24 apr 2014
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The Palestinian Authority says it is considering all options in response to Israel's decision to punish the group over a unity deal with Hamas.
The chief Palestinian negotiator, Saeb Erekat, said on Thursday that Palestinians consider "all options" in response to the Israeli decision for sanctions. "The Palestinian leadership will look into all options to respond to Israeli government decisions against the PA," media outlets quoted Erekat as saying. He added that the Palestinians will respond to Israel's decision, but reconciliation and national unity remain the current priorities for them. |
Erekat stressed that Palestinian reconciliation is an internal affair and Israel has no right to interfere in the issue. He also condemned any possible Israeli sanctions as piracy.
The PA official went on to say that Tel Aviv used the split between the Palestinian factions as an excuse to reject a peace agreement in the past, and today they are using Palestinian reconciliation as an excuse for the same thing.
Under the long-awaited deal, the rival Palestinian factions of Hamas and Fatah are to form a unity government within five weeks and hold national elections six months later.
During an emergency meeting of the Israeli cabinet earlier in the day, Tel Aviv canceled the so-called peace talks with the PA and threatened to impose sanctions on it.
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman also expressed anger at the planned formation of the unity government by Hamas and Fatah.
He warned Israeli authorities against buckling under pressure aimed at the resumption of direct talks with the Palestinian Authority, noting that the rival Palestinian factions' unity deal makes peace with the PA impossible.
Since the resumption of the direct talks in July 2013, Palestinians have objected to a number of issues, including the Israeli regime’s illegal settlement expansion in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The PA official went on to say that Tel Aviv used the split between the Palestinian factions as an excuse to reject a peace agreement in the past, and today they are using Palestinian reconciliation as an excuse for the same thing.
Under the long-awaited deal, the rival Palestinian factions of Hamas and Fatah are to form a unity government within five weeks and hold national elections six months later.
During an emergency meeting of the Israeli cabinet earlier in the day, Tel Aviv canceled the so-called peace talks with the PA and threatened to impose sanctions on it.
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman also expressed anger at the planned formation of the unity government by Hamas and Fatah.
He warned Israeli authorities against buckling under pressure aimed at the resumption of direct talks with the Palestinian Authority, noting that the rival Palestinian factions' unity deal makes peace with the PA impossible.
Since the resumption of the direct talks in July 2013, Palestinians have objected to a number of issues, including the Israeli regime’s illegal settlement expansion in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The Palestine Liberation Organization on Thursday condemned Israel's decision to withdraw from peace negotiations earlier in the day as "blatantly disingenuous," saying that the decision shows a "lack of commitment" toward peace.
The statement comes as the UN special envoy for negotiations "welcomed" word of the Palestinian unity deal, which Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas assured him would entail the honoring of previous PLO commitments including the recognition of Israel.
The executive committee of the PLO said in a statement that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's "announcement to end negotiations only reaffirms his lack of commitment towards a just settlement and the two-state solution."
The PLO also accused the Israeli government of "persistently trying to sabotage international and Palestinian efforts to achieve an agreement" by breaking its commitments, particularly through the "killing of Palestinians, settlement construction, home demolitions, and the siege over Gaza and over occupied East Jerusalem."
"Trying to blame President Abbas for Israel's decision to end negotiations is simply an absurd excuse for a government that places settlements and colonial expansion as priorities over peace," the PLO said.
The PLO added that despite being "legitimate and legal," Palestinian unity was considered a "threat" by Netanyahu and his "extremist government coalition" because it is "a step that takes us closer to inclusiveness, freedom and independence."
Executive committee member Hanan Ashrawi said in the statement that the "national reconciliation and negotiations are not mutually exclusive but are rather mandatory steps in order to achieve a just and lasting peace based on international law."
She added that the "terms of the national reconciliation agreement are clear: Palestine honors its commitments, respects international law and continues its popular nonviolent resistance against the Israeli occupation."
The statement comes hours after Israel announced that it would be suspending its participation in peace talks with the Palestinians which have been ongoing since July in protest against a national reconciliation agreement between the Fatah-led PLO and Hamas that was announced on Wednesday.
The agreement brought to end seven years of Palestinian political division, but Israeli authorities said they would refuse to negotiate with Hamas, which they say refuses to recognize Israel.
'Only way to reunite West Bank and Gaza'
The United Nations special coordinator for the peace process Robert Serry said in a statement on Thursday, however, that Abbas had promised the unity agreement would be implemented "on the basis of the PLO commitments," including "recognition of Israel, non-violence, and adherence to previous agreements."
Serry said that he "welcomed" the national reconciliation agreement, stressing that it was the "only way to reunite the West Bank and Gaza under one legitimate Palestinian Authority."
The statement followed a meeting with Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas in which the UN "confirmed support for unity" on the basis of the Palestinians' "continued commitment to peace negotiations and to non-violent popular protests," which Abbas assured him would be a part of the unity deal.
Although Hamas has historically taken a strong stance against negotiations with Israel under present circumstances, it has previously said that it would be willing to accept a two-state solution on the 1967 borders.
Israel, however, considers the Palestinian political party -- which has controlled the Gaza Strip since clashes with Fatah a year after Hamas won elections over the entire Palestinian territories -- of being a "terrorist" organization.
The statement comes as the UN special envoy for negotiations "welcomed" word of the Palestinian unity deal, which Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas assured him would entail the honoring of previous PLO commitments including the recognition of Israel.
The executive committee of the PLO said in a statement that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's "announcement to end negotiations only reaffirms his lack of commitment towards a just settlement and the two-state solution."
The PLO also accused the Israeli government of "persistently trying to sabotage international and Palestinian efforts to achieve an agreement" by breaking its commitments, particularly through the "killing of Palestinians, settlement construction, home demolitions, and the siege over Gaza and over occupied East Jerusalem."
"Trying to blame President Abbas for Israel's decision to end negotiations is simply an absurd excuse for a government that places settlements and colonial expansion as priorities over peace," the PLO said.
The PLO added that despite being "legitimate and legal," Palestinian unity was considered a "threat" by Netanyahu and his "extremist government coalition" because it is "a step that takes us closer to inclusiveness, freedom and independence."
Executive committee member Hanan Ashrawi said in the statement that the "national reconciliation and negotiations are not mutually exclusive but are rather mandatory steps in order to achieve a just and lasting peace based on international law."
She added that the "terms of the national reconciliation agreement are clear: Palestine honors its commitments, respects international law and continues its popular nonviolent resistance against the Israeli occupation."
The statement comes hours after Israel announced that it would be suspending its participation in peace talks with the Palestinians which have been ongoing since July in protest against a national reconciliation agreement between the Fatah-led PLO and Hamas that was announced on Wednesday.
The agreement brought to end seven years of Palestinian political division, but Israeli authorities said they would refuse to negotiate with Hamas, which they say refuses to recognize Israel.
'Only way to reunite West Bank and Gaza'
The United Nations special coordinator for the peace process Robert Serry said in a statement on Thursday, however, that Abbas had promised the unity agreement would be implemented "on the basis of the PLO commitments," including "recognition of Israel, non-violence, and adherence to previous agreements."
Serry said that he "welcomed" the national reconciliation agreement, stressing that it was the "only way to reunite the West Bank and Gaza under one legitimate Palestinian Authority."
The statement followed a meeting with Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas in which the UN "confirmed support for unity" on the basis of the Palestinians' "continued commitment to peace negotiations and to non-violent popular protests," which Abbas assured him would be a part of the unity deal.
Although Hamas has historically taken a strong stance against negotiations with Israel under present circumstances, it has previously said that it would be willing to accept a two-state solution on the 1967 borders.
Israel, however, considers the Palestinian political party -- which has controlled the Gaza Strip since clashes with Fatah a year after Hamas won elections over the entire Palestinian territories -- of being a "terrorist" organization.
PLO reconciliation delegations from both Fatah and Hamas said on Thursday that the countdown for the formation of a unity government had begun, hailing the end of seven years of Palestinian political division.
Senior Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouq told Ma'an that "the countdown to end the state of disagreement is supposed to begin the moment the reconciliation agreement is signed, and the unity government to be formed in the declared period."
"There are many impediments but the will for reconciliation is greater," he added.
Senior Fatah official Azzam al-Ahmad, meanwhile, told Ma'an that "the fulfillment of the reconciliation agreement has already begun, starting yesterday, and in the coming five weeks the forming of the unity government and the PLO meetings should be done."
"This is a Palestinian matter that should not concern Israel and we are persisting with reconciliation," he added, saying: "Israel considers only harm to Palestinians."
Mustafa al-Barghouthi, a member of the reconciliation delegation, asserted that the fulfillment of reconciliation and forming a unity government had begun in earnest on Thursday.
"We are happy with the Israeli anger over the reconciliation, which confirms the appropriateness of it, and that prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a lying hypocrite who does not seek peace and we will not admit to his pressure."
Al-Barghouthi also said that Palestinians will witness real changes after the unity government is formed.
Bassam al-Salhi, another member of the reconciliation delegation, told Ma'an that "the legal framework of forming the unity government is supposed to begin and it is up to President Abbas to decide how it should be done."
"There are always complications in any case but it is most important that we overcome them with the positive attitude that led the discussions and the agreement," he added.
He also said that "Israeli opinion has no place in this because reconciliation is a top priority for Palestinians."
Regarding the negotiations meetings that Israel cancelled, al-Salhi said "we were relieved for not attending a pointless meeting in which Israel would fail and the US would be biased to Israel."
Senior Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouq told Ma'an that "the countdown to end the state of disagreement is supposed to begin the moment the reconciliation agreement is signed, and the unity government to be formed in the declared period."
"There are many impediments but the will for reconciliation is greater," he added.
Senior Fatah official Azzam al-Ahmad, meanwhile, told Ma'an that "the fulfillment of the reconciliation agreement has already begun, starting yesterday, and in the coming five weeks the forming of the unity government and the PLO meetings should be done."
