9 june 2014
The Israeli government launched an international diplomatic campaign last week aimed at pressuring Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his unity government to deploy his security forces in the Gaza Strip and disarm the resistance, Haaretz newspaper revealed on Monday. The newspaper said the Israeli foreign ministry last Thursday instructed its ambassadors abroad to start making diplomatic moves in the countries where they are serving to pressure Abbas to disarm Hamas and all armed groups in Gaza.
"You are requested to contact the most senior politicians possible in your place of service and to convey our expectation that they let Mahmoud Abbas know that the new government’s proclamation of acceptance of the Quartet’s conditions must be translated into actions, and that the new government must assert its control in the field,” the ministry said in letters sent to its diplomatic missions.
"You are requested to contact the most senior politicians possible in your place of service and to convey our expectation that they let Mahmoud Abbas know that the new government’s proclamation of acceptance of the Quartet’s conditions must be translated into actions, and that the new government must assert its control in the field,” the ministry said in letters sent to its diplomatic missions.
Dr. Khalil al-Hayya
Dr. Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman, has revealed that his Movement was going to hold an important press conference at noon Monday. He told the PIC reporter that Dr. Khalil al-Hayya, political bureau member of Hamas, was going to address the conference on the current political crisis.
He explained that Hayya would speak about the new hurdles put in the way of reconciliation, pointing to the crisis concerning the non-payment of salaries for employees appointed by the former government in Gaza.
Gaza banks are still closed after the PA government refused to pay the salaries of those employees while their counterparts recruited by the former Ramallah government were paid their salaries, which triggered tension and anger in the Strip with no imminent solution in sight.
Dr. Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman, has revealed that his Movement was going to hold an important press conference at noon Monday. He told the PIC reporter that Dr. Khalil al-Hayya, political bureau member of Hamas, was going to address the conference on the current political crisis.
He explained that Hayya would speak about the new hurdles put in the way of reconciliation, pointing to the crisis concerning the non-payment of salaries for employees appointed by the former government in Gaza.
Gaza banks are still closed after the PA government refused to pay the salaries of those employees while their counterparts recruited by the former Ramallah government were paid their salaries, which triggered tension and anger in the Strip with no imminent solution in sight.
The 14th session of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union's (AIPU) Executive Committee on Saturday affirmed robust support for the inter-Palestinian conciliation and the Palestinian people's legitimate rights namely establishment of an independent state. The committee praised the Palestinians' recent formation of a national unity government and expressed hope it would take steps to further bolster the people's unity and promote their just causes, said Faisal Fahad Al-Shaya, the undersecretary of the parliamentary caucas of Kuwait's National Assembly and the AIPU Committee Chairman, in a statement released on Saturday.
It called on Arab governments and parliaments to support the new Palestinian government and secure funds for aiding the Palestinian people "to steadfast in face of pressures." It also called for following up on issue of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel without charges.
The AIPU committee urged the international community aid Lebanon and Jordan in securing basic needs for incoming Syrian refugees.
The commission tackled some international administrative affairs, adopting the organization structure for the union secretariat general, examined terms for pardoning some caucases of overdue debts for the union, endorsed methods for election of the union general secretary and blessed rules pertaining to the parliamentary excellence award.
MP Al-Shaya added in his statement that a decision was to taken to hold the next meeting for the sub-committee in Beirut in September and hold the 15th session of the higher commission in Amman in November.
It called on Arab governments and parliaments to support the new Palestinian government and secure funds for aiding the Palestinian people "to steadfast in face of pressures." It also called for following up on issue of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel without charges.
The AIPU committee urged the international community aid Lebanon and Jordan in securing basic needs for incoming Syrian refugees.
The commission tackled some international administrative affairs, adopting the organization structure for the union secretariat general, examined terms for pardoning some caucases of overdue debts for the union, endorsed methods for election of the union general secretary and blessed rules pertaining to the parliamentary excellence award.
MP Al-Shaya added in his statement that a decision was to taken to hold the next meeting for the sub-committee in Beirut in September and hold the 15th session of the higher commission in Amman in November.
Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Robert Serry
The senior United Nations envoy in the Middle East visited the Gaza Strip Sunday for the first time since the signing of the Beach Camp Agreement and the formation of a Palestinian government of national consensus, and pledged the Organization's ongoing support as the nascent process moves forward. The formation of a unity government was announced on 2 June by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and follows the late April reconciliation deal agreed in Gaza City's Beach Camp between long-time rival Palestinian factions, Fatah and Hamas.
