27 jan 2018
Slovenian President Borut Pahor has announced that his country will not recognize the Palestinian state at this stage, claiming that such move would aggravate the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
This decision followed a statement by Slovenia's foreign minister, Karl Erjavec, last Monday that his country is in the process of recognizing the state of Palestine. However, the president later said that the right moment for the recognition has not come yet.
Following his meeting with the Palestinian Authority president, Mahmoud Abbas, in Brussels, Erjavec said that the Slovenian government plans to recognize the Palestinian state next Spring.
The parliament's foreign affairs committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday to approve the proposal and submit it to the parliament for a vote in March or April 2018, according to Slovenia's RTV channel.
Slovenia's ambassador to Israel, Barbara Sušnik, on Monday told Agence France-Presse that the US president Donald Trump's recent decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel was one of the reasons that prompted Ljubljana to accelerate its plan to recognize the Palestinian state which was first put forward in 2014.
Of the 28 European Union (EU) countries, only nine recognize the state of Palestine. Sweden is the only country to recognize Palestine while it is a member of the EU. The rest of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Malta and Cyprus made this move before becoming EU members.
It is clear that Slovenia has backtracked on the recognition move in response to a US-Israeli request in order to pressure the Palestinians to accept Washington's "deal of the century".
This decision followed a statement by Slovenia's foreign minister, Karl Erjavec, last Monday that his country is in the process of recognizing the state of Palestine. However, the president later said that the right moment for the recognition has not come yet.
Following his meeting with the Palestinian Authority president, Mahmoud Abbas, in Brussels, Erjavec said that the Slovenian government plans to recognize the Palestinian state next Spring.
The parliament's foreign affairs committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday to approve the proposal and submit it to the parliament for a vote in March or April 2018, according to Slovenia's RTV channel.
Slovenia's ambassador to Israel, Barbara Sušnik, on Monday told Agence France-Presse that the US president Donald Trump's recent decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel was one of the reasons that prompted Ljubljana to accelerate its plan to recognize the Palestinian state which was first put forward in 2014.
Of the 28 European Union (EU) countries, only nine recognize the state of Palestine. Sweden is the only country to recognize Palestine while it is a member of the EU. The rest of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Malta and Cyprus made this move before becoming EU members.
It is clear that Slovenia has backtracked on the recognition move in response to a US-Israeli request in order to pressure the Palestinians to accept Washington's "deal of the century".
25 jan 2018
Palestine’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, said on Wednesday that the Security Council is scheduled to meet on Thursday, in order for the Council members to shoulder their responsibility regarding implementation of the UN resolutions related to the Palestinian question.
According to WAFA, another meeting of the Security Council will be held on the 22nd of next month to discuss the situation of Palestinians after 50 years of Israeli occupation, in addition to the state of affairs of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refuges (UNRWA), Mansour told Voice of Palestine radio.
He said that he is going to request a meeting with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in the near future, to discuss with him several ideas related to resolving the UNRWA crisis, noting that a high-level emergency meeting could be held at the United Nations in this regard.
UNRWA came under pressure this month, when the United States, its largest contributor of over $350 million, annually, said it was going to gradually slash its contribution to the UN agency, starting with $65 million from the first installment of $125 million. It also cancelled an earlier pledge of $45 million in food aid that was going to be distributed through UNRWA.
Palestinians criticized the US measures against UNRWA describing them as extortion to pressure the Palestinian Authority to accept US and Israeli dictates for a settlement that does not suit Palestinian aspirations.
Hundreds of Palestinian refugees gathered on Wednesday, in Jabalya refugee camp, to the northeast of Gaza, to protest the decision.
On the issue of Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations, Mansour told Voice of Palestine that he was in contact with the 14 member states of the Security Council, with the exclusion of the US, to know their position on this issue.
Mansour also said that President Mahmoud Abbas is going to meet African heads of state on the side of the African summit scheduled for Addis Ababa, at the end of this month.
According to WAFA, another meeting of the Security Council will be held on the 22nd of next month to discuss the situation of Palestinians after 50 years of Israeli occupation, in addition to the state of affairs of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refuges (UNRWA), Mansour told Voice of Palestine radio.
