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March 19, 2014
Daily summary - Wednesday, March 19, 2014
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Main News
New excavations south of Al-Aqsa revealed in preparation for the establishment of a Jewish Center
Al-Aqsa Foundation for Waqf andHeritage revealed that the occupation authorities began to implement the final phase of excavations in Wadi Helwa neighborhood entrance, 100 meters south of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and about 20 meters south of the walls of Jerusalem. The Foundation said in a statement yesterday that the total area of excavation reaches up to about six dunams, while the excavations depth in some places reaches approximately 20 meters.The Foundation confirmed that the occupation has destroyed dozens of Islamic and Arab, ranging from the Umayyad period and until the Ottoman period, including the cemetery of the Abbasid period, in addition to the destruction of ancient archaeological sites of the Arab Canaanite period. The Foundation added that the excavations connects to the network of tunnels dug by the occupation in the vicinity of Al Aqsa Mosque, a sign that the so-called Israeli Antiquities authority supervises the excavation, with the initiative and funding of "Elad" organization for settlement, as preparation to build a massive Judaization center of seven floors by a decision of the Netanyahu Government, with the support of the occupation Jerusalem municipality, under the name of "the Biblical Temple – Kedem Center”, the center will spread over 16 thousand square meters.(http://www.alquds.com/news/article/view/id/494467)
An Israeli Minister opposes the release of the fourth batch of prisoners
Israeli Interior Minister Gideon Sa'ar confirmed his opposition to the release of the fourth and final batch of Palestinian prisoners, unless the Palestinian Authority declares the continuation of negotiations after the expiry of the current period at the end of next month.Sa'ar said in an interview with Israeli television channel 1 last night, "the Palestinians are not interested in advancing the peace negotiations but seek unilateral actions through the United Nations." Sa’ar renewed his reservation regarding the release of "security prisoners from Israeli Arab citizens under any circumstances." (http://safa.ps/details/news/124860/%D9%88%D8%B2%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D8%A5%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%8A%D9%84%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B6-%D8%A5%D8%B7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%81%D8%B9%D8%A9-4-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B3%D8%B1%D9%89.html)
Israeli warplanes attack Syrian targets in Quneitra at dawn
Hebrew sources said earlier today that Israeli warplanes attacked Syrian targets in Quneitra, south of Syria near the border with Israel.Hebrew media quoted the spokesman of the Israeli army as saying that the attack targeted artillery batteries and training camp and headquarters of the Syrian regular army, accusing it of facilitating and assisting in the recent military tensions on the border by allowing armed operations against the Israeli army troops on the border fence, the latest of which was last night and injured four soldiers including an officer who was seriously wounded.Sources of the Syrian opposition said that Israeli warplanes attacked a base of Al-Quneitra Army Brigade headquarters and other military facilities.(http://www.alquds.com/news/article/view/id/494478)
Erekat: Abbas and Obama meeting was frank, long and difficult
Member of the PLO Executive Committee Dr. Saeb Erekat described the meeting between President Mahmoud Abbas and US President Barack Obama as "Frank , long and difficult,’ adding that "contrary to the expectations of some people that US officials will suggest a document or a proposal, this did not happen, we are still in the stage of examining ideas." Erekat said: "the Americans did not give any official document, and in order to submit an official document there is a need for further discussions, and we are talking seriously… I hope that the Americans put a something fair on the table." Erekat hinted that the settlement issue was on the agenda saying: "since the start of negotiations at the end of last July and until today plans to build 108589 housing units on the territory of the Palestinian State were issued," adding: "we gave to President Obama a map to show him what has happened since we started negotiations in July, it's a very ugly map.” (Al-Ayyam)
Washington: Israel should release prisoners as agreed
The United States called on Israel to adhere to the agreement on the release of Palestinian prisoners and the release the last batch of prisoners as agreed.State Department spokeswoman Jean Psaki: "there is some pressure and confusion about the liberation of Palestinian prisoners by the end of the month, Israelis should implement the agreement on the release of prisoners agreed between the parties, and we support the release of prisoners as agreed."(Al-Ayyam)
