|
|
Dec. 16, 2014
Daily summary- Tuesday, February 11, 2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Main News
Israel bombed targets in southern Gaza City and central Gaza Strip
Israeli warplanes raided two different areas in Gaza City and central Gaza earlier today, without resulting in any injuries. Israeli aircraft fired three missiles on military site Abu Jarad South of Gaza City, resulting insevere damage. The shelling sound was heard at 3:30 am in most of the neighborhoods of Gaza City. Israeli warplanes also attacked earlier an empty land near the power station North of Nusseirat refugee camp in central Gaza Strip. (http://maannews.net/arb/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=672508)
Maariv: Kerry’s paper contains recognition of Jewishness of Israel
US Secretary of State John Kerryagreed that the document he is preparing contains the idea of recognition of Israel as a Jewish State in the framework of a lasting settlement between the Palestinian and Israeli sides. Maariv newspaper reported today morning that the American version of the document in this regard will involve reciprocity in terms of the Israel as the nation-State of the Jewish people and Palestine as the national State of the Palestinian people. The paper said according to two sources, one of them is American, that the document will stress that the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians will be undertaken on the basis of the 1967 borders with an exchange of territories, and taking into account the demographic changes that have taken place on ground during the past decades. (http://safa.ps/details/news/122436/%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%81%D9%88%D8%AB%D9%8A%D9%82%D8%A9-%D9%83%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%87%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A5%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%8A%D9%84.html)
Occupation hands over remains of martyr Habash Hanani from Nablus today
The national campaign for returning the bodies of the martyrs and revealing the fate of missing Palestinians, revealed yesterday that that the remains of martyr Samir Abu Saud Habash Hanani from Beit Fourik village in Nablus district, will be handed over by the occupation today at 8 pm, at Al-Taybeh checkpoint near the town of Tulkarem.(http://www.wattan.tv/ar/news/86023.html)
Hebron: clashes and searches in Beit Ummar
Sporadic clashes erupted yesterday evening between dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli soldiers in Beit Ummar village north of Hebron. Official news agency “Wafa” quoted spokesman of the popular Committee to resist the wall and settlement in Beit Ummar Mohammed Awad, saying that “clashes erupted after an occupation force stormed Al-Thahr area in front of Karmi Tzur settlement south of the town,” adding that “the soldiers fired extensive rubber-coated bullets and tear gas towards citizens and their homes, injuring a number of citizens.” Awad added that “this happened while the occupation forces searched several homes, using sniffer dogs.”In addition, occupation soldiers severely beat young Jihad Yousef Hassan Alqam (20 years) at the entrance to Beit Ummar, causing bruises throughout his body.(http://www.alquds.com/news/article/view/id/488220)
Shaath responds to Livni: we will never recognize Israel as a Jewish State
Senior official at Fateh, Nabil Shaath, said the Palestinians can never recognize Israel as a Jewish State. Shaath, member of Fatah Central Committee, told reporters in Gaza, that statements by head of Israeli negotiation delegation on a future Palestinian recognition of Israel as a Jewish State are false.Shaath said that "what Livni is saying is lie and bullshit and she contradict her own statements, since only few days ago she threatened President Abbas in paying the price for refusing to recognize Israel as a Jewish State, and now she says that we will, this is not true at all.” (Al-Quds)
Ha'aretz: settlement construction in the West Bank continue to be widespread, despite pledges by the Israeli authorities to ban it
Ha’aretz newspaper revealed yesterday that settlement construction continues in the West Bank, despite Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon’s statements, several weeks ago, that he would enforce the law on so-called "illegal construction on the Palestinian territories." Ha’aretz said that Ya’alon, in his reply as part of the State's response to the Supreme Court on an appeal to evacuate houses in the settlement of "Amona", built on private Palestinian land, Ya’alon claimed that he had been instructed to enforce the criminal code on "illegal construction". Despite Ya’alon’spledges, construction work in settlements in the West Bank was documented starting from Metzpi Ashel, south Hebron hills, reaching the settlements of "Itamar" northern West Bank. (Al-Quds)
Maarive: Netanyahu wants to launch a new aggression on Gaza to foil the peace agreement
Maariv newspaper quoted yesterday senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat as saying that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu intends to launch a new aggression on Gaza to foil Kerry’s peace efforts. Maariv said that Erekat provided the statements to Chinese news agency Xinhua, and that Erekat said “If Kerry wants to reach an agreement he should refer to International law, and Netanyahu intends to launch an aggression on Gaza to foil a peace agreement.” (http://pnn.ps/index.php/israel/80993-%D8%B5%D8%AD%D9%8A%D9%81%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%86%D8%AA%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%87%D9%88-%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%AF-%D8%B4%D9%86-%D8%B9%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AC%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AF-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%BA%D8%B2%D8%A9-%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%85)
Rocket hits western Negev
Israel claimed that a rocket hit western Negev Monday evening, sayingthat warning was heard at Hof Ashkelo regional council and Sha’ar Hanegev. Israeli radio said that “a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip landed in empty area of western Negev.” The radio said that that the rocket did not cause any injuries or damage. (Al-Quds)
