Archive for Mid-East News

| June 18, 2014
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PA Official promises termination of unity-gov’t if Hamas guilty of kidnapping

 

As both factions skeptical of the other, PA considers seizure of Hamas assets.  A PA source leaked: “The more evidence is collected, the more it appears that Hamas betrayed the trust it was given & that the organization exploited the reconciliation agreement to throw sand in our eyes.”

By Daniel Siryoti & Shlomo Cesana

 

Tensions between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, following the abduction of three Israeli teenagers in the West Bank, have reached a critical lack of trust that threatens to dismantle the Palestinian unity government and delay the implementation of the sides’ reconciliation pact.

The new Palestinian unity government was sworn in two weeks ago – Photo: Reuters

The crisis, according to a senior source in Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ bureau, began after Abbas ordered his security forces to increase cooperation with Israeli security forces to help locate the three missing teens.

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| June 12, 2014
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Compilation of Falafel Stories: Happy ‘World Falafel Day’!

Israel participates in the annual celebration of the most-loved Middle Eastern treat.

In addition to being Philippines Independence Day and the start of the World Cup, June 12 also happens to be World Falafel Day.

Gabai’s famous falafel

Gabai’s famous falafel, located on Bograshov Street in central Tel Aviv – Photo: Rotem Maimon

In honor of the day honoring Israel’s national food, we’ve trawled through our archives and found seven must-read articles to help you mark the occasion.

On World Falafel Day, at least, let’s not argue over the origins of the humble dish. Let’s have a ball.

No matter where it originated, falafel is still Israel’s national food

Preparing falafel balls.
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Category: Israel News, Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| June 12, 2014
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Erekat ‘Furious’ After Abbas Vetoes PA vote to Charge Israel of ‘War Crimes’

The Palestinians former top negotiator lashes out at Abbas after he rejected the vote to charge Israel at the Hague, saying the PA appears to be Abbas’s ‘personal property.’

By Dalit Halevi, Tova Dvorin

 

Former Palestinian Authority (PA) Chief Negotiator Saeb Erekat slammed PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’s “soft” policies in the new “unity” government with Hamas, according to tapes leaked by the Awrak news agency.

In the tapes, Erekat makes a series of furious remarks over Abbas’s decisions, saying that Abbas views the government as his “personal property.” According to Erekat, Abbas rejected a PLO majority vote Wednesday night that would have seen the PA turn to the International Criminal Court over Israel’s actions over the past several days. Continue Reading »

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| June 11, 2014
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Egyptian infantry battalion deployed in Sinai to curtail terrorist attacks on Israel

Egyptian source reports infantry deployment was coordinated with Israel because of the growing threat from Sinai militants.

By

 

Egypt has deployed a new infantry battalion in the Taba area of Sinai, south of Eilat, in a bid to prevent possible attacks on the Israeli resort city or on air traffic headed there, Egyptian sources said.

Egyptian Army soldiers patrol in Sinai.

Egyptian Army soldiers on duty in northern Sinai. – Photo: AP

The deployment was coordinated with Israel.

The Egyptian forces will be stationed particularly close to the Israeli border, compared with previous Egyptian deployments to which Israel has agreed.

Israel has consented to such deployments several times over the last few years even though it is expressly prohibited by  the military appendix of the 1979 peace treaty between Israel and Egypt. Continue Reading »

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| June 11, 2014
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ex-Hamas official: Mahmoud Abbas lied to United States

 

A former Hamas spokesman says the PA president’s statements that the new unity gov’t recognizes Israel is deceitful and meant to mislead the U.S. & Israel.

Defence Minister Ya’alon: Present unity gov’t is Hamas’ attempt to take control over West Bank.

By Daniel Siryoti and Israel Hayom Staff

 

 

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas admitted to Hamas officials during closed-door meetings that he has been lying to the United States, Palestinian Media Watch has reported, quoting a former Hamas spokesman.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas - Photo: Oren Nachshon

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas – Photo: Oren Nachshon

The PMW report said that former Hamas spokesman Ihab al-Rasin posted on his Facebook page that Abbas was lying when he told U.S.