The list of prisoners to be released in the fourth batch
Ministry of Prisoners Affairs published yesterday a list of names of prisoners who were arrested before the Oslo accords, to be released on 29 March 2014. The prisoners are (Named, place of residence, Date of arrest):
1. Karim Younis Fadel Younis, , inside the green line, 06/01/1983
2. Maher Abd Allatif Abdulqader Younis, inside the green line, 18/01/1983
3. Walid Nemer Daqqah, inside the green line, 25/02/1986
4. Ibrahim Nayef Abu Moukh, inside the green line, 24/03/1986
5. Rushdi Hamdan Abu Moukh, inside the green line 24/03/1986
6. Ibrahim Ahmad Bayadseh, inside the green line, inside the green line, 26/031986
7. Ahmad Ali Hussien Abu Jaber, inside the green line, 08/07/1986
8. Samir Ibrahim Abu Ne’meh, Ramallah, 20/10/1986
9. Muhammad Adel Hassan Dawoud, Qalqilya, 08/12/1987
10. Bashir Abdallah Al-Khatib, inside the green line, 01/01/1988
11. Mahmoud Uthman Jabarien, inside the green line, 08/10/1988
12. Juma’h Ibrahim Adam, Ramallah, 31/10/1988
13. Samir Saleh Taha Sersawe, inside the green line, 24/11/1988
14. Raed Muhammad Sharif Al-Sa’di, Jenin, 28/08/1989
15. Fares Ahmad Baroud, Gaza, 23/03/1991
16. Ibrahim Hassan Eghbareyeh, inside the green line, 26/02/1992
17. Mahmoud Salim Sliemna Abu Kharabish, Ramallah, 31/10/1988
18. Muhammad Saed Hassan Eghbareyeh, inside the green line, 26/02/1992
19. Muhammad Mustafa Muhammad Eghbareyeh, inside the green line, 04/03/1992
20. Muhammad Tawfiq Jabarien, inside the green line, 01/04/1992
21. Deya’ Zakareye Shaker Al-Falouji, Khan Younis, 12/10/1992
22. Muhammad Fawzi Salameh Falaneh, Ramallah, 29/11/1992
23. Naser Hassan Abu Srour, Bethlehem, 04/01/1993
24. Mahmoud Jamil Abu Srour, Bethlehem, 05/01/1993
25. Muhammad Yousif Shamasneh, Jerusalem, 12/11/1993
26. And Al-Jawwad Yousif Shamasneh, Jerusalem, 12/11/1993
27. Alaaddin Fahmi Al-Karaki, Hebron, 17/12/1993
28. Mahmoud Mousa Issa, Jerusalem, 03/06/1993
29. Nael Rafiq Ibrahim Salhab, Jerusalem, 27/09/1993
30. Muhammad Ahmad Al-Tous, Hebron, 06/10/1985
Shaath denies willingness to reconsider the issue of the recognition of the "Jewish State of Israel"
Member Central Committee of Fatah Nabil Shaath, denied publications in some media quoting him as saying that the Palestinian leadership is willing to reconsider the question of the recognition of the "Jewish State of Israel" at the end of the negotiations. Shaath said that he answered a question during a meeting with a delegation from the University of Harvard about the Palestinian position on the recognition of a Jewish State of Israel at the end of the negotiations, and he told them the Palestinian will discuss the issue with Israel and we will ask why would they agree to recognize Palestine as a Christian or Muslim state, and why they want us to recognize Israel as Jewish, while we already recognized the state of Israel. (Al-Ayyam)
Occupying confiscate 100 dunams east of Tammoun village
Occupation authorities confiscated yesterday evening 100 dunams of land near Khirbet Samra southeast of Tammoun, Tubas.According to local sources, the Israeli forces deployed in the area adjacent to the Jewish settlement of “Roy’”established on the land in the area, and began erecting fence around the targeted area for to be annexed to the settlement. The sources said that Israeli soldiers informed citizens of the seizure of territory by a military order and prohibit entry or use of the land. (Al-Ayyam)
28.8% of settlers willing to evacuate settlements in exchange for financial compensation
The results of a poll in outposts showed that 28.8% of survey respondents (settlers) are ready to evacuate their homes in exchange for financial compensation, even before the signing of a peace agreement with the Palestinians. Israeli newspaper“Yisrael Hayom" published the poll conducted by the Institute of macro economy and society in cooperation with the Atid Kahol Foundation, showing that the highest number among settlers who were willing to evacuate their homes was in the Jordan Valley reaching 43%, and that the ages of those willing to evacuate their homes ranges between 50 to 59 years.(Al-Hayat Al-Jaddia)
Hamas: closure of the Rafah crossing is a crime against humanity
Hamas stepped up its rhetoric yesterday against the Egyptian authorities accusing it of committing a "crime against humanity" in closing the Rafah crossing with the Gaza Strip, amid tension between the two sides since the isolation of Islamic leader Mohammed Morsi.Hamas spokesman in the Gaza Strip Fawzi Barhoum said that "the insistence of the Egyptian authorities to close down the Rafah crossing, tightening the siege on Gaza and prevent the entry of fuel, medicine and assistance without any justification and deprive thousands of patients and humanitarian cases of travel and treatment, represents a crime against humanity according to all norms and standards.” Barhoum added that the "continuation of the siege and the closure of the crossing which coincides with the Israeli escalation and aggression and siege, foretells high risk for all human health, environmental and economic aspects.” (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
