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Dec. 16, 2014
Daily summary- Thursday, January 30, 2014
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Main News
Palestinian shot dead by occupation near Ramallah
A young Palestinian was killed by Israeli forcesyesterday morning near the Jewish settlement of Halamish north of Ramallah.Local sources said that the martyr Muhammad Mahmoud Mubarak, 22 years old, from Al-Jalazoun refugee camp was killed after being shot by Israeli soldiers near the village of Ein Sinya north of Ramallah.Medical sources said that Mubarak was killed as a result of multiple gunshot wounds in his upper body by Israeli soldiers.Palestinian sources and eyewitnesses denied the Israeli allegations that the young Palestinian shot toward a number of security personnel guarding the Jewish settlement of Halamish, and stressed that the Israeli occupation forces assassinated Mubarak in cold blood after harassing him. The sources added that the Israeli soldiers shot towards Mubarak without warning, and that Mubarak workedat the main road of Ain Sinya north of Ramallah, and was shot by soldiers stationed in themilitary stationed there.(http://www.qudsn.ps/article/37230)
An important meeting in Germany beginning of next month
Diplomatic sources told “Ma’an” that an important meeting will be convened by the Quartet in Germany early next month to discuss the framework agreement crystallized by Secretary of State John Kerry.The sources said that Kerry wants to get the Quartet’s support of the agreement, which will be presented written to the Israelis and Palestinians. The sources predicted that Kerry will persuade the parties to agree to the framework agreement, and it is expected that Kerry will get support for his ideas as well as the possibility of extending the negotiations until the end of the year.But the sources expected that the Israeli and Palestinian sides will reject the plan framework, since the Palestinian side is clear with regards to its references as the United Nations resolutions and the ArabPeace Initiative, the Madrid Conference, the road map which all agreed that the occupation of 1967 must be eliminated. (http://maannews.net/arb/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=669249)
Shtainets attacks Abbas and describes him as main leader of anti-Semitism in the world
Maariv newspaper reported yesterday that intelligence and Strategic Affairs Minister, Yuval Shtainets, attacked Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and described him as the main leader of anti-Semitism in the world.Shtainets said "I tell you the truth, there is no peace process, there is a political process,” claiming that there is no intent of the Palestinian leadership to reach real peace. Shtainets said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas does not support violence, but he reached the level of supporting anti-Semitism and hostility to Israel, claiming Abbas teaches children to hate Israel.Shtainets renewed his demand that the Palestinian Authority must recognize Israel as a Jewish State; otherwise there will be no peace.(http://www.pnn.ps/index.php/israel/79927-%D8%B4%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B3-%D9%8A%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%AC%D9%85-%D9%8A%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%83%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%A8%D8%BA%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%AA%D8%B0%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%81%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%87-%D8%B6%D8%AF-%D9%83%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%8A)
Shtainets said that the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and the major Palestinian cities in the West Bank showed that any agreement cannot guarantee any security and safety of Israeli citizens. Shtainets added “wemust not deceive ourselves. No one, neither we nor our friends the Americans, could guarantee any security agreement preventing what happened after the withdrawals from happening again in Nablus.” (Al-Ayyam)
Lapid: the Israeli economy is linked to the conduct of negotiations
Israeli Finance Minister and leader of “Yesh Atid” party, Yair Lapid, warned from failure of the negotiations, since it will cause huge losses to Israeli economy as a result of the halt European investments. Lapid said during a speech at a Conference on Israeli national security Research Institute, held for the second day at Tel Aviv University and broadcasted by channel 10, that European boycott will cause Israel losses worth 11 billion shekels a year. Lapid added that in case of failure of the peace process, Israel will enter a scenario it fears, of which is trade boycott will be tightened, which will cause a steady rise in prices, and a substantial rise in living standards that will affect all citizens of the Jewish State.(http://www.alquds.com/news/article/view/id/486130)
Rajoub: 2014 is a decision year; either we reach a state or a 3 fronts’ confrontation
Member of the Fatah Central Committee Jibril Al-Rajoub said that and Iranian role is in the interest of the region and the Palestinian cause, expecting that the PA will conclude the negotiations with the Israel and approach the United Nations to seek membership in international institutions and demand protection.In an interview with the Arabic-speaking Iranian channel “Al-Alam”,Rajoub described Iran as an important regional player, and described Palestine as an essential element in achieving regional stability and contribute to world peace. Rajoub said that he had carried a message from the Palestinian leadership, President Abbas specifically, to Iran's leadership, including Supreme Leader, the President and the Government of Iran, stressing that the message focused on the latest developments on the Palestinian arena, as well as the latest developments associated with completing Palestinian reconciliation.(http://qudsnet.com/news/View/264401/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D8%AC%D9%88%D8%A8-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%B7%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-2014-%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%AD%D8%B3%D9%85-%D8%A5%D9%85%D8%A7-%D9%86%D8%B0%D9%87%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%88-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AC%D9%87%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-3-%D8%AC%D8%A8%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%AA/)