"This is a Palestinian matter that should not concern Israel and we are persisting with reconciliation," he added, saying: "Israel considers only harm to Palestinians."
Mustafa al-Barghouthi, a member of the reconciliation delegation, asserted that the fulfillment of reconciliation and forming a unity government had begun in earnest on Thursday.
"We are happy with the Israeli anger over the reconciliation, which confirms the appropriateness of it, and that prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a lying hypocrite who does not seek peace and we will not admit to his pressure."
Al-Barghouthi also said that Palestinians will witness real changes after the unity government is formed.
Bassam al-Salhi, another member of the reconciliation delegation, told Ma'an that "the legal framework of forming the unity government is supposed to begin and it is up to President Abbas to decide how it should be done."
"There are always complications in any case but it is most important that we overcome them with the positive attitude that led the discussions and the agreement," he added.
He also said that "Israeli opinion has no place in this because reconciliation is a top priority for Palestinians."
Regarding the negotiations meetings that Israel cancelled, al-Salhi said "we were relieved for not attending a pointless meeting in which Israel would fail and the US would be biased to Israel."
By Ramzy Baroud
Ramzy Baroud is an internationally-syndicated columnist, a media consultant and the editor of PalestineChronicle.com. His latest book is "My Father Was a Freedom Fighter: Gaza's Untold Story."
To understand how thoughtless the US latest "peace process" drive has been, one only needs to consider some of the characters involved in this political theater.
One particular character who stands out as a testament to the inherently futile exercise is Martin Indyk.
Indyk, a former US ambassador to Israel, was selected by Secretary of State John Kerry for the role of Special Envoy for negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
Under normal circumstances, Kerry's selection may appear somewhat rational. Former ambassadors oftentimes possess the needed expertise to navigate challenging political landscapes in countries where they previously served. But these are not normal circumstances, and Indyk is hardly a diplomat in the strict use of the term.
As the US-sponsored peace process began to falter, Kerry made a peculiar move by dispatching his envoy Indyk to Jerusalem. On Friday, April 18, Indyk took on the task of speaking to both sides separately. International media depicted the event as a last ditch effort to revive the talks, and to help bridge the gap between the PA's Mahmoud Abbas and Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu.
The envoy visit took place a day after intense and difficult talks were reported to have taken place between Israeli and PA negotiators. "No breakthrough was made," an official Palestinian source told AFP of the Thursday meeting.
It was not that any progress was expected. Both sides are not talking about resolving the conflict per se, but the deliberations were mostly concerned with deferring Kerry's deadline for a "framework agreement," slated for April 29.
The Americans want to maintain the charade for reasons other than peace. Without a "peace process" the US will be denied an important political platform in the Middle East. US administrations have bestowed upon themselves the title "honest broker."
Of course, it takes no particular genius to realize that the Americans were hardly honest in their dealings with both parties. In fact, the US was not a third party at all, but was and remains steadfast in the Israeli camp. It used its political and financial leverage as a platform that allowed it to advance Israeli interests first, and their own interests second. Indyk is an example.
Martin Indyk, the prospective harbinger of peace, worked for the pro-Israeli lobby group AIPAC in 1982. AIPAC is a right-wing outlet that has invested unlimited funds and energy to impede any just and peaceful resolution to the conflict. It has such a strong grip over US Congress to the extent that some have suggested that Capitol Hill has become, in a sense, an occupied territory by Israel and its allies.
Indyk's most important contribution to Israel, however, was the founding of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy in 1985, another Israeli lobby outlet that has done tremendous damage to the credibility of US foreign policy in the Middle East by using "intellectuals" and "experts" as mediums.
Writing in Mondoweiss last year, Max Blumenthal recalled some interesting statements made by Indyk at J Street's first annual convention in Washington DC in 2009. J Street is another Israeli lobby group that has cleverly distinguished itself as pro-peace, thus deceiving many into believing that AIPAC's dominance in Washington is being seriously challenged.
However, its cleverly worded statements, and the colorful past of its honored guests and speakers indicate otherwise. Indyk, the right-wing Israel lobbyist, was indeed among friends.
"I remembered stumbling into a huge auditorium to hear Indyk describe how he made 'aliyah to Washington' during the 1980's to ensure that US policy remained slanted in Israel's favor, and go on to blame Yasser Arafat for the failure of Camp David," Blumenthal recalled.
He quoted Indyk: "I came to that conclusion 35 years ago when I was a student in Jerusalem and the Yom Kippur war broke out," said Indyk. "I worked as a volunteer there in those terrible days when Israel's survival seemed to hang in the balance and I witnessed the misery of war and the critical role that the United States in the form of Henry Kissinger played through activist diplomacy in forging a peace out of that horrendous war."
These were not passing comments made by Indyk, but a reflection of the man's undying commitment, not to peace, but to Israel, or, more accurately, to "peace" as envisioned by Israel, which is the core of the ongoing crisis. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu never ceases to talk about peace, as does his Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman.
Ramzy Baroud is an internationally-syndicated columnist, a media consultant and the editor of PalestineChronicle.com. His latest book is "My Father Was a Freedom Fighter: Gaza's Untold Story."
To understand how thoughtless the US latest "peace process" drive has been, one only needs to consider some of the characters involved in this political theater.
One particular character who stands out as a testament to the inherently futile exercise is Martin Indyk.
Indyk, a former US ambassador to Israel, was selected by Secretary of State John Kerry for the role of Special Envoy for negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
Under normal circumstances, Kerry's selection may appear somewhat rational. Former ambassadors oftentimes possess the needed expertise to navigate challenging political landscapes in countries where they previously served. But these are not normal circumstances, and Indyk is hardly a diplomat in the strict use of the term.
As the US-sponsored peace process began to falter, Kerry made a peculiar move by dispatching his envoy Indyk to Jerusalem. On Friday, April 18, Indyk took on the task of speaking to both sides separately. International media depicted the event as a last ditch effort to revive the talks, and to help bridge the gap between the PA's Mahmoud Abbas and Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu.
The envoy visit took place a day after intense and difficult talks were reported to have taken place between Israeli and PA negotiators. "No breakthrough was made," an official Palestinian source told AFP of the Thursday meeting.
It was not that any progress was expected. Both sides are not talking about resolving the conflict per se, but the deliberations were mostly concerned with deferring Kerry's deadline for a "framework agreement," slated for April 29.
The Americans want to maintain the charade for reasons other than peace. Without a "peace process" the US will be denied an important political platform in the Middle East. US administrations have bestowed upon themselves the title "honest broker."
Of course, it takes no particular genius to realize that the Americans were hardly honest in their dealings with both parties. In fact, the US was not a third party at all, but was and remains steadfast in the Israeli camp. It used its political and financial leverage as a platform that allowed it to advance Israeli interests first, and their own interests second. Indyk is an example.
Martin Indyk, the prospective harbinger of peace, worked for the pro-Israeli lobby group AIPAC in 1982. AIPAC is a right-wing outlet that has invested unlimited funds and energy to impede any just and peaceful resolution to the conflict. It has such a strong grip over US Congress to the extent that some have suggested that Capitol Hill has become, in a sense, an occupied territory by Israel and its allies.
Indyk's most important contribution to Israel, however, was the founding of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy in 1985, another Israeli lobby outlet that has done tremendous damage to the credibility of US foreign policy in the Middle East by using "intellectuals" and "experts" as mediums.
Writing in Mondoweiss last year, Max Blumenthal recalled some interesting statements made by Indyk at J Street's first annual convention in Washington DC in 2009. J Street is another Israeli lobby group that has cleverly distinguished itself as pro-peace, thus deceiving many into believing that AIPAC's dominance in Washington is being seriously challenged.
However, its cleverly worded statements, and the colorful past of its honored guests and speakers indicate otherwise. Indyk, the right-wing Israel lobbyist, was indeed among friends.
"I remembered stumbling into a huge auditorium to hear Indyk describe how he made 'aliyah to Washington' during the 1980's to ensure that US policy remained slanted in Israel's favor, and go on to blame Yasser Arafat for the failure of Camp David," Blumenthal recalled.
He quoted Indyk: "I came to that conclusion 35 years ago when I was a student in Jerusalem and the Yom Kippur war broke out," said Indyk. "I worked as a volunteer there in those terrible days when Israel's survival seemed to hang in the balance and I witnessed the misery of war and the critical role that the United States in the form of Henry Kissinger played through activist diplomacy in forging a peace out of that horrendous war."
These were not passing comments made by Indyk, but a reflection of the man's undying commitment, not to peace, but to Israel, or, more accurately, to "peace" as envisioned by Israel, which is the core of the ongoing crisis. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu never ceases to talk about peace, as does his Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman.
Even the Minister of Economy, Naftali Bennett, leader of the extremist party, The Jewish Home, who is known for his bellicose rhetoric, is an ardent advocate of peace. But it is not peace that is predicated on justice or that envisaged by international and humanitarian laws. It is specifically-tailored peace that would allow Israel to maintain an unmistakably racist agenda, and a colonial policy of land grabbing.
Unsurprisingly, this is the same kind of "peace" that the Americans envision as well. Kerry's new peace agenda is not entirely a rehash of old agendas. Yes, it is that too, but it almost completely embraces the once far-fetched ideas of Lieberman and right-wing groups, that of annexations -- the Jordan Valley -- and "land swaps" in exchange of main settlement blocs.
When Lieberman floated these ideas a few years ago, he sounded like a deranged politician. Thanks to Kerry, it is now part of mainstream thinking.
So Indyk, who dedicated a lifetime to securing an Israeli style "peace," is now magically branded as the one attempting to revive talks and exert pressure on both sides like any good "honest broker" would do in these situations. But Indyk is not the only lobbyist-turned advocate for "peace." He is one of many.
Dennis Ross, one of Washington's essential political hawks for many years and a strong supporter of the disastrous Iraq war, served as a special Middle East coordinator under Bill Clinton, and was handpicked by President Barack Obama very early on to continue to the play the same role in the new administration. Aside from the diplomat's strong links to neoconservatives, especially those involved in the now defunct pro-war group, the Project for the New American Century; he also served as a consultant to the same lobby club founded by Indyk, WINEP.
