25 mar 2018
24 mar 2018
AIPAC President Mort Fridman has sent supporters an email announcing the approval, by US Congress, of almost $4 billion of US tax money to Israel, while cutting aid to Palestinians widows, orphans, Days of Palestine reports.
“Our work together just made a difference for Israel’s security and for its future,” wrote Fridman, according to If Americans Knew Blog.
“Early this morning, the United States Congress passed major pro-Israel legislation as part of its Omnibus Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2018.
“This legislation includes many critical initiatives that will bolster Israel’s security, including:
“The bill was also the vehicle for Congress to pass the Taylor Force Act, critical legislation that cuts funding to the Palestinian Authority if it continues paying terrorists or their families.”
Reacting to the inclusion of the Taylor Force Act in the United States spending bill for 2018, Husam Zomlot, head of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) General Delegation to the United States, said on Saturday that with this act, the US Congress is rewarding occupation and punishing those who seek peace.
“Halting aid to the Palestinian Authority as a tool for a politically-motivated financial pressure does not work, and severely damages the prospects for peace in the Middle East,” said Zomlot in a statement. “The bill rewards the illegal Israeli occupation and ongoing violations of human rights, while simultaneously punishing the Palestinian Authority, which is the only agency committed to peace and nonviolence, and undermines the American-Palestinian bilateral relationship and decades of U.S. investments in the two-state solution.”
Zomlot added that “Congress’ bias is flagrantly obvious, targeting a stipend program that provides dignity and education for children and families of the victims of occupation, and security for both sides, while turning a blind eye towards Israel’s daily violations of US policy and international law.”
He said, according to WAFA, that the Taylor Force Act, which calls for cutting aid to the Palestinian Authority due to the latter’s financial support to families of Palestinians who resisted the Israeli occupation and got either killed or imprisoned, represents the most recent effort in this 30 year old trend of legislations that deliberately targets the Palestinian people.
Congress has targeted the PLO as a terrorist organization since 1987 to date, despite the signing of the Oslo Accords, Israel’s recognition of the PLO, and the numerous bilateral agreements with the United States.
“The ongoing bias against Palestinians in Congress is not irreversible. We have taken notice of the principled and brave members of Congress who have raised concerns over the Taylor Force Act. Also, we are inspired by recent efforts to promote Palestinian children’s rights included in H.R. 4391 Promoting Human Rights by Ending Israeli Military Detention of Palestinian Children Act introduced by the courageous Rep. Betty McCollum to prevent United States tax dollars from supporting the Israeli military’s ongoing detentions and mistreatment of Palestinian children,” said Zomlot.
“Our work together just made a difference for Israel’s security and for its future,” wrote Fridman, according to If Americans Knew Blog.
“Early this morning, the United States Congress passed major pro-Israel legislation as part of its Omnibus Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2018.
“This legislation includes many critical initiatives that will bolster Israel’s security, including:
- $3.1 billion for U.S. security assistance to Israel, to help our ally defend herself and protect her citizens. [See this]
- $705.8 million for missile defense programs, representing $105 million more than last year’s funding level. [See this]
- $47.5 million for joint anti-tunneling technologies, a $5 million increase from last year. [More info on US aid to Israel]
“The bill was also the vehicle for Congress to pass the Taylor Force Act, critical legislation that cuts funding to the Palestinian Authority if it continues paying terrorists or their families.”
Reacting to the inclusion of the Taylor Force Act in the United States spending bill for 2018, Husam Zomlot, head of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) General Delegation to the United States, said on Saturday that with this act, the US Congress is rewarding occupation and punishing those who seek peace.
“Halting aid to the Palestinian Authority as a tool for a politically-motivated financial pressure does not work, and severely damages the prospects for peace in the Middle East,” said Zomlot in a statement. “The bill rewards the illegal Israeli occupation and ongoing violations of human rights, while simultaneously punishing the Palestinian Authority, which is the only agency committed to peace and nonviolence, and undermines the American-Palestinian bilateral relationship and decades of U.S. investments in the two-state solution.”
Zomlot added that “Congress’ bias is flagrantly obvious, targeting a stipend program that provides dignity and education for children and families of the victims of occupation, and security for both sides, while turning a blind eye towards Israel’s daily violations of US policy and international law.”