Hebrew source: police arrest a girl claiming possession of a knife in Issawiya
Hebrew website “Walla” said yesterday evening that Israeli police arrested a girl claiming possession of a knife in Issawiya in occupied Jerusalem.The source said Israeli police launched a campaign of mass arrests in the town of Issawiya arresting 7 youths, including the girl. (http://www.pnn.ps/index.php/israel/79920-%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%B1%D8%B7%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%AA%D9%82%D9%84-%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%AF%D8%B9%D9%88%D9%89-%D8%AD%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B2%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%B3%D9%83%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%A8%D9%84%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%8A%D8%B3%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%A9)
Israeli sources expect that Netanyahu agree to Kerry’s plan with reservations
Sources close to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said the latter decided to continue peace negotiations with the Palestinians based on the plan that will be put forward by US Secretary of State John Kerry, although it will be based to the 1967 borders and the principle of land swaps.Kerry is holding discussions with the Israeli and Palestinian sides to minimize the gaps between the two sides, and reach an agreement to a mutually acceptable agreement. Israeli sources confirmed that Netanyahu is studying these days with Kerry reservations he would be able made to the framework agreement, allowing for right-wing to remain in his Government.(http://www.amad.ps/ar/?Action=Details&ID=13189)
A NATO source: NATO is not a party in the Middle East peace process
An official in NATO stressed that "the Alliance is not a party in the Middle East peace process, but supports the international efforts to find a solution to the conflict there.” The source said in a statement to Italian news agency "Acai", responding to the proposal of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that "NATO will carrysecurity functions in the areas evacuated by the Israelis under a future peace agreement with Israel."The source, who asked not to be named, said "the Alliance is pursuing the peace process and supports international efforts to resolve the conflict through the international community and recognized bodies, particularly the international Quartet".The source noted that "a peace agreement will create a new reality." In this case, if the Israeli and Palestinian sides asked for the Alliance support, and if you get approval from the United Nations and the allies, NATO is prepared to respond positively."(Al-Quds)
Yachimovich: Abbas agreed to keeping settlers in the Palestinian State
Haaretz quoted in a report on its website Wednesday that former Labor party leader, Shili Yachimovich, as saying that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas agreed that Israelwill gradually withdrawal over three years from the West Bank under any peace agreement to be reached, which is not commensurate with the Israeli demands.Labor former leader claimed she discussed the possibility of keeping the settlers who do not want to leave the West Bank in the Palestinian State as citizen, and said in statements published in the Jerusalem Post that PNA President Mahmoud Abbas agreed to the proposal in a meeting with him last May.(http://www.qudsn.ps/article/37249)
The occupation tries to install new cameras on the wall of Al-Aqsa Mosque
Al-Aqsa Foundation for Waqf and Heritage warned in a statement yesterday from Israeli occupation attempts to install surveillance and monitoring cameras on the northern wall of the mosque, adjacent to the school, in addition to new cameras at the police station to be added to the cameras that were installed recently.These cameras reveal the full area of the dome of the rock and the trees along the north side of the mosque. Al- Aqsa Foundation demanded the occupation to remove all its cameras from the mosque, since this shows that the Israeli side gave itself the green light to do what pleases it, confirming its pursuit to implement more dangerous plans in the coming days.(Al-Quds)
Military training and breaking into houses in the village of Ein Shibli in the Jordan Valley
Israeli occupying forces raided houses at dawn as part of military exercises in the village of Ein Shibli, Central Jordan Valley, east of Nablus. Youth activist Shibli Osama Abu Hatab said that the army randomly raided the houses of citizens and searched them, and that it seemed like a statistical process. Abu Hatab added that the Israeli soldiers insisted on entering the housewhen citizens refused to let them in, causing panic among children and women, apart from the cold during the night hours, pointing out that the raid lasted for two hours.Abu Hatab noted that "soldiers performed training between the houses including special moves, and they were wearing masks and heavy military equipment without firing live ammunition."(http://www.wattan.tv/ar/news/85157.html)
Israeli Supreme Court postpone consideration of two petitions against the wall on the territory of the Cremisan monastery and Battir
Israeli Supreme Court heard yesterday on two petitions submitted to it against a wall on the territory of Cremisan monastery in Bethlehem and Battir village, but deferred sentencing to a date yet to be determined.St. Yves Foundation, a Catholic Centre for human rights, said the Court heard arguments that oppose the construction of the wall on the Cremisan monastery land, and after a short break it heard petitions against the wall on territory of Battir. The foundation said that the Israeli Council for peace and Security told the Court that "there is an alternate path that serves the security needs and minimizes damage of the wall in the area,” pointing out that the public prosecutor rejected the proposal.(Al-Ayyam)
