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Dec. 16, 2014
Daily summary- Tuesday, February 04,2014
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Main News
Bethlehem: thousands participate in the funeral ofMartyrs Al-Akhras and Abu Sway
Thousands of citizens form the Bethlehem governorate and its refugee camps attended yesterday the funeral of martyrs Ayat Al-Akhras from Dihieshe refugee camp, and Dawoud Abu Sway from the village of Qurtas, after Israeli occupation detained their bodies in the graves of figures for more than 12 years. One of Fateh leaders confirmed in his speech the right of the Palestinian people to resistfor their national rights and defending their land, demanding the occupation leave the Palestinian land, and to strengthen the unity of the Palestinian people, and to be loyal to the blood of martyrs.(Al-Ayyam)
US Administration rules out presenting a framework agreement soon
The US State Department has ruled out presenting a Palestinian-Israeli framework agreement to the parties soon. Spokeswoman for State Department, Jen Psakisaid that the agreement is not ready yet. Psaki renewed her call for Israel not to distort John Kerry’s words of criticisms regardinga warning for escalation to Israel if negotiations fail. Psaki reiterated that Kerry strongly opposes to any manifestation of boycotting Israel, indicating that reactions from Israeli officials raise frustration.(http://maannews.net/arb/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=670554)
Yediot Ahronot: Israel under threat of 170,000 rockets
According to Yediot Ahronot, the army divided areas under its control to “areas of early warning for missiles”, in preparation for the next war, in which Israel will be threatened by 170,000 rockets.Israeli armybegan recently preparing a map of the areas under Israeli control,for dividing aiming to reach 200 areas, in operation to add it to an early warning system, similar to the method used during the Gulf War. According to Yediot Ahronot, the new map will include settlements in the West Bank and Gaza. (http://www.alquds.com/news/article/view/id/486952)
Europe warns Israel of increasing isolation if negotiations collapse
European Union Ambassador to Israel Lars Faaborg Andersen warned that it may find itself increasingly isolated if the negotiations with the Palestinians collapse.Andersen said in an interview with Israeli channel 2 yesterday, that the manifestations of boycott will not necessarily be a direct result of the policy of European governments, but also from institutions and private companies.Andersen referred to the decision of a number of insurance companies and banks to cut ties with Israel, "on the background of construction in settlements,” stressing that the European Union cannot influence suchdecisions.(http://safa.ps/details/news/121938/%D8%A3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%B0%D8%B1-%D8%A5%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%8A%D9%84-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%B9%D8%B2%D9%84%D8%A9-%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%B2%D8%A7%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D8%A5%D8%B0%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%B6%D8%A7%D8%AA.html)
Khader to President Abbas: internal explosion is on the way
Fatah leader and former member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, Husam Khader, sent a clear message to President Mahmoud Abbas, clarifying the need for change in the structure and institutions of the PA,maintaining the rule of law, fight corruption and prosecute those corrupt. This came through a statement posted on Khader’s Facebook account yesterday. Khader’s message included: "a message from Husam Khader to Mahmoud Abbas, I demand from you as head of the autonomy authority to act for the need for a real and immediate change in the structure of the institutions, act according to the laws and the rule of law, fight against corruption and bring the corrupt to court.” Khader added, speaking of President Abbas, "I advise you to strengthen institutions of PA through changes in the Government, Ministers, Governors and leaders of the security services.” Khader described the general situation of the PA as “unbearable and intolerable”, warning of “an internal explosion is approaching, and that it will eat everything and everybody.” (http://www.qudsn.ps/article/37475)
Fateh Central Committee: no solution without Jerusalem; and Fateh is ready to implement reconciliation agreements
Fateh Central Committee confirmed its position to stick to the Palestinian national and legitimate rights, in particular the right of return, the right for self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian State with Jerusalem as its capital on the borders of June 1967, in addition to the movement’s rejection of any plan or agreement that derogates from these rights, stressing that "no solution without east Jerusalem as the capital of a Palestinian State is possible." Fatah Central Committee member and its official spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina said in a statement after the Committee’s meeting, chaired by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Presidential headquarters in Ramallah yesterday, that "the visit of Deputy Secretary, Member of the Central Committee of the movement, Jibril Rajoub, to Tehran recently, stresses the importance of equal relations,according to the higher national interests of our people and their just cause."The Central Committee reiterated its commitment to the national unity and to achieving Palestinian reconciliation and end the division, and that "Fatah is ready to implement all signed agreements, and that Hamas is still maneuvering on the margins and object all successive conventions."(http://qudsnet.com/news/View/264854/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%B2%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%84%D8%A7-%D8%AD%D9%84-%D8%A8%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%AF%D8%B3-%D9%88%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%AD-%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%B2%D8%A9-%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%86%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%B0-%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%A9/)
Israel rejects the proposal to deploy international troops; Netanyahu criticizes Abbas’ rejection of a Jewish Israel
