6 nov 2013
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Dr. Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman, has said that the visit by US secretary of state John Kerry was not welcome and was providing cover for Israeli occupation to commit more crimes. Abu Zuhri said in a press release on Wednesday that Kerry should know that the ongoing negotiations did not represent the Palestinian people.
The PA chief Mahmoud Abbas was not authorized by the Palestinians to hold negotiations and thus the Palestinian people would not be committed to any result of those negotiations, the spokesman said. |
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Video 2.34
A senior Palestinian Authority (PA) official says there will be no direct talks with Israel if it keeps on expanding illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. "The Israeli side is determined to continue its settlement and we cannot continue negotiations under these unprecedented settlement attacks," the official said on Tuesday night, following a meeting between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media. "The Palestinian-Israeli negotiations broke down during the session on Tuesday night," he revealed. Earlier in the day, acting PA chief Mahmoud Abbas described Israel’s settlement activities as damaging to the so-called peace talks. Israel has recently freed 104 Palestinian prisoners, as part of a deal for the resumption of the talks with the PA, but it has also announced plans to build about 5,000 more illegal settlement units on the occupied Palestinian land. Earlier this month, a large number of Palestinians from different political movements took to the streets of the West Bank city of Ramallah to call on the PA to pull out from the talks with Israel. Supporters of all Palestinian factions, including the Islamic resistance movement Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, |
gathered in central Arafat square to protest against the talks.
The protesters said the talks are useless and Abbas must withdraw from the negotiations.
They also demanded the PA take the regime in Tel Aviv to the International Criminal Court for its crimes against the people of Palestine.
The presence and continued expansion of Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine has created a major obstacle for the efforts to establish peace in the Middle East.
The protesters said the talks are useless and Abbas must withdraw from the negotiations.
They also demanded the PA take the regime in Tel Aviv to the International Criminal Court for its crimes against the people of Palestine.
The presence and continued expansion of Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine has created a major obstacle for the efforts to establish peace in the Middle East.
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On Wednesday 6th November, Palestinians gathered to protest US Secretary of State John Kerry's visit to Bethlehem.
The protest took place in the city of Bethlehem, and was sparked by the continuation of negotiations despite ongoing Israeli settlement expansion in East Jerusalem and West Bank. One of the participants said "Kerry is giving us words. We don't want words, we want actions." Another citizen said, "We are trying to show the world that we are against the Israeli policies in building more settlement and demolishing more houses in Jerusalem." |
Meanwhile, Kerry announced following his meeting with President Mahmoud Abbas in Bethlehem, that the US will give an additional $75 million aid for infrastructure projects to the Palestinian people.
Kerry also inaugurated a new road in Bethlehem financed by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported.
Kerry also inaugurated a new road in Bethlehem financed by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported.
Israeli sources have reported that a direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiation session, held on Tuesday, ended with crisis due to sharp differences between the stance of Israeli and Palestinian negotiators.
Israeli sources said that the schedule for direct talks never changed despite the visit of Israeli Foreign Minister John Kerry, and claimed that the Palestinians are trying to create a crisis by repeatedly threatening to quit talks.
The Israeli Walla News said that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and a number of senior Palestinian officials, including negotiators, have been threatening to quit direct talks “to coerce Israel into making concessions”.
Walla quoted an Israeli source alleging “the Palestinians agreed to the release of veteran Palestinian detainees in exchange for not objecting to Israel’s settlement building activities, and found themselves unable to break this agreement after three months of talks”.
The Palestinian Authority denied the reports, and said that Israel’s settlement are illegal under International Law, and that the release of the detainees is part of political moves to ensure a positive atmosphere for continuing direct peace talks.
It is worth mentioning that Israeli Finance Minister head of the Yesh Atid Party Yair Lapid, said Israel will never withdraw from occupied East Jerusalem, and that the city will always remain united as the capital of the Jewish State.
Lapid added that the Palestinian must understand this fact, and must realize they cannot achieve all of their demands.
East Jerusalem is internationally recognized as an occupied city, therefore Israel’s presence in the city and its settlements are illegal. Jerusalem is one of the core issues that could, yet again, topple the political process.
Tel Aviv alleges it is seeking comprehensive peace with the Palestinians, and that the talks are held without preconditions.
Nevertheless, it is ongoing with its violations, invasions, attacks, and its construction and expansion of illegitimate Jewish settlements in the occupied territories in direct violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention to which Tel Aviv is a signatory.
Israeli sources said that the schedule for direct talks never changed despite the visit of Israeli Foreign Minister John Kerry, and claimed that the Palestinians are trying to create a crisis by repeatedly threatening to quit talks.
The Israeli Walla News said that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and a number of senior Palestinian officials, including negotiators, have been threatening to quit direct talks “to coerce Israel into making concessions”.
Walla quoted an Israeli source alleging “the Palestinians agreed to the release of veteran Palestinian detainees in exchange for not objecting to Israel’s settlement building activities, and found themselves unable to break this agreement after three months of talks”.
The Palestinian Authority denied the reports, and said that Israel’s settlement are illegal under International Law, and that the release of the detainees is part of political moves to ensure a positive atmosphere for continuing direct peace talks.
It is worth mentioning that Israeli Finance Minister head of the Yesh Atid Party Yair Lapid, said Israel will never withdraw from occupied East Jerusalem, and that the city will always remain united as the capital of the Jewish State.
Lapid added that the Palestinian must understand this fact, and must realize they cannot achieve all of their demands.
East Jerusalem is internationally recognized as an occupied city, therefore Israel’s presence in the city and its settlements are illegal. Jerusalem is one of the core issues that could, yet again, topple the political process.
Tel Aviv alleges it is seeking comprehensive peace with the Palestinians, and that the talks are held without preconditions.
Nevertheless, it is ongoing with its violations, invasions, attacks, and its construction and expansion of illegitimate Jewish settlements in the occupied territories in direct violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention to which Tel Aviv is a signatory.
Israeli Finance Minister, head of the Yesh Atid “There is Future” Party Yair Lapid stated that the future of Jerusalem is not a subject for discussion in Israeli Palestinian negotiations, and that Jerusalem will always “remain the united capital of Israel’.
His statements came during an interview with Israeli Radio Channel 2 (Reshet Bet).
Lapid said that Jerusalem is the “significant soul of the state of Israel’, will never be divided, and that “the Palestinians need to understand they cannot achieve all of their demands”.
His statements came after some media reports indicated Tuesday that direct Israeli-Palestinian talks also include the future of occupied Jerusalem.