He said that he is going to request a meeting with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in the near future, to discuss with him several ideas related to resolving the UNRWA crisis, noting that a high-level emergency meeting could be held at the United Nations in this regard.
UNRWA came under pressure this month, when the United States, its largest contributor of over $350 million, annually, said it was going to gradually slash its contribution to the UN agency, starting with $65 million from the first installment of $125 million. It also cancelled an earlier pledge of $45 million in food aid that was going to be distributed through UNRWA.
Palestinians criticized the US measures against UNRWA describing them as extortion to pressure the Palestinian Authority to accept US and Israeli dictates for a settlement that does not suit Palestinian aspirations.
Hundreds of Palestinian refugees gathered on Wednesday, in Jabalya refugee camp, to the northeast of Gaza, to protest the decision.
On the issue of Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations, Mansour told Voice of Palestine that he was in contact with the 14 member states of the Security Council, with the exclusion of the US, to know their position on this issue.
Mansour also said that President Mahmoud Abbas is going to meet African heads of state on the side of the African summit scheduled for Addis Ababa, at the end of this month.
In a statement released by the Major’s office, the northern Parisian suburb of Gennevilliers has signaled its intent to recognize the State of Palestine, while calling on ‘all the cities of France’ to do the same.
In his statement, Mayor Patrice Leclerc outlined his desire to officially recognize Palestine in light of limited progress made on the issue since the election of French President Emannuel Macron, in 2016.
‘Today, President Macron refuses to recognize the State of Palestine, while it would be a significant step towards peace in this region,’ says Leclerc.
Leclerc believes the issue has reached a stalemate after Former Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius’ departure from parliament after the 2016 election and tacit progress on the issue in EU Parliament since 2014, including limited recognition of Palestine by EU member states.
According tothe PNN, Leclerc cited recent political developments and a worsening humanitarian situation as the main motivations for his decision.
‘The current context in Palestine and Israel is not appeased when President Trump decides to make Jerusalem the capital of Israel’ said Leclerc. ‘And, when the Netanyahu government relentlessly pursues its settlement policy of the Occupied Territories and East Jerusalem, in violation of international law’.
Leclerc outlined his desire for fellow Parisian and French municipalities to follow suit.
‘Patrice Leclerc proposes to all the cities of France to take a decree of recognition of the State of Palestine. President Macron refuses to commit France in this way, but if thousands of parcels of France take this official decree, this position of the French municipalities will lead to recognition. It is a question of reaffirming France’s will to bring Israelis and Palestinians to peace.’
The suburb of Gennevilliers has witnessed a dramatic upturn in foreign immigration; its population has grown by 1424 since 2010, according to a 2014 census, and now constitute 32.5% of the population.
Many other municipalities have witnessed similar spikes in immigration throughout ongoing conflicts in Syria and Iraq, and a loosening of EU immigration laws.
The immigrant population of Taizé, one such municipality which Mayor Leclerc is calling on, has swelled to account for as much as 72.4% of the population in 2014.
In his statement, Mayor Patrice Leclerc outlined his desire to officially recognize Palestine in light of limited progress made on the issue since the election of French President Emannuel Macron, in 2016.
‘Today, President Macron refuses to recognize the State of Palestine, while it would be a significant step towards peace in this region,’ says Leclerc.
Leclerc believes the issue has reached a stalemate after Former Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius’ departure from parliament after the 2016 election and tacit progress on the issue in EU Parliament since 2014, including limited recognition of Palestine by EU member states.
According tothe PNN, Leclerc cited recent political developments and a worsening humanitarian situation as the main motivations for his decision.
‘The current context in Palestine and Israel is not appeased when President Trump decides to make Jerusalem the capital of Israel’ said Leclerc. ‘And, when the Netanyahu government relentlessly pursues its settlement policy of the Occupied Territories and East Jerusalem, in violation of international law’.
Leclerc outlined his desire for fellow Parisian and French municipalities to follow suit.
‘Patrice Leclerc proposes to all the cities of France to take a decree of recognition of the State of Palestine. President Macron refuses to commit France in this way, but if thousands of parcels of France take this official decree, this position of the French municipalities will lead to recognition. It is a question of reaffirming France’s will to bring Israelis and Palestinians to peace.’
