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Dec. 5, 2013
Daily summary - Thursday, December 05, 2013
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Main News
Kerry arrives in Tel Aviv to discuss the Iranian nuclear file and negotiations
US Secretary of State, John Kerry, arrived today to Tel Aviv to discuss the Iranian nuclear file and the peace process.Kerry is expected to meet today with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem to discuss the Iranian nuclear file and push the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations.He then will travel to Ramallah to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to discuss the latest developments in the negotiations.Haaretz said Kerry is expected to present a plan concerning security arrangements to be followed in the West Bank in the framework of a permanent settlement.(http://maannews.net/arb/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=654318)
Washington offers Israel security arrangements to apply in the West Bank after the establishment of a Palestinian State
Haaretz reported according to informed sources, that a US diplomat, that the United States will present to Israel a plan dealing with security arrangements in the West Bank, after the establishment of a Palestinian State.The plan, developed by General John Allen, former Commander of coalition forces in Afghanistan, the Special Adviser to the Secretary of Defense for the Middle East, will be presented Thursday during a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Secretary of State John Kerry.And a senior official in the Foreign Ministry, accompanying Kerry on his trip, confirmed that the Foreign Minister and General Allen "will provide an updated assessment on the security of Israel" during a meeting with Netanyahu on Thursday morning. The US diplomat noted that "Foreign Minister devoted much time to these effort,and works very close with Allen and his team." Haaretz said that "the Americans concluded that Netanyahu would not accept progress in other files, such as the borders of the future state of Palestine, without security arrangements."(http://www.alquds.com/news/article/view/id/476569)
Worshippers fail attempts by settlers to enter Temple Menorah to Al-Aqsa; Jewish groups demand appointing a Rabbi for Al-Aqsa
Al-Aqsa Foundation for Waqf and Heritage revealed demands made by the alleged "Temple" organization of Israeli Ministers and the Prime Minister to appoint a Rabbi at Al Aqsa Mosque, and install a Jewish Menorahmonument above the dome of the rock and light it. The foundation said that the demand was issued 8 months ago, and it was not officially answered. In another statement, the Foundation said that settlers and members of the Temple organization failed yesterday for the second day in a row to enter the temple Menorahto Al Aqsa Mosque. The foundation praised worshippers and Al-Aqsa guards and Palestinian Jerusalemites who were inside the mosque and failed a mass storming of the mosque. (Al-Hayat Al-
Jadida)
Settlers execute dozens of olive trees east of Ramallah
Extreme settlers smashed and uprooted dozens of olive trees in the village of Abu Falah northeast of Ramallah yesterday. Local sources reported that settlers attacked the archaeological region “Sea’” east of the Village, and smashed and uprooted many olive trees owned by a number of villagers including: Nser Mubarak, Attia Al-Zubaidi, Lutfi Al-Zubaidi and Ziad Al-A’raj. (http://safa.ps/details/news/117524/%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B7%D9%86%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%8A%D8%B9%D8%AF%D9%85%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%B9%D8%B4%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A3%D8%B4%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B2%D9%8A%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%82-%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%87.html)
Diskin: the conflict with the Palestinians is more dangerous than Iran's nuclear
Formerhead, Shabak, Yuval Diskin, attackedNetanyahu's position on the subject of Iran, saying that resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is even more vital for the future of Israel.Diskin said in a recent Conference on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the launching of the Geneva initiative, "we should reach an agreement today before we reach the point of no return, the situation is very tense and do not know from where the expulsion will come.” Diskin criticized Netanyahu's release of prisoners, and linking it to construction in the settlements, where he described the decision as disgusting and ridiculous because it is known that release comes at the end of a conflict not at the beginning of the negotiations.” Diskin continued: "The situation in the West Bank is very serious, the young generation feels despair and has no future, and hundreds of thousands of young Palestinians grew up under Israeli occupation bitterly and now they are angry and bereaved of hope and looking for someone to explode in his face."(http://safa.ps/details/news/117523/%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%B3%D9%83%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B9-%D9%85%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B7%D9%8A%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%B7%D8%B1-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D9%88%D9%88%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A.html)
After being detained at Howara checkpoint, occupation uses journalists to train its soldiers on inspection