He said, according to WAFA, that the Taylor Force Act, which calls for cutting aid to the Palestinian Authority due to the latter’s financial support to families of Palestinians who resisted the Israeli occupation and got either killed or imprisoned, represents the most recent effort in this 30 year old trend of legislations that deliberately targets the Palestinian people.
Congress has targeted the PLO as a terrorist organization since 1987 to date, despite the signing of the Oslo Accords, Israel’s recognition of the PLO, and the numerous bilateral agreements with the United States.
“The ongoing bias against Palestinians in Congress is not irreversible. We have taken notice of the principled and brave members of Congress who have raised concerns over the Taylor Force Act. Also, we are inspired by recent efforts to promote Palestinian children’s rights included in H.R. 4391 Promoting Human Rights by Ending Israeli Military Detention of Palestinian Children Act introduced by the courageous Rep. Betty McCollum to prevent United States tax dollars from supporting the Israeli military’s ongoing detentions and mistreatment of Palestinian children,” said Zomlot.
The United Nations Human Rights Council has adopted, in its 37thsession, concluded in Geneva on Friday, four resolutions for Palestine.
The majority of the member countries voted in favor of the following four resolutions:
According to WAFA, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Riyad al-Malki praised the vote and thanked the countries that voted in favor of the four resolutions. He called on the countries of the world to take not only statements but tangible steps, in order to protect the people of Palestine and achieve the two-state solution.
“Palestinian diplomacy will defend the rights of the Palestinian people and will continue to work with the countries of the world to end the Israeli occupation of the land of the State of Palestine, with Jerusalem as its capital,” al-Malki said in a press release.
The majority of the member countries voted in favor of the following four resolutions:
- Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, are illegal.
- The right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.
- The situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem.
- Ensuring accountability and justice for all violations of international law in the OPT, including East Jerusalem.
According to WAFA, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Riyad al-Malki praised the vote and thanked the countries that voted in favor of the four resolutions. He called on the countries of the world to take not only statements but tangible steps, in order to protect the people of Palestine and achieve the two-state solution.
“Palestinian diplomacy will defend the rights of the Palestinian people and will continue to work with the countries of the world to end the Israeli occupation of the land of the State of Palestine, with Jerusalem as its capital,” al-Malki said in a press release.
Senior Hamas official and spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri has said that Fatah turned against the legitimacy of his Movement after it lost the 2006 elections, relying on political money and security coordination, stressing that its black coup will not continue forever.
“Fatah leaders, who describe Hamas as a militia hijacking Gaza, must remember that Hamas is the number one faction by virtue of the election results,” Abu Zuhri stated on his Twitter page.
The 2006 elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), the legislature of the Palestinian National Authority, was a landslide victory for Hamas, which contested under the list name of Change and Reform. It won 74 seats of the 132 seats, while the then ruling Fatah won just 45.
Although, the international community recognized the legitimacy of the election, the Fatah-controlled Palestinian Authority led by Mahmoud Abbas refused to accept the results and started, in cooperation with Israel and other external powers, to place obstacles in the way of the 10th Palestinian government, which was formed at the time by senior Hamas leader Ismail Haneyya.
“Fatah leaders, who describe Hamas as a militia hijacking Gaza, must remember that Hamas is the number one faction by virtue of the election results,” Abu Zuhri stated on his Twitter page.
The 2006 elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), the legislature of the Palestinian National Authority, was a landslide victory for Hamas, which contested under the list name of Change and Reform. It won 74 seats of the 132 seats, while the then ruling Fatah won just 45.
Although, the international community recognized the legitimacy of the election, the Fatah-controlled Palestinian Authority led by Mahmoud Abbas refused to accept the results and started, in cooperation with Israel and other external powers, to place obstacles in the way of the 10th Palestinian government, which was formed at the time by senior Hamas leader Ismail Haneyya.
Hamas Movement declared Friday evening that Gaza’s security forces have “clear evidence” implicating the perpetrators of the failed assassination attempt on Palestinian Prime Minister Rami al-Hamdallah.
“We have documented evidence — including video and audio — that will soon be produced in this regard,” leading Hamas member Ismail Radwan said during a televised interview.