The suburb of Gennevilliers has witnessed a dramatic upturn in foreign immigration; its population has grown by 1424 since 2010, according to a 2014 census, and now constitute 32.5% of the population.
Many other municipalities have witnessed similar spikes in immigration throughout ongoing conflicts in Syria and Iraq, and a loosening of EU immigration laws.
The immigrant population of Taizé, one such municipality which Mayor Leclerc is calling on, has swelled to account for as much as 72.4% of the population in 2014.
20 jan 2018
Patrice Leclerc, mayor of Gennevilliers, a northern suburb of Paris, on Friday announced his decision to recognize the state of Palestine saying that the decision will be officially signed next Monday.
Leclerc said in a statement that the French parliament in December 2014 passed a draft resolution urging the government to recognize the independent state of Palestine.
He explained that the French foreign minister at the time, Laurent Fabius, said that in case no agreement is reached in the Palestinian-Israeli talks, France will recognize Palestine, but nothing has been done.
The Palestinian-Israeli negotiations have been suspended since April 2014 due to Israel's refusal to halt its settlement construction and accept the 1967 borders as a basis for the two-state solution.
Leclerc pointed out that the French president, Emmanuel Macron, refuses to recognize the Palestinian state, calling on other French municipalities to follow Gennevilliers' steps to push the government to recognize Palestine.
The Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas is scheduled to meet with European Union foreign ministers in Brussels next Monday.
The Palestinian foreign minister to the European Union, Abdulrahim al-Farra, on Friday said that Abbas will ask the European ministers to recognize the state of Palestine on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Over the past two years, more than 10 European parliaments have called on their governments to recognize the state of Palestine but governments said they will make this step in an appropriate time.
The Gennevilliers municipality move came in response to the US recognition of Jerusalem, with its eastern and western parts, as the capital of Israel.
Leclerc said in a statement that the French parliament in December 2014 passed a draft resolution urging the government to recognize the independent state of Palestine.
He explained that the French foreign minister at the time, Laurent Fabius, said that in case no agreement is reached in the Palestinian-Israeli talks, France will recognize Palestine, but nothing has been done.
The Palestinian-Israeli negotiations have been suspended since April 2014 due to Israel's refusal to halt its settlement construction and accept the 1967 borders as a basis for the two-state solution.
Leclerc pointed out that the French president, Emmanuel Macron, refuses to recognize the Palestinian state, calling on other French municipalities to follow Gennevilliers' steps to push the government to recognize Palestine.
The Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas is scheduled to meet with European Union foreign ministers in Brussels next Monday.
The Palestinian foreign minister to the European Union, Abdulrahim al-Farra, on Friday said that Abbas will ask the European ministers to recognize the state of Palestine on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Over the past two years, more than 10 European parliaments have called on their governments to recognize the state of Palestine but governments said they will make this step in an appropriate time.
The Gennevilliers municipality move came in response to the US recognition of Jerusalem, with its eastern and western parts, as the capital of Israel.
14 jan 2018
By Ramona Wadi
Israeli Agricultural Minister Uri Ariel wants more injured and dead Palestinians in Gaza. “What is this special weapon we have that we fire and see pillars of smoke and fire, but nobody gets hurt?” he said on local radio. “It is time for there to be injuries and deaths as well.” This was reported by Haaretz.
Ariel’s comments come at a time when, bolstered and emboldened by US support over Jerusalem, Israel is seeking to increase ways in which Palestinians are restricted even further in terms of politics, freedom of movement and resistance to its military occupation. The increasingly threatening rhetoric, combined with its often resultant violence, is a clear message that Israel wants Palestinian existence to be determined according to its own colonial needs.
Indeed the minister’s remarks are indicative of Israel’s need for violence and conflict to sustain its existence. Framing his penchant for more deaths against the narrative of the purported “Palestinian terrorist”, he also amalgamated his demands with Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman’s comments from 2016. At that time, far-right extremist Lieberman recommended the further fragmentation of Palestinians by suggesting that the homes of those involved in resistance should be demolished, and that those who “desire coexistence” should be rewarded.
