24 sept 2019
Jordan's King Abdullah talks to the U.S. media
Jordanian monarch says that different set of laws for Jews and for Christians and Muslims will constitute an apartheid state and fuel disruption in the Mideast; warns focus will resume on two-state solution once new government is formed in Jerusalem
Jordan's King Abdullah Netanyahu's declared policy to annex the West Bank, is going to have a major impact on the Israeli-Jordanian relationship as well as the Jewish state's ties to Egypt.
The king, who is heading to the annual UN General Assembly in New York, told MSNBC that Egyptian-Israeli relations will also be adversely impacted.
"We are the two only Arab countries that have peace with Israel," the king warned. Egypt and Israel signed a peace deal in 1979, some 15 years before Amman followed suit.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to annex parts of the West Bank during his campaign leading up to last week's national elections.
“A statement like that does not help at all, because we who want peace and want to be able to move forward tend to be more isolated,” the Jordanian monarch said.
“Where are we going to go unless we are going to be able to get Israelis and Palestinians to come together, to live together, and be the message for the future?” he said.
Abdullah said that once a new government is formed in Israel, countries in the region and the international community will once again focus on "what most of us believe is the only solution: the two-state solution.”
“If we are talking about an apartheid Israel with laws that are different for Jews and different for Christians and Muslims, that will continue to add fuel to the disruption in the Middle East,” the king warned.
The Jordanian king is set to address the General Assembly on Tuesday.
Jordanian monarch says that different set of laws for Jews and for Christians and Muslims will constitute an apartheid state and fuel disruption in the Mideast; warns focus will resume on two-state solution once new government is formed in Jerusalem
Jordan's King Abdullah Netanyahu's declared policy to annex the West Bank, is going to have a major impact on the Israeli-Jordanian relationship as well as the Jewish state's ties to Egypt.
The king, who is heading to the annual UN General Assembly in New York, told MSNBC that Egyptian-Israeli relations will also be adversely impacted.
"We are the two only Arab countries that have peace with Israel," the king warned. Egypt and Israel signed a peace deal in 1979, some 15 years before Amman followed suit.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to annex parts of the West Bank during his campaign leading up to last week's national elections.
“A statement like that does not help at all, because we who want peace and want to be able to move forward tend to be more isolated,” the Jordanian monarch said.
“Where are we going to go unless we are going to be able to get Israelis and Palestinians to come together, to live together, and be the message for the future?” he said.
Abdullah said that once a new government is formed in Israel, countries in the region and the international community will once again focus on "what most of us believe is the only solution: the two-state solution.”
“If we are talking about an apartheid Israel with laws that are different for Jews and different for Christians and Muslims, that will continue to add fuel to the disruption in the Middle East,” the king warned.
The Jordanian king is set to address the General Assembly on Tuesday.
The Wall and Settlement Resistance Committee unveiled on Tuesday a detailed settlement plan aimed at seizing more land in the village of Naqoura north of Nablus.
The plan reportedly aims to expand the settlement of Shavei Shomron by diverting agricultural land adjacent to the settlement from basin (12) of Naqoura village for the use in construction and annexation of its borders for settlement purposes.
Head of the settlement file in the northern West Bank, Ghassan Daghlas, told WAFA that what is being talked about is an expansion project for the structural plan of the settlement, which was built on the lands of Sebastia, Naqoura and Burqa, adding that this project threatens to seize more land.
Daghlas said that there is an expansion of the settlement plans in the vicinity of Nablus at the expense of the citizens’ lands.
Israel Plans The Annexation of Palestinian Lands Near Nablus
The Colonization & Wall Resistance Commission has reported, Tuesday, that Israel is preparing a plan for the illegal annexation of Palestinian lands in the Naqoura village, north of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, to expand a colony.
The commission stated that the plan aims at expanding the illegal Shave Shomron colony, which was built on Palestinian lands, by confiscating Palestinian lands, in Basin #12, adjacent to the colony
Ghassan Daghlas, a Palestinian Authority official who monitors Israel’s colonialist activities in northern West Bank, said the Israeli plan would lead to the annexation of more lands, not only for the new illegal constructions, but also infrastructure and “security zones”, off-limits to the Palestinians.
Daghlas also stated that Israel is expanding its structural plans for colonies around Nablus, similar to the plans that annexed more Palestinian lands near Yitzhar and Bracha illegal colony, south of the city.
The plan reportedly aims to expand the settlement of Shavei Shomron by diverting agricultural land adjacent to the settlement from basin (12) of Naqoura village for the use in construction and annexation of its borders for settlement purposes.