The Finance Minister alleged he believes in a two-state solution, and that Israel “will pay a high price” by withdrawing from certain territories, dividing lands and eventually removing some settlements in the occupied territories.
He added that any decision concerning a withdrawal or removing some settlements would lead Israel into a new election, or at least a public referendum.
Israel’s occupation of Palestine, its settlements and its apartheid wall, are illegal under International Law and the Fourth Geneva Convention to which Israel is a signatory.
His statements came during an interview with Israeli Radio Channel 2 (Reshet Bet).
Lapid said that Jerusalem is the “significant soul of the state of Israel’, will never be divided, and that “the Palestinians need to understand they cannot achieve all of their demands”.
His statements came after some media reports indicated Tuesday that direct Israeli-Palestinian talks also include the future of occupied Jerusalem.
The Finance Minister alleged he believes in a two-state solution, and that Israel “will pay a high price” by withdrawing from certain territories, dividing lands and eventually removing some settlements in the occupied territories.
He added that any decision concerning a withdrawal or removing some settlements would lead Israel into a new election, or at least a public referendum.
Israel’s occupation of Palestine, its settlements and its apartheid wall, are illegal under International Law and the Fourth Geneva Convention to which Israel is a signatory.
5 nov 2013
By Khalid Amayreh
Taking advantage of the ongoing turmoil in the Arab world, Israel has introduced another potentially lethal hurdle to the already moribund peace process with the Palestinians by tabling a draft law in the Israeli parliament, the Knesset that would formally allow Jews to pray at the Al-Aqsda Courts.
The move, Palestinian argue, is a step toward the seizure of the holy shrine, exclusively Islamic since the Muslim conquest of Palestine more than 14 centuries ago.
The Israeli Knesset, dominated by Talmdic-minded and other hard-line millenarian Jews witnessed acrimonious discussion Monday as lawmakers made inflammatory calls, urging the Israeli government to "partition" the Islamic sanctuary between "Arabs and Jews."
The provocative discussion prompted Arab Knesset members to leave the plenum, warning that Jewish fanatics were playing with fire.
"You are playing with fire, you are turning the entire Middle East into a tinder box," said Arab MK Ahmed Teibi, as he left the Knesset hall.
"He who plays with fire will have his fingers burned."
Observers in Occupied Palestine argue that no other provocation has the potential of "turning things upside down in the region."
"I don't imagine any other issue having the potential of mobilizing and galvanizing the Arab and Muslim streets and, of course, the Palestinian street," said Hani al-Masri, a prominent political analyst based in Ramallah.
"If the Aqsa Mosque won't move the people, what will?"
The latest Israeli provocation comes at a time when peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) reached a virtual deadlock.
The Hebrew press has revealed that very few subjects were discussed in talks in the past three months.
According to Yesdeot Ahronot, Israeli and Palestinian negotiators have met 15 times in the past three months. Meetings were held alternately in different locations in Jerusalem and Jericho, and lasted on average between three and four hours.
In terms of borders, the Palestinians proposed reverting to the 1967 lines with land swaps. Israel's starting point was to mark the Palestinian state's borders within the wall outline, with the Israeli domination in the Jordan valley remaining intact..
Israel also proposed adding the colonies of Beit-El, Psagot and Nokdim to the settlement blocs that would remain under Israeli sovereignty.
The paramount issue of Jerusalem will be discussed separately.
PA president Mahmoud Abbas told a Fatah consultative body in Ramallah on Monday that "there has been no progress in the talks with Israel." Abbas also warned that the continuing stalemate was creating an incendiary situation in the occupied Palestinian territories.
He added that the Ramallah leadership would contact "international organizations", including the UN Security Council, in the hope that these entities would exert pressure on Israel to end its decades-old occupation of Palestinian land.
Last week, it was rumored that Palestinian negotiators submitted their collective resignation to Abbas over what was termed as "Israeli intransigence and lack of seriousness in the talk."
Palestinian and Israeli officials had pledged to refrain from leaking any news about the ongoing talks to the media.
However, one PA official who is close to the talks and who is briefed regularly by the negotiators themselves accused Israel of "reneging on all agreements and understandings reached by both sides since the conclusion of the Oslo Agreement."
"Israel is not treating us as an equal peace partner, they are dealing with us as a vanquished supplicant, very much like a beggar, who has no rights and who should settle for whatever Israel chooses to give away to him."
As to the American role, the PLO official lashed out at the Americans, describing the US as "the mother of all trouble."
"The Americans are Israel's enabler, bankroller, and guardian-ally. The Americans are playing the role of a judge who tells a rapist and his victim to sort it out among them."
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was supposed to meet with Palestinian and Israeli officials Tuesday in an effort to save the talks from what appears to be an imminent collapse.
Kerry and other American officials reportedly have hinted that the U.S. will make "final bridging proposals" in order to save the talks and prevent the two sides from returning to square one.
The Palestinian leadership interprets the reported American proposals as a euphemism for imposing a solution, especially on the weaker side, the Palestinians.
During his visit to Saudi Arabia this week, Kerry denied that his country would impose a solution on the Palestinians and Israelis.
Meanwhile, the Israeli government is doing all it can to frustrate the PA, ostensibly in the hope of prompting it to quit the talks.
Indeed, in addition to the latest provocations pertaining to the Aqsa Mosque, Israel has announced plans to demolish dozens of Arab buildings in East Jerusalem, which would render more than 16,000 Arabs homeless. Israel also announced this week that it would build 3500 other settler units in the Jerusalem area.
The latest scheme has been described as the most "ambitious act of ethnic cleansing" against the Palestinians since 1967.
Furthermore, Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu said this week Israel would build a huge wall along the Jordan River. Pundits, both Arabs and Jews, interpret Netanyahu's announcement as reflecting both disinterest in and hopelessness about peace with the Palestinians.
According to a latest opinion poll, 60% of Palestinians said they expected an intifada or uprising to erupt if current peace talks reached a dead-end.
Taking advantage of the ongoing turmoil in the Arab world, Israel has introduced another potentially lethal hurdle to the already moribund peace process with the Palestinians by tabling a draft law in the Israeli parliament, the Knesset that would formally allow Jews to pray at the Al-Aqsda Courts.
The move, Palestinian argue, is a step toward the seizure of the holy shrine, exclusively Islamic since the Muslim conquest of Palestine more than 14 centuries ago.