Kerry will answer in two weeks… Abbas Zaki reveals Abu Mazen’s conditions to extend negotiations
Member of Fatah Central Committee Abbas Zakirevealed that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas informed US Secretary of State John Kerry of his condition for extending negotiations during their meeting in Washington. Abbas condition for extending negotiations is that Israel stoops all settlement building in the West Bank and to approve the release of leaders (Marwan Barghuti, Ahmed Saadat and Fuad Shobaki) and members of the Legislative Council, as well as the release of female Palestinian prisoners and children inside Israeli jails, ant to commit for implementing the release of the fourth batch of prisoners of the end of March.(http://qudsnet.com/news/View/269052/%D9%83%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D8%AE%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%B9%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B3-%D8%B2%D9%83%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D9%83%D8%B4%D9%81-%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B7-%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B2%D9%86-%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%B6%D8%A7%D8%AA/)
Livni: we will not release old prisoners unless a framework agreement is signed
Israeli Justice Minister and official of the negotiations file in the Israeli Government, Tzipi Livni, said yesterday that the fourth batch of the old prisoners will not be released unless a framework agreement between the two parties is signed.Livni said during a speech at the Conference in Sderot, that the keys for the release of prisoners in the hands of President Mahmoud Abbas through his decisions in the coming days, and holding further negotiations in an attempt to press Abbas to accept the US document, according to Haaretz.(http://arabic.pnn.ps/index.php/israel/84507-%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%81%D9%86%D9%8A-%D9%84%D9%86-%D9%8A%D8%AA%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AC-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%B1%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%89-%D9%85%D8%A7-%D9%84%D9%85-%D9%8A%D8%AA%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B5%D9%84-%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%82-%D8%A7%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A)
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Headlines
** Government launches tender for oil exploration in the West for the first time (Al-Ayyam)
** Occupation hands over remains of 4 martyrs (Al-Ayyam)
** President meets with Arab ambassadors to the United States (Al-Ayyam)
** Israel to Assad: control your troops otherwise your fate will be in our hands (Al-Ayyam)
** Ya'alon accused America of weakness at global level and supports attacking Iran (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
** Italian Navy rescues 600 Syrian, Palestinian and Eritrean (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
** The Jordanian Government survives no-confidence vote demanded by Parliament after the martyrdom of Zuaiter (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
** Assaf: Why Dream prevents revealing facts and allows Dahlan’s crimes? (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
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Front Page Photos
Al- Quds:Damascus - refugees receive food aid in Al-Yarmouk.
Al-Ayyam: Israeli soldiers injured in the north of Israel.
Al Hayat Al Jadida:.Italian ship transfer Palestinian, Syrian and Eritrean migrants.
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Voice of Palestine News
Jerusalem: In Wadi Al Dam in Beit Hanina, Israeli bulldozers began this morning to destroy a mobile home belonging to Badwan Salaymeh. The bulldozers had previously destroyed Salaymeh’s home about a year ago and have now returned to destroy the mobile home which he set up for his 20-member family.
As for the Israeli excavations in Wadi Hilweh south of the Aqsa Mosque, this is the last stage of the diggings that began in 2002. This completes excavations over six dunams of land. Many Islamic artifacts were destroyed during the excavations over the years. in this area, Israel plans to build a seven-story building over 16,000 square meters.
Finally, in terms of the Aqsa Mosque, Israel allowed around 100 female soldiers in the grounds yesterday; police also banned Rabbi Yehuda Glick from entering the compound for 10 days.
Gaza Strip: After a closure of six days of the Karem Abu Salem commercial crossing by the Israeli authorities, it was opened today to allow four shipments from Europe carrying tomatoes, flowers and spices. 350 trucks are to enter with aid and products today for Gaza in addition to truckloads of cement and gravel. Fuel is to be pumped into the electricity power and limited gas and cooking gas into the Strip. As for Rafah crossing, it is still closed even though thousands of Gazans have registered to leave the Strip, especially those seeking medical attention.
