24 july 2018
The Palestinian Authority (PA) is planning to ask the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the UN to take action against Israel over its nation-state law that was enacted by the Knesset last week, PLO secretary-general Saeb Erekat said on Monday.
Erekat, who was speaking to reporters in Ramallah, said that the Palestinians were currently holding contacts with countries around the world to “inform them about the gravity of this law.”
The PA, he said, intends to present the ICC with an opinion paper concerning the Israeli law and US president Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
The PLO official said that the Palestinians would also submit a request to the UN General Assembly to see whether Israel was entitled to keep its membership in the international body in the aftermath of its nation-state law.
Erekat accused the US of serving as Israel’s “full partner” in the new law.
He said that Trump’s peace plan, which is also known as the “deal of the century” or the “ultimate deal,” has started with the relocation of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Occupied Jerusalem.
As part of Trump’s peace plan, Erekat affirmed, the US administration decided to cut funds to the UNRWA, so as to “remove the issue of Palestinian refugees from the negotiating table [with Israel].”
“A question mark hangs over Israel’s membership in the UN,” he added. “We have instructed our ambassador to the UN to ask the UN Office of Legal Affairs whether [Trumps’ decisions and the nation-state law] contradicted all what the UN has done to achieve peace, stability, coexistence and a peaceful settlement.”
The nation-state law “has torpedoed all UN resolutions adopted since 1949, and the issue is no longer one of two states for two peoples,” the top PLO official said. “There is no right to self-determination for our people, not in the 1948 lands and not in the 1967 lands. The Jew will decide the fate of the Palestinian people, and this is an actual implementation of the Balfour Declaration.”
Erekat warned that the new law would “transform the conflict from a political conflict par excellence into a religious conflict par excellence.”
He also lashed out at Trump’s senior advisor Jared Kushner and US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, saying it was “shameful that they are peace envoys because they believe in an ideology that is based on a national state for the Jewish people.”
Erekat said that the new law also “legitimizes settlements and legalizes ethnic cleansing, and is aimed at destroying the two-state solution, replacing it with Apartheid, and turning the conflict into a religious conflict.”
Erekat, who was speaking to reporters in Ramallah, said that the Palestinians were currently holding contacts with countries around the world to “inform them about the gravity of this law.”
The PA, he said, intends to present the ICC with an opinion paper concerning the Israeli law and US president Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
The PLO official said that the Palestinians would also submit a request to the UN General Assembly to see whether Israel was entitled to keep its membership in the international body in the aftermath of its nation-state law.
Erekat accused the US of serving as Israel’s “full partner” in the new law.
He said that Trump’s peace plan, which is also known as the “deal of the century” or the “ultimate deal,” has started with the relocation of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Occupied Jerusalem.
As part of Trump’s peace plan, Erekat affirmed, the US administration decided to cut funds to the UNRWA, so as to “remove the issue of Palestinian refugees from the negotiating table [with Israel].”
“A question mark hangs over Israel’s membership in the UN,” he added. “We have instructed our ambassador to the UN to ask the UN Office of Legal Affairs whether [Trumps’ decisions and the nation-state law] contradicted all what the UN has done to achieve peace, stability, coexistence and a peaceful settlement.”
The nation-state law “has torpedoed all UN resolutions adopted since 1949, and the issue is no longer one of two states for two peoples,” the top PLO official said. “There is no right to self-determination for our people, not in the 1948 lands and not in the 1967 lands. The Jew will decide the fate of the Palestinian people, and this is an actual implementation of the Balfour Declaration.”
Erekat warned that the new law would “transform the conflict from a political conflict par excellence into a religious conflict par excellence.”
He also lashed out at Trump’s senior advisor Jared Kushner and US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, saying it was “shameful that they are peace envoys because they believe in an ideology that is based on a national state for the Jewish people.”
Erekat said that the new law also “legitimizes settlements and legalizes ethnic cleansing, and is aimed at destroying the two-state solution, replacing it with Apartheid, and turning the conflict into a religious conflict.”
23 july 2018
Two Palestinian scientists were found dead in an Algerian apartment, reports in Gaza said, on Sunday.
The two, identified as Suliman al-Farra, aged 34, and Mohammed Albana, a 35-year-old physician from Khan Younis, in the Gaza Strip.
According to reports, they were found in al-Farra’s apartment, and the Palestinian embassy in Algeria told the family of one of the deceased that the two died of gas inhalation or due to a short circuit.