While in Gaza, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Robert Serry, held a joint meeting at the Ministry of Public Works and Housing with a host of newly appointed officials: Minister of Women's Affairs, Haifa Al-Agha; Minister of Labor, Mamoun Abu Shahla; Minister of Public Works and Housing, Mufeed Al-Hasayneh; and Minister of Justice, Salim al-Saqqa.
"I congratulated the Ministers on their appointment and discussed with them the many practical challenges ahead,” said Mr. Serry in a press release issued by his Office, which added that he assured the officials of the full support of the UN, which is ready to increase its considerable programme of works in Gaza, including in the priority areas of water and energy.
“Gazans must, as soon as possible, feel the dividends of unity. Open crossings both for goods and people, access to construction material, re-establishing trade links between the West Bank and Gaza and exports are urgently needed to kickstart the economy and create job opportunities,” he said, highlighting in that regard the critical importance for calm to advance this agenda.
Mr. Serry also expressed hope that the obstacles on the Ministers' travel would soon be removed so that the new Government could carry out its duties unimpeded both in Gaza and in the West Bank.
"We count on a constructive approach by all stakeholders, including Israel, and urge all to refrain from unhelpful actions," he said.
The UN has long underscored the need for progress towards Palestinian unity in line with existing resolutions, within the framework of the Palestinian Authority and the commitments of the Palestine Liberation Organization.
The formation of the Government of national consensus is a first step and opportunity to address the serious political, security, humanitarian and economic challenges ahead, says the press release.
The senior United Nations envoy in the Middle East visited the Gaza Strip Sunday for the first time since the signing of the Beach Camp Agreement and the formation of a Palestinian government of national consensus, and pledged the Organization's ongoing support as the nascent process moves forward. The formation of a unity government was announced on 2 June by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and follows the late April reconciliation deal agreed in Gaza City's Beach Camp between long-time rival Palestinian factions, Fatah and Hamas.
While in Gaza, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Robert Serry, held a joint meeting at the Ministry of Public Works and Housing with a host of newly appointed officials: Minister of Women's Affairs, Haifa Al-Agha; Minister of Labor, Mamoun Abu Shahla; Minister of Public Works and Housing, Mufeed Al-Hasayneh; and Minister of Justice, Salim al-Saqqa.
"I congratulated the Ministers on their appointment and discussed with them the many practical challenges ahead,” said Mr. Serry in a press release issued by his Office, which added that he assured the officials of the full support of the UN, which is ready to increase its considerable programme of works in Gaza, including in the priority areas of water and energy.
“Gazans must, as soon as possible, feel the dividends of unity. Open crossings both for goods and people, access to construction material, re-establishing trade links between the West Bank and Gaza and exports are urgently needed to kickstart the economy and create job opportunities,” he said, highlighting in that regard the critical importance for calm to advance this agenda.
Mr. Serry also expressed hope that the obstacles on the Ministers' travel would soon be removed so that the new Government could carry out its duties unimpeded both in Gaza and in the West Bank.
"We count on a constructive approach by all stakeholders, including Israel, and urge all to refrain from unhelpful actions," he said.
The UN has long underscored the need for progress towards Palestinian unity in line with existing resolutions, within the framework of the Palestinian Authority and the commitments of the Palestine Liberation Organization.
The formation of the Government of national consensus is a first step and opportunity to address the serious political, security, humanitarian and economic challenges ahead, says the press release.
A Palestinian unity deal with the Hamas movement must be supported, European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso told an Israeli security conference on Sunday.
His remarks came just days after a Palestinian unity government, comprised of political independents but backed by Hamas, was sworn in -- a move welcomed by the international community but rejected by Israel as a major stumbling block to peace.
"In the interest of a future peace deal and of a legitimate and representative government, intra-Palestinian reconciliation... should be supported," Barroso told delegates at a conference in the coastal city of Herzliya.
Any Palestinian government should uphold the principle of non-violence, be committed to a two-state solution and a negotiated settlement of the conflict, which would imply accepting existing agreements as well as recognizing Israel's right to exist, he said.
When news of the surprise reconciliation agreement between leaders in the West Bank and Gaza emerged in late April, Israel immediately broke off US-led peace talks, saying it would never negotiate with any government backed by Hamas.
