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March 2, 2014
Daily summary - Sunday, March 2, 2014
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Main News
Close streets and main roads in preparation for the Haredim protest in occupied Jerusalem
The occupation police in Jerusalem announced its intention to close several streets and main roads leading to Jerusalem after several hours, in preparation for a "million man" demonstration announced by Organization of Jewish radical religious groups known as "ultra-Orthodox" in the city today, protesting the new recruitment law of religious students.Israeli police said that it expects the participation of hundreds of thousands of such groups in the demonstration, while police forces andborder guard will secure the demonstration. Road number 1 from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem will be closed from 14:00, in addition to closing several roads surrounding the western entrance of the city. Jerusalem’s central bus station will also be closed and the light train surrounding the demonstration area.(http://qudsnet.com/news/View/267356/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%AF%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%AA%D9%84%D8%A9%D8%A5%D8%BA%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%82-%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B9-%D9%88%D8%B7%D8%B1%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%B1%D8%A6%D9%8A%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%A7-%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%85/)
Occupation kills the psychologically ill citizens in Gaza, the Popular Resistance destroys barriers
Medical sources in the Gaza Strip said that the Israeli army shot dead a citizen who suffers from psychological mental disorders and before dawn yesterday, near the border with Israel to the east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip.The sources said "this morning (Saturday) the body of the martyr Amneh Attia Qudeih(57 years old), was near the border in khuza'a (Khan Yunis), who was killed by the Israeli occupation forces," adding that “the martyr suffers from psychological and mental disorders.” Israeli army spokeswoman said "a number of suspects approached the security fence between Israel and the Gaza Strip late Friday, adding that "the soldiers asked the suspects to step back and fired warning shots,as the suspects continued, the soldiers fired at their legs and injuring one.” Meanwhile, popular resistance activists destroyed yesterday some berms and rooms at Beit Fourik checkpoint, east of Nablus, in response to the Israeli assassination and land confiscationpolicy. A dozen masked youths smashed the surveillance room and removed some metal barriers in Beit Fourik checkpoint which was free of Israeli soldiers using metal cutting tools.(Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
Occupation forces a Jerusalemite to demolish his house, and a plan to reduce the sound of Athan (Prayer) in the mosques of Jerusalem
Citizens Nae’m Rabaya’h demolished yesterday part of his house in Jabal Mukabber neighborhood, south of Jerusalem, in implementation of a decision of the occupation's municipality, in order to avoid imprisonment and fine.In the meantime, Hebrew media sources revealed a plan of the Israeli Jerusalem municipality aiming to reduce the sound of Athan in the mosques of the city, in order to reduce what it describes as "noise" around the city. According to the weekly "Yerushalayem" in its latest edition, the plan is expected to be implemented within the next few months, including comprehensive examinations for about 200 mosques in the eastern part of Jerusalem, and in phase two mosques South of the city will be examined, a budget of NIS 200,000 was allocated to this plan, to measure the strength of speakers in the mosques.(Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
Al-Ahmad: negotiations with Israel deadlocked and Obama meets Abbas to save it
Member of the Central Committee of Fatah Azzam Al-Ahmed called Arab leaders at the coming Arab Summit in Kuwait on 25 and 26 March to provide political, material and moral support for the Palestinian State in order to complete its building and full independence with east Jerusalem as its capital.Al-Ahmad said in an interview Saturday with editor of “Al-Sharq Al-Awsat” Mr. Alaa Haider, that Arab States are the strategic depth of the Palestinian case and its people, and that they will not give up on us and will support us in confronting the face of current challenges. With regards to the ongoing negotiations with Israel under the auspices of the US administration, Al-Ahmed said that it is going through a crisis which began in November, and reached an impasse after leaks indicating the need for Palestinians to recognizethe Jewish State, which was proposed by US Secretary of State John Kerry, who still adopts the issue until the moment, and reiterated it during a meeting in Paris with President Mahmoud Abbas, and we rejected this and said "we would not recognize the Jewish State since accepting this would meanthe abolition of the Arab narrative, and we'll become the outsiders in Palestine, in addition to accepting the abolition of the right of return and the expulsion of a million and a half Palestinians, Muslim and Christian Palestinian form the lands of 1948.” (Al-Quds)
America considers presenting the framework document without the agreement of the parties