The Israeli Knesset, dominated by Talmdic-minded and other hard-line millenarian Jews witnessed acrimonious discussion Monday as lawmakers made inflammatory calls, urging the Israeli government to "partition" the Islamic sanctuary between "Arabs and Jews."
The provocative discussion prompted Arab Knesset members to leave the plenum, warning that Jewish fanatics were playing with fire.
"You are playing with fire, you are turning the entire Middle East into a tinder box," said Arab MK Ahmed Teibi, as he left the Knesset hall.
"He who plays with fire will have his fingers burned."
Observers in Occupied Palestine argue that no other provocation has the potential of "turning things upside down in the region."
"I don't imagine any other issue having the potential of mobilizing and galvanizing the Arab and Muslim streets and, of course, the Palestinian street," said Hani al-Masri, a prominent political analyst based in Ramallah.
"If the Aqsa Mosque won't move the people, what will?"
The latest Israeli provocation comes at a time when peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) reached a virtual deadlock.
The Hebrew press has revealed that very few subjects were discussed in talks in the past three months.
According to Yesdeot Ahronot, Israeli and Palestinian negotiators have met 15 times in the past three months. Meetings were held alternately in different locations in Jerusalem and Jericho, and lasted on average between three and four hours.
In terms of borders, the Palestinians proposed reverting to the 1967 lines with land swaps. Israel's starting point was to mark the Palestinian state's borders within the wall outline, with the Israeli domination in the Jordan valley remaining intact..
Israel also proposed adding the colonies of Beit-El, Psagot and Nokdim to the settlement blocs that would remain under Israeli sovereignty.
The paramount issue of Jerusalem will be discussed separately.
PA president Mahmoud Abbas told a Fatah consultative body in Ramallah on Monday that "there has been no progress in the talks with Israel." Abbas also warned that the continuing stalemate was creating an incendiary situation in the occupied Palestinian territories.
He added that the Ramallah leadership would contact "international organizations", including the UN Security Council, in the hope that these entities would exert pressure on Israel to end its decades-old occupation of Palestinian land.
Last week, it was rumored that Palestinian negotiators submitted their collective resignation to Abbas over what was termed as "Israeli intransigence and lack of seriousness in the talk."
Palestinian and Israeli officials had pledged to refrain from leaking any news about the ongoing talks to the media.
However, one PA official who is close to the talks and who is briefed regularly by the negotiators themselves accused Israel of "reneging on all agreements and understandings reached by both sides since the conclusion of the Oslo Agreement."
"Israel is not treating us as an equal peace partner, they are dealing with us as a vanquished supplicant, very much like a beggar, who has no rights and who should settle for whatever Israel chooses to give away to him."
As to the American role, the PLO official lashed out at the Americans, describing the US as "the mother of all trouble."
"The Americans are Israel's enabler, bankroller, and guardian-ally. The Americans are playing the role of a judge who tells a rapist and his victim to sort it out among them."
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was supposed to meet with Palestinian and Israeli officials Tuesday in an effort to save the talks from what appears to be an imminent collapse.
Kerry and other American officials reportedly have hinted that the U.S. will make "final bridging proposals" in order to save the talks and prevent the two sides from returning to square one.
The Palestinian leadership interprets the reported American proposals as a euphemism for imposing a solution, especially on the weaker side, the Palestinians.
During his visit to Saudi Arabia this week, Kerry denied that his country would impose a solution on the Palestinians and Israelis.
Meanwhile, the Israeli government is doing all it can to frustrate the PA, ostensibly in the hope of prompting it to quit the talks.
Indeed, in addition to the latest provocations pertaining to the Aqsa Mosque, Israel has announced plans to demolish dozens of Arab buildings in East Jerusalem, which would render more than 16,000 Arabs homeless. Israel also announced this week that it would build 3500 other settler units in the Jerusalem area.
The latest scheme has been described as the most "ambitious act of ethnic cleansing" against the Palestinians since 1967.
Furthermore, Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu said this week Israel would build a huge wall along the Jordan River. Pundits, both Arabs and Jews, interpret Netanyahu's announcement as reflecting both disinterest in and hopelessness about peace with the Palestinians.
According to a latest opinion poll, 60% of Palestinians said they expected an intifada or uprising to erupt if current peace talks reached a dead-end.
UPDATE: Since the announcement that the US will propose it’s own draft framework agreement for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in January, Palestinian officials have responded saying that any American peace plan must have two key components: first, that it be a final status solution, not and interim agreement, and secondly, that it must include a concrete timetable for the implementation of each issue, especially the core issues.
It was announced on Monday by the Israeli Haaretz that the Obama administration plans to present its own plan for a draft framework agreement on permanent status to Israeli and Palestinian officials in January, according to a senior Knesset Member.
Haaretz reported that Meretz chairman Zahava Gal-On said that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry informed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of this plan during their meeting in Rome, two weeks ago.
“The Obama administration plans to achieve a diplomatic breakthrough at the beginning of 2014,” Gal-On told Haaretz. “The Americans want to move from coordinating between the two sides to a phase of active intervention. This coming January, they will present a new diplomatic plan that will include all the core issues and will be based on the 1967 lines, with agreed-on land swaps. The plan will include a gradual timetable for implementation and will also address the dimension of regional peace based on the Arab Peace Initiative. It will also include an economic plan to invest billions in the Palestinian economy.”
It is worth mentioning that Israeli and Palestinian officials resumed negotiations in late July after a three-year hiatus, and have held 15 meetings.
The Haaretz report concluded, noting that in the months before January, the parties will continue to conduct negotiations. The assumption is that each side will remain entrenched in their basic positions, and therefore in January the United States will present this plan, with its own proposals for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
It was announced on Monday by the Israeli Haaretz that the Obama administration plans to present its own plan for a draft framework agreement on permanent status to Israeli and Palestinian officials in January, according to a senior Knesset Member.
Haaretz reported that Meretz chairman Zahava Gal-On said that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry informed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of this plan during their meeting in Rome, two weeks ago.
“The Obama administration plans to achieve a diplomatic breakthrough at the beginning of 2014,” Gal-On told Haaretz. “The Americans want to move from coordinating between the two sides to a phase of active intervention. This coming January, they will present a new diplomatic plan that will include all the core issues and will be based on the 1967 lines, with agreed-on land swaps. The plan will include a gradual timetable for implementation and will also address the dimension of regional peace based on the Arab Peace Initiative. It will also include an economic plan to invest billions in the Palestinian economy.”
It is worth mentioning that Israeli and Palestinian officials resumed negotiations in late July after a three-year hiatus, and have held 15 meetings.