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Voice of Palestine Interviews
**Prisoner Affairs Minister Issa Qaraqe’, on Israel’s announcement that it would not release fourth batch of prisoners unless the Palestinians signed the framework agreement
This is political blackmail and evasion from the agreement signed by Abu Mazen months before the negotiations began. This agreement is separate from the negotiations and is not linked to whether they progress or not. Israel is trying to pressure the Palestinians to accept an agreement in which there are still vast differences between the Palestinian vision and what is being proposed in terms of our rights. This is using prisoners as a pressure tactic, which is unacceptable. The prisoners themselves have said they would not accept to be a tool with which Israel pressures the leadership at the expense of our rights.
**Arab MK Talab Arar, on Israel’s discriminatory policies in the Negev
Q: What are the signs of Israel’s dictatorial discrimination policy in the Negev?
In regards to its Jewish citizens, Israel is a democratic state. But its policies towards its Arab citizens are dictatorial and prevent the Palestinian citizen to live freely and in dignity. In this stage, Israel is trying to take over villages and demolish homes, a policy which is on the rise lately. The Prawer plan was officially rejected, but on the ground it is being implemented every day. In the past year and a halt, almost 1,260 houses were demolished in Arab areas of the Negev.
Q: What can be done to confront these policies?
Our people are aware of what is happening and they are constantly protesting and carrying out popular activities to show our rage. However, the rise in Israel’s policies will ultimately lead to confrontations, which we don’t want but will be forced into in defense of our homes and land.
Q: Israeli minister Silvan Shalom said Israel was working to bring in 300,000 into the Negev in the next decade. How will this affect the lives of people in the Negev if the plan goes through?
This is part of Israel’s plan to Judaize the Negev just like it has plans to Judaize the Galilee. All of these plans aim to uproot Arab villages and put Israeli settlements in its place. And this is all happening within a so-called democratic system.
**Muwafaq Matar, Fatah revolutionary council member, on Fatah’s plan to legally pursue Egyptian businessman Najib Sweiri, for conspiracy against President Abbas and the Palestinian people
Q: Why is Fatah pursuing this man?
He offended our president. Speaking to Dream channel, he called President Abbas a ‘liar’ and this is a crime in media ethics. WE have the right to legally pursue him for slander of the president because of his status. And because he is the leader of Fatah, any member of Fatah has the right to sue him. I personally am planning to sue Sweiri. There will also be collective suits against him and against anyone who offends and insults the President and Fatah. This is an international gang, who we now know is being led by Mohammed Dahlan and is contributing to creating the exact atmosphere that came before the assassination of late President Yasser Arafat. Everyone should work to halt this gang and to return the money he stole from the people to give to others in order to have them attack the president and Fatah.
Q: When are you planning to sue?
The moment the general prosecution’s office opens its doors this morning, I will be in the prosecutor-general’s office. This is a promise. Fatah will also file a suit. And if we can file a suit in in Egypt’s judicial system, we will do that too.
**Fatah leader Nabil Shaath, on denying media reports saying that the leadership was reconsidering its recognition of a Jewish state
Q: Some media reports say you said after certain clarifications, the leadership may reconsider recognizing a Jewish state. Is this true?
First, this was not a statement, but part of a discussion I was having with 50 students from Harvard University. Half of the time, I was attacking the very idea of recognizing the Jewish state, saying this was the ideological justification for the Zionist rape of Palestine. I asked them if they would accept that we recognize the United States as a Christian country, a white state, etc. of course they said no. So, why should we? I said that we do not want Israel to recognize us as an Arab or Muslim or Christian state, just a Palestinian state. Then one student asked me: If they agreed to the right of return, withdrew from the West Bank, agreed to East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, etc. what would you do? I said that when we finish negotiations on all these things, we could then look into things. After all of these demands are fulfilled, the question is why would Israel still demand the Jewish character of Israel? Since this would not be to prevent the right of return for example. This is exactly what I said.
Q: Sources say the US is trying to develop a ‘working framework”, not even a framework agreement. Is it true that they are just looking for ways to extend the negotiations?
The Americans never offered us a framework agreement or talked to us about extending the negotiations. They are talking about the ‘painful concessions” we need to make. But we have already made all of the painful concessions possible while Israel has not made any, painful or otherwise. So, I don’t think there has been no real change in the negotiations reality as a result of the Washington meeting.
Q: Do you think there will be more pressures put on the leadership in the future to change their positions?
It’s very likely. The first pressure will be economic. President Abbas was honest when he told his people that this was possible but that we would face it together.