An Israeli coalition Party rejected yesterday President Mahmoud Abbas’ proposal including Israeli withdrawal of its forces and settlers out of the West Bank over a period of five years, and the deployment of international forces led by the United States in a future Palestinian State.Israeli Housing Minister Uri Ariel, member of the Jewish Home, rejected these security arrangements describing them as "unworkable" and "unacceptable”. Ariel told Israeli army radio: "whoever proposes evacuation of 300,000 or 400,000 Jews from their homes is not proposing peace."In an interview with the New York Times,Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahustrongly criticized the unwillingness of President Abbas to recognize Israel as a Jewish State, and saying Israel's withdrawal could last for 5 years after a peace agreement. Netanyahu said before Likud members of Knesset, he did not focus on Abbas’ security proposals, but focused on his refusal to recognize Israel as a Jewish State, and that Abbas said that this was not demanded in the peace agreements signed by Israel with Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994.Netanyahu added, according to Israel Radio: "it is unrealistic to expect an agreement where we recognize the Palestinian State as a national State for the Palestinian people, and they do not recognize the Jewish State."(Al-Ayyam)
Hebron: five Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers injured in Al-Arroub refugee camp
FivePalestinian were injured yesterday as a result of being shot by the Israeli army, and others were injured form tear gas yesterday, during confrontations between the occupation army and youth at Al-Arroub refugee camp. Local sources saidthatthe clashes resulted in injuring five people after an army force stormed the camp, as a response to throwing Molotov cocktail bottles towards the military tower at the entrance of the camp, used by the Israeli soldiers, adding that the one of the injured Palestinians who was shot by a live bullet, was transferred to hospital through a rugged dirt road because of the Israeli occupation forces blocked the entrance to the camp. The sources added those two occupation soldiers were also injured in the clashes. (Al-Ayyam)
The presidency welcomes the UAE decision to allocate AED 300 million to support projects in Palestine
The Presidency welcomedyesterday, decision of the U.A.E. to allocate AED 300 million for new projects in Palestine, over the next three years (2014-2016) through the UAE Red Crescent Authority. Nabil Abu Rudeina, official spokesman of the Presidency, said "the UAE aid will contribute to reducing the economic burden faced by the Palestinian people; the Palestinian leadership headed by President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed these efforts made by the U.A.E. to support our people." (Al-Quds)
Israeli businessmen: without peace agreement will not bear the burden of living
The “BTI Group” composed of Israeli businessmen and economists published a petition in Yediot Ahronot, calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to signa peace agreement with the Palestinians. The group said, this comes out of a concern to the economic situation and protecting the Jewish character of Israel, saying: "we are a group of those who run the Israeli economy, gathered from right and left in order to invite the public and Israeli leadership to exploit the window of opportunity open to us to sign a political settlement to end the conflict." The group added: "without an agreement, we cannot guarantee the survival of Israel as a Jewish and democratic State, without an agreement we will not bear the burden of living".(Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
The Government launched the national electricity transmission company
The Government launched yesterday, the national electricity transmission company (PETL) as a public company that will oversee the Administration and management of the process of buying and selling electricity as an intermediary between energy producers and distribution companies, and to provide the necessary infrastructure to transport electricity from the producer to the distributor, including overseeing the electricity transmission network in Palestine, and build and maintain the transmission and distribution networks, to ensure the delivery of electricity to all the districts, cities and villages, allowing to reduce Electricity bills.Prime Minister Rami Al-Hamdallah said: "launching the national electricity transmission company will have a significant impact on reducing the prices of electricity.” (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
Netanyahu's Ministers continue the campaign against Kerry
Senior Israeli officials continued their attack on Secretary of State John Kerry, accusing him of exploiting international boycott threats against Israel, in order to extract what they saw as Israeli concessions in peace negotiations with the Palestinians.Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu tried to calm down the situation, saying that "the best way to clarify the misunderstandings or differences in opinion is discussing issues in depth and not through personal attacks."Netanyahu said at the Knesset yesterday: "we rely on the United States to continue opposing boycotting Israel", adding that he had received "important clarification" from Kerry about his opposition to the boycott of Israel.(Al-Ayyam)
$ 3.9 billion budget proposed for the current year with a current deficit of $ 1.3 billion
Economists and lawmakers criticized the draft budget for 2014, considering it unrealistic, and maintaining structural distortions experienced by the budgets of the previous years, and that it was not designed according to a development policy.The draft budget was presented, yesterday, at a hearing called by the Working Group on economic and financial affairs of the Legislative Council, with the participation of businessmen and representatives of the private sector. According to the draft, the Finance Ministry proposes a budget for 2014 with total expenditures reaching 3891 billion dollars, an increase of 4.1% from 2013, while the current deficit is $ 1.3 billion that the Finance Ministry expects to be paid in full of foreign aid without any need to borrowing from banks. (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
Kaddoumi calls for stopping negotiations and holding a national meeting