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| June 11, 2014
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Poll: Palestinians prefer charging Israel at ICC than starting 3rd intifada

 

Palestinian Center for Policy & Research also shows the majority of Palestinians believe unity gov’t does not close door on peace talks.

By TOVAH LAZAROFF

 

 

More Palestinians want to bring Israel before the International Criminal Court than fight them in the streets in an armed third intifada, according to new poll conducted by Khalil Shikaki of the Palestinian Center for Policy and Research.

The Hague, International Criminal Court. – Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

The Hague, International Criminal Court. – Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Palestinian continue to support a two-state solution and do not believe that the newly unified Fatah-Hamas government is an obstacle to renewed negotiations, according to Shikaki’s data which he presented on Tuesday afternoon to the 2014 Herzliya Conference. Continue Reading »

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| June 9, 2014
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Israel seeks dismantling of Hamas military arm forces with PA’s return to Gaza

 

Israel launched diplomatic campaign last week in effort to pressure Abbas to assert PA control over Gaza, following his formation of a Hamas-Fatah unity government .

By

 

 

Israel launched an international diplomatic campaign last week aimed at putting pressure on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the new Palestinian government to assert its control over the Gaza Strip and take security responsibility for what happens there.

Palestinian unity government

Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah (6th L) and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (5th L) with ministers at the unity government’s swearing-in ceremony, Ramallah, West Bank, June 2, 2014.- Photo: Reuters

On Thursday, June 5, the Foreign Ministry issued an order to Israel’s diplomatic missions worldwide, regarding diplomatic activity following the wave of international recognition for the new Palestinian unity government.

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| June 8, 2014
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New Sisi gov’t prepared to reopen Egyptian border with Gaza under PLO supervision

Egyptian official reports new Sisi administration backs Fatah-Hamas unity gov’t, considering to reopen the Rafah crossing under PA control.

By Ari Yashar

 

A senior Egyptian official revealed Saturday that newly elected President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s administration strongly supports the new Hamas-Fatah unity government, and is considering giving it supervision of the Rafah crossing from Gaza to Sinai.

The official, who spoke to the Judea and Samaria-based Arab Ma’an News Agency on condition of anonymity, said Egypt is willing to open the crossing which has been closed for months.

The move is part of an Egyptian siege of the Hamas-enclave of Gaza, which has sealed off the illegal smuggling tunnels that are used to transport fuel and goods from Sinai, but also weapons and terrorists, and has consequently caused an economic collapse in Gaza. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| June 6, 2014
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Israel Police Raid Palestine TV studios in E. Jerusalem

 

An investigation into questionable network broadcasts of ‘incitement to violence’ got 3 staff members detained for questioning by Israel Police detectives.

By AFP

 

Israeli police raided the East Jerusalem studios of Palestine TV on Friday and briefly detained three staff for questioning, a spokeswoman said.

Ibraheem Hamed, a Palestinian television cameraman from Watan TV, stands in the station's studio in the West Bank city of Ramallah - Photo: REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman

Ibraheem Hamed, a Palestinian television cameraman from Watan TV, stands in the station’s studio in the West Bank city of Ramallah – Photo: REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman

“Police carried out searches at the headquarters of the television channel, as part of an investigation into the content of its programs,” spokeswoman Luba Samri told AFP.

“Three employees were arrested, questioned and released,” she said, adding that “no programs were interrupted and the investigation is ongoing.” Continue Reading »

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| June 6, 2014
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PLO condemns Australia for declaring E. Jerusalem not ‘occupied’

 

 

PLO letter penned by senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat, objects to Australia’s decision, quoting UN resolutions that are not legally binding & using the same erroneous popular political Arab rhetoric about East Jerusalem and construction of Jewish towns.

By  
 
The Palestinian Authority on Thursday condemned Australia’s policy shift to stop referring to East Jerusalem as “occupied” by Israel, and warned that it is currently weighing its response.
East Jerusalem and the Old City.