Occupation army used a group of journalists and students of Bir Zeit University, to train its soldiers on inspection, after being detained at Howara checkpoint east of Nablus Wednesday night.Photojournalist Samer Nazalsaid the Israeli soldiers stopped a bus of journalists and students, who were returning from the Jordan Valley, and ordered everyone to get off the bus, and they insultinglyphysically searched the journalists. Nazal said that it was clear that the soldiers were training in inspection procedures, pointing out that the verbal altercations took place between them and the soldiers, who have dealt with them in vulgar way, and that they were held under the rain for more than an and a half hours. Journalist Shireen Abu Hamdeh, said that the soldiers used swear words, prompting one of the students of to insult them, then the soldiers demanded an apology to allow the journalists to pass, but journalists and students refused to this provocation and apologizing.(http://wattan.tv/ar/news/81243.html)
Violent clashes in the African community neighborhood in Jerusalem
Violent clashes broke out yesterday between young Jerusalemites and the occupation police in the African community neighborhood in the old city of Jerusalem, during which dozens of people were injured of tear gas. Residents of neighborhood adjacent to Al-Aqsa Mosquetold “Quds.net” in a telephone conversation that "at 9: 00 pm we were surprised by a large force of occupation soldiers storming the neighborhood amid throwing sound bombs and tear gas without knowing what the reasons are."One resident said "then citizens came out and were surprised by throwing grenades towards children and women, then young men started throwing stones at soldiers and burning tires to prevent soldiers from entering the neighborhood, and violent clashes broke out.” (http://qudsnet.com/news/View/259335/%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%B1-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AC%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%B9%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%81%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%AD%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%AF%D8%B3/)
President Abbas receives Indyk
President Mahmoud Abbas received US envoy Martin Indyk, yesterday evening, at the presidential headquarters in Ramallah. During the meeting the two discussed the latest developments of the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations, and preparation for President Abbas’ meeting with John Kerry today. (Al-Ayyam)
The European Union denies linking PA aid to negotiations
The European Union denied yesterday any intention to cut aid for the Palestinians in case of failure of the current peace negotiations with Israel, sponsored by the United States.This came in statement by the spokesperson of the high representative for security and foreign policy of the European Union Catherine Ashton, who confirmed in a statement to Italian news Agency (Aki), saying "we not announce this, and it is not on the table for discussion". The spokesperson added: "The European Union continues to strongly support the peace talks as the best way to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and achieve security and stability in the region."(Al-Ayyam)
Analysts: international pressure on Israel proved its effectiveness with the signing of the agreement on Iran's nuclear
Analysts said the signing of an agreement between Iran and major powers on Tehran's nuclear program despite the objections of Israel, in addition to Israeli settlement with the European Union that excludes settlements of scientific cooperation agreement, proves effectiveness of pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.(Al-Ayyam)
Human Rights organizations demand Israel to stop demolishing Palestinian homes and deporting them
36 human rights organizations demanded, yesterday, Israeli occupation, to immediately halt all demolitions of Palestinian houses in the areas under its control in the West Bank.The organizations said in a joint statement, "since the resumption of the peace process in July (2013), Israel demolished 208 houses and Palestinian buildings in the West Bank, leading to the displacement of 311 Palestinians, more than half of them children."The statement noted that "such demolitions in areas under Israeli control (" area C ", which constitute 60% of the West) led to the eviction of Palestinian families from their communities and lands, increasing its poverty and the need for humanitarian assistance."(Al-Ayyam)
Bank of Israel former Governor: Israel is not looking forward for peace, Religious Jews double their size each 17 years and Arabs each 22 years
Former Governor of the Bank of Israel, Stanly Fisher, said that Israel is not looking forward for peace, and it is torn “between those who want settlements and those who look forward for peace.” Haaretz reported yesterday that Fisher expressed this rare public criticism the day before yesterday, in special study day at the Law and Security Center in the Law institute of the New York University, entitled: “a look from inside Israel”. (Al-Quds)
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Headlines
** Hamas: Egyptian accusations aim at justifying the siege on Gaza (Al-Ayyam)
** Completing the last section of the border fence between Israel and Egypt (Al-Ayyam)
** Shock and disappointment from French experts report on the causes of Arafat's death (Al-Ayyam)
** Three Palestinian women from inside the green lineroba jewelry shop in Jenin (Al-Ayyam)
** Teachers' Union suspends strike starting from Sunday and stop their protests after their demands were met (Al-Ayyam)
** Young man injured in the Aida refugee camp seriously Injured (Al-Ayyam)
** Hezbollah announced the assassination of one of its commanders close to Nasrallah, and hold Israel responsible (Al-Ayyam)
** A citizens died in a traffic accident at Beit Kahel Bridge (Al-Quds)
** “Al-Arabiya” thanks the President for his efforts in freeing its correspondent in Islamabad (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
** Arresting gang which forges money and documents in Yatta and Al-Dahreye (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
** The Egyptian army thwarts attempt of militants from Gaza bombing of explode towers in Rafah (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
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Front Page Photos
Al- Quds:Beirut – Funeral of Hassan Al-Qeisy, Hezbollah leader.