Maariv revealed today morning a US proposal to present the framework document without the agreement of the parties, in the light of the impasse in the negotiations, but it nevertheless pointed to a disagreement within the White House regarding such a move.The paper said that the US Administration has alternative plans if the negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli sides fail, US Secretary of State John Kerry expressed the difficulty of releasing the fourth batch of prisoners covering 1948 Palestinians without signing a framework document. Maariv said that Kerry is serious about presenting a framework document until March 28, the release date for the fourth batch of prisoners. The paper quoted a senior Israeli source as saying: "there is a great hesitance of the US Administration on presenting the document now and at what cost, or should it wait", noting that the problem lies in the lack of alternative plans for the Administration if the parties refused to sign the paper and the negotiations might then explode. (http://safa.ps/details/news/123701/%D8%A3%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%83%D8%A7-%D8%AA%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%B3-%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%85-%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%82%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%81%D9%82%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B7%D8%B1%D9%81%D9%8A%D9%86.html)
Al-Hamdallah: we aspire to be an independent State hoping this would coincide with supporting our economy
Palestinian Prime Minister Ramy Al-Hamdallah confirmed the importance of international support for developing and improving the Palestinian economy, to push development forward. Al-Hamdallah said in his speech at the opening of the second Conference of the East Asian Countries to support development in Palestine, which was opened in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta yesterday: “we aspire to be an independent State, and that this would coincide with our endeavors to support the national economy reaching a sustainable development.” Al-Hamdallah stressed that the occupation is the real obstacle to political and economic progress due to its continuing attacks against our people, praising the efforts of states and institutions and representatives from international organizations. (Al-Ayyam)
Israeli forces suppressed a protest in Jerusalem
Occupation forces suppressed yesterday afternoon a protest against the escalation of violations against Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the martyrdom of the Palestinian activist Mu’taz Washha in cold blood.The protestwas called for by the youth movement to protest violations against Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, and againstJerusalemites, in addition to continuing the killing of Palestinians with cold blood without any response of the world. (Al-Quds)
Observers: Netanyahu-Obama meeting will decide the fate of American efforts to revive the peace process
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left to Washington yesterday for talks with US President Barack Obama, which is supposed to determine the future of the Middle East peace process. Two major issues will dominate Netanyahu’s visit, the fate of direct talks with the Palestinians with the approaching deadline on 29 April to reach an agreement, and the Iranian nuclear file.The New York Times reported a few days ago, citing senior US officials that "Obama would insist on Netanyahu to accept a framework agreement on Israeli-Palestinian negotiations that is currently being drafted by Foreign Minister John Kerry." (Al-Ayyam)
Qaraqe': we have documents convicting Israel with committing war crimes against prisoners
Minister of prisoners' Affairs Issa Qaraqe' said:“we have documents and medical reports and statements convicting the State of Israel, Prison Administration and its medical crew of committing war crimes deliberately against patient prisoners in Israeli jails.” Qaraqe’added: "we are ready to provide the facts to the European parliamentary Fact-Finding Commission which will come to the region this month to visit prisons, as well as provide them to all international and humanitarian authorities, since we cannot stay silent and tolerate what is going on against patient prisoners.” (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
Japan and Singapore provided $ 250 million in support of the authority
Prime Minister Ramy Al-Hamdallah met yesterday in Jakarta with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida, on the sidelines of the East Asian countries to support development in Palestine. Al-Hamdallah updated the Japanese Minister on the peace process and obstacles presented by Israeli due to its intransigence and actions on the ground. Al-Hamdallah praised the Japanese continued support the Palestinian Government and people, adding that Japan has provided to date a billion and $ 380 million, and hoped that this support will continue. Japanese Foreign Minister confirmed his country's commitment to peace and reaching an independent Palestinian State, saying that the Japanese Government would provide $200 million dollars to the Palestinian Government budget to support and humanitarian projects, especially agricultural and industrial in Jericho, adding that $62 million will be spent this month.(Al-Ayyam)
Gaza - a popular campaign entitled "we are with you" to support President Abu Mazen