Al-Hamdallah cancelled his visit to Al-Khan Al-Ahmar with President of the European Parliament because of Israeli interventions
Prime Minister Ramy Al-Hamdallah canceled a scheduled visit with President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz to Al-Khan Al-Ahmar, due to Israeli insistence to interfere in the program of the visit, Prime Minister considered this Israeli behavior as aiming to foil the visit. Al-Hamdallah said that the Israeli side sent contradictory messages about the visit, which comes “as part of a series of meetings by the President of the European Parliament with Palestinian officials, to support Palestinian efforts in seeking to achieve the dream of our people in establishing an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.” (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
Israeli Water Company cut water of 22 houses in the old city of Jerusalem
Israeli Water Company “Gihon” began yesterday in dismantling water meters providing water to more than 22 houses in the old city of Jerusalem. Eyewitnesses said yesterday evening that crews of the company dismantled water meters in the neighborhoods of Al-Wad and Bab Hutta for more than 22 houses on the pretext of "unpaid debts".(Al-Ayyam)
Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Funds allocated $ 8.2 million to repair damage of the agricultural sector
National Economy Minister, Member of the Administrative Committeesofthe Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa funds, Dr. Jawad Naji, announced yesterday the allocation of $ 8.2 million to help the Palestinian Government in dealing with and repairing damage in the agricultural sector caused by the snow Minister Naji said that the implementation of this decision will be during this month in both the West Bank and Gaza Strip, in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture. (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
Netanyahu will reaffirm his demands to Obama: Jewishness of Israel, security measures, the abolition of the right of return and ending the conflict
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in a press release he would inform President Barack Obama at their meeting beginning of next month at the White House in Washington, that he insists on a Palestinian recognition of Israel as a Jewish State, the abolition of the right of return for Palestinian refugees and ensure security measures for Israel. Netanyahu said: “I will discuss the subject of the peace process, we are continuing efforts to advance the peace process and I would like to clarify that our interests are clear, first, we insist on our right to the historic homeland of the Jewish people, we insist on ending this conflict and the recognition of the State of Israel as the nation State of the Jewish people, the abolition of the so-called "right of return", and of course we insist on security measures that will guarantee the security of the State and its citizens in the future, these are demands and clear interests at this stage and at any stage.” (Al-Ayyam)
Hamas discussed the future of its employees in the event of achieving reconciliation at the meetings with Fateh delegation
Reliable political sources said that Hamas movement which controls the Gaza Strip, discussed with delegation of Fateh Central Committee which is visiting Gaza, the future of its employees in the event of achieving reconciliation. The sources confirmed to “Al-Ayyam” that Hamas is concerned about the future of about 55,000 employees, of which the vast majority are its supporters and cadres, and want to ensure their presence in the PNA after ending reconciliation procedures. The sources noted that Fateh delegation gave no promises on this issue, which raises many questions, especially regarding the position of the military wing of Hamas (Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades).The sources revealed that Hamas was surprised by President Mahmoud Abbas acceptance to a proposal for elections after six months, to form a Government of national reconciliation, noting that it had asked for some days to develop a final internal position on reconciliation.(Al-Ayyam)
Fateh Central Committee: we stand the Egyptian people and their army in their war against terrorism
Central Committee of Fatah confirmed that the movement stands consciously and resolutely with the Egyptian people and their legitimate institutions and their national army in their fight against terrorism, for implementing the roadmap according toits schedule.The Committee expressed in a statement issued Monday; it highly appreciates the great achievements under the leadership of Egypt. (Al-Quds)
Decision to construct 159 new settlement units in Ramat David
The local committee for planning and construction, decided on Sunday to expand the settlement of Ramat David, established on lands on Shuafat and Beit Hanina, and build 159 new settlements units. The committee also decided to link settlement road 443 (Tel Aviv – Mode’n) with settlement road 21 established on Shuafat lands. (Al-Quds)
|
Headlines
** Za’noun: forming a committee of four leaders to discuss creating a Vice President post (Al-Quds)
** Positive results of the meeting between Hamas and Fateh regarding reconciliation (Al-Quds)
** An emergency Israeli meeting to discuss ways to halt the escalating of international boycott campaign against Israel (Al-Ayyam)
** Strike cripples Hadassah hospital; and calls to convert it to a governmental institution (Al-Ayyam)
** President Abbas receives President of Danish Parliament (Al-Ayyam)
** Occupation demolishes a house and a caravan; settlers punctured tires in Jerusalem (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
** Police: a raise in homicide rate in West Bank in 2013 (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
** The capture of two trucks of stolen drugs in Nablus (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
** The doctors’ syndicate: the Government breached its agreement with us; medical competencies will immigrate (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
** 40.4 million dollars net profit of Bank of Palestine in 2013 (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
|
Front Page Photos
Al- Quds:1) Jerusalem – child of citizen Mahmoud Sawahreh stands on the ruins of her house, which was demolished by the Jerusalem municipality yesterday, 2) Dura – funeral of martyr Ahmad Al-Faqeeh yesterday.
