23 jan 2014
President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday called for Russia to have an essential role in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, a Ma'an reporter said.
Abbas met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Thursday in Novo-Ogaryovo in Russia, where he praised the country's recent roles in Syria and Iran.
Abbas briefed Putin on the updates in the region and on the peace process.
Putin called for the improvement of economic relations between Russia and the Palestinian Authority.
During his four-day visit to Russia, Abbas is also scheduled to meet Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.
Abbas met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Thursday in Novo-Ogaryovo in Russia, where he praised the country's recent roles in Syria and Iran.
Abbas briefed Putin on the updates in the region and on the peace process.
Putin called for the improvement of economic relations between Russia and the Palestinian Authority.
During his four-day visit to Russia, Abbas is also scheduled to meet Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.
A senior Palestinian official said Thursday that Israel was responsible for destroying the peace process and the two-state solution.
After holding a series of meetings with foreign ministers and ambassadors, Chief PLO Negotiator Saeb Erekat said that unless the international community started holding Israel responsible for its actions, any chance for a two-state solution would be lost.
Erekat condemned ongoing Israeli settlement activity, which he said was a message from Israel to US Secretary of State John Kerry to stop making efforts toward peace.
He also denounced Israel's recent airstrikes against the Gaza Strip, and warned the Israeli government of the repercussions of any military escalation. He said the strikes were also based on an Israeli policy to foil peace efforts.
Earlier Thursday, Erekat met with Australian Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanya Plibersek, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Robert Serry, New Zealand's ambassador in Turkey and Palestine Taha MacPherson, and a German delegation.
On Wednesday, Peace Now announced that Israel was planning 256 housing units in two settlements across the West Bank.
Also Wednesday, an Israeli airstrike killed two Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip, including one accused by Israel of ordering rocket attacks.
After holding a series of meetings with foreign ministers and ambassadors, Chief PLO Negotiator Saeb Erekat said that unless the international community started holding Israel responsible for its actions, any chance for a two-state solution would be lost.
Erekat condemned ongoing Israeli settlement activity, which he said was a message from Israel to US Secretary of State John Kerry to stop making efforts toward peace.
He also denounced Israel's recent airstrikes against the Gaza Strip, and warned the Israeli government of the repercussions of any military escalation. He said the strikes were also based on an Israeli policy to foil peace efforts.
Earlier Thursday, Erekat met with Australian Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanya Plibersek, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Robert Serry, New Zealand's ambassador in Turkey and Palestine Taha MacPherson, and a German delegation.
On Wednesday, Peace Now announced that Israel was planning 256 housing units in two settlements across the West Bank.
Also Wednesday, an Israeli airstrike killed two Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip, including one accused by Israel of ordering rocket attacks.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was qouted on Wednesday, saying he is prepared to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu if the latter was ready to achieve peace on the basis of establishing a Palestinian state on the pre- 1967 lines.
The Institute for National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University quoted Abbas, saying that he is prepared to meet Netanyahu at any time and that he does not rule out addressing the Knesset or the possibility that Netanyahu would one day be invited to speak before the Palestinian parliament.
Abbas outlined the Palestinian goals as follows: strengthening the two-state solution, where Israel would exist in security and stability alongside a Palestinian state created on the pre- 1967 lines with east Jerusalem as its capital; placing the borders of a Palestinian state under Palestinian control, and not that of Israel; and discussing the issue of the refugees in line with the Arab Peace Initiative and UN General Assembly Resolution 194.
The full interview with Abbas will be aired during the institute's annual conference next week.
The Institute for National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University quoted Abbas, saying that he is prepared to meet Netanyahu at any time and that he does not rule out addressing the Knesset or the possibility that Netanyahu would one day be invited to speak before the Palestinian parliament.
Abbas outlined the Palestinian goals as follows: strengthening the two-state solution, where Israel would exist in security and stability alongside a Palestinian state created on the pre- 1967 lines with east Jerusalem as its capital; placing the borders of a Palestinian state under Palestinian control, and not that of Israel; and discussing the issue of the refugees in line with the Arab Peace Initiative and UN General Assembly Resolution 194.
The full interview with Abbas will be aired during the institute's annual conference next week.
In a statement to his Habayit Hayehudi Knesset faction on Monday, Israeli Economy Minster Naftali Bennett claimed that the future of Israel's economy would be detrimentally impacted by the creation of a Palestinian state.
Bennet called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stand up to the pressure to reach an agreement that would lead to the creation of a Palestinian state. In light of the recent decisions of leading European and Dutch pension funds, concern of boycotts and divestments have increased. However, Bennet claims that the "boycott threat paled when compared to the security problems a Palestinian state in the West Bank would create for Israel," Haaretz reported. He went on to argue that Israel has faced economic boycotts in the past and has survived and prospered, and that Israel's economy has grown from reassertion of its power over Palestinian areas.
Other sources tell that Israel Justice Minister Tzipi Livni admonished Bennet for downplaying the threat of boycotts. She accused him of listening to extremist rabbis rather than business leaders. She stated that "the economy and trade minister must decide if he represents all Israeli citizens or just residents of isolated settlements". Bennet also got attacked for telling The Jerusalem Post that he intends to draft the support of enough MKs to block Netanyahu from making concessions to the Palestinians.
Baruch Marzel, who was part of the Otzma Le'Israel party that ran in last year's elections stated "The only thing Bennett has learned in politics is how to spin and take credit for work done by others."
He added, "After a year of Bennett, the Land of Israel is facing the greatest danger since the Oslo agreements."
Bennet called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stand up to the pressure to reach an agreement that would lead to the creation of a Palestinian state. In light of the recent decisions of leading European and Dutch pension funds, concern of boycotts and divestments have increased. However, Bennet claims that the "boycott threat paled when compared to the security problems a Palestinian state in the West Bank would create for Israel," Haaretz reported. He went on to argue that Israel has faced economic boycotts in the past and has survived and prospered, and that Israel's economy has grown from reassertion of its power over Palestinian areas.
Other sources tell that Israel Justice Minister Tzipi Livni admonished Bennet for downplaying the threat of boycotts. She accused him of listening to extremist rabbis rather than business leaders. She stated that "the economy and trade minister must decide if he represents all Israeli citizens or just residents of isolated settlements". Bennet also got attacked for telling The Jerusalem Post that he intends to draft the support of enough MKs to block Netanyahu from making concessions to the Palestinians.
Baruch Marzel, who was part of the Otzma Le'Israel party that ran in last year's elections stated "The only thing Bennett has learned in politics is how to spin and take credit for work done by others."
He added, "After a year of Bennett, the Land of Israel is facing the greatest danger since the Oslo agreements."