"The Palestinian unity government with backing from the Hamas terrorist organization is a Palestinian step against peace and in favor of terrorism," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday.
"No European country would be prepared to accept a terrorist organization as part of its government," he said.
Barroso also called on Israel and the Palestinians to find the "political courage" to take decisive steps "to bet on peace."
"The status quo may seem politically safer in the short term but it cannot deliver any long term gains," he said.
"Leadership is about making possible what is necessary, and peace is necessary in the region. Security for Israel and a state for the Palestinians are moral imperatives for the international community."
Also speaking at the Herzliya conference, Israeli Economy Minister Naftali Bennett, who heads the far-right Jewish Home Party, called anew for a tough response to the Palestinian government formation.
Israel should hit back by "imposing its sovereignty over Judea-Samaria (the West Bank)," he said. "I call on the prime minister to take the first step towards annexation."
But Finance Minister Yair Lapid warned that his centrist Yesh Atid party would quit the coalition government and bring down the cabinet if any such plan went ahead.
Also on a visit to Gaza Sunday, Robert Serry, UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, voiced the UN's support for the Palestinian unity government.
"The formation of the government of national consensus is a first step and opportunity to address the serious political, security, humanitarian and economic challenges ahead," Serry said in a statement.
He also called for lifting the blockade of the Gaza Strip and allowing the free movement of the new Palestinian ministers between Gaza and the West Bank.
The international community has given overwhelming backing to the formation of a Palestinian unity government.
His remarks came just days after a Palestinian unity government, comprised of political independents but backed by Hamas, was sworn in -- a move welcomed by the international community but rejected by Israel as a major stumbling block to peace.
"In the interest of a future peace deal and of a legitimate and representative government, intra-Palestinian reconciliation... should be supported," Barroso told delegates at a conference in the coastal city of Herzliya.
Any Palestinian government should uphold the principle of non-violence, be committed to a two-state solution and a negotiated settlement of the conflict, which would imply accepting existing agreements as well as recognizing Israel's right to exist, he said.
When news of the surprise reconciliation agreement between leaders in the West Bank and Gaza emerged in late April, Israel immediately broke off US-led peace talks, saying it would never negotiate with any government backed by Hamas.
"The Palestinian unity government with backing from the Hamas terrorist organization is a Palestinian step against peace and in favor of terrorism," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday.
"No European country would be prepared to accept a terrorist organization as part of its government," he said.
Barroso also called on Israel and the Palestinians to find the "political courage" to take decisive steps "to bet on peace."
"The status quo may seem politically safer in the short term but it cannot deliver any long term gains," he said.
"Leadership is about making possible what is necessary, and peace is necessary in the region. Security for Israel and a state for the Palestinians are moral imperatives for the international community."
Also speaking at the Herzliya conference, Israeli Economy Minister Naftali Bennett, who heads the far-right Jewish Home Party, called anew for a tough response to the Palestinian government formation.
Israel should hit back by "imposing its sovereignty over Judea-Samaria (the West Bank)," he said. "I call on the prime minister to take the first step towards annexation."
But Finance Minister Yair Lapid warned that his centrist Yesh Atid party would quit the coalition government and bring down the cabinet if any such plan went ahead.
Also on a visit to Gaza Sunday, Robert Serry, UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, voiced the UN's support for the Palestinian unity government.
"The formation of the government of national consensus is a first step and opportunity to address the serious political, security, humanitarian and economic challenges ahead," Serry said in a statement.
He also called for lifting the blockade of the Gaza Strip and allowing the free movement of the new Palestinian ministers between Gaza and the West Bank.
The international community has given overwhelming backing to the formation of a Palestinian unity government.
8 june 2014
Robert Serry, the UN's special coordinator for Middle East peace process, pictured in southern Gaza
The UN's special coordinator for the Middle East peace process met with four ministers of the new Palestinian government in Gaza on Sunday, the UN said in a statement.
Robert Serry held a joint meeting in Gaza City with Minister of Women's Affairs Haifa al-Agha, Minister of Labor Mamoun Abu Shahla, Minister of Justice Salim al-Saqqa, and Mufeed al-Hasayneh, the new minister of public works and housing.
"I congratulated the Ministers on their appointment and discussed with them the many practical challenges ahead. I assured them full support of the United Nations which is ready to increase its considerable program of works in Gaza, including in the priority areas of water and energy," Serry said in the statement.