Head of the settlement file in the northern West Bank, Ghassan Daghlas, told WAFA that what is being talked about is an expansion project for the structural plan of the settlement, which was built on the lands of Sebastia, Naqoura and Burqa, adding that this project threatens to seize more land.
Daghlas said that there is an expansion of the settlement plans in the vicinity of Nablus at the expense of the citizens’ lands.
Israel Plans The Annexation of Palestinian Lands Near Nablus
The Colonization & Wall Resistance Commission has reported, Tuesday, that Israel is preparing a plan for the illegal annexation of Palestinian lands in the Naqoura village, north of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, to expand a colony.
The commission stated that the plan aims at expanding the illegal Shave Shomron colony, which was built on Palestinian lands, by confiscating Palestinian lands, in Basin #12, adjacent to the colony
Ghassan Daghlas, a Palestinian Authority official who monitors Israel’s colonialist activities in northern West Bank, said the Israeli plan would lead to the annexation of more lands, not only for the new illegal constructions, but also infrastructure and “security zones”, off-limits to the Palestinians.
Daghlas also stated that Israel is expanding its structural plans for colonies around Nablus, similar to the plans that annexed more Palestinian lands near Yitzhar and Bracha illegal colony, south of the city.
Delegates at the 2019 Labour Party Conference have almost unanimously passed a motion reaffirming Labour’s support for Palestinian rights including their “collective rights to self-determination and to return to their homes”.
The motion also commits the Party to apply international law to all trade with Israel, including to stop all arms trade with Israel that is used in the violation of Palestinian human rights.
Last year, for the first time in history, Labour Conference debated a motion on Palestine which was passed resoundingly amidst a sea of Palestinian flags, in a mass demonstration of public solidarity with the Palestinian people.
The 2018 motion reaffirmed that the core of the Palestinian conflict and at the heart of the Palestinian cause is the dispossession suffered by Palestinians in 1948 during the Nakba, when 750000 were expelled or forced to flee from their homes.
The passing of the motion today comes the day after a packed out fringe meeting hosted by Palestine Solidarity Campaign featuring speeches from Diane Abbott MP, Lisa Nandy MP, speakers from Unite and UNISON unions as well as a live video link with BDS movement co-founder Omar Barghouti, who was prevented from attending in person due to an unexplained abnormal delay by the British government in processing his visa.
The motion also comes two weeks after the Trade Union Congress conference passed a similar motion that reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with Palestine Solidarity Campaigns and to take on UK companies complicit in Israel’s violations of international law and human rights.
Ben Jamal, Director of Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said: “The Palestinian people have called for global solidarity in response to the assault by Israel, supported by Trump, on their collective rights. Today the Labour Party has responded to that call by passing a motion that commits the party to end the UK’s financial and military complicity with Israel’s oppression.
Labour party members have said in one voice to the Palestinian people – we stand with you in your fight for justice. What is required now is for this crucial motion, passed overwhelmingly by members, to be translated into official party policy as we move towards the next general election.”
The motion also commits the Party to apply international law to all trade with Israel, including to stop all arms trade with Israel that is used in the violation of Palestinian human rights.
Last year, for the first time in history, Labour Conference debated a motion on Palestine which was passed resoundingly amidst a sea of Palestinian flags, in a mass demonstration of public solidarity with the Palestinian people.
The 2018 motion reaffirmed that the core of the Palestinian conflict and at the heart of the Palestinian cause is the dispossession suffered by Palestinians in 1948 during the Nakba, when 750000 were expelled or forced to flee from their homes.
The passing of the motion today comes the day after a packed out fringe meeting hosted by Palestine Solidarity Campaign featuring speeches from Diane Abbott MP, Lisa Nandy MP, speakers from Unite and UNISON unions as well as a live video link with BDS movement co-founder Omar Barghouti, who was prevented from attending in person due to an unexplained abnormal delay by the British government in processing his visa.
The motion also comes two weeks after the Trade Union Congress conference passed a similar motion that reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with Palestine Solidarity Campaigns and to take on UK companies complicit in Israel’s violations of international law and human rights.
Ben Jamal, Director of Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said: “The Palestinian people have called for global solidarity in response to the assault by Israel, supported by Trump, on their collective rights. Today the Labour Party has responded to that call by passing a motion that commits the party to end the UK’s financial and military complicity with Israel’s oppression.
Labour party members have said in one voice to the Palestinian people – we stand with you in your fight for justice. What is required now is for this crucial motion, passed overwhelmingly by members, to be translated into official party policy as we move towards the next general election.”