A campaign to support President Mahmoud Abbas entitled "we are with you" was launched in the Gaza Strip yesterday. Leaders of Fatah and academic staff and representatives from NGOs participated in the launch of the campaign, which will include many public events and will target all sectors of our people in the Gaza Strip. Fateh leader in Gaza Jamal Obaid said that this campaign comes from the duty of Fateh members towards the Palestinian leadership, which is fighting the biggest battle in the history of the Palestinian cause.(http://maannews.net/arb/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=677730)
Haaretz: Israel pushes Palestinian for escalation
Israeli journalistAmira Hass said that recent operation in BirZeit and killing Mu’taz Washha in cold blood pushes Palestinians towards security escalation against Israel. Hass said that Washha’s funeral was an expression of the extent of congestion of the Palestinian Street, noting that "there is likelihood of making up friction with the Palestinians in the West Bank and pushing them towards escalation to avoid any political commitments." (http://safa.ps/details/news/123702/%D9%87%D8%A2%D8%B1%D8%AA%D8%B3%D8%A5%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%8A%D9%84-%D8%AA%D8%AF%D9%81%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B7%D9%8A%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%B9%D9%8A%D8%AF.html)
Erekat arrived in Cairo to discuss latest developments
Palestinian Chief Negotiator Saeb Erekat arrived in the Egyptian capital of Cairo tonight from Ramallah via Jordan for a three-day visit.Palestinian sources said that Erekat will meet with Egyptian Ambassador Nabil Fahmy, Arab League Secretary Nabil Elaraby, and a number of Egyptian officials. The sources added that Erekat will discuss the latest developments on the Palestinian arena during his visit, and review the details of the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations for peace in light of the recent meeting between President Mahmoud Abbas and US Secretary of State John Kerry in Paris.(http://safa.ps/details/news/123700/%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%8A%D8%B5%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%AD%D8%AB-%D8%A2%D8%AE%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B7%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA.html)
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Headlines
** Remains of two rockets found at Hermon Mountain (Al-Quds)
** Emir Walid Bin Talal to visit Palestine on Tuesday (Al-Quds)
** 122 martyrs died in Yarmouk of starvation (Al-Quds)
** Hebrew source: rocket in Gaza Strip (Al-Ayyam)
** Rafah: abduction and assault of a Salafist (Al-Ayyam)
** China: 28 people killed in a "terrorist" attack with knives at the railway station (Al-Ayyam)
** Russian Parliament authorizes Putin to invade Ukraine and control Crimea (Al-Ayyam)
** Obama chairs a meeting of the National Security Council to discuss the developments in Ukraine (Al-Ayyam)
** The President confirms to Berri his interest in security, stability and sovereignty of Lebanon (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
** Sources: tax evasion in Tulkarm 90% (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
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Front Page Photos
Al- Quds:1) Jerusalem – suppressing a protest in Jerusalem yesterday, 2) Walid Bin Talal.
Al-Ayyam: 1) Nablus – popular resistance activists at Beit Fourik checkpoint, 2) Al-Hamdallah during his speech at the Jakarta conference.
Al Hayat Al Jadida:.1) Popular resistance activist cuts the iron gate at the entrance of Beit Fourik, 2) Citizens crying over martyr Amenah Qudeih.
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Voice of Palestine News
Gaza:
Q: What are the latest developments in Gaza, especially in light of the martyrdom of the Palestinian lady yesterday?
The citizens held a funeral yesterday for Amneh Qudeih who was killed yesterday by eth Israeli occupation soldiers, where the occupation army prevented ambulances from reaching her while she was injured and bleeding until she was found dead today morning.
With regards to Rafa Crossing, the crossing will be closed for the 23rd consecutive day. Yesterday 10 workers were injured while working in one of the tunnels between Gaza and Sinai, and the were transferred to hospital
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Voice of Palestine Interviews
** Ekremah Sabri, Imam of Al-Aqsa , on Israeli plan to reduce Athan sound.
Q: How do you view this new Israeli plan?
First of all Athan is a religious ritual before the prayer, and it was always the case since 15 decades, the claim that Athan disturbs citizens this is not true, since the Athan is for 5 times a day for 145 decades, as for those who are being disturbed of the Athan they should leave, what the occupation claims is only for Judaizing Jerusalem, and we reject any interference of the Israeli municipality in the Athan.
Q: This comes according to Israeli sources at a time when the Israeli Authorities are trying to Impose their sovereignty, shouldn’t this turn a red light for Arabs and Muslims, do you see any movement in this regards?
Our voices were loud and still are, and all Arabs and Muslims here our voice but they are in deep sleep, or they are just very busy with their own issues, so they are not really concerned with Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa, and this encourages the occupation to continue with its practices in Jerusalem.
Q: Are there any threats to turn the conflict into a religious one?