Lieberman’s differentiation of Palestinians, particularly the latter group, is a simplistic approach which negates many of the reasons why not all Palestinians are visibly involved in resistance. One obvious reason which Israel has perpetrated is the juxtaposition of survival due to extreme poverty and lack of basic necessities, and the struggle against several forms of state violence. It also refutes the fact that most Palestinians, unlike the leadership of the Palestinian Authority, do not want to live under colonial rule.
Whether Ariel’s statement suggests yet another military offensive against the Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip remains to be seen. However, there is no doubt that demands for state violence against civilians will become more brazen, as Israel basks in the impunity which is sustained on two levels: that generated by its own actions and absence of accountability under the pretext of “security concerns”; and the international community’s endorsement of this false narrative.
Another ramification of Ariel’s words is the separation of the visible injuries and killings in the occupied West Bank and the silent forms of slow extermination in Gaza as a result of Israeli-imposed deprivation. Clearly, he prefers the macabre spectacle of multitudes of injured and dead Palestinian civilians in Gaza and, what is more, he is allowed to express himself in such a manner without censure of any kind, safe in the knowledge that killing Palestinians has not only become normalised, but also expected.
The dehumanization of Palestinians in the Israeli minister’s words is also reflective of how statistics contribute to the absence of Palestinians in terms of collective memory. For Israel, the numbers serve to boost the false claims of self-defense. Conversely, statistics for Palestinians depict the cycles of murder by Israeli institutions. The international community, on the other hand, is partial to the anonymity of numbers, particularly when there is no requirement other than for it to turn a blind eye until Israel decides upon the next phase of Gaza’s destruction, whereupon the UN will exhort the colonial entity’s “right” to defend itself against the colonized. In doing so, it will also affirm its contempt for human rights and resolutions by refusing to uphold the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and, indeed, their right to resist military occupation by any means available.
– Ramona Wadi is a staff writer for Middle East Monitor (MEMO)
Israeli Agricultural Minister Uri Ariel wants more injured and dead Palestinians in Gaza. “What is this special weapon we have that we fire and see pillars of smoke and fire, but nobody gets hurt?” he said on local radio. “It is time for there to be injuries and deaths as well.” This was reported by Haaretz.
Ariel’s comments come at a time when, bolstered and emboldened by US support over Jerusalem, Israel is seeking to increase ways in which Palestinians are restricted even further in terms of politics, freedom of movement and resistance to its military occupation. The increasingly threatening rhetoric, combined with its often resultant violence, is a clear message that Israel wants Palestinian existence to be determined according to its own colonial needs.
Indeed the minister’s remarks are indicative of Israel’s need for violence and conflict to sustain its existence. Framing his penchant for more deaths against the narrative of the purported “Palestinian terrorist”, he also amalgamated his demands with Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman’s comments from 2016. At that time, far-right extremist Lieberman recommended the further fragmentation of Palestinians by suggesting that the homes of those involved in resistance should be demolished, and that those who “desire coexistence” should be rewarded.
Lieberman’s differentiation of Palestinians, particularly the latter group, is a simplistic approach which negates many of the reasons why not all Palestinians are visibly involved in resistance. One obvious reason which Israel has perpetrated is the juxtaposition of survival due to extreme poverty and lack of basic necessities, and the struggle against several forms of state violence. It also refutes the fact that most Palestinians, unlike the leadership of the Palestinian Authority, do not want to live under colonial rule.
Whether Ariel’s statement suggests yet another military offensive against the Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip remains to be seen. However, there is no doubt that demands for state violence against civilians will become more brazen, as Israel basks in the impunity which is sustained on two levels: that generated by its own actions and absence of accountability under the pretext of “security concerns”; and the international community’s endorsement of this false narrative.
Another ramification of Ariel’s words is the separation of the visible injuries and killings in the occupied West Bank and the silent forms of slow extermination in Gaza as a result of Israeli-imposed deprivation. Clearly, he prefers the macabre spectacle of multitudes of injured and dead Palestinian civilians in Gaza and, what is more, he is allowed to express himself in such a manner without censure of any kind, safe in the knowledge that killing Palestinians has not only become normalised, but also expected.