Al-Ayyam:Lebanon – two young Lebanese hold a picture of Hezbollah leader Hassan Al-Qeisy during his funeral in Balbak.
Al Hayat Al Jadida:1) Hundreds of employees demonstrate in front of the General Attorney office in Ramallah, before teachers’ union announced suspension of the strike, 2) Lebanese in Hassan Al-Qeisy’s funeral in Balbak.
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Voice of Palestine News
Jerusalem: Last night in the Old City near Bab Al Majlis near the Aqsa Mosque, Israeli special forces broke into homes in the African community quarter, attacking homes and hitting men and women. They arrested the brother of the head of the Prisoners’ Club in Jerusalem. Four people, including two women, were injured during the clashes. Confrontations ensued in the entire Wad region of the Old City after settlers provoked them during their march, wreaking havoc in the quarters.
In the Aqsa Mosque, new confrontations broke out between Israeli soldiers and Palestinians, who foiled an attempt by Temple Mount Faithful followers who tried to bring a menorah into the Aqsa. Palestinian ID cards were withheld at the gates and its owners were told they would be banned from entering the Aqsa for a period ranging between one to two weeks.
Update: A group of settlers broke in this morning into the Aqsa, provoking the worshippers. Clashes ensured and firecrackers were lobbed at the Israeli police. Right now, they are surrounding dozens of youths in the Qibali mosque after being pursued by the police.
Inside the Green Line: Minors were arrested inside the Green Line and Israeli police said in a statement that anyone who participated in the protests against the Prawer plan in the Negev will be pursued and arrested based on security cameras. Yesterday, 11 minors were remanded, 9 who are under 18. The other two were remanded until December 11. According to the police, 30 policemen were wounded in the confrontations at the entrance to the Qura village. Today, a demonstration has been organized in Beer Sabe’ to protest the police behavior against Palestinians on the Day of Rage on November 30. On Saturday, there is a huge demonstration scheduled in Kufr Kanna as well and another move on December 15 similar to the Day of Rage.
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Voice of Palestine Interviews
**Qadurra Fares, head of the Prisoners’ Club, on the transfer of administrative detainees
Q:Is there anything new regarding the Israeli decision to transfer detainees from Ofer to the Negev prison?
These are expected oppressive measures after the prisoners went on strike. It is typical – whenever there are protests, instead of looking into the issue and trying to find solutions, they desperately try to break the will of the prisoners. Then after all of their oppressive measures, they come back to the table to negotiate. They always think these measures will make the prisoners back down, which is an illusion. It never works.
Q: Do you think this time it may have an effect on them?
Definitely not. All of the administrative detainees have a long experience in Israeli jails and there are a big number of detainees on strike now, which means it is much harder for the prison services to cause confusion among them.
Q: What are their demands?
They only have one demand, which is to reconsider the administrative detention law. Either Israel cancels it, or they sit with the prisoners and modify this law, or at least the prisoner should know when he will be released. This is the toughest part on detainees – not knowing when they will be released when they are under administrative detention.
**Mahmoud Khalifeh, deputy minister of information, on Israeli attacks on journalists at the Huwwara checkpoint
Q: What happened yesterday with the journalists after the solidarity campaign in Jiftlik?
There was a group of journalists organized by us and the journalists’ syndicate that took a tour in the Jiftlik and Jordan Valley region. When they returned and were at the Huwwara checkpoint, an Israeli jeep stopped their bus and ordered all of the journalists out. They made them drop to the ground and started crack down on them, using bad language. They are showing that they have no interest in being civilized but we also insist that we will do our jobs and work in the field to expose these measures to the world.
Q: What can the journalists to do further expose these violations they are subjected to by Israeli forces?
There are three things we can do, which we started yesterday: the first approach is through the international journalists union, which we called on to take on their role; second, to follow up this issue with international human rights organizations, it is time that they also take an active role counter these violations; third, is to work through our Arab brothers so we can put pressure at the UN level. We cannot accept that the occupation freely continues with its oppressive and racist role and measures against us. If journalists are subjected to this, it only shows just how bad it is for regular citizens.
