Tag Archive for Israel-PA

Palestinian sources claim Israel forcing Abbas to stay put in Ramallah

 

A Palestinian source claims Abbas’s inability to exit the West Bank is not the result of his cancelling all security cooperation with Israel (as alleged by Abbas’s spokesmen and advisors), but rather stems from Israeli sanctions imposed on the Palestinian leader after “failures” regarding Abbas’ incitement during the Temple Mount incident.
– Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office refutes the allegations.

By YASSER OKBI/ MAARIV HASHAVUA, YANIR COZIN

 

Israel is blocking Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas from leaving Ramallah due to his failure to calm the tensions surrounding new security measures at the Temple Mount, according to senior Palestinian sources.

Palestinians praying outside Temple Mount entrance, before the removal of the metal-detectors by Israel.

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Israeli Energy Minister & Palestinian PM dedicate new electrical substation near Jenin

In a show of Israeli-Palestinian cooperation, Israel boosts electricity supply to Palestinian cities that will supply 60 megawatts of power to the West Bank.
• Energy Minister Steinitz: ‘This is an encouraging historic moment.’

By Hezi Sternlicht, Reuters & Israel Hayom Staff

 

In a show of Israeli-Palestinian cooperation, Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz and Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah on Monday signed a deal under which Israel will increase the power supply to Palestinian cities in Judea and Samaria, especially in the greater Jenin area.

Palestinian PM Rami Hamdallah and Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz at the dedication of the Jenin power substation – Yuval Steinitz’s Facebook page

As part of the deal, a new electrical substation was inaugurated near Jenin on Monday. Continue Reading »

Palestinians irritated at perceived lack of Israeli appreciation for PA firefighting assistance

Abbas’ gov’t expressed its displeasure over what it considers Israel’s lack of appreciation at receiving Palestinian firefighters.

By YASSER OKBI/ MAARIV HASHAVUA

 

 

The Palestinian Authority was reportedly irked that it did not receive what it saw as a proper response from Israel thanking its firefighters for their efforts to battle raging blazes across the country in recent days.

“Palestine’s decision to assist in efforts to extinguish the fires in Israel was conducted in line with their humanitarian principles, rules and obligations, and not with the expectation of receiving thanks from the Israeli government,” the PA Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

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PA refusal to cooperate with Israel over water infrastructure upgrades worries officials

 

The IDF’s Head of the Coordination for Government Activities in the Territories writes a letter imploring int’l community to step in before an impending water crisis hits the Palestinians, who refuse to meet with the Israelis to discuss its water management program.

By Itamar Eichner

 

The IDF has warned the international community that the water infrastructure in the West Bank and Gaza will collapse as long as the Palestinian Authority refuses to cooperate with Israel.

According to Head of the Coordination for Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai, the joint Israeli-Palestinian water distribution council—which manages water infrastructure in the West Bank—hasn’t met since 2010 due to the Palestinians’ refusal to approve water infrastructure upgrades in the West Bank settlements. Continue Reading »

Fatah official hints that Palestinian Authority may stop using Israel’s shekel

Nabil Sha’ath, a senior Fatah official, also repeated a PA threat to halt its security coordination with Israel.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH

 

The Palestinian Authority may end its currency union with Israel, Nabil Sha’ath, a senior Fatah official, announced on Monday.

New 200 shekel bill. – Photo: COURTESY OF THE BANK OF ISRAEL

Sha’ath, a member of the Fatah Central Committee and a former PA foreign minister, said that the boycott of the shekel was one of a number of “daring and decisive” decisions that the PA leadership would take if Israel continued to violate agreements signed with the Palestinians.

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Palestinian President Pays Caught Terrorist Prisoners More Than His PA Police

MK Orit Struk revealed in Knesset Committee meeting, “Being a terrorist actually becomes a profession of choice.”

By Hezki Ezra and Tova Dvorin

 

The Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee debated Sunday a groundbreaking proposal to offset the money Israel collects for the Palestinian Authority (PA) by funneling money given to terrorists back into the State.

Prisoner captive jail bars

Prisoner captive jail bars – Thinkstock

MK Orit Struk (Jewish Home), one of the initiators of the bill, noted that funds given to the PA are a significant factor in encouraging terrorism against Israelis and Jews.

“Being a terrorist actually becomes a profession of choice,” Struk stated during the hearing.

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Palestinian Authority Threatens Kerry With Ultimatum Over Releasing Terrorists

 

Ramallah tells US: Get Israel to release imprisoned terrorists within 24 hours – or we will turn to the UN instead.

By AFP and Arutz Sheva Staff

 

The Palestinian Authority on Monday gave US Secretary of State John Kerry 24 hours to get Israel to release the fourth batch of terrorists, according to AFP, after which they will resume moves to seek international recognition.

Exasperated. John Kerry (illustrative) – Reuters

“If we don’t get an answer from John Kerry on the prisoners tonight, we’ll begin to ask for membership in all UN agencies tomorrow,” Palestinian MP Mustafa Barghuti told AFP following a top-level leadership meeting in Ramallah which took place as Kerry arrived in Israel. Continue Reading »

Israel’s PM Netanyahu: No more released terrorists without quid pro quo

 

Though Jerusalem refused to execute release of 4th round of imprisoned Palestinian terrorists, PA official claim no immediate action will be taken against Israel.