Everything is possible, the battle is religious, national, cultural and historic, so everything is possible. Jews are playing with fore and passed all red lines.
** Issa Qaraqe’, Minister for Prisoners’ Affairs, on the PA obtaining document convicting Israel with war crimes against Prisoners.
Q: You mentioned document convicting the occupation of war crimes, are we ready to provide these document?
Yes we are ready and we obtain several documents, and we are ready to present these if the leadership decides to approach international courts, it is our right to use all international law tools to confront this aggression in Israeli prisoners, especially since Israel is still using torture policies during investigations, especially with women and children, and still violates international law against prisoners.
Q: What is the importance of the European Committee that will visit the prisons, and are there fears that the occupation will prevent it from visiting prisons?
Yes, this committee is a very important step, it’s the first time the European Parliament decides to send a fact-finding committee after the martyrdom of prisoners Jaradat and Abu Hamdeyah, to visit prisoners and witness their conditions, this is a step forward in order to open Israeli prisons for such committees, I think that the result of the committee’s finding work will decide some of what we can do to pressure the Israeli side. Israeli did not allow any international committee to visit prisoner since 1967 , it might try to prevent this visit from taking place.
Q: With regards to releasing patient prisoner, are there any practical developments in this regard?
There are a lot of efforts being made to release some of these prisoners, the Palestinian leadership is trying its best through the Americans and Europeans, some lists were provided to eth Israelis for the release of those prisoners, especially those with cancer and paralysis, we also approached the UN Secretary General in order to help us in the issue, but until now there in so serious Israeli response, I anticipate that some of those might die soon in Israeli prisons if not released.
Q: what is the number of these cases of patient prisoners?
We document more than 1400 cases. 80 are very serious cases of cancer and paralysis etc…
** Bassam Salhi, Secretary of the People’s Party, on the political developments.
Q: with regards to what is being reported by media outlets on eth declaration of the framework agreement, what are the latest developments?
What is happening is that the American administration fully adopted the Israeli positions towards the main issues in the negotiations, and hence it will be the only responsible party for the failure of the negotiations as it was responsible for eh failure of previous attempts of negotiations under its auspices, so it is not only about rejecting the framework agreement of Kerry, but rejecting sole American auspices for the negotiations because the Americans are biased.
Q: What are the alternatives?
Alternatives are in that these negotiations should have international auspices, since there are different international resolutions, and that we want the implementation of these resolutions, what Kerry is suggesting is to replace international resolutions with eth American and Israeli visions based on legalizing the facts imposed on ground by the occupation. We should hold the UN and international community responsible for solving this issue and not only the United States.
Q: Do you see that the international community to have a political battle with the United States over this, especially since the US in a member of the Quartet who granted it with this mission?
The quartet failed also because of the US position, no state in the world will help us without us leading this battle, we have to say it clearly that the US administration failed in reaching any development in the peace process because of its policies, and it is happening again now. We have to lead this battle and then other forces will join us.
Q: do you see that the US is maybe trying to save the process now through the coming meetings in Washington?
Unfortunately this will not happen, as I said the US wants to use the current changes in the region to change the reference of the peace process, the framework agreement is not mentioning an immediate withdrawal, and it will only set a new reference for new negotiations under this news reference. This is very dangerous, the US does not want to save the process but want to set new facts on the ground.