Some Palestinian reports said that they were assassinated, but there was no confirmation from the authorities. Palestinian scientists and experts around the world have been killed, in recent years, in assassinations alleged to be carried out by Israel’s Mossad espionage agency.
However, local sources in Gaza assure that the two died as a result of inhaling butane gas, used for cooking, and not as rumored on social networking sites.
The source added, in a statement for a local news agency in Gaza, that the death occurred two days ago, and was discovered by on Sunday evening, after the neighbors smelled gas in the building.
The statement also added, according to the PNN, that police found one of the bodies near the door, indicating that he tried to open the door to ask for help, while the other was found lying on the bed.
The report pointed out that the Algerian police moved the bodies of the two young men to the hospital, for an autopsy, and to further determine the circumstances of the incident.
Albana’s brother said, on Sunday, “We don’t have any more details. I expect the authorities in Algeria and the Palestinian embassy, there, to do everything necessary to understand what happened.”
According to the brother, both families were trying to locate the men, and called on Palestinians in Algeria, for help.
They broke into the apartment, where both men were found dead.
The two, identified as Suliman al-Farra, aged 34, and Mohammed Albana, a 35-year-old physician from Khan Younis, in the Gaza Strip.
According to reports, they were found in al-Farra’s apartment, and the Palestinian embassy in Algeria told the family of one of the deceased that the two died of gas inhalation or due to a short circuit.
Some Palestinian reports said that they were assassinated, but there was no confirmation from the authorities. Palestinian scientists and experts around the world have been killed, in recent years, in assassinations alleged to be carried out by Israel’s Mossad espionage agency.
However, local sources in Gaza assure that the two died as a result of inhaling butane gas, used for cooking, and not as rumored on social networking sites.
The source added, in a statement for a local news agency in Gaza, that the death occurred two days ago, and was discovered by on Sunday evening, after the neighbors smelled gas in the building.
The statement also added, according to the PNN, that police found one of the bodies near the door, indicating that he tried to open the door to ask for help, while the other was found lying on the bed.
The report pointed out that the Algerian police moved the bodies of the two young men to the hospital, for an autopsy, and to further determine the circumstances of the incident.
Albana’s brother said, on Sunday, “We don’t have any more details. I expect the authorities in Algeria and the Palestinian embassy, there, to do everything necessary to understand what happened.”
According to the brother, both families were trying to locate the men, and called on Palestinians in Algeria, for help.
They broke into the apartment, where both men were found dead.
18 july 2018
|
|
“The Palestinian Cabinet declares that the systematic aggression on Bedouin communities aim at changing facts on the ground and undermining the two-state solution, welcomes the Irish Seanad bill banning the importation of products from illegal Israeli settlements, condemns the latest Israeli escalation of violence against the Gaza Strip and demands immediate international protection for the Palestinian citizens.”
During its weekly meeting held in Ramallah, on Tuesday, the Palestinian Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Dr. Rami Al- Hamdallah, condemned the latest Israeli escalation of violence and threats of resuming aggression against the Gaza Strip. According to the PNN, the Palestinian Cabinet called upon the international community to intervene immediately and prevent Israel from launching a new aggression against the Gaza Strip, which is still suffering from the effects of the latest three brutal Israeli wars since 2008. |
This requires responding to the demands of President Abbas to provide urgent and immediate international protection for our people, to stop the ongoing Israeli aggression, and to oblige Israel to comply with the rules of international and humanitarian laws as well as international legitimacy resolutions.
Furthermore, the Cabinet called on the international community to translate its condemnations of war crimes, committed by the occupying forces against Khan Al- Ahmar and other Bedouin communities, into actions. The Cabinet also hailed the position of Prime Minister Dr. Al- Hamdallah during his visit to Khan Al- Ahmar, where his Excellency greeted the residents of the community, Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission cadre, the nonviolent resistance activists, different national movements and media teams, who gathered to confront the Israeli attempts to uproot the original Palestinian owners of the land.
This national, official, and international pressure created forced the Israeli court to temporarily halt the demolition order until the middle of next month, yet the demolition is expected to take place at any moment. Besides, Dr. Al- Hamdallah pointed out that Israel, the Occupying Power, through such plans, aims at isolating Jerusalem, cutting off the West Bank, sustaining its military occupation, and implementing the so-called “E1” settlement plan in a clear and flagrant violation of international laws and conventions. “This systematic aggression against Bedouin communities aims at changing facts on the ground, undermining the two-state solution and the possibility of an independent, sovereign, and geographically contiguous State of Palestine,” Dr. Al- Hamdallah stated.