It was no coincidence of course. WINEP, as other hawkish pro-Israeli groups, has served as an advocacy platform for Israel, and also fashioned Israeli styled "peace makers."
Interestingly, both Dennis and Indyk blamed Palestinians for the failure of previous peace talks. Blumenthal astutely highlighted Indyk's J Street tirade blaming late PLO leader Arafat with "that big shit-eating grin of his" for the failings of the so-called Clinton peace parameters, despite the fact that Arafat had indeed accepted them.
Indyk reminisced: "I remember Shimon Peres saying to me at the time when Arafat had to decide whether to accept the Clinton Parameters, he said, history is a horse that gallops past your window and the true act of a statesman is to jump from the window on to a galloping horse. But of course Arafat let the galloping horse pass by leaving the Israelis and Palestinians mired in misery."
Now, it's Indyk, the die-hard Israel lobbyist, being sent along with another galloping horse outside Abbas' window. We all know well how this is going to end, and we can imagine Indyk giving another speech at an AIPAC or J Street conference deriding Abbas for failing to jump.
The views expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily reflect Ma'an News Agency's editorial policy.
Unsurprisingly, this is the same kind of "peace" that the Americans envision as well. Kerry's new peace agenda is not entirely a rehash of old agendas. Yes, it is that too, but it almost completely embraces the once far-fetched ideas of Lieberman and right-wing groups, that of annexations -- the Jordan Valley -- and "land swaps" in exchange of main settlement blocs.
When Lieberman floated these ideas a few years ago, he sounded like a deranged politician. Thanks to Kerry, it is now part of mainstream thinking.
So Indyk, who dedicated a lifetime to securing an Israeli style "peace," is now magically branded as the one attempting to revive talks and exert pressure on both sides like any good "honest broker" would do in these situations. But Indyk is not the only lobbyist-turned advocate for "peace." He is one of many.
Dennis Ross, one of Washington's essential political hawks for many years and a strong supporter of the disastrous Iraq war, served as a special Middle East coordinator under Bill Clinton, and was handpicked by President Barack Obama very early on to continue to the play the same role in the new administration. Aside from the diplomat's strong links to neoconservatives, especially those involved in the now defunct pro-war group, the Project for the New American Century; he also served as a consultant to the same lobby club founded by Indyk, WINEP.
It was no coincidence of course. WINEP, as other hawkish pro-Israeli groups, has served as an advocacy platform for Israel, and also fashioned Israeli styled "peace makers."
Interestingly, both Dennis and Indyk blamed Palestinians for the failure of previous peace talks. Blumenthal astutely highlighted Indyk's J Street tirade blaming late PLO leader Arafat with "that big shit-eating grin of his" for the failings of the so-called Clinton peace parameters, despite the fact that Arafat had indeed accepted them.
Indyk reminisced: "I remember Shimon Peres saying to me at the time when Arafat had to decide whether to accept the Clinton Parameters, he said, history is a horse that gallops past your window and the true act of a statesman is to jump from the window on to a galloping horse. But of course Arafat let the galloping horse pass by leaving the Israelis and Palestinians mired in misery."
Now, it's Indyk, the die-hard Israel lobbyist, being sent along with another galloping horse outside Abbas' window. We all know well how this is going to end, and we can imagine Indyk giving another speech at an AIPAC or J Street conference deriding Abbas for failing to jump.
The views expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily reflect Ma'an News Agency's editorial policy.
The Prime Minister of Israeli occupation Benjamin Netanyahu heads an emergency cabinet meeting on Thursday to discuss the impact of Palestinian unity deal. Netanyahu accused the President Mahmoud Abbas of favoring a unity with Hamas over peace. Netanyahu complained in telephone call with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, that " Abbas is not interested in peace. "
Israeli political sources acknowledged, that Israel was surprised of signing a reconciliation pact between Fatah and Hamas movements .
The sources explained that the cabinet assembled to discuses Israel’s next steps after the agreement, , but it has ruled out taking any exceptional measures or withdrawing from the peace negotiations.
The United States expressed his disappointment with the Palestinian reconciliation agreement.
The spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department said the agreement may undermine Washington's efforts as well as the efforts of Israelis and Palestinians sides to extend the negotiations peace process past April 29 deadline.
She stressed that any Palestinian government would have to accept three key PA commitments," recognizing Israel, renouncing violence, and accepting previous Israeli-Palestinian agreements."
Israeli political sources acknowledged, that Israel was surprised of signing a reconciliation pact between Fatah and Hamas movements .
The sources explained that the cabinet assembled to discuses Israel’s next steps after the agreement, , but it has ruled out taking any exceptional measures or withdrawing from the peace negotiations.
The United States expressed his disappointment with the Palestinian reconciliation agreement.
The spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department said the agreement may undermine Washington's efforts as well as the efforts of Israelis and Palestinians sides to extend the negotiations peace process past April 29 deadline.
She stressed that any Palestinian government would have to accept three key PA commitments," recognizing Israel, renouncing violence, and accepting previous Israeli-Palestinian agreements."
Senior Fatah official Azzam Al-Ahmed, left, head of the Hamas government Ismail Haniyeh and senior Hamas leader Moussa Abu Marzouq hold hands after announcing a reconciliation agreement in Gaza City on April 23
Israel broke off peace talks with the Palestinians on Thursday, a day after Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas announced a reconciliation between his majority Fatah party and the militant Hamas faction, which does not recognize Israel as a legitimate country. Israel’s announcement of the rupture effectively ends more than a year of U.S.-backed efforts to negotiate a deal that would establish an independent Palestine alongside Israel. Neither Israel nor the United States has declared the process dead, but they are due to expire next week unless both sides agree to an extension.
In an emergency meeting Thursday, members of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet said they would never agree to peace talks with an organization that consistently calls for Israel’s destruction.
“Abbas has formed an alliance with a murderous terrorist organization that calls consistently for Israel’s destruction,” Netanyahu said in a statement issued shortly after the vote. “Instead of choosing peace, he has formed an alliance with an organization whose charter calls on Muslims to fight and kill Jews.”
Israel and the United States view Hamas as a terrorist organization, and the Obama administration has said it was disappointed by Abbas’s decision.
In an interview with NBC News shortly after the announcement, Netanyahu said he hopes Abbas “changes his mind.” Until then, however, Netanyahu said his position is adamant.
“As long as I am prime minister of Israel, I will never negotiate with a Palestinian government backed by terrorist organizations committed to our destruction,” Netanyahu told NBC.
In addition to suspending peace talks indefinitely, the Israeli government also said it was considering imposing economic sanctions against the Palestinian Authority as a way of punishing Abbas for the move.
Israel took similar steps last month after the Palestinians approached 15 international organizations to gain formal recognition as a state. Israel was angered by that move but did not cancel talks. The Hamas deal, however, made it impossible to continue, Israeli officials said.
In his statement, Netanyahu charged that Hamas has allowed the firing of more than 10,000 rockets into Israel from the Gaza Strip territory it controls.
Late Wednesday night and Thursday morning, rockets were fired from the Gaza strip toward Israeli territory, Israel’s military reported.
On Wednesday, the United States said the agreement between Fatah and Hamas creates a serious hurdle to the nine-month-old peace talks led by U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry.
In response to criticism from Israel and the United States, senior Fatah official Jibril Rajoub said that the reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas would not pose an obstacle to peace.
In an interview with Israel’s Army Radio, Rajoub said that Abbas would implement the reconciliation and that he recognizes the state of Israel. He added that Hamas leader Ismail Haniya would be obliged to uphold Abbas’s policy.
Israel broke off peace talks with the Palestinians on Thursday, a day after Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas announced a reconciliation between his majority Fatah party and the militant Hamas faction, which does not recognize Israel as a legitimate country. Israel’s announcement of the rupture effectively ends more than a year of U.S.-backed efforts to negotiate a deal that would establish an independent Palestine alongside Israel. Neither Israel nor the United States has declared the process dead, but they are due to expire next week unless both sides agree to an extension.
In an emergency meeting Thursday, members of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet said they would never agree to peace talks with an organization that consistently calls for Israel’s destruction.
“Abbas has formed an alliance with a murderous terrorist organization that calls consistently for Israel’s destruction,” Netanyahu said in a statement issued shortly after the vote. “Instead of choosing peace, he has formed an alliance with an organization whose charter calls on Muslims to fight and kill Jews.”
Israel and the United States view Hamas as a terrorist organization, and the Obama administration has said it was disappointed by Abbas’s decision.
In an interview with NBC News shortly after the announcement, Netanyahu said he hopes Abbas “changes his mind.” Until then, however, Netanyahu said his position is adamant.
“As long as I am prime minister of Israel, I will never negotiate with a Palestinian government backed by terrorist organizations committed to our destruction,” Netanyahu told NBC.
In addition to suspending peace talks indefinitely, the Israeli government also said it was considering imposing economic sanctions against the Palestinian Authority as a way of punishing Abbas for the move.
Israel took similar steps last month after the Palestinians approached 15 international organizations to gain formal recognition as a state. Israel was angered by that move but did not cancel talks. The Hamas deal, however, made it impossible to continue, Israeli officials said.
In his statement, Netanyahu charged that Hamas has allowed the firing of more than 10,000 rockets into Israel from the Gaza Strip territory it controls.
Late Wednesday night and Thursday morning, rockets were fired from the Gaza strip toward Israeli territory, Israel’s military reported.
On Wednesday, the United States said the agreement between Fatah and Hamas creates a serious hurdle to the nine-month-old peace talks led by U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry.
In response to criticism from Israel and the United States, senior Fatah official Jibril Rajoub said that the reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas would not pose an obstacle to peace.