The Haaretz report concluded, noting that in the months before January, the parties will continue to conduct negotiations. The assumption is that each side will remain entrenched in their basic positions, and therefore in January the United States will present this plan, with its own proposals for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
More than half of Palestinians support a two-state solution, according to a public opinion poll published on Monday.
The poll, conducted by the Arab World For Research & Development, covered 1,200 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. It was conducted between October 20 and 22 and has a margin of error of 3 percentage points.
AWRAD describes itself as an independent research center that specializes in political and economic research and development through rigorous policy and applied research.
The poll showed that while a majority of Palestinians supports the present round of negotiations with Israel, a similar number of respondents (54 percent) believe the process will not yield positive results.
Furthermore, 57% of respondents said they were less hopeful for the peace process than the previous year, while an additional 57% believe that the Palestinians are further away from achieving a state.
Nevertheless, a majority of 54% of respondents continue to support the two-state solution, the survey found.
Support for the two-state solution is greater in the West Bank (56%) compared to 50% in the Gaza Strip, according to the poll.
The poll also showed that 58% of Palestinians support non-violent means "to end the occupation" as opposed to 47% of Gaza respondents who believe that armed resistance is the best method to achieve independence.
But while a majority of 60% believe a third intifada is possible in the near future, only 29% said they would support such a development, the poll showed.
This article was published by The Jerusalem Post
The poll, conducted by the Arab World For Research & Development, covered 1,200 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. It was conducted between October 20 and 22 and has a margin of error of 3 percentage points.
AWRAD describes itself as an independent research center that specializes in political and economic research and development through rigorous policy and applied research.
The poll showed that while a majority of Palestinians supports the present round of negotiations with Israel, a similar number of respondents (54 percent) believe the process will not yield positive results.
Furthermore, 57% of respondents said they were less hopeful for the peace process than the previous year, while an additional 57% believe that the Palestinians are further away from achieving a state.
Nevertheless, a majority of 54% of respondents continue to support the two-state solution, the survey found.
Support for the two-state solution is greater in the West Bank (56%) compared to 50% in the Gaza Strip, according to the poll.
The poll also showed that 58% of Palestinians support non-violent means "to end the occupation" as opposed to 47% of Gaza respondents who believe that armed resistance is the best method to achieve independence.
But while a majority of 60% believe a third intifada is possible in the near future, only 29% said they would support such a development, the poll showed.
This article was published by The Jerusalem Post
Israel radio said in a report that Israel's Justice Minister, Tzipi Livni, who heads the Israeli negotiations team and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's representative, Yitzhak Molcho, came to dispute on issues relating to the size of the area designated for the free movement of Israelis and Palestinians in Jerusalem, The Jerusalem Post reported.
According to the report, Molcho asked to restrict the boundaries as much as possible, bordering on east Jerusalem, while Livni showed a more flexible stance.
The report said that Israel's position on the borders is the actual path of the separation barrier rather than the pre-1967 lines as demanded by the Palestinians.
Israel wishes to retain not only the settlement blocs, but also some isolated settlements beyond the barrier, such as Psagot and Beit-El, the report added.
Israel has also stated that it will keep its hold on the Jordan Valley and its water resources, but Palestinians will be allowed to purchase water from Israel.
It's worth mentioning that the negotiating teams have held 15 meetings, each of which lasted 3-4 hours.
JPost said that sources at the Netanyahu's Office deny the issue concerning the borders, and added that it has been made clear to the Palestinians that Jerusalem will remain under Israeli sovereignty with its present borders.
It also said that Livni's office offered no comment, but stated that the report was unfounded and meant to harm negotiations.
According to the report, Molcho asked to restrict the boundaries as much as possible, bordering on east Jerusalem, while Livni showed a more flexible stance.
The report said that Israel's position on the borders is the actual path of the separation barrier rather than the pre-1967 lines as demanded by the Palestinians.
Israel wishes to retain not only the settlement blocs, but also some isolated settlements beyond the barrier, such as Psagot and Beit-El, the report added.
Israel has also stated that it will keep its hold on the Jordan Valley and its water resources, but Palestinians will be allowed to purchase water from Israel.
It's worth mentioning that the negotiating teams have held 15 meetings, each of which lasted 3-4 hours.
JPost said that sources at the Netanyahu's Office deny the issue concerning the borders, and added that it has been made clear to the Palestinians that Jerusalem will remain under Israeli sovereignty with its present borders.
It also said that Livni's office offered no comment, but stated that the report was unfounded and meant to harm negotiations.
4 nov 2013
Israeli Peace Now Movement issued a press release denouncing a new Israeli decision of the Israeli Government of Benjamin Netanyahu, to build additional 1889 units for Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank, and in occupied Jerusalem.
Peace Now said that the tenders include 1.061 units in the West Bank, and 828 units in occupied East Jerusalem.
It added that the new tenders are the last stage before the actual implementation and construction of these illegal units starts.
The Movement further stated that only a few months after the tenders are published, winning bids are selected, and the contractors who won the bids may apply for construction permits and begin the actual construction just a few weeks, or a few months, later.
This is part of the serious and rapidly escalating construction and expansion of illegal Jewish settlements in occupied Palestine, to preclude any future outcome of direct peace talks with the Palestinians.
Illegal under International Law and the Fourth Geneva Convention to which Israel is a signatory, settlements are also largely built on private Palestinian property, leading to the massive illegal annexation of Palestinian lands and orchards for the construction itself, and further illegal annexation of lands for “security zones” and settler-only roads.
Israel’s illegitimate settlements, and its Annexation Wall, have turned the West Bank into isolated cantons, divided from each other, making the villagers separated from most of their lands, and have transformed several villages into open-air prisons after becoming completely isolated.
Commenting on the new Israeli decision, Peace Now said, “Whenever Netanyahu makes one small step towards peace, he makes two larger steps to make it harder to get peace”.
Furthermore, Peace Now also said that the Settlement Division of the World Zionist Organization published, last week, a tender for the construction of 30 units in Beit El settlement, near Ramallah.
--- The new tenders as published by Israel’s Peace Now Movement;
Elkana – 283 units
Maale Adumim – 114 units (112 of them in neighborhood 06, and another two in neighborhood 07)
Karnei Shomron – 196 units – the settlement is located east of the built route of the Barrier
Givat Zeev – 102 units – at the Banana Hill neighborhood
Ariel – 18 units – in the eastern part of the settlement – east of the built route of the Barrier.