Then, the Cabinet welcomed the opening of the new school year in Khan Al- Ahmar School in solidarity with students there aiming at activating the only education facility available to them, and upholding their steadfastness and existence on their own land.
The Palestinian Cabinet also praised the Irish Senates vote on the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018, which prohibits the importation of products from Israeli settlements. The Cabinet transferred its deepest gratitude to the Seanad, which adopted a courageous position in support of peace, and stood along right and justice through prohibiting the importation of goods and services manufactured in illegal Israeli settlements, which means banning any other importations from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory. Hence, the Cabinet emphasized the importance of this vote and stressed that such just legislation reflects the depth and strength of historical relations between both the Palestinian and the Irish nations.
Yet, the vote reflects Ireland’s firm commitment to defend social justice, equality, freedom and the rights of the oppressed, including the right of the Palestinian people to freedom, independence, and self-determination.
To conclude its session, the Cabinet appealed the EU member states to confront the illegal Israeli settlement expansion on Palestinian land, intervene to stop the systematic demolition and confiscation of Palestinian houses and property, particularly in the so-called “Area C” of the West Bank. Additionally, the Cabinet demanded the European Union to hold Israel accountable for its violations and to act in accordance with their announced principles and policies to boycott and ban all settlement products to end the Israeli occupation. “We are confident that the EU and its member states are reliable partners.
We, in the Palestinian Cabinet, are very grateful for EU generous contributions to support our financial sustainability and to consolidate our institutional development,” the Cabinet stated. “We are counting on the European Union as a trustworthy partner that supports our national aspirations for the establishment of our independent State of Palestine on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital,” the Cabinet Added.
In short, the Palestinian Cabinet noted that the European Union firm commitment to the two-state solution preserves the right to hope for peace and the belief in justice, which Palestine still lives even under the Israeli military occupation.
Furthermore, the Cabinet called on the international community to translate its condemnations of war crimes, committed by the occupying forces against Khan Al- Ahmar and other Bedouin communities, into actions. The Cabinet also hailed the position of Prime Minister Dr. Al- Hamdallah during his visit to Khan Al- Ahmar, where his Excellency greeted the residents of the community, Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission cadre, the nonviolent resistance activists, different national movements and media teams, who gathered to confront the Israeli attempts to uproot the original Palestinian owners of the land.
This national, official, and international pressure created forced the Israeli court to temporarily halt the demolition order until the middle of next month, yet the demolition is expected to take place at any moment. Besides, Dr. Al- Hamdallah pointed out that Israel, the Occupying Power, through such plans, aims at isolating Jerusalem, cutting off the West Bank, sustaining its military occupation, and implementing the so-called “E1” settlement plan in a clear and flagrant violation of international laws and conventions. “This systematic aggression against Bedouin communities aims at changing facts on the ground, undermining the two-state solution and the possibility of an independent, sovereign, and geographically contiguous State of Palestine,” Dr. Al- Hamdallah stated.
Then, the Cabinet welcomed the opening of the new school year in Khan Al- Ahmar School in solidarity with students there aiming at activating the only education facility available to them, and upholding their steadfastness and existence on their own land.
The Palestinian Cabinet also praised the Irish Senates vote on the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018, which prohibits the importation of products from Israeli settlements. The Cabinet transferred its deepest gratitude to the Seanad, which adopted a courageous position in support of peace, and stood along right and justice through prohibiting the importation of goods and services manufactured in illegal Israeli settlements, which means banning any other importations from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory. Hence, the Cabinet emphasized the importance of this vote and stressed that such just legislation reflects the depth and strength of historical relations between both the Palestinian and the Irish nations.
Yet, the vote reflects Ireland’s firm commitment to defend social justice, equality, freedom and the rights of the oppressed, including the right of the Palestinian people to freedom, independence, and self-determination.
To conclude its session, the Cabinet appealed the EU member states to confront the illegal Israeli settlement expansion on Palestinian land, intervene to stop the systematic demolition and confiscation of Palestinian houses and property, particularly in the so-called “Area C” of the West Bank. Additionally, the Cabinet demanded the European Union to hold Israel accountable for its violations and to act in accordance with their announced principles and policies to boycott and ban all settlement products to end the Israeli occupation. “We are confident that the EU and its member states are reliable partners.