Newspaper: Iran will send an official invitation to Abbas soon
London based newspaper Al-Quds Al-Arabi said today that Tehran and Fatah have recently builtnew relations that have reached advanced stages.The paper noted that contacts between the two sides culminated in the visit of Fatah Central Committee member Jibril Rajoub on Tuesday to Iran, noting that President Abbas has sent his envoy to update Iranian President on the internal Palestinian situation and negotiating with Israel under the auspices of the American. The newspaper added that Tehran plans to send a formal invitation for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to visit Tehran as part of strengthening Palestinian – Iranian ties.(http://safa.ps/details/news/121611/%D8%B5%D8%AD%D9%8A%D9%81%D8%A9%D8%B7%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%AC%D9%87-%D8%AF%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%A9-%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B3-%D9%82%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%8B.html)
Tunisian Minister quit after accusations of normalization with Israel
Amal karboul, Tunisian Minister of Tourism at the new Tunisian Government headed by Prime Minister Mahdi Juma’h, announced her resignation immediately after the swearing-in, expressing her deep displeasure of accusing her in normalizing with Israel.Karboul said in statements yesterday that she submitted her resignation to Prime Minister Juma’h after a campaign of criticism questioning her on her visit to Israel in 2006.(Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
Security sources denied Israeli raid to Bitonya jail
More than one source of Palestinian security said that the news published by some media of the Israeli occupation forces raiding the prison in Bitonya to release one of the prisoners, who holds an Israeli identity, is false and baseless.One source said that the person, who was mentioned in the news, is charged with full responsibility for the import of hundreds of stolen cars from Europe, forging papers and official stamps that were revealed, has been released on huge bail, because he holds an Israeli identity, and cannot be detained in accordance with the terms of the Oslo agreement.(Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
Foreign Affairs strongly condemns the crime of the Holocaust
The Foreign Ministry strongly condemned on the anniversary of the Holocaust massacres of Jews, and other minorities, considering it one of the greatest of major sins perpetrated by mankind against mankind, and in a manner not seen and imagined by the human mind, in a process of ethnic cleansing, genocide. The Ministry confirmed in a statement released on Tuesday that humans has produced a number of disastrous evil that must be confronted to prevent their recurrence through human justice, international law, international humanitarian law, including the apartheid that prevailed in South Africa, Israeli occupation and control over the Palestinian people, its land, relocating them by force, and deny their homeland, freedom and dignity.(Al-Hayat Al-Jadida(
Sick prisoners in a statement from Ramleh prison: we face a policy of systematic slow killing
Lawyer of the Prisoners’ Club revealed in their visits to prisons a deterioration of the health condition of a number of prisoners, and called for moving quickly to end their human and health suffering. Sick prisoners called in a statement to save them from the policy slow death they face, saying: “we are being slaughtered on a daily basis; no one helps us, or even provides us with hope and freedom.” The prisoners questioned in their statement about the role of human rights organizations, the United Nations and the Geneva Convention with regards to what is happening in prisons of deliberate medical negligence.” (Al-Quds)
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Headlines
** Al-IBrahimi: we don't expect "something concrete" at the end of a round of negotiations in Geneva on Friday (Al-Ayyam)
** Israeli intelligence: "Al-Qaeda" fighters who fought in Syria stationed on the territory of Turkey (Al-Ayyam)
** The New York Times: Kerry's plan would not be binding and provides a Jewish Israel and ignore Palestinian right of return (Al-Ayyam)
** Extremists dispute ends: Bennett apologizes for Netanyahu after threats of expelling from the Government (Al-Ayyam)
** The tragedy of Yarmouk a disgrace to humanity (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
** Kokhavi: it’s the fire stage and 170,000 rockets aimed at Israel(Al-Hayat AL-Jadida)
** Resuming entry of aid to Yarmouk today (Al-Quds)
** 85 Palestinians died in Yarmouk (Al-Quds)
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Front Page Photos
Al- Quds:Ramallah – young Palestinian confront with Israeli soldiers after the martyrdom of Mubarak.
Al-Ayyam:Funeral of Mubarak at Al-Jalazoun camp yesterday.
Al Hayat Al Jadida:Funeral of Mubarak at Al-Jalazoun camp.
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Voice of Palestine News
Jerusalem: The situation in Essawiyeh was very tense until late into the night; Israeli troops began to raid the village from the early afternoon, photographing buildings they said were built without a license. This has been going on for over a week. These provocations reached a climax when Palestinian youths clashed with Israeli forces in the early evening. The soldiers had broken into several homes, throwing teargas canisters inside the house, including against an old woman and a girl who was arrested, Hanin Abul Hummous. They said she tried to stab a soldier when the army raided their home, something which the family denies. Abul Hummous is expected to be brought before court today and remanded, on charges of attempted stabbing.
Also during the confrontations, seven youths were arrested. So far, there have about been 30 people arrested in Abu Dis and Esawiyeh over the past few days.