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More Headlines
Israel hints at the possibility of total or partial pull back of the release of fourth batch of prisoners
Israeli Prime Minister Office confirmed that it does not expect the United States to exert great pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the settlement negotiations during his visit to the United State which began today. The Israeli army radio suggested the possibility of an Israeli total or partial pull back from releasing the fourth batch of Palestinian prisoners.The radio said that Netanyahu's visit takes place in the shadow of the Ukraine crisis, saying that the crisis would have impact on the agenda of the visit, and that Obama is not expected to have "sufficient time, interest and strength" to press Netanyahu on reaching a settlement.(http://www.wattan.tv/ar/news/87455.html)
Dozens of extremist settlers led by Glick break into Al-Aqsa Mosque
Extremist Rabbi Yehuda Glick led a new break into Al-Aqsa mosque today morning accompanied by 22 settlers from the Moroccans’ gate under protection of police special units. Eyewitnesses said that a large number of students in Jerusalem schools and worshipers are now in the Holy Mosque and are spread in its courtyards.Israeli police continued to tighten restriction of entry of young men and women and detaining their IDs on the gates until they leave the mosque.(http://qudsnet.com/news/View/267364/%D8%B9%D8%B4%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B7%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%B7%D8%B1%D9%81%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A8%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D8%BA%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%83-%D9%8A%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%AD%D9%85%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%AC%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%82%D8%B5%D9%89/)
According to eyewitnesses, 42 settlers stormed into the Al-Aqsa Mosque through the Moroccans’’ gate, in groups, including a group led by Rabbi "Yehuda Glick" with 22 extreme.(http://maannews.net/arb/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=677824)
A citizen run over by settler east of Ramallah and died
Citizen Saleh Mlehat (70 years old) run over by a settler on the main road near the “Caramilo” checkpoint east of Ramallah and died yesterday night. Mlehat’s son, Musa, said that his father was run over by a settler while crossing the main road, and was transferred to hospital and died on his way. (http://www.raya.ps/ar/news/852753.html)
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Arab Press
Palestinian identity and narrative cannot be a secondary issue
James Zogby
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu never tires of inventing new hoops through which he insists Palestinians should jump. As he acknowledged a few weeks back, it’s all part of a cynical game that he plays in an effort to kill the chances for peace.
The most troubling of all the Netanyahu “hoops” is his persistent demand that Palestinians must accept Israel as a Jewish state, the homeland of the Jewish people. While some in the West can understand the Palestinian refusal to cede the Jordan Valley or Jerusalem, or to accept that violent settlers should remain in their settlements, they have difficulty understanding why Palestinians won’t simply agree to recognize Israel as the “state of the Jewish people”.
The problem for Palestinians is not in the name “the Jewish State”. It is what the name means. Palestinians say that accepting this designation is to accept the Israeli historical narrative and to deny their own.
Narratives are important for peoples and nations. They define reality and give meaning to history. I learnt important lessons about the critical and definitional roles played by historical narratives in the Palestinian context through personal encounters over 40 years ago.
In 1971, I had travelled to Lebanon to conduct research for my doctoral dissertation on the emergence of the Palestinian national identity. In Ein Al Hilweh, a massive Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon, I interviewed refugees from dozens of towns and villages. All had left Palestine in 1948. Many told stories of armed Jewish elements coming into their villages creating panic and forcing them to flee.
I was struck by their resilience and their determination to keep alive their attachment to their land, their homes and their culture. And they did this in so many interesting ways. In the camp, for example, Palestinians did their best to recreate their old life. Residents of villages clustered in neighborhoods that were named after the communities from which they had fled. In a simple walk down just one street, you could pass through Haifa, Akka, Safad, Safsaf and Jerusalem. The homes in the camps might have been poor, but once inside them you had the feeling of being back in the village.
One of my most memorable encounters in that trip was my interview with Um Abed, the grandmother of the friend who had brought me to Ein Al Hilweh. As was common for her generation, she carried on a string around her neck the key to her home in Palestine – which had been appropriated by Israeli settlers in 1948. She told me her story – a powerful tale of loss and pain.
At one point, she asked if I wanted to see her home. When I agreed, she took out an old photo album filled with pictures of her home, her family and the life they had lived back in Palestine. She pointed with pride to the wall her father had built and the tree her grandfather had planted. But then, with a touch of anger, she noted that the tree had been cut down by the Israelis who had taken the house. She learnt of this from a photo a Swedish journalist had taken and showed her.
Her brother told me of their longing to return. “It’s our home,” he said. “We go back four generations in that house. I was born there and lived my entire life there. The Israelis, who never lived here, say they didn’t forget after 2,000 years. For us, it’s only been 25 years. How can we forget?”
Two weeks later, on the plane back home, I ran into a student, Sandra, I had taught the year before at Temple University. She greeted me with exuberance and told me that she “just had the most amazing experience. I went home this summer”. Since I knew she was from Northeast Philadelphia, I asked what she meant. She explained that she had been to a camp in Israel. It felt so much like home, she wanted to return because, she said, she “belonged there”.
The disconnect between the reality of Um Abed’s loss and my former student’s “discovery” defines the debate over “narratives”. I will be honest and admit that I understand Um Abed’s attachment to a home her ancestors built and the trees they planted. Her memories were too fresh and the key she wore a constant reminder of unbearable loss. To ask her to erase that memory, to reject her claim, and to deny her story is tantamount to asking her to cut off a limb.