We, in the Palestinian Cabinet, are very grateful for EU generous contributions to support our financial sustainability and to consolidate our institutional development,” the Cabinet stated. “We are counting on the European Union as a trustworthy partner that supports our national aspirations for the establishment of our independent State of Palestine on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital,” the Cabinet Added.
In short, the Palestinian Cabinet noted that the European Union firm commitment to the two-state solution preserves the right to hope for peace and the belief in justice, which Palestine still lives even under the Israeli military occupation.
15 july 2018
Ahmad Mansour Hassan, 35
Lu’ay Hassan, 13
The Palestinian Health Ministry has reported that a father and his child, were killed and another Palestinian was injured, in what is described as an accidental explosion, in Gaza city.
The Health Ministry said the Palestinian, Ahmad Mansour Hassan, 35, and his son Lu’ay, 13, were killed, and their bodies were severely mutilated, in an explosion in a home near al-Wehda Tower, west of Gaza city.
Lieutenant Ayman Tabanji, the spokesperson of the Palestinian Police in Gaza, said Mansour was the leader of Ayman Jouda Brigades, one of the armed wings of Al-Aqsa Brigades of Fateh movement, in Gaza.
He added that the police initiated an investigation into the circumstances that lead to this deadly explosion.
Two Gazans killed, one injured in explosion
A blast in Gaza on Sunday morning killed two Palestinian citizens and seriously injured another.
The explosion happened a few hours after an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire between the Palestinian resistance and Israel was announced.
According to the health ministry, the victims are Ahmed Hasan, 35, and his 13-year-old son Louay.
The Palestinian police in Gaza said they were investigating the cause of that blast, which happened in the central district of Gaza City.
Lu’ay Hassan, 13
The Palestinian Health Ministry has reported that a father and his child, were killed and another Palestinian was injured, in what is described as an accidental explosion, in Gaza city.
The Health Ministry said the Palestinian, Ahmad Mansour Hassan, 35, and his son Lu’ay, 13, were killed, and their bodies were severely mutilated, in an explosion in a home near al-Wehda Tower, west of Gaza city.
Lieutenant Ayman Tabanji, the spokesperson of the Palestinian Police in Gaza, said Mansour was the leader of Ayman Jouda Brigades, one of the armed wings of Al-Aqsa Brigades of Fateh movement, in Gaza.
He added that the police initiated an investigation into the circumstances that lead to this deadly explosion.
Two Gazans killed, one injured in explosion
A blast in Gaza on Sunday morning killed two Palestinian citizens and seriously injured another.
The explosion happened a few hours after an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire between the Palestinian resistance and Israel was announced.
According to the health ministry, the victims are Ahmed Hasan, 35, and his 13-year-old son Louay.
The Palestinian police in Gaza said they were investigating the cause of that blast, which happened in the central district of Gaza City.
14 july 2018
The European Union (EU) on Friday renewed its refusal to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967.
Maja Kocijancic, spokeswoman for EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, said during a press conference Friday evening in Brussels, "We do not recognize Israel's sovereignty over the territories occupied since 1967 and we do not consider them to be part of Israeli territory."
On the diplomatic row between Israel and Ireland following a bill banning imports to the latter from Israeli settlements, Kocijancic said, "We are of course following the legislative path of this proposal," adding that she is in no position to comment on a draft law that is pending.
The Irish Senate Wednesday voted for a bill banning the import of goods made in Israeli settlements.
The draft law will be presented to the House of Representatives for final approval. Ireland's ruling part opposes the proposal.
Israel's Foreign Ministry on Thursday summoned the Irish ambassador in Israel to protest the bill and threatened to close the Irish Embassy in Tel Aviv.
Maja Kocijancic, spokeswoman for EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, said during a press conference Friday evening in Brussels, "We do not recognize Israel's sovereignty over the territories occupied since 1967 and we do not consider them to be part of Israeli territory."
On the diplomatic row between Israel and Ireland following a bill banning imports to the latter from Israeli settlements, Kocijancic said, "We are of course following the legislative path of this proposal," adding that she is in no position to comment on a draft law that is pending.
The Irish Senate Wednesday voted for a bill banning the import of goods made in Israeli settlements.
The draft law will be presented to the House of Representatives for final approval. Ireland's ruling part opposes the proposal.
Israel's Foreign Ministry on Thursday summoned the Irish ambassador in Israel to protest the bill and threatened to close the Irish Embassy in Tel Aviv.