**Arab MK Talab Abu Arar, on moves to counter the Prawer plan
Q:You are calling on the Israeli government to form a neutral committee to look into the plan after Israeli claims that there are some Arabs who agree to the Prawer plan. Can you further clarify?
In light of this plan Israel is also waging a campaign to convince public opinion that the Arabs agree to this plan. We want the truth and facts to come out and expose the lies of the government, especially Begin, who penned this law along with Prawer. The committee should be comprised of the opposition, the coalition and representative of the Arab community. Ultimately, we want to make them renege on this plan and to stop spreading these lies.
This has become an international issue and on the ground, there are protests everywhere. It will not pass. It may pass in the Knesset, but on the ground it will not pass.
**PLO Executive Committee member and head of the negotiating team Saeb Erekat, on Kerry’s visit to the region and news that he has a plan for Israeli security post-Palestinian state
We have no idea nor have we been informed of any security plan. AS I said before, 95% of Israel’s negotiating behavior depends on things outside of the negotiations. And here we go again: Kerry has a plan; Kerry doesn’t have a plan; what is the plan? Etc. We spend all of our time making statements about whether there is a plan or not. Kerry is coming tomorrow and if he has something up his sleeve, he will say. But I find it highly unlikely that he does.
Q: But in spite of everything, do you think the American administration has any ideas in terms of a final solution and borders?
No, I don’t think so. The negotiations are going through some very bad obstacles because of Israeli settlements and unilateral moves and even the terms of reference. The peace process needs saving from Israel’s measures. This is what we hope Kerry will do. There are killings happening in cold blood, house demolitions, settlements, etc. That is what Kerry should do, stop this.
Q: What will the leadership ask Kerry to do in terms of stopping these Israeli atrocities and salvaging the peace process?
By obligating Israel to halt all of these measures. They can do that. Israel is not above the law, and if it is treated this way, this is a problem for the international community.
Q: After the resignation of the negotiating team because of Israel’s measures, do you think this message was heard by the United States?
Our resignation was not a message to anyone. It is still in effect and it is the resignation of individuals. We could not tolerate any longer in the face of these Israeli measures; we hope the President accepts this resignation. We have done all we can.
Q: So what will change if you are replaced?
That is not the point. We resigned like anyone else. If you don’t like your work, you resign. It’s as simple as that. This is a personal decision. Perhaps there are people more qualified than us to do the job. We are not “caretakers” of the negotiations. I will remain head of the team until I am replaced.
Q: We heard that the latest negotiating sessions have been full of tension. Is that true?
I have read in several Palestinian and Israeli media about this, saying there are talks. The last time there was a negotiating session was on November 5. We have not had any other sessions. There are ‘contacts’ but no negotiations.
Q: What about the European threat to possibly halt financial aid to the PA [according to Israeli media sources] if the peace process does not yield the desired results?
Like you said this is from Israeli media sources, so they have their own agenda. Once they even accused me of having a relationship with an Israeli official. This is what they do. Europe has made their stances clear. Only one European country voted against Palestine becoming an observer state, which was the Czech Republic. The rest either abstained or voted with us. They also passed a decision for specific guidelines for settlement products. So they have a clear position.
Q: Can you confirm the news that Israel decided to transfer 20,000 dunams of land in Area C to the Palestinians for the purpose of economic projects?
I cannot confirm anything. It is not about this or that step. The main point in all of this is ending the occupation. That is the goal of the negotiations, with the establishment of a Palestinian state.