Q: Once again Neftali Bennet said the fourth batch of prisoners may not be released and no prisoners from inside the Green Line would be released. What will the Palestinian reaction be to this?
Their reaction will be to immediately go to the UN. We will not accept anything short of the release of all of these prisoners, including those whose homes are now inside Israel, in Lebanon, Jerusalem or the West Bank.
Q: Do you think the Palestinians could accept an extension on the negotiations?
We have not discussed this yet.
**Minister of foreign affairs Riyad Malki, on Prime Minister Hamdallah’s visit to Berlin to attend the steering committee meeting of the Palestinian-German ministerial committee
Q: What is the importance of this meeting? We heard there may be cooperation agreements signed
That is true. This joint steering committee was set up to discuss bilateral Palestinian-German issues and ways to develop this relationship. This is our third meeting. Germany is an important country in the EU and the world and are interested in developing our relationship with it. We will sign a group of agreements that were formulated in 2013 but were not signed at the time. Today they will be signed and the ministers will discuss new agreements. The agreements are for major projects, valued at $55 million.
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More Headlines
Netanyahu calls for positions holding the Palestinians responsible for the failure of the peace process
Haaretz reported yesterday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Knesset members and Ministers from the Likud Party not to issue any statements that might turn world opinion against Israel. Netanyahu, who spoke before a meeting of the Likud Knesset members, said that " Israel should show positive attitudes towards the peace process in the coming days, in order to make the world understand that the Palestinians are responsible for negotiations reaching a deadlock." Netanyahu answered a question by Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon whether Israel intends to release the fourth batch of Palestinian prisoners by the end of this month? Netanyahu replied: "it is clear to everyone who is against the peace process, and that these days demonstrate that the Palestinians who refuse to continue negotiations, and for their refusal we should show some willingness." (http://www.alquds.com/news/article/view/id/494526)
Occupation demolishes a house in Jerusalem
The Jerusalem Municipality bulldozers demolished today morning a house belonging to Jerusalemite Bedwan Al-Salaymeh, 53 years old, in Aqaba area in Wadi Al-Dam neighborhood in Beit Hanina, north of Jerusalem, on the pretext of building without a permit. The municipality demolished the house before several months, forcing the family to build a modest house (a shack) that does not require a license but the bulldozers surprised the family at town and demolished shack and displaced the Jerusalemite family. (http://www.raya.ps/ar/news/854459.html)
Erekat: no need for more negotiations
Member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization Dr. Saeb Erekat said yesterday that there is no need for further negotiations, saying that what is required now is making decisions. Erekat's remarks came during an "open dialogue" Symposium in Washington at the Woodrow Wilson Center, for the first time since the resumption of the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations. Erekat said that "the possibility of reaching a framework agreement by April 29 is possible, there is still time for reaching an agreement; we don't need further negotiate but it is decision-making time." (http://www.alquds.com/news/article/view/id/494516)
Palestinian shot dead south of Hebron
A young Palestinian was shot dead earlier today by the occupation army, during an attempt to cross the annexation wall into Israel, near Arab Al-Ramadin, south of Hebron. Ma’an reporter quoted security and medical sources as saying that Israeli soldier opened direct fire at Yousif Al-Shawamreh Abu Akr (19 years old)’ resident of Deir Al-Asal Al-Foqa village, south of Hebron, while he was attempting to cross the wall into Israel near Arab Al-Ramadin, resulting in his instant death. The reporter added that the Israeli occupation forces are still holding the martyr’s body, and that it will be handed over to his family during the coming hours. (http://maannews.net/arb/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=682800)
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Arab Press
Israel’s false excuse for not ending occupation
by Hasan Abu Nimah
One of the standard excuses Israeli officials use when asked to end their occupation of Arab territories occupied in 1967 is that their previous withdrawals, from Lebanon and Gaza for example, ended up exposing Israel to renewed dangers.
“Hardly anybody in Israel thinks that if we give territories now, we will get peace in return. We left Lebanon and Hizbollah grew stronger, ending in a war. We left Gaza and received a stronger Hamas and Kassam rockets. Israel is not suicidal and we are unlikely to try this strategy again in another place”.
This is a quote from a paper by Maj. Gen. Uzi Dayan, (February 13, 2007), titled “Israel’s deterrence after the second Lebanon war”.
But that has been a typical Israeli response, though devoid of any validity, to any demand that the occupation of the West Bank — assuming Gaza is liberated — is a basic requirement for settling the Israeli-Palestinian conflict peacefully.