Al-Ayyam: 1) Jerusalem – a child stands on the ruins of his house, demolished yesterday in Jabal Mukabber, 2) Palestinian lands awaits rain.
Al Hayat Al Jadida:.1) Jerusalem – a child stands on the ruins of his house, demolished yesterday in Jabal Mukabber, 2) President Abbas during his meeting with President of the Danish Parliament, 3) Funeral of martyr Ahmad Al-Faqeeh in Dura.
|
Voice of Palestine News
Gaza Strip: At around 3 this morning, Israeli F-16s carried out two airstrikes. The first targeted a Hamas Qassam Brigades site south of Gaza City near the main power plant. Four missiles were shot at the location, but no one was injured. At the same time, a missile was fired into an open area, not far from the first spot, but with no damages or injuries were report. Resistance factions had already evacuated their positions; only very few people had stayed behind to guard the locations.
Do you think this may be a warning of further airstrikes on the Strip?
It’s clear that Israeli occupation authorities are trying to slowly up the ante in this escalation. They used to target empty areas but now have shifted to targeting resistance fighters and also their locations. They have followed this pattern before – up the heat little by little until it reaches a full-scale aggression.
Jerusalem: Water has been cut off from some homes in the Old City. All of the homes are located near settlement enclaves in the city. There are over 70 enclaves in the Old City and all of them are in the area of the Aqsa Mosque. One citizen Waleed Zurba, who lives in Al Wad street in the Old City, has been harassed for years by the municipality which is demanding over NIS5 million in taxes and water bills. Settlement groups have offered him huge amounts of money and an offer to pay his debts in exchange for dropping a law suit Zurba had filed in Israeli courts to get the settlers out of property they had taken over near the main entrance of the Qataneen area near the Aqsa. Cutting off the water supply is just one more way of pressuring the people to heed to the settlers.
As for demolitions, the home of Mohammed Ja’afreh’s home in Jabal Mukkaber was demolished. Israeli authorities also photographed several homes ahead of their demolition. The team also dismantled a truck that belongs to a citizen in the area.
|
Voice of Palestine Interviews
**Former Arab MK Talab Al Sane’, on Israeli vandalism of agricultural land and crops in the Negev
Q: In what context would you put this last development in the Negev?
What is happening is part of the confrontation that the Negev lives every day in terms of its land. The Negev has become a heated line of confrontation between Israel and the Palestinians inside the Green Line, especially since the Negev is the last piece of land [inside] where the Arabs still retain ownership over part of the land. This process of ruining and leveling agricultural land is first, part of a bigger plan to end the ownership of Palestinians inside the Green Line and take over this land. Second, it is one facet of the confiscation of land being carried out within the Prawer plan, which is aimed at confiscating the land, depopulating the villages and kicking out the people in order to limit the Palestinian presence inside the Green Line.
So, whenever a Palestinian citizen on the inside takes advantage of their land and cultivates it, only weeks later Israeli bulldozers come and ruin the crops. It is a message to them that between the citizens and the state, the state is always stronger. It is also to break the steadfastness and defiance of the Palestinians.
Q:Do you think Israel has succeeded in beginning to carry out the Prawer plan on the ground?