Nablus: From the early morning hours, more than 16 buses of settlers entered Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus. Israeli troops entered ahead of them for protection. Confrontations broke out between the youths and the Israeli troops which resulted in the injury of an elderly woman, Zeinab Ali Mughrabi and a child, Adnan Omari, 13; dozens of others suffered teargas inhalation. The elderly woman was taken to hospital and is in moderate condition.
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Voice of Palestine Interviews
**Haydar Ibrahim, secretary general of the Palestinian workers’ union, on the killing of Mohammed Mubarak yesterday
Q: Israel has committed a new crime, this time against a laborer. What steps do you plan to take to expose this crime?
First, we offer our deepest condolences to his family. He was brutally killed by Israeli bullets in cold blood near an Israeli watchtower, which was set up about a year ago for the sole sake of harassing the Palestinians. We know that the Israeli version is a lie. They say he was carrying a machine gun. Where is it then? They are liars. He was directing traffic near the worksite on the road. He was shot and left to bleed to death. The eyewitnesses all said Mubarak was killed in cold blood, without provocation.
Q: What can be done now to expose this?
Immediately after the incident, we sent letters to the Arab labor union and to the international labor organization, calling on them to expose this crime and other crimes against Palestinian laborers inside and outside the Green Line. The ILO is responsible for workers but unfortunately turns a blind eye to Israel’s actions against them. And this is at a time when Israel claims it wants peace. The truth is, they don’t want to give even the minimum ceiling of rights to the Palestinians.
** Ghayath Nasser, on the court verdict on the separation wall in Bateer and Deir Cremisan
Q: There has not been a final verdict on the wall in these areas, correct?
That’s true, no final verdict was issued. Yesterday, there was a deliberation session at the Israel High Court where all the parties were present, including the natural reserve authorities who said that the Bateer area was very sensitive; they gave a contradictory position to the Israeli army regarding the course of the wall. there was a big argument between the Bateer residents, who said the wall would cause major damage and grievances to the people, and between the state representative who claims that this was the only course for the wall.
The final verdict may be issued in the next few days or it may take several months because of court procedures.
Bateer is a very unique place in Palestine. it is agricultural and there are ‘agricultural steps’ that date back thousands of years. UNESCO and other international agencies have acknowledged its significance. Also, if the wall is built according to the current course, 3,000 dunams of its land will be annexed and put on the Israeli side of the wall.
Q: If the high court approved this course, does this means that all legal means have been exhausted?
There would still be the international legal course. But from a legal standpoint, the case is now in the Israel High Court which is the highest legal body in Israel. So if our appeal is rejected, we will have no other legal recourse in their court system. International courts would be our only option.
** Mutaz Bsharat, in charge of the settlement file in the Jordan Valley, on today’s demolitions
Q: Can you tell us about the demolitions today?
From the morning, the Israeli army along with two bulldozers came to the Maleh and Ein Hilwah area of the Jordan Valley. At around 7:30 this morning they began demolishing homes; this is the second time this week that demolitions have taken place in this area. The occupation wants to demolish anything the Palestinians have in this area – the homes, the sheep sheds and barns, water tanks, etc. their policy is clear, to expel the Palestinians from their homes.
In this area only, Israeli authorities handed out 18 demolition and evacuation orders. Today, we are expecting that 12 families will lose their homes. Occupation authorities are banking on the probability that the people cannot produce their ownership papers for the land to be able to stop the demolition. This land belongs to the Latin Patriarchate and unfortunately they are refusing to give the Palestinians the papers to prove that they leased them the land and houses, even though there are settlers built on the Patriarchate’s land.
**PLO Executive Committee Secretary Yasser Abed Rabbo, on political developments
Q: How do you comment on the clear Israeli escalation all over the Palestinian territories?
The Israeli message from this is ongoing and it is no secret. This regimes wants to impose racist laws on the Palestinians – not only the occupation but blatant discrimination against them. Jewish settlers are allowed to kill Palestinians, usurp land and wreak havoc wherever they want, while Palestinians, who want to live and build a normal life on their own land are subject to all forms of discrimination and oppression and even killing, such as Mohammed Mubarak yesterday. Israel has not even said it would investigate into this murder.
This is in addition to the daily house demolitions, settlement buildings etc. There is no solution with this occupation because it is military and racist, where Palestinians are only residents on this land and are mere parasites with no rights except those given by the apartheid system.
For this reason, we have said it is necessary to go to the UN to put the issue of international sanctions on the table because of their settlement policies and the apartheid regime they have installed. We need an international resolution that will be abided by all because Israel will never change its policies until it feels that there is international consensus against its measures. As long as this has not happened, it will continue to kill, steal the land and practice the worst kinds of racism against the Palestinians.
Q: But when will you actually go to the UN?
We are discussing this right now so that this will take place in the very near future.