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More Headlines
Storming Al-Aqsa courtyards and trapping surrounding at Al-Qibly mosque
Israeli Special Forces stormed, the Al-Aqsa Mosque today morning, and surrounded worshippers in Al-Qibly mosque. Eyewitnesses told “Ma’an” that a group of settlers led by extremist Jew Yehuda Glick "stormed Al-Aqsa from Bab Al-Magharebah, guarded by police, and were faced by worshippers the special forces of the police and intelligence stormed Al-Aqsa courtyards and surrounded worshippers in Al-Qibly mosque.” (http://maannews.net/arb/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=654330)
Lieberman attacks the PA and say it looks for excuses to evade peace
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman launched a new attack on the Palestinian leadership and described it as hostile to Israel, and does not want to reach a real peace with Israel. Lieberman said after his meeting with the Secretary-General of the United Nations in New York that the Palestinians are trying to evade peace negotiations through focusing on settlements and describing them as an obstacle, at a time when settlements are 1.5% of the Palestinian territories and therefore could not constitute an obstacle. (http://www.pnn.ps/index.php/israel/74891-)
Shtayyeh: wide gaps make a compromise impossible
Negotiator Palestinian who resigned recently, Mohammed Shtayyeh, said that “large gaps make it impossible to reach a peace agreement." Shtayyeh, senior advisor to the President, said he believes US mediation is unbalanced and tend to favor Israel, and the international powers should join the talks. Shtayyeh added that he resigned from the negotiations team a month ago because of Israeli acceleration of settlement construction. (http://paltimes.net/details/news/54058/.html)
Maariv: Jordan pressures the US to keep the Valley under Israeli control
Maariv said today that Israel intends to use Jordan to persuade the United States to agree to keep the Jordan Valley area under Israeli security control. Maariv quoted an Israeli political source as saying that Amman is pressing Washington to accept Israeli security demands, which will also protect Jordan. (http://www.amad.ps/ar/?Action=Details&ID=7307)
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Arab Press
Taking me to court won’t stop BDS
By Jake Lynch
This week in Australia’s Federal Court I am defending my right not to participate in institutional arrangements with Israeli higher education, in response to the call by Palestinian civil society for an academic and cultural boycott.
The application for a judgment against me under Australian anti-discrimination laws was made by an Israeli law center, Shourat HaDin, which has links with Israel’s National Security Council and the Mossad.
I have support from thousands of activists worldwide, along with the governing council of the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Sydney, which I direct. The strategic aim of the boycott is to end impunity for Israeli militarism and lawlessness. There are other countries that kill civilians in military action; occupy territory recognized as not their own; stockpile nuclear weapons without joining the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and systematically discriminate in breach of the UN Convention on the crime of apartheid. Only one country does all four. The Palestinians pay the immediate price, but the damage goes much wider. When such an egregious offender suffers no consequences for these breaches, any attempt to uphold international rules is beset with claims of double standards.
Governments are reluctant to criticize Israel, let alone propose any action against it. The Abbott government has even sided with the extreme pro-Israeli fringe of world political opinion, in denying the illegality of the occupation — the equivalent of its denial of human-induced climate change.
Israel’s reflex recourse to violence becomes a cost-free option without diplomatic pressure. Alternative responses, such as bringing forward plans to dismantle illegal settlements on Palestinian land, seem risky and uncertain by comparison. Peace advocates stand no chance in political debate. To even things up, we have to take action in civil society, through the growing global movement for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS).
Israeli universities are deeply complicit with the occupation. The governing board of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem is chaired by Michael Federmann, who is also chairman of Elbit Systems, Israel’s biggest arms manufacturer. It accredits military training courses, and part of its Mount Scopus campus is built on land confiscated from its rightful Palestinian owners.
The Technion University, Haifa, also has extensive links with the military and the arms industry, and it houses the Samuel Neaman Institute, which produced a report on “public diplomacy” for Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This identifies “educational institutions” as “beneficial clients” for efforts to sanitize Israel’s image abroad.
Academic research is promoted as a way of distracting from the treatment of the Palestinians. Just as there was no non-political way to play sport with South Africa under white minority rule, so there is no non-political way to engage in institutional cooperation with Israeli universities. We can either decide to cooperate in exploitation, or take a stand.
The University of Sydney operates funded fellowship schemes that pay for academics from the Hebrew and Technion universities to spend time in Australia, and Sydney colleagues to go to them. When my center adopted the boycott policy, I wrote to Vice Chancellor Michael Spence, asking for these schemes to be revoked.
A year ago, I was approached by Prof. Dan Avnon of the Hebrew University, to ask my permission to use my name on his application form for one of these fellowships. I refused, referring to the boycott policy.
It is on this basis that I am now being taken to court. All five applicants for a judgment against me are from Israel — none are from Australia. It is a class action but Avnon himself has not joined it, and neither has any local pro-Israel group. The Executive Council for Australian Jewry, for example, issued a statement urging the issues to be debated in public instead.
The solicitor who drafted the application told the ABC’s Leigh Sales that “Prof. Dan Avnon was boycotted because he was Israeli and Jewish.” But it would have made no difference if he were a Buddhist from Bendigo. The boycott is aimed at the scheme, not the individual. Claims that our policy is anti-Semitic are refuted by the stream of successful events we have held in recent years with prominent Jewish and Israeli speakers, including Prof. Ilan Pappe and Rabbi Michael Lerner.