In an interview with Israel’s Army Radio, Rajoub said that Abbas would implement the reconciliation and that he recognizes the state of Israel. He added that Hamas leader Ismail Haniya would be obliged to uphold Abbas’s policy.
PLO Executive Committee Member, Dr. Saeb Erekat, expressed severe disappointment at Israel's reaction to the announcement of Palestinian national reconciliation.
"Netanyahu and his government were using Palestinian division as an excuse not to make peace. Now they want to use Palestinian reconciliation as an excuse for the same purpose. This is utterly absurd. The only logical conclusion is that Netanyahu's government does not want peace," said Dr. Erekat.
"Gaza and its population of 1.7 million people, like East Jerusalem and the rest of the occupied West Bank, are an integral part of the State of Palestine. Today we have taken an important step towards better serving our people."
"During the past nine months of negotiations, Netanyahu's government has increased settlement construction, home demolitions, killings, detentions and military raids; Netanyahu has refused to present a map showing us where the borders of the State of Israel are; and the Israeli government has refused to recognize Palestine's right to exist on the 1967 border, although the PLO recognized Israel twenty six years ago. And the moment we sign a national reconciliation agreement upon a single political platform that recognizes all previously signed agreements between Palestine and Israel, Netanyahu and his government blame us for the failure of talks."
"No, Netanyahu, it is not a case of either peace with Hamas or with Israel. It is either your continuation of settlement activity, colonization and Apartheid, or two sovereign and democratic states living side by side, in peace and security, on the 1967 border. You have chosen the first path, we have chosen the second." Dr. Erekat said.
Dr. Erekat concluded: "National reconciliation is imperative in order to achieve a just and lasting peace. We hope that we will be able to successfully close this dark chapter of our history."
"Netanyahu and his government were using Palestinian division as an excuse not to make peace. Now they want to use Palestinian reconciliation as an excuse for the same purpose. This is utterly absurd. The only logical conclusion is that Netanyahu's government does not want peace," said Dr. Erekat.
"Gaza and its population of 1.7 million people, like East Jerusalem and the rest of the occupied West Bank, are an integral part of the State of Palestine. Today we have taken an important step towards better serving our people."
"During the past nine months of negotiations, Netanyahu's government has increased settlement construction, home demolitions, killings, detentions and military raids; Netanyahu has refused to present a map showing us where the borders of the State of Israel are; and the Israeli government has refused to recognize Palestine's right to exist on the 1967 border, although the PLO recognized Israel twenty six years ago. And the moment we sign a national reconciliation agreement upon a single political platform that recognizes all previously signed agreements between Palestine and Israel, Netanyahu and his government blame us for the failure of talks."
"No, Netanyahu, it is not a case of either peace with Hamas or with Israel. It is either your continuation of settlement activity, colonization and Apartheid, or two sovereign and democratic states living side by side, in peace and security, on the 1967 border. You have chosen the first path, we have chosen the second." Dr. Erekat said.
Dr. Erekat concluded: "National reconciliation is imperative in order to achieve a just and lasting peace. We hope that we will be able to successfully close this dark chapter of our history."
Israeli Foreign Minister and head of Israel Our Home Party, Avigdor Lieberman, stated Wednesday that the signed agreement between Fateh and Hamas movements “is an end to political negotiations with Israel”.
Israeli Foreign Minister and head of Israel Our Home Party, Avigdor Lieberman, stated Wednesday that the signed agreement between Fateh and Hamas movements “is an end to political negotiations with Israel”.
The two movements agreed to form a technocrat government which would also include other factions and independent figures.
In a statement issued by his office, Lieberman said that the Palestinian Authority cannot make peace with Israel and the Hamas movement at the same time.
He added that “Hamas is a terrorist organization that seeks the annihilation of Israel”, therefore, any agreement or reconciliation with it means an end to the political process between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
Lieberman, a settler himself living in an illegal settlement in the occupied West Bank, is known for his harsh stances and positions.
In his previous positions, in different Israeli governments and as a member of Knesset, he repeatedly described the Palestinians with the Arabs in historic Palestine as a strategic threat, and called for deporting them to nearby Arab countries. He also served as the “Minister of Strategic Affairs”.
Meanwhile, the United States said that its recognition of a newly formed Palestinian government, and “continued support” depends on the government’s respect and implementation of all previously signed peace deals between Israel and the Palestinians.
The agreement signed Wednesday between Fateh and Hamas is an agreement to implement the previously signed unity agreements, which were signed years ago in Doha – Qatar, and in Cairo – Egypt.
President Mahmoud Abbas will start talks on forming the new transitional national unity government that will be formed within five weeks, and will be holding talks on declaring new elections that would be held at least six months after the new government is formed.
The two movements agreed to form a technocrat government which would also include other factions and independent figures.
In a statement issued by his office, Lieberman said that the Palestinian Authority cannot make peace with Israel and the Hamas movement at the same time.
He added that “Hamas is a terrorist organization that seeks the annihilation of Israel”, therefore, any agreement or reconciliation with it means an end to the political process between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
Lieberman, a settler himself living in an illegal settlement in the occupied West Bank, is known for his harsh stances and positions.
In his previous positions, in different Israeli governments and as a member of Knesset, he repeatedly described the Palestinians with the Arabs in historic Palestine as a strategic threat, and called for deporting them to nearby Arab countries. He also served as the “Minister of Strategic Affairs”.
Meanwhile, the United States said that its recognition of a newly formed Palestinian government, and “continued support” depends on the government’s respect and implementation of all previously signed peace deals between Israel and the Palestinians.
The agreement signed Wednesday between Fateh and Hamas is an agreement to implement the previously signed unity agreements, which were signed years ago in Doha – Qatar, and in Cairo – Egypt.
President Mahmoud Abbas will start talks on forming the new transitional national unity government that will be formed within five weeks, and will be holding talks on declaring new elections that would be held at least six months after the new government is formed.
Israeli Foreign Minister and head of Israel Our Home Party, Avigdor Lieberman, stated Wednesday that the signed agreement between Fateh and Hamas movements “is an end to political negotiations with Israel”.
The two movements agreed to form a technocrat government which would also include other factions and independent figures.
In a statement issued by his office, Lieberman said that the Palestinian Authority cannot make peace with Israel and the Hamas movement at the same time.
He added that “Hamas is a terrorist organization that seeks the annihilation of Israel”, therefore, any agreement or reconciliation with it means an end to the political process between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
Lieberman, a settler himself living in an illegal settlement in the occupied West Bank, is known for his harsh stances and positions.
In his previous positions, in different Israeli governments and as a member of Knesset, he repeatedly described the Palestinians with the Arabs in historic Palestine as a strategic threat, and called for deporting them to nearby Arab countries. He also served as the “Minister of Strategic Affairs”.
Meanwhile, the United States said that its recognition of a newly formed Palestinian government, and “continued support” depends on the government’s respect and implementation of all previously signed peace deals between Israel and the Palestinians.
The agreement signed Wednesday between Fateh and Hamas is an agreement to implement the previously signed unity agreements, which were signed years ago in Doha – Qatar, and in Cairo – Egypt.
President Mahmoud Abbas will start talks on forming the new transitional national unity government that will be formed within five weeks, and will be holding talks on declaring new elections that would be held at least six months after the new government is formed.
The two movements agreed to form a technocrat government which would also include other factions and independent figures.
In a statement issued by his office, Lieberman said that the Palestinian Authority cannot make peace with Israel and the Hamas movement at the same time.
He added that “Hamas is a terrorist organization that seeks the annihilation of Israel”, therefore, any agreement or reconciliation with it means an end to the political process between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
Lieberman, a settler himself living in an illegal settlement in the occupied West Bank, is known for his harsh stances and positions.
In his previous positions, in different Israeli governments and as a member of Knesset, he repeatedly described the Palestinians with the Arabs in historic Palestine as a strategic threat, and called for deporting them to nearby Arab countries. He also served as the “Minister of Strategic Affairs”.
Meanwhile, the United States said that its recognition of a newly formed Palestinian government, and “continued support” depends on the government’s respect and implementation of all previously signed peace deals between Israel and the Palestinians.
The agreement signed Wednesday between Fateh and Hamas is an agreement to implement the previously signed unity agreements, which were signed years ago in Doha – Qatar, and in Cairo – Egypt.
President Mahmoud Abbas will start talks on forming the new transitional national unity government that will be formed within five weeks, and will be holding talks on declaring new elections that would be held at least six months after the new government is formed.
In one of its first comments on the signed reconciliation agreement between Fateh and Hamas movements, and the decision to form a unity government, the United States said its support, including financial, to any Palestinian government is based on respecting all signed peace agreements with Israel.
Media sources quoted a U.S. official stating that the new government must respect all signed treaties and peace agreements once it is formed, the Palestine News Network (PNN) has reported.
The official added that this also includes a clear recognition of Israel, and a clear “renunciation of violence”.
The official further said that the U.S. Administration would evaluate the new Palestinian government, to ensure that it abides by all agreements and, then, it will decide whether or not to continue to provide fanatical support.
The statement did not include a demand that Israel must respect all signed agreements, including stopping its ongoing invasions and assaults, which led to dozens of casualties and hundreds of arrests since the beginning of this year.
Media sources quoted a U.S. official stating that the new government must respect all signed treaties and peace agreements once it is formed, the Palestine News Network (PNN) has reported.
The official added that this also includes a clear recognition of Israel, and a clear “renunciation of violence”.
The official further said that the U.S. Administration would evaluate the new Palestinian government, to ensure that it abides by all agreements and, then, it will decide whether or not to continue to provide fanatical support.
The statement did not include a demand that Israel must respect all signed agreements, including stopping its ongoing invasions and assaults, which led to dozens of casualties and hundreds of arrests since the beginning of this year.
A woman waves the national flag as she celebrates the agreement to form a unity government in Gaza on April 23, 2014
Israel's security cabinet was to meet on Thursday morning to weigh its response to a unity deal struck between the PLO and Hamas.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted angrily to Wednesday's agreement between the rival factions accusing Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas of choosing "Hamas, not peace".