The Prawer plan is not the first one; there have been dozens before it, all which have targeted the Arab villages. But these all failed, in spite of the home demolitions, arrests and other measures, all because of the steadfastness of the people. Now, the Israeli government has yet to make Prawer a law but is still beginning to implement it on the ground using the tools at its disposal. But they got the opposite reaction from the people – the plan has only made them more determined to remain on their land.
**PLO Executive Committee member Ahmad Majdalan, on the withdrawal of foreign armed groups from the Yarmouk camp
Q: Have all the foreign armed groups withdrawn from Yarmouk?
We have a strong indicator to this; yesterday there was a partial withdrawal of the Nusra troops from the camp; there are still some groups deployed in the west, which were supposed to withdraw. They promised that a meeting last night would decide on their withdrawal today. Other foreign groups, which are still in the camp are supposed to withdraw and Palestinian armed groups from within the camp are to take over security of the camp. If the withdrawals continue over the next two days, they will be complete by Friday. We have teams to go in a look for remaining mines or unexploded ordinate so that services could be resumed and roads opened and those who were forced to flee can return.
Q:Would their withdrawal also mean that the Syrian regime’s siege would be lifted from the camp?
Without a doubt. These two things are intrinsically connected. And this will allow easier access to the camp and food and medicines to come in.
Q: What is going to guarantee that the groups will not come back into the camp again later on?
The truth is, there is no guarantee. We agreed before and then they backtracked on the agreement or returned to the camp after leaving. Especially they are only withdrawing to areas near the camp. Their only condition was that Syrian troops do not enter the camp and only Palestinian groups take their place and take over the security situation. This would mean there is no security threat to them from inside the camp.
**Secretary general of the National Initiative Mustapha Barghouti, on Israel’s plans to campaign against the boycott and sue companies that boycott the settlements.
Q: Do these emergency moves in Israel show that they see the international boycott as a crisis?
Definitely. Today, Israel is facing an unprecedented crisis and this crisis confirms the soundness of the strategy adopted by the popular resistance and the BDS movement. One proof is the drop in income to the settlements over the past two months by 20% -- that is millions of dollars. And they will be facing more losses in the days to come. But what Israel is proposing as a solution to this will not work because legally, they cannot sue companies that adhere to European laws, which prohibit any dealing with settlements. So, in reality, the companies who do deal with settlements can technically be sued in Europe. I think the boycott is going to move forward quite quickly.
Q: How can the Palestinians further strengthen this boycott and spread it out over more countries?
There are three ways: first is to continue to do what we are already doing – popular resistance and coordination with solidarity groups; second, we need to continue to coordinate at the official level, with international parliaments and discuss with them; third, there needs to be official Palestinian decisions to resume their plans to go to international agencies. There we can score many achievements such as implementing the Fourth Geneva convention, or going to the ICC to try Israel. But this needs a political decision.
**Head of the water authority, Shaddad Al Atilli, on the meeting held between the authority and representatives of donor countries to the water sector
Q: What were the most prominent issues discussed in the meeting?
This is a periodical meeting between the donor countries the water authority. The authority receives a lot of support from the donors, so this meeting is to brief the donors about the progress in the projects and also the obstacles the authority is facing. Yesterday, we focused on the joint committee. We had halted going to this committee since 2010 because of the Israeli pressure on the PA to accept projects that have to do with settlements, which we rejected. So, yesterday we had a lot of questions about the projects for the Palestinians, which we want to implement but were halted because of the Israelis. We asked the donors what their stance was in terms of international law? To pressure us to accept the Israeli projects in order to implement ours is a red line.
We talked about several projects throughout the West Bank, including projects we don’t have enough funding for yet such as the desalination project in the Gaza Strip. We discussed the ‘summer plan’ with the lack of rainfall and securing the full amount of money to alleviate the water prices in marginalized areas.