Q: This escalation comes amid Kerry’s new plan; have you looked closely at this plan and are the news reports about the details of the plan true?
Until now, we have not received any American document with these ideas. There have been discussions on these issues (1967 borders, return of refugees, Jerusalem, etc.) and these discussions are for the purpose of formulating a framework agreement. The Israelis may be talking about two states, land swaps, etc. But the truth is, they do not want to withdraw; they want to take as much from us as possible, without reciprocating.
Their major goal is to instill the concept that Israel is the land of the Jewish people and we are mere parasites who came from nowhere.
Q: But will Kerry present a framework agreement soon?
I don’t know. So far we have nothing. He was supposed to come, but postponed and is meeting with Palestinians and Israelis in Washington.
Q: But would the Palestinians accept the ideas being floated right now?
We have said before that we cannot accept these ideas, which are Israeli in essence. We cannot accept an indefinite withdrawal, because this means there will be no withdrawal. We cannot accept truncated formulas for Jerusalem, severing of the Jordan Valley from the Palestinian state and refusing the right of return.
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More Headlines
A meeting between King Abdullah and Obama soon to discuss settlement
Jordan's King Abdullah II and US President Barack Obama will meet on February 14 in a Summit to discuss a range of issues, most notably the negotiations between the Palestinian Authority and Israel." Official agency Petra said that the Summit will be held during a visit by the Jordanian monarch to the United States. The two will discuss on the forthcoming Summit in California, the US and Jordanian efforts to reach a settlement, and coordination regarding developments in the region, especially those related to the efforts to achieve peace between Palestinians and Israelis. (http://safa.ps/details/news/121614)
Settlers storm Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus
Hundreds of settlers stormed earlier today Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus, under protection of a large force of the occupation army. Israeli soldiers imposed a total closure on the eastern neighborhoods and Balata refugee camp, the storing was accompanied by violent clashes between residents and Israeli soldiers resulting in the injury of citizens, including elder Zainab Al-Mughrabi (65 years old), and young boy Adnan Omari (13 years) who were taken to hospital. Eyewitnesses said “hundreds of settlers arrived at Joseph's Tomb by buses guarded by Israeli soldiers, and began performing religious rituals and boisterous celebrations.” (http://www.alquds.com/news/article/view/id/486177)
Israeli bulldozers demolish Khirbet Umm Jamal in the Valley displace its residents
Israeli bulldozers fully demolished today morning Khirbet Umm Jamal in the northern Jordan Valley, leaving behind devastation and destruction to barns and tents of citizens. Head of Al-Malih village Council, Aref Daraghmeh, said that " two bulldozers belonging to the occupation army accompanied by dozens of Israeli soldiers demolished the entire village, where 13 families and more than 100 individuals reside.” Daraghmeh added that the "occupation court rejected several days ago a petition issued by residents of the village for not deporting them under the pretext of military exercises, but the court rejected the petition and the village was fully destroyed today leaving citizens who were there homeless." (http://qudsnet.com/news/View/264421/)
American reports: Kerry thinks of addressing a speech to the Israeli people to convince them of the importance of peace
Israeli media said today that US Secretary of state John Kerry is considering a special speech to address the Israeli people to convince them of the importance of achieving a comprehensive peace in the region with the Palestinian side. Israeli Channel 7 said that Kerry consider coming on a private visit to Israel to address the Israeli public directly through a special speech, as a letter directed to a one nation, American website “The Post” said quoting Israeli journalist Ben Kaspit. According to the report, Kerry asked the US Embassy in Israel to examine the feasibility and testing of this speech, and whether it would positively influence Israeli public, and was also asked to coordinate the move with the Israeli Government. (http://arabic.pnn.ps/index.php/israel/79938-)
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Arab Press
Will Palestinians accept Jewish settlers in Palestine?
By: Daoud Kuttab
Jewish settlements in the occupied territories are illegal. The whole world has said so.
When the International Court of Justice in the Hague was asked for an opinion on the Israeli wall built deep into Palestinian territory, the ICJ reaffirmed that occupying powers are not allowed to take property or move their people to areas under occupation.
The illegality of settlements is clearly defined in the 4th Geneva Convention, made into humanitarian law after the relatively prolonged Nazi occupation of France. The Israeli occupation of Palestine since 1967 has lasted more than seven times the German occupation.
Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat was, therefore, totally justified when he told The Associated Press that no settler should remain in the state of Palestine as part of any peace deal.
Erekat was responding to a statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in which the latter stated that Jewish settlers currently living in the occupied territories could remain in their homes and live under Palestinian rule. The statement was later modified to make this issue a choice for Israeli settlers.
With the exception of Erekat, the Palestinian side was relatively silent, but Netanyahu's bombshell left many political victims in his own ruling coalition.
Israeli right-wing leaders including minister Bennet called Netanyahu's statement "very dangerous." while Israeli newspapers said that a trap intended for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas exploded in the face of Netanyahu's own government.