Public radio said ministers were likely to announce fresh retaliatory measures on top of a raft of financial sanctions unveiled this month when the Palestinians applied to join 15 international treaties.
"By tying itself to Hamas, the Palestinian leadership is turning its back on peace," a Netanyahu aide said.
PLO official Saeb Erekat slammed Israel's response to the unity deal, saying that "Mr. Netanyahu and his government were using Palestinian division as an excuse not to make peace."
"During the past nine months of negotiations, Mr. Netanyahu's government has increased settlement construction, home demolitions, killings, detentions and military raids," he said in a statement.
The Israeli government has refused to present a map showing the PLO where the borders of the Israeli state are and has refused to recognize Palestine's right to exist on the 1967 border, he added.
"And the moment we sign a national reconciliation agreement upon a single political platform that recognizes all previously signed agreements between Palestine and Israel, Mr. Netanyahu and his government blame us for the failure of talks," he said.
Israel already announced on April 10 that it was freezing the transfer of some $111 million in taxes it collects on behalf of Abbas's Palestinian Authority, which account for some two-thirds of its revenues.
The deal between the Palestinian leadership and Hamas came as US-brokered peace talks which opened last July teetered on the brink of collapse just days before their scheduled April 29 conclusion.
US envoy Martin Indyk has held repeated meetings with the two sides in a last-ditch bid to salvage the negotiations.
Erekat denied any three-way meeting has been planned for Wednesday but acknowledged he would meet Indyk on Thursday without the Israelis.
US warning
Abbas says he will not extend the negotiations unless Israel agrees to a freeze on all settlement construction in the occupied West Bank, including annexed East Jerusalem, and frees a group of Palestinian prisoners who had been earmarked for release this month.
He has also demanded the two sides launch straight into negotiations on the future borders of the Palestinians' promised state.
Israel has dismissed all three conditions.
Washington warned Wednesday that the deal between the Palestinian leadership and Hamas threatened to scupper any chance of rescuing the talks.
"It's hard to see how Israel can be expected to negotiate with a government that does not believe in its right to exist," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.
The division between Fatah and Hamas began in 2006, when Hamas won Palestinian legislative elections.
In the following year, clashes erupted between Fatah and Hamas, leaving Hamas in control of the Strip and Fatah in control of parts of the occupied West Bank.
The groups have made failed attempts at national reconciliation for years, most recently in 2012, when they signed two agreements -- one in Cairo and a subsequent one in Doha -- which have as of yet been entirely unimplemented.
Israel's security cabinet was to meet on Thursday morning to weigh its response to a unity deal struck between the PLO and Hamas.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted angrily to Wednesday's agreement between the rival factions accusing Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas of choosing "Hamas, not peace".
Public radio said ministers were likely to announce fresh retaliatory measures on top of a raft of financial sanctions unveiled this month when the Palestinians applied to join 15 international treaties.
"By tying itself to Hamas, the Palestinian leadership is turning its back on peace," a Netanyahu aide said.
PLO official Saeb Erekat slammed Israel's response to the unity deal, saying that "Mr. Netanyahu and his government were using Palestinian division as an excuse not to make peace."
"During the past nine months of negotiations, Mr. Netanyahu's government has increased settlement construction, home demolitions, killings, detentions and military raids," he said in a statement.
The Israeli government has refused to present a map showing the PLO where the borders of the Israeli state are and has refused to recognize Palestine's right to exist on the 1967 border, he added.
"And the moment we sign a national reconciliation agreement upon a single political platform that recognizes all previously signed agreements between Palestine and Israel, Mr. Netanyahu and his government blame us for the failure of talks," he said.
Israel already announced on April 10 that it was freezing the transfer of some $111 million in taxes it collects on behalf of Abbas's Palestinian Authority, which account for some two-thirds of its revenues.
The deal between the Palestinian leadership and Hamas came as US-brokered peace talks which opened last July teetered on the brink of collapse just days before their scheduled April 29 conclusion.
US envoy Martin Indyk has held repeated meetings with the two sides in a last-ditch bid to salvage the negotiations.
Erekat denied any three-way meeting has been planned for Wednesday but acknowledged he would meet Indyk on Thursday without the Israelis.
US warning
Abbas says he will not extend the negotiations unless Israel agrees to a freeze on all settlement construction in the occupied West Bank, including annexed East Jerusalem, and frees a group of Palestinian prisoners who had been earmarked for release this month.
He has also demanded the two sides launch straight into negotiations on the future borders of the Palestinians' promised state.
Israel has dismissed all three conditions.
Washington warned Wednesday that the deal between the Palestinian leadership and Hamas threatened to scupper any chance of rescuing the talks.
"It's hard to see how Israel can be expected to negotiate with a government that does not believe in its right to exist," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.
The division between Fatah and Hamas began in 2006, when Hamas won Palestinian legislative elections.
In the following year, clashes erupted between Fatah and Hamas, leaving Hamas in control of the Strip and Fatah in control of parts of the occupied West Bank.
The groups have made failed attempts at national reconciliation for years, most recently in 2012, when they signed two agreements -- one in Cairo and a subsequent one in Doha -- which have as of yet been entirely unimplemented.
23 apr 2014
screen-shot-from-CNN
Palestinians are demanding the execution of the American jew Jonathan Pollard for passing military and atomic secrets to israel while working as a civilian intelligence analyst. The history of the Americans has the known episode of executing traitors like Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, who were sentenced to death for their roles in passing atomic secrets to the Soviets.
The secrets which Pollard passed to israel were far mote than what the Rosenbergs passed to the Soviets. Pollard stole and passed everything that was not bolted down to israel. Palestinians were shocked about the latest news about John Kerry’s “deal” based on heaping the release of the traitor and spy Pollard on the back of Palestinians, using our cause of Nakba and legitimate rights of building a Palestinian State in our own homeland and ending the longest zionist jewish occupation, to release a traitor who sold the USA to Israel.
Palestinians reacted immediately, asking for the execution of Pollard by implementing the death penalty as is foreseen in American law against this traitorous spy even if the so-called “peace negotiations” between the zionists and the PA would collapse. The dirty deal foisted upon these negotiations by the zionist traitor Kerry, a war criminal and former member of the US military who is supported by AIPAC and many jewish senators against the will of the American people, who see his collaboration with the Pollard cause as a crime and a betrayal to USA and all Americans. Kerry’s betrayal of his country’s interests is seen as a “reward” given by Kerry to israel for the continuation of the theft of the Palestinian land and expanding the colonial settlements in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem.
Palestinians call upon American citizens to march against the traitorous deal of Kerry across the streets at the major cities and in front of Pollard’s jail, to force their government to stop this most shameful deal in the history of America.
We Palestinians are not honored by the news of release of the traitor Pollard, and we see that Kerry and his government and zionist israel are directing the Palestinian cause and the so-called “peace process” in the wrong direction, subverting it to achieve the goals of zionism while at the same time insulting and betraying the American people for to release a spy who did them great damage.
We Palestinians do not rely on the so-called “peace negotiations” under American-zionist auspices, we even see any “agreements” coming out of this that may be signed by the so-called “Palestinian Authority”, Israel and USA as neither legitimate nor binding. Israel and the USA are negotiating with the PA headed by “President” Abbas, whose term of presidency expired in January 2009.
Below follows the reaction by of American citizen Chelli Stanley to Kerry’s traitorous deal to release Pollard.
Palestinians are demanding the execution of the American jew Jonathan Pollard for passing military and atomic secrets to israel while working as a civilian intelligence analyst. The history of the Americans has the known episode of executing traitors like Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, who were sentenced to death for their roles in passing atomic secrets to the Soviets.
The secrets which Pollard passed to israel were far mote than what the Rosenbergs passed to the Soviets. Pollard stole and passed everything that was not bolted down to israel. Palestinians were shocked about the latest news about John Kerry’s “deal” based on heaping the release of the traitor and spy Pollard on the back of Palestinians, using our cause of Nakba and legitimate rights of building a Palestinian State in our own homeland and ending the longest zionist jewish occupation, to release a traitor who sold the USA to Israel.
Palestinians reacted immediately, asking for the execution of Pollard by implementing the death penalty as is foreseen in American law against this traitorous spy even if the so-called “peace negotiations” between the zionists and the PA would collapse. The dirty deal foisted upon these negotiations by the zionist traitor Kerry, a war criminal and former member of the US military who is supported by AIPAC and many jewish senators against the will of the American people, who see his collaboration with the Pollard cause as a crime and a betrayal to USA and all Americans. Kerry’s betrayal of his country’s interests is seen as a “reward” given by Kerry to israel for the continuation of the theft of the Palestinian land and expanding the colonial settlements in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem.
Palestinians call upon American citizens to march against the traitorous deal of Kerry across the streets at the major cities and in front of Pollard’s jail, to force their government to stop this most shameful deal in the history of America.
We Palestinians are not honored by the news of release of the traitor Pollard, and we see that Kerry and his government and zionist israel are directing the Palestinian cause and the so-called “peace process” in the wrong direction, subverting it to achieve the goals of zionism while at the same time insulting and betraying the American people for to release a spy who did them great damage.
We Palestinians do not rely on the so-called “peace negotiations” under American-zionist auspices, we even see any “agreements” coming out of this that may be signed by the so-called “Palestinian Authority”, Israel and USA as neither legitimate nor binding. Israel and the USA are negotiating with the PA headed by “President” Abbas, whose term of presidency expired in January 2009.
Below follows the reaction by of American citizen Chelli Stanley to Kerry’s traitorous deal to release Pollard.
What would possess the United States government to release Jonathan Pollard, a U.S. intelligence agent who was convicted as spying on the U.S. for Israel, as part of the negotiations for “Peace” with Palestine? Apparently the White House has not indicated how Pollard’s release would even factor into these “Peace” negotiations, though various news agencies report it being used as a carrot the United States government might use to keep the “Peace” negotiations from falling apart.