The German government provided the continued grants to Israeli high-tech companies, as well as the renewal of a scientific cooperation agreement, on the inclusion of a territorial clause stating that Israeli entities located in the West Bank settlements or east Jerusalem will not be eligible for funding, Haaretz reported. Israel fears the German move will lead other European Union member states to follow suit. “Germany will set an example for the rest of the world,” A senior Israeli Foreign Ministry official said.
"If Israel continues with the settlements and talks fail, there might be a situation where Israel finds itself more isolated," The EU official to Israel , Lars Faaborg-Andersen warned Israel , referring to a consumer boycott of Israeli goods manufactured in the West Bank.
"It will not be a result of decisions by governments but by the private sector and consumers," he said .
Andersen explained that whenever Israel announces new buildings in the settlement , it fuels the discourse in Europe. "The cause for labeling Israeli settlement products is gaining momentum," he said.
Faaborg-Andersen: Israel's settlement construction will isolate it further
EU Ambassador to occupied Palestine Lars Faaborg-Andersen warned that Israel would face further economic isolation in Europe if it persisted in its settlement expansion and its peace talks with the Palestinians failed. Faaborg-Andersen told news reporters on Wednesday that the European momentum for further sanctions on Israel could grow if peace efforts fail.
"We have made it clear to the parties that there will be a price to pay if these negotiations falter," Faaborg-Andersen said.
"If Israel were to go down the road of continued settlement expansion ... I'm afraid that what will transpire is a situation in which Israel will find itself increasingly isolated, not necessarily because of any decision taken at a governmental level but because of decisions taken by a myriad of private economic actors," he added.
The EU official affirmed Israel's burgeoning isolation has mainly resulted from commercial considerations and the European focus on "corporate social responsibility."
A growing number of European businesses and pension funds have started to drop investments or limit trade with Israeli firms involved in settlement activities in the West Bank.
"If Israel continues with the settlements and talks fail, there might be a situation where Israel finds itself more isolated," The EU official to Israel , Lars Faaborg-Andersen warned Israel , referring to a consumer boycott of Israeli goods manufactured in the West Bank.
"It will not be a result of decisions by governments but by the private sector and consumers," he said .
Andersen explained that whenever Israel announces new buildings in the settlement , it fuels the discourse in Europe. "The cause for labeling Israeli settlement products is gaining momentum," he said.
Faaborg-Andersen: Israel's settlement construction will isolate it further
EU Ambassador to occupied Palestine Lars Faaborg-Andersen warned that Israel would face further economic isolation in Europe if it persisted in its settlement expansion and its peace talks with the Palestinians failed. Faaborg-Andersen told news reporters on Wednesday that the European momentum for further sanctions on Israel could grow if peace efforts fail.
"We have made it clear to the parties that there will be a price to pay if these negotiations falter," Faaborg-Andersen said.
"If Israel were to go down the road of continued settlement expansion ... I'm afraid that what will transpire is a situation in which Israel will find itself increasingly isolated, not necessarily because of any decision taken at a governmental level but because of decisions taken by a myriad of private economic actors," he added.
The EU official affirmed Israel's burgeoning isolation has mainly resulted from commercial considerations and the European focus on "corporate social responsibility."
A growing number of European businesses and pension funds have started to drop investments or limit trade with Israeli firms involved in settlement activities in the West Bank.
22 jan 2014
Netanyahu's insistence on the Palestinian recognition of Israel as a Jewish state is "unnecessary" for achieving peace in the region Shimon Peres, the president of Israeli occupation, said. The Prime Minister of Israeli occupation Benjamin Netanyahu and the president of Israeli occupation Shimon Peres head for the World Economic Forum in Davos, where an entire day will be dedicated to a discussion of Israeli-Palestinian peace.
However, it has become apparent that the two Israeli leaders are not on the same page when it comes to the importance of Palestinian recognition of Israel as a Jewish state.
Netanyahu has made it clear that he considers such recognition a "basic demand" for achieving peace in the region.
Despite the relationship between Netanyahu and Peres being described as "strained" of late, Peres publicly aims to maintain a unified front and does not contradict Netanyahu's stance that Israel must be recognized as a Jewish state.
In public, Peres states that Israel is a Jewish country, although he says its security will be assured only with the establishment of a Palestinian state, Israel Hayom, Israeli newspaper, reported.
However, it has become apparent that the two Israeli leaders are not on the same page when it comes to the importance of Palestinian recognition of Israel as a Jewish state.
Netanyahu has made it clear that he considers such recognition a "basic demand" for achieving peace in the region.
Despite the relationship between Netanyahu and Peres being described as "strained" of late, Peres publicly aims to maintain a unified front and does not contradict Netanyahu's stance that Israel must be recognized as a Jewish state.
In public, Peres states that Israel is a Jewish country, although he says its security will be assured only with the establishment of a Palestinian state, Israel Hayom, Israeli newspaper, reported.
Peace negotiations between Palestinian Authority and the Israeli occupation considered a waste of time, member of Fatah Revolutionary Council, Sufian Abu Zaida said. He said in an interview on al-Aqsa TV on Tuesday, Palestinians will not accept US Secretary of State John Kerry’s suggestions.” “Kerry’s project is one of the worst projects in the history of the Palestinian issue,” he added, pointing out that the project includes a Palestinian country without borders, water and air.
He asserted that the Palestinian issue is in a state of dispersion. It is necessary to achieve the Palestinian reconciliation according to Cairo-brokered agreement to end any internal conflict.
Abu Zaidah’s visit came as a response for Palestinian Prime Minister Isamil Haniyeh’s initiative. He announced on Jan,2014 that all Fatah members, except those accused of killing Palestinians during the factional violence that broke out in 2007, could return to Gaza "without any preconditions", in addition to the release of Fatah members from Gaza prisons .
Haniyeh stated that these decisions would reinforce the internal Palestinian front and pave the way for reconciliation. Abu Zaidah welcomed Haniyeh’s decisions affirming that they are “a step in the right direction”.
He called Fatah members for seizing the opportunity and to get back to the Gaza Strip to regain the lost trust between the two rivals.
Tahr al-Nono, the Media Advisor to Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, said “achieving reconciliation is a national interest while division considered a great sin.”
He asserted that the Palestinian issue is in a state of dispersion. It is necessary to achieve the Palestinian reconciliation according to Cairo-brokered agreement to end any internal conflict.
Abu Zaidah’s visit came as a response for Palestinian Prime Minister Isamil Haniyeh’s initiative. He announced on Jan,2014 that all Fatah members, except those accused of killing Palestinians during the factional violence that broke out in 2007, could return to Gaza "without any preconditions", in addition to the release of Fatah members from Gaza prisons .