In reviewing the recent past, one finds, deeply buried under layers of propaganda and fact distortion, the bitter reality that Israel did not voluntarily leave Gaza and Lebanon.
The Israeli occupation of Gaza, which lasted from 1967 until 2005, turned unbearably burdensome. The Israeli prime minister at the time, Ariel Sharon, decided to withdraw the Gaza settlers and, rather than end the occupation, change its nature to make it more caustic and punitive to the occupied, but at a lower cost to the occupier.
The Gaza Strip was one of the many other Arab territories Israeli forces occupied in the 1967 war. It was targeted for Israeli colonial expansion in the same manner as the West Bank, Sinai and the Syrian Golan Heights. Israel started building Jewish settlements in all those occupied areas in full defiance of international law.
The Sharon “disengagement plan”, which was supported, and indeed rewarded, by US president George Bush, was deemed inevitable by Sharon because it became rather impossible to sustain the existence of about 7,500 Jewish settlers in 21 highly guarded Jewish settlements, surrounded by a hostile population of about 1.5 million Palestinians, most of them refugees from other parts of occupied Palestine, in a narrow, 140-square-mile strip of land.
Although the settlers had a large occupation army to protect them, they barely felt secure. And in comparison with the wretched life of the Arab natives in the most densely populated spot on earth around them, their luxurious lifestyle was an additional cause of acrimony.
Because the Israelis were forced to abandon that precious coastal strip under pressure from the local population, the last thing Sharon wanted to do was to make the disengagement a gift for the Palestinians.
He did indeed intend to rescue the settlers, but at the same time, he wanted to punish the Palestinians for not making the life of the Gaza Jewish colonists and of the occupation forces protecting them tenable.
The settlers were withdrawn and compensated generously. To appease the Zionist settler community, Sharon promised that the territory abandoned in Gaza would be compensated by expansion in the West Bank.
The evacuated settlements in Gaza were all destroyed, leaving their debris for the Palestinians to clear.
Israel preferred to pay the cost of destruction rather than leave the evacuated homes for the Palestinians to use. That was one form of punishment.
The greater punishment, though, was in putting Gaza under a tight siege from the sea, air and land, not only from the Israeli side, but also from the Egyptian side, where Israel actually had no right to impose similar closure on the only land border separating Gaza from Egypt, in Rafah.
But Israel insisted that the Rafah crossing should be placed under its control by remote surveillance cameras and with the help of European monitors who were placed at that crossing point to implement defined crossing rules and report to the Israeli authorities.
Only subsistence-level supplies were allowed into Gaza. The siege was routinely tightened to harden the punishment every time the occupier deemed the behaviour of the besieged unruly.
Since then, Gaza has not only been under siege, but under attack as well. It is hard to find a precedent in recent history for what has been happening to Gaza and its people.
In 2008-2009, Israel waged a massive invasion on Gaza, Operation Cast Lead, where life was returned to the Stone Age through vast, indiscriminate destruction and where there was great loss of innocent life.
Yes, from Gaza they did fire rockets at Israel, rockets that rarely caused casualties, and the resistance did once capture an Israeli soldier from among those who were manning the siege, but that was part of the Gazans’ response to constant attack and permanent siege.
The self-defence instinct is a feature of every living creature, including the inhabitants of Gaza.
Are they required to just submit to the cruel and the unjust punishment and do nothing, or maybe send their occupiers flowers, expressing appreciation for what befell them?
And even if the Israeli claim that Gaza was evacuated can be taken at face value, the West Bank and East Jerusalem were still under occupation.
The Palestinians, therefore, in Gaza or elsewhere were not to be expected to consider the withdrawal from Gaza as the end of the story.
For a state of total peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis to prevail, the entire dispute should be resolved and the entire occupation should end.
The same can be said about south Lebanon.
In May 2000, Israel was forced, under the pressure from Lebanese resistance, to abandon in haste a 12-mile strip along the entire southern Lebanese border that it had kept under its army control since 1982.
But, again, some Lebanese territory has remained in Israeli hands and it still is today. That was enough reason to keep the dispute with Lebanon unresolved.
Israel renewed the attack on Lebanon in 2006, causing massive death and destruction. The border remains tense with threats, skirmishes and unresolved territorial issues.
Lebanon insists on liberating land in Kfar Shuba, Shebaa Farms and the Ghajar village from Israeli occupation.
Until that happens, and until Israel agrees to end its occupation of Lebanese land as well, it will be hard to expect peace there.