"Gazans must, as soon as possible, feel the dividends of unity. Open crossings both for goods and people, access to construction material, re-establishing trade links between the West Bank and Gaza and exports are urgently needed to kickstart the economy and create job opportunities."
The statement reiterated the UN supported the new government, and called for it to remain faithful to the "commitments" of the PLO -- referring to its recognition of Israel and its renunciation of violence.
"The formation of the Government of national consensus is a first step and opportunity to address the serious political, security, humanitarian and economic challenges ahead," the statement concluded.
The UN's special coordinator for the Middle East peace process met with four ministers of the new Palestinian government in Gaza on Sunday, the UN said in a statement.
Robert Serry held a joint meeting in Gaza City with Minister of Women's Affairs Haifa al-Agha, Minister of Labor Mamoun Abu Shahla, Minister of Justice Salim al-Saqqa, and Mufeed al-Hasayneh, the new minister of public works and housing.
"I congratulated the Ministers on their appointment and discussed with them the many practical challenges ahead. I assured them full support of the United Nations which is ready to increase its considerable program of works in Gaza, including in the priority areas of water and energy," Serry said in the statement.
"Gazans must, as soon as possible, feel the dividends of unity. Open crossings both for goods and people, access to construction material, re-establishing trade links between the West Bank and Gaza and exports are urgently needed to kickstart the economy and create job opportunities."
The statement reiterated the UN supported the new government, and called for it to remain faithful to the "commitments" of the PLO -- referring to its recognition of Israel and its renunciation of violence.
"The formation of the Government of national consensus is a first step and opportunity to address the serious political, security, humanitarian and economic challenges ahead," the statement concluded.
By Khalid Amayreh in Occupied Palestine
The Arab world, if indeed there is still an entity as such, must respond in kind to the latest affront coming from Australia.
This week, the Australian Attorney-General George Brandis said in a speech that his country ought to stop viewing East Jerusalem as an occupied city.
Brandis is notorious for his racist views and xenophobia. Some of his critics have already described him as "Nazi-minded." The Australian press recently quoted him as saying that "people have the right to be bigots," which made racist and anti-immigration groups in Australia ecstatic.
Unfortunately, much of the man's vindictive chauvinism is reserved for Arabs and Muslims. His remarks about E. Jerusalem encapsulate a morbid mind-set not unlike that of the people who wanted to create the Third Reich.
We Palestinians don't wish to harm our or Arab-Muslim relations with the people and state of Australia.
However, Brandis by embracing the illegitimate Israeli view that East Jerusalem is not an occupied territory and that the city is part of the criminal Israeli state has actually gone beyond the pale. For us, this is no less than a political adultery and it can't be forgiven or allowed to pass.
Not only he has seriously offended 1600 million Muslims, including over half a million in Australia itself, he has actually flown in the face of international law and numerous resolutions by the United Nations and UN Security Council which all ruled that East Jerusalem is illegally and unlawfully occupied by Israel.
Hence, the repulsive statement by Brandis must be condemned in the strongest terms and rejected by the Australian government.
However, given that government's record in dealing with Arab and Islamic issues, especially the Palestinian problem, there is little hope that Australia would rethink this offensive decision.
Unfortunately, Australia has always been among the most extreme western states in displaying hostility to the Palestinian cause. Its propensity to appease Zionist whims is probably unmatched by any other western country. Even Germany, which has sought relentlessly to atone for the holocaust by effectively embracing Jewish Nazism, and Britain, which inserted the venomous Jewish snake into the Palestinian child's cradle, doesn't recognize East Jerusalem as part of Israel. Hence, the audacity and offensiveness of Brandis's remarks.
Arab-Muslim reactions:
It is not enough to voice our displeasure to the Australian government over this manifestly hostile move. We must make it unmistakably clear to that distant state that Jerusalem is our soul and heart and that the Holy City is the ultimate inviolable Red Line. We must not have normal relations with Australia unless its government reconsiders this provocation.
We are not bereft of the means to respond effectively to this premeditated insult. The size of the Muslim world's trade with Australia is estimated to be in the billions of dollars. Australia exports livestock to Muslim countries worth of hundreds of millions of dollars per year.
If we proved to the Australian government that our national and religious dignity is worth so much, then that government might reconsider its unprovoked hostility to our people.
But the proverbial ball is not in the Australian government's court. It is squarely in our court, both as people and as nation-states.