On March 13, a roadside bomb was detonated near PM al-Hamdallah’s motorcade near Gaza’s Beit Hanoun crossing during a visit to the besieged Strip.
Radwan went on to condemn accusations by the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah that Hamas had allegedly masterminded the attempt on al-Hamdallah’s life.
He also hailed “the heroic efforts” made by the security forces in Gaza Strip over the past ten days to reveal the prime suspects in the assassination attempt.
“We have documented evidence — including video and audio — that will soon be produced in this regard,” leading Hamas member Ismail Radwan said during a televised interview.
On March 13, a roadside bomb was detonated near PM al-Hamdallah’s motorcade near Gaza’s Beit Hanoun crossing during a visit to the besieged Strip.
Radwan went on to condemn accusations by the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah that Hamas had allegedly masterminded the attempt on al-Hamdallah’s life.
He also hailed “the heroic efforts” made by the security forces in Gaza Strip over the past ten days to reveal the prime suspects in the assassination attempt.
22 mar 2018
Two security men in Gaza were killed on Thursday in a clash with a group of men suspected of carrying out the bombing attack on the motorcade of Palestinian Authority premier Rami al-Hamdallah in northern Gaza ten days ago.
Two of the suspects, who opened fire at the security force, were also killed in the exchange of fire while a third was wounded.
The interior ministry in Gaza issued a statement on the incident saying that it managed to pinpoint the place where the three suspects were hiding and encircled their hideout and asked them to give up but they opened fire at the security forces killing two of them.
It said that the security forces responded to the source of fire and the prime suspect Anas Abu Khousa and his aide Abdulhadi al-Ashhab were killed while another was injured and hospitalized.
Iyad al-Bozom, the ministry’s spokesman, said that a report was sent to al-Hamdallah on the investigations and findings in his motorcade bombing incident.
Two of the suspects, who opened fire at the security force, were also killed in the exchange of fire while a third was wounded.
The interior ministry in Gaza issued a statement on the incident saying that it managed to pinpoint the place where the three suspects were hiding and encircled their hideout and asked them to give up but they opened fire at the security forces killing two of them.
It said that the security forces responded to the source of fire and the prime suspect Anas Abu Khousa and his aide Abdulhadi al-Ashhab were killed while another was injured and hospitalized.
Iyad al-Bozom, the ministry’s spokesman, said that a report was sent to al-Hamdallah on the investigations and findings in his motorcade bombing incident.
The leadership of Hamas said on Wednesday that the security apparatuses in the Gaza Strip made significant progress in uncovering the circumstances surrounding the failed bombing attack on the motorcade of Palestinian premier Rami al-Hamdallah that had taken place on March 13, 2018.
In a press release, Hamas said the security apparatuses took tight measures inside Gaza and in border areas as part of the campaign launched to capture those involved in the bombing.
The Movement called on all citizens to understand such security measures and cooperate with the competent authorities to get to the criminals and find out the truth.
According to the press release, Hamas’s political bureau chief Ismail Haneyya and its leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar are keenly following up the course of the investigation.
Hamas said that it employed all its security and technical capabilities to help the security services in their efforts to capture the perpetrators.
In a related context, the interior ministry in Gaza said that its security services identified the main suspect in the bombing attack on the motorcade of Hamdallah as Anas Abu Khousa and embarked on tracking him down.
In a press release, Hamas said the security apparatuses took tight measures inside Gaza and in border areas as part of the campaign launched to capture those involved in the bombing.
The Movement called on all citizens to understand such security measures and cooperate with the competent authorities to get to the criminals and find out the truth.
According to the press release, Hamas’s political bureau chief Ismail Haneyya and its leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar are keenly following up the course of the investigation.
Hamas said that it employed all its security and technical capabilities to help the security services in their efforts to capture the perpetrators.
In a related context, the interior ministry in Gaza said that its security services identified the main suspect in the bombing attack on the motorcade of Hamdallah as Anas Abu Khousa and embarked on tracking him down.
Al-Ahrar Movement in Palestine organized on Wednesday a march in protest at Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas’s recent threats against Gaza.
The participants marched from al-Saraya junction to the headquarters of the Palestinian Legislative Council, carrying placards condemning Abbas.