Member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization and Fatah leader Farouk Kaddoumisaid that Secretary of State John Kerry is offering a framework agreement for Palestinian autonomy without any sovereignty of the land, and no right to return, while the issue of Jerusalem remaining a postponed dispute issue. Kaddoumi told the Jordanian daily “Al-Ghad” today, that Kerry imposes pressures on the Palestinian side "to extract" more concessions, without similar pressure being imposed on Israel to stop settlement and the continued aggression against the Palestinian people, and being committed to the 1967 borders as a reference. Kaddoumi, who is currently in Amman, to stop the negotiations, warning that US efforts are made to liquidate the Palestinian cause and the displacement of the Palestinian people. (http://safa.ps/details/news/121944/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%85%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8-%D8%A8%D9%88%D9%82%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%B6%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%88%D8%B9%D9%82%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B9-%D9%88%D8%B7%D9%86%D9%8A.html)
French Consul: we have a role regarding the Jerusalem issue; and ready to contribute to security arrangements for a peace agreement
French Consul-General in Jerusalem Hervé Magro announced in an interview for “Al-Ayyam”, Europe’s readiness to contribute to any security arrangements for a Palestinian-Israeli agreement, saying: “the parties know this, and we have practical experience, there is a European monitoring force in the Rafah crossing, and we have a European police force assisting the Palestinian civil police.” Consul-General Magro noted that France has a role in relation to the solution for Jerusalem, specifically with regard to the protection of the Holy places, saying: "I think that for France and maybe some colleagues, the protection issue includes the Spaniards, Italians and Belgians, so for us this is something we follow up closely,” adding: “I am officially the only Consul that has access to the Church of the resurrection, and that's not me personally, but as the Consul General of France.” (Al-Ayyam)
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Headlines
** Unprecedented snow storm in Iran leaving half a million houseswithout electricity (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
** Israel offers 20 million dollars as compensation to the families of flotilla victims (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
** The occupation destroys "Al-Awda" and storms "Ein Hijlah" for the third time (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
** The evacuation of hundreds of patients and women from Al-Yarmouk (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
** The President: the withdrawal of Israel could last for 5 years after a peace agreement (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
** Jewish organizations call for storming Al-Aqsa and raising Israeli flag the day after tomorrow (Al-Ayyam)
** Nasser Al-Kidwa leaves his post; sources mention Syrian pressure (Al-Ayyam)
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Front Page Photos
Al- Quds:Bethlehem – Funeral of Ayat Al-Akhras and Dawoud Abu Sway.
Al-Ayyam: 1) Bethlehem – thousands attending funeral of Al-Akhras and Abu Sway, 2) Nasser Al-Kidwa, 3) French Consul-General in Jerusalem Hervé Magro.
Al Hayat Al Jadida:1) Bethlehem – thousands attending funeral of Al-Akhras and Abu Sway, 2) Employees of The Syrian Red Crescent provide help to those want to leave Al-Yarmouk refugee camp
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Voice of Palestine News
Jerusalem: Municipality and police forces have raided a number of Palestinian neighborhoods in Jerusalem and photographed dozens of buildings and handed out demolition orders. Over 30 families from the Arab Jahaleen were handed demolition orders in the area between Hizma and Jaba’ north of Jerusalem. Also, in Beit Hanina and Shufat, more orders were handed out in addition to Jabal Mukabber and Sur Baher.
There have been ongoing break-ins into the Aqsa Mosque by extremist settlers. There has been a qualitative change in the types of break ins in terms of the extremists who carry them out and the groups they belong to .Some young Jews and settlers have even been paid to break in. Yesterday over 40 extremists broke in to the compound following calls from extremist groups who called for raids on the compound on Thursday where they are being asked to raise Israeli flags. This is what the groups said was in response to Palestinian youths raising Palestinian flags in the Aqsa.
There has also been an escalation of attacks by light rail guards on Palestinians. The latest was on two young men from Shufat from the Deis family. They were coming home from their work in west Jerusalem when the guards brutally attacked them after a dispute broke out between them and an extremist Jew inside the train.
Also Adam Jamous, 17 and Jawhar Halabiyeh, 18 from Abu Dis, are still in hospital after being injured by Israeli bullets on January 30.
Gaza Strip:The Rafah crossing was opened today for three days based on the same emergency mechanism – students studying in Egypt, people with Egyptian citizenship, sick Gazans and some humanitarian cases are being allowed to cross. There are over 6,000 citizens who fit these criteria are still waiting to cross.
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Voice of Palestine Interviews
**Fatah spokesperson Ahmad Assaf, on the village of Ein Hijleh
Q: Despite the continued siege of Ein Hijleh, do you think this is just the beginning of more activities aimed at consolidating Palestinian steadfastness on the ground, especially in the Jordan Valley?
This is the fifth day and the people are still remaining steadfast in Ein Hijleh, in spite of the direct threats by the Israeli army. They raided the village more than once and tried to evacuate the people but it has not worked. This is the Palestinians’ counter project to that of the Israelis, which is trying to take control of the area of the Jordan Valley. The Palestinian project will continue regardless of Israel’s measures. Today it is Ein Hijleh, yesterday Al Awda and tomorrow in many other areas. We will not surrender to the reality Israel wants to impose. This is Palestinian land and we will not give up. And the Jordan Valley is Palestinian.