Haniyeh stated that these decisions would reinforce the internal Palestinian front and pave the way for reconciliation. Abu Zaidah welcomed Haniyeh’s decisions affirming that they are “a step in the right direction”.
He called Fatah members for seizing the opportunity and to get back to the Gaza Strip to regain the lost trust between the two rivals.
Tahr al-Nono, the Media Advisor to Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, said “achieving reconciliation is a national interest while division considered a great sin.”
Israel on Wednesday moved forward with plans for 261 new homes in two settlements located deep in the occupied West Bank, a watchdog said, drawing strong European condemnation.
It was the fifth such move in just over two weeks and raised to 2,791 the number of new settler homes announced since the start of the year, threatening to derail faltering US-brokered peace talks with the Palestinians.
Israel's rapid settlement expansion has angered Palestinian negotiators and drawn condemnation from the international community, threatening peace talks that US Secretary of State John Kerry kick-started in July.
EU envoy to Israel Lars Faaborg-Andersen said continued settlement building would isolate the Jewish state, which he warned would be held accountable for a failure of peace talks.
"If Israel were to go down the road of continued settlement expansion and were there not to be any result from the current talks, I'm afraid that what will transpire is a situation in which Israel will find itself increasingly isolated," Faaborg-Andersen told journalists in Jerusalem.
"If the talks are wrecked as a result of Israeli settlement announcements, then the blame will be put squarely on Israel's doorstep," he said.
"You are eating away at the cake that you are discussing how to slice up."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week accused the EU of a "hypocritical" attitude toward the Middle East peace process, saying it should be more concerned by Palestinian militancy than Israeli housing construction.
The new plans include 256 housing units in the Nofei Prat settlement, between Jerusalem and Jericho, and another five in the sprawling Ariel settlement in the north, the group said.
"The addition of 256 housing units to the small, isolated settlement of Nofei Prat dramatically changes the settlement, expanding its size and population significantly. In fact, these planned units will nearly triple the size of Nofei Prat," Peace Now said in a statement.
Construction would be allowed to start "without further political approval or public awareness," it added.
"Every day that Kerry isn't in the region, the government announces construction of new settlements," Peace Now spokesman Lior Amihai told AFP.
Kerry has visited the region 10 times since March to coax the two sides towards a final peace agreement, but the talks continue to falter ahead of an agreed April deadline.
Israel moved ahead on Tuesday with plans for 381 homes for West Bank settlers, prompting Palestinian charges it was more interested in building settlements than reaching a peace agreement.
It also pushed ahead with plans for a second visitors' center at an archaeological site in Silwan, a densely-populated Arab neighborhood of annexed east Jerusalem, Peace Now said.
And on January 6, Israel approved plans for 272 new homes in various West Bank settlements. Four days later, it unveiled plans for more than 1,877 new units, some in east Jerusalem.
Israel and the Palestinians embarked on nine months of direct negotiations in late July at the urging of Kerry.
But over the past six months, Israel has not slowed its construction on land the Palestinians want for a future state.
It was the fifth such move in just over two weeks and raised to 2,791 the number of new settler homes announced since the start of the year, threatening to derail faltering US-brokered peace talks with the Palestinians.
Israel's rapid settlement expansion has angered Palestinian negotiators and drawn condemnation from the international community, threatening peace talks that US Secretary of State John Kerry kick-started in July.
EU envoy to Israel Lars Faaborg-Andersen said continued settlement building would isolate the Jewish state, which he warned would be held accountable for a failure of peace talks.
"If Israel were to go down the road of continued settlement expansion and were there not to be any result from the current talks, I'm afraid that what will transpire is a situation in which Israel will find itself increasingly isolated," Faaborg-Andersen told journalists in Jerusalem.
"If the talks are wrecked as a result of Israeli settlement announcements, then the blame will be put squarely on Israel's doorstep," he said.
"You are eating away at the cake that you are discussing how to slice up."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week accused the EU of a "hypocritical" attitude toward the Middle East peace process, saying it should be more concerned by Palestinian militancy than Israeli housing construction.
The new plans include 256 housing units in the Nofei Prat settlement, between Jerusalem and Jericho, and another five in the sprawling Ariel settlement in the north, the group said.
"The addition of 256 housing units to the small, isolated settlement of Nofei Prat dramatically changes the settlement, expanding its size and population significantly. In fact, these planned units will nearly triple the size of Nofei Prat," Peace Now said in a statement.
Construction would be allowed to start "without further political approval or public awareness," it added.
"Every day that Kerry isn't in the region, the government announces construction of new settlements," Peace Now spokesman Lior Amihai told AFP.
Kerry has visited the region 10 times since March to coax the two sides towards a final peace agreement, but the talks continue to falter ahead of an agreed April deadline.
Israel moved ahead on Tuesday with plans for 381 homes for West Bank settlers, prompting Palestinian charges it was more interested in building settlements than reaching a peace agreement.
It also pushed ahead with plans for a second visitors' center at an archaeological site in Silwan, a densely-populated Arab neighborhood of annexed east Jerusalem, Peace Now said.
And on January 6, Israel approved plans for 272 new homes in various West Bank settlements. Four days later, it unveiled plans for more than 1,877 new units, some in east Jerusalem.
Israel and the Palestinians embarked on nine months of direct negotiations in late July at the urging of Kerry.
But over the past six months, Israel has not slowed its construction on land the Palestinians want for a future state.
Israeli municipality of occupied Jerusalem declared on Tuesday its intention to establish 1,700 new housing units in a neighborhood south of the city. According to Yediot Ahronot Hebrew newspaper, the Israeli Planning and Building Committee affiliated with the occupation municipality will discuss the plans for the new neighborhood, which will be named Moradot Arnona, on Wednesday.
The plan came three years after Israeli former Interior Minister Eli Yishai and Mayor Nir Barkat's approval to expand Jerusalem's planning structure with 290 more dunums, the newspaper added.
The Hebrew newspaper stated that the Israeli Land Authority has participated in financing the project.
Barkat claimed that the project aims at "providing a response to the many young couples who wish to live in Jerusalem."
The plan came three years after Israeli former Interior Minister Eli Yishai and Mayor Nir Barkat's approval to expand Jerusalem's planning structure with 290 more dunums, the newspaper added.
The Hebrew newspaper stated that the Israeli Land Authority has participated in financing the project.
Barkat claimed that the project aims at "providing a response to the many young couples who wish to live in Jerusalem."