Public opinion surveys, in Europe and elsewhere, show the more informed people are about the Israel-Palestine conflict, the more likely they will sympathize with the Palestinians. This shift is reflected in political process, as shown in voting patterns at the UN General Assembly. European Union countries that traditionally abstain on motions about the occupation are now voting more decisively — in favor of according Palestine the status of “non-member observer state,” for example. That explains the present wave of attempts to stifle debate, of which the court case is one. They are designed to instill fear and hold back potential support. A successful outcome will dispel that fear and strengthen the boycott movement. And that will promote the prospects for peace with justice, for Palestinians and Israelis alike.(http://www.arabnews.com/news/487641)
Good move, but…
Jordan Times Editorial
Israel just moved, at last, to address the working conditions of Palestinians employed by Israelis, by applying its labour laws on them as well.
This proves that for all the past years of Israeli occupation, Palestinians working for Israelis in the West Bank were denied their rights.
Now, under the new ruling, Palestinian workers will receive the same treatment, in theory at least, as Israeli workers with regard to minimum wage, maternity leave, working hours and vacation time.
Internationally, minimum wages means a sum that should be sufficient to secure an adequate standard of living for workers and their families.
Of course, there is a snag in this otherwise welcome news. The Israeli ministry of justice now claims that it cannot apply the new law to Palestinian workers by the deadline prescribed by the recent ruling, which falls on January 1, 2014, because it, allegedly, has no way of determining who the Palestinian workers affected by the new ordinance are.
It further says that Palestinian workers should themselves bring their complaints to the appropriate Israeli authorities when their labour rights are infringed upon, instead of relying on Israel to monitor their working conditions in the West Bank.
To do so, Palestinian workers need to be made aware of their rights under the Israeli labour law.
This should not be too difficult, given the fact that before Palestinians are hired for work, they have to go through the minutest investigation and background checks, meaning Israel can easily keep a tally on them if it wants to.
If these workers are not aware of the ruling, they will continue to work in slave-like conditions because Israeli occupation authorities seem all too eager and willing to circumvent the law giving them equal rights with Jewish labourers.
What’s the use of a good piece of legislation if it is not applied?(http://jordantimes.com/good-move-but)
Why was Arafat killed?
By Hatem Bazian
On November 7, Raanan Gissin commented on the instructions given by the then PM Ariel Sharon in 2002, to the effect that "everything [must] be done to ensure that Arafat... was not killed by our soldiers," the statement is correct but also misleading as to Israel's responsibility for Arafat's death. The Swiss team has concluded that polonium 210 was the weapon and in Francois Bochud's words the "results reasonably support the poisoning theory." Although recent French medical reports suggested otherwise and that he died of natural causes, yet we are left to ponder the reasons and the hands that carried out the murder not whether it was a murder. The question is why and what interests were served by killing Arafat?
Oslo, Arafat and ending the PLO
To understand the decision-making process that led to Arafat's murder, we must go back to the events that culminated into the Oslo Accords; the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin; and the political re-emergence of Sharon after a prolonged absence which was the final nail in the "peace process coffin". From the beginning of the "peace process", Israel's leadership moved to create "facts on the ground" in an attempt to prejudice final negotiations and to strengthen the hold of settlers in the West Bank.
Israel had a deep mistrust of Arafat and the PLO. It attempted to eliminate both in the past. For Arafat, the engagement in peace negotiations was a strategic decision taken at a time of changing regional and global power structures. He believed in resistance and that it should always be an option independent of negotiations until the occupation is ended. Yet in this process Israel wanted Arafat to use his power to provide security for the settlements and settlers while they both expanded throughout the negotiations, an untenable position for the Palestinian leadership.
In this context, Israel understood and needed Arafat since he was not a regular figure, but rather an embodiment of the Palestinian struggle in his persona, history, dress and political machination. He was the bridge between all Palestinian factions and despite his best efforts to maintain control and discipline post-Oslo, Israel's strategy at fragmenting the PLO and penetrating its inner leadership circle in the Occupied Territories was gaining traction. Arafat's hold on power levers was the only remaining obstruction.
In reality, the PLO was the major challenge to Israel since it represented the Palestinians' collective claims and had an effective global footprint. I do have long standing and extensive critique of the PLO.This, however, should not be confused with recognising the importance and the role it played across the globe, managing to create a state of Palestine without a territory - a monumental feat if one considers the obstacles.