This is just another indication of the sham-circus being paraded before us suggesting that “Peace” rides on negotiations between three corrupt governments: the United States, Israel, and the Palestinian Authority. While these governments consider Pollard’s release, Palestinians continued to be murdered, continue to live under hellish circumstances, continue to struggle for their Lands and their communities, and continue to carry on the world-renowned struggle for liberation from the colonial hell that they have been forced to face.
While thousands of Palestinian prisoners languish in brutal conditions for being Palestinians, the wise United States government thinks releasing Pollard might help keep the “Peace” negotiations alive. What good has the United States government ever done in Palestine? This question begs an answer. For all its supposed help at creating “Peace,” the situation in Palestine has only gotten worse and worse and more and more brutal as a result.
The “Peace” negotiations between the three corrupt governments are reportedly in “jeopardy” because the Israeli government refuses to stop building new settlements and release Palestinian prisoners, yet the United States government does not consider cutting back the millions of dollars it sends Israel everyday. No, instead it considers giving Israel a great reward, something which the Israeli government and settler establishment have long been calling for. It’s being suggested in the media that releasing Pollard might be used in exchange for Israel agreeing to release Palestinian prisoners and doing (yet another) “settlement freeze”, things which Israel had already agreed to do (then backed out of) and which have very little to do with the actual negotiations themselves. Further, both of these things are issues that Israel has historically backed out of on any pretense of any whim anyway!
The majorities of Palestinians don’t even believe in, nor want these sham “Peace” talks between the three corrupt “savior” governments to continue anyway. Why would they? None of the governments ever considers grassroots Palestinian voices in these negotiations, and none of the “negotiations” initiated by the United States government throughout the years have brought anything resembling Peace to Palestine. Given this reality, the United States government continues to make known its real intentions and its real priorities in this situation.
Some of the arguments Israeli government officials and settlers have made for years concerning Pollard’s release have to do with the harshness of Pollard’s sentence considering the reality that Israel and the United States are such great friends. It seems this great friendship supersedes all things. Sham-circus aside, this “great friendship” between two brutal colonial governments is the bottom line.
This is just another indication of the sham-circus being paraded before us suggesting that “Peace” rides on negotiations between three corrupt governments: the United States, Israel, and the Palestinian Authority. While these governments consider Pollard’s release, Palestinians continued to be murdered, continue to live under hellish circumstances, continue to struggle for their Lands and their communities, and continue to carry on the world-renowned struggle for liberation from the colonial hell that they have been forced to face.
While thousands of Palestinian prisoners languish in brutal conditions for being Palestinians, the wise United States government thinks releasing Pollard might help keep the “Peace” negotiations alive. What good has the United States government ever done in Palestine? This question begs an answer. For all its supposed help at creating “Peace,” the situation in Palestine has only gotten worse and worse and more and more brutal as a result.
The “Peace” negotiations between the three corrupt governments are reportedly in “jeopardy” because the Israeli government refuses to stop building new settlements and release Palestinian prisoners, yet the United States government does not consider cutting back the millions of dollars it sends Israel everyday. No, instead it considers giving Israel a great reward, something which the Israeli government and settler establishment have long been calling for. It’s being suggested in the media that releasing Pollard might be used in exchange for Israel agreeing to release Palestinian prisoners and doing (yet another) “settlement freeze”, things which Israel had already agreed to do (then backed out of) and which have very little to do with the actual negotiations themselves. Further, both of these things are issues that Israel has historically backed out of on any pretense of any whim anyway!
The majorities of Palestinians don’t even believe in, nor want these sham “Peace” talks between the three corrupt “savior” governments to continue anyway. Why would they? None of the governments ever considers grassroots Palestinian voices in these negotiations, and none of the “negotiations” initiated by the United States government throughout the years have brought anything resembling Peace to Palestine. Given this reality, the United States government continues to make known its real intentions and its real priorities in this situation.
Some of the arguments Israeli government officials and settlers have made for years concerning Pollard’s release have to do with the harshness of Pollard’s sentence considering the reality that Israel and the United States are such great friends. It seems this great friendship supersedes all things. Sham-circus aside, this “great friendship” between two brutal colonial governments is the bottom line.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said on Wednesday that the recently announced national reconciliation agreement between the Fatah-led PLO and Hamas would contribute to negotiations with Israel and achieving a two-state solution.
Abbas said that there is no contradiction between reconciliation and negotiation "because we are committed to achieving a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution and international resolutions."
"Unity of the land and people will empower and contribute to the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital," he added.
Abbas said that that overcoming the division between the rival Palestinian political parties will help the Palestinian negotiators reach the two-state solution, and he stressed that the move had both Arab and international support.
Abbas' statement come hours after the two largest Palestinian political groupings -- the Fatah-led Palestine Liberation Organization and Hamas -- announced a national reconciliation deal that could potentially end seven years of political division.
Abbas said that there is no contradiction between reconciliation and negotiation "because we are committed to achieving a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution and international resolutions."
"Unity of the land and people will empower and contribute to the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital," he added.
Abbas said that that overcoming the division between the rival Palestinian political parties will help the Palestinian negotiators reach the two-state solution, and he stressed that the move had both Arab and international support.
Abbas' statement come hours after the two largest Palestinian political groupings -- the Fatah-led Palestine Liberation Organization and Hamas -- announced a national reconciliation deal that could potentially end seven years of political division.
Obama administration "infuriated"
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed dissent with the state of Israel for announcing what she deemed a "counter-productive" and "provocative" expansion of illegal settlements in the midst of a highly sensitive UN melee over the crisis in the Middle East.
"This morning’s announcement by the government of Israel ... is counter-productive to our efforts to resume negotiations between the parties. We have long urged both sides to avoid any kind of action which could undermine trust, including and perhaps most particularly in Jerusalem, any action that could be viewed as provocative by either side," she said, in response to the announcement that new homes would be built in Gilo, a Jewish enclave in Jerusalem.
The Obama administration was reportedly "infuriated" by Israel’s decision to approve the building of 1,100 new Jewish-only homes in the West Bank, as US diplomats lobbied furiously to halt the Palestinian request for statehood that was formally submitted to the UN last week, according to media sources.
The US backed a proposal for renewed peace talks with firm deadlines that would have postponed a UN vote on the Palestinians’ request to be recognised as an independent state.
Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the Israeli settlement announcement amounted to "1,100 noes to the resumption of peace talks".
In 2013, there were 399 incidents of settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Just today, three female colonial settlers were detained by police, on suspicion of breaking into Al-Rahma Islamic cemetery, next to Al-Aqsa Mosque, where they sprayed racial graffiti on a grave. They were held in Al-Qashla detention centre, in the Old City, to prosecute them later.
Mahmoud Abu Al-Ataa, Media Director of Al-Aqsa Foundation for Heritage and Islamic Waqf, stated that this group of settlers only recently desecrated the cemetery, in attempts to perform Talmudic rituals there, during the night hours.
Abu Al-Ata strongly condemned such crimes against the cemetery, holding the occupation fully responsible for the attacks against mosques and churches in Jerusalem and pre-1948 Palestine.
Abu Al-Ata called on all Palestinians in Jerusalem to exercise caution, especially in light of the escalation of such organized crimes by "Price Tag" Jewish colonial gangs.
Israeli forces raided the al-Aqsa mosque compound, on Tuesday, and assaulted several Palestinian worshipers, officials from the ministry of Islamic endowments told Ma'an.
Palestinian worshipers in the compound chanted religious slogans at a group of around 30 right-wing Jews who had entered the area via the Moroccan Gate.
Israeli forces raided the compound following the incident and physically assaulted several worshipers, ministry officials said.
The right-wing group was escorted out of the area by Israeli forces without completing their tour.
Earlier, a right-wing Jewish activist tried to enter the compound by claiming that he was a foreign tourist, Ma'an went on to say. Israeli police checked the man's documents and prevented him from entering, after discovering he was Israeli, ministry officials added.
Al-Aqsa is located in East Jerusalem, a part of the internationally recognized Palestinian territories that have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
In Hebron, the Israeli army forced a group of farmers out of their agricultural lands in the village of Beit Ummar, to north of Hebron, in the south of the West Bank, according to Mohammad Awad, spokesperson for the anti-settlement committee.
He said that soldiers from the settlement of Karmi Tsur, illegally built on the village land, forced the farmers out of their land which is adjacent to the settlement.
The Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA) further reports that several armored Israeli military vehicles invaded Borqa village, west of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, kidnapping six Palestinians and causing property damage while searching their homes on Wednesday, at dawn.
Soldiers also invaded Deir Samet village, Doura town, al-Fawwar refugee camp, Ithna, Yatta, al-Obaidiyya and Borqeen.
The arrests and invasions are part of daily Israeli military violations against the Palestinian people, their lands and property, in different parts of the occupied West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed dissent with the state of Israel for announcing what she deemed a "counter-productive" and "provocative" expansion of illegal settlements in the midst of a highly sensitive UN melee over the crisis in the Middle East.
"This morning’s announcement by the government of Israel ... is counter-productive to our efforts to resume negotiations between the parties. We have long urged both sides to avoid any kind of action which could undermine trust, including and perhaps most particularly in Jerusalem, any action that could be viewed as provocative by either side," she said, in response to the announcement that new homes would be built in Gilo, a Jewish enclave in Jerusalem.
The Obama administration was reportedly "infuriated" by Israel’s decision to approve the building of 1,100 new Jewish-only homes in the West Bank, as US diplomats lobbied furiously to halt the Palestinian request for statehood that was formally submitted to the UN last week, according to media sources.
The US backed a proposal for renewed peace talks with firm deadlines that would have postponed a UN vote on the Palestinians’ request to be recognised as an independent state.
Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the Israeli settlement announcement amounted to "1,100 noes to the resumption of peace talks".