9 july 2018
Rawan Suleiman, Palestine’s ambassador to the Netherlands and International Organizations in The Hague, presented on Monday, in official ceremonies, her credentials to the Director General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Ahmet Üzumcu, as Permanent Representative of the State of Palestine to this organization.
Suleiman stressed, during the ceremony, that the accession of the State of Palestine to the OPCW “reflects the extent of its commitment and keenness to contribute to international peace and security and to fulfill its duties as an active member of the international community.”
Uzumcu welcomed the accession of the State of Palestine to the organization, saying that this strengthens the role and objectives of the OPCW in preventing the proliferation, use and stockpiling of chemical weapons.
Palestine acceded to the OPCW on May 23, WAFA reports.
Suleiman stressed, during the ceremony, that the accession of the State of Palestine to the OPCW “reflects the extent of its commitment and keenness to contribute to international peace and security and to fulfill its duties as an active member of the international community.”
Uzumcu welcomed the accession of the State of Palestine to the organization, saying that this strengthens the role and objectives of the OPCW in preventing the proliferation, use and stockpiling of chemical weapons.
Palestine acceded to the OPCW on May 23, WAFA reports.
The Palestinian Anti-Normalization Center condemned, in the strongest terms, a documentary film purporting to outline the history of the establishment of the Zionist entity.
The Palestinian Anti-Normalization Center denounced what it called “a media Nakba (catastrophe)”, saying the film broadcast by AlArabiya news channel steps over historical facts and objective truths.
The center said the move is another chain in a normalization series aiming to propagate a counterfeit version of the establishment of the Zionist entity.
The center spoke out against underway attempts to manipulate the Palestinian cause in favor of pro-Israel propagandas.
“The history of the Palestinian cause is as clear as daylight. Neither AlArabiya TV channel nor any other party will succeed in falsifying history”, it added.
The Palestinian Anti-Normalization Center denounced what it called “a media Nakba (catastrophe)”, saying the film broadcast by AlArabiya news channel steps over historical facts and objective truths.
The center said the move is another chain in a normalization series aiming to propagate a counterfeit version of the establishment of the Zionist entity.
The center spoke out against underway attempts to manipulate the Palestinian cause in favor of pro-Israel propagandas.
“The history of the Palestinian cause is as clear as daylight. Neither AlArabiya TV channel nor any other party will succeed in falsifying history”, it added.
1 july 2018
The Palestinian Health Ministry has reported, Saturday, that two teenagers were killed, and eight other residents were injured, three seriously, in an explosion in a home in the Sheja’eyya neighborhood, in Gaza city.
The Health Ministry said the deceased Palestinian teens have been identified as Moayyad Hayyed Hallas, 17, and Majed Dia’ al-‘Ar’ir, 17. The property is owned by Sami al-‘Ar’ir.
The eight wounded Palestinians were rushed to the Shifa Medical Center, in Gaza city.
The Palestinian police rushed to the scene and initiated an investigation into the incident.
Initial reports indicate that the explosion took place in a home where fireworks were illegally manufactured.
The Health Ministry said the deceased Palestinian teens have been identified as Moayyad Hayyed Hallas, 17, and Majed Dia’ al-‘Ar’ir, 17. The property is owned by Sami al-‘Ar’ir.
The eight wounded Palestinians were rushed to the Shifa Medical Center, in Gaza city.
The Palestinian police rushed to the scene and initiated an investigation into the incident.
Initial reports indicate that the explosion took place in a home where fireworks were illegally manufactured.
29 june 2018
Haaretz newspaper has revealed that specific Arab countries complained last year to Israel about Turkey’s active role in east Jerusalem.
The newspaper claimed that Jordan and Saudi Arabia as well as the Palestinian Authority have sent letters to Israel voicing their concern over Turkey’s growing influence in areas of east Jerusalem.
It said that those countries and the PA stated in their letters that Turkey was actively present in east Jerusalem through institutions and societies that provide support for the Palestinian natives of Jerusalem.
Their letter affirmed that the Turkish activities in east Jerusalem would threaten their interests and those of Israel.
The newspaper claimed that Jordan and Saudi Arabia as well as the Palestinian Authority have sent letters to Israel voicing their concern over Turkey’s growing influence in areas of east Jerusalem.
It said that those countries and the PA stated in their letters that Turkey was actively present in east Jerusalem through institutions and societies that provide support for the Palestinian natives of Jerusalem.
Their letter affirmed that the Turkish activities in east Jerusalem would threaten their interests and those of Israel.