|
More Headlines
Settlers uprooted 150 trees and seized eight donum south of Bethlehem
Extremist settlers uprooted yesterday night, 150 olive trees and grapes belonging to citizens of Al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem, near the settlement of "Daniel". According to Mohamed Shawky Al-Zayah the landowner, settlers had uprooted 150 two years old olive trees in the area of Thahr Al-Zayyah, near the outpost "Sdi Boaz" near the settlement of "Daniel" south of Bethlehem. Zayyah added that settlers led by extremist "Hanan" seized the land of Hassan Musa of an area of 8 dunams, near the settlement of "Daniel" planted with olive trees and grapes. (http://maannews.net/arb/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=672525)
3 young Palestinian arrested south of Jenin
Israeli forces arrested earlier today, 3 young Palestinians in the town of Jaba, south of Jenin. An Israeli force launched a raid on the town and arrested young Ahmad Adnan Khaleleyeh (26 years old), Shlash Yasser Shlash (29 years old) after raiding their homes, and Hasan Khaleleyeh (26 Years old) after raiding his workplace at a bakery in the town. Israeli soldiers also handed over Tariq Ziad Alawneh a call for intelligence security review at the occupation camp in Salem after raiding his house and searching it. (http://www.alquds.com/news/article/view/id/488241)
Palestinian refugee died of starvation in Al-Yarmouk
refugee Moa’yad Darwish died yesterday of starvation and lack of medical care, as a result of the continued siege imposed on Al-Yarmuk refugee camp south of Damascus. According to the group acting for Palestinians in Syria, numbers of martyrs of the continuing siege since more than 210 days, reached 106, while noting the continuing the process of distributing aid to refugees in the camp, to coincide with the starting implementation of the agreement on the withdrawal of gunmen from Al-Yarmouk and removing roadblocks. (http://www.alquds.com/news/article/view/id/488242)
Israeli navy arrested three fishermen in northern Gaza Strip
Israeli naval forces arrested earlier today three Palestinian fishermen during their fishing in the sea of Beit Lahia northern Gaza Strip. “Safa” correspondent said that some fishing boats were besieging in the “Sudaneyah” sea North of the Gaza Strip, and that Israeli Navy forced fishermen to stop, and then arrested 3 Palestinians, of whom one is known as citizens Khalil Sultan. The arrested Palestinians were transferred to Ashdod port for questioning. (http://safa.ps/details/news/122443.html)
|
Arab Press
Kerry crosses the Mideast’s diplomatic minefields
By David Ignatius
Secretary of State John Kerry was trying to choose his words carefully in talking about his negotiations for a comprehensive nuclear deal with Iran and a “framework agreement” between Israelis and Palestinians. As recent experience has shown, one loose statement from Kerry – say, about the risk of a boycott of Israel if the peace talks fail – can mean days of damage control.
But Kerry isn’t very good at dissembling, and he answered some questions even after saying he shouldn’t. It was an example of an impetuosity that has propelled him across diplomatic minefields many thought were impassable. Kerry may yet stumble, but he’s clearly enjoying his hour as “the man in the arena,” in Theodore Roosevelt’s phrase.
Kerry began our interview by explaining that as part of his Israeli-Palestinian framework, he wants to allow each side to express its reservations about the U.S.-drafted parameters. This opportunity for dissent has been a controversial subject in the private talks, with some negotiators on both sides arguing that it’s a mistake to allow any such wiggle room.
But Kerry disagrees. He argues that for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, such caveats are “the only way for them to politically be able to keep the negotiations moving ... For them as leaders to be able to embrace an endgame, they need to have the right to be able to have some objection.”
Kerry is peeved about the political furor provoked by his statement last weekend in Munich about the possibility of future boycotts of Israel if the talks collapse. He says the statement was “taken out of context” by critics who overlooked his career-long record of support for the Jewish state. He added pointedly: “There are those who do not want a two-state solution, who don’t believe in it. There are those who don’t want to stop settling certain parts of the region.”
Kerry fences when asked about Abbas’ recent statements that he would allow a phased withdrawal of Israeli troops over five years and accept NATO troops as a buffer after the Israelis leave. “Netanyahu has made it clear he doesn’t want NATO,” Kerry says, but a possible third-party force “is something for the parties to work out.”
Is ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict really possible, with so much bitterness and mistrust on both sides? Kerry answers with a diplomat’s long view: “Everybody understands that it’s going to take some period of time for a transition. That’s why it is phased ... What is critical, I think, is to give people a sense that there can be an end of the conflict and an end of claims, that there is a framework within which it is all contained.”
On the Iran negotiations, Kerry was guarded. He seems to share President Barack Obama’s view that the odds are against getting a comprehensive deal. But he argued that the U.S. should stay focused for now on the nuclear deal, and avoid bargaining over regional issues such as Syria.
A regional security framework with Iran could come later, Kerry says, if the nuclear talks succeed. “President Obama and I both share the belief that thinking about and exploring a regional security component to this overall approach to peace is very important, but – and I underscore a great, huge ‘but’ – we are not engaged in that discussion with Iran at this point in time, nor will we be until we resolve the nuclear file.”