The hands that delivered the venom were ready to serve in a Palestinian Bantustan connected to the neoliberal Arab and Muslim order, with all its glitter and wealth.
Arafat entered the "peace process" in a very weak position with limited or no Arab support, and a changing regional and global strategic map. One has to see the signing of Oslo as his way of getting back into centre stage and forcing Palestine on the international agenda. However, it was a strategic miscalculation to trust the US in the search for a Palestinian state. The Oslo agreement ended the PLO as an international body and transformed it into an authority responsible for the Palestinians under occupation. Thus the global challenge posed by the PLO was eliminated and what remained was subject to direct Israeli control, if not employed by it. One Israeli aim in the "peace process" was to decapitate the PLO and to end the Palestinian political structure, narrowing the scope of legal claims against it.
Al-Aqsa intifada and isolating Arafat
On September 28, 2001, the Second Intifada erupted after Ariel Sharon's visit to Al-Aqsa compound with over 1000 Israeli soldiers. The visit was the needed spark for a ticking bomb emerging from unfulfilled expectations and the Palestinians' loss of land since the signing of Oslo. The response from Israel was massive and violent, especially after the highly contentious election that brought Ariel Sharon to the PM.
Sharon's strategy included the isolation and replacement of Arafat, which if successful would have brought the Oslo process to a dead end. The isolation of Arafat started immediately after the elections in 2001, with then spokesman Raanan Gissin emphasising that there is no possibility for a political settlement "as long as he is around". Sharon's "peace" was only possible when a new Palestinian "prime minister who really would be strong" takes over responsibilities from Arafat. The plan was for a "post-Arafat leader" who would be amenable to accepting a "long-term interim agreement" without any changes to land control or settlements - a re-working of Sharon's earlier plans for the territories. In a short period, what started as an Israeli strategy became the policy of the US with the then Democratic presidential candidate, John Kerry and current Secretary of State calling Arafat "an outlaw to the peace process" and "an impediment to" it.
Arafat became a persona non grata not welcomed in diplomatic gatherings, while the newly empowered PM Mahmoud Abbas was invited to meetings with President Bush and Arab leaders at the World Economic Forum. While Sharon was called a "man of peace" by President Bush, Arab leaders had no objections to Arafat's isolation. Certainly, the train of Arab normalisation has left the station and Arafat was no longer welcome on it.
Why kill Arafat?
After the First Gulf War, a new order emerged that witnessed normalisation of relations between Arab and Muslim states and Israel, cooperation in intelligence and military training, economic investment and projects with the Palestinian Authority, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, US, Europe and Gulf States that produced a new elite connected to and ready to defend this order and its interests in it.
What Arafat had was his signature, and as soon as it was delivered in 1993, the execution countdown was under way.
In addition and a very important fact is that Sharon, the US and the Arab world operated in a post 9/11 logic and a changing global landscape with Arafat being a relic from a distant political past. The "new" order in the Arab world supported invading Iraq, opened torture centres for rendition and linked its security, economic and political elites to Israel. Arafat was the odd man in the mix. For him, Palestine was a real cause and not a mere tool to dispense with for a new free trade zone, a Most Favorite Nation clause or sweat shops for products to be sold at Macy's.
The new alignment moved swiftly to factor Arafat out and I believed in 2002 that his days were numbered and that the search for a replacement was underway. More importantly, Israel managed to divide the Palestinian national body and fragmented the consensus on the touchstone issues that defined the cause since the 1948. At best, the current Palestinian political structure is a hostage to Israel's occupational forces, and at worst it has been transformed into a platform for paid employees empowered to protect the settlements from the anger of the Palestinians.
What Arafat had was his signature, and as soon as it was delivered in 1993, the execution countdown was under way. Indeed, what was left was the how and when, not the if. Arafat's nationalist credentials were a threat not to be left to circumstances or allowed to reconstitute. Arafat was killed because he was too nationalist for his own good and too aware of the historical and religious significance of Palestine to accept being a chief in a new colonial plantation.
The hands that delivered the venom were ready to serve in a Palestinian Bantustan connected to the neoliberal Arab and Muslim order, with all its glitter and wealth. For sure, the actual hands that placed the polonium for Arafat's consumption are Palestinian belonging to the inner circle but the execution warrant can be traced to Sharon, Israel and the host of players in the new Arab order that have too much invested to worry about the life of one old man or Palestine for that matter. (http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2013/12/why-was-arafat-killed-201312394616797450.html)
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Opinions
Royal efforts to support the issues of the nation
Al Dustur Editorial
King Abdullah II’s visit to Brussels and the talks he held with senior Belgian and European officials within the context of the King’s efforts to deepen bilateral relations between Jordan and friendly countries, primarily EU countries have been in order to achieve the aspired-for momentum in all aspects and to move forwards with reforms. They are also aimed at discussing the current issues in the region, especially in terms of achieving peace and development in the Syrian crisis.