Adam (AKA Geva Binyamin) – 80 units – east of the Separation Barrier. The plan and the infrastructure were prepared for the evicted settlers of Migron who have chosen a different location, and now it is marketed for the general public.
Beitar Illit – 238 units – in neighborhood B2.
In addition, the Settlement Division of the World Zionist Organization published last week a tender to build 30 units in Beit El.
This is not a regular tender offering the rights to build and sell a construction project, but a special tender where the Government is funding the construction and will grant the buildings to a private body dedicated in advance.
This construction is part of the compensation deal that the Government signed with the settlers of the Ulpana Hill that was built on private Palestinian land and evicted following a court order.
In East Jerusalem:
Gilo – 311 units – in Western Gilo Slopes
Ramat Shlomo – 387 units – it is part of the plan for 1,500 units that became published during the visit of Vice President Biden in 2010.
Har Homa B – 130 units for the elderly – this tender was first published in 2008 and then again in 2011 and 2012 – but no bids were awarded.
Peace Now said that the tenders include 1.061 units in the West Bank, and 828 units in occupied East Jerusalem.
It added that the new tenders are the last stage before the actual implementation and construction of these illegal units starts.
The Movement further stated that only a few months after the tenders are published, winning bids are selected, and the contractors who won the bids may apply for construction permits and begin the actual construction just a few weeks, or a few months, later.
This is part of the serious and rapidly escalating construction and expansion of illegal Jewish settlements in occupied Palestine, to preclude any future outcome of direct peace talks with the Palestinians.
Illegal under International Law and the Fourth Geneva Convention to which Israel is a signatory, settlements are also largely built on private Palestinian property, leading to the massive illegal annexation of Palestinian lands and orchards for the construction itself, and further illegal annexation of lands for “security zones” and settler-only roads.
Israel’s illegitimate settlements, and its Annexation Wall, have turned the West Bank into isolated cantons, divided from each other, making the villagers separated from most of their lands, and have transformed several villages into open-air prisons after becoming completely isolated.
Commenting on the new Israeli decision, Peace Now said, “Whenever Netanyahu makes one small step towards peace, he makes two larger steps to make it harder to get peace”.
Furthermore, Peace Now also said that the Settlement Division of the World Zionist Organization published, last week, a tender for the construction of 30 units in Beit El settlement, near Ramallah.
--- The new tenders as published by Israel’s Peace Now Movement;
Elkana – 283 units
Maale Adumim – 114 units (112 of them in neighborhood 06, and another two in neighborhood 07)
Karnei Shomron – 196 units – the settlement is located east of the built route of the Barrier
Givat Zeev – 102 units – at the Banana Hill neighborhood
Ariel – 18 units – in the eastern part of the settlement – east of the built route of the Barrier.
Adam (AKA Geva Binyamin) – 80 units – east of the Separation Barrier. The plan and the infrastructure were prepared for the evicted settlers of Migron who have chosen a different location, and now it is marketed for the general public.
Beitar Illit – 238 units – in neighborhood B2.
In addition, the Settlement Division of the World Zionist Organization published last week a tender to build 30 units in Beit El.
This is not a regular tender offering the rights to build and sell a construction project, but a special tender where the Government is funding the construction and will grant the buildings to a private body dedicated in advance.
This construction is part of the compensation deal that the Government signed with the settlers of the Ulpana Hill that was built on private Palestinian land and evicted following a court order.
In East Jerusalem:
Gilo – 311 units – in Western Gilo Slopes
Ramat Shlomo – 387 units – it is part of the plan for 1,500 units that became published during the visit of Vice President Biden in 2010.
Har Homa B – 130 units for the elderly – this tender was first published in 2008 and then again in 2011 and 2012 – but no bids were awarded.
The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the PA position regarding settlement construction that considered settlement activities in the West Bank a violation of the peace negotiations conditions. Netanyahu said in a meeting with Likud bloc that the PA led by Mahmoud Abbas is trying to create a crisis in the negotiations, adding that Palestinians "were aware on the eve of the negotiations, that Israel "will not be subjected to any restrictions concerning settlement."
For his part, Wasfi Qabaha, the former minister of the prisoners, stated that the absurd negotiations provide a cover to the Israeli schemes to divide al-Aqsa mosque.
He accused the PA of making unilateral decisions regardless of all national calls for achieving reconciliation and unity.
The release of 26 Palestinian prisoners is twenty years late, he said, condemning security coordination between Israeli and Palestinian authorities.
He pointed out to the resistance activities that escalated recently in West Bank as a response to the negotiation failure over 20 years in addition to the difficult economic and social conditions and Israeli attacks on al-Aqsa mosque.
For his part, Wasfi Qabaha, the former minister of the prisoners, stated that the absurd negotiations provide a cover to the Israeli schemes to divide al-Aqsa mosque.
He accused the PA of making unilateral decisions regardless of all national calls for achieving reconciliation and unity.
The release of 26 Palestinian prisoners is twenty years late, he said, condemning security coordination between Israeli and Palestinian authorities.
He pointed out to the resistance activities that escalated recently in West Bank as a response to the negotiation failure over 20 years in addition to the difficult economic and social conditions and Israeli attacks on al-Aqsa mosque.
2 nov 2013
Islamic Jihad Movement in Gaza warned that the Palestinian Authority might sign a final or interim agreement that will not end the occupation, stressing that such a move will not be binding upon the Palestinian people and its resistance. The leader in the movement Mohammed al-Hindi, during a mass rally marking the inception of his movement in Gaza on Friday afternoon, strongly criticized "the absurdity of negotiations", adding that "Israel will turn the negotiations into a final agreement like the Oslo Accord, which lasted twenty years."
He also warned of the continuation of negotiations without talking about the issue of Jerusalem and the return of the refugees, stressing the resistance’s rejection to recognize negotiations with Israel.
Hindi explained that the only solution lies in implementing the reconciliation and developing a national strategy that will preserve the dignity of the Palestinians.
He also warned of the continuation of negotiations without talking about the issue of Jerusalem and the return of the refugees, stressing the resistance’s rejection to recognize negotiations with Israel.
Hindi explained that the only solution lies in implementing the reconciliation and developing a national strategy that will preserve the dignity of the Palestinians.
31 oct 2013
Israel is planning to move ahead with another 3,360 new settler homes in the West Bank, Haaretz newspaper reported on Thursday, quoting an MP from the ruling right-wing Likud party.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin "Netanyahu's government will begin advancing a series of construction plans in east Jerusalem and the West Bank to the tune of some 5,000 new housing units, in an effort to 'offset' the release of Palestinian prisoners earlier this week," the paper said.