Q: Have you noticed if there has been an increase in international solidarity activists with you?
Yes, there has, but there is still a bigger presence of Palestinians. On the first day, there were more than 500 Palestinians in Abu Hijleh, which is a good thing. And there are foreign solidarity activists too. The activists set up a system where when one group leaves another comes to take its place – you cannot stay in the village for a lengthy period of time. People are coming from all districts, especially student bodies from universities. This way we can keep a steady presence in the village. There have been over 1,000 people who frequented the village so far.
**PLO Executive Committee member Hanan Ashrawi, on President Abbas’ suggestion for NATO forces along the border of a future Palestinian state
Q: Has President Abbas’ proposal been officially sent to Kerry and what is the importance of deploying NATO forces in Palestine?
This is not a new idea. Even during the Annapolis talks, there was an agreement with the Americans for the deployment of NATO troops given that they are capable of maintaining the security of both sides at the borders. For the Palestinians, this is to their service because they don’t want one Israeli soldier on the land of its state, which must have full sovereignty. Like I said, there was an agreement with the Americans, even over the borders. Now Israel is trying to reject all of these ideas and impose its own ideas, even if this is at the expense of the Palestinians and their sovereignty; they will go as far as altering the borders all for the sake of maintaining control over the borders. This is not new, but Israel does not want to see any international troops at the borders, only its own.
Q: What do the Americans say about this proposal?
The American position at first was very positive in regards to international forces but Israel continued to reject this idea and now has created a very difficult situation between the two. The Americans are trying very hard to respond to all of Israel’s security demands but at the same time they know that the Palestinians will not accept the Israeli army to remain on its land.
Q: What about Abbas’ suggestion that Israel can maintain a presence in the Palestinian territories for five years including settlements?
Ideas are still being floated around. At first the President rejected any idea of a transitional agreement, but in the end we need a final agreement. The issue of a timetable, there are discussions but no agreement. The President is just mulling ideas on how to implement an Israeli withdrawal and dismantlement of settlements.
Q: There have been angry Israeli reactions to Abbas’ proposal for NATO troops. Does this mean there is an official Israeli rejection of it?
Until now, all information has been through the media. Officially, Israel has rejected a withdrawal of troops or the removal of any settlements or settlers; it has insisted on controlling the borders and still insists that Palestinians must recognize the Jewish state. This means Israel imposes obstacles and is imposing a unilateral solution of its own.
Q: We heard that Kerry may make another trip over here. Can you confirm this?
We did hear something about February 7 but I don’t know if this date still stands.
**Palestine ambassador in Syria, Mahmoud Al Khaldi, on the evacuation of people from Yarmouk camp
Q: How many people from Yarmouk camp have been evacuated until now?
So far, 1,275 humanitarian cases have been evacuated as of this morning. There are 60 cases which we were not able to evacuate because it got too dark and we cannot work in such a dangerous place at night. But they were taken to a safe place and given food, blankets and medicine. Today they will be evacuated. Yesterday, we got out 900 cases, entire families.
Q: Has the humanitarian crisis in the camp begun to recede or is it still escalating?
Thank God, as of last Thursday, things have gotten better. Food baskets are being distributed to the families, each basket is around 35 kilos with basic food needs. So far 4,300 food packages have been distributed. But we will continue. We will not stop. We have an agreement with the government to save the Palestinians from hunger and to get the humanitarian cases out of the camp.
**PLC member Ahmad Abu Holi, on the criticisms of the general budget, which say it is not realistic or based on a development policy
Q: After reading the draft budget, what are your comments?
Let me get something clear. The budget is not final, but it is still being discussed. We all need to bear responsibility for the budget. We discussed the budget from all aspects and the discrepancy between the theory and practice in its articles. Today some PLC members in the financial departments will meet to write up the final report on our comments on the 2014 budget and hand it into the finance minister.
Q: If there is any problem in the budget, can the PLC object to them?
Yes, we pointed out the most important problems in the budget, but there needs to be partnership between the PLC, the government and finance minister to follow up and monitor the budget so we can be able to challenge the different scenarios if there is a political breakthrough or a political crisis, which could affect the financial situation.
**Economic expert Dr. Samir Abdallah, on the budget
Q: There are some comments saying that the 2014 budget was set up on the same bases as the 2013 one including all of its problems. What are these problems?
The problems in all their budgets are based on the inflexibility in the structure of the general administration of the PA. Basically, this is about the number of ministries, the size of them, the number of employees in them, etc. it was not built on a foundation that takes into consideration the developmental needs of Palestinian society. And this problem was never dealt with, there was no political will to redistribute the human resources in this structure so that we have a budget that is more effective and achieves our goals.
Unfortunately, things move slowly. There are sectors that need to be downgraded because they exhaust public funds. This needs a long-term plan to modify it.