The dehumanization of Palestinians in the Israeli minister’s words is also reflective of how statistics contribute to the absence of Palestinians in terms of collective memory. For Israel, the numbers serve to boost the false claims of self-defense. Conversely, statistics for Palestinians depict the cycles of murder by Israeli institutions. The international community, on the other hand, is partial to the anonymity of numbers, particularly when there is no requirement other than for it to turn a blind eye until Israel decides upon the next phase of Gaza’s destruction, whereupon the UN will exhort the colonial entity’s “right” to defend itself against the colonized. In doing so, it will also affirm its contempt for human rights and resolutions by refusing to uphold the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and, indeed, their right to resist military occupation by any means available.
– Ramona Wadi is a staff writer for Middle East Monitor (MEMO)
10 dec 2018
US ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, held on Wednesday the Palestinian Authority (PA) responsibility for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Commenting on Nablus’ shooting attack, Friedman said on his twitter account that “PA laws will provide them (the shooters) financial rewards” in reference to PA’s compensation program to families of Palestinian prisoners and martyrs.
Look no further to why there is no peace, he wrote.
The Israeli War Ministry on Tuesday publicized a draft bill that would deduct welfare payments paid out by the Palestinian Authority to Palestinian prisoners and their families.
“The Palestinian Authority pays over a billion shekels a year to terrorists and their relatives, thereby encouraging and perpetuating terrorism,” the Ministry claimed.
Commenting on Nablus’ shooting attack, Friedman said on his twitter account that “PA laws will provide them (the shooters) financial rewards” in reference to PA’s compensation program to families of Palestinian prisoners and martyrs.
Look no further to why there is no peace, he wrote.
The Israeli War Ministry on Tuesday publicized a draft bill that would deduct welfare payments paid out by the Palestinian Authority to Palestinian prisoners and their families.
“The Palestinian Authority pays over a billion shekels a year to terrorists and their relatives, thereby encouraging and perpetuating terrorism,” the Ministry claimed.
9 jan 2018
Israel's Ministry of Security on Monday officially endorsed a decision issued on 28th June 2017 to label the Palestinian National Fund as a "terrorist" organization.
Member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Hanna Amira, denounced the Israeli "provocative" decision, saying that it falls in line with a US-Israeli policy targeting the PLO and the Palestinian Authority.
Amira told the PIC that Israel is attempting to put more pressure on the PLO, adding that this decision will result in very serious repercussions on the bank transactions between the Palestinian National Fund and banks in the West Bank and will adversely affect the PLO employees who receive their salaries from the Fund.
Amira expressed his fear that the Fund may be subjected to international pressures by preventing the transfer of funds and grants especially those coming from Arab countries since the Palestinians living there donate 5% of their salaries to the National Fund. This procedure has been practiced for years.
He pointed out that the Israeli decision will also affect some Palestinian institutions operating in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The Palestinian official affirmed that this decision and other Israeli arbitrary and provocative decisions will be on the agenda of the next meetings of the Executive Committee.
Member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Hanna Amira, denounced the Israeli "provocative" decision, saying that it falls in line with a US-Israeli policy targeting the PLO and the Palestinian Authority.
Amira told the PIC that Israel is attempting to put more pressure on the PLO, adding that this decision will result in very serious repercussions on the bank transactions between the Palestinian National Fund and banks in the West Bank and will adversely affect the PLO employees who receive their salaries from the Fund.
Amira expressed his fear that the Fund may be subjected to international pressures by preventing the transfer of funds and grants especially those coming from Arab countries since the Palestinians living there donate 5% of their salaries to the National Fund. This procedure has been practiced for years.
He pointed out that the Israeli decision will also affect some Palestinian institutions operating in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The Palestinian official affirmed that this decision and other Israeli arbitrary and provocative decisions will be on the agenda of the next meetings of the Executive Committee.
7 jan 2018
Nearly 10 Palestinians were moderately injured in different areas of the West Bank due to the heavy rain storm that has struck the region since Thursday, according to the Palestinian police.