Perhaps hoping to defuse Saudi Arabia’s anxiety about such outreach to Iran, Kerry noted that Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah mentioned “a potential new security arrangement for the region” in his 2002 Arab Peace Initiative. That document does mention “comprehensive peace” and “security for all the states of the region.”
Kerry made his comments sitting by the fireplace in his big office on the seventh floor of the State Department. He was in his shirtsleeves, occasionally throwing logs on the fire. From this office, Henry Kissinger and James Baker tried unsuccessfully to crack the Israeli-Palestinian nut, and Madeleine Albright and Condoleezza Rice attempted without success to engage Iran.
Kerry insists he’s not trying to emulate any of his predecessors. “I’m not doing this in some model,” he said. “I mean, it can require a push, it can require stepping back. It can require drama and it can require silence.” At another point, he said with relish that critics who argue he’s been too involved in his Middle East mission should realize: “It’s my job. I’m secretary of state.” (http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Opinion/Columnist/2014/Feb-10/246725-kerry-crosses-the-mideasts-diplomatic-minefields.ashx#axzz2szsLn5RI)
Israelis prefer to extend status quo
By Osama Al Sharif
It is not often that we see US-Israeli relations go south — meaning that key officials from both sides are caught engaging in public acrimony. But over the past month or so, the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, has had his fair share of Israeli wrath, some bordering on insults. It has to do with his current efforts to reach a framework agreement between Israel and the Palestinians over final status issues. Since he took office early last year, Kerry has focused his attention to revive joint peace negotiations — a task that was both praised and attacked by the two embattled parties.
No one really knows what Kerry’s proposals are all about. There have been leaks from the Israelis, the Americans and the Palestinians. Some appear to be preposterous, while others are just replications of past ideas and suggestions. Initially, the talks would have gone on for nine months. But now, and under pressure from the US, the two sides have one of two options: To agree now on a framework agreement that would set the stage for a year-long negotiations reaching a final settlement on all issues or agreeing to extend talks beyond the April deadline. In both cases, the two sides must show some commitment to Kerry’s ideas on security, borders, occupied East Jerusalem, refugees, Jordan Valley, colonies andothers. The two sides have a good idea of what Kerry is proposing. Else, they would not have expressed their reservation on a number of points. Still, Kerry’s proposals are yet to be submitted officially to both sides, in addition to Jordan, the Arab League and Saudi Arabia.
From a Palestinian point of view, Kerry’s plan is a dangerous one. It calls on the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) to recognise Israel as a Jewish state, thus negating the right of return for millions of Palestinian refugees and opening the way to possible demographic transfers of Arab Israelis living behind the green line. In addition, the plan is not specific about the Palestinian condition that occupied East Jerusalem be the capital of the future Palestinian state. It, apparently, perceives occupied East Jerusalem as an extension of Greater Jerusalem where small villages close to the Holy City could be considered as integral parts of it. Thus the Palestinian capital can be located in Abu Dis, a small enclave not far from the old walls of occupied Jerusalem. Special access to Muslim and Christian sites in the old city would be guaranteed.
The refugee issue will probably be resolved in accordance with the Bill Clinton plan — allowing few thousand Palestinians to return, but concentrating mostly on compensations and settlement of refugees in the host countries. The vast majority of Jewish colonies will be annexed by Israel while others will be abandoned. In most cases, the separation wall would be the de facto border line between Israel and the Palestinian state, in effect confiscating around one third of West Bank territory. The Jordan Valley will have a special security arrangement, with temporary Israeli military presence along with US or Nato forces coordinating with the Jordanian army. The Jordan Valley represents another third of West Bank territory where the PNA has conditional control. That will leave Palestinian population centres in the hands of the PNA to establish its Palestinian state. Nothing is mentioned of the Gaza Strip in Kerry’s plan, as far as we know.(http://gulfnews.com/opinions/columnists/israelis-prefer-to-extend-status-quo-1.1289047)
'Priceless' bronze statue of Greek god Apollo found in Gaza Strip
Reuters in Gaza
Lost for centuries, a rare bronze statue of the Greek god Apollo has mysteriously resurfaced in the Gaza Strip, only to be seized by police and vanish almost immediately from view.
Word of the remarkable find has caught the imagination of the world of archaeology, but the police cannot say when the life-sized bronze might re-emerge or where it might be put on display.
A local fisherman says he scooped the 500kg (1,100lb) god from the seabed last August, and carried it home on a donkey cart, unaware of the significance of his catch.