That is why we must make it abundantly clear to the government of Australia that it has a few weeks to rescind its odious decision or else we would stop all our imports from that country.
We surely can do without Australian lamb meat. There are numerous other destinations from which we can import lambs.
Needless to say, when the choice is between an Australian lamb meat meal, soaked in hatred and hostility for our paramount causes and our religion, and the First Qibla of Islam, Muslims ought to know rather innately which choice to take.
Otherwise, Australia and other like-minded countries would be correct in treating us this way because those who don't respect themselves are not entitled to be respected by others.
For me and my family, from this moment we will not buy anything produced in, made by or exported from Australia.
Australia must be treated by all Arab and Muslim states as an enemy state until it rescinds its hateful step toward our people and our faith.
The Arab world, if indeed there is still an entity as such, must respond in kind to the latest affront coming from Australia.
This week, the Australian Attorney-General George Brandis said in a speech that his country ought to stop viewing East Jerusalem as an occupied city.
Brandis is notorious for his racist views and xenophobia. Some of his critics have already described him as "Nazi-minded." The Australian press recently quoted him as saying that "people have the right to be bigots," which made racist and anti-immigration groups in Australia ecstatic.
Unfortunately, much of the man's vindictive chauvinism is reserved for Arabs and Muslims. His remarks about E. Jerusalem encapsulate a morbid mind-set not unlike that of the people who wanted to create the Third Reich.
We Palestinians don't wish to harm our or Arab-Muslim relations with the people and state of Australia.
However, Brandis by embracing the illegitimate Israeli view that East Jerusalem is not an occupied territory and that the city is part of the criminal Israeli state has actually gone beyond the pale. For us, this is no less than a political adultery and it can't be forgiven or allowed to pass.
Not only he has seriously offended 1600 million Muslims, including over half a million in Australia itself, he has actually flown in the face of international law and numerous resolutions by the United Nations and UN Security Council which all ruled that East Jerusalem is illegally and unlawfully occupied by Israel.
Hence, the repulsive statement by Brandis must be condemned in the strongest terms and rejected by the Australian government.
However, given that government's record in dealing with Arab and Islamic issues, especially the Palestinian problem, there is little hope that Australia would rethink this offensive decision.
Unfortunately, Australia has always been among the most extreme western states in displaying hostility to the Palestinian cause. Its propensity to appease Zionist whims is probably unmatched by any other western country. Even Germany, which has sought relentlessly to atone for the holocaust by effectively embracing Jewish Nazism, and Britain, which inserted the venomous Jewish snake into the Palestinian child's cradle, doesn't recognize East Jerusalem as part of Israel. Hence, the audacity and offensiveness of Brandis's remarks.
Arab-Muslim reactions:
It is not enough to voice our displeasure to the Australian government over this manifestly hostile move. We must make it unmistakably clear to that distant state that Jerusalem is our soul and heart and that the Holy City is the ultimate inviolable Red Line. We must not have normal relations with Australia unless its government reconsiders this provocation.
We are not bereft of the means to respond effectively to this premeditated insult. The size of the Muslim world's trade with Australia is estimated to be in the billions of dollars. Australia exports livestock to Muslim countries worth of hundreds of millions of dollars per year.
If we proved to the Australian government that our national and religious dignity is worth so much, then that government might reconsider its unprovoked hostility to our people.
But the proverbial ball is not in the Australian government's court. It is squarely in our court, both as people and as nation-states.
That is why we must make it abundantly clear to the government of Australia that it has a few weeks to rescind its odious decision or else we would stop all our imports from that country.
We surely can do without Australian lamb meat. There are numerous other destinations from which we can import lambs.
Needless to say, when the choice is between an Australian lamb meat meal, soaked in hatred and hostility for our paramount causes and our religion, and the First Qibla of Islam, Muslims ought to know rather innately which choice to take.
Otherwise, Australia and other like-minded countries would be correct in treating us this way because those who don't respect themselves are not entitled to be respected by others.
For me and my family, from this moment we will not buy anything produced in, made by or exported from Australia.
Australia must be treated by all Arab and Muslim states as an enemy state until it rescinds its hateful step toward our people and our faith.
Ministers of the Palestinian unity government met with Robert Serry, the UN peace envoy to the Middle East, in the Gaza Strip on Sunday and urged him to pressure Israel to end its blockade and stop obstructing the work of their government. Minister of public works and housing Mufid Al-Hassaina told a news conference following the meeting that the visit of Robert Serry to Gaza is considered very important for the unity government led by Rami Al-Hamdallah.