Representatives of Palestinian factions in Gaza condemned the resumption of the negotiations between the PA in Ramallah and the Israeli occupation, and called for achieving the reconciliation and ending the division. This came during a meeting between the factions' representatives and a group of young journalists on Tuesday afternoon in Gaza.
Representatives of the factions unanimously agreed on the need to implement the reconciliation and end the political split in order to confront the challenges facing the Palestinian cause.
MP for Hamas, Mushir al-Masri said: "Hamas movement has taken steps to facilitate achievement of reconciliation," and hoped that Fatah will also adopt similar positive steps in the West Bank.
Masri slammed the continuation of political arrests in the West Bank, and called for allowing public freedoms in order to pave the way for holding the elections.
For his part, Hani Thawabta, member of the Central Committee of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), stressed the need to end the division and to achieve the reconciliation.
He warned of the seriousness of the continuation of talks, in light of the Israeli criminal practices, and accused the United States of trying to impose a framework agreement that serves the occupation’s interests.
Leader in the Islamic Jihad movement Ahmad Mudallal has also criticized the return to negotiation process after twenty years of failure, noting that it serves only the occupation which has not stopped the military escalation and the settlement construction in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
Representatives of the factions unanimously agreed on the need to implement the reconciliation and end the political split in order to confront the challenges facing the Palestinian cause.
MP for Hamas, Mushir al-Masri said: "Hamas movement has taken steps to facilitate achievement of reconciliation," and hoped that Fatah will also adopt similar positive steps in the West Bank.
Masri slammed the continuation of political arrests in the West Bank, and called for allowing public freedoms in order to pave the way for holding the elections.
For his part, Hani Thawabta, member of the Central Committee of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), stressed the need to end the division and to achieve the reconciliation.
He warned of the seriousness of the continuation of talks, in light of the Israeli criminal practices, and accused the United States of trying to impose a framework agreement that serves the occupation’s interests.
Leader in the Islamic Jihad movement Ahmad Mudallal has also criticized the return to negotiation process after twenty years of failure, noting that it serves only the occupation which has not stopped the military escalation and the settlement construction in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
21 jan 2014
Hamas movement strongly condemned the statements of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, leader of the Conservative Party, that support Israel. Harper, during a speech to the Knesset on Monday, adopted an extremist political position, by supporting “the Jewish state of Israel” and by refusing to describe it as an apartheid state.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said in a statement on Tuesday that his movement refuses the Canadian Prime Minister's remarks, and considers them racist statements that represent an attempt to liquidate the right of return.
He pointed out that according to some leaked information, Canada will be one of the main countries to which the Palestinians will be displaced according to the ongoing negotiations.
For his part, Bassem Naim, adviser of International Relations to the Palestinian Prime Minister in Gaza, said that the Canadian position "collides with all the international laws that consider the Gaza blockade and stealing the lands in the West Bank as war crimes and racist behaviors."
He also pointed out that Canada was one of the first countries to cut off financial support for the UN Relief and Works Agency for refugees to exert more pressure on the Palestinian refugees to force them give up their right to return to their homeland.
Naim demanded Canada "to reconsider its position and abide by the international laws and resolutions” concerning Israel.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said in a statement on Tuesday that his movement refuses the Canadian Prime Minister's remarks, and considers them racist statements that represent an attempt to liquidate the right of return.
He pointed out that according to some leaked information, Canada will be one of the main countries to which the Palestinians will be displaced according to the ongoing negotiations.
For his part, Bassem Naim, adviser of International Relations to the Palestinian Prime Minister in Gaza, said that the Canadian position "collides with all the international laws that consider the Gaza blockade and stealing the lands in the West Bank as war crimes and racist behaviors."
He also pointed out that Canada was one of the first countries to cut off financial support for the UN Relief and Works Agency for refugees to exert more pressure on the Palestinian refugees to force them give up their right to return to their homeland.
Naim demanded Canada "to reconsider its position and abide by the international laws and resolutions” concerning Israel.
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Harper stresses Canada's strong bond with Israel, saying 'Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state is absolute and non-negotiable', apologizes for Nazi-era negligence, denounces boycotts of Jewish State – and is heckled by Arab parliamentarians
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper addressed the Knesset on Monday as part of his four-day visit to Israel and the West Bank. He became the first Canadian leader to address the Israeli government. In a speech full of praise for the Jewish State, Harper emphasized the strong ties between the two countries, even mentioning the Canadian army's use of Israeli technologies in Afghanistan. He told Israeli parliamentarians that Canada supports Israel because it is a moral imperative: “Canada supports Israel because it is right to do so. It is a Canadian tradition to stand for what is principled and just, regardless of whether it is convenient or popular," he said. Before the Canadian leader's address, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a short speech highlighting the unique position Harper enjoys as a supporter of Israel in the international community, saying: "There are those who try to deny our connection to Jerusalem and our land. Not you. You know these facts well. There are others in the international community who know these facts as well, but the difference, Stephen, is that you have the courage to speak the truth." |
Netanyahu, who was heckled at times, criticized the international hypocrisy that characterizes discourse of Israel versus the Arab world. He said: "In an age of hypocrisy there are those who choose to point the finger at Israel, the only democracy in the region that respects human rights, maintains the rule of law, and guarantees the freedom of worship to any and all faiths."
He told Harper, "Canada under your leadership is a moral compass and a beacon of candor. You fight against the attempts to deprive Israel of its legitimacy and you stand by us in the war on terror."
In a well-received speech, the Canadian prime minister reiterated his government's position that "Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state is absolute and non-negotiable" – a position many in the government see as a precondition for the successful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Harper apologized for the Canadian government's refusal to help Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi Germany.
While condemning calls in the international community to boycott the Jewish State, Harper was given a taste of Israel's rough-and-tumble parliament as he was heckled by Arab lawmakers. Lawmaker Ahmad Tibi screamed "settlements," while a second lawmaker, Talab Abu Arar, then shouted and stormed out of the hall.
After the outburst, Harper received a standing ovation from other parliamentarians. Noting that the activists and organizations who most vocally criticize Israel rarely give equal attention to the other cases of human rights abuses across the world, Harper warned that "in the garden of such moral relativism, the seeds of much more sinister notions can be easily planted." He added, "As once Jewish businesses were boycotted, some civil-society leaders today call for a boycott of Israel."
The Canadian prime minister also addressed another of Israel's threats – the Iranian nuclear program. He expressed hope that the diplomatic process would succeed, but emphasized that Canada would not rush to lift its sanctions.
He assured the Israeli legislators that, "For now Canada's own sanctions will remain fully in place." Before leaving the podium to a standing ovation, Harper reiterated the strategic message of his speech: "Through fire and water, Canada will stand with you."