In this regard, it should be noted that King Abdullah is very keen on briefing these friendly countries on the Jordanian perspective on a solution for the Syrian crisis and on negotiations between the Palestinian and Israelis. This includes the obstacles that are in their way due to the insistence of the occupation authorities in continuing negotiations while continuing the Judaization of Jerusalem and Al Aqsa in addition to the Netanyahu government’s refusal to respond to international calls to stop this aggression, which is aimed at destroying the peace process from its roots.
More than once, the latest being in his message on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people, the King warned of the dangers behind the continued settlement building and the desecration of Al Aqsa. He called on the international community to rise too its duties and convince Israel to stop its unilateral measures, especially settlement building, which constitutes a violation of international law and relevant conventions, namely the Fourth Geneva Convention which prohibits any demographic or geographic changes in the occupied territories.
Continued settlement construction, the confiscation of Palestinian lands and the judiazation of Jerusalem and the Aqsa will all lead in the end, to the failure of the negotiations and a return of the conflict to square one. The responsibility of this will fall on the heads of the occupation thugs that refuse to depart from this fortress mentality and insist on exploiting the negotiations in order to consolidate the status quo. This has been proven by the facts on the ground – the number of settlements and settlers has multiplied since the Oslo Accords in 1993 – it went from around 20,000 settlers then to around 450,000 today living on Palestinian land, spreading terror and death in every corner. They have become experts at uprooting trees, burning mosques and attacking innocent civilians.
From another aspect, King Abdullah is also concerned with putting Belgian and European officials into the picture of the heavy burden Jordan is bearing because of the influx of Syrian refugees, which has exceeded 600,000; he briefed them on the lack of adherence by the international community and relevant organization to their commitments to support Jordan and provide urgent financial aid to help it offer humanitarian aid to its Syrian brothers and to help lift the burden off of Jordan’s already deficit budget..
In short, King Abdullah’s visit to Belgium and his meetings with European officials are aimed at strengthening ties between Jordan and the EU and portraying Jordan’s solution to the Syrian crisis, which it believes should be a political crisis after military and security solutions have failed. He also stressed on the need for the international community to step in and halt settlements and establish an independent Palestinian state on Palestinian national soil with Jerusalem as its capital, as the only way to achieve peace and stability in the region and to defuse any impending explosion. (http://www.addustour.com/17055/ html)
Kerry…again
Does he really have a plan?
Al Quds Editorial
US Secretary of State John Kerry began a new round of shuttle visits to the region with two major files, Iran and the Palestinian issue. It seems as though the Iranian file has been closed after the Geneva nuclear agreement. In this regard, Kerry is now trying to calm tensions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who openly opposes the agreement, and will try to convince him to accept it or at least stop opposing and criticizing it.
Some news reports have indicated that Kerry is bringing a plan with him pertaining to Israel’s security after a Palestinian state is established. The plan is said to have been prepared by General John Allen, someone close to the negotiations and who has a long military history; his last duties were in Afghanistan and therefore is seen as a suitable person to look into “security arrangements” to allay what Israel claims are its fears in this regard.
The truth is, there must be a practical and serious American move, because the nine-month period proposed by Washington is nearing its end without any results achieved. On the contrary, Israel is continuing settlement construction, judiazation, expulsion and its repeated break-ins of the Aqsa Mosque; it is refusing to recognize the 1967 borders and demands the recognition of Israel as a Jewish state, not to mention its insistence on a unified Jerusalem. These are all well-known and totally rejected measures.
If the United States does not move to find a just solution that includes the establishment of the State of Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital, and if the period for negotiations ends without results, several things will completely fall apart. After that, it will not find anyone willing to negotiate or talk about impossible solutions.
The regional climate can help in this regard after the Iranian file has been settled along with an agreement to settle the Syrian file; hence, there are no central issues other than the Palestinian cause and any American shortcoming in this regard will only serve the forces of extremism and violence which have swept through the region, the outcome of which we have seen in more than one place. No Arab, regional or international parties will benefit from this – America and its interests first and foremost. (http://www.alquds.com/news/article/view/id/476582)
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