Since it was created, Israel was never attacked by Lebanon. Only when Israel waged total war on that peaceful neighbouring country, in 1982, and its invading forces marched as far north as the Lebanese capital Beirut, was the Lebanese resistance started.
Israel cannot sow the seeds of war and perpetual conflict and expect to harvest peace.
That is exactly what has been happening all along. The rockets Israel keeps complaining about are part of a dangerous game that Israel insists on playing. There would be no rockets or other forms of hostility if Israel agreed to end its occupation and recognise the rights of its neighbours.
Peace breeds peace, war breeds war.(http://jordantimes.com/israels-false-excuse-for-not-ending-occupation)
Onus falls on Obama
The Daily Star Editorial
After U.S. President Barack Obama and his Palestinian counterpart, Mahmoud Abbas, met Monday, the former said it was time to make some tough political decisions. But to whom was he speaking?
As chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said Tuesday, no one has more to gain from the success of peace talks than the Palestinians, and similarly, no one has more to lose should they fail.
Like countless presidents and administrations before him, Obama is trying desperately to carve out a peace deal. But more than 60 years after the creation of the state of Israel, we are no closer to a resolution of the countless issues hindering the birth of a Palestinian state.
And as the years have passed, the Israelis have continued to treat the so-called Middle East peace process as a luxury, almost as if they are doing the Palestinians a favor by even attending, simultaneously building more settlements on occupied land and further curtailing and exhausting the rights and resources of Palestine and its people.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry set April as the deadline for implementing a “framework” for peace. But this seems as unachievable as ever, now that Israel has decided to introduce yet another condition for talks: The Palestinians must recognize Israel as a “Jewish state.” As if all the previous concessions Palestine made have not been enough; were it to achieve statehood today, it would be on land representing only 22 percent of its original territory.
For too long, the Palestinians have patiently waited on the U.S. and its attempts at brokering peace. Now is the time to tell Obama that the only tough decisions which have to be made are by him.(http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Opinion/Editorial/2014/Mar-19/250657-onus-falls-on-obama.ashx#axzz2wOWRcoCT)
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Opinions
OPINIONS__________________________________________________
Abbas and Dahlan
By Mohammed Kreishan
This is unbelievable! That is, the string of accusations and curses coming out of former security leader Mohammed Dahlan against President Mahmoud Abbas. The conversation has stooped lower than anything the Palestinian arena has witnessed in decades, not only between two rivalry Fatah members – including the famous split that took place in 1983 – but even between Fatah and any of its bitter rivals from other movements, both leftist and Islamic.
It is not important to delve into these accusations being made by the former security chief, or even repeat them, especially if one cannot confirm or deny their validity and because politics gets mixed up with security and financial matters as well. What is important is to ponder the pathetic state at which the Palestinian cause has arrived, not only because of the brute force of the enemy and the unfavorable Arab and international conditions, but because there are officials in place that do not hesitate to ‘hang up their dirty laundry’ in such a sensational way. It is enough that we take a quick look at the initial reaction on social media sites after Dahlan’s interview on an Egyptian channel to realize the scope of resentment and even the disgust, among Palestinians, especially towards the condition that some of their politicians have reached at a time when they are in a very difficult place due to the occupation, the continued political split, the tragedies of refugees in Syria and Lebanon, among others.
It is also not important to linger over what Dahlan said about Sisi or Mursi, about Turkey, Qatar or any other issue on which he gave his opinions from that certain well-known angle, in the context of this sharp polarization that includes everyone. This is within his rights just as it is the right of anyone who opposes his opinion. This is not the issue. What the issue really is, is: what personal gain can ‘Abu Fadi” [Dahlan] have from his vicious attack on Abu Mazen? Not to mention of course, the question of what benefit could be reaped by the ‘cause’ from such lowly name-calling.
Let’s assume that President Abbas did make the mistake of slandering Dahlan in a public speech which was picked up by the media. And let’s assume that, of course it is within Dahlan’s rights to respond and to defend himself. Was it appropriate that he did so with such verbosity and such vengeance? Was it wise for a politician, much less a former security man, to step out of his place and begin ‘firing’ at another politician? Not to mention that this politician is the head of Fatah, the PLO and the future state without even the least bit of contemplation or calculation in choosing his words? What’s worse, this is all going on while the man is being subject to a vicious attack by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and from more than one Israeli extremist circle under the pretext that he is refusing to recognize a Jewish state along with other unjust Israeli conditions. Abbas is being threatened, even as he visits Washington with hopes much like those of late President Yasser Arafat.