Ahmad Tibi: Why I walked out on Stephen Harper's speech
An Arab-Israeli legislator who stormed out during Prime Minister Stephen Harper's speech to the Knesset on Monday says he did so as a form of protest against Harper's bias.
Speaking to Evan Solomon, host of CBC News Network's Power & Politics, Ahmad Tibi said Harper's speech was "biased" and that he described Israel in "a very unbalanced way."
"We are 20 per cent of the population, we are suffering discrimination," Tibi told Solomon.
"That democracy of Israel is a selective democracy, ethnic democracy. Canada is a democracy and people are equal without relation to their ethnic background. Here, there's a problem with that," he said.
Tibi is a deputy speaker of Knesset and leader of the Arab Movement for Change, or Ta'al.
Canada's foreign policy toward Israel is "biased, non-balanced, and that's why Canada has a very marginal role in the Middle East," Tibi said.
He and colleague Abu Arar walked out, Tibi said, "to say that we are very much unsatisfied with the remarks and the policy of Prime Minister Harper. It is very diplomatic. It's a protest which is legitimate in any parliament."
'Confiscating, occupying lands'
He told Harper, "Canada under your leadership is a moral compass and a beacon of candor. You fight against the attempts to deprive Israel of its legitimacy and you stand by us in the war on terror."
In a well-received speech, the Canadian prime minister reiterated his government's position that "Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state is absolute and non-negotiable" – a position many in the government see as a precondition for the successful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Harper apologized for the Canadian government's refusal to help Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi Germany.
While condemning calls in the international community to boycott the Jewish State, Harper was given a taste of Israel's rough-and-tumble parliament as he was heckled by Arab lawmakers. Lawmaker Ahmad Tibi screamed "settlements," while a second lawmaker, Talab Abu Arar, then shouted and stormed out of the hall.
After the outburst, Harper received a standing ovation from other parliamentarians. Noting that the activists and organizations who most vocally criticize Israel rarely give equal attention to the other cases of human rights abuses across the world, Harper warned that "in the garden of such moral relativism, the seeds of much more sinister notions can be easily planted." He added, "As once Jewish businesses were boycotted, some civil-society leaders today call for a boycott of Israel."
The Canadian prime minister also addressed another of Israel's threats – the Iranian nuclear program. He expressed hope that the diplomatic process would succeed, but emphasized that Canada would not rush to lift its sanctions.
He assured the Israeli legislators that, "For now Canada's own sanctions will remain fully in place." Before leaving the podium to a standing ovation, Harper reiterated the strategic message of his speech: "Through fire and water, Canada will stand with you."
Ahmad Tibi: Why I walked out on Stephen Harper's speech
An Arab-Israeli legislator who stormed out during Prime Minister Stephen Harper's speech to the Knesset on Monday says he did so as a form of protest against Harper's bias.
Speaking to Evan Solomon, host of CBC News Network's Power & Politics, Ahmad Tibi said Harper's speech was "biased" and that he described Israel in "a very unbalanced way."
"We are 20 per cent of the population, we are suffering discrimination," Tibi told Solomon.
"That democracy of Israel is a selective democracy, ethnic democracy. Canada is a democracy and people are equal without relation to their ethnic background. Here, there's a problem with that," he said.
Tibi is a deputy speaker of Knesset and leader of the Arab Movement for Change, or Ta'al.
Canada's foreign policy toward Israel is "biased, non-balanced, and that's why Canada has a very marginal role in the Middle East," Tibi said.
He and colleague Abu Arar walked out, Tibi said, "to say that we are very much unsatisfied with the remarks and the policy of Prime Minister Harper. It is very diplomatic. It's a protest which is legitimate in any parliament."
'Confiscating, occupying lands'
Harper was speaking out against what he says is a more subtle form of anti-Semitism than what the world saw ahead of the Holocaust.
"Some civil-society leaders today call for a boycott of Israel.… Most disgracefully of all, some openly call Israel an apartheid state. Think about that. Think about the twisted logic and outright malice behind that," Harper said.
"A state, based on freedom, democracy and the rule of law, that was founded so Jews can flourish as Jews, and seek shelter from the shadow of the worst racist experiment in history," he said. "That is condemned, and that condemnation is masked in the language of anti-racism. It is nothing short of sickening."
Tibi said Harper didn't mention the Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Canada officially opposes Israeli control over territories occupied in 1967, although Harper has refrained from criticizing Israel for its policy.
"When you are controlling, discriminating, confiscating, occupying lands from one side and putting them in the corner without any basic rights, you are by this way ruling and committing apartheid in the occupied Palestinian Territories," Tibi said.
"If he is talking about freedom, why [is he] totally neglecting the absence of freedom of the Palestinians under occupation? It is a double-standard. These words are moral double-standard from the prime minister of Canada."
Reuven Rivlin, a member of the governing Likud Party and former Speaker of the Knesset, said Tibi has the right to speak his mind because he lives in a democracy in Israel.
"Sometimes it's annoying a lot of members of [the] Knesset," Rivlin said in an interview with Solomon.
"I believe that he, Mr. Tibi, was elected to [the] Knesset as much as I was elected to [the] Knesset. But he has to respect the rule of law and to respect the rule of majority."
Support for Jewish state 'very, very important'
Rivlin said it's important to host the Canadian prime minister, whom he referred to as one of Israel's friends. Rivlin said Canadian support for a Jewish state is "very, very important for the Israeli people."
Tibi also took issue with the idea that debating boycotts of Israeli products and using the term apartheid is anti-Semitic.
"Do you accept at any case to be under occupation and then somebody will tell you that it is absolute democracy? It is not. We are living day by day here. Palestinians under occupation are living day by day, and saying that the occupied territory is apartheid has no relation at any case with anti-Semitism," he said.
"What's the connection? If you are criticizing the policy of the state of Israel, immediately you are categorized as anti-Semitic. This is a twisted logic of Mr. Harper."
The Knesset has people from all sides and with all views, Rivlin said.
"In Israel, in spite of all differences of opinion and in spite of the idea that we are sometimes thinking that Mr. Tibi can incite against the state of Israel, he has the ability and he has the right to say his words in the Israeli parliament without any fear.
Not just a Jewish state, Tibi says
Tibi argued that with one-fifth of Israel's population made up of Arab-Israelis, Israel does not belong only to the Jewish population.
"We are citizens of this state. We are indigenous people," Tibi said.
"Israel should be defined as a state of its own nationalities. There are two nationalities in Israel. One is [the] Jewish majority, one is [the] Arab-Palestinian minority. We are not transparent. We are not nonsense, nobody. We are community, we are minority and we are a national minority. Saying that Israel is the Jewish state is neglecting our existence, our very existence and our narrative, and I will not accept that."