Arab neighborhoods in East Jerusalem are seen by tourists. – Photo: Reuters

In a letter sent to Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Palestinian Chief Negotiator Saeb Erekat said the Palestinians view this decision “in the gravest terms,” and accused Australia of not recognizing the illegality of Israel’s settlements policy.

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| June 6, 2014
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‘Unity’ in Hevron as PA Arrests 100 Hamas Activists

Additional signs of ‘unity’ trepidation as PA security personnel arrest 100 Hamas members organizing the ‘Naksa Day’ event before a Fatah member was arrested in Gaza following a violent skirmish over money between the 2 factions.

By Ari Yashar

 

The tensions between the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Hamas, despite the newly founded unity government on Monday, were displayed on Thursday as PA security services arrested Hamas members in Hevron located in Judea.

Members of the Gaza-based Hamas terror organization tried to organize a large event in Hevron for “Naksa Day,” the annual demonstrations against the 1967 Six Day War liberation of Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the Golan Heights by Israel. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , ,
| June 5, 2014
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What ‘Unity’? Fistfights between Hamas & PA in Gaza

Following Hamas’ ‘thugs’ attacking Fatah members over salaries from new unity gov’t, the PA threatens ‘consequences’ after the closure of banks in Gaza.

By Ari Yashar

 

The unity government founded between the Palestinian Authority (PA) and terrorist group Hamas on Monday is hitting early snags, as brawls broke out in Gaza on Thursday over the payment of employees of the two groups, leading to the closure of banks.

Hamas violently took control of Gaza in 2007, and began cracking down on Fatah officials living in the territory. Since then the PA has continued paying roughly 70,000 employees in Gaza.

Thousands of Hamas employees, who have not been paid for the last several weeks, lined up at bank ATMs in Gaza on Thursday, hoping to now withdraw their back-logged salaries thanks to the unity government, reports Reuters. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| June 2, 2014
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At Ramallah ceremony Palestinians swear in new government that includes Hamas

 

History at PLO HQ in Ramallah as Abbas’ new government now includes Fatah’s mortal opposition, Gaza’s Hamas.

By Elior Levy

 

The Palestinian unity government has been sworn in at the PLO headquarters in Ramallah, with the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas present at the event.

Photo: Reuters

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas & Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah – Photo: Reuters

The brief ceremony at Abbas’ West Bank headquarters was preceded by last-minute haggling over the makeup of the 17-member Cabinet of technocrats, signaling the continued tensions between the long-time rivals.

Hamas’ threatened Monday to backtrack from its commitment to form a unity government with Abbas’ Fatah because of the latter’s move to dissolve the Palestinian Ministry of Prisoner Affairs. Continue Reading »

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| June 2, 2014
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Hamas Rejects Unity Gov’t Unless Last-Minute Demands Met

Hamas official informed Fatah it will refuse to join gov’t unless Ministry of Prisoners remains in zero-hour demand.

By Ari Yashar

 

Hamas informed Fatah on Monday that it would refuse to join the unity government being unveiled in Ramallah at 1 p.m. local time, unless its demands regarding the Ministry of Prisoners are met.

According to Hamas Spokesperson Sami Abu-Zuhri, Fatah had been given an official notice about the Hamas decision on Sunday to reject the swearing in of the new government if the Ministry of Prisoners is cancelled, reports Ma’an News Agency.

“(The) Hamas movement won’t agree to announce a unity government without a ministry and a minister of prisoners, and Fatah has already been notified of that irrevocable decision,” Abu-Zuhri declared Monday. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags:
| June 2, 2014
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Egypt criminalizes Gaza smuggling tunnels

 

New Egyptian law criminalizes construction or operation of smuggling tunnels to Gaza making violation of the law punishable by imprisonment.

By i24news

 

Egyptian sources announced the passage of a new law criminalizing the construction and operation of tunnels running between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, Ma’an reported.

Tents cover entrances of tunnels used for smuggling along the Gaza-Egypt border, near the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah on August 6 2012 – Photo: AFP

The State Council included an article in the law according to Penal Code Law 82 subjecting anyone constructing, operating, or using tunnels between Egypt and a neighboring territory to imprisonment. Continue Reading »

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