Others soon guessed at its importance, and the statue briefly appeared on eBay with a $500,000 (£300,000) price tag - well below its true value. Police from the Islamist group Hamas, which rules the isolated Palestinian territory, swiftly seized it and say they are investigating the affair.
Archaeologists have not been able to get their hands on the Apollo – to their great frustration- and instead must pore over a few blurred photographs of the intact deity, who is laid out incongruously on a blanket emblazoned with Smurfs.
From what they can tell, it was cast sometime between the 5th and the 1st century BC, making it at least 2,000 years old.
"It's unique. In some ways I would say it is priceless. It's like people asking what is the [value] of the painting La Gioconda [the Mona Lisa] in the Louvre museum," said Jean-Michel de Tarragon, a historian with the French Biblical and Archaeological School of Jerusalem.
"It's very, very rare to find a statue which is not in marble or in stone, but in metal," he told Reuters television.
The apparently pristine condition of the god suggested it was uncovered on land and not in the sea, he said, speculating that the true location of where it was unearthed was not revealed to avoid arguments over ownership.
"This wasn't found on the seashore or in the sea … it is very clean. No, it was [found] inland and dry," he said, adding that there were no signs of metal disfigurement or barnacles that one normally sees on items plucked from water.
Palestinian fisherman Joudat Ghrab tells a different tale. The 26-year-old father of two said he saw a human-like shape lying in shallow waters some 100 metres offshore, just north of the Egyptian-Gaza border.
At first he thought it was a badly burnt body, but when he dived down to take a closer look he realised it was a statue. He says it took him and his relatives four hours to drag the treasure ashore.
"I felt it was something gifted to me by God," Ghrab told Reuters. "My financial situation is very difficult and I am waiting for my reward."
His mother was less happy when she saw the naked Apollo carried into the house, demanding that his private parts be covered. "My mother said: 'What a disaster you have brought with you' as she looked at the huge statue," said Ghrab.
The discoloured green-brown figure shows the youthful, athletic god standing upright on two, muscular legs; he has one arm outstretched, with the palm of his hand held up.
He has compact, curly hair, and gazes out seriously at the world, one of his eyes apparently inlaid with a blue stone iris, the other just a vacant black slit.
Ghrab says he cut off one of the fingers to take to a metals expert, thinking it might have been made of gold. Unbeknownst to him, one of his brothers severed another finger for his own checks. This was melted down by a jeweller.
Family members belonging to a Hamas militia soon took charge of the statue, and at some stage the Apollo appeared on eBay, with the seller telling the buyer to come and collect the item from Gaza.
That would have been easier said than done, however, as Gaza is virtually sealed off from the outside world, with both Israel and Egypt imposing rigid controls on access to the impoverished enclave and its 1.8 million inhabitants.
Whether any potential buyers stepped forward is not clear, but when Hamas's civilian authorities found out about the artefact, they ordered the police to seize it.
Officials at Gaza's tourism ministry told Reuters the statue would not be shown to the public until a criminal investigation into who tried to sell it was completed.
However, Ahmed al-Bursh, the ministry's director of archaeology, said he had seen it and promised that Ghrab would receive a reward once the issue had been resolved.
"It is a precious treasure, an important archaeological discovery," said Bursh. Once the statue has been released by police, his ministry plans to repair it and put it on show in Gaza.
"International institutions have also contacted us and have offered to help with the repair process," he said, adding that a museum in Geneva and the Louvre in Paris wanted to take it on loan.
Like Ghrab, Bursh said the statue had been found at sea. The historian Tarragon said it was vital to know the true location of its discovery.
Some 5,000 years of history lie beneath the sands of the Gaza Strip, which was ruled at various times by ancient Egyptians, Philistines, Romans, Byzantines and crusaders.
Alexander the Great besieged the city and the Roman emperor Hadrian visited. However, local archaeologists have little experience to carry out any scientific digs and many sites remain buried.
Statues such as the Apollo cast would not have been held in isolation, meaning it may prove the tip of an historical iceberg, according to Tarragon.
"A statue at that time was [put] in a complex, in a temple or a palace. If it was in a temple, you should have all the other artefacts of the cult [at the site]," he said, adding that he hoped Hamas appreciated its potential importance.