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More Headlines
Rocket hits Eshkol area southern Israel
Israel announced that a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip hit the Eshkol area Northwest Negev today morning, according to “Walla” website., The site said that the rocket landed in an open area without resulting in any casualties or damage, the sound of the explosion was heard in the surroundings of Eshkol. (http://maannews.net/arb/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=670581)
Jordan warns the PA of providing concessions with regards to the refugee issue
Former Jordanian Prime Minister Marouf Al-Bakhit said that any concession on the issue of Palestinian refugees would create significant internal crisis in Jordan. Al-Bakhit said in remarks during a lecture at “Al-Salt Cultural Forum" entitled: "regional developments and their impact on Jordan", that the establishment of a Palestinian state on Palestinian national soil, with Jerusalem as its capital is a top strategic interest to Jordan. Al-Bakhit considered providing any concessions on refugees is a loss to the interests of Jordan and its citizens. Al-Bakhit noted that all final status issues concern Jordan and of a direct interest to it, and it is very important to recognize the right of return as a principle, while its implementation with regards to mechanisms, numbers and payments should be negotiated. (http://safa.ps/details/news/121950/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%86-%D9%8A%D8%AD%D8%B0%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%B7%D8%A9-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%85-%D8%AA%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B2%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A8%D9%82%D8%B6%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%A6%D9%8A%D9%86.html)
Occupation arrests 15 Palestinians, including an elderly woman in the West Bank
Occupation forces arrested 15 Palestinians from Nablus, Bethlehem, Jenin and Hebron during raids and searches launched at dawn today. The arrested Palestinian are: Amer Khaled Dawabshe (32 years old, Mahmoud Laith Dawabshe (22 years old), Basher Hashem Dawabshe (26 years old, Shaker Jafar Dawabshe (25 years old), Ali Muhammad Dawabshe (25 years old), Musa’b Dawabshe (19 years old) and Issam Imad Salawdeh (24 years old) form Nablus. Malik Muhammad Hasasneh (27 years old(, Ahmad Muhammad Al-Asa (38 years old) and released prisoner Adnan Muhammad Shanaytah (24 years old) from Bethlehem, Muhammad Ahmad Khalf (22 years old) from Jenin was also arrested. In addition to arresting elderly Palestinian woman Rasmeyah Muahmmad Balawneh (62 years old) from TulKarem. (http://www.qudsn.ps/article/37480)
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Arab Press
Name-caller’s shame
National Editorial
It’s as true in international diplomacy as it is in a school playground: once you resort to name-calling, you know you’re losing the fight. That’s what we should read into the recent outburst by Moti Yogev and others in the Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing US secretary of state John Kerry of being an “anti-Semite” because he simply made reference to the threat of widening boycotts against Israel.
As Mr Kerry and many others struggle to find a way forward in the peace negotiations with the Israelis, is this really the best that Israel’s elected officials can do?
The facts speak for themselves: the boycott campaign is gaining momentum. The European Union has adopted new regulations barring deals with West Bank settlement-based Israeli businesses; and in the past few days, Norway has banned its $810 billion (Dh 2.9 trillion) sovereign wealth fund from investing in two companies involved in constructing settlements in East Jerusalem.
As Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement supporters note, it was only boycotts that brought an end to the apartheid regime in South Africa. The Israelis know this, and they are clearly rattled.(http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/editorial/name-callers-shame)
Gaza hurts as Hamas fights windmills
LINDA S. HEARD
Tragically, the 1.7 million Palestinians trapped within the world’s largest open-air prison Gaza are not being served by their Hamas leadership — and neither is the Palestinian struggle for a state. However, noble the aims of the resistance against Israeli occupation might be, they will not be achieved with Qassam rockets that do little but disturb sandy terrain and elicit Israeli retaliation on civilians.
Setting aside romantic notions, the Hamas project has turned out to be a mega failure, for which it isn’t wholly to blame. The world — and more particularly the region — has altered since those heady days in 2006 when Hamas swept to an election victory winning a majority of seats in the Palestinian Parliament when Ismail Haniyah was nominated Prime Minister.
The Hamas-Fatah coalition government was dissolved by President Mahmoud Abbas prompted by fierce clashes between Hamas and Fatah forces in Gaza. Hamas that was branded “terrorist” by the United States in 1997 was relegated to the Gaza Strip. Ever since, the people of Gaza have suffered hell on earth, while world powers and the United Nations do little apart from shedding crocodile tears over Israel’s incessant attacks and a crippling blockade of Gaza’s borders, coastline and airspace.
Last November, the UN announced that Gaza was becoming uninhabitable with electricity blackouts lasting up to 12 hours a day, raw sewage running through the streets as well as severe shortages of food, medicines and building materials. And there is no end in sight especially now that the ideological twin of Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood, was removed from power in Egypt and is now labeled “terrorist.”
Egypt’s Security Forces are on the defensive following numerous attacks on soldiers in northern Sinai by armed extremist groups, some of which Cairo believes are linked to both the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas. In an effort to protect its borders, the Egyptian military has been engaged in destroying tunnels between Gaza and Rafah, which have served as a crucial lifeline to Gaza’s economy for years. Last September, Cairo warned Hamas that if any Palestinian entity seeks to harm Egypt’s security, it risks incurring a military response. For its part, Hamas pleads innocence, although documents purporting to derive from Hamas’ military wing were revealed by the privately owned Egyptian channel ONTV on Monday indicating otherwise.