In 2013, there were 399 incidents of settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Just today, three female colonial settlers were detained by police, on suspicion of breaking into Al-Rahma Islamic cemetery, next to Al-Aqsa Mosque, where they sprayed racial graffiti on a grave. They were held in Al-Qashla detention centre, in the Old City, to prosecute them later.
Mahmoud Abu Al-Ataa, Media Director of Al-Aqsa Foundation for Heritage and Islamic Waqf, stated that this group of settlers only recently desecrated the cemetery, in attempts to perform Talmudic rituals there, during the night hours.
Abu Al-Ata strongly condemned such crimes against the cemetery, holding the occupation fully responsible for the attacks against mosques and churches in Jerusalem and pre-1948 Palestine.
Abu Al-Ata called on all Palestinians in Jerusalem to exercise caution, especially in light of the escalation of such organized crimes by "Price Tag" Jewish colonial gangs.
Israeli forces raided the al-Aqsa mosque compound, on Tuesday, and assaulted several Palestinian worshipers, officials from the ministry of Islamic endowments told Ma'an.
Palestinian worshipers in the compound chanted religious slogans at a group of around 30 right-wing Jews who had entered the area via the Moroccan Gate.
Israeli forces raided the compound following the incident and physically assaulted several worshipers, ministry officials said.
The right-wing group was escorted out of the area by Israeli forces without completing their tour.
Earlier, a right-wing Jewish activist tried to enter the compound by claiming that he was a foreign tourist, Ma'an went on to say. Israeli police checked the man's documents and prevented him from entering, after discovering he was Israeli, ministry officials added.
Al-Aqsa is located in East Jerusalem, a part of the internationally recognized Palestinian territories that have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
In Hebron, the Israeli army forced a group of farmers out of their agricultural lands in the village of Beit Ummar, to north of Hebron, in the south of the West Bank, according to Mohammad Awad, spokesperson for the anti-settlement committee.
He said that soldiers from the settlement of Karmi Tsur, illegally built on the village land, forced the farmers out of their land which is adjacent to the settlement.
The Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA) further reports that several armored Israeli military vehicles invaded Borqa village, west of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, kidnapping six Palestinians and causing property damage while searching their homes on Wednesday, at dawn.
Soldiers also invaded Deir Samet village, Doura town, al-Fawwar refugee camp, Ithna, Yatta, al-Obaidiyya and Borqeen.
The arrests and invasions are part of daily Israeli military violations against the Palestinian people, their lands and property, in different parts of the occupied West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancelled a planned session of peace talks with Palestinian negotiators on Wednesday after news of a unity deal between the Palestine Liberation Organization and Hamas was announced.
"Israel has canceled a negotiations meeting that was expected to be held this evening," a statement released by the prime minister's office on Wednesday said, without further explanation, according to Reuters.
The cancellation comes hours after top Palestinian political leaders from the Palestinian Liberation Organization and Hamas announced a reconciliation deal after more than seven years of political division.
Israeli officials lambasted the deal, with economy minister and chairman of the "Jewish Home" party Naftali Bennett saying: "The Palestinian Authority has become the world's largest terror organization; we have entered a new political era in the Mideast," according to Israeli newspaper the Jerusalem Post.
Bennett added that just as the US does not talk with al-Qaeda, Israel should not negotiate with the Palestinian Authority, who he called "killers."
The unity deal authorized the Palestinian president to set a date for new elections and signaled a potentially historic reconciliation between the two major Palestinian political factions, the Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and the Hamas-ruled government in the Gaza Strip.
Earlier, Palestinian officials announced that they had agreed to form a unity government within five weeks that will be headed by either President Mahmoud Abbas or former Deputy Prime Minister of the 2006 unity government Nasser al-Din al-Shaer, who is a member of Hamas.
The parties also agreed that both Hamas in Gaza and Fatah in the occupied West Bank would release prisoners detained for their political affiliation.
The unity deal comes amid a major impasse in ongoing US-backed peace talks between the Palestinian Authority and Israel, which were re-activated in July.
Israel has announced plans to build thousands of settlement homes across the occupied West Bank since the start of talks, angering the Palestinians.
In late March, meanwhile, Israel refused to release the final round of Palestinian veteran prisoners that it had promised to release as part of a trust-building measure, participating the current crisis.
"Israel has canceled a negotiations meeting that was expected to be held this evening," a statement released by the prime minister's office on Wednesday said, without further explanation, according to Reuters.
The cancellation comes hours after top Palestinian political leaders from the Palestinian Liberation Organization and Hamas announced a reconciliation deal after more than seven years of political division.
Israeli officials lambasted the deal, with economy minister and chairman of the "Jewish Home" party Naftali Bennett saying: "The Palestinian Authority has become the world's largest terror organization; we have entered a new political era in the Mideast," according to Israeli newspaper the Jerusalem Post.
Bennett added that just as the US does not talk with al-Qaeda, Israel should not negotiate with the Palestinian Authority, who he called "killers."
The unity deal authorized the Palestinian president to set a date for new elections and signaled a potentially historic reconciliation between the two major Palestinian political factions, the Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and the Hamas-ruled government in the Gaza Strip.
Earlier, Palestinian officials announced that they had agreed to form a unity government within five weeks that will be headed by either President Mahmoud Abbas or former Deputy Prime Minister of the 2006 unity government Nasser al-Din al-Shaer, who is a member of Hamas.
The parties also agreed that both Hamas in Gaza and Fatah in the occupied West Bank would release prisoners detained for their political affiliation.
The unity deal comes amid a major impasse in ongoing US-backed peace talks between the Palestinian Authority and Israel, which were re-activated in July.
Israel has announced plans to build thousands of settlement homes across the occupied West Bank since the start of talks, angering the Palestinians.
In late March, meanwhile, Israel refused to release the final round of Palestinian veteran prisoners that it had promised to release as part of a trust-building measure, participating the current crisis.
PLO Executive Committee member, Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, stressed on Wednesday that "Negotiations have proven to be self-defeating – There are built-in flaws in negotiations that continue to be repeated at the expense of the Palestinian people, their lands and resources. It is damaging and counterproductive to negotiate for the sake of negotiations without making Israel commit to the requirements of peace and international law."
Asharwi's statements came during a meeting with a delegation of German Parliamentarians belonging to the German Social Democratic Party at the PLO Headquarters in Ramallah and welcomed them to Palestine.
Dr. Ashrawi briefed the delegation on the ongoing negotiations, the latest Palestinian political developments, Israel's continued violations on the ground, and the role of Germany and the European Union in peacemaking.
Both parties discussed the status of reconciliation efforts between Hamas and Fateh, the issue of Palestinian elections under occupation and the role of the United Nations in negotiations.
Ashrawi concluded, "Despite its membership in the Quartet, we believe the European Union should play a larger role – It should translate its economic clout into the ability to influence political realities."
Asharwi's statements came during a meeting with a delegation of German Parliamentarians belonging to the German Social Democratic Party at the PLO Headquarters in Ramallah and welcomed them to Palestine.
Dr. Ashrawi briefed the delegation on the ongoing negotiations, the latest Palestinian political developments, Israel's continued violations on the ground, and the role of Germany and the European Union in peacemaking.
Both parties discussed the status of reconciliation efforts between Hamas and Fateh, the issue of Palestinian elections under occupation and the role of the United Nations in negotiations.
Ashrawi concluded, "Despite its membership in the Quartet, we believe the European Union should play a larger role – It should translate its economic clout into the ability to influence political realities."
The Palestinian Public Opinion Poll no. 48 conducted by the Center for Opinion Polls and Survey Studies at An-Najah National University during the period from 18-20 April 2014. The University sponsors all polls conducted by its Center.
This poll undertakes the Palestinian public opinion on the new political realities on the Palestinian ground including the Palestinian Israeli negotiations, Prof. Rami Hamdallah's government, the possibility of conducting presidential, legislative and local council elections in addition to the political affiliations of Palestinian people.
The sample included 1360 persons whose age group is 18 and above and who have the right to vote. The enclosed questionnaire was distributed on 860 persons from the West Bank and 500 persons from the Gaza Strip. The sample was drawn randomly and the margin of error is about ±3%; still 1.91% of the members of the sample refused to answer the questionnaire.
The General Results as follows:
• 65.4% of respondents expected the return of Palestinians and Israelis to negotiations under American auspices; 27.1% expected the opposite.
• 54.7% of respondents supported the return of Palestinians to negotiations; 42.1% rejected
• 41.3% of respondents supported the extension of negotiations until the end of the current year; 52.5% rejected
• 87.9% of respondents expected the failure of negotiations if they are extended until the end of this year; 21.6% expected them to succeed.
• 64.2% of respondents expected Israel to release the last group of prisoners who were supposed to be released at the end of March; 27.8% expected the opposite.
• 51.6% of respondents supported continuing negotiations if Israel releases the last group of prisoners; 44.7% rejected.
• 79.6% of respondents supported the Palestinian Authority's decision to join international organizations.
• 71% of respondents supported the Palestinian Authority's decision to proceed in joining international organizations even if Israel releases the last group of prisoners.
• 75.5% of respondents saw that the Israeli side is responsible for stopping negotiations; 5.5% saw that it is the Palestinian side.
• 63.5% of respondents expected the USA to intervene and to exert pressure on some sides to lead the negotiation to a successful end.
• From among respondents who supported an intervention by the USA to exert pressure on some sides to lead these negotiations to a successful end, 60.8% expected the pressure to be exerted on the Palestinian side; 13.9% expected it to be exerted on the Israeli side while 24.3% expected it to be on both sides.
• 25.9% of respondents saw that the USA is serious this time in leading the negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis to a successful end.
• 11.1% of respondents considered the US an honest arbitrator between the two sides of conflict.
• 88% of respondents looked at the US policy towards the Palestinian issue as generally biased towards the Israeli side; 2.6% said that it is biased towards the Palestinian side while 6% said that it is neutral.
• 68.1% of respondents supported adding other countries to the auspices of the negotiations besides the United States.
• 76.1% of respondents expected Israel to impose economic sanctions on the Palestinian Authority if negotiations fail.