"There is a feeling that they could find more and more [items] linked to the statue, more and more artefacts, so this is very sensitive," he said.(http://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/feb/10/priceless-bronze-statue-apollo-gaza-strip)
|
Opinions
Past diplomatic decency
Al Khaleej Editorial
Anyone who follows the bashing of Israeli officials and the Israeli media towards US secretary of State John Kerry is most likely shocked and confused over the extent of the gumption they are showing towards the United States’ diplomatic president, and which, according to international relations standards is its ‘endless provider.’ This is an entity that could never have been able to exercise its policy of aggression, racism, occupation and settlements, nor could it have challenged international laws and legitimacy if it were not for the limitless political and material support it gets from the United States.
There is no relationship more unique between the United States and any other country in the world as its relationship with Israel. It is a ‘strategic ally” and part of America’s national security. It is the ‘spoiled child’ which gets anything it wants without question or clarification, all while the American citizen is made to pay billions of dollars a year in taxes to be offered up as a gift to Israel, a country that declares disobedience whenever it wants against those who support it, protect it, basically biting the hand that feeds it.
There is no explanation for this mutiny, except for a sense of bullying by the widely-influential Jewish lobby in the United States and its ability to impact the American decision maker. Hence, the US’s blind eye towards negative Israeli positions, even if they are offensive and insulting.
Many logical American voices have been heard about the burden of this lopsided relationship with the Zionist entity and its immoral repercussions on Washington’s relations with Arab and other world countries. These voices are demanding that this relationship be reconsidered and that American interests be taken into consideration as a priority over the US’s relationship with Israel.
Israeli positions towards Kerry and other American officials in past administrations who have been bashed and harangued merely because they expressed positions which deviated a smidgen from Israel’s – even if they were from the standpoint of protecting Israel’s interests – reveals just how much fear Israel has about one day not being able to impose its policies on its “endless provider.” This is why it carries out preemptive strikes, waving the stick of the Zionist lobby insider the United States through this personal and insulting attack and lack of diplomatic propriety.
But this is not a sign of strength. It is a sign of weakness and will no doubt leave negative impacts on its relations in the future. (http://www.alkhaleej.ae/studiesandopinions/detailedpage/cbec3400-bbd0-4191-be0c-104a7cfbcccb)
Comparison between Salam Fayyad and Rami Hamdallah
By Nasser Al Lahham
Since June 2013 the government under Dr. Rami Hamdallah has been operating in much the same fashion as Dr. Salam Fayyad’s governments. For the past nine months, there has been the same financial, political and organizational mentality even if working hours have differed. This shows that Fayyad’s ‘fingerprints’ are still apparent in the administrative work of the government and that it is a comfortable model for governments and the presidency and for the western world and Israel. More importantly, it was relatively accepted among a wide sector of the Palestinian civilian population.
Since I spared no efforts in criticizing Fayyad when he was Prime Minister – sometimes harshly – I find no reason why not to offer up some praise for him now the he is no longer in charge and does not have a bodyguard shadowing him; he no longer threatens anyone in the name of the “organization”, he has no ‘cronies” or ‘jurists’ under his belt or Facebook groupies; no one goes to spend an evening with him at his office or calls him Uncle Abu Khaled.
Salam Fayyad is not a Prime Minister who finished his term in office and left quietly. Today he has proven that he is a financial administrative trend that is embedded in the arteries of the PA and is still pumping into them. In spite of the fact that Dr. Hamdallah differs from him in just about everything, and is trying with all professionalism and loyalty to serve his homeland and people and oversee their development and motivate their creativity, still, the current Prime Minister cannot shift the ‘Fayyadi’” approach within the PA, even if he tried for the next 20 years. The ‘Fayyadi’ trend is no longer an individual factor but has become and international stamp approved by the world and outlined in international arenas. Hence, the duties of any premier that came after him are already dictated by a certain pattern and known guidelines. If Hamdallah tried to replace all of the ministries and change their names he still could not shift matters away from the Fayyadi way.
Not to mention that getting rid of ‘Fayyadism” means destroying everything we have obtained until now, and this is not possible without first achieving national liberation, ending the split and holding new parliamentary elections.
Nine months after the Hamdallah government took office, we can ask these questions that will tell us what has changed, if anything:
- Is there any change in the strategy of the current financial ministry? Not possible without liberation.
- Is there any change in the “chemistry” of the relationship with the presidency? Not possible without new parliamentary elections
- Is there employment and a solution to the problems of unemployment and level of individual income? Not possible with Israel and not possible without it. (http://maannews.net/arb/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=672187)
|
|
WHAT'S NEW
BACKGROUND
POLLS
WAYS TO GET JMCC
CONTACT US
|
To subscribe to free newsletter submit your email |
|
|
|