If Hamas thinks it can take on Israel and Egypt it’s delusional. Its best option would be to work toward rapprochement with Fatah, which would pave the way for long overdue elections and bring unity to a severed Palestinian population. Surely, if Hamas leaders genuinely cared about their people, they would set aside their own ambitions for the greater good of all. Instead, its Political Bureau chief Khaled Meshaal is engaged in papering over the cracks of his organization’s rocky relationship with its former funder and weapons supplier Iran; ties that were strained over differences on Syria.
Meshaal is due to visit Tehran later this year and says a renewed accord is on track. Necessity is the driving force behind that move but it’s unwise. It will further alienate the organization’s Sunni backers and will entrench hard-liner positions within Israel against the US-brokered peace talks. It appears some Hamas leaders still dream of a Muslim Brotherhood comeback next door. Mahmoud Al-Zahar is quoted, as saying the reach-out to Iran is unconnected with the situation in Egypt. “Hamas is not politically isolated,” he insisted. “Do not exaggerate the difficulties with Egypt. The Muslim Brotherhood is not finished.” If that’s the attitude, then Hamas may be unwittingly penning its own obituary.
Hamas needs an inward-looking reality check. Its rockets cannot compete Israeli Apache helicopters, missiles and drones; and its suicide-bombing/car bombing associates in Sinai will not succeed in hijacking Egypt’s forward march. Moreover, it does not have the wherewithal to provide Gazans with security, stability and opportunity, which are the fundamental rights of citizens everywhere. What are its achievements since it took over the running of Gaza? Are there any at all? Gaza is materially worse off than ever; its children are experiencing stunted growth due to chronic malnutrition and are wading to school through sewage, risking cholera. Many others are severely psychologically disturbed after witnessing bloodshed or fearing that one day Israeli bombs will end their lives. Tens of thousands were rendered homeless because of freak weather conditions that led to flooding.
The first duty of any leader should be toward his people. Hamas is simply not up to the task, as unfair as that may be. Its charter written in a different era is obsolete. It requires new policies, inclusive policies, with the objective of bettering lives. Hooking up with Iran for a fistful of dollars is a pointless exercise. Hamas must change — and if it won’t or can’t, then it should go.(http://www.arabnews.com/news/520146)
This time it must be different
by James J. Zogby
Two decades after Israeli and Palestinian leaders signed an interim peace agreement in Washington, DC, the task of achieving a final resolution to the conflict has become significantly more difficult.
Not only have the physical impediments to peace grown — for example, the number of Israeli settlers living on occupied Palestinian lands has increased three-fold to more than a half-million — but the political ground today is less fertile than it was back then.
In 1993, surprised by their leaders’ bold initiative, Israelis and Palestinians were quite hopeful. Twenty years later, the environment has become toxic, polluted by the ill will generated by the negative behaviour of both parties.
This reality must be factored into the calculus of peace making.
What will be important to consider is not just the terms of the “deal” reached by the Israeli and Palestinian negotiators, but their ability to “sell it” to their wary publics — many of whom are distrustful of the “other side”, no longer believing that peace is possible.
In my recently published book, “20 years after Oslo”, I review Israeli and Palestinian attitudes in the two decades that have elapsed since their leaders signed the Oslo Accords.
The book lays out a 20-year timeline and then traces how events that occurred during this period and the actions of both sides contributed to the erosion of both publics’ support for peace.
Following up on that study, this week I released the results of the latest Zogby Research Services (ZRS) polling of Israeli and Palestinian attitudes. What this newest poll demonstrates is the degree to which negative attitudes now prevail in both communities — establishing how significant the loss of hope and trust has become.
Commissioned by the Sir Bani Yas Forum in the UAE, ZRS polled 1,000 Israelis and 1,000 Palestinians in late 2013. While we found areas where the sides disagreed, we also observed substantial areas of agreement — almost always in their shared negative assessment of the prospects for peace.
For example, while majorities on both sides say they were hopeful when the accords were signed, today less than one in five Israelis and Palestinians say they view Oslo as a “positive development”.
Similarly, while a majority of Israelis and a plurality of Palestinians agree that a two-state solution is a desirable outcome, only one-third on each side believes that such an outcome is still feasible.
When asked what has accounted for this loss of hope, both Israelis and Palestinians demonstrated a remarkable shared understanding of the negative role played by their own and the “other side’s” violence and the use of force in poisoning the environment.
This may be one of the most positive signs emerging from the results of this poll.
Both parties, for example, agreed that the following events or behaviour contributed to eroding their confidence in the prospects for peace: suicide bombings, rocket fire from Gaza, the second Intifada, the election of Hamas, continued settlement construction, Israel’s reoccupation of the West Bank, the assassination of prime minister Yitzhak Rabin and Baruch Goldstein’s massacre of Palestinians in Hebron.