The figure includes the construction of 1,500 new homes in East Jerusalem which was announced early on Wednesday immediately after Israel freed 26 long-serving prisoners in line with its commitments to US-backed peace talks.
But the report also detailed plans for another 3,360 homes which are to be pushed through various stages of the planning process.
Some are to be built in large settlement blocs Israel hopes to retain in any final peace deal, while others are slated for construction in isolated settlements deep in the occupied West Bank.
The information was revealed by Ofir Akunis, an MP from Netanyahu's ruling Likud, the paper said.
Akunis could not immediately be reached to confirm the details.
The report said the government would market land "for the immediate construction of 860 housing units in settlements in the major blocs" naming Ariel, Maaleh Adumim, Givat Zeev, Beitar Ilit, Kareni Shomron and Elkana.
Plans for another 1,400 new homes in both the blocs and in isolated settlements will also be submitted to the planning division of the Civil Administration, which is responsible for West Bank construction permits.
And plans for another 1,100 units, which have already advanced some way through the lengthy planning process, will also be pushed forward, the paper said, adding some were tabled for isolated settlements like Shiloh and Nokdim.
Contacted by AFP, a senior government official appeared to confirm the report, although he did not cite specific numbers.
"Only the 1,500 new housing units will be built," he said, referring to Wednesday's announcement about construction in the east Jerusalem settlement neighborhood of Ramat Shlomo.
"All the rest of the numbers that were published in the last day are only relating to the planning process and not to actual construction."
PLO, EU condemn settlement plans
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Thursday condemned Israel's decision to build 1,500 settler homes in East Jerusalem, calling on Israel to "end all settlement activity, including natural growth."
PLO official Hanan Ashrawi also condemned the move, saying settlement expansion is "willfully and flagrantly violating international law and the requirements for peace."
"The Israeli occupation is exposing its true intentions of creating ‘greater Israel’ rather than a two-state solution. The Israeli government has proven once again that it is not a partner for peace nor a member of the international community that respects the global rule of law."
Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki said that the PA is considering going to international courts to file complaints against new Israeli settlements.
British Minister Hugh Robertson said in a statement that the UK regrets the recent decision to expand settlements, adding that "the UK has consistently condemned settlements, which are illegal under international law, undermine trust and threaten the viability of the two-state solution."
Israel is currently engaged in direct peace talks with the PLO for the first time in three years, following intense pressure from Washington.
The previous round of negotiations collapsed in September 2010 in a bitter dispute over Israel's ongoing construction on land seized and occupied in the 1967 Six Day War.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin "Netanyahu's government will begin advancing a series of construction plans in east Jerusalem and the West Bank to the tune of some 5,000 new housing units, in an effort to 'offset' the release of Palestinian prisoners earlier this week," the paper said.
The figure includes the construction of 1,500 new homes in East Jerusalem which was announced early on Wednesday immediately after Israel freed 26 long-serving prisoners in line with its commitments to US-backed peace talks.
But the report also detailed plans for another 3,360 homes which are to be pushed through various stages of the planning process.
Some are to be built in large settlement blocs Israel hopes to retain in any final peace deal, while others are slated for construction in isolated settlements deep in the occupied West Bank.
The information was revealed by Ofir Akunis, an MP from Netanyahu's ruling Likud, the paper said.
Akunis could not immediately be reached to confirm the details.
The report said the government would market land "for the immediate construction of 860 housing units in settlements in the major blocs" naming Ariel, Maaleh Adumim, Givat Zeev, Beitar Ilit, Kareni Shomron and Elkana.
Plans for another 1,400 new homes in both the blocs and in isolated settlements will also be submitted to the planning division of the Civil Administration, which is responsible for West Bank construction permits.
And plans for another 1,100 units, which have already advanced some way through the lengthy planning process, will also be pushed forward, the paper said, adding some were tabled for isolated settlements like Shiloh and Nokdim.
Contacted by AFP, a senior government official appeared to confirm the report, although he did not cite specific numbers.
"Only the 1,500 new housing units will be built," he said, referring to Wednesday's announcement about construction in the east Jerusalem settlement neighborhood of Ramat Shlomo.
"All the rest of the numbers that were published in the last day are only relating to the planning process and not to actual construction."
PLO, EU condemn settlement plans
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Thursday condemned Israel's decision to build 1,500 settler homes in East Jerusalem, calling on Israel to "end all settlement activity, including natural growth."
PLO official Hanan Ashrawi also condemned the move, saying settlement expansion is "willfully and flagrantly violating international law and the requirements for peace."
"The Israeli occupation is exposing its true intentions of creating ‘greater Israel’ rather than a two-state solution. The Israeli government has proven once again that it is not a partner for peace nor a member of the international community that respects the global rule of law."
Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki said that the PA is considering going to international courts to file complaints against new Israeli settlements.
British Minister Hugh Robertson said in a statement that the UK regrets the recent decision to expand settlements, adding that "the UK has consistently condemned settlements, which are illegal under international law, undermine trust and threaten the viability of the two-state solution."
Israel is currently engaged in direct peace talks with the PLO for the first time in three years, following intense pressure from Washington.
The previous round of negotiations collapsed in September 2010 in a bitter dispute over Israel's ongoing construction on land seized and occupied in the 1967 Six Day War.
The Palestinian Authority said on Wednesday that Israel’s plans to build 1,500 new settler homes in occupied east Jerusalem was destroying the peace process. The move “destroys the peace process and is a message to the international community that Israel is a country that does not respect international law,” Nabil Abu Rudeina, spokesman for Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, said in a statement.
Sa’eb Erekat, a Palestinian negotiator and head of the PLO’s Negotiations Department, told the Voice of Palestine Radio that the Palestinian leadership “totally and strongly condemn and reject the new Israeli project.” He added that the decision “undermines all chances left for reviving the peace process.” Erekat said that project is “another attempt by Israel to resolve the fate of West Bank and Jerusalem through the de facto policy.”
The Palestinian official said that “achieving peace and stability for all requires ending the Israeli occupation and its measures in the Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, immediately.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Interior Minister Gideon Sa’ar agreed to expedite four construction plans in occupied east Jerusalem in bid to provide a counterbalance to the release of 26 Palestinian prisoners.
The Israeli Channel 10 television said that one of the plans involves the immediate approval for construction of 1,500 new housing units in the Ramat Shlomo settlement, to the north of Jerusalem. In addition, current owners of apartments in Ramat Shlomo would be allowed to expand their homes with another room to the size of 50 square-meters.