Palestinian police spokesman in the West Bank, Luay Irziqat, told Anadolu Agency on Saturday that the police have dealt with 95 emergency cases resulting from the heavy floods and strong winds.
Irziqat added that police patrols were deployed in all governorates to help the citizens affected along with municipalities and Civil Defense crews.
Over the past two days, the Palestinian territories have witnessed a wave of unrelenting rainfall accompanied by strong winds that has resulted in great damages to property and crops. No precise statistics are available.
Meanwhile in the Gaza Strip, five Palestinian citizens were injured during the same storm, Gaza's Civil Defense reported on Friday.
According to the Palestinian Meteorological Department, the storm ebbed away on Saturday evening.
Palestinian police spokesman in the West Bank, Luay Irziqat, told Anadolu Agency on Saturday that the police have dealt with 95 emergency cases resulting from the heavy floods and strong winds.
Irziqat added that police patrols were deployed in all governorates to help the citizens affected along with municipalities and Civil Defense crews.
Over the past two days, the Palestinian territories have witnessed a wave of unrelenting rainfall accompanied by strong winds that has resulted in great damages to property and crops. No precise statistics are available.
Meanwhile in the Gaza Strip, five Palestinian citizens were injured during the same storm, Gaza's Civil Defense reported on Friday.
According to the Palestinian Meteorological Department, the storm ebbed away on Saturday evening.
Dozens of makeshift houses in the Gaza Strip have been flooded since Thursday night, due to heavy rains amid an extreme cold wave hitting the region.
Rainfall has poured into houses sheltering dozens of Palestinian families in several areas across the blockaded coastal enclave.
Using fishing boats, civil defense services have managed to rescue residents from the flooded houses and move them to safe places.
Fearing the floods, dozens of Palestinian families have already left their homes in several parts of the Strip, according to Days of Palestine.
Residents of flood-prone areas vacated their homes after local authorities warned that such areas were in danger of being flooded with rainwater and sewage.
Local authorities have said that the cold spell could cause a “humanitarian disaster,” as the Strip’s war-battered infrastructure cannot not withstand heavy rainfall.
Already undeveloped as a result of Israeli 11-year blockade, Gaza’s rickety infrastructure sustained further damage during the 51-day Israeli military onslaught in July and August of 2014.
Over 2,160 Palestinians were killed – and some 11,000 injured – during the Israeli seven-week war, which was the third major Israeli offensive on Gaza in a six-year span.
09/02/14 VIDEO: Gaza City’s Devastated Al-Shuja’eyya Suburb
Rainfall has poured into houses sheltering dozens of Palestinian families in several areas across the blockaded coastal enclave.
Using fishing boats, civil defense services have managed to rescue residents from the flooded houses and move them to safe places.
Fearing the floods, dozens of Palestinian families have already left their homes in several parts of the Strip, according to Days of Palestine.
Residents of flood-prone areas vacated their homes after local authorities warned that such areas were in danger of being flooded with rainwater and sewage.
Local authorities have said that the cold spell could cause a “humanitarian disaster,” as the Strip’s war-battered infrastructure cannot not withstand heavy rainfall.
Already undeveloped as a result of Israeli 11-year blockade, Gaza’s rickety infrastructure sustained further damage during the 51-day Israeli military onslaught in July and August of 2014.
Over 2,160 Palestinians were killed – and some 11,000 injured – during the Israeli seven-week war, which was the third major Israeli offensive on Gaza in a six-year span.
09/02/14 VIDEO: Gaza City’s Devastated Al-Shuja’eyya Suburb
Israeli media has warned that unprecedented deterioration of living conditions in the region may lead to the outbreak of another war.
This, the website said, may in turn hinder Palestinian reconciliation, despite the fact that neither Hamas nor Israel want this escalation.
Meanwhile, Israeli website Wallah has reported that, at a time when Israel is looking for the party which fired mortar shells on Wednesday, the residents of the Gaza Strip are living in a state of desperation and frustration due to the difficult economic conditions.
These conditions have intensified since the supposed “reconciliation deal” was put together in Cairo, in part because the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah has refused to lift the sanctions that it has imposed on Gaza for more than eight months.