22 sept 2019
On the eve of the Labour Party’s 2019 annual conference, the venue was illuminated by projections of a Palestine flag, alongside the slogans “Free Palestine,” “Solidarity with Palestine” and “Freedom, justice and equality”, as part of a creative stunt by Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC).
A motion expressing support for the people of Palestine, including a commitment to upholding international law, in relation to the UK’s trade with Israel, and to oppose Trump’s “Deal of the Century,” is featured in the conference ballot, and PSC is encouraging delegates to prioritise and vote for the motion.
PNN further reports that the creative stunt comes one year on from a display of solidarity, at the 2018 annual conference which saw the hall filled with a sea of Palestinian flags as a motion in support of Palestinian rights was passed resoundingly.
Campaigners are seeking to ensure that Palestine stays on the agenda of conference floor, this year.
A motion expressing support for the people of Palestine, including a commitment to upholding international law, in relation to the UK’s trade with Israel, and to oppose Trump’s “Deal of the Century,” is featured in the conference ballot, and PSC is encouraging delegates to prioritise and vote for the motion.
PNN further reports that the creative stunt comes one year on from a display of solidarity, at the 2018 annual conference which saw the hall filled with a sea of Palestinian flags as a motion in support of Palestinian rights was passed resoundingly.
Campaigners are seeking to ensure that Palestine stays on the agenda of conference floor, this year.
21 sept 2019
Kuwait's permanent representative at the UN in New York, Ambassador Mansour al-Otaibi, said that the international inaction has clearly encouraged Israel to continue its intransigence and defiance of the will of the international law and United Nations' resolutions, according to Kuwait’s Kuna news agency.
During a speech he delivered at the Security Council session on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, Otaibi said that UN security council resolution 2334; concerning the Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, demands that Israel immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and fully respect all its legal obligations in this regard.
He stressed that Israel’s continuation of expanding and building of illegal settlement in the occupied State of Palestine, including East Jerusalem, sends a clear message that it is determined to continue to do so.
He said that the building of new settlements, expanding of existing ones, and annexing West Bank land, including East Jerusalem, undermines the two-state solution and the chances to establish the state of Palestine based on relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
The ambassador said that measures and policies taken and pursued by Israel with disregard of world opinion was clearly reflected in its recent announcement to approve the establishment of more than 2,300 housing units in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
Otaibi stated that this latest step was followed by the recent provocative declaration of the intention to annex territories from the occupied West Bank in 1967 in flagrant violation of international law, the UN Charter and the relevant international resolutions, including Security Council resolutions 242 and 338, said Kuna agency.
He pointed to the Israel’s deduction from the Palestinian Authority’s tax revenues, pressures on UNRWA and the targeting of demonstrators participating in the Great March of Return with live ammunition, which he said could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
During a speech he delivered at the Security Council session on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, Otaibi said that UN security council resolution 2334; concerning the Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, demands that Israel immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and fully respect all its legal obligations in this regard.
He stressed that Israel’s continuation of expanding and building of illegal settlement in the occupied State of Palestine, including East Jerusalem, sends a clear message that it is determined to continue to do so.
He said that the building of new settlements, expanding of existing ones, and annexing West Bank land, including East Jerusalem, undermines the two-state solution and the chances to establish the state of Palestine based on relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
The ambassador said that measures and policies taken and pursued by Israel with disregard of world opinion was clearly reflected in its recent announcement to approve the establishment of more than 2,300 housing units in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
Otaibi stated that this latest step was followed by the recent provocative declaration of the intention to annex territories from the occupied West Bank in 1967 in flagrant violation of international law, the UN Charter and the relevant international resolutions, including Security Council resolutions 242 and 338, said Kuna agency.
He pointed to the Israel’s deduction from the Palestinian Authority’s tax revenues, pressures on UNRWA and the targeting of demonstrators participating in the Great March of Return with live ammunition, which he said could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
19 sept 2019
The Israeli government approved a proposal on Sunday to establish a new settlement, Mevo’ot Yeriho, currently an outpost in the Jordan Valley.
The European Union reiterates that all settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, are illegal under international law.
The EU called on Israel to end all settlement activity and to dismantle the outposts erected since March 2001, in line with prior obligations.
This decision follows recent announcements about the possible annexation of the Jordan Valley and the northern Dead Sea area.
Such steps would, if implemented, constitute a serious breach of international law, challenge the viability of the two-state solution and threaten regional stability and the prospects for sustainable peace.
Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Maja Kocijančič said in a statement said that the EU will not recognise any changes to the pre-1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties.
“The EU will continue to monitor the situation closely, including any steps towards possible annexation, and act accordingly. We expect both parties, including any future Israeli government, to act in accordance with international law. ”
The European Union reiterates that all settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, are illegal under international law.