"Some civil-society leaders today call for a boycott of Israel.… Most disgracefully of all, some openly call Israel an apartheid state. Think about that. Think about the twisted logic and outright malice behind that," Harper said.
"A state, based on freedom, democracy and the rule of law, that was founded so Jews can flourish as Jews, and seek shelter from the shadow of the worst racist experiment in history," he said. "That is condemned, and that condemnation is masked in the language of anti-racism. It is nothing short of sickening."
Tibi said Harper didn't mention the Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Canada officially opposes Israeli control over territories occupied in 1967, although Harper has refrained from criticizing Israel for its policy.
"When you are controlling, discriminating, confiscating, occupying lands from one side and putting them in the corner without any basic rights, you are by this way ruling and committing apartheid in the occupied Palestinian Territories," Tibi said.
"If he is talking about freedom, why [is he] totally neglecting the absence of freedom of the Palestinians under occupation? It is a double-standard. These words are moral double-standard from the prime minister of Canada."
Reuven Rivlin, a member of the governing Likud Party and former Speaker of the Knesset, said Tibi has the right to speak his mind because he lives in a democracy in Israel.
"Sometimes it's annoying a lot of members of [the] Knesset," Rivlin said in an interview with Solomon.
"I believe that he, Mr. Tibi, was elected to [the] Knesset as much as I was elected to [the] Knesset. But he has to respect the rule of law and to respect the rule of majority."
Support for Jewish state 'very, very important'
Rivlin said it's important to host the Canadian prime minister, whom he referred to as one of Israel's friends. Rivlin said Canadian support for a Jewish state is "very, very important for the Israeli people."
Tibi also took issue with the idea that debating boycotts of Israeli products and using the term apartheid is anti-Semitic.
"Do you accept at any case to be under occupation and then somebody will tell you that it is absolute democracy? It is not. We are living day by day here. Palestinians under occupation are living day by day, and saying that the occupied territory is apartheid has no relation at any case with anti-Semitism," he said.
"What's the connection? If you are criticizing the policy of the state of Israel, immediately you are categorized as anti-Semitic. This is a twisted logic of Mr. Harper."
The Knesset has people from all sides and with all views, Rivlin said.
"In Israel, in spite of all differences of opinion and in spite of the idea that we are sometimes thinking that Mr. Tibi can incite against the state of Israel, he has the ability and he has the right to say his words in the Israeli parliament without any fear.
Not just a Jewish state, Tibi says
Tibi argued that with one-fifth of Israel's population made up of Arab-Israelis, Israel does not belong only to the Jewish population.
"We are citizens of this state. We are indigenous people," Tibi said.
"Israel should be defined as a state of its own nationalities. There are two nationalities in Israel. One is [the] Jewish majority, one is [the] Arab-Palestinian minority. We are not transparent. We are not nonsense, nobody. We are community, we are minority and we are a national minority. Saying that Israel is the Jewish state is neglecting our existence, our very existence and our narrative, and I will not accept that."
US administration seeks to extend the peace negotiations by a year in case Kerry's peace plan does not succeed, western diplomatic sources said . The sources reported that both Palestinians and Israeli negotiators rejected most of Kerry's peace plan. Prime Minister of Israeli occupation Benjamin Netanyahu rejected most of Kerry's peace plan and insisted on the Israeli presence in the Jordan valley.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas rejected “most” of the key details, saying that they were too kind to Israel. Palestinian side rejected to recognize Israel as a Jewish state and to establish the Palestinian capital in just part of Jerusalem.
Kerry has said the peace treaty will deal with all the core issues dividing the two sides. These include the contours of the future Palestinian state, refugees, fate of Jerusalem, security and mutual recognition.
"Kerry proposed a new formula to resolve the issue of Jerusalem, but it's not clear and is ambiguous, and therefore we can't accept," Palestinian official said.
Under the proposal, a unified Jerusalem would be the capital of both states without defining the outlines of east Jerusalem, the official said.
Palestinians want the borders of their state to be based on the 1967 lines from before the Six-Day War.
They have also insisted there should be no Israeli troops in their future state.
But Israel wants to retain existing settlements it has built inside the occupied Palestinian territories. It also wants to maintain a military presence in the Jordan Valley.
A Palestinian official said that Netanyahu deceived Kerry by proposing to him ambiguous ideas .
Western diplomatic source explained that the last meeting between Netanyahu and Kerry lasted for seven hours in which they entered in an argument . Some members of the negotiation team said that they hear their screams from outside the room.
US president said that Kerry's chance to reach an agreement between the Palestinians and the Israelis is less than 50 percent.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas rejected “most” of the key details, saying that they were too kind to Israel. Palestinian side rejected to recognize Israel as a Jewish state and to establish the Palestinian capital in just part of Jerusalem.
Kerry has said the peace treaty will deal with all the core issues dividing the two sides. These include the contours of the future Palestinian state, refugees, fate of Jerusalem, security and mutual recognition.
"Kerry proposed a new formula to resolve the issue of Jerusalem, but it's not clear and is ambiguous, and therefore we can't accept," Palestinian official said.
Under the proposal, a unified Jerusalem would be the capital of both states without defining the outlines of east Jerusalem, the official said.
Palestinians want the borders of their state to be based on the 1967 lines from before the Six-Day War.
They have also insisted there should be no Israeli troops in their future state.
But Israel wants to retain existing settlements it has built inside the occupied Palestinian territories. It also wants to maintain a military presence in the Jordan Valley.
A Palestinian official said that Netanyahu deceived Kerry by proposing to him ambiguous ideas .
Western diplomatic source explained that the last meeting between Netanyahu and Kerry lasted for seven hours in which they entered in an argument . Some members of the negotiation team said that they hear their screams from outside the room.
US president said that Kerry's chance to reach an agreement between the Palestinians and the Israelis is less than 50 percent.
The Israeli government on Monday approved a renewed plan to build 381 additional housing units and facilities in Givat Ze'ev settlement, north of occupied Jerusalem. Specialist in settlement affairs Ahmed Sub Laban said that the Israeli government's district committee for planning and construction in Jerusalem sanctioned the settlement project numbered "220/23," which aims to add a residential area to Givat Ze'ev settlement and join it with the bypass 443.
Sub Laban noted that the government submitted its plan for public objection before executing it on the ground.
He affirmed that the district committee for planning and construction in Jerusalem discussed this revived plan in more detail a few days ago, in addition to a number of settlement projects in different areas of the West Bank and east Jerusalem.