The Ramat Shlomo plan gained publicity when the Jerusalem’s District Planning and Building Committee discussed it in March 2010 during the visit to Israel of US Vice President Joe Biden. The US Administration has demanded at the time that Israel reverse the housing plan. The report said that during talks with Sa’ar, approval was also received for the establishment of a visitor’s center near the City of David National Park in the East Jerusalem’s neighborhood of Silwan.
According to the report, Netanyahu said plans would also be advanced for the previously-halted construction of a national park on the slopes of Mount Scopus (Jabal Al-Masharif), which would block the expansion of Arab neighborhoods in the area.
Sa’eb Erekat, a Palestinian negotiator and head of the PLO’s Negotiations Department, told the Voice of Palestine Radio that the Palestinian leadership “totally and strongly condemn and reject the new Israeli project.” He added that the decision “undermines all chances left for reviving the peace process.” Erekat said that project is “another attempt by Israel to resolve the fate of West Bank and Jerusalem through the de facto policy.”
The Palestinian official said that “achieving peace and stability for all requires ending the Israeli occupation and its measures in the Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, immediately.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Interior Minister Gideon Sa’ar agreed to expedite four construction plans in occupied east Jerusalem in bid to provide a counterbalance to the release of 26 Palestinian prisoners.
The Israeli Channel 10 television said that one of the plans involves the immediate approval for construction of 1,500 new housing units in the Ramat Shlomo settlement, to the north of Jerusalem. In addition, current owners of apartments in Ramat Shlomo would be allowed to expand their homes with another room to the size of 50 square-meters.
The Ramat Shlomo plan gained publicity when the Jerusalem’s District Planning and Building Committee discussed it in March 2010 during the visit to Israel of US Vice President Joe Biden. The US Administration has demanded at the time that Israel reverse the housing plan. The report said that during talks with Sa’ar, approval was also received for the establishment of a visitor’s center near the City of David National Park in the East Jerusalem’s neighborhood of Silwan.
According to the report, Netanyahu said plans would also be advanced for the previously-halted construction of a national park on the slopes of Mount Scopus (Jabal Al-Masharif), which would block the expansion of Arab neighborhoods in the area.
Tadhamun Foundation for Human Rights said that the occupation authorities imposed 4 conditions on the prisoners who were released on Tuesday evening. The Foundation quoted the liberated prisoner Mo'ayed Hajja, from Burqa village in Nablus, as saying that the occupation authorities informed the ex-detainees who live in the West Bank they will not be allowed to travel outside the Palestinian territories for 10 years, and that they are prevented from moving outside the borders of their districts for a whole year.
For his part, liberated captive Ahmed Abdul Aziz from Jenin said that the occupation also informed them that for a year they need to appear before an intelligence officer in the nearest liaison office in the beginning of each month.
Abdul Aziz pointed out that the ex-detainees also signed a pledge not to engage in any political or military activity, and if any of them violates this condition he will be re-arrested.
The Israeli authorities on Tuesday evening released 26 prisoners from the West Bank and Gaza Strip who were arrested before to the signing of the Oslo agreement.
For his part, liberated captive Ahmed Abdul Aziz from Jenin said that the occupation also informed them that for a year they need to appear before an intelligence officer in the nearest liaison office in the beginning of each month.
Abdul Aziz pointed out that the ex-detainees also signed a pledge not to engage in any political or military activity, and if any of them violates this condition he will be re-arrested.
The Israeli authorities on Tuesday evening released 26 prisoners from the West Bank and Gaza Strip who were arrested before to the signing of the Oslo agreement.
30 oct 2013
Hamas movement urged the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah to immediately stop the “disastrous” negotiations with Israel. Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman, said in a statement on Wednesday that the Israeli occupation’s decision to build 1,500 new housing units in occupied Jerusalem was the natural outcome of the negotiations with the PA.
He charged that the negotiations were providing a cover for such “practices and crimes”.
Abu Zuhri said that Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to build those units in return for releasing Palestinian prisoners pointed to the dangers of employing the issue of those prisoners for blackmail.
He said that Hamas welcomes the release of any Palestinian prisoner from Israeli jails but affirms no political price should be paid.
For his part, Ra’fat Marra, the head of information affairs in Hamas’s office in Lebanon, said that his movement was concerned that the Palestinian negotiator might give up constants in the current negotiations with Israel.
Marra, who was visiting the Lebanese information ministry within a delegation of his movement, said that Hamas was concerned that the Palestinian negotiator would bow to international pressures calling for reaching an agreement with Israel over all issues.
He said that his movement was adamant on adopting resistance as a strategic option that would lead to liberating national soil and returning all refugees.
He charged that the negotiations were providing a cover for such “practices and crimes”.
Abu Zuhri said that Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to build those units in return for releasing Palestinian prisoners pointed to the dangers of employing the issue of those prisoners for blackmail.
He said that Hamas welcomes the release of any Palestinian prisoner from Israeli jails but affirms no political price should be paid.
For his part, Ra’fat Marra, the head of information affairs in Hamas’s office in Lebanon, said that his movement was concerned that the Palestinian negotiator might give up constants in the current negotiations with Israel.
Marra, who was visiting the Lebanese information ministry within a delegation of his movement, said that Hamas was concerned that the Palestinian negotiator would bow to international pressures calling for reaching an agreement with Israel over all issues.
He said that his movement was adamant on adopting resistance as a strategic option that would lead to liberating national soil and returning all refugees.
Chief Palestinian Negotiator, Dr. Saeb Erekat, stated that Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, never accepted a transitional solution to the conflict, and will never abandon the legitimate Palestinian rights.
Talking to the Al-Ayyam Palestinian Paper, Erekat said that such rumors are unfounded, and violate the understanding reached between Israel and the Palestinians, clearly stating that direct peace talks aim at attaining a solution on all final status issues, without transitional or partial agreements.
“The current talks we are holding with Tel Aviv are on all core, final status, issues, “Erekat said, “We never discussed transitional solutions, including a state with temporary borders, the Palestinian leadership rejects transitional solutions”.
Erekat’s statements came after the Israeli Radio alleged on Tuesday evening that Abbas always rejected transitional solutions, including solutions on issues like Jerusalem and the refugees, “but recently showed some leniency, and changed his mind on a transitional solution to the conflict”.
“It seems that Israel is blowing hot air to test the grounds”, Erekat added, “But in real life, such statements are nonsense, and baseless”.