Some banners described Abbas as a “devil” and “not representing the Palestinians” and others read, “Abbas’s sanctions and the occupation’s blockade are two sides of one conspiracy.”
Addressing the protesters, secretary-general of Ahrar Khaled Abu Hilal called on the Palestinian factions and Hamas to put an end to the arbitrary actions of Abbas and take serious steps to stop what he described as “the farce.”
Abu Hilal urged the factions to clearly condemn Abbas’s threat to take further punitive measures against Gaza and to work on forming a national salvation government to save the Palestinian cause.
He stressed the need for Abbas to step down to prevent further deterioration of the Palestinian cause, warning that “Abbas has become one of the channels used to pave the way for the [US-backed] deal of the century.”
For his part, spokesman for the Popular Resistance Committees Abu Mujahed strongly denounced Abbas’s intent to impose further sanctions on Gaza, saying his decisions would only serve the Israeli occupation.
Abu Mujahed also highlighted the importance of organizing the major march of return to confront the dangers threatening the national cause.
The participants marched from al-Saraya junction to the headquarters of the Palestinian Legislative Council, carrying placards condemning Abbas.
Some banners described Abbas as a “devil” and “not representing the Palestinians” and others read, “Abbas’s sanctions and the occupation’s blockade are two sides of one conspiracy.”
Addressing the protesters, secretary-general of Ahrar Khaled Abu Hilal called on the Palestinian factions and Hamas to put an end to the arbitrary actions of Abbas and take serious steps to stop what he described as “the farce.”
Abu Hilal urged the factions to clearly condemn Abbas’s threat to take further punitive measures against Gaza and to work on forming a national salvation government to save the Palestinian cause.
He stressed the need for Abbas to step down to prevent further deterioration of the Palestinian cause, warning that “Abbas has become one of the channels used to pave the way for the [US-backed] deal of the century.”
For his part, spokesman for the Popular Resistance Committees Abu Mujahed strongly denounced Abbas’s intent to impose further sanctions on Gaza, saying his decisions would only serve the Israeli occupation.
Abu Mujahed also highlighted the importance of organizing the major march of return to confront the dangers threatening the national cause.
21 mar 2018
Member of Hamas’s political bureau Salah al-Bardawil has said that Palestinian premier Rami al-Hamdallah received and concealed important information on the recent bombing that targeted his motorcade in the northern Gaza Strip.
In remarks to al-Jazeera satellite channel on Tuesday, Bardawil said that his Movement firmly believes that the bombing incident was aimed at leveling accusations against it and frustrating the reconciliation efforts.
He affirmed that the Ramallah-based interior ministry, which is also run by Hamdallah, acquired important information about the incident from Wataniya mobile telecommunication company, without sharing it with the investigation committee in Gaza, adding that Hamas cooperated with Ramallah and provided it with all information about the blast.
“The bombs used to target the motorcade of Hamdallah were connected to a secrete cellphone number and a letter was sent to Wataniya in this regard, but it gave its information to interior minister Rami al-Hamdallah,” he said, pointing out that the security authorities in the West Bank refused to share this information with its counterparts in Gaza.
He stressed that the bombing incident was a plot aimed at dealing a strong blow to Hamas, which condemned the incident and accused the Israeli occupation state of being behind it, criticizing Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas for hastening to make unjustified accusations against Hamas.
The Hamas official asserted that the security services in Gaza had been dealing seriously and professionally with the incident since its occurrence, adding that and the moment of truth would definitely come.
“It concerns us that Gaza remains a safe place and that we could capture this criminal who dealt a blow to the security authorities in Gaza,” he said.
“Luckily, a second explosive device has led to the tip of the thread and how the detonation happened, so there was a search for the last contact and when it was found it led to a secret number, which was hidden, and the company (Wataniya) did not disclose it,” he noted.
Bardawil expressed his shock and dismay at the hasty accusations leveled by Fatah and Palestinian Authority officials against Hamas a few minutes after the bombing incident, as well as at the recent threats made by Abbas against Gaza without seeking to know the truth.