• 80.4% of respondents supported conducting a referendum among Palestinians before signing any peace agreement with Israel; 14.2% rejected.
• 37.9% of respondents supported reaching a provisional agreement similar to that of the Oslo Accord as a result of these negotiations; 54.1% rejected.
• 50.7% of respondents supported the two-state solution provided that there will be a Palestinian state living side by side with Israel; 45.2% rejected.
• 31.3% of respondents supported the one-state solution in which both Palestinians and Israelis enjoy equal rights; 62.8% rejected
• 26.8% of respondents said that they are optimistic towards the success of the peace process between the PA and Israel; 68.7% said that they are pessimistic
• 62.9% of respondents expected the outbreak of a third intifada (uprising) in the West Bank in case the current peace negotiations fail.
• 42.9% of respondents supported the rise of an armed uprising (intifada) in the West Bank; 51.5% rejected.
• 56% of respondents supported the rise of a nonviolent, unarmed popular uprising (intifada); 37.4% rejected.
• 33.3% of respondents supported dissolving the Palestinian Authority in case the current peace negotiations fail; 59.3% rejected.
• 49.2% of respondents said that they are optimistic towards implementing the Palestinian reconciliation agreement in the near future; 46% said they are pessimistic.
• 64.2% of respondents believed that the surrounding Arab and international circumstances necessitate conducting a national reconciliation between Fateh and Hamas.
• 54.6% of respondents believed that Prof. Hamdallah's government is capable of managing people's affairs in the West Bank if Israel imposes economic sanctions on the Palestinian Authority; 31.1% expected the opposite.
• 57.3% of respondents expected the fall of the PA in case enough funds become unavailable.
• 66.2% of respondents saw that Prof. Hamdallah's government is more capable of managing the internal Palestinian affairs while 17.1% saw that Ismail Haniyeh's government is more capable.
• 76.6% of respondents assessed the performance of Prof. Hamdallah's governments as "good".
• 31.7% of respondents assessed the performance of Ismail Haniyeh's governments as "good".
• 80.1% of respondents supported conducting the coming presidential elections after ending the division; 12.8% supported conducting them despite division.
• 80.4% of respondents supported conducting the coming legislative elections after ending the division; 12.4% supported conducting them despite division.
• 44.6% of respondents expected that if elections are conducted in the present time in the Palestinian Territories, they will be fair.
• 80.9% of respondents said that they will participate in the coming presidential elections. From among those who said they will participate, 35.2% said that they will give their votes to Fateh's candidate; 11.7% said they will give their votes to Hamas' candidate.
• 80.2% of respondents said that they will participate in the coming legislative elections. From among those who said they will participate, 35.7% said that they will give their votes to Fateh's candidates; 12.2% said they will give their votes to Hamas' candidates.
• If PLC elections are to be conducted, 44% of respondents expected the winning of Fateh movement; 14.2% expected the winning of Hamas.
• 83% of respondents said that they will participate in the coming municipality and local council elections. From among those who said they will participate, 30.6% said that they will give their votes to Fateh's candidates, 10.7% said they will give their votes to Hamas' candidates and 10.3% said they will give their votes to the representative of their family or clan.
• In case PLC elections will be conducted, 31.5% of respondents preferred conducting elections on the basis of electoral lists; 28.9% preferred conducting them on the basis of persons.
• 30% of respondents preferred conducting local council and municipality elections on the basis of electoral lists; 33% preferred conducting them on the basis of persons.
• 34.4% of respondents said that the current political, security and economic circumstances compel them to desire emigrating.
• 50.1% of respondents expressed fear for their lives under the present circumstances.
• 62.3% of respondents said that they are pessimistic of the general Palestinian situation at this stage.
• 74.1% of respondents said that they neither feel safe for themselves nor for their families and properties under the current circumstances.
This poll undertakes the Palestinian public opinion on the new political realities on the Palestinian ground including the Palestinian Israeli negotiations, Prof. Rami Hamdallah's government, the possibility of conducting presidential, legislative and local council elections in addition to the political affiliations of Palestinian people.
The sample included 1360 persons whose age group is 18 and above and who have the right to vote. The enclosed questionnaire was distributed on 860 persons from the West Bank and 500 persons from the Gaza Strip. The sample was drawn randomly and the margin of error is about ±3%; still 1.91% of the members of the sample refused to answer the questionnaire.
The General Results as follows:
• 65.4% of respondents expected the return of Palestinians and Israelis to negotiations under American auspices; 27.1% expected the opposite.
• 54.7% of respondents supported the return of Palestinians to negotiations; 42.1% rejected
• 41.3% of respondents supported the extension of negotiations until the end of the current year; 52.5% rejected
• 87.9% of respondents expected the failure of negotiations if they are extended until the end of this year; 21.6% expected them to succeed.
• 64.2% of respondents expected Israel to release the last group of prisoners who were supposed to be released at the end of March; 27.8% expected the opposite.
• 51.6% of respondents supported continuing negotiations if Israel releases the last group of prisoners; 44.7% rejected.
• 79.6% of respondents supported the Palestinian Authority's decision to join international organizations.
• 71% of respondents supported the Palestinian Authority's decision to proceed in joining international organizations even if Israel releases the last group of prisoners.
• 75.5% of respondents saw that the Israeli side is responsible for stopping negotiations; 5.5% saw that it is the Palestinian side.
• 63.5% of respondents expected the USA to intervene and to exert pressure on some sides to lead the negotiation to a successful end.
• From among respondents who supported an intervention by the USA to exert pressure on some sides to lead these negotiations to a successful end, 60.8% expected the pressure to be exerted on the Palestinian side; 13.9% expected it to be exerted on the Israeli side while 24.3% expected it to be on both sides.
• 25.9% of respondents saw that the USA is serious this time in leading the negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis to a successful end.
• 11.1% of respondents considered the US an honest arbitrator between the two sides of conflict.
• 88% of respondents looked at the US policy towards the Palestinian issue as generally biased towards the Israeli side; 2.6% said that it is biased towards the Palestinian side while 6% said that it is neutral.
• 68.1% of respondents supported adding other countries to the auspices of the negotiations besides the United States.
• 76.1% of respondents expected Israel to impose economic sanctions on the Palestinian Authority if negotiations fail.
• 80.4% of respondents supported conducting a referendum among Palestinians before signing any peace agreement with Israel; 14.2% rejected.
• 37.9% of respondents supported reaching a provisional agreement similar to that of the Oslo Accord as a result of these negotiations; 54.1% rejected.
• 50.7% of respondents supported the two-state solution provided that there will be a Palestinian state living side by side with Israel; 45.2% rejected.
• 31.3% of respondents supported the one-state solution in which both Palestinians and Israelis enjoy equal rights; 62.8% rejected
• 26.8% of respondents said that they are optimistic towards the success of the peace process between the PA and Israel; 68.7% said that they are pessimistic
• 62.9% of respondents expected the outbreak of a third intifada (uprising) in the West Bank in case the current peace negotiations fail.
• 42.9% of respondents supported the rise of an armed uprising (intifada) in the West Bank; 51.5% rejected.
• 56% of respondents supported the rise of a nonviolent, unarmed popular uprising (intifada); 37.4% rejected.
• 33.3% of respondents supported dissolving the Palestinian Authority in case the current peace negotiations fail; 59.3% rejected.
• 49.2% of respondents said that they are optimistic towards implementing the Palestinian reconciliation agreement in the near future; 46% said they are pessimistic.
• 64.2% of respondents believed that the surrounding Arab and international circumstances necessitate conducting a national reconciliation between Fateh and Hamas.
• 54.6% of respondents believed that Prof. Hamdallah's government is capable of managing people's affairs in the West Bank if Israel imposes economic sanctions on the Palestinian Authority; 31.1% expected the opposite.
• 57.3% of respondents expected the fall of the PA in case enough funds become unavailable.
• 66.2% of respondents saw that Prof. Hamdallah's government is more capable of managing the internal Palestinian affairs while 17.1% saw that Ismail Haniyeh's government is more capable.
• 76.6% of respondents assessed the performance of Prof. Hamdallah's governments as "good".
• 31.7% of respondents assessed the performance of Ismail Haniyeh's governments as "good".
• 80.1% of respondents supported conducting the coming presidential elections after ending the division; 12.8% supported conducting them despite division.
• 80.4% of respondents supported conducting the coming legislative elections after ending the division; 12.4% supported conducting them despite division.
• 44.6% of respondents expected that if elections are conducted in the present time in the Palestinian Territories, they will be fair.
• 80.9% of respondents said that they will participate in the coming presidential elections. From among those who said they will participate, 35.2% said that they will give their votes to Fateh's candidate; 11.7% said they will give their votes to Hamas' candidate.
• 80.2% of respondents said that they will participate in the coming legislative elections. From among those who said they will participate, 35.7% said that they will give their votes to Fateh's candidates; 12.2% said they will give their votes to Hamas' candidates.
• If PLC elections are to be conducted, 44% of respondents expected the winning of Fateh movement; 14.2% expected the winning of Hamas.
• 83% of respondents said that they will participate in the coming municipality and local council elections. From among those who said they will participate, 30.6% said that they will give their votes to Fateh's candidates, 10.7% said they will give their votes to Hamas' candidates and 10.3% said they will give their votes to the representative of their family or clan.
• In case PLC elections will be conducted, 31.5% of respondents preferred conducting elections on the basis of electoral lists; 28.9% preferred conducting them on the basis of persons.
• 30% of respondents preferred conducting local council and municipality elections on the basis of electoral lists; 33% preferred conducting them on the basis of persons.
• 34.4% of respondents said that the current political, security and economic circumstances compel them to desire emigrating.
• 50.1% of respondents expressed fear for their lives under the present circumstances.
• 62.3% of respondents said that they are pessimistic of the general Palestinian situation at this stage.
• 74.1% of respondents said that they neither feel safe for themselves nor for their families and properties under the current circumstances.