Regardless of Erekat's or Israelis' reactions to this trial balloon, the question about who can be allowed to live in Palestine is important and must not be swept under the carpet.
Some Palestinians, including former prime minister Salam Fayyad have said that there is no principled reason why Jews or Israelis cannot live in an independent state, as long as they abide by Palestinian laws.
Some also insisted that for any current Israeli settlers to live in Palestine, the issue of ownership of their property must be first resolved.
Ownership issues must be solved before the Palestinian government can give any legitimacy to settlers wishing to live in the state of Palestine.
While most believe that the idea of settlers remaining in Palestine is farfetched, for many reasons, the idea that at some time in the future Palestinians must come to terms with this possibility is there.
If indeed an American Jew or an Israeli genuinely wants to properly buy property and accept the laws of the state of Palestine, would that eventuality be denied?
Historically, Palestinians have been open to the idea of a shared state in Palestine. The PLO' covenant and early PLO leaders always referred to the idea of a secular democratic state where Jews can live alongside Muslims, Christians and non-religious Palestinians.
True, Palestinian leaders who opposed the Zionist ideology that allowed Jews anywhere in the world to emigrate to Palestine were vague as to which Jews would be allowed to live in this secular state. But the concept of a multi religious state of Palestine has always been part of the historic Palestinian narrative.
Today many Palestinians are favoring the one-state solution, in which Jewish Israelis would be part of the citizenry of this single state between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean.
Some Palestinians feel that there is a huge gap between the concept of a person of Jewish origin choosing to come and live in an independent Palestine and that of Jewish settlers who live on stolen Palestinian lands and who for decades have been terrorizing their neighbors all of a sudden being given legitimacy and citizenship.
The anger at and rejection of such ideas recalls other long-term conflicts that required a reconciliation process as a prerequisite.
A South African-style truth and reconciliation commission might be needed if indeed some of the settlers who have pillaged Palestine would be permitted to continue to live in Palestine.
The idea of Jewish settlers living in Palestine draws raw anger from many sides. Netanyahu might have thrown this trial balloon as part of his own negotiating tactic. The issue, however, is serious. Palestinians must think through and try to see if they can find some kind of national consensus on it.(http://www.amin.org/articles.php?t=ENews&id=4359)
Crime in Yarmouk
Daily Star Editorial
The appalling blockade on the Yarmouk refugee camp south of Damascus continues to generate words of outrage, cries of despair and statements of condemnation, but no action.
The horrific stories of malnutrition and death coming out of the camp are being relayed on a daily basis as politicians and diplomats gather in Switzerland for Syria’s peace talks. But the international community and all of the self-styled defenders of Palestine around the world have been unable to lift a finger to alleviate the siege, now more than six months old.
In Geneva, politicians and diplomats are struggling to agree in discussions of key issues, such as Syria’s political future, and getting much-needed humanitarian assistance to the city of Homs. Yarmouk might have a specific political entity (the Palestinian Authority) and a specific U.N. agency (UNRWA) responsible for conditions there, but these haven’t done the thousands of people who remain in the camp any good.
Some people talk about the need to arrive at solutions to humanitarian problems, as if they are separate from the realm of politics. Perhaps they have forgotten that the Damascus regime’s chief skill is to turn any discussion of human suffering into questions of “terrorism” and “security.” Perhaps they have forgotten earlier government-supervised “evacuations” of besieged areas, and the wave of detentions and disappearances that followed.
The tragedy of Yarmouk is a potent symbol of the international community’s resounding failure to deal with the humanitarian aspect of the Syria crisis, but more importantly, people should remember that the failure to solve the political aspect is responsible for all of the horrific suffering we see today.(http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Opinion/Editorial/2014/Jan-30/245737-crime-in-yarmouk.ashx#axzz2rrmuZSci)
Jordanians suspicious of Kerry’s proposals
By OSAMA AL SHARIF
Public hostility is building up in Jordan toward US Secretary of State John Kerry’s much-publicized proposals to reach a framework agreement on final status issues between the Palestinians and Israel. Last week small demonstrations broke out, after Friday prayers, in a number of towns to protest against “Kerry’s project to impose a Jordanian role in the West Bank.”
Similarly, figures representing professional unions and political parties are planning to hold a national conference to “protect Jordan and Palestine and repulse Kerry’s peace plan.” And a number of lawmakers have signed a memorandum to convene a special Lower House session to discuss Kerry’s controversial proposals.
Jordan’s main opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood, issued a communiqué last week warning of an impending plan to liquidate the Palestinian cause, which it said threatens both Jordanians and Palestinians. It said that the current regional situation would encourage the United States and Israel to impose their conditions on the Palestinians and put pressure on Jordan. One leader, Salem Al-Falahat, told a local news website that while detailed information on Kerry’s proposals is scarce, it is clear that current negotiations will not serve the interests of the Palestinians or the Jordanians.