The EU called on Israel to end all settlement activity and to dismantle the outposts erected since March 2001, in line with prior obligations.
This decision follows recent announcements about the possible annexation of the Jordan Valley and the northern Dead Sea area.
Such steps would, if implemented, constitute a serious breach of international law, challenge the viability of the two-state solution and threaten regional stability and the prospects for sustainable peace.
Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Maja Kocijančič said in a statement said that the EU will not recognise any changes to the pre-1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties.
“The EU will continue to monitor the situation closely, including any steps towards possible annexation, and act accordingly. We expect both parties, including any future Israeli government, to act in accordance with international law. ”
16 sept 2019
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday vowed to annex illegal Jewish settlements in al-Khalil in the West Bank if reelected on Tuesday.
Speaking to Army Radio on Monday morning, with one day left to go until the election, Netanyahu vowed to annex Kiryat Arba settlement and the Jewish community in al-Khalil.
The remarks came a week after Netanyahu visited the Ibrahimi Mosque in al-Khalil and promised that the area will never be "free of Jews".
Observers believe that such statements are part of the competition between the Israeli right-wing parties to win the votes of the West Bank settlers.
Speaking to Army Radio on Monday morning, with one day left to go until the election, Netanyahu vowed to annex Kiryat Arba settlement and the Jewish community in al-Khalil.
The remarks came a week after Netanyahu visited the Ibrahimi Mosque in al-Khalil and promised that the area will never be "free of Jews".
Observers believe that such statements are part of the competition between the Israeli right-wing parties to win the votes of the West Bank settlers.
The Israeli government on Sunday approved its proposal to legalize an outpost in the Jordan Valley two days before the Knesset election after its attorney general agreed to retract his opposition.
However, the final approval for legalizing the outpost will be made by the next government.
"The government will decide on kick-starting the process of establishing the settlement of Mevo'ot Yeriho in the Jordan Valley," said Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu at the cabinet meeting, which was held in the illegal outpost.
"The final approval will of course be given upon the formation of the new government," he said.
During the meeting, Netanyahu said that he had been informed during the past 24 hours that there is high probability that the US administration's Middle East peace plan would be released immediately after Tuesday's election, and therefore the decision to approve the establishment of the outpost was significant.
In response, the government’s attorney general, Avichai Mendelblit, who at first opposed the decision, said he had changed his opinion after being made privy to this "new information."
A few days ago, Netanyahu announced during a news conference that US president Donald Trump's peace plan is expected to be released several days after the election and said he intended to annex the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea if he won the election.
Last week, Netanyahu also announced he intends to approve Mevo'ot Yeriho's legalization. He was later informed by Mendelblit this could not be done with a transitional government.
In his official legal opinion, published Thursday, Mendelblit said there is no urgency to approve the outpost two days before the election, and therefore a transitional government does not have the authority to make such a decision.
Mendelblit added that the timing of the decision "raises concerns that the proposal stems from, or at least appears to stem from, considerations of the upcoming election."
However, the final approval for legalizing the outpost will be made by the next government.
"The government will decide on kick-starting the process of establishing the settlement of Mevo'ot Yeriho in the Jordan Valley," said Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu at the cabinet meeting, which was held in the illegal outpost.
"The final approval will of course be given upon the formation of the new government," he said.
During the meeting, Netanyahu said that he had been informed during the past 24 hours that there is high probability that the US administration's Middle East peace plan would be released immediately after Tuesday's election, and therefore the decision to approve the establishment of the outpost was significant.
In response, the government’s attorney general, Avichai Mendelblit, who at first opposed the decision, said he had changed his opinion after being made privy to this "new information."
A few days ago, Netanyahu announced during a news conference that US president Donald Trump's peace plan is expected to be released several days after the election and said he intended to annex the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea if he won the election.
Last week, Netanyahu also announced he intends to approve Mevo'ot Yeriho's legalization. He was later informed by Mendelblit this could not be done with a transitional government.
In his official legal opinion, published Thursday, Mendelblit said there is no urgency to approve the outpost two days before the election, and therefore a transitional government does not have the authority to make such a decision.
Mendelblit added that the timing of the decision "raises concerns that the proposal stems from, or at least appears to stem from, considerations of the upcoming election."
15 sept 2019
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) intends to convene an emergency meeting at the request of Saudi Arabia to discuss Israel’s stated intents to annex West Bank areas, according to Turkey’s foreign ministry.
The meeting, which will be attended by foreign minister of OIC member countries, is intended to discuss Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent remarks about his intent to annex occupied Palestinian areas to Israel if he won the Knesset election.
