revealed that the only 12-day-old infant Mohammad Ahmad al-Swarka entered Shuhada al-Aqsa Hospital in a very bad condition and was admitted to the nursery before he was declared dead on Sunday.
Earlier in the morning, the Palestinian infant Abdulqader Abu Holy, 8 months, arrived in another branch of the same hospital in Deir al-Balah. Later on, he was announced dead.
Medical sources in the hospital said that the children will be checked by the coroner in order to find out the details of and the real reason behind their death.
The PIC reporter revealed that the only 12-day-old infant Mohammad Ahmad al-Swarka entered Shuhada al-Aqsa Hospital in a very bad condition and was admitted to the nursery before he was declared dead on Sunday.
Earlier in the morning, the Palestinian infant Abdulqader Abu Holy, 8 months, arrived in another branch of the same hospital in Deir al-Balah. Later on, he was announced dead.
Medical sources in the hospital said that the children will be checked by the coroner in order to find out the details of and the real reason behind their death.
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