Israelis and Palestinians also agreed that Israel and the United States did not do enough and should have done more to make the Oslo process work.
From the results of this poll, it is clear that the past 20 years have taken a toll on both Palestinians and Israelis.
The leaders engaged in the current round of peace talks, therefore, must not only wrestle with the issues of maps, rights and each other’s security concerns. They also face an additional challenge.
They must produce an agreement that will be accepted by their publics, and they must be able to convince their constituents that this effort will be different from what both sides now view as the failed Oslo process.
What is clear from both this ZRS poll and the review of “the last 20 years”, regarding Israeli and Palestinian opinion, is that neither side can do this alone.
If peace is to have a chance, external players (involving more than the United States) have a critical role to play — as guarantors, as “incentivisors” and as arbiters.
The time to begin that intervention is now — to help prepare the ground. Waiting until the negotiations run their course or a US framework agreement is announced will be too late.(http://jordantimes.com/this-time-it-must-be-different)
Abbas faces challenges
by Hassan A. Barari
US Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to present the framework of a Palestinian-Israeli deal soon.
The contents of the framework have been made public. Martin Indyk, the US special envoy for the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, told a Jewish audience in Washington that the objective of the framework agreement would be to conclude a peace treaty by the end of the year.
According to Indyk, the proposed deal will include: a phased Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank, with special security arrangements in the Jordan Valley; a capital for the demilitarised Palestinian state in East Jerusalem; the recognition of Israel as a Jewish state; compensations for Palestinians and Jewish refugees; keeping some 80 per cent of the settlers under Israeli sovereignty.
At the heart of the proposed deal is no right of return for Palestinian refugees.
It should come as no surprise if Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas finds it extremely difficult to accept writing off the right of return for millions of Palestinians before the start of the talks.
Thus far, the Palestinian response is negative.
Abbas made it perfectly clear that he would not accept a deal that deprives the Palestinians of the right of return. Additionally, he is adamant that no Israeli troops will be stationed in the Jordan Valley.
The elements of the framework are hotly debated among the Palestinian politicians in order to figure out how to deal with this proposal.
It is obvious that Abbas is in a real dilemma.
If he accepts the said framework, he will face enormous Palestinian opposition and will go down to history as a “sell out”. If he turns it down, he will be blamed for the failure of Kerry’s efforts, with grave consequences.
Equally important, it is not that accepting the framework deal will automatically lead to an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Sceptics argue that the whole exercise may turn out to be a means of extracting enormous concessions from the Palestinians without a real quid pro quo.
Long-time observers of the Arab-Israeli conflict argue that the framework can only keep the negotiations on for yet another year, without achieving real success.
Apparently, the Palestinian side has been surprised.
Abbas should have sought national reconciliation with Hamas long ago. I believe that Hamas is not going to agree to this “humiliating” deal. If anything, the policy of excluding Hamas while seeking a deal with Israel has been exposed.
Earlier on, Abbas and his Fateh movement thought that a deal with Israel could enhance their status at the expense of Hamas. According to this logic, Hamas would be seen as a futile and unrealistic movement, whereas Fateh would be seen as an achiever.
Abbas’ possible acceptance of the Kerry deal will hardly project him as an achiever, however.
It remains to be seen how the framework offer will play out.
The American side understands that the Palestinian Authority is strategically vulnerable.
The turmoil in the region and the fact that key Arab states are bogged down in other crucial issues leave Abbas and his movement with little room to manoeuvre.
Soon Abbas will have to choose among the following options: accept the deal and face the internal backlash; reject the offer and face the wrath of the American administration and perhaps of the international Quartet; or resign.
One should not forget as well that the Palestinian people may resort to a third Intifada.(http://jordantimes.com/abbas-faces-challenges)
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Opinions
OPINIONS__________________________________________________
The growing boycott of Israel
Al Quds Al Arabi Editorial
The warnings to Israel from US Secretary of State John Kerry at the security conference in Munich on Saturday and his prediction that the threat of economic boycott and security danger would increase if a peace deal is not reached with the Palestinians, has created a political storm in Israel at all levels. On the one hand, Kerry has been subject to a vicious attack and on the other, the state’s services have gone on high alert to formulate a plan to confront this wave of boycott, which includes a media campaign, recruiting Israel’s friends around the world and benefiting from experts and those who an influence public opinion to defend Israel’s political stances.
While the Israeli press considered Kerry’s statements as a threat, Israeli ministers accused him of lacking integrity and of feeding into the boycott campaigns. As for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he responded to Kerry indirectly, describing attempts to impose the boycott as ‘immoral’. The uproar following Kerry’s statements uncovered the size of the blow the Israeli economy has been hit with and the momentum which the international boycott movement has gained, especially after the EU decision last July barring any government or private cooperation with settlements. Since the start of the decision’s enactment at the beginning of the year, European companies and pension funds have begun cancelling their investments and scaling back their trade relations with Israeli companies working in Jewish settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. In the past month, one of the biggest pension funds in Holland announced it was withdrawing its money from five Israeli banks that have branches in settlements.