Hassaina stated that the meeting with the UN official addressed many vital issues, including the opening of crossings before construction materials and the needs of the ministries, noting that there would be other meetings with Serry in the near future.
For his part, minister of labor Ma'moun Abu Shahla hailed the visit as international recognition of the Palestinian unity government.
Abu Shahla stressed the need for pressuring Israel to facilitate the travel of Palestinian ministers between Gaza and the West Bank, end its daily violations against civilians, and end Gaza siege.
He called upon the international community to give the unity government a chance to consolidate its position and role in the region, and expressed hope that the Rafah border crossing could be opened permanently before movement of goods and individuals.
For his part, Serry asserted that the UN would support the new Palestinian government and help it meet the needs of its citizens in the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem.
Hassaina stated that the meeting with the UN official addressed many vital issues, including the opening of crossings before construction materials and the needs of the ministries, noting that there would be other meetings with Serry in the near future.
For his part, minister of labor Ma'moun Abu Shahla hailed the visit as international recognition of the Palestinian unity government.
Abu Shahla stressed the need for pressuring Israel to facilitate the travel of Palestinian ministers between Gaza and the West Bank, end its daily violations against civilians, and end Gaza siege.
He called upon the international community to give the unity government a chance to consolidate its position and role in the region, and expressed hope that the Rafah border crossing could be opened permanently before movement of goods and individuals.
For his part, Serry asserted that the UN would support the new Palestinian government and help it meet the needs of its citizens in the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem.
Senior Islamic Jihad official Khaled Al-Batesh said that any discussions about the weapons of the resistance are unacceptable, affirming that the armed resistance is legitimate and protected by the national reconciliation agreement. "We do not accept at all any discussion about the resistance weapon," Batesh stated in press remarks during the global march to Jerusalem on Friday in Gaza.
"The talk in the reconciliation meetings was about the illegal military formations that are involved in security chaos like the death squad, the special office, and the likes," the Islamic Jihad official added.
"As for the resistance weapon, it is used to defend the Palestinian people and it cannot be in any way an object of discussion, wrangling and inflated claims," he stressed, adding that the resistance weapon will be used for the liberation of Palestine.
Israeli war minister Moshe Ya'alon had called on Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas to disarm the resistance in Gaza and impose his control on its affairs.
"The talk in the reconciliation meetings was about the illegal military formations that are involved in security chaos like the death squad, the special office, and the likes," the Islamic Jihad official added.
"As for the resistance weapon, it is used to defend the Palestinian people and it cannot be in any way an object of discussion, wrangling and inflated claims," he stressed, adding that the resistance weapon will be used for the liberation of Palestine.
Israeli war minister Moshe Ya'alon had called on Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas to disarm the resistance in Gaza and impose his control on its affairs.
Israeli army approved a decision to limit the mobility of Palestinian Authority (PA) officials in Area C. The army halted 19 structural plans the former Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Barak, approved for the benefit of Palestinian villages in Area C in the occupied West Bank, Haaretz reported.
The Oslo II Accord divided the West Bank into three administrative divisions: Area A (full civil and security control by the Palestinian Authority), area B (Palestinian civil control and joint Israeli-Palestinian security control) and area C (full Israeli civil and security control).
The decision came after a meeting held between the Israeli army and Israeli civil administration to discuss imposing new sanctions on the Palestinian people and authority as a response to Hamas- Fatah unity government.
The Israeli government will, in its weekly meeting, discuss imposing other sanctions on the PA . Israeli observers said that the collapse of PA is not in favor of Israel, pointing out that these meeting are only to pressure the international society.
The Oslo II Accord divided the West Bank into three administrative divisions: Area A (full civil and security control by the Palestinian Authority), area B (Palestinian civil control and joint Israeli-Palestinian security control) and area C (full Israeli civil and security control).
The decision came after a meeting held between the Israeli army and Israeli civil administration to discuss imposing new sanctions on the Palestinian people and authority as a response to Hamas- Fatah unity government.
The Israeli government will, in its weekly meeting, discuss imposing other sanctions on the PA . Israeli observers said that the collapse of PA is not in favor of Israel, pointing out that these meeting are only to pressure the international society.
7 june 2014
Israel's separation barrier surrounds the Ras Khamis neighborhood of East Jerusalem
By George Hale
Palestinian officials say they will ask Arab and Muslim-majority countries to re-evaluate relations with Australia after Canberra dropped the term "occupied" when referring to East Jerusalem.