Last Wednesday, Netanyahu said he would declare immediate sovereignty over the Jordan Valley if he won the election and formed his government. He also threatened to annex illegal settlements in the West Bank to Israel.
The meeting, which will be attended by foreign minister of OIC member countries, is intended to discuss Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent remarks about his intent to annex occupied Palestinian areas to Israel if he won the Knesset election.
Last Wednesday, Netanyahu said he would declare immediate sovereignty over the Jordan Valley if he won the election and formed his government. He also threatened to annex illegal settlements in the West Bank to Israel.
The Hebrew media said that the Israeli government would hold its weekly meeting in the Palestinian Jordan Valley to discuss the establishment of a new settlement there.
According to Channel 7, Israeli attorney general Avichai Mendelblit opposed such step because it was taken for electoral considerations and two days before the Knesset election.
Last Wednesday, Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu said would declare immediate sovereignty over the Jordan Valley if he won the election and formed his government.
According to Channel 7, Israeli attorney general Avichai Mendelblit opposed such step because it was taken for electoral considerations and two days before the Knesset election.
Last Wednesday, Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu said would declare immediate sovereignty over the Jordan Valley if he won the election and formed his government.
Jordan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, Thursday, strongly condemned statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in which he pledged, if elected, to annex the occupied Jordan Valley in the eastern West Bank, reported WAFA.
Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, spoke from Cairo, where Arab foreign ministers were meeting to discuss Netanyahu’s declaration as a dangerous escalation, that will torpedo the foundations of the peace process, fuel the conflict and push the entire region towards violence.
He stressed, according to the Jordanian news agency Petra, Jordan’s rejection and condemnation of Netanyahu’s declaration, which he considered a flagrant violation of international law and an election ploy whose price will be the killing of the peace process while undermining the right of people in this region to live in peace.
He described the Israeli declaration as a threat to security and peace in the region and the world.
The Qatari foreign ministry condemned the policy in a statement, that this step would totally destroy all chances of peace, calling it another step in Israeli violations of international law, while doing all it can to steal the Palestinian land and deny the Palestinian people their basic rights.
The Saudi royal court made a statement declaring Netanyahu’s intentions to be a very serious and a blatant violation of the United Nations Charter and international laws and conventions.
It said it undermines all efforts to bring a just peace to the Middle East, stressing that there will be no peace without the Palestinian people getting their land and rights, proclaiming that any such declaration will be considered null and void and will have no legal base.
“The Kingdom condemns and rejects this declaration,” the statement said, affirming that “the Arab and Muslim worlds’ preoccupation with many local and regional crises will not affect the status of the Palestinian issue among Arab and Muslim countries and governments and will not stop the Arab nation, which asserted its commitment to peace through the Arab Peace Initiative, from confronting these unilateral measures taken by Israel and the constant attempts to change the facts of history, geography and violation of legitimate Palestinian rights.”
It called for an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at the level of foreign ministers, to discuss this issue and to come up with an urgent action to confront this declaration.
Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, spoke from Cairo, where Arab foreign ministers were meeting to discuss Netanyahu’s declaration as a dangerous escalation, that will torpedo the foundations of the peace process, fuel the conflict and push the entire region towards violence.
He stressed, according to the Jordanian news agency Petra, Jordan’s rejection and condemnation of Netanyahu’s declaration, which he considered a flagrant violation of international law and an election ploy whose price will be the killing of the peace process while undermining the right of people in this region to live in peace.
He described the Israeli declaration as a threat to security and peace in the region and the world.
The Qatari foreign ministry condemned the policy in a statement, that this step would totally destroy all chances of peace, calling it another step in Israeli violations of international law, while doing all it can to steal the Palestinian land and deny the Palestinian people their basic rights.
The Saudi royal court made a statement declaring Netanyahu’s intentions to be a very serious and a blatant violation of the United Nations Charter and international laws and conventions.
It said it undermines all efforts to bring a just peace to the Middle East, stressing that there will be no peace without the Palestinian people getting their land and rights, proclaiming that any such declaration will be considered null and void and will have no legal base.
“The Kingdom condemns and rejects this declaration,” the statement said, affirming that “the Arab and Muslim worlds’ preoccupation with many local and regional crises will not affect the status of the Palestinian issue among Arab and Muslim countries and governments and will not stop the Arab nation, which asserted its commitment to peace through the Arab Peace Initiative, from confronting these unilateral measures taken by Israel and the constant attempts to change the facts of history, geography and violation of legitimate Palestinian rights.”
It called for an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at the level of foreign ministers, to discuss this issue and to come up with an urgent action to confront this declaration.
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