“Three mortar missiles were fired on Wednesday in open spaces in Gaza,” said Wallah’s report. “You don’t need to be an intelligence officer to understand that there are parties in Gaza that want a military escalation and war against Israel,” it added.
It continued: “It is not important who they are; what is important is why? The answer is very simple: the humanitarian situation is increasingly deteriorating and war does not seem to be a bad option in their opinion.”
This, the website said, may in turn hinder Palestinian reconciliation, despite the fact that neither Hamas nor Israel want this escalation.
Meanwhile, Israeli website Wallah has reported that, at a time when Israel is looking for the party which fired mortar shells on Wednesday, the residents of the Gaza Strip are living in a state of desperation and frustration due to the difficult economic conditions.
These conditions have intensified since the supposed “reconciliation deal” was put together in Cairo, in part because the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah has refused to lift the sanctions that it has imposed on Gaza for more than eight months.
“Three mortar missiles were fired on Wednesday in open spaces in Gaza,” said Wallah’s report. “You don’t need to be an intelligence officer to understand that there are parties in Gaza that want a military escalation and war against Israel,” it added.
It continued: “It is not important who they are; what is important is why? The answer is very simple: the humanitarian situation is increasingly deteriorating and war does not seem to be a bad option in their opinion.”
Israel, the PA and Egypt had made Hamas’ giving up control of Gaza the main condition to lift the 11-year-old siege. When Hamas gave up, they tightened the siege and people became unable to survive.
The two main Palestinian factions, Hamas and Fateh, are behind the internal division but, together, they signed a mutual reconciliation agreement brokered by Egypt on 12 October of last year.
Palestinians in Gaza celebrated the deal, which was announced as the end of the 10-year Israeli, Palestinian Authority and Egyptian siege.
As a goodwill gesture, Hamas dismantled its administrative committee, which had superseded the Palestinian government in the Gaza Strip run by the movement.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) in Ramallah, dominated by Fateh, announced that it would take up its responsibilities in Gaza immediately and lift the punitive measures imposed against the enclave by its leader Mahmoud Abbas, which included electricity cuts, a public sector salary freeze and an end to sending medicines and approving referrals for medical treatment elsewhere.
The two main Palestinian factions, Hamas and Fateh, are behind the internal division but, together, they signed a mutual reconciliation agreement brokered by Egypt on 12 October of last year.
Palestinians in Gaza celebrated the deal, which was announced as the end of the 10-year Israeli, Palestinian Authority and Egyptian siege.
As a goodwill gesture, Hamas dismantled its administrative committee, which had superseded the Palestinian government in the Gaza Strip run by the movement.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) in Ramallah, dominated by Fateh, announced that it would take up its responsibilities in Gaza immediately and lift the punitive measures imposed against the enclave by its leader Mahmoud Abbas, which included electricity cuts, a public sector salary freeze and an end to sending medicines and approving referrals for medical treatment elsewhere.
5 jan 2018
Heavy rainwater on Friday flooded Palestinian homes and agricultural greenhouses in Jenin governorate resulting in great damages including falling down of trees due to severe rainy and windy weather.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that a car was damaged as a big tree fell down on it in a school in Deir Abu Deif town in Jenin.
Rainwater flooded a number of greenhouses in Marj Ibn Amer and Sanour plains leading to various damages to some farmers, he added.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that a car was damaged as a big tree fell down on it in a school in Deir Abu Deif town in Jenin.
Rainwater flooded a number of greenhouses in Marj Ibn Amer and Sanour plains leading to various damages to some farmers, he added.
A number of Palestinian homes and agricultural lands were flooded due to continuous heavy rain over Thursday night and Friday morning in Tulkarem governorate, especially in al-Sharawiya area north of the city.
Palestinian farmers said that rainwater flooded large areas of their lands which are planted with vegetables. The covers of agricultural greenhouses were damaged due to windy weather.
Farmer Udai al-Tanib stated that his farm, which is located near the Israeli Separation Wall to the west of Tulkarem, was totally flooded with rainwater because of the blockage of water channels under the wall, causing him a great loss.
Municipality and Civil Defense crews rushed to the affected areas and offered help to the farmers. However, many of Palestinians homes in Tulkarem were flooded and the furniture of some houses were spoiled as a result.