In a letter to Julie Bishop, Australia's foreign minister, the PLO's chief negotiator blasted that decision and said Palestine would respond by asking two regional Arab and Muslim state blocs to review their ties with Australia.
"Palestine will request that the Arab League and the Islamic Conference review the relations of the Arab and Islamic world with Australia in light of Australia's unlawful recognition of the illegal settlement regime in occupied Palestine," Saeb Erekat wrote in the June 5 letter, which was obtained by Ma'an.
He condemned Attorney-General George Brandis' pronouncement in Australia's senate this week that the use of the word "occupied" to describe East Jerusalem was "neither appropriate nor useful."
The remarks demonstrate that Australia "does not intend to comply with its duty under international law not to recognize Israeli sovereignty over any part of the Palestinian territory occupied by Israel in 1967, including East Jerusalem," Erekat wrote.
He added: "Palestine views these developments in the gravest terms and is weighing the appropriate legal and diplomatic response."
Israel occupied East Jerusalem along with the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 1967 after a Middle East war.
It later annexed the city in a move that was never recognized internationally.
The issue flared in Australia's Senate this week after Brandis issued a statement to clarify Canberra's stance on the question of the legality of settler homes in East Jerusalem.
"The description of areas which are the subject of negotiations in the course of the peace process by reference to historical events is unhelpful," he said Thursday.
"The description of east Jerusalem as 'occupied' east Jerusalem is a term freighted with pejorative implications which is neither appropriate nor useful.
"It should not and will not be the practice of the Australian government to describe areas of negotiation in such judgmental language."
Palestinian officials quickly blasted the attorney general's remarks.
"Israel's illegal annexation of East Jerusalem is beyond 'pejorative' and 'inappropriate'; it is a deliberate and egregious violation, not just of international humanitarian law and consensus, but of the basic norms of responsible behavior that governs relations among civilized states," said PLO official Hanan Ashrawi.
"Trying to fabricate or distort the law to fit Israel's lawless behavior is shameful and dangerous," she said. "Brandis, whether out of ignorance or whether out of blind bias, is trying to render Australia complicit in the Israeli occupation, and is forcing it to become an advocate of international criminal behavior."
A number of senators also disagreed, pointing out that Australia had voted in support of UN resolutions in 2011 and 2012 where such language was used to describe settlements in East Jerusalem.
Independent Senator Nick Xenophon suggested that dropping the term "occupied" would represent a "massive shift" in Australia's foreign policy, the Australian Associated Press reported.
Australian Greens leader Christine Milne Friday called it "an outrageous backdown" by the Tony Abbott-led government.
Israeli leaders, meanwhile, praised the policy shift.
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman welcomed the "serious" move by Australia, which he said was not afraid to "tell the truth regarding the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians."
By George Hale
Palestinian officials say they will ask Arab and Muslim-majority countries to re-evaluate relations with Australia after Canberra dropped the term "occupied" when referring to East Jerusalem.
In a letter to Julie Bishop, Australia's foreign minister, the PLO's chief negotiator blasted that decision and said Palestine would respond by asking two regional Arab and Muslim state blocs to review their ties with Australia.
"Palestine will request that the Arab League and the Islamic Conference review the relations of the Arab and Islamic world with Australia in light of Australia's unlawful recognition of the illegal settlement regime in occupied Palestine," Saeb Erekat wrote in the June 5 letter, which was obtained by Ma'an.
He condemned Attorney-General George Brandis' pronouncement in Australia's senate this week that the use of the word "occupied" to describe East Jerusalem was "neither appropriate nor useful."
The remarks demonstrate that Australia "does not intend to comply with its duty under international law not to recognize Israeli sovereignty over any part of the Palestinian territory occupied by Israel in 1967, including East Jerusalem," Erekat wrote.
He added: "Palestine views these developments in the gravest terms and is weighing the appropriate legal and diplomatic response."
Israel occupied East Jerusalem along with the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 1967 after a Middle East war.
It later annexed the city in a move that was never recognized internationally.
The issue flared in Australia's Senate this week after Brandis issued a statement to clarify Canberra's stance on the question of the legality of settler homes in East Jerusalem.
"The description of areas which are the subject of negotiations in the course of the peace process by reference to historical events is unhelpful," he said Thursday.