“Does anyone in the universe believe that the fate of an entire people is dependent on the mood of one person or organization? If this person or organization has the cards of power and international, regional or local connections that make him able to turn his back [to his people], he will not be able to persist in this approach,” the Hamas official underscored, referring to Abbas.
“Abbas’s speech and steps were prepared in advance, and we have already known about them and made contacts with factions, Arab countries and parties to move to address the matter,” he said.
He emphasized that Gaza had survived three successive wars and there would be no value for Abbas’s new punitive measures against it, adding that his Movement “is not in trouble and the Palestinian people will be creative to solve the crises facing them.”
“Yahya al-Sinwar (Hamas leader in Gaza) was keen and serious to the utmost extent about the reconciliation and partnership in everything, and he was blamed by some factions for making concessions and being flexible. We also sent a message to Abbas about the partnership in the decision-making at times of war and peace and that the resistance weapon will not be used to settle differences,” he pointed out.
In a related context, Bardawil said that his Movement was studying an Egyptian request asking Hamas to send a delegation to Cairo, affirming there is Egyptian keenness on the security and stability of the Gaza Strip.
As for the plan to deal with the current situation, he said that “Hamas’s first option is to achieve unity and partnership to confront the [US-backed] deal of the century,” but if Abbas persisted in his approach, the Movement had the plans and means to unite the Palestinian people.
“MP Mohamed Dahlan is not plan B, but he is part of the Palestinian fabric,” he noted.
In remarks to al-Jazeera satellite channel on Tuesday, Bardawil said that his Movement firmly believes that the bombing incident was aimed at leveling accusations against it and frustrating the reconciliation efforts.
He affirmed that the Ramallah-based interior ministry, which is also run by Hamdallah, acquired important information about the incident from Wataniya mobile telecommunication company, without sharing it with the investigation committee in Gaza, adding that Hamas cooperated with Ramallah and provided it with all information about the blast.
“The bombs used to target the motorcade of Hamdallah were connected to a secrete cellphone number and a letter was sent to Wataniya in this regard, but it gave its information to interior minister Rami al-Hamdallah,” he said, pointing out that the security authorities in the West Bank refused to share this information with its counterparts in Gaza.
He stressed that the bombing incident was a plot aimed at dealing a strong blow to Hamas, which condemned the incident and accused the Israeli occupation state of being behind it, criticizing Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas for hastening to make unjustified accusations against Hamas.
The Hamas official asserted that the security services in Gaza had been dealing seriously and professionally with the incident since its occurrence, adding that and the moment of truth would definitely come.
“It concerns us that Gaza remains a safe place and that we could capture this criminal who dealt a blow to the security authorities in Gaza,” he said.
“Luckily, a second explosive device has led to the tip of the thread and how the detonation happened, so there was a search for the last contact and when it was found it led to a secret number, which was hidden, and the company (Wataniya) did not disclose it,” he noted.
Bardawil expressed his shock and dismay at the hasty accusations leveled by Fatah and Palestinian Authority officials against Hamas a few minutes after the bombing incident, as well as at the recent threats made by Abbas against Gaza without seeking to know the truth.
“Does anyone in the universe believe that the fate of an entire people is dependent on the mood of one person or organization? If this person or organization has the cards of power and international, regional or local connections that make him able to turn his back [to his people], he will not be able to persist in this approach,” the Hamas official underscored, referring to Abbas.
“Abbas’s speech and steps were prepared in advance, and we have already known about them and made contacts with factions, Arab countries and parties to move to address the matter,” he said.
He emphasized that Gaza had survived three successive wars and there would be no value for Abbas’s new punitive measures against it, adding that his Movement “is not in trouble and the Palestinian people will be creative to solve the crises facing them.”
“Yahya al-Sinwar (Hamas leader in Gaza) was keen and serious to the utmost extent about the reconciliation and partnership in everything, and he was blamed by some factions for making concessions and being flexible. We also sent a message to Abbas about the partnership in the decision-making at times of war and peace and that the resistance weapon will not be used to settle differences,” he pointed out.
In a related context, Bardawil said that his Movement was studying an Egyptian request asking Hamas to send a delegation to Cairo, affirming there is Egyptian keenness on the security and stability of the Gaza Strip.