The settlement specialist expressed his belief that Israel wants to resuscitate some old unimplemented settlement projects in the West Bank and east Jerusalem in order to tighten its grip on the outer circle of Jerusalem and separate it from the West Bank.
He also said that this plan includes the construction of residential and large public buildings, as well as educational and commercial facilities on an area of 171 dunums of annexed Palestinian land.
Sub Laban noted that the government submitted its plan for public objection before executing it on the ground.
He affirmed that the district committee for planning and construction in Jerusalem discussed this revived plan in more detail a few days ago, in addition to a number of settlement projects in different areas of the West Bank and east Jerusalem.
The settlement specialist expressed his belief that Israel wants to resuscitate some old unimplemented settlement projects in the West Bank and east Jerusalem in order to tighten its grip on the outer circle of Jerusalem and separate it from the West Bank.
He also said that this plan includes the construction of residential and large public buildings, as well as educational and commercial facilities on an area of 171 dunums of annexed Palestinian land.
The Palestinian Authority will not agree to continue ongoing negotiations with Israel even one day after the agreed upon nine-month time frame is over, the chief of the Palestinian negotiation team told Ma'an on Tuesday.
Saeb Erekat told Ma'an via telephone that the issue of extending negotiations past the nine month deadline has not been posed nor requested, and would not be accepted.
He added, "we will not agree on an extension even for one day, nor shall we agree on any temporary solutions. We resumed negotiations under clearly defined terms about the final status and within a nine-month time frame."
Erekat also denied that there have been any negotiations through secret channels in Washington. He highlighted that the Palestinian negotiation team could meet with US Secretary of State John Kerry next week.
"Some are talking about secret talks in Washington, while I am in Jericho! This is completely false," he added.
The chief PLO negotiator pointed out that meetings between the PA negotiators and John Kerry take place bilaterally without the Israeli side.
Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas on Monday reiterated that the PA would remain committed to talks with Israel until the nine-month time frame agreed upon by both sides is over.
The London-based al-Hayat newspaper earlier quoted western sources as saying that Kerry had started to consult the Palestinian Authority and Israel over a possible extension of the given time frame until the end of 2014.
Direct negotiations began in July between Israel and the Palestinians in a US-led attempt to restart the deadlocked peace process.
Israel has announced plans to build thousands of homes in illegal settlements across the West Bank over the course of the talks, inhibiting US efforts.
The Palestinian negotiating team resigned in protest against continued Israeli settlement construction in mid-November, dealing a major blow to negotiations between Israel and the PLO that had already been stalled.
Negotiator Mohammed Shtayyeh told AFP at the time that they resigned in response to "increasing settlement building (by Israel) and the absence of any hope of achieving results," following Netanyahu's announcement that Israel would build 20,000 new settlement homes in the West Bank.
Saeb Erekat told Ma'an via telephone that the issue of extending negotiations past the nine month deadline has not been posed nor requested, and would not be accepted.
He added, "we will not agree on an extension even for one day, nor shall we agree on any temporary solutions. We resumed negotiations under clearly defined terms about the final status and within a nine-month time frame."
Erekat also denied that there have been any negotiations through secret channels in Washington. He highlighted that the Palestinian negotiation team could meet with US Secretary of State John Kerry next week.
"Some are talking about secret talks in Washington, while I am in Jericho! This is completely false," he added.
The chief PLO negotiator pointed out that meetings between the PA negotiators and John Kerry take place bilaterally without the Israeli side.
Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas on Monday reiterated that the PA would remain committed to talks with Israel until the nine-month time frame agreed upon by both sides is over.
The London-based al-Hayat newspaper earlier quoted western sources as saying that Kerry had started to consult the Palestinian Authority and Israel over a possible extension of the given time frame until the end of 2014.
Direct negotiations began in July between Israel and the Palestinians in a US-led attempt to restart the deadlocked peace process.
Israel has announced plans to build thousands of homes in illegal settlements across the West Bank over the course of the talks, inhibiting US efforts.
The Palestinian negotiating team resigned in protest against continued Israeli settlement construction in mid-November, dealing a major blow to negotiations between Israel and the PLO that had already been stalled.
Negotiator Mohammed Shtayyeh told AFP at the time that they resigned in response to "increasing settlement building (by Israel) and the absence of any hope of achieving results," following Netanyahu's announcement that Israel would build 20,000 new settlement homes in the West Bank.
20 jan 2014
President Mahmoud Abbas said Monday that there will be no official Israeli presence in the future Palestinian state, rejecting demands that Israeli forces retain military bases as part of a peace agreement.
"We want an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital that includes all the lands that were occupied in 1967 and that lives side by side with Israel in security and stability," Abbas said in a joint press conference with Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper in Ramallah.
"Anything else said or interpreted on our behalf matters only to those who interpret it," he added, dismissing rumors that he had agreed to concessions in ongoing negotiations with Israel.
Abbas thanked Canada for the aid it sends to Palestinians and said he hoped for the improvement of bilateral relations between the two nations.
Abbas said that he briefed Harper on peace negotiations and reiterated the Palestinian position on a future state.
The president said he respected the Canadian decision to vote against the Palestinian state in the UN, explaining that Canada is "an independent sovereign state, and it's their right to decide what it wants and to recognize who it wants,"
Canada is a close ally to the state of Israel, but gives large amounts of aid to the Palestinian Authority.
Canada was strongly against Palestine's bid to join the United Nations as a state in 2012, and was one of only nine countries to vote against it.
"We want an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital that includes all the lands that were occupied in 1967 and that lives side by side with Israel in security and stability," Abbas said in a joint press conference with Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper in Ramallah.
"Anything else said or interpreted on our behalf matters only to those who interpret it," he added, dismissing rumors that he had agreed to concessions in ongoing negotiations with Israel.
Abbas thanked Canada for the aid it sends to Palestinians and said he hoped for the improvement of bilateral relations between the two nations.
Abbas said that he briefed Harper on peace negotiations and reiterated the Palestinian position on a future state.
The president said he respected the Canadian decision to vote against the Palestinian state in the UN, explaining that Canada is "an independent sovereign state, and it's their right to decide what it wants and to recognize who it wants,"
Canada is a close ally to the state of Israel, but gives large amounts of aid to the Palestinian Authority.
Canada was strongly against Palestine's bid to join the United Nations as a state in 2012, and was one of only nine countries to vote against it.
U.S President, Barack Obama, believes that the chances of the Israelis and Palestine reaching a final agreement, is less than 50%.
In a interview with Times of Israel Obama stated that he did not believe that the chances for a lasting peace agreement were all that high the Times of Israel reports.