There are hundreds of thousands of Um Abed who feel deeply about their history and their rights. They have lost so much over the last century. In many cases, all they have left is their narrative of the past and their hopes for the future. In their name, the Palestinian president cannot give up their rights. And jumping through this Israeli hoop would be too costly.(http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/comment/palestinian-identity-and-narrative-cannot-be-a-secondary-issue)
Dealing with a serious issue
By Walid M. Sadi
The heart of the matter for all those troubled by the notions of “tawteen” (granting citizenship to Palestinians) or turning Jordan into the homeland for the Palestinians (watan al badeel) is the shared perspective that many Jordanian citizens of Palestinian origin are not “true” Jordanians and threaten the original Jordanian identity by their sheer numbers.
There must come a time when this issue is tackled head on, to decide once and for all the determinants of Jordanian citizenship and identity, so that the fears and anxieties of some could be laid to rest.
To be sure, there are reasons for this simmering crisis. While some so-called hardline Jordanians refuse to recognize “new Jordanians” as genuine fellow compatriots who are entitled to equal treatment, there are also some on the other side who naturally identify themselves by their Palestinian roots even though they were born and lived in Jordan for decades and carry Jordanian citizenship.
This state of affairs has created “schizophrenic” identities for some who flip-flop between their new identity and nationality and their original identity and nationality.
These mixed identities and loyalties have in turn reinforced the “hardliners” on both sides of the fence and put them on a collision course.
What hardliners on both sides are in effect doing is to reinforce hostility.
The time of reckoning has therefore arrived. The issue of citizenship and identity calls for a fresh look with a view to determining their contents and parameters, not only by revisiting existing legislation but also by the introduction of a concerted campaign to instil in “Jordanians” a true sense of identity and citizenship.
Admittedly, this is easier said than done, but the effort must begin to take “all” Jordanians to safer grounds.
Left unattended to, this identity crisis could provide the basis for “fitneh”, something His Majesty King Abdullah alluded to when meeting with heads of all branches of government last week.
Combating this “fitneh” should top all our national priorities, and deserves the collective care and undivided attention of all of us living on Jordanian soil.
I am sure there are people of goodwill on both sides of the fence who do know where to start to stop sedition.
Not tackling this crisis would only exacerbate tensions in the country and undermine its security and stability.
Hopefully respect for the long-term security and stability in the country will prompt all stakeholders to come up with a solution that will put an end to this current state of internal tension and division.
Simply put, this challenge cannot be pushed under the rug any longer. It must be first recognized, admitted and then dealt with head on. (http://jordantimes.com/dealing-with-a-serious-issue)
What’s behind the ‘Jewish state’ idea?
By Rami G. Khouri
In my discussions on Palestinian-Israeli negotiations with various informed audiences around the United States during the past month, the question that comes up most often is about how the Palestinians can, should or will respond to the Israeli government demand that they must recognize Israel as a “Jewish state.” The prevalent Arab and Palestinian demand is to rule out any such recognition, on several valid grounds, such as: The Jewish state concept is not defined, it does not take account of the Palestinian Arab and other non-Jewish Israelis, it does not address the implications of such recognition for the U.N.-acknowledged rights of Palestinian refugees, and it does not have any basis in international law or diplomatic norms related to how states recognize each other.
These points do not seem to impress the Israelis, who have made this more central to their demands for any permanent peace agreement. Israel also seems to have convinced the United States to come down on its side, as the American president, secretary of state and other senior officials have routinely referred to Israel as “the Jewish state of Israel” or some other such formulation.
It is not clear if Palestinians will cave in and accept the Israeli-American demand as they usually do, for three main reasons. First, the demand comes in the context of final-status negotiations that aim to resolve all outstanding disputes, so there is likely to be some room for give-and-take in any final agreement. Second, the “Jewish state” concept remains undefined, and its clear definition, coupled with agreement on the rights of the Palestinians and non-Jewish Israelis, could pave the way for some mutual acknowledgments that satisfy both sides. Third, a central negotiating demand such as this that springs up suddenly after over six decades of warfare seems to be a proxy concept that reflects deeper issues that must be resolved.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has only broadly commented on why the Palestinians must recognize Israel as the Jewish state or as “the nation state of the Jewish people.” He recently claimed at a conference of the Institute for National Security Studies that the Palestinians have long had a “basic objection to any Jewish presence,” which he traces back to the Arab-Zionist clashes of the early decades of the 20th century, before the state of Israel came into being. He sees the Palestinian Arab conflict with Israel as reflecting a “struggle against the very existence of the Jewish state, against Zionism or any geographic expression of it, any state of Israel in any border. The conflict is not over these territories; it is not about settlements, and it is not about a Palestinian state ... This conflict has gone on because of one reason, the stubborn opposition to recognize the Jewish state, the nation-state of the Jewish people.”