By Roi Kais, Attila Somfalvi

 

In a meeting with Likud ministers Sunday morning, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu exclaimed that no more Palestinian prisoners will be released if no clear exchange will be guaranteed.

Previous round of Palestinian prisoners' release (Photo: Hassan Shaalan)

Previous round of Palestinian prisoners’ release – Photo: Hassan Shaalan

“It could be a matter of days. Either it resolves or implodes. Either way, there will be no deal without the exchange that the State of Israel receives will be clear,” the prime minister said. Continue Reading »

PA Waiting to See U.S. Reaction to Postponement of 4th Terrorist Release

Palestinian Arab sources say Abbas’ Palestinian Authority is waiting for the US to formally respond to Israel’s decision not to release imprisoned terrorists, before taking action.

By Tova Dvorin

 

The Palestinian Authority (PA) is biding its time to act after Israel refused to release the fourth batch of terrorists Friday, a source told A-Sharaq Al-Awsat Sunday, and is waiting for US government officials to react before taking unilateral steps on the issue in violation of previous agreements.

“The [PA] leadership does not want to cause conflict immediately by taking responsibility for the destruction of the peace process,” the sources stated. Continue Reading »

Boycott? Palestinians Increase Their Imports from Israel

According to new released statistics, the Palestinian Authority has seen an increase in both importing from Israel & exporting to Israel.

By Elad Benari, Canada

 

The Palestinian Authority (PA) really likes Israeli-made products and even prefers them over those of other countries, according to newly released statistics.

In fact, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics reported Friday, the PA has seen an increase in both importing from Israel and exporting to Israel.

According to the statistics, in January, the PA’s exports declined by 8.7 percent compared with the previous month, but its scope, which amounted to 68.6 million, was still larger by 10.1 percent compared to the same month last year. Continue Reading »

US Framework is Demanding of Abbas a PA Recognition of Israel as Jewish State

US Ambassador Dan Shapiro has reported that despite their open opposition, the PA must recognize Israel as the Jewish State under the American framework agreement.

By Tova Dvorin

 

US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro declared Friday that the Palestinian Authority (PA) will be obligated to recognize Israel as a Jewish state under the US framework agreement – despite the PA’s ongoing defiance over the issue.

“[The PA] recognizing Israel as Jewish state is a key sign that the conflict is ending,” Shapiro stated on Reshet Bet radio. “The United States has always believed that Israel is a Jewish state and that it should stay that way.” Continue Reading »

Palestinians Gives Israel 3 Years to Withdraw from Judea & Samaria

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas gives Israel a 3 year deadline to withdraw every Jew from Judea and Samaria, in the event of an interim deal.

By AFP and Arutz Sheva Staff

 

Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has given Israel 3 years to withdraw from Judea and Samaria in the event that an interim agreement is reached, according to AFP.

“Those who are proposing 10 to 15 years (before a withdrawal) do not want to withdraw at all,” Abbas said in an interview screened on Tuesday at the annual conference of the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) taking place in Tel Aviv. Continue Reading »

Israeli & Palestinian officials meet to coordinate civilian emergency responses

The meeting occurred due to a convergence of interests. Coordinating on aspects such as the clearing of roads in the event of floods, & joint firefighting efforts were addressed, and there was positive atmosphere from both sides.

 

 

Israeli and Palestinian officials held a meeting in Hebron this week, the first of its kind, to improve joint coordination in responding to civilian emergencies such as fires and accidents, and to figure out ways to protect the local environment together.

A FIREFIGHTER uses a fire extinguisher during a drill at a school in Jerusalem. - Photo: Reuters

A FIREFIGHTER uses a fire extinguisher during a drill at a school in Jerusalem. – Photo: Reuters

The understandings reached by the participants found expression already on Thursday, when two Palestinian bulldozers joined Israeli bulldozers in clearing routes 36 and 60 after a heavy snow storm blocked the two roads that serve Palestinian and Israeli drivers. Continue Reading »

Israeli industries targeted by low taxes from Palestinian Authority

Factory owners explain how the PA deliberately cuts taxes so that Israeli industries can’t compete.

‘Bennett must intervene before we become totally dependent on the PA.’

By Maayana Miskin

 

Israeli factory owners in the textile and furniture industries have called on Minister of Economics and Trade Naftali Bennett to tax Palestinian Authority-area goods in order to save Israeli industry.

Despite its reported financial crisis, the PA is deliberately taking in less tax income than it could in order to hurt Israel, says factory owner Shaul Ben-Yosef, who spoke to Arutz Sheva.

Israeli factories are currently forced to compete with PA factories – a competition that is heavily biased in the PA’s favor, he said. Continue Reading »

A Mere 28% Still Believe in ‘Palestinian Partner’ Poll

Only 28.2% of Israelis feel Israel has someone to negotiate with.

29.1% said Zoabi should be left alone

Poll shows 75% see Netanyahu winning the elections.

By Maayana Miskin

 

Only 28.2% of Israelis believe that Israel has a partner for peace in negotiations with the Palestinians, according to a new survey conducted by Gal Hadash for Yisrael Hayom. 62.4% say there is no partner for peace.

The Arab population of Judea, Samaria and Gaza is currently politically split. Those in Gaza are ruled by Hamas, which rejects Israel’s existence and calls to destroy the Jewish state.

The Fatah-led Palestinian Authority headed by Mahmoud Abbas has control in Judea and Samaria. Continue Reading »