For the record, Dahlan’s seeming praise for Arafat was not the case when the man was alive, even during his most trying hours when he was being besieged in his headquarters. This is not a matter of defending Abu Mazen. The man is surrounded by people who are in a better position and better equipped to do this. This is about the need to uphold the minimum level of consideration for manners and ethics and to move as far away from these immoralities as possible, especially if those in politics take into consideration, even a bit, the need to maintain a ‘return path’, however tenuous.
One last point: is it not noteworthy that Dahlan’s attack was launched from Cairo, where Egypt’s strongman Abdel Fattah Sisi recently received Abbas and urged him in vain according to media sources, to reconcile with Dahlan, who is currently residing in the UAE? There is no point reminding Dahlan of the description given to him by former Egyptian president Husni Mubarak years ago when his name was mentioned in front of him. (http://www.alquds.co.uk/?p=145028)
Palestine…. chaos is at its doors
By Mustapha Ibrahim
It is sad to see the silence we harbor, as does the PLO executive committee and the national and Islamic factions, which are all incapable of denouncing the national, political and ethical scandals that have taken over the Palestinians. But it is not only about scandals and disgrace. This situation has reached the point of accusations of treason, but still we have not heard the voice of one wise man, whether from Fatah or from other factions or any of their secretary generals.
All of this chaos explains the absence of Palestinian institutions and the principle of distancing oneself from national issues, instead participating in only deepening the state of misgivings, chaos, cowardice and fear. None of those mentioned above even have the ability to go out to the people and to say: “enough of these farces, which have reached the point of black comedy.”
We have not heard any voices from any Palestinian officials that explains this, whether because of gloating, fear or escape from facing this downward spiral, or whether because some actually agree to the disintegration and destruction of Fatah. Saying “enough” is not interference in other’s affairs like the principle espoused by the President to not interfere in Arab affairs. What is happening in the Palestinian arena and in Fatah is not just a Fatah affair.
All of this prompts us to ask the following questions: have be begun to manage the wars of others by proxy, over the remains of whatever is left of our cause in order to destroy ourselves and our national project, thus orbiting in private agendas and new/old axes that have been reshaped in the region? Have we become tools for their own projects and for their defense and the defense of their regimes in the face of Arab revolutions? We are in desperate need to renew revolution over revolution and to rise up in the face of what is being planned for us.
Years ago, we got ourselves into alliances and external agendas and relationship. Some parties tried to conclude the battle prematurely and failed. However, we failed as well and we are still suffering from that failure and have drowned in this dangerous split. Our focus is still on the outside rather than internally and instead of protecting ourselves and strengthening our steadfastness to continue resisting the occupation and its plans for elimination, we continue to pay the price for our mistakes that we made and are still making.
The Palestinian people have entered into a stage of ‘bone-breaking’. Perhaps the picture has become clearer now in light of the open war between President Abu Mazen and Mohammed Dahlan, especially if the right and wise decision is not taken to put an end to this and to find real solutions to this belittling of the people and the cause.
No matter who succeeds the President , we are still facing a state of chaos and blood in Fatah and in Palestinian society in light of this stage of searching for an ‘heir’ and attempts to divide Fatah and break it up, whether purposely or not - -or also through some regional and international approaches, first and foremost Israel. The conflicts will continue and nothing will stop them. The situation will only get worse within Fatah, which has control over the West Bank and has so far gained international and Arab legitimacy.
None of this will save us now or in the future, neither will it halt the dangers facing the Palestinians. Each side of the split is happy in their territory of control and authority. Hamas controls the Gaza Strip and Israel is happy with that, encouraging it in every which way. Fatah is controlling the West Bank and is happy with what is has now. Israel feeds into all of this even though the danger to Fatah’s future and existence still stands. What is happening now is only speeding up the process of collapse.
The Palestinians’ silence over this split and the deterioration to their cause has gone on for too long and has brought them to a deep state of frustration. Chaos is at the doors and they have no other choice but to accept those who rule them in the absence of any prospects for reconciliation and the ability to choose their representatives. The people are also unable to replace any of the parties for fear of who will come in their place. The people of Gaza now look with concern at what is happening, but in spite of the bad situation now, perhaps they would prefer to maintain the status quo in fear of the darker alternative.
The President must be aware of this danger and stop using the excuse that elections are the only solution. Palestine and the Palestinian cause are not the West Bank and Gaza. The danger is threatening all Palestinians wherever they are. If no solution is put in place now, we will never be able to muster up the strength to continue the path towards ending the occupation and reaching independence. (http://www.amin.org/articles.php?t=opinion&id=23563)
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