As for the plan to deal with the current situation, he said that “Hamas’s first option is to achieve unity and partnership to confront the [US-backed] deal of the century,” but if Abbas persisted in his approach, the Movement had the plans and means to unite the Palestinian people.
“MP Mohamed Dahlan is not plan B, but he is part of the Palestinian fabric,” he noted.
20 mar 2018
Palestinian factions on Tuesday warned the Palestinian Authority (PA) president Mahmoud Abbas against waging new punitive measures that would exacerbate the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza.
The factions said in a press conference, following a meeting at al-Ahrar Movement's headquarters in Gaza, that these sanctions mainly target the Palestinian resistance.
Slamming Abbas's speech on Monday, the factions affirmed that the sanctions he talked about serve the Israeli occupation only and kill any chance for Palestinian reconciliation.
They also expressed their rejection of Abbas's accusations in which he held Hamas responsible for the assassination attempt that targeted the PA government's premier Rami Hamdallah during his latest visit to Gaza.
The Palestinian factions stressed the need to establish a unified national front to pressure Abbas to reverse his punitive measures, and called for the reformation of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in order to confront the US-Israeli projects aimed at liquidating the Palestinian cause, like the deal of the century.
In a speech on Monday during a meeting of the PLO Executive Committee, Abbas announced his intention to impose new financial and legal sanctions on the Gaza Strip in the wake of the attack that targeted Rami Hamdallah's convoy in Gaza.
In April 2017 Abbas imposed a series of collective punishment measures on the Gaza Strip including cutting salaries, reducing power and medical supplies, forcing employees into early retirement and halting medical referrals for Gaza patients.
Fatah Movement, led by Abbas, later said that it would go for national reconciliation once Hamas dissolves Gaza's Administration Committee.
The Committee was dissolved and all Gaza ministries and crossings were handed over to the PA government under an Egypt-sponsored agreement. However, Fatah has not yet made a single serious step toward alleviating the suffering of the Gazan people.
The factions said in a press conference, following a meeting at al-Ahrar Movement's headquarters in Gaza, that these sanctions mainly target the Palestinian resistance.
Slamming Abbas's speech on Monday, the factions affirmed that the sanctions he talked about serve the Israeli occupation only and kill any chance for Palestinian reconciliation.
They also expressed their rejection of Abbas's accusations in which he held Hamas responsible for the assassination attempt that targeted the PA government's premier Rami Hamdallah during his latest visit to Gaza.
The Palestinian factions stressed the need to establish a unified national front to pressure Abbas to reverse his punitive measures, and called for the reformation of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in order to confront the US-Israeli projects aimed at liquidating the Palestinian cause, like the deal of the century.
In a speech on Monday during a meeting of the PLO Executive Committee, Abbas announced his intention to impose new financial and legal sanctions on the Gaza Strip in the wake of the attack that targeted Rami Hamdallah's convoy in Gaza.
In April 2017 Abbas imposed a series of collective punishment measures on the Gaza Strip including cutting salaries, reducing power and medical supplies, forcing employees into early retirement and halting medical referrals for Gaza patients.
Fatah Movement, led by Abbas, later said that it would go for national reconciliation once Hamas dissolves Gaza's Administration Committee.
The Committee was dissolved and all Gaza ministries and crossings were handed over to the PA government under an Egypt-sponsored agreement. However, Fatah has not yet made a single serious step toward alleviating the suffering of the Gazan people.
The member of Fatah Revolutionary Council, Abdul Hamid al-Masri, slammed Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas for his latest speech in which he promised to impose more financial and legal sanctions on the besieged Gaza Strip.
Masri told the PIC reporter that Abbas has been imposing the most extreme sanctions against Gaza for a long period including both electricity and salaries files.
The Fatah leader called for establishing a “national salvation front” to save the lives of 2 million Palestinians living in the blockaded coastal enclave.
Masri opined that Abbas’s criticism of the US ambassador to Israel does not constitute a challenge to the US administration. He also pointed out that criticizing Egypt reflects his dissatisfaction with its national role over the past few months especially in terms of the reconciliation file.
Masri told the PIC reporter that Abbas has been imposing the most extreme sanctions against Gaza for a long period including both electricity and salaries files.
The Fatah leader called for establishing a “national salvation front” to save the lives of 2 million Palestinians living in the blockaded coastal enclave.