Palestinian sources have said that Kerry has not submitted written proposals to either side, but had outlined his thoughts on a number of crucial issues such as borders, settlements, land swaps, refugees and East Jerusalem. Leading Fatah movement official, Azzam Al-Ahmad, said that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas couldn’t accept what Kerry is offering. Similarly, another Palestinian official, Yasser Abed Rabbo, told Al-Hayat newspaper that both Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had rejected Kerry’s proposals.
Rabbo gave the most detailed account of Kerry’s proposals. He said that Kerry suggested that the Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state in return for allowing them to have their capital in parts of East Jerusalem. Israel would also keep major settlements in the West Bank and lease others. It would also be in control of airspace and border points while the Jordan Valley would be monitored by a joint US, Israeli, Jordanian and Palestinian forces. The refugee issue would be solved in accordance with the Bill Clinton proposal: Allowing a symbolic return of Palestinian refugees.
Rabbo also said that Israel would maintain the right of hot pursuit into Palestinian territories. He said Kerry suggested that Israel’s security concerns would be reviewed in light of Palestinian adherence and preparedness. But the Palestinian official added that Netanyahu had rejected these suggestions.
Kerry had met King Abdallah recently and briefed him on his plan. The Hashemite Palace issued a statement reiterating Jordan’s position of backing the two-state solution but adding that the kingdom will support a deal that meets with its “higher interests.” The same wordings were used after the king met with Abbas and Netanyahu, separately, in the past two weeks.
Such development in the official Jordanian stance has raised questions about where the government stands on Kerry’s proposals. Recently Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour said that Jordan would not have a military role west of the River Jordan. Foreign Minister Nasser Joudeh was quoted as saying that Jordan will not accept Israeli military presence on its borders with the Palestinian state. Other officials spoke of Jordan’s obligation to defend the rights of over two million Palestinian refugees on its territory, more than half of them are Jordanian citizens.
These statements have helped turn public opinion in the country against Kerry’s proposals. Some pundits have suggested that Jordan will come under pressure to play a political and military role in the West Bank. The communiqué issued by the Islamist movement warned that Jordan will make concessions to Israel while political analyst Labib Kamahawi wrote that Jordan could come under pressure to play a security role in the West Bank on behalf of Israel.
Another political analyst, Hassan Barari, wrote that Jordan is unable to define its high political interests in relation to Israel and the Palestinian issue. He had warned that Kerry’s proposals will pave the way for the implementation of the “Jordan Option” which he said remains a viable Israeli choice.
Fears of the settlement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Jordan, under Kerry’s plan, have given conservative opponents of political reforms a platform to warn against deals that may come at the expense of East Bank Jordanians. A recent initiative in the Lower House to grant the offspring of Jordanian women married to foreigners their civil rights is being resisted on account that it coincides with Kerry’s peace moves. Former chief of the Royal Court Riad Abu Karaki made controversial comments on Facebook against such initiative. If approved by the government the decision will affect the civil rights of over 300,000 individuals. Critics believe it is a ploy to give citizenship to Palestinian refugees.
Palestinian and Israeli officials have been critical of Kerry’s proposals. But there is growing concern in Jordan that President Abbas will succumb to US pressure on the issue. How this affects Jordan remains an open question, but there is now pressure on the government to state its position on these proposals as public anxiety and suspicion reach critical levels.(http://www.arabnews.com/news/516946)
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Opinions
European Union, between the stick and the carrot
Al Quds Editorial
The EU has taken positive steps in regards to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, most importantly its decision to regard settlements in the occupied territories as completely illegitimate, and their insistence on identifying settlement projects that enter EU markets. This is in addition to their decision not to offer any funding to any Israeli institution that works in settlements in any shape or form. Some of these decisions have been put into effect and the EU has officially and publically called for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders.
These positions prompted sharp Israeli criticisms and they were discussed in the Israeli cabinet meeting headed by Netanyahu, which shows how important and affected they are by these decisions. However, there was another EU decision this week on the same subject.
European policy is generally linked to American policy and strategy, which is a strategy biased towards Israel mostly. Hence, the EU representative in Palestine John Rater confirmed during a meeting with Palestinian journalists in Ramallah that the best means of achieving Palestinian demands was through negotiations and not by going to the UN for membership. It was as if he was telling us not go to these agencies and to adhere to negotiations.
We were convinced of this once and we took the path of negotiations. But what if the negotiators fail to make any progress and Israel does not response, even to European positions pertaining to the halt of settlements, or does not accept a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders? No one can tell us the alternative to this and what we should do now. Should we continue with negotiations for another 20 years until negotiations are conducted only for the sake of negotiating?
The worst part of the Europeans’ position as posed by Rater was that the assistance given by the EU is basically towards the establishment of a Palestinian state, and if peace efforts fail, the EU would have to ‘reconsider” offering this aid except on a humanitarian basis. There seems to be a kind threat embedded in this statement. Palestinian sources spoke about this unofficially, saying that Europe has threatened to cut off all aid if the Palestinians stop negotiating.