Palestinian farmers said that rainwater flooded large areas of their lands which are planted with vegetables. The covers of agricultural greenhouses were damaged due to windy weather.
Farmer Udai al-Tanib stated that his farm, which is located near the Israeli Separation Wall to the west of Tulkarem, was totally flooded with rainwater because of the blockage of water channels under the wall, causing him a great loss.
Municipality and Civil Defense crews rushed to the affected areas and offered help to the farmers. However, many of Palestinians homes in Tulkarem were flooded and the furniture of some houses were spoiled as a result.
The committee of Palestinian political prisoners families in the West Bank said that Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces committed 4071 violations against Palestinians during the year of 2017.
The arrests were carried out against activists for their political backgrounds and involving in anti-occupation activities either in the field or on social media.
The committee documented, in a report, 1255 political arrests including 680 ex-prisoners, 738 political ex-detainees in PA jails, 242 university students, 45 journalists, 27 teachers, 12 school students, 7 physicians, 5 lawyers, 5 tradesmen, 5 engineers, 11 imams, and 1 university lecturer.
The violations also included 1608 summonses against 975 ex-detainees in PA jails, 749 ex-prisoners in Israeli jails, 183 students, 67 journalists, 34 teachers, 14 school students, 8 physicians, 3 lawyers, 2 tradesmen and 1 engineer.
The arrests were carried out against activists for their political backgrounds and involving in anti-occupation activities either in the field or on social media.
The committee documented, in a report, 1255 political arrests including 680 ex-prisoners, 738 political ex-detainees in PA jails, 242 university students, 45 journalists, 27 teachers, 12 school students, 7 physicians, 5 lawyers, 5 tradesmen, 5 engineers, 11 imams, and 1 university lecturer.
The violations also included 1608 summonses against 975 ex-detainees in PA jails, 749 ex-prisoners in Israeli jails, 183 students, 67 journalists, 34 teachers, 14 school students, 8 physicians, 3 lawyers, 2 tradesmen and 1 engineer.
2 jan 2018
The "unified Jerusalem" bill which provides for separating Palestinian neighborhoods from Jerusalem and prohibits relinquishing any part of the city under any future agreement has passed its second and third readings at the Israeli Knesset.
Any decision relating to Jerusalem, the bill stipulated, will require the consent of 80 MKs—even in the case of a peace agreement.
64 MKs supported the bill and 51 objected. MK Ofer Shelah (Yesh Atid) ended up abstaining, despite his intention of voting against it.
The bill, filed by the Jewish Home party, requires the approval of 80 MKs for any decision to hand over parts of Jerusalem to the Palestinian Authority in the future.
The Ministerial Committee for Legislation ratified the bill several months ago, and it was amended later to settle differences of opinion in the government coalition.
Initiated by Israeli ministers Naftali Bennett and Ze'ev Elkin, the bill is aimed at preparing for future steps to cut off Palestinian neighborhoods from Jerusalem and establish a new Israeli local council for them. The project mainly targets Kafr Aqab and Shu'fat neighborhoods.
The "unified Jerusalem" bill was set to face a vote earlier but Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, had decided to postpone the vote following the U.S. president Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Any decision relating to Jerusalem, the bill stipulated, will require the consent of 80 MKs—even in the case of a peace agreement.
64 MKs supported the bill and 51 objected. MK Ofer Shelah (Yesh Atid) ended up abstaining, despite his intention of voting against it.
The bill, filed by the Jewish Home party, requires the approval of 80 MKs for any decision to hand over parts of Jerusalem to the Palestinian Authority in the future.
The Ministerial Committee for Legislation ratified the bill several months ago, and it was amended later to settle differences of opinion in the government coalition.
Initiated by Israeli ministers Naftali Bennett and Ze'ev Elkin, the bill is aimed at preparing for future steps to cut off Palestinian neighborhoods from Jerusalem and establish a new Israeli local council for them. The project mainly targets Kafr Aqab and Shu'fat neighborhoods.
The "unified Jerusalem" bill was set to face a vote earlier but Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, had decided to postpone the vote following the U.S. president Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
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