In regards to the talks he also stated that, “On the other hand ... we may be able to push the boulder partway up the hill and maybe stabilize it so it doesn’t roll back on us.”
The subject of the interview were about the three current U.S involvements in the Middle East: Palestine, Syria and Iran.
In a interview with Times of Israel Obama stated that he did not believe that the chances for a lasting peace agreement were all that high the Times of Israel reports.
In regards to the talks he also stated that, “On the other hand ... we may be able to push the boulder partway up the hill and maybe stabilize it so it doesn’t roll back on us.”
The subject of the interview were about the three current U.S involvements in the Middle East: Palestine, Syria and Iran.
In order to divert attention from yet more Israeli violations in occupied Palestine, including the announcement of new settlement units, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman have filed baseless complaints to the European Union about "Palestinian incitement".
The PLO Negotiations Affairs Department (NAD) said in a statement Monday that these tactics are a part of an overall campaign by senior Israeli officials to undermine international efforts, while attempting to lay the blame at Palestine's door. Israeli Army Minister Moshe Ya'alon's recent defamatory comments against US Secretary of State John Kerry have made this campaign patently clear.
Such tactics are also an attempt to draw attention away from Israel's illegal settlement enterprise, which is the main obstacle to peace, it added.
According to the statement, recent comments made by high-ranking Israeli officials, including Economy Minister Bennett, ("It is our duty to encourage continuous Jewish construction in Judea and Samaria [the occupied West Bank]") and Housing Minister Ariel ("No Jewish town [settlement] will be uprooted. We'll continue building"), among many others, display Israel's true agenda.
NAD said, "Despite our firm belief that these allegations of Palestinian incitement are nothing more than diversionary tactics, we call upon the Government of Israel to accept our standing offer to resume the work of the Tripartite Committee on Incitement."
"We also invite PM Netanyahu to tackle the issue of incitement within his own government, beginning with his statements to the settler movement that the Hebron and Bet El settlements, located in the heart of Palestinian districts, are not going to be evacuated under any agreement," NAD added.
PLO Negotiations Affairs Department demands that Israel end the systematic denial of Palestinian rights and the acts of violence committed against the Palestinian people as a result of its illegal occupation, which is preventing a just and lasting peace.
The PLO Negotiations Affairs Department (NAD) said in a statement Monday that these tactics are a part of an overall campaign by senior Israeli officials to undermine international efforts, while attempting to lay the blame at Palestine's door. Israeli Army Minister Moshe Ya'alon's recent defamatory comments against US Secretary of State John Kerry have made this campaign patently clear.
Such tactics are also an attempt to draw attention away from Israel's illegal settlement enterprise, which is the main obstacle to peace, it added.
According to the statement, recent comments made by high-ranking Israeli officials, including Economy Minister Bennett, ("It is our duty to encourage continuous Jewish construction in Judea and Samaria [the occupied West Bank]") and Housing Minister Ariel ("No Jewish town [settlement] will be uprooted. We'll continue building"), among many others, display Israel's true agenda.
NAD said, "Despite our firm belief that these allegations of Palestinian incitement are nothing more than diversionary tactics, we call upon the Government of Israel to accept our standing offer to resume the work of the Tripartite Committee on Incitement."
"We also invite PM Netanyahu to tackle the issue of incitement within his own government, beginning with his statements to the settler movement that the Hebron and Bet El settlements, located in the heart of Palestinian districts, are not going to be evacuated under any agreement," NAD added.
PLO Negotiations Affairs Department demands that Israel end the systematic denial of Palestinian rights and the acts of violence committed against the Palestinian people as a result of its illegal occupation, which is preventing a just and lasting peace.
Israeli Deputy Defense Minister, Danni Dannon, stated Sunday that American Secretary of State John Kerry intends to travel to the region Monday for new rounds of talks with Israeli and Palestinian officials.
Dannon said that Kerry intends to present a draft document to Israeli and Palestinian officials as part of “his efforts to advance peace talks” in the Middle East."
On Saturday evening, a Jordanian official told a radio in the country that Kerry is attempting to coordinate a meeting between Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas.
Dannon recently reiterated Israel’s stance rejecting an Israeli withdrawal from all Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including occupied East Jerusalem.
He said that the Likud Party of Benjamin Netanyahu “will correct Netanyahu of he tries to shift towards such a solution”.
“If Netanyahu leans left, the Likud will not allow that”, Dannon added.
Kerry’s new tour in the region comes following an Arab tour conducted by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to inform Arab leaders of “developments in direct talks” with Tel Aviv.
Abbas visited Cairo and attended a meeting of Arab Foreign Ministers at the Arab League, and visited Morocco, where he attended a meeting for the “Jerusalem Committee”.
Direct Israeli-Palestinian political dialogue, mediated by the Unites States, have been hitting various obstacles topped by Israel’s ongoing invasions, assaults, demolition of Palestinian homes and property, and Israel's ongoing illegitimate settlement activities.
Tel Aviv also refuses to recognize the Right of Return of the Palestinian Refugees, refuses to hold talks on borders, Jerusalem, and insists on keeping its settlement blocks and several settlements in the occupied West Bank, including in and around occupied East Jerusalem.
Israel also wants to maintain control over the Jordan Valley, vital areas and natural resources in the occupied territories.
Dannon said that Kerry intends to present a draft document to Israeli and Palestinian officials as part of “his efforts to advance peace talks” in the Middle East."
On Saturday evening, a Jordanian official told a radio in the country that Kerry is attempting to coordinate a meeting between Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas.
Dannon recently reiterated Israel’s stance rejecting an Israeli withdrawal from all Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including occupied East Jerusalem.
He said that the Likud Party of Benjamin Netanyahu “will correct Netanyahu of he tries to shift towards such a solution”.
“If Netanyahu leans left, the Likud will not allow that”, Dannon added.
Kerry’s new tour in the region comes following an Arab tour conducted by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to inform Arab leaders of “developments in direct talks” with Tel Aviv.
Abbas visited Cairo and attended a meeting of Arab Foreign Ministers at the Arab League, and visited Morocco, where he attended a meeting for the “Jerusalem Committee”.
Direct Israeli-Palestinian political dialogue, mediated by the Unites States, have been hitting various obstacles topped by Israel’s ongoing invasions, assaults, demolition of Palestinian homes and property, and Israel's ongoing illegitimate settlement activities.
Tel Aviv also refuses to recognize the Right of Return of the Palestinian Refugees, refuses to hold talks on borders, Jerusalem, and insists on keeping its settlement blocks and several settlements in the occupied West Bank, including in and around occupied East Jerusalem.
Israel also wants to maintain control over the Jordan Valley, vital areas and natural resources in the occupied territories.