The EU supports us theoretically but wants us to take the path it chooses. Neither does it do much to force Israel to retreat from its expansionist aspirations and impossible conditions, while at the same time threating us about halting the negotiations even if they are futile. That is, it is offering us the carrot of financial assistance and the stick of threats.
Ambassador Rater spoke about wars and their consequences, and the suffering of people and the Europeans in particular from the woes of war. We understand and appreciate this because we have suffered and are still suffering from the occupation and its measures. If Israel does not put an end to its arrogance and its insistence to continue building settlements and carrying out judaization and expulsion, then it will drag the entire region towards more wars, suffering and bloodshed. In this case, the EU and the United States as well, will remain bystanders and witnesses to this slippery slope towards violence without putting any real pressure towards achieving peace, something which the international community – the EU first and foremost – continue to call for. (http://www.alquds.com/news/article/view/id/486142)
Resettlement…wrong reactions to right concerns
By Omar Kallab
Any research center that delves in the “Zionist state” can cause mutiny in Jordan, or at least create a fuss that would require political intervention to ease the internal pressure. The same goes for any class-B journalist from the United States or Israel.
The harsh reactions that the nation has seen following the leaks about Kerry’s resettlement plan are legitimate and serve the national course. The Palestinian cause has been the last on the ‘national ladder”, something which was very clear in the absence of any nationalistic slogans in the arenas of the Arab Spring. This was a cause for concern among the Jordanians and Palestinians alike because it put them in the forefront of a confrontation on their own, which requires even more skill and steadfastness.
The Palestinian cause is at its weakest point and the possibility of any Zionist project being imposed is even more likely because of the fragmented Arab nation and the collapse of any central government is many of them, with a serious setback of this government in the rest. This sucks out the resistance of Jordan and makes it easier for such solutions to be implemented at its expense.
Jordan’s concerns are legitimate and even required. The scope of difference in the official and popular understanding of the differences between the Zionist state and the Zionist movement is huge and has not actually been hidden. The Zionist state may accept tactical projects, which would reassure its Arab neighbors but which would ultimately serve Zionism’s strategic goals. This state has never amended its constitution which originally says that the Zionist state of Israel is from the Nile to the Euphrates, even though late President Arafat took this same risk years ago and modified the Palestinian constitution.
The bottom line, is that we should not get too comfortable with the tactical guarantees offered by Israel and its ally US Secretary of State John Kerry. We should be very concerned with everything on the table, not from the standpoint of a conspiracy theory but because the Palestinian conditions are very weak and the conditions of the Arabs are ambiguous at best and completely fragmented at present.
The Palestinian condition is fragmented both horizontally and vertically. On the one hand, there is division within Fatah, the biggest movement that is in control of both the PA and PLO. There was a coup, led by Hamas in Gaza against the PA and the subsequent clash with Fatah which led to more bloodshed then Israel even caused. So, how is Jordan supposed to be reassured by its neighbor in such circumstances? We have always said that Jordan is the most affected by the course of events in this region, which is the truth. All the woes of the nation have had repercussions in Jordan, including emigration and refuge; from the Nakba of Palestine to the Naksa (in 1967), then the civil war in Lebanon, then the first, second and third Gulf Wars and now the Syrian crisis. So, how can Jordanians not be worried?
Any confrontation first requires an understanding this moment in time and a deeper understanding of the root of the crisis. It then requires formulation of the necessary programs needed to face this situation. And this is what we are lacking. Instead, we turn to the solutioneasier for the enemy and harder for us. We begin blaming and exchanging accusations and wounding national unity at a time when we are the most need of this unity, not only from a patriotic perspective but from a narrower national interest one.
Resettlement targets Jordan and Palestine and eliminates the hopes and aspirations of both peoples. So why all the name-calling, accusations and wounding words and statements?
There is not one Palestinian committed to their religion, nationalism and homeland, who would accept the impingement on Jordanian national interests. Likewise, there is no Jordanian committed to their religion and nationalist who would abandon Palestine. These are deep-set values in Jordan and Palestine, so why have we chosen to point fingers at one another so that Israel can sit back and laugh at us while it relaxes and stretches its legs across the River?
Resettlement is a worrying concern just as the failure to establish a Palestinian state is. But we should not allow them to become a boogieman between us. Rather, let it be a concern that we choose to confront and resist together, united. Because even if political circumstances impose their agenda on governments, they cannot impose them on us at the popular level. So instead of looking for words that will hurt and exchanging accusations, let us find unifying national projects that will give our politicians more power and will also give the world a clear response and make our own internal situation more stable and secure. This all means, in short, a national and democratic Jordan for the liberation of Palestine – all of Palestine. (http://www.addustour.com/17111/.html)
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