"The description of east Jerusalem as 'occupied' east Jerusalem is a term freighted with pejorative implications which is neither appropriate nor useful.
"It should not and will not be the practice of the Australian government to describe areas of negotiation in such judgmental language."
Palestinian officials quickly blasted the attorney general's remarks.
"Israel's illegal annexation of East Jerusalem is beyond 'pejorative' and 'inappropriate'; it is a deliberate and egregious violation, not just of international humanitarian law and consensus, but of the basic norms of responsible behavior that governs relations among civilized states," said PLO official Hanan Ashrawi.
"Trying to fabricate or distort the law to fit Israel's lawless behavior is shameful and dangerous," she said. "Brandis, whether out of ignorance or whether out of blind bias, is trying to render Australia complicit in the Israeli occupation, and is forcing it to become an advocate of international criminal behavior."
A number of senators also disagreed, pointing out that Australia had voted in support of UN resolutions in 2011 and 2012 where such language was used to describe settlements in East Jerusalem.
Independent Senator Nick Xenophon suggested that dropping the term "occupied" would represent a "massive shift" in Australia's foreign policy, the Australian Associated Press reported.
Australian Greens leader Christine Milne Friday called it "an outrageous backdown" by the Tony Abbott-led government.
Israeli leaders, meanwhile, praised the policy shift.
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman welcomed the "serious" move by Australia, which he said was not afraid to "tell the truth regarding the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians."
Deputy head of Hamas's political bureau Ismail Haneyya said the Palestinian resistance would never abandon their armed struggle against the Israeli occupation and would always be determined to liberate Jerusalem and the prisoners in Israeli jails. Haneyya made his remarks on Friday during his participation in the global march to Jerusalem in Gaza.
"We are determined to liberate our Jerusalem and our prisoners, so we call upon the prisoners to remain steadfast and patient because the triumph is in the offing and the occupation can never defeat your will," the Hamas official emphasized.
"The resistance that has extracted your freedom once are able to liberate you again," he added.
He slammed the international community for their silence regarding the injustice inflicted upon the Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and stressed the need for Arab and Islamic awakening towards the issues of Jerusalem and the prisoners.
"We are determined to liberate our Jerusalem and our prisoners, so we call upon the prisoners to remain steadfast and patient because the triumph is in the offing and the occupation can never defeat your will," the Hamas official emphasized.
"The resistance that has extracted your freedom once are able to liberate you again," he added.
He slammed the international community for their silence regarding the injustice inflicted upon the Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and stressed the need for Arab and Islamic awakening towards the issues of Jerusalem and the prisoners.
Israeli premier Benjamin Netanya declared a unilateral plan to separate the Jews from the Palestinians in the West Bank in order to maintain what he described as the Jewish character of Israel, according to the Israeli newspaper Makor Rishon on Friday. The newspaper said that Netanyahu shockingly tabled his plan during a meeting last Monday with members of the Knesset foreign affairs and defense committee.
Knesset members who attended the meeting told the newspaper that Netanyahu left some of them confused without clarifying how he would carry out such a plan.
Netanyahu also told the attendees that he would not engage in any contacts or talks with a Palestinian government backed by Hamas and that it would be the right time to take such a unilateral measure.
"I don't want one state from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea," the newspaper quoted Netanyahu as saying. "Even if the demographic balance does not change to our detriment and there is a Jewish majority, it is still obvious that we need to have a Jewish majority that is overwhelming and for that state to be democratic."
"And that is why we need to come to a separation," he noted.
The newspaper said that although Netanyahu did not table a clear-cut plan, it looked like the 2005 disengagement plan in Gaza, which had been executed by former premier Ariel Sharon.
Knesset members who attended the meeting told the newspaper that Netanyahu left some of them confused without clarifying how he would carry out such a plan.
Netanyahu also told the attendees that he would not engage in any contacts or talks with a Palestinian government backed by Hamas and that it would be the right time to take such a unilateral measure.
"I don't want one state from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea," the newspaper quoted Netanyahu as saying. "Even if the demographic balance does not change to our detriment and there is a Jewish majority, it is still obvious that we need to have a Jewish majority that is overwhelming and for that state to be democratic."
"And that is why we need to come to a separation," he noted.
The newspaper said that although Netanyahu did not table a clear-cut plan, it looked like the 2005 disengagement plan in Gaza, which had been executed by former premier Ariel Sharon.