As for Israel’s ongoing illegal settlement construction and expansion activities, Erekat said that Israel must stop all of its violations immediately to throw the peace process a chance to survive.
“All settlements are illegitimate, illegal”, The Palestinian official said, “Israel must halt its settlement activities immediately, without any delays”.
The statements came after the Israeli Government of Benjamin Netanyahu, officially approved the construction of an additional 1500 units for Jewish settlers in Ramat Shlomo illegal settlement, in occupied Jerusalem.
Talking to the Al-Ayyam Palestinian Paper, Erekat said that such rumors are unfounded, and violate the understanding reached between Israel and the Palestinians, clearly stating that direct peace talks aim at attaining a solution on all final status issues, without transitional or partial agreements.
“The current talks we are holding with Tel Aviv are on all core, final status, issues, “Erekat said, “We never discussed transitional solutions, including a state with temporary borders, the Palestinian leadership rejects transitional solutions”.
Erekat’s statements came after the Israeli Radio alleged on Tuesday evening that Abbas always rejected transitional solutions, including solutions on issues like Jerusalem and the refugees, “but recently showed some leniency, and changed his mind on a transitional solution to the conflict”.
“It seems that Israel is blowing hot air to test the grounds”, Erekat added, “But in real life, such statements are nonsense, and baseless”.
As for Israel’s ongoing illegal settlement construction and expansion activities, Erekat said that Israel must stop all of its violations immediately to throw the peace process a chance to survive.
“All settlements are illegitimate, illegal”, The Palestinian official said, “Israel must halt its settlement activities immediately, without any delays”.
The statements came after the Israeli Government of Benjamin Netanyahu, officially approved the construction of an additional 1500 units for Jewish settlers in Ramat Shlomo illegal settlement, in occupied Jerusalem.
The Israeli government has announced that it intends to build additional 1500 units for Jewish settlers in the illegal settlement of Ramat Shlomo, in occupied East Jerusalem. Abbas: “We never accepted the release of detainees in return for accepting Israel’s settlement activities”.
The announcement came after Israel released 26 veteran Palestinian detainees, as part of diplomatic talks between Tel Aviv and the Palestinian Authority of President Mahmoud Abbas.
Israeli Military Radio has reported that Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Interior Minister, Gideon Sa'ar, made the decision.
The decision did not come as a surprise as Netanyahu and his coalition partners said that they would build more settlements in return for freeing Palestinian political prisoners, and alleged that President Mahmoud Abbas agreed to this formula.
It also comes to appease his fundamentalist coalition partners who are angered by the release of the veteran detainees.
Welcoming the released detainees in the central West Bank city of Ramallah, Abbas said that the claims and allegations that the Palestinian Authority accepted the release in return for not objecting to Israeli settlement activities, are false, and have no grounds.
“Settlements are illegitimate”, Abbas said, “Settlements are violations of International Law”.
Abbas also said that the P.A would continue to act on all levels to secure the release of every detainee held by Israel.
“There will never no agreements while even a single detainee is behind bars”, Abbas said, “We are determined to achieve this noble goal”.
The announcement came after Israel released 26 veteran Palestinian detainees, as part of diplomatic talks between Tel Aviv and the Palestinian Authority of President Mahmoud Abbas.
Israeli Military Radio has reported that Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Interior Minister, Gideon Sa'ar, made the decision.
The decision did not come as a surprise as Netanyahu and his coalition partners said that they would build more settlements in return for freeing Palestinian political prisoners, and alleged that President Mahmoud Abbas agreed to this formula.
It also comes to appease his fundamentalist coalition partners who are angered by the release of the veteran detainees.
Welcoming the released detainees in the central West Bank city of Ramallah, Abbas said that the claims and allegations that the Palestinian Authority accepted the release in return for not objecting to Israeli settlement activities, are false, and have no grounds.
“Settlements are illegitimate”, Abbas said, “Settlements are violations of International Law”.
Abbas also said that the P.A would continue to act on all levels to secure the release of every detainee held by Israel.
“There will never no agreements while even a single detainee is behind bars”, Abbas said, “We are determined to achieve this noble goal”.
26 Detainees Released
Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, various officials and thousands of Palestinians welcomed 21 veteran Palestinian detainees, released from Israeli prisons, as part of diplomatic moves to ensure “continuation of direct talks”. Five Gaza Strip detainees were sent to the Erez Terminal.
Media sources in Ramallah have reported that Abbas, and Prime Minister, Rami Hamdallah, personally welcomed the freed detainees, while thousands cheered and chanted for the liberation of Palestine and the release of all detainees held by Israel.
Thousands of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip also gathered at the Erez terminal, and welcomed the five freed Gaza strip detainees.
Leaders of Fateh and Hamas movements, along with leaders of different factions, social and religious figures, and thousands of residents, welcome the freed detainees in Gaza, and chanted for the liberation of all detainees.
Back in mid-August, Israel released the 26 veteran detainees, held since before Oslo; 14 of them are from Gaza and 12 from the West Bank.
Tel Aviv will be releasing more detainees on December 29, and on March 28 2014.
The release is part of an agreement, mediated by the United States, to ensure the resumption and continuation of peace talks that were halted for three years due to ongoing Israeli violations, including invasions, arrests, and ongoing settlement activities.
The agreement is meant to ensure the release of all 104 detainees held by Israel since before 1993 on four stages.
Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, various officials and thousands of Palestinians welcomed 21 veteran Palestinian detainees, released from Israeli prisons, as part of diplomatic moves to ensure “continuation of direct talks”. Five Gaza Strip detainees were sent to the Erez Terminal.
Media sources in Ramallah have reported that Abbas, and Prime Minister, Rami Hamdallah, personally welcomed the freed detainees, while thousands cheered and chanted for the liberation of Palestine and the release of all detainees held by Israel.
Thousands of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip also gathered at the Erez terminal, and welcomed the five freed Gaza strip detainees.
Leaders of Fateh and Hamas movements, along with leaders of different factions, social and religious figures, and thousands of residents, welcome the freed detainees in Gaza, and chanted for the liberation of all detainees.
Back in mid-August, Israel released the 26 veteran detainees, held since before Oslo; 14 of them are from Gaza and 12 from the West Bank.
Tel Aviv will be releasing more detainees on December 29, and on March 28 2014.
The release is part of an agreement, mediated by the United States, to ensure the resumption and continuation of peace talks that were halted for three years due to ongoing Israeli violations, including invasions, arrests, and ongoing settlement activities.
The agreement is meant to ensure the release of all 104 detainees held by Israel since before 1993 on four stages.