Masri opined that Abbas’s criticism of the US ambassador to Israel does not constitute a challenge to the US administration. He also pointed out that criticizing Egypt reflects his dissatisfaction with its national role over the past few months especially in terms of the reconciliation file.
The Islamic Jihad Movement has warned that the remarks made on Monday by Palestinian Authority (PA) president Mahmoud Abbas on Gaza pose a threat to the unity of the Palestinian people and provide more support for the Israeli blockade on the improvised enclave.
In a press release on Monday, Islamic Jihad expressed its outright rejection of any punitive measures to be taken by the PA leadership in Ramallah against the Gaza population.
“Everyone should realize that the unity of the Palestinian people in the face of the Zionist enemy is the national position that must steer all our efforts at this stage,” the Movement underlined.
It stressed the need for rallying around the Palestinian resistance instead of conspiring against it in order to protect the Palestinian people’s presence and their national cause against the dangers threatening them.
In a press release on Monday, Islamic Jihad expressed its outright rejection of any punitive measures to be taken by the PA leadership in Ramallah against the Gaza population.
“Everyone should realize that the unity of the Palestinian people in the face of the Zionist enemy is the national position that must steer all our efforts at this stage,” the Movement underlined.
It stressed the need for rallying around the Palestinian resistance instead of conspiring against it in order to protect the Palestinian people’s presence and their national cause against the dangers threatening them.
The Hamas Movement has strongly denounced Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas for threatening to take further punitive measures against Gaza, accusing him of trying to bring the Gaza population to their knees and strike the pillars of their steadfastness.
Calling his remarks irresponsible, Hamas stated in a press release on Monday that Abbas’s actions aim to undermine any chance to elevate the national project and achieve the unity, and seek to perpetuate the separation of Gaza from the West Bank to pave the way for the US-backed deal of the century.
“We see such remarks and decisions as a departure from the reconciliation agreements and a disregard for the Egyptian role, which is still following up the steps to implement them,” Hamas said, calling on all factions to urgently intervene to save the national project and unity and assume their responsibilities towards “Abbas’s destructive and serious practices.”
“While the Hamas Movement has been keen on making every effort to achieve the unity of our people in the face of lurking conspiracies targeting our national cause and inalienable rights, we have been surprised to hear from Abbas tensioning remarks that burn down bridges, perpetuate the division, torpedo the unity of our people and the elements of their steadfastness at home and abroad, and create climates contributing to supporting Trump’s project that aims to liquidate our national cause,” the Movement stated.
Hamas called on all regional and international parties and the Arab League to swiftly and responsibly intervene to prevent the occurrence of a inter-Palestinian disaster resulting from Abbas’s policies and decisions on Gaza.
It also called for holding general presidential, legislative and national council elections in order to enable the Palestinian people to choose new leaders representing them and able to achieve the unity and shoulder the national responsibilities towards their people.
Calling his remarks irresponsible, Hamas stated in a press release on Monday that Abbas’s actions aim to undermine any chance to elevate the national project and achieve the unity, and seek to perpetuate the separation of Gaza from the West Bank to pave the way for the US-backed deal of the century.
“We see such remarks and decisions as a departure from the reconciliation agreements and a disregard for the Egyptian role, which is still following up the steps to implement them,” Hamas said, calling on all factions to urgently intervene to save the national project and unity and assume their responsibilities towards “Abbas’s destructive and serious practices.”
“While the Hamas Movement has been keen on making every effort to achieve the unity of our people in the face of lurking conspiracies targeting our national cause and inalienable rights, we have been surprised to hear from Abbas tensioning remarks that burn down bridges, perpetuate the division, torpedo the unity of our people and the elements of their steadfastness at home and abroad, and create climates contributing to supporting Trump’s project that aims to liquidate our national cause,” the Movement stated.
Hamas called on all regional and international parties and the Arab League to swiftly and responsibly intervene to prevent the occurrence of a inter-Palestinian disaster resulting from Abbas’s policies and decisions on Gaza.
It also called for holding general presidential, legislative and national council elections in order to enable the Palestinian people to choose new leaders representing them and able to achieve the unity and shoulder the national responsibilities towards their people.