Israeli finance minister Yair Lapid said he expected that the setback in exports as a result of the boycott would result in losses reaching 5.7 billion and in a drop in the GNP of about $3 billion. This in addition to 10,000 workers losing their jobs. Israeli estimates predict that the boycott will affect around 30% of institutions and companies working in Israel including major banks, insurance companies and law firms.
The boycott has even begun to go beyond Israeli companies. Major European trade companies have recommended a halt to dealing with international companies with links to the settlements. One of the most important of these companies is the US-based Lockheed Martin, a manufacturer of aircrafts, in addition to the South Korean car manufacturer Hyundai.
In addition to academic institutions as well, the boycott’s effects have even reached Hollywood. Actress Scarlett Johanssen was forced to step down from her positions as global ambassador for Oxfam because of her promotion of Sodastream, an Israeli company that owns a factory in a West Bank settlement.
This trend, which we hope continues to grow, will have a huge impact on Israel’s behavior and positions in the negotiations and on its arbitrary measures against the Palestinians. It is the result of efforts from European organizations. No credit can be given to the Arabs or to the PA. On the contrary, Israel was able to put off this trend for a long time, using the excuse of negotiations and linking the boycott to the political process. Today, however, it has been proven to Israel that its stalling tactics and response to the failure of the negotiations by building more and more settlements will no longer work.
Kerry’s warnings to Israel were, as was said, in order to protect its higher interests. The State Department revealed that Kerry, who has been supporting Israel for three decades, had urged his European counterparts at the US conference last year not to impose the boycott.
In contrary to this warnings to Israel, Kerry then threatened Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas with the same fate of late President Yasser Arafat (who died after a long siege on his headquarters in Ramallah), if he did not respond to their pressures and offer up concessions in the negotiations. In spite of this direct threat, we have not heard of one counter Palestinian attack against Kerry, or even plans or media campaigns to confront the Israeli and American ones against the Palestinians should the negotiations fail.
It is imperative and the duty of the PA and all Palestinian movements and factions to take advantage of the momentum in the international arena to strengthen and promote this boycott of Israel. This should be achieved through actions taken by thousands of employees in Palestinian embassies around the world and through inviting and receiving official, media and popular delegations and use Israel’s arbitrary measures, its military checkpoints, its racist wall and settlements to convince them of the Palestinian position. Hopefully, this will lead to a voluntary boycott by people, which is the only guarantee for delegitimizing the occupation. (http://www.alquds.co.uk/?p=130056)
What is behind the heated dispute between Kerry and Israel?
Al Quds Editorial
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, his government ministers and heads of right-wing parties are all waging a campaign of sharp criticisms against US Secretary of State John Kerry. For example, Netanyahu called the attempts to impose a boycott on Israel as ‘immoral’, saying it would only encourage Palestinian obstinacy. Kerry had spoken about the dangers of a boycott on Israel if a peace deal is not reached. Israeli strategic affairs minister Yuval Steintz, who is close to Netanyahu, said Kerry’s statements were “insulting, unfair and intolerable.” Israeli defense minister Moshe Ya’alon meanwhile, fiercely criticized Kerry and was forced to later apologize for his words.
Truth is, Kerry described the Israeli condition honestly and in depth in statements that rarely come out of American officials. His statements were made during the security conference in Munich and were poignantly clear and a bit shocking. He said that “Israel today is living in security and prosperity, but this is only an illusion; it will all change if the negotiations fail.” He added that the status quo could not be maintained, and also spoke about the possibilities for an increase of violence and extremism or even the creation of a binational state that would eliminate the idea of a Jewish state. He summed up his words by saying that the status quo could not continue, warning about the expansion of the boycott and the collapse of the Arab Peace Initiative.
In his speech, Kerry did not criticize the Palestinians’ positions, which shows he fully understands that the party who is hindering progress in the peace process is the Israelis. However, his proposals, which have yet to be announced officially, point to possible pressure on the PA to accept them. These proposals have already gotten an initial rejection by the Palestinians given that some of them entail a recognition of the Jewish state, nullifying the right of return, establishing the Palestinian capital in Jerusalem suburbs, preserving most West Bank settlements and maintaining Israeli and international control in the Jordan Valley and at the crossings.
In the midst of these positions, Kerry still does not tire in saying that there is a possibility – in spite of Israel’s intransigence – of reaching a deal. He expressed hope that a framework agreement, which he has been promoting for, will be presented by the end of March along with the release of prisoners from inside the Green Line and before the end of the negotiations period next April, which the PA has repeatedly said it would not extend for one day.
Most observers believe this storm between Israel and Kerry could be an introduction to applying pressure on both the Palestinians and Israelis. And because Israel’s influence is powerful, and because there are midterm elections in the United States this year, Israel will be able to absorb most of the American pressure on it. We, most likely, will have to pay the price instead.
The next phase, according to observers, will be decisive and will reap very important and dangerous results, whether there is acceptance or rejection and whether an agreement is reached or the negotiations go up in flames. (http://www.alquds.com/news/article/view/id/487007)
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