As usual, Netanyahu offers a combination of outright lies and views that widely reflect Israeli and, to a lesser extent, worldwide Jewish sentiments on such core issues. He lies because the Palestinians and other Arabs who rejected the formation of a Jewish state in 1948 have since come to terms with it, assuming that Palestinian national and individual rights are also implemented in an accord accepted by both sides. The Palestinians have twice in recent decades recognized Israel and accepted its existence, on the same reciprocal basis that has led to recognition and implementation of Palestinian rights.
The current Palestinian and Arab rejection of the Israeli demand should include asking for an authoritative Israeli explanation of the meaning and implications of a Jewish state, and the deeper reasons for why Israelis are making this demand now. I suspect that the need for such recognition mirrors profound insecurities and concerns in Israel about three issues: the state’s ultimate Jewish character, the sincerity of Arab recognition of Israel in a peace treaty, and the consequences of a peace accord that is likely to include agreement on options to address the conditions for Palestinian refugees, including allowing a limited number to return to what is now Israel.
If this is the case, Israel should articulate honestly and clearly the issues that it needs resolved, so that sincere negotiators can get on with the business of crafting an agreement that meets the critical needs of both sides. The current Israeli strategy of trying to shape an agreement unilaterally while lying to the world about Palestinian sentiments is an embarrassment to Jewish traditions of justice, but seems to be routine for the extremists and deceit merchants who shape Zionism today.
The Palestinians should respond by demanding to know the meaning and motives of this idea. In this way they would be able to formulate a nuanced response that promotes an ultimate peace settlement that responds to the legitimate rights of both sides, rather than making this impossible, as the Israeli approach does.(http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Opinion/Columnist/2014/Mar-01/248862-whats-behind-the-jewish-state-idea.ashx#axzz2umOYNz9Q)
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Opinions
New means of pressure: the threat to unilaterally withdraw from the West Bank!
Al-Quds Editorial
voices calling for a unilateral Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank began to be raised in Israel as a means of pressure on the Palestinian Authority with the impending expiration of the current negotiations on April 29, unilateral withdrawal means that the wall becomes an Israeli border in addition to annexing the areas that Israel want to keep in the Jordan Valley, and the most important and large settlements, not a full withdrawal as happened in Gaza of course.
It was reported that former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren proposes a plan for unilateral withdrawal from the West Bank, the PA power went to international institutions in the event of failure of negotiations or its halt. Maariv said that two aides of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu are preparing a plan for such a withdrawal and they will provide it at a later time when the time and conditions for it are ready.
Threat of unilateral withdrawal would mean chaos in the West Bank, as Israel anticipates, the Hamas takeover and the collapse of the Palestinian Authority led by Mahmoud Abbas.
This is at the political and field level, and in the meantime, there are significant financial pressures facing the PA through threats to suspend or reduce aid in case of a halt or failure of the negotiations, which means increasing the economic crisis and growing strikes and disrupt public interests at different levels.
These threats coincides with the coming meeting between President Abu Mazen and US President Obama, scheduled in Washington March 17thunder an official invitation. While also Netanyahu will meet with President Obama, for the same purpose.
Some sources say that efforts of Secretary of State John Kerry almost reached a framework agreement, and that Obama decided to intervene personally in the peace efforts and the agreement will be presented to both Abu Mazen and Netanyahu, and Obama will ask them to extend the negotiations beyond April 29, whichwas rejected by the Palestinian leadership so far, assuming the start of implementation of the agreement on the proposed framework.
The picture seems clear on the Palestinian level, its either the agreement or unilateral Israeli withdrawal and escalation of the financial crisis, according to all indicators the agreement is much closer to what Israel wants and its accepted is not easy and is not possible as Palestinian official and public statements confirm, therefore, we believe that the next few weeks will be full of serious developments and the PA will be required to take difficult decisions which might be decisive